Page:The Origin of Christian Science.djvu/146

138 named the Son of God, must from all eternity be in nature.” Notice at present in regard to this sentence only that Spinoza calls the “infinite intellect” the “Son of God.” Again Spinoza says: “With regard to the Eternal Son of God, that is the Eternal Wisdom of God, which has manifested itself in all things and especially in the human mind, and above all in Christ Jesus, the case is otherwise. For without this no one can come to a state of blessedness, inasmuch as it alone teaches what is true or false, good or evil.” As to this quotation notice now only that he identifies the “Son of God” with the “Wisdom of God” and that this “Son of God” or “Wisdom of God” is manifest in “all things and especially in the human mind, and above all in Christ Jesus.” Here is an element of mind or power of thought that is exhibited in nature and especially in the human mind (that is the higher qualities of it) and preeminently in Jesus Christ. Now what kind of wisdom or mentality is this? It is that kind which is independent of the body. It is spiritual or intellectual understanding. Spinoza, explaining how prophecy and revelation are possible to a higher kind of knowledge than that which is dependent on material symbols, says: “We may be able quite to comprehend that God can communicate immediately with man, for without the intervention of bodily means He communicates to our minds His essence; still, a man who can by