The Temple of Solomon Portrayed, History · Chapter 5

The Temple of Solomon Portrayed · History · Chapter 5

p. 91CHAP. V. Concerning the Solemn Worſhip, and Service of GOD, in the Temple.

THis Chapter might be diſtinctly methodized, and accordingly handled; either as the Worſhip hath reſpect to the various Perſons or Officers employed in ſeveral Sacred Functions: Or, ſecondly, as to the different Solemn Times of Service and Worſhip, in their Myſterious Solemnities: Or, thirdly, as to the various Sacrifices and Offerings, commanded by God, to ſmoak upon His Holy Altar. All which Particulars, we ſhall crave leave, in as brief a manner as poſſible, to exhibite in their due order and method, in three diſtinct Sections following.

SECT. I. Of the Temple Officers, their Names and Employments.

IN the firſt place, we ſhall ſpeak of the different ſorts of Officers about the Temple, which are particularized under five ſeveral Names in Scripture, viz. Prieſts, Levites, Singers, Porters, Nethinims. The Prieſts are diſtinguiſht into the chief Prieſts, and the other interiour Prieſts of the 24 Courſes.

Of the chief Prieſts.Ezra 7.24.Ezra 7:24

The chief Prieſts, were two; the High Prieſt, and his Second; the High Prieſt was, by the Appointment of God, that Perſon, who was the Lineall Heir, in Aaron's Poſterity, the eldeſt living that deſcended in the moſt direct Line from his Loins. His Office was mainly upon the Expiation Day, (being the 10th of the 7th MonethMonth) to perform the Solemn Rites of that Service, in entring the Holy of Holies, not without blood, and to perſume the Oracle with fragrant Incenſe, Exod. 30.10. Lev. 16.34. Heb. 9.7. Unto which Joſephus adds, that He aſſiſted in the Work on every Sabbath,De Bell. Judaic. l. 6. c. 6. p. 9 18. F. in every New-Moon, and every Solemn Feſtival; as may appear out of the 1 Chron. 6.49.

The ſecond Prieſt was the moſt eminent among the reſt; who, in caſe of Sickneſs, Pollution, or other Emergency, befalling the High-Prieſt, did ſupply that Office. Therefore is it, that ſome think Moſes of old to have be…n a ſubſtitute to Aaron: ſeeing Scripture doth expreſly call both of them the Prieſts of the Lord, Pſ. 99.6. We read moreover that Moſes did officiate in the Prieſts office at the conſecration of Aaron his Brother, Levit. 8. Howexer it be, wee find for cerain Eleazar and Ithamar, &c. p. 92uſually put together in the Days of Moſes. Hophni and Phinehas, in the old Age and blindneſs of Eli. Zadock and Ahimelech, in the days of David; 2 Sam. 8.17. Chap. 15.35. 2 King. 25.18. Luke 3.2.2 Sam 8:172 Kgs 25:18Luke 3:2and afterwards Zadeck and Abiathar▪ Serajah, the chief Prieſt, and (expreſly in ſo many terms) Zephaniah, the ſecond Prieſt, in the time of Judah's Captivation by Nebuchadnezzar.

And laſtly, in the days of our Saviour, Annas and Caiphas are called the High Prieſts; not that there were two in that great Office at once, as ſome have conceited, through the Jewiſh Corruption of the Commandements of God at that time; but that the one was a preſent help, and conſtant ſubſtitute to the other, in caſe of neceſſary detention from his actuall ſervice.

Of the Ordinary Priests.

The ordinary Prieſts were ſuch as ſprang from the Loins of Aaron, and were in a Collateral Line of Kindred, allied to the High Prieſt, which were all Levites, as flowing from Levi, who was the Abavus, or Great Grand-Father of Aaron: But being ſeparated from the reſt of the Levites, for ſome more immediate ſervice unto God, are generally termed Prieſts; whereas the term of Levite is reſtrained to all others of the Poſterity of Levi, beſides the Line of Aaron.

Theſe Prieſts, for the more eaſie carrying on of the Temple-Work, were divided into 24 Courſes by Lot, according to this enſuing Table in the days of David, by his Appointment. But theſe Orders, as to their Genealogicall Succeſſion, having been much confounded ſince that time, eſpecially under the Captivity: poſſibly, the Prieſts of Nehemiah's Liſt might receive new Names, according to a new Lot, for their ſeveral Stations; and therefore it is, perhaps, that we find the ancient Names ſomewaat varied, and ſome of the new Courſes not to be found Regiſtred, according to all the Names of David's Diviſion. Howſoever, ſo far as they can be without many Tranſpoſitions of Letters clearly ſet down, we may read, as follows.

1 Jehojarib, 1 Chron. 24.7 called Jojarib, in Nehem. 12.6, 19.

2 Jedajah, 1 Chron. 24.7. Neh. 12.7, 19.

3 Harim, 8 Neh. 10.5. & 12.15. Or, Rehum, Chap. 12.3.

4 Seorim, 8 Perhaps Serajah, Nehem. 10.2.12.1.12.

5 Malchijah, 9 Nehem. 10.3. Or, Malluch, Neh. 12.2. Or, Melicu. v. 14.

6 Mijamin, 9 Nehem. 10.7. Or, Miamin, Neh. 12.5. Or Minjamin, Neh. 12.17.

7 Hakkez, 10 Perhaps Hatiuſh, Neh. 10.4. & 12.2.

8 Abijah, 10 Neh. 10.8. & 12.4 17. Luke 1.5.

9 Jeſhuah, 11.

10 Shecaniah, 11 Neh. 12.3. Or, Shebaniah, Nehem. 10.4. & 12.14.

11 Eliaſhib, 12.

12 Jakim, 12.

13 Huppak, 1 Chron. 24.13.

14 Jeſhebeab, 13.

15 Bilgah, 14. Nehem. 12.5, 18. Or, Bilgai, Neh. 10.8.

16 Immer, 14. Perhaps Merim…th, Neh. 10.5.

17 Hezir, 15. Called Ezra, Neh. 12.1, 13. Or, Azariah, Nehem. 10.2.

p. 9318. Aphſes., 15.

19. Pethahiah, 16.

20. Jehezekel, 16.

21. Jachin, 17.

22. Gamul, 17.

23. Delaiah, 18.

24. Maaziah, 18. Neh. 10.…. or Madiah, Neh. 12, 5. Moadiah ver. 17.

Of …heſe twenty four courſes, The firſt courſe entring upon the firſt Sabbath after the Temple's dedication, continued ſo in the devolution of the work unto each ſucceeding courſe, from Jehojarib the firſt untill the captivity, and, being afterwards fixed in the beſt order they could, did ſo endure till the daies of our Lord's Incarnation,Luk. 1.5.Luke 1:5 neer which time we read of Zachariah's Miniſtration at the Altar of Incenſe, being foreign, (or as we tranſlate it) Of the Courſe of Abiah, which was originally the eighth in number: it being called foreign, as ſome think from this hebdomadicall or weekly entrance into the ſervice. Which word (if critically inſiſted upon,) though it may not yield ſufficient ground to build the aſſertion of this conſtant revolution of courſes at ſuch a ſet time as a week (and if ſo, yet is it not ſafe to lay ſtreſſe upon words, the argument, from Etymology, being very ſandy, ſince the fall of the Tower of Babel, upon the tongues of our Anceſtors) yet notwithſtanding there are two places of Scripture that help us in this point (that we may diſmiſſe verball niceties to their tongues, to whom they do movere Salivam) The former place acquaints us of the Prieſts entring in upon the Sabbath, and the latter,2 Chr. 23.4. 2 Kin. 11.7.2 Chr 23:42 Kgs 11:7 of their going forth upon the ſame day, which is ſufficient enough at preſent to our purpoſe: eſpecially,Joſeph. Anti. l. 7. c. 11. p. 248. G. mihi. ſince confirmed by Joſephus (being himſelf a Prieſt) in theſe words: foreign. And he ordained (ſpeaking of David) that one Family, or courſe, ſhould miniſter unto God for eight daies together, from Sabbath to Sabbath. Of theſe twenty four Tribes or courſes,1 Chr. 24.4.1 Chr 24:4 ſixteen were of the line of Eleazar, and eight of the race of Ithamar.

The work impendent upon their ſhoulders, ſince the Tabernacle-Veſſels were taken off, after the ſettlement of the Ark, in the fixed place of the Temple, was various and excellent, conſiſting principally in theſe following particulars.

1 The work of ſacrificing, with all its rites, did lye upon them in all Offerings on the Altar of burnt offering, nay,1 Chr. 6.49. 2 Ch. 29.22.1 Chr 6:491 Chr 6:2 the whole ſervice of the moſt Holy place.

2 The Government of the Sanctuary and of the Houſe of God was impendent on their ſhoulders.1 Chr. 24.5.1 Chr 24:5

3 They ſet the new-prepared ſhewbread on the golden Tables within the Sanctuary every Sabbath, and removed the old.

4 They ordered the Lamps of the golden Candleſticks every Morning.

5 They kindled the daily Incenſe to make a ſweet perfume in the Temple, at the time of the dreſſing of the Lamps,1 Chr. 6.49.1 Chr 6:49 that the ſtench of that work might not be offenſive.

6 They were rhe unappealeable Judges of Leproſy:Lev. 13.2, 3.Lev 13:2Lev 13:3 and Jealouſy betwixt man and wife.

7 They blew the Trumpets to the ſolemn feaſts:Joel. 2.15. 1 Ch. 15.24. & 16.6. Num. 10.8. & 31.6.Joel 2:15Joel 2:1Num 10:8Num 31:6 and alſo before the Ark at its ſolemn removals, and alſo to accompany the Captains of the Battel in War, with their ſilver Trumpets before the Battel, as may be perſpicuouſ…y evident out of ſeverall places of the holy Scripture.

p. 942 Ch. 13.12. Lev. 6.12, 13. Exo. 30.23. 1 Chr. 9.30. Mal. 2.7.Lev 6:12Lev 6:13Exod 30:231 Chr 9:30Mal 2:78 They were to looke to the burning of wood continually upon the brazen Altar, that the fire once kindled from heaven might never be extinguiſhed.

9 They were to make the holy Ointment with the appointed Spices.

10 They inſtructed the People in the Law of God.

Of the Levites.

The Levites, diſtinctly ſo called, were not Prieſts, but ſuch as came from the ſtemme or root of Levi, excepting the Children of Aaron. Theſe perſons were appointed to wait upon the Sons of Aaron, in the Courts and in the Chambers,1 Chron. 23.28, 29. &c.1 Chr 23:281 Chr 23:29 in the purifying of all the holy things, and the work of the ſervice of the houſe of God: Both for the Shew-bread, and for the fine flower, for Meat-Offerings, and the unleavened Cakes, and for things baked in Pans or fryed, and for all manner of Meaſure and Cize, (a good preſident, to learne us of what ſacred eſtimation we ſhould account, and what diligent care we ſhould take in the conſervation of the ſtandard Veſſels; for the adminiſtration of commutative Juſtice) they were alſo to ſtand every Morning to thank and praiſe the Lord, and likewiſe at Evening. Yea, and to offer all burnt ſacrifices unto the Lord, (that is, to aſſiſt the Prieſts in caſe of multitude of Offerings, ſuch as were extraordinary) in the Sabbaths, new Moons, and Set-Feaſts, by number, according to the order commanded them, continually before the Lord. And that they ſhould keep the charge of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and of the holy place, and of the Sons of Aaron their brethren, in the Service of the houſe of the Lord. For which end they were at firſt numbred at the age of thirty years,1 Chron. 23.26, 27. 1 Chro. 23.3. &c.1 Chr 23:261 Chr 23:271 Chr 23:3 but after the daies of David alwaies at twenty: Becauſe then they did no more carry the burden of the Tabernacle-implements and Veſſels. Their number in the latter end of King David's reign was computed at thirty eight thouſand; whereof twenty four thouſand were ſet off for the work and buſineſſe of the holy Houſe: Six thouſand to be Officers and Judges: four thouſand were Porters, and four thouſand were Singers and Players upon Inſtruments. So that the work of the Levites was mainly Templar, which lay within the precincts of the Temple: and partly provincial, as the devout Sr. H. Spelman ranks them.Tithe. p. 36. &c. 2 Chr. 8.14. 1 Chr. 16.4. Num. 18.3.2 Chr 8:141 Chr 16:4Num 18:3 But their capitall buſineſſe, was to praiſe and miniſter before the Prieſts, and before the Ark, to record ſacred affairs, to thank and praiſe the Lord God of Iſrael. They were not in any caſe to approach near the Veſſels of the Sanctuary, no nor of the Altar, in any way of Miniſtration after the Nature of Prieſts, unleſſe in caſe of neceſſity, when the number of the Prieſts was not ſufficient for the greatneſſe of ſome feſtivall ſolemnity, then we have an inſtance of the Levites helping them to flay the burnt Offerings,2 Ch. 29.34. till the work was ended: Elſe they might not. In ſo much, that when the Ark of the Covenant was ambulatory in the Wilderneſs, and unfixed before the Temple's erection; though the Levites might bear it upon their ſhoulders, when it was wrapt up in the Vail; yet they might not either touch it,Num. 4.15.Num 4:15 or (as ſome think) look upon it, when uncovered. Wherefore in David's time there ſeems to have been a double error committed about the Ark. The firſt was in carting that moſt holy and myſterious piece. For although the Philiſtines did ſend it home upon a new Cart toward Bethſhemeſh without enſuing danger; yet the Iſraëlites might not dare to deal ſo irreverently with that rare ſymbole of the divine preſence,1 Sam. 6.11.1 Sam 6:11 as to ſet it on a homely Cart, if they diligently conſulted the p. 95Law of Moſes. 1 Chr. 15.12, 13, 14, 15. Ant. l. 7. c. 4.1 Chr 15:121 Chr 15:131 Chr 15:141 Chr 15:15As to which very point David humbly confeſſeth his and the Peoples miſcarriage. The ſecond Error is conceived by ſome (out of Joſephus) to have been this, even that Ʋzza the Son of Abinadab, being but an ordinary Levite, and no Prieſt, might not preſume to touch the holy Ark, according to the ſtrict inhibition of Moſes, who therefore was ſo immediately and miraculouſly ſmitten down before God in the very place of his tranſgreſſion. So tender and jealous is the Lord of Hoſts of every point of his inſtituted Worſhip, which might make us extream wary and watchfull how we draw nigh to God under Ordinances, even in the Goſpell-daies, wherein though the ceremoniality of Worſhip is not ſo ſtrict, yet the ſpirituality is far more advanced, and we are to draw neere with hearts more heavenly & abſtracted from the impurities of the world, and it is dangerous dallying with his divine Majeſty, in uſing any traditionall rites, or ceremoniall inventions of man in his ſolemn ſervice, being never ſo fairely coloured and varniſhed over with the ſpecious pretences of decorum, unity, order, Church diſcipline, and peace. For certainly, God is not wanting in giving forth a platform for Goſpel-worſhip in all points neceſſary for evangelical Churches, as to which God expects of us the ſame that he did of Moſes, that we look to it, that we doe all,Exo. 25.40. Mat. 15.9.Exod 25:40Matt 15:9 according to the patern ſhewn to us by Chriſt in the Mount. For in vain do we worſhip, if we teach the Commandements of men for the Doctrines of God: either to gratify the carnall Humours of Perſons wedded to and ſoaked in the poyſonous Cup of Romiſh ſuperſtitions: or to carry on a magiſteriall deſign of being Lords of our Brethrens Faith and Practiſes, by impoſing Dictator-like upon others conſciences in punctilio's of externalls and extraeſſentialls to Salvation: When as probably enough their opinions in thoſe niceties have no more ſolid reaſons grounded upon Scripture (the ſole rule of Faith, Worſhip, and Manners) to evince their practiſe to be ſober and judicious; than the Pope of Rome hath of title to his Patrimony, or univerſall Head-ſhip, from the Donation of Conſtantine, or the cruel Phocas of the Eaſtern Empire. But craving pardon for this ſmall digreſſion, upon the remembrance of the ſad providence upon Uzza; let us proceed to rank theſe Temple-Officers, the Levites, in a fourſold ſeries. Whereto we ſhall ſpeak awhile, 1 Concerning the Singers among them, 2 Of the Porters, 3 Of the Treaſurers, and 4 Of the Judges.

