The Temple of Solomon Portrayed, History · Chapter 2

The Temple of Solomon Portrayed · History · Chapter 2

p. 15CHAP. II. Of the Dimenſions, and Figure of the Temple.

THE Foundation of this Sacred Pile was laid in the two thouſand nine hundred ninety third year of the World current,The Time. in the four hundred eightieth year after the Children of Iſrael came up out of Aegypt, in the fourth year of King Solomon's Reign, in the ſecond day of the ſecond monethmonth; which the late moſt Learned and Reverend Primate of Ireland, in his Annals of the Old Teſtament,1 King. 6.1.1 Kgs 6:1 Part 1. pag. 57. and Petavius, in his Rationarium Temporum, Part 2. l. 2. cap. 11. make to ſynchronize with the three thouſand ſeven hundred and ſecond year of the Julian Period, May 21. being Monday, and the one thouſand and twelfth year current before the common Chriſtian Aera. To which,… if we adde One thouſand ſix hundred fifty ſeven compleat years, thence will iſſue 2669 compleat years, fully ended this May the 21, 1658. ſince the Foundations of Solomon's Temple were laid.

The place of its ſtructure was in the Mountain of Moriah, The Place.within the Walls of the City Jeruſalem, very famous for the intended Offering of Iſaac by his Father Abraham, and deſigned by God himſelf for this famous Temple, when the Angel appeared to King David (at the ceaſing of that fearful Plague for numbring the People) by the Threſhing-floor of Arannah the Jebuſite. In which very place, the King built an Altar, and offered ſacrifice to God. In the room whereof, K. Solomon afterward erected the great ſtanding Brazen Altar of the Temple. The quantity of ground, which this Mountain ſpent in its Circuit, is not ſet down in Scripture; neither is it preciſely and Geometrically determined by any of the ancient Writers, or modern Travellers, that I have yet had the happineſs to peruſe. This is certain, that the whole compaſs of the Mountain of the Lords Houſe was much larger,Joſephus de bello Judaico, lib. 1. cap 16. pag. 746. ſayes, it contained as much more, being wall'd in by Herod. then that diſtinct piece of Holy Ground, on which the Temple and its Courts were built: eſpecially, ſince we find the famous Antonian Tower at the North-Weſt end of the Temple, to have ſtood upon the ſacred Mountain. But as to the quantity and meaſure of the Holy Ground, we ſhall ſpeak in the third Chapter, where we treat of the ſeveral Courts. For our purpoſe is to proceed in the Deſcription, as near as may be, according to the method of Solomon's Architects.

But before we ſet to the main Work, it's doubtleſs expected on all hands, that we ſhould exactly define the length of the Hebrew Cubit, in proportion to our Engliſh meaſure. This Task might have been taken off long ſince; if the moſt curious and exquiſite Labours of that learned and painful Traveller Mr. John Greaves, ſometimes Aſtronomy-Profeſſor in Oxford, had been perfected and printed; which he mentions at the end of his choiſe Tract of the Roman Foot. It's hoped, that perſons of Learning and Virtue, will ſcorn to ſuppreſs ſo uſeful a Piece for the Common-Wealth of Learning, if it be in any tolerable meaſure prepared and left in their hands, to whom his Books and Papers were committed. In the mean time (though I intend not to weave a long Diſcourſe at preſent upon this point, yet) I ſhall offer to conſideration, a ſhort Parallel between thoſe two renowned Authors, Joſephus and Tacitus, in their Deſcription of the Walls of Jeruſalem, at the Siege of Titus, which may give ſome light in this particular.

a. foreign.

b. foreign.

In a word then, to reduce the Cubit to our Engliſh foot: wherein the happy and curious pains of our fore-praiſed Author, hath determined our labour, as to the proportion betwixt the Roman and the Engliſh foot. Foraſmuch, as he with great judgment hath fixed upon the Foot taken from the Monument of Coſſuti…s in the Colotian▪ Gardens at Rome, and manifeſted it to be the true Roman foot, pag. 32. And moreover, having exactly compared it with the Engliſh foot taken by himſelf from the Iron-yard or Standard of three feet at Guild-Hall in London, he found it to contain punctually 1934. ſuch parts whereof the Engliſh foot contains two thouſand. See pag. 22. and 33. It reſts then (upon this ſuppoſition, that the Roman foot and half punctually anſwers to the Hebrew Cubit) that we proceed to reduce this, to Engliſh meaſure. As to this reduction, let us firſt adde One thouſand nine hundred thirty and four, the whole Roman foot, and nine hundred ſixty ſeven its half together; and it produceth two thouſand nine hundred and one parts; which ſubſtracted from three thouſand parts, the foot, and ½ of Engliſh meaſure, leaves ninety nine like parts, wherein the Roman foot, and ½, and conſequently, the Hebrew Cubit falls ſhort of an Engliſh foot, and ½ or 18 inches of our meaſure.

Laſtly, ſeeing three thouſand parts gives eighteen inches, what will ninety nine deficient parts yield to be cut off from our half yard, that it may preciſely anſwer to the Hebrew Cubit?

p. 17For anſwer to which: Firſt, ſuppoſe our inch to be divided into an 100 parts: and the reſult will be, 59 6/15 of an inch;Inches . Parts 17 99 15 0 59 6 17 40 9 which being cut off from our Engliſh half yard, leaves one foot, five inches, fourty parts, and 9/1…: or more roundly, neglecting the laſt fraction, we ſay, that the Hebrew Cubit contained of our meaſure, according to Guild-Hall Standard, 17 inches, 40/100 parts, or ⅖ of an inch.

To conclude, I dare not hence peremptorily determine as to this punctual nicety, that the Cubit did neither exceed, nor fall ſhort of this proportioned dimenſion. For who knows not, that Hiſtorians work is not to act the Geometrician: Neither do any ſober men expect ſuch exactneſs from any, but an Euclid, an Archimedes, a Vitruvius; and not from a Joſephus, or a Tacitus. Therefore, when we read in them the proportions of Meaſures, we are to expound them foreign, and according to the vulgar acception. For in this very preſent point, who would not count it a pretty little Wonder, that the Hebrew cubit ſhould fall in ſo exactly with a Roman Foot and half, without the leaſt Fraction? But that it is very neer the matter, I am much inclined to believe upon ſeveral other accounts: Whereupon as a more firm Baſis, I hope to build a larger Diſcourſe concerning this, and other the like points of meaſures, if God grant life and leiſure.

But you will ſay, What a ſmall Houſe will this prove; that is termed in Scripture ſo exceeding magnificent; and in another place very great?1 Chron. 22.5▪ 2 Chron. 2, 9·1 Chr 22:52 Chr 2:9 if the Hebrew Cubit be of no larger extent. I anſwer, the magnificence is not to be underſtood onelyonly of the covered Holy Houſe, but of all the Courts and Porches, Buildings, and Gates, in and about it, throughout the whole Mountain: which you will find in the next Chapter to be of a very large compaſs. Beſides the admirable coſt, and mighty ſumptuouſneſs of it, which made it exceed in glory all the Structures that ever were in the World beſide.

But, ſecondly, you will ſay this Temple-meaſure was different from the ordinary Cubit, by the teſtimony of Scripture it ſelf; which tells us,2 Chron. 3.3.2 Chr 3:3 it was built by Cubits after the firſt meaſure.

