[82] _Hieronym. Isai. 8. Idem refert Epiphanius. l. 1. Tom. 2. hær. 29._
[84] _August. l. 19. contra Faustum Manichæum. c. 4._
It is much controverted, whether the _Assideans_ were _Pharisees_ or _Essenes_, or what they were. Were I worthy to deliver my opinion, or, as the _Hebrews_ Proverb is, To thrust in my head among the heads of those wise men; I conceive of the _Assideans_ thus: Before their captivity in _Babylon_, we shall find the word חסידים _Chasidim_, (translated _Assidæi_, _Assideans_) to signifie the same as, צדיקים _Tsaddikim_, _Just_, or _good men_: both were used promiscuously, the one for the other, and both stood in opposition to the רשעים _Reschagnim_, that is, _ungodly_ or _wicked men_. At this time the whole body of the _Jews_ were distinguished into two sorts, _Chasidim_, and _Reschagnim_, _good_, and _bad_.
After their captivity, the _Chasidim_ began to be distinguished from the _Tsadikim_.[87] The _Tsadikim_ gave themselves to the study of the Scripture. The _Chasidim_ studied how to _add unto the Scripture_.[88] Secondly, The _Tsadikim_ would conform to whatsoever the Law required. The _Chasidim_ would be _holy above the Law_. Thus to the repairing of the Temple, the maintenance of sacrifices, the relief of the poor, _&c._ they would voluntarily add over and above, to that which the Law required of them. Whence it is noted, that those were _Chasidim_ who would say, _What is mine, is thine; and what is thine, is thy own_: those _Reschagnim_, which would say, _What is thine is mine; and what is mine, is my own_. And it is probable, that the middle sort mentioned in the same place, who would say, _what is mine, is mine; what is thine, is thine own_, were the very _Tsadikim_.
At this time the body of the _Jews_ were distinguished into three sorts, in respect of holiness. First, _Reschagnim_, ἀσεβεῖς, _Wicked_ and _ungodly men_. Secondly, _Tsadikim_, δίκαιοι, _Just_ and _righteous men_. Thirdly, _Chasidim_, who are sometimes translated ὅσιοι, _Holy men_, and that for the most part:[89] but sometimes also ἀγαθοὶ, _Goodmen_: These of all others were best reputed, and beloved of the people. The Apostle shewing the great love of Christ, dying for us, amplifieth it by allusion unto this distinction of the people: Christ died for the _ungodly_. Scarcely for a _righteous man_ will one die, yet peradventure for a _good man_ some would even dare to die, _Rom. 5. 6, 7._ The gradation standeth thus; Some peradventure would die, for one of the _Chasidim_, a _good man_: scarcely any, for one of _Tsadikim_, a _just_, or _righteous man_; for the _Reschagnim_, or _ungodly_, none would die: Yet Christ dyed for us _ungodly_, being sinners, and his enemies.