A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, Book 3 · Part 2
THE DESCRIPTION OF SOLOMONS TEMPLE.
CHAP. I. Davids threefold preparation for the Temple.
§ 1. IT will not I hope be censured superstition,Preface to the ensuing discourse. if at the Threshold of this Temple, we fall flat in veneration of the God thereof, to guide us in the ensuing discourse. The subject whereon we enter is holy ground, may both writer and reader put off their shoos, and devesting themselves, as much as may be, of carnall corruption, come with simplicity, and sincerity to the matter now undertaken.
§ 2. As some previous dispositions,Prepara…ons made for the Temple. and antecedaneous acts are required of a Christian, before he be perfectly converted, and become the Temple of the holy Ghost; so some preparatory provisions were necessary to be made before the building of the Temple was taken in hand. Holy a1 Chr. 26. 28.Samuel was the first we finde, who stored up any wealth to this purpose; and Saul (probably invited with his example) dedicated things to the same intent. YeabIbidem. Abner and Ioab (though at deadly feud each against other) agreed both in consecrating spoiles won in battells t… maintain the house of the Lord. But David exceeded all other, before-hand providing the materialls wherewith, prescribing the pattern whereby, and purchasing the ground whereon the Temple should be erected.
§ 3. First,Davids double oblation. for materialls. Lest he or his son should be recounted amongst thosecLuk. 14. 30. foolish builders, which began and were not able to finish, vast were his preparations for this purpose, in those his two large showres of his liberality, which we may call the former and latter raine of his bounty on the Temple.
The former
1 Chr. 22. 14.
An hundred thousand Talents of gold, and … thousand thousand talents of silver, and of brass and iron without weight.
The latter
1 Chr. 29 4. 7.
Three thousand talents of gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, given by David of his own proper goods. Besides given by the Princes of the people, of gold fiv… thousand talents, and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and an hundred thousand talents of iron.
In the first oblation was given what they had suddainly gotten by their valour, in the latter, what they had leasurely advanced by their diligence. In the first their own, but taken from their enemies; in the latter their own, but saved from themselves: in bothd1 Chr. 29. 16. Gods own, as David confesseth, who first bestowed it on them, and they now restored it to his service.
§ 4. Come we now to examine how much a Talent, The value of a Jewish talent.in Hebrew Chichar, did contain. Whereof in Scripture we finde these generalls.
1 One man could not conveniently carry two Talents, and therefore e2 King. 5. 23.Naaman bound two Talents of silver in two bags, and laid them upon two of his servants.
2 One man might easily beare one Talent, not onelyonly on his back, but on his head, and that not as a burden, but ponderous ornament. Thus the Crown of the King of Ammon, afterwards worn by David, f2 Sam. 12. 30.weighed a Talent, besides precious stones. Except any will say, that the heaviness thereof rested more on the subjects hands, then on the Soveraigns head, who by grandsergeantry ma… be presumed to support the same.
3 Probably … …ontained more then ten thousand Adarconim, (or drams, as …r translations render it) because in theg1 Chr. 29. 7. aforesaid text, after entire talents were reckoned up, these drams follow as a fraction or broken sum, not amounting to a whole talent.
4 The particular value thereof may be collected out ofhExod. 38. 26. demonstrated by Brerewood d… num. Iud. c. 4 Exodus, that every talent contained three thousand shekels, or fifteen hundred ounces, which in gold according to three pound the ounce, amounteth to four thousand five hundred pound of English money.
According to this standard the hundred thousand talents of gold given by David in the first oblation, make up four hundred and fifty millions, as an excellentiIdem ca. 5. Critick hath accounted it.
§ 5. Here as that infidell Prince conceived,Talent sometimes taken for a smaller sum. ifk2 King. 7. 19. windows were made in heaven, such plenty of food could not follow in Samaria as the Prophet foretold; so more will be of the minde, that if Pluto should let open all his trap-doors, melt all his mines into money, so great a sum could not suddainly be advanced. This hath given the ground to their probable opinion, who conceive that Talent in the first oblation of David is there taken onelyonly for a plain or flat plate of gold of small value,(as anciently inlIliad. lib. 23. Homer it passeth in the same acception) whilest in the second offe…ing Talent is used in the exact and strict notion, according to the full value aforesaid, whose judgement is strengthened by the following arguments.
1 Surely Solomon was them1 Kin. 10. 23. richest of all the Kings of Israel before or after him, bu… verily I say unto you, that Solomon in all his wealth and trienniall returns from Tarshish, was far inferiour to David, if the Talents there mentioned were full and entire according to the first computation.
2 What is said of our Saviours deeds by way of hyperbole, that if they nJoh. 21. 25.were all written, the world it self could not contain the books that should be written, may be literally affirmed of Davids treasure in the first oblation. For as the silver there mentioned was tenfold more then the gold; so if it be allowed (what in moderate propor…ion cannot be denied) that the unweighed Brass was tenfold to the Silver, and the Iron to the Brass, the whole content of theoSee Ludovicus de Aleaser de mensuris sacris. Temple was not sufficient to comprehend so mighty a mass.
3 Though the second offering of David was far short of the first in number of Talents, yet it is beheld in Scripture as most solemn and of highest importance. At the presenting whereof greatest gratitude to God, and mutuall exultation amongst men was p1 Chr. 29. 9.expressed. This insinuates that at this rere-account, the Talents were Talents indeed, and though in number fewer, in worth more considerable then the former.
Wherefore though we conceive not the long life of the Patriarchs a sufficient cause (as some doe) to expound their age of lunary years, yet the strength of these reasons carry our beliefe along with them to contract the accep…ion of talents in the first account, as is above stated.
§ 6. But to close up all concerning Talents: A talent afterwards a vast sum.It was so great a sum, that though now so many thousands of them abounded in Ierusalem, yet after wards in the reign of Iehojakim, one talent of gold and an hundred talents of silver, was found and felt an heavy annuall taxation for the whole City of Ierusalem and kingdome of Iudah to pay. Insomuch, that he q2 King. 23. 35.exacted it of every one in the land, to make up that sum for the King of Egypt So great is the difference betwixt the same place, when flowing with wealth, and when exhausted with war.
§ 7. After all these preparations made,Davids holy complement. let not Davids expression be condemned of complement, Now behold, in my r1 Chr. 22. 14.poverty I have provided for the house of the Lord &c. as if he were like those fond ente…tainers, who having forraged the elements of aire, earth and water for provision for their guests, still excuse their cheer for being no better. His words were indited from an humble heart, finding his deeds so far short of his desires, of Gods deserts. Thus those who have given a little to God, think they have given much, whilest such as have given much, know they have given but a little.
