The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

VERS. XLI.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c.

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, &c.

TO him that had some corporeal wrong done him, were these five mulcts to be paid, according to the reason and quality of the wrong; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 e 1.1 A mulct for maiming, if so be the party were maimed: a mulct for pain, caused by the blow or wound given: a mulct for the cure of the wound or blow; a mulct for the re∣proach brought upon him: and a mulct for ceasing,, when being wounded, or beaten, he kept his bed, and could not follow his business.

To the first, the first words of our Saviour, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 That ye resist not evil, seem to relate: Do not so resist, or rise up against an injurious person, as to require the law of retaliation against him. The second and fourth the words following seem to respect, viz. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Whosoever smiteth thee, so that it cause pain and shame: and those words also, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, him that will take away thy coat. To the last do these words under our hand refer, and to the second certainly, if some intolera∣ble kind of service be propounded, which the famous Beza asserts.

The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 very usual among the Talmudists, whereby they denote accompanying him, that goes somewhere, out of honour and respect, reaches not the sense of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but is too soft and low for it. It is reckoned for a duty, to accompany a dead corps to the grave, and a Rabbine departing somewhere. Hence is that story f 1.2 Germani the Servant of R. Judah Nasi willing 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) to conduct R. Illa going away, met a mad dog, &c. The footsteps of this civility we meet with among the Christians, Tit. III. 13. John Ep. III. ver. 6. Marks they were of respect, love and reverence: but that which was required by the Jewish Masters out of arrogance, and a supercilious authority, was to be done to a Rabbine, as a Rabbine.

But 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to compel to go a mile, sounds harsher, and speaks not so much an im∣pulse of duty, as a compulsion of violence: and the Talmudists retain that very word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Angaria, and do shew, by examples not a few, what it means. g 1.3 It is reported of R. Eliazar ben Harsum, that his Father bequeathed him a thousand Cities on the dry land, and a thousand Ships on the Sea: but yet he every day carrying along with him a bottle of meal upon his shoulder, travayled from City to City, and from Country to Country to learn the Law. On a certain day his Servants met him, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & angariate, compel him. He saith to them, I beseech, you dismiss me, that I may go and learn the Law. They say to him, by the life of R. Eliazar ben Harsum, we will not dismiss you, &c. Where the Gloss is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Angariah is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the service of the Governor of the City; and he was here to serve himself (for he was Lord of the City) But they knew him not, but thought him to belong to one of those his Cities: for it was incumbent on them to attend on their Master.

Again, h 1.4 R. Elizer saith, Why was Abraham our father punished, and why were his sons afflicted in Egypt two hundred and ten years? 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Because he angariavit, compelled the disciples of the Wise men to go with him: as it is said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 He armed his Catechumens, or, his trained, or instructed, Gen. XIV. 14.

The same almost is said of King Asa. i 1.5 Rabba asked why was Asa punished (with the Gou••?) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Because he compelled the Disciples of the Wise men to go along with him: as it is said, And Asa gathered together all Judah, none excepted, &c. 1 King. XV. 22.

We meet with mention also of Angariating cattle, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 k 1.6 An Ass is hired for a hilly journey, but he that hireth him travayls in the Valley; although both be of the like distance, that is, ten miles, if the Ass dyes, he who hireth him is guilty, &c. But if the Ass were angariated, the Hirer saith to the Owner, Behold, Take your beast to your self, &c. The Gloss is, If he were angariated, that is, if they take him for some work of the King, &c.

You see then, whither the exhortation of our Saviour tends. 1. To patience under an open injury, and for which there is no pretence, vers. 39. 2. Under an injury, for which some right and equity in law is pretended, ver. 40. 3. Under an injury, compulsion, or violence, patronized by the authority of a King, or of those that are a∣bove us.

Notes

• e 1.1

  Bava Kama in the place above.
• f 1.2

  Hieros. Schabb. 8. 3.
• g 1.3

  Bab. Joma, fol. 35. 2▪
• h 1.4

  Nedarim, fol. 32. 1.
• i 1.5

  Sotah, fol. 10. 1.
• k 1.6

  ••ava M••zia, cap. 6. hal. 3.