1 King 11.42 2 Rehoboam 17 Chap. 14.21 3 Abijah 03 Chap. 15.11 4 Asa 41 15.10 5 Jehoshaphat 25 22.42 6 Jehoram Whereas it is related concerning Jehoram that He reigned 8 Years we are to remember that the 4 first years of His Reign were co-incident with the 4 last of Jehoshaphat's 04 2 King 8.16 17. 7 Ahaziah 01 8.26 8 Athaliah Queen 06 11.03 9 Joash compleat 39 12.1 10 Amaziah 29 14.2 11 Azariah or Vzziah 52 15.2 12 Jetham 15 15.33 13 Ahaz compleat 15 16.2 14 Hezekiah 29 18.2 15 Manasses 55 21.1 16 Ammon 2 21.19 17 Josiah 31 22.1 18 Jehojahaz 0 Three Moneths 23.31 19 Jehojakim 11 23.36 20 Jeconiah 0 Three Moneths 24. 8. And ten days 2 Chro. 36.9 21 Zedekiah 11 24.18  Years 415. 6 Moneths and 10 Days I will not say that all the difficulties of this Chain of the Reigns of the Kings of Judah as to their particular years are clearly resolved by Chronologers But that the current and compleat years being examined by the co-incident Reigns of the Kings of Israel will produce the Sum Total of their Reigns at the foot of the Catalogue I suppose the Characters of the Temple's dissolution by the 11th of Zedekiah and the 19th of Nebuchadnezzar will clearly evince So that we may hence learn that it stood though not constantly in equal beauty and lustre under the Reigns of twenty Kings and one Queen the space of four hundred and fifteen years compleat and two hundred eighty five days or a little above three quarters of a year as was said in the beginning of the Chapter Or if you reckon from the first day of its Foundation laid which as you heard Cap. 2. in the beginning of this Treatise according to the Learned Primate of Ireland was in the three thousand seven hundredth and 2d Julian Year May 21. to the four thousand one hundred twenty sixth Year Aug. 27. It continued four hundred twenty four years and ninety eight days compleat as the same Author computes pag. 131. To which Petavius agreeth in his Diagram of the Kings of Judah in his Rationarium Part. 2. lib. 2. c. 11. pag. 108. I know the Rabbins from their Pseudo-Mysterious Cabal would fain deduce the length of its duration to be four hundred and ten years onely which they derive most learnedly from Bereshith the first word in Genesis having rare inspection into the blind Visions of Letters and idle Dreams concerning syllables But their Rabbinical Astronomers soaring yet one Sphere higher would make us believe that the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuzaradan was at the time of its conflagration legible in the Heavens there being eleven Stars then Vertical which by a Rabbies Feskue might be pointed out for to make five Letters and according to their Canon of Abbreviatures would yield a man learned in those Hyper-Aegyptian Hieroglyphicks some words to premonish the Inhabitants of that Cities Ruine But leaving these crude Conjectures to be boiled up to a Romance in the Skull-Pans of those Chymical Divines we shall proceed to mention the Names of the several High-Priests under whose Rule and by whose Guidance the sacred Services of the Temple were administred whereof we shall give in two Platforms and in each three Authors making up six in all and then produce a Connexion of these Authors together in a successive Story wherein we shall endeavour with all possible care and perspicuity to untie the difficulties that have as yet in many things lockt up this part of the sacred History from Vulgar Capacities or Cursory Readers of these ancient Matters The Authors I shall mention and digest are these following 1. The Holy Scriptures 2. Josephus in the 10th Book and 11th Chapter of his Antiquities Pag. 342. G. Edit Gen. who being himself a Priest possibly might receive some Intelligence from his Ancestors in these Affairs 3. Nicephorus Callistus in his Ecclesiastical History lib. 2. cap. 4. 4. The Book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or The Breviary of Times which is annexed by Scaliger to Eusebius his Chronicles and thought to be the Alexandrian Chronicle 5. Nicephorus the Patriarch set forth also by Scaliger in the same Book and lately also at Paris 6. A Jewish Chronicle recited by Petavius in his Doctrine of the Times ' lib. 10. cap. 49. pag. 242. and by learned Selden in his Book De Successione in Pontificatum Ebraeorum lib. 1. cap. 5. pag. 134. I cannot undertake to bring all these in a peaceable complyance and union and make them in all Points agree with Scripture But shall first exhibite the Sories and then endeavour to give the best satisfaction we can The First Platform Josephus Nicephorus Callistus Scripture 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Zadok 1 King 2.35 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Ahimaaz 2 Sam. 15.36 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 Azariah 1 Chron. 6.9   4 Johanan 1 Chron. 6.9   5 Azariah 1 Chron. 6.10 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6 Amariah 1 Chron. 6.11 5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7 Ahitub 1 Chron. 6.11 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 8 Meraâ—oth 1 Chron. 9.11 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9 Zadok 1 Chron. 6.12 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 10 Uriah 2 King 16.11 15 16. 12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 11 Azariah 2 Chron. 31.10 13. 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉   14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 12 Shallum 2 Chron. 6.12 15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 13 Hilkiah 2 Chron. 6.13   14 Azarian 2 Chron. 6.13.14 16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 15 Serajah 2 Chron. 6.14 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 16 Jehozadak 2 Chron. 6.14 The Second Platform Nicephorus the Patriarch Chronicles of Alexandria The Jewish Chronicle 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Sadoc under Solomon 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Ahimaaz under Rehoboam   3 Azariah under Abijah  3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉       5 Jehojarib under Joram  4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 Joahaz the same with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Josephus and transposed for Jehojadah and set under Jehoshaphat   7 Jehojadah the same with Jehoahaz the 4th and set under Joash 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  6 Jehoshaphat transposed being the same with Zachariah in Petavius
v. 10. 1 Kin. 6.23 v. 28. 2 Chron. 3.11 12 13. two other Cherubims standing on the Ground made as we read it of Image-work The material was of Olive-Tree and overlaid with Gold Each Wing of each Cherubim was five Cubits long All four Wings being extended to the length of Twenty Cubits viz. the whole breadth of the Oracle The two inward a Wings touched each other and the two ends of the outward Wings touched the Wall of the House The height of each of Solomon's was Ten Cubits a piece under whose two inward Wings stood Moses his Ark and Cherubims These four Cherubims are likened in Scripture to a Chariot of four Wheels whereon the Divine Majesty did sit and utter his infallible Oracles 1 Chron. 28.18 Psal 99.1 and are called therefore the Chariot of the Cherubims though some think each of these greater Cherubims stood upon a Chariot and therefore called so But the Text doth clearly speak out that they stood on their feet 2 Chron. 3.13 which is conceived to be meant not onely of their Erect Posture 2 Chron. 5.7 but also of their Situation upon the Golden-Floor whereas the other two stood on the Ark. Besides the Ark and these its Appurtenances there seems by the Epistle to the Hebrews that within this most Holy Place was laid the Pot of Manna and Aaron's Rod that budded Heb. 9.4 Numb 17.10 For so that there may be a clear Reconcilement of Scripture we must understand the Author of that Epistle by the Relative 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make a Reference to the Oracle or Holyest of all mentioned in the third Verse and not the Ark which relation of a Pronoun to a remote Antecedent is not altogether unusual amongst even some Learned Authors There be some that think possibly they were in the Ark till Solomon's time and then by Divine Appointment laid in some other place For why should Scripture say expresly in two places they were not in the Ark seeming thereby to imply some change 1 King 8.9 2 Chr. 5.10 as to this particular which if so then the Epistle to the Hebrews speaking of Moses's Tabernacle may consist more Grammatically with it self and other Scriptures if this may be the true mind of the Spirit The Golden Censer of Aaron also was laid up in some place near the Ark for which the fore-cited Text is as clear as for the other We read also of five Golden Emerods and five Golden Mice dedicated by the Lords of the Philistims unto God when they were smitten for their sin which were put up into a Coffer and sent with the Ark as a Memorial of God's Vengeance and of their Deliverance But whether they were conveyed into the Holyest Place with the Ark and reserved unto Solomon's Temple is one of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and therefore we must leave it for a clearer Discovery In the time of Moses there was also the Book of the Law called by some the Deuteronomion laid on the side of the Ark But whether or no it was placed there in Solomon's dayes we do not read yet we find in Josiah's Reign when the Temple was purged the Book of the Law was found in the Temple by Hilkiah the Priest though no express mention be made of the Oracle Of the Vessels and Vtensils in the Sanctuary or Holy Place WE shall dispose these in the same order that the Scripture mentions them that is First the Altar of Incense Then the Tables and the Candlesticks as may be seen 1 King 7.48 49. and 2 Chron. 