Of the Picture of our Saviour with long hair.
Another Picture there is of our Saviour described with long hair,
according to the custom of the _Jews_, and his description sent by
_Lentulus_ unto the Senate. Wherein indeed the hand of the Painter is
not accusable, but the judgement of the common Spectator; conceiving he
observed this fashion of his hair; because he was a _Nazarite_, and
confounding a _Nazarite_ by vow, with those by birth or education.
The _Nazarite_ by vow is declared, _Numb._ 6. And was to refrain three
things, drinking of Wine, cutting the hair, and approaching unto the
dead; and such a one was _Sampson_. Now that our Saviour was a
_Nazarite_ after this kind, we have no reason to determine; for he drank
Wine, and was therefore called by the _Pharisees_, a Wine-bibber; he
approached also the dead, as when he raised from death _Lazarus_, and
the daughter of _Jairus_.
The other _Nazarite_ was a Topical appellation, and appliable unto such
as were born in _Nazareth_, a City of _Galilee_, and in the Tribe of
_Napthali_. Neither if strictly taken was our Saviour in this sense a
_Nazarite_; for he was born in _Bethlehem_ in the Tribe of _Judah_; but
might receive that name, because he abode in that City; and was not only
conceived therein, but there also passed the silent part of his life,
after his return from _Ægypt_; as is delivered by _Matthew_, And he came
and dwelt in a City called _Nazareth_, that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the Prophet, He shall be called a _Nazarene_. Both which
kinds of _Nazarites_, as they are distinguishable by _Zain_, and _Tsade_
in the Hebrew, so in the Greek, by _Alpha_ and _Omega_; for as
_Jansenius_ observeth, [SN: Ians. Concordia Evangelica.] where the
votary _Nazarite_ is mentioned, it is written, Ναζαραῖός, as _Levit._ 6.
and _Lament._ 4. Where it is spoken of our Saviour, we read it,
Ναζωρεῖος, as in _Matthew_, _Luke_ and _John_; only _Mark_ who writ his
Gospel at _Rome_, did Latinize, and wrote it Ναζαρηνός.