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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 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。
（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 promote the honour； well…being； and security of a
people； with the purpose of vengeance； for the sake of punishment； so that
the laws do not seem so much laws … that is； the safeguard of
the people … as pains and penalties。
（17：170） The gifts which the people were obliged to bestow on the Levites
and priests … the redemption of the firstborn； the poll…tax due to the
Levites； the privilege possessed by the latter of the sole performance of
sacred rites … all these； I say； were a continual reproach to the people； a
continual reminder of their defilement and rejection。 （171） Moreover； we may
be sure that the Levites were for ever heaping reproaches upon them： for
among so many thousands there must have been many importunate dabblers in
theology。 （172） Hence the people got into the way of watching the acts of
the Levites； who were but human； of accusing the whole body of the faults of
one member； and continually murmuring。
（17：173） Besides this； there was the obligation to keep in idleness men
hateful to them； and connected by no ties of blood。 （174） Especially would
this seem grievous when provisions were dear。 What wonder； then； if in times
of peace； when striking miracles had ceased； and no men of paramount
authority were forthcoming； the irritable and greedy temper of t