the salt-sea to Beth-hoglah 2 Thence by the north of Beth-araba 3 Thence it went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben 4 Thence towards Debir from the valley of Achor 5 So northwards looking to Gilgal before the going up to Adummin on the south side of the river 6 Thence towards the water of Enshemesh 7 Thence to Enrogel Thence by the vally of Benhinnom unto the south of IerusaleÌ„ 8 Thence to the top of the mountain at the end of the vally of Rephaim 9 Thence to the fountain of Nephtoah 10 Thence to the cities of mount Ephron 11 Thence to Kiriath-jearim 1 From Kiriath-jearim westward it compasseth unto mount Seir. 2 Thence it passeth along to the side of mount Iearim or Chesalon 3 Thence went down to Bethshemesh 4 Thence passed on to Timnah 5 Thence unto the side of Ekron northward 6 Thence was drawn to Shichron 7 Thence passed along to mount Baalah 8 Thence went out unto Iabneel 9 Thence the west border ended at the Great Sea These west bounds of Iudah were afterwards altered falling into the middest of the Tribe of Dan. Now as in the body of a man if an inspection might be made into it whilest he is alive every nerve and artery therein then flushed up with the spirits is easily to be discerned which after death shrink almost invisible past discovering so each small angle and turning of Iudah's bounds in Ioshua's time was then plainly to be perceived which now adays the land long since being in a manner dead and desolate are not at all conspicuous nor fall they under any accurate observation § 15. Amongst all these limitary places Kadesh-Barnea is onely of eminency whither the children of Israel came and where they stayed some time after their coming out of Egypt in the very edge and entrance of the land of Canaan Thus that land was like a rich robe whose utmost hem the Iews were permitted to touch onely that their fingers might feel the fineness thereof but were denied to wear it and remanded to wander another way many years for the punishment of their infidelity And thus many come to the Kadesh-Barnea of common illumination who never attain to the true Canaan of holiness here or happiness hereafter § 16. In describing this spacious Tribe we will begin with the eleven royall Cities therein whose Kings were destroyed by Ioshua These according to their dignities may thus be reckoned up 1 Ierusalem whereof largely hereafter 2 Hebron 3 Debir 4 Libnah 5 Lachish 6 Adullam 7 Geder 8 Iarmuth 9 Eglon. 10 Arad 11 Hepher These royall Cities though scattered here and there in this Tribe need no other Herauld in our map to proclaime them to the Readers notice being quickly found out by their coronets graven upon them From these we shall proceed to other towns of eminency reserving the rivolets and wildernesses to close this our description § 17. Hebron was the principall royall city belonging to Iudah seven years senior in its building to Zoan a City in Egypt more anciently it was called Kiriath-Arba that is say some the City of four men because of four Patriarchs as they reckon them up Adam Abraham Isaac and Iacob buried therein But I wonder any should delight in their own wild conjectures when the text tendereth us a certainty herein assuring us that this Arba from whom Kiriath-Arba or Hebron was named was a great man among the Anakims This City stood in the vale of Mamre so called from Mamre a person of quality in this place who with Aner and Eshcol were Abrahams loving associates and valiant assistants in conquering Cheder-laomer and rescuing the captive Sodomites Abraham Isaac and Iacob lived here successively and from the vale of Hebron Ioseph was sent on a loving visit to his brethren when for his good will they sold him to the Ishmaelites § 18. Hereabouts was that great entertainment made wherein the covert of a tree was the dining-room the ground probably the board Abraham the Caterer Sarah the Cook veal and welcome their cheer Angels in the shape of men Christ in the notion of an Angel the guests and the last promise of Isaac the free-offering they gave for their entertainment Yea in Hebron Isaac was born suckled weaned persecuted by Ishmael till at last he mocked both himself and his mother Haâ—gar quite out of his Fathers family § 19. Near Hebron was the cave of Machpelah purchased by Abraham of Ephron the Hittite with the field about it and all the trees therein at the price of four hundred shekells of silver for the burying of Sarah himself and his family For here Isaac Ishmael though formerly the one perscuted the other lovingly agreed to bury Abraham their Father Iacob Esau though formerly the one designed the others death lovingly agreed to bury Isaac their Father Ioseph and his brethren though formerly they envied and sold him lovingly agreed to bury Iacob their Father And thus though branglings and brawlings may happen betwixt brethren when young all animosities ought to be buried in the grave of their Fathers § 20. In the time of Ioshua Hebron had a King whom he conquered and subdued and afterwards this place was made a City of Refuge and assigned with twelve moe in this Tribe and Benjamin unto the Priests the sons of Aaron who were above common Levites as employed in ordinary attendance about the Tabernacle Herein God provided not onely for their conveniency accommodating them with habitations near Ierusalem as the place hereafter intended for his publick service but chiefly for their conscience placing them in these two Tribes whom he foresaw would alone persevere in when the others would apostate from the true Religion Yea the Priests had the best and biggest places in Iudah as Hebron Debir Libnah formerly Royall afterwards Sacerdotall Cities God allowing his Ministers large maintenance and indeed a beggerly Clergy is the forerunner of a bankrupt Religion § 21. But although the City of Hebron pertained to the Priests the suburbs thereof by Gods appointment belonged to Caleb and his posterity This Caleb was that young-old man whose strength contradicted his years so able and active at fourscore and five either for advice or execution But here he eate not the bread of idleness being first to clear and conquer Hebron before he could possess it from the Giant-Amorite-Anakims dwelling therein These Amorites though as the Prophet describes them high as the Cedars and strong as the Oakes had notwithstanding to follow this Metaphor much wastfull sap in their mighty big bodies whilst Caleb all heart as his name imports though less and lower by Gods assistance easily overcame them If any demand How came Anakims hither seeing Hebron so lately was smitten by Ioshua A learned author answers that it is probable whilest Ioshua afterwards was employed in the north in conquering the
day and night hope to come This cannot be meant of those departed this life before Saint Pauls time which were past hope and in possession of the promise but of such as served God then when this speech was uttered 3 By the superscription of S. Iames his Epistle To the twelve Tribes which are scattered abroad greeting Being Christian Iews probably dispersed from Ierusalem after the martyrdome of Saint Stephen § 6. To conclude what in the Law God prescribed concerning the fields he was pleased graciously to practise upon the persons of the Israelites Thou shalt not glean thy vineyard neither shalt thou gather every grape in thy vineyard He suffered a small racemation to remain still preserving 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and not wholly discomposing the solemn Jury of the twelve Tribes which untill Christs time were made the thinner but not the fewer by all their calamities For although thorough continuance of time suddain and great changes in their condition laziness and neglect casuall losing and spightfull embezeling of their Records mixt mariages with heathens and many other accidents the intireness of their Pedegrees was much perplext and interrupted yet by tradition from their parents they knew in generall their extraction from those Tribes though unable particularly to clear the immediate series of their descents CHAP. 10. Of Palestine rent into two kingdomes under Rehoboam and their severall strengths balanced § 1. THe next solemn division the land of Canaan fell under was when it was cloven by the ten Tribes defection into the kingdomes of Iudah and Israel § 2. The kingdome of Iudah consisted chiefly of the Tribe of Iudah which alone was so powerfull and populous that the men thereof in the muster made by King David amounted in number to moe then the half of all the other Tribes there expressed Besides the body of this Tribe very considerable were the appurtenances thereof namely Some of Simeon whose inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the Tribe of Iudah Dan part of whose possession was taken out of what originally was assigned to Iudah These must be presumed to beare a State-sympathy to the kingdome of Iudah ingaged thereunto by the position of their countrey Yea we finde it expressed in Scripture that Beersheba a City of Simeon and Gath Zorah and Ajalon Cities of Dan did belong to and were fortified by the Kings of Iudah § 3. Besides these two thirds of the Tribe of Benjamin pertained to the same kingdome as also all the Levites which left their Cities in Israel and clave to the house of David These though properly the eyes of the land had hands also and contributed to the strength of the kingdome Adde hereunto all the well-affected which out of all the Tribes of Israel resorted to Ierusalem For the by-ditches of Dan and Bethel did not so drain the peoples devotion but that much thereof ran in the right chanel to the Temple and no doubt many violently kept at home had their hearts at Ierusalem and their bodies in Israel to which kingdome all the rest of the Tribes did belong § 4. Here it will be richly worth our pains to enter on a comparative estimate of these two Kingdomes which of them exceeded in puissance Herein we shall carry an impartiall hand and indeed though the controversie be betwixt two Kings there is nothing to be got by flattering of either § 5. We will compare them first in that wherein Solomon placeth the honour of a King the multitude of their subjects And here any clear judgment will find for the Kings of Israel § 6. Secondly if the extent of their dominions be surveyed and our eye in the Map made umpirer therein the case is clear in view without measuring that Israel was the greatest § 7. Thirdly if their Cities be numbred the result will be this Iudah had the Sun Ierusalem Israel had the Moon Samaria and most Starres of the first magnitude Ieriâ—ho Iezreel Mahanaim c. § 8. Fourthly if their ports and naval power be considered neither will be found very active that way contentedly yeelding their sea-trading to the Phenicians Yet Israel had the advantage of havens and marine accommodations bordering most on the Mediterranean Iudah also to hold the scales even had Ezion-Gaber a considerable port on the Red-sea as may appear by Ahaziahs request to Iehosaphat Let my servants goe with thy servants in the ships plainly importing that the men of Iudah were the Cape-merchants and prime mariners in those seas by whose courtesie the subjects of the Kings of Israel were admitted to trafique there However Ezion-Gaber on the Red-sea was but a key to the back-door little of the East-Indies being then known and less traded to whereas the havens on the Midland-sea opened the broad gates of commerce to the most and best frequented parts of the world § 9. Fifthly if the absoluteness of their Kings power be stated in their respective dominions here in the opinions of some the upper hand must be adjudged to Iudah The Kings whereof in administration of justice or rather revenge often exercised arbitrary power making use of their prerogative above law As appears by Solomons proceedings against the lives of Shimei Ioab and Adoniah and more plainly in Iehoram's executing his own brethren by his peremptory pleasure without legall conviction of them Whereas no monument is extant of such arbitrary proceedings in the kings of Israel more confining themselves to legall courses Yea the very murder of Naboth carried the face of a judiciall process wherein legall n formalities of witnesses though suborned were observed in a solemn Session The reason why the Kings of Iudah were more unlimited in their power was say they because they derived their title immediately from the God of heaven confirmed in Davids familie by severall descents But the Kings of Israel being Creatures of their own subjects made by popular election on condition to remit their taxes and burdens and seldome above three of the same stock in a direct succession were fain to ingratiate themselves with remitting much of that royall rigour used by the Kings of Iudah And this is assigned by a judicious Author as a principall cause why Israel never returned to their former subjection to Davids family because the scepter of Iudah was too heavy for them and they lived under more liberty in their own kingdome § 10. Sixtly if their forain impressions made by them on neighbouring Princes be considered the balance is so even it is hard to say on which side the beam breaketh For as memorable were the victories of the Kings of Israel against the Syrians so no lesse fortunate the fights of some Kings of Iudah against the Ethiopians and other enemies And as the kingdome of Moab till the death of Ahab was tributary to Israel so Edom untill the end of the reign of Iehosaphat was in subjection to the
surrounded on all sides with Iudah whereas in your Map the northern side thereof is all along fairly flanked with the Tribe of Don. Aleth You may remember what we so lately proved that Dan's portion primitively pertained to Iudah and was a canton cut out thereof In which sense according to Scripture Simeons inheritance was within the children of Iudah's and originally encompassed therewith Philol. Why call you this Tribe a jagged remnant being as whole a cloth as the rest and though not so great as entire as the other Tribes I am not sensible by this your Map of any notorious dispersedness of the Simeonites habitations Aleth Undoubtedly Iudah his portion made many incisures and larcinations into the Tribe of Simeon hindering the entireness thereof Particularly Askelon and Gaza first given to once possessed by Iudah though regained by the Philistines were continued and tyed by some narrow labell of land to the main of Iudah at leastwise had a Church-path as I may terme it a passage to the Temple without going through any part of Simeon But wanting certain instructions how to contrive and carry on such indented conveyances and not willing to confine the Reader to our conjecturall fancies we have left him to his liberty presenting Simeon entire wherein he may frame such incursions of Iudah as comply best with his own opinion Philol. You make this Tribe to range some miles south of Beer-sheba whereas that place passeth currant for the utmost border of the Countrey What more common in Scripture then from Dan to Beer-sheba that is from the north to the south of the land of Canaan Aleth It was the utmost eminent City but not absolutely the farthest place in Palestine as neither mentioned amongst the southern boundaries of the land in generall Numb 34. nor with the utmost limits of the Tribe of Iudah Iosh. 15. In ordinary discourse we measure England east and west from Dover to the Mount as the farthest western place of note though Cornwall stretches seven miles beyond it unto the lands end So Beer-sheba was the remotest remarkable City of Canaan where the cloth as I may say ended though the list thereof reached beyond it to the River of Egypt CHAP. XIII Objections against Benjamin answered Philol. VVHy make you Nob a Levite City in Benjamin within the suburbs of Anathoth Seeing Nob is neither named amongst the four Cities bestowed on the Levites in this Tribe Iosh. 21. 17. nor is it any of the eight and forty belonging unto them throughout the whole Countrey of Canaan Aleth That Nob was in this Tribe appears by that caâ—alogue of Cities presented us in Nehemiah which the Benjamites repossessed after their return from Babylon That it was a Levites yea a Priests City appears too plainly by the Massacre therein on them committed We confess it none of the eight and forty originally assigned to the Levites Yet how they in after-ages were capable of supernumerary Cities more then in their first Charter and how the Mortâ—main of the Levites as I may term it was enlarged with new foundations we have lately answered in the objections of Ephraim whither we refer you for further satisfaction Philol. You make the sons of Saul executed on an hill nigh Gibeah of Saul which your judicious friend will have hung up before the Tabernacle in Gibeon observing therein an exemplary piece of divine justice that whereas Saul had ruined the Tabernacle at Nob his sons were hung up before the same in Gibeon Aleth Not to be a Plaintise against him but a Defendant of my self I conceive him mistaken in confounding Gibeah of Saul with Gibeon distinct Cities as may appear by their severall owners and actions therein performed GIBEON GIBEAH An ancient City of the Hivites whose inhabitants deceived the Israelites given to the Levites in the Tribe of Benjamin where the Tabernacle was set up in the time of Solomon A City in Benjamin hard by Iâ—rusalem distinct from the former whose inhabitants were meer Benjamites and by their lust abused the Levites Concubine to death for which their Tribe was almost extirpated it was afterwards called Gibeah of Saul from his birth and frequent residence therein Now the text expresly saith that the Gibeonites did hang them up unto the Lord in Gibeah of Saul that is in Sauls native place and Court where he had issued out his cruell edicts for the slaughter of the Gibeonites Philol. But that expression they hanged them in the hill before the Lord imports the same performed in some religious place probably in the prospect or view of the Tabernacle Aleth Before the Lord implies no more then what in the foregoing verse was termed unto the Lord that is in a sacred manner not out of private revenge but in an holy zeal tendering the parties executed an oblation to divine justice and so is interpreted by the Expositors thereon Philol. In your particular Map of Benjamin Iordan runs almost directly south the whole course of whose channell visibly bendeth eastward in your Map generall of Palestine Aleth That generall Map though first placed was last perfected wherein we have amended three mistakes as escaped in our particular descriptions One that wherein you instance another 〈◊〉 Reâ—â—en formerly forgottâ—n to be confessed making that Tribe a little longer from north to south then it is represented in our particular description thereof My care shall be God willing in the second edition to conforme those particular Maps according to these rectisiâ—ations in the generall description CHAP. XIV Objections against Judah answered Philol. WOuld not it affright one to see a dead man walk And will not he in like manner be amazed to see the Dead-sea moving Why have you made the surface of the waters thereof waving as if like other seas it were acted with any tyâ—e which all Authors avouch and your self confesseth to be a standing stinking lake Thinkâ— not to plead that such waving is the impression of the winde thereupon seeing Tacitus affirmes of this sea Neque vento impellitur it is such a drone it will neither goe of it self nor yet be driven of the winde Aleth I will not score it on the account of the Graver that it is onely lascivia or ludicrum coeli the over-activity of his hand And in such cases the flourishings of the Scrivener are no essentiall part of the Bond but behold Mercators and other Authors Maps and you shall finde more motion therein then is here by us expressed The most melancholy body of moisture especially of so great extent is necessarily subject to such simpering in windy weather as inseparable from the liquidity thereof Philol. Why set you Zeboim most northernly of all the five Cities in the Dead-sea in the place where Sodome is situated in all other descriptions Aleth The placing of them is not much materiall whether longwise all in a File as Mr. More sets them
banishing them south of Arnon Fourthly Reubenites on whom Moses bestowed it after Sihon was conquered and killed Fifthly Moabites again For it seems after the captivity of the Reubenites by Tilgath Pilneser 1 Chron. 5. 26. they made a re-entry on their old possessions seeing those cities formerly inhabited by the Reubenites are prophecied against by Isaiah and Ieremiah under the notion of places belonging to the people of Moab to be destroied by Shalmaneser and Nabuchadnezzar § 3. This Countrey had Iordan on the west dividing it from Ephraim and Benjamin the River Arnon on the east and south parting it from the kingdome of Moab and on the north confined on the Tribe of Gad. The extent thereof from east to west may be allowed forty two miles not exceeding thirty five from north to south A Countrey excellent for grazing not as if defective in corn and wine wherein it shared with the rest of the Tribes besides the benefits of some Mineralls and medicinall waters whereof in due place but because exceeding in conveniencies for Cattell Pastures to feed Woods to shade and Rivers to wateâ— them Therefore was it bestowed upon the Tribes of Reuben Gad and half Manasseh which much abounded in cattell In which three we may observe some shadowes of Primogeniture which might imbolden them to petition to be first served Reuben the eldest of Iacob by his wife Gad eldest by Zilpah his concubine and Manasseh first born of Ioseph But these Tribes as first planted were first plucked up God carved unto them the first cut of the Land and after called for the Voider to take it first from them For they falling from the house of David and following Ieroboam through rebellion to Idolatry and not being warned with the terrible blow Hazael gave them shroudly shrubbing their branches God rent them up by the roots in the days of Pekah by the hand of Tilgath-Pilneser King of Assyria some twenty years before the generall captivity of their brethren at the end of the reign of Hosheah 2 Kings 17. 6. § 4 Leaving the people come we to survey the places and memorable actions in this Tribe In the northâ—east corner thereof near the banks of Arnon we finde the tract or territory of Aroer For though Aroer the City was undoubtedly entire in the Tribe of Gad yet it plainly appears that at least a Moity of the countrey adjacent so called from the city was possessed by the Reubenites A populous place it was the Prophet mentioning the cities of Aroer though their names or number is not expressed Probably Arnon one of the principall Tell yee it in Arnon says Ieremy surely not to the fishes in the River but to a City seated on the brink thereof and thence denominated as Hull in York-shire so commonly called from the Rivolet running by it § 5. Going south-west having the stream of Arnon for our guide we leave Kedemoth not far from the north bank thereof The Septuaginâ— read Kedson for Kedemoth and the Vulgar without any warrant read Iethson for Kedson so procreative is one errour of another This Kedemoth was one of the four Peculiars of the Levites wherein they were accommodated with Safety Pleasure and Profit Safety in the City it self within whose walls they dwelt in secure habitations Pleasure in their suburbs reaching a thousand Cubits from the wall round about little less then an English mile where they had houses of retirement with stalls and stables for their cattell Profit in their glebe land extending two thousand Cubits from their suburbs on every side improved for pasture tillage and vineyards For thus the survey of the Levites lands Numb 35. 4 5. though the difficult place is capable of severall senses is expounded by learned Rabbi Maimonie and we in our Maps have described them accordingly Now though herein we have given the Levites lands the largest and most favourable bounds seeing I am unable to endow them they shall lose nothing by my restrictive measuring thereof yet know that narrower limits are assigned them by Tremellius as shall hereafter be presented in Diagram we have prepared for that purpose § 6. Behold here Levi's curse turned into a blessing Divide them in Iacob and scatter them in Israel Now the dividing of them proved the disposing of them for their own and others advantage Their scattering was their ranking for the best behoof of the people for whose instruction they were intended They were the Salt of the earth and therefore God sprinkled them here and there the more conveniently to season the whole nation Insomuch that some English Parishes are more remote from their Mother-church then most places in Canaan were distant from the Cities of the Levites We must not forget that in Ieroboams apostasie the religious Levites forsook their Cities and fled to Ierusalem preferring voluntary exile before wealthy homes on the condition of an Idolatrous compliance It appears not in Scripture how these Cities and lands thus left were disposed of Whether Ieroboam himself seised on them converting them into demeans of his Crown or whether he suffered them to revert to those respective Tribes from whom they were taken so fastning his subjects affections unto him with nailes of gold of their own profit Either course may be conceived a cause to hasten the captivity of the people it being just that those who swallow Gods morsels should be spewed out of their own possessions § 7. Round about this City is the wilderness of Kedemoth not wholly abandoned to solitariness but as the rest of this kinde more thinly inhabited It abounded with wild beasts Lions Bears Bores Wolves Foxes where the pleasure in hunting the game did not recompense the pains and dangers of the shepheards lying constant Perdues in defence of their flocks From this wilderness Moses sent messengers to Sihon King of the Amorites for peaceable passage through his countrey But Sihon path-wise and land-foolish by denying a civility drew destruction on himself and subjects For seeking in fight to traverse it for their pedibus ambulando he was by a firme Ejection outed of his whole kingdome § 8. To return to Arnon Hereabouts the children of Israel passed over it miraculously with dry feet saith Adricomius But the miracle seems rather of his then Gods making the Scripture being silent therein and the river not of that depth or breadth but that it was fordable especially with the help of Camels Mules and Asses Many miles hence this river solitarily runs on as sensible of its sad fate suddenly to fall into the dead-Sea at Ashdoth-pisgah Where all his comfort is to have the company of two other Brooks whereof the eastermost runs near to Betzar or Bozra A City of refuge belonging to the Levites Merarites whereof there were six in the whole Countrey of Canaan with a provision that they should adde three more mans mercy must increase proportionably with his means if God
