book of sham laws, which were not the laws of the nation, palmed upon any people, since the world began! If not, with what face can they say this of the book of laws of the Jews? Why will they say that of them, which they confess impossible in any nation, or among any people?

But they must be yet more unreasonable. For the books of Moses have a farther demonstration of their truth, than even other lawbooks have. For they not only contain the laws, but give an historical account of their institution, and the practice of them from that time; as of the passover in memory of the death of the first-born in Egypt; and that the same day all the first-born of Israel both of man and beast were by a perpetual law dedicated to God; and the Levites taken for all the first-born of the children of Israel. That Aaron's rod, which budded, was kept in the ark, in memory of the rebellion, and wonderful destruction of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and for the confirmation of the priesthood to the tribe of Levi. As likewise the pot of manna, in memory of their having been fed with it forty years in the wilderness. That the brazen serpent was kept (which remained to the days of Hezekiah, 2 Kings xviii. 4.) in memory of that wonderful deliverance, by only looking upon it, from the biting of the fiery serpents. Num. xxi. 9. The feast of Pentecost, in memory of the dreadful appearance of GoD upon mount Horeb, &c.

Beside these remembrances of particular ac

tions and occurrences there were other solemn institutions in memory of their deliverance out of Egypt in general, which included all the particulars. As of the Sabbath; their daily sacrifices, and yearly expiation; their new moons, and several feasts and fasts. So that there were yearly, monthly, weekly, daily remembrances and recognitions of these things.

Not only so, but the books of the same MoSES tell us that a particular tribe was appointed and consecrated by GoD, as his priests; by whose hands, and none other, the sacrifices of the people were to be offered, and these solemn institutions celebrated; that it was death for any other to approach the altar; that their high priest wore a glorious mitre, and magnificent robes of God's own contrivance, with the miraculous Urim and Thummim in his breastplate, whence the divine responses were given; that at his word the king and all the people were to go out, and to come in; that these Levites were likewise the chief judges, even in all civil causes, and that it was death to resist their sentence. Now, whenever it can be supposed, that these books of MOSES were forged in some ages after Moses, it is impossible they could have been received as true, unless the forgers could have made the whole nation believe that they had received these books from their fathers, had been instructed in them, when they were children, and had taught them to their children; moreover, that they had all been circumcised, and did circumcise their children, in pursuance of what was commanded

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in these books; that they had observed the yearly passover, the weekly sabbath, the new moons, and all these several feasts, and fasts, and ceremonies, commanded in these books; that they had never eaten any swine's flesh, or other meats prohibited in these books; that they had a magnificent tabernacle, with a visible priesthood to administer in it, which was confined to the tribe of Levi; over whom was placed a glorious high priest, clothed with great and mighty prerogatives; whose death only could deliver those, that were fled to the cities of refuge; and that these priests were their ordinary judges, even in civil matters; I say, was it possible to have persuaded a whole nation of men, that they had known and practised all these things, if they had not done it? Or, secondly, to have received a book for truth, which said they had practised them, and appealed to that practice? So that here are the third and fourth of the marks above mentioned.

But now let us descend to the utmost degree of supposition, viz. that these things were practised, before these books of MOSES were forged; and that these books did impose upon the nation only in making them believe that they had kept these observances in memory of such and such things, as were inserted in those books.

Let us then proceed upon this supposition, (however groundless) and will not the same impossibilities occur, as in the former case? For, first, this must suppose that the Jews kept all these observances in memory of nothing, or without knowing any thing of their original, or

Whereas

of the reason, why they kept them. these very observances did express the ground and reason of their being kept; as the Passover, in memory of God's passing over the children of the Israelites in that night, wherein he slew all the first born of Egypt, and so of the rest.

But, secondly, let us suppose, contrary both to reason, and fact, that the Jews did not know any reason why they kept these observances; yet was it possible to put it upon them, that they had kept these observances in memory of what they had never heard of before that day, whensoever you will suppose that these books of Moses were first forged? For example; suppose I should now forge some romantic story of strange things, done a thousand years ago, and in confirmation of this should endeavour to persuade the Christian world, that they had all along, from that day to this, kept the first day of the week in memory of such a hero, as Apollonius, Barcosbas, or Mahomet; and had all been baptized in his name; and sworn by his name, and upon that very book (which I had then forged, and which they never saw before) in their public judicatures; that this book was their gospel and law, which they had ever since that time, these thousand years past, universally received and owned, and none other. I would ask any Deist, whether he think it possible, that such a cheat could pass, or such a legend be received, as the gospel of Christians; and that they could be made to believe that they never had any other gospel? The same reason is applicable to the books of Mo

SES, and to every matter of fact, which has all the four marks before mentioned; and these marks secure any such matter of fact as much from being invented and imposed in any after ages, as at the time when such facts were said to be done.

Let me give one very familiar example more in this case. The Stonehenge in Salisbury plain is known by every body; and yet none knows the reason, why those great stones were set there, or by whom, or in memory of what.

Now suppose I should write a book tomorrow, and affirm that these stones were set up by Hercules, Polyphemus, or Garagantua, in memory of such and such of their actions; and for farther confirmation of this should say in this book that it was written at the time, when such actions were done, and by the actors themselves, or by eye witnesses; and that this book had been received as truth, and quoted by authors of the greatest reputation in all ages since. Moreover that this book was well known in England, and enjoined by act of parliament to be taught our children, and that we did teach it to our children, and had been taught it ourselves, when we were children. I ask any Deist, whether he thinks this could. pass upon England? And whether, if I should insist upon it, I should not, instead of being believed, be sent to Bedlam?

Now let us compare this with the Stonehenge, as I may call it, or twelve great stones set up at Gilgal, which is told in the fourth chapter of Joshua. There it is said, that the rea