Of the Head Cornerstone, Chapter 7 (3 of 3)
11 Those other matters besides, were but onelyonly the keeping of a Passe-ouer in the due time thereunto ordained, which now approached: and that it pleased God now to acquaint them farther with his minde and pleasure for many thinges else. As touching the Passe-ouer, whereas this solemnity of the dedication of the Tabernacle reached so neere to the time that was appointed to it, that the people were in danger to hauehave forgotten it, if they had not beene remembred of it, it pleased God Numb. 9: 1-5before-hand to put them in minde of it: and so it was orderly kept in the time appointed. But then there fell out another matter thereupon: namely, that some being Ibid. 6, 7.at that time Legaly vncleane, and in such sort that then they might not hold that Feast as their bretheren did, they opened their case vntounto Moses, and desired some remedy for it. Whereuppon Moses enquiring of the Lorde, had this direction for Ibid. 8-12.them and others, that if any of them at any time after should be so polluted by a dead body (for in such case a Sacrifice were first to be offered, as it seemeth, which would Leui. 5: 2. 21: 1 Num. 5: 1-3.aske some longer time for those that were in such sort polluted, but immediatly before the Pascall was to be offered) or should be farre off in a iourney, so that at that time he could not keepe it, he should doe it the same day the next month following, but otherwise obseruing the order prescribed: and that whosoeuer should otherwise Numb. 9: 13.of negligence slip it, or not regard to obserue that Feast, he should bee cut off from the people. A good warning to many of ours: not onelyonly to such as doe so little regard at all to communicate; but also to such, as at sometime being vnmeete, doe not get themselues meete within such time as heere is appointed. Those other thinges wherein it pleased him nowe to acquaint them farther with his minde and pleasure, were many and diuers; but such as in my minde doe most of all tend (a very few onelyonly excepted appertaining vntounto the Priestes, and therefore reserued to their proper duty) to one of these two: eyther to set some good order for the whole body of them: or else to frame them all in particular vntounto such a course, as wherein they might bee most acceptable to God. To set some good order for the whole bodie of them, we see that care to be taken for them, both Ecclesiastically and Ciuilly also. Ecclesiastically, first in that order that was taken about the Leuites: first, in exempting them, from the rest of their bretheren, to the seruice of the Sanctuary; then, in distributing their seruice vntounto them. Concerning the exempting of them, from the rest of their bretheren to the seruice of the Sanctuary, God doth both tell them by Num. 3: 5-10, 11-13. 8: 17. Numb 1: 47-54. 3: 12, 40-43. Ibid. 3: 14-21.what right he may so doe: namely, because their first borne did fall to be his, because he spared all theirs, when he destroyed the first born of the Land of Aegypt: and then accordingly made his claime for them, and tooke them vntounto him. But whereas the number of the Leuites, of a month old and vp-ward, came not to so many as the first borne of all the rest of the Israelites did, by 273. the Leuites beeing but Ibid. 3: 3…-43. and 4: 1-49. Ibid. 3: 44-5122000. the others being 22273. the Lord appointed, that the Israelites should farther giuegive for the redemption of that ouer-plus, after the rate of fiue Shekles for euerie of them, 1365. Shekles in all, which (accounting the Shekle of the Sanctuary with them, to be about fiue shillinges with vsus) came to about 340. pounds, and somewhat better: and that both the Leuites themselues, and the Money that the ouer-plus came vntounto, should be giuen to Aaron and his Sonnes. The Leuites beeing thus Ibid. 3: 5▪ 10. 48. 8: 16-19.exempted, then was there farther order taken, both at what age they should begin there to serue: and, what was the seruice that then they should doe. The age when they should beginne, was fiue and twenty yeares: and so now (at the first) was Moses willed to take so many of them as were of that age, and to purifie them to theyr businesse. The manner whereof was such, as that thereby they were giuen to vnderstand, Ibid. 8: 5-26.that of themselues they were vncleane to such a purpose, as also themselues must actually acknowledge: and the whole Congregation must make an actuall deliuery of them vntounto that seruice. But then they had no charge to beare the burthen of the Tabernacle till they were of the age of thirty yeares: and then againe, when they came to fiftie, they were deliuered from all laborious woorke thereunto appertaining. For which cause it was farther appointed, that the summe of so many Ibid 4: 1-49.of them, as were of the age of thirty yeares, and not exceeding fifty, should bee taken seuerally of the three Families of the Leuites: the Koathites, Gersonites, and the Merarites; and their seuerall seruices and places set downe vntounto them. Whereby it was found, that the Koathites of that age were 2750; the Gersonites 2630; and Ibid. 36, 40, 44the Merarites 3200: in all 8580. Of these the Koathites were appointed to beare Ibid. 4-15, 17-20, 24-28. 