in slavery should multiply more then when they were at liberty consider 1 Some Plants Palme trees and Camomile the more deprest the further they expand themselves 2 Infant Nations like infants grow more discernibly at the first then when they approach their full stature 3 God purposely to defeat the designe of Pharaoh to destroy the Israelites blessed them with transcendent fruitfulness 4 The breeders in the wilderness were visited with many casualties bringing them to untimely ends whereas all those in Egypt though painfull in their livings were healthfull in their lives But the most memorable Accident in this place was the Idolatry of the Israelites to Baal-peor an Idoll conceived by most learned men to be Priapus And who could worship him with piety whom none with modesty can describe It seems that Moab and Midian perceiving Sâ—hon King of the Amorites overthrown in battell counterfeited amity with them and pretending to shew them being strangers the courtesie of the countrey made them an entertainment which could not be courtlike and compleat without the company of their women The Israelites beholding the Midianitish women first liking their faces then tasting their feasts stepped from their Boards to their Beds thence to their Altars adding spirituall to corporall fornication This was done by the advice of Balaam whose counsell did more hurt then his curse All his charmes could have done them no harm had he not raised these female spirits to improve them which cost the lives of twenty four thousand Israelites dying of the Plague till the Javelin of Phinehas executing of judgment stopped Gods fiery sword amongst them § 20. Let us now request the Reader to climbe up the hills of Abarim Nebo and Pisgah These are a ledge of mountains rising by degrees from east to west So that some have compared Abarim to the Chancell Nebo to the Church and Pisgah to the steeple In mount Nebo the Authour of the Maccabees speaks of a Cave wherein Ieremy laid the Tabernacle and the Arke and the Altar of Incense and so stopped the door But the same Authour in the conclusion of his book confesseth that his work is like wine tempered with water and we take this story to be no genuine juice of the grape and value it accordingly On Pisgah Moses surveyed the whole land of Canaan and although he was advantaged by the height of the place and clearness of his eyes no whit abated in their sight at an hundred and twenty years of age yet much of miracle must needs be admitted in so plain and far discovery Here Moses was buried being priviledged above other servants of God whose souls Angels convey to heaven that an Angel was his Sexton to cover his body in earth Here he concealed Moses his grave lest the Israelites should goe a whoring after it Destroying Idolatry is a pious but preventing it a more provident Act crushing it in the occasions thereof Let none condemn this for a needless caution as if no fear that they who sometimes would stone Moses while living should adore him when dead For the crooked nature of the Iews was bowed to Extremes and had no mean betwixt hating and adoring Besides when the memories of eminent men hated or envied when living have passed the purgation of death it is usuall for their former enemies to fall in love with them § 21. May the reader now conceive himself standing on the top of mount Pisgah Where though content with a narrower compass then what Moses discerned he descrieth a fair Prospect round about him Not to repeat the places of the west because mentioned before looking south ward behold the City of Nebo at the foot of its namesake mountain and both of them so called from Nebo and Idoll God hereabouts worshipped We read indeed how Reuben changed the names of the Cities of Nebo and Baalmeon because their old names taken from false Gods resented of Idolatry But so hard it is to unhabit mens mouths from old ill customes that it seems their ancient names still prevailed in common discourse Criticks start many controversies concerning this Idoll of Nebo as First whether not originally a Babylonish Deity Secondly whether under it the Moon as the Sun under Bell was not mystically adored Thirdly whether the same with Chemosh and Baal-Peor which is the opinion of Saint Ierome and if not wherein lay the difference But it shall never trouble me whether the fictitious Serpents of Iannes and Iambres the Egyptian enchanters were made alike or did differ in some particulars seeing the reall serpents of Moses devoured them all up And seeing long since the service of the true God hath confuted and confounded all worship of false Idols I list not to trade in the curiosities of distinctions betwixt them § 22. Eastward behold Kiriathaim or the two-towns like Bridge-North in Shropshire two lesser Cities being modelled into one Here lived the Emims shrowdly smote by Chederlaomer which probably did facilitate the Moabites in their victory over them Iahaza a City of the Levites where the Israelites in battell vanquished Sibon King of the Amorites A little further see the City of Medeba before the walls whereof a double battell was fought and won at once by Ioab against the Aramites and Abishai against the Ammonites And it seems that the latter of these had at this time the City in their possession whither they retreated after their overthrow For what else doe those words import The children of Ammon likewise fled before Abishai his Brother and entred into the City except any conceiving it inconsistent with the present potency of David to have any of his enemies nestled in his dominion will by the City understand Rabbah the Metropolis of Ammon next year besieged and sacked by Ioab As for Medeba there needs no other evidence to speak her ancient greatness then that Ptolemy by name takes notice thereof though placing it in Arabia which name it retained in the days of Saint Ierome § 23. But northward is the most pleasant Prospect over the fair and fruitfull Plains of Moab Nor need any wonder why the Plain is so called seeing Moab had nothing on the north of Arnon after the time of Moses when they recollect how lately all this land was possessed by the Moabites before Sihon forcibly expulsed them Now to prove that places sometimes are termed by their ancient Inhabitants though some hundred years after we that live in London need not goe no further then the Old Iury so called from the Iews once dwelling there now banished thence three hundred years agoe But we keep the Reader too long upon the top of this bleak and cold mountain 'T is time to come down when we have told him that though Pisgah here be taken for a proper name yet it is often used as an appellative for any eminent ridge of a hill which aspires above his fellowes Know also that all the Countrey hereabouts
was called Pisgah in the days of Saint Ierome § 24. Having now for a while reposed our selves in the pleasant Plains of Moab let us not tire when our task in this Tribe grows so near to an end Going a little northward we cannot misse the three Stations whither Balak brought Balaam to curse the Israelites For having first freely feasted Balaam at Kiriath-Huzzoth his chief City in the land of Moab he brought him over Arnon onely to see the utmost skirts of the people hoping if he could but kindle his curse in any corner it would quickly burn all the house of Israel But thrice he struck fire to no purpose 1t. In Bamoth Baal or the high places of Baal 2ly In the field of Zophim at the top of the hill 3ly In the top of Peor which looks towards Ieshimon building in each place seven Altars and sacrificing a Bullock and Ram on every of them What was the designe of the Sorcerer Conceived he that heaven was covetous like himself and might be bribed with sacrifices Surely the stench of his hypocrisie out-sented all the smell of his burnt offerings Or thought he by often changing the scene to act the more upon God He that is the same yesterday and to day and for ever receives no more impression from the shifting of place then from the changing of time Or did he hope with the mystery of his numbers Thrice seven Altars to flatter heaven into a consent All numbers are but bare Cyphers to him that is infinite O how he sweats for the wages of iniquity How is his tongue distracted between the Spirit of God and the spirit of gold All in vain the further he goes the worser he speeds but the better he speaks falling at last from â—lenting to down right blessing of Israel However though he did not his work he received his wages And if Balak at that time did not pay him with gold yet afterwards the Israelites did with steel justly slaying him with the sword § 25. Pass we now still more northward by the place where Elias ascending to heaven in a Chariot of fire left his mantle and a double portion of his spirit to Elisha his servant and successour and by Mephaah a City of the Levites to Sibmah so famous for her fruitfull vinyards Going through which the Reader may eat grapes to the full at his own pleasure A liberty lawfully allowed him but beware putting up any into his vessell lest he be apprehended for a trespasser For the same law which provides for his necessity punisheth his covetousness And what is this whole world with the wealth thereof but a vinyard wherein happy he who hath enough to serve his turn seeing when he dieth he shall carry nothing away with him It seems in Sibmah there was some one signall vine eminent for greatness above the rest or else that all her vines grew so close and uniform that they resembled one entire and continued tree The Prophets always addressing themselves unto it in the singular number O vine of Sibmah I will weep for thee c. § 26. Our work is ended when we have viewed the north part of this Tribe where it confineth on Gad. Where we onely meet with one place of note Heshbon anciently the royall Palace of Sihon King of the Amorites afterwards a City of the Levites Which the Scripture placeth sometimes in Reuben and sometimes in Gad. To accommodate this difference without making of two Cities of the same name such multiplication unwarrantable save where absolute necessity enforceth it I finde no fitter expedient then by setting Heshbon so equally between these two Tribes as partially in both and totally in neither Thus Bristoll is situated betwixt Glocester and Somerset shires and yet challengeth to be an absolute Liberty of it self as this Heshbon also was an entire demeans of the Levites One fair gate it had called Beth Rabbim gate nigh to which were most clear and pleasant fishponds to which the eyes of the Spouse are compared by Solomon Not that she was troubled with watery eyes like Leah the resemblance being recounted amongst her perfections not defects or that her eyes as some may fancy are compared to Pools moistened with teares for her sins but because of her clear and perspicuous vision and apprehension of heavenly Mysteries § 27. As for the mountains of Emek which Mr. More in his Map without alledging any warrant from Scripture otherwise his constant custome makes the bounds betwixt Reuben and Gad I have placed them accordingly yet so that the Reader without a miraculous Faith may remove these mountains to some other place when he finds just cause for the same At which time also when proceeding on more infallible principles for their situation let him take down our conjecturall Flags from the tops of Mephaah Zerethshahar c. now placed but by guesse and let him dispose of them if he can in a more exact position § 28. So much for Reuben not forgetting how in the days of Solomon when the land was divided into Purveyer-ships to make monthly provisions for his Courts Gebar the son of Uri had al the country once of Siâ—on King of the Amorites but then possest by Reuben in his circuit whence no doubt plenty of good fare out of this Pasture-countrey so abounding in cattell was brought to Ierusalem Now we have placed the name of Amorites on the sinister front of this our description because they were the old inhabitants of this Countrey our constant custome through this Book in the adverse page opposite to the Tribes name to insert one of the seven Nations of Canaan former owners of that land conceiving it to conduce much to the illustration of Scripture § 29. Modern Heralds by Commission authorized from the Jewish Rabbines assign to Reuben for armes Argent three Bars waveè azure in allusion to Iacobs Legacy Unstable as water thou shalt not excell For as water cannot hold it self but as it is held in a vessell so Reuben could not contain himself within the bounds of chastity till shame and sorrow did reclaim him Besides as water once shed is never to be gathered up again so Reuben could never after recollect his lost credit to recover the full favour of his Father Though once he endevoured to gather up some spilt drops of his reputation by projecting the deliverance of Ioseph from his brethren but his design miscarried § 30. For mine own part I cannot concur with the common opinion that these three Bars waveè were the Armes of Reuben principally because Armes are honorary ensignes assign'd or assum'd for the greater grace of the bearer Improbable therefore that this Tribe to perpetuate the infamy of their ancestour would always have water running in their shield as if Reubens crime were the Reubenites credit like such whom the Apostle reproves that glory in their shame Rather let us hearken
mungrell creatures of equivocall extraction deriving cruelty from the Wolves their sires and craft from the Foxes their dams These Iackalls are meant by our translatours Psalm 63. 10. Let them fall by the edge of the sword that they may be a portion for Foxes not for ordinary Foxes which indeed are so dainty mouthed that they will not feed on any carkasse but what they kill themselves but for these Iackalls which may pass for Foxes because so by the surer side so ravenous that they will not onely feed on carion above ground but even dig holes into the earth fetch forth and feed on dead bodies of men if not deeply interred § 6. The river Arnon running full south passeth by Aroer a fair City whereof frequent mention in Scripture but in no other notion but onely as the eastern boundary of Canaan Here Arnon entertaineth a river from the west called the river of Gad because rising running and falling within the compass of this Tribe § 7. This river of Gad had formerly received into it another stream called the waters of Nimrim threatned by the Prophets to be dried up on the banks whereof Bethnimrah a City was seated At the conflux of these two the Sea of Iazer is found being no other then a Lake about our Whittlesey Meer in Hungtingtonshire for greatness as the Iews call the meetings of all waters whether fresh or salt Seas Nor let their language herein be challenged for impropriety having a warrant from God himself who at the creation called the dry land Earth and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas Conformable hereunto is the expression of the modern Dutch for in Helvetia a Province of Germany yea in Argow as I may say a County of Helvetia I have told above sixteen Seas Zugersee Thuner-see Ober-see Rot-see c. though the biggest of them but lakes in effect Yea the Iews did so far extend or rather so straitly contract the word Sea that that capable vessell of brass used as a Lavatory for the sacrifices in the Temple was tearmed the Molten Sea Iazer which gave name to this Sea was a City of the Levites hard by whereat some sad accident had happened though the particulars thereof are not discovered in Scripture for the weeping of Iazer passeth in the Prophet as the expression of great lamentation § 8. Hence the river of Gad passeth by Civitas interammis or the City in the midst of the river wherewith on all sides it is environed never mentioned in Scripture but with the company of Aroer a clear evidence both of their distinction and vicinity Hereabouts Ioab pitched his tent when sent to number the people Wonder not that having the convenience of three Cities so near to receive him he preferred rather to reside in a tent during that imployment For besides that such movable habitations comply best with military men it was fittest for the work in hand where the people to be reckoned might have full and free accesse in open aire both wholsomer for the persons and speedyer in dispatch then when pent within the streets and walls of a City Nothing else memorable remains in the southeast corner of this Tribe save Dibon a City sometimes assigned to Reuben and sometimes to Gad. To reconcile this some make them different and distant Cities which in my apprehension is rather to set up two marks then to hit the right one For seeing these two Tribes confine together and both lay claim to Dibon like the two mothers challenging the living childe we have onely in stead of a sword made use of pricks setting it equally in the bounds of both Here we advise the Reader not out of distrust of his skill but desire of his good to beware neither to confound this Dibon in Gad with Dibon-Gad the thirty ninth station of the Israelites as they came out of Egypt nor with another Dibon which seems to be in Iudah wherein the Iews dwelt after their captivity § 9. The river of Iabbok arising out of the aforesaid stony countrey first runs directly northward and strengthened with an acceâ—â—ion of waters from the Kingdome of Ammon turns his stream full west In which course ere long he cometh to the ford which Iacob with his family passed over and where we crave the Readers leave for a while to discontinue our discourse of this river and to attend that worthy Patriarch in his travels through this Tribe which in form of a Belt crossed Gad athwart from northeast to southwest Iacob first entring into this Tribe came to Nahanaim that is the two campes because there the Angels digested into two armies probably behind and before him appeared to Iacob Now as Adams naming the Creatures argued his dominion over them so the Patriarchs naming of places in Canaan was an Earnest that their posterity should possesse them Who no doubt as curious to enquire so were carefull to continue those names which their Ancestors had given them Mahanaim was afterwards a City of the Levites and in the reign of Ishbosheth the son of Saul it was made the chief City of his kingdome But with his life within three years expired the Metropolisship of Mahanaim which afterwards afforded refuge and residence to David when flying from Ierusalem for fear of Absolom Hither the news of Absoloms death was brought to King David joyfull to the King but dolefull to David which caused his patheticall lamentation over the gate till the heat of Ioabs anger dryed up Davids teares perswading him with cheerfull looks to countenance the conquerours § 10. From Mahanaim let us goe fairly and softly on with an easie pace in the company of Iacob not overdriving his children and cattell to the above named fords of Iabbok and thence to Peniâ—l where Iacob the youngest warriour fighting before he was born and the strongest Conquerour prevailed with God appearing like an Angell Who in admonition to Iacob that he overcame not with his own striving but his opposites yeelding gave him a gentle touch being pleased where he could have broken the bone onely to shrink the sinew whereupon Iacob carried an upright heart and lame leg to his grave Indeed learned Rivet is of opinion that God presently healed his halting chiefly grounding it because Esau at his meeting took no notice of his lameness but doth not the negative follow with more probability because the Scripture takes no notice of his curing Besides had the cure come so quick the hurt had never left so deep and long lasting impression in the practise of the Israelites abstaining for that cause from eating the sinew in the thigh Yea modern Iews oh that they were as observant of the substantiall as ceremoniall parts of the old Testament not certain which sinew it was so many meeting in the thigh refrain from feeding on all Nerves in the hinder parts of
Sauls and his sons corps they took down from Bethshan bring them home burn the flesh and bury the bones thereof under a tree neare the City The Iews generally interring their dead under some Oak pleased perchance with the parallel that as those plants seemingly dead in winter have every spring an annuall resurrection so mens dry bones shall have new sap put into them at the day of Judgment David afterwards removed the bones of Saul and Ionathan buried them in the sepulchre of Kish their father in Zelab in the Countrey of Benjamin § 24. From the fords of Ephraim Iordan taketh his course by the Cities of Ataroth and Debir of which we can say neither more nor less but that they are called Ataroth and Debir For these places let Ataroth-shophan Beth-haran c. march in the same rank are so short-lived in Scripture that they live onely to be named and presently vanish away without any more mention of them Not long after Iordan leaving this Tribe runneth into Reuben § 25. More inland in Gad lay the large and fruitfull Countrey of Gilead whereof more fitly and fully in the next Tribe For though this Tribe of Gad had South-Gilead in her borders yet under favour I conceive that North-Gilead which belonged to Manasseh was the firstand best Countrey of that name Now whereas we read in Scripture that Gad had all the Cities of Gilead and few verses after that Manasseh had half Gilead know that Gilead is taken restrictively in the former and generally in the latter acception § 26. Ramoth-Gilead called also Ramoâ—h-mizpeh was metropolis of Gad-Gilead It belonged to the Levites and was also a City of refuge afterwards won by the King of Aram. Then alas that city which so often had saved others from the pursuit of their enemies could not preserve it self from the sword of the Syrians Here it was verified Quod non capit Christus rapit fiscus For upon Ieroboams introducing of Idolatry the pious Levites were outed of their possessions and now the pagan Syrians revenging their quarrell ejected Israel out of this City wrongfully wrested from the Levites § 27. However not long after Ahab and Iehoshaphat with joint forces besieged it when the army of the Syrians bad them both battell Iehoshaphat at Ahabs perswasion pretending his honour but intending therein his own safety appeared in his Princely equipage whilest the other disguised himself in the army Now the Syrians having received speciall orders to fight neither against small nor great save onely with the King of Israel mistake Iehoshaphat for the King of Israel directed in their conjectures unto him by the lustre of his royall Robes Bravery betrays men to danger and not onely sets up a fair mark but giveth malice the right ground to throw at it And was it not just with God that Iehoshaphat who in complement had profest to Ahab I am as thou art should in realty be taken to be the same indeed But upon his crying out the Syrians apprehend their errour and desist from further pursuing him § 28. But divine Justice continues the chace of Ahab Guilt cannot hide it self in a croud and there is no way for a notorious sinner to disguise himself from Gods eye but by his sincere repentance A man draws a bow at adventures and all-seeing providence guiding blind chance to the joints of Ahabs armour mortally wounds him It seems not onely the Corselet but also the putting on thereof must be of proof to fence death out which otherwise will creep in at a small cranny Yet Ahab was staid up in his chariot til even then the Sun his life set together Some years after King Iehoram Ahabs son at the same place received wounds of more honour and less danger when forcibly he recovered this Ramoth-Gilead from the Kings of Syria But of all Iehorams hurts here received none went so near his heart as that in this City a son of the Prophets sent by Elisha did anoint Iehu a Captain of the Hoste to be his successour and King of Israel § 29. We had wholly forgotten no shame to confess and amend our faults the small Countrey of Sharon in the north-east part of this tribe It seems it was parcell of the demeans of the Crown in the days of King David where his heards were fed under the care and charge of Shetrai the Sharonite David we see was not onely a good man and good King but also a good husband stocking this his land to his best profit knowing full well soon would the State of his Court-hall be abated if the thrift in his countrey Kitchin were not preserved Nor was Sharon a place less pleasant then profitable where plenty of fragrant roses grew to which Christ the Churches spouse is pleased to resemble himself not for any fading condition but fair sight sweet smell and cordiall vertues wherein he excelled § 30. Here some will inquire In what capacity did David hold his land in Sharon and elsewhere where his cattell was grased seeing being Iesse's youngest Son little land was left him from his Father and none at all in the Tribe of Gad. The difficulty is increased because in so pent and populous a countrey scarce a foot thereof but related to some owner not having power to alienate it from his heires to whom at the farthest it was to revert at the year of Iubilee when all dead possessions had a resurrection to their proper owners We conceive David held this land by one of the following Titles 1 By the fundamentall establishment of the Crown For sure when that Kings were made publick provision was made for their Princely support who as Lords of Manors have commonage sance number amongst their Tenants might feed their cattell any where in their own dominions 2 By improvement of wast grounds which fell to the King as Lord of the Soile Yea seeing God made provisionary Laws for the Kings behaviour four hundred years before any King was in Israel why might not a reserve of land be also left at the partition of the countrey by lot for their Kings future maintenance 3 By mutuall compact some subjects on valuable consideration as perchance the relaxing the tribute due from every person to his Prince might part not with the propriety but present profit of their land for the Kings conveniency 4 By attainder of Traitours whose lands it seems were at least for some term of time at the Kings disposall witness Davids granting all Mephibosheth had unto Ziba 5 By conquest as most probable it is this Sharon was won from the Ammonites when Rabba was taken from them However we may prefume that Davids title though unknown to us was undoubted in it self free from the least suspicion of injustice according to his own counsell Trust not in oppression become not vain in robbery
