Hadad-Ezer and by strong hand subdued and quelled the Fury of that mighty Tyrant who was also a trouble and vexation to the Kingdom of Antiochia David entertained this Message kindly and thankfully received his Gifts which was of Gold Silver and fine Brass and so gave Ioram an acceptable Dispatch and from thence with his Army went to Damascus the Metropolitan City of Syria where in the Valley of Salt he got a great Victory in which 18000 Syrians were slain and soon after the City of Damascus taken in which David placed a Garrison and compelled them to pay Tribute 2 Sam. 8. This was distant from the Kingdom of Soba 520 miles From Damascus he went with his Army into the Land of the Ammonites 100 miles in the way that leadeth out of Syria to Ierusalem all which he conquered and all the Cities and Towns thereabouts and compelled them to pay Tribute 2 Sam. 8. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was sixty miles and all the Booty that he had gotten in his Journey he dedicated unto the Lord 2 Sam. 8. A while after he with his Army made an Incursion into the Land of Idumaea and compelled the Inhabitants to pay Tribute Moreover he destroyed the City of Midian the Metropolitan of that Country of which you may read before it was distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the South So that the extent of David's Kingdom from the North to the South was 800 miles even from the Kingdom of Soba to the Red Sea and from the East to the West 120 miles from Tyrus and Sydon reaching to Damascus Thus by the singular Blessing of God he obtained a spacious and powerful Empire 1 Sam. 8. 1 Reg. 11. 1 Chr. 19. He made his Expedition into Idumaea about the fourteenth year of his Reign From Midian in Idumaea he returned with great Glory and Praise to Ierusalem which was 160 miles In the fourteenth year of his Reign and in the year of the World 2904 and before Christ 1064 Nahas King of the Ammonites died and Haron his Son succeeded him this Man contemptuously abused the Messengers of David 2 Sam. 10. and to justifie that Injury he gathered an Army out of Soba Syria and Mesopotamia even a mighty Host to oppose David who in the fifteenth year of his Government met him with his Army at Helam some twenty miles from Ierusalem where he obtained a notable Victory and destroyed 700 Chariots and 40000 Horse 1 Chr. 20. David after this with great applause of the People was entertained into Ierusalem which was 20 miles distant where being puft up with Prosperity he forgat his former Piety and Sanctity and by degrees fell into unlawful Actions and unjust desires whence it happened that soon after he committed Adultery with Bathseba and after that to hide his Fault caused her Husband to be slain This was kept secret till the Lord by Nathan sharply reprehends him lays before him what he was and what his present estate is from whence that came and then concludes that he is most unthankful careless and negligent towards God and Man in committing those Insolencies neither left he there but told him that God would severely punish him for his Offence which after happened as you may read 1 Sa. 11 12. 14 17. David being nipt in his Conscience with this sharp reprehension fell into great Lamentation the extremity of whose Passions may very well appear in the Penitential Psalms which at this time and soon after he wrote and left to future Ages After this about the end of Summer he gathered an Army and went into the Land of the Ammonites some sixty four miles where he took the Metropolitan City which at that time was called Rabba because of the Multitude of Citizens that were in it but after being restored by Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Aegypt he called it after his own name Philadelphia and there took the Crown from the Head of the King of the Ammonites which weighed a Talent of Gold being as Iosephus saith richly adorned with fair Sardonick Stones of which you may read 2 Sam. 12. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem which is sixty four miles where he married Bathseba and by her had four Sons Simeon Sobab Nathan and Solomon 1 Chr. 3. Soon after this Amnon defloured his Sister Thamar Not long after that his Son Absalom killed his Brother Amnon being then about eighteen years of age which David took so heinously that he would not suffer him to come into his sight for three years 2 Sam. 13. Then Ioab by the subtilty of the Woman of Tekoa reconciled him to the King his Father yet nevertheless he came not to his Court of two years after This Absalom was a goodly man affable for which cause even at that time the People began to affect him Afterward in the year of the World 2950 and before Christ 1408 Absalom being then about twenty five years of Age moved Sedition against his Father A matter remarkable that although he had slain his own Brother being disgraced and absent from the Court almost five years yet within short time after he so strongly united the Affection of the People to him that he constrained David standing in fear of his greatness all his former Acts and worthy Victories notwithstanding to forsake his own City and for safety to fly to the Mount of Olives being three quarters of a mile from the City There he stayed a while to see the condition of the Tumult but Necessity constrained him to take his way to Bahuzim And as he was going Zimri the Son of Gesa of the house of Saul cursed him every mans Enemy then making himself apparent when he is in Adversity and his best friends commonly forsake him From thence he went to Iordan fourteen miles where the Priests Ionathan and Ahinaaz brought him certain Intelligence of that wicked and perverse Counsel of Achitophel a man in those times famous for his Wisdom but perfidious in his Actions as commonly such are that hope after Honours or seek to benefit themselves by Innovation and Change After he had Intelligence hereof he went over Iordan with those few men that he had and with all possible speed went to Bethabara some 16 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east At this place Ioshuah led the Children of Israel through Iordan on dry ground Ios. 3. 4. and here Iohn the Baptist taught and baptized Christ. Mat. 1. and Luke 3. From thence he went to Makanaim which is 28 miles where he sent forth his Army by bands against Absalom who at this time had assembled a great Host near the Wood Ephraim not far from that place where Ioshua won a memorable Battel against the Canaanites and that the place might be made more famous David's men though few in number gave Absalom and his Host as great Thus Absalom being left in danger to save himself fled but in his flight the Hair of his Head being long and blown with the Wind
breathing made new incursions upon the Romans by which means they could not determine thereof The 6th of August the Souldiers of Titus without command of their Captains fired the Temple just upon that day which Nebuchadnezzar before time had destroyed it as Iosephus witnesseth li. de Bell. 6. c. 26. 27. Caesar would fain have saved this Temple for the sumptuousness of it and beckoned to his Souldiers to have quencht the fire but they partly prest on with desire of wealth partly being prickt on with fury and madness gave no ear to his speeches but committed most cruel Massacres without either regard of age or sex So that the cries of the Slaughtered the sound of the Roman Trumpets the fierce resistance of the Seditious and the Fire furiously burning represented a most horrible spectacle The ground below was covered with dead bodies many in desperation threw themselves into the fire 6000 were burnt in the same Gate whither they fled for refuge and the Priests most cruelly massacred as they were in the Temple of Ierusalem the mirror of the World being consumed and spoiled with Fire and Sword After these things upon the Bridge that passeth from the Temple over the Valley into the lower Town Titus made a Speech by an Interpreter to the two Seditious Captains gently intreating them to leave off their Rebellion and he would spare the City and commit no more outrages and such further requests as they desired should according to reason be granted them but if they would not embrace mercy and cease their violent resistance they must expect no manner of compassion but the very Law of Arms This they contemned and made but a mock of Caesar for all his offers whereupon in a great rage he gave the signal to his Souldiers and they went through all the City and set it one fire The next day they won the lower City and with fire and sword consumed the place where the Records lay the Court and all the Princely buildings until they came to that stately house of Helena which stood in the midst of Acra all the houses near being filled with the Bodies of the Dead and the streets horribly defiled with the blood of those that were Slain Within a short while after Iohannes Giscalinus was taken alive and committed to prison The inferior City being thus taken and destroyed about the 16 day of August Caesar began to build his Engines and to batter the Walls of the upper City which within the space of 18 days after with extream labour and skill he laid flat with the Ground as Iosephus saith And