The Temple of Solomon Portrayed, History · Chapter 3

The Temple of Solomon Portrayed · History · Chapter 3

p. 35CHAP. III. Of the Courts and Buildings about the Temple.

THere are various Opinions of the number, quantity, and form of the Courts of the firſt Temple.

Some hold that Solomon built but one Court; and that,1 King. 6.36.1 Kgs 6:36 by the two Courts mentioned in Scripture, we are to underſtand (ſay they) firſt, the Prieſts Court, which indeed they grant he built,1 King. 6.36.1 Kgs 6:36 and to be called the Inner-Court. But by that called the Outer or greater Court they conceive we are to underſtand it of the Mountain of the Houſe, which lay wide and open.

Some hold there were two Courts built even by Solomon himſelf, which in concluſion, I believe, will prove the trueſt. Others there be, that hold he built four, though upon very improbable grounds.

As for the quantity of one or other, I find as yet none peremptorily determining: for indeed Scripture in that is fully ſilent.

For the form or faſhion, many hold that both Courts did compaſs the Temple on all ſides round about; which, with ſubmiſſion, I ſuppoſe, after ſerious ſearch, will prove moſt correſpondent unto truth. Others are of a mind, that the Prieſts Court did not compaſs the Temple, but that the outer did. Others think, that neither of the Courts did compaſs the Temple; but that both of them ſtood on the Eaſtſide of the Temple, one before the other. Now all the Weight of this laſt Opinion lyes on poor Joſephus his back; wherein we ſhall with all modeſty endeavour to clear, that his words ſeem to be miſapplyed to their purpoſe: and afterwards (I hope) in ſome meaſure, make it appear evident, that there were two Courts, or walled Area's in the time of the firſt Temple, built by King Solomon, and atteſted by Joſephus himſelf to be round about the Temple.

But firſt let us lay this Rub gently out of the way, by enervating that Opinion of two Courts one before another, grounded upon miſconſtruction of Joſephus. The place cited for this fancy of theirs,Joſeph. Bell. Judaic. lib. 6 cap. 14. pag. 915. Edit. 1634. Graecolat. is de bello Judaic. lib. 6. in theſe words,—foreign &c. Which place, becauſe I would neither burden the Preſs, or the Reader, with the Greek at length, I ſhall give it in Engliſh thus. [But the Temple was built, as I have ſaid, upon a hard Mountain. At firſt, the uppermost Plain was ſcarce ſufficient for the Temple, and the Courts of the Altar [The word here in the Greek is foreign and is taken for the Court of the Altar in this place; and pag. 918. D. and expreſly Joſephus declares concerning David, when God accepted his Offering (after the Plague) on Moriah, foreign. He determined to call the whole place, i.e. of the Holy Mountain, the Altar of all the people, pag. 245. F. To proceed then in the recital of his words, as follows] For the Verge thereof (ſayes he) was ſteep and precipicious. But when King Solomon (who alſo built the Temple) had raiſed a firm Wall on the Eaſt ſide, there was a Porch built upon the forced Bank of Earth. But on the other ſides, the Temple lay naked; till in aftertimes the people always adding earth the top became even and large.] Now in this citation, the great ſtreſs of the queſtion lies in the ſenſe of thoſe words, foreign, the Temple was naked or open.

p. 36For the Explication of which words, I beſeech the candid and judicious Reader; Firſt of all to conſider, that Joſephus doth not ſay, The Plain was Not ſufficient: But foreign ſcarce ſufficient. Beſides, he doth not ſay, [The Hill] but foreign: the ſmooth equall Plain at top without any the leaſt declivity, was ſcarce ſufficient: Whereas in truth, it was the more fit and proper place for to build the Temple upon, becauſe of its praerupt declivities: Which being framed into ſeveral ſquares ſuperior each to other, might yield a moſt pleaſant and delicious Proſpect, not unlike the ſtately Gardens of that ancient Seat of Sir Edward Stradlings at St. Donats in Glamorgan-ſhire, or any other of the like nature among the Palaces of our Nobles in this Nation. For according to this projection of the frame of the Temples Situation, the Courts and other Buildings might lye ſomewhat below it, that ſo by graceful ſteps and aſcents, out of one Court into another, the Temple might appear the more Auguſt, ſtately, and lofty to all Spectators. But I mainly deſire the ingenuous Reader to remember, that Joſephus is not here diſcourſing of Solomon's Temple ex induſtriâ, but curſorily, foreign by the way onelyonly: Wherefore he is not here ſo much to be attended to, as in thoſe places, where he makes it his particular work and buſineſs to deſcribe the form and meaſure of Solomon's Buildings. There you ſhall find him reading another Leſſon. If then any ſhall inſiſt upon it, and take his words here ſo ſtrictly and rigorouſly, I fear his provoked Ghoſts will prove angry, and engage fully againſt them by and by. Yet however, as to this very place, the words immediatly going before ſhew, that he was hinting at thoſe mighty Foundations of four hundred Cubits deep in ſtone (mentioned elſewhere fully) which being raiſed up to their intended height, by a perpendicular Line, aggeſtions of Earth and Rubbiſh were added to the declivity of the Hill, to make the Hill and the Stone-Foundations even. Upon which Foundations, Solomon raiſed a ſtately Porch, called ſo in after-ages by his name. Now immediately upon theſe words, comes in the controverted paſſage [But on the other ſides the Temple was naked] Of what was it naked? of Courts and Walls? as they would hence infer? No ſure! the laſt thing he ſpake of, was of Porches: of ſuch then we will, grant the Temple was naked, viz. As to ſuch rare ſtately double Porches built on ſuch vaſt and famous Foundations, as were upon the Eaſt-ſide, we may yield, that the other parts were ſomewhat leſs ſplendid and famous: Nay poſſibly at the firſt Work of Solomon, the other ſides might not be porched by him: but that after he had finiſhed his own and the Queens houſe, it appears ſomewhat probable by Scripture it ſelf, that he porched both Courts round about, as in after lines may more fully appear: and therefore this foreign poſſibly may be favourably interpreted of the firſt days of King Solomon, that ſo we may ſalve Joſephus his credit and reputation: Which will elſe appear to be very infirm and lubricous. We will not then conſtrue him in that ſenſe, as if there were no ordinary Wall compaſſing the Mountain of the Houſe, or ordinary Porches incloſing a piece of ground, which was termed the Outer-Court. This, according to Joſephus himſelf, we cannot grant: For, concerning walls and Porches round about, we ſhall find our apprehenſion by and by to be ſufficiently averred, that they were extant under the firſt Temple, (with their Gates oppoſite to the four Cardinal Winds) and all this ſhewn by Joſephus, that they were even built by King Solomon himſelf, where he handles that Kings Fabricks of ſet purpoſe.

p. 37Beſides, the words following, as well as thoſe preceding in this preſent Text of our Jewiſh Hiſtorian, do alſo argue, that Joſephus meant by this phra…e of the Temples nakedneſs, its being deſtitute of ſuch ſtately Porches on each ſide, at its firſt Erection except on the Eaſt-Quarter: For he tells us afterward, that in enſuing Times, there was a Three-fold Wall about the Temple, and that the Foundations of the loweſt parts of the Outward Wall were three hundred Cubits high; in ſome places more:1 King. 6.36.1 Kgs 6:36 and that the ſtones were fourty Cubits large. Upon ſuch Foundations (ſayes he) there were Buildings erected worthy of them; to wit,1 King. 7.11.1 Kgs 7:11 double Porches ſuſtained by Pillars of Twenty five Cubits high, that were ſingle ſtones of Marble: And moreover he relates, that thoſe Porches were Thirty Cubits broad, and the whole compaſs of them, together with the Tower Antonia, was ſix Furlong…. Hence we may learn, that for ſuch ſtately Fabricks as Solomon's Eaſtern Porches, and thoſe afterwards added, there was neceſſity of mighty ſtrong Foundations. Of which vaſt Foundations, with their ſtately Porches built upon them foreign, the Temple was deſtitute, and lay open, in compariſon of the Eaſt-ſide, where Solomon himſelf had yet at firſt onelyonly built them.

But that there was a Wall including the greateſt part of the Mountain of the Houſe with ſeveral Gates, the ſame Author ſhall preſently ſatisfie you, and that fully. Wherefore, as to ſuch vaſt additions of Earth, as ſome imagine, I have this conception onelyonly to give in, viz. That where the Walls were raiſed ſtraight up out of the Valley, for to build theſe Porches upon, the Earth was pared from rough and uneven places of the Hill, and conveyed by Labourers from place to place, to fill up thoſe hollow inequalities between the raiſed Walls, and the ſloping declivity of the Hill; for all that was thus labouriouſly performed, was to this end, even to make the Temple ground riſe by degrees ſmoothly from the Eaſt-gate of the Outward Wall up to the Temple it ſelf. For the Mountain it ſelf was but little added ro by all theſe induſtrious Labours, as to its main parts, receiving no acceſſion of Pelion's, or Oſſa's Caſt upon it, or laid to it, as ſome fondly dream Concerning which, you may pleaſe to read that Learned piece, (of the Temple, in our Saviour's days) written by Dr. Lightfoot, pag. 4 & 5.

