The spiritual life

(Martin Jones) #1

226 The SpirifualLife.


being, existing apart from the universe; but


Himselfin Hisownreality,Heisexpressedin


the universe, w^hich is His living garment."


(P. 360.) Allthingsexist as Hew^illedthem


to be, evil isnot positive, there is"aninfinite
gradation in created things," "all in their


way obedient." Two things in Spinoza have


repelled the emotional-his steady logical de-


structive analysis and calm acceptance of its


results,andhistheoryof necessitarianism. The


latterhasbeen heldfataltomorals,the former


to devotion. Yet Spinoza was so far from


being incapable of strenuous devotion that he


was described by his enemies as "a God-


intoxicated man," and his lofty, serene virtue


and calm acquiescence in thelawof lifeashe


sawitwerein themselvesevidencesof thefine


fibreof hissoul.


Western thought is swingingbetween Pan-


theismandamoreorlesscoherentTheism; at


onetimethe thinkerisdriventoaccept theone


infinite, self-existent Substance, impersonal, all-


pervasive, and his emotions are chilled and


paralysed; at another heexpands in loveand


devotion to aconsciously touched Father,and


ischeckedbythelogicalcontradictionsinwhich


hefindshimselfentangled. Thecompulsionof


theintellect,the longingsof theheartcomeout

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