of Levi but their Genealogy was deduced from Judah by reason of the commixture of the Tribe of Levi especially of the High-Priests with the Royal Tribe of Judah Afterwards when Aristobulus and Aurkay being brethren contended with one another for the Chief Government after much conflict who should take up the Government at last the Kingdom remained in Herod the Askalonoite and he confounded the Book of Jewish Genealogies for he was no Jew and he put the Stole of the Priesthood under his Signature that is under his Seal In the time of this Herod Christ arose when the Kings and Rulers of the people were ceased according to that The Scepter shall not depart c. In the time of these brethren Aristobulas and Aurcanus the Kingdom ceased from the House of David and Herod Ruled and Christ came whose the Kingdom was in the thirty fifth year of this Herod our Lord was born on the fourth day others on the sixth day others on the first day of the Week at Night before Cock Crow about the time that he Arose from the Sepulcher and is to effect the Resurrection on the twenty fifth of December and the three hundred and ninth year of the Greeks In other Copies it is Written the Seventh which is the forty third of Augustus Caesar he was born of the Virgin being then thirteen years of Age and she died in Ephesus being Aged fifty one years and John the Evangelist and his Disciples buried her and at the time of the Birth of our Lord Cyrenus the Governour was sent and the Wise-Men came in the Month of Nisan Mathew omits her putting him into swadling Cloaths and her laying him in a Manger the Angelical Hymas the Circumcision and other things and writes only of the coming of the Wise-Men from whence is made known the fraud of Herod the Murthering of the Children c. The Wise-Men came from the East to Hierusalem and said It is to be enquired therefore of what Nation were these Wise-Men Eusebius and Gregory Nyssen say that they were of the Sons of Balaam Jacobus Auriensis than they were of the Progeny of Elam the Son of Shem others that they were descended from the Kings of Sheba and Seba as David said They shall bring Gifts unto him and they were Men of Note and came from Persia but how many were they Some say they were three in respect of the three Offerings which they made and that there were with them a thousand Men and therefore Hierusalem was troubled Jacobus Aurihensis saith that they were not three as Painters draw them but twelve Princes and that they had more with them than a thousand Men. Others say they were eight as said Micha We shall raise against him seven Shepherds and eight Shepherds that is Governours and that they had with them a great Army Others that they were three Sons of Kings and nine Noble Men of their Countries and that the King who sent them was called Pirshabor and their Names Hidondad the Son of Artabon Shethoph the Son of Godephor Areshock the Son of Mahedes Zodonad the Son of Varud Arihu the Son of Cosare Artehoth the Son of Havilith Ashtonbozan the Son of Shishoron Mahodok the Son of Hevaham Ahirosh the Son of Tsonikeban Tsardonnah the Son of Beldon Merudok the Son of Bil. And there were with them about three thousand who bare Arms and five Ships of Burthen and when they passed Euphrates they heard of a Famine in Jerusalem and they lest their Forces to abide about Euphrates from Kalinikos that is to say Raka unto Ktesiphon and those twelve Princes went on with an Army consisting of a thousand Men and carried Gifts with them Saint Cyril and Johannes say That Christ was an Infant and wrapped in Swadling Cloaths when the Wise-Men found him for they say that before the time of his Birth a Star appeared to the Wise-Men about eight days before his Nativity as Saint Cyril saith to Guide them unto him Moreover They say that it was fitting that he should be Worshipped in Swadling Cloaths and laid in a Manger that the Miracle might appear to be the greater Others say That in the very same Night and Day he was born the Wise-Men came and it is manifest from that which is written That when Jesus was born the Wise-Men came Epiphanius of Cyprus doth not Assent hereunto for he saith That our Saviour was born in Bethlehem and that he was Circumcised in a Cave that he went up to the Temple and that he was carried by Simeon and that he went to Nazareth and that the next year they brought him to appear before the Lord and then he went to Bethlehem and thence returned to Nazareth and at the end of two years they carried him up again to Jerusalem and went to Bethlehem for they loved often to frequent this place wherein he was born and whilst they were in Bethlehem the Wise-Men came And this is clear from that which Mathew said And they came into the House and saw the Lad with Mary his Mother and they fell down and Worshiped him for here he saith an House and not a Cave and Moreover the Lad with his Mother and not such an one as was wrapt in Swadling Cloaths and in the night he appeared to Joseph to take away the Lad and his Mother and to depart into Egypt And hereby also he sheweth that he was two years Old for Gnoba the Scripture calls one that is wrapped in Swadling Cloaths and Taloio Lad one that Rowls himself and creeps and goeth and herewith agreeth Eusebius and the Lord Ephraim in his Exposition saith it was the Second year And Jacobus Auriensis or Sarugensis in his Sermon on the Star and the Wise-Men saith that they saw him when he was two years old and from hence are verify'd the Words of Mathew and of Luke Luke saith that he went from Bethlehem to Nazareth and Mathew saith from Bethlehem to Egypt and both are in the Truth for they went to Hierusalem after forty days as saith Luke and afterwards to Nazareth and at the end of two years from Nazareth to Bethlehem and from Bethlehem to Egypt as Mathew saith and he was in Egypt two years until the Death of Herod and that Archelaus his Son Reigned Behold it is known that Christ was then two years old from this that those whom Herod slew were two years old and under according to the time he enquired of the Wise-Men and if it were said that he should fly that Night into Egypt or that he was of eight days old how went he to the Temple or was born of Simeon Herod being filled with Rage Magick is an Heresie composed of Gentilisme and of Caldaisme for it Worshiped the Elements according to the Gentiles and Worshiped the Stars and went by the help and knowledg of Luminaries and the Signs of the Zodiack and by the directions of the Stars as the Chaldeans and every of them lived by themselves and were
