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God； as revealed to himself alone； not merely through the high priest； as in
the case of the captains。 （122） There is no doubt that such an one would
easily be able to enlist an oppressed people in his cause； and by trifling
signs persuade them of anything he wished： on the other hand； if affairs
were well ordered； the captain would be able to make provision in time；
that the prophet should be submitted to his approval； and be examined
whether he were really of unblemished life； and possessed indisputable
signs of his mission： also； whether the teaching he proposed to set forth in
the name of the Lord agreed with received doctrines； and the general laws
of the country； if his credentials were insufficient； or his doctrines new； he
could lawfully be put to death； or else received on the captain's sole
responsibility and authority。
（17：123） Again； the captains were not superior to the others in nobility
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or birth； but only administered the government in virtue of their age and
personal qualities。 （124） Lastly； neither captains nor army had any reason
for preferring war to peace。 （125） The army； as we have stated； consisted
entirely of citizens； so that affairs were managed by the same persons both
in peace and war。 （126） The man who was a soldier in the camp was a
citizen in the market…place； he who was a leader in the camp was a judge
in the law courts； he who was a general in the camp was a ruler in the state。
（127） Thus no one could desire war for its own sake； but only for the sake
of preserving peace and liberty； possibly the captains avoided change as
far as possible； so as not to be obliged to consult the high priest and submit
to the indignity of standing in his presence。
（17：128） So much for the precautions for keeping the captains within
bounds。 ＇17：9＇ （129） We must now look for the restraints upon the people：
these； however； are very clearly indicated in the very groundwork of the
social fabric。
（17：130） Anyone who gives the subject the slightest attention； will see
that the state was so ordered as to inspire the most ardent patriotism in the
hearts of the citizens； so that the latter would be very hard to persuade to
betray their country； and be ready to endure anything rather than submit to
a foreign yoke。 （131） After they had transferred their right to God； they
thought that their kingdom belonged to God； and that they themselves
were God's children。 （132） Other nations they looked upon as God's
enemies； and regarded with intense hatred （which they took to be piety；
see Psalm cxxxix：21； 22）： nothing would have been more abhorrent to
them than swearing allegiance to a foreigner； and promising him
obedience： nor could they conceive any greater or more execrable crime
than the betrayal of their country； the kingdom of the God whom they
adored。
（17：133） It was considered wicked for anyone to settle outside of the
country； inasmuch as the worship of God by which they were bound could
not be carried on elsewhere： their own land alone was considered holy； the
rest of the earth unclean and profane。
（17：134） David； who was forced to live in exile； complained before
Saul as follows： 〃But if they be the children of men who have stirred thee
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up against me； cursed be they before the Lord； for they have driven me out
this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord； saying； Go； serve
other gods。〃 （I Sam。 xxvi：19。） （135） For the same reason no citizen； as we
should especially remark； was ever sent into exile： he who sinned was
liable to punishment； but not to disgrace。
（17：136） Thus the love of the Hebrews for their country was not only
patriotism； but also piety； and was cherished and nurtured bv daily rites till；
like their hatred of other nations； it must have passed into their nature。
（137） Their daily worship was not only different from that of other nations
（as it might well be； considering that they were a peculiar people and
entirely apart from the rest）； it was absolutely contrary。 （138） Such daily
reprobation naturally gave rise to a lasting hatred； deeply implanted in the
heart： for of all hatreds none is more deep and tenacious than that which
springs from extreme devoutness or piety； and is itself cherished as pious。
（139） Nor was a general cause lacking for inflaming such hatred more and
more； inasmuch as it was reciprocated； the surrounding nations regarding
the Jews with a hatred just as intense。
（17：140） How great was the effect of all these causes； namely； freedom
from man's dominion； devotion to their country； absolute rights over all
other men； a hatred not only permitted but pious； a contempt for their
fellow…men； the singularity of their customs and religious rites； the effect；
I repeat； of all these causes in strengthening the hearts of the Jews to bear
all things for their country； with extraordinary constancy and valour； will
at once be discerned by reason and attested by experience。 （141） Never； so
long as the city was standing； could they endure to remain under foreign
dominion； and therefore they called Jerusalem 〃a rebellious city〃 （Ezra
iv：12）。 （142） Their state after its reestablishment （which was a mere
shadow of the first； for the high priests had usurped the rights of the tribal
captains） was； with great difficulty； destroyed by the Romans； as Tacitus
bears witness （Hist。 ii：4）：… 〃Vespasian had closed the war against the Jews；
abandoning the siege of Jerusalem as an enterprise difficult and arduous
rather from the character of the people and the obstinacy of their
superstition； than from the strength left to the besieged for meeting their
necessities。〃 （143） But besides these characteristics； which are merely
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ascribed by an individual opinion； there was one feature peculiar to this
state and of great importance in retaining the affections of the citizens； and
checking all thoughts of desertion； or abandonment of the country： namely；
self…interest； the strength and life of all human acti