Binding and loosing in the language and stile most familiarly known to the Jewish Nati∣on [and it can little be doubted that Christ speaketh according to common and most fa∣miliar sense of the language] did refer more properly to things then to persons: Therefore he saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And in Matth. 18. 18. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
The phrase 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 To bind and to loose in their vulgar speech, meant, to pro∣hibit and to permit, or to teach what is prohibited or permitted, what lawful, what un∣lawful, as may appear by these instances; a few produced, whereas thousands might be al∣ledged out of their writings.
Talm. in Pesachim per. 4. halac. 5. Our wise men say that in Judah they did work on the Passover eve till noon, but in Galilee not at all: And as for the night 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The School of Schammai bound it, that is, forbad to work on it, or taught that it was unlawful: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but the School of Hillel loosed it till sun rising, or taught that it was lawful to work till sun-rise.
Jerus. in Shabb. fol. 6. col. 1. They are speaking about washing in the Bathes of Tibe∣rias on the Sabbath: and they determine how far this was lawful, in these words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They bound washing to them, but they loosed sweating: meaning they taught that it was lawful to go into the Bath to sweat, but not to bathe for pleasure.
Ibid. fol. 4. col. 1. They send not letters by the hand of a Gentile on the eve of the Sabbath, nor on the fifth day of the week: Nay on the fourth day of the week 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The School of Schammai bound it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 But the School of Hillel loosed it.
Ibid. fol. 7. col. 4. Women may not look in a Looking glass on the Sabbath: but if it were fastned upon a wall 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Rabbi loosed the looking into it, but the wise men bound it.
Id. in Jom. tobh. fol. 60. col. 1. R. Jochanan went from Tsipporis to Tiberias, he saith, Why brought ye to me this Elder 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 For what I loose he bindeth, and what I bind he looseth.
Maym. in Hhamets umatsah. per. 4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Scribes have bound leaven, that is, they have prohibited it.
Tanchum. fol. 1. col. 3. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They have upon necessity loo∣sed salutation on the Sabbath: that is, they have permitted it, or taught that it was law∣ful.
Thousands of instances of this nature might be produced, by all which it is clear that the Jews use of the phrase was of their Doctors or learned mens teaching what was law∣ful and permitted, and what unlawful and prohibited. Hence is that definition of such mens office and work, in Tosaphta ad Jebamoth per. 4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A wise man that Judgeth Judgment, maketh unclean and maketh clean, bind∣eth and looseth: that is, teacheth what is clean and unclean, what is permitted and prohi∣bited. And Maymony in Sanhedr. per. 4. giving the relation of their ordaining of Elders, and to what several imployments they were ordained, saith thus, A wise man that is fit to teach all the Law, the Consistory had power to ordain him, To Judge, but not to teach Bound and loos, or power to teach Bound and loos, but not a Judge in pecuniary matters: or power to both these, but not to Judge in matters of mulct, &c. So that the Ordination of one to that Function which was more properly Ministerial, or to teach the people their duty, as what was lawful, what not, what they were to do, and what not to do, was to such a purpose, or in such a tenour as this, Take thou power to bind and loose, or to teach what is bound and loose, for they use both the expressions 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
By this vulgar and only sense of this phrase in the nation, the meaning of Christ using it thus to his Disciples, is easily understood; namely that he first doth instate them in a Ministerial capacity to teach, what bound and loose, what to be done and what not, and this as Ministers, and thus all ministers successively to the end of the world. But as they were Apostles of that singular and unparelled order, as the like never in the Church again, he gives them power to bind and loose in a degree above all Ministers that were to follow: namely, that whereas some part of Moses Law was now to stand in practice, and some to be laid aside, some things under the Law prohibited, were now to be permitted, and some things then permitted, to be now prohibited, he promiseth the Apostles such assistance of his Spirit, and giveth them such power, that what they allowed to stand in practice should stand, and what to fall should fall▪ what they bound in Earth should be bound in Heaven, &c.