CHAPTER V.

Why the ancient Idolaters united Agriculture with the Worship of the Stars.

THE reasons of the union of Agriculture with

the worship of the stars, are sufficiently evident from those vain and foolish opinions, which have been avowed by the ancient idolaters themselves, since they confessedly believed that the fruitfulness of the earth depended upon the worship of the planets and other heavenly bodies. (18) Their Sages, Doctors, and Prophets accordingly taught, and endeavoured to prove to the people, that Agriculture, without which men cannot subsist, depended upon the influence of the Sun, and the rest of the Stars, for its success; and that they must therefore be worshipped, since, if they were displeased, the cities and fields would be wasted and destroyed. In their books they write, that, by the anger of Mars, places are rendered desert and desolate, and become destitute of water and trees, and inhabited by horrible dæmons ;—and loudly extol Husbandmen and Vine-dressers, who are engaged in cultivating the earth and rendering it habitable, as entertaining the highest affection and devotion for the Heavenly Bodies.

These Idolaters, also, greatly valued oxen and cattle, and the reason they did so, was, because

of their usefulness in husbandry; and hence they affirmed it was unlawful to slay them, since they were not only of use in cultivating the ground, but were by the influence of the stars the means of rendering it fruitful; and that they were subjected to men, because the Deity was pleased with their being employed for agricultural purposes. Such being the opinions universally prevalent, the worship of idols was readily joined with the culture of the earth, Agriculture being necessary to both men and animals.

These sentiments gained additional strength also, from the public discourses of the IdolPriests, (19) who, in their congregations and assemblies, impressed the minds of the people with the belief, that, by this kind of worship, rain was obtained from heaven, the trees of the field were rendered fruitful, and the earth was caused to produce plentiful harvests. Read what they themselves say in the book "Of the Agriculture of the Egyptians;" where, when speaking of Vines, they explicitly state their sentiments, and tell us, that their Sages and Prophets formerly commanded, that, on their Festival-Days, they should play on certain instruments in the presence of the Idols, for that the gods would confer benefits and ample remunerations on those who should act in this manner. They even point out the nature of several of these advantages, as, that they shall be favoured with long life ;-be preserved from sickness, and be shielded from misfortunes ;-that the earth shall

yield its increase, and the trees bring forth fruit in abundance. Such is the language of the Zabii. When, therefore, these opinions began to be entertained and promulgated, it pleased the Ever Blessed God, in his great mercy towards us, in order to eradicate those errors from our minds, and to deliver us from those toilsome and useless services, (20) to give us his Law, by the hand of Moses, of blessed memory, who declared to us, in the name of God, that if we worshipped the stars and the other heavenly bodies, the rain would be withheld, the earth become barren and unfruitful, the trees cease to yield their fruit, various temporal evils and diseases befal us, and lastly, life itself be cut short. For all these declarations are in the Covenant which God made with us, and are to be found in every part of the Law, where it is again and again stated, that, from the worship of the stars, follows the withholding of rain; the laying waste of the earth; general depravity; bodily diseases, and brevity of life; but on the contrary, that the relinquishment of idolatry, and conversion to the true God, is succeeded by the descent of rain, the fertility of the earth, general prosperity, bodily health and long life, the very contrary to what the Idol-worshippers taught, in order to induce men to embrace idolatry. For the chief design of the Law, and what may be regarded as its foundation, is that it is intended to extirpate those opinions, and totally destroy the remembrance of them.

CHAPTER VI.

Reply to those who suppose that no Reasons can be assigned for the Precepts of the Law.

THERE are some men to whom it is confessedly difficult to assign a reason for any of the Precepts, and to whom therefore it would appear, as if no intelligible reason could be given for any Injunction or Probibition; whereas, the true cause is to be found in the diseased state of their own minds. For they suppose, that if any arguments be advanced, which are deduced from the advantages derivable from the Precepts in this world, it is depreciating them as the result of mere human reason and sagacity; but that if no present advantage or utility be discoverable in them, or can be assigned for them, it is a proof that they are derived from God, since they are incomprehensible by the human mind. But how foolish is this mode of reasoning, which supposes man to be more perfect than his Creator! According to them, man acts with design in all he does and says, but that God commands us to do those things, from the performance of which we shall derive no benefit, and by the neglect of which we shall sustain no injury. Far, indeed, be this from the Creator! who has himself intimated to us, that the design of all the Precepts is to promote our happiness; as is expressed in these words

already quoted: "For our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day." (Deut. vi. 24.) In this sense also it is said, "This is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these things." (Deut. iv. 6.) And again, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." (Deut. iv. 6.) For these words show, that all nations will understand these statutes to be replete with the highest wisdom and intelligence. But if the causes of them were hidden, and no utility could be discovered in them, either for producing good or averting evil, wherefore should it be said of those who receive and practise them, that they are wise, and intelligent; or that they are great, and the admiration of all nations? Assuredly, it must be because, as we have asserted, every one of the six hundred and thirteen, Precepts, (21) is in some way or other advantageous, either by inducing the belief of some salutary principle, or eradicating some pernicious notion; by instituting some profitable regulation, or banishing some vice; or, lastly, by exciting to worthy and laudable actions, or dehorting from sinful and vicious ones; all of which may be referred to the three divisions of FAITH, MoRALS, and CIVIL POLITY. But as all the Injunctions or Prohibitions of the Law include either instructions respecting civil or political actions, or morals, or truths to be believed, there is no need at present to discuss them separately.

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