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.

CHAP. X. What things are objected for the Affirmative.

• ...

  I. FIRST, That passage is objected, a 1.1 R. Levi went to Cesarea, and hearing them read the Lesson 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Schma, Deut. VI. in Greek, would hinder them. R. Jose ob∣serving it, was angry, saying, He that cannot read in Hebrew, shall he not read at all? Yea, let a man read in any Tongue, which he understands, and knows, and so satisfie his Duty. So the words are rendred by a very learned Man.

  But the Gemara treats not of reading the Law in the Synagogues, but concerning the repeating of the passages of the Phylacteries, among which the first was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hear, O Israel; Deut. VI. Therefore the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is not to be rendred reading, but repeating. In which sense the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 occurs very frequently in the Masters. As 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 b 1.2 She recites the book of Ester by her mouth; that is, without book. And, c 1.3 Heretofore every one that could 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Recite (that passage used in offering the first fruits, Deut. XXVI.) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Recited. And he that could not recite 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they taught him to recite: or they recited for him.

• II. That example and story is urged concerning reading the Law and the Prophets in the Synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia, Act. XIII. 15. To which there is no need to answer any thing else, but that it begs the Question.
• III. That also of Tertullian is added, d 1.4 Sed & Judaei palam lectitant, Vectigalis libertas vulgo auditur (or, aditur) singulis Sabbatis. But the Jews also read openly, the liberty of the Tax is heard (or, gone unto) every Sabbath day.

  I answer, Be it granted, that Tertullian speaks of the Greek Version, which is not so very evident; that which was done under Severus doth not conclude the same thing done in the times of the Apostles: but especially when Severus was, according to the sense of his name, very severe towards the Jews, as Baronius teacheth, and Spartianus long before him. Under whom Sabbaths could not be kept by the Jews, but under a Tax. And be it granted, that the Greek Version was read then by them at Rome (as the Glosser upon Tertullian describes the scene of the affair) that was also under a Tax; not by the choise of the people, but by pure compulsion.

• IV. That of Justin Martyr is produced; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 e 1.5 But if any say, that these books belong not to us, but the Jews; and therefore they are to this day preserved in their

• ... Synagogues. And, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. f 1.6 The books remained even among the Egyptians hitherto, and are every where among all the Jews, who reading them understand them not.
• ...

  V. But that is instead of all, that Philo and Josephus follow the Greek Version; and that (which is still greater) the holy Pen-men do follow it in the New Testament in their allegations taken out of the Old. Therefore without doubt, say they, that Versi∣on was frequent and common in the Synagogues, and in the hands of men; and with∣out doubt, of the highest authority among the Jews; yea, as it seemeth, of divine. These are the arguments which are of the greatest weight on that side.

  That I may therefore answer together to all, let us expatiate a little in this enquiry.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Hieros. Sotah, cap. 7.
• b 1.2

  Bab. Megill. fol. 17. 1.
• c 1.3

  Biccurim, fol. 86. 1.
• d 1.4

  Apoleget. cap. 18.
• e 1.5

  Or•••• P••ran••••. ad Graecos.
• f 1.6

  Apolog. ••.