open access 5 But ride on Asses partly that Petitioners though lame and weak might keep pace with them on the way when relating their grievances and partly by that patient creature to shew the slow but sure proceeding of justice and indeed the Judges foot-pace to the sentence is the accused parties post-speed to his grave We finde among these thirty cities but one of them named which is Camon wherein the body of Iair was buried And it is probable that Ira the Iairite so high in favour about King David was an inhabitant of this countrey § 15. More south lay Ashteroth-karnaim or in English the two horned Ashteroth either so named from some forked building or street therein Horn-church in Essex and Horn-castle in Lincolne-shire so called on the like occasion or because the Idol Ashteroth that is the Moon horned in her waxing or waning was worshipped therein or lastly because a fair and gallant City and all strength mirth and jollity are called horns in the Hebrew Yet may we say to the men of Ashteroth in the words of the Psalmist Set not up your horns so high neither speak presumptuous words Horns which first were well blunted by Chedorlaomer when he smote the Rephaims or Giants in Ashteroth-karnaim and afterwards were broken quite off when Og King of Bashan who reigned in this City was overthrown For hard by is Edrei another City wherein Og resided and neer which he bid battell to the children of Israel when he with all his Giant-like race which peopled this place was extinguished For though the Countrey of Pigmies be a Poets-tale this Land of Giants is a Scripture-truth However no eye can now distinguish betwixt the ashes of Giants and dust of dwarfs death having long since levelled all alike in the grave § 16. Such remarkable places as remain in this Tribe will easily be found out if we follow the stream of Iordan and such rivolets as pay tribute thereunto Iordan having newly recovered himself out of the waters of Merom into a competent channell receiveth from the east Hermon a small brook running by Golan a Levites City of refuge whence the neighbouring countrey in Iosephus called Gaulonitis and after Iordan falleth betwixt Capernaum and Chorazin into the sea of Galilee This Chorazin was the place where Christs miracles and preaching were sowen so thick and where the peoples thankfulness for the one and practise of the other came up so thin that it caused that curse Woe be to thee Chorazin c. A woe which at this day hath wasted it from a populous city to a ruinous village As for their conceit that Antichrist should be born in Chorazin I take it to be a meer Monkish device to divert mens eyes from seeking him in the right place where he is to be found § 17. More south-ward the brook Cherith having viewed at some distance Beeshterah afterwards called Bosrah a city of the Levites called also Ashtaroth And it is questionable whether this or Ashtaroth-Carnaim whereof formerly were the Metropolis of Og King of Bashan runneth into the Sea of Galilee By the banks hereof the Ravens brought Eliah bread and flesh in the morning and evening and he drank of the river It seems Dinners are but innovations whilest break-fasts and suppers are mens most ancient and naturall meales Here Eliah having the subâ—â—ance of sustenance cared not for the ceremony of a Table or complement of a Carpet How little will preserve life but how much must maintain luxury After a while this River dried up Collect not thence that the brook was inconsiderably little but that the drought had been extraordinarily long § 18. As for the cities of Hippus Iulias and Gamala whereof as deep silence in Scripture as frequent mention in Iosephus it is enough to name them In the last of these Iosephus reports Iudas of Galilee to be born that grand impostor who in the days of the taxing pretended himself the Champion of popular liberty to protect them from such unreasonable payments Multitudes of men flocked after him for spare their purses and win the hearts of the Vulgar But Iudas having goâ—ten power fell a pillaging all people taking from them the whole griest of their estate so to save the owners from paying toll unto Cesar. How smooth and tender are the gums of Infant-treason but oh how sharp are the teeth thereof when once grown to full greatness However he and his followers came afterward unto confusion and is the second instance alleadged by Gamaliel to prove that councells which are not of God will come to nought The Son of Geber was Solomons purveyer in this half Tribe of Manasseh § 19. The Armes assigned to Ioseph are a tree proper growing by a Well founded on the words of Iacob Gen. 49. 22. David may seem hence to have borrowed his Simile of a blessed man He shall be like a tree planted by the waters side But Ioseph had more not onely a Well before to refresh but a wall behind to support him and his boughs may Heralds word it in their own language grew over the wall Partly foretelling the fruitfulness of Iosephs posterity and partly pointing at the particular posision of his inheritance For as some think Iordan was the wall on the east of the Land of Canaan properly so called and the children of Ioseph having their root planted and main body growing on the other side of the river spread their branches over this wall half Manasseh having his portion on the east side of Iordan To conclude though those Armes did generally belong to the whole house of Ioseph yet custome hath appropriated them to Manasseh alone other Ensigns being assigned to Ephraim whereof God willing hereafter Here the Map of Naphtali is to be inserted THE TRIBE OF NAPHTALI CHAP. 4. § 1. NAphtali Son of Iacob by Bildah his Concubine was multiplied during the aboad of his posterity in Egypt to fifty and three thousand four hundred All which dying in the desert their Sons being fourty five thousand foure hundred entred the Land of Canaan A Tribe acquitting it self considerable in relation to the rest though we meet but with two or rather but with one and a half Glories thereof The former Barak the son of Abinoham who acted by Deborah did act so valiantly against Sisera The half-one Hiram a Naphtalite though his Father was a man of Tyre that curious Artificer in Solomons Temple Other eminent persons though unknown doubtless were of this Tribe for in their martiall addresses to David in Hebron none appeared in more excellent equipage for number and warlike accoutrements And of Naphtali a thousand Captains and with them with shield and speare thirty and seven thousand § 2. This Tribe bordered plainly intimated though not expressed in the bounding thereof on mount Libanus on the north and reacheth as is plainly expressed to Zebulun
City of Sisera But if the reader should chance to overlook the low situation thereof he cannot oversee Kedesh Naphtali the habitation of Barak and a city of refuge belonging to the Levites for observable it is that all the cities of refuge on this side Iordan were advantaged on very high foundations And they appointed Kâ—desh in Galilee in mount Naphtali and Sechem in mount Ephraim and Kirjath-arba which is Hebron in the mountain of Iudah Whether because those towns were to typifie Christ himself who like the brazen Serpent was to be listed up or to comfort the flying and fainting offender whose eyes were at his journeys end long before his feet which could not but much revive his spirits Say not that it damped them again when his tyred legs after a long and tedious journey must at last â—limb up a steep mountain to the city of refuge For as hath been observed before if the offender got but within the verge of the suburbs on either side of the city he was secured from the Avenger of bloud § 31. Kedesh was attended on each side with two smaller cities Bethshemesh on the west Beth-anath on the southeast both assigned to yet neither possessed by the Naphtalites because the Canaanites though tributaries dwelt therein Much is pretended in the excuse of the Israelites why generally they drove not these heathens out of their Countrey 1 None can act above their strength and they were not able to drive out the Canaanites 2 Had they strength it had been cruelty not valour in cold bloud to kill quiet enemies 3 God gave them a kind of toleration being only to drive them out by degrees 4 Much good accrued by this remnant of Canaanites being touchstones to prove the Iews faith to their God But these and many more palliations notwithstanding unexcusable was the Iews connivence at them contrary to Gods flat command and the foresaid pleas of no validity For 1 The weakness of the Iews chiefly consisted in their want of industry and uniting themselves against those heathen their common enemy 2 It is onely cruelty to a mans own soul to disobey Gods positive command 3 What 's to be done by degrees is to be done Whereas the Iews not only reprieved these Canaanites for a time according to Gods permissioÌ„ but finally pardoned their lives contrary to his injunction 4 The good accidentally accruing from the remains of the Canaanites argues not the innocence of the Israelites but the exceeding goodness of God ordering their negligence to his own honour Yea the sad success shewed Gods displeasure with his people herein these Canaanites eftsoons rouzing themselves from being couchant under tribute to be rampant in tyranny and the mixture of their persons infected the Israelites with their Idolatrous practises Nor know I any thing else considerable in this tribe except Karthan or Kiriathaim a city of the Levites Gershonites of whose posture we are not so wel assured as we could desire § 32. Ahimaaz was Solomons Purveyer in Naphtali and had Basmah his daughter to wife Say not it was poor preferment for the daughter of so mighty a Monarch to marry her Fathers subject For Gods law forbad heathen matches and hereby she might keep a clear conscience and lead a comfortable life Kings children too often wed where they neither affect nor are affected to forain Princes strangers as well in their lands as loves unto them whilst here Solomons daughter might have a softer Pillow though not so sumptuous curtains in her home-marriage By the way observe we finde an army of Solomons wives and concubines and but three scattered scouts of his children a son and two daughters Multiplying wives in mans sin children Gods blessing and Solomon laid too many foundations at once to build much posterity upon them § 33. The usuall Armes of Naphtali are Vert a Hinde trippant proper according to Iacobs prediction Naphtali is a Hinde let loose he giveth goodly words But how this character conformes to the Tribe learned men much disagree Luther findes the analogy in Deborah where in deed both her feminine sex is proper as also because she was an excellent spokeswoman all the error is she was rather extracted from Ephraim then Naphtali § 34. Others reade the resemblance in Barak because Hindelike he was so fearful to come out to war But surely these blessings were giveÌ„ by prophetical Iacob to his children as future badges of their honour not brands of their infamy and therefore the similitude is to be sought not in the disgracefull but commendable qualities of a Hinde and more probably to be fetch'd not from their fear but fleetness in severall performances Besides some conceive it too restrictive an interpretation of Iacobs blessing to confine it to any particular though eminent person which speakes rather the generall disposition of the whole Tribe and may thus more largely be expounded Naphtali is a Hinde No ravenous or beast of prey cruell like the Benjamites churlish like the Ephraimites but a quiet creature intimating the Naphtalites nature disposed to peacefulness Let loose Not pent within the pales of a Park but having room enough to range in implying the large and spacious possessions of this Tribe He giveth goodly words They were men of fair speech and loving discourse not querulous nor captious but preferring friendly compliance before brawles contentions The Standard of Naphtali in the Israelites pitching about the Tabernacle was the last in the Reare on the northside thereof Here the Map of Asher is to be inserted THE TRIBE OF ASHER CHAP. 5. § 1. ASher youngest Son of Iacob by Zilpah his Concubine carrieth blessedness in his name and was so prospered in his posterity that forty one thousand and five hundred were reckoned of this Tribe in the generall rendezvous at mount Sinah All which punished in the wilderness with death for provoking God with their disobedience their sons being fifty three thousand four hundred entred the land of promise Many no doubt were the eminent Grandees extracted from Asher though we meeâ— with none of them in Scripture save one and that a woman in the new Testament Anna the Prophetess that property of the Temple as constant therein as the pillars thereof she departed not thence but served God with fasting and prayer night and day § 2. Asher had mount Libanus on the north Naphtali on the east Zebulun on the south and southeast the sea on the west containing welnigh forty miles in length the breadth not exceeding sixteen A fruitfull countrey Ashers bread shall be fat so hearty as if it were bread and flesh too and he shall yeeld royall dainties Moses foretold that he should be wetshooed in oile he should dip his foot therein Adding moreover that his shooes should be iron and brasse Not that the ground in this Tribe parched by drought proved impenetrable and rebellious to the commands of the
follow learned Masius though loth to erre with any willing to venture sooner on his then any other Authors judgement herein May the Reader find out Helkah in our Mappe in the South-east part thereof not farre from the Sea thence let his eies start and with good successe following the names in the Text and the pricks in our Mappe for his direction surround the Borders of this Tribe Helkah was afterwards given to the Levites Gershonites to be one of their foure Cities in this Tribe had Achshaph and formerly been a Royall City of the Canaanites whose King had been conquered by Ioshua Verse 26. And Alamelech and Amad and Mishael and reacheth to Carmel Westward and Shihor Libnah Mishael or Mashal was another City of the Levites By this the Border of Asher ran Southwestward to Carmell understand thereby not the mountain so called lying more South in Zebulun but the Plain lying under the same more towards the North. Shihor Libnah that is the white River Now for streames to take their names from their colours is no news to them that have heard of Albis in Germany Melas in Thracia and two Rivers called Blackwater the one in the South the other in the North of Ireland But whether this River in Asher took the whitenesse from the foaming water therein or Chalk-banks like our Albion on both sides or from the materials of glasse or crystall growing there let others dispute whilst we onely observe that Album Promontorium or the white Promontory is by Pliny placed hereabouts Verse 27. And turneth toward the Sun rising to Beth Dagon and reacheth to Zebulun and to the Valley of Iiphthabel toward the Northside of Bethemek and Neiel and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand The Map will make all these flexures plain Beth Dagon that is the Temple of Dagon but how came this Idol of the Philistims to travell thus farre almost to Phoenicia Surely it never came hither on its own legges as the Psalmist observes Feet have they but they walk not but was brought by the Superstition of the Canaanites which borrowed this Idol from their neighbours Concerning Cabul quaere whether it were the name of a particular place or the same with the Land of Cabul which I conceive lay more Northward which Solomon afterward bestowed on Hiram King of Tyre Verse 28. And Hebron and Rehob and Hammon and Kanah even unto great Zidon Hebron differing from a greater City of the same name in the Tribe of Iudah Rehob that is large or spacious this name speaking it a City of great receipt Unto this place came the twelve Spies sent to discover the Land and this City was afterwards bestowed upon the Levites This Kanah the great is conceived by some the birth place of Simon the Canaanite the disciple of Christ. Great Zidon was given to never gained by this Tribe whose Borders reached to Zidon exclusively so that Ashers lips might touch the cup but not taste the liquor of so sweet a City Verse 29. And then the Coast turneth to Ramah and to the strong City Tyre aud the Coast turneth to Hosah and the outgoings thereof are at the Sea from the coast to Achzib Turneth namely towards the South Ramaâ— that is an high place as the name importeth therefore seated by us on a Mountain Such Maps as place Ramah in a valley are guilty of as great a Solecisme in Geography as he in gesture who speaking O Heavens pointed to the Earth Wonder not that in Palestine we meet with so many Ramahs Towns seated on a rising or advantage of ground seeing it was so mountainous a Countrey Equivalent whereunto we have the frequent name of Upton in England whereof I have told Smile good Reader but doe not jeer at my curiosity herein no fewer then three and thirty in the Alphabeticall names of Speeds descriptions Tyre like Zidon was never possest by the Asherites neither was Achzib neer to Helkah where we first began our preambulation about this Tribe and now redit labor actus in orbem we have walked the Round and encompassed the Bounds thereof Verse 30. Ummah also and Aphek and Rehob twenty and two Cities with their Villages This is the inheritance of the Tribe of the children of Asher according to their families these Cities with their Villages All the former were limitary places in the Tribe of Asher these three last were more Inland Cities in the heart of the Countrey To avoid tautology â—ehob here must be allowed a distinct City from that mentioned before § 8. But of all these Cities Aphek was most remarkable whose King was killed by Ioshua and neer whereunto Benhadad lately beaten by Ahab on the Mountains of Samaria with his new model'd Army in a new place hoped for new successe For in stead of the thirty two Kings of more pomp then puissance to his Army he placed so many Captaines seeing it is not the shining of the hilt but the sharpnesse of the edge of the sword must do the the deed And resolved to fight in the Plain conceiving the Gods of the Israelites though by Benhadads swelling words lofty language one might rather have collected the Syrian Gods to have been the Gods of the MouÌ„tains Then appeared he with a mighty Host against whom the Israelites marched forth like two little flocks of Kids Behold here a wonder the Kids kill the Wolves and a hundred thousand Syrian footmen were kill'd in one day From the field they flie into the City of Aphek What was it to try whether the God of Israel concluded now God of the Countrey be it hilly or plain were God of the City also They found it so by sad experience when the wall of the City fell on twenty and seven thousand of them that were left which wall if cruell to kill was charitable to bury them § 9. Yet Ahab afterwards lost the advantage of this victory when contrary to Gods flat command on Benhadads feigned submission he indulged life unto him which caused his own death and destruction not long after Thus foolish pity in stead of breaking whets the knife for it's own throat and they who onely take out the teeth and sting of such serpents which they should kill outright shall finde the very stumps and tail remaining enough to bite and sting them to death § 10. Baanah the sonne of Hushai was Solomons purveyor in Asher and in Aloth What this Aloth should be a deep silence is in all Comments I conceive it a hilly Countrey appendent to Asher ascending with mountains according to the notation of the Hebrew word Herein our guesse is seconded by plenty of Gradati montes Staired mountains which goe up by degrees found in these parts and one most eminent whereof Iosephus takes especiall notice being an hundred furlongs north of Ptolemais called scala Tyriorum or the Tyrians Ladder How neer our conjecture is bowled to the
hundred years after So that herein Breidenâ—ach seemeth to speak as S. Peter did in the same place not knowing what he said More likely it is that there may at this day remain some ruines of Oratories erected many years since seeing there was there a Monastery inhabited by Friers untill they being molested by the Arabians to use my Authors expression took their holinesse away with them and left the mountain behind them § 29. The greatest stream of Kishon runneth northward thorow the midst of this Tribe not far from the City of Naim where Christ meeting the widowes onely Child carried forth to be buried miraculously restored him to life Hereabouts also was the City Aijalon where Elon Judge of Israel was buried of whom nothing else is recorded save his name time of his rule ten years and place of his interment Slight him not because so little is reported of him it tending much to the praise of his Policy in preventing forein invasions and domestick commotions so that the land enjoyed peace as far better then victory as health is to be preferred before a recovery from sickness Yea times of much doing are times of much suffering and many martiall aâ—chievements are rather for the Princes honour then the peoples ease § 30. From Naim the river Kishon glides by the northern skirts of mount Carmel beholding the place where Eliah did execution on Baals Priests on this occasion All Israel met on mount Carmel concluding him the true God who answered by fire unto their sacrifices Baals Priests being vainly clamorous in invoking their Idol whose petitions finde no answer from heaven except the echo in the aire descanting in derision on their importunate bawlings discontented hereat they cut themselves with knives and lancers the ready way to make bloud but not fire to come Then enters Eliah on his work and to prevent all suspicion of fraud he three times caused four barrels of water to be powred on the Altar If any here demand how they came by such plenty of water a precious commodity after three years and six months drought when springs wells and brooks were dried up it is answered it was fetched from the sea hard by whose brackish water though useless to quench the thirsts of men and beasts was proper enough therewithall to trie the present experiment Hereupon at Eliahs prayers fire from heaven licked up the water and consumed the Sacrifice The Prophet taking advantage of this juncture of time whilest the people of Israel were possessed with an high opinion of his power and person King Ahab stood admiring at the miracle Baals Priests stood dispirited with guiltiness and wonder and Iazebel their active Patroness absent at great distance being a single man slew four hundred and fifty of them without any resistance Formerly their flattering hands rather acting and doing did theatrically in superstitious formalities let out some drops of wild bloud in the surface of their flesh whereas now Eliah in true earnest with an unpartial arme gave vent to their heart bloud by the brook Kishon which presently carrieth both their gore and its own water into the Mediterranean Sea § 31. However though Satan then was silent when in credit most concerned to speak in answer to Baals Priests it seems he found his tongue afterwards and here pretended to informe people of their fortune Suetonius tells us that Vespasian in Iudea took counsell from the oracle of the God CARMELUS which foretold his good success in whatsoever he should undertake which God we conceive was some Spirit of delusion thogh then speaking truly having his residence in or nigh this mountain of Carmel § 32. As for Carmel in generall it was so delicious a place that more pleasure was hardly to be fancied then here to be found It consisted of high hills where the wicked thought in vain by hiding themselves in the height thereof to be secured from divine justice a fruitfull vale pleasant river of Kishom and a goodly forrest so that the feet of Sennacherib did itch to enter it as his fingers did long to fell the fair Cedars in Lebanon From this Carmel the platform of pleasure other delightfull places are so named as copies and transcripts of this the originall yea the name is sometimes rendered appellatively for any fruitfull field § 33. From the top hereof we may easily discover two neighbouring townes Cain and Caiaphas the one named from the murderer of Abel the other from the active contriver of his death whose bloud speaketh better things then that of Abel But neither appearing in Scripture it is enough to name them More northerly we behold the valley of Iiphthah-el or river thereof the same word in Hebrew expressing both as indeed it is hard to finde a vale especially in winter without a rivolet therein And if I mistake not the BOURNE in Wilt-shire and the west signifieth both the river and the dale down which it runneth In the vale nigh the river of Iiphthah-el stood the city Zebulun so beautifully built saith Iosephus let him forfeit his fingers when he measures any thing to loss which concerns his own countrey that Cestius the Roman Governour who burnt it admired the houses therein as corrivalls with those of Tyre Zidon and Berytus in magnificence More southward is Cana called commonly the lesse though greatened with Christs first miracle wrought there at a mariage turning water into wine How many matches have been made to which Christ was never invited guest yea the riot and revels thereat would fright his gracious presence from the place Hence the rivolet runneth to Iokneam surnamed of Carmel from the vicinity thereof the King whereof was destroyed by Ioshua and the City afterwards bestowed upon the Levites § 34. Having mentioned the levite-Levite-cities an importunate difficulty whilest I hoped silently to slip by it plucketh me back in my passage It resulteth from the ensuing parallel Joshua 21. 34 35. And unto the families of the children of Mâ—râ—ri the rest of the Levites out of the Tribe of Zebulun Jokneam with her suburbs and Kartah with her suburbs Dimnah with her suburbs Nahalol with her suburbs four cities 1 Chron. 6. 77. Vnto the rest of the children of Merari was given out of the Tribe of Zebulun Rimmon with her suburbs Tabor with her suburbs The difficulty is double first four Cities are mentioned in Ioshua and but two in Chronicles Secondly those two fall out by their different names nothing like the four formerly assigned them § 35. In solution hereof some will say that the Levites might have six cities in Zebulun But why should this tribe being not the biggest be most bountifull unto them Was it because Zebuluns lot advantaged by the sea-situation thereof was larger in worth then in view and so the Merchant adventurers of this tribe making gainfull voyages and profitable
