Grimoire Iurio
The Book of Law
◀ Chapter 6 · Chapter 7 · Chapter 8 ▶

¹Ye have seen them, said Bezaliel; robed in linen, shod in sandals, bearing staves and scrolls and voices of thunder.
²They descend from HÆVAN like falling stars, and the Oærth trembleth where they pass.
³With faces turned to the hills they cry: Hearken, O People! Walk ye not in thine own ways!
⁴And the Children, whose hearts are tender, fear, and bow, and tremble, lest wrath descend upon them.
⁵They build altars not of thanksgiving, but of dread, and pour offerings to still the hand of punishment.
⁶They do not rejoice in the law, for it is not born from among them, but is imposed from above.
⁷And the prophets teach them thus: That to err is abomination, that to question is rebellion, and to turn aside is sin.
⁸But how shall the Children learn wisdom, save by choice? And how shall they choose, save they be free?
⁹Behold, the ox is guided by the yoke, and the ass by the rod; but man is not beast, to be driven.
¹⁰What profit is there if a man obey in fear, and know not the why nor the wherefore of his steps?
¹¹Shall righteousness be found in a trembling heart, or truth in a mouth that is forced to speak?
¹²Nay, said Bezaliel; this is not the way of just governance, nor the manner of true instruction.
¹³Yet the messengers of ADONAI say: Do this, and live; turn not aside, lest thou be cursed.
¹⁴They bind the people with laws whose meaning is hidden, and whose end is not revealed.
¹⁵They teach not wisdom, but submission; not understanding, but obedience; not love, but fear.
¹⁶And the people, though they hunger for the good, eat only what is given unto them, and know not how to plant.
¹⁷Is this the teaching of gods, or the rule of masters over slaves? Is this love, or is it dominion?
¹⁸For if the law be holy, it must be known; and if it be just, it must be chosen.
¹⁹Let a man see the fruit of the tree before he eateth; let him weigh it, and know its taste.
²⁰But the prophets of ADONAI give only commandment, and shroud the reason in mystery.
²¹They say: Thou shalt not, and Thou must, but say not why, save only, It is His will.
²²Shall the will of the Highest be thus, that He require the bending of necks and the binding of minds?
²³Then I say unto you: such law is not worthy of gods, nor such rule of free peoples.
²⁴Let the law be light unto the eyes, and not shadow; let it be counsel to the wise, not fetters for the meek.


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