SECT. III. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ben Nezer.
I Am not abundantly satisfied in the common writing of the word Nazareth by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; much less that Nazarenus should be expressed by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. e. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, when the sa∣cred Amanuenses write it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. But I can hardly suppress a just indignation when I read what the Jews scribble about 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Ben Nezer.
q 1.1 The Rabbins have a Tradition: Those that are taken out of the Kingdom, behold they are properly Captives, but those that are taken by Thieves, they are not to be called Captives.
The Tradition is to be distinguished. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as to Kingdom and King∣dom there is no difficulty. That is, as to Kingdoms which are equal. But between the Kingdom of Ahashuerus, and the Kingdom of Ben Nezer there is. Between Thieves and Thieves there is no difficulty, but between ben Nezer, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Thieves of the world, (viz. common Thieves) there is. There [in Palestine] Ben Nezer is called a King. Here [in Babylon] he is called a Robber 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gloss. Ben Nezer was a Thief and took Cities and ruled over them and became the Captain of Robbers.
It is very suspicious to what purpose they have invented that name for the most infa∣mous Robber, to call him the Son of Nezer. By those very Letters 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they write the City Nazareth. Read on and the suspition will encrease.
r 1.2 I considered the horns, and behold there came up among them another little horn, [Dan. VII. 8.] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 This is Ben Nezer. Aruch quoteth this passage under the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 in this manner: There came up among them another little horn. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 This is the Kingdom of the Cuthites. Now what they meant by the Kingdom of the Cuthites, may be conjectured from s 1.3 The Winter is past [Cant. II. 11.] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 This is the King∣dom of the Cuthites. And a little after: The time is coming when the Kingdom of Cuth shall be destroyed, and the Kingdom of Heaven shall be revealed.
It is easie imagining what they would point at by the Kingdom of the Cuthites; the Christians no doubt: (unless they will pretend to some Samaritan Kingdom.) And if so, it is as obvious whom they design by Ben Nezer. Let them shew whence came the name of the Tetrarchy of the Nazarens in Celosyria: Of which Pliny t 1.4, Caelosyria habet Apami∣am Marsyâ amne divisam. A Nazarinorum Tetrarchiâ Bambycen, quae alio nomine Hiera∣polis vocatur, Syris verò Magog.