BENEDICT DE SPINOZA: Theological-Political Treatise

chapter 19
Where it is shown that authority in sacred matters
belongs wholly to the sovereign powers and that
the external cult of religion must be consistent
with the stability of the state if we wish to obey
God rightly
[1] When I said above that only those who hold sovereign power
have jurisdiction over everything, and that all authority depends on their
decree alone, I had in mind not just civil jurisdiction but also that over
sacred matters. For they must be both the interpreters and guardians of
things sacred. I want to put a particular emphasis on this point concentrating
on it in this chapter, because very many people vigorously
deny that this right (i.e. jurisdiction over sacred matters) belongs to the
sovereign authorities, and refuse to recognize them as interpreters of
divine law. From this they also arrogate to themselves licence to accuse
and condemn sovereigns and even to excommunicate them from the
church (as Ambrose long ago excommunicated the emperor Theodosius).
We shall see below in this present chapter that what they are in e¡ect
doing is dividing the sovereign power and attempting to devise a path to
power for themselves.
[2] I intend ¢rst to show that religion has the power of law only by decree
of those who exercise the right of government and that God has no special
kingdom among men except through those who exercise sovereignty. I also
wish to demonstrate that religious worship and pious conduct must be
229 accommodated to the peace and interests of the state and consequently
must be determined by the sovereign authorities alone.
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