Luke xvi. 19. 20, &c.II. LAZARUS. The Gospel speaks of a poor Man, whose Name was Lazarus, that he lay at a rich Man’s Gate all covered with Ulcers, and desired to feed upon the Crumbs which fell from his Table, without finding any one who would give them to him. The rich Man enjoyed great Plenty, was cloathed in Purple and fine Linnen, and fared magnificently every Day. Lazarus being dead, was carried by the Angels into Abraham’s Bosom. The rich Man died also, and was buried. While he was in Hell amidst his Torments, he saw Lazarus afar off, who was in Abraham’s Bosom, and cried out; Father Abraham have Pity on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the End of his Finger in Water to refresh my Tongue. But Abraham answered him; My Son, remember, that thou in thy Life Time receivedst thy good Things, and likewise Lazarus his evil Things. Wherefore he is now comforted and thou art tormented.
The ancient and modern Interpreters are divided concerning the Nature of what we have been relating, viz. Whether it be an History or a Parable. Saint Irenæus1, Saint Ambrose2, Saint Gregory the Great3, Tertullian4, Euthymius5, Luke of Bruges, and some others, are of Opinion, that it is an History. The Name of Lazarus, and the several Particulars which Jesus Christ has carefully taken Notice of, intimate something more than a Parable. But Saint Chrysostom6, Saint Cyril of Alexandria7, Theophylact, and most of the modern Interpreters8 maintain, that it is a Parable. Lastly, others observe a Medium, and believe that it is neither a mere Parable, nor a perfect History; but that the Substance is historical, and that our Saviour has embellished it with some Circumstances, which are only parabolical. The Reader may consult the Commentators on Saint Luke xvi. 19, 20, &c. In French, instead of Saint Lazarus, they say Saint Ladre; and this Saint is called upon to assist leprous Persons. There were several Lazerettoes or Hospitals, dedicated to Saint Lazarus for the Relief of Lepers. There were abundance of them in France dedicated to Saint Lazarus, Saint Martha, and Saint Magdalen. Among the French, as formerly among the Hebrews, they who were seized at any Time with a Leprosy, were separated from other People. The Causes of Lepers were committed to the Ecclesiastical Court. The Council of Nougarot in Armagnac, held in 1290, forbids, in the fifth Cannon of it, all Prosecution of Lepers before Lay-Judges for personal Actions, probably because Lepers were not permitted to mix with other Men for Fear of communicating their Disease, or because they were under the Protection of the Church, which separated them from the rest of the People by a Ceremony which we still meet with in the Rituals.
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