§ 8. Here it will be demanded,Why no restraint of p…oples bounty in building the Temple. that seeing at the building of the Tabernacle, peoples bounty was refrained with a flatsExod. 36. 6. prohibition to bring in no more, why no such restraint appears at the building of the Temple, where far greater masses of metall were presented for the erection thereof. But it is answered, that moderate or competent state best became the Tabernacle, resembling the kingdome of grace; whilest the Temple was not capable of excess in magnificence, representing the kingdome of glory. No hands could contribute too much to the Type, where no heart can conceive enough of the truth, the things which God hath prepared t1 Cor. 2. 9.for them that love him, not entering into humane imagination.
§ 9. Besides these materialls,Modell of the Temple made Iure divino. David prescribed the modell, which he gave to Solomon his son, the pattern of the porch and of the houses thereof, and of the treasures thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the palace of the Mercy-seat, and the pattern of all that he had by the u1 Chron. 28. 11, 12. 19.Spirit. And it followeth not far after, All this (said David) the Lord made mee to understand in writing, by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern. Here David for the more certainty, had a double direction, one by the Spirit, the other by writing, to stand on record in perpetuam rei memoriam. These two did not contradict, but confirm each other, because he, who hath learned his lesson most perfectly by heart, may notwithstanding sometimes have need to have recourse unto, and make use of his notes.
§ 10. However herein the note of the Geneva translation is very considerable, Obs…rve the notes in the Geneva transl…tion.thus glossing on the text. For all this was left in writing in the book of the Law, Exod. 15. 40. which book the King was bound to put in execution. Deut. 17. 19. Thus making David not by propheticall revelation, but prudentiall collection, to arrive at the knowledge of the Prototype of the Temple, by a writing, being (no new or immediate manuscript from heaven, but) the ancient Scripture, delivering the modell, and dimensions of the Tabernacle to Moses. Yet so, that the dead letter in the word, was quickened and enlivened in Davids heart by Gods Spirit, teaching him to observe a generall conformity betwixt the Tabernacle and Temple, yet with those due and necessary alterations, as were requisite betwixt the one a small and moveable fabrick, and the other a large and standing structure. An interpretation easier cavilled at, then confuted, because such the Analogy betwixt these two edifices.
—Facies non una duabus,
Nec diversa tamen, qualis decet esse sororum.
Their faces neither diverse, nor the same,
But such as sisters very well became.
The latter being none other, then the imitation of the former with proportionable addition: as indeed what is the Tabernacle of Grace, but the Temple of Glory contracted; or the Temple of Glory, but the Tabernacle of Grace dilated?
§ 11. This *Solomon was not so pattern-bound as Moses pattern was imparted to David, (who had the holier, though Solomon the larger heart) and no doubt his son exactly observed the same. Yet can I not beleeve that Solomon was altogether so pattern-bound, as Moses, who was so confined to hiswExod. 25. 40. Act. 7. 44. Heb. 8. 5. instruction, that his hand might not write a letter, yea not make a flourish, more then was in his Copy: And a knop or flower in the Candlestick under or over, was a mortall transgression. More probable it is, that Hirams fancy, (Solomons Architect) was not pressed in all particulars, but was left a volunteire for some descants of Art, whilest for the main, he kept himself to the ground-work prescribed unto him.
§ 12. Besides materialls, The …loor of the Temple purchased by David.and modell, David purchased the floor whereon the Temple was erected; a floor paved with mysteries. Here on mount Moriah, an AngellxGen. 22 2. & 12. stayed the stretched-out hand of Abraham from killing Isaac, and in the same place, God stayed they2 Sam. 24. 16. sword of the destroying Angell, from slaying the Israelites with the pestilence. No place therefore more precious, more cordiall, or soveraign to build a Temple in, then this, which was twice confirmed with Probatum est, stamped with a double impression of Gods favour upon it. This floor David bought of Araunah the Iebusite, from whom he would not take it of gift, that hereafter it might not be said, that the Temple had no better title to the ground whereon it was built, then the meer gratuity of such a man, whom most conceive to be but a Pagan. Indeed a main matter to make a structure stand firme, is to found it on ground lawfully purchased, and honestly payed for, otherwise that floor, which for substance is a rock, will in point of right be found but a sandy foundation.
§ 13. On this place David built an Altar,An Altar here first built by David. giving it this large character, This z1 Chr. 22. 1.is the house of the Lord God, and this is the Altar of the burnt-offering for Israel. Now as the heart is the Primum vivens in a creature; so this Altar was the first thing erected in the Temple, though for the present made of such mean matter as that hasty occasion would give leave. Here it stood many years after, even untill the brazen Altar of a firmer Fabrick was substituted in the room thereof. Either to this did Ioab fly, and caught hold in vain of the horns thereof, (three years before the Temple was built) or else to some other Altar near the Tabernacle in Sion For seeing those passages betwixt him and Solomon were transacted in the City of Ierusalem, certain it is, he fled not to the Altar as yet ata1 Chr. 21. 29. Gibeon, distanced some miles from this place.
§ 14. If it be demanded why David thus diligent to provide for the Temple,Why David prohibited to build the Temple. was forbidden to build it; a double reason is rendered thereof. First, because he had been a b1 Chr. 28. 3. & 1 Chr. 22. 8.man of war; and his martiall reign incumbred with constant battells, afforded not a peaceable conveniency sutable to such a design. Secondly, because he had shed much bloud upon the earth in Gods sight, which principally related to his killing of Uriah. Say not that Solomon also was a man of bloud, having ordered the executions of c1 King. 2. 29.Ioab, Shimei, and Adoniah, doing it in a judiciall way, not violent and murdering manner, as David had done. And although his serious repentance had cured the wound in his conscience, yet God suffered the scare in his credit so far to remain, as to render him uncanonicall, or irregular for such an imployment. However, in some sense David may be said to have built the Temple: Namely, in Gods graciousd2 Cor. 8. 12▪ acception of the readiness of his will for the performance thereof.
CHAP. II. An army of workmen imployed by Solomon in the building of the Temple.
§ 1. NOw Solomon his son being a peaceable Prince,The Halcyon days of Solomon. as his name imports, in his quiet reign began the building of the Temple. Thus as Cryers make an Oyes to silence all noise, that men may the better attend to the Judge when beginning his Charge; so by a generall peace, the rage of all people was stilled, before God in the Oracle did begin his familiar discourse with the Israelites, or the foundation of the Temple taken in hand. Then Solomon enters on the work, employing in mount Lebanon, a vast army of workmen, in their severall distances to advance this Fabrick.
