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in the form of a bell; like common trumpets。 Its sound was called
in the Hebrew tongue Asosra。 Two of these being made; one of them
was sounded when they required the multitude to come together to
congregations。 When the first of them gave a signal; the heads of
the tribes were to assemble; and consult about the affairs to
them properly belonging; but when they gave the signal by both of
them; they called the multitude together。 Whenever the tabernacle
was removed; it was done in this solemn order: … At the first
alarm of the trumpet; those whose tents were on the east quarter
prepared to remove; when the second signal was given; those that
were on the south quarter did the like; in the next place; the
tabernacle was taken to pieces; and was carried in the midst of
six tribes that went before; and of six that followed; all the
Levites assisting about the tabernacle; when the third signal was
given; that part which had their tents towards the west put
themselves in motion; and at the fourth signal those on the north
did so likewise。 They also made use of these trumpets in their
sacred ministrations; when they were bringing their sacrifices to
the altar as well on the Sabbaths as on the rest of the
'festival' days; and now it was that Moses offered that sacrifice
which was called the Passover in the Wilderness; as the first he
had offered after the departure out of Egypt。
CHAPTER 13。
Moses Removed From Mount Sinai; And Conducted The People To The
Borders Of The Canaanites。
A Little while afterwards he rose up; and went from Mount Sinai;
and; having passed through several mansions; of which we will
speak he came to a place called Hazeroth; where the multitude
began again to be mutinous; and to Moses for the misfortunes they
had suffered their travels; and that when he had persuaded to
leave a good land; they at once had lost land; and instead of
that happy state he had them; they were still wandering in their
miserable condition; being already in want water; and if the
manna should happen to fail; must then utterly perish。 Yet while
they spake many and sore things against the there was one of them
who exhorted them to be unmindful of Moses; and of what great
pains he had been at about their common safety; not to despair of
assistance from God。 The multitude thereupon became still more
unruly; and mutinous against Moses than before。 Hereupon Moses;
although he was so basely abused by them encouraged them in their
despairing conditioned and promised that he would procure them a
quantity of flesh…meat; and that not for a few days only; but for
many days。 This they were not to believe; and when one of them
asked; whence he could obtain such vast plenty of what he
promised; he replied; 〃Neither God nor I; we hear such
opprobrious language from will leave off our labors for you; and
this soon appear also。〃 As soon as ever he had this; the whole
camp was filled with quails; they stood round about them; and
gathered great numbers。 However; it was not long ere God punished
the Hebrews for their insolence; those reproaches they had used
towards him; no small number of them died; and still to this day
the place retains the memory of this destruction and is named
Kibrothhattaavah; which is; Graves of Lust。
CHAPTER 14。
How Moses Sent Some Persons To Search Out The Land Of The
Canaanites; And The Largeness Of Their Cities; And Further That
When Those Who Were Sent Were Returned; After Forty Days And
Reported That They Should Not Be A Match For Them; And Extolled
The Strengh Of The Canaanites The Multitude Were Disturbed And
Fell Into Despair; And Were Resolved To Stone Moses; And To
Return Back Again Into Egypt; And Serve The Egyptians。
1。 When Moses had led the Hebrews away from thence to a place
called Paran; which was near to the borders of the Canaanites;
and a place difficult to be continued in; he gathered the
multitude together to a congregation; and standing in the midst
of them; he said; 〃Of the two things that God determined to
bestow upon us; liberty; and the possession of a Happy Country;
the one of them ye already are partakers of; by the gift of God;
and the other you will quickly obtain; for we now have our abode
near the borders of the Canaanites; and nothing can hinder the
acquisition of it; when we now at last are fallen upon it: I say;
not only no king nor city; but neither the whole race of mankind;
if they were all gathered together; could do it。 Let us therefore
prepare ourselves for the work; for the Canaanites will not
resign up their land to us without fighting; but it must be
wrested from them by great struggles in war。 Let us then send
spies; who may take a view of the goodness of the land; and what
strength it is of; but; above all things; let us be of one mind;
and let us honor God; who above all is our helper and assister。〃
2。 When Moses had said thus; the multitude requited him with
marks of respect; and chose twelve spies; of the most eminent
men; one out of each tribe; who; passing over all the land of
Canaan; from the borders of Egypt; came to the city Hamath; and
to Mount Lebanon; and having learned the nature of the land; and
of its inhabitants; they came home; having spent forty days in
the whole work。 They also brought with them of the fruits which
the land bare; they also showed them the excellency of those
fruits; and gave an account of the great quantity of the good
things that land afforded; which were motives to the multitude to
go to war。 But then they terrified them again with the great
difficulty there was in obtaining it; that the rivers were so
large and deep that they could not be passed over; and that the
hills were so high that they could not travel along for them;
that the cities were strong with walls; and their firm
fortifications round about them。 They told them also; that they
found at Hebron the posterity of the giants。 Accordingly these
spies; who had seen the land of Canaan; when they perceived that
all these difficulties were greater there than they had met with
since they came out of Egypt; they were aftrighted at them
themselves; and endeavored to affright the multitude also。
3。 So they supposed; from what they had heard; that it was
impossible to get the possession of the country。 And when the
congregation was dissolved; they; their wives and children;
continued their lamentation; as if God would not indeed assist
them; but only promised them fair。 They also again blamed Moses;
and made a clamor against him and his brother Aaron; the high
priest。 Accordingly they passed that night very ill; and with
contumelious language against them; but in the morning they ran
to a congregation; intending to stone Moses and Aaron; and so to
return back into Egypt。
4。 But of the spies; there were Joshua the son of Nun; of the
tribe of Ephraim; and Caleb of the tribe of Judah; that were
afraid of the consequence; and came into the midst of them; and
stilled the multitude; and desired them to be of good courage;
and neither to condemn God; as having told them lies; nor to
hearken to those who had aftrighted them; by telling them what
was not true concerning the Canaanites