Purchas his pilgrimage. Or Relations of the vvorld and the religions obserued in all ages and places discouered, from the Creation vnto this present In foure partes. This first containeth a theologicall and geographicall historie of Asia, Africa, and America, with the ilands adiacent. Declaring the ancient religions before the Floud ... With briefe descriptions of the countries, nations, states, discoueries, priuate and publike customes, and the most remarkable rarities of nature, or humane industrie, in the same. By Samuel Purchas, minister at Estwood in Essex.

CHAP III.

Of the Religious places of the Israelites.

IN the discouery of their ancient Religion, it seemeth fittest to discourse first of places, secondly of times, thirdly, of Rites, fourthly of Per∣sons consecrated to Religion. And first, of the first. Neither were the first men, * 1.1 nor first Hebrewes, very religious in this point of dedi∣cating places to religion; as appeareth in Histories both holy and prophane: and if for some vision, made vnto them in some places, they did for a time hallow the same with Altars, and Sacrifices: yet neither were they alway, or onely thus esteemed. But He, whose is the earth and all that therein is, did by his law appoint, as it were, a place of his residence amongst these, whom he had chosen for his owne people: and commanded them to erect a Tabernacle in the wildernesse, fitting that their peregrination. Afterward Salomon built him a house in Ierusalem: which therefore is called the holy Citie and the Citie of the great King.

The Tabernacle (a moueable Temple that might bee taken asunder, and ioyned together againe) was, by Gods commandement, erected in the wildernesse, in the same manner, and of the same matter, which God had both commanded and shewed to Moses in the Mount; the matter and forme whereof, with all that thereunto appertained; the Arke, the Candlesticke, the Altar, &c. in the booke of Eoeodus are liuely declared. It was after (as we reade in the booke of a 1.2 Ioshua with great solem∣nitie carried miraculously thorow Iordan, by the Leuites deputed to that seruice: and, after their conquest of the Countrey, b 1.3 placed in Shilo, a Citie of Ephraim. There did Ioshua diuide the Land to her new conquerours: there were their solemne assemblies for state and religion. In the time of Helt they remoued the Arke from the Tabernacle into the armie, which they had gathered against the Philistims;

of whom the Arke was taken. The Tabernacle, in the time of Saul, was carried to Nob, and, in the time of Dauid, to Gibeon, where Salomon offered a thousand burnt offerings. The Philistims forced by Diuine iudgements, sent backe the Arke, receiued by the Bethsamites, curious to their cost, it was after placed in Kiriath-Iarim, in the house of Aminadab, next of Obed-Edam, and then by Dauid in the place, which he had fitted for the same in Ierusalem; whence it was remoued into the Temple, which Salomon had built: where it was till the time of the deportation: in which time c 1.4 it was hidden by Ieremie the Prophet. But that Author is beholden to the Councell of Trent for his credit, the Iewes themselues in that point, not beleeuing him; d 1.5 who affirme, that the second Temple came short of the former, by the want of the fire from heauen, of the Arke, of the Vrim and Thummim, of the succession of Prophets, and the glorie of God betweene the Cherubims.

The Temple was built on Mount Moriah by Salomon, according to the e 1.6 paterne, which he had receiued of Dauid: to which worke he had gathered a greater masse of wealth, then easily we shall reade of in the Persian, Greeke, Roman, or any other Chri∣stian, Turkish, or Heathen Empire; f 1.7 namely, 100000. talents of gold; 1000000. ta∣lents of siluer, and afterward 3000, talents of gold, and 7000. talents of siluer: to which was added, by the offerings of the Princes, 10000. talents of siluer, and more then 5000. talents of gold, besides iewels, and brasse, and iron, without weight, with Cedars and stones without number. The gold alone amounteth after the common computation of the common talent, at 6000. crownes, to sixe hundred fortie eight millions of crownes, and vpwards; the siluer to about the same summe.

This beautifull frame I should deforme with my description, if (after a double narration of all the parts; forme, and contents thereof in the Historie of the Bible) I should recite the particulars. This Temple, fleeced by some, repaired by others, con∣tinued in varietie of state, till the sacking and ruine of it, together with the Citie by Nabuchodonosor. And after their returne, by the edict of Cyrus, and other the Persian Kings, it was rebuilded (but farre inferiour in glorie) in the space, as the Iewes say, g 1.8 vnto Christ, of six and fortie yeares: after others it was longer in hand, by reason of impediments from their cauilling, and malicious neighbours. This second Temple ha∣uing receiued accesse of magnificence in succession of times, was spoiled and polluted vnder Antiochus, who dedicated the same to Iupiter Olympius; but being freed and dedicated anew by Maccabaeus, it recouered great part of the former beautie; till as h 1.9 Iosephus saith, and his abbreuiator Iosippus, it was pulled downe by Herod, and built anew. Herein both that allegation of the Iewes of sixe and fortie yeares, is against this assertion of Iosephus, and the Historie also of Hegesippus i 1.10 who reporteth that he only compassed the circuit about the Temple with a wall, and beautified the same with costly buildings, erected from the foundation the porches about the Sanctuarie, and fortified it with the castle Antonia.

