inserted into the body of their laws, and had once such a
power among the Greeks, that they ascribed these
sodomitical practices to the gods themselves, as a part of
their good character; and indeed it was according to the same
manner that the gods married their own sisters. This the
Greeks contrived as an apology for their own absurd and
unnatural pleasures.

39. I omit to speak concerning punishments, and how many
ways of escaping them the greatest part of the legislators
have afforded malefactors, by ordaining that, for adulteries,
fines in money should be allowed, and for corrupting (28)
[virgins] they need only marry them as also what excuses they
may have in denying the facts, if any one attempts to inquire
into them; for amongst most other nations it is a studied art
how men may transgress their laws; but no such thing is
permitted amongst us; for though we be deprived of our
wealth, of our cities, or of the other advantages we have, our
law continues immortal; nor can any Jew go so far from his
own country, nor be so aftrighted at the severest lord, as not
to be more aftrighted at the law than at him. If, therefore,
this be the disposition we are under, with regard to the
excellency of our laws, let our enemies make us this
concession, that our laws are most excellent; and if still they
imagine, that though we so firmly adhere to them, yet are
they bad laws notwithstanding, what penalties then do they
deserve to undergo who do not observe their own laws, which
they esteem so far superior to them? Whereas, therefore,
length of time is esteemed to be the truest touchstone in all
cases, I would make that a testimonial of the excellency of