The first Part of the Temple.

75. THe Holy of Holies [called the Holy place,* and the most Holy] which is so called, because of the singular holinesse of that place. It is also named the Oracle, and the inner house. For it was the secretest part of the Temple, [whereinto the high Priest came onely once a year] it being twenty cubits long, and as many in breadth; the height whereof was twenty cubits, [not a hundred and twenty cubits.] Whose floor was laid over with firre boards, covered with plate of Gold, and paved with Marble [as some write] The gates were made of polished stones inwardly framed with bords of Cedar, and covered with golden plates; the which being fastened with nails of gold, shined most gloriously, as if it had been a divine worke; whereon were graven Cherubins, * precious stones, palmes, flowers, imbossements, and pictures of divers sorts, representing the celestiall beauty. The roof also was co∣vered with golden plate, the very top whereof was set full of golden prickets, or sharp spits to fray away birds, lest by sitting thereon, it might be polluted. Into this sacred Holy of Holiest, * the chiefe Priest for the divine Majesty thereof, entred but once every year alone in the feast of purgation; on which day the Jewes did fast and afflict themselves. And then that great and chiefe Priest of God, prefiguring the person of Christ, offered the blood of a calfe burnt without the hoast, for his own sinnes, * and for the sinnes of the people. Who if he were legally polluted, but so much as in sleep entred not in his owne person, but by his substitute.