Of the Singers.

We read in the ſacred lines, that this was one great part of the work incumbent on a proportioned number of Levites for that purpoſe: Whom David ſet apart for Temple-Muſick, which was either vocall or inſtrumentall. The inſtrumentall either pneumaticall or manuall: All which is expreſſed in that verſe,1 Chr. 15.16.1 Chr 15:16 wherein the chief of the Levites are commanded to appoint ſome of their Brethren, to be Singers with inſtruments of Muſick, Pſalteries, Harps, and Cymbals ſounding, by lifting up the voice with Joy.

So that now theſe inſtruments mixed in conſort with the Trumpets of the Prieſts made a lovely noiſe in the Court of the Altar.

p. 96It were worth our paines (if it were a thing feazible to give any ſatisfaction) to treat awhile concerning the exact form of their Inſtruments and the method of their muſical notes, and the manner of pricking their Pſalms. But deſpairing of that at preſent I ſhall onelyonly ſpeak a little about the various Inſtruments, which are mentioned in the holy Scriptures, and then of their 24 Courſes.

We read of theſe three ſorts of Inſtruments, wherewith they praiſed God: and made a ſolemn ſound therewith, to refreſh the ears of thoſe Iſraelites who came to werſhip God at the Temple.

1 Cymbals.

Ver. 19.1 Cymbals of Braſſe, whereon the chief maſters of Muſick played and are related to have made a ſound foreign the 70 render it foreign, which ſome imagine to be round Balls, others, flat pieces of Braſſe like Drums, to manage the Baſſus or Baſe-part in the Muſick.

Ver. 20.2 Pſalteries.

2 Others are ſaid to make a ſound or joyfull noiſe upon Pſalteries, in the Hebr. foreign, in the 70, foreign. The word comes from foreign cecidi…, and is uſually applyed to leaves falling off Trees in Autumn: as if ſo be the Inſtruments were to be ſo choicely and gently toucht, as if a leaf only had faln upon them. Therefore is it added on Alometh, that is the ſilent or hidden Muſick. For the curious gentle ſound and moſt ſweet Lute-like melody, which it gave forth. foreign the greek word, which ſome tranſlate it by, is according to the great Etymologiſt derived foreign from the touching of it with the fingers. But others think it was plaid upon with a Bow, or Quill, or the like, and that it was an Inſtrument with a hollow belly like our Lutes, Viols, Gitternes, and the reſt, becauſe the Hebr. word Nebel is in one ſignification uſed ſometimes for a Bottle or Bag of Skin,Pſa. 144.9.Ps 144:9 hollow within. Whatever the faſhion was, it ſeemes to have been an Inſtrument with ten ſtrings. On a Nebel with ten strings will I ſing ſaies David; yea, it is called a ten-ſtringed Inſtrument, by appoſition diſtinctly from a Harp, Pſal. 33.2. & 92.3.

1 Ch. 15.21.3 Harps.

3 Others are mentioned to have plaid foreign which is rendred by the 70, foreign, with Harps on Sheminith, to excell. This Harp or Kinnor, one of the ancient Fathers reſembles to the Greek letter Λ being an Inſtrument of wood, whoſe ſtrings ran along from the Baſis of the Triangle and from one of the ſides alſo,Gen. 4.21.Gen 4:21 to the other: much like thoſe of Wales or Ireland, which we call Harps at this day. That they were plaid upon with the band is implied by the ſtory of Jubal before the flood,Pro. 30.28.Prov 30:28 when he is called the Father of all that do foreign handle the Harp, which word is expreſly joyned with the actions of the hands, metaphorically aſcribed to the Spider by Solomon. Wherefore it pleaſes Avenarius well, to derive the foreign from foreign by tranſmutation of ν into θ. It ſeems this Inſtrument (whatever the form were) was compoſed but with eight ſtrings in David's time. For it is termed in this place of the Chronicles foreign ſuper octochordis, on the Kinnoroth Haſheminith, on Sheminith (as we tranſlate it) that is, on Harps being eight ſtringed.

p. 107I know there be ſeveral, who upon the citation of Joſephus, do conceive,Antiq. l. 7. c. 10. p. 243. A. mihi. that the Kinnors had ten Strings, and were touched with a Plectrum, or Bow, and that the Nablia had twelve Strings, and were plaid on with hands. It is not for me to endeavour to put Joſephus his words out of Tune in this his Leſſon, (which others have learned from him) by my ſcraping any longer upon theſe Inſtruments: though ſometimes the Ear of a ſtander-by may tolerably air the Leſſon which is plaid, as well as the Muſician himſelf. I do not ſuſpect Joſephus his Skill in Muſick: yet finding the ſtrings of his Hiſtorical Harp crackt in many places, and in ſome things diſſonant to himſelf, I am afraid his Copy is corrupt in this place, (upon the probabilities out of the Hebrew Texts before mentioned, and confirmed by ſome Learned Authors) as it is in many other places: which might be evidenced at large. But I ſhall herein ſubmit my ſelf to the Doctors in that Science, and put a pauſe or ſtop to this particular, and leaving our ſinging Levites in their Harmonious Conſort, let's obſerve, how the reſt of the Levites, Prieſts, and Porters, ſtood in their ſeveral Stations, and Watches, hearkning, wondring at, and praiſing their great Skill in that Coeleſtial and Spherical Myſtery.

The Inſtruments which they uſed, were ſome of them made of Firre;2 Sam. 6.5. 1 King. 10.12.2 Sam 6:51 Kgs 10:12 others, of Algum-Trees: Of which Wood, we have treated more largely in another place of this Temple-Hiſtory.

The Times wherein this melodious Service was performed, were in the Morning and Evening, and generally in the time of ſacrificing, noting how acceptable their Sacrifices were to God; and alſo that our prayers muſt be mixt with praiſes. That it was done in time of Sacrifice, appears by the Relation of the Work of Dedication in Solomon's days.2 Chron. 7.3, 6.2 Chr 7:32 Chr 7:6 For when as Solomon offered, the Levites waited with their Inſtruments of Muſick; and the time is expreſly declared, when they ſaw the fire come down from Heaven, then they worſhipped and praiſed the Lord, ſaying. For He is good; for His Mercy endureth for ever. Which Verſe was the ſame that the Prieſts anſwered to by their Trumpets, and the Levites arrayed in White Linnen,2 Chron. 5.12, 13.2 Chr 5:122 Chr 5:13 having Cymbals, Pſalteries, and Harps, did ſing unto moſt melodiouſly.

The place where they ſtood officiating in this Muſical Employment, was at the Eaſt-end of the Altar. To which purpoſe, 'tis obſervable,Ver. 13. that ſome of the Pſalms, are called Songs of Degrees, upon the account of that place where they were ſung and plaid to, which ſome do think to be upon the 15 ſteps ariſing out of the great Court, into the Prieſts Court, at the Eaſtern Gate thereof.

But now as to the ancient Hebrew Songs, we may even hang up our Harps upon the Willows, not being able to tune them aright in a Land ſo ſtrange, and in an Age ſo remote from that of the flouriſhing ſtate of the people of Iſrael in the Holy Country. OnelyOnly give us leave to remember Zion, while we do account their Antique, yet no doubt excellent Songs, as to the Metrical Compoſition, among the Deperdita, or things-loſt, as to our knowledge. Although a Learned man, Dr. Gomarus by name, in his Lyra Davidis, hath endeavoured, in ſome meaſure, to revive the knowledge of their Meters comparing David's Pſalms with the Poems of Pindar, and other Lyricks; yet we muſt confeſs, that what hath been yet ſpoken, as to the compoſing part, or fitting of their Songs to Inſtruments, makes no more melody in the Ears of theſe latter Ages of the World, then dumb Muſick.

p. 108But as to their ſeveral Officers and Courſes, for this Solemn and excellent Service, the Scripture hath left upon Record theſe following Intimations.

In the firſt place we read, that they had three prime Officers, Aſaph, Heman, and Jeduthun; for whom many of David's Pſalms were penned, probably for this end, that they might skilfully fit them to the various Notes of their Vocal and Inſtrumental Muſick; and therefore are ſtyled and directed; ſome to the chief Muſician; ſome to the Sons of Korah; ſome to Jeduthun, and the like.

The Sons of theſe principal Muſicians, with their Brethren, and near Kinſmen,1 Chron. 25.6, 7.1 Chr 25:61 Chr 25:7 were diſpoſed in a moſt exact and harmonious method, containing 24 Courſes in all, of men that were cunning and well inſtructed in the Songs of the Lord. Each Courſe had 12 chief men, and all the 24 Courſes made up 288. and the whole number of all that belonged to the Song,1 Chron. 23.5.1 Chr 23:5 under the chief Maſters of all the Courſes, ſet in order by David, were 4000:

2 Chron. 25.8, 9.2 Chr 25:82 Chr 25:9The 24 Courſes, had each their chief Officer, and 11 more with him, according to this Order by Lot, Ward againſt Ward.

1 Joſeph, the Son of Aſaph, 1 Chron. 25.2, 9.

2 Gedaliah, Son of Jeduthun, v. 3, 9.

3 Zaccur, of Aſaph, v. 2, 10.

4 Izri, or Zeri, of Jeduthun, v. 3, 11.

5 Nethaniah, of Aſaph, v. 2, 12.

6 Bukkiah, of Heman, v. 4, 13.

7 Jeſharelah, or Aſarelah, of Aſaph, v. 2, 14.

8 Jeſhajah, of Jeduthun, v. 3, 15.

9 Mattaniah, of Heman, v. 4, 16.

10 Shimei, v. 17. He was the Son of Jeduthun. For though his name be omitted, v. 3. where mention is made of Jeduthun's Sons: yet that very verſe tels us, there were ſix of his Sons. So that though but five Names are there recited, yet his name is to be ſupplyed out of the 17th verſe.

11 Azariel, or Uzziel, of Heman, v. 4, 18.

12 Haſhabiah, of Jeduthun, v. 3, 19.

13 Shubael, or Shebuel, of Heman, v. 4, 20.

14 Mattithiah, of Jeduthun, v. 3, 21.

15 Jerimoth, v. 4, 22. Being all the Sons of Heman.

16 Hananiah v. 4, 23. Being all the Sons of Heman.

17 Joſhbekaſhah, v. 4, 24. Being all the Sons of Heman.

18 Hanani, v. 4, 25. Being all the Sons of Heman.

19 Mallothi, v. 4.26. Being all the Sons of Heman.

20 Eliathah, v. 4, 27. Being all the Sons of Heman.

21 Hothir, v. 4, 28. Being all the Sons of Heman.

22 Giddalti, v. 4, 29. Being all the Sons of Heman.

23 Mahazioth, v. 4, 13. Being all the Sons of Heman.

24 Romamti-Ezer, v. 4, 31. Being all the Sons of Heman.

p. 109Theſe perſons thus appointed to the Work of the Songs of Zion were freed from any other Service, being employed in that Work onelyonly,1 Chron. 9.33.1 Chr 9:33 Night and Day.

Now for the farther knowledge of the deduction of the Levites, from the Loins of Levi, together with the ſucceſſion of Moſes and Aaron, the Children of the former, viz. Moſes, being the Lord High Treaſurers of the Temple, of the other being High-Prieſts; let us preſent this Genealogicall Stemme before your Eyes, being deduced out of the 6th Chapter of the firſt of Chronicles, and other places of Scripture.

p. 110Jacob or Iſrael.

Levi.

1 Gerſhon

Exod. 6.17. 2 Libni, or Laadan, 1 Chr. 23.7

3 Jahath 1 Chr. 6.20 & 23.10.

4 Zimmah, 1 Chr. 6.20. Or Zinah, 1 Chro. 23.10.

5 Ethan, or Joah.

6 Adajah, or Iddo, 1 Chr. 6.21.

7 Zerah

8 Ethni

9 Melohiah

10 Baaſiah

11 Michael

12 Shimea

13 Beraehiah

14 Aſaph, the chief Singer.

2 Shimel, or Shimi.

3

1 Kohath, who lived 133 y. Exod. 6.18.

2 Amram

Aaron

4 Ithamar.

5 Eli

6 Phinees

7 Abiezer

8 Buzi

9 Ozi

10 Eli, that brake his neck.

11 Ahitub

12 Ahimelech.

13 Ahijah

14 Abiathar Put from the High-Prieſthood, by Solomon.

4 Eleazar.

5 Phinehas

6 Abiſhua

7 Bukki

8 Ʋzzi

9 Zechariah

10 Merajoth

11 Amariah.

12 Ahitub

13 Zadock, who was High-Prieſt, in the time of K. Solomon in the room of Abiathar, 1 King. 2.2.35.

3 Moſes

Rehabiah

Jeſhajah

Joram

Zicheri

Shelomith, The great Lord Treaſurer of the Temple, 2 Chron. 26.25, 26.

2 Izhar

3 Korah.

4 Ebiaſaph, Exod. 6.24. Or, Aſaph, 2 Chr. 26.1.

5 Aſſir.

6 Tahath

7 Zephaniah

8 Azariah.

9 Joel

10 Elkanah

11 Amaſai

12 Mahath.

13 Eſkanah

14 Zuph

15 Toah

16 Eliel

17 Jeroham

18 E…kanah

19 Shemuel, or Samuel the Prophet.

20 Joel, 1 Sam. 8.2.

21 Heman the Singer.

1 Merari

2 Mahli. Numb. 3.20. Exod. 6.19. 1 Chron. 24.26.

Muſhi,

3 Mahli, 1 Chron. 23.23.

4 Shamer, 1 Chron. 6.46.

5 Bani

6 Anezi

7 Hilkiah

8 Amaziah

9 Haſhabiah

10 Malluch

11 Abdi

12 Kiſhi, or Kuſhajah, 1 Chron. 15.17. Or, Kiſh, 2 Chron. 29.12.

13 Ethan, probably the ſame with Jeduthun, one of three Maſters of Song. If we compare theſe places, 1 Chron. 15.19. & 25.1. & 2 Chron. 5.12.

