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[184]
But while we are ourselves persuaded that our law was made agreeably
to the will of God, it would be impious for us not to observe the same;
for what is there in it that any body would change? and what can be invented
that is better? or what can we take out of other people's laws that will
exceed it? Perhaps some would have the entire settlement of our government
altered. And where shall we find a better or more righteous constitution
than ours, while this makes us esteem God to be the Governor of the universe,
and permits the priests in general to be the administrators of the principal
affairs, and withal intrusts the government over the other priests to the
chief high priest himself? which priests our legislator, at their first
appointment, did not advance to that dignity for their riches, or any abundance
of other possessions, or any plenty they had as the gifts of fortune; but
he intrusted the principal management of Divine worship to those that exceeded
others in an ability to persuade men, and in prudence of conduct. These
men had the main care of the law and of the other parts of the people's
conduct committed to them; for they were the priests who were ordained
to be the inspectors of all, and the judges in doubtful cases, and the
punishers of those that were condemned to suffer punishment.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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