§ 2. Namely,The multitude of workmen. for servile work, ana1 Kin. 5. 15. & 2 Chr. 2. 18. hundred and fifty thousand bearers of burdens, and hewers of stone and wood. All these were strangers, Solomon reserving his native subjects for their purses to pay taxes, not persons to bear burdens. Secondly, for plain work; in which thirty thousand Israelites were imployed, yet with suchb1 King. 5. 14. alternation, that, divided in three parts, they stayed one monethmonth in mount Lebanon, and the other two at home. Thirdly, for carved-works; herein the Sidonians onelyonly were used, whose exact number is not specified: But they must needs be numerous, if we may guess the men by their mouthes, and their mouthes by thec2 Chr 2. 10. proportion of victualls allowed them. Lastly, above all for direction three thousand three hundred were appointed (surely so many officers would suffer no drones to be in the whole hive) to oversee the rest.
§ 3. Such,Two invincible gulfes to swallow mens labours. who admire how so many could so long be busied in such a building, would haply have wondred more, how so few in so short a time could have finished the same, had they beheld the magnificence thereof. Two great gulfes there were, which insensibly swallowed up the labours of many thousands of men. First, the want of horses in Iudea (plenty whereof were brought out of Egypt towards the latter end of King Solomons reign) whereupon massie timber in those mountainous countreys, were managed by the main strength of men. The second was a religious Criticisme peculiar to this structure, all things being beforehand so framed and fitted in mount Lebanon, that not so much as the sound of an Axe, or Hammer was heard in Ierusalem, when it came to be erected. Which exactness must needs occasion many chargeable essayes and samples, before it could be attained. Nor wanted there a mystery therein, because as the moving Tabernacle typified the Church Militant; so the Temple resembled the Triumphant, where those who shall be thought worthy to be admitted into glory, shall have nothing to doe, but to be admitted into glory.
§ 4. Some will say withdIoh. 3. 9. Nicodemus,Objection about the impossibility thereof. How could these things be, that no noise should be made at the erecting thereof? suppose but a bedstead having head, sides, feet, posts, tester, cords, and curtains fitted before, it cannot be set up without some necessary noise. Yea grant their hammers or mallets cased with some soft matter, to bribe them to silence, yet they could not be made so mute, but that the very contusion and enforcement of the aire, would unavoidably advance some sound. Nor were the beams of the Temple so far in love with their mortises, as to run into them, or the mortises so fond of the beams, as to embrace them of their own accord.
§ 5. In answer hereto,Severall answers thereunto. some plead miracle, others exquisite Art, and several kindes of cementing, souldering, rivetting, screwing, glewing, and other devices unknown to our age. As for the Rabbinicall fancy, that Solomon with the bloud of the worme Thamyr *Rather S…hamir. vid. Text… Eber. Lyran. Ezech. 3. 9.effected this matter, most will account it improbable in it self, and unproportionable to Scripture. Others distinguish on the degrees of the noise; small in comparison of so great a work, and not obstreperous to a publick disturbance. But the best interpret it, that no laborious sound was heard from the hewing or squaring of timber, or stone, but onelyonly a more cheerfull, yea melodious harmony, from the happy conjunction, and compacting of parts together, now easily matched, which had been contracted before. This I am sure, that what tongue-tied tools soever, were used at the erecting of the Temple, too clamorous instruments were imployed at the destruction therof, when they brake down theePsal. 74. 6. curved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
§ 6. Besides the two gulfes aforesaid,Solomon consulteth not with thri…t. (the quick-sands of many mens labours) it is also to be considered, that though so wise a King as Solomon▪ would not burden himself with superfluous numbers, yet in this Fabrick, wherein he did personate and represent the great God of heaven, he consulted more with his magnificence, then his frugality, not minding so much how many the building in bare necessity did require, but how many the builders with full authority could command.
§ 7. Notwithstanding so many labourers entertained in the work,Seven years spent in building the Temple. seven years was this Temple in building. Here some will behold the sanctity and perfection of the septenary number, f1 King. 6. 38.so often occuring in Scripture, whilest we conceive this the best reason, why just seven years were spent in the building thereof, because it could not be ended in six, nor accomplished within a shorter compass of time. Indeed almost twice as much time (thirteen years) did Solomon 1 King. 7. 1.spend in building his own house: whereof this fair and ingenuous reason is rendered by hAnt. Iud. li. 8. cap. 2.Iosephus; because he was not so intent and earnest therein, as in the structure of the Temple. It is in another case reported to the praise of Boaz, iRuth. 3. 18.the man will not be at rest, untill he have finished the thing; so Solomon, during those seven years of the Temples building, did not sleep in a cessation from, nor slumber in an interruption of that work, which was intended for the honour of God. Though in erecting his own Palace, as he made it for his pleasure, so he did it at his leasure; as conveniencies would permit.
CHAP. III. Of the generall dimensions of the Temple.
§ 1. THe length of this Temple wasa1 King. 6. 2. sixty Cubites (besides ten Cubits for the Porch,The dimensions of the Temple. which compleat the whole length, seventy) the breadth thereof twenty, the height thirty. Here we may take notice of a manifest difference betwixt the Scripture and the writer of the Jewish antiquities; both for the time, wherein the Temple was built, and the dimensions thereof.
Scripture. 1 KING. 6. 1.
Four hundred and fourscore years after the children of Israel came out of the land of Egypt.
1 KING. 6. 2.
The height thereof thirty Cubits.
Iosephus Ant. Iud. li. 8. c. 2.
Five hundred ninety and two years after the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt.
Ibidem.
The whole height of the Temple was six score Cubits.
A difference which will make no impression on his Faith, who hath read Saint Peters resolution,bAct. 5. 29. We ought to obey God rather then man; Such passages not unusuall in Iosephus; witness when he saith of King Iehojachin, c foreign, being just and mercifull, Ant. Iud. li. 10. cap. 8.of whom the Scripture d2 King. … 4. 9.once ande2 Chr. 36. 9. again reporteth, and he did that which was evill in the sight of the Lord.
§ 2. A Cubit,Two sorts of Cubits. say some, is the length from the elbow to the wrist; say others, to the tip of the longest finger: some making it the fourth, others the sixth part of a man. Some allowing it a foot, others a foot and half, with whom we concurre. But it is mainly materiall, that the Cubits of the Temple weref2 Chr. 3. 3. after the first measure; that is, according to those whereby the Ark was framed, before mens first strength and stature was abated. For as it is hard exactly to define how big men were in former ages: so it plainly appears, both by Scripture and Pagan Testimonies, how much mens might is impaired, and falls short of the performances of the ancients.
