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. XIII.

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

Which were born not of blood.

IT may be a question here, whether the Evangelist in this place opposeth regenerati∣on to natural generation, or only to those ways by which the Jews fancy'd men were made the Sons of God. Expositors treat largely of the former, let us a little consider the latter.

I. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not of bloods. Observe the Plural number k 1.1. Our Rabbins say, that all Israel had thrown off Circumcision in Egypt—but at length they were circumcised, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and the blood of the Passover was mingled with the blood of the cir∣cumcised, and God accepted every one of them, and kissed them. l 1.2 I said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 while thou wert in thy bloods live: i. e. In the twofold blood, that of the Passover, and that of the Circumcision. The Israelites were brought into Covenant by three things, by Circumcision, by Washing, and by offering of Sacrifices.—In the same manner an heathen if he would be ad∣mitted into Covenant, he must of necessity be circumcised, baptised, and offer sacrifice m 1.3. We see how 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of bloods of the Passover and Circumcision, they say the Israelites were recover'd from their degeneracy; and how 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of the bloods of Circumci∣sion and Sacrifices (with the addition only of washing) they suppos'd the Gentiles might become the Sons of God, being by their Proselytism made Israelites, and the children of the Covenant; for they knew of no other adoption or Sonship.

II. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of the will of the flesh. In the same sense wherein the Patri∣archs and other Jews were ambitious by many wives to multiply children to themselves, as being of the seed of Israel, and children of the Covenant.

III. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of the will of man, in that sense wherein they coveted so many proselytes, to admit them into the Religion of the Jews, and so into Covenant and Sonship with God.

These were the ways by which the Jews thought any became the Sons of God, that is, by being made Israelites. But it is far otherwise in the adoption and Sonship that accrues to us by the Gospel.

Notes

• k 1.1

  Shemoth rab∣ba, Sect. 19.
• l 1.2

  Gloss. in Va∣jicra rab. fol. 191.
• m 1.3

  Maimon. Issure•• biah, cap. 13.