4.19 20. The Altar of Incense As to the Golden Altar of Incense it 's first requisite to clear it up that it was placed in the Sanctuary without the Oracle and its Vail In Moses his Tabernacle it 's clear that it had stood without the Vail For Moses having placed the Ark lets down the Vail and then places the Table Northward the Candlestick Southward and this Altar before the Vail Exod. 40 3 21 23 26. that is at the upper end of this Room just in the middle before the Vail But a clear Inference we have out of Leviticus where upon the Expiation Day the High-Priest was to take a Censer full of Burning-Coals of Fire from off the Altar before the Lord and his hands full of sweet Incense beaten small and bring it within the Vail Lev. 16.12 If the Altar stood within the Vail then it were absurd to say thus that Aaron took a Censer of Coals from off the Altar within the Vail and brought it within the Vail But when as its Position was without it 's properly said that with these prepared things he went from the Altar into the Oracle within the Vail to burn sweet Odours Again the Text says that after the High-Priest had done sprinkling the Mercy Seat with the blood of the Bullock and the Goat 7 times that he shall go out unto the Altar that is before the Lord and put blood upon its Horns and sprinkle it 7 times If so be then Aaron must go one of the most Holy Place before he can come to this Altar It 's evident Lev. 16.18 that the Altar did not stand within the Vail Thus much I desired to add to that common and urgent Argument of the daily burning of Incense by every inferiour Priest in his course upon this Altar who could not have admission within the Oracle being open onely once a year and to the High-Priest onely on the solemn day of Expiation For so we find the High-Priest and eighty inferiour Priests with King Uzziah at this Incense-Altar who durst not go into the Oracle 2 Chron. 26.17 Now that Solomon's Altar was placed also in the Holy Place appears by the Text alleadged which says it was situate by the Oracle implying that it was not within it 1 King 6.22 There is nothing worth answering that I know of which can be opposed but that foresaid place of the Apostle where it 's said Heb. 9.4 concerning the Golden Censer that it was in the most Holy Place To which I say either it is to be understood of that Censer that was thus brought into this Oracle within the Vail once a year by the High-Priest and so may be truly said to be in the Oracle though not constantly yet at solemn times or else we must think of some other Interpretation For whereas this may be conceived by some but an evasion because the Apostle seems by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not to note a Temporary but constant possession not onely ad usum but ad situm for that the very same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the same verse is spoken of the Pot of Manna which who knows not but continued many 100 years within the Pot. There be some therefore would expound the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the Altar of Incense it self But are forced to do violence to the word For in all the Septuagint Bible
not be offended with the general plainness of my style as not flourishing with the stately trappings of Rhetorick emboss'd with Gold All my wishes are that there may be therein found matter sutable to sober palates As to which though my own fears be great yet I hope the very subject being encircled with difficulties will obtain some protection for me at thine hand For indeed it may speak of it selfe as the fore-front of Minerva's Temple did at Saum in Aegypt Plut. de Isid Osir gr mâ—r Part 1. p. 631. being adorned with this Inscription 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am whatsoever is past present and to come Never did any mortal reveal me plainly 'T is indeed true of Christ the wisdome of the Father and his mystical union with the Church foretyped by the Temple which remains to be fully explained and unfolded in Heaven Many were the Fables wherein the Heathens involved their spurious worship Aleand Tab. Hel. p. 1 Clem. Alex. p. 509. Plut. de Isid p. 164 In his Life that thereby they might attract the minds of the vulgar Among other things the Aegyptians placed Sphinges before the entrance of their Temples to note the sacred mysteries therein contained But here there is not one piece or utensil but may plead for a Sphinx to stand before it Wherefore by reason of the abstruse and hidden dephs therein I remember Mr. Rothwel was once advised by a Bishop not to study Types But having seriously thought how much admirable and spiritual matter might lie couchant under those legal vails he set himself seriously to the study of them with great success and benefit to the Church of God in those dayes though his useful Book be now lost which he compiled of them as it is reported in his life The Jews themselves were not so rigid but indulged the study of the most difficult Scriptures to such as were past 30 years of age The truth is there are multitudes of Scriptures in the New Testament which cannot be clearly unfolded but by the exposition of the legall Ceremonies For when once the the leaves of Types are lifted up we may discern rich clusters of Grapes hanging underneath to admiration mixt with joy But as to my particular dealing in this matter I would crave leave to give in a true report of my entring upon and compleating of this present work which in brief is this A loving friend having had some intentions to publish a Work holding some consanguinity with this intreated me as my leisure permitted to draw up some lines concerning the Temple at Jerusalem which might be annexed to his as a supplement which having at length finished according to all the Chapters here presented save one I freely resigned my pains unto him for his use to attend his own work according to his former intention having obtained a strict promise for the concealment of my name therein But he perceiving what great labour his own would cost him and to what a volum it might arise began to be discouraged in his design Hereupon I who never before intended to have gone alone in this or to have been known was urged at length to compose a ninth Chapter concerning the mysteries of the Temple to adde it to the rest and commit the whole to the wise and holy hand of God and to the word of his blessing So that indeed over-ruling providence hath brought that to light which was never designed in any considerable amplitude but onely in a few sheets in a private way to subserve the design of a friend and testifie my respects to him I confess the subject though very deep yet was sweet in the meditation upon it and somewhat sutable to my intended inquiries as the Lord should vouchsafe me the enlargement of life give me gracious opportunities to perform it that which was one comfort more it lay somewhat out of the Road of the bitter skirmishings of these Times If any thing herein be spoken of as to any present point on the stage of this day it is not copiously handled Praefat. ad Grosted de Cess Legali but so far forth as my solitary path led me to cross over the main Road so full of Dust and Justling But alas being in the very midst of my labour and travel through the ninth chapter I met with enemies upon the Road persons of sordid and most illiberal Tempers whose mouths are fill'd with the dirt of lies and slanders whose Tongues the Royal Prophet compares to sharp swords and empoysoned arrows who have been the instruments of some late personal troubles well known to many The Lord rebuke them and forgive them Or else I had enlarged more amply and reviewed it more diligently then my time would then possibly permit In respect to which ninth part especially as unto the whole likewise I humbly crave the pardoning love and kindness of all learned pious and curteously disposed Spirits Many Sciolists there be who looking through the tube of censure will cry out of spots in the very Sun when alas 't is but a fly upon the glass of envie through which they pore yet how many spots may be really discerned in this poor Tract by able persons I am very sensible from such I crave Indulgence I doubt not but it will meet with some irreligious Lucians De Art Poet. that will scorn the very matter and subject of the Treatise as times do go Others like Scaliger that gave all the Poets the ferula