Homer, Iliad. E▪ in the duell betwixt Diomedes and Aeneas.
—foreign
foreign.—
Virgil, Aeneid. 12. in the fight betwixt, Aeneas and Turnus.
Vix saxum lecti bi… sex cervice subirent,
Qualia nūc hominū producit corpora tellus.
A stone he snatch'd and threw, a stone indeed
So huge▪ so heavy, two men now had need
To heave it up, such dwarfes our days doe breed.
However we may safely with the most moderate, make the Cubit of the first measure double to the former, and equall to our English yard.
§ 3. Say not that this allowing of severall Cubits amongst the Iews was double dealing,This no breach of the law. and a flat breach of that Commandement,gDeut. 25. 13. Thou shalt▪ not have in thy bag diverse weights, a great and a small. For that ordinance onelyonly forbad the abuse of one measure, a great to buy, and a small to sell with, both being conceived of the same standard. But to have severall weights or measures, where the chapman is acquainted with the difference, and the prices rated accordingly, is neither fault nor fraud at all, no more then for a Merchant to sell by two severall pound weights, the one Troy, the other Averdupois, where the differences of the ounces is notoriously known.
§ 4. But thus allowing the Temple to be sixty great Cubits,Objection; Temple a z…ar or little one. or as many yards, or ninescore feet, long; twenty great Cubits, or yards, or sixty foot, broad; thirty great Cubits, or yards, or ninety foot, high; (all clearly within the house, besides the breadth of the wal without) yet some wil say it answered not expectation, and the stately character given therof in Scripture. Is this that Fabrick which filled the whole world with the fame thereof, which was so small in it self considered? Nothing can be magnificum, which is not magnum, and it must first be great, before it can be glorious. He may be pretty, but not a proper person, who hath not bulk proportionable to his beauty. Yea if Solomons Temple were compared to some structures and Fanes of heathen Gods (as humane Authors give in their dimensions) it would appear as Saint Gregories to Saint Pauls, (the babe by the mothers side) or rather this Davids modell would be like David himself standing by Goliah, so gigantick were some Pagan Fabrickes in comparison thereof. Indeed this Temple is termed exceeding magnificall 1 Chron. 22. 5. But Diana who is styled her magnificence, Act. 19. 27. seems better to deserve the title, whose Temple ishPlin. Nat. hist. li. 36. ca. 14. said to be four hundred and twenty feet in the length, two hundred and twenty in the breadth,Answ. It was a vast edif…ce well considered with the appurtenances and sixty in the height thereof.
§ 5. To which we answer. 1t. The state of Solomons Temple did principally consist not so much in the greatness, as exquisite symmetry thereof, and costly furniture therein. 2. It was abundantly big enough for the use for which it was intended, namely to contain the holy vessells (with sufficient, yea with large space betwixt them) and to receive such Priests as did officiate therein. For the Holy of Holies was accessible to the high-Priest alone, and that but once a year, and into the Holy or inward house came not all the many thousands of Levites, but onelyonly such Priests (to light lampes, set shew-bread, offer incense) as by Lot and course were called thereunto, as appeareth by Zacharies sole staying therein, whilest the whole iLuk. 1. 10.multitude of the people were praying without. Indeed nothing of drudgery was done in the Temple, or what must require many men to manage it, it being neither handsome nor healthfull to croud much company into a covered room in that hot Countrey. Lastly, the great latitude and capacity of the Temple consisted in the outward Courts, unseparable parts thereof of such receipt, as to entertain multitudes of men sub dio, in the open aire, as compleating a square of five hundred cubits, and in the amplitude, largeness and magnificence thereof, equalling, yea exceeding the greatest buildings in the world, if report be but reduced to the standard of truth, and travellers not permitted to slip their thumb in their measuring of yards, overlashing in their relations.
§ 6. To return to what properly is termed Temple,Temple bigger then Tabernacle, and why. the Tectum, or covered part thereof. It was more then twice as great as the Tabernacle made by Moses, which (askDe templi fabrica. l. 1. c. 7. Ribera collects from the length of the curtains Exod. 26.) was but thirty Cubits in length, ten in breadth, and as many in height. Yea, well might the Temple exceed the Tabernacle in dimensions, if we consider; First, the Tabernacle was erected by exiles wandering in a barren wilderness; the Temple by a potent Prince, and his populous subjects in their own peaceable countrey. Secondly, the Tabernacle was in a manner fitted for its foundation, to the backs and shoulders of the Levites, which were to carry it, and therefore might not exceed a portable proportion. Thirdly, the Temple mystically typified the Church Triumphant, and therefore in strength, state, grace, and greatness was to surpass the Tabernacle, the moveable Emblem of the Church Militant.
§ 7. Now how the structure of the Temple stood in relation to the four quarters of the world, is not plainly expressed in Scripture,The Temple stood East and West. but may partly be collected from the phrase used in the originall, where the porch is said to be set foreign before l1 King 6. 3.the face of the house, where Before is Eastward in the propriety of the Hebrew tongue. Hence all expositors, Jewish and Christian, confidently place the ends or length of the Temple East and West, the sides or breadth thereof North and South, making the porch or entrance on the East end, the inward house in the middle, and the Holy of Holies in the West end of the Temple, which severall parts we come now orderly to describe.
CHAP. IV. Of the fair Porch at the entrance of the Temple.
§ 1. THe Porch, in Latine porticus, & vestibulum, The dimensions of the porch.in Hebrew Ulam, (which name the Septuagint retain) gave a stately entertainment to such as entered into the Temple. In the book ofa1 King. 6. 3. Kings we meet with the length, and breadth thereof, but no height there mentioned: Inb2 Chr. 3. 4. Chronicles we finde the length and height of it, whilest there the breadth is omitted; by putting both together we may spell the perfect dimensions thereof. Thus, those who hope for exact intelligence from heaven, must peruse, and compare all expresses dispatched thence. Yea, in the new Testament, Gods message is whole, but not wholly by one messenger, so that, what is wanting in one, is supplied in another Evangelist. This Porch was twenty Cubits in*The flying …oll. Zach. 5. 2. was just ad… quate to this porch, in length and breadth twenty Cubits long and ten borad. length (according to the breadth of the house) ten in breadth, and an hundredc2 Chron. 3. 4. & twenty in height, mounting tower-like above the rest, being four times as high, as the body of the Temple.
