SYLVA 211 



we have that glorious vision of Moses in the fiery 

 thicket ; and it is not to abuse or violate the text, that 

 Moncaeus and others, interpret it to have been an intire 

 grove, and not a single bush only, which he saw as 

 burning, yet unconsum'd. Puto ego (says my author) 

 rubi ^oocabulo non quidem rubum aliquem unicum & solita- 

 rium significari^ ^erum rube turn totum^ autpotiusfruticetum^ 

 quomodo de quercu Mambre pro querceto toto docti intel- 

 ligunt. Now that they worshipped in that place soon 

 after their coming out of ^Egypt, the following story 

 shews ; and the Feast of Tabernacles had some re- 

 semblance of patriarchal devotion under trees, though 

 but in temporary groves and shades in manner of booths, 

 yet celebrated with all the refreshings of the forest ; 

 and from the very infancy of the world in which 

 Adam was entertain'd in Paradise, and Abraham (as 

 we noted) received his divine guests, not in his tent, 

 but under a tree, an oak, (triclinium angelicum^ the 

 angels dining-room) all intelligent persons have im- 

 brac'd the solace of shady arbours, and all devout 

 persons found how naturally they dispose our spirits 

 to religious contemplations : For this, as some con- 

 ceive, they much affected to plant their trees in circles, 

 and gave that capacious form to the first temples, 

 observ'd not only of old, 1 but even at this day by the 

 Jews, as the most accommodate for their assemblies; 

 or, as others, because that figure most resembl'd the 

 universe, and the heavens : Templum a templando^ says 

 a knowing critic ; and another, templum est nescio quid 

 immane^ atque amplum; such as Arnobius speaks of, that 

 had no roof but heaven, till that sumptuous fabric of 

 Solomon was confin'd to Jerusalem, and the goodliest 

 cedars, and most costly woods were carried thither to 



! XXIII. Levit. 40. 



