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. VI.

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

Not by commandment.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, permission, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Command, do something answer to those words, very usual among the Fathers of the Traditions, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 But now they would have marriage enjoyned under a very severe command.

The c 1.1 man is commanded concerning begetting and multiplying, but not the woman. And when doth the m••n come under this command? From the age of sixteen or seventeen years. But if he exceeds twenty years without marrying, behold he violates, and renders an affirma∣tive

precept vain. But if he be studious in the Law, and conversant in it; and if he fears marriage, lest the care of providing for his wife hinder his study in the Law; he may still tarry. Because he that is employed in the precepts, is free from that precept: much more he that converseth in the study of the Law. He whose mind is always taken up in the study of the Law, as Ben Azzai, and he that is intent upon it all his days, if he marrieth not a wife, in his hand is no iniquity. But if affection prevail upon him, let him marry a wife, although he have now children, lest he fall into evil thoughts. d 1.2 Let not a man refrain himself from generation and multiplying, unless he hath children already. The Gemara upon this place thus, If he have children, let him refrain himself from generation and multiplying; but from marrying a wife, let him not refrain himself—It is forbid him to be without a wife, be∣cause it is said, It is not good for man to be alone. And whosoever e 1.3 gives not himself to generation and multiplying, is all one with a murtherer—He is as though he diminished from the Image of God, &c.

The Apostle therefore determines against the Jewish Schools, that a man is not bound by the Law to marriage, but that he is in his own power in this affair, to contract him∣self, or not, as he finds himself continent or not. They said it is a Command, that every one marry a wife; but he saith, I have not a Command.

Notes

• c 1.1

  Maimon. in 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cap. 15
• d 1.2

  Jevamoth, cap. 6. hal. 6.
• e 1.3

  Ibid. fol. 63. 2