I anſwer: This infers not, that it was built by a greater Cubit, but parallel to the firſt: Whether greater, or leſs, the Scripture doth not determine. Indeed the place ſeems to refer to the Tabernacle-meaſures of Moſes: which when any will clearely demonſtrate to be greater, I ſhall be of his mind. In the mean time, all that I have to offer is, that as uſually in the erecting of a new frame, or model of Government, wiſe Princes of old ſtated and cized all manner of meaſures; and as for meaſures of Longitude, uſually took them from the proportions of their own bodies. The Grecians had their foot from Hercules; and I have read (as I remember) that our K. Henry I. made our Engliſh Yards according to the length of his own Arm. And ſo might Moſes give the Hebrews their Cubit from his own Elbow. Now as a mans foot (if he be a well-proportioned man) is uſually the ſixth part of his own height; ſo the Cubit is the fourth part, according to the Obſervation of Vitruvius. If ſo be Moſes took off the Cubit from his own Arm, or the fourth part of his own Body:Lib. 3. c. 2. it being not probable, that the ſtature of man was decreaſed by half, in that ſpace of time, betwixt him and Solomon, Then may the Cubit prove to be neere our preſent Dimenſion, (though I ſee little reaſon to conclude any notorious Declination in the World, or any of its parts ſince the Floud); eſpecially ſeeing we find, that Seſooſis, King of Aegypt, the Son of Amenophis,) who was drowned in the Red-Sea; as may very probably be gathered, by comparing of ancient Authors) ſtyled Seſoſtris by Herodotus, lib. 2. Vexores by Justin, lib. 2. cap. 3. Veſores and Veſozes by Ooroſius, lib. 1. cap. 14. and Veſoſis by Jornandes, cap. 6. is related by Diodorus, Sic. to be in ſtature but four p. 18cubits, and four palms, lib. 1. which, according to the Saemian cubit of Herodotus, being the ſame with the Aegyptian, or the Roman of Vitruvius, yielding a quantity betwixt 6 & 7 foot of our Engliſh meaſure: of w^ch ſtature, there have been ſome even in our days. Further, in his Calliope, ſpeaking of the dead bodies, that after the Plataean Battel, were carryed into one place, he reports, among other rare and wonderful things; as of a Skull without a future: of a Jaw-bone, that had a ſet of Teeth of one continued bone; and of the body of a man of five cubits length: He mentions it, as a moſt ſtrange matter, worthy to be recorded to Poſterity. Beſides, we find the Tombe of Chaeops, or Chemmis, one of the Succeſſors of Seſoſtris, King of Aegypt, (accurately examined by Mr. Greaves, Pyram. p. 97 & 98.at his viſit of the great Pyramid built by that King) to be but ſix foot, and 488 parts of a 1000 in a foot, according to the Engliſh Standard: As alſo many other Obſervations of his, from embalmed bodies in Aegypt. This Tombe was made, as he relates, out of Diodorus, by Chaeops, who began to rule 1266 years, before the comming of our Lord.Pag. 38. Beſides, we muſt account, that the body being wrapt up in manifold Fillets, as Herodotus relates, 1000 Ells, being ſpent upon one body, as learned Greaves did find in Aegypt. We muſt allow ſome part of the Tombe for this.Pag. 50. Herodotus relates alſo in his Clio, that in the days of Cyrus, Croeſus the Lydian King, ſent to Delphos an Image of a Woman, who was his Baker, foreign. but of three Cubits height; and in the ſame Book relates of Phya, a Woman, that for great ſtature ſhould be a counterfeit of Minerva, to command the Athenians to introduce Piſiſtratus into his Tyranny; and yet ſhe was three Digits leſs then four Cubits in ſtature, Vegetius alſo in his firſt Book, de re Militari, cap. 5. ſayes, That C. Marius, when Conſul alwayes enjoyned, that the Chief of the Roman Souldiers ſhould be ſix foot high, or five foot and ten inches high at leaſt. Now his firſt Conſulſhip fell out in the Cimbrick Wars 105 years before Chriſt, according to Helvicus, and others. Therefore what is ſaid of Goliah, being ſix Cubits and a ſpan, and of an Aegyptian of great ſtature to be five Cubits, 1 Chron. 11.23. I take to be meant of this Cubit. I cannot then but wonder, that any ſhould ſo fondly dream of the declination of humane ſtature, and abſurdly conclude from ſuch a thin and jejune conjecture, that by Cubits of the firſt meaſure, muſt neceſſarily be meant a Duplicat to the Preſent of Solomon's. Others,Cappellus. from the miſapplyed Stories of the Brazen Pillars, would have a Sacred Cubit to be double to a Common. But there's as much reaſon for that, as for two kinds of Weights and Moneys: Whereas ſhekels are not ſaid to be according to the Sanctuary, becauſe double to the common; but becauſe equal to the Standard-ſhekel of the Sanctuary, which was the place for all Meaſures and Cizes to be laid up, as in a moſt Sacred Repoſitory, 1 Chron. 23.29. Whereby we may learn, that commutative juſtice was neer in as high reputation with God, as his own Divine Sacrifices. Nay, he regarded not the Peace-Offerings of Fat-Beaſts, unleſs Judgment alſo did run down like Waters, and Righteouſneſs as a mighty ſtream, Amos 5.22, 24. It were to be wiſhed, that in ours, and all other Chriſtian Nations, that all Meaſures were, throughout the ſame Countrey, of the ſame proportion and dimenſion, according to the Statute of Magna Charta, (ſo little obſerved among us, though ſo extreamly behoofeful in that point, to the publick intereſt, that the crafty Sellers might not ſo conſtantly impoſe upon harmleſs and ſimple perſons, as to the legerdemain of Meaſures among Traders:) Which commands, cap. 25. That there ſhall be but one Meaſure for Wine; but one for Beer, but one for Corn, but one for Cloth; and ſo concerning Weights: Which, though confirmed by many Parliaments, and ſo to be eſteemed a Fundamental-Piece of our Liberties and Birth-Right: p. 19Yet to our ſhame, and the general loſs of the Buyers, is not that Law reſtored to its purity. That as the Jews; ſo might we alſo, have but one Weight, and one Meaſure, and theſe laid up in our Temples, as moſt ſacred things, under the tuition of Sacred Perſons, to be kept cloſe in the moſt ſecure Archives poſſible.

But as to preſent Cubit in hand, one thing more I have to offer about the firſt Meaſure, (ſeeing Moſes was learned in all the wiſdome of the Aegyptians, the principal part whereof was Geometry, Act. 7.22.Acts 7:22they being neceſſitated every year after the overflowing of Nilus, to meaſure the Limits and Bounds of moſt mens Land a-new; as Herodotus in the Life of Seſoſtris, in his Euterpe: together with Diodorus Siculus, in his firſt Book, and 81 Section (according to ſome Copies,) do both atteſt.) That poſſibly Moſes and his People, might uſe the Aegyptian Meaſures: which if true, (though we have no word in Scripture for it) then I will recommend to the Readers conſideration, a notable Memorandum of the Aegyptian Cubits out of Herodotus; holding it not convenient to ſpin out any more time on this Subject. The place is in Euterpe, Herodotus.or of his Hiſtory, lib. 2. In Engliſh thus:

A Pace is ſix Foot, or four Cubits. A Foot is four Palms; A Cubit ſixe Palmes. If you ſay it is Samian meaſure, generally uſed by that Author, I anſwer with his own words in the ſame Book, foreign. The Aegyptian Cubit is equal to that of Samos.

To conclude, what ever the Cubit were, either of Moſes, or Solomon, the Dimenſions of the Temple being deſcribed, not by yards or feet; but under the name of Cubits, the judicious Reader may imagine its length, according to his own moſt exact conception, and ſo conceive the Houſe as large and magnificent as he pleaſe: ſobeit he be careful, that the Battering-Ram of his fancy, do not caſt the Walls, Gates, and Porches, and the poor Levites in their Watches, into the Valleys of the Moriah-Mountain. For the whole Hill, with the Temple, and Antonian-Buildings included, did not contain much more, then about ſix ſtadia in compaſs, as Joſephus hath left upon Record.De Bell. Judaic. lib. 6. cap. 6. What a ſtadium in Joſephus is, you may ſee in the third Chapter of this Treatiſe.

