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. III.

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

Having had perfect understanding of things from the very first.

THIS is not indeed ill rendered, having understood these things from the very first: but it may perhaps be better, having attained to an understanding of these things from above, from heaven it self. So 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from above, signifies 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, from heaven, Joh: III. 3. 31. & Chap. XIX. 11. James I. 17. & III. 17, &c. For,

• I. This Version includes the other, for he that hath a perfect understanding of these things from above, or by Divine inspiration, did understand them from the beginning.
• II. Take notice of the distinction that is in Josephus b 1.1 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. He that undertakes to give a true relation of things to others ought himself to know them first very acurately, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, having either very diligently observed them himself, or learnt by enquiry from others. We see he oppo∣seth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Now if St. Luke had writ his History as he had learnt from others (as they wrote whom he instances in Vers. I.) then he had been a∣mongst the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 those that had learned from others; not the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 nor could he promise more than they might do of whom he said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. That many had taken in hand, &c.

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

Most excellent Theophilus.

There is one guesses, this most excellent Theophilus, to have been an Antiochian; ano∣ther thinks he may be a Roman: but it is very uncertain either who or whence he was. There was one Theophilus amongst the Jews, at that very time probably, when St. Luke wrote his Gospel; but I do not think this was he. Josephus c 1.2 mentions him. King Agnippa removing Jesus the Son of Gamaliel from the High-priesthood, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. He gave it to Matthias the Son of Theophilus: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. In whose time the Jewish War begun.

Notes

• b 1.1

  Cont. Appion. lib. 1.
• c 1.2

  Antiqu. lib. 20. cap. 8.