7. Hereupon an affliction befell Aaron, considered as a man and a
father, but was undergone by him with true fortitude; for he had indeed
a firmness of soul in such accidents, and he thought this calamity came
upon him according to God's will: for whereas he had four sons, as I
said before, the two elder of them, Nadab and Abihu, did not bring those
sacrifices which Moses bade them bring, but which they used to offer
formerly, and were burnt to death. Now when the fire rushed upon them,
and began to burn them, nobody could quench it. Accordingly they died in
this manner. And Moses bid their father and their brethren to take up
their bodies, to carry them out of the camp, and to bury them
magnificently. Now the multitude lamented them, and were deeply affected
at this their death, which so unexpectedly befell them. But Moses
entreated their brethren and their father not to be troubled for them,
and to prefer the honor of God before their grief about them; for Aaron
had already put on his sacred garments.
8. But Moses refused all that honor which he saw the multitude ready to
bestow upon him, and attended to nothing else but the service of God. He
went no more up to Mount Sinai; but he went into the tabernacle, and
brought back answers from God for what he prayed for. His habit was also
that of a private man, and in all other circumstances he behaved himself
like one of the common people, and was desirous to appear without
distinguishing himself from the multitude, but would have it known that
he did nothing else but take care of them. He also set down in writing
the form of their government, and those laws by obedience whereto they
would lead their lives so as to please God, and so as to have no
quarrels one among another. However, the laws he ordained were such as
God suggested to him; so I shall now discourse concerning that form of
government, and those laws.
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