Since we have then a little cleared off our hands, this tough and knotty rubbiſh of a Cubit, ſo much as to our preſent Deſign: let's begin to lay the Foundations of the Temple, and ſo proceed forward to the Top-ſtone of that admirable Fabrick.

The Foundation.

THE Foundations of this Royal-Building were laid with great coſtly hewen ſtones: Of what depth, Scripture is ſilent.Foundation. 1 King. 5.17. De re ruſt. l. 1. Tit. 8.1 Kgs 5:17 But if Palladius be a good Architect, they ſhould be in depth a fifth or ſixth part of the height, when the place is ſolid. This being on a Rocky Hill, as Joſephus writes, we may allow for the Porch of one hundred and twenty Cubits high, the depth of Twenty Cubits; and for the whole Houſe, being Thirty high, five Cubits depth, for the Foundations; and on each ſide, half a cubit broader then the Walls of the Houſe.

The full thickneſs of the Walls are not deducible out of Scripture:Walls, 1 King. 6.6.1 Kgs 6:6 OnelyOnly thus much we may clearly evince, that they were four cubits thick at leaſt, juſt by the ground: For we read of three Cubits abated in the thickneſs of the Walls, for the Beames of the ſide-chambers to lye upon. On which account, we do allow but one Cubit for the thickneſs of the Temple-wall, from above the Roof of the third and higheſt Story of the Chambers, to the Roof or Top of the Temple it ſelf.

p. 20But if we allow 6 at the Bottome, there will remain three at the Top which is the leaſt we can allow; conſidering the height, together with its magnificence, and deſigned duration. If ſix at Top, as uſually moſt do grant, then there will be found nine at Bottome, or 10, as the learned Ribera would have it. I know ſome would ſqueeze ſix Cubits out of Ezekiel's Viſionary Temple, for the thickneſs of its Walls: but we ſhall go in the middle proportion, and in our Figure, adde to the internal capacity the thickneſs of ſix Cubits for the Walls, till ſome Rabbinical Architect ſhall conjure up the Ghoſts of Solomon's Builders to decide the Controverſie.

The Figure of the Covered Temple.

1. The Tower of the Porch

2. The Porch

3. The Holy place

4. The Oracle

5. The windowes of the holy place

6. The ſide Chambers.

p. 21Of the Porch.

BEfore I enter upon the Proportions of this Building,Situation. its neceſſary we ſhould remember the Temple-Student, what point of Heaven the Porch and its ſtately Entrance did face: For which purpoſe, let's conſider, that Ezekiel in his Captivity-Viſion, being brought into the Inner-Court of the Lords Houſe, ſaw 25 men between the Porch and the Altar, with their backs toward the Temple of the Lord, and their faces towards the Eaſt,Ezek. 8.16.Ezek 8:16 worſhipping the Sun toward the Eaſt. Whereby is tacitely implyed, that the Body of his Viſionary-Temple, or the Covered Houſe (the Pattern in many things of Zorobabels Structure) was Weſtward of the Brazen-Altar. If this be not enough, obſerve out of another place, that the Gate of the outward Sanctuary [that is the Holy-place of fourty Cubits long,Ezek. 44.1.Ezek 44:1 as I ſhall ſhew by and by] which looketh toward the Eaſt, was ſhut: Yet once more, when he was brought to the door of the ſame Houſe again, we read, That he ſaw Waters iſſuing from under the Threſhold of the Houſe Eaſtward. For the Fore-front of the Houſe ſtood toward the Eaſt.Ezek. 47.1.Ezek 47:1 I hope this is a ſufficient Teſtimony, being treble-twiſted, to draw any ſober mans conſent to us, ſeeing that the ſituation of the ſecond Temple, according to the concurrent judgment both of Jews and Chriſtians, did imitate the former of Solomon's. So that now none need fly to any Idiotiſmes, or Proprieties of the Hebrew Language for a Sanctuary, to ſhelter the true ſituation of the Temple, as ſome have done.

The beautiful face of the Porch, we will then begin to erect towards the Eaſt-quarter of Heaven,1 King. 6.3. Length. Breadth. 2 Chron. 2.4. Height. Dr. Lightf. Templ. p. 89.1 Kgs 6:32 Chr 2:4 whoſe inward Capacity ſhall be contained within a Line of Twenty Cubits length from North to South [for its length ran parallel to the breadth of the Houſe] and a Line of Ten Cubits for its breadth from Eaſt to Weſt. The height of the whole Porch was very ſtately and pompous, viz. One hundred and Twenty Cubits. Not that it was all empty and void to the Top, but probably had Chambers and Winding-ſtairs, aſcending up to the Roof. But that the loweſt Concameration of the Porch was more then 22 Cubits, and ½ in height may be evident by the height of the Pillars of Braſs, whereof we ſhall ſpeak anon. Probably, the height of its loweſt Room within, might be equal to the reſt of the Houſe, viz. Thirty Cubits.

As for the Battlements on the Top of the Porch,Battlements. we may conceive them to be much of the ſame proportion with thoſe of the Walls of the City foredeſcribed, that is, the height in the open ſpaces, was two Cubits, and the Propugnacles three Cubits, or thereabouts, or rather ſtately Rails of Stone, beſides the more curious Ornaments of Pinacles. From the Top of this Porch I have read, that the Dead-Sea might eaſily be diſcerned:Bell. Judale. lib. 6. cap. 6. which claims affinity with Truth, according to what Joſephus relates concerning the Tower Pſephina, in the North-Weſt Angle of the Walls of the City, which was 70 Cubits high from the ground; and that not ſo high as this upper-part of Moriah, according to ſome: from whence he tells us, that Arabia, the Sea, and the utmoſt Coaſts of the Hebrews, might be ſeen.

This is atteſted alſo by Brocardus (who ſaw its Ruines) that all Arabia, Jordan, Pag. 35. Pag. 36.and the Dead-Sea-might be perceived from that Tower in a clear day: foreign. ſayes Ariſteus, That the Temple was built on the Summity of the Moriah Mountain, which was built on higher ground then that Tower of Pſephina.

p. 22What an admirable Proſpect may Towring-Fancies conjecture to have been within view, from the Top of this rare Pile, which ſtood (as ſome relate) on more elevated ground then any part of the City, and was withall fifty Cubits higher, then the former Tower of Pſephina, where leaving our devout Students in Perſpective, to plot the Land of Canaan after a more exact manner then yet we have received; let's deſcend into the Loweſt-Room of the Porch, which we find without Gates, according to the general Opinion: but there was a very magnificent Entrance raiſed by many ſteps out of the Area of the Prieſts Court. The height of the Arched Portal is not laid down in the Sacred Leaves: But that the Room within was wholly overlaid with pure Gold, we have ſufficient Teſtimony enough to dazle the eyes of the greateſt contradiction.2 Chron. 3.4.2 Chr 3:4 Which Radiant Adornment, might cauſe ſome heſitation, concerning the received Opinion of its being without Doors, becauſe of the grand Curioſities within, which would elſe be expoſed to all Weathers; but eſpecially ſince we find mention of the Doors of the Porch,2 Chron. 29.7.2 Chr 29:7 in the Book of Chronicles, expreſly called in the Hebr. foreign which that they were the Doors of the Outer-Sanctuary opening into the Porch, I leave it as an improbable Anſwer to the determination of Learned Rabbies.

Of the Sanctuary.

