o be understood not of a dying man,
but solely of one actually dead, or of a dead body cast or tumbled
down. For St. Matthew simply says [Greek: apegxato],[143] but St. Luke
more fully, [Greek: prenes genomenos elakese mesos, kai exechythe
panta ta splagchna autou],[144] that is, _falling headlong, he burst
asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out_. Wherefore, if
the verb [Greek: apagchesthai] can bear no other signification than
that _strangling, which is performed by a halter_, it is plain that
the two evangelists do not agree together; unless we say with the
learned Casaubon, that Judas hanged himself, but the rope broke, and
he tumbled headlong down. But this does not explain the manner of his
death; which saint Luke manifestly seems to have intended; but barely
adds a circumstance of little moment, which happen'd after it, or at
the very instant of it. Upon the whole it is certain, that by this
word is not only meant _suffocation by hanging_, but also _excessive
grief_, with which those who are violently overpowered, frequently
compass their own death. For, as Ovid says: _strangulat inclusus
dolor_. And indeed Perizonius has clearly proved this point by a
number of examples, drawn from ancient authors.[145] Nor is it less to
be doubted, but that the expression [Greek: prenes genomenos], may be
used for one, who _voluntarily throws himself headlong down_, as well
as for one, _who falls headlong by some accident_: which he has amply
demonstrated.

[141] _Lib. v. Cap. 8._

[142] _Chap. xxvii. v. 5._

[143] _Ibid._

[144] _Acts, Chap. i. v. 18._

[145] _Vid. dissert. de morte Judae, & responsones duas ad
Gronovium, Lugd. Bat. 1702 & 3._

This controversy cost more than one dissertation. But after seriously
considering the strength of the arguments produced by both parties; I
am of opinion, that the words of saint Matthew may be reconciled with
the account given by saint Luke from saint Peter's speech, in this
manner. When that most unhappy traitor saw that Christ was condemned
to death, he began to repent of his deed; and being thereupon wreck'd
with grief and despair, or seized with the swimming in the head (which
often happens in such cases) he fell headlong down some precipice; or,
which is more probable, he designedly threw himself down, and his body
chancing to pitch on some large stone or stump of a tree, his bowels
burst forth, and he was killed. Wherefore Matthew decla