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
shoulders Remember we the blessing Moses bequeathed to this Tribe The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him and the Lord shall cover him all the day long and he shall dwell between his shoulders particularly pointing at his habitation in Ierusalem built in the borders of Benjamin § 5. Now though Benjamins mess when he sate at Iosephs table was five times as much as any of his brethren yet here it happened his portion was less then all the rest except any will say that onely Benjamins dish was less and meat more because though small the compass of ground allotted to him yet fair and fruitfull the soile many and memorable the cities contained therein 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The lot of this Tribe was straightned saith fosephus because of the virtue of the soile thereof Yet as little as the land of Benjamin was it was big enough to be divided betwixt two kingdomes the south-west part thereof belonging to the kingdome of Iudah the north-east to Israel with the cities of Gilgal Iericho and Bethel as shall be made plain in the respective description of those places § 6. Iordan is the eastern boundary of this Tribe David returning victoriously from Mahanaim having ferried over this water partly brought thither partly met here a miscellaneous multitude Barzillai and Shimei Mephibosheth and Ziba that is loyalty and treachery faith and falshood mingled together in the same Countrey Here once railing now begging Shimei obtained pardon from him because bringing along with him the best argument in his excuse a thousand men of Benjamin Some will say David shewed Shimei too much mercy and did Mephibosheth too litle justice not righting him against the false accusations of Ziba who better deserved a whole halter then half of the lands of Mephibosheth Such doe not seriously consider the present condition of David who had his hand struck with the sword of justice before his feet in his renewed kingdome were firmely fastned on the throne of authority it had been the ready way to have overturned him and his posterity Here Sheba a Benjamite taking the advantage of the unseasonable contest betwixt Iudah and Israel which should have most interest in David with his trumpet blew rebellion into the eares and hearts of the people had not the dangerous consequence thereof been seasonably prevented by the vigilancy and valour of David and his servants § 7. More south on the banks of the river the children of the Prophets straightned for dwellings went about to enlarge their habitations but meanly provided for that purpose if we consider the 1 Architect a son of the Prophets little skild no doubt in such employment 2 Timber green wood and growing on the banks of Iordan 3 Tools a borrowed hatchet the iron whereof fell into the river Alass how comes it to pass that when houses of the Prophets are to be built the iron forsakes the handle which sticks too stedfastly thereunto when they break them down with axes and hammers But Elisha made all things whole the hatchet came unto the helve swimming above the water § The alter Ed succeeds next more south-ward on the river Formerly we have placed it in the Tribe of Reuben on the east of Iordan but others 〈◊〉 it west of that river in this Tribe Hear the arguments for both For Benjamin 1 It was set up in the borders of Iordan which are in the land of Canaan which land strictly and properly taken was on the west of Iordan 2 It was erected to shew the contesseration of their religions And therefore most probable and proper on the west side of Iordan in the main continent of the land to claim right or rather continue a title of those separatist-Tribes Reuben Gad and Manasseh in point of Gods worship with other Tribes 3 Saint Hiâ—rome and since him learned Tostatus to whose arguments in this controversie we refer the reader with many other Commentators are very positive in placing this Altar west of Iordan in the Tribe of Benjamin For Reuben 1 It was set up over against the land of Canaan Which in proper construction imports it to be on the other side opposite thereunto 2 It had been a meer trespass for the two Tribes and an halfe in aliena Republica to build an altar on the ground of other Tribes and therefore no doubt they did it on their own ground east of Iordan 3 Iosephus saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Therefore the Tribe of Reuben and Gad going over the river c. 4 Another Ioseph though a modern yet a learned writer beleeveth that in those elder times that Countrey or territory was counted unhallowed or unclean which had not a place set apart for Gods worship and proveth from the words of Phinebas that the altar was set up on their side lest otherwise having no place consecrated they might be concluded to live in an unhallowed habitation Thus as this altar caused a difference betwixt brethren about the cause why it was erected so hath occsioned a dissension amongst learned men concerning the place where the same was set up The best is the controversie is not of such moment as to concern salvation Let us take heed we be not of that Generation which set not their hearts aright and then the danger is not great though we set this altar on the wrong side of the river However as the devout Iews in the primitive times when the Sabbath was newly changed into the Lords-day kept both Saturday and Sunday holy observing both ex nimia cautela to be sure to keep the right day of Divine worship so for more certainty we have erected two altars one one each side of the river leaving it to the discretion of the judicious Reader to accept or refuse which of them he pleaseth § 9. Come we in the next place to the twelve great stones set up by Ioshua in memoriall that there they passed over the river Iordan on foot Tremellius conceives probably that these were the quarries in Gilgal mentioned Iudg. 3. 19. whence Ehud returned back when he went to kill Eglon King of Moab Others likewise conceive that Iohn baptizing hereabouts did particularly point at these stones in that his expression to the Pharisees God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham They were set up in the Countrey Gilgal the city so called lying some five miles west of the river § 10. Gilgal rolling in Hebrew was so called by Ioshua because the reproach of Egypt was there rolled away from the Israelites and circumcision suspended during their travell being here administred and the Passeover solemnly observed here also Manna ceased the Countrey affording plentifull provisions Miracles and meanes never shine together in the same Horizon but the former setteth when the later ariseth It will perchance be demanded why Manna rained so long seeing
totally lost whilst Ioseph not mourning without hope was more moderate in his lamentation But whether this solution be sound in it self or the question exactly conformable to the text we remit it to the examination of others I would rather know the reason why this solemnity of sorrow was performed in this place rather then at the cave of Machpelah forty miles hence where the corps were interred surely the Master of the Ceremonies in those days could give an account thereof § 16. But here it will be objected that Ioseph coming out of Egypt had a nearer way by many miles to carry Iacobs corps to Hebron then by going over Iordan It is confessed but this fetching a compass was conceived more for the state of the funerall Unfitting it was that the body of that worthy Patriarch to whom all the land belonged by promise should steale into that Countrey in a clandestine way and privately enter in at the postern door rather let it solemnly surround the Countrey and be brought in at the broad gates Thus the corps of men of quality though the Chancell-door be nearer are borne through the porch and middle-alley to the place of their interment § 17. So much for the south-marches of Benjamin we come now to visite the north-limits thereof Those began from Iordan saith our English translation In divertigio Iardenis quo magis adhuc ad orientem divertit saith Tremellius in his note on the place i. e. in the winding of Iordan as it turns still more to the east and we could wish that this eastern flexure of that river had been made a little more visible in our Maps Hence they went up to the side of Iericho understand thereby the confluence of the waters afterwards running to Iericho as appears by paralleling Iosh. 16. 1. with Iosh. 18. 12. and so through the mountains westward the goings out thereof are at the wilderness of Beth-aven Whence it turneth towards Luz which is Bethel south-ward which now I come to describe § 18. Beth-el that is Gods house was so named by Iacob for formerly it was called Luz who here lying on a stone it matters not how hard our bed if so heavenly our dreams saw a Ladder with God on the top thereof and Angels ascending and descending thereon Going down to attend on Gods children according to their commission and up to give an account of their attendance and receive farther instructions Here Iacob by vow indented with God solemnly to make this place his house and to give to him at his safe return with bread and water the tenth of all his substance But though God over performed his counterpart herein Iacob neglected his promise and when his staffe was swelled into two bands set down his staffe at Shechem and turned there a purchaser of a parcell of ground till God minded him of his former obligation Arise goe up to Bethel and dwell there c. § 19. Most happy that man who runs the way of Gods commandements and next him he is the best who answers the spur and with Iacob goeth when almost driven Hither he comes having first reformed his family of Idolatry and here built an Altar called El-beth-el During his abode here died Deborah Rebekahs nurse venerable for her old age having seen her nurse-childs childrens children to the fourth generation Surely she was well loved whilest living because so much lamented when dead buried under Allon Bachuth or the oake of mourning As if Iacobs children desired that their eyes should return that moisture to her in teares which her breasts had bestowed in milke on their grandmother Thus though the Hebrews did not so doate on their nurses as the wild-Irish who love them better then their own mothers yet they had them in an high estimation § 20. In the division of the land Beth-el fell to the lot of Benjamin Yet we finde that the house of Ioseph understand the Tribe of Ephraim wan and possessed it It seems the City was divided into two parts the northern pertaining to Ephraim the southern to Benjamin In the days of Samuel we finde how he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el and Gilgal and Mizpeh and judged Israel in all these places which were all three in this Tribe and in the heart of the Countrey conveniently seated for Termers to resort hither from all parts thereof § 21. Here Ieroboam set up one of his golden calves and how busie was he about sacrificing unto it when a Prophet sent from God denounced the destruction of his Altar which presently clave asunder according to his prediction An Altar which were it of brass or stone was softer then the miracle-proof heart of Ieroboam which neither was broken nor bruised thereat as also he was no whit moved to repent with the drying up and restoring of his hand which happened thereupon Indeed he conceived that his kingdome must have Idolatry for the pillars which had Rebellion for the foundation thereof and though Baalisme began and ended with the family of Ahab Calfe-worship was rivetted into the Crown of Israel As for the Prophet that foretold the future ruine of this place a Lion slew him in his return because he credited a pretended Revelation Parole unto another man before a Commission from God to the contrary solemnly signed and delivered unto himself See Gods finger in the Lions paw how rationally did the brute-beast work his Masters will being sent not to prey but to punish He killed the Prophet filled not himself but with the Asse stood by the corps if not as mourners for as waiters about it Behold his life spilled whilest wicked Balaams was spared in journey so uncertain it is for any to conclude Gods love or hatred from outward events § 22. Eliah and Elisha often visited this City of Beth-el the latter going up hither was mockt by the children thereof for lacking the comely excrement of haire on his head whereupon came two beares out of the wood and tare two and forty of them Some will say Elisha had better have called for two rods then two Beares out of the wood therewith to drive out that folly which was bound up in the heart of these children But his severity will appeare needfull herein if all circumstances be considered 1 Probably though termed children they were striplings of some bigness who durst adventure out of the city by the wood-side 2 No doubt the chickens crowed as the cocks had learned them and followed the precedents of their Idolatrous parents 3 The gemination of their offence Goe up thou bald-head goe up thou bald-head 4 They mocked him as he was going up the way and it is said the Prophet turned back so they continued their taunts whilest he came to them yea till he was at them yea when he was past them 5 He looked on them so that had any
Ierusalem and had taken it and smitten it with the edge of the sword and set the City on fire For BENIAMIN Josh. 18. 28. And Zelah Eleph and Iebus which is Ierusalem Gibeah and Kiriath This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families Judg. 1. 12. And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Iebusites that inhabited Ierusalem but the Iebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Ierusalem unto this day FOR BOTH Nehem. 11. 4. And at Ierusalem dwelt certain of the children of Iudah and of the children of Benjamin This fifth and last place is a good Comment on the four former namely that this City though the Iebusites long disturbed their quiet possession jointly belonged to both Tribes neither claiming it totally as his both truly as theirs Nor was this any confused mixture of their inhetances flatly forbidden in the law but methodicall if not mysticall meeting thereof so that Iudah and Benjamin which alone persisted loyall to God and their King had their possessions lovingly shaking hands in Ierusalem the solemn place appointed for Gods publick service § 2. Ierusalem was fifty furlongs in circuit which reduced to our English account amounts to six miles and a quarter In which compass multitudes of People did inhabit and three different degrees of the populousness of this place are very remarkable 1 Ordinary even in vacation-time when there was no spring-tyde or usuall confluence of people more then the proper Citizens thereof and those no fewer then one hundred and fifty thousand 2 Extraordinary at the three annuall Termes as I may call them I mean the three Feasts general of the Iews Passeover Pentecost the feast of Tabernacles when all the able males of Israel appeared with an offering before God 3 Superextraordinary when this City was sacked by the Romans and when all sorts and sexes some drawn with devotion more driven for protection flocked thither insomuch that by fire famine sword civill discord and forein force eleven hundred thousand are said to be slain therein Incredible it seems that so many should be pent in this place except the people therein as when they crouded about Christ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did throng and press one on another But we must consider that flying thither for shelter they had room enough if they had but room enough not aiming at any convenient much less delightfull habitations but onely a bare lodging in Ierusalem where for the time being every single chamber was made a severall family and every story multiplyed into a street whilest the fiege continued § 3. And therefore it is most justly recounted asone of the ten wonders whereof the Rabbins take especiall notice amongst the Iews that â—â—ver any man did say to his fellow I have not found a bed in Ierusalem to lye in nor did evâ—r any maâ— say to his fellow My lodging is too strait for me in Ierusalem As if â—he place were of a Cheverell nature to extend to the proportion of the People therein Indeed it was part of Gods goodness when he brought his Vine out of Egypt then also to prepare room for it which he performed here accordingly even to admiration § 4. Now amongst the nativâ—s of Ierusalem many no doubt were the eminent Persons born therein especially if the Rabbinicall tradition be true that wheresoever the particular place of any Prophets birth is not set down there it is to be presumed that he was of Ierusalem By this observation Nathan Gad Isaiah Daniel Hosea Ioel Habakkuk c. should be town-born children of Ierusalem But we leave it uncertain whether this place gave the cradles to these being too sure that it gave the coffins to too many worthy messengers of God O Ierusalem Ierusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee § 5. The structure of this City was beautifull and high of hewed free-stone very uniform whether in respect of the houses or streets one toanother Ierusalem 〈◊〉 builded as a City which is at unity in it self Their roofs were flat â—nd fenced with battlements by speciall command from God to prevâ—nt casualties of people falling thence These roofs were the Iews watchâ—owers for prospect galleries for pleasure and which was the worst their â—igh places for Idolatry Which causeth the Prophets complaint more then once That thereon they burnt incense unto all the host of Heaven Surely the weight of this wickedness did break the strongest beams and stiffest rafters in the Palaces of Ierusalem For though Idols be lighter then vanity it self in point of power and efficacy they are heavier then lead to press the place down with divine vengeance § 6. As for the strength of Ierusalem we must in the first place listen to Iuâ—ah his song We have a strong City salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks The Spaniards come off poorly with their brag that they have Madrid a City in Castile walled with fire which at last proves nothing else but that there be many quarries of flint found round about it But most true it is that God promised Ierusalem he would be unto her a wall of fire round about which promise he for his part would most surely have kept and performed had not the sins of the Iews forced him to break it in vindication of his own justice § 7. As for the outward fortifications thereof it was incompassed with a treble wall save where it was begirt with unpassable vallies and there one wall did suffice This wall was fenced with a ditch cut out of a rock saith Iosephus and Strabo sixty foot deep and two hundred and fifty foot broad the former not acquainting us with the authour thereof so prodigious a work may well be conceived a performance of many successive Princes therein It seems it was made the deeper because it was dry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well watered within and dry without is the character our author gives of the City This I dare say the breadth of this ditch exceeds the proportion of al modern regular fortifications for in Breda it self the platform wherein may be the platform for other places the ditch is no broader then the rampire at the bottome thereof And now what David principally intended mystically comes to our place literally to endevour Walke about Sion and goe round about her tell the towers thereof Mark yee well her bulworks consider her palaces that yee may tell it to the generation following And to follow the motion of the Sun we will begin at the East and so forward CHAP. III. Of the Gates thereof § 1. BE it premised that many difficulties in this subject have been caused by mens unwary confounding of the severall natures of the gates in Ierusalem which for the clearing of the truth must carefully be distinguished into four
strength to carry morter Or was it sutable with the modesty of their sex to clime ladders clamber scaffolds seeing there is no acting for any builders but upon such stages Surely they refused no pains proportionable with decency to their power and what was wanting in their persons supplied with their purse expending it perchancâ— out of their own portions And if orphans money put into the Chamber of London be accounted so sure God no doubt did repay what they laid out on the walls of Ierusalem § 3. Now whereas Shallum their Father is styled ruler of the half part of Ierusalem rather subtile then solid is the note of Tremellius thereupon For saith he Ierusalem being in two Tribes Iudah and Benjamin had therefore two rulers thereof Not considering how in the same Chapter other smaller Cities and those undoubtedly whole and entire in one Tribe had notwithstanding two governours over them and those benefactours to the building of Ierusalem As Malchiah the son of Rechab the ruler of part of Beth-haccarem Shallum the son of Col-hozeh the ruler of part of Mizpah Nehemiah the son of Azbuk the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur Hashabiah the ruler of the half part of Keilah Banai the son of Henadad the ruler of the half part of Keilah Now the dividing of the command of the City betwixt two Governours so usuall at this very time and noâ— notably extant in Scripture before or after the days of Nehâ—miah leads us to this probable opinion that immediately upon the Iews return from Babylon the Persian Emperour from whom all Commissions were derived would not entrust any Iew with the sole rule of a strong City but for the better security parted it betwixt two who had joint but distinct dominion therein That whilst they with mutuall jealousie observed the actions each of other both might preserve the interest of their Master § 4. In building the Old gate two co-founders were joined together namely 1 Iehoiada the son of Paseah 2 Meshullam the son of Besodaiah I will not say that as York Minster was built by Percy and Vavasour the one giving stone the other timber to that structure so the building of this gate was in like manner advanced betwixt them but hence observe that it is no shame for one to admit a partner in that weighty work which he caunot weild by himself Blame worthy their pride or peevishness who will not have that good design done at all which can not all be done by themselves § 5. Whereas Malchiah the son of Rechah is recorded builder of the Dung-gate no needless port in that City seeing in populous places Perfumers may be spared with less loss to the publick then Scavangers some conceive this Malchiah to have been a Rechabite by descent and a ceremonious observer of their Ancestours instructions not to drink wine nor build house but to live in tents with other Canonicall obediences Nor was this building of the wall of Ierusalem any breach of their vow partly because a publick no private edifice and partly because those their ceremonious observances probably terminated at the Babylonish captivity This Malchiah they make heir of the family of the Rechâ—bites according to the Propheticall promise that one of that house should not fail to stand before God for ever But whether herein Interpreters doe not take more then the text tenders unto them be it reported to others § 6. It is signally observed that Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired a piece of the wall But where were his five elder brethren Were they dead or absent or idle or impotent The Scripture giveth no account of them onely the sixth son is recorded for his forwardness herein In matters of piety there is no standing on useless yea on dangerous modesty No breach of good manners to goe before our betters in goodness or for the younger brother in nature to gain the birth-right in grace § 7. It is said of Baruch the son of Zabbai verse 20. and of him alone it is said that he earnestly repaired the other piece What did the others work but in jest because this Accent earnestly is onely put over the piece he repaired Is not this mark of honour on him a brand of infamy on the rest No surely though probably his zeal was paramount in the employment and what if the word earnestly set there almost in the very midst amongst all the builders be to be taken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 relating to all the rest before and behind it § 8. It is observed that many men repaired onely against their own houses This though at the first sight it may seem the fruit but of a narrow soul and private spirit yet effectually advanced the work Yea it is particularly recorded of Meshullam the son of Berechiah who likely was but a lodger and no house-keeper that he repaired over against his Chamber Oh if order were observed for every one to mend his own heart or house how would personall amendment by degrees quickly produce family-city-countrey-kingdome-reformation How soon are those streets made clean where every one sweeps against his own door § 9. Some doubled their files as Merimoth the son of Urijah the son of Coz who having formerly been a repairer verse 4. comes again the second time to build verse 21. out of doubt the same person as having the same name father and grand-father Let him have double praise for his double pains who not being weary of well doing dealt with the wall of Ierusalem as the Philippians with Saint Paul once and again relieving the necessity thereof § 10. The nobles of Tekoah are taxed for not putting their necks to the work of their Lord. Strange that now they should discover such unseasonable pride Had they not lately returned from Babylon Could not seventy years banishment from their own and captivity in a forein land humble them to purpose Me thinks so long suffering should have broken though not their hearts their stomacks But oh the difference betwixt being low and being lowly No affictions except seasoned and sanctified are sufficient to bring down mens naturall corruption This negligence of the Tekoite nobility in Gods cause was so much the more conspicuous because of the double diligence of the Tekoite commoners therein for they had two shares in this adventure building Nehem. 3. v. 5. and again they had verse 27. another bout in the same service Except any will say that by the Tekoites in the second mention of them their nobility are intended who sensible of their own dishonour for their former backwardness played an after-game to repair their credit which is affirmed without any proof and with little probability § 11. Some here will demand What did Nehemiah himselfe all the while did he onely look on work with his eyes and command others to labour Or was