THE Sanctuary, or Holy Place, or Body of the Temple, ſometimes called the Greater Houſe; ſometimes the Houſe onelyonly: or the middle-part betwixt the Porch and the Oracle, had theſe Dimenſions. For the extent of its length within the Walls,1 King. 6.17. 1 King 6.2, 3. pag. 89. in quarto.1 Kgs 6:171 Kgs 6:21 Kgs 6:3 from Eaſt to Weſt, it contained 40 Cubits. The breadth from North to South was 20, and the heighth 30. I know Arias Montanus would have it within, to be but 20 Cubits high, parallel to the height of the Oracle; and that there were private Chambers over it, as well as over the moſt Holy Place: but becauſe he, nor any elſe, have yet proved it out of Scripture, we leave it to the deciſion of the Judicious Reader.

The Doors.

1 King. 6.33, 34, 35. For the Partition Wall, ſee the next Section. 2 Chron. 4.22. 1 King. 6.35.1 Kgs 6:331 Kgs 6:341 Kgs 6:352 Chr 4:22The Doors of this Houſe, or Holy Sanctuary, at the Weſt end of the Porch, or the Eaſt-end of this Holy Place, were of folding leaves made of Fir-Tree, and the Poſts on which they hung were of Olive-Tree, made four-ſquare. Now whereas it is ſaid, theſe Doors were of Gold in one place, we underſtand the meaning by another place, which ſayes, they were covered with Gold; that is, with thin Plates of that excellent Metal, which were laid and emboſſed upon carved Cherubims, Palm-Trees, and open Flowers.

The Walls.

As to the Walls, the Out-ſide expoſed to open view, was, as is conceived by ſome, all over-layed with ſilver. For which very purpoſe, we read, that David appointed ſeven thouſand Talents of refined ſilver,1 Chron. 29.4.1 Chr 29:4 yielding a moſt glorious and ſhining Spectacle to all Beholders, though others apprehend them onelyonly to be of white poliſhed Marble.1 King. 6.18.1 Kgs 6:18 The in-ſide of the Walls was firſt covered with Cedar, and carved with Knops and Open-Flowers; or, as it is expreſſed [verſe 29.] with carved Figures of Cherubims, Palm-Trees, and Open-Flowers; and all theſe laid in Gold of Parvaim. Nay, we find that it was alſo in ſome ſelect places moſt gorgeouſly adorned and garniſhed with precious ſtones:Ibid. but of what ſorts, and in what curious method diſpoſed, we cannot learn.

p. 23The Floor.

The Floor of this Houſe was firſt laid with Planks of Fitte,1 King. 6.15, 30.1 Kgs 6:151 Kgs 6:30 and Boards of Cedar, and all over-laid with pure Gold.

The Windowes.

Concerning the Windows, we neither read of their number, nor the particular dimenſion of any: neither their faſhion, or of what materials. A Queſtion might be moved, Whether they were of Glaſs, ſeeing the Phoenicians, Plin. 1. 36. c. 26.the firſt Inventers of it, were Neighbours to the people of Iſrael, and gave in great aſſiſtance to this glorious Work: Beſides, it's ſufficiently known, that the Glaſſie Sands of the River Belus, were within the Territories of the Tribe o… Aſher. But whether the Diſcovery were ſo ancient as the time of Solomon, I have not yet read. What Herodotus hath ſpoken in his Thalia of the Aethiopians, burying their Dead in a Tombe of Glaſs, dug out of a Rock, is mentioned by him, to have been ſeen by the Meſſengers of Cambyſes, ſent to the Aethiopian King: but he doth not tell us of any more ancient uſe of it. To this about Glaſs Tombes in Aethiopia, Strabo, in the 17th Book of his Geography, p. 822. of Caſaubon's Edition, and Diodorus Sic. l. 2. Sect. 15. and lib. 3. Sect. 9. and Cteſias Cnidius in Diodorus, agree with Herodotus, though Cteſias diſſent from Herodotus, about the manner of intombing. To this purpoſe, I remember alſo in the Arabian Story of the Pyramids, recited by the learned Mr. Greaves. That the King which built the Pyramids▪ put in the Weſternmoſt of them glaſs, that might be bended, and not broken, p. 82. All which Story, is by him counted little leſs then a Romance: Yet poſſibly, there might be Rocks in Aethiopia, like to thoſe in Moſcovia, mentioned by M. Fletcher in his Hiſtory; whoſe Scalings might be tranſparent and flexible (and not ſo fragile, as our Artificial Glaſs) which we uſe for Ship-Lanthorns, and other ends. But how ancient the Invention of Glaſs truly was, I have not yet found, ſo as to give any real ſatisfaction. For although Theophrastus (the Succeſſor of Ariſtotle in his School, in the 114th Olympiad, as Laertius writes, which was about 320 years before our Lords Incarnation) doth recite a ſtory of a Glaſſie matter made of Earth and Braſs mixt, in his Book de Lapidibus: yet he puts a foreign to it, that he received it but by Tradition, and doth not ſpeak clearly to the point in hand, about the time of its Invention. Yet concerning the Antiquity of Glaſs, I have one thing more to offer, and that is,Joſ. 11.8. & 13.6.Josh 11:8Josh 13:6 what we read of in the relation of Joſua's victorious purſuit of his Enemies (as we have it in our Text) even to Sidon, and Miſrephoth-Maim; in which places, Arias Montanus renders the Hebrew words thus, [Ʋſ que combustiones aquarum] unto the place of the burning of Waters. Another Verſion hath it▪ [Ʋnto the Confluxe of Waters.] Another, [unto the place of hot Baths] Another, [to the Salt-pit Waters] But Junius tranſlates it thus [Uſ que ad fornaces vitrarias] that is, to the place of the Glaſs-Furnaces, which much fancied the Learned Knight Sir Walter Raleigh, conceiving that this place might raiſe a good conjecture, that the Glaſſie Sands of the River Belus were in requeſt for that uſe among the Sidonians, even in the days of Joſuah; as may appear in his Marginal Citation, in the ſecond Book of the firſt Part of his Hiſtory, Chap. 2. Sect. 1. † 2. p. 282. But certainly, had this Invention been ſo anciently in uſe, Solomon's Temple ſhould have enjoyed the improvement of it, and we ſhould not have found King Ahaziah falling through a Lattice in his Upper-Chamber, but a glaſſe-window p. 24rather, as being a more excellent Ornament for a Kings Palace, Nay,2 King. 1.2.2 Kgs 1:2 it is very probable, we ſhould have had famous mention of this rare Invention in Scripture in caſe it had been in uſe. For as to the Looking-glaſſes of women mentioned by Moſes, Exod. 38.8.Exod 38:8it's clear by the Text, that they were of poliſhed Braſs. Neither read I, as to the time of the Invention of our Artificial Glaſs any determination preciſely ſet down in Pliny, or Pancirollus, or his Commentator Salmuth; or in Polydor Virgil, or Rhodiginus, or in Iſidorus Hiſpalenſis, who have profeſſedly handled the Inventions of the Ancients: Wherefore, at preſent, we ſhall be content with gilded Latteſſes for the Temple-windows. I know Procopius Gazaeus, on 1 King. cap. 6. ſayes thus: foreign. They were of bored ſtones: But I leave that Author peeping through them. For their form or faſhion, it's probable they were of an oblong ſquare, their length being perpendicular to the plane of the Horizon, and according to the mode of ancient ſacred Buildings; narrow without, and broad within; partly for the ſtrengths ſake of the Building, partly for devotion, which is much diſtracted by great and glaring Windows. Much like it ſeems they were to the Windows of ſome of our ancient Brittiſh Churches; as particularly, that of Saint Paternus, now Llan-badern vawre, in Cardigan-ſhire in Wales, or ſome of the more ancient Saxon Churches in this Land. For their length, we can produce no clear teſtimony: onelyonly this is certain, the loweſt part muſt be conceived to have been at leaſt fifteen Cubits from the Pavement, becauſe the Chambers on the Out-ſide of the Temple-Walls did reach ſo high, if not more, as ſhall be manifeſted by and by.

The Roof.