§ 2. Some will say with covetous Iudas, Such a tower not useless.To dMa…. 26. 8. & Ioh. 12. 4.what purpose was this wast? seeing the inside thereof was but an useless vacuity, not having any bells therein (trumpets being the onelyonly bells of the Hebrews to summon their assemblies) and that otherwise it was for no service. But know, that is not empty, which is full of ornament; nor idle, which stands both for strength, and state. If an elegant exordium be so usefull in an oration, to gain the ears of the Auditors; no less gracefull a fair front in a building, to win the eyes of the beholders. Nor was Solomon minded like many in after-ages, who cut down all top-masts from the ship of Christs Church (politickly pretending a tempest, and that all is done for her safety) and make her close notted to the very keel; but, his large hart and hand, cared not what he expended on the magnificence of Gods House.
§ 3. Here I cannot but admire,The Temple not so high as the Porch. to see legionscReckoned up by Ribera de Templo. li 1. c. 2. with whom he seemethto concur. of learned men, extend and cary on the aforesaid height, of an hundred and twenty Cubits (appropriated in the text to the porch alone) even to the whole fabrick of the Temple, making the entire body thereof of an uniform height, equall with the porch. Where, to excuse them from inconveniences, they make the lower Temple to reach to the first loft, roof, or seeling of Cedar, over which they fancy an upper house of equall proportion, the roof whereof ranged even with the porch in height; so making a Duplicate, or all the rooms of the Temple to be double, one on the floor, the other in the upper story. Indeed we read in Solomons song of a sort of sheepfCant. 4. 2. whereof every one bare twins, but that such gemination was here in the Temple, is altogether improbable, Scripture being silent of that second, or upper story, nor mentioning any use, for which it was intended, and confining the height of the Temple to just thirty g1 King 6. 2.Cubits. Well therefore may we suspect some flaw, or crack in those spectacles, which represent the Temple thus double, against the simplicity of the text, to the unprejudiced readers thereof.
§ 4. To return to the porch;Bede his conceit. fair (no doubt) was the door or gate leading thereinto, though very bold is the assertion of venerable Bede, hIn lib. qu…st. in lib. Regum quaest. 12.affirming that it was so great, that, standing full east, the equinoctiall Sun without any obstacle, did send his beams through the door of the Temple, and Oracle, into the very Ark which was within the Holy of Holies. But, grant the gate very great in the porch, surely the sun-shine could not penetrate so far, being intercepted by the partition. It being improbable, that the door of the Oracle was ever left open, that mysterious place being unenterable, as well for the eyes, as feet of any, save the high-Priest alone. Otherwise, needless was the renting of the vail at our Saviours passion,Luk. 23. 45. if the passage into the Holy of Holies was pervious at all times, or if the gate thereof did usually stand open.
§ 5.The porch how overlaid with gold. This porch (as the words lay plain in the text) Solomonk2 Chr. 3. 4. overlaid within with pure gold. However interpreters expound these words (though next in position to the porch) rather to reach over in their relation, to other more inward parts of the Temple, conceiving it too vast and needless an expence, to overlay a tower six score Cubits high within with gold. But, ill fare covetous Commentatours on a liberall text. Solomon will give them small thanks for their great thrift; to spare his cost, and at once to spoile both the letter of the text, and the lustre of his Temple. We conclude it overlaid with pure gold, that is, gilded all over, but being silver within; so reconciling it to another place, where David is said to have providedl1 Chr. 29. 4. seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withall. Thus it took the denomination of gold, from that metall which was most precious, and most visible on the surface thereof.
§ 6. Let none here condemn me, for grudging the Temple her glory, thus debasing the gold thereof into silver-gilt. For mine own part, as Moses wished all Gods peoplemNum. 11. 29. Prophets; it would not offend me, if all Gods House were pearles, mine eyes are not so bleared with envy, as to smart at the shining of Solomons Temple. But a due decorum must be observed in this edifice, and one place of Scripture must not be advanced, to depress another. And, seeing there were degrees in holiness, why not also gradations in gallantry, between the severall rooms of the Temple? So that all three might be overlaid with pure gold; the porch with leafe, the inward house with plate, the Holy of Holies with the most refined gold of Parvaim.
CHAP. V. Of the Holy, or outward Temple.
§ 1. WE advance now from the Porch into the next room,The names and dimensions thereof. called foreign Hechal the Temple, (because the largest part thereof) as also foreign the greater n2 Chr. 3. 5.house, by Tremellius templum anterius, by others interior domus, the inward-house, (namely in respect of the porch) which had fortyo1 King. 6. 17. Cubits in the length, while the breadth and height thereof, was adequate to the generall dimensions of the Temple.
§ 2. The foundation of this Temple (as of the whole structure) consisted of great costly hewed stones, The foundation of the Temple.brought thither by the Kingsp1 King. 5. 17. command. Here if the vulgar Latine hath Lapides pretiosos, we must not understand gems and jewels thereby; for, the burying of such shining beauties under ground, what had it been else, but the putting of a candle under a bushell? Besides, such are by nature too small for that service, and it was the prerogative royall of the new Ierusalem, which came down from heaven, to have the foundation of that City qRevel. 21. 19.garnished with all manner of pretious stones. Conceive them here stones of price, on whose polishing much cost was expended to make them no less fair to …ight, then firme for substance. For, Solomon, who built not for ostentation, but true magnificence, did not worship God onelyonly with eye-service; but was carefull, that the under-ground work of the Temple should be as well specious, as strong; knowing, that the same God saw both the secret of his heart, and bottome of his house. To lesson us in our spirituall edifices, 1 Tim. 6. 19.to lay up in store for our selves a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternall life.
§ 3. How thick the walls of the Temple were,The thickness of the walls. is not expressed in Scripture. Villalpandus out of Ezekiel colle…teth the breadth of the wall to be six Cubits,sIn Ezek. cap. 41. ver. 5. but how truely, I will not determine; whilest Peter Comestor, without giving any reason, makes the wa…en Cubits thick; more, I beleeve, then an Architect will allow proportionable; not to say, how many quarries of stone so much solid wall would superfluously devou…e. We are well assured (though insisting on no …et measure) it was built most substantiall of it self (had not the sins of the people infeebled it) with breadth suitable to such an height, to which it was to be raised, and such a burden, which it was to support.
