A Pisgah-sight of Palestine and the confines thereof with the history of the Old and New Testament acted thereon / by Thomas Fuller ...

CHAP. I. The mean preparations for building this Temple.

§ 1. THe seventy years of the Babylonish captivity expi∣red, God moved the spirit of Cyrus* 1.1 (whose name the Propheta 1.2 mentioneth two hundred years be∣fore his birth) not onely by hisb 1.3 proclamation to permit Gods people, to return to their native Countrey, and thereby to encourage others to contribute necessaries unto them; but also restored the vessels of Solomons making, and furnished them with provisions out of his own Exchequer, for the erection of a second Temple, which came after the former, not moe years in time, then degrees in magnificence. A thing no whit strange, if the disparity betwixt the builders be seriously considered.

§ 2. First,* 1.4 Solomon was an absolute Prince, full of wealth and power, in his peaceable Countrey, where no dog durst bark against him (save two c 1.5 or three whapping curs toward the end of his reign) whilest the buil∣ders of this second Temple were but raw captives, newly returned to their native land, where they met with much disturbance, and con∣stant opposition from their enemies. Wherefore, no such (almost mi∣raculous) silence observed at the second Temple, like that in the first, whereind 1.6 no tool of iron was heard, it being probable, here was knocking of hammers, and (certain) here was clashing of malicious foes agains•• the faithfull Israelites.

§ 3. Secondly,* 1.7 Solomon (though alternately) employed seven scoree 1.8 and ten thousand hewers and burden-bearers, besides three thousand three hundred over∣seers at the building of his Temple; whereas the totall sum, and whole company of this Remnant, or rather, Reversion of the Iews, with their

servantsf 1.9 and maids, exceeded not fifty thousand, not amounting to a full third of the former number. As few the men: so were they ill furni∣shed with all kinde of cattell. And whereas Camels had been necessary creatures to be used by them, for bearing of burdens at this structure, so meanly were they provided therewith, thatg 1.10 Iob a private man, had six times (and after his restoration twelve times) more Camels, then all the whole nation of the Iews had in their possession, when returning from captivity.

§ 4. Thirdly,* 1.11 Solomon had (besides other vast in-comes, and a bank provided by David his Father) the gold of Ophir swimming unto him in the shipsh 1.12 of Tarshish, making their trienniall returns. Whereas no such golden fleet arrived to the building of this second Temple. As for silver, in Solomons time it wasi 1.13 in Ierusalem as stones in abundance; but, in Zorobabels time, silver was as silver in scarcity, and esteem, and the exchange of all coin ran very high in valuation. And, whereas the cost expended by Solomon on his Temple amounted to many thousands ofk 1.14 Talents, unto which are added tenl 1.15 thousand drams of gold (onely as a supernumerary fraction, or odde sum above the entire Talents) the free-will-offering to the second Temple is not at all computed by Talents, which would have disgraced their poor provisions, but (to stick to our new translation) is onely summed up bym 1.16 drams (as the silver not by Talents, but pounds) for the greater grace and credit of their contribution, so small in it self, but large (no doubt) in proportion unto their poor estates.

§ 5. Lastly,* 1.17 here was not (as in the making of the Tabernacle) any Bezaleel, or Aholiab, filled with then 1.18 Spirit of God in all manner of workmanship; no Hiram (as at the building of the Temple)o 1.19 filled with wisedome, and un∣derstanding, and cunning to work all works in brass; no extraordinary artificer specified by name, employed therein. Yet, probably, they entertained the best workmen that age did afford, their purses or credit could pro∣cure, to polish, and adorn the building. And therefore the ingenuous p 1.20 Romanists acknowledge a gross errour in their vulgar Latine, where they readq 1.21 ordines de lapidibus impolitis tres, three rows of unpolished stone, which should be polished stone. For, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Eben Gelal in the originall, is a stone turned, rolled, and tossed about, to smooth, and levigate every side there∣of, and byr 1.22 Iosephus is rendred 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,* 1.23 of sha∣ved, hewed or carved stone. However, our last translation (following Tre∣mellius therein) reades it GREAT STONES, as if the state consisted, rather in their bigness, then beauty; amplitude, then art bestowed up∣on them.

§ 6. Timber they fetched fromt 1.24 mount Libanus (the magazeen of Cedars) brought thence in ships to Ioppa,* 1.25 and thence conveyed by land∣carriages to Ierusalem. But, we may be assured, that Solomon long agoe had flitted the cream of the choicest trees in that mountain, this second generation being lesser, lower, and fewer, then those before them. Yea,

in process of time, Cedars were so rarified in Libanus, thatu 1.26 modern travellers saw but four and twenty in their passage over this mountain, and heard but of a few moe (and they all in one place) extant there at this day.