The Roof of the Houſe, we may ſafely conclude to have been flat, according to God's general command,Deut. 22.8. Neh. 8.16. 1 Sam. 9.25, 26. 2 Sam. 16.22. 2 King. 23.12. Act. 10.9. Jer. 19.13. Jer. 32.29.Deut 22:8Neh 8:161 Sam 9:251 Sam 9:262 Sam 16:222 Kgs 23:12Acts 10:9Jer 19:13Jer 32:29 and their practice at the Feaſt of Tabernacles in the days of Nehemiah; together with ſeveral other places of Scripture to that purpoſe. At the Sides, it was guarded with Battlements, and probably adorned with Pinacles. It was not ſuſtained by any Pillars (that we read) either of Metal, Stone, or Timber; which, by the way, yields ſome help, as to the fore-ſtated Cubit: which if it were in duple or ſextuple proportion to what is mentioned, as ſome would plead, the Building would have needed ſupporting-pillars, or elſe the Roof muſt have been built with Arch-Work drawn from the Side-Walls,Neh. 8.16.Neh 8:16 and ſo have proved circular, or foreign contrary to the Jewiſh Cuſtome whoſe Roofs were made ſo plain, that they uſually,2 Sam. 11.2.2 Sam 11:2 in Evenings, took their delight in walking upon their Houſes.

But as to the Temple, whether there were a creſted Riſing in the middle I will not diſpute: but certainly, as to the breadth of the Houſe, according to our Cubit, there's no need of ſuch a creſting, in reſpect to the Beams of Cedar, whereof plenty enough might be had of twice the length of 20 ſuch Cubits;1 King. 6.9.1 Kgs 6:9 onelyonly, poſſibly there might be a gentle Riſing to caſt the Rain-water off. The Covering then was of Beams and Boards of Cedar without: but ſurely the Cedar was not expoſed to the injuries of Weather, without ſome ſlatting, or Metal-ſheets moſt probably. But with what Metal this Covering ſub Dio was, the Scripture is ſilent: probably, not of Lead, becauſe nothing is ſpoken of that Metal at all in any particulars of the Temple. If we ſhould over-lay the Boards with Gold, I ſuppoſe none devoutly given, would grutch at ſuch expence, eſpecially being out of anothers purſe.

p. 25But it is not probable that the Out-ſide did equal the Inner: therefore what if we allow it to have bin ſheeted with ſliver; ſeeing a King of France, St. Dagobet the 11th from Pharamund, (far inferiour to Solomon in riches, i… Villalpandus count right,Gagvinus's Hiſt. fol. 38. Gall. who ſayes, the Revenues of our K. exceeded thoſe of the Roman Emperours) covered the famous Church of Saint Dennis with Silver. To countenance this conjecture a little, let it be thought as proper that the Roof ſhould be plated with ſilver, as that the Walls below ſhould be on the Out-ſide beautified with that Metal, as ſome conceive. Some being a litle niggardly, & ſecretly ſtealing away the Silver-Covering, would impoſe upon the Roof with Tiles of Braſs, thinking poſſibly there was no ſight or ſhew of ſuch a coſtly material, as Plates of Silver in that place: Which Plates, whether of Braſs, or Silver, might be laid on and faſtned, much like thoſe upon Saint Mark's Tower, and part of the Dukes Palace in Venice; as Schottus in his Itinerar. Italiae, p. 40, 47. relates. But let ſuch as grutch at this pomp know,Cieling. that the greateſt glory of this Building was hidden from common or profane eyes, and that vain Oſtentation was no end aymed at by our ſacred Artificers. On the Top of all, I have read in Euſebius, out of Eupolemus, that there were Bells diſpoſed in an Artificial Method, to fright away Birds:2 Chron. 3.5, 6.2 Chr 3:52 Chr 3:6 See Euſeb. Prepar. Evangel. lib. 9. cap. 34. pag. 451. Edit. Paris, Graeco-Lat, The in-ſide of the Cedar-Beams of this ſtately Roof was cieled with Firre-Trees adorned with Carvings of Palm-Trees, and Chains, and over-laid with Gold.

Of the Oracle.

THE Oracle, ſometimes called the Inner-Houſe, the Inner-Sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, and the moſt Holy Houſe, comes next to be ſurveyed: Where firſt its requiſite we ſhould view the Partition between the Holy place, and this Holy of Holies:Partition. which mindes me of what I ſhould have mentioned before concerning the Partition, between the Porch and the Holy Place. That there was a Partition, I am induced to believe; partly, becauſe there is mention made of a ſtately Door with Folding-Leaves, which needed not to be, if above it, and on both ſides of it, the Porch and Holy place were common. Beſides, what an unhandſome and improper Spectacle would it be, to have a Door to ſhut and hinder entrance, if on all ſides elſe it were open. Beſides, I would fain know, what ſupport there was for the Weſt Wall of the Porch, which was ninety Cubits higher then the Houſe, if there were neither Wall nor Pillars beneath; nor Arch-work from the ſide-walls, becauſe of the vaſt magnitude of ſuch an Arch. Moreover, I am the more perſwaded to this thing, by the concurrent Opinion of our Reverend Tranſlators, who tell us,1 King. 6.33.1 Kgs 6:33 that the Olive-Tree-Poſts of the Doors of the Temple, were a fourth part of the Wall. Well then: Let there be a Wall of ſix Cubits thickneſs erected between the Porch and the Holy place, ariſing to One Hundred and Twenty Cubits in height. The place for the Doors and Poſts containing a fourth part of the Wall, that is according to their conſtruction of the Text: This Partition Wall running North and South Twenty Cubits. The 4th part, viz. five Cubits of this, was taken up by the Doors and Poſts.

There remains but one Conjecture more, and that is, as if the words might favour ſuch a conſtruction, as this, that the Poſts whereon the Doores were hanged, began to be ſet up on each ſide at the fourth Cubit diſtance from the Wall. There remains then twelve Cubits for the Poſts and Doors: p. 26which indeed it's probable, were very large, becauſe folding, and divided into two leaves, But I leave both Conjectures to the conſideration of abler Grammarians, as to the Hebrew Text, and more expert Architects, as to the high Pile of Ninety Cubits of ſtone over the Doors, if they be granted to be ſo large.

Now as to the Partition between the Oracle, and the Holy-place, it is conceived generally, that it was but one Cubit thick: (but I ſhall ſet down three Cubits, whereof in the concluſion of this Chapter) being atteſted by the Writings of the Rabbins, in their Diſcourſes about the ſecond Temple, which had its preſident in many things from this of Solomon's. But as to theſe Partitions, 1 King. 6.2.1 Kgs 6:2one thing may be objected out of that place in the Kings, which ſayes, The Houſe (taking both Holy-place and Oracle together) was but ſixty Cubits in length: Whereas theſe Partitions being added, will produce ſixty ſeven, for the length of the houſe; beſides the Porch.

