Library / Religion / Moses and Aaron: Civil and Ecclesiastical Rites, Used by the Ancient Hebrews
Transcriber’s Note
Don’t expect standard (or even consistent!) spelling. Any apparent
errors are most probably exactly the way they were printed.
Minor punctuation errors have been corrected without note. Ditto
typesetting errors: word spacing; lower for upper case; transposed,
repeated or missing letters; b/d, u/n etc. The original text used long
s (ſ), rendered here as regular s.
The printer’s somewhat idiosyncratic application of italic type has
been changed to more standard usage, e.g. Moses, not M_oses_; _Deut.
16. 6._, not Deut. 16. 6; for consistency, all footnotes, poetry
and biblical references have been italicised even if not so printed.
^{superscripted text} is thus indicated, normal text within italic
passages ~like this~.
Footnote markers have sometimes been moved a few words left or right,
in order to minimise interruption to the flow of the text and/or help
to clarify which word is being referenced.
Greek: Ligatures are expanded to individual letter glyphs. Accents have
been corrected without note.
Hebrew: Misuse of normal/final letter forms has been corrected without
note.
Beyond that, a number of changes are noted at the end.
Moses and Aaron:
CIVIL and ECCLESIASTICAL
RITES,
Used by the ancient HEBREWS; observed,
and at large opened, for the clearing of
many obscure TEXTS thorowout the
whole SCRIPTURE.
Which Texts are now added to the end of the Book.
Wherein likewise is shewed what
Customs the HEBREWS borrowed from
Heathen people: And that many Heathenish
Customs, originally, have been unwarrantable
imitations of the HEBREWS.
The Eleventh Edition.
By Thomas Godwyn, B.D.
LONDON,
Printed for S. Griffin, R. Scot, T. Basset, J. Wright
and R. Chiswel, 1678.
TO THE
RIGHT HONOURABLE
WILLIAM
Earle of Pembrook, Lord Chamberlain of His Majesties
Houshold, L. Warden of the Stanneries, Knight of the most Noble
Order of the Garter, one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy
Council, and Chancellor of the famous University of Oxford.
All Grace and Happiness.
Right Honourable,
_That many have no better acquaintance with Christ and his Apostles,
is, because they are such strangers with ~Moses~ and ~Aaron~: Were
Customes antiquated thorowly known, many difficulties in Scripture
would appear Elegancies; and the places which now (through obscurity)
dishearten the Reader, would then become sweet invitements to an
unwearied assiduity in perusing those sacred Oracles. If my present
labour shall give such light to some obscure passages, that thereby
Gods people shall be drawn on with the greater delight, to the
exercising themselves in reading of Holy Writ, it shall not repent
me of my tedious travels in these Rites and Customes, of Generations
long since past; which whosoever undertaketh, shall find the way long
and thorny, the path over-grown and hardly disernable; the Guides few
to direct, and those speaking in strange Languages; and many apt to
discourage him, because themselves are either lazy, and will not, or
lame and cannot walk the same way. But now (through Gods assistance)
being come to the end of my Journey, the discoveries made on the way,
such as they are (and such some are, as not observed before) humbly
crave your Lordship’s protection._
_From Kensington,
Feb. 21. 1624._
Your Honour’s in all duty,
and service devoted,
THO. GODWYN.
THE ARGUMENT OF EACH BOOK and CHAPTER.
The first Book.
Of Persons.
Chap. 1. The form of their Common-wealth till Christ, and when the
Scepter departed.
2. Publicans, their Office, who the chief.
3. Prosolytes, who, how made.
4. Kings, Why Pilate clad Christ in Purple; Herod in white.
5. High-Priests, Priests, Levites, Nethinims.
6. Prophets, who, the Wise-man, Scribe, and Disputer, mentioned, _1
Cor. 1. 20._
7. Title of Rabbi, when, how, to whom given.
8. Nazarites and Rechabites.
9. Assideans; difference between the Righteous and Good man, mentioned,
Rom. 5. 7.
10. Pharisees, whence their name, when they began, what their Dogmata.
11. Sadduces, whence their name, when they began, what their Dogmata.
12. Essenes, whence their name, when they began, what their Dogmata.
13. Gaulonitæ, and Herodians, what they were.
The second Book.
Of Places.
Chap. 1. Their Temple, how forty six years a building. Why certain
Psalms are entituled Graduales Songs of degrees.
2. Synagogues, Schools, Houses of Prayer; why their School preferred
above their Temple.
3. Gates of Jerusalem.
4. Groves and High-places.
5. Cities of Refuge.
The third Book.
Of Daies, Times, and Feasts.
Chap. 1. Their daies, hours, weeks, years.
2. Their manner of feasting, salutations, blessing, cup of blessing.
3. Their Sabbath; a Sabbath-daies-journey, how much, and whence.
4. Their Passeover, and feast of unleavened bread: How a soul cut off
from Israel.
5. Their Pentecost, what the second-first Sabbath was, Luk. 6. 1.
6. Their feast of Tabernacles, Hosanna, and Hosanna-Rabba.
7. Their feast of Trumpets, their New-Moons, Translation of feasts.
8. Their feast of Expiation: what meant by the filth of the world, and
the off-scouring of all things, 1 Cor. 4. 13.
9. Their Sabbatical year.
10. Their Jubilee, their use thereof.
11. Their feast of Purim, and feast of Dedication.
The fourth Book.
Of their Idolatry.
Chap. 1. The beginnings of Idolatry.
2. Moloch, Adram-Melech, Anam-Melech, Baal, the Tabernacle of Moloch,
&c.
3. Baal-Peor, Baal-Tsephon, Baal-Zebub, Baal-Berith, Bel and the Dragon.
4. Dagon.
5. The molten Calf.
6. Astaroth, Ammonia, Juno, the Queen of Heaven, Diana of the Ephesians.
7. Other Idol-gods mentioned in Scripture.
8. Sorts of divine revelation, Urim and Thummim.
9. Teraphim, what they were.
10. Sorts of Divination forbidden.
The fifth Book.
Of their Consistories.
Chap. 1. Courts of Judgements, their Ecclesiastical Consistory.
2. Sorts of Excommunication.
3. Civil Consistories, what persons necessarily present, what meant by
the Magistrate, Judge, and Officer, Luk. 12. 58.
4. The number of their civil Courts, what meant by a Council,
Judgement, fire of Gehenna, Matth. 5.
5. Manner of electing Judges.
6. Ceremonies common in all capital Judgements: whence that phrase
came, his bloud be on us and our children.
7. Their capital punishments what they were.
8. Punishments not capital.
9. Punishments borrowed from other Nations: whether S. Paul fought
with the beasts at Ephesus.
The sixth Book.
Of Miscellaneous Rites.
Chap. 1. Circumcision; whence, the use of Godfathers in Baptism.
2. First-fruits, first-lings, first-born.
3. Sorts of Tithes, manner of paying them.
4. Marriages and divorces, copies of their dowry bill, and bill of
divorce: what meant by power on the Womans head, 1 Cor. 11. 10.
5. Burials, manner of embalming, manner of their Sepulchres, what meant
by baptization of the dead, 1 Cor. 15. 9.
6. Of their Oaths.
7. Of their writing, their Masorites, and their work.
8. Israels pitching of their tents, or of their camps.
9. Their Measures.
10. Their Coyns, first of brazen Coyns, silver Coyns, and gold Coyns.
Moses and Aaron.
The first Book Treateth of Persons.
CHAP. I.
_Of the form of the ~Hebrewes~ Common-wealth until Christ his coming,
and when the Scepter departed from them._
The form and state of Government hath been subject to change and
variation amongst all Nations, but especially amongst the Jewes,
where these changes are observable.
At first, the Fathers of their several Families, and their
First-born after them, exercised all kind of Government, both
Eclesiastical and Civil, being both Kings and Priests, in their
own houses. They had power over their own Families, to bless, curse,
cast out of doors, disinherit, and to punish with death, as is apparent
by these examples: of Noah towards Cham, Gen. 9. 25. of Abraham
towards Hagar and Ismael, Gen. 21. 10. of Jacob towards
Simeon and Levi, Gen. 49. 3. and of Judah towards Thamar, _Gen.
38. 24._
In Moses his days then did this prerogative of primo geniture cease:
and as Aaron and his posterity was invested with the right and title
of Priests; so Moses, and after him Joshua, ruled all the people
with a kind of Monarchical authority. For Moses was among the
righteous as King, Deut. 32. 5.
After Joshua succeeded Judges; their Officers were of absolute
and independent authority, like unto Kings, when once they were
elected. But there were long vacancies, and chasms commonly between the
cessation of the one, and the election of the other: yea for the most
part, the people never chose a Judge, but in time of great troubles,
and imminent dangers; which being over-past, he retired to a private
life. After that Gideon had delivered the people out of the hand of
the Midianites, he being offered the Kingdom, replyed, I will not
reign over you, neither shall my Child reign over you, Judg. 8. 23.
That of Samuel, that he judged Israel all the days of his life,
1 Sam. 7. 15. was[1] extraordinary. In this respect, their Judges
symbolize with the Roman Dictators. This state of Regiment continued
amongst them by the computation of S. Augustine[2], three hundred
twenty nine years. In these vacancies or distances of time between
Judge and Judge, the greater and weightier matters were determined
by that great Court of the Seventy called the Senadrin; in which
respect the form of Government may be thought Aristocratical. Kings
succeeded the Judges, and they continued from Saul unto the
Captivity of Babylon, that is,[3] about 502 years.
[1] Zepper lib. 3. leg. Mos. cap. 6.
[2] Aug. de Civ. Dei, l. 18 c. 22.
[3] Zepper. leg. Mosaic. l. 3. c. 6.
From the Captivity unto the coming of Christ, (which time is thought[4]
to have been five hundred thirty six years) the state of the Jewes
became very confused. Sometimes they were ruled by Deputies and
Vicegerents, who had not supream authority in themselves, but
as it pleased the Persian Monarchs to assigne them; they were
termed[5] ראשי גליות Rasche galiuth, αἰχμαλωτάρχαι _Heads of the
Captivity_. Of this sort was Zorobabel and his successors, who
are reckoned in the Hebrew Chronicles[6] to be these, Mesullam,
Hananiah, Berachiah, and Hosadiah. All which are thought to
have reigned under the Persian Monarchy, and to have been of the
Posterity of David: as likewise the other succeeding ten chief
Governours after Alexander the Great. In the last of these ten, the
government departed from the House of David, and was translated to
the Macchabees, who descended from the Tribe of Levi. They were
called Maccabæi, from Judas Maccabeus,[7] and he had this name
מכבאי Macchabæus, from the Capital Letters of this Motto, written
in his Ensigne or banner, מי כמוך באלים יהוה _Quis sicut tu inter
Deos, O Domine?_ Where the first letters are, M, C, B, A, I.
Among the Maccabees, soveraign authority continued until Herod
the Askalonite his reign, at what time our Saviour Christ was born,
according to Jacobs prophecy: The Scepter shall not depart from
Judah, nor a Law-giver from between his feet, untill Shiloh, that
is, the[8] Messias come, Gen. 49. 10.
[4] Vide Funcii Chronol.
[5] Maimon. in Iad. lib. vit. tract. Sanedr. in c. 4. sect. 13.
[6] Seder Olam minus.
[7] Carion chron. lib. 2. p. 144.
[8] Targum Uziel. eadem pæne verba habet Targum Jerosolym.
For the right understanding of this Prophecy, We must note two things;
1. The time when the Scepter was given to Judah: 2. When taken from
him. But first we must observe how these two words, Judah, and the
Scepter, are distinguished.
Some take Judah,
1. For the particular Tribe of Judah[9]: but this seemeth
flat contrary to Scripture, for many of the Judges were of
other Tribes, and all the Maccabees of the Tribe of Levi.
2. For the Two Tribes[10] which cleaved to Rehoboam;
because in that division of the People, these Two Tribes alone
were called Jews, and that from Judah, and that never
before this division.
3. For all the whole body of Israel[11], consisting of
Twelve Tribes; all which (in the judgment of these men) were
afterwards by the singular providence of God, called Jews
from Judah.
[9] _Origen. hom. 17. in Genes. Epiphan. contra Ebionæos, &c.
maxima Hebræorum pars._
[10] Cunæus de rep. Hebr. lib. 1. cap. 5. p. 81.
[11] _Euseb. demon. lib. 8. cap. 1. Montacut. in Analect. p.
72. Casaub. contra Baron. pag. 16._
Some take Scepter,
1. For legal power[12], and soveraign authority, residing in
one man principally.
2. For the form of government[13], and face of a
Common-wealth, governed and ruled by its own laws, customes,
and rites: signifying as well the rule and authority of
inferiour Magistrates, yea of Priests also, as of Kings
and Princes.
[12] Patres plerique omnes.
[13] _Casaubon advers. Baron. p. 19. It. p. 23. Justinus Mart.
in Dialog. cum Tryphone. Cunæus lib. 1. de rep. Heb. c. 9. p.
82._
From these different acceptions of these two words, flow four different
acceptions of Jacobs Prophecy.
Some are of opinion[14], that the Scepter taken in the second
acception, began to be given to Judah, that is, to the Two Tribes
cleaving to Rehoboam, at the time of that division of the People:
and that their Scepter was not taken from them until the destruction
of Jerusalem; because, that after Herods time until then, their
Laws remained in force, their Priesthood continued, and their
Common-wealth, though it were much defaced, yet not quite overthrown.
[14] Cunæus lib. 1. de rep. Heb. cap. 11. pag. 96.
Some are of opinion[15], that the Scepter taken in the second
acception, began to be given to Judah, that is, to the _Twelve
Tribes_, from the time of Moses; and that this Scepter was not
taken from them until the Destruction of Jerusalem: not in Herod,
because he was a Jew (in that he was a Proselyte) for a Jew is a
name, say they, of Profession, not of Countrey or Nation.
[15] Joseph. Scal. ex quo Casaub. advers. Baron. p. 19. It. p. 39.
Some are of opinion[16], that the Scepter taken in the second
acception, began to be given to Judah, that is to the _Twelve
Tribes_, from the time of Moses, and that it was taken from them in
Herods time: yet so, that in Herods time, this was but begun, and
inchoate, and at the destruction of Jerusalem it was fulfilled and
consummate.
[16] Montacut. in Analect. p. 74.
Some are of opinion[17], that the Scepter taken in the first
acceptation, began to be given to Judah, that is to the _Twelve
Tribes_, from the time of Moses, and that it was taken from them
fully in Herods time. The former opinions make the coming of the
Messias to be a fore-runner of the departure of the Scepter:
this, makes the departure of the Scepter to be a fore-runner or
token of the Messiah his coming, which I take to be the principal
thing aimed at in the prophecy. This opinion, as it is more generally
received than the others, so upon juster grounds. Now the Scepter was
departed and given to a Proselyte, never so before,[18] yea now also
the Law-giver was departed from between Judahs feet, and now the
Messiah born.
[17] _Augustin. contra Manich. lib. 12. cap. 47. Euseb. demonst. l. 8
Carion. Chron. pag. 143._
[18] P. Galatin. l. 4. cap. 6. p. 203. ex. Talmud. Jerusol.
CHAP. II.
Of the Publicans.
Wee having seen the most remarkable changes in the Common-wealth of the
Hebrews; we will note the chief Observations concerning the persons
there inhabiting: and first concerning the Publicans, who were, in
the latter times, an heterogeneous Member of that Common-wealth. After
that the Jews became Tributary to Rome, (which[19] was effected
by Pompey threescore years before the Birth of our Saviour) certain
Offices were appointed by the Senate of Rome, unto whom it belonged,
as well among the Jews as in other Provinces, to collect, and gather
up such custome-money or tribute, as was exacted by the Senate. Those
that gathered up these publique payments, were termed Publicani,
Publicans; and by reason of their covetous exactions, they commonly
were hated by the People of the Provinces:[20] Every Province had his
several Societie, or company of Publicanes: Every Society his
distinct Governour: in which respect it is, that Zacheus is called
by the Evangelists, ἀρχιτελώνης princeps Publicanorum, _the chief
Receiver of the tribute_, or chief Publican, Luke 12. 2. And all
the Provincial Governours in these several Societies, had one chief[21]
Master residing at Rome, unto whom the other subordinate Governours
gave up their accounts. These Publicans were hated in all Provinces,
because of their exactions; but chiefly in the Commonwealth of the
Jews, because though it were chiefly maintained by the Galileans,
yet it was generally inclined unto by the Jews, That tribute ought
not to be payed by them: this hatred is confirmed by that Rabbinical
proverb,[22] _Take not a Wife out of that family wherein there is a
Publican, for such are all Publicans_. Yea a faithful Publican was
so rare at Rome it self, that one Sabinus for his honest managing
of that Office, in an honourable remembrance thereof, had certain
images erected with this superscription[23]; Καλῶς τελωνήσαντι, _For
the Faithful Publican_. And therefore no marvel, if in the Gospel,
Publicans and sinners go hand in hand.
[19] Joseph Locutus de Pompeio l. 1. de bello Jud. c. 5. p. 720.
[20] _Harum societatum frequens mentio facta est apud Ciceron.
in orat. pro. Sex. Ros. Muræna, in Cn. Plancio._
[21] Sigon. de Antiq. jure civium Rom. lib. 2. c. 4.
[22] Is. Casaubon exercit. 13. 37.
[23] Suet. in Flav. Vespas. cap. 1.
It is now generally received as a truth undoubted, that not only
Heathen people, but sometimes Jews themselves became Publicanes.
Tertullian was of another opinion,[24] and thought that all the
Publicans were Heathens; but he hath been in that long since
confuted by Jerome[25], and reason it self perswadeth the contrary.
First, Matthew who was a Publican, was afterwards an Apostle, and
therefore unlikely to have been an Heathen. Secondly, Zacheus his
name was a pure Hebrew name having no affinity with Roman names.
Thirdly, the ground or principal argument on which Tertullian built,
was meerly[26] erroneous.
[24] Tertul. de pudic. c. 9.
[25] Jeronym. epist. ad Damasum.
[26] _Fraudi fuit acutissimo Pœno Hebraicæ linguæ ignoratio,
nusquam enim occurrit in fonte spurius ille textus, quo
Tertullianus potissimum nititur, non erit vectigal, pendens ex
filiis Israel. Deut. 23._
CHAP. III.
Israelites, Prosylites.
The whole Common-wealth of Israel consisted of two sorts of men,
Hebrews and Prosylites; he that was born an Hebrew, either by
Fathers or Mothers side, was an Hebrew; but he that was born so
of both, was an Hebrew of the Hebrews; such a one was Saint Paul,
Phil. 3. 5. He that was born a Prosylite either by Fathers or
Mothers side, was termed Ben-gar, the son of an he-Prosylite; or
Ben gara, The son of a she-prosylite; but he that was by Fathers
and Mothers side a Prosylite, was termed[27] Bagbag, that is, the
son of he and she Prosylites.
[27] _Magni quidam nominis Rabbi apud Judæos fuit, quem ex
Paganismo ad Judaismum conversum בגבג per sigla appellarunt. i.
filiis Proselyti, filius proselytæ, Pirk. Aboth. cap. 5._
The Hebrews were of two sorts; some lived in Palestina, and used
the Hebrew Text, these were called Hebrews or Jews; others
were dispersed in divers places of Greece, they used the Greek
translation, and thence were termed Έλληνισταὶ[28] Grecists. S.
Luke mentioneth both. There arose a murmuring, τῶν Έλληνιστῶν of
the Græcists, towards the Hebrews, Acts 6. 1. Where note the
difference between Ἕλληνες, and Έλληνισταὶ, the Græcians, and the
Græcists. The Græcians are used by Saint Paul, to signifie all
the Heathen people, and stand in opposition with Hebrews in the
general acception, containing both Græcists, or dispersed Hebrews,
and also those of Palestina: the Græcists were both by birth and
religion Hebrews standing in opposition with Hebrews; in the strict
acception, taken for those of Palestina.
[28] _De Judæis Græciensib. vid. Scal. animad. Euseb. 124. 1. &
in Can. Isag. 278._
The whole body of Israel was divided into twelve Tribes, and publique
Records were kept, wherein every ones Genealogy was registred, to
manifest unto what particular tribe he belonged. These records Herod
burnt, hoping that in after ages he might be thought originally an
Israelite, if those publike Monuments might not be produced against
him. Thus much Eusebius[29] plainly delivereth of him. I am of
opinion, that another reason might be admitted; namely, That no
distinction either of Tribe or Family, might appear; but, all being
unfounded, and amongst the rest Davids, (unto whose Family by a
peculiar right this Scepter belonged) Herod and his posterity might
be the better secured of the Kingdom.
[29] Euseb. Eccles. hist. li. 1. cap. 8.
Prosylites were those Heathen people, who disclaiming Paganism,
became Converts, and joyned themselves unto the Church of the Jews.
They were termed Prosylites ἀπὸ τοῦ προσεληλυθέναι, from their coming
and adjoyning unto the Jews. Concerning these Prosylites, we will
consider these three things. 1. The several kinds of Prosylites; 2.
The manner of making them; 3. In what account or respect they lived
among the Jews.
First, the kinds of Prosylites were two; גר ברת Ger berith,
Prosylitus fœderis, A Prosylite of the Covenant. He submitted
himself unto the Circumcision, and to the whole Mosaical
Pædagogy.[30] The Rabbies term such a one גר צדק Ger tsedeck,
Proselytum justitiæ, A Prosylite of righteousness. Secondly,
גר שער Ger sahagnar, Proselytus portæ, A Prosylite, or _stranger
within thy gates_, Deut. 14. 21. Of him also we read in the fourth
Commandment. He was suffered to dwell amongst them; whence he is also
called תושב Toschab, Incola, an Inhabitant. He was not circumcised,
neither did he conform himself to the Mosaical rites, and
ordinances, only he was tyed to the obedience of those Commandments,
which among the Hebrew Doctors go under the name of Noahs seven
Commandments;[31] which they reckon thus: 1. Judgements or Punishments
for Malefactours. 2. Blessing the name of God; under this is contained
the keeping of the Sabbath. 3. Disclaiming of Idolatry. 4. Uncovering
ones nakedness. 5. Shedding of blood. 6. Robery. 7. Eating of any
member of a beast, taken from it alive. Of this sort, were Naaman the
Syrian, the Eunuch, Cornelius, and those of whom we read, That
there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews Men that feared God[32] of
every Nation under Heaven, Acts 2. 5.
[30] Rabbi Solomon, Deut. 23. 14.
[31] Sheindler in pentaglot. p. 1530.
[32] Ἄνδρες εὐλαβεῖς.
Secondly, to the making of one to be a Prosylite of the Covenant
according to the difference of sex; and the difference of times the
Rites of initiation varied. To the making of[33] a Male-Proselyte, at
first three things were required. 1. Circumcision.[34] 2. _A kind of
purification by water._ 3. The blood of Oblation. This oblation was
commonly two Turtles or Pigeons. To the making of a Woman Proselyte,
were required only purification by water, and Oblation.[35] Now
because the Jews have neither Altar, nor Sacrifice, they say that
for the Males Circumcision, and purification by water sufficeth;
and for the Females, only purification by water.[36] In Davids
time, they say that many thousands of Prosylites were joyned unto the
Church without Circumcision, by this purification.
[33] Moses Kotsen. fol. 40. col. 2.
[34] במילה ובטבילה ובהוצאת דמים של קרבן.
[35] Drusius de trib. sect. 2. p. 102.
[36] _Moses Ægyptius, in Assurebiah, Perek. 13. fol. 137. vide
Serarium trihæres, l. 2. c. 1._
Hence we may observe, that a kind of Initiation by water was long in
use among the Jews, though it were not Sacramental until Christ
his institution: yea therefore it may seem to have been used by them,
because they expected it at the coming of the Messias, as appeareth
by their coming unto John, questioning not so much his Baptism, as
his Authority, by what authority he baptized: _Why baptizest thou
them, if thou be not that ~Christ~, nor ~Elias~, neither that Prophet?_
John 1. 25.
Thirdly, the respect born by the Jews towards Prosylites, was
charitable;[37] they used no upbraiding terms towards them, saying
Remember thy former deeds. Notwithstanding it was also provided,[38]
No Prosylite should be eligible into the Court of their Sanhedrim;
yea in their common commerce, they had an usual proverb, which
admonished them of wariness[39] _Vel ad decimam usq; generationem a
Proselytis cave_; Beware of Prosylites to the tenth generation.
[37] P. Fag. Exod. 22. 21.
[38] Moses Ægypt. lib. ult. Iad. tract. Sanhedr. c. 2.
[39] Casaub. advers. Baron. 27.
CHAP. IV.
Of their Kings.
We shall read of three sorts of Kings in the Old Testament.
Melchisedeck was King and Priest; David King and Prophet;
others simply Kings. Melchisedeck was King and Priest, David
King and Prophet. The concurrence of Princely Sovereignty, and
Holy Orders, in the same man, intimates that supreme Authority
should alwayes be accompanied with care of Religion: In which respect
Joash, when he was anointed King, received the Testimony, or
Book of the Law, 2 King 11. 12. Neither did these two meet only in
Melchisedeck & David, but the same man among the Heathens[40]
was oftentimes King and Priest. And the Trismegistus had his
name Ter maximus,[41] because he was _Philosophus maximus, Sacerdos
maximus, & Rex maximus_. All Kings were not anointed, but onely those
in whom succession was broken; and there the first of the family was
anointed for his Successor, except in case of dissention, where there
was required a renewed unction, for the confirmation of his Authority.
For this reason it was, that Solomon was anointed as well as David,
because of the strife between him and Adonijah.
[40] _Rex Anius, Rex idem hominum, Phœbique Sacerdos. Virg.
Æneid, lib. 3._
[41] Alex. Neopolit. lib. 2. Cap. 6.
Furthermore, Saul and Jehu were anointed בפך Bepac, with a
cruse of Oyl, to shew the short continuance of their Kingdoms.
David and Solomon were anointed בקרן Bekeren, with an horn of
Oyl; that is, in a plentiful measure, to shew the long continuance of
their Kingdoms.
As Kings were distinguisht from the People by many Ensigns of Honour,
by their Crown, their Scepter, their Throne, &c. so likewise were
they distinguished by their Apparel; that was the reason that Ahab
entring into battel, changed his apparel, 1 Kings 22. 30. Though
purple and white colours were not appropriated unto Kings,[42] yet
these colours were in chief esteem, and principally used by them,[43]
yea Purple above others was affected by the Emperours and Nobility
of Rome; and white by the Nobility of the Jews: whence the
Hebrews term their Noble men, and such as were of best rank חורים
Chorim, Albatos, men clad in white; and on the contrary, men of
meaner rank, חשוכים Chaschucim, Sordidatos, men _clad with a foul
garment_. Hence is that of Saint James; If there come a man with a
gold ring, and in goody apparel ἐν ἐσθήτι λαμπρᾷ, in a white garment,
and there come also a poor man, ἐν ῥυπαρᾷ ἐσθῆτι, in a vile or _foul
raiment_, James 2. 2. This may be the reason, why, when the Jews
accused Christ of treason, Pilate his Souldiers clad him in _purple,
atth. 27. 28._ and Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee put on him a
white garment, Luke 23. 11. both therein applying themselves to the
customs of their own Country, and in derision clothing him as a King.
[42] Valer. Max. lib. 1. cap. 6.
[43] Alex. ab. Alex. lib. 1. cap. 20.
CHAP. V.
The High-priest, Priests, Levites, and Nethinims.
There were three ranks and degrees of Ministers about the Temple;
Priests, Levites, and Nethinims; they may be paralleld with
Ministers, Deacons, and Sub-Deacons, in the Primitive Church:
Over all these, the High-priest was chief.
In Aaron and his posterity was continued the succession of the
Priests; the High-Priesthood was tied to the line of his
first-born; all the rest of his posterity were Priests, simply so
called, or called Priests of the second Order, 2 Kings 23. 4.
Except Aaron, and those that issued from his loines, (in whom the
series of Priests was continued) all the rest of Levi his
posterity were called Levites.
Both in the High-priest, and the second or Inferiour Priests,
there are two things considerable. First, their Consecration.
Secondly, their Office. In both these, somewhat they differed, in
somewhat they agreed.
In their Consecration they differed. First,[44] The High-priest was
anointed: the materials of this Chrism or oyntment are prescribed,
Exod. 30. 23. It was poured upon Aarons head, Levit. 8. 12. It
ran down to his beard, and to the border of his garments, _Psalm. 133.
2._ The Second Priests were only sprinkled with this oyle, mixed
with the blood of the Sacrifice, Levit. 8. 30. In this was typed
out the unction of our Saviour, who was anointed with the oyl of
Gladness above his Fellows, Psal. 45. 8. He was anointed above his
Fellows, Extensive, and Intensive, Extensive, for though Aaron
was anointed Priest, Saul anointed King, Elisha anointed
Prophet, Melchisedeck King and Priest, Moses Priest and
Prophet, David King and Prophet; yet none save only Christ,
King, Priest, and Prophet. Intensive, he was anointed, we
sprinkled. He was full of grace and truth, John 1. 14. And
from his fulness we received grace for grace, ver. 16. And all
Christians, especially Ministers, are unto God the sweet savour of
Christ, 2 Cor. 2. 5.
[44] _Hinc Sacerdos summus in fonte legitur Sacerdos unctus,
Levit. 4. 5. Jonathan habet, Sacerdos magnus vel summus.
Desertè Aben Esra, Sacerdos magnus ipse est Sacerdos unctus.
Lyranus adhuc clarius Sacerdos unctus est Sacerdos magnus, quia
inferiores Sacerdotes non ungebantur, &c._
Secondly, they differed in their Garments, which were a necessary
adjunct to their Consecration. The High-Priest wore at the time of
his ordinary ministration in the Sanctuary, eight Garments, _Exodus
28._ First, Breeches of linnen, put next upon his flesh. Secondly,
A Coat of fine linnen put over the breeches. Thirdly, _A girdle
embroidered, of fine linnen, blew purple, & scarlet_, wherewith the
coat was girded. Fourthly, A Robe all of Blew, with seventy two
bells of Gold, and as many Pomegranates of blew purple, and scarlet,
upon the skirts thereof; this was put over the coat and girdle.
Fifthly, _An Ephod of gold and of blew purple, scarlet, and fine linnen
curiously wrought_; on the shoulders thereof were two fair Beryl
Stones, engraven with the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
This Ephod was put over the Robe, and girded thereto with a curious
girdle made of the same. Sixthly, _A Breast-plate wrought of gold,
blew, purple, scarlet, and fine linnen_, which being a span square,
was fastened by gold chains and rings, upon the Ephod: herein were
set twelve several Stones, on which the names of the twelve Tribes
were engraven: Moreover, in this Breast-plate were the Urim and the
Thummim placed. Seventhly, _A Miter of fine linnen, sixteen cubits
long, wrapped about his head_. Eighthly, _A plate of purple gold,
or holy Crown two fingers broad_, whereon was engraven _Holiness to
the Lord_: this was tyed with a blew lace upon the fore-front of the
Miter.
These eight Garments the High-Priest used in his ordinary
ministration, and they are termed by the Rabbies, בגדי זהב, _Bigde
Zahab_, Vestimenta aurea, Golden Vestments, because of their
richness in comparison of other extraordinary Garments, which he wore
onely once a year, when he entred into the Holy of Holies, upon the
Propitiation day, Lev. 15. 4. 23. These latter are called בגדי לבן
Bigde Laban, Vestimenta alba, White Garments; there were in
number four. 1. A linnen breeches. 2. A linnen coat. 3. _A linnen
girdle._ 4. A linnen Miter, Levit. 16. 4.
In the time of the Second Temple,[45] because the Chrism or holy
Oyl could not be found, therefore, as formerly in respect of his
unction, the High-Priest was called by the Talmudists,
מתרבה משחה Mithrabe Mischa, Auctus unctione, The anointed; so
when the Oyl was lost in regard of his Garments, he was termed,
מתרבה בגדים Mithrabe Begadim, Auctus Vestibus, The cloathed.
Those forementioned Garments[46] the High-Priest might not wear
abroad in the City, unless some urgent occasion compelled him, as
Simeon the just did, when he went forth to meet Alexander the
Great.
[45] Cunæus lib. 2. de rep. Heb. cap. 7. pag. 222.
[46] Moses Kotsensis. præcept. affir. 173. f. 212. col. 3.
In his apparel the threefold Office of our Saviour Christ was
shadowed: the Crown signified his Kingly Office; the Urim
and Thummim, and likewise his Bells and Pomegranates, his
Prophetical Office: by Urim and Thummim, he answered as from
an Oracle; by the Bells was typed the sound of his Doctrine; by
the Pomgranates, the sweet savour of an Holy Life; the Names of
the twelve Tribes engraven on the Ephod, and the Brest-plate,
signified his Priestly Office, presenting unto God the whole
Church, for which he maketh intercession. He knoweth his own sheep by
Name, John 10. 3.
The inferiour Priests had onely four Garments, which they used in
their ministration. 1. A linnen breeches. 2. A linnen coat. 3. _A
linnen Girdle._ 4. A linnen bonnet, Exod. 28.
Thirdly they differed in their marriage. The High-priest might
not marry a Widow, nor a divorced Woman, nor a Harlot, but a
Virgin, Levit. 21. 14. From a Widow he could not expect the
first love: from a divorced Woman he could not expect the _first,
or just love_: from an Harlot, neither first, just, nor _only
love_: all which Christ (whom the High-Priest did herein represent)
expecteth from his Church. The other Priests might lawfully marry a
Widow, Levit. 21. 7.
The High-priest, and the Inferiour Priests agreed in their
consecration in these particulars. It was required first, that both
should be void of bodily blemish, Levit. 21. 17. Secondly, that both
should be presented unto the Lord at the door of the Tabernacle,
Exod. 29. 4. Thirdly, that both should be washed with water, _Exod.
29. 4._ Fourthly, that both should be consecrated by offering up
certain Sacrifices, Exod. 29. Fifthly, that both should have of the
blood of the other Ram, put upon the tip of the right ear, the thumb
of the right hand, and the great toe of the right-foot, Exod. 29. 20.
In the time of their Consecration, certain pieces of the sacrifice
were put into the Priests hand, Exod. 29. 9. The ceremony in the
Christian Church, used by the Bishop unto the Minister in time of
Ordination, that the Bishop giveth the Bible into the hands of
the Minister, doth much resemble this. And both may signifie, that no
man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as
was Aaron, Heb. 5. 4. Hence Consecration in the Hebrew phrase
is termed, Filling of the hand. And contrary to this did _Jeroboams
Priests_, whosoever would, he Filled his own hand, 1 King. 13. 33.
that is, He thrust himself into the Priesthood.
In the discharge of their offices, the High-Priest differed from the
other Priests: First, because he onely, and that but once a year,
entred into the Holy of Holies, Exod. 16. 34.
Secondly, the High-Priest might not mourn for the death of his
neerest kin, Levit. 28. 10, 11. The phrases used there to express
mourning are two. First, uncovering the Head. Secondly, _Renting
the Cloaths_: Of both these somewhat is spoken in the Chapter of
Burial; but concerning the latter it will not be amiss to note, that
the Talmudists determine the matter thus; saying,[47] That it was
lawful for the High-Priest to tear the skirt, or neither part of his
Garment, but from the bosom downward it was unlawful: which if it be
true, then it doth not necessarily follow, that Caiaphas did contrary
to the law in renting his clothes, Matth. 26. 65. _The inferiour
Priests_ might mourn for these six; Father, Mother, Son,
Daughter, Brother, and Sister, that had no Husband. _Levit. 21.
2._
[47] Vide Cunæum de rep. Heb. lib. 2. cap. 3.
In the discharge of their Offices, the High-Priest, and other
Priests agreed in these Particulars: First, they both burnt incense
and offered sacrifices, 1 Chron. 6. 49. Secondly, they both sounded
the Trumpets, the use whereof was two-fold; sometimes to sound an
alarm in the war, sometimes, to assemble the people and their Rulers,
Numb. 10. Thirdly, they both slew the sacrifice, 2 Chron. 29. 22.
Fourthly, they both instructed the people, Malac. 2. 7. Fifthly, they
both judged of leprosie, Levit. 13. 2.
For the more orderly performance of these offices, the High-Priest
had his Suffragan,[48] called סגן Sagan, who in case of the
High-Priest’s pollution, performed his office. Of this sort was
Zephaniah, Jer. 52. 24. And of this sort Annas is thought to
have been, when Caiaphas was High-Priest.[49] In this sense they
interpret Annas and Caiaphas to have been High-Priests the same
year, Luk. 3. 2. The High-Priest and his Sagan, resembled our
Bishop and his Suffragan: The Patriarch of Constantinople and
his Primore termed Protosyncellus, and amongst the Romans, the
Centurion and his Optio: for the Lieutenants in war, who in case
of necessity supplyed the Centurions place, were termed Optiones.
[48] Elias Thisbit.
[49] _Casaub. adver. Baron. p. 242. It. Joseph. Scaliger in
Proleg. ad Eus._
That every one of the inferiour Priests might equally serve in his
order, King David distributed the whole company of them into twenty
four ranks or courses, called ἐφημερίαι Turmæ, vices. Nadab
and Abihu being dead, there remained onely two sons to Aaron,
namely, Eleazer and Ithamar; now as the succession of Priests
was preserved in these two families, so did David at this time
according to the number of people in each family, make his division.
Eleazers family he divided into sixteen ranks, and Ithamars into
eight: the division was by Lot; the first Lot fell to Jehoiarib,
the second to Jedaiah, the third to Hairim, &c. 1 Chron. 24.
Every rank or course served weekly in the Temple by turn, and the ranks
received their names from those who at that time were the heads of the
several families, and ever after retained the same names. The chief of
every rank was called, Summus Sacerdos istius Classis: _The chief
Priest of that rank_. Hence it is, that we read of many High-Priests
assembled together, Mark 14. 1. Furthermore we are to note, that as
the weekly course fell out by lot, so did they by lot determine each
particular Priests service; namely, who should burn incense, who
slay the beasts, who lay them on the Altar, who dress the lamps, &c.
Zacharias was of the course of Abia, Luke 1. 5. that is, of the
eighth course, and his lot was to burn incense, Luke 1. 9.
The office of the Levites was to pitch, to take down, to bear up and
down the Tabernacle, and the vessels thereof. Levi had three sons,
Gershon, Cohath, and Merari: and accordingly the whole company
of the Levites were distinguisht into 3 orders, Gershonites,
Cohathites, and Merarites. The Gershonites charge was to carry
the coverings, and hangings of the Tabernacle. The chief things
within the Sanctuary were committed to the Cohathites. The Wood-work,
and the rest of the instruments were committed to the charge of the
Merarites, Num. 3. This was the office of the Levites, in Moses
his time, whiles they were on their journey, in the Wilderness; but
afterward when they were setled in the promised Land, then David
changed their office, appointing them, some to have the charge of the
Treasures of the Temple, 1 Chron. 26. 20. others to be Over-seers
and Judges, others to be Porters, others Singers, 1 Chron. 23. 4.
The Singers in time of singing were clad in linnen Robes or Surplesses,
2 Chron. 5. 12. The Singers were divided into twenty four orders or
courses, 1 Chron. 25. 8. And the Porters into as many, _1 Chron.
26._ that both might supply their turns weekly by lot, as the Priests
did. In Moses time also, their consecration began at the _five and
twentieth_ year of their age: In Davids at the twentieth, _1 Chron.
23. 24._ Ezra 3. 8. Here we may note the liberty granted unto the
Church in changing Ceremonies: the Office of the Levites in Davids
time, was not the same as in Moses: and again, Moses and David
agreed not in the time of their consecration. Again in the Christian
Church we shall find in Matthias his election, the use of Lots; not
so in Pauls, or any other of the Apostles: In their meetings, use
of an holy-kiss; and at the Lords Supper, use of their Love-feasts:
both now antiquated thoroughout Christendom.
Moreover, there are certain degrees observable among the Levites:
First, their Initiation, when they were a month old, they were
Initiated and presented unto God, Numb. 3. 15. Secondly their
consecration, they were consecrated by imposition of hands, when
they were five and twenty years old, Numb. 8. 24. From thence for
five years following, they learned their Office. Those that imposed
hands on them are said in the Text, Numb. 8. 10. to be the _sons
of Israel_, Ghazkuni interpreteth that place, the _First born of
Israel_. They were the Representive Church; and in allusion to this,
the Church of Christ is called the Church of the First-born, _Heb.
12. 23._ At the same time the Levites were waved by the Priests,
that is, as the Greek reads it,[50] Separated, which word is used
for the Ministers of Christ,[51] _Separate me ~Barnabas~ and
~Paul~_, Act. 13. 2. Thirdly, their Ministration, to carry up and
down the Tabernacle, and this was at the thirtieth year of their
age, until the fiftieth, Numb. 4. 3. Lastly, their vacation, or
discharge from that laborious service of carrying the Tabernacle;
notwithstanding even then they were to serve in their charge, to encamp
round about the Tent, to sing, and to beware that no stranger came into
the Temple,[52] and likewise to over-see and instruct younger Levites
in the manner of Bishops. Unto these degrees the Apostle seemeth to
have respect: They that have ministred well, get themselves a good
degree, 1 Tim. 3. 13. The like kind of[53] degrees are observable
among the Vestal Virgins: they remained in their Nunnery thirty
years. Ten years they learned the Mysteries of their Profession;
Ten years they exercised them; and Ten years they taught them
others. From this custome of Imposing hands on the Levites hath
flow’d the like custom, used by the Apostles in conferring Orders,
Acts 6. 6. 1 Tim. 5. 22.
[50] Ἀφοριεῖ ἀαρὼν.
[51] Ἀφορίσατε.
[52] Francisc. Jun. Analyt. Expos. Numb. 8.
[53] Dionys. Halycarnass. lib. 2.
Observe the difference of these three phrases, Χειροθεσία, the
imposition of hands. Χειροτονία, the holding up of hands, in token
of elivation or ordination, Act. 14. 22. And ἔκτασις χειρῶν,
A stretching forth of the hands. Both the first gestures were used
in Ordination, or conferring Orders. The first of all, namely,
imposition of hands, was borrowed from the Hebrews. The second,
namely, the holding up of hands, was taken from the[54] Athenians,
who had two sorts of Magistrates, Κλήρωται, _Magistrates chosen by
lots_: and Χειροτόνηται, Magistrates chosen by holding up of hands.
The third gesture of the hands, called ἔκτασις χειρῶν, _A stretching
forth of the hands_,[55] sometimes is termed τῆς χειρὸς νεῦμα, the
beckning with the hand, a gesture used in craving silence; so Paul
stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself, Acts 26. 1.
[54] Æschines contra Ctesiphont.
[55] Herodian, p. 45.
There were[56] another sort of holy persons termed אנשי מעמד _Ansche
Magnamad_, Viri stationarii; the Law requiring, that whosoever
offered either gift or sacrifice, he should present it unto the Lord
with his own hands, and stand by during the time of his oblation.
Now, because all Israel could not stand by, for the narrowness
of the Place, hence when an offering was made for all the people,
certain selected Persons, chosen for that purpose, supplied the stead
of all the People. They were divided, as the Priests and Levites,
into twenty four ranks and orders, weekly to minister in the
Temple, but the choice was not restrained to the Tribe of Levi,
but was indifferently made out of the people. Every rank had one
fore-man, chief above the rest, termed[57] Stationum Princeps, the
Fore-man of the Station. The Nethinims office was to be hewers
of wood, and drawers of water for the house of God, they were not
Levites, no nor Israelites, but Gibeonites, whom because of their
fraudulent dealing, Joshua made in this manner tributary, _Josh. 9.
23._ They were afterward called Nethinims, Ezra 2. 43. from נתן
Nathan, which signifieth to give, because they were given to the
service of the Temple. Their Office was vile and base, as appeareth
by that proverbial speech; From the hewer of thy wood, unto the drawer
of thy water. Deut. 29. 11.
[56] Moses Kotsen. fol. 211. col. 4.
[57] ראש מעמד
CHAP. VI.
Of the Prophets.
There are divers names given unto the Expositors of the Law; and
although the Particular year or time when each name began, be not
clearly evidenced by Monuments of Antiquity, yet in general we may
conceive three distinct periods of time; in which the names altered.
First from Adam until Moses; Secondly, from Moses, till the
peoples return from Babylon. Thirdly, from their return, until
the dayes of Christ, and after. In the first period, as Adam was
Prophet and Priest in his family, so afterward every first-born
supplyed these two offices together with the princely office in
their several families. That they ruled their families as Kings
and instructed them as Prophets, is clear to any acquainted with
Scripture; the greatest doubt is, what sufficient proof there is for
their Priest-hood, Adams Priest-hood, is gathered hence,[58]
because that Gen 4. 3. and 4. Abel and Cain are said to have
brought their sacrifices: to have brought them, namely, unto Adam,
who offered them unto God in their name. The Priest-hood of the
first-born is gatherable hence, because the Levites were appointed
to the service of the Altar, instead of the first-born, and as the
λύτρον or price of redemption, Num. 3. 41. In the second period,
though a private Catechetical exposition of the Law belonged to the
Masters of Families, yet the publick Ministerial exposition thereof
was appropriated to Priests and Prophets. In the third period,
when Prophecy ceased, then the office of expounding Scripture was
more common, and instead of Prophets came in a multitude of other
Expositors; In general we may call them teachers of Israel, _Joh. 3.
10._ We may distinguish them into three several sorts. 1. Wisemen.
2. Scribes. 3. Disputers. The Apostle compriseth them all, _1
Cor. 1. 20._ Where is the Wise? Where is the Scribe? Where is the
Disputer? Unto any of these, or whatsoever other Doctor eminently
gifted above others, the title Rabbi was prefixed. First, of their
Prophets. Secondly, their Wisemen. Thirdly, their Scribes.
Fourthly, their Disputers. Fifthly, their Rabbies.
[58] Bertram. Polit. Jud. c. 2. p. 17.
To prophesie, or to be a Prophet, hath divers acceptions in
Scripture. First, it is taken for the books and writings _of the
Prophets_. They have Moses and the Prophets, Luk. 16. 29.
Secondly, for the whole Word of God: no Prophesie in the Scripture
is of any private motion, 2 Pet. 1. 20. Thirdly, those unto whom God
vouchsafed familiarly to reveal himself, they are called Prophets:
Abraham was a Prophet, Gen. 20. 7. and Miriam a Prophetess,
Exod. 50. 20. Fourthly, ordinary Interpreters of the Word are called
Prophets. He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet,
Mat. 10. 14. Lastly, it is taken for those, who are enabled by Divine
Revelation, to lay open hidden secrets, transcending all possibility
of humane search. Hence it is that Prophets in old time were called
Seers, 1 Sam. 9. 9. And their Prophecy was termed a vision,
Esay. 1. 1. because God extroardinarily enlightned their minds with
the knowledge of these secrets.
There are three observable names applied to prophecy in Scripture.
1. Verbum Domini: 2. Visio: 3. Onus, The Word of the Lord:
Vision: A Burthen. The first importeth the Lord speaking, or
revealing his secrets; the second implyeth the Prophets attending,
or beholding them; the third being applyed onely to Judgements,
signifieth the burthensomness of them on that people against whom
they came forth.
For the propagation of Learning, Colledges and Schools were in
divers places erected for the Prophets; their Scholars were
termed[59] Filii prophetarum, children of the Prophets, _2 Kin. 6.
1._ unto which phrase there is allusion, Matt. 11. 19. _Wisdom is
justified of her children_: by reason of this Relation the Prophet
sometimes is called a Father; Elisha cryed out, My Father, my
Father, 2 King. 2. 12. The Targum[60] expoundeth that place,
Rabbi, Rabbi; as much as to say, my Master, my Master: And in
truth the Rabbies grew very ambitious of the name Father, which
was the reason of our Saviours speech, Matth. 23. 6. _Call no man
~Father~ upon earth_.
[59] _Eodem sensu Græci appellant artis medica candidatos
ἰατρῶν παῖδας Eras. Ep. dedicatoria Hilario præfix._
[60] Targum. 2 Reg. 2. 12.
The Scripture[61] sometimes joyneth to the name of the Prophet, the
name of his Father, as Hosea the son of Beeri, Hos. 1. 1. And
such a one the Hebrews confess to be both a Prophet, and the _son
of a Prophet_. Sometimes it mentioneth the Prophets name, but not the
Fathers; such a one they confess to be a Prophet, but not the _son
of a Prophet_: Sometimes it mentioneth with the Prophet, the name of
the City where he prophesied, and then it followeth, that he was a
Prophet of that City. When a Prophet is mentioned without the _name
of the City_, then he is thought to be a Prophet of Jerusalem.
[61] Kimchi in præfat. ad Hoscham.
2. Wisemen: This title though in it self it be general and common to
all Doctors, and Teachers of the Law; yet for many years before our
Saviours Incarnation,[62] it was either arrogated by the Pharisees, or
else by the ignorant multitude appropriated unto them, for an opinion
of their extraordinary wisdom, in teaching of Traditions, which they
preferred beyond the Law. Hence the Pharisees were called[63] _Masters
of the Traditions_: And hence was that councel of R. Eleezer to his
Scholars,[64] that they should forbid their children from the study
of the Bible, and place them between the knees of their wisemen.
Likewise[65] hence, when any of their Doctors did read Lectures,
their saying was, οἱ σοφοὶ ἡμῶν δευτεροῦσι, _Our wisemen do teach
traditions_. The like ambition we shall find among the Grecians,
all of them striving to be intituled Σοφοὶ, Wisemen: and hence,
whensoever the chief of them had pleased the people in performance of
their Orations, or any other publick business, they were honoured with
a Grand Σοφῶς, that is, with a loud acclamation of σοφῶς, σοφῶς,
Well done, or wisely done; until Pythagoras, in dislike of such
swelling Titles, stiled himself Philosophus, a Lover of wisdom;
which kind of modesty was afterward practised by the Hebrew Doctors;
for they in after times, to avoid the suspicion of arrogancy, refused
the name of חכמים Chacamim, Wisemen,[66] and stiled themselves,
תלמידי חכמים Discipuli sapientium, Learners of wisdom.
[62] Gorionid. lib. 4. cap. 20.
[63] Drus. de trib. sect. 86.
[64] Buxtorf. Recens. operis Talmud, p. 155.
[65] Hieronym. ad Algasiam. quæst. 10.
[66] Elias Thisbit.
3. Scribes: This name was given to two sorts of men, some meerly
Laicks, others Clergy-men. The body of the Laick Scribes, were
those, to whom was committed the instruction of young children in
their minority, especially to teach them to write; we may English them
Scriveners. This office was appropriated to the Tribe of Simeon. In
this sense we read not of Scribes in the Scripture, although the
ground of their first institution hath been taken thence, namely,
from those words which Jacob used unto Simeon and Levi; I will
divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel, Gen. 49. 7.
So that as Levi had no portion, but lived dispersed among the other
Tribes, by the benefit of the Altar.[67] In like manner Simeon had
no portion in the judgement of the Hebrews, but lived scattered
among the other tribes, getting their maintenance by teaching and
schooling little children: Whether this office of teaching children was
appropriated to them, I leave to the inquiry of others; certain I am
that the Simeonites had their own inheritance by lot, Josh. 19. 1.
And the prophecy concerning their being scattered is thought to have
been accomplished in this, that the inheritance of the Simeonites,
was taken out of the portion of the children of Judah, _Josh. 19.
9._ Furthermore it is certain, that if not all Scriveners, yet those
publick Notaries, who were imployed in drawing Deeds, and writing
Contracts (be they of what Tribe they will) they were called by the
name of Scribes. Unto this there is allusion, Psal. 45. 1. My
tongue is as the pen of a swift Writer, or ready Scribe. Out of
the body of these I conceive certain choice men to have been elected
for publick imployments; some to attend the King, as his Secretaries,
termed, γραμματεῖς βασιλέως, the Kings Scribes, 2 Kin. 12. 10. Such
were Sheia, 2 Sam. 20. 25. And Shaphan, 2 Kin. 22. 3. Others
to attend the publick Courts and Consistories: they much resembled our
Clarks of Assizes, these were termed, γραμματεῖς λαοῦ the _Scribes of
the people_, Mat. 2. 4. It. 1. Mac. 5. 42.
[67] _Solom. Jarchi. Gen. 49. Vide Ambros. Tom. 4. cap. 2. &
Targum Hierosol._
The second sort of Scribes belonged to the Clergy; they were
Expositors of the Law, and thence are they called γραμματεῖς τοῦ
νόμου, νομικοὶ, & νομοδιδὰσκαλοι, Scribes of the Law, Esra. 7. 9.
Expounders of the Law, Luk. 7. 30. and Doctors of the Law, _Luk.
5. 17._ Their Office was to write, read, and expound the Law of Moses
to the people. The name was a name of Office, not of Sect. Of this
sort was Esdras, Esra 7. 6. who though he were a Levite, yet[68]
others there were of the Tribe of Judah, and, as it is thought, they
might indifferently be of any Tribe. The name was of the like esteem
among the Hebrews as the Magi were among the Chaldeans; the
Quindecemviri among the Romans, for expounding Sybilla’s Oracles:
Or the Canonists in the Church of Rome. The word סופרים Sopherim,
translated Scribes signifieth Numberers, or Computers, and is
applyed to the Masorites, because they spent their time in reckoning,
and numbring, not onely the verses, but the words also, and letters of
each Book throughout the Bible; which, as it is an argument of their
industry,[69] so likewise of Gods providence, in the preservation
of his truth inviolable. As the Wise men in their Preaching pressed
Traditions; so the Scribes clave to the written word, whence they
were termed[70] Text-men, or Masters of the Text. And to this
purpose it is worth our observing, that whereas both the Scribes and
the Pharisees sought to fasten accusations upon our Saviour, Mat. 9.
The Scribes accused him of blasphemy, v. 3. The Pharisees of eating
with Publicans and sinners, v. 11. The Scribes accusation was a
breach of the Law; the Pharisees a breach of Traditions.
[68] Drus. de tribus sectis, l. 2. c. 12. ex Chald. Paraphast.
[69] Augustin. in Psal. 40.
[70] Drusius de trib. sectis l. 20. cap. 13.
3. The Disputer.[71] He insisted upon Allegories, and searched
out mystical interpretations of the Text. Hence himself was termed
Durschan, and his exposition, or Homily, Midrasch; and their
School, Beth Hammidrasch: They were counted the profoundest
Interpreters, whence that of the Psalmist, Psal. 84. 7. _They go
from strength to strength_, is interpreted,[72] _from their Temple to
their Beth-Hammidrasch_, from an inferiour to an higher School. Hereby
we see the difference between those three sorts of Predicants mentioned
by Saint Paul. The Wise men were teachers of Traditions,
the Scribes teachers of the Text according to the literal
interpretation, and the Disputers teachers of Allegories and
Mysteries; which fabulous expositions, because they breed questions
and disputations ζητήσεις παρέχουσι, 1 Tim. 4. Hence is it, that such
an expositor is termed συζητητὴς, A Disputer. These three sorts of
Preachers, which S. Paul termeth, the Wiseman, the Scribe and the
Disputer, 1 Cor. 1. 20. are by the Hebrews named חכם Ghacham,
סופר Sopher, דרשן Darschan.
[71] Vide Thisbit. in דרש
[72] Targum, Ps. 84. 7.
CHAP. VII.
Of their Title Rabbi.
About the time of our Saviour Christ his Nativity, Titles began to be
multiplied; and amongst the rest, these of Rab, Ribbi, Rabbi,
and Rabban, were in especial use: they all are derived from רבב
Rabab, signifying, multiplicatus fuit, and they sound as much as
πολυμαθέστατος, that is, a Master, or Doctor eminently gifted with
variety of Knowledge. Concerning these titles, they write thus,[73]
that Rabbi is a more excellent title than Rab, and Rabban more
excellent then Rabbi; and the simple name without any title, as
Haggai, Zachary, Malachy, was more excellent than Rabban.
About this time they used a set form of Discipline in their Schools.
The Scholar was termed תלמיד, Talmid, a Disciple, in respect of
his Learning; קטן Katan, a Junior, in respect of his minority;
בחור Bachur, that is, one chosen, or elected in respect of his
election, or cooptation, into the number of Disciples; After he
had proved a good Proficient, and was thought worthy of some degree,
then was he by imposition of hands made a Graduate חבר Chaber, a
Companion to a Rabbi. This imposition of hands, they termed סמכה,
vel סמיכות, Semicah, or Semicuth, which Ceremony they observed
in imitation of Moses towards Joshua. The Lord said unto Moses,
Take thou Joshua the son of Nun, in whom is the Spirit, and _put
thine hand upon him_, Numb. 27. 18. At which time he that imposed
hands on him, used this form of words,[74] _I associate thee, and be
thou associated_. After this when he was worthy to teach others, then
was he called Rabbi, and whereas in his minority, his own name
being suppressed, he was called onely by his Fathers name, _the son
of N._ When he was made Graduate by imposition of hands, then
was he called by his own name, N. the son of N. And afterward
when he was thought worthy to teach, then was the Title Rabbi
prefixed, after this manner; Rabbi N. the son of N. For example,
Maimonides; at first was termed onely Ben Maimon, the son of
Maimon; after his degree, then was he called by his own name, added
to his fathers, Moses Ben Maimon, Moses the son of Maimon: at
last being licenced to teach, then was he called רמבם Rambam, which
abbreviature consisting of Capital Letters, signifeth, _Rabbi Moses
Ben Maimon_, Rabbi Moses the son of Maimon. So Rabbi Levi, the son
of Gersom, in his minority was called the son of Gersom, afterward
Levi the son of Gersom at last, רלבג Ralbag, _Rabbi Levi the son
of Gersom_. This distinction of Scholars, Companions, & Rabbies,
appeareth by that speech of an ancient Rabbi, saying,[75] _I learned
much of my Rabbies, or Masters, more of my companions, most of all
of my Scholars_. That every Rabbi had Disciples, and that his own
Disciples, and other well-wishers stiled him by the name of Rabbi, in
the dayes of our Saviour, needeth no proof. Judas came to Christ
and said, God save thee Rabbi, Mat. 26. 49. In like manner _Johns
Disciples_ came and saluted John by the name of Rabbi, _John 3.
26._ and Christ by the name of Rabbi, John 1. 38. But whether
there was such a formal imposition of hands then in use, I much doubt.
The manner of their meetings, when Disputations were had in their
Synagogues, or other Schools, was thus.[76] The chief Rabbies sate in
reserved Chairs; these are those chief seats of the Synagogues, which
the Scribes and Pharises so affected, Mat. 23. 6. Their Companions
sate upon Benches or lower Forms; their Scholars on the ground at the
feet of their Teachers. Saint Paul was brought up at the feet of
Gamaliel, Act. 22. 2. And Mary sate at Jesus feet, and heard
his word, Luk. 10. 39. The positure of their body differed according
to their degrees. The Rabbi is described[77] to be יושב Joscheb,
one that sitteth: the Companion, מוטת Muteth, the word signifieth
a kind of leaning upon a bed or bench, ones head lying in the others
bosome, in manner of the ancient sitting at table; and it was a
deportment of the body, inferiour to that of sitting: The Scholar was
termed[78] מתאבק Mithabek, one that doth lie along in the dust, and
this was a token of the Scholars humility, thus humbling and subjecting
himself even to the feet of his Masters: This same custom it is
thought,[79] Saint Paul laboured to bring into the Christian Church,
1 Cor. 14. Their Scholars were not all of equal capacity, whence they
said,[80] some had conditionem spongiæ, others clepsydræ, others
sacci fæcinacei, and others cribri. Some resembled the Sponge,
and suck’d in all that they heard without judgment; others the
Hour-Glass, they took in at one ear, and let out at the other; others
the Winesack, through which Wine is so drained from the dregs, that
only the dregs remain behind: Lastly, others the Rying-sieve, which
in winnowing lets out the courser seed, and keepeth in the corn.
[73] Aruch in voce אביי
[74] _אני סומך אותך תהיה סמוך Id est Scaligero interprete: Ego
tibi impono manum & manus tibi imposita esto. Trihær. c. 5. p.
264. vide etiam Cunæum de Rep. Heb. cap. 12._
[75] Vide P. Fagium in Scholiis suis ad cap. 4. Pirke Aboth.
[76] Philo Jud. Quod omnis probus, p. 679.
[77] Scaliger in Trihæres. cap. 5. Ex. c. 1. Beracoth.
[78] Pirke Aboth. cap. 4.
[79] Ambros. 1 Cor. 14.
[80] Pirke Aboth. cap. 5.
CHAP. VIII.
Of their Nazarites and Rechabites.
There are two sorts of Votaries mentioned in the Old Testament;
Rechabites, Jerem. 35. and Nazarites, Numb. 6. I find scarce
any thing warrantable concerning these two, more than what the
Scripture delivereth in the fore-quoted places: therefore concerning
the matter of their Vows, I refer the Reader to the aforesaid Texts of
Scripture; here only we will note the distinction of Nazarites. The
first are these Votaries, termed so from נזר Nazar, to separate,
because they separated themselves from three things; First, from
Wine, and all things proceeding from the Vine. Secondly, from the
Razor, because they suffered no Razor to come upon their head, but
let their hair grow all the dayes of their separation. Thirdly,
from pollution by the dead: this separation again was twofold,
either for a set number of days, or for a mans whole life; that they
termed Naziræatum dierum, this, Naziræatum seculi: of that sort
was Paul, and those four with him, Acts 21. 24. Of this sort
was Sampson Judges 13. and John Baptist. The just number of
days, how long the former of these two separated themselves, is not
expressed in Scripture, but the Hebrew Doctors[81] determine them
to be thirty, because it is said, Num. 6. 5. Domino sanctus, יהיה
erit; which word (say they) containing thirty, expresseth the just
number of days to be observed in this voluntary separation. The second
sort of Nazarites, were so termed from נצר Natsar, from whence
cometh Natsareth, or Nazareth, the name of a certain Village
in Galilee; where Christ was conceived and brought up: Hence our
Saviour himself was called a Nazarene, or Nazarite, Mat. 2. 23.
and those that embraced his Doctrine, Nazarites, Acts 24. 5.
Afterward certain Hereticks sprung up, who as the Samaritanes
joyned Jewish ceremonies with Heathenish Rites: so[82] they joyned
together Christ and Moses, the Law and the Gospel; Baptism
and Circumcision: of the beginning of these we shall read, _Acts 15.
