Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

[Greek or Hebrew], the Holy Ghost which is Prophecy, the third; all Prophesies ceasing under that House, from the days of Malachi unto John Baptist: [Greek or Hebrew], Urim and Thummim, the fourth thing. [Greek or Hebrew]; Fire from Heaven, to kindle the everlasting fire on the Altar, the fifth thing. They that acknowledge all these things to have been wanting in the second Temple, as the Jews generally do, and the Talmud in [Greek or Hebrew], Chap. 5. expressly, cannot well compare the glory of it, with the glory of that Temple wherein they were, and whereof they were indeed the chiefest glory and the most eminent pledges of the presence of God therein.

〈non-Latin alphabet〉, the Holy Ghost which is Prophecy, the third; all Prophesies ceasing under that House, from the dayes of Malachi unto John Baptist: 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Ʋrim and Thummim, the fourth thing. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; Fire from Heaven, to kindle the everlasting fire on the Altar, the fifth thing. They that acknowledge all these things to have been wanting in the second Temple, as the Jews generally do, and the Talmud in 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Chap. 5. expresly, cannot well compare the glory of it, with the glory of that Temple wherein they were, and whereof they were indeed the chiefest glory and the most eminent pledges of the presence of God therein.

The pretence about the glory of this House from the riches of the Hasmoneans and § 15 Herod is no less vain. That which amongst the Hasmoneans had the greatest appearance of glory was their High Priest (who also came irregularly unto that Office) assuming the Royal Power and Titles. But this as themselves confess, was a sinful disorder; and their whole race was quickly extirpated for Herod the great; it is well they are on this occasion reconciled unto him, whom elsewhere they execrate as an Usurper, cruel Tyrant, and Slave to the Romans, all which he was indeed. Little glory came to the Temple by his Rule and Sovereignty. Besides, during his Reign and the Rule of the remainder of his Race, the High Priests were thrust in and out, at the pleasures of Brutish Tyrants; no order in their Succession, no beauty in their Worship being observed, or sought after. Hence comparing the number of High Priests under the Second Temple, with that of them under the first, which it trbly surmounts, they apply unto it that of Solomon, because of the wickedness of the people, the Rulers are many. To seek for the Glory mentioned among these things and persons is assuredly vain.