To this, I anſwer; That Text is to be underſtood of the two inmoſt Plots, or Area's laid together in one ſum; i.e. Fourty the Houſe, and twenty the Oracle within; whereas there is no account at all of any of the Walls. Now whether this Partition-Wall of three Cubits thick, from North to South, were built of any rare precious Stones, or of ordinary Marble (conceived to be the material of the whole Temple) we cannot decide. But that we may confirm this Opinion, that there was a Wall in this place, it's apparent, according to the ſentence of Junius & Tremellius, who read that Text [and he made a Partition] fecit interjectum parietem. 1 King. 6.21. De Rep. Hebr. lib. 2. c. 14. 1 King. 6.31.1 Kgs 6:211 Kgs 6:31Cunaeus alſo is flat in the point in theſe words,—Inter Sanctum & Sanctum & Sanctorum murus quidam unius cubiti latitudine, &c. Firſt, there was between the Holy place and the Oracle, a certain Wall of a Cubit breadth: Beſides, our Tranſlators again imply their mind ſufficiently in that Verſe, The Lintel and Side-poſts were a fifth part of the Wall, foreign in Hebr. which one renders, Poſtes pentagona: The Vulgar, Poſteſ que angulorum quinque; The Seventy, foreign, One Verſion of the Arabick paraphraſeth the Text thus;The Doors. On each ſide of the Doors he placed five Cubits length of Olive-Tree, which he made Arch-wiſe, and raiſed the Door five Cubits high, and made for it thick and strong Poſts. Junius and Tremellius render it, according to our Tranſlators, a fifth part of the Wall. Hence, from all theſe Verſions, we may raiſe a Three-fold Conjecture of the meaning. Either that the Poſts were made in form of a Pentagonal-priſme: Or, as ſome uſually, though abſurdly, term it, five-ſquare. Or elſe we are to underſtand it, That the Door and Poſts took up a ſpace of ground, lying betwixt five Cubits, & meaſured from the North and South-Walls on both ſides; that is, they were extended to & took up ten Cubits ſpace in the Wall: which implyes, the Doors to take up as much place as the Wall on each ſide did;Ezek. 41.11.Ezek 41:11 the whole breadth of the Houſe being twenty. The Wall, on one ſide had five; on the other ſide five; and the Doors,Ezek. 41.2. Dr. Lightfoot of the Temple in Chriſt's days, p. 87.Ezek 41:2 with their Poſts, ten; which is the Opinion of a man of our own Nation, very learned in the Oriental Languages and Antiquities.

The laſt Conjecture is this, bottomed upon Tremellius, and our Tranſlators Verſions; That the Poſts and Doors contained a fifth part of the Wall; that is, four Cubits; the Wall being eight Cubits long on each ſide. Thus the Notes on the French Tranſlation alſo, La cinquieme partie de la parof. aſſa, quatre cou…ées. But ſubmitting wholly to acuter Judgments, and ſtanding no longer upon the Threſhold, we will look upon the materials of the Doors, which were of Olive-Tree, and car…ed with Cherubims, Palm-Trees,1 King. 6.31. 1 King. 7.32.1 Kgs 6:311 Kgs 7:32 and Open-flowers, and all over-laid with Gold. The Hinges of theſe Doors, as alſo of the Holy-place fore-mentioned, were of Gold.

p. 27The Walls of the Oracle.

The Walls of this moſt Holy place were of ſquared poliſhed Marble (as is generally received by the Jews of Old) their out-ſide, as is conceived,1 Chron. 29.4. 1 King. 6.16, 20, 21. 1 King. 6.29. 2 Chron. 3.8.1 Chr 29:41 Kgs 6:161 Kgs 6:201 Kgs 6:211 Kgs 6:292 Chr 3:8 was covered with Plates of Silver; the in-ſide with boards of Cedar, wrought with Cherubims, Palm-Trees, and Open-flowers, and all over-laid with fine Gold: For we read, that the Walls of the Houſe, both within and without, were thus adorned; i.e. both the Holy-place, and the Oracle: The fine Gold expended upon the Oracle amounted to Six Hundred Talents.

The Quantity of the Oracle.

The Dimenſions of this moſt Holy-place, God's Parlour,1 King. 6.20.1 Kgs 6:20 or Privy-Chamber, were on this wiſe, (in a word) A perfect Cube excavated, or 20 Cubits high, long and broad.

The Floor of the Oracle.

The Floor of this Oracle was firſt covered with Boards of Cedar,1 King. 6.16, 20.1 Kgs 6:161 Kgs 6:20 and then over-laid with Gold,

The Windows of the Oracle.

Concerning Windows; Whether this Holy of Holies had any or not, the Scripture is very dark, and gives us no light at all, by expreſs naming of any Windows in the Oracle: it ſeems more probable on the Negative, becauſe the Oracle it ſelf being but twenty Cubits high, could admit but of a very ſmall quantity of Room for thoſe Windows, by reaſon of the Chambers round about the Out-ſide of the Temple: which Chambers, according to the inward capacity of each joyned together,1 King. 6.10. 1 King. 6.6.1 Kgs 6:101 Kgs 6:6 aroſe to a ſum of fifteen Cubits, for each was five Cubits high; and of them there were three Stories. Now, beſides this inward capacity of the Chambers, we muſt conſider of room for the Beams of the three Floors, and Uppermoſt-Roof at top. Inſomuch, that Villalpandus, a moſt laborious and learned Temple-Student, (in his Comment. upon Chap. 41. of Ezekiel, Tom. 2. Part 2. Lib. 4. Cap. 34.) ſtates the height of theſe Chambers on the Out-ſide of the Temple, to be Cubits 18, and ¾: So that hence there reſts but one Cubit and a quarter for the Windows of the Oracle, which would prove very uncomely, and not befitting the ſtate and magnificence of the Temple to have two or three little Pidgeon-holes at the Top of the Oracle. Beſides, if they be framed, according to Arias Montanus, they will prove leſs then thoſe of the Holy-place, which would be in no ways beautiful, according to Rules of Symmetry and Proportion. Nay, he is pleaſed to make part of the Oracle-Windows in his Scheme of the Temple, three or four Cubits higher then the Oracle it ſelf by his own Scale. But to let this paſs, I know it is obſerved by ſome, that ſeveral places of Scripture, (where God is ſaid to dwell in thick darkneſs) do allude to the Habitation of God's Majeſty, between the Wings of the Cherubims in that dark Oracle. To whom Darkneſs ſhineth as the Light. Pſal. 139.12.Ps 139:12Seeing the Creator needs not the black Sackcloth of the Sun, in compariſon with his moſt tranſplendent and inconceiveable glory; and the pale Moon, his own-made Lamps, which he framed for his Creatures to do their work by. Beſides, this place was opened but once a year for the High-Prieſts Entrance,Lev. 16.13, 14, &c.Lev 16:13Lev 16:14 whoſe work was not of ſuch a nature, as needed more light then what the opened Doors of the Holy-place might yield.

p. 28There is nothing urged on the other ſide, of any moment, but the acce… tion of the word foreign (where mention is made of windows) that Baith comprehends the whole Temple:1 King. 6.4.1 Kgs 6:4 Whereas that allegation is falſe, if taken generally, and apprehended to be conſtantly predicated of the whole Covered Temple, as it muſt; or elſe it makes not againſt us. For if you obſerve the 17 Ver. of the ſame Chapter, the Temple of fourty Cubits length before the Oracle is expreſly termed the Houſe; and in the Hebr. foreign The very ſame word being uſed for the Holy place apart by it ſelf, as well as for the whole Covered-Building; We ſhall therefore, at preſent, till clearer light ſpring forth, cloſe up theſe ſacred Myſteries, from the profane glances of Sun,Job 25.5.Job 25:5 Moon, and Stars, which are not pure in his ſight.

The Sides of the Oracle.

To proceed then in the Deſcription of this glorious place, let's take notice of the Sides thereof within to have bin be over-laid with Gold; as alſo the Floor and Roof, and faſtned with Nails of Gold, according to the ſenſe of the Vulgar Latine,1 King. 6.21.1 Kgs 6:21 which renders that perplexed place [He made a Partition by the Chains of Gold before the Oracle] thus, Et affixit laminas clavis aureis, He faſtned the Plates of Gold (viz with which on all ſides this Holieſt place was overlaid) with Golden Nails, which was done by boring little holes into the Golden-plates, and the Cedar-boards underneath; and ſo driving ſquare Golden-Rivets into thoſe holes: The weight of which Nails, or Rivets,2 Chron. 3.9.2 Chr 3:9 we read, was fifty ſhekels, (each ſhekel being near about half an Ounce of our Troy Weight:) which according to the uſual value of Gold, viz. of 3 li. an Ounce, will produce 25 Ounces in Weight for theſe golden Rivets, yielding 76 li. ſterling, in value, of our money.