But ſubmitting the whole to ſober and unbyaſſed perſons, I ſhall now proceed to prove that their Work were two Courts compaſſing the Temple, which I ſhall divide into two Sections: Firſt of all, that there were two, and that even by Scripture it ſelf. Secondly, that theſe two encompaſſed the Covered Temple. To which purpoſe, we read in the Book of Kings, 1 King. 6.36.1 Kgs 6:36That Solomon built the Inner-Court, with three Rows of hewen ſtone,1 King. 7.11.1 Kgs 7:11 and a row of Cedar-beams. Again, we find in the ſame Book another paſſage, relating to Poſterity, that the great Court round about, was built with three Rows of Hewen-ſtone, and a Row of Cedar-beams. Whence we may infer, by the Rule of Relation, even from an Inner-Court, that there was an Outer; and from a great Court, that there was a leſs. Beſides, we read expreſly of Courts in the plural number; ſo ſayes the Author of the Chronicles, That the Levites Office was to wait on the Sons of Aaron in the Courts, and in the Chambers.1 Chron. 23.28. 1 Chron. 28.6. Ver. 12.1 Chr 23:281 Chr 28:6 In another place David tells his People, that God had ſaid to him, That Solomon his Son ſhould build his Houſe and his Courts. To whom, in the 12th Verſe, he gave the Pattern of the Courts of the Houſe of the Lord. Hence likewiſe we infer, that there were two for certain, if not more, in the very days of Solomon.

p. 38That there were any more then two Courts in Solomon's days, it cannot be clearly decided; but 'tis moſt probable, in the Negative, by ſome paſſages of Scripture, which ſpeak in ſo many terms, concerning the two Courts in the Houſe of the Lord,2 King. 21.5. 2 Chron. 33.5. 2 King. 23.12.2 Kgs 21:52 Chr 33:52 Kgs 23:12 in the which Manaſſes built his Altars, that were overthrown by godly Joſiah. If any ſhould object, that theſe are to be underſtood of the two principal Courts, whereas we read of a Middle-Court, and a New-Court, and a Court of the Women in Scripture, before the days of Manaſſeh; let them remember, that thoſe three names were given onelyonly to one Court, which was laid out and built poſſibly by Jehoſhaphat, in whoſe days we firſt read of a new Court.2 Chron. 20.5.2 Chr 20:5 Though ſome conceive that the Outward Court was called by the name of New-Court, as being in thoſe times ſo famouſly repaired, as if it had been new built, and might juſtly demerit that denomnaition.

The great Outer-Court then which we have gained from Scripture, which proceeds from the mouth of Truth it ſelf, whether it were an incloſed piece of ground round about the Covered Temple, and the Prieſts Court, contained within its circumference, I ſhall next endeavour to open. To this purpoſe, that this Exteriour Court,Iſa. 2.2. Mi…. 3.12. & 4.1. Zech. 8.3.Isa 2:2Zech 8:3 contained within its Wall, the whole Area, or Plot of Sacred Ground taken out of the Mountain of the Houſe of the Lord, I hope, may be clearly evinced before we conclude.

For, firſt, we read of no other Courts extant in the days of Solomon, then the Prieſts Court; and the outer Court which is expreſly laid down in the Book of Chronicles. 2 Chron. 4.9.2 Chr 4:9Beſides, it's generally confeſſed by the Learned, both Jews and Chriſtians, that there were never no more Courts then theſe four.

1. The Prieſts Court, with a ſmall diſtinction in it for the people, (that were clean) of three Cubits high.

2. The Womens Court, called the New-Court, as ſome conceive.

3. The Chel or Incloſure of Stone round about theſe Courts, which may be valued at the reputation of a ſmall Court.

4. The Court of the Mountain of the Houſe.

Now, if neither the Womens Court, nor the Chell, were built in Solomon's time, but in the Reign of after-Kings, then it remains, that the Court of the Mountain of the Houſe, muſt be the Outer-Court of King Solomon: for a large proof whereof, I refer you to that excellent Tract of the ſecond Temple,Dr. Lightfoot, p. 101. written by the fore-praiſed Author, a man moſt learned in all Rabbinical Knowledge, and the ancient Cuſtomes and Hiſtories of the Jewiſh Nation: who out of L' Empereur in Middoth, fol. 67. and others, doth manifeſt this more fully. The which alſo I hope to make clearer in ſucceeding Lines, by the Gates at which Solomon appointed the Levites to watch: which Gates were in the Walls of this Outward Court. Beſides, notwithſtanding the Chel was not extant in Solomon's days; yet under the firſt Temple it ſeems to be,Pag. 95. which he endeavours to clear by an interpretation of that place, where 'tis ſaid foreign that the Rampart and Wall did lament. By the Wall, interpreting the Court-wall: By the Rampart, or Chell, the ſpace that encompaſſed it round about, which were (as it ſeems by this Text) deſtroyed by the Chaldeans.

Moreover, that theſe two Courts which Solomon built are not to be underſtood of the two parts of the Prieſts Court, diſtinguiſhed by a little Partition, (that the People might look over) it will appear more evident by and by from the Gates and Watches of the Porters, which were placed in the Outward great Court encompaſſing the Temple: For ſo we find p. 39them exactly diſtinct in the Book of Chronicles, where read,2 Chron 4.9.2 Chr 4:9 That King Solomon made the Court of the Prieſts, and the Great Court: ſhewing, that a certain Court made by Solomon, diſtinct from the Prieſtly Court; and being compared with that, was greater; and therefore a comparatis called ſo: as alſo becauſe there was no more Courts then this, except the Prieſts: It is called, The Great Court, fitly expreſſing the demonſtrative Article foreign before the Hebrew word foreign in that Text. Whence it appears, that the Prieſts Court was the leſſer; Whereas, if that ſmall fore-mentioned ſeparation in the Prieſts Court (including a piece of ground by all deſcriptions leſs then the place where the Prieſts did miniſter in their Office,) ſhould give Title to this great Court, then the great Court (ſo called in this Text) would not prove ſo large as the leſſer, in compariſon with which it received its denomination of greatneſs, and ſo there will ariſe a fine contradiction in very terms.

Moreover, that there muſt be laid out a very large Court without the Prieſts Court in Solomon's days,1 King. 8.14. 2 Chron. 6.12.1 Kgs 8:142 Chr 6:12 may appear from the vaſt multitudes of People which were at the dedication of the Temple, called [All the Congregation of Iſrael] no doubt all the males of all the Land, according to the command of God: for the Dedication was juſt in the ſame monethmonth with the Feaſt of Tabernacles. How many hundred thouſands were then preſent, let men judge by Joab's Catalogue, brought in to David at the numbring of the People; to wit, one million, and 300000. valiant men:2 Sam. 24.9.2 Sam 24:9 which none will be ſo abſurd to think, that they could ſtand poſſibly within many ſuch Partitions, as were in the Prieſts Court, and into the Prieſts Court it ſelf they might not enter. But then ſeeing we muſt place them without, let's obſerve after Solomon's prayer was ended, that when fire came down from Heaven upon the Sacrifices, the Scripture ſays that all the Children of Iſrael, &c. bowed themſelves with their faces to the ground (and that's not all, but 'tis added) upon the Pavement foreign not onelyonly the Natural Earth, but an Artificial Pavement from—foreign Stravit. The place then which contained theſe many thouſands of People was all paved with ſtone: which is one uſual ingredient into the making, and conſequently the deſcribing of a Court; that is, an open place, walled in and paved; ſuch as was this great and famous Court, wherein theſe vaſt numbers of the males of Iſrael did now ſtand and worſhip falling down upon its Marble Pavements, when they ſaw the Celeſtial fire deſcending from Heaven upon the Sacrifices. As for the Gates and Walls about this Court, we ſhall fetch them up by and by, whereby to determine this Courts encompaſſing the Temple round about.

Secondly, In the ſecond place I ſhall endeavour to manifeſt even from Joſephus himſelf (whoſe Authority hath been hitherto ſo abuſed and wreſted to countenance a contrary Opinion) that there were two Courts compaſſing the Body of the Covered Temple round about, and both built by King Solomon. Pray then be pleaſed to turn to that place of Joſephus his Hiſtory, where according to the proper ſeries of Times,Joſeph. Antiq. lib. 8. cap. 2. p. 262 F. Edit. Graeco-Lat. Genevae, 1634. Fol. diſcourſing of the Reign and Acts of King Solomon, he givs in a large and ample account of the ſumptuous building of the Temple in the eighth Book of his Antiquities: and there (when handling theſe matters of ſet-purpoſe) you may read expreſly recorded theſe words foreign &c. Which words, and the following, may be thus tranſlated. [But he compaſſed the Temple round about with a Wall, called, foreign, in our Countrey Language, by the Greeks foreign, raiſing it to the height of three Cubits to keep off the multitude from entring into the Holy Court, and ſignifying p. 40admiſſion to the Prieſts onelyonly. But without this Wall, he built a Court in a four-ſquare Plót of ground, raiſing great and broad Porches, and opening with High-gates: Each whereof did look upon each of the Winds, being ſhut with Golden Doors. Into this Court all the People might enter, that were distinct from others in their purity, and obſervation of the Laws. But this outward Court appeared unſpeakably admirable: nay, beyond the belief of a mans own eyes. For filling up deep Vallies (ſuch as for their wonderful depth, it was not eaſie to look down to their bottome) and raiſing them four hundred Cubits high, he made the top equal to the heighth of the Mountain, on which the Temple was built: and ſo the outward open Court became equal in height to the Temple-Court. (that is, its inward Court: For foreign here is taken for the Temple-building, and the inward Court about it, and foreign for that outward Court.) Then he compaſſed that Court with a building of double Porches, faſtning the Pillars in the top of the natural Rock, and the covering of them was adorned with a Roof of Cedar. The gates alſo of this Outward Court were all made of ſilver] Here you have Joſephus in the orderly courſe of his Hiſtory, particularly handling the Buildings of Solomon, and expreſly relating, firſt, the compaſſing of the Temple with an inward Court, The words are foreign, He compaſſed the Temple round about upon all Quarters with a Wall. For ſo the force of the word foreign and foreign does undeniably import. He ſhall be counted a perſon little tinctured with the knowledge of the Greek Language, and poorly acquainted with Herodotus, Thucidydes, Polybius, Plutarch, or Strabo, or any of the Greek Hiſtorians that ſhall attempt to deny it. But as if that were not enough. Joſephus to make ſure work, addes foreign 1. Round about on all ſides. OnelyOnly by the way let us be wary that we do not hence infer that the wall was circular: for by foreign Joſephus onelyonly expreſſes the force of the Hebrew word foreign which any moderate Hebrician knows to be uſed in Scripture ſometimes, when the figure of a building is quadrangular, as I ſhall ſhew below; cap. 5. As when he ſpeaks of the thirty ſide-chambers that were built by Solomon about the Temple, he uſes the word foreign pag. 239. G. This Wall then thus compaſſing the Covered Temple, Ribera, pag. 45.was but three Cubits high, as Joſephus relates: for this end (ſays one) that the people might look over and behold the Prieſts and their Sacrifices. For according to the common acception of a Cubit, it anſwers well near to a yard, and ½ of our meaſure, giving admiſſion to the eyes of ordinary cized men.

