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diff --git a/38102-h/38102-h.htm b/38102-h/38102-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0eec115 --- /dev/null +++ b/38102-h/38102-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3870 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Critical Examination of the Life Of St. Paul, by Boulanger + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Critical Examination of the Life of St. Paul, by +Boulanger + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Critical Examination of the Life of St. Paul + +Author: Boulanger + +Release Date: November 22, 2011 [EBook #38102] +Last Updated: March 25, 2019 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EXAMINATION OF THE LIFE OF ST. PAUL *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE LIFE OF ST. PAUL + </h1> + <h2> + By Boulanger + </h2> + <h3> + Translated From The French Of Boulanger + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + "Paul, thou art beside thyself, much learning doth make thee mad." <br /> + Acts, chap. 26, ver. 24. <br /> <br /> 1823 + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE LIFE OF ST. + PAUL</b> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. Is the Conversion of St. Paul a + proof in favour of the Christian Religion? </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. Opinions of the first Christians + upon the Acts of the Apostles, and upon the Epistles and Person of St. + Paul. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. Of the Authority of the Councils, + of the Fathers of the Church, and of Tradition </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. Life of St. Paul, according to the + Acts of the Apostles </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. St. Paul styles himself the Apostle + of the Gentiles—Causes of his Success. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. Paul preaches in Asia Minor, + Macedonia, and Greece </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. Preaching of St. Paul at Corinth + and Ephesus </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. The Apostle gets into + embarrassments at Jerusalem, and is sent to Rome </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. Reflections on the Life and + Character of St. Paul </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. Of the Enthusiasm of St. Paul </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. Of the Disinterestedness of St. + Paul </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. Of the imperious Tone and + political Views of St. Paul </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. Of the Humility, of St. Paul </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. Of the Zeal of St. Paul; + Reflections on this Christian Virtue </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. Of the Deceptions or Apostacy of + St. Paul </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. St. Paul's Hypocrisy </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. St. Paul accused of Perjury, or + the Author of the Acts of the Apostles, convicted of Falsehood. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. Examination of St. Paul's + Miracles </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. Analysis of the writings + attributed to St. Paul </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. Of Faith, in what this Virtue + consists </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. Of the Holy Ghost, and Divine + Inspiration </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. Of the Inspiration of the + Prophets of the Old Testament </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER. XXIII. Of the Descent of the Holy + Ghost upon the Apostles, or their Divine Inspiration </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. General reflections on the + foundations of Christian Faith, and on the Causes of Credulity </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_CONC"> CONCLUSION. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION. + </h2> + <h3> + EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO M. L. N. + </h3> + <p> + Sir, In our last conversation you appeared to me, very much smitten with + St. Paul and his works; you recommended me to reperuse his writings; + assuring me that I should there find arguments well calculated to shake + incredulity and confirm a Christian in his faith. + </p> + <p> + Although the actions of this celebrated Apostle, related in the Acts, and + his doctrine contained in his Epistles, were already perfectly known to + me, yet to conform myself to your desires, and give you proofs of my + docility, I have again read those works, and I can assure you that I have + done it with the greatest attention. You will judge of that yourself, by + the reflections I send you; they will at least prove to you that I have + read with attention. A superficial glance is only likely to deceive us or + leave us in error. The passions and the prejudices of men prevent them + from examining with candour, and from their indolence they are often + disgusted with the researches necessary for discovering truth; that has + also been with so much care veiled from their eyes: but it is in vain to + cover it, its splendour will sooner or later shine forth; the works of + enthusiasm or imposture, will always end by betraying themselves. As for + the rest, read and judge. You will find, I think, at least, some reasons + for abating a little from that high opinion, that prejudice gives us of + the Apostle of the Gentiles, and of the religious system of the + Christians, of which St. Paul was evidently the true architect. I am not + ignorant that it is very difficult to undo at one blow the ideas to which + the mind has been so long accustomed; but whatever may be your judgment it + will not alter the sentiments of friendship and attachment which are due + to the goodness of your heart. + </p> + <p> + I am, &c, &c. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE LIFE OF ST. PAUL + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. Is the Conversion of St. Paul a proof in favour of the + Christian Religion? + </h2> + <p> + Many theologians would make us regard the miraculous conversion and + apostleship of St. Paul as one of the strongest proofs of the truth of + Christianity. But in viewing the thing closely it appears that this + conversion, far from proving any thing in favour of this religion, + invalidates the other proofs of it, in fact, our doctors continually + assure us that the Christian religion draws its strongest proofs from the + prophecies of the Old Testament, whilst there is not in fact a single one + of these prophecies that can be literally applied to the Messiah of the + Christians. St. Paul himself willing to make use of these oracles of the + Jewish nation to prove the mission of Christ, is obliged to distort them, + and to seek in them a mystical, allegorical, and figurative sense. On the + other side, how can these prophecies made by Jews and addressed to Jews, + serve as proofs of the doctrine of St. Paul, who had evidently formed the + design of altering, or even of destroying, the Jewish religion, in order + to raise a new system on its ruins? Such being the state of things, what + real connection, or what relation, can there be between the religious + system of the Jews, and that of St. Paul? For this Apostle to have had the + right of making use of the Jewish prophecies, it would have been necessary + that he should have remained a Jew; his conversion to Christianity + evidently deprived him of the privilege of serving himself, by having + recourse to the prophecies belonging to a religion that he had just + abandoned, and the ruin of which he meditated. True prophecies can only be + found in a divine religion, and a religion truly divine, can neither be + altered, reformed, nor destroyed: God himself, if he is immutable, could + not change it. + </p> + <p> + In fact, might not the Jews have said to St. Paul, "Apostate that you are! + you believe in our prophecies, and you come to destroy the religion + founded upon the same prophecies. If you believe in our oracles, you are + forced to believe that the religion which you have quitted is a true + religion and divinely inspired. If you say, that God has changed his mind, + you are impious in pretending that God could change, and was not + sufficiently wise, to give at once to his people a perfect worship, and + one which had no need of being reformed. On the other side, do not the + reiterated promises of the Most High, confirmed by paths to our fathers, + assure us, that his alliance with us should endure eternally? You are then + an impostor, and, according to our law, we ought to exterminate you; + seeing that Moses, our divine legislator, orders us to put to death, + whoever shall have the temerity to preach to us a new worship, even though + he should confirm his mission by prodigies. The God that you preach is not + the God of our fathers: you say that Christ is his son; but we know that + God has no son. You pretend that this son, whom we have put to death as a + false prophet, has risen from the dead, but Moses has not spoken of the + resurrection; thus your new God and your dogmas are contrary to our law, + and consequently we ought to hold them in abhorrence." In short these same + Jews might have said to St. Paul: "You deceive yourself in saying, that + you are the disciple of Jesus, your Jesus was a Jew, during the whole of + his life he was circumcised, he conformed himself to all the legal + ordinances; he often protested that he came to accomplish, and not to + abolish the law; whilst you in contempt of the protestations of the + Master, whose Apostle you say you are, take the liberty of changing this + holy law, of decrying it, of dispensing with its most essential + ordinances." + </p> + <p> + Moreover the conversion of St. Paul strangely weakens the proof that the + Christian religion draws from the miracles of Jesus Christ and his + Apostles. According to the evangelists themselves the Jews were not at all + convinced by these miracles. The transcendant prodigy of the resurrection + of Christ, the wonders since wrought by some of his adherents did not + contribute more to their conversion. St. Paul believed nothing of them at + first, he was a zealous persecutor of the first Christians to such a + degree, that, according to the Christians, nothing short of a new miracle, + performed for him alone, was able to convert him; which proves to us that + there was, at least, a time when St. Paul did not give any credit to the + wonders that the partisans of Jesus related at Jerusalem. + </p> + <p> + He needed a particular miracle to believe in those miracles, that we are + obliged to believe in at the time in which we live, without heaven + operating any new prodigy to demonstrate to us the truth of them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. Opinions of the first Christians upon the Acts of the + Apostles, and upon the Epistles and Person of St. Paul. + </h2> + <p> + It is in the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistles of St. Paul, that we + find the details of his life and the system of his doctrine; but, how can + we be certain of the authenticity of these works, whilst we see many of + the first Christians doubt and reject them as apocryphal? We find, in + fact, that from the earliest period of the church, entire sects of + Christians, who believed that many of the Epistles published under the + name of this Apostle, were not really his. The Marcionites were confident + that the gospels were filled with falshoods, and Marcion, their head, + pretended that his gospel was the only true one. + </p> + <p> + The Manicheans, who formed a very numerous sect at the commencement of + Christianity, rejected as false, all the New Testament, and produced other + writings, quite different, which they gave as authentic. The Corinthians, + as well as the Marcionites, did not admit the Acts of the Apostles. The + Encratites and the Severians did not adopt either the Acts or the Epistles + of St. Paul. St. John Chrysostom in a homily, which he has made upon the + Acts, says, that in his time (that is to say, towards the end of the + fourth century) many men were ignorant not only of the name of the author, + or of the collector of these Acts, but even did not know this work. The + Valentinians, as well as many other sects of Christians accused our + scriptures of being filled with errors, imperfections, and contradictions, + and of being insufficient without the assistance of traditions; this is a + fact that is attested to us by St. Irenĉus. The Ebionites or Nazarenes, + who, as we shall soon see, were the first Christians, rejected all the + Epistles of St. Paul, and regarded him as an impostor and hypocrite. + </p> + <p> + It will not fail being said to us, that we ought not to rely on the + testimony of heretics; but I shall reply, that in the matter in question, + their testimony is of the same weight as that of the orthodox, seeing that + all the different sects consider themselves as orthodox, and have treated + their adversaries as heretics. How shall we unravel the truth if we do not + hear both parties? By what signs shall we know those on whom we ought to + rely? Shall we cede the cause without examining their adversaries, to + writers who utter to us falshoods without number, who contradict each + other, who are never agreed amongst themselves, and whose discordant + writings are nevertheless produced as proofs of what they advance? In any + other subject such a conduct would seem to betray a partiality or even + insincerity: but in religious matters, every thing is fair, and there is + no necessity of being so nice. + </p> + <p> + However that may be, it does not follow that because one sect has received + or rejected a work, that the work itself is either true or false; there + cannot be otherwise than, a diversity of opinions between persons of + different parties; their testimony ought to have equal weight, until the + partisans of one sect, have been convicted of being greater cheats and + liars, than those of the other. If we pay no regard to the authority of + heretics, it is because they have not had sufficient power to enforce + their opinions. It is power or weakness which makes orthodoxians or + heretics: the last are always those who have not power enough to make + their opinions current. + </p> + <p> + What course shall we then pursue to discover on which side is the truth? + An impartial man will no more expect to find it in one party than in + another, thus the testimony of the one can have no greater weight than + that of the other in the eye of an unprejudiced man. + </p> + <p> + This granted, we cannot rely on the authority of Christian traditions + which vary in all sects, and we shall be reduced to recur solely to + reason, especially when we find that the works, which are to-day regarded + as authentic, have in other times been considered as suppositious, or + apocryphal, by some very ancient sects of Christians, and that the works + and writings, then regarded as apocryphal, have since been adopted as + true. + </p> + <p> + It appears that in the ancient churches, they read at once the works that + we now regard as true, and those that now-pass for suppositious, in such + sort, that there is reason to believe they were then held to possess equal + claim to authenticity: it is, at least, very, difficult to demonstrate the + contrary in the present time. Some churches have attributed the same + authority to false or doubtful writings as to true. + </p> + <p> + The Roman Church to-day adopts as authentic and divinely inspired many + books of the Bible, absolutely rejected by the Protestants. How is it + possible to decide which is the party that deceives itself? + </p> + <p> + By what right can we then affirm to-day that the works of St. Paul, + formerly rejected by so many Christian sects, are authentic, that is to + say, truly belong to this Apostle? On the other hand, how can we attribute + to divine inspiration writings filled with inconsistencies, + contradictions, mistakes, and false reasonings, in a word, which bear + every character of delirium, of ignorance, and of fraud? I acknowledge + that those who want valid proofs, always do right to affirm the thing, + with the tone of authority; but this tone proves nothing, and always + prejudices against those who take it. Nothing is more injurious to the + interest of truth, than the arrogance of an usurped authority. These are, + however, the arms that are incessantly opposed to those who doubt of + religion. It would seem that its defenders have no other arguments than + their pretences; it is easy to feel that these arguments are every thing, + but convincing. + </p> + <p> + The Acts of the Apostles, adopted by the Ebionites or Nazarenes, relate + amongst other things, that, "Paul was originally a Pagan, that he came to + Jerusalem where he dwelt for some time; that being desirous of marrying + the daughter of the High Priest he became a proselyte, and was + circumcised; but not being able to obtain the woman he desired, he + quarrelled with the Jews, began to write against the circumcision, against + the observation of the Sabbath, and against legal ordinances." + </p> + <p> + We know that the name of Nazarenes was the first which was given to the + Christians. St. Epiphanius, from whom the preceding passage is taken, + says, "that they were thus named because of Jesus of Nazareth," of whom + they were the first disciples. The Jews called them Nazarenes from the + Hebrew word Nozerim, which signifies one separated or excommunicated; + again they designated them under the name of Mineans, that is to say, + heretics. They were also by contempt called Ebionites, which signifies + poor, mendicant, weak-minded. In fact, the Hebrew Ebion, means poor, + miserable, and we know, that the first followers of Christ, were every + thing but opulent or intelligent men. + </p> + <p> + The first faithful, were Jews converted by Jesus himself, or by the most + ancient Apostles, such as Peter, James, and John, who as well as their + master, lived in Judaism. These Apostles, disciples, and new converts, + differed from the Jews in nothing but the belief in Jesus Christ, whom + they regarded as the Messiah predicted by the prophets; otherwise they + believed themselves bound constantly to observe the Mosaic law, persuaded + that their Messiah was come to accomplish and not to destroy this law. In + consequence of this, they observed circumcision, the abstinence from + certain meats, separation from the Gentiles, in a word, the Jewish rites + and ordinances. + </p> + <p> + Thus the first Apostles, and their adherents, were only Jews, persuaded + that the Messiah was already come, and was going soon to commence his + reign, which made them hated and persecuted as schismatics or heretics by + their fellow-citizens. St. Jerome informs us, "that even down to his time, + the Jews used to anathematize the Christians, under the name of Nazarenes, + three times a day in their synagogues." + </p> + <p> + All this evidently proves, that the Nazarenes, of Ebionites, were the + first Christians, taught by the most considerable of the Apostles, and + that the first Christians were only reformed Jews; this is clearly the + only idea we can form of Christianity, such as it was taught by Jesus + Christ himself. + </p> + <p> + How then comes it that since Jesus, Christianity has been so separated + from Judaism? a slight attention will prove to us that this is owing to + St. Paul. Repulsed by the Jews, or perhaps desirous of playing a more + important part, we see him separate himself from his brethren of + Jerusalem, and undertake the conversion of the Gentiles, for whom the Jews + entertained no sentiment but horror. Encouraged by his first successes and + wishing to extend them, he dispensed the Pagans from the painful ceremony + of circumcision; he declared that the law of Moses, was only a law of + servitude, from which Jesus was come to free mankind; he pretended that + all the old law was merely the emblem and figure of the new; he announced + himself as the Apostle of the Gentiles, and leaving Peter and the other + Nazarenes to preach the gospel of circumcision, he preached his own + gospel, which he himself called the gospel of uncircumcision: in a word, + he made a divorce with the Jewish laws, to which his apostolic brethren + believed they ought to hold themselves attached, at least, in most + respects. + </p> + <p> + The conduct of Paul, must naturally have displeased his seniors in the + Apostleship, but fear appears to have deter mined them to cede, at least + for a time, to our missionary who had already made a considerable party. + Nevertheless the Acts of the Apostles and the writings of Paul, prove to + us his quarrels with his brethren, who, according to appearances, never + viewed with a friendly eye, his enterprizes and innovations. Moreover, + Eusebius and St. Epiphanius inform us, that our Apostle was regarded as an + apostate, an impostor, and an enemy by the Ebionites, that is to say, by + the first faithful. But St. Paul's party having in the end prevailed, the + Jewish law was entirely banished from Christianity, and the Ebionites, or + Nazarenes, though of more ancient date and though formed by Christ and his + first apostles were declared heretics. + </p> + <p> + It is proper to remark in this place that these Ebionites, or first + Christians, believed that Jesus was but a man, as much on the side of his + father as on that of his mother, that is to say, the son of Joseph and + Mary; but that he was a wise, just, and excellent person, thus meriting + the appellation of the son of God, because of his holy life and good + qualities whence we see that the first Christians were as well as the + first Apostles, true Socinians. But St. Paul to give, without doubt, more + lustre to his ministry, and his adherents after him, willing to extol the + holiness of their religion, made a God of Jesus, a dogma which it is no + more permitted to doubt, especially since the partizans of Paul have + become more numerous, and stronger than those of St. Peter and the other + Nazarenes, or Jewish founders of primitive Christianity, which thus + totally changed its face as to its capital dogmas. + </p> + <p> + Having thus become masters of the field of battle, Paul, his adherents, + and the disciples formed in their school, saw themselves in possession of + the power of regulating belief, of inventing new dogmas, of making + gospels, and of arranging them in their own manner, of forging to + themselves titles, and of excommunicating as heretics all those who showed + themselves unteachable. It is thus that the author of the Acts of the + Apostles, only speaks, as it were, of his master, of St. Paul, and glances + very slightly over the Acts of the Apostles of the contrary party. The + same author (St. Luke) is presumed to have composed his gospel from the + notes furnished him by St. Paul, though he had neither known nor seen + Jesus Christ. + </p> + <p> + Faustus, the Manichean, said on the subject of the gospels, "that they had + been composed a long time after the Apostles, by some obscure individuals, + who fearing that faith would not be given to histories of facts with which + they must have been unacquainted, published under the name of the Apostles + their own writings, so filled with mistakes and discordant relations and + opinions, that we can find in them neither connection nor agreement with + themselves." + </p> + <p> + A little further on he loudly accuses his adversaries, who had the credit + of being orthodox, and