e that you are at present in
want of,--only do you be obedient to those whom God would have you to
follow. Nor do you prefer any other constitution of government before
the laws now given you; neither do you disregard that way of Divine
worship which you now have, nor change it for any other form: and if you
do this, you will be the most courageous of all men, in undergoing
the fatigues of war, and will not be easily conquered by any of your
enemies; for while God is present with you to assist you, it is to be
expected that you will be able to despise the opposition of all mankind;
and great rewards of virtue are proposed for you, if you preserve that
virtue through your whole lives. Virtue itself is indeed the principal
and the first reward, and after that it bestows abundance of others; so
that your exercise of virtue towards other men will make your own lives
happy, and render you more glorious than foreigners can be, and procure
you an undisputed reputation with posterity. These blessings you will be
able to obtain, in case you hearken to and observe those laws which, by
Divine revelation, I have ordained for you; that is, in case you withal
meditate upon the wisdom that is in them. I am going from you myself,
rejoicing in the good things you enjoy; and I recommend you to the wise
conduct of your law, to the becoming order of your polity, and to the
virtues of your commanders, who will take care of what is for your
advantage. And that God, who has been till now your Leader, and by whose
goodwill I have myself been useful to you, will not put a period now
to his providence over you, but as long as you desire to have him your
Protector in your pursuits after virtue, so long will you enjoy his care
over you. Your high priest also Eleazar, as well as Joshua, with the
senate, and chief of your tribes, will go before you, and suggest the
best advices to you; by following which advices you will continue to be
happy: to whom do you give ear without reluctance, as sensible that all
such as know well how to be governed, will also know how to govern, if
they be promoted to that authority themselves. And do not you esteem
liberty to consist in opposing such directions as your governors think
fit to give you for your practice,--as at present indeed you place your
liberty in nothing else but abusing your benefactors; which error if
you can avoid for the time to come, your affairs will be in a better
condition than they have hithert