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. XII.

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I am of Paul, &c.

TO trace the original of this Schism, we may have recourse to the twofold di∣vision of this Church, into converted Jews, and Gentiles; which appears from their story, Act. XVIII. The Gentile part perhaps boasted the name of Paul, and Apollo: the Jewish that of Cephas and Christ. But of them again were divided into two. Some of the Gentile partly reverenced Paul either alone, or certainly above all others, as their Father, their Apostle, and the first that brought in the Gospel among them, however he preached plainly, in a low style, and not according to humane wisdom and art. But some preferred Apollo before him, as more profound, more ele∣gant, and more quaint Doctor. See Act. XVIII. 24. Hence that large discourse of the Apostle of this very manner of preaching from Chap. I. 17. to Chap. IV. 6. Where he saith, that he transferred those things in a certain figure to himself and Apollo.

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And I of Cephas.

We will not here dispute, whether Peter were ever at Corinth. For even they themselves, who assert that he was sometime there, yet deny him ever to have been there before the breaking out of this Schism. Whence therefore came there to be a

Sect of his name? You will scarce be able to produce, a more probable reason, than that those of the Circumcision embraced him, who was the Minister of Circumcision, rather than the Minister of Uncircumcision. Let us take an Example from Mark him∣self, the Son, or Disciple of Peter, 1 Pet. V. 13. He being chosen by Paul and Barna∣bas for their companion, in their travail among the Gentiles, on a suddain departed from them, and returned to Jerusalem, Act. XIII. 13. And why so? I should bring this reason of it, which you may correct, if it displease, namely that he cleaving to Peter be∣fore, who was the Minister of the Circumcision, liked not what these Ministers of the Uncircumcision did among the Gentiles: but being better informed afterwards returned again to Paul. So also these Corinthians, and indeed all the Jews every where, that were converted, too much Judaizing as yet, how much more readily would they give up their names to that famous Minister of Circumcision, than to the Minister or Ministers of Uncircumcision? But why not to James or to John, who were as much Ministers of Circumcision?

I. Peter was the Minister of Circumcision without the Land of Israel, but James with∣in; and it seemed more agreeable to these Corinthian Jews, that were seated without the Land of Israel, to choose to themselves the chief Apostle without the Land, than he who was within it. But you will say, John also was an Apostle of Circumcision without that Land, as well as Peter, and he was nearer Corinth, dwelling in Asia, than Peter, who was in Chaldea. True indeed, but

II. Peter was the Minister among the Circumcision of the purest name, namely, The Hebrews, when John was among the Hellenists: yea among the Hebrews of the purest blood, viz. The Babylonians: yea among the Circumcision taken in the largest sense, viz. among the Ten Tribes, as well as among the Jews. To which add

III. That Peter in this outshone the two other Apostles of Circumcision, that to him alone were committed the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; that is, that he should first open the door, and bring in the Gospel among the Gentiles. Taking all these obser∣vations together, it is no wonder, if these Corinthian Jews Judaizing in very many other things, as appears from this Epistle, when they were minded to enrol themselves under some Apostle, it is no wonder, I say, if they would enrol themselves under Peter the Apostle of the Circumcision, rather than under Paul, the Minister of the Gentiles; under Peter an Apostle out of the Land, rather than under James, who was not: un∣der Peter the Apostle of the purest Hebrews, and of Circumcision in the fullest name, than under John the Apostle of the Hellenists.

Yea it is no wonder, if the Christian Gentiles, whether Corinthians, or Beleivers of some other places, when they would enrol themselves under some peculiar Apostle, it is no wonder, I say, if they had regard to Peter, who first brought in the Gospel among the Gentiles, rather than any other, who brought in the Gospel into this, or that pecu∣liculiar place. So that opinion of the Primacy of Peter seems to have arisen, among the Jewish Christians, for the particular difference of his Ministery among the Circum∣cision; and among the Gentile Christians, for his bringing in of the Gospel among the Gentiles.

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And I of Christ.

If there were any among the Corinthians, who had been baptized by the Baptism of John only, as there were among the Ephesians, Act. XIX. 4. no wonder, if they said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 I am of the Messias, not knowing as yet Jesus of Nazareth to be Him. But be it granted, that all were better taught by Paul or Apollo, when yet very many still enclined to Judaism, one may suspect, That they said, I am of Christ, or Messias, in that sense as we formerly were instructed of the Messias, namely, that every one should be enrolled and subjected under him only, as our Captain, not under any depu∣ted by him, or supplying his place.