§ 7. Some will object,* 1.27 all these defects were eminently supplyed by the favour of Cyrus, who in his Charta Magna for the building of the Temple, had privided, that the expences bew 1.28 given out of the Kings house; and water may sooner be wanting at the well-head, then they lack accom∣modations, who commanded the coffers of so mighty a Monarch. But, such must take notice of the great space of ground, betwixt Ierusalem and Babylon; and the bounty of Kings (especially at so great a distance) maketh more noise in the mouths of the reporters, then it brings profit into the hands of the receivers. So that all things considered, whilest So∣lomons Temple, like the eldest son, and heir, went away with the solid inheritance of a world of wealth; this latter, like the younger brother, was contented with a poor pension of the peoples bounty allotted unto it, especially at the inconsiderable beginning thereof.

§ 8. Wherefore at the foundation of this Temple,* 1.29 the old menx 1.30 wept at the laying thereof, who could call to minde the greatness, and gallan∣try of the former. How great was the griefe of our first parents after their expulsion ou•• of paradise, when comparing their present with their primitive condition, and what was lost, with what was left unto them? Enough to drown them in despair, if not supported with certain expectation of the promised Seed.

§ 9. But the youngsters,* 1.31 being moe in number, and greater in strength, shouted for joy, conceiving the foundations newly laid a matchless fabrick for magnificence, having never seen better, nor other in that place. Thus, such as have been bred in the dark, when first brought into the twilight, admire at the incomparable lustre thereof. But, what saith our proverbe? Better children weep, then old folk: and it had been happy, if here (by a transposition of their passions) whilest the young folk sorrowed, the old men had rejoyced: the former thinking themselves to have just occasion of mirth, the latter knowing they had too much reason for mourning.

§ 10. But, what saith the Prophet,* 1.32 in reference to this mean fabrick? Who hath despised the day of small things?y 1.33 God, who is all in all, delights to improve such things, as are next to nothing. He that loved the Iews best, who werez 1.34 the fewest of all people; who made Gedeon a Judge, who was thea 1.35 least in his Fathers house; Saul a King, whose family was theb 1.36 least of all in his Tribe▪ Paul a preacher, thec 1.37 least of the Apostles; who delighted in d 1.38 little Benjamin their ruler, the little hill of Hermon, thee 1.39 lowliness of his hand∣maiden; who multiplyeth mustard-seed thef 1.40 least of all grains into a tree, did cherish and hatch this weak building under the wings of his protection, bringing it from feeble beginnings; by faint proceedings, to full per∣fection.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cyrus his pro∣clamation.
• a 1.2

  Isa. 44. 28.
• b 1.3

  Ezra 1. 1.
• * 1.4

  Difference in power.
• c 1.5

  1 King. 11. 14. 23.
• d 1.6

  1 King 6.7.
• * 1.7

  In number.
• e 1.8

  1 King 5. 15.
• f 1.9

  Ezra 2. 64. 65.
• g 1.10

  Compare Iob 1. 3. with Ezra 2. 67.
• * 1.11

  In wealth.
• h 1.12

  1 King. 9. 28. & 10. 22.
• i 1.13

  1 King. 10. 27.
• k 1.14

  1 Chr. ••2. 14. & 1 Chr. 29. 4.
• l 1.15

  1 Chr. 29. 7.
• m 1.16

  Ezra 2. 69.
• * 1.17

  No eminent ar••izan.
• n 1.18

  Exod. 31▪ 3.
• o 1.19

  1 King. 7. 14.
• p 1.20

  Ribera de Temp. sabr. li.••. cap. 27.
• q 1.21

  Ezra 6. 4.
• r 1.22

  Anti. Iul. lib. cap.
• * 1.23

  ••n. some copies 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as Ri∣bera ci••es it.
• t 1.24

  Ezra. 3. 7.
• * 1.25

  Cedars fetched from 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• u 1.26

  B••ddulphs Travel••. pag 40.
• * 1.27

  Great promises ill performed.
• w 1.28

  Ezra 6. 4.
• * 1.29

  The old men weep.
• x 1.30

  Ezra 3. 12.
• * 1.31

  The youngmen shout for joy.
• * 1.32

  God delight∣eth in minims.
• y 1.33

  Zech 4 10.
• z 1.34

  D••ut. 7. 7.
• a 1.35

  Iudg. 6. 15.
• b 1.36

  1 Sam. 9. 21.
• c 1.37

  1 Cor. 15. 9.
• d 1.38

  Psal. 68. 27.
• e 1.39

  Luk. 1. 48.
• f 1.40

  Mat. 13. 32.