31-33.the most holy thinges, but not to meddle with them till the Priestes had lapt them vp: and the other two Families of them, all the rest: the Gersonites, the Vayles, Couerings, and Hangings; the Merarites, those Planckes ouer-layde with Golde, together, with all the Pillers, Bases, Pins, and Cordes. The Koathites also were appointed Ibid. 3: 23, 29, 35.to pitch or Campe next to the Sanctuary on the South; the Gersonites on the West; and the Merarites on the North: the East-ende, where was the enterance of the Tabernacle, being left for Moses and Aaron, for them and theirs, as meetest place Ibid. 38.for them, for others to repaire vntounto them, especiallie in matters wherein they were to deale with the Lord. EueryEvery of these Families had their seuerall Heads-man, the Ibid. 3: 24, 30. 35.better to keepe the rest in order: Elizaphan for the Koathites; Eliasaph for the Gersonites; and Zuriel for the Merarites: Eleazar (a hauing another speciall charge Ibid. b 32: … 4: 16, 28, 33.besides) b beeing chiefe ouer them all generally; and Ithamar ouer the two latter, more especially. For Eleazar and Ithamar, both were of the Koathites: and so it may be, they fell by order vntounto the charge of Eleazar as the elder of them; or else were more left vntounto their owne proper Heades-man, being the chiefe of those three Families. But it is plaine, that the two others were appointed to Ithamar the younger: and so hee thereby made somewhat equall vntounto his brother. Then was there Num. 10: 1-10another thing that tooke part with both, the ordinance of those two Siluer Trumpets: but yet because they were in the only custody of the Priestes, and were to bee vsed onelyonly by them, therefore may they be so much the rather taken into these also. The vse therefore of these, was, so farre as appertaineth to the matter that now wee are in, to bee founded by the Priestes in certaine of their solemne Feastes: and at some of their Sacrifices also. Those solemne feasts are but some onelyonly named: but some others, as it seemeth, implied besides. Those that are named, are the beginning Ibid. 10. Leuit. 25: 9.of eueryevery month: and once in fifty yeares, the tenth day of the seauenth month also. At the beginning of eueryevery month, belike so to stirre them vp now and then, to more speciall consideration of themselues, and to the worship and seruice of God: on the tenth day of the seauenth month to publish the Iubily then approaching, for which we hauehave a place a little after, more specially to consider on it. Those that seem Numb. 10: 10to be implied besides, are not named vntounto vsus: but it may seeme, that some such there were, both because they were directed to blow them in the time of publike gladnes, and in some other Feastes besides immediatly after, but yet not named. Those Sacrifices of theirs wherein likewise they were directed sometime to sound them, were both Burnt-offerings, and Peace-offerings also; but belike not such as vvere ordinary Ibid.or often vsed, but the more principall or rarest of them. The order that was ciuilly taken, was most of it concerning them-selues alone; but part of it concerning others withall. That which was concerning them-selues alone, was most of it also concerning the whol people generally: but some part of it, concerning certaine of them more specially. That which concerned them all generally, was, the order of their camping and marching as occasion at any time should be offered. Concerning which, first they were numbred: then sorted to their Standerds and places. In that they were numbred first, before they were sorted, Numb. 1: 1-54 Ibid. 2: 1-34.seeing God was therein disposed to giuegive a more honourable place to some than to others, and that not according to the common course neither, that course may serue well to preuent the enuy of some who might euen in the number of such as were so preferred, see that there was, for the strength and safety of all, good reason in it: to which end also, as wel as for their helpe in their busines, it may wel be, that the Heads-man or Prince of eueryevery Tribe, was by special commandement ioyned with Moses and Aaron therein. In the numbring of them it is found, that the Num. 1: 4-16Tribe of Ruben, was (of men only, and such as were 20. yeares old or aboue) to the Ibid. 20, 21, 22, 23. 24, 25. 26, 27 2…, 2…. 30. 31. 3…. 33. 34. 