Ahazâ—ah had a martiall interview with Iehu and were both worsted by him Here Iehu with a shot out of a bow archery fatall both to Ahab and his Son wounded Iehoram to the heart and by speciall order to Bidkarâ— Captain commanded that his corps should be cast into the field of Naboth the Iezrâ—â—lite Oh the exact Topography observed in divine justice so accurate is God not onely in the time but place of his punishment § 9. Greater is the difficulty about the death of King Ahaziah slain about the same time For whereas it is appointed for all men once he seemed twice to die and that in far distant places 2 Kings 9. 27. But when Ahaziah the King of Iudah saw this he fled by the way of the Garden-house and Iehu followed after him and said Smite him also in the charet and they did so at the going up to Gur which is by Ibleam and he fled to Megiddo and died there 2 Chron. 22. 9. And Iehu sought Ahaziah and they caught him for hee was hid in Samaria and brought him to Iehu and when they had slain him they buried him because said they he is the Sonne of Iehosaphat who sought the Lord with all his heart But all is reconciled if we take Samaria not for the city so named but for the whole kingdome of Israel in which notion Ahab is styled King of Samaria that is the ten Tribes whereof Samaria was the Metropolis In this acception Megiddo and all the passage thereunto was in Samaria where Ahaziah hoped in vaine by his flight to hide and conceale himself § 10. All thus agreed concerning the deaâ—h I hope no difference will arise about the buriall of Ahaziah Though in one texâ— his owâ— servants in another Iehu his men are said to buâ—y him The one might doe it by the leave and licence of the other and Iehu his souldiers did deliver Ahaziah's deâ—d corps to his own servants to interre it in Ierusalem § 11. Iezebel survived not long after As Iehu was entering Iezreel she newly painted entertains him with a taunt out of the window to try whether her tongue or his sword were the sharper We meet but with three principall speeches of her in Scripture the first an Idolatrous oath and curse The Gods doe so to me and more also the next a mortall threat and lowd lye If I make not Elijah's like one of their lives by to morrow this time the last an impudent and unseasonable jeer Had Zimri peace that slew his Master Presently she is thrown down headlong and the dogs eat her up to the â—eversion of her skull palmes of her hands and feet What hâ—d the poison of her painting 〈◊〉 deeply pierced into these the naked parts of her body that the dogs were afraid to feed oâ— them However it came to pass Iezebels skull may be worn as a deaths-head in the memories of all wicked persons abusing their power to minde them of their certain ruin without serious repentance The heads also of Ahabs children kill'd in Samaria were laid in two heapes at the entrance of the gates of Iezreel § 12. It may seem strange that seeing Iehu was warranted by commission from heaven in the execution of Ahabs family and friends that God should afterwards threaten by his Prophet I will avenge the bloud of Iezreel upon the house of Iehu But it seems though herein Iehu his chariot went in the path of Gods command yet he did drive it on furiously the pace of his own cruelty vainglory and ambition Thus that officer is a murderer though acting the sentence of the Judge if withall he pleaseth his private malice in executing persons condemned to die The matter of Iehu his act was rewarded the manner revenged by God § 13. The river Kishon runneth through the midst of this Tribe which entring in at Naboths vineyard taketh his course north-ward with a winding channell not far from Shamir in mount Ephraim wherein Tola the Iudge or rather the Iustice of peace in Israel nothing of war being achieved in his government both dwelt and was buried Hence on his western bank Kishon beholds the place where Barak fought that famous battell against Sisera It is recorded to the commendation of such Israelites as assisted him that they took no gain of money Indeed they of Zebulun were by their calling such as handled the pen though now turned sword-men in case of necessity And when men of peaceable professions are on a pinch of extremity for a short time forced to fight they ought not like souldiers of fortune to make a tradeto enrich themselves thereby seeing defence of religion life and liberty are the onely wages they seek for in their service § 14. In this most eminent battell the Stars in their courses fought against Sisera What are the numerous people of Israel meant thereby whom God promised to multiply as the Stars in heaven or are onely the principall officers in their Army intended therein Sure it is safest to embrace the literall sense that those celestiall lights frowning with their malignant aspects caused frights and fears in the hearts of the Canaanites Such as utterly deny all influences of Stars on mens mindes shew therein that the moon hath made too much impression on their crazy judgements and lunatick opinions § 15. But the river of Kishon was not onely a spectatour of this fight but also an actour of a principall part therein For when the Canaanites routed in the battell essayed to wade this river so to recover their countrey on the other side the streame thereof probably lately made more deep and rapid with extraordinary raine the largess of some waâ—ry Planet which fought for Israel swept them away So that what fragments of these Canaanites were left by the Israelites swords glutted with slaughter Kishon was the voider to take them clean away § 16. Hence Kishon runneth on by Kishion the vicinity of the name is argument enough to place it on the banks of this river elsewhere called Kedesh being one of the four cities in this Tribe belonging to the Levites Gershonites More east whereof lay another of the same nature Engannim called Ienine at this day being now a very pleasant place having fine gardens orchards and waters about it as it hath its Hebrew name from a fountain And that we may know that the countrey hereabouts still retaineth more then the ruines of its former fertility a judicious modern traveller tells us that in his whole journey from Damascus to Ierusalem he saw not more fruitfull ground and so much together then he did in two and twenty miles riding betwixt mount Tabor and Engannim § 17. Hence Kishon continuing his course northward leaveth the city Shunem at some distance from his western bank the birth-place of Abishag wife-nurse to King David
to procure heat to his decayed age Time was when he boasted that his youth was renewed as the eagles but eagles notwithstanding the often casting of their bills and years therewith are at last seised on with age and death as it fared then with decrepit David Adonijah David's Son afterwards lost his life for petitioning to have this Abishag for his wife What was his fault Incest or treason Surely neither effected no nor attempted in any clandestine way without leave from the King Let it suffice Solomon saw more then we in this matter his eies also not wanting the magnifying-glass of State-jealousie to improve his discoveries herein But this accident was onely the hilt or handle for Solomon to take hold on Adonijah's former fault was the edge to cut off his life Thus let those who once have been desperately sick of a Princes displeasure and recovered know that the least relapse will prove deadly unto them § 18. In Shunem dwelt that worthy woman who prevailed with her husband to harbour Elisha in his passage this way Gods Prophets are no lumber but the most profitable stuffe wherewith an house can be furnished Landlords prove no losers by such Tenants though sitting rent-free whose dwelling with them pays for their dwelling with them At Elisha's prayer God made this woman barren before the happy mother of an hopefull Son Somes years after this child grown a stripling and going into his Fathers field to see his reapers was there smitten with a deadly sickness So that the corn on the land might pass for the emblem of this childs condition save that that being ripe and ready wooed the cycles to cut it whilst this green grain was mow'n down in the blade thereof At noon the child dyed Had one the same morning beheld the Sun arising out of the east and this child coming forth of his fathers house in perfect health he would not have suspected that the noon of the one would prove the night to the other But by the prayers of Elisha he was restored again unto her § 19. This Shunamite was afterwards seven years absent in the land of the Philistines during which time the profits of her estate as appears by the text x were seised on by the Kings officers Custome it seems intitled the Crown to their revenues which resided not on their lands especially if living as she did in the land of a forein foe She addressed her self by petition to King Ioram for restitution of her meanes Formerly she had no use of the Prophets profer to speake for her to the King or to the Captain of the host who now was fain to prefer her suit in her own person None know what hereafter may befall them Such whose young feet were onely taught to traverse their own ground may in their old age be learnt a harder lesson to trudge abroad in attendance to others Gehazi happily there present attests her the woman whose Son was restored to life and by the Kings command her lands and profits were restored to he Let her under God thank Elisha for this favour for that place in her house where his bed table stool and candlestick stood kept possession for her in her absence of all the rest of her Demesnes and procured the speedy restitution thereof § 20. To return to Kishon which somewhat more northward leaveth this Tribe and entereth into Zebulun having first divided it self into two streames whereof the easternmost being the north-boundary of Issachar runneth by Tabor a city so called from the vicinity of the mountain we formerly described Hereabouts Zeba and Zalmunna made a massacre of many Princelike Israelites for which fact Gideon ordered their execution And here we take notice of two neighbouring mountains lovingly agreeing together 1 Tabor on the north whereof formerly in Zebulun of so eminent note that it passed for a proverbiall expression of any unquestioned certainty As sure as Tabor is among the mountains This place was in after ages much profaned with Idolatry as appears by the Prophet complaining of the priests that they had been a net spred upon Tabor 2 Hermon hard by on the south of this Tribe the top-cliffe whereof is called Hermonium as a modern Traveller doth describe David puts them both together The north and the south thou hast â—reated them Tabor and Hermon shall rejoyce in thy name However others understand the Psalmist of another Hermon that famous mountain formerly described in Manasseh beyond Iordan being the east-border as Tabor was in the heart of the land of Canaan meaning thereby that middle and marches out-side and in-side center and circumference all the whole world must rejoyce in Gods power which made and providence which preserveth them § 21. This east-stream of Kishon in modern Maps called Kedummim runneth to Daberah in the confines of Zebulun but belongeth to this Tribe out of which it was assigned a city for the Levites Then falleth it into the sea of Cinnereth or Tiberias somewhat south of Tarichea a famous city whereof frequent mention in Iosephus but none in Scripture to which we chiefly confine our description § 22. The east part of Issachar is wholly taken up with the mountains of Gilboa where the Armies of the Israâ—lites and the Philistines met having formerly measured most part of this Tribe with their military motions The Philistines marching first from Shunem to Aphek thence to Iezreel backward and forward to finde an advantageous place for fight thence to mount Gilboa where they encountred and conquered the Israelites in battell Saul being here grievously wounded desired his Armour-bearer to slay him who refused it as bearing his Armes for the defence not destruction of his Master Hereupon Saul slew himself and his Armour-bearer followed his example Both which having since cast up their Audit can tell what is gotten by the prodigall thrift of throwing away ones life to prevent the losing thereof Then a fourfold division was made of what remained of Saul His head sent into the land of the Philistines body hung up upon the walls of Bethshean Armour offered in the Temple of Ashtaroth Crown and bracelets brought by the Amalekite to King David For though his tongue spake lies his hands told truth presenting the very regalia of King Saul Wonder not that Saul should weare these ornaments in battell where an helmet had been more proper then a Crown seeing we read in our English Chronicles that in Bosworth-fight King Richards Crown-ornamentall was found among the spoiles in the field and then and there set by the Lord Stanley on the head of King Henry the seventh § 23. David on this dysaster of Sauls death cursed Mount Gilboa Let there be no dew or rain upon you But Brochardus travelling over them Anno Dom. 1283. found and felt both being well wetted in his journey What! were
Davids words guilty of infidelity seeing it is easier to withhold rain from a mountain then to remove it from its foundation and cast it into the sea and yet our Saviour assures us this shall be done if in faith desired But be it known David intended not his curse should take effect but meerly to manifest his great grief and to shew how far he was from delighting at the death of his greatest enemy Better to fall under Davids Dirae as he was a Poet then as he was a Prophet the latter lighting heavily indeed as Iudas in Achitophel could witness the weight thereof Nor remaineth any thing more observable in this Tribe save in the east part thereof on Iordan they shew Pilgrims the place where Naaman patient at last by his servants perswasion washed seven times and was cleansed of his Leprosie § 24. Thus all the remarkable places of Issachar but not all those in Issachar are already by us described For as the text expresly saith the Tribe of Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher even three Countries that is lying in Issachar and Asher but environed round with those Tribes possessions yet pertaining to the portion of Manasseh Let none blame Divine Providence of ill Architecture for not well contriving the rooms in the house of Israel the division of the land by lot not being well designed wherein Issachars Chamber his portion was made a thorough-fare Manasseh having three closets three small countreys within the same So that neither Tribe could enjoy his own with privacy and intireness and Manasseh if but stepping out of the high-way must in a manner trespass on Issachar or crave leave of him to come through his to his own inheritance But know all was ordered by the counsell of Gods will for reasons best known to himself who would not have his children Churles to ingross habitations by themselves but by such mixture of their portions invited yea ingaged their persons to mutuall intercourse seeing the very lots of their Tribes gave loving visits and their Countreys by Gods own appointment came so curteously and confidently one within another § 25. But very hard it is to conceive how Manasseh could have any land within Asher which Tribe lay many miles more northward and beyond the Tribe of Zebulun interposed The Jewish Rabbins being much perplext at the Pedegree of Aâ—zel why it is twice reckoned up in Chronicles use to say that they need four hundred Camels loaden with Commentaries to give the true reason thereof But their expression is more appliable to this present difficulty how Manasseh could have any ground in Asher except as we have presented it in our Map some part of Asher lay southward at distance dis-jointed from the main body of that Tribe which we have formerly described Who knows not that pieces of Parishes parcells of Manors portions of Counties though far off dismembred relate unto them notwithstanding the intermediate distance betwixt them § 26. But let not Issachar or Asher repine that Manasseh had so much land in their Countreys seeing though the right was assigned unto them the Canaanites for a long time till about Davids reign kept all the same in their possession as will appear by the ensuing parallel Joshua 17. 11. And Manasseh had in Issachar and Asher Bethshean and her towns and Ibleam and her towns and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns and the inhabitants of Taanch and her towns and the inhabitants of Meggido and her towns even three Countrys Judges 1. 27. Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns nor Taanach and her towns nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns but the Canaanites would dwell in that land Of Bethshean more conveniently hereafter By Ibleam Ahaziah was wounded as was formerly observed Dor mentioned for a sea-town in Ptolemy had the King thereof conquered by Ioshua Endor whither Sisera's souldiers defeated in fight not far off at Taanach which alsoâ—was a regall city in the days of Ioshua and afterwards belonged to the Levites fled were pursued perished and became as the dung of the earth Hither Saul repaired to a witch to raise Samuel and received cold comfort from the dead or Devill rather informing him of his future destruction so that Saul formerly sick with fear of the worst lived to hear Satan toll his passing-bell in his sad predictions § 27. But Megiddo was the most eminent City Manasseh had in Issachar The King hereof was destroyed by Ioshua and many years after Iosiah was slain in the vale of Megiddo bidding Pharaoh Necho battell in his march against Charchemish by Euphrates Never Prince shewed more devotion in his life or less discretion in his death courting that danger which declined him seeing Pharaoh desired peaceably to depart But haply Iosiah conceived himself ingaged to fight him in point of 1 Honour because without leave he had made his land an high way to pass through it 2 Policy suspicious though Pharaoh went forth as a friend he would returne as a foe especially if puffed up with success in his expedition But what shall we say it was the sin of his subjects would not suffer Iosiah to keep quiet at home Their impieties made him to march thrust him into the field forced him into the fight yea shot the fatall arrow which wounded him at the heart § 28. Now let none be troubled because Iosiah who rather deserved two lives seems to have two deaths one text making him to die at Megiddo another at Ierusalem Understand it death arrested him with a mortall wound at Megiddo but did not imprison him till he came to Ierusalem where he expired Much less let any challenge God as worse then his word with Iosiah having promised him by his Prophet to be gathered to his Fathers in peace for besides that that promise principally related to the captivity of Babylon from which Iosiah was exempted even such may be said to die in peace which swim to their graves in their own bloud if withall imbarqued in a good conscience § 29. All Israel and principally the Prophet Ieremy dropped many a precious teare on his hearse whose Lamentations are an Elegy on Iosiah's death yea their grief was no land-flood of present passion but a constant channell of continued sorrow streaming from an annuall fountain it being made an Ordinance in Israel The Prophet speaking of a grand and generall grieving for mens sins compareth it to the mourning of Hadadrimmon conceived to be a place hard by in the valley of Megiddon § 30. Iehosaphat the son of Paruah was Solomons purvey our in Issachar but the dis-jointed piece of Manasseh in this Tribe pertained partly to Baanah the son
he with the twelfth What in severall teames or all in the same to draw one plough The latter is most likely whilest our English husbandmen will not wonder at such an herd of oxen twenty four haling at one plough when they shall read that the Vale of Iordan wherein lay Abel-meholah is noted for clay ground and therefore such stiffe land especially at the first tilth thereof must needs require a great strength thereunto But had his oxen been as many more Elisha would willingly have left them when Eliah his manâ—le was once cast upon him Moâ—â—le which could stop rivers in the full speed of their course and therefore might stay a man in the height of his calling Hereby we perceive that the words of our Saviour No â—an having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdome of God are not literally but spirituâ—lly to be expounded of such as having well begun apostate from their religious Resolutions § 17. In the aforesaid vale of Iordan lay Zarthan betwixt which and Sâ—ccoth on the other side of Iordan in the Tribe of Gad the two brazen pillars Iachin and Boaz with all the vessels of the Temple were made by Hiram of bright brass in the clay ground which probable served him for moldes to run the melted metall therein And somewhat more towards the north lay Aenon near to Salim where Iohn was baptizing because there was much water there Here his Disciples complained to Iohn concerning Jesus eclipsing him with his lustre Iohn truly stated the controversie and modestly determined it against himself how he must decrease whilest Christ must increase § 18. As these places lay on the east of this Tribe in the vale of Iordan so in the western part thereof in the vale of Iezreel lay Gath-Rimmon in Chronicles called Bileam the sole City which the Levites had in this entire part of the Tribe of Manasseh seeing Taanach called Anar in Chronicles lay as is aforesaid in that part of Manasseh which was surrounded with Issachar The land of Tappuah belonged also to this half Tribe though Tappuah the City pertained to Ephraim Thus the town and late Castle of Belvoir stands in Lincolne-shire though the vale thence denominated lies in three shires round about it § 19. Amongst the mountains in Manasseh we take especiall notice of Gilead so called from Gilead the grand son of Manasseh whence Gideon's cowards departed the hill Moreh nigh which the Midtanitish Army was incamped and above all the mountain of Obadiah so called because therein in two caves he hid an hundred Prophets so close that neither foes nor friends knew thereof neither Iezebel nor Elijah getting intelligence of their being there the latter erroneously conceiving himself alone left of all the Prophets in the land Their bill of fare was bread and water pretious liquour when it had not rained in Israel for three years and an half hereto our Saviour reflected that none should lose his reward that gave his little ones a cup of cold water yea that such who received a Prophet should receive a Prophets reward as here it came to pass For the sparkes of his guests spirit catched hold on Obadiah their host so far inflaming his breast with inspiration that the short prophecy bearing his name is by learned men referred to him as the Author thereof Saint Hierome tells us that the Lady Paula as weak as she was climbed up this mountain to behold those monimental caves therein § 20. In this land we also meet with the woody hils of the Perizzites and of the Rephaims or Giants mingled amongst them much affrightâ—ng the Manassites with their Iron chariots Not as if all made of massie iron such would have been slugs in fight and so heavy that they needed horses of steel for strength to draw them but that they were plated and armed with iron hooks mischievous instruments of execution especially in the pursuit of a broken army men being as grass whereof whole swathes were mowed down with these crooked sithes in chasing a routed enemy Enough almost to make one suspect our ancient Britones akin to these Canaanites seeing such chariots were so fashionable in their fights were it not that we finde the like 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 frequently used in all eastern Countries However Ioshua gave the Manassites both a promise and prophecy that notwithstanding those Ironmoving forts of the Canaanites they should in process of time certainly overcome them § 21. We must not forget Bethsâ—n belonging to Mâ—nasseh but seated and invironed with Issachâ—r whence for a long time they could not expell the Canaanites therefore called it Bethsan that is the house of an Enemy Here the bodies of Saul and Ionathan were hung up by the Philistines Bethsan was afterwards called Nysa by humane writers and at last Scythopolis from Nysa Bacchus his nurse whom he is said there solemnly to have buried A jolly dame no doubt as appears by the well battling of the plump boy her nursery But seeing wine was Bacchus his milk when a child meat when a man food when well physick when sick we may justly conceive the history mythologically true the burying of Bacchus his nurse in this place plainly importing plenty of the best wines in the Countrey hereabouts § 22. As for Bezek I name it last of all because ambiguously placed in the confines of Manasseh and Ephraim different from a City of the same name nearer Ierusalem where the Tyrant Adonibezek lived In this Bezek saul numbred the Israelites being three hundred and thirty thousand and thence marched to the relieving of Lâ—besh-Gilead from the Ammonites The Armes of Manasseh have been formerly blazoned and expounded in our Description of the half Tribe beyond Iordan and in the Solomons Purveyourships this land with some of Zebulun fell under the care of Baanah the Son of Ahilud Here the Map of the Land of Ephraim is to be inserted THE TRIBE OF EPHRAIM CHAP. 9. § 1. EPhraim the younger Son of Iosâ—ph was blest by his grandfather Iacob laying his right hand on his head the print of whose fingers remained visible in the happiness of Ephraims posterity that behinde Manasseh in age he should prove before him in honour which came to pass accordingly Such was his increase in Egypt that they amounted to forty thousand five hundred men all whose carkasses fell in the wilderness and a new generation of thirty two thousand five hundred entred the land of Promise § 2. A Princely and puissant Tribe Ephraim saith David is the strength of my head and is often put by a honorable Synecdoche for all the ten Tribes or whole Kingdome of Israel The people thereof were active valiant ambitious of honour but withall hasty humorous hard to be pleased forward enough to fight with their foes and too forward
