That  this  gesture  was  used  when  our  Saviour  eat  thepass-
over,  is  not  conceived  improbable  from  the  words  whereby  the
Evangelists  express  the  same,  that  is,  ayaTbrrtiVy  ityoKeiadcu,
Karaxe\(r&aii  &yaK\i6rivai,w\dc\i  terms  do  prOpwly  signify  this
gesture,  in  Aristotle,  Athen»UB,  Euripides,  Sophocles,  and
aU  humane  authors ;  and  the  like  we  meet  with  m  the  para^
phrastical  expression  of  Nonnus.
Lastly,  if  it  be  not  Ailly  conceded,  that  this  gesture  was
used  at  the  passover,  ^et  that  it  was  observed  at  the  last
supper  seems  almost  incontrovertible :  for  at  this  feast  or
<5enatory  convention,  learned  men  make  more  than  one  sup-
per, or  at  least  many  parts  thereof.  The  first  was  that  legal
one  of  the  passover,  or  eating  of  the  paschal  lamb  with  bitter
herbs,  and  ceremonies  described  by  Moses.  {  Of  this  it  is
said,  **  Then  when  the  even  was  come,  he  sat  down  with  the
twelve."  §  This  is  supposed  when  it  is  said,  that  the  supper
being  ended,  our  Saviour  arose,  took  a  towel  and  washea  the
disciples'  feet.  The  second  waa  common  and  domestical,
consisting  of  ordinary  and  undefined  provisions ;  of  this  it
ma^  be  said,  that  our  Saviour  took  his  garment,  and  sat  down
again,  after  he  had  washed  the  disciples'  feet,  and  performed

*  Matt.  xzii.         f  Bxod.  zii.         t  Matt.  xxvL        §  John  xiii.
*  tkeeonmUoftk$Jew9,^,]    i^ixBtaddwl  in  2nd  edition.