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
or in two Rankes two and two as they are ordered by Mercator Skuls in a charnel-house never justle for the upper place and as sensless is the contention betwixt these dead Cities which shall stand first whose foundations long since were doubly destroyed with fire and water But the sole motive of my placing Zeboim most northern of these four Cities is because I finde the valley of Zeboim in the Tribe of Benjamin which probably lay near the influx of Iordan into the Dead-sea denominated from the vicinity of Zeboim thereabouts Philol. The Hebrew Orthography confutes your conceit For Zeboim by you last alledged is spelled with different letters from the City which was burnt with fire from heaven Aleth I confess a threefold variation in the writing of this name though all the same in effect 1 Gen. 14. 2. and so also Deut. 29. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 1 Sam. 13. 18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 Hoseah 11. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I shall set thee at Zeboim c. Here to mollifie the word the Gutturall is either altered or wholly omitted neither amounting to make it a new word How variously are the names of the same English towns spoken and spelled as Lester Leicester Legeocester Legecester yet the same word dressed in severall spellings and pronunciations Philol. Why make you Hebâ—on being a noted City of the Priests and City of Refuge different from all the rest onely with a single circle about it Aleth Because the fields and villages thereof were none of the Priests but were given to Caleb the son of Iephunneh for his possession Philol. If so then Hebron ought not to have had any circle at all about it being a bare City of the Priests without any suburbs belonging thereunto Aleth The Priests in Hebron had and had not suburbs pertaining thereunto according to the severall acception of suburbs If by them you onely understand aedificia suburbana buildings though without the City walls contiguous thereunto these no doubt belonged to the Priests who had Hebron with her suburbs otherwise if you extend them to ager suburbanus the fields surrounding the City these related to Caleb as the proper owner thereof Philol. You might well have afforded conjecturall flags to most of the Cities in Iudah going generally by guess in your placing of them and differing from all other authors therein Aleth The Learned in Anatomy have informed me that veins are alike in their trunks but not in their branches so that although the great Channels of bloud run alike in all bodies yet the smaller veines as is most visible in their divaâ—ication on the back of the hand disperse themselves diversly in divers persons The like is confessed in all Maps of Iudah wherein the grand Cities Hebron Debir Bethlehem c. have their certain position agreed on by most Authors whilest their inferiour places and no Tribe afforded more obscure Cities but once named in Scripture are subject to much variety according to the fancies of Authors Wherein we hope we have observed as much as might be these short and small directions we finde in Scripture Philol. But you are not constant to your self in the location of those lesser places as appears by some diversity of their distances both amongst themselves and from Ierusalem in the particular description of Iudah and in the generall Map of Palestine Aleth I confess the same who having discovered some errors in the particular Map reformed the same in the Map-generall Which may be beheld in this point as a new Edition of the former corrected and amended Request I therefore the Reader in such small differences to rely rather on the credit of the Map-generall Philol. You once placed Hepher a royall City in Manasseh on this side Iordan which since you have removed into Iudah without giving any account of the alteration Aleth Some probability perswaded us to our former opinion Cheifly because Hepher is mentioned in Ioshua's list next to Tapuah which is known to be in Manasseh But since finding also a Tapuah in Iudah and a land of Hepher near Sochoh a place also in Iudah it hath staggered our judgment and caused us to remove Hepher into Iudah with a flag of uncertaintie thereon all Authors finding an Ignoramus for the exact position thereof Philol. The land of Goshen is sufficiently known to be in Egypt And how stragleth of Countrey of Goshen into this Tribe Aleth You know that besides this England wherein we live there is an Anglia in Denmark whence our Ancestors are said to have come and there is England beyond Wales whither some of our nation removed Some such occasion to us unknown might give the name of Goshen to a petty tract of ground in Iudah Or else it might be so called from some assimilation in the fruitfulness thereof Wonder not at a Goshen in Egypt and another in Iudah when we finde two Ziphs two Zenoahs two Socohs c. As two Kirbies market-townes in Westmorland within the compass of this Tribe Philol. Conceive you that any wildernesses wherewith Iudah abounded were places of any pleasant habitation Aleth I am confident thereof For instance Engedi though a Wilderness was so delicious a place that the Spouse is compared to a cluster of Camphire in the Vineyards of Engedi Besides it had the conveniency of Palmtrees therefore in Scripture called Hazazon-Tamar which is Engedi Tamar being in Hebrew a Palme Nor can I omit the testimony of Pliny as the best comment herein in Gods word who speaking of people living on the west of the Dead-sea amongst these saith he is the town ENGADDA Second to Ierusalem in fruitfulness and WOODS OF PALME-TREES but now become another heap of Ashes Philol. I finde indeed a City and wilderness of Maon in this Tribe but were the dwellers therein those same Maonites which are said Iudg. 10. 12. with the Zidonians and Amalekites to have oppressed Israel Aleth O no. I take these tyrant Maonites to have been a fierce and forein Nation Saint Hierom de locis Hebraicis conceives Maon to be the Countrey of Moab The vulgar Latine translates it Canaanites because Maonites signifieth inhabitants and the Canaanites we know were the ancient and originall dwellers in the land whose Relicks left in the land contrary to Gods command were constant thornes in the sides of the Israelites But I conceive rather with learned Cajetan on this place these Maonites were a distinct neighbouring nation whose certain habitation is to us unknown Philol. Saul when marching against the Amalekites is said to have numbred the people being two hundred and ten thousand in Telaim which by the coast of the Countrey seems south in or near Iudah Yet no such place appears in your Map thereof Aleth The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is variously interpreted the Rabbins render it appellatively in Lambes affirming the Saul did not
distract us Some place them near the mountain of Sinai But that barren desert affords no more livelyhood then the Law there delivered could give life unto men Others seat them neare Sin by Ptolomy Simyra in the northern bound of the land And a third sort whom we will follow in the very south point thereof at the entrance of Egypt near Pelusium called Sin in the Scriptures whence the desert of Sin hath its name 15. 4 Arvadites These lived north of the Zidonians whereof largely in the description of mount Libanus 16. 5 Zemarites More uncertain for situation then the former because no more mention of them Had the land whereon they lived like the floor of Bels Temple been strowed with ashes some print of their footsteps would have remained whereas now no marks to discover them Learned men thus groping in the dark some seek for lack of other light to light a candle from a glow-worm their conceit being no better who from the vicinity of the sound make these Zemarites inhabit mount Shemir afterwards Samaria which is confuted by the Hebrew Orthography More probably they may be placed at Zemaraim a City afterwards of Benjamin 17. 6 Hamathites As formerly we had too little here we have too much direction finding two eminent places equâ—lly probable for their habitation Hamath on the north of Nepthali and another many miles off called Hamah the great and afterwards Antiochia And perchance they might remove from the one to the other So much of the nations descended from Canaan amongst whom the Philistims are not reckoned whose five Satrapies possessed the South-west part of the land because they came not from Canaan but from Mizraim his elder Brother of whom God willing largely hereafter in the descriptions of the tribes of Dan and Simeon To conclude Let the reader beware lest deceived with the similitude of sounds he condemne the generation of the righteous and mistake true Israelites by birth to be Canaanites by descent as namely 1 Caleh the Kenite undoubtedly of the tribe of Iudah onely his grandfathers name was Kenaz 2 Vriah the Hittite 3 Ornan the Iebusite so loyal so liberal to David The first might be a Proselyte Hittite but more likely an Israelite whose Father was called Heth and the latter of the tribe of Iudah or Benjamin who lived promiscuously with the Iebusites in the City of Iebus or Ierusalem 4 Hushi the Archite who out-achitophelled Achitophell in his policy was probably an Ephraimite of the borders of Archi otherwise unlikely that David would have chosen a stranger to have been his Cabinet counsellour 5 Simon the Cananite Christs Disciple certainly a Iew otherwise our Saviour would not have entertained him in so near a relation born it seems in Cana of Galile So much for caution lest Demetrius who was well reported of all men suffer for Demetrius Diana's silver-smith and these reall Iews be misrepresented under the notion of heathen extraction CHAP. 8. The second solemn division of the land of Canaan into thirty one Kingdomes § 1. NExt to the distinguishing of this land into seven nations we must observe the division thereof amongst one and thirty Kings Strange that their scepters except very short did not justle one another in so narrow a Countrey But we must know that the Genius of that age delighted not so much in scraping much together as in having absolute authority in that little which was their own Pride is commonly the sinne of young men covetousness of old folk The world in the youth thereof more affected honour then wealth high titles then large treasure And these Royolets contented themselves that their crowns though not so big were as bright their scepters though not so great were as glistering as those of the mightiest Monarchs being as absolute Soveraignes in their own small territories § 2. Let us consider how these one and thirty kingdomes were afterwards disposed of and how they were shared amongst the severall Tribes In reckoning up their names we observe the method in Ioshua as he marshalls them upon order following Kingdomes of 1. Iericho 2. Ali. 3. Ierusalem 4. Hebâ—oâ— 5. Iarmuth 6. Laâ—hish 7. Eglon. 8. Gezer 9. Dâ—ber 10. Gâ—der 11. Hormah 12. Arad 13. Libnath 14. Adullaâ—â— 15. Makkedaâ— 16. Bethel 17. Tappuah 18. Hepher 19. Aphek 20. Lasharon 21. Madâ—n 22. Haâ—or 23. Shimrâ—n-Mâ—ron 24. Achshaph 25. Taâ—â—aâ—h 26. Megiddo 27. Kedesh 28. Iâ—â—â—eam of Caâ—mel 29. Dor in the coasts of Dor. 30. The nations of Gilgal 31. Tirza allotted to 1. Benjamin 2. Benjamin 3. Benâ—amin Iudah 4. Iudaâ— 5. Iudah 6. Iudah 7. Iudah 8. â—phraim 9. Iudah 10. Iudah Simâ—on 11. Simeon 12. Iudah 13. Iudah 14. Iudah 15. Beâ—jamin 16. Benjamin 17. Manasseh cis Iâ—r 18. Mâ—nasâ—cis Iâ—r 19. Asâ—er 20. Zebulon 21. Nephâ—hali 22. Nephthali 23. Zebulon 24. Asher 25. Manas. cis Iâ—r 26. 〈◊〉 cisâ—or 27. Nephthali 28. Zebulon 29. Manasseb Issachar 30. Bâ—njaâ—in 31. Ephraim By the King of the nations of Gilgal understand a Soveraign over a miscellaneous company of people the master-bee of a swarm not yet fixed in an hive having a sufficient territory for his men but no considerable Metropolis of his kingdome In this Catalogue Sihon and Og are not reckoned whose dominions lay â—ast of Iordan and they make up thirty three Kings in all So much of these Cities for the present whereof largely hereafter in those respective Tribes to which they belong § 3. Amongst these Kings one may visibly discover two distinct combinations 1 In the southern circuit of Canaan Adoni-bezek King of Ierusalem seems to be chief of this knot at whose sending the Kings of Hebron Iarmuth Lachish Eglon c. assembled themselves against Ioshua and were destroyed by him 2 In the northern Association There Iâ—bin the King had the precedency with whom the Kings of Madon Shimron and Achshaph c. confederated themselves against Ioshua with the same success Had all at once ingaged against Ioshua the task had been hard had he fought them all severally the work had been long to subdue them For these thirty and one Kings who made up a full moneth in their number how many years would they have made up in their resistance Whereas now divine providence fitting the strength of Ioshua's arm parcelled his foes into two bundles that he might the more easily at two blows strike through both of them § 4. And here we present the Reader with a draught of the land as it was in the days of Abraham and continued till the time of Ioshua not well satisfied whether more properly to term it old or new Canaan If we count from the beginning of the world downwards it was young or new Canaan because nearest the creation if we reckon backwards from our time the old Canaan If the Reader discover any difference betwixt this and the next Map of the same land as it was constituted
testimony who appears most credible unto them such power we have assumed to our selves in these differences to follow those who we conceive have the best authority Herein having a speciall regard to those that lived upon the place and preferring their judgments above others though otherwise of greater learning because in matters of fact done in his presence the eyes of a child are to be beleeved before the eares of a man § 5. Where both authours appear of equall authority in themselves and number of followers we have umpired the difference by pitching on a middle number betwixt both For instance Seiglerus makes it fourteen thousand paces or fourteen miles betwixt Zidon and Tyre eminent Marts and therefore the distance betwixt them might be notoriously known whilst Vadianus makes it two hundred furlongs or twenty miles Here to part the difference equall we have insisted on 17 miles § 6. However when this and much more caution is used by us our Scale of miles is so farre from pretending to the exactness of those left-handed Gibeonites to hit the mark at an haires-breadth and not misse that a large and charitable latitude must still be allowed us in a subject so hard and full of uncertainty Yea the holy Spirit it self speaks not positively of distances of places but with words of qualification About threescore furlongs from Ierusalem to Emmaus About five and twenty or thirty furlongs they had rowed on the Sea as if five in thirty made no considerable difference If the same favour may be but allowed our scale of miles I doubt not but it will acquit it self against all just exception § 7. Now for the further managing of our Scale of miles we request the Reader not to extend it therewith to measure all the properties or History-pictures in our Map for then some men would appear Giants yea monsters many miles long expecting him rather to carry a scale in his own eyes for surveying such portraitures Yea in generall I undertake nothing in defence or excuse of those pictures to be done according to the rule of Art as none of my work ornamentall not essentiall to the Maps onely this I will say that eminency in English Gravers is not to be expected till their Art be more countenanced and encouraged Nor would I have the Scale applied to Cities drawn in Prospective as to Rabbah in the Tribe of Gad c. which then will fall out bigger then indeed they were desiring the Reader onely to understand them to be fair and populous Cities and therefore made more large and conspicuous then the rest § 8. Such Towns as stand as one may say on tiptoes on the very umstroke or on any part of the utmost line of any Map unresolved in a manner to stay out or come in are not to be presum'd placed according to exactness but onely signifie them there or thereabouts Nor is this without precedents in the best Geographers so in their maps to make the generall continuation of neighbouring countreys clearer thereby § 9. If any difference on accurate comparing arise in the distances betwixt the same places presented in severall Maps some such will escape in defiance of all diligence we hope the same will appear inconsiderable such moats not being before the sight but in the corner of the eye will little if at all hinder the light of a Geographical truth Surely as in the strictest laws of Horse-racers some wast of weight is allowed to the Riders so me thinks some favour ought to be afforded an Author in measuring and making many Maps were it but for the shaking of his weary hand in so tedious a work But if such differences appear somewhat great let those be relied on as the truest where such places are set down datâ operâ of set purpose so that it is the very work of that Map to describe them let those I say be credited before the distances in other Maps where such places come in onely of complement or are brought in by the by to fashion and fill up the otherwise empty borders thereof CHAP. 15. How the different qualities of places in our Maps are distinguished by their severall Characters § 1. MAy the Reader be pleased to learn the language of the severall Characters of the places used in our Map which speak much in little and are very usefull for the clearing of the history 1 All Cities markt with Coronets were anciently the Royall seats of the thirty one Kings of Canaan at and before the time of Ioshua 2 All Cities surrounded with double circles the reason whereof hereafter belong to the Tribe of Levi. 3 All Cities having banners or flags placed upon them shew the conjecturall position thereof when we have no assurance of their exact situation One side of which flags humbly confesseth our want of certainty the other as earnestly craveth better information 4 When places are noted with Asterisks it imports difference of Divines some making them proper names others meerly appellative 5 Places which have both flags and Asterisks upon them are as I may say doublehatcht with uncertainty not onely their position being doubtfull but it is questionable whether they be proper names or no. 6 Places mentioned onely in the Apocrypha are signed with a Crescent or half-moon inverted in some allusion to the difference of Armes of younger brethren such books being accounted of the Fathers but of a second rank and reputed but Deutero-canonicall by learned Romanists Say not that a Barre of bastardy better befitted them being taken out of Apocrypha writings For what though those writings were never penned by Prophets of whom none betwixt Malachi and Iohn the Baptist never written in Hebrew never owned by the Iews Gods people for Canonicall to whom the oracles of God were committed and which is mainly materiall Christ reproved them not for this neglect never prophesied of Christ to whom all the Prophets beare witness never solemnly quoted by Christ and his Apostles yet because ancient and because it may be said of them as of Abijah the sonne of Ieroboam in them there is found sone good thing toward the Lord they deserve from unprejudic'd judgments a reverent respect 7 Places noted with ◠cross in a circle are such whereof no mention in Scripture but onely in humane writers Iosephus Pliny and the like 8 Such as have on them an half-moon with the points upward are modern places in the possession of the Turk Of these very few and those either of high note in themselves or because seated on high rodes We confess these no essentiall part but conceive them a fit copartment for our subject in hand And thus among the flock of cities in our Map by looking on their brand their owner and nature are quickly known § 2. Some will conceive these had better been thrown together without any distinction seeing the learned doe not need and the unlearned will not
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
And now he that shall cast his eye over the Plain on the east of Iordan shall finde it well stockt with multitudes of goodly sheep which caused Deborah's expostulation Why abodest thou Reuben amongst the sheepfolds to heare the bleating of the flockes And yet no wonder if he preferred such musick before the clashing of swords and sounding of trumpets in the battail against the Canaanites seeing naturally men chuse profitable ease before honourable danger The tails of those sheep both for fat and wooll were incredibly great some of them a Cubit long So that nature who hath tyed the tails to other creatures may seem to have tyed the Syrian sheep to their tails which with great difficulty they drag after them This is the reason why it is expresly commanded in the law that when a sheep is sacrificed for a Peace-offering the fat thereof and the whole tail not observed in Kine or Goats taken off hard by the backbone was to be offered that part being for bulk and value considerable in their sheep which is contemptible in other creatures § 15. To goe back to the River having left that place behind us where the Ferry-boat passed over to carry David and his houshold after his conquest of Absalom We are now arrived at that memorable place where God magnified Ioshua heartened his own people and shrivelled up the hearts of their enemies by drying up the waters of Iordan whilest the Israelites passed over in this admirable Equipage 1 The Priests went into the river bearing the Ark in homage whereunto Iordan reverently retreated very farre from the river Adam which is besides Zaretan and they stood on firm ground in the midst thereof till all the Israelites were passed over 2 Reuben Gad and half Manasseh led the Van about forty thousand men of Armes the residue of them in all about an hundred thousand remaining at home to husband their ground guard their houses govern their families 3 After them the other Tribes followed and it is observed that they hasted not with a distrustfull haste as suspicious that the returning waters might drown the hindmost of them but an industrious speed and mannerly quickness as not willing to make God wait upon them in continuing a Miracle longer then necessity did require 4 When all were over the Priests with the Ark who first entred last left the water all dangerous designes are begun and finished by Gods assistance and then Iordan whose streams hitherto suspended returned into his channell 5 A duplicate or double monument was erected to perpetuate the memory hereof being a Grand Iury of great stones Of these twelve were solemnely set up on the land in the Tribe of Benjamin at Gilgal and the other twelve the counterpart of this deed were left in the midst of the river Some perchance may admire that Ioshua should set this latter invisible monument in a place where it is drowned both in water and obscurity But this River-mark was such as possibly the tops of the stones might appear at low water or if wholly hidden and dangerous for boats to approach the â—ailers constant care to avoid them in their passage called the occasion of placing them there to their daily remembrance § 16. We must not dissemble the difference betwixt Authors about the situation of the aforesaid City of Adam but once mentioned in Scripture and therefore as the Hebrews have a Proverb of words but once named that they have no kindred and alliance more difficult to know the true posture thereof The best is this Adam though having no kindred hath some company to notifie it Adam besides Zaretan and one Zaretan is sufficiently known to have been in the half Tribe of Manasseh west of Iordan not far from the sea of Galilee Hence learned Masius concludes that the waters of Iordan were cut off full seventy miles together north of the peoples passage over it To which opinion under favour we can in no wise consent Conceiving rather that just against Iericho the river was dried up for whereas the station of Iordan was most wonderfull the Israelites had lost all the sight of this wonder on their right side if done out of distance so many miles from their view Place we therefore on these reasons and the example of others both Adam and Zaretan in the Tribe of Reuben § 17. Some difference also there is betwixt Divines concerning the latitude of their passage over the river Some conceiving it onely to amount to the proportion of a fair alley lane or path of such receit alone as admitted the Israelites in a full and free march a competent number a brest and that the waters as in the Red sea standing still on both sides were a wall to them on the right hand and on the left as the Graver in our Map hath designed it Others doe not onely make a gap through Iordan but pluck down the whole hedge thereof maintaining that all the water of that river on the left hand betwixt their passage over and the Dead sea failed and were cut off or dried up Which latter opinion is most agreeable to Scripture and reason for seeing the stream of Iordan south of their going over was not supplied with any reciprocall or refluous tide out of the Dead sea the stopping of the waters above must necessarily command their defection beneath and that the channell by consequence for the time being was dried up § 18. Iordan having now closed his streams together runs by Livias a City which Herod built and so named in honour of Livia the Mother of Tiberius Caesar. For to enfavour themselves with the Emperour the Jewish Kings called many Cities by their names Augusta Tiberias two Cesarea's Iulias Livias as if Palestine had been a Register book of the Imperiall Roman family § 19. Let us now take an account of the inland Parts of this Tribe and return to the place where the Israelites passed over Arnon Betwixt Egypt and Arnon they had forty severall stations and then entred into the Promised land In comemoration whereof probably God did order that an offender should receive but forty stripes what Judge soever counts them too few would think thirty too many if he felt them himself and then be freed from further punishment Coming into Canaan their one and forty and first fixing there was at the foot of mount Abarim and edge of the wilderness of Kedâ—moth Hence they removed to Abelshittim where Deuteronomie was made the second Edition of the Law revised and enlarged by God the Author thereof Here the people of Israel were numbred the second time And although some particular Tribes were encreased amongst whom those three that pitched on the east side of the Tabernacle Iudah Issachar and Zebulun God and the rising Sun make any thing fruitfull yet in the whole they were diminished one thousand eight hundred and twenty Let such as admire hereat that people being