may possibly carp at the contexture and composition of the work Let the first remember that though no inherent yet there was of old a typical and relative holiness within these sacred walls The Temple shaddows being cast from the Sun of Righteousness Such I shall leave to the Temple discipline of an awakened Conscience which in some good time may scourge them with the small cords of accusing thoughts or else cause them to approach more reverently As for the latter let them but expose their conceited flourishing wits to publike view and I may promise them this deserved favour and equitable requital That some may as Liberally as Magisterially and with as Stoical a frown condemn their rare and polite Writings as they have dealt by others In the mean time let me desire them to ruminate on that true saying of our profound Countryman Hi prae caeteris solent aliena liberius carpere qui nihil proprium ediderunt Bradwardin Praefat. de Caus Dei Those are the freest censors of others labours who never publish'd any of their own Solid Learning holds no oonsort with dis-ingenuous morosity None more subject then children to fling stones at others Chrysostom cont Judaeos A. Christi 400. as a great Light once in the Church said concerning the scorn and laughter which the Jews in his days poured out upon the Christians that thereby they betrayed their childishness and folly and unacquaintance with Divine knowledge Such as sayl upon the
principal part whereof was Geometry Act. 7.22 they being necessitated every year after the overflowing of Nilus to measure the Limits and Bounds of most mens Land a-new as Herodotus in the Life of Sesostris in his Euterpe together with Diodorus Siculus in his first Book and 81 Section according to some Copies do both attest That possibly Moses and his People might use the Aegyptian Measures which if true though we have no word in Scripture for it then I will recommend to the Readers consideration a notable Memorandum of the Aegyptian Cubits out of Herodotus holding it not convenient to spin out any more time on this Subject The place is in Euterpe Herodotus or of his History lib. 2. In English thus A Pace is six Foot or four Cubits A Foot is four Palms A Cubit sixe Palmes If you say it is Samian measure generally used by that Author I answer with his own words in the same Book 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Aegyptian Cubit is equal to that of Samos To conclude what ever the Cubit were either of Moses or Solomon the Dimensions of the Temple being described not by yards or feet but under the name of Cubits the judicious Reader may imagine its length according to his own most exact conception and so conceive the House as large and magnificent as he please sobeit he be careful that the Battering-Ram of his fancy do not cast the Walls Gates and Porches and the poor Levites in their Watches into the Valleys of the Moriah-Mountain For the whole Hill with the Temple and Antonian-Buildings included did not contain much more then about six stadia in compass as Josephus hath left upon Record De Bell. Judaic lib. 6. cap. 6. What a stadium in Josephus is you may see in the third Chapter of this Treatise Since we have then a little cleared off our hands this tough and knotty rubbish of a Cubit so much as to our present Design let 's begin to lay the Foundations of the Temple and so proceed forward to the Top-stone of that admirable Fabrick The Foundation THE Foundations of this Royal-Building were laid with great costly hewen stones Of what depth Scripture is silent Foundation 1 King 5.17 De re rust l. 1. Tit. 8. But if Palladius be a good Architect they should be in depth a fifth or sixth part of the height when the place is solid This being on a Rocky Hill as Josephus writes we may allow for the Porch of one hundred and twenty Cubits high the depth of Twenty Cubits and for the whole House being Thirty high five Cubits depth for the Foundations and on each side half a cubit broader then the Walls of the House The full thickness of the Walls are not deducible out of Scripture Walls 1 King 6.6 Onely thus much we may clearly evince that they were four cubits thick at least just by the ground For we read of three Cubits abated in the thickness of the Walls for the Beames of the side-chambers to lye upon On which account we do allow but one Cubit for the thickness of the Temple-wall from above the Roof of the third and highest Story of the Chambers to the Roof or Top of the Temple it self But if we allow 6 at the Bottome there will remain three at the Top which is the least we can allow considering the height together with its magnificence and designed duration If six at Top as usually most do grant then there will be found nine at Bottome or 10 as the learned Ribera would have it I know some would squeeze six Cubits out of Ezekiel's Visionary Temple for the thickness of its Walls but we shall go in the middle proportion and in our Figure adde to the internal capacity the thickness of six Cubits for the Walls till some Rabbinical Architect shall conjure up the Ghosts of Solomon's Builders to decide the Controversie The Figure of the Covered Temple 1. The Tower of the Porch 2. The Porch 3. The Holy place 4. The Oracle 5. The windowes of the holy place 6. The side Chambers Of the Porch BEfore I enter upon the Proportions of this Building Situation its necessary we should remember the Temple-Student what point of Heaven the Porch and its stately Entrance did face For which purpose let 's consider that Ezekiel in his Captivity-Vision being brought into the Inner-Court of the Lords House saw 25 men between the Porch and the Altar with their backs toward the Temple of the Lord and their faces towards the East Ezek. 8.16 worshipping the Sun toward the East Whereby is tacitely implyed that the Body of his Visionary-Temple or the Covered House the Pattern in many things of Zorobabels Structure was Westward of the Brazen-Altar If this be not enough observe out of another place that the Gate of the outward Sanctuary that is the Holy-place of fourty Cubits long Ezek. 44.1 as I shall shew by and by which looketh toward the East was shut Yet once more when he was brought to the door of the same House again we read That he saw Waters issuing from under the Threshold of the House Eastward For the Fore-front of the House stood toward the East Ezek. 47.1 I hope this is a sufficient Testimony being treble-twisted to draw any sober mans consent to us seeing that the situation of the second Temple according to the concurrent judgment both of Jews and Christians did imitate the former of Solomon's So that now none need fly to any Idiotismes or Proprieties of the Hebrew Language for a Sanctuary to shelter the true situation of the Temple as some have done The beautiful face of the Porch we will then begin to erect towards the East-quarter of Heaven 1 King 6.3 Length Breadth 2 Chron. 2.4 Height Dr. Lightf Templ p. 89. whose inward Capacity shall be contained within a Line of Twenty Cubits length from North to South for its length ran parallel to the breadth of the House and a Line of Ten Cubits for its breadth from East to West The height of the whole Porch was very stately and pompous viz. One hundred and Twenty Cubits Not that it was all empty and void to the Top but probably had Chambers and Winding-stairs ascending up to the Roof But that the lowest Concameration of the Porch was more then 22 Cubits and ½ in height may be evident by the height of the Pillars of Brass whereof we shall speak anon Probably the height of its lowest Room within might be equal to the rest of the House viz. Thirty Cubits As for the Battlements on the Top of the Porch Battlements we may conceive them to be much of the same proportion with those of the Walls of the City fore-described that is the height in the open spaces was two Cubits and the Propugnacles three Cubits or thereabouts or rather stately Rails of Stone besides the more curious Ornaments of Pinacles From the Top of this Porch I
