The Book of Joshua records the History of thirty-five years, from the year of the World 2553, to 2588, and must have been a most valuable poffeffion to the Ifraelites, as it contained the earliest and most authentic records of the extent, boundaries, and property of every individual Tribe; a Title-deed of each of their respective inheritances, and the Ifraelites were so fully fatisfied with this diftribution and divifion made to the twelve Tribes, that for many ages, no one Tribe ever encroached on the limits of its neighbour.

Although Mofes and his Servant ftrike you with very different features of Character, the one as a divine Lawgiver uniting fortitude with meekness, and the other a Hero and his General, yet in fome refpects they bear a resemblance to one another. Both were filled with wifdom and prudence:

"As I was with Mofes, fo will I be with " thee."

They both received their appointment from God; were both of them diftinguished by fimilar manifeftations of His power;

"The Sea faw it and fled, and Jordan was

" driven

"driven back.

What aileth thee O Sea! that "thou fleddeft, and thou Jordan that thou waft "driven back."

A Divinity in high and exalted Majefty held converfe with both; with Mofes alone in the defert, and with Jofhua alone on the plains of Jericho, both ftood on holy ground, and both were commanded in token of reverence to ftand barefoot; in patriotic zeal and love of their People, in piety, integrity and difinterestedness, both fhone alike confpicuous through life, and at its peaceful close how divinely pathetic are both their addreffes to Ifrael, a folemn farewell founding in their ears for ever.

Jofhua's valour and warlike prowess so wonderfully fuited to his duties and employment characterize the General: In manly courage and martial honours, Jofhua holds a high pre-eminence, and in diftant Colonies there are monuments now standing, which recognize his Valour, ftill recording:

"Hither have we fled from the exterminating "Sword of Joshua."

ESSAY

FTER the death of Joshua, the Ifraelites had no proper Ruler or civil authority among them for fome the years, government devolved on the High-Prieft and the Elders, and in cafes of difficulty the Sanhedrim or Grand Council were fummoned. Each Tribe was governed by its own Magiftrates, and in the war department elected its own General and Commander.

A

great

great part of the country was yet unfubdued, and many conflicts, much fervitude and perfecution the Ifraelites endured from the Natives and neighbouring Nations, who were yet contending for poffeffion.

God was pleafed from time to time, (as their exigencies required,) to raise up high and eminent Characters among them, and call them forth as Champions and Deliverers of Ifrael, in acknowledgement and gratitude, the Elders and People invested them with the fupreme authority, affigning over to them the government under the title of Judge.

Thefe Judges were extraordinary Magiftrates, whofe office was to prefide in the Senate; protect the ftate; pronounce the law; and regulate divine worship. They were to govern by the laws of God and in doubtful cafes by his fpirit, with which they were endowed; they differed in nothing from Kings but in Title, pomp, and grandeur, and in their honours not being hereditary; they made peace and war; they fummoned the tribes to arms; in cafes of danger and difficultý, by means of the High-Prieft, they were directed to apply for inftruction from God,

The

The People all resorted to them for judgment, and annually they made a circuit throughout the land to administer Juftice and preferve order and fubordination.

Under the title of Judge fourteen different perfons prefided over the Ifraelites, and they were thus governed two hundred and fifty years, not including in them many years of fervitude and bondage (during all which they were only governed by their Elders and Council) under the King of Mefopotamia, Moab, the Canaanites, Midian, the Amorites and Philiftines.

At the death of Joshua, all Ifrael aflembled at Shiloh, (the place where the ark was depofited) and as the Canaanites and neighbouring Kingdoms were plundering, and making daily inroads into their territories, they there inquired through the High-Prieft what tribe should go up and oppofe them: God was pleased to give them an immediate and explicit answer, "Judah fhall go up."

The tribe of Simeon were their brothers and nearest neighbours, and Judah asked their affistance in this their firft expedition, Simeon readily joined them uniting their forces, these two Tribes marched them against the Canaanites and Perizzites: Adoni-Bezek the King met them in person

a bloody