9. The Pythagoreans the first five years were not permitted to speak in the School:[166] but were initiated per quinquennale silentium,[167] and not until then suffered to come into the presence of, or sight of Pythagoras. To this may be referred the Essenes silence at Table straightly observed, so that Decem simul sedentibus, nemo loquitur invitis novem; Drusius[168] renders it, that ten of them sitting together, none of them spake without leave obtained of the nine. When any did speak, it was not their custome to interrupt him with words, but by nods of the head, or beckenings, or holding their finger, or shaking their heads, and other such like dumb signs and gestures, to signifie their doubtings, disliking, or approving the matter in hand. And to the time of silence amongst the Pythagoreans, that it must be for five years, may be referred the initiation of the Essenes; for amongst them none were presently admitted into their society, with full liberty, but they under went four years of tryal and probation. The first year they received Dolabellum,[169] Perizoma, & vestem albam, a spadle, with which they digged a convenient place to ease Nature; a pair of breeches, which they used in bathing or washing themselves; a white garment, which especially that Sect affected. At this time they had their commons allowed them, but without, not in the common dining Hall. The second year they admitted them to the participation of holy matters, and instructed them in the use of them. Two years after they admitted them in full manner, making them of their Corporation, after they had received an Oath, truly to observe all the Rules and Ordinances of the Essenes. If any brake his oath, an hundred of them being assembled together, expelled him, upon which expulsion commonly followed death within a short time; for none having once entred this Order, might receive alms or any meat from other; and themselves would feed such a one, only with distastful herbs, which wasted his body, and brought it very low: sometimes they would re-admit such a one being brought near unto death; but commonly they suffered him to die in that misery.

10. The Essenes worshipped toward the Sun rising.[170]

11. The Essenes bound themselves in their oath, to preserve the names of Angels:[171] The phrase implyeth a kind of worshipping of them.

12. They were above all others strict in the observation of the Sabbath day;[172] on it they would dress no meat, kindle no fire, remove no Vessels out of their place; no, nor ease Nature, Yea, they observed[173] ἑβδομάδων ἑβδομάδας, every seventh week, a solemn Pentecost; seven Pentecosts, every year.

13. They abstained from marriage, not that they disliked marriage in it self, or intended an end or period to procreation: but partly, in wariness of womens intemperance; partly, because they were perswaded that no woman would continue faithful to one man. This avoiding of marriage is not to be understood generally of all the Essenes, for they disagreed among themselves in this point. Some were of the opinion before noted: others married for propagation. Nihilominus autem cum tanta ipsi moderatione conveniunt, ut per triennium explorent valetudinem fœminarum; & si constanti purgatione apparuerint idoneæ partui, ita eas in matrimonia asciscunt. Nemo tamen cum prægnante concumbit, ut ostendant, quòd nuptias non voluptatis, sed liberorum causa inierint. Thus the latter sort preserved their Sect by the procreation of children: the former sort preserved it by a kind of adoption of other mens children, counting them as near Kinsmen, and tutoring them in the Rules of Discipline, as Josephus witnesseth. Pliny[174] addeth also, that many other of the Jews, when they began to be struck in years, voluntarily joyned themselves unto them, being moved thereunto, either because of the variable state and troubles of the world, or upon consideration of their own former licentious courses, as if they would by this means exercise a kind of penance upon themselves.