those stately Ponds upon their proud Backs were ordered by God Himself in His Directions to Solomon to be on this wise On the North side of the Priests Court there were five of them setled in a Row and as many more upon the South they being ten in number The end or designed use of these Sacred Vessels was very constant even for Daily Service in the Administration of Water to the Priests of that Splendid Temple who were to wash the several parts of the Burnt-Offerings and other the enjoyned Sacrifices upon the decliving Shelves of Brass before described whereupon the several Spouts of the Lavers did run at pleasure with clear and pure Water according to the various occasions of the Sanctuary Having thus finished the delineation of this Piece in some measure which we find so amply and fully and yet as to our Translation so intricately laid down in Scripture we shall now wave any further treating upon this Point and proceed to the other Utensils in their proper place and order But as for these lesser Vessels Utensils Ornaments standing in or laid up within the compass of this or the other Court and the several Chambers of the Temple as the Desks and Musick Books of the Singers the King's Pillar all the Vestments of the Priests the 120 Trumpets the Slaughter-Knives and all other Utensils about the Sacrifices the Instruments of Musick the Standards of all Measures the Armory of all Weapons as Spears Bucklers and Shields c. The Repositories for Wood Salt Tythes Offerings the Treasury Chambers the Water or Well-Rooms the Lodgings of the Priests and Levites that attended on the Holy Service in the Temple their Description cannot be manifested out of Scripture Were we to describe the Second Temple we might be supplyed by the learned industry of many Forreiners both Jews and Christians but especially of those two learned Levites of our own Nation Dr. Lightfoot and Mr. Fuller to whose great pains the Common-wealth of Learning is deeply obliged having given us better Descriptions of the Temple then any High-Priest of the Jews ever did But seeing we mainly insist upon the Delineation of Solomon's Temple let it at present suffice that the fore-mentioned things were extant and most exactly disposed though it hath not pleased the Holy Spirit to transmit their accurate Descriptions to Posterity while we in the mean time remain content not to be wise above what is written The Figure of the High Priest in his holy Vestments and ornaments together with the inferiour Priests their apparell the Sacrifices and Utensils of the Sacerdotall function in the Temple By Arias Montanus A. Singing bookes B. Skins of beasts C. Trumpets D. Incense cups E. Slaughter knives F. Cauldrons Spoones and pots G. Flesh hookes H. Wine and Oyle Vessels I. Bellowes K. Wood L. M. N. O. Creatures for Sacrifice P. The High Priest in his Pontific all habit described in the close of the 4th Chapter Q. Ordinary priests R. The Incense Altar S. The Incense cup T. The Censer Observe in the High-Priests Figure A Singing-Books B Skins of Beasts C Trumpets D Incense-Cup E Slaughter-Knives F Cauldrons Spoons and Pots G Flesh-Hooks H Vessels of Wine or Oyl I Bellows L M N O Creatures for Sacrifice P The High-Priest himself in His Pontifical Habit. Q Ordinary Priests R The Golden-Altar of Incense S The Incense Cup. T The Censer 1 The Broidered Coat 2 Robe next under the Ephod whereto the Pomegranates and Bells of Gold were appendant 3 Curious Ephod 4 Girdle 5 Mitre 6. 6. Onyx Stones 7. 7 Hookes 8. 8. Golden Chains 9. Breast-Blate of Judgment 10Vppermost Rings 11 Nethermost Rings 12 Silk-Laces 13 Hinder-Ring 14 The Plate of Gold upon the Mitre 15 Bels of Gold 16 Pomegranates Of the Priests and High-Priests Vestments THus having finished the Discourse about the Temple its Parts Courts and Utensils we shall now as a Coronis to the whole Work present the High-Priest in his Pontificalibus ready to go into the Temple to perform his duty Exod. 28.41 First of all He wore all the Garments that ordinary Priests did wear We shall put them on in their order 1 Next the flesh the ordinary Priests had Linnen Breeches to cover their Nakedness from the Loins Exod. 28.42 43. even to the Thighs of fine twined Linnen Cap. 39. 2 They put on a close Linnen-Coat that reacht from the Neck down to the Ankles with sleeves for their Arms. Ver. 40. 3 This Coat was fastned with a Girdle that went round about their middle of fine twined Linnen of Blue Ver. 40. Cap. 39. v. 29. Cap. 39.28 and Purple Scarlet and Needle-work Here once for all let it suffice to mention that this Girdle and other Vestments were made with these various Threads One was of Hyacinch Violet or Blew Colour Another of Purple Colour tinctured with the blood of the Tyrian Shell-fish The Scarlet was dy'd with the Grains of a Shrub growing in Galatia a Province of Asia the Less in Africa and other Countries as Pliny hath it lib. 16. cap. 8. The last is of fine Linnen from Aegypt and the Blew and Purple were Commodities brought to Tyre from the Isles of Elishah i. e. of the Aegean Sea Ezek. 27.7 4 On their Heads were fastned goodly Bonnets of fine Linnen These were all Vestments of the ordinary Priests The High Priest had Vestments in this order as mentioned Lev. 8.7 8 9. Exod. 29. 1 His Coat which was embroidered Exod. 28.39 28.4 2 His Girdle was of Needle-work of fine twined Linnen and Blue and Purple and Scarlet Exod. 39.29 Lev. 8.7 These two were I suppose the same for substance with the other Priests but a little more curious for work 3 The Robe Lev. 8.7 called the Robe of the Ephod all of Blue Woven Work Exod. 28.31 39.22 c. There was a hole in the top of it in the midst with a binding of Woven Work round about the hole like the hole of an Habergeon that it be not rent Beneath at the hem of this Garment there were made to hang Pomegranates and Bells the Pomegranates were made of Blue and Purple and Scarlet and twined Linnen The Bells were of pure Gold between the Pomegranates round about As to their number Ribera out of Jerome says there were 72 Pomegranates and as many Bells p. 139 But Scripture in this rests silent 4 Then the Ephod was put on Levit. 8.7 which was made of Gold and Blue Purple and Scarlet and fine twined Linnen The Gold was beaten into thin Plates and cut in Wires to work it into the Blue c. with cunning-Work This had two Shoulder-pieces joyned to its edges whereon were placed two Ouches of Gold having two Onyx Stones inclosed in them and therein graven after the manner of a Signet all the names of the Children of Israel according to their Birth To the two Golden Ouches were fastned two Wreathen Chains of pure Gold 5 This Ephod was girded
and solemn work of Judgment among the people For they coming in and going out by set-numbers every week in 24 Courses did appear but once in 24 weeks at the Temple unless at the three grand Solemnities and so had leisure sufficient in their several Cities and Villages to teach the people the Laws of God to expound the Letter of the Moral Ceremonial and Judiciall Parts thereof and to judge finally in all matters of Controversie about those Laws and of their living according to or the disobeying of them Of the Izharites Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel for Officers and Judges Ver. 29. saith the Text in the Book of Chronicles and moreover that Hashabiah and his Brethren Ver. 30. men of valour among the Hebronites 1700 were Officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan Westward in all businesses of the Lord and in the service of the King On the other side of Jordan Eastward was Jerijah chief among the Hebronites according to the Generation of his Fathers Ver. 31. in the 40th year of the Reign of King David who were found among the mighty men of Valour at Jazer of Gilead which was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Gad. 1 Chron. 6.81 Of the Brethren of Jerijah men of valour there were 2700 chief Fathers whom King David made Rulers over the Reubenites Gadites and the half Tribe of Manasseh for every matter pertaining to God and affairs of the King So that we find by Record 1700 of the Linage of Hebron 1 Chron. 26.32 on the West of Jordan and 2700 on the East side of the same Line and Extraction whence may probably follow that the 1600 Judges yet remaining of the number of 6000 mentioned at first that they were of the Posterity of Izhar and were employed on the West side of Jordan which was the greatest part of the Land of Canaan and according to the proportion of nine Tribes a half in that Region had not so many as the two Tribes and half on the East of Jordan possibly because of its nearer vicinity to the Court and the Royal Residence and so needed not so many because of the conveniency of their Appeals unto Jerusalem it self As to their Office the comparing of two places of Scripture will manifest the great Dignity of their Employment and the large extent of their power In the first whereof God himself commands that in matters of difficulty if any strong Emergency did arise in Judgment between Blood and Blood Plea and Plea Stroke and Stroke being matters of controversie within their Gates they were appointed to go to the place which God should choose that is Jerusalem principally Deut. 17.8 c. and any of the Levitical Cities ordinarily where the Judges had their fixed residence and should come to the Priests the Levites who should determine in a Sentence of Judgment and the people were to stand to their Decisions which if any man presumptuously dared to decline that man was to be put to death and evil to be put away from Israel 2 Chron. 