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. II.

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

They shall put you out of the Synagogues.

THIS I presume must be understood of a casting out from the whole Congregati∣on of Israel, because I know the Jews always proceeded in that manner against the Samaritans; and certainly the Disciples of Jesus were full as hateful to them as the Samaritans could be. Nay they often call the Christians by the name of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cu∣thites as well as those.

Those that were cast out of the Church they despoil'd of all their goods, according to Ezra X. 8. which they also did to those that were Shammatiz'd e 1.1, whence it may be a question whether Shammaetizing did not cast out of the whole Congregation; and again, whether one cast out of the whole Congregation might be ever readmitted.

We may take notice of what is said in Avodah Zarah f 1.2, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 No one that relapseth may be receiv'd again for ever. The Gloss tells us that the pas∣sage concerns the Plebeians or Laicks, who having taken upon themselves any religious rule of life, go back again from that profession, they do not admit them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 into that order and society again. Whether therefore those that fell off from the Gospel returning to their Judaism again, were ever admitted into the Jewish Church, after they had vo∣luntarily forsaken it, might be an enquiry; but these things only by the by.

There was in truth a twofold Epocha of the persecution of the Apostolical Church, namely, both before that Apostacy of which we have such frequent mention, and also after it. Our Saviour had foretold the Apostacy in that tremendous Parable about the un∣clean spirit cast out, and returning again with seven worse. So shall it be also, saith he, with this wicked generation, Mat. XII. 45. The footsteps of this we may discern almost in every Epistle of the Apostles.

It is worthy observation that of 2 Thes. II. 3. This day of the Lord shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed. The day of the Lord here spoken of was that wherein Christ should come and reveal himself in that remarkable ven∣geance against Jerusalem, and the Jewish Nation, of which kind of expression we shall say more on Chap. XXI. 22. The Apostacy or falling away, and revelation of the man of sin, was to precede that day; which might be easily made out by a History of those times, if I were to do the business either of an Historian or a Chronologer.

When therefore the severe and cruel persecution was first rais'd by the unbelieving Jews, before this falling away of Christians, it must needs be greatly encreas'd afterward by them and the Apostates together: Which distinction we may easily observe out of this verse.

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

Will think that he doth God service.

So the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Zealots, of whom we have mention in Sanhedr. g 1.3, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Zealots kill him. Gloss. These are those good men who are endued with zeal in the cause of God. Such who with their own hands immediately slew the transgressor, not staying for the judg∣ment of the Sanhedrin. So in the place before quoted, The Priest that ministers at the Altar, in his uncleanness, they do not bring before the Sanhedrin, but they bring him out into the Court, and there brain him with the pieces of wood provided to maintain the fire upon the Altar.

What infinite mischiefs and effusion of blood such pretexts of zeal toward God might occasion, it is easie to imagin, and very direful instances have already witnessed to the world: Hence was it that they so often went about to have ston'd our Saviour. Hence those forty and more that had conspir'd against St. Paul. And those Zealots whose but∣cherly cruelties are so infamous in the Jewish story, took the occasion of their horrid madness first from this liberty.

From such kind of Villains as these the Disciples of Christ could have little safeguard; indeed they were greatly endanger'd upon a threefold account: I. From the stroke of Excommunication, by which they were spoiled of their goods and estates, Heb. X. 34. II. From the sentence of the Sanhedrin dooming them either to be scourg'd or slain. III. From these Assasins, for by this name (a name too well known in Europe) we will call them. We pronounce Assasine, and Assasination; Gul. Tyrius calls them Assysins, whom it may be worth the while to consult about the original of that name h 1.4.

Notes

• e 1.1

  Moed-katon▪ fol. 81. 2.
• f 1.2

  Fol. 7. 1.
• g 1.3

  Fol. 81. 2.
• h 1.4

  De Bell. Sacr. lib. 10. cap. 31.