Secondly, in this Story of Joſephus, you may obſerve an outward Court, compaſſing the inward, which is cleared by this paſſage, that it had Gates opening to the four Winds of Heaven. Whereas if this outward Court ſtood onelyonly ab anteriori parte, juſt before the inward Court toward the Eaſt, then it had not any Gate properly belonging to it opening to the Weſt: for that Gate on the Weſt of the Outward Court fancied to be of this anterior ſituation, was the famous Eaſt-gate of the Prieſts Court, and properly belonged to the inner-Court: Whence it will follow, that the exteriour Court, according to this their conjectured Situation, will have no Weſt-gate at all. But to let this paſs at preſent, the quantity and meaſure of the Weſt-Wall of the outward Court, together with the ſituation of its gates, puts all out of controverſie: For by what hath paſt, and ſhall be cited, you may perceive that each ſide of this outward four-ſquare Court was a Furlong at leaſt in length.

p. 41Thirdly, It's famouſly known, that the outward Court, (or exterius Fanum, as Gelenius renders thoſe words foreign) had thoſe rare Cloiſters built by King Solomon; which ſeemes in ſome meaſure manifeſt, by Scripture it ſelf. Becauſe we find, in the ſecond Temple,John 10.23. Act. 3.11. & 5.12.John 10:23Acts 3:11Acts 5:12 that our Lord and Saviour converſed with his Apoſtles, and they with the People, in Solomon's Porch: Which though ruined by the Chaldeans, was yet afterward, upon Solomon's own foundations of 400 Cubits deep (that were not by them deſtroyed, as ſhall be ſpoken to in ſucceeding pages) re-edified, and did bear his name. Now theſe holy Perſons, being not Prieſts, could not, by the Law, be admitted into the inner Court. Wherefore it reſts upon the proof of that aſſumption, (that Solomon's Porches built on ſuch rare and ſtupendious foundations were on the Eaſt ſide of the outward Court in thoſe ancient daies) I ſay, it followes that there was ſuch an exterior Court extant in thoſe times, thus porched by that magnificent King: whoſe example, for the form, and the expreſſe tract of Walls and Porches, was generally imitated by the Architects of the ſecond Temple, as I have often mentioned, according to the ſenſe of grave and ſerious Authors, not without good probability of truth. Now this aſſertion, of Solomon's Porches being built in the outward Court, is expreſly recorded for truth by Joſephus himſelf, in theſe words, foreign,Joſeph. Antiq. lib. 20. cap. 8. pag. 699. G. &c. or thus in Engliſh, [The People perſwaded the King (that is, Herod) to repair the Eaſtern Porch: now this Porch was in the outward Court, and was built upon Walls raiſed up out of a deep Vally, 400 Cubits, of pure white fourſquare stones. The length of each stone was 20 Cubits, the height ſix, the work of King Solomon, who at firſt built the whole Temple.] Here you ſee his mind fully, as to thoſe admirable foundations, concerning which,Apparat. part. 1. lib. 2. cap. 8. the learned Villalpandus hath ſpent a whole Chapter, labouring to prove, that Solomon's building of Millo, mentioned in the Book of Kings, is to be interpreted of this ſtately Pile, which he raiſed out of the Vally, after he had finiſhed his own houſe of Lebanon, and the Queen's; ſo that he is clear in the point, that all the immenſe Subſtructions or Foundations round about the precipitious Verge of the Mountain, being the compaſſe of the outward Court, were built by King Solomon, with ſeverall Gates, and a Wall; but with Porches at firſt, only on the Eaſt ſide: which he proves more at large. Explanat. in Ezek. cap. 40. Tom. 2. Part. 2. lib. 2. Iſagog. cap. 18.

There yet reſts an other place of Joſephus to be urged,Joſeph. Antiq. lib. 15. cap. 14. pag. 543. G. when treating of what Solomon performed ve…y expreſly, and with great diligence, in theſe words. foreign, &c. [The Brow of the Hill was rocky and ſteep, gently ariſing from towards the Eaſt ſide of the City up to the higheſt top.] This Brow (foreign) or rocky Verge of the Hill, Solomon our King, by the direction of God, firſt of all, walled up to the top with mighty workmanſhip: foreign, round about the top of the Verge of the Mountain. He built alſo beneath, beginning under the foot of the Hill, which is compaſſed with a deep Vally toward the South. On the inſide of the Wall, from top to bottom, the ſtones were faſtned to the rockes with Lead: ſo that it was wonderfull to behold the vaſtneſs and he…ghth of this fourſquare ſtructure. As to the greatneſs of the stones, it was openly conſpicuous to view: But inwardly their Joynts were faſtned one to another with iron, unmoveable againſt all the injuries of time. Having wrought up this foundation, thus faſtned together, to the top of the Hill, and fill'd up the hollow places between the upright Wall, and the declivity of the Hill: he made the Plot of ground eeven and ſmooth to appearance, on the top of the Hill. Now all this did contain in compaſſe, round about, full four Furlongs, each Angle containing in length one furlong, (that is, each ſide from Angle to Angle; where, by the way, take notice that Joſephus expounds himſelf, what he p. 42meant by thoſe words before cited, foreign: not circular but quadrangular, as we before expounded him.) But within this, even juſt upon the top, another stone Wall did compaſſe the Hill about, upon whoſe Eastern Ridge there was built a double Porch equall in length to the Wall, (that is, a Furlong) the middle whereof lookt toward the Doores of the Temple.] Thus far Joſephus. After which words, concerning the buildings of Solomon, he tells you what other Kings, and, particularly, what Herod, performed. Though I muſt here confeſſe, the Latine Tranſlation doth not fairly repreſent it for Solomon's, yet if we obſerve the Greek words narrowly, the Antitheſis will inferr it. For ſpeaking of that glorious King, he ſaies, foreign, He built above round about the ſummity, or top: and adds foreign: But beneath he built a farr more admirable work: which he proſecutes in the after-words, accordingly to what he had ſpoken, lib. 8. cap. 2. expreſly of Solomons Walls of 400 Cubits height raiſed out of the Vally, as is before cited, to be at the top a fourſquare work, and is here amplified, as to the meaſure of its quadrangular Extent. Alas! it was not for Herod, one under the Romans, and vext with continuall wars, and inconſiderable, as to Solomon's Territories or Riches, to do ſuch works as theſe. Wherefore ſeverall have juſtly ſuſpected whether ever he medled with the Temple, unleſſe as to Reparations and Ornaments. Which was in theſe Subſtructions inviolable by time, and adorned by former Kings on the Eaſt, which was a furlong long aswell as the reſt. Which Court thus fourſquare, and each ſide of a furlong extent, and built by Solomon, is alſo aſſerted by Ludov. Cappellus in his Apoſtolicall Hiſtory pag. 15…. By what precedes, we may perceive it more and more confirmed, out of the mouth of Joſephus, that Solomon built all the vaſt Foundations round about, together with the whole fourſquare Wall, at the top, on the Brow of the Hill, each ſide of the Square being one Furlong in length, that is, 625 Roman feet,cap. 13. lib. 1. cap. 1. lib. 2. cap. 23. according to Cenſorinus in his Book De die Natali, or A. Gellius in his Noctes Atticae, or Pliny in his Naturall Hiſtory. Now, though this Stadium of Joſephus be moſt properly to be accounted according to the Grecian meaſures, yet it breaks no ſquares with us: for the Stadium of the Romans and the Grecians is accurately noted by Lindebrogius, pag. 86. Edit. Lug. Bat. 1642. …0in his Notes upon that place of Cenſorinus, to be the ſame, if the Calculation be carefully obſerved: where he cites Lucas Petus de Menſuris & Ponderibus, and Hues de Globis, that although the Grecian be but 600 Foot, and the Roman 625 Foot: yet he gives this reaſon for their Paralleliſm: Nam pes Graecus excedit pedem Romanum ſemiunchâ: For a Greek foot is longer then a Roman by half an inch. So that 600 half inches, at 12 inches in a foot, make up thoſe 25 Feet in the Roman Stadium, beyond the number of feet in the Grecian.

Moreover, from the laſt cited place of Joſephus, we may obſerve, that Solomon is mentioned to have built Porches, at firſt, on the Eaſt end onelyonly: which ſerves to expound the ſo much vexed, and miſinterpreted Paſſage of Joſephus, which was in Controverſy, viz. That the Temple was foreign, that is, It was destitute of Porches on any other ſide of the Temple, at leaſt in the firſt times of Solomon. For the Scripture ſeems to favour his porching of the Courts of the Lord's houſe round about, at the twenty years end, when he had finiſhed the houſe of Lebanon, his Pallace and Throne, together with the Queens houſe, according to the order of its Relation 1 King. 7.12. Though, its certain, Preoccupations are frequent in the ſacred Leavs; as immediately about the Utenſils of the Temple, after all; and therefore we ſhal not rigidly preſs upon it from Scripture, though Joſephus in his 8th book is peremptory in this point, as you have read above. So that if you will permit Joſephus to be his own Interpreter, as 'tis all the reaſon in p. 43the World he ſhould, behold him now joyning hands with our expoſition.

Thus much then may abundantly (I hope ſuffice, as to the two firſt Arguments, out of Scripture, and out of Joſephus, to prove two Courts round about the Temple, eſpecially out of the laſt, whoſe Authority was alwayes brought to contradict it.

The third Argument may turn upon the Hinges of the Temple Gates, in the outward Court, opening of their own accord for a deciſion to this controverſy: which were placed to all the four winds, ſaies Joſephus. Evidently clearing, that the great Court was round about the covered building. For he tells us expreſly in another place, concerning the inward Court of the ſecond Temple (according to very judicious Perſons, it being correſpondent in moſt things to the firſt) that it had no Gate toward the Weſt. Theſe are his words, foreign. If then there were Gates to all the winds,De Bell. Judaic. lib. 6. cap. 6. p. 916. F. and if there was none on the Weſt in the inner Court, it followes, that the Weſtern Gates of the Temple muſt be placed in the outward Wall of this great Court, compaſſing the Temple and the inner Court round about.

Fourthly, The Compaſſe of the wall of the outward Court being four Furlongs, according to Joſephus his deſcription of Solomon's buildings, each furlong taking up a whole ſide of the Quadrangle: doth clearly determine the Gates on the Weſt ſide to be in the wall of the outward Court, which by its largeneſſe muſt needs be ſuppoſed to compaſſe the inner.

