THE I. CHAPTER. Relating the order or ſtation of the Tempel or Camp of the Iſraelites rownde about the Tabernacle.

THe wonderfull Armie of the Iſraelites entring into Egipt with ſeaventy ſoules onely, Deuteron. 10:22. by the powerfull Commaund, Geneſ. 15.13. which God revealed to (theyr firſt father) Abraham; this generation ſojourned, there 210 yeares, untill the 430 yeares were fulfilled, Exod. 12:40. from that time which God foretold Abraham. That bleſſed people of God, Exod. 12.37. did there, in that ſhort time increaſſe to 60000 men of the age from 20 to 60 yeares, Exod. 12.38. but if all the women, and all the perſons as wel men as women, which were under 20 and above 60 yeares of Age, ſhould bee thereunto adjoind, the ſame would then bee found to bee twoe Millions, and foure hundred thouſand people beſides the Egiptians, who went away with them (as the holy Scripture ſayth) and theyre innumerable Cattle, which they tooke with them; ſome, others are of opinion that there were in this greate Campe or hoſt 876 millions 9 hundred and 96 thouſand perſons.

Num. 10.11.After the firſt yeare of theyre departure, the worke of the Tabernacle was made ready or finished, at which time God cauſed them to bee devided into twelve parts, Num. 2.2. each with theyr ſeverall Standard or Banner, in the which each of thier Armes or enſigne, was wrought, like as thier father Jacob had bleſſed each Child or Tribe, Geneſ 49.3. alſo the color of each Standard or Flagge agreed with the colour of the Stones (in the breaſtplate of Aaron the Highprieſt) upon which its owne Tribes name was written and Theſe twelve Tribes were devided into foure parts, each part had three Banners or Enſignes. Three ſtood on the Eaſtſide, three on the Weſt, three on the South, and three on the Northſide; all theſe twelve Tribes encompaſſed the Tabernacle:1. Chron. 5:2. the Prince Jehuda (as Captaine, and Leader of his brethren) ſtood on the Eaſt, between Iſachar, and Zabulon: Ruben ſtood with Simeon and Gad towards the South: Ephraim placed himſelfe towards the Weſt with Menaſſe and Benjamin: Dan towards the North with Aſſer and Naphthali. Theſe twelve Tribes thus placed in order, foureſquare, doe take up 12 miles in compaſſe, or 24 thouſand paces: the foureſquare thwart over, each of theſe twelve Tribes, tooke up by it ſelfe a fourſquare place of 4000 paces, betweene the one and other tribe were 2000 paces, betweene the ſaids Campe, or hoſt thorough all the foure ſides, and betweene the building of the Tabernacle, were 8000 paces. The outermoſt 4000 of the 8000 ſerved for the feeding of theyre Cattle, Num. 3.35. the 2000 innermoſt paces towards the Eaſt ſerved for the whole houſeholding or familyes of Moſes and Aaron, and the other 2000 paces, of the three remaining ſides, round about, ſerved for the whole houſekeeping of the Children of Levi, Gerſon, Kohath, Merari; Thoſe of Kohath ſett themſelves in three partitions (according to theyre three families or generations) towards the South as the Cheife, the twoe diviſions of Gerſon were towards the North, according to theyre family, alſoe the twoe families of Merari were in twoe diviſions towards the Weſt; then there remained in the heart or very midle of this hoaſt or Campe 4000 paces in the which the above mentioned Tabernacle was placed, Exod 26.18. the foremoſtpart towards the Eaſt, 30 cubits long, 10 cubits broad, 10 cubits high, encompaſſed with an outermoſt Court round about raiſed with Baſes or Sockets and Pillars, Exod. 27.9, the Curtaines hung on the Pillars, to take up the place or ſpace of the outermoſt Court, that outermoſt Court was 100 cubits long, 50 broad, 5 high, it was ſo placed, as that againſt the Eaſt in that outmoſt Court, an empty or voyd ſpace of 50 cubits remained, each of the three ſides round about 20 cubits, the middelmoſt ſpace was taken up with the building of the Tabernacle; And this is the whole ſpace of the hoſte, where they pitched or reſted.

