Furthermore it is uncertain when that name first began: But that undoubtedly it began after the dispersion.1 Josephus thinketh that it was taken up of Judas Maccabeus: by whose conducts and dispositions the liberty and dignity of the people, when it had been a long time fallen, and almost buried, revived again. Albeit I see this sentence is probable, yet if there be any whom it satisfieth not, I will bring also of my self another conjecture. It seemeth verily unto me to be like, that when they were so wasted and scattered, they could not conserve any certain distinction of tribes. For neither could the cessing, valuing or mustering of the people be done in season: neither did the policy or decent form of governing their common wealth stand, (which was necessary for conserving such order) they both dwelt, spearced, and scattered out of order: and also being worn with adversities:2 they were not so careful for the reckoning of their kindred. But howsoever you will not grant these things unto me, yet you can not deny but there was likelihood of such danger, in such disturbance of things. ⟨image 40⟩Whither therefore they would foresee that was to come, or they would salve the present evil, I think they altogether went unto the name of that tribe, wherein purity of religion had abidden longest, which tribe by singular prerogative excelled all the rest, and out of the which they looked for the redeemer to come. For this was their refuge in extremities, to comfort themselves with looking for the Messiah. Howsoever it be, under the name of Jews they professed themselves to be the heirs of the covenant which GOD made with Abraham and his seed. And restest in the Law, 3and gloriest in GOD. He meaneth not that they rested in the study of the law, as though they applied their mind to the keeping of it: but rather he upbraideth them, that they not considering to what end the Law was given, having left the care of keeping it, were proud of this one thing, because they were persuaded that the Oracles of GOD appertained to them. Likewise they gloried of GOD, not as the Lord commandeth by the Prophet Jeremiah, that being humbled in our selves, we should seek our glory in him only:4
Furthermore it is vncertaine when that name first beganne: But that vndoubtedly it beganne after the dispersion.1 Iosephus thinketh that it was taken vp of Iudas Machabeus: by whose conducts and dispositions the libertie and dignitie of the people, when it had beene a long time fallen, and almost buried, reuiued againe. Albeit I see this sentence is probable, yet if there bee any whome it satisfieth not, I will bring also of my selfe another coniecture. It seemeth verily vnto mee to bee like, that when they were so wasted and scattered, they could not conserue any certayne distinction of tribes. For neither could the cessing, valuing or mustering of the people be done in season: neither did the policie or decent forme of gouerning their common wealth stande, (which was necessarie for conseruing suche order) they both dwelt, spearced, and scattered out of order: and also being worne with aduersities:2 they were not so carefull for the reckoning of their kinred. But howesoeuer you will not graunt these thinges vnto me, yet you can not denie but there was likelyhood of such daunger, in such disturbance of thinges. ⟨image 40⟩Whither therefore they would foresee that was to come, or they would salue the present euill, I thinke they altogether went vnto the name of that tribe, wherein purity of religion had abidden longest, which tribe by singuler prerogatiue excelled all the rest, and out of the whiche they looked for the redeemer to come. For this was their refuge in extremities, to comforte themselues with looking for the Messias. Howsoeuer it be, vnder the name of Iewes they professed themselues to be the heyres of the couenant whiche GOD made with Abraham and his seede. And restest in the Lawe, 3and gloriest in GOD. He meaneth not that they rested in the study of the lawe, as though they applyed their mynde to the keeping of it: but rather hee vpbraydeth them, that they not considering to what ende the Lawe was giuen, hauing lefte the care of keeping it, were proud of this one thing, because they were perswaded that the Oracles of GOD apperteined to them. Likewise they gloried of GOD, not as the Lorde commaundeth by the Prophet Ieremie, that being humbled in our selues, we should seeke our glory in hym onely:4
- 1Antiquit. 11.
- 2When & whence the Israelites were called Jews.When & whence the Israelites were called Iewes.
- 3The Jews gloried not in the keeping of the law, but in this only, that the law was committed to them.The Iewes gloried not in the keeping of the law, but in this only, that the law was committed to them.
- 4Jer. 9.24,Ier. 9.24,
