An handfull of gleanings out of the Book of Exodus probable solution of some of the mainest scruples, and explanation of the hardest places of that Booke ... / by John Lightfoot ... Lightfoot, John, 1602-1675. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A48433 of text R21590 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing L2055). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 131 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 32 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A48433 Wing L2055 ESTC R21590 12297264 ocm 12297264 59066 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A48433) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 59066) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 921:22) An handfull of gleanings out of the Book of Exodus probable solution of some of the mainest scruples, and explanation of the hardest places of that Booke ... / by John Lightfoot ... Lightfoot, John, 1602-1675. [4], 58 p. Printed by R. Cotes for Andrew Crooke, and are to be sold at his shop ..., London : 1643. Reproduction of original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library. eng Bible. -- O.T. -- Exodus -- Commentaries. A48433 R21590 (Wing L2055). civilwar no An handfull of gleanings out of the Book of Exodus. Probable solution of some of the mainest scruples, and explanation of the hardest places Lightfoot, John 1643 24879 100 70 0 0 0 0 68 D The rate of 68 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 2004-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2004-04 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-08 Jonathan Blaney Sampled and proofread 2004-08 Jonathan Blaney Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-10 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN HANDFVLL OF GLEANINGS out of the BOOK OF EXODUS . Probable solution of some of the mainest scruples , and explanation of the hardest places of that BOOKE . Scarcely given by any heretofore . By JOHN LIGHTFOOT , Staffordiensis , Minister of the Gospel at St. Bartholmew Exchange , London . LONDON , Printed by R. Cotes , for Andrew Crooke , and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the Greene Dragon in Pauls Church-yard . 1643. TO My Deare , Loving , and deservedly esteemed Friends , the Inhabitants of Bartholmew Exchange , LONDON , Truth and Peace , Grace and Glory . I Must ever mention both in private to God , and in publike to the world , the love and favour which J have received from your Congregation , how when J was unknowne , ye owned me , when a stranger , ye tooke me in , when exiled from mine owne , ye made me yours ; and that not onely with extraordinary readinesse , when we first did meet , but with constant and continued tendernesse since our meeting : I shall ever strive to the utmost of my desires , and indevours , to make acknowledgement of such receipts , and what J shall faile of in those , to make them up in prayers , and thankes . This present mite that is tendered to you , accept as pledge and earnes● of all these , the value of it is . as small as the volume ; but what it wants of worth and Learning , conceive to be supplyed with observance and gratitude . The multitude of Expositions upon this Booke of Exodus , hath made this of mine so very little ; for to set downe what they had done before , were an idle labour , and to finde out something that they had not set downe , was a labour as difficult ; what I have done here in this kinde , J referre to the Reader ; although J my selfe be setled and satisfyed in the most of them , yet shall J not put them upon the beleefe of any , further than their due examination , and strength of reason shall make their way . From my House in the upper end of Moore-Lane . Novemb. 28. 1643. Yours , ever ready to observe and serve you in the Lord , J. L. AN HANDFVLL OF GLEANINGS out of the BOOK OF EXODUS . SECT. I. Israel afflicted in Aegypt about 120. yeares . FROM the giving of the promise to Abraham , Gen. 12. to the deliverance out of Aegypt , and the giving of the Law , were 430 yeares , Exod. 12. 40. Gal. ● . 17. This summe of yeares divided it selfe into two equall parts , for halfe of it was spent before their going into Aegypt , and halfe of it in their being there . Two hundred and fifteene yeares were taken up before they went into Aegypt , thus : From the promise given to Abraham , to the birth of Isaac , five and twenty yeares ; compare Gen. 12. 4. with Gen. 21. 5. From the birth of Is●ac to the birth of Jacob , three●core , Gen. 25. 26. from thence to their going downe into Aegypt a hundred and thirty , Gen. 27. 9. The other two hundred and fifteene yeares they spent in Aegypt , namely ninety foure , before the death of Levi the longe●liver of all the twelve Tribes , and a hundred twenty one betwixt his death and their deliverance . For Levi and Joseph were both borne in the seven yeares of Jacobs second apprentiship , Gen. 29 & 30. Levi in the fourth , and Joseph in the seventh , so that there were three yeares betweene them : Now Joseph when his Father and brethre● came downe into Aegypt , was nine and thirty yeares old . Compare Gen. 41. 46. 51. and 45. 6. And then was Levi forty three . And Levi lived an hundred thirty and seven yeares , Exod● 6. 16. out of which those forty three being deducted which he had spent before their comming downe into Aegypt , it appeareth they were in Aegypt ninety foure yeares before his death : And those ninety foure being deducted out of the two hundred and fifteene , which they spent in that land , it appeareth also that a hundred twenty one yeares passed betwix● his death and their delivery , and till his death they felt no ●ffliction , Ex●d. 1. 6 , 7 , 8. SECT. II. The 88. & 89. Psalmes , penned in the time of this affliction . THese two Psalmes , are the oldest peeces of writing that the World hath to shew , for they were penned many yeeres before the birth of Moses , by two men that felt and groaned under this bondage and affliction of Aegypt , Heman and Ethan , two Sonnes of Zerah , 1 Chron. 2. 6. In Psalme 88. Heman deploreth the distresse and misery of Israel in Egypt in most passionate measures ; and therefore titles his Elegie , Gnal Mahalath Leannoth , concerning sicknesse by affliction , and accordingly he and his brethren are called the Sonnes of Mahol , 1 King. 4. 31. In Psal. 89. Ethan from the promise , Gen. 15. sings joyfully their deliverance , that the raging of the Red Sea should be ruled , vers. 9. and Rahab or Aegypt should be broken in pieces , vers. 10. and that the people should heare the joyfull sound of the Law , vers. 15. Object . But David is named frequently in the Psalme , who was not borne of many hundreds of yeeres after Ethan was dead . Answ. 1. This might be done Proplietically , as Samuel is thought to be named by Mosos , Psal. 99. 6. for thae Psalme according to a rule of the Hebrews , is h●ld to have beene made by him . 2. It will be found in Scripture , that when some holy men indued with the Spirit of God , have left pieces of writings behind them , indited by the Spirit , others that have lived in after times , indued with the same gift of Prophecy , have taken those ancient pieces in hand , and have flourished upon them , ●s present , past , or future occasions did require . To this purpose , compare Psal. 18. & 1 Sam. 22. Obadiah , & Jer. 49. 14. & 1 Chron. 16. & Psal. 96. & 105. & 2 Pet. 2. and the Epistle of Saint Jude . So this piece of Ethan being of incomparable antiquity , and singing of the delivery from Aegypt , in after times , that it might be made fit to be sung in the Temple , it is taken in hand by some divine Pen-man , and that ground worke of his , is wrought upon , and his Song set to an higher key ; namely , that whereas he treated onely of the bodily deliverance from Aegypt , it is wound up so high as to reach the Spirituall delivery by Christ , and therefore David is so often named from whence he should come . SECT. III. The words of the Hebrew Midwives not a●lye , but a glorious consession of their faith . THEY were Hebrew Midwives , but Aegyptian Women . For Pharaoh that in an ungodly Councell had devised and concluded upon all wayes , whereby to keepe the Israelites under , would not in such a designe as this , use Israelitish women , who he knew were parties in the cause against him ; but he intrusteth it with women of his owne Nation . They are named for their honour , as Mark . 14. 9. that wheresoever the Gospel or the Doctrine of Salvation should be Preached , this faith and fact of theirs should be published in memoriall of them . The Midwives said unto Pharaoh , Because the Hebrew women are not as the Aegyptian women , for they are lively , &c. These words of theirs proceeded from the same faith , from whence had proceeded their work of charity , the childrens preservation . And so farre are they from being a lye , that they are so glorious a confession of their faith in God , that we finde not many that have gone beyond it . And the things they spake of , so farre from false , that they were most admirably and miraculously true and really done . They saw in very deede the immediate hand and helpe of God , plainely and really shewed to the Hebrew women in their labour , and that whereas other women naturally in that case are weake , fainting , and long in paine , these were strong , lively , and soone delivered . For as the strength of the promise shewed it selfe in the Males of Israel , in that , the more they were pressed under servitude , & afflicted , the more were they able for generation , vers. 2. Act. 7. 17. So did the strength of the promise shew it selfe upon the women , in that they were delivered of their children with a supernaturall and extraordinary ease and quicknesse : Therefore the Midwives boldly stand out to Pharaoh , to the venture of a Martyrdome , and plainely tell him , that since they were not in travell as other women , but lively , and strong , and had soone done , it could bee nothing but the immediate hand of God with them , which hand they are resolved they will not oppose for all his command , lest they should be found to fight against God . For this confession so resolutely and gloriously made before Pharaoh , and for their fact answerable ; God made them houses , because they feared him , vers. 21. that is , married them into the Congregation of Israel , and built up Israelitish Families by them . SECT. IV. Moses his birth , supernaturall . Exod. 2. 2. MOSES was borne when his mother by the course of nature was past child-bearing : For if Levi begat Jochebed at an hundred yeeres old , which is hardly to be conceived , as Gen. 17. 17. yet is Jochebed within two of fourescore when she bare Moses . But it was more then probable that she was borne long before Levi was an hundred , unlesse we will have Levi to be above halfe a hundred yeares childlesse , betwlxt the birth of Merari and Jochebed : And thus the birth of Moses was one degree more miraculous , then the miraculous and supernaturall birth of the other children of the Hebrew Women , and so was his brother Aarons not much lesse wondrous . Shee then having a goodly childe , at so great an age , saw the speciall hand of God in it , and therefore labours his preservation against Pharaohs decree : for by Faith she knew he would be preserved for some speciall instrument of Gods glory , but the manner of his preservation she knew not yet . SECT. V. Our Saviours allegation of Exod. 3. 6. in Luk. 20. 37. cleared . MOSES in Midian , under the retirednesse of a Pastorall life , giveth himselfe unto contemplation of divine things ; in one of those raptures , God himselfe appeareth visibly to him in deed ; and that in a flaming fire , now he is about to performe the promise , as he appreared to Abraham when he made it ? and it came to passe , when the Sunne went downe , and it was darke , behold a smoaking furnace , and a burning Lampe that passed betweene those peeces . In the same day the Lord made a Covenant with Abraham , Gen. 15. 17 , 18. The words which Christ here useth to Moses in the bush , he urgeth againe to the Jewes , whereby to evince the Resurrection , Luk. 20. 37. And that the dead are raised , even Moses shewed at the bush , when he calleth the Lord , the God of Abraham , the God of Isaac , and the God of Jacob , for he is not a God of the dead , but of the living : which words indeed doe inferre the resurrection as they lie in themselves , but farre more clearely , if they be laid to , and compared with the Jewes owne doctrine and position . Rabbi Simeon Ben Jo●hai saith , the holy blessed God nameth not his name on the righteous in their life , but after their death , as it is said , to the Saints that are in the earth , Psal. 16. 3. When are they Saints ? when they are laid in the earth : For all the dayes that they live , the holy blessed God joyneth not his name to them : And why ? because the holy blessed God trusteth them , not that evill affections will not make them to erre ; but when they be dead , the holy blessed God nameth his name upon them : But behold we find that he nameth his name on Isaack the righteous whilst he liveth , for so he saith to Iacob , I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father , and the God of Isaac . Rabbi Barachiah , and our Doctors : our Doctors say , He saw his dust , as it was gathered upon the Altar , and Rabbi Barachiah saith , since he was blind of his eyes , he is reputed as dead , because he was shut up in the midst of the house . Rabbi Tanch . in Gen. 28. Rabbi Menahem in Exod. 3. SECT. VI . The power of Miracles , Habbak . 3. 2. & Acts 19. 2. explained . THe gift of Prophecie or Foretelling things to come had beene in the Church since the fall of Adam , and now are Miracles added because of unbeliefe : For observe that when Moses saith , Behold they will not beleeve , the Lord immediatly answer , What is that in thine hand ? This double facultie being given here to Moses the first Prophet of the Church of Israel , it also descended to a succession of Prophets in that Congregation from time to time . But with this excellent gift it was also given Moses himselfe to know , and so likewise them that did succeed , that they had this double power not from themselves , but from another : Moses his stammering tongue taught himselfe and them so much for Prophecie , and his leprous hand taught so much for Miracles . This succession of Prophets began from Samuel and ended in the death of Christ , Acts 3. 24. Not that there were not Prophets betwixt Moses and Samuel , but because they were not expressed by name , as also because vision in that space of time was exceeding rare , 1 Sam. 3. 