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. XXXVIII.

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

Two Thieves.

SEE in Josephus who they were that at that time were called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and how much trouble and pains the Governours of Judea were at, to restrain and root out this cursed sort of men. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. o 1.1 Ezekias the chief Robber was subdued by Herod. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 p 1.2. One Simon stragling about with the robbers with whom he associated, burnt the pa∣laces in Jericho. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. pp 1.3 Felix having caught the chief Robber Eleazar, who for twenty years had wasted the Country with fire and sword, sent him to Rome, and many others with him. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. q 1.4 Another kind of Robbers sprang up in Jerusalem, who slew men in the day-time, and in the midst of the City, &c.

qq 1.5 There is a rule set down, and the art shew'd of discovering and apprehending Rob∣bers: Go to the victualing houses at the fourth hour, (the Gloss, That was the hour of eating, and they went all to the victualing-houses to eat) and if you see there a man drinking wine, and holding the cup in his hand, and sleeping, &c. he is a thief, lay hold on him, &c.

Among the monsters of the Jewish routs, preceding the destruction of the City, the multitude of Robbers, and the horrible slaughters committed by them, deservedly claim the first consideration, which next to the just vengeance of God against that most wicked Nation, you may justly ascribe to divers originals.

• 1. It is no wonder if that Nation abounded beyond measure with a vagabond, disso∣lute, lewd sort of young men; since by means of Polygamy, and the divorces of their wives at pleasure, and the Nations unspeakable addictedness to lasciviousness and whore∣doms, there could not but continually spring up bastards, and an off-spring born only to beggary or rapine, as wanting both sustenance and ingenuous education.
• 2. The foolish and sinful indulgence of the Council could not but nurse up all kind of broods of wicked men, while they scarce ever put any one to death, though never so wicked, as being an Israelite; who must not by any means be touched.
• 3. The opposition of the Z••lots to the Roman yoke, made them study only to mischief

• the Romans, and do all the mischief they could to those Jews that submitted to them.
• 4. The Governours of Judea did often out of Policy indulge a licentiousness to such kind of rapines, that they might humble that people they so much hated, and which was continually subject to insurrections, by beating them, as it were, with their own clubs; and sometimes getting a share in the booty. Thus Josephus concerning Florusr 1.6, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. He spoiled all the people, and he did in effect proclaim that all might go out in the Country to rob, that he might receive a share in the spoils. And thus a sword that first came out of their own bowels, was sheathed in them.

Notes

• o 1.1

  De Bell. lib. 2. cap. 6.
• p 1.2

  Ibid.
• pp 1.3

  Ibid. cap. 22.
• q 1.4

  Ibid. cap. 23.
• qq 1.5

  Bab. Ba••a M••zia, fol. 8••. 2.
• r 1.6

  De Bell. lib. 2. cap. 24.