By the Gate of the outmoſt Court of the Tabernacle was an overflowing fountaine which with its ſpringing abundantly refreshed the whole hoſte, where it lay, even as by the mighty hand of God Manna rained downe from heaven, where the hoſte pitched or reſted, Exod. 16.4. firſt of all thir water encompaſſed the building of the Tabernacle round about, by certaine digged Channels or Trenches made by the Commaund of the Rulers of the Tribes; Num. 21.19. in theſe flow foure rivers out of theyre foure Corners, that water encompaſſeth the hoſte of the Levites, and did likewiſe ſeparare theyr familyes one from another, and did make certaine pitts betweene them, and the twelve Tribes of Iſrael, from thence flowed that water by the Southſide towards the Eaſt, and ſprung to the hoſte of the Iſraelites, and encompaſſed them round about without, and devided the place or ſtation of each Tribe, one from another, to the end, that each one might know and diſcerne, his owne Tribe.

When this hoſte would proceede theyre intended journey, hee that led or conducted the ſame was God all ſufficient the Lord of hoſte, Num. 10.2. who had revealed to Moſes, that the people ſhould depart: Exod 40.36. By the Children of Aaron the Highprieſt were twoe ſilver Trumpetts blowne, thereby to warne or raiſe the people, Deut. 31.15. then let God his royal Standard (like a pillar) ariſe from the holy Cloud, which by day covered the Tabernacle and by night with its ſhining beames or glance imprinted the Tabernacle with his wonderfull fire and glory, this went before them, Deut. 1.33. betweene heaven and earth, as a Guide to ſhow them the way which they muſt goe, the beames of that divine fire within the Pillar, enlightened them in the darke night, to the end that they ſhould not wander out of theyr way, and by day the ſaid pillar covered the whole hoſte, and did likewiſe preſerve them from the heate of the Sunne, from wicked enemyes, Num. 10.34. and devouring beaſts.

The Tribe of Judah with his twoe Brethren Iſachar, and Zabulon followed 2000 paces behind the holy Standard, which went before them: at the ſame diſtance followed them, the twoe Companies of Levites, Gerſon, and Merari, they carryed the baſements, or ſockets, pillars, boards, coverings, curtaines, cordes, and pinnes, of the Tabernacle, and all the appurtenances or neceſſaryes thereof, the ſame were all carryed on ſix wagons or carriages, which were given by the Cheiftaines of the Tribes, to the conſecration of the Tabernacle: thoſe wagons were drawne by twelve Kine or Heifers then alſoe followed the families of the Levites, Num. 7.3. with all theyre neceſſaries.

After theſe followed Ruben with his twoe Brethren Simeon and Gad; Afterwards followed in the middle of the whole hoſte Moſes and Aaron, with theyr children (amongſt the children of Kohath) conducting the Arke of the Covenant with the other golden Inſtruments which muſt bee borne or carryed upon the ſhoulders of the abovenamed Kohathites, after the ſame were covered with the Covernigs, although in the beginning of theyre Journey (when they were departed form Mount Sinai) the Arke was in the ſame manner before the Hoſte, Num. 10.33. untill they had paſſed the River Jordan. In the third place folloved Ephraim, with his Companion tribes Manaſſe and Benjamin: and at laſt followed Dan with his adjoined Tribes Aſſer, and Naphthali, under whome were the weake of the hoſte, alſoe the Companies of Egiptians, who went with them.

Deut. 1.19.In this manner travailed that wonderfull hoſt thorough wilde and unpathed, unknowne wayes, the ſpace of fortie yeares, without ſuffernig any lack of any neceſſaries; Deut. 29.4. this did the mighty hand of God. Deut. 2.7. This hoſt did, there, fortie and twoe ſeverall times take up ſeverall reſting places in ſome for twoe dayes ſpace; in ſome one day, alone, Num 33.3. or from the evening till the morning, and ſome, ſome mouthes, and ſome, certaine yeares, Num. 9.20. for they reſted 19 yaares in Kades, which was one of theyre reſting places.

