most part, "true, and to be observed." Surely not; He only meant, his disciples were to receive as true, and observe what they taught according to the law of Moses. They were to act as the noble Bereans did, when Paul preached to them; they "received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17: 11.) No intelligent commentator, such as Doddridge, Scott, or Clarke, will sustain the Puritan's interpretation.
2. We think he has failed to derive support from these blind leaders; for the Talmudists, whom he calls "the successors of the Pharisees," (p. 21,) certainly did regard the Levitical statutes as referring to marriage, and prescribing its limits. The Karaites too and the Hebrews put on the law the same construction.[1]
3. Nor has the Puritan proved what he thinks "undisputed:" "the Talmudists tell us that the ancient Jews practised the marriages in question, and did not regard them as forbidden by the law of Moses." (Chap. VI. 2d par.)
- ↑ Uxor Hebraica, chap, i—iv.
