This text has been selected for inclusion in the EEBO-TCP: Navigations collection, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication ( http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
§ 1. BE it premised,* 1.1 that many difficulties in this subject have been caused by mens unwary confounding of the severall natures of the gates in Ierusalem, which for the clearing of the truth, must carefully be distinguished into four sorts, in sundry places serving for different em∣ployments.
Gates
§ 2. Begin we with the Sheep-gate on the east of Ierusalem,* 1.5 ind 1.6 Nehemi∣ahs time owing the reparation thereof to Eli••shib the high Priest, and his brethren. Through this gate the sheep were driven in, and all other cat∣tell designed for sacrifice, as the nearest way to the Temple.
§ 3. Next followeth the Golden-gate (not mentioned in Scripture,* 1.7 but mee••ly depending one 1.8 humane authority,) so called because gilt all over, vulgar beholders (who carry no touchstones in their eyes) ac∣counting all massie gold which is richly gilded. Popishf 1.9 authours adde that when our Saviour in an humble but solemn equipage rode on an Asse colt to the Temple, this gate opened unto him of its own accord: a prety proportionable fiction. For, if theg 1.10 Iron-gate opened to Peter a Di∣sciple, no less then a Golden-gate could offer entrance to Christ his Master. Onely here's the difference, we receive the one as recorded in Scripture, and re••u••e the other as not reported therein, especially our Saviour ha∣ving ••o fair an occasion to make mention thereof. For when the Pha∣risees questioned him for not silencing the Childrens Hosa••a••s, and when he returned, th••t if theyh 1.11 should hold their peace, the stones would immedi∣ately ••ry out, how easie had it been for him to adde, that the very walls of the City had already opened their mouthes (their gates) to receiv•• him?
§ 4. Thirdly,* 1.12 the Horse-gate by the Kings palace, through which the grooms brought the Kings hor••••s, to water them in the brook of Kidron, yet some erroneously make this the same with the Water-gate. The Pro∣phet points at the exact position thereof towardsb 1.13 the east, and we finde the mention, but not the reedifying of this gate ini 1.14 Nehemiah; a Presum∣p••ion, that it was not so ruinous as the rest, and not needing much repa∣ration. As for 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who cryed Treason, Treason, (the fox the finder) when she was the greatest Traitour herself: on thek 1.15 Comparing of Scripture it will appear that the Horse-gate whereat she was killed, was not this City gate, but another so named leading from the Temple to the the Kings Palace▪
§ 5. Fourthly,* 1.16 the Water-gate, In a fall, or declivity of ground,l 1.17 full east. So called, because thereat▪ all the ••ewers, channels, and water-courses of the City, flowed out, and ran into the brook Cedron▪ No mention in Nehemiah of the repairing hereof, for the reason aforesaid. Indeed, if in his time the Iews had de no vo, from the very ground begun the building of the walls, and gates thereof, it had been impossible, they could have finished that workm 1.18 in two and fifty days. Whereby it appears, they onely mended those places, which were most in dilapidation. This was the East∣gate, emphatically so calledn 1.19 by the Prophet, and opened into the valley of the children of Hinnom.
§ 6. Thus far the gates on the east of Ierusalem. On the south thereof▪* 1.20 where Sion (or the City of David) lay, we meet with no gates at all, the precipice of the rock affording no passable ascent on that side, so that men must goe first through Ierusalem, and then into Sion. I dare not say that herein Ierusalem was a type of the Militant, as Sion (more mounted) of the Triumphant Church, although there be no access for those which are without into the happiness of the latter, but by taking the holiness of the former in their passage thereunto.
§ 7. Come we now to the west, in the southermost part whereof, we light on the Fountain-gate,* 1.21 near the pool of Shiloah whence it took itso 1.22 name, nigh to which on the inside, were thosep 1.23 stately staires, whereby men went up to the City of David. This gate was in Nehemiahs time repaired byq 1.24 Shallum the Son of Col-hozeh.
§ 8. Next to this the Dung-gate.* 1.25 A gate in greatness, though but a postern for the private use thereof, through which the offall, and excre∣ments of the City were conveyed. Appliable to this place, is that which ther 1.26 Apostle speaketh, of some parts of the body▪ Nay, much more thos•• members of the body, which seem to be feeble, are necessary. This gate, though of small honour, was of great use, and all Ierusalem had been a Dung-City▪ but for the Dung-gate. Yea, the noisomer soile carried out hereat, and conveyed hence into the gardens thereabouts, was by natures Chymistry converted into wholesome herbs, and fragrant flowers growing there. The Dung-gate in the days of Nehemiah, was set up, with the doors, locks, and bars thereof, bys 1.27 Malchiah the son of Rechab.