Obed-Edom. 1 Chron. 16.3.8

p. 111Hitherto ſufficeth it to have diſcourſed of the melodious Singers of the Temple; with the Scheme of their Contemporaries, to illuſtrate the Hiſtory. Let us now walk forth out of the Prieſts Court, toward the Gates and Treaſuries, and take notice of the great diligence adhibited by theſe ſacred Porters, in their ſeveral Wards and Watches.

Of the Porters.

THE next Officers to be ſpoken to, are the Porters, who did watch at the Gates of the Temple day and night. The Pſalmiſt calls upon them that ſtand by night in the Houſe of the Lord, to bleſs His Name; and,Pſal. 134.1.Ps 134:1 in a Pſalm indited for the Sons of Korah to tune, he tells them, He had rather be a Door-Keeper in the Houſe of God, then to dwell in the Tents of Wickedneſs; Pſal. 84.10.Ps 84:10or the Curtains of Alienation from the preſence of him that dwelt between the ſacred Cherubims.

The number of theſe Porters, in a groſs and full ſumme,1 Chron. 23.6.1 Chr 23:6 are remembred to have been four thouſand, by the Appointment of King David, and ſeem to have been divided into 24 Courſes, like as the Prieſts and Singers were. For one Text relates,2 Chron. 8.14.2 Chr 8:14 that Solomon did appoint the Porters by their Courſes at every Gate, according to the Order of David his Father. According to which, if we examine the account ſo far, as it is brought in by Holy Scripture, we ſhall read of 24 chief perſons, whoſe Sons and Brethren ſeem to come by courſe, after 7 days, from time to time, out of their Villages, 1 Chron. 9.25. to that Service, at the ſeveral Gates of the Temple: To which they were deſigned by Lot; as may appear more particularly by this Draught annexed, taken out of 1 Chron. 26.

THE GATES.

So that hence we may obſerve, that there were 24 Porters conſtantly fixed by their Courſes in their ſtations for the Watch, at the Gates of the Outward Court of the Temple. They are recited to have been placed in the four Quarters of the Houſe of God, even towards the Eaſt, Weſt, North and South; and that they lodged round about the Houſe, that is, in the Chambers of the Outward Court, having the over-ſight of the Gates, and had the charge lay upon them of opening them every morning.

Their exact Genealogie, in a direct Line from their Anceſtors, is not preciſely and determinately recorded in a methodical manner, that I have yet obſerved. OnelyOnly the Scripture is pleaſed thus far to inſinuate, that the Porters were of the Line of Korah and Merari. Of Korah, the Grand-Son of Kohath, deſcended Meſhelemiah, the principal Porter of the Temple, being ſetled at the Eaſt-Gate, who is related to have been of the Sons of Aſaph; otherwiſe, called Ebiaſaph, the Son of Korah, Exod. 6.24. & 1 Chron. 26.1.

The Sons of Meſhelemiah were theſe,

Zechariah, He was a Porter of the Door of the Tabernacle in David's time, 1 Chr. 9.21. 1 Chron. 26.2, 3.

Jediael, 1 Chr. 9.21. 1 Chron. 26.2, 3.

Zebadiah, 1 Chr. 9.21. 1 Chron. 26.2, 3.

Jathniel, 1 Chr. 9.21. 1 Chron. 26.2, 3.

Elam, 1 Chr. 9.21. 1 Chron. 26.2, 3.

Jehohanan, 1 Chr. 9.21. 1 Chron. 26.2, 3.

1 Chr. 9.17, 19, &c.1 Chr 9:171 Chr 9:19Elioenai. 1 Chr. 9.21. 1 Chron. 26.2, 3.

This Meſhelemiah is called otherwhere Shallum, the Son of Kore, the ſon of Ebiaſaph, the ſon of Korah; who, with his Brethren, kept the Gates, and the Entry into the Houſe of the Lord. Shallum was chief, and with him were reckoned Akkub, Talmon, and Ahiman, as Aſſiſtants.

p. 113Of the Family of Merari, 1 Chron. 26.4, &c.

Obed-Edom, with his Sons following,

Shemajah,

The Sons of Shemajah.

Othni,

Rephael,

Obed,

Elizabad,

Elihu,

Semachiah.

Jehozabad,

Joah,

Sacar,

Nethaneel,

Ammiel,

Iſſachar,

Peulthai.

There ſeems to be another of this name alſo, in this Office, brought in & annexed to the other, with an ALSO in the ſame Verſe, and is called the Son of Jeduthun, 1 Chron. 16.38.

Of this ſame Family of Merari, was Hoſah, with his Children, Simri, Hilkiah, Tebaliah, Zechariah, &c. who waited upon the Temple-Watches, 1 Chron. 20.10, 11.1 Chr 20:101 Chr 20:11at the Weſtern-End of the Sanctuary.

Of the Treaſurers.

WE have heard that ſome of the Levites were Singers; others, Porters, or Watch-men: Now we come, in a word, to ſpeak of an Appointment of ſome of the Levites to be Treaſurers, whereof there was one Supream, or Head-Officer, whoſe name, in the days of David and Solomon, is mentioned to have been Ahijah, 1 Chron. 26.20.1 Chr 26:20and that He was ſet over the Treaſurers of the Houſe of God, and of the Dedicate Things. Under him there were two other ſorts of Officers: the firſt whereof kept the Treaſures of the Houſe of the Lord, that is, ſuch as were conſtantly injoyned for the maintenance of the Temple; and they are recited by name to have been two Brethren, Zetham and Joel, the ſons of Jehieli; and Shebuel, the ſon of Gerſhom, Ver. 22.of the Poſterity of Moſes, ſeems to have been the chief, being called the Ruler of theſe Treaſures. The ſecond ſort was entruſted with the Treaſures of the Dedicate Things, that is, the Gifts, or Free-will Offerings of the Princes,Ver. 24. Captains, Prieſts, or any other of the people, which were voluntarily preſented unto God, out of ſpoils won in Battels, or any other way, whereby their ſubſtance was augmented. Such as Samuel, Saul, Abner, Joab, David the King, with the chief Fathers and Captains over thouſands, or hundreds, in the Hoſt of Iſrael, had freely beſtowed on the Temple-Service.Ver. 26, 27, 28. Over which we read, that Shelomith was the great Lord-Treaſurer; whoſe Linage, according to all the Names of the Perſons, between Him and Moſes, that we yet find mentioned, was on this wiſe.

p. 114Levi

Gerſhon

1 Chron. 17.20. 1 Chron. 23.7.1 Chr 17:201 Chr 23:7Laadan, or Libni intermediate Sons not known

1 Chron. 23.8.1 Chr 23:8Jehiel, or Jehieli.

Zetham.

Joeli.

Kohath

Amram

Moſes

Zipporah

Jethro

Exod. 2.22.Exod 2:22Gerſhom. Intermediate ſons not known.

Shebuel, over the Treaſures of the Houſe of the Lord, verſe 24. & 1 Chron. 23.16.

Eliezer.Exod. 18.4. 1 Chr. 26.25.Exod 18:41 Chr 26:25

Rehabiah

Jeſhajah

Joram

Zichri

Shelomith, Over the Treaſures of the Dedicate Things, v. 28.

By this ſhort Scheme, though imperfect, for want of Scripture-Light, we may perceive how highly God was pleaſed to honour the Poſterity of Moſes, in beſtowing upon them mainly, the chief Truſt of the Treaſures of his Houſe. Let us here remember, that theſe Overſeers, and Guardees of the Treaſuries, were reckoned among the Porters, as having the diſtinct charge of the Chambers, Doors, and Cheſts of the Treaſures. For it is expreſly recorded, that the four chief Porters had the over-ſight of the Chambers, or Store-Houſes, and the Treaſuries of the Houſe of God, intruſted with them. Moreover,1 Chr. 9.26. 1 Chron. 26.15, 17. 2 Chron. 25.24.1 Chr 9:261 Chr 26:151 Chr 26:172 Chr 25:24 we may obſerve, that the Sons of Obed-Edom, (known Porters) had the houſe of Aſuppim, or the Gatherings, as well as of the little Gates, at each end of the Houſe, committed to them, being the ſame Treaſures that were robbed by the King of Iſrael, in the days of Amaziah, King of Judah. Laſtly, it appears by that paſſage in the time of King Hezekiah's famous Reformation, which acquaints us, that Core, the ſon of Imnah the Levite (the Porter toward the Eaſt) was over the Free-will Offering of God,2 Chron. 31.14.2 Chr 31:14 to diſtribute the Oblations of the Lord, and the moſt Holy Things.

So that it appears, that the Treaſurers and Overſeers of the Dedicate Things, are to be computed among the Porters, but of a higher Rank, then the ordinary Ones, that came in and out by turns to wait at the Gates, to open and ſhut, and watch at them day and night. For ſome we find employed in taking the charge of the miniſtring Veſſels, and bringing them p. 105in and out by Tale, according to the Appointment of the Prieſts.1 Chron. 9.28, 29, &c. 1 Chron. 23.28.1 Chr 9:281 Chr 9:291 Chr 23:28 Some were ſet to the over-ſight of the Veſſels, and all the Inſtruments of the Sanctuary, and the fine Flour, and the Wine, the Oyl, the Frankincenſe and the Spices. One had his Office over things made in Pans; others, over the Shew-Bread, to prepare it for the Sabbath; and others, in other diverſe and various Employments of this nature. But enough of theſe: let us proceed to the Judges of the Nation, that were of this Levitical Tribe.

Of the Judges.

BEſides the Singers, Porters, and Treaſurers, there were alſo Judges of this Tribe of Levi. Some whereof had their conſtant reſidence in the Countrey for this Service, and their number (diſtinct from the 24 thouſand that ſet forward the work of the houſe) is reported to have been ſix thouſand, as Officers and Judges. To cut this Diſcourſe ſhort,1 Chron. 23.4.1 Chr 23:4 we ſhall onelyonly ſpeak to two things, their Linage, and their Office.

As to their Linage, its known out of many paſſages of Scripture, that Kohath, the ſon of Levi, had four ſons, Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Ʋzziel. The Poſterity or Iſſue of which four perſons,1 Chron. 23.12. 1 Chron. 26.23.1 Chr 23:121 Chr 26:23 were ſtyled by the Names of their Fathers.

The Children of Izhar and Hebron were ſet apart for this work of Judgment principally, as to the ſet ſtations. Though probably many hundreds of their Children might be alſo taken up in the immediate ſervice of the Temple, as appears by the Singers of Hemans Company, that were the Iffue of Izhar, as may be ſeen in the Genealogical Scheme of the Singers in preceding pages. Neither is it improbable, but that thoſe 24000 who were employed more immediatly in the Temple-Worſhip, (when they departed in their Courſes from their ſervice) did alſo perform this great and ſolemn work of Judgment among the people. For they coming in, and going out by ſet-numbers every week in 24 Courſes, did appear but once in 24 weeks at the Temple, unleſs at the three grand Solemnities; and ſo had leiſure ſufficient in their ſeveral Cities and Villages to teach the people the Laws of God, to expound the Letter of the Moral, Ceremonial, and Judiciall Parts thereof, and to judge finally in all matters of Controverſie about thoſe Laws, and of their living according to, or the diſobeying of them.

Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his ſons were for the outward buſineſs over Iſrael, for Officers and Judges,Ver. 29. ſaith the Text in the Book of Chronicles; and moreover, that Haſhabiah and his Brethren,Ver. 30. men of valour among the Hebronites, 1700 were Officers among them of Iſrael, on this ſide Jordan Weſtward, in all buſineſſes of the Lord, and in the ſervice of the King. On the other ſide of Jordan, Eaſtward, was Jerijah, chief among the Hebronites, according to the Generation of his Fathers,Ver. 31. in the 40th year of the Reign of King David, who were found among the mighty men of Valour, at Jazer of Gilead, which was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Gad. 1 Chron. 6.81.1 Chr 6:81Of the Brethren of Jerijah, men of valour, there were 2700 chief Fathers, whom King David made Rulers over the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half Tribe of Manaſſeh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the King. So that we find by Record 1700 of the Linage of Hebron, 1 Chron. 26.32.1 Chr 26:32on the Weſt of Jordan, and 2700 on the Eaſt ſide of the ſame Line and Extraction; whence may probably follow, that the 1600 Judges yet remaining, of the number of 6000 mentioned at firſt, that they were of the Poſterity of Izhar, and were employed on the Weſt ſide of Jordan, which was the greateſt part of the Land of Canaan, and, according to the proportion of nine Tribes & a half in that Region, had not ſo many as the two Tribes and half on the p. 106Eaſt of Jordan, poſſibly becauſe of its nearer vicinity to the Court, and the Royal Reſidence, and ſo needed not ſo many, becauſe of the conveniency of their Appeals unto Jeruſalem it ſelf. As to their Office, the comparing of two places of Scripture will manifeſt the great Dignity of their Employment, and the large extent of their power. In the firſt whereof God himſelf commands, that in matters of difficulty, if any ſtrong Emergency did ariſe in Judgment between Blood and Blood, Plea and Plea, Stroke and Stroke, being matters of controverſie, within their Gates, they were appointed to go to the place which God ſhould chooſe, that is, Jeruſalem principally,Deut. 17.8. &c.Deut 17:8 and any of the Levitical Cities ordinarily, where the Judges had their fixed reſidence, and ſhould come to the Prieſts, the Levites, who ſhould determine in a Sentence of Judgment, and the people were to ſtand to their Deciſions; which if any man preſumptuouſly dared to decline, that man was to be put to death, and evil to be put away from Iſrael.

2 Chron. 19.8. Ver. 10.2 Chr 19:8Beſides, we read in the Hiſtory of King Jehoſhaphat, that He did inſtitute in Jeruſalem Levites and Prieſts, to hear and determine Cauſes for the Judgment of the Lord, and for Controverſies, and charged them, that what Cauſe ſoever did come before them, between Blood and Blood, Law and Commandement, Statutes and Judgments, that they ſhould judicially admoniſh them not to treſpaſs againſt the Lord.

