The Approach to Marulić\u27s Demonology in \u27\u27The Evangelistarium\u27\u27

Odnos prema demonima važan je za razumijevanje Marulićeva svjetonazora i morala. Marulićeva demonologija oslanja se prvenstveno na Stari zavjet, koji odražava narodna vjerovanja koja diviniziraju sile što se kriju iza zala ljudskoga roda, ali uvijek naglašava Božju nadmoć. Na Novi zavjet, koji nasljeđuje ta vjerovanja, ali u kome se tema demonske opsjednutosti povezuje s Kristovim likom, on se vrlo rijetko poziva. To znači da se onda Marulić zapravo posredno bavi judaističkom tradicijom i njenom demonologijom. Da bi si što bolje uredili vlastiti život, Marulić je svojim čitateljima prije svega preporučio umjerenost i suzdržanost u svemu, kako u tjelesnom užitku tako i u jelu i piću. Umjesto raskoši i neumjerenosti, on savjetuje da se „zatvore prozori svojih osjetila“, da se odmah otklanjaju nečasne, zle i grešne misli. Osim toga ne smijemo živjeti besposleno ni lijeno, moramo paziti na poniznost i strpljivost, izbjegavajući kletve, provale mržnje i fizičke obračune, hvalisanje i neskromnost. Moramo biti spremni pomagati drugima, posebice siromašnima, i provoditi život u dubokoj pobožnosti, po uzoru na Krista. Treba se kloniti pokvarenog i lošeg društva, te održavati prijateljske odnose s čestitim, dobrim i pametnim ljudima. Prema Marulićevu mišljenju čovjek se tim mnogobrojnim i mnogovrsnim opasnostima ne može oduprijeti sam, uzdajući se samo u vlastite snage, već jedino uz pomoć vjere i molitve. Ukoliko čovjek gorljivo i predano moli, iskreno zazivajući Božju pomoć, on može računati da će biti uslišen, te će mu unatoč svemu naposljetku biti vraćen prijašnji unutrašnji mir. Nakon što bude oslobođen od demonskog napastovanja čovjek se ipak ne smije opustiti ili uzoholiti, nego ponizno i skrušeno izricati hvalu Gospodinu. Bog će takvoga pojedinca znati nagraditi svojim budućim blagoslovom, pružajući mu trajnu zaštitu od zla. Odupirući se postojano tjelesnim i drugim ovozemaljskim žudnjama, iskreni kršćanin bit će nagrađen presretnim i besmrtnim životom koji ga čeka nakon smrti.The relationship towards the demons is important for the understanding of Marulić\u27s world view and morals. Marulić\u27s demonology is relied firstly on the Old Testament, which reflects folk beliefs that divinize the forces hidden behind the evils of humanity, emphasizing, however, God\u27s supremacy. Marulić recalls rather rarely the New Testament, which inherits these beliefs, but in which the theme of demonic obsession is connected with the figure of Christ. This means that Marulić deals indirectly with the Judaic tradition and its demonology. In order for them to better arrange their lives, Marulić recommends to his readers temperance and restraint in everything, especially in the physical delight and in food and drink. In order to supress lavishness and intemperance, he suggests \u27\u27to shut up the windows of one\u27s own senses\u27\u27, to decline immediately dishonest, evil and sinful thoughts. Besides, we cannot live an idle and lazy life; we have to be humble and patient, avoid curses, outbursts of hate and physical squaring of accounts, boasting and immodesty. We must be ready to help others, especially the poor, and spend life in deep devotion, taking Christ as a model. One should shun the corrupt and bad company, and make friends only with honest, good and clever people. According to Marulić\u27s opinion, the man alone cannot resist these numerous and various dangers. He cannot trust his own powers only, but he must use faith and prayers. If man prays earnestly and invokes sincerely God\u27s help, he can count that his prayers will be granted, that his previous piece of mind will finally return in spite of all. After he is freed from demonic temptation man must not relax or become arrogant; on the contrary, he must thank God humbly and contritely. God will reward such an individual with his future blessing offering him the permanent protection against evil. If he resists steadily carnal and other mundane yearnings, a sincere Christian will be rewarded with the happiest and immortal life that waits for him after his death