Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

§ 21 Because in all these places there is mention made of these frontlets or memorials, therefore do they take them out for this use. And these are to be written on parchment made of the skin of a clean beast, on the side next the flesh, prepared with a pronunciation of a form of words both in the killing of the beast, and in the delivery of the skin unto the Dresser, and to the Writer: When they are written, they are wrapped up in small rolls, and so worn upon their foreheads, and left arms, being so rolled and made up, that none of the writing might be seen. And great art is required in the making of these Tephilin which few amongst them attain unto. Hence Fagius tells us a story, of a Master amongst them in his days, who sold many thousands of these Phylacteries unto his Country-men, which had nothing in them but Cards, which served their turns well enough. Their Masters also are curious in describing what part of the head they must be applied unto, namely, the fore-part from ear to ear; and the hand must be the left hand, whereby yet they will have the arm above the elbow to be understood; and when they must be worn, namely by day, not by night, on the Week days, not on the Sabbath, and the like worthy speculations. The benefit also they receive hereby, is incredible, for by them are they defended from evil, as some by the sign of the Cross, others by the first words of the Gospel of John worn about them; They are sanctified in the Law, and in a word, the Targum on the Canticles, Chap. 8. v. 3. tells us, that God chose them above all people, because they wore the Phylacteries. So just cause had our Lord Jesus Christ to reprove their hypocrisy, superstition and self-justification in the use, abuse, and boasting of these things, Mat. 23.5. All their works they do for to be seen of Men, they make broad their Phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments. This about the borders of their garments, was an after Institution, yet because of its answerableness unto this, we may add it in this place. To this purpose, God gives his command; Num. 15.38, 39, 40.

§ 21 Because in all these places there is mention made of these frontlets or memorials, therefore do they take them out for this use. And these are to be written on parchment made of the skin of a clean beast, on the side next the flesh, prepared with a pronuntiation of a form of words both in the killing of the beast, and in the delivery of the skin unto the Dresser, and to the Writer: When they are written, they are wrapt up in small rolls, and so worn upon their foreheads, and left arms, being so rolled and made up, that none of the writing might be seen. And great art is required in the making of these Tephilin which few amongst them attain unto. Hence Fagius tells us a story, of a Master amongst them in his dayes, who sold many thousands of these Phylacteries unto his Country-men, which had nothing in them but Cards, which served their turns well enough. Their Masters also are curious in describing what part of the head they must be applyed unto, namely, the fore-part from ear to ear; and the hand must be the left hand, whereby yet they will have the arm above the elbow to be understood; and when they must be worn, namely by day, not by night, on the Week dayes, not on the Sabbath, and the like worthy speculations. The benefit also they receive hereby, is incredible, for by them are they defended from evil, as some by the sign of the Cross, others by the first words of the Gospel of John worn about them; They are sanctified in the Law, and in a word, the Targum on the Canticles, Chap. 8. v. 3. tells us, that God chose them above all people, because they wore the Phylacteries. So just cause had our Lord Jesus Christ to reprove their hypocrisie, superstition and self-justification in the use, abuse, and boasting of these things,