I will yet add two probabilities to this purpoſe, that the Court did compaſſe the Temple. The firſt may be taken from the dimenſions and poſition of Moſes his Tabernacle. Wherein we read that the Court was ſet up round about [The Tabernacle.] This might be fully demonſtrated from the length and bredth of the Court and Tabernacle.Exod. 40.8.Exod 40:8 The Court is expreſly declared to have been 100 Cubits long and 50 broad. The covered Tabernacle, Torniellus and others do evince,Exod. 27.18.Exod 27:18 from the meaſures of the Boards and Curtains, to have been but 30 Cubits long and 10 broad within,Annal. ad ann. 2544. Num. 60. and conſequently to have been placed within the Court. Now, that the Temple did in many things imitate Moſes his Tabernacle, though generally double to its dimenſions, is clear to every one: being 60 long and 20 broad, as to inward capacity, the Walls not being conſidered; whereas Moſes was but 30 in length and 10 in bredth, a… aboveſaid. Wherefore then, as Moſes his covered Tabernacle ſtood within its Court incloſing it round on every ſide: ſo it is ſomewhat probable that in this particular the Imitation might ſort; even that the covered Temple ſtood within the Walls of its Courts.

The ſecond probability may be deduced from Zorobabel's and Herod's Temple, agreeing in moſt things with Solomon's, as very ſober Authors, upon ſerious deliberation, do hold forth; only the Fabrick of the laſt covered houſe was ſomewhat larger. But Herod's Courts, conceived by many to be praeciſely wrought up in the very vestigia or prints of Zorobabel's Walls, did compaſs the Temple round about, as may be cleared out of the Jewiſh writers, and particularly out of Codex Middoth and L'Emperour the learned Commentator upon it. Which probably being erected, according to the pattern of the ancient Temple of Solomon, with the conſent of ſeverall judicious Writers, as I have often hinted, may in ſome meaſure help to confirm the aſſertion of its compaſſing Courts, before largely treated of, from the teſtimonies of the ſacred Scriptures, and our often cited Hiſtorian of the Jewiſh Nation.Montania. Abulenſis. Villalpandus &c. pag. 91. col. 1. lin. 14.

At length, to conclude, the conſent of many very learned men, both Jews and Chriſtians, in this particular, is very conſiderable. Though indeed Montanus doth ſomewhat vary from others in the frame and form of p. 44the compaſſing Courts, conceiving them to be largeſt at the Eaſt end, and narroweſt at the Weſt.

But of the Courts encompaſſing the Temple never did any doubt, (that I yet read of) till Ribera, upon the miſconſtruction of Ioſephus, in that forecited paſſage [foreign] had obtruded upon other overſequacious pens the ſame conceit: whereof ſufficiently, in foregoing lines.

Recapitulatio.Thus much may then ſuffice, as to the number of Courts in Solomon's daies. Firſt, that for certain there were two in number. Secondly, that moſt probably there were two onelyonly. Thirdly, that for form they were quadrangular, and both compaſſing the Temple. If you will adhere to Montanus, then you muſt not conceive each Quadrangle to be aequi-lateral: but the Eaſt Wall to have been far longer then the Weſtern. Yet if you will follow the generall opinion: Then the Courts, wherein the covered Temple ſtood, were each of them of a ſquare aequi-laterall Figure, one within the other. Fourthly, it's moſt probable that the new Court, or Womens Court, together with the Chel, or ſeparate place, of 11 Cubits broad, encloſing both the Prieſts and the Womens Court, round about with a Wal, were not extant in Solomon's daies. But, that they were laid out during the firſt Temple, and encloſed with walls, it's imagined by ſome to be manifeſt in a good meaſure from Scripture it ſelf, and the Teſtimony of Jewiſh Writers. But becauſe their laſt Erections were not digeſted by Solomon, nor diſtinctly mentioned in Scripture, we have taken leave to diſmiſſe them to the deſcriptions of the Rabbies, and their Sectators, and the Commentators on the viſionary Temple of the Prophet Ezekiel.

Of the Quantities of the Courts.

SInce then we have found out two Courts encompaſſing the Temple, let us try if Joſephus will yet lend his hand any further, from the Records and Traditions of the Jews, to determine their Quantities and Dimenſions, who may well be cre…ited, having with his own eyes beheld the admirable and vaſt foundations of Solomon's, on the Eaſt ſide of the Temple, raiſed up out of the deep Vally, and not deſtroyed in his time. Nay ſome or Solomon's civill buildings remained in the dayes of Rabbi Benjamin, pag. 43. Edit. L'Empereur. 80 1633if he may be credited in his Itinerarium, foreign ſpeaking o… what he ſaw at Ieruſalem, viz. Some remnants of the Stables of Solomon's Court, which Solomon (ſaies he) built with very ſtrong Buildings, and with great Stones, the like whereof no where to be found. This Rabbi wrote his Travels in the common year of our Lord 1173, as L'Empereur in his praevious diſſertation doth manifeſt. If this be true, it's very probable, the vaſt foundations of the Temple might be much more extant in Joſephus his daies: who hath told us plainely, that each ſide of the outward Court, even in Solomon's dayes, was a compleat furlong. For though that King ſhould be ſuppoſed to have built the Eaſtern Porch only (albeit Joſephus ſaies he porcht it round and that it was four-ſquare lib. 8. as above cited) yet if that eaſtern part were a furlong in length as he ſaies lib. 15.Antiq. l. 15. And the whole work likewiſe was foreign in quadrangular form, and that the reſt of the ſides were aequall to this, as the ſame Author aſſerts: it will then prove 4 furlong in compaſs. Each furlong or ſtadium of Joſephus being 600 Grecian feet, or 625 Roman, which is all one, as before I mentioned out of the Commentator upon Cenſorinus. The ſtory is, that Hercules running in his greateſt ſpeed, as much as he could at one luſty breathing, finiſhed the ſpace of 600 of his own meaſured feet, and there being out of breath made a ſtop or ſtation, and thence aroſe the meaſure of the Olympick Stadium: which the Grecians afterwards generally received. Now p. 45the Roman foot, as I ſaid before, being half an inch leſs then the Grecian, 625 of theirs (conſequently) will be commenſurate to 600 of the Olympick feet, and make but the compleat meaſure of one and the ſame Stadium. So then from 625 Roman feet,625 4 2500 De re ruſt. l. 5. Origin. l. 15. c. 15. being quadrupled for the Walls of the four ſides of the Outward Court, there ariſes 2500 Roman feet for the compaſs of the Wall of the Outward Court: which being divided by five (becauſe five Roman feet make one of their Paces, as Columella, and Iſidorus, and many others truly relate) gives in the Quotient five hundred Roman Paces; that is, juſt half a mile of their meaſure, for the exact Circuit of the Wall of the outward Court of the Temple. But there was more ground upon the Mountain of Moriah then this (which was thus ſacred) by two whole Stadiums; whereupon, afterwards, the Tower Antonia was built: For Joſephus teſtifies, that the whole compaſs of the Temple, together with this Tower was ſix Furlongs: and it's alſo clearly manifeſted, by that Learned Dr. Lightfoot, in his Second Temple,De bello Judaico, lib. 6. cap. 6, Pag. 4. out of an ancient Rabbin.

To reduce the compaſs of the Holy Ground to Engliſh meaſure, let us firſt remember, that every Statute-mile is three hundred and twenty Perch in length or eight Furlongs; each Furlong containing fourty Perch; and every Perch ſixteen foot and ½.

Secondly, let every Engliſh foot be divided into twelve Inches, or one thouſand Parts; and each part into twelve Scruples: ſo that each Inch, or twelfth part of thoſe thouſand, will contain 83 of thoſe parts, and four ſubdivided ſcruples.

Thirdly, according to this Diviſion, let's remember, that the Engliſh foot exceeds the Roman by 33 ſuch 1000 parts; that is, the Roman foot contains in length but 967 of thoſe thouſand,33./1000. whereinto the Engliſh foot is divided; as the Learned Mr. Greaves hath fixed it: which, 33/1000 parts of the Roman foot's deficiency, in reſpect to the Engliſh, being ſubſtracted from 83 parts, and 4 ſcruples (that are equal to one Engliſh Inch, as aboveſaid) leave fifty parts, and four ſcruples remaining of one of our Inches: ſo that the Roman foot is ſomewhat above the third part of our Inch deficient as to it's co-extenſion with our Engliſh foot. Conſequently, each Engliſh Pace (of five foot, or five thouſand ſuch Parts before-mentioned, to a Pace) will exceed the Roman Pace by 165 of the ſame parts;

that is, of our meaſure, one Inch, eighty one Parts, and eight Scruples. Furthermore, five hundred Engliſh Paces ariſe to three Furlong, thirty one Pole, eight Foot and ſix Inches, or five hundred Parts of a Foot of Engliſh Meaſure:

Which exceeds five hundred Roman or Italian Paces (or their half mile, anſwering to the four Stadia before-mentioned) by five Pole, no Feet, one Inch eighty Parts, and four Scruples of our Meaſure: Which latter being ſubſtracted from the former ſum of the five hundred Engliſh Paces, yields a reſidue of three Furlongs, twenty ſix Pole, eight Feet, four Inches, three Parts, and no Scruples: The exact extent of the Wall of the outmoſt Court, according to our Engliſh Meaſure. So that this being the compaſs p. 46of the Wall of the outward Court of the Temple, according to our Statute-meaſure, in proportion to the Roman foot, whereof 625 make Joſephus his Furlong equivalent to the Grecian (as 'tis ſaid above) we ſhall find it preciſely to fall ſhort of an Engliſh half-mile, 13 Pole, 8 Feet, one Inch, 80 Parts, and four Scruples.

Middoth. c. 2. Edit. L'empereur. p. 35. Hiſt. Judaic. ex Hebr. in Lat. ver. à Gentio, p, 359, &c.Now upon the ſuppoſition of Joſephus his fixing the length of the Wall exactly, and that it did truly correſpond with the length of four Stadiums, according to his recital; we have with more nicety, then ſome perhaps will think requiſite, reduced the outward circuit of the holy ground, to a preciſe and determinate portion of our Engliſh mile. However, thoſe that pleaſe, may ſay, in general, that it was almoſt half an Engliſh mile in compaſs.