Chrysostome k 1.11 vnderstands those words, of the Iewes, Forty and sixe yeares was this Temple a building, of the Herodian, Temple: and herein l 1.12 Hospinian, and the great Car∣dinall Baronius follow him: accounting exclusiuely from the eighteenth yeare of He∣rods reigne, which Functins reckoneth A. M. 3947. to the yeare 3992. in which Iohn Baptised, and CHRIST vttered these words: in all which they coniecture that somewhat was still a doing about the new building thereof, although the principall part thereof was performed and finished by Herod in eight yeares. This they gather by Iosephus his owne testimonie, that the building continued till the time of Nero, and in an other place, where he affirmeth that the East porch, which Luke cals m 1.13 Sa∣lomons porch, was still remaining of the ancient building, in the dayes of Nero, and elsewhere, that Herod repaired the Temple. * 1.14 Iosephus is therefore herein contrarie to the truth, and himselfe. Neither doe the Iewes in the Talmud speake of any third Temple: nor can the Prophecie of * 1.15 Haggaus bee fulfilled, that the glorie of the se∣cond Temple should exceed the glorie of the former; if CHRIST (of whose comming it is interpreted) had not by his presence, preaching, and miracles, not onely supplied the defects (before mentioned) but made it surmount the other in effects of Maiestie

and glorie. And the zeale vnto this testimonie, not the meanest which the Christian Veritie * 1.16 vrgeth against the Iewish Incredulitie and Apostasie, which is necessarily demonstrated and euinced, whiles yet they continue their vaine hopes of a Messias, so many Ages after the desolation of that Temple whereof Aggee prophecied, hath caused me to vse so many words in this matter. But to satisfie the fancies of great men, their great workes are commonly made greater: For howsoeuer it was very great in it selfe, that Herod should haue, eight yeares together, many workemen at worke (which Iosephus numbreth for some part of the time tenne thousand and a thousand Priests) yet sustaining, no doubt, some intermission after his time, either wholly, or in part, it could not be so great as to haue accomplished it wholly from the foundation, wherein Salomon spent seuen yeares: and besides, what any of the naturall Israelites performed in this worke, hee imployed an hun∣dred three and fiftie thousand and sixe hundred workemen of the Strangers or Fo∣rainers found in the Countrey. And whereas the second Temple was but halfe the height of the former, perhaps it is true, that (according to Iosephus) he perfected it to that height of an hundred and twentie cubites, whereof twentie cubites sanke downe in the setling of the foundations. It was builded by Herod of white stones fiue and twentie cubites long, eight thicke, and twelue broad. He that would fur∣ther reade the particulars, let him haue recourse to Iosephus in his fifteenth booke of Antiquities. This Temple was burned by Titus, in the sacke of the Citie, the same day that before it had beene fired by the Chaldaeans. Adrian the Emperour n 1.17 did after destroy the Reliques thereof, that a stone was not left vpon a stone, and there, in the same place, dedicated another Temple to Iupiter, that former being ouer∣whelmed with earth. Iulian gaue leaue to the Iewes to reedifie the Temple, in des∣pight of Christian Religion, and contributed frankely thereto: but Ammianus Marcellinus o 1.18 , a Heathen Writer, witnesseth, That fire issued out of the Earth, * 1.19 and burnt both worke and workemen: when as an Earthquake (which had before, sayth p 1.20 Sozomen, killed a great many, in the very attempting of this Worke) could not deterre them from proceeding in their purpose: and Crosses, miraculously fallen on the garments of many, did both teach them to forsake their Iudaisme, and to be∣come Christians.