§ 4. This wall had the out-side thereof made of stone, The threefold matter of the wall.for strength; the middle of Cedar, for beauty; the in-side of gold, for magnificence. The Cedar was so curiously carved with imagery of flowers, t1 Kings 6. 18. & 29.Palmes, and Cherubims, that the walls of this house seemed at the same time, a Garden of flowers, a Grove of trees, yea and a Paradise of Angels. Nor was all this flowretry, and other celature on the Cedar, lost labour, because concealed, when covered with gold. Indeed, had such graving been either in-laid, or flat-work, the superinduction of the gold had hid it, from any to behold it; but those figures being outwardly imbossed with visible prominencies, the plate of the purest and most flexible metall, applyed it self so close to each lineament in the sculpture, that it set off, and expressed the carved work with advantage, abating nothing of the cunning, and adding much to the cost thereof.
§ 5.The severall shapes of Cherubims. But being here to enquire into the forms of these Cherubims, I am utterly dishea…tened with that passage in Iosephus uAnt. Iud. lib. 8. cap. 2.speaking of their shapes, foreign, none can conceive or express what kind of creatures they were. Notwithstanding, many learned men are very peremptory in assigning their shapes, but no more agreeing in their severall opinions, then Men, Women, Children, Lions, Eagles, Oxen, are one like to another. In all which forms I finde Cherubims represented by severall Authours, grounding them on the vision inwEzek. 1. 5. Ezekiel. Haply they assumed severall shapes, not always fixt to one figure, but preferring that forme for the time being, which suited best with their present service. Appearing, when sent to treat, Men; when to terrifie, Lions; when to show strength, Oxen; when to use swiftness, Eagles. But for certainty herein, the surest way, to know the fashion of these celestiall creatures, is to live and dye in Gods fear and favour; and then, shall we not onelyonly see, but in some sort be Cherubims our selves, foreign fellow-commoners with Angels (as ourxLuk. 20. 36. Saviour saith) and sharers with them in glorious immortality.
§ 6.The door leading into the Temple. Of the same curiosity fory1 King. 6. 35. carving, were the two doors with folding leaves, but made of fir-tree, and overlaid with gold, which lead out of the porch into the Temple. The workmanship of these doors, and of the wall being in all particulars so like, that when they were shut, no breach or interruption appeared in the graving, but a fair continuation thereof. Posts of olive-treezIbid. ver. 33. four-square were made for those doors to turn upon.
§ 7.The gorgeous floor thereof. The floor hereof was made of boards1 King. 6. 16. of fir (onelyonly as stifning in the middle) and they were faced and lined with gold on both sides. So soundeth the text to the plain reader thereof,bIbid. ver. 30. and the floor of the house he overlaid with gold within and without. But Tremellius cVid. ejus annot. in locum.expoundeth this within and without, not, above and beneath the boards (theseeming sense of the words) but, tam in adyto quàm in templo, both within the Oracle, as also without, in this Temple or great house.
§ 8. Some will say,Plain but of pure gold. this was not so proper, that the pavement of the house should be as rich as the roof thereof. But this must be imputed to the poverty of nature, not affording more precious metal, seeing worse the gold was too bad for the floor, and better could not be had for the roof. Yet the foresaid pavement though of gold must be presumed plain, without any carving, otherwise the inequality of the sculpture had rendered it uneasie to be walked upon. Here the Priests feet were taught to trample on worldly wealth; and surely, one meanes to move God to dRom. 16. 20.tread Satan under our feet, is to make a foot-stool of this temporall Mammon, being one of his principall baites, and most pernicious temptations.
§ 9. Windows were also made in the Temple, but how many,Windows in the Temple. is not exactly specified. The fewer would serve the turn, because of the abundance of artificiall lamps constantly burning therein. Indeed, some competent darkness raiseth devotion; for, though thate1 Tim. 6. 16. unapproachable light which no meer man hath or can see, doth heighten, and elevate the zeal of glorified Saints admitted thereunto, yet too much outward light draweth out devotion too thin, and scatters it in the eyes, whilest a solemn darkness remands it to the heart with greater veneration. And a dark Oratory (being as it were a room hung with black against a funerall) doth minde such as enter therein of mortification.
§ 10. These windows come under a threefold enquiry.The… fashion, matter, and position. 1. How fashioned. 2. Whereof made. 3. Where placed. For their fashion, the originall termeth them Secuphim athumin, words so variously rendered by Translatours, that the windows which should lighten the fabrick, are themselves the most dark and difficult to be understood. We stick to our last translation of narrow lights; a form found advantageous, as most thrifty to collect (tunnel-like) most light from without, so most liberall to dispense it within with greatest conveniency. For their matter, Rabbi Iehuda an ancient writer (whose judgement Tremellius preferreth fVid. annot. in 1 King 6. 4.above all others) conceiveth them of glass, plenty whereof we have observed nigh Sidon, in purity corrivall with Crystall it self. But gOn Ezek. 41.Saint Hierome will have them lattised, Lignis interrasilibus, & vermiculatis, with worming or winding splinters of shaved wood: in which notion the Septuagint renders them foreign windows of net work. If so, we will be bold to conceive such wooden lathes were overlaid with gold, otherwise it was unsuitable, that when no wood appeared on the walls, it should presume to peep out in the windows. Sure I am, in the second Temple (inferiour to this in magnificence) Iosephus hDe bello Iud. lib. 7. cap. 10.reports, how a Roman soldier set fire on a golden window. However, if one will maintain, that these windows, made as much to let in aire, as light, and (perchance) more to let out smoak then either (caused by the constant lamps and perfumes) were open without any shutting at all, I see no coercive argument, to enforce his beliefe to the contrary, can be taken out of Scripture. Now because the Temple was compassed about with three stories of chambers, each of them, five, and all three, fifteen Cubits high, these windows in the Temple must be made above the roof of those chambers, where their high standing afforded a double benefit, both of clearer light, and greater privacy.
§ 11. The roof of the Temple,The roof and covering thereof. finding no exception to the contrary, probably was flat, built like other houses in Iudea, where men might walk upon them;iMat. 10. 27. Preach you (saith our Saviour) on the house tops. But, if any aske, with what metall it was covered? I am not ashamed to profess my ignorance. A quere, which, by his own confession,kIn Ezek. tom. 2. par. 2. cap. 40. posed Villalpandus, propounded unto him by Isabella Archduchess of Austria, even after he had studied the subject many years, and accounted himself question-proof in all particulars. Insomuch, that non-plussed hereat, he was fain afresh to betake himself to his book, and on second enquiries found out of Eupolemus, and other Authors (Scripture being silent therein) that it was covered with tiles of brass (no more contradiction, then l1 King. 22. 11.hornes of Iron mentioned in Scripture) which, squammato opere, in scalework, lay one over another. A thing not unlikely in it self, David having provided brass in such abundance, that it wasm1 Chr. 22. 14. without weight. No wonder, when we read that in Meldorpe a small City of Dithmars in Denmark the ordinary inhabitants therein cover their houses withnPet. Hcylyn. Micr. pa. 326. copper. This I dare negatively affirme, it was not covered with lead, being so drossie and impure a metall, that not one ounce thereof is mentioned to be used about all the Temple.