19.8 Ver. 10. Besides we read in the History of King Jehoshaphat that He did institute in Jerusalem Levites and Priests to hear and determine Causes for the Judgment of the Lord and for Controversies and charged them that what Cause soever did come before them between Blood and Blood Law and Commandement Statutes and Judgments that they should judicially admonish them not to trespass against the Lord. So that from these and other places it 's easie to collect that the Levites were Judges over Israel in the highest matters concerning Life or Estate or any other Controversie between man and man It being observed by sundry learned Writers that there was but one Court of Judicature among the Jews whereof the Levites were the Judges and the written Law of Moses was their Rule not according to the corrupt Innovations of the Church of Rome in erecting their Curia Christianitatis for the securing of Church-men in all their out-rages from secular power in this and in other Nations and digesting of those Dung-Carts full of Canonical Books distinct from the Civil Law or the Municipals of each Countrey enough by their burden to sink a thousand Asses into the River of Tyber But to proceed To these Levites did appertain the Records and Genealogies For of this Tribe were the Judges Lawyers Scribes Recorders Genealogists in all matters pertaining to the Administration of Justice Exposition of the Laws Writing out of the Copies of the Holy Books to be read in the Countrey-Synagogues the preservation of the Linage of their Tribes the determination of Cases and laying up the Rolls of the Records in relation to things Sacred and Civil either belonging to the King or any of the people Insomuch that the persons of the greatest rank and quality either for dignity of Office or Nobility of Person age excepting the Royal Race of the Tribe of Judah were of these For we find them to be High-Priests and chief Judges of the Land 1 Kin. 2.35 1 Chron. 27.5 1 Chron. 26.14 Generals of the Army such was Benajah the son of Jehojadah in the days of Solomon expresly called a chief Priest in the Book of Chronicles Lord High Treasurers of the Temple and Councellours of State to the King such was Zechariah one of the Porters of the Temple Nay to conclude they were the onely persons that preserved Learning and Knowledge in all the Arts and Sciences wherein those Ages were versed the Schools of the Prophets being under their Cognizance and Institution and particularly the Colledge at Jerusalem mentioned in the days of Josiah Insomuch that the wisdom of our Saxon and Norman Ancestors is highly to be honoured in that they first admitted the Bishops of the Province as skilled in the Laws of God to sit with the Earls of the Counties in their Tribunals to assist them in decision of Causes according to the Word especially such as were co-incident with the Laws of God even as Holy Ambrose in his 32d Epistle tells Valentinian the Emperour concerning Blessed Constantine Qui nullas leges ante pramisit sed liberum dedit Judicium Sacerdotibus which appears by Sir H. Spelman in his Glossary and his Treatise of Tithes and in the first Tome of his Counsels in Seldens Janus Anglorum and other his Pieces in Mr. Sadler's late notable piece of the Rights and Priviledges of the Kingdom and in many other both Antiquaries and Historians that touch the Saxon days The latter I mean the Norman Kings in giving the presidency of the Court of Chancery usually to a Bishop as being presumed to be a man of such Conscience and Knowledge in the Laws of God the Rules of Christian Piety and Policy the Laws of Nature and of Nations that matters appeaâ—able from the ordinary Courts of Justice might find there a speedy safe and righteous Issue It being a Sanctuary to persons
of the brazen Altar of the true God and sacrificeth his Peace-and Thank-offerings thereon commanding Judah to serve the Lord God of Israël who having reigned fifty five years slept with his Fathers and was buried in his own House in the Garden of Uzzah 2 Kin. 21.18 A. M. 3361 Amon the 15th King At twenty two years of Age began Amon to reigne in Judah and walked in the wicked steps of the first years of his Father sacrificing to all the carved Images made by him 2 Kin. 21.21 2 Chr. 33.12 disgracing what in him lay the Temple-worship But following him not in Repentance and godly Sorrow For he trespassed yet more and more till he was slain by the conspiracy of his own Servants in his own house having reigned but two years only His life when young being preserved only as may seem for the sake of Iosiah in his Loines and his Dominion to that end that his godly Son might be fostered for a while who was after to succeed him God many times would thunder out his Iudgments against the Sons of Belial were it not for some of his elect that shall flow from them as far as we may with all humility and reverence give conjecture concerning the deeps of divine providence in his dispensations throughout the world A.M. 3363 Iosiah the 16th King Now enters at 8 years of Age into the Kingly Throne the holiest Reformer that ever wore the Crown of Judah The Greeness of his years set a verdant lustre upon his actions like a stately Emerald incircling his Temples For having attained but sixteen years of his life he began to seek after the God of his Father David and at twenty years old he becomes mighty in zeal for the House of his God 2 Chr. 34.3 the Groves he cut down the Altars of Baallm he brake in pieces the Images both carved and molten he stampt to dust and strowed the powder on the Sacrificers Graves he burnt the Bones of the idolatrous Priests upon their prophane Altars and knockt the Altars themselvs in pieces with Mattocks not only in Judah but in Ephraim and Manasseh also even to Naphthali round about In the eighteenth year of his Reign Ver. 7 8. when he had purged the land and returned to Ierusalem he commands some of his chief Officers to summe up the mony brought into the Temple 2 Kin. 23.3 4 5. c. 2 Chr. 35.3 causes Carpenters and Masons to be hired Timber and hewen Stone to be provided and places the Ark again in the most holy place which it seems was removed by Manasseh Meanwhile the Book of the Law being found by Hilkiah the Priest was brought to the King read by Shaphan wept over by Iosiah and a message by him sent to the Prophetess who answered him with a returne of peace because of the tender meltings of his Heart under the denunciation of judgment The Reparations of the House being finished and the Book being carried up into the Temple of the Lord the King himself read it in the ears of the Elders of Judah and all the People and standing by the royall Pillar in the wonted place entred into Covenant with God and caused them all to stand to it After this he commands the High-Priest and his inferior Ministers to bring forth out of the Temple all the Vessels of Baal of his Grove and the Host of Heaven to the Brook burning and stamping them to dust and laid the dust on the Graves of the Children of the People 2 Kin. â—3 7 He proceeds further to break down the Houses of the Sedomites neer the House of the Lord that is possibly of those who were the Officers of the shamefull and bestiall priapeian Ceremonies of Baalphegor not fit to be uttered For as common Idolatry is called Whoredome in Scripture so this abominable Idolatry is probably called by the name of Sodomy For the Text saies that Women did in those Houses weave Hangings for that Grove viz. of Baal that was cast out of the House of God being probably an artificiall imitation of the Idol-Temple of Baal Ver. 6. with a Grove of Trees about it in some solid mettal or stone placed within those sacred Walls He defiles also all the High-places where the Priests had burnt Incense from Gebah to Beersheba together with Tophet in the Valley of Hinnom where the Children were fried in that hellish fire to Mâ—lech Whence it is Chietomaei Graecobarb N. T. p. 54. 2 Kin. 23.11 that the new Testament assumes the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to shadow forth the intolerable Torments of the bottomless lake of God's aeternal Judgment He took away the Horses of the Sun also and burnt their Chariots with fire which were dedicated by the Princes of Judah to the Prince amongst the Stars of Heaven which had been placed at the entring into the House of God The Altars likewise on the top of the Upper Chamber of Ahaz were dasht in pieces and those of Manasseh in both the Courts of the House were broken down and their dust cast into Kidron The High-places of Solomon together with their Altars and Groves built for Ashtoreth Chemosh and Milcom on the side of Mount Olivet Ver. 13. were utterly ruined and overthrown and their places defiled being filled with the Bones of men Neither did he forget the Altar and High-place at Bethel erected by Jeroboam that great sinner of Israël The Bones also taken out of the Sepulchres in that Mount whereon Bethel was built he burnt on those Altars and polluted their imagined sanctity Thus he did in the other Cities of Samaria slaying the Priests and burning their bones upon their Altars and returned to Jerusalem 2 Kin. 23.23 2 Ch. 34. c. At last he celebrates the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first Month in this eighteenth year of his Reign in most solemn and magnificent manner the like having not been performed since Samuel and the daies of the Judges nor in the time of any of the Kings of Judah or Israël To which purpose the King bestowed on the people thirty thousand Lambs and Kids and three thou and Bullocks out of his own substance the Princes also bestowed 2600 small Cattell and three hundred Oxen. The whole number of Sacrifices being 35900 for the service of the Temple Which was so punctually and strictly managed according to the Law of Moses that like him there was no King before him nor after him rose any King like him 2 Kin. 23.25 that turned to the Lord with all his Hâ—art with all his Soul and with all his Might Yet nothwithstanding after all this saith the holy Spirit the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath kindled against Judah for the high provocations of Manasseh and his other Predecessours But Josiah was in this point happy that he saw not the ruine of his Kingdome but died in peace according to the Prophecy of Huldah of
