[30] Rabbi Solomon, Deut. 23. 14.
[31] Sheindler in pentaglot. p. 1530.
[32] Ἄνδρες εὐλαβεῖς.
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] a Male-Proselyte, at first three things were required. 1. Circumcision.[34] 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] 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] In Davids time, they say that many thousands of Prosylites were joyned unto the Church without Circumcision, by this purification.
[33] Moses Kotsen. fol. 40. col. 2.
[34] במילה ובטבילה ובהוצאת דמים של קרבן.
[35] Drusius de trib. sect. 2. p. 102.
[36] Moses Ægyptius, in Assurebiah, Perek. 13. fol. 137. vide Serarium trihæres, l. 2. c. 1.
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] they used no upbraiding terms towards them, saying Remember thy former deeds. Notwithstanding it was also provided,[38] 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] Vel ad decimam usq; generationem a Proselytis cave; Beware of Prosylites to the tenth generation.