Concerning the beginning of this Sect, from whom, or when it began, it is hard to determine. Some[175] make them as ancient as the Rechabites, and the Rechabites to have differed only in the addition of some rules and ordinances from the Kenites, mentioned Judg. 1. 16. And thus by consequence the Essenes were as ancient, as the Israelites departure out of Egypt: for Jethro, Moses father-in-law, as appeareth by the Text, was a Kenite: but neither of these seemeth probable. For the Kenites are not mentioned in Scripture, as a distinct order or sect of people, but as a distinct family, kindred, or Nation, Numb. 24. 21. Secondly, the Rechabites, they neither did build houses, but dwelt in Tents; neither did they deal in husbandry, they sowed no seed, nor planted Vineyards, nor had any, Jer. 55. 7. The Essenes, on the contrary, they dwelt not in tents, but in houses;[176] and they imployed themselves especially in husbandry. One of the Hebrew Doctors[177] saith, that the Essenes were Nazarites: but that cannot be, because the Law enjoyned the Nazarites, when the time of the Consecration was out, to present themselves at the door of the Tabernacle or Temple, Num. 6. Now the Essenes had no access to the Temple. When therefore, or from what Author this Sect took its beginning, is uncertain. The first that I find mentioned by the name of an Essene, was one Judas,[178] who lived in the time of Aristobulus the Son of Joannes Hyrcanus, before our Saviours Birth about one hundred years: Howsoever the Sect was of greater antiquity;[179] for all three, Pharisees, Sadduces, and Essenes, were in Jonathan’s time, the brother of Judeas Macchabeus, who was fifty years before Aristobulus. Certain it is, that this Sect continued until the daies of our Saviour, and after; for Philo and Josephus speaks of them as living in their times. What might be the reason then, that there is no mention of them in the New Testament? I answer; First, The number of them seemeth not to have been great, in Philo and Josephus his time,[180] about four thousand, which being dispersed in many Cities, made the Faction weak: and haply in Jerusalem when our Savior lived, they were either few or none. Secondly, if we observe histories we shall find them peaceable and quiet, not opposing any, and therefore not so liable to reproof as the Pharisees and Sadduces, who opposed each other, and both joyned against Christ. Thirdly, why might they not as well be passed over in silence in the New Testament, (especially containing themselves quietly without contradiction of others) as the Rechabites in the Old Testament, of whom there is mention only once, and that obliquely, although their Order continued about three hundred years before this testimony was given of them by the Prophet Jeremy; for between Jehu (with whom Jonadab was Coetanean) and Zedekiah, Chronologers observe the distance of many years. Lastly, though the name Essenes be not found in Scripture,[181] yet we shall find in S. Paul’s Epistles many things reproved, which were taught in the School of the Essenes. Of this nature was that advice given unto Timothy, 1 Tim. 5. 23. Drink no longer water, but use a little wine. Again, 1 Tim. 4. 3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats is a Doctrine of Devils; but especially Coloss. 2. in many passages the Apostle seemeth directly to point at them, Let no man condemn you in meat and drink, v. 16. Let no man bear rule over you, by humbleness of mind, and worshipping of Angels, vers. 18. τί δογματίζεσθε; Why are ye subject to Ordinances? ver. 20. The Apostle useth the word δόγματα, which was applyed by the Essenes to denote their Ordinances, Aphorisms, or Constitutions. In the verse following he gives an instance of some particulars, Touch not, taste not, handle not, vers. 21. Now the Junior company of Essenes might not touch their Seniors. And in their diet, their taste was limited to bread, salt, water, and hyssop. And these ordinances they undertook, διὰ πόθον σοφίας saith Philo, for the love of wisdom: but the Apostle concludeth, vers. 23. That these things had only, λόγον σοφίας, a shew of wisdom. And whereas Philo termeth the Religion of the Essenes, by the name of θεραπεία, which word signifieth religious worship, the Apostle termeth in the same verse, ἐθελοθρησκείαν, Voluntary-religion, or will-worship: yea, where he termeth their Doctrine πατρίαν φιλοσοφίαν, a kind of Philosophy received from their Fore-fathers by Tradition, Saint Paul biddeth them beware of Philosophy, vers. 8.

We formerly observed two sorts of Essenes; Practicks and Theoricks: both agreed in their Aphorisms, or Ordinances; but in certain circumstances they differed.

1. The Practicks dwelt in the Cities; The Theoricks shunned the Cities, and dwelt in Gardens, and solitary Villages.

2. The Practicks spent the day in manual Crafts, keeping of Sheep, looking to Bees, tilling of Ground, &c. they were τεχνίται, Artificers. The Theoricks spent the day in meditation, and prayers, whence they were by a kind of excellency, by Philo termed, ἱκέται, Supplicantes.

3. The Practicks had every day their dinner and supper allowed them; the Theoricks only their supper.

The Practicks had for their Commons every one his dish of Water-gruel, and bread; The Theoricks only bread, and salt: if any were of a more delicate palate then other, to him it was permitted to eat Hyssop; their drink for both, was common water.

Some are of Opinion, that these Theoricks were Christian Monks; but the countary appeareth, for these reasons:

1. In that whole Book of Philo, concerning the Theoricks, there is no mention either of Christ, or Christians, of the Evangelists, or Apostles.

2. The Theoricks, in that Book of Philo’s, are not any new Sect of late beginning, as the Christians at that time were, as is clearly evidenced by Philo his own words. First, In calling the Doctrine of the Essenes πατρίαν φιλοσοφίαν, A philosophy derived unto them by tradition from their fore-fathers. Secondly, in saying, Habent priscorum commentarios, qui hujus sectæ autores, &c.

3. The inscription of that Book, is not only περὶ βίου θεωρητικοῦ but also περὶ ἱκετῶν. Now Philo[182] elsewhere calleth the whole Nation of the Jews, τὸ ἱκετικὸν γένος, which argueth, that those Theoricks were Jews, not Christians.

