carefully observe them.

17. But let us consider his first and greatest work; for when
it
was resolved on by our forefathers to leave Egypt, and return
to their own country, this Moses took the many tell
thousands that were of the people, and saved them out of
many desperate distresses, and brought them home in safety.
And certainly it was here necessary to travel over a country
without water, and full of sand, to overcome their enemies,
and, during these battles, to preserve their children, and
their
wives, and their prey; on all which occasions he became an
excellent general of an army, and a most prudent counselor,
and one that took the truest care of them all; he also so
brought it about, that the whole multitude depended upon
him. And while he had them always obedient to what he
enjoined, he made no manner of use of his authority for his
own private advantage, which is the usual time when
governors gain great powers to themselves, and pave the way
for tyranny, and accustom the multitude to live very
dissolutely; whereas, when our legislator was in so great
authority, he, on the contrary, thought he ought to have
regard to piety, and to show his great good-will to the people;
and by this means he thought he might show the great degree
of virtue that was in him, and might procure the most lasting
security to those who had made him their governor. When he
had therefore come to such a good resolution, and had
performed such wonderful exploits, we had just reason to
look upon ourselves as having him for a divine governor and