But now ſeeing the Rabbins generally with open mouth, and one Vote, declare this Court-Wall to have been 500 Cubits ſquare, which ſeems to contradict Joſephus; let's try if we can by any means reconcile them. It's true, theſe Rabbins treat uſually of the ſecond Temple; and therefore no need may ſome think of reconciling them to Joſephus, whom we have cited in this particular for the firſt Temple. To which may be anſwered, that Joſephus lays down the ſame meaſure for the External Court of both Temples: Upon which, and other accounts, it is, that ſober and learned perſons have generally conceived the form and quantity of the Outer-Court, to have been the ſame under both; and therefore it will be pertinent enough to our work in hand, to make an inquiry into the ſenſe of the Rabbies, ſo far as my ſmall acquaintance will give me leave to trade with them, and to obſerve what communion there is droven betwixt them and Joſephus. To this end it will not be amiſs to call to mind, that Villalpandus, in many places, doth quote Joſephus, as averring, that the Wall of this Outer-Court, was but 400 Cubits ſquare; and, particularly, in his Apparatus, Pag. 118.8. But he no where tells us in what place Joſephus doth ſo declare himſelf, that I yet find, though upon diligent ſearch: Neither have I yet obſerved, though upon careful peruſal of all his Books, that Joſephus himſelf doth any where mention the Quantity, circumſcribing the Outer-Court by Cubits, but by Furlongs; as Antiq. l. 15. cap. 14. unleſs the printed Copy be falſe in one place, which I vehemently ſuſpect in his Hiſtory of the Jewiſh Wars. The words are theſe, [foreign] The Interpreter, probably, having uſed another Copy,Lib. 6. cap. 14. Secundum Graecam, Edit. p. 916. E. then that which we now have printed, hath varied much, thus [Spacium erat uſque ad murum CCC Cubitis planum] The ſpace unto the Wall for 300 Cubits, was plain or eeven; and therein alſo hath probably committed a fault (or elſe the Copy is corrupted) for CCCC. two C's being contracted into the firſt letter of [Cubits] which gave me the Riſe to ſuſpect, that in ſome Vatican Manuſcripts, or of other ancient Libraries which Villalpandus might poſſibly have viewed: it was written thus, foreign. If the Original were ſo of old, then it would play fair on Joſephus his ſide, confirming his own Relation in a place before-cited; where it's ſaid, that each ſide of the ſquare was a Stadium, or Furlong. Now 'tis ſufficiently known, p. 47that a Greek Stadium (with which, as the other Meaſures alſo of capacity better known to the Jews, then the Roman quantities, Joſephus frequently compares his Hebrew Meaſures) was exactly 600 Grecian feet; of which before: So ſayes Cenſorinus; Stadium Olympicum est pedum, DC. Beſides,Cap. 13. de die natali. Suidas profeſſedly tells us in the word foreign] foreign; That a whole Stadium is 400 Cubits, which agrees with the place of Joſephus before corrected, and with what we formerly ſaid concerning a Cubit, that it was neareſt about a foot and a half. Here the Account falls in preciſely with Grecian Meaſures: For 400 Cubits, 600 Grecian Feet, and one Stadium, you ſee, are now coincident.

Well then, as to the reconciliation intended; Joſephus ſays,De Bell. Lib. 6. c. 14. pag. 916. C. Antiq. l. 15. c. 14. p. 544. B. Pag. 27. l. 18. that the whole compaſs of the ſacred ground, together with the Antonian Tower, was ſix Furlongs; which muſt be thus underſtood, That the Temple-ground contained four Furlongs in compaſs: for ſo he ſayes diſtinctly, that each ſide was a Furlong; and that the Tower-Plot took up in compaſs two Furlongs, even as Dr. Lightfoot hath determined it in his Second Temple, and was four-ſquare at the North-Weſt end of the Temple Porches. Each ſide of the Tower then was half a Furlong; ſo that the North and Weſt-ſides took up but half of the whole, viz. one Furlong: by which computation, Joſephus will agree with the Rabbins exactly enough. Though I fear both of them ſpeak but at large, that their Meaſures may fall into round numbers. But let it be here remembred, that this Tower being at firſt uſed for the Manſion-houſe, and laying up of the Garments of High-Prieſt; which ſtanding upon a ſpare place of the Mountain of the Houſe, is by them caſt into the Reckoning of Holy Ground: Not but that yet there was ſome portion of ground remaining on the Weſt, and on the North, for profane, and not at all counted in any of their ſums. So then taking the Circuits of the Temple, and Antonia, diſtinctly and apart, we ſee that the Temple was four Furlongs about, and Antonia but two; which being put into one ſum, makes ſix. But if you joyn the Circuit round about both of them, reckoning onelyonly the two Out-ſides of Antonia, that are fartheſt from the Temple, there will reſult but five Furlongs for the compaſs of the holy ground, commonly ſo reputed. To which, very clearly and patly, agrees a paſſage of Euſebius, out of Ariſtaeus, concerning the Pipes, laid under the Temple, for conveyance of Water, in theſe words, foreign, for five Furlongs round about the Foundations of the Temple: See Euſeb. Prapar. Evang. Lib. 9. Cap. 38. The ſame, word for word, we read in Ariſtaeus his own Greek Copy, Pag. 27. lin. 11. Edit. Baſil. 80 1561. in Epiſtola ad Philocratem. Wherefore, ſeeing the Greek Stadium of Joſephus was ſix hundred feet, if you multiply them by 5, (that is, five Furlongs) they will yield three thouſand feet for the Circuit round about. Moreover,Vitruv. l. 3, cap. 1. pag. 40. lin. 9. Edit. Lug. Bat. 1649. four Palms (generally being the known parts of a Foot) being multiplyed into three thouſand, will produce twelve thouſand Palms, the Circuit of the Walled Ground. Now the Rabbies ſay, that the Mountain of the Houſe was five hundred Cubits ſquare: ſo that in the four ſides added together, it's Circuit ariſes to two thouſand Cubits: which being multiplyed by ſix Palms to a Cubit, that is a foot and half (as is before ſaid, and may more amply be manifeſted in another place) there iſſues twelve thouſand Palms equal to the meaſure of Joſephus, which makes him and the Rabbies not to fall out in the Building of the Temple.

p. 48Hence then it follows, that the Outward-Court, and its Wall is more exactly determined by Joſephus than by the Rabbins, who lived ſince him, and ſaw not what he reports, as an ocular Witneſs; who tells us expreſly, as is before related, even concerning Solomon's Outward-Court, that it was four-ſquare, each ſide containing a Greek Furlong in length, and the Whole round about being almoſt half an Engliſh mile; as is before computed.

Thus much then for the Compaſs of the Outward-Court.

Of the Inner-Court.

THis Inner-Court is ſometimes called the Prieſts Court. The quantity whereof, under Zorobabel's Temple, about three hundred and ten years before Chriſt our Lord's Incarnation, Joſephus relates out of the Writing of Hecataens Abderita, Contra Apton, lib. 1. pag. 1049. D.ſpeaking of the Wall that encompaſſed the Temple and Altar, in theſe words; foreign. The Stone-Wall encompaſſing it, was for its length, five Jugera; and, in breadth, one hundred Cubits. Now Suidas ſayes, in the word foreign, that it was the ſixth part of a Stadium, which before, we have mani…eſted to have been ſix hundred Grecian Feet; which is proper to Hecataeus, a Geeek Writer. Hence then we learn, that in thoſe days, the length of this Court, from Eaſt to Weſt, was five hundred Grecian feet, which is parallel to three hundred thirty and three Cubits, and ½. If the Hebrew Cubit ſhould prove neerer to a Grecian foot and half, than to the Roman, (which being of an intricate Hiſquiſition, I leave to another Diſcourſe.) But theſe 333 Cubits excellently well concur with the length of the Plot of the Inward Courts of Zorobabel's Temple, the Walls not being admitted into Dimenſion. For the conſtant computation of them is thus:… The Prieſts Court 187 Cubits long: The Womens 135: And the Chel 11; which produces the 333 Cubits of Hecataeus, wanting but 1/3 of a Cubit, to parallel with his foreign, or 5/6 of a Stadium, for the length of this Court. But as to Roman Meaſure, five hundred Greek feet are equal to five hundred and twenty feet, & ten Inches, which is equivalent to three hundred fourty and ſeven Cubits, and four Inches, if a Cubit be but a foot and ½ of Roman meaſure: ſo that this will yield above fourteen Cubits for the two outmoſt Walls; beſides the 333 Cubits before ſpoken. Now as to the breadth, Hecataeus mentions one hundred Cubits; which unleſs we accept, concerning the bare ground on the North and South-ſide of the covered Temple, deſtitute of any building, it will not agree with the Jewiſh Deſcriptions. But if it be ſo underſtood, then the breadth of the covered Temple Walls and Chambers, being fifty Cubits, as is ſaid before: This being added, makes the ſum agree in 150 Cubits for the whole breadth: whereof more by and by.