upon the 7th of September with great facility he conquered the City the Iewes of their own accord descending from the Towers and the Româ—ns set upon the Walls their Ensigns with a great Acclamation and wasted all the City with Fire and Sword sparing neither Men Women nor Children The eighth day of the Month of September the whole City was destroyed and not a stone left upon a stone but laid level with the Ground only the three Towers that were built by Herod which were of shining Marble viz. Hippicus Phaselus and Mariamne that future Ages seeing the excellency of those Buildings they might judge of the stateliness of the rest But these also were after destroyed by Adrianus Caesar. There died by the Famin and Pestilence an innumerable number by Fire and Sword ten hundred thousand 2000 were found that either killed themselves or one killed another 7900 were taken Captives of these all the seditious Thieves that accused one another were slain by Frontonius Caesar Titus freed many 7000 were sent into Aegypt with extreme labour to consume and dye the Properest and most able were reserved for Triumph many were distributed through the Provinces some were slain by the Sword and by Beasts for publick Spectacles and those that were sixteen years of Age and under together with many other Caesar sold under the Crown at thirty for a silver Penny that as Christ was sold for thirty Pence so thirty of them should be sold for a Penny With the Riches of this Town Caesar triumphed rode into Rome with two golden Chariots built the Temple of Peace and there put all the Plate which he found in the Temple of Ierusalem After all this for a full determination of those Evils the two seditious Captians Iohannes Giscalinus and Simon the Son of Giora were put to most cruel deaths Thus may we see the grievous punishment of the obstinate and ambitious which God permitted to fall upon them for their Unthankfulness and cruel Tyranny How the City of Jerusalem after this Destruction by Titus Vespasian was utterly beaten down and defaced by Aelius Adr. Caesar which he re-edifying called it after his own Name Aelia THE City of Ierusalem being thus laid level with the ground for the space of sixty Years lay desolate a receptacle for Thieves and Murtherers a fit place for Wolves and wild Beasts which resorted thither to feed upon the dead Bodies And now Time consuming their Flesh left their Bones and Skulls to lye upon the Earth as in a Charnel-house Thus it continued until one Benchochab which signifies the Son of the Stars born in the Town of Bethcoron not far from Emaus professed himself to be the Messiah or Christ. The Jewes supposing this to be true because of that saying of Numb 24. There shall a Star rise up out of Jacob assembled themselves to the number of many thousands and followed him with great Tyranny and Cruelty spoiling the Holy Land and through all the Countrey of Judaea committing many Outrages and Massacres Thus they continued for the space of eighteen years at the end of which time Adrianus Aelianus the Emperour hearing of those Insolencies levied an Army and sent them into Judaea under the Government of Julius Severus who in a pitch'd field near to Bethcoron and not far from Emaus conquered this Benchochab or Pseudo-Messiah and with him slew five hundred thousand Jews that were deceived by his persuasion Now when they went to seek for the Body of this Deceiver amongst the Dead as saith Talmudista he was found lying with an horrible Serpent about his neck intimating how God rejected him that would seem to imitate his Son for even as the Serpent deceived our first Parents so this Benchochab deceived the Jews and for this cause they called him Beâ—cozba that is The Son of Lying The number of the Jews which in the time of this War were slain amounted to 500000 men besides many others that perished by Pestilence and Famin. This War happened 64 years after the destruction of Jerusalem After this second Desolation of the Jews at the command of the Emperour that there might be a final extirpation of the Antient City of Jerusalem and that the words of our Saviour might be fulfilled Loe there shall not be a stone left upon a stone Mat. 24. the Ruins and Foundations thereof were digged up the Stones broken in pieces the Ground
as he lay upon his Bed and after cut off his Head The Head they brought to King David to Hebron 68 miles But David was not pleased with their Treachery wherefore he caused them both to be put to Death So their Travels were 108 miles The Travels of Absalom ABsalom was born in Hebron and went with his Father to Ierusalem 22 miles 2 Sam. 13. From thence he went to Baal-hazor eight miles where he caused his Brother Amnon to be slain From thence for fear of his Father he fled into the Land of Gesur 88 miles 2 Sam 14. From thence he came back with Ioab to Ierusalem which was 88 miles 2 Sam. 14. From thence he went to Hebron 22 miles and made himself King and rebelled against his Father From thence he went back again to Ierusalem which is 22 miles There he lay with his Fathers Concubines 2 Sam. 16. From thence he pursued his Father to Machanaim 40 miles and there was hanged by the Hair in an Oak tree where Ioab put him to death 2 Sam. 18. So all the Travels of Absalom were 290 miles Of Baal-hazor IN this City Absalom made a great Feast for his Sheep-shearers and invited all his Brothers to it where he caused Amnon to be slain because he had abused his Sister Thamar It lieth in the way some eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east as you go to Iericho near to Mount Epraim 2 Sam. 13. and is derived to Baal which signifies a Lord or Husband and Chazir a Den or Cave Of the Name Absalom ABsalom signifieth a Father of Peace although he was the Author of all Discord and Sedition against his Father The Travels of the wise Woman of Thecoa THis woman went from Thecoa to Ierusalem eight miles and spake with King David and with her sweet words she persuaded him that he would recall his Son out of Exile who then remained in Gesur 2 Sam. 14. Of Thecoa THecoa was a City in the Tribe of Iuda some eight miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east near this City Iosaphat by Prayers and the sound of Trumpets without drawing Sword got a memorable Victory and for that cause it signifieth the sound of a Trumpet In this place the Prophet Amos dwelt and there lyeth buried whose Sepulchre was to be seen four hundred Years after Christ as S. Ierom observeth It was from Bethlem-Iuda six miles Near to Thecoa was the Lake Aspher where Ionathan and Machabeus's brothers pitch'd their Tents 1 Mach. 9. Of this City you may read Ier. 6. Am. 1. 2 Chr. 11. Of Achitophel THis perfidious and wicked Man was born in the Town of Gilo not far from Hebron and Debir in the Tribe of Iudah Ios. 15. 2. Sam. 15. twenty miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward who when his Counsel would not take place he went home to his won House and there desperately hanged himself The Travels of wicked Shimei SHimei went from Bahurim where he cursed King David to Bathabara upon the River Iordan which was eighteen miles where he got Pardon of David 2 Sam. 9. From thence he went back with King David unto Gilgal four miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went with King David to Ierusalem twelve miles 2. Sam. 19. From thence he went to Bahurim three miles From Bahurim King Solomon sent for him again to Ierusalem three miles There he was constrained to build him an House and not to depart thence upon pain of Death 1 Reg. 2. But Shimei transgressing the commandment of the King went to Gath a City of the Philistines twelve miles From thence he returned back again to Ierusalem twelve miles where he was slain by the command of King Solomon in the third year of his Reign 1 Reg. 2. So all the Travels of Shimei were 104 miles The Books of KINGS and CHRONICLES Of Abishag the Virgin that lay with David THIS Maid was accounted the fairest in all Israel for which cause she was brought to Ierusalem for King David that she might lye with him in his old Age to procure Heat she was born at Sunem a Town some forty four miles from Ierusalem 1 Reg. 1. Of Sunem you may read before in the Travels of David and Saul The Travels of King Solomon SOlomon the Son of David King of Israel entred upon the full Government of the Kingdom of Israel Anâ—mundi 2931. and before Christ 1037. when he was about twenty years old After he went from Ierusalem to Gilgal four miles and there offered upon the Altar which Moses had made 1000 burnt offerings 1 Reg. 2. 2 Chr. 1. From thence he went back to Ierusalem four miles and built a Temple to the Lord in Mount Moriah I Reg. 6. This was begun about the fourth year of his Reign and 480 years after the Children of Israel came out of Aegypt in the Month Ziph which answereth to our May. So that the Temple began to be built in An. Mundi 2934. and before Christ 1034. To the building whereof Hiram King of Tyre sent Cedar Trees from Mount Libanus 120 miles to Ierusalem 1 Reg. 5. 