him a man) for he wrought strange works. I suspect, that Josephus in those words [if it be law∣ful to call him a man] did not set the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Man, in opposition to God, but in op∣position to Prophet, in some such sense as this; if it be lawful to call him meerly 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a wise man [Heb. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] and not to call him him a Prophet; for he did great miracles. He goes on: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. This was the Christ, Matth. XXI. 38. The Husbandmen seeing the Son, said among themselves, this is the heir come let us kill him. Now if the rest of that Pa∣rable agree with the actions of the Rulers of that Nation, in persecuting the Prophets and even Christ himself, which any one may discern; then why may not this clause be ac∣counted to agree so far with them too, as that when it shews that they said amongst them∣selves this is the heir, &c. it may intimate, that the chief of the Jews who Condemned and Crucified the Lord Jesus knew him to have been the Messiah.
To proceed in the Historian, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. He appeared to them (his Disciples) having revived the third day. Let us but consult Matth. XXVIII. 13, 14, 15. and see if there can be any doubt whether the Priests and Fathers of the San∣hedrin were not convinced and perswaded, that Jesus had indeed arose from the Dead, when they did so knowingly and industriously devise a tale to elude his Resurrection. Thus far therefore Josephus (if it was he indeed that was the Author of that passage) hath uttered nothing but what the Rulers themselves were conscious of, if they would have spoken out: but what is added in him, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The divine Prophets having said these and a thousand other won∣derful things of him. This I confess is so noble and ingenuous an acknowledgment of Jesus, that I would hardly expect it from Josephus, and much less from any of his Country∣men. But however, be this passage Josephus his own or no, yet,
III. That which we assert seems confirmed by that of Joh. XI. 47, 48. The Chief Priests and Pharisees said, what do we? this man doth many miracles, if we let him thus alone, the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation. Who does not here see, that they that speak this, had their eye upon that of Daniel, IX. 26, 27. where the Prophet discourseth about the Messiah, that he shall be cut off; that he shall cause the Sacrifice and the oblation to cease, that the people of the Prince that shall come [i. e. the Romans] shall destroy the City any Sanctuary? Whence it may very probable be argued, that they both from the agreement of times, and from the miracles and Doctrine of Jesus, did more than suspect, that this was the Messiah of whom the Prophet had there discoursed, and that they were in great doubt what to do with him.
This man doth many mira∣cles, and demonstrates himself to be the Messiah; and what shall we do? To cut off the Messiah would be an horrid thing: And yet, on the other hand if we should suffer him, he would make the Sacrifice and Oblation to cease, he would put an end to the service in the Temple, our Religion would fall, and then what remains, but that the people of the Prince that shall come, the Romans, will come and take away both our place and Nation?
Object. But do we not meet with such passages as these? And now Brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as also did your Rulers, Acts III. 17. For they that dwell at Je∣rusalem, and their Rulers, because they know him not, nor yet the voices of the Prophets, &c. Chap. XIII. 27.
Answ. They knew not indeed, the person and office of the Messiah; they were igno∣rant of his Godhead, and as to his office dreamt of nothing but Earthly and Temporal things; but then, this doth not hinder but that they might know Jesus to be the true Messiah: whom when they found falling short of the expectations and conceipts they had framed of the Messiah, and that his Doctrine tended to the subversion of Judaism, they had rather have no Messiah than such an one: And let himself and his Gospel perish with him, rather than their Judaism.