II. CHAPTER. Concerning Moſes his Tabernacle.

THe worke of the holy Tabernacle was in ſuch a holy eſtimation, Exo. 36.2. that all thoſe who were permitted to worke thereon, from amongſt the Iſraelites, were thereunto qualifyed, and incited by the Spirit of God.

The Materialls which were uſed in this building, were gold, ſilver, braſſe, woll, Exo. 35.3. dyed ſhy-colour, purple, ſcarlet (according to offerings) ſilke, pure Linnen, rich goates haire, Ramskins dyed red, curious ſpotted Badgers skins, ſhittim wood, pure and cleare oile of olives, the principall Aromatical druggs, and precious ſtones, all in very greate quantities, in ſoe much that the gold alone amounted to 29 Talents, 739 Sheckles, (as the holy Scripture ſayth) which beeing reduced and compared to and with the weight of our pounds at ſixteene ounces each pound, and halfe an ounce for each ſheckle, Exod. 24.38. and 3000 ſheckles for each Talent, which make 93 pounds and 12 ounces, doe amount unto 2741 pound and 9 ounces weight; the value whereof beeing accounted at 12300 ducats for each Talent make together 368918 Spaniſh duckats, and reduced into Hollands gilders (each gilder beeing about two ſhillings Engliſh money) make one Million one hundred and ſix thouſand 745 gilders, (each duckat beeing three gilders.) The Talents of ſilver (as the Scripture ſayth) were one hundred, and one thouſand 730 ſhikles, beeing reduced into the ſame pounds, doeth amount unto 9429 pounds, and one ounce, the value thereof beeing calculated, at one thouſand and twelve ducats for each Talent, doth make one hundred and one thouſand 783 duckats, and in gilders doeth make three hundred, five thouſand, 315 gilders, 15 ſtivers, 3 pennings, and all together, aſwel gold als ſilver, doeth amount unto 460700 ducats, and in gilders doeth make 14 tunns of gold 12 thouſand 104 gilders 15 ſtivers, three pennings Hollands money, each tunne of gold beeing at leaſt 10000 pounds ſtarling, and each gilder 2 ſhillings ſterling.

The principall perſons who were indewed by God, and made this worke were Beſaleel and Aholiab, and the workemen (whoſe number is unknouwne) did with diligence fully finiſh the ſaid worke in the ſpace of ſix monthes.

The Veſſels or inſtruments, with which the holy Tabernacle was ſerved, were of gold and ſilver, whereof wee hereafter ſhall diſcourſe.

The Levites who ſerved the Tabernacle were 8580 perſons from thirty to fiftie yeares, who were devided into three Companyes, according to Levies three ſonnes, Gerſon, Kohath, Merari, the Kohathites were 2750, theſe, when the hoſt tooke theyr journey, carryed (as the cheife) with golden handbars upon theyre ſhoulders, the moſt holy and precious inſtruments, namely the Arke of the Covenant, The golden Table, the golden Candleſticke, with the ſeaven Lamps, the Altar of Incenſe, the greate Braſſe Altar of Burnt offrings: when they were firſt covered with theyr coverings, the Gerſonites were 2630, they conducted on twoe wagons or Carriages (which they had of the abovenamed ſix wagons) the Curtaines of the Tabernacle, the Courtaines of the Court round about, the coverings, cords, braſſe pots with all the appurtenantes. The Merarites were 3200, they conducted the other foure wagons or carriages, in the which were 48 gilded boards: for the building of the Tabernacle were nine gilded Columns or Pillars, and one hundred ſilver baſes or Sockets, which belonged thereunto, with the 36 Columnes or Pillars of the Court of the Tabernacle, and theyre braſſe Baſes or Sockets, upon which the pillars were raiſed.

