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. I.

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

When the morning was come, &c.

LET us trace a little, the proceedings of this Council.

• I. They spend the night in judging on a capital cause; which is expresly forbid by their own Canon. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They handle capital causes in the day time, and finish them by day. q 1.1 Mony matters indeed that were begun by day, might be ended in the night, which is asserted in that place; but capital causes were only to be handled by day: But here, in sitting upon the life and death of our Saviour, there is need of night and darkness. This judgment is begun in the night, and carried on all the night through in a manner.
• II. This night was the evening of a Feast-day, namely of the first day of the Paschal∣week, at what time they were also forbid to sit in judgment. r 1.2 They do not judg on a Feast-day. How the Lawyers are divided on this point, I will not trouble you now with recounting. This very Canon is sufficient ground for scruple, which we leave to them to clear, who through rankor and hatred towards Christ, seem to slight and trample under feet their own Canons.
• III. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, when it was morning: This was the time of saying their Phyla∣cteries, namely from the first day-light to the third hour s 1.3. But where was these mens Religion to day? Did you say your Phylacteries this morning, my good Fathers of the Council, before you came to sit on the Bench? Another business that you had in hand, (effectually to destroy Jesus) either rob'd you of your prayers, or robbed your prayers of charity.
• IV. Now appears 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the first Feast-day of the Passover, when they used to present themselves in the Temple, and offer their gifts, Exod. XXIII. 15. But when and how was this performed by them to day? They take heed of going into the Judgment (or Pretors) hall, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the

• ... Chagiga, or Passover, s but you will scarce find what time they allow'd to day for that* 1.4 purpose; nor indeed was it lawful for them to eat any thing on that day; it being pro∣vided by a Canon, That when the Council shall have adjudged any one to die, let them not tast any thing that day t 1.5.

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

Took counsel to put him to death.

Let that be considered, tt 1.6 Cases of money are heard in the day-time, and may be determined in the night. Capital causes are tried in the day, and finished in the day. Judgment in cases of money is passed the same day, whether it be for sining or acquitting. Judgment in capital causes is passed the same day, if it be for acquitting: but if it be for condemning, it is passed the day after. The reason of this difference is given by the Gemarists; whom see. The reason of the latter is thus expressed, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Blessed is the Judg who leaven∣eth his judgment: that is, as the Gloss, who delays his judgment, and lets it rest all night, that he may sift out the truth.

The difference between 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is greater than the Reader may perhaps think at first sight; by the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they signifie the whole process of the trial, the examining of the Plaintiff and Defendant, and of the Witnesses, the taking the votes of the Council, and the entring of them by the Scribes: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies only the passing of judgment, or giving a definitive sentence. You may better perceive the difference from the Glossary on Bab. Sanhedr. u 1.7 In the Text this is decreed, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Let them not judg on the eve of the Sabbath, nor on the eve of a Feast-day; which is also repea∣ted in other places. x 1.8 The reason of the prohibition is this, namely, that the trials which were begun on the eve of the Sabbath, or a Feast-day, should not be finished on the Sab∣bath or Feast-day. Which indeed, saith the Gloss, is observed in pecuniary trials, and care is taken that there be no writing: (for it is forbid to write so much as a letter on the Sabbath) but in capital causes it takes not place upon that account; for the votes of those that acquitted or condemned were written the day before.

You see in the History of the Gospel, 1. The Trial concerning our Saviour's life, dis∣patched at one and the same sitting. 2. And that too on a Feast-day.

Notes

• q 1.1

  San••edr. cap. 4. hal. 1.
• r 1.2

  Moed Katon. chap. 5. hal. 2.
• s 1.3

  Bera••. chap. 1. hal. 2.
• * 1.4

  〈…〉〈…〉 28. & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cap. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 San••edr. fol. 63. 1.
• t 1.5

  Sanhedr. fol. 63. 1.
• tt 1.6

  Sanhedr. in the place quo∣ted cap. 4.
• u 1.7

  Fol. 35. 1.
• x 1.8

  Hieros. Chetub. fol. 24. 4. & Moed Katon, fol. 63. 1.