after our Lords birth till its dissolution by the Roman armies There be others who considering that the Temple was fully finisht in the 3000th year of the World according to Bishop Ushers Calculation and other nice Chronologers being just a 1000d years before our Lords incarnation and precisely in the middle point of the World 's apprehended-duration viz. of 6000d years according to the received tradition of the sons of the House of Eliah mentioned by the same (e) Ibid. pag. 36. Author in the very words of the Jewish Talmud would out of these Rabbinicall flints extract some choise Mystical Oyl to supple the Wheels of their fancy As if so be a glorious external visible Church must needs from thence be evinced to continue upon the Earth 3000 years even just as many as the world had before continued without it and that this admirable beauty of the Church-militant commenced with the Temple 's compleat erection Besides as the Temple did continue though not without some fatal concussions for the space of a 1000d years So in like manner a glorious Evangelical Church thereby typified should endure also for a 1000d years space after the 6000 years of the world in general shall be consummated and ended when the rage and power of her enemies shall be extinct when the Saints of the most High shall Live and Reign with Christ a (f) Rev. 20.4 1000d years And all this must be accomplished say they before the 2d and most glorious coming of our Lord in the Clouds to passe sentence of condemnation upon the World of the ungodly and to put an Ultimate period to its duration Now forasmuch as the Temple suffered many hard things during its long continuance we must not think according to them that the Saints Reign shall have any sad Chasm of affliction seeing the Antitype must alwayes out-vye and excel its prefiguration in glory and excellency But for my part holding it sufficient to have recounted these things to be left or entertained at pleasure seeing there is no solid basis or foundation for these superstructures of fancy revealed in holy Scripture I had rather resolve the Mystery of the Time of the first fixed state of the Temple if there be any couched under it into the good pleasure of God whose Majesty if he had intended any such rare signification in the time of its building would have delivered the meaning thereof more clearly to us had it seemed good in his holy eyes What is secret belongs to the Lord but things revealed to us and our Children Wherefore I shall proceed to a more material inquiry concerning the place of its situation Concerning the place where the holy Temple was built IN this Section I mean not to tell long stories of Gods choosing the people of Israel above all Nations to serve Him or of Canaan above all Lands for his people to dwell in or of Jerusalem above all Cities to place his name there seeing the Lord loved the (a) Psal 87.2 gates of Zion more then all the habitations of Jacob. But shall rather descend immediately to treat of the holy mountain Moriah it self So frequently called in the holy Books the mountain of the House of the Lord wherein he hath promised to make unto all people (b) Isai 25.6 a feast of fat things a feast of Wines on the Lees of fat things full of marrow of Wines on the Lees well refined whereby no doubt the holy Prophet in the name of the Lord doth insinuate the mountain of Moriah to be a most sublime Type of the Gospel-Church exalted even to heaven by the means of grace and salvation when he assures us in so many words that all Nations should be feasted in that blessed mountain which of it self was not sufficient to entertain within its circuit no not the one only Nation of the Jews at a set banquet whereof more in succeding lines In reference to our present work the denomination of this mountain may yield us some light and information in this matter seeing the very name of it probably was imposed by God himself when he commanded Abraham to get him into the Land of (c) Gen. 22.2 Moriah whose manner in the imposition of names is to read a Lecture worthy the attention of Men and Angels As to the signification whereof there are various Conjectures offered by Learned men and many of them are summed up by an Eminent (d) Nic. Fuller Miscell l. 2. c. 12. Critique of our own Nation Some it seems derive it from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Myrrh as if this tract of ground had bin antiently famous in bringing forth that curious rarity conceiting withall that the mountain of Myrrh mentioned in the Book of (e) Cant. 4.6 Canticles is to be interpreted and understood of this fragrant place Others would fetch it from the Syriack word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mara which signified the Lord as if it noted out the Grand holinesse of that piece of ground as being by peculiar designation The Lords mountain Others deduce it from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying fear hinting forth to us a place destinated to the fear of the Lord such as is exprest by his heavenly worshippers in their solemn attendance upon God according to the antient Mosaical injunctions Whereas in truth the most genuine derivation of the word seems rather to be taken from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to see declaring it to be the Land of vision Wherefore some translate the former text in Genesis Vade in terram excelsam get thee to the high or hilly Country Aquila turns it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is perspicuous shining or illustrious Symmachus by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Land of vision which is therefore interpreted illuminating and irradiating according as Learned (a) Edit Ludg. 1530. Vol. 3. p. 216. Jerom in his questions upon Genesis Others apprehend it to have bin so called from the Eminent conspicuousnesse of the place being by reason of its height seen by travellers at a very great distance from whence by such as stood upon it many rare and lovely prospects presented themselves to the covetous eyes of delighted spectators Whereby is shadowed the rare beauty and comelinesse of the Church the spouse of Christ when she is Enammelled with the (b) Ezek. 16.14 glory of her Lord and Husband and when presented to the view of others that passe by in so much that they have bin inamoured with her beauty and have turned in to her habitation to gain acquaintance with her or else in respect to the profound and deep Mysteries the delicious and pleasant prospects of mercy and grace which have bin presented to the view of such persons who have stood upon this holy mountain There be that apprehend it to have bin termed the Land of Vision from the apparition of that holy Angel who accoasted Abraham at the intended sacrifice of his onely son But the Learned man forecited
of the Jewes from all other men as in all other things so in their ordinary course of life but especially in this that they worship none of the other Gods but one they chiefly honour and adore At that time viz. of Pompey's Warrs in Judaea they had no image at all in Jerusalem holding their God to be of an inestable and invisible essence exceeding all other men in his worship unto whom they had built a Temple of great bulk and exceeding beautiful Hence was it that the Heathens did so profanely jeer at the Jews for lifting up their hands to Heaven as if they pray'd to the Clouds So Petronius flouts at them (g) Satyr p. 211 ed. Franc. 1621. 