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laws； the occupation of a strip of territory and the concentration of all
forces； as it were； into one body； that is the social body。 （27） Now for
forming and preserving a society； no ordinary ability and care is required：
that society will be most secure； most stable； and least liable to reverses；
which is founded and directed by far…seeing and careful men； while； on the
other hand； a society constituted by men without trained skill； depends in a
great measure on fortune； and is less constant。 （28） If； in spite of all； such
a society lasts a long time； it is owing to some other directing influence
than its own； if it overcomes great perils and its affairs prosper； it will
perforce marvel at and adore the guiding Spirit of God （in so far； that is； as
God works through hidden means； and not through the nature and mind of
man）； for everything happens to it unexpectedly and contrary to
anticipation； it may even be said and thought to be by miracle。 （29）
Nations； then； are distinguished from one another in respect to the social
organization and the laws under which they live and are governed； the
Hebrew nation was not chosen by God in respect to its wisdom nor its
tranquillity of mind； but in respect to its social organization and the good
fortune with which it obtained supremacy and kept it so many years。 （30）
This is abundantly clear from Scripture。 Even a cursory perusal will show
us that the only respects in which the Hebrews surpassed other nations； are
in their successful conduct of matters relating to government； and in their
surmounting great perils solely by God's external aid； in other ways they
were on a par with their fellows； and God was equally gracious to all。 （31）
For in respect to intellect （as we have shown in the last chapter） they held
very ordinary ideas about God and nature； so that they cannot have been
God's chosen in this respect； nor were they so chosen in respect of virtue
and the true life； for here again they； with the exception of a very few elect；
were on an equality with other nations： therefore their choice and vocation
consisted only in the temporal happiness and advantages of independent
rule。 （32） In fact； we do not see that God promised anything beyond this to
the patriarchs ＇Endnote 4＇ or their successors； in the law no other reward
is offered for obedience than the continual happiness of an independent
commonwealth and other goods of this life； while； on the other hand；
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against contumacy and the breaking of the covenant is threatened the
downfall of the commonwealth and great hardships。 （33） Nor is this to be
wondered at； for the ends of every social organization and commonwealth
are （as appears from what we have said； and as we will explain more at
length hereafter） security and comfort； a commonwealth can only exist by
the laws being binding on all。 （34） If all the members of a state wish to
disregard the law； by that very fact they dissolve the state and destroy the
commonwealth。 （35） Thus； the only reward which could be promised to
the Hebrews for continued obedience to the law was security ＇Endnote 5＇
and its attendant advantages； while no surer punishment could be
threatened for disobedience； than the ruin of the state and the evils which
generally follow therefrom； in addition to such further consequences as
might accrue to the Jews in particular from the ruin of their especial state。
（36） But there is no need here to go into this point at more length。 （37） I
will only add that the laws of the Old Testament were revealed and
ordained to the Jews only； for as God chose them in respect to the special
constitution of their society and government； they must； of course； have
had special laws。 （38） Whether God ordained special laws for other
nations also； and revealed Himself to their lawgivers prophetically； that is；
under the attributes by which the latter were accustomed to imagine Him； I
cannot sufficiently determine。 （39） It is evident from Scripture itself that
other nations acquired supremacy and particular laws by the external aid
of God； witness only the two following passages：
（40） In Genesis xiv：18； 19； 20； it is related that Melchisedek was king
of Jerusalem and priest of the Most High God； that in exercise of his
priestly functions he blessed Abraham； and that Abraham the beloved of
the Lord gave to this priest of God a tithe of all his spoils。 （41） This
sufficiently shows that before He founded the Israelitish nation God
constituted kings and priests in Jerusalem； and ordained for them rites and
laws。 （42） Whether He did so prophetically is； as I have said； not
sufficiently clear； but I am sure of this； that Abraham； whilst he sojourned
in the city； lived scrupulously according to these laws； for Abraham had
received no special rites from God； and yet it is stated （Gen。 xxvi：5）； that
he observed the worship； the precepts； the statutes； and the laws of God；
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which must be interpreted to mean the worship； the statutes； the precepts；
and the laws of king Melchisedek。 （43） Malachi chides the Jews as follows
（i：10…11。）： 〃Who is there among you that will shut the doors？ ＇of the
Temple＇； neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought。 （44） I have no
pleasure in you； saith the Lord of Hosts。 （45） For from the rising of the sun；
even until the going down of the same My Name shall be great among the
Gentiles； and in every place incense shall be offered in My Name； and a
pure offering； for My Name is great among the heathen； saith the Lord of
Hosts。〃 （46） These words； which； unless we do violence to them； could
only refer to the current period； abundantly testify that the Jews of that
time were not more beloved by God than other nations； that God then
favoured other nations with more miracles than He vouchsafed to the Jews；
who had then partly recovered their empire without miraculous aid； and；
lastly； that the Gentiles possessed rites and ceremonies acceptable to God。
（47） But I pass over these points lightly： it is enough for my purpose to
have shown that the election of the Jews h