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. I.

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

Go to Law before the unjust.

WE cannot here but first of all produce the words of Titus the Emperour, thus discoursing to the seditious, that were besieged in Jerusalem; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c. First, a 1.1 we have granted you to dwell in your own Country, and have set over you Kings of the same tribes with your selves. Then, we have preserved your Countries Laws, and have permitted you not only to live by your selves, but others also, according to your will.

That the Jews had nor lived by their own Laws under the Roman Empire, is clearer than to need demonstration. And the Gemarists, being witnessess, Judgment in mony matters, or in things pertaining to this life, was not taken from them before the times of Simeon ben Jochai. b 1.2 Now I would have you tell me, whether the same things were not allowed the Jews converted to Christianity? Let us tak an Example in this Corin∣thian Church: it consisted of Jews and Gentiles now converted. The Jews, while they believed not, had in their Synagouges 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Bench of Three, who judged 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 concerning things pertaining to this; and that by the permission of the Ro∣man Empire. Now they were translated into a Christian Synagogue, or Congregation, and with them Gentiles, who believed. Was that denyed them by the Romans in a Christian Congregation, which was granted them in a Synagogue?

First, There was no Persecution at all as yet, raised against the Christians by the Ro∣mans, when the Apostle wrote these things. For not a few years passed before Nero brake forth into that wickedness.

Secondly, The Romans little cared to distinguish between a Judaizing Synagogue of the Jews, and a Christianizing Synagogue of the Jews. And that of Gallio was, as the business was indeed, See ye to it, I will be judge of no such matters, Act. XVIII. 15. It was free for them to judge of names and matters of their Law.

Therefore these Corinthians were worthy of reproof, in whose power it was freely to exercise such judgments among themselves; yet to the scandal of the Gospel, and the Christian name, betook themselves to Heathen Courts of justice.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Joseph. de bell. lib. 6. cap. 34.
• b 1.2

  Hieros. San∣hedr. fol. 24. 2.