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
to Aben Ezra who allots to the banner of Reuben a man or male child others a mandrake others put mandrakes in his hand relating to Leahs words at his birth calling him Reuben that is See a Son causing her to forget her pain for joy that a man child was borne into the world § 31. The proper place for the standard of this Tribe was to be the first of the three Tribes which pitched on the south of the Tabernacle Thus though Reuben lost the Primacy of power over all he still kept the precedency of place before one quarter of his brethren Whence parents may be taught that though on just ground they disinherit yet not so wholly to dishearten their eldest sons but still suffer some remembrances of a birthright ever to remain unto them FINIS Here the Map of Gad is to be inserted The third Book THE TRIBE OF GAD § 1. GAd eldest Son of Iacob by Zilpah so increased in Egypt that forty five thousand six hundred and fifty males of twenty years old and upward of this Tribe were numbred at Mount Sinai all which falling in the wilderness for their tempting of God with this disobedience a new generation of forty thousand and five hundred entred the Land of Canaan This Tribe affordeth very martiall men For such of them as repaired to David in Ziglag are described Men of war fit for the battell that could handle shield and buckler whose faces were like to the faces of Lyons and were as swift as the Roes upon the mountaines Yet I meet not with any publick Magistrate extracted from Gad though the Genealogists rank Iehu with four of his Posterity successive Kings of Israel amongst the Gadites but on no other ground then because at the first time he is found mentioned in Scripture he was imployed a Commander at the siege of Ramoth Gilead a City in this Tribe It seems that as the English-law makes a charitable provision for children left by their parents that the Parish wherein they are first taken up must maintain them so Genealogists the better to methodize the pedegrees of the Iews in Scripture reduce Persons of unknown Parentage to those respective Tribes in whose grounds they first light on the mention of them But let Iehu pass for a Gadite the rather because so puisant a Prince will prove a credit rather then a charge to that Tribe to which he is related § 2. The land of this Tribe was of a double nature For what lay north of the river Iabbok was anciently the possession of Og King of Basan But what lay south of the river had its property more intricate and incumbred with often exchange of her owners and on the right understanding thereof depends no less then the asserting of the innocence of the Israelites the confuting of the cavill of the Ammonites and the reconciling of a seeming contradiction in Scripture Take it thus briefly 1t. It was the Land of certain Giants called Zamzummims 2ly It was possessed by the Ammonites who destroied those Giants and this Countrey was accounted a moity or one half of their dominion 3ly It was subdued by Sihon King of the Amorites who cast out the Ammonites when also he destroied the Moabites such as were south of Iabbok and dwelt in their stead Lastly after the overthrow of Sihon Moses gave it to the Tribe of Gad for their inheritance Thus God by ringing the Changes of successive Lords in this Land made musick to his own glory Behold we here what the Psalmist saith Thou hast brought a Vine out of Egypt thou preparest room before it the method and manner of which preparation is most remarkable First God in his providence foresaw that the Countrey of the Canaanites was without other addition too narrow to receive the numerous people of Israel Secondly God in his goodness resolved out of love to righteous Lot that his posterity should not totally lose their possession nor would he suffer the Israelites their kinsmen to deprive them of any parcell thereof giving them a flat command to the contrary Lastly God in his justice permitted Sihon King of the Amorites should win part of the Countrey from Moab and Ammon and suddenly sends the Israelites to conquer the conquerour and now lawfully to inherit what the other had wrongfully taken away And thus he prepared room for his Vine § 3. By this time we plainly perceive that in the Ammonites demand to Iephtha there was some truth blinded with more falshood that the countenance of the former might pass the latter unsuspected Israel took away saith the King my Land when they came out of Egypt from Arnon even unto Iabbok and unto Iordan now therefore restore these Lands again peaceably True it was that this Land was once theirs and so it is plainly called Ioshua 13. 25. but most false that ever the Israelites took Inch of ground from them save onely mediately and at the second hand taking it from Sihon who took it from the Ammonites We report the rest to Iephtha's answer who first with a fair ambassie and then with a famous victory confuted the Ammonites antiquated title to this territory pleading that the Israelites had three hundred years peaceably possessed the same Now if upon a strict account some years fall short of that sum the matter is not much because souldiers love to fill their mouths with a round number and too hundred fifty and odde with a good sword may well be counted three hundred years currant though not compleate § 4. The Tribe of Gad had the kingdome of Ammon on the east the half Tribe of Manasseh on the north Reuben on the south and the river Iordan on the west The length thereof from Aroer to Iordan may be computed thirty five miles and the breadth thereof from Mahanaim to Dibon falls out a little less A Tribe inferiour to none for fair rivers fruitfull Pastures shady woods superiour to most for populous Cities and memorable actions atchieved therein As for Balme or Balsame it was a peculiar commodity of this Countrey Thus the Prophet betwixt grief anger and pity demands Is there no balme in Gilead and again Goe up into Gilead and take balm O virgin In describing this Countrey we will follow the streams of Arnon Iabbok and Iordan which with some little help lent us besides will afford us the conveniency to behold all remarkable mounts in this Countrey § 5. In the eastern part of this Tribe the rivers of Arnon and Iabbok though running contrary ways arise not far asunder according to the exact observation of Iosephus who saith that the land of Sihon King of the Amorites lay in nature and fashion like an Island betwixt the three rivers of Iordan Arnon and Iabbok so near are the fountains of the latter together The heads of their springs are found in a mountainous and rocky soil affording great plenty of Iackalls
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
a beast § 11. From Peniel going southwest Iacob being to meet Esau his brother thus marshalled his company In the forefront his Concubines with their children next Leah with hers Rachel and Ioseph first in his love and last in place because furthest from danger before all like a valiant Commander taking the worst service on himself marched Iacob in person having sent before him his presents to Esau and dispatched before them his prayers to God See what gifts good words a fair tongue and full hand can doe Esau in stead of killing falls a kissing him Behold how they hug being now more twins then in their mothers womb for there they strove but here they embraced From Peniel Iacob travelled to Succoth in English Boothes because there he erected tents for himself and his cattell and so he went over Iordan into the Tribe of Ephraim to the City of Sichem whither God willing hereafter we will follow him And now seeing the way which we have come is both plain and pleasant let me request the Reader not to begrutch his pains to goe some part of it back again onely exchanging the company of plain dealing Iacob for valiant Gideon who in his march traversed this Tribe from the west to the east thereof § 12. Gideon pursuing the flying Midianites with his souldiers as faint as few for want of victualls coming to Succoth desired food from the inhabitants thereof The Succothites were so far from granting him provision they would not give him good words not more niggardly of their victualls then prodigall of their taunts unto him Wherefore Gideon in his return not then at leasure that his wrath should hinder his work with briars and thorns of the wood hard by tare their flesh in pieces The originall saith he taught them with thorns or made them to know namely their own folly and his power Dull Scholars must have sharp â—eachers or rather like unto like churlish crabbed dispositions and prickly crooked thorns well agree together Hence Gideon marched to Peniel whose Citizens neighbours to Succoth both in place and peevishness churlishly entertained him which cost them at his return the breaking down of their tower which was afterwards reedified by King Ieroboam From Peniel Gideon went forward by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Iogbehah against the Midianites unto Karkor which being out of the Tribe of Gad we shall hear more of it in our description of Midian § 13. The mention of those that dwell in tents puts me in mind that it is as much my duty here to tender my conjecture to the Reader as it is his liberty to receive or reject it There was a Countrey undoubtedly in this Tribe called the Land of Tahtim-hodshi that is newly inhabited where Ioab made his second station when sent to number the people Now may not this in probability be the very place where the Israelites formerly dwelled in tents and in Davids victorious reign were reduced to more stability and incouraged to turn their tents into houses more certain and solid habitations § 14. To return now to the river Iabbok half impatient for our long deserting it save that running westward it glides cooly and calmly under the shade of the forest of Ephraim so called as learned men conjecture for otherwise Ephraim possessed not any thing on this side Iordan because there Iephtha defeated the Ephraimites for their insolent mutiny against him But afterwards a greater slaughter happened in the same place when Ioab Abishai and Ittai Generalls for David routed Absaloms army and when the wood devoured more then the sword Wonder not that sticks had a mouth more voracious then steel understand it that some were devoured by beasts others famished as lost in the labyrinths of the forest and some staked on sharp piles in the fierceness of their flight Well might such sad fate befall the common souldiers which happened to Absalom himself This was he that boasted how upright he would be when made a Judge whereas now if the length of his hair conduced any thing to his execution it was the best yea onely piece of justice performed by him Yet more probable it is that running in hast not so minding which way to goe as to be gone he was snatched up by the neck in a forked bough How did the officious Oake act three parts being the Gallows Halter and Hangman for a traitour But this accident rather occasioned then caused his death the Oake was rather his Gaolor then his Executioner It was Ioab that dispatched him with three darts through his heart Wherein through a treble orifice were discovered Disobedience to his Parent Treason to his Prince and Hypocrisie to his God pretending a Sacrifice and intending Rebellion § 15. Hard by was Absoloms Tombe consisting of a great pit to hold and a great heap of stones to hide a great Traitour under it May they there lie hard and heavy on his Corpes and withall if possible sink down his rebellious example for ever having a resurrection No methodicall monument but this hurdle of stones was fittest for such a causer of confusion Indeed in his life time he had erected a stately Pillar near Ierusalem intending it no doubt for the place of his buriall But just it was that his dead carkass should be deprived of his own grave who endevoured to dispossess his living Father of his kingdome § 16. And now a little to acquaint the Reader with the adjacent Countrey two severall ways led hence to the City of Mahanaim The one through the mountains shorter but harder which Cushi chose The other by the way of the plain which the furthest about was the nearest way home Ahimaaz took this as the most ready Road who being a messenger volunteer would confess to David no more news then what he knew would be welcome whilest Cushi a prest Post must relate the full of his message And now the river Iabbok who hitherto may seem to run slowly as attending in suspence the issue of the Battell certified of the success thereof hastens with all possible speed to fall into the river Iordan § 17. Iordan had now some distance of miles escaped out of the sea of Kinneroth or Sea of Galilee the edge whereof Iosh. 13. 26. is assigned for the utmost border of this Tribe Through this lake as Tacitus observeth this river kept his ready course preserving his stream intire from incorporating with the waters of the Lake A thing no whit incredible to those Welshmen in Merioneth-shire who have beheld how the river Dee running through Pimble-meer continueth his channell without mixing with the Meer On the east side of this Sea stood the City of Gadara the first syllable whereof is argument enough to place it in this Tribe where the Legion of Devills cast out of the man entred into the herd of Swine where a
Otherwise his tender conscience would as wel have smote him for cutting off a lap of his subjects ground as of his Soveraigns garment § 31. We have finished the description of this Tribe and all places therein mentioned in Cononicall Scripture onely there remains behind some Cities which we finde in the Apocrypha in one chapter whereof we may spring a whole Covey of Cities namely these following 1 Dathema a fortress 2 Bosora 3 Bosor 4 Alema 5 Chasphor 6 Mached 7 Carnaim 8 Ephron The generall character given of these places consisteth principally in these particulars 1 All these were Cities strong and great 2 Situated al in the Land of Gilead yea in this Tribe of Gad Carnaim onely excepted whereof more properly in our next description 3 Inhabited by Iews and threatned by the pagan Hoste under Timotheus that they would take and destroy them all in one day From which last clause we collect that these Cities must be placed somewhat near together otherwise how could an army probably propound to dispatch them all in one day And though the Pagans might mingle much pride with their malice in projecting things high and hard to effect yet surely they mixed some policy with their pride not to propound to themselves meer impossibilities But the seasonable coming of Iudas Maccabeus with his host frustrated all the Pagans designes § 32. But the City of Ephron deserves serious consideration for the singular situation thereof For in Maccabeus his return from Carnaim this strong City stood so in his way that he could not turn from it either to the right hand or to the left but must needs pass through the midst of it A place in so tyrannicall a position may seem an affront to mans naturall liberty Yet such was the situation thereof near the confluence of Iabbok and Iordan where perchance the way railed with Morasses on either side and being a pass of importance Maccabeus was onely free to go this or no way The Ephronites senâ—ible of their advantage undiscreetly deny him passage Surely if a flying enemy deserve a bridge of gold to be given him a potent foe seriously proffering peaceably to depart may merit a bridg of silver to be lent him But Maccabeus being denyed forced his way through the city over them that were slain § 33. In the partition of the Land of Canaan into severall moneths for Solomons provisions the Tribe of Gad fell under three Purveyer-ships 1 Of Gebar the son of Uri who ranged over most of that land once the kingdome of Sihon 2 Of the Son of Geber to whose jurisdiction Ramoth-Gilead did belong 3 Of Abinadab the Son of Iddo to whom Mahanaim did pertain By Mahanaim here I understand not onely the Levites City so named poor purveying for victualls within the walls of that alone but a large Territory of the same name round about it And although to us it is unknown how far the bounds thereof extended yet they must be concluded either very large or extraordinary fruitfull acquitting it self as a twelfth part of the Kingdome and affording Court fare for one moneth of the year In the passage to this Mahanaim on the south to retreive a place which otherwise had escaped us lay Bithron a petty Countrey it seems through which Abner passed when by night he fled from Ioab § 34. It will here be demanded that seeing the land was by Gods own appointment formerly divided into twelve parts the twelve Tribes adequate to the twelve moneths of the year why did not Solomon rather make use of this partition which was jure divino then make a new modell out of his own fancy It is answered this later division of the land was found most convenient for house-keeping and so more subservient to this particular end for which it was ordained If that any urge me to give a reason why in this division into Purveyer-ships Ramoth-Gilead distanced some miles off was added to the jurisdiction of the Son of Geber who was overseer in Manasseh thereby mangling and mutilating the intireness of the Countrey let such first satisfie me why so many shreds and parcells of land especially in Worcester Hereford shires are cut off from those Countreys in situation yea are surrounded with other shires yet belong unto them in jurisdiction as accounted members thereof In all these Querees an ordinary eye might at the first institution discover an apparent reason of such fractions though now because long since time out of minde the quickest sight cannot perceive the cause thereof § 35. The Armes usually assigned to Gad are Gules on a Banner erected argent a Lion rampant sable grounding their fancy I can afford it no better term on Moses his blessing Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad he dwelleth as a Lion c. Buâ— how to accommodate the prophecy of Iacob to this Tribe of Gad a troop shall overcome him but he shall overcome at last much imployeth the industry of Divines Most apply it to the situation of this Tribe much exposed to the incursion of the Ammonites their vexatious neighbours till at last under Iephthah Saul and chiefly David freed from forein foes they possessed their countrey in peace Others in a mysticall meaning make Gad the embleme of Gods children who after many intermediate frights fights and failings come off with the conquest at last I say at last a word which fully recompenseth its long delays in coming when come with eternity of continuance Here followes the Map of the half Tribe of Manasseh beyond Jordaâ— MANASSEH beyond IORDAN CHAP. 3. § 1. MAnasseh eldest Son of Ioseph by Asernath daughter of Potipherah Prince-priest of On was by his propheticall grandfather Iacob placed behind Ephraim his younger brother Not that Reuben-like he was disinherited for any misdemeanour but onely so it pleased al-disposing Providence to transpose him However though inferiour to Ephraim in power he grew so great that thirty two thousand two hundred of his body from twenty years old upward as able men to goe forth to war came forth of Egypt all which digging their graves in the wildernes by their own infidelity fifty two thousand seven hundred entred the land of Canaan Many Worthies were extracted from this Tribe for this Countrey was conferred upon them in Intuition to their valour as Gideon and Iephthah the warlike Iair the younger the peaceable Judge of Israel Eliah the Prophet nor must the five daughters and coheires of Zelophehad be forgotten who argued their case so strongly about their inheritance Bashfulness it self will be bold rather then lose a rightfull possession and a good cause when plainly told is learnedly pleaded especially if a meek Moses or just Ioshua be the judge thereof § 2. We are now onely to describe that part of Manasseh which was east of Iordan Some will say was it not pity the possessions of this Tribe
should be thus dismembred Was it not enough that Ioseph was separated from his brethren but Manasseh his Son must also be parted from himself How came that wisdome who pronounceth it good and pleasant for brethren to live together in unity to cleave this Tribe asunder But let such know that unity in affection may consist with locall separation Besides divine Providence might seem to have a designe herein that this Tribe of Manasseh having a joint interest on both sides of Iordan might claspe these Countries together and the Manassites being as I may say Amphibii on both sides of the River might by visits amongst their kindred continue a correspondency and civill communion one with another § 3. Manasseh had mount Hermon and Gilead on the east parting it from the Ammonites and Ismaelites Iordan on the west Gad on the south Syria and particularly the kingdomes of Geshur and Maachah on the north In which compass of ground threescore Cities with high walls gates and bars besides unwalled towns were contained Many will be amazed at this number the wonder will seem the greater when they shall reckon but two and twenty Cities in Asher nineteen in Naphtali seventeen in Simeon sixteen in Issachar but twelve in Zebulun unproportionable that half a Tribe should have treble the number of Cities to those that were bigger All we can say herein is this that being a frontier Countrey and being exposed on the north and east to heathen enemies it must have more fenced Cities then the Tribes on the other side Iordan which were better secured by their situation Thus the hem is turned in and sowed double to prevent the ravelling out thereof And if I reck on right there be more Castles in our marches betwixt Scotland and Wales then in all England besides However our eye shall not be evill at Manasseh because Gods was good unto it who are so far from repining at that we rejoyce for the plenty of strong places therein onely grieving that we cannot give the Reader an exact account of their names though we will endevour our best in the following description § 4. Mount Hermon is the north-east bound of this Tribe called by the Sidonians Syrion by the Amorites Shenir by humane writers Hippus and Trachones being a branch of Lebanon bended south-ward A stately strong mountain fixed on firm foundations and yet the voice of the Lord understand the thunder with an earthquake maketh Syrion to skip as an Unicorne and well may mountains dance when God himself shall pipe unto them The dew of Hermon is highly commended by David and brotherly love is compared thereunto because whilest heat of hatred like a drought parcheth all to nothing fraternall kindness dew-like gives refreshment and increase But how this dew of Hermon fell upon the hill of Sion mountains an hundred miles asunder so troubled Saint Augustine that at last leaving the literall sense he is fain to fly to a mysticall meaning Others interpret that the dew of Hermon fell upon the hill of Sion because the fruitfull flocks fatted on that mountain came afterwards to be sacrificed at Ierusalem which is but a harsh construction as if one should say The fruitfulness of Linconcolne-shire which falls on London because the fatted cattel thereof are sold and eaten in the City But whilest sundry Interpreters have severall wit-engines to draw these two mountains together our last translation saves their needless paines rendring it As the dew of Hermon as as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion Indeed it is the same specificall though not individuall dew which lighteth on both mountains flowing from heaven the same fountain though falling on earth in severall channels § 5. Now as Hermon is a chain of continued hills so a principall link thereof is the mountain Amana Christ courting his Spouse inviteth her to look from the top of Amana Some conceive thereby Amanus a mountain in Cilicia is meant but seeing Solomon clean through that Poem maketh use of onely native similitudes whereof a self-sufficiency in his own land it is improbable that herein he did borrow a forein and exotick expression Know also that the region hereabouts is called Trachonitis or Sharpâ—land in English from the steepness of many pointed hills in shape not unlike the Rocks called Needles near the Isle of Wight wherewith this countrey abounded and it was a moity of the Tetrarch-ship of Philip the brother of Herod § 6. South of Hermon lay mount Gilead famous for the interview of Laban and Iacob the former keen with anger save that God in a vision took off his edge overtaking Iacob charged him with a double action of felony for stealing himself and his Gods away without his privity The first Iacob confessed yet pleaded not guilty to the second but traversed his innocency Hue and Cry is made in vain after the thief and felons goods or Gods if you please for she whose conscience would permit her to carry away cunning did perswade her to conceal them Iacob thus cleared as it were by Proclamation of Defendant turns Plaintiffe accusing the Accuser for his false accusation At last all winds off in a good agreement and an Instrument is drawn up betwixt them not in paper but in stone interchangeably sealed with solemn oaths The Condition whereof was to this effect That if either of them should passe that place to doe any act of hostility to other he should forfeit his fidelity and be liable to divine justice for his perjury § 7. This Pillar and heap of stones had a threefold name imposed on it called 1 By Laban Iegar Sahadutha that is in the Aramite tongue A heap of witnesse 2 By Iacob Galeed the same in effect in Hebrew 3 By both Mizpah that is a Watch-tower Iacob giving the name and Laban the occasion thereof by that his expression The Lord watch betwixt thee and me Here was abundant caution three names and two languages and yet nothing too much For Iacob having formerly been sensible of Labans notorious shuffling with him knew the best way to finde sure was to binde sure and Laban being guilty and therefore jealous thought no security sufficient And therefore in their mutuall suspicions a Triplicate was used in naming the places that a threefold cable might not be broken § 8. Gilead was at first onely appropriated to that heap and pillar whence the name may seem to be translated to the adjacent mountains and thence transmitted to the valley in the east of those mountains and thence imparted to some eminent persons born in that valley For as Gilead Son of Machir grand-child of Manasseh being born in Egypt so called by a Propheticall Prolepsis foretelling that his posterity should possess the Countrey of Gilead so Gilead the Father of Iephthah Gilead of Gilead seems to take his denomination from the Countrey possessed Thus as the Psalmist observes