CHAP. XIII.
Of the Gaulonitæ, and the Herodians.

Other Factions there were among the Jews, which are improperly termed Sects. Of these there were principally two. First, Gaulonitæ. Secondly, Herodiani. The Gaulonitæ had their names from one Judas, who sometimes[183] was called Judas Gaulonites, sometimes[184] Judas Galilæus, of whom Gamaliel speaketh, Acts 5. 37. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the daies of the tribute. The tribute here spoken of, was that made by Cyrenius, sometimes called Quirinius: the name in Greek is one and the same, but differently read by Expositors. This Cyrenius was sent from Rome by Augustus, into Syria, and from thence came into Judæa, where Coponius was President, and there he raised this Tax; which taxation is unadvisedly by some confounded with that mentioned, Luke 2. 1. Both were raised under Augustus, but they differed. First, this was only of Syria and Judæa; that in Saint Luke was universal, of the whole world. Secondly, this was, when Archelaus, Herods son, was banished into Vienna, having reigned nine years; that, under Herod the Great: Whence there is an observable Emphasis, in that Saint Luke saith, it was the first taxing, having reference unto this second.

The occasion[185] of this Faction was thus: When Cyrenius levied this Tax, and seized upon Archelaus, Herod’s sons goods; then arose this Judas opposing this Tribute; and telling the people, that Tribute was a manifest token of servitude, and that they ought to call none Lord, but only him who was Lord of Lords, the God of heaven and earth. Whence those that adhered unto him were called Gaulonitæ; they were also called Galileans.[186] It was their blood that Pilate mixed with their sacrifices, Luk. 13. 1. For Pilate had not authority over the Nation of the Galileans. The reason of this mixture is thought[187] to be, because the Galileans forbad sacrifices to be offered for the Roman Empire, or for the safety of the Emperour; whereupon, Pilate being incensed with anger, slew them whilst they were sacrificing.[188] To this faction belonged those murderers, termed Σικαριοὶ, mentioned, Acts 21. 18.

Concerning the Herodians, those that number them among Hereticks, make the heresie to consist in two things: First, in that they took Herod the Great for the promised Messias; because in his Reign, he being a stranger, the Scepter was departed from Judah; which was the promised time of the Messiah his coming. Secondly, they honoured him with superstitious solemnities annually performed upon his Birth-days. Of Herod his Birth-day the Poet speaketh,

Now whether this latter may be referred to Herod the Great, I much doubt; because I find not any Author among the Ancients to speak of Herod the Great his Birth-day: It was another Herod, Tetrarch of Galilee, otherwise called Antipas, whose Birth-day we read celebrated, Mark 6. 21. The former point, that the Herodians received Herod as their Messiah, though it hath many grave Authors[189] avouching it, yet others[190] justly question the truth thereof; for if the Herodians were Jews (as most think) how then could they imagine, that Herod, a stranger, could be the Messiah, seeing that it was so commonly preached by the Prophets, and known unto the People, that the Messiah, must be a Jew born, of the Tribe of Judah, and of the house of David?

Others say,[191] that the Herodians were certain flatterers in Herod his Court, varying and changing many points of their Religion with Herod their King.

To omit many other conjectures utterly improbable, I incline to Saint Hierom, whose Opinion is,[192] that the Herodians were those who stood stifly for tribute to be paid to Cæsar. It concerned Herod, who at first received his Crown from Cæsar, to further Cæsar’s tribute, not only in way of thankfulness, but also in way of policy, to prevent a possible deposing or desceptring; for it was in Cæsar’s power to take away the Crown again when pleased him. Now, in respect that Herod saught to kill Christ, and the Herodians with the Pharisees took counsel against him; unto this our Saviour might have reference, saying, Mar. 8. 15. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. Viz. Of their contagious Doctrine, and fox-like subtleties.

THE SECOND BOOK
TREATETH OF PLACES.

CHAP. I.
Their Temple.

When the Israelites came out of Ægypt, Moses was commanded to build a Tabernacle for the place of Gods publick worship. Afterward, when they were settled in the promised Land, then Solomon was commanded to build a Temple.

These two shadowed the difference between the Jews Synagogue, and the Christian Church. The Tabernacle was moveable, and but for a time: The Temple fixed, and permanent: the state of the Jews vanishing, to continue in their generations; the state of Christians durable, to continue unto the worlds end. More principally it shadowed forth the state of the Church Militant here on earth, and triumphant in heaven: Unto both the Prophet David alludeth; Lord, Who shall sojourn in thy Tabernacle? who shall rest in thine holy Mountain? Psal. 15. 1.

