people, the only remaining conclusion is, that it must have been composed in the time and under the superintendence of Moses. .—The preceding observations have led to the conclusion that insuperable difficulties encompass every hypothesis that fixes the origin of the Pentateuch at any date posterior to the time of Moses. The range of the present enquiry is consequently confined to a definite period; and in proceeding to show that the Pentateuch was actually in existence before the