soever
disease he had. And a certain man was there, who had an infirmity
thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had
been now a long time _in that case_, he saith unto him, _Wilt thou be
made whole_? The impotent man answered him, _Sir, I have no man, when
the water is troubled, to put me into the pool; but while I am coming,
another steppeth down before me_. Jesus saith unto him: _Rise, take up
thy bed, and walk_. And immediately the man was made whole, and took
up his bed, and walked."

[91] _See Matthew, Chap. viii. and ix., and John, Chap. v._

This pool, or at least some other in its stead, is shewn to travellers
even at this day by the friars who reside there.[92] But, what is
much more to the purpose, Eusebius asserts that it actually existed in
his time, and had two basons; both of which were filled every year by
the rains, at a stated time; and the water of one of them was of a
surprizing red colour:[93] which last phoenomenon he attributes,
according to the vulgar opinion, to the sacrifices, which were
formerly cleansed there. But I am clearly of opinion, that it was
owing to a red earth or ocre, which is frequently found in baths,
raised up from the bottom at certain times by the rains, and mixing
with the water.

[92] _See Cotovici Itinerarium Hierosolymitarum, Lib. ii.
Cap. ii. and Maundrell's Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem,
8vo. p. 107. Oxford 1714._

[93] _Onomasticon urbium & locorum sacrae scripturae, in voce_
[Greek: Bezatha].

Commentators find more than one difficulty here. For first they
enquire what sort of water this was; next why it could not exert its
virtue without being troubled; then what was the nature of this
troubling; and lastly, concerning the angel they do not agree, who he
was. Wherefore I will offer my opinion, in a concise manner, on these
several points.

First then, mineral waters were in high esteem among the ancients for
many diseases: they used them inwardly and outwardly, and recommended
them for different distempers according to the nature of the mineral,
with which they were impregnated. Thus in paralitic cases, Celsus
recommends _swimming or bathing in the natural sea or salt water,
where it can conveniently be come at; where it cannot, even in water
made salt by art_.[94] And Pliny says, _sulphureous water is useful
for the nerves, aluminous for paralytics, or other relaxed habits of
the body_. He likewise adds; _T