Sog A SHORT VIEW of SeateTttaE nr'srorrr. they confined themselves only to the written word of the scrip. ture, which in the Babylonish language, is called Kara ; and for the most part, they content themselves with the literal sense of P. They are sometimes, but very unjustly, called Sadducees, by the rabinical or talmudical.Jews. 18. Q. Where are these Karaites to be found ? A. Very few of them dwell in these Western parts of the world ; they are found chiefly in Poland, and among the Crim Tartars ; a few also in Egypt and Persia. But they are counted men of the best learning, and greatest probity and virtue among the Jews ; and it is remarkable among them, that they perform their public worship in the language of tte country where they dwell. 19. Q. What were the Essenes ? A. They seem to have been originally of the same sect as the Pharisees ; but they set up for a more mortified way of living, and perhaps more unblame- able. They so far agreed with the Sadducees, as to acknow- ledge or expect no resurrection of the body ; but they believed a future state of eternal happiness or misery, according to their behaviour in this life. They seem to have been distributed into societies or fraternities, and to have had no private possessions, but, a common stock for the supply of all. They were in a spe- cial manner religious toward God, both on the sabbath, and in their daily devotions ; and exceeding friendly and benevolent toward men. They did not disclaimmarriage ; but they entered into that state more rarely, and with great caution-: And instead of children of their own, they bred up poor children in their own sect. They were very abstemious as to their food, and their habit was a plain white garment. Their rules of life are re- ported to us more at large by Josephus, and byPhilo, two Jews ; they are described also by Pliny, a heathen ; and by some of the christian fathers. 20. Q. If they were a considerable sect in the days of our, Saviour, how came it topass that they are not mentioned in the new testament ? A. Some have supposed that they seldom came into - cities, but living so very plain and abstemious a life, they resided for the most part in the country ; and thus they fell not under our Saviour's observation. And besides, they being a very honest and sincere sort of people, they gave no such reason for reproof and censure, as others very justly deserved. Though it must be confessed also, that their disbelief of the resurrection of the body, their non-attendance on the temple worship, their traditional washings, anti self-invented purifications, their rigo- rous and needless abstinences from some sorts of meats, and other like superstitious customs and will-worship, might have given our Saviour just occasion for reproof, had they come in his way : And perhaps they are censured under thegeneral name of Pharisees, in those superstitious traditions wherein they both agreed.
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