In the fecond PLATE. The two undermoft Coverings, namely, that of Goats Hair, and that of fine Linen, were divided into feveral Curtains: but the two uppermoft were not. The Covering of fine Linen was ten Curtains; the Covering of Goats Hair was eleven Curtains, that one Curtain might hang down on the five Pillars before the Entrance of the Tabernacle, or be doubled backward upon it, Exod. xxvi. 1, &c. And yet befides this there was a Hanging or Vail of fine Linen for the Door of the abernacle, of blue, purple and scarlet, wrought with Needle-work, like the Vail that hung at the Entrance of the Holy of Holies: And therefore St Paul calls that the fecond l'ail, Heb. ix. 3. in. reference to that Hanging at the Dour of the Tabernacle, or Holy Place, which was the firft. The five Staves or Bars thrust through all the Rings on the Boards of the Tabernacle, held the Tabernacle together. In the PRIESTS GARMENTS. Several of thefe Vestments, (even all in the upper Rank) belonged to the common Priests, as well as to the High Priest; namely, B. the Linen Breeches, and C. the Coat, G. the Girdle, and M. the Mitre: Yet thele Veftments of the common Priefts are not fupposed to be embroidered, but all white. We read alfo of Samuel, when a Child, wearing a Linen Ephod, 1 Sam. ii. 18. and of the common Priefts having a fort of Ephod, 1 Sam xxii 18. but what that was, is not eafy to determine; probably it was like the High Priest's, but plain and not embroidered. Learned Men have generally supposed the curious Girdle of the Ephod to be always fatened on to the Ephod, because it is faid, Exod xxviii. 8. The Girdle which is upon it; and that it hung out on each Side, like two Ends of a Girdle, to bind it round the Body; which therefore I have described in the fame Manner, in conformity to Cuftom, though I think Scripture doth not certainly determine it; and on this Account I call the other Girdle G, the Girdle of the Coat, which was common to other Priefts as well as the High Priest. In the third PLATE. Of the five Pillars at the Front of the Tabernacle, three are cut off both above and below, to let the Veffels behind appear. On the fix Loaves of Shew-bread, which food at each End of the Golden Table, Painters and learned Men generally place two Plates or Dishes of Incense, as a Covering to the Loaves; but the Scripture does not give Order for it. The Vail V, which is hung on four Pillars, is to be lifted up, to fhew the Holy of Holies behind it, where the Ark of the Covenant ftands. On the Side of the Ark, and of the Altar of Incense, and the Table of Shew-bread, are Staves thrust through Rings, which were made to carry those Veffels on the Shoulders of the Priests, Exod. xxv. The Reader perhaps, may complain that he finds no Cherub upon the little Figure of the Ark in the most holy Place. The Reason of it is the same which I gave for not defcribing Solomon's Temple, namely, because learned Men are fo greatly divided in their Opinions about the Shape or Form of a Cherub: And though I have taken no small Pains to inquire into this Matter, both by the Comparison of all the Texts in the Bible, where it is mentioned, and by confulting many learned Writers, yet I cannot ar rive at any Satisfaction or Certainty what was the true Figure of those Cherubs which were placed on the Ark and I queftion whether, among the nu merous Forms in which learned Men and Painters have described them, there is any one which has hit exactly on the Truth. To me it appears very probable, that, if they had any Feet vifible, they were cloven, like the Feet of an Ox or Calf, and perhaps they might have the Face of an Ox alfo. But a particular Differtation on this Subject, as the Fruit of my Inquiries, would not be fo proper for this Place, |