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could be so nigh to Him; a feeling which the early teachers of Christianity found an insuperable obstacle to the progress of the Gospel amongst them, and which actually did effect its ultimate rejection-this may well seem to be founded upon a strong traditional sense of uncommon tokens of the Almighty's regard for them above all other nations of the earth, which they had heard with their ears, or their fathers had declared unto them, even the noble works that He had done in the old time before them.

XIV. Then again, the constant craving after "a sign," which beset them in the latter days of their history, as a lively certificate of the prophet; and not after a sign only, but after such an one as they would themselves prescribe, "What sign showest thou that we may see and believe, our fa

thers did eat manna in the desert;"* this desire, so frequently expressed, and with which they are so frequently reproached, looks like the relic of an appetite engendered in other times, when they had enjoyed the privilege of more intimate communion with God-it seems the wake, as it were, of miracles departed.

XV. Lastly, the very onerous nature of the Law-so studiously meddling with all the occupations of life, great and smallthis yoke would scarcely have been endured, without the strongest assurance on the part of those who were galled by it, of the authority by which it was imposed. For it met them with some restraint or other at every turn. Would they plough? -Then it must not be with an ox and an ass. Would they sow? Then must not *John, vi. 31.

the seed be mixed. Would they reap?— Then must they not reap clean. Would they make bread ?-Then must they set apart dough enough for the consecrated loaf. Did they find a bird's nest ?—Then must they let the old bird fly away. Did they hunt? Then they must shed the

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blood of their game, and cover it with dust. Did they plant a fruit tree?

For three

years was the fruit to be uncircumcised. Did they shave their beards?-They were not to cut the corners.

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Did they weave

a garment? Then must it be only with threads prescribed. Did they build a house?

They must put rails and battlements on the roof. Did they buy an estate? - At the year of Jubilee, back it must go to its owner. All these (and how many more of the same kind might be named!) are enactments which it must have required ex

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traordinary influence in the Lawgiver to

enjoin, and extraordinary reverence for his powers to perpetuate.

Still, after all, unbelievers may start difficulties, this I dispute not; difficulties, too, which we may not always be able to answer, though I think we may be always able to neutralize them; it may be a part of our trial, that such difficulties should exist and be encountered, for there can be no reason why temptations should not be provided for the natural pride of our understanding, as well as for the natural lusts of our flesh; to many, indeed, they would be the more formidable of the two, perhaps to the angels who kept not their first estate they proved so;* with such facts, however, before me, as these which I have submitted to my readers, I can come to no conclusion

* See Hooker, Eccles. Pol. b. 1. iv.

but one-that when we read the writings of Moses, we read no cunningly devised fables, but solemn and safe records of great and marvellous events, which court examination and sustain it-records of that apparent veracity and faithfulness, that I can understand our Lord to have spoken almost without a figure, when he said, that he who believed not Moses, neither would he be persuaded though one rose from the dead.

THE END.

London: Printed by C. Roworth,
Bell Yard, Temple Bar.

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