Читать книгу Moses and Aaron - Goodwin Thomas Aiken - Страница 4

The whole Common-wealth of Israel consisted of two sorts of men, Hebrews and Prosylites; he that was born an Hebrew, either by Fathers or Mothers side, was an Hebrew; but he that was born so of both, was an Hebrew of the Hebrews; such a one was Saint Paul, Phil. 3. 5. He that was born a Prosylite either by Fathers or Mothers side, was termed Ben-gar, the son of an he-Prosylite; or Ben gara, The son of a she-prosylite; but he that was by Fathers and Mothers side a Prosylite, was termed27 Bagbag, that is, the son of he and she Prosylites.

The Hebrews were of two sorts; some lived in Palestina, and used the Hebrew Text, these were called Hebrews or Jews; others were dispersed in divers places of Greece, they used the Greek translation, and thence were termed Έλληνισταὶ28 Grecists. S. Luke mentioneth both. There arose a murmuring, τῶν Έλληνιστῶν of the Græcists, towards the Hebrews, Acts 6. 1. Where note the difference between Ἕλληνες, and Έλληνισταὶ, the Græcians, and the Græcists. The Græcians are used by Saint Paul, to signifie all the Heathen people, and stand in opposition with Hebrews in the general acception, containing both Græcists, or dispersed Hebrews, and also those of Palestina: the Græcists were both by birth and religion Hebrews standing in opposition with Hebrews; in the strict acception, taken for those of Palestina.

The whole body of Israel was divided into twelve Tribes, and publique Records were kept, wherein every ones Genealogy was registred, to manifest unto what particular tribe he belonged. These records Herod burnt, hoping that in after ages he might be thought originally an Israelite, if those publike Monuments might not be produced against him. Thus much Eusebius29 plainly delivereth of him. I am of opinion, that another reason might be admitted; namely, That no distinction either of Tribe or Family, might appear; but, all being unfounded, and amongst the rest Davids, (unto whose Family by a peculiar right this Scepter belonged) Herod and his posterity might be the better secured of the Kingdom.

Prosylites were those Heathen people, who disclaiming Paganism, became Converts, and joyned themselves unto the Church of the Jews. They were termed Prosylites ἀπὸ τοῦ προσεληλυθέναι, from their coming and adjoyning unto the Jews. Concerning these Prosylites, we will consider these three things. 1. The several kinds of Prosylites; 2. The manner of making them; 3. In what account or respect they lived among the Jews.

First, the kinds of Prosylites were two; ‎‏גר ברת‏‎ Ger berith, Prosylitus fœderis, A Prosylite of the Covenant. He submitted himself unto the Circumcision, and to the whole Mosaical Pædagogy.30 The Rabbies term such a one ‎‏גר צדק‏‎ Ger tsedeck, Proselytum justitiæ, A Prosylite of righteousness. Secondly, ‎‏גר שער‏‎ Ger sahagnar, Proselytus portæ, A Prosylite, or stranger within thy gates, Deut. 14. 21. Of him also we read in the fourth Commandment. He was suffered to dwell amongst them; whence he is also called ‎‏תושב‏‎ Toschab, Incola, an Inhabitant. He was not circumcised, neither did he conform himself to the Mosaical rites, and ordinances, only he was tyed to the obedience of those Commandments, which among the Hebrew Doctors go under the name of Noahs seven Commandments;31 which they reckon thus: 1. Judgements or Punishments for Malefactours. 2. Blessing the name of God; under this is contained the keeping of the Sabbath. 3. Disclaiming of Idolatry. 4. Uncovering ones nakedness. 5. Shedding of blood. 6. Robery. 7. Eating of any member of a beast, taken from it alive. Of this sort, were Naaman the Syrian, the Eunuch, Cornelius, and those of whom we read, That there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews Men that feared God32 of every Nation under Heaven, Acts 2. 5.

Secondly, to the making of one to be a Prosylite of the Covenant according to the difference of sex; and the difference of times the Rites of initiation varied. To the making of33 a Male-Proselyte, at first three things were required. 1. Circumcision.34 2. A kind of purification by water. 3. The blood of Oblation. This oblation was commonly two Turtles or Pigeons. To the making of a Woman Proselyte, were required only purification by water, and Oblation.35 Now because the Jews have neither Altar, nor Sacrifice, they say that for the Males Circumcision, and purification by water sufficeth; and for the Females, only purification by water.36 In Davids time, they say that many thousands of Prosylites were joyned unto the Church without Circumcision, by this purification.

Hence we may observe, that a kind of Initiation by water was long in use among the Jews, though it were not Sacramental until Christ his institution: yea therefore it may seem to have been used by them, because they expected it at the coming of the Messias, as appeareth by their coming unto John, questioning not so much his Baptism, as his Authority, by what authority he baptized: Why baptizest thou them, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that Prophet? John 1. 25.

Thirdly, the respect born by the Jews towards Prosylites, was charitable;37 they used no upbraiding terms towards them, saying Remember thy former deeds. Notwithstanding it was also provided,38 No Prosylite should be eligible into the Court of their Sanhedrim; yea in their common commerce, they had an usual proverb, which admonished them of wariness39 Vel ad decimam usq; generationem a Proselytis cave; Beware of Prosylites to the tenth generation.