Lectures on the Four Last Books of the Pentateuch: Designed to Show the ... - Richard Graves - Google Books

Books

CONTENTS.

THE AUTHENTICITY AND TRUTH OF THE HISTORY.

THE Jewish nation has received the Pentateuch, as containing the

only authentic history of their Lawgiver and his institutions,

from the very æra when these institutions commenced, to the

present day-Arguments to prove the reception of the Penta-

teuch, from the present day, back to the return of the Jews

from the Babylonish Captivity-Arguments to prove the Pen-

tateuch was not first compiled at that æra, or altered and modi-

fied according to circumstances then existing; but that it was a

previously existing and acknowledged code-Pentateuch proved

prior to the separation of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah-

Prior to the establishment of the regal governmnent in Israel-

Not first compiled by Samuel-Acknowledged by Joshua

The authenticity and truth of the four last books of the Penta-

teuch proved from the subject and structure of the history, so

far as the facts are not miraculous-Importance and peculiar na-

ture of its various regulations concerning property-Publicity

and importance of the main series of facts-Marks of truth in

the minute detail of these facts-Simplicity of style and narra-

tive-Selection and arrangement of facts and circumstances,

such as is natural if Moses were the writer, unaccountable other-

wise-Impartiality-Comparison of the Pentateuch, in this res-

pect, with Josephus

The authenticity and truth of the four last books of the Penta-

teuch confirmed, by a comparison of the book of Deuteronomy

with those of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers-Statement of

the general argument deduced from this comparison-How far

similar, how far dissimilar, to that used by Archdeacon Paley,

in his Hora Paulina-Its application to the history, so far as it

relates events not miraculous-Instanced in general coinci-

dences between the recapitulation in Deuteronomy, and the

direct narration in the preceding books-In particular facts and

circumstances-As to rules of purification-Directions for car-

rying the tabernacle-Disposition of the tribes in camp, &c.-

An apparent contradiction-How reconciled-As to the ap-

pointment of inferior judges—And of the twelve spies

The argument stated in the preceding Lecture, applied to the nar-

rative of miraculous events in the four last books of the Penta-

teuch, in order to show that they are related with the same

marks of truth as the common events-Instanced in the manner

of referring to the delivery of the Law in Horeb-And to the

punishment inflicted for the worship of Baal Peor-And to the

delivery of the Decalogue-In the general manner of allusions

to different miracles-In the account of various miracles wrought

to punish opposition to the authority of Moses-Apparent con-

tradiction as to the different statements of circumstances attend-

ing the punishment of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram-Its expla-

nation-Inference from thence

The common events of the Jewish history incredible, if separated

from the miraculous, but when combined with them, form one

natural and consistent narrative-Instanced in the history of

Moses before he undertook the deliverance of the Jews-In the

difficulties attending that attempt, from the Jews and from the

Egyptians-His conduct as leader of the emigration unaccount-

able if unaided by supernatural power-At the departure from

Egypt-At the Red Sea-On the return of the twelve spies

from Canaan-In the detention of the Jews in the wilderness

Admitting the authenticity of the Pentateuch, the miracles recorded

in the four last books of it are unquestionably true and clearly

supernatural-Leslie's four marks of certainty-Their applica-

tion to the Mosaic miracles-First character, the facts, public

-Second, clearly supernatural-Various instances of this-

Third and fourth, recorded by public monuments and com-

memorative rites, commencing at the time of the facts-

Instanced in the Tribe of Levi-The three great feasts-The

entire Jewish ritual-The form of government-The distribu-

tion of property, &c.-Recapitulation, and Conclusion of the

THE THEOLOGICAL, MORAL, AND POLITICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE

THEOLOGY OF THE MOSAIC LAW.

General subject and arrangement of this Part-Origin, nature and

effects of idolatry-Corruption of patriarchal religion-By the

worship of the heavenly bodies-The elements-Deified men-

Egyptian hieroglyphics introduce the worship of animals and

vegetables, &c.-Connexion of idolatry with magic, &c.-Ido-

latry not to be checked by ordinary means-Vices attending it

-Design of covenant with Abraham-Jewish scheme con-

ducted according to the analogy of nature-Theology of the

Mosaic Law-Declares the self-existence of God-His unity

-His moral perfections-His providence-Such a theology

affords a strong presumptive argument of a divine revelation

MORAL PRINCIPLES OF THE JEWISH LAW.