Death but Crucifie him that they might give out concerning him that he was a Seducer and Blasphemer therefore deserv'd to be Crucified and for that Crucifixion was a Reproachful Death they cryed Let him be Crucified Moreover That they might bring him under the Curse of the Law Cursed be every one that hangeth on a Tree and altho they did fulfil this out of an Evil Conscience yet Divine Dispensation confirm'd that by their Mouths what he had foretold he would bring to pass that He should dye the Death of the Cross Moreover As the Crucifying of him was the Cause of many Evils so the ingeminating of the Word Crucifie Crucifie was a great indication of their Fury He took Water and washed his Hands V. 24. For he was brought to a streight by the Commotion of the People against him because of his Words which imported that Christ was Innocent therefore he called for Water and Washed that by the Washing of his Hands he might signifie the Purity of his Intentions from being guilty of this Judgment which was beyond the Law of Righteousness yet Pilate was culpable because he appeared to be Pusillanimous Pilate proved guilty of Christ's Death and Timerous had respect to persons and was willing to please the Jews for he might justly have suffer'd him to have escaped from them if he had pleased as the Centurion permitted Paul to go his way for he also knew it was a Commotion Tumult yet would not therefore permit the Jews to put him to Death But some say Pilate durst not set him at Liberty because they said he made himself a King but it behoved him to have enquir'd whether he had found in him any kind of Rebellion whether he had provided any Ammunition whether he had Rais'd Souldiers Now since he discover'd no such thing and was induced to have respect to Persons Christ did not free him from Guilt it is certain therefore that his Fault was a sluggish Weakness or softness of Temper Others say That forasmuch as he saw that his Wife had sent unto him and the Jews were stirred up against him he knew not to which Party he shou'd encline and being thus brought into Doubts and Shame he shou'd according to the Custom then in use amongst them have freed Jesus for every Feast they let loose a Prisoner Pilate was a Type of the Gentiles who were not guilty of the Blood of Christ for tho' he were of the Gentiles it behov'd the Jews to Repent by reason of what Judas said I have Sinned and for that he hanged himself as also for the Dream of Pilate's Wife for the Washing the hands of Pilate himself for his Prayer in their behalf Father forgive them and for the Miracles which were wrought on the Cross His Blood be upon us That is to say let his Judgment be Avenged on us if we have not justly deliver'd him unto thee Moreover They say that even sensibly in matter of Fact and Reality this sticks unto them for the Smell of Blood continually Reeks from them Furthermore O Jew if he did offend wherefore dost thou draw his Blood on thy self and shew'd that he is blameless forasmuch as thou hast drawn his Blood on thy own Head Again they drew Blood on themselves and their Children and engaged for the Infidelity of their Children and that Rebellion should stick unto them but our Saviour did not confirm the Sentence upon them but receiv'd as many of them as Repented as Paul the Pharisees and very many of those who believed in Judea And Scourged Jesus with a Whip Here again Pilate Condemned himself for though he cou'd not save him 't was not lawful for him to Scourge him but this he did to gratifie the Jews and that he might place a favour on them This Scourging of him fignifies that he commanded and they bound him to a Pillar and Lashed him with Whips Again this was the Law with the Romans that he that was to be Crucified must first be Scourg'd with Whips which he practis'd with our Lord whom he Scourg'd and then deliver'd him over Then the Souldiers of the Governour That is to say the Executioners who Ministred under him went to the Pretorium in which Caesars Image stood and wherein was drawn together the Army The whole Band That is to say the Company of Roman Soldiers And they took off his Garments This is the Mystery as the Sheep was before the Shearers and the Shearers fleeced the Sheep of his Wool he taking off his Garments disgraced Principalities and Power for as the first Adam was Naked among the Trees so the Second Adam was left Naked in the place of Judgment And they put on him a Scarlet Robe When a King or Emperor of the Romans was inaugurated these Five Things were done unto him 1. He was Cloathed with Purple Robes 2. A Diadem of Pearls was put on his Head 3. A Scepter of Gold was put in his Hands 4. His Ministers fell on their Knees and Worshipped him 5. They Saluted him saying Hail our King And because they said that the Cause of his Death was Treason against Caesar therefore in this deluding manner did they put on him this Purple Robe and set on his Head the Crown of Thorns and made him hold in his Hand a Reed and Worshipped him saying Hail King of the Jews for behold now thou art made King of the Jews as thou soughtest to be and as Pilate called thee This Coat called Clamys had no Seam and one of the Kings Dedicated and gave it to God and the Temple in Jerusalem 't was Dyed in the Blood of a Fish called in the Latin Tongue Murex Garments dipped in this Blood yield two different Colours in two different places in the Light of the Sun it appears Purple but in the Shade Scarlet and not as some say that the Figuration thereof was Purple and the ground Scarlet But John instead of a Clamys saith Purple These were placed in the Temple and were bestowed by the Aegyptian and Grecian Kings on the Kings of the Macchabees these the Priests fetch'd from the Temple and presented them to Pilate and said Behold the Purple which befits him seeing that driving at the Kingdom he Rebels against Caesar Some say That this Coat was given by the Grecians to Jonathan Machabeus Others say That this Garment wherewith the Soldiers enroabed him was brought by the Priests from the Temple and did so because they fear'd he should fail to dye and therefore brought this Robe from the Temple and Cloath'd him therewith that if any thing should happen in hindrance of his Death they might have said He cannot be saved because he touch'd the Holy Vestment being no Priest and it 's certain that the Law requires he should dye Others say This happen'd by Divine Providence for seeing they were to strip the Altar of his Father he sent a Garment to cover it Furthermore They Cloathed him with a Clamys of Scarlet for
when one is become that which he was not before so was Abel a Herdsman and David a King and a Prophet and Aaron a Priest without changing humane Nature from what it was and thus we say The Word of God was made Man God being not changed in his Nature The Son of David the Son of Abraham he calls him not the Son of Joseph because he had not to do in his Generation neither doth he call him the Son of Mary although he was made Flesh by her it being not agreeable to the custom of Scripture to compute Genealogies from Women but he mentions David and Abraham because the beginning of his Generation of Chist is referred to them For he said unto Abraham In thy seed shall all the Natious of the Earth be blessed And unto David Thy Children shall sit upon the Throne for ever And to shew unto the Hebrews that he descended from David as the Prophets had foretold Moreover he calls him the Son of David thereby to raise the greater esteem of him he was a Nazarite because nursed in Nazareth according to what Philip said unto Nathaniel We have found Jesus of Nazareth The Promise was made unto Abraham because he was the first who was converted from Idolatry It was also made unto David forasmuch as he was the first King who kept the Commandments and for that he pleased God and brought up the Ark and was desirous to build a house unto the Lord. He sets David before Abraham by reason of his Kingdom his Majesty and the Renown of his Time for the Fame of his Deeds were celebrated in the mouth of all men and from him they expected that Christ should arise according to that Was