So that from theſe and other places, it's eaſie to collect, that the Levites were Judges over Iſrael, in the higheſt matters concerning Life or Eſtate, or any other Controverſie between man and man: It being obſerved by ſundry learned Writers, that there was but one Court of Judicature among the Jews, whereof the Levites were the Judges, and the written Law of Moſes was their Rule: not according to the corrupt Innovations of the Church of Rome, in erecting their Curia Chriſtianitatis, for the ſecuring of Church-men in all their out-rages from ſecular power, in this and in other Nations, and digeſting of thoſe Dung-Carts, full of Canonical Books (diſtinct from the Civil Law, or the Municipals of each Countrey) enough, by their burden, to ſink a thouſand Aſſes into the River of Tyber. But to proceed. To theſe Levites did appertain the Records and Genealogies: For of this Tribe were the Judges, Lawyers, Scribes, Recorders, Genealogiſts, in all matters pertaining to the Adminiſtration of Juſtice, Expoſition of the Laws, Writing out of the Copies of the Holy Books, to be read in the Countrey-Synagogues, the preſervation of the Linage of their Tribes, the determination of Caſes, and laying up the Rolls of the Records, in relation to things Sacred and Civil, either belonging to the King, or any of the people. Inſomuch, that the perſons of the greateſt rank and quality, either for dignity of Office, or Nobility of Perſon age, excepting the Royal Race of the Tribe of Judah, were of theſe. For we find them to be High-Prieſts, and chief Judges of the Land,1 Kin. 2.35. 1 Chron. 27.5. 1 Chron. 26.14.1 Kgs 2:351 Chr 27:51 Chr 26:14 Generals of the Army, ſuch was Benajah, the ſon of Jehojadah, in the days of Solomon, expreſly called a chief Prieſt in the Book of Chronicles, Lord High Treaſurers of the Temple, and Councellours of State to the King: ſuch was Zechariah, one of the Porters of the Temple. Nay, to conclude, they were the onelyonly perſons that preſerved Learning and Knowledge, in all the Arts and Sciences, wherein thoſe Ages were verſed, the Schools of the Prophets being under their Cognizance and Inſtitution; and particularly, the Colledge at Jeruſalem, mentioned in the days of Joſiah. Inſomuch, that the wiſdom of our Saxon and Norman Anceſtors, is highly to be honoured: in that they firſt admitted the Biſhops of the Province, as skilled in the Laws of God, to ſit with the Earls of the Counties in their Tribunals, to aſſiſt them in deciſion of Cauſes, according to the Word, (eſpecially ſuch as were co-incident with the p. 107Laws of God; even as Holy Ambroſe, in his 32d Epiſtle, tells Valentinian the Emperour, concerning Bleſſed Constantine, Qui nullas leges ante pramiſit, ſed liberum dedit Judicium Sacerdotibus) which appears by Sir H. Spelman, in his Gloſſary, and his Treatiſe of Tithes, and in the firſt Tome of his Counſels, in Seldens Janus Anglorum, and other his Pieces, in Mr. Sadler's late notable piece of the Rights and Priviledges of the Kingdom, and in many other, both Antiquaries and Hiſtorians, that touch the Saxon days.

The latter, I mean the Norman Kings, in giving the preſidency of the Court of Chancery uſually to a Biſhop, as being preſumed to be a man of ſuch Conſcience and Knowledge in the Laws of God, the Rules of Chriſtian Piety and Policy, the Laws of Nature, and of Nations, that matters appea…able from the ordinary Courts of Juſtice, might find there a ſpeedy, ſafe, and righteous Iſſue. It being a Sanctuary to perſons ſweating under the rigour of the Law, the cunning of perverſe Pleaders, the corruption of Juries and Judges in any of the other Courts. But hitherto let it ſuffice to have ſpoken of all the ſacred Officers, which were genuinely extracted from the Root of Levi. A word of the Nethinims, and we ſhall end.

Of the Nethinims.

THeſe were the moſt inferiour perſons, that were converſant in any Temple-Work, being of the Race of the Idolatrous Canaanites, and were the firſt-fruits of any whole Cities or Societies of men that were proſelyted unto God, preſaging of old, the future admiſſion of the whole Harveſt of the Gentiles within the Pale of the Church.

The Story is ſufficiently known, how the people of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-Jearim, by a wily colluſion impoſed upon Joſhuah, Joſh. 9.17.Josh 9:17and the Princes of Iſrael, whereby they obtained an exemption of their perſons from the common calamity of Canaan. But, upon diſcovery of their craft, they were ſolemnly adjudged unto Bondage; yet ſuch as was very honou…able, (if any ſervitude may be ſo ſtyled) in that they were appointed for ſervants to the Houſe of God, under the Prieſts and Levites,Ver. 23. and ſo might eſteem it ſome acceſſion of excellency to be placed rather in the Van of Bond-men, then in the Rear, and to be made the Lags of Free-men. What ever eſtimation they put upon it, certain it is, ſuch ſacred ſervice was a great mercy to them, who having their lives ſpared, becauſe of the Oaths of the Princes, might have been baniſhed; but were now received unto the Knowledge & Service of the true God, and like to be ſet in the true path of Eternal Salvation: ſo that whereas others are ſaid to take the Kingdom of Heaven by violence in another ſenſe,Math. 11.12.Matt 11:12 here the Gibeonites may be ſaid to have taken it by craft, and out-witted themſelves into true happineſs. The work which they were appointed to by Joſhuah, was hewing of Wood, and drawing of Water for the Sanctuary, and for the Congregation (that is, for the ſervice of the Congregation in their Sacrifices) and for the Altar of the Lord. Our Tranſlation reads it thus,Joſh. 9.23. Ver. 21, 27. Ver. 27.Josh 9:23 that [Joſhuah made them ſuch that day] But in the Hebrew the word is foreign & dedit eos; and he gave them from foreign Nathan, to give or deliver over. Whence it is, that they were ſtyled the foreign Nethinims, or the perſons given and delivered over for ſuch a ſervice; and therefore the Text ſays, they were curſed, that is, dedicated to God, as the firſt-fruit of the ſlaves of Canaan. Ver. 23.Even p. 108as the City Jericho, Joſh. 6.19. & 7.1.Josh 6:19Josh 7:1with all the goods, was curſed, as being the firſt-fruit of Cities, taken in the Land; therefore was all the Treaſure of it conſecrated to the Lord; and Achan herein ſinned, by medling with the accurſed, or dedicated ſpoils every perſon being curſed and condemned that durſt touch any Dedications, to diminiſh from, or take them away. But as to theſe Nethinims (which we have in hand) that were thus accurſed and dedicated to the Sanctuary, the ſons of Saul found is by ſad experience, to be a dangerous point to meddle with conſecrated perſons as well as things. Concerning whoſe Name,2 Sam. 21.9.2 Sam 21:9 the Paronomaſia is more clear and evident in the Book of Ezra; where the Holy Pen-man creating of theſe perſons, in the Regiſter of the Returns from Babylon, hath theſe words in the Hebrew Text, [foreign] And of the Nethinims, Ezra 8.20.Ezra 8:20Shenathan David, which David gave, or as we read in our Engliſh Verſion [had appointed for the ſervice of the Levites] that is, whom David had, de novo, conſtituted in their ſeveral ſet-courſes, as He had done all the Officers of the Temple, in their ſeveral Stations, a little before his death; not that now they were at this time firſt employed in theſe Services, but had been ever, ſince the days of Joſuah converſant in that labour: but were now methodized for Temple-ſervice, according to the Incenſe of their Generations, ſince the days of their Primitive Admiſſion, to be the Miniſters or Servants of God in the loweſt Works of the Sanctuary.Ezra 7.24.Ezra 7:24

The Habitation of theſe Nethinims, or Gibeonites, was in Ophel, when the Temple was built,Neh. 3.26. & 11.21.Neh 3:26Neh 11:21 that is, either in the Tower it ſelf, as ſome conceive, or elſe in houſes near to that Tower, or the Wall (ſo called) of Ophel, in a capacious place, or ſtreet poſſibly running near the Wall, and adjacent to the Tower of Ophel. On which ſtately Building, there was much expended by King Jotham, and it was afterward magnificently raiſed to a very great height by King Manaſſeh. 2 Chron. 27.3. 2 Chron. 33.14.2 Chr 27:32 Chr 33:14Now the reaſon why they lodged in or near Ophel, was, becauſe of its proximity, or nearneſs to the Eaſt-Gate of the Temple, the ordinary ſtately entrance into that ſacred place: For they being not of the Tribe of Levi, might not lodge within the Courts of the Temple. But thoſe that were in courſe, to attend upon the Wood and Water for the Sacrifices, and other ſacred uſes, lodged cloſe by, till their Week was finiſht, and then probably they went out to their Cities and Villages abroad in the Countrey, as the Prieſts and the Levites did: For we have expreſs mention of Cities abroad, wherein theſe Nethinims, as well as the other Officers of the Temple dwelt.Ezra 2.70.Ezra 2:70 But ſo much let it ſuffice, to have ſpoken, concerning the ſacred Officers attendant upon Divine Worſhip in the Houſe of God at Jeruſalem.

SECT. II. The ſecond Paragraph of this Chapter, according to the Diviſion of it in the beginning, ſhall contain the ſeveral Seaſons, Quantities, Numbers, and Meaſures, of things ſacrificed unto God under the Jewiſh Paedagogie.

IN the firſt place let's remember, that the Diviſions of this Section, ratione temporum, will, out of Scripture, produce ſome ſhort Diſcourſe about, 1 The Daily Service. 2 The Weekly. 3 The Monethly. And fourthly, the Annual Feſtivities, which were to be punctually obſerved, and ſolemnly performed in their due time and method, (according to the Divine Injunctions) in this Holy Place.

p. 109Here, before I proceed, it's ſomewhat requiſite that I briefly ſpeak a little to the dry and liquid Meaſures of the Hebrews, ſo far, and of ſo many onelyonly, as we ſhall uſe in this Diſcourſe of the Sacrifices.

As to dry Meaſures, there are three onelyonly that we ſhall uſe: The Omer, Ephah, and Homer. Concerning which, we find in Scripture,Exod. 16.36. Ezek. 45.11. Antiq. l. 3. c. 7.Exod 16:36Ezek 45:11 that ten Omers make an Ephah, and ten Ephahs produce an Homer. By a tenth deal of Flour, ſo often mentioned in the Levitical Sacrifices, we underſtand an Omer, which in the Hebrew Text of Leviticus, is called foreign and is retained by Joſephus, who calls this Quantity and Meaſure foreign and tells us, that one of theſe Meaſures was equal to 7 Attick cotyla's. Each Cotyla containing 9 Ounces, according to the Learned Agricola. This being multiplyed by 7. produces 63 Ounces;De ponderibus & menſuris, lib. 2. pag. 85. and that being reduced to pounds of 12 ounces, according to the Medicinal Meaſures of the Greeks, leaves in the Quotient 5 li. and 3 ounces of Attick Meaſures, or 5 pints, (give us leave ſo to ſpeak) and 3…/12, or ¼, for one Omer, or 10th deal of Flour for a meat-offering to every Lamb. Conſequently, ten times as much, that is an Ephah, is 52 li. and ½, which being reduced to Engliſh meaſure, makes ſix Gallons, one Pottle, and half a pint. So that one Omer was one Pottle, one Pint, and three Ounces of our Meaſure, or very near the matter, though we cannot now ſpend time in reducing the Attick pound to our Engliſh Troy Weight of 12 ounces, 8 pounds whereof makes an Engliſh Gallon, according to the Statute of the 12 H. 7. cap. 5.

Secondly, As to liquid Meaſures, there are three onelyonly that we have need to meddle with; the Log, Hin, and Bath: of which, one Log contained ſix Eggs, that is, as much Water as ran out of a Veſſel whereinto 6 Eggs were put, after it was filled unto the brim:Schindler. or, as others, the content of 6 Egg-ſhells. Secondly, a Hin contained 72 Eggs, or 12 Logs:Buxtorf. ſo that in Sacrifice-meaſures mentioned in Scripture, (importing, that there were Veſſels of ſuch a content as followeth) The fourth part of a Hin is three Logs. The third part is four Logs; half a Hin, ſix Logs; and three quarters, nine Logs.

Moreover, laſtly, ſix Hins fill up a Bath. Now for Reduction to our Meaſures, as in the dry Meaſures, we pitch upon the Aſſaron, or tenth deal, becauſe moſt uſed in this preſent Sacrifice Story: ſo we will now pitch upon the Hin, which with its parts is the meaſure frequently mentioned in this buſineſs. As to this, Joſephus (I will not ſay how truly and punctually) comparing the Hin with Attick Meaſures, tells us,Antiq. l. 3. cap. 9. p. 88. D. it was equal to two of thoſe Meaſures, which the Athenians termed foreign, which by the Commentator upon Nicander, at the end of his Alexipharmaca is thus explained foreign, and afterwards foreign. A Chus is ſix Sextaties, and a Sextary contains one li. and ½, whence we lea…n, that one Chus is 9 li. and one Hin is 18 li. of Attick, Meaſure. Conſequently, there are 108 pounds in one Bath: and one Log, being the ſeventy ſecond part of a Bath, will contain a pint and half, even three times as much as will be produced by ſuch as converſe with Egge-ſhels. But, indeed, I vehemently ſuſpect Joſephus, becauſe (in reaſon) the quantity of Oyl, according to this reckoning, for the daily Sacrifice,Exod. 29.40.Exod 29:40 being the fourth part of a Hin, or three Logs, comes to one Pottle, and ½ a pint of Oyl, to be mingled with one tenth deal of Flour, which was before ſtated out of Joſephus his Attick Cotyla, to be one pottle, one pint, and three ounces of Flour, which is incomparably too much for the wetting of Flour to make a Cake, if I do not groſly miſtake in good Houſewifery. For as ſure as can be, Joſephus, though a Prieſt, his Office lay not among the Baking-Pans, or elſe he was poorly acquainted with Attick meaſures. Wherefore, that we may not p. 110marre the Cake in the making, we had better take the meaſure of thoſe that have put the Eggs in the Cakes, and meaſured the Oyl with the ſhells, and they will tell us, that one Log is but half a pint; and ſo the fourth part of a Hin, or a pint and half of Oyl, will ſerve a little better to mix with the Flour.

But this way of dealing with Eggs in meaſures, I doubt will make nine meaſures of ten prove addle.

For, firſt, they tell us not, whether we are to uſe the Eggs of Wrens, Sparrows, Hens, Eagles, or Oſtriches, in this profound Deſign.

Secondly, they ſuppoſe all Eggs of a kind to be of one bigneſs.