1. Now from the beginning of the rule of Samuel to the beginning of the captivitie in Babel , were foure hundred and ninetie yeares ; and from the end of that captivitie to the end of Christs life upon earth , were foure hundred and ninetie yeares more . The seventie yeares of captivitie betweene , which were the seventh part of either of these two Numbers , that lay on either side ; are called by Habbakkuk , The middest of yeares , namely from the beginning of Prophecie in Samuel to the sealing of Prophecy in the death of Christ . Revive thy worke in the midst of the yeares , in the midst of the yeares make knowne . Then was it justly to be feared that the spirit of Prophecy would quite have ceased from Israel when they were captived among the Heathen . This made the Prophet to pray so earnestly , that God would preserve alive , or revive his worke of Miracles in the middest of yeares , and in those times of captivitie , that he would make knowne things to come by that gift of Prophecy . And he was heard in what he prayed for , and his supplication tooke effect , in the most propheticke and powerfull Spirit of Daniel . The Jewes had an old maxime , that after the death of Zacharie , Malachi and those last Prophets , the Spirit of God departed from Israel and went up . So that from thence forward , prediction of future things and working of miracles were rarities among them . To this aimed the answer of those holy ones , Acts 19. 2. We have not so much as heard whether there be any holy Ghost . Not 〈◊〉 they doubted of such a person in the Trinitie , but that whereas they had learned in their Schooles , that the holy Ghost departed away after the death of Malachi , they had never yet heard , whether he was restored againe in his gifts of Prophecie and Miracles till now or no . SECT. VII . The two first Miracles , Exod. 4. 1. THe turning of Moses rod into a Serpent , did utterly disclaime any power of the Devill in these wonders which he was to worke , which power onely the Magicians wrought by : For as a Serpent was the fittest Embleme of the Devill , as Gen. 3. and Revel. 12. 9. So was it a signe that Moses did not these Miracles by the power of the Devill , but had a power over and beyond him , when he can thus deale with the Serpent at his pleasure , as to make his rod a Serpent , and the Serpent a rod as hee seeth good . Yet is it worth the observing , that he is commanded to take it by the taile , vers. 9. for to meddle with the Serpents head belonged not to Moses , but to Christ that spake to him out of the bush , as Gen. 3. 15. His rod at Sinai is said to be turned into Nabash , a common and ordinary Snake or Serpent ; but when hee casts it downe before Phara●h , it becommeth Tannin , Chap. 7. 10. a Serpent of the greatest dimensions , belike a Crocodile , which beast the Egyptians adored , and to whose jawes they had exposed the poore Hebrew Infants in the River . 2. His leprous hand disclaimed also any power of Moses his owne in these wonders which he wrought , for it was not possible that so great things should bee done by that impure and uncleane hand , but by a greater . 3. Both of these Miracles which were the first that were done by any Prophet in the world , did more specially referre to the Miracles of that great Prophet that should come into the world , by whose power these Miracles were done by Moses at this time . For as it belonged to him onely to cast out the power of the Devill out of the soule , and to heale the soule of the leprosie of sin , so was it reserved for him first , to cast out the Devill out of the body , and to heale the leprosie of the body . For though the Prophets from Moses to Christ had the gift of doing Miracles , and performed wonders many of them in an high degree , yet could never any of them or any other cast out a Devill or heale a Leper till the great Prophet came . Elisha indeed directed Naaman how he should be healed , but he neither touched him nor came out to him at all , that he might shew that it was not his power , but such cures were reserved for Christ to come . SECT. VIII . Moses in danger of death , because of distrust . Exod. 4. 24. THE fault of Moses that brought him into this danger , was not the uncircumcision of his Sonne , as it is commonly held , for that had beene dispensable withall in him , as it was with thousands afterwards of the Israelites in the Wildernesse , but his fault was grievous diffidence and distrust . For this is that that makes him so much so off , and so earnestly to decline so glorious and honourable a message as the Lord would send him on , and this was that that brought him into this danger of death , when he was even going on this message . Observe therefore his evasions , and how they sound exceeding hollow and empty of beliefe . First , Who am I that I should goe to Pharaoh ? cap. 3. 11. This the Lord answereth , I will bee with thee , and this my appearing to thee may bee an undoubted token to th●e that I have sent thee . vers. 12. Secondly , But who shall I say hath sent me ? for forty yeares agoe , they refused me , saying , Who made thee a Prince and a Ruler over us ? cap. 4. 1. This scruple the Lord removeth by giving him the power of miracles . Thirdly , But I am not eloquent , neither heretofore , nor since thou hast spoken to me , for though I may worke miracles upon others , yet is not this wrought upon my selfe , that I speake any whit better then I did before . This receiveth this answer , I will be with thy mouth , vers. 10. 11. 12. Fourthly , But I pray thee send by that hand that thou wilt send or stretch out , vers. 13. for thou saydest to me , I will stretch out mine hand , and smite Aegypt , &c. Chap. 3. 20. Now therefore I pray thee stretch out this hand of thine , for the hand of man is not able to performe it . At this the Lords anger was kindled against him , and that deservedly . For in this he denyed the mystery of the redemption which was to be wrought by a man , the God-head going al●ng with him . Now it is time for Moses to set for Aegypt when he seeth God angry at his excusing : he doth so , but he taketh his diffidence along with him , in that he taketh his wife and children with him . One would thinke that had beene a speciall piece of charity , but it being looked into , will prove a speciall piece of distrust . For when God appeareth to him , at the very first , he giveth him assurance of the peoples delivery , and that they should come in their journeyes to that very place , When thou hast brought the people forth out of Aegypt ye shall serve God upon this mountaine . Chap. 3. 12. Now if Moses had believed certainely this promise , and that undoubtedly he and the people should come thither , he would never have taken wife and children with him to trouble them and himselfe in so long a journey , and in so earnest a businesse , but would have left them still with Jethro , till he and Israel should march up to them . But this he feared , that this his journey would be to no effect , that Israel would accept of none , & therfore should obtaine no delivery , that this message would produce nothing , unlesse danger to himselfe , and that while he spake of delivering others , he might incurre bondage himselfe , so that if he left wife and children behind him , it was odds he should never see them againe . And therefore to make sure worke he will take them with him , and for this his distrust the Lord meets him , and seekes to kill him . Nor was this distrust and diffidence little or small in him , but if the circumstances be considered , it will appeare to be very great , and his want of faith exceeding much . Zipporah his wife was now lying in Childbed , a weake woman but lately delivered , and therefore farre unfit for so long a journey , and the new-borne childe as unfit , if not unfitter then she : and yet Mother and child in this weake case , must travell to the hazzard of both their lives , for he durst not leave them behind him for feare he and they should never meete againe : For this it is that Zipporah twice calleth him a bloudy husband : before the childs circumcision , and after : before , because he had hazzarded both their lives in bringing them forth , both of them being in their blouth and blood : and after , because she through him was put to Circumcise the childe , which bloodinesse a tender mother must needes abhorre : and for this also is the word circumcisions in the plurall number , vers. 26. A bloody husband , Lemuloth , because of the circumcisions . SECT. IX . Zipporah but very lately delivered of her childe . THat Zipporah was so lately delivered of childe , is plaine by observing these things . First , that Jethro her Father was circumcised both he and his houshold , for he was a Midianite , a Sonne of Abraham , by Ke●●rah , and all Abrahams children after the flesh were circumcised , and that not by usurpation or unwarrantable imitation , but by the bond and tye of the institution : therefore though Moses had beene absent never so long , or never so farre off , yet would Jethro have taken care of the childs circumcision on the eight day : but now the childe may not stay , till hee bee eight dayes old , & whole againe upon his circumcision , but must travell young and uncircumcised as he is . Secondly , observe the childs name , which was usually given at Circumcision , and if the child were older then we speake of , then had he beene so long without a name , or had had another name then Eliezer . Thirdly , he called his name Eliezer , for the God of my fathers , said he , hath beene mine helpe and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh , Chap. 18. 4. Now Moses was not secure of Pharaohs sword , till just at his setting for Egypt . For after he came from Horeb into Midian againe , the Lord tells him that all those are dead which sought his life , vers. 19. This doth aggravate his diffidence the more . Who though he had seene such wonders at Horeb , and heard of other wonders done for him by God in Egypt , in cutting off his enemies there , yet durst he not trust the promise of God , for his returning to his wife and children , but will take them along with him . For this God brings him into danger of his life visibly , which Zipp●rah poore woman thought to have beene for the uncircumcision of her Sonne , therefore she taketh and circumciseth him : but Moses being conscious of his owne infidelity or distrust , in this so great a danger , rubbeth up his faith againe , and the perill refineth it as silver , so that now he betaketh himselfe wholly to God , by confidence in the promise , and to expresse this his faith , he calleth his Sonne when the mother had circumcised him , Eliezer , God is mine helper ; so that I shall escape danger from Pharaoh and the Aegyptians in this mine errand : And the Lord saw his faith , and let him goe . SECT. X. Of the name Jehovah , and how it was unknowne to the Fathers , Exod. 6. 3. THis is the uncommunicable name of God , not given at any time unto the Creature , Esay 42. 8. This name in its sound and letters was knowne unto the Fathers , yea even in its signification . Abraham calls mount Moriah , Jehovah Jireh , Gen. 22. 14. Isaac called upon the name of Jehovah , Chap. 26. 25. And Jacob saith ; Jehovah thy God hath brought it to me , Chap. 27. 20. The name Jehovah signifieth three things , First , Gods eternall being in himselfe , without dependence or mixture , upon , or with any other thing . For his being undependent , it is rendred , the first , and the last ; and which is , and which was , and which is to come . For his being without mixture , or composition , it is said here , {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} : Not , By my name Jehovah was I knowne : Nor , My name Jehovah was knowne : But , My name Jehovah , I was knowne , to shew that God and his name are not two things , united by composition , but one and the same thing . Secondly , Jehovah betokeneth Gods giving of being to the Creature . To this purpose , it is observeable , that God is never called Jehovah , till all the Creation be perfected , and every thing have received its being , Gen. 2. 4. So in all the speeches that passe betweene Job and his friends , God is never called Jehovah but once , where mention is made of the Creatures receiving their being , Job 12. 10. Thirdly , Jehovah signifieth the faithfulnesse of God in his promise , and in this sense it is rendred , Amen , true and faithfull . In this sense it is set after so many commands , Thou shalt , or thou shalt not doe thus and thus , I am Jehovah . And in all these significations it is justly prefixed before all the Commandements , Exod. 20. I am Jehovah thy God . As this name is not communicable to any Cr●ature , but onely appropriate to the God-head , so it is severally given to every Person in the Trinity . First , to the Father , Psal. 110. 1. For he is the fountaine of being in himselfe . Secondly , to the Sonne , Jer. 23. 6. For he is the giver of being to the Cr●ature . Thirdly , to the Holy Ghost : compare Esay 6. 8 , 9 , 10. with Act. 28. 25 , 26. For he is the Spirit of Truth , and giver of being to the promise . The name Jehovah , and the significancy of it to the utmost , did the holy Fathers know before Moses . But they saw not experience of the last signification named , namely the faithfulnesse of God in his promise made to Abraham concerning his delivery of his seed from bondage , and bringing them into a Land flowing with milke and honey : God gave them the promise by the name of El Shaddai , God Omnipotent : and they relyed upon his omnipotency , because he that promised was able to performe : but they beheld it afar of , and tasted not of my p●rformance of it , but now will I shew my selfe Jehovah , faithfull to bring to passe and accomplish what I promised . SECT. XI . Putiel , Exod. 6. 25. MAny , and the most of them farre fetcht , notations are given upon this name : and when all is said of it that can be said , the last resolution lyeth but in a conjecture ; and then may we guesse as well as others . Eliezer marryed his wife in Aegypt , and of the Aegyptian Idiom doth this name of her Father seeme as probably to sound as of any other . Now among the Aegyptian names or titles , these two things may be observed . First , That among them , Gentry , Nobility , and Royalty , seeme to have beene denoted and distinguished by these increasing Syllables , Phar , Phara , and Phara? oh oh . The Gentry by phar , as Poti-phar a Captaine , Gen. 41. 45. The Nobility by phara , as Poti-phara , a Prince , Gen. 41 45. And Majesty by Phara-oh , the common name of all their Kings . There was another title of dignity given to the governour of the Jews in Alexandria in that Land , in after times , namely Alabarcha , as is to be seene in Josephus : which though he and others would derive from {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , Salt , yet since we are yet to seeke for the latter part of the word , it may as probably be conceived to be compounded of the Article Al , so common in the Arabicke tongue , and Abrech which hath relation to dignity and honour , Exod. 41. 43. Secondly , The Aegyptians delighted to affix or joyne to their names and titles , the word Poti , or Puti , whether in memoriall of their Uncle Put , Gen. 10. 6. or in reverence of some Diety of that name , or for what else is not so easily resolved , as it may be conceived they did the thing , by the names forecited , Potiphar , and Potiphara , and of the same nature seemeth to be Puti-el , the word that is now in hand . This Putiel therefore may seeme to have beene some convert Aegyptian , [ imagine him to have beene of the posterity of Puti-ph●ra , among whom Joseph had sowed the seeds of true Religion ] who changing his Idolatry , and irreligiousnesse for the worship of the true God , did also change the latter part of his name Phera , into the name of that God which he now professed , and instead of Puti-phera , to be called Puti-el . The best resolution , as was said before , that can be given in this point , can be but conjectures , and in a matter of this nature , it is as excusable if we erre , as difficult to hit at a right . SECT. XII . Of Moses words , Glory over me . Exod. 8. 