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. XIII.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

IN hiring of labourers the custom of the place most prevail'd; hence came that Axiom, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Observe the custom of the City f 1.1, speaking of this very thing. There is also an example g 1.2, Those of Tiberias that went up to Bethmeon to be hired for labourers, were hired according to the custom of Bethmeon, &c. By the by also we may observe that which is said by the Babylonians in the place last cited, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is, as the Gloss renders it, Notice must be taken whether they come from several places; for at some places they go to work sooner, and at some later.

Hence two things may be clear'd in the Parable before us. 1. Why they are said to be hired at such different hours; namely therefore, because they are supposed to have come together from several places. 2. Why there was no certain agreement made with those that were hired at the third, sixth, and ninth hour, as with those that were hired early in the morning; but that he should only say, Whatsoever is right I will give you: that is, supposing that they would submit to the custom of the place. But indeed when their wages were to be paid them, there is by the favour of the Lord of the vineyard, an equa∣lity made between those that were hired for some hours, and those that were hired for the whole day; and when these last murmured, they are answer'd from their own agree∣ment, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, You agree'd with me. Note here the Canon h 1.3, The master of the family saith to his servant, Go, hire me labourers for four pence; he goes and hires them for three pence; although their labour deserves four pence, they shall not receive but three, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 because they bound themselves by agreement, and their complaint (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, murmuring, in the 11th verse) is against the servant.

Notes

• f 1.1

  Beb. Bava Mezia, fol. 83. 2.
• g 1.2

  Hierof. Mezia, fol. 11. 2.
• h 1.3

  Maimon. as before Chap. 9.