And thirdly, they never heed that the Water of the Veſſel, wherein they put their Eggs, will variouſly riſe into a tumour on the ſurface, to preſerve from a ſolution of continuity, and that variouſly, more or leſs, according as the Eggs be gently or raſhly put in, and ſo yield Water, more or leſs, for your meaſure: they ſhould have done well to have informed us of the proportion of motion in this action. If Phyſitians ſhould have no more care, as to medicinal meaſures: then the Prieſts had in their ſervices towards God, (if this be true) they might quickly ſend Hundreds of Patients out of this World, before they would go. But one thing more I have to ſay of Joſephus, and that is, I am afraid he trades a little too deep, and goes too much on the ſcore with the Septuagint. For though he tells us other-where, that a Bath is equal to 72 Sextaries; and here, that a Hin is two of the foreign. i.e. 12 Sextaries, and ſo agrees with himſelf, becauſe 6 Hins are 12 Attick Sextaries; each whereof contains one pound, ſix ounces: ſo that 72 Sextaries, ariſe to 108 pound for the Bath, as was ſaid before: Yet here lyes the point to be proved, Whether a Bath be ſo much, or not. For ſhall I mind you, that Joſephus obſerving the 70. to tranſlate a Bath by foreign, as they have done in ſeveral places, and then taking notice, that an Athenian foreign,Nicandri-Scholiast ad calcem. was 72 Sextaries: He tells us, without any more ado, that a Bath was ſo alſo. Whereas the Septuagint, whether wilfully, or ignorantly; or as a matter not worthy of ſuch exactneſs and curioſity, (if we have their true Copy) do tranſlate the Hebrew word Bath, and Batim, by foreign and foreign: and the Log alſo they tranſlate by foreign.Kircher Concordantia. So that if you will heedleſly follow them, a Bath and a Log ſhall be all one meaſure, according to the laſt mentioned Verſion of a Cotyla. Wherefore, at preſent, we ſhall take this courſe. Firſt, let us remember, that a Bath, and an Ephab, are ſtated to be of equal meaſure, as to capacity:Ezek. 45.14.Ezek 45:14 though the matters contained (the one being liquid, the other dry) differ greatly in weight; which is neither the ſenſe of that place, nor our preſent inquiry. But ſeeing that Joſephus (as 'tis above-written) upon his own account, not medling with the Septuagint, hath framed a word of his own for an Omer, or the tenth part of an Ephah, viz. foreign, not uſed by them; and that it ſeems alſo upon other accounts, that quantity comes nigh the truth, as may be ſhewn (God willing) hereafter. We will accordingly, ſtate the Bath according to God's Command, equal in capacity to the Ephah; which is 52 pints, and ½, or 6 Gallons, one Pottle, and ½ a pint for a whole Bath: and then the ſixth part of a Bath, i. e. a Hin will be one Gallon, and three Quarters of a pint; and the twelfth part of an Hin, or one Log, will be ⅔ of a Pint, and ¾ of an Ounce, that is, three quarters of a pint, wanting but the fourth part of an ounce, or eight ounces, and three fourths of an ounce. Two Logs are equal to one pint, 5 ounces, and ½: three Logs to one quart, two ounces, and ¼ of an ounce: four Logs to one quart, and 11 ounces: ſix Logs to one Pottle, four ounces, and ½ an ounce.

p. 111And laſtly, the proportion of Oyl for to mingle with the Flour, for the Cake of the Daily Sacrifice, being the fourth part of a Hin, or three Logs,Exod. 29.40.Exod 29:40 will prove (you ſee) to be one quart, two ounces, and a quarter of Oyl, i. e. almoſt a quarter of a pint.

Thus have I done with this particular of Meaſures, as far as we have uſe of it at preſent; onelyonly I beg of the courteous and ingenuous Reader, to uſe one Caution, that in the reduction of Attick, or Roman pounds, to ours, they would not ſtrictly interpret me: which as to an exact and accurate proportion, is the buſineſs of another Treatiſe.

Now then to recount the ſervice of the Prieſts in the Temple, we read that David gave to his Son a perfect Liſt of all the parts of their Duty:1 Chron. 28.13.1 Chr 28:13 which Account being not extant in any one ſingle place of Scripture, we muſt have recourſe to the various places where they be ſcattered up and down in the ſacred leaves.

To proceed then, we ſhall obſerve,

Firſt, That the conſtant ſervice, without intermiſſion, was that of the Porters, who were appointed to watch at the Temple-Gates,1 Chron. 23.5.1 Chr 23:5 day and night, by courſes; and their number we find to be four thouſand.

Secondly, the daily ſervice was ſpent in the ſacrificing of a Lamb, morning and evening, with a meat-offering, that is, a Cake made of the tenth part of an Ephah, that is, an Omer of Flour,Exod. 29.38, &c. Numb. 28.4, 5, &c.Exod 29:38Num 28:4Num 28:5 mingled with the fourth part of a Hin, that is, three Logs of Oyl, together with a Drink-offering, which was the fourth part of a Hin, or three Logs of Wine. This was done in the Court of the Prieſts. But within the Temple, the Lamps of the Golden Candleſticks were to be dreſſed and ſupplyed with Oyl, morning and evening; and, at both thoſe times, ſweet Incenſe was to be burnt upon the Golden Altar, to cauſe a fragrant odour throughout the Temple. Though I know that an eminently learned man of our Nation, I mean Dr. Reynolds, in his Conference with Hart, Pag. 492, and 495. is of the mind, that the Lamps did not burn all day long, but were lighted at Evening onelyonly, and kept light all, or the greateſt part of the night: yet is it conceived by others, upon the account of the narrowneſs of the Windows admitting but little light, that the Lamps did burn continually,Exod. 30.7, 8.Exod 30:7Exod 30:8 eſpecially ſince there is expreſs mention made of the dreſſing the Lamps every morning, Exod. 30.7. But we ſhall ſubmit in this to the more Learned, in theſe ancient Rites of the Temple: onelyonly obſerving, that the Songs of the Temple were ſolemnized at the time of the burning of Incenſe; as is hinted, Rev. 5.8, 9. and that at this time of Incenſe, the people uſed to pray without, Luk. 1.9, 10. Moreover, that this Muſical Harmony was celebrated at the time of Sacrifice, as we have other where obſerved.

Thirdly, the Weekly Service was performed on every Sabbath,Numb. 28.9, 10.Num 28:9Num 28:10 which was double to the Daily; beſides the Daily in every fore-mentioned particular.

Fourthly the Monethly Service was celebrated on every New Moon, or firſt day of every MonethMonth;Numb. 28.11-16.Num 28:11–16 and had for a Burnt-Offering two young Bullocks, one Ram, ſeven Lambs, and one Kid of the Goats, for a Sin-Offering. The Meat-Offering was three Omers of Flour, mingled with Oyl proportionable; as in the Daily Service, three Logs to an Omer, that is, three quarters of a Hin for every Bullock, and two Omers of Flour, and half an Hin for the Ram. The Drink-Offering was half a Hin of Wine for each Bullock, and the third part of a Hin, or four Logs for the Ram; and for every Lamb a Meat-Offering, and Drink-Offering of the ſame quantities, as uſually in the Daily Sacrifice.

p. 112All this was offered on the New-Moon, beſides the continual Burnt-Offerings of two Lambs with their Cakes and Wine.

In the fifth place, let us treat of the Annual Feſtivities, which were principally three whereof in their diſtinct order.

Firſt, The Paſsover, which ſell out upon the 14th day of the firſt monethmonth, wherein every Houſhold eat a Lamb,Exod. 12.4, &c.Exod 12:4 unleſs it were too ſmall a Family, then they might joyn with their Neighbours. But theſe Offerings being particular, according to the multitude of Perſons and Families, we cannot bring them unto a certain account. The next day (after the ſolemn ſlaying of the Paſchal Lamb, on the Evening of the 14th day,) being the 15th of the firſt monethmonth,Numb. 28.16-26.Num 28:16–26 began the Temple-Sacrifices for 7 days together, every day alike; each day having as many Sacrifices, as the New Moon had; whereof before.

Ver. 27-31. Lev. 23.12, 13.Lev 23:12Lev 23:13Secondly, The Feaſt of Firſt-Fruits, anſwering to our Pentecoſt, had the very ſame Offerings with the New-Moon. Beſides, one He-Lamb, and two Omers of Flour and Oyl accordingly; and but the fourth part of a Hin of Wine being the morrow after the Sabbath of Firſt-Fruits.

Thirdly, The Feaſts of the 7th MonethMonth, on the firſt day of which MonethMonth were offered one Bullock, one Ram, 7 Lambs, and one Kid, with their meat-offerings,Numb. 29.2-7.Num 29:2–7 and drink-offerings proportionably, as before; beſides the uſuall offerings of an ordinary New-Moon, and of the Daily Service. Moreover, on the 10th day of the 7th monethmonth, juſt as much as on the firſt day, was preſented to God upon his Altar.Ver. 7-12.

On the firſt day of the 7th monethmonth, there were Offerings for 7 days together, on this wiſe following.

On the 15th of theſe 7 days, 13 young Bullocks, two Rams, 14 Lambs, and one Kid for a Sin-Offering, with their meat-offerings, and drink-offerings, as before; beſides the daily offerings.

On the ſecond day but 12 Bullocks, all the reſt alike. On the third day …. On the 4th 10. On the 5th 9. On the 6th 8. On the 7th, 7 Bullocks. On the 8th,Numb. 29.39.Num 29:39 juſt as much as on the New Moon; and all theſe conſtantly every year; beſides the Vows, the Free-will Offerings, and Peace-Offerings, which were great expences in Worſhip; beſides the Red-Cow, and all the Paſsover Lambs, and all the Frankincenſe Salt and Firing, &c.

To conclude, I will now give you in a Catalogue of all the ordinary conſtant Offerings in one Year: in which Year I ſhall count 365 days, 52 Sabbaths, and 13 New-Moons: though I know the Julian Year differs from the Judaical Calendar; yet by reaſon of the Jewiſh Intercalations, and regulating their years thereby, there will be no great difference, when ſeveral years be compared together.

p. 113A Scheme of the Temple-offerings in one year.

Here I have exhibited in a Table at one view, the ſeveral ſtated offerings throughout the Year conſtantly, given up to God at the Temple: I will not undertake, that it is exactly drawn up to a hair: But I hope it is pretty near the matter, which you ſee arrives to this ſumme in a year, viz. One Hundred and 15 young Bullocks, thirty eight Rams, one thouſand one hundred and three Lambs, and thirty one Kids, ſmoaking upon God's Altar: To which was added for Bread and Drink, one hundred and fifty Ephahs, and three Omers of fiue Flour, ſixty four Baths, and one Hin of pure beaten Oyl, and fifty ſix Baths, four Hins, and ſix Logs, of excellent Wine. This was the conſtant Yearly Sacrifice:

SECT. III. The third Section of this Chapter, promiſed in the beginning of it, ſhall treat concerning the various ſacrifices under the Jewiſh Paedagogy, their Nature, Manner, Ʋſe, and End, with their attendant Rites and Ceremonies.

IN reading of the Scriptures wee find ſix various Offerings preſented unto God. 1 Burnt-Offerings. 2 Sin-Offerings. 3 Treſpaſs-Offerings. 4 Peace-Offerings. 5 Meat-Offerings. And 6 Drink-Offerings. p. 114With two Appendixes,Lev. 2.13. Lev. 2.11. Vol. 3. p. 54.Lev 2:13Lev 2:11 Salt and Incenſe. Hony and leaven were both forbidden expreſly: as being of one Nature even to Ferment: as learned Weemſe obſerveth.

The main and ultimate End of theſe Sacrifices were to point at Christ, and to be the ſacred Hieroglyphicks of his death and Atonement for Sinners.

The ſubordinate and intermediate End was, that therein the Jewiſh People ſhould be exerciſed in ſacred worſhip that was typicall.

Gul. Pariſi. de legibus cap. 8.The burning of the ſacrifices noted the death and conſumption of Sin. To repreſent alſo, to the minds of the Offerers, the dreadful effects of Sin as it merits death: together with the goodneſs of God to ſave the ſinner, to pardon his ſin, and by the death of his ſacrifice to typify an Offering once for all in the latter daies. Some of theſe Sacrifices were for expiation of ſins of Ignorance or Knowledge, if ſo be they were not committed preſumptuouſly. For which ſin there was no Sacrifice:Num. 15.30 Heb. 10.36.Num 15:30Heb 10:36 but the perſon was to be cut off from his people. Others were for acknowledgement of homage and tribute to God the great and mighty LORD that made all things by the word of his power. Others for thankſ-giving after the receipt of ſome eminent Mercy, and for many other Ends, as will appear more by and by.

The things offered were either of Beaſts or Birds or fruits of the Earth. Of Beaſts theſe three only, Bullocks, Sheep, and Goates: Of Birds, Turtles,De leg. c. 11 Ceremoniall Law. pa. 52. Vol. 3. Lev. 14.4.Lev 14:4 and Pigeons, and, as Pariſienſis and Weemſe think, Sparrows alſo, as in the caſe of Leproſy. So ſome take the word foreign to ſignify. We find it tranſlated in our Bibles by Sparrows Pſal. 84.3. & 102.7. The Creatures you ſee are domeſticall and mild. They feed on Herb and Graſſe, are not fierce carnivorous Beaſts: It's obſerved by ſome to that purpoſe, that they have neither crooked Nails and Claws, nor continued Sets of Teeth, and beſides are the moſt uſefull to man in his life. Of the Birds one is a mournfull Creature, the other, is commonly reported, by reaſon of its innocency and harmleſneſſe, to be without a Gall. Fiſhes we ſee were not offered: becauſe (ſay ſome) they could not be brought alive: which was one ing…edient of the Sacrifices. Another was, to be without ſpot or blemiſh, not that of Colour in the Hair or Wool: but without any imperfection, either of naturall Monſtroſity or of accidentall hurt or diſeaſe, and for the moſt part well-liking, fat, and young. The Blood was to be poured out, and the fat alwayes was dedicate to God all the Fat was the Lord's,Lev. 3.16.Lev 3:16 ſaith the Text in Leviticus. I ſhall now ſpeak briefly, and in order, of theſe Sacrifices, of what Creatures, for what Cauſes, and how ordered, and in what feaſts they were offered.

1 Of the Burnt-Offering.

The Cauſe.

This was either offered by Gods injunction for particular Cauſes recited beneath or elſe as a free will Offering:Lev. 1.3, 4.Lev 1:3Lev 1:4 But in all caſes it ſignified Atonement for the perſon that lifted it up to God and ſhewed the demerit of ſin, even to be burnt to Aſhes by the fire of the Lord's wrath.

The Kind.

Lev. 1.3, 5, 10. &c. 22. v. 19.Lev 1:3Lev 1:5Lev 1:10The Kind of Creature offered was either of the Herd, a Bullock; or of the Flock, a Sheep or Goat; alwayes a Male and without blemiſh: Among Fowles, the moaning Turtle or the loving Pigeon.

p. 115The Seaſons and Occaſions.

