CHAP. I. The first Chapter containes the Proem or Porch to the main Body of this Trea­tise; Wherein, are exposed to view the famous Preparations for the Structure of Solomon's Temple.

DAvid being anointed King by Samuel the Prophet at Bethle­hem, and therefore secretly maligned, and afterwards open­ly prosecuted by Saul, fled in the time of his distress to the Prophet of God, dwelling then at Najoth in Ramah, and privately resided with him. Sanctified afflictions, 1 Sam. 19, 18. enhance Spiritual Devotion, which being managed by a divine and a holy Prophet, many times produce, according to the person's quality, noble, and heroick designs for the glory of God: such a one [probably sugge­sted by Samuel] was this. Whereupon they consulted together at Najoth, that when David came to the Kingdom, he should remember his Vow in distress to build, or at least to prepare all materials for the erecting of a glo­rious Temple for Gods name in the City of Jerusalem. We find these good men laying heads and hearts close together in the contrivement of all things even to the very Porters that were to watch in the gates of the Tem­ple, and reckoning them up by their Genealogy in their several Villages. 1 Chron. 9.22. To this Building we read, that Samuel afterwards was a principal Benefactor, and set down by name in the first Book of Chronicles. Chap. 26.2 [...]. Nay we find Saul the son of Kish not wanting in dedicating some Treasures to this house of [Page 2] God. After them, mention is made of Abner, the Son of Ner, the Captain of King Sau [...]'s Host, and Joab the Son of Zerviah, Captain of King David's Hosts (good patterns for Souldiers) nay the chief of the Fathers also, and the Captains of thousands and hundreds, all dedicating some of their spoils won in Battails, to maintain the house of the Lord. But above all, King Da­vid bears away the Crown in this sacred business, bestowing vast and honou­rable gifts towards its lustre and beauty. What this King did, the Scripture doth largely enumerate, and God most kindly and favourably accept.

2 Sam. 24.24·1. The first and main thing he did, yea the groundwork of all, was the Pur­chase of the place, being the Lands and Possessions of Araunah the Jebusite; at the particular direction of God himself by the mouth of the Prophet Gad. Happy that threshing-floor that was turned into an Altar to dedicate First-fruits to God. Happy that Husbandman, whose common field was turned into holy Inclosure: and happy those Oxen that worn out in honest labour, do at last dye Martyrs in holy flames; and happy that Jebusite that's con­verted into a true Israelite. O happy that Mountain! that once being a Fortress of the Lame and Blind Idols of the Pagan Canaanites, shall become the Temple and Palace-Royal of Jehovah Jiereh, 2 Sam. 5.6, 8. the living and the seeing God. Gen. 22.14. Isa. 2.4. Mic. 4.3. 2 Sam. 24.22. Those times are pronounced blessed, when Swords shall be beaten into Plough-shares, and Spears anvilled into Pruning-hooks. But more hap­py sure are these, when Plough-shares shall be turned into Fire-pans, Pru­ning-hooks into Censers, when Plough-boot and Cart-boot shal be consecra­ted Wood, to burn upon Gods Holy Altar.

But did David serve God with that which cost him nothing? No sure! He paid a sufficient price, even fifty shekels of silver: which, together with the succeeding sums, that I may reduce to our English value; it's necessary to preface in a few words, concerning the Hebrew Coins, and their Divisions. In brief then, 20. Gerahs make a shekel; 60 shekels, one maneh or pound, 50 manehs or 3000 shekels one Talent, one hundred drams or Adarconims are equivalent to 60 shekels, or one maneh or pound, if you compare 1 Kin. 10.17. and 2 Chron. 9.16. together. As to the shekel, I'le speak a little both to its figure and value; and first as to the figure, the chief face of it had in­scribed about the Pot of Manna these words [...] Shekel of Israel. The second or reverse, had Aaron's Rod blossoming, with these words, [...] Jerusalem the Holy.

For the weight and value, Caspar Waserus, and Edward Brerewood, in their Treaties of this nature, tell us, according to their best inquiries, that each shekel was in value proportionable to 2 s. 6 d. English, and that it weighed about half an ounce Troy. Hist. p. 249. Sir Walter Raleigh sets a shekel at the rate of 2 s. 4 d. But I rely rather upon the learned Treatise of Mr. Greaves his Denarius, who with the consent of the learned Primate of Ireland, Dr. James Ʋsher, Pag. 77. having exactly weighed several of them,states it according to the English standard, to be exactly 2 s. 5 d. onely, according to which, one [Page 3] Hebr. maneh of silver will be 7 l. 5 s. of our money. One Talent will be 362 l. 10 s. which is 50 manehs, or 3000 shekels. Exod. 38.26. For if 603550 men be rated to pay half a shekel a piece, then they paid 301775 shekels, which is recounted to be one hundred Talents, and 1775 shekels. Ver. 25. So that 300000 shekels which the 600000 men paid, is equal to one hundred Talents, wher­of each Talent contains three thousand shekels: which number of shekels contained in one Talent, seems also probable by the Brass mentioned, v. 29. whereof there being not found fully 71 Talents, Moses shews there were 70 Talents, and two thousand four hundred shekels, whereas if there had been full three thousand, it had fill'd up the quantity of another Talent. So that it seems there was above two thousand four hundred shekels in one Talent by this verse, and exactly three thousand, as appears by the former calculation. One thing more I would speak to, and that is the proportion of gold to sil­ver; which according to Plato, Julius Pollux, Bodinus, Bornitius, Villalpandus, Brerewood, and generally all learned Authors is accounted to be duode­cupla, or twelve times as much in value as the like quantity of silver: Which although it hath now and then a little vatied, according to the Standards of Princes, or the scarcity of metals; yet a twelfth-fold proportion is the gene­rally received Opinion and Custome of most Nations; according to which, we shall rate our gold in these preparation-Offerings for the Temple.

So then, according to this valuation of a shekel, King David paid fifty shekels of silver for the threshing floor of Araunah, li. s. d. 6 0 2 i. e. according to 2 s. 5 d. the shekel. 6 l.—0 s.—2 d. Now whereas it's said he paid six hun­dred shekels of gold, we are to understand it of the whole Mountain of Mo­riah to build the Temple thereon; 1 Chron. 21.25. which according to twelve-fold propor­tion is 870 l. of our money. li . s . d . 870 0 0 For it is not Adarconim but [...] shekels in the Hebr. text: Now six hundred shekels of silver at 2 s. 5 d. the she­kels arise to 72 l. 10 s. which increased by 12. gives the sum forementio­ned. This then is the first thing which King David did, to buy the place, 1 Chron. 28.11, 12, 13. which at two payments came to 876 l. 0 s. 2 d. the whole.

2. The second thing that David performed, was the model of the Tem­ple, and all its Buildings, received from God, and given to his Son Solomon, being the pattern of the Porch, Houses, Treasuries, Upper-Chambers, inner Parlors, the place of the Mercy-Seat, of the Courts of the House, the Cham­bers round about; the Treasuries of the house of God, and the Treasuries of the dedicate things. Of the Courses of the Priests, the Vessels and the work of the service in the house of the Lord.

3. Thirdly, he furnished his son with many rare and costly materials: 1 Chron. 22.14. whereof for metals he first dedicated a hundred thousand Talents of gold: Now one hundred thousand Talents of silver [according to the foremen­tioned rate of a shekel at 2 s. 5 d.] arise to 36250000 li. of our money. Which being twelve times increased, according to the proportion of silver to gold, will give the sum to be 435000000 li. of our Sterling money. 4350000000 l. All this gold was for the Instruments of gold, the Candlesticks, Lamps, Tables, 1 Chron. 28.14, 15, 16, 17; 18. 1 Chron. 22.14. Flesh-hooks, Bowls, Cups, and Basons; as also for the Altar of Incense, and the Chariot of Cherubims. He set apart moreover a thousand thousand Talents, or a million of silver, which arises to 362500000 li. of our money wherewithall to make the instruments of silver, even for Candlesticks, Lamps, Tables, and Basons. Besides this, he provided Brass in abundance, 362500000. C. 28. v. 15, 17. 1 Chron. 22.3. 1 Chron. 18.8. Ver. 10, 11. even without weight: some whereof was brought from Tibhath and Cun the Cities of Haderezer, King of Zobah, and therewith Solomon made the Brazen Sea, and the Pillars and the Vessels of Brass. He dedicated also Vessels of gold, silver, and brass, that were sent him as a Present from the King of Ha­math, and those Treasures also, which he brought from Edom, Moab, Ammon, the Philistines, and the Land of Amalek.

