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self…interest； the strength and life of all human action。 （144） This was
peculiarly engaged in the Hebrew state； for nowhere else did citizens
possess their goods so securely； as did the subjects of this community； for
the latter possessed as large a share in the land and the fields as did their
chiefs； and were owners of their plots of ground in perpetuity； for if any
man was compelled by poverty to sell his farm or his pasture； he received
it back again intact at the year of jubilee： there were other similar
enactments against the possibility of alienating real property。
（17：145） Again； poverty w as nowhere more endurable than in a
country where duty towards one's neighbour； that is； one's fellow…citizen；
was practised with the utmost piety； as a means of gaining the favour of
God the King。 （146） Thus the Hebrew citizens would nowhere be so well
off as in their own country； outside its limits they met with nothing but
loss and disgrace。
（17：147） The following considerations were of weight； not only in
keeping them at home； but also in preventing civil war and removing
causes of strife； no one was bound to serve his equal； but only to serve
God； while charity and love towards fellow…citizens was accounted the
highest piety； this last feeling was not a little fostered by the general
hatred with which they regarded foreign nations and were regarded by
them。 （148） Furthermore； the strict discipline of obedience in which they
were brought up； was a very important factor； for they were bound to carry
on all their actions according to the set rules of the law： a man might not
plough when he liked； but only at certain times； in certain years； and with
one sort of beast at a time； so； too； he might only sow and reap in a certain
method and season … in fact； his whole life was one long school of
obedience （see Chap。 V。 on the use of ceremonies）； such a habit was thus
engendered； that conformity seemed freedom instead of servitude； and
men desired what was commanded rather than what was forbidden。 （149）
This result was not a little aided by the fact that the people were bound； at
certain seasons of the year； to give themselves up to rest and rejoicing； not
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for their own pleasure； but in order that they might worship God
cheerfully。
（17：150） Three times in the year they feasted before the Lord； on the
seventh day of every week they were bidden to abstain from all work and
to rest； besides these； there were other occasions when innocent rejoicing
and feasting were not only allowed but enjoined。 （151） I do not think any
better means of influencing men's minds could be devised； for there is no
more powerful attraction than joy springing from devotion； a mixture of
admiration and love。 （152） It was not easy to be wearied by constant
repetition； for the rites on the various festivals were varied and recurred
seldom。 （153） We may add the deep reverence for the Temple which all
most religiously fostered； on account of the peculiar rites and duties that
they were obliged to perform before approaching thither。 （154） Even now；
Jews cannot read without horror of the crime of Manasseh； who dared to
place au idol in the Temple。 （155） The laws； scrupulously preserved in the
inmost sanctuary； were objects of equal reverence to the people。 （156）
Popular reports and misconceptions were； therefore； very little to be feared
in this quarter； for no one dared decide on sacred matters； but all felt
bound to obey； without consulting their reason； all the commands given by
the answers of God received in the Temple； and all the laws which God
had ordained。
（17：157） I think I have now explained clearly； though briefly；； the main
features of the Hebrew commonwealth。 （158） I must now inquire into the
causes which led the people so often to fall away from the law； which
brought about their frequent subjection； and； finally； the complete
destruction of their dominion。 （159） Perhaps I shall be told that it sprang
from their hardness of heart； but this is childish； for why should this
people be more hard of heart than others； was it by nature？
＇17：A＇ （160） But nature forms individuals； not peoples； the latter are
only distinguishable by the difference of their language； their customs； and
their laws； while from the two last … i。e。； customs and laws； … it may arise
that they have a peculiar disposition； a peculiar manner of life； and
peculiar prejudices。 （161） If； then； the Hebrews were harder of heart than
other nations； the fault lay with their laws or customs。
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（17：162） This is certainly true； in the sense that； if God had wished
their dominion to be more lasting； He would have given them other rites
and laws； and would have instituted a different form of government。 （163）
We can； therefore； only say that their God was angry with them； not only；
as Jeremiah says； from the building of the city； but even from the founding
of their laws。
（17：164） This is borne witness to by Ezekiel xx：25： 〃Wherefore I gave
them also statutes that were not good； and judgments whereby they should
not live； and I polluted them in their own gifts； in that they caused to pass
through the fire all that openeth the womb； that I might make them
desolate； to the end that they might know that I am the Lord。〃
（17：165） In order that we may understand these words； and the
destruction of the Hebrew commonwealth； we must bear in mind that it
had at first been intended to entrust the whole duties of the priesthood to
the firstborn； and not to the Levites （see Numb。 viii：17）。 （166） It was only
when all the tribes； except the Levites； worshipped the golden calf； that the
firstborn were rejected and defiled； and the Levites chosen in their stead
（Deut。 x：8）。 （167） When I reflect on this change； I feel disposed to break
forth with the words of Tacitus。 （168） God's object at that time was not the
safety of the Jews； but vengeance。 （169） I am greatly astonished that the
celestial mind was so inflamed with anger that it ordained laws； which
always are supposed to