and the most authentic;
and whereas Mahomet, in order to make his own book continue in existence,
forbade men to read it, Moses, for the same reason, ordered every one to
read his.
Our religion is so divine that another divine religion has only been the
foundation of it.
602. Order.--To see what is clear and indisputable in the whole state of the
Jews.
603. The Jewish religion is wholly divine in its authority, its duration,
its perpetuity, its morality, its doctrine, and its effects.
604. The only science contrary to common sense and human nature is that
alone which has always existed among men.
605. The only religion contrary to nature, to common sense, and to our
pleasure, is that alone which has always existed.
606. No religion but our own has taught that man is born in sin. No sea of
philosophers has said this. Therefore none have declared the truth.
No sect or religion has always existed on earth, but the Christian religion.
607. Whoever judges of the Jewish religion by its coarser forms will
misunderstand it. It is to be seen in the Holy Bible, and in the tradition
of the prophets, who have made it plain enough that they did not interpret
the law according to the letter. So our religion is divine in the Gospel, in
the Apostles, and in tradition; but it is absurd in those who tamper with
it.
The Messiah, according to the carnal Jews, was to be a great temporal
prince. Jesus Christ, according to carnal Christians, has come to dispense
us from the love of God and to give us sacraments which shall do everything
without our help. Such is not the Christian religion, nor the Jewish. True
Jews and true Christians have always expected a Messiah who should make them
love God and by that love triumph over their enemies.
608. The carnal Jews hold a midway place between
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