[Page 4] 1 Chron. 22.3, 14.Moreover he gave Iron in abundance, and that without weight, for the Nails, Doors of the Gates, and their joynts.

As to precious stones, we find him to have prepared Onyx stones, and stones to be set, and glistering stones, and of divers colours; nay, all manner of precious stones, 1 Chron. 29.2. C. 22.2. and Marble stones in abundance, and hewn stones wrought by Masons, that were strangers in Israel.

C. 22.4. 2 Chron. 7.6.He provided also Cedar-trees in abundance.

He gave also many Instruments of Musick, which he had made for the Le­vites therewith to praise the Lord.

4. Fourthly, he appointed the Orders and Offices of the Priests and Le­vites in their courses of service for sacrifice and singing, together with the stations of the Porters in their Watches at the several Gates of the Tem­ple. 2 Chron. c. 23. & 24. & 25.

5. Fifthly, and lastly, Besides all this, out of his affection to the house of his God, 2 Chron. 29.4 he gave even of his own proper goods three thousand Talents of the gold of Ophir: which in sum results, according to the former stated propor­tions to 13050000 li. of our Coin. 13050000. li. Besides this, he gave seven thousand Talents of refined silver, to over-lay the Walls of the House withall, which is equivalent to the sum of 2537500 li. of our money. 2537500 li.

After this grand mass of Metals, and other Treasures given by himself alone, He calls out to others to lend their helping hand, saying: And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day to the Lord? 1 Chron. 29.5, 6. Then the chief of the Fathers, the Princes of the Tribes of Israel, and the Captains of thou­sands and hundreds, with the Rulers over the King's Work, offered willing­ly this ensuing sum: 21750000 li. First, five thousand Talents of Gold, that is, 21750000 l. and above that, ten thousand drams of the same metal. Each dram being the hundreth part of the maneh, or Hebr. pound: which is usually so among most Nations, and may be cleared to be so among the Hebrews (I suppose) from these two places compared. The first whereof says, that Solomon made three hundred shields of beaten gold, and that three pound of gold went to one shield. 1 King. 10.17. 2 Chron. 9.16. The word is [...] three manehs. The other place sayes, he made three hundred shields, and that three hundred ( Shekels, we say) went to one shield. In the Hebr. it's onely said, that three hundred of gold went to one shield: Whereby we learn, that one maneh, and an hundred of some one sort of the Hebr. Weights were equal, which could not be shekels: For in Ezekiel it's expresly recited, Ezek. 45, 12. there went but sixty shekels to a maneh: Therefore it remains most probable they were these drams, one hundred whereof were in one Hebr. pound, equiponderant to sixty shekels, which in silver is 7 li. 5 s. of ours. The hundreth part whereof is 1 s. 5 d. q. & ⅗ of our money. Now according to the twelvefold proportion of silver to gold, a dram of gold is 17 s. 5 d. ob. q. ⅕. I know the learned Brerewood doth count it by a round number of 15 s. being near in value to the Adarconims in the text. But it is to be considered, that Ezra, or who else, that wrought the Book of Chronicles, while in the Captivity, using the Aurei Darici, or these Adarconims of the Persian Empire, might make use of them, to express the Hebrew drams of gold, as being the nearest piece in value. Though it's evident enough, that it's neither an Hebrew word originally, nor a coin used by Solomon, who lived some hundreds of years before Darius, whose stamp and rate it bare. Now that one Adarconim fell in so jump with the hun­dreth part of the Hebr. pound, is but a naked conjecture. Wherefore accor­ding to the proved division of a li. into one hundred pieces, we have adven­tured to take it in the Rate assigned.

[Page 5]According to which the Princes added to their former sum 13986 li.—13 s.—4 d. of our money, in valuable proportion to their drams of gold. 13986—13—4. After that we read of an addition of ten thousand Talents of silver, that is, 3625000 li. 3625000 li. of ours. Moreover they added of Brass eighteen thousand Ta­lents, and one hundred thousand Talents of Iron, besides precious stones. These two inferiour Metals I shall not stand to reckon according to the u [...]u­all proportion of their value to silver. For if we lay together the severall sums of gold and silver, I think we have a bag big enough to build the Tem­ple Walls of massie silver, and Vessels of massie gold, as a learned man thinks, Brerewood de numm [...]s, cap. 6. and therefore suspects the Talent of gold not to have been of such a quanti­ty, as usually stated. I confess there is one place which much favours this Conjecture, and that is concerning the Crown of the King, or, as some ap­prehend, of Molech the God, of the Ammonites, which weighed a Talent of gold, with the precious stones taken from him at Rabbah, and set upon King David's head: which had it weighed three thousand shekels, 2 Sam. 12.3▪ or fifty Hebr. manehs or pounds, or one hundred and twenty five pound of our Troy weight, reckoning three thousand shekels to the Talent; and each shekel to avoid prolixity and trouble at 2 s. 6 d. or our half Troy ounce, it would have proved a weight for a Crown not imaginable, and would have almost crusht the Conqueror under this triumphant Ornament into his grave. Yet herein the learned Scotchman, Mr. John Weemse, in his Observations Natural and Mo­ral, p. 141. offers his Solution, by a Conjecture that the Crown was first broken, and purged by fire, and then made up into a convenient form into a less quantity, and fitted for the victorious Temples of David. But I rather adhere to the conceit of Dr. Rivet, upon Exod. 25. who expounds it of the value of a Talent of gold, and not of the weight, by reason of the precious stones that were in it. But however this be answered, (with some fair and probable interpretations of Villalpandus, and others, to secure this place, which I cannot now fully insist upon) seeing it's generally agreed upon, that the Talent was of this quantity and value fore-stated, we shall not be Nig­gards in these sacred Expences; but draw up all the sums in Battalia toge­ther, and see what a Volley of Shot they will pay towards the discharge of Temple-Expences, wherein we shall account each shekel of silver at 2 s. 5 d. each Talent at 362 l. 10 s. and for gold, each dram at 17 s. 5 d. ob. q. ⅕. and each shekel of gold at 2 l. 9 s. and each Talent at 4350 li. of our current money.

Hereby you may perceive that K. Da­vid, and his Princes together, gave 108000 Talents, 600 shekels, and 10000 drams of Gold, and 1017000 Talents, and fifty shekels of silver to this Work: which in our money amounts to eight hundred & thirty eight millions, four hundred seventy seven thousand, three hundred and sixty two pounds, thirteen shil­lings, and six pence, all deposited in the hands of Shelomith, a famous Lord Treasurer, the 6th in a direct Line from Moses, being the Son of Zichri, Jo­ram, Jeshajah, Rehabiah, Eliezer the son of Moses. Nay, so magnifique a sum it was, that Dr. Donne, sometime Dean of Pauls, in his Encoenia, or Dedication Sermon for Lincolns-Inne Chappel, conjectures, that if all the Christian Kings that are, 1 Chron. 26.25. Exod. 18.4. would send in all they have at once to any one service, it would not equal this Royal-Sum of David and his Princes.