on the south-side and to Asher on the west-side and to Iudah upon Iordan toward the Sun-rising True this must needs be for Truth hath said it the last words present us with a seeming impossibility For how long an arme must Naphtali make to reach to Iudah over the Tribes of Zebulun Issachar Manasses Ephraim and Benjamin interposed Naphtali being distanced about an hundred miles from Iudah Here some Commentators being not able to quell never raise this objection a commendable discretion in them if unconcerned to meddle therewith but seeing they professe their calling to be a satisfaction of difficulties it is in them an unexcusable lazinesse But let us hear what the learned resolve in this case 1 Some fancy a small Lace of land or rather a thread for the narrowness thereof whereby though invisible in Maps Naphtali is tyed unto Iudah 2 Others that Naphtali reacheth to Iudah upon Iordan not immediately in confines but mediately by commerce because the river Iordan runneth thence unto Iudah and so they had the conveniency of Traffique into that Tribe 3 Others more likely that Naphtali reached to Iudah on Iordan because Iudah as a Tribe in chief had the Royalty of the river Iordan as fishing fowling and perchance the impost on all vessells sailing from the fountain to the fall thereof 4 Let me cast my Mite into this Treasury What if this Iudah was but the name of a town or village and therefore that addition Iudah upon Iordan given for distinction sake However Masius no less learned then modest pleaseth me with this resolution In rebus tantâ vetustate obliteratis quae exploratè percipi nullâ jam ratione possunt satius est non multa dicere quà m incertissima pro veris absque ullâ dubitatione afferre Such difficulties were not casually scattered but purposely placed to improve our industry and teach us humility For the best answer mans wit can produce is no salve to the Text which of it self is whole and entire but a plaister onely to our own craized understandings § 3. For the fruitfulnesse of this countrey hear what Moses prophecyeth O Naphtali satisfied with favour and full with the blessing of the Lord. See also what was performed For the land about Laish which was in the confines of this Tribe is thus charactered A place where there is no want of any thing that is in the Earth Iosephus being almost this Country-man saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 One may call this Countrey the Ambition of nature Strabo a Pagan giveth it the Epithets of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A well natured land and bearing all commodities But the best fruit it bare was our Saviour himself by his corporall presence much conversant here this Tribe being the Theatre whereon his most remarkeable Miracles were acted § 4. From the foot of Libanus to the sea of Galilee may be allowed thirty five miles Equall whereunto by the favour of Iordan running crooked though northernly more narrow is the breadth thereof from east to west In the time of our Saviour this Tribe was parcell of two Tetrarchies The north-east part thereof belonged to Iturea The Poet takes notice of the plenty of Yew in this Province Itureos taxi torquentur in arcus Yew which in Iturea growes Is neately bended into Bowes Hence their inhabitants became excellent Archers and pity it was rhat their arrows were so often shot at a wrong mark to kill and rob passengers in their journey Strabo calls the Itureans generally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and their Countrey in some sort may seem accessary to their felonies the Receiver is bad as a thief which as the foresaid Author observes in her caves woods and inaccessible mountains protected those Robbers from justice proceeding against them Insomuch that the Romans were fain to keep Souldiers in Garison against them but who kept any against the souldiers So that betwixt both Iturea at that time may be conceived sufficiently miserable § 5. The south-west of Naphtali was accounted part of Galilee the upper otherwise called Galilee of the Gentiles because as some conceive the people therein were commixed with heathens and being far from Ierusalem were more drossie Iews then the rest Which is a most erroneous opinion For how improbable is it that our Saviour who sending his Disciples to preach gave them instructions Goe not into the way of the Gentiles and into any city of the Samaritans enter yee not and himself never stayed in Samaria save as he took it in his necessary passage in or from Iudea should choose Galilee if so debased with the mixture of Gentiles for the place of his principall and constant residence Far more true is it that it was called Galilaea Gentium that is Galilee the populous because of the multitudes of people especially near the sea wherein was Decapolis a member of Galilee And there one city for want of room may seem to tread on another § 6. Before we come to the particular description of this Tribe we will first dispatch out of the way nine limitary Towns which accordingly are figured in the Map and this will much facilitate our proceeding in the rest 1 Heleph in the northern bounds of this Tribe from which the eastern coasts thereof southwardly are described 2 Allon that is in English oake as Oakeham in Rutland so named from plenty of those trees growing therein 3 Zaanaim Note that Tremellius maketh these two latter but one entire place reading it the Oake-wood of Zaanaim 4 Adami Which as Ruthland in Flint-shire probably was so named from the redness of the earth 5 Nekeb this is a ditch where we may conceive Iordan was let out for the more convenient watering of other ground And have we not more then twenty Dittons or Ditch-tons on the same occasion in England 6 Iabneel different from one of the same name in the Tribe of Dan. 7 Lakum 8 Aznoth-Tabor 9 Hukkok We are not bound to beleeve all these nine to have been Cities of considerable strength or greatness as not so note-worthy in themselves as in their situation Because though perchance otherwise poor villages they stood in the borders of this Tribe Thus low shrubs growing on high hills or crooked thorn-trees set by the high-way side are more conspicuous in the eye and frequent in the mouths of travellers then streighter and fairer trees which are obscure in the midst of the wood § 7. To come to the particular description thereof Amongst the mountains of Libanus we meet with one of eminent note not onely having a name peculiar to it self but which from it hath also denominated the adjacent Countrey This is mount Paneas wherein there is a deep hole or cave And though places of this kind commonly have more horrour then pleasure in them this besides its naturall beauty was adorned with artificiall structures in and about it Herein also was an unsoundable spring of water conceived by
some to be the primitive fountain of Iordan Yet Iosephus tells us of Phiala a spring above two hundred furlongs off and therefore out of the bounds of this Tribe into which Philip the Tetrarch cast chaâ—â—e to try the experiment and it was rendred up again in the streame of Iordan Whence he concluded that this river entertained an underground intelligence with that fountain But we are not to take notice where rivers are secretly conceived but where they are visibly born and therefore date the originall thereof from the apparent heads of Ior and Dan which keeping themselves sole and single for a short time are soon wedded together And from the confluence of their names and streams Iordan is begotten § 8. To pass by Scripture commendations it is called by â—olinus eximiae suavitatis amnis a river of excellent sweetness But as if Rivers as well as Men were too prone to be proud of their good properties it is very subject to overswell the banks in which notion perhaps it is also called by the aforesaid Solinus Ambitiosus amnis an haughty and ambitious river But what saith the Prophet The pride of Iordan is spoiled namely in some extraordinary drought and thence dearth which he there foretelleth To keep the golden mean As Iordan sometimes must be acknowledged to mount too high so Naaman depressed it too low in his valuation whose ignorance and passion preferred Abana and Pharphar the rivers of Damascus before it § 9. At the aforesaid confluence stands the famous city of Laish which at first it seems was a free State living in subjection to none and yet in slavery to their own intemperance They were far from the Zidonians that is as one measureth it about thirty miles half that distance being too much to receive thence seasonable succour in their suddain surprize by the Danites In taking which town the prophecy of Moses was fulfilled Dan is a Lions whelp he shall leape from Bashan It seems that the Danites came on the east-side of the City and might for a time secretly repose themselves in Bashan Whence on a suddain Lion-like saliant in his Posture when he seizeth on his prey they leaped on the city and were felt being on them before seen coming towards them The City was afterwards called Dan and the Danites possessed a tract or territory of ground which otherwise seems to lie within the Tribe of Naphtali but was not possessed by them § 10. But as we must praise the prowesse and policy so we detest the Idolatry of these Danites who hither brought and here erected the graven Image stoln from Micah worshiping it untill the day of the captivity of the land that is as Tremellius well expoundeth it till the Ark was taken captive and restored when there followed a generall reformation in the days of Samuel This place then purged was not long after defiled again with the same sin For here Ieroboam set up one of his golden Calves making Priests of the meanest of the people And although where a Calfe is the God a wispe of Hay is good enough to be the Priest yet hainous was the offence because done by Ieroboam in the disgrace of Religion The erection of these Calves was pretended for the ease of the people of Israel to spare their tedious travell thrice a year to Ierusalem but in effect occasioned that they were sent a longer journey on a worse errant even into irrecoverable captivity Thus to spare a step in the path of piety is to spend many in the ready road to misery § 11. In the time of our Saviour this Dan was called Cesarea-Philippi built in honour of Tiberius Cesar by Philip the Tetrarch Who in so nameing it as wise to remember himself was also mannerly to prefer the Emperour This Philip being Tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis made this Cesarea as conveniently seated betwixt both the place of his principall residence Neare this place Peter gave Christ that excellent testimony of his being the Son of God As for the two statues of melted brasse which here are said to be set up by that woman whose Fluxe of bloud Christ cured the one resembling our Saviour the other her self in humble posture touching the hem of his garment I had rather the Reader receive it from the Authours themselves then my relation Chiefly because it seems improbable that she who so lately had sepent all her substance upon Physicians should so quickly recrute her self as to be able to goe to the cost of such a Monument § 12. Leaving now the territory of Dan we enter on Naphtali and Iordan running hence after some miles expatiateth it self into the waters of Merom or the Samocâ—onite-lake This was a Sea in winter and in Sommer a thicket of reeds affording shelter to Lions and Wolves and which now a days are more dangerous to travellers then either wild Arabians Behold saith the Prophet He shall come up like a Lion from the swelling of Iordan that is most fierce and furious who having lodged there quietly all sommer in the shade is vexed to be rouzed by the rising of the waters in winter and therefore is ready to revenge this wrong on the next object he meets Near these waters Ioshua gave that famous overthrow to Iabin senior King of the Canaanites pursuing the chace as far as Zidon On the west of this lake where Daphnis a rivolet falleth into it they place Riblah accounted a terrestriall Paradise for the sweet situation thereof But grant it pleasant in it self it was a sad place to King Zedâ—kiah who having first beheld the slaughter of his Sons had here his own eyes bored out Thus mans tyranny accomplisheth Gods justice whilest Zedekiah had now leasure enough to bethink himself how he deserved this punishment who indevored to put out the eyes of Israel by persecuting the Prophets and imprisoning the Seers thereof Afterwards Iordan recovering it self out of the lake and contented with a competent stream is passable at the ford of Iacob so called because tradition reports that Patriarch there to have gone over this river with the company of God and his staffe At this day there is a beautifull bridge built over retaining the name of Iacobs bridge kept in excellent repaire as being the high-way betwixt Damascus and Ierusalem And well may tâ—e Turkes afford it seeing the unconscionable toll which they extort of Christian passengers for Caphar or custome will serve almost to build all the arches thereof with silver § 13. Here let us hold a while and desiring to please all palats let us temper the harshness of old matters with the mixture of a modern passage If the Reader should ever travell this way from Damascus to Ierusalem and so into Egypt he may repose himself for a night in the Cave east of this bridge on the other side Iordan A Cave is a publick building
Disciples frequently repairing hither when he affected retiredness Here also learned men on good likelyhood Scripture being silent of the particular place conceive the miracle of loaves multiplied wrought by our Saviour And to avoid confusion we must carefully observe that this was twice wrought Place Guests Meate Fragments Gospels A desert nigh Tiberias 5000 men 5 loaves two fishes 12 baskets ful Mat. 14. 20 Mar. 6. 43. Lu. 9. 16. 10. 6. 23 Christs mountaiâ—â— 4000 men 7 loaves a few litle fishes 7 baskets ful Mat. 17. 37. Mark 8. 1. Behold in the latter though the meat was the more the mouths fewer yet fewer fragments did remain And good reason that our Saviour in working of miracles should observe no other proportion then his own pleasure § 19. Following still the Sea shore and going westward we light on the City Cinnereth which some conceive gave the name to the lake adjoining and also to the land thereabouts For when Benhadad in favour to King Asa to remove Baasha from besieging Ramah inroded Israel he smote all Cinneroth with all the land of Naphtali Some five miles westward we meet with Bethsaida of Galilee in English a hunting house Nor is it unlikely that at first it was a Mansion meerly made for recreation the neighbouring Desert frequently visited by our Saviour when desiring privacy affording the pleasure of the Game From a house it grew to be a village so called by Saint Marke and thence proceeded to be a City so graced in other Gospells Nor need learned men so trouble themselves about the difference seeing in a short time Hague in Holland may be an instance a great town with addition of walls may at pleasure commence a small City It was the native place of Peter Andrew Philip and another staple City of Christs miracles whose ingratitude forced our Saviours expression Woe unto thee Chorazin woe unto thee Bethsaida c. § 20. In the confines of Bethsaida Christ by the hand led forth a blind man out of the town spat on his eyes so restoring him to a confused and imperfect sight to see men walking as trees well might his spittle give half sight whose breath gave man whole life at the Creation and then putting his hands upon his eyes compleatly cured him But how came it to pass that he who other whiles healed at distance by the Proxie of his word Subveniens priùs quà m veniens curing before coming to his Patients should here be so long not to say tedious in working a miracle Even so Saviour because it pleased thee Let us not raise cavills where we should rather return thanks seeing Christ that our dull meditations might keep pace with his actions did not onely goe slowly on set purpose but even stayed in the mid way of a miracle doing it first by halves that our conceptions might the better overtake him § 21. To clear this Corner before we goe hence north-east of Bethsaida on a tridented mountain standeth Saphetta two parts whereof are inhabited by the Turks and one by the Iews and is at this day a very considerable Place Here the Iews live in the greatest liberty or rather in the least slavery of any place under heaven having some tolerable Priviledges allowed them by the Turk So that they who get wealth enough elsewhere here seem to have some shew of a common-wealth Yea here there is a University of Iews And though commonly that Nation count their children to have learning enough if able to cheat Christians in their bargains here they give them studious education and the pure Hebrew tongue as also at Thessalonica now Salonichi in Greece is here usually spoken but industriously acquired the Iews being neitheâ— born to foot of land nor word of language then what they purchase by their paines What shall we say if this little place be left still to keep possession as an earnest that God in due time upon their conversion may possibly restore the whole countrey unto them § 22. Three Cities follow southwest Naphtali a city properly so called Thisbe different from the native place of Eliah and Naasson all their credits depending on the two first verses of the book of Tobit Now as Comoedians though often they adorn their interludes with fancies and fictions yet are very carefull always to lay their scene right in a true place which is eminently and notoriously known so grant the book of Tobit guilty of improbabilities and untruths surely the author thereof would be punctuall in describing the place past possibility of confutation Yet since the same book presents us with the pedegree of the Angell Raphael with Ananias the great his Father and Sammajas his grandfather contrary to our Saviours character that they neither marry nor are given in marriage and so by consequence can neither get nor can be begotten we may as justly suspect his Geography as Genealogy and conceive him false in the position of towns who is fabulous in the extraction of Angels And if Naphtali and Thisbe pass for reall places yet not onely doubtfull but desperate is the case of the City Naasson not being founded on the rock of the Greek text where no such town appears but on the quick-sand of the erroneous Vulgar Latine translation § 23. Having thus surveyed the east and south parts of this Tribe lest the other coasts thereof should justly complain of neglect we return to mount Libanus to give an account of the remainder In this Map though not in this Tribe no trespass I hope to look over the hedge behold Heliopolis in English the City of the Sun But how well it brooks the name they can best tell who of certain report that the height of the mountains adjoining shadow it from the Sun the better half of the day Was it therefore by the same figure that the mountains are so called from moving that Heliopolis got this name Or because the Sun as all other Blessings are valued is most worshipped where it is most wanted Not far hence the river Fons hortorum Libani or the fountain of the gardens of Libanus with which the banks thereof on either side are enamelled fetcheth his originall running thence by Hamah afterwards called Epiphania often mentioned in Scripture Thus far came the twelve spies sent to search the land and this place passeth in Scripture from the entring of Hamah for the northern Boundary of the land of Israel not onely before the expression of Dan came into request but also long after the mention thereof in holy Writ was disused We shall in due place speake as of Hamah the great so named by the Prophet since called Antiochia in Coelosyria and by vulgar unskilfulness often confounded with this Hamah in Naphtali so also of Ashimah the topicall or peculiar Idoll of this place § 24. Hence that river runneth by Hazor anciently the Metropolis of the Canaanites
where very many of their Kings met together against Ioshua to his great advantage Had he sought them in their severall Cities to what expence of time and paines would it have amounted Whereas now their malice did his work all of them meeting together having but one neck in effect which here they tendred to the Axe of divine justice Hazor by Ioshua was burnt and more then an hundred years after was probably reedified by Iabin the Second into whose hand God is said to have sold his people Not far off this river of Gardens leaveth Naphtali and visâ—teth the Tribe of Asher § 25. But before we leave the river let this memorandum be entred that some hold this is the same with the Sabbatariam river mentioned in Pliny which is said to run six days and lie still the seventh whence it gained the name Were this true as Solomon sent the sluggard to the Pismire to learn industry well might profane persons be remitted to this river thereby to be instructed in the Sabbaths due observation But most listen to it as to a fable and the Hurlers in Cornwall men metamorphosed into stones as tradition reports for playing on the Lords day may fitly serve to build a bridge over this river It much shakes the credit of this report because Iosephus relates it clean contrary namely that this river lies still sixe days and onely runs the seventh adding how Titus the Emperour going from Iury to Antioch took a journey by the way to behold the same But indeed learned Casaubon not onely observeth herein the Copies of Iosephus to be corrupted but also giveth his advice for the amendment of the same So that by right pointing his words and some other small alteration Iosephus and Pliny may be made to agree However modern travellers bring us no intelligence of such alternation or intermitting course of any river hereabouts and some perchance will be ready to say that since the Jewish Sabbath hath been swallowed up in the Christians Lords day this river hath discontinued his former custome lest what anciently was ceremonious be now adays censured for superstitious § 26. Let us now traverse this tribe southeast where we câ—not miss Abel a City sometimes single sometimes double represented unto us namely 1t. Abel of Bethmaacah as if the former were but parcell of the latter 2ly Abel and Bethmaacah as if different but bordering Cities 3ly Abel-Bethmaacah as if both made up one and the same place In this City Sheba the rebell pursued by Ioab and his own guiltiness took covert so that the storme of a furious assault was ready to fall upon it when the breath of a wise woman blew it cleare away who so ordered it that Sheba's head was cast over the wall See how his head which thought to turn all Israel upside down when whirled in the aire was tossed and tumbled about And pity it is any bullets should be shot into that city which would cast such fireballs out of it We know the wicked mans not the wise womans name and yet when his vertueless name shall rot her nameless vertue shall remain But Abel wanted such another wise woman to protect it when furiously taken by Beâ—â—hadad and at last finally destroied by Tiglath-Pilesar § 27. But in the very midst of this Tribe the oake-trees of Zahanaim fair and far spread themselves For Tremellius reads it Quercetum Zahanaim The oake-tree place of Zahanaim where our translations render it the plain of Zahanaim A difference not so great but that our age can accommodate which being wastfull in woods hath expounded into plains many places which formerly were dark with the thickest oake-trees Here Iael the wife of Heber the Kenite dwelt in her tent whither Sisera who went forth with nine hundred charets but was glad to come home on two legs fled for security having quitted his chariot Not that he thought himself swifter but safer without it seeing his chariot which in fight was the strength to cover in flight was the mark to discover him And here Iael w th a hammer nail dispatched him for which she was blessed by Deborah § 28. The mention of her blessing minds us of the curse of Meroz and consequently to inquire where the same was seated Well may we look for it in any Tribe which we finde in no Tribe Yea learned men doe so differ in their verdict that some will have Meroz to be 1 The Devill himself as Nicholas Lyra whose opinion is rejected and refuted by all that mention it 2 A potent Person in these parts having many Tenants and Reteiners 3 A Countrey full of populous inhabitants 4 A City near the place where the battell against Sisera was fought Grant the last as most probable new Quaere's are ingendred whether a City of Caananites or Israelites and where to be placed For the exact position whereof we refer the reader to those our learned Divines which in these unhappy dissensions have made that Text so often the subject of their Sermons We have placed it in this tribe not far from Kedesh whence Barak first went forth with his men in the place where Mercators Maps have a city called Meroth a rush-candle is better then no light our onely motive for the situation thereof Mean time consider that as the Disciples observed that the figtree cursed by our Saviour was in their return withered away so this city after Deborah's execration so dwindled by degrees that nothing is left of Meroz but Meroz nothing surviving of the thing but the name Which name let the reader behold in our Map as the mast of that ship whose keel is swallowed up in the quicksands A Sea-mark to all posterity to beware and not to be negligent when they are called to be auxiliaries to Gods cause in distress § 29. And now our hand is in about conjecturall places we must not forget Madon once a roiall city certainly hereabouts because Iobab the King thereof was conquered by Ioshua at the waters of Merom though all our industry cannot discover the particular position thereof Happy our condition that in things concerning salvation we have Christs gracious promise Seek and ye shall finde though in these meaner maters our search often wanteth success We are bold to place it near Dan one of the fountains of Iordan the rather because Brocard findes a place thereabouts called Medan by the Turks at this day Where I pray let it stand till better information for rather then with Adrichomius we should leave it out of our Maps it is better to put it under any penthouse then quite shut it out of doors Let Dan-javan the third station where Ioab pitched his tent when he numbred the people be joined unto it § 30. To return to the place where Meroz is set with far more certainty we place Harrosheth of the Gentiles the native