35. 36, 37. 38, 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44-46number of 46500: Simeon, 59300: Gad, 45650: Indah, 74600: Issachar, 54400: Zabulon, 57400: Ephraim, 40500: Manasseh, 32200: Beniamin, 35400: Dan, 62700: Asser 41500: Nepthali, 53400: in al 603550. These 12. who were eueryevery of thē able to make a good battel by it selfe (though some of them were a great deale greater than some other) the least of them 3000. strong; yet were they parted into foure great battels: wherof Iudah had the leading of the first; Ruben, of the second; Ephraim, of the third; and Dan, of the fourth. Now, Iudah was but the fourth son Ge …9: 32, 35.of Iacob, & Ruben the eldest; but Iudah was the greatest in number: he being 74600; the other, but 46500. Again, in the third battail, Ephraim had the leading, whereas Ibi. 48: 18, 19Manasseh was his elder Brother, and ioyned with him in the same battell: but then Ephraim was 40500. whereas Manasseh was but 32200. In the fourth battaile the Leader was Dan, and hee was the sonne but of one of the hand-maids: Ibid. 30: 6.but then was he the mightiest Tribe next vntounto Iudah, being 62700. Those foure maine battels therefore were these: Iudah, Issachar, and Zabulou, beeing in all, Num. 2: 1-16.186400, for the first; Ruben, Simeon, and Gad, being in all, 151450, for the second; Ephraim, Manasses, and Beniamin, being 108100. for the third; Dan, Asser, and Ibid. 18-34.N…pthaly, being 157600. for the last. That these may orderly take their places, they are first directed how to do it in their pitching or Camping about the Tabernacle where they are yet: and after that, how they are to march forwarde in their iournyings, whensoeuer they are to remooue. In their pitching about the Tabernacle where they were yet, leauing conuenient space betwixt them and the Tabernacle for the Leuites, Iudah and his company were to be on the East; Ruben, on Numb 2▪ 3. 10, 18, 25.the South; Ephraim, on the West; and Dan on the North. When they were to remoue, we are to consider, not onelyonly of these foure maine battailes them-selues, but of others besides: some that were Leaders vntounto them; others that were mingled among them. Leaders vntounto them were, the Cloude and the Arke: mingled among them were the Leuites. The Cloud that we speake of, was first giuen vntounto Exo. 13: 21, 22them in the land of Egypt, as they were to depart out of the same: and, as it was in the day time a Cloud, so was it in the night time a piller of fire. When they were to remoue, this Cloud would then aduance it selfe and be going forward, that Nu. 9: 15-23.way that they were to go. Thereupon must all prepare to remoue. The Priests Ibid. 4. 45-14. 17-20. Ibid. 15. 20. Ibid 24-28.must come and fold or lap vp the holyest thinges of the Tabernacle: and the Koathites must be ready then to take them to carry. The Gersonites must take downe the Vailes, Couerings, and Hangings, lap them vp, and make them meete for carriage: and the Merarites plucke out the Barres, take vp those plankes and all their Sockets or Bases, then also the pillers together with the Sockets, Pins, and Cords, Ibid. 31-33.thereunto appertaining, and make them all ready to carry. The lapping vp of the Holyest things of the Tabernacle was, to see too, after one manner; vnlesse the lapping vp of the Atke did in one thing varry from the others: but it rather seemeth that it did not, sauing that inwardly it had one lapping more. For the Arke must first be folded vp in that faire vaile that hung before it: then must it hauehave another Numbers 4: 5. Ibid. 6.couering of blew silke; and one of Badgers skinnes besides. Whether of these two latter should be the outmost, is the question, for that most of our Translations so dispose of the order of their speech, as though it should bee the blew silke couering: but others there be, that make it that of the Badgers …, Trem. & Inn.which was indeede the meeter to beare off the weather, and so it was with the others besides, the Table of Shew-breade, the standing Gandle-sticke, the Altar of Sweete-Perfume, and the Instruments to these appertaining, eueryevery of them hauing a couering of blewe silke cast ouer them before: then, Ibid 7-14.another of Badgers skinnes after. The people also must all generally prepare to bee going. This warning beeing giuen, then was the Arke to bee Ibid. 9: 21. Ibid. 10, 33. Ioshua 3: 6. Iosh. 3: 4.carried for-most next after the Cloude, and, as it seemeth by the direction that Iosuah in such case gaue, a good reasonable distance before, that so the whol people might better see how they were to follow. Who they were that first did beare it, is, not to be so plainly gathered. For that seemeth by most places to bee the Deut. 31▪ 9. Ios. 3: 3. 6, 8, 13-15, 17. 6: 1…. 1. King. 8▪ 2, 3. Deut. 10: 8. 31. 25. 