[224] Scheindler pentaglot.
[225] Stukius conviv. l. 2. c. 11.
Touching the Gates of the Temple, there were[226] two of principal note, both built by Solomon, the one for those that were new married, the other for mourners and excommunicate persons. The mourners were distinguished from the excommunicate persons, by having their lips covered with a skirt of their garment; none entered that gate with their lip uncovered, but such as were excommunicate. Now the Israelites which one the Sabbath days sate between those Gates said unto the new married: He, whose Name dwelleth in this house, glad thee with children. Unto the mourner, He, which dwelleth in this house, glad and comfort thee. Unto the excommunicate, He, which dwelleth in this house, move thy heart to harken to the words of thy fellows.
[226] R. Juda in l. Musar. vid. Dru. præterit. Joan. 9. 22.
Among the Jews, the gates were places of chiefest strength, so that they being taken or defended, the whole City was taken, or defended: and they were chief places of Jurisdiction, for in them Judges were wont to sit, and to decide controversies. Hence proceeded those phrases: The gates of Hell shall not prevail against thee, &c. And, Thy seed shall possess the gates of his Enemies.
CHAP. IV.
Of their Groves, and high Places.
The ancient Heathens did not only not build Temples,[227] but they held it utterly unlawful so to do. The reason of this might be, because they thought no Temple spacious enough for the Sun, which was their chief God. Hence came that saying,[228] Mundus universus est Templum Solis; The whole world is a Temple for the Sun. Moreover, they thought it unfit to straiten, and confine the supposed Infiniteness of their fancied Deities within walls; and therefore when after-times had brought in the use of Temples, yet their God Terminus, and divers others of their Gods were worshipped in Temples open roofed, which were therefore called ὕπαιθρα. This I take to be the reason why they made choice of Hills and Mountains, as the convenientest places for their Idols. These consecrated Hills, are those high places which the Scripture so often forbids. Afterwards, as the number of their Gods encreased; so the number of their consecrated hills was multiplied, from which their Gods and Goddesses took their names; as Mercurius Cyllenius, Venus Erycina, Jupiter Capitolinus. At length to beautifie these holy hills, the places of their idolatrous worship they beset them with trees, and hence came the consecration of Groves, and Woods, from which their Idols many times were named.[229] At last some choice and select Trees began to be consecrated.[230] Those French Magi, termed Dryadæ, worshipped the Oak, in Greek termed Δρῦς, and thence had their names. The Etrurians worshipped an Holm-tree; and[231] amongst the Celtæ, a tall Oak was the very Idol or Image of Jupiter.
[227] Hospin. de Ori. Templ. pag. 1.
[228] Alex ab Alex. lib. 2. cap. 2.