2._ Then came down certain from Judæa, and the brethren, saying,
_Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be
saved_. These Hereticks were called Nazarites, either of malice by
the Jewes, to bring the greater disgrace upon Christian religion;
or else because at first they were true, though weak Nazarites,
that is, Christians mis-led by Peters Judaizing at Antioch,
Gal. 2. 11. And hence it is[83] that the Church at Antioch, in
detestation of this new-bred heresie, fastened upon them by the name
of Nazarites, forsook that name, and called themselves Christians,
Acts 11. 26. Symmachus, that famous Interpreter of the _Old
Testament_, was a strong Defender of this heresie, and[84] from him in
after times they were named Symmachiani. The Jews had them in as
great hatred as the Samaritanes; whereupon[85] three times every day,
at morning, noon-tide, and evening, they closed their Prayers
with a solemn execration, Maledic Domine Nazaræis. Lastly, another
sort of Nazarites there were, so termed from נזר Nazar, signifying
to abolish or cut off;[86] because they did abolish and cut off
the five books of Moses, rejecting them as not Canonical.
[81] Sheindler, in Pentaglot.
[82] _Hieronym. Isai. 8. Idem refert Epiphanius. l. 1. Tom. 2.
hær. 29._
[83] Francisc. Jun. paral. lib. 1. 8.
[84] August. l. 19. contra Faustum Manichæum. c. 4.
[85] Epiphan. l. 1. Tom. 2. hæres. 29.
[86] Epiphan. l. 1. Tom. 1. hæres. 18.
CHAP. IX.
Of the Assideans.
It is much controverted, whether the Assideans were Pharisees or
Essenes, or what they were. Were I worthy to deliver my opinion,
or, as the Hebrews Proverb is, To thrust in my head among the heads
of those wise men; I conceive of the Assideans thus: Before their
captivity in Babylon, we shall find the word חסידים Chasidim,
(translated Assidæi, Assideans) to signifie the same as, צדיקים
Tsaddikim, Just, or good men: both were used promiscuously,
the one for the other, and both stood in opposition to the רשעים
Reschagnim, that is, ungodly or wicked men. At this time the
whole body of the Jews were distinguished into two sorts, Chasidim,
and Reschagnim, good, and bad.
After their captivity, the Chasidim began to be distinguished from
the Tsadikim.[87] The Tsadikim gave themselves to the study of the
Scripture. The Chasidim studied how to add unto the Scripture.[88]
Secondly, The Tsadikim would conform to whatsoever the Law required.
The Chasidim would be holy above the Law. Thus to the repairing
of the Temple, the maintenance of sacrifices, the relief of the poor,
&c. they would voluntarily add over and above, to that which the Law
required of them. Whence it is noted, that those were Chasidim who
would say, What is mine, is thine; and what is thine, is thy own:
those Reschagnim, which would say, _What is thine is mine; and what
is mine, is my own_. And it is probable, that the middle sort mentioned
in the same place, who would say, _what is mine, is mine; what is
thine, is thine own_, were the very Tsadikim.
[87] D. Kimchi. Psal. 103. 17.
[88] Pirke Aboth. c. 5.
At this time the body of the Jews were distinguished into three
sorts, in respect of holiness. First, Reschagnim, ἀσεβεῖς, Wicked
and ungodly men. Secondly, Tsadikim, δίκαιοι, Just and _righteous
men_. Thirdly, Chasidim, who are sometimes translated ὅσιοι, _Holy
men_, and that for the most part:[89] but sometimes also ἀγαθοὶ,
Goodmen: These of all others were best reputed, and beloved of the
people. The Apostle shewing the great love of Christ, dying for us,
amplifieth it by allusion unto this distinction of the people: Christ
died for the ungodly. Scarcely for a righteous man will one die,
yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die, _Rom.
5. 6, 7._ The gradation standeth thus; Some peradventure would die,
for one of the Chasidim, a good man: scarcely any, for one of
Tsadikim, a just, or righteous man; for the Reschagnim, or
ungodly, none would die: Yet Christ dyed for us ungodly, being
sinners, and his enemies.
[89] _Assidæi, de quibus agitur 1 Machab. 7. 13. vocantur à
Josepho. lib. 12. cap. 16. ἀγαθοὶ καὶ ὅσιοι τοῦ ἔθνους._
Now as long as these Works of supererogation remained arbitrary, and
indifferent, not required as necessary, though preferred before the
simple obedience to the Law; so long the heat of contention was not
great enough to breed Sects and Heresies: But when once the Precepts
and Rules of supererogation were digested into Canons, and urged with
an opinion of necessity; then from the Chasidim issued the brood of
Pharisees;[90] and also from them (as it is probably thought) the
Heresie of the Essenes, both obtruding unwritten Traditions upon the
People, as simply necessary, and as a more perfect rule of sanctity
than the Scripture. At this time the Tsadikim in heat of opposition
rejected not only Traditions, but all Scripture, except only the five
books of Moses; for which reason they were called Karaim. Some
are of opinion,[91] they rejected only traditions, and embraced
all the books of Scripture: Which opinion soever we follow; they had
their name קראים, Karaim, Textuales, Scriptuarii, i. Text-men,
or Scripture-readers, because they adhered to Scripture alone,
withstanding and gain-saying Traditions with all their might. And if
we follow the latter, then all this while the Karaim were far from
Heresie: but in process of time, when from Sadock, and Baithus,
these Karaim learned to deny all future rewards for good works, or
punishment for evil, or resurrection from the dead; now the Karaim
became compleat Sadduces, and perfect Hereticks, taking their
denomination from their first Author Sadok. The time of each Heresies
first beginning, shall be more exactly declared in their several
Chapters.
[90] Joseph. Scalig. Trihæres. c. 22.
[91] Joseph. Scalig. ib.
CHAP. X.
Of the Pharisees.
There are[92] three Opinions concerning the Etymology of the name
Pharisee. The first are those which derive it from פרש Parash,
Expandere, Explicare; either from the enlarging and laying open
their Phylacteries, or from their open performance of good works
in publick view of the People, as being ambitious of mans praise.
Secondly, from פרש Parasch, Exponere, Explanare; because they
were of chief repute; and counted the profoundest Doctors for the
exposition of the Law, so that they were termed[93] Peruschim,
quia Poreschim; Pharisees, because they were Expounders of the
Law. Thirdly, others derive the name from the same Verb, but in the
conjugation Piel, where it signifieth dividere, separare, to
separate.[94] In this acception, by the Greeks they were termed
ἀφωρισμένοι, we may English them Separatists. Their separation is
considerable, partly in the particulars unto which, partly in those
from which they separated.
[92] _Quartam etymologiam (cujus fundus & autor putatur
Hieronymus, Præfat. in Amos) refellit Scriptura Hebraica; si
enim Pharisæus diceretur a verbo פרץ Dividere, scriberentur
Pharisæi פריצים non פרושים._
[93] Gorionides. c. 22.
[94] Suidas.
First, They separated themselves to the study of the Law, in which
respect they might be called, ἀφωρισμένοι εἰς τὸν νόμον, _Separated
unto the Law_. In allusion unto this, the Apostle is thought[95]
to have stiled himself, Rom. 1. 11. ἀφωρισμένον εἰς εὐαγγέλιον,
Separated unto the Gospel: when he was called from being a
Pharisee, to be a Preacher of the Gospel; and now not _separated
unto the Law_, but to the Gospel.
Secondly, They separated themselves, or at least pretended a[96]
separation to an extroardinary sanctity of life above other men.
God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, Extortioners,
Unjust, Adulterers &c. Luke 18. 11.
[95] Drusius de trib. sectis, l. 2. c. 2.
[96] Suidas.
The particulars, from which they separated themselves, were these.
First, From commerce with other people, as afterward will appear in
their Traditions: whence they called the common people, by reason of
their ignorance, עם הארץ populum terræ, the people of the earth. In
the Gospel of Saint John 7. 49. they are called ὄχλος. This people
who knoweth not the Law are cursed.
Secondly,[97] From the apparel and habit of other men: for they used
particular kinds of Habits, whereby they would be distinguished from
the vulgar. Hence proceeded that common speech, _Vestes populi terræ,
conculcatio sunt Pharisæorum_.
[97] R. David. Sophon. 1. 8.
Thirdly,[98] From the customs and manners of the world. This
heresie of the Pharisees seemeth to have had its first beginning in
Antigonus Sochæus. He being a Pharisee, succeeded Simon the Just;
who was Coetanean with Alexander the Great: he lived three hundred
years before the birth of Christ.
[98] Thisbites.
The Pharisees were[99] not tied to any particular Tribe or Family,
but indifferently they might be of any; S. Paul was a Benjaminite;
Hyrcanus was a Levite.[100] Each Sect had its Dogmata, his proper
Aphorisms, Constitutions, or Canons: so the Pharisees had
theirs. My purpose is, both concerning these and the other Sects, to
note onely those Canons, or Aphorisms, wherein chiefly they were
heretical, and one differing from the other.
[99] Chrys. Mat. 15.
[100] Flavius Jos. lib. 13. c. 18.
First, The Pharisees[101] ascribed some things to Fate, or
Destiny, and some things to mans Free-will.
[101] Joseph. l. 13. c. 9.
Secondly, They confessed that there were Angels, and Spirits, _Acts
23. 8._
Thirdly, Concerning the resurrection of the dead, they acknowledged
it, and taught[102] that the souls of evil men deceased, presently
departed into everlasting punishiment; but the souls, they say, of good
men, passed by a kind of Pythagorean μετεμψύχωσις into other good mens
bodies. Hence it is thought[103] that the different opinions concerning
our Saviour did arise; Some saying that he was John Baptist; others,
Elias; others, Jeremias, Matth. 16. 14. As if Christ his body had
been animated by the soul either of John, Elias, or Jeremias.
[102] Joseph. de bello Judaic. l. 2. cap. 12.
[103] Serar. Trihæres. l. 2 c. 3. It. Drus. in præter.
Fourthly, They did stifly maintain the Traditions of their Elders.
For the better understanding what their Traditions were, we must
know that the Jews say the Law was twofold,[104] one committed
to writing, which they called תורה שבכתב Thorah schebitchtah, _The
written Law_; the other delivered by tradition, termed by them,
תורה בעל פה Thorah begnal pe. They say both were delivered by God
unto Moses upon Mount Sanai, the latter as an exposition of the
former, which Moses afterward delivered by mouth to Joshua, _Joshua
to the Elders, the Elders to the Prophets, the Prophets to those of the
great Synagogue_, from whom successively it descended to after-ages.
These Traditions were one of the chief Controversies between the
Pharisees, and the Sadduces.[105] The Pharisees said, _Let us
maintain the Law which our fore fathers have delivered into our hands,
expounded by the mouth of the wise men, who expounded it by tradition_.
And lo, the Sadduces said, _Let us not believe or hearken to any
tradition or exposition, but unto the Law of ~Moses~ alone_. The
Traditions which they chiefly urged, were these;
[104] Moses Kotsen. in præf. lib. præcept.
[105] Gorionides, c. 29.
1. They would not eat until they washed their hands, Why do thy
Disciples transgress the Tradition of the Elders? for they wash
not their hands when they eat bread, Mat. 15. 2. This washing is
said to have been done πυγμῇ Mar. 7. 3. that is, often, as some
translate the word, taking πυγμῇ in this place, to signifie the same as
πύκα in Homer, frequenter. Others translate the word accurate,
diligenter, intimating the great care and diligence they used in
washing: with this the Syriack Text[106] agreeth. Others[107] think
that there is, in the phrase, allusion unto that rite or manner of
washing in use among the Jews, termed by them נטילת ידים _Netilath
iadaim_, the lifting up of their hands. The Greek word πυγμὴ is
thought to express this rite, because in this kind of washing, _They
used to joyn the tops of the fingers of each hand together with the
thumb_, so that each hand did after a sort resemble τὴν πυγμὴν i. a
fist. This Ceremony was thus performed: First, they washed their
hands clean. Secondly, they composed them into the fore-mentioned form.
Thirdly, they lifted them up, so that the water ran down to the very
elbows. Lastly, they let down their hands again, so that the water
ran from off their hands upon the earth.[108] And that there might be
store of water running up and down, they poured fresh water on them
when they lifted up their hands, and poured water twice upon them
when they hanged them down. Unto this kind of washing Theophylact
seemeth to have reference, when he saith, that the Pharisees did[109]
cubitaliter lavare, wash up to their elbows. Lastly, others[110]
interpret πυγμὴ, to be the fist, or hand closed, & the manner of
washing thereby denoted to be _by rubbing one hand closed in the plain
or hollow of the other_. All imply a diligent and accurate care in
washing: the ceremonious washing by lifting up the hands, and hanging
them down, best expresseth the superstition, which only was aimed at
in the reproof, though all the sorts of washing, to the Pharisee were
superstitious, because they made it not a matter of outward decency
and civility, but of religion, to eat with washt or unwasht hands,
urging such a necessity hereof,[111] that in case a man may come to
some water, but not enough both to wash and to drink, he should rather
chuse to wash than to drink, though he die with thirst. And it was
deemed amongst them as great a sin to eat with unwasht hands, as to
commit fornication. This Tradition of washing hands, though it were
chiefly urged by the Pharisees, yet all the Jews maintained it, as
appeareth by the places quoted.
[106] כטילאית μετὰ σπουδῆς. Luke 1. 39.
[107] Joseph. Scalig. Tribær. c. 7.
[108] Munster. in Deut. 8.
[109] Theophylact. in Marc. 7. 3.
[110] Beza in majoribus suis annotationibus. Marc. 7. 3.
[111] _Drusius præterit. Mat. 15. in addend. & Buxtorf. synag.
Judaic. c. 6. p. 93. ex Talmud._
We may observe three sorts of washing of hands in use among the
Jews. 1. Pharisaical and superstitious, this was reproved.
2. Ordinary, for outward decency; this was allowed. The third,
in token of innocency; this was commanded by the Elders of the
neighbour-Cities, in case of murder, Deut. 21. 6. It was practised by
Pilate, Matth. 37. 24. and alluded unto by David, I will _wash my
hands in innocency_, so will I compass thine altar, Psal. 26. 6.
2. When they came from the Market they washt, Mar. 7. 4. The reason
thereof was, because they there having to do with divers sorts of
people, unaware; they might be polluted. The word used by Saint Mark,
is, βαπτίσωνται, they baptized themselves: implying the _washing of
their whole body_. And it seemeth that those Pharisees who were more
zealous than others, did thus wash themselves alwayes before dinner.
The Pharisee marvelled that Christ had not first washed himself
before dinner, Luke 11. 38. Unto this kind of superstition St.
Peter is thought to have inclined, when he said, _Lord, not my feet
only, but also my hands, and my head_, John 13. 9. Thus finding his
modesty disliked, when he refused to have his feet wash’d by his Lord
and Master; now he leapeth into the other extream, as if he had said,
Not my feet only, but my whole body. Hence proceeded that Sect of the
Hemerobaptistæ, i.e. Daily baptists, so called[112] because they
did every day thus wash themselves.
[112] Epith. l. 2. Tom. 1. c. 17.
3. They wash’d their cups, and pots, and brazen vessels, and tables,
Mark 7. 4.
4. They held it unlawful to eat with sinners, Mat. 9. 11. yea, they
judged it a kind of pollution to be touched by them, Luke 7. 39. If
this man were a Prophet, he would surely have known who, and what
manner of woman this is which toucheth him, for she is a sinner. Of
such a people the Prophet speaketh: They said, stand a part, come not
near to me, or (as the words may be rendred)[113] Touch me not, for I
am holier than thou, Esay. 65. 5. The like practice was in use among
the Samaritanes,[114] who if they met any stranger, they cryed out,
μὴ πρόσψαυσον, Ne attingas, Touch not.
[113] אל תגע בי Ne attingas me.
[114] _Scalig. de emend. temp. lib. 7. Idem refert Epiphan.
lib. 1. Tom. 1. cap. 13._
5. They fasted twice in the week, Luke 18. 12. Namely,[115]
Mundays and Thursdays. Because Moses (as they say)[116] went up
into the Mount Sinai on a Thursday, and came down on a Munday.
[115] Theophylact. in Luke 18. 12. It. Epiph. hær. 16.
[116] Drusius in Luc. 18. 13.
6. _They made broad their Phylacteries, and inlarged the borders
of their garments_, Matth. 23. 5. Here three things are worthy
our consideration. First, What these Phylacteries were. Secondly,
What was written in them. Thirdly, Whence they were so called.
Epiphanus[117] interpreteth these Phylacteries to be πλατέα σήματα
πορφύρας, purple studs, or flourishes, woven in their garments: as
if Epiphanius had conceived the Pharisees garment to be like that
which the Roman Senators were wont to wear, termed, by reason of
those broad-studs and works woven in it, Laticlavium: but seeing
that these Phylacteries were additaments and ornaments, whereof there
were[118] two sorts, the one tied to their Fore-heads, the other to
their Left-hands; hence it followeth, that by these Phylacteries
could not be meant whole garments, or any embosments, or flourishings
woven in the cloth. Generally they are thought to be schedules or
scroles of parchments, whereof, as I noted, there were two sorts;
Phylacteries for the Fore-head, or Frontlets, reaching from one
Ear to the other, and tied behind with a thong; and _Phylacteries for
the hand_, fastned upon the Left-arm above the Elbow on the inside,
that it might be near the heart. Both these sorts were worn, not by
the Pharisees only,[119] but by the Sadduces also, but with this
difference; The Pharisees, haply for greater ostentation, wore their
Hand-Phylacteries above their Elbows: the _Sadduces on the palms of
their Hands_.[120] Nay, all the Jews wore them, our Saviour Christ
not excepted. The command was general, Exod. 13. 9. It shall be for a
sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes.
So that it is not the wearing of them which our Saviour condemned,
but the making of them broad, whereby they would appear more holy than
others.
[117] Epiph. lib. 1. Tom. 1. cap. 15.
[118] Moses Kot. præcept. affirm. 22.
[119] Maimon. in Tephillim. c. 4. sect. 3.
[120] Scal. Trihæres. p. 258.
In these Parchments they wrote[121] only the Decalogue, or Ten
Commandments, in the opinion of Chrysostome and Hierome: but
generally, and upon better grounds, it is thought they wrote these four
sections of the Law.
[121] Chrysost. & Hieronym. in Mat. 23.
1. The first began, Sanctifie unto me all the firstborn, &c.
Exod. 13. 2. to the end of the 10. verse.
2. The second began, And it shall be when the Lord shall bring
thee, &c. Exod. 13. 11. to the end of the 16. verse.
3. The third began, Hear O Israel, Deut. 6. 4. and continued
to the end of the ninth verse.
4. The fourth began, And it shall come to pass; if you shall
hearken diligently, &c. Deut. 11. 13. to the end of the one
and twentieth verse.
These four Sections written in scrols of Parchment, and folded up,
they fastned to their fore-heads and their left-arms: those that
were for the fore-head, they wrote in four distinct pieces of
parchment[122] especially, and if they wrote it in one piece; the
length of every Section ended in one column, and they did put them
into one skin, in which there was the proportion of four houses or
receptacles, and not into four skins: every receptacle was distinct by
it self; and those that were for the hand, were written in one piece
of Parchment principally, the four Sections in four columns; but if
they wrote them in four pieces, it was at length, and they put them in
a skin that had but one receptacle.[123] In time of persecution when
they could not openly wear these Phylacteries, then did they tye
about their hands a red thread, to put them in mind of the blood of the
Covenant of the Law.
[122] Moses Kotsen. fol. 104. col. 3.
[123] Munster. de præcept. affirm.
Touching the name Moses calleth them טוטפות Totaphot, which
word hath almost as many Etymologies, as Interpreters; the most
probable in my opinion, is, that they should be so called _per
Antiphrasin_, from טטף Incedere, to go or move, because they
were immoveable: Hence the Septuagint translate them, ἀσάλευτα
Immoveable ornaments. The Rabbins call them Tephillim, _Prayer
ornaments_:[124] others call them Pittacia, & Pittaciola, from
πιττάκιον, which signifieth a piece or parcel of Cloth. In the
Gospel they are called φυλακτήρια, Phylacteries, from φυλάττω, to
conserve or keep. First, because by the use of them, the Law was
kept and preserved in memory. Secondly, because the Pharisees
superstitiously conceited, that by them, as by Amulets, Spells, and
Charms, hanged about their necks themselves might be _preserved from
dangers_. The word φυλακτήριον signifieth a Spell; and Hierome
testifieth, that the Pharisees had a such a conceit of these
ornaments: In which place he compareth the Pharisees with certain
superstitious women of his time, who carried up and down, upon the like
ground, pervula evangelia, & crucis ligna, short sentences out of
the Gospel, and the reliques of the Cross. The same superstition hath
prevailed with many of latter times, who for the same purpose hang
the beginning of[125] Saint John’s Gospel about their necks. And
in the year of our Lord 692. certain Sorcerers were condemned for
the like kind of Magick, by the name of[126] φυλακτήριοι, that is,
Phylacterians.
[124] Hieronym. in Mat. 23.
[125] Scalig. Tribær. cap. 70.
[126] Concil. quini Sexti, Canon 61.
Thus much of their Phylacteries: In the same verse is reproved the
inlarging of their borders.[127] That which we read borders in the
Gospel, is called, Num. 15. 38. ציצות Tsitsith, Fringes: and
גדילים Gedelim, Deut. 22. 10. which word we likewise translate in
that place, Fringes. They were in the fore-quoted places commanded,
and our Saviour Christ himself did wear them, Luk. 8. 44. The
latter Hebrew word signifieth a large Fringe, which agravateth the
superstition of the Pharisees, in making their Fringes larger,
when the Law had allowed them large. This literal exposition I take
to be most agreeable with the Text, though to inlarge in Greek
and Latine[128] sometimes, signifieth to _boast, vaunt, or brag of
a thing_; and in this sense it may very well fit a Pharisee. The
reason of this command was, to put them in mind of the Commandments,
Numb. 15. And for the furtherance of this duty,[129] they used sharp
thorns in in their Fringes, that by the often pricking of the Thorn,
whether they walked or sate still, they might be the more mindful of
the Commandments.
[127] Vide D. Kimchi. Radic.
[128] _Τὸ μεγαλύνεσθαι, apud Euripidem in Bacchis, valet,
Magnifice jactare, Efferre. Magnificare apud Varronem & Plinium
eadem significatione usurpatur, Theodor. Beza in Mat. 23._
[129] Hieron. in Mat. 23.
There were[130] seven sorts of Pharises. 1. Pharisæus Sichemita. He
turned Pharisee for gain, as the Sichemites suffered themselves to
be circumcised.
[130] Talmud. tract. Suta. cap. 3.
2. Pharisæus truncatus, so called, as if he had no feet, because he
would scarce lift them from the ground when he walked, to cause the
greater opinion of his meditation.
3. Pharisæus inpingens. He would shut his eyes when he walked abroad,
to avoid the sight of Women, in so much that he often dash’d his head
against the walls, that the blood gush’d out.
4. Pharisæus, Quid debeo facere, & faciam illud. He was wont to say,
What ought I to do? and I will do it. Of this sort seemeth the man
in the Gospel to have been, who came unto Christ, saying, _Good
Master, what shall I do? &c._ and at last replyed, _All these I have
done from my youth upward_, Luke 18.
5. Pharisæus mortarius; so called because he wore a hat in manner of
a deep Mortar, such as they use to bray spice in, in so much that
he could not look upward, nor of either side; onely downward on the
ground, and forward or forthright.
6. Pharisæus ex amore; Such a one as obeyed the Law for the Love of
Vertue.
7. Pharisæus ex timore; Such a one obeyed the Law for fear of
punishment. He that conformed for fear had respect chiefly to the
negative Commandements; but he that conformed for love, especially
respected the Affirmative.
CHAP. XI.
Of the Sadduces.
To omit other Etymologies of the name, there are two onely which have
shew of probability. Some[131] derive it from Sedec, Justitia; as
if they had been Justitiaries, such as would justifie themselves
before Gods Tribunal. There are[132] that derive it, and that
upon more warrantable grounds, from Sadoc, the first Author of
the heresie; so that the Sadduces were so called from Sadoc, as
the Arrians from Arrius, the Pelagians from Pelagius, the
Donatists from Donatus, &c.
[131] Epiphan. l. 1. cap. 14.
[132] ἀπὸ αἱρεσιάρχου Σαδὼκ ὀνομάζεται. Theophylact.
This Sadoc lived under Antigonus Sochæus, who succeeded Simeon
the Just. He was Antigonus his scholar, and by him brought up
in the Doctrine of the Pharisees, but afterwards fell from him,
and broacht the heresie of the Sadduces; which heresie, because
it had much affinity with that which the Heretique Dositheus
taught, hence are the Sadduces said to[133] be a branch or skirt
of the Dositheans, though in truth Dositheus lived not till[134]
after Christ; and although these two heresies did agree in many
things; yet in a main point they differed.[135] Dositheus believed
the Resurrection, the Sadduces denyed it; and by consequence the
Dositheans believed all other points necessarily flowing from this.
[133] Epiph. hæres. 14. It. Tertul. de præscript. c. 5.
[134] Origen. contra Celsum. l. 2.
[135] Epiph. hæres. 13.
The occasion of this heresie was this.[136] When Antigonus taught,
that we must not serve God as servants serve their Masters, for hope of
reward, his scholars Sadoc and Baithus understood him, as if he had
utterly denied all future rewards or recompence attending a godly life,
and thence framed their heresie, denying the _resurrection, the world
to come, Angels, Spirits, &c._
[136] Aboth. cap. 1.
Their Dogmata, Canons, or Constitutions, were, 1. _They
rejected[137] the Prophets, & all other Scripture save only the five
books of Moses._ Therefore our Saviour when he would confute their
errour, concerning the resurrection of the dead, he proves it not out
of the Prophets, but out of Exod. 3. 6. _I am the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob_, Mat. 22. 32.
[137] Joseph. Antiq. lib. 13. c. 18.
2. They rejected[138] all traditions. Whence, As they were called
מינין Minæi, i. Heretiques, in respect of the general opposition
between them and Pharisees. First, because the Pharisees were in
repute the only Catholicks. Secondly, because in their Doctrine,
the Pharisees were much nearer the truth than the Sadduces: so in
this respect of this particular opposition, in the ones rejecting, the
others urging of traditions, the Sadduces were termed[139] קראים
Karaim, Biblers, or Scripturists.
[138] Elias de שרק.
[139] Drusius de trib. sect. c. 8. l. 3 p. 130.
3. _They said there was no reward for good works, nor punishment for
ill, in the world to come._ Hence Saint Paul perceiving that in the
Councel the one part were Sadduces, the other Pharisees, he cried
out, _Of the hope of the reward expected, and of the resurrection of
the dead, I am called in question_, Act. 23. 6.
4. They denied the resurrection of the body, Act. 22. 8. Matth. 22.
23. Luke 20. 27.
5. They said the souls of men are annihilated[140] at their death.
[140] Joseph. de bello Judaic. lib. 2. c. 12.
6. They denied Angels and spirits, Act. 23. 8.
7. _They wholly denied[141] Fate or Destiny, and ascribed all to mans
Free-will._
[141] Joseph. l. 13. c. 9.
The Samaritanes and the Sadduces are of near affinity: but yet they
differ. First[142] The Samaritanes sacrificed at the Temple built
upon Mount Gerizim, but the Sadduces sacrificed at Jerusalem.
Secondly, The Samaritanes allowed no commerce with the Jews, _John
4. 9._ yea, the mutual hatred between the Samaritans and the Jews
was so great, that it was not lawful for the Jews to eat or drink
with the Samaritans. How is it that thou being a Jew, askest drink
of me which am a woman of Samaria, Joh. 4. 9. Nay, whereas liberty
was granted unto all Nations of the earth to become Proselites to the
Jewes, so did the Jews hate the Samaritanes, that they would not
suffer a Samaritan to be a Prosylite. This appeareth by that solemn
Excommunication,[143] termed _Excommunicatio in secreto nominis
tetragrammati_: the form thereof: as it was applyed (say they) by
Ezra and Nehemiah unto the Samaritanes, was thus, _They assembled
the whole Congregation into the Temple of the Lord, and they brought
300 Priests, ~and~ 300 Trumpets, ~and~ 300 books of the Law, and as
many boys, and they sounded their Trumpets and the Levites singing
cursed the Samaritanes by all the sorts of Excommunication, in the
mystery of the name ~Jehovah~, and in the Decalogue, & with the curse
of the superiour house of judgement, and likewise with the curse of the
inferiour house of judgement, that no Israelite should eat the bread of
a Samaritane, (whence they say, he which eateth of a Samaritans bread
is as he who eateth swines flesh) and let no Samaritane be a Prosylite
in Israel, and that they should have no part in the resurrection of the
dead_. R. Gersom[144] forbade the breaking open of the Letters, under
the penalty of this Excommunication. This proveth what formerly was
said; namely, that between the Jews and the Samaritanes there was
no commerce; but the Sadduces familiarly conversed with the other
Jews, even with the Pharisees themselves; yea, both sat together in
the same Council, Acts 23. 6. Now the Samaritanes and Sadduces
agree. 1. In the rejection of all the others traditions. 2. _In
the rejection of all other Scriptures, save only the five Books of
~Moses~._ 3. _In the denial of the Resurrection, and the consequences,
as future punishments, and rewards according to mens works._ But the
Samaritanes held that there were Angels, which the Sadduces
denied. For the proof of these agreements and disagreements between
them, read Epiphanius, hæres. 9. & 14.
[142] Epiphan. Tom. 1. l. 1. hæres. 14.
[143] Drusius de trib. sect. l. 2. cap 11. ex Ilmedenu.
[144] Buxtorf. Epist. Heb. p. 59.
Touching the Samaritanes, there are three degrees of alteration in
their Religion observable. First, the strange Nations, transplanted by
Salmanesar into Samaria, when Israel was carried away captive
into Assyria, worshipped every one the God of their own Countries,
2 King. 17. Secondly, when they saw they were devoured by Lyons,
because they feared not the Lord, the King of Assyria sent one of
the Priests which was taken captive, to instruct them in the true
worship of God: which manner of worship though they received, yet
they would not lay aside their former Idolatry, but made a mixture of
Religions, worshipping the living God, and their own dumb Idols.
Thirdly, Manasses, brother to Jaddus the High priest, in
Jerusalem, being married to Sanballat, the Horonite’s Daughter,
by reason of Nehemiah’s charge of putting away their strange Wives,
being driven to that exigent, that he must either put away his Wife,
or forgo the hope of the Priest-hood; by Sanballat’s means he
obtained leave from Alexander the Great, to build a Temple[145]
upon Mount Gariazim, one of the highest Mountains in Samaria,
whither many other Apostated Jews fled, together with Manasses
being made their High-Priest; and now the Sect of the Samaritanes
(between whom and the Jews there was such hatred) began, now all
those fore-mentioned errors were maintained: And of this Hill it
is, that the woman of Samaria speaketh John 4. 20. Our Fathers
worshipped in this Mountain, &c.
[145] Joseph. Antiq. lib. 11. cap 8.
By comparing the Dogmata of the Pharisees, with these of the
Sadduces, we may perceive a manifest opposition between them; yet
both these joyned against Christ, Mark 12.
This heresie, though it were the greatest amongst the Jews,
yet was it imbraced and maintained by some of the High Priests
themselves:[146] Joannes Hyrcanus was a Sadducee, so were his sons,
Aristobulus and Alexander,[147] and likewise Ananus the younger;
so that Moses Chair was not amongst them exempted from error; no nor
heresie.
[146] Gorionides, cap. 29.
[147] Euseb. hist. l. 2. c. 23. Ex Joseph. Antiq. lib. 20. cap. 8.
CHAP. XII.
Of the Essenes.
The Etymologies of the names Essæi, or Esseni, i.e. Essenes,
are divers, that which I prefer is from the Syriake אסא Asa,
signifying θεραπεύειν to heal, or cure Diseases. Hence[148] are the men
so often termed, θεραπευταὶ and the women amongst them, θεραπευτρίδες,
that is, Physicians. For though they gave themselves chiefly to the
study of the Bible yet withal they studied Physick.
[148] Joseph. de bello Judaic. lib. 2. c. 12. p. 786.
Of these Essenes there were two sorts, some Theoricks, giving
themselves wholly to speculation; others Practicks, laborious
and painful in the daily exercise of those handy-crafts, in which
they were most skilful. Of the latter, Philo treateth in his book
entituled, Quod omnis vir probus: Of the former, in the book
following, entituled, De vita contemplativa.
Their Dogmata, their Ordinance, or Constitutions, did symbolize
in many things with Pythagoras his, where they do agree. Therefore my
purpose is, first to name Pythagoras his; and then to proceed on with
the Essenes. They follow thus.
The[149] Pythagoreans professed a communion of goods: _So the
Essenes_.[150] they had one common purse or stock, none richer, none
poorer than other; out of this common treasury, every one supplyed
his own wants without leave, and administred to the necessities of
others: only they might not relieve any of their kindred without leave
from their Overseers. They did not buy or sell among themselves, but
each supplyed the others want, by a kind of commutative bartring: yea,
liberty was granted to take one from another what they wanted, without
exchange. They performed Offices of service mutually one to another;
for mastership and service cannot stand with communion of goods:
and servants are commonly injurious to the state of their Masters,
according to that saying of R. Gamaliel,[151] _He that multiplyeth
servants, multiplieth thieves_. When they travelled, besides weapons
for defence, they took nothing with them, for in whatsoever City or
Village they came, they repaired to the Fraternity of the Essenes,
and were there entertained as members of the same. And if we do
attentively read Josephus, we may observe that the Essenes of every
City joyned themselves into one common Fraternity or Colledge.
Every Colledge had two sorts of Officers: First, Treasurers, who
looked to the common stock, provided their diet, appointed each his
task, and other publick necessaries. Secondly, _Others, who entertained
their strangers_.
[149] _Aul. Gell. l. 1. c. 10. It. Laer. in Pythag. Κοινὰ τὰ
φίλων εἶναι._
[150] Joseph. lib. 18. cap. 2.
[151] _מרבה עבדים מרבה גזל Marbe gnabadim. Marbe gezel, Pirke
Aboth. cap. 1._
2. The Pythagoreans shunned pleasures.[152] _So did the
Essenes_:[153] to this belongeth their avoiding of oyl, which, if any
touched unawares, they wiped it off presently.
[152] Justin. lib. 20.
[153] Joseph. de bello Judaic. lib. 2. c. 12.
3. The Pythagoreans garments were white:[154] _So were the Essenes
white also_,[155] modest, not costly: when once they put on a suit,
they never changed it till it was torn, or worn out.
[154] Suid. It. Ælian. de varia hist. l. 18. cap. 32.
[155] Joseph. de bello Judaic. lib. 2. cap. 12.
4. The Pythagoreans forbade Oaths.[156] So did the Essenes;[157]
they thought him a noted lyar, who could not be believed without an
oath.
[156] Laert. in vita Pythagoræ.
[157] Philo Judæus.
5. The Pythagoreans had their Elders in singular respect.[158] _So
had the Essenes._[159] The body, or whole company of the Essenes,
were distinguisht εἰς μοίρας τέσσαρας into four ranks, or orders,
according to their Seniority; and if haply any of the superior ranks
had touched any of the inferior, he thought himself polluted, as if he
had touched an Heathen.
[158] Suidas. It. Laertius.
[159] Joseph. de bello Judaic. lib. 2. cap. 12.
6. The Pythagoreans drank water.[160] _So did the Essenes only
water_,[161] wholly abstaining from wine.
[160] Suidas.
[161] Philo de vita contemplativa.
7. The Pythagoreans used θυσίαις ἀψύχαις inanimate Sacrifices.[162]
So did the Essenes:[163] they sent gifts to the Temple, and did
not sacrifice, but preferred the use of their holy water before
sacrifice, for which reason the other Jews forbad them all access
unto the Temple.
[162] Laertius in vita Pythag.
[163] Joseph. Antiq. lib. 18. cap. 2.
8. The Pythagoreans ascribed all things to fate or destiny.[164] _So
did the Essenes._[165] In this Aphorism all three Sects differed
each from other. The Pharisees ascribed some things to Fate, and
other things to Mans Free-will. The Essenes ascribed all to Fate,
nothing to mans free will. The Sadduces wholly deny Fate, and
ascribed all things to the free will of man.
[164] Suidas.
[165] Joseph. Antiq. lib. 13. cap. 9.
9. _The Pythagoreans the first five years were not permitted to
speak in the School_:[166] but were initiated _per quinquennale
silentium_,[167] and not until then suffered to come into the presence
of, or sight of Pythagoras. To this may be referred the _Essenes
silence at Table_ straightly observed, so that _Decem simul sedentibus,
nemo loquitur invitis novem_; Drusius[168] renders it, that ten of
them sitting together, none of them spake without leave obtained of
the nine. When any did speak, it was not their custome to interrupt
him with words, but by nods of the head, or beckenings, or holding
their finger, or shaking their heads, and other such like dumb signs
and gestures, to signifie their doubtings, disliking, or approving the
matter in hand. And to the time of silence amongst the Pythagoreans,
that it must be for five years, may be referred the initiation of the
Essenes; for amongst them none were presently admitted into their
society, with full liberty, but they under went four years of tryal
and probation. The first year they received _Dolabellum,[169] Perizoma,
& vestem albam_, a spadle, with which they digged a convenient place
to ease Nature; a pair of breeches, which they used in bathing or
washing themselves; a white garment, which especially that Sect
affected. At this time they had their commons allowed them, but
without, not in the common dining Hall. The second year they admitted
them to the participation of holy matters, and instructed them in
the use of them. Two years after they admitted them in full manner,
making them of their Corporation, after they had received an Oath,
truly to observe all the Rules and Ordinances of the Essenes. If any
brake his oath, an hundred of them being assembled together, expelled
him, upon which expulsion commonly followed death within a short time;
for none having once entred this Order, might receive alms or any meat
from other; and themselves would feed such a one, only with distastful
herbs, which wasted his body, and brought it very low: sometimes they
would re-admit such a one being brought near unto death; but commonly
they suffered him to die in that misery.
[166] _Quinquennale hoc silentium â Pythagora auditoribus suis
indictum vocabant ἐχεμυθίαν à cohibendo sermone._
[167] Laertius in Pythagor.
[168] Drusius de trib. sect. l. 4.
[169] Joseph. de bello Judaico lib. 2. cap. 12.
10. The Essenes worshipped toward the Sun rising.[170]
[170] Philo item Joseph.
11. _The Essenes bound themselves in their oath, to preserve the names
of Angels_:[171] The phrase implyeth a kind of worshipping of them.
[171] Joseph. de bello Judaic. lib. 2. cap. 12.
12. _They were above all others strict in the observation of the
Sabbath day_;[172] on it they would dress no meat, kindle no fire,
remove no Vessels out of their place; no, nor ease Nature, Yea, they
observed[173] _ἑβδομάδων ἑβδομάδας, every seventh week, a solemn
Pentecost; seven Pentecosts, every year_.
[172] Joseph. ib.
[173] Philo de vita contemplat.
13. They abstained from marriage, not that they disliked marriage in
it self, or intended an end or period to procreation: but partly, in
wariness of womens intemperance; partly, because they were perswaded
that no woman would continue faithful to one man. This avoiding of
marriage is not to be understood generally of all the Essenes, for
they disagreed among themselves in this point. Some were of the
opinion before noted: others married for propagation. _Nihilominus
autem cum tanta ipsi moderatione conveniunt, ut per triennium explorent
valetudinem fœminarum; & si constanti purgatione apparuerint idoneæ
partui, ita eas in matrimonia asciscunt. Nemo tamen cum prægnante
concumbit, ut ostendant, quòd nuptias non voluptatis, sed liberorum
causa inierint._ Thus the latter sort preserved their Sect by the
procreation of children: the former sort preserved it by a kind of
adoption of other mens children, counting them as near Kinsmen, and
tutoring them in the Rules of Discipline, as Josephus witnesseth.
Pliny[174] addeth also, that many other of the Jews, when they
began to be struck in years, voluntarily joyned themselves unto
them, being moved thereunto, either because of the variable state
and troubles of the world, or upon consideration of their own former
licentious courses, as if they would by this means exercise a kind of
penance upon themselves.
[174] Plin. hist. l. 5. cap. 17.
Concerning the beginning of this Sect, from whom, or when it began,
it is hard to determine. Some[175] make them as ancient as the
Rechabites, and the Rechabites to have differed only in the
addition of some rules and ordinances from the Kenites, mentioned
Judg. 1. 16. And thus by consequence the Essenes were as ancient,
as the Israelites departure out of Egypt: for Jethro, Moses
father-in-law, as appeareth by the Text, was a Kenite: but neither
of these seemeth probable. For the Kenites are not mentioned in
Scripture, as a distinct order or sect of people, but as a
distinct family, kindred, or Nation, Numb. 24. 21. Secondly,
the Rechabites, they neither did build houses, but dwelt in Tents;
neither did they deal in husbandry, they sowed no seed, nor planted
Vineyards, nor had any, Jer. 55. 7. The Essenes, on the contrary,
they dwelt not in tents, but in houses;[176] and they imployed
themselves especially in husbandry. One of the Hebrew Doctors[177]
saith, that the Essenes were Nazarites: but that cannot be, because
the Law enjoyned the Nazarites, when the time of the Consecration
was out, to present themselves at the door of the Tabernacle or
Temple, Num. 6. Now the Essenes had no access to the Temple.
When therefore, or from what Author this Sect took its beginning, is
uncertain. The first that I find mentioned by the name of an Essene,
was one Judas,[178] who lived in the time of Aristobulus the Son
of Joannes Hyrcanus, before our Saviours Birth about one hundred
years: Howsoever the Sect was of greater antiquity;[179] for all
three, Pharisees, Sadduces, and Essenes, were in Jonathan’s
time, the brother of Judeas Macchabeus, who was fifty years before
Aristobulus. Certain it is, that this Sect continued until the daies
of our Saviour, and after; for Philo and Josephus speaks of
them as living in their times. What might be the reason then, that
there is no mention of them in the New Testament? I answer; First,
The number of them seemeth not to have been great, in Philo and
Josephus his time,[180] about four thousand, which being dispersed
in many Cities, made the Faction weak: and haply in Jerusalem when
our Savior lived, they were either few or none. Secondly, if we
observe histories we shall find them peaceable and quiet, not opposing
any, and therefore not so liable to reproof as the Pharisees and
Sadduces, who opposed each other, and both joyned against Christ.
Thirdly, why might they not as well be passed over in silence in the
New Testament, (especially containing themselves quietly without
contradiction of others) as the Rechabites in the Old Testament,
of whom there is mention only once, and that obliquely, although their
Order continued about three hundred years before this testimony was
given of them by the Prophet Jeremy; for between Jehu (with whom
Jonadab was Coetanean) and Zedekiah, Chronologers observe the
distance of many years. Lastly, though the name Essenes be not found
in Scripture,[181] yet we shall find in S. Paul’s Epistles many
things reproved, which were taught in the School of the Essenes.
Of this nature was that advice given unto Timothy, 1 Tim. 5. 23.
Drink no longer water, but use a little wine. Again, _1 Tim. 4.
3._ _Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats is a
Doctrine of Devils_; but especially Coloss. 2. in many passages the
Apostle seemeth directly to point at them, _Let no man condemn you in
meat and drink_, v. 16. _Let no man bear rule over you, by humbleness
of mind, and worshipping of Angels_, vers. 18. τί δογματίζεσθε;
Why are ye subject to Ordinances? ver. 20. The Apostle useth
the word δόγματα, which was applyed by the Essenes to denote their
Ordinances, Aphorisms, or Constitutions. In the verse following
he gives an instance of some particulars, _Touch not, taste not, handle
not_, vers. 21. Now the Junior company of Essenes might not touch
their Seniors. And in their diet, their taste was limited to bread,
salt, water, and hyssop. And these ordinances they undertook, διὰ
πόθον σοφίας saith Philo, for the love of wisdom: but the Apostle
concludeth, vers. 23. That these things had only, λόγον σοφίας, a
shew of wisdom. And whereas Philo termeth the Religion of the
Essenes, by the name of θεραπεία, which word signifieth _religious
worship_, the Apostle termeth in the same verse, ἐθελοθρησκείαν,
Voluntary-religion, or will-worship: yea, where he termeth their
Doctrine πατρίαν φιλοσοφίαν, a kind of Philosophy received from
their Fore-fathers by Tradition, Saint Paul biddeth them beware of
Philosophy, vers. 8.
[175] Serarius Trihæres. l. 3. cap. 5.
[176] Joseph. Antiq. lib. 18. c. 7.
[177] Scalig. in Trihær. cap. 23.
[178] Joseph. l. 13. c. 19.
[179] Joseph. l. 13. c. 9.
[180] Philo. lib. quod omnis probus, p. 678.
[181] Vide Chemnit. exem. conc. Trident. part. quart. pag. 120.
We formerly observed two sorts of Essenes; Practicks and
Theoricks: both agreed in their Aphorisms, or Ordinances; but in
certain circumstances they differed.
1. The Practicks dwelt in the Cities; The Theoricks shunned the
Cities, and dwelt in Gardens, and solitary Villages.
2. The Practicks spent the day in manual Crafts, keeping of Sheep,
looking to Bees, tilling of Ground, &c. they were τεχνίται,
Artificers. The Theoricks spent the day in meditation, and prayers,
whence they were by a kind of excellency, by Philo termed, ἱκέται,
Supplicantes.
3. The Practicks had every day their dinner and supper allowed them;
the Theoricks only their supper.
The Practicks had for their Commons every one his dish of
Water-gruel, and bread; The Theoricks only bread, and salt: if any
were of a more delicate palate then other, to him it was permitted to
eat Hyssop; their drink for both, was common water.
Some are of Opinion, that these Theoricks were Christian Monks; but
the countary appeareth, for these reasons:
1. In that whole Book of Philo, concerning the Theoricks, there is
no mention either of Christ, or Christians, of the Evangelists,
or Apostles.
2. The Theoricks, in that Book of Philo’s, are not any new Sect of
late beginning, as the Christians at that time were, as is clearly
evidenced by Philo his own words. First, In calling the Doctrine
of the Essenes πατρίαν φιλοσοφίαν, _A philosophy derived unto them
by tradition from their fore-fathers_. Secondly, in saying, _Habent
priscorum commentarios, qui hujus sectæ autores_, &c.
3. The inscription of that Book, is not only περὶ βίου θεωρητικοῦ but
also περὶ ἱκετῶν. Now Philo[182] elsewhere calleth the whole Nation
of the Jews, τὸ ἱκετικὸν γένος, which argueth, that those Theoricks
were Jews, not Christians.
[182] Philo in Prin. lib. de legat. Caium.
CHAP. XIII.
Of the Gaulonitæ, and the Herodians.
Other Factions there were among the Jews, which are improperly
termed Sects. Of these there were principally two. First, Gaulonitæ.
Secondly, Herodiani. The Gaulonitæ had their names from
one Judas, who sometimes[183] was called Judas Gaulonites,
sometimes[184] Judas Galilæus, of whom Gamaliel speaketh, _Acts
5. 37._ _After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the daies of the
tribute._ The tribute here spoken of, was that made by Cyrenius,
sometimes called Quirinius: the name in Greek is one and the same,
but differently read by Expositors. This Cyrenius was sent from
Rome by Augustus, into Syria, and from thence came into Judæa,
where Coponius was President, and there he raised this Tax; which
taxation is unadvisedly by some confounded with that mentioned,
Luke 2. 1. Both were raised under Augustus, but they differed.
First, this was only of Syria and Judæa; that in Saint Luke was
universal, of the whole world. Secondly, this was, when Archelaus,
Herods son, was banished into Vienna, having reigned nine years;
that, under Herod the Great: Whence there is an observable Emphasis,
in that Saint Luke saith, it was the first taxing, having reference
unto this second.
[183] Joseph. Antiq. lib. 8. cap. 21.
[184] Jos. l. 18, c. 21.
The occasion[185] of this Faction was thus: When Cyrenius levied this
Tax, and seized upon Archelaus, Herod’s sons goods; then arose this
Judas opposing this Tribute; and telling the people, that Tribute was
a manifest token of servitude, and that they ought to call none Lord,
but only him who was Lord of Lords, the God of heaven and earth.
Whence those that adhered unto him were called Gaulonitæ; they were
also called Galileans.[186] It was their blood that Pilate mixed
with their sacrifices, Luk. 13. 1. For Pilate had not authority
over the Nation of the Galileans. The reason of this mixture is
thought[187] to be, because the Galileans forbad sacrifices to be
offered for the Roman Empire, or for the safety of the Emperour;
whereupon, Pilate being incensed with anger, slew them whilst they
were sacrificing.[188] To this faction belonged those murderers, termed
Σικαριοὶ, mentioned, Acts 21. 18.
[185] Joseph. loco superius citato.
[186] Oecumenius. Act. 5. 37. Theophylact. Luc. 13. 1.
[187] Theophylact. in Luc. 13.
[188] Joseph. l. 7. de bello Judaic. cap. 28. p. 985.
Concerning the Herodians, those that number them among Hereticks,
make the heresie to consist in two things: First, in that they took
Herod the Great for the promised Messias; because in his Reign,
he being a stranger, the Scepter was departed from Judah; which
was the promised time of the Messiah his coming. Secondly, they
honoured him with superstitious solemnities annually performed upon his
Birth-days. Of Herod his Birth-day the Poet speaketh,
---- ---- ---- Cum
Herodis venere dies, unctaque fenestra,
Dispositæ pinguem nebulam vomuere lucernæ,
Portantes violas, rubrumque amplexa catinum,
Cauda natat thynni, tumet alta fidelia vino.
Pers. Sat. 1.
Now whether this latter may be referred to Herod the Great, I much
doubt; because I find not any Author among the Ancients to speak of
Herod the Great his Birth-day: It was another Herod, _Tetrarch
of Galilee_, otherwise called Antipas, whose Birth-day we read
celebrated, Mark 6. 21. The former point, that the Herodians
received Herod as their Messiah, though it hath many grave
Authors[189] avouching it, yet others[190] justly question the truth
thereof; for if the Herodians were Jews (as most think) how then
could they imagine, that Herod, a stranger, could be the Messiah,
seeing that it was so commonly preached by the Prophets, and known
unto the People, that the Messiah, must be a Jew born, of the Tribe
of Judah, and of the house of David?
[189] Epiph. hæres. 10. & Theophyl. Mat. 22. 16. & alii plures.
[190] Hieron. Mat. 22. 17.
Others say,[191] that the Herodians were certain flatterers in
Herod his Court, varying and changing many points of their Religion
with Herod their King.
[191] Theodor. Beza, Mat. 22. 16.
To omit many other conjectures utterly improbable, I incline to Saint
Hierom, whose Opinion is,[192] that the Herodians were those who
stood stifly for tribute to be paid to Cæsar. It concerned Herod,
who at first received his Crown from Cæsar, to further Cæsar’s
tribute, not only in way of thankfulness, but also in way of policy,
to prevent a possible deposing or desceptring; for it was in Cæsar’s
power to take away the Crown again when pleased him. Now, in respect
that Herod saught to kill Christ, and the Herodians with the
Pharisees took counsel against him; unto this our Saviour might
have reference, saying, Mar. 8. 15. _Beware of the leaven of the
Pharisees, and of the leaven of ~Herod~._ Viz. _Of their contagious
Doctrine, and fox-like subtleties._
[192] Hieron. Mat. 22. 17.
THE SECOND BOOK TREATETH OF PLACES.
CHAP. I.
Their Temple.
When the Israelites came out of Ægypt, Moses was commanded
to build a Tabernacle for the place of Gods publick worship.
Afterward, when they were settled in the promised Land, then Solomon
was commanded to build a Temple.
These two shadowed the difference between the Jews Synagogue, and the
Christian Church. The Tabernacle was moveable, and but for a time:
The Temple fixed, and permanent: the state of the Jews vanishing,
to continue in their generations; the state of Christians durable,
to continue unto the worlds end. More principally it shadowed forth
the state of the Church Militant here on earth, and triumphant
in heaven: Unto both the Prophet David alludeth; _Lord, Who shall
sojourn in thy Tabernacle? who shall rest in thine holy Mountain?_
Psal. 15. 1.
There were in the same tract of ground three hills, Sion, Moria,
and Mount Calvary. On Sion was the City and Castle of David;
on Moria was the Temple, and on Mount Calvary Christ was
crucified. But[193] all these three were generally called by the
name of Sion; whence it is, that though the Temple were built on
Moria, yet the Scripture speaketh of it commonly, as if it were upon
Mount Sion.
[193] Genebrard in Chron. lib. 1. Anno mundi 3146.
In their Temple there are these three things considerable: First, the
Sanctum Sanctorum, the Holy of Holies; answerable to our Quire
in the Cathedral Churches. Secondly, the Sanctum, the Sanctuary;
answerable to the Body of the Church. Thirdly, the Atrium, the
Court; answerable to the Church-yard.
In the Holy of Holies there were the Golden Censer, and the Ark of
the Testament, Heb. 9. 4.
In[194] the Ark there were three things: First, the pot of Manna;
secondly, Aaron’s rod that budded; thirdly, the _Tables of the
Testament_, Heb. 9. 4. Thus they were in Moses his time; but
afterwards in the days of Solomon, onely the Tables of the Law were
found in the Ark, 1 King. 8. 9.
[194] _Sunt qui illud ἐν ᾗ apud Apostolum, Heb. 9. 4. referunt
ad τὴν σκηνὴν ut dicunt in Tabernaculo secundo, quod appellent
Sanctum Sanctorum, fuisse urnam mannæ & virgam Aaronis, tabulam
fæderis videl. urnam, & virgam ante arcam: (ita Moses Kotsensis
210. 1.) tabulam autem in Arca._
The cover of this Ark was called ἱλαστήριον, the Propitiatory, or
Mercy-seat, because it covered and hid the Law, that it appeared
not before God to plead against man. It was a type of Christ, who
likewise is termed ἱλαστήριον, our Propitiation, Rom. 3. 25. and
ἵλασμος, a Propitiatory, John 2. 2. At each end of the Mercy-seat
stood a golden Cherub, each Cherub stretched forth his wings; and
from between them, as from an Oracle, God gave his answer, _Exod.
25. 22._ Hence it is, that the Lord is said to sit between the
Cherubims, Ps. 99. 1. The positure of the Cherubims was such,
that their faces were each towards the other, but both looking down
towards the Mercy-seat; they fitly shadowed out the people of the
Jews and Christians, both looking toward each other, but both
expecting salvation in Christ only.
In the Sanctuary, there was the Incense-altar in the middle, and
the Table, with the twelve Loaves of Shew-bread on it on the one side,
and the Candlestick on the other. The incense-altar was a type of our
prayers, Psal. 141. 2. And that this altar must be once every year
sprinkled with the blood of the Sacrifice by the High-priest, _Exod.
30. 10._ It teacheth that our very prayers, except they be purified
by the blood of Christ they are unavailable before God. The
twelve loaves were a type of the twelve Tribes, and the Candlestick
a type of the Word of God. In them all, we may see the necessity of
both Ordinances required, Prayer and Preaching, if we would be
presented acceptable unto the Lord: The Candlestick was a type of
Preaching; Incense, of Prayer.
In Moses his Tabernacle there was but one Table, and one
Candlestick: In Solomon’s Temple there were ten Tables, and
ten Candlesticks; as likewise in the Court of the Tabernacle,
there was but one brazen Laver, in the Court of the Temple there
were ten, and another great Vessel wherein the Priests washed: in
the Tabernacle there were but two silver Trumpets; in the Temple
there were an hundred and twenty Priests sounding Trumpets.
The Courts of the Temple at the first were but two, _Atrium
Sacerdotum_, the Priests Court; and Atrium populi, the _Peoples
Court_.
In the Priests Court were the brazen Altar for Sacrifices, and the
Laver for the washing, both of the Priests and the Sacrifices. The
Laver, and the Altar scituated in the same Court, signified the
same as the water and blood issued out of Christ’s side; namely,
the necessary concurrence of these two Graces in all that shall be
saved, sanctification, justification; sanctification intimated by
the Laver and blood: justification by the Altar and blood.
The Court for the Priests, and the Court for the people were
separated[195] each from other; by a wall of three Cubits high.
[195] Joseph. l. 8. c. 13.
The Court for the people was sometimes called the outward Court,
sometimes the Temple, sometimes Solomon’s Porch, because it
was built about with Porches, into which the people retired in rainy
weather: It had Solomon’s name, either to continue his memory, or
because the Porches had some resemblance of that Porch which Solomon
built before the Temple, 1 King. 6. 3. _Jesus walked in the Temple,
in ~Solomon~’s Porch_, John 10. 23. _All the people ran unto the
Porch which was called ~Solomon~’s_, Acts 3. 11. That is, this
outward Court.
In the midst of the peoples Court, Solomon made a brazen Scaffold
for the King, 2 Chron. 6. 13.
This Court of the people went round about the Temple, and though
it was one entire Court in the days of Solomon, yet afterward it was
divided by a low wall, so that the men stood in the inward part of it,
and the women in the outward. This division is thought to have been
made in Jehosaphat’s time, of whom we read, that he stood in the
House of the Lord, before the new Court, 2 Chron. 20. 5. that is,
before the Womens Court.
There was an ascent of fifteen steps or stairs between the _womens
Court_ and the mens,[196] upon these steps the Levites sung those
fifteen Psalms immediately following the one hundredth nineteenth,
upon each step one Psalm, whence those Psalms are entituled, _Psalmi
graduales_, Songs of degrees.
[196] R. David Kimchi. Psal. 120.
In the Womens Court stood their Treasuries, or Alms-box, as
appeareth by the poor Widows casting her two Mites into it, _Luk. 21.
1._ In Hebrew it is termed קרבן Korban, the Chest of Oblation;
the word signifieth barely, an Oblation, or Offering, and
accordingly S. Luk. 21. 4. saith, they all of their superfluities
cast into the offerings; that is into, the Korban, or _Chest of
offerings_. In Greek it is termed γαζοφυλακεῖον whence cometh the
Latine word, Gazophylacium, a Treasury. That set up by Jehoiada,
2 King. 12. 19. seemeth to have been different from this, and to have
been extraordinary, only for the repairing of the Temple; for that
stood beside the Altar in the Priests Court; and the Priests, not
the parties that brought the gifts, put it into the Chest. Sometimes
the whole Court was termed Gazophylacium, a Treasury. These words
speak Jesus in the Treasury, John 8. 20. It is worth our noting,
that the Hebrew word צדקה Tsedaka, signifying Alms, signifieth
properly Justice; and thereby is intimated, that the matter of our
alms should be goods justly gotten: And to this purpose they called
their Alms-box קופה של צדקה Kupha-Sehel-Tsedaka, the _Chest of
Justice_; and upon their Alms-box they wrote[197] this abreviature
מביא, A gift in secret pacifieth anger, Prov. 21. 14.
[197] Buxtorf. de abbrev. in מביא
In Herod’s Temple there were[198] four Porches; the meaning is,
four Courts, one for the Priests, another for men, another for
women, and a fourth _for such as were unclean by legal pollutions,
and strangers_. This outmost Court for the unclean and strangers, was
separated from the womens Court, with a stone wall of three Cubits
high, which wall was adorned with certain pillars of equal distance,
bearing this Inscription:[199] _Let no stranger enter into the holy
place_.
[198] Iosep. l. 2. contra Apion. 1066.
[199] _Μὴ δεῖ ἀλλόφυλον ἐντὸς τοῦ ἁγίου παριέναι. In locum
sanctum transire alienigena non debet. Joseph. de bel. Jud.
lib. 6. c. 6._
The Temple at Jerusalem was thrice built. First, by Solomon:
Secondly, by Zorobabel: Thirdly, by Herod. The first was built in
seven years, 1 King. 6. 37. The second in forty six years: It was
begun in the second year of King Cyrus, Ezra 3. 8. It was finished
in the ninth year of Darius Hystaspis.[200] The years rise thus;
Cyrus reigned 30 }
Cambyses 08 } Years.
It was finished in the year of Darius Hystaspis 09 }
One year deducted from Cyrus his Reign, there remains 46.
[200] Joseph. Antiq. lib. 11. c. 4.
Herod’s Temple was finished in eight years.[201] It is greatly
questioned among Divines, of which Temple that speech of the Jews
is to be understood, John 2. 20. _Forty and six years was this Temple
in building_. Many interpret it of the second Temple, saying, that
Herod did only repair that, not build a new: but these disagree among
themselves in the computation; and the Scripture speaketh peremptorily,
that the house was finished in the sixth year of the Reign of King
Darius, Ezra 6. 15. and Josephus speaketh of Herod’s _building
a new Temple, plucking down the old_.[202] It seemeth therefore
more probable, that the speech is to be understood of Herod’s
Temple, which, though it were but eight years in building, yet, at
that time, when this speech was used, it had stood precisely _forty
six years_,[203] for so many years there are precisely between the
eighteenth year of Herod’s Reign, (at which time the Temple begun
to be built) and the year of Christ his baptisme, when it is thought
that this was spoken; all which time the Temple was more and more
adorned, beautified, and perfected, in which respect it may be said to
be so long building.
[201] Ioseph. Antiq. lib. 15 cap. ult.
[202] Vide Hospini. de Orig. Templ. c. 3.
[203] Vide supputationem Funccianam. an. 3747.
The ancient men are said to weep, when they beheld the second, because
the glory thereof was far short of Solomon’s, Ez. 3. 12. It was
inferiour to Solomon’s Temple: First, in respect of the building,
because it was lower and meaner.[204] Secondly, in respect of the
Vessels, being now of brass, which before were of pure gold. Thirdly,
in respect of five things, lost and wanting in the second Temple,
all which were in the first. First, there was wanting the _Ark of
God_.[205] Secondly, Urim and Thummim; God gave no answer by these
two, as in former times. Thirdly, Fire, which in the second Temple
never descended from heaven to consume their burnt offerings, as it
did in the first. Fourthly, the Glory of God appearing between the
Cherubims, this they termed שכינה Schecina, the habitation,
or dwelling of God, and hereunto the Apostle alludeth, _In him
dwelleth the Fulness of the Godhead bodily_, Coloss. 2. 9. Bodily;
that is, not in Clouds and Ceremonies, as between the Cherubims, but
essentially. Lastly, the Holy Ghost; namely, enabling them for
the gift of Prophecy; for between Malachy and John the Baptist,
there stood up no Prophet, but only they were instructed _per filiam
vocis_, which they termed בת קול Bath Kol, an Eccho from heaven;
and this was the reason why those Disciples, Act. 19. 2. said, _We
have not so much as heard whether there be an Holy Ghost_.
[204] Hospinian. ex Talmudistis, de Orig. Templ. c. 3.
[205] D. Kimchi in Hagg. 1. 8. Eadem scribit Rabbi Solomon ibid.
Here it may be demanded, How that of the Prophet Haggai is true;
The glory of this last house shall be greater then the first, _Hag.
2. 10._ I answer, Herod’s Temple which was built in the place of
this, was of statelier building than Solomon’s, and it was of greater
glory, because of Christ his Preaching in it.
Herod’s Temple was afterwards so set on fire by Titus his
souldiers,[206] that it could not be quenched by the industry of man:
at the same time[207] the Temple at Delphos, being in chief request
among the Heathen people, was utterly overthrown by earth-quakes and
thunder-bolts from Heaven, and neither of them could ever since be
repaired. The concurrence of which two Miracles evidently sheweth,
that the time was then come, that God would put an end both to _Jewish
Ceremonies_, and Heathenish Idolatry; that the Kingdom of his son
might be the better established.