1 Chr. 15, 2charge of the Priests: and though sometimes the Leuites be generally named vntounto it; yet that seemeth to be but in respect of the other Tribes, and the meaning to be that they should be such Priests as were of the Leuites. But as yet there were but two Priests that we read of, besides Aaron himselfe the High-Priest: and the Ark, being all couered ouer with beaten Gold, without and within, with a lid and two Cherubes on it of pure Gold, those two Tables of stone, and some things else being in it, and those three couerings on it, may well seeme to be a reasonable burden (as God was wont to deale with them, making all their burthens but easy) for foure men. Whereas therefore the Koathites are allowed to beare all the most holy things generally (of which number this that we speake of was certainly one) Numb. 4: 15.it is most likely, that these did it, if not altogether (because those that were Priests indeede, Elezar and Ithamar are plainly appointed to be Ouer-seers to all the Leuites, and to some other such businesse besides as could not stand with this, as by and by we are to heare) yet for the most part without all question. And whereas Ios. 6: 4, 6, 8, 12a while afterward, we hauehave mention in Iosuah of so many Priests, that out of them might be chosen enow to beare the Arke, and seauen moe to blow those Trumpets to the walles of Iericho, and yet we hauehave no such mention (nor likelyhood neither) of any such number of Priests to hauehave in so short a time descended of the Sonnes of Aaron, or otherwise to be taken to that function: it is most likely that the chiefe of the Leuites, especially of the Koathites that dealt with the things that were most holy, are meant to be the Priests that are spoken of there. These beeing gone on, Num. 10: 8. Ibid. 5.then must Eleazar and Ithamar, the Sonnes of Aaron sounde their Trumpets to giuegive warning to the first maine battle, which was of Iudah, to set forth, and to be going, and to march on after the Cloud and Arke going before: and when they were gone on, or set forth from among the rest, then were those Sonnes of Aaron Ibid. 6.the Priests, againe to sound their Trumpets to giuegive like warning to the second host to addresse themselues to follow, and then to set forth, which second maine hoast was that of Reuben and his associates; and so were they to do for the rest. This seruice Ibid.therefore being so specially appointed to those two Priests the sons of Aaron (for which cause also it seemeth, that there were but only two Trumpets as yet appointed Ibid. 1, 2because there were no moe yet that might vse them) it may easily appeare thereby, that at this present it was not they could bee employed in bearing of the Arke also, but that they were of the Koathites onelyonly that did beare it now. But another is heere of greater difficulty: Namely, in what sort the Tabernacle and Leuites were sorted among them. For in one place it is said, that the Tabernacle of Numb. 2: 17.the Congregation shall go with the hoast of the Leuites in the midst of the campe: againe, that as they pitched, so should they goe forward, eueryevery man in his order, according to their Standerds. For so is that Verse distinguished, by the vulgar translation, by Ʋatallus, Tremelius, and Iunius, and by the second of their four chiefe Kings, as Arias Montanus readeth, in the Originall it selfe: (for although it hauehave not such force in al the bookes of the Bible; yet is this none of those wherein I…ā. Cāp… in his G…st. fol. 153.it is directly affirmed to be of force so to distinguish) though two English Bibles that novv I hauehave with me, do both omit it, and ioyne together, that they must bee in the midst of the Campe as they hauehave pitched, vvhichwhich notvvithstanding may bee but onelyonly the escape of the Printer. In another place it is likevvise set downe in the Text it selfe, that when first of all they remoued, and vvere then to put in vre Num. 10: 17.this that was newly prescribed vntounto them, two of the three families of the Leuites, which were the Gersonites and the Merarites, went forward with the Tabernacle and the things thereunto appertaining (so farre as their charge reached) immediately after the first maine army: and that the Koathites, the third family of the Leuites, who bare the rest of the most holy things (the Arke being gone alreadie before) Ibid. 21.followed after Ruben and his company, who made the second of those maine battailes afore-saide, and so left those other two maine armies remaining (which were of Ephraim and Dan) both behinde them. Againe, on the former of these two places we hauehave a note in one of our English Bibles, that seemeth to import In Numb. 2: 17. &c.that the Tabernacle and al the Leuites attending the same should all be in the middest of