Concerning the Prieſts, who ſerved the Tabernacle, they were not more then foure, namely Moſes, Aaron, and his twoe Sonnes Eleazar and Ithamar, as the principall perſons in the Congregation.

The place where in the Tabernacle was raiſed was in the heart or middelmoſt place of the hoſte of the Levites, which was encompaſſed by the hoſt of the Iſraelites, where they pitched, but the hoſt was ſeparated from the Levites 400 paces.

The manner how the Tabernacle was reared or raiſed, and againe taken down is a moſt ſweete and curious ſpeculation but becauſe that matter doeth require much writeing wee referre the reader to the treatiſe of the Tabernacle of Moſes, which wee haue publiſhed, where you ſhall finde all the ſame at large.

III. CHAPTER. Concerning the Glorious Temple of Salomon.

IN ſtead of the holy Tabernacle, Num. 2.15. king Salomon did in Jeruſalem, on the very top of Mount Moria (where Abraham offered up his Sonne unto God) build the holy Temple which was fully finiſhed in the 487 yeare after Iſraels departure out of Egipt. • . Chron. 3:1. About the ſaid Temple did worke ſeaven yeares long 163600 perſons, of the which were 3300 Maiſter workemen, and 300 Commaunders over them all (according to others the number was 4100900) king Salomon did frame this building, according to the order, Commaund and draught,1. King. 6.1. and 5.15. which his father David (according to the Commaund of the Prophet Samuel) had given him.1. Chron. 28.11. Hee prepared for that building an infinite Number of all kinde of Materialls, the gold alone was 108000 Talents and ten thouſand drachmas, which beeing accounted at 93 pounds and 12 ounces weight for each Talent, will weigh a hundred thouſand and 25 thouſand and 78 pound, and for every talent 12300 ducats, will amount unto 1328 Millions and 410000 and 220 ducats, and in gilders 5977 (Holland) millions 846 thouſand 123 gilders, at 4 gilders and a halfe each duckat according to theyr valuation in Holland and thoſe Lands.1. Chron. 22.14. This gold beeing computed into tuns of gold (each tun of gold at 1000 pound ſtarling at leaſt) doe ariſe to 59 thouſand, 766 tuns of gold and 46123 gilders.

The ſilver which hee prepared thereunto was a thouſand times a thouſand and 17000 talents, which accounted by our pounds at 18 pieces or reals of eight to each pound, and 93 pounds and 13 ounces weight for each talent doe ariſe to 95 millions 343 thouſand 753 pounds weight, which beeing accounted at the rate of 1012 ducats for each talent, doe make a thouſand and 29 millions, 700 and 12 thouſand and 500 duckats as above, making in gilders foure thouſand, ſix hundred, 33 millions, ſeaven hundred and ſix thouſand 250 gilders, this maketh 46000 and 337 tuns of gold and 250 gilders, the whole quantity of gold and ſilver beeing now valued, doeth make ten thouſand, ſix hundred and ſeaventy millions, 518 thouſand 750 gilders. In weight it is 26 thouſand 367 laſts, and 828 pounds accounting 4000 pound weight to each laſt, in ſoe much that to carry this gold and ſilver over the ſeas there muſt bee a thouſand ships, each ship of the burthen of 26 laſts: or elſe 53 Eaſt-India ships, each ship of five hundred laſts burthen, beeing reduced into tuns of gold, you ſhal find it to bee, one hundred and ſix thouſand, one hundred and fifteene tuns of gold, and 52372 gilders.

1. Chron. 22.14.You muſt note, that this gold and ſilver was prepared alone by King David, beſides that which King Salomon added thereunto, out of his treaſuries (by commaund of his father) which in compariſon of his greate treaſure and glory, ſhould bee at leaſt as much more which beeing added to the former, would fully lade one hundred and ſix greate Eaſt-India ships, in ſoe much that the Scripture ſayth that gold and ſilver (in Salomons time) was accounted as ſtones,Joſep. Anti. Jo. of Jew. Wars. L. 6. 6. and elſewhere, that ſilver was that time not at all eſteemed.

