It is also repugnant unto reason; for the offering of mankind was against the Law of God, who so abhorred humane sacrifice, that he omitted not the oblation of unclean beasts, and confined his Altars but unto few kinds of Animals, the Ox, the Goat, the Sheep, the Pigeon and its kinds: In the cleansing of the Leper, there is I confess, mention made of the Sparrow; but great dispute may be made whether it be properly rendered. And therefore the Scripture with indignation oft-times makes mention of humane sacrifice among the _Gentiles_; whose oblations scarce made scruple of any Animal, sacrificing not only Man, but Horses, Lions, Ãgles; and though they come not into holocausts, yet do we read the _Syrians_ did make oblations of fishes unto the goddess _Derceto_. It being therefore a sacrifice so abominable unto God, although he had pursued it, it is not probable the Priests and Wisdom of _Israel_ would have permitted it; and that not only in regard of the subject or sacrifice it self, but also the sacrificator, which the Picture makes to be _Jephthah_; who was neither Priest, nor capable of that Office: for he was a _Gileadite_, and as the Text affirmeth, the son also of an harlot. And how hardly the Priesthood would endure encroachment upon their function, a notable example there is in the story of _Ozias_.
Secondly, The offering up of his daughter was not only unlawful, and entrenched upon his Religion, but had been a course that had much condemned his discretion; that is, to have punished himself in the strictest observance of his vow, when as the Law of God had allowed an evasion; that is, by way of commutation or redemption, according as is determined, _Levit._ 27. Whereby if she were between the age of five and twenty, she was to be estimated but at ten shekels, and if between twenty and sixty, not above thirty. A sum that could never discourage an indulgent Parent; it being but the value of servant slain; the inconsiderable Salary of _Judas_; and will make no greater noise than three pound fifteen shillings with us. And therefore their conceit is not to be exploded, who say that from the story of _Jephthah_ sacrificing his own daughter, might spring the fable of _Agamemnon_, delivering unto sacrifice his daughter _Iphigenia_, who was also contemporary unto _Jephthah_: wherein to answer the ground that hinted it, _Iphigenia_ was not sacrificed her self, but redeemed with an Hart, which _Diana_ accepted for her.