those foure battels: and those that did set that note, did not so much trouble themselues as it seemeth in what sence they should take the middest to be appointed to those, as, taking it vp at the gainest, to endeuour to giuegive some good reason for it; so determining that it was so ordained, that it might bee of equall distance from each one, and all might indifferently hauehave recourse thereunto. By which note of theirs it seemeth that they conceiued, that they all should march in their iourney, in such sort as they pitched (for otherwise it is the Text it self) as that the Leuites and Tabernacle should be in the midst, and those 4. maine battels round about them: one before, another behinde; a third on the right hand, & a fourth on the left. For how might it be otherwise, that the Tabernacle could be in equall distance from each one? But I cannot conceiue how this should be but by confounding the order of their first setting forward, and matching after. For it is plaine, Numb. 10: 5, 6, 14, 18, 22, 25.that they shold set forward in this order: first Iudah; then Ruben; thirdly Ephraim; lastly Dan. But now whereas they were to trauell for the most part North-ward (for so the wildernesse and the land of promise doo beare, the one from the other) Iudah, that should be on the East, by going formost should be on the North; Ruben who should be on the South, must now take either East or West: Ephraim who should be on the West was likelyest to hauehave that left vntounto him, if Ruben should rather take to the right hand (as being the eldest he was most like;) and Dan, who should be on the North, must now shut vp all on the South. So, that aequality, it seemeth to mee, would make great oddes in the Text it selfe. Others there bee Trem. & Iun. A… 1593.that seeme to conceiue, that the Tabernacle and the Leuites shoulde in such sence be in the midst, as that it and the Leuites should hauehave two of those maine armies, on each side of them: and so, that all should fall vp by file, as (I thinke) souldiers do tearme it: that is, that the hoast of Iudah being gone on first, the hoast of Ruben which was next to follow, should go vp close besides them, til they came cheek by checke, but giuing (belike) the right hand vntounto them, not onelyonly of honor, but also that Iudah might so keep his coast: next vntounto them should go the Leuites with the Tabernacle, and the things thnreunto appertaining, siding themselues close to the Rubenites; after whom should Ephram come vp, and ioyne themselues in like sort to the Leuites: and lastly Dan, comming vp so too, should ioyne them-selues vntounto the Ephramites, and close vppe all. So, by this order, all the whole Armie should be one maine square battell, consisting of fiue principall parts, Iudah, Ruben, Leuie, Ephraim, and Dan; and eueryevery one of those sutably of three parts again, because there were three families of the Leuites, as well as there were three Tribes in eueryevery of the other foure battelles betwixt which they were. But then making themselues euen for length, both before and behinde, needes must some of them be much thicker than the others: and the right side from the Leuites, thicker than the left. Neuerthelesse it was indeede a very faire order, if we might bee affured so to take it. And, if eueryevery Tribe of the children of Israel, had their seuerall standerd, Numb. 2: 1, …2.as the Te…t it selfe may beare it (though wee hauehave a note, on behalfe of those Bib. Angl.foure that were the chiefe, that there were to them all no moe but those foure) then hauehave we in this order foure standerds in front, 3. in flank, and one moe besides for the midlemost row which was of the Leuites, to be in that row placed, as the best order should require, whether before, or whether behind, or in the midst. But that this order was their meaning, it seemeth to me, that their owne words can giuegive no other. For first conceiuing that the latter part of the verse dooth direct those Armies to come and place themselues at the side of the Sauctuary (as neither the vulgar Translation, Num. 2: 17.nor our English, nor Fran. Vatablus, nor Arias Montanus doo) then they adde in their Margent, Quasi dicat, Sunto castra quadrata: quorum medium obtineat Tabernaculum; sic vt nemo ante eat Leuitis, sed omnes ad latus corum procedant, faciant{que} castra: that is, As though the Lord should say vntounto them, Let your Campe bee a foure-square: in the midst whereof you shall so leaue to the Tabernacle, that none doe goe before the Leuites; but that all goe forward a-side by them, and a-side by them Camp likewise. Allowing none therefore to goe before them, but setting all to march a-side by them, it is plaine enough in it selfe, that that is the order that they conceiue to bee required hereby. But first