9. THe Plagues of Aegypt began answerable to their sinnes , the waters wherein the childrens blood had beene shed , and they poore soules sprawled for life , are now turned into blood , and scrawle with frogges . The former Plague of blood , was not so smart as the other of Frogges , for by digging they found fresh water , and so had that remedy against that plague . But they had none against the frogs , for they came into every place , and seised upon all the victuals that lay in their way , and devoured them ; nay they spared not to raven upon men themselves : Therefore the Psalmist saith , Frogs destroyed them . Yet for all this doth Pharaoh make but a mocke at Jehovah in all this his doing : and scornefully and in derision , bids Mose● and Aaron try what Jehovah could doe for the removing of them : To whom Moses answers , Glory over me , mocke me hardly wit● my Jehovah , yet appoint when I shall pray , and I will pray , tha● thou mayest know that there is none like my Jehovah . And Pharaoh appoints him the next day for his prayer , which he would never have put off so long , had he in earnest thought that Jehovah could have removed them upon Moses prayer . SECT. XIII . The Plague of Lice . The speech of the Sorcerers , This is the finger of God , Exod. 8. 19. not a confession of the Lord , but an hideous and horrid blasphemy . AT the Plague of Lice , the Sorcerers are put to a non-plus , and in the least creature can doe nothing , for [ besides that it was the will of God , to bring their devices to nought , and to shew himselfe maximum in minimis ] if they should have imitated this miracle , they must have done two things : first , they must have produced dust , and then of the dust , lice , for the text saith , That all the dust of the Land became lice , throughout all the Land of Aegypt , ver. 17. Neither of which they can doe , and therefore say , This is the finger of God . For the understanding of these their words , observe these things . First , That in the two foregoing Plagues of blood and Frogs , Moses gave warning of them before they came , but of this he did not . Secondly , That the Lice were also in the land where Israel dwelt , as well as in other parts of Aegypt , for there is no severing betwixt Goshen and Aegypt mentioned , till the next Plague of Flies , In that day , I will sever the Land of Goshen . in which my people dwell , And I will put a division betweene my people , and thy perple , ver. 22 , 23 , whereas none had beene put before . For when Moses turned the waters of Aegypt into blood , the Sorcerers did so also with their inchantments , and turned the waters of Goshen into blood likewise . Here Pharaoh thinketh his Sorcerers have matched the Jehovah that Moses so talked of , and that they could doe as much against his people , as he could doe against theirs . And so when Moses from Jehovah brought Frogs upon Aegypt , the Magitians also by their inchantments bring Frog● likewise upon Goshen , and still they thinke their God is hard enough for Israels Jehovah . Thus is blood and Frogs through all the Land of Goshen , but neither were these reall blood or frogges , nor wa● this any punishment at all upon Israel , for it was not from the Lord , but onely vaine delusions permitted by the Lord , that at last he might catch the crafty in their owne net . But when the Plague of Lice commeth , it commeth also upon Goshen from the Lord himselfe , and this is a plague indeed upon his owne people , laid upon them by him , as well as upon Aegypt : For Israel that had partaken in so many of Aegypts sins , must also thinke to partake in some of her punishments . For this it is , why the man of God in Psal. 78. reckoning up the Plagues of Aegypt , never mentioneth the Plague of Lice : because that was equally a Plague to Israel , as to the Aegyptians , they had both blood and frogges as well as they , but not as really , nor from God , and therefore no plague to them . Thirdly , The Aegyptians acknowledged a supreame great Deity , whom they thought they adored in their petty deities , whom they worshipped . For when they adored an Oxe , a Dogge , a Crocodile , &c. they adored not the carcasse , but the good qualities that in these creatures conduced to their benefit and good , so saith Eusebius , that whatsoever was helpefull , or furthered the good of humanelife , that they accounted a Deity . Fourthly , They accounted not of Jehovah , the God of the Hebrewes , but as a petty , triviall God , such as every Nation had one or more of , that that God could doe something , as they saw in the blood and frogges , but could doe no more , if so much , as theirs , Chap. 5. 2. Who is Jehovah that I should obey him ? I know not Jehovah , neither will I let Israel goe . So that the Magicians words , This is the finger of God , come from them reasoning thus : When blood and frogges came , Moses gave warning of them before , from his Jehovah , but these Lice come and he never gave warning ; Hence it is plaine , this is none of Jehovahs doing , otherwise would Moses have knowne it before , but now he did not . Againe , when the Hebrews Jehovah brought blood and frogs upon our land , he brought none upon theirs , but spared his owne people : but this Plague of Lice is also upon them , as soone as upon us , and without our doing : And therefore this cannot be Jehovah , for he would not plague his owne people , but this is done by the finger of El●●im the great deity , and the Jehovah of the Hebrewes is a God of no value . SECT. XIIII . The Plague of Boyles , Exod. 9. 9. Two contrary Plagues in one . MOses and A●ron must take their handfuls of ashes out of the Furnace , that whence Israel had had their sore affliction , Egypt might receive their corporall punishment . Moses is to scatter the foure handfals into the aire towards the foure quarters of heaven , hereupon a double miracle followed . 1. That so little or few as●es were multiplied so as to flie throughout all the Land of Aegyp● and to light upon every man and beast in it . 2. That lighting on them , it was a Plague to them in their bodies . As the Miracle was double , so was the Plague . 1. The Ashes became She●in , that is , a burning itch , or an inflamed Scab : for so the word signifieth , as is plaine , Job 2. 7 , 8. where the holy mans body is strucke with Shehin , such an intolerable dry hot itch , that his nayles would not serve to scratch enough , but he is glad to get a potsheard to skrub himselfe . 2. This Itch had also blaines and boiles brok● out with it , [ and so Iobs had not ] so that the Aegyptians were vexed at once , with intollerable itch and intolerable ach : Their itch called upon them to scratch and skrub , and yet they could not doe so , for the sorenesse and aching of their boiles . In the five preceding Plagues , the obduration of Pharaohs heart is attributed to himselfe , in these five forward , it is attributed to God : And justly [ when being punished for his sinnes , he hardeneth his heart so many times ] is his heart hardned so many times that he sinneth for a punishment . SECT. XV . The Plague of darknesse , Exod. 10. Why first named , Psal. 105. 28. AS the men of the old world , of Sodom and the Jewes at the death of Christ , were strucke with darkenesse , before they entred into utter darkenesse ; so it is with the Aegyptians here . This Plague lay upon them three dayes , namely , the eleventh , twelfth , and thirteenth dayes of the moneth Nisan . For upon the conclusion of the darkenesse , Moses being sent for to Pharaoh giveth him such distast that he chargeth him never to come into his presence againe , which Moses saith he will not do , I will see thy face again no more : but before he goeth out of the presence , he giveth him warning concerning the slaughter of the first borne to bee that night , Chap. 11. Vers. 4. by which it is cleare that the darkenesse ended on the Passeover day in the morning . Quest . Why then seeing it was the ninth plague in number , hath Psal. 105. set it first ? Answ. Because it was the most terrible of all the Plagues that came upon them . For those that had gone before had plagued onely their land , or cattle , or bodies ; that that came after , light not upon all , but onely on the first borne , but this is a Plague even to the very mind and conscience , and universally so to them all . It was not their sitting in darkenesse and not stirring about their businesse for three dayes together , that plagued them so much , for this had beene no great ●orment , but their torture was , that in this darkenesse they saw fearefull apparitions of Fiends and Devills , and horrible visions , which so hideously affrighted and even distracted them , that they were as it were in Hell already . For observe that Pharaoh that had beene nothing at all moved in a manner with all the plagues that went before , is so stirred with this , that hee sends for Moses as soone as ever the darkenesse is over , and permits him to depart , Exod. 10. 24. which meere sitting in darkenesse could not have wrought him to , but those terrors which he saw in the darke . Hence it is that Psal. 78. 49. nameth not the plague of darkenesse by its name , but in the place where it should come , hee mentioneth that which was the very quintessence of it . Hee cast upon them the fiercenesse of his anger , wrath , and indignation and trouble , by sending evill Angels among them . SECT. XVI . Israel circumcised in the three dayes darkenesse . He sent darkenesse and made it darke , and they rebelled not against his word , Psal. 105. 28. THis latter clause , they rebelled not against his word , is to be understood of Israel , who in this plague of darkenesse performed some speciall part of obedience : And that upon inquiry will be found to be their undergoing of circumcision . For they had followed the Idols of Aegypt , and in Idolatry were become like the Aegyptians , so were they also in uncircumcision . For when Joshuah had circumcised them at their entrance into Canaan , hee saith , I have rolled away from you the reproch of Aegypt , Josh. 5. 9. or that wherein y●e were like unto the Aegyptians uncircumcised to your reproach . But when God ordaineth the Passeover , he giveth charge for circumcision , for no uncircumcised person must eate thereof , Exod. 12. 48. Then was required a generall circumcision of all the people , or at least of the most of them , for all were uncircumcised , unlesse it was some few that were more constant to the Covenant of their God . And that there was a generall Circumcision in Aegypt , is inferred in the forenamed place , Joshu . 5. where God commandeth Joshua to Circumcise the people a second time , which inferreth that there was a first time when they were circumcised with a generall Circumcision as they were that second time . But in Aegypt must this first Circumcision be , for the Text in that very place telleth , that in the Wildernesse there was no Circumcision at all . Whilst then Israel sate sore of their Circumcision , God closeth up Aegypt in three dayes darkenesse , and in horrour , that they might not take the opportunitie against his people . SECT. XVII . The beginning of the yeare changed . Exod. 12. 1. THe world from her creation hitherto , had begun her yeares in Tisri or September , which was the time , of the yeare when she was created . This will easily bee shewed [ against those that maintaine the world did begin in March ] by these reasons . 1. From Exod. 23. 16. The feast of in gathering in the end of the yeare . 2. From Ioel 2. 23. The latter raine in the first moneth . 3. Had Adam beene created in March hee had had no fruits ripe for his food , but in Autumne they were ready for him . 4. Should the moneths before the passeover be reckoned to begin from March , it will follow that the generall deluge increased in the heate of Summer , and abated and dried up in the deepe and moist of Winter . 5. Had the yeare begun from March from the beginning , it had had been unnecessary to have commanded them to begin it thence , who never knew where to begin it else . From the creation then the yeares began from September , but here upon a worke greater in figure , as which represented the redemption by Christ , the beginning is translated to March . And this is the first Commandement given to Israel by Moses . As that old account began from an Equinox , so must this , but not alike ; That began exactly from the Equinox day , this from the first new Moone after , and not from that day , unlesse that day was the new Moone . The fourth day of the worlds creation was both Equinox and new Moone : and though the yeares after began from that day of the Sunne , yet were they counted by the moneths of the Moone . Their yeare then beginning thus from a new Moone it plainely speaketh for it selfe that it was reckoned by Lunary moneths , which falling short eleven dayes of the yeare of the Sunne , every third yeare was leape yeare , or intercalary of a moneth added of 33. dayes , which was called Veadar : So that howsoever it is said that Solomon had twelve speciall officers for the twelve moneths of the yeare , it meaneth the ordinary yeare , and not the Embolimquan or leape yeare : for that yeare , those twelve in their severall moneths served so much the longer , as that the added moneths might be made up by them and not a new officer chosen , for that moneth , who should have no imployment when that moneth was over till three yeares after . The equitie or life of this Law that their yeares should begin from March or Ahib was because the preaching of the Gospell should begin , and the redemption be consummate from that time . For it was just at that time of the yeare when Iohn began to baptise , which was the beginning of the Gospell , Mark . 1. 1●Acts 1. 22. And it was at that time of the yeare when our Saviour suffered , and fulfilled that which this presigured , our redemption . SECT. XVIII . Particulars concerning the Passeover , Exod. 12. 1. THE Paschall Lamb was Christs body in a figure . Compare Exod. 12. 46. with John 19. 36. and to this it is that the word hoc , in the words of our Saviour , Hoc est corpus meum , had reference and respect . They had but newly eaten the Pasteover Lambe , and that had beene the body of Christ Sacra mentally to the Jewes hitherto : but now Jesus tooke bread , and blessed , and brake it , and told them that this hence forward must be his body under the Gospell in that same manner that the paschall Lambe had beene his body under the Law . Secondly , the Lambe must not be eaten raw , vers. 9. which would never have beene forbidden , if the very raw flesh and bloud of Christ , as it was upon the Crosse , were eaten in the Sacrament , as transubstantiation dreameth , for then had the raw Passeover represented it the better . And especially among those People who sometimes used to eate raw flesh in their hasty meales as the Jewes did . Necessity sometimes transfers the Passeover to another moneth , but never further then the next . So the first Passeover but o●e , was kept by some on the fourteenth day of the second moneth , because uncleannesse by a dead corps necessitated them to foregoe it at the right time , Num. 9. 