The two and twentieth of the month _Tisri_, was in truth a distinct feast, as appeareth, _Neh. 8. 18._ but yet because this immediately followed the Feast of _Tabernacles_, it hath been always counted the last day of that Feast. And not only the _boughs_, but the _days_ of this whole _feast of Tabernacles_ were termed[338] _Hosannoth_, from the usual acclamations of the people, whiles they carried _Boughs_ up and down. And this eighth day was called _Hosanna Rabba_, the _great Hosanna_, or the _great day of the feast_. _John 7. 37._ Upon this day[339] they did read the last Section of the Law, and likewise began the first, least they might otherwise seem more joyful in ending their Sections, than willing to begin them. Upon this day also,[340] by the Institution of the Prophet _Haggæus_ and _Zachary_, and such like _Prophetical_ men, they did with great solemnity and joy, bring great store of water from the River _Shiloah_ to the Temple, where it being delivered unto the _Priests_, it was poured upon the Altar, together with Wine, and all the people sung that of the _Prophet_ _Esay. 12. 13._ _With joy shall ye draw water out of the Wells of salvation_. Our Saviour is thought to have alluded unto this, in that speech which he used on this very day, _John 7. 38._ _He that believeth in me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of waters of life._
[338] _Talmud. tract. de fest. Tabernaculorum, cap. הלול Vid. Tremel. John 7. 37._
It is worth our noting also, that whereas God commanded the Observation of this Feast on the fifteenth of the seventh month _Tisri_; _Jeroboam_, that he might work in the people a forgetfulness of the true Worship of God, appointed[341] the celebration of a Feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day thereof, which is thought to be this very feast of _Tabernacles_.
[341] _Hospinian. de Orig. hujus fest. p. 24._
_Of the Feast of Trumpets, and their New Moons._
For the understanding of the time when this Feast was to be observed, we must note, the month _Tisri_ was the _seventh month_, according to their _sacred Computation_; and therefore it is commanded to be celebrated the first day of the _seventh month_, _Levit. 23. 24._ But according to their _Civil Computation_ it was their _first month_, so that this Feast may be termed their _New-years-day_.