The Seaſons were either arbitrary or inſtituted: Arbitrary, when it was a Vow or a Free-will Offering.Levit. 22.18. Exod. 29.18. Lev. 8.18. Lev. 5.7, 10. Lev. 9.2, 3. Lev. 12.6. Weemſe Vol. 3. p. 64.Lev 22:18Exod 29:18Lev 8:18Lev 5:7Lev 5:10Lev 9:2Lev 9:3Lev 12:6 Inſtituted times are theſe remembred in Scripture. 1. A Ram at the conſecration of Prieſts. 2ly, In caſe of the four treſpaſſes mentioned in Lev. 5. the perſon tranſgreſſing was to bring either a Turtle or a Pigeon for a Burnt-Offering. 3ly, At the Initiation of Aaron and his Sons to their Office, there was a Ram for Aaron and a Calf and a Lamb of the firſt year for the people. 4ly, At the Purification of Women a Lamb wat burnt: If poor, then a Turtle or Pigeon, which a learned man obſerves to reſpect originall ſin at the birth of a Child. 5ly, As to Leproſy: there were commanded to be offered by him at his cleanſing two he Lambs and one Ewe Lamb, whereof one he Lamb being ſpent in the Treſpaſs-Offering ver. 12. though the Text tell us not whether the Burnt-Offering were a He or a She Lamb:Lev. 14.12. Ver. 20.Lev 14:12 yet by the forecited rule that none but Males muſt be ſacrificed in the burnt-Offering, therefore we put down a He Lamb, if the Leper were able; or elſe a Turtle or a Pigeon.Ver. 22. Lev. 15.30. Numb. 6.11.Lev 15:30Num 6:11 6ly, At the cleanſing of ſeparated Women a Turtle or young Pigeon. 7ly, For Nazarites in two caſes. Firſt, at their reſtitution in caſe of defilement, a Turtle or Pigeon. Secondly, At the period of his ſeparation, or the Manumiſſion from his Vow, one He Lamb. 8ly,Ver. 14. Num. 7.15.-8.12. Num. 15.24. Exo. 29.42. Num. 28.3.Num 7:15Num 15:24Exod 29:42Num 28:3 At the Dedication of the Tabernacle each of the twelve Princes of Iſrael offered a Bullock, a Lamb, and a Ram. 9ly, At the conſecration of the Levites, a Bullock. 10ly, For a Sin of Ignorance of the whole Congregation, a Bullock alſo. Theſe hitherto related were inſtituted upon the incident caſes mentioned. There remain yet the conſtant burnt-Offerings, which were theſe. 1 The daily Sacrifice of two Lambs, which were burnt together with their Meat-Offering and Drink-Offering upon the Altar. 2ly, On every ſeventh day, or Sabbath, four Lambs. 3ly,Numb. 28.9, 10. Ver. 11. Ver. 19. Ver. 24. Lev. 23.12. Ver. 18. Num. 28.27Num 28:9Num 28:10Lev 23:12Num 28:27 On every new Moon diſtinctly for it ſelf as a new Moone or firſt day of the MonethMonth, two Bullocks, one Ram, and ſeven Lambs. 4ly, On the fifteenth day of the firſt or Paſſeover MonethMonth, being the firſt of the ſeven daies of that great feſtivity after the Paſſeover, 2 Bullocks one Ram, and ſeven Lambs, and ſo for ſeven daies continually. 5ly, In the Sheaf of the firſt fruits, one he Lamb. 6ly, In the feaſt of firſt fruits; If we conſult the Leviticall Book, we read of ſeven Lambs, one Bullock, and two Rams. But in the Book of Numbers, ſeven Lambs, one Ram, and two Bullocks: which I ſhall leave to conſideration. 7ly, In the firſt day of the ſeventh MonethMonth, or the feaſt of Trumpets, one Bullock,& 29.2. one Ram, and ſeven Lambs. 8ly, On the tenth day of the ſeventh Month, or the Expiation day, one Bullock, one Ram, and ſeven Lambs.Ver. 8. In another place we read particularly in the caſe of Atonement upon that day, beſides this Offering there was a Ram for the High-Prieſt himſelf,Lev. 16.3, 5.Lev 16:3Lev 16:5 and another for all the People. 9ly and Laſtly, On the fifteenth day of the ſeventh Month being the beginning of the feaſt of Tabernacles, thirteen Bullocks, two Rams, fourteen Lambs, and ſo conſtantly for ſeven daies, onelyonly every day there decreaſed one Bullock from the Offerings, till at the ſeventh day there were but ſeven Bullocks. On the the eight and laſt day there was offered but one of each.

The Manner.

The Manner of ſervice in the burnt-Offering was this for the Bullock, 1 The Perſon that brought it was to put his hand on the head of it:Lev. 1.4.Lev 1:4 as it was uſuall in point of confeſſion of ſin.

p. 116Ver. 5.2ly, He himſelf was to kill his own Offering: ſome think the Prieſt did it, (who indeed did ſlay the conſtituted Temple-Offerings) but if the words be well conſidered, we find the Prieſt comming in to action after the the flaying of the Sacrifice. So in the relation of Hezekiah's Sacrifices, there ſeems to be a manifeſt diſtinction between the Perſons that kill'd them and the Prieſts, 2 Chron. 29.22. But that which was the Sin-Offering of all Iſrael, the Priests did ſlay. Ver. 24.

Ver. 5. Ver. 6. Ver. 7. Lev. 1.8.Lev 1:83ly, The Prieſt was to ſprinkle the Blood round about the Brazen Altar. 4ly, The Prieſt ſtayed off the Skin. 5ly, He cut it in pieces.

6ly, He put fire on the Altar, and layed the wood in order upon the fire.

7ly, He layed the parts, the head and the fat in order upon the wood that was in the fire which was upon the Altar.

Ver. 9.8ly, He waſhed the inwards and legs in water, and then burnt all upon the Altar… an Offering made by fire, of a ſweet ſavour unto the Lord. So much for the Bullocks burnt-Offering.

If it were a Sheep or a Goat, the manner was the ſame, onelyonly mention is made of its being ſlain on the ſide of the Altar Northward before God.

Ver. 11. Ver. 15.I… it were a Fowle. 1 The Prieſt wrung off its head and burnt it on the Altar. 2 The Blood was wrung out at the ſide of the Altar. 3 The Crop and Feathers were caſt beſide the Altar on the Eaſtpart by the place of the Aſhes.Ver. 16,17. 4ly, It was to be cleft with the wings, but not our aſunder, and ſo laid upon the Altar and burnt, an Offering made by fire of a ſweet favour unto the Lord.

Thus it was to continue & lye burning all night upon the Altar unto the morning:Lev. 6.9, 10.Lev 6:9Lev 6:10 Then the Prieſt having put on his Linnen Garment and Breeches took up the Aſhes and laid them beſide the Altar. After that putting off his prieſtly and putting on his other common Garments, he was to carry forth the Aſhes out of the Camp, and afterward out of the City, into a clean place:Ver. 12. while the fire on the Altar was ſtill continually burning by a conſtant ſupply of wood laid in order upon it every morning.

The Priest's Portion.

To conclude with the laſt thing of this Section, and that is, what portion the Prieſt had in the burnt-Offering,Lev. 7.8. & 8.8.Lev 7:8Lev 8:8 and that was the Skin of the four footed Creatures.

2 Of the Sin-Offering.

The Cauſe.

The Cauſe for which the Sin-Offering was enjoyned by God, is recorded by Moſes to be this,Levit. 4.2.Lev 4:2 If any Soul ſin through Ignorance againſt any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done.

The Kind.

The Creature in this caſe offered was of the Herds, either a young Bullock, or Calf or a red Heifer: of the Flocks, a Male Kid, a Female Kid; or an Ewe Lamb: of Fowle, a young Pigeon or Turtle.

The Occaſion.

The Seaſons or Occaſions of this Offering upon what account it was inſtituted, were either for accidentall ſins, or on ſet ſtations of the year.

Levit. 4.3. Numb. 15.24. Levit. 4.14. Levit. 4.23. & Numb. 15.27. Lev. 4.28.32. Exod. 29.14. Levit. 8 2, 14. Levit. 9.2, 3. Levit. 12.6. c. 14.19. Ver. 22.Lev 4:3Num 15:24Lev 4:14Lev 4:23Num 15:27Lev 4:28Lev 4:32Exod 29:14Lev 8:2Lev 8:14Lev 9:2Lev 9:3Lev 12:61 In caſe the anointed Prieſt ſinned, there was to be offered up a young Bullock for a ſin-Offering. 2ly, For the ſin of the whole Congregation, a young Bullock; likewiſe if it be for Ignorance in not obſerving the Levitical Ordinances, a Kid. 3ly, For a Ruler, a Male-kid of the Goats. 4ly, For any of the Common People, a Female Kid of the Goats, or a young Lamb. 5ly, At the Conſecration of an High-Prieſt, a young Bullock. 6ly, At Aaron's Initiation into his Office, a young Calf: and at the ſame time for the people, a Kid of the Goats: 7ly, At the Purification of Women, p. 117a young Pigeon or a Turtle Dove. 8ly, At the cleanſing of a Leper, an Ewe Lamb: If the Leper were very poor, a Turtle or Pigeon. But why an Ewe Lamb, if able, ſee above concerning his burnt-Offering. 9ly, At the cleanſing of Women ſeparated for uncleanneſſes mentioned in the Leviticall Law, a Turtle or young Pigeon. 10ly,Lev. 15.30. Num. 6.11. Ver. 14. Num. 7.16.8.12.Lev 15:30Num 6:11Num 7:16Num 7:8Num 7:12 For the Defilement of of a Nazarite, a Turtle or Pigeon: but at the end of his ſeparation, an Ewe Lamb. 11ly, At the Dedication of the Tabernacle, every of the 12 Princes of the Congregation of Iſrael offered a Kid of the Goats. 12ly, At the Conſecration of the Levites, a Bullock.

The conſtant Sin-offerings through the year were theſe following.

1. On every new Moon, one Kid of the Goats. 2ly,Numb. 28.15, 22, 24. Ver. 30. & Lev. 23.19. Num. 29.5. Lev. 16.6. Ver. 7, 9, 10. Num. 29.11. Ver. 16.Num 28:15Num 28:22Num 28:24Lev 23:19Num 29:5Lev 16:6Num 29:11 On the fifteenth day of the Paſsover Month one Goat, and ſo on, for ſeven daies together. 3ly, In the day of the firſt fruits, one Kid. 4ly, In the feaſt of Trumpets, one Kid. 5ly; On the Expiation day, that great and ſolemn faſt to afflict their Souls, there was a Bullock appointed to make Atonement with, for the High Prieſt and his Family: and two Kids of the Goates for the People: the one for the Offering, the other for an eſcape into the Wilderneſs, according as the lot fell. Beſides this Atonement-offering, there is expreſs command for another Kid of the Goats to be offered up this day for a Sin-offering. 6ly, and laſtly, On the fifteenth day of the 7th Month, one Kid of the Goats, and ſo for eight daies together, during the Feaſt of Tabernacles.

The red Cow or Heifer, of famous mention in Scripture, by the manner of its Offering appears to be moſt properly ranked among theſe Sin-offerings, it being neereſt a-kind to it in the method of its ſolemnities;Num. 19.9.Num 19:9 and beſides, the Aſhes laid up are expreſly ſaid to be a purification for ſin.

The Manner.

The Manner of the Solemnity in the Sin-offerings, was this following. firſt, As to the Bullock of the Prieſt's Offering for ſin. 1 It was to be brought to the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.Lev. 4.4, 5.Lev 4:4Lev 4:5 2ly. His hand who had ſinned was to be laid on the head of his Offering. 3ly, He was to kill it. 4ly, The anointed Prieſt was to dip his finger in the Blood and to ſprinkle it ſeven times before the Lord, that is,Ver. 6. Ver. 7. before the Vail of the Sanctuary. 5ly, He was to put ſome of the Blood upon the Horns of the golden Altar of Incenſe. 6ly, The reſt of the Blood was to be powred out at the bottom of the Brazen Altar. 7ly, He was to take the fat of the inwards, the Kidneys and their fat and the Caul above the Liver and burn them upon the Brazen Altar. 8ly, He was to take the Skin and the Fleſh, the Head and the Legs, the Inwards and the Dung,Lev. 8.17. Exod. 29.11, 12.14.Lev 8:17Exod 29:11Exod 29:12Exod 29:14 even the whole Bullock, and to burn him to aſhes without the Camp. 9ly and Laſtly, He that officiated in the burning of the Bullock, was to waſh his Cloths, and bathe himſelf in water,Lev. 16.27.Lev 16:27 and afterward he might come into the Camp.

The manner of Offering the Bullock for the whole Congregation, had onelyonly this different Ceremony: that the Elders,Lev. 4.15. &c.Lev 4:15 as the Repreſentatives of the Congregation, were to lay their hands upon his head; and then he was to be ſlain.

As to the He-Goat for the Sin-offering of the Ruler, and the Ewe Lamb or She Kid for a common Perſon; The Sinner was to lay his hand upon the head of his Offering: and then it was to be kill'd in the place, where the burnt-offering was ſlain. Then the Prieſt was to put of its blood with his finger upon the Horns of the Brazen Altar▪ but not to come into the Sanctuary neer the Vail vvith its blood, as in the former caſe, but vvas to pour p. 118out the reſt at the bottom of the Brazen Altar. Then the fat of this offering was to be burnt upon the Altar, after the Manner and Ceremony of the Sacrifice of Peace-offerings,Ver. 26, 31. and therefore the parts of it were not to be burnt without the Camp, as the fleſh of the Bullocks which were offered for the Prieſt and the whole Congregation, before ſpoken of, had been:The Prieſts Portion. Lev. 10.18.Lev 10:18 but, according to the rites of Peace-offerings, it ſeems it was to be eaten by the Prieſts; Whereof more in the next Section. Levit. 6.26. Wherefore we read of Moſes's being angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, that the Goat for the Sin-offering was not eaten in the holy place; and gives this reaſon, why it ſhould; becauſe the blood of it was not brought within the Sanctuary: But that whoſe blood was brought into the holy place muſt not be eaten, it muſt be burnt. Lev. 6.30.

In the laſt place, the Manner of ſacrificing the Red Cow or Heifer was thus,

Numb. 19.Num 191 There was choſen out a red Heifer without ſpot or blemiſh…, on which there never came any yoke. 2ly, The High Prieſt was to bring her without the Camp, and there ſhe was to be ſlain. 3ly, The Prieſt was to take of her blood with his finger, and ſprinkle of it ſeven times before the Tabernacle. 4ly, The Skin, Fleſh, Blood, and Dung were to be burnt in that place. 5ly, The Prieſt was to caſt Cedar wood, Hyſſop, and Scarlet, into the midſt of the fire. 6ly, Both the Prieſt and he that burnt her were to waſh their clothes and bathe their fleſh in water, to remain unclean till the Even, and then to come into the Camp. 7ly, A perſon that was clean did gather up the Aſhes, and laid them up in a clean place without the Camp, for the water of ſeparation, and to be a purification for Sin; and then to waſh his clothes, and to be unclean unto the Even. 8ly, The uſe of theſe Aſhes was this, they were to take of theſe Aſhes and put running water to them in a Veſſel; Then a clean Perſon was to dip Hyſſop in that water, and to ſprinkle any Perſons, Veſſels, Tents, which had been neer a dead body, or had touched a bone, or one ſlain, or one dead, or a Grave, on the third day and on the ſeventh, on which laſt day of his uncleanneſs, he was to waſh his clothes, and bathe himſelf in water, and be clean at Even: and ſo he that ſprinkleth of the water muſt do the like. If this purification were not done, the Perſon that refuſed or neglected it, was to he cut off from the Congregation of Iſrael. To which cuſtome the Apoſtle,Heb. 9.14.Heb 9:14 expreſly ſpeaking, argues à minori, If the ſprinkling of the Aſhes of an Heifer on the unclean, ſanctify to the purifying of the fleſh: How much more ſhall the blood of Chriſt purge the conſcience from dead works,De Legibus cap. 10. as that did from dead bodies As for the conceit of Pariſienſis, that the red Cow did look back unto the ſin of the golden Calf by way of Expiation, I leave it to its favourites: and proceed to the next ſort of ſacrifices.