11. And so the last Passeover but one that we read of before the Captivity was kept in the second moneth , 2 Chron. 30. 2. because Hezekiah comming to his Crowne but just in the beginning of the yeare , or very little before , could not procure the Temple , and the Priests to be sanctified and purged sufficiently , and the People to be assembled against the right Passeover day , See 2 Chron. 29. 3. This translation of the Feast a moneth out of its place , did the more enforce its significancy of things future then of things past ; as rather recording the death of Christ to come , then their delivery from Aegypt : for the force of the commemoration of that was infeebled much , when it hit not upon the very night . Againe , this mooveablenesse of this Feast , which so neerely represented the death of our Saviour , received its equity when our Saviour dyed , not upon the very Passeover day , but deferred the Sacrificing of himselfe to a day after . Object . But it seemeth that Christ did not eate his Passeover on the fourteenth day , For Job . 18. 28. The Jewes went not into the Judgement Hall , lest they should be defiled : but that they might eate the Passeover . Now it is most apparent that our Saviour had eaten the Passeover , over night : which as soone as he had done he was apprehended , and arraigned all night , and the next morning earely he is brought to Pilate , into whose house the Jewes durst not come for feare of defiling , but that they might eate the Passeover : so that it appeares that either Christ or the Jewes hit not upon the right Passeover day injoyned by the Law , either hee a day too soone , or they a day too late . Answ. Neither the one nor the other . For the text expressely saith , that Jesus ate his Passeover , and the Jewes theirs upon the same night , which was on the fourteenth day at even . Mat. 26. 17. Now the first day of the Feast of unleavened bread , the Disciples came to Jesus , saying unto him , Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eate the Passeover ? Mark . 14. 12. The first day of unleavened bread when they killed the Passeover , So Luk. 22. 7. So that the Passeover which the Jewes reserved themselves to the eating of , when they durst not enter into Pilates Judgement Hall for feare of defiling , is not to be understood of the Paschall Lamb , which they had eaten the evening past , but of the Passeover bullocke where of mention is made , Dent . 16. 2. 2 Chron. 35. 7 , 8 , 9. Now these bullocks were indeede slaine at Passeover time , but not for the Passeover beast properly taken , for that must be of a Lambe or kid unalterably : but these bullocks were slaine as attendants upon the Paschall , from the nature of which Sacrifice they differed in these particulars . First , the Paschall Lambe was alwayes , and all of him rost●d : these were sodden , 2 Chron. 35. 13. Secondly , the Paschall Lambe was rosted whole , and eaten without breaking the bones , these were broken peecemeale , and so parted among the people . The Paschall Lambe was a necessary service to which they were bound by command : these were arbitrary according to their stay in Jerusalem in the Passeover weeke ; for if they would they might returne home the next morning after the Paschall Lambe was eaten , Deut. 16. 7. and then they needed no bullocke to be killed for their dyet the rest of the Feast : but if they stayed any more dayes of the feast at Jerusalem then the first , then was not their dyet arbitrary to eat any thing what they would , but they must eate of these bullockes because their dyet must bee holy at that time . Hence resulteth another difference betwixt the Paschall Lambe , and these , which is this ; that these were not of the first institution of the Passeover , nor had they any bullockes slaine at the Passeover in Aegypt , but Lambes onely . SECT. XIX . That the Supper in Job . 13. was not the Passeover Supper . FIRST , It is very commonly held that the Supper in John 13. was the Passeover Supper , and that Judas stayed not the Sacrament of the Lords Supper , for that our Saviour having dipped a sop into the bitter or sowre sawce , which they used to the Paschall Lambe , and given it to him , Satan with it entring into him , he packed him away with , What thou doest doe quickly : An opinion mistaken in the ground-worke that it builds upon , and consequently in the structure built upon it . For that that was no passeover at all , the Evangelist maketh it most plaine in ver. 1. when he saith , it was before the Feast of the Passeover , and Matthen in Chap. 26. 2. telleth , it was two dayes before , and indeed , two miles from Jerusalem , namely in Betbany : The serious Harmonizing of the foure Evangelists together , at this place , will make this most cleare . Secondly , if then it were not the Passeover Supper , there can be no Paschall Lambe looked for at it , nor no Haroseth , or sawce of bitter herbes to eate it with , but the meate that they were then eating , and the sawce in which our Saviour dipped the sop , was ordinary meate , and ordinary sawce . Thirdly , Judas when he was packed away with his Quod facis fac cito , went not from Jerusalem to G●thsemani , where Christ was apprehended by him on the Passeover night , but he went from Be●hany to Jerusalem , to bargaine with the chiefe Pri●st , for his betraying , which when he had done , he returned to Be●hany againe . SECT. XX . Borrowing Aegyptian Jewels , Exod. 12. 35 , 36. IT may be equally questionable , whether Israel shewed lesse honesty in borrowing what they meant not to restore , or Aegypt lesse wisedome , in lending what they knew would not be restored ? For the first , it is easily answered , that they had the expresse warrant of God , who cannot command unrighteousnesse , and whom to obey in all things is piety . The second is as easily resolved thus , that Idolaters , in the worship of their Idols , used to decke themselves with Jewels , and Eare-rings , and fine things , thereby to make them as they thought the more acceptable , to their fine decked deity . So doe the Aegyptians now conceive of Israel , that seeing they desired these their fine knacks , being now going to sacrifice , they intended to sacrifice to the Aegyptian gods , as they had done heretofore , and they thought , sure there can be no danger of departing the Land , because they still adhere to our Religion . For Moses had but still spoken of going but three dayes journey into the Wildernesse to worship . SECT. XXI . Rameses , and Succoth , ver. 37. THe most famous of the Deities of Aegypt , was their Goddesse Isis , mentioned in all Heathen Authours , of her doth the last syllable in Raam-ses , and Rame-ses , seeme to sound , as being Townes that bare the name of this Goddesse , and importing the Towne , or Temple , or some such thing of Isis. For that which the Aegyptians called Ses , or Sis , other languages in pronouncing would augment with a vowell before , for so was it ordinary . Aegypt at home was called Cophti , but forainers did call it Esophti , and so it came to be Egypti . So the Sea that lay among the Gentiles of Greece , was in Hebrew Mare Goiim , the Sea of the Gentiles , but other Nations would put E before , and so it came to be called EGoiim or EGaeum . The Syrian and Arabicke Testaments , and the writing of Jewish Authors are full of examples of this nature . Succoth , is held to have beene so called , because Israel here lodged and pitched their tents in their March out of Aegypt : but they marched too much in suspition of Pharaohs pursuit , to settle a Campe , and to pitch tents so neere him . But it rather seemeth to have taken denomination from the cloud of glory comming upon them in this place , which was as a covering to them , Psal. 105. 39. This their Divine conducter , stayed with them till Moses death , save that it was taken up for a while , because of the golden calfe : at Moses death it departed from them ; for when they are to march through Jordan , the Arke is to lead the way , which while the cloud was with them it never did , but went in the body and very heate of the Army . As the cloud departed at the death of Moses the first Prophet , so is it restored and seene apparently at the sealing of the great Prophet , Luk. 9. 30. SECT. XXII . The decree at Marab , Exod. 15 : 25. SHam Sam lo hhok umishpat : There he set a decree , and a judgement for them : God is beginning now to compose and platforme the people into a setled policy , which while they were under the feare and danger of Pbaraoh could not be done ; And here he passeth a decree and judgement upon them , what they must looke for in the wildernesse , according to their dealing with him . If they will diligently hearken to his words , &c. he will heale and keepe them free from diseases , as he healed those brackish waters , and of bitter had made them sweet ; but if otherwise , they must expect accordingly . Those that have obscured this place by questioning whether this Ordinance at Marah , were for the Sabbath , or for the red Cow , or for the tryall of the suspected Wife , or for the dimensum of their diet in the Wildernesse , have made obscurity where there is none at all , and have supposed this to have beene an Ordinance whereafter Israel was to walke , whereas it was rather a decree whereafter God would deale with them according to their walking ; And answerably seeme the latter words , Vesham Nissahu , to beare this sense , for there he had tryed them . The word Hhok , is taken in a signification agreeable to this , Psal. 2. 7. I declare it for a decree , that since the Lord hath said unto me , Thou art my Sonne , &c. That therefore , ye Kings , and Potentates , &c. submit to the obedience of him , or else his anger will shortly kindle , &c. SECT. XXIII . That this story of Jethro is misplaced , and why . THat this story is misplaced , is plaine by these things : First , Jethro , Moses father in Law , tooke a burnt offering , and sacrifices for God , ver. 12. Secondly , Now on the morrow , Moses sate to judge the people , vers. 13. and made them know the Statutes of God , and his Lawes , vers. 16. But as the story lyeth here , there was no Tabernacle nor Altar for Sacrifice yet built ; Neither as yet did Moses know the Statutes and Lawes of God himselfe , for as yet they are not come to Sinai . Thirdly , Moses himselfe telleth that the choosing of Judges and Elders , which was done upon Jethroes Counsell , was not till their departing from Sinai . The Lord your God spake unto us in Horeb , saying , You have dwelt long enough in this mountaine , &c. And I spake unto you at that time , s●ying , I am not able to beare you my selfe alone , &c. Deut. 1. from vers. 7. to 19. So that this story should lye at the 10 of Numbers , and come in betwixt the tenth and eleventh verses of that chapter , and the story to be conceived thus . When Moses had received all the Lawes which God would give him at Sinai , from Exod. 20. to the Law of the silver Trumpets , which was the last , Num. 10. then came Jetbro , and brought Moses wife and children , and seeing him toyling in judgement , he adviseth him to chuse Judges to ease him ; which being done , ere long the cloud removed , and they must flit from Sinai , ver. 11. When they are ranked to march , Moses desireth Hobab or Jethro his Father in Law to goe along with him , which he denyeth , but returneth to his owne Country , Num. 10. 29 , 30. 31 , 32. compared with the last verse of this Chapter . Thus lyeth the order of the story . Now , the reason why it is misplaced is this . In the last verse of the preceding Chapter , there is a perpetuall curse decreed against Amalek , The Lord hath sworne that the Lord will have warre with Amalek , from generation to generation . Now the Midianites and Amalekites lived so promiscuously together , that they were as one people , and the Kenites , or the family of Jethro , dwelt in the midst of them , 1 Sam. 15. 6. Therefore that it might be observed that Jethro fell not under that curse of Amalek , Moses bringeth him in comming to the Campe of Israel , and to God , as soone as ever the curse is uttered , that every eye might presently observe that Jethro was exempted from it . Object . But Moses and Israel , by this account lay almost a twelve moneth at Sinai , before his wife and children came at him , and can this be thought , that they should be so unnaturall one to another ? Answer . This was Moses his doing , not of unnaturalnesse , but piety , to restraine their comming , till his great taske of receiving and giving the Law , and building the Tabernacle was over ; Letters and Vi●its passed betwixt them there is no doubt , and they kept at distance thus by consent for a season . That letters passed may be collected from vers . 6. 7. And Jethro , Moses Father in law , said unto Moses , I Jethro thy Vather in law , come to thee . And Moses went out to meete his Father in law . Jethro said not thus to Moses his face , I am come to thee : For then why or how upon this tidings , could Moses goe forth to meete him , when they spake face to face already ? Nor could this speech be delivered by a messenger , for it had beene an improper and senselesse speech of a messenger to say , I Jethro come to thee : but this Jethro himselfe telleth Moses by letter , before he commeth at him , whereupon Moses goeth forth to meete him . SECT. XXIIII . Israels march from Rephidim to Sinai . Saint Paul explained . 1 Cor. 10. 4. Quest . HOw can it be said that they departed from Rephidim , and came to Sinai , whereas Rephidim and Sinai were all one ? For every one knoweth that the mountaine whereon the Law was given is called Horeb and Sinai , indifferently : as Exod. 19. 18. compared with Malach. 4. 4. Now when they were at Rephidim , chap. 17. 1. they were at Horeb , vers. 2. So that to goe from Rephidim to Sinai , is to goe from Horeb to Horeb. Answ. The hill on which the Law was given had indeed two names , and as Bellonius saith , two tops , the one side of it was called Horeb , from the rocky drought of it , being utterly devoid of water : The other side was called Sinai , from the bushes and brambles that grew upon it , in one of which Moses saw the Lord in a flame of fire ; if so be it tooke not the name from Sini the sonne of Canaan , Gen. 10. Now when Israel lay at Rephidim they lay upon Horeb side , and there out of the droughty rocke , Moses m●raculously bringeth forth water . Their march from Rephidim is at the skirts of the hill from Horeb to Sinai side of the mountaine . And in the same sense is Paul to be understood , 1 Cor. 10. 4. They dranke of the Rocke that followed them . Not that the Rocke stirred and went along with them , but that the water which miraculously gushed out of the one side of the hill Horeb , ran along with them as they marched at the foot of the hill , till they came to the other side of the hill Sinai . And so is Moses himselfe to be understood . I cast the dust of the golden Calfe into the brooke that descended out of the Mount . Deut. 9. 