to fall out with their friends counting other mens honour to be their injury except they might be admitted joint purchasers with them in all gallant undertakings This caused their contest first with Gideon who pacified them with his compliance afterwards with Iephthah where their Braul was hightned into a Battell how quickly doe hot spirits hatch words into blowes of which we have spoked before § 3. This Tribe was subject to a naturall imperfection of lisping the cause whereof we leave to others to dispute whether got by imitation or some hereditâ—â—y defect in their tongue or proceeding from some secret quality in their soil as it is observed in a village at Charleton in Leicestershire that the people therein are troubled with wharling in their utterance The best is men must answer to God for their vitious habits not naturall impediments and better it is to lispe the language of Canaan then plainly to pronounce the speech of Ashdod § 4. Sure I am no Tribe Iudah excepted can vie eminent persons with Ephraim as Deborah and Abdon both Judges of Israel the one by heâ— habitation whilest living the other by his sepulcher when dead truly collected to be of this Tribe as also Ieroboam and all the Kings of Israel 〈…〉 § 5. 〈…〉 Dan on the south 〈…〉 But as for the particular 〈◊〉 and flexures 〈…〉 borders of this Tribe they are so many and so small they will be scattered out of our memories except bound together as we finde them in the text § 6. Condemn not this our diligence for needless curiosity but know that every meer-stone that standeth for a land-mark though in substance but a hard flint or plain pibble is a precious stone in virtue and is cordiall against dangerous controversies between party and party and therefore it is of great consequence to be well skilled in the out-limits and boundaries of this or any other considerable 〈◊〉 § 7. The particular bounds therefore of this Tribe 〈◊〉 exactly as followeth South West North. East 1 From Iordan by 〈◊〉 to the 〈…〉 2 Thence to the wilderness that goeth up from 〈◊〉 throughout moun◠〈◊〉 3 Thence to 〈◊〉 thence to be bordâ—â—s 〈…〉 Ataroth 4 Thence westward to the coasts of Iapbleâ—i 5 Thence to the coasts of Beth-horon 〈…〉 6 Thenâ—e 〈◊〉 Gezer thence to the sea The Medditerranean Sea Northwest 1 From the sea to 〈…〉 Kâ—na thence to 〈◊〉 Northeast 2 Thence to Beth-horâ—n the upper thence to Michmâ—â—ha 3 Thence went about unto 〈…〉 eastward 4 And passed on the east to 〈◊〉 5 Thence to Atâ—roth 6 Thence to 〈◊〉 and so to 〈◊〉 The river 〈◊〉 We reserve the satisfying of such difficulties as inâ—umber these borders to our fifth â—nd last book intending it shall serve our four former in the same office wherein the Spleen attendeth on the Liver For as that is the drain or sewer of the feculent and melancholy bloud so we design our last book of objections for the Repository of all hard doubts and difficulties that the rest of our work may be more cheerfull and pleasant in the reading thereof § 8. Amongst these limitary towns besides the Bâ—th-horons both of them with Uzzen-Sherah founded by Sherah the daughter of Ephraim the younger the greatest Buildress in the whole Bible Gezer is most remarkable The King 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 by Ioshuâ— and the City was given to the Levites but kept by the Canaanites in defiance of all the powers of Ephraim untill Pharaoh taking it burning it and killing the Canaanites therein gave it for a present to his daughter Solomons wife Behold here two titles on foot at once and the question is which should take effect Whether the title of the Levites deriving it from Gods grant though a main matter they never had the possession of Gezer given them or that of Pharaohs daughter claiming it as a donative from her father The best is the cause was to be tried before the wisdome and integrity of Solomon who no doubt being so bountifull to the Temple would not be injurious to the Ministers thereof but that as he gave the child to the true mother he would adâ—udge the City to the originall owners thereof though making his Queen some reparation otherwise Proceed we now to the description of this Tribe and will begin with two eminent Cities in the south part thereof § 9. Rama otherwise Ramathaim-Zophim because consisting of two towns and seated in the land of Zuph was the place where Samuel was born wonderfully of a long barren mother lived unblamably as appears by the nationall testimony of his integrity died peaceably and was buried honorably Naioth nere Rama was the name of his house where David sometime conversed with Samuel two eminent Prophets then living together under the same roof § 10. Yea the very aire of this place seems propheticall seeing Saul coming hither to attach David was by the great well that is in Sâ—chu the Helicon of heavenly raptures strangely inspired and stripping himself fell a prophecying a day and a night together § 11. This Saul continued constantly a carnall man though we meet with many spirits which successively possessed and deserted him 1. The spirit of prophecy which twice ravished then finally forsook him 2. The Spirit of the Lord fitting him for government which departed from him after David was anointed 3. An evill spirit which troubled him partly allayed by Davids musick 4. His vitall and animall Spirits which partially forsook him at the witches sad news when he fell all along on the earth and there was no strength in him 5. His spirit or soul finally forced from him by his own sword on mount Gilboa What need then have men to try the Spirits before they trust them seeing so many of them may be in one and the same person § 12. In the new Testament this Rama is called Arimatheâ— whereof was Ioseph that honourable counseller who so freely resigned his own sepulcher to the body of our Saviour and with Nicodemus provided for the decent interring thereof § 13. Shiloh succeeds in a narrow southern spong of this Tribe where after the conquering of Canaan the Tabernacle was solemnly set up and remained there almost four hundred years This place was for that purpose preferred before others partly because almost the center of the land and partly in honourable respect to Ioshua extracted from and living in this Tribe of Ephraim and pity it was that God and the Prince should be parted Perchance the allusion of Shiloh with Shiloah or Siloam which is by interpretation sent clearly pointing at our Saviour might promote this place for the erection of the Tabernacle therein § 14. At Shiloh there was an anniversary dancing of the daughters thereof probably collected out of all Israel coming then to the
Tabernacle where the Benjamites as yet unprovided for wives lying in ambush in the vineyards violently seised some of those maides for their brides happy man be his dole making strange matches if each interest concerned therein be seriously considered § 15. First for the Fathers of these virgins Did this equivocating expedient satisfie their consciences who had formerly sworn not to give their daughters to the Benjamites to wife and yet now by laying the design themselves did in effect give these women in marriage to these men § 16. Secondly for the young men What assurance had they they could love not choosing the fittest whom they liked of but catching the first they lighted on Or that they could be beloved storming their wives with violence in stead of taking their affections by mutual composition § 17. As for these Brides of fortune may we not presume that many of them which danced this day wept on the morrow Yet one thing might comfort them they were all richly married to mighty matches of landed men seeing the fair and fruitfull Tribe of Benjamin with all the Cities therein was to be shared amongst their six hundred husbands alone as the sole survivers and absolute heires of the whole Countrey § 18. In Shiloh Eli lived Priest and Judge of Israel whither Elkanah and Hannah Samuels parents repaired to Gods publick worship This Hannah though silent when twiâ—ted by Peninnah for barrenness found her tongue when here taxed by Eli of drunkenness because a meer sufferer in the former but in the latter a sinner had the accusation been true Samuel here prayed for afterward here served God in a linen Ephod and though generally there was a dearth of visions in this age here he had many revealed unto him But Eli's dim eies connived here at his sons impieties Whose servant with his Trident an Innovation no doubt and none of the utensils made by Moses according to the pattern of the mount would have raw flesh for his Master so that what between the raw flesh here sacrilegiously stolne and the strange flesh wherewith those Priests abused themselves at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation any pious eares would now tingle to hear their faults as hereafter at their punishment § 19. For soon after happned the destruction of Hophni and Phinehas slain in battell the Arkes captivity Eli's heart-breaking with the news neck-breaking with his fall the death of Phinehas his wife newly delivered whose son got the sad name not of Benoni a name calculated for private pangs but of Ichabod from this sorrowfull accident because born in this grand eclipse when the glory was departed from Israel § 20. Yea the very city of Shiloh it self may seem in some sort to expire on the same occasion which as it owed its life and lustre to the Tabernacles residence therein so sinks down in silence at the captivity thereof For we finde no after mention of any eminent act therein onely that Ahijah the Prophet long after lived there He was the Jewish Tiresias though blinde a Seer who discerning Ieroboams wife through her disguise foretold the death of her sick son Abijah So much of Shiloh proceed we now to the more northern and mountainous part of this Tribe § 21. Amongst the remarkable places in mount Ephraim we find Timnath Serah or Timnath Here 's by inversion of the letters on the northside of the hill Gaash where when they had made an end of dividing the land the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Ioshua See here his publick spirit not improving his power though ComaÌ„nder in chief to pickout the fattest pastures fairest meadows fertilest fields for himselfe but as if he counted it possession enough for him to have gained possessions for others when the meanest man was first served he was contented to stand to the peoples courtesie what they would bestow upon him If it sound to the praise of a Generalls valour to come last out of the field when it is won no less is the commendation of his temperance to come last into it when it is divided In Timnath Serah asked and built by him Ioshua afterwards was buried and as Saint Hierome reports that in his time the Sun was depicted on his monument This I dare boldly say that whereas modern Heralds blazon armes by the specious titles of Planets their fancy is with most truth appliable to Ioshua's shield bearing Sol and Luna indeed having made both Sun and Moon stand still by his prâ—yers Also Eleazar the High priest was buried in mount Ephraim in an hill which pertained to Phinehas his son § 22. Tirzah was another city near mount Ephâ—aim whose King was conquered by Ioshua In the days of Solomon it was a place of great repute Thou art beautifull ô my Love as Tirzah comely as Ierusalem terrible as an army with banners Ieroboam chose it to be his Royall-seat perchance because near Zereda his native place where he and his successours lived for welnigh sixty years Indeed Baasha had a project to make Ramah the place of his residence as nearer to Ierusalem and therefore more convenient to mark the motions of the Kings of Iudah but frustrated of his designe he was fain to return to Tirzah reigned and was buried here Elah Baasha's son was here drinking in the house of Azzah his steward when a dear reckoning was brought in and no less then his life extorted from him by Zimri his successour Afterwards when Tirzah was taken Zimri either out of envy that the royall Palace should survive him or desire to prevent a more shamefull death burnt himself and the Kings house together We read of King Asa that after his death his subjects made a very great burning for him but Zimri exceeded making a bone-fire for and of himself when alive herein standing alone except seconded by Sardanapalus who in like manner destroyed himself on the same occasion Thus dyed Zimri a King onely for a week whose Reign like a winters day was short and dirty yet long enough to leave this taunt for Iezebels mouth and Proverb to posterity Had Zimri peace that slew his Master Hard by is Tiphsaph where King Menahem barbarously ripped up the women with child because the city opened not to receive him § 23. Besides cities many private dwellings were sprinkled on mount Ephraim as the house of that Levite whose concubine the men of Gibeah abused to death the house of Micah well stored with Idols where first the five spies then the sixe hundred men of Dan took up their lodgings when marching to Laish Ungratefull guests who in stead of discharging their quarters plundered their Land-lord taking his Images and priest away with them Thirdly the house of Deborah under a Palme-tree betwixt Ramah and Bethel where she judged
erroneous judgements better rectified and informed § 10. Nor doth ought else observable offer it self in this corner of the Tribe save Aijalon where Ioshua's prayer arrested the Moon to stand still assigned by God to the Levites But the Amorites took the boldness to keep possession thereof Hear the words of the Scripture And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountaines for they would not suffer them to come down into the valley but the Amorites would dwell in mount Herez in Aijalon and in Shaalbim The genuine sense is that though the Amorites generally pent the Danites up in the mountains yet in these three places though mountainous in their situation they crossed their common custome not out of necessity but designe as sensible of their own profit that these transcended the vallies in fertility and therefore placed themselves therein Let others dispute how it came to pass that the Priests whom God intended men of peace by their profession had a controversiall City appointed them incumbred with enemies so that they must win it before they could wear it As also how the Levites could live when the Land allotted them was sequestred in the hand of a forein foe It will be for enough us to observe that in all ages the Church being imbarked in the same bottome with the State ran an equall hazard therein according to her proportion And when the whole Tribe of Dan like the Parish in generall was straitned in its processions well might the Priests maintenance be abated accordingly § 11. We goe back now to Ioppa where standing on the rocks an indifferent fight may easily discern those ships into which the heathen people of Ioppa with much courtesie but more craft invited the Iews with their wives and their children to goe aboard for they made them pay their lives the fraight for their voyage wilfully drowning two hundred of them Whose bloud Maccabeus revenged with a contrary but as cruell an Element burning all their ships in their harbour with such as were found therein Hard by is Iamnia a little haven which may be rendred Seaton in English whose mischievous intention against the Iews Maccabeus punished by burning their towne by night Which bone-fire was beheld two hundred and fourty furlongs off as far as Ierusalem A thing not incredible that fire it self should be seen so far by the light whereof other things in darkness are discovered especially when mounted high on its throne with the advantage of pitch cordage and other navall and combustible matter Some doe conceive that this Iamnia is the same with Iabneh the wall whereof was broken down by Uzziah the puissant King of Iudah § 12. Hence the sea running southward provides it self to entertain a nameless brook which Mercator cals Naphtoah and others making signes as unable to speak the true name thereof the brook of the land of the Philistines because otherwhiles the northern boundary of their dominion We had rather give it no name then a nick-name And because the course thereof affords us conveniency to visite the middle parts of this Tribe we will accept of his courtesie and follow the guidance thereof § 13. This brook hath its birth and infancy in the Tribe of Iudah whence flowing into Dan he runneth through the desert of Modin which is full of rocks and those of holes and those once of men flying out of the neighbouring Cities from the persecution of the Pagans Herein a thousand of them were slain by the fury of their enemies or rather by the fondness of their own superstition refusing to make resistance on the Sabbath day A sad accident But the parent of a good event because putting the surviving Iews in a posture of defence and teaching them more wise and valiant resolutions Yea not long after hereabouts they obtained a victory over the numerous army of Cendebaeus Nor will any slight this brook as inconsiderable when they read how it ran in the midst betwixt the armies of the Iews and Pagans and was so deep that the hardiest of the former durst not adventure to wade it before first incouraged by the example of their Generall Except any will say they did not so much fear the depth of the river as the height of the banks of the other side to wit the puissant army of their enemies § 14. Going further on the river we come into the Countrey of Makats that is as learned Tremelius well observeth the border or boundary if you please the Marches betwixt this Tribe and their professed enemies the Philistines It is impossible to define the limits thereof seeing the Countrey was the constant Cock-pit of war and the ground thereof sometimes marched forward sometimes retreated backward according to the variety of martiall success Great is the difference betwixt the same sea at high and low water mark and so this Countrey must needs be much disproportioned to it self when extended in a full tyde and when contracted in a low ebbe of success § 15. In this Countrey of Makats Bethshemesh was a principall City belonging to the Levites and reputed part of Iudah but except some Labell of land tacked to Iudah surrounded about with the Tribe of Dan. A case obvious in the dividing of Countreys Who knows not how Worcester-shire hath speckled all the adjacent Counties with snips and shreds belonging unto it though environed with other shires and that at considerable distance Hither the kine drawing the Cart and lowing as they went to their Calves at home nature in them was not rooted out but overruled brought the Arke and rested it near a great stone in the field of Ioshua a Bethshemite At what time the Bethshemites were reaping their harvest in the valley Instantly at so good news their Sicles lost their edges and could cut no more corn that day The Arke-home is to be preferred before Harvest-home But oh how hard is it to keep hungry eyes from feeding on forbidden objects All the Bethshemites were Levites but not Priests much less high-Priests to whom alone and that onely anniversary the survey of those mysteries did belong Besides at this time Bethshemesh from a City was enlarged to be a Countrey such the confluence of Israelites from all places Otherwise no back of one City might seem broad enough for so great a rode whereby fifty thousand and threescore and ten men were destroyed by the Plague for their Curiosity in prying into the Arke § 16. Gibbethon is another prime place in Makats allotted by God to the Levites of Kohath and no doubt by them peaceably possessed for many years seeing nothing to the contrary doth appear But after the days of Ieroboam it is said to belong to the Philistines Probably when the Levites loyall both to God and their King upon the idolatrous defection of Israel willingly deserted their own Cities the Philistines taking advantage thereof when much good bloud is let
contented to join together so that not David but his necessities chose them to attend him who now in adversity discovered their impious dispositions But David to avoid this showre of stones ready to rain upon him run for shelter to God his Rock in whom he comforted himself Thus as it is always darkest just before the Day dawneth so God useth to visite his servants with greatest afflictions when he intendeth their speedy advancement For immediately after David not onely recovered his loss with advantage but also was proclaimed King of Israel though some war arose for a time between him and Ishbosheth § 6. But the most memorable places of this Tribe are seated on or near the brook of Bezor which arising in Iudah takes his course southwest not far from Ethar or Etan in the north-east corner of this Tribe In the rock of Etan near the City of that name Samson reposed himself whence the men of Iudah brought him down bound with two cords and delivered him to the Philistines but he presently found his spirits and in that place the jaw-bone of an Asse Bad weapons are better then none and it matters not what they be so that they be weilded by Samsons arme that guided by Gods hand This jaw-bone which used to feed on grass here eat up a thousand men Hereupon the place was called Rama-Lehi the lifting up of a jawbone § 7. Thus Samsons thirst of revenge was allayed with the bloud of the Philistines but the quenching of one thirst was the kindling of another How quickly can God tame fury into faintness with want of water In this straight he hath his recourse by prayer to God who cleaves a hollow place in the jaw Heaven can make dry bones live yea give life to others as here to Samson water presently flowing out thereof Let poets fondly brag of Hippocrene a fountain from a horses hoof most true it is that a spring did flow from the jawbone of an Asse Except any be pleased which indeed is most probable not to take Lehi in Hebrew for the materiall jaw-bone but for the Countrey thereabouts so newly named by Samson out of a hollow place of the earth whereof God produced this fountain § 8. Hence Bezor runneth by Ain the onely City belonging to the Levites in this Tribe Indeed both Simeon and Levi were cursed to be scattered in Israel and this City of the Levites scattered in Simeon may seem to be dispersed in a dispersion One City it seems was proportionable to this small and mangled Tribe Thus even the poorest must have some Preachers to instruct them and afford those Preachers maintenance for their instruction At Gerar the brook Bezor receives from the south a Tributary rivolet fetching its fountain out of the wilderness of Kadesh a place full of strong and stately trees But what saith the Psalmist The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness yea the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh As if this of all other was most sturdy and stubborn to withstand the summons of Gods voice but all in vain the least whisper of his mouth sending a palsey into the foundations thereof § 9. In the confines of this wilderness stood three remarkable Cities which lest the Reader should mistake we have marked with circles on the tops of them Not that any evill spirits moved therein seeing these were the places where David haunted whilest Saul persecuted him and to whose inhabitants he sent part of his spoile taken from the Amalekites for a present An act no less politick then just with the same both discharging the shot of his former entertainment and for the future obliging them by his bounty to be really sensible of his right of succession to the Crown The first of these Corashan elsewhere onely called Ashan The second South-Ramoth and Hormah the last and most observable because of three eminent places of that name in or near the Land of Canaan 1 Where the disobedient Israelites were destroyed by the Canaanites 2 Where the Canaanites were destroyed by the penitent Israelites 3 Where the Tribes of Iudah and Simeon associating together destroyed the Canaanites being properly in this Tribe We see that destruction so Hormah soundeth in Hebrew gives the name to them all And wonder not then that in a Countrey the Seat of war there were so many towns of this sad denomination but pray rather that God would seasonably settle a peace in England lest therein be found more Hormahs then were in Israel § 10. As for Gerar the City above mentioned it was anciently a kingdome of the Philistines whose Kings seem all to be called Abimelech's To one of these Abraham falsely affirmed that Sarah his wife was his sister and afterwards Isaac see the powerfull influence of Parents faults on their childrens practise to another of the same name offended in the like falshood This latter Abimelech looking out of his window beheld Isaac sporting with Rebekah gestures not unlawfull as done but as seen and from this familiarity greater his charity then Isaacs caution therein interpreted her to be not his harlot but his wife § 11. Afterwards Isaac outed of the City dwelt in the neighbouring valley of Gerar and whithersoever he removed Gods blessing and the Philistines envy followed him He grew fat in estate his enemies lean at the fight thereof which made them spitefully stop the wells which his Father had digged Happy that they could neither dam up nor drain dry the dew of Divine blessing from falling upon him which if possible to effect their malice would have attempted But Isaac afterwards sunk these wells the second time and he called their names after the names by which his Father had called them See his humility herein not varying from his Fathers will in an indifferent matter whereas many now adays count it the greatest honour of this age in all things to diffent from the former Besides these renewed wells Isaac had new ones of his own making as namely 1 Esech that is striâ—e so called because his heardmen and the Gerarites strove about it 2 Sitnah that is hatred so named on the like occassion 3 Rekoboth that is enlargement which he peaceably possessed God making room for him The two former pass for the emblems of our militant condition in this life the last typyifieth our happy estate in a better and more roomthy place In my Fathers house there be many mansions § 12. This vale of Gerar was the Granary of Canaan whither the Patriarchs retired in time of famine for plenty dwelt there when penury was elsewhere Nor will it be amiss to insert the testimony of a Modern traveller to shew how the Countrey hereabouts even at this day retains an indeleble character of its former fruitfulness We passed this day through the most pregnant and pleasant valley that ever eye beheld On the right hand
inhabitants thereof being trained by a dissembled flight of their foes into their own destruction Now although such ambushes are now adays unambushed by the generall suspicion all have of them yet in the infancy of the world when battells were meerly managed by main might and downright blowes men bringing all their forces above board such lying in wait was an unusuall stratagem and perchance may justly be referred to Ioshua as the first inventor thereof § 36. West of Ai betwixt Bethel and Ai was the mountain where Abraham and Lot long lived lovingly together until the contest betwixt their heardsmen when the land was grown too little for their substance Poverty preserveth amity when riches oft-times make rents among friends Hard by was the City and wilderness of Beth-aven which signifies the house of vanity Strange that any should impose on a place except in derision so ill and unlucky a name Yet hath not Solomon in effect set the same on the whole world Vanity of vanities all is vanity But Beth-aven seems emphatically so called for some eminent Idolatry committed therein Neer this place was the wood wherein when it rained honey from heaven the Israelites being in pursuit of the Philistines wanted hands to receive it having them bound up by Sauls adjuration not to eat before night I see neither piety nor policy but humour and headiness in Sauls resolution the way to encrease their stomach and not their valour Might not a cursory meal been allowed them in a running march a snatch and away Here Ionathans eyes were opened with tasting a little honey and presently his eyes were opened again in a sadder sense seeing himself liable to death for breaking his Fathers command Nor was it his own innocence and invincible ignorance of the law but the peoples interposing which preserved him alive Yet will not this one good act of popular violence make amends for those many mischiefs which their impetuous exorbitances in other cases have produced § 37. Still westward of Beth-aven stood Gibeon termed a royall City in Scripture that is a fair and princely place otherwise in all the transactions betwixt this City and the Israelites we meet with no King thereof which may almost perswade us to believe it a popular State The inhabitants thereof with clouted old shooes mouldy bread and a lie farther fetched then their journey pretending their dwellings at great distance deceived the congregation of Israel then camped at Gilgal For the smoke of those ovens wherein their bread was baked might almost be perceived from Gibeon to Gilgal which space Ioshua marched over with his foot-army in one night However hereby they saved their lives onely for their cheat were condemned to be Nethinims or Deodands that is people given to God to hew wood draw water and doe the drudgery of the Tabâ—rnacle and Temple a condition which they gladly accepted of so sweet is life in it self though sawced with servitude § 38. Afterwards Ioshua with a miraculous victory here conquered the five Kings of Canaan which assembled themselves to besiege Gibeon in revenge of their defection to the Israelites Never had battell more of God therein for he himself brought up or rather let down the train of Artillery killing the Canaanites with hail-stones from heaven as they fled in the going down to Bethoron unto Azekah Here Ioshua by his faithfull prayer stopt a Giant in his full career as he was running his race staying the Sun in Gibeon to attend his execution on his enemies This was as I may say the Barnady day of the whole world the very longest which that climate ever did or shal behold when time was delivered of twins two days joined together without any night interposed How the heavens this extraordinary accident notwithstanding were afterwards reconciled to their regular motions and how the expence of so much delay was repaired by future thrift I mean this staying of the Sun made up in the years account by his swifter moving afterwards I leave to be audited and cast up even by Astronomers Mean time the foresaid five Kings were first hid then stopt in the cave of Makkâ—dah till Ioshua commanded them to be brought forth and his souldiers to set their feet on their necks and David in his expression many years after reflecteth hereon Thou hast given me the necks of mine enemies c. Then were those five Kings hanged by Makkedah a regall City of the Canaanites which at that time was taken and the King thereof destroyed by Ioshua § 39. To return to Gibeon it was afterwards one of the four Cities in this Tribe which were allotted to the Levites and yet we finde it the Theater chiefly of martial atchievements for by the great pool in Gibeon in Helkath-hazzurim or thâ— field of strong men was Abner with the host of Israel worsted by Ioab Generall for David when Asahel like a wild Roe wild for his rashness Roe for his swiftness would not be perswaded from pursuing of Abner untill nigh the hill Amnah which lieth before Giah he taught Asahel the great difference between a nimble leg a and vigorous arme smiting him with his spear under the fifth rib § 40. Under the same rib at the great stone which is in Gibeon Ioab jealous of Amasa his cousin-german Ambition owns no alliance and is onely of kin to it self basâ—ly murdered him in this manner Ioab had a sword hanging on his loines and as he went it used to fall out as if it sought for another sheath bâ—sides what it had already Surely he had put his sword in this careless posture thus to play at in and out to cover his intended murder under some pretence of casualty as if in his embraces his weapon had hurt Amasa by unhappy accident Vain excuse for certainly his sword could not of its own accord have gone so quickly and so deeply to Amasa's fifth rib had not Ioab's steddy aime both dispatched it on that errand and directed it to that place Amasa thus slain all the people passing by make an halt at his corps and every one that came by him stood still untill his body was removed Where amongst so many gazing on his corps it is hard if the active thoughts of some did not light on this observation of divine justice that he now was treacherously slain who so lately had been the Generall to a Traitor § 41. In the beginning of the reign of King Solomon Gibeon was a publick place of divine worship where part of the Tabernacle resided Here two things are carefully to be observed 1 The Arke it self This being taken out of the Tabernacle at Shiloh by Hophni and Phinehas never returned thither again But from the land of the Philistines was brought back first to Bethshemesh thence to Kiriath-jearim thence to the house of Obed-Edom and at last fixed and setled