2. Chr. 2. This Temple Solomon within plaited over with Gold and set with precious Stones and finished it in the Month of November about the eleventh year of his Reign 1 Reg. 6. The Dedication whereof was about the twelfth year of his Reign and in the thirty second year of his Age Anno Mundi 2942 and before Christ 1026. The Temple being finished he began to build his own house which was thirteen years a building and was finished about the 44 year of his Age and in the 24 of his Reign 1 Rg. 7. 8. After 20 Years in which time he had finished the House of the Lord and his own House in Mount Sion that he might manifest his Thankfulness to the King of Tyre he went to Cabul a City in the Tribe of Ashur some 80 miles Northward where he gave to the aforesaid Hiram 20 Towns or Cities with all the Country round about wherefore King Hiram called this Cabul that is Displeasant and Dirty 2 Reg. 9. You may read of Cabul Ios. 19. From thence he returned to Ierusalem 88 miles From thence he went to Hazor and restored the City which was 44 miles From thence he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles From thence he went to Megiddo which is not far from Iesreel in the Tribe of Manasses 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the North. This City Solomon fortified 1 Reg. 9. and Iosiah King of Iuda a long time after was there wounded to Death 2 Reg. 9. From Megiddo he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles After that Pharaoh King of Egypt had conquered Gaser and destroyed it with Fire he gave it to his Daughter the Wife of Solomon who rebuilt it This Town was scituated in the Tribe of Ephraim 28 miles from Ierusalem Northward 1 Reg. 9. From Gaser Solomon returned back again to Ierusalem being 28 miles From thence he went to the higher Bethoron which he fortified and stood 28 miles from Ierusalem
forward he left Idolatry and worshipped the true God adorned the Temple of the Lord with many fair and beautiful Buildings and in the five and fiftieth year of his age he died and was buried in the Kings Garden 2 Reg. 21. 2 Chron. 33. So all the Travels of Manasses were 1360 miles Of Amon King of Judah AMon signifieth True and Faithful he succeeded his Father Manasses when he was twenty two years of age Anno mundi 3307 before Christ 661. He reigned two years and then because of his exceeding Idolatry the Lord cast him off when he was about twenty four years of age near which time some of his Servants conspired against him and put him to death The Travels of King Josiah JOSIAH signifies A Sacrifice of the Lord he succeeded his Father Manasses in the Government when he was but eight years of age Anno Mundi 3309 before Christ 659. He governed Israel with great commendations thirty two years 2 Reg. 22. his Mothers name was Iedidah and dwelt in a Town called Bâ—zâ—ath but how far this Town stood from Ierusalem is not set down by any Author This good King went from Ierusalem to Bethel which was eight miles there he burnt upon the Altar which Ieroboam built the bones of the Priests of Baal as the man of God which came from Iudah had told Ieroboam 350 years before 1 Reg. 13. 2 Chr. 35. From Bethel he returned back to Ierusalem which was eight miles there he celebrated the Passover with a solemn Feast and great Attendance 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. In the last year of his Reign he went with his Army from Ierusalem to Megiddo being forty four miles against Pharaoh Necho King of Aegypt in which Battel he was slain with an Arrow about the thirty ninth year of his age 2 Chron. 3 5. From Megiddo his Body was carried in a Chariot back again to Ierusalem which was forty four miles and there with great Lamentations honourably buried 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. So all his Travels were 104 miles The Travels of Jehoahas King of Judah JEhoahas signifies the knowledge of God he succeeded his Father Iosiah in the twenty third year of his age Anno Mundi 3340 which was 628 years before Christ and reigned only three Months 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ieremy cap. 22. calleth this man Schallum that is a Recompence He went from Ierusalem to Riblah a City in the Tibe of Nepthaly which is accounted eighty miles where he was taken Prisoner by Pharaoh Necho 2 Reg. 23. From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led him Captive bound in Chains back again to Ierusalem being eighty miles and there appointed Iehojakim his elder Brother to reign in his place 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chron. 36. From Ierusalem he carried Iehoahas to Memphis the Metropolitan City of Aegypt which was 244 miles 2 Reg. 23. So all the Travels of Iehoahas were 404 miles Of Jehoiakim King of Judah JEhoiakim was the eldest Son of Iosiah that Good King and succeeded his Brother Iehoahas in the Kingdom Anno Mundi 3341 before Christ 627 he governed Iudah eleven years Pharaoh Necho made him King when he was twenty five years of age to whom he was constrained to pay 100 Talents of Silver and a Talent of Gold This Money being payed he obtained the Kingdom and continued in great Impiety and Idolatry for which cause he was sharply reprehended by Ieremiah the Prophet but he being offended at his words sought to put him to death wherefore the Lord stirred up Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of the Assyrians and Babylonians who in the eleventh year of this King's Reign came to Ierusalem and took him captive tyed him in two chains and would have carried him to Babylon but his mind changed wherefore he caused him to be put to death and cast out into the Fields of Ierusalem for a prey to wild Beasts Ier. 22. 2 Reg. 23. Of Jehoiachin King of Judah Jehoiachin signifies the preparation of Iehovah This man succeeded his Brother Iehoiakim and began his Reign about the end of the 3351 year of the World and reigned only three Months and ten days which was about the eighth year of Nabuchadonozor the Great at which time he was led captive from Ierusalem to Babylon together with Mordochae and many other Nobles which was 680 miles This Captivity happened 617 years before Christ 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ester 2. Ier. 52. The Travels of Zedekiah the last King of Judah AFter Iehoiachin succeeded Zedekiah which signifies the just man of God This was the Son of the good King Iosiah yet an impious Tyrant who by the permission of Nabuchadonozor the Great was suffered to be King of Iudah after his Brother when he was one and twenty years of age He began to reign about the beginning of the 3352 year of the World and before Christ 616 he governed tyranically eleven years 2 Reg. 24. In the eleventh year of this King Ierusalem was taken by Nabuchadonezar the great Emperour of the Babylonians wherefore Zedekiah to escape the brunt of War fled from Ierusalem with all possible speed to Iericho which was twelve miles Ier. 39. 5. From the plain near the City Iericho where he was overcome by the Princes of the Chaldeans he was led to Riblah to Nebuchadonezar which was sixty eight miles From Riblah after the Emperour Nabuchadonezar had caused all his Children to be put to death before his face and had put out both his eyes he led him captive to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserably 2 Reg. 25. So all the Travels of Zedekiah King of Iudah were 680 miles Of the Destruction of Jerusalem by Nabuchadonezar IN the ninth year of this Zedekiah which was the last King of Iudah Nabuchadonezar began to besiege Ierusalem it being then Winter Anno Mundi 3860 upon the tenth day of the tenth Month Tebeth which answereth to the seven and twentieth day of December which day the Iews till now observed as a fasting day The Siege continued even till the eleventh year of this King Ierem. 39. 5. 2 Reg. 25. and upon the ninth day of the fourth Month Thamus which agreeth with the tenth day of Iuly the City was taken and Zedekiah was put to flight Upon the seventh day of the fifth Month Ab Nabuzaradan chief Captain of the Army was sent back by Nabuchadonezar into Iudaea where he destroyed and burned the houses and buildings of the City of Ierusalem Ierem. 52. upon the tenth day of the fifth Month Ab which answereth to the ninth day of August being the Sabbath day the Temple of Ierusalem was set on fire Ier. 52. de bello Iudei lib. 6. cap. 26. 27. This first Captivity and Destruction of the City Ierusalem by Nabuchadonezar that great Emperour happened Anno Mundi 3362 and before Christ 606 three hundred and ninety years being then fully compleat and ended from the first year of Ieroboam King of Israel who set up the Golden Calves and
