[Vers. 23] §. VERS. 23. And he came and dwelt in a cit∣tie [Sect. 1] called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet: hee shall bee called a Nazarene.
[Quest.] It is heere doubted, where is this written, in what booke, by what Prophet?
[Answ. 1] To this first some answer,a 1.1 that the booke is lost, wherein this Prophecie was contained; be∣cause many sentences are recited in the New Testament, which are no where extant in the Old: and this came (as they thinke) through the envy and malice of the Iewes: but this rea∣son seemes weake; for if any such bookes were in the Apostles time, and were by them received as the divine and infallible oracles of God, it is not likely, that now they are lost, they being neither envious nor negligent: but of this wee have spoken in the fifteenth verse.
[Answ. 2] Others answerb 1.2, that Christ is heere said to have beene thus spoken of by the Prophets, He shall be call a Nazarite, because hee is by them set forth by the name Netzer, a branch, which appellation howsoever it was not understood any otherwise, but as setting forth a branch com∣ming out of a Kingly stocke, yet mystically withall is intimated thereby, in what place hee should be brought up. Others to this purposec 1.3 reade this verse thus, he shall be called a Netzerit, not a Nazarit, because he is called Netzerd 1.4, a branch; the Evangelist thus expounding the Prophet in sense, though not in words, because Christ was not a Nazarit: and thus this au∣thor would interpret Saint Matthewes words, he shall be called a flower, or a branch. Thus (I say) these thinke, that Christs name was not Nazareus, but Netzer, which signifies a Branche 1.5. And the reason they give for this is, because it is said, dictum per Prophetas, in the plurall number, as it was said by the Prophetsf 1.6 This reason is altogether disliked by learned Beza, upon a double ground, the first is because although this Testimony be found but in one of the small pro∣phets, yet it is said to be spoken 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by the Prophets, because all these 12. small Prophets were joyned in one booke.
Secondly, because this verse is quoted from the book of the Judges, which booke was written by diverse severall Prophets; and therefore it may be understood thus, dictum per Prophetas that is written in that booke, which was p••nned by diverse Prophets.
The most part answer, that this verse is taken [Answ. 3] from Iudg. 13.5.7. The child shall be a Nazarite unto the Lord.) for 1. Sampson is called a Nazarite. 2 he was a type of Christ. 3 therfore Christ is cal∣led so spiritually. 4 therfore, that which they will not acknowledge, God hath thus brought to passe, viz. that they shall call him a Nazarene. Heere then wee must diligently observe, how Sampson was a Type of Christ. First, in his birth, which I. was prophetically foretoldg 1.7. II. from his birth he was prepared: in that same verse. III. ordained for the good of Israel: in that same place also. Thus the birth of Christ was foretoldh 1.8, himselfe also prepared and ordained to save his peoplei 1.9. Secondly, in his life, 1. hee was full of strength, and employed it for the pro∣tection of the Iewes: so Christ is a strong rock, stronger then Sathan and all his instruments, and therefore will protect his childrenk 1.10. 2 Sampson marries a Gentile, so Christ marries the heathens, receiving them into an everlasting covenant. 3 he overcame the Lyon, and drew hony from him: so Christ overcame Sathan that roaring Lyon, that he might give liberty, and life, and salvation (which is sweeter then honey) unto his servants. 4 Sampson for the love of an harlot exi∣nanivit se, suffered himselfe to be emptied, strip∣ped, disrobed and deprived of his strength: so Christ disrobed himselfe of glory, and tooke the lowly shape of man upō him, for mans sake who had played the harlot with many loversl 1.11.
Thirdly, in his death, 1 Sampson was slaine by his enemies, so was Christ. 2 he revenged him∣selfe more in his death then in his life,m 1.12 so Christ by his death overcame death, hell, and the de∣villn 1.13. And thus we see from whence this verse is gathered by the Evangelist.
§. 2.He shall be called a Nazarene.] Wee [Sect. 2] have two thirds heere to observe, first the expli∣cation. Secondly the application of this word, Nazarite.
First, for the explication of the word, I pro∣pound [Quest. 1] two questions; The first is drawne from the text, And he came and dwelt in Nazaret, that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Pro∣phet, hee shall bee called a Nazarit unto the Lord.
How were these two accomplished in Christ, to be called both a Nasarit, and a Nazarit?
He was Nazarens voto, [Answ.] Nazarenus habitati∣one: he was a Nazarene by habitation or dwel∣ling, because he dwelt there; he was a Nazarit, the true branch of the root of Iesse, in regard of his humanity: and he was a Nasarit truly separa∣ted, and set apart to the Lord: thus hee is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, holy unto the Lord, & 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, one belonging to Nazareth.
What is meant by Nasarit? [Quest. 2]
I answer, [Answ.] the word is ambiguous and doubt∣full, there being foure kinds of Nasarits, whereof
- two of them are
- Theologicall.
- Hereticall.
The first sort of Nasarites (which are the first Theolgicall) are of the old Testament, and are