VERS. II.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
They do that, which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day.
THEY do not contend about the thing it self, because it was lawful, Deut. XXIII. 25. but about the thing done on the Sabbath. Concerning which the Fathers of the Traditions write thus. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 h 1.1 He that reaps on the Sabbath, though never so little, is guilty. And to pluck the ears of corn is a kind of reaping, and whosoever plucks any thing from the springing of his own fruit is guilty, under the name of a Reaper. But under what guilt were they held? he had said this be∣fore, at the beginning of Chap. VII. in these words, The works, whereby a man is guilty of stoning and cutting off, if he do them presumptuously: but if ignorantly, he is bound to bring a sacrifice for sin, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Are either primitive or derivative. Of primitive, or of the general kinds of works, are nine and thirty reckoned, To i 1.2 plow, to sow, to reap, to gather the Sheaves, to thresh, to sift, to grind, to bake, &c. to shear sheep, to dy wool, &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The derivative works, or the particulars of those ge∣nerals are such as are of the same rank and likeness with them. For example, digging is of the same kind with plowing; chopping of herbs is of the same rank with grind∣ing: and plucking the ears of corn is of the same nature with reaping. Our Saviour therefore, pleaded the Cause of the Disciples, so much the more eagerly, because now their lives were in danger: for the Canons of the Scribes adjudged them to stoning, for what they had done, if so be it could be proved that they had done it presumptously. From hence therefore, he begins their defence, that this was done by the Disciples, out of necessity, hunger compelling them, not out of any contempt of the Laws.