to lie which was 16 miles here he restored her Son to Life 2 Reg. 4. From thence he went to Gilgal which is distant from Sunem thirty six miles towards the South here he fed 100 men with twenty Barley loaves 2 Reg. 4. From Gilgal he went to Samaria which is accounted twenty miles to this place Naaman the Syrian came to him to be healed of his Leprosie 2 Reg. 5. From Samaria he went to Iordan which was eight miles Here he made a Hatchet of Iron that fell into the Water to swim 2 Reg. 6. From Iordan he went to Dothan where the Children of Iacob sold their Brother Ioseph to the Midianites which was eight miles here the Angels of the Lord compassed him and his Servant about lest they should have been taken by the Army of the Syrians and God struck the Syrians with Blindness 2 Reg. 6. From thence he led the Army of the Syrians being thus made blind to Samaria being twelve miles and delivered them to the King of Israel upon condition that he should give them Meat and Drink to refresh themselves and suffer them to depart in Peace which he did 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Sunem which was sixteen miles here he advised the Woman where he used to lye to travel thence to some other Place because of the Famine that should follow and continue for seven years 2 Reg. 8. From Sunem he went Damascus being 132 miles there he told Hazael that he should succeed his Master Benhadad in the Government of the Syrians 2 Reg. 8. From Damascus he returned to Samaria which was 132 miles where soon after he fell sick and died his body was buried near to Samaria where the Lord a long time after his Death shewed a wonderful Miracle for a dead man being thrown into his Sepulchre was restored again to life by touching of his Bones 2 Reg. 13. This man governed the Church of God amongst the Children of Israel sixty years after the death of Elias So all the Travels of Elisha were 730 miles Concerning the Towns and places mentioned in his Travels you may read before The Typical Signification of Elisha ELisha or Elischa signifieth the Salvation of God being derived of El that is God and Iaschag he hath saved from hence Jesus a Saviour because this Prophet was a notable Type of our Saviour Jesus Christ for as Elisha was anointed Priest by the Prophet Eliah so Christ was the anointed Priest of the Father and as Elisha did many works of Mercy and Miracles to make evident Gods Power and Providence so our Saviour Christ went from place to place shewing mercy to the blind lame and impotent upon them working wonderful Miracles that thereby his doctrine might be made evident to the World and all such as trust in him be made capable of eternal happiness The Travels of the Shunamite whose Son Elisha had raised from Death to Life FRom Sunem she went to Mount Carmel and besought Elisha to come and raise her Son from Death to Life which was sixteen miles 2 Reg. 4. From thence she and Elisha returned back again to Sunem which was sixteen miles and there he delivered her Son unto her alive 2 Reg. 4. From Sunem having buried her Husband she travelled into the Land of the Philistines because of the Famine that was to come suddenly after being fifty six miles 2 Reg. 8. From the Land of the Philistines she returned to Samaria which was forty miles 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria she returned to Sunem which was sixteen miles So all her Travels were 144 miles Of the Prophet Isaiah or Jesaia JEsaia or Ieschaia is all one in signification with Elisha that is a Saviour He was the Son of Amos which signifieth strength and by consequence Ozia King of Iudah was his Cousin-German as may appear by this Genealogy following Iosas ofIuda Amasiah King of Iuda Ozias King of Iuda Iotham King of Iuda Ahas King of Iuda Ezekias King of Iuda Manasses King of Iuda who caused Isaiah to be slain Amos Isaias Father Isaias had two Daughters Sear Iasub that is the rest remaining and was a sign of the rest of the Posterity of Iuda that should remain and dwell there Isa. 7. Mahez Schatal that is a sudden Destruction for this second Daughter of Isay did denote the immediate Desolation of the Kingdoms of Syria and Samaria From whence it plainly appeareth that the Prophet Esaias was of the stock of David and lineage of Christ for which cause in the fifth Chapter of his Prophecy he calleth him his beloved He began to teach publickly in the year of the World 3167 and before Christ 800. and governed the Church eighty years and more until the time of Manasses who caused him to be cut in pieces with a Saw In Anno Mundi 3190. before Christ 778. Isay saw the Lord sitting upon a high Throne in great Majesty the lower part whereof filled the Temple and the Seraphins compassed him round about Esa. 6. Cherubins are glorious and bright shining Angels of a fiery nature for Saraph signifieth He hath turned to Fire His Doctrine was twofold that is partly concerning the Law partly the Gospel as may appear by his Prophesie in the first forty Chapters whereof the Doctrine of the Law is set â—orth with sharp Reprehensions for Sin in the first four of which are grievous Accusations of Sinners for breach of the first Commandment the other for the most part prophecy of horrible Punishments Mutations and Change of Government but principally of the Iews Babylonians Assyrians Syrians and Aegyptians From the â—ortieth to the end of the Book is contained the Doctrine of the Gospel and of the Kingdom of our Saviour Jesus Christ which he hath set forth with such excellent Eloquence Figures and Amplifications that he may be compared with the best Orator that ever wrote The Travels of the Prophet Jeremias 〈◊〉 or â—eremiah signifieth The exalted of the Lord he was born in the Tribe of Benjamin in a City of the Priests called Anathoth and from thence came to Ierusalem being two miles and continued there for forty years teaching and prophecying From Ierusalem he was sent to Euphrates where in the cliff of a Rock he hid his Girdle Ier. 13. being 400 miles From the River Euphrates he returned back again to Ierusalem 400 miles A little after the Lord sent him back again to Euphrates 400 miles to fetch his Girdle and lâ—e it was putrefied From thence he returned back again the second time to Ierusalem 400 miles From Ierusalem he was led captive bound in Chains with other Prisoners to Ramath a City in Mount Ephraim being eight miles there Nabuzaradan the chief Captain caused him to be set at Liberty From Ramath he went to Mispah which is eight miles where he continued a while with Gediliah Prince of the Iews which man had the chief command of certain Cities of Iudaea under Nabuchadnezzar But in the seventh Year of the Captivity of the
forty five years old was invited to a Marriage in Cana a City of Galilee which stood eight miles from Galilee towards the North-West Iohn 2. Here our Saviour Christ wrought his first miracle by changing water into wine From Cana in Galilee she went with our Saviour to Capernaum a City of Galilee a little before the Feast of the Paschal Lamb which was twenty miles From Capernaum she returned back to Nazareth which was accounted twelve miles In the thirty second year of the age of our Saviour Christ which was the second of his Ministry Mary went from Nazareth back again to Capernaum where our Saviour Christ cast forth a Devil Mat. 12. Mark 3. which was 12 miles From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was twelve miles for in this Town she dwelt whilst Iesus travelled from place to place teaching and preaching the Word of God Mark 6. And although she oftentimes went from Nazareth with him to many places continuing still in his company yet then especially when he was to sustain the wrath of God and punishment for the Sin of man which was in the thirty fourth year of his age In which year she would not forsake him till his death for she went from Galilee to Ierusalem with him which waâ— sixty four miles a great Journey for one of her age being then forty eighâ— years old And when our Saviour was crucified she stood close by the Cross with a heavy and pensive countenance bewailing the death of her Son Then was the Prophecy of old Simeon accomplished And a Sword shall pass through thy Soul But after by his Glorious Resurrection and Ascension she was revived and comforted From the Passion of Christ to the death of the blessed Virgin Mary was twelve years all which time she lived with Iohn the Evangelist in Ierusalem and then being fifty nine years of age dyed and was buried according to the opinion of Nicephorus and others in the Garden called Gethsamene So all her Travels were 3506 miles Now follows the description of the Towns and Places to which she travelled Of Nazareth THIS was a Town almost of no estimation scituated in a certain Mountain in Galilee the lower sixty four miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North in the Tribe of Zabulon In this Town our Saviour Jesus Christ was brought up Luke 1. 2. Some say that it was nineteen or twenty miles from Ierusalem but they mistake themselves yet I will not dispute thereof but follow my Authors Iacobus Ziglerus and Tilmanus Stella There is not any mention made of it that is extant in the Old Testament It hath a two-fold derivation the one by Zain and the other by Zade If it be written by Zain it may have a two-fold signification since the exposition of this name doth depend upon the Verb Nazar which signifies to consecrate and keep from hence Nezaer a Garland of Flowers or a Crown set with pretious Stones c. such as Kings and High-Priests are accustomed to wear Also from the same word Nazar is derived Nazir and thence Nazaraeus which is as much as to say He is separated from the use of Wine and suffering his Hair to be un-cut as being dedicated to the Lord. Therefore our Saviour Christ is justly called a Nazarite Luke 2. For â—aezer first signifies a holy man who hath made a holy Vow unto the Lord Secondly it doth denote a Crown or wreath of Sincerity Exod. 29. 