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. II.

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

In Moses seat, &c.

THIS is to be understood rather of the Legislative seat, (or chair) than of the merely Doctrinal: and Christ here asserts the authority of the Magistrate, and perswadeth to obey him in lawful things.

Concerning the Chairs of the Sanhedrin there is mention made in Bab. Succah. c 1.1 There were at Alexandria seventy one golden chairs, according to the number of the seventy one El∣ders of the great Council. Concerning the authority of Moses, and his Vicegerent in the Council there is also mention in Sanhedrim. d 1.2 The great Council consisted of seventy one Elders. But whence was this number derived? From that place, where it is said, Chuse me out seventy men of the Elders of Israel: And Moses was President over them. Behold seventy one! What is here observed by Galatinus from the signification of the Aorist 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Sat, i•• too light and aery. He saith, They sat, (saith he) and not, They sit, that he might plainly demonstrate that their power was then ceased. e 1.3 But if we would be so cu∣rious to gather any thing from this Aorist, we might very well transfer it to this sense rather. The Scribes and Pharises, the worst of men, have long usurped Moses seat; ne∣vertheless we ought to obey them, because, by the dispensation of the Divine Provi∣dence, they bear the chief Magistracy.

Concerning their authority, thus Maimonides, f 1.4 The great Council of Jerusalem was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, g 1.5 The Pillar and Ground) The ground of the tradi∣tional Law, and the pillar of Doctrine; whence proceeded statutes and judgments for all Israel. And concerning them the Law asserts this very thing, saying, h 1.6 According to the Sentence of the Law which they shall teach thee. Whosoever therefore believes Moses our Master, and his Law, is bound to relie upon them for the things of the Law.

Christ teacheth that they were not to be esteemed as Oracles, but as Magistrates.

Notes

• c 1.1

  Fol. ••1. 2.
• d 1.2

  Chap. 1. hal. 6
• e 1.3

  Chap. 6. Book 4.
• f 1.4

  In Mamrim, cap. 1.
• g 1.5

  See 1 Tim. III. 15.
• h 1.6

  Deut. XVII. 11.