A noble sum indeed! yet David modestly and humbly acknowledges all that he gave, 1 Chron. 22.14. to be but of his poverty; which we must understand, as refle­cting upon his many troubles and warres, much wasting his Treasury. But he adds a very divine passage, 1 Chron. 29.14. saying, It was all of Gods own, and rejoyces that he and his people had hearts to offer so willingly.

After all this, David being forbidden to build, yet went as far as he durst, having set Masons to work in hewing of stones, and provided cunning Gra­vers, 1 Chron. 22.2. and men skilful in Works, both of Metal and Embroidery: the like whereof Solomon desires the King of Tyre to send him. All which being done, 2 Chron. 2.7. David falls asleep in the Arms of the great Shepheard of Israel, and leaves the management and perfecting of all to his Son.

In the last place, we come to Solomon furnished with so vast a purse, the nerve of Peace as well as War, to empty upon so glorious a Work, as the building of an Habitation for the God of Israel: and yet notwithstanding, let us see what stately preparations he made. Stately, indeed, if some say true, 2 Chron. 5.1. that he used not one mite of his Fathers Treasures that were thus dedi­cated to God. Because it is written, say they, That he brought all (which his Father had dedicated) into Gods Treasury, as a Reserve for extraordinary Emergencies and Reparations. But if these Suggesters had remembred the fore-going Story, which tells us, that such gold, and such silver of David's gifts were laid out by weight upon such and such Ornaments and Utensils, 1 Chron. 28. they would never have troubled their Readers with such a needless help to the advancement of Solomon's magnificence; appearing splendid enough, and according to the rate of his vast and Royal Revenues: which (if Villalpandus hit right, in his comparing and casting it up,) far exceeded the Annual Incomes of the richest of the Roman Emperors. But as to this King in the first place, for Gold, we find him supplyed by Hiram with sixscore Talents of that metal, 1 King. 9.11, 14. amounting, according to former proportions, to 522000 li. of our money: which some may conceive to have been em­ployed in the Temple, though it doth not clearly so appear, but that it [Page 7] was a help to him in the building of all his stately Structures, Ver. 15. both Sacred and Civil. To which purpose, he had besides laid a great Tax upon his own people.

In the next place, we read of his providing stones of several sorts and sizes, 1 King. 5.17. under the name of great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones: which you may lay together, if you please, as great costly hewn stones, for the Foundati­on of the house of God.

As to Timber, we read of three sorts onely, 1 King. 5.8, 10. Cedars and Firre in one place, and of Almug-trees in another: some whereof were brought in ships from Ophir, to make Pillars in the Temple, as we translate it: But concerning the use thereof we shall find a more full discussion in the 2d Chapter, where we speak of the Westgate Shallecheth in the Outward Court, and of Solo­mon's stately ascent to the house of the Lord; which was beautified and strengthened with Pillars or Rails of Almug-trees. Some whereof he used for the Harps and Psalteries of the Singers. The like of these Trees from Ophir were never seen before, nor since in the City Jerusalem. Some quan­tity of these kind of Trees, he received out of the Forest of Lebanon. 2 Chron. 2.8. C. 2. v. 7, 14.

Other things he provided, as Purple, and Crimson, and Blue, and fine Linnen, together with cunning Artificers to weave them for the Vailes of the Temple and Vestments of the Priests.

All these materials being thus prepared to his hands, this mighty King undergoes the charge of all the Workmanship, and gathers a magnificent Army of skilful and industrious persons to manage the business: 183601. 1 King. 5.15. 80000. 70000. 3300. v. 16. 2 Chron, 2.2, 17, 18. 3600. which arose to a sum of an hundred eighty three thousand, and six hundred men and one. Fourscore thousand whereof were hewers in the Mountains: Threescore and ten thousand were bearers of burdens: and three thou­sand three hundred Officers, as 'tis related in the Books of Kings: but there were three thousand, six hundred, as we read in Chronicles. To solve it, Possibly three hundred at a second Review might be added to the number of Officers, for the greater care of the business. 2 Chron. 8.10. There being fifty Head-Of­ficers, and at first but two hundred and fifty Officers next inferiour to them among three thousand three hundred; and after review, there were three hundred added more: so that then there were fifty supream-Officers, 1 King. 9.23. five hundred and fifty of the next rate and employment, and three thousand under-Officers, which makes the full sum of three thousand six hundred. All which, with their Workmen, were but strangers in Israel, not Natives: 1 King. 9.21. 2 Chron. 2.17. or rather strangers in bloud, though neighbors in habitation, being remnants of the Canaanites not yet destroyed, their number being in full 153600. Besides these, he employed thirty thousand men of Israel to work in Leba­non by courses, ten thousand in every moneth, 1 King. 5.13. and each third number rested two moneths at home; over whom, the King placed Adoniram as chief Of­ficer: which being joyned to the former number of strangers, makes up the whole sum at first mentioned even 183601.

Moreover, we read of a vast number of men sent to him from his Father-in-Law Vafres, the King of Aegypt: so sayes Eupolemus in Eusebius, who recites also a like vast number of the Tyrians. Scripture mentions nothing of the former: But as to the latter, that King Hiram, 1 King. 5.6: 2 Chron. 2.8 upon Solomon's Re­quest, did assist him with the help of his Subjects, is clear, though not to the number: Which surely was considerable, if we poll the men by their bellies, and if all the specified quantity of Provision was dispensed onely to these Workmen; which seems to be so in one place, which sayes, 2 Chron. 2, 10. That these mea­sures were allowed for the Hewers, viz. Twenty Thousand Measures of Wheat, and as much of Barley; Twenty Thousand Baths of Wine, and as much of Oyl: Although another place tells us, it was allowed as an An­nual [Page 8] Pension for King Hiram's Houshold [...] for his House: which may be admitted by a metonymy to signifie these his servants, 1 King. 5.11. as by the parallel place, it seems to be so interpreted: Now, though the King might take a taste possibly, yet certainly the quantities in general were imployed to the Work-mens content. The word here for Measures is [...] Corim, now a Core is equal to a Homer: and usually as a Homer contains ten Ephahs in dry, Ezek. 45.11. & ver. 14. so doth a Core, because of equal capacity. The quantity of the Bath we have endeavoured in the fith Chapter of this Treatise to find out, ac­cording to the proportion of an Omer to seven Attick Coryla's laid down by Josephus, whom we shall endeavour (God lending life and opportunity) to examine in another Tract, as to Measures: onely at present, this supposition being granted for true and exact, then doth the Bath, and the Ephah its Sym­metrical Vessel, contain 52 pounds or pints, and ½ or six Gallons, one Pot­tle and ½ pint. Now because of the hard Work in the Mountains, we will allow these proportions to the men in Wine. There being spent 616 Tun, and 16 Gallons of Wine upon them, and as much of Oyl, and double as much of Wheat and Barley in a year; we cannot, in conscience, allow less then a pint of Wine in a day for a poor Labouring-man to encourage him: which being of the Red-wine of Palestine, mixt with water, would be a good refreshment. So that there being 1241984 pints of Wine in Twenty Thou­sand Baths, they will serve 3402 men fully throughout the Julian year of 365 days, and somewhat more then a Tun of Wine over, viz. 254 pints for the chief Officer. But if you make enquiry, by the quantity of Corn, al­lowing a pound of Wheat; and a pound of Barley to each man, generally drinking Water, but sometimes encouraged with Wine and Oyl, which is more probable: Then the number by this computation will prove to be ten times as many; to wit, 34022. A company not much above the num­ber of Solomon's own servants, which was thirty thousand, as you heard be­fore. We read in Herodotus a choenix of corn allowed to each person in Xerxes his Army for a day, in his Polymnia, p. 446. Edit. Steph. 1618. that is, two pound and a quarter, as learned Agricola rates it in his second Book, de Mensuris Graecis, p. 120. and Moses also allowed an Homer of Manna for each man in a day in the Wilderness; that is, above a pottle of that food a day, Exod. 16.13. as you may see, Cap. 14. Now although I read in Bibl. Hist. l. 2. Diodorus Siculus, that Semiramis drew together two hundred Myriads, or 20 hundred thou­sand men to build the famous City of Babylon, a number almost 14 times as many as these Builders of Solomon, both of his own, and Hiram's Subjects put together, which were but 217623 persons: Yet we must consider, She built a City of most vast extent and compass, viz. of 365 stadia; that is, of 45 miles, [...] and ⅝ of a mile, according to the laxe and ordinary proportion of 8 stadia to a mile: whereas this Temple was but about half a mile in circuit, as we shall see hereafter. Besides, we must remember the vastness of the Walls, and the 250 Towers upon them round about that City, together with all the Buildings within it. Moreover, we find that City to have been finisht in a year, whereas this was 7 years and a half before it came to its perfection; all which time this number of men was employed. That I may let pass Diodorus his report of her ambitious mind, calling her [...], that she endeavoured to out-vye all her Predecessors. To conclude, I might suspect the Author's Relation, as being of a thing far distant from his age and much relying upon Ctesias in that matter, a Writer whom Aristo­tle himself in his History of Living Creatures, lib. 2. cap. 17. gives the Lye in plain Greek, without a Complement. Whereas Solomon's builders are rec­koned up in those sacred Pages, which know not what a Lye means; and far exceed the number of those that Chaeops imployed in building the portentu­ous [Page 9] Pyramid which was ten Myriads, or one hundred thousand men by the testimony of Herodotus, l. 2. To proceed, the Timber fetcht out of the Moun­tains of Lebanon by these Labourers, was brought by Sea, in flotes, 1 King. 5.9. 2 Chron. 2.16. Quaresm. de terra Sancta, l. 4. c. 1. 1 King. 7.14. 1 Chron. 2.14. & 4.11. to Joppa the Sea-port of Judea, and thence to Jerusalem by Land, which was about 40 miles of Italian measure distant from Joppa as one Author places it. More­over, Hiram King of Tyre (being moved thereto by King Solomon in a Let­ter) sent to Jerusalem his own Name-sake, one Hiram, a rare Artificer, skil­ful in all manner of curious Works; as Casting, Graving, Polishing: &c. who accordingly made the two Brazen Pillars, the Molten Sea, the ten Lavers, and the several Instruments of the House of God. At last, when all was finisht and compleated, 1 King. 9.11, 12, 13. King Solomon gave to King Hiram twenty Cities in the Land of Galilee, as a Present: But they pleased him not.