by David in Zion under the cover of a Tent which he had pitched for that purpose 2 The Tabernacle of the Congregation made by Moses in the wilderness wherein the Priests attended about their publick sacrifices This about Solomons time was translated from Shiloh to Gibeon as a place of more eminency and conveniency for divine service because a City of the Levites Herein on the high place in Gibeon Solomon offered to God a thousand burnt offerings and which was most acceptable a zealous prayer requesting wisdome of God who bestowed both it and wealth and honour upon him Thus those who chiefly desire grace receive it the jewell and at least a competency of outward provisions for a cabinet to keep it in Some hundred years after by the great waters which are in Gibeon Iohanan the son of Karcah recovered the remnant of the poor Israelites left in the land after the captivity of Babylon from Ismael a Prince of the bloud royall who had a design to carry them away captive unto the Ammonites § 42. Next Gibeon we take the City of Gibeah into our serious consideration not as nearest in situation but in sound of like name insomuch that some have unwarily confounded them as the same place Gibeah lay in the south-west part of this Tribe whose inhabitants were bad men but good markes-men right shooters at an haires breadth and faile not but unrighteous livers A Levite coming with his concubine and servant from Bethlehem declined to lie at Ierusalem because then an heathen City and though late recovered this Gibeah for his lodging place Alas what was this but from the fire into the furnace so excessive hot was the lust of the people of this City But charity therein was as cold none inviting this Levite to his house untill an old man and he also no inhabitant but a stranger of mount Ephraim coming from his work out of the field at even Industry is the fewel of hospitality kindely entertained him in his house In fine the Levites concubine was by violence and variety of lust of the men of this City abused to death Oh the justice of divine proceedings She had formerly been false to her husband Culpa libido fuit poena libido fuit By lust she sinned and 't was just She should be punished by lust This villany being declared to all Israel a consultation thereon and first in a fair way the offenders are demanded to justice which denied and all the Tribe of Benjamin engaging themselves to defend the damnable deed of those of Gibeah all Israel resolves in a nationall war to revenge so foul a murder § 43. Here let us stand still and wonder that an army united amongst themsâ—lves as one man most in number best in cause wisest in counsell as who had asked and obtained the advice of God himself to goe on in this war should once and again be defeated by those who were weaker and wickeder then themselves I cannot challenge the army of Israel for any eminent sin at this time yet it is very suspicious they were carnally confident of the conquest as accounting the victory eleven to one on their side However the next battel made amends for all wherein all the ravenoâ—s wolves of Benjamin with their dams and whelps at home were utterly destroyed except six hundred and those cooped up in a grate and hid in the rock of Rimmon Thus what once was sadly said of Ioseph was now more true of Benjamin One is not And the whole Tribe had finally been extinguished had not provision been made to supply them with wives as formerly hath been observed § 44. Afterwards this Gibeah got the surname of Saul because he was born lived and buried here In this Gibeah of Saul five of his sons amongst whom a Mephibosheth but not the Mephibosheth were in Davids reign hanged up on the hill before the Lord to expiate Sauls murdering of the Gibeonites How strangely was his zeale transposed turning the back of his sword towards the Amalekites whom God commanded him to destroy and using the edge thereof against the Gibeonites whom by oath he was bound to preserve Here Rizpah Sauls concubine covered the corps of such as were executed with sackcloth to keep birds and beasts from feeding upon them § 45. Her kindness to the dead is told to King David who not onely gave the hearing but the practising of so good an example and thereby is put in minde to shew mercy to the bones of Saul and Ionathan which he fetched from Iabesh-Gilead and buried hard by in Zelah in the sepulcher of Kish his Father Shewing thereby that his former severity to Sauls sons proceeded from a publick desire of his subjects good no private design of revenge upon Saul whose corps he so solemnly interred Corpses which were but wanderers whilest hung up by the Philistines in their City of Bethshan were but sojourners when buried by the Gileadites in the land of Gad but now became house-keepers when brought home to the proper place of the sepulcher of their Fathers § 46. Hard by Gibeah was Migron a small City where Saul for some time abode with his men under a Pomegranate-tree Say not that such a tree was a simple palace for a Prince for in those hot Countreys pleasant was the residence for some short time under the shadow thereof Yea our Countrey-man Bede can tell you how in our cold climate Anno Domini 601. Augustine the Monke held a Synode under an Oake called Augustines Ake in old English which tree our learned Antiquary placeth in the confines of Worcester-shire Nor far from Migron is Ramah a City built by Baasha jealous that Israel would revolt to Iudah on Asa's reformation of Religion to stop all intercourse betwixt the two kingdomes Not that the armes of so small a City could reach seventy miles from the sea to Iordan but because Ramah was greater in command then compass as advantageously seated on some roade or pass of importance But Baasha diverted by the invasion of Benhadad King of Assyria desisted from his building for which he had made so large preparation that Asa afterwards repaired the neighbouring cities of Geba and Mizpah with the stones provided for the fortifying of Ramah § 47. Mizpah now mentioned lay some eight miles hence full north When in the days of Samuel the seat of justice was annuall for the time and tripartite for the place Mizpah had a fair share thereof Samuel went from year to year in circuit to Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah lying in a kinde of triangle and judged Israel in all those places and his return was to Ramah for there was his house State-affairs made not the good man to forget his family spending three Terms abroad on the publick and the Vacation at home on his private occasions At Mizpah was a generall reformation
of the people when conscious of their sins and sensible of Gods anger they drew water that is plentifully powred forth tears before the Lord. Say not that their weeping was a labour in vain and such drawing of water like the bottomless buckets of the Belides never to be filled ineffectuall for the expiation of sin because no sorrow for the same is sufficient seeing not the intrinsecall worth of their tears but Gods gracious appretiation of the sincerity thereof gave the value to their weeping Afterwards at Mizpah Saul out of modesty or policy was hid among the stuffe when found there fetched thence and presented to the people for their king appearing so proper a person that nature might seem to design him for supremacy and mark him out to be the Overseer of Israel who was higher then any of the people from the shoulders and upwards § 48. In the days of King Baasa Asa King of Iudah frighted with fear made a pit in Mizpah for his retreating place No doubt though the entrance and orifice thereof did promise no more then a plain pit yet it was contrived into rooms and fortified with substructions therein fit for the receipt of a Prince Wonder not that he would prefer to trust his person here rather then within the walls of his royall City Ierusalem for surely this was not provided for a place of long residence but for present privacy and sudden safety if extremity required it After the Babylonish captivity when Gedaliah was made governour of those poor Iews which were left to till the land he made Mizpah the seat of his short government Thus have I often seen fishermen when they have caught store of fish cast the young fry worth neither the keeping nor killing into the river again to be breeders in which consideration the King of Babylon preserved these poor Iews from destruction Slight not Gedaliahs place as disgracefull to be Prince of beggers for they were in a thriving way and probable to improve themselves to a considerable condition had not Ismael an unhappy name to persecute Gods children a Prince of the bloud killed him with his followers casting them into the midst of the pit that Asa made now employed to bury the dead but first intended to preserve the living In the days of the Maccabees whilest Ierusalem was possessed and profaned by the heathens they repaired to Mizpah as a place formerly fortunate for that purpose to fast pray and beg Gods blessing on their undertakings against their enemies § 49. South of Mizpah lay the place called Eben-ezer that is the stone of help so named by way of Prolepsis in Scripture 1 Sam. 4. 1. for otherwise for the present this place was no help but an hindrance to the Israelites who here were twice beaten in battell by the Philistines At the second time they brought their Reserve I mean the Ark into the field carnally conceited that victory would fly along with them on the wings of the Cherubims over the Mercyâ—seat But the sanctity of the Ark did not so much invite as the profaneness of the managers Hophni and Phinehas did repell Gods gracious presence from going along therewith insomuch as the Ark it self was taken captive and carried into the land of the Philistines Some years after the Philistines again charge the Israelites in the same place presuming on their former victories that in so fortunate a place they might prescribe for conquest but God turned the tide of their success At the importunate suit of Samuel whose prayers were more potent then formerly the presence of the Ark to obtain victory the Philistines were routed and smitten untill they came under Bethcar Whereupon Samuel set up a stone between Mizpah and Shen and called it Eben-ezer the stone of help to perpetuate so memorable a conquest § 50. Hard by is Beeroth once a City of the Gibeonites with Chephirah not far off afterwards the birth-place of Baanah and Rechab the murderers of Ishbosheth Gittaim whither those of Beeroth fled for fear of the Philistines saith Tremellius when Saul was slain and west thereof Bozer and Seneh two famous rocks which Ionathan and his armour-bearer clambred up upon their hands and feet They found it more hard to come at then to conquer their enemies yet wheÌ„ on the top of the rock they were but at the bottome and beginning of their work They lay about them and kill many in a little space so that they climbed not up the hill so slowly but their enemies more swiftly ran down the same Yet such as will justifie Ionathans act herein for pious and prudent must retrait to Divine inspiration and plead that his undertaking as his success was extraordinary otherwise his tempting of God had been higher then the rock he climbed up to adventure himself on such visible disadvantages § 51. Anathoth remains lying hence south-east a city of the Levites yea of the Priests yea of the High-priests as a country-house or retiring place for them out of the populous city of Ierusalem Abiathar being deprived of the priest-hood for practising with Ioab without the privity of David to promote Adonijah to the Crown was sent hither by Solomon and confined to live privately on his own lands Hence plainly appears the power of the Kings of Israel over the Priests which on their misdemeanour in civill matters were subject to secular punishment But Ieremy the Prophet was the honour of Anathoth that man of mourning famous for his book De Tristibus or most poeticall Lamentations though therein not bemoaning his own but the publick calamities born in this city As here he drew his first so he was likely to have drawn his last breath by the conspiracy of the people against him had not God frustrated their wicked designe Herein the observation of our Saviour was verified A Prophet is not without honour save in his own countrey and his own house Afterwards Ieremy at Anathoth bought the ground of his unclâ— Hanameel with all the formalities of bargain and sale most solâ—mnly passed betwixt them Is a Prophet amongst the purchasers commonly they are as clear from money as the Apostles were but this was râ—ally yet mystically done to foreâ—ell the future felicity of Israel after the captivity of Babylon that men should have setled estates with good title to and tâ—nure of their land therein § 52. Michmash is still behinde which we name last because not entirely in this Tribe but in the confines of Benjamin and Ephraim It lay cast from Beth-aven often mentioned in Scripture as the Rendesvouz sometimes of the Israelites in the reign of Saul and sometimes of the Philistines The latter marched hence three severall ways on design to extirpate all the smiths in Israel Mark their motions 1 One party went the way that leadeth to Ophrah to the land of Shual
bring you into the same condition This sad occasion did spring the Partridge hence § 43. To Hachilah hill in a wood in the wilderness of Ziph south of Iesimon Here Ionathan came and renewed his amity with David Behold how they two is embracing one another Reader my phrase trespasseth on the rules of Grammar no◠of friendship and made a Covenant before the Lord Nor was it a small comfort to David though Saul and Doeg and Keilites and Ziphites were against him that besides his own innocence he had the Prince the Priest and the Prophet Ionathan Abiathar and Gad good mens prayers and Gods providence on his side Here the Ziphites Sauls setters having winded David Saul to catch him comes with his net but either made too much noise or too little speed for before he came thither the Partridge was flown § 44. To the wilderness of Maon Here onely a mountain was betwixt David and Saul and that not long likely to keep them asunder seeing Sauls men being many in number began to compass David round about But seasonable ill news was brought that the Philistines had invaded the land which made Saul turn his forces another way against a forein foe Commendable his ingenuity that he preferred rather to oppose an enemy of another Religion then to dispatch a domestick adversary whom he now had at advantage However judicious eyes behold not this as an act of Sauls pity but Gods providence hereupon David called the place Sela-hammahlekoth or the rock of Division § 45. Hence he fled to the holds at Engedi Here he had Saul in a cave and was seemingly courted by heaven certainly urged by men to destroy him and yet he refused O why is a golden opportunity put into a leaden hand which wants activity to make use of it What hard heart could have thrust away so fair an advantage But oh though all things else were here one thing was wanting a Lawfull command A Crown is over bought which costs a sin David durst not kill him onely he cut off the skirt of his garment and withall felt a greater gash in his conscience then he made in Sauls clothes for being too bold with Gods Anointed This courtesie of David in sparing his life made Saul half a convert drawing tears from his eyes fair words from his mouth but what intentions from his heart He onely knows that knew the secrets thereof It is suspicious that Sauls truth therein was not much because Davids trust therein was none at all who notwithstanding the Court-holy-water of Sauls tears gat him and his men again up into the hold § 46. Hence David took a voluntary flight unto Carmel Here the Partridge was like to turn Hauke and become a Bird of prey to kill all the the innocent family of Nabal as we have already observed had not that God who formerly protected him from Sauls here preserved him from his own sword and from avenging himself with his own hand § 47. Hence he fled back again to Hachilah hill which is before Iesimon Here the Ziphites bring Saul second tidings of his being there So boundless was the stock of their malice no danger of breaking who though they failed at their first return would adventure again Onely thei◠malice did this good that it gave David the occasion to make the fifty fourth Psalme Here he had Saul at a second advantage finding him with Abner and his men round about him fast asleep even as still as the Spear and Cruse of water that stood at his head These David took away but with intent truly to restore them after he had kept them a while 〈◊〉 monuments of his own integrity Hereupon Saul a second Convert clears David chargeth himself prayeth for pardon and promiseth amendment whilest David having had experience of his former falshood gives him the hearing not the beleeving For § 48. Hence he flew to Gath in the land of the Philistines and Saul sought no more again for him leaving off his pursuit now the Partridge had took Covert in an enemies Countrey whence he removed to Ziglag and thence made many incursions against the Geshurites Gezrites and Amalekites but withall telling King Achish that he matched the clean contrary way against Iudah and the friends thereof Here the Partridge had in him too much of the Lapwing which by its hypocriticall fluttering pretends its nest far distant from the true place thereof Such dissimulation in David cannot be excused must not be imitated From Ziglag he marched along with Achish King of Gath to Aphek in the Tribe of Issachar where he was dismissed and cashiered by the Philistines from any further service Returning home he found Ziglag his nest spoiled yea all his Covie therein wives and children catched in a snare as hath formerly been described in the Tribe of Simeon After the recovery of his losses from Ziglag § 49. He flew to Hebron Here the Partridge turned Eagle being solemnly made Soveraign first of Iudah then of all Israel And now being quietly setled in his Throne he may joyfully sing Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all § 50. But besides these eminent and noted Gests of David he had many more which were obscure and intermediate as appears by the list of the places where he haunted and to whom he sent part of his spoils taken from the Amalekites viz. 1 Bethel in Benjamin 2 South Ramoth in Simeon 3 Iattir in Iudah a Levites City 4 Aroer in the tribe of Gad. 5 Siphmoth 6 Eshtemoa a Levites City in Iudah 7 Rachal 8 Cities of the Ierahmeelites descended from Iarahmeel an eminent man in Iudah 9 Cities of the Kenites 10 Hormah in Simeon 11 Chorashan in Simeon in Iudah 12 Athach 13 Hebron eminent in Iudah As for Siphmoth Rachal and Athach because they appear not again in Scripture their position is unknown but may be presumed in or near the Tribe of Iudah The best is though our tracing of Davids travels may be imperfect and we fail in the reckoning thereof yet Gods Arithmetick is exact and what is defective in our's is supplied in his observations Thou tellest my wanderings put my tears in thy bottle are they not written in thy book § 51. Now besides the Cities mentioned in our description many more remain which were obscure without any memorable act atchieved in them and are thus reckoned up in Ioshua 1 Towards the coast of Edom south-ward twenty nine 2 In the vale Fourteen in the first Sixteen in the second Nine in the third Catalogue 3 On the Sea two Ekron and Ashdod 4 In the mountains Eleven in the first Nine in the second Ten in the third Six in the fourth Catalogue 5 Two by themselves Kiriath-Baal and Rabbah 6 In the wilderness Six In all an
kid was of consequence how he came so quickly by it The Quere here is more considerable how came Adonibezek by so many Kings to have them all at one time With what Royall drag-net did he fish to catch so many together Where got he these Kings and where got they their kingdomes Canaan being so small a Countrey In answer hereunto in the acception of the word King we must grind the honour thereof the smaller to make the number thereof the greater communicating it to the Sons and Nephews of Toparchicall Princes as honours in Germany equally descended to all in the family and so the number is quickly made up § 22. North of Bethlehem lay the Vale of Ephraim or Vale of Giants men of vast proportions which the ancient Ages plentifully afforded Yea our English Antiquary tells us that Risingham a village in Northumberland in old Saxon is nothing else then the dwelling place of Giants In this vale of Rephaim the Philistines little less then Giants were twice subdued once at Baal-perazim where God by the hand of David brake forth upon them as the breach of waters and again where God not onely gave the success but laid the design how the battell should be managed namely as soon as he himself had sounded a charge out of the Mulberry trees David was to fetch a compass and fiercely to fall on his enemies Well is God styled a man of war who here ordered the battell himself and well did David confess Thou teachest my hands to war and fingers to fight who here received from God particular instructions how to regulate his Army § 23. Mulberry Trees pardon a digression were plentifull in Palestine A tree which may pass for the emblem of prudence slow in consultation swift in execution for it putteth forth its leaves the last of all trees but then as it is said all in one night as if sensible of and ashamed for its former neglect she endevours to overtake other trees with her double diligence Men feed on the fruit Silkworms on the leaves thereof Creatures contemptible in themselves admirable in their qualities appearing Proteus-like in sundry shapes in the same year eggs wormes flies finishing for the most part yearly their life and work together But we leave these mysteries to be discussed by Naturalists and will onely adde that if the originall of silke were well considered Gallants had small cause to be proud of gay clothes for from wormes it came and to wormes shall the wearers therof return § 24. Store of the best silks were made and used in Palestine amongst other favours bestowed by God on the ungratefull Iews this was one I have girded thee about with fine linen and covered thee with silk King Saul was the first who made bravery frequent and fashionable in Israel little state and gallantry being used under the Iudges when the Court and costly clothes began together according to our Saviours saying They that weare soft clothing are in Kings houses I say in the reign of King Saul rich rayment began generally to be worn by the Iews Yee daughters of Israel weep over Saul who clothed you in Scarlet and other delights yea by the confession of the heathen writers best silks both for fineness and colour were in Palestine Pausaniâ—s writes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The silk saith he of Elis in Greece gives not place in point of fineness to silk of the Hebrews but is not like it in yellowness whereby it appears that the Hebrew silk-wormes were as good spinsters and better Dyers then those in Greece setting a better gloss and lustre on their work So much for the silk in Iudea called Shesh in Hebrew whence haply that fine linen or silk is called Shashes worn at this day about the heads of eastern people § 25. But to return to our description north-west from the vale of Giants lay the City of Emaus afterwards called Nicopolis Hither the two Disciples were a travelling being about sixty furlongs from Ierusalem wheÌ„ Christ after his resurrection unknown joined himself to their coÌ„pany They tax him for not knowing the news in Ierâ—salem he reproves them for being ignorant of the sense of the Scriptures which he began to declare unto them O excellent expositor Christ Commenting on his own prophecies all which he first inspired afterwards fulfilled and now interpreted As he put light into their heads so also heat into their hearts which burned all the while he communed with them onely their eyes were held that they knew him not Day and their journey drew both to an end when Christ makes as if he would goe farther Truth cannot lye but did simulate onely to try how welcome his company was to them They constrain him to stay such civill violences prevaile on heaven it self and in breaking of Bread he brake himself unto them their eyes being opened he left them full of joy and amazement Nor have I ought else to observe of Emaus but that many years before Iudas Maccaâ—eus in that place got an eminent conquest and defeated the voluminous Army of Lysias § 26. Hard by Emaus even at this day are showen the ruines of Zachariah his house where Iohn the Baptist was born being the voice of a cryer begot of a dumb Father This was that Zachariah who would not beleeve God without giving him a sign and was punished that men could not understand him without making of signes To this place then in a City in the Hill-country of Iudea the blessed virgin Mary came with hast to congratulate the pregnancy of Elizabeth her Cousen at the musick of whose salutation the babe danced for â—oy and leaped in the womb of Elizabeth § 27. Hard by is the City Gebah belonging to the Priests afterwards made a garrison of the Philistines who therein were smote by Ionathan King Asa afterwards built that is repaired and enlarged this City as also Mizpah with the remainder of those materials which King Baasha had provided for the fortifying of Ramah Cities so neer in situation that after the captivity their inhabitants are counted together in one sum the men of Ramah and Gebah six hundred twenty and one which returned from Babylon § 28. We have hardly recovered into this map the house of Obed-Edom whence David in a most solemn procession brought the Ark to Ierusalem dancing himself before it in a linen Ephod which was not so white but that Michal found spots therein or rather cast dirt thereon censuring David a fool for his indiscretion But when holy zeal is arraigned at the bar of profaneness and condemned either for folly or madness it may appeal from that sentence and challenge its right to be tried by its Peers carnall eyes being incompetent judges of spirituall actions Yea God himself here took the matter in hand so ordering it that for
