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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
brother； and to bring him into disgrace： nay； the multitude
themselves were provoked to be seditious； and attempted to stone
Moses； wad gathered themselves together after an indecent manner；
with confusion and disorder。 And now all were； in a tumultuous
manner； raising a before the tabernacle of God； to prosecute the
tyrant； and to relieve the multitude from their slavery under him
who； under color of the Divine laid violent injunctions upon
them； for had it been God who chose one that was to the office of
a priest； he would have raised person to that dignity； and would
not produced such a one as was inferior to many others nor have
given him that office； and that in he had judged it fit to bestow
it on Aaron； he would have permitted it to the multitude to
bestow it； and not have left it to be bestowed by his own
brother。
4。 Now although Moses had a great while ago foreseen this calumny
of Corah； and had seen the people were irritated； yet was he not
affrighted at it； but being of good courage； because given them
right advice about their affairs； and knowing that his brother
had been made partaker of the priesthood at the command of God；
and not by his own favor to him； he came to the assembly； and as
for the multitude； he said not a word to them； but spake as loud
to Corah as he could； and being very skillful in making speeches；
and having this natural talent； among others； that he could
greatly move the multitude with his discourses； he said； 〃O
Corah； both thou and all these with thee （pointing to the two
hundred and fifty men） seem to be worthy of this honor； nor do I
pretend but that this whole company may be worthy of the like
dignity； although they may not be so rich or so great as you are：
nor have I taken and given this office to my brother because he
excelled others in riches； for thou exceedest us both in the
greatness of thy wealth； （1） nor indeed because he was of an
eminent family； for God； by giving us the same common ancestor；
has made our families equal： nay； nor was it out of brotherly
affection； which another might yet have justly done； for
certainly； unless I had bestowed this honor out of regard to God；
and to his laws； I had not passed by myself； and given it to
another； as being nearer of kin to myself than to my brother； and
having a closer intimacy with myself than I have with him； for
surely it would not be a wise thing for me to expose myself to
the dangers of offending； and to bestow the happy employment on
this account upon another。 But I am above such base practices：
nor would God have overlooked this matter； and seen himself thus
despised； nor would he have suffered you to be ignorant of what
you were to do； in order to please him； but he hath himself
chosen one that is to perform that sacred office to him； and
thereby freed us from that care。 So that it was not a thing that
I pretend to give； but only according to the determination of
God； I therefore propose it still to be contended for by such as
please to put in for it； only desiring that he who has been
already preferred； and has already obtained it； may be allowed
now also to offer himself for a candidate。 He prefers your peace；
and your living without sedition； to this honorable employment；
although in truth it was with your approbation that he obtained
it； for though God were the donor； yet do we not offend when we
think fit to accept it with your good…will； yet would it have
been an instance of impiety not to have taken that honorable
employment when he offered it； nay； it had been exceedingly
unreasonable； when God had thought fit any one should have it for
all time to come； and had made it secure and firm to him； to have
refused it。 However； he himself will judge again who it shall be
whom he would have to offer sacrifices to him； and to have the
direction of matters of religion； for it is absurd that Corah；
who is ambitious of this honor； should deprive God of the power
of giving it to whom he pleases。 Put an end； therefore； to your
sedition and disturbance on this account； and tomorrow morning do
every one of you that desire the priesthood bring a censer from
home； and come hither with incense and fire： and do thou； O
Corah； leave the judgment to God； and await to see on which side
he will give his determination upon this occasion； but do not
thou make thyself greater than God。 Do thou also come； that this
contest about this honorable employment may receive
determination。 And I suppose we may admit Aaron without offense；
to offer himself to this scrutiny； since he is of the same
lineage with thyself； and has done nothing in his priesthood that
can be liable to exception。 Come ye therefore together； and offer
your incense in public before all the people； and when you offer
it； he whose sacrifice God shall accept shall be ordained to the
priesthood； and shall be clear of the present calumny on Aaron；
as if I had granted him that favor because he was my brother。〃
CHAPTER 3。
How Those That Stirred Up This Sedition Were Destroyed； According
To The Will Of God； And How Aaron； Moses's Brother Both He And
His Posterity； Retained The Priesthood。
1。 When Moses had said this； the multitude left off the turbulent
behavior they had indulged； and the suspicion they had of Moses；
and commended what he had said； for those proposals were good；
and were so esteemed of the people。 At that time therefore they
dissolved the assembly。 But on the next day they came to the
congregation； in order to be present at the sacrifice； and at the
determination that was to be made between the candidates for the
priesthood。 Now this congregation proved a turbulent one； and the
multitude were in great suspense in expectation of what was to be
done； for some of them would have been pleased if Moses had been
convicted of evil practices； but the wiser sort desired that they
might be delivered from the present disorder and disturbance； for
they were afraid； that if this sedition went on； the good order
of their settlement would rather be destroyed； but the whole body
of the people do naturally delight in clamors against their
governors； and； by changing their opinions upon the harangues of
every speaker； disturb the public tranquillity。 And now Moses
sent messengers for Abiram and Dathan； and ordered them to come
to the assembly； and wait there for the holy offices that were to
be performed。 But they answered the messenger； that they would
not obey his summons； nay； would not overlook Moses's behavior；
who was growing too great for them by evil practices。 Now when
Moses heard of this their answer； he desired the heads of the
people to follow him； and he went to the faction of Dathan； not
thinking it any frightful thing at all to go to these insolent
people； so they made no opposition； but went along with him。 But
Dathan； and his associates； when they understood that Moses and
the principal of the people were coming to them； came out； with
their wives and children； and stood before their tents； and
looked to see what Moses would do。 They had also their servants
about them to de