[206] Genebrard. Chro. l. 2. anno Christi 69.
[207] Theodoret. l. 3. c. 11. Sozomenus, l. 5. c. 19. 20, 21.
CHAP. II.
Their Synagogues, Schools, and Houses of Prayer.
The word Synagogue is from the Greek, συνάγω to gather-together;
and it is applyed to all things whereof there may be a collection, as
συναγωγὴ γάλακτος, copia lactis, συναγωγὴ πολέμοιο; _collectio quæ
sunt ad bellum necessaria_. God standeth in Synagoga Deorum, _the
Assembly of Judges_: but Synagogues are commonly taken for houses
dedicated to the worship of God, wherein it was lawful to pray,
preach, and dispute, but not to sacrifice. In Hebrew it was
called, בית הכנסת Beth Hacneseth, the House of Assembly. The
Temple at Jerusalem was the Cathedral Church; the Synagogues, as
petty Parish Churches belonging thereunto.
Concerning the time when Synagogues began, it is hard to determine.
It is probable that they began when the Tribes were settled in the
promised Land. The Temple being then too far distant from those which
dwelt in remote places, it is likely that they repaired unto certain
Synagogues instead of the Temple. That they were in David’s time
appeareth; They have burnt all the Synagogues of God in the land,
Psal. 74. 8. And Moses of old time had in every City, them that
preached him, being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day, _Act.
15. 21._
In Jerusalem there were[208] four hundred eighty Synagogues,
besides the Temple; partly for Jews, partly for strangers: one
for strangers was called the Synagogue of the Libertines, _Act. 6.
9._ Whence it had that name, whether from the Roman Libertines, such
as had served for their freedom, being opposite to the Ingenui,
those that were free-born; (for many of those Libertines became
Proselites, and had their Synagogues[209]) or whether it were from
Lubar,[210] signifying an high-place; (for as their Temple,
so their Synagogues and Schools were built on hills and
high-places) because it is said, Prov. 1. 21. _Wisdome calleth in
high-places_: I leave to the judgment of the Reader.
[208] Sigonius de rep. Hebr. l. 2. cap. 8.
[209] Philo in legat. ad Caium.
Out of Jerusalem, in other Cities and Provinces, were many
Synagogues: there were Synagogues in Galilee, Mat. 4. 23.
Synagogues in Damascus, Acts 9. 2. Synagogues at Salamis,
Act. 13. 5. Synagogues at Antiochia, Acts 13. 14. Yea, their
tradition is that[211] _Wheresoever ten men of ~Israel~ were, there
ought to be built a Synagogue_.
[210] Vide Tremel. Acts 6. 9.
[211] Maimon. in Tephilla. c. 11. Sect. 1.
Their Synagogues had[212] many Inscriptions; over the gate was
written that of the Psal. 118. 20. _This is the gate of the Lord, the
righteous shall enter into it._ In the walls, these and the like
sentences; _Remember thy Creator, & enter into the house of the Lord
thy God in humility_. And _prayer without attention is like a body is
like a body without a soul_. And _silence is commendable in time of
prayer_.
[212] Buxtorf. de abbreviatur. pag. 23. 81. 174.
As the Courts of the people before the Temple were distinguished
by a wall into two rooms, the one for men, the other for women: so in
the Synagogues, the women were separated from the men,[213] by a
partition of Lattice, or wire-work.
[213] _Talmud in tract. Suta cap. ult. vi. Buxtorf. Synag. c.
9. p. 240._
In the Synagogues the Scribes ordinarily taught, but not only they,
for Christ himself taught in them, &c. He that gave liberty to
preach there, was termed ἀρχισυναγώγος. The Ruler of the Synagogue.
There was also a Minister who gave the book unto the Preacher,
and received it again, after the Text had been read. _Christ closed
the book, and gave it again unto the Minister_, Luke 4. 20. This
is probably he, whom they called שליח צבור Sheliach Tsibbur, the
Minister or Clerk of the Synagogue.
Their Schools were different from their Synagogues. Paul having
disputed for the space of three months in the Synagogue, because
divers believed not, but spake evil of that way, he departed from them,
and separated his Disciples, disputing daily in the School of one
Tyrannus; Act. 19. 8, 9, 10.
Their School sometimes is called בית Beth, an house, simply, as
appeareth by that saying;[214] _Octodecim res de quibus contentio fuit
inter domum Sammai, & domum Hillel, ne Elias quidem abolere posset_.
Those 18 matters controverted between the house of Sammai, and
the house of Hillel, Elias himself could not decide; that is,
between their two Schools. Sometime it is called בית המדרש _Beth
Hammidrasch_, an house of subtle and acute exposition. Here points
were more exactly and punctually discussed, than in the Synagogue, or
Temple; whence they held it a profounder place for exposition, than
the Temple: To this purpose tend those sayings,[215] _They might turn
a Synagogue into a School, but not a School into a Synagogue, for the
sanctity of a School is beyond the sanctity of a Synagogue_. And that
groweth from Vertue to vertue, Psa. 84. 7. they interpret[216] a
kind of promotion, or degree, in removing _from their Temple to
their School_. In their Temple, their Sermons were, as it were, _Ad
populum_; in their Schools, Ad Clerum.
[214] Drusius de tribus sect. l. 2. c. 10.
[215] Maimon. Tephilla. c. 11. Sect. 14.
[216] Paraphrast. Chal. in hunc locum.
As they had Synagogues, so likewise Schools, in every City and
Province; and these were built also upon hills. There is mention of the
hill Moreb, Judg. 7. 1. that is, the hill of the Teacher.
The Masters when they taught their Scholars, were said to give:
Give unto the wise, and he will be wiser, Prov. 9. 9.
The Scholars when they learned any thing, were said to receive it:
Hear my Son, and receive my words, Prov. 4. 10. Hence is that of
the Apostle: _This is a true saying, and by all means worthy to be
received_, 1 Tim. 1. 15. that is, learned. The like phrase of
speech are in use among the Latines.[217]
[217] _Da, si grave non est. Hor. l. 2. Satyr. 8. Sed tamen
iste Deus qui sit, da Tytere nobis Virg. Bucol. Accipe nunc
Danaum insidias. Virg. Æneid l. 2._
Whether their Oratories or places of prayer called Proseuchæ, were
different places from their Schools, or Synagogues, I have not
yet learned. That some of these were without the City, that proveth
nothing, for so might Synagogues and Schools too. Epiphanius
treateth of those Oratories,[218] but there he speaketh not one word
to shew the lawfulness of civil businesses to be done in them: could
that be proved, a difference would easily be shewn. Some say[219] they
were Synagogues, others[220] Schools. Of this house of prayer,
mention is made, Acts 16. 13. in which S. Paul sate down and spake
unto the woman: which gesture intimateth rather preaching than praying:
true, all gesture was in use for prayer; standing, kneeling, sitting:
Abraham stood before the Lord, Gen. 18. 22. that is, he prayed.
The Publican stood afar off and prayed, Luke 18. 13. Whence by way
of Proverb they say,[221] Sine stationibus non subsisteret mundus;
Were it not for standing, the World could not stand, Stephen kneeled,
Acts 7. 60. David sate before the Lord, and said, 2 Sam. 7. 18.
Yet sitting, when the speech is to the people, not to the Lord,
implieth preaching, not prayer. It is probable, that as at the
gate of the Temple, so at the gate of these Oratories, the poorer
sort of people assembled to expect alms: Whence some use the word[222]
Proseucha, to signifie an Hospital.
[218] Epiphan. Tom. 2. l. 3. c. 80.
[219] Beza. Act. 16. 13.
[220] Philo Jud. de vita Mosis, p. 530.
[221] R. Juda. in lib. Musar. vide Drus. præs. Matth. 6. 5.
[222] Qua te quæro Proseucha? Juven. Sat. 3.
The[223] Talmudists taxed the peoples negligence in prayer, saying
they used three sorts of Amen, and all faulty. A faint Amen, when
they prayed without fervency. A hasty Amen, when they said Amen,
before the prayer was done. A lazy Amen, when they pronounced it at
length, as if they were asleep, dividing the word A-men. The first
they termed יתומה Jethoma, pupillum. The second חטופה
Chetupah, Surreptitium. The third, קטועה Ketugna, Sectile,
quasi in duas partes sectum per oscitantiam.
[223] Caninius de locis N. Testam. cap. 5. p. 38.
CHAP. III.
Of the Gates of Jerusalem.
The gates of the whole circuit of the[224] wall about Jerusalem
were nine: The Sheep-gate, Neh. 3. 1. This was near the Temple,
and thorow it were led the Sheep which were to be sacrificed,
being washed in the Pool Bethsada near the gate: The Fish-gate
Nehem. 3. 3. before this Judas is thought to have hanged himself.
Some[225] think that these two Gates, and likewise the Horse gate,
Nehem. 3. 28. were so called, because they were in manner of three
several Market places, and at the one Gate, Sheep, at the other,
Fish, and at the third, Horses were sold. The Old gate was so
called, because it was supposed to have remained from the time of
the Jebusites, and not to have been destroyed by the Assyrians;
it was near Calvary, and without this Gate Christ was crucified.
Concerning the other Gates little is spoken.
[224] Scheindler pentaglot.
[225] Stukius conviv. l. 2. c. 11.
Touching the Gates of the Temple, there were[226] two of principal
note, both built by Solomon, the one for those that were new married,
the other for mourners and excommunicate persons. The mourners
were distinguished from the excommunicate persons, by having their
lips covered with a skirt of their garment; none entered that gate
with their lip uncovered, but such as were excommunicate. Now the
Israelites which one the Sabbath days sate between those Gates
said unto the new married: _He, whose Name dwelleth in this house,
glad thee with children_. Unto the mourner, _He, which dwelleth in
this house, glad and comfort thee_. Unto the excommunicate, _He, which
dwelleth in this house, move thy heart to harken to the words of thy
fellows_.
[226] R. Juda in l. Musar. vid. Dru. præterit. Joan. 9. 22.
Among the Jews, the gates were places of chiefest strength, so that
they being taken or defended, the whole City was taken, or defended:
and they were chief places of Jurisdiction, for in them Judges
were wont to sit, and to decide controversies. Hence proceeded those
phrases: The gates of Hell shall not prevail against thee, &c. And,
Thy seed shall possess the gates of his Enemies.
CHAP. IV.
Of their Groves, and high Places.
The ancient Heathens did not only not build Temples,[227] but they
held it utterly unlawful so to do. The reason of this might be, because
they thought no Temple spacious enough for the Sun, which was their
chief God. Hence came that saying,[228] _Mundus universus est Templum
Solis_; The whole world is a Temple for the Sun. Moreover, they
thought it unfit to straiten, and confine the supposed Infiniteness of
their fancied Deities within walls; and therefore when after-times
had brought in the use of Temples, yet their God Terminus, and
divers others of their Gods were worshipped in Temples open roofed,
which were therefore called ὕπαιθρα. This I take to be the reason why
they made choice of Hills and Mountains, as the convenientest
places for their Idols. These consecrated Hills, are those _high
places_ which the Scripture so often forbids. Afterwards, as the
number of their Gods encreased; so the number of their _consecrated
hills_ was multiplied, from which their Gods and Goddesses took
their names; as Mercurius Cyllenius, Venus Erycina, _Jupiter
Capitolinus_. At length to beautifie these holy hills, the places of
their idolatrous worship they beset them with trees, and hence came
the consecration of Groves, and Woods, from which their Idols many
times were named.[229] At last some choice and select Trees began to
be consecrated.[230] Those French Magi, termed Dryadæ, worshipped
the Oak, in Greek termed Δρῦς, and thence had their names. The
Etrurians worshipped an Holm-tree; and[231] amongst the Celtæ, a
tall Oak was the very Idol or Image of Jupiter.
[227] Hospin. de Ori. Templ. pag. 1.
[228] Alex ab Alex. lib. 2. cap. 2.
[229] _Populus Alcidæ gratissima, vitis Iaccho. Formosæ myrtus
Veneri, sua Laurea Phœbo Virg. Eclog. 7._
[230] Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 16. c. 44.
[231] Maximus Tyrius, Ser. 38. fol. 225. edit. Steph.
Among the Israelites, the Idolatry began under the Judges, Othniel
and Ehud, Judg. 3. 7. and at the last it became so common in
Israel, that they had peculiar Priests, whom they termed _Prophets
of the Grove_, 1 King. 18. 19. and Idols of the Grove; that is,
peculiar Idols, unto whom their Groves were consecrated, _2 King.
21. 7._ 2 Chron. 15. 16. As Christians in the consecration of their
Churches, make special choice of some peculiar Saints, by whose name
they call them, as Saint Peter’s Church, S. Paul’s, S. Andrews,
&c. So they consecrated their Groves unto particular Idols; whence
in prophane Authors we read of Diana Nemorensis, Diana Arduenna,
Albunea Dea; all receiving their names from the Groves in which
they were worshipped: yea, the Idol it self is sometimes called by
the name of a Grove: _~Josiah~ brought out the Grove from the House
of the Lord_, 2 King. 23. 6. It is probable, that in this Idol was
pourtraited the form and similitude of a Grove, and thence it was
called a Grove, as those silver similitudes of Diana’s Temple
made by Demetrius, were termed Temples of Diana, Acts 19. 24.
CHAP. V.
The Cities of Refuge.
These places of Refuge, appointed by God, differed from those of
Hercules, and Romulus, and other Heathens; because God allowed
safety only to those, who were guiltless in respect of their intention:
but the others were common Sanctuaries, as well for the guilty as the
guiltless. If any man did fortuitously or by chance kill another man,
in such a case liberty was granted unto the offender to fly; at first,
unto the Altar for refuge, as is implied by that text of Scripture,
_If any man come presumptuously unto his Neighbour, to slay him with
guile, thou shalt take him from mine Altar_, Exod. 21. 14. Yea,
we may conjecture this custome of refuge to have continued in force
always, by the practice of Joab, 1 King. 2. 28. Notwithstanding,
lest the Altar might be too far distant from the place where the fact
might be committed, it is probable that therefore God ordained certain
Asyla, or Cities of Refuge, which for the same reason are thought
to have been[232] equally distant one from the other in Canaan:
The Cities were in number six; Bezer of the Reubenites Country,
Ramoth of Gilead, in the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan, of the
Manassites: these three Moses separated beyond Jordan, _Deut.
4. 41, 43._ The other three, appointed by Joshua in the Land of
Canaan, were Cadesh in Galilee in Mount Naphthali; Schechem
in Ephraim, and Kiratharba (which is Hebron) in the Mountain of
Judah, Josh. 20. 7. There are other Cities of like nature: God
promised the Israelites, upon condition of their obedience, after
their Coasts were inlarged; but it seemeth that disobedience hindred
the accomplishment thereof, for the Scripture mentioneth not the
fulfilling of it.
[232] Rab. Salom. Iarchi. Deut. 19.
Concerning these Cities, the Hebrews note from these words,
Thou shalt prepare the way, Deut. 9. 3. That the Senate, or
Magistrate in Israel, were bound to prepare the ways to the _Cities
of Refuge_, and[233] to make them fit, and broad, and to remove out
of them all stumbling-blocks and obstacles: and they suffered not any
Hill or Dale to be in the way, nor water-streams, but they made a
Bridge over it, that nothing might hinder him that fled thither. And
the breadth of the way to the Cities of Refuge, was not less than
two and thirty Cubits, and at the partitions of the ways, they set up
in writing, Refuge, Refuge: that the man-slayer might know and turn
thitherward. On the fifteenth of the moneth Adar, or February,
every year the Magistrates sent messengers to prepare the ways.
[233] Maimon. in Rotsach. cap. 8. sect. 5.
Furthermore it was provided, that two or three wise men should be
imployed, to perswade the Avenger of blood, if haply he did pursue
the man-slayer on the way, that he should offer no violence, until the
Cause were heard and examined. The manner of examination was thus; The
Consistory or Bench of Justices, who lived in that quarter where the
murder was committed,[234] placed the party being brought back from
the City of Refuge, in the Court, or Judgment-Hall, and diligently
enquired and examined the cause, who if he were found guilty of
voluntary murder, then was he punished with death, but if otherwise
the Fact were found casual, then did they safely conduct the party
back again to the City of Refuge, where he enjoyed his liberty, not
only within the walls of the City, but within certain Territories and
bounds of the City, being confined to such and such limits, until the
death of the High Priest, that was in those days, at what time it
was lawful for the offender to return and come into his own City, and
unto his own house, even unto the City from whence he fled, _Josh. 20.
6._ By this means the offender, though he was not punished with death,
yet he lived for the time a kind of exile, for his own humiliation,
and for the abatement of his wrath, who was the avenger of blood.
The Areopagitæ[235] had a proceeding against mans slaughter not much
unlike, punishing the offender ἀπενιαυτισμῷ, with a years banishment:
Why the time of this exilement was limited to the death of the _High
Priest_ at that time, is not agreed upon by Expositors. But it is most
probably thought, that the offender was therefore confined within that
City as within a Prison, during the High Priest’s life,[236] because
the offence did most directly strike against him, as being amongst men,
ἄρχηγος, Ac princeps sanctitatis, The chief God on earth.
[234] Paul. Fag. Num. 35. 6.
[235] Masius in Jos. cap. 20.
[236] Masius ibid.
THE THIRD BOOK TREATETH OF DAIES and TIMES.
CHAP. I.
Days, Hours, Weeks, and Years.
Before we treat of their Feasts, it will be needful, by way of Preface,
to understand somewhat concerning the divisions of their Days,
Hours, Weeks, &c.
Their Day was two-fold; Natural, containing day and night, and
consisting of 24 hours; or Artificial, beginning at Sun-rising and
ending at Sun-set. Of this is that, _Are there not twelve hours in
the day?_ John 11. 9.
The Natural day was again two-fold: Civil, a working-day,
which was destined for civil businesses and works: this began at
Sun-rising, and held till the next Sun-rising, Mat. 28. 1. or
Sacred, a Festival or Holy-day, destined for holy exercises: this
began at Sun-set, and continued till the next Sun-set.
Their night was divided into four quarters, or greater hours,
termed four Watches, each Watch containing three lesser hours.
The first they called Caput vigiliarum, the beginning of the watches,
Lam. 2. 19. the second was the middle watch, Judg. 7. 19. not so
termed, because there were only three watches, as Drusius[237]
would perswade, but because it dured till midnight. The _third
watch_, began at midnight, and held till three of the clock in the
morning. If he come in the second, or third watch, Luk. 12. 38.
The last, called the morning watch, Exod. 14. 24. began at three
of the clock, and ended at six in the morning. In the fourth watch of
the night, Jesus went out unto them, Mat. 14. 25. These Watches
also were called by other names, according to that part of the night
which closed each watch. The first was termed ὀψὲ, the even.
The second, μεσονύκτιον Midnight. The third ἀλεκτοροφωνία,
Cock-crowing. The fourth πρωῒ, the Dawning. _Ye know not when
the Master of the house will come, at Even, or at Midnight, or at
Cock-crowing, or at the Dawning_, Mark 13. 35.
[237] Drus. Judic. 7. 19.
The day was likewise divided into four quarters, as appeareth by the
Parable of the Labourers hired into the Vineyard, Mat. 20. The _first
quarter_ began at six of the clock in the morning, and held till nine.
The second quarter ended at twelve of the clock. The third quarter
at three in the after-noon. The fourth quarter at six of the night.
The first quarter was called the third hour, vers. 3. The second
quarter, the sixth hour, vers. 5. The third quarter, the _ninth
hour_, vers. 5. The last quarter, the eleventh hour, vers. 6.
Where note, that the three first quarters had their names from the
hour of the day, which closed the quarter (for they began their count
of their lesser hours, from six a clock in the morning, and our 6,
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. was their 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, 12.) only the last was called the eleventh hour, by
our Saviour Christ; whereas among the common people, it either was
called, or should have been called, by proportion with the rest, the
twelfth hour; to intimate unto us, that though God in his mercy
accept labourers into his Vineyard eleven hours of the day, yet he
seldome calleth any of the twelfth; for that is rather an hour to
discharge servants, than to admit new.
Some Expositors finding mention of the dawning of the day, in this
Parable, vers. 1.[238] They reckon the 4 quarters of the day after
this manner. Hora prima, Hora tertia, Hora sexta, Hora nona.
Where first they err, in taking the dawning of the day for the _first
hour_ of the day; for πρωὶ the dawning, signifieth the _last quarter
of the night_, called the Morning watch. Secondly, they err in making
the last quarter of the day to be the ninth hour, for what then
shall become of the eleventh hour, mentioned in the same Parable?
[238] _Erat autem primus ternarius à prima usq; ad tertiam, &
dicebatur prima hora, secundus erat à tertia, usq; ad sextam
& dicebatur hora tertia, tertius erat à sexta usq; ad nonam,
& dicebatur sexta; quartus à nona usq; ad ultimam quæ erat
duodecima, & dicebatur nona. Refellit hanc opinionem Toletus,
receptam licet à multis recensionem (ut ipse ait) quoniam de
undecima cujus meminit parabola, altum apud hos silentium.
Jure vapulant à te, Tolete, qui excludunt undecimam constanter
tamen asserenda est contra te quadripartita diei divisio, in
hoc potissimum illorum error consistit, quod horam primam
faciunt, non inveniunt; horam undecimam inveniunt excludunt
tamen, nihil à mente Evangelistarum magis alienum, quam ut ὁ
πρωιὴ verteretur hora prima diei, quæ in illorum scriptis sonat
quartam noctis vigiliam. Vid. Tolet. in Joan. cap. 19. Annot.
8._
By this division of the day into these four quarters, or _greater
hours_, the Evangelists are reconciled touching our Saviour’s
Passion. He was crucified at the third hour, Mark 15. 25. S. John
intimateth his examination before Pilate, to have been _Hora quasi
sexta_, about the sixth hour, John 19. 14. In the first place,
understand by his crucifying, not his hanging on the Cross, which was
not till the sixth hour, Luk. 23. 44. nor his expiration, which
was not till the ninth hour, Mar. 15. 34. but his examination
under Pilate, at which time the people cried out, _Crucifie him,
Crucifie him_; and then the third and sixth hour will easily be
reconciled, for these two hours immediately following one another, what
was done on the third hour, might truly be said to be done about the
sixth.
Lastly, This sheweth that the hours among the Jews were of two sorts;
some lesser, of which the day contained twelve: others greater, of
which the day contained four, as hath been above shewn: the lesser
are termed hours of the day, _Are there not twelve hours of the
day?_ John 11. 9. The greater, some term hours of the Temple, or
hours of prayer. Peter and John went up into the Temple, at
the ninth hour of prayer, Acts 3. 1. But in truth there are but
three hours of prayer, the third, the sixth, and the ninth.[239]
The third instituted by Abraham, the sixth by Isaac, and the
ninth by Jacob. The third hour the Holy Gost descended upon
the Apostles, Acts 2. 15. About the sixth Peter went up to the
house-top to pray, Acts 10. 9. At the ninth, Peter and John
went into the Temple, Acts 3. 1.
[239] _Drusius in præterit. Act. 3. 1. Non fuisse ultra tres
horas precationis in die apud Judæos, clare testatur David
Kimchi._
From these greater hours of the day and night, the _Canonical
hours_,[240] in use in the Roman Church, had their beginning; each
Canonical hour containeth three lesser hours, so that in the whole
night and day there are eight Canonical hours. At six of the clock in
the evening began the first, and that is termed Hora vespertina; or
vespertinum simply, (officium being understood) their Vespertine.
At nine of the clock at night began the second, and that is termed
Completorium, their Completory. At midnight began the third,
Nocturnum, their Nocturn. At three of the clock in the morning,
began their Matutinum, their Matines. The Canonical hours for their
day-service were named, Hora prima, tertia, sexta, nona. Their
first hour began from six of the clock in the morning, and held till
nine: the third from nine till twelve, the sixth from twelve till
three, the ninth from three till six at night.
[240] Vide Bellarm. de bonis oper. in part. 1. cap. 10.
The Dial in use among the ancient Jews, differed from that in use
among us: theirs were a kind of stairs; the time of the day was
distinguished, not by lines, but by steps, or degrees; the shade
of the Sun every half hour moved forward to a new degree. In the
Dial of Ahaz, the Sun went back מעלות Magnoloth, degrees, or
steps, not lines, Isai. 38. 8.
Their weeks were two-fold; the one was ordinary consisting of _seven
daies_, the other extraordinary and Prophetical, consisting of
seven years. Dan. 9. 24. The first is termed Hebdomas diaria, _a
week of daies_; the second, Hebdomas annalis, a week of years.
The Hebrews at first measured their moneths according to the course
of the Sun, whence they are called Menses solares; and then every
moneth consisted of thirty daies. The waters prevailed from the
seventeenth day of the second moneth, Gen. 17. 13. unto the seventh
day of the seven moneth, Gen. 8. 4. that is, full five moneths. If we
will number the daies, they were an hundred and fifty, Gen. 7. 24.
Whereby it appeareth, that every moneth contained full thirty daies.
After the Israelites departure out of Egypt, then they measured
their moneths by the course of the Moon; they are termed _Menses
Lunares_: they contained either thirty daies, and then they were called
Menses pleni, full moneths: or twenty nine daies, and then they
were called Menses cavi, Deficient Moneths.
The Sun exceedeth the Moon in her course eleven daies, hence[241]
every third or second year, one month was inserted. Now because the
twelfth moneth in the Hebrew Kalender was called Adar, hence when a
month was inserted, the last was called Ve-adar,the second Adar.
[241] Vide Kalendarium Hebraicum Munsteri pag. 62.
Before their captivity in Babylon, they counted their moneths without
any name, according to the number. The _First, Second, Third moneth,
&c._ After their return from Babylon, they called them by these names:
1. Nisan; it was also called | | 1 { March.
אביב Abib, which signifieth | | { April.
an ear of Corn. in this month | |
Barley began to be eared. | |
| |
2. Iiar, it was also called | T | 2 { April.
זיו which signifieth beauty: | h | { May.
then the Trees began to be | e |
beautified with Buds and | y |
Blossoms. | |
| a |
3. Sivan. | n | 3 { May.
| s | { June.
| w |
4. Thamuz. | e | 4 { June.
| r | { July.
| e |
5. Ab. | d | 5 { July.
| | { August.
| |
6. Elul. | t | 6 { August.
| o | { September.
| |
7. Tisri, otherwise called | p | 7 { September.
Ethanim. | a | { October.
| r |
8. Marchesuan, it was called | t | 8 { October.
Bull. | | { November.
| o |
9. Chisleu. | f | 9 { November.
| | { December.
| |
10. Tebeth. | | 10 { December.
| | { January.
| |
11. Shebeth. | | 11 { January.
| | { February.
| |
12. Adar. | | 12 { February.
Ve-adar. | | { March.
Before their coming out of Egypt, they began their year in the moneth
of Tisri,[242] and thus they continued it always after, for civil
affairs, for their date of buying, selling, their Sabbatical years,
years of Jubile, &c. After their coming out of Egypt, they
began their year in the moneth Nisan, and so continued it for the
computation of their greatest Feasts.
[242] _Ἐν μηνὶ δευτέρῳ Δὶῳ μὲν ὑπὸ Μακεδόνων λεγομένῳ
Μαρσουάνῃ δὲ ὑπὸ Ἑβραίων, οὕτω γὰρ Αἰγύπτιοι τὸν ἐνίαυτον ἦσαν
διατεταχότες. Μωυσῆς δὲ τὸν Νισὰν, ὅς ἐστι ξανθικὸς, μήνα
πρῶτον ἐπὶ ταῖς ἑορταῖς ὥρισεν. Joseph. Antiq. l. 1. c. 4.
Mendose ponitur Μαρσουάνη pro αρχασουὰν qui mensis erat olim
secundus apud Hebræos, sicut et Dius apud Macedones._
CHAP. II.
Of their Feasts.
Before we descend to their particular Feasts; First we will see
their manner of Feasting in general. Their ordinary meals, as they
were not many in a day, so neither were they costly. They were called
Arucoth,[243] which word signifieth properly, such fare as Travellers
and Way-faring men use on their journeys. The word is used, _Jer. 40.
5._ _So the chief Steward gave him victuals, and a reward, and let him
go._ Likewise, Pro. 15. 17. _Better is a dinner of green herbs where
love is_. The extroardinary and more liberal kind of entertainment,
by way of Feasting, was commonly called Mischte,[244] from their
liberal drinking at such meetings. There was also another kind of
feasting, wherein they made merry together, eating the remainders of
their Sacrifices; this they termed Chag.[245] From this custom of
having a feast at the end of their Sacrifices, the Christians of
the Primitive Church instituted their Love-feasts to succeed the
Lords Supper:[246] In both these greater and more solemn Feasts,
there were some Ceremonies used by them, as preparatory to the Feast,
others in their giving thanks, others in their gesture at Table.
[243] ab ארח ארוחות Iter facere, significat viaticum.
[244] _משתה Convivium, compotatio dicitur à potendo sive
bibendo, ut Græcè συμπόσιον, ab altera ejus parte._
[245] _חג, Festum, celebris solemnitas à radice חגג, Festum
celebravit._
[246] Chrysostom. 1 Cor. 11. Hoc autem præcipio.
The Ceremonies preparatory were principally these three: 1.
Salutations. 2. Washing the feet of the guests. 3. _Pouring Oyl on
them._
Their Salutations were testified either by words, or some _humble
gesture of the body_. By words, and then these were the usual forms;
The Lord be with you: or The Lord bless you, Ruth. 2. 4. From the
last of these, blessing is often taken in Scripture for saluting.
If thou meet any,[247] bless him not, or if any bless thee,
answer him not again, saith Elisha to Gehazi, 2 King. 4. 29. The
sense is, as our English renders it, Salute him not. Sometimes
they said, Peace be unto thee; peace be upon thee, Go in peace,
and such like: _When ye come into an house salute the same; and if the
house be worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it be not worthy,
let your peace return to you_, Matth. 10. 12, 13. By gesture;
their salutations were signified sometimes by _prostrating the whole
body_; sometimes by kissing the feet, Luke 7. 38. commonly by an
ordinary kiss.[248] Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and
did obeysance, and kissed him, Exod. 18. 7. Moreover, _Joseph
kissed_ all his Brethren, and wept upon them, Gen. 45. 15. This Saint
Paul calleth an holy kiss, 1 Cor. 16. 20. S. Peter, a _kiss of
charity_, 1 Pet. 5. 14. Tertullian[249] calleth it Osculum pacis,
A kiss of peace. These were kisses which a Cato might give, and
a Vestal receive: Of this sort the Jews had three kinds;[250] _A
kiss of salutation_,[251] which hath been specified by some of those
former instances. A kiss of valediction:[252] Wherefore hast thou not
suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters, Gen. 31. 28. _A kiss of
homage_;[253] the word signifieth a kiss of state or dignity, but
it was to testifie their homage, and acknowledgment of their Kings
Soveraignty. Then Samuel took a Vial of Oyl, and poured it upon
Saul’s head, and kissed him, 1 Sam. 10. 1. And unto this they
refer that in the second Psalm, Kiss the son, least he be angry.
These salutions, howsoever they were such as were used mutually,
sometimes in their meetings abroad upon the way, yet were they such, as
were used also in their entertainment, as clearly appeareth by many of
those fore quoted examples.
[247] Tertul. lib. 6. advers. Marcion.
[248] _Xenophon. de institut. Cyr. lib. 1. pag. 17. It. lib. 5.
pag. 113._
[249] Tertul. de orat. cap. 14.
[250] Vide Drusium ad difficiliora loca, Exod. c. 12.
[251] נשיקות פרקים Neshikoth pharukim, Oscula propinquorum.
[252] נשיקות פרושות Neshikoth parusoth, Oscula separationis.
[253] נשיקות גדולה Neshikoth gedola, Oscula magnitudinis.
The second Ceremony preparatory was washing their feet.[254] And
the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and
they did wash their feet, Gen. 43. 34. This office was commonly
performed by servants, and the meanest of the family, as appeareth by
our Saviour Christ, who to leave an example of humility behind him,
washed his Disciples feet, Joh. 13. 5. And Abigail, when David
took her to wife, said Behold, let thine hand-maid be a servant to
wash the feet of the servants of my Lord, 1 Sam. 25. 41. For this
purpose they had certain Vessels in readiness for such imployments:
that which our Saviour used, we translate a Basin, John 13. 5. He
poured out water into a Basin. The word νιπτὴς there used signifieth
in general a Washpot, and is there used for that which in strict
propriety of speeches, the Grecians termed ποδόνιπτρον, (i.) _A
Washpot for our feet_; Some may here make the question, whence this
water was poured? I see no inconvenience, if we say, that there were
usually in their Dining-rooms greater vessels, from which they poured
out into lesser, according as they needed; of which sort it is not
improbably thought[255] that those Water-pots were mentioned, _John 2.
6._ There were set there six Water-pots of stone, after the manner
of the purifying of the Jews. By purifying there, understand
this complemental washing of which we treat: Now if we consider
the washing of their hands, usual and commendable in it self, though
superstitiously abused by Scribes and Pharisees, and the washing
of their feet, before and after meal, (for our Saviour washed his
Disciples feet after supper) which second washing, the Hebrews say
it was in use only at the Passover, there must needs be use of grate
store of water in their greater Feasts; and therefore no marvel, if
many and capacious vessels stood in readiness. Farther, we are to
note, that as the office was servile and base, so the vessel: which
observation giveth light to that, Psal. 60. 8. Moab is my wash pot;
that is, the Moabites shall be basely subject unto me, as the pot in
which I wash my feet.
[254] _Lotio pedum ante discubitum non solum Judæis, sed &
gentibus ipsis erat usitata. Locus hic tuus est, hic occumbe,
ferte aquam pedibus. Plautus. Pers._
[255] Stukius. lib. conviv.
The third Ceremony preparatory, was pouring out of oyl. A woman
in the City brought an Alabaster box of oyntment, and stood at his
feet behind him weeping, and begun to wash his feet with tears, and
did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and
anointed them with the ointment, Luk. 7. 37, 38. It was also poured
upon the head, whence in the same place, Christ challengeth the
Pharisee which entertained him, _Mine head with oyl thou didst not
anoint_, vers. 46. Psal. 23. 5. Thou anointest mine head with oyl.
After these ceremonies of preparation had been performed, than they
proceeded to giving thanks. The Master of the house sitting down
together with his Guests, took a cup full of wine in his right hand,
and therewith begun his consecration, after this manner;[256]
_Blessed be thou, O Lord our God, the King of the world, which createst
the fruit of the Vine._ Having said thus, he first lightly tasted
of the Wine, and from him it pass’d round the Table. This grace of
thanksgiving, they call[257] Bircath haiaiin, _the blessing of the
cup_. With this Christ himself seemeth to have begun his supper; _He
took the cup and gave thanks, and said, Take this and divide it among
your selves, for I say unto you I will not drink of the fruit of the
Vine, until the Kingdom of God shall come_, Luk. 22. 17, 18. After
the blessing of the cup, the Master of the house took the bread,
which they did Scindere, but not Abscindere, lightly cut for the
easier breaking thereof, but not cut in sunder; and holding this in
both his hands, he consecrated it, with these words; _Blessed be
thou, O Lord our God, the King of the world, which bringest forth bread
out of the earth_. This consecration of bread they termed,[258]
Bircath halechem. After the consecration, he brake the bread,
whence the master of the house, or he who performed these blessings
in his stead, was termed[259] Habotsagn, (i. the breaker:) the
bread being broken, he distributed to every one that sat at the table
a morsel, which being done, then they began to feed upon the other
dishes that were provided. This Rite of blessing both the Cup and the
Bread, they observed only in their solemn Festivales; otherwise they
consecrated the Bread alone, and not the Cup. In their Feast time,
they seasoned their meat with good conference, such as might either
yield matter of instruction, or exercise their wits; which practice
was also observed in their Christian love feasts.[260] Of the first
sort, was that Parable proposed by our blessed Saviour at a Feast,
Luk. 14. 7. Of the second, was Sampson’s Riddle, which he proposed
unto his Companions, Judg. 14. 12. At the end of the Feast, they
again gave thanks, which was performed in this manner, either by the
Master of the house himself, or by some guest, if there were any of
better note at the table: He taking a cup of Wine in both his hands,
began thus: _Let us bless him who hath fed us with his own, and of
whose goodness we live_: Then all the guests answered; _Blessed be
he of whose meat we have eaten, and of whose goodness we live_. This
grace they called[261] Bircath Hamazon. And this is thought[262]
to be the Cup wherewith Christ after Supper commended the Mystery of
his Blood to his Disciples: After this he which began the Thanksgiving
proceedeth, Blessed be he, and blessed be his name, &c. annexing a
longer prayer, in which he gave thanks: First, for their present food.
Secondly, for their deliverance from the Egyptian servitude. Thirdly,
for the Covenant of Circumcision. Fourthly, for the Law given by the
Ministry of Moses. Then he prayed, that God would have mercy: 1. On
his people Israel. 2. On his own City Jerusalem. 3. On Sion the
Tabernacle of his Glory. 4. On the Kingdom of the House of David
his Anointed. 5. That he would send Elias the Prophet. Lastly, That
he would make them worthy of the daies of the Messiah, and of the
life of the world to come.
[256] _ברוך אתה יי אלוהנו מלך העולם בורא פרי הגפן Benedictus
sis tu Domine Deus noster rex mundi, qui creas fructum vitis._
[257] ברכת היין
[258] _ברכת הלחם Benedictionem panis Drusius in N. T. part.
altera p. 78._
[259] הבוצע
[260] _Non tam cœnam cœnant quam disciplinam Tertul. Apolog. c.
39._
[261] ברכת המזון
[262] Vid. P. Fag. in præc. Hebr.
This prayer being ended, then all the Guests which sate at the Table,
with a soft and low voice, said unto themselves in this manner, _Fear
the Lord all ye his holy ones, because there is no penury to those
that fear him: The young Lyons do want and suffer hunger, but those
that seek the Lord want no good thing_. Afterward, he which began the
thanksgiving, blessing the cup in the same form of words as he used
at the first sitting down saying; _Blessed be thou, O Lord God, the
King of the world, which createst the fruit of the Vine_: and therewith
he drank a little of the Wine, and so the cup passed round the table.
Thus they began and ended their Feast, with the blessing of a cup:
this cup they termed כוס הלל Cos hillel, Poculum ὑμνήσεως, _A
cup of thanksgiving_; and both these cups are mentioned by Saint
Luke; and, which is worth our observation, the word of Consecration
whereby it was instituted, as part of the Blessed Sacrament in the
New Testament, were added only to the last cup. _This cup is the New
Testament in my blood, which it is shed for you._ After all this, they
sung[263] Hymns and Psalms, which also was practised by our blessed
Saviour, Mark 14. 26. So that howsoever he used not any superstitions
either then practised, or since added by after Jewes, (as the
drinking of four cups of wine,[264] or the breaking of the bread with
all ten fingers,[265] in allusion to the ten Commandments, &c.) yet in
the beginning, and ending, we see his practice suitable with theirs.
If any desire a larger discourse of these Blessings, noted out of the
Rabbines, let him read P. Fagius[266] his Comment on Deut. 8. 10.
From whom I have borrowed a great part of what herein I have delivered.
If any shall here object, that I seem to make the blessed Sacrament
of our Lords Body and Blood, a Jewish Ceremony; I answer, no: For
as a kind of initiatory purification by water, was used before by the
Jews of old, and no Proselite was admitted into the Church of the
Jews, without this purification: yet it was no more a Sacrament to
them, than Circumcision was to Turks and Saracens. Thus, neither
was breaking the bread Sacramental to the Jew, but then it became
a Sacrament, when Christ said of it; This is my body. This cup is
the New Testament in my blood, &c. Luke 22. 19. The Jews could
not say, The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the Communion of
the Blood of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10. 16.
[263] Scalig. de emend. Temp. lib. 6. p. 273.
[264] Moses Kotsensis fol. 118. col. 1.
[265] Sebastian Munster. Mat. 26.
[266] It. præc. Hebr. per Fagium editas.
The last thing considerable in their Feasts, is their gesture. In
the days of our Saviour it is apparent,[267] that the gesture of
the Jews was such as the Romans used. The table being placed in
the middest, round about the table were certain beds, sometimes two,
sometimes three, sometimes more, according to the number of the guests;
upon these they lay down in manner as followeth. Each bed contained
three persons, sometimes four, seldom or never more. If one lay upon
the bed, then he rested the upper part of his body upon the left
elbow, the lower part lying at length upon the bed: but if many lay
on the bed, then the uppermost did lie at the beds head, laying his
feet behind the second’s back: in like manner the third or fourth did
lye, each resting his head in the others bosom. Thus John leaned on
Jesus bosom, John 13. 23. This first is an argument of _special
love_ towards him whom the Master of the house shall take into
his own bosome, John, he was the beloved Disciple. Secondly, an
argument of parity, amongst others, resting in one anothers bosom.
_Many shall come from the East and West; and shall sit down with
Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob_, Mat. 8. 11. And where shall they
sit? In Abraham’s bosom, Luke 16. 22. that is, they shall all
sit at the same table, be partakers of the same glory. Thus Christ,
he was in the bosom of his Father, John 1. 18., that is, in the
Apostles phrase, _He thought it no robbery to be equal with his
Father_. Their tables were perfectly circular, or round, whence their
manner of sitting was termed[268] Mesibah, a sitting round; and
their phrase of inviting their guests to sit down, was, Sit round:
We will not sit round until he come hither, 1 Sam. 16. 11. Again,
Thy children shall be as Olive-plants round about thy table, _Psal.
128. 3._ This custom of lying along upon a bed, when they took
their meat, was also in use in Ezekiel’s time; Thou satest upon a
stately bed, and a table prepared before it, Ezek. 23. 41. And[269]
whether this were the custome of the ancient Hebrews, I leave to be
discussed by others. But unto this also doth Amos allude; They laid
themselves down upon cloaths laid to pledge by every Altar, _Amos 2.
8._ that is, the garments[270] taken to pledge they use in stead of
beds, when at their Altars they eat things sacrificed to Idols: Yea,
the plucking off their shooes when they went to table, implieth this
custom of lying at the Table, to have been very ancient. The plucking
off their shooes seemeth to have been generally received, when they
were in Egypt; for this cause is it that they had a strict charge in
eating the Passover, to have their shooes on their feet, for greater
expedition. The reason why they usually pluckt them off, was, for the
clean keeping of their Beds on which they lay. Here, seeing the rule
of observing the Passover requireth, that it should be eaten with
their shooes on their feet, which argueth rather standing than _lying
upon a bed_: it may be demanded, Whether Christ transgressed not
against the first Institution thereof, in the manner of his sitting at
the table? Tremelius answereth thus; and, in my mind, fully:[271]
We must know, saith he, that Exod. 12. it was commanded, after what
manner they, ready to depart out of Egypt, should eat the Passover
at that time; for the necessity of that time so required, namely, an
hasty eating thereof; but afterward, in the Law, where it is commanded
that this Ceremony of the Paschal should be renewed every year, those
words are not added. Wherefore all the Hebrew Doctors, both ancient
and modern, do teach with one joynt consent, that the Commandment of
sprinkling the door-posts with blood, of having on their shooes, of
girding their loyns, of taking staves in their hands, and _eating
the Lamb in hast_; did not extend it self to the generations following,
but only to have concerned that very night, wherein they departed out
of Egypt:[272] Yea, it was an ancient tradition amongst them, that
when they did in after-times eat the Passover, they would sit down,
or lean upon a bed, as our Saviour and his Disciples did, in token of
their deliverance obtained.
[267] _Voces quibus usi sunt Evangelistæ sonant accubitum
non sessionem, ἀναπίπτειν, Luk. 22. ἀνακεῖσθαι; Mat. 26.
Κατακεῖσθαι, Luc. 14. ἀνακλιθήναι, Mat. 14._
[268] _מסבה Discubitus, cujus radix est סבב circumivit,
Ambivit._
[269] Philo. Jud. p. 383.
[270] _Vetustissimus mos erat, super lanatis pellibus
discumbere. Qui poterat pelles addere dives erat. Ovid._
[271] Tremel. in Mat. 26. 20.
[272] _Talmud. tract. de Paschate vid. Tremel. loco superius
citato._
The parties that gave entertainment at their Feasts were two:[273] 1.
The Master of the house. 2. The Master of the Feast; they differed
thus: The Master of the house was termed בעל הבית Baal habeth,
ὀικοδεσπότης, Pater familias. The Master of the Feast was termed
בעל משתה Baal mischte, ἀρχιτρίκλινος, Triclinii Præfectus. The
Master of the Feast was the chief servant, attending the _Master of
the house_ in time of the Feast. Others[274] add a third sort, whom
they would have to be Præfecti morum, in Greek they were termed
ὀινόπται. Their Office was thought to have been the inspection of the
Guests, that none should disorder themselves by drinking too much;
whence they were called ὀφθαλμοὶ the eyes of the Feast. Such kind
of Officers were in use in Ahasuerosh his Court, Esth. 1. 8. and
likewise among the Athenians;[275] but whether any such belonged unto
the Jews is justly doubted.
[273] Vid. Casaubon exercit. p. 278.
[274] Gaudentius Brixianus. vid. Casaubon. ibid.
[275] Athenæus, l. 10.
The ancient Jews, they were both Hospital, ready to entertain, and
also liberal in their entertainment: Their Hospitality is commended
throughout the Scripture, though now it be grown out of use among them,
as appeareth by that Proverbial speech concerning the entertainment of
a friend:[276] That the first day he is Oreach, a guest: _the second
Toreach, a burden_: the third Barach, a runnagate. Their liberality
appeared by remembring the poor at their Feasts, by sending them
portions. Send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared, _Neh.
8. 10._ This[277] was afterwards practised by Heathens, who in their
solemn Feasts did not onely entertain their Guests for the present,
but did also allow them certain junkets to carry away with them. These
they termed ἀποφόρητα: and likewise, unto their friends who were absent
they sent portions, which they termed μερίδας. This observation giveth
light to that Canon in the Laodicean Counsel, which forbiddeth the
Christians in their love feasts, μέρη αἴρειν, to send portions, the
reason of which prohibition, I conceive to be three-fold. First, that
Christians might not symbolize with Heathen people. Secondly, That
none presuming that their portions should be sent them, might absent
themselves. Thirdly, that those present (especially the poorer sort, as
it often falleth out) might not be injured, by having the best of their
provision sent away in such portions.
[276] _ארוח Hospes טרוח Onus ברוח Profugus Buxtorf.
Synag. cap. 32. p. 493._
[277] _Moris erat veteribus in conviviis μερίδας mittere
absentibus amicis. Theophrastus cap. περὶ μεμψιμορίας. Idem
testatur Plut. in Agesilao. διέπεμπε μερίδας τοῖς φίλοις ἀπὸ
τῶν τεθυμένων. Eundem morem Judæis in usu fuisse testantur
sacræ literæ Nehem. 8. 10. ἀποστείλατε μερίδας._
Here we may note, for conclusion, that as the time of their supper was
towards the evening, and then they gave greatest entertainment; So the
time of their dinner was about the sixth hour of the day; that is, as
we count, about Noon. Kill meat and make ready, for the men shall eat
with me at Noon, en. 43. 16. _~Peter~ went up upon the house to pray
about the sixth hour; than waxed he and hungred, and would have eaten,
but whiles they made something ready, he fell into a trance_, Acts 10.
9, 10.
Moreover we may here note the difference between those three cups
mentioned in Scripture, ποτήριον τῆς εὐλογίας, 1 Cor. 10. 19. The
cup of blessing, and this is applied to those several cups used
in their solemn Feasts, because of those blessings or thanksgiving
annexed. Secondly, ποτήριον εἰς παράκλησιν, Jer. 16. 7. The _cup
of consolation_; this was so called, because it was sent by special
friends in time of mourning, as intending by this drinking to put away
sorrow and grief from the mourner. Thirdly, ποτήριον σωτηρίας, _Psal.
116. 13._ The cup of salvation: this was used commonly after their
Peace-offerings, which were vowed in way of thankfulness for benefits
obtained. Whence the Seventy Elders commonly translate _a Peace
offering_, σωτήριον, A sacrifice of salvation, or salvation it self.
CHAP. III.
Of their Sabbath.
The word שבת Schabbath, from whence our English word Sabbath is
derived, signifieth Rest, and is applied to all solemn Festivals.
They polluted my Sabbaths, Ezek. 20. 21. that is, my Feasts.
Sometimes it is applyed to the whole week, Jejuno bis in Sabbato,
I fast twice in the week. Sometimes, and that most frequently, it
is used for that 7th day which God had set apart for his own service.
This last was holy, either by a simple holiness which belonged to it,
as was the seventh day; or else by a double holiness occasioned by
some solemn Feast upon the same day, and then it was called, _Sabbatum
magnum_, a great Sabbath, John 19. 36. For on that Sabbath day of
which S. John speaketh, the Feast of the Passover hapned that year.
The week days are termed by the Hebrew, חולים Cholim, _prophane
days_; by the Greek ἐνεργοὶ, working days: but when they speak of
them altogether, τὸ μεταξὺ σαββάτων, _the space of time between two
Sabbaths_.[278] This was the time upon which the Gentiles desired
to hear Paul Act. 13. 42. In respect of the different degrees
of holiness on days, the Sabbath-day is not unfitly compared to a
Queen, or rather to those whom they termed Primary wives; other
Feast days to Concubines, or half wives; working-days, to
hand-maids.
[278] _Scalig. de emend. Temp. l. 6 p. 261. Item Beza in hunc
locum._
The Sabbaths began at[279] six a clock the night before: this
the Grecians called παρείσοδον σαββάτου the Hebrew[280] _Biath
haschabbath_, the enterance of the Sabbath.
[279] Scalig. de emend. Temp. l. 6. p. 269.
[280] באת השבת
The preparation to the Sabbath begun at[281] three of the clock in
the afternoon; the Hebrews called this ערב השבת Gnereb haschabbath,
the Sabbath eve. By the ancient Fathers it was called[282] _cœna
pura_; the phrase is borrowed from Pagans, whose Religion taught them
in their Sacrifices to certain of their Gods and Goddesses, to
prepare themselves by a strict kind of holiness; at which time of their
preparation they did pertake of a certain Supper, which as it consisted
of choice meats, such as those Heathens deemed more holy than others:
so it was eat with the observation of Holy Rites and Ceremonies:
Hence they themselves were said at this time of their preparation to be
in In casto, and their preparatory Supper termed, Cœna pura. Thus
we see the reason why the Fathers called the Sabbath-eve, _Cœnam
puram_. By the Evangelists it was called παρασκευὴ, A preparation,
Mark 15. 42. For distinction sake, we may call that fore-time of the
day προπαρασκευὴ, A fore-preparation. For the whole day was a kind of
preparation, as will appear by the particulars then forbidden. First
on this day they might go no more than three Parsas; now a Parsa
contained so much ground as an ordinary man might go ten of them in
a day. Secondly, Judges might not then sit in Judgment upon life and
death, as is shewn in the Chapter of Translation of Feasts.[283]
Thirdly, all sorts of Artificers were forbidden to work, only three
excepted, shoomakers, Taylors, and Scribes; the two former for
repairing of apparel, the other for fitting themselves by study to
expound the Law the next day, and these were permitted but half the
preparation time to work.
[281] Joseph. Antiq. l. 16. c. 10.
[282] _In ritibus Paganorum cœna pura appellabatur; cœna illis
apponi solita, qui in casto erant quod Græci dicunt ἁγνεύειν,
vel προαγνεύειν. Isaac Casaubon, Exercit. 16, p. 662._
[283] Casaubon. Exercit. 16. p. 479. ex Michlol. Kimchi.
The best and wealthiest of them,[284] even those that had many
servants, did with their own hands further the preparation; so that
sometimes the Masters themselves would chop herbs, sweep the house,
cleave wood, kindle the fire, and such like.
[284] Buxtorf. Synagog. Jud. cap. 10. ex Talmud.
In old time[285] they proclamed the Preparation with noise of
Trumpets, or Horns; but now the modern Jews proclaim it by the
Sexton, or some under Officer of the Church, whom they call שליח צבור
Scheliach tsibbur, The Messenger of the Congregation.
[285] Buxtorf Synagog. Judaic. ibid.
Concerning the sanctification of the Sabbath day it self, in
corrupter times some things the Jews added over and above that
which God commanded. In other things they took liberty where God
granted none. In the first they were superstitious, in the second
sacrilegious.
They took liberty: There were two thousand Cubits between the Ark
and the Camp, when they marched; Josh. 3. 4. and in probability the
same proportion was observed when they rested: this distance of ground
some interpret to be one mile, some two; some measuring it according
to a lesser, others according to a longer Cubit, which they term a
Geometrical Cubit: But all agree in this, that these two thousand
cubits was a Sabbath days journey, though none, as I know, have
observed the reason why it was so called, which I take to be this:
On the Sabbath day they were all to repair to the place of God’s
publike worship, which was two thousand cubits distant from those
who camped nearest: Hence follow four Propositions. First, That two
thousand Cubits any where, by proportion, might be called a _Sabbath
dayes journy_. Secondly, That to those who dwelt in the Camps more
remote from the Ark, a Sabbath daies journy was more than two
thousand Cubits. Thirdly, That it is now lawful on the Sabbath day,
to joyn with the Congregation in the place of God’s publick worship,
though remote. Fourthly, That it was unlawful for the Jews hereupon
to take liberty to walk idlely whither they would, if it were not more
then two thousand Cubits, pretending it to be but a _Sabbath daies
journey_.
They added unto that which God commanded, 1. God said, _Remember to
keep holy a seventh day_: in which words, God sanctified one day
to be Sabbatum,[286] they added Sabbatulum, so they termed that
additament of time which they annexed to the Sabbath. This addition
of time was two-fold: some began the Sabbath sooner than others;
this was done by the Jews dwelling at Tiberias, because they
dwelling in a Valley, the Sun appeared not to them so soon as it did
to others. Some again continued the Sabbath longer than others: this
was done by those dwelling at Tsepphore, a City placed upon the top
of a Mountain, so that the Sun shined longer to them, than it did to
others. Thus both of these did Addere de profano ad sacrum; add
somewhat of the working day, immediately going before, or immediately
following after: none diminished of the Sabbath. Hence[287] _R. Jose
wished that his portion might be with those that began the Sabbath,
with those of ~Tiberias~, and ended with those of ~Tsepphore~_.
[286] Hospinian. de Orig. fest. c. 3.
[287] Buxtorf. Comment. Masoret. cap. 4, ex Musar.
2. God said, _To morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord,
bake that ye will bake, and seethe that ye will seethe_, _Exod. 16.
23._ This Command was proper to the time of Manna:[288] the reason
is there alledged, why they should prepare that day for the morrow,
because upon the Sabbath day they should not find it in the field.
The Jews extend this Command to all Ages; and therefore they dressed
no meat this day: this haply was the reason, that the Heathen people
thought they fasted[289] on the Sabbath, though I deny not but this
error might be occasioned in part from that phrase, _Jejuno bis in
Sabbato_.
[288] Jun. & Tremel. in Exod. 16.
[289] _Sueton. August. c. 76 de jejun. Sabbat. Vid. Martial. l.
4. Epig. 4._
3. God said, _Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on
the Sabbath day_, Exod. 35. 3. This commandment was only concerning
fire for the furtherance of the work of the Tabernacle,[290] for
therefore is the Sabbath mentioned in that Chapter, to shew, that
the work of the Tabernacle ought to give place to the Sabbath. The
Jews hence gather, that it is unlawful to kindle any fire at all on
this day.
[290] Vatablus in hunc locum Item. Trem. & Junius.
4. God said, In it thou shalt do no manner of work. This the Jews
understood without any manner of exception.[291] Hence they held it
unlawful, to _roast an apple, to tuck an herb, to clime a tree,
to kill or catch a flea_. Hence they thought it unlawful to defend
themselves, being assaulted by their enemies on the Sabbath day:
By this means, twice they became a prey unto the enemy.[292] First,
unto Antiochus; whereupon Mattathias made a Decree, that it should
be lawful upon the Sabbath to resist their enemies; which Decree
again they understanding strictly, as if it did only give leave to
resist,[293] when they were actually assaulted, and not by any labour
that day to prevent the enemies raising of Rams, settling of Engines,
underminings, &c. they became a prey, the second time, to Pompey.
For the right understanding therefore of this Command, we are to know,
that three sorts of servile works were allowed.
[291] Hospinian. de Orig. fest. c. de Sabbato.
[292] Joseph. l. 12. cap. 8.
[293] Joseph. l. 14: cap. 8.
1. Works of Charity: God, that allowed them to lead their Oxe and
Ass to water on the Sabbath, Luke 13. to make their lives more
comfortable, much more allowed man liberty to dress convenient food for
himself and his Family, that they might the more comfortably perform
holy duties. Christ healed on the Sabbath, therefore, visiting the
sick, and the use of the Physitian, was both then and now lawful.
2. Works tending directly to Gods Worship: not only killing of
sacrifices, and circumcising of children on that day was allowed; but
the Priests might lawfully blow their Trumpets and Horns on the
Sabbath day; for the assembling of the people, Numb. 20. 2. And
the people might warrantably go from their Houses to the place of Gods
publick worship. By proportion it is now warrantable for Christians,
to ring bells to assemble the people together on the Lords day; to take
journeys, to joyn with the publick Congregation, or Preach the Word. Of
these we may say, though they are in their own natures bodily labors,
yet the Temple which was sanctified did change the nature of them,
and make them holy, Mat. 23. 17. Or as the Jews say concerning the
overthrow of Jericho, which according to their writings fell on the
Sabbath day:[294] _He which commanded the Sabbath to be sanctified,
commanded it also to be prophaned_.
[294] מי שצות על השבת צות לחלל שבת R. D. Kimchi in Josh. 6.
3. Works of absolute necessity, as the defending ones self against
his enemy, and others of like nature: concerning which the Jews
have a saying,[295] Peril of life drives away the Sabbath. And the
Christians with a little change of a more common Proverb, say,
Necessitas non habet ferias; Necessity hath no Holy days.
[295] מסכנות נפש דוחה שבת
CHAP. IV.
Of their Passover, and their Feasts of Unleavened Bread.
Some of the Fathers have derived[296] the word Paschal, from
a Greek Verb, signifying to suffer, because the sufferings and
Passion of our Saviour; are celebrated about that time. This
Opinion Augustine justly confuteth,[297] for the word is originally
an Hebrew word, signifying to pass by, to leap, or pass over.
The Etymology is God’s own. It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s
Passover, which passed over, &c. Exod. 12. 27.
[296] _Tertul. advers. Judaic. c. 10 It. Ambros. lib. de
Myster. Pasch. cap. 1._
[297] Aug. in titul. Psal. 68.
The word Passover in Scripture hath three acceptions. First, it
is taken for that yearly solemnity which was celebrated upon the
fourteenth day of Nisan,[298] otherwise called Abib; you may call
it the Passover of the Lamb, because on that day toward the evening,
the Israelites were commanded according to their Families to roast
a Lamb, and eat it in their private houses. Secondly, it signifieth
that yearly Festivity which was celebrated on the fifteenth of Nisan:
it may be called the Passover of sheep and Bullocks, Deut. 16. 2.
Otherwise we may call it the Feast of the Passover; as the fourteenth
of Nisan was called simply the Passover. In the fourteenth day of
the first moneth, is the Passover of the Lord, and in the fifteenth
day of this moneth is the Feast, Num. 28. 16, 17. Toward this
Feast we are to understand that Josiah gave unto the people such a
multitude of Sheep, Lambs, Kids, and Bullocks. Thirdly, it is taken for
the whole solemnity, beginning the Fourteenth of Nisan, and ending
the one and twentieth of the same moneth. Now the _Feast of unleavened
bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover_, Luk. 22. 1. So that
in this acception is contained the Feast of unleavened bread also,
notwithstanding, in proper speaking, the Feast of unleavened bread
was a distinct Feast from the Passover.
[298] _E Theologia non pauci omnia quæ ad 14. noctem pertinent
15. attribuunt quem errorem hauserunt ex turbidis Rabbinorum
lacunis qui hodie eundem errorem errant, teste Scaliger. de
emend. Temp. l. 6 p. 270._
First, the Passover was to be kept on the _fourteenth day of the
first month, at even_. This was their second Sacrament, in which
although they were enjoyned to eat unleavened bread with the Lamb,
yet the Feast of the unleavened bread began not till the morrow
following, being the fifteenth day of the same moneth, and lasted
seven daies of which only the first and last were holy Convocations,
wherein they might do no servile work, Levit. 23. 5, 6, 7, 8.
Secondly, the Passover, in the age following its first institution,
might not be killed and eaten in any other place, save only where
the Lord did choose to place his name, which afterward was at
Jerusalem: but the feast of unleavened bread, the Hebrews
thought themselves bound to keep in every place wheresoever they dwelt,
if they could not be at Jerusalem: and eating of it, they say,[299]
_depended not upon the eating of the Passover, but it was a commandment
by it self_.
[299] _לא תלה אבי לת זר בקרבן הפסח אלא זו מצות עצמה Maimon.
de fermento & Azymo c. 6. sect. 1._
The Rites and Ceremonies observed by the Jews in the eating
of this Sacrament, their Paschal Lamb, agreed with those general
Ceremonies used in their solemn Feasts. They blessed the cup, and
blessed the bread, and divided amongst the guests, and _washed the
feet_ of those that sate at the table, as is shewn in the Chapter of
Feasts. The particulars in which it differed from other Feasts, are
delivered in those interrogatories, or questions proposed in way of
Catechism, by some child, at the time of eating their Passover,
or rather in the answer made unto the child by him that blessed the
table. The question was thus: What meaneth this service? The form of
the answer was,[300] How different is this night from all other nights,
for all other nights we wash but once, in this twice (thus Christ
when supper was ended washed his Disciples feet.) In all other nights
we eat either leavened or unleavened bread, in this only unleavened: In
other nights we eat any sort of herbs, in this night bitter herbs: In
all other nights we eat and drink either sitting or lying, but in this
we lye along. Then he proceeded to declare, that the Passover was
in respect that the Lord passed over the houses of their Fathers in
Egypt. Secondly, He held up the bitter herbs in his hand, and said;
These bitter herbs which we eat, are in respect that the Egyptians
made the lives of our Fathers bitter in Ægypt. Thirdly, he held up
the unleavened bread in his hand, and said, This unleavened bread
which we eat, it is in respect that the dough of our Fathers had not
time to be leavened, when the Lord appeared unto them, and redeemed
them out of the hand of the enemy. This kind of Catechising they
say, is commanded, Exod. 12. 26. They called it הגדה Haggada, (i.)
Annunciatio, the declaration or shewing forth of the Passover.