21. Not that the brooke gushed out of the mount on that side on which the Calfe was erected , but on the other , and at the skirt of the hill came running to that . SECT. XXV . The Station and Posture of Israel before Sinai , Exod. 19. ON the first day of the moneth Sivan , which was towards the middle of our May , in the yeare of the world 2513. they come from Rephidim to Sinai , and pitch in their maine body , more especially on the South and South East side of the Mount , See Deut. 33. 2. and compare the situation of S●ir in the point of the Compasse . In three parts or squadrons did their Campe sit downe before it . 1. Next to the hill pitched the Elders or 70. heads of the chiefe families which had gone into Aegypt , these are called the house of Jacob , Vers. 3. as Gen. 46. 27. 2. Next behind them pitched the people in their maine body , consisting of so many hundred thousands : these are called the children of Israel , Vers. 3. And this distinction is observed , Vers. 7. 8. And Moses called the Elders , &c. And all the people answered . 3. On the outside of all lay the mixed multitude or the Aegyptians that had joyned to them and came out with them . On the second day of the moneth , and of their arrivall there Moses goeth up into the mountaine , being called up by the Lord , Vers. 3. and when he commeth downe telleth the people the words of the Lord , Vers. 5. If yee will heare my voyce indeed and keepe my Covenant , yee shall be my peculiar people : To which the people even before they know what the Commandements of the Lord would be , do promise to obey and hearken , not by rash undertaking to performe they knew not what , as some have beene bold to taxe them , nor yet presuming upon their owne abilitie to keepe the Law , as others have concluded upon them ; but having been trained up from their infancy , and instructed in the doctrine of Faith , they piously conclude , when God commeth to give them a Law and to make a covenant with them , that God would not crosse himselfe in the Doctrine of salvation , but that the Law that hee would now give them should be a Law conducing and leading to Faith still , a Schoolemaster to Christ , and not an extinguisher of the doctrine of salvation by him . On the third day of the moneth Moses goeth up into the mountaine againe , Vers. 9. and is charged to sanctifie the people , which accordingly is done on that day ; and on the fourth and fifth , and on the sixth day in the morning the ten Commandements are given . SECT. XXVI . The Iewes Tenet concerning the Law . Talm. in Maccoth . Rab. Abhuhahh Ner. 1. THe whole Law , say they , was given to Moses in six hundred and thirteene precepts . David in the fifteenth Psalme bringeth them all within the compasse of eleven . 1. To walke uprightly . 2. To worke righteousnesse . 3. To speake truth in the heart . 4. Not to slander . 5. Not to wrong a Neighbour . 6. Not to entertaine or raise an ill report . 7. To vi●i●●e a reprobate . 8. To honour them that feare the Lord . 9. That alter●th not his oath . 10. Not to lend to usury . 11. Not to take bribes against the innocent . The Propbet Isaiah brings these to six , in Chap. 33. 15. 1. To walke justly . 2. To speake righteously . 3. To refuse gaine of oppression . 4. To shake hands from taking bribes . 5. To stop the eares from hearing of blood . 5. To shut the eyes from seeing of evill . Micab reduceth all to three , Chap. 6. 8. 1. To doe justly . 2. To love mercy . 3. To walke humbly with God . Isaiah againe to two , Chap. 56. 1. 1. Keepe judgement . 2. Do justice . Am●s to one , Chap. 5. 4. Seeke me . Habakkuk also brings all to one , Chap. 2. 4. The just by his Faith shall live . Thus the Jewes witnesse against themselves while they conclude that Faith is the summe of the Law , and yet they stand altogether upon workes ; A testimony from Jewes exceedingly r●markable . SECT. XXVII . Articles of a beleeving Iewes Creed collected out of Moses Law . 1. I Beleeve that salvation is by Faith , not by Workes . When the Talmudick Jewes make such a confession as is mentioned instantly before , wherein they reduce all the tenor and marrow of the Law under this one doctrine of living by Faith , Hab. 2. 4. The just by his Faith shall live : it is no wonder if the more ancient and more holy Jewes under the Law looked for salvation , not by their owne merits and workes , but onely by Faith : This fundamentall point of Religion they might readily learne by these two things . 1. From the impossibility of their keeping the Law , which their consciences could not but convince them of , by their disabiliti● to heare it , and by their daily carriage . 2. In that they saw the holiest of their men , and the holiest of their services , to receive sanctitie , not from themselves , but from another . So they saw that the Priest [ who was or should bee at least the holiest man amongst them ] was sanctified by his garments , and that the sacrifices were sanctified by the Altar . From these premises they could not but conclude , that no man , nor his best service could be accepted as holy in it selfe , but must be sanctified by another . 2. I beleeve that there is no salvation without reconciliation with God , and no reconciliation without satisfaction . The first part of this Article is so plaine that nature might teach it , and so might it the latter also ; and laying hereto Moses his lex talionis , eye for eye , tooth for tooth , it made it doubtlesse . 3. I beleeve that satisfaction shall once be made . This they might see by their daily sacrifice , aiming at a time when there should full satisfaction be made , which these poore things could not doe . No lesse did their Iubilee yeare intimate when men in debt and bondage were quitted ; The very time of the yeare , when the Iubilee yeare began , calling all Israel to thinke of a Jubilee from sinne and Satans bondage , into which mankind fell at the same time of the yeare . 4. I beleeve that satisfaction for sinne shall be made by a man . This is answerable to reason that as a man sinned , so a man should satisfie : but Moses Law about redemption of land by a kinsman , taught Israel to expect that one that should be akin in the flesh to mankind , should redeeme for him morgaged heaven : {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in Hebrew is both a kinsman and a Redeemer . 5. I beleeve that he shall be more then a man . This they learned from the common service about the Tabernacle , wherein the high Priest , a man as fully hallowed and sanctified as man could be , for his outward function ; yet did he offer and offer againe for the people and himselfe , and yet they were uncleane still . This read a Lecture to every ones apprehension , that a meere man could not doe the deed of satisfaction , but he must be more . 6. I beleeve the redeemer must also be God as well as man . The disabilitie of beasts to make satisfaction , they saw by their dying in sacrifice one after another , and yet mans conscience cleansed never the better . The unabilitie of man we saw before : The next then that is likely to doe this worke are Angels . But them Israel saw in the Tabernacle curtaines spectators onely and not actors in the time and worke of reconciliation . From hence they might gather that it must be God dwelling with man in one person , as the cloud , the glory of God never parted from the Arke . 7. I beleeve that mans Redeemer shall die to make satisfaction . This they saw from their continued bloody sacrifices , and from the covenants made , and all things purged by blood . This the heedlesse man-slayer might take heed of , and see that as by the death of the high Priest he was restored to liberty , so should mankind be by the death of the highest Priest to the glorious libertie of the sonnes of God . Their delivery from Egypt by the death of a Lambe taught them no lesse . 8. I beleeve that he shall not die for his owne sinnes , but for mans . Every sacrifice read this lecture , when the most harmelesse of beasts and birds were offered . 9. I beleeve that he shall overcome death . This Israel saw by necessary conclusion , that if Christ should fall under death , he did no more then men had done before . His resurrection they saw in Aarons Rod , Manna , Scapegoate , Sparrow , &c. 10. I beleeve to be saved by laying hold upon his merits . Laying their right hand upon the head of every beast that they brought to be offered up taught them , that their sinnes were to be imputed to another , and the laying hold on the hornes of the Altar , being sanctuary or refuge from vengeance , taught them that anothers merits were to bee imputed to them , yet that all offenders were not saved by the Altar , Exod. 21. 12. 1 King. 2. 29. the fault not being in the Altar but in the offender , it is easie to see what that signified unto them . Thus far●e each holy Israelite was a Christian in this point of doctrine , by earnest study finding these points under the vaile of Moses . The ignorant were taught this by the learned every Sabbath day , having the Scriptures read and expounded unto them . From these groundworkes of Moses , and the Prophets Commentaries thereupon concerning the Messias , came the schooles of the Jewes to be so well versed in that point , that their Scholars doe mention his very name Jesus : the time of his birth in Tisri : the space of his preaching three yeeres and a halfe : the yeare of his death they yeare of Jubile , and divers such particulars to be found in their Authors , though they knew him not when he came amongst them . SECT. XXVIII . The Covenant made with Israel : They not sworne by it to the ten Commandements , Exod. 24. VVHen Israel cannot indure to heare the ten Commandements given , it was ready to conclude , that they could much lesse keepe them . Therefore God giveth Moses privately fifty seven precepts besides , namely Ceremoniall and Judiciall : to all which the people are the next morning after the giving of the ten Commandements , sworne and entered into Covenant , and these made them a Ceremoniall and singular people . About which these things are observable . 1. That they entred into Covenant to a written Law , Chap. 24. 4. And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord , &c. Against tradions . 2. That here was a booke written forty dayes before the writing of the two tables : Against them that hold that the first letters that were seene in the world , were the writing of God in those Tables . And we have seene before also two pieces of writing before this of Moses , viz. the 88. and 89. Psalmes : And of equall antiquity with them , or not much lesse was the penning of the booke of Iob , most probably written by Elibu one of the Speakers in it , as may be conjectured from Chap. 32. 15 , 16 , 17. and some other probabilitie . 3. That this first Covenant was made with water , and blood , and figurative language : For the twelve pillars that represented the people are called the people , Exod. 24. 4. 8. As the words in the second Covenant , this my body , are to bee understood in such another sense . 4. That the ten Commandements were not written in the book of that Covenant , but onely those 57. precepts mentioned before . For 1. The Lord giveth the other precepts , because the people could not receive the ten : for could they have received and observed those as they ought , they must never have had any parcell of a Law more : as if Adam had kept the Morall Law , he had never needed to have heard of the promise ; and so if we could but receive the same Law as we should , we had never needed the Gospell . Now it is most unlike that since God gave them those other commands , because they could not receive the ten , that hee would mingle the ten and them together in the Covenant . 2. It is not imaginable that God would ever cause a people to sweare to the performance of a Law which they could not indure so much as to heare . 3. The ten Commandements needed not to be read by Moses to the people , seeing they had all heard them from the mouth of the Lord but the day before . 4. Had they beene written and laid up in this booke , what necessitie had there beene of their writing and laying up in the Tables of stone ? 5. Had Moses read the ten Commandements in the beginning of his booke , why should he repeate some of them againe at the latter end , as Exod. 23. 12. Let such ruminate upon this , which hold and maintaine that the Sabbath as it standeth in the fourth Commandement , is only the Jewish Sabbath , and consequently Ceremouiall . And let those good men that have stood for the day of the Lord against the other , consider whether they have not lost ground , in granting that the fourth Commandement instituted the Jewish Sabbath . For , First , The Jewes were not sworne to the Decalogue at all , and so not the Sabbath as it standeth there , but onely to the fifty seven precepts written in Moses his booke , and to the Sabbath as it was there , Exod. 23. 12. Secondly , The end of the Ceremoniall Sabbath of the Jewes was in remembrance of their delivery out of Aegypt , Deut. 5. 15. but the morall Sabbath of the two Tables is in commemoration of Gods resting from the workes of the Creation . Exod. 20. 10. 11. SECT. XXIX . The punishment of Israel for the golden Calse . Exod. 32. ISRAEL cannot be so long without Moses , as Moses can be without meate . The fire still burneth on the top of mount Sinai , out of which they had so lately received the Law , and yet so suddainely doe they breake the greatest Commandement of that Law to extremity : of Aegyptian Jewels , they make an Aegyptian Idol , because thinking Moses had beene lost , they intended to returne for Aegypt . Grievous was the sinne , for which they must looke for grievous punishment , which lighted upon them in divers kinds . First , the Cloud of Glory , their divine conductor , departeth from the campe , which was now become prophane and uncleane . Secondly , the Tables Moses breaketh before their face , as shewing them most unworthy of the Covenant . Thirdly , The building of the Tabernacle , the evidence , that God would dwell among them , is adjourned and put off , for now they had made themselves unworthy . Fourthly , for this sinne God gave them up to worship all the host of heaven , Act. 7. 42. Fifthly , Moses bruiseth the Cal●e to Powder , and straweth it upon the waters , and maketh the People drinke . Here spirituall fornication commeth under the same tryall that carnall did . Num. 5. 24. These that were guilty of this Idolatry the water thus dr●nke , made their belly to swell , and to give a visible signe and token of their guilt : then setteth Moses the Levites to slay every one whose bellies they found thus swelled , which thing they did with that zeale and sincerity that they spared neither Father , nor Brother of their owne , if they found him guilty . In this slaughter there fell about three thousand , these were ring-leaders and chiefe agents in this abomination , and therefore made thus exemplary in their punishment : upon the rest of the People the Lord sent a Plague , vers. 35. A●ron had first felt the smart in this destruction , had his action in this businesse beene as voluntary as was theirs , but what hee did , hee did in feare of his life . SECT. XXX . That Moses fasted three Fasts of forty dayes apeece . IT is a doubt of no small import : Why seeing it pleased God to appoint the Feast of expiation , the solemne Feast of Humiliation , in that moneth of the yeare , in which sinne entred into the World , why he also did not appoint it upon the same day in which sinne entred , viz. the sixth day of the moneth , but on the tenth . The reason of this is to be found out by observing Moses his Fasts in the mount , and the conclusion of the last of them . That he fasted thrice forty dayes , is not so frequently observed , as it easily may be concluded from his owne words . The first Fast in Exod. 24. 