SECT. III. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Lavatory of Bethany.
PARDON the word, which I am forced to frame, left if I had said The Bath, or the Laver, they might streighten the sense of the thing too much. That place where∣of we are now speaking, was a Pool, or a Collection of waters, where people were wont to wash; and it agreeth very well with those things, that were spoken before concerning Purifications. Here either unclean men or unclean women might wash them∣selves; and presently buying in the neighbouring Shops what was needful for Purifi∣cation, they betook themselves to Jerusalem, and were purified in the Temple.
Of this place of washing, whatsoever it was, the Gemarists speak in that story 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 f 1.1 A Fox rent a Sheep at the Lavatory of Beth Hene: and the cause was brought before the Wisemen, and they said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 It is not a rending. We doubt not that Beth Hene is Bethany: and this cause was brought thence before the Wise men of Jerusalem, that they might instruct them, whether it were lawful to eat of the carcas of that sheep, when the eating of a beast that was torn was forbidden. See if you please, their distinction between 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sna••ching away by a wild Beast, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Tearing, in the place cited, where they discuss it at large.
Travailers speak of a Cistern near the Town of Bethany, neer which in a field is shewn the place where Martha met our Lord coming to Bethany. They are the words of Borchard the Monk. Whether the thing it self agrees with this, whereof we are speaking, must be left uncertain.