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. XIX.

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

With the Church which is in their house.

SO also it is said of them, when they were come back from Rome, that they had a Church in their house, Rom. XVI. 5. And the same is said of Philemon, Philem. vers. 2. and see Coloss. IV. 15. But in what sense to understand this, is somewhat obscure.

I. Perhaps there were in Aquila's house some, which travailed with him from Rome; being driven thence by the Edict of Cesar, and boarded with him in the same house, while they were in their banishment. But what then shall we say of them, when they went back to Rome to their own dwelling? And also, what shall we say of the Church in the house of Philemon?

II. Or perhaps Aquila was the Churches Host, as Gains was at Corinth; in whose house were other men and women, appointed to that office with him. And it may be, he per∣formed the same Office at Rome, when he went back. And it may be Philemon did the same at Coloss; and thence that of the Apostle to him, Prepare me a lodging, vers. 22. But all these things are somewhat uncertain: nor can one see, where to fix his foot. Let me therefore add another conjecture also.

III. It is well enough known, what 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Beth Midrash, The Divinity School, or the Chappel, was among the Jews; and what the difference was between it, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Synagogue. Now Beth Midrash was called also 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Be Rabbanan. The School of the Rabbins. And it is enquired, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 What c 1.1 is the School of the Rabbins? It is the House of the Rabbins. Where the Gloss, Why do they call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Divinity Schools, Be Rabbanan? Namely, Because it is their House for any use. In that place the Gemarists treat of Synagogues set apart for holy use; and how far it was lawful to put them to common uses, either when they now flourished, or were fallen to decay, and antiquated as to sacred uses. And concerning the Beth Mi∣drash, which was very near of kin to the Synagogue, it is concluded, as you see, that it is as the very house of the Rabbin, teaching in it, and to be used by him for any use.

Mention of the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Be Rabbanan, or Beth Midrash, and the very thing, con∣cerning which we now are speaking, brings to remembrance the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Be Abidan; of which the Talmudists write; but in a double and various sense. The mention of it occurs in Bab Avodah Zarah d 1.2, where it denotes a Heathen Temple. R. Eliezer Ben Parta is examined by a Roman Magistrate, and among other things, this is demanded of him, Why did you not go to 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Be Abidan, The Temple? He answered, I am an old man, and I was affraid, lest you should tread me under foot. To whom the other replied, Was ever any old man trod under foot? A miracle happened; For that very day was an old man trodden upon. Where the Gloss, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Be Abidan is an House, or Temple, where they eat and drink in honour of an Idol, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And void dung (that is, sacri∣fice) to an Idol, &c.

But elsewhere e 1.3 it occurs in another sense. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Books of the Be Abi∣dan, do they snatch them out of the fire, or do they not snatch them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Yes, and No: that is, sometimes they do, and sometimes they do not. But what the books of the Be Abidan were, the Gloss teacheth in these words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Hereticks wrote books of Disputations to themselves against the Jews: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And the place where the dispute is, is called Be Abidan. By Hereticks, no doubt is to be made, but that Christians are understood: and that Be Abidan in this place is not to be taken for a Heathen Temple, is clear enough from what follows: Rabh, say they, went not into Be Abidan, much less 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Into a Heathen Temple. Samuel went into a Heathen Temple, but went not into Be Abidan. They said to Rabba, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Why went you not to Be Abidan? He answered, There is a certain Palm in the way, and hindreth me. We will stock it up, say they. The place of it, saith he, is difficult to me. The Gloss writes, Rabh and Rabba feared to go into Beth Abidan, lest in the dispute they might rise up against them, and kill them.

And now let us return to our own business. What hinders, but that we may be of opinion, that the House of Aquila at Ephesus, and Rome, and of Philemon at Coloss, might serve for such a purpose; namely, sometimes for holy Lectures, and disputes either with Jews, or among Christians. Not that the publick Assembly in the Church should be neglected; but that some number out of the Church; perhaps the whole company of Ministers, and Teachers assembled here, and others, who breathed more after Gospel Mysteries; where the more obscure Articles and Points of Faith were handled, and disputes were held, if the thing required it, either among themselves or against the Jews.

Notes

• c 1.1

  Megill. fol. 2•• 2.
• d 1.2

  Fol. 17. 2.
• e 1.3

  Schabb. fol. 116. 1.