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[265]
Whence one cannot but smile at those who say that Moses was himself
afflicted with the leprosy when he fled out of Egypt, and that he became
the conductor of those who on that account left that country, and led them
into the land of Canaan; for had this been true, Moses would not have made
these laws to his own dishonor, which indeed it was more likely he would
have opposed, if others had endeavored to introduce them; and this the
rather, because there are lepers in many nations, who yet are in honor,
and not only free from reproach and avoidance, but who have been great
captains of armies, and been intrusted with high offices in the commonwealth,
and have had the privilege of entering into holy places and temples; so
that nothing hindered, but if either Moses himself, or the multitude that
was with him, had been liable to such a misfortune in the color of his
skin, he might have made laws about them for their credit and advantage,
and have laid no manner of difficulty upon them. Accordingly, it is a plain
case, that it is out of violent prejudice only that they report these things
about us. But Moses was pure from any such distemper, and lived with countrymen
who were pure of it also, and thence made the laws which concerned others
that had the distemper. He did this for the honor of God. But as to these
matters, let every one consider them after what manner he pleases.
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