CHAPTER XV

Of the Picture of _John_ the Baptist.

The Picture of _John_ the Baptist, in a Camels skin is very questionable, and many I perceive have condemned it. The ground or occasion of this description are the words of the holy Scripture, especially of _Matthew_ and _Mark_, for _Luke_ and _John_ are silent herein; by them it is delivered, his garment was of Camels hair, and had a leather girdle about his loins. Now here it seems the Camels hair is taken by Painters for the skin or pelt with the hair upon it. But this Exposition will not so well consist with the strict acceptation of the words; for _Mark_ 1. It is said, he was, ἐνδεδυμένος τρίχας καμήλου, and _Matthew_ 3. εἶχε τὸ ἔνδυμα ἀπὸ τριχῶν καμήλου, that is, as the vulgar translation, that of _Beza_, that of _Sixtus Quintus_, and _Clement_ the eight hath rendred it, _vestimentum habebat è pilis camelinis_; which is as ours translateth it, a garment of Camels hair; that is, made of some texture of that hair, a course garment; a cilicious or sackcloth habit; sutable to the austerity of his life; the severity of his Doctrine, Repentance; and the place thereof, the wilderness, his food and diet, locusts and wild hony. Agreeable unto the example of _Elias_ [SN: 2 Kings 3. 18.], who is said to be _vir pilosus_, that is, as _Tremellius_ interprets, _Veste villosa[5] cinctus_, answerable unto the habit of the ancient Prophets, according to that of _Zachary_ [SN: Zach. 13.]. In that day the Prophets shall be ashamed, neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive; and sutable to the Cilicious and hairy Vests of the strictest Orders of Fryers, who derive the institution of their Monastick life from the example of _John_ and _Elias_.

[5] _villoso_, 1646, 1650, 1658, 1669, 1672.

As for the wearing of skins, where that is properly intended, the expression of the Scripture is plain; so it is said, _Heb._ 11. They wandered about ἐν αἰγείοις δέρμασιν, that is, in Goats skins; and so it is said of our first Parents, _Gen._ 3. That God made them χιτῶνας δερματίνους, _Vestes pelliceas_, or coats of skins; which though a natural habit unto all, before the invention of Texture, was something more unto _Adam_, who had newly learned to die; for unto him a garment from the dead, was but a dictate of death, and an habit of mortality.

Now if any man will say this habit of _John_ was neither of Camels skin, nor any course Texture of its hair, but rather some finer Weave of Camelot, Grograin or the like, in as much as these stuffs are supposed to be made of the hair of that Animal, or because that _Ælian_ affirmeth, that Camels hair of _Persia_, is as fine as _Milesian_ wool, wherewith the great ones of that place were cloathed; they have discovered an habit, not only unsutable unto his leathern cincture, and the coarseness of his life; but not consistent with the words of our Saviour, when reasoning with the people concerning _John_, he saith, What went you out into the wilderness to see? a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft raiment, are in Kings houses.