it not from the seed of David and from Bethlehem that Christ was to spring And they called all good Kings which ruled over them by the Name of David as David my Servant shall rule them and I will set over them David my servant And it was with an oath said unto David The Lord swore unto David in truth and will not repent Of the fruit of thy Belly And I have sworn unto David my servant and A Rod shall sprout out of the Root of Jesse Again he placeth David before Abraham because the Promise made unto Abraham was That he should be Father of Nations but it was promised unto David That Christ the Redeemer should spring out of his Seed and it was meet that he from whose Seed Christ the Redeemer was to come should be preferred to him who was Chief of the Nations For the Redeemer is more to be esteemed than they who are Redeemed For this cause it is that he mentions Abraham after David because unto him was the Promise of calling the Gentiles The Son of Abraham that is to say He calls Christ the Son of Abraham according to the flesh but he neither calls him the Son of David nor of Abraham as of Marital Conjunction but according to Genealogy and Descent and he whom Mathew calls the Son of David Mark calls the Son of God and Luke the Power of the most High and John the Word of God but he was called God and the Word and the Power of the most High because he was so and he was named the Son of David and of Abraham for that he was made so and he was one and the very same and not different Persons Abraham begat Isaac he sets down this Genealogy to shew that Christ came as God formerly had promised to Abraham and to David and that he was the Messiah expected by the Jews and that they were inexcusable if they would not believe in him Isaac begat Jacob Jacob begat Jadah and his brethren He did not mention the Brethren of Isaac and Jacob because they had no Commerce with the Stock of Israel for they were Heathens and the Sons of Ishmael Arabians and Edomites and not by reason of their being wicked as others say for the Scripture mentioneth those who were more wicked than they He mentioneth the Brethren of Judah because that from his Lineage is derived the Genealogy of Christ who was of the Seed of David Judah begat Pharez and Zarah of Thamar He mentions Thamar who was of the Gentiles and was guilty of Fornication hereby we are instructed of the Mercy and Goodness of God who was not only made Man but was born from such-like Ancestors as these and by reason all men were brought under the yoke of Sin there was a necessity of his coming upon earth and if Judah sinned and David committed Adultery how much more was the transgression of others He by his coming absolved those who were under the reproach of guilt and his Gospel accepted of every Believer Adulterers Fornicators and as many of all sorts as were Penitents And it was for our Consolation that he made mention of Thamar that we should not be ashamed of our wicked Ancestors but be comforted by the Vertue Pulchritude and Ornaments of our own minds for a man is not scandaliz'd by evil Parents for if a Fornicatrix be converted into vertuous habits her former evil manners will be no reproach unto her How much less reproach is it to a man to have been the Son of a Fornicatrix or the Adultery or Sins of his Fore-fathers if his own Manners do not reproach him Moreover he mentioneth Thamar to reprove the Jews who boasted of Abraham and yet were destitute of a good Conversation as if he had said unto them Behold she who committed Fornication was the Mother of David Furthermore we say That Thamar did not sit there with a purpose of Fornication and it is manifest from what Judah said She hath been more righteous than I but that she might minister to the Generation of our Saviour Christ Gen. 32.26 who was concealed in Judah and this is known from hence that she did thus with him and no other man and thus she did after the death of his Wife that she might not seem to offend for the Law was not then written which prohibited the same Again she had the greater proclivity in her affections to Judah in regard of his want of Children for destitution of Children was reputed a disgrace to every man Moreover Thamar prefigured the Church and the Gentiles who committed Fornication with Idols and by the off-spring of Thamar were redeemed Thamar was of the off-spring of the Gentiles so also was the Church Thamar committed Fornication so likewise did the Church commit Fornication with Idols and as Thamar was mixed in the Genealogy of Christ so was the Church made a parcipitant of the Body and Blood of Christ Thamar is expounded the Church as calling Christ unto her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Come my Lord unto me inhabit with me Wherefore doth he mention Pharez and Zarah Zarah signifieth the East they appeared in the light of Gods Worship as Enoch Shem Japheth and Melchizedech and he sprouting out for a while and stretching forth the hand
Esther became the Wise of Matatha of the Progeny of Nathan and of her he begat Heli and Esther had two Sons one by Mathan and one by Mattatha and Heli took a Wife and died Childless and Jacob his Brother took his Wife in conformity to the Law that he might raise Seed to him who was Dead that his Name might not be forgotten and Jacob begat Joseph and Joseph was the Son of Jacob according to natural propagation and to Heli according to the disposition of Law and Mathew calleth him in respect of Nature and Luke with regard to the Law for naturally the traduction of Seed constituted by Law was his who begat Children in the name of his deceased Brother who died Childless Wherefore doth Mathew proceed to Solomon but Luke sets down Nathan and so they run down to Joseph Some say that Mary was derived from Solomon and Joseph from Nathan and Mathew sets forth the Genealogy of Mary but Luke that of Joseph and if it be so wherefore doth Mathew declare this concerning Jacob that he begat Joseph whereas naturally he did not beget him And if they shall say that Luke speaks of the Genealogy of Mary and Mathew of that of Joseph wherefore did Luke impose this upon the stock from whence Christ was born that he was supposed Philoxenus said That Mathew wrote concerning the natural Genealogy and therefore said such an one begat such an one but Luke treated of Legal Genealogies and therefore wrote this that he was supposed And hereunto Affricanus gives Testimony who said that the Names of the Genealogies were reckoned among the Hebrews either naturally from the account of Seed or according to the direction of Law as he who is born by Adoption to one who dies without Children or of one who begets in the Name of his Brother dying Childless for as yet they had no hope of the Resurrection and the Evangelists computed both the Natural and Legal Genealogy for the Genealogies of Solomon and Nathan were intermixed Wherefore each of them from Nathan as well as from Solomon was the Father of Joseph Eli who was of Nathan and Jacob who was of Solomon and he was by Nature the Son of Jacob but by Institution of Law the Son of Heli that is to say Eli. And whereas Mathew shewed according to the Natural Account of Genealogy that Joseph was derived from David and some Men seemed to oppose him and said that Joseph was the Son of Heli and not of Jacob prevaricating in respect of the Legal