(d) Before he breathed out threatnings against the Church, nowe hee breathed sweet promises in the Church▪ Before he was a zealous Pharise, but now a zealous Christian.
Quest. What was a Pharisie?
Answ. The Pharisie was a passing precise Iew, of what Tribe soever. The Saxons interpret Pha∣risie, Sundorhalgan, that is, One that severs himselfe for Holinesse, and indeede such they were.
Besides this strict Mosaicall sect, the Scriptures remember another sect called Saduces. These held there was no Angell, Spirit, Resurrection.
A third sect, the Iewish writers remember, cal∣led Esseni, whereof were two sortes. The one sort, never married: the second sort did, but by their spa∣ring fellowship carnall, they testified thereby, that they married onely for preserving of chast mindes. Both these sortes of Ess••ni, notwithstanding loved each other, wheresoever they were scattered in Townes and Citties, they ever prepared to enter∣taine to harbour any of their sect. Had the one ne∣uer seen the other, yet the strange brother was no∣thing lesse bolde to enter the house. Reioycinglie they would suffer any death at the handes of the Romanes, as it were therein triumphing over the Vncircumcised. In a worde, of all the Iewes then, these were most honest sober, religious, charitable.