§ 9. Next follows the Valley-gate,* 1.28 commonly but wrongfully placed on the east side of the City; chiefly on this account, because the valley of Kidron lyeth on that side thereof. As if this valley alone was near Ierusa••¦lem, which by the Psalmist is describedt 1.29 with the mountains round about it, and so by necessary consequence must be surrounded with vallies inter∣posed betwixt it and those mountains▪ This gate stood in the north-west▪ opening into the valley of Carcases, lying betwixt it, and Mount Calvary. Here Nehemiah began,u 1.30 and ended his surveying the ruins of the walls▪ going by night, because loth to be seen, and loth to see so sad a sight. This valley-gate was in his time repaired byw 1.31 Hanun and the inhabitants of Za∣noah.
§ 10. Having thus surveyed the east,* 1.32 south and west, come we now to the northern part of the City. Where, first, we finde the Corner-gate, whose angular position speaks it to participate of two points, being seated in the very flexure of the wall from the east to the north. It was distanced from the gate of Ephraim just four hundred cubits, all which space of the wall was broken down by Ioasha 1.33 King of Israel when he conquered Amaziah, that his Army might march in triumphantly with the greater state. Pride we see hath not onely an high neck, but also a broad breast (especially when setting her armes by her side) so large a passage must be cleared for her entrance. Afterwards King Uzziah rebuided this gate, and adorned it with towers, yea fortified all theb 1.34 turning of the wall. For, as the elbows of garments ought to be made the strongest, as most sub∣ject to wearing out: so (walls being the cloaths of Cities, without which they are naked) wise Uzziah adjudged it necessary, that this Cor∣ner-gate, and wall bending thereabout, should have most cost and care ex∣pended in the fortification thereof,
§ 11. No mention of the repairing of this gate in Nehemiah,* 1.35 which prompteth us with these conjectures:
§ 12. Next comes the gate of Ephraim.* 1.37 so called, not because standing in, but opening towards the Tribe of Ephraim. I deny not, but that some Ephraimites, after their return from captivity, dwelt ind 1.38 Ierusalem, from whose habitations hard by, this gate might, in probability, bor∣row his name; but prefer the former notation as most naturall. For usuall it is, both for streets and gates, to take their denomination from such places (though at great distance) to which they lead. Witness Ken∣tish-street ine 1.39 South-wark, for that it is the way (saith my authour) leading into that County, the street it self otherwise being in Surrey: and witness Winchester-gate in Sarisbury, so named, because through it travellers pass to Winchester, a City twenty miles off: and (an instance best known to Scholars) Trumpington-street in Cambridge, so called from a village some two miles thence. This gate was probably destroyed, when Ioash King
of Israel entring Ierusalem, brake down four hundred cubits of the wall, from the gate of Ephraim, to the Co••••er-gate, where I conceive, the particle from is to be taken inclusively (so that both the gates were cast into that account) the rather, because Pride, and Cruelty, always, when they make measure, give in the advantage.
§ 13. Next the Old-gate:* 1.40 so called (as Bonsrerius will have it) because extant here, ever since Melchisedec was the founder thereof. If so, it was an Old-old-gate indeed. But, as men having out lived all Registers, ac∣count themselves; so gates having outlasted all memories, are account∣ed by others, more ancient then truely they are. However, no wonder, if in Nehemiahs time the decays of so old a fabrick, called to the charity of* 1.41 Iehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodajah jointly to repair them.
§ 14. Next the Fish-gate.* 1.42 By mistake generally placed in the west wal, meerly because Ioppa on the Mediterranean sea, whence they fancy all fish (as if no moe ways to the water, then one) must come to Ierusalem, lay on the west thereof. Whereas in Scripture we finde no express of fish for mans eating (but one which eat a man, Ionab his Whale) mentioned from thatplace, whilst whole sholes were caught in the Sea of Galilee, or lake of Tiberias, lying north of Ierusalem▪ Indeed Tyre, lying almost full north from this City, was the staple place, which furnished it with fish (as appears inf 1.43 Nehemiah) which through this gate was brought to Ierusalem. Surely, the provisions of any populous place in long time will tire, if onely going on feet, or flying on wings, and not also swimming with fins, having fish as well as flesh and fowl for their repast, as here in Ierusalem. And although no sacrifices of fish were by God appointed to be offered unto him, yet hence the less wholesome∣ness, or cleanness of them cannot justly be inferred; because they were improper for offerings, living in an element wherein men had no con∣versation. This gate wasg 1.44 repaired by the sons of Hassenaah.