Genealogy Wherefore Luke minded to confute their folly shewed that though Joseph should be referred to Heli by Legal Institution yet even so the Lineage of Christ would be found to proceed from David For he did not place the Genealogy on Mary nor did he say such an one begat Mary of whom Christ was born for it was not the Custom of the Hebrews to derive Genealogies by Women wherefore he computes not Mary but Joseph that he might not seem to confound Order Moreover we say That in the Commemoration of Joseph the Virgin also is notified with him to have descended from David for every Tribe was knit with its own Tribe although some rare Examples there are of departing from Tribe to Tribe But Joseph and Mary were near related to one another respectively as the Grand-children of two Brothers One Eliezer begat two Sons Mathan and Jotham and Mathan begat Jacob and Jacob begat Joseph and Jotham begat Tsadock and Tsadok begat Mary and her Mothers Name was Dinah and she was the Sister of Elizabeth and this was she of whom it was said Behold Elizabeth thy Kinswoman The matter was ordered by hint of Divine Providence that the Kingdom and Priesthood of David and of Levi might receive accomplishment in Christ Moreover for this reason he reckons Joseph and not Mary for that if the Jews had known that Mary had not conceived from Joseph they had stoned her her Virginity was conceal'd from all Mankind except Joseph who learn'd it from the Angel and Elizabeth who learn'd it from the holy Ghost John saith Christ was not willing that they should know the manner of his Nativity viz. that he was born of a Virgin but reserved the knowledge thereof to its proper time that the Virgin might be free from punishment for if the Jews had learned thus much at first they had not believed that a Virgin could bring forth and they had stoned her For if they called him who drove out Devils The Prince of Devils how would they believe that a Virgin should bring forth a Son It may be enquired Where were the Fathers of Mary for her Father was called by many Names Joiachim Jojachim Jonchir Tsadok Jezedik and her Mother also was called Dina and Hana Jacobus Auraeus saith That Histories do recount that Mary was the Daughter of Jojachim of the Tribe of Judah who was the Son of Asther in the Original Panthir and Asther was the Brother of Malchi the Son of Neni in the Original he who was of Neri and descended by the Genealogy from Nathan and was on the Mothers side from the Tribe of Levi and dwelt in Galilee in a place of the City of Tiberia he calls Joseph the Husband of Mary when he was her Spouse according to the Custom of the Scripture for it is said in Deuteronomy If there shall be a Wife betrothed unto a Man and a Man shall find her and lie with her take them both forth and let them be stoned the young Woman because she did not reveal it and the Man for that he lay with his Neighbours Wife It is known from hence that he who is betrothed is called Husband and she who is espoused is called Wife whence it is known that Christ and the Virgin were of the Seed of David We say it is manifest that Christ is of the Seed of David according to the flesh from this That he was born of Mary who was of the House of David and of his Seed and it is certain that the Virgin descended from David because every one took a Wife of his own Tribe that Inheritance might not be in Commixture nor Confusion be in the Lands nor War amongst them and Joseph observed this Commandment and took Mary a Daughter of David for had she not been from David she had not gone up to Bethlehem with Joseph the Son of David But how did Christ fit on the Throne of David We say That there seems to be a threefold kind of Davids Throne the one was corporal which was made of Wood and Ivory and was Adorned with pretious Stones Secondly They were accustomed to call the Throne of the Kingdom the Primacie and Authority over the whole Nation The third is according to what God promised to David I will build thy Throne for ever and ever and His Throne shall be as the Sun before me but these things which were promised to David but not fulfilled were accomplish'd in our Saviour
spoke of a King Again the Names of Christ are threefold of Excellency as God the Son of God and Lord of a middle Nature as King Redeemer and Ruler Of low condition as the Son of Man Man and Servant The Wise-Men made use of a Name of middle Nature calling him King as more acceptable it being the beginning of his Government and Supereminent or low Names were not very acceptable Furthermore They enquired after a King because Micah called him King from thee shall go forth a King For we have seen in his Star in the East and are come to Worship him He drew the Wise-Men by a Star condescending with their weakness in what was accustomable unto them for as they declared the Death of Saul by Sorcerers and taught Balaam his Power by those things he did unto Balak and as he allured the Children of Israel by Sacrifices which they affected according to the custom of the Heathens in Egypt and as he took the Apostles by the taking of Fishes and as Paul did when he spake with the Gentiles who produced an Illustration from Ports and as Fowl is taken by scattering before them what they are accustomed unto so did he unto the Wise-Men he first calls them by a Star and afterwards by an Angel speaks with them and so draws them by degrees unto Vertue So he did unto the Philistians when they cut their Buttocks and called their South sayers and said yoak Heifers under the Ark and the Plague is known if such an one it is from God and if such an one it is by chance and if God be Counselled of Sorcerers it was not thought a shame unto him that Enemies should Testifie unto Truth so the Wise-Men by Stars after which they wandered foreshewed his Nativity And again because he was of an Heavenly Nature he hooked them up by a Star of Heaven who also calls the Heaven his dwelling Moreover he drew them by a Star according to the word of Balaam who called him a Star and Esaiah Light and Malachi the Sun and Jeremiah a sprout of Righteousness and our Lord calls himself Light Furthermore That they might be lighted to the Sun Christ by a Star and therefore when they attained the Sun the Star was swallowed up in obscurity for it is the Nature of a Star to disappear when the Sun shines in its Brightness so Divination Chaldaisme also ceased for among the Persians a Star was reputed a God which was called Nain and by that which was true in their conceipt he allured them to the Truth Again three bodily Preachers Preached him the Star because he was Heavenly the Shepherds because he was a Shepherd and a Lamb the Wise-Men because he was a propitiation for Sins Moreover He declared his Divinity by a Star and that he was altogether High and Sublime who was born whose Embassador and Nuncioes were such as by the Wise-Men were reputed Gods and as before the sensible Sun the Morning Star Ascends so before the Rational Sun a Star was the Herauld and that he might shew that he was the Creator of all the Creation Old and Spiritual for in that he began first with Light and in this he drew the VVise-Men with a Star neither was it a Star indeed which appeared to the VVise Men for it is known that it descended and stood over the House for that it descended is as much as that it lest its sublime