CHAP. VI. Of the Holy of Holies.
§ 1. THis is called the Oracle, The dimension of the Holy of Holies.in Hebrew Debir, Gods Parliament-house, or, speaking place, also the Holy of Holies, or, the inner-house. It was in fashion four-square, the height, length, and breadth thereof equally extending too1 King. 6. 20. twenty Cubits. To shew the stability, and firmness of happiness: so that, place the roof where the floor was, exchange one side-wall for the other, Cube-like it still continued the same firme proportion.Homil. 14. in. Ezek. Nor is the allusion of Saint Gregory to be contemned, on the like occasion observing, that so much as the soul ascends in knowledge of God, so much it extends in love to his neighbour; both which meeting together make a square-well-grown, and proportionable Christian. Of the same form, but far less, was the Holy of Holiest in the Tabernacle, namely tenqSee Ribera de Templo. li. 1. cap. 6. p. 28. Cubits square verifying our observation, that the Temple was the Tabernacle printed in a greater character.
§ 2. Some will demand of me,The vacuity above the Oracle how imployed. that seeing the Temple was thirty Cubits, and this Holy of Holies but twenty Cubits high, what then became of the remaining ten Cubits, reaching up to the roof of the Temple? I answer in the words of Elisha in another case,r2. King. 4. 27. The Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. For the main we may be confident, that seeing Christ commanded the fragments of the multiplyed loaves to be basketted up, that sIohn 6. 12.nothing be lost, surely no rag of room, no snip, or shred of empty space cut off from the squareness of the Oracle, was cast away as needless, but was used for some sacred service, though the particular employment thereof appears not in Scripture.
§ 3. It is stifly can vassed by learned men,Wh…ther any windows in the O…acle. whether any windows were in this Oracle; and topicall arguments are produced on both sides.
For the Negative.
1 WindowstVillalp. in Ezek cap. 41. tom. 2 par. 2. cap. 4. were useless therein, which was entered into but once a year.
2 The Cherubims overshadowed the Mercy-seat, shewing thereby these mysteries were intended not for sight, but secrecy.
3 This Oracle was designed for a little heaven, wherein They need no*Revel. 22. 5. candle nor light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them light.
4 It was exposed to the west, or setting Sun, whose declining beams were improper for that place being the emblem of perfection.
For the A…irmative.
1 A totall darkness had made it rather the Truth of a dung…on, then Type of heaven.
2 Theu1 King 6. 4. text placeth these windows not in the Hechal, but Ha-baith or House, which properly compriseth all the structure of the Temple.
3 Uniformity to the rest of the fabrick required, that the windows in the Oracle should be correspondent to those in the outward house.
4 S.xIn Ezek. cap. 41. Hierome is positive, that on three sides. South, North, and West, windows were made, only denieth any in the East, or Porch of the Temple, where the door supplied the want thereof.
But leaving the Reader to the liberty of his own opinion, I conceive them too cruell, who serve the Oracle, as the Philistims didyJudg. 16. 21. Samson, putting out the eyes thereof, to which some necessary light in probability must be allowed, and that the high Priest therein did not annually officiate with blinde obedience.
§ 4. But grant the windows doubtfull, certain it is,The doors of the Holy of Holies. that a most magnificent door of olive-tree was made out of the greater house into the Oracle, carved with Cherubims, and overlaid with gold, the lintell and sideposts thereof being five square, of the same matter and metall. As for the Cherubims of massie gold, with their severall dimensions, hereof more hereafter, in the description of the Utensils of the Temple.
§ 5. The floor was covered with boards of Cedar,Gold of Parvaim. overlaid with gold. But whether or no, the precious stones, wherewith this house was z2 Chr. 3. 6.garnished, were disposed in the pavement, or elsewhere in the walls, or roof, we are as uncertain, as we are confident those precious stones were exposed to view, and not covered (as the rest) under the gold ofaIbidem. Parvaim; which some, from the affinity of the word, conceive Peru, or Peruana. But, we will not be over curious in seeking for the Countrey, which should we discover, all the misers of our modern age, would presently flock thither, to fraught themselves with wealth. Nor is it any absurdity, to conceive, Parvaim might be a Countrey now altogether unknown, where God broached a rich vein of gold for this par…icular purpose; and, the structure of the Temple once ended, stopped it up again, that no other should tast thereof ever after.
§ 6.The nailes of the Holy of Holies. The weight of the nailes used in this room was fiftyb2 Chr. 3. 9. shekels of gold, which Ribera understands not collectively of them all (the most seeming sense of the text) but, that each of them severally weighed so much. I dare not say, that Solomon particularly reflected on them, in that his expression, The words of the wise are as goads, and as c…ccles. 12. 11.nailes fastened by the Masters of the assemblies. But here the quere will be, how could they be of pure gold, seeing nailes of such refined metall will not drive, but flat, because of the extraordinary softness, and pliableness thereof? It is answered, either they were rivetted into holes fore-prepared of purpose, or else they were stifned with some mixture of silver, or copper, not for cheapness, but the greater usefulness thereof. Be it here once for all observed, that, where the Utensils of the Temple, are termed of pure gold, understand it so pure, as the end, for which they were intended, would permit. Otherwise some necessary allay of baser metall made them not onelyonly serviceable for, but more durable in that purpose, for which they were imployed.
§ 7. A stately Vaile was used as a traverse,The curious Vaile. cross the Holy of Holies, which Solomon maded2 Chr. 3. 14. of blew, and purple, and crimson, and fine linnen, and wrought Cherubims thereon. If any demand why Solomon did not rather make use of that vaile of likeeExod. 26. 31. workmanship, which Moses had made by Gods direction, then put himself to the pain, and expence of a new one? Let them know, that the former vaile fitted for the Sanctum Sanctorum in the Tabernacle, was too short and narrow, yea, half in half too little for this purpose. Therefore, it not being princely to piece, patch, or eek the same, another was contrived, as indeed nothing at the second hand was suitable to so stately a fabrick, wherein (as the Apostle in another case) f2 Cor. 5. 17.Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. But more hereof hereafter in the Utensils of the Temple.
