ece of ground, or land, which the Evangelists call Ackeldemach,
(Alcedaema), 'The Potter's Field,' so neere to Jerusalem peopled with
more than a million of men, solde for an offence, and with condition
that it should never be redeemed, in regard it was destined for the
Burial-place of Pilgrims, which came to Jerusalem at the solemn Feasts
there held; and every one well knoweth, that (amongst the Jews)
inheritances were sold, more or less, according as the conditions were
made, either neere, or further off, from the yeare of jubilee, which
they feasted from fifty yeares, to fifty yeares; a feast, so solemnly
observed among them, that the sellers did then re-enter into their
sold inheritances, which they possessed again freely, and without any
charge, or paying any arrerages, according as it was ordained by their
law, in the five-and-twentieth chapter of Leviticus. But it may be,
this Potter's Field was (in parte) bought with those thirtie pence,
and the other parte might be the almes and giftes of the proprietaries
or owners, both in the Temple of Jerusalem and publickly, for so good
a subject as the buriall of pilgrims, and poore strangers. For ever,
and beside the offerings and Tribute-money, which the Jews offered and
paid to the treasurers in the Temple, for maintaining the Tribe of
Levi, (the deserving ministers thereof) who, at the distribution and
division of the Land of Promise to the Jewish people, had not any lot
or partage (but were assigned to the Jews devotion,) inheritances
might be legacied to them, which falling into mortmaine, could not
be redeemed by any custome of kindred, whatsoever jubilee might
be alledged, or selling, or alienating, as it is written in the
seaven-and-twentieth of Leviticus. And such an inheritance was called
_Ager Anathematis_--a field wholly dedicated and consecrated to God;
and which from thenceforward, might fall no more into any secular, or
prophane hand."

[13] Amongst other interpretations of "_Under the Rose_," why may
we not conjecture that it may have something to do with _bribes to
silence?_ with _hush-money?_ the _Rose_, in many countries, being
not an unusual stamp on their coins.

After this erudite disquisition, which endeavours to account for the
_smallness_ of the sum for which our blessed Lord was betrayed, and
for which Alcedama was purchased, how would honest Andrew Favine
stare, could he learn that modern commentators have, _without
comment_,