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determined for them to observe。 After this； he read to them a
poetic song； which was composed in hexameter verse； and left it
to them in the holy book： it contained a prediction of what was
to come to pass afterward； agreeably whereto all things have
happened all along； and do still happen to us； and wherein he has
not at all deviated from the truth。 Accordingly； he delivered
these books to the priest； （34） with the ark； into which he also
put the ten commandments； written on two tables。 He delivered to
them the tabernacle also； and exhorted the people； that when they
had conquered the land； and were settled in it； they should not
forget the injuries of the Amalekites； but make war against them；
and inflict punishment upon them for what mischief they did them
when they were in the wilderness； and that when they had got
possession of the land of the Canaanites； and when they had
destroyed the whole multitude of its inhabitants； as they ought
to do； they should erect an altar that should face the rising
sun； not far from the city of Shechem； between the two mountains；
that of Gerizzim； situate on the right hand； and that called
Ebal； on the left； and that the army should be so divided； that
six tribes should stand upon each of the two mountains； and with
them the Levites and the priests。 And that first； those that were
upon Mount Gerizzim should pray for the best blessings upon those
who were diligent about the worship of God； and the observation
of his laws； and who did not reject what Moses had said to them；
while the other wished them all manner of happiness also； and
when these last put up the like prayers； the former praised them。
After this； curses were denounced upon those that should
transgress those laws； they ；answering one another alternately；
by way of confirmation of what had been said。 Moses also wrote
their blessings and their curses； that they might learn them so
thoroughly； that they might never be forgotten by length of time。
And when he was ready to die； he wrote these blessings and curses
upon the altar； on each side of it； where he says also the people
stood； and then sacrificed and offered burnt…offerings； though
after that day they never offered upon it any other sacrifice；
for it was not lawful so to do。 These are the constitutions of
Moses； and the Hebrew nation still live according to them。
45。 On the next day； Moses called the people together； with the
women and children； to a congregation； so as the very slaves were
present also； that they might engage themselves to the
observation of these laws by oath； and that； duly considering the
meaning of God in them； they might not； either for favor of their
kindred； or out of fear of any one； or indeed for any motive
whatsoever； think any thing ought to be preferred to these laws；
and so might transgress them。 That in case any one of their own
blood； or any city； should attempt to confound or dissolve their
constitution of government； they should take vengeance upon them；
both all in general； and each person in particular； and when they
had conquered them； should overturn their city to the very
foundations； and； if possible； should not leave the least
footsteps of such madness： but that if they were not able to take
such vengeance； they should still demonstrate that what was done
was contrary to their wills。 So the multitude bound themselves by
oath so to do。
46。 Moses taught them also by what means their sacrifices might
be the most acceptable to God； and how they should go forth to
war； making use of the stones （in the high priest's breastplate）
for their direction； （35） as I have before signified。 Joshua also
prophesied while Moses was present。 And when Moses had
recapitulated whatsoever he had done for the preservation of the
people； both in their wars and in peace； and had composed them a
body of laws； and procured them an excellent form of government；
he foretold； as God had declared to him 〃That if they
transgressed that institution for the worship of God； they should
experience the following miseries： … Their land should be full of
weapons of war from their enemies； and their cities should be
overthrown； and their temple should be burnt that they should be
sold for slaves； to such men as would have no pity on them in
their afflictions； that they would then repent； when that
repentance would no way profit them under their sufferings。
〃Yet；〃 said he； 〃will that God who founded your nation； restore
your cities to your citizens； with their temple also； and you
shall lose these advantages not once only； but often。〃
47。 Now when Moses had encouraged Joshua to lead out the army
against the Canaanites； by telling him that God would assist him
in all his undertakings； and had blessed the whole multitude； he
said； 〃Since I am going to my forefathers； and God has determined
that this should be the day of my departure to them； I return him
thanks while I am still alive and present with you； for that
providence he hath exercised over you； which hath not only
delivered us from the miseries we lay under； but hath bestowed a
state of prosperity upon us； as also； that he hath assisted me in
the pains I took； and in all the contrivances I had in my care
about you； in order to better your condition； and hath on all
occasions showed himself favorable to us； or rather he it was who
first conducted our affairs； and brought them to a happy
conclusion； by making use of me as a vicarious general under him；
and as a minister in those matters wherein he was willing to do
you good： on which account I think it proper to bless that Divine
Power which will take care of you for the time to come； and this
in order to repay that debt which I owe him； and to leave behind
me a memorial that we are obliged to worship and honor him； and
to keep those laws which are the most excellent gift of all those
he hath already bestowed upon us； or which； if he continue
favorable to us； he will bestow upon us hereafter。 Certainly a
human legislator is a terrible enemy when his laws are affronted；
and are made to no purpose。 And may you never experience that
displeasure of God which will be the consequence of the neglect
of these his laws； which he； who is your Creator； hath given
you。〃
48。 When Moses had spoken thus at the end of his life； and had
foretold what would befall to every one of their tribes （36）
afterward； with the addition of a blessing to them； the multitude
fell into tears； insomuch that even the women； by beating their
breasts； made manifest the deep concern they had when he was
about to die。 The children also lamented still more； as not able
to contain their grief； and thereby declared； that even at their
age they were sensible of his virtue and mighty deeds； and truly
there seemed to be a strife betwixt the young and the old who
should most grieve for him。 The old grieved because they knew
what a careful protector they were to be deprived of； and so
lamented their future state； but the young grieved； not only for
that； but also because it so happened that they were to be left
by him before they had well tasted of his virtue。 Now one may
make a guess at the excess of this sorrow and lamentation of the
multitude； from what happened to the legislator himself； for
although he was always persuaded that he ought not to be cast
down at the approach of death； since the undergoing it was
agreeable to the will of God and the law of nature； yet what the
people did so overbore him； that he wept himself。 Now as he went
thence to the place where he was to vanish out of their sight；
they all followed after him weeping； but Moses beckoned with his
hand to those that were remote from him； and bade them stay
behind in quiet； while he exhorted those that were near to him
that they would not render his departure so lamentable。 Whereupon
they thought they ought to grant him that favor； to let him
depart according as he himself desired； so they restrained
themselves； though weeping still towards one another。 All those
who accompanied him were the senate； and Eleazar the high priest；
and Joshua their commander。 Now as soon as they were come to the
mountain called Abarim； （which is a very high mountain； situate
over against Jericho； and one that affords； to such as are upon
it； a prospect of the greatest part of the excellent land of
Canaan；） he dismissed the senate； and as he was going to embrace
Eleazar and Joshua； and was still discoursing with them； a cloud
stood over him on the sudden； and he disappeared in a certain
valley； although he wrote in the holy books that he died； which
was done out of fear； lest they should venture to say that；
because of his extraordinary virtue； he went to God。
49。 Now Moses lived in all one hundred and twenty years； a third
part of which time； abating one month； he was the people's ruler；
and he died on the last month of the year； which is called by the
Macedonians Dystrus； but by us Adar； on the first day of the
month。 He was one that exceeded all men that ever were in
understanding； and made the best use of what that understanding
suggested to him。 He had a very graceful way of speaking and
addressing himself to the multitude；