CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER FIVE
THE TEMPLE O F
J E R U S A L E M
I N THE VERY TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM, they have their quarters. It is not as splendid as the ancient and highly celebrated temple of Solomon, yet no less glorious. What is more, all the magnificence of the first temple lay in perishable gold and silver,1 in polished stones and precious woods;2 whereas all the beauty and gracious, charming adornment of its present counterpart is the religious fervor of its occupants and their well-disciplined behavior. In the former, one could contemplate all sorts of beautiful colors, while in the latter, one is able to venerate all sorts of virtues and good works. Holiness indeed suits the house of God;3 it delights, not in burnished marble, but in polished manners, and loves pure minds far more than gilt paneling.
The facade of this temple is adorned, of course, but with weapons rather than jewels, and in place of the ancient golden crowns, it walls are hung round with shields.4 In place of candlesticks, censers, and ewers, this house is well furnished with saddles, bridles, and lances. By all these signs the knights clearly show that they are animated by the same zeal for the house of God which of old vehemently inflamed the Leader of knighthood himself, who, having his most sacred hands armed, not with a weapon, but with a whip which he had fashioned from lengths of cord, entered the temple, ousted the merchants, scattered the coins of the money changers, and overturned the chairs of the pigeon vendors, considering it totally unfitting to defile this house of prayer by such traffic.5
1 Pet 1:18.
1 Kings 6f£
Ps 92:5.
1 Mac 4:57.
Mt 21:12-13, Jn 2:14-16.
In Praise of the New Knighthood Moved therefore by their King's example, his devoted soldiery, considering it far more unfitting and infinitely more intolerable for a holy place to be polluted by unbelievers6 than to be crowded with merchants, have installed themselves in this holy house with their horses and their armour. Having expunged it and the other holy places of every infidel stain and the tyrannical horde, they occupy themselves day and night with work as distinguished as it is practical. They honor the temple of God earnestly with fervent and sincere worship, in their devotion offering up, not the flesh of animals according to the ancient rites,7 but true peace offerings, brotherly love, devoted obedience, and voluntary poverty.
10. These events at Jerusalem have shaken the world. The islands hearken, and the people from afar give ear.8 They swarm forth from East and West, as a flood stream bringing glory to the nations9 and a rushing river gladdening the city of God.10 What could be perceived as more pleasant and deemed more suitable than seeing so great a multitude of men thronging to reinforce the few—unless it is seeing along them godless rogues, sacrilegious thieves, murderers, perjurers, and adulterers?11 At their departure, there is a twofold joy and a twofold benefit: their countrymen are as glad to be rid of them as their new comrades are to receive them. Both sides have profited from this exchange; one group gains protection and the other gets rid of a nuisance.
Thus Egypt rejoices in their departure12 while in their protection Mount Sion rejoices no less and the daughters of Judah are glad.13
The former glory in being delivered from their hands,14 while the
Lev 19:8.
1 Kings 8:63.
Is 49:1.
Is 66:12.
Ps45:5.
1 Tim 1:9-10 12 Ps 104:38; Ex 12:33, 36. Profectus here has a double meaning: conversion and departure.
13 Ps 47:12.
14 Lk 1:74.