8o. Et coeli summas advocat auriculas which we will translate to a more sober sense Let Jews to Him lift up their eyes Whose Throne is fixt above the Skyes And therefore Juvenal speaking how apt Children are to follow their Fathers in Religion be it what it will saies that some having learned to be Jews †Satyr 14. ver 98. Nil praeter nubes caeli numen adorant They worship nought but Clouds or else That God who in the Heaven dwells Nay David seems to complain of his idolatrous Neighbours exprobrating to him in his afflictions (h) Ps 42.10 Where is thy God as if so be he were no where who did not appear unto the eyes of men Whereas invisibility is one of the choisest attributes of that immaterial uncompounded spiritual and infinite essence whom we ought to serve with fear and rejoyce before with (i) Ps 2.11 trembling Memorable is that passage of Lucian in his Philopatris which Dialogue because forbidden by the Romish Index expurgatorius to be printed for reasons best known to themselvs while they suffer every obscene Poet and Scoffer at Religion and therefore not to be found in their latter Editions I shall recite somewhat largely (k) Pag. 466. edit Basil 1503. ToÌ„ 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I will teach thee what the Universe is and who was before all things and what is the Systeme or frame of the Universe Formerly indeed I suffered the same things thou dost But since the Galilaean met with me one (l) 2 Cor. 10.1 bald on the forehead and his Nose hooked who had been carried up in the air into the (m) 2 Cor. 12.2 third Heavens Paul and learned thence most excellent things did regenerate us by water and brought us into the foot-paths of the blessed and redeemed us from the Region of the ungodly And I will make thee a man in truth if thou wilt hear me Which person that its meant of Paul seems evident by Niceph. Callist lib. 2. c. 37. where describing of Paul as before he had our Lord lib. 1. c. 40. among other things saies he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bald on his head and that he had a nose handsomely bending Where breaking awhile from that he speaks afterwards of the Creation and other matters in these words pag. 467. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There was an incorruptible invisible incomprehensible light which dissolved the darknesse and dispelled that deformity by a word alone spoken by it as the (n) Moses Exod. 4.10 slow-tongued person hath related He establisht the earth upon the waters streâ—ched out the Heavens formed the fixed stars and appointed their course which thou worshippest as Gods He hath beautifyed the Earth with flowers He produced Man out of nothing into being and He is in the (o) Prov. 15.3 Heaven beholding the just and unjust and writing their actions in books will accordingly render to every one in that day which he hath appointed Furthermore that we may see the ancient Heathens had more knowledge of the divine Essence partly by the light of Nature well improved and partly by the light of Scripture and of the primitive persons carrying the Gospel about the Nations may appear by a passâ—ge 〈◊〉 little before the first citation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Crit. By whom shall I swear then Trieph By the soveraign great immortall God in the Heavens by the Son of the Father and the Spirit proceeding from the Father One in three and three in one A God certainly of which there can be no shape or Image and therefore surely the Gentiles knew more then we ordinarily think they did at least the wiser sort and more they might have known had they been sedulously inquisitive into the matter Because that which may be known of God was manifest to them for God hath shewn it to them (p) Rom. 1.19 c. For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternall power and Godhead so that they are without excuse Manifold are the Testimonies of the poor Heathens concerning the unspeakable inconceivable Essence of the Deity Among other excellent is the Inquiry of (q) Edit Heins p. 222 Maximus Tyrius in his 38 Dissertation Whether Statues are to be dedicated to God or not where he speaks thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 There is no more need to erect Images or Statues for the Gods then there is for good men to have theirs In the end Pag. 226. he draws toward a conclusion in these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. For God is the Father and Maker of all beings ancienter then the Sun ancienter then Heaven More excellent or before all time and age and every fluid Essence a Law-giver ineffable unspeakable by our voice invisible as to our eyes who not being able to conceive aright of his Essence let us fixedly endeavour to search him out by words and names living Creatures figures of Gold Ivory and Silver from Plants Rivers tops of Mountains and Springs earnestly thirsting after some knowledge of him Thus as Paul told the Athenians that they did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seek after the Lord * Act. 17.27 if possibly they might feel after him in the dimm twilight of Nature and find him out Most remarkable is the Law of King Numa commented upon by Plutarch in his Life in these words (r) Plut. in Numa p. 118. Tom. 1. vit Edit Hen. Steph. 8o. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Besides those Laws wâ—ich he made concerning Statues or Images are altogether a-kind to the sense of Pythagoras For he did not conceive the first principle of all things to be sensible or passible but invisible immortal and to be apprehended by the mind Numa therefore forbad the Romans to make any Statue of God in the shape a of man or any other living Creature Neither was there among them in former times any picture or carved Image of God But during the first hundred and seventy years of the City although they built and consecrated Temples and erected
other of an Ecclesiastical Writer The former because precedent in time I shall name first and it is of Ammianus Marcellinus Ammian Marcel l. 23 ad initium p. 429. Edit Lug. Bat. 1632 who relates this story of Julian in these words Ambitiosum quondam apud Hierosolymam Templum quod post multa interneciva certamina obsidente Vespasiano posteaque Tito aegre est expugnatum instaurare sumtibus cogitabat immodicis negotiumque maturamdam Alypio dederat Antiochensi qui olim Britannias curaverat pro praefectis Cum itaque rei idem fortiter instaret Alypius juvaretque Provincia Rector metuendi globi flammarum prope fundamenta crebris assultibus erumpentes ficere locum exustis aliquoties operantibus inaccessum hocque modo elemento destinatius repellente cessarit incoeptum He designed with excessive costs and charges to restore the somtime most magnificent Temple at Jerusalem which after many fatal skirmishes in the siege of Vespasian and afterwards of Titus was with great difficulty won by assault This business he had committed to be hastned by Alypius of Antioch who had formerly ruled Britain in the room of the Praefects When as then Alypius did strenuously set himself to the work being assisted by the Ruler of the Province fearful balls of fire breaking out near the foundations with frequent assaults rendred the place unapproachable the workmen being several of them consumed and in this manner the enterprize ceased through the resolute opposition of that element So much from him Niceph. Cal. list Eccles Hist l. 10. c. 32. p. 74. vol. 2. Paris 1630. The other testimony of Nicephorus Callistus is extant in chap. 32. 33. of his Ecclesiastical History which for the Press sake I shall not transcribe in Greek but relate the principal things in English These are his words The Jews having got together as many as were skilful in the art of Building prepared materials for the structure and fully cleansed the place they provided spades made of silver their charges being allowed out of the publique stock With such earnestness and alacrity did they labour in the work that the very women did carry away the rubbish in their laps whatsoever Jewels or other precious ornaments they had they expended upon that business c. and when as they had dug up the remainders of the old building from the lowest foundations and had cleared the ground Luk. 21. so that now there was not a stone remaining upon a stone according to the prophesie The next day coming to the place to lay the first foundation they say there was a great earthquake insomuch that the stones were cast out of the foundation so that many of the Jews were slain who either came to see the work or had the oversight of the Structure The publike buildings also wch were neerest the Temple were loosned falling down with great force proved the Sepulchres of those that were in them Some that attempted to fly away were found half dead some lost their legs hands and other members according as the violence of that sudden accident seized upon them The Earthquake was scarce over but those that remained fell upon the work again Cap 33. c. But when the second time they attempted it some fire violently issued out of the foundations and other fire fell down impetuously from Heaven and consumed more then before There is he saith some variations among Authors of the punctual time and manner of this accident of fire but the main of the truth is without doubt Moreover the fire which came down from Heaven consumed to ashes the hammers graving tools saws hatchets axes and all the other instruments which the Workmen had brought for their service continuing a whole day together c when Cyril who was at that time Bishop of Jerusalem saw these things He considered in his minde the word of the Prophet Daniel to which Christ also had set his seal in the holy Gospel He told them all that now was the time that the Oracle of our Saviour had its accomplishment which said That a stone should not remain upon a stone in the Temple And when he had spoken this a sore earthquake assailed the foundations and cast out all the remaining stones and dispersed them Upon this there arose a fearful storm and whirled into the ayr many thousand bushels of lime and plaister and sudden flames of fire flashing from beneath burnt up in a