212 S Y L V A BOOK IV 



form the columns, and lay the rafters ; and then, and 

 not till then, was it so much as schism that I can find, 

 to retire to groves for their devotion, or even to 

 Bethel it self. 



2. In such recesses were the ancient oratories and 

 proseuche, built theatre-wise, sub dio^ at some distance 

 from the cities, xvi. Acts ; and made use of even 

 amongst the Gentiles, as well as the people of God ; 

 (nor is it always the less authentical for having been 

 the guise of nations) hence that of Philo, speaking of 



One who iravag 'louSatwv Trpovtv\a iSevS/ooro^urjo-f, ffc. had 



fell'd all the trees about it ; and such a place the 

 satyrist means, where he asks, In qua te quaero proseucha? 

 because it was the rendezvous also, where poor people 

 us'd to beg the alms of devout and charitable persons; 1 

 so as it was esteem'd piacular for any to cut down so 

 much as a stick about them, unless it were to build 

 them, when with the Psalmist, men had honour ac- 

 cording to their forwardness of repairing the houses 

 of God in the land, upon which account it was lawful 

 to lift up axes against the goodliest trees in the forest ; 

 but those zealous days are past ; 



2 Now temples shut, and groves deserted lie, 

 All gold adore, and neglect piety. 



In the mean time, that which came nearest to the 

 Scaenopegia of the Jews, and other solemnities, call'd 

 by the Romans Umbrae ; as those in Neptunalibus are 

 described by the poet, 



1 See Tirinus, our Mede, Ainsworth. Diatrib. on XXIV. Josh. 26. Valesius 

 Annos. in lib. 2. Hist. Eccles. Euseb. p. 28. 



2 Et nunc desertis cessant sacraria lucis, 

 Aurum omnes victa jam pietate colunt. 



Propert. 