of all the Tabernacle, and the Leuites could not so precisely bee in the midst neyther. For as I noted before, all those fiue portions or battailes could not be of like bignesse; but were in plaine sight, diuers of them much bigger than others. Insomuch, that the right side of them would cast the Tabernacle and the Leuites so farre from the midst towardes the left hand of them (conceiuing our selues to be as yet in the place whence they remooued; and to cast our eye after them, to see what order they keepe in their iournying) so farre as the moyty of threescore and twelue thousand, one hundred and fifty men (by which number, the right side in that course would exceede the left) could bee able to cast them; which moity onelyonly wee may conceiue, to bee about twice so much as themselues: and then would the whole cast them far a-side, and make the forme so farre out of fashion, as I thinke wee finde not in any course that God hath ordained to set thinges in order. Then also, if we looke to that the people did, though I do not account them, well to hauehave followed the direction that God did giuegive them: yet neither doe I thinke them so wide, as this would set them. For in their first practising of the direction that God had giuen them, most of the Leuites, euen two parts, of three, did plainely put themselues in their iournying betwixt Iudah and Ruben, the Num. 10: 17.two first Armies of the foure: and thereby doe plainely shewe vsus, that it was not so vnderstood then, by themselues or others, that they should hauehave beene in the middest of all. And when we looke what they say to that place, to see how they reconcile the one to the other, there doe wee finde nothing at all that they alleage in strengthening this their opinion heere: but contrariwise euen by their owne Translation wee finde the time to be so specially noted, by Tunc in the verse before Ibid. 18.alleaged, and by Postea in the next that followeth, that themselues do thereby grant, that it is out of doubt, that those two parts of the Leuites in that iournying of theirs, tooke their place betwixt those two for-most battailes of all. Which if they must graunt that they did indeede, then, is it great likelihood, that by their so taking it so generally, that though it may be they did not fully hit the course that was appointed vntounto them: yet therein were they neerer vntounto it, than this course of theirs would hauehave set them. That it may the better appeare, if an hundred men, make ten square; and so, an hundred thousand in all, tenne thousand square: then, sixe hundred thousand, must likewise make threescore thousand square. To whom, if we allow ratably to eueryevery man one pace, such as whereof a thousand make a mile: so may wee see, that they must bee allowed threescore miles breadth to march in; or else that they may not be such a square, as they doe seeme there to conceiue. And in that breadth what helpe might bee conceiued for their direction, either of the Arke that going about a mile before, or almost of the Cloude eyther, vnlesse it should aduance it selfe much higher (yea, and aboue the heigth of other Cloudes also) than it seemeth it was wont to doe? As also if they should lengthen their Files, double, treble, or fourfolde, so to take in or shorten their front: yet so also would it fall out to be ouer great a breadth, still to be serued with conuenient passage; and yet besides hauehave a daungerous and cumbersome length to traile so long after them, as so they should be forced to doe. But to shut vp this matter, the truth is, that though that conceite doe goe vnderunder the name of them both, yet it is but the latter of them that may truely be charged with it: as may plainely appeare by those Bibles that was published by them both together, while the former also liued; and namely in that which was printed with vsus. For in those neither hauehave we in that former place that Translatiō that I noted, to varry from all others in the Text it selfe: nor that note in the Margent that I shewed to bee Anno. 1585.set vponupon it. But contrariwise, in that other place which followeth, both wee hauehave Num. 10: 17.the Translation it selfe strong against that opinion, by so precise setting downe the time, when those two Families of the Leuites did first set forward: and in the fourth verse after, the Text speaking of those two Families of the Leuiets again, thēselues do Ibid. 21.plainly set downe in the Margent, that they had taken their place before immediatly after the first company. So it appeareth, that while they were both together, the consideration of both those places kept out that conceit that afterward followed: but when the one of them was departed, then, the other ventured vppon it; but withall forgot, to take some farther order for this which