It was _Abraham_’s custom, wherever he dwelt, to build one of these temples: as afterward, in the plain of _Mamre_, by _Hebron_, _Gen._ xiii. 18. And at _Beersheba_ we are told he planted a grove, and there invoked in the name of _Jehovah_, the everlasting God, _Gen._ xxi. 33. It cannot be doubted but there was an altar and work of stones at the same place. And this was the usage of all the patriarchs, his successors, ever after; as is obvious in scripture, even to _Moses_’s time. _Isaac_ builded an altar in _Beersheba_, and invoked in the Name of _Jehovah_, who personally appear’d to him, _Gen._ xxvi. 25. _Jacob_ set up the anointed pillar at _Bethel_, xxviii. 18. and the temple there, xxxv. At _Shechem_ he builded another, xxxiii. 20. At _Bethel_ he set up a pillar, where _Jehovah_ personally appeared to him, and blessed him: he anointed it, and poured a drink-offering, or libation thereon, xxxv. 14. In _Exod._ xxiv. 4. we read, _Moses rose early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars_, which we have no reason to doubt were set in a circle. The like was done after they were seated in the land of _Canaan_, till the temple of _Solomon_ was built: for _Samuel_, when he dwelt at _Ramah_, built an altar, to _Jehovah_ there, whereat to celebrate publick offices of religion, 1 _Sam._ vii. 17. Hence we gather further these three things. 1. That they planted groves in patriarchal times, as temples for publick worship. It seems that this was done in those hot countries, for convenience in the summer-season: and perhaps for magnificence. For we are told, _Abraham_ dwelt long at _Beersheba_, where he planted the grove. These were as our cathedrals; they were planted round about the circular parts of stones, as porticos for receiving of the congregation. Whence groves and temples became a synonymous appellation, both in sacred and heathen writers. 2. That these temples which they call’d altars, were circles of stones, inclosing _that_ stone more properly nam’d the altar. The circles were greater or less, of more or fewer stones, as the will or convenience of the founder prompted. _Moses_ his temple was a circle of twelve stones: and such we have in _England_. 3. They were commonly made on open plains, and rising grounds, conspicuous and commodious for multitudes, a whole neighbourhood to assemble in. This is the consequence of the nature and reason of the thing: for a matter of publick use must be in the most publick and conspicuous place. 4. The patriarchal religion, and the christian, is but one and the same. Hence in _Isaiah_ xix. 19. the prophet speaking of the restitution of the patriarchal religion in _Egypt_, under the gospel dispensation, says, “In that day shall there be an altar to _Jehovah_ in the midst of the land of _Egypt_; and a pillar, at the border thereof, to _Jehovah_.” This is expressly making use of the terms of a patriarchal temple, with a view to that religion restor’d, meaning the christian.