1. King. 10.27. and 11.21.The forme of the Temple was juſt foureſquare, made of very large white marbre, very pretious, yea ſome ſay, ſoe large, that out of one a faire houſe might bee built: the mount or hill, whereon the Temple ſtood (by the neate and forace whiteneſſe and wel compactneſſe of that building) did afarre of ſeeme to bee a ſnowy hil, and the glittering gould beweene, Mid. 2 1. Jo. Jew. Wars. 6. 6. did ſhine and reflect as the dazeling Sun; the greateneſte of the building was foure Stadium, or furlongs in compaſſe; within the Portalls it was 500 cubits, the height was 300 cubits, in ſome places 400, maketh 800 foote high, Midot. 2.4. each foote of 12 inches round about environed with very deepe dales, to ſeperate the Temple from the Citie: this piece of worke was divided into three principal parts, namely the Court of the Heathens or People was the outermoſt part, 500 cubits fourſquare, and encompaſſed with foure admirable and ſtately Portals, each reſting upon three rowes of Pillars, of the faſhion of leafe worke, each Pillar, hewen out of one marble ſtone, alone, was 25 cubits or 50 foote high: by the opening of the windowes at the 4 Galleryes or Walkes, were the Railes of pure Silver, and the five doores of the Gates were covered, or drawne over with ſilver plates.

The ſecond parte was within the 4 Galleries placed againſt the North, Abarb. 1. King 6. in twoe outermoſt Courts, Jew. Wars. 6. 6. Joſep. 6. 6. Antiqui. 1. 15. 14. Midot. 1. 3. and 5. 1. the Court of the Iſraelites towards the eaſt 135 cubits fourſquare, the Court of the Prieſts towards the Weſt, in which the ſacrifices were offered, was broad 135 cubits, and 187 cubits long, round about within and without encompaſſed with certaine Halls or Chambers, in which the three Principalities aſſembled, and alſoe therein to performe all the ſervices of the Temple, in the midle of the Outmoſt Court, was the Pallace of the Lord God, covered with maſſy gold plates within, and over the roofe, the length was 100 cubits, and likewiſe as broad, 120 cubits high; it had three principal parts, the Entrance, the Sanctuary, and the Holy of Holies, or moſt holy place, cituate toward the Weſt; the Halls or Chambers of the Treaſures of the Temple round about, were 38 Chambers; The hidden Sollerings or Chambers, in which were layd up all the materialls of the Tabernacle which were packt up, the ſame tooke up one third part, and under the Temple in the Cellars were the Bathes, wherein the Prieſts bathed themſelves: the perſons which watched every night were 240, Midot. 1. 3. divided into 24 bands or Companyes, each Company at leaſte ten men, three Companyes of Preiſtes and 21 Levites, which were devided and placed at all the Cornets, gates, and Courts of the Temple round about. Concerning the other appendences of this building ſoe wonderfull, ſoe precious, and ſo holy, I referre you to the Treatiſe concerning the Pourtraicture of the Temple, where I have layd forth every thing moſt plaine.

