We have already demonstrated that our laws have been such as have
always inspired admiration and imitation into all other men; nay, the earliest
Grecian philosophers, though in appearance they observed the laws of their
own countries, yet did they, in their actions, and their philosophic doctrines,
follow our legislator, and instructed men to live sparingly, and to have
friendly communication one with another. Nay, further, the multitude of
mankind itself have had a great inclination of a long time to follow our
religious observances; for there is not any city of the Grecians, nor any
of the barbarians, nor any nation whatsoever, whither our custom of resting
on the seventh day hath not come, and by which our fasts and lighting up
lamps, and many of our prohibitions as to our food, are not observed; they
also endeavor to imitate our mutual concord with one another, and the charitable
distribution of our goods, and our diligence in our trades, and our fortitude
in undergoing the distresses we are in, on account of our laws; and, what
is here matter of the greatest admiration, our law hath no bait of pleasure
to allure men to it, but it prevails by its own force; and as God himself
pervades all the world, so hath our law passed through all the world also.
So that if any one will but reflect on his own country, and his own family,
he will have reason to give credit to what I say. It is therefore but just,
either to condemn all mankind of indulging a wicked disposition, when they
have been so desirous of imitating laws that are to them foreign and evil
in themselves, rather than following laws of their own that are of a better
character, or else our accusers must leave off their spite against us.
Nor are we guilty of any envious behavior towards them, when we honor our
own legislator, and believe what he, by his prophetic authority, hath taught
us concerning God. For though we should not be able ourselves to understand
the excellency of our own laws, yet would the great multitude of those
that desire to imitate them, justify us, in greatly valuing ourselves upon
them.
