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account of their own virtue that he had formerly procured them
their liberty； and would be assisting to them； now they were
willing to take pains for it。 They also said that they were
possessed of abilities sufficient for the conquest of their
enemies； although Moses should have a mind to alienate God from
them； that； however； it was for their advantage to be their own
masters； and not so far to rejoice in their deliverance from the
indignities they endured under the Egyptians； as to bear the
tyranny of Moses over them； and to suffer themselves to be
deluded； and live according to his pleasure； as though God did
only foretell what concerns us out of his kindness to him； as if
they were not all the posterity of Abraham； that God made him
alone the author of all the knowledge we have； and we must still
learn it from him； that it would be a piece of prudence to oppose
his arrogant pretenses； and to put their confidence in God； and
to resolve to take possession of that land which he had promised
them； and not to give ear to him； who on this account； and under
the pretense of Divine authority； forbade them so to do。
Considering； therefore； the distressed state they were in at
present； and that in those desert places they were still to
expect things would be worse with them； they resolved to fight
with the Canaanites； as submitting only to God； their supreme
Commander； and not waiting for any assistance from their
legislator。
2。 When； therefore； they had come to this resolution； as being
best for them； they went against their enemies； but those enemies
were not dismayed either at the attack itself； or at the great
multitude that made it； and received them with great courage。
Many of the Hebrews were slain； and the remainder of the army；
upon the disorder of their troops； were pursued； and fled； after
a shameful manner； to their camp。 Whereupon this unexpected
misfortune made them quite despond； and they hoped for nothing
that was good； as gathering from it； that this affliction came
from the wrath of God； because they rashly went out to war
without his approbation。
3。 But when Moses saw how deeply they were affected with this
defeat； and being afraid lest the enemies should grow insolent
upon this victory； and should be desirous of gaining still
greater glory； and should attack them； he resolved that it was
proper to withdraw the army into the wilderness to a further
distance from the Canaanites： so the multitude gave themselves up
again to his conduct； for they were sensible that； without his
care for them； their affairs could not be in a good condition；
and he caused the host to remove； and he went further into the
wilderness； as intending there to let them rest； and not to
permit them to fight the Canaanites before God should afford them
a more favorable opportunity。
CHAPTER 2。
The Sedition Of Corah And Of The Multitude Against Moses； And
Against His Brother； Concerning The Priesthood。
1。 That which is usually the case of great armies； and especially
upon ill success； to be hard to be pleased； and governed with
difficulty； did now befall the Jews； for they being in number six
hundred thousand； and by reason of their great multitude not
readily subject to their governors； even in prosperity； they at
this time were more than usually angry； both against one another
and against their leader； because of the distress they were in；
and the calamities they then endured。 Such a sedition overtook
them； as we have not the like example either among the Greeks or
the Barbarians； by which they were in danger of being all
destroyed； but were notwithstanding saved by Moses； who would not
remember that he had been almost stoned to death by them。 Nor did
God neglect to prevent their ruin； but； notwithstanding the
indignities they had offered their legislator and the laws； and
disobedience to the commandments which he had sent them by Moses；
he delivered them from those terrible calamities which； without
his providential care； had been brought upon them by this
sedition。 So I will first explain the cause whence this sedition
arose； and then will give an account of the sedition itself； as
also of what settlements made for their government after it was
over。
2。 Corah； a Hebrew of principal account； both by his family and
by his wealth； one that was also able to speak well； and one that
could easily persuade the people by his speeches； saw that Moses
was in an exceeding great dignity； and was at it； and envied him
on that account； （he of the same tribe with Moses； and of kin to
him；） was particularly grieved； because he thought he better
deserved that honorable post on account of great riches； and not
inferior to him in his birth。 So he raised a clamor against him
among the Levites； who were of the same tribe； and among his
kindred； saying； 〃That it was a very sad thing that they should
overlook Moses； while hunted after and paved the way to glory for
himself； and by ill arts should obtain it； under the pretense of
God's command； while； contrary to laws； he had given the
priesthood to Aaron； the common suffrage of the multitude； but by
his own vote； as bestowing dignities in a way on whom he
pleased。〃 He added； 〃That this concealed way of imposing on them
was harder to be borne than if it had been done by an open force
upon them； because he did now not only their power without their
consent； but even they were unapprised of his contrivances
against them； for whosoever is conscious to himself that he
deserves any dignity； aims to get it by persuasion； and not by an
arrogant method of violence； those that believe it impossible to
obtain honors justly； make a show of goodness； and do not
introduce force； but by cunning tricks grow wickedly powerful。
That it was proper for the multitude to punish such men； even
while they think themselves concealed in their designs； and not
suffer them to gain strength till they have them for their open
enemies。 For what account；〃 added he； 〃is Moses able to give； why
he has bestowed the priesthood on Aaron and his sons？ for if God
had determined to bestow that honor on one of the tribe of Levi；
I am more worthy of it than he is； I myself being equal to Moses
by my family； and superior to him both in riches and in age： but
if God had determined to bestow it on the eldest be； that of
Reuben might have it most justly； and then Dathan； and Abiram；
and ＇On； the son of＇ Peleth； would have it； for these are the
oldest men of that tribe； and potent on account of their great
wealth also。〃
3。 Now Corah； when he said this； had a mind to appear to take
care of the public welfare； but in reality he was endeavoring to
procure to have that dignity transferred by the multitude to
himself。 Thus did he； out of a malignant design； but with
discourse to those of his own tribe； when these words did
gradually spread to more people； and when the hearers still added
to what tended to the scandals that were cast upon the whole army
was full of them。 Now of those that conspired with Corah； there
were two hundred and fifty； and those of the principal men also；
who were eager to have the priesthood taken away from Moses's