III. CHAPTER. Concerning the Veſſels and Inſtruments of the Temple.

THe wonderfull greate multitude of holy Veſſels uſed in the ſervice of the holy Temple of God, doeth take up abundance of gold and ſilver, the golden Veſſels were 340 thouſand, the ſilver were 470 thouſand, making together 810 thouſand, the principall were for Ornament to the holy Temple, Jem. Wars. 6. 6. and of the Tabernacle at theyre ſett times: but the moſt glorious were for the Arke of the Covenant, that was wholly covered with Gold, with the twoe golden Cherubims: the Arke was twoe cubits and a halfe longe, and the breath thereof one cubit and a halfe, and ſoe much was alſoe the hight thereof, and did weigh with the Cherubims 200 pound weight of pure Gold, beſides the Boards the 10 Golden Tables, upon which the ſhewbread was placed, were each of them twoe cubits long, one cubit broad, and one cubit and a halfe high, after the faſhion of Moſes, and contained one hundred pounds in weight. Midot 2.5. Antiq. 8.2. The 10 golden Candleſticks (by each whereof were 7 golden Lamps) the height of each was three cubits, the breadth above twoe cubits, (after the manner of Moſes) the gold of each weighed 100 pound weight: the Altar of Incenſe or ſweete perfume was alſoe 100 pounds weigt in gold, which was in height twoe cubits, and one cubit foureſquare: the Altar of burnt offerings was braſſe, twenty cubits foureſquare, the height 10 cubits, did weigh 7000 Arobas (each Aroba containing 25 pounds weight.) The ten braſſe Lavers with theyre arriages, Midot 2. 5. and. 5. 1. or baſes on which they were placed or ſett, were each foure cubits foureſquare, and three cubits high, one Baſe weighed 2000 Talents, each Talent of 93 pounds and upwards; the braſen ſea, out of which the Prieſt cleanſed or purified themſelves, was 10 cubits large foureſquare, five cubits high, the Compaſſe thereof was thirtie cubits, the mettle or braſſe thereof weighed 1000 and 800 Arobas, (as above mentioned.) But with the 12 Bullocks (whereon the ſea ſtood) weighed 32500 Arobas, ſo that the holy Scripture ſayth, that the abundance of mettle or braſſe was not to bee numbred.

V. CHAPTER. Of the Garments of the Prieſts.

TWoe ſeveral ſorts of Garments were the Prieſts wont to uſe, when they ſerved in the holy Temple: the one uſed by the Common Prieſts in generall, which conſiſted of 4 peeces or parcells: the firſt was a very pure linnen paire of breeches or drawers, which reached from the loines to below the knees which was worne to cover theyr nakedneſſe: the Breeches upon the naked body, was threfore cloſe as a purſe when it is ſhutt, which was drawn together with ſtrings about the Loines: the ſecond peece was a certaine dubble ſhirt woven after the manner of Checkerworke, which opened alongſt the ſhoulders, ſoe much that the head could goe thorough, which openings were afterward cloſed together with loopes, thereby to keepe the breaſt with reverence covered: this Coate hung downe to the heeles: the ſleeves were wooven apart, but of the ſame ſtuffe, and ſewed unto the ſaid ſhirts: the ſleeves were not wide, theyre length was to the joint of the hand that ſoe theyr ſervice might not bee hindred: the third was a linnen Girdle made as a ſwadling band, the breadth three inches, the length 32 cubits, wrought with leafe worke, with wooll, or ſilke, purple and ſcarlet: the ſaid girdling beeing girded under the Armepirts, ſwathd the ſhirt cloſe about the body and breſt, the twoe looſe ends of the Girdle hung from the loines downwards for ornament: the fourth was a veſture made of a linnen ſwadling Band, of the faſhion of a Cap, and was ſewed round about like a Cap, with a Border: this Cap (ſome ſay) was, covered over with Tiffany, Cypres or the like, becauſe no ſtitches ſhould bee ſeene bare; this Cap covered the leaſt part of the forehead; and behinde the eares there were ſtrings made faſt to the Cap which were tyed faſt under te Chin, to the end, that the Cap ſhould not fall of in theyr ſervice.

