VERS. XXVIII.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
We are Moses Disciples.
THE man as it should seem had in gentle and perswasive terms askt them, Will ye also be his Disciples? as if he heartily wisht they would. But they as ruggedly, Be you so: We are Moses his Disciples.
l 1.1 They deliver'd two Disciples of the wise men into the hands of the chief Priest [that they might instruct him about the rites and usages of the day of expiation] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they were of the Disciples of Moses. And who are these Disciples of Moses? it follows, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the very phrase excludes the Sadducees.
The Reader may observe by the way these Disciples of Moses his Disciples, with what reverence they treat him.
m 1.2 Moses was angry about three things, and the tradition was accordingly hid from him: I. About the Sabbath, Exod. XVI. 20. while he was angry he forgot to recite to them the tra∣ditions about the Sabbath. II. About the vessels of metal, Numb. XXXI. 14. whiles he was angry, he forgot to recite to them the traditions about the vessels of metal. III. About the mourner, whiles he was wroth the tradition was hid from him, which forbad the mourner to eat of the Holy things.
Did Moses think it unlawful for the mourner to have eaten of the Holy things when he spake to Eleazar and Ithamar while they were in the very act of bewailing the death of their two Brethren, Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin-offering in the Holy place? Yes, but in his passion he forgot both the tradition and himself too? Excellent Disciples indeed that can thus chastise your great Master at pleasure, as a man very hasty, apt to be angry, and of a slender memory! let him hence forward learn from you to temperate his passions, and quicken his memory. You have a memory indeed that have recover'd the tradition which he himself had forgot!