Dead-sea but rather conceive they ran onely through the Tribe of Gad and emptied themselves in Aroer whereof in due time we shall give our best account Philol. I wonder you make Nophah so near to Medeba contrary to others descriptions which set it thence twenty miles at least Aleth I wonder they place it so far from Medeba contrary to the words of the Scripture and we have laid them wast unto N O P H A H which reacheth unto M E DE B A where the verb though supplyed by the Translatours is implyed in the Text. Philol. Why make you three fishponds in Heshbon to which the eyes of the Spouse are compared which is in effect to make her a monster if the resemblance be applyed Aleth I set a certain for an uncertain number in the originall it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plurall and therefore indefinite In all these comparisons the strength of the similitude lies in the nature not the number of the things They deserve not the name of a flock of sheep which are under an hundred to which the teeth of the Spouse are compared and nature commoly allowes not above thirty two Philol. The City of Misor belonging to the Levites and recorded by Adrichomius in this Tribe is omitted by your oversight Aleth Commendable is his charity to the Levites For whereas Moses allotted them but four Cities in Reuben namely Kedemoth Iahazah Mephaah and Bezar his bounty bestoweth a fifth this Misor upon them But the poor Priests might well be full lean had they nothing to feed them but this imaginary City groundless in the Hebrew and onely founded on the erroneous Vulgar Yea generally the descriptions of Adrichomius are guilty herein that more made ad splendorem then ad veritatem to render them specious to the beholder because a lean bald Map is not so amiable as one filled full he poulders them thick with places rather scraped then gathered thereby offending the judgments of the learned to please the eyes of the ignorant But it is my business to excuse my self not accuse him and consciousness to my own many faults commands me to be tender to the errors of others CHAP. III. Objections concerning Gad answered Philol. VVHy make you the City of Iazer so in-land into this tribe which Adrichomius placeth on the River of Arnon Aleth I can demonstrate it could not stand on that River and by consequence must be more within the Tribe of Gad. For Arnon is notoriously known to be the eastern bound of Canaan Now attend what Moses saith And the suburbs of the Cities which yee shall give unto the Levites shall reach from the wall of the City and outwards a thousand Cubits round about And yee shall measure from without the City on the east side two thousand Cubits and on the south side two thousand Cubits and on the west side two thousand Cubits and on the north side two thousand Cubits and the City shall be in the middest this shall be to them the suburbs of their Cities Iazer therefore being a City of the Levites could not stand upon Arnon because they could not measure three thousand Cubits eastward for then they should take so much out of an enemies Countrey which belonged not to Israel Where we may also observe that no sea-town was allotted the Levites because for the reason aforesaid it would have proved less unto them hindering the circular dimensions of their possessions Philol. You are much mistaken in the placing of the City of Aroer The Scripture saith that it is before Rabba or as Tremellious rendreth it ante conspectum Rabbae within the view or sight of Rabba Whereas your Map presents it six and twenty miles off from that place Lynceus his eyes need a prospective-glass to discover Rabba from Aroer at the distance in your description Aleth Judicious Sir Walter Raleigh answers in my behalf that Rabba near to which Aroer was seated was not as you erroneously conceive Rabba of Ammon to which it was neither near nor in sight as he worthily observes but Rabba a chief City of Moab Which Rabba bordered on Aroer as in our Map of Moab doth appear though here straitned fro room no mention is made thereof Philol. You ill observe Scripture-instructions in fixing the first tent of Ioab when sent to number the people For the text saith that the he pitched in Aroer that is in the Countrey not City of Aroer wherein I concur with you on the right side of the City that lyeth in the midst of the River of Gad and toward Iazer Be your own judge whether or no the tent be set on the right side of the City Aleth The chief directory in placing this tent is the word right hand and that relative term is varied according as the face is setled If Ioabs face in his journy respected the north then the east is the right hand of the City and then the posture of the tent is rightly placed However the best is a tent is but a tent no solid or substantiall structure it will be no great work or weight on better grounds to take it down and remove it Philol. IN Iaâ—obs travells you place Soccoth fifteen miles from Peniel yet was it the very next station to which he removed Now I appeal to Nurses and Drovers the most competent judges in this controversie whether it be not too long a journy for little Children and Eâ—s big with young except you conceive miles are as easily gone on the grounds as measured in a Map with the Compass Aleth Though in Iacobs Gests Succoth succeeds the next place to Peniel yet it follows not that Iacob with his train went so far in one day Probably he might bait yea lodge severall days betwixt them the Scripture not mentioning every stage of his staying but onely marking signall places whereat some memorable accidents did happen or wherein for some considerable time he made his abode Philol. Sir Walter Raleigh whose judgment you deservedly honour makes the River of Iabbok the northern bound on the matter of the Tribe of Gad therein following the example of Adrichomius Whereas you extend this Tribe many miles beyond that river even to the sea of Cinneroth or Galilee a great tract of ground which you injuriously take from Manasseh and bestow on this Tribe Aleth I exactly follow Scripture directions in dividing this land betwixt them The text saith expresly that the border of the inheritance of the Gadites reached even to the edge of the sea of Cinneroth and therefore the land betwixt Iabbok and the edge of the sea undoubtedly belongs to this Tribe which justly may have an action of trespass against the foresaid Author for depriving it of so considerable a part of its true possession And yet under favour I conceive Mr. More in his Maps doth much overdoe stretching the inheritance of this Tribe to the utmost and most northern part of the sea
as formerly hath been largely proved in our Objections against Zebulun Better it is therefore to admit a parcell of Asher separated from the main of the Tribe Instances in English Counties being frequent in this case then by Bonfrerius his shift to allow Truth parted from Iacobs prophecy which inevitably followes if Zebulun be made Landâ—locked and cut off from bounding on the sea Philol. Indeed you put Manasseh's separate Countreys within Issachar but not within Asher not invironed there with but onely joining thereto whereas the Text saith equally And Manasseh had in Issachar and Asher c. Aleth The main body of Issachar confining on Manasseh afforded us conveniency to insert such Countreys therein But Asher his part being in it self but a small dis-jointed portion is not so capable of surrounding a Countrey within it seeing such a parcell within a parcell would appear so diminutive a subdivision as almost inconsiderable Besides the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rendred In in the Text may sometimes be satisfied with signifying ad or juxta nigh or by that is a bare proximity apposition and contiguousnes of a thing In which sense Manasseh had land bordering on this dis-jointed piece of Asher Philol. In Ephraim you say that Iezreel was more then twenty miles from Samaria which measured by the scale in your Map are not above twelve miles asunder Aleth Let not the Typographicall mistake of the Printer be accounted the Topographicall errour of the Author That twelve should be twenty and in the Errata is mended accordingly Philol. You might almost as well inscribe this Map the Tribe of Levi as the Half Tribe of Manasseh It was the complaint in time of Popery that the Church did eate up the Commonwealth every third foot in the kingdome being Church-land before the dissolution of Abbies You endevour to reduce Palestine to the same proportion It was a pious wish of Moses Would God that all the Lords people were Prophets But a covetous desire in you to convert so much of the land into the Levites portion by extending the circular suburbs of their Cities to six miles Diameter whereas Authours contract them within less then halfe that compass yet observing the true dimension of the Cubit therein Aleth For number such Cities are no moe then the Scripture assigneth though here haply falling thicker then in other Maps As for the three thousand Cubits of their extent on all sides we have in the manner of the measuring thereof followed the direction of judicious Mr. Ainsworth as he the learned Rabbi Maimony preferring it amongst various expositions as most naturall to the Text. Now let none wonder that we make a thousand Cubits adequate to a thousand paces or on English mile For although lesser Cubits were used by the Iews about their vessels and buildings yet their Geometricall Cubit generally employed for their better expedition because largest in their surveying of land contained six common Cubits and Rabbi Kimhi expresly saith that a thousand Emoth or Cubits make a mile Besides consider I pray these three thousand Cubits were to be measured from the wall of the City the flexures and bendings whereof produced the parallel bendings in the bounds of the Levites suburbes But because we cannot be instructed in what from the line of their walls ranged about we begin our measure from the midst of the City and therefore 〈◊〉 bound to make their lands amends with the largeness of the Câ—ibts because beginning our mensuration to their disadvantage from the â—â—nâ—er of the City in sâ—ead of the unknown circumfâ—â—â—â—ce thereof Philol. I am not satisfied in the situation of 〈◊〉 that it was seated in this half Tribe of Manassâ—h Aleth It is seated according to Adrichomiâ—s and the judgment of most other Authors But if I might interpose mine own opinion I conceive it many miles nearer unto Ierusalem in the Tribe of Ephraim rather nigh then on the sea in the road betwixt Ierusalem and Cesarea some thirty miles from the former whither I shall remove the same when my opinion herein shall be countenanced with the approbation of others My reason that Antipatris could not be so far northward full sixty miles as they make it from Ierusalem is because the â—ootmen sent to attend Saint Paul marched thither from Ierusalem in one night Now although their suspicion of the Iews pursuing them to rescue Saint Paul might quicken their pace yet foot-souldiers could not be foot-posts it being impossible for spearmen to go so far in so short a time betwixt the third hour nine a clock at night and the next morning CHAP. X. Objections against Ephraim answered Philol. YOu make a strange desultory Description of the bounds of this Tribe vaâ—lting over from length to breadth in such a fashion as is hard to be understood and worse to be applied to the letter of the Text. Alâ—th Wise Agur confessed he knew not the way of an Eagle in the aire whose flight therein 〈◊〉 not to be traced leaving no visible perforation behinde it partly through the swiftness of his motion partly through the subtileness of the aire presently closing up the passage So short and concise is the Holy Spirit in bounding the children of Ioseph and so long since hath time taken all impression of many limitary obscure places there mentioned that exactness herein by the confession of the best Authors is not to be attained But herein we have followed the direction of the learned Bonfrerius save that we have not contracted the east of Ephrain to wards Iordan into so narrow a point but bounded it broader to make it a degree the better with the descriptions of other Authors Philol. You make Sechem in this Tribe full seventy miles from Hebron in the Tribe of Iudah Me thinks they should be much nearer seeing Iacob sent Ioseph from Hebrâ—n to Sechem to give a visite to his brethren Now how could his tender love adventure his darling child alone so tedious and dangerous a journey Surely the distance was far less then you make it 〈◊〉 Philol. Rama in this Tribe doubtlesly was a City of the Levites as doth appear by Elkanah and Samuel their constant habitation there both of then Levites Why therefore is it not surrounded in your Map with a double circle like other Cities of the saine qualification Aleth I acknowledge Raâ—a for the reasons by you alledged probably pertaining to the Levites but have omitted the double incircling thereof because I finde it not amongst the four Cities given the Levites in Epâ—raim nor the forty eight assigned to them in the whole kingdome Philol. Was it not then usurpation in the Levites to inhabite a City which by God was never granted unto them Aleth Under favour I conceive though the Levites must have four they might have moe Cities in Ephrain or elsewhere if the charity of well disposed people was pleased to bestow them Thus beside
the three Cities for Refuge west of Iordan the Israelites were bound if God did inlarge their coasts to adde three more for the same service By which analogy it may be collected that the Ephraimites in gratitude to God who gave them more intire possession of their portion then any other Tribe in Ioshua's division nothing out â—ezer a Levites City being detained from them by the Canâ—anites might give this Raâ—a as a gratuity to the Levites Besides the suburbs and lands of the Levites reached from thâ— walls of the Cities three thousand Cubits round about with in which space they might erect what buildings they please being therein without incroaching on any other Tribe resident on their proper inheritance Rama therefore might be built within that circumference and by the proportion of miles we collect it to stand within the circuit of Gezer so that though they could not get Gezer it self they might gain and build Rama within the compass thereof for their habitaâ—ion However we define nothing positively much less impose it on the beliefe of others Clipt money is worth as much as it weighs though it will not pass for what it was coined and conjectures though they will not goe for certain truths deserve to finde as much acceptance as they bring probability with them Philol. Have you nothing more to observe concerning the blessings and 〈◊〉 pronounced on mount Ebal and Gerizim Aleth I conceive on second thoughts that the Prieâ—ts with the Aâ—ke stood in the valley betwixt the two hils whilest the whole body of the ordinary Levites were on the mount of Geriziâ— whose station in the half way betwixt both when they pronounced the blessings and the cursings facilitated the conveyance of the sound on both sides as appeareth on the serious comparing of the Scripture Philol. Tiphsah is made by you a City in this Tribe But if it were situate herein very short were the dominions of Solomon even in the very height of his greatness who then reigned on this side of the river from Tâ—phsah even to Azza or Gaza in the Tribe of Simeon not fully an hundred miles as appears by your Scale in the generall Description of the land Aleth Tiphsah there mentioned being the eastern boundary of Solomons Empire from our Tiphsah where cruell Menahem began his reign was near a thousand miles north-east on the river Euphrates probably the same with the City Tharsacus whereof Ptoleâ—y Strabo and Stephanus take speciall notice Philol. Have you any miraculous faith who so easily have removed the mountain of Phinehas wherein Eleazar was buried from the north of this Map within the suburbs of Bethhoron a Levites City to the south thereof near Shiloh where in your Map generall the same is presented Aleth On better consideration I see no necessity that his mountain should be brought within the bounds of any Leviticall City Phinehas was an extraordinary person and therefore his land might be extraordinary in the location thereof This his portion was no part of the Levites patrimony in their forty eight Cities given them by God but seems rather the sâ—perpondium of the peoples bounty cast into the balance as an honourable augmentation in reward of his eminent desert I conceive therefore it lay in Mount Ephraim near Shilob where the Tabernacle was set up bestowed upon him thereabouts for his more convenient attending of Gods service therein CHAP. XI Objections against Dan answered Philol. YOu positively affirme that the land of Dan belonged primitively to Iudah yet produce no Scripture for the proof thereof We beleeve the same of Simeon the Text affirming that their inheritance was within the inheritance of Iudah but no evidence appears of such derivation of Dans possession originally from Iudah Aleth The same is infallibly collected from Scripture because the Cities of Eshtaol Zoreah Timnah Ekron were first bestowed on Iudah and afterwards we finde the same places with the Countrey thereabouts by necessary consequence conferred upon Dan's posterity for their portion Philol. Such an alteration seems utterly inconsistent with divine immutabâ—lity with whom is no 〈◊〉 nor shadow of changing To give a thing and take a thing is unproportionable with his proceedings whose Gifts are pronounced by the Apostle to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without Repentance Aleth Indeed such gifts as amount to the notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are uncapable of alteration to which his other grants are subject Besides God never so passed away that land but he still reserved it as his own Demesnes For the land saith he is mine not was but is even after the Israelite had long possessed the same Is it not lawfull for him to doe as he will with his own and to change at pleasure what tenants to rent or rather what Bailifes to occupy his own ground Philol. The faces of the Men which bear the great bunch of grapes are set the wrong way For being to goe south-east to Kadesh-â—arnea they look full west to the Mediterranean sea Aleth You put me in minde of a man who being sent for to pass his verdict on a Picture how like it was to the person whom it was to resemble fell a finding fault with the frame thereof not the Limners but the Ioiners work that the same was not handsomely fashioned In stead of giving your judgment on the Map how truely it is drawn to represent the Tribe you cavill at the Historyâ—properties therein the act of the â—raver not Geographer Yet know Sir when I checkt the Graver for the same he answered me that it was proper for Spies like Water-men and Rope-makers for surety sake to look one way and work another CHAP. XII Objections against Simeon answered Philol. VVHy both an Asteriske and flag of uncertainty over Sheba For though unassured of the exact position thereof the Text ascertaineth us that it was a reall City in Simeon Beer-sheba and Sheba and Moladah c. Aleth I am not satisfied that Sheba was a distinct City by it self but rather conceive it the same with Beer-sheba Because 1 They are both accounted the same when originally denominated 2 Sheba is omitted in Chronicles where other Simeonite Cities are summ'd up as the same with Beer sheba 3 Simeon had but thirteen Cities which make fourteen if Sheba be accounted a distinct City by it self The premisses considered Sheba appears the same with Beer-sheba as Salem with Ierusalem commonly so called for brevity sake Philol. But then how doe you answer the Text which expresly maketh Sheba a distinct City Beer-sheba and Sheba and Moladah c Aleth Proteus appeared not in more shapes then the Particleâ— here rendred and hath severall significations for though chiefly it is copulative other whiles it is causall collective adversative exegeticall redditive and disjunctive as Bonfrerius readeth it here Beer-sheba or Sheba and Moladah c. Philol. You say that Simeon was
trav 3. b. 150. p. s Gen. 21. 33. t Amos 5. 5. 8. 14. u 2 King 18. 4. w Gen. 21. 31. x Gen. 26. 33. y Gen. 46. 4. z 1 Sam. 8. 2. a 2 Chr. 19. 4. b 1 King 19. 3. c 1 Sam. 30. 10. d Amos 5. 24. e Gen. 21. 14. r Gen. 21. 16. g 1 King 19. 4. h Gen. 16. 14. i Gen. 24. 62. k Gen. 24. 64. l Gen. 24. 65. * Strabo Geog. lib. 16. p. 759. m 1 Chr. 3. 19. n Heb. 13. 14. o Psal. 19. 11. p Iosh. 19. 6. q 1 Chr. 4. 31. r 1 Chr. 4. 39. s Iosh. 15. 58. t Iud. 1. 34. 35. u Mat. 22. 24. w Eccles. 9. 11. x Josh. 12. 13. y 1 Chr. 4. 42. z Judg. 1. 28. a Judg. 14. 19. b 2 Sam. 1. 20. c Diod. Siculus libro 13. d â— Exod. 23. 31. e Judg. 1. 18. Judg. 16. 3. 21. 25. f Judg. 16. 30. g Ier. 47. 1. h Zeph. 2. 4. i Act. 8. 26. k Ier. 47. 5. l Sand. trav lib. 3. p. 149. m Isa. 2. 6. n Ezek. 25. 15. o Amos 1. 8. p Zach. 9. 6. q Deut. 33. r Gen. 49. 5 6. s Exod. 32. 26. Ben-oni his name changed to Benjamin a Gen. 35. 18. b Numb 1. 37. The dysaster and recruâ—t of Benjamin c Numb 26. 4. d Iudg. 21. 16. e Iudg. 20. 47. The words of the Psalmist well to be weighed f Psal. 68. 27. g 1 Sam. 9. 21. h Esther 2. 5. i Iudg. 3. 15. k 2 Chr. 11. 28. l Phil. 3. 5. m 2 Sam. 4. 2. n Iosh. 18. 11. Benjamin placed between Ioseph 〈◊〉 o Mat. 10. 29. p Deut. 33. 12. The smal compâ—ss of this Tribe recompensed with the goodness of the ground q Gen. 43. 34. r Anti Iâ—d li. 5. cap. 1. * Iosh. 18. 20. Eminent actâ—ons on the banks of Iâ—rdan s 2 Sam. 19. â—8 t 2 Sam. 19. 17. u 2 Sam. 20. 1. Pitifull provisions for a Colledge w Psal. 74. 6. x 2 King 6. 6. Controversies concerning the position of the Altar Ed. * Josh. 22. 10. †In loâ—is Heb. lit E. * In locum y Iosh. 22. 11. z Anti. Iud. l. 5. cap. 1. p. 143. a M. Ioseph Mâ—de in his Sermon of the reverence of Gods house b Psal. 78. 9. The Iewish Stone henge c Iosh. 4. 20. d Mat. 3. 9. Remarkables happening at Gilgal in the days of Ioshua e Joâ—h 5. 9. f Numb 32. 1. g As may be collected by the overflowing of Iordan and by comparing Iosh. 3. 15. with 1 Chr. 12. 15. h Josh. 5. 12. i Mat. 13. 52. Gilgall a Court or a Colledge k 1 Sam. 6. 14. * 1 Sam. 12. 18. l 1 Sam. 18. 9. m 1 Sam. 15. 33. 2 King 4. 38. n 2 King 4. 43. o 2 King 4. 41. Gilgall a sink of Idolatry p Hos. 4. 15. 9. 15. q Amos 4. 4. 5. 5. r Josh. 18. 19. The south-bound of Benjamin s See Josh. 18. 15. c. The fountain of the sun t Act. 7. 42. u Camd. Brit. in Summersetshire p. 233. w Compare Josh. 25. 7. with Josh. 18. 17. x Iosh. 18. 17. y In locis Heb. lit B. The Egyptians passionate bewailâ—ng of Iacob z Gen. 50. 11. a Gen. 50. 7. b Gen. 50. 3. c Gen. 50. 10. d 1 Thes. 4. 13. The north borders of Benjamin e Josh. 18. 13. f Josh. 19. 12. Beth-el why so called g Gen. 28. 12. h Gen. 28. 22. i Gen. 32. 10. k Gen. 35. 1. Deborah buried near Beth-el l Gen. 35. 4. m Gen. 35. 8. n Camd. Brit. pag. 787. â—eth-el jointly belonging to Ephraim and Benjamin o Josh. 18. 22. p Judg. 1. 25. q 1 Sam. 7. 16. Ieroboams calfe set up in Beth-el r 1 King 13. 6. s 1 Kin. 13. 24. t 1 King 13. 25. u Num. 22. 33. w Eccles. 9. 1. Children of Bethel why curled and killed by Elisha x 2 King 2. 23 y 2 King 2. 3. A Colledge of Prophets at Beth-el z Amos 7. 13. Iosiah burns the dead bones at Beth-el a 2 King 23. 16. b 1 King 13. 2. c 2 King 23. 18 d Holy State cap. of Company e Iosh. 18. 13. Quere how Benjamin westward could boder on thâ— Sea f Iosh. 18. 14. g Description of Gad num 7. h 2 Sam. 2. 13. i Ier. 41. 12. k Vid. Macium in locum Vzzah slain for his presumption 1 Sam. 7. 2. l 1 Sam. 6. 7. m 1 Sam. 4. 3. n 2 Sam. 6. 7. Iewish severall inventions to thresh out their grain * 2 Sam. 6. 6. o Deut. 25. 4. p Prov. 20. 26. q Amos 3. 4. r Camd. Brit. p. Ierichâ— a pleasant place s 2 King 2. 21. 2 King 2. 19. Miraculously taken t Iosh. 6. 16. Iericho termed a city of Palmes u Deut 34. 3. w Judg. 3. 13. x Vid Adagium Palmam ferre The walls of Ierichâ— unhappily built again y 1 Kin. 16. 34. Iericho first belonging to Israel afterwards to Iudah z 1 â—in 16. 34. a 2 Chr. 28. 15. b Ezra 2. 34. c Nehe. 3. 2. Zacâ—eus converted at Iericho d Luke 19. 4. Plaines of Iericâ—â— e 2 King 25. 5. g Luke 10. 33. Ai at last taken by Ioshua h Iosh. 7. 5. i Iosh. 7. 24. k Hosea 2. 15. The melliâ—â—uous wood near Beth-aven l Gen. 12. 8. m Gen. 13. 9. n Eccles. 1. 2. o 1 Sam. 14. 23. p 1 Sam. 14. 45. Gibeoâ—ites overreach the Isrâ—â—lites q Josh. 10. 2. r Josh. 10. 9. s Iosh. 9. 27. t Iosh. 10. 11. u Iosh. 10. 12. w Josh. 10. 16. x Psal. 8. 40. y Josh. 10. 28. Gibeon the Cock-pit of war though a city belonging to the Lâ—vites z Josh. 2â— 17. a 2 Sam. 2. 24. Amasa basely murdered by Iâ—ab b 2 Sam. 20. 8. c 2 Sâ—m 20. 8. d 2 Sam. 20. 12. e 2 Sam. 17. 25. Gibeâ—n a place of publick worship f 1 Sam. 4. 4. g 1 Sam. 6. 18. h 1 Sam. 7. 1. i 2 Sam. 6. 10. k 2 Sam. 6. 17. l 2 Chr. 1. 3. Giheaâ— distinct from Gibeon a wicked city m Judg. 20. 16. n Judg. 19. 12. o Judg. 19. 16. p Judg. 19. 2. Israel twice worsted by Benjamin q Judg. 20. r Judg. 20. 47. s Gen. 41. 13. t Description of Ephraim Gibeah why surnamed of Saul u 1 Sam. 11. 4. w 2 Sam. 21. 6. x 1 Sam. 15. 9. y 2 Sam. 21. 11. Saul buried by David in Gibeah z 1 Sam. 31. 10. Migron and Ramah a 1 Sam. 14. 2. b Lib. 2. cap. 2. c Camd. Bâ—it fol. 436. d 1 King 15. 17 e 1 Kin. 15. 22. Mizpah for a long time the seat of Juâ—ice f 1 Sam. 7. 16. * 1 Sam. 7. 6. g 1 Sam. 10. 17. h 2 Chr. 2. 18. i Sam. 10. 23. Asa his pit in Mizpaâ— employed otherwise then it was intended l Ier. 41. 9. m See our description of Asher § 5. n Ier. 40. 6. o Ier. 41.