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
Prophet it may be ranked with the making of Dinah Iacobs daughter to be Iobs wife and with Ruth her being daughter to Eglon King of Moab all which three traditions are equally improbable in themselves altogether ungrounded on Scripture and yet peremptorily affirmed of the Jewish Doctors Nor have I ought else to observe of this City save that the Hebrew name of Zarephah signifieth a conflatory or melting place where metals whereof plenty in this Province were made fuâ—il by the fire in their furnaces § 27. Accho remains to be observed in the south part of this Tribe and confines of Zebulun A learned writer conceiveth it called Ace by Grecians from affording medicine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek to Hercules when hurt in his conflict with the Lernaean Serpent Whereas indeed Ace is plainly derived from Accho the Scriputre name of this City Thus those who take aime from the Greek tongue to shoot at the Etymologies of Hebrew places come wide of the mark This city was afterwards called Ptolemais from one of the Kings of Egypt Here I forbear to recite how Ionathan through the perfidiousness of Tryphon and his own over credulity was trained into this city taken and murdered Saint Paul sailing from Tyre touched here saluted the brethren and abode with them one day As for Achzib a city of Asher whence they could not expell the Canaanites it was seated nine miles north of Ptolemais being a tolerable harbour and called Ecdippa afterwards § 28. Many were the rivolets in this Tribe but those no sooner delivered out of the wombe of their fountains but devoured in the grave of the Ocean onely Belus hath got a name though not in Scripture running through the Cendevian Lake famous for its inexhausted sands turning all things it toucheth into glass As for the sepulcher of Memnon whom the Poets feign the son of the Morning and Iosephus erects his monument near the river Belus we take no notice thereof being hereafter to finde his tombe the dew of whose birth is as the wombe of the morning in a far distant place § 29. The Armes usually assigned to Asher are azure a standing cup covered Or relating to Iacobs blessing he shall yeeld royall dainties A cup being taken here by a Synedochicall metonymie for all plentifull Provisions Asher otherwise affording dishes as well as cups and esculents as well as variety of beverage But should the shield of this Tribe be as full of charge as the land thereof was fruitfull of commodities what was the credit of the countrey would be the disgrace of the Coate of Asher Here the Map of Zebulun is to be inserted THE TRIBE OF ZEBVLVN CHAP. 6. § 1. ZEbulun tenth son of Iacob by Leah his wise had his posterity so increased in Egypt that fifty seven thousand four hundred were extracted from him All which dying in the wilderness for their manifold disobedience their next generation being sixty thousand five hundred possessed the land of Canaan Honourable mention on all occasions is made of this Tribe in Scripture How forwâ—rd were they in their expedition against Sisera in so much as out of Zebulun they came down that handled the pen of the writer Gown-men turned Sword-men Clerks became Captains changing their penknives into swords Thus the peaceableness of their profession can bail none to stay at home when eminent danger arrests all at the suite of the Commonwealth to serve in person abroad David calls them the Princes of Zebulun c. and well might he afford them that style of dignity who attended him at Hebron with an army so absolutely accomplished For 1 Number fifty thousand 2 Skill expert in war which could keep ranke 3 Weapons with all instruments of war 4 Loyalty they were not of double hearts Yet in all ages of all the numerous Tribe of Zebulun we finde but two Grandees expressed by name Elon a peaceable Judge and Ionah an eminent Prophet But what shall we say A greater then Ionah was here even Christ himself the honour and dishonour though not of the tribe of the land of Zebulun honor because here miraculously conceived poorly painfully bread brought up here frequent in preaching working of miracles dishonour because carelesly neglected and scornfully contemned yea dispightfully persecuted of his own countreymen § 2. Zebulun had Asher on the north-west Naphtali on the north-east Issachar on the south the Mediterranean on the west and Galilean sea on the east thereof This maritime position of this Tribe Iacob foresaw in his Prophecy Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the Sea and he shall be for an haven of ships and his border shall be unto Zidon Which Charter of sea conveniencies is renewed and enlarged by Moses in his blessing Rejoyce Zebulun in thy going out and Issachar in thy tents They shall call the people unto the mountains and there shall they offer Sacrifices of righteousness for they shall suck of the abundance of the Seas and treasures hid in the sand Where though these two Tribes be made Partners and joint sharers in marine interests and are promised equall profit thereby yet Issachar it seems loved land and an home life best imploying his canvase rather for Tents then Sails whilest the sea and going out in long voiages was rather Zebuluns delight So have I seen chickens and ducklings hatched under the same hen no sooner unhoused out of their shels but presently the one falls a pecking on the ground the other a padling in the water § 3. Nor let any be staggered at the close of Iacobs Prophecy wherein he foretelleth Zebuluns border shall be unto Sidon finding this Tribe to fall many miles short and south of that place For Sidon is not there to be taken for the City but Countrey so named And the land of the Sidonians or Phenicians extended to Accho or Ptolemais a city thereof on which the north bound of Zebulun did confine Greater will be the difficulty to assigne a cleare reason why in the first book of Chronicles where the Pedegrees of all the other Tribes are reckoned up Zebulun and Dan as considerable and deserving as the rest is omitted The best is places not persons concern our present subject and I hope I shall not betray such indiscretion to leave the plain and ready Rode of my work in hand to enter into the wood not to say the bog of an impertinent question § 4. We begin with the sea of Galilee the eastern boundary of this Tribe called always a sea by three of the Evangelists but generally a Lake by Saint Luke Indeed amongst lakes it may be accounted for a Sea such the greatness amongst seas reputed for a lake such the sweetness and freshness of the water therein The extent thereof is most variously reported amongst Authors Iosephus makes it an hundred furlongs long and sixe broad Pliny
measures it to be sixteen miles long and six broad Munster assignes it to be twenty German miles eighty English in compass Bunting contracts it to twelve in length four miles and somewhat more in breadth Biddulph a late English Divine and eye-witness thereof computes it eight leagues in length and five in breadth three miles to all leagues whom for the main we have followed Others assigne it other dimensions all agree it is not very great But what it wants in bigness it hath in variety of names called the Sea of 1 Cinnereth onely in the old Testament from a City of that name in the Tribe Naphtali Others conceive it so named from Kinnor an Harp in Hebrew which it is said in shape to resemble sure the high winds sometimes make but bad musick to the eares of mariners when playing thereupon 2 Gennesareth 3 Tiberias cities of note in our Saviours time flourishing thereon 4 Galilee the countrey which almost on all sides surrounded it Small vessels sometimes termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ships sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Boates or Barges went to and again in this sea Gally-like sailing or rowing or perchance both as they saw their advantage They were little of strength because no Pirates to molest them and not great of burthen not comparable to the ship wherein Saint Paul sailed on the Mediterranean Sea carrying two hundred threescore and sixteen souls which for the greatness thereof might be Admirall of all the Navy in the new Testament The river of Iordan runneth through the midst of this Sea and mingleth not therewith but preserveth his own stream intire which some impute to the swiftness yea rapidness of his course not at leasure to take notice of much less to unite with any water he meets in the way before he come to his journeys end at the dead Sea § 5. This was the onely and all the seas that ever our Saviour sailed upon It is reported of wise Cato that he repented he ever went thither by Sea whither he might have gone by land But see here Wisdome it self who by going about might have passed to any place on the other side of the Sea preferred the use of a ship not to spare his own pains whereof none more liberall but to 1 Shew natures intent of the Sea made as well to be sailed as the ground to be gone upon 2 Take occasion to manifest his Deity in working of miracles thereon 3 Comfort seafaring-men in their distresses praying to such a Saviour as had an exprerimentall knowledge of the danger on both elements And here amongst the many voyages of our Saviour who often crossed the length and breadth of this sea-lake let us take account of some most remarkable And first in generall we may observe that after the working of some extraordinary miracle which might have great influence on peoples affections as the feeding of so many thousands Christ presently put to sea clouding himself in obscurity and shunning popularity so far that it should venture a drowning if offering to follow after him § 6. The first voyage we will insist on was when our Saviour sailed in Simons ship who formerly had fished all night getting nothing save a drowzie head and empty hands untill casting his net at Christs command he caught such store of fish both his and his partners ship began to sink O when will any earthly thing fall out even to our desires We always finde fish either none at all or too many and a surfeit of wealth is as dangerous as a famine thereof The fish were now ready to return into the water from whence they came and not by their wit but weight had caught their fishermen had not Christ by miracle brought all safe to shore § 7. A second when the Disciples put to sea at the command but without the person of their Master Tossed they were on the waves rowing with great pains to little purpose for the wind was contrary till looking at last they see Iesus walking on the water Then were the words of the Psalmist literally true Thy way is in the Sea and thy path in the great waters and thy footsteps are not known The Disciples unable to conceive such a mystery conclude it was a Ghost It is not worth our enquiry what Ghost or whence good or evill of man or devill this wild guess being the effect of their fright then which no more professed foe to a cleare judgment Christ quickly discovering himself Peter requests a commission to meet him which granted he walks for a while on the water till his Faith first then feet failing him he began to answer the name of Cephas proving himself a stone not by the stability but the heaviness thereof and began to sink till Christ saved him Nor was Christ sooner in the ship but the ship was at the land Thus those many strokes at the oares which the Disciples had taken before were not meerly lost but onely laid up and now restored them in their speedy arrivall Yea the sails of the ship were not now on the mast but in the keel thereof Christs person did the deed Thus projects driven on without Gods gracious presence are but driven on whilest such designes fly to their wished end which take God along with them § 8. The third and last voyage we will insist on was when the ship was not upon but under the sea covered with the waves Yea it was now full of water and the Disciples of fear whilest Christ him self was fast asleep having a pillow under his head and a softer under his heart a clear conscience See we here our Saviour a perfect because an imperfect Man his infirmities speake the reality of his humanity Working had made him weary weariness had caused him to sleep much out of a desire to be refreshed more out of a designe to be awaked Here all cry out Master save us we perish Danger will make the profane to pray the wilfull-dumbe to speak who will finde a tongue rather then lose a life No doubt Iudas himselfe who afterwards sold him was now as clamorous as any to be saved by him Christ awakes and rebukes first the Disciples for being too fearfull and despairing then the winds and waves for being too bold and presumptuous Both obey owning their Creatours voice as well may his words who made them at first make them now to be quiet § 9. Many more were the voiages our Saviour made on the Sea as when after the feeding of so many thousands they had but one loafe in the ship and on our Saviours caveat of the leaven of the Pharisees their jealousies grew solicitous for food Had they not besides that one loafe in their Cup-board twelve moe in their memory five at one batch and seven at another on the recollection whereof their mindes might feed to depend
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
of Ahilud to whom belongeth Taanach Megiddo and all Bethshâ—an and partly to Aminadaâ— husband to Taphath Solomons daughter purveyour alone in the land of Dor. An argument of the great fertility of that little land because the land of Dor alone was a signe for a whole moneth in the Zodiack of Solomons yearly provisions An Asse formerly observed argent in a field vert was Issachar's Arms couâ—hing between two burdens Some by these understand Zebulun and Manasseh which bounded Issachar on both sides But why was their neighbourhood more burdensome then any other Tribes Such perchance are nearer the truth who expound the two burdens Tribute and Tillage betwixt which Issachar quietly cocuhed never medling with wars but when forced thereunto in his own defence Here the Map of Manasseh on this side Jordan is to be inserted THE DESCRIPTION OF MANASSEH on this side IORDAN CHAP. 8. § 1. MAnasseh his numbers and worthies have formerly been described on the east of Iordan as also such Cities as being environed with Issachar yet belonged to this Tribe It remaineth that we survey that portion of Manasseh west of Iordan lying entire in it self and having Issachar on the north Ephraim on the south the Mediterranean Sea on the west and Iordan on the east thereof a fruitfull Countrey divided betwixt six male-families of the Manassites and the five daughters of Zelophehad § 2. These were those Virgins who pleading before Moses got a right to before Ioshua got possession of their inheritance Silence was injoined their Sex in the Church not Court where they handled their own cause so well it is pity any Counsell should be retained for them Nor was it the worst part of their Rhetorick the good Character they gave their dead Father which might serve for an Epitaph to be inscribed on his monument Here lieth the man who was not in the company of them who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the COMPANY OF KORAH but died in his OWN SIN Meaning he died a naturall death for his personall offences and was no sharer in the guilt of Rebellion against God in Moses This instance of Zelophehad his coheirs let Lawyers judge how justly it is alledged of some against their practise who by entailes on the Heire male dam up inheritances from running in that generall channell into which God and nature hath derived them § 3. In the west of this Tribe on the sea we meet with Cesarea Stratonis built and beautified with a fair haven called Drusus by Herod the great in the honour of Augustus Cesar. Amongst other edifices therein Herods judgement hall by him built was a most remarkable structure Indeed all Cesarea might be termed Gods judgement hall from an exemplary piece of justice here executed on Herod Antipas Who coming hither from Ierusalem clad with gorgeous raiment and the guilt of Saint Iames his bloud made an eloquent oration more gaudy then his apparell unto the people who cryed out in approbation thereof The voice of a God and not of a man here Herod in stead of rejoining The voice of lying flatterers and not of sober men in stead of reclaiming what they exclaimed imbraced and hug'd their praises as proper to himself and thereupon an Angell and worms the best and basest of creatures met in his punishment the one smiting the other eating him up and no wonder if Worms quickly devoured him whom those flesh-flies had blown up before If any aske seeing the people were equally guilty in that their sacrilegious expression yea they were the theeves Herod but the receiver why fell not the punâ—shment also on the whole multitude It is answered First because they were the whole multitude and God in such cases mercifully singles out some singall offenders for punishment to save but fright the rest Secondly more discretion was expected from a Prince then from a rabble of people Lastly what in them was but a blasphemous complement was by Herods acceptance thereof made in him a reality usurped by him as due to his deserts § 4. But leaving profane Herod many pious people lived in Cesarea as Cornelius the Centurion the first fruits of the Gentiles Agabus the Prophet foretelling Saint Pauls bonds and Martyrdome and Philip the Evangelist famous for his four daughters Virgins-prophetesses This I firmely beleeve whilest my faith demurres at what I read of Brechin a Lord in Wales who had four and twenty daughters all Saints begotten of his own body § 5. Here Saint Paul eloquently defended his innocence against the salable tongue of Tertullus and afterwards reasoned of righteousness temperance and judgement before Felix the corrupt vicious and debauched Deputy of Iudea till Felix his foundred feet feeling the Pincers began to winch and to prefer Saint Pauls room before his company In the same place the Apostle pleaded for himself before Festus Agrippa and Bernice his incestuous wife-sister entering into the place of hearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with much fancifulness or great pompe Perchance this Bernice ware then about her that eminent Gem whereof the Heathen Poet took especiall notice deinde adamas notissimus Berenices In digito factus preciosior hunc dedit olim Barbarus incestae dedit hunc Agrippa sorori And the fam'd diamond the richer show'd On Berenices fingers this bestow'd The barbarous Agrippa he to his Incestuous sister once presented this But be Bernice never so brave the bonds of Saint Paul worn by him then in Cesarea were in the Judgement of God and all good men the most glorious ornament § 6. South of Cesarea stood Antipatris named in the honour of Antipater father to Herod the great Hiâ—her Saint Paul came guarded in state by night with more then five hundred souldiers and hence the footmen were sent back to Ierusalem whilest the seventy horse advanced forward with him to Cesarea South of Antipatris the river Kanah which divideth this Tribe from Ephraim runneth into the sea so called from reeds KANAH in Hebrew whence our English Canes or walking-staves fetch in both the name and thing from the east Countreys growing plentifully thereabouts and many Maps present us with a valley of Reeds in this place Say not this debaseth the land that so course a commodity should take up a whole valley therein for besides as London water-men will tell you an acre of reeds on the bank side is as beneficiall as one of wheat these Canes were to make arrowes and staves yea some to make Sugars thereof an eye-witness affirming that plenty of sugar-canes grow in Palestine at this day Surely formerly growing there though little known to and less used by the ancients seeing that Countrey hath gained no new plants but rather lost much fertility it had before § 7. Sugar pardon a digression was anciently less used either because their masculine palats were not
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
turned it for a time into the temple of Iupiter that keepeth hospitality Sure I am the Samaritans practised small hospitality in the countrey hereabouts denying to give our Saviour entertainment in their towns because he was going to Ierusalem The truth is this temple was destroyed somewhat before the time of our Saviour by Iohn Hyrcanus after it had flourished above two hundred years but when the temple was taken away the mountain remained in which the Samaritans continued their adoration We conclude all with the words of the son of Sirach There be two manner of nations which my heart abhorreth and the third is no nation They that sit upon the mountains of Samaria and they that dwell amongst the Philistines and that foolish people that dwell in Sichem Meaning by the first the Idolatrous by the last the hereticall Samaritans who indeed were no distinct nation as Leopards and mules are properly no creatures but a mixture of Iews and heathen blended together § 41. Expect not here from me as alien from our work in hand any arguments against their presumption who have dared to compare yea prefer the Samaritan Pentateuch for authenticalness before the Hebrew Originall For three things saith Solomon the earth is disquieted and the fourth it can not bear namely an handmaid that is heire to her mistress How much more intolerable then is it when a translation which is or ought to be the dutifull servant to the originall shall presume her mistress being extant and in presence to take the place and precedency of her As here apographum doth of the autographum when the Samaritan transcript is by some advanced above the canonicall copy in the Hebrew All I will adde is this that to the Iews 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were committed the oracles of God and to give them their due they were carefull preservers thereof being never reproved by our Saviour though often for false-glosses thereon of any forgery in corrupting depraving or altering the Letter of the text whereas no such trust appears delivered to the charge of the Samaâ—itans In a word such as defend that the Pentateuch coming from the hereticall not to say apostate Samaritans is purer then that in Hebrew transmitted to us from the Iews in that age the onely true Church of God in the world may with as much truth maintain that breath proceeding from putrefied and corrupted lungs is more healthfull and wholesome then what cometh from vitals sound and entire § 42. Shechem which we lately mentioned lay betwixt the aforesaid mountains a place stained with many treacherous practises which were acted therein Here Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land so to please her fancy with gazing on forein fashions O where was the tent wherein her great-grand-mother Sarah lived that now she had left it Where was the vaile wherewith her grand-mother Rebekah covered her face that now she had lost it Her own mother Lâ—ahs eyes which were weak and tender those worse were better then Dinahs which were wanton and wandring She sees and is seen and is lik'd â—nd lusted after and whether by force or fraud defiled and still passionately affected contrary to what commonly happens that the snuffe of lust goes out in the stink of loathing Yea Shechem was so honest in his dishonesty that he desired to make Dinah the best amends he could give or she receive and on any rate went about to purchase the vine to himself so to colour a title to those unripe grapes which he had snatched from it The agreement is made on condition all the Shechemites should be circumcised which done on the third day when commonly wounds are more painfull then when first given Simeon and Levi kill all the males of the city and the rest of their brethren fall on the spoile thereof § 42. Long after Abimelech the base-born and bloody-minded son of good Gedeon was by the Shechemites his towns-men by his mothers side here at the stone in the plain made King of Iâ—rael whilest Iotham which of his seventy brethren had onely escap'd his cruelty from the top of mount Gerizim uttered his parable of the Bramble kinging it over the trees of the wood Bramble which he applied so home to the men of Shechem that for the present he left the pricks thereof in the ears of his auditours the pain whereof they found and felt afterwards in their hearts when God put a spirit of discord betwixt them and Abimelech § 43. We finde not the particular cause but the effects of the discord betwixt them Insomuch that Abimelech sacked the city of Shechem and sowed it with salt A formality usuall in that age in execration of peoples perfidiousness but whence fetching its originall it is hard to decide I dare not say in imitation of God himself who when he destroyed the wicked cities of Sodome and Gomorrah turned the fruitfull vales wherein they stood into the salt-sea in token of their perpetuall desolation Sure I am the custome hath been imitated in these western parts For Frederick Barbarossa for some affronts offered to his Empress by those of Millan razed the city and sowed it with salt § 44. The Shechemites retreated into the house of Baal-berith their God hoping in vain to make it good for their defence For Abimelech fetching fuell from the neighbouring mountain of Zalmon whence the Psalmist fetched his expression of spotless purity white as snow in Zalmon which commonly candied the top of this mountain being the Jewish Albion and firing the tower of the Temple slew therein a thousand men and women Then no doubt the house of Millo was destroyed which I take not for any building in the city of Shechem though there was a fair street of that name in Ierusalem but for a potent and puissant family therein as the house of the Fuggers in Auspurge who first advanced Abimelech and sought when too late to suppress But the weaker sexe revenged on Abimelech his cruelty to them when besieging the tower of Thebez which we conceive hard by Shechem having no other indication but this single mention for the posture thereof a woman broke his brain-pan with a piece of a milstone § 45. Though not the salt which was sown yet the city of Shechem grew up again to its former greatness Hither repaired Rehoboam for the people to make him King One may haply sent Ieroboams policy his hand in appointing the place in his own Tribe of Ephraim where his party was most puissant who intending to run a race with Rehoboam for a Crown chose out the ground most advantageous for himself Here the people presented Rehoboam with a Petition for the mitigation of the intolerable burdens whether personall or pecuniary which Solomon imposed upon them How came he to be behind hand who was the most wealthy Prince in