39. Thirdly a holy Ointment wherewith Kings and Priests were anointed Levit. 27. And fourthly this word Nezaer signifies a Princely Crown 2 Sam. 1. 2. Kings 11. Psal. 89. 132. So that Nazareth being derived of Nazar and Nazir may signifie both a Crown and a holy City Iudg. 13. but if Nazareth be written by Zade it signifies a flourishing plant or Graff according to that of Isay c. 11. But there shall come a rod forth of the stock of Ishai and a Graff shall grow out of his root and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him The Inhabitants of this Town at this day shew certain Monuments and Reliques of what had happened in preceeding Ages as two Churches one built there where the Angel Gabriel saluted the Blessed Virgin and she conceived by the Spirit in which there stands three Altars hew'n out of a Rock and the other built as they say where the house of Ioseph and Mary stood because there our Saviour Christ was brought up Also they shew a Well where the Child Jesus drew Water and ministred to his Mother they also shew the vast Ruins of the Synagogue where our Saviour Christ expounded the sixty first Chapter of Isay for which cause they would have thrown him headlong down the Hill Luke 4. and many other things of which you may read in Borchardus the Monk In Saint Ierom's time some forty years before Christ Nazareth was a small Town called Nazarah Of the Mountains by which Mary passed when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth BEtween Nazareth and Ierusalem there standeth many high Hills as Mount Gilboa whereon King Saul killed himself Mount Gerisim and Hebal upon which Hills the Blessings and Cursings were pronounced Deut. 27. and Mount Ephraim upon which Ehud kill'd Eglon King of the Moabites Iudg. 13. Over this Mountain being very great and steep Mary travelled when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth Of Bethlehem THERE were two Cities called by this name the one Bethlem Iudah the other Bethlem Euphrata where our Saviour Christ was born and signifieth fruitful or the house of Bread It stood upon a Hill some six miles from Ierusalem towards the South The Inhabitants take upon them to shew the place where our Saviour Christ was born which stood upon the East side of the City close by the Wall thereof where as Eusebius saith Hellen the Mother of Constantine the Great caused to be built a fair and stately Church three hundred and twenty years afteâ— the Nativity of Christ. This Church was dedicated to St. Mary and remaineth to this day being had in great honour both amongst the Christians and the Turks and Saracens This Church is such a stately building that it is thought to exceed all the Churches of Christendom for Beauty and curious Workmanship It is two hundred twenty eight Foot long and eighty seven Foot wide being built all of Marble of divers colours and covered with Lead there are in it four rowes of Marble Pillars wonderful to look upon not only in regard of their number but of their greatness for there is fifty Pillars in every row The Body of this Church the Pillars from the bottom to the top the Walls and every part of it is beautified with lively Pictures adorned with divers Colours Silver Gold and curious Workmanship so as it is wonderful to behold The Pavement of it is of Marble polished and of divers colours so cunningly set in Works and with such variety that it is very delightful to such as look
molten Sea standing upon twelve Oxen in the uppermost Court THE molten Sea and Fountain was a figure of Baptism and that living Water issuing from the Wounds of Christ whereby we are washed from all our Sins the Laâ—er of Regeneration whereby we are made capable of Eernal Life that Well of Water whereof if we drink we shall never thirst The twelve Oxen represent the twelve Apostles whose voices have gone through the World according to that in the Corinthians and have carried the Sea of Grace through all parts of the Earth Of which Water saith St. Augustine if thou drinkest but one drop it is more effectual to quench the thirst of Worldly and insatiable desires than an Ocean of earthly Waters The Mystery of the middle Court SOlomon's Court wherein Christ taught and in which the Jews used commonly to pray was a figure of that Church which should be gathered from amongst the Jewes For from thence he indeavoured first to assemble and gather together a Christian Congregation according to that which he spake to the Canaanitish Woman Mat 15. I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel Of the outward Court of the Gentiles THis Court signified That the Gentiles also should partake of the sheepfold and Congregation of Christ and be members of his holy Church according to that of Iohn 10. I have yet other sheep which I must also bring hither that sothere might be one sheepfold one Pastor c. Of the rest of the memorable Buildings standing upon mount Moriah HAving thus described the Temple together with the several Courts and Ornaments all which did typically represent Christ and his Church I will now proceed to the rest of the Buildings standing upon mount Moriah The first and most memorable was the house of Solomon which stood just against the Temple upon the South it shined so with Gold and Silver and was so stately and sumptuously built that when Queen Saba came to Ierusalem she stood amazed to see it There belonged to it divers Courts and Walks in one of which the Prophet Ieremy was prisoner Ier. 37. Over against this he made the Judgment-hall in which he placed the Ivory Chair spoken of 1 Kin. 10. He built by that another house for his Queeen she that was daughter of Pharaoh 1 Kin. 7. But when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Ierusalem all these together with the Temple were burnt and utterly deâ—aced Of the Peol of Bethesda UPon the North lay that sheep-fold or sequestred place called Bethesda Ioh. 5. which had five porches or Xenodochius as some would have it here Cattel came to drink and the Priests used to wash their Sacrifices because no unclean Beast might come within the Temple nor any thing that was foul or spotted be offered upon the Altar The water was of reddish colour and ran into that place in great abundance and therefore it was called the house of effusion or pouring out This was the place into which the Angel of God sometimes descended and troubled the Water after which whosoever stepped in was presently cured and here our Saviour Christ healed the Man that had been diseased 38 years Ioh. 5. This place was made by King Hezekiah who caused the water of the uppermost Pool which was called Gâ—â—on not far from mount Calvary to be conveyed by Pipes and passages through the Earth into the lower city called Acra and so fell into this place for which cause it was called the lower Pool The Allegorie or mystery hereof is That every one of Christs Sheep ought to be washed in the Pool of his Blood before they can be made fit Sacrifices to enter into his Temple or Church 1 Ioh. 1. Of the Tower or Castle called Antonia THis Castle as Ioseph hath it lib. 6. de Bell. cap. 6. stood between two Courts of the Temple at the North-West corner at first built by the Machabees and called by the name of Bâ—ris but after King Herod taking affection to that place bestowed great cost upon it walled it about built up sumptuous Towers and made it very strong then gave it the name of Antonia in favour of Antonius that noble Roman which Augustus a long time sustained after their decease Of the Hall called Coenaculum Anguli THis house stood upon an Angle or Cantle of the Hill and was therefore called Coenaculum Anguli it was very large and spatious and within had a great Hall whereof Nehem. cap. 3. maketh mention and here as some think our Saviour Christ ate the Paschal Lamb with his Disciples but I rather think it was in the Suburbs Of the Tower Ophel or the dark Tower NEar to the Valley of Cedron towards the East not far from the Temple and near the Castle Antonia there was builded a lofty and strong Tower or Palace called Ophel that is a place of darkness it was a very sumptuous thing Of Hamea or the Tower of the Centurions IN the Town wall between the Sheep-gate and the Dung-gate stood this Castle Hamea or Centurion taking the name â— Centenario numero i. The number of an hundred and was upon the East side of the City near to the sheepfold or Pool Bethesda Neh. 3. 12. Here the Centurions commonly kept watch Of Mount Acra and the buildings upon it MOunt Acra as is aforesaid stood upon the West side of Ierusalem it was a very high Mountain and took that name from the Greek word Acra a sharp or high Hill It was much higher than mount Moriah in times past till Machabeus's brother caused it to be cut lower to make it equal in height with mount Moriah Between these two Hills lay the Valley Cedron which was in profundity 400 Cubits Upon this Mountain another part of the City was builded being strongly fortified and richly adorned with sumptuous houses of which David and Solâ—mon were the principal Founders and was called the lower City or the Daughter of Sion It was so beautiful that some hold of which number are 〈◊〉 and Eusebius that it it exceeded the rest of the City Here stood the house of Helena Queen of the Adiabenoâ—s near about the midst of it as Ioseph observeth Li. Bell. 7. cap. 13. which Queen being converted to the Jewish Religion built her an house in this City that she might pray in the Temple Here stood the houses of her Sons Monebasius and Grapta here stood the houses of the High Priests Annas and Caiphas not far from the Valley Tyropae King Herod also that wicked Man who caused the innocent Children to be put to Death built him an house here near about the place where the Machabees in times past had a Castle for they built two one in Mount Moriah another in this Mount That in Mount Moriah was after called the Castle of Antonia and stood right against the Temple as is aforesaid And this being very sumptuously built and a Royal Seat was after the death of this Herod a Palace for his Successors Archilaus and Herod Agrippa