18. And Moses was in the mountaine forty dayes and forty nights : At the end of these dayes they made the golden Calfe . The second Fast , Exod. 32. 30 , 31. It came to passe on the morrow that Moses said unto the People , Ye have sinned a great sin●e , and now I will goe up into the mount , &c. and Moses returned unto the Lord , &c. which he explaineth , Deut. 9. 18. I fell down● before the Lord , as at the first , forty dayes and forty nights , &c. The third Fast when he goeth up with the new hewed Tables . Ex●d. 34. 28. And he was there with the Lord forty dayes and forty nights , &c. All which being reckoned together from the day after the giving of the ten Commandements , or from the seventh day of the moneth Sivan , it will be found that his last fast , when he had obtained pardon for Israel , and the Tables renewed , ended on the tenth day of Tisri : on which day he came downe with the glad tydings of reconciliation : in mem●riall of which , that day was ever after observed for the Feast of expiation : upon the tyding● of this , and of the making of the Tabernacle the People begin to dispose of their tents , and to build them booths , because it will be long ere the worke be finished , and they remove from Sinai : for this the fifteenth day of the moneth is instituted for the feast of Tabernacles , ever after . Hence forward is the Tabernacle begun , and is halfe a yeer● in making within a very little . SECT. XXXI . The sornte , or Idea , and representation of the Tabernacle . THe forme and fabrick● of the Tabernacle is thrice re●earsed in the patterne , in the making , and in the setting up , as if by this threefold coard of description , the Holy Ghost would draw all to a serious observation . Moses saw a glorious Tabernacle pitched in Mount Sinai to be the patterne of his , as his was to be the patterne of a more glorious : According to the exact forme of this that he saw , was he to make his : This taught Moses and Israel , that the making and service of their Tabernacle , did onely serve to the Patterne and shadow of heavenly things , Heb. 8. 5. Christ is the true Tabernacle , by , and in whom God dwelleth among men . Joh. 2. 21. Heb. 9. 11. Now as there was a Tabernacle pitched before God in Sinai , before there was one made in Israel , so was Christs inca●nation in the decree of God , long before he was exhibited in the flesh . Upon the making of Moses his Tabernacle , this in the mount vanished , as that of Moses was to doe upon the comming of the true one , Christ . The Tabernacle was Israels moveable Temple , and so at every flitting might teach them to looke for one that should not be moved . It consisted of three parts , the holiest , the holy , and the Court , as our Churches doe , of the Chancell , Church , and Churchy●rd . It was alwayes pitched East and West , whensoever it was set downe , as our Churches stand , but with this difference , that the chiefest place in the Tabernacle , or holiest of all , answering to our Chancels , stood Westward , and Israel worshipped with their faces Westward , because they would not imitate the Heathen , who worshipped towards the Sun-rising . And in their services looked alwayes towards us Gentiles in the West , as expecting us to be joyned to their God with them . SECT. XXXII . The dimensions of the Tabernacle . THe Tabernacle was thirty cubits long , for twenty plankes of a cubit and a halfe breadth apeece made one side , or the length of it , and it was ten cubits broad , as shall appe●re hereafter . But first observe these two things . First , That those which are translated boards , were indeed planks of a good thicknesse , even of nine inches thicke apeece , for it is said , in the fastning of the sides of the Tabernacle , that a barre of Shittim wood , ran through the thicknesse of the boards , as they stood edging oneto another . Now this barre was no small one , for it was the chiefe strength of the side , and therefore must have a large hole bored to run through , and consequently , it must be a thicke planke that would beare such a hole , and not an inch , or two inch board . Secondly , The cubi● by which the Tabornacle is measured , was but halfe a yard , or the common cubit , and not the Sanctuary or holy cubit , which was a full yard . For , first , it is said that every planke was a cubi● and a hal●e broad ; if this were a yard and a halfe , doe but imagine where plankes of such a breadth should be had : Secondly , every planke was ten cubits long ; if this were ten yards , imagine how they should be carryed : Thirdly , every two silver Bases were as long as a planke was broad ; now two talents would fall short of reaching to a yard and an halfe . Lastly , the Altar of burnt offering was three cubits high ; if this were three yards , who could reach to serve at it ? These things considered , you finde that the cubit here spoken of , is but halfe a yard , and this will helpe well in measuring all the things to be spoken of after . SECT. XXXIII . The peoples contribution to the silver foundation : and its forme and posture . MEasure out in your imagination , an unequall square , or a plot of ground , of thirty cubits , or fifteene yards long , and of ten cubits or five yards broad , such was the compasse of the Tabernacle betwixt Wall and Wall . The Foundation was of massy peeces of silver , shewing the solidity and purity of the truth , whereupon the Church is founded ; Of these massy peeces there were an hundred in all , and in every peece was a talent of silver . Every man in Israel from twenty yeares old and upward , was to give halfe a Shekell , towards these foundation peeces , whereas for other things they were not bound to a setsumme , but to give what their hearts moved them . This might teach them , that to the fundamentals of their Religion , they were all bound , but to other things , each one according to the gift given him . Their manner of giving halfe a Shekell , you finde Exod. 36. 26 , 27 , 28. thus . There were numbred of Israel , from twenty yeares old , and upward , sixe hundred thousand , and three thousand five hundred and fifty men . Reckon thus ; The Talent of the Sanctuary , contained 120 pound , the pound 25 shekels , or 50 halfe shekels , so that every Talent contained 3000. shekels , or 6000. halves : so that sixe hundred thousand halfe shekels , given by sixe hundred thousand men , doe amount to a hundred talents : Now there were three thousand five hundred and fifty men besides , which gave so many halfe shekels , or one thousand seven hundred seventy five whole ones , with which were made the hookes of pillars , &c. Exod. 38. 28. These hundred Talents of silver were thus wrought . Each one was cast into a solid peece of thirteen inches and a halfe long , and nine inches square ; in the side that lay upward was a morteise hole , neere unto the end , now two and two were laid close together , end to end , and the morteises were not in the ends that joyned , but in the outmost ends . Now every planke , whereof the sides were made , was in height five yards , but in breadth three quarters , just as broad as two of these peeces of silver were long , at the foote of the planke , at either corner was a tenon made , the planke being cut downe , or abating so much betweene the tenons , as the tenons themselves were in length , so that when the tenons were shrunke in the morteises , the middle of the planke setled upon the peeces or Bases . SECT. XXXIV . The walls and juncture of the Tabernacle . THese silver Bases then were thus laid : forty at the South side , forty at the North side , and sixteene at the West end , laid as close together as was possible , so that though there were so many peeces , yet was it but one intire foundation ; Here are fourescore and fifteene of the hundred talents disposed of , in the two sides and the West end , what became of the foure talents remaining , and of the East end , we shall see hereafter . These Bases thus laid , the plankes were set in them , one plank taking up two Bases , twenty plankes making the South side , and twenty the North , and eight the West end ; these were five yards long apeece , and so when they were set up , they made the Tabernacle five yards and a little more , high upon the walls ; Now for the making of these plankes sure , and to stand stedfast , the two corner plankes were great helpes , of which first , you remember the length of the sides , namely fifteene yards or twenty plankes , of three quarters breadth apeece . The West end had sixe plankes intire , besides a planke at either corner , joynting end and sides together . These corner plankes were of the same breadth that all the other were , and thus set : The middle of the breadth of the one Planke , was laid close to the end of the South side , or to that planke that was furthest West , so that a quarter of a yard of the breadth of the corner planke , was inward , to make up the Tabernacle breadth , a quarter was taken up with the thicknesse of the side planke to which it joyned , and a quarter lay outward . Thus at the South-west , just so was it at the North-west corner . Then count ; the two corner plankes were inward a quarter of a yard apeece , and the sixe plankes that stood betweene them of three quarters apeece , behold five yards , just the breadth of the house betweene wall and wall . These corners knit end and side together , and were strength of the building , as Christ is of his Church , making Jewes and Gentiles one spirituall Temple . Besides these corners strengthening the Fabricke , there were seven bonds to make all sure . First , plankes to plankes were close joynted at the foote , so that the Text calls them {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , or twins . Secondly , each planke was linked to the next , at the top , with a golden linke . Thirdly , on the side , staples of Gold were fastned in every planke , so that foure barres of Shittim wood , overlaid with Gold , were carryed in the staples , from one end of the Tabernacle to another . Besides these , there was also another barre of the same wood , that ran from end to end , through the body or thicknesse of the plankes , a hole being bored through each planke for the purpose . By these barres Christ is fitly resembled , who is conveyed throughout the whole Scripture , in the rings of diverse passages and stories ; In the fourth Chapter of the Ephesians , there are seven bonds that bind the Church to unity ; First , one body ; secondly , one spirit ; thirdly , one hope of our calling ; fourthly , one Lord ; fifthly , one Faith ; sixthly , one Baptisme ; seventhly , one God and Father of all . Now view in imagination the body of the Tabernacle , as it stands onely planked [ without any more addition to it ] with plankes of Shittim wood . The length fifteene yards from end to end , the breadth five yards from side to side . The sides and West end planked up five yards high and somewhat more , the foundation of those plankes , massy peeces of silver : The top of the house , and the East end left open , till they be covered hereafter : First then of the covering of the top , and sides , and West end . SECT. XXXV . Of the Curtaines of the Tabernacle . THe Tabernacle was bounded with Curtaines [ as lightest for carriage ] which Curtaines covered top and sides . These Curtaines were Tapestry worke : The ground was of fine yarne dyed blew , Purple , and Scarlet , woven together ; the embroydery was of Pictures of Cherubims . These Curtaines were in number ten , each one being twenty eight cubits , or fourteene yards long , & foure cubits or two yards broad : They were sewed together five Curtaines in one peece , and five in another : so that they made two large peeces of Tapestry of fourteene yards long , and tenne yards broad . These two peeces are called couplings , Exod. 26. 5. And these two were thus joyned together . In the edge of either , were made fifty loopes of blew tape , one answerable or correspondent to another ; or one over against another ; and with fifty hooks or clasps of gold , he linked the loopes together , and so the two maine peeces were made one covering or Tabernacle , Exod. 36. 13. Quest . Why were not all the ten Curtaines sewed together on one peece , but five and five sewed together , to make two peeces , and then those two thus looped together with a button or claspe of gold ? Answ. First , the Tabernacle consisted of two parts ; the holy place , and the most holy : which two were divided one from another by a vaile ; of which hereafter : Now according to this division of the house , was also the division of the curtaines . For Exod. 26. 32. it is plaine that the vaile that parted the holy from the most holy , was hung just under these golden claspes that knit the five and five Curtaines together : So that five Curtaines lay over the holy place , and the other five over the most holy , but with this difference : The holy place was ten yards long , and the five Curtaines sewed together were just so broad , and so they covered onely the top and sides , but hung not downe at the end , which was Eastward ; but the most holy was but five yards long , and the five Curtaines over , that did not onely cover the top , but also hung downe at the West end , to the silver bases . Secondly , the looping together of the Curtaines , five and five on a peece , with a golden tye , doth sweetly resemble the uniting of the two natures in Christ , divinity and humanity , into one person , which two natures were not confounded , as Curtaines sewed together , but were sweetely knit together by golden and ineffable union . Thirdly , this might also fully signifie the two Churches of Jewes and Gentiles , knit together by Christ , that so they make but one spirituall Tabernacle . Now come and measure the Curtaines againe , imagining them throwne length way over the Tabernacle : they were fourteene yards long , and twenty yards broad , when they were all sewed and looped together : This breadth covered the length of the building , which was fifteene yards , and it hung downe behinde the West end , even to the foundation . The East end was still left open . Of the length of them , five yards were taken up in covering the flat top of the house , which was five yards broad between wall and wall : A quarter of a yard was taken up on either side , with covering the thicknesse of the plankes : so that on either side they hung downe foure yards and one quarter , which was three quarters of a yard short of the silver foundation , or little lesse . SECT. XXXVI . Of the Goate-haire Curtaines . TO helpe this defect , as also to shelter the rich Curtaines from weather , were made Curtaines of Goates haire , eleven in number ; in breadth each one two yards , as was the breadth of other , but being one Curtaine more then the other , they were two yards broader then the other , when they were all coupled together . Each Curtaine was thirty cubits , or fifteene yards long , and consequently a yardlonger then those spoken of before . These were sewed , sixe together on one peece , and five on another . These two maine peeces were linked together , with fifty claspes of brasse , as the other were with fifty of gold . But when these curtaines were laid upon the other over the Tabernacle , they were not so laid as these brazen loopes , did light just upon the golden ones , over the vaile , but three quarters of a yard more Westward , so that the five curtains that went West did reach to the ground , and halfe a curtaine to spare , Exod. 26. 