moment an innumerable company of people that were as yet either labouring in the work or that came to behold it Thus did Julian fulfil Christs predictions concerning Jerusalem which he designed to have made void c. These prodigies are sufficient to prove the truth of the Oracle But what shall be now declared being very wonderful will further confirm it which I shall report as I have found in the Archives and it is thus When the foundations were a laying as I have said there was a stone among the rest to which the bottom of the foundation was fastned that slipt from its place and discovered the mouth of a cave which had been cut in the rock Now when they could not see to the bottom by reason of its depth the Overseers of the building being desirous to have certain knowledge of the place tied a long rope to one of the Labourers and let him down He being come to the bottom found water in it that took him up to the mid-ancles and searching every part of that hollow place he found it to be four square as far as he could conjecture by feeling Then returning toward the mouth of it he hit upon a certain little pillar not much higher then the water and lighting with his hand upon it found a book lying there wrapped up in a piece of thin and clean linnen Having taken it into his hands he signified by the rope that they should draw him up When he was pulled up he shews the book which struck them with admiration especially seeming so fresh and untoucht as it did being found in so dark and obscure a hole The Book being unfolded John 1.1 did amaze not onely the Jews but the Grecians also holding forth even at the beginning of it in great Letters In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God To speak plainly that Scripture did manifestly contain the whole Gospel which the Divine tongue of the Virgin-Disciple had declared This together with the other miracles which at that time were proclaimed from Heaven did demonstrate that not any word of our Lord should fall to the ground Socr. Eccles hist l. 3. c. 17. Theod. l. 4. c. 20. Sozomen l. 5 c. 21. which had foretold the utter desolation both of City and Temple For the truth of this story I am not bound to undertake yet this I may safely say that the main substance thereof concerning the miraculous fire causing the work to cease is true
being attested by grave and sober Authors that lived not far from the times wherein it was acted One having declared briefly the sum of the story Chrys ser 2. contr Jud p. 334. vol. 6. edit Savil. goes on thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And now says he if you come to Jerusalem you will see the foundations naked and bare and if you ask the reason you shall hear none but this story and of this matter we are all witnesses A.C. vulg 363. for these things hapned in our own age not very long since But Julian that great and subtile enemy of the Christians presently upon this went on his expedition against the Persians and there felt the direful weight of Gods judgements upon him for those and other his enormous crimes acted against the Truth Happy were it for the Jews could they but discern the strong and marvellous actings of Providence against them when designing the re edification of the Temple 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P. 337. ibid. saith the former Author in his third Oration against them For once twice and thrice under Hadrian Constantine and Julian they attempted it but were beaten off the two former times by the Roman Souldiers the last time by fire flashing from the foundations They have formerly talked of a third Temple under the Messiah Their discourses are accomplished at this day but in a spiritual way which they poor souls cannot yet discern while the vail of Moses is upon their hearts 'T is the Temple of the Church wherein Christ delights to walk Let us who upon their casting away were reconciled to God Pray for their resurrection from the dead that so the blindeness which is hapned unto Israel Rom. 11.15 Vers 25 until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in may be visited with the Day-spring from on high that even to them the Deliverer may come out of Zion Vers 26. Hos 3.4 5. to turn away ungodliness from Jacob that they who have continued many days without a King and without a Prince and without Sacrifice c. may seek the Lord their God and David their King and fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days Rev. 21.1 That so both Jew and Gentile having one Shepherd and one fold may worship him in the New Jerusalem that cometh down from above 3 Pet. 3.13 wherein dwelleth righteousness when the New Heavens and the New Earth shall be manifest where there is no Temple to be seen Rev. 21 22. For the Lord Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it Aristot Rhet. l. 1. c. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS The Index An Alphabetical Index of the chief Matters handled in the foregoing Treatise A. AAron's Rod. 61 What it noted 264 c. Accursed are dedicated things 108 Adamant a precious Stone in the Breast-plate 302 Adarconim what Coine 2 4 Aethiophians of Africa mistaken for those of Arabia 154 241 Agate a precious Stone in the Breast-plate 303 Alkermâ—s of what made 294 Almond Rod what 265 Almug-Trees 52 Altar its name whence 282 Altar of Brasse 70 What it noted 281 Altar of incense 62. 64 What it noted 273 Altar to the unknown God 247 America discovered of old 224 Amethyst a precious Stone in the Breast-plate 304 Ammoniack-Gumme 270 Angels noted by Cherubins 259 Their Communion with Saints 230 Annual Festivals 112 Apollo whence derived by Plutarch 251 Arabia famous for frankincense 271 Araunah's threshing flowre The place of the Temple 2. 15. 184 What it cost 3 Arke of the Covenant 59 Mysteries thereof 254 Removals from place to place 252 What wood it was made of 253 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Josephus whence derived and what measure 109 Asuppim Gates where 52. 102 B. BAlsame 317 Bases of the 10 Lavers 79 Bath what quantity 109 c. Bdellium what 261 Beasts 4 in the Revelations 5. are Angels 258 259 Bells on the Robe of the Ephod 88 What they signified 293 Beryll a precious Stone in the Breast-plate 305 Birth of Christ in September 323 Bishops and Elders the same 289 Blew in the Ephod what 294 Blindness what Spiritually 286 Blood of the eating thereof 236 Bonnets of the Priests 88. 313 Book of the Law 259 Bowls of the Candlestick 277 Branch in Scripture for Christ 264 Branches of the Golden Candlestick 277 Brazen Pillars 68 Scaffold 71 Sea 73. 74 What it denoted 283 Bread on the Golden Tables 275 Breast-plate of Judgement 89 Imitated by Heathens 310 What it denoted 299 The Stones in it 307 Breeches of the Priests 88 What they noted 289. 294 Bullocks offered 114 Burial in Churches when came up 246 Burying places of old without the Walls of Cities 245 Burning of Sacrifices what it noted 114 Burnt-offerings 114 Spiritualized 336 338 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whence 295 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whence 284 C. CAkes 1â— on the Golden-Table 276 Cakes Oyled for the meat offerings 123 Calamus Aromaticus an ingredient of the Oyntment 317 Candlesticks of Gold 66 Their fashion 278 What they noted 277. 279 Carbuncle a precious Stone in the Breast-late 301 Cassia-lignea in the Oyntment 317 Causey to the King's House 52 Cedar its excellency 218 Of what Use 173 Lepers purified with it 121 Censer of Gold 61. 63. 269 Ceremonies of Old were Types of Gospel-things 176 Chambers annext to the Temple 30 In the Courts 57 what they note 242 Chemosh the God of Ammon whence 152 Cherubins two upon and two near the mercy-seat 60 What they noted 257 Of what shape 256 On the inside walls of the Temple 58 What they signified 229 Chief-Priests 91 Christ mediates like a Prince 314 1 Chron. 6.10 opened 146 Cinnamon an ingredient of the Oyntment 317 Cities of the Priests and Levites 128 Their Fashion 130 Cloven tongues sitting on the Apostles 187 Coats for the Priests 88 What they signified 290 Colour varied by light 310 Compasse of the outward Court 45 Corner-Stone Christ 195. 201 Covers of Gold for the Incense-Cup 274 For the Shew-bread 274 Courses 24 of Priests 92 Of Singers c. 98 Courts of the Temple 35 c. What they signified 238 Crassus his going into the Temple boded his ruine 248 Crook-backt perverse 287 Crown of Gold on the High-Priests head 90. 313 What it signified 314 Of the King of Amalek what it weighed 5 Cubical form of the Oracle what 232 Cubit of what Length 16 Cymbals Instruments of musick in the Temple 96 D. DAvids gifts and preparations for the Temple 3 Daylie service 111 Spirituaâ—ized 320 Dedicated gifts to the Temple 3 Dedication-Solemnity 136 Destruction of the Temple 364 Diamond a precious Stone in the Breast-plate 302 Dishes of Gold for the Shew-bread 274 Doors of the Oracle what it noted 233 Of the Sanctuary 22 What it signified 315 Dove what it noted 325 Drams Hebrew Coines how much 2 Drink-offerings 126 What they noted 341 Dwarf what spiritually 287 Dyal of Ahaz 160 E. EArth's roundnesse hinted in