The court of the Gentiles: or A discourse touching the original of human literature, both philologie and philosophie, from the Scriptures, and Jewish church in order to a demonstration, of 1. The perfection of Gods vvord, and church light. 2: The imperfection of natures light, and mischief of vain pholosophie. 3. The right use of human learning, and especially sound philosophie. / By T.G.

§. 7. A main part of Politick Theologie consisted in certain Canons or Rules, laid down for the right ordering of Sacrifies; all which were but Satanick imitations of, and derivations from Iewish Sacrifices. This we dare confidently affirme, because we have such rational grounds for the demonstration thereof. Nei∣ther are we without great Autoritie to confirme the same. Lear∣ned Bochart, de Animal. S. part. 1. lib. 2. cap. 33. fol. 325. gives us an excellent demonstration hereof.

There were (saies he) se∣veral sorts of Sacrifices amongst the Iews; some Holocausts, or whole burnt offerings, some pacifick, some propitiatorie. There were also Sacrifices of Times and Persons, Votive, Con∣secrative &c, which the Egyptians, Grecians, and Romans, in many things, affected. Whence you may learne, that the Gentiles, from a cursed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, evil zele, affected to give the same worship to their Dunghil Gods, which the Israelites gave to the true God.

This we may prove from the beginning of the first chapter of Leviticus, where we have certain Rites prescribed for the offe∣ring an Holocaust. First, tis said Lev. 1.2. That the Oblations should be taken, as well from Bullocks, as from Sheep, and Goats; for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies both. In imitation whereof, the Heathens sacrificed Bullocks, Sheep, and Goats to many Gods. Thus A∣chilles, in Homer, joins these three together. Hence it follows, Levit. 1.3. a burnt Offering of a Bullock &c. God begins with

a bullock, which Livie often cals the greater Sacrifice. So 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in the Proverbs of the Ancients, signifies to make pompous pro∣vision; because none but the rich could offer a bullock, as Eras∣mi Adag. Then Moses addes, Lev. 1.3. That the bullock must be [a male without blemish.] This also was observed by the Egypti∣ans, as Herodotus lib. 2. cap. 41. The Egyptians universally sacrifi∣ced clean bullocks, and those Males and Calves. Moses requires that this Holocaust be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, perfect; which word is also used by Achilles, in Homer, who is said to make an offering to A∣pollo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 &c, of perfect Goats. It follows in Moses Lev. 1.4. And he shall put his hand upon the head &c. namely, for the confession of sin, as Lev. 16.21. Herodotus lib. 2. cap. 39. menti∣ons the like of the Egyptians, who were wont to lay an execra∣tion on the heads of the Sacrifices, in these or such like words; that if any evil were impendent on them that sacrificed, or on whole Egypt, it might be converted on this head. And Plutarch, in Isis, saies, that after they had imprecated on the head of the sacrifice, they cut it off.

It follows Levit. 1.5. And he shall kill the bullock before the Lord. [Before the Lord] i.e. at the door of the Tabernacle, as v. 3. where the Altar stood, as Levit. 17.3-9. Thus Plato, de Leg. lib. 10. laies down this as an inviolable constitution, that no one have an Altar in his private house: wherefore they usual∣ly placed the victimes before the publique Altars. So Virg. lib. 9. Aen.

Et statuam ante aras aurata fronte Juvencum.

And lib. 2. Georg.

Et ductus cornu stabit sacer hircus ad aram.

And the sacred Goat being led, shall stand at the Altar: which an∣swers to that of the Psalmist, Psalm. 118.27. Bind with cords (i.e. bring bound with cords) the sacrifice to the hornes of the Al∣tar. 2. God commands [he should kill the Bullock] He, i.e. either he that offers the bullock, or, as they will have it, some Levite: as it may be gathered from 2 Chron. 30.17. and 2 Chron. 35.10,11.

where the Levites were to kill the Paschal Lamb; but the Priests were to sprinkle the bloud. Thus it was amongst the Romans; the Priest did not kill the Victime, but the Popa or Victimarie, at the beck of the Priest; who therefore standing by the Victime, now and then said: Agon? i.e. Agone? shall I do it? 3. Then it follows [And sprinkle the bloud] The Le∣vite having killed the victime, the Priest received the bloud in a vessel; which Moses Exod. 24.6. calls 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 aganoth: and the Chaldee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that is to say, an Aspersorie: the LXX render it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; so the vulgar crateras. In imitation whereof, the Popa having killed the Victime, the Priest received the bloud in a Vessel; which vessel the Atticks called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Homer Odyss. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. stiles it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; The Latin Pateras. So Virgil Aen. lib. 3. Sanguinis & sacri pater as — which he understands of the Victimes, as Servius. 4. This bloud is said to be sprinkled [upon the Altar] as Exod. 24.6. This also was imitated by the Pagans: whence that of the Poet:

—Illius Aram Saepe tener nostris ab ovilibus imbuet agnus.

The tender lamb from our flock shall often moisten his Altar, i.e. (saith Servius) pour out his bloud on the Altar &c So Lucian, lib. de sacrificiis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the Priest pouring out the bloud on the Altar.

Thence it followes Lev. 1.6. And he shall flay the burnt offe∣ring, and cut it in pieces. After the killing of the Holocaust fol∣lowes the excoriation and dissection: whereof we find also a sata∣nick imitation amongst the Heathen; So Homer Iliad α

—〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 And they killed, and excoriated, and cut in pieces &c. So Virg. lib. 1. Aen An Tergo diripiunt costis.

As to the Dissection, it was not made rashly, but with great Art and Industrie; as it appears in Homer often (Iliad η & ω &c) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 they accurately or artificially dissected &c which seems to have been taken up inimitation of the Jewish••

Priests their accurate dissection of the sacrifices: which the LXX expresse by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as Gen. 4.7. Prov. 3.6. and 9.5. which word is also used in the New Testament, 2 Tim. 2.15. signi∣fying rightly to divide; which refers to the accurate dissection the Priests made of the Sacrifices. So Heb. 4.12. The word of God is compared to the two edged knife, whereby the Priests divided the Sacrifices &c See more of these things in Dilherri Tractatu de 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gentilium. Whence Bochart acknow∣ledgeth he had not a few of these notions. It follows Lev. 1.8. put fire on the Altar. Whereto the Delphick 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or sacred fire, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Es-ia the fire of God, as also the Roman Vesta seems to refer, as before §. 5.

Notes

• Pagan Sacrifices from Jewish.
• The Jewish Ho∣locaust imitated by Pagans.
• Lev. 1.2. Bullocks &c.
• Lev. 1.3. A Bullock per∣fect.
• Levit. 1.4. On the head.
• Levit. 1.5. Before the Lord.
• Psal. 118.27.
• Levit. 1.5. He shall kill.
• Lev. 1.5. sprinkle the bloud.
• Levit. 1.6. flay and cut.
• 2 Tim. 2.15.