Beſides the ſaid foure garments, (which were alſoe uſed by the Highprieſt) the Highprieſt did alſoe uſe foure other Garments, (which firſt parts are already mentioned:) the firſt was a ſtately woolen coate (but as others ſay) of ſilke, of askie colour, wholly woven all of one peece, without ſeame, without ſleeves, parted into twoe skirtes in the ſides, with a hole for the head above, which reached from before to behinde, thorough which, the Highprieſt thruſt his head: this ſhirt or coate had armeholes, without ſleeves, and under the hemme of the twoe ſhirts hung 72 golden Bells, with as many Buttons made of wooll or ſilke like Pomegranates of skiecolour purple and ſcarlet the halfe of the buttons or Pomegranates and Bells upon each ſchirt, a Pomegranate betweene twoe Bells, a and Bell betweene twoe Pomegranates: the lowermoſt ends of the Bells and Pomegranates hung even with the hemme of the under Coat.

The ſecond was a garment made in faſhion as a waſtcoate, which covered the backe, hanging from the necke to the Loines, the breadth covered the backe and the ſides, but not the breaſt, for there it was open about a ſpan in length foureſquare, therein to place the breaſt plate with was juſt fitted thereunto: at the lowermoſt corner of thier garment there were twoe longe ſtrings, wherewith the Prieſtes loines were begirt, to the end that the garments might fit cloſe to the body, and alſoe to the end that the breaſtplate might reſt thereupon; this garment was woven of gould and the pureſt linnen and wollen (ſome ſay) of ſilke, the colour was skiecolour, purple, and ſcarlet, it had on ecah ſide above, a shoulder piece in the manner of a band or ſwadling band, which tooke up the breadth from the necke to the shoulder, which was joined and laced thorough gold loop inholes to the uppermoſt edge of the uppergarment: upon each shoulderband was a precious ſtone layd or ſet in gold, on thoſe twoe ſtones were written or engraved the names of the twelve Tribes, on each ſtone ſix names according to theyr birth. The third was a certaine piece of twoe ſpans length, beeing once foulded together juſt a ſpan foureſquare, beeing of the ſame ſtuffe as the abovenamed garment: this was called the breaſtpiece, heart peece or breaſtplate: within the fouldings thereof was placed the greate name of the LORD GOD, (which name God himſelfe had revealed to Moſes) by vertue and power whereof thoſe holy letters (with which hee would anſwer) which were graven in the ſtones of the breaſtplate, gave a pure and plaine glance from themſelves, in cleare plaine and gliſtering beames: the breaſtplate was covered over with a plate of gould in the which were wrought 12 foureſquare holes, which were made fitt upon the upriſeing ſtones, which ſtones were very rare all af one bigneſſe, ſett in foure rowes, three deepe, equally fitting one another, ſoe artificially ſet in gold, that thoſe 12 Stones did ſeeme to bee one ſtone. In the twoe uppermoſt Corners of the breaſtplate were twoe gould rings, thorough which with twoe gold chaines the twoe ſhoulderpieces of the after-garment were faſtened to the golden loopes, and ſtones: the undermoſt corners of the breaſtplate had twoe gold ringes, thorough which skiecolourd ſtrings did run, which were faſtened by the twoe lowermoſt goldrings of the aftergarment, becauſe the ſame might bee put on the girdles upon the edges of the aftergarment. The fourth was the Highprieſts golden forehead plate, twoe inches broad, the length was from the one ſide of the head to the other: the oppermoſt edge of the forehead plate had points, as flower points or ſuch as crownes have, upon this golden plate were driven or beaten out letters to bee read, namely, Kodes Laadonnai, which is interpred, Holineſſe to the Lord. To this golden forehead plate were faſtned three-skie colour ſtrings, at each end one, and one in the middle of the uppermoſt edge: the ſtrings were bound faſt behinde the head, the middlemoſt whereof went thwart over the middle of the cap: but others ſay, that this threefold ſtringe or three skiecolourd ſtrings or bands, were wreathed one withinaother according to the breadth of the ſaid golden plate, and were made faſt to the edges of the plate, and that the ſame was (without beeing tyed) put upon the Highprieſts cap, ſtanding in the forme of a crowne upon the Highprieſt head This was the forme and nature of the eight ſacerdotall or prieſtly garments, wherewith the Temple was ſerved, even as the holy Scripture declareth unto us.