was brought hither for the instant occasion and afterwards returned back unto Shiloh § 51. Dothan lay east of Shechem wherein the Prophet Elisha for some time made his abode Here he was complained of to the King of Syria for being the pick-lock of his Cabinet-councels and therefore an army was ordered to apprehend him But why so many to attach a single person and his servant Indeed no more then needed For Elisha alone was an army in himself being the horsemen of Israel and chariots thereof His servant seeing themselves surrounded cryes out till having his eyes opened he discovereth themselves guarded with a fiery army on the tops of the mountains Thus Angels are good mens Janizaries to protect them and those Natives of heaven grudge not to guard those who are onely free Denizens thereof The Syrians are smitten with blindness and they that came for the destruction are glad to follow the direction of Elisha Indeed to whom should blind men goe but to the Prophet the Seer to guide them He leads them for the present the wrong way to their intents and desires but in fine the right way to Gods glory and their safety in stead of Dothan bringing them to Samaria How easily are those misled who lack the use of eyes And alass whither will implicire faith and blind obedience steer the followers thereof Yet here all came off in a peaceable close so that their lives being saved sight restored bodies feasted and mindes better informed they returned to Damascus If I must be a captive may I be a prisoner to a pious Prophet so shall I be best used and my ransome easiliest procured § 52. This Dothan I take to be the very place where Ioseph found his brethren and there was put into the pit and sold to the Merchants For being sent by his Father to Shechem he was by a man directed to Dothan whither his brethren had removed their flocks and which probably was not far off but some few miles from the former place Wherefore when formerly in the description of Zebulun we placed Dothan in the northern parts of that Tribe threescore miles from Shechem therein we were carried away with the common current of other mens judgements and now have watched our advantage to swim back again and shew our private opinion in the position thereof And besides the aforesaid text setling Dothan near Shechem in this Tribe of Ephraim it is proportionable to divine providence that the place whereon Ioseph was betrayed and pit wherein he was put should in after ages fall to the possession of the sons of Ephraim descended from him § 53. But here a materiall Question will be started how Ioseph could properly say that he was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews when the Hebrews at that time had none inheritance in it no not so much as to set their foot on Say not that Ioseph being a child when taken away might be allowed to speak incongruously for we behold his words as uttered by him when a man And surely he who then could expound dreames could express himself in proper language Some conceive it was termed the Land of the Hebrews 1 From those few Hebrews the family of Iacob living there though not as inhabitants but onely as sojourners therein 2 It was the Land of the Hebrews by promise and in due time should be theirs by possession 3 The Land of the Hebrews though not in linage in language the Canaanites speaking the same tongue with Iacobs family 4 Some conceive this land anciently belonged to Heber as all Asia to the sons of Shem and that the Canaanites had before Abrahams time encroached on that Countrey To strengthen this last conjecture we must remember that Melchisedech King of Salem who generally is conceived to be Shem the ancestour of the Hebrews still retained his kingdome in the land of Canaan And it might be that the other Hebrews were ejected by the Canaanites If so the Israelites afterwards got the land under Ioshua by a double Right of Conquest and Recovery § 54. In this Tribe no doubt was the city Ephraim in a Countrey near to the wilderness where our Saviour that Sun of righteousness clouded himself for a time when the Iews took counsell to kill him Wonder not that we cannot find the exact situation of this place For Christ chose it on purpose for the privacy and obscurity thereof Thus though willing to lay down he was not willing to cast away his life unfit to be a Saviour of mankind if a destroyer of himself And though he knew well that all the weights of mans craft and cruelty could not make the clock of his time strike one minute before his hour was come yet he counted it his duty by Prudentiall means to endevour self-preservation § 55. Two eminent places remain which we have reserv'd for the last because of the uncertainty of their particular situation though both of them certainly in this Tribe One the hill of Phinehas which was given him in mount Ephraim Let no sacrilegious hands hasten hither with their Spades and Mattocks to pare and abate this hill as too large a possession for the high Priest seeing a greater had been too small for his deserts who stood up and executed judgement and so the plague ceased This Hill of Phinehas certainly was with in the circumference of some Leviticall city in this Tribe and we conjecturally have placed it within the circuit of Beth-horon the upper Here religious Eleazar the son of Aaron was buried in this hill belonging to his son Phinehas § 56. The other the Mount of Amaleck in the land of Ephraim But how came the Amalekites to have any thing in the heart of Ephraim whose own countrey lay two hundred miles more south-ward near the Red-sea And yet it is no wonder to finde theeves and robbers such were the Amalekites in any place who like the Devill their father goe to and fro in the earth walking up and down therein But we are confident this mountain was so called from some eminent thing here done or suffered by the Amalekites For we finde them joined with the Midianites in the days of Gedeon to destroy Israel and finde afterwards this Tribe of Ephraim very succesfull in doing execution on the remains of the Midianitish Army when defeated Why then might not this mountain of Amalek be so named from some Amalekites then slain in this place As Danes-end in the west-side of Hartford-shire took its name from a battell thereby wherein the Danes were overthrown In Pirathon a town on mount Amalek Abdon one of the peaceable Judges in Israel was interred § 57. I conceived all memorable places described in this Tribe but on review do discover a guilty town lurking besides Ephraim as if conscious of the treachery committed therein it endevoured to
Leshemites pursie with long peace then to undertake those two warlike nations well breathed daily in military Discipline And sudden surprisals were foretold in this Tribe § 5. But grant the measure in this Tribe but short the ware thereof was very fine the Countrey being passing fruitfull in commodities Herein grew that bunch of Grapes of prodigious greatness in gathering whereof by the hand of the spies sent to search the Land the Israelites took Livery and Seisin of the fruits of the Countrey Besides this Tribe did drive some sea-trade Deborah complains Why did Dan remain in ships though the Iews generally were mean Mariners and Merchants Partly because the fatness of their soile so stuck by their sides it unactived them for forein adventures and natures bounty unto them gave their industry a Writ of ease to sit at home And partly because being divided as an Island from the Continent of the World in Religion from other Countries it cut off their comfortable commerce with other nations though since their wofull Posterity have proved the Capemerchants of the world § 6. First to survey the west side on the sea therein we are accosted with Ioppa a strong City seated on an high rock so that Strabo reports that Ierusalem may thence be discovered which a modern Traveller concludes impossible At the bottome thereof a haven formerly most convenient So ancient a place that some make it first founded and so named from Iapheth before the floud But it is utterly improbable that Noah being himself busied about building an Arke which threatned the worlds destruction would suffer his son to erect a City as promising a fixt habitation Hither all the timber of the Temple cut down and carved in mount Lebanon was brought by the Tyrians in floates and hence by Carts conveyed to Ierusalem Hither Ionah fled and took shipping for Tarshish conceived by some to be the Countrey of Cilicia by others the city Tarsus therein But be it Sea or Land Countrey or City sure it was not Niniveh whither God had sent him Here charitable Dorcas which made coates and garments for the poor widows whilest she was with them the lanthorn of mens good deeds cast the best light when carried before them and done in their life time lived dyed and was revived by Saint Peter Here he lodged in the house of Simon a Tanner by the sea-side water we know is very necessary in that occupation though salt water onely usefull to wash raw hides and therein beheld that vision wherein the Epitome of all creatures were in a sheet represented unto him Of this great City at this day onely two old towers doe survive it being questionable whether the place be more ruinous or the poor Moors more ragged that dwell therein A bad haven much obstructed with sands and exposed to the fury of the north wind The best commendation of this harbour is that Iury had no better scarce another as if God condemned the seacoasts thereof to danger as the Continent to barrenness § 7. Near unto Ioppa is Lydda some six miles North-west where Peter cured Enâ—as truly pious of the palsie which eight years had afflicted him Here Saint George is reported to have been beheaded and his tombe is shewed in this place All I will adde is I hope without offence this ensuing Parallel In Ioppa In Lydda The valour of Perseus is celebrated for freeing Andromeda daughter to King Cepheus tyed with chaines to the rockes from the fury of a sea monster to which she was exposed The puissance of Saint George is remembred for delivering the nameless and onely daughter of a certain King of Libya from a fiery Dragon to whom she was tendered by lot to be devoured It is pity these two stories should be parted asunder which will both in full latitude be believed together Hard to say whether nearer the two places or two reports He that considers the resemblance of their complexions will conclude Fancy the father Credulity the mother of both though we need not presently reject all the story of Saint George for fictitious for some improbable circumstances appendent thereunto Nor have I ought else to observe of Lydda save that in Saint Hieroms time it was called Diospolis § 8. To return to Ioppa the port of Ierusalem And let us a little way accompany the Pilgrims in the road thitherwards Take the character of the Countrey on the credit of a late eye-witness A most pleasant plain yeelding Tyme and Hyssope and other fragrant herbs without tillage or planting growing so high that they came to the knees of our Asses Nor need any wonder at the stature of this ground Hyssope in Iury different from wall-Hyssope or mosse rather the last and lowest step of natures storehouse and Solomons study seeing good Authors have affirmed that haec planta in Iudaeâ arborescit hyssope doth tree it in Iudea And what is called by Matthew and Mark Calamus a reed cane or speare is rendred an Hyssope-stalke by Saint Iohn Because as a learned man concludes Hyssope here sprouted so high that thereof an instrument might be made to lift up the sponge to our Saviours mouth hanging on the Cross. And thus we see that as always one of Iob's messengers escaped to bring the sad tydings of their fellows destruction so even at this day some stragling vallies in Palestine have made hard shift by their own fruitfulness still continuing to informe the world how plentifull this Countrey was before barrenness by Gods appointment seised on the generality thereof § 9. To proceed in the road to Ierusalem as the best guide to direct us in the survey of the north of this Tribe It passeth not far from Shaalâ—im a City of Dan but in the confines of Ephraim Where though the Amorites dwelt in despight of the Danites yet the Tribe of Ephraim made them tributaries A little further this high-way takes its farewell of the Tribe of Dan but with full intent shortly to visite it again For having passed over a corner of Ephraim which baggeth into the south it returns into Dan and goes forward by Modin the City of Mattathias and his sons where the seven sepulchers of the Maccabees each a high Pyramid on a square basis and all mounted on a steep hill are a conspicuous sea-mark to the Mariners many miles distant Charitable monuments which being erected for the honour of the dead are imployed for the safety of the living Few miles hence this high-way finally leaves this Tribe And therefore we leave it onely wishing the passengers therein a prosperous journey to Ierusalem That such as goe thither about business may dispatch the same to their own contentment such as travell out of curiosity may have their expectation so satisfied as to countervaile all their paines and charges and such as goe thither out of superstitious opinion to merit may have their
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
out bad humours are nimble to supply the place seised on this City To recover the same Nadab the son of Ieroboam besieged it but was so far from taking the City that before it he lost his own life by the trechery of Baasha conspiring against him This siege continued more then twenty years no doubt with intervalls of cessation for here Omâ—i a great Commander was in service when by the souldiery voted King of Israel After which election he had not so much minde to take the City as a Crown vigorously to prosecute his new title and to suppress Tibâ—â— his Corrivall So much of the siege but nothing of the taking of Gibbethon so that it was still violently possessed by the Philistines § 17. The south-east part of this Tribe is still to survey Where the brook Zorek creeps faintly out of the Tribe of Iudah Not far from whose banks we light on Zorah and Eshtaol two twin-cities the one seldome mentioned in Scripture without the other Except one will call them man and wife because Machaneh-Dan betwixt Zorah and Eshtaol was joint issue of them both For when six hundred men out of these two cities marched towards the taking of Leshem here they met probably by mutuall agreement the most convenient place betwixt them behind that is west of Kiriath-jearim These did call this the first place of their station Machaneh-Dan and the last Dan both from Dan their Ancestour without naming any intermediate places As in all undertaking the first motion which founds and the last which finisheth it are most memorable It seems that afterwards a town was built in that place where their tents were pitched as a fortunate ground handselled with good success where Samson seems to have had his education § 18. But his birth at Zorah Where he was the son of a long barren mother a regiment in Scripture of such eminent Persons Isaac Iacob Samuel Samson Iohn Baptist c. as if besides higher causes nature had long thriftily reserved her utmost strength to expend it at last with more credit Here an Angel appearing to Manoahs wife both told her that she should be a mother and taught her how she should be a nurse with the ceremonious breeding of her son No Wine must come in no rasor on him Hercules the Pagan-Samson in some sort may seem by the luxury of Poets wits to ape this Iewish Hercules Neither of them otherwise mounted then on their legs otherwise defensively armed then with their skin and clothes A â—aw-bone a sword to the one a Club to the other Both of them very like for their valour and too like for their wantonness women being the destruction of them both § 19. But as Samsons lustre did rise so it did set in this Tribe Hereabouts born and buried in the grave of his Father Manoah betwixt Zorah and Eshtaol Reader let me invite thee with me solemnly to behold his sepulchre that therein both of us may bury all our vain thoughts of eternity here He that hereafter shall presume on his own might as immortall hath not strongeâ— brains but a weakâ—â— back then Samson § 20. To goe back to 〈◊〉 which now grows confident and bold with the accession of the brook 〈◊〉 so named as the vine in Hampshire from bunches of grapes there growing whereof one was the load for two men Surely Bacâ—husâ—id â—id not so drown Ceres in this Countrey nor did God the wise master of the feast entertain the Iews his daily guests with sucâ— liquid diet but that we may justly presume the land afforded bread and meat in a plentifull proportion to their wine But when the spies brought this home to the camp of the Israelites at Kadesh-barnea they likeâ— the wine but not the reckoning which was to be paid for it not so pleased with the bigness of the grapes as frighted at the bulkes of the Giants § 21. Nor is there any other considerable City remaining in this Tribe save Timâ—ah where Iudah sheared his sheep and at Pethah-enaim or the opening of the ways committed incest with Thamar his unknown daughter-in-law whom after wards he commanded to be brought forth and burnt Thus easier iâ—â—s for one to cause another to be consumed to ashes then to quench the least spark of lust in our own soul. Afterwards Samson going with his Parents to wooe his wife killed a young Lion in the vineyards of Timnah and the text saith he told not his Father or â—other what he had done Herein his silence no less commendable then his valour But indeed true prowess pleaseth it self more in doing then reporting its own atchievements Not long after the Bees made a hive of the Lions body And did not this land flow with honey when it was powred into a carkass for want of other vessells to receive it Honey which in fine proved gall to the Philistines For though they read his riddle by plowing with his heifer he payed his forfeit by killing their Countrey men Hence afterwards Samson to revenge the injuries offered unto him sent forth his Foxes which proved incendiaries of the corn and grain of the Philistines § 22. So much for the places of this Tribe of whose situation we have any certainty from Gods word or good Authors On the rest we hang out our conjecturall Flag Which whilest some censure for the Ensignes of our ignorance others I hope will approve as the colours of our modesty Especially having done our best endevour in ranking them and in default of demonstrations the most probability hath ever been accounted the next heir apparent to Truth The best is such places are onely of name not of note but once mentioned in Ioshua without any memorable actions done in them and so any mistake in the false posture will prove less dangerous Mountains of eminency this Tribe affords none save mount Seir puny hills far different from those in Edom and mount Baalah Both parcels of the south-west bounds of Iudah as originally they were assigned But seeing those limits were afterward discomposed by a new division and re-assignment of them to this Tribe the out-list of Iudah fell into the midst of Dans whole cloth those antiquated borders are 〈◊〉 the less remarkable And as for other mountains although this whole was mountainous yet there was a parity in her hills none exceeding high oneâ—â— such advantages of ground swelling above the plain seemed to be the full breasts and fair nipples of that land which flowed with milke and honey § 23. A fair reserve of land in not of the Tribe is still behind long expecting our company to come and describe it namely Philistia or a part of the land of the Philistines These were a warlike people none of the seven nations of the Canaanites which God drave out before Israel but descended from Miâ—zraim the son of Cham. In the race of military atchievements they started with the first
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
her most modest behaviour For at the sight of him though at some distance she lighted from her Camel counting it ill manners to ride when her husband and master went a foot as also to give an earnest of her future good housewifery that she would prefer industry before ease honest pain before pleasure The she vailed her self partly to shew that the beams of her beauty were hereafter to be appropriated to Isaac alone partly in confession of subjection being now under covert-baron the command and protection of a husband Well I dare compare yea prefer this vailed wives chastity before the virginity of many vailed votaries § 18. More south is the river of Egypt the utmost limit not onely of this Tribe but of all Israel Indeed by the river of Egypt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 often mentioned in Exodus onely Nilus is intended But this stream which some conceive is particularly called Shichos is termed the River of Egypt not because it is in but is in the high way to Egypt Otherwise the traveller who sits down on the banks thereof shall never come thither In the Septuagint Rhinocolura is put for this river of Egypt being a long named city of short note seated on the influxe thereof into the sea Only this Rhinocolura is famous in heathen History because hither as into an Hospitall all those malefactors were sent whose noses were cut off for their offences a punishment inflicted on the Egyptians by an Ethiopian King who conquered them Hence had it the name of Rhinocolura or the place of nose-maimed people But ô how great must that city be which in our age should contain all those whose faces are nose-less not by others cruelty but their own luxury § 19. As for other cities in this Tribe of Simeon they were many but obscure It is observable that most of them are written with an Aliàs first as they are named Iosh. 19. secondly as they are called 1 Chron. 2. None need to wonder at their different denominations Here I interpose nothing of the severall writing of the same places 1 According to exact Criticks in spelling them 2 According to vulgar tongues in pronouncing them Onely we commend to the Readers notice that the book of Chronicles was written after the return from Captivity and about eighteen generations after the days of Ioshua And therefore some difference of letters after so large a time is no strange thing For seeing here we have no continuing city it cannot be expected that any city should have a continuing name And yet great places longest retain their names unaltered as London from Taeitus to our times whereas small cities like these in Simeon are as often alterable as passed into the possession of severall owners Yea seeing it was the custome of the Iews to call their lands after their own names this haply might change Beth-lebaoth in this Tribe into Beth-birei when it came into the possession of a new landlord § 20. So much of this small Tribe whose portion was too little for his people and therefore they made two happy expeditions to enlarge their quarters one in the reign of Hezekiah to the entrance of Gedor even unto the east side of the valley a place of good and fat pasture for they of Ham Canaanites had dwelt there of old Mice sometimes may be mens tasters to teach them which is best for their palate and those heathen were wise enough to settle themselves in the richest soile whence now the Simeonites expelled them This Gedor was in the division of the land allotted to the Tribe of Iudah Now if any demand by what right the Simeonites might invade this which was assigned to Iudah they may know that in case a strong hold could not be reduced into subjection by that Tribe to which it belonged it was not an act of injustice but valour for the next Tribe to undertake the conquest thereof As by their judiciall law if one dyed not having issue by his wife the next of kin might 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and was heire as I may say to marry his brothers wife so when Iudah through some defect or debility was unable to improve his Patrimony in Gedor to profit by casting out the heathen who violently detained it Simeon his next neighbour in situation suecceding to the right of his brother attempted and effected the conquest thereof Herein onely it holds not proportion because the seed so raised up was accounted to his dead brother whereas here Simeon made bold himself quietly to possess what victoriously he had acquired Wonder not that this petty Tribe in overcoming Gedor did more then puissant Iudah could performe for always the battell is not to the strong and weaker means watching advantages may perfect what more powerfull have left uneffected This Gedor grudge not reader to sally with thine eye a little out of this Tribe being still in this map lay on the north of the river Sorek and was one of the 31. regall cities of the Canaanites As for the Simeonites second voiage against the Amalekites in mount Seir more proper thereof hereafter in the description of Edom. § 21. Now that which straightned the portion of Simeon was the multitude of Philistines inhabiting the sea coasts allotted to but never possessed by this Tribe Askelon was a prime city in those parts once won by Iudah assisting Simeon but after recovered by the Philistines Samson being cast to give his companions thirty change of raiment went neither to the Merchant for the stuffe nor Taylor for making of them but knowing the Philistines garments would best fit Philistines bodies he marched directly to Askelon where finding thirty Philistines he bestowed their corps on the earth and their cases on their fellow-countrey men This caused that active antipathy betwixt Askelon and Israel Tell it not in Gath nor publish it in Askelon Near to this city there was a lake by which Semiramis is said to be born there fed and relieved by Doves Hence the Poet Tibullus Alba Palaestino sancta columba Syro The milke-white Dove esteem'd divine By Syrians of Palestine But because no mention of this in Scriptures we forbear further prosecution thereof § 22. Going along south by the sea side here styled the sea of the Philistines we come at last to Azzah or Gaza the fifth satrapy of the Philistines once conquered by Iudah but soon after returning to the former owners Samson who carried the gates thereof away could not bring himself hither again without the guidance of another Pain here was added to his blindness when set to grinde in a mill scorn to his pain when sent for at a solemn feast to be the musician to make sport or rather the Instrument ready tuned for every wanton eye tongue and hand to play upon But such as mock at other mens miseries sometimes laugh so long till their own hearts