Antiq. Judaic. quarto, pag. 90.But by the Chains, in the preceding difficult place, Arias Montanus underſtands Chains of Gold, whereupon the Vail was hanged. Others, underſtand Artificial flowred Wreaths, and Chain-works made in gold for Ornament in the ſides of the Houſe; and ſo we will leave it, according to the mind of Dr. Lightfoot before-mentioned.

Yet there remains one thing which I have read in the Jewiſh Hiſtory, of the Spaniſh Jew, Solomon made more common by the Tranſlation of George Gentius, Pag. 358.who tells us, That the Sides of this Holy of Holies, for ten Cubits high, (or, as he hath it, ten Ells high) were all wrought of Net-work: In every ſquare hole whereof, there was fixed ſome reſplendent and ſhining precious ſtone or other. In one place, a Saphire; in another, a Carbuncle, &c. Inſomuch, that the riches and value of that place was beyond eſtimation. To which Joſephus ſets his Solemn Sacerdotal Atteſtation, Antiq. l. 8. c. 2 p. 267.

The Roof of the Oracle.

1 King. 6.15, 16, 18.1 Kgs 6:151 Kgs 6:161 Kgs 6:18The Roof of this Houſe was (as the whole) laid with Beams and Boards of Cedar, and over-laid with gold, and ſet (as ſome conceive) with precious ſtones.

Of the Vail of the Oracle.

2 Chron. 3.14.2 Chr 3:14Laſt of all, we are to hang up the Vail, which doubtleſs was within the Wall of the Holy of Holies; For elſe the High-Prieſt might come within the Vail, and yet not be in this moſt Holy place, if the Wall and the Doors were neareſt to the Oracle. Whereas the main myſtery lay in the Vail, p. 29noting the fleſh of Chriſt. Beſides, in Moſes's Tabernacle,Heb. 10.19, 20.Heb 10:19Heb 10:20 there was no other Partition then the Vail; which when the High-Prieſt was entred through, he was within the Holy of Holies. But if Arias his fore-cited Opinion be true, That the Chains of gold were for to hang the Vail upon, then they being within the Oracle, this muſt neceſſarily. However, for its materials, we have them clearly decided by Scripture to have been of blew,2 Chron. 3.14.2 Chr 3:14 and Purple, and Crimſon, and fine Linnen, all wrought with Winged Cherubims.

To conclude; there remains to be conſidered, Whether the out-ſide of the Roof of this Houſe were covered, ſub Dio, in the Open-Ayr, at twenty Cubits height, or whether there were any Rooms within thoſe Superiour ten Cubits parallel to the height of the Holy place. As to this, I fall thoſe three Verſes, viz. the 8th, 9th, and 10th,2 Chron. 3.2 Chr 3 (of 2 Chron. Chap. 3.) are to be underſtood concerning the Oracle, or Holy of Holies, and its Parts, Dimenſions, and Materials onelyonly, as 'tis moſt probable, then it ſhould ſeem there were Chambers over this Oracle. The very words [Of the moſt Holy Houſe] in ver. 8, and 10, do carry them clear: and as for the Golden Nails in the beginning of the ninth, I know none but agree in it, that they concern the Oracle. Why then muſt half a Verſe be interpreted of Chambers I know not where, ſeeing no other part of the Temple is mentioned near them, but the Oracle, both before and after. Let us be excuſed then, if we adhere to Montanus in this point, that the Upper-Chambers there mentioned to be over-laid with gold, are two Chambers of five Cubits a piece, (according to the quantity of the other Side-Chambers) which being over the Oracle, poſſibly were Repoſitaries for thoſe things of Moſes, his Holy of Holies, viz. ſuch, and ſo many as were not uſed by Solomon, which was utterly unlawful ſurely to condemn to any profane uſe.

Of the Side-Chambers.

THere yet remain to be viewed and deſcribed the Side-Chambers of the Temple, by way of Appendix to this Chapter, as they were to the Temple it ſelf.

Of the Situation.

In the firſt place, let's obſerve, that there were no Chambers adjoyning to any part of the Porch: For although the Text tell us,1 King. 6.5.1 Kgs 6:5 there were Chambers round about, yet it explains it ſelf, when it ſayes, They were round about the Houſe; that is, the Temple and Oracle, 1 King. 6.6.1 Kgs 6:6there being no mention of the Porch at all; which apprehenſion, agrees with the general conſent of Writers.

Of theſe Chambers, there were three Stories: the nethermoſt whereof was five Cubits broad; the middle, ſix; the higheſt, 7.

Of the Breadth.

Now, how it came to paſs, that the higheſt Chamber ſhould be the broadeſt, the Text, in our Tranſlation, renders an account thus: For without,Ibid. in the Wall of the Houſe, he made Narrowed-Reſts round about, that the p. 30Beams ſhould not be faſtned in the Wals of the Houſe] The Expoſition of this place will clear up the different Meaſures of the Chambers thus: The Wall of the Temple for five Cubits height above the ground, was a Cubit thicker then it was in its height above thoſe five Cubits: So that at five Cubits height, there was a plain parallel to the Horizon of a Cubit broad round about the Temple;1 King. 6.10.1 Kgs 6:10 or if you will call it, a Seat of Stone, whereupon one end of the Cedar-Beams of the Chambers did reſt to bear up the Roof of the loweſt, or the Floor of the ſecond Story. Five Cubits higher from thence, or at 10 Cubits height from the ground, the thickneſs of the Temple. Wall was yet a Cubit leſs; and upon that ſecond Seat thus made by a Cubits rebatement in the Wall, reſted the Cedars Beams for the Roof of the ſecond, and Floor of the third Story.

At 15 Cubits height from the ground, the thickneſs of the Temple-wall was yet ſtill a Cubit leſs then it was at 10 Cubits height, which yielded a third Seat, on which the Beams for the Roof of the third and higheſt Story were laid. So then, hence we learn, that as the Wall of the Temple abated in thickneſs, ſo the Meaſure of the Chambers increaſed in breadth; that the loweſt being five; the ſecond ſix; the third did prove 7 Cubits broad; and yet on the Out-ſide, the ſtone-work of the Chambers was perpendicularly equal: So that they made a ſhew to Spectators, at a diſtance, much like the lower Leads of our Engliſh Churches.

The height of the Chambers of the Temple.

Here alſo remember, that we uſe the numbers of 5, 10, and 15 Cubits for the Rebatings in the Wall at ſuch heights, meerly becauſe Scripture is ſilent of the thickneſs of the Floors between Chamber and Chamber: Whereas properly, when the height of each Chamber is ſaid to be five Cubits, we muſt apply this to the inward content of the Chambers: For though Temple-Writers generally tell us,1 King. 6.10.1 Kgs 6:10 that all the three Stories were 15 Cubits high, yet we read no ſuch thing in Scripture; onelyonly that each was five Cubits high: Which, that it is meant of the inward capacity, is probable from the uſuall Deſcriptions of the other Temple-Buildings; as of the Porch, Holy-place and Oracle, whoſe Dimenſions are onelyonly proportioned to the inward part: as is clear of the Oracle, by the extent of the Cherubims Wings. Beſides, from the quantity of a Cubit before-ſtated (which I hope, by divine permiſſion, more fully to demonſtrate hereafter in another place) If it be but a Roman-Foot and half, or very near that point, then the Beams, and Boarding, and Carved-Work, will take up ſo much of each Story, as that a very tall and proper man would almoſt touch the Cieling, which would prove very unſeemly in ſuch Buildings. Beſides, if the judgment of Arias and Villalpandus may be taken, they raiſe the Top of the third Story to 18 Cubits, and ¾ allowing a Cubit, and ¼ for each Partition.