There were in the same tract of ground three hills, Sion, Moria, and Mount Calvary. On Sion was the City and Castle of David; on Moria was the Temple, and on Mount Calvary Christ was crucified. But[193] all these three were generally called by the name of Sion; whence it is, that though the Temple were built on Moria, yet the Scripture speaketh of it commonly, as if it were upon Mount Sion.

In their Temple there are these three things considerable: First, the Sanctum Sanctorum, the Holy of Holies; answerable to our Quire in the Cathedral Churches. Secondly, the Sanctum, the Sanctuary; answerable to the Body of the Church. Thirdly, the Atrium, the Court; answerable to the Church-yard.

In the Holy of Holies there were the Golden Censer, and the Ark of the Testament, Heb. 9. 4.

In[194] the Ark there were three things: First, the pot of Manna; secondly, Aaron’s rod that budded; thirdly, the Tables of the Testament, Heb. 9. 4. Thus they were in Moses his time; but afterwards in the days of Solomon, onely the Tables of the Law were found in the Ark, 1 King. 8. 9.

The cover of this Ark was called ἱλαστήριον, the Propitiatory, or Mercy-seat, because it covered and hid the Law, that it appeared not before God to plead against man. It was a type of Christ, who likewise is termed ἱλαστήριον, our Propitiation, Rom. 3. 25. and ἵλασμος, a Propitiatory, John 2. 2. At each end of the Mercy-seat stood a golden Cherub, each Cherub stretched forth his wings; and from between them, as from an Oracle, God gave his answer, Exod. 25. 22. Hence it is, that the Lord is said to sit between the Cherubims, Ps. 99. 1. The positure of the Cherubims was such, that their faces were each towards the other, but both looking down towards the Mercy-seat; they fitly shadowed out the people of the Jews and Christians, both looking toward each other, but both expecting salvation in Christ only.

In the Sanctuary, there was the Incense-altar in the middle, and the Table, with the twelve Loaves of Shew-bread on it on the one side, and the Candlestick on the other. The incense-altar was a type of our prayers, Psal. 141. 2. And that this altar must be once every year sprinkled with the blood of the Sacrifice by the High-priest, Exod. 30. 10. It teacheth that our very prayers, except they be purified by the blood of Christ they are unavailable before God. The twelve loaves were a type of the twelve Tribes, and the Candlestick a type of the Word of God. In them all, we may see the necessity of both Ordinances required, Prayer and Preaching, if we would be presented acceptable unto the Lord: The Candlestick was a type of Preaching; Incense, of Prayer.

In Moses his Tabernacle there was but one Table, and one Candlestick: In Solomon’s Temple there were ten Tables, and ten Candlesticks; as likewise in the Court of the Tabernacle, there was but one brazen Laver, in the Court of the Temple there were ten, and another great Vessel wherein the Priests washed: in the Tabernacle there were but two silver Trumpets; in the Temple there were an hundred and twenty Priests sounding Trumpets.

The Courts of the Temple at the first were but two, Atrium Sacerdotum, the Priests Court; and Atrium populi, the Peoples Court.

In the Priests Court were the brazen Altar for Sacrifices, and the Laver for the washing, both of the Priests and the Sacrifices. The Laver, and the Altar scituated in the same Court, signified the same as the water and blood issued out of Christ’s side; namely, the necessary concurrence of these two Graces in all that shall be saved, sanctification, justification; sanctification intimated by the Laver and blood: justification by the Altar and blood.

The Court for the Priests, and the Court for the people were separated[195] each from other; by a wall of three Cubits high.

The Court for the people was sometimes called the outward Court, sometimes the Temple, sometimes Solomon’s Porch, because it was built about with Porches, into which the people retired in rainy weather: It had Solomon’s name, either to continue his memory, or because the Porches had some resemblance of that Porch which Solomon built before the Temple, 1 King. 6. 3. Jesus walked in the Temple, in Solomon’s Porch, John 10. 23. All the people ran unto the Porch which was called Solomon’s, Acts 3. 11. That is, this outward Court.

In the midst of the peoples Court, Solomon made a brazen Scaffold for the King, 2 Chron. 6. 13.

This Court of the people went round about the Temple, and though it was one entire Court in the days of Solomon, yet afterward it was divided by a low wall, so that the men stood in the inward part of it, and the women in the outward. This division is thought to have been made in Jehosaphat’s time, of whom we read, that he stood in the House of the Lord, before the new Court, 2 Chron. 20. 5. that is, before the Womens Court.