One Proemial Enquity more we shall crave leave to exhibite, before we come to the main Design, and that is the exact distance (as far as may be de­duced out of Authors) of this famous City Jerusalem (wherein the Temple was built) from London the Metropolis of England; That we may know whereabouts in the World our Discourse lies. To this purpose, it's neces­sary, first, to know (if possible) the exact Position of Jerusalem under the Heavens. Mr. Selden, a man that hath made many useful Collections tells us out of a Rabbi, De anno Civili, cap. 13. Edit. Bertii; lib. 5. c. 16. that for Longitude Jerusalem lay in 66 gr. and ½ from the first Meridian, and for Latitude in 32 gr. Ptolomy acquaints us, that the Lon­gitude was 66 gr. and the Latitude 31 gr. 40 minutes; and moreover that London hath 20 gr. 0 min. of Longitude, and 54 gr. 0 min. of Latitude. But we shall rather follow more modern Observations, and particularly that of Kepler, in his Rudolphin Tables, who sets Jerusalem in the Lat. of 32. 10. and London at 51. 32. and their difference in Longitude to be three hours, and four minutes: or rather as Longomontanus, his Scholar, at 3 hou, 6 min. So that if London lye in 24 gr. 20. from the first Meridian in the Azores, then Jerusalem will lye in 70 gr. and 50′ of Longitude from the same place.

To calculate their distance then by the Doctrine of Triangles, In this following Sphaericall Triangle, A. B. C. Let D note the situation of London, its Latitude

BD 51 gr. 32 min. Its Longitude being 24 gr. 20′ And let E point out Jerusalem: its Latitude CE 32 gr. 10 min. Its Longitude being 70 gr. 50 min. So then the Data or things given are, First, the side DA. the complement of London's Latitude 38 gr. 28 min. Secondly, the side AE the complement of Jerusalem's Latitude 57. 50. Thirdly, the Angle DAE being the difference of Longitude 46. 30. The Quaesitum, or thing sought after, is the side DE. The Work whereof, according to the Canon of Logarithms will stand thus:

Whose complement is 39 gr. 5 min. the exact distance of Jerusalem from London raised from this computation. Now that we may convert these degrees and minutes into miles: the Question will be, how many miles on the Surface of the Earth answer to a degree in the Heavens? The common, though false Vote, will give in an account of 60 miles of Italian measure to a degree: Which some would seem to maintain and confirm by the dictate of the Learned Ptolomy in his Geography, lib. 1. cap. 11. & lib. 7. cap. 5. who sayes, that one degree of such a Circle, which contains 360 in its circumfe­rence, does [...]; that is, take up five hundred Stadia or Furlongs upon the Periphery or Exteriour Surface of the Earth. But Snellius in his Eratosthenes Batavus, lib. 2. cap. 3. pag. 138. labours to prove out of Hero, and others, that five Alexandrian feet (which probably were used by Ptolomy, an Inhabitant of Aegypt) were equal to six Roman; and consequently▪ that the Aegyptian stadia were lar­ger then either Graecian or Roman: and thence would infer, that the quan­tity of a degree upon Earth, was much larger then sixty Italian miles, accor­ding to the mind of Ptolomy. Martianus Capella speaking to this purpose, sayes, that by Ptolomies account, every degree takes up five hundred stadia, that is, sayes he, sixty two miles, and five hundred paces, each stadium being equal to one hundred and twenty five paces, lib. 6. pag. 198. Edit. Grotii. If any desire to peruse the several Opinions of the Ancients, concerning this matter, he may find them recited by Clavius upon Sacrobosco, cap. 1. in the Se­ction, Pag. 104. Edit. Lon­din. 8. lib. 2. cap. 13. Sea-mans Practice, ch. 2. de ambitu terrae. But to proceed to more certainty, if we consult Gas­sendus the late Astronomy-Professor at Paris, we shall find him abundantly larger, even to the allowance of seventy three Italian miles to one degree. To which account, Mr. Norwood, a late learned Improver of his Mathematicall Knowledge towards the advancement of the Art of Navigation, doth very near agree in a little Tract of his: Wherein he relates his Observation of the Altitude of the Pole taken at the two prime Cities of this Nation, London and York, in two Summer-Solstices by a large Instrument. The difference of the two Altitudes he afterwards comparing with the measured distance of those places, performed by great and industrious pains and diligence along the High-ways, lying betwixt them, in the year, 1635. having allowed for Ob­liquities, ascents and descents, found a degree in the Heavens to be co-ex­tended with 69 miles, 4 furlongs, and 14 Poles of English Statute-measure, upon Earth. Now forasmuch, as an Italian mile consists of five thousand feet; whereas the English contains five thousand, two hundred, and eighty, (not troubling our selves at present with the inconsiderable difference of an English foot from the Roman; it being but 66 parts longer then the Roman in such an assumed quantity, as takes up two thousand such like parts (where­of more in the next Chapter) if we reduce the seventy three Italian miles into feet by five thousand, we find a degree in the Heavens to take up on the surface of the Earth 365000 Italian feet, Gassend. Epi­cur. Philo­soph. Part 1. p. 243. Edit. 1649. according to Gassendus and Snel­lius. Again, if we reduce the English quantity of miles, furlongs, and poles into feet, the Product will be 367191 feet answerable to a degree: Whence it is apparent, that the difference is but small, wherein the English Obser­vation exceeds the other, viz. but three furlongs, twelve pole, and thirteen feet; that is, not half a mile in all: As to which, if we adjoyn Gassendus [Page 11] his Proxime to his 73. which he uses, we may even count them coincident. Our industrious Countrey-man, in his next Chapter, most ingenuously ac­knowledges his Experiment not to be performed with that nice exactness and curiosity; which might be used, Mr. Greaves in his Roman foot, p. 31. according to the Rules he ther [...] layes down; it being a thing worthy the attempt of some noble person to per­form; nothing unbeseeming a Prince, who in the Eastern parts did once un­dertake it: But our Observations and Experiments are now come to grea­ter maturity, for the encouragement of so worthy a Work: especially since the useful Invention of Logarithms hath been brought to light for more compendious Calculation. But as to our purpose, I shall mention one Opi­nion more concerning the former business, and that is of the incomparably learned in the Mathematicks, Mr. Oughtred, the great Ornament of our Na­tion, now deceased; who in his Appendix concerning Navigation, Pag. 21. at the end of his Book, called, The Circles of Proportion, Cap. 3. Probl. 3 allows onely 66 of our English miles, and somewhat more to a Degree. Now then according to the vulgar account of 60 gr. to a mile, Mr. Wingate in his use of the Logarithms, setting Jerusalem's Latitude at 32 gr. 0 min. London's at 51 gr. 50 min. and the difference of Longitude at 47 gr. 0 min. hath calculated their distance to be 2355 miles. If any be pleased with Mr. Oughtred's quantity of 66 miles, he shall find 39 gr. 5 min. the distance before found, betwixt Jerusalem and London, in degrees and minutes, to be resolved into 2579 miles, and ½. But according to Mr. Norwood's proportion of 69 miles, 4 Furl. and 14. Pole to a degree: he that compares them in account with 39 gr. 5 min. will find 2717 miles, 7 Furlongs, 30 Poles, and ½ to be the distance of these two Ci­ties inquired after. Onely two Suppositions must be admitted in this Cal­culation: First, that the Longitude and Latitude of Jerusalem is exactly sta­ted: Secondly, that the Earth is smooth and plain in its Surface or Con­vexity. For the distance will be much augmented to the Travellers sweaty brows, in climbing the Alpine Mountains, and sliding down the many steep Declivities, which he shall meet with, in his way: besides the many impedi­ments, by reason of the Rivers, Seas, and High-ways, in their various Obli­quities, according to the different Customs of divers Nations.