§ 15. The gate of Benjamin doth onely remain,* 1.45 he the least in his fathers family, this the last amongst the gates of Ierusalem, standing in the north. east part thereof. Indeed we finde two gates of Benjamin in Ierusalem (two of the same name, in one City, no wonder, the double New-gate in Lon∣don, the later new made postern into Moor-fields may be an instance there∣of) one called the high-gate of Benjamin, where Pashur put theh 1.46 Prophet Ieremy in the stocks, which was by the house of the Lord, and therefore proba∣bly a gate of the Temple. The other was an out-gate of the City leading into the land of Benjamin, whither Ieremy was going to separate himself, when the Captain of thei 1.47 guard in this gate, seised him in his passage, falsly accused him, and occasioned his imprisonment.
§ 16. Here I cannot but wonder at many* 1.48 learned men,* 1.49 who make this Gate of Benjamin, to be the same with the Corner-gate. I deny not but that in many Cities it is usuall, for one and the same gate to have severall
names, as I have learnt from my industrious, and judiciousk 1.50 friend in his description of Canterbury, how Burgate, and Saint Michaels-gate are the same▪ and so Newin-gate, and Saint Georges-gate in that ancient City▪ But the fancy of the foresaid authors, is directly oppossite to the words of thel 1.51 Prophet, foretelling that Ierusalem should be inhabited from Benjamin gate, unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner-gate, &c. where we may behold these two gates, Benjamin, and the Corner-gate, set at terms at great distance, and a considerable space interposed. This gate was not repaired in Nehemiahs time for the reasons formerly alledged.
§ 17. These are all the gates of Ierusalem,* 1.52 whereof express mention in Scripture. Some fancy another, called the Needles-eye, so low, and little onely men might enter thereat. These conceive our Saviours expression, m 1.53 It is easier for a Camel to goe through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man[n 1.54 tru∣sting in his riches] to enter into the kingdome of God, intended this small postern; where, the bunch on the Camels back, was the Porter to shut it against him, for entering in thereat. But, we listen hereunto, as to a fable, and account the threading ofo 1.55 Saint Wilfrides needle, as a conceit (though much later and of a different nature) to have as much gravity, and truth therein.
Four sort•• of Gates in Ieru∣salem.
Act. 12. 10.
Act. 3. 2.
2 Chr. 23. 15.
The Sheep∣gate.
Nehem. 3. 1.
The Golden∣gate.
Br••c. it••. 6. Sal. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 9. c. 4. Breid. 14. Iul▪ Pasch. d. 184.
See Adricho. Theatrum Terr. sanct. p••. ••67.
Act. 11. 9, 10.
Luk. 19. 00.
The Horse-gate.
Ier. 31. 40.
Nhem. 3. 28.
Compare▪ 2 King. 11. 16. with •• Chr. 23. 1••.
The Water∣gate.
Neh. 12. 37.
Neh. 6. 15.
Jer. 19. 2.
Why no gates on the south of Ierusalem.
The Fountain-gate.
Nehem 3. 15.
Neh. 12. 37.
Nehem. 3. 15.
The Dung-gate.
1 Cor. 12. 22.
Nehem. 3. 4.
The Valley-gate.
P••al. 125. 2.
Neh. 2. 13. 15.
Neh. 3. 13.
The Corner∣gate.
2 Chr. 25. 23.
2 Chr. 26. 9.
Why not re∣paired in Ne∣hemiahs time.
For this gate is mentioned Zech. 14. 10.
The gate of Ephraim.
1 Chr. 9. 3.
Stows survey of London. pag. 448.
The Old-gate.
Nehem. 3. 6.
The Fish-gate.
Nehe. 13. 16.
Nehem. 3. 3.
The gate of Benjamin.
Jer. 20. 2.
Jer. 37. 13.
Arias Monta∣nus, Adricho••i∣us, & M. Moor.
A strange mis∣take in learned men.
M. william Sommer in his Antiquitles of Canturbury pa. 16. & 17.
Zech. 14. 10.
The Needles∣eye.
Mat. 19. 24.
Mark. 10. 24.
Camden. in York-shire pag. 700.