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35:32
The region east of Jordan was nearly as long as that on the
west, and therefore three cities were appointed in each
division. One or other of these cities would be within half a
day's journey of every part of the land; and as it would
rarely happen that the avenger of blood would be on the spot,
and none had a right to assault or detain the manslayer, at
least if no malicious intention was manifest, the unhappy men
would, therefore, get the start of their adversaries, and very
few of them be overtaken before they gained the place of
refuge. But then they must forsake their families,
employments, most important interests, and dearest comforts;
and they must neither loiter nor yield to weariness, nor
regard difficulties, nor slacken their pace, till they had got
safe within the walls of the city. The Jewish writers inform
us, that to afford every facility to those who thus fled for
their life, the road to these cities was always preserved in
good repair; and way-posts, upon which was inscribed REFUGE
were placed wherever needful, that they might not so much as
hesitate for a moment.
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