Furthermore, if any shall desire to know the Point of the Compass, on which Jerusalem bears from London, he may determine it even to a degree, if he will take the pains to make a true Chart, and by the Scale of Rumbes to set off its distance, according to the direction of an ingenuous person, Mr. Henry Philip's cap. 4. Probl. 2. in his Book, called, The Geometrical Sea-man: Or if any be desirous to hunt after more punctual exactness, even to minutes, let him consult Mr. Norwood's Trigonometry, in the Appendix of his second Book, Probl. 2. and 6. whence he may perform it by Logarithms: or Mr. Oughtred's Tract of Navigation, in the Appendix to his Circles of Proportion, Chap. 7. Quaest. 5. Or Mr. Win­gate, in his use of the Logarithms, Chap. 4. Prob, 2, set forth in Octavo, Anno 1633. which may very easily be calculated, according to the ensuing Figure

and Method: wherein A shall represent London's La­titude 51 gr. 32 min. D, Jerusalem's Latitude 32. 10′. C, D. the difference of Longitude 46°—30′. The Meridional difference of the two Latitudes 26°. 19′. These things being the Data, we proceed to the Calculation by propoportion, and say:

[Page 12]To the Tangent of DA.C. or AD. B. 10, 2587359. which is 61 gr. 8 min. 20″.

So that Jerusalem lies from London SE and by E, 4 degrees, 53′. 20″. Easterly. But because Rumbes are Helispherical lines, therefore I shall ra­ther proceed according to the method proposed by Mr. Norwood, for say­ling by a great Circle, Probl. 6. pag. 13. Whereby we find (though I shall omit the Transcription of its Calculation) that the distance of Jerusalem from London, in the Arch of a great Circle arises to 38 gr. 49 min. where­by we see the difference from the former Calculation producing 39 gr. 5 min. is but 16 minutes. We find moreover by this last method, that the Angle of Jerusalems Position lyes from the South part of the Meridian 46 gr. 2 min. 52″. So that it lies from London South-East, and 1 gr. 2′. 52″. more towards the fifth point of the Compass, viz. of SE and by E, which is the most exact place of its Situation, respecting the Metropolis of England. It bears then we see from London towards a point in the Compass, which lies betwixt the South-East, and the East South-East in a direct Line of Posi­tion, being the Segment of such a Circle, which is equivalent to any of the greater Circles of the Sphere. According to which, some devout Archi­tects (perhaps respecting the Mother-Church of all Nations at Jerusalem) have built many of our Churches not full East and West, but looking to­wards a Point between the full East, and the South-East. But as to the most precise determination of its distance and position, if some curious Artist, residing among our Consuls in the Levantine Countries had formerly, or should hereafter exquisitely observe a Lunar Eclipse at Jerusalem, which might be visible, and also observed at London the very same time, we might obtain a more punctual decision of this Inquisition, upon which we have in­sisted. But least the situation of Jerusalem, as to the Altitude of the Pole there, and its distance from the first Meridian should not prove (by some Eclipses perhaps to be observed hereafter at the same time in both places by the mutual consent of some able Astronomers resident in each) to have been exactly stated by fore-cited Authors: We shall adde its bearing and distance from some famous Towns in the same Countrey, and so conclude.

In the first place, not being fully satisfied about the direct Position of Joppa (the Port-Town of Judea) before-cited, out of Quaresmius, to be 40 miles from Jerusalem: I observed out of Ptolomy (who being a neer Neigh­bour in Aegypt, might possibly himself have made Observations in Syria) that the Longitude of Joppa, from the Canaries, is reckoned at 65 gr. 40 min. and its Latitude from the Aequator at 32 gr. 6 min. According to these Data, having calculated by the former method, I found it to be neer about 27 minutes distant from Jerusalem in a direct line: which being re­solved into miles (by Mr. Oughtred's allowance of 66 to a degree) brings forth their distance to be of English miles 29 42/60. or 7/10, or which is all one 3696 feet, that is, almost ¾ of a mile. But seeing the English miles exceed the Italian by 280 feet in each mile, there will arise 31 miles, and 1816 feet of Italian measure for their distance: If there were no Hills, nor Windings in the common-high-ways, according to the supposed stating of Joppa's Si­tuation by Ptolomy.

[Page 13]But according to Gassendus and Norwood (which I rather adhere to) al­lowing 73 Italian miles to a degree, the 27 minutes distance will produce 32 51/60 miles upon Earth in a straight line. To which agrees the modern Observation of one Timberlake, an English Traveller, in the Description of his Pilgrimage to the Holy-Land, setting it just at 32 miles distance. Bro­cardus the Monk (I know) sayes, it was eight Leagues from Jerusalem; Pag. 33. Edit. Colon. 1624. which, at 4 to a mile, makes 32 miles: Although I confess in the Preface to his Book, a League is said to be an easie hours travel. But I rather suspect an errour in the Copy because the same Author pag. 45. tells us, that Rama was ten leagues from Jerusalem, and in the same Rode that Rama was▪ three from Joppa: which, by three to a League, makes 39 miles. To which ac­count Breidenbachius, sometimes Dean of Mentz in Germany, doth assent in the recital of his Travels in those parts, that Joppa was ten miles, Edit. Mentz. An. 1486. pag. 36, 38, 82, 83. or three leagues from Rama, and that Rama was thirty long miles, or ten leagues from Jerusalem. Whereby, as also by Moryson's Travels in Turkie, giving in the same distances, it appears to be the common account of the Countrey. I have spoken the more of Joppa, because thence was brought the Timber of Mount-Lebanon all by Land: which though distant in a direct line, but about 33 Italian miles; yet might be 40 miles, according to the crooked Win­dings, and the great Hills that were in the way, according to the Observati­ons of modern Travellers, both of our own Nation, and Forreigners. A te­dious way to bring all the Timber of the Temple through: But the noble Heart, and large Purse of Solomon, thought nothing too much for the House of his God.