12. The other sixe that lay East , reacht to the end , covered the pillars whèreon that vaile hung , and they hung halfe a curtaine breadth , or a yard over the entrance . Their length of fifteen : yards reacht halfe a yard lower on either side , than the other curtaines did , and yet they came not to the ground by a quarter of a yard , so that the silver foundations were alwayes plaine to be seene , every where but at the West end . Thus had the Tabernacle two coverings of curtaines ; yet both these on the flat roofe would not hold out raines , and weather , wherefore there was made for the top a covering of Rammes skins dyed red , signifying well the blood of Christ the shelter of the Church . Above that was also another covering of Tahash skins , a beast not perfectly knowne what he was , but well Englished , a Badger , and guessed well because of his during hide . Thus if you view this building erected , and thus covered , you see the silver foundation alwaies open to view . Halfe a yard above that hid onely under one curtaine : all the side above that under two , and the top with foure . SECT. XXXVII . Of the most holy place . THe Priests entred into the Tabernacle at the East end of it , and so must we ; where pace up ten yards forward , and you come to the vaile which parted betweene the Holy place , and the most Holy of all . The Holyest place of all , was filled and furnished before the vaile was hung up , and so it shall be first handled . This place was five yards long , five yards high , and five yards broad ; a perfect square , the figure of firmenesse , herein fitly signifying Heaven . In this place , at the West end , stood the Arke of the Covenant of the Lord of all the world , Joh. 3. 11. typifying Christ , by whom God is come into Covenant with Gentiles as well as Jewes . The Arke was made like a Chest , hollow , that it might receive things within it . It was a yard and a quarter long , and three quarters broad , and three quarters high , made of Shittim boards , and it was gilded both within and without , representing Christs purity , both in inward thoughts and outward actions . It had no feet , but the bottome stood upon the ground , a figure of Christs abasing himselfe upon the earth . On the outside of the uppermost brink was made a Golden Crown round about , representing [ say the Jewes ] the Crowne of the Law , but most fitly , Christ Crowned with glory . At each corner was strucke in , a staple or ●ing of Gold , wherein were put two staves of Shittim wood gilded over , to beare the Arke withall , which staves were never to be taken out , but there to stay continually , teaching the Priests , as some say , to be ready prest for their service : but rather shadowing out Christs Deity , supporting his humanity , never to be parted from it . Now for the cover of this chest , or Arke , it was made of pure Gold , beaten or formed to the just length and breadth of the Arke , that when it was laid on it touched the Golden Crowne round about . At either end was made a Cherub , or the forme of an Angell , like a childe , standing bowed , with wings reaching over the Arke , so that the wings of one Cherub touched the wings of another . They were of Gold , beaten out of the same peece that the cover of the Arke was of . Their faces were one to another , and both toward to the cover of the Arke . This cover both by the Old and New Testament , is called the Propitiatory , vulgarly in our English , the Mercy-seat . So called , because from hence God mercifully spake to his People . View this part well , and you see Christ fully . First , the two Cherubims bowed toward the Mercy-seat . So all Angels to Christ . Secondly , They looked each at other , but both toward the Mercy-seat . So both Testaments Old and New , looke each at other , and both at Christ . So doe the two Churches , of Jewes and Gentiles . Thirdly , This covered the Law : so doth Christ that it plead not against his people to condemne them . Fourthly , God speakes to Israel from hence , so God by Christ to us , Heb. 1. 2. SECT. XXXVIII . Of the Holy place without the vaile . THus was the Sanctum Sanctorum , or the most holy of all : for fabricke and furniture . To separate this from the holy place was hung up a vaile , of the same stuffe and worke that the rich curtaines of the Tabernacle were : The hanging up of this vaile was thus : Just under the golden claspes that linked the curtaines together , were set up foure pillars of Shittim wood gilded over , upon foure Bases of silver , such as the plankes stood upon , and these make up the hundred peeces , or Talents spoken of before : The pillars stood a yard from each other , and the two outmost stood a yard from the walke ; at the top of each pillar was fastned a golden hooke , on the which the vaile hung , five yards broad , and five yards high ; This vaile represented Christs flesh or humanity , celebrated by foure Evangelists , the foure Pillars that beare up that story . This place without the vaile was ten yards long and five yards broad : Into this might the Priests come , and Moses the Prince by a speciall warrant . The furniture of this was , the Shewbread Table , the golden Candlestick , and the gilded Altar . SECT. XXXIX . The Table of Shewbread . ON the P●iests right hand , as he walked up this place was the Table of Shewbread , of this forme and matter , and for this end . A Table frame was made two cubits long , and a cubit broad , and a cubit and a halfe high ; the matter of it was Shittim wood all overlaid with Gold : Equall with the top of the frame was a curious wrought border of gold , of a hand breadth ; the higher edge equall with the top of the frame , and the border so broad below ; on the higher edge of this border was set a golden Crowne , which went quite about the frame , and within this Crowne was the cover laid ; At each corner or foot was fastned a staple or ring of gold , close by the lower edge of the golden border . As the feet , so these rings were foure , wherein were put staves of Shittim wood gilt with gold , to beare the Table . Upon this Table were set twelve Cakes or Loaves , resembling the twelve Tribes , who had their daily bread from God . As on Aarons shoulders , six and six names of Tribes , so on this Table six and six Cakes , for the Tribes were set one upon another . Each Cake had in it two Omers , which measure was significative . For so much Manna every Israelite gathered against the Sabbath in the Wildernesse , Exod. 16. and on the Sabbath were these Cakes set on the Table , to put Israel in minde by the very measure and day of their sustenance in the Wildernesse . These Cakes were called the bread of faces , and the Table , the Table of faces , because they were set before God continually ; shewing that Israels provision was from and before God . Under the lowest Cake was * a golden dish wherein that Cake lay , and betweene every Cake was * a golden dish : on the top of either row lay * a golden dish whelmed downe ; and upon that stood * a dish of Gold with Frankincense in it . These told Israel of Gods speciall providence toward every severall Tribe . SECT. XL . The Golden Candlesticke . OVer against this Table on the South side or on the left hand stood the golden Candlesticke of one massie piece . The forme of it was thus ; The foot of it was of Gold , from which there went up a shaft streight , which was the middle light ; 〈◊〉 the foot was a golden dish wrought Almond wise , and a little above that a golden knop , and above that a golden flower . Then issued out two branches on either side one , which were carried bowed in equall rate till they might be brought up streight to be as high as the middle shaft out of which they proceeded . Upon either of these branches were wrought three golden Cups Almond-wise , that is , on sharpe Scollop shell fashion , for ornament ; above which was a golden knop or bosse , and above that a golden flower , and neere above that the socket wherein the light was to be set . Thus were these two lowest branches : Above which , in the middle shaft was a golden bosse , and then out came two branches more in formejust like the other ; above the comming out of which in the shaft was another knop or bosse , and out came two others like the former ; from thence the shaft upward was decked with three golden Scollop cups or dishes , a knop and flower . Thus the head of all the branches stood in an equall height and distance . Here were seven golden Candlesticks representing the seven Spirits of the Messiah , spoken of Esay 11. 2. 3. and from thence by the Talmudists and Apocalyptique . The varietie of sevens here might remember Israel of the seven dayes of Creation . As the twelve Cakes represented the twelve Tribes , so the light of the Candlesticke set before them , signified the light of the Law whereby they were to be guided : And the lights alwayes standing here , as well as the Loaves there , tell Israel that they have as much need of this as of their daily su●tenance . SECT. XLI . The Altar of Incense . BEtweene the Candlesticke and the Table stood the Altar of Incense : fitly teaching that it is the incense of prayer that sanctifies both our spirituall food signified by the light of the Candles , and our bodily food by the loaves . This Altar was made of Shittim wood , overlaid with gold : It was a cubit long , as much broad , and two cubits high . At each corner it had a horne , made of the same peece with the corner post ; Hornes , top and side were all gilded with gold : On the end of the frame upward was set a * golden Crowne ; at the foote of which Crowne , on either side were strucke two golden rings or staples , in which were put two staves of Shittim wood , overlaid with gold to beare this Altar withall . This Altar was set neere the vaile , just in the middest of the breadth of the roome [ before the middest of the Arke which was within the vaile ] distant from either wall two yards and a quarter . On the north side of it stood the Table , which being set length way to the wall , tooke up halfe a yard of the breadth of the house : so betweene it and the Altar was a passage or way a yard and quarter broad . The Candlesticke was of the same br●adth with his branches spread , that the Table was oflength , and so was set over against it , shewing five inches betweene every socket wanting one inch at the whole : This being set as farre from the wall as the outmost edge of the Table that stood on the other side of the house , afforded the same space betweene the Al●ar and it that the Table did . Thus was the furniture of this place called the Holy . Go● into it at the East end , and looke just before you , and there is the vaile and golden Altar : on your right hand nigh the vaile twelve loaves on a golden Table : on your left hand seven Lampes burning in seven golden Candlesticks made of one peece , by which you see golden snuffers and dishes for the cleansing of the Lampes morning and night . Looke upon the walls on either side , and you see nothing but gold ; over your head , and there you behold pictures of Cherubims curiously wrought in rich Curtaines : It is not fit every eye should see so rich a roome ; therefore to prevent this , the east end had a hanging like the vaile within , of the same dimensions , and of the same matterials wrought with needle . This was hung upon five Pillars of Shittim wood overlaid with gold , each Pillar was fastned in a base of brasse , and at the top had a golden hooke on which the covering hung . Quest . Whether was the vaile hung within the Pillars or without ? Answ. Without , so that it hid the Pillars from the view of the people , else had not the building beene uniforme , all the Timber of the housebeing hid with hangings , and this not . Thus was the Tabernacle made , with all the furniture of it ; Now are wee to consider the outmost part of it , or the Court of the people . SECT. XLII . Of the Court of the people . THis Fabricke of the Tabernacle was inclosed with another pale of curtaines hanging round about it . On the South side of the house , twenty cubits distant from the house , were set a row of Shittim Pillars , twenty in number : Each Pillar was set in a base of brasse distant from each other five cubits , counting from the middle of one Pillar to another . So that the twenty made a length of an hundred cubits : in each Pillar was strucke a hooke of silver , and each Pillar had a border of silver wrought about it . Thus were they on the South side , just so were they on the North . At the West end , 35. cubits from the house were set ten Pillars in the same manner and distance , making the breadth of the Cou●t fifty cubits at either end , for just in the middle , the house tooke up ten cubits breadth : just so were the Pillars set at the East end , at the same distance from the house , and from one another . On the sides upon the hookes of the Pillars were hangings fastned , made of linnen well twisted , of an hundred cubits in length and five in height , at the west end were the like , just halfe so long , and just so high : At the East end there was some difference , for that had three peeces to make it up . On either side of the entrance was a peece hung of fifteene cubits long , and of the same height : Just in the middle was a peece of twenty cubits long ; of the same height with the other hangings , but of more rich stuffe ; for whereas the other were made onely of linnen , this was of the same stuffe that the rich c●rtaines were , curiously wrought with the needle . To fasten these hangings that they might not flie up in the lower end , there were cords fastned to them , and these cords tied to brasen pins , which pins were fastned in the ground , and so made all sure . Thus were also the curtaines that covered the house served with pins of the same metall , with cords fastned to them in like manner , to prevent the like inconvenience . So was the Court called the Court of the people , because into this the people had entrance , as well as the Priests and Levites . SECT. XLIII . Of the Altar of Burnt Offerings . IN the Court of the people stood the Altar of burnt sacrifice up toward the Tabernacle , that the people might stand to beho d the sacrifice offered , with their faces toward the holy place ; onely the Laver stood above the Altar betweene it and the Tab●●nacle . This Altar was made of Shittim wood , five cubits or two yards and a halfe long , and as much broad , and one yard and a halfe high , thus made : First a strong frame like the frame of a Table of these dimensions : The open places in the frame were made up with boards . All this bulke was overlaid with brasse , at each corner was a horne made of the same wood and peece that each corner post was of . Thus stood it hollow , and within the hollow , just in the middle betweene bottome and top , was set a brasen grate , made in manner of a net , that the Ashes might fall through ; upon this grate the fire burnt continually and never went out . At each corner of this grate was a brasen ring , which at each corner came through the Altar frame and hung out of the frame ; in these rings were ●●aves of Shittim wood overlaid with brasse , put , which made the frame , and the grate sure together , and so were they also carried together . To this Altar belonged divers appurtenances made of brasse : As first brasen Pans , in which they carried forth the Ashes of the Altar . As also brasen shovels to scrape the Ashes together . Then brasen bason● wherein to take the blood of the sacrifice : Brasen hookes , with which they turned the burning peeces into the fire if any part lay out , that so every part might bee surely burnt . Lastly , brasen dishes or Censors , in which the Priests took burning coales from the Altar to carry into the Holy place , there to offer incense . SECT. XLIIII . Of the Laver for water . IN this court also stood a vessell of brasse , upon a foot or base of brasse , in which vessell water was kept for the Priests washing themselves , &c. The forme of this is not expressed in the Text , therefore we will looke onely at the matter and the end . This vessell was made of brazen bright peeces , which the women used to looke their faces in : and out of this piece water was taken when a suspected woman was to be tryed . The end why this was set so nigh the Altar was , that the Priests might wash themselves when they went about the service of the Tabernacle , and that they might wash some part of the sacrifices . This Laver fitly resembled the water of Baptisme that admits us to sacred Mysteries , and chiefely the blood of Christ that cleanseth us from al filthinesse of flesh and spirit . SECT. XLVI . High Priests Garments . NExt unto his flesh he had a coate wrought checker worke , this reacht downe to his heeles : such a coate as this each one of his sonnes had , Exod. 39. 