But you will ſay; This whole ſtory of Hecataeus is concerning the Second Temple of Zorobabel's. To this I onelyonly, at preſent, anſwer; That if the Outward Court Walls were raiſed in the ſame place under the ſecond, wherein they ſtood under the firſt Temple; then is this a good teſtimony of Hecataeus to our purpoſe. For which we ſhall not very earneſtly contend, though there be good probabilities for that purpoſe. It is true, the length and breadth of neither Court can be defined out of Scripture, unleſs you will joyn iſſue with Villalpandus, as to his Viſionary Temple in Ezekiel: which (…o nomine) becauſe related but in Viſion, cannot be a ſound Foundation for material Temple-Buildings; eſpecially ſeeing the p. 49Dimenſions of the Wall, round about the Outward Court are laid down by Ezekiel to be two thouſand Reeds, each Reed being ſix Cubits, and an hand breadth. Now ſeeing that two thouſand Cubits are five Furlongs at four hundred Cubits to the Furlong, as aboveſaid; Then two thouſand Reeds will be ſix times five, that is, thirty Furlongs, beſides two thouſand hand-breadths, which ariſes to 333 Cubits, and 2/6, or 1/3, that is, almoſt another Furlong; whereas Ariſtaeus, an Eye-witneſs, (if his Copy he true which we have, though the Authors work concerning the ſeventy Tranſlation, is warranted by Tertullian, pag. 31. in his Apology againſt the Chriſtians, pag. 637. 80.) teſtifies in theſe words concerning the City Jeruſalem it ſelf, foreign, Its compaſs was fourty Furlongs. Now, if according to Ezekiel, there were about thirty one Furlongs in compaſs, expended upon the Temple-Buildings, there will remain then but eleven for all the City beſides; which is moſt abſurd, Nay, Joſephus who knew it better, ſayes the whole City was but thirty three furlongs in compaſs, De bello Judaico, lib. 6. cap. 13. Graec. pag. 914. B. which receives farther confirmation by his Teſtimony, concerning the circumvallation of Titus, in his Siege againſt the City, which he relates to take up but 39 ſtadia, in his 6th Book. De Bello Judaico, cap. 31. or 13 Lat. Pag. 937. B. in theſe words, foreign: Whence we muſt neceſſarily infer the compaſs of the City it ſelf to be leſs then the Line of the Beſiegers, which incompaſſed the City of thirty three Furlongs in circuit, as he had related before. So that there will be left by Ezekiel's Meaſures of the Temple, but a little above two Furlongs for the whole City. Inſomuch, that we may juſtly wonder at the coſts and pains of Villalpandus, in his large Volumes, building a Temple without any ſolid Foundation for its Dimenſions, to be extended upon the holy Mountain, which was incomparably leſs in its whole Circuit, then Ezekiel's Temple-Courts. Well then, we muſt not be peremptory in this buſineſs: I ſhall onelyonly preſent to conſideration thus much concerning this inward Court of the Prieſts in Solomon's days: That ſeeing the Temple it ſelf, or the covered Building was in its inward Dimenſions, double to Moſes his Tabernacle; why may not the Court about it be double to Moſes his Court? The holy Place and the Oracle, with Moſes, was 30 long; with Solomon, 60 long. The breadth in the Tabernacle was 10, and in the Temple 20. Then ſeeing Moſes his Court was one hundred Cubits long and fifty broad, why may we not thence allow the Prieſts Court round about Solomon's Temple, to be two hundred long, and one hundred broad? This conjecture is ſomewhat fortified by the plain Ground-Plot, or Area, of this Court under the ſecond Temple: For we read expreſly,Codex Middoth. p. 169. cap. 5. Sect. 1. that it was one hundred eighty and ſeven long: ſo that our two hundred Cubits yields ſix Cubits, and ½, for the thickneſs of the Walls, Eaſt and Weſt, in that Court, to make its Dimenſions co-incident with the ſecond Temple. But as to the breadth, North and South, let's conſider, that the Temple-Building, with its appendant Chambers, in its inward Area, (not meaſuring the Walls; for in theſe proportions, they are to be excluded) was triple to the inward Area of Moſes his Tabernacle, which was but ten Cubits broad within. Now in the Temple, the Holy Place was twenty Cubits broad, and the Ground-Chambers, on each ſide, were five Cubits a piece in Floor, that's ten for both, making thirty in all for the inward A real capacity of the breadth of the covered Temple, neglecting the Walls: So then, upon this ſuggeſtion, conſequently, the breadth of the Prieſts Court will fall out to be one hundred and fifty Cubits in all, which is in triple proportion to the Court of Moſes's Tabernacle, being but 50.Exod. 38.12, 13.Exod 38:12Exod 38:13

p. 50But ſome will ſay, as to this contrivance, the Porch was left out, as to the length; for that made it 70 in all, which makes another proportion betwixt them, as to length.

I anſwer; Firſt, that the Porch was onelyonly for beauty, but the Side-Chambers were for uſe. And, ſecondly, the marvellous co-incidency of this our conjecture, with the Meaſures of the ſecond Temple, doth much allure us,Middoth. Ibid. to lay down theſe proportions. For therein we read, that this very Court was 135 broad in open Area, leaving 7 Cubits, and ½ for the thickneſs of the two Walls, on the North and South, that it may ly parallel with 150 Cubits of our ſuppoſed breadth of this Inner-Court, in triple proportion to the Court of Moſes's Tabernacle.

Theſe Courts then in ſome meaſure, (I hope) are fixed, as to their number and faſhion, including the Temple within two Squares; though as to their Dimenſions, I can ſay nothing peremptorily: onelyonly that the great Court (if Joſephus may be believed,) was four hundred Cubits ſquare, and ſo compleatly finiſhed, as to the Foundations out of the Valleyes, the Wals, the Gates, and the famous Porch at the Eaſt end, and other ordinary Porches round about, even by Solomon himſelf; as we have before manifeſted from that Author. The Prieſts Court probably, fixed by proportion, taken from the Tabernacle to the Temple, and concurring with the Dimenſions of that Court under the ſecond Temple.

2. Chron. 20.5.2 Chr 20:5There remains yet ſomething to be ſaid of the new Court, which we evidently find erected before the deſtruction of Solomon's Temple, and was called the Womens Court under the ſecond: Not as if they alone did reſort into that place, but that they could go no further.

There was alſo the ſeparate place, or the Incloſure, called Chel, which ran round about both the Prieſts Court, and the Womens. But their quantity is utterly undeterminable out of Holy Scripture,Lam. 2.8. King. 42.1.Lam 2:8 what it was under the firſt Temple. Beſides, they not being extant in Solomon's dayes, pertain not neceſſarily to this Deſcription. Neither ſhall we need to give in the Plot of theſe Courts, unleſs any would imagine, that the Jews did preciſely raiſe the Walls of theſe Courts, in the very Tract of the old Ruines, which poſſibly might be ſo; though we cannot prove it, as to all the Courts: Yet Joſephus is a clear Witneſs in this point,Lib. 15. c. 14. p. 544. B. p. 545. D. as to the great outward Court, that it was walled in the ſame place under both Temples: if we compare what he ſayes concerning the Buildings of Solomon and Herod, together. Wherefore, as to theſe laſt Courts, we are content to leave their Meaſures in the ſame poſture under the firſt, as they are punctually deſcribed to have been under the ſecond. We are ſure the Walls of both Temples were of like faſhion, if we compare 1 King. 6.36. with Ezra 6.4. Moreover, Dr. Lightfoot gives in his Verdict, that 'tis almoſt paſt peradventure, that Cyrus gave his Commiſſion for the ſecond Temple, after the Pattern of Solomon's, having learned it from the Jews about him, Temple, pag. 43. As to this point, I ſuppoſe from good Authors (I am ſure, from Scripture) it will be as hard to contradict it, as for us to prove it. We ſhall then, at preſent, conclude upon the Dimenſions of theſe two Cubits briefly.

The Great Court ſquare, 400 Cubits.

The Prieſts-Court, within the other; long, 200; broad, 150; Deſiring the more diligent Reader, and one better acquainted with theſe Antiquities, to touch them charily and gently: For we have ſet them up onelyonly at preſent for a tryal, how they will ſuit with the conveniencies of Temple-Worſhip, and more firm conſequences, either from Scripture, or approved ancient Authors, that may be hereafter brought to light, either to approve, or diſprove the Premiſes; and we do accordingly promiſe, that with all p. 51care and ſpeed we ſhall endeavour then to fix them in their moſt exact places.

Of the Walls, Gates, Porches, Treaſuries, Pavements, &c. in both theſe Courts.

IN the next place, we are to ſpeak concerning the Walls, Gates, and Pavements, Porches, Stairs, Treaſuries, and Houſes, of dedicate things within thoſe Courts, which Solomon built: for as to the New-Court, and the Chel, we ſhall leave them to the Deſcribers of the ſecond Temple.

For the Walls then, how thick or high in the Outward Court, Scripture is ſilent; and ſo is Joſephus alſo: unleſs, as to the ſecond Temple, which if exactly like the firſt, we have nothing to do, but to refer the whole work to its Deſcribers. Ariſtaeus ſayes, in his time, they were foreign,Pag. 26. above 70 Cubits high.

That the great Court; as alſo the inward, were both walled round about,1 King. 7.12.1 Kgs 7:12 we have it recorded in Scripture; together with the manner or form of the Walls viz. with three Rowes of Hewen-ſtone, and a Row of Cedar-Beams, which we find to be the very ſame for the ſecond,Ezra 6.4.Ezra 6:4 in the Commiſſion of Cyrus; which makes us fomewhat inclinable, to think, that their very Poſition alſo was in the ſame place with the former. But I leave that in bivio.

The Gates.

As for the Gates of the outward great Court, we read, that the Doors, or Folding-leaves, were over-laid with Braſs;2 Chron. 4.9.2 Chr 4:9 but their Situation we are to learn from the Diſcourſe about the Porters of the Temple, in 1 Chron. 26.13, &c. Where we find, as followeth.

1. An Eaſt-Gate: For the Lot fell to Shelemiah Eaſtward, verſ. 14. at which Gate there were to watch ſix Levites, ver. 17. This,6 Levites. under the ſecond Temple, was called Shuſhan Gate. Some think, it was called the Kings Gate: Not that the King went in, that way, but becauſe King Solomon built it in a more ſumptuous and extraordinary manner then the reſt.1 Chron. 9.18.1 Chr 9:18 In ſome one of the Chambers, in this Gate of old, ſate the Sanhedrim, and ſometimes alſo in the Eaſt-Gate of the inner or higher Court, as may be learned out of Jeremy, by comparing theſe places together, Jerem. 35.4. & 36.10.

2. The North Gate. For the watching at which Gate, the lot fell to Zechariah, a wiſe Counſellour, the Son of Shelemiah, called alſo Meſhelemaiah, See 1 Chron. 26 v. 2. and v. 14.4 Levites. Here there were four Levites placed in the daily watch v. 17.

