CHAP. VIII.
VERS. XII.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉;
Why doth this generation seek after a sign?
IN stead of a Comment take a story. a 1.1 On that day R. Eliezer answered to all the Questions in the whole world, but they hearkened not to him. He said therfore to them, If the Tradition be according to what I say, Let this Siliqua (a kind of Tree) bear witness. The Siliqua was rooted up, and removed an hundred cubits from its place: there are some who say four hundred. They say to him a proof is not to be fetched from a Si∣liqua. He saith to them again, If the Tradition be with me, let the rivers of waters te∣stifie: the rivers of waters are turned backward. They say to him, a proof is not to be fetched from the rivers of waters: He said to them again, if the tradition be with me, let the walls of the Schools testifie: The walls bowed as if they were falling. R. Josua chid them saying, if there be a controversie between the Disciples of the wise men about Tradition, what is that to you? Therefore the walls fell not in honour of R. Josua. Yet they stood not upright again, in honour of R. Eliezar. He said to them moreover, If the Tradition be with me, let the heavens bear witness. The Bath-Kol, went forth and said, Why do ye contend with R. Eliezar with whom the Tradition always is? R. Jonah rose up upon his feet, and said, It is not in Heaven (Deut. XXX. 12.) What do these words, It is not in Heaven; mean? R. Jeremiah saith, when the Law is given from Mount Sinai, we do not care for the Bath Kol.
Shall we laugh at the Fable? or shall we suspect some truth in the story? For my part, when I recollect with my self, how addicted to and skilful that Nation was in Art Magic; which is abundantly asserted not only by the Talmudists, but by the holy Scriptures; I am ready to give some credit to this story, and many others of the same nature: namely, that thing was really acted by the art and help of the Devil by those Ensign-bearers and Captains of errors, the more to establish their Honour and Tra∣dition.
Therefore from the story, be it true or false, we observe these two things.
- I. How tenacious the Jews were of their Traditions, and how unmoveable in them even beyond the evidence of miracles. That Eleazar was of great same among them, but he was a follower of Shammai. Hence he is called once and again 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Sham∣mean. b 1.2 When therefore he taught, something against the School of Hillel, although he did miracles (as they themselves relate) they gave no credit to him, nay they deri∣ded him. The same was their practise, the same was their mind against the miracles of Christ. And to this may these words of our Saviour tend, Why does this generation seek a sign? A generation, which is not only altogether unworthy of miracles, but also which is sworn to retain their Traditions and doctrines, although infinite miracles be done to the contrary.
- II. You see how the last testimony of the miracles of this conjurer is fetched from Heaven. For the Bath Kol went forth, &c. Which the followers of Hillel nevertheless received not: and therein not justly indeed; when they feign such a voice to have come to themselves from Heaven, as a definitive Oracle for the authority of the School of Hillel, not to be gainsaid: concerning which the Talmudists speak very frequently, and very boastingly.
After the same manner they require a sign from Heaven of our Saviour; not con∣tent with those infinite miracles that he had done; the healing of diseases, the casting out Devils, the multiplying of loaves, &c. They would also have somewhat from Heaven, either after the example of Moses, fetching Manna from thence; or of Elias, fetching down fire; or of Joshua staying the Sun; or of Esaias, bringing it backwards.