The number of Chambers belonging to Solomon's Temple.

How many Chambers there were appendant to Solomon's Temple, Scripture doth not recite:Ezek. 41.6. Antiq. l. 8. c. 2.Ezek 41:6 But Ezekiel, in his Viſionary-Temple, mentions 30 round about: and Joſephus inſtructed by Jewiſh Tradition, acquaints us alſo with the ſame number, in theſe words: foreign. He built round about the Temple. Thirty little Houſes.

p. 31Beſides, in the ſecond Temple, it's clear, there were juſt ſo many. All which put together, ſtrongly incline me (ſeeing the ſecond Temple (though much broader.) Yet was much of the ſame length with Solomon's) to believe that their number was neither more nor leſs then 30. Wherefore, as they were in the ſecond, ſo we ſhall be content, at preſent, to ſet them down 12 on the North, 12 on the South, and 6 at the Weſt-end of the Temple; that is, four on a Floor on the North and South, and two at the Weſt.

The length of Solomon's Temple.

As to the length of each Chamber; this is a certain way, in caſe they were all of one Size, to allot a fourth part of the length of the Temple and Oracle for each Chamber, and its ſeparation from the other, on the North and South ſides: But at the Weſt-end, the juſt half. OnelyOnly here we muſt, in this diſtribution, warily conſider, that the thickneſs of the Temple-walls, conjoyned in the North-weſt, and South-weſt Angles, muſt extend the length of the Chambers as far, as the thickneſs of the Wall did increaſe the outward Dimemtions, beyond the inward of ſixty Cubits, commonly ſo computed. Beſides, we muſt conſider, that the Contignation, or Floorings of the Chambers themſelves, did meet in their own particular mutual Angle, diſtinct from the Angle of the Temple-wal. For, if you obſerve the Ichnography of the Temple, the Chambers, and their own Out-walls meet in an Angle; or elſe the Temple-Angle would be diſcovered: Whereas they did circumſcribe, or cloſe round about, as you may ſee in the Area, or Ground-plor of the Temple. So then, if you take the Meaſures thus: fourty Cubits for the Holy-Houſe; three for the Partition, as I ſhall mention anon, my conjecture in the cloſe of this Chapter; Twenty for the Oracle, ſix for the ſpace parallel to the thickneſs of the Temple-walls;… and five for the ſpace parallel to the Chambers at the Weſt-end, that they may fall into a juſt ſquare. It will then be apparent, that the ſpaces for the Chambers, on both ſides, and the end, with the Temple, will fall into a Figure, containing four Parallellograms; as you may ſee in the 35 of the firſt of Euclide. The length of theſe ſpaces, is 74 Cubits; which divided into four parts, gives 18 Cubits, and ½ for each Chamber and its Wall: Whereof the firſt Wall begins at the Weſt. But ſeeing the thickneſs neither of the Temple-walls, nor of theſe Chambers is determined in Scriptures, we cannot apply any exact meaſure for the length of each, or of all the Chambers together; and therefore item would be very abſurd to lay any ſtreſs upon ſuch conjectures, which we ſubmit fully to every acute Architect. The Doors of the lower of theſe Chambers were on the ground: But for the middle Chambers on the right ſide of the Houſe; that is, the South,1 King. 6.8.1 Kgs 6:8 at the top of Winding-ſtairs; and out of the middle, there were Aſcents into the Upper-rooms. Where it is to be obſerved concerning the Door: Firſt, that it was in latere, or in the ſide of the Houſe, not in the Front. And again, in latere Domûs, not in latere cellarum, in the ſide of the Houſe; not of the Chambers, that is between the Temple and the Chambers; and were made, as ſome conceive, in the very thickneſs of the Temple-wall, on the South-ſide of the Temple, and that the Door opened into the Holy place. Moreover, it is conceived, that there were no Doors on the Out-ſide at all; and that above there were Galleries to walk round about on all ſides the Temple, to any particular Chamber: as alſo, into the chambers over the moſt Holy place: Nay, and thoſe over the Sanctuary alſo; according to Arias, who would have that place within to be no higher than the Oracle, i.e. Twenty Cubits, and to p. 32have the remaining Ten ſpent in Chambers; which ſome deſire to extract out of David's Pattern of the Temple, given to his Son Solomon; where we have mention of Houſes, Treaſuries, Upper-chambers, and Inner-Parlours; that is,2 Chron. 28.11.2 Chr 28:11 of the Rooms over the Temple it ſelf, the Upper-chambers, and Inner-Parlours, being the Rooms above & below, in this Appendant-Building, which we are now deſcribing. But we ſhall obtrude nothing eagerly, leaving this, and all our Labours, to be viewed and amended by exacter Judgments, both as to the Interpretation of this Text, and the deciſion of the whole matter.

The Stairs fore-mentioned, doubtleſs, aſcended to the Top of the higheſt Roof of theſe Chambers, which probably were adorned with Battlements, and Pinacles, as the Top of the Temple it ſelf.

Thus have we finiſhed, by Gods good hand, the delineation of the Covered-Temple: We have nothing now to do in this Chapter, but to give in a naked Skeleton of the whole Work, as to its Dimenſions, and ſo conclude, leaving the Reader to the Cuts themſelves, thereupon to ſpend the reſt of his Devout Meditations.

Here firſt, as to the inward Area's, or Ground-plots, leaving out the Walls, the Proportions ſeem to be according to theſe Dimenſions.

The Cabaliſtical Myſtery of theſe Dimenſions of the Temple, lyes in the Name of JESUS, ſay the Rabbins, in this manner:

A rare Diſcovery! whereof may be read in Schiekard's Happeruſch. Bechinath, pag. 65. But I ſhall leave that to its Authors to juſtifie, who doubtleſs were infeſted with Hypochondriack Melancholy, and had need to have their ſublimated Mercury a little better fixed.

To quit this profound Abyſſe of the Pythian Tripos of the Rabbies, that knows no ſolid bottome of Rea…on; We may obſerve from preceding Deſcriptions, that the Houſe was broad, 20; high, 30, long, 60 Cubits. The p. 33length was double to the height, and treble to the breadth. The Porch was broad 10 cubits; the Houſe broad, 20; high, 30; long, 40. The houſe and Porch long, 50: the Houſe and Oracle long, 60: the Porch, Houſe, and Oracle long, 70. The Houſe was high, 30; and the Porch, 120; that is treble to the heighth of the Houſe. The Houſe and Oracle long, 60: the Porch high, 120: that is, double to the length.

In the laſt place, I will preſent my Conjectures (for any higher appellation I dare not give them, in a matter ſo far diſtant from our Times, and ſo obſcurely recited) concerning the Dimenſions of the Temple, conſidered together with its Spaces and Walls; as alſo the Appendant-chambers, and their Walls. As to all which particulars, I cannot in modeſty undertake to determine, but leave that to better Judgments. In general then, the breadth and length of this Temple, as we ſhall at preſent plot it,Exod. 27.…. & 12.Exod 27 will contain the full extent of Moſes's Tabernacle, Court and all, if ſo be you will allow the Chambers to be fully drawn out parallel to the Eaſt-End of the Porch. But it's true, they were not ſo; yet the Porch and Temple were of the ſame extent for Longitude, as that Tabernacle in the Wilderneſs, according to theſe following Dimenſions.

The Breadth, thus:

The length, Eaſt and West.

The Heighth of the Houſe.

The Height of the Porch.

p. 34The Porches Breadth, Eaſt and Weſt.

Its Length.

Here we ſee the Breadth 50, the Length 100, the Height 36: as to the Houſe in general. But as to the Porch in particular; its Breadth 22, its Length 32, its height 126. So much for the ſecond Chapter, treating of the Temples Dimenſions, which may be perceived in the annexed Figures of that Sacred Building.

The Ground-Plot of the Temple.