VERS. XV.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
Through Beelzebub the chief of the Devils.
I. AS to this name of Beelzebub I have f 1.1 elsewhere discoursed, and do still assert the reading of it with the letter l in the end of it, viz. Beelzebul, against the Syr••ack, Persiam, Vulgar, and other Translations which read it Beelzebub. The Italian cautiously indeed but not purely, Beelzebu, that he might not strike upon either the one or the other reading; but in the mean time I will not answer for the faithfulness and candor of the Interpreter.
II. Amongst the Jews we may observe three Devils called the chief, or Prince of the Devils: 1. The Angel of Death: who is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 g 1.2 Prince of all the Satans. 2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Devil Ashmodeus. Of him afterwards. 3. Beelzebul in this place. Now as to vindicating the writing of it by l in the end of the word, and not b.
III. It is a question whether there were such a thing as Beelzebub in rerum naturâ. Why should not the deity of the place take his farewel, when Ekron, the place of this Deity was wholly obliterated? When there was no more an Idol, nor Oracle at Ekron, did not the Demon cease to be Beelzebub any longer, although it did not cease to be a Demon? Wherever therefore Ekron was under the second Temple, or the place where it had been under the first, you can hardly perswade me there was any Idol or Oracle of Beelzebub, and so not Beelzebub himself. I will not here dispute whether A••hor the Cyrenians tutelar God against flyes h 1.3 hath any relation or affinity with the name of Ekron. Let it be granted that Beelzebub might change his soil upon some occasion, and remove from Ekron to Cyrene; but then how should he come to be the Prince of the Devils, when all his business, and power was only among flies?
It may not be improbable perhaps, that he might be first or chief of those Demons, or Baalim, that Ahab brought among the Israelites, and so Ahaziah his Son, in the midst of his affliction and danger might fly to refuge to that Idol, as what had been the God of his Father: But what is it could move the Ages following at so long distance of time from this, that they should esteem this Demon, Beelzebub, the prince of the Devils? Here I confess my self not well satisfied: But as to Beelzebul, something may be said.
IV. I have already shewn in notes upon Matth. XII. that the Jewish Doctors (and such were these who contended with our Saviour) did give Idolatrous worship the de∣nomination of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Zebul, or Dung, for the ignominy of the thing; and so was the Nation generally taught by these Rabbins. I gave some instances for the proof of it, which I shall not here repeat, but add one more. i 1.4 It is said of Joseph (when his Mi∣stress would have tempted him to Adultery) that he came into the house to do his business. R. Judah saith 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 It was a day of fooling, and of dunging, it was a day of theatres. Where the Gloss upon the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Zebul, Stercoration, saith thus: It is a word of contempt, and so it is expounded by R. Solomon in the Treatise Avodah Zarah, and Tosaphoth, viz. That 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies to Sacrifice (that is, to Idols) and they prove it out of Jerusalem Beracoth, where it is said, he that seeth a place 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 where they dung, (that is, offer sacrifice to an Idol) let him say, whoso offereth Sacrifice to strange Gods, let him be accursed. Which words we have also alledged out of the Jerusalem Talmud.
V. Now therefore, when Idolatry was denominated Zebul amongst the Jews, and in∣deed reckoned amongst the grievousest of sins they could be guilty of, that Devil whom they supposed to preside over this piece of wickedness, they named him Beelzebul and esteemed him the prince of the Devils, or (if you will pardon the expression) the most deviliz'd of all Devils.
VI. They give the like title to the Devil Asmodeus. k 1.5 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Asmodeus the King of the Devils. l 1.6 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Devil, the prince of the spirits. Which elsewhere is expounded, d 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Devil Ashmodeus. For in both places we have this ridiculous tale: There was a certain Woman brought forth a son in the* 1.7 night time, and said to her son, (a child newly born you must know) go and light me a Candle that I may cut thy Navel; As he was going, the Devil Asmodeus meeting him, said to him, go and tell thy Mother, that if the Cock had not crowed, I would have killed thee, &c.
The very name points at Apostacy, not so much that the Devil was an Apostate, as that this Devil provoked and entised people to apostatize: Beelzebul amongst the Gentiles,