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. LIII.

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

By the disposition of Angels.

I. I Would not render this word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by the Hebrew word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Angels, as the Syriack and Arabick Interpreters have done; but by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 messengers; so 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the Angel, or messenger of the Church. The Jews have a trifling ficti∣on, that those Israelites that were present at mount Sinai, and heard the Law pronounced thence by God himself, should have been like the Angels, that they should never have be∣got children, nor died, but for the time to come should have been like to Angels, had it not been for that fatal and unfortunate crime of theirs in the matter of the Golden Calf q 1.1.

If 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 might admit of this passive construction, that men might be dis∣posed into the same predicament or state with the Angels; then I should think our Blessed Martyr might in this passage remember them of their own opinion, and the more smartly convince them of their 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, transgression of the Law, even from what they themselves granted. As though he had said,

Ye have received a Law which you your selves confess, would have put men into an Angelical state, and yet you have not obser∣ved it.

II. But if this clause will not bear that interpretation, it is doubtful in what sense the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 must be taken; and whether 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, unto the dispositions be the same with 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, by the dispositions, or disposition. That expression in Gal. III. 19. agrees with this, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ordain'd by Angels; and in both these places it would be something harsh to understand by Angels, those heavenly spirits strict∣ly and properly so taken; for what had they to do in the disposition of the Law? They were present indeed at Mount Sinai when the Law was given, as many places of the Holy Scriptures do witness; but then they were but present there, for we do not find that any thing further was done or performed by them. So that the thing it self makes it necessary that both in this and in that place we should understand by Angels, the messengers of God's Word; his Prophets and Ministers. And the particle 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 may retain its own pro∣per force and vertue, that the sense may come to thus much, viz.

Ye have received the Law unto the disposition of messengers, i. e. that it should be propounded and published by Ministers, Prophets, and others, and that according to your own desire and wish, Exod. XX. 19. Deut. v. 25. and XVIII. 15, 16. and yet ye have not kept the Law. Ye desired Prophets, and ye had them, and yet which of those Prophets have not you persecuted?

Notes

• q 1.1

  Vid. Avod. Zarah, fol. 5. 1. & Hor. Heb. in Joh. X. 3••.