station and came down very near over the place otherwise it could not have distinctly indicated the place as with a Finger for behold the Moon which is greater than the Star remaining in one place seems to be over many and sundry Places not being able to shew one of them distinctly and this Star if it descended and distinctly shewed the place it is evident that it was no natural Star but one of the sublime host And to these agree Cyril Johannes and Theodotus Ankorensis Furthermore there are two sorts of Stars some of them are fixed in a Sphere and are in an immovable station some of them never cease from motion this moved going before the wise men and stood thereby demonstrating the Place and sometimes went on and sometimes stood still wherefore it was no natural Star And furthermore the Stars in the Sphear some of them proceed from East to West and the wandring Stars from VVest to East but this held its course from North-East to South-west for so is Persia situated in relation to Palestine And natural Stars are not usually seen in the day time but this appeared night and day which is not agreeable to the nature of Stars For when they came to Jerusalem it disappeared and when they departed thence it manifested it self and from that it appeared to the wise men and not into others and afforded light indifferently day and night and from that it did shine and not burn being descended very far from the place of Coelestial Stars to direct the wise men in the way as with the singer and from that that it overcame the Beams of the Sun with its brightness when the Sun was in its Meridional Altitude We say it was no natural Star Whence therefore was it Some say that it was a concealed power of the Lord that appeared in the similitude of an Angel others as we have said before one of the Angels assumed the likeness of a Star and was constellated and led the wise Men and it was not a phantasme or Automaton that is to say of its self Moreover it is known to have been no natural Star from this that it held its progress from East to West for so Persia is placed in position on the East of Hierusalem and Hierusalem on the West of Persia Others say that it proceeded from the South-East to the North and from the North to the west for so was the Course from Persia to Palestine and when they entred into one of the Cities or Towns it was obscured and this was as it were by way of Question and Answer that the Nativity of Christ might be made known nor had it a progressive indication but when it behoved them to proceed It did proceed like to the Pillar of Israel Some men desirous to establish the Caldean Learning say Behold a Star appeared when Christ was born against whom we say that if the Astrologers say that he was born by this Power how did he suddenly destroy Caldaism and the efficacies thereof And mens Nativities are not calculated by one Star but by many by Twelve or Seven Furthermore Astrologers from the Stars fore-tell concerning a mans Kingdom or what befalls him as their Judgment and perhaps some may say that so they made this computation concerning the King of the Jews In answer to whom we say Behold he said My Kingdom was not of the World neither had he Ministers nor Army not House Moreover Caldaisme doth not establish a Nativity upon one Star but from the seven Wanderers which are called Planets which do
not stick to the Body of the Heaven that is to say The Sun the Moon Mars Mercury Bell that is Jupiter Balti which is Aphrodite Saturu who is Cheon and from the Twelve Signs of the Zodiack in Heaven Aries Taurus the two Images which are Gemini Cancer Leo Spica that is Virgo Spicifera Libra that is a Ballance Scorpia the great Image that is Sagittary Capricorn Aquarius Pisces and we say that the Seven proceed from East to West and Twelve from West to East with the Body of Heaven which turns as the Circumference of a Wheel round about the Earth and the Earth being fixed as the Center of Heaven as a Ball blown up and a Grain of Millet in the midst of it And they attribute the days of the VVeek to these seven Planets the first day of the VVeek to the Sun the second to the Moon the third to Mars the fourth to Mercury the fifth to Jupiter the Preparation to Aphrodite that is Venus the Sabath to Saturn And moreover the Astrologers denote the Parts of Man also by the Planets to the Sun is attributed the Brain to the Moon the Skin to Mars the Blood to Mercury the Nerves and Veins to Jupiter the Bones to Venus the Flesh to Saturn the Hair and as to the Twelve Signs they say That they are Types of the Twelve Months and some of them are Males and some of them Females and every one of them dispose one of the parts of Man according to the VVill of God Aries disposeth the Head the Heifer the Neck the two Images the Hands Cancer the breast Libra the side Virgo the Loyns and back Leo the Belly Scorpio the Testicles the great Image the Leg Aquarius the Thighs Capricorn the Knees Pisces the Feet These things we have Transcribed here from the Error of the Chaldaeans to the end that none of them who are furnished with Reason may be led Captive after their Errors or rely on their Stories Julian the Heathen saith That this History of the Star is not true because Astronomers have not spoken thereof in contradiction to whom we Answer Behold the Stars have sometimes appeared upon great occasions as those which are called Lances Beames Comets therefore it was not beside order that by the good pleasure of God an unusual Star should arise at the Nativity of our Saviour and should be the Herauld when perhaps one of the Angels was Constellated and appeared to the Wise-Men only and when they proceeded was seen as the Pillar of the Cloud was to Israel so was the Star to the Wise-Men Again they said his Star and not the Star for as much as his Star did imply with a Star the person whose it was for a Star is of naked Signification and the Wise Men came to Christ that they might see him and Adore him as God and offer Gifts unto him as to a King And Herod the King heard and was troubled because he was of a strange Nation and received from Augustus the Kingdom of the Jews Unjustly he was greatly troubled and moved when he heard the report of the Birth of a King for he hoped that he had Power in the Land and was afraid least they might put him to Death and take his Kingdom Moreover he was troubled for the multitude of the Wise-Men and the Majesty of their Persons and for that in the Metropolis to Wit in the Mother of Cities they had proclaimed a King and did not inquire meerly after a King but after the King of the Jews And all Jerusalem with him Why was she troubled at the coming of a Saviour because she was unwilling to be saved she turned her face from a Redeemer By the Name of Jerusalem he signifies the Inhabitants thereof for they were troubled yet such was their Sottishness that they did not so much enquire after their Redeemer as after the Wise-Men it was troubled also as when he entered thereinto upon an Ass and that was because it envied him but as yet they shewed not their Envy for they produced Testimonies in his behalf as this That he was to be born in Bethlehem And he Assembled all the Chief Priests and the Scribes of the People that is he Assembled them all and not a part that he might not fail as to the place where he was born And he asked of