Now as to other Towns round about Jerusalem, St. Hierom in his small Tract of Hebrew places, sayes, That Bethel was 12 miles, Anathoth 3, Bethle­hem six. Concerning this Bethlehem, our Saviours Birth-place, Justin Mar­tyr (who was born in Palestine, as he himself attests in the beginning of his second Apology) sayes, that Bethlehem was but 35 stadia from Jerusalem. Bethsur, twenty; Bethany, two; and Rama, in Benjamin, Antiq. l. 8. c. 2. Pag. 62. Edit. p. 58. Sylburg. Edit. Bertij in folio, p. 12. Aelia, or Jeru­salem. 20. Eleutheropolis, 24. Ascalon. Ptolom. Geogr. lib. 8. Asiae Tab. 4. six miles from Je­rusalem. Which last, Josephus sayes was 40 stadia. The same Father pla­ceth Hebron 22 miles from Jerusalem, and Beersheba in the outmost Border of Judea, twenty miles South of Hebron. I might proceed to calculate the distance of Samaria, Tyre, (where Origen was buried, according to Breiden­bachius) Damascus, Jericho, Nazareth, and the rest, if I intended a Geogra­phical Description. But I shall onely adde one more, and that is the fa­mous place in St. Hierom, called, Eleutheropolis, long sought for by some: Which appears out of Antonines Itinierary, to lye twenty miles from Jerusa­lem, South-Westerly in the High-way to Ascalon, and that it lay 24 miles North East of Ascalon; and furthermore 18 miles South of Diospolis, or Lidda.

To conclude, Jerusalem was the Head-City of Palestine (a Province of Asia the Great) bounded on the West by the Mediterranean Sea. The longest day at Jerusalem was fourteen hours, and ⅛, or 7 minutes, 30 se­conds, according to Ptolomy: But if any will state it exactlier; they may, ac­cording to the supposed Latitude, calculate it more precisely.

Having now finisht this inquiry of our Cities Situation, we shall conclude with a Petition for favour, at the hand of every courteous Person, for so long detention in this previous Discourse, and draw towards a period of this first Chapter.

In this City thus situated, stood the Mountain Moriah, Nicol. Fuller, Miscel. sacr. l. 2. c. 14. whose significati­ons, with sundry Observations annexed, may be learned out of an excellent Critick of our own Nation.

[Page 14]On this Mountain stood our famous Temple, which we are about to de­scribe, whose Eastern-Gate and Wall, faced Mount-Olivet. The Holy of Holies, within this Temple, stood Westward; partly to imply, that the Wor­shippers of the great and living God should not worship the Sun, according to the Superstitious Customes of the Eastern Heathens: Procopius Ga­zaeus, in Reg. lib. 1. cap. 6. pag. 192. Edit. Menri. But the omnipo­tent God, and Creator of that Sun, who appointed his Temple to be so situa­ted, in opposition to Pagan Idolatry; which is one reason of many of the Jewish Rites and Ceremonies, if Gulielmus Parisiensis may be Judge. Partly also it was thus situated, to denote the motion of Gods presence into Eu­rope, and the Western parts of the World: Or lastly, as others think, to have a respect to Mount-Calvary, the place of our Lords suffering; whose body was typified by the Temple; and his meritorious death, by all the Temple-sacrifices. Having thus finished, what was purposed by way of Preface, it rests, that we now proceed to the main Body of this Treatise in the Nine Chapters following.

Place here the Figure of the view of the Temple-Building, and its Courts.

[Page]

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

THE Foundation of this Sacred Pile was laid in the two thousand nine hundred ninety third year of the World current, The Time. in the four hundred eightieth year after the Children of Israel came up out of Aegypt, in the fourth year of King Solomon's Reign, in the se­cond day of the second moneth; which the late most Learned and Reve­rend Primate of Ireland, in his Annals of the Old Testament, 1 King. 6.1. Part 1. pag. 57. and Petavius, in his Rationarium Temporum, Part 2. l. 2. cap. 11. make to syn­chronize with the three thousand seven hundred and second year of the Ju­lian Period, May 21. being Monday, and the one thousand and twelfth year current before the common Christian Aera. To which, [...] if we adde One thousand six hundred fifty seven compleat years, thence will issue 2669 compleat years, fully ended this May the 21, 1658. since the Foundations of Solomon's Temple were laid.

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

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

[Page 16] Lib. 6. De bello Judaico, c. 6. p. 913. G. Edit. Graeco Lat. Josepus speaks thus of the Wall— [...]. The solid Wall was twenty Cubits high; indeed the Battlements were five Cubits higher. And further, [...]. But the Towers exceeded the Wall by twenty Cubits: First, they were fourty Cubits high in all. And again, concerning the Tower Hippica, he sayes, That the main body of it was [...], thirty Cubits high. Above that, there was a Well to receive Rain-water, and that he calls [...], and sayes it was [...], twenty Cubits high. On the top of that there

was a house [...], 25 Cubits high: Over this, [...] the open places 2 Cubits: & yet higher [...]: The battlements 3 cubits high: and then concludes, [...], that the whole height came to 80 cubits. Now pray let's ask Tacitus what he says to this point, who breaks his mind in a few words, but fully thus, Extrema rupis abruptu, & [...]arres, ubi man [...] ju­visset in sexaginta pedes, inter devexa, in centenos vicenosque a [...]tollebantur: What more clear to our purpose? Lib. 5. Histor. p. 625. Edit. Tug. Bat. 1640. He tells us, the Towers upon the Walls, where the Wall ran on the brow of the Hill, was sixty foot; which Josephus told you before was fourty Cubits. Tacitus sayes, where the Wall ran in the Valleys, there the Towers were one hundred and twenty foot high: such a Tower was that called Hipp [...]ea, standing in the Walls; which Iosephus sayes was eighty Cubits: so then hence we learn, that fourty Cubits, and sixty feet; eighty Cubits, and one hundred and twenty feet are equal: and the propor­tion betwixt Hebrew Cubits, and Roman feet, was Se [...]qui altera; i.e. One Cubit of the Hebrews, was one foot and ½ of Roman measure.

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

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

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

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

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

But, secondly, you will say this Temple-measure was different from the ordinary Cubit, by the testimony of Scripture it self; which tells us, 2 Chron. 3.3. it was built by Cubits after the first measure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some hold that Solomon built but one Court; and that, 1 King. 6.36. by the two Courts mentioned in Scripture, we are to understand (say they) first, the Priests Court, which indeed they grant he built, 1 King. 6.36. and to be called the Inner-Court. But by that called the Outer or greater Court they conceive we are to understand it of the Mountain of the House, which lay wide and open.

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

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

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

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

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

[Page 37]Besides, the words following, as well as those preceding in this present Text of our Jewish Historian, do also argue, that Josephus meant by this phra [...]e of the Temples nakedness, its being destitute of such stately Porches on each side, at its first Erection except on the East-Quarter: For he tells us afterward, that in ensuing Times, there was a Three-fold Wall about the Temple, and that the Foundations of the lowest parts of the Outward Wall were three hundred Cubits high; in some places more: 1 King. 6.36. and that the stones were fourty Cubits large. Upon such Foundations (sayes he) there were Buildings erected worthy of them; to wit, 1 King. 7.11. double Porches sustained by Pil­lars of Twenty five Cubits high, that were single stones of Marble: And moreover he relates, that those Porches were Thirty Cubits broad, and the whole compass of them, together with the Tower Antonia, was six Fur­long [...]. Hence we may learn, that for such stately Fabricks as Solomon's Eastern Porches, and those afterwards added, there was necessity of mighty strong Foundations. Of which vast Foundations, with their stately Porches built upon them [...], the Temple was destitute, and lay open, in comparison of the East-side, where Solomon himself had yet at first onely built them.

