VERS. XV.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
To make one Proselyte.
THE Talmudists truly speak very ill of Proselytes n 1.1. Our Rabbins teach, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that Proselytes and Sodomites hinder the coming of the Messias. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Proselytes are as a scab to Israel. The Gloss, For this reason that they were not skilled in the commandments, that they brought in revenge, and more∣over, that the Israelites perchance might imitate their works, &c.
Yet in making of these they us'd their utmost endeavours, for the sake of their own gain; that they might some way or other drain their purses after they had drawn them in under the shew of Religion; or make some use or benefit to themselves by them. The same covetousness therefore under a vail of hypocrisie in devouring widows, which our Saviour had condemned in the former clause, he here also condemns in hunting after Pro∣selytes; which the Scribes and Pharisees were at all kind of pains to bring over to them. Not that they cared for Proselytes (whom they accounted as a scab and plague) but that the more they could draw over to their Religion, the greater draught they should have for gain, and the more purses to fish in. These therefore being so Proselyted, they made doubly more the children of Hell than themselves. For when they had drawn them into their net, having got their prey they were no further concern'd what became of them, so they got some benefit by them. They might perish in ignorance, superstition, atheism, and all kind of wickedness, this was no matter of concern to the Scribes and Pharisees; only let them remain in Judaism, that they might Lord it over their Consciences and Purses.