27. This was made of fine linnen : and it was girded to him about his loynes , with a needle-wrought girdle , of divers colours . About this he put another coate , called the coate of the Ephod , because the Ephod , being put upon this did gird it . This coate was all of one stuffe and colour , namely of fine yarne dyed purple . This coate he put not on after the ordinary fashion of putting on coates which were open before , but this he put on like a Surplesse , over his head , for it had a hole in the top wherethrough he put his head , and this hole w●s edged about with an edging of the same stuffe woven in , that the hole should not rent . At the skirts of this coate , were made Pomegranates of linnen and woollen of divers colours , and Bells of gold , so that there were a Bell and a Pomegranate , a Bell and a Pomegranate , round about : This coate was not so long as the under coate , for then the Bells would have drawne on the ground , and would not have beene heard , which to have missed had beene death to Aaron : this represented to the Priests , that the sound of good doctrine , and fruit of good living , must alwayes be about them , as these Bells and Pomegranates : This coate also did fitly resemble Christs humane nature . First , as this was of one stuffe without mixture , so that , without corruption . Secondly , as this was put on after an extraordinary manner , so Christ put on humanity by an extraordinary conception and generation . Thirdly , as was the edge about the hole to keepe it from renting , such was the unseparable union of Christs two natures . Fourthly , as were the Bells and Pomegranates , such were his life and doctrine . SECT. XLVII . High Priests Ephod. ABove this he put the Ephod , the materialls of which were fine yarne or threds dyed blew , and purple , and scarlet , and with every thred of these , was twisted a thred of gold , fitly shewing the purity and holinesse of the Priest in every action , as also most fitly resembling the lustre of the deity shining in each of Christs humane actions . The word Ephod , doth generally signifie any thing that girdeth a man , so the word originally signifies . More particularly it betokens garments or other things used in divine servic● : So Samuel ministred before Eli in a linnen Ephod , or a linnen coate girded to him . So David when he brought up the Arke to Jerusalem , being desirous to be as Priest-like as he might , he was cloathed with such a garment , a linnen Ephod : So the abomination which Gideon made Judg. 8. 27. is called an Ephod. Because he made it to resemble that Ephod which he had seene upon the High Priest at Shiloh . Most especially the Ephod signifies the upmost garment of the High Priest when he served at the Altar or Tabernacle . The forme of this was somewhat like the aprons which some workemen weare , tyed over their shoulders and covering their breast : Such was this , a rich piece of stuffe , of the materialls before named , the breadth of the Priests breast ; at either side it had a shoulder peece of the same peece , which went over the Priests shoulders and were fastned behinde one to another : Before his breast the peece came downe to his paps , and there was the lower edge of it , upon which was woven a peece to gird it withall , of the same stuffe and peece , so that it was girded over his paps or heart ; whence John speaketh , when he saith , he saw Christ girded about the Paps with a golden girdle , Apoc. 1. 13. Upon the shoulder pe●ces were two precious s●ones set in ouches of gold , one on the one side , and another on the other . The stones were {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} or Beryll , vulgarly Onyx , the stone which among the twelve belonged to Joseph . In these two stones were ingraven the names of the twelve Tribes of Israel , ●ixe on one and ●ixe on another . Thus when the Priest appeared before the Lord , he bare the charge of all Israel upon his shoulders : A full resemblance of Christ . Upon the shoulder peeces likewise were two bosses of gold neere to these stones , unto which the gold chaines that tyed the Breast-plate to the Ephod , were made so fast that they might not part one from another . Thus was the curious worke of the Ephod , with its girdle and other appurtenances , a full signification of the pr●ciousnesse , and yet heavy charge of the Priesthood . SECT. XLVIII . The Breast-plate . VPon the Ephod was the Breast-plate fastned ; it was called the Breast-plate of Judgement , because from it God answered by Urim and Thummim , Numb. 27. 21. The materials of this were the same that the Ephods were , viz. Fine yarne or thread , of various colours , and a thread of gold twisted with each , which thread woven together , made as it were cloath of gold . This Breast-plate was of this clo●th , of such a peece , as when it was foulded double , was a just square of a span every way : Thus as the best part of all the Tabernacle , viz. the most holy , was a perfect square , so is the best peece of Aarons garments . This peece was double , because of the weight of the ston●s in it , which required that it should be stro●g . In this peece were twelve precious stones , set in foure rowes , three in a row , every stone bearing upon it the Name of a Tribe . First , 1 Reuben , 2 Simeon , 3 Levi. Second , 1 Judah , 2 Issachar , 3 Zabulun . Third , 1 Dan , 2 Naphthali , 3 G●d . Fourth , 1 Asher , 2 Joseph , 3 Benjamin . SECT. XLIX . Of the Urim and Thummim . THat Urim and Thummim should be nothing but the name Jehovah written and put into the Breast-plate , as some have held , ●avours more of exorcisme than a divine Oracle . Or that the lustre , or dimnesse of the twelve stones should be the Oracle , as others , is as strange a fancy as the former , if we consider the particulars of Answers that have beene given : As among others , that of Davids , Whither shall I goe ? the Vrim answered , to Hebron . This impossibility others having espyed , have averred that the Vrim consisted of the names of Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob , and the Twelve Tribes , and that when a question was asked , the letters that served to give the answer , either rose up above the others , or else met strangely together , and made words to give an answer . But if the letter T●th were to be spelled in the answer , where was it to be had ? Leaving then these and other conjectures , let us see what light the Scripture will give us concerning these things . First , Urim and Thummim were not two things , but one and the same thing , and for this reason , they are called sometime by by a single name , Num. 27. 21. 1 Sam. 28. 6. &c. Secondly , the stones in the High Priests breast-plate , are called the Urim and Thummim , Exod. 28. 30. Thirdly , when God answered by Urim and Thummim , the a●swer was not given by any appearance in the stones , but by the mouth of the Priest . Num. 27. 21. Fourthly , the Priest when he was to receive his answer , was to have the Ephod on , 1 Sam. 23. 9. Lastly , the Priest when he was to receive an answer , stood b●fore the Arke , Judg. 20. 27. 28. The manner then of inquiring of the Lord by Urim and Thummim , was thus . The things to be inquired of must be of weight and generality : for the stones represented the Judgement of all the people , Exod. 28. 30. therefore the inquiry by them must concerne the generall : Such was the generall question at Shiloh , Judg. 1. 2. Who shall first set upon the Canaanites ? Such was that of all Israel : Shall I goe up against my Brother Benjamin ? Judg. 20. 23. and divers others . When such a scruple was to be resolved , it was told to the High Priest what he should aske : So did David wish Abin●tech the High Priest at Nob to enquire whether his journey should prosper , 1 Sam. 22. 10. So did the Danites to the fained Idolatrous High Priest , Judg. 18. 5. The Priest knowing what to aske , put on the Ephod and Breast-plate , which hung unseparably at it . This doe Davids words meane , when he saith to Abiathar the Priest , Bring hither the Ephod , 1 Sam. 23. 9. And for this it was that Abiathar made sure of the Ephod , when he fled from bleeding Nob , 1 Sam. 23. 6. Without the stones on his breast , the Priest enquired not : for the stones represented Israel , and when the Priest brought them before the Lord , he brought as it were Israel and their matters before him . To goe without these was to goe without his errand . If Sauls conscience could have told him of no other cause whyGod would not answer him , as it might many , yet he might see this to be one reason undoubted , viz. Because though he had the Arke neare him , yet had he neither High Priest nor Ephod ; and seeing his crosse in this that he could not be answered , his conscience might tell him what he did when he slew the Priests of the Lord . When the Priest knew what to enquire about , and had put on these habiliments , he went and stood before the Arke of the Lord , and enquired about the matter , and the Lord answered him from off the Propitiatory from betweene the Cherubims , and so the Priest answered the People . Now there was some difference in the Priests manner of inquiring , according to the scituation of the Arke , when the Tabernacle was up , the Priest went into the holy Place , and stood close by the vaile which parted the holy from the most holy , and there inquired , and God from betweene the Cherubims which were within the vaile , gave him an answer . But when the Tabernacle was downe , or the Arke distant from the Tabernacle , travelling up and downe , then did the Priest in his Robes stand before the Arke , as it stood covered with the curtaines , and enquired , and the answer was given him , in behalfe of Israel whom God saw on his breast : For this reason the stones , for whose sakes the perfect light of resolution was given , are called the perfect light or Urim and Thummim , and the answer given from the Priests month is called the answer by Urim and Thummim . David once enquired of the Priest , having the Ephod , but wanting the Arke , and God answered him , and shewed him that God was not bound to meanes . On the contrary Saul once enquired of the Arke , wanting the Ephod , and God answered him not , shewing him how God honoured his Priests whom Saul had dishonoured , even to the Sword . Thus have we seene the Breast-plates forme , richnesse and glory . Forme , fouresquare a span every way : the richnesse , it was set with twelve precious stones : the glory , that for the sake of these stones , that is , for their sakes whose names these stones bare , God revealed secrets to his people . See this breast-plate fastned to the Ephod , and you see Aaron the High Priest arrayed in his glorious garments . At each corner of the breast-plate , was a golden ring fastned . On the upper side of the piece , just upon the edge , was layd a little golden chaine , which ran like an edging lace upon the edge , and was brought through the two rings which were at either corner one , and the ends of the chaines were made fast to bosses or loopes of gold which were on the shoulder peeces of the Ephod by the Onyx stones . At the lower edge of the breast-plate was an edging chaine , carried just in the same manner that the other was , through two gold rings , and the chaines tyed to the embroidered girdle of the Ephod , as the other were to the shoulder peeces . Breast-plate and Ephod might not be parted , no more then might the Staves and Arke . SECT. L. The erection of the Tabernacle . IN the yeare of the World two thousand five hundred and fourteene , which was the second yeare current of Israels departure out of Aegypt , in the moneth Abi● , or the first moneth Stilo novo , in the first day of the moneth , Moses set up the Sanctuary under mount Sinai , and this was the manner of his setting it up . Hee laid the silver foundations in their rankes , and in them he set up the plankes and strengthened them with the five barres , linking them also together at the top with a golden haspe . He set up the foure Pillars in the house whereon to hang the vaile , and the five pillars at the East end whereon to hang that vaile also . He set the Arke in the most holy place , hanging up the vaile before it . In the holy place he set the Table and Shew-bread on the North side , and the Candlesticke on the South , and the Altar of perfume , just in the middle betwixt them : And at the East end he hung up the vaile to keepe these things from vulgar eyes . The Altar and Laver he set up before the entrance , and incompassed them , and the Tabernacle it sel●e with a pale of hangings round about . Thus was the Sanctuary erected , and was lovely to them that beheld it , being the glory and the strength of Israel . Then did the cloud of glory flit from off the Tent of Moses , and lighted upon the Sanctuary , and dwelt there more gloriously then on the other . And thus endeth Exodus in a cloud , under which we are to looke for a more perfect Tabernacle , not made with hands , nor of this building , in which the God-head ●hould dwell bodily . FINIS . Judico Libellum hunc ( cui titulus , A Handfull of Gleanings out of the Booke of Exodus ) insigni doctrina refertum , summa cum utilitate imprimendum . Ja. Cranford . 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