them where Christ was to be Born The Wise-Men Asked concerning a King and Herod with the Priests concerning Christ from the Questions of the Wise-Men made to the Chief Priests he Learned this or from this that he had heard from those who read the Prophets that Christ was to Arise and when he saw the Wise Men he understood that he was a King and because Herod and his Councellours were troubled he did not accuse the Wise Men nor did he say unto them how is it that ye proclaim another King besides me And if he be born to the Jews what are ye concerned in the discovery of him And if ye say true shew me his Star But he dissembled that he might take him by a Wile And they said in Bethlehem Judah for they did not contest against the Interrogatory for they expected the coming of Christ and they Revealed him opportunely and alleadged the Testimony of Micah in that behalf Others say That they made the discovery out of their Envy that he might put him to death and it is manifest from hence that they did not make the Discovery concerning the King of the Edomits and others but concerning the King of the Jews Others say they being not as yet filled with Envy did reveal him because they were well pleased his Nativity should be heard of Others because they were at last to reveal him according to that From whence Christ cometh we know not and so they revealed unto them and from the Number of Weeks which the Scribes computed and from this The Scepter shall not depart from Judah and for that Herod governed as a King when the Scepter departed they knew that the time of his birth was come Also thou Bethlehem of Judah art not That is in him thou art magnified and honoured and the Nations come from the Ends of the Earth to see the Manger and the Cave wherein he was born For he shall feed my People Israel Those he calls so who beleive whether Jews or Gentiles according to Pauls interpretation Not all those who are of Israel are Israel therefore he calls the Gentiles Israel but did not so declare concerning them at the begining that the Jews might not be offended and if he were to arise from Bethlehem wherefore was his conversation in Nazareth and did the Jews forget We say that he did not conceal but reveal the Prophecy for in Nazareth he was conceived and at the time of his Nativity his Mother went up to Bethlehem and he was there for the space of Forty days and Simeon and Hannah proclaimed him in the Temple and when the Jews took no
would not but rejected help the Word turned himself unto the Gentiles And they opened their Sumptures That is to say their Gifts were fixed and under Seal according to the Custom of Kings who sending Gifts to other Kings seal them up And they offered unto him Gifts Gold Myrrh and Frankincense That is according to their Custom they offered these Gifts for they were accustomed to burn Incense to their Gods and to give Gold to their Kings and to embalm their Dead with Myrrh And forasmuch as they understood that he was God and a King and that he was to Dye and to be Anointed they offered unto him these Gifts Frankincense in relation to his Divinity Gold in relation to the Majesty of a King and Myrrh to his Death the cause of Life Moreover Gold denotes that Worship which is preferred before Gold is returned to its Lord Myrrh and Incense signify that he is the Physician who binds up the Fracture of Adam Again It is said That to him every knee shall bow of Heaven and of Earth and under the Earth these Gifts were a Mystery of the Trinity which from Divine Revelation was made known unto us by Gold the Worship of Coelestial Natures he signifies that he was heavenly by Frankincense which is Terrestrial that he is King of Earthly Concerns by Myrrh in the third place under the Earth that he is Lord of his own and the Causer of them Again By Gold they signifie the Purity and invincible nature of Faith by Frankincense the truth of Hope in him for he helps and comforts the Souls which believe in him By Myrrh they parabolize Love which is the Bond of Faith which bindâ— and knits together the Members of the Church as is the property of Myrrh Again In as much as Gold is the King of all insensible things it is justly offered to the King of sensible and insensible things and as Gold onely of Earthly Constitutions doth not contract rust and is only of that Soluble and Combustible Substance which is not diminished by the heat of fine so also the Kingdome of Jesus is not to be diminished or to perish as it is written Again By Gold they signified the purity of his flesh for he committed no wickedness nor was he guilty of deceit By Myrrh they notifyed his passion for his body was perfumed with an hundred weight of Myrrh David saith That thy Garments are perfumed with Myrrh Cassia and Storax by Frankincense they thought that we were to be through Christ a sweet savour unto God among those who are to be saved Again By Gold they offered as it were the Chief of all insensitive things by Frankincense all Trees whereby also is signified the sweetness which we receive from our Lord by Myrrh all Perfumes Moreover he hints the approbation difficulty of his Commands according to that how narrow is the gate and streight the way But from whence did the Wise-Men learn that they were to bring gifts Some say that they were treasured up by Adam in a Cave and that he commanded Seth that by tradition they should be delivered from one to another in succession so that the Wise-men at the coming of Christ might come offer them but this declaration is not approved of by understanding Men. Others say that they learned this from Divine Revelation Others That they knew from the Star which appeared unto them that he who was born was God and King and that he was to dye they went and offered unto him Gold Myrrh and Frankincense Here Julian objects Since that Frankincense was offered to Christ wherefore do ye not burn Frankincense in the Churches but more precious Aromaticks We answer That they did not offer Frankincense unto Christ at his own request but of their own discretion offered it according to their custome and he accepted of it not as regarding the gift but the intention of the giver for they bestowed them with a pure conscience but we burn sweeter Aromaticks in the Temples that the Faithfull may be perfumed with a sweet odour when they enter into them But what became of the offerings We answer That Joseph and Mary took them and brought them with them to Egypt for they were not so great nor so many but that they could carry them nor were they offered for the abundance of them but they offered them for the mystery and significancy of them as first fruits for God doth not respect the abundance as one that is indigent but the intention of the givers as in the case of the widdows Mites And it was shewed unto them in a Dream that they should not return to Herod and they were not offended nor did they say to the Angel Wherefore are we to fly away But gave Obedience to Divine Intimation for Faith doth not dispute when it is commanded And what appeared to them in a Dream Some say That Herod appeared unto them brandishing his Sword and approaching to the Lad to kill him Saint John saith That an Angel appeared in a Dream and said unto them Do not return to Herod And moreover that he conducted them and Transported them to their place by another way And