hereof in our objections against the tribe of Iudah l Vide Kalendarium Hebrai cum Munsteri pag. 62. The armes of Iudah m Gen. 49. 9. n Prov. 30. 30. The adjacent parts to Ierusalem a Gen. 22. 2. b Exod. 23 26. The brook Kidron c 1 King 15. 13 2 Chr. 30. 14. d 2 King 23. 6. e 2 King 23. 12 f Job 6. 15. The valley of Iehosaphat g 2 Chr. 20. 20. h Ioel 3. 2 i Act. 1. 11. k Luke 22. 44. l Joh. 18. 18. Châ—ist betrayed in this garden m Ioh. 18. 3. n Ioh. 18. 6. Luk. 22. 52. o Luk. 22. 51. The Rock of offence p 1 Kin. 11. 7. 5. q Exod. 20. r Rom. 9. 33 Absaloms pillar in the Kings dale s Gen. 14. 17. t 2 Sam. 18. 16. The stone of Zoheleth u 1 King 1. 9. w 1 King 1. 40. Three tops on Mount Olivet x Mat. 21. 8. David flying from Absalom y 2 Sam. 15. 24. z 2 Sam. 6. 14 a 2 Sam. 15. 25. b 2 Sam. 15 30. 16. â—â— Bahurim where Shimei rayled on David c 2 Sam. 16. 45 d 2 Sam. 16. 9. e 2 Sam. 16. 11. Sples at Bahurim concealed f 2 Sam. 3. 16. g 2 Sam. 17. 18. h 2 Sam. 17. 20. Rachel burâ—ed nigh Bethlehem i Gen. 35. 14. 48. 7. k Gen. 30. 1. l Virgil. Eclo 9. m 1 Sam. 10. 2. Ruths gleaning in Bethlehem n Ruth 1. 4. 6. o Ruth 2. 8. p Ruth 3. 6. Davids birth and life in Bethlehem q 1 Sam. 17. 54. r 2 Sam. 23. 15. s 2 Sam. 23. 16. Iesus born in Bethlehem t Esay 9. 6. u Luk. 2. 7. w Luk. 2. 8. x Gen. 35. 21 22 The wisemen directed by a star to Bethlehem z Num. 24. 17. a Mat. 2. 2. b Mica 5. 2. Ioh. 7. 42. Return to their Countrey another way The babes of Bethlehem massacred c Mat. 2. 16. Ramah nigh Bethlehem d Mat. 2. 18. e Gen. 29. 17. f 1 Sam. 10. 2. g 2 Sam. 2. 32. How so many Kings in Bezek h 2 Sam. 19. 38. i Jer. 41. 17. k Iudg. 1. 7. l Gen. 27. 20. The vale of Rephaim m Câ—md Brit. in Northumberland n 2 Sam. 5. 18. 20. o 2 Sam. 5. 22 23 24. Mulberry trees and silke plentifull in Palestine Saul first made bravery frequent in Israel p Ezek. 1â— 10. q Mat. 11. 18. r 2 Sam. 1. 24. s In Esiacis lib. 1. â—maus where Christ appeared to the two Disciples t Luk. 24. 13. u Luk. 24. 28. w Vers. 30. x 1 Mac. 4. Zachariah his house y Mat. 3. z Luk. 1. 41. a Iosh. 21. 17. Gebah a City of the Levites b 1 Sam. 13. 3. c Nehem. 7. 30. David dancing before the Arke d 2 Sam. 6. 20. e Act. 26. 24. Store of Storks in Palestin f Psal. 104. 17. g Levit. 11. 19. h Ier. 8. 7. a 2 Cor. 11. 26. b Gen. 13. 17. c 2 Chr. 25. 19. * John 4. 39. d Ruth 2. 16. e Acts 17. 11. * Colos. 2. 19. e Psal. 119. 96. f 1 Sam. â—7 51. g 2 Sam. 2. 23. h 2 Sam. 17. 23. i 2 Sam. 14. 25. k Deut. 31. 26. a Isa. 4. 1. b Gen. 14. 18. c Gen. 22 13. * Judg. 19. 10. * It is of the dual number in Hebrew because first consisting of two principal parts Zion and the Lower City d Gen. 22. 14. e Psal. 76. 2. f Euseb. li. 9. prâ—par evange â—â—geâ—ippus l. 5. ca. 9. Niceph. calixt l. 10. cap. 33. g Absurdum esse peregrinae linguae mixtura demonstrat Hieronymus Evagrâ— h 2 Sam. 10. 4. i Statius sylvar li. 5. in protrâ—ptico ad Crispinum k 〈◊〉 zâ—ta Odyss Beta l Sands Trav. li. 3. pag. 155. m Isa. 1. 21. n Mat. 5. 35. o Mat. 27. 53. p De bellâ— Iud. lib. 3. cap. 4. q Ezek. 5. 5. r Eusebius saith that Ierusalem was called anciently Algariza that is The 〈◊〉 mountain s In perap Evang lib. 12. cap. 27. a Nuâ— 36. 9. b Iosephus contra Appiâ—n lib primâ— c Iosep. ibid. d Exod. 34 23. e Iâ—sep Bâ—l. Iuda ca. gr 45. lat 17. f Luk. 8. 45. * Aboth R. Natâ—â—n per. 34 * Psal. 80. 9. g Mat. 23. 37. h Psal. 122. 3. i Deut. 22. 8. k Ier. 19. 13. Ier. 32. 29. l Isa. 26. 1. m Ioan. Mena Poeta Mercat pag. 118. in Atlante n Zech. 2. 5. o Ioseph lib. 6. Bâ—ll Iâ—d â—a 6. p Con. App. lib. 1. q Geogr. li. 16. pag. 762. r Idem ibidâ—â— s Psal. 48. 12. Four sortâ— of Gates in Ierusalem a Act. 12. 10. b Act. 3. 2. c 2 Chr. 23. 15. The Sheep-gate d Nehem. 3. 1. The Golden-gate e Brâ—c itâ— 6. Sal. 〈◊〉 9. c. 4. Breid 14. Iul Pasch. d. 184. f See Adricho Theatrum Terr sanct pâ— â—67 g Act. 11. 9 10. h Luk. 19. 00. The Horse-gate b Ier. 31. 40. i Nhem 3. 28. k Compare 2 King 11. 16. with â— Chr. 23. 1â— The Water-gate l Neh. 12. 37. m Neh. 6. 15. n Jer. 19. 2. Why no gates on the south of Ierusalem The Fountain-gate o Nehem 3. 15. p Neh. 12. 37. q Nehem. 3. 15. The Dung-gate r 1 Cor. 12. 22. s Nehem. 3. 4. The Valley-gate t Pâ—al 125. 2. u Neh. 2. 13. 15. w Neh. 3. 13. The Corner-gate a 2 Chr. 25. 23. b 2 Chr. 26. 9. Why not repaired in Nehemiahs time c For this gate is mentioned Zech. 14. 10. The gate of Ephraim d 1 Chr. 9. 3. e Stows survey of London pag. 448. The Old-gate * Nehem. 3. 6. The Fish-gate f Nehe. 13. 16. g Nehem. 3. 3. The gate of Benjamin h Jer. 20. 2. i Jer. 37. 13. * Arias Montanus Adrichoâ—ius M. Moor. A strange mistake in learned men k M. william Sommer in his Antiquitles of Canturbury pa. 16. 17. l Zech. 14. 10. The Needles-eye m Mat. 19. 24. n Mark 10. 24. o Camden in York-shire pag. 700. The Tower of Mâ—â—â— t Nehem. 3. 1. 12. 39. u Nehem. 3. 1. The tower of furnaces w Neh. 3. 11 The tower of Hananeel d Nehem. 3. 1. e Nehem. 3. 25. The tower that lyeth out f Nehem. 3. 27. The great tower that lyeth out g Nehem. 3. 19. The tower of David h Cant. 4. 4. The tower of Siloe * Luk. 13 4. h Mat. 21. 44. The tower of Ophel where the Nethinims dwelt i Nehem. 3. 26. k Ezra 2. 70. Their service and priviledges l Josh. 9 27. m 2 Sam. 21. 2. n Ezra 8. 20. o Ezra 2. 62. p Ezra 2. 43. q Psal 133. 2. r Ezra 7. 24. The Tower of women m Ioseph Bel. Iud. li. 6. c. 2. 5. n Caâ—d Brit. in Dorset shire And another so called in Yorkâ—â—ire The high Priest begins the building a Nehem. 3. 1. People of all sorts second them d Nehem. 3. 12. Why after the captivity two governours to one city
the future Michal's daughter should never mock her husband on the like occasion punishing her with perpetuall barrenness § 29. Look on the prospect of this map especially the eastern parts thereof and behold it overspread with trees of all sorts Olive Pine Mulberry Firre c. Of the last saith the Psalmist and the fir-trees are a refuge for the Storkes breeding here in the greater abundance because forbidden by the Leviticall law to be fed upon A speckled bird therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 niger 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 albus black and white and is remarkable for their love to their parents feeding them in their old age Hence called Chesida in Hebrew that is the mercifull bird and in Dutch Oudevaer that is the carrier of the old one because every Stork is an Aeneas bearing his Anchises on his back carrying his Parent when for age it cannot fly of it self Some have confidently reported that Storks will not live save in a Republick who may with as much truth affirm that an Eagle the Soveraign of birds will not breed in a Common-wealth Not to say that Storks were named in the Monarchy of Adam preserved in the Arke in the Monarchy of Noah Ieremy who lived in the kingdome of Iudah upbraided the ignorance of the people therein Yea the Stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times Which birds had they known their times and the Iews not known the birds as frequent and familiar with them both the Prophets illustration had beed obscure and exprobration improper for his present purpose Finis Libri secundi To the Right Honourable JOHN LORD ROSSE Son to the Right Honourable JOHN EARL OF RVTLAND MY LORD IT hath been charged by Foreiners on our English Gentry that many of them very knowing beyond the seas have been strangers in their native Countrey as able to give a better account of the Spaw then our own Bath the diving of the Spanish Anas under ground then of our own Rivers Diverill in Wiltshire and Mole in Surrey wherein the same wonders of Nature are set forth in a lesser Edition How just this accusation is for the present I have no leasure to enquire but am afraid that too many of our nation are guilty of a greater Ignorance That being quic◠sighted in other kingdomes and Countreys they are altogether blinde as touching Judea and the land of Palestine the Home for their meditations who are conversant in all the historicall passages of Scripture Yet I would not have any wilfully to expose themselves as Saint Paul was against his will to perils of waters perils of Robbers perils by the Heathen c. personally to pace and trace the land of Canaan who rather conceive that precept to Abraham Arise walk through the land in the breadth thereof and in the length thereof may be performed by us even whilest we also follow the counsell of Joash to Amaziah Abide now at home This may be done by daily and diligent perusing of the Scriptures and comparing the same with it self Diamonds onely cut Diamonds as also by consulting with such as have written the description of that Countrey Amongst whom give me leave though the unworthiest of thousands to tender these my endevours to your Honours serious perusall and patronage hoping my pains herein may conduce to the better understanding of the History of the Bible I confess the doctrinall part of the Scripture is in it self most instructive to salvation But as the rare relation of the woman of Samaria first drew her neighbours to the sight of our Saviour which afterwards believed on him not for her words but his own worth so the delightfull stories in the Bible have allured many youth especially to the reading thereof the light the historicall part first inviting their eyes whose hearts were afterwards inflamed with the heat the holy fire in the doctrine of Gods word Give me leave therefore my Lord humbly to commend to your Honour the constant reading of that which eminently is termed The Scripture and the Bible or Book all other being but scribling and Pamphlets in comparison thereof They contain what will make you wise unto salvation and the study thereof will render your Lordship more truely honourable then your outward extraction Great indeed was the priviledge of Ruth for whom purposely some handfuls were let fall for her to gather up But greater the honour done to your Ancestors by our English Kings above an hundred years since who scattered some flowers and other ornaments out of their own Armes therewith to deck and adorn those of your family Yet know my Lord that the Bereans are pronounced more noble then those of Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of minde searching the Scriptures daily whether those things were so And by the same proportion your exact skill industriously attained in Gods word shall make your soul increase with the increase of God far more honourable then that Augmentation in Heraldry which was conferred on your Ancestours Remember I pray what David writes I have seen an end of all perfection but thy commandement is exceeding broad Oh imperfect perfection which hath an end And indeed David lived in an Age wherein he saw Goliah the strongest overcome Asahel the swiftest overtaken Achitophel the wisest befooled and Absalom the fairest deformed with a violent death Yet still the immortall word out-lived all casualties and triumphed in defiance of opposition Wherefore as the Jews were to provide a chest by the side of the Ark wherein the Law was to be placed and kept so I wish your Honour a large heart to be a repository for this Broad commandement of God that therein you may carefully lay up and treasure the same which when all earthly perfections prove false and fading will furnish your soul with holiness here and happiness hereafter which is the daily prayer of Your Honours most humble servant THO. FULLER Here followeth the description of Jerusalem THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY OF IERVSALEM The third Book CHAP. I. Of the severall names and generall situation of Jerusalem § 1 WHen a woman often altereth her surname it is a signe she hath been many times married denominating of his wife from him being parcell of the maritall priviledge But when a City in diverse Ages hath different names this speaks her successive subjection to severall Lords new owners imposing on her new appellations as in our present subject plainly appears For the City which we are to describe was called 1 Salem in the days of Abraham when Melchisedec was King and probably first founder thereof Then it was but a small place the greatest Giant had once the cradle of his infancy when mount Moriah afterwards in the midst of the City and a forest of houses was as yet but a thicket of thornes wherein the Ram the
exchange for Isaac was caught by the hornes 2 Iebus A name either of the whole or principall part thereof so we read of the Levite that he came over against Iebus which is Ierusalem 3 Ierusalem so called as the Fathers generally affirme as the product of the union of Iebus and Salem B for sounds sake being changed into R which notwithstanding the propriety of the Hebrew tongue will not permit For though chopping of letters be her coÌ„mon practise yet the Iews as they always married within their own Tribe so they exchanged letters of the same Linage same Instrument Labials for Labials Gutturals for Gutturals whereas betwixt Beth Resh in Hebrew no such affinity Besides the turning of a tender melting B. into a surly rigid R. is not to levigate or mollifie but to make the name the harder in pronunciation This drives others to seek out the Etymology thereof as signifying in Hebrew The vision of peace But seeing Abraham called an eminent place whereon it stood Iehovah-Iireh The Lord will be seen perchance from the echo of the name Iireh added to Salem that is peace shall be seen or provided the City might be called Ierusalem where having the essentiall Consonantâ— the most various point-vowels are not so considerable Forget we not that even in Davids time when the name of Ierusalem was in fashion the City was sometimes still called Salem For in Salem is his Tabernacle and his dwelling in Sion Thus it is usuall in England in common discourse to cut off the former part of long-named Cities Wesâ—chester Southhampton Kingstone on Hull whilest the remnant Chester Hampton Hull sufficiently express them to ordinary capacities 4 Hierosolyma which indeed is no new name but the old name in a new language translated into Greek Some Fathers will have it compounded from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Temple and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Solomon that is Solomons Temple as if the mixing of these Languages did promise if not prophesie in after ages a joint interest of Iew and Gentile in the mysteries of Religion But Saint Hierome is zealous against this Fancy impatient that in the name of the principall City of the Iews a Greek word should not onely be mingled with but preferred before the Hebrew It is safer therefore to say that Hierosolyma is nothing else but Ierusalem grecized or made Greek and the conceit of the Temple of Solomon rather a witty allusion thereto then a solid deduction thereof 5 Solyma being onely the half of the former For whereas Hierosolyma being a confluence of six short syllables was unmanagable in ordinary verse Poets served this name as the Ammonites the cloaths of Davids Ambassadours cut it off in the middle An Solymum cinerem Palmetaque capta subibis Wilt thou go under Salems dust forsaken Vnder the palme-trees lately captive taken I conceive the name of Solyma not used by Authors till after our Saviours suffering though Iosephus and probably out of him Tacitus writes that Homer makes mention thereof as indeed we finde it twice in his Poems never for this City in Iudea but for a place and people in Lycia I will not say that the curtling of Ierusalem into Solyma after our Saviours time was a sad prognostick that this spacious City should suddenly in the fire of civill war be boiled away to the half yea afterwards shrink to so unconsiderable a smalness that a monosyllable yea a bare letter were too long a name for it 6 Aelia so named from Aelius Hâ—drianus the Emperour who built some part of it again and made it a Garrison 7 Ierusalem recovering the ancient name again whilest for some hundred of years it was in the possession of the Christians 8 Cuds so called at this day by the Mahometans who are the present owners thereof which signifies Holy in their language Here we omit those many appellations given Ierusalem in Scripture The faithfull City the City of the great King the holy City because these are not proper names but glorious Epithets thereof § 2. Concerning the generall situation of Ierusalem three things herein are remarkable first it was placed as Iosephus reports in the very middle of Iudea But herein criticall exactness is not to be observed the heart it self is not so unpartially in the midst of the body but that if not in position yet in motion it propends to the left side for Ierusalem inclines more to the south of the Countrey As Ierusalem was the navell of Iudea so the Fathers make Iudea the middest of the world whereunto they bring not to say bow those places of Scripture Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the earth Indeed seeing the whole world is a round Table and the Gospell the food for mens souls it was fitting that this great dish should be set in the midst of the Board that all the guests round about might equally reach unto it and Ierusalem was the Center whence the lines of salvation went out into all lands Yea Ptolemy dividing the then-known world into seven Climats placed Ierusalem as the Sun in the fourth Climat proportionably to what is said in the Propheâ— I have set it in the midst of the Nations and the Countreys that are round about her § 3. Secondly it had high mountains under it and lower about it which as dutifull servants at distance seemed to attend it Ierusalem had a mountain for her footstool and her floor was higher then the roof of other Cities no doubt the Emblem of the strength stateliness and stability of Gods Church in glory High and hard climbing thither but plain and pleasant dwelling there § 4. Lastly it was distanced from the sea welnigh forty miles having no navigable River near unto it For God intended not Ierusalem for a staple of trade but for a ROYALL EXCHANGE OF RELIGION chiefly holding correspondency with Heaven it self daily receiving blessings thence duly returning praises thither Besides God would not have his virgin people the Iews wooed with much less wedded to outlandish fashions And if Eusebius may be credited for the self same reason Plato in imitation of Ierusalem would have that City wherein the modell of his imaginary Common-wealth should be set up to be seated some miles from the sea lest forein merchandize should by degrees bring in forein manners into it CHAP. II. The particular Situation Circuit Populousness Beauty and strength thereof § 1 IT will be pain-worthy to enquire into the exact situation of Ierusalem in what Tribe it was placed the rather because severall testimonies of Scripture entitle both Iudah and Benjamin unto the possession thereof For IUDAH Josh. 15. 63. And for the Iebusites the inhabitants of Ierusalem the children of Iudah could not drive them out but the Iebusites dwell with the children of Iudah at Ierusalem unto this day Judg. 1. 8. Now the children of Iudah had fought against