Hence the Apostle borroweth this phrase; _As often as ye shall eat
this bread, and drink this cup, ye shall declare, ~or~ shew forth, the
Lord’s death_, 1 Cor. 11. 26.
[300] Scalig. de emend. Temp. l. 5. p. 270.
Concerning this Lamb they are charged thus: _Upon the tenth of ~Abib~
every one shall take a Lamb for an house, a male of the first year,
without blemish, and this be kept until the fourteenth day of the
same month_, Exod. 12. 3. &c. The Lamb, it was either of Sheep
or Goats. For an house, the whole body of the Israelites, was
divided into twelve Tribes, the Tribes into Families, the
Families into Houses: if the House were too few for the eating
of the Lamb, then the next Neighbour joyned with them in the eating
thereof. The whole Company was termed φρατρία, in the same sense
S. Mark useth συμπόσια, and πρασιαὶ, Mark the sixth. All these
words signifie a society, or company of guests, _so many as can
sit at the same table_: the latter word properly signifieth, _a bed
in a Garden_; and thus in the Gospel, the whole multitude sitting
on the grass, seem to be compared unto a Garden; and their several
societies or companies, unto so many beds in the Garden. The
number of Communicants in this Paschal society was never less
than ten, nor more than twenty.[301] It followeth in the Text, _A
male_, to note the masculine and peerless vertue of our Saviour,
whom it did typically shew forth. Of the first year;[302] which
phrase they interpret thus, That the lamb, after it was eight daies
old and forward, was allowable to be offered for the Passover,
but not before; because it is said, _When a bullock, or a sheep, or
a goat is brought forth, then it shall be seven daies under the dam,
and from the eighth day, and thenceforth, it shall be accepted for an
offering made by fire unto the Lord_, Levit. 22. 27. And the reason
of this Law, some of the Hebrews have thought to be,[303] because
in their Opinion nothing in the world was absolutely perfect, until
a Sabbath had past over it. Moreover if it were an hour elder then
a year, it was unlawful, because it is said, _A male of the first
year, without blemish_, as well to admonish the Israelites of their
own personal integrity, as to signifie the absolute perfection of
him who was in truth the Lamb of God. And this he kept till the
fourteenth day of the same month. The Rabbines affirm[304] four
causes of this: First, because otherwise through the multitude of
businesses, at the time of their departure, they might forget the
Paschal Lamb. Secondly, that in this four daies space they might
have the more certain knowledge of the Lamb’s perfection. Thirdly,
that by beholding the Lamb so long before their eyes, they might have
the better occasion, in that space, both to recount with themselves
Gods mercy in their deliverance from Ægypt, and also to instruct
and Catechise their children in that point: for which respect it
was a received Tradition amongst the Jews, that during the space of
these four daies, their Lamb was tyed to their bed-posts. Lastly,
that in this time of preparation, they might throughly sit and address
themselves for the Oblation.
[301] Ioseph. de bello Jud. l. 7 c. 17.
[302] _Hebraice בן שנה Filium anni. Sunt qui distinguunt inter
Filium anni & Filium anni sui, filium anni interpretantur,
qui annum unum agit, nec minor, nec major. Filium vero anni
sui, qui est in anno primo, licet eum nondum absolverit. Sed
Aben Esra negat absque Cabala posse sciri quis sit filius anni
sui, nam fieri potest, inquit, ut sit Vau addititium sive
paragogicum, quale in חיתו & similibus._
[303] Vid. Munster ad Levit. 22.
[304] Hospinian. de Orig. fest. cap. 5.
The time when the Paschal Lamb was to be slain, was at the Evening,
Exod. 12. 6. Or, as the Original reads, between the two evenings.
Here Divines move the question, what part of the day should be
understood by this phrase. Some distinguish the two evenings
thus,[305] That there was Vespera Solis, the evening of the Sun;
namely, when the body of the Sun setteth: and Vespera luminis,
the evening of the light, when the beams and shining of the Sun
is also gone from off the earth; The space or interim between these
two Evenings, is thought to be one hour, and the third part of an
hour; in which space of time, they say, the Paschal Lamb was slain.
Others[306] admit a greater latitude, and distinguish thus: There is
say they, Vespera declinationis, the Evening of the Sun declining;
and Vespera occasus, the Evening of the Sun setting; and their
meaning is, that their Passover was offered in this intermediate
time, between noon and night. This latter answer seemeth most agreeable
to the truth. First because by this speech we must understand a
latitude of time wherein might be offered not only the Passover,
but the daily Evening Sacrifice also, for even that likewise was
commanded, Inter duas Vesperas, between the two evenings, _Num. 28.
4._ Now this might be offered in the former part of the after-noon.
The manner of their sacrificing, in regard of this time, we find
thus registred,[307] if we count the hours according to our usual
computations: the daily sacrifice of the evening Lamb was usually
slain between two and three, it was offered between three
and four: upon the Passover Eve it was slain between one and
two, it was offered about half an hour before three; but if their
Passover Eve hapned to be the same with their Sabbath Eve, then the
daily Evening Sacrifice was slain between twelve and one, it
was offered half an hour before two; and afterward the Passover.
Secondly, this agreeth with the Oblation of the true Paschal Lamb;
for, as the time of his crucifying began in the third hour of the day,
with the daily morning sacrifice, Mark 15. 25. so it ended at
the ninth hour, Mark 15. 34. which was the time of their ordinary
evening sacrifice: but upon their Passover Eve, it was the time
when their Paschal Lamb was slain.
[305] Aben Ezra, Exod. 12.
[306] _R. David. in Radic. Hoc etiam colligi potest ex Pirk.
Aboth. c. 5._
[307] Talmud. tract. de paschate. c. 1. in initio.
Furthermore, the Lamb was to be eaten with bitter herbs: the reason
of this command is, that thereby they might be moved to thankfulness
towards God, for their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage, in
which their lives were made bitter unto them, Ex. 1. 14.
These bitter herbs they dipt in a certain sauce thick like Mustard,
called Charoseth,[308] which thick sauce (say they)[309] was a
memorial of the day wherein they wrought in Egypt. This is
thought of some[310] to be that wherein Christ diped the sop which
he gave to Judas. Of this sauce the Hebrews write thus;[311] they
used to dip the unleavened bread in that sauce Charoseth, and to
eat; then they dipt the bitter herbs in the Charoseth, and did eat
them. It was made[312] of the Palm-tree branches, or of dry Figs, or of
Raisins, which they stamped and put Vinegar thereto, and seasoned it,
and made it like Clay; and brought it unto the Table in the night of
the Passover.
[308] חרוסת
[309] Moses Kotsensis, fol. 118
[310] Scalig. de emend. temp. l. 6. p. 272.
[311] Maim. de fermento. c. 8. sect. 7.
[312] Maimon. in חמץ ומצה c. 7. sect, 11.
The other seven daies following the fourteenth of Nisan, were in
strictness of speech a distinct Feast, as is above-shewed; namely, _the
Feast of unleavened bread_ because in that space of time, no _leavened
bread_ ought to be found in their houses;[313] their degrees[314] of
preparation to this feast are four. 1. Expurgatio fermenti,
the cleansing of all their houshold stuff and vessels, unto
which leaven might haply cleave; and this was done two or three
daies before the Passover. 2. Inquisitio fermenti, the _searching
after leaven_ throughout all the rooms of their houses, even to the
Mouse-holes: this they did with a waxen Candle, and as Buxtorfus
noteth, upon the night before the Passover: and Scaliger delivereth
it in other words to the same purpose, namely,[315] that this search
was made, _Ineunte quarta decima, usque ad quartam horam post ortum
solis_. _At the beginning of the fourteenth day, until the fourth hour
after the rising of the Sun._ Now, the beginning of the fourteenth
day was the night going before; for the Jews, in the computation of
their Holy-daies, counted their day from even to even. 3. There was
Exterminatio, or Conflagratio fermenti, A burning of the leaven;
and this was done from the fourth to the sixth hour, about dinner-time;
at which time followed the last degree, which Scaliger hath ommitted,
namely, Execratio fermenti, the cursing of the leaven, in this
form:[316] _Let all that leaven, or whatsoever leavened thing is in my
power, whether it were seen of me, or not seen, whether cleansed by me,
or not cleansed; let all that be scattered, destroyed, and accounted as
the dust of the earth_.
[313] _Huius moris vestigia quædam sunt reperta in Roman.
Flamine Diali. A. Gell. noct. Attic. lib. 10. c. 15._
[314] Buxtorf. Synag. Judaic. c. 12. p. 317.
[315] Scalig. de emend. Temp. in prolegom.
[316] Buxtorf. Synag. c. 12. p. 325.
In case any did eat leavened bread those seven daies, the penalty was,
that such a soul should be cut off from Israel, Exod. 12. 15.
Which penalty hath amongst Expositors a three-fold interpretation.[317]
Some understand thereby such a man to be _cut off from his heavenly
inheritance_: others, that God would _cut off such from the living
by an untimely death_: others, that he should die without children,
leaving no posterity behind him: To this purpose their Proverb is,[318]
A man childless is lifeless.
[317] Vid. P. Fag. in Exod. 12.
[318] Vid. P. Fag. ibid.
Of these three, the first is most probable in this place, though
the same Text may admit the second interpretation in other places
of Scripture, as is declared in the Chapter of Circumcision.
Notwithstanding here let the judicious Reader determine, whether these
words do not imply, besides the secret actions of God touching the soul
of such a Delinquent, a direction unto the Church how to deal with
parties thus offending by censuring them with Excommunication, which
kind of censure elsewhere the Scripture calleth, _A casting out of the
Synagogue_, John 16. 2. A speech much like this, _A cutting off from
Israel_.
Three things may be here demanded. First, who killed the _Paschal
Lamb_? Secondly, where it was killed? Thirdly, where it was eaten?
First, it was killed by the Priests, 2 Chron. 35. 6. Secondly,
it was killed after the first time in the Court of the Temple, the
place which God had chosen. Deut. 16. 6. Thirdly, the owner of
the Lamb took it of the Priest, and did eat it in his own house
at Jerusalem, _Christ with his disciples kept the Passover in an
upper-chamber at Jerusalem_.[319]
[319] Maimon. in Korban Pesach c. 1. sec. 6.
It may further be demanded, whether the Passover consisted of two
suppers, one immediately succeeding the other? Some affirm it, and
their reasons are these: First, say they, the Passover was eaten
standing, but Christ used another gesture. This argument of all
other is the weakest, for Christ used the gesture of lying on his
body, as well in the eating of the Passover, as at the consecration
of the Sacrament, and the Jews, generally after the first
institution, in all their Passovers, used rather this posture of
their body, than the other of standing, in token of rest and security,
as appeareth in the Chapter of Feasts. Secondly, they say, the
Paschal Lamb was wont to be rosted; but in the last Passover which
our Saviour celebrated, there was Jus cui intingebatur panis,
Broth into which he dipped the bread. This reason is as weak as the
former, because though there was a command to eat the _Paschal Lamb
rosted_; yet there was no prohibition to joyn their ordinary supper
with the eating thereof, and that might admit broth: but, as it is
shewn above, the matter into which the sop was dipped, was thought to
be the sauce Charoseth. Thirdly, they urge John 13. 2. That the
first supper was done, when Christ arose and washed his Disciples
feet, and after that he gave Judas the sop, which must argue a
second sitting down. This foretelling his Disciples, that one of
them should betray him, is likewise by Saint Luke recited after the
consecration of the Sacrament. This is the strongest argument, and
yet not of sufficient validity, because by a kind of Prolepsis, or
anticipation of time, it is not unusual, in the Scripture, to relate
that first, which according to the truth of the History, should be
last. Thus John 11. mention is made of Mary which anointed the
Lord, yet her anointing of him followeth in the next Chapter. And
this same History of betraying Christ, Saint Matthew, and Saint
Mark recite it before the consecration of the Sacrament. Whence
the Jews have a Proverb,[320] _Non esse prius aut posterius in
scriptura_; That first and last, must not be strictly urged in
Scripture. Together with these answers, consider how improbable it
is, that ten persons (for sometimes they were so few) should eat a
second supper, after they had eaten A Lamb of the first year, which
might be an year old. It is evident also by that of Barabbas, that
it was a received custom on the Passover, to let loose and enlarge
one Prisoner or other. Concerning the reason hereof, the conjecture
is three-fold, Some think this custom to have been used in memory of
Jonathan the son of Saul, when the people rescued him from the
hands of his Father. Others say that the reason hereof was, that the
Feast might be celebrated with the greater joy and gladness. Others
more probably think, it was done in remembrance of their deliverance
from the Egyptian bondage.
[320] אין מוקדם ומאוחר בתורה Salom. Iarchi. in Gen. 6. 3.
Again, here is to be observed, that the Jews, speaking of their
Passover, did sometimes speak according to their civil computation,
wherein they measured their days from Sun-rising to Sun-rising:
sometimes according to their sacred computation, which was from
Sun-set to Sun-set. This serveth for the reconciliation of that,
Numb. 12. 18. which seemeth to make the fourteenth day of the first
month, the first day of unleavened bread. And Josephus[321] telleth
us that they numbered eight days for that Feast. In like manner the
Disciples are said to come unto Christ the _first day of unleavened
bread_, saying unto him, _Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to
eat the Passover?_ Mat. 26. 17. as if the _first day of unleavened
bread_, were before the Passover. All these are true according to the
computation of their civil days, though according to the computation
of their Holy-days, the feast of unleavened bread began the
fifteenth day, and continued seven days only, and the Passover was
before the feast of unleavend bread.
[321] Joseph. Antiq. l. 2. c. 5. p. 65.
In the last place we must know, that there was permitted a _second
Passover_ to those who could not be partakers of the first, by reason
either of their uncleanness by a dead body, or of their far distance
from the place where it was to be offered. This was to be observed in
the second month, the fourteenth day thereof, according to all the
Ordinances of the first Passover, Numb. 9. Touching that permission
of a second Passover, to those that were in a journey far off: the
Hebrew of this word far off, hath extraordinary pricks over it,
for special consideration. Hereby the Lord might intimate, that we
Gentiles which were unclean, even dead in trespasses and sins, and _far
off_, Ephes. 2. 13. should be made nigh by the blood of Christ,
and so partakers of him, the second Passover. Of this legal Ordinance
the Hebrews say,[322] What is this journey far off? fifteen miles
without the walls of Jerusalem, who so is distant from Jerusalem,
on the fourteenth day of the first month, fifteen miles or more, when
the Sun riseth, Lo, this is a journey far off; if less than this,
it is not a journey far off, for he may come to Jerusalem by
after midday, though he go on foot, easily. The Agreement between the
Paschal Lamb and Christ standeth thus,
[322] Maimon. in Korban. Pesach c. 5. sect. 8, 9.
Christ is our Passover, 1 Cor. 5.
The Paschal Lamb was, Christ was,
1 One of the flock. 1 Perfect man, John 1.
2 Without blemish. 2 Without sin.
3 To be sacrificed and 3 Suffered and died.
roasted.
4 His bones were not 4 They brake not his legs,
broken. John 19. 33.
5 About the Evening. 5 In the end of the world,
Heb. 9. 26.
6 Their door-posts were 6 _The Blood of Christ purgeth
to be sprinkled with our consciences._
the blood.
7 That the punishing 7 _That sin and death might
Angel might pass over not prevail against us._
them.
8 It was eaten in their 8 He is applied by Faith.
several families.
9 The whole Lamb. 9 _According to all the Articles
of the Creed._
10 Without Leaven. 10 Without Hypocrisie,
1 Cor. 5.
11 With bitter herbs. 11 _With patience under the
Cross._
12 In haste, and in the 12 _With an earnest and
manner of Travellers. longing expectation of life
eternal._
13 Only by the Circumcised. 13 Only by the faithful,
1 Cor. 11.
CHAP. V.
Of their Pentecost
This Feast was called πεντεκοστὴ, the Pentecost; which word
signifieth the fiftieth day, because it was observed upon the
fiftieth day after the second of the Passover, which was the
sixteenth of Nisan. Here in the first place we must note, that the
fourteenth of Nisan was τὸ πάσχα, the Passover; the fifteenth
ἑορτὴ τοῦ πάσχα, the Feast of the Passover: or πρώτη τοῦ πάσχα,[323]
the first of the Passover: the sixteenth was δευτέρα τοῦ πάσχα, the
second of the Passover; or the morrow after the Passover, _Levit.
23. 11._ which is all one, as if it had been said, the _morrow after
the feast of the Passover_; for in those feasts which consisted in many
daies, the first and the last were termed Sabbaths. Now these
fifty daies were in truth the appointed time of their Harvest, their
Harvest, being bounded as it were, with two remarkable daies, the one
being the beginning, the other the end thereof: the beginning
was δευτέρα τοῦ πάσχα the second of the Passover; the end was
πεντεκοστὴ, the fiftieth day after, called the Pentecost. Upon
the δευτέρα, then they offered[324] a _sheaf of the same fruits of
their harvest_, Levit. 23. 10. Upon the Pentecost, then they
offered two wave loavs, Levit. 23. 17. the sheaf being an
Oblation offered in the name of the whole Congregation, whereby all
the after-fruits throughout the Land were sanctified,[325] it being
from thence afterward lawful, and not before, to reap the Corn, the
two loavs being not only an Eucharistical Oblation, but also a
token of the Harvest finished and ended. In the second place we are to
know, that they did count these fifty daies by numbring the Weeks
from the δευτέρα, whence it was called a Feast of weeks. The manner
how they counted the weeks, was, according to the number of the
Sabbaths following the δευτέρα. Thus the first Sabbath following
they called δευτερόπρωτον σάββατον: the second, δευτεροδεύτερον: the
third δευτερότριτον, &c. So that[326] all the Weeks and Sabbaths,
during the time of the Pentecost; as the first, second, third,
and fourth, &c. took their denomination from δευτέρα, which
observation giveth light to that of S. Luke, Luke 16. 1. where
there is mention of a Sabbath termed δευτερόπρωτον, that is, the
second first Sabbath, and by it is meant the _Sabbath next after the
sixteenth of Nisan_, which was the δευτέρα. Seeing that these _fifty
daies_ did measure out the time of their Harvest, it will not be amiss
to observe the difference betwixt their Harvest and ours, which chiefly
consisted in their anticipation of time; for both the Canaanites and
the Ægyptians began their Harvest about the first of April,[327] it
was quite finished in May.
[323] _Seniores appellabant hunc diem, πρώτην τῶν σαββάτων.
Lev. 23. 11._
[324] Scalig. de emend. temp. l. 6.
[325] _Καὶ τότε λοιπὸν δημοσίᾳ ἔξεστι πᾶσι καὶ ἰδίᾳ θερίζειν,
Joseph. Antiq. l. 3. c. 10._
[326] Scalig. lib. 6. de emend. temp. p. 260.
[327] _Plin. l. 18. cap. 18. Illud ipsum confirmat Leo Afr.
testis αὐτόπτης Descript. Afr. lib. 8. c. 4._
CHAP. VI.
The Feast of Tabernacles
The Greek word used to express this Festivity, properly signifieth
the making of Tabernacles:[328] the Hebrew word, a _Feast of
Tabernacles_.[329] The reason of both is, because all the time of
this Feast, which was full seven daies, (from the fifteenth of
Tisri, untill the one and twentieth thereof) the people remained in
Tabernacles and Booths made of Boughs, in manner of Arbors and
Bowers; yet so, that the first day of those seven, and the last, were
after a more special manner to be observed as holy Convocations.
[328] _Jansen. Concord. cap. 73. Item Tollet. in Joan. 7.
σκηνοπαγία, non σκηνοφαγία._
[329] חג הסכות Chag hasuccoth.
Concerning these Booths, the Jews write thus:[330] They ought to be
made in the open Air, not within doors, nor under the shelter of a
Tree; they ought not to be covered with cloaths, nor to be made too
close with the thickness of the Boughs, but with such holes that the
Sun and the Stars might be seen thorow them, and the rain likewise
descend thorow them. In these they ought to dwell those seven days,
as in their houses; they ought to furnish them with houshold-stuff
to ly under them, and sleep under them; only in rainy weather, then
they had liberty to eat and sleep in their houses, untill the rain was
over-past. Feeble persons also, which could not endure the smell of the
earth, were permited to stay at home. In Nehemiah’s time they made
their Booths, some upon the roof of their houses (for their houses were
made flat above) Deut. 22. 8. Some in their Courts, some in their
streets, Nehem. 8. 15.
[330] Munster Levit. 23.
Plutarch making mention of this Festivity, saith,[331] that these
Booths were made principally of Ivy boughs: but the Scripture
reckoneth up four distinct kinds, Levit. 23. 40. which are thought
to be, 1. The Cittern tree. 2. The Palm-tree. 3. _The Myrtle
tree._ 4. The willow of the brook. The Rabbins teach,[332] that
every man brought every morning his burden of the boughs of these four
Trees, otherwise he fasted that day. And this burden they termed[333]
Hosanna: in allusion unto this the people cutting down branches from
the Trees, and strewing them in the way when our Saviour did ride
into Jerusalem, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David, _Mat.
21. 9._ Plutarch scoffing the Jews, compares this Feast with that
drunken Festival in the honour of Bacchus, in which the Bacchides
ran up and down with certain Javelings in their hands, wrapped about
with Ivy, called θυρσοὶ and in this respect he termeth this feast of
the Jews θυρσοφορίαν A bearing about of these Thyrsi. That feast
which the Athenians term Εἰρεσιώνη, was not much unlike.
[331] Plutarch. Sympos. 4. Problem. 5.
[332] P. Fag. Levit. 23.
[333] Elias Thisbit.
Moreover on the next day after this feast, they compassed the
Altar[334] seven times with Palm-boughs in their hands, in the
remembrance of the overthrow of Jericho: for which reason, or else
because that Palm branches were the chief in the bundle, it was called
Dies Palmarum, Palm Feast.
[334] _Hospinian. de Orig. fest. cap. 7. It. Munst. in
Calendar. p. 150._
Concerning the reason of this Feast; some are of opinion, that it was
instituted in memory of that protection which the Lord vouchsafed the
Israelites by the Cloud, when they travelled thorow the Wilderness,
under the shadow of which they travelled, as under a safe Booth or
Tent. Onkelos in his Chaldee Paraphrase, seemeth to incline to
this opinion. Where the Hebrew readeth; _That your posterity may
know, that I have made the children of Israel to dwell in Booths_,
Lev. 23. 43. The Chaldee rendereth it, _That your posterity may
know that I have made the children of Israel to dwell in the shadow
of Clouds_.[335] Others think[336] it was instituted as a solemn
thanksgiving unto God for their Vintage, which was gathered in at
that time of the year; thence it is that they conceive those Psalms
of David, which are entituled על הגתית pro torcularibus, to have
been composed for this feast. Others speak more probably, who assign
the cause to be in memory of their Fore-fathers _dwelling in Tents and
Tabernacles_; the Text is clear, Levit. 23. 43.
[335] במטלת עננין
[336] Theophylact. John 5.
The Sacrifices which were offered these seven daies, are prescribed:
Numb. 29. from the thirteenth verse to the thirty fourth, where we
shall read every day the like Sacrifice, but only with this difference,
that upon the first day they offered thirteen young bullocks, upon
the second twelve, upon the third eleven, and so forward, ever
diminishing the number by one. The reason of which diminution, the
Jews deliver to be this:[337] the whole number of bullocks to be
offered at this solemnity was seventy, according to the Languages of
the seventy Nations, (for whom, as they teach, these sacrifices were
performed) signifying thereby, that there should be a diminution of
those Nations, until all things were brought under the government of
the Messias who was the expectation and Hope of the Gentiles.
[337] Hospinian. de Orig. hujus fest.
The two and twentieth of the month Tisri, was in truth a distinct
feast, as appeareth, Neh. 8. 18. but yet because this immediately
followed the Feast of Tabernacles, it hath been always counted the
last day of that Feast. And not only the boughs, but the days of
this whole feast of Tabernacles were termed[338] Hosannoth, from
the usual acclamations of the people, whiles they carried Boughs up
and down. And this eighth day was called Hosanna Rabba, the _great
Hosanna_, or the great day of the feast. John 7. 37. Upon this
day[339] they did read the last Section of the Law, and likewise began
the first, least they might otherwise seem more joyful in ending their
Sections, than willing to begin them. Upon this day also,[340] by the
Institution of the Prophet Haggæus and Zachary, and such like
Prophetical men, they did with great solemnity and joy, bring great
store of water from the River Shiloah to the Temple, where it being
delivered unto the Priests, it was poured upon the Altar, together
with Wine, and all the people sung that of the Prophet _Esay. 12.
13._ With joy shall ye draw water out of the Wells of salvation. Our
Saviour is thought to have alluded unto this, in that speech which he
used on this very day, John 7. 38. _He that believeth in me, out of
his belly shall flow rivers of waters of life._
[338] _Talmud. tract. de fest. Tabernaculorum, cap. הלול Vid.
Tremel. John 7. 37._
[339] Buxtorf. in abbreviatur. p. 253.
[340] Tremel. Joh. 7. 37. ex Talmud.
It is worth our noting also, that whereas God commanded the Observation
of this Feast on the fifteenth of the seventh month Tisri;
Jeroboam, that he might work in the people a forgetfulness of the
true Worship of God, appointed[341] the celebration of a Feast in the
eighth month, on the fifteenth day thereof, which is thought to be this
very feast of Tabernacles.
[341] Hospinian. de Orig. hujus fest. p. 24.
CHAP. VII.
Of the Feast of Trumpets, and their New Moons.
For the understanding of the time when this Feast was to be observed,
we must note, the month Tisri was the seventh month, according
to their sacred Computation; and therefore it is commanded to be
celebrated the first day of the seventh month, Levit. 23. 24. But
according to their Civil Computation it was their first month, so
that this Feast may be termed their New-years-day.
The first day of every month had its solemnities. First, when they
repaired to the Prophets for the hearing of the word, as on other
Sabbaths. Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? It is neither _New
Moon_, nor Sabbath day, 2 Kings 4. 23. Secondly, It was then
unlawful to buy and sell: When will the New Moon be gone, that we may
sell corn? Amos 8. 4. Thirdly, They had then special sacrifices over
and above their daily sacrifices.
Notwithstanding, this feast of Trumpets differed from other _New
Moons_. First, in respect of their sacrifices; in their _ordinary
New Moons_ they offered (besides the daily sacrifice) _two Bullocks,
one Ram, seven Lambs, for burnt-offerings_; with their meat and
drink-offering, and a Goat for a sin-offering, Num. 28. 11, 15.
But at this New-Moon, which was the beginning of their year, they
offered all the aforesaid sacrifices, and over and besides them, _one
Bullock, one Ram, and seven Lambs, for burnt-offerings_, and a _Goat
for a sin-offering, umb. 29. 1, 6._ Secondly, in Other New Moons
they blowed no Trumpets: In this they blowed[342] from the _Sun
rising till night_: whence we learn what New Moon it is that David
speaketh of, Psal. 81. 3. _Blow the Trumpet in the New Moon, in the
time appointed, at our feast day._
[342] Sheindler, in voce שפר
The reason in general of this blowing, and great noise of Trumpets, I
take to have been, to make their New-years-day the more remarkable,
because from it all their deeds and contracts bore date, and their
Sabbatical years and Jubilees were counted thence: But why it
should be made remarkable by the sound of Trumpets, or Cornets,
there are three conjectures.
First, the Hebrews think[343] it was done in memory of Isaac his
deliverance, and that they did therefore sound Rams horns, because
a Ram was sacrificed instead of him. Secondly, Basil[344] is of
opinion, that the people were hereby put in mind of that day, wherein
they received the Law in Mount Sinai with blowing of Trumpets.
Thirdly, others think it was to put them in rememberance of the
Resurrection, which shall be with the sound of Trumpets; _He shall
send his Angels with a great sound of a Trumpet_, Mat. 24. 31.
[343] P. Fag. Levit. 23.
[344] Basil. in Psal. 80.
There are three things considerable in New Moons.[345] First,
σύνοδος, the conjunction of the Moon with the Sun. Secondly,
ἐξαυγασμὸς, the waxing of the Moon. Thirdly, σχῆμα μηνοειδὲς, the
prime of the Moon. In the first it was quite dark; in the second it
did open it self to receive the Sun-beams: In the last it did appear,
corniculata, horned.
[345] Scalig. de emend. temp. pag. 26. It. p. 105.
Because in all these three degrees of the change, there was a kind of
mutual participation both of the Old and New Moon: Hence the Jews
observe two daies,[346] namely, the last of every moneth, and the
first day of the next following. Now because the thirtieth was the
last in their longest months; Hence Horace calleth these last days,
Tricesima Sabbata: The first days they termed, Neomenias, _new
Moons_.
[346] _Hospin. de Orig. fest. c. 4. p. 15. Eadem ratio tenet
etiam in illis mensibus qui constant 29. diebus._
For certain reasons the Jews used a kind of change, or translation
of daies; which translation, though it were of use in other months
also, yet the greatest care was had in translating the beginning of
their year, or their first day in their month Tisri; and he that
shall diligently calculate these changes, shall find, that all other
translations depended on this first.
Translation of daies was threefold.[347] First, Lunary:
Secondly, Politik: Thirdly, Mixt.
[347] Scalig. de emend. temp. l. 2. p. 85.
The reason of Lunary translation, was, that they might not observe
the Feast of the New Moon, until the old were quite over-past. For
the understanding of this, note these three rules.
First, The Hebrews counted their Holy-daies from night to night,
beginning at six of the clock; so that from six of the clock the first
night, till the next noon, were just eighteen hours.
Secondly, Always before the New Moon, there is a conjunction
between the Sun and the Moon; during this conjunction she is
called Luna silens, by reason of her darkness, and all this time
there is a participation of the New Moon.
Thirdly, When the conjunction was over past before noon-tide, namely,
in any of those first 18 hours, then the New Moon was celebrated the
same day.[348] But if it continued but one minute after twelve of the
clock at noon, then the feast was translated to the day following,
because otherwise they should begin their Holy-day in the time of the
old Moon. And this translation they noted with this abbreviation יה,
that is, 18, because of those eighteen hours which occasioned it.
[348] Munster. Calend. Heb. p. 46.
The reason of Politick translation, was, that two Sabbaths, or
feast-days might not immediately follow each other: because say
they,[349] it was unlawful those two daies to dress meat, or bury the
dead; and it was likewise inconvenient to keep meat dressed, or the
dead unburied two daies. Yet here two exceptions must be remembred,
when the meeting of two Sabbaths could not be avoided.
[349] Munst. Calend. p. 139.
First, When the Passover, or the fifteenth day of Nisan, fell on
Saturday; for then the Pentecost must needs fall on Sunday.
Secondly, When the Passover fell on Sunday; for then their
Passover immediately followed their weekly Sabbath.
The first Author of this Politick translation was a certain chief
man amongst them, named Eleazar;[350] three hundred and fifty years
before Christ his Nativity.
[350] Hospinian. de Orig. fest. p. 6.
The several species or kinds of Politick translation, were five. The
first, אדו Adu. The second, בדו Badu. The third, גהז
Gahaz. The fourth, זבד Zabad. The fifth, אגו Agu. For
the understanding of these abbreviatures, we must know, that in these
made words the letters only stand for numbers, and are applied to the
seven daies of the week, thus א 1. Sunday. ב 2. Munday.
ג 3. Tuesday. ד 4. Wednesday. ה 5. Thursday. ו 6.
Friday. ז 7. Saturday: which was the Jews Sabbath.
Their rules touching Politick translation, stood thus.[351] First,
that neither their New-years-day, which was the first of the month
Tisri, neither their Feast of Tabernacles, which was the fifteenth
day of the same month, should be celebrated on Adu, that is on
Sunday, or Wednesday, or Friday. Not on Sunday, or Friday,
because then the weekly Sabbath must needs concur with it, either
going immediately before, or following after: not on Wednesday,
because then the Feast of expiation, which is the tenth of that
month, would fall on Friday the day going immediately before their
weekly Sabbath. This instance is only concerning the first of
Tisri, which is called the Feast of Trumpets: but it holdeth also,
by way of consequence, in the fifteenth day, which is the _Feast of
Tabernacles_, because the fifteenth must always necessarily be of the
same day of the week that the first is. Therefore if the first be not
Adu, the fifteenth cannot be Adu.
[351] Adu.
The second rule was,[352] that the Passover should not be observed on
Badu; that is on Munday, Wednesday, or Friday.
[352] Badu.
The third rule is,[353] that Pentecost was not observed on Gahaz;
that is, on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday.
[353] Gahaz.
The fourth rule is,[354] that the Feast of Purim, or casting lots,
was not observed on Zabad, that is, on Munday, Wednesday, or
Saturday.
[354] Zabad.
The fifth rule is,[355] that the Feast of expiation was not observed
on Agu; that is, on Sunday, Tuesday, or Friday.
[355] Agu.
Mixt translation is, when both the Lunary and the Politick meet
in the changing of daies. And the translation occasioned by this
mixture or meeting of both these two, is twofold. First, Simple. And
secondly, Double.
Simple translation is, when the Feast is translated to the next day
following. For examples sake, If the Moon changed after noon-tide on
Sunday, here the Feast must be translated, for two reasons: the
first is Lunary, because the point of the change was after _eighteen
hours_; the second, Politick, because the rule Adu forbids Sunday
to be kept: notwithstanding, in as much as the very next day, namely
Munday, was observed; I term this translation simple. Of this sort
was that translation which they called Batu takphat.
בטו תקפט Batu Takphat,[356] is a word invented for help of
memory; each letter is a numeral, and may be thus resolved, ב 2. טו
15. תקפט 589. The meaning is, that in the year following _Annum
Embolymæum_ (wherein one whole month was ingrafted) if the point of
the change happened upon the second day of the week, that is, Munday
not before the fifteenth hour, and the 589 moment, the Feast of the
New Moon was translated unto Tuesday. How both the Lunary and
Politick translation work in this change, read _Scaliger, de emend.
temp. lib. 2. pag. 87_.
[356] Batu takphat.
Double Translation, is, when the Feast is translated not to the next,
but to some further day: as if the first day of the month Tisri
should happen upon Saturday; here, if the Moon hath not overpast her
conjunction before the afternoon, Lunary translation removeth this
Feast till Sunday, because of יח, that is, the eighteen hours:
Politick translation removeth it till Munday, as appeareth by the
rule Adu, forbidding Sunday; of this sort is Gatrad.
גטרד Gatrad, is a made word, each letter is a numeral, and it may
be thus resolved, ג 3. ט 9. רד 204. The meaning thereof is
thus: In their common year (when a whole month is not inserted) if the
point of the change happen upon the third day of the week, that is,
Tuesday, not before the ninth hour, and the 204 moment of an hour,
then the New Moon shall be translated to Thursday.
Note in the last place, that 1080 moments make an hour.[357]
[357] Munst. Calend. pag. 45.
The Feast of Tabernacles was observed in the month Tisri, and
therefore that could not be observed the morrow after the Sabbath,
as appeareth by the rule Adu. The Passover was observed in the
month Nisan, and therefore that might be observed the morrow after
the Sabbath, as appeareth by the rule Badu. If any ask the reason
why the Passover might be observed the next day after the Sabbath,
seeing the Feast of Tabernacles might not? I take it to be thus;
All the after translations depended upon the first translation of
the first New Moon in Tisri; but that could not be so changed, as
to prevent all concurrence of two Feasts; and thus to have their
Passover sometimes to follow their Sabbath, they thought the most
convenientest ordering of the year, because though not all meetings of
two Sabbaths, yet most were hereby prevented.
This tract of translation of Feasts, it serveth partly to open the
customs of the Jews: partly to give light for the understanding
of that great dispute among Divines, whether our Saviour did
anticipate the Passover. The Greek Church holds,[358] that he kept
a Passover by himself with his Disciples, on the thirteenth day of
the month, when unleavened bread was not yet to be used; and thence
they do both use and urge a necessity[359] of _leavened bread in the
Lords supper_: But this opinion we reject. First, because it accordeth
not with the truth of Evangelical History. Secondly, because it
plainly maketh Christ to be a transgressor, not a fulfiller of the
Law. Others say,[360] that because that year their Passover fell
on Friday, hence the feast was translated unto Saturday by the
rule Badu. Their inference is that Christ kept the fourteenth day
of the month, which was Friday, and the Jews kept Saturday. He
kept Gods Command, they the tradition of the Elders. Lastly, others
more probably hold,[361] that both Christ and the Jews did eat
the Passover the same day and hour; namely, on Friday, or the
fourteenth day of the month, if we count the beginning of Friday
according to the manner of the Jews, from six a clock at night on
Thursday. Friday morning he was judged, and crucified; and in the
afternoon, about three of the clock, when the _preparation of the
Sabbath_ began, he was buried; _There laid they Jesus, because of the
Jews preparation_, John 19. 24.
[358] Epiph. l. 2. Tom. 1. c. 51. p. 147.
[359] _Usum fermentati panis in cœna Dominica Ecclesia Romana
olim non damnavit. Casaubon. exercit. 16. p. 65._
[360] Munster. in Mat. cap. 26.
[361] Joseph. Scalig. de emend. temp. lib. 6. p. 266.
For reconciling the Evangelists in this point, we must note these
particulars, which are more at large proved in the _Chapter of the
Passover_. 1. The fourteenth day of the month, on which the _Paschal
Lamb_ was eaten, was called the first day of unleavened bread; the
Feast of unleavened bread drew near, which is called the Passover,
Luke 22. 1.
The fourteenth day was not holy, but the fifteenth was. In the
fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the Lord,
and in the fifteenth day of this month is the Feast, _Numb. 28. 16,
17._ Some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus
had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the
Feast, John 13. 29.
The Sheep and Bullocks offered upon this day, are called the
Passover, Deut. 16. 2. And of this we are to understand S. John,
Joh. 18. 28. They themselves went not into the common Hall, lest they
should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. So that
this eating of the Passover is not understood of the Paschal Lamb.
But some may question, How they should have been defiled by entring
into the common Hall? The answer is,[362] that upon Holy-day-eves,
which they termed days of preparation, they held it unlawful for
their Judges to sit on life and death. Hence it is that they brought
Jesus to Pilate the Roman Deputy. Secondly, they withdrew
themselves out of the common Hall. Thirdly, for this reason they
said, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death, _Joh. 18.
31._ that is, upon this, or such like day;[363] for though their high
Court of Sanedrim were put down at this time, yet all power in cases
of life and death was not taken from them, as is implied in the words
following; It was that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which
he spake signifying what death he should die, ver. 32. Which text
intimateth, that that unlawfulness was urged by the special providence
of God, that he might be crucified, being judged by Pilat: for if the
Jews had judged, they used no such kind of death towards Malefactors.
Again, Stephen was condemned by them to be stoned, Act. 7. And they
complained before Felix, that when they were about to proceed against
Paul according to their own Law, the chief Captain Lysias with
violence took him out of their hands, Acts 24. Which argueth, that
all power in causes capital was not taken from them: But of this see
the Chapter, Of their capital punishments.
[362] _אין דנין דיני נפשות לא בערב שבת ולא בערב יום טוב Moses
ben Maimon. li. ult. Iad. c. Sanedrin. Sect. 11._
[363] _August. tract. 114. In Ioann. ita hunc locum exponunt
etiam Cyrill. lib. 12. in Ioan. c. 6. Chrys. hom. 12. in Joan.
Beda in c. 18. Joan._
CHAP. VIII.
The Feast of Expiation.
Upon the tenth day of the month Tisri, answering to September with
us, the Feast of Expiation was commanded to be celebrated, _Levit.
13._ It was called the Feast of Expiation, because the High-priest
did then confess unto God both his own sins, and the sins of the
people: and by the performance of certain Rites and Ceremonies expiate
them, and make an attonement unto God for them.
The Ceremonies at this time to be performed, concerned either the
People and the Priest, or the Priest alone. Those which concerned
the People and the Priest, consisted in the afflicting of their souls
by fasting. Whence this Feast was also called[364] Dies Jejunii,
the Fasting Day, Jer. 36. 6. Which serveth for the understanding
of that, Act. 27. 9. _Sailing was now dangerous, because the Feast
was already past_; that is, the Feast of Expiation was now past, and
Winter was at hand.
[364] Joseph. de bel. Jud. pag. 43.
Those Ceremonies which concerned the Priest alone, were two: First,
then the High-priest entred into the Holiest of Holies, which
was peculiar unto this day. Secondly, he being about to sacrifice
for himself and his house, he took unto him a _young Bullock for
a sin-offering, and a Ram for a burnt offering_, putting on his
Priestly Robes: After he had washed himself in water; he took of
the Congregation _two He-goats for a sin-offering, and a Ram for a
burnt offering_. The two He-goats he presented before the Lord at
the door of the Tabernacle, casting lots which of them should be
sacrificed, which let scape alive. This last was termed[365] the
scape Goat, because the other being slain, this was sent alive into
the Wilderness. The Greek Interpreters call this Goat ἀποπομπαῖον,
Malorum depulsorem, A defender from evils; which name the Heathens
applied to their Tutelar Gods. They intimated, that when the _scape
Goat_ carried away the sins of the people into the Wilderness, he
likewise carried away all those evils which belonged unto those sins.
And for the securing the people in this point, the Lord commanded
the High priest to confess in the name of all the people, and to
disburden the sins of the whole Congregation upon the head of the
scape Goat. The form of Confession, according to the relation of
the Hebrew Doctors, was this:[366] _O Lord, thy People, the House
of Israel, they have sinned, they have done wickedly, they have
transgressed before thee; I beseech thee now, O Lord, pardon the sins,
iniquities, and transgressions, with which the People, the House of
Israel have sinned, done wickedly, and transgressed before thee, as it
is written in the Law of thy servant_ Moses: _that in that day he shall
make Attonement for you, that he might cleanse you, and that you might
be clean from all your iniquities before the Lord._
[365] _עזאזל Gnaz azl. ex עז Gnez. capra & אזל
Azal, abiit R. D. Kimchi in Radic._
[366] P. Fag. Lev. 16.
The modern Jews now (because there can be no proper sacrifice, the
Temple of Jerusalem being destroyèd) the men they take a _white
Cock_ on this day, the women a Hen.[367] This Cock they swing
three times about the Priests head, saying, _Gallus Gallinaceus hic
commutatio erit pro me_: that is, _This Cock shall be a propitiation
for me_. After that they kill the Cock; acknowledging themselves
worthy of death; and then they cast the intrals upon the top of the
house, that some Raven or Crow might carry both them, and together
with them, their sins into the Wilderness. And least they might seem
to be mad without reason, they assign the cause why they make choice
of a Cock, at this time, to be this: This word[368] Gebher in the
Holy Language signifieth a Man, in their Talmud it signifieth a Cock.
Now, say they, the Justice of God requires, that as Gebher sinned,
so Gebher should make satisfaction. From this Feast of Expiation
it is probable, that the Grecians used a yearly Expiation of
their Cities, which was performed on this manner: Certain condemned
persons were brought forth with Garlands upon their heads, in manner of
sacrifices, these they would tumble from some steep place into the Sea,
offering them up to Neptune, using this form of words,[369] περίψημα
ἡμῶν γενοῦ, Sis pro nobis peripsema: As if he had said, _Be thou a
Reconciliation or Propitiation for us_. The like kind of Expiation was
used among them in time of any Pestilence, or contagious infection;
for removal of such diseases, they then sacrificed certain men unto
their Gods, such men they termed καθάρματα.[370] These two words are
used by the Apostle, 1 Cor. 4. 13. and they are translated _filth
and off-scouring_: We are made as the _filth of the World, and as the
off-scouring of all things_. The words signifie properly the _filth or
dirt scraped off mens shooes_, or from the pavement of the ground:
But in Budæus his opinion,[371] the Apostle had allusion unto those
kinds of Expiations in use amongst the Heathens. As if he had said,
We are as despicable and as odious in the sight of the people, as much
loaded with the revilings and cursings of the multitude, as those
condemned persons, who were offered up by way of publick Expiation.
[367] Buxtorf. Synagog. cap. 20.
[368] גבר
[369] Suidas in voce περίψημα.
[370] _Καθάρματα ἐλέγοντο οἱ ἐπὶ καθάρσει λιμοῦ τινὸς ἤ
τινὸς ἑτέρας νόσου θυόμενοι τοῖς θεοῖς, Vetus Scholiast. in
Aristophan. Plut. pag. 48._
[371] Budæus annot. reliq. in Pandect. De pœnis, p. 334.
Now, seeing at this Feast principally the High-Priest was a _Type of
Christ_, it will not be amiss to note the agreement between the Type
and the Truth.
Aaron. Christ.
1. The High-priest went 1. Christ our High-Priest
into the Holiest of all, went into the Holy place,
Levit. 16. 3. namely, the Heavens,
Heb. 9. 12.
2. He went once a year, 2. He entered once, _Heb.
Exod. 30. 10. 9. 12._
3. He with the blood of 3. He by his own blood,
Goats and Calves, Heb. 9. 12.
Heb. 9. 12.
4. He alone, Heb. 9. 4. He alone hath trodden
the Wine-press, _Isay.
63. 3._
5. He, clothed with his 5. He, ordained and sealed
Priestly Robes, _Levit. to this Office, by his
16. 4._ Father from all Eternity.
6. He took two Goats, 6. He took two natures:
Levit. 16. the _impassibility of his
God-head_ was shadowed
by the Scape goat: his
sufferings in his Manhood,
by the _Goat that
was sacrificed_, _Theod. Qu.
12._ in Lev.
7. The Goat did bear the 7. Christ was made sin
Peoples iniquities. for us, 2 Cor. 5. 22.
CHAP. IX.
The Sabbatical year, or Seventh years rest
As every seventh day was a Sabbath day, so every seventh year was
a Sabbatical year, Levit. 25. And as the Sabbath day signified
that they themselves were the Lords, and therefore they abstained
from their own work to do the Lords: So the Sabbatical year was to
signifie, that both they and their land was the Lords.
The observation of this Feast consisted chiefly in two things. First,
in the not tilling or manuring of their ground, whence it was called
Scabath Haarets,[372] the Sabbaths of the Land, Levit. 25. 6.
Secondly, in the Creditors discharging their debtors, and releasing
their debts, and thence it was called Shemita laihova,[373] _The
Lords release_, Deut. 15. 2.
[372] שבת הארץ
[373] שמיטה ליהוה
Seeing they were that year forbid to till their ground, here a question
might be made; what they should eat in the time of this intermission?
Answ. _I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it
shall bring forth fruit for three years_, Levit. 25. 20, 21. saith
the Lord.
Seeing every seventh year, debts, according to Gods Command were to be
remitted, some might demand whether this might not much endamage their
Estates if they did lend? or harden their hearts not to lend?
Answ. It could not endamage their Estates, for it is a most
infallible Maxime: No man is a loser by serving God. Whence
the Hebrews themselves interpret this to be rather _Mandatum
probationis_, A command of tryal, such as Abrahams offering up
of Isaac was, which God commanded, not intending that he should
be sacrificed, but that Abrahams love might be tryed; rather than
Mandatum obedientiæ, A command of obedience. To this purpose
speaketh Aben Ezra, interpreting these words, _Save when there shall
be no poor among you_. Deut. 15. 4. That is, saith he,[374] as if the
Lord had said, _Know that that which I have commanded thee, that thou
shouldest not exact of thy Brother, will be needless. If all Israel,
or the greater part obey the voice of God, then there shall be no poor
amongst you, to whom it shall be needful for thee to lend; yea, all of
you shall be able to lend to many Nations._
[374] Aben Ezra. Deut. 15. 4.
The reasons why this Feast was instituted, are thought to be: First,
to teach the people to depend upon Gods providence by faith; for
though the owner of the field might gather, even on that year, for
the maintenance of himself and his family, Levit. 25. 6. yet he was
neither to sow his field, thereby to make his Harvest the greater; nor
to hedge his field, or lock up his Corn-yard, thereby to enjoy the
propriety, but to let all be common, and every mans hand equal in every
place. Secondly, they were hereby put in mind of that happy estate
which Adam enjoyed in his Innocency, when the earth brought forth her
encrease without manuring. Lastly, it shadowed forth that _everlasting
Sabbath_ which we expect in the Heavens. And some conjecture[375] this
to be the ground of Rabbi Elias his opinion,[376] that the _world
should continue for six thousand years, but the seventh thousand should
be the ~great~ Sabbatical year_. The six thousand years answered the
six working daies of the week, the seventh answered our Sabbath,
according to that, A thousand years are but as one day with the Lord,
2 Pet. 3. 8. Elias his words are these; _Six thousand years the
world shall be, and again it shall be destroyed: Two thousand shall
be void, two thousand under the Law, and two thousand under the
Messias._[377] The substance of this Prophecy, howsoever we reject it
as too curious, yet seeing that a Jew spake it, it may serve to prove
against them: First, That the Messias is already come: Secondly, That
Moses his Law ceased at his coming.
[375] Vid. Hospin. de Orig. hujus festi.
[376] Talmud. in Sanedrin. c. Hiel.
[377] _ב אלפי חוהו ב אלפי תורה ב אלפי ימות המשיח Duo millia
inanitatis, duo millia dierum Messiæ, Talmud. in Sanedrin. c.
Halec._
CHAP. X.
Of their Jubilee.
This is the last Festival which God commanded the Jews, it was
celebrated every fiftieth year. It is commanded, Lev. 25. 8. Thou
shalt number seven Sabbaths of years unto thee, &c. The English
word Jubilee is derived from the Hebrew יובל Jobel, signifying a
Ram; it signifieth a Rams horn. Seven Priests shall bear before
the Ark seven Trumpets of Rams horns, Josh. 6. 4. Where the
word Jobelim is used, and is expounded by the Chaldee Paraphrast,
Rams-horns. Marbachius is of opinion, that this year was called
their Jubilee, from Jubal,[378] the first inventer of musical
instruments, of whom we read, Gen. 4. 21. _Jubal was the Father of
all such as handle the Harp and Organ_. Other Authors deliver other
reasons of the name, but it is most probable that this year was termed
the year of Jubilee from Jobelim, the Rams-horns then sounded.
There were five main uses of this Feast.
[378] Marbach. in Levit. 25.
First, for the general release of Servants. Secondly, for the restoring
of Lands and Tenements unto their first Owners, who formerly sold them.
Thirdly, hereby a true distinction of their Tribes was preserved,
because Lands returned unto their Owners in their proper Tribe, and
Servants to their own Families. Fourthly, some are of opinion,[379]
that as the Grecians did compute their times by the number of
Olympiads, the Romans by their Lustra, the Christians by
their Indictions: So the Jews by their Jubilees. Lastly, it did
mystically shadow forth that spiritual Jubilee, which Christians
enjoy under Christ, by whose blood we have not only a re-entry into
the Kingdom of Heaven, which we had formerly forfeited by our sins
(and this was haply signified by the Israelites re-entry upon their
Lands formerly sold) but also the sound of the Gospel, which was in
this Feast typed out unto us by the noise of the Trumpets, is gone
thorowout the world. And thus the Lord God hath blown the Trumpet,
as Zacharies phrase is, Zach. 9. 14. But neither this release
of servants, nor restoring of Lands, was until the tenth day of the
first month Tisri,[380] at which time it was proclaimed by the sound
of Trumpets, or Rams horns; the nine first daies of this month the
Servants feasted and made merry, and wore Garlands, in token of their
liberty approaching.
[379] Hospinian. de Orig. fest. c. 9.
[380] Moses Ægyptius in Halacha Schemit. Veiobel, c. 10.
CHAP. XI.
The Feast of Purim, and the Feast of Consecration or Dedication.
Pur is a Persian word, and signifieth a Lot, whence this _Feast
of Lots_ is called Purim, i.e. κληρωτήρια, A Lottery: It began on
the fourteenth of Adar, and continued till the end of the fifteenth,
Esth. 9. 21. It was instituted by Mordecai, in remembrance of the
Jews delivery from Haman, before whom lots were cast day by day,
and month by month, for the destruction of them. In these two daies
they read the History of Hester in their Synagogues; and as often
as they hear mention of Haman, they do with their fists and hammers
beat upon the benches and boards, as if they did knock upon Hamans
head.[381]
[381] _Hospin. de fest. fol. 33. ex Antonio Margarita in. l. de
ceremoniis Judæorum._
The Feast of Dedication, termed in the New Testament, Ἐγκαίνια[382]
a Feast wherein something is renewed; because those things only are
reputed consecrated, which are separated from their common use, and
dedicated to some new and holy use. We shall read of many _things
consecrated_ in the Old Testament; the Tabernacles, the Temple,
Priests, Altars, Vessels and Garments: but there was no
anniversary or yearly solemnity appointed to be observed in remembrance
of their Consecration. The Consecration therefore which we now
speak of, being a yearly Festival, was the _Consecration of the altar
appointed by Judas Maccabæus_ to be observed from year to year, for the
space of eight days, from the five and twentieth of the month Cisleu,
which answereth in part to our December, 1 Macchab. 4. 59. Of this
Saint John speaketh; and as he mentioneth our Saviours presence
there, so he intimateth the time to be about December. _It was at
Jerusalem the feast of the Dedication, and it was winter_, _John 10.
22. &c._
[382] Ἐγκαίνια ἑορτὴ καθ’ ἣν ἐκαινουργήθη τὶ, Suidas.
The reason of this Feast was in remembrance of that great mercy which
God shewed unto his people, in delivering them from the tyranny of
Antiochus, and the Idolatry which he had forced upon them, setting
up the Idol of Jupiter in the Temple of God, and abolishing the
true worship of God.
These two Feasts are of humane institution, and others might be
added unto them; but little is to be added, or nothing at all, to that
which is delivered concerning them, in the places of Scripture where
they are mentioned.
THE FOURTH BOOK
OF THEIR IDOLATRY.
CHAP. I.
The beginnings of Idolatry.
The Infiniteness of Gods Majesty far transcendeth the capacity of
created Natures; and if we consult not with Gods own Oracles,
though the sense of a Deity may be imprinted even in an Atheists
heart, yet so far shall he be from all right understanding of God,
that he will adore the creature instead of the Creator: and when
he hath multiplied the number of his gods, according to the number
of the Stars in heaven, and creeping things on earth; yet still his
heart will be doubtful, whether he hath worshipped the true God,
nay whether the true God be not utterly unknown. For this reason the
Marriners in Jonahs ship cried every man unto his God, _Jonah
1. 5._ Every man to his own God; and lest they might all mistake
the true God, they awaken Jonah to call upon his God. This
uncertainty[383] attending Idolatry, caused the Heathens to
close their Petitions with that general, Dii deæque omnes.[384]
The Arabians perceiving the insufficiency of their known Gods,
dedicated their Altars, Ignoto Deo, To the unknown God. At
Athens, Saint Paul found an Altar with the same inscription, _Acts
17. 23._ Hence other Neighbour-Countries were wont to swear[385] _by
him that was unknown at Athens_. From this doubt and distrust among the
Athenians, what God was, and who he was, sprang another uncertainty
amongst them, as dangerous as the other, dividing and sharing that
undividable Unity of the Godhead, between I know not what Compeers
and Equals, so that they had other Altars mentioning a plurality of
gods:[386] the inscription being θεῶν ἀγνώστων, _the Altar of the
unknown Gods_, yea, the compleat and entire inscription of that Altar
which Saint Paul saw, is thought to have been thus,[387] _To the gods
of ~Asia~, ~Europe~, and ~Africa~; to the unknown and strange, God_.
Which observation implieth their practice to have symbolized with other
Heathens in that forementioned closure; Dii Deæque omnes, _O all
ye Gods and Godesses, help_. This distrust I think to be the chief
reason why they worshipped the unknown God; though I deny not but the
Altars might bear this Title, to conceal the name of their _Tutelar
God_, unto whose protection they had committed themselves: because the
Heathen people generally conceited,[388] that if the gods name,
to whom they dedicated a City, were known, then the Enemies might
by some magical incantation or charm, call him forth, and cause him
to foresake the City: For the better preventing of which manner of
evocations, the Tyrians, the Lacedemonians, and other Nations[389]
fettered and chained their gods, that they might not depart. Again,
it might be done in imitation of the Jews, who about the time of our
Saviour his Incarnation, held it unlawful to pronounce that Essential
Name of God, Jehovah, and instead thereof would read Adonai. The
occasion of this concealment of the name Jehovah, I take to have
been originally, to prevent the blaspheming of that holy Name among
the Heathens, who had learned from that name to denominate their
Idols, Jove Ἰαὼ Iaoth, Ἰαώια, &c.[390] Hence afterward the
forbearing the Name became superstitious, and so far prevailed, that
they corrupted the Text for the defence thereof, Ex. 3. 15. This
is my name לעולם legnolam, for ever: they read לעלם legnalem,
to be concealed.[391] Though I deny not but that name was always
in some sense ineffable: namely, as Pliny saith,[392] the names of
the African people and Towns were ineffable, that is, such as other
Languages could not express without circumlocutions.
[383] Serv. in Georgic. lib. 1.
[384] Gyrald. Syntagm. 17.
[385] Νὴ τὸν ἐν Ἀθήναις ἀγνώστον. Lucian in Philopatride.
[386] Pausanias in Atticis.
[387] _Θεοῖς Ἀσίας, καὶ Εὐρώπης, καὶ Λιβύης, θεῷ ἀγνώστῳ καὶ
ξένῳ. Theophyl. in Act. Apost. 17. 23. It. Hieron. Tit. 1. 12._
[388] _Alex. ab. Alex. lib. 6. cap. 4. Tyraquel. in illum
locum._
[389] Macrob. Saturn. l. 3. c. 9.
[390] _Vid. Macrob. Satur. l. 1. c. 18. It. Irenæum, lib. 2.
cap. ult. Item, Origen. contra Celsum. l. 6. fol. 76. col. 3._
[391] Vid. P. Galatin. lib. 2. c. 10.
[392] Plin. in Proem. lib. 5. Hist. Natur.
As those forementioned Idolatrous names were nothing else but so
many depravations of the name Jehovah: so the Original of many other
ensuing kinds of Idolatry proceeded at first from a misconstruction
of Scripture. They have learned by Tradition, that the Sun, Moon, and
Stars, had a kind of Lordship and rule over day and night, times and
seasons: Hence the superstitious ignorance of those people Deified
those lights of Heaven, and worshipped them as gods. Afterward
corruption prevailing, their Apotheosis, or god-making Ceremonies,
were extended to sublunary creatures, partly as Symbola, or
representative signs of those greater and more glorious lights; for
this reason the Chaldeans worship fire: אור, and Ur, of the
Chaldeans, mentioned, Gen. 11. which signifieth fire or light,
is thought to be the very god of the Chaldeans, though in that
place the name Ur be applyed to some chief City, from the name of
the Idol. Yea, the god of Nahor, Gen. 31. 53. is thought to be no
other; partly, also the inferiour creatures were canonized for gods,
in way of thankfulness for the benefits received from them, for which
reason the Sea, the Winds, the Air, the Earth, and fruits
of the earth, became deified. At last, well deserving men; nay,
Crocodiles, Serpents, Rats, Cats, Dogs, Garlick, and
Onions, were reputed gods.
CHAP. II.
_Of ~Moloch~, ~Adram-Melech~, ~Anam-Melech~, ~Baal~, The Tabernacle of
~Molech~, ~Chiun~, ~Rempham~, Horses consecrated to the Sun, ~Thamuz~._
Of the Idol Moloch we read in divers places of Scripture, _1 King.
11._ 2 King. 23. 10. Leviticus 18. 21. He is sometimes called
Moloch, sometimes Molech, sometimes Milcom. He was the _reputed
god_, not only of the Ammonites, but of the Moabites also.[393] He
had his name from מלך Melac, signifying to rule or reign. The Seventy
Elders translate him, ἄρχων, βασιλεὺς, a Prince, or King. Such
King-Idols were Adram-melech, and Anam-melech, the gods of
Shephervaim, unto whom that people burnt their Children in fire.
[393] Lorin. in Act. 7. ex Oecumen.
I take Moloch and Baal to be one and the same Idol, they were
both names of supremacy and rule, בעל Baal signifieth a Lord or
Master. And מלך Moloch, a King or Prince. They had both the
same manner of sacrifice, they burnt their Sons for burnt-offerings
unto Baal likewise, Jer. 19. 5. yea, they built the high places of
Baal, which are in the Valley of Benhinnom, to cause their Sons and
their Daughters to pass thorow the fire unto Moloch, Jer. 32. 35.
In which Text the place of sacrifice is noted to be one and the same,
common to both Idols, and Moloch put into the end of the verse, to
explain Baal in the beginning thereof.
Some think them to be different, because the Planet Jupiter was
worshipped under the name of Baal;[394] but the Planet Saturn is
probably thought to have been worshipped under the name of Moloch. If
we diligently observe Histories, we shall find such a _confusion of the
Planets_, that the Sun, as it was sometimes called Baal, sometimes
Moloch: so it was sometimes called Jupiter,[395] sometimes
Saturn;[396] and concerning Baal this is evident: Hence Jupiter
was called by the Phœnicians, Baal-samen, which name is derived
from the Hebrew, and soundeth as much as Jupiter Olympicus, _the
Lord of Heaven_. For Baal signifieth Lord, and Shamaim, Heaven.
And what is this Lord of Heaven in the theology of the Heathens,
other than the Sun? who may as well be stiled the King of Heaven,
as the Moon the Queen. Yea, Sanchoniatho, as Eusebius in the
forequoted place relates him, taketh all these three for one, namely,
the Sun, Jupiter, and Baal-samen.