§ 8. One difficulty remains,How the Holy of Holies was in the midst of the Temple. where this Holy of Holies was placed, because the textg1 King. 6. 19. saith foreign he prepared it, in medio domus, in the midst of the house, which seems to import, that the house or Temple did inviron, or encompass it, and that the Oracle, like the center, was surrounded with the circumference of the Temple: But on stricter enquiry, it will be found onelyonly a pure Hebraism, & that in the midst signifieth the same with within, as it is judiciously rendered in our translation. Thus saith David, hPsal. 101. 7.He that worketh deceit shall not live in the midst of my house, that is, shall not dwell within my family. O Lord, iHab. 3. 2.saith the Prophet, Revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known. Not insisting therein on an exact middle, but desiring it might be done, onelyonly within the time, and tearm appointed, and promised by the Prophet. So also was the Oracle prepared in the midst of the house, that is, within the same, as the Chancell is said to be within the Church, through which the high and usuall way leadeth into it.
CHAP. VII. Of the Chambers about the Temple.
§ 1. ALthough it be repeated thrice in onek1 King. 6 5. verse,Chambers how round about. that chambers were built round about, yet because in the same place, mention onelyonly is made of the Temple and Oracle, we conceive with learned Ribera, that the east end where the Porch stood, was clear, and un-chambered, having no other buildings about it, to hinder the prospect thereof. Nor, let any be moved, because that the chambers are said to be built foreign lIbidem.upon the wall, as if they were founded on the wall of the temple, supra being there taken for juxta, or contra, upon; or hard by, or over against, as our translation rendreth it. Thus it is in the originall,mPsal. 137. 1. Upon the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, that is, by the waters; as these chambers were built hard by, or leaning to the wall of the Temple.
§ 2. Three rows there were of these chambers. In the lowest,Their dimen…ions. each chambern1 King. 6. 6. was five; in the middle, six; in the third, and highest story, seven cubits broad; and each of them equallyolbid. ver. 10. five cubits in height, going up from the first to the middle, thence to the highest story with winding staires. The beams of these chambers did not lye in, butp1 King. 6. 6. rest on the wall of the Temple, the reduction or abatement whereof, narrowing in, the higher it went, afforded fit stays for that purpose. It seems, the beams were not mortised into the walls of the Temple, because the intireness of that building was not to be wounded with holes, and perforations, which in process of time might fret in, and indent into the structure it self. Speciall care therefore was taken, to preserve the wholeness and prevent all fractions in this fabrick, in some relation to the Temple of Christs body, whereof a bone was not to be broken.
§ 3. It is not expressed in Scripture,The vessels of the Tabernacle kept in these chambers. for what use these chambers were principally intended. Some conceive them designed for galleries, or walking-places; which to me seems too much presumption, for any to take their pleasure so near the holy place. Others will have them used for Dormitories, for such Priests to lodge in, who were in ordinary attendance about the Temple. For my own part, I conceive them imployed for Repositories, wherein the holy vestments, and vessels were safely laid up, together with those of the Tabernacle, which (though not used) were here carefully preserved. For, first, the vessels of Moses his making were not aliened, or diverted to any profane service; such sacriledge being unsupposable in that age. Secondly, they were not altered, or melted by Solomon (of moe and lesser, so to make fewer, and greater Utensils for the Temple) because, the making, as well as the matter; the shape, as well as the substance of all the Tabernacle-vessels were of livine institution. Thirdly, they were not imployed in Gods service, because (some few excepted, whereof hereafter) being calculated for the Meridian of the Tabernacle a less fabrick, thus fel out to be too short, and smal in proportion to the Temple, as in the Vail was formerly observed. Seeing therfore they were neither aliened, altered, nor used, it remaineth they were carefully kept in these chambers, intimated in the text,q2 Chr. 5. 5. where after the finishing of the Temple, the Levites are said to bring up into it, all the vessels of the Tabernacle. Thus graces acquired or infused into a Christian in this life, are not lost, forfeited, or cast away after death; but, preserved▪ perfected, and swallowed up in glory.
§ 4. As for the mysticall meaning of these chambers;Fancy runs riot when spurred with superstition. Bede, rLib. 7•.no doubt, thought he hit the very mark, when finding therein the three conditions of life all belonging to Gods Church. In the ground-chamber, such as live in mariage; in the middle-chamber, such as contain; but, in the excelsis or third-story, such as have attained to the sublimity of perpetuall virginity. Rupertus, in the lowest chamber, lodgeth those of practicall lives with Noah; in the middle, those of mixt lives with Iob; and in the highest, such as spend their days with Daniel in holy speculations. But is not this rather lusus, then allusio, sporting with, then expounding of Scriptures? Thus when the gates of the Oracle are madef1 King. 6. 31 five-square, Ribera therein reads our conquest over the five senses; and when those of the door of the Temple are said to be four-square, therein saith he is denoted the quaternion of Evangelists. After this rate, Hiram (though, no doubt, dexterous in his art) could not so soon fit a pillar with a fashion, as a Frier can fit that fashion with a mystery. If made three-square, then the Trinity of Persons; four-square, the cardinall vertues; five-square, the Pentateuch of Moses; six-square, the Petitions in the Lords prayer; seven-square, their Sacraments; eight-square, the Beatitudes; nine-square, the orders of Angels; ten-square, the Commandements; eleven-square the morall vertues; twelve-square, the articles of the Creed are therein contained. In a word, for matter of numbers, fancy is never at a loss, like a begger never out of his way, but hath some haunts where to repose it self. But, such as in expounding of Scripture reap more then God did sow there, never eat what they reap thence, because such grainless huskes, when seriously threshed out, vanish all into chaffe.
§ 5. For the rest, we refer the reader unto our Map, wherein he may observe a double Alphabet for his direction. One of Roman letters, presenting onelyonly such things in the building of the Temple, as are infallibly founded on the words of the text. The other of Italian, relating to such additions, which, to compleat this fabrick, are taken out of Traditions, Rabbins, Fathers, and learned mens conjectures. We thought it unfit, to confound these together in the same character, being so distanced in their own natures. The Apostle Saint Paul varies his phrase, when delivering his prudentiall advises, from his style, when enjoyning, what he had from divine inspiration. In the former, To the rest t1 Cor. 7. 12.speak I, not the Lord: In the latter,uIbid. ver. 10. I command, yet not I, but the Lord. It had therefore been impudent presumption in us, not to have observed a difference in this our description, betwixt immediate divine dictates, and humane (probable, but fallible) collections.
Here the Map of Solomons Courts is to be inserted.