was like to bewray it. So to verifie the Prouerbe vntounto vsus, that moe eyes see more, than any one commonly dooth. But if neither of these seeme to be the sense or meaning of that going in the midst that there is spoken of, then are we farther to consider, what other sence may seeme most likely to stand there-with. Wherein I for my part could goe no farther, but onelyonly so to take it, as though it had beene the meaning of God, that the Tabernacle and the Leuites, should all goe betwixt the second and the third of those foure battailes: especially, because it is saide, after the first two are gone before, Then the Tabernacle of the Congregation shall goe, &c, so noting the time when they were to set Num. 2: 17.forward, that it might seeme impiety for any, so much as to goe about to looke for any other. And so, not onelyonly our English, but others also of speciall reckoning, Fran. Vatabl… Tremel. Iun.doe certainely read. But then on the other side, it is sure againe, that the Originall is not such, as doth necessarily so require: the particle () hauing many significations; and beeing most commonly vsed for and, or but. And besides the often vse of the places themselues that shew it, Calepine hath it in that sence also: and both of olde, I… et, & antē.and now of late, it is so taken. The vulgar Translation readeth But: Arias Montanus, And. So, by them that place is not taken to shew vsus When the Leuites (together with the Tabernacle) should take their place: but that they also were to hauehave place among them, and that they were the Leuites onelyonly that should meddle with it. And whereas the English translation doth plainely appoint the midst of the Campe for their place, and the best of the others agree thereunto, and in effect the vulgar too, it is good to note withall, that the Hebrew word that there is vsed, doth not onelyonly signifie the midst, but also amongst, and within. By which we gather, that if the Leuites together with the Tabernacle, hauehave their place amongst or within Sanctes Pag….those other battailes, there is nothing in the originall to prescribe vntounto them, eyther the precise time when they should take it, or that precisely they should be in the very midst. Which also is indifferently well confirmed by their practise at the first before touched. For if they had taken it, that they should not hauehave taken their place, but onelyonly after the second battle was gone forward, it is not likely, that so many of them would hauehave taken place before: and if they had vnderstood it, that whereas there would be three spaces betwixt those foure Armies, they should precisely keepe to the middlemost of them, it is as vnlikely againe, that so many of them would so readily hauehave taken the first. The Leuites therefore hauing this liberty left them, nowe are wee to see, how they might best vse it to the furtherance of their businesse they had in hand. Where first we see, it was best for them, in all their iournyings, euer to be within the strength of their Bretheren: as also they were very plainely thereunto directed by God himselfe. Then, when they should pitch, and reare vp the Tabernacle, they were to bee in such readinesse for it, as best might serue to the good and ready dispatch thereof. This (it appeareth) they plainely endeuoured, when those two Families got before, to get the place in a readinesse, against the principall things should come, which yet were behinde with the third Family of them. But herein they missed of the readiest way, that they went both of them together, when as the one of them could doe nothing (to speake of) till the other had done. For the Merarites must first doe their businesse, before the Gersonites could meddle with theirs: and those that could not yet bee occupyed, were likely enough one way or other, to be a cumber to some of their Bretheren that eyther were occupyed, or but comming vp to take their place appointed, and so be no better than a confused company by it. Whereas, on the other side, there were three seuerall spaces betwixt those foure Armies, if but the Merarites had taken the first, the Gersonites the second, & the Koathites the third, then had they not onelyonly placed themselues amongst their Bretheren, according to the direction of God, yea, euen in the midst of them, if any delight rather, so to read: but also they had so beene in best readinesse, orderly to performe what they had to doe. And so wee may hope that after they did: though, as the manner is, at the first they something missed. As also this course doth better agree to the latter part of Gods direction, than did their former. For Num. 2: 17.he doth there plainely tell them, that as they pitched or encamped before, so should they afterward also march or goe forward: but they pitched in