[394] _August. super Judic. q. 10. Vide sis Eusebium de præpar.
lib. 1. cap. 7._
[395] _Plato apud. Macrob. Satur. l. 1. c. 23. ubi mendosè
citatur è Timæo Platonis, quod est in Phædro._
[396] _Assyrios Saturnum (quem & Solem dicunt) Junonemq;
coluisse constat. Servius in Eneid. 1._
Concerning Saturn, it is apparent that the Sun was worshipped
under his name: But I find some Expositers to interpret Moloch to be
Mercury,[397] others Mars:[398] these are but few, and the grounds
weak. It is therefore more generally and more probably thought that
he was Saturn, because as to Moloch, so to Saturn, the Heathen
people did sacrifice their Sons and Daughters.[399] Secondly,
Saturns Image differed not much from Moloch’s. Of Saturns thus
we read,[400] _It was made of brass, wonderfull for its greatness,
whose hands reaching towards the earth, were so hollow (ready to clasp)
that the youths which were compelled to come unto him, did fall as it
were into a mighty ditch full of fire._ You shall read in a manner the
same description of Moloch. Jalkut commenting on Jeremy, writeth
thus:[401] _Though all other houses of Idolatry were in Jerusalem, yet
~Moloch~ was without Jerusalem, in a place apart. How was he made? He
was an Image of brass; he had seven Chappels, and he was placed before
them, having the face of a Bullock, and hands spread abroad, like a man
that openeth his hands to receive somewhat from another: and they set
it on fire within, for it was hollow: and every man severally entred,
according to his offering. After what manner? Whosoever offered a
Fowl went into the first Chappel; he that offered a Sheep, into the
second; a Lamb, into the third; a Calf, into the fourth; a Bullock,
into the fifth; an Ox, into the sixth; and whosoever offered his Son,
into the seventh._ Thus Moloch and Saturn agree: First, in
their sacrifice: Secondly, in the form of their Images. Now these
seven chappels built for Moloch, may well resemble those _seven
gates_[402] with which the Persians honored the Sun; and as the
seven gates did, so might the seven chappels mystically express
the seven Planets, whereof the Sun was Moloch, i. _the King and
Prince_. When they sacrificed their sons unto this Idol, they did
beat upon Tabrets and Drums, that the cry of the Child might not
be heard by the Father. Thereupon was the place called תפת Tophet,
from תף signifying a Drum, as likewise from the cry of the Children,
it was called Gehenna, גיא signifying a valley, and נהם
roaring or crying. Some may make the question, whether that the phrase,
The fire of Gehenna, Matth. 5. 22. had its original from this fire,
wherewith the children were burnt unto Moloch? I answer, that in this
phrase there was not respect only unto this fire, though by the bitter
cries and ejulations of poor infants, the restless torments in Hell
might be shadowed, yet the perpetuity and everlastingness of hellish
pains I take to be signified herein by allusion unto that other fire,
kept continually burning for the consuming of dead carkasses, and
the filth brought out of Jerusalem.[403] For Gehenna was reputed
a contemptible place without the City, in the which they burnt, by
means of a fire continually preserved there, the carkasses, filth and
garbidge of the City. The Cabalists[404] treating of Gehenna,
in this metaphorical sense, as it is applied to the pains of hell,
do distinguish of it, saying, That there is Gehenna superiour;
and inferiour, by the first they understand _bodily torments
inflicted upon the bodies of sinners in this world_: by the second
they understand the pains of the soul in the world to come. They
say likewise[405] that there are Septem Gehennæ mansiones, _Seven
degrees or mansion places in Gehenna_. 1. Infernus. 2. Perditio. 3.
Profundum. 4. Taciturnitas. 5. Umbra mortis. 6. Terra inferior.
7. Terra sitiens. Of these seven receptacles, he that will mispend
his time may read according to the quotation.
[397] _מלך Molech dici volunt quasi מלאך Malach, (~i.~)
Angelus, Nuncius. Proindè interpretantur Molech Mercurium
Deorum nuncium._
[398] R. Levi. Lev. 18. 21.
[399] Macrob. Saturn. l. 1. c. 7.
[400] Euseb. de præpar. l. 4. c. 7.
[401] Jalkut. Jer. 7. fol. 97. Colum. 1.
[402] _Orig. contra Celsum. l. 6. f. 75. col. 4. It. Gyrald. in
Deorum Syntag. 7. p. 223._
[403] D. Kimchi. Psal. 27. 13.
[404] Capnio de Cabala p. 644.
[405] P. Galatinus l. 12. c. 6.
It is much controversed among Expositors, whether the children in this
sacrifice were burnt in the fire or only _initiated and consecrated
to ~Moloch~, passing in the middest of two fires in sign of their
consecration_? It is probable, that both were in use. First, the
Scripture speaketh of both. Secondly, the Hebrew Doctors shew the
manner of both. That they were burnt, Jalkut expressly teacheth,
and with him others accord,[406] saying, _That Molech is the name of
an Image; and the wise men of blessed memory interpret Molech to be an
universal name, denoting any whom they made to rule over them: And it
is agreed upon, that this is the abomination of the Sons of Ammon, and
this phrase, to cause to pass thorow, is as much as, to burn._ Others
say,[407] _This Idols name was Molech, and this was his worship: That
he (namely, the Father) delivered his son unto the Priests, and they
made two great fires; and they made his son pass on his feet between
both these fires._
[406] Aben Ezra. Lev. 18, 21.
[407] Rabbi Solomon. Lev. 18. 21.
Notwithstanding, we must not think that there were no other oblations
unto Molech, besides sacrificing of children: For what use then
served those other six Chappels? No: I take this oblation of
children not to have been forced on them by any superstitious law,
or tradition, binding them thereunto; but to have been reputed a
work more meritorious, because it was meerly voluntary. This I note,
because otherwise there were an apparent difference between Baal
and Moloch. For the Baalites offered unto their fancied Deity a
Bullock, in that contention between them and Eliah, 1 Kings 18.
Bullocks, and Calves, and Lambs, were their ordinary sacrifices, the
sacrificing of their children, extraordinary. Yet their ordinary
sacrifices, were not always altogether void of mans blood, but
sometimes the Priests would lance and cut their own flesh: which
custome, whence it had its original, I find not: only we find the like
to have been practised by the Heathenish Priests in their sacrifices
to Bellona: Tertullian[408] toucheth it, but Lactantius[409]
treating of Bellona and her Priests, speaketh more clearly, saying,
_They sacrificed not with any other mans blood, but with their own;
their shoulders being lanced, and with both hands brandishing naked
swords, they run and leaped up and down like mad men_. Who would not
take these Bellonites to be the very Baalites, spoken of, _1 Kings
18._ _They leapt upon the Altar which was made ---- and cut themselves
as their manner was, with knives and lances, till the blood gushed out
upon them._
[408] Ter. Apol. c. 9.
[409] Lactant. c. 40.
That the opinion of pleasing God by sacrificing their children
sprang from Abraham’s offering of Isaac, seemeth very probable,
and is intimated by R. Solomon, who bringeth in God speaking
concerning Moloch after this manner: _I never commanded that they
should offer up their sons for an oblation, and I never spake it unto
any of my Prophets:[410] and when I spake to_ Abraham _to sacrifice
his son, it entred not into my heart that he should sacrifice him,
but to make known his righteousness_, Yea Porphyry[411] treating of
Saturn, (who seemeth to have been this very Moloch) saith, that
the Phœnicians called him Israel, and that he had by Anobreth
one only son called Jeud in the Phœnician language, (no doubt from
the Hebrew Jechid, signifying an only begotten, and applied to
Isaac, Gen. 22. 2.) which he offered upon an Altar purposely
prepared. Who seeth not the History of Abraham and Sarah under the
names of Israel and Anobreth? and the immolation of Isaac under
the name of Jeud? and the original of this Son-sacrificing Divinity,
to have been the unwarrantable imitation of Abraham?
[410] Solomon Iarchi Jer. 7. 31.
[411] Euseb. præpar. Evang. l. 1. c. 7, p. 17.
But what! Was the Sun worshipped Idolatrously, no otherwise? Yes,
except I am deceived, we find another manner of worship described
by Amos, Chap. 5. 26. _But ye have born the Tabernacle of your
Moloch_, and Chiun your Images, the star of your God, which ye
made to your selves. This translation I prefer before others. First,
because the Hebrew word[412] signifieth a Tabernacle. Secondly, it
is rendred the Tabernacle of Moloch, not Siccuth your King, by the
Seventy. Thirdly, it is so repeated by Saint Stephen[413] _Act. 7.
43._ Ye took up the Tabernacle of Moloch, and the _star of your God
Remphan_, figures which ye made to worship them.
[412] ונשאתם את סכות מלככם
[413] _Καί ἀνελάβετε τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ Μολὸχ, καὶ τὸ ἄστρον τοῦ
θεοῦ ὑμῶν ῥαιφὰν τοὺς τύπους οὓς ἐποιήσατε ἑαυτοῖς._
Three things are to be enquired for the understanding of this
parrallel. First, what the _bearing or taking up of this Tabernacle
is_. Secondly, what Idol was pointed out by these names of Chiun and
Remphan. Thirdly, what is meant by the star of this God.
The taking up of this Tabernacle denoteth their worship which they
exhibited unto their Idol, by carrying him up and down in Tabernacles
and Pageants, after a solemn manner of procession: By the Romans
this solemnity was termed pompa, and the Tent or Pageant in which
the Idol was carried, Thensa, according to that, _Thensa Deorum
vehiculum_. This kind of Idolatry may seem to have had its original
among the Heathens from an unwarrantable imitation of Moses’s
Tabernacle, which was nothing else but a portable Temple[414] to
be carried from place to place, as need required. For it cannot be
denied, but that many superstitions were derived unto the Heathens
from the true worship of God, which he himself had prescribed unto
his people. Thus, as God had his Tabernacle, Priests, Altars,
and Sacrifices, so the devil had his Tabernacles, Priests,
Altars and Sacrifices. As God had his _Fire ever burning upon
the Altar_, so had the devil his _fire preserved burning by those
Vestal Votaries_. As God had his Propitiatory or Mercy seat:[415]
so had the devil his Sacros tripodas, his Oracles, from which
he would speak unto them that served him. This solemn procession was
performed by the Romans in the honour of the Sun.[416] It was
performed by the Israelites in honour of their Moloch, who formerly
was interpreted, the Sun. To add unto the pomp and state of this
solemnity, both the Romans and the Israelites caused great Horses
and Chariots to be led up and down. Horses were consecrated to the
Sun by the Romans, and their Cirque place was sometimes called
τὸ ἱππικὸν, and ἱπποδρόμιον, an Horse-race.[417] And that Chariots
was commonly used in those pompous shewes is evident.[418] Concerning
the people of Judah, doth not the like practice plainly appear? _2
Kings 23._ Josiah did put down the Horses given to the Sun, and
the Chariots of the Sun. This kind of Idolatrous worshipping the
Sun seemeth to have had its beginning from the Persians, who also
accounted Horses holy to the Sun:[419] And the Persian King, when
he would shew himself in great state, caused an exceeding great Horse
to be led up and down, the which was called Equus solis.
[414] οὐδὲν ναοῦ μεταφερομένου διέφερεν. Joseph. Ant.
[415] Lev. 6. 3.
[416] _Solis honore novi grati spectacula Circi. Antiqui dixere
Patres Corrip. Afric. l. 1. num. 17. vi. Dempst._
[417] Alex. ab Alex. lib. 3. cap. 12.
[418] Hic illius arma, Hic currus fuit. Virgil, Æneid. 1.
[419] Cœl. Rhodig. antiq. l. 8. c. 2.
The second inquiry is, What Idol was meant by Chiun and Remphan,
otherwise in ancient Copies called Repham. Not to trouble the Reader
with the various interpretations of Expositors, much less with the
bold adventures of others in correcting the text: by Chiun we are
to understand Hercules, who in the Egyptian language was called
Chon: by Repham we are to understand the same Hercules, for
רפאים Rephaim, in the holy tongue signifieth Gyant: By Hercules
we may understand the Planet of the Sun: There are Etymologists
that derive Hercules his name from the Hebrew האיר כל, Heircol,
illuminavit omnia: the Greek Etymology,[420] holds correspondency
with the Hebrew and both signifie that universal light which
floweth from the Sun as water from a fountain. Add hereunto, that
Porphyry[421] interpreteth Hercules his twelve labours, so often
mentioned by the Poets, to be nothing else but the _twelve signs
of the Zodiack_, thorow which the Sun passeth yearly. But some
may question, whether the name of Hercules was ever known to the
Jews? It is probable the name was; for Hercules was the god of
the Tyrians, from whom the Jews learned much Idolatry, as being
their near Neighbours: Yea, it is apparent, that in the time of the
Maccabees the name was commonly known unto them: for Jason the
High-Priest sent three hundred drachmes of silver to the sacrifice of
Hercules, 2 Mac. 4. 19.
[420] _Heracles quid aliud est quam ἧρας κλέος (~i.~) aeris
gloria: quæ porro alia est aeris nisi solis illuminatio?
Macrob. Satur. l. 1. c. 20._
[421] Euseb. de præp. l. 3. c. 4. p. 71.
Thirdly, it followeth that we should enquire, what this _star of
Remphan_ was, it is probably thought[422] that it was a certain
star painted in the forehead of Molech; Neither was it unusual
for the Heathen people to paint their Idols with such _Symbolica
Additamenta_. Julius Cæsar his Image had a star depicted on the
crown of his head.[423]
[422] Oecumenius. Act. 7. 43.
[423] _Sueton. in Jul. c. 88. It. Plin. hist. l. 2. c. 25.
Horat. l. 1. Od. 12._
The Sun was also worshipped by the house of Judah, under the name
Tamuz; for Tamuz, saith Hierom,[424] was Adonis, and Adonis
generally interpreted the Sun,[425] from the Hebrew Adon,
signifying Dominus, the same as Baal, or Moloch formerly did,
namely, the Lord or Prince of the Planets. The month which we
call June, was by the Hebrews called Tamuz; and the entrance of
the Sun into the sign Cancer was, in the Jews Astronomy, termed
Tekuphu Tamuz, the revolution of Tamuz. Concerning Adonis
whom sometime ancient Authors called Osiris; there are two things
remarkable, ἀφανισμὸς, the death or loss of Adonis and εὕρησις, the
finding of him again. As there was great lamentation[426] at his
loss, especially amongst the Women;[427] so was there great joy at his
finding. By the death or loss of Adonis, we are to understand the
departure of the Sun; by his finding again, we are to understand
his return. Now he seemeth to depart twice in the year: First, when
he is in the Tropick of Cancer, in the farthest degree Northward.
Secondly, when he is in the Tropick of Capricorn, in the farthest
degree Southward: answerable unto these two departures, which may be
termed ἀφανισμοὶ, disparitions, or losses of the Sun, there are two
returns immediately succeeding, which may be termed likewise εὑρήσεις,
the findings or new appearings of the Sun. Hence we may note,
that though the Egyptians celebrated their Adonia in the moneth
of November, when the Sun began to be farthest Southward; and
the house of Judah theirs, in the month of June, when the Sun
was farthest Northward, yet both were for the same reasons, and in
substance they agreed. And of this the Prophet Ezekiel is thought to
have spoken, Ezek. 8. 14. There sate women weeping for ~Tamuz~.
[424] Hieron. comment. 3 in Ezek.
[425] Pier. Hierogl. l. 9. p. 68.
[426] _Nunquamq; satis quæsitus Osiris. Semper enim perdunt,
semper & inveniunt. Lucan._
[427] Plutarch. in Alcibiade.
These solemnities were chiefly observed, between the Byblienses and
the Alexandrini, the manner was thus:[428] When the Byblienses
solemnized the death or loss of Adonis, at that time the
Alexandrini wrote a letter, this letter was inclosed in an _Ark of
Bulrushes_, therein they signified, that Adonis, whom they lamented,
was found again, this Ark, being after the performance of certain rites
and ceremonies, committed to the Sea, forthwith it was carried by the
stream to Biblus; upon the receit whereof, the lamentation of the
Women was turned into joy. Others say,[429] that this lamentation
was performed over an Image in the night season, and when they had
sufficiently lamented, a Candle was brought into the room (which
Ceremony might mystically signifie the return of the Sun) then the
Priest with a soft voice muttered this form of words[430] _Trust ye in
God, for out of pains salvation is come unto us._ There are likewise
of the Jews that say[431] their Tamuz was an Image whose eyes they
filled with Lead, which Lead being molten by the means of fire under
it, the Image it self seemed to weep.
[428] _Procopius in Isaiam. ad c. 18. It. Cyrillus l. 2. Tom.
2. in Isaiam._
[429] Julius Maternus Firmicus. l. de errore profan. Religion.
[430] _Θαῤῥεῖτε τῷ θεῷ, ἐστὶ γὰρ ἡμῖν ἐκ πόνων σωτηρία.
Firmicus ibid._
[431] _הסיר עושים צלם ים מלאים עיניו עופרח יחיו אש מתחתיו R. Dav.
Kimchi. radic._
There are that think[432] the Prophet alludeth unto those letters
inclosed in those fore-mentioned Bull-rush Arks, Isa. 18. 2. When
he speaketh of Ambassadors sent by the Sea even in Vessels of Reeds
upon the waters. But I rather approve the literal sense, for by reason
of the Shelves and dangerous Rocks in the River Nilus, it was not
unusual for men to sail in Hulks, and _Vessels made of a kind of great
Bull-rush_, which by the _Egyptian_s was termed Papyrus and these
kind of Ships Papyraceæ naves.[433]
[432] Procop. in Isai. 18.
[433] Plin. Hist. lib. 6. cap. 22.
CHAP. III.
_Of Baal-Peor, Baal-Tsephon, Baal-Zebub, Baal-Berith, Bell and the
Dragon._
Whom the Hebrews called Baal, the Babylonians called Bell; and
although the Planet of the Sun only at first might be worshipped
under that name, yet at last it became a common name to many other
Idols, according to that, There are many Gods, many Baalims or Lords,
1 Cor. 8. 5. As the same Idol Jupiter had different names, and
different Rites of worship, occasioned sometimes from the different
places, as Jupiter Olympius, from the Hill Olympus; _Jupiter
Capitolinus_, from the Capitol hill; Jupiter Latialis, from that
part of Italy which is called Latium. Sometimes from the different
benefits which he was supposed to bestow on men, as Jupiter Pluvius
because he gave Rain; Jupiter Lucetius, because he gave Light;
Jupiter Altitonans, from thundring; So Baal had his distinctive
Titles, and different Rites of worship, sometimes occasioned by the
place, as Baal-Peor, Numb. 25. 3. sometimes from the benefit
obtained, as Baal-Tsephon, Exod. 14. 1. and Baal-Zebub, _2 King.
1. 2._ sometimes for some other reason, as Baal-Berith, Judg. 8. 33.
Baal-Peor is thought[434] to be that Priapus, that obscene Idol,
so famous in prophane Authors. He was called Peor, from the Hill
Peor, mentioned, Numb. 23. 28. as likewise his Temple wherein he
was worshipped, standing upon the same Hill, was called Beth-Peor,
Deut. 3. 29. He was worshipped by the Moabites and Midianites:
the Idol Chemish, Jer. 48. 7. is thought to be the same,[435] and
I take it to be applied to Baal Peor, by way of contempt, as if one
should say, their blind god, according to that in the Psalm, _They
have eyes and see not_. For the first letter[436] Caph, signifieth
quasi; and מוש Musch Palpare, to grope or _feel about, in manner
of blind men_.
[434] Hieronym. ad Hos. c. 9. Idem. prodidit Isidor. Orig. l. 8.
[435] Hieron. in Isai. l. 5. c. 15.
[436] Philo Jud. lib. 2. Allegor. p. 79.
Baal-Tsephon is thought by the Hebrews,[437] to have been an
Idol made by the Ægytian Magicians, and placed in the Wilderness,
to observe and stop the Israelites in their departure from Ægypt;
whence it was termed צפן Tsephon, from צפה Tsapha,
signifying to watch, & observe in manner of a watchman: because
we may call him Baal speculator, as, among the Romans; because
Jupiter stayed the Romans when they were flying, he was called
Jupiter stator.[438]
[437] P. Fag. Exod. 14. 1.
[438] Rosin. lib. 2. antiq. Rom. cap. 5.
Baal-Zebub, soundeth as much as the Lord of the Flies, or a
Master fly,[439] which hath power and authority over the rest, in
which respect the Prince of the Devils in the Gospel is termed
Beel-Zebub, זבוב Zebub signifieth a Fly. This Idol was
worshipped by the Cyrenians,[440] but principally by the Ekronites,
because whensoever they sacrificed unto him, the swarms of flies
which at that time molested the Country, died. But it is certain, that
this was not the alone reason, for they were wont to repair to him,
as to an Oracle, 2 King. 1. 2. We may call him Jupiter muscarius,
or Hercules muscarius:[441] for the Inhabitants of the City Elis
sacrificed to Jupiter under the name ἀπομύιος, (i.) _A driver
away of flies_: and the Romans to Hercules, under the same name.
Some Greek Copies in the Gospel read Βεελζεβοὺλ, Beelzebul:
which change is interpreted to be, for to shew the greater contempt of
the Idol, as if they should say Jupiter stercoreus, זבל Zebel
signifieth stercus, and Beel, or Baal, signifieth Dominus.
[439] _Ζητήσουσι μυῖαν Θεὸν Ἀκκαρῶν. Gregor. Nazianz. orat. 2.
contr. Julian. p. 102._
[440] Plin. l. 10. c. 28.
[441] Clemens Alexand. in protrep.
Baal-berith was the Idol of the Shechemites; of his Temple we
read, Judges 9. 4. ברית Berith signifieth a Covenant; so that
Baal-berith may be translated Jupiter fœderatus,[442] _The God
unto whom they bound themselves by Covenant_. Concerning Bel and
the Dragon, little is spoken, besides what we read in that off the
Apocrypha, where the History is described.
[442] _Ἔθηκαν ἑαυτοῖς τῷ βάαλ διαθήκην, τοῦ εἶναι αὐτοῖς αὐτὸν
εἰς θεὸν. Septuagint. interp. Jud. 8. 33._
CHAP. IV.
Of Dagon.
The Hebrew Doctors say[443] this Idol _Dagon was made from the Navel
downward in form of a Fish, but from the Navel upward in form of a
Man_. This they collect from 1 Sam. 5. 4. The _two palms of his hands
were cut off upon the threshold_. And furthermore they say, The Idol
Dagon had his name from the Hebrew דג Dag, signifying in the
Holy Language, a fish, according to which description we may English
him, the Philistians Neptune, or Triton.[444] Others derive the
name from דגן Dagon, signifying Corn: and they say,[445] that he
first invented the use of the Plow, and Corn; whence they translate
him Jupiter aratrius. In this respect we call him the _Philistians
Saturn_, because Antiquity[446] makes Saturn the _first Inventer
of Husbandry_, and therefore paints him with an Hook or Sithe in
his hand, as being the fittest Hieroglyphick for Husbandry. Both
opinions have their Authors, and no sufficient proof hath been produced
to overthrow either. Yea, they are not wanting among the Jews
themselves, that say,[447] this Image of _Dagon was made in the form of
a man_. Notwithstanding Scaliger his conjecture is not improbable,
that those who interpret Dagon, Jupiter aratrius, or Ἀγροτὴς,
might mistake and read שדי Shadai, signifying Ager, A field, for
שדי Shaddai being the very Name of God, signifying Omnipotens,
Almighty.
[443] R. Dav. 1 Sa. 5.
[444] _Triton non absimilem habuisse figuram fingitur; Frons
hominem præfert, in piscem desinit alvus, Pier. Hierogl. lib.
1. p. 28._
[445] Phylo Byblius apud Euseb. de præpar. lib. 1. c. 7.
[446] Pier. Hierogl. l. 32. p. 228. Id. lib. 56.
[447] R. Levi. 1 Sam. 5.
CHAP. V.
Of the molten Calf.
The History of the Molten Calf is at large set down, Exod. 32.,
where we read, that by reason of Moses his long absence, the people
desired of Aaron, gods to be made; whereupon Aaron made for them
the molten Calf. The reason why they worshipped God rather in
the similitude of a Calf, than of any other Creature, is generally
by Expositors conceived to be from the corruptions learned among
the Egyptians, who worshipped their Idol Apis,[448] otherwise
called Serapis,[449] in a living Oxe, and otherwise in an Image
made in the form and similitude of an Oxe, with a bushel on his
head. This Oxe was remarkable for certain notes and marks, whereby
it was differenced from all others. It was black bodied, it had
a white fore-head, and white spot behind, and a knot under
his tongue: for the more curious fashioning and pollishing of these
marks in the molten Calf, Aaron may seem to have made use of his
graving tool.[450] The Egyptians repaired unto this Oxe for
the resolution of matters doubtful, as to an Oracle,[451] and the
manner of consulting with him, was thus. The party that repaired unto
him, tendred a bottle of Hay, or Grass; which if he received, then
it betokened a good and happy event; if otherwise he refused it,
then it did portend some evil to come. _Thus they turned their glory
into an Oxe that eateth grass_, Psalm 106. 20. The Hebrew word
in the Psalm, translated an Oxe, is, Shar;[452] which I note,
because in my opinion, it giveth light to one of the names by which
this Idol was denoted. Sometimes it was called Apis, from the
Hebrew word Ap,[453] signifying a face: sometimes _Serapis quasi
Shor-apis_, which is nothing else but Bovis caput, an Ox-head;
the very name used by the Fathers[454] to express this Idolatry.
It is commonly known that this Idolatry was derived to Israel
from the Egyptians; but whence the Egyptians first learned it few
have taught. They do not conjecture amiss, who interpret the first
Institution hereof to have been in the memory of Joseph, who by his
providence relieved both Egypt, and other Neighbour Countries, in the
seven years of famine. Besides the testimony of no slight Authors,[455]
there are strong inducements to perswade it. First, both the years
of plenty and famine were foresignified by the apparition of Oxen.
Secondly, what fitter Emblem, (if it had not afterward proved an
Idol) to continue the remembrance of a Joseph, (by whose alone
care and industry, corn and victual was provided in an extream famine)
than an Ox, the true and lively Hieroglyphick of an industrious
Husbandman? Thirdly, in this Suidas agreeth with others, that
this Ox was pourtrayed with a bushel on his head, though others do
more clearly express the reason of this portraiture, namely, because
of the great quantity of Corn measured out by Joseph in that extream
dearth. Concerning the sin of the Israelites in making this Calf or
Ox, the modern Jews do transfer the fault upon certain _Prosylite
Egyptians_ who came forth with them: and they say, that when Aaron
cast their Jewels into the fire, these Egyptians, contrary to his
expectation, by their Art Magick produceth a Calf, to which purpose
they urge Aarons own words, Exod. 32. 34. I did cast the Gold into
the fire, and thereof came this Calf, as if his art or will went
not with the making thereof, but of it self it made it self. But
this answer of his sheweth rather, how vain the wit of man is in the
excuse of sin; and as his ingraving instrument writes down Aaron’s
sins; so the confession of others, more ingenuous Jews proclaims the
Israelites, saying,[456] that _No punishment befalleth thee ~Israel~,
in which there is not an ounce of this Calf_. I conclude this with the
analogy between the Egyptian Apis, and the molten Calf: and this
consisteth in three things. First, As there were some _special marks
in the Egyptians Ox_; so is it probable that Aaron with his ingraving
Tool made the like. Secondly, As the Egyptians in honor of their
Ox celebrated a solemn Feast, with much singing and mirth.[457]
So the Israelites proclaimed a feast in honor of their Calf: _The
people sate down to eat and drink, and rose up to play_. Thirdly, As
the Egyptians Ox was at last drowned in the River, so Moses burnt
the molten Calf, and beat it to powder, and cast it upon the face
of the water, Exod. 32. 10. Deut. 9. 21. Jeroboam afterward,
though upon other inducements, committed the same sin; he thought in
his heart, that if the people go up to Jerusalem, and do sacrifice in
the house of the Lord, they would revolt from him, and return to the
King of Judah: whereupon he set up two Calves of gold, the one in
Bethel, the other in Dan; saying unto the people, It is too much
for you to go up to Jerusalem, 1 King. 12. 28.
[448] _Plin. Nat. hist. l. 1. c. 46. Herod. l. 1. Setin. c. 35.
aut aliorum distinctione 45._
[449] Alex. Genial. dier. l. 6. cap. 2.
[450] בחרט stylo sculptorio
[451] _Plin. Hist. lib. 8. c. 46. It. Alex. Genial. dier. l. 6.
c. 2._
[452] שר
[453] Vultus facies אף
[454] _Cyprian. de bono patient. p. 318. vid. etiam August. p.
73. It. Tertul. adv. Jud. cap. 1._
[455] _Suidas in Ζάραπις. Ruffinus lib. 2. hist. Eccles. cap.
23. Pier. Hierog. lib. 3. p. 25._
[456] _אין לך ישראל פורענות שאין בה אנקיא מעון העגל Moses
Gerund, vid. Munst. Exod. 32._
[457] Suid. in voce Ἄπιδες.
CHAP. VI.
_Of ~Astaroth~, ~Ammonia~, ~Juno~, the Queen of Heaven, ~Diana~ of the
~Ephesians~._
As the Sun was worshipped under many names, so likewise the Moon.
Astaroth was the Idol chiefly of the Zidonians, _1 King. 11.
5._ 2 King. 23. 13. she had her Temple, called the house of
Astaroth, in which the Philistims hanged up Saul’s Armor[458]
after his death, 1 Sam. 31. 10. That the Moon was worshipped under
these names needs not proof;[459] only some say,[460] that Astarte
was Juno: and why may we not say, that Juno was often used to
express the Moon? Both the Moon and Juno are often called by the
name of Urania.[461] And as the Moon in respect of her light is
called Urania; so in regard of the lesser lights in the heaven, she
is called Astroarche that is, the Queen of the Planets;[462] or
as Horace speaketh of the Moon, Siderum Regina, the _Queen of
the Stars_: Or lastly, as Virgil speaketh of Juno; _Divum incedo
regina_, the Queen of the Gods. It seemeth very probable, that this
is that Queen of Heaven, of which the Prophet speaketh, _Jer. 7.
18._ Jer. 44. 17. Again, unto whom may we imagine those ancient
Heathens to have performed that solemn worship, which they did on the
Calends, or first day of every month (was it not to the Moon?) And
yet notwithstanding it is ascribed to Juno whence she is called _Juno
Calendaris_.[463] Lastly, As Jupiter Ammon was no other than the
Sun,[464] and worshipped him in form of a Ram; so for ought I see,
the Moon might be called Juno Ammonia, and worshipped in the form
of a sheep.[465] Sure I am, that the Hebrew Doctors[466] describe
the Images of Astaroth, to have been made in the form of sheep; and
the word Astaroth, in the Original, signifieth a flock of sheep,
and the Moon might as well be called Ammonia, as the Sun Ammon,
both being so called from their heat, which in the Holy Tongue is
called Hammah,[467] and from thence likewise those Images (of which
we read, Levit. 26. 30. Isa. 17. 8. Isa. 27. 9.) are called
Hammianim,[468] because they were certain Idols placed upon the house
top, and so alwayes exposed to the Sun. Furthermore, as _Jupiter
Ammon_ was painted with horns,[469] so likewise was the Moon:[470]
why they should be thus painted, many reasons might be produced, but
chiefly three; the first peculiar to the Sun, the other common both
to Sun and Moon. First, the Sun was painted with Rams horns,
because with the Astronomers the sign Aries in the Zodiack is
the beginning of the year.[471] Secondly, because as the strength of
horned beasts consists in their horns, so the virtue and influence
of the Sun and Moon is derived into sublunary creatures by their
beams. Thirdly, because the light of the Sun and Moon makes the
reflection cornute, or horn-like. When Moses came down from
God, Aaron and the people saw that his face shined, Exod. 34. the
Latine reads it, Facies ejus erat cornuta: and hence it is, that
Moses is painted with horns, which some of the Rabbines have
interpreted[472] horns of magnificence. The errour grew from the
doubtful signification of the Hebrew word signifying splendor or
brightness and also horns.
[458] _Horum Anathematum oblationem primo didicerunt ab
Israelitis, Num. 7. 1 Sam. 21._
[459] _Ἀστάρτην δὲ ἐγὼ δοκέω σεληναίαν ἔμμεναι. Astarten lunam
esse opinor. Lucian. de dea Syria._
[460] August. super. Judic. quæst. 16.
[461] _Astarte Urania idem omnino valet apud Phœnicas, quod
Juno Lucina apud Latinos. Deducitur, Urania ab Hebræo אור Nun
in fine adjecto aut per se solum, aut cum Jod quod passim fit
Syris, quasi אורן vel אורני in fœminino vero אורניא (~i.~)
Lucidus & Lucida, aut Lucinus & Lucina. Et hinc Græci suum
ὀυρανὸν mutuati sunt._
[462] _Αστροάρχη dicitur, παρὰ τὴν τῶν ἄστρων ἀρχὴν ab imperio
quod in astra exercet. vid. Herodian. l. 5._
[463] Macrob. Sat. l. 1. c. 15.
[464] Macrob. Sat. l. 1. c. 21.
[465] Cœl. Rhodig. l. 18. c. 58.
[466] D. Kimchi. 1 Sam. 31. 10. It. Jud. 2. 13.
[467] המה Calor. Sol.
[468] R. Solomon in Levit. 26. 30.
[469] … stat corniger illis Jupiter. Lucan, l. 9. v. 514.
[470] _Syderum regina bicornis, audi, Luna, puellas. Horat.
car. sæcular._
[471] Pier. hierogl. l. 10.
[472] _קרני ההוד cornua magnificentiæ, R. Solom. porro
Hebraicum קרן (unde Κέρας & cornu emanarunt) significat in
morem cornuum splendorem radiosq; emittere._
The Moon was also worshipped under the name of Diana,[473] who
although she were worshipped thorowout all Asia, yet she was had
in principal esteem among the Ephesians, whence arose that cry,
Great is Diana of the Ephesians, Act. 19. 28. Her greatness among
the Ephesians appeareth partly by her Temple; which in one place
Pliny saith[474] was two hundred and twenty years abuilding, but
elsewhere[475] he saith 400 years: partly from the great gain procured
unto the Silver-smiths in making and selling silver Temples of Diana.
Act. 19. 24. It is much disputed what those silver Temples were;
some think them to be little houses, or shrines (such as were for
their smallness portable) in form representing the Temple of Diana,
and within having the Image of Diana inclosed, and in this sense
ναίδια is sometimes used, to signifie closets or _shrines wherein
Images were kept_: Others think, certain coyns or pieces of money
to be called by the name of Diana’s Temple, from the similitude
of Diana’s Temple engraven or stamped upon those coyns: as in
England we call some pieces of gold the George, others the Angel,
others the Thistle, from the impression which they bear. The like
custom of naming coyns from their Sculpture or impression was not
unusual among the Ancients;[476] neither were such coyns unusual on
which the Temple of Diana was engraven, and these capital letters
added, DIAN. EPHE. Theodorus Beza in his major Annotations upon the
Acts, reporteth that he hath seen two of these himself.
[473] Macrob. Saturn. l. 1. c. 15.
[474] Plin. l. 36. 14.
[475] Plin. l. 16. 40.
[476] _Simili prorsus ratione Atheniensium nummos
quosdam, boves: eorundem Atheniensium alios quosdam Κόρας
(~i.~) puellas, alios Corinthiorum πώλους pullos: alios
Peloponnesiorum χελώνας testudines; alios Romanorum naves
vocabant._
We read[477] of another kind of Idolatrous Worship towards the Moon,
to have been that men sacrificed to her in womans apparel, and women in
mens apparel, because they thought the Moon to be both male and
female, whence the Moon is called by old Authors as well Lunus
as Luna: And Venus, whom Philocorus affirms to be the Moon, is
termed Deus Venus, as well as Dea Venus. Some have thought[478]
that God had respect unto this kind of Idolatry, Deut. 22. 5. Where
men are forbidden to wear womens apparel, & è contra; but it is more
generally, and upon better grounds thought, that the promiscuous use
of apparel (whereby the distinction of sex is taken away) is there
forbidden.
[477] _Macrob. Saturn. l. 3. c. 8. Non absimilem idololatriam
in cultu Veneris prodidit Julius Firmicus de errore profan.
religion. c. 4._
[478] Maimonid. in more Nebochim part. 3. cap. 38.
CHAP. VII.
Of other Gods mentioned in Scripture.
The Sun and Moon, which are the greater lights in the Heaven,
I take to have been the chiefest Idols worshipped by the Heathen
people. Notwithstanding, their blind devotion deified also the other
Planets, and that numberless number of lesser lights, called in
Scripture, Militia Cœli, The Host of Heaven, whose several natures,
properties and influences, are not distinctly known. In like manner
there is an Host of Idols mentioned in Holy Writ, of whom little
or nothing is spoken to the purpose by Authors, more than their very
names. Of this nature are those Chambers of Imagery, wherein all
forms of creeping things were pourtrayed on the walls, Ezek. 8. It
may be termed their Pantheon.
In those Colonies which the King of Ashur transplanted into
Samaria, every one worshipped the god of his own Nation. The men
of Babel made Succoth Benoth, the men of Cuth made Nergal, the
men of Hamath made Ashima, the Avims made Nibhaz and Tartak;
the Sepharvaims burnt their Children in the fire to Adram-melech,
and Anammelch the gods of Sepharvaim, 2 King. 17. 30, 31. The
Hebrew Doctors say,[479] that Succoth Benoth was the picture of an
Hen with her Chicken: Nergal they interpret Gallum Sylvestrem,
Asima a Goat, Nibhaz a Dog, Tartak an Ass, Adrammelech a Mule,
Anammelech an Horse: that such brute beasts should be worshipped
as gods, may seem ridiculous; but the like to have been practised
among the Heathens, profane Authors abundantly testifie. The Cock
was worshipped as a god among the Syrians,[480] A Goat by the
Mendesii;[481] A Dog by others:[482] Yea, they have adopted
into the number of their gods &c. _Oxen, Lyons, Eagles, Wolves,
Crocodiles, Cats, Rats_,[483] Nay, they have digged their gods out
of their gardens, Garlick, Leeks, Onions, &c.[484] To these may be
added Nisroch, which was the god of the Assyrians, and, as it
seemeth, had his Temple at Nineve, 2 King. 19. ult. and _Esay.
37. ult._ Secondly, רמון Rimmon, the word signifieth a Pomegranate.
Concerning this Idol it is much controverted, whether Naaman sinned
not in saying, _The Lord be merciful unto thy servant, that when my
Master goeth into the house of Rimmon_, &c. 2 King. 5. 18. Read the
words in the Præter tense (when my Master went into the house of
Rimmon) the sense appears to be a pardon craved for sins past, not
afterward to be committed. The same word בבוא Bebbo, in going,
is put to express the time past, in the titles of the Psalms 52.
and Psalm 54. Thirdly, Nebo otherwise called Nabo, an Idol
of the Assyrians, Jer. 48. 1. He had his name from Prophecy,
נביא Nahbi, signifying a Prophet, he seemeth not much to differ
from Ζεὺς βουλαῖος, or Ζεὺς μητιέτης, so often mentioned in Homer,
Diodorus Siculus[485] maketh them both one, and we may render
Nebo, the Assyrians Ammon, or Jupiter Vaticinus, the _god of
their Oracles_.
[479] R. Jarchi. 2 King. 17. R. David non dissentit.
[480] Lucian l. 16. de Syr. Dea.
[481] Herodotus in Euterp.
[482] Cic. de legib. l. 1. vid. Tiraquel. in Alex.
[483] Neopol. l. 6. c. 26.
[484] _Porrum & cepe, nefas violare & frangere morsu. O sanctas
gentes quibus hæc nascuntur in hortis Numina. Juvenal. satyr.
25._
[485] Diod. Sicul. l. 5. c. 27.
CHAP. VIII.
The several manners of Divine Revelation.
As Idolatry originally sprang from mistaking of Scripture; so
Witch-craft and Sorcery, (which holdeth near affinity with Idolatry)
seemeth to have had its first beginning from an imitation of _Gods
Oracles_. God spake in divers manners, Heb. 1. 1. _By dreams, by
Urim, by Prophets_, 1 Sam. 28. 6, 7. when the Lord would by none of
these answer King Saul, then he sought to a Witch. To these might be
added Gods speaking from between the Cherubims, his answering by
Visions, Angels, and Voices: but the chief manners of revealing
himself, observed by the Hebrew Writers, are four, which they
term[486] four degrees of Prophecy, or Divine Revelation: somewhat
therefore being spoken of these, I purpose to explain the several sorts
of unlawful divinations mentioned in Scripture.
[486] P. Fagius in Exod. 28.
The first degree was נבואה Nebuah, Prophecy. This was when God
by certain visions and apparitions revealed his Will.
The second was רוח הקדש Ruach Hacodesch, _The inspiration of the Holy
Ghost_, whereby the party was inabled without Visions or Apparitions,
to prophesie: some shewing the difference between those two add,[487]
that the gift of Prophecy did cast a man into a trance or extasie, all
his senses being taken from him; but the inspiration of the Holy Ghost
was without any such extasie, or abolition of the senses, as appeareth
in Job, David, Daniel. Both these degrees, as likewise Urim and
Thummim ceased in the second Temple, whence their ancient Doctors
say, [488] that after the latter Prophets Haggai, Zachary, and
Malachy were dead, the Holy Ghost went up or departed from Israel.
Howbeit, they had the use of a voice or eccho from Heaven. In
which speech we are not to understand that the Holy Ghost wrought
not at all upon the creatures, or that it wrought not then in the
sanctification of men, as in former times, but that this _extraordinary
enabling men to prophesie by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost_, then
ceased; and in this sense the _Holy Ghost was said to have departed
from ~Israel~._ Unto this common received opinion, that passage might
have reference, Acts 19. _We have not so much as heard whether there
hath been an Holy Ghost or no._ That they did not doubt the distinction
of persons, appeareth clear, if that be true which some have
noted,[489] that the ancient Jews before Christ were so catechised
in that point, that they observed the Mystery of the Trinity in the
name יהוה Jehovah, for though the name consisted of four letters in
number, whence it was called τετραγράμματον Quadriliterum, yet there
were but three sorts of Letters in the name: י Jod signified the
Father, who was the beginning of all things: ו Vau is a conjunction
copulative, and denoted the third person in Trinity, which proceedeth
from the Father and the Son, ה He signifieth the Son of God.
The Rabbines have a saying, that God made all things, _in litera ה
He_. They may allude to this, that he made all things by his Word: he
said, Let there be thus and thus, and it was so: but they may also
allude to the second person in Trinity. And furthermore, they note
that ה He, is doubled in this name, to demonstrate both Natures of
our blessed Saviour.
[487] D. Kimchi. Præfat. in Psal.
[488] Talmud. in Sanhedrin, c. 1.
[489] P. Fagius in Exod. 28.
The third degree, was Urim and Thummim. Urim signifieth
light, and Thummim perfection. That they were two ornaments in the
High-priests brest-plate, is generally agreed upon: but what manner
of ornaments, or how they gave answer, is hard to resolve. Some[490]
think them to be the four rows of stones in the brest-plate, the
splendour and brightness of which foreshewed victory; and by the
rule of contraries, we may gather, that the darkness of the stones
not shining presaged evil. Others[491] say it was the name Jehovah
put in the doubling of the brest-plate, for that was double _Exod.
28. 16._ Others[492] declare the manner of consulting with Urim and
Thummim thus: First, they say[493] that only the King, or else the
Father of the Consistory had power to consult, or to propose the
matter unto the Priest, and the Priest only had power to resolve.
Secondly, that the matter proposed must not be trivial, but of moment
and great difficulty. Thirdly, that this holy writing, termed Urim
and Thummim, consisted of all the Tribes names, and likewise of
the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; so that no letter of
the Alphabet was wanting. The question being proposed, some say that
the letters which gave the answer were כולמות (i.) they did arise
and eminently appear above the others. An example they take from _2
Sam. 2. 1._ When David asked the Lord, Shall I go up into any of the
Cities of Judah? the Lord answered, עלה Gnaleh, go up. Here, say
they, ע appeared out of the name of שמעין Schimeon, ל
out of the name of לוי Levi, ה out of the name of יהודה
Jehudah. Others say, that the letters which represented the Oracle
were מצטדפות (i.) that they did after a strange manner _joyn
themselves into perfect syllables_ and entire words, and made the
answer compleat. Many other opinions might be reckoned up, but he spoke
best, who ingenuously confessed that he knew not what Urim and
Thummim was.[494]
[490] Joseph. Antiq. l. 3. c. 9.
[491] R. Solom. quemadmodum refert D. Kimchi in radic.
[492] Talmud. in Jonah c. 6. vid. P. Fagium in Exod. 28.
[493] Abbeth din.
[494] R. David in Radic.
The fourth degree was בת קול Bath Kol, filia vocis, _the Daughter
of a Voice_, or an Eccho; by it is meant a _voice from heaven
declaring the will of God_; it took place in the second Temple, when
the three former degrees of Prophecy ceased: it gave testimony of our
Saviour; Lo, a voice from heaven, saying, _This is my beloved Son in
whom I am well pleased_ Mat. 3. 17. It was in truth the Prologue,
Preface, or type of that true voice of the Father, that _eternal
word which revealed his Fathers will unto mankind_.
These were the extraordinary means by which God revealed himself to
his people of old: ordinarily, he revealed himself by his written word.
Notwithstanding the Hebrews say, that the Law, even from the first
time of its delivery unto Moses, was twofold: the one committed to
writing, which they call תורה שבכתב Thora Schebictab, the written
Law: the other delivered by tradition, תורה בעל פה Thora begnal pe,
it was also termed their Kabbala, from קבל Kibbel, signifying
Accipere, to receive or learn. They say both were delivered by
God unto Moses in Mount Sinai, but this latter was delivered
from _Moses to ~Joshua~, from ~Joshua~ to the Elders, from the Elders
to the Prophets, from the Prophets to those of the great Synagogue,
and so successively to after-ages, till at last it was digested
into one Book, containing principally precepts and directions for
those Israelites which inhabited the holy Land. It is called ~Talmud
Hierosolymitanum~. It was composed in the year of our Lord 230._ This
because it containeth but a few constitutions, is but of little use.
About 500 years after Christ, then was there a more full and exact
collection of their constitutions, for direction of those Jews which
dwelt in Babylon, and other forreign places; this is termed _Talmud
Babylonicum_, and is of greatest use among Authors; it containeth the
body of their Civil and Canon Law. This traditional law they hold to
be as authentick as their written word, and that Moses received it
from God, when he received the Law; for, say they, were it not for this
exposition, the Decalogue it self might have been delivered _In hora
veloci_, in less than an hour.[495]
[495] אלח כ שעח Moses Kotsen. in præf.
Here we must note that the word Kabbala, when it is applied to the
Kabbalists, to difference them from the Talmudists, is taken in a
stricter sense, and signifieth those subtleties or mysteries which are
observed from the different writing of some letters in the Scripture,
from the transposing of them, from a mystical kind of Arithmetick,
&c. This was never wholly committed to writing, of some instances we
have, Gen. 23. 2. Abraham came לבכתה to weep for Sara. Here
because the letter Caph is less than the rest, they note[496] that
Abraham wept but little for Sara, because she was old. Again, the
letter Aleph is found six times in the first verse of Genesis:
Hence R. Elias collected that the world should endure but _six
thousand years_: because Aleph in the Hebrews computation standeth
for a thousand. From the transposition of letters they conclude after
this manner; חרם Cherem signifieth Anathema or Excommunication,
by a Metathesis or transposition of letters, it is made רחם
Rachem signifying mercy; by another transposition it is made רמח
Ramach, which letters in the Jews computation make 248, which in
their Anatomy, they find to be the just number of members in a mans
body: their conclusion hence is, that if _an excommunicated person
do truly repent then his ~Cherem~ is turned into ~Rachem~, his curse
turned into a blessing: if he do not repent, then his ~Cherem~ entreth
into ~Ramach~, the curse entreth into all his members_, to the utter
destroying of the whole man. Again, איש Isch, signifieth a man.
אשה Escha, a woman. Hence they note, that in the name of the man
here is י Jod which is not in the name of the woman; in the _name
of the woman_ there is ה He, which is not in the name of the man:
both these make יה Jah, one of the names of God: these being taken
away, in both names there remains אש Esch signifying fire, to shew,
that as long as man and wife agree, God is with them: but when they
disagree, fire is between them: Thus we see what vain mysteries their
Kabbalists observe.
[496] Baal Turin.
CHAP. IX.
Their Teraphim.
Concerning the Teraphim, two things are especially to be enquired.
First, what they were? Secondly, for what use? the word תרף
Taraph, signifieth in general the compleat Image of a man. Michal
took an image, (a Teraphim) and laid it in the bed, _1 Sam. 19.
13._ More particularly it signifieth an Idol or _image made for mens
private use in their own houses_, so that these images seem to have
been their Penates or Lares, their houshould gods; wherefore hast
thou stoln my gods? my Teraphim, Gen. 31. 30. And this man Michal
had an house of gods, and made an Ephod and Teraphim, _Jud. 17.
5._ Because of the worship exhibited to these Idols: Hence from the
Hebrew Taraph, as some read it, Tharaph, cometh the Greek
θεραπεύειν, To worship.[497] The manner how these Images were made,
is fondly conceived thus among the Rabbines;[498] _They killed a man
that was a first-born son, and wrung off his head, and seasoned it with
salt, and spices, and wrote upon a plate of gold the name of an unclean
spirit, and put it under the head upon a wall, and lighted Candles
before it, and worshipped it_. With such Laban spake, say they. But,
without controversie, the Teraphim which Michal put in the bed,
was a compleat statur, or Image of a man. The use of these Images
was, to consult with them as with Oracles, concerning things for the
present unknown, or future to come. To this purpose they were made by
Astrologers[499] under certain constellations, capable of heavenly
influences, whereby they were enabled to speak. The _Teraphims have
spoken vanity_, Zach. 10. 2. And among other reasons why Rachel
stole away her Fathers Images, this is thought to be one, that Laban
might not by consulting with these Images discover what way Jacob
took in his flight.
[497] οὐδ’ ἀθανάτους θεραπεύειν ἤθελον. Hesiod. Ἔργ. καὶ ἡμέρ.
[498] R. Eliezer. vid. Eliam Thisbit.
[499] Aben. Ezra. Gen. 31.
CHAP. X.
The several sorts of Divination forbidden.
We shall find, Deut. 18. 10, 11. those Diviners, which are by the
Law forbidden, distinguished into seven kinds; not because there
were no other, but they were the most usual. 1. An observer of times.
2. An Inchanter. 3. A Witch. 4. A Charmer. 5. _A consulter with
familiar spirits._ 6. A Wizard. 7. A Nigromancer. To these we may
add an eighth, out of Hos. 4. 12. Consulting with the staff. and
a ninth out of Ezek. 21. 21. A consulter with entrails. 1. The
first is מעונן, an observer of times,[500] one that distinguisheth
times and seasons, saying _Such a day is good, or such a day is naught;
such an hour, such a week, such a month is luckie, and such and such
unluckie for such and such businesses_: whence those[501] that derive
the word from עין Gnajin, signifying an eye (as if hereby we meant
a _Jugler, or Imposter, who deceived the eyes of his spectators by
casting a mist before them_) utterly mistake: more pertinently they
speak, who derive it from עונה Gnona, signifying Time. But of all
I approve those who derive it[502] from ענן Gnanan, A Cloud, as if
the Original signified properly a Planetary, or Star-gazer. Hereby
he is distinguished from the second sort of unlawful Diviners, for
he also was an Observer of times; the first drawing his conclusions
from the _colour or motion of the Clouds: the second from his own
superstitious observation of good and evil events, happening on such
and such dayes, such and such times_: the first seemeth to have drawn
his conclusions, a priori, from the Clouds or _Planets, causing
good and bad events_: the second, _a posteriori, from the events
themselves, happening upon such and such times_. This Planetary,
when he observed the clouds, seemeth to have stood _with his face
Eastward, his back Westward, his right hand towards the South, and
his left hand towards the North_: except it was from this positure of
the Star-gazers body in time of observing, I find no reason why the
Hebrews should term the Eastern part of the world קדים, Kadim
i. The former part of the world: the Western part אחור, i. e. The
back part; the South part ימין Jamin, i. e. The right hand;
the North part שמאל Shemol, i. e. The left hand. That the reason
of these denominations is, because Adam was created with his face
toward the East, is as vain, as hard to prove.
[500] Jarchi. Lev. 19. 26.
[501] D. Kimchi. in rad.
[502] Aben. Esra. Levit. 19. 26.
2. The second is מנחש, Menachesch, rendred an Inchanter; it
importeth rather an Augur, or Soothsayer. The Original signifieth
such an one _who out of his own experience draweth observations to
foretell good or evil to come_, as Soothsayers do, by observing such
and such events, by such and such flying of Birds, screechings, or
kawings. The Rabbines speak in this wise:[503] _He is Menachesch, a
Soothsayer, who will say, because a morsel of bread is fallen out of
his mouth, or his staff out of his hand, or his son called him back, or
a Crow kawed unto him, or a Goat passed by him, or a Serpent was on his
right hand, or a Fox on his left hand, therefore he will say, Do not
this or that to day._ This word is used, Gen. 30. 27. I have _learned
by experience_, saith Laban, that the Lord hath blessed me for thy
sake. Again, Gen. 44. 5. _Is not this the cup in which my Lord
drinketh, and whereby indeed he divineth?_ that is, _proveth, or maketh
tryal or experience what manner of men ye are_: The Heathen people
were very superstitious in these observations: Some daies were Atri,
others Albi, some unlucky, others lucky; on some daies they
accounted it unfortunate to begin battel, on some months unfortunate to
marry.
[503] D. Kimchi. radic.
Mense malum Maio nubere vulgus ait.
Ovid. Fast.
And as they were superstitious in observing unlucky signs, so
likewise in the means used to avert the evil portended: the means
were either words or deeds.[504] Deeds; thus if any unlucky Bird,
or such like came in their way, they would fling stones at it; and
of this sort is the scratching of a suspected Witch, which among the
simple sort of people is thought to be a means to cure Witch-craft.
By words, they thought to elude the evil, signified by such signs,
when they say, Εἰς κεφαλὴν σοὶ, In caput tuum recidat hoc omen; _This
evil light on thy own head_.
[504] _Plura istiusmodi ἐνόδια σύμβολα vide apud Theophrastum
Character. περὶ Δεισιδαιμ._
The third is מכשף Mecascheph, a Witch, properly a Jugler. The
Original signifieth such a kind of _Sorcerer who bewitcheth the
senses and minds of men, by changing the forms of things, making them
appear otherwise than indeed they are_. The same word is applied to
the Sorcerers in Egypt, who resisted Moses Exod. 7. 11. Then
Pharaoh also called Mecaschphim, the Sorcerers. Now the Magicians
in Egypt; they also did in like manner with their Inchantments.
This latter part of the Text explaineth what those Sorcerers were.
In that they are called Magicians, it implieth their learning,
that they were wise men, and great Philosophers: the word
inchantments declareth the manner of the delusion, and it hath
the signification of such a slight whereby the eyes are deluded,
for להטים Lahatim, there translated inchantments, importeth the
_glistering flame of a fire or sword, wherewith the eyes of men are
dazled_. The Greek version doth not unfitly term them φαρμακοὺς,
Unguentarios, Syplasiarios, Compounders of Medicines, or if you
please _complexion-makers,[505] such Artisans who mask men and womens
faces with paintings and false complexions_. Hence it is that the
Apostle compareth such false teachers, _who under a form and shew
of godliness_, lead captive silly women, to the Egyptian Sorcerers
Jannes ~and~ Jambres, who resisted ~Moses~, 2 Tim. 3. 8. These
two were of chief note: In the Talmud[506] they are all called
Johanne and Mamre; by Numenius,[507] a Pythagorean, Jannes
and Mambres; by Pliny,[508] Jamnes and Jotape.
[505] φαρμακὸς δέ ἐστι μύρεψος. Suidas.
[506] Talmud. tract. Menachoth. c. 9.
[507] Origen. contra Celsum. lib. 4.
[508] Plin. nat. hist. lib. 30, cap. 1.
The fourth is חובר Chober, a Charmer. The Hebrew word signifies
conjoyning or consociating; either from the league and fellowship
which such persons have with the devil, or as Bodine thinketh[509]
_because such kind of Witches have frequent meetings, in which they
dance and make merry together_. Onkelos translateth such a charmer
רטין Raten, a mutterer, intimating the manner of these Witcheries
to be by the muttering, or soft speaking of some spell or charm. The
description of a Charmer is thus delivered:[510] _He is a character
who speaketh words of a strange language, and without sense, and he
in his foolishness thinketh that these words are profitable: that if
one say so or so unto a Serpent or Scorpion, it cannot hurt a man, and
he that saith so or so unto a man, he cannot be hurt_, &c. _He that
whispereth over a wound, or readeth a verse out of the Bible, likewise
he that readeth over an Infant, that it may not be frighted, or that
layeth the book of the Law, or the Phylacteries upon a child that it
may sleep, such are not only among Inchanters, or Charmers, but of
those that generally deny the law of God, because they make the word of
the Scripture medicine for the body, whereas they are not, but medicine
for the soul._ As it is written, Prov. 3. 22. _They shall be life
unto thy soul_. Of this sort was that whereof Bodinus[511] speaketh,
_That a child by saying a certain verse out of the Psalms, hindred a
woman that she could not make her butter; by reciting the same verse
backward, he made her butter come presently_.
[509] Bodin. Mag. dæmon. l. 1. c. 6.
[510] Maimon. tract. Idolol. c. 11. sect. 10. 12.
[511] Bodin. Mag. dæmon. l. 2. c. 1.
The fifth, שאל אוב Schoel Ob, a consulter with Ob, or _with
familiar spirits_. Ob signifieth properly a bottle, and is
applied in divers places of Scripture to Magicians, because they
being possessed with an evil spirit, speak with a soft and hollow
voice, as out of a bottle. The Greek calleth them Ἐγγαστριμύτης
Ventriloquos; _such whose voice seemeth to proceed out of their
belly_.[512] Such a Diviner was the Damosel, Acts 16. 16. in
St. Augustines judgement,[513] and is probably thought so by most
Expositors, who are of opinion, that the spirit of Python with
which this Damosel was possessed, is the same which the spirit of Ob
was amongst the Hebrews. Hence the Witch of Endor, whom Saul
requested to raise up Samuel, is said in Hebrew to have consulted
with Ob; but among the Latine Expositors she is commonly translated
Pythonissa, one possessed with the spirit of Python.
[512] Chrysostom. 1 Cor. 12. Tert. adv. Marcion. l. 4. c. 25.
[513] August. 1. de doct. Christ. c. 23.
The sixth is, ידעני Iiddegnoni, a Wizard; in the Greek, he is
translated sometimes Γνώστης, a cunning-man. In both Languages he had
his name from knowledge, which either the Wizard professed himself
to have, or the common people thought him to have. The Rabbies
say,[514] he was so called in _Hebrew from a certain beast named by
them ~Jadua~, in shape resembling a man, because these Wizards when
they did utter their Prophecies, held a bone of this Beast between
their teeth_. This haply might be some _Diabolical Sacrament or
Ceremony_, used for the Confirmation of the league between Satan and
the Wizard. Prophane History[515] mentioneth Divinations of the
like kind, as that Magicians were wont to eat the principal parts
and members of such beasts which they deemed Prophetical, thinking
thereby, that by a kind of μετεμψύχωσις the Soul of such Beasts would
be conveyed into their bodies, whereby they might be enabled for
Prophecy.
[514] _P. Fag. Levit. 19. Verum Athenæus bestiam hanc vocat
καταβλεπάδα. Vid. Bodin. Mag. dæmon. l. 1. c. 6. p. 18._
[515] Perer. de Mag. p. 57.
The seventh is דורש אל המתים Doresch el hammethim; the Greek
answereth word for word, ἐπερωτῶν τοὺς νεκροὺς, _An enquirer of the
Dead, a Necromancer_. Such Diviners consulted with _Satan in the shape
of a dead man_. A memorable example we find recorded, 1 Sam. 29.
There, King Saul about to war with the Philistines (God denying to
answer him either by dreams, or by Urim, or by Prophets) upon
the fame of the Witch of Endor, he repaired to her, demanding that
Samuel might be raised up from the dead, to tell him the issue of the
war. Now that this was not in truth Samuel, is easily evinced, both
by testimonies of the learned, and reasons. First, it is improbable,
that God who had denied to answer him by any ordinary means, should
now deign him an answer so extraordinary. Secondly, no Witch or Devil
can disturb the bodies or Souls of such as die in the Lord, because
they rest from their labors, Rev. 14. 13. Thirdly, if it had been
Samuel, he would doubtless have reproved _Saul for consulting with
Witches_.
The eighth is שאל מקלו Scoel maklo, A Consulter with his Staff.
Hos. 4. 12. Jerome saith the manner of this divination was thus:
_That if the doubt were between two or three Cities, which first should
be assaulted; to determin this, they wrote the names of the Cities upon
certain staves or arrows, which being shaked in a quiver together the
first that was pulled out determined the City._ Others[516] deliver
the manner of this consultation to have been thus: _The consulter
measured his staff by spans or by the length of his finger, saying, as
he measured, I will go, I will not go, I will do such a thing, I will
not do it, and as the last span fell out, so he determined_: This was
termed by the Heathens ῥαβδομαντεία or βελομαντεία, _Divination by rod
or arrows_.
[516] Vid. Drus. in Deut. p. 592.
The ninth was ראה בכבד Roe baccabed, a diviner by intrales, _Ezek.
22. 21._ Nebuchadnezzar being to make war both with the Jews, and
the Ammonites, and doubting in the way, against whether of these he
should make his first on-set: First he consulted with his _Arrows and
Staves_, of which hath been spoken immediately before: Secondly, he
consulted with the intrals of beasts. This practice was generally
received among the Heathens, and because the liver was the
principal member observed, it was called ἡπατοσκοπία, _Consultation
with the liver_. Three things are observed in this kind of divination.
First, the colour of the intrals, whether they were all well
coloured. Secondly, their place, whether none were displaced.
Thirdly, the number, whether none were wanting; among those that were
wanting, the want of the liver, or the heart chiefly presaged ill: That
day Julius Cæsar was slain, it is storied, that in two fat Oxen then
sacrificed, the heart was wanting in them both.
THE FIFTH BOOK
OF THEIR CONSISTORIES.
CHAP. I.
Their Courts of Judgment, especially their Ecclesiastical Consistory.
There were in Israel distinct Courts, consisting of distinct
persons, the one principally for Church-businesses, the other for
affairs in the Commonwealth; the one an Ecclesiastical Consistory;
the other a Civil Judicatory:[517] Of these, and their several
censures, and punishments, it remaineth now to be spoken.
[517] Junius Analys. Expos. Deut. 17.
These different Consistories, or Courts of Justice, we find first
distinguisht, Deut. 17. 12. _He which will not hearken unto the
Priest, nor unto the Judge_. Where the people of Israel are directed,
in what cases, and to what persons they should make their Appeals from
inferiour Courts; namely, the Priests, in matters spiritual, or
ceremonial, and to the Judges, in matters civil or criminal.
These two Courts are more plainly distinguished, 2 Chron. 19. where
Jehosaphat, reforming many abuses in Church and Commonwealth,
first appointed thorow-out all the fenced Cities of Judah, _secular
Judges_ to determine criminal causes, ver. 5. And at Jerusalem he
appointed a Spiritual Court, consisting of _Levites, Priests, and
the chief Fathers of Israel_, vers. 8. And in causes spiritual for
the Lord, Amariah the High priest was chief: in causes criminal
for the King, Zebadiah was chief, ver. 11. Likewise the _Prophet
Jeremiah_ is condemned to die by the Consistory of Priests, _Jer. 26.
