Thomas Goodwin - Moses and Aaron

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 Έλληνισταὶ 28 28 De Judæis Græciensib. vid. Scal. animad. Euseb. 124. 1. & in Can. Isag. 278. 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 Eusebius 29 29 Euseb. Eccles. hist. li. 1. cap. 8. 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 30 Rabbi Solomon, Deut. 23. 14. 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 31 Sheindler in pentaglot. p. 1530. 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 God 32 32 Ἄνδρες εὐλαβεῖς. 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 of 33 33 Moses Kotsen. fol. 40. col. 2. a Male-Proselyte , at first three things were required. 1. Circumcision. 34 34 ‎‏במילה ובטבילה ובהוצאת דמים של קרבן‏‎. 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 35 Drusius de trib. sect. 2. p. 102. 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 36 Moses Ægyptius, in Assurebiah, Perek. 13. fol. 137. vide Serarium trihæres, l. 2. c. 1. 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 37 P. Fag. Exod. 22. 21. they used no upbraiding terms towards them, saying Remember thy former deeds . Notwithstanding it was also provided, 38 38 Moses Ægypt. lib. ult. Iad. tract. Sanhedr. c. 2. 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 wariness 39 39 Casaub. advers. Baron. 27. Vel ad decimam usq; generationem a Proselytis cave ; Beware of Prosylites to the tenth generation.

We shall read of three sorts of Kings in the Old Testament. Melchisedeck was King and Priest ; David King and Prophet ; others simply Kings . Melchisedeck was King and Priest , David King and Prophet . The concurrence of Princely Sovereignty , and Holy Orders , in the same man, intimates that supreme Authority should alwayes be accompanied with care of Religion: In which respect Joash , when he was anointed King , received the Testimony, or Book of the Law, 2 King 11. 12. Neither did these two meet only in Melchisedeck & David , but the same man among the Heathens 40 40 Rex Anius, Rex idem hominum, Phœbique Sacerdos. Virg. Æneid, lib. 3. was oftentimes King and Priest . And the Trismegistus had his name Ter maximus , 41 41 Alex. Neopolit. lib. 2. Cap. 6. because he was Philosophus maximus, Sacerdos maximus, & Rex maximus . All Kings were not anointed, but onely those in whom succession was broken; and there the first of the family was anointed for his Successor, except in case of dissention, where there was required a renewed unction, for the confirmation of his Authority. For this reason it was, that Solomon was anointed as well as David , because of the strife between him and Adonijah .