CHAP. XX.
The Iewes faith and hope touching their Messias.
THe Iewes generally beleeue, hope, and pray for a Messias; but such a one, whose kingdome shall be of this world, and who shall (to vse the Apostles a 1.1 phrase, who were also, euen after CHRISTS death and resurrection, partakers of this dreame) restore the Kingdome to Israel. And because the Scripture speaketh somewhat of the poore, contemp∣tible, and deiected state, of the promised Messias, sometimes of the pu∣issance, renowne, and glory of his kingdome: they therefore frame to their conceits, two Messiahs, one poore and simple, but a mighty warriour, whom they call Messias Ben-Ioseph: the other, Messias Ben-Dauid; after the other in time, but before him in glo∣ry, & the true Messias: howsoeuer euen this also be in their opinions but a meere man, and one which shall marry and leaue behind him a remaining and raigning posteritie.
The ancient Iewes looked for this Messias to be sent them about this time, when IESVS came in the flesh: as that Prophecie which is fathered on Elias testifieth, to wit, that the world should be 2000. yeares Tohu, emptie and without Law, 2000. vn∣der the Law, 2000. vnder the Messias: and accordingly CHRIST IESVS came into the world about the yeare after the Creation, 3963. The Iewes reckon 202. years fewer in all their computations, then the Christians. Vpon this occasion, and in regard of the generall expectation of the Messias, about that time rose so many Sects & espe∣cially that rebellion of Ben-Cochab, before spoken of, to whom R. Akibha (famous for his 24000. disciples) gaue testimony, and called him Messias the King. But this Ben∣cochab, the sonne of the Starre, Numb. 23. was by Adrian (as you haue seene) besie∣ged, taken, and executed, and was called after b 1.2 Ben-Cozabh, the sonne of lying. They therefore, when as they found no Messias, said, that the time was deferred, because of their sins: and after renounced Anathema to him, that should set downe the time of his comming. And being conuinced in their consciences, that the c 1.3 Prophecies of this time were already past and accomplished, they affirmed in their writings, that he was then borne, but did not yet reueale himselfe, because of their sinnes. R. Salomon Iarchi wri∣teth, that the ancient Iewes thought he was borne on that day in which Ierusalem was last destroyed; but vncertaine where he hath lien hidde. Some say that he abideth in Paradise tied by the haire of a womans head: so interpreting that of the Canticles. The d 1.4 haire of thy head is as purple, The King is tied in the rafters; by rafters meaning Para∣dise. The Talmudists e 1.5 write, that he lay at the gates of Rome among the Lazars and Leapers, according to Esay 53.
Before he commeth, they write, that ten notable miracles shall happen to warne them thereof. First, GOD shall raise vp three Kings, which shall make profession of [ 1] the true Faith, but shall indeed betray it, and seduce men, and cause them to deny GOD. The louers of the Truth shall flee and hide themselues in caues, and holes of the earth, and these Tyrants shall pursue and slay them. Then shall there be no King in Israel (as it is f 1.6 written) no Pastors, no holy men. The heauens shall be shut vp, the people shall be made few: for these Tyrants, (which yet by diuine dispensation shall raigne but three moneths) shall impose ten times as much, as was before exacted, and they which haue not to pay shall lose their heads. And from the ends of the earth, shall