says to them, "It is thus that predecessors have + inserted in the writings of our Lord many things which, though they bear + his name, do not # at all agree with his doctrine. That is not surprising + since we have often proved that these things have not been written by + himself nor by his Apostles, but that for the greater part they are + founded on tales, on vague reports, and collected by I know not who, half + Jews, but little agreed among themselves, who have nevertheless published + them under the name of our Lord, and thus have attributed to him their own + errors and deceptions." + </p> + <p> + Origeo informs us, that Celsus exclaimed against the licence that the + Christians of his time, had taken of altering many times imprudently the + originals of their gospels, in order to be able to deny or to retract + those things, which embarrassed them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. Of the Authority of the Councils, of the Fathers of the + Church, and of Tradition + </h2> + <p> + It is only in the Fathers of the Church, and the Councils, that we can + find the proofs of the authenticity of the Christian traditions, and + according to the proofs which remain it appears, that they only approved + or rejected opinions, as they found them favourable or injurious to the + interests of the party which they had embraced. Every ecclesiastical + writer, and every assembly of Bishops, adopted as canonical the writings + in which they found their own particular dogmas, the others they treated + as apocryphal or suppositious. A slight acquaintance with the writings of + the Fathers, will show us that we cannot rely on them for any facts; we + shall find that their books are filled with negligences, tales, + impertinences and falsehoods; we shall see them buried in the thickest + darkness of superstition and prejudice. Every word announces their + incredulity or their insincerity. St. Clement the Roman, believed the + fable of the phoenix reviving from its ashes, and cites it as a proof of + the resurrection. + </p> + <p> + Papias, who was the master of St. Irenĉus, was, in the opinion of Eusebius + himself, a man of weak mind, a fabulous author, who had contributed to + lead many men into error, and amongst others St. Irenĉus who was his + disciple, whom Eusebius regards as a very credulous man, though he was the + first ecclesiastical historian of note. It is not surprising that those + who have followed such guides have fallen into error. + </p> + <p> + On the other side, we should never finish, were we to enter into a detail + of the excesses committed by the Fathers of the Church and the Councils: + their history would only serve to prove their ambition their pride, their + infatuation, their seditious spirit, their cheats, their intrigues, and + their cruelties in the persecutions which they excited against their + adversaries. It is nevertheless on the probity and on the knowledge of + these great personages that we are called to rely! It is pretended that it + is from them that we hold the pure oracles of truth; must we then take + lessons of mildness, of charity, of, holiness, from the writings of some + factious individuals, who were perpetually quarrelling and treating their + adversaries with the utmost cruelty, whose works were filled with gall, + whose conduct it is admitted even by their own friends and admirers, was + almost always unjust, violent, and criminal? How can it be expected that + we should find any point of unity in the canons and decrees of assemblies + agitated by intrigue, discord, and animosity? How can we regard as saints, + and infallible doctors, as persons worthy of our confidence, perverse men, + continually involved in disputations with others, and in contradictions + with themselves? What guide can we expect to find in turbulent priests + whose ambition, avarice, and intriguing and persecuting spirit are every + where visible? It is only necessary to read ecclesiastical history to be + convinced that the picture which we have drawn of the Councils and Fathers + is no ways exaggerated. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand the writers and Councils on whose authority, Christians + are called upon to found their belief, do, in all their traditions, but + blindly follow and copy each other; we see them devoid of the arts of + reasoning, of logic, and of criticism; hence their works are found filled + with fables, vulgar errors, and forgeries. Is it possible to believe the + traditions of such a man as St. Jerome, who in his life of St. Anthony, + assures us that this holy man had a conference with satyrs with goats + feet? Do we not justly doubt the sincerity of St. Augustine, when he says, + "that he had seen a nation composed of men, who had eyes in the middle of + their stomachs?" Are such authors more entitled to credit, than those of + Robinson Crusoe, and of the Thousand and One Nights? + </p> + <p> + Supposing even that at the commencement of Christianity, there had been + authentic books in which the actions and the discourses of Jesus Christ + and his Apostles had been faithfully related, should we be justified in + supposing that they have been handed down to us such as they were + originally? Prior to the invention of printing, it was doubtless much + easier to impose upon the public than it is now, and notwithstanding, we + see that the <i>Press</i> gives currency to innumerable falsehoods. + </p> + <p> + The spirit of party causes every thing to be adopted that is useful to its + own cause. That granted, how easy was it for the heads of the Church, who + were once the only guardians of the holy books, either from pious fraud, + or a determined wish to deceive, to insert falsehoods and articles of + faith, in the books entrusted to their care. + </p> + <p> + The learned Dodwell admits, that the books which compose the New Testament + did not appear in public, until at least 100 Years after Christ. If this + fact be certain, how shall we convince ourselves that they existed prior + to this time? These books were solely entrusted to the care of the + ecclesiastical gentry, till the third or fourth century, that is to say, + to the guardianship of men, whose conduct was universally regulated by + self interest and party spirit, and who possessed neither the probity nor + knowledge requisite for discovering the truth, or of transmitting it in + its original purity. Thus each doctor had the power of making such holy + books as he pleased, and when, under Constantine, the Christians saw + themselves supported by the Emperor, their chiefs were able to accept, and + cause to be accepted as authentic, and of rejecting as apocryphal, such + books as suited their interest, or did not agree with the prevailing + doctrine. But were we even sure of the authenticity of the books, which + the church of this day adopts, we are nevertheless, without any other + guarantee of the authority of the scriptures than the books themselves. Is + there a history which has the right to prove itself by itself? Can we rely + upon witnesses who give no other proof of what they advance than their own + words? Yet the first Christians have rendered themselves famous by their + deceptions, their factions, and their frauds, which are termed pious when + they tend to the advantage of religion. Have not these pious falsehoods + been ascribed to the works of Jesus Christ himself and to the Apostles his + successors? Have we not, in their manner, sybilline verses, which are + evidently all Christian prophecies, made afterwards, and often copied word + for word into the Old and New Testament? If it had pleased the Fathers at + the council of Nice, to regard these prophecies as divinely inspired, what + or who should have prevented them from inserting them into the canon of + the Scriptures? And from that the Christians would not have failed to + regard them in the present day, as indubitable proofs of the truth of + their religion. + </p> + <p> + If the Christians at the commencement of Christianity, gave credit to + works filled with reveries, such as the Shepherd of Hermas, the Gospel of + the Infancy, the Letter of Jesus Christ to Algarus, what confidence can we + have in such of their books as remain? Can we flatter ourselves, with + having even these such as they were originally written? How can we at the + present time, distinguish the true from the false, in books, in which + enthusiasm, roguery and credulity pervade every page. + </p> + <p> + Since the gospels themselves fail in the proofs necessary to establish + their authenticity, and the truth of the facts which they relate, I do not + see that the epistles of St. Paul, or the Acts of the Apostles, enjoy in + this respect a greater advantage. If the first Christians had no + difficulty in attributing works to Jesus, would they have been over + scrupulous, in doing the same to his apostles, or in making for them + romantic legends, which length of time has caused to pass for respectable + books? If a body of powerful men, had it in their power to command the + credulity of the people, and found it their interest, they would succeed, + at the end of a few centuries, in establishing the belief that the + adventures of Don Quixote were perfectly true, and that the prophecies of + Nostradamus were inspirations of the divinity. By means of glossaries, + commentaries and allegories, we may find and prove whatever we desire; + however glaring an imposture may be, it may, by the aid of time, + deception, and force, pass in the end for a truth, which it is not + permitted to doubt; Determined cheats supported by public authority may + cause ignorance, which is always credulous to believe whatever they + choose, especially by persuading it that there is merit in not perceiving + inconsistencies, contradictions, and palpable absurdities, and that there + is danger in reasoning. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. Life of St. Paul, according to the Acts of the Apostles + </h2> + <p> + I have thus far shewn that nothing was more destitute of proof than the + authenticity of the books which contain the life and writings of St. Paul. + I have shewn that the Acts of the Apostles, and the Epistles of St. Paul, + were rejected by some Christian sects which subsisted from the earliest + times of the church. It must have been seen that the opinion of the + authenticity of these books was founded solely on traditions, to which it + is very difficult to give credit, considering the characters of those by + whom these traditions have been transmitted, it is however upon such + suspicious guarantees, that the authority of these works has been + pretended to be established; it will then be necessary to admit them at + once and without examination, or else recur to reason in order to examine + for ourselves, what we ought to think concerning them. + </p> + <p> + To form our ideas of St. Paul, let us then consult only these works, + however suspected their origin may appear to us, which contain the detail + of his life; there are no others to which we can have recourse. + </p> + <p> + The author of the Acts of the Apostles, whoever he be, relates the + miraculous conversion of Saul, afterwards called Paul, in the ninth + chapter. We find him already named in the two preceding chapters, first as + approving of the death of St. Stephen, the first martyr for the Christian + religion, and next as persecuting and desolating the church. Not contented + with tormenting the Christians of Jerusalem, he furnished himself with + letters from the High Priest which authorised him to seize those whom he + might find at Damascus; but, while on the road a miracle caused him to + change all his projects; he is suddenly surrounded by a divine light, + without seeing any one, he hears the voice of Jesus of Nazareth, who + demands of him the motives of his persecutions. Saul trembling enquired + what conduct he ought to pursue. Jesus tells him, that at Damascus he + would be informed of his intentions. Our persecutor on this occasion is + struck blind, but his heart is converted, and sight is miraculously + restored to him by a Christian of Damascus named Ananias, who had been, by + a particular revelation informed of his hostile designs against the + church, and of the great designs of God, who, of this persecutor, would + form a vessel of election, that is to say the Apostle of the Gentiles. + </p> + <p> + Soon after this conversion and cure, Saul is baptized and commences + preaching Christ in the synagogues, confounding the Jews to such a degree + that they came to the resolution to take away his life. But the new + missionary deceived their vigilance by saving himself during the night by + means of a basket, in which he was lowered, and made his escape from + Damascus. He returned to Jerusalem where the disciples of Jesus were + thrown into consternation at his appearance; but Barnabas presented him to + the Apostles, informed them of his conversion, and enrolled him to their + college. In consequence he preached the Gospel; this conduct soon raised + troubles and persecutions against him on the part of the Jews, who again + formed the design of putting him to death. But he found means of escaping + from their fury by the assistance of some disciples who conducted him to + Cesarea, whence they afterward sent him to Tarsus. Barnabas came and + joined Saul in the latter city, whence he led him to Antioch. Here Saul + and Barnabas remained during a year, they there made a great number of + converts; it was there that the proselytes first took the name of + Christians. To warm the zeal of the new converts, they sent for prophets + from Jerusalem, one of these named Agabus predicted a great famine, which + determined the disciples of Antioch to distribute alms to their brethren + of Judea; Saul and Barnabas were the bearers of these marks of generosity, + and the Apostles, whom the first faithful made the depositaries of their + riches, knew, without doubt, the price of the acquisition that the sect + had made in the person of the new missionary*. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Acts of Apostles, chap. 12. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. St. Paul styles himself the Apostle of the Gentiles—Causes + of his Success. + </h2> + <p> + All proves to us that Paul and his associate Barnabas found it much easier + to convert the Gentiles than the Jews, who showed themselves almost always + rebels to their lessons. The docility of the first, and indocility of the + latter may be traced to very natural causes; the idolators were destitute + of instruction, their priests, content with exacting from them their + offerings and sacrifices, never thought of instructing them in their + religion; thus our missionaries encountered few obstacles in persuading + them of the truth of the novelties which they came to announce to them. It + was not thus with the Jews, who had a law, to which they were very + strongly attached, since they were convinced that it had been dictated by + God himself. In consequence our preach-. ers could not make themselves + listened to, but, in proportion, as the doctrine they preached agreed with + the notions with which the Jews were previously imbued. The Apostles were + therefore compelled to reason with the Jews, according to their own + system, to shew them that the Christ whom they announced was the Messiah + which they expected from their own prophets; in a word, in preaching the + Gospel to the Jews, the preachers were driven into embarrassing + discussions, and perpetually exposed to cavils and contradictions which + they had no fear of on the part of the Gentiles, who received without + disputing the novelties which they broached to them, and which besides + agreed well enough with the notions of the pagan mythology, as we have + shewn in another work. + </p> + <p> + On the other side also, the idolators had not the exclusive ideas of + religion peculiar to the Jews; they were tolerant, they admitted every + species of worship, and were disposed to pay homage to every God that was + proposed to them. The Hebrews were not of this disposition, they believed + themselves alone in the possession of the knowledge of the true God, and + rejected with horror strange Gods and worships. + </p> + <p> + These reflections are sufficient to explain to us the reason of the great + success that the Apostles had in preaching to the Gentiles, compared with + their endeavours amongst the Jews; they likewise show us especially the + true motives of Paul's conduct. In fact, repulsed by the cavils and + opposition of the Jews, we see Paul and Barnabas turn themselves to the + side of the Pagans, who listened to them with more attention and declared + to the Jews, that God had forsaken them*. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Acts of Apostles, chap. xiii. ver. 45, &c, +</pre> + <p> + The Gentiles were apparently flattered by the preference; numbers of them + adopted the religion announced to them, which did not hinder the Jews from + exciting, against our missionaries, the zeal of the female devotees whose + clamour obliged them to quit Antioch. + </p> + <p> + From thence our two associates, after having shook the dust of their feet + against their opposers, repaired to Iconium, where they again met with + opposition on the part of the Jews who even irritated the Gentiles against + them, which compelled them to fly to Lystra in Lycaonia. There according + to the Acts of the Apostles, Paul thought it necessary to perform a + miracle, well knowing that nothing is more efficacious than a prodigy in + making an impression on the minds of the vulgar. + </p> + <p> + He then cured a lame man. This miracle convinced the idolators, who took + Paul and his comrade for Gods, and under this idea would have offered them + sacrifices. However this wonder did not produce the same effect upon the + Jews; these apparently regarded it as a deception, or some trick of which + they were not the dupes. In fact we see that the Jews, who nevertheless + yielded to no people in credulity, so far from being moved by Paul's + miracle, that they stoned him as a malefactor and left him for dead. From + this unlucky affair he however extricated himself and returned to Antioch, + whence he set out in order to give an account of the success of his + mission, from which it appears that he had no reason for self + congratulation, since, if he made a number of recruits for Jesus, he had + succeeded at the expence of much personal ill usage. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless the Nazarenes, or Ebionites, i. e. the first of the Jews, who + had embraced the doctrine of the Apostles, were persuaded that the + religion of Christ was merely a reformed Judaism. Always attached to the + practices of the Mosaic law, they believed themselves called upon to + evince their zeal in its favour; in consequence of which they pretended + that the Gentiles, converted by the Apostles, ought, like themselves, to + submit to the rite of circumcision. But Paul and Barnabas strongly opposed + this opinion*; they were well aware that so painful an operation, + especially after a certain age, would be very likely to dishearten the + heathen whom they had drawn to their sect. But as the affair appeared very + important they referred the decision to the Apostles who remained at + Jerusalem. In consequence Paul and Barnabas, and also the partisans of + circumcision, repaired, thither, each with the view of maintaining their + own opinion. The question was argued, and our two missionaries convinced + the Apostolic College of the necessity of freeing the Gentiles from a rite + at which they revolted. Thus, according to the author of the Acts of the + Apostles, (who appears to have been devoted to St. Paul's party) it was + decided, that the newly converted Gentiles should be exempted from a + ceremony which, until now, had been regarded as highly essential, since it + had been ordained by the Divinity himself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See Acts of Apostles, chap. xv. ver. 5; see also in the + second chapter, of this work what is said of the Nazarenes. +</pre> + <p> + There is reason to believe that the old Apostles did not subscribe without + great reluctance to a decision which seemed to annul one of the capital + points of the Mosaic law, and had the appearance of rectifying the + ordinances, of the Most High. Jesus himself in his infancy underwent the + ceremony of circumcision; during his life he practised the customs + prescribed to his nation; he formerly declared that he was come, not to + destroy, but to accomplish the law of the Jews; and nevertheless we see + St. Paul and his adherents, of their own authority, annul at one blow a + ceremony of divine institution, approved of and observed by their master + and that for political and worldly considerations, which saints ought + never to regard. + </p> + <p> + However this may be, by this decision, which Paul extorted from the + Apostles, it seemed from that time to give the signal of the schism, which + in the end totally separated the Jews from the Christians. Nevertheless we + shall soon see Paul, who on this occasion took in hand the cause of the + Gentiles, prepare (resuming the old errors) and circumcise a disciple + himself. So true it is, that the greatest saints are not always consistent + in their opinions, nor uniform in their conduct. + </p> + <p> + The Apostles having shewn so much indulgence in the article of the + circumcision of the Gentiles, were, however desirous of giving a kind of + satisfaction to the partisans of Judaism; with this view they prohibited + the new converts from worshipping idols, from giving themselves up to + fornication; and ordered them to abstain from things strangled and from + the blood of animals. By these means they sought to conciliate every one; + the Gentiles were not circumcised, and submitted themselves, in part, to + the ordinances of the Jews, who thus saw a deference always paid to the + law of their fathers, to which they were ever strongly attached *. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See Acts of Apostles, chap. xv. All seems to prove that + the Apostles soon repented of the weakness they had been + guilty of in ceding to St. Paul, for we find he formed a + separate party, who preached the Gospel in his own manner, + that is to say, the Gospel of the uncircumcision. +</pre> + <p> + Furnished with this decision of the council of Jerusalem, in which the + Apostles declare themselves authorised by the Holy Spirit, Paul and + Barnabas returned to Antioch, whence they were desirous of visiting the + towns where they had already preached; but a contest respecting the choice + of an associate of their labours, made a breach between our two + missionaries and caused a separation between them. Barnabas accompanied by + Mark embarked for the Isle of Cyprus, whilst Paul with Silas, his new + companion, traversed Syria and Cilicia to confirm in the faith those who + had been recently converted *. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * It ought here to be remarked, that there exists yet a + Gospel of the Nazarenes, the honour of which has been + decreed to St. Barnabas, and in which Paul is roughly + handled. In fact this Apostle preached, as we have shewn, + besides uncircumcision, a doctrine very different from that + of the Nazarenes, Ebionites, or first Christians, who, + according to St. Irenĉus, St. Epiphanius, and Eusebius, + regarded Jesus merely as a man, the son of Joseph and Mary, + and who was called the Son of God, only on account of his + virtues. This may enable us to guess at the cause of Paul's + quarrel with Barnabas, whose Gospel insinuates that Paul was + in error in teaching that Jesus was God. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. Paul preaches in Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece + </h2> + <p> + Upon his arrival at Lystra, St. Paul, notwithstanding the indulgence of + the Council of Jerusalem, thought it good policy to circumcise a proselyte + named Timothy, who was born of a Gentile father and a Jewish mother. The + Acts of the Apostles inform us of the motive of this circumcision (chap. + xvi. ver. 3) it being done "because of the Jews which were in those + quarters." + </p> + <p> + Our two Missionaries now travelled over several provinces of Asia Minor, + such as Phrygia and Galatia, and yet we find that the Holy Ghost forbade + them to announce the word of God in Asia. We may indeed suppose, that in + this passage, the "Holy Ghost" is only intended to indicate that our + missionaries themselves perceived, that it would be dangerous for them to + preach their doctrine; for in the Holy Scriptures the persons of whom it + speaks are always supposed to act from divine impulse. + </p> + <p> + Paul had a vision, which persuaded him to go to Macedonia. Being arrived + at Phillippi, he preached to the women with such success, that he had the + happiness of converting a dealer in purple, named Lydia, who, from + gratitude, invited them pressingly to lodge in her house. They were well + accommodated no doubt, since devotees take great care of their directors; + but our holy personages had the misfortune to perform a miracle which + deranged all their affairs. Paul cast out the evil spirit from a damsel, + who having a spirit of divination, brought great profit to her masters by + soothsaying. The cure, or perhaps conversion, of this slave, displeased + her masters, they carried their complaint to the magistrates; the people + took a part against our preachers, who were beaten with rods and then sent + to prison. An earthquake retrieved their affairs, they gained over the + gaoler whom they converted to the faith. In the meantime the magistrates + sent him an order to release our prisoners. But Paul, bearing in mind the + scourging they had received, required that the magistrates should come in + person and release them, asserting that they were Roman citizens: at these + words the magistrates were intimidated, and came with apologies to set + them free, begging them to leave their city, which request they complied + with, after having been to console Lydia the devout, and the brethren, who + according to appearances did not suffer them to depart empty-handed. This + bad success did not discourage our missionaries who were aware doubtless, + that they were inconveniences attached to their profession. They now went + to Thessalonica, where Paul had the good luck to make some proselytes both + among Jews and Gentiles; he converted especially, some ladies of quality; + but the hardened Jews were very much irritated at his successes; they + endeavoured to apprehend Paul and Silas, but not being able to find them, + they dragged Jason, their host, and some of the brethren, before the + magistrates, accusing them of treason, and of acknowledging another king + besides Cĉsar. + </p> + <p> + This uproar obliged our missionaries to decamp during the night from + Thessalonica, and take the road to Berea, where they were well received by + the Jews, since Paul succeeded in convincing them that the Gospel which he + announced was clearly predicted in their own Scriptures: there is reason + to believe that this was effected by the aid of mystical, cabalistical, + and allegorical senses, of which he so well knew the use, in finding in + the Old Testament sufficient to establish whatever he was desirous of + proving. + </p> + <p> + He gained in this city a great number of recruits from amongst the Greek + females of quality, women, according to St. Jerome are best fitted to + propagate a sect; their levity makes them easily caught by novelties; + their ignorance renders them credulous; their talkativeness spreads the + opinions with which they are imbued; and, in short, their obstinacy + strongly attaches them to the way of thinking they have once adopted. In a + word we see, that in all times the Christian religion has been under the + greatest obligations to women; it is to them that innovators ought + especially to address themselves when they have opinions to establish, it + is by their aid that fanatics and devout impostors succeed in giving + importance to their doctrine, and sow the seeds of discord in society. It + appears that in the time of Paul, women had the right of speaking or of + prophesying in the church, of this, they have since been deprived, and + they are only allowed the privilege of bawling in public, in favour of the + systems of their holy directors, whom they always believe infallible, + without so much as knowing the state of the question. The Quakers are now + the only sect which permits women to preach *. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * There appears some little ambiguity in this paragraph, + since if the levity of women renders them so easily + susceptible to the embracing new opinions, the obstinacy + with which they are charged in adhering to old ones, would + seem to neutralize the opposite propensity, and like the + infinite attributes of Justice and Mercy in the Christians' + God, they would annihilate each other. The fact is, that the + ignorant of either sex, are always the most credulous, and + their opinions, when imbibed, are seldom to be dignified + with any other term than prejudice. Of the great influence + of woman in society, no one can doubt, and it is the duty of + all who think, and who desire a reformation of the present + semi-barbarous state of society, to endeavour to inform and + enlighten the female mind; it belongs to man to war against + old systems, and errors rendered sacred by their antiquity, + and perhaps to lay down some few elementary principles, + founded upon a more rational basis, but so long as the + infant mind is under the controul of woman, it is to her + that we must look to see those principles implanted: it is + by the aid of woman that the mass of mankind will (if ever + it be done) be transformed from a herd of slaves, to a race + of happy and intelligent beings, knowing their rights, and + daring to defend them. +</pre> + <p> + The Jews of Thessalonica proceeded to trouble our preachers, in their + apostolic labours, to such a degree that Paul was under the necessity of + flying. He, however, took care to leave two missionaries at Berea, to + watch over the flock which he had gathered. Nevertheless these soon + received orders to join him at Athens. + </p> + <p> + In this celebrated city the zeal of our Apostle kindled, he had + conferences with the philosophers: desirous to learn the nature of the + discoveries which this man had come to announce to them, they conducted + him to the Areopagus, there Paul harangued them and spoke to them of his + God, in a manner something conformable to the notions already entertained + by some of the Greek philosophers of the Divinity. To confirm his + discourse he cited to them a passage from the poet Aratus, who + nevertheless appears to suppose, according to the doctrine of Plato, that + God is the soul of the world. He inveighed against gods made of stone and + metal, which did not shock the philosophers, whose ideas were more refined + than those of the vulgar. + </p> + <p> + Thus far our orator was attentively heard, but the sages of Athens would + no longer listen to him, when he began to speak of the last judgment, and + of the resurrection, which they regarded as an absurd and ridiculous + notion. Nevertheless the preaching of Paul was not totally useless at + Athens, the dogma of the resurrection was no obstacle to the conversion of + Dionysius, the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and some others. These + were none of them shocked at this doctrine, which was so revolting to + philosophers, who were accustomed to the study of nature, and who refused + to adopt, without examination, such marvellous and romantic ideas. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. Preaching of St. Paul at Corinth and Ephesus + </h2> + <p> + After leaving Athens our Apostle came to Corinth. It appears that at first + he had not much success, for he took to his old trade of tent-making. + However, he ventured to preach in the synagogue, where the Jews were + indignant at his discourse: they carried him to the tribunal of the + proconsul of Achate, who had sufficient prudence to refuse to interfere in + their contests. The Jews did not imitate his moderation; they ill-treated + Sostenus, the chief of their synagogue, either for having allowed Paul to + preach there, or for having been converted by his discourse. + </p> + <p> + Paul, after some days, departed from Corinth, he cut off his hair to + fulfil a vow he had made, and which apparently obliged him to be present + at Jerusalem, in order to sacrifice in the temple, according to the law. + Whence we see that our Apostle had not yet totally abandoned the Jewish + religion, and that he judged it good policy, occasionally to manoeuvre + with the Jews. In fact we continually see him sometimes practising, and at + others decrying, Judaism. From Jerusalem, Paul went to Antioch, where he + remained some time, but the activity of his mind soon put him in motion. + After having crossed the high provinces of Asia he came to Ephesus, where + he found the secret of uniting to his sect the disciples of St. John the + Baptist, whom he rebaptized, and made them acquainted with the Holy Ghost + of whom they had no idea. Having now increased his party by these new + recruits, Paul set about preaching in the synagogue, but finding the Jews + rather untractable, he withdrew himself, and separated his disciples from + them. He then commenced teaching in a separate school and performing + miracles to confirm his discourses; he cured the sick, and especially + those possessed, in which he succeeded much better than those of the Jews, + who endeavoured from his example to attempt such cures. These miracles + converted many persons. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the preaching of Paul at Ephesus gave rise to an affair, + which had nearly proved very troublesome. The Goldsmiths of this city + derived much profit from the manufacture of little silver shrines of + Diana, the patroness of the Ephesians These artisans were much disturbed + with the preaching of our apostle, who decried the gods, and might thus + occasion the ruin of their trade; their clamour alarmed the people, and + caused a great commotion; the public, as is generally the case, when the + affair relates to religion, grew very violent, without knowing why. They + comprehended, in general terms, that their religion and its patroness were + attacked; and there needed nothing more to inflame their zeal. However the + town-clerk of the city having explained to them that their goddess was in + no danger, succeeded in calming the fury of the superstitious populace, + and thus extricated our apostle from his embarassments. + </p> + <p> + Paul, however, thought proper to quit a city, in which he had run such a + risk, and again put himself in motion. Arrived at Troas he recommenced + preaching, when his sermon, being a little too long, sent a young man to + sleep, who fell from the third story into the street: they took him up for + dead, when our Apostle having embraced him, assured them that he lived, + the author of the Acts, takes this fact for a miracle, and tells us + gravely that Paul raised a dead man on this occasion. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding this pretended miracle, which if it had been true ought to + have converted the whole town, Paul went directly away, and recommenced + his travels. At Miletus he took leave of the priests of all the adjacent + places, after having made them a pathetic exhortation, in which he boasts + of his humility and disinterestedness, and desires them to watch over the + flock which he had gathered together by his preaching and indefatigable + exertions. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. The Apostle gets into embarrassments at Jerusalem, and is + sent to Rome + </h2> + <p> + Paul now embarked for Jerusalem; notwithstanding his own presentiments, + the warnings that were given him, and the prayers of his adherents, he was + obstinately determined to resort to this city, where the Jews irritated by + his successes, prepared him an unpleasant reception. He was welcomed by + the brethren, to whom he related the progress of the new sect, but these + informed him of the bad designs of the Jews, who pretended, and not + without reason, that he taught a doctrine contrary to that of Moses. To + silence these rumours, and to calm the anger of the populace, they advised + him to fulfil some of the Jewish ceremonies in public, and to give to + these acts of religion much solemnity. + </p> + <p> + Paul consented to this counsel, but the Jews of Asia, were not thus duped, + they knew what to keep to respecting the doctrine which had disgusted + them; they then excited the Jews of Jerusalem, by saying, that he brought + the Gentiles into the Temple. All the city was soon in an uproar, the + devout people seized Paul, drew him out of the Temple, the gates of which + were closed against this profaner. They were going to kill him, had not a + tribune rescued him out of their hands, and shut him up in a fortress, in + the midst of the clamour of an enraged populace, which demanded his death. + </p> + <p> + The Apostle ready to enter his prison, asked of the tribune permission to + harangue the mob, which was granted after his Conductor was probably + assured that he was not the brigand who had lately excited an insurrection + in the country. + </p> + <p> + In his discourse, which he pronounced in Hebrew, Paul related to the + people the history of his miraculous conversion, nearly in the manner in + which it has been narrated. This recital far from softening the Jews, made + them lose all patience, especially when our Apostle told them he was sent + to the Gentiles. They then broke silence, crying out, "away with such a + fellow from the earth, it is not fit that he should live." The tribune + then shut him up in prison, and commanded that he should be scourged, in + order to draw from him an acknowledgment of the crime which had excited + the fury of the Jews. Paul then declared himself a Roman citizen, and + represented to the centurion charged with the execution of these orders, + that it was contrary to law, thus to treat a citizen without a trial. The + centurion informed the tribune, who was fearful of having acted with too + much precipitation. He was desirous of knowing for a certainty of what he + was accused by the Jews, and the next morning, freeing him from his + chains, presented him to the priests and council of the nation. Paul then + began to harangue the council. He first declared that in all he had done, + he had followed strictly the dictates of his conscience. At these words + the High Priest gave him a box on the ear, at which Paul being irritated, + instead of turning the other cheek, according to the precept of Jesus, + abused the High Priest, treated him as a hypocrite, or whitened wall. But + as he perceived that he had given offence by his insolence to a man + respected by the Jews, he moderated himself, and alleged that he was + ignorant that it was the High Priest whom he had thus addressed in such + terms; an ignorance, however, which cannot fail to excite surprise, + considering that he was a man, who must have been informed respecting the + place where he was, and the quality of those before whom he was speaking. + Our orator was more of an adept, in managing the opinions of his auditory: + aware that the council was composed of Sadducees, who denied the doctrine + of the resurrection; and of Pharisees, who supported it, he knew how to + profit by this circumstance, by sowing the seed of discord among his + judges. In order to this he pretended that he was a Pharisee, and the son + of a Pharisee, and asserted that they sought his life, because of his hope + in the resurrection of the dead, This stratagem produced the desired + effect, the Pharisees declared in his favour, and acknowledged his + innocence, saying, "We find no evil in this man, but if a spirit or an + angel hath spoken to this man, let us not fight against God." The tumult + increased, and the tribune fearing that the orator would be torn in + pieces, put him under a guard of soldiers, and carried him back to prison. + </p> + <p> + During the following night, Paul had a vision, in which he thought he saw + the Lord, who told him to be of good courage; and prophecied that he + should go to Rome to bear witness. On the other hand forty fanatical Jews, + made a vow neither to eat nor drink till they had assassinated Paul. This + resolution had the approbation of the princes and priests, who, according + to the clerical spirit, found nothing more just than assassination in + order to get rid of an enemy. The senators also consented to this + treachery. But Paul's nephew having informed him of this plot, he made the + tribune acquainted with it, who to secure the safety of his prisoner, and + to rescue him from the fury of the Jews, conducted him under a good escort + to Cĉsarea, and put him under the protection of Felix, the governor of + that province. + </p> + <p> + Paul, and his accusers, made their appearance before the pagan governor, + who, little versed in the theological disputes of the Jews, told them that + he should decide the affair when he was more fully acquainted with the + particulars. However some days after, he caused the Apostle to be brought + before himself, and his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess; they heard what + he had to say to them of faith in Jesus Christ. But when Paul, after + having preached to them of justice, charity, and repentance, spoke of the + last judgment, they were afraid, and ordered him to retire, postponing the + hearing till a future time. Felix hoping to draw some money from his + prisoner, often sent for him to converse with him. This conduct lasted two + years, at the end of which period this Governor was replaced by Festus. + </p> + <p> + The Jews proceeded to accuse Paul before the new governor, and demanded + that he should be sent to Jerusalem. The accused, well knowing that the + place of this scene would be unfavourable to him, and fearing that Festus + would yield to the importunities of his enemies, appealed from him to + Cĉsar. This appeal suspended all proceedings. However Festus having spoken + of his prisoner to King Agrippa, who had the curiosity to see a man that + had made so much noise in Judea. Paul appeared before this prince, + justified himself from the accusations brought against him, and finished + by preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This doctrine appeared so + strange to Festus that he did not doubt a moment of his being deranged. + However as folly did not seem to him a crime worthy of death, he would + instantly have acquitted him, had he not made an appeal to Cĉsar. In + consequence of this appeal, Paul was put on board a ship about to sail for + Italy. After many difficulties he was shipwrecked on the coast of the isle + of Malta, where the author of the Acts, from whom we have taken this + narrative, does not fail to make him perform miracles, a necessary + seasoning to legends. + </p> + <p> + Amongst other wonders which Paul wrought in the isle of Malta, he cured + himself, in a very natural manner, of the bite of a viper; in fact, it + appears that he applied fire to it immediately, a simple and well known + remedy, but which was such a prodigy in the eyes of the poor Maltese, that + they took him, who was in possession of so fine a secret, for a God*. + There was apparently nothing more wonderful in the Apostle curing the son + of his host, whom he found ill of a fever and dysentery; disorders which + we find yield to very simple remedies. Still this cure gained Paul great + reputation, they soon brought him a great number of sick, who, according + to our historian, he did not fail to cure. They rendered him great + honours, furnished him with the necessary provisions for his voyage, and + he embarked for Italy. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Acts chap. xxviii. ver. 3-6. +</pre> + <p> + Upon his arrival at Rome, Paul was permitted to confer with the + Christians, and to preach to the Jews, whom he endeavoured to convert to + the faith of Christ by the law of Moses and the prophets, which he had the + talent of applying wonderfully to his views: Some smitten with the + mystical, cabalistical, and allegorical explications, that our Apostle + gave them, adopted his opinions, while many others resisted his arguments. + </p> + <p> + Indignant against the latter, he told them that their hardness of heart + had been predicted by Isaiah; he then gave them to understand, that God + had formed the project of blinding them, in order to have a fair pretext + for rejecting them, and transferring to the Gentiles, the light and + salvation of which the Jews had made themselves unworthy, by the obstinacy + in which it was the will of God that they should persist. + </p> + <p> + This conduct of the Divinity must doubtless have appeared very strange to + the Jews. So the Acts inform us, that there arose from these preachings of + Paul, great contests among them. They turned apparently upon + predestination and grace; questions upon which Christian theologians, have + not after eighteen centuries been able to come, either to an understanding + or agreement. + </p> + <p> + It appears that notwithstanding the obscurity of his doctrine our Apostle + succeeded in gaining proselytes to his sect; this obscurity itself, has + charms for many persons, who believe that a doctrine, is so much the more + marvellous or divine, as it is above the power of the understanding. He + preached during two years to the Romans, without any person throwing + obstacles in his way, and thus laboured to spread this religion in the + capital of the world. + </p> + <p> + The Acts of the Apostles, which the church orders us to receive as of + divine inspiration, informs us nothing more. St Luke to whom this work is + generally attributed, has transmitted to us, neither the actions, miracles + nor death of his heroes. We are reduced to seek our information thereupon + from traditions, which the interests of the clergy would wish us to + regard, almost as sacred as divine inspirations. According to these + respectable traditions, our Apostle shed his blood for the faith in the + propagation of which he had laboured; he was, say they, beheaded in the + reign of Nero, and in the sixty-sixth year of the Christian era. + </p> + <p> + After what has been said, we ought naturally to regard St. Paul as the + true founder of the pontifical see of Rome. Nevertheless certain + traditions, useful to the Roman Pontiffs, oblige us to believe that it was + St. Peter, who established his throne in the capital of the world; the + popes have thought, that their interests required, that they should pass + for the authorized successors of this Prince of the Apostles, to whom + Christ himself according to the Gospel, granted immense rights and + privileges. These traditions then make St. Peter travel to Rome, prior to + St. Paul, and only regard the latter as the subaltern associate in the + Apostolic labours of the former. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless some critics have ventured to doubt of the reality of St. + Peter's voyage to Italy, and his foundation of the first see in the world, + some authors otherwise very orthodox, without regarding the interests of + the Pope, or respect for the traditions which favour them, have treated + those pretensions as chimeras: as to the heretics, the sworn enemies of + the authority of the Roman Pontiff, they have asserted, that the voyage of + St. Peter to Rome was a fable invented by the supporters and partizans, + with a design to exalt his authority. Both parties found their doubts or + assertions upon these grounds. First, That the books which the church + considers as inspired, make no mention of the voyage of Simon Peter, + although the circumstance of going to plant the faith in the capital of + the world, was sufficiently remarkable to claim a notice in preference to + all the minor cities, which the Acts inform us that he visited to preach; + in fact, the Holy Ghost, or St. Luke his organ, wishing to inform us in + this history of the means made use of by God, to propagate the Gospel, + could not without injustice, omit such a signal success, nor fail to give + the honour of it to St. Peter, in case he had a claim to it. + </p> + <p> + Secondly, St. Paul who was at Rome at the same time, that Peter was + supposed to have been there, never once mentions this Prince of the + Apostles, in the epistles to the faithful at different places, while he + speaks to them of many other disciples of much less consideration than his + illustrious colleague: we ought piously to suppose that if St. Peter had + really established the faith at Rome, the Apostle of the Gentiles would + have been too equitable to ravish from him the glory, that must have + accrued to him from so fine a conquest. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly, Our two Apostles, after the disputes, which they had at Antioch + would not have been desirous of meeting, or exhibiting in the same place. + St. Peter would naturally avoid a haughty colleague, who resisted him to + his face, and who publicly reproved him in a manner sufficiently + disagreeable. Besides Rome being a pagan city, naturally fell into the + department of the Apostle of the Gentiles. In short according to the Acts + of the Apostles, St. Paul was too hasty to agree long with an associate + greater than himself. His quarrel with Barnabas, for a slight difference, + proves that Paul was easily irritated. + </p> + <p> + Fourthly, St. Peter wrote his first epistle from Babylon, and not from + Rome. It is true that the advocates of this voyage of Peter's, pretend + that Babylon is the same city as Rome, but this is a geographical error, + that without a great share of faith can never be admitted for a truth. + Again, the city of Babylon in Syria, no longer existed in the time of + Peter, there was then only a Babylon in Egypt; it is only there that we + can suppose Peter to have written this first epistle. + </p> + <p> + Fifthly, The traditions which make St. Peter travel to Rome, are filled + with fables, which make them very suspicious, such as his dispute with + Simon the magician, who having raised himself into the air, by virtue of + his art, fell down and broke his limbs by virtue of the Apostles prayers. + We may also place in the list of fables, the apparition of Christ to + Peter, when he fled from Rome, and his crucifixion with his head + downwards. These facts are related neither by inspired authors, nor eye + witnesses, they are founded on traditions only, that is to say, popular + rumour, which many persons do not respect so much as the Pope, and the + clergy seem to desire. + </p> + <p> + At the risk then of "uncovering Peter to cover Paul" we say that all these + reasons, seem at least to authorize a doubt respecting the voyage of St. + Peter to Rome, at any rate the Acts of the Apostles appears to insinuate + that Paul was the true founder of the see of Rome. He must then be + regarded as the first Pope. Besides the popes have adopted his maxims, and + faithfully imitate his policy in many respects; this would easily be + proved by comparing the almost constant principles of the church of Rome, + with those of our Apostle, which we shall soon have occasion to examine. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. Reflections on the Life and Character of St. Paul + </h2> + <p> + Such is in a few words the life of St. Paul whom we are justly entitled to + regard as the principal founder of the Christian Religion. In fact it + appears that without him, the ignorant and rude disciples of Jesus, would + never have been able to spread their sect. In order to succeed they + required a man of greater information and activity, more enterprising and + enthusiastic, and possessing more dexterity than any of those, who + composed the apostolic college, before it was joined by Paul. In him we + see all those qualities united, which made him of all others, the most + fitted to lay the foundation of a new sect. He knew how to profit by the + lessons he had received from Gamaliel; from him he had acquired a profound + knowledge of the Jewish Scriptures, and learnt the art of explaining them + in an allegorical sense, or, in other words, the Cabala by which we may + find in these books whatever we desire. + </p> + <p> + It can hardly be doubted that our Apostle, possessed much energy and + ambition. We first see him persecuting the disciples of Jesus with ardour; + and with the view of gaining his ends, and making court to the priests, + stoop to the trade of informer and spy. Apparently he expected by these + means to advance himself, but seeing the futility of these ambitious + hopes, and probably despised and neglected even by those whom he had thus + zealously served; he changes his batteries, threw himself upon the enemies + side, and seeing the abilities of those whom he found at the head of the + new sect, he felt how easily he could eclipse them, and constitute himself + the chief. + </p> + <p> + There is reason to believe that these were the true motives of Paul's + conversion; a mind of his stamp in declaring itself on the side of the new + sect, at once satisfied its vengeance and ambition. It was then very easy + for Ananias to make him listen to reason. The apostles were not slow in + discovering the value of their new acquisition; they acknowledged the + superiority of such a man; they foresaw the advantages the rising sect + would derive from his knowledge, his active and persevering genius and + intrepidity of character. Thus we see the new Apostle, from the moment + that he was enrolled in the Apostolic College, perform the principal part, + and throw his coadjutors completely in the shade. These contented with + preaching at Jerusalem, seldom showed themselves at a distance from this + city, whilst our hero, continually traversed the provinces, made spiritual + conquests, and strengthened in a hundred places the cause of the disciples + of Christ, now become his own. In a word Paul now becomes the soul of his + sect; his enthusiasm extends itself; he braves danger when it is necessary + to increase the number of his partizans; his ambition is flattered by the + empire that he has gained; crosses, fatigues, imprisonments, and blows are + not capable of abating his ardour; determined to succeed at any cost he + sacrifices every thing to the desire that he has of extending those + opinions, which give him the power of reigning over the minds of men. He + knew well that no-empire upon earth is more grateful or stronger than that + of opinion. + </p> + <p> + Nothing appears that ought to induce us to regard the activity, obstinate + constancy, and courage of Paul as miraculous or supernatural effects. We + find the same zeal, and frequently the same intrepidity and obstinacy in + all those strongly animated by ambition or any other passion. Obstacles + but serve generally to irritate energetic minds, more and more, they make + a merit of braving dangers; torture, and even death, cannot restrain those + who are thoroughly enamoured with any object in which they have placed + their happiness. + </p> + <p> + St. Paul has been held up to us as a man divested of all personal views. + His humility, constancy, disinterestedness, and patience, have been + advanced, as undoubted proofs of his sincerity, and pure zeal for his + religion. But we say that all these things prove nothing but his violent + desire for success. The preachers of an infant and oppressed sect, + destitute of power, must always announce themselves with much suppleness, + mildness and humility; an ambitious man must in order to gain men's + hearts, effect much moderation and appear disinterested; besides he is + sure of losing nothing, when he shall succeed in establishing his empire + over the mind. Do devotees ever neglect their spiritual guides? In short + patience and constancy are necessary in all enterprises; every man who + would crown a great adventure with success, ought to avoid hastiness. + Nevertheless if we turn to the history of St. Paul, we shall see that + patience was not always his ruling virtue; he very often spoiled his plans + by his eagerness, and especially he alienated the minds of the Jews, + rather than converted them to his opinions. He would perhaps have + succeeded much better with them, had he kept a better government over his + impetuous temper, at which it appears his coadjutors often revolted. + Devotees generally mistake that for zeal, which is but a vice in their + character, and an imprudence in their conduct. The bitter reply that Paul + made to the High Priest, proves that our Apostle was not excessively + enduring, and forgot, at least, on some occasions his Christian patience. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. Of the Enthusiasm of St. Paul + </h2> + <p> + It appears certain that this apostle was filled with enthusiasm and zeal. + It will perhaps be asked whether we have a right to regard him as an + impostor? a thousand examples prove to us, that nothing is more common, + than to witness enthusiasm, zeal and imposture united in the same person. + The most sincere enthusiast is generally a man whose passions are + turbulent, and capable of blinding him; he takes his passions for divine + impulses, be deludes himself, and if we may be allowed the expression, + gets intoxicated with his own wine. A man who at first engages in a + particular cause from motives of interest, or ambition, very frequently + finishes by attaching himself to it with sincerity and with strength + proportioned to the sacrifices he may have made for it. If he succeed in + persuading himself, that the cause of his passions is the cause of God, he + will make no scruple of supporting it by all sorts of means, he will + sometimes allow the use of artifice, deceit, and oblique ways of + maintaining the opinions of which he happens to be convinced. It is thus + we daily see very zealous devotees, employ deception, fraud, and sometimes + crime, in support of the interests of religion, i. e. of the cause they + have embraced. + </p> + <p> + Thus although in the first instance the desire of being revenged on the + priests, or ambitious views, may have determined St. Paul to join the sect + of Christians, he might have been able by degrees to attach himself + strongly to it, to persuade himself that it was preferable to the religion + of the Jews, and to employ objectionable means, in order to make it + succeed in the world. + </p> + <p> + The examination that now remains for us to make of some features in the + conduct of our apostle, and of some passages in the writings which are + attributed to him, will serve better than any reasoning to determine the + judgment, we ought to come to respecting this person. Let us then hear + what he has to say for himself. This analysis will shew us whether Paul + was so sincere, disinterested, humble, mild, and upright as his partizans, + maintain him to have been. + </p> + <p> + St. Paul in speaking of himself says: "That he knew a man who was caught + up into the third heaven, and that there he heard unspeakable words, which + it was not lawful for man to utter*." It appears in the first place that + no one but a man of a very heated imagination could with sincerity pretend + to have been caught up into the third Heaven; and no one but an impostor, + could assert such a fact without being persuaded of it. In the second + place we may ask of what use could it be to mankind that St. Paul should + hear in the third heaven, unspeakable words, that is to say, such as it + was unlawful for man to utter? What should we think of a man who should + come and assure us, that he possessed a secret most important to our + happiness, but yet one which he was not permitted to divulge? Thus the + voyage of St. Paul is either a chimera engendered by a sickly brain, or a + fable, contrived by a cheat, who sought to make himself respected by + boasting of the peculiar favours of the almighty. This voyage then was + perfectly useless, since it was not permitted him who made it to relate + that which he learnt from it. In short there is malice in St. Paul thus + irritating the curiosity of his hearers and refusing to satisfy it. Under + whatever point of view then we behold this history or tale of Paul's + ravishment into the third heaven, it can be of no utility to us, and + reflects but little honour upon himself. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * 2 Corinthians, chap. xii. ver. 2, 3, 4. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. Of the Disinterestedness of St. Paul + </h2> + <p> + In narrowly examining into the conduct of our Apostle, we shall have much + difficulty in discovering that disinterestedness with which his partizans + are so desirous of investing him. We have already exposed the natural + motives which may have contributed to his conversion. If it be true as the + Acts of the Apostles, adopted by the Ebionites or Nazarenes, asserts, that + St. Paul flattered himself with the idea of marrying the high priest's + daughter, and failed in the project, the disappointment might to a man of + his passionate and hasty temper, be a motive sufficient to determine him + to change sides, and from being as we have shewn him to have been the spy + and satellite of the priests, basely seeking to gain their good will, by + becoming the agent in their furies against the disciples of Jesus; to + declare himself in favour of those, who were their greatest enemies. It + was perhaps the ill success of Paul's amours, that determined him to a + life of celibacy, and to boast of it as meritorious, whilst according to + the Jewish law, nothing was held in less repute than this state. This holy + man would doubtless transform into a virtue, a conduct, which in him was + nothing but chagrin and ill temper. He asserts that it is good for men to + abstain from women; consequently our clergy have regarded celibacy as a + virtue: they have fancied themselves obliged to imitate the great St. Paul + even in his resentments against the sex. They have flattered themselves + with the idea of being able to resist like him the temptations of the + flesh, which often torments them; if they have indulgently permitted + marriage to the profane, it is because Paul has said, it is better to + marry than to burn. It is notwithstanding probable that the conversion of + St. Paul was occasioned by other motives than the anecdote related by the + Acts of the Ebionites, which appears exposed to many objections. In fact, + according to these Acts, Paul was a pagan born, was made a proselyte, and + consequently he could not, without having been guilty of great folly, + pretend to the daughter of a high priest, whose dignity was so eminent + amongst the Jews. On the other hand according to the writings adopted by + the Christians of our time, St. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin, and + would not have been permitted to marry the daughter of a high priest, who + must necessarily have been of the tribe of Levi. Again Paul was a + mechanic, a tent-maker, a situation which must have deprived him of all + hope of an alliance so illustrious as that of a sovereign Pontiff. Thus + unless we suppose that love had totally blinded our hero, to the obstacles + which naturally opposed themselves to his desires, there is reason to + believe that his conversion, or change of party, originated from other + motives, than the chagrin of seeing his amours frustrated. There is reason + to believe that Paul being of a very unquiet genius, was tired of his + trade: desirous of trying his fortune, and living without work, he became + the spy of the priests and the informer against the Christians. + Dissatisfied with the priests, who perhaps had not rewarded him to the + extent of his expectations, he joined the new sect, which assisted by his + talents promised good success, or even a probability that he might become + the head; at least he might fairly calculate on an easy and honourable + subsistence without being obliged to make tents, In fact he saw, that the + apostles, who were vulgar men much inferior to himself, lived very well at + the expence of the new converts, who eagerly brought their wealth and laid + it at the apostles feet, consequently Paul was sensible, how easy it was + for him to live in the same way, and provide himself a very comfortable + birth, in a sect, in which he felt himself capable of playing a very + important part. His ambition must have been more gratified with occupying + one of the first posts, even amongst beggars, than of cringing in an + infamous and dishonourable capacity, under avaricious, haughty and + disdainful priests. Indeed Paul himself tells us that he had relations of + considerable note among the apostles, who having embraced the faith before + him, might have laboured with success for the conversion of a man so + disposed.* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Epis, to Romans, chap. xvi. verse 7. +</pre> + <p> + The persecutions that he had excited against the disciples could not have + put any very serious obstacles in the way of his admission into the + apostolic college: nothing was required but to explain and agree upon + facts. The chiefs of the sect were very much flattered at seeing the + conquest made by their party of an inconvenient adversary, who came of his + own accord, and offered his services. His conversion, effected by a + miracle, did honour to his mission, and showed the vulgar the protection + of heaven, which changed the heart of the most bitter enemy of the + Christians. As Paul was not ignorant that in this sect great value was set + upon miracles, visions and revelations, he thought this was the most + favourable door by which he could enter, and render himself acceptable to + the Apostles; they received him with open arms well assured of the + sincerity of a man who after having made such an uproar could not recede + without making himself equally odious both to Jews and Christians. St. + Paul amongst other talents which rendered him a fit person to propagate + the new religion, understood, according to appearances, Hebrew, Greek, and + Latin, whilst in spite of the gift of tongues, we do not find, that the + other apostles possessed these advantages. In fact we see them remain at + Jerusalem, preaching to the Jews only, whilst the new apostle extended his + spiritual conquests, into the provinces of Asia and Greece, where it + appears that without him the Gospel would not have been preached so soon. + </p> + <p> + Once connected with the new sect, Paul had doubtless a great interest in + spreading it, in strengthening his party, and making converts in order to + gain support, and have the pleasure of reigning over a great number of + devotees. Thus, under every point of view, we see that our Apostle, + whether in his conversion, or in his preaching, was every thing but + negligent of his interest. All missionaries have necessarily ambition; + they propose to themselves the pleasure of governing minds, and every + thing proves that Paul was not exempt from a passion inherent in all + founders of sects. And further having once established his ecclesiastical + power, we often see him taking care of his temporal interests, and making + his flock feel how just it is that the priest should live by the altar; in + a word to occupy himself with the emoluments of his preaching. "Let him," + says he, "that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in + all good things.*" He speaks in the same tone to the Thessalonicans (chap. + v. ver. 12.) He likewise recommends them an abundant charity. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Epis, to Galatians, chap. vi. ver. 6. +</pre> + <p> + It remains to be observed, St. Paul is not like his successors ungrateful + for the benefits which he has received. He thanks the Philippians for + having twice assisted him in his need. It appears that in his time the + Apostles did not possess the divine right that men had the goodness to + give them: but the clergy have since asserted that they hold from God + alone, that which they obtained from the generosity of princes and people, + which evidently frees them from the necessity of showing gratitude to any + one. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. Of the imperious Tone and political Views of St. Paul + </h2> + <p> + It appears by the writings attributed to Paul himself that the empire + which he exercised over the members whom he had added to his sect, was not + one of mildness. In proof of this, may be cited the manner in which this + spiritual despot speaks to the faithful of Corinth. "Moreover (says he) I + call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you, I came not as yet + into Corinth."* Again, "For to this end also did I write, that I might + know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things**". He + threatens the Corinthians, and says to them, "if I come again I will not + spare." Again he justifies the tone in which he talks, by saying, + "Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should + use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to + edification, and not to destruction."*** It is probably by virtue of this + right of chastising, here assumed by St. Paul, that the Pontiffs and + Priests of the Christians have since arrogated to themselves an unlimited + spiritual power over, the thoughts of their subjects. Their empire + extended itself by degrees over their persons; Christian priests, + exceeding the Apostle to whom the Lord had given this power to edify, + availed themselves of it to destroy those whom they found not sufficiently + submissive to their decisions. If St. Paul did not exercise over his sheep + a power so extensive, it is doubtless because he had not, like our + pastors, princes, magistrates and soldiers under his orders, capable of + executing his holy will: with his imperious temper we may justly conclude + that he would have conducted himself much in the same manner as some + fathers of the church, the Pontiffs of Rome, or the Holy Inquisition. + </p> + <p> + We see also that the Apostle, not satisfied with being sole judge in + spiritual affairs, was desirous of the power of deciding in civil suits. + "Dare any of you having a matter against another go to law before the + unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall + judge the world?