Chrysostome q 1.21 mentioneth this, and saith, that vnder Adrian the Iewes sought to recouer their libertie, and lost their Countrey, Vnder Constantine they attempted the like, who therefore cut off their eares, and branded their bodies for rebels, as the elder of you (saith he to his Auditors) do know. And in our dayes, about twentie yeares since, Iulian the Emperour was at great expences, appointed officers, sent for worke-men from all places, thinking to frustrate CHRISTS Prophecie concerning the Temple, and to bring the Iewes to Idolatrie. But so soone as they had attempted this businesse, and bared the foundation, had drawne forth the earth, and were now readie to begin their building; a fire burst forth from the foundations, and burnt ma∣ny, which caused them to cease. And if you now go to Ierusalem, you may see the foundations naked: Hereof we all are witnesses. Neither did this happen vnder Chri∣stian Emperours, lest any should impute it to the Christians, but vnder an Ethnike, when Christianitie was persecuted. Thus much in effect, Chrysostome. Gregorie Na∣zianzen * 1.22 also testifieth the same, affirming that the Earth (as it were taking a Vomit from the Diuine hand) spued out the stones, which yet till this day had continued therein, and dispersed them to the great damage of the neighbour buildings.

Other holy places they had which the Scripture mentioneth as high places, which were high hils, or other open and loftie places, shaded for the most part with Trees: the Prophets inuey against them, and r 1.23 they were commanded to be destroyed, toge∣ther with the Groues: some yet were permitted, either by extraordinarie commaund for a time, as to Gedeon s 1.24 and to Manoab t 1.25 ; or because of the Tabernaclent Gibeon, or of the Arke at Ierusalem. The not reforming this toleration of high places is rec∣koned as an eclipse of Iehoshaphats and Asas glorie; which Ezekiuh and Iosiah quite remoued and polluted. These high and open places, it seemeth, were consecrated, as

fitting to the celestiall bodies; to which, and to Baal (who is interpreted the Sunne) they vsed for the most part on them to sacrifice. They had also their Houses and Tem∣ples for Baal, in Israel and Iuda; and Dan and Bethel were by Ieroboam dedicated to his Aegyptian Idolatrie: and Gilgal was a place of request in this kinde. Salomon also built Temples or Houses for his idolatrous wiues. And to reckon euery particular in this kinde were a worke endlesse: in the 2.Reg.17. & 23. and other places ynough is of them recorded.

Two other Temples were erected of some reputation: one by Sanballat at Sama∣ria, on Mount Garizin, by licence obtained of Alexander the Great, whose part he followed, rebelling against Darius his true Lord. The occasion was, because Ma∣nasses, brother of Iaddi the High Priest, had married, contrarie to GODS Law, Ni∣caso u 1.26 daughter of Sanballat, and was forced either to leaue his Priestly Function or Heathenish bed. Whereupon Sanballat, hauing obtained licence to build that Tem∣ple aforesaid, constituted him the high Priest thereof, many other Priests for the like fault, resorting thither to him. But of these Samaritans we shall haue fitter occasion to say more when we come to handle their Sects.

Ptolomaeus Philometor x 1.27 abouesaid, graunted licence to Onias (the sonne of the high Priest Onias, whom Antiochus had slaine) who for the same cause had here shrowded himselfe, to build a Temple, induced herevnto by a false interpretation of the prophecie of Esay, * 1.28 at Leontopolis, in the shire, as I may terme it, or nomus of Heliopolis: hauing Priests and Leuites ministring therein, and other things answe∣ring in some sort to that of Ierusalem. When the Temple of Ierusalem was burnt by Titus, this Temple was shut vp also of Lupus, the Deputy, three hundred and thirtie yeares after it had been builded: and after by his successour Paulinus vtterly dispoi∣led both of the wealth and the religion. The Citie was called of Onias, Onion. a 1.29 It had a Tower and an Altar like that of Ierusalem, but in steade of a candlesticke, a lampe of golde hanging on a chaine of golde, enriched by the king with large re∣uenues.

Synagogues the Iewes had many, both in Ierusalem where are said to haue been foure hundred and fourescore, and in all cities of Iudea, and among the Gentiles where the Iewes were dispersed. When they first began to be builded, is vncertaine. Cornelius Betramus thinketh, That the eight and fortie Cities of the Leuites had their fit places for Assemblies, whence Synagogues had beginning. b 1.30 Sigonius coniectu∣reth, That their Babylonian exile ministred occasion to them to helpe themselues with these Houses of Prayer and Instruction. The word Synagogue c 1.31 is taken both for the Assemblies, whether in this place, or out of it, and for the Place it selfe; ha∣uing a ciuill as well as a religious vse. And these Synagogues they haue in the places of their dispersion vnto this day. The order they obserued in their Synagogues was this: they disputed and preached sitting; * 1.32 the Elders sat in Chaires which were set in order, of which CHRIST sayth, They loue the chiefe Seats in Synagogues: those of meaner sort sate in Seates, and the meanest of all on the floore vpon Mats. The Synagogue was gouerned by the Scribes, and the chiefe of them called Archisynagogus, resembling the High Priest and the inferior Priests in the Temple.