3 The South Gate. For which the lot fell to Obed-Edom, v. 15.4 Levites. Here there were four Levites in conſtant watch, v. 17. Whether there were two Gates in the South Wall, or not, is diſputable. For though Joſephus ſayes foreign In the plural: yet he ſpeaks there of the ſecond Temple. From hence ſome hold there were two, and probably ſo, under the ſecond. The Rabbins alſo agreeing to it, and calling them the Gates of Huldah. But that there was but one under the firſt Temple, I rather incline to think, becauſe there are but four Porters mentioned Southward. There being at the four main and principall Gates, four alwayes ſet to watch.

p. 524 The Weſt Gate called Shallecheth, from Caſting up; the word being derived from foreign to caſt up, as being denominated from that famous Cauſey, which Solomon made here, to paſſe on from his own houſe over the Vally into the Mountain of the Temple.1 Chron. 26.16. Eſa. 6.13. pag. 17.1 Chr 26:16Isa 6:13 The Gate ſtood by the Cauſey of the going up, as we render it, whereof there is famous mention. Each ſide of this Cauſey was planted with Oaks and Teyle trees, as Dr. Lightfoot hath well obſerved. There were alſo made ſtately Railes of Algum trees, by tranſpoſition, called alſo Almug trees, which ſome take to be Corall,Edit. Gentij. pag. 357. 2 Chron. 9.11. 2 Chron. 2.8. 2 Chron. 9.10.2 Chr 9:112 Chr 2:82 Chr 9:10 and to be fecht out of the Sea neer Tyre; ſo, a Rabbi. But this is improbable, becauſe ſuch a hard materiall was not proper or fit to make Harps, and Pſalteries, which were made of the ſame Algum trees. Beſides they are expreſly ſaid to be fetcht from Lebanon, and from the golden land of Ophir. Others ſay, they were the ſame wood that we now call by the name of Ebony; others, Brazil wood: becauſe they have fancied Ophir to be Peru. Others, with the learned Buxtorf, explain it of the beſt ſort of Cedars, to which we ſhall incline till better light; being ſure that Lebanon was very famous for Cedars. Poſſibly this might be ſome more excellent ſort then the ordinary which is commonly mentioned. The 70 in Chron. render it foreign, Wood of the Larch-tree, as ſome interpret foreign which will not eaſily burn as Vitruvius ſayes lib. 2. c. 9. concerning a Caſtle neer the Alps built of it, which Caeſar could not deſtroy by fire. The vulgar Latine calls them Thyma ligua: which Dodoneus expounds of the wild Cypreſſe. Well, what ever the Wood were, it was a rare and choiſe ſort, whereof the King made ſtayes for the houſe of the Lord, we render it in the Text, Pillars: in the Margin of our Bibles, Railes or props, The Word is foreign Avenarius turns it thus,1 King. 10.5. 2 Chron. 911.1 Kgs 10:5 Fultura quae ſcilicet utrâque parte gradus ſuſtinet. The Seventy two render it foreign. In another place the ſame thing is rendred foreign, we read in the Text Terriſes, in the Margin, Stayes, and (that which ſuits beſt of all) High-wayes, to the houſe of the Lord, by the Seventy foreign, which is the proper meaning of the word, as may be found in many places of Scripture, where it is ſo rendred, and particularly, Eſai. 33.8. and 49.11. This famous Cauſey, planted with trees on both ſides, for ſhade and pleaſure, and railed with Railes of Cedar, or ſome ocher choiſe and excellent wood, for ſafety, was that ſtately aſcent to the houſe of the Lord, which Solomon made for a paſſage from his own Houſe into the Temple, through the chief Weſtern gate, called Shallecheth from this admirable Cauſey, which the Queen of Sheba did not without cauſe behold with pleaſing wonder.2 Chron. 9.42 Chr 9:4 This Gate was called Coponius his Gate, under the ſecond Temple. Where for the ſervice of watching, there were placed alſo, as at the three other Cardinal Gates, ſo ſo alſo here,1 Chron. 26.18. 4 Levites.1 Chr 26:181 Chr 26:4 four Levites. The lot fell to Shuppim and Hoſah v. 16. Now becauſe this Gate was open onelyonly to the King and his Family, and becauſe a great part of the City lay on the Weſt ſide of the Temple, we read of other Gates in this Weſtern Wall.

As firſt of all, the Gates of Aſuppim which were two little ones, being at the Southermoſt end of the Weſtern Wall,1 Chron. 26.15. v. 18. 4 Levites.1 Chr 26:15 together with a Treaſury called the Houſe of Aſſuppim, lying betwixt them. The lot for the watch at theſe two little Gates fell to the Sons of Obed-Edom. To each Gate two, v. 17. that's four Levites to theſe two Gates. Whereby it ſeems they were but little ones. For the famous great Gates, that ſtood in the midſt of their Walls, had four a piece. That here were two Gates, the Text inſinuates by the diviſion of the number of Porters, ſaying not four: But toward Aſſuppim two and two, that is, two to each Gate.

p. 53Then laſtly comes in Parbar-Gate, which is expreſly fixed Weſtward, and two Levites placed in their watch at that Gate. v. 18.2 Levites.

We have then you ſee four Prime Gates, to the four Winds, and three leſſer ones, towards the Weſt beſides; that's ſeven in all: And twenty four Levites, in their conſtant order, watching at every one of the Gates, according to the lot of their Father's Houſes, and their ſeveral Diviſions.

Of the Gates of the Inward Court.

BEfore we come into the Prieſts Court, to view the Gates, we muſt aſcend by fifteen ſteps or degrees, which for form were ſemicircular, the whole were in height ſeven Cubits and a half, each being half a Cubit in Riſe. Where by the way, take notice, if the Cubit were a whole yard, as ſome would fix it: it would prove, Hic labor, hoc opus, to climb up thoſe Staires. The Aſcent would be neither gracefull nor pleaſant. Theſe were the ſteps whereon the Levites ſang the fifteen Pſalmes of degrees. Which thing, together with the Conformity of this Aſcent to the ſecond Temple, is the onelyonly motive why ſuch a number is delivered. Thoſe Pſalmes (as is delivered by many grave Expoſitors) being aſſigned by David to be ſung upon this Aſcent.

Being entred we can find but five Gates in this higher Court of the Lord's Houſe, if Scripture be conſulted.

1 The Eaſt-Gate, called the higher Gate of the Lord's Houſe, which was either new-built or repaired by King Jotham, and is called,2 King. 15.35. 2 Chron. 27.3.2 Kgs 15:352 Chr 27:3 as ſome think, The High Gate of the Houſe of the Lord. Though there is one place which ſeems to favour an apprehenſion that the high-Gate there mentioned was the ſame with Shallecheth, or the Weſt-Gate of the outward Court towards the King's houſe. For if you obſerve 2 Chron. 23.20. The Scripture tells us that Jehojaedah with the reſt brought young King Joaſh, newly crowned in the Temple, from the Houſe of the Lord: that is, the inner Court, where he was crowned and anointed neer his royal pillar, as we have before obſerved, and then being brought into the outward Court, they came with him through the high-Gate into the Kings Houſe, where the immediate connexion of the Kings Houſe ſeems to imply, that the High-Gate, ſo called, of the Temple, was that which was neereſt to the Kings Houſe. There are two probabilities to ſtrengthen this conceit. Firſt, that it was called the high-Gate, becauſe ſituate on the higheſt ground of Moriah: which was at the Weſt end of the Temple: ſo confeſſed by all. Secondly, the Eaſtern Gate though pompous, yet it's obſerved by Dr. Lightfoot that its Battlements were made low,Temple ſervice, cap. 17. §. 2. that the Prieſt on the Expiation day, on Mount Olivet, might behold the Porch of the Temple. Beſides, probably, the Weſtern Gate was built the more magnificently, becauſe of the royall entrance of the Kings. But to proceed; This Eaſtern Gate of the inner Court, being thus (as is conceived by moſt, with whom we will not fall out) magnificently rebuilt by Jotham, had, by reaſon of its new Erection, the name of the New-Gate of the Lords Houſe. The Entry whereof was kept by the Fathers of the Levites, who had there alſo a famous Chamber, where of old time the High Court of Judicature,Jer. 36.10. Ezek. 8.7, 11.Jer 36:10Ezek 8:7Ezek 8:11 called the Jewiſh Sanhedrim, did ſit in counſell. This Gate was called by the name of Nicanor under the ſecond Temple. Concerning which, and the remaining Gates, the diligent Reader may conſult the forecited learned Author, in his ſecond Temple, for a clear guide in theſe particulars.

p. 54In the South-Wall of this inward Court, there were of old but two Gates, that we yet find recorded in Scripture.

Jer. 20.2.Jer 20:21. The High-Gate of Benjamin, becauſe it ſtood on ſomewhat higher ground then the other, and was called by the name of Benjamin, becauſe it ſtood in the Lot and Territory of that Tribe, as the Temple with the Altar fully did. This was called the Gate of Kindling, under the ſecond Temple.

2. The lower Gate of Benjamin, which ſtood in the South-Wall over againſt the Altar, and was called the Water-Gate under the ſecond Temple.

On the Weſt-ſide of the Temple, and in the Weſtern-Wall of this Inner-Court,De bello Jud. lib. 6. cap. 6. p. 916. F. there was no Gate at all: So Joſephus, and all the Ancients, ſpeaking of the ſecond Temple, do fully agree: Whence it clearly follows, that the Weſtern Gates muſt be placed, as before, in the wall of the Outward Court. If the Suppoſition of the firſt Temple, its being an example in its moſt conſiderable Buildings and Frame for the ſecond to follow (wherein moſt agree) be built upon ſolid Foundations.

On the North there were two Gates in their Poſition exactly correſpondent to the Southern.

1. The Upper North-Gate opened upon the Body of the Temple, and is called the Gate of the Lords Houſe toward the North, but tearmed the Gate Beth-Mokadh under the ſecond Temple:Ezek. 8.3, 5, 14.Ezek 8:3Ezek 8:5Ezek 8:14 In which place the Women ſate weeping for Tammuz, as they are repreſented by the Prophet Ezekiel.

2 The Gate of the Altar, becauſe it was right againſt the Altar, and oppoſite to the lower Gate of Benjamin. This is the lower North-Gate, and under the ſecond Temple was called Nitzotz, Ezech. 8.5.Ezek 8:5or the Gate of the Song.

Theſe are all the Gates of the Prieſts Court, that are mentioned in Scripture under the firſt Temple, which proves not, that there were no more: But onelyonly gives us to conclude, that no more are yet cleared up for our entrance into this Court.

The Pavements.