latter been if as zealous for the substance as for the shadow losing their own lives to maintain the type and taking away his life who was the truth thereof Then balsame intended by nature for the curing was the causing of many wounds such deadly blows passed betwixt them § 29. Ioshua took this City with the sound of Rams horns whereat the wall fell down to the ground It troubleth me not to conceive how the rest of the wall falling flat Rahabs house built thereon should stand upright seeing divine power which miraculously gave the Rule might accordingly make the Exception A solemn curse was by Ioshua imposed on those who should rebuild the walls of Iericho so to obliterate the monument of divine power and justice § 30. But Iericho thus dismantled maintained the reputation of a City and though not walled with stone for defence was shaded with trees for pleasure It is called the City of Palmes where Ehud killed Eglon the corpulent King of Moab growing so plentifully round about it These Palmes or Date-trees had scaly barks and the boughs were generally used in all combates of manhood to crown the conquerour For as Erasmus observeth though severall countries on sundry occasions had distinct garlands of victory made of Laurell Olive Myrtle Oake c. yet the Palme-tree carried away the palme from them all and was universally entertained as the Embleme of triumph The worst I wish these trees is that they may never want store of weight seeing Naturalists observe the more they are depressed the more they flourish § 31. But to return to Iericho it is ill hollowing in the eares of a sleeping Lion and worse awaking that dust which God would have dormant in eternall obscurity See this in the walls of Iericho which Hiel the Bethelite affronting heaven built again and according to Ioshua's execration laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his first borne and set up the gates thereof in Segub his youngest son that is both the one and the other were then destroied by untimely deaths Strange that seeing his first son drop away he desisted not from that design but such the precipice of bad projects once step in and seldome stop in the way of wickedness Nor can Hiels presumption herein be excused whatsoever is pretended in his behalf being led to this act of contempt by one of these considerations 1 Hâ— mistook Ioshua's curse rather for a patheticall expression then propheticall prediction 2 He conceived the virtue thereof worn out and antiquated after five hundred years continuance 3 He chose rather to bottome his memory on so famous a structure then to build it on his posterity as sooner likely to decay However Hiel got a curse and Iericho walls thereby which afterwards grew to be a potent and populous City § 32. When the twelve Tribes were divided into two kingdomes Iericho probably pertained to Israel as may appâ—ar 1 By the frequent conversing of Eliah and Elisha in this City sufficiently known to have been subjects of the crown of Israel 2 Because Hiel the Bethelite Beth-el belonging to Israel built the walls thereof 3 Because that building bears date in the days of Ahab and is not accounted according to the reign of Iehoshaphat the contemporary King of Iudah Afterwards it was in the possession of the Kings of Iudah because in the reign of Ahaz the captives of Iudah are said to be brought back to Iericho unto their brethren When carried into Babylon no more then three hundred fourty five of this City returned home whose zeale was very forward in repairing the walls of Ierusalem § 33. Here Christ cured blind Bartimeus and Zacheus the Publican one of more state then stature dwelt in this City Long had he wished for a sight of Christ and curiosity in this kinde may sometimes open the door for devotion to enter in But alass he was so low more likely in the crowd to loss himself then finde his Saviour till on a suddain he grows a proper man by getting up into a Sycamore tree Who dares say Sycamores are always barren See one here loaden with good fruit Christ seeing him invites himself to his house and down he comes with more speed no doubt then he gat up to welcome his guest with good cheer though the last-course he brought in was the best protesting a fourfold restitution of what he had wrongfully gotten and giving the half of his remaining estate unto the poor § 34. Iericho was surrounded with plains on every side Hither King Zedekiah fled and here was taken by the forces of Babylon The high-way betwixt Iericho and Ierusalem is infamous for theeving because of the covert the neighbouring wilderness affords and great roads are the best rivers for robbers to fish in Wonder not that so short a way betwixt two such eminent Cities was no better secured seeing some hundred years since little safer was the road betwixt London and Saint Albans till an Abbot of that place cut down the woods that afforded them shelter Reader if thy occasion should call thee to goe from Iericho to Ierusalem I wish thee well guarded but if it be thy hard hap with the man in the Gospell be it history or parable to be robbed and wounded with theeves mayst thou meet with some good Samaritan to convey thee to the Inne and provide necessaries for thee § 35. West of the waters of Iericho stood Ai a small City but great enough to give a check to the full speed of Israels victories Their losse here was inconsiderable in it self no more then thirty six men but dangerous in the consequence thereof Such a flaw in their orient success made them cheap in the worlds valuation and the Canaanites who hitherto had charactred them invincible in their apprehension began hence to collect and conclude a possibility of conquering them Yet not valour too little in such as fought but sin too much in some who staid at home caused this defeat Achan was the man who in fine proved no whit richer for the gold or warmer for the garment he had stolen Detected by lot accused by his conscience convicted by his own confession condemned by Ioshua he with his children and cattle is stoned by the Israelites The place of his execution was called the vale of Achor or the vale of trouble both because Achan actively had troubled Israel with his sin and because here he was justly troubled by them in his punishment As for the promise of the Prophet in after ages that the vale of Achor should be a door of hope understand it mystically that the most deplorable and seemingly desperate estate of the Church is capable of comfort and may in Gods due time be changed into a prosperous condition Achan thus punished how active are the Armes of the Israelites when freed from the fetters of Sacriledge Ai is quickly conquered the
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
adventurous to drink of the waters thereof so stifling and suffocating is the nature of it In a word this sea hath but one good quality namely that it entertains intercourse with no other seas which may be imputed to the providence of nature debarring it from communion with the Ocean lest otherwise it should infect other waters with its malignity Nor doeth any healthfull thing grow thereon save onely this wholesome counsell which may be collected from this pestiferous lake for men to beware how they provoke divine justice by their lustfull and unnaturall enormities § 9. Heathen writers Tacitus and Pliny take notice of this lake with the qualities thereof but especially Solinus whose testimony but with some variations from Scripture we thought fit to insert and translate though the latter will scarcely be done without some abatement of the native elegancy and expressiveness thereof Longo ab Hierosolymis recessu tristis sinus panditur quem de coelo tactum testatur humus nigra in cinerem soluta Duo ibi oppida Sodomum nominatum alterum alterum Gomorrhum Apud quae pomum gignitur quod habeat speciem licèt maturitatis mandi tamen non potest Nam fuliginem intrinsecus favillaceam ambitio tantùm extimae cutis cohibet quae vel levi tactu pressa fumum exhalat fatiscit in vagum pulverem A good way side of Ierusalem lies ope a melancholy Bay which the black soil being also turned into ashes witnesseth to have been blasted from heaven In it are two towns the one called Sodome the other Gomorrah Wherein grows an apple which though it seem fair and ripe yet cannot be eaten For the compass of the outward rinde onely holds within it an ember-like soot which being but lightly pressed evaporates into smoke and becomes flittering dust § 10. But Lot was preserved and God is said therein to have remembred Abraham though he might have seemed to have forgotten him in refusing to grant to spare Sodome at his request Thus though divine providence may denie good mens prayers in the full latitude of their desires he always grants them such a competent proportion thereof as is most for his glory and their good Lot with his wife are enjoined onely not to look back wherein she disobeyed the commandement either out of 1 High contempt Yet seeing for the main she had been a good woman accompanying her husband many miles from his native to a strange Countrey meerly depending on Gods providence our charity believes her fact proceeding rather from 2 Carelesness or incogitancy having for that instant forgotten the command or 3 Curiosity to behold the manner of so strange and suddain a destruction or 4 Infidelity not conceiving it possible so great a City could be so soon overthrown or 5 Covetousness when she thought on the wealth she had left behinde her or 6 Compassion hearing the whining of swine braying of Asses bleating of sheep lowing of kine crying of children shrieking of women roaring of men and some of them of her own flesh and bloud Were they any or all of these back she looked and was turned into a pillar of salt which Saint Hierome saith was extant in his age-Mean time how sad a case was Lot in bearing about him life and death one halfe of him quick lively and active the other halfe his wife both making but one flesh so strangely and suddainly sensless dead and immoveable § 11. Not far off is the City of Zoar Littleton in English so named by Lot whereas formerly it was called Belah I say by Lot who was the best benefactor to this place which otherwise had been sent the same way of destruction with the other four Cities had not his importunity prevailed with God for the sparing thereof Yet I finde not any monument of gratitude made by the men of Zoar to the memory of Lot their preserver yea they would not afford him a quiet and comfortable being amongst them insomuch that he feared to dwell in Zoar. Either suspecting that they would offer violence to his person or infect his soul with their bad example or that he might be involved in their suddain destruction as a wicked place spared not pardoned by God and allowed to himself for his present refuge not constant habitation Their ill usage of so good a man mindes me of Solomons observation There was a little City and few men within it and there came a great King against it and besieged it and built great bulwarks against it Now there was found in it a poor wise man and â—e by his wisedome delivered the City yet no man remembred the same poor man No more then Lot was remembred in Zoar though the tutelar Saint thereof But his clear conscience in free doing this courtesie rewarded it self in doing it whilest mercenary souls working onely for the wages of thanks often lose their labour especially in this ungratefull age § 12. From Zoar Lot removed to a neighbouring mountain and dwelt in a cave therein which is shown to travellers at this day Now an hole in an hil could hold him and all his family whose substance formerly was so great the whole Countrey could not afford room for his flocks and heard-men without striving with those of his uncle Abraham Here made drunken by his daughters practise upon him with them he committed incest It is grace not the place can secure mens souls from sin seeing Lot fasting from lust in wanton and populous Sodome â—urfeited thereof in a solitary cave and whilest he carefully fenced the castle of chastity even to make it impregnable against the battery of forein force he never suspected to be surprised by the treachery of his own family § 13. So much for Pentepolis once a countrey of five cities now all turned into one lake Come we now to survey the particular limits of this Tribe That Maxime Qui bene distinguit bene docet holds most true herein the well distinguishing of bounds conduceth much to the true knowledge of this Countrey especially seeing the Holy Spirit hath been so exact in assigning them Where God is pleased to point for man not to vouchsafe a look sheweth that proud earth valueth his eyes as more worth then the hand of heaven § 14. The borders of Iudah with all their particular flexure are thus described in Ioshua East South North. West The Salt-Sea 1 From the south-side of the salt-sea to the going up of Acrabbin 2 Thence to the wilderness of Zin 3 Thence to the south-side unto Kadesh-Barnea 4 Thence to Hezron 5 Thence it went up to Adar 6 Thence fetched a compass to Karkaa 7 Thence it passed to Azmon 8 Thence unto the river of Egypt 9 Thence went out at the Sea Observe we that these south bounds of Iudah are for the main the same with the south limits of the whole land assigned Numbers 34. 1 From the end of Iordan at
Canaanites some remnant of the Anakims which escaped his hand did in his absence return possess Hebron and put Caleb to a new task of a second subduing them § 22. David afterwards made Hebron the Metropolis of this kingdome as being the most eminent City of his own Tribe of Iudah and reigned almost seven years therein In the third year of his reign Abner repaired hither with full intent to reduce all Israel to his obedience had not Ioabs sudden murdering him frustrated his design Probably some mixture of jealousie might put Ioab on this foul action fearing to be outed of his office that if Abner made David King David would make Abner Generall over all Israel Certainly revenge of his brother Asahels bloud prompted him thereunto Ioab sending messengers to fetch Abner back from the well of Siriah slew him treacherously as he was entering the gates of Hebron § 23. Forget we not that Hebron in the gate whereof Ioab so basely and barbarously murdered him was a City of Refuge appointed by God for the saving of such as had killed one unawares Did not Ioab therefore in such a place acting wilfull murder in an high hand relie on his own greatness to beare him out in so bloudy a deed as if he neither feared the justice of man nor needed the mercy of God No wonder then if many years after he flying to the horns of the Altar was denyed the protection of that place who formerly so cruelly despightfully and presumptuously had defiled the City of Refuge with innocent bloud § 24. Thus died Abner very loyall to Saul whilest Saul was living and too loving to his concubine when he was dead Never man was killed more cowardly or buried more honourably David himself following the bâ—ere weeping as chiefe mourner at his funerall In the same sepulcher the head of Ishbosheth was afterwards interred Though some jars were betwixt them whilest living their dust well agreed in the same grave Nor durst the ashes of Ishbosheth cross the others who when alive though checked and chidden by him could not answer Abner a word again because he feared him As for the bodies of Baanah and Rechab the murderers of Ishbosheth they had by order from David their hands and feet cut off and they hanged up over the pool in Hebron § 25. After the death of Ishbosheth all Israel repaired to Hebron to make David their King whose severall numbers deserve our observation 1 Out of Iudah six thousand and eight hundred 2 Simeon seven thousand one hundred 3 Levi eight thousand three hundred twenty two 4 Benjamin three thousand 5 Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred 6 Half Tribe of Manasseh on this side Iordan eighteen thousand 7 Issachar two hundred officers and all their brethren at ther coÌ„mandment 8 Zebulun fifty thousand 9 Naphtali thirty seven â—housand besides a thousand Captains 10 Dan twenty eight thousand and six hundred 11 〈◊〉 fourty thousand 12 Reuben Gâ—d and Manassâ—h beyond Iordan an hundred and twenty thousand Behold here those Tribes which lived farthest from Hebron appearing in the highest equipage as if they endevouring to be revenged on the distance of their habitation purposely advanced with the greatest number Here it will be enquired why Iudah largest in dominion next in position nearest in relation as Davids native Tribe made here the slenderest appearance of all the rest Benjamin alone excepted the thinness of whose numbers are excused in the text because hitherto the greatest part of them kept the ward of the house of Saul What! doth it fare with Princes as with Prophets that they are not without honour save in their own Countrey and in their own house that David found fewest attendants from his own Tribe Oh no he was abundantly loved and honoured therein But Tostatus answers 1 Davids daily attendance both civill in his Court and military in his camp and garrison hitherto chiefly consisted of the Tribe of Iudah 2 The rest of Iudah remained at home to make provision and give entertainment to this confluence of people from all parts Adde hereunto 1 Six thousand eight hundred were a sufficient representation of Iudah and moe not onely needless but burdensome for the present to pester Hebron too populous already The rest keeping home and living hard by were ready no doubt on competent warning to come quickly if need required or David commanded their attendance 2 Iudahs main work was done two years before when David was solemnly made their King And they now rather spectators then actors at his second Coronation over all Israel Now no less politick then thrifty were the other Tribes in bringing their victualls along with them lest otherwise they should be held as occasioners of scarcity in Iudah and enhauncers of the prices of provisions § 26. Afterwards Absalom when he intended a rebellion against his Father chose Hebron as the fittest City from whence he meant to mount into the Throne Hither he came under pretence to doe sacrifice with his chariots and horses and fifty men running before him but which was most to be pitied he brought with him from Ierusalem two hundred men which were as one may say Loyall traitors coming in the simplicity of their hearts and meerly drawn-in to treasonable practises But Hebron proved not a place so succesfull to Absalom the son as formerly fortunate to David his father This Traitours soveraignty soon expired when forsaken of God Man and Beast his own Mule going away from him he was slain of Ioab as formerly related § 27. Some ten miles south of Hebron lay Debir anciently called Kiriah-Sepher the City of a book conceived a Canaanitish University And although the Giant Anakims dwelling hereabouts may be presumed but little bookish yet civilized Countreys in all ages have allowed such places for the education of youth who are better unborn then unbred Caleb proffered Acsah his daughter in marriage to any one that should conquer this City which was accordingly performed by Othniel his younger brothers son and first Judge of Israel What were not the glory of God and good of his Countrey enough to set an edge on his valour but the promise of a wife needed also to whet his resolution No doubt the scales of his resolution went down formerly on the right side before this match was cast in as overweight It is no unlawfull Bigamy of the soul when wedded to Gods glory in the first place to embrace also therewith the recompense of reward and grand is the difference betwixt an hireling whose minde is meerly mercenary and him that works for his hire with Othniel taking it not as the main motive much less as the end but onely as a welcome encouragement of his undertakings § 28. Thus all parties were pleased Israel recovered Debir Othniel got Acsah to wife she gained a blessing from her Father that
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
hundred and fourteen So that the Tribe of Iudah alone had more Cities then all the Island of Crete which had but just an hundred and therefore called Hecatompolis But many of these Cities were small and a good share of them was given to the Tribes of Dan and Simeon as formerly hath been observed But amongst such as remained to Iudah let not Maresha be forgotten in the north-west part of this Tribe both because thereby in the valley of Zephathah Asa conquered Zerah the Ethiopian whose army consisted of more then a million of men and because the Prophet Micah was born therein § 52. In Saint Hieromes time somewhere in Iudah flourished a fair City called Eleutheropolis from which that Father measureth the distance of most southern places in Palestine as he computeth the northern from Legion a City in Galilee But the more the pity that Father hath not acquainted us with the exact location of either of these two places Whilest Adrichomius and others condemn Saint Hieromes carelesness herein it better befits us to condole our own unhappiness who cannot read the accurate distance of places in his book of that subject because though he have lent us his Characters he hath not left us the true Key thereof § 53. The Tribe of Iudah had no great river therein saving a little piece of gasping Iordan now ready to expire in the dead-sea but with rivolets it was sufficiently stored lending the brooks of Sorek and Bezâ—r to Dan and Simeon borrowing Kedron from Benjamin whence it fetcheth its fountain and keeping the brook before the wilderness of Ieruel wholly for its own use as rising running and falling entirely in this Tribe Nor must that brook be forgotten which I may call the brook of David because being to encounter Goliah he took thence five smooth stones store is no sore especially not being sure but his first might faile and furnished his scrip therewith § 54. This was that Goliah whose strength was equall to his stature his armes sutable to his strength but his Pride above all Betwixt him and David first passed a tongue-combate The one discharging ostentation and presumption which the other as quickly returned with faith and confidence in Gods promises Come they then to encounter see the lower man had the longer arme who with his sling could reach death at distance to his adversary The beaver of Goliahs helmet was open not that he thought his brazen brow sufficiently armed with its own impudence but either that he might see breath and boast the more freely or because he disdained to buckle himself against so unequall a match The stone from Davids sling flies directly to his forehead whereby the Giant is mortally wounded and notwithstanding his speare was as great as a weavers beame his life was swifter then a weavers shuttle so soon passed it away and he was gone David cutting off his head with his own sword § 55. Many were the wildernesses in this Tribe as those of Zin Ziph Maon Engedi Ieruel Tekoa and Iudah lying south of Arad Now as once it was the question of the Disciples to our Saviour From whence can a man satisfie these men with bread here in the wilderness So here it may materially be demanded Where did the men of Iudah finde food to sustain themselves whose countrey seems a heap of wildernesses cast together Here we must know that the whole land of Palestine was drest and kept like a garden plot and inclosed into Olive-yards Vine-yards and arable fields save some extravagant places which lay common where wild beasts did harbour in the woods commonly called Wildernesses Such notwithstanding were full of fruitfull pastures and had fair towns though more thinly inhabited then other parts of the Countrey so that this Tribe was more frighted then hurt with the multitude of Wildernesses therein § 56. Paramount over them all was The wilderness having six Cities therein and was part of the wilderness of Iudea extending also into Benjamin wherein Iohn the Baptist preached feeding here on Locusts flying insects whereof four kindes were clean and permitted the Iews to eate and wilde honey Either such as fell down in dews from heaven or was made by wild Bees not civilized in hives but nesting on the ground or in hollow trees In a word he was content with such course fare as the Countrey afforded his rough clothes being suited to his homely diet and both to his hard doctrine of Repentance Hereupon scandalous tongues condemned him for having a Devill as afterwards they belyed our Saviour using a more liberal diet to be a Winebibber so impossible it is to please affected frowardness either full or fasting § 57. Some make Iohn Baptist the first founder of Eremites But how little his precedent befriendeth their practise who not out of any impulsion but meer election delight to dwell in deserts will appear by the ensuing Parallel Hee 1 By immediate command from God to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 2 Went into a wilderness a place more thinly peopled then the rest of the land 3 Where he daily busied himself with preaching to multitudes of people repairing unto him 4 And at last did end his life in a place of greater concourse even the Court of King Herod himself They 1 By dictates of their own fancy following the principles of will-worship 2 Goe into a wilderness indeed conversing with solitariness and shunning all society 3 Where they bury themselves alive in laziness with the talents God hath bestowed on them 4 And binde themselves with a vow to live and dye in that solitary condition Behold here the large difference betwixt him and monking Eremites Who if men of parts ought to help others with their society if of no parts need to be helped by the society of others Yea whatsoever their endowments were this running into the wilderness was but a Bank-rupt trick to defraud the Church and Common-wealth their Creditours to both which they stood bound by specialty of Gods command to discharge all Civill and Christian relations to the utmost proportions of their abilities In a word though we stedfastly beleeve that Iabal was the father of all such as dwell in tents because the Scripture affirmeth the same yet for the reasons aforesaid we utterly deny Iohn Baptist the founder and Author of all those which live wilfully in hills and holes an eremiticall life § 58. The Son of Heseâ— was Solomons Purveyor in Aruboth to him belonged Sochoth and all the land of Hepher A land which lay as we gather by other proportions in the north-west part of this Tribe And indeed we finde a King of Hepher amongst those which Ioshua destroyed but dare not confidently averre him to have been of the Tribe of Iudah However it appears that for the main the whole body of the
