[page 104 of volume 5]
Of the stock of Israel.
Jacob had his name changed of his wrestling with the angel, and prevailed. St Paul says he was of that stock of Israel that prevailed with God.
Of the tribe of Benjamin.
There were two tribes of especial credit, Judah and Benjamin. They were kingly tribes. Benjamin was honoured with the first king, Saul the son of Kish, who though he were a castaway, yet it is a matter of great joy in the flesh to have great men, personages and learned men, of their lineage.
A Hebrew of the Hebrews.
More ancient than an Israelite, for Abraham was an Hebrew before Jacob was an Israelite. And he was an Hebrew born, no proselyte or converted Jew.
As touching the law, a Pharisee.
Before Christ’s time there were divers sects among the Jews, as Pharisees, Scribes, Herodiaus, and Essaei. But the Pharisees were the greatest sect of all; and as the word signifies, so they did separate themselves as better than other Jews whatsoever. And St Paul lays down this as one especial carnal thing, wherein he might glory. He was no common Jew, but a zealous Jew. So as thence we may observe, that there is a fire and zeal that is not kindled by heaven; but, as St James saith of the tongue, ‘is set on fire of hell,’ iii. 6, out of ignorance. Blind zeal therefore is a ground of destruction. We are therefore to take heed; for unless our zeal have an eye, nothing is more tempestuous and troublesome than that man is whom it possesses.
Standing Before God, This We Are and No More 