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[315]
NOW when Moses had encouraged Joshua to lead out the army against
the Canaanites, by telling him that God would assist him in all his undertakings,
and had blessed the whole multitude, he said, "Since I am going to
my forefathers, and God has determined that this should be the day of my
departure to them, I return him thanks while I am still alive and present
with you, for that providence he hath exercised over you, which hath not
only delivered us from the miseries we lay under, but hath bestowed a state
of prosperity upon us; as also, that he hath assisted me in the pains I
took, and in all the contrivances I had in my care about you, in order
to better your condition, and hath on all occasions showed himself favorable
to us; or rather he it was who first conducted our affairs, and brought
them to a happy conclusion, by making use of me as a vicarious general
under him, and as a minister in those matters wherein he was willing to
do you good: on which account I think it proper to bless that Divine Power
which will take care of you for the time to come, and this in order to
repay that debt which I owe him, and to leave behind me a memorial that
we are obliged to worship and honor him, and to keep those laws which are
the most excellent gift of all those he hath already bestowed upon us,
or which, if he continue favorable to us, he will bestow upon us hereafter.
Certainly a human legislator is a terrible enemy when his laws are affronted,
and are made to no purpose. And may you never experience that displeasure
of God which will be the consequence of the neglect of these his laws,
which he, who is your Creator, hath given you."
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