8._ But by the _Consistory of Princes, or secular Judges sitting in the
gate_, he was absolved and discharged, vers. 16. Yea, although the
tyranny of Antiochus, and the troublesome times insuing had bred such
a confusion in matters of Government among the Jews, that an evident
distinction can hardly be found in the New-Testament, yet some
foot-steps, and imperfect tokens of both Courts are there observable,
principally, Matth. 21. 23. It. Matth. 26. 3. The _Chief
Priests_ and the Elders, of the people, are named as two distinct
Consistories: and each Consistory seemeth to be differenced by its
proper name: The secular Consistory termed συνέδριον, A Councel:
the spiritual termed συναγωγὴ, a Synagogue. _They will deliver you
up to the Councels, and they will scourge you in their Synagogues_,
Matth. 10. 17. Hence that great Assembly of Prophets and holy men
called together by Esra, for the reformation of the Church, after
their return from Babylon, is called Synagoga magna, _A great
Synagogue_.
The Office of the Ecclesiastical Court, was to put a difference
between things holy and unholy, and between clean and unclean,
Levit. 10. 10. and to _determine Appeals in controversies of
difficulty_. It was a representative Church. Hence is that _Dic
Ecclesiæ_, Mat. 18. 16. Tell the Church, because unto them belonged
the power of Excommunication, the several sorts of which censure
follow in the next Chapter.
Only here take notice, that as in the Civil Consistories, consisting
of seventy Judges, which was the supreme Court, there were two
sate as Chief; namely, one whom they termed Nasi, _The Lord Chief
Justice_; and the other whom they termed Abbeth din, the _Father of
the Senate_: so in the Ecclesiastical Consistory the High-priest
and his Sagan, or second High priest sate chief there, _2 King.
23. 4._ That the High priest sate in the Sanhedrim necessarily,
is an errour;[518] for he was not elected into that Company, except
he were a man of extraordinary wisdome. Again, note, that sometimes
both Consistories assembled together, as often as the matters to be
determined were partly ceremonial, partly civil, partly belonging
to the Church, partly to the Commonwealth: which being not noted,
causeth the Courts not to be distinguished by many Expositors. This
meeting and joyning of both Consistories often appeareth in the
Gospel. The chief Priests and Elders meet together.
[518] Moses Kotsen. in Sanhedrin.
CHAP. II.
Of their Excommunication.
They had three Degrees of Excommunication. The first was called
in the N. T. a casting out of the Synagogue, John 9. 22. by
the Jews[519] Niddui i. a separation or putting away. It
signified[520] _a separation from all commerce or society either with
man or woman_ for the distance of four Cubits; also _from eating or
drinking with any; from the use of the marriage-bed, from shaving,
washing, or the like_, according to the pleasure of the Judge, and
the quality of the offence. It was of force 30 days, yet so that they
might be shortened upon repentance. He that was thus excommunicated,
had power to _be present at divine service, to teach others, and learn
of others; he hired servants, and was hired himself_, but always on
condition of the aforesaid separation. If he remained impenitent,
according to the pleasure of the Judge, his punishment was increased,
either to the doubling or the tripling of the time, or to the extending
of it to their lives end; his male-children were not circumcised; if he
died without repentance, then, by the sentence of the Judge, a stone
was cast upon his Coffin or Bier, to shew that he was worthy to be
stoned. They mourned not for such a one with solemn lamentation, they
followed him not unto the grave, nor buried him with common burial.
[519] _נודי Significat hæc vox Separationem, Elongationem;
deducitur à verbo נדה Separavit. Hinc etiam Proscriptus,
profligatus, aut separatus quispiam dicitur מיודה_
[520] Buxtorf. ex Rabbinis Epist. Heb. pag. 55.
The second was called in the N. T. a giving one over to Satan, _1
Cor. 5. 5._ By the Jews חרם Cherem. For the better understanding
of this word, we must know that it is not used in this sense in the
Old Testament; there we shall find it applied to persons, or to
things; if to persons, then it signifieth _a devotion of them
to God by their death_, Levit. 27. 29. If to things, then it
signifieth a devotion of them unto God, by separating them from
ordinary use. Hence it is that Achan is punisht for stealing the
devoted thing, Josh. 7. Persons thus devoted, were termed
by the Greeks ἀναθέματα; and devoted things, ἀναθήματα.[521]
Notwithstanding, in the Apostles time, both Cherem and ἀνάθεμα,
signified a second degree of Excommunication, differing from the
former. First because it was not done in a private Court, but
published in the audience of the whole Church: Secondly, maledictions
and curses were added out of the Law of Moses, At the publishing
hereof Candles were kindled; and when the curses were ended, they put
out the candles, in token that the excommunicate person was _deprived
of the light of heaven_. This kind of excommunication was exercised
against the incestuous person, and against Hymenæus,[522] and
Alexander.[523]
[521] _Budæus ἀναθέματα dici tradit, homines sacros, (~i.~)
quorum capita inferis dicata sunt & devota; ἀναθήματα vero
donaria diis consecrata._
[522] 1 Cor. 5. 5.
[523] Tim. 20. 1.
The third was called in the New Test. by the Syriack name
Maranatha, 1 Cor. 16. that is, the Lord cometh; Maran
signifieth the Lord, and Atha cometh and this they say was
instituted by Enoch, Judg. 11. The Jews called it Schammatha,
the Etymology of which word I find to be twofold. Some say[524] it
soundeth as much as Maran Atha the Lord cometh. Schem signifieth
the Lord, and Atha cometh: others say[525] it soundeth _there is
death_, Schem signifying there and Mitha death. Hence we may
render it an excommunication to death. And this is thought[526] to be
the reason of that phrase, 1 John 5. 16. There is a sin unto death,
i. which deserveth excommunication to death. R. Gersom[527] forbade
the breaking open of letters, under the penalty of all three sorts
of excommunication. And this was termed _Excommunicatio in secreto
nominis tetragrammati_: see the form thereof in the _Chapter of the
Sadduces_.
[524] שם Dominus אתא venit.
[525] Elias Thisbites. in radice שמתא
[526] Betram. de Politia Judaic. c. 2. p. 21.
[527] _Buxtorf. Epi. Hebr. p. 59 in dorso Epistolæ subjici
solebat hæc abbreviatura כהרג מת אסור ~i.~ prohibitum est per
anathema. R. Gersom luminis captivitatis (scil. resignare has
literas)._
In the Greek Church there were[528] four degrees of this censure.
1. Σύστασις. Those were censured with this degree, who were only
debarred the Lords Table: as for enterance into the Church, hearing
the Word, praying with the Congregations, they enjoyed equal liberty
with other Christians, they might stand by and behold others receive
the Sacrament, but themselves did not partake thereof, whence they
were called Stantes. 2. ὑπόπτωσις, concerning this censure, all that
I read of it is thus; that he that is thus censured hath admittance
into the Church.[529] But his place must be behind the Pulpit, and
he must depart with the Catechumeni, that is such Pagans who were
gained to the Christian Faith, but not fully admitted into the
Church, because they wanted Baptism, and therefore that they might
not pray promiscuously with other Christians, there was a place
behind the Quire of the Church in manner of Cloysters, allotted to
them, and was from them called Catechumenum:[530] This I take to be
the place of this second degree of Excommunication, so that the force
of this censure I think to consist in these three things. First, they
were barred the Lords Table. Secondly, they might _not stand by at
the administration of the Lords supper_ (which was allowed in the first
degree) and this appeareth clearly, because the _Catechumeni departed
always at the celebration of the Communion_, for to them principally it
was said, Ite missa est. Thirdly, though they might ὑποπεσεῖν _fall
down on their knees and pray_, and were thence called Succumbents,
yet this they might not do in the Congregation, but only in that place
behind the quire or pulpit, which was allotted to the Catechumeni,
and in this also this second degree differeth from the first.
The third sort of censure was ἀκρόασις, the party thus censured was
permitted to come no further than the Church Porch, where it was
lawful for him to hear the Scriptures read, but not to joyn in prayer,
not to approach the Lords Table, whence such were termed Audients.
The Fourth, and last sort, was πρόκλαυσις, persons under this censure
stood quite without the Church, requesting those that entered in, with
tears and weeping to petition the Lord for mercy toward them, whence
they were called Plorantes.
[528] _Vid. Justelli not. in codicem canonum Eccl. univers. ad
canon 55. Bellar. de pœnit. l. 1. c. 22. & Casaub. Exercit. p.
52. observant quintum gradum quem ille μέστωστιν aliter μέθεξιν
appellat._
[529] Vid. Iustel. loco citato.
[530] Hospin. de Templis. p. 88.
Seeing it is commonly thought, that Cain was censured by the first
degree of Excommunication, called Niddui, and that the last called
Schammmatha was of Enochs constitution; both these being of such
antiquity, I dare not say that the three degrees of Excommunication
were borrowed from the three sorts of uncleanness, which excluded
people out of the three Camps, though there was an observable
proportion between them.[531] Niddui may be parrallel’d with the
exclusion out of the Camp of God alone, which befel those that
were defiled by touch of the dead: Cherem may be compared to the
exclusion out of the Camp of God, and the Camp of Levi, which befel
those that were defiled of an issue. Schammatha may be compared with
the exclusion out of _all three Camps, the Camp of God, the Camp of
Levi, and the Camp of Israel_, this befel those that were defiled with
leprosie; and from the Jews, it is probable that the Greek and
Latine Churches borrowed their degrees of Excommunication.
[531] De quibus. P. Fagius, in Num. 5. 2.
CHAP. III.
_Their Civil Consistories, what persons were necessarily present in
them._
In many things men might be sinful in respect of Gods Law, though
not liable to punishment, in respect of mans; _thou shalt not avenge,
nor be mindful of wrong_, Levit. 19. 18. which the Hebrews explain
thus, To avenge, is to deny a good turn to one who formerly denied
him. To be mindful of a wrong, is to do a good turn to one who
formerly would not do so much for him; but at the doing thereof, to
upbraid the other of his unkindness. They illustrate it thus: when
Reuben said to Simeon, Lend me thy Hatchet; he answereth, I will
not lend him: Afterward Simeon had need to borrow an Hatchet of
Reuben, and saith unto him, lend me thy Hatchet: Reuben saith unto
him, I will not lend him, thou wouldst not lend me thine: this is נקימה
Nekima, Avengement. Now when Reuben saith to Simeon, Lend me
thy Hatchet: he answereth, I will not lend him: afterwards Simeon
borroweth a Hatchet of Reuben: Reuben saith, lo, I will lend it
thee, I will not deal with thee as thou dealedst with me, this is נטירה
Netira, Mindfulness: both these were sinful, but not liable to mans
judgment.
In all civil Courts, five sorts of persons were alwayes present. 1.
Judges. 2. Officers. 3. Pleaders. 4. Notaries. 5. Witnesses.
In the supreme Court, there was one that was chief over all the other
Judges, they called him in Hebrew Nasi, in Greek ἄρχοντα, _The
Prince_. His leave was craved for the tryal of actions. The Witnesses
were at least two, Deut. 29. 15. If they were false, they punish’d
them with a Talio, the same punishment which he intended against his
brother, Deut. 19. 19. The Notaries were two,[532] one stood on the
right hand to write the sentence of Absolution, and what was spoken
in defence of the party; the other stood on the _left hand, to write
the sentence of condemnation_, and the objections against the party.
Drusius[533] thinks that Christ speaking of the last Judgment had
reference to this, _He shall set the sheep on the right hand, and on
the left the goats_, Matth. 25. 23. The Officers were in manner of
Sheriffs, they were present to execute what the Judges determined;
whence they carried up and down their staves and whips,[534] as
the Consuls of Rome had Rod and Axes, carried before them for
the readier execution of justice. In Hebrew they are called שוטרים
Schoterim, by the Septuagint sometimes γραμματεῖς, in our English
translation commonly Officers, and by Saint Luke πράκτορες: for,
doubtless there is allusion unto them, Luke 12. 58. When thou goest
with thine adversary, (ἄρχοντι) to the Magistrate, as thou art in the
way, give diligence that thou maist be delivered from him, lest he hale
thee to the Judge, and the Judge deliver thee to the Officer,
&c. The Pleader was called בעל ריב Baal rib, he stood on the
right hand of the party cited into the Court, whether he pleaded
for or against him. The Lord shall stand on the right hand of the
poor, to save him from those that judge his soul, Psa. 109. 31. that
is, The Lord shall plead his cause. And Satan stood at the _right
hand of_ Joshua, Zach. 3. 1. that is _to accuse him, or plead against
him_. When S. John speaking, If any man sin, we have an Advocate,
1 John 2. 1. he alludeth unto this Baalrib, or Pleader. The
Judges, they examined and determin’d matters and after examination,
sentence was pronounced by the Judge in this manner: _Tu N. justus,
Tu. N. reus_, Thou ~Simon~ art just: Thou ~Reuben~ art guilty: at the
pronunciation of which the guilty person was dragged to the place of
execution. When he shall be judged, let him be condemned, _Ps. 109.
7._ the Hebrew is, Let him go out wicked.
[532] Moses Kotsen. in Sanhedrim.
[533] Drus. præter. Matth. 25.
[534] Moses Kotsen. in Sanhedrim.
The manner of sentencing persons, varied in most Countries. The Jews
by a simple pronunciation of sentence, both absolved men, and condemned
them. The Romans[535] gave sentence by calling in Tables into a
certain box or urne prepared for the purpose: if they absolved any,
they wrote the letter A in the table, it being the first letter of
Absolvo: if they would condemn any, they cast in a table with C
written in it, which is the first letter of Condemno: if the matter
were hard to determine, they would cast in other tables with N L,
signifying Non Liquet. The Græcians[536] in like manner used three
letters: Θ was a token of condemnation, which occasioned that of
Persius.
Et potis es nigrum, vitio præfigere Theta.
[535] Rosin. Antiq. Rom. l. 9. c. 25.
[536] Eras. Adag. Θ præfig.
Τ was a token of absolution; Α, of ampliation. Others signified
condemnation, by giving a black stone; and absolution by giving a
white stone.
Mos erat antiquis, niveis atrisque lapillis,
Hos damnare reos, illos absolvere culpa.
Ovid. Metamorph. 15.
To this there seemeth to be allusion, Rev. 2. 17. To him who
overcometh I will give a white stone; that is, I will absolve and
acquit him in the day of judgement.
Note these three phrases, ἀναστῆναι είς κρίσιν, _To rise up to
judgment_; ἀναστῆναι ἐν κρίσει, To rise up in judgment; ἐξελθεῖν
καταδεδικασμένος, To depart guilty. The first is applied to the
Judge in the execution of Justice, When God rose up to Judge,
Psalm 76. 10. that is, to execute judgement. The second is applied
to the party prevailing in judgment. _The men of Nineveh shall
rise up in judgement with this generation_, Mat. 12. 41. that is,
shall be justified before this generation. The last is applied to
the party condemned, Psal. 109. 7. _Let him depart guilty or
wicked: the ungodly shall not stand in judgment_, Psal. 1. The
like phrases were in use among the Romans, Stare in Senatu, to
prevail in the Senate; Causa cadere, to be cast in ones suit.
But these phrases among the Romans I think to have been taken out
of their Fence-Schools, where the set posture of the body, by which a
man prepareth himself to fight and grapple with his enemy, is termed
Status, or Gradus, as cedere de Statu, to give back; _Gradum
vel statum servare_, to keep one’s standing: and from thence have
those elegancies been translated into places of Judgment.
CHAP. IV.
The number of their Civil Courts.
Their Civil Courts were two, סנהדרים גדולה Sanhedrim gedola, _the
great Consistory_, or Supreme Senate, סנהדרים קטנה _Sanhedrim
Ketanna_, the lesser and inferiour Court. Thus I find them divided
generally by the Rabbins: And although the latter was subdivided,
as will after appear; yet in old time there were onely two first
branches: which division our Saviour Christ seemeth to have followed,
calling the lesser Court κρίσιν, by the name of Judgement: the
greater συνέδριον, by the name of a Counsel. Whosoever is angry with
his brother unadvisedly, shall be culpable of Judgement. Whosoever
saith unto his brother Raca, shall be worthy to be punished by the
Counsel: Whosoever shall say Fool, shall be worthy to be punished
with the fire of Gehenna, Mat. 5. 22. In which words, as there is a
gradation of sin, 1. Anger, a passion of the mind. 2. Raca,[537]
scornful, or slighting speech, as Tut, Tush, &c. 3. Fool,
reproachful and opprobrious names: so likewise there is a _gradation
of punishment_. 1. Judgement, a lesser Court. 2. Councel, the
greater Court. 3. The fire of Gehenna: Now Gehenna was a Valley,
terrible for two sorts of fires in it: First, for that wherein men
burnt their children unto Moloch.[538] Secondly, for another fire
there continually burning, to consume the dead carcasses, and filth of
Jerusalem; partly for the terribleness of the first, and partly for
the contemptibleness of the place by reason of the second fire, it was
a type of hell fire it self. We may resolve that text thus, anger
deserved the punishments of the lesser Court; Raca, the punishments
of the greater: and Fool deserved punishments beyond all Courts,
even the fire of Gehenna.
[537] _Raca non grandis alicujus est sermo convitii, sed magis
è contemptu natum est, & neglectu dicentis Chrysost. homil. 16.
in Mat._
[538] David Kimchi. Ps. 27. 13.
The greater Court, by way of excellency, was called the Sanhedrim,
which word came from the Greek, συνέδριον, a place of Judgement:
It was also called בית דין Beth din, the house of Judgment.[539]
It was distinguished from the other Courts; first, in respect of the
number of the Judges, which were seventy one, according to the
command of God to Moses at their first institution, Numb. 11. 16.
_Gather unto me ~seventy~ men of the ~Elders~ of ~Israel~, whom thou
knowest that they are the ~Elders~ of the people, the Governours over
them, and bring them unto the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and let
them stand there with thee_. From the latter words of this Text, it
is observed, that there were seventy besides Moses; and therefore
after his decease they alwaies chose one chief Judge in his room,
not reckoning him among the seventy; they called him Nasi, the
Prince or chief over the seventy. These seventy are thought[540]
to be chosen six out of every Tribe, save the Tribe of Levi,
out of which only four were chosen. Others think[541] the manner of
their choice was thus; six of every Tribe had their names written in
little scrolls of paper: in seventy of these scrolls was written זקן
Zaken, Senex, an Elder, in the two other חלק Cheleck, pars,
A part; these scrolls they put into a pitcher or urn, and those that
pluck’d out a scroll wherein Elder was written, were counted amongst
the number of the Judges; those that pluck’d out the other scrolls,
in which a Part was written, they were rejected, Numb. 11. 26. The
senior of these seventy was called אב בית דין Ab beth din, the
Father of the Judgment Hall. The whole Set[542] or Bench of Judges,
sate in manner of an half circle, the Nasi sitting in the midst
above the rest, the other sitting round about beneath, in such manner
that the Father of the Judgement Hall sate next to the Nasi on the
right hand. The lesser Consistory was subdivided into two sorts,
one consisted of twenty three Aldermen, and two such Consistories
there were in Jerusalem, the one at the _door of the Court before
the Temple_, the other at the door of the Mountain of the Temple:
yea, in every City throughout Israel where there were sixscore
housholders, such a Consistory was erected: the other sort of _lesser
Courts_ consisted only of a Triumvirate, three Aldermen; and this
was erected in the lesser Cities, which had not the number of sixscore
housholders.
[539] Moses Kotsen. fol. 186. col. 2.
[540] Fran. Junius. Analyt. expos. Num. 11.
[541] Solom. Jarchi.
[542] Moses Kot. f. 185. col. 2.
The second difference[543] between the greater Consistory and the
lesser, was in respect of the place. The seventy sate only at
Jerusalem, within the Court of the Temple, in a certain house
called לשכת הגזית Lischath hegazith, the paved Chamber, because of
the curious cut stones wherewith it was paved: by the Greeks it was
called λιθόστρωτον, the Pavement. Pilate sat down in the Judgement
Seat, in a place called the Pavement, John 19. 13. The other
Consistory sate all in the gates of the Cities. Now because the gates
of the City are the strength thereof, and in their gates their Judges
sate: Hence is that, Mat. 16. 18. The gates of Hell shall not
overcome it, that is, neither the strength nor policy of Satan.
[543] Moses Kotsen. ibid.
Lastly, they differed in respect of their Power and Authority:
the Consistory of seventy received appeals from the other
inferiour Courts,[544] from that there was no appeal: Again, the
Consistory of three sate not on life and death, but onely on petty
matters, as whipping, pecuniary controversies, and such like; the other
of twenty three sate on life and death, but with a restrained power;
they had not authority to judge an _whole tribe, the High-priest, false
Prophets_, and other such weighty matters: this belonged only to the
seventy in Jerusalem:[545] Hence is that, _O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
which killest the Prophets_, Luk. 3. 34. The means how they tryed
the false Prophet was thus; they observed the judgements which he
threatned, and the good which he prophesied to a place: if the
judgements took not effect, this did not argue him a false Prophet,
because God was merciful, as in the case of Hezekiah, and the people
might repent, as the Ninivites did: but if he prophesied good, and
that came not to pass, they judged him a false Prophet. The ground
of this tryal they make the words of _Jeremiah the Prophet, which
prophesied of peace when the word of the Lord shall come to pass, then
shall the Prophet be known that the Lord hath truly sent him_, _Jer.
28. 9._
[544] Deut. 17. 8.
[545] Cunæus de rep. Hebr. p. 109.
The Colledge or company of these seventy, exercised judgment, not
only under the Kings and Judges,[546] but their authority continued
in times of vacancies, when there was neither Judge nor King to
rule Israel, and it continued until[547] Herod put them down, and
destroyed them, to secure himself of the Kingdome.
[546] P. Galat. l. 4. cap. 5.
[547] Joseph. Antiq. l. 14. c. 17.
Here some may object, that there were no such Courts, or their
liberty much infringed in Samuels time: for he went from year to year
in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, _and judged Israel
in all those places_, 1 Sam. 7. 16. To which, I take it, we may say,
that as the Emperours of Rome had power to ride Circuits, and keep
Assises, which was done without any infringement of the liberties of
their Senate: So the Kings and Judges in Israel had the like
power, and yet the authority of their Courts stood firm. This kind of
judging by keeping Assises, the Romans termed βουλὴν κυρίαν, the
other βουλὴν σύγκλητον.
CHAP. V.
Properties required in Judges, and the manner of their election.
The Law of God required these properties in Judges: 1. Wisdom.
2. Understanding. 3. Integrity. 4. Courage. Deut. 1. 13. Others
are reckoned, Exod. 18. 21. namely, 5. The fear of God. 6. _Love of
Truth._ 7. Hating of coveteousness: to these may be added the eighth,
namely, having no respect of persons, Deut. 1. 17. These two
last especially, the Heathens required in their Judges: whence the
Thebans[548] painted Justice without hands, and without eyes, to
intimate that Judges should receive no gifts, nor be swayed with sight
of persons.
[548] Plut. de Iside.
The Jews[549] added many more. 1. _That they should be free from
all blemish of body._ 2. _That they should be skilled in the seventy
Languages, to the intent that they might not need an Interpreter in
the hearing of Causes._ 3. _That they should not be far stricken in
years; which likewise was required by the Romans in their Judges, as
appeareth by that common adage, Sexagenarius de ponte._ 4. _That they
should be no Eunuchs, because such commonly were cruel._ 5. _That they
should be Fathers of children, which they thought was a special motive
to mercy._ 6. _That they should be skilful in Magick, without the
knowledge of which, they were not able to judge of Magicians._
[549] Moses Kotsen. in Sanhedrim.
That there might be a sufficient supply of able men to succeed in the
room of the Judges dying, there sate[550] three benches of others
beneath, whom they called[551] Talmidi Chacamim, _Scholars of the
wise men_: out of these they made their Election, and two of these
always accompanied the condemned person to the place of execution.
[550] Moses Kotsen. ibid.
[551] תלמידי חכמים Discipuli sapientum.
Their Inauguration of Judges was two fold: At first, by _imposition
of hands_ upon the head of the party, after the example of Moses
laying hands on Joshua: this imposition of hands was not held
lawful,[552] except it were in the presence of five or three Judges
at the least. Afterwards, it was by saying a certain verse[553] Lo,
thou art associated, and power is given thee to judge of penalties.
Hence is that saying of Galatinus out of the Talmud, _Institutio
Judicum, aut manu fiebat, aut nomine tantum_.
[552] Petr. Galatin. lib. 4. cap. 5.
[553] _הרי את סמוך ויש לך רשות לדון אפילו דיני קנסות Maimon. in
Sanhedrin, c. 4._
Observe here, that Samuc, which I render associated, doth not
alwayes signifie a man licensed to the discharge of some publik office
by the imposition of hands; for here it is applied to those who were
not admitted by imposition of hands. Now the reason why these words
Semica, and Semicuth, are generally by all Expositors, Jews and
Christians, translated the imposition of hands, is, because this
solemn kind of licensing, termed Semica, or Semicuth, was in old
time used only towards two sorts of men in their admission, towards
Rabbies and towards Judges; which kind of permission, because
it was not performed towards either of them without this ceremony
of imposing hands: hence these two words have been translated the
imposition of hands; whereas properly they signifie nothing else,
but _an association, an approximation, or conjoyning of one into the
same corporation or company, of which he that doth associate and give
admission is a member_.
CHAP. VI.
Ceremonies common in all capital Judgments.
In their greater punishments, which deprived of life, some ceremonies
were common to them all.
First, The Judges were to use deliberation in all causes, but
especially in matters capital. There were four causes, saith Jonathan
in his Targum,[554] that came before Moses ( he mentioneth none
in particular, but what they were, we shall presently learn out
of other records.) Two of these were not weighty; in these he
hastened: Two more material, concerning life and death; in these he
delayed.[555] Cæterum tam de his quam de illis dicebat, Non audivi;
_Of both the lighter and weightier causes, ~Moses~ said I have not
heard_, to wit, from the Lord: to shew, that a deliberation and
consultation as it were with God, ought to be in all judgements,
before sentence be pronounced. These four causes are named in other
Records:[556] The two lightest are, 1. _The matter of uncleanness
debarring the people from the Passover_, Num. 9. 9. Secondly, _the
case of ~Zelophehads~ daughters_, Num. 36. 10. _The 2 weightier
are_, 1. The cause of the blasphemer, Lev. 24. 13. _Secondly, The
case of him that gathered Sticks on the Sabbath_, Numb. 15. 35. In
all these judgments there is, The Lord spake unto Moses. And in the
first, which was counted among the lighter causes (because it was not
on life and death) even there doth Moses in a solemn manner bespeak
the people to stand still, Et ego audiam, _And I will hear what the
Lord will command_. Notwithstanding, wilful delays in Justice maketh
the Judge unrighteous. In that unrighteous Judge, from whom the
Widow wrested sentence by importunity; we read not of any other fault
in him, but delay, Luke 18. 6.
[554] Targum Jonath. Num. 9. 8.
[555] ובאלין ובאלין אמר משת לא שמעית Jonath.
[556] Targum. Hierosol. Num. 9. 8.
Secondly, The party accused was placed on some high place, from
whence he might be seen and heard of all the people: Set Naboth, _in
capite populi_, on high among the people, 1 Kings 21. 9.
Thirdly,[557] The Judges and the Witnesses did (when sentence was
pronounced) put their hands upon the condemned persons head, and said;
Sanguis tuus super caput tuum, Thy blood be upon thine own head:
unto this the people had reference, saying, _His blood be on us, and on
our children_, Mat. 27. 25.
[557] Drus. præteri. Matth. 27.
Fourthly, The place of execution was without the gates, the
malefactors were had thither by two Executioners, termed by the
Rabbines[558] חזני הכנסת Chazani hacceneseth, _Spectators of the
Congregation_, which is a periphrasis of those whom S. Mark calleth
σπεκουλάτωρες, Mark 6. 27. which word, though it be used by the
Greeks and Chaldee Paraphrasts,[559] yet it is a meer Latine,
derived à speculando; because in the Court the Executioners were
only Spectators, to behold and attend what the Judges would command
them.
[558] _Moses Kotsen. in Sanhedrim. It. Talmud. it. Maccoth. cap. 3. in
Mischna._
[559] ספוקל טריא Uziel. & Targum Hierosol. Gen. 37. 36.
Fifthly, When the malefactor was led to execution, a publick cryer
went before,[560] saying, _Such a one is going to be punisht with such
a death, because he hath committed such, or such an offence, at such a
time, in such a place; and these ~N. N.~ are witnesses thereof: If any
therefore knoweth any thing which may do him good, let him come and
make it known_. For this purpose one was appointed to stand at the door
of the Consistory, with an handkerchief or linnen cloth in his hand,
that if any person should come for his defence, he at the door swinged
about his handkerchief, upon the sight whereof, another standing in
readiness a pretty distance off with an horse, hastened and called back
the condemned person: yea, if the Malefactor had any further plea for
his own purgation, he might come back four or five times, except he
spake vainly; for the discerning whereof, two of those whom they termed
Scholars of the wise men, were sent with him to observe his speech on
the way.
[560] Moses Kotsen. in loco superius citato.
Sixthly, He was exhorted to confess, that he might have his portion
in the world to come: Thus Joshua exhorted Achan, Josh. 7. 19.
_My son, give I pray thee glory unto the Lord God of Israel, and make
confession unto him_: unto whom Achan answered, vers. 20. _Indeed I
have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus have I done_.
Seventhly, In the time of execution, they gave the Malefactor
Granum thuris in calice vini, _A grain of Frankincense in a cup of
Wine_:[561] this they did give to cause a giddiness in the condemned
persons head, that thereby he might be less sensible of the pain.
St. Mark calleth this cup ἐσμυρνισμένον οἶνον, _Wine mingled with
Myrrhe_, Mark 15. 23. This was done after the manner of the Jews,
but the Souldiers in mockery mingled Vinegar and Gall with it, _Mat.
27. 34._ As likewise they gave him a second cup in derision, when
they took a spunge, and filled it with Vinegar, and put it on a reed,
Matth. 27. 48. S. Mark in the first cup mentioneth the custome
of the Jews, which in it self had some shew of compassion; for the
ground of this custom was taken from that, Prov. 31. 6. _Give strong
drink unto him that is ready to perish_. S. Matthew mentioneth onely
their wicked mixture, contrary to the receiv’d custom; so that one
Evangelist must expound the other. This first cup was so usually
given before execution, that the word Calix a cup, is sometimes in
the Scripture put for death it self. _Father, if it may be, let this
cup pass from me._
[561] _קורט לבונה בכוס של יין Corat. lebona becorschel iaijn
Maimon. in Sanhedrin cap. 13. It. Moses Kotsen. in Sanhedrim._
Lastly,[562] The Tree whereon a man was hanged, and the Stone
wherewith he was stoned, and the Sword wherewith he was beheaded,
and the Napkin wherewith he was strangled, they were all buried,
that there might be no evil memorial of such a one, to say: _This is
the Tree, this is the Sword, this is the Stone, this is the Napkin,
whereon, or wherewith, such an one was executed_.
[562] Casaub. exercit. p. 654. ex Maimonid.
CHAP. VII.
Their capital punishments.
The Jews of old had only four sorts of death[563] in use among
them. 1. Lapidatio,[564] stoning. 2. Combustio,[565] burning. 3.
Decollatio,[566] beheading. 4. Suffocatio,[567] strangling. Of
these, _stoning was counted the most grievous, burning worse than
beheading, beheading worse than strangling, and strangling was the
easiest of all_.
[563] Paraphrast. Cald. Ruth. 1. 17. Mikkotsi. fol. 188. col. 3.
[564] סקילה Sekila, Lapidatio.
[565] שריפה Sheripha, combustio.
[566] הרג Hereg. decollatio.
[567] חנק Chenek. Suffocatio.
They have a rule,[568] that wheresoever the Scripture saith of an
offender, Morte plectetur, he shall be punish’d with death, not
expressing the kind of death, there it ought to be interpreted of
Strangling. For example, the Law saith of the Adulterer, _Lev. 20.
19._ Morte plectatur, let him be punished with death: because the
kind of death is not here mentioned, they interpret it strangling.
The reason of this rule is, because strangling was the easiest death of
the four; and where the Law determineth not the punishment, there they
say, Ampliandi favores, The favourablest exposition is to be given.
[568] _כל מיתה האמורה בתורה סתם חנק היא Omnis mors quæ
absolutè in lege usurpatur, strangulatio est. R. Solom. Exod.
21. 16._
The rule is not generally true; for in former times _Adultery was
punish’d with stoning_. I will judge thee after the manner of them that
are Harlots, saith the Lord, Ezek. 16. 38. And in the fortieth
verse the judgment is named, They shall stone thee with stones:
likewise the Scribes and Pharisees said unto Christ, Moses in the
Law commanded us, that such should be stoned, John 8.
Before we treat in particular of these four punishments it may be
questioned, _Whether the Jews had any power to judge of life and death,
at that time when they crucified our blessed Saviour?_ The _Jews said
to ~Pilate~, Is it not lawful for us to put any man to death_; _Joh.
18. 31._ Latter Jews say[569] that _all power of capital punishments
was taken from them forty years before the destruction of the second
Temple_, and of this opinion are many Divines.
[569] Moses Kotsen. in Sanhedrim.
Answer. First, the Jews speech unto Pilate, that it was not
lawful for them to put any man to death, cannot be understood, as if
they should have said, we have no power to put any man to death; for
admit, that power in criminals were, in the general, taken from them,
yet in this particular power was permitted them at that time from
Pilate, Take ye him, and judge him according to your Law, _Joh. 18.
31._ Neither can it be said, that their Law could not condemn him, if
he had been a transgressor thereof; or that they had not out of their
law to object against him: for they say, _They had a law, and by their
law he ought to die_, John 19. 7. It was not then want of Power,
but the holiness of that time, made them say it was unlawful.
For they held it unlawful upon their days of preparation to sit
on life and death, as hath been shewn in the _Chapter of translating
Feasts_. And Friday, on which our Saviour was condemned, was the
preparation of their Sabbath.
Secondly, in the questions, whether power of judging capital crimes
were taken from them by the Romans? We are to distinguish between
crimes. Some crimes were transgressions of the Romans law, as
theft, murder, robberies, &c. power of judging in these was taken
from them: _other crimes were transgressions only against the law of
Moses_, as blasphemy, and the like: in these, power of judging seemeth
to have remained with them. When Paul was brought by the Jews
before Gallio, Gallio said unto them, if it were a matter of
wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would, that I should
bear with you: but if it be a question of words, and _names of your
law_, look ye to it, Acts 18. 14.
In handling these four punishments: First observe the offenders, whom
the Jews make liable to each punishment, and then the _manner of the
punishment_.
The persons to be stoned were eighteen.[570] 1. _He that lieth
with his own mother_, 2. Or with his fathers wife, 3. _Or with his
daughter-in-law_, 4. Or with a betrothed maid, 4. Or with the male,
6. Or with the beast. 7. The woman that lieth down to a beast.
8. The blasphemer. 9. He that worshippeth an Idol. 10. _He that
offereth of his seed to Moloch._ 11. He that hath a familiar spirit.
12. The Wizard. 13. The private enticer to Idolatry. 14. _The
publique withdrawer to Idolatry._ 15. The Witch. 16. _The prophaner
of the Sabbath._ 17. He that curseth his Father or his Mother. 18.
The Rebellious Son. The manner of stoning was thus: The offender
was led to a place without the gates, two cubits high, his hands being
bound: from hence one of the Witnesses tumbled him by a stroke upon
the loins; if that killed him not, the Witnesses lifted up a stone,
being the weight of two men, which chiefly the other Witnesse cast upon
him; if that killed him not, all Israel threw stones upon him. _The
hands of the Witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and
afterwards the hands of all the people_, Deut. 17. 7.
[570] Moses Kotsen. fol. 188. col. 4.
Hence the opinion of R. Akiba[571] is commonly received, that such
an Idolater (it holdeth in all others condemned to this death) was
reserved until one of the common feasts, at which _all the multitude of
Israel came to Jerusalem_. The party thus executed being quite dead,
was afterward for greater ignominy hanged on a tree, till towards the
Sun-set, at which time he and the tree were both buried.
[571] Paul. Fagius. Deut. 17. 7.
Malefactors adjudged to burning were ten:[572] 1. _The Priests
daughter which committed whoredome._ 2. _He which lieth with his
own daughter._ 3. Or with his daughters daughter. 4. _Or with his
sons daughter._ 5. Or with his wives daughter. 6. _Or with her
sons daughter._ 7. Or with her daughters daughter. 8. _Or with his
Mother-in-law._ 9. Or with the Mother of his Mother-in-law. 10. _Or
with the Mother of his Father-in-law._
[572] Moses Kotsen. loco superius citato.
The manner of burning was two fold. Some they burnt with wood
and faggots; this was termed[573] by them Combustio corporis, _the
burning of the body_: Others they burnt by pouring in scalding hot lead
in at their mouths, which descending into their bowels killed them,
the bulk of their body remaining whole, and this was termed therefore
Combustio animæ, the burning of their soul. This last was most in
use, and alone described by most of their Writers.
[573] Rab. Levi. Levit. 20.
Malefactors condemned to beheading, were of two sorts,[574] 1. _The
Murderer_, 2. Those of any City, who were drawn to Idolatry. The
manner thereof is at this day in use.
[574] Moses Kotsen. in Sanhedrim.
Malefactors strangled, were six,[575] 1. _He that smiteth his father
or his mother_, 2. He that stealeth a soul of Israel, 3. _An Elder
which contradicteth the Consistory_, 4. _A false Prophet, and he that
prophesieth in the name of an Idol_, 5. _He that lieth with another
mans wife_, 6. He that abuseth the body of the Priests daughter.
[575] Moses Kotsen. ibid.
The manner of strangling was thus. The malefactor was put in
dung up to the loins, a towel being cast about his neck; which two
Executioners, one on each side, plucked to and fro until he was dead.
CHAP. VIII.
Punishments not capital.
The lesser punishments, not capital, in use among the Hebrews,
are chiefly four. 1. Imprisonment, 2. Restitution, 3. Talio, 4.
Scourging.
Imprisonment. Under this are comprehended the _Prison, Stocks,
Pillory, Chains, Fetters, and the like_: all which sorts of punishment,
seeing they differ very little or nothing at all from those which are
now in common use with us, they need no explication.
The keepers of the Prison, if they let any committed unto them
escape, were liable to the same punishment which should have been
inflicted on the party escaped. This is gatherable from that, _1 Kings
20. 39._ _Keep this man, if by any means he be missing, then shall thy
life be for his life_.
Concerning that Liberia Custodia, which Drusius[576] proveth to
have been in use among the Romans, I much doubt whether any such
custome were in use among the Hebrews. That some kind of prisoners
at Rome did go abroad with a lesser kind of fetters in the day time
to their work, and so return at night to their prison, hath elsewhere
been observed by me. And[577] _Eadem catena & custodiam & militem
copulabat_, The same chain tyed both the prisoner and the keeper.
Observe the unusual significations of these two words, Custodia a
prisoner, and Miles a keeper. So that Drusius delivered Seneca
his meaning, but not his words, when he repeats them thus: _Eadem
catena tam reum quam militem tenet_. Observe further, that the prisoner
was tyed by his right arm, and the keeper by the left, because
the right arm is the stronger, and therefore justly remaineth free
rather to the keeper, than to the prisoners. Hence is that,[578]
Tu forte leviorem in sinistra putas catenam; because the keeper
tyed himself unto the same chain, not in way of punishment, but
voluntarily for the safer keeping of the prisoner.
[576] Drus. præter. 2 Tim. 1. 18.
[577] _Senec. Epist. 5. Non in lib. de tranquil. c. 10.
quemadmodum citato à Drusio._
[578] Sen. de tranquil. cap. 10.
Restitution. This was commanded when goods were unjustly gotten, or
wrongfully detained, Exod. 22. it was threefold.[579]
[579] Tho. Aquin. secunda secundæ q. 62.
Restitution is threefold.
Secundum idem, in identitie, when the very same thing is
restored which is wrongfully gotten.
Secundum æquale, when there is so much for so much in
quantity restored, the goods unjustly gotten being sold or lost.
Secundum possibile, when restitution is made according to
that which a man hath, not being able to satisfie the whole.
Restitution in identitie, was, and is principally required. Whence
it is, that if the theft, whether Ox or Sheep, were found alive upon a
man, he restored but double, Exod. 22. 4. but if they were killed
or sold, then five Oxen were restored for an Ox, and four sheep
for a sheep, Exod. 21. 1. The Jews were so precise in this kind,
that if they had built an house with a beam or piece of Timber unjustly
gotten, they would pull down the house, and restore the _same beam or
piece to the owner_.[580] From this the Prophet Habakkuk doth not
much dissent: _The stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of
the timber shall answer it_, Habak. 2. 11.
[580] David Kimchi.
Among the Jews he ought to be sold that was not of sufficient worth
to make restitution, Exod. 22. 3. And Augustine[581] saith of
Christians, _That he which doth not make restitution according to
his ability, never repented_. And, _Non remittetur peccatum, nisi
restituatur ablatum_.
[581] Aug. Epist. 54.
Talio. This was a punishment in the same kind, _an eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot_, Deut. 19.
21.
Talio is twofold.
Talio identitatis, or Pythagorica, which was according to
the letter of the Law, when the offender was punisht with the
loss of an eye, for putting out another eye, &c.
Talio similitudinis, or analogica, which was when the
price of an eye, or some proportionable mulct is paid for an
eye put out, or any other member spoiled.
The Hebrews understand[582] Talio similitudinis, that the _price of
a maim_ should be paid; not Talio identitatis, not that the offender
should be punisht with the like maim; because to punish like for like
in identitie, is in some cases impossible, as if a blind man put out
anothers eye, or one toothless strike out anothers tooth.
[582] _Oculum pro oculo, id est, pretium oculi. Targum Jonath.
Deut. 19. 21. It. R. Solomon. ibid._
In case of bodily maims therefore, the Hebrew Doctors say,[583] that
the party offending was bound to a five fold satisfaction: first, for
the hurt in the loss of the member. Secondly, for the damage, in loss
of his labour. Thirdly, for his pain or grief arising from the wound.
Fourthly, for the charge in curing it. Fifthly, for the blemish
or deformity thereby occasioned. Munster rendreth those five
thus: Damnum, læsio, dolor, medicina, confusio. The Romans[584]
likewise had a Talio in their Law, but they also gave liberty to the
offender to make choice, whether he would by way of commutation pay
a proportionable mulct, or in identitie suffer the like maim in his
body?
[583] Vid. Munster. Exod. 21.
[584] A. Gellius lib. 11. cap. 1.
Scourging. This was two fold; either Virgis, with rods; or
flagellis, with scourging. This latter was more grievous than the
former, as appeareth by that Ironical speech;[585] _Porcia lex virgas
ab omnium civium corpore amovit, hic misericors flagella retulit_.
Both were in use among the Romans, but only the latter among the
Hebrews. This beating or scourging was commanded, Deut. 25. 2, 3.
where the number of stripes was limited, which the Judge might not
exceed. Forty stripes shall he cause him to have, and not past.
The Jews in many things laboured to seem holy above the Law. For
example, where the Lord commanded a Sabbath to be sanctified, they
added their Sabbatulum, that is, they began their Sabbath about
an hour sooner, and ended about an hour later than the law required:
where the Lord forbade them to _eat or drink things sacrificed to
Idols_, they prohibited all drinking with Heathens,[586] because it
is doubtful whether it were offered to Idols or no. The Lord commanded
them in the time of the Passover to _put away leaven out of their
Houses_, they would not take the name into their mouths[587] all the
time of that Feast. The Lord commanded them to abstain from _eating
Swines flesh_; they would not so much as name it, but in their common
talk[588] would call a Sow דבר אחר Dabar Acher, Another thing.
In like manner the Lord commanded chief Malefactors which deserved
beating, to be punisht with forty stripes; they in their greatest
corrections would give but thirty nine. Of the Jews _five times
received I forty stripes save one_, 2 Cor. 11. 24. For this purpose
the scourge consisted of three thongs, so that at each blow he
received three stripes; and in their greatest corrections were given
thirteen blows, that is, forty stripes save one. Whether these
thongs were made[589] the one of a Bulls hide, the other of an Asses
hide, or all three of a Calves,[590] the matter is not material, both
opinions have their Authors.
[585] Cic. pro Rabirio.
[586] Thisbites in נסך
[587] Thisbites in דבר
[588] Elias Thisbit. ibid.
[589] Talmud. lib. Maccoth. cap. 3. in Mischna.
[590] Baalturim. vid. Drus. 2 Cor. 10. 24.
The manner of correcting such, was thus. The malefactor had both his
hands tyed to a post, one cubit and half high, so that his body
bowed upon it. The Judge shall cause him to bow down, _Deut.
25. 2._ This post or stake on which the Malefactor leaned in time
of whipping, was termed עמוד Gnammud, Columna, a Pillar. His
cloaths were plucked off from him downward unto the thighs, and this
was done[591] either by renting or tearing of them. The _Governours
rent_ Paul and Silas _their cloaths, and commanded them to be beaten
with rods_, Acts 16. 22.
[591] Talmud, ibid.
That the Beadle should inflict a number of stripes proportionable
unto the transgression, this correction was performed in the _sight of
the Judge_. The Judge shall cause him to be beaten before his face,
Deut. 25. 2. The chief Judge of the three, during the time of the
correction, did either read or recite Deut. 28. 58, 59.[592] _If thou
wilt not keep, and do all the words of this law_, &c. _Then the Lord
will make thy plagues wonderful_, &c. The second Judge he numbred the
stripes, and the third he bade the Beadle smite. The chief Judge
concluded all, saying, Yet he being merciful forgave their iniquity,
&c. Psal. 78. 38.
[592] Talmud. ibid.
Sometimes in notorious offences, to augment the pains, they tyed
certain huccle-bones or plummets of lead, or sharp thorns to the end
of the thongs, and such scourges the Greeks termed[593] ἀστραγαλωτὰς
μάστιγας Flagra taxillata in the Scripture they are termed[594]
Scorpions. My father hath chastised you with rods, but I will
correct you with Scorpions, 1 King. 12. 12.
[593] Eustathius. Item. Athenæus lib. 4.
[594] Tholosan. synt. jur. univers. l. 31.
CHAP. IX.
Punishments borrowed from other Nations.
The punishments borrowed from other Nations are principally six: 1.
Crux, The death on the Cross. 2. Serrâ dissectio, _the cutting
one asunder with a saw_. 3. Damnatio ad bestias, _The committing
one to fight for his life with wild beasts_. 4. τροχὸς, the wheel.
5. καταποντισμὸς, Drowning one in the sea. 6. τυμπανισμὸς, _Beating
one to death with cudgels_. The first and the third were meerly _Roman
punishments_; the second was likewise used by the Romans, but whether
originally taken from them is doubtful: the fourth and the last were
meerly Greek punishments; the fifth was for the substance in use
among Hebrews, Greeks and Romans, but in the manner of drowning
them, they differed. It will be needful to speak somewhat of all these.
1. Crux. This word is sometimes applied to _any tree or stake on
which a man is tortured to death_, but most properly it is applied
to a _frame of wood consisting of two pieces of timber compacted
cross-wise_. The first is termed Crux simplex, the last _Crux
compacta_. This latter is threefold. 1. Decussata. 2. Commissa. 3.
Immissa.
Crux decussata. This was made of two equal pieces of timber obliquely
crossing one the other in the middle, after the manner of the Roman
X, and thence it is called decussata.[595] _Decussare, est per medium
secare. Veluti si duæ regulæ concurrant ad speciem literæ_ X, _quæ
figura est crucis._ This kind of cross is by the common people termed
Crux Andræana, Saint Andrews-cross, because on such an one he is
reported to have been crucified.
[595] Hieron. in Jerem. c. 31.
Crux commissa. This was, when a piece of timber erected, was joyned
in the middle to a traverse, of over-thwart top; somewhat shorter
than the piece erect, in manner of a Roman T. This is called _Crux
Antoniana_, S. Anthony his Cross, because he is often painted with
such a Cross.
Crux immissa. This was when a short traverse somewhat obliquely
crossed the stake erect, not quite in the middle, as Crux decussata,
nor quite on the top as Crux commissa, but near the top, in this
manner †. This is thought[596] to have been Crux Christi, _the Cross
on which our Saviour Christ suffered_.
[596] Lipsius de cruce lib. 10. cap. 10.
The Ceremonies used by the Romans towards those whom they crucified
were these: First, they scourged them, and sometimes tyed them to a
Piller in time of scourging. Artemidorus[597] is clear in this,
Προσδεθεὶς κίονι, πολλὰς ἔλαβε πληγὰς, that is, being tyed to the
Piller, he received many stripes. _Plautus[598] is thought to have
alluded_ to the same.
------Abducite hunc
Intro, atque adstringite ad columnam fortiter.
[597] _Joseph. excid. lib. 5. cap. 32. Philo contra Flaccum.
It. Liv. lib. 1._
[598] Plaut. Bacch.
The ancient Fathers[599] report that our Saviour was whipt thus
ad columnam: but the Scripture is silent, both touching the place
and manner of this whipping, only that he was whipt is testified. _He
scourged Jesus_, and delivered him to be crucified, Mat. 27. 26.
[599] Prudentius; Hieron. Beda vid. Lip. de cruce, lib. 2. cap. 4.
Secondly, They caused them to bear their own Cross,[600] _Malefici
cùm ad supplicium educuntur, quisq; suum effert crucem_. Thus _Christ
bore his own Cross_, John 19. 17. To this there is allusion, _He that
taketh not his Cross, and followeth after me, he is not worthy of me_,
Mat. 10. 38.
[600] Plutarch. de sera num. vind.
Thirdly,[601] That the equity of the proceeding might clearly appear,
the cause of the punishment was written in a table, and so carried
before the condemned person; or else it was proclamed by a publick
Cryer. This cause was termed by the Romans commonly Titulus, by
some[602] it is called Elegium. Thus Pilate _wrote in Hebrew, Greek,
and Latine, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews_.
[601] Euseb. Eccl. hist. lib. 5. cap. 1. It. Suet. Domit. cap. 10.
[602] Tertul. Apol. cap. 2. Sueton. in Calig.
Fourthly,[603] They pluckt off their cloaths from such as were to
be crucified. Thus Christ suffered naked.
[603] Artemidor. l. 2. c. 58.
Serra dissectio, A sawing one in sunder. They sawed them from the
head downward. The Romans[604] they used this kind of punishment, so
likewise did the Hebrews. Thus Manasses is thought to have punisht
the Prophet Isaiah, and the Apostle to have alluded unto it, _They
were sawn a-sunder_, Heb. 11. 37.
[604] Sueton. in Calig. cap. 27.
Damnatio ad bestias. Those who were condemned to wild beasts, are
properly termed Bestiarii. Whether S. Paul did, according to the
letter, fight with beasts at Ephesus, 1 Cor. 15. 32. is much
controversed. Some[605] understand by Beasts, Demetrius, and others
that opposed him at Ephesus, others[606] more probably understand
the word literally. And this kind of punishment was commonly
exercised against Christians in the Primitive Church, insomuch
that the Heathens imputing the cause of all publick calamities unto
the Christians, would call out,[607] Christianos ad Leones! _Let
the Christians be haled to Lyons_: yea, the litteral interpretation
of the words, is a stronger argument that Saint Paul believed the
Resurrection (which is the scope of the text) than to understand the
words of a metaphorical fight, against the enemies of his doctrine.
[605] Theophylact. Anselm.
[606] Chrysostom. Ambros. & alii.
[607] Tertullian. Apol. cap. 40.
Τροχὸς, The Wheel: A wise King bringeth the wheel over the
wicked, Prov. 20. 26. I take the words to imply no more but this,
that _as the wheel turneth round, so by the wisdom of a King the
mischief intended by wicked men, is brought upon their own head_.
That hereby should be understood, the grinding of wicked men under a
cart-wheel, as the husband brake some sort of grain under the wheel,
is the meer conceipt of Expositors on this place; for no Records make
mention of any such punishment in use among the Jews. Among the
Greeks there was a punishment went under this name:[608] it was
called τροχὸς, A Wheel, not because a wheel was _brought over the
wicked_, but because they bound fast the offender to the _spokes of a
wheel_, and there scourged him, to inforce a confession.
[608] _Ἐπὶ τοῦ τροχοῦ γ’ ἕλκοιτο μαστιγούμενος, Aristoph. in
Iren. De eadem pœna loquuntur Demosth. 3. in Aphob. & Suidas._
Καταποντισμὸς, Drowning in the Sea. This was in use among many
Nations, but the manner differed. The Romans[609] they sewed up a
Parricide into a leather budget, sewing up together with him into the
same budget, a Serpent, a Cock, and an Ape, and so cast them
all into the Sea. The Grecians[610] when they judged any to this
kind of punishment, they wrapt him up in lead. The Hebrews tyed a
milstone about his neck. Thus, in respect of the manner those are to be
understood, who say,[611] this kind of punishment was peculiar to the
Jews.
[609] _Senec. lib. 5. controv. 4. Juvenal Satyr 8. Modestus,
Digest. l. 48. ad legem Pomp. de parric. vid. Cæl. Rhod. l. 11.
c. 21._
[610] Athenæus l. 14.
[611] Hier. Mat. 18. 6.
Τυμπανισμὸς. It is rendred by the general name of torturing, _Heb.
11. 35._ 2 Mac. 6. 19. But the word signifieth a special kind
of torturing, by beating one with cudgels unto death. It hath its
denomination from τύμπανον, which signifieth a Drum usually: and
hence some[612] have parallel’d this torture with that among the
Romans termed Equuleus; as if the person thus tortured, were rackt,
and stretched out in manner of a drum head: but it signifieth
also a drum stick, and thence[613] cometh the punishment to be
termed Tympanismus, that is, a _Tabring, or beating one to death
with cudgels_, as if it were with drum-sticks. This is evident
by Eleazar; he came willingly, ἐπὶ τὸ τύμπανον, _to this kind of
torment_, 2 Macab. 6. 19. and in the thirtieth verse, where he gave
up the Ghost, there is mention of his strokes, not of his _racking or
stretching_.
[612] Magius in lib. de Equuleo, vid. Drus. præter. l. 8.
[613] _Scholiastes Aristophanis τύμπανα scribit esse ξύλα οἷς
τύπτονται ἐν τοῖς δικαστηρίοις οἱ τιμωρούμενοι in Pluto p. 50._
Junius[614] reckoneth another kind of punishment termed by the
Hebrews, צינק Tsinok, which he would have to be a compound word:
doubtless his meaning is that it would be compounded of צי Tsi,
Navis, a ship, or boat, and ינק Janack, Sugere, to suck: for
he saith that thereby is meant a certain punishment, termed _Navicula
sugentis_ which Plutarch[615] describeth in this manner; _That the
offender should be inclosed between two boates, as in a prison, or, as
his phrase is_ (quasi in vagina) _as in a sheath; and, to preserve
life in him, milk and honey tempered together was forcibly put into his
mouth, whether he would or no_. And hence, from this _sucking in of
milk and honey_, this punishment hath been termed Navicula sugentis.
But the Hebrews[616] say, that Tsinock was nothing else but
manacles, or cords, wherewith prisoners hands were tyed. I leave it
indifferent to the Reader to follow which interpretation he please.
[614] Junius. Jer. 29. 26.
[615] Plutarch. in Artaxerxe.
[616] _כלי מסגר לידים Instrumentum constringens manus. D.
Kimch. Jer. 29. 26._
THE SIXTH BOOK
OF MISCELLANEOUS RITES.
CHAP. I.
Of Circumcision.
Their Sacraments were two. First, the Passover of which there hath
been a set Chapter. Secondly, Circumcision, of which now.
Circumcision, was a cutting off the foreskin, as a sign and seal of
Gods Covenant made with the People of the Jews. It is called a
sign by God in its first institution, Gen. 17. and a seal by
the Apostle, Rom. 4. 11. Yea, it is called a sign and a seal, by
a Doctor of the Jews,[617] more ancient than their Talmud.
[617] Zohar. Gen. 17.
It was used (though not as a Sacrament) by many other Nations:[618]
by the inhabitants of Colchis, the Æthiopians, the Trogloditæ,
and the Egyptians.
[618] _Alex. ab Alex. lib. 2. cap. 25. Herodo. l. 2. Diodor.
Sicul. l. 2. c. 1. It. l. 4. c. 3._
In a figurative sense, alluding unto this Sacramental Rite, we read
of three other sorts of Circumcision in the Scripture; so that in
all there are four mentioned. 1. This of the flesh. 2. _Another of
the heart._ 3. A third of the lips. 4. And a fourth of the ears.
We are to consider it in its proper acception, and here to observe:
First, the time when it was administred. Secondly, the manner how.
Thirdly, the penalty in case it was omitted.
The time was the eighth day; yea, the eighth day was so precisely
observed, that if it fell on the Sabbath, yet they _circumcised the
~Child~_; whence rose that saying among them, _Circumcisio pellit
Sabbatum_ Circumcision driveth away the Sabbath; or, the Sabbath
giveth place to Circumcision. And with this accordeth that of our
Saviour, Ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man, John 7. 22. The
Jews superstitiously conceiting that each creatures perfection
depended upon the sanctification of one Sabbath day at least, say
that God did therefore enjoyn the eighth day, that one Sabbath
might first pass over each male, before he should be partaker of this
Sacrament. But more probably we may say, that the reasons why God would
not suffer them to anticipate the eighth day, were first to shew,
that God in the matter of Salvation, neither was, nor is _simply tyed
to Sacraments_; for then there had been no less cruelty in _forbidding
Circumcision until the eighth day_, than there was love in _permitting
it upon the eighth_. Secondly, because in this time of the _Mosaical
Pedagogie_, there was a kind of legal uncleanness, in which the
creatures were thought to be, as remaining in their blood, for the
first seven daies after their birth, Levit. 22. 27. It. 12. 2, 3.
Notwithstanding, God thought it not convenient to defer it longer
than eight daies, for the comfort of the Parents, which they received
by a mature and seasonable initiation of their children.
The manner how Circumcision was administred, I find thus recorded:
Some of those that were present held a vessel full of dust,[619] into
which they did cast the foreskin being cut off. Again, they prepared
in the room, a certain void chair for Elias;[620] which was done,
partly in honour of him, for which respect also, as often as they fell
on any difficult place in Scripture they would say[621] _Veniet Elias,
& omnia enodabit_; _We know that Elias will come, and he will tell us
all things_: But chiefly it was done, because they thought Elias to
be present there in spirit, whose bodily coming they did, and do daily
expect. These ceremonies are meerly Jewish, practised by the latter
Jews, but utterly unknown in our Saviour Christ his time, and,
as it appeareth by the Samaritan woman her speech, that proverbial
saying applyed now to Elias, was of old applyed to Christ, _John 4.
25._ Thirdly, he which supplyed the place of the Witness, or as we
phrase it, of the Godfather,[622] held the Child in his arms whiles
it was Circumcised: this Godfather they called Baal Berith, and
Sandack; that is, the Master of the Covenant. Uriah the Priest,
and Zachariah the son of Jeberechia, are thought[623] to have been
Godfathers at the Circumcision of Maher-shalal-hash-baz, _Esay. 8.
2._ and from them the custome of having Godfathers in Baptisme, to
have taken its original. Fourthly, the Parents named the Child, and
in Zacharies time, it seemeth that in the naming of the Infant, they
had respect to some name of his Ancestors. _They said unto her, there
is none of thy kindred that is named with this name_, Luk. 1. 61.
Other Nations had their set daies also after the birth, for the naming
of their Children. The Romans[624] gave names to their male-children
on the ninth day, to the female on the eighth. The Athenians[625]
gave names on the tenth. Others[626] on the seventh. These daies
Tertullian[627] called Nominalia. The Grecians besides the tenth
day on which they named the Child, they observed also the fifth,[628]
on which day the Midwives took the Child, and ran about a fire made
for that purpose, using that Ceremony as a purification of themselves
and the Child: on this day the Neighbours also sent in gifts, or
small tokens, Munera natalitia;[629] from which custom that amongst
Christians, of the Godfathers sending gifts to the baptized Infant,
is thought to have flown. But to return again to the Rites of the
Jews. After the Child had been circumcised, the Father said:[630]
_Blessed be our Lord God, who hath sanctified us with his precepts, and
hath commanded us, that we should cause this child to enter into the
Covenant of Abraham_. After this, the whole Church or company present
replyed in this manner,[631] _As thou hast made him to enter into the
Covenant, so make him also to enter into the Law, into Matrimony, and
into good works_.
[619] Paul. Fag. Deut. 10.
[620] Christoph. Cast. in Malac. c. 3.
[621] Mercerus in abreviaturis. היקו
[622] _נוהגין לקרא למי שמחזיק בן חברו למולו סנדק והלועזים
קורין לו בעל ברית Elias Thisb. in סנדק_
[623] Jun. & Trem. Es. 8. 2.
[624] Plutarch. prob. 102. Macrob. Sat. l. 1. c. 16.
[625] Cœl. Rhodig. l. 22. cap. 12.
[626] Arist. hist. anim. lib. 7. c. 12.
[627] Tertul. de Idol. cap. 16.
[628] _Scholiast. Aristoph. in Lusistrat. p. 886. It. Suidas in
ἀμφιδρόμα._
[629] Stukius de conviv. l. 1. c. 16.
[630] _ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך אשר העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו
וצונו לכניסו בבריתו של אברהם אבינו Moses Kotsen. in tractat.
circumcis. fol. 115._
[631] _כשם שהכנסתו לברית כן תכניסהו לתורה ולחופה ולמעשים טובים
Moses Kotsen. ibid._
The penalty for the omission of Circumcision running in this
form; That soul shall be cut off from his people, Gen. 17. 14. I
understand the penalty to be pronounced against such an omission;
which proceeded either from contempt or wilful neglect. In this
case the question is, what is meant by this phrase, _His soul shall be
cut off from the people_. Secondly, who ought thus to be punisht?
whether the child, or the parents, and such who _supply the place
of parents_? For the first, besides Gods secret action in punishing
such Delinquents, methinks there is a rule of direction for the Church,
how to proceed against such in her Discipline: If any understand here,
by cutting off such a mans soul from his people, the sentence of
excommunication, or casting him out of the Synagogue, I shall not
oppose it; though I rather incline to those, who understand hereby a
bodily death inflicted upon such an offender, in which sense the
phrase is taken, Exod. 31. 14. _Whosoever doth any work on the
Sabbath, that soul shall be cut off from among his people_. And it is
very remarkable, that when Moses his child was _uncircumcised, the
Lord sought to kill Moses_: which as it intimated the punishment of
this fault to be a bodily death so it clearly evinceth, that not the
child till he cometh to years of discretion, but the parents were
liable to punishment. The opinion of the Rabbines concerning this
latter point is thus delivered:[632] _If the Father circumcise him not,
then the Judges are commanded to circumcise him: and if it be unknown
to the Judges, and they circumcise him not, when he is waxen great,
he is bound to circumcise himself, and every day that passeth over
him, after he is waxen great, and, he circumciseth not himself, lo he
breaketh the Commandment._
[632] Moses Kots. tract. circumcis. fol. 114. col. 4.