The Pavement of both Courts, with what ſtones it was laid, is not clear. That there was one in the great Court,2 Chron. 7.3.2 Chr 7:3 is very evident: For the Text ſayes, All the People bowed themſelves with their faces to the ground upon the Pavement, and worſhipped, who were not admitted into the Inner-Court, whereby it's moſt probable, that the Prieſts Court was alſo paved, becauſe of their various ſervices that did require it. It appears alſo very probable, that the Prieſts Court was paved, by that Relation of Ahaz his taking Sown the Brazen Sea from off the Oxen, and ſetting it upon the Stone-Pavement, Moſt probably, in the ſame Court, where it ſtood in its gallantry.De bello Jud. lib. 6. c. 14. p. 916. C. 2 King. 16.17. The ſecond Temple had its Court laid with all manner of ſtones, when as the Riches of the Nation was nothing comparable to what it was in the dayes of Solomon: and therefore we may juſtly conceive, that the firſt was far more tranſplendent in theſe Ornaments.

Each Court was made plain and even with aſcents, by ſteps, out of the firſt into the ſecond, and out of that into the Temple Porch. Under the ſecond Temple there were 15 ſteps,Id. l. 6. c. 14. pag. 917. B. as before is ſaid, out of the great Court, at the Eaſt-Gate, entring into the higher Court, or that of the Prieſts. Beſides the advance out of that Court into the Porch, was by 12 ſteps, as is commonly conceived of the firſt in ſimilitude and likeneſs to the ſecond.

p. 55The Porches.

The Porches of each Court follow next to be ſpoken to: For which purpoſe, let's ſee what may be the meaning of that place, where it ſayes,1 King. 6.36. 1 King. 7.12. ver. 10.1 Kgs 6:361 Kgs 7:12 that the Inner-Court was built with three Rowes of Hewen-ſtones, and a Row of Cedar-Beams, ſeeing that in the ſame manner alſo the outward Court was built according to the meaſure of Hewen-ſtones of ten Cubits, and of eight. Poſſibly ten long and 8 broad; or, ſome ten long; ſome 8 long; or elſe cubical. Some underſtand that Text, of Rowes of ſtones in the thicknſs of the walls, lying plain and even one with another, parallel to the Horizon and Cedar-beames within the Stones for the inſide of the Courts and Porches; ſo Montanus. Others underſtand it of three Rowes of Stones on upon another in height, and Cedar beams at top: So Ribera. Some by this expreſſion underſtand the Cloiſters round about the Courts,foreign, Joſeph. Ant. l. 8. c. 2. pag. 266. G. That they were built with three Rowes of Stones, of ten Cubits high and eight Cubits thick a piece. So that the out-wall of the Cloiſters was eight Cubits thick, and thirty Cubits high of ſolid ſtone, and then Cedar beames at top lying croſſe upon Pillars within. The wall running Eaſt and Weſt the beames were laid at top North and South, with Pillars underneath, which made a walk covered at top, and open on the inſides, towards the open Pavements of the Courts, the beames being ſupported with Pillars, like as the Royal Exchange or the Piazzo in Covent-Garden. If this be the truth, then 'tis clear by the Text, that Solomon himſelf did Porch both the Courts; for they are both de…cribed to be of the ſame form of Building in the forecited places:2 King. 7.12.2 Kgs 7:12 the laſt whereof Villalpandus peremptorily interprets of the outward or great Court of the Temple, Explanat. in Ezech. Tom. 2. Part. 2. Lib. 1. Iſagog. Cap. 9. Pag. 22. Col. 2. D. and Part. 2. in cap. 40. Ezech. lib. 3. cap. 25. and joyns Tostatus with himſelf in the ſame Opinion. If ſo be this be truth, then 'tis clear, that Solomon built a ſtately Wall at leaſt, even round about the outer or great Court, if he did not porch it round: But Joſephus, when he treats particularly of Solomon's Buildings,Antiq. lib. 8. c. 2. pag. 266. G. ſpeaks plainly, that Solomon did porch even the outward Court round about, as well as the inward. His words are, foreign, &c. Without this (meaning the inward Court-Wall) He built the foreign (or outward Court) which was Holy Ground alſo, but not equally to the inward. For he ſayes preſently, that no perſons but ſuch as were clean, according to the Law, might enter into it) in quadrangular or four-ſquare form, erecting great and broad Porches: which ſeems to refer to the very laſt words, even to all ſides of the Quadrangle. But if you will not have Joſephus to quarrel with himſelf, you muſt interpret him of the Eaſtern Porches onelyonly, which it is clear, from other places of his Works that Solomon built them fully. But if the former expreſſion, in Scripture, of the Hewen-ſtones, and Cedar-Beams, be meant of Porches, then farewel any niggardly Expoſitors, and let Solomon's Buildings be as large and ſumptuous as his Heart: onelyonly at the Eaſtern end, we will delineate double Porches. Now whereas before ſome ſcrupled much of having but a Wall on the Weſt ſide of the Temple, becauſe of the forecited expreſſion, that Joſephus ſayes, the Temple was naked till after-times: Let's take the ſame Author's mind into counſel, and we ſhall find he tells us, that Solomon himſelf did equal thoſe Precipices, and made the outward Court equal, i.e. In ſmoothneſs, to the Court of the Temple, and there ſpeakin… of double Porches, ſayes, they were round about.Antiq. l. 8. c. 2. pa. 263. A. His words are foreign. He compaſſed that alſo with double p. 56Porches, foreign referring to the foreign, or the outward Court, whereof he is now treating. So that Joſephus acquainting us in his ſixth Book, of the Jewiſh Wars, that in Solomon's days the Temple was naked and open on all ſides but the Eaſt; till after-ages raiſed the praecipitious declivity, with accumulation of Earth: (that ſo he may not appear contradictory to himſelf) we muſt explain him of thoſe vaſt Subſtructions of Stone-Walls, raiſed out of the deep Vallies, and ſtately double Porches built upon them, as at the Eaſt end: Whereas, if he means by foreign, that it had no Wall, no Court-room, though uneven, and no ſingle porcht Buildings at all: but that the Weſt-end of the covered Temple ſtood upon the Brink of the praecipitious Rock; we muſt make Joſephus either a Lyar, or of a ſlippery-memory, or his preſent Book to be very corrupt. But, for my part, I had rather excuſe it by a ſlip of his Pen in this place of the Jewiſh Wars, where this foreign is mentioned: Seeing in the Books of the Antiquities, where he doth of ſet-purpoſe, handle the famous Acts of the Kings of his Nation, he plainly tells us, Solomon porcht the Temple-Courts round about; which we have proved in the ſecond Chapter at large, to have been in Circuitu Templi, encompaſſing the covered Building. Now his Books of the Jewiſh Antiquities were written after the other of their Wars; as he himſelf aſſures us, Antiq. l. 1. cap. 22. p. 20. F. & lib. 13. cap. 9. p. 443. F. Wherefore in this laſt written Book of his Antiquities, clearly deſcribing of Porches round about, even built by King Solomon, he doth tacitely retract his former errour about the nakedneſs of the Temple in his Jewiſh Wars; Wherefore I cannot but wonder at Ribera, and his Proſelytes, in this particular, that they ſhould lay the ſtreſs of their opinion about the deformity of the Temple on theſe two or three words; ſo often mentioned; eſpecially ſeeing he himſelf gives Joſephus this deplorable Character [ſayè ita lubricus eſt, ut cum maxim? tenere eum credas, elabatur] Riber. de Templ. l. 1. c. 28. He ſays, a little before, that he was a grave Hiſtorian, and an Eye-witneſs, and yet preſently that he is ſuch a ſlippery fellow, that when you do moſt confide, in having attained the true ſenſe of his mind, He ſlips like an Eele through your fingers: Almoſt as bad as that Stigma impreſt upon another Author, which I have heard of; He was a good Hiſtorian, but that he wanted truth. To let paſs then the modern Opinions of ſome few that ſlip down the declivity after Ribera for want of Courts and Walls, as having no plain Foundation for their own ſtanding, we ſhall proceed to a further view of this magnificent Temple; having, we hope, clearly recovered its priſtine luſtre in the circum-ambient Buildings, and gained moſt beautiful Porches, with ſtately Pillars round about both the Courts: OnelyOnly where there were Gates with their Buildings, and Chambers with their Treaſuries.

That there were Treaſuries and Chambers round about in the Courts, is evident by King David's Pattern given to Solomon, which no doubt he exactly followed, or elſe God would not have declared himſelf well pleaſed with his Offerings.1 Chron. 28.11, 12, 13.1 Chr 28:111 Chr 28:121 Chr 28:13 The place, for the Pattern, is in the Book of Chronicles, wherein v. 11. we read of the covered houſe, with its Porch, Houſes, Treaſuries. Upper-Chambers, and Inner-Parlours; and then ver. 12. of the Courts of the Houſe, and all the Chambers round about, and the Treaſuries.

In the Buildings of the Outward Court were the Chambers and Lodgings of the Levites eſpecially in thoſe near the Gates,1 Chron. 9.27.1 Chr 9:27 where their Offices lay. Some places there were for the Miniſterial Veſſels, and the Inſtruments of the Sanctuary: Other Rooms for fine Flower, Salt, Wine, Oyl, Frankincenſe, Spices, Ointment, &c. See Ver. 28, 29, 30.

p. 57Mattathiah (the firſt-born of Shallum) with his Brethren, was Porter at the Eaſt-Gate, and his Office pertained to things made in Pans. So that the Paſtry-Office, it ſhould ſeem, was in ſome Rooms of the Eaſt-Gate of the Inner-Court.

Others were appointed over the Shew-Bread. The place whereof, under the ſecond Temple, was in Beth-Mokadh, and ſo poſſibly under the firſt.

The Singers alſo, and Players on Inſtruments, had their fixed Chambers, which was under the ſecond, and probably ſo in the firſt-Temple, in Nitzotz, or the Gate of the Song, which was before, called the Gate of the Altar.

But how to diſpoſe all the Chambers and Treaſuries exactly, as to the times of the firſt Temple, is beyond any Inference from Scripture. If ſo be the ſecond was proportionable and conformable in theſe points to the firſt: then we need to exhibit no other then a Tranſcript of L'Empereur in Middoth, and of the Learned and excellent pains of Doctor Lightfoot, who hath made great uſe of his Rabbinical Learning, for the opening of Scripture.

To conclude, whether there were any ſmall low ſeparating, Wall in the higher, or Prieſts Court, as we read of under the ſecond, cannot be determined clearly out of Scripture; and therefore we ſhall leave that ſub judice; and now at length remove our Camp to the next Chapter.