King by the Tribe of Iudah in the year of the World 2891 and before Christ 1077. Here he kept his Court seven years and six months From hence also he sent Messengers to Iabes in Gilead forty four miles to signifie his gracious acceptance of that favour which they shewed unto Saul in burying of his Body there 2 Sam. 1. 1 Chr. 12. From Hebron David went to Ierusalem twenty two miles which then was called Iebus being possessed of the Iebusites but he won it with strong hand and thrust them out of it and in Mount Sion set up the City Millo which was afterward called the City of David and signifies a place of Plenty He began his Reign in Ierusalem in the thirty eighth year of his Age and seventh of his Reign In this place also he set up his House made of Cedar-wood of which Hâ—ram King of Tyrus sent him great Plenty from Mount Libanus distant from thence 104 miles 2 Sam. 5. 1 Ch. 12. From thence he went to the Valley of Rephaim some three miles from Ierusalem in the way that leadeth to the City of Bethlem where he fought a memorable Fight against the Philistines and overcame them for which cause it was also called Baal-Perizim because by the Help and Assistance of God he had conquered the Army of the Philistines 1 Sam. 5. After he had dispersed the Enemies he returned to Ierusalem which is â—our miles The Philistines came the same Year into the Valley of Rephaim again and pitched their Tents within three miles and a half of Ierusalem and the Lord gave David a sign that when he heard a noise in the Mulberry-trees he should set upon the Enemy so David went forth and close by the Town of Gaeba and Kirjath-jearim about two miles from Ierusalem West-ward he set upon the Enemy and gave them the second Overthrow 2 Samuel 5. 1 Chr. 15. From thence David followed the Enemy to Gaza which was eighteen miles 2 Sam. 5. in the tenth Year of his Reign from his first beginning in Hebron David assembled all the Princes Priests and chief men of Israel to the number of 30000 which inhabited from Sechor till you come to Chaemah a City of Naphtali at the foot of Mount Libanus even 163 miles off These men assembled themselves in the City of Ierusalem and from thence they with David went to Kirjath-jearim which was about a mile to fetch the Ark of the Covenant from thence into the City of David 1 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. From Kirjath-jearim David and all his Train returned back again to Ierusalem which was about a mile and they placed the Ark of the Lord in a new Cart and caused it to be drawn with Oxen which turned out of the way to the threshing-floor of Nachon where Vzza rashly and inconsiderately touching the Ark of God contrary to the Divine Law was presently slain by the Lord in the way and that place was called Paeri-Vza that is The Breach of Uza for he was not of the Tribe of Aaron to whom it was only lawful to touch the Ark and therefore the Lord struck him that he died miserably wherefore David being terrified by this example of God's Severity would not that day bring the Ark of the Lord into Ierusalem but carried it to the House of a certain Noble-man called Obed Aedom a Gittite who dwelt not far from Ierusalem but when it was told David that the Lord blessed the House of Obed Aedom and all his Family because the Ark was there David went from Ierusalem with a great multitude of People to the House of Obed Aedom who as is said before dwelt not far from Ierusalem yet there are some that say he was an excellent Musician in Ierusalem and dwelt in Mount Acra that is in the lower City and from thence David fetch'd the Ark of the Lord into the upper City which stood upon Mount Sion but I hold the other Opinion to be the more probable When the Ark was carried by the Priests David girt himself with a linnen Ephod which kind of Garment the Priests of the inferiour Order used to wear and danced before it singing Psalms and Hymns to the praise and glory of God and with great State brought it to the City of Ierusalem with the sound of Trumpets and Instruments of Musick and placed it in the middle of the Tabernacle which they had curiously erected in Mount Sion in the upper City which was also called the City of David This hapned in the tenth year of his Reign at which time Saul's Daughter despised him in her Heart and laughed at him but God gave her a due Recompence as you may read 2 Sam. 6. and him a just Reward for he promised by the Prophet Nathan That of his Posterity and Blood the King of Kings and Saviour of the World should be born In the Year following David invaded the Land of the Philistines and the City of Gath which with strong hand he won this was thirty four miles from Ierusalem From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 34 miles In the twelfth Year of his Reign he afflicted the Moabites with cruel War and destroyed two of their Armies with the Sword and the rest of the multitude he made Tributary which was 24 miles 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chr. 9. He returned thence to Ierusalem with great Triumph and Joy twenty four miles In the thirteenth year of his Reign Anno Mundi 2903. and before Christ 1065 he made an Expedition unto Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam and is in Armenia near to Masia or Mount Taurus 600 miles from Ierusalem toward the North of which you may read before David in this place won a memorable Battel against Hadad Ezer the King thereof near to the River Euphrates he took 700 Horse and 20000 Foot burnt their Chariots took 100 Castles conquered all the Towns and Country round about and went away with a great Booty as well of Gold as Silver Brass and other things which Brass for the Excellency thereof was like unto Gold and as Iosephus saith afterwards Solomon made the Molten Sea of it When Gadarezer King of the Syrians he that built that famous City of Damascus heard of the overthrow of Hadad-Ezer he sent a great Army to his Aid which King David near to the River Euphrates smote with the Sword so that 20000 of them were slain and he carryed away a glorious Victory extending his Government from Ierusalem 600 miles towards the North that is into Armenia and beyond the River Euphrates and made these two Nations tributary unto him 2 Samuel 8. 1 Chr. 19. After David had won these two memorable Victories near Euphrates he went thence with all his Army towards the South and invaded the Land of Syria in which Journey Ioram the Son of Tohi King of Antiochia which City at this time was called Hemath met David with Gifts and Presents in the Name of his Father returning him many Thanks because he had destroyed the common Enemy
that he went to Bethel and conquered all the Country from thence to Ephron which was 36 miles From Ephron he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles there he took unto him fourteen Wives and begat 20 Sons and 16 Daughters 2 Chr. 13. The Travels of Asa King of Judah AS A signifies a Physician He began to reign about the end of the 21th year of Ieroboam King of Israel An. Mâ—n 2990. before Christ 978. He governed Iudah with great commendation 41 years He went from Ierusalem to Maresa 16 miles where in the Valley of Zephatha he overcame the Ethiopians in a memorable Battel 2 Chr. 14. From thence he pursued the Ethiopians to Gerar being 22 miles and recovered many Cities which the Ethiopians dwelt in 2 Chr. cap. 14. From Gerar he went to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and offered to the Lord of the Spoils that he had taken 700 Oxen and 7000 Sheep 2 Chr. 15. These Travels of King Asa make 70 miles The Iourney and Expedition of Saerah King of Ethiopia whom Asa King of Judah overcame in the Valley of Zephatha SAerah or Saerach signifieth A noble and puissant Lord. This was a mighty and warlike Prince who governed Lybia and Aethiopia the King of which Country at this day we call Presbyter Iohn or rather â—etro Iohannes who holdeth his Court in a fair and goodly City called Hamarich the Metropolitan of all Ethiopia and extendeth his Government beyond Meroes in Africa Many though ignorantly suppose he is a Priest because he is called Presbyter though indeed he is not so but rather a puissant and mighty Emperour But to return to Saerah or Saerach who in hope to extend his Empire into these parts went with a great Army out of Ethiopia to the Valley of Zephatha in Iuda to fight with Asa King of Iudah 1200 miles but lost the day and returned with great shame 2 Chr. 15. It seemeth that this King was the mightiest of all his Predecessors and a Prince of no vulgar Estimation because of the multitude and great abundance of Souldiers which he brought in his Army for it is reported that there were 1000000 that bore Armor and 300 Chariots but this great Army was dispersed and most of them died miserably as did that great Army of Xerxes which consisted of 1700000. From whence it may â—e concluded That it is not the Strength of Man which delivereth him buâ— the Lord. The Travels of Jehosaphat King of Judah JEhosaphat signifies The Judge of the Lord. He began his Reign in the fourth year of Ahab 1 Reg. 22. The greatest part therefore of the first year of this King happened in the Year of the World 3033 and before Christ 935. He reigned over Israel twenty five years that is from the 35th of his Age to the sixtieth In the seventh year of his Reign he went from Ierusalem to Samaria which was 32 miles to visit his Kinsman Ahab King of Israel for Ioram his Son some ten years before had married Athaliah King Ahab's Sister 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria he went with Ahab to the War at Ramoth in Gilead being twenty four miles where Ahab was slain 2 Reg 22. 