It will give me much better Hope, this Differtation may be of fome Service to the World, if it fhall appear to anfwer this De'fign in the Judgment of a Perfon, whofe extenfive and accurate Knowledge in the feveral Parts of Learning, whofe great Underftanding in particular in the Language, Laws and Customs of the Hebrews, Civil and Religious, enables him to difcera fo clearly through all Obscurity of the Subject, the just Weight of any Reafons offered in Vindication of the divine Wisdom and Goodness of this Part of Revelation. Gentlemen of higher Rank and Underftanding, have a very ufeful Influence, when Examples of Virtue and Religion: Where it appears they are themselves well perfuaded of the Truths of Revelation, by making the Doctrines it teaches the Rule of their Lives, and the Hopes it gives the Foundation of their Peace and Joy; it ferves much to break the Force and Prejudice of Cuftom, in favour of Unbelief. Minds not quite loft in Infidelity, or Vice, will refpect the Judgment of the wife, the unbiaffed, and impartial; and the Example of the knowing, the judicious and the virtuous, more than the Opinions of the ignorant, and thoughtlefs, or than the Practice of the prejudiced, or the vicious. This, Sir, is a publick Ufefulness, even in the Retirements of private Life: It serves the most desirable publick Good, as it promotes national national Virtue and Righteoufnefs, which best establish and exalt a Nation. This is moreover a real perfonal Honour in the fight of God, as well as in the Esteem of the beft of Men; a most valuable Ornament and Addition to Honours derived from ancient and noble Families, from eminent and illuftrious Ancestors. That it may please God to prolong a Life fo defirable for the publick Good, and grant you the Support and Comforts of the Chriftian Hope, in whatever the Providence of God may appoint for the Exercife and Improvement of your Faith and Patience; and finally crown you with the unmixed Happinefs of that Life and Immortality brought to light in the Chriftian Revelation, is the hearty Prayer of, SIR, Your most faithful· obliged humble Servant, MOSES LOWMAN. INTRODUCTION Eftates of the Hebrews unalienable 46 Hebrews held their Eftates by military Ser- v. Particular Government of the feveral Tribes. 6I The Oracle given in different manners, one without being confulted by the High-Prieft. How the High-priest confulted the Oracle, 198 That the Conftitution of the Hebrew Govern- XII. ment was a standing Confutation of Idola- try..That it was very fit to punish the idolatrous Canaanites, by the Hebrews... And that a Toleration of Idolatry in the Holy Land was abfolutely inconfiftent with the principal Defigns and wife Intentions of Ch. XIII. That the Balance of the Hebrew Government was fo well fixed, that no one Part had Power, by overbearing the reft, to overturn it; in particular, the Conftitution had XIV. That Obedience to the general States of the National Union, in whom the Tribes though Separate and independent Provinces, were "united into one Government, was effential to the Hebrew Conftitution. That to dif |