Here it may be demanded, how it is possible for a man, after once he
hath been marked with the sign of Circumcision, to blot out that
character and become uncircumcised? for thus some Jews, for fear
of Antiochus, made themselves uncircumcised, 1 Mac. 1. 16. Others
for shame, after they were gained to the knowledge of Christ, and to
entertainment of the Christian faith, uncircumcised themselves, _1
Cor. 7. 18._ The answer is,[633] that this was done by _drawing up
the foreskin_ with a Chirurgion his instrument; and unto this the
Apostle in the fore quoted place alludeth, μὴ ἐπισπάσθω, _Ne attrahat
præputium_. This wicked invention is ascribed unto Esau, as the first
Author and practiser thereof.
[633] _Epiphan. lib. de mens. & pond. p. 415. It. Celsus l. 7.
c. 25._
CHAP. II.
Of their first fruits and their firstlings, or first-born.
The use and end of their first-fruits, was that the after-fruits
might be consecrated in them. To this purpose they were enjoyned
to offer the first fruits of their trees, which served for food,
Levit. 19. 23, 24. In which this order was observed; the _three
first years_ after the tree had been planted, the fruits were counted
uncircumcised and unclean: it was unlawful to _eat them, sell them,
or make any benefit of them_: on the fourth year, they were accounted
holy, that is, either they were given to the Priests,[634] _Num.
18. 12, 13._ or the owners did eat them before the Lord at Jerusalem,
as they did their second tithe: and this latter is the common
opinion of the Hebrews.[635] After the fourth year, they returned
to the use of the owner: we may call these πρωτογεννήματα, _simply the
first-fruits_.
[634] _והכהן יאכול Sacerdos ea comedebat. Aben Ezra in hunc
locum._
[635] Talmud. Bab. in Magnasher sheni cap. 1.
Secondly, they were enjoyned to pay yearly the _first-fruits of
every years increase_, and these we may call, ἀπαρχὰς, and of them
there were many sorts. First, first-fruits in the sheaf, _Lev. 23.
10._ Secondly, first-fruits in two wave-loaves, Levit. 23. 17.
These two bounded their harvest, that in the sheaf was offered
in the beginning of harvest, upon the fifteenth of Nisan,
the other of the loavs at the end, upon their Penticost: and
Levit. 23. they are both called תנופות Thenuphoth, that is,
shake-offerings. Thirdly, there was a first of the dough. _Num.
15. 20._ namely,[636] a four and twentieth part thereof, given unto
the Priests: which kind of offering was observed, even when they
were returned out of Babylon, Nehem. 10. 37. Unto this St. Paul
hath reference, Rom. 11. 16. _If the first fruits be holy, the
lump is holy_. Fourthly, they were to pay unto the Priests the
first-fruits of the threshing floor, Numb. 15. 20. These two last
are called תרומות Therumoth, that is, heave offerings: this the
heave-offering of the threshing floor; the other the _heave-offering
of the dough_, Numb. 15. 20. Under the name of first-fruits,
commonly Authors treat of no others but this last, and wholly omit all
the former sorts. Before we proceed to the explaining of the last,
note with me the difference of these two words, Thenuphoth, and
Therumoth: both signifie shake-offerings, heave-offerings, or
wave offerings, but with this difference;[637] the Therumoth was
by a waving of elevation, lifting the oblation upward and downward,
to signifie, that God was Lord both of Heaven and Earth. The
Thenuphoth was by a waving of agitation, waving it to and fro, from
the right hand to the left, from the East to the West, from the
North to the South: by which kind of agitation, they acknowledged
God to be Lord of the whole world. Now, that we may know what
these first-fruits of the threshing floor were, the Rabbies, and
the others following them, distinguish them into two sorts: the
first of these, was first-fruits of seven things only: 1 Wheat. 2
Barley. 3 Grapes. 4 Figs. 5 Pomgranates. 6 Olives. 7 Dates.
For all which the Promised Land is commended, Deut. 8. 8. These
the Talmudists[638] term בכורים Biccurim; and when they treat of
first-fruites they treat of them under this name, and understand
by the name of Biccurim no other. These, they say, are the _first
fruits_, which the people are so often in the Law commanded to bring
up unto the Sanctuary, at the Feast of Pentecost, which was the end
and closure of their harvest, as was signified both by this oblation,
and likewise by that of the two wave-loaves, Lev. 23. 17.
[636] עשרין וארבעה תרומו Uziel Numb. 15. 20.
[637] P. Fagius in Pentat.
[638] R. Solom. Deut. 26. 2. It. Moses Kotsens. fol. 201. Col. 4.
The second was paid of Corn, Wine, Oyl, and the Fleece, _Deut. 18.
4._ Numb. 18. 12. yea, of all things else that the earth brought
forth of mans food. Thus their Doctors are to be understood, where
they say,[639] _Quicquid eduliorum ex terra incrementum capit,
obnoxium est primitiis, Therumæ, & decimis_. This they call, תרומה
Theruma, an heave-offering: the Greek renders it, ἀφωρίσμος, _A
separation_, because this was a _consecration, or setting apart of
the Lords portion_. In allusion unto this, I take S. Paul to have
termed himself ἀφωρισμένον ἐς ἐυαγγέλιον, separated unto the Gospel,
Rom. 1. 1. ἀφοριεῖ Ἀαρὼν, Aaron shall separate the Levites, so
the Greek renders it; but the Original is, _Aaron shall wave the
Levites_, Numb. 8. 11. Again, ἀφορίσατε _Separate me Barnabas and
Saul_, Acts 13. 2. Drusius delivereth another reason, as hath been
said in the Chapter of the Pharisees. But to proceed: the Hebrews
called this second payment, not only Theruma, simple, but sometimes
Theruma gedola,[640] the great heave offering, in comparison of
that Tithe which the Levites payed unto the Priests: for that was
termed Theruma magnasher, the heave offering of the Tithe, _Numb.
18. 26._ which though it were one of ten, in respect of that portion
which the Levites received; yet it was but one of an hundered, in
respect of the Husbandmans stock, who payed the Levites: and thus
it was a great deal less than the great heave offering, as will
presently appear. This (the Hebrews say) the owners were not bound to
bring up to Jerusalem.
[639] Moses Egypt. in. Jud. part. 3. tract. de Therumoth. cap. 2.
[640] תרומה גדולה
The law prescribed no set quantity to be paid, either in the
Biccurim or in the Theruma; but, by tradition, they were taught
to pay at least the sixtieth part in both, even in those _seven
things_, also paid under the name of Biccurim, or first fruits, as
well as in their heave-offering termed Theruma, or Theruma gedola.
Thus the Talmudists do distinguish the Biccurim from the _Theruma
gedola_: but in my opinion the Biccurim may be contained under
Theruma gedola; and in truth, both of them are nothing else but the
heave-offering of the floor, formerly mentioned out of _Num. 15.
20._ My reasons are these: 1. Scripture giveth no such leave to keep
any part of their first-fruits at home; if that could be proved, the
distinction were warrantable. 2. Scripture doth not limit _first
fruits_ unto those seven kinds, which alone go under the name of
Biccurim. 3. Themselves confound both members; for their Biccurim,
they say, they paid, 1. Wheat. 2. Barley. In their Theruma,
they say, they paid Corn; as if under Corn; Wheat and Barley
were not contained. Some may say, they paid their _Biccurim in the
Ear_, while the harvest was yet standing and their _Theruma in Wheat
and Barley ready threshed and winnowed_. My reasons why it cannot
be so, are these: 1. Because then they should pay _twice a sixtieth
part_ in their corn. 2. Because the corn offered in the sheaf was but
a little quantity, and it was offered not at their Pentecost when
their harvest ended, but at their Passover when their harvest began,
Levit. 23. 10. Whereas their Biccurim, or first fruits, were
alwayes offered at their Pentecost.
But omitting further proofs, I proceed to shew the ground, why in
this heave-offering of the floor, at least a sixtieth part was
prescribed: it is grounded upon that of the Prophet Ezek. This is
the oblation that ye shall offer, _the sixth part of an Ephah out
of an Homer_, Ezek. 45. 13. that is, _the sixtieth part of the
whole_, because an Homer containeth ten Ephahs. Hence they took
that distinction of these offerings. Some[641] they say, gave the
fortieth part of their encrease: this, because it was the greatest
quantity given in this kind of oblations, they termed _Theruma oculi
boni_,[642] The oblation of a fair eye: others (though they were not
so liberal as the former, yet they might not be reputed niggardly)
gave a fiftieth part, and this they termed Theruma mediana,[643]
The oblation of a middle eye: others, whom they reputed sordid,
gave just a sixtieth part, less then which they could not give,
this they termed Theruma oculi mali,[644] _The oblation of an evill
eye_; so that the payment of these was bounded by the tradition of
the Elders, between the sixtieth and the fortieth part: But the
Pharisees[645] that they might be holy above others, made their
bounds the fiftieth and the thirtieth part; so that he was reputed
sordid with them that paid the fiftieth part; and none liberal
except he paid the thirtieth. The manner how these first-fruites
termed Biccurim were paid, is at large set down, Deut. 26. But in
time of the Prophets other Ceremonies seem to have been received,
of which the Hebrew Docters say thus:[646] _When they carried up
their first-fruits, all the Cities that were in a county gathered
together to the chief City of the county to the end that they might not
go up alone: for it is said, In the multitude of people is the Kings
honour_, Prov. 14. 28. _And they came and lodged all night in the
streets of the City, and went not into houses, for fear of pollution:
and in the morning the Governor said, Arise, and let us go up to Sion,
the City of the Lord our God. And before them went a Bull which had his
horns covered with Gold, and an Olive Garland on his head, to signifie
the first fruits of the seven kinds of fruits. There was likewise a
pipe struck up before them, untill they came near to Jerusalem and all
the way as they went, they sung, I rejoyced in them that said unto me,
we will go into the house of the Lord_, &c. Psal. 122. Unto this, and
other like manner of solemn Assemblies the Prophet hath reference,
saying, _Ye shall have a song as in a night when a holy solemnity is
kept, and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come unto
the mountain of the Lord_, Esay. 30. 29.
[641] Solom. Jarchi. Deut. 18. 4. Item Hieron. in Ezek. 45. fol. 260.
[642] תרומה עין יפה Theruma gnaiin jopha.
[643] תרומה בינונית Theruma benonith.
[644] תרומה עין רעה Theruma gnajin ragna.
[645] Epiphan. contr. Pharis. pag. 11.
[646] Maimon. in Biccurim. cap. 4. sect. 16.
The firstlings, or first-born of man and beast, the Lord
challenged as his own, Exod. 13. The ground of this Law was, because
_God smote all the first-born in Egypt from man to beast, but spared
the Israelites_; for a perpetual memory of which benefit, he commanded
them to sanctifie all their first-born males unto him. Now the _first
born men, and unclean beasts_, were redeemed for five silver shekels
of the sanctuary, paid unto the Priests for each of them, _Numb.
18. 15, 16._ Unto this S. Peter alludeth saying, _We are not redeemed
with corruptible things, as silver and gold_, 1 Pet. 1. 18. The
firstlings of a clean beasts ought to be sacrificed, their blood to
be sprinkled on the Altar, their fat to be burnt for a burnt-offering,
and their flesh to return to the Priests.
Observe how God would be honoured by the _firstlings of men and
cattel_; by the _first-fruits of trees, and of the earth, in the sheaf,
in the threshing-floor, in the dough, in the loavs_: All which teach us
to consecrate the first and prime of our years unto the Lord.
CHAP. III.
Of Tithes.
We are here to enquire: First, what things in general were titheable:
Secondly how many kind of Tithes there were: Thirdly, the time
when each sort of tithes began to be titheable.
First, their yearly encrease was either Cattel, _fruits of the
trees_, or fruits of the land; of all these[647] they payed
tithes, even to mint, anise, and cumine, _These things they ought not
to leave undone_, Mat. 23. 23.
[647] Vid. Sixtin. Amama de decimis.
Secondly, the sorts of tithes payed out of the fruits, both of the
trees and the land, by the Husbandman, were two, payd in this manner:
When the Harvest had been ended, and all gathered, then the Husbandman
laid aside his great Theruma, otherwise called the _first-fruits of
his threshing floor_, of which it hath been spoken in the _Chapter of
the first fruits_. This being done, then out of the remainder he paid
a tenth part unto the Levites, and this they termed _Magnasher
rischon_,[648] the first tithe, Tob. 1. 7. This was always paid in
kind, and as it seemeth to me, it was not brought up to Jerusalem
by the husbandman, (others[649] think otherwise) but payed unto the
Levites in the several Cities of tillage, Neh. 10. 37. out of this
first tithe the Levites paid a tenth portion unto the Priests;
this they termed Magnasher min hammagnasher,[650] _the tithe of the
Tithes_, Neh. 10. 38. and Decima sanctitatum, the _tithe of holy
things_, 2 Chron. 31. 6. this the Levites brought up to the house
of God, Neh. 10. 38. When the Levites had paid this tenth portion
unto the Priests, then the Levites and their Families might eat
the remainder of the first tithe in any place, even out of Jerusalem,
Num. 18. 31.
[648] מעשר ראשון
[649] _Decimæ primæ necessario aut à colono ipso aut ejus
vicario Hierosolymas deportandæ erant. Sixtin. Amama de
decimis._
[650] מעשר מין המעשר
This first tithe being paid, the Husbandman paid out of that which
remained a second tithe; this the Husbandman might pay in kind if he
pleased, or if he would, he might by way of commutation pay the worth
thereof in money; but when he payed in money, he added a fifth part; so
that what in kind was ten in the hundred, that changed into money,
was twelve in the hundred. This the Husbandman brought up unto
Jerusalem, and made a kind of Love-feast therewith, unto which he
invited the Priests and Levites, only every third year he carried
it not to Jerusalem, but spent it at home within his own gates,
upon the Levites, the fatherless, the widows, & the poor, _Deut. 14.
28._ They reckoned[651] their third year from the Sabbatical year,
on which the land rested: so that the first and second Tithe was
payed by the Husbandman; the _first, second, fourth and fifth years
after the Sabbatical year_: but upon the third and sixth years only,
the first Tithe was paid to the Levites, and the second was spent
at home. Hence in respect of the kinds, this is called _Magnasher
scheni_,[652] the second tithe, Tobit. 1. 7. in respect it was paid
to the poor every third year: it is called Magnasher gnani[653],
πτωχοδεκάδαι, the poor mans tithe, and Magnasher schelischi[654],
the third tithe, Tob. 1. 1. On those years on which it was carried
up to Jerusalem, it ought of necessity to be eaten within the _Court
of the Temple_, Deut. 14. 26. and by the third tithe we are to
understand the poor mans tithe on the third year, which year is
termed a year of tithes, Deut. 26. 12.
[651] Moses Kotsen. tract. de decima secundo. fol. 199.
[652] מעשר שני
[653] מעשר עני
[654] מעשר שלישי
They likewise tithed their cattel. _Of their bullocks, & their sheep,
and all that passed under the rod, the tenth was holy to the Lord_,
Lev. 27. 32. Some Expositors understand by this phrase of _passing
under the rod_, that all cattel are titheable which live under the
custody of a keeper, as if there were allusion to the _shephards
staff_, or keepers rod, which they use in keeping their cattel.
The Hebrews more probably understand hereby, the _manner of their
decimation_ or tithing their cattel, which was as followeth.[655] _He
that hath Lambs (or Bullocks) thus separateth his tenth, he gathereth
all his lambs and all his bullocks into a fold to which he maketh a
little door, that two cannot go forth together; their dams are placed
without the door, to the end, that the lambs hearing them bleating,
might go forth one after another in order. Then one beginneth to number
with his rod, one, two, three, ~&c.~ and the tenth which cometh forth,
whether it be male or female, perfect, or blemished, he marketh it
with a red mark, saying this is for tithe._ At this day the Jews,
though they are not in their own Country, neither have any _Levitical
Priesthood_, yet those who will be reputed religious among them, do
distribute in lieu of tithes, the tenth of their encrease unto the
poor, being perswaded that God doth bless their estates the more: for
their usual Proverb is,[656] Thegnasher, bischebil sche thegnasher;
that is, Pay tithes, that thou mayst be rich.
[655] _Solomon Jarchi, Lev. 27. 32. & Maimon. de primogen. c.
7. Sect. 1. 5._
[656] תעשר בישביל שתעשר
The time of the year from which they reckoned tithes, was
different. For beasts[657] they counted the year from Elul to
Elul, that is, from August to August, for grain, pulse, and
herbs,[658] from Tisri to Tisri, that is, from September to
September: for the fruit of trees, from Schebat to Schebat,
that is, from January to January.
[657] Talmud tract. de novo anno ad initium, Buxt. Synag. Jud. c. 12.
[658] Moses Kotsen. in præcept. affirm. 136.
In this Synopsis following (which Sixtinus Amama hath taken out of
Scaliger) the manner of Israels tithings is set down.
| 6000 | Bushels in one year.
| 100 | Bushels was the least that
| | could be paid by the Husbandman
| | to the Priests for
| | the first-fruits of the threshing
| | floor.
| 5900 | Bushels remained to the Husbandman,
| | out of which he
| | payed two Tythes.
| 590 | Bushels were the first Tithe to
| | the Levites.
| 59 | Bushels the Levites paid the
The Husbandman | | Priests, which was called
had growing | | the Tithe of the Tithes.
| 5310 | Bushels remained to the Husbandman,
| | out of which he
| | paid his second tithe.
| 531 | Bushels were the second
| | Tithe.
| 4779 | Bushels remained to the Husbandman
| | as his own, all being
| | paid.
| 1121 | Bushels are the sume of both
| | Tithes joyned together,
| | which is above a sixth part
| | of the whole, namely nineteen
| | out of an hundred.
We are to know moreover, that through the corruption of the times, in
time of Hezekiah’s reign, Tithes began generally to be neglected,
insomuch that then Overseers were appointed to look to the true
payment thereof, 2 Chr. 31. 13. Notwithstanding, partly through the
negligence of the Overseers, partly through the covetousness of
the people, about one hundred thirty years before our _Saviours
Incarnation_, corruption so prevailed, that the people in a manner
neglected all tithes, yea none or very few payed either their
first, second, or poor manns tithe, only they paid the _great
heave-offering_ justly. For this reason (saith Moses Kotsensis[659])
in the daies of John the Priest, who succeeded Simeon the just,
(I take it he meaneth Johannes Hyrcanus) their great Court, termed
their Sanhedrim, made a Decree, that more faithful Overseers
should be appointed for the Tithes. At this time many things became
questionable, whether they were tithable or no; whence the high
Court of their Sanhedrim decreed, that in the things doubtful
(which they termed דמאי Demai)[660] though they paid neither first,
nor poor mans tithe, yet they paid a second _tithe, and a small
heave-offering_; namely, אחד ממאה one part of an hundred: Mint,
Anise and Cummin, seemeth to have been of these doubtful things;
in which, though the decree of their Sanhedrim required but _one in
the hundred_, yet the Pharisees would pay a just tenth, _Mat. 23.
23._, and hence it is that they boasted, _They gave tithes of all that
they possessed_, Luk. 18. 12. In which they outstripped the other
Jews, who in these payments took the liberty granted them by the
Sanhedrim.
[659] Moses Kotsen. fol. 199. col. 3.
[660] Moses Kotsen. ibid.
CHAP. IV.
Of their Marriages.
In this Chapter of their Marriages, we are to consider: First,
the distinction of their wives. Secondly, the _manner of their
betrothings_. Thirdly, the rites and ceremonies of their marriage.
Lastly, the forme of their divorce. The Patriarchs in the _Old
Testament_ had many of them, two sorts of wives: both of them were
reputed lawful, and true wives, and therefore the children of both
were accounted legitimate. The Hebrews commonly call the one נשים
Naschim; Primary-wives, married with nuptial ceremonies and rites
requisite. Some derive the word from נשה Nischa, _Oblitus fuit, quasi
Obliviosæ dictæ_, because for the most part, _womens memory is not so
strong as mens_: but they think not amiss, who say that women are so
called from oblivion, or forgetfulness, because the Fathers family
is forgotten, and in a manner _extinct in their daughters when they
are married_. Hence proceeds that common saying of the Hebrews,[661]
Familia matris non vocatur familia: and for the contrary reason,
a male child is called זכר Zacar, from his memory, _because the
memory of the Father is preserved in the Son_,[662] according to that
speech of Absolom, I have no Son to keep my name in remembrance, 2
Sam. 18. 18.
[661] משפחת אם אינה קרויה משפחה Aben Ezra. Numb. 1. 2.
[662] _Eandem prolis masculæ rationem habitam apud Græcos
testatur Euripides. Στύλοι γὰρ οἰκῶν παῖδες ἄρσενες._
The other sort of wives they call[663] Pillagshin, secondary wives,
or half wives; the English translates them Concubines, and that
not unfitly, for sometimes the Hebrew word it self denoteth an
infamous Strumpet, or common Harlot.
[663] _פלגש Vxor secundaria vocem compositam esse aiunt ex פלג
Dividere, & אשה uxor, quasi uxor divisa & dimidia._
The differences between these Concubines, and the chief or
primary wives, are many. 1. A disparity in their authority, or
houshold government: the Wife was a Mistress, the Concubine as
an hand-maid or servant. She had only Jus thori, a true and
lawful right unto the marriage bed as the chief wife had; otherwise
she was in all respects inferiour. And this appeareth in the history
of Sarah and Hagar. Secondly, the betrothing was different:
the chief wife at her espousals received from her Husband certain
Gifts and Tokens, as pledges and ceremonies of the contract. Thus
Abrahams steward (who is probably thought to be Eliezer, of
whom we read, Gen. 15. 2.) gave in Isaacs name unto Rebecca,
jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, Gen. 24. 53.
This custome was in use also among the Grecians, who calleth these
gifts Ἕδνα.[664] Moreover[665] the chief wife likewise received from
her husband a bill of writing, or matrimonial letters, whereas
the Concubine received neither such gifts, nor such letters.
Thirdly, only _the children of the chief wife succeeded the father
in his inheritance; the children of the Concubine received gifts or
legacies_: Abraham gave all his goods to Isaac, but unto the _sons of
the Concubines_ which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, _Gen. 25.
5, 6._ And here, by the way we may take notice, that the first-born
by right of primogeniture, received a _double portion of his fathers
goods_, _the father shall give him a double portion of all that he hath
for he is the first of his strength_, Deut. 21. 17. Unto this custome
the Prophet Elisha’s speech alludeth, when he prayeth Elijah, that
his spirit might be double upon him, 2 King. 2. 9. that is that
he might have a _double portion of his spirit, in comparison of the
other Prophets_, or rather the sons of the Prophets, amongst whom
he obtained the place of an elder brother, and therefore prayeth
for the right of primogeniture: so that we are not to understand
him, as if he did ambitiously desire a greater measure of the spirit
than rested upon his Master, but that he desired to excel the other
remaining Prophets, unto whom afterward he became a father. The
Hebr. phrase[666] is in both places the same. Secondly, in their
betrothing we are to consider, 1. The distance of time between
the espousals, and the confirmation of their marriage, which some
have conceited to have been a full year, at least ten months; and
this they observe from Rebecca, her brother and mothers answer unto
Abrahams servant, desiring that the Maid might not depart presently,
but remain after the Espousals at least ten dayes, Gen. 24. 55. Which
Text they interpret[667] ten months, understanding thereby that which
elsewhere is phrased[668] an year of dayes, Gen. 41. 1. But if we
should yield this interpretation (although our English _at least ten
dayes_ is more agreeable unto the Septuagint and the Original) yet
it followeth not, that this time was craved for the fulfilling of any
prescribed distance between the Espousals and the marriage, but rather
it implieth the tender affection of the mother towards her daughter,
as being loath so suddenly to part with her: Notwithstanding, it is
not unlikely that there was a competent distance of time between the
first affiancing, and the confirmation of the marriage, though not
prescribed, or limited to any set number of dayes, weeks, or
months. The second thing considerable in their betrothings, is to
enquire the manner of their contracting, which might be done in
Israel three ways.[669] First, By a piece of money. Secondly, _By
writing_. Thirdly, By copulation, _and all these in the presence of
witnesses_. By a piece of money, though it were but a farthing, or
the worth thereof, at which time the man used this, or the like form
of words;[670] Lo thou art betrothed unto me: and he gave her the
mony before witnesses. By bill, and then he wrote the like form of
words; Be thou betrothed unto me, which he gave her before witnesses;
and it was written with her name in it, else it was no betrothing. _By
copulation_, and then he said likewise, _Lo thou shalt be betrothed
unto me by copulation_, and so he was united unto her before two
witnesses, after which copulation she was his betrothed wife. If
he lay with her by way of fornication, and not by the _name of
betrothing_; or if it were by themselves, without the fore-acquainting
of Witnesses, it was no betrothing: however he might not lye with her
the second time, before the marriage was accomplished. And though the
betrothing might be any of these three wayes, yet usually it was by a
piece of money; and if they would, they might do it by writing, but
betrothing by copulation was forbidden by the wise men of Israel, and
who so did it was chastised with rods: howbeit the betrothing stood
in force. These solemnities in betrothing were performed by the man
and woman under a Tent or Canopy made for the purpose, called in their
language Chuppa,[671] a Tabernacle or Tent: to this the Psalmist
alludeth, Psal. 19. 4, 5. _In them hath he set a Tabernacle for the
Sun which as a Bridegroom coming out of his Chamber, rejoyceth as a
strong man to run a Race._
[664] _Τάων ἧν κ’ ἐθέλῃσι φίλην ἀνάεδνον ἀγέσθω. Hom. Iliad. 9.
vid. etiam Suid. in Ἕδνα._
[665] D. Kimchi. 2 Sam. 5. 13.
[666] פי שנים partem duorum.
[667] Onkelos & R. Solom.
[668] שנתים ימים Duorum annorum dierum.
[669] _בכסף או בשטר או בביאה וכולן בעדים Moses Kotsen. fol.
124._
[670] הרי את מקודשת לי Maimon. in Ischoth, c. 3. s. 1.
[671] חופה Elias Thisbit.
Thirdly, the rites and ceremonies of their marriage were performed in
the assembly of ten men at least, with blessings and thanksgivings
unto God, whence the house it self was called Beth hillula,[672]
the House of praise and their marriage song Hillulim,[673]
praises. The Bridegrooms intimate friends which accompanied him
& sung this Epithalamium or marriage song, were termed υἱοὶ
τοῦ νυμφῶνος, children of the Bride-chamber, Mat. 9. 15. Such
I conceive those thirty companions to have been which Sampson
associated to himself, Judg. 14. 11. The form of this phrase or
blessing is at large described by Genebrard, and the sum thereof
is this: The chief of these companions taketh a cup, and blesseth it
saying _Blessed art thou O Lord our God, the King of the world, w^{ch}
createst the fruit of the vine_: afterward then he saith, _blessed be
the Lord our God the King of the world, who hath created man after his
own Image, according to the image of his own likeness, & hath therby
prepared unto himself an everlasting building, blessed be thou, O
Lord, who hast created him_. Then followeth again, _Blessed art thou,
O Lord our God, who hast created joy and gladness, the Bridegroom and
the Bride, charity and brotherly love, rejoycing and pleasure, peace
and society: I beseech thee, O Lord, let there suddenly be heard in
the Cities of Judah, and the streets of Jerusalem the voice of joy
& gladness, the voice of the bridegroom & the Bride: the voice of
exultation in the bride-chamber is sweeter than any feast: and children
sweeter than the sweetness of a song_: and this being ended, he
drinketh to the married couple.
[672] בית הלולא
[673] הלולים
This custome of praising God at such times was not needless or
superfluous, for the fruit of the womb was expected as a _special
blessing_ from God, and so acknowledged by them in that saying, that
four keys were in the hand of him who was the Lord of the whole
world, which were committed neither to Angel nor Seraphim; namely
_Clavis pluviæ, clavis cibationis, clavis sepulchrorum, & clavis
sterilitatis_.[674] Concerning the key of Rain, thus speaketh the
Scripture, the Lord will open to thee his good treasure, Deut. 28.
Concerning the key of food, thou openest thy hands, Psal. 145.
Concerning the key of the grave, when I shall open your sepulchres,
Ezek. 37. Concerning the key of barrenness, God remembred Rachel
and opened her womb, Gen. 30. Whereby it is intimated, that these
four things God hath reserved in his own hand and custody: namely,
Rain, food, the raising of our bodies and the procreation of children.
[674] _מפתח מטרא מפתח פרנסה מפתח קבריא מפתת עקרתא Targum
Hieros. Gen. 30. 21._
The time of their marriage feast appeareth clearly to have been
usually seven daies.[675] Sampson continued his _feast seven
daies_, Judg. 14. 10, 11. And of this seven daies feast,
Divines[676] do understand that speech of Labans unto Jacob,
concerning Leah, fulfill her weak, and we will also give thee this,
Gen. 29. 27. in which speech, it is thought that Laban did desire
Jacob, not to reject and turn away Leah, but to confirm the present
marriage, by fulfilling the usual days of her marriage feast. From
this custom, together with the practise of Joseph, mourning seven
dayes for his father, Gen. 50. 10. arose that usual proverb among the
Jews, Septem ad convivium, Septem ad luctum. The chief governor of
the feast was called Baal mischte;[677] which name is fitly expressed
by being called the ruler of the feast,[678] Joh. 2. 9. The _modern
Jews in Italy_, when they invite any to a marriage feast, use this
form of words, _Such a one, or such a one entreateth you to credit his
daughters marriage with your presence at the feast, &c._ Then he which
is invited replieth, Mazal tob[679] which some interpret to be the
wishing of good luck in general, but I rather think, that hereby was
wished to the married parties, _a special blessing in the procreation
of children_: whence the wedding ring, given unto the Bride-wife, had
this inscription or posie Mazal tob;[680] and the Hebrews call the
Planet Jupiter, Mazal, whose influence they thought to be of great
efficacy and force for generation: but in truth, Mazal, signifieth
any other Planet or Star in the Heaven, according to that Hebrew
Proverb,[681] _There is no herb in the earth, that hath not a Mazal or
Star in the Firmament answering it, and striking it, saying grow_. Now
tob signifieth good; so that the phrase soundeth as much as, _be it
done in a good hour_, or under a good Planet.
[675] Vid. Thisbit. in חתן
[676] Augustin. quæst. super Genes. 88.
[677] בעל משתה
[678] Αρχιτρίκλινος.
[679] מזל טוב i. Stukius. de conviv. l. 2. c. 3.
[680] Munster. Gen. 30.
[681] _Non est tibi ulla herba inferius cui non sit Mazal in
firmamento, & ferit ipsam τὸ Mazal, & dicit ei, Cresce._
At the time of the marriage also, the man gave his wife a _dowery
bill_, which the Scrivener wrote, and the Bride-groom paid for,
whereby he endowed his spouse, if she were a Virgin, with 300
Deniers, (that is fifty shekels) and if she had been married before
with an hundred Deniers, that is twenty five shekels and this was
called the root or principal of the dowry: the dowry might not
be less, but more, so much as he would, though it were to a talent of
gold. There is mention of a contract between Tobias and Sarah,
and that was performed, not by a Scrivener, but by Raguel, the
womans father; where we may observe, that before the writing of this
bill there was a giving of the woman unto her husband. The form
of words there used is, Behold, take her after the Law of Moses,
Tobit. 7. 14. A copy of this Dowry-bill is taken by Bertram out
of the Babylon Talmud. The words thereof are thus:[682] _Upon the
sixth day of the week, the fourth of the month Sivan, in the year
five thousand two hundred fifty four of the creation of the world,
according to the computation which we use here at ~Massilia~, a City
which is scituate near the Seashore, the Bridegroom ~Rabbi Moses~, the
son of ~Rabbi Jehuda~, said unto the Bridewife ~Clarona~, the daughter
of ~Rabbi David~, the son of ~Rabbi Moses~, a Citizen of ~Lisbon~;
Be unto me a wife according to the law of ~Moses~ and ~Israel~: and
I according to the word of God, will worship, honour, maintain, and
govern thee according to the manner of the husbands among the ~Jews~,
which do worship, honour, maintain, and govern their wives faithfully,
I also do bestow upon thee the dowry of thy Virginity, 200 Deniers in
silver, which belong unto thee by the law: and moreover, thy food, thy
apparel, and sufficient necessaries; as likewise the knowledge of thee,
according to the custom of all the earth_. Thus Clarona the Virgin
rested and became a wife to Rabbi Moses the son of Jehuda, the
Bridegroom.
[682] Talmud. Bab. vid. Buxtorf. Grammatic. Chald. p. 38. 9.
After the marriage was finished, then the wife might challenge from
her Husband three things as debt. 1. Food. 2. Apparel. 3.
Cohabitation, or the right of the bed; which they note from _Exod.
21. 10._ where it is said, If he take him another wife, _her food, her
raiment, and her duty of marriage shall he not diminish_. And unto this
the Apostle alludeth, calling it Due benevolence, 1 Cor. 7. 3.
The Wife, when she was first presented unto her Husband, covered her
Head with a veil, in token of subjection. Rebecca took a veil,
and covered her self, (Gen. 24. 65.) and for this cause (namely in
sign of subjection) ought the woman to have power on her head, _1
Cor. 11. 10._ where by Power the Apostle understandeth a veil.
Do any ask the question, why he should denote this veil by the name
of power, especially seeing it was in token of subjection? The
Apostle being an Hebrew of the Hebrews, might have respect to
the Hebrew word Radid,[683] signifying a veil, which cometh from
the root Radad, to bear rule and authority, and so might use the
Greek word,[684] signifying power in the same sense as the Hebrews
did. And, in truth, what was this subjection to the husband but a kind
of power and protection derived unto the Wife, in comparison of
her former state, being a Virgin? and therefore in case her husband
was jealous of her, among other tokens of sorrow, she was commanded
to stand at her tryal with her head uncovered,[685] Numb. 5. 18.
intimating thereby, that if she could not then clear her self, she
was from thenceforward deprived of all power, which heretofore she
enjoyed by the means of her Husband.
[683] רדיד Velamen mulieris, à verbo רדד Subjecit.
[684] Ἐξουσία.
[685] _בלא רדיד Sine Radid. ἄνευ ἐξουσίας. Sic ego interpretor
verba Maimon. in Sota. 12. c. 3. sect. 5._
After the marriage was finished, sometimes there was permitted a _Bill
of Divorce_: this the Hebrews called Sepher Kerithuth,[686] _a
Bill of cutting off_, because the woman is by this means _cut off from
her Husbands family_. Ten things were thought[687] requisite as the
root and foundation of a divorce. 1. _That a man put her not away
but of his own will._ 2. _That he put her away by writing, not by any
other thing._ 3. _That the matter of the writing be to divorce her,
and put her away, out of her possession._ 4. _That the matter of that
divorcement be between him and her._ 5. _That it be written by her
name._ 6. _That there be no action wanting, after the writing thereof,
save the delivery of it unto her._ 7. That he give it unto her. 8.
That he give it her before witnesses. 9. _That he give it her by
the law of divorces._ 10. _That it be the Husband or his deputy that
delivereth it unto her._ The form or copy of this bill of divorcement
was as followeth,[688] _Upon such a day of the week, such and such
of the month N. such or such an year of the Creation of the world,
according to the computation which we use here in this City N. scituate
near the River N. that I of the Country N. the son of Rabbi N. of the
Country N. But now I dwelling in such or such a place, near such or
such a river, have desired of my own free will, without any coaction,
and have divorced dismissed and cast out thee, thee I say, thee my wife
N. of the country N. the daughter of Rabbi N. dwelling in such or such
a country, and dwelling now in such or such a place, scituate near
such or such a river, which hast been my wife heretofore, but now I do
divorce thee, dismiss thee, and cast thee out, that thou mayst be free,
and have the rule of thy self, and to depart, and to marry with any
other man whom thou wilt, and let no man be refused by thee for me from
this day forward for ever. Thus be thou lawful for any man, and this
shall be to thee from me, a bill of separation, a bill of divorce, and
a letter of dismission, according to the law of ~Moses~ and ~Israel~._
N. the son of N. witness.
N. the son of N. witness.
[686] ספר כריתות Græce βιβλίον ἀποστασίου.
[687] Maimon. de divort. c. 1. sect. 5.
[688] _Hæc forma reperitur apud Mosem Kotsensem. fol. 133.
Aliud exemplar ibidem habetur. It. in Mose Egyptio. part.
2. fol. 59. unde desumpta est hæc testium subscriptio quam
opposuimus._
This bill was written by a Scrivener, or publick Notary.[689] And
furthermore,[690] a woman being divorced, or otherwise a widow, it
was not lawful for her to marry again, till she had _tarried ninety
days, besides the day of her divorce, or of her husbands death, and her
last espousals: to the end it might be known, whether she were with
child or no, & that there might be proof, whether it were the seed of
her first husband, or of her second_.
[689] Solomon Jarchi. Hos. c. 1. 10.
[690] Maimon. de divort. cap. 11. sect. 18.
It was a common custome among the Romans, about the time of our
Saviours birth, even for the women to divorce their Husbands, and
to marry again at their pleasure. Of this, Heathen Authors speak:
----Sic fiunt octo mariti,
Quinque per autumnos.
Juvenal. Satyr 6. verse 230.
Et nubet decimo jam Thelesina viro.
Martial. lib. 8.
Non consulum, sed maritorum numero annos suos computant, &c.[691]
The bill tendred by the woman, was termed[692] Γράμματα ἀπολείψεως,
letters of forsaking; _not letters of cutting off, or putting
away_. This same practise was in use also among the Hebrews.
Hence is that saying of our Saviour: _If a woman shall put away her
husband, and be married to another_, &c. Mark 10. 12. Now although,
at that time, humane laws forbad not _marriages renewed with others
upon such divorce_, yet Gods law condemned both such divorces, &
such marriages, and, before God, persons marrying after such
divorcements were reputed digamites, that is, to have _two husbands,
or two wives_. For this reason, a Minister above others is commanded
to be μιᾶς γυναικὸς ἀνὴρ; The husband of one wife, 1 Tim. 3. 2. And
the woman she is commanded to be ἑνὸς ἀνδρὸς γυνὴ, _The wife of one
husband_, 1 Tim. 5. 9. In which text, second marriages (in case
of the Husbands or Wives death) are no more forbidden, than the Poet
forbade them in the like phrase.
Unico gaudens mulier marito.
Horat. Carmin. 3. 14.
[691] Senec. 3. de Benef. 16.
[692] Plutarch. in Alcibiade.
Note in the last place, that among the Jews the Bride-woman also
brought a dowry to her husband; it was sometimes more, sometimes
less; it was called by the Rabbins[693] נדוניא Nedunia: _Raguel
gave with his daughter_ Sarah _half his goods, servants and cattel, and
money_, Tob. 10. 10.
[693] Elias Thisbit. It. Solom. Jarchi. Gen. 31. 15.
CHAP. V.
Of their Burials.
At the time of a mans death, before his Burial, many ceremonies were
observed. First, the next of the kin closed the eyes of the deceased
body. Joseph shall put his hands upon thy eyes, Genes. 46. 4. This
was likewise practised both by the Romans and the Græcians.
Ille meos oculos comprimat, Ille tuos.
Ovid.
ὄσσε καθαιρήσουσι θανόντι πέρ.
Homer. Iliad. 11.
Secondly, they washed the body being dead. _Tabitha died, and when
they had washed her, they laid her in an upper-chamber_, _Act. 9.
37._ The baptization or washing at such a time was threefold. The
first was βαπτισμὸς ἀπὸ νεκρῶν, Eccles. 34. 26. _A washing from the
pollution contracted by the touch of a dead carkass_; that if haply
any ignorantly and unawares became thus unclean, then was he by a
kind of washing to be made clean again. The second was βαπτισμὸς τῶν
νεκρῶν, a baptization or washing of the dead Corps it self. Thus
Tabitha was washed: neither is the word βαπτισμὸς, unusually
applied to common washings, as Mar. 7. 4. we read of the _washing
of cups, pots, vessels, tables_, the Greek is βαπτισμὸς. The first
of these washings was proper to the Jews: this second in use with
Jews Christians,[694] and Heathens:[695] the third (which
was βαπτισμὸς ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν, a baptization for the dead, _1 Cor.
15. 9._) proper to some amiss-led Christians. It may be demanded,
what manner of Baptism this was? with submission of my judgment,
I understand this place with S. Ambrose[696] of a _Sacramental
washing_, applied unto some living man in the name and behalf of his
friend, dying without Baptism, out of a superstitious conceit,
that the Sacrament thus conferred to one alive, in the name of the
deceased, might be available for the other dying unbaptized. As if
the Apostle did wound those superstitious Corinthians with their own
quills, and prove the Resurrection of the dead from their own erroneous
practice, telling them in effect, that their superstitious custome of
baptizing the living for the dead, were vain and bootless, if there
were no resurrection, and therefore the Apostle useth an emphatical
distinction of the persons, in the next immediate verse, saying,
why are we also in jeopardy every hour? he inferreth the resurrection
by force of a double argument; the first drawn from their
superstitious baptization for the dead: the second, from the hourly
jeopardy and peril wherein we, that is, himself and other Christians
are. So that as that Father noteth, the Apostle doth not hereby
approve their doing, but evinceth their hope of the resurrection
from their own practice, though erroneous. That there was _Vicarium
tale Baptisma_ (as Tertullian[697] calleth it) in use among the
Marcionites, is evident, yea, and among the Corinthians[698] also:
the manner thereof is thus described:[699] _When any Catechumenist
died, some living person placed under the bed of the deceased, they
came unto the deceased party, and asked him whether he would be
baptized: then he replying nothing, the party under the bed answered
for him, saying that he would be baptized: and thus they baptized him
for the dead, as if they acted a play upon the Stage_.
[694] Tertullian. Apolog. c. 47. It. Euseb. hist. lib. 7. c. 17.
[695] Corpusque lavant frigentis & ungunt Virg. lib. 6. Æneid.
[696] Ambros. 1 Cor. 16. 29.
[697] Tertul. lib. de resur. carnis.
[698] Epiphan. de Corinthian. hæres. 28.
[699] Chrysost. 1 Cor. 15.
The third ceremony used by the Jews towards the dead party, was the
embalming of the corps, which for the main thereof, it is probable
they learned from the Egyptians, for we find Joseph to be the first
that practised it, Gen. 50. 2. The Egyptian manner of embalming
was thus:[700] _they took out the bowels of the dead, they cleansed
them and washed them with the wine of Dates, and after that again with
odors: then filled they the bowels with pure Myrrh beaten, and Cassia,
and other Odors (except Frankincense) and sewed them up. After this
they seasoned the corps hidden in Nitre seventy days, not longer: after
seventy days they washed the corps, and wrapped it in fine linnen
cloth gummed, which gum the Egyptians often used instead of glew._
The Greeks termed this ταριχεύειν. And the use thereof was for the
preservation of the body, that it might not putrifie; and therefore
when the Funeral Obsequies were not long delayed, they used another
kind of embalming, namely, an external and outward application of
Spices and Odours, without the unbowelling of the corps. This the
Greeks termed ἐνταφιάζειν.[701] This was used toward our _Saviour
Christ_, John 19. 40.
[700] Herodot. Euterp.
[701] _Usurpatur tamen τὸ ἐνταφιάζειν in scripturis, lata
significatione, ad denotandum utramque condituram. Imo ἔθαψαν.
occurrit. Gen. 50. 26. pro eo, quod in Hebr. ויחנטו Et
aromatibus condiverunt._
Sometimes they did use to burn the corps, preserving onely the bones
in some urn or pitcher, Amos 6. 10. But commonly they interred the
whole body, and buried it in the earth. The ancient Jews if they
received not from their Ancestors, then would they purchase a _burial
place_ themselves, for the burial of them and their family. The form
of that place was thus: It was a vault hewed out in a rock,[702] six
cubits long, and four broad, in which eight other cells or lesser holes
(or as some say, thirteen) were made, as so many distinct receptacles,
or tombs for the dead bodies to be laid in: as often as they buried
any, they were wont to roll a great stone to the mouth of the cave.
The cave or vault it self they termed from the act of burial,
Keber,[703] which signifieth a place of burial, or from its form,
Magnara,[704] a den or cave. These several cells or receptacles in
which the body was laid, they called cucim,[705] graves, tombs:
and the stone they named Golel,[706] a rolling stone. This
giveth great light to that in the Gospel. Joseph took the body of
Christ, and wrapped it in a clean linnen cloth, and put it in his
new tomb, which he had hewen out in a rock, and _rolled a great stone
to the door of the Sepulchre_, Mat. 27. 59, 60. These caves or
vaults the wealthier sort would paint, garnish, and beautifie
at the mouth or enterance of them: hence cometh that phrase, _Sepulchra
dealbata_, painted tombs. As often as they had an occasion to mention
or speak of any friend deceased, they used that in the Proverbs,
The memory of the just is blessed, Prov. 10. 7. Hence the
Rabbies,[707] in their quotations of any worthy Author deceased,
usually subjoyn this honourable commemoration, N. Benedictæ memoriæ,
N. such or such a one of blessed memory.
[702] ד אמות על שש Talmud Seder. Nez. in Bavabathra. cap. 6.
[703] קבר
[704] מערה
[705] כוכים
[706] גלל
[707] זכר צדיק לברכה Memoria ejus sit in benedictione.
But their usual Epitaph or inscription upon their Sepulchers, was,[708]
_Let this soul be bound up in the Garden of Eden, or in the bundle of
the living, Amen, Amen, Amen, Selati_.
[708] נשמתה תהא צרורה בגן עדן א א א סלת Sheindler in נדר
The latter Jews have been strangely conceited concerning the place
of burials, and are perswaded that if an Israelite be buried in any
strange country, out of the promised Land, he shall not be partaker so
much as of Resurrection, except the Lord vouchsafe to make him _hollow
passages_, under the earth, thorow which his body by a continual
volutation and rolling, may be brought into the land of Canaan.
The ground hereof is taken from the charge of Jacob unto his son
Joseph, that he should not bury him in the land of Egypt, but in
Canaan. For which charge they assign three reasons.[709] First,
because he foresaw by the spirit of Prophecy, that the dust of that
land should afterward be turned into lice. Secondly, because those
who died out of the holy Land should not rise again without a painful
rolling and tumbling of their bodies thorow those hollow passages.
Thirdly, that the Egyptians might not idolatrously worship him.
[709] Solom. Jarchi. Gen. 47. 29.
They made a feast at their burials, which is stiled The bread of men,
Ezek. 14. 17. And a cup of consolation, Jer. 16. 7. because
it was administred to comfort those that were sad of heart. It much
resembled the Roman Silicernium.
From those two places last quoted, we may observe, that at the burial
of their friends, they used these ceremonies which follow; some to
testifie, some to augment their grief. 1. Cutting themselves,
that is, wounding or cutting any part of their body, with any kind
of Instrument. This practice was learned from the Heathens,[710]
who were wont not only to scratch their face, but to punch and prick
certain parts of their body with a needle, and then cover it over with
ink, which they used as a special ceremony in their superstitious
worship, and therefore it is forbid, Deut. 14. 1. _Secondly, making
themselves bald_,[711] which was done divers manner of ways; either
by shaving their hair, or plucking it off with their hands, or by
impoisoned plaister to make it fall off. Other Nations were wont to
shave off the hair of their head, and to offer it in the behalf of the
dead: they did sometimes shave their cheeks, sometimes their eye-lids:
and this also, being an Heathenish custome, was likewise forbidden in
Israel, Deut. 14. 1. Thirdly, going bare headed, that they might
cast dust or ashes upon their heads, signifying thereby that they _were
unworthy the ground on which they went. Fourthly, going barefooted_
for their greater humiliation. Fifthly, the covering of their lips,
for that was a special sign of sorrow and shame, _The Seers shall be
ashamed_, &c. they shall all cover their lips, for they have no answer
of God, Mich. 3. 7. If it be demanded, how they covered their lips?
It is thought[712] they did it _by casting the skirt of their cloak,
or garment over them. Sixthly,[713] renting their cloaths. Seventhly,
putting sackcloth about their loyns_, Gen. 37. 34. These were general
tokens of grief, used upon all extroardinary occasions of sorrow. Two
other there were, more proper to burials, to augment their grief.
First, Minstrels, who with their sad tunes inclined the affections
of the people to mourning.[714] Of these there were two sorts: Some
playing on pipes, others sounding trumpets. At the funeral of
Noblemen, or old men, they used a trumpet: at the funeral of the
common people, or children, they used a pipe.[715] In this respect
it is said; That Jesus, when he raised Jairus _his daughter, cast
out the Minstrels_, Mat. 9. 23. Secondly, women hired to sing at
burials for the same purpose, and likewise by outward significations
of sorrow, to move the company, and more strongly to affect them,
Call for the mourning women, &c. and send for skilful women, _Jer.
9. 17._ These the Romans called, _Præficas, quasi in hoc ipsum
præfectas_, Chief or skilful mourners.
[710] _Gentes, quasdam corporis partes acu vulnerabant, vel
alias incidebant atramentumque superponebant, quod in cultum
dæmonum suorum fiebat, præcipietur ergo ne ullo pacto sicut
gentes ferirent carnes suas; quemadmodum sacerdotes Cybeles &
deæ Sororum, ut refert Lucianus. P. Fag. Deut. 14. 1. Unguibus
ora soror fædans & pectora pugnis. Virg. lib. 4. Æneid._
[711] Sectis fratri imposuere capillos. Ovid. Met. 3.
[712] D. Kimchi & Aben. Esra P. Fag. Lev. 14. 45.
[713] Scissâque Polyxena pallâ. Juvenal. Satyr. 10.
[714] _Majoris ætatis funera ad tubam proferre solebant:
minoris vero ætatis ad tibias. Servius. Æneid. lib. 5._
[715] _Tibia cui teneros suetum deducere manes Lege Phrygum
mesta. Statius. Theb. lib. 6, ver. 121._
CHAP. VI.
Of their Oaths.
The manner of swearing was sometimes by _lifting up their hands
towards heaven_; Abraham said to the King of Sodom, _I have
lifted up my hand unto the Lord_; that is, I have sworn, that I
will not take from a thred, even to a shoe-latchet, Gen. 14. 22.
Unto which custome the Psalmist seemeth to allude, Psal. 106. 26.
He lifted up his hand, that is, he swore. Sometimes he that took
the Oath did put his hand under the others thigh, which administred
the Oath. We read this manner of administration to have been used by
Abraham, Gen. 24. 2. and Jacob, Gen. 47. 29. Which ceremony
some[716] interpret to be as a token of subjection; others[717] as
a mystery of circumcision; the sign wherof they bore about that
place of their body: Others[718] more probably think it to be a
mysterious signification of Christ the promised seed, who was to
come out of Abrahams loyns, or thigh; as the like phrase is used,
Gen. 46. 26. the souls that came out of Jacobs thigh. Sometimes
also the manner of deposing, was to stand before the Altar, _1
Kings 8. 31._ Which was also the custome of the Athenians,[719] the
Carthaginians,[720] and the Romans.[721]
[716] Aben Esra. Gen. 24. 2.
[717] Solomon Jarchi, ibid.
[718] August. quæst. super Gen. 62.
[719] Alex. ab. Alex. lib. 5. cap. 10.
[720] Livius dec. 3. lib. 1. It. Valer. Max. l. 9. c. 3.
[721] _Jures licet & Samothracum, & nostrorum aras. Juvenal.
Satyr. 3._
The object of a lawful Oath was, and is, onely the Lord: whence he
that took the Oath was said to confess unto God, compare _Isa. 45.
23._ with Rom. 14. 11. And the ancient form of imposing an Oath was
this, Give glory to God, Josh. 7. 19. John. 9. 24. Now God was
glorified by an Oath, because thereby there was a solemn confession
and acknowledgement of Gods Omni-presence, that he is present in
every place: of his Omniscience, that he knoweth all secrets: of
his truth, that he is a maintainer of truth, and _an avenger of
falshood_: of his justice, that he is willing; and his omnipotency,
that he is able to punish those that by swearing shall dishonour him,
And as the object of a lawful oath was onely God: so it is implied,
that it was not rashly or unadvisedly to be undertaken, but by a kind
of necessity imposed; for the Hebrew word נשבע is a Passive, and
signifieth to be sworn, rather than to swear.
In corrupter times they were wont to swear by the creatures,[722]
but the Jews chiefly by _Jerusalem, by the Temple, by the gold of
the Temple, by the Altar, and the gift on the Altar_. This gift in
Hebrew was termed Corban,[723] and it was one of those oaths which
in our Saviour Christs time the Scribes and Pharisees accounted
principally obligatory. If any swore by the Altar, it was nothing:
but if any swore by the oblation of the Altar, he was bound to
perform it, Matth. 23. 18. Yea, although Gods law enjoyned honour,
and relief toward parents; yet if they had bound themselves by this
oath Corban, that they would not help or relieve their parents, they
taught they were discharged. Whence, saith their Talmud,[724] _Every
one ought to honour his father and mother, except he hath vowed the
contrary_. And it is evident[725] that the Jews did often by solemn
vows and _oaths bind themselves, that they would never do good to
such, or such a man_. We must furthermore know that usually to their
oaths there was an execration, or conditional curse annexed, which
sometimes was expressed, as, _if I do not do thus and thus, then the
Lord do so to me, and more also_, 1 Sam. 14. 44. Also _1 Kin. 20.
10._ Sometimes it is understood, as, _I have sworn, if I take from
a thred to a shoo-latchet_, Gen. 14. 22. _then let the Lord do so
to me, and more also_; this, or the like, is understood and maketh
the former part of the oath to sound negatively; as if Abraham had
said, I have sworn, I will not take from a thread to a shoo-latchet.
In like manner, Psal. 95. I have sworn, _if they shall enter into
my rest_; that is, They shall not enter into my rest, Heb. 3. 18.
This helpeth the exposition of that difficult place, Mat. 15. 5.
which we read,[726] _By the gift that is offered by me thou maist have
profit_: but if we conceive it thus, according to the form of the oath
Corban, By Corban if thou receive any profit by me, and understand
the execration implyed: Then let God do thus, and much more to me;
the sense will be thus; _By Corban thou shalt receive no profit by
me_. This exposition is as agreeable to the scope of the place, as it
is to their form of swearing, and plainly sheweth how the Pharisees
by their traditions transgressed the Commandment of God. For God
commanded, saying, Honour thy father and Mother. But the Scribes
and Pharisees said; Whosoever should say to father or mother seeking
relief, By Corban thou shalt receive no profit from me, he was
discharged.
[722] _Allium, porrum & cepas inter deos jure jurando habuerunt
Egyptii, Plin. lib. 19. c. 6. Item. Juvenal. Sat. 15._
[723] _ἐν οἷς μετά τινων ἄλλων καὶ τὸν καλούμενον ὅρκον Κορβάν
καταριθμεῖ. Inter quæ sacramenta, cum quibusdam aliis etiam
jusjurandum quod Corban appellatur, enumerat Joseph. contra
Appion. l. 1. p. 147._
[724] Talmud. Hierosolymit. tract. de votis cap. 10.
[725] _Ὅρκῳ πιστοῦνται, τῷ δεῖνι μὴ παρέξειν ὠφέλειαν τινα.
Jurejurando se obstringunt huic vel illi homini nihil se
commodi præstituros! Philo Jud. de specialibus legib. p. 595._
[726] _Δῶρον, ὃ ἐὰν ἐξ ἐμοῦ ὠφεληθῇς, Per Corbam, si quicquam
tibi prodero: interpretor ὃ ἐὰν, Si quicquam quemadmodum ὃς
ἐὰν. Si quisquam, Mat. 10. 14. & Mat. 23. 18. Et execratione
subaudita sensus emergat, Per Corbam nihil tibi prodero,
Cæterum, si quis urgeat, quod in fonte sit κορβᾶν, non per
Corban, vel ἐν κορβὰν, sciendum quod similis ellipsis in
jurandi formulis non est inusitata, hinc המעון הזה valet
במעון הזה ~per domicilium hoc~. Vide Drusium de tribus sectis l. 2.
cap. 17._
CHAP. VII.
Of their Writing, Masorites, and their Work.
Writing in no Nation came to its perfection on a sudden, but by
degrees: The Opinions of the Ancients concerning the Authors and
Inventers of letters are different. Some say[727] Cadmus brought
the use of letters into Greece: others say,[728] Palamedes: some
say,[729] Radamanthus brought them into Assyria: Memnon into
Egypt: Hercules into Phrygia: and Carmenta into Latium.
Likewise some say the Phœnicians had first the knowledge and use of
letters.
Phœnices primi (famæ si credimus) ausi
Mansuram rudibus vocem signare figuris.
Lucan.
[727] Plin. l. 7. c. 56. Diodor. Sicul. l. 6. c. 5.
[728] Servius. lib. 2. Æneid.
[729] Alex. Genial. l. 1. c. 30.
Others say the Ethiopians:[730] others the Assyrians.[731] But upon
better grounds it is thought,[732] that _Moses first taught the use of
letters to the Jews_, and that the Phœnicians learned them from the
Jews, and the Grecians from the Phœnicians.
[730] Diodor. Sicul. l. 4.
[731] Plin. l. 7. c. 56.
[732] Euseb. præpar. Evang. lib. 18.
In like manner, the matter upon which men wrote, in ruder times was
different. Some wrote on rinds of trees, whence Liber, signifying
originally a rinde of a tree, is now used for a book:[733]
some wrote on tile-stone with a bone instead of a pen; some
on Tables; this last was chiefly in use among the Jews, the
Decalogue was was written in two tables. Again, write these things
upon a table, Esay. 30. 8. ἐπὶ πυξίου, saith the Septuagint, as
if the writing-tables at that time were made of Box-trees. They used
not then pens or quills, but a certain instrument or punch,
made of Iron or Steel, called Stylus, it was sharp at one end, for
the more convenient indenting or carving of the characters, and broad
at the other, for the scraping or blotting out what had been written:
whence sprang that Proverbial speech:[734] Invertere stylum, _to
unsay what he had said_, or to blot out what he hath written: _Scribe
stilo hominis_: write with the pen of man, Esay. 8. 1. Afterward
before they came to bind up books in manner as now we have them, they
wrote in a roll of Paper or Parchment, which sometimes was _ten
cubits_ broad, and twenty long, Zac. 5. 2. This they called מגלה
Megilla, in Hebrew, from Galal, to roll, Volumen in Latine,
in English a volumn, from volvo, to roll. In the _volumn of the
book_ it is written, Psal. 40. 7. And Christ closing the Book, gave
it to the Minister, Luk. 4. 20. the word is πτύξας, complicans
folding, or rolling it up: and vers. 17. ἀναπτύξας, explicans,
unfolding, or opening it.[735] These volumns were written not with
one entire continued writing, but the writing was distinguished into
many spaces, columns or platforms, like unto so many Areæ:
these platforms, filled with writing, were instead of so many pages
in a book: and thus we are to understand that Jer. 36. 23. When
Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with a pen-knife,
&c. These leaves were nothing else but such spaces, and platforms
in the roll. After this manner the Jews reserve the Law written in
such rolls, and with such spaces, in their Synagogues at this day.
[733] Diogen. Laert. in vitæ Cleanthis.
[734] Erasm. in Adag.
[735] Buxtorf. institut. epist. p. 4.
It is much controversed, whether the Jews did from the beginning
write with vowels and accents, or whether they were added by the
Masorites; for the understanding of which, it will be needful,
First, to enquire who the Masorites were: Secondly, what their
work was; and then to deliver in a proposition what may be probably
thought in this point.
First, concerning the Masorites, we are to know that מסר Masar
signifieth tradere, to deliver, and Masor a tradition,
delivered from hand to hand to posterity without writing, as the
Pythagoreans and Druides were wont to do; but by the figure
Synecdoche, it signifieth those critical notes or Scholion,
written in the margine of the Bible, and those that were the Authors
of those critical observations were termed Masoritæ, Masorites.
Concerning these Authors, who they were there are two opinions.
Some[736] think that they were certain learned Jews living in the
City Tiberias, they termed them Sapientes Tiberiadis, _the wise
men of Tiberias_. These wise men are thought to have added these
marginal notes unto the Hebrew Bibles[737] some time after the
finishing of the Babylon Talmud, which was about the year of our
Lord, 506. This opinion is unlikely for these two reasons. 1.[738]
Because we cannot find in Histories, the continuance of any Colledg or
School in Tiberias so long, but rather that degrees in learning
ceased there within four hundred years after our Saviour his birth.
2.[739] In both Talmuds mention is made of the Masora, and the
things contained therein. Others therefore more probably say,[740] that
the Masorites were that Ecclesiastical Senate or Council held by
Esra, Haggai, Zachary, Malachi, and divers others assembled for the
reformation of the Church after their return from Babylon; they are
called Viri Synagogæ magnæ. This Council continued at least forty
years: for Simeon the just, who went out in his Priestly robes,
to meet and pacifie Alexander the Great, coming in hostile manner
against Jerusalem,[741] was the last of that Council, and that was
above three hundred years before the birth of our Saviour. Esra was
the President or Chief of this Council; he was of such repute among
the Jews, that they parallel’d him with Moses, saying,[742] _Dignus
erat_ Esra, quod data fuisset lex per manus ejus Israeli, _si non
præcessisset eum_ Moses.
[736] Aben Esra vid. Buxt. commen. Masor. c. 3.
[737] Elias Levita in præfat. tertia l. Masoreth hammasoreth.
[738] Buxtorf. in comment. Masor. c. 7.
[739] Buxtorf. in comment. Masor. c. 8.
[740] R. Asarias. R. Gedalia. Buxtor. in comment. Masor. c. 11.
[741] Pirke Aboth. c. 1.
[742] Talmud. Sanhedrim. c. 2. fol. 21.
In the second place we are to consider the work, what the men of
this great Synagogue, being the true Masorites, did: their work
may be reduced to these particulars. 1. When this great Council was
assembled, they, among whom Ezra was chief (who was assisted with
the inspiration of Gods Spirit)[743] determined what Books were
Canonical, what spurious and Apocryphal. Secondly,[744] the
authentick and Canonical Books, were purged by them, of all errors
crept into the Text in time of their captivity. Thirdly,[745] they
digested the Old Testament into twenty two books, according to the
number of the Hebrew letters. Fourthly, they distinguisht it into
great Sections and Verses; for though the Law was not so confusedly
written, without any space or note of distinction between word and word
that it seemed all one continued verse, or as the Kabbalists speak,
תיבה אחת Theba achath, one word, until the time of the Masorites;
yet it was not so distinguisht into Sections and Verses, as
now we have it. Fifthly, they added their censures and _critical
observations_, concerning the irregularity of many words, in respect
of the vowels and accents. Sixthly, they numbered the verses,
words, and letters of every Book, to prevent all possibility of
corrupting the Text in future times; for now they say, the gift of
Prophesie should cease. Lastly, they noted the different writing,
and different reading, for the understanding of which we must know,
that in the Hebrew Text many words are written with more, many with
fewer letters, than they are pronounced; many words written in the
Text which are not pronounced, &c.[746] In the margin the difference
is expressed: whence the difference in the Text they term כתב Cethib,
Scriptionem, the writing; the difference in the margin they term קרי
Keri, Lectionem, the Reading: because they do read according to
that in the margin. This difference is thought by some[747] to be a
correction of the Bible, according to several copies after their return
from Babylon: but, that it is of Divine Authority, containing many
mysteries known to Moses, and the Prophets successively (though
many of them unknown to our Age) and that it was not any correction,
but the difference it self primarily and purposely was intended by
the Prophets, and holy Penmen of the Scripture, evidently appeareth
by the diversity of readings in those books which were written by
Haggai, Zachary, Malachi, Daniel, and Esra: They being the
Authors of their own books, needed no correction at that time,
themselves being present, yet in them this different reading is used.