2 Chr. 18. From Ramoth he went safe from the Wars to Ierusalem vvhich vvas forty eight miles From Ierusalem he vvent to the City of Beersaba the utmost bounds of his Kingdom tovvards the South to instruct his People in the Lavv of the Lord forty tvvo miles from Ierusalem South-ward From Beersaba passing through all his Kingdom he came to Mount Ephraim being forty eight miles and the utmost bounds of his Kingdom North-ward being some eight miles from Ierusalem 2 Chr. 19. From Mount Eâ—hraim he went to Ierusalem which was eight miles Thus Iehosaphat went through all his Dominions to instruct his Subjects in Piety and the true Worship of God in every City ordaining Judges and Governours Magistrates Procurators and Assessors committing to their Discretion the deciding of all Controversies saying to them Take heed what you do for the Office you have taken upon you is not Humane but Divine and as you judge so shall you be judged for the Lord is with you in judgment Wherefore do all things with diligence and in the fear of the Lord for with the Lord there is no iniquity nor respect of Persons neither taketh he any bribes And he himself remained chief Judge in Ierusalem to whom any might appeal from the inferiour Judges that so there might be a just end of Controversies 2 Chr. 16. Afterward Iehosaphat went forth with his Army to Tecoa six miles from Ierusalem where by fervent Prayers the sounding of Trumpets and other musical Instruments in obtained a memorable Battel against the Moabites Ammonites and Idumaeans for the Lord turned the Weapons of them one against another and they wounded one another to the death This fight happened in a fair Valley between Tecoa and Engedi So Iehosaphat pursued the Enemy for three days with great slaughter and returned with a mighty spoil This was called the Valley of Blessing because of this great Victory at Tecoa and began eight miles from Ierusalem South-eastward and extended it self to the Tower of Engedi near to the Bank of the Red Sea twenty miles From Engedi out of the Valley of Blessing Iehosaph at and his Army returned to Ierusalem twenty miles and went into the Temple with Shalms Harps Timbrels and great Joy thankfull acknowledging Gods merciful Favour toward him in giving him so great a Victory 2 Chr. 20. But as there is nothing in this Life that can be said permanent so likewise the felicity of Iehosaâ—hat changed on a sudden the froward and adverse frown of Adversity seising upon his Prosperity for joyning with that wicked and impious King of Israel Ahaziah upon condition to build a certain Navy of Ships at Ezeongaber to fetch gold from Tharshish and other places in India he displeased the Lord for the which cause there arose a great Tempest which brake down the Works and destroyed the Navy From Ierusalem he went with Iehoram King of Israel to war against the Moabites and with them went the King of Idumaea so passing through the Desarts of Edom they came to Mount Seir and so went to Petra the chief City of the King of the Moabites distant from Ierusalem seventy two miles 2 Reg. 3. From Petra Iehosaphat returned to Ierusalem seventy two miles where he died and was buried 2 Reg. 22. 2 Chr. 21. So all the Travels of Iehosaphat King of Iuda were three hundred seventy two miles The typical signification of Jehosaphat AS Iehosaphat by Prayer and the sound of Trumpets and other Instruments of Musick overcame and dispersed his Enemies without drawing his Sword so Christ also by the sound of his Word and Doctrine without drawing Weapon overcame the Enemies of the Church The Travels of Joram King of Judah JORAM signifies The exalted of the Lord. He was crowned King his Father yet living at such time as he made his Expedition against Mesa King
ridiculous yet to such as are at all touched with the sense of Worldly Affairs it cannot chuse but take a deep impression and draw them thence to the knowledge of Christ Jesus and of his Doctrine To which end and for which purpose I have principally endeavoured to publish this Treatise that so comparing the Estate of man in this present World with the Estate of Grace in the World to come they might perceive the impotency of the one and the permanency of the other and from both draw immoveable Axioms that there can be no Salvation where there is no Humility nor no Prosperity where there is not a knowledge of Christ Jesus in his Humanity and thence gather that the afflictions of this World to which he is most subject through the whole course of his Life is the ready means to honour and immortal Glory But that these things may the better appear unto thee I will endeavour to lay before thee the Beginning and so far as the holy Scripture leads me the ending of our Saviour From whence thou may'st draw such comfortable Resolutions that in what Estate soever thou art whether in Prosperity or Adversity thou may'st therewith rest content c. Of Zacharias the Father of John Baptist. ZAcharias or Zachariah signifies Gods Remembrance This man was the Father of Iohn the Baptist being a Priest of the Tribe of Aaron and dwelling at a Town called Abia of which you may read 1 Chr. 24. There were three famous men of this name as Basilius saith One that was a Prophet of the Lord and lived 520 years before the birth of Christ Zach. 1. And another that was the Son of Iehoiada the high Priest who at the command of that ingrateful King Ioas was stoned to death in the upper Court of the Temple 2 Chr. 24. And a third which was this Zacharias the Father of Iohn Baptist and Son of Barachias that is the Blessed who according to the Opinion of Basil was slain for no other cause but for saying that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary This man had to wise Elizabeth of the Posterity of the High-Priest Aaron and by her had a Son called Iohn so named of the Lord who was afterward called Iohn the Baptist. Elizabeth signifies the rest of God being derived of Eli and Scabbath that is the Rest and Sabbath of the Lord. The Inhabitants of the holy Land take upon them even to this day to shew the House were Zacharias and Elizabeth dwelt in a Town that standeth on the right hand of the way as you go from Emmaus to Ierusalem But Saint Luke ca. 1. saith that Zacharias dwelt not in a Town or Field but in the City of Iudah which was scituated in the mountain of Iudah Risnerus and Iohannes Hedenus write that Zacharias dwelt in Ierusalem in the part of the City scituated upon Mount Bezetha as in the first Book of the description of Ierusalem hath bin declared And this seemeth to be verified out of Nehemiah cap. 3. Yet there are some of opinion that he dwelt at Hebron because that was the chief City of the Tribe of Iuda and a Town of the Priests The Travels of the Virgin Mary MARY if it be derived of Marah signifieth such a Person as is oppressed with carefulness and grief one that is laid open to all misery and calamity press'd with continual vexation and mourning She was born upon the eighth day of September 14 years before the birth of Christ and in the fifteenth of her age brought forth her only begotten Son according to S. Hierome and others Her Fathers name was Eliakim of the House of David Upon the five and twentieth day of March in the same year that our Saviour Christ was born Mary being then fourteen years old the Angel Gabriel declared unto her the Embassie of the Conception of our Lord Jesus Christ. A little after about the beginning of April An. M. 3967 she went from Nazareth in great haste over the Hills to Ierusalem sixty four miles to the House of Zacharias and there saluted her Cousin Elizabeth Luk. 1. From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was sixty four miles And when the command came out from Augustus that all the World should be taxed then Ioseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem seventy two miles and there the time of Marys deliverance drew neer and loe she bare