There was an ascent of fifteen steps or stairs between the womens Court and the mens,[196] upon these steps the Levites sung those fifteen Psalms immediately following the one hundredth nineteenth, upon each step one Psalm, whence those Psalms are entituled, Psalmi graduales, Songs of degrees.

In the Womens Court stood their Treasuries, or Alms-box, as appeareth by the poor Widows casting her two Mites into it, Luk. 21. 1. In Hebrew it is termed ‎‏קרבן‏‎ Korban, the Chest of Oblation; the word signifieth barely, an Oblation, or Offering, and accordingly S. Luk. 21. 4. saith, they all of their superfluities cast into the offerings; that is into, the Korban, or Chest of offerings. In Greek it is termed γαζοφυλακεῖον whence cometh the Latine word, Gazophylacium, a Treasury. That set up by Jehoiada, 2 King. 12. 19. seemeth to have been different from this, and to have been extraordinary, only for the repairing of the Temple; for that stood beside the Altar in the Priests Court; and the Priests, not the parties that brought the gifts, put it into the Chest. Sometimes the whole Court was termed Gazophylacium, a Treasury. These words speak Jesus in the Treasury, John 8. 20. It is worth our noting, that the Hebrew word ‎‏צדקה‏‎ Tsedaka, signifying Alms, signifieth properly Justice; and thereby is intimated, that the matter of our alms should be goods justly gotten: And to this purpose they called their Alms-box ‎‏קופה של צדקה‏‎ Kupha-Sehel-Tsedaka, the Chest of Justice; and upon their Alms-box they wrote[197] this abreviature ‎‏מביא‏‎, A gift in secret pacifieth anger, Prov. 21. 14.

In Herod’s Temple there were[198] four Porches; the meaning is, four Courts, one for the Priests, another for men, another for women, and a fourth for such as were unclean by legal pollutions, and strangers. This outmost Court for the unclean and strangers, was separated from the womens Court, with a stone wall of three Cubits high, which wall was adorned with certain pillars of equal distance, bearing this Inscription:[199] Let no stranger enter into the holy place.

The Temple at Jerusalem was thrice built. First, by Solomon: Secondly, by Zorobabel: Thirdly, by Herod. The first was built in seven years, 1 King. 6. 37. The second in forty six years: It was begun in the second year of King Cyrus, Ezra 3. 8. It was finished in the ninth year of Darius Hystaspis.[200] The years rise thus;

One year deducted from Cyrus his Reign, there remains 46.

Herod’s Temple was finished in eight years.[201] It is greatly questioned among Divines, of which Temple that speech of the Jews is to be understood, John 2. 20. Forty and six years was this Temple in building. Many interpret it of the second Temple, saying, that Herod did only repair that, not build a new: but these disagree among themselves in the computation; and the Scripture speaketh peremptorily, that the house was finished in the sixth year of the Reign of King Darius, Ezra 6. 15. and Josephus speaketh of Herod’s building a new Temple, plucking down the old.[202] It seemeth therefore more probable, that the speech is to be understood of Herod’s Temple, which, though it were but eight years in building, yet, at that time, when this speech was used, it had stood precisely forty six years,[203] for so many years there are precisely between the eighteenth year of Herod’s Reign, (at which time the Temple begun to be built) and the year of Christ his baptisme, when it is thought that this was spoken; all which time the Temple was more and more adorned, beautified, and perfected, in which respect it may be said to be so long building.

The ancient men are said to weep, when they beheld the second, because the glory thereof was far short of Solomon’s, Ez. 3. 12. It was inferiour to Solomon’s Temple: First, in respect of the building, because it was lower and meaner.[204] Secondly, in respect of the Vessels, being now of brass, which before were of pure gold. Thirdly, in respect of five things, lost and wanting in the second Temple, all which were in the first. First, there was wanting the Ark of God.[205] Secondly, Urim and Thummim; God gave no answer by these two, as in former times. Thirdly, Fire, which in the second Temple never descended from heaven to consume their burnt offerings, as it did in the first. Fourthly, the Glory of God appearing between the Cherubims, this they termed ‎‏שכינה‏‎ Schecina, the habitation, or dwelling of God, and hereunto the Apostle alludeth, In him dwelleth the Fulness of the Godhead bodily, Coloss. 2. 9. Bodily; that is, not in Clouds and Ceremonies, as between the Cherubims, but essentially. Lastly, the Holy Ghost; namely, enabling them for the gift of Prophecy; for between Malachy and John the Baptist, there stood up no Prophet, but only they were instructed per filiam vocis, which they termed ‎‏בת קול‏‎ Bath Kol, an Eccho from heaven; and this was the reason why those Disciples, Act. 19. 2. said, We have not so much as heard whether there be an Holy Ghost.