****" This passage evidently proves that the Apostle in + the depth of his policy had already formed the design of making the + saints, i. e. the clergy, masters of the fortunes as well as the + consciences of the faithful. In fact, he adds, know ye not that we shall + judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? We cannot + sufficiently admire the moderation of the Christian clergy, in not having + rigorously acted up to the letter of this decisive text, which formally + gives them the right of judging in all temporal affairs, or the concerns + of this life. Indeed it appears according to this passage, that Christians + in their transactions, ought to have no other judges, or even sovereigns, + than the church. It is from these maxims, that our priests have become + censors, or a kind of magistrates, who interfere with every thing, and set + themselves up for the judges of the legitimacy of civil acts, of births + and marriages, of which they have made themselves masters; in a few words, + they seize upon man the moment he is born, and regulate all his motions + until his death. It is from these pretences, that the popes have + impudently arrogated the power of disposing of crowns, of exciting + insurrections and wars, and of deciding upon the rights of sovereigns and + people. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * 2 Corinthians, chap. i. ver. 23. + + ** 2 Corinthians, chap. ii. ver. 9. + + *** 2 Corinthians, chap. xiii. ver. 2. and 10. + + **** 1 Corinthians, chap. vi. ver. 1. and 2. +</pre> + <p> + It is by no means surprising that the heads of the Christian church, have + at all times held up St. Paul, as a man divinely inspired; have for a + distinction entitled him, the Apostle, have inculcated for his writings + the most profound veneration, and have caused them to be considered, as + the oracles of the Holy Ghost. This Apostle was evidently the architect of + the church. We may consider him especially as the founder of the + ecclesiastical hierarchy. It is to him that are owing the prerogatives, + privileges, divine rights and pretences of the clergy. St. Paul + established bishops, assigned them their rights, and in his writings laid + the foundations of that spiritual power, which has since become so + formidable to temporal authority. How could the inventor of so many useful + things, fail to be regarded as the organ of the divinity. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, if we read the gospels with the slightest attention, we + shall find that Jesus has no where spoken of this hierarchy or power, nor + of the prerogatives of the clergy; on the contrary, we see him' + incessantly preaching to his apostles, equality, humility and poverty. But + in that as in many other instances, our Apostle thought himself at liberty + to correct the institutions of Christ, who on all occasions shewed himself + unfavourable to priests. These changes effected by Paul are sufficient to + make us acquainted with his secret policy. He endeavoured apparently to + make himself the spiritual and temporal head of the churches, which he had + by his labours, founded among the Gentiles, with whom, as we have shewn, + he had more success than amongst the Jews. It was to gain them over that + he became all things to all men, that he dispensed them, as we have said, + from the most essential ordinances of the Mosaic law. In short he had the + secret of insinuating himself, into the minds of idolators, whom he + sometimes took by surprize accommodating himself to their capacities, and + giving them as he himself has said, sometimes milk, and at others, solid + food. As we have already sufficiently shewn, Paul after his successes with + the Gentiles, gave himself little trouble respecting the converted Jews, + or with his elder brethren in the apostle-ship; and openly declared + himself against the Mosaic law. As we have seen be went himself to + Jerusalem, to solicit a decree, to dispense the Gentiles from the rite of + circumcision; this he had much at heart, feeling how necessary this + indulgence was, in order to secure his new subjects. Thus it was he who + enlarged the breach, though small in its origin, which separated the Jews + from the Christians, or Nazarenes. This conduct naturally displeased the + rest of the apostles, who appeared, even after the council, always + attached to the Jewish ordinances, but who on this occasion, found + themselves compelled to cede to Paul, or at least to temporize with a man + who had gained an ascendancy over them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. Of the Humility, of St. Paul + </h2> + <p> + With the ability and ambitious conduct which we have just remarked in St. + Paul it is difficult to conceive that humility could have been his ruling + passion. Perusing his writings, we shall without much difficulty discover + that when he humbles himself it is generally with a view of exalting + himself in the eyes of his adherents; he does not fail to boast of the + penalties, sufferings, and labours that he has submitted to for love of + them, it is upon this, that he founds his claims to their respect and + gratitude. "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and + stewards of the mysteries of God:" further on he adds, "for I think that + God hath set forth us, the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: + for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." + </p> + <p> + St. Paul then reproaches the Corinthians, with their ease, their luxury, + and their pretences, and compares their happy situation with his own. "We + are, (says he to them,) fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in + Christ: we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are + despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are + buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place, and labour, working with our + own hands." He then enumerates the evils he has suffered, and adds "I + write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons to warn you." + Of what? He explains himself, and says, "For though you have ten thousand + instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I + have begotten you through the gospel." Our humble missionary sends them + his lieutenant, Timothy, to bring them back to their duty, i. e. to the + obedience they owed to their spiritual father, he threatens them himself, + and mildly demands of them, "What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a + rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?" + </p> + <p> + In all this remarkable tirade there are no traces of that profound + humility, for which credit has been given to Paul: on the contrary, all + discovers a domineering spirit, and a desire of exclusive power over the + faithful whom he had converted. It is generally the proudest men who + complain the most bitterly of being despised and treated with contempt; + and, amongst devotees, Pride knows how to cover appearances with the garb + of humility. However, our Apostle does not give himself the trouble to + mask his self-love: in fact, when he compares himself to the rest of the + Apostles, he makes us understand, that though he terms himself the last, + he has a right to be considered as the first. He says, "For I suppose I + was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles." It seems that the + Corinthians were shocked with the harshness of his tone; for he adds, "but + though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge: but we have been + thoroughly made manifest among you in all things." Then feeling that they + might be disgusted with these imprudent self commendations, he says, + "Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also." + </p> + <p> + It is easy to see that our Evangelical Doctors propose to themselves + Paul's humility as a model for their own. It is doubtless, in imitation of + this great Saint, that the Pope calls himself the Servant of the Servants + of God, which does not, however, prevent him from making those who refuse + to acknowledge his unlimited power, and blindly subscribe to his + infallible decisions, feel his pastoral rod; but when the rulers of the + Church make use of this rod, it is only to shew their great zeal for the + interests of the Lord. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. Of the Zeal of St. Paul; Reflections on this Christian Virtue + </h2> + <p> + That passion which in common life is termed, anger, fury, vengeance or + delirium, becomes zeal as soon as its object is religion, or the cause of + God. It is a maxim among Christian devotees, that we cannot love God too + much, consequently we cannot sin in excess of zeal. According to these + principles, our doctors in their quarrels, injure, defame, calumniate, and + asperse, and when they have the power, persecute and exterminate each + other. Each sect, firmly persuaded that it is in the right, and that its + peculiar way of thinking is the only one that God can approve, thinks + itself justified in destroying the opinions of its adversaries, which + displeasing to itself, must consequently displease the divinity. Thus in + attentively examining the thing, we find that religious zeal is nothing + but anger, excited in a bigot by opinions adverse to his own, or those of + the party he has espoused. In a word, zeal is the gall which contradiction + secretes in the souls of bigots. There can be no doubt, but that St. Paul + has left a model of this sort, which our evangelical doctors, have in all + times faithfully copied. If this great Apostle did not go to the extent of + persecuting those who resisted his arguments, or refused blindly to submit + to his supreme decisions, it is because he was not sufficiently strong; + otherwise judging from the warmth of his temperament we may reasonably + presume, that he would have been easily carried to extremities, well + calculated to justify the holy passion to which the heads of the church + have since given themselves up on all occasions, when they have had + sufficient power to give a lustre to their zeal. + </p> + <p> + In fact we find, that Paul's self love, did not suffer contradiction with + too much patience. He delivers over to Satan those who refuse to obey him, + he pretended that any other Gospel, than his own, was abominable. "I + marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the + grace of Christ unto another gospel." He pretends and affirms that he + alone taught the true doctrine, and that all others are impostors, false + prophets, and disturbers; we are obliged to believe on his own word that + he possesses infallibility. + </p> + <p> + He goes so far as to say in the heat of his self-love "But though we, or + an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we + have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I + now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you, than that ye have + received, let him be accursed."* This language might well appear insolent, + presumptuous, and even impious to those who have not faith, nevertheless + it is that which is invariably held by the chiefs of every sect; we see + them, upon their own authority, continually anathematizing, + excommunicating, damning and delivering over to the devil, whoever has the + temerity to understand the Gospel in any other way but their own. Every + doctor like Paul, declares himself and even believes himself to be + infallible; nothing in the world, (not even the angels of heaven) could + make him renounce opinions which his self-love, his obstinacy, and his + vanity, cause him to behold as the only true. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Epistle to Gal. Chap. i. ver. 8 and 9. +</pre> + <p> + The history of Paul, however furnishes us with an embarrassing + circumstance. Ardent in dispute and obstinately attached to his own ideas, + we see this infallible Apostle boasted of having resisted Cephas, i.e. + Peter, to his face, who nevertheless appears to have had titles to + infallibility, still better established than those of our Apostle; in fact + if Paul, in order to prove his own infallibility, supports it by his + visions, inspirations, revelations, and miracles: St. Peter might in + favour of his own, oppose to him a great number of visions, dreams, and + prodigies equally authentic with those of his brother. If Paul founded the + divinity of his mission, and the truth of his particular way of thinking + on his own testimony, could not St. Peter cite, in support of his + authority, the testimony of Jesus Christ, who had declared him the chief + of the apostles, who had established him, as the first shepherd of his + flock, and the rock on which, he would found his church? Is it not upon + this authentic evidence, that the Pope, who stiles himself the successor + of Peter, founds his infallibility, acknowledged and maintained by the + greater part of the Roman Catholic Clergy? There is then reason to be + astonished that Paul, with titles not so well established, should have + dared to resist Peter to his face, or that he should have boasted of such + resistance; and it is not less surprising that the latter should have + ceded to his junior in the apostleship, having such powerful arguments to + support his claim to infallibility. + </p> + <p> + All may however be explained by the supposition that upon this occasion + St. Paul showed himself more headstrong than St. Peter, who for the sake + of peace, yielded to the eagerness of his adversary, and would not support + his own infallibility at the risk of exciting a schism in the rising sect. + We have seen in our time pious Jansenists avail themselves of St. Paul's + example, to resist to the face the infallible decisions of the Roman + Pontiff; but he, less moderate than his predecessor St. Peter, would not + cede, but remained obstinate in maintaining his irrefragable authority, + and by this means produced and fomented divisions, which the determined + zeal displayed by both parties, has rendered very dangerous. The successor + of St. Peter anathematizes, and finding himself the strongest, persecutes + the imitators of St. Paul, for daring to resist him: these of course + strongly attached to their principles which they deem infallible, are + obstinate in their resistance, detest the opinions of their tyrants, and + in spite of charity, very cordially damn those who do not think like + themselves, whilst these last from attachment to the infallibility of the + Pope, whom they have on their side, believe themselves compelled, in + conscience, to make their adversaries submit to the most inhuman and + unreasonable treatment. + </p> + <p> + Such are the salutary effects which zeal has produced in the Church of + Jesus Christ, from the first preaching of the gospel to the present day. + The zeal of St. Paul not contented with exercising itself against his + brethren the apostles, shewed itself strongly in all situations. We see + him excite trouble and clamour in whatever cities he happened to be. We + generally term a man a public disturber, who troubles the peace of his + neighbours; but, in religion, a saint is a man who dares to preach his own + opinions, as those of God himself, at the risk of exciting the most + disastrous revolutions in society. His self-love becomes legitimate as + soon as its object is religion; proves to him in the most convincing + manner that he is always right; that his way of thinking is necessary to + salvation, and that all considerations ought to give way to such an + important object. If religious zeal is able one day to procure advantages + in the other world; it is at least very evident that it causes many + misfortunes here below. In the eyes of reason it is always equally + dangerous, even when it is the fruit of the most sincere devotion. If the + impostor, the ambitious man and the hypocrite, avail themselves of it as a + cloak to cover all crimes, the sincere bigot thinks that zeal justifies + the greatest excesses, and often makes a merit, and even a duty, of + detesting his fellows and troubling society. + </p> + <p> + It is in fact difficult to reconcile zeal with the spirit of union, + concord, and peace, that Christianity recommends, or with that charity + which St. Paul places above all virtues, and without which, he assures us + that all the others are useless. But did this Apostle himself possess much + charity, when not satisfied with carrying trouble into every place where + he preached, he inveighed against those whom he found not disposed to + believe*? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Epistle to Tim. Chap. i. ver. 20. +</pre> + <p> + It is doubtless nothing but a lively faith, which can reconcile the + violent conduct of this great Apostle, with the charity which he + incessantly recommends. It appears at least difficult to have a sincere + regard for men whom zeal obliges us to hate, either as our own enemies, or + as the enemies of God. The subtle theology of the Christians, can alone + reconcile these incompatible dispositions. + </p> + <p> + It is only the ministers of the Church, who have the talent of proving, + that without a violation of Christian charity, it is lawful to harass, + persecute, and destroy ones neighbours. They can in fact clearly show that + we may burn the body of a man, out of tenderness for his soul. They think + they have a right to excommunicate a man, or anathematize him, that is to + say, exclude him for ever from spiritual grace, to put him in short into + the road to damnation, to deliver him to Satan, for the destruction of the + flesh, in order to save him, according to the spirit. This conduct is not + the least inconceivable mystery of the Christian religion; faith is + doubtless necessary to find it either charitable or intelligible. How can + we conceive, for example, that the desire of saving the soul of an + heretic, or an impious man, can determine the inquisition or Christian + magistrates to consign him to the flames, even while be persists in those + opinions, which they suppose must plunge him into hell? + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. Of the Deceptions or Apostacy of St. Paul + </h2> + <p> + By the aid of faith we never find any thing to condemn in the conduct of + those, whom we have been accustomed to regard as saints; their obstinacy, + seditious spirit, pride, even their ferocity, are justified, by saying + that they are animated with a holy zeal. In a word, a saint may violate + with impunity, the most sacred rules of morality, without his bigoted + admirers permitting themselves to criticise his conduct. Saints have + always been in the habit of terming those chastisements, which they have + drawn upon themselves (oftentimes justly) by their unruly passions or + indiscreet zeal, persecution. Those whom a devout phrensy excites to + tumult and disorder are honoured as confessors and martyrs, and we find + the Jews and Pagans were the most unjust and cruel of men, for having + treated the Christians, whom they could not consider but as disturbers of + the public peace, in the same manner as the Christians now treat the Jews, + heretics, and infidels. Bigots, accustom themselves to regard their saints + as irreproachable characters, or if they cannot justify their conduct, + they say that God has permitted them to sin, to humiliate them, in order + that he might have an opportunity of pardoning them. It is thus that every + good Christian regards a brigand in revolt against his legitimate + sovereign, an usurper, a monster of cruelty, an infamous adulterer, an + assassin, in a word, a David, as a great saint; or even by excellence, as + the man after God's own heart! Faith in the mind of a bigot, is able to + reverse, even the most simple rules of morality and virtue. Religion + encourages the most perverse men to give themselves up to the blackest + crimes, the most shameful vices, and the most shocking irregularities, by + setting before them the examples of scoundrels, who were nevertheless the + friends of God. + </p> + <p> + It cannot be pretended that St. Paul of whom we are now speaking, was + guilty of excesses, similar to those committed by the king of the Jews, + whose whole history is a series of horrors: but without faith it is + difficult to consider our Apostle as an irreproachable character; though + the historian, whoever he be, to whom we are indebted for the Acts of the + Apostles, has designed to hold him up as a model of virtue, we find that + by a singular oversight he did not seem aware, that he made him tell an + untruth in public, and in the most solemn manner in presence of the + Sanhedrim or great council of the Jews. In fact as we have already + remarked, perceiving that his audience was composed of Sadducees and + Pharisees, with the view of dividing them and gaining friends, Paul cried + out that he was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and that they sought to + kill him, because of his hope in the resurrection. + </p> + <p> + In this assertion we may detect two deceptions. In the first place Paul + was not a Pharisee, at the moment he spoke he was a Christian, he was an + Apostle, he preached Jesus Christ, he laboured effectually to make + proselytes to his sect, he had disgusted the Jews in announcing to them a + new law, contrary to that of Moses, he had procured in the council at + Jerusalem the abolition of the practice of circumcision so strictly + ordained by their law. In a word he preached Christianity and not Judaism + in the same moment that he declared himself a Pharisee. On this occasion + his conduct was in fact that of an apostate, at least it cannot be denied, + that he conducted himself as a coward, who did not care to acknowledge his + real belief in the presence of the council, and who had recourse to an + artifice to outwit his Judges. In fact the conduct of Paul on this + occasion has no resemblance to that of a great number of martyrs, who + freely acknowledge themselves Christians at the risk of their lives, and + boldly confessed Jesus Christ, in the presence of their persecutors and + executioners. The presence of the High Priest and council so much imposed + on St. Paul, that he declared himself a Pharisee; fear troubled his memory + to such a degree, that he forgot he had just acknowledged himself a + Christian, and missionary of Jesus to the Gentiles in the presence of the + people collected before the gate of the fortress, who indignant at his + discourse, cried out, "away with such a fellow from the earth for it is + not fit that he should live." Nothing then but theological subtilty, can + clear Paul from deception, apostacy, and cowardice on this occasion. + </p> + <p> + In the second place it was not true, that it was because of the hope of + another life, and of the resurrection of the dead, that Paul was + persecuted by the Jews. It was for having preached a new doctrine, + contrary to the law of Moses; this great legislator has in no part taught + us what we ought to believe concerning the resurrection of the dead or of + another life. The Jews without ceasing to be Jews, embraced respecting it + whatever opinion they pleased, the Sadducees rejected it without however + being on that account, excluded from the synagogue, and without ceasing to + observe the Judaic law; the Pharisee admitted it without its appearing to + cause a schism between them, ami those who did not think, as they did. It + is true that Paul had preached the resurrection, but it was that of Jesus, + on which he endeavoured to establish a new sect very different from the + Jewish religion. Thus the words of St. Paul were merely a subterfuge + unworthy of a man, whom grace ought to have endued with sufficient courage + to maintain before the council, at the peril of his liberty and his life, + the same sentiments that he had taught the people and preached in all + those places where he had planted the faith. It was then for having + preached Christianity, and for having (in spite even of his brethren the + apostles) desired in favour of the Gentiles the abolition of the Jewish + customs, that Paul was persecuted, the priests were doubtless irritated + against a man who sought to abrogate a law and a priesthood which a divine + revelation had so many times taught them was to endure eternally, whilst + the authors of the Epistle to the Hebrews formerly assures us that they + have been set. aside by the Gospel. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. St. Paul's Hypocrisy + </h2> + <p> + We cannot avoid perceiving still more of the insincerity and profound + hypocrisy of Paul's conduct at Jerusalem. After having preached in a great + number of towns in Asia and Greece, a doctrine revolting to the feelings + of the Jews, and which every where caused disturbances amongst them, after + having in favour of the Gentiles abolished circumcision so particularly + ordained by the law of Moses, and deemed so essential to the proselytes of + the gate; we see this great Apostle, by the advice of his brethren, submit + himself, during seven days, to the Jewish ceremonies; purify himself with + affectation. "Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself + with them, entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishing of the + days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every + one of them*." But the Jews of Asia, who knew the real sentiments of our + missionary, from having heard him preach when amongst them, were not the + dupes of his hypocrisy: they excited the people "crying out, men of + Israel, help: this is the man that teacheth all men every where against + the people, and the laws of this place; and further brought Greeks also + into the temple, and hath polluted this holy placet.**" These were the + true charges of the Jews against Paul, and without denying what we find in + the Acts of the Apostles, we must acknowledge, that they were well + founded. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Acts of Apostles, chap. xxi. ver. 6. + + ** Acts of Apostles, chap. xxi. ver. 28. +</pre> + <p> + What should we say in the present day of a bishop, who, whilst pretending + to be a Christian, should go for a period of seven days into a synagogue + in London or Amsterdam, to fulfil Jewish ceremonies in the sight of the + public? We should not fail to regard him as an apostate, or a knave, who + had sinister intentions at any rate, the most favourable construction, we + would put upon his motives, would be to suppose him a fool. We are however + to admire this conduct in Paul, he pretends to justify himself by the + necessity of becoming all things to all men. It is thus we see that + hypocrisy, falsehood, and imposture, are legitimate means, by which to + advance the cause of God and gain souls. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless there is every reason to think that St. Paul in acting in + such a singular manner, had his own interest and safety, more at heart + than the cause of the divinity. His conduct has been faithfully copied by + a great number of Christian missionaries, and especially by the Jesuits, + whom their adversaries often reproach with having frequently assimilated + the worship of Jesus with that of those idolatrous people, whom they were + endeavouring to convert. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. St. Paul accused of Perjury, or the Author of the Acts of + the Apostles, convicted of Falsehood. + </h2> + <p> + Not contented with pursuing this oblique or hypocritical conduct, we again + see, our great Apostle, evidently, wilfully guilty of perjury, or a false + oath. To convince ourselves of this we have only to read the commencement + of his Epistle to the Galatians; to prove to them, that the gospel which + he announced to them; was divinely inspired, he says "But certify to you + brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me, is not after man. For + I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the + revelation of Jesus Christ." Further on he proves what he advances by + saying, "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, + and called me by his grace, to reveal his son in me, that I might preach + him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood; + neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me but I + went into Arabia, and returned again into Damascus. Then after three + years, I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen + days. But other of the apostles, saw I none, save James the Lord's + brother. Now the things which I write unto you behold before God I lie + not*." But if Paul did not lie, in what he related to the Galatians, it is + clear that the author of the Acts of the Apostles, whom the Christian + church regards as an inspired writer equally with St. Paul, has lied. In + fact in the ninth chapter of the Acts, it is said that Paul after his + conversion, and after having recovered his sight remained some days with + the disciples who were at Damascus; which proves that he was instructed by + men, or that he took counsel of flesh and blood. Believing himself + sufficiently fortified in his theology, by Ananias or others, he began to + preach Christ in the synagogue, at which conduct the Jews were so shocked + that they sought to take away his life: but Saul escaped from their fury + by means of a basket, and without mention made of his journey to Arabia, + he directly returns to Jerusalem, where the disciples were in the first + instance fearful of him, but Barnabas, encouraged them, and presented him + to the apostles, at the same time relating to them his miraculous + conversion, and his courageous preaching at Damascus. In consequence it is + said that Paul was added to the number of the faithful. (Acts ix). + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This passage proves very forcibly that Paul preached a + different gospel from that of the other apostles, i. e. + from the Ebionites or Nazarenes. +</pre> + <p> + It is easy to see, how little this recital of the inspired historian of + the Acts, agrees with that of the inspired Apostle, who wrote to the + Galatians, and confirmed his narration by an oath. Besides the journey of + St. Paul to Arabia upon leaving Damascus, and which preceded his arrival + at Jerusalem by three years, becomes very improbable, as well as his stay + in this country. In fact the disciples at Jerusalem must have been in + habits of correspondence with those of Damascus, consequently they would + thus have heard of an event so interesting to their sect, as the + conversion of St. Paul and the pains he took to propagate their doctrines; + thus the presence of our Apostle would not have created any uneasiness, + and there could have been no need of Barnabas becoming his surety. It + appears then that the new convert upon leaving Damascus went directly to + Jerusalem, that he had there an opportunity of conversing with the + apostles, and that his theology was not intuitive. + </p> + <p> + But even supposing that the journey and sojourn of three years in Arabia, + really took place, it would be no less certain that Paul took a false oath + to the Galatians, or that the author of the Acts is deceived. In fact St. + Paul writes that at the end of three years he returned to Jerusalem to + visit Peter, and that he remained fifteen days with him without seeing any + other of the apostles. This is quite at variance with the author of the + Acts, who informs us that Paul being come to Jerusalem, sought to join + himself to the disciples, who were afraid of him, not knowing that he was + a disciple. Our Saint contradicts all this by a different tale which he + confirms by an oath. + </p> + <p> + Moreover by this oath Paul himself contradicts the discourse which the + author of the Acts, puts into his mouth in the presence of King Agrippa, + of Queen Berenice, and the governor Festus*. + </p> + <p> + In relating to them his conversion, he says to them, Whereupon, O King + Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision; but shewed first + unto them at Damascus and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of + Judea, and then to the Gentiles that they should repent and turn to God, + and do works meet for repentance. Thus according to the author of the + Acts, St. Paul himself acknowledges that he first preached at Damascus, + then at Jerusalem before addressing himself to the Gentiles. + </p> + <p> + If he had preached during a period of three years in Arabia, he would have + spoken of the circumstance, of which no mention is made in all the Acts of + the Apostles, whilst we find there the most minute details of the + continual journeyings. + </p> + <p> + We shall just remark here a visible contradiction in the Acts of the + Apostles; The author of this work in relating the miraculous conversion of + St. Paul, says that those who accompanied him, were speechless, hearing a + voice but seeing no man**. However the same author, forgetting himself + makes Paul say in his discourse to the Jews, "And they that were with me + saw indeed the light and were afraid, but they heard not the voice of him + that spake to me***". + </p> + <p> + It belongs to the impartial reader to judge what degree of confidence is + due to writers who are so often at variance. In the first instance Paul + solemnly attests by an oath, the truth of a fact, not only omitted, but + even formally contradicted by St. Luke, his historian and disciple. In the + second instance the historian contradicts himself. This ought at least to + shake the implicit faith, that so many persons put in works which possess + neither the consistence nor harmony required in ordinary writers. As to + our doctors they tell us their ways of saving the honour of these two + inspired ones; whom they have much interest in washing from so grave an + accusation, and such a taint upon the Christian religion. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Acts, xxvi. ver. 29. + + **Acts, ix. ver. 7. + + ***Acts, xxii. ver. 9. +</pre> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. Examination of St. Paul's Miracles + </h2> + <p> + Though St. Paul as we have just seen, has himself taken care to shake the + credit of the author of the Acts of the Apostles, it is nevertheless on + the word of this writer that Christians think themselves obliged to + believe in the miracles of our great Apostle. In fact, like all those who + have endeavoured to establish new sects, our preacher could not dispense + with performing prodigies: this is the most certain method of exciting the + admiration of the vulgar. Incapable of reasoning, of judging of the + soundness of a doctrine, and frequently unable in the least to comprehend + it, miracles always become the most powerful of arguments; they are + indubitable proofs that he who works them is the favourite of the + divinity, that consequently he cannot be in the wrong, nor capable of a + wish to deceive. + </p> + <p> + Miracles were more especially necessary amongst the Jews; they demanded + signs from all those who spoke to them in the name of the Lord, and there + was little difficulty in working them, before an ignorant and credulous + people, ready to receive as such every thing that was shewn to them. In + spite of a disposition so favourable to miracle-mongers, we do not find + that those of Jesus himself and afterwards of his apostles, produced on + the Jews those effects which we have a right to expect from them. We find + that at the time they were performed they convinced nobody and drew those + who worked them, into difficult situations. It was not until a long time + had elapsed that these prodigies produced their effects, and by a miracle + that we can never cease to admire, we find, that these prodigies, which + were discarded by those who saw them, were most firmly believed by those + who did not see them, and are now ranked amongst the strongest evidences + of the divinity of the Christian religion. There are only some reasoners + who persist in judging of these ancient miracles in the same manner as the + contemporaries who did not see them, or who, if they did see them, + regarded them as so many instances of deception and slight of hand, + incapable of imposing on them. It is only the simplicity, of faith, that + is to say, an implicit confidence in the assertions of our guides, which + can make us see miracles, or cause us to believe in those we have not + seen. But this simple faith is the effect of an especial grace that God + grants only to those who are poor in spirit, and harshly refuses to those + who think and reason. As soon as we want confidence in the operators, we + see no more miracles, or at least we doubt of those that are shewn to us. + </p> + <p> + It does not appear that St. Paul performed miracles at Jerusalem after his + conversion; this city was not in his department: it belonged to St. Peter + and the other Jewish apostles, who, according to the Acts, did not cease + to work miracles there. Our Apostle of the uncircumcised, or of the + district in which the Gentiles were converted, having quitted his + brethren, commenced his course of miracles at Paphos. He was upon the + point of converting Sergius, proconsul of the province, had not a cursed + sorcerer of a Jew, named Barjesus, and surnamed Elymas, i.e. magician, + endeavoured to prevent the magistrate from believing in Jesus Christ. + Indignant at the obstacle that this man opposed to the divine will, + instead of converting and convincing him, Paul abused him according to the + present practice of theologians, and called him a child of the devil, and + finished with striking him with blindness. If this conduct was conducive + to the salvation of the proconsul, who according to the author of the + Acts, having seen this miracle, believed, being astonished at the doctrine + of the Lord, there are many who will not be so edified, at this prodigy, + so contrary to Christian charity and mildness. In fact would it not have + been more kind of St. Paul armed with divine power, to have enlightened + the eyes of the sorcerer's mind, than to have struck those of his body + with darkness? But we always see that the miracle that the apostles as + well as their divine master had most difficulty in working was that of + convincing those who were not disposed to believe every thing. + </p> + <p> + It appears that on the present occasion, the sorcerer was stronger, in + point of reasoning, than St. Paul, which put him in a passion. Logic was + not in fact, the most prominent quality in our Apostle, any more than in + his brethren and successors. Besides, this holy Missionary was of too + impetuous a temper to reason with moderation, and argue in a clear and + precise manner. Thus to terminate the dispute with Elymas, he abused him, + and perhaps relying on the protection of the proconsul, whom he saw + wavering in favour of his doctrine, ventured to strike his antagonist, + which deprived him of his sight for a period, for it is easy to deprive a + man of the use of his eyes without a miracle*. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * This, it must in candour be acknowledged, is an inference + which the text will not warrant us to draw, and is unworthy + Boulanger's pen. It seems to be compromising the dignity + of truth, to impose upon itself the necessity of accounting + for all the hocus pocus tricks, or wilful falshoods, which + the ignorance, bigotry, and knavery of a deplorable + superstition, have handed down through the mist of eighteen + centuries.—Translators +</pre> + <p> + We learn that our Apostle and his associate Barnabas, wrought such + miracles at Iconiura, that all the city was divided, one part being in + favour of the Jews, and the other for the Apostles. But immediately after + we are informed, that "when there was an assault made, both of the + Gentiles and also of the Jews, with their rulers, to use them + despite-fully, and to stone them, the Apostles were aware of it, and fled + to Lystra and Derbe." + </p> + <p> + This conduct of the inhabitants of Iconiura is certainly inconceivable. + Pagans and Jews unite to ill treat and stone our Apostles, who in spite of + the divine power which they possess have no other expedient, than to seek + safety in flight. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the inutility of his miracles, Paul worked more at Lystra; he + there cured a lame man, in whom by mere inspection he discovered much + faith. This gives rise to a suspicion that this might have been a miracle + concerted between them. He said to him, with a loud voice, stand upright + on thy feet, and he leaped and walked. The people of Lystra were so struck + by this prodigy, that they took our two missionaries for gods, and would + have offered them sacrifices, but Paul and Barnabas forbade them with + great modesty. This great miracle must have been believed, even by the + priest of Jupiter, since it is said, that he brought oxen and garlands + unto the gates, and would have sacrificed with them. This circumstance + clearly proves that nobody at Lystra doubted the truth of this miracle. + However some Jews who had arrived from Iconium were able to undeceive a + whole city, which had seen the miracle of the lame man. The poor St. Paul, + who had just before been taken for Jupiter, was stoned, and dragged out of + the city for dead; he revived, however, and, in spite of his miracle, he + saved himself, with Barnabas by fleeing to Derbe. + </p> + <p> + The miracle wrought by our saint at Philippi in Macedonia, did not meet + with more success, he there cured a girl, who had a spirit of Python, and + being by that means possessed of the power of divination, gained great + profit to her masters. These, far from acknowledging and admiring the + power of a man who reduced to silence Apollo, one of the most powerful + gods of paganism, brought Paul and Silas before the magistrates, and + excited the people against them. It is right to remark in this place, that + Apollo (i. e. the Devil) who resided in this prophetess, laboured to + destroy his own empire. In fact having perceived Paul and his comrade, the + girl followed them, crying, these men are the servants of the Most High + God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. + But Paul being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in + the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her, and he came out the same + hour*. + </p> + <p> + It is surprising that Paul was grieved at a declaration so favourable to + his mission, and that he should impose silence on a demon, whose testimony + was so honourable, and likely to draw adherents! but the conduct of saints + is always inexplicable. + </p> + <p> + In these unhappy times in which faith is so cold, no credit is given, + either to those possessed, or to soothsayers; it is difficult to know what + the nature of the spirit of Python, which inhabited the Macedonian girl + could have been**. If we might hazard a conjecture on the subject, it + might be supposed that our Apostles, to give themselves some relief, + gained her over, and employed her to play her part, by giving her to + understand that it would be her interest to attach herself to the new + sect, rather than work for masters, who, probably, paid her very poorly + for her services from which they drew all the profit. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Acts xvi. 17, 18. + + ** Some critics have been very much embarrassed, to + conjecture what the nature of this spirit of Python could + have been: several have thought that those who had this + spirit, were such as are known to us in the present day by + the name of ventriloquists, who have the power of + articulating words, more or less distinctly, without any + motion of the lips being perceptible. There are such + persons, who create much surprise to those unacquainted with + this faculty, and we cannot be astonished that the vulgar, + who doat upon the marvellous, should attribute this power to + supernatural causes. +</pre> + <p> + The magistrates of Philippi on the complaint of those masters, as we have + seen, caused our exorcists to be flogged, and sent them to prison. An + earthquake happened very opportunely, the jailor was gained over or + converted; the magistrates, thinking the Missionaries had been + sufficiently punished, permitted them to depart; but then, as we have + seen, they declared themselves Roman citizens, and refused to go, until + the magistrates, who were now intimidated, consented to make them an + honourable reparation. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the miracles wrought by Paul during his mission, + disagreeable reports every where accompanied him, or followed him, so + closely in all the cities through which he passed, that neither himself + nor his comrades could remain long in the same place. They only passed + through Amphipolis and Apollonia, and repaired to Thessalonica, where, in + a very short time, the whole city was in an alarm. Jason, their host, was, + as we have already seen, ill treated on their account, it was alleged + against our Missionaries, that they overthrew every thing, and in + preaching another king than Caesar, seemed desirous of plotting a + conspiracy. In consequence of this, as it was a serious accusation, the + brethren contrived the escape of Paul and Silas during the night. + </p> + <p> + Arrived at Berea, our two adventurers, soon excited similar disturbances. + Paul repaired to Athens, where the philosophers who heard him, took him + for a talker whose brain was unsound. However in spite of his success, + which was doubtless very slow, he had the mortification of being compelled + to labour at his original trade of tent-making, which was very hard for a + preacher ordained to live by the altar, that is to say, one whose trade it + was to sell spiritual wares, to those who bound themselves to provide him, + wherewith to subsist on credit Such is clerical traffic. Further, St. Paul + takes special care to boast to the Corinthians of his great + disinterestedness. He makes them understand he would not be chargeable + upon them; by which he appears to have intended some indirect reproaches, + calculated to pique their pride and excite their generosity, towards the + holy man who laboured for their salvation*. The Corinthians probably + imagined that men who performed miracles, had no need of assistance: but + our miracle-mongers were under the necessity of satisfying their wants by + ordinary methods. They were like the adepts, who were always in poverty + though offering to others the secret of making gold. + </p> + <p> + There is reason to believe that Paul performed great miracles amongst the + Corinthians, at least he says to them himself "Truly the signs of an + apostle, were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and + in mighty deeds**." However we find that these miracles had not yet + sufficiently convinced the Corinthians, since Paul says to them "Seek ye a + proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you ward is not weak, but is + mighty in you***." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * See 2. Corinthians, chap. xi. ver. 7, 8, 9, 16. Chap. xii. + ver. 13, and also 1. Corinthians chap. ix. ver 11,13, 14, + + ** 2 Corinthians xii. 12. + + *** 2 Corinthians xiii. 3. +</pre> + <p> + Respecting the miracles wrought by St. Paul at Corinth, we have only his + own evidence, and that is sufficient; the author of the Acts though very + free upon this article does not inform us, that he wrought any in this + city, this was most likely the case, since he remained there a long time, + an unusual circumstance, where he condescended to perform miracles, which + generally compelled him to remove, in consequence of the disturbance they + excited. He was obliged to quit Ephesus, where we are assured, that he + performed a great number, and where handkerchiefs, linen, &c. which + had touched him, cured the sick, and expelled devils. He departed from + Troas directly after having raised a dead man to life, or at least after + having asserted that a young man, who was thought so, was in reality not + so. In short in the isle of Malta he cured himself of the bite, either + because the reptile had not in fact bitten him, or by applying fire to the + wound, a remedy which though common, might be unknown to the inhabitants + of the island, as we have already remarked. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. Analysis of the writings attributed to St. Paul + </h2> + <p> + After having examined the character of St. Paul by His conduct, it will be + proper to make some reflections on his writings; they will serve to place + in a still clearer light, this celebrated man, to whom Christianity owes + so many obligations. If we confine ourselves to those works attributed to + him, the Apostle of the Gentiles must have been a very extraordinary + compound of discordant qualities, which when united must have produced an + inexplicable whole. He himself informs us, that he had within him two men, + the new man and the old man; the just man, and the sinner. He had two + bodies, the one natural and the other spiritual; the body of sin and + death, and the body of justification and life. He had within him, two + laws, which regulated his actions, the law of sin, and the law of justice, + the law of the flesh, and the law of the spirit. Never was poor mortal so + perplexed and teazed, than was our Apostle according to his own account, + by these two opposite laws, which he had within himself. The carnal man + makes him say, (see Romans, chapter vii. verse 18, to the end of the + chapter.) + </p> + <p> + In other places the spiritual man, makes him hold another language, he + assures the Galatians, that he is one with Christ and crucified with him + (see Galatians. chapter vii. verse 19 and 20.) In another place he says to + the Romans. "For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made + me free from the law of sin and death." It is clear that this duplicity of + nature and law in St. Paul as acknowledged by himself is calculated to + throw us into much embarrassment. In fact how can we distinguish in his + conduct or discourse, that which springs from the old, from that which + arises from the new man, or the spirit of life and the grace of Christ? Is + it very easy at this time, to determine which governed St. Paul in those + moments in which he spoke, acted, or wrote? Perhaps those maxims and + dogmas most admired by Christians have been the suggestions of the flesh, + the fruits of the old man, and that this old man often influenced his + conduct, which, as we have shewn was not at all times free from reproach. + In short the acknowledgments are of a nature well calculated to plunge the + most firm Christians into uncertainties from which, without supernatural + assistance, they will have great difficulty in extricating themselves. + These confessions may further serve to shew us the inconsistencies, + contradictions, absurdities, the sophistry and superficial reasoning, and + disjointed ideas, which we meet with at every page of the writings + attributed to St. Paul. It is to be presumed, that it is the Holy Ghost, + or Christ, who speaks when he appears reasonable, it would be blasphemous + to say or think, that they could talk nonsense: in this case we shall say, + that it is St. Paul or the flesh, who speaks, when we find him using bad + arguments, extravagancies, and unintelligible nonsense. We cannot imagine + that the spirit of God would have made him utter contradictions, or + inspired him with a language incomprehensible to those whom he designed to + enlighten and instruct by the mouth of this Apostle. In fact, St. Peter + himself complains of the obscurities of Paul's epistles, in which, says + he, "are some things hard to be understood."* + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * 2 Epis. Peter, chap. iii. ver. 16 +</pre> + <p> + The distinction which we have just made will enable us to judge of the + works of St. Paul, and explain the obscurities which we find in them, as + well as the continual variations, which we must remark in his principles. + He tells the Galatians that he was angry with Peter, and withstood him to + his face, and that he was offended, with the other apostles, because they + temporized and used dissimulation, sometimes advocating the usages of the + Jews, and at others the customs of the Gentiles*. + </p> + <p> + Elsewhere he says (here see 1 Corinthians, chap. ix. ver. 19 to 22.) + According to these passages, is it right to temporize, or not? It remains + for our doctors to decide which of these two principles has been divinely + inspired to St. Paul, and in which of them we ought to imitate this great + Saint. Our doctors however are not much in the habit of temporizing with + their enemies unless they find themselves, too weak to cope with them. + </p> + <p> + Our Apostle declares, formally to the Galatians that circumcision, is + useless and will avail them nothing, he says the same thing to the + Corinthians, Yet we find him circumcising his dear Timothy, and he tells + the Romans that circumcision is useful to those who fulfil the law. + </p> + <p> + He writes to Timothy, that God is the saviour of all men expecially of the + faithful, which evidently supposes that the unfaithful, will not be + excluded from Salvation. He had also said, that God willed that all should + be saved. But speaking to the Romans, he will not allow that the gates of + Paradise, shall be opened to all the world**. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * Galatians chap. ii. ver. 11, &c. + + ** Romans, chap. xi. ver. 7. +</pre> + <p> + We should never finish, were we to relate all the contradictions which are + to be found in the writings attributed to St. Paul. It is clear that if he + be really the author of them, he exhibits himself to us, as a fanatical + writer, whose disordered head prevents him from seeing that he is + eternally contradicting himself. He says that black is white. He follows + only the impulses of a heated imagination; he establishes principles to + destroy them immediately; in a word from his want of logic, and the little + connexion of his ideas without a most lively faith we should suspect, that + he was in a continual state of delirium. + </p> + <p> + It cannot be denied that this great Saint was of a temperament too ardent + to allow him to reason connectedly, or to speak with coolness. The + tumultuous ideas which presented themselves in crowds to his brain, did + not permit him to put them into any thing like an orderly arrangement; he + incessantly wandered from his subject, so much so that an imagination, as + warm as his own, is necessary in order to follow him in his flights. + Perpetually involved in figures, allusions and allegories, it is nearly + impossible to guess what are his real sentiments. According to his + doctrine he appears to establish in the strongest manner the dreadful + doctrine of absolute predestination and reprobation. According to him God + grants grace to whom he pleases, and whom he pleases he hardens. If we + demand how this doctrine can be reconciled with the goodness and justice + of God; or how a God who operates in man the will and the deed, can be + offended with the wills and actions of men? He extricates himself by + asking if the vessel shall say to him who made it, why hast thou fashioned + me thus? Thus St. Paul, and after him all Christian doctors, explain the + conduct of a God, whom they pretend to love, at the same time that they + hold him up as a tyrant, who is not accountable for his most unjust + caprices, and despot-like is restrained by no rule! + </p> + <p> + St. Paul being divinely inspired should have taught us something of the + nature of the soul, an object which so embarrasses alt philosophers who + not being illumined from above, have formed ideas upon this subject, so + much at variance with those of our Christian doctors. But far from + throwing any light upon this important matter, our Apostle, who appears + strongly tinctured with the platonic philosophy so universally taught in + his time, distinguishes the body, soul and spirit, and thus obscures the + thing still more. But it is the essense of theology to confound every + thing, and the interest of theologians to plunge mankind into a labyrinth, + from which nothing but faith can extricate them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. Of Faith, in what this Virtue consists + </h2> + <p> + Generally speaking it is St. Paul, or the author of the Epistles, + (wherever he be) that are attributed to him, that ought to be regarded as + the true founder of Christian theology. The mysterious obscurity of his + works, the tone of fanaticism which reigns in them, and the unintelligible + oracles with which they are filled, render them well suited to impose on + the vulgar, who respect things only in proportion as they are impossible + to be comprehended. Devout enthusiasm and pious melancholy there finds a + continual feast for its sickly brain. Oracles and enigmas are taken for + divine mysteries, which without a strong dose of faith we should conclude + were the production of delirium or the inventions of imposture, which + seeks to put reason to flight. Reason had no means of examining ideas + which are totally unreasonable; thus they persuaded men that it was + necessary to renounce reason in order to become a good Christian. In + consequence of this principle, so humiliating to mankind and derogatory to + the character of a God, the author of reason, it was no longer permitted + to examine anything; man was commanded blindly to subscribe to the most + incomprehensible reveries, and it was considered meritorious to renounce + common sense and adopt fables and opinions revolting to every thinking + being. Thus delirium was changed into wisdom, deception into truth, and + frequently crime became virtue. They closed the mouths of reasoners by + citing the language of Paul, who had said "that the foolishness of God is + wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." According + to the same Apostle God himself had predicted by the mouth of a prophet, + the revolution that Christianity was to produce in the minds of mankind. + "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the + understanding of the prudent." Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? + where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom + of this world, &c.* And he concludes by saying, "But we preach Christ + crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks + foolishness." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * 1 Corinth, chap. i. ver. 19. +</pre> + <p> + However violent Paul's enthusiasm may have been, he well knew how odd the + doctrine he preached, must appear to reasonable beings. He must have been + aware, that it overturned all received ideas; that it would not bear the + test of examination; that it was a difficult enterprise to persuade + sensible beings that a God could die, that this God had arisen again, that + an immutable God had changed and annulled the eternal alliance he had made + with the Jews, and which been so repeatedly confirmed with oaths, &c. + Thus our Apostle in order to pass such improbable opinions, believed it + requisite, to substitute folly in the place of reason, and to fortify his + disciples against the weapons of logic. For the evidence which results + from the testimony of the senses be substituted faith, which according to + him is the evidence of things not seen, and evidence which can only be + founded on the most stupid credulity. + </p> + <p> + Thus this prudent orator took care to guard against the philosophy of + common sense, and against all science, seeing clearly that they opposed, + invincible obstacles to the religion that he sought to establish, and of + which he pretended to be the soul and chief. Hence we find he attached the + greatest merit to faith, that is to say, to a blind submission to his + authority; and such an unbounded confidence in himself as prevented any + doubt of those things, the truth of which he attested. + </p> + <p> + As science was injurious to the establishment of his empire he decried it. + "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." By charity, we may here + understand that affection to a spiritual director which closing the eyes + against those defects, which in common with other men he may possess, + convinces us that he is always right, that he is incapable of the wish to + deceive, and in short, that he ought to be believed in preference to the + evidence of our senses. + </p> + <p> + It is thus that this great Apostle laboured incessantly to establish his + own authority on the ruins of wisdom, reason, and science. However we may + reply to his doctrine, so useful to those whose interest it is to maintain + absurd opinions and incredible fables, that God who, is, according to + them, the author of reason could not have destroyed his own work. We shall + demand of St. Paul and of those who like him preach up implicit faith, if + folly is more able than wisdom to attain to the knowledge of God? We shall + ask of them, if God has given wisdom to men on condition of their never + using it, and if it is not by the aid of human wisdom, that man gains some + idea of the divine wisdom? We shall ask if God can, without absolutely + changing the nature of things, make wisdom folly, and folly wisdom? In + short we shall ask them, if in order to become a Christian it is necessary + to renounce common sense, or how far our folly must prevail to have a + religion? + </p> + <p> + To all these questions theologians, faithfully treading in the steps of + St. Paul, will reply, that we must believe, and that as soon as they + speak, we must submit to their authority. "Faith" says Paul "comes by + hearing," whence it results that have faith, we must sacrifice our reason, + to the wills of our spiritual pastors. Charity ought to convince us, that + these infallible guides, can neither deceive nor desire to lead us into + error. + </p> + <p> + According to this firm persuasion we shall never be embarrassed, unless, + by chance, those pastors should happen to disagree in their opinions. This + however often occurs in the church, and has done from the commencement. In + fact we have seen St. Paul himself resist St. Peter to his face and differ + from him in opinion. Their quarrels like many others had fatal results, + and produced a true schism between the partizans of Peter, and those of + Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles. + </p> + <p> + The latter has acknowledged himself, that there must be heresies in a + church, perpetually guided by the most high. This prophecy has been + verified in the Christian religion, which from its foundation has been + incessantly agitated by quarrels, divisions, animosities, troubles, and + paroxysms of fury mat would induce a belief, that the gospel was given to + nations only to excite in them, fermentations unknown to Paganism, and + show them to what a degree of madness credulity could lead. + </p> + <p> + The writings of Paul especially have furnished in all ages ample matter, + for disputes to the Christian doctors. The obscure dogmas they contain, + have of necessity been diversely understood by profound dreamers, who have + passed their time in meditation. Each pretended to have discovered the + true sense of this infallible and divinely inspired doctor. Each found in + his writings a confirmation of his own sentiments. Works filled with + contradiction continually gave rise to parties the most opposite to each + other, and virulently bent upon mutual destruction. The authority of St. + Paul was opposed to himself, and in the impossibility of deciding upon + questions totally out of the power of reason to discuss, recourse was had + to violence, and the strongest always made the weak feel, that they alone + comprehended the true sense of the great Apostle. They disputed + continually on predestination, on grace, and on the liberty of man; they + understood neither themselves nor St. Paul. The most headstrong, the most + wicked, and the most powerful, enforced their opinions as the only ones + which the Holy Ghost had dictated. + </p> + <p> + To conclude, the incredulous, are not those, who alone find the writings + of Paul obscure and unintelligible, as we have seen in the the case of St. + Peter already quoted. If this prince of the Apostles founded difficulties + in the work of St. Paul, what shall we think of the presumption of modern + commentators when they pretend to explain to us, the enigmatical and + confused passages that we meet with in the epistles of this doctor of the + Gentiles. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. Of the Holy Ghost, and Divine Inspiration + </h2> + <p> + It would however have been wiser in the first instance to examine into the + degree of confidence due to the real or pretended writings of this + wonderful man, whose history we have been developing. Before disputing it + would have been better to have been certain of the authority of an Apostle + whose works appear to us infallible only on his own word, or on that of + the written to whom we owe the Acts of the Apostles. In fact we are told + that St. Paul was inspired by the Holy Ghost. But what is the Holy Ghost? + How can it inspire a man? What certainty have we that it has ever inspired + anyone? By what signs shall we distinguish these invisible inspirations? + As it is upon these inspirations only that the Christian religion is + established, these questions are well worth the trouble of being + discussed. + </p> + <p> + There is no mention made of the Holy Ghost in the Old Testament; there is + mention made of the spirit of the Lord, which possessed, or resided in the + prophets, and other holy personages charged with speaking to the Jewish + people; but in no place of the Old Testament is the Holy Ghost announced + as a being distinct from the Divinity, it is only in the New Testament + that we find this metaphysical being deified, or this divine breath + personified. In fact it is only in the history of Jesus Christ, that the + Holy Ghost begins to perform, a part; we there find him commissioned to + overshadow Mary, and produce the savour of the world, who was, as we are + told, begotten by the operation of the Holy Ghost. + </p> + <p> + This same Holy Ghost descended in the form of a dove upon Jesus Christ at + the moment of his baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist. In the + Gospel according to St. John, the author of which appears to have drawn + his ideas from the platonic philosophy, there is much talk of the Holy + Ghost which is never defined. Jesus promises to send him to the disciples + when he himself shall have left them. This spirit is described under term + of the Paraclete or Comforter. Jesus assures them that he proceeded from + the father, and that he will send him on the part of the father, to bear + witness of him Jesus. Further on he promises them, that when this spirit + shall come, he shall guide them into all truth. + </p> + <p> + According to the promise of Jesus, this comforter did in fact descend upon + the Apostles at the feast of Pentecost, see Acts ari. ver. 2, 3, 13. Many + were astonished at the prodigy there related, but it seems not to have + convinced others, who had probably less faith than the first. These + sceptics pretended that the inspired Apostles were drunken with new wine. + But Peter filled with the spirit, made them a long prophetic harangue; + which, according to the author of the Acts, produced a great effect upon + many of his hearers, who were converted upon the spot. + </p> + <p> + In consequence of the descent of the Holy Ghost, the Apostles received the + power, not only of speaking divers tongues, but likewise of driving out + devils and performing miracles. However we do not find by their history, + though written by one favourable to their cause, that the Holy Ghost gave + them the power to cast out the demon of incredulity, especially from the + minds of the Jews; these resisted constantly the Holy Ghost and made those + who said they were filled with it, to suffer cruel treatment. + </p> + <p> + the Apostles had not only received the Holy Ghost, but they had also + received the power of communicating it to others by the imposition of + hands. It is difficult, without a submissive faith, to conceive a clear + idea of this invisible communication of the Holy Ghost, or the manner in + which an indivisible spirit, divides itself among so many different + individuals. However it is not allowed us to doubt that this transmission + of the Holy Ghost has been perpetuated down from the Apostles to our time. + It is still by imposition of hands that the guides of the Christian Church + receive the Holy Ghost, and the right to teach. If our bishops and and + priests who represent in our eyes the Apostles and disciples, have not + received the gift of tongues and miracles they have, at least, received + the faculty of pretending, that the Holy Ghost does not cease to + illuminate them, in their frequently contradictory decisions, which ought + to be regarded as a great prodigy. + </p> + <p> + A Christian would run the risk of being damned if he should dare to doubt, + that the Holy Ghost invisibly presided in the church and will reside in + the brains of its chiefs until the consummation of all things. What can be + more calculated to inspire us with regard and respect for those, who + themselves assure us, that they are the living temples of the Holy Ghost. + In gratitude for these advantages which the Holy Ghost procured to the + ministers of the Christian religion, they felt themselves bound to deify + him. It was the least they could do for a being from whom their power + clearly emanated. In fact if the Holy Ghost, charged with inspiring the + church had not been a God, the authority of the church might have been + contested. But it being clearly decided, that the Holy Ghost is a God, men + are no longer permitted to dispute his rights; it only remains to them to + subscribe blindly to the decisions of those whom he has chosen for his + organs; to contradict them, would be to revolt against God. + </p> + <p> + We see then how important it was to the heads of the church to apotheosise + the Holy Ghost. It was necessary to make him a God at any rate; otherwise + the church would not have been infallible, its infallibility being + founded, solely on the continued inspirations of the Holy Ghost; and that + he himself should be infallible, it was necessary that he should be a God. + Thus the church has wisely made the God which makes her infallible. + </p> + <p> + However useful this deification was to the church, it was attended with + some difficulties. In fact how could they reconcile this new God, this + Mercury, this messenger of the father and son, with the unity of God? To + cut short all dispute upon so important a matter, the heads of the church + decided that the Holy Ghost proceeded from the father and son, and yet + made but one God with them. They closed the mouths of those who cried out + against this unintelligible oracle, by saying it was a mystery, that man + was made to adore and believe, without being able to comprehend; they + added that the church was infallible had thus decided, that being inspired + by the Holy Ghost (i.e. by a God) it was impossible to avoid believing + that she had the right to decide, that the Holy Ghost was a God. + </p> + <p> + This is sufficient to show us upon what the authority of church, and the + divinity of the Holy Ghost is founded. The church has deified the Holy + Ghost, and the divinity of the Holy Ghost serves as the basis of the + authority of the church. We thus see the true foundations of + Ecclesiastical power; we see the solidity of the titles of the church, we + see the true origin of the mystery of the trinity, now held in such + veneration by the faithful. In short we see what we ought to think of the + inspirations of the Holy Ghost from the time of its origin until now. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. Of the Inspiration of the Prophets of the Old Testament + </h2> + <p> + It does not appear, as we have already observed, that the Jews had any + precise ideas of the Holy Ghost similar to those of the Christian + theologians. Moreover there is reason to believe, that the Apostles had + not yet imagined such subtle notions of it, as the church has invented + since their time. Amongst the Hebrews, every man who, during his sleep, + had dreams, every enthusiast who had, or pretended to have visions, + believed himself inspired by the Lord, or at least gave himself out as + such. He regarded the fancies of his brain, as warnings from heaven; he + delivered his pious nonsense as oracles to credulous hearers, who did not + doubt for an instant, that the unintelligible delirium of these harangues, + was the effect of some divine illumination from the Almighty. As in + dreams, madness, in ebriation, in enthusiasm, man does not appear master + of himself, they believed that what he uttered in these divers states + must, of necessity, spring, from some supernatural force acting in him, + without his knowledge, and in spite of himself; the sentences and + discourse, which issued from his mouth, were regarded as inspirations from + on high, and received as divine commands. Their obscurity only served to + excite curiosity, redouble terror, and confuse the imagination. It was + supposed that God, who spoke by these demoniacs, did not choose to express + himself in a clearer manner. + </p> + <p> + These reflections founded upon the nature of credulous, ignorant, and + superstitious men, may serve to fix our ideas of so many prophets and + jugglers, that we see play such a prominent part, not only in Jewish + history, but in all Pagan antiquity, and even among all savage and + uninformed people that are now scattered over the globe. The trade of + prophesying, appears to have been very lucrative and respectable amongst + the Jews, a people degraded by superstition, and whose priests always took + care to keep them in a state of profound ignorance, and credulity, + well-suited for the ends of those who sought to direct them after their + own fancies. Whoever desired to gain the attention of the Jews, announced + himself as inspired, threatened or promised them in the name of the Lord, + prophesied to them of evils calculated to intimidate, or of happy events + which seduced them into belief. To draw the attention of the public, and + frequently to produce revolutions in the state, it was enough for a + prophet to say gravely, that the Lord had spoken to him; and assure them + that heaven had intrusted him with its designs in a vision; thus the + brains of the Jews were put into a fermentation. The Apostles desirous of + establishing reform, or exciting a revolution, in men's minds, felt the + necessity of conforming to the prevailing liste of the nation. In + consequence they erected themselves into prophets, gave themselves out for + inspired, spoke in an obscure manner, uttered oracles, predicted the end + of the world, they preached a messiah, they announced a kingdom in which + their followers would enjoy a happiness, which their subjugated country + had long since been deprived of. In short to prove the truth of their + predictions, and the legitimacy of their mission, they performed miracles, + i.e. works calculated to astonish so credulous a people as the Jews. + </p> + <p> + The Jews, however, in spite of all their ignorance, did not suffer + themselves to be convinced by either the harangues and miracles of Jesus, + nor by the preachings and prodigies of his Apostles. All their efforts + failed against the hardness of heart of a people so often the dupe of the + numberless inspired who had so successfully deceived them. There is then + reason to think that Jesus and his disciples did not perform their part + well, or else that in their time, the Jews become more cautious, had not + so much faith as their ancestors had formerly exhibited. Indeed we do not + find that the first preachers of Christianity made much impression upon + their fellow citizens; they had much more success, and Paul especially + amongst idolators, for whom their enthusiastic harangues, their + preachings, and miracles was a more novel spectacle. Amongst the Gentiles + preaching was an unknown thing, the people was held in disdain by the + priests; each formed such ideas of religion as he choose, there was no + theological system that they were compelled to adopt; in short, with the + exception of Esculapius, the Gods worked but few miracles for their + worshippers. + </p> + <p> + Thus, as we have already observed, circumstances were favourable for the + mission of our Apostle amongst the Gentiles; they were more disposed to + listen than the Jews, and to regard him who performed such wonders before + them, as an extraordinary man favoured by heaven. In fact St. Paul gave + himself out for such. And how can we doubt the veracity of a man who + performs miracles? It was then necessary to give him credit; and without + having seen these miracles we believe the same thing, and especially his + divine inspiration, upon the authority of the writings, attributed to him, + and upon the word of him who has transmitted to us an account of his + actions in the Acts of the Apostles, works which the church enjoins us to + regard as divinely inspired. It would be, I think, useless to make any + long reflections on the validity of the titles of the church, and the + right, that the writings which she has adopted have to the claim of divine + inspiration. It is enough to remark, that if we admit those titles and + rights, we have no reason to refuse also to admit those of any man, or + body of men, which shall give themselves out as divinely inspired. If, on + the word of Paul, we believe that he was inspired, why shall we not have + the same deference for the word of Mahomet, who pretended to be the sent + of the most high? If, after the decision of the Christian church, we + regard the books contained in the New Testament as dictated by the Holy + Ghost; what right have we to refuse our assent to the decision of the body + of Imans and Mollahs, that the Koran was revealed by the angel Gabriel to + Mahomet? if it be permitted to one man, or body of men, to invest themselves + with titles, and at the same time forbid the titles to be investigated, we + shall be obliged to admit all the reveries, extravagancies, and fables + that we see spread over the various countries of the earth. Priests every + where show us books, which they say were inspired by the divinity, and + weak and silly people adore and and follow without examination books thus + announced. All religions in the world are founded upon sacred hooks which + contain the divine will, and whose truth is proved by miracles. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER. XXIII. Of the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles, or + their Divine Inspiration + </h2> + <p> + If we may believe the author of the Acts of the Apostles, the disciples + assembled at Jerusalem on the the day of Pentecost, were filled with the + Holy Ghost. But by what sign shall we be sure that they were filled with + the Holy Ghost? It is this that they began to speak divers languages. But + do these various languages prove the presence of the Holy Ghost? Could not + the disciples of Jesus speak these languages naturally? However the Jews + who had come from the different provinces of Asia to Jerusalem to + celebrate the feast all understood Hebrew, since it was the language in + which their law was written; nothing more then was requisite but to speak + Hebrew, in order to be understood by all of them; we cannot suppose that + men assembled at Jerusalem to celebrate the Pentecost were Gentiles. That + granted of what use was the gift tongues? In supposing that among the Jews + there were some who only understood Greek, which was at that time + universal over all Asia, it is very possible that without a miracle, some + of the disciples or Apostles, might know this language by the aid of which + they could make themselves understood in most of the provinces mentioned + in the Acts of the Apostles. + </p> + <p> + There is then reason for believing, that the Apostles and disciples were + on this occasion desirous of passing for inspired. With this view, + according to the practice of the diviners and prophets amongst the Jews, + they made noises contortions, cries, &c, and produced an extravagant + cacophony, which, many well disposed persons mistook for undoubted sign of + inspiration, while those who were less credulous took them for certain + proofs of drunkenness or folly. But St. Peter justified them, and showed + that what they received to be extravagancies ought to be considered as + proofs of inspiration. This he confirmed by quoting a prophecy of the + prophet Joel, (see Acts of Apostles, chap. ii. ver. 17.) + </p> + <p> + But the question at issue is, whether visions, dreams, extravagancies, + &c. are signs of divine inspiration. It is true that from the contents + of the books, which Christians regard as dictated by the Holy Ghost, and + examining the nonsense and contradictions found in the writings of St. + Paul, we should be tempted to believe so. If the absence of reason, + probability, logic, and harmony, is the distinguishing mark of divine + inspiration, we cannot deny that St. Paul has proved himself, by his + writings, to have been divinely inspired. + </p> + <p> + However at this rate nothing can be more easy than to pass; for inspired. + If madness be a sufficient qualification to cause a man to be regarded as + one filled with the Holy Ghost, there are many men who have just + pretensions to this faculty. If we doubt it they have only to reply + gravely that God hath confounded the wisdom of the wise; that our + rebellious reason ought to be submissive, that the human mind becomes + perverted by reasoning. Such is however the language continually repeated + by the supporters of St. Paul and Christianity. According to them, wisdom + is folly, reason an uncertain guide, common sense useless, and + contradictions are impenetrable mysteries, which we must adore in silence; + and when our mind loses itself in the abyss of folly and imposture, they + cry out with their great Apostle: "Oh! the depth of the riches, both of + the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his ways, and his + judgments past finding out!" A lucky quibble of which our theologians + avail themselves with success, in order to escape from the embarrassment + into which they are thrown by any reasoning on the ways of providence. + </p> + <p> + It is thus that those who pretend to inspiration have the boldness to + outrage the Divinity, and make the Holy Ghost the accomplice of their + blasphemies. When they find it impossible to escape from the labyrinth + into which impostures and ill-contrived fables have led them, they make + God responsible for their extravagancies; they pretend that their own + follies are the effects of divine wisdom, they term their own perplexities + mysteries; and assent that the author of reason is at the same time, the + enemy of reason. + </p> + <p> + Men however are not shocked by these impious propositions. Accustomed to + regard St. Paul as inspired, it never occurs to them that so great a Saint + may blaspheme. But what authority have Christians for their high opinion + of St. Paul? It is the Acts of the Apostles, that is to say upon the + suspected testimony of a partizan of Paul's sect, who has compiled a + history of his hero, filled with contradictions, but embellished with + prodigies and fable, which however serve to establish his romance. But + what proofs have we of these miracles themselves? We have no other + evidence than the word of the Romancer himself confirmed by the authority + of the church, i.e. of a body of men interested in establishing the fable. + </p> + <p> + It is true that we have in addition the testimony of St. Paul himself, to + whom are attributed the epistles in which are found a great number of + details of his life. But does this Apostle agree with his historian in his + own narrative? No, doubtless, they vary materially in many circumstances, + and frequently contradict each other in the most positive manner. Who then + shall we find to reconcile them, and show us what we ought to think of a + history so differently related? The church. But what is the church? A body + composed of the spiritual guides of the Christians. Have these guides been + witnesses of the actions and miracles so differently related by Paul and + his historian? No; they know nothing of them but by a tradition, contested + even in the times of the first Christians, but since confirmed by a + revelation of the Holy Ghost, who never, according to them, ceases to + enlighten his church. How are we to know if the church is continually + inspired? She herself says so, and there is, she says, the greatest danger + in doubting this. It would be to resist the Holy Ghost who is identified + with the church, and who makes common cause with her; a crime which will + never be forgiven either in this world or in the next. Of all sins the + most unpardonable is to resist the clergy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. General reflections on the foundations of Christian Faith, + and on the Causes of Credulity + </h2> + <p> + These then are the only foundations of faith! Christians are obliged to + believe that St. Paul was neither an enthusiast nor a cheat, because the + church has decided that he was divinely inspired: the church has decided + this important point of belief, according to the Acts of the Apostles and + epistles, which, as we have shown, were both rejected by many sects of the + primitive Christians, and which, as we have proved in the course of this + work, are filled with contradictions and absurdities. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless no Christian now dares to doubt of the authenticity of these + books. These works are regarded as sacred by the universal church, by + Christians of all sects, who with the exception notwithstanding of some + considerable and important variations, read them in the same manner and + entertain for them the same veneration. What can we oppose to this + unanimity? The example of Mahomet. This prophet who is at this day equally + revered by all sects of Mussulmen, was at first regarded as an impostor at + Mecca, whence he was compelled to fly. His Koran now become the rule and + code of a clergy, supported by princes and powerful nations, was at first + considered as a tissue of fables compiled by imposture. This unanimity of + the Mahometans, in acknowledging the sanctity of Mahomet, and the divinity + of the Koran proves no more in their favour, than the agreement of all + sects of Christians in admitting the Saintship of Paul, and the + inspiration of his writings, proves in favour of the Apostle and his + wonderful epistles. + </p> + <p> + It is the property of habit to change the appearance of things, men by + degrees become familiar with that which at first disgusted them; time is + able to confound truth and falsehood; clearly proved deceptions, finish by + becoming undoubted facts to the ignorant, the idle, and those either too + much occupied, or involved in dissipation to examine, and these are the + majority of mankind. The most palpable imposture when it has existed a + length of time, acquires a solidity which nothing can shake: that which + has been believed by many for ages appears to have a real foundation, and + to have at least a claim to probability. When once time has obliterated + the traces of imposture, they are difficult to detect, and most men find + it easier to stick to received opinions than to undergo the painful task + of examining what they ought to think. + </p> + <p> + Such are the true causes of the indolence that men generally show, as + often as they are called upon to give a reason for their religious + notions, they are contented to follow the current. Besides when prejudice + is supported by force, and becomes necessary to the interests of a + powerful body, it is dangerous to combat it, and few men have the courage + to oppose deceptions, approved by the world, and authorised by the + governing powers. + </p> + <p> + On the other hand error, when habitual passes for truth, and is equally + agreeable. We hold fast to our vices and prejudices, the virtues and + opinions which are opposed to them, appear ridiculous or disagreeable. It + is this natural disposition of the human, species, which, by little and + little, imbue nations with the most extravagant opinions, absurd fables, + and ill-digested systems. + </p> + <p> + No, artifice was; ever better imagined, nor trick was ever more calculated + to deceive the vulgar than that of divine inspiration. Upon this is + founded all the religions in the world; it is to this marvellous invention + that the priests of the whole earth are indebted for their authority, + their riches, and their existence. When a man tells us, that he is + divinely inspired, it is difficult for most men to ascertain whether he + lie, or speak the truth. God never contradicts those who make him speak, + on the contrary those impostors who deceive in his name generally perform + miracles and prodigies, and these miracles and prodigies, are to the short + sighted multitude undoubted signs of divine favor. + </p> + <p> + Shall we then judge those who are inspired by their conduct? They + generally take care to impose on us by their disinterestedness, patience, + and mildness of behaviour, and it can hardly be supposed that such + moderate men could have formed the design of deceiving or gaining power. + It is only when they have gently insinuated themselves into men's minds, + that we find ambition, avarice, and passions of the missionary develope + themselves: it is after having won over the multitude, that their empire + discovers itself; and they exact with pride, the tribute and respect due + to the organs of heaven, and the messengers of the most high. + </p> + <p> + These are the means by which Christianity has been established, the + manoeuvres have been practised by our great Apostle, and all those who + have assisted in disseminating his doctrine. His own experience often made + Paul sensible, that his pride and fiery disposition, were frequently + obstacles to his mission; thus we see him sometimes doa violence to his + character, take the air of mildness and humility, so much better suited, + to insinuate into mens good opinions than arrogance and pride. He only + assumes the tone of the master, when he knows his ground; then he + threatens, thunders, and displays his authority. Does a dispute arise + between himself and an associate? He resists him to his face; he makes the + church feel how necessary he is to the cause; and avails himself of it, to + exhibit his authority, His example has been at all times faithfully + followed by the heads of the Christian religion. Humble, mild, patient, + tolerant, and disinterested whenever they have been weak, they become + haughty, quarrelsome, intolerant, avaricious, and rebellious subjects to + princes whenever they were certain of their empire over the people. It was + then that they prescribed laws, crushed their enemies, plundered the + people, and caused kings to tremble at the name of the God whose + interpreters they declared themselves to be. + </p> + <p> + The heads of the Christian religion have at all times made those opinions, + most comfortable to their own interest pass for divine oracles. The Holy + Ghost has had no other function, than to serve for a cloak to their + intrigues, passions, and pretensions. The works of our Apostle furnished + quarrelsome priests with arguments for injuring each other; his disjointed + reveries, his obscure mysteries, and his ambiguous oracles, were an + arsenal whence the most opposite parties procured arms to combat + incessantly. In short the writings inspired by a God who was desirous of + instructing mankind, have only served to plunge nations in darkness. + Guides enlightened by the Holy Ghost saw no clearer than the ignorant, + into mysteries, they continually presented to them by an unintelligible + system. These great doctors were agreed upon nothing, each one sought to + gain adherents whom he excited against the enemies of his own opinions, + which he regarded as those only approved by heaven. Thence arose + animosities, hatred, persecutions, and wars, which have a thousand times + spread trouble and desolation among Christians, blind enough to follow men + who pretended to be led by the Holy Ghost, while it was evident, that the + only spirit which inspired them, was that of pride, ambition, obstinacy, + vengeance, avarice, and rebellion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_CONC" id="link2H_CONC"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONCLUSION. + </h2> + <p> + Let us then be careful, oh! my friends, of allowing ourselves to be guided + by inspired persons. Deceivers, or enthusiasts, they will only lead us + into errors destructive of our peace. Let us consult reason, so decried by + men, whose interest it is to extinguish a light which is able to show us + the plots of their dark policy, this reason will inform us that + contradictory works do not merit our belief; that a turbulent, ambitious + and enthusiastic Apostle, may have been a very useful Saint to the church, + and a very bad citizen. This reason will convince us, that a God filled + with wisdom could never inspire men with systems, in which folly is the + most prominent feature; that a God who is the author of reason could never + have called for its immolation, before the shrine of fable, and pretended + mystery incapable of producing any thing but evil and dissension upon the + earth. Let us be just, benevolent, peaceable, let us leave to St. Paul, + and to those who take him for a model, their lofty ambition, their + turbulent fanaticism, their obstinate vanity, their persecuting spirit, + and above all things their bitter zeal, which they term an interest for + the salvation of souls. Let us show to all men not an evangelic charity + which is converted into fury and hatred, but a real charity which inspires + us with love, peace, indulgence, and humanity. May this charity so much + boasted of, and so little practised, by St. Paul and his successors, be + the rule of our conduct, and the standard of our judgments on men and + their opinions. Examine all things, and hold fast that which is good. Let + us not be blinded by the prejudices, of infancy, of habit, or of + authority. Let us not be imposed upon by the pompous names of Paul, of + Cephas, or of Apollos; but let us seek the truth and follow reason, which + can never lead astray, nor render us troublesome members of society. + </p> + <p> + FINIS. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Critical Examination of the Life of +St. Paul, by Boulanger + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EXAMINATION OF THE LIFE OF ST. 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