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

But submitting the whole to sober and unbyassed persons, I shall now proceed to prove that their Work were two Courts compassing the Temple, which I shall divide into two Sections: First of all, that there were two, and that even by Scripture it self. Secondly, that these two encompassed the Covered Temple. To which purpose, we read in the Book of Kings, 1 King. 6.36. That Solomon built the Inner-Court, with three Rows of hewen stone, 1 King. 7.11. and a row of Cedar-beams. Again, we find in the same Book another passage, relating to Posterity, that the great Court round about, was built with three Rows of Hewen-stone, and a Row of Cedar-beams. Whence we may in­fer, by the Rule of Relation, even from an Inner-Court, that there was an Outer; and from a great Court, that there was a less. Besides, we read ex­presly of Courts in the plural number; so sayes the Author of the Chroni­cles, That the Levites Office was to wait on the Sons of Aaron in the Courts, and in the Chambers. 1 Chron. 23.28. 1 Chron. 28.6. Ver. 12. In another place David tells his Peo­ple, that God had said to him, That Solomon his Son should build his House and his Courts. To whom, in the 12th Verse, he gave the Pattern of the Courts of the House of the Lord. Hence likewise we infer, that there were two for certain, if not more, in the very days of Solomon.

[Page 38]That there were any more then two Courts in Solomon's days, it cannot be clearly decided; but 'tis most probable, in the Negative, by some passages of Scripture, which speak in so many terms, concerning the two Courts in the House of the Lord, 2 King. 21.5. 2 Chron. 33.5. 2 King. 23.12. in the which Manasses built his Altars, that were overthrown by godly Josiah. If any should object, that these are to be un­derstood of the two principal Courts, whereas we read of a Middle-Court, and a New-Court, and a Court of the Women in Scripture, before the days of Manasseh; let them remember, that those three names were given onely to one Court, which was laid out and built possibly by Jehoshaphat, in whose days we first read of a new Court. 2 Chron. 20.5. Though some conceive that the Outward Court was called by the name of New-Court, as being in those times so fa­mously repaired, as if it had been new built, and might justly demerit that denomnaition.

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

For, first, we read of no other Courts extant in the days of Solomon, then the Priests Court; and the outer Court which is expresly laid down in the Book of Chronicles. 2 Chron. 4.9. Besides, it's generally confessed by the Learned, both Jews and Christians, that there were never no more Courts then these four.

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

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

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

4. The Court of the Mountain of the House.

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

Moreover, that these two Courts which Solomon built are not to be un­derstood of the two parts of the Priests Court, distinguished by a little Par­tition, (that the People might look over) it will appear more evident by and by from the Gates and Watches of the Porters, which were placed in the Outward great Court encompassing the Temple: For so we find [Page 39] them exactly distinct in the Book of Chronicles, where read, 2 Chron 4.9. That King Solo­mon made the Court of the Priests, and the Great Court: shewing, that a certain Court made by Solomon, distinct from the Priestly Court; and being compared with that, was greater; and therefore a comparatis called so: as also because there was no more Courts then this, except the Priests: It is called, The Great Court, fitly expressing the demonstrative Article [...] be­fore the Hebrew word [...] in that Text. Whence it appears, that the Priests Court was the lesser; Whereas, if that small fore-mentioned se­paration in the Priests Court (including a piece of ground by all descripti­ons less then the place where the Priests did minister in their Office,) should give Title to this great Court, then the great Court (so called in this Text) would not prove so large as the lesser, in comparison with which it re­ceived its denomination of greatness, and so there will arise a fine contradi­ction in very terms.

Moreover, that there must be laid out a very large Court without the Priests Court in Solomon's days, 1 King. 8.14. 2 Chron. 6.12. may appear from the vast multitudes of People which were at the dedication of the Temple, called [All the Congre­gation of Israel] no doubt all the males of all the Land, according to the command of God: for the Dedication was just in the same moneth with the Feast of Tabernacles. How many hundred thousands were then pre­sent, let men judge by Joab's Catalogue, brought in to David at the num­bring of the People; to wit, one million, and 300000. valiant men: 2 Sam. 24.9. which none will be so absurd to think, that they could stand possibly within many such Partitions, as were in the Priests Court, and into the Priests Court it self they might not enter. But then seeing we must place them without, let's observe after Solomon's prayer was ended, that when fire came down from Heaven upon the Sacrifices, the Scripture says that all the Chil­dren of Israel, &c. bowed themselves with their faces to the ground (and that's not all, but 'tis added) upon the Pavement [...] not onely the Natural Earth, but an Artificial Pavement from— [...] Stravit. The place then which contained these many thousands of Peo­ple was all paved with stone: which is one usual ingredient into the ma­king, and consequently the describing of a Court; that is, an open place, wal­led in and paved; such as was this great and famous Court, wherein these vast numbers of the males of Israel did now stand and worship falling down upon its Marble Pavements, when they saw the Celestial fire descending from Heaven upon the Sacrifices. As for the Gates and Walls about this Court, we shall fetch them up by and by, whereby to determine this Courts encompassing the Temple round about.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHAP. IV. Concerning the Vessels, Ʋtensils, and other Ornaments of the Temple.

THat we may proceed in some orderly method; let us first place the Heavenly Houshold-stuff, within the Covered Temple; and after that, the several Utensils in their Courts.

Within the covered Building, there were two Ground-Rooms, and a Porch: In each whereof, we shall find rare and magnificent Ornaments; for the glorious Majesty of Heaven was pleased to keep house among the Children of Israel, having His Presence-Chamber in the Sanctuary, and His Privy-Chamber in the Oracle.

These glorious Chambers were adorned on all sides with Cherubims, and Palm-Trees, carved in Cedar, and over-laid with Gold, according to this ensuing Figure.

CHAP. 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.

CHAP. VI. Of the Revenues and Endowments, assigned to the Temple, and its Officers.

THE first Work we have to do in this Chapter, is to provide Houses over their heads, and to give in a Catalogue of the Cities which came to the Children of Levi by Lot, when Joshua divided the Land of Canaan: which Countrey is estimated by Sir Henry Spelman (in his larger Work of Tythes, pag. 3.) according to the Descrip­tion of it by Jerom, not to have been equal to the Principality of Wales, with the Marches: yet it did yield, for inhabitation to that Tribe of Levi, 48 Walled Cities, more then are (as he says there) in all England: Which, though possibly most of them might not have been so large as many of our Cities and great Towns; yet surely were well strengthned, according to the Fortification of those days, seeing they are styled Castles in the Book of Chronicles, 1 Chron. 7.54. which we shall dispose in their Scriptural Or­der.

CHAP. VII. Of the Encoenia, or Solemn Dedication of the Temple.

HEre it is requisite, for the discharge of our duty, as to this Chap­ter, that we first set down the circumstance of time, wherein this stately Work was performed: Wherein to avoid all Con­tests, at present, We shall follow the renowned, pious, and lear­ned Primate of Ireland, in His fore-cited Annals, pag. 58. who places it in the Three Thousand, Seven Hundred, and Tenth Year of the Julian Period, and the Three Thousand and first Year of the World, and shews, that it was co-incident with a Year of Jubilee: and in the seventh Moneth of that year called Ethanim. 2 Chron. 5.3. The first day whereof (according to his Calculation, though it's greatly disputed to the contrary) did exactly concur with the 230 October of that Julian Year. The Temple was finished in all its parts in seven years, and about six moneths. For it was first founded in the se­cond day of the second moneth, 2993. But the Dedication was prorogued to the 8th Year, because of the solemnity of the Year of Jubilee, sayes our Reverend Author. So Pe [...]avius de Doctr. Temp. lib. 13. p. 537. 1 King. 6.38. Solomon is said indeed to be but seven years in erect­ing this Building and all its Appurtenances, that is, seven compleat years, though there were several moneths over. We shall then, according to His mind present this Season in a silent Scheme: onely let's remember, it was the 2758 Judaical Year, the Julian Cycle of the Moon five, and the Judai­cal three, the Cycle of the Sun that year was 14, the Dominical Letter D. Therefore the Neomenia Tizri, or first day, or New Moon of Tizri, called Ethanim in those dayes, must be Feriâ Sexta, or Friday, Octob. 23. according to Him.