Besides these Temples and Houses consecrated to GOD, Ambition, the Ape of Deuotion, founded some of other nature. Herod the Great erected a sumptuous Tem∣ple and Citie in the honour of Caesar, which sometime had beene called Stratonis tur∣ris. and after Caesarea. The Temple of Caesar, was conspicuous to them which sayled farre off in the Sea, and there in were two Statues, one of Rome, the other of Caesar. The sumptuousnesse of Herods ambition in this Citie, Temple, Theater, and Amphi∣theater, &c. Iosephus amply describeth. d 1.33 He built another Temple at Pahiuni, the fountaine of Iordan, in honour of Caesar; and least this should stirre vp the peoples hearts against him to see him thus deuoutly prophane and prophanely deuout, he re∣mitted to them the third part of the tributes. Hee consecrated Gaines, after the like Heathenish solemnitie, in honour of Caesar. to be celebrated euery fift yeare at Caesarea. He built also the Pythian Temple at Rhodes of his owne cost. He gaue yearely

reuenue to the Olympian Games, for maintenance of the Sacrifices and solemnitie thereof: Quis in rapacitate auarior? Quis in largitione effusior? He robbed his owne to enrich (or rather vainely to lauish out on) others. He spared not the sepulchres of the dead. For the Sepulchre of Dauid had lent before to Hyrcanus three thousand talents of siluer; which filled him with hope of the like spoyle: and entring it with his choice friends, he found no money but precious clothes; and whiles he in a couetous curio∣sitie searched further, he lost two of his companie, by flame (as fame went) breaking out vpon them. Hereupon he left the place, and, in recompence, in the entrie of the Sepulchre, built a monument of white Marble.

He built also e 1.34 Sebaste in the Region of Samaria, wherein he erected a Temple, and dedicated a Court of three furlongs and a halfe of ground before it, to Caesar. Thus Caesar was made a God by him, who would not allow CHRIST a place among men, but, that he might kill him, spared not the infants of Bethleem, no not his owne sonne amongst the rest, as this his GOD iested of him f 1.35 , saying, That he had rather be He∣rods Hogge then his Sonne. For his Iewish deuotion prohibited him to deale with Swine, but not Religion, not Reason, not Nature could protect those innocents from slaughter.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hosplnian.de Templis cap.1.
• a 1.2

  Iosh.3.14. 15.
• b 1.3

  ••os••.18.1.
• c 1.4

  2.Maccb.2.5.
• d 1.5

  R. Samuel in lib. Sanhedrim. Hierosol. cap. Ellu hen baggol. Pet. Galatin. l.4. Genebrard. lu Chron.
• e 1.6

  I. Chron. 28. 11.12.
• f 1.7

  I.Chron.22. 14.
• g 1.8

  Ioh. 2.20.
• h 1.9

  Ios.Antiq. lib. 12. Iosipp. debel Iud.
• i 1.10

  Egesip. lib. I.
• k 1.11

  Chrysostom. in Ican. hom.22.
• l 1.12

  Hospinian. de Tem. cap.3. Caesar Baron. To.1. Annal. An.31.
• m 1.13

  Act.5. 12.
• * 1.14

  Ies. de bells Iud.lib.1.c.16.
• * 1.15

  Hag.2.10.
• * 1.16

  Morn. deve∣rit.Christ. Relig
• n 1.17

  Dion Nicaeud in Adriano.
• o 1.18

  Amm. Mar∣cellinus, lib. 23.
• * 1.19

  Metuendi slammaruns globi prope sun∣damenta crobris assultibus erum∣pentes, secere lo∣cum exustis ali∣quoties operan∣tib••, inaccessum.
• p 1.20

  Sozomen. li. 5.
• q 1.21

  Chrys. hom.3. contra Iudeos.
• * 1.22

  Greg. Naz. orat.1. in Iulian.
• r 1.23

  Deut.12.3.
• s 1.24

  Ind.6.24.
• t 1.25

  Iud.13.19.
• u 1.26

  Ios.Ant.l.11.
• x 1.27

  Ios.Ant.l.13. 6.
• * 1.28

  Esay 19.19
• a 1.29

  Ios.l.7.c.30. de Bel.Iud.
• b 1.30

  Car.Sig.l.2.c.8
• c 1.31

  Erastus de excommunicat. Thesis.
• * 1.32

  Ambros••in.1.Cor.14.
• d 1.33

  Ant.l.15.13••
• e 1.34

  Ios.de Bell. Iud.l.1.c.16.
• f 1.35

  Macrob. Sa∣turn.l.2.