The ten Commandments due to the Mosaic Law-Their extent-

Their importance illustrated by the practices of the heathen

world-The Jewish religion inculcates the two great principles,

of love to God, and love to man-Also love to our enemies,

as far as was practicable under the Jewish economy-It did not

substitute outward observances for internal piety-Proved from

the general principles of internal religion, which it establishes

-From the conditions on which alone it proposes the forgive-

ness of transgressions-From the connexion it points out be-

tween the ceremonies of the ritual and internal religion-

MORAL PRINCIPLES, &c.-continued.

The penal code of the Jewish Law conformable to its moral and

religious system-Capital crimes-Idolatry, and the various

crimes connected with it-Strict prohibition of human sacri-

fices-Supplementary sanctions, presuppposing a special Pro-

vidence-Jewish constitution a theocracy-Severity against

idolatry justified-Jewish Law prohibits all impurity-Yet not

unnaturally austere-Disobedience to parents, how punished-

Wisdom of the Mosaic Law, respecting murder and man-

slaughter-With respect to slavery-And false witnesses-

Principle of retaliation explained-Equity of punishment for

the invasion of property-Mildness of Laws towards slaves-

Form of trial-Consistence of the religious and penal code

POLITICAL PRINCIPLES OF THE JEWISH LAW.

Importance of the mode in which property is distributed in a state

Agrarian Law of Lycurgus, &c.-Defects of the Spartan

constitution in this point-Agrarian Law among the Jews-

How guarded-Promoted agriculture and attachment to rural

life-Jewish nobility and gentry-Jewish yeomanry sufficient

for defensive war-Offensive wars effectually discouraged by

the Jewish constitution-Constitution of the tribe of Levi pe-

culiar to the Jewish scheme-Its great utility-Jewish Law

guarded the rights and comforts of the very lowest classes-

Of the stranger-The poor-The aged and infirm-Recapitula-

ORIGINALITY AND DESIGN OF THE JEWISH RITUAL.

Importance of the question, Whether the Jewish Ritual is opposed

to the system of heathen worship, or in any degree borrowed

from it?-The latter improbable, if Judaism is of divine ori-

ginal-Spencer's opinion-grounded on supposed political wis-

dom of such a proceeding-Examples he adduces-mistaken as

to these examples-as to reformation from Judaism to Christi-

anity-and from Gentilism to Christianity-Attempt to accom-

modate Christianity to pre-existing customs, &c.-Its mischiefs

-Reformation from Popery to Protestantism-Spencer's opi-

nion contrary to Scripture-Parts of the Jewish Ritual more

ancient than Moses-Origin of circumcision-Designed con-

trast between Judaism and idolatry-Jewish Ritual a barrier

against idolatry, proved by experience-Josephus-Tacitus-

Spencer's opinion supported by insufficient evidence-How far

Judaism resembles idolatry-Instances of contrast-Minute-

ness of Ritual, how useful-and its sanctuary, priests, &c.—

Ritual not burthensome

REVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF JUDAISM AS PREPARATORY TO

SETTLEMENT OF THE JEWS IN CANAAN.

SECT. I. The objection arising from the treatment of the Ca-

naanites considered, so far as relates to the Canaanites them-

selves-Objection includes two questions-Doubt as to the

extent of the severity exercised against the Canaanites-This

severity justified by their crimes-Their idolatry not an error of

judgment alone-Cruelties and pollutions it produced-Neces-

sity of expelling them from the land in which the Jews were

to settle Their guilt incorrigible-The objection proved to

lead to Atheism-Analogy between the general course of Pro-

vidence, and the treatment of the Canaanites-In the suffer-

ings of the innocent-Connexion of this measure with the

entire scheme of the divine economy-Review of the considera-

tions offered on the first part of the objection

SECT. II.-Second part of the objection which relates to the Jews

-A clear divine command changes the moral character of the

action-Jews mere instruments in the hands of God-Series of

facts proving this-Jews not actuated by the common passions

of conquerors-Avarice and licentiousness checked by the situ-

ation in which they were placed-And sanguinary passions—

Abhorrence of idolatry impressed upon them, but not a spirit

of personal or national hostility-Proved by their conduct to

the Canaanites-Necessity of employing the Jews as instru-

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