[743] Buxtorf. in comment. Masor. c. 11.
[744] _Tertull. l. de habit. muliebr. Chrysost. hom. 8. ad
Hebræos. Irenæus adver. hæres. lib. 3. c. 25. August. de mirab.
sacræ, script. l. 2. circa finem._
[745] Genebrard. l. 2. Chronolog.
[746] _Sunt octo voces quæ scriptæ sunt in textu, sed non
leguntur quas adducit. Masora, Ruth. 3. 12._
[747] _Contra hos disputat Elias Levita in præfat. 3. l.
masoreth hammasoreth._
In the third place, the Proposition followeth; namely, _Seeing
that the_ Masorites _passed their censure on many words for their
irregularity in their vowels and accents_; therefore, _the vowels
originally were not from the_ Masorites, _but of the same antiquity
with their words_; and in truth, otherwise they had been a _body or
carkass without a soul_.
CHAP. VIII.
Of Israels pitching their Tents, or of their Camps.
Whiles the Israelites wandred thorow the Wilderness, their Church
was a Tabernacle; and their habitations, Tents: so that their
whole Camp might be termed a moveable City. It was divided into
three parts. In the centre or middle of all was the Tabernacle it
self, with its Courts, this they termed the _Camp of the Divine
Majesty_. Next round about, pitcht the Priests and Levites, to whom
the charge of the Tabernacle belonged, (and therefore the nearest
adjoyning place of habitation might be the convenientest for them) this
was called the camp of Levi. In the utter parts, round about Levi,
the twelve Tribes pitcht their Tents; this they termed the _Camp of
Israel_. The first Camp resembled a great Cathedral Church, with
its Church-yard. The second a Priviledg-place about the Church,
as it were for Colledges for the habitation of the Clergy. The
third, the body of a City, wherein the Towns-men or Laity
dwelt. The form of the whole, is probably thought to be four-square,
some say twelve miles long, and twelve miles broad.[748]
[748] Uziel. Num. 2. 3.
In the Eastern part pitched these three Tribes, Judah, Issachar,
and Zebulon. On the South-side, Reuben, Simeon, and Gad. On
the West, Ephraim, Manasses, and Benjamin. On the North, Dan,
Asher, and Napthali: and these made up the outward Camp, termed
the Camp of Israel. Between each Tribe, in every one of those four
quarters, there were distant spaces like Streets, where there was
buying and selling as in a market, and tradesmen in their shops in
manner of a City leading to and fro.[749] This Camp is thought[750]
to be round a mile distant from the Tabernacle, that is _a Sabbath
daies journey_; and this is gathered from Josh. 3. 4. where the
distance between the People and the Ark is commanded to be _two
thousand cubits_.
[749] _Οὐδενί τε ἄλλῳ ἢ πόλει μετανισταμένῃ καὶ καθιδρυμένῃ
ἐῴκει. Joseph. l. 3. Antiq. c. 11. p. 97._
[750] _Tradunt Hebræi, filios Israelita castrametatos fuisse
in circuitu tabernaculi ut unum milliare interfuerit (~i.~)
spacium mille passuum, & hoc erat iter Sabbati. P. Fag. Num. 2.
3._
After this, pitched the Camp of Levi: in the Eastern part Moses,
Aaron, and the Priests; in the South the Cohathites; in the West
the Gershonites; in the North the Merarites.
In the middle was the Camp of the Divine Majesty. Unto this David
alludeth: God is in the middest of her, she shall not be moved, _Psal.
46. 5._
After the same manner the parts of the City Jerusalem were
distinguished, when the Commonwealth was setled.[751] From the _gate of
Jerusalem, to the mountain of the Temple_, was the Camp of Israel;
from the gate of the mountain of the Temple, to the gate of the Court
(which was otherwise called Nicanors gate) was the Camp of Levi:
from the gate of the Court, and forward, was the _Camp of the Divine
Majesty_.
[751] Maimon. in Bethhabchirab. c. 7. sect. 11.
Furthermore we are to know, that the twelve Tribes had between
them four principal Banners, or Standards; _three Tribes to one
Standard_: for which reason, the Church is said to be terrible as an
Army with banners, Can. 6. 4. The Hebrew word Banner, _Numb. 2.
2._ the Greek[752] translateth Order and so the Caldee calleth it
Tekes[753] (a word borrowed of the Greek τάξις) order: Whence the
Apostle taketh his phrase, Every man in his own order, _1 Cor. 15.
23._
[752] Ἄνθρωπος ἐχόμενος κατὰ τάγμα αὐτοῦ.
[753] גבר על טקסיה Quisque juxta ordinatam suam aciem.
Every banner was thought to be of 3 colours,[754] according to
the colours of the precious stones in the brest-plate, bearing the
names of their Patriarchs. But this proportion will not hold in
all, seeing Levi (who is not here among the other Tribes) was in
the breast-plate one of the twelve: and Joseph there graved on the
Beril hath here two Tribes, Ephraim and Manasses, unto whom _two
colours_ cannot be allowed from the breast plate.
[754] Jonathan Uzel. Num. 2. 3.
Each Banner had its several motto, or inscription. In the _first
Standard_ was written, from Num. 10. 25. _Rise up, Lord, and
let thine enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee flee
before thee_. It is moreover taught by the Hebrews,[755] that each
Standard had a distinct sign engraven in it. Reubens Standard had
the Image of a Man: Judahs the Image of a Lion: Ephraims the
Image of an Ox: and Dans the Image of an Eagle.
[755] _Dicunt in vexillo Reuben fuisse imaginem hominis: in
vexillo Jehudah imaginem leonis: in vexillo Ephraim imaginem
bovis: in vexillo Dan, imaginem aquilæ P. Fag. Numb. 2. Aben
Esra, ibidem._
These same four creatures are used by Ezekiel, Ez. 1. 10. to
describe the nature of Angels. Every Cherubim is said to have _four
faces_: the face of a man; to shew his understanding; of a Lion,
to shew his power; of an Ox, to shew his ministratory office; _of an
Eagle_ to shew his swiftness in the execution of Gods will.[756] The
same description of Angels you may find, Rev. 4. 6.
[756] _Angeli ex hoc versu definiri possunt; sunt enim spiritus
intelligentes, ut homo, potentes ut Leo, ministratorij ut Bos,
& celeres ut aquila. Tremel. in Ezek. 1._
By the same four, in the opinion of many of the Fathers,[757] are
shadowed forth the four Evangelists. The man shadowed S. Matthew,
because he begins his Gospel with the Generation of Christ,
according to his humanity: The Lyon S. Mark, because he beginneth
his Gospel, from that voice of the Lion roaring in the Wilderness,
Vox clamantis in deserto: The Ox S. Luke, because he beginneth
with Zacharias the Priest: and the Eagle S. John, who soaring
aloft beginneth with the Divinity of Christ.
[757] _Hieronym. ad initium sui commentarii in Mat. It. Gregor.
homil. 4. in Ezek. ab Hieronim. dissentit. D. Augustinus in
Matthæo & Marco, nam in Leone Mattheum, Marcum, in homine putat
adumbratum. August. de consensu Evangelist. l. 1. c. 6._
Thus have we seen how they pitch’d their camps, their marching
followeth: and here we are to consider, first, their _marching in their
journeys_ thorow the Wilderness. Secondly, their _marching in their
battels_.
Concerning their marching in their journeys, they either _moved
forward_, or abode still, according to the moving or standing of the
Cloud, which conducted them: the manner thereof is described, _Numb.
10._ and summarily we may view it thus: when God took up the Cloud,
Moses prayed, and the Priests with Trumpets blew an alarm, then
Judah the first Standard rose up, with Issachar and Zebulon,
and they marched foremost: then followed the Gershonites and
Merarites, bearing the boards and coverings of the Tabernacle in
wagons; the Trumpets sounded the second alarm, then Reuben, Simeon,
and Gad rose up and followed the Tabernacle, and after them went
the Kohathites, in the midst of the twelve Tribes, bearing on their
shoulders the Ark, Candlestick, Table, Altar, and other holy things.
At the third alarm rose up the Standard of Ephraim, Manasses, and
Benjamin, and these followed the Sanctuary: unto this David hath
reference, when he prayeth, Psa. 80. 2. _Before Ephraim, Benjamin,
and Manasses_, stir up thy strength, and come and save us. At the
fourth alarm, arose the Standard of Dan, Asher, and Napthali: and
to these was committed the care of gathering together the lame, feeble,
and sick, and to look that nothing was left behind: whence they are
called the gathering Host, Josh. 6. 9. unto this David alludeth:
when my Father and my Mother forsake me, the Lord will gather me,
Psal. 27. 10.
Concerning their marching in War: First, the Priests sounded the
alarm with Trumpets, Num. 10. 9. this they termed: Therugnah.[758]
Secondly, one Priest was selected out of the rest, to stir up the
hearts of the people, and by a kind of hortatory Oration, to encourage
them to the war, Deut. 20. 2. him they called Unctum belli, _the
anointed of the battel_. Thirdly, they marched on by five and five
in battel-array, Exo. 13. 18. so the Original signifieth in that
place.[759]
[758] _תרועה Clangor, Vociferatio. Hebræi duplicem clangorem
esse statuunt alterumque vocari תקיעה alterum תרועת quorum
ille æquabilis est vox, hic citus concisusque fragor, ille ad
convocandos cætus, hic ad accendendos millitum animos facit._
[759] חמושים
In the last place, we are to consider how they were to deal in
besieging a Town; for the conceiving whereof, note these two
propositions.
1. They were to offer peace unto all Forreigners, and Canaanites,
Deut. 20. 10. And this is clearly signified Josh. 11. 19. There
was not a City that made peace with the Children of Israel, save the
Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon, all other they took in battel.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Yet here Moab and
Ammon are excepted; Israel must not seek their peace, Deut. 23. 6.
2. They were to make covenant with none of the seven Nations, _Deut.
7. 2._ Exod. 23. 32. & 34. 14. With Forreigners they might, _Josh.
9. 17._ peradventure you dwell among us, and how shall we _make a
covenant_ with you? Not, how shall we make peace with you?
Some may question, what the difference was between making peace, and
making a covenant? I answer, two fold. 1. The making of peace
was a naked stipulation, or promise, mutually made for the laying
aside of all hostile affections towards each other; whereby life on
both sides might be secured. Making a covenant, was a solemn binding
of each other, to performance of this mutual promise by outward
ceremonies,[760] of cutting a beast in twain, and passing between the
parts thereof, Jer. 34. 18. as if they would say; _Thus let it be
done to him, and thus let his body be cut in two, who shall break this
covenant_? Secondly, peace was not concluded by the Israelites, but
only upon these terms, _That the People should become tributary unto
them_, Deut. 20. 11. The making of a covenant was upon equal
terms, without any condition either of tribute or service, as is
gatherable from the Covenant made by Joshua with the Gibeonites,
where there is no mention of any condition at all, Josh. 9.
[760] _Hæc est causa cur Hebræi Fœdus facere dicant כרות הברית
(~i.~) Dividere, aut dissecare fœdus, quemadmodum apud Latinos,
dicitur percutere fœdus, quæ locutio fluxit ab antiquo fœderis
faciendi more: Sacerdos enim feriebat porcum silice, dicens,
Sic à Jove feriatur is, qui sanctum hoc fregerit fœdus, ut ego
hunc porcum ferio. Livius. Decad. 1. l. 1. p. 17._
This difference seemeth to me warrantable, and serveth to reconcile
many places of Scripture, as where God saith, Offer peace to all,
and make a covenant with none. Secondly, It sheweth the fraud
of the Gibeonites to be greater than is commonly conceived, for
they sought not peace simply, but a covenant. _Make a league
with us_, Josh. 9. 6. Thirdly, It salveth that common Objection
made in defence of unadvised Oaths, to prove them obligatory,
though unlawful. The Argument is framed thus; _The covenant which
~Joshua~ made with the Gibeonites unadvisedly, was unlawful: but that
was observed by him, and the breach thereof, when ~Saul~ slew the
Gibeonites, punished by God_, 2 Sam. 21. 1. Therefore, &c. I say
it salveth that Objection: because if we diligently observe Joshua’s
practise, we shall find unadvised Oaths to be so far, and _only
so far binding_, as they agree with God’s words. God’s word
required the Gibeonites should have their lives secured, because they
accepted peace; Thus far therefore the covenant was still of force.
God’s word required, that the Canaanites, after the acceptation
of peace, should become tributary; here the _covenant was not of
force_, and therefore Joshuah made them _hewers of wood, and drawers
of water_, which is a kind of tribute in the language of the Scripture,
a tribute of the body, though not of the purse: in which sense the
Ægyptian Task-Masters are in the Original called Tribute-masters,
Exod. 1. 11.
CHAP. IX.
Their Measures.
Measures in use among the Hebrews, and so among all other
Nations, are of two sorts: some Mensuræ applicationis, _measures
of application_, as, a span, a cubit, a yard, and the like. Secondly,
Mensuræ capacitatis, measures of capacity, as pints, quarts, pecks,
bushels, &c. Measures of application, mentioned in Scripture, are
these that follow (in which there might be no deceit; the ground of
these measures was the breadth of so many, or so many barley corns
middle sized, laid by one another) אצבע Etsbang, Digitus, _a
finger, an inch_.[761] It containeth the breadth of six barley corns
joyned together where they are thickest: though in round-reckoning it
goeth for an inch, yet in accurate speaking _four fingers make three
inches_.[762] Of this there is mention, Jer. 52. 21.
[761] Arias Mont. Thubal Cain.
[762] _Quatuor digiti constituunt tres pollices. Fran. Iunius
in Ezek. 40. 5._
Palmus, This was two fold; Palmus minor, and Palmus major. The
lesser containeth the breadth of four fingers, (i.) three inches,
the Hebrews term it, טפח Tophach, the Greeks παλαιστίδα: the
greater is termed זרת Zereth, by the Greeks σπιθαμὴ; in Latine
Spithama, & Dodrans. It containeth the measure that is between the
thumb and the little finger stretcht out, a span.
פעם, Pagnam, Pes, a foot. It containeth twelve inches.[763]
[763] Quatuor Palmos; scil. minores. Pet. Martyr. 1. Reg. c. 6.
אמה Amma, Cubitus, a Cubit. We shall find in Authors mention
of four kinds of Cubits. 1. Cubitus communi, this was the measure
from the elbow to the fingers end. It contained a foot and half, or
half a a yard, it is called the common Cubit. 2. Cubitus sacer,
An holy Cubit, this was a full yard, containing _two of the common
Cubits_, as appeareth by comparing 1 Kin. 7. 15. with _2 Chron.
3. 15._ In the first place, the pillars are reckoned each of them
eighteen cubits high: in the second place they are reckoned _five
and thirty cubits_ high; which, together with the basis, being one
ordinary cubit high, doubleth the number: so that the first Text is
to be understood of holy cubites; the second of common cubits. 3.
Cubitus regis, the Kings cubit; this was _three fingers longer than
the common cubit_:[764] Whereas the common cubit is termed _cubitus
viri_, the cubit of a man, Deut. 3. 11. Onkelos doth improperly
term it, cubitum regis, the Kings cubit. Lastly, there was
cubitus geometricus, A geometrical cubit, it contained _six common
cubits_,[765] and according to these cubits, it is thought that
Noah’s Ark was built.
[764] Herodot. lib. 2. in descrip. Bab.
[765] _Orig. hom. 2. in Genes. It. Aug. de Civitat. Dei, lib.
15. cap. 27._
Some make the difference between the cubit of the sanctuary, and _the
common cubit_, to be thus; The common cubit, they say, contained
fifteen inches,[766] the holy cubit eighteen inches.[767]
But that the holy cubit contained two common cubits, hath been
evidently proved; and it is probable, that those who make the
difference to be only three inches, have mistaken the Kings cubit,
for the holy cubit.
[766] Quinos palmos.
[767] Sex palmos.
חבל Chebel, Funiculus, a line or rope. The just length thereof
is unknown: the use thereof was to measure grounds; whence it is
sometimes taken for the inheritance it self. _The lines are fallen to
me in pleasant places_, Psal. 16. 6. That is, mine inheritance.
קנה Kaneh, Arundo, the Reed. The use of this was to measure
buildings; the length thereof was six cubits and an hand-breadth,
Ezek. 40. 5. The cubits in this place are interpreted[768] _Kings
cubits_: it was less liable to deceipt than the Rope, because
it could not be shortened or lengthened, by shrinking or
stretching: hence the Canon or rule of the holy Scripture is
mystically typed out by this Reed, Ezek. 40. and Revel. 21. 15.
[768] Tremelius in hunc locum.
To these may be added other measures, wherewith they measured their
wayes and walks. The least of these was צגד Tsagad, passus, _a
pace_.
Στάδιον, Stadium, a furlong. It is often mentioned in the _New
Testament_, not at all in the Old. It contained _one hundred twenty
five paces_,[769] which is the eighth part of our mile. Some think it
to be called so, ἀπὸ τῆς στάσεως, from standing, because _Hercules
ran so much ground before he stood still_.
[769] Isidor.
Milliarium, a mile; It containeth with us a thousand paces, but
much more among the Hebrews. Their word ברה Barah, translated often
Milliarium, properly signifying a dinner or meal, and being
applyed unto journeys, walks or ways, it signified so much ground
as usually is gone, or conveniently may be travelled in half a day,
between meal and meal, or bait and bait. The word is read,
Gen. 35. 16. When there was (כברת הארץ Cibrath haarets) _about half
a daies journey of ground_. The Greek in that place hath an uncouth
word χαβραθὰ; doubtless it was made from the Hebrew’s Cibrath, and
signifieth half a daies journey.
Their measures of capacity, termed Mensuræ capacitatis, were of
two sorts; some for dry things as Corn, Seed, &c. Some for
liquid things, as Wine, Oyl, &c. In both, that there might be a
just proportion observed, all their measures were designed by a set
number of Hens eggs-shells of a middle size.
In my parallelling of them with our measures, where I speak of
Bushels, half Bushels, Pecks, &c. I am to be understood according to
Winchester measure, as we phrase it: such a bushel contained _eight
gallons_. Where I speak of gallons, pottles, quarts, &c. I am to be
understood according to our Ale-measure, thereby I avoid fractions of
number.
קב, Kab, Kabus, a Kab.[770] This contained twenty four eggs,
it held proportion with our Quart. The least measure mentioned in
Scripture, is the fourth part of a Kab, 2 Kings 6. 25. The famine
in Samaria was so great, that a fourth part of a Kab of Doves dung
was sold for five pieces of silver. The Rabbines have a Proverb, that
_ten Kabs of speech descended into the world, and the women took away
nine of them_.[771]
[770] Arias Mont. Thubal Cain.
[771] _עשרה קבין שיחה ירדו לעולם תשעה נטלו נשים Vid. Buxtorf.
Lexic. in חיה_
עמר Omer. It contained[772] _one Kab and an half, and a fifth part
of a Kab_, that is, three pints and a half pint, and a fifth part of
an half pint. It was the tenth part of an Ephah, Exod. 16. 36.
[772] Alsted. præcog. theol. l. 2. p. 588.
סאה Seah, σάτον, a Satum; The Latine Interpreters commonly
render it by Modius. It contained[773] six Kabs, that is a _Gallon
and half_. We translate the word in general, a measure: To morrow
this time, a measure (that is, a Satum) of fine flower shall be
sold for a Shekel, 2 Kings 7. 1.
[773] _Vide Buxtorf. Lexic. in קבב ex opere R. Alphes.
tractat. de Pasch. chap. 5. fol. 176._
אפה Ephah. It contained[774] three Sata, that is, _half a bushel,
and a pottle_.
[774] Arias Mont. Thubal Cain.
לתך Lethec. It contained[775] fifteen Modios (i.) Sata; that is,
two bushels, six gallons, and a pottle. Mention of this is made,
Hos. 3. 2. It is there rendred in English, half an Homer.
[775] Epiph. de mensur. & Ponderib.
חמר Homer. It is so called from חמור Chamor, Asinus, _an
Ass_, because this measure contained so much grain or corn as an Ass
could well bear. It contained ten Ephahs, Ezek. 45. 11. that is,
forty five gallons or five bushels, and five gallons.
כור Cor, Corus. The Cor, and the Homer, were of the same
quantity, Ezek. 45. 14. It was not only of liquid things, _Luke 16.
7._
These measures of which we have spoken hitherto, the Hebrews used in
measuring dry things: Three other measures there were, which they
used for liquid or moist things.
לוג Log. It contained[776] six egg-shells. It was of the same
quantity as the fourth part of a Kab, half a pint.
[776] Buxtorf. in loco superius citato.
הין Hin. It contained[777] the quantity of seventy two egg-shells,
so that it was of our measure three quarts.
[777] Buxtorf. ib.
בת Bath; βάτος, Bathus, the Bath. It was of the same capacity
with the Ephah, the tenth part of an Homer, Ezek. 45. 14. The
Latine Interpreters commonly render it Cadus. Hieron[778] writing
upon Ezekiel, renders it Vadus. _Decima pars Cori, inquit, in
speciebus liquidis vocatur Bathus, sive Vadus._ I sometimes thought
there had been some error in the print, namely, Vadus, put for
Cadus: But now I find the Greeks to use both βάτος, and βάδος, for
this measure, and from the last of these Greek words, that ancient
Father reads it, Vadus. Sometimes our English renders it, in
general, a measure, Luk. 16. 6. It contained _four gallons and a
half_.
[778] Hieron. Ezek. 45.
All these measures were proper to the Hebrews: I find three others
mentioned in the N. T. taken from other Nations.
Σεστός; Sextarius. We English it, in general, a Pot, _Mar. 7.
4._ It was of the same quantity with the Log,[779] if we understand
it of the Roman Sextarius. It was somewhat more, if we understand it
of the Attick Sextarius: _undecim Attici sextarii æquabant Romanos
duodecim_. In probability we are to understand the Roman measure, so
that it contained six eggs, that is, half a pint.
[779] Alsted. præcog. Theol. p. 561.
Χοῖνιξ, Chenix, a measure, Rev. 6. 6. It signifieth properly
that measure of corn, which was allowed servants for their maintenance
every day. Whence was occasioned that speech of Pythagoras: _Super
Chænice non sedendum_. That is, _we must not rest upon the provision
which sufficeth for a day, but we must take care for the morrow_. It
contained[780] four Sextarii, that is, a Quart.
[780] Budæus de asse. lib. 5.
Μετρητὴς, Metretes, Joh. 2. 6. It is translated a Firkin. It was
a measure in use among the Athenians. It was of the same quantity
with Cadus,[781] and Cadus (as before was noted) was equal to the
Hebrew Bath, so that it contained four Gallons and an half.
[781] Budæus de asse. lib. 5.
CHAP. X.
Their Coyns. First of brazen Coyns.
That they might have just Coyns and Weights they weighed both them
and their weights by Barley-corns.
Λεπτὸν, Minutum, a Mite, Luk. 21. 2. Mar. 12. 42. The latter
Hebrews call it פרוטה, the Syriack שמונא (i. Octava, _the
eighth part of Assarium_,) It weighed half a barly-corn.[782] It
valued of our mony, three parts of one ~c~.
[782] פרוטה משקל חצי שעורה Moses Kotsens. f. 124. col. 4.
Κοδράντης Quadrans, a Farthing. It was a Roman coyn, weighing _a
grain of barly_; it consisted of two mites. The poor Widow threw in
two mites which makes a farthing, Mark. 12. 42. By consequence it
valued of ours c. ½.
Ἀσσάριον, Assarius, vel assarium. It was a Roman coyn, weighing
four grains. The Rabbins call it איסור Isor, and say, that it
containeth[783] eight mites. Of this we read, Mat. 10. 29. Are not
two Sparrows sold for (an Assarium?) our English readeth it, for a
farthing? It valueth of ours, in precise speaking, q^{a.}--q.
[783] Drusius in præter. Luc. 12. 59.
Their silver Coyns.
גרה Gerah. It was the twentieth part of the shekel of the Sanctuary;
A shekel is twenty Gerahs, Exod. 30. 13. It was the least silver
coyn among the Hebrews; it valued of ours 1 d. ob.
אגורת Agorath: We English it in general, a piece of silver, _1
Sa. 2. 36._ But it appeareth by the Chaldee paraphrase, that it is
of the same value with Gerah; that paraphrase renders both מעא
Megna; by the Greek they are both rendred ὄβολος the value therof
therfore is 1 d. ob.
קשיטה Keshitah. The word signifieth a lamb, and is used for a
certain coyn among the Hebrews, on the one side whereof the Image
of a lamb was stamped; our English reads it in general, _a piece
of mony_. Jacob bought a parcel of a field for an hundred _pieces of
mony_, Gen. 33. 19. In the original it is, for an hundred lambs.
But it is apparent, that Jacob paid mony; for S. Stephen
saith, he bought it for mony, Act. 7. 16. In the judgment of the
Rabbines,[784] it was the same that Obolus, _twenty of them went to
a shekel_;[785] so that the value thereof was 1 d. ob.
[784] _R. Solom. Gen. 33. 19. It. R. David. in lib. radic. It.
Levi ben Gers. Gen. 33. 19._
[785] Drus. ad diffic. loca, Gen. p. 119.
כסף Ceseph, ἀργύριον Argenteus, a piece of silver: as the
Romans numbred their sums by Sesterces, insomuch that Nummus
is oftentimes put absolutly to signifie the same as Sestertius: So
the Hebrews counted their sums by shekels, and the Grecians by
Drachmæ: Hence Argenteus, a piece of silver, being put absolutely
in the Bible, if mention in that place be of the Hebrew coyns, it
standeth for a shekel, and valueth 2 s. 6 d. if it stand for the
shekel of the sanctuary: if it stand for a common shekel, then it
valueth 1 s. 3 d. But if mention be of the Greek coyns, as _Acts
19. 19._ then it signifieth the Attick Drachma, which valueth of our
money 1 d. ob.
Δραχμὴ, Luk. 15. 8. It was a quarter of a shekel,[786] and thus by
consequence it valued of ours 7 d. ob.
[786] Breerwood de nummis.
Δίδραχμον, Didrachmon; Mat. 17. 24. We English it _tribute
money_: The Syriack readeth Duo Zuzim;[787] now that coyn which was
termed Zuz by the Hebrews, was answerable to the Roman Denair;
whence it appeareth, that it valued of ours 1 s. 3 d.
[787] תרין זוזין
Στατὴρ, Stater. We English it a piece of money at large, but it
contained precisely two didrachmas. For the tribute money to be
paid for each person, was Didrachmum, as is evident, Mat. 17. 24.
and this Stater was paid for two, namely, for Christ and Peter,
the value of it therefore was, 2 s. 6 d.
Δενάριον, Denarius, a peny. This was their tribute money, _Mat.
22. 19._ There were two sorts of pence[788] in use among them: the
common peny, which valued of ours 7 d. ob. And the _peny of the
Sanctuary_, which valued 1 s. 3 d. For it was answerable to their
Didrachmum; and of this last we must understand S. Matthew in this
place, for their tribute mony was Didrachmum, as before hath been
noted out of Mat. 17. 24. This Didrachmum or half shekel was
formerly paid by the Isrælites every year after they were 20 years
old;[789] towards their Temple, Exod. 30. 13. Cæsar by taking
away this money from the Temple, and changing it into a tribute
for his own Coffers, did in truth take away from God that which was
God’s. Hence in that question proposed unto Christ, _Is it lawful
to give tribute unto ~Cæsar~, or not?_ Christ answereth, _Render unto
~Cæsar~ the things that are ~Cæsar’s~, and unto God the things that
are God’s_. This very tribute afterward was paid by the Jews[790]
toward the Roman capital, by vertue of a Decree made by Vespasian.
[788] Tremel. Mat. 22. 19.
[789] Aben Esr. Nehem. 10. 32.
[790] Joseph. de bello, lib. 7. cap. 26.
זוז Zuz, It was the fourth part of a shekel of silver:[791] it
valued therefore of ours, 7 d. ob.
[791] זוז רבע שקל כסף Elias Thisbit.
שקל Shekel, Siclus, a shekel: it was twofold; Siclus regius,
the Kings shekel, of common use in buying and selling, it valued 1
s. 3 d. And Siclus Sanctuarii; the shekel of the Sanctuary, it
valued 2 s. 6 d.
The shekels of the Sanctuary were of two stamps. The one was always
in use among the Jews: the _thirty pieces of silver which ~Judas~
received, are thought to be 30 shekels of the Sanctuary_. It had stampt
on the one side, the pot of Manna, or as others think, Aarons censer
or Incense-cup: the inscription on this side was שקל ישראל _Shekel
Israel_, The shekel of Israel: on the reverse side was stampt _Aarons
Rod budding_, with this inscription about the Coyn ירושלים הקדושה
Jeruschalaiim hakeduscha. After the coming of our Saviour, the
Jews which were converted to the Christian Faith, changed their
shekel,[792] and on the first side stampt the Image of Christ, with
יש at the mouth of the Image, and ו in the pole, which three
letters made his name Jesu. On the reverse side there was no picture,
but the whole rundle was filled with this inscription, משיח מלך בא
בשלום ואור מאדם עשוי חי (i.) _Messias rex venit cum pace, & lux de
homine facta est vita_. In some Coyns, for the latter clause of that
inscription is read אדם עשוי אלהים (i.) Deus homo est factus.
[792] Alsted præcog. Theol. p. 550.
The King’s shekel, in David and Solomon’s time, had stampt on
the one side, a kind of a Tower standing between ירו and שלם, and
underneath was עיר הקדש. The whole inscription was, _Jerusalem urbs
sanctitatis_: On the reverse side, the rundle was filled with this
Hebrew, דוד המלך ובנו שלמה המלך (i.) _David rex, & filius ejus
Solomon rex_.
The shekel again was divided into lesser Coyns, which had their
denomination from the parts thereof. Thus we read of the half
shekels, Exod. 30. 13. The third part of a shekel, _Nehem. 10.
32._ The quarter of a shekel, 1 Sam. 9. 8.
Their Gold Coyns.
זהב Zahab. The English reads it, a piece of gold, _2 Kin. 5.
5._ By it is meant, that which elsewhere is called Siclus auri,
a shekel of gold, 1 Chron. 21. 25. Hence the one thousand seven
hundred pieces of gold mentioned, Judg. 8. 26. the Greek renders
1700, shekels of gold.[793] The weight of this Coyn was two _attick
drams_,[794] the value 15 s.
[793] Σίκλοι χίλιοι, &c.
[794] Breerwood de nummis.
אדרכון Adarcon, of this we read, Esra 8. 27. It was also called
דרכמון Drachmon, of which we read Esra 2. 69. Both these names seem
to denote the same coyn; if not, yet both were of the same weight. The
Greek interprets them both by δραχμὴ, and our English accordingly
renders both, a dram, which must be understood of the drams in use
among the Hebrews, weighing two Attick drams. From the Greek
δραχμὴ, Drachmon seemeth to have had its name. He conjectureth not
amiss, who thinketh[795] that Adarcon was so called, quasi Daricon,
which was a certain coyn of gold in use among the Persians and from
King Darius (whose Image one side thereof bore) was named Daricon,
and א amongst the Chaldæans, is often prefixed before a word, as
ה is amongst the Hebrews. The value of this Coyn was of ours 15
s.
[795] Breerwood de nummis.
Their sums.
Their sums were two מנה Maneh, μνᾶ Mina, a Pound. In gold
it weighed one hundred shekels. This appeareth by comparing these
Texts, 1 Kin. 10. 17. Tres מנים Manim three pound of gold went
to one shield. Now we read, 2 Chron. 9. 16. Three hundred shekels
of gold went to one shield. The name shekels is not expressed in
the Original, but necessarily understood, as appeareth in that which
was spoken of Zahab. For it is a received rule, that in Scripture,
Aurum being put with a numeral signifieth so many _shekels of
gold_; and so Argentum in like manner. The weight thereof then being
100 shekels, it followeth, that the value was 75 l. In silver,
their Maneh weighed 60 shekels, Ezek. 45. 12. so that it valued
7 l. 10 s. Note, that Sheindler[796] was deceived, in saying,
that the price or value of the Maneh was changed in Ezekiels time,
because it then valued 60 shekels: for the difference is not between
the sacred & profane Maneh, as Sheindler conceives, but between
the Maneh of gold, which was valued at 100 shekels always, and
the Maneh of silver, which weighed 60 shekels, according to the
forequoted place in Ezekiel.
[796] Sheindler in מנה
The second sum was ככר Cicar, Talentum, A Talent. This, if it
were of silver, it contained in weight 3000 shekels. For, those two
verses being compared together, Exod. 38. 25, 26. sheweth, that _six
hundred thousand_ men paying every man half a shekel, the whole sum
amounted to an hundred talents; whence it followeth, that a _talent
of silver_ amongst the Hebrews was 375 l. But a talent of gold
(the proportion of gold to silver being observed) was twelve times as
much, so that it valued of ours 4500 l.
In this tract of their Coyns we are to know three things. First,
that as the Romans, in the former ages, used Æs grave, _Bullion
money_, unstampt, which in the Mass or Billot they weighed out in
their payments, and afterward Æs signatum, coyned metals: so the
Hebrews though at last they used, coyned money, yet at first they
weighed their mony uncoyned; Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver,
Gen. 23. 6. Hence the shekel had its name from שקל Shakal,
ponderare, librare, to weigh, or put in the ballance. Secondly,
as the coyned shekel was twofold, one for the use of the Sanctuary;
the other for the use of the Commonwealth; and that of the
Sanctuary was double the price of the other; so the _weight of the
shekel_ to be distinguisht after the same manner; the _shekel of the
Sanctuary weighed half an ounce Troy weight; the common shekel_ weighed
a quarter of an ounce. For example, _Goliahs spears head weighed 600
shekels of the Sanctuary_ 1 Sam. 17. 7. that is, _twenty five pound
weight_: _~Absalom’s~ hair weighed two hundred shekels after the Kings
weight_, 2 Sam. 14. 26. that is, four pound weight and two ounces.
Yea, the sums which I have reckoned only according to the Sanctuary,
in common use, according to the King’s weight, they abate half their
value.
3. The lesser coyns were in general termed κέρματα or in the singular
number κέρμα, Joh. 2. 15. The word signifieth properly a small
quantity or little piece of metal, such as may be clipt off from coyns.
_Upon the first of the mon. ~Adar~, Procla. was made throughout Israel,
that the people shold provide their half shekels, w^{ch} were yearly
paid toward the service of the Temple_, according to the commandment
of God, Ex. 30. 13.[797] On the 25. of Adar,[798] then they
brought tables into the Temple (that is, into the outward Court
where the people stood) on these tables lay these κέρματα, or
lesser coyns, to furnish those who wanted half shekels for their
offrings, or that wanted lesser pieces of mony in their payment for
oxen, sheep, or doves, which likewise stood there in a readiness
in the same court to be sold for sacrifices: but this _supply of
lesser coynes_ was not without an exchange for other _mony or other
things_ in lieu of mony, and that upon advantage. Hence those that
sat at these tables, as chief bankers or masters of the exchange,
they were termed Κερματισταὶ, in respect of the lesser coyns which
they exchanged: in respect of the exchange it self, they were termed
Κολλυβισταὶ, for Κόλλυβος signifieth the same in Greek as Cambium
in Latine,[799] whence those Letters of exchange, which the
Latines call Literas Cambii, the Greek call σύμβολα κολλυβιστικὰ,
Tickets of exchange: in respect of the Tables at which they sate,
they are termed by the Talmudists שולחנים, Schulcanim from
שולחן Schulchan Mensa; for the same reason they are sometimes
termed by the Greeks τραπεζίται, and by the Latines Mensarii. These
are those changers of money which our Saviour drove out of the
Temple.
[797] Moses Kotsens. de Siclis. fol. 122. col. 2.
[798] Moses Kotsens. ibid.
[799] _Κόλλυβος, inquit Pollux, est ἀργυρίου ἀλλαγὴ vid. Dru.
Annot. in N. T. part. alter._
FINIS.
.תהלה לאל חי
The Names of Authors cited in this BOOK.
A
Aben Esra.
Aboth. vid. Pirke Aboth.
Æschines.
Alexander Neopol.
Alstedius.
Ambrosius.
Aquinas.
Aristoteles.
Arias Montanus.
Aristophanes, Aureliæ Allobrogum, 1607
Artemidorus.
Athenæus.
Augustinus, Coloniæ Agrippinæ, 1616
B
Baalturim.
Beda.
Bellarminus.
Bertramus.
Beza.
Bodinus.
Breerwood.
Buxtorfius.
Budæus.
C
Caninius.
Capnio, vi. Reuchlin.
Carion.
Casaubonus.
Cœlius Rhodiginus.
Chazkuni.
Chemnitius.
Chimchi, alias, R. David Kimchi.
Chrysostomus.
Clem. Alexandrinus.
Cicero.
Concilium quintum, sextum.
Cyrillus.
Cyprianus.
Cunæus, Lugduni Batavorum, 1617
D
Demosthenes, Venitiis, 1554
Diodorus Siculus.
Dionysius Halicarnas.
Drusius, de tribus sectis, Franekeræ, 1619.
E
Elias Thisbites.
Epiphanius.
Erasmus.
Euripides.
Eustathius.
Eusebius.
F
Funccius.
Fagius.
Firmicus.
G
Galatinus, Francofurti, 1612
Gellius.
Genebrardus.
Gorionides.
Gregor. Nazianzen.
Gyraldus.
H
Herodianus.
Herodotus.
Hesiodus.
Hieronymus, Basileæ, 1516
Homerus.
Horatius.
Hospinianus, Tiguri, 1611
I
Jalcut, Cracoviæ, 1595
Jansenius.
Josephus, Aureliæ Allobrog., 1611
Jonathan.
Junius.
Justin Martyr.
Justin, histor.
Juvenalis.
Ilmedenu.
K
Kimchi. vid. Chimchi.
L
Lactantius.
Laertius.
Levi ben Gersom.
Lipsius.
Livius.
Lucanus.
Lucianus.
Lyranus.
M
Macrobius.
Magius.
Maimonides, lib. Jad. Venetiis, 1574
Masius.
Maximus Tirius.
Montacutius.
Moses Kotsensis. Venetiis, 1557
Munsterus.
Musar.
Modestus.
O
Oecumenius.
Onkelos.
Origines.
Ovidius.
P
Philo Judæus, Coloniæ Allobrog., 1613
Pirke Aboth.
Plautus.
Plinius.
Pierius, Basileæ, 1575
Plutarchus.
Procopius.
Prudentius.
R
Reuchlinus (pro quo citatur Capnio perperam) Francofurti, 1612
Rosinus.
Ruffinus.
S
Seder-olam minus.
Septuaginta interpretes.
Serarius.
Scaliger, De emend. temp. Lutetiæ, 1583
Trihæres. Franekeræ, 1619
Sheindler.
Sigonius.
Scholiastes Aristophanis.
Solomon Jarchi.
Solinus.
Sozomenus.
Statius.
Stukius.
Suetonius.
Suidas.
Syrius interpres.
T
Talmud Babylonicum.
Talmud Hierosolymitanum.
Targum Uzielidis sive Jonathanis.
Targum Onkelos.
Targum Hierosolymitanum.
Tertullianus, 1609
Theophylactus.
Theodoretus.
Theophrastus.
Tholosanus.
Thisbites.
Tiraquellus.
Toletus.
Tremelius.
V
Vatablus.
Valerius Max.
Varro.
Virgilius.
X
Xenophon, Basileæ, 1569
Z
Zepperus.
Zohar.
A TABLE OF THE Several TEXTS of SCRIPTURE Explained in the Six Books.
Chap. Vers. Pag.
--------------------------------------
GENESIS.
--------------------------------------
4 3, 4 23
4 21 136
7 24 84
8 4 ibid.
9 25 1
11 31 143
14 22 245, 247
15 2 230
17 213
17 14 216
18 22 73
20 7 24
21 10 1
22 2 148
23 2 169
23 16 269
24 2 245
24 53 230
24 55 231
24 56 236
25 5, 6 230
29 27 234
30 27 173
30 133
31 28 87
31 30 170
31 53 143
35 19 265
35 16 261
37 34 244
38 24 2
41 1 231
43 16 97
43 24 88
44 5 173
45 15 87
46 4 239
46 26 245
47 29 245
49 3 2
49 7 26
49 10 3
50 2 241
50 10 234
--------------------------------------
EXODUS.
--------------------------------------
1 11 248
1 14 109
3 6 47
3 15 142
7 11 174
12 6 107
12 15 110
12 26, 3 106
12 27 103
13 223
13 2, 9, 11 42, 43
13 18 257
14 1 154
14 24 81
15 20 24
16 23 101
16 34 17
16 36 262
18 7 87
18 21 193
21 10 236
21 14 77
22 1, 2, 4 203, 204
23 32 & 34, 14 257
25 22 63
28 14, 16
28 16 167
29 4, 9, 20 16, 17
30 10 64, 133
30 13 265, 266, 267, 270
30 23 13
31 14 217
32 157
32 20 158
32 34, 10 158, 159
34 161
35 3 101
38 25, 26 269
--------------------------------------
LEVITICUS.
--------------------------------------
6 3 146
8 12, 30 13, 14
10 10 180
12 2, 3 214
13 130
13 2 18
15 4, 23 15
16 3, 41 15, 133
18 21 143
19 18 185
19 23, 24 218
20 10 199
21 2, 10, 11 17
21 14, 7, 17 16
22 27 107, 214
23 118
23 5, 6, 7, 8 104
23 10, 11, 17 115, 116, 118
23 17 218, 220
23 24 121
23 40 118
23 43 119
24 13 196
25 6, 10, 21 134
25 8 136
26 30 161
27 29 218
27 32 226
--------------------------------------
NUMBERS.
--------------------------------------
2 2 254
3 19
3 15 20
4 41 23
5 3 23
5 18 26
6 31
6 5 32
8 10 20
8 11 220
8 24 20
9 113
9 9 195
10 18, 256
10 2 102
10 9 256
10 25 255
11 16, 26 190, 191
12 18 113
15 45
15 20 218, 219
15 35 196
15 38 44
18 12 220
18 12, 13 218
18 15, 16 223
18 26 220
18 31 225
23 28 154
24 21 55
25 3 154
27 18 29
28 4 108
28 11, 15 121
28 16, 17 104, 128
29 119
29 1, 6 122
36 10 195
--------------------------------------
DEUTERONOMY.
--------------------------------------
1 13, 17 193
3 11 260
3 29 154
4 41, 43 77
6 4 43
7 2 257
8 8 219
9 3 78
9 21 159
11 13 43
14 21 8
14 12 244
14 18 225
14 26 ibid.
15 2, 4 134, 135
16 2 104, 128
16 6 111
17 7 201
17 12 179
18 4 220
18 10, 11 171
19 3 78
19 15, 19 186
19 21 204
20 10 257
20 11 ibid.
21 6 40
21 17 230
22 5 163
22 8 117
22 12 44
23 6 257
25 2 207
25 2, 3 206
26 222
26 12 225
28 233
28 58, 59 207
29 11 23
29 15 186
33 5 2
--------------------------------------
JOSHUA.
--------------------------------------
3 4 100, 154
6 4 136
6 9 256
7 182
7 19 246
7 19, 20 197
9 6 258
9 7 257
9 23 22
11 19 257
19 1, 9 27
20 6 79
20 7 77
--------------------------------------
JUDGES.
--------------------------------------
1 16 55
3 7 76
7 1 72
7 19 81
8 23 2
8 26 268
8 33 154
9 4 155
13 32
14 183
14 10, 11 232, 233
14 12 90
17 5 170
--------------------------------------
RUTH.
--------------------------------------
2 4 87
--------------------------------------
1 SAMUEL.
--------------------------------------
2 36 265
5 4 156
7 15 2
7 16 193
9 8 267
9 9 24
10 1 88
14 44 247
16 11 94
17 7 269
19 13 170
25 41 88
28 177
28 6, 7 165
31 10 160
--------------------------------------
2 SAMUEL.
--------------------------------------
2 1 167
7 18 73
14 26 270
18 18 219
20 25 27
21 1 258
--------------------------------------
1 KINGS.
--------------------------------------
2 28 77
6 3 65
6 37 67
7 15 260
8 9 63
8 31 245
10 17 268
11 143
11 5 160
12 12 207
12 28 159
13 33 17
18 147
18 19 76
20 10 247
20 39 203
21 9 196
22 30 12
--------------------------------------
2 KINGS.
--------------------------------------
1 2 154, 155
2 9 230
2 12 25
4 23 121
4 29 87
5 5 267
5 18 164
6 1 25
6 25 262
7 1 ibid.
11 12 11
12 10 27
12 19 66
17 30, 31 164
17 33 49
19 37 164
21 7 76
22 3 27
23 4 13, 181
23 6 76
23 10 143
23 11 150
23 13 160
--------------------------------------
1 CHRON.
--------------------------------------
6 49 18
21 25 268
23 4 19
23 24 20
24 19
25 8 20
26 ib.
26 20 19
--------------------------------------
2 CHRON.
--------------------------------------
3 15 260
5 12 20
6 13 65
9 16 268
15 16 76
19 5, 8, 11 180
20 5 65
29 22 18
31 6 224
31 13 226
35 6 111
--------------------------------------
EZRA.
--------------------------------------
2 43 22
2 69 268
3 8 20, 67
3 12 68
6 15 67
7 6 27
7 9 ib.
8 27 268
--------------------------------------
NEHEMIAH.
--------------------------------------
3 1 73
3 3, 28 74
8 10 96
8 15 118
8 18 119
10 32 267
10 37 219
10 37, 38 224
--------------------------------------
ESTHER.
--------------------------------------
1 8 95
9 21 138
--------------------------------------
PSALMS.
--------------------------------------
1 188
15 1 62
16 6 260
19 1 63
19 4, 5 232
23 5 89
26 6 40
27 10 256
40 7 249
45 1 27
45 8 14
46 5 254
52 164
54 ib.
60 8 89
74 8 70
76 10 188
78 38 207
80 2 256
81 3 122
84 7 28, 72
95 247
99 1 63
106 20 157
106 26 245
109 7 188
116 13 97
118 20 70
109 31 187
122 223
128 3 94
133 2 14
141 2 64
145 233
--------------------------------------
PROVERBS.
--------------------------------------
1 21 70
3 22 175
4 10 73
9 9 72
10 7 242
14 28 222
15 17 86
20 26 211
21 14 66
31 6 198
--------------------------------------
CANTICLES.
--------------------------------------
6 4 254
--------------------------------------
ISAIAH.
--------------------------------------
1 1 24
8 1 249
8 2 215
12 3 120
17 8 161
18 2 153
27 9 161
30 8 248
30 29 223
37 38 164
38 8 84
45 23 246
63 3 133
65 5 41
--------------------------------------
JEREMIAH.
--------------------------------------
7 18 160
9 17 245
16 7 97, 243
19 5 144
26 8, 16 180
28 9 192
32 35 144
34 18 257
35 31
35 7 56
36 6 130
36 23 249
40 5 86
44 17 160
48 1 164
48 7 157
52 21 259
52 24 18
--------------------------------------
LAMENT.
--------------------------------------
2 19 81
--------------------------------------
EZEKIEL.
--------------------------------------
1 10 255
8 163
8 14 152
16 38 199
20 21 97
21 21 172, 177
22 41 94
24 17 243
37 233
40 5 261
45 11 262
45 12 268
45 13 222
45 14 263
--------------------------------------
DANIEL.
--------------------------------------
9 24 84
--------------------------------------
HOSEA.
--------------------------------------
1 1 25
3 2 262
4 12 171, 177
--------------------------------------
AMOS.
--------------------------------------
2 8 94
5 26 149
6 10 241
8 4 121
--------------------------------------
JONAH.
--------------------------------------
1 5 110
--------------------------------------
MICH.
--------------------------------------
3 7 244
--------------------------------------
HAB.
--------------------------------------
2 11 204
--------------------------------------
HAGG.
--------------------------------------
2 10 68
--------------------------------------
ZACHAR.
--------------------------------------
3 1 187
5 2 249
9 14 137
10 2 171
--------------------------------------
MALACH.
--------------------------------------
2 7 18
--------------------------------------
TOB.
--------------------------------------
1 7 224
1 7, 8 225
7 14 235
10 10 139
--------------------------------------
ECCLESIASTIC.
--------------------------------------
34 26 223
--------------------------------------
1 MACCHAB.
--------------------------------------
1 16 217
4 59 123
5 42 27
--------------------------------------
2 MACCHAB.
--------------------------------------
4 19 151
6 19 211
--------------------------------------
MATTHEW.
--------------------------------------
2 4 27
2 23 32
3 17 168
4 23 7
5 189
5 22 146
8 11 93
9 3, 11 28
9 15 232
9 23 244
10 12, 13 87
10 17 180
10 29 264
10 38 209
10 41 24
11 19 25
12 41 188
14 25 81
15 2 39
15 5 247
16 14 38
16 18 192
17 24 265
18 16 181
20 3, 5, 6 81
21 9 118
21 23 180
22 19 266
22 23, 32 47
23 5 41
23 6 30
23 9 25
23 17 103
23 18 246
23 23 224, 226
24 31 122
25 23 186
26 3 180
26 17 113
26 49 30
26 65 17
27 24 40
27 25 196
27 26 209
27 28 13
27 34, 38 197, 198
27 59, 60 242
28 1 80
--------------------------------------
MARK.
--------------------------------------
6 21 61
6 27 196
7 3 39
7 4 40
7 4 240, 263
8 15 61
10 12 238
12 50
12 42 264
13 35 81
14 1 19
14 26 92
15 23 197
15 25, 34 82, 109
15 42 99
--------------------------------------
LUKE.
--------------------------------------
1 5, 9 19
1 61 215
2 1 59
3 2 18
3 37, 38, 46 89
4 17, 20 249
4 20 71
5 17 27
7 30 ibid.
7 38 87
7 37, 38 46, 89
7 39 41
8 44 44
10 39 31
11 38 40
12 2 7
12 38 81
12 58 187
13 1 60
13 15 102
13 34 192
14 7 90
15 8 265
16 1 116
16 6, 7 263
16 22 93
16 29 24
18 45
18 6 196
18 11 37
18 12 41
18 13 73
20 27 47
21 1, 4 66
21 20 264
22 1 104, 128
22 17, 18 90
22 19 93
23 11 13
23 44 82
--------------------------------------
JOHN.
--------------------------------------
1 14, 16 14
1 18 99
--------------------------------------
JOHN.
--------------------------------------
1 25 11
1 38 30
2 6 89, 264
2 9 234
2 15 270
2 20 67
3 10 23
3 26 30
4 9 47
4 20 50
4 25 215
7 22 214
7 37 120
7 38 ibid.
7 49 37
8 5 199
8 20 66
9 22 181
9 24 246
10 3 16
10 22 139
10 23 65
11 9 80, 83
13 2 112
13 5 88
13 9 41
13 23 93
13 29 128
16 2 112
18 28, 31 128, 129
19 7 200
19 13 191
19 14 82
19 17 209
19 24 128
19 33 114
19 36 98
19 40 241
--------------------------------------
ACTS.
--------------------------------------
2 5 10
2 15 83
3 1 ibid.
3 11 65
5 37 59
6 1 8
6 6 21
6 9 70
7 16 265
7 43 149
7 60 73
9 2 70
9 37 239
10 9 83
10 9, 10 97
11 26 33
13 2 21, 220
13 5, 14 70
13 42 98
14 23 21
15 2 32
15 21 70
16 13 73
16 16 176
17 23 141
18 14 200
19 166
19 2 68
19 8, 9, 10 71
19 19 265
19 24 76
19 24, 28 162
21 24 32
21 38 60
22 3 13
23 6 47, 49
23 8 47
23 8 37
24 129
24 5 32
26 1 22
27 9 130
--------------------------------------
ROMANS.
--------------------------------------
1 1 227
1 11 36
3 25 63
4 11 213
5 6, 7 34
11 16 219
14 11 246
--------------------------------------
1 CORINTH.
--------------------------------------
1 20 24, 28
4 13 132
5 114
5 5 182
7 3 236
7 18 217
8 5 153
10 16 93
10 19 97
11 115
11 10 236
11 26 106
14 31
15 9 240
15 23 254
15 32 210
16 183
16 20 87
--------------------------------------
2 CORINTH.
--------------------------------------
2 15 14
5 22 133
--------------------------------------
2 CORINTH.
--------------------------------------
11 24 206
--------------------------------------
GALATH.
--------------------------------------
2 11 33
--------------------------------------
EPHES.
--------------------------------------
2 13 114
--------------------------------------
PHILLIP.
--------------------------------------
3 5 8
--------------------------------------
COLOSS.
--------------------------------------
2 8, 16, 18 64
2 20, 21, 23 ib.
2 9 68
--------------------------------------
1 TIMOTHY.
--------------------------------------
1 4 28
1 15 72
3 2 238
3 13 21
4 3 57
5 3 238
5 22 21
5 23 57
--------------------------------------
2 TIMOTH.
--------------------------------------
3 8 174
--------------------------------------
HEBREWES.
--------------------------------------
1 1 165
3 18 247
5 4 17
9 4 63
9 12 133
9 26 114
11 35 211
11 37 210
12 23 20
--------------------------------------
JAMES.
--------------------------------------
2 2 12
--------------------------------------
1 PETER.
--------------------------------------
1 18 223
5 14 87
--------------------------------------
2 PETER.
--------------------------------------
1 20 24
3 8 136
--------------------------------------
1 JOHN.
--------------------------------------
2 2 63
5 16 183
--------------------------------------
2 JOHN.
--------------------------------------
2 1 187
--------------------------------------
APOC.
--------------------------------------
2 17 188
4 6 255
6 6 264
14 14 177
21 15 261
FINIS.
List of changes made
Source of corrections: comparison with other editions of the same work,
and with the author’s original source materials.
The corrections are to be read:
as found in this e-text;
as printed in the original
PREFATORY MATERIAL
3. Baal-Peor;
3. Baal-Poor
MAIN TEXT
Page 3
αἰχμαλωτάρχαι;
ἂιχμαλως ὰρχαι
מי כמוך באלים יהוה;
יהוה מי כמוך באלים (word order error)
Page 8
Bagbag;
Baghag
Page 15
Bigde Zahab;
Bidge Zahab
Page 18
ἐφημερίαι;
ἐφεμηρίαι
Page 22
Ansche Magnamad, Viri stationarii;
Ansche, Magnamad, Vire stationarii
Page 26
תלמידי חכמים;
חכמים חכלמוי (as best possible to make out from the printing)
Page 33
נזר;
נסר
צדיקים;
צידקם
Page 39
said to have been done;
said to have bin done
πύκα;
πυχνα
Syriack Text;
Syriack Texth
Page 42
Phylacteries for the hand;
Phylacteries for the head
Page 43
טוטפות Totaphot;
מטפות Mitaphoth
טטף;
מטף
Page 44
גדילים;
עדילים
Page 50
Syriake;
Syriaek
Page 52
they put on a suit;
they put one a suit
could not be believed;
could not believed
Page 57
τί δογματίζεσθε;
τὸ δογματίζεσθε
The Apostle useth the word;
The Apostle useth the wound
Page 58
ἱκέται;
ἐυχηται
Page 59
τὸ ἱκετικὸν γένος;
τὸ ἐυχητικὸν γενός
Page 61
Herod, Tetrarch;
Herod, Tetartch
Page 64
with the twelve Loaves;
which the twelve Loaves
Page 66
קופה של צדקה;
קיפ שהל צדקה
Page 80
Natural, containing day and night;
Matural, containing day and night
Page 84
מעלות Magnoloth;
מעלוח Magnoloch
Menses cavi;
Menses cravi
Page 86
Δὶῳ;
δὶῳ
Mendose ponitur Μαρσουάνη pro Μαρχασουὰν;
Mendose ponitur μαρσουάνη pro μαρχασουὰν
Page 90
Habotsagn;
Hahotseong
Page 92
ὑμνήσεως;
ὑμνήτεως
Page 93
The table being placed in the middest;
The table thing placed in the middest
Page 97
τῆς εὐλογίας;
τῆς ὀυγαλίας
ποτήριον σωτηρίας;
ποτήριον σωτηρία
Page 98
σαββάτων;
σαββάτον
השבת;
השבבת
Page 105
לא תלה אכילה זו בקרבן הפסח אלא זו מצוה בפני עצמה;
“בפני” omitted
Page 106
this be kept;
this he kept
Page 110
from the fourth to the sixth hour;
from the fourth of the sixth hour
Page 118
θυρσοφορίαν;
θυρσαφορίαν
Thyrsi;
Thyrisi
Εἰρεσιώνη;
Ἔιρισιώνη
Page 122
μηνοειδὲς;
μενοειδὲς
Page 124
גהז;
גהץ
זבד;
צבד
Page 131
which name the Heathens applied;
with name the Heathens applied
in the name of all the people;
in the name of the all people
Page 132
περίψημα ἡμῶν γενοῦ;
περίψημα ἑμτων γενοῦ
θυόμενοι;
θυόμενον
Page 148
Baalites;
Baabites
Page 150
ἱπποδρόμιον;
ἱπποστρόμιον
האיר כל, Heircol;
האר כל, Hiercol
Page 154
Latium;
Latum
Page 157
graving tool;
graving Stool
Page 172
קדים, Kadim;
צדים, Tzadim
Page 173
ἐνόδια;
ἐυοδια
Page 184
ὑπόπτωσις;
ὑπόπτοσις
Page 188
ἀναστῆναι είς κρίσιν;
ἀναστῆναι ρίς κρίσιν
καταδεδικασμένος;
καταδεδικασένος
Page 189
to keep one’s standing;
to keep’s one standing
סנהדרים גדולה;
גדולה סנהדרים (word order error)
Page 193
σύγκλητον;
σὺγκησον
Page 213
the Æthiopians, the Trogloditæ, and the Egyptians;
the Æthiopians, the Tragloditæ, and the Egyptians
Page 215
Maher-shalal-hash-baz;
Maher-shalal-haz-baz
Page 217
ἐπισπάσθω;
ἐπισπάσθο
Page 220
ἀφωρισμένον;
ἀφρισμένον
ἀφοριεῖ Ἀαρὼν;
ἀφωριεῖ Ααρῶν
ἀφορίσατε;
ἀφωρίζατε
Page 227
Bushels in one year;
Bushels in own year
Page 228
Mint, Anise and Cummin;
Mint, Anise and Cummim
Page 241
ταριχεύειν;
τεραχεύειν
Page 250
that the Masorites were;
that the Nasorites were
Page 251
Theba achath;
Theba agnath
Page 253
for the habitation of the Clergy;
for the habition of the Clergy
twelve miles long;
twelves miles long
Page 254
In the middle was the Camp of the Divine Majesty;
In the middle was Camps of the Divine Majesty
Page 263
Paragraph on “Bath”, rearranged lines, which were printed out of order.
Page 266
Vespasian;
Vespasion
Page 267
אלהים;
אלהיב
ירו and שלם;
ירו and מלם
דוד המלך ובנו שלמה המלך;
ובנו שלמה המלך דוד המלך
FOOTNOTES
Footnote 26
in fonte spurius ille textus;
in fonte spurius illo textus
Footnote 29
Eccles.;
Eccse.
Footnote 34
במילה ובטבילה ובהוצאת דמים של קרבן;
במילת ובטבילה ובהוצאה דמים של קרבן
Footnote 44
magnus ipse est;
magnus ipsa est
Footnote 59
Eodem sensu Græci appellant artis medica candidatos;
Eodom sensu Græci appellant artis medica condidatos
Footnote 74
אני סומך אותך תהיה סמוך;
סומך תהיה אני אותך סמתך (as best possible to make out from the
printing)
Footnote 113
אל תגע בי;
אל תגש בי
Footnote 126
Concil. quini Sexti;
Concil. quinti Sexti
Footnote 128
Magnifice … Varronem;
Magnifico … Varonem
Footnote 138
Elias de שרק is given in other editions as שוק.
Footnote 139
l. 3 p. 130;
l. 34. 130.
Footnote 238
recensionem;
recentionem
Footnote 251
נשיקות פרקים;
נשיקית פרקים
Footnote 252
נשיקות פרושות Neshikoth parusoth, Oscula separationis.;
נשיקות פרישות Neshekoth parishuth, Oscula seseparationis.
Footnote 329
חג הסכות;
חגו הסות
Footnote 362
אין דנין דיני נפשות לא בערב שבת ולא בערב יום טוב;
אין דנין ביני נפשות לא ערב שבת ולא ערב יום מובי
Footnote 382
Ἐγκαίνια ἑορτὴ καθ’ ἣν ἐκαινουργήθη τὶ;
Ἐγκαίνια ἑωρτὴ καθ’ ἣν ἐοαινουρτήθυ τὶ
Footnote 387
Εὐρώπης;
Ευρώπη
Footnote 414
οὐδὲν ναοῦ;
ὀδὲν ναοῦ
Footnote 439
Ζητήσουσι;
Ζητίσουσι
Footnote 456
אין לך ישראל פורענות שאין בה אנקיא מעון העגל;
אין לך ישראל פורעפות שאין בה אנקיא טשין העגל
Footnote 514
καταβλεπάδα;
κατα βλεπάδα
Footnote 534
Moses Kotsen;
Moses Kimchi
Footnote 553
הרי את סמוך ויש לך רשות לדון אפילו דיני קנסות;
הו את סמוך ויש לך רשות לדון אפולד דיני קנסות
Footnote 555
ובאילין אמר משת לא שמעית;
ובאלינ ובאלינ אמר משת לא שמעית
Footnote 616
כלי מסגר לידים;
מלי מסגר לידים
Footnote 621
Mercerus;
Macerus
Footnote 631
כשם שהכנסתו לברית כן תכניסהו;
כשם שהכנסתו לברית כן נבניסגו
Footnote 636
וארבעה עשרין תרומו;
וארבעה עשרין תר מו
Footnote 663
אשה uxor;
עשה uxor
Footnote 685
Sine Radid;
Sinie Radid
Footnote 701
ויחנטו;
ויחנטר
Footnote 707
זכר צדיק לברכה;
זכר נגר לברכה