the Son of the living God our Lord and Saviour Christ. Luke 2. From Bethlehem Ioseph and Mary brought the Child Jesus to Ierusalem and presented him in the Temple which was six miles Luke 2. And when they had accomplished all things according to the Law they returned back again to Nazareth a Town in Galilee sixty four miles From Nazareth they went back again to Bethlem seventy two miles Thither the wise men coming out of the East brought the Child Jesus Gold Frankincense and Myrrh Mat. 2. From Bethlehem the same night that Herod caused all the Infants of two years old and under to be slain Ioseph and Mary fled with the Child Jesus to Hermopolis a City in Egypt which was 296 miles Mat. 2. Zozom lib. 6. From thence they returned back again with the Child Jesus to Nazareth 368 miles for they were greatly afraid lest Archilaus who succeeded his father Herod in the Government of the Iews would seek the Childs life Mat. 2. From Nazareth Ioseph and Mary came every year to Ierusalem which was sixty four miles to the feast of the Passover and so many miles back again which for ten years coâ—tinuance came to 1280 miles When Christ was twelve years of age and at the beginning of the thirteenth he went with his Parents from Nazareth to the Feast of the Passover being sixty four miles Luke 2. And when the days of the Feast of the Passover were accomplished they returned home again But the Child Iesus stayed at Ierusalem and his Parents knew it not for they thought he had been among the company Wherefore when they had travelled a dayes Journey that is twenty miles they missed their Son After they search'd through the company but could not find him wherefore they returned back to Ierusalem being twenty miles where on the third day after they found him in the Temple sitting among the Doctors and disputing with them So the next three days he returned back again with his Parents to Nazareth being sixty four miles and was obedient to them Luke 2. After Ioseph and Mary went every year during the life of Ioseph up to Ierusalem to the Passover and without all doubt took Iesus along with them Thus they continued for the space of three years about which time Ioseph died Christ being then sixteen years of age which three years Travel from Nazareth to Ierusalem and back again cometh to 384 miles From that time forward he continued with his Mother till he was thirty one years of age which was the first year of his Ministry Mary his Mother being then
that they also issuing out of the Capitol made such a Slaughter that they forced Brennus and his Army to retire and to restore all the Pillage that he had got and also forsake the Country This Misfortune they bore patiently considering their former Prosperity and in hope of better Success â—ailed thence into Grecia where after they had attempted many noble Exploits and failing in some they determined a Voyage for Delphos because there was great store of Treasure and the Inhabitants as they supposed weak to oppose their Army In this Expedition they used much Pillage and robbing upon the Seas and through many dangers came at length to this Isle landed their Men won the City fired a great part of it and put many of the Inhabitants to the Sword with this Victory most of his Army which were more Religious than the rest would have willingly left the Country but Brennus who before-times had been used to Sacriledge and those that were as covetous as himself thought it Baseness through an Opinion of Holiness to leave so great a Booty behind them as was contained in the Temple of Aâ—ollo for that place of all the Temples of the World in those times was notorious for Riches and Treasure the many and great Gratuities and Offerings of most Princes which were both magnificent and rich being hoarded up in the secret Caves of this Oracle wherefore they attempted the Assault but with bad Success for the Devil raised such a Tempest with Thundring Lightning and other strange and uncouth Accidents that Brennus in this Distemperature of the Air was slain many of his Ships were set on fire and the greatest part of his Army lost being either spoiled with Lightning slain by the Inhabitants or dispersed with Fear such Event had this sacrilegious Attempt Those that remained after they had gathered themselves into a Body went thence into Asia the less and planted themselves in this Country where the Inhabitants in process of time called them Gallâ—-Graecians adding their original name to that of the Country wherein they lived and after for beauties sake they were called Galatians See Liv. lib. 5. Diodorus Siculus lib. 6. saith That the Inhabitants of Galatia were so called of this People in the time that Gideon judged Israel and that Cyrus was Emperour of Persia both may be true considering the mutability and change of States in those times Some think they were first called Galatians by Attalus King of Pergamus who gave them a great overthrow close by the River Halym because they originally were of Gallia and continued sometime in Graecia and after came into Asia so he joyning these two names into one called them Gallo-Gracian or Gallatians This History is diversly reported by divers Authors but all conclude that they rested and inhabited in Asia where their Posterity continued to this day In times past it was a very Warlike and Generous Nation and in their Expedition performed many noble Exploits attaining to Eminence only by their Sword for which cause many Princes near them were beholding unto them for their Aid but withal cruel and barbarous insomuch as they oftentimes eat their Captives or offered them to their Gods and thus they continued for the space of 300 years till Paul coming into that Country preached the Gospel amongst them and converted them from this Barbarism to the Christian Faith he sent an Epistle to this People from Rome being 1200 miles They in those times held all Paphlagonia a part of Phrygia Cappadocia and of all the neighbouring Countries thereabouts which after their names was called Gallo-Graecia or Galatia such a mighty Nation was this grown in a short time at first being a People shut out of their own Country for want of a place to inhabit in as you may read more at large in the fifth Book of Livie whose Authority I have princippally followed herein Of Phrygia PHryga is as much as to say a dry and sandy Country scituated in Asia the less between Galatia and Mysia 600 miles from Ierusalem North-westward It is divided into two parts the greater and the less in the greater Phrygia stood Smyrna in the less Dardania so called of Dardanus who first built it in which Town there reigned many wealthy and mighty Princes as Ericthoinâ— Tros of whom it was called Troy Ilus of whom it was called Ilion Laomedon who was the Father of Priamus the last King thereof for in his time it was destroyed by the Grecians Of which Desolation I will not speak because it is commonly known It lay wast so long although it had been a fair and goodly City the like not in the World that the place where it stood was become like a plain Field only here and there some heaps of old Ruines to shew that there had been a City in that place And as Virgil said Iam seges est ubi Troja fuit Corn now grows where Troy stood A long time after there were a certain People that called themselves Trojans who rebuilt it but not in the same place and in it erected a goodly Temple in honour of the Goddess Pallas to the which Temple Alexander the Great after he had conquered Darius King of Persia close by the River Granicus which took begâ—nning in a Mountain not far from Troy went and with singular Gladness and great Solemnity offered many rich and goodly Presents enlarged the Town and greatly adorned But after he had ended the Persian War and conquered almost all the known World he sent very kind and loving Letters to these new Trojans promising not only to inlarge the Town and indow it with many Priviledges and Revenues but also to build up a fair and sumptuous Temple there as Strabo lib. 15. saith all which was done for the love he bore to Homers Iliads Wherefore look what Alexander had promised Lysimacus one of his chief Princes and King of Thrace after his death performed for he returned to Troy enlarged the City beautified it with goodly Buildings set up a stately Temple and then compass'd it about with strong Walls After this sort it continued a long time untill Fimbria a Questor of the Romans when he had slain Vallerius Flaccus the Consul with whom he was sent against Mithridates King of Pontus besieged it and within ten days space won it making his Vaunts that he conquered that City in ten days which Agamemnon could scarce do in ten years to which one of the Inhabitants of the City answered that then Troy had a Hector but now it had none But for this he cruelly wasted the City This destruction happened in the 84 year before Christ thus it lay desolate till Caesar's time who caused it again to be re-edified and beautified with many fair and goodly Buildings because the Romans and especially those noble Families of the Iulii and Caesars do derive their Progeny from the Trojans for which cause Augustus used such diligence in the rebuilding of this City and bestowed such infinite