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There are great Wranglings among Chronologers in this particular. Cal­visius places the 23 day of Ethanim, on the 5th of October, being Monday, as he says, A. M. 2940. Scaliger, An. P. J. 3703. the New Moon of Etha­nim, October 12. and so his Scholar Helvicus. But a late Learned Author casts the New Moon upon Octob. 5. The first day of the Dedication, Octob. 11. and the departure of the People, Octob. 27. It would take up more time, then is necessary to imploy on this Design, if we should spend many Lines upon the Reconcilement of various Authors, that treat upon this Point: To which purpose, it were very necessary to enquire anxiously into the exact Julian Year wherein this dedication fell out, a & fterward to calculate the New Moon of Nisan out of the best Tables, and then to assure the Rea­der, by the falling out of the New Moon, before or after the Equinoxe, whe­ther it was a common or intercalated year. Nay, to be most exact, to deduce the Moons Conjunction, out of the Tables for the moneth of Ethanim it self, and then add to that time of the precise Synod, Lang. de annis Christi l. 1. c. 10. & Selden de anno Civili Judaeorum, cap. 13. 27 hours, and ½ for to give the Moon a visible Phasis; according to which day of its first ap­pearance, the Jewish New Moons were vulgarly celebrated. If I should perform this at present, it would swell this Treatise too much, for which it is not of any great moment to insist; and therefore we shall proceed briefly to describe the pompous Solemnity of this Dedication.

In the first place we read, that King Solomon, for this rare Festival, assem­bled the Elders, the Heads of the Tribes, 2 Chro. 5.2. 1 Kin. 8.65. and the chief of the Fathers of Is­rael, and a mighty Congregation of all the Nation, from the entring in of Hamath, to the River of Egypt.

[Page 138] 2 Chro. 7.7.After this, Solomon hallowed the middle of the Court, because the Brazen Altar would have proved insufficient to contain the multitudes of the in­tended Offerings.

The Elders of Israel being assembled, waited upon the King at Mount Zion, where the Ark of God's Covenant was yet resident, which the Priests took up upon their shoulders: 1 Kin. 8.3, 4. The Levites, mean while, according to their several designed Ranks, carryed the Tabernacle of Boards and Cur­tains wherein the Ark stood, with all the Holy Vessels of Moses.

2 Chro. 5.2.Thus in a pompous Holy Procession they walked leisurely from the Ci­ty of David, the Ark being brought up to the sacred Mountain: the King and all the Congregation sacrificed before it Sheep and Oxen without number. Ver. 6.

Ver. 7.Then the Priests conveyed the Ark of the Covenant into the Oracle, or most Holy Place, and set it under the Wings of the Golden Cherubims, which being done, and the Priests returned out of that mysterious place, one hundred and twenty of them with silver Trumpets (for Moses his were of silver) sounded in the Court, and near to them the Singers, Asaph, 1 Chron. 6.33. Ver. 12. Hëman the Grand-son of Samuel the Prophet, and Jeduthun, with their Sons and Brethren, being arrayed in White Linnen, and accommoda­ted with Cymbals, Psalteries, and Harps, stood at the East End of the Altar, lift up their Voices, and sung this Verse: For He is good; For His Mercy endureth for ever. While this admirable Consort of Vocal, Pneumatical and Organical Musick, 2 Chron. 5.13. made a joyful sound throughout the Temple, its Courts, and the Neighbouring City; Behold a Cloud of Glory filled the House of God, with such bright and shining Beams, that the Priests could not stand to minister by reason of its Radiant Majesty.

Immediatly upon this, King Solomon standing upon his Brazen Scaffold before the Altar and looking towards the Cloud of Glory, thus bespake the Divine Majesty, 2 Chron. 6.1, 2. Ver. 3, 4, &c. The Lord hath said, that He would dwell in the thick Dark­ness: But I have built an House of Habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever. Then the King turns his face to all the people as they stood, makes a short, but elegant and pithy Oration, and gives them His Royal Blessing.

After this, He turns His face West, again, to the Temple, and the Altar, directing His Eyes stedfastly towards that Divine Glory, and falling down devoutly upon His Knees, 2 Chron. 6.12, &c. 2 Chron. 7.1, and spreading out His Hands toward Heaven, He powrs out a large and Heavenly Prayer before the Majesty of God, ri­ding upon the Chariot of the Cherubims.

At the conclusion thereof, miraculous Fire descends from Heaven, consuming the Burnt-Offering, and the Sacrifices, while the Glory of the-Lord filled the House with such Orient Splendour, that the Priests could by no means enter.

Now when all the Children of Israel saw the Fire from Heaven, and the Glory of GOD upon the House, they bowed themselves with their Faces to the Ground upon the Payement, worshipped and praised the Lord (with one Voyce) saying, For He is good; for His Mercy endureth for ever.

[Page 139]Then the King offered His stately Sacrifice to the Lord of two and twen­ty thousand Oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand Sheep.

Thus the King and all the People dedicated the House of the Lord throughout seven days: After which followed the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles; together with an eighth, being the solemn Assembly, the 22 day of the moneth.

The 23 followed, which was the Sabbath,; and that being concluded, on the Evening of the 23 day, Solomon sent away the people to their Tents, 2 Chron. 7.10. Lev. 23.40, & 42. (which were made, during this Feast, according to the Law, of Willows, and Palms) glad and merry in heart, for the goodness which the Lord had shewed to David, to Solomon His Son, and to His People Israel. After which night, having slept sweetly, on the first day of the Week, every one takes up his Journey to his own Habitation, according to their various distances from the Holy Temple.

CHAP. VIII. The Temples Duration.

THis famous Building, being thus famously hansell'd and house-warm'd with so many fat Burnt-Offerings, we will account its continuance not from the Foundations first laying, when it was yet an imperfect Embryo: but from the 23 day of the moneth, Ethanim in the Julian Year, 3710. or of the World, 3001. which day, ac­cording to our Author, being co-incident with the 14th day of the Julian Moneth, Lev. 25.9. November; and being the second Sabbath of the Year of Jubilee now begun, [For the first was one of the days of Tabernacles] shall be the first standing day of the Temple, and keeping house upon its own Revenues, apart from these grand and solemn Festivals, being united for the more Au­gust and noble Celebration of its Dedication. From which day, till the Year of the same Julian Period, 4126. Aug. 27. being the Sabbath also, it stood four hundred and fifteen years, Ʋsser. p. 131. two hundred and eighty five days, according to the Julian Account; which I shall briefly exhibit in this La­terculus, or Scheme, wherein the Names, Reign, number of the Kings, may be observed at one view under which it stood. Not but that it received many sore shakings, by many Heathen Kings, by the Idolatrous Neighbours of the Kingdom of Israel, or the ten Tribes; who many a time laid their Sacrilegious hands upon these Divine Materials. Nay, which is most to be lamented, it was wounded in the house of its Friends (that should have been) even some of the Kings of Judah: For all which, I refer you to the sacred Annals of the Kings and Chronicles, as to the larger view of those Transactions, which I have linked in a more compendious Chain before the close of this Chapter. Onely before I give in this ensuing Type, remem­ber, that the Dedication being solemnized in the 11th of King Solomons Reign; and that He holding the Scepter 40 years, we must set down 29 for Him, after this great Dedication.

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