l to want amendment.

22. But while we are ourselves persuaded that our law was made agreeably
to the will of God, it would be impious for us not to observe the same;
for what is there in it that any body would change? and what can be
invented that is better? or what can we take out of other people's laws
that will exceed it? Perhaps some would have the entire settlement
of our government altered. And where shall we find a better or more
righteous constitution than ours, while this makes us esteem God to be
the Governor of the universe, and permits the priests in general to be
the administrators of the principal affairs, and withal intrusts the
government over the other priests to the chief high priest himself?
which priests our legislator, at their first appointment, did not
advance to that dignity for their riches, or any abundance of other
possessions, or any plenty they had as the gifts of fortune; but he
intrusted the principal management of Divine worship to those that
exceeded others in an ability to persuade men, and in prudence of
conduct. These men had the main care of the law and of the other parts
of the people's conduct committed to them; for they were the priests who
were ordained to be the inspectors of all, and the judges in doubtful
cases, and the punishers of those that were condemned to suffer
punishment.

23. What form of government then can be more holy than this? what more
worthy kind of worship can be paid to God than we pay, where the entire
body of the people are prepared for religion, where an extraordinary
degree of care is required in the priests, and where the whole polity is
so ordered as if it were a certain religious solemnity? For what things
foreigners, when they solemnize such festivals, are not able to observe
for a few days' time, and call them Mysteries and Sacred Ceremonies, we
observe with great pleasure and an unshaken resolution during our whole
lives. What are the things then that we are commanded or forbidden? They
are simple, and easily known. The first command is concerning God, and
affirms that God contains all things, and is a Being every way perfect
and happy, self-sufficient, and supplying all other beings; the
beginning, the middle, and the end of all things. He is manifest in
his works and benefits, and more conspicuous than any other being
whatsoever; but as to his form and magnitude, he is most obscure. All
materials, let them be ever so costly, are unworthy to comp