3 Of the Treſspaſs-Offering.

In this Section before we proceed, it's neceſſary to ſpeak ſomething about the difference betwixt the Sin-offering and the Treſpaſs-offering. As to which I ſhall not ſpend time to recite the various opinions in ſeverall Authors concerning this point. It's ſufficiently known that the words foreign uſually tranſlated by Peceatum, or ſin; and foreign Delictum or Treſpaſs; are ſometimes interchangeably uſed without any accurate or nice diſtinction▪ and their Offerings alſo in the ſame manner. As for example, the very ſame which is called a Treſpaſs-offering, Lev. 5.6. is called alſo a Sin-offering, Ver. 7, 8, 9, & 11. of the ſame Chapter. But when they are preciſely diſtinguiſhed, Sin-offering, ſtrictly ſo called and taken, p. 119& treſpaſs-offering ſeem to be the species, or two ſorts of ſin-offerings more largely taken, and whereunto as a Genus they are both referred: So that Sin-fering, taken in its large ſenſe, communicates to its Inferiors both name and nature. For as the Sin-ffering, ſo is the Treſpaſs-offering, there is one Law for them, Lev. 7.7. But yet the communication is not equally alike to the one Species as to the other, and therefore draws ſomewhat nigh and may be reduced to that which the Logicians call Genus anologum. Wherefore according to that ancient Canon,Suarez Met. diſp. 32. §. 2. Analogum per ſe poſitum stat pro famo ſiori ſignificato: Sin-offering, when mentioned apart by it ſelf, and in contra diſtinction to the other, is to be underſtood of that Offering which we ſpake of in the laſt Section: and is moſt commonly and generally ſo taken. But as to the true diſtinction betwixt them, when rigorouſly taken, and in oppoſition one to the other: I ſhall deſire to ſet down the words of Ribera de Templo, l. 4. cap. 6. p. 271. p. 186. Edit. fol.which are related in the very ſame tearms with ſmall variation by judicious Rivet on the 40 Pſalme, and highly approved as the beſt opinion about this point, who might have dealt a little more ingeniouſly in mentioning his Author, though a Papiſt. Cum que pateat (ſaies River) quando illa duo ſecernuntur, delicta eſſe quae per ignorantiam fiunt, & peccata etiam inter ea numerari, quae per ignorantiam facta ſunt; inferunt, neceſſe eſſe, alteram eſſe ignorantiam, pro quâ offertur hostia pro peccato; alteram, quâ hostia pro delicto expiatur. Eam, quae invenitur in quibuſdam ex tis, quae propriè peccata hîc dicuntur, eſſe ignorantiam facti; eam verò, quae in delictis, eſſe ignorantiam juris, aut potius juris & legis oblivionem. Ita que illos pro Peccato offerre qui factum ignorant, hoc eſt, qui neſciunt alienum eſſe quod capiunt, aut ſacrum eſſe quod edunt aut pollutum eſſe quod tangunt. Pro Delicto verò, qu…id, quod faciunt aut lege prohiberi neſciunt, aut certè non recordantur. &c.] The ſumm of all which diſcourſe is this, That Sinofferings were then preſented: when the perſon at the time of the commiſſion was ignorant of the Fact, that is, he knew not what he had taken, to have bin anothers; or that to have been holy which he had eaten; or that to have bin unclean, which he had caſually or otherwiſe touched. But Treſpaſs-offerings were then brought: when the committer of ſuch a ſinfull action did not clearly underſtand or perfectly know, that was forbidden by the Law, or at leaſt had at the time of his perpetration of the act ſheerely forgotten its prohibition. So that it is obſervable, that forgetfulneſs is not mentioned as to thoſe Crimes for which the Sin-offering was to expiate, but in the caſe of Trepaſs-offerings: as may be obſerved Lev. 5.2, 3. If the ſin be hidden from him, that is, if he had forgotten: for ſo the phraſe is explained ver. 4. by addition of theſe words, [When he knoweth it he ſhall be guilty.]

To conclude then, The Sin-offerings did purge the Perſon and take off his guiltineſs as to ſins of pure and unwilfull Ignorance. The Treſpaſs-offering was to remove the guilt of ſins committed knowingly but through infirmity: and not with the full career and conſent of the Will in a violent way againſt Gods Commandments. For ſuch a ſin was called Preſumption, and (as was ſaid before) had no Sacrifice allotted to it.

As a Corollary then we may note briefly, That the Treſpaſs-offering was appointed to expiate greater and groſſer ſins then the former, as may appear by their Catalogue, and ſome expreſſions mentioned in their rehearſall, whereof in the following Liſt here exhibited.

The Cauſes.

The firſt four caſes wherein the Treſpaſs-offering was commanded were theſe.

p. 120Lev. 5.1, 2. &c.Lev 5:1Lev 5:21 If any Perſon heard another ſwear, if he did not utter or reveal it.

2 If he touch the carkaſe of any unclean Creature.

3 If he touch any uncleanneſs of a man.

4 If he ſwear to do good or evill: if he do not the good, or if he do the evill he ſwore to, and knew not or had forgotten that ſuch things are forbidden by the Law: then finding himſelf guilty, he was to bring an Ewe-Lamb or a Female Kid; if not able, then a Turtle or a young Pigeon,Lev. 6.7.Lev 6:7 for his Treſpaſs-offering, which in both the ſixth and ſeventh ver. is called by the common name of a Sin-offering; or if yet unable, then a Meat-offering: whereof beneath.

5 If the Treſpaſs be commited againſt the Lord immediately, in taking away any holy things, then he was to make amends for the harm, and to add a fifth part,Ver. 15, 16. Lev. 6.17, 18Lev 6:17Lev 6:18 and to bring a Ram for his Offering.

6 If he wiſt not, that is, had forgotten the prohibition of the Law directly ſpoken againſt ſuch and ſuch Sins, and ſo ſhould prove guilty ex ignorantia juris vincibili, and that onelyonly at that time per accidens, that is, having been accidentally ignorant through miſtake, over-ſight, or non-attendency: which he might eaſily have overcome, had he been diligent in the inquiry of God's Law, and the pondering of his action according to it: Wherefore the Learned Weemſe ſaies, theſe ſins were done ignorantly, as when one in drink kills another: but not from Ignorance or want of Knowledge that Murther is a grievous ſin when in his ſober wits. pag. 68. In this caſe, God was graciouſly mercifull to pardon his ſervant, and appointed him a Ram for his Treſpaſs-offering.

So that there have been two grand caſes mentioned, in caſe of forgetfulneſs or imperfect Knowledge of the Lawes prohibition. Now followes a third in caſe of knowledge and witting commiſſion of a ſin, but yet through weakneſs or infirmity, being over powered by temptation and the prevalency of luſt. As

1 If a Perſon did lye to his Neighbour concerning goods, that they were nor delivered, or in partnerſhip, or in things taken by violence, or in things of plain fraud or deceipt, or concerning what was loſt, and lies or ſwears falſely.Levit. 6.6. Num. 5.8. Lev. 27.3.Lev 6:6Num 5:8Lev 27:3 In all theſe caſes he was to reſtore the principall and alſo a fifth part, and a Ram for his Treſpaſs-offering, together with his eſtimation, who if he were between 20 and 60 years of age, it was 50 Shekels of ſilver.

Beſides theſe, we read of two Caſes more wherein theſe Offerings were preſented, as 1 For the defilement of a Nazarite, who had broken his Vow of ſeparation,Num. 6.12. Lev. 14.12.Num 6:12Lev 14:12 his paſt daies were to be loſt, and to bring a Lamb for a Treſpaſs-offering. 2 At the Purification of the Leper there was appointed one Hee-Lamb for a Treſpaſs-offering.

The Manner.

1 The Sacrifice for Treſpaſſes was to be ſlain in the ſame place, where the burnt-offering was killed.

Lev. 7.2. &cLev 7:22 The Blood was to be ſprinkled round about upon the Altar.

3 The Fat of the inwards, the Rump, the Kidneys, the Caul, and in general all the Fat was to be burnt upon the Altar; and juſt as was dealt with the Sin-offering ſo with this,Ver. 7. Lev. 4.26, 31.Lev 4:26Lev 4:31 there was one Law for both. Now whereas 'tis ſaid that Sin-offerings were to be managed as the peace offerings. It is to be underſtood as to the burning of the fat, which was to be taken away, as from the Peace-offerings: not that they were divided accordingly into 3 parts.The Priest's Portion. Lev. 7.6, 7. Lev. 14.13.Lev 7:6Lev 7:7Lev 14:13 For of the Sin-offerings and Treſpaſs-offerings, whatſoever was not ſolemnly given unto God by burning upon the Altar, was the Prieſts only; and their Males alone were to eat of it in the holy place. For as the Sin-offering is the Prieſts, ſo is the Treſpaſs-offering his; it is moſt holy.

p. 121SECT. IV. Of the Peace-Offerings.

The Cauſe.

THE End of theſe Peace-Offerings was two-fold; either to teſtifie the freeneſs of their Hearts, in dedicating ſomewhat of their ſtore to God, and then to implore ſome mercy at God's hands, or elſe to congratulate at His Altar for ſome notable or eminent Deliverance: In reſpect to which, if accompliſhed, they had vowed in their diſtreſs, to offer up to God a teſtimony of their praiſe. The firſt ſort was called, Free-will Offerings; and therein, though the Sacrifice had a member ſuperfluous, or were deficient in any part, it might be accepted. But for a Vow, which was the ſecond ſort,Lev. 22.23.Lev 22:23 it might not. In neither of them, might any blind, broken, or maimed Creature, or that had a Wen, or the Scurvey, or was ſcabbed, or was bruiſed, cruſhed, or cut, be preſented at God's Temple. For if they offered the Blind, the Lame and Sick, was it not evil?Mal. 1.8.Mal 1:8 Would an Earthly Governour receive ſuch a Preſent at the hands of his Suppliant? much leſs ſhould God be ſo diſhonoured, more eſpecially in the caſe of Vows, in the time of our being hedged in with perplexing difficulties. Men muſt be as careful to pay, as they were liberal to promiſe in the time of anxiety; and be ſu…e to follow the Counſel of Aſaph, To pay, as well as vow unto the Lord. Pſal. 76.11. Deut. 23.22, &c.Ps 76:11Deut 23:22We muſt be quick in this work; for the Lord elſe will ſurely require it, and it will prove ſin to us.

The Kind.

The Creatures offered were of the Herd; either Bullocks, or Heifers: of the Flocks, a Goat; Ram, or Lamb: They might offer Male or Female,Lev. 3.1, 6.Lev 3:1Lev 3:6 of Fowl, a little Bird which ſome ſay is to be meant of the Sparrow; as in the caſe of Leproſie.

The Occaſions.

The Seaſons were either conſtant, or accidental, according to the Emergency of Providencies. Of the laſt ſort were theſe; 1. At the Conſecration of a Prieſt, there was a Ram offered up for a Peace-Offering. Exod. 29.19, 28. Levit. 8.22-29.Exod 29:19Exod 29:28Lev 8:22–29For if you obſerve, they dealt with this Ram, according to the Law of Peace-Offerings: onelyonly in the Diviſion of it: whereof anon. Secondly, At Aaron's Initiation, a Bullock and a Ram for himſelf, and the like for the people, Lev. 9.4, 18. Thirdly, At the purification of a Leper, they were to take two Birds; to kill one of them in an Earthen Veſſel over Running-Water; and then joyning Cedar, Scarlet, and Hyſop, with the other,Lev. 14.6. De legibus, Cap. 11.Lev 14:6 to dip him in the blood of the ſlain. The Cedar (as Gul. Pariſienſis conceives) was for a handle; and the Scarlet Thread was to bind the living Bird in the midſt of the Hyſop, and all together to the handle; and therewithall to perform the Ceremony: which was alſo to be done to a houſe defiled with Leproſie. Lev. 14.50 51, &c.Lev 14:50The reaſon why we rank this among Peace-Offerings, is, becauſe all Thankſgivings for receipt of Mercies comes under this Tribe, with all their various Rites and Attendancies. Fourthly, At the period of a Nazarites vowed ſeparation, he was to offer a Lamb for a Peace Offering; which poſſibly is ſtyled a Ram,v. 17. that is, by way of Explication, that the Lamb was to be a Male,Num. 6.14.Num 6:14 or a young Ram, about, or under a years age. Fifthly, at the Dedication of the p. 122Tabernacle, each of the 12 Princes of Iſrael offered two Oxen, five Rams, five He-Goats,Num. 7.17.Num 7:17 five Lambs, for Peace-Offerings. As to the conſtant Offerings, in the Feaſt of Firſt-Fruits, we read of two Lambs for a Sacrifice of Peace-Offerings: But of no other do I read, unleſs we may reduce the Paſsover Lambs unto theſe Offerings;Lev. 23.19. Exod. 12.27. Lev. 22.30. Exod. 12.10.Lev 23:19Exod 12:27Lev 22:30Exod 12:10 which indeed were Euchariſtical, to put the people in mind of their great deliverance out of Aegypt: Beſides, as in the Thankſgiving Sacrifice, it was to be eaten upon the ſame day, and none of it leſt till the morrow: So was the Command concerning the Paſsover: let nothing of it remain till the morning; that which remained, was to be burnt with fire.

The Manner.

Let us then come to the manner of the Solemnity about theſe Peace-Offerings.

Lev. 3.2.Lev 3:2Firſt, He that offered it, did lay his hand upon the head of this his Sacrifice, and kill it at the door of the Tabernacle.

Secondly, The Prieſt was to ſprinkle the blood upon the Altar round about.

Ver. 3.Thirdly, All the Fat of the Inwards, the two Kidneys, the Caul upon the Liver, and all their Fat, was to be burnt upon the Altar, for a ſweet ſavour unto the Lord.

Ver. 7, 9.Fourthly, If it were a Lamb of the Flocks, then the Rump was to be burnt alſo. This was the Lord's part, in the Peace-offerings.

The Priest's Part.

Deut. 18.3. Lev. 7.31, 32.Deut 18:3Lev 7:31Lev 7:32The Prieſt's Part, (as in all Sacrifices nor wholly burnt, which are above-mentioned) was the Skin; beſides, the Cheeks and the Maw were his.

And laſtly, the Breaſt and the right Shoulder belonged to him as a Wave-Offering, and a Heave-Offering, in the day of Atonement. The reſt of the Creature was for the perſon who brought it, to feaſt upon that Sacrifice, and to eat at the Lords Table with joy. But when the Prieſt offered up a Peace-offering, it was ſhar'd into two parts onelyonly; one for God, to be burnt on the Altar;Lev. 8.25, 28, 31. Ver. 32. Lev. 22.30. Lev. 7.15, 16. Ver. 17.Lev 8:25Lev 8:28Lev 8:31Lev 22:30Lev 7:15Lev 7:16 the other to be eaten by him after it was boyled. But what remained was to be burnt, If the Offering were for a Thankſgiving, it muſt be eaten by the Offerer the ſame day: If for a Vow, it might be eaten the ſame day part of it, and the reſt on the morrow after: but is muſt never be kept till the third day to be eaten, for if ought did remain, it was to be burnt with fire.

SECT. V. Of the Meat-Offerings.

The Cauſe.

THE Cauſe for which theſe Offerings were preſented, was the ſame with the former already mentioned, wherewith moſt frequently they were joyned: but whether united, or apart, it will appear by the recital of particulars beneath, that they were commonly injoyned, as an Appendix to the p. 123other Sacrifices: ſhewing the Intereſt God hath in us, and all our Enjoyments: which coming from him, muſt be acknowledged by way of chief Rent in Sacrifice.

The Matter.

The Matter of there Offerings, were theſe things following: fine Flour, Barley Meal, green EarS of Corn, Oyl, Frankincenſe, and Salt.