wherefore were they prohibited to return to Herod Some say That they should not know the intendment of Herod who designed to kill the Lad others say That Joseph and Mary might have opportunity to fly for had they returned unto him he had immediately sent and caused the Lad to be put to Death and they would not have an opportunity of Escape And they went another way to their Country This was Ordained by Divine Providence that they might Preach to other Nations who did not understand for the Nations who did not understand at their coming up to them they Preached at their going away for if they did Preach in other Climates and openly to Herod how much father in their own Countries Arise lead away the Lad and his Mother and fly unto Egypt He did not say Lead away the Lad and thy Wife but the Lad and his Mother to shew that he lived holily with her even after she brought forth and to teach him that it was not lawful to come near unto her for when she Conceived he called her his Wife for he knew he could not come near her by reason the Holy-Ghost possessed her and that to free her from suspicion of Adultery for if she had been guilty of Adultery he had not called her his Wife here he shewed the Faith of Joseph that it was not less than that of the Wise-Men Sometime he said unto him that he would save his people from their Sins and now Fly into Egypt for he did not object to the Angel How sayd'st thou that he will save his people and now sayest fly away with him and he who saves not himself how can he save others But such was the abundance of his Faith that he did not make such Objections to the Angel But the Heathens object thus That
matter is not as the Jews Accuse me that I am a Rebel an Usurper of an Earthly Kingdom If it were of this World That is to say this Temporal Kingdom is Slippery and Deceitful and it needs Ministers or Souldiers to content for it but my Kingdom needs none such because it is Powerful and sufficient of it self and by this he shewed That he was by Nature the Son of the Father the Heavenly King and Creator of all things and that he was not as the Jews said One that would Raise a Rebellion against Caesar Usurp an Earthly Kingdom or Power It was a Custom to loose a Prisoner to the People Mat. v. 15. That is to say the Releas'd one at a Festival in shew of commiseration and not at every Feast but that of the Passover and this was That they might Grace and Honour the time of whereon they were Releas'd from the Egyptian Bondage Called Barabba V. 16. Jesus was his Name who is here called Barabba for so it is Written in the Gospel of the separated and it is more evident from what Pilate said in the 22d Vers What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ Wherefore he was called Jesus and the Evangelist was unwiling to Write his Name that none might in his Book bear the same Name with the Lord Jesus Have thou nothing to do with this Just Man V. 19. She did not speak to him in the House because she was not acquainted with the matter for what was done in the Night by the High-Priests unto Jesus she knew not he being not brought to Pilate till the Morning and then hearing that her Husband sat on the Tribunal to Condemn Jesus she sent unto him that he should have nothing to do with that Just Man Or when she Dreamt she understood not the Interpretation thereof otherwise she would have told him of it but when she saw the City in Commotion she understood the Dream and speedily sent unto her Husband Nothing appeared to Pilate in a Dream either because he was unworthy or for that if he had seen any thing in a Dream the Jews would not have believed him but would have said These things he feighneth as having a mind to save him Or perhaps he would not have Revealed the Dream lest he might have been Accus'd knowing that he should not thereby have saved him Pilate's Wives Name was Lognia 19. An Errour of the Calcedonians and Armenians retorted For I have suffer'd much in my Dream this Day concerning him The Calcedonians and with them the Armenians may be asham'd for computing the Day from the Morning for behold Pilate's Wife in the Night was affected with the Dream and computed the Morning together with the Night which was passed as Mathew Writes The day therefore is composed of 24 Hours and begins from the Evening as we compute Inasmuch as she said I have suffer'd This is signified that when she was disturb'd with a Terrible and Violent Dream and design'd to keep her self awake and to decline it the very day Light inclin'd her to Sleep and vexed her and that often Why Pilates Wife revealed not her Dream at home to him But why did she not declare the Dream to her Husband at Home Some say That he lay elsewhere that Night and therefore she sent unto him My Lord Ephraim saith That it was so wrought by God that she forgot the Dream and did not reveal it to her Husband in the House in that sending to him in the Court after it came into her mind the Hearers might fall into Admiration and when the whole City was in Commotion against her Husband concerning Jesus she sent word unto him That he should not fulfil the desire of the People but preserve Jesus Several conjectures of her Dream But what was it she saw in a Dream Some say That she saw Dragons encompassing her and endeavouring to hurt her but Christ did not permit them so to do Others are of Opinion that she saw our Lord as Judge of all Men extending his Power to the utmost reach of Jurisdiction and before him the Billows of a fiery Sea and he sitting on an exalted Throne and a dreadful Tribunal the Angels Ministring in his Sight and all Creatures trembling before him and Voices proclaiming bodily This is Jesus King of the Jews who is to be judged before Pilate Others say That she saw terrible and Hideous Sights full of Horror in her Dreams but they set not down what they were The causes of Dreams Now Dreams are thought to proceed from Diurnal Meditations and from the four Humours The 4. humours to wit Effluctions therefrom as the Physitians say When Black Choller prevails one perceiveth Dark Places and Obscure being Imprison'd in Darkness but when Yellow Choller is predominant one perceives Fiery Flames and Torches Wine Merriment and Singing When Blood abounds one fancies Slaughter and Effusion of Blood and when Flegm is redundant Rain Swimming Rivers and Floods are fancied But Dreams which come from Satan are according to the Phantasie Satan such as are pleasant Embraces and Kisses God But such as proceed from God are as this of Pilate's Wife of Joseph Pharoah Nebuchadnezar and Abimelech of Daniel Visions and of Joseph the Husband of Mary But the High-Priest perswaded the multitude to ask Barabbas Ver. 20. And all this was out of a desire they had to Murther him and they saw that the Rules complyed with the multitude in what they asked of Pilate Who will ye that I let loose unto ye Ver. 21. He made them Arbitrators or referred the matter to their Election for he hoped they wou'd have been ashamed to say openly Let Christ he Crucified but neither cou'd the Words of the Judg shame them nor wou'd they be Prohibited by the Feast nor by the Admonition Beware how ye Crucifie the Just one wherefore the Judg adds unto Jesus the Name of Christ to distinguish him from Barrabbas who was also called Jesus Moreover he termed them Lords hoping they would be ashamed and dismiss him But they said Barabbas Altho of Evil Will they asked Barabbas yet Divine Dispensation concurr'd with them V. 21. whether they wou'd or no. For Barabbas resembled Adam for as Barabbas Sinned and was bound so Adam by reason he had Sinned was bound in Hell and as Christ was Crucified and Barabbas loosed so was Adam loosed from the Chains of Hell Christ being Crucified for him They all said Let him be Crucified V. 22. Instead of Accusing him of any Fault as he did so or so they were made Judges which was very absurd What shall I do unto him They snatch'd him from his place because they were made Judges and this was either because he was Blind and did not understand or because he was afraid Crucifie him 22. That is to say hang him on a Tree for they did not say Murther him or put him to