three seuerall companies; and so hauehave they amongst their Bretheren (belike to that end) three seuerall places for them. So omitting the opinions of others who hauehave not so much regarded the Text it selfe, thus we conceiue for this matter, that after the first of those Armies led by Iudah, the Merarites followed with such thinges as to them belonged: after Ruben, the Gersonites; after Ephraim, the Koathites; Dan immediatly after shutting vp all, and therefore called the Gathering Hoast, as hauing charge to leaue Num. 10: 25.none behinde, but euer to see that they take all with them. So likewise when they were to pitch and Campe againe, that the Cloude first staying there, those that bare the Arke, made a stand likewise. Then, that all the rest came vp in their order, those of Iudah taking the East, a good distance from the Arke, whom the Merarites following, Num. 2: 3.went towardes the Arke, and there set vp (orderly coasted) all the Pillers of the Court first, then the Boardes or Plankes of the Tabernacle, together with the Pillers thereto belonging; and then went themselues, some reasonable distance off, to the North. That those that were of the Hoast of Ruben, comming vp next, took their place in much like distance towards the South: and that the Gersonites following Num. 2: 10.after, and approaching towards the Arke, couered the Tabernacle, and hung vp the Vaile for the enterance of it, and then hung vp the Court likewise, together with the vaile at the enterance of it, and then went themselues some conuenient distance of, towardes the West. Then, that those that were of the Hoast of Ephraim comming Num. 2: 18.vp next, and placing themselues, about such like distance from the Tabernacle, (beyond the Gersonites) on the West, the Koathites following; first did the businesse to them appertaining: and then tooke their place as was appointed. Their businesse was now not like to al: for, some of the Koathites, we must conceiue, were yet with the Arke, as those that had the carriage of it: others, now to bring in the residue of those things that belonged vntounto their charge. But when they had brought them, they might not vnfolde them or take them out; but now the Priests the Sonnes of Aaron must come, and either dismisse them vponupon their comming, and do the rest themselues; or at least themselues vnfold all, and hang vp the vaile before the Arke, and send the others away with their Couerings. Which when they had doone, and such other things as belonged vntounto them, then were they to part two seuerall wayes: Moses & Aaron with their families (being themselues of the Koathites also) towards the East, a conuenient distance from the enteraunce into the Tabernacle; and the rest of the of the Koathites towards the South, betwixt the Tabernacle, and those of the hoast of Ruben beyond them. Next after whom came vp Dan, the last battell of them al, and the greatest but one; who had also the charge to leaue none behinde if any fainted Num 2. 25.by the way, but to bring all such with them: and tooke his place on the North, in like distance from the Tabernacle as others before. Which distance of theirs from the Sanctuary, before mentioned in the Camping of eueryevery of them▪ though the Text doth not declare: yet may any conceiue some such conuenient distance as was most seemely to bee obserued, and most meete for the people themselues; as not vrging them, either to thrust themselues ouer close together, or to pitch, ouer farre asunder. And such as hauehave any reasonable in skill martiall affaires, especially what quantity of ground an Army needeth to Campe in, may easily conceiue of what distance it was like to bee. One there is, who, by the space that Ioshuah afterward …. Io…i…. … N…. 2: 2.appointed to be betwixt the formost of them that followed, and the Arke going before, iudgeth, that this also should bee the like: but that would make but about two miles square, which I doubt would be much to little for so many to Campe in, neuer knowing how long they were to abide before they remooued. And these thinges concerned the whole people generally. That which concerned certaine of them Numb. 5: 1-4.more specially, was no more but the order that was taken for putting foorth from among them certaine infectious and vncleane persons: so to preserue the rest so much the better, both from infection, and pollution withall. So likewise, that which concerned others with them, was no more but that Law of aequalitie, or of one kind of dealing and Iustice, both for the Israelite, & for the Stranger that dwelt among them: which being giuen before for one particular of their profession, was now also Exod. 12: 49. Num. 9: 14.renewed againe on the selfe-same matter especially, but yet stretching more largely vntounto them in other thinges also.