The Meat-Offerings differently compoſed of ſome, or other of theſe Ingredients; were either conjunct with other Sacrifices, before mentioned, or ſeparated from them, and apart by themſelves, according to the Law of their Injunction.

The conjoyned Meat-Offerings, did accompany either Burnt-Offerings, or Peace-Offerings.

Meat-Offerings, conjoyned with Burnt-Offerings,Lev. 23.18. Numb. 15.4, &c.Lev 23:18Num 15:4 had this proportion following. If the Burnt-offering were a Lamb; then an Omer, or tenth deal of Flour, was to be mingled with the fourth part of a Hin of Oyl: If it were a Ram, then two Omers of Flour, and the third part of a Hi… of Oyl: If a Bullock, then three Omers and half an Hin. If a Kid, the quantity was the ſame as for a Lamb. Thus was it to be done in the Offerings of the Solemn Feaſts.

When Meat-Offerings were joyntly preſented with Peace-Offerings,Ver. 8. the caſe is generally the ſame, unleſs in a Thankſgiving; for then the perſon made an addition. For he was to prepare unleavened Cakes, mingled with Oyl, and unleavened Wafers annointed with Oyl,Lev. 7.12, 13. Ver. 14.Lev 7:12Lev 7:13 and Cakes of fine Flour mingled with Oyl, and fryed; with unleavened Bread beſide. One of theſe Cakes was to be a Heave-offering for the Prieſt.

There is no mention of any Meat-offering joyned with Sin-offerings. The ſeparated, or diſ-joyned Meat-offerings, even ſuch as were preſented alone by themſelves, were in two Caſes.

Firſt, in the Caſe of Jealouſie,Num. 5.15.Num 5:15 there were no other Offerings enjoyned but this following: The tenth part of an Ephah of Barley Meal, without any Oyl or Frankincenſe. A handful hereof was to be burnt upon the Altar,Ver. 26. the reſt was the Prieſt's, according to the conſtant Law of Meat-offerings.

Secondly, in caſe of Poverty: As to the four particular points, wherein the Treſpaſs-offering was required, if the perſon were unable to ariſe to the Expence of thoſe Fleſh-offerings, in that Caſe enjoyned, and above-recited: Then the tenth part of an Ephah of fine Flour,Num. 5.11.Num 5:11 without any Oyl or Frankincenſe, was to be preſented in ſtead of the Lamb, Kid, or Fowl, and ſhould be accepted for a Sin or Treſpaſs-Offering; a handful whereof was to be burnt on the Altar; and the reſt was devolved over to the Prieſts uſe and behoof, as in an ordinary Meat-offering.Ver. 13.

The Occaſion.

The ſeveral Seaſons, wherein theſe Meat-offerings, either conjoyned to, or ſeparated from other offerings, were yielded up to God, were theſe enſuing.Exod. 29.23. Lev. 8.26, 28.Exod 29:23Lev 8:26Lev 8:28

Firſt, At the Conſecration of a Prieſt, there was to be a Basket of unleavened Bread; and out of is to be taken one unleavened Cake, a Cake of Oyled Bread, and a Wafer, all to be burnt upon the Altar. To which purpoſe, the Prieſt at his Sacred Unction, was to offer the tenth part of an Ephah, that is, an Omer of fine Flour to be mingled with Oyl, and bak'd in a Pan. It muſt be wholly burnt, and not eaten.Lev. 6.22, 23.Lev 6:22Lev 6:23

p. 124Lev. 9.4.Lev 9:4Secondly, At Aaron's entring upon his Office and Function, there was offered a Meat-offering, mingled with Oyl.

Lev. 14.10.Lev 14:10Thirdly, At the cleanſing of the Leper, the Meat-offering was to conſiſt of three tenth-deales, that is, Omers of fine Flour mingled with Oyl, according to the proportion of the 4th pert of a Hin of Oyl to each Omer; and beſides that, a Log of Oyl for the other Ceremonies; which being performed,Ver. 21. Num. 6.17.Num 6:17 the remainder was the Prieſt's.

Fourthly, At the Expiration of a Nazarites Vow, there was to be preſented before the Lord, a Basket of Unleavened Bread, Cakes of fine Flour, mingled with Oyl, and Wafers of Unleavened Bread, anointed with Oyl. One Cake, and one Wafer were waved, as Wave-Offerings to be beſtowed on the Prieſt;Ver. 19, 20. the reſt was the Offerer's.

Numb. 7.13, 14.Num 7:13Num 7:14Fifthly, At the Dedication of the Tabernacle of Moſes, each of the 12 Princes of Iſrael offered both fine Flour and Incenſe, according to the quantity of the Silver Veſſels, which they preſented.

Numb. 8.8.Num 8:8Sixthly, At the Conſecration of Levites, there was a Meat-offering to be preſented, according to the proportion allotted to a Bullock, that is, three Omers of fine Flour, and half a Hin of Oyl, as was before rehearſed.

Numb. 15.20.Num 15:20Seventhly, At the Children of Iſrael's entring into the Land of Canaan, they did conſecrate the firſt of their Dough, and preſented it for a Heave-offering to the Lord. As for the conſtant Feaſts and Solemnities, enjoyned by God, every Burnt-offering and Peace-offering had its Meat-offering, according to the proportions fore-mentioned, and ſet apart for a Bullock, Ram, Lamb, or Kid.

Some of the Feſtivities have their particular Meat-offerings laid down. In the number whereof, were theſe following.

Firſt, the conſtant Shew-Bread, brought into the Holy Place every Sabbath day, and ſet upon the pure Golden Table, is to be here accounted; which came to the number of 12 Cakes for the 12 Tribes of Iſrael, each Cake of the Shew-Bread conſiſting of two Omers of fine Flour, and compoſed with Oyl:Lev. 24.7, &c.Lev 24:7 a handful whereof was burnt on the Altar, for a memorial of a ſweet ſavour before the Lord. The reſt was made into ſo many Cakes; ſix ſtanding in an upright Row one upon another, and a Golden Diſh of Frankincenſe on the top of each Row, upon the Holy Table. Theſe Cakes being taken away every Sabbath (when the New were ſet on) became the Prieſt's.

Lev. 23.13.Lev 23:13Secondly, In the Sheaf of Firſt-Fruits, there were two tenth deals of fine Flour,Lev, 23.16, 17. mingled with Oyl, given in for a Meat-offering.

Thirdly, In the Feaſt of Firſt-Fruits, the Children of Iſrael were commanded to bring two Wave-loaves; each of them conſiſting of one tenth Deal of fine Flour,Lev. 2.13.14.Lev 2:13Lev 2:14 baked with Leaven; and this is that oblation of the Firſt-Fruits, which was commanded by God to be offered, and forbidden to be burnt, becauſe there was leaven in it; and therefore was wholly reſerved for the Prieſts houſe, to conſecrate the uſe of Leaven in their Bread, in their Habitations, when they fed upon the fruits of the Land, whereof they had now in theſe firſt-fruits preſented a taſte unto the Lord: who reſigned it over to his Miniſters and Officers in the Temple,Ezek. 44.30.Ezek 44:30 that a Bleſſing might reſt upon their houſes. But, as to the Offering in this Feaſt of Firſt-Fruits, that did burn upon God's Altar, it was this; they were at that time to bring in ſome of the young new Corn newly ripe, & to beat the Corn out of the fulleſt green Ears,Lev. 2.14, 15.Lev 2:14Lev 2:15 and to dry it by the fire; then to pour Oyl upon it; and then to lay Frankincenſe upon it. Part whereof, even part of the beaten Corn and part of the Oyl; together with all the Frankincenſe, was to be burnt for a memorial of their Thankfulneſs; as an Offering by Fire, of a p. 125ſweet ſavour unto the Lord. The reſt (as is often remembred in all ſuch Meat-offerings) came to the Prieſt.

The Manner and Rites.

The manner of this meat-offering (to put a period to this Section) was on this wiſe. Firſt, there was fine Flour prepared; then a quantum ſufficit, Lev. 2.1, 2. Lev. 6.15, 16.Lev 2:1Lev 2:2Lev 6:15Lev 6:16or a fitting proportion of Oyl powred upon it, and mingled with it, and then the Frankincenſe was laid on the top of the Cake, Wafer or Loaf, to make a ſweet perfume, when the Nidor, or inconvenient ſcent of the Fleſh and Cake, and Oyl, might otherwiſe ſtain the purity of the Air. The general proportion (as is above remembred) was this; to every tenth Deal, or Omer of Flour, there was the fourth part of a Hin of Oyl to be meaſured out. The quantity of Frankincenſe I do not find mentioned; unleſs we could bring forth the exact quantities of the capacity of thoſe Veſſels offered by the 12 Princes of Iſrael, at the Dedication of Moſes his Tabernacle.Numb. 7.13, 14.Num 7:13Num 7:14 It's known among us, by the Statute of 23. H. 8. cap. 4. that the weight of ſeveral of our Engliſh Veſſels, is commanded to be of ſuch a quantity, according to the proportion of its inward content or capacity. I know not whether there were ſuch exactneſs uſed of old among the Jews: or, at leaſt, whether theſe Veſſels of the Princes were not ad arbitrium, and not according to any Standard-Veſſels, in their capacity. If there were any preciſeneſs in their frame, as it ſhould ſeem there was, becauſe they did offer juſt ſo much fine Flour and Oyl, according to ſo many Lambs and Bullocks; which quantity, was ſtated by the Moſaical Law: Then there will appear ſome proportion of the Incenſe to the Meat-offering. For if you obſerve,Numb. 7.13.Num 7:13 there was one Silver Charger, whoſe Weight was a hundred and thirty ſhekels, and one Silver Bowl of 70 ſhekels, both fill'd with fine Flour, mingled with Oyl: which arrives to two hundred ſhekels, that makes at half an Ounce. Troy the ſhekel (according to a laxe acception) an hundred Ounces in Weight. The Veſſel of Incenſe, which we tranſlate a Spoon, was but ten ſhekels, or five ounces in Weight. All theſe three Veſſels were full,Ver. 14. ſays the Text: the firſt two, of fine Flour and Oyl: the laſt, of Incenſe. Now if the ſame proportion between the Weight of each, did extend alſo to intervene between the Content of each: which, though I confeſs there is no ſolid ground for, yet ſome Neighbouring probability give us leave to indulge at preſent in this Point; then it will be as two hundred to ten, or as eight pound four ounces, to five ounces, that is, where there was ſo much as eight pound four ounces in Flour and Oyl, expended in Meat-offerings, there was five ounces of Frankincenſe, to yield a fragrant ſavour upon Gods Altar. He that is more at leiſure, may count all the Sacrifices of each Prince, and proportion the quantities of Flour and Oyl, according to the rule often mentioned; and then ſay, According as the Weight of the two Veſſels, to the Meaſures of the contained Meat-offering, ſo poſſibly was the Weight of the Spoon to the Frankincenſe contained: which was adhibited proportionably to ſuch Offerings. But to leave conjectural uncertainties, the confection or making of the Incenſe, we read to be of Stacte,Exod. 30.34. Ver. 38.Exod 30:34 Onycha, Galbanum, and pure Frankincenſe, of each a like Weight: which being compounded by the Officers of the Temple (for none elſe might make it) was paid for, according to its value; and the quantity which the Sacrifice of each Suppliant Offerer did take up. But as to the Daily Service, and Annual Feſtivities, there was a ſet quantity to be made,Ver. 36. and to be laid up in the Sanctuary for theſe uſes.

p. 126As to the common Meat-offering, thus prepared with Oyl and Frankincenſe, the Prieſt took a handful of it, even of the Flour and Oyl, with all the Frankincenſe, and burnt it for a memorial upon the Brazen Altar, for an Offering of a ſweet favour to the Lord. The Remnant was the Prieſt's Portion.

The Priests Part.

Lev. 2.3 Lev. 7.9, 10.Lev 2:3Lev 7:9Lev 7:10As for thoſe Meat-offerings that were bak'd in Ovens, or dreſt in Frying-Pans, or upon thin Flat-Plates, they all fell to the Prieſt. Every Meat-offering alſo, that was mingled with Oyl, or that was dry, (that is, without Oyl) was theirs alſo.

Lev. 2.4.Lev 2:4Such of theſe Offerings; As,

Firſt, were bak'd in an Oven, were Unleavened Cakes, mingled with Oyl, or Unleavened Wafers anointed with Oyl.

Ver. 5.Secondly, If dreſt in the Pan, then they were made of fine Flour unleavened, mingled with Oyl, and divided into ſeveral parts, and Oyl poured upon them.

Thirdly, If they were made ready in the Frying-Pan, they were then made of fine Flour mingled with Oyl,Lev. 2.11.Lev 2:11 and there was no Leaven, nor Honey, to be offered up to God in them. But Salt was expreſly enjoyned, that it ſhould not be wanting in any Meat-offering preſented to God.Ver. 13.

SECT. VI. Of the Drink-Offerings.

Num. 6.17. Lev. 23.18. 2 Chron. 29.35. Numb. 15.5, 10. Numb. 15.5, 7, 10.Num 6:17Lev 23:182 Chr 29:35Num 15:5Num 15:10Num 15:7THE Drink-offering was always of Wine; and was always alſo conjoyned with other Sacrifices, but never alone.

Burnt-offerings, and Peace-offerings, had Meat-offerings, and Drink-offerings joyned with them: but the Sin-offerings had none.

In every Sacrifice where there was a Bullock ſlain, the quantity of a Drink-offering, was half a Hin of Wine: for a Ram, the third part of a Hin of Wine: for a Lamb, or Kid, the fourth part of a Hin. There are three Seaſons diſtinctly mentioned, wherein Drink-offerings are by name enjoyned: though we muſt be ſure, that they were conſtantly poured out, according to the Law, with all the Offerings fore-ſpoken of. But the particular times are theſe.

Numb. 6.15, 17. Lev. 23.13.Num 6:15Num 6:17Lev 23:13Firſt, At the limited period of the Nazarites Vow, he was commanded to bring his Drink-offerings, together with the reſt.

Secondly, At the offering up, or dedicating of the Sheaf of Firſt-Fruits, the Drink-offering then to be preſented, was the fourth part of a Hin of Wine.

Ver. 18.Thirdly, In the Feaſt of Firſt-Fruits, the Drink-offerings are diſtinctly mentioned, and appointed for the 7 Lambs, one Bullock, and two Rams, that were ſlain in that Feſtival.

The manner of this Offering, was to pour out the quantity of Wine allotted, even as the Blood of the Sacrifice, beſide the Altar.

p. 127Thus much ſhall ſuffice, at preſent, for the brief Hiſtory, or Relation of the Temple-Sacrifices: wherein I have endeavoured, as much as may be, to keep to the Letter of the Scripture. What is found defective in this Account, may be ſupplyed out of the ample Treaſury of Dr. Lightfoot's Rabbinical; yea, and all kind of Oriental Literature.

As for all particularities of the Annual Feſtivities, and the other Solemnities, be pleaſed to conſult his learned and excellent Treatiſe of the Temple-Service, where you may receive abundant ſatisfaction, while We endeavour to find out what Salary and Reward the Great God appointed to His Prieſts, for their great and conſtant pains in Temple-Service; which We ſhall lay down briefly in the next Chapter.