his Body a Tunick and that it was without seam from above sheweth that he brought not his Body from Heaven but that it was united to him from Mary and in as much as it was intirely woven is signified that the Word united to it self a compleat living Body endowed with a Rational Soul and that they did not divide it sheweth that after this union Our Lord was not to be divided or seperated into two subsistances Again his Tunick signifieth faith which is one and undivided and that there is one Lord undivided into two and incomprehensible his Coat fell to the Soldiers who were of the Gentiles and not of the Hebrews because the Gentiles were heirs to the faith in Christ And they sat and watched him that he should not be snatched away by his Kinsfolks and this they did peculiarly as to our Lord at the command of Pilate or they watched him to observe whether or no he was dead and they put over his head the cause of his Death Luke and John say That it was written in three languages Hebrew Latine and Greek Pilate did this that he might be revenged of the Jews and that he might excuse himself for that they accused him as a Malefactor moreover this was the guidance of divine providence for the Crosses were hidden under ground and a long time after this was known to be that of Christ by the Table which the Judge had placed thereon Others say that he feared least that when enquiry should be made after his death and he found innocent he himself might be accused and therefore wrote on the Cross the pretence of his Death in three Tables that three languages might testifie that the Jews crucified their King Moreover three witnesses gave testimony alluding to this that they Crucified one of the Trinity But the Writing pleased them not because they thought they should be thereby reputed Rebels if he who was their King were crucified they sayed therefore Write that he say'd he was King and not that we owned him as such but he did not alter the Inscription because Judges are not accustomed to vary from what they write as also that he might reproach the Jews And two Thieves were crucified with him he on the right hand was called Titus and he on the left hand Domeus Moreover they did this with an impudent intention that forasmuch as they crucified him with Thieves and Murderers he might be deemed one of like guilt with them and that by a pretended community in so flagitious a Crime his Majesty might be obscured But against their will he fulfilled the Prophecy in that he was crucified with evil doers Destroy the Temple and baild it in three days Mark fayeth Ah thou that destroyest the Temple and buildest it in three days and these words denotes their reproach and blasphemy as if they had said He that gave out that he would build the Temple in three days is not able to preserve himself If thou beest the Son of God come down from the Cross But he did not descend from the Cross because he was the Son of God for he who knows that if he dyes he shall not rise again flyeth from Death But it became not him who is assured to rise after 3 days and by his Deaths to destroy Hell and triumph over Death to have come down until Justice had been fully satisfied by his Death And likewise the High Priests reviled him That is to say the Seribes the Doctors of the Law the Priests and the Elders who were there assembled to take care that the Execution should not be delay'd nor prevented He brought others to Life inasmuch therefore as they testified that he reviv'd others they condemned themselves for if he revived others he might not have dyed or Dying he might rise again Let him now come down from the Cross and we will believe in him for if he were King of Israel they sought to abolish his Kingdom and if he had descended from the Cross they had not believ'd in him which is manifest from hence that he wrought great miracles before his suffering on the Cross whilest he suffer'd thereon and after he had suffer'd and yet they believed not so neither had they believed had he descended from the Cross and he did not descend from the Cross for at that time his Agony and contest was not with them but against Death to destroy it He trusted in God Are therefore the Prophets no Prophets or the Righteous not righteous because God did not deliver them from Dangers and Sufferings But it is certain they were Prophets and Righteous so in the Son of God The Thieves also who were crucified with him reviled him Some say that one of the Thieves only reviled him and that he took up the reproach of one and extended it to them both according to the custom of the Scripture As for Example On my Rayment did they cast Lots whereas it is evident that they did not cast Lots upon is whole Rayment but on his Tunick only Like unto this Some of them doubted whereas Thomas only doubted Mathew and Mark say that both of them reviled him and all three say true for when our Lord was nailed to the Cross both reviled him but after that he on the Right Hand saw the Wonders and Signs which were wrought on the Cross and knew that they were not effected for his or his Fellows sake and heard the Jews repeating high things of him and calling him the Son of God and King of Israel and saw the Inscription of Pilate in three Tables proclaiming him King he confessed his Majesty and ceased to blaspheme and began with Praise even reprehending and accusing his Fellow Moreover the Thief on the Left Hand had one reprehensible property for he blasphemed as did the Jews judging him to be God But there were five praise-worthy Actions to be observed in the Thief on the Right Hand 1. He rebuked his Fellow 2. He confessed the wickedness of his Deeds 3. He Justified Christ 4. He acknowledg'd him to be King 5 He begged saying Remember me my Lord. How knew the Thief that Christ was King We answer That either he knew it by Divine Revelation the Testimony of Pilate who said Shall I crucify your King or of the Jews If he be King let him come down For the Faith of the Thief is to be praised for that he believed on him when he was in disgrace and on the Cross and not in his Kingdom and Majesty So also the Christians great was their Faith and Rewards shall be given unto them because they believed in a Crucified Saviour who notwithstanding is God over all Again The Thief being a Malefactor who with one Word gained a Kingdom sheweth that Christ is a Propitiation for Sins and Lord of a Kingdom but he was not Crucified as he was God but as he was made Man according to this That the Word was made Flesh and dwelt in as and according to