Page images
PDF
EPUB

idols: each idol was taken from outward nature, and agreeing by some resemblance with the passions and propensities in themselves. Hence arose a number of different sects, even among the idolatrous nations.

[ocr errors]

In like manner, when the Hebrew church was established, in process of time doctrinal distinctions were made in abundance, and sects began to multiply among them. I shall therefore notice some of the most famous of these sectarians, who were of sufficient consequence to be thought worthy of remark by the inspired writers, as well as by the great historian of the Hebrews.

According to Josephus, the following were the most noted sects of professors.

THE ESSENES

Were a very strict sect of religious professors; men who practised a more severe kind of life, abhorred all manner of pleasure, were remarkable for their continence, and accounted it the greatest virtue not to give way to unlawful desires. They despised riches, and esteemed a free and mutual enjoyment of one another's goods in common among

them, as the purest way of living.

Towards God they had a singular devotion; no profane word came out of their mouth, nor did they speak before the rising of the sun, except in prayer. Their word was esteemed equal to the oath of others. They were strict observers of the sabbath, and provided, the day before, necessary provisions. They did not even light a fire on the most pressing occasion, but the day was spent in the most profound stillness.

They believed that bodies were subject to death, but that souls were immortal. That those who have loved and practised virtue, enjoy eternal happiness; and that those who have lived contrary thereto, abide in hell for ever.

THE PHARISEES

Were ranked among the most accurate interpreters of the Law, and the first founders of a sect among the Jews. They were a very strict sect, and so called from the Hebrew word Phares, which means to separate, or divide. They were the separatists of the day; they separated themselves from the great body of professors by pretending to a more particular observance of the law. They appear to have

been so externally religious that they withdrew themselves from any connexion with others as much as possible in worldly affairs. They preferred the oral traditions to the scriptures, in order to be looked up to for the explanation. They placed great dependence on washings, washing the outside of the cup and platter. They wore external badges of sanctity called phylacteries, which were pieces of parchment on which was written a portion of the law, and these they wore in the most conspicuous part of their bodies, or garments, as on their foreheads, and on the borders of their robes, that they might be seen of men. They attributed every thing to fate, and taught that good or bad actions were for the most part inherent in man. They believed ina resurrection; that the souls of good men only assume the human form, and that those of the wicked are doomed to everlasting punishment. They also believed in the transmigration of souls, which accounts for their supposing that John the Baptist, Elias, or the prophet Jeremiah, had entered the body of Christ. Matt. 16. 14.

THE SADDUCEES

Did not believe in fate, and denied that God was the immediate cause of any one doing either good, or evil; that good and evil are the choice of man, and that man may, just as he pleases, do either. They denied the existence of souls after death, consequently neither rewards nor punishments attend the good, or bad. The Pharisees had great regard one for another, and maintained, for the advantage of their sect, a strict unanimity. The Sadducees, on the other hand, were more rigid in their morals, and conducted themselves with less meekness.

THE SCRIBES

Constituted a peculiar order among the Jews, and were admitted into their colleges. They wrote the scriptures to supply the temple, and the synagogues, and none were permitted, to be read, unless they had been sanctioned by the authority of the Rabbies, appointed to preside at the head of this college.

There were two orders of scribes, viz. those who

were employed in their Judicial proceedings, and those who wrote and expounded the law. The first are called, Scribes of the people, Matt. 2. 4. The last, doctors of the law, or those who wrote and expounded the Pentateuch. These last also had their separate departments; on their admission to this degree they wrote the books of Moses, and did not expound them, because it was supposed with great propriety, that they had not attained to that degree of knowledge and experience, which was thought necessary for their admission to the highest degree of their order. Ezra was one of this description.

But we find that these men at length departed from the purity of their order in its first establishment. By the acquisition of wealth and power, they became ostentatious, oppressors, and the greatest hypocrites of the day.

On these, Christ pronounced a woe, and cautioned the people against them. Beware of the Scribes who love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market-places, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and the upper rooms at feasts; who devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.'

« PreviousContinue »