Tribe of Iudah with Simeon lying therein fell not under any of Solomons Purveyour-ships The reason whereof if inquired into may perchance be reduced into some of these considerations 1 It was referred to defray extraordinaries on casuall entertainments and occasionall solemnities or 2 It was kept for the expences of the thirteenth or intercalary moneth the product of the eleven supernumerary days which commonly was every third year inserted into the Hebrew Kalendar 3 Iudah might by speciall indulgence be exempted from such taxations either because Ierusalem the royall City was principally seated therein and therefore to prevent scarcity of victualls in so populous a place the Court-purveyours went further off that the City might be better provided or because Solomon did ease and favour that Tribe whence he himself was extracted This very probably was some cause why when the other ten Tribes grinded with grievous oppressions deserted the house of David Iudah alone as having formerly tasted of his Fathers favour entirely clave to Rehoboam § 59. The armes of Iudah are Gules a Lion couchant Or according to Iacobs prediction Iudah he stooped down he couched as a Lion and as an old Lion who shall rouze him up This is a posture which that princely beast is pleased to accept for his own ease otherwise no chastisement shall impose it on him no force but his own free pleasure can make him to crouch The Analogy is obvious to every eye the Lion being the strongest amongst beasts which turneth not away for any As Iudah was the chief of Tribes for number strength and largeness of possessions and the Tribe of Chiefes so many Kings yea Christ himself according to the flesh deriving his extraction from the same Here the Map of the Land of Moriah is to be inserted THE LAND OF MORIAH CHAP. 14. § 1. BEcause the Countrey about Ierusalem is very fruitfull of observable places it is therefore here presented in an intire Map Nor do we meet with a fitter and more adequate name to express the same then to style it The land of Moriah as it is named in Scripture Herein we shall onely insist on signall places of certain truth otherwise the work would be almost infinite for what is said of the people of Israel There shall not one be barren amongst them is true of every petty place near Ierusalem not a Hill Hole Stick Stone Cave Grave but is pregnant with some History and vulgar beliefe is the Midwife to deliver it we will therefore confine our selves to Scripture alone in our following description § 2. We begin with the Brook of Kidron which we may call the Brook of Reformation for often the current thereof carried away the Reliques of Idolatry once when the Idol of his grandmother Maachah was by King Asa burnt by the banks thereof Again when in Hezekiahs time the people no doubt by his command threw the Idolatrous Altars therein Thirdly when the dust of the Altars erected by King Manasses was by Iosiah cast into the channel of Kidron I dare boldly say that the water of this brook was no whit the less the sweet in taste or clear in colour for washing away these monuments of superstition However this Kidron may be ranked amongst those Rivolets whereof Iob speaks My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook and as a stream of brooks which passeth away not that the water onely slideth away other succeeding in the room thereof which is common to the greatest channels but this very Brook it self slides away in the Summer and is dryed up as having no fountain to feed it but the waters running down from Mount Olivet Thus Kidron is the too lively emblem of our â—ouls which having no naturall spring of goodness in themselves flow no longer then they are watered from above with the infusion of celestiall Grace § 3. This Brook runs through the Valley of Iehosaphat being a hollow dale interposed betwixt Ierusalem and Mount Olivet but why so named I finde no satisfactory reason alledged for I cannot agree to what generally is reported that in this place Iehosaphat got his miraculous victory over the Edomites Moabites and Ammonites because on serious perusall of the text that battell appears fought far off in the wilderness of Tekoah Many are of opinion that as Mount Olivet shall be the Tribunall erected for the Judge so this Vale of Iehosaphat shall be the Gaol and Bar where all offenders at the last day shall be arraigned founding their conceit partly on the words of the Prophet Ioel I will also gather all Nations and bring them down into the valley of Iehosaphat and will plead with them there for my people partly on the expression of the Angels to the Disciples after Christs ascension that in the same manner he should return again But these are too low carnall and restrictive conceits of Gods glorious judiciall proceedings it being improbable he would appoint the certain particular place who in his wisdome hath caused the time to be concealed yea if one day be as a thousand years with God why may not according to the same proportion the whole earth be meant by the Valley of Iehosaphat Wherefore waving curious inquiries about the circumstances belonging onely to the Judge to assigne let us carefully provide our selves for those Assises the proper work for us to performe § 4. In this Vale of Iehosaphat on the other side of Kidron stood the village of Gethsemane so called in Hebrew for the plenty of Oile that there was pressed out But a far more precious liquor was once afforded in this place which in the Garden hard by fell from our Saviours face in his Agony Clods of sweat like bloud Surely the heaâ— of the weather had no influence on this his distemper being the open aire in so cold a night that the stout servants of the high Priest though housed in a Hall found need of a fire to warm themselves thereat It was not then without cause that the paschall Lambe was commanded to be eaten neither raw nor sodden with water but rosted with fire as Christ the trâ—thâ— of this Type was at this time bathed in his own sweat Here Christ thrice conditionally begged that his â—up might pass away preferring three severall short prayers before one entire continued petition partly that in a tripled suit his importunity might be more conspicuous partly to get breath and gain strength in the intervalls and partly in the same time to visit his Disciples being never so busie about himself but he was still at leasure to look how it fared with them § 5. Hither into this Garden repaired Iudas in the night time with Lanthornes and Torches no more light then needed in such a deed of darkness otherwise it had been superfluous to seek the Sun it self with a Lanthorn to betray our Saviour bringing with him a band of souldiers too
side being round all about and thirty cubits in compass containing two thousand Baths namely as they filled it but two parts of three for ordinary use leaving a third part for empty Margin in the top Otherwise were it filled brimfull it would in all receive three thousand Baths where the totall capacity thereof is computed Therefore called a Sea from the large containt thereof and not much unlike the Caspian sea for the circular form and entireness thereof having its brim wrought about with lily-work and it stood upon twelve oxen which by four severall Threes respected the quarters of the world § 5. But now the question will be How this vast vessell was furnished with water Solomon speaking of the Ocean All the rivers saith he run into the sea but how this artificiall sea was supplied with any water by peoples industry is a considerable question the Temple of Ierusalem being so highly situated on a mountain Here the Rabbins tell us of a Well Etam some distance hence whence the water was conveyed in pipes so that the Temple had it always in great abundance We confess there was a city and rock of Etam in the Tribe of Simeon near to which a miraculous fountain issued in the days of Samson to quench his thirst out of the jawbone of an Ass. And it seems the Ghost of this fountain did walk in the brains of the Rabbins when first they invented this tradition But this Etam being full forty miles from Ierusalem was likely to afford them little water for the replenishing of this Molten sea Rather we beleeve that the Gibeonites or Nethinims whose office it was to be drawers of water for the Congregation out of the fountain of Siloam or Pool of Bethesda hard by filled this Sea and furnished all other Lavatories and Offices about the Temple with that necessary element Yea probably there were some wells within the verge of the Temple seeing Ierusalem is charactred by Strabo an Heathen writer to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 well watered within it self though without the walls it wanted the conveniency thereof And which is the main in Ezekiels description of the Temple which one may term A visionarie varnish on an historicall ground-work being a literall truth mystically much improved we finde the waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward which swelled to a miraculous proportion Now though the increase and overflowing of such streams was extraordinary and propheticall yet surely the fountain thereof was reall and naturall importing some springs in the Temple whence the Nethinims did fill this Molten sea and all other vessels with water designed for the Priests to wash themselves therein § 6. Having thus dispatched the Molten sea the ten Lavers being as it were but so many little lakes will quickly be described In the Tabernacle none of these were extant as appointed for the washing of sacrifices for that single Laver made by Moses for the Priests service answered onely to the Molten sea whereby it appears that Solomon not onely made in his Temple vessels moe in number and bigger in degree but also other in kind then were in the Tabernacle to fill and furnish the magnificence thereof These Lavers of brass contained forty Baths apiece each set on his basis with wheels for their more convenient removall though generally their station was five on the one side and five on the other in the Court of the Priests and east of the covered Temple § 7. In the outward Court or Court of Israel many no doubt were the Utensils thereof As that brazen scaffold made by Solomon for the King to stand and pray upon the same as Tremellius conceives with the Kings Pillar with the Pulpits and deskes wherein the Priests expounded the law to the people But as for the remainder of the vessels of the Temple with the manyfold traditions concerning them the Reader is referred to the learned paines of my industrious friend Mr. Iohn Lightfoot who as I understand intends an entire Treatise thereof Far be it from me that our pens should fall out like the heardsmen of Lot and Abraham the land being not able to bear them both that they might dwell together No such want of room in this subject being of such latitude and receipt that both we and hundreds moe busied together therein may severally lose our selves in a subject of such capacity The rather because we embrace severall courses in this our Description it being my desire and delight to stick onely to the written word of God whilest my worthy friend takes in the choicest Rabbinicall and Talmudicall relations being so well seen in those studies that it is questionable whether his skill or my ignorance be the greater therein CHAP. X. Of things deposited in the Chambers and outward Courts of the Temple § 1. PRoceed we now to the outward Courts of the Temple whose Chambers were severally imployed for sundry uses as for the laying up of Tithes First-fruits Wood Salt and other Requisites for the sacrifices Of this last a mass was spent in the Temple seeing no offering was acceptable without it The best was Iudea could well afford to spare plenty thereof for Gods service who had bestowed such store thereof upon it that there was a place called the City of Salt in the Tribe of Iudah § 2. Other rooms were employed to contain the many instruments used in the Temple Some of whose names we finde mentioned in the titles of severall Psalmes solemnly set to be sung upon them though so many authours so many mindes in expounding their names and qualities we will onely insist on what we conceive most probable 1 Aijeleth Shahar or The hinde of the morning Probably some early instrument as the going about of the Waites in some places bringing tydings of the morning and giving men notice to rise 2 Alamoth which literally may be rendered Virginales or Maiden-instruments with high and shrill notes acuta symphonia saith Tromellius 3 Gittith A personall instrument appropriated to the posterity of Obed-Edom the Gittite an excellent Master of musick thence taking its denomination 4 Ionath Elem Rechokim By some rendered appellatively The dumbe Dove in far places By others conceived an instrument of sad and dolefull musick I did mourn as a Dove saith dying Hezekiah 5 Mahalath which Ainsworth interpreteth sickness or infirmity and conceiveth it a kind of wind-instrument 6 Mahalah-leannoth The same with the former but with this addition to sing by turnes which is when alternately one part answereth another in singing 7 Mutb-labben The Chaldee interpreteth it for The death of the Son as if it were some cheerfull instrument made by David to comfort himself after the death of his child whilest others conceive it a kind of tune like to that which we call the
to inquire to whom the right thereof did belong Here we finde an undoubted evidence that the same by a double title perteined to the land and people of Israel 1 As a fence to the vineyard 2 As a Common to a City As a fence to a vineyard So the Prophet in his Parable And be fenced it and gathered out the stones thereof Now although this fencing principally refers to Gods protection over the Iews yet is it not unappliable to the naturall posture of their countrey hem'd in with mount Libanus on the north Secondly if we conceive all Iudea under the notion of a great city Lebanon was a Common assigned thereunto and ALL LEBANON towards the Sunrising And though probably the neighbouring Tribes Asher Naphtali and Dan did reap the most benefit thereby yet all the rest are presumed to have a right both in the herbage for their profit and wild beasts for their pleasure However either with or without the leave of Israel the Hivites and Archites whose city Archa is by Ptolemy placed hereabouts made bold to share with them in the commodities of this mountain Here grew the goodly Cedars of whose severall kindes some bearing fruit without flowers others bringing flowers without fruit manner of growing having streight and clean bodies to the top and there a tuft of boughs and leaves where should the haire be but on the head naturall qualities or supernaturall rather because said to be free from corruption and therefore used to make the statues of the Gods the Philosopher will give the best account to whose reports we remit the Reader § 7. Forget we not that humane writers make a division of the mountain calling the northern ledge thereof Libanus the southern Anti-Libanus whereas the Scriptures taking no notice of this distinction express both under the generall name of Libanus § 8. And now to climbe this mountain behold it every where scattered with Solomons workmen some bearing of burdens Better to carry the meanest materiall to the Temple of God then carve the most curious pieces for the tower of Babel some hewing of stones all busied either with their hands as labourers or eyes as overseers No hole left for idleness to peep in at but presently she was perceived and punished I hope without offence one may wish them God speed the rather because he that hewed timber afore out of the thick trees was known to bring it to an excellent work but now they break down all the work thereof with axes and hammers § 9. It is now high time that leaving the generall description of Libanus we come to survay the severall places on or near thereunto In the southwest side thereof near Zidon and the sea lay the land of Cabul which Solomon gave to Hiram King of Tyre for the cost and charge he was at in building the Temple Hereby it appears that this territory though lying in Galilee was no part of the Land of Canaan it being above the power of the Kings of Israel to alienate any parcell thereof But though it was unlawfull to take the childrens bread and cast it unto dogs yet the crust and parings thereof might be given them to which this Land of Cabul may well be compared being so course and base a Countrey that it little contented King Hiram who therefore called it Cabul that is dirty or displeasing It may seem strange that Solomon who in other things consulted with his honour and magnificence and to whom God gave a large heart should herein have so narrow a hand as not to give Hiram a friend and forein Prince full consideration who so freely had furnished him with all necessaries for his building But 1 Haply Solomon beheld Hiram as a Homager unto him holding the kingdome of Tyre from the Crown of Israel And if so then all he did was but his duty and fully rewarded in Solomons favourable acceptance thereof 2 Solomon might conceive Hirams expences sufficiently satisfied in allowing his men such a vast proportion of yearly provision so these cities were given him not in compensation of the charge but as an overplus and meer gratuity For which Hiram ought to be thankfull because so good not displeased because no better 3 Most probable it is that absolute need and no other reason made Solomon fall short in satisfying Hirams expectation His treasure being much exhausted excess will begger wealth it self by his sumptuous structures The same necessitous principles which caused his intolerable taxes on his own people might also make him against his own will and generous disposition faile in rewarding the full deserts of Hiram It is some contentment unto us that though we know not the severall names yet the Scripture acquaints us with the exact number of the cities in Cabul-land being twenty in all as in our Map we have reckoned them accordingly § 10. But here some will be very much startled that this land of Cabul should so lately receive this denomination from Hirams displeasure whereas we finde it so called four hundred years before in the book of Ioshua where the borders of the Tribe of Asher are thus assigned they goe out to Cabul on the left hand To satisfie which seeming difficulty we must know that though the book of Ioshua contains matter of far more ancient date yet it was written by holy-men of God after the days of David and probably in the reign of Solomon This appears because in Ioshua mention is made of the book of Iasher wherein the standing still of the Sun and Moon was recorded and that book of Iasher was penned after Davids reign because therein Davids acts were also Chronicled § 11. Mount Libanus is overspread with the buildings of Solomon whereof some may be conceived the fragments made out of the Remnants and Reversions of the stone and timber left of what was provided for the Temple Yea probably some were platformes and modells to heighten and improve the skill and knowledge of his builders True it is in the making of the Tabernacle every Tenon board hook and socket were Iure Divino both by precept and precedent according to the pattern in the Mount but it was not so in the building of the Temple Therein God gave Solomon a large heart and furnished him with Hiram a skilfull workman but as for all particular proportions they were left at large for their wisdomes to contrive It may therefore with much likelyhood be conceived that to better their knowledge in Architecture for the Temple some slight buildings in Libanon were erected which afterwards might serve Solomon for privacy and pleasure retirement and recreation And seeing Solomon took his naturall history from the Cedar that growes in Lebanon to the Moss on the wall haply he might study in some of these buildings where Cedars and other simples were presented unto him being best able to comment on Natures works when he saw the text before his
their backs with a staffe in their hands to intimate their ambulatory and ever-moving condition Here we may remember how Hagar being with child with Ishmael was found by the Angell wandering in the wilderness and as if the pregnant mothers condition had made an impression on her child and his posterity we find their home to be in a constant roving and wandering in a desert Countrey Leave we these Ishmaelites and come to men of a milder temper and more fixed habitations I mean the Moabites § 13. MOab Son and Gran-child of Lot was incestuously begotten on his edest daughter in his drunkenness after which act no more mention of Lot or what befel him in the history of the Bible drunkenness makes men to forget and to be forgotten drowning their memories in neglect and obscurity onely after this the new Testament epithets him Righteous Lot That Spirit of meekness naming good men not from the obliquity of some acts but habituall integrity of their hearts Yea for love to Lot God granted many great favours to the Moabites assisting them to conquer the Giants Emims and peaceably possessing them of their Countrey with speciall command to the Israelites not to disturb or molest them in this enjoiment thereof § 14. Yet the Moabites ill requited Israels kindness unto them That falling out which was first begun betwixt the servants and heardsmen was afterwards continued and increased betwixt the Sons and posterity of Lot and Abraham Yea upon all occasions the Moabites were backfriends to Israel witness Balak who barked at and Eglon who bit them whom Israel served eighteen years Note by the way that under the Judges all the heathen which bordered on Israel Edom almost onely excepted the cause whereof hereafter Aramites Ammonites Midianites Philistines c. did all successively â—yrannize over Israel No shrub growing about on the banks of Canaan was so little but it was big enough for God thence to gather a Rod to whip his wanton children Now if it be any ease to the sickâ—man to have his bed not disease often altered Israel had the favour of exchange of tyrants and variety of oppressors amongst whom I dare say the Moabites were none of the mildest More might be said of their malice to the Iews but I spare them for good Ruth their Countreywomans sake who when all her sister Orpha's complementall Religion came off with a kiss persevered to wait on Marah her mother-in-law for so she desired to be called into the land of Canaan § 15. But because the Moabites could not be perswaded to love David was the first who forced them to fear the Kings of Israel Moab is my washpot that is one condemned to servile imployments yea such was Davids absolute command over this countrey that he measured the Moabites with a line casting them down to the ground even with two lines measured he to put to death and with one full line to keep alive At the first sight he may seem to have killed two and saved one A merciless proportion But on better consideration it may possibly be that the preservative might equal both the destructivelines though not in number in measure as one overflowing cup may contain as much as two sparingly filled What caused this severity in David against the Moabites the Scripture is silent and I had rather be so too then affirm with the presumptuous Rabbins without warrant that it was because the King of Moab had slain Davids Father and Mother whom he had left there for protection whilst Saul persecuted him § 16. If any object this Act of David was a breach of Gods command Distresse not the Moabites neither contend with them in battell it is answered 1 This prohibition was temporary to Moses conducting the Israelites that they should not molest Moab in their passage by his countrey out of Egypt 2 Israel might not begin with offensive war to provoke them but being stricken might strike again and follow their blow as David did 3 Moab might be distressed to subjection not to ejection might be brought into obedience not dispossessed of their countrey After the defection of the ten Tribes from the house of David Moab remained tributary to the Kings of Israel till the death of wicked but valiant Ahab After which time Moab rebelled and though attempted was never reduced into obedience by the Kings of Israel § 17. Moab had the river Arnon on the north the Dead-sea on the west Edom on the south and Arabia on the east It contained about a square of an hundred miles fit for grazing and the peoples industry following Natures guidance to their own profit principally imployed it to that use Yea Mesha their King is tearmed a sheep-master Husbandry doth no more eclipse the resplendent beams of Majesty then the oile in the Lamp hindreth the bright shining thereof Guess the greatness of the Grist by the Toll the multitude of Moabs flocks from the Tribute he rendered to the Kings of Israel a hundred thousand Lambs and a hundred thousand Rams with the wooll § 18. To come now to the particulardescription of Moab let it not be censured for a needless Tautology in this Map that therein all the cities of Reuben are again represented being done deliberately on a double consideration 1 Formerly that land belonged to Moab before Sihon King of the Amorites had forcibly wrested it away from them 2 After the Reubenites were carried away captive by Tiglath-Pileser the Moabites reassumed their ancient possessions as appears by the Prophets As for the particular description of those cities we remit the Reader to what formerly hath been written in the Tribe of Reuben § 19. In the north-east bound of Moab towards Midian in the border of Arnon which is in the utmost coasts stood a nameless city where Balak met Balaam standing as it were on his tiptoes on the very last labell of his land to reach forth welcome to that false Prophet who hither rode in state with his two men to attend him whilst many Ministers of the Truth are forced to be slaves to others and servants to themselves