been acquitted, on account of one that was rich; and have never
attempted to hurt this commonwealth. I am now and am suspected of
a thing the remotest from my intentions, as if I had given the
preisthood to Aaron, not at thy command, but out own favor to
him; do thou at this time demonstrate that all things are
administered by thy providence and that nothing happens by
chance, but is governed by thy will, and thereby attains its end:
as also demonstrate that thou takest care that have done good to
the Hebrews; demonstrate this, I say, by the punishment of Abiram
and Dathan, who condemn thee as an insensible Being, and one
overcome by my contrivances. This thou do by inflicting such an
open punishment on these men who so madly fly in the face of thy
glory, as will take them out of the world, not in an manner, but
so that it may appear they do die after the manner of other men:
let that ground which they tread upon open about them and consume
them, with their families and goods. This will be a demonstration
of thy power to all and this method of their sufferings will be
an instruction of wisdom for those that entertain profane
sentiments of thee. By this means I shall be a good servant, in
the precepts thou hast given by me. But if the calumnies they
have raised against me be true, mayst thou preserve these men
from every evil accident, and bring all that destruction on me
which I have imprecated upon them. And when thou hast inflicted
punishment on those that have endeavored to deal unjustly with
this people, bestow upon them concord and peace. Save this
multitude that follow thy commandments, and preserve them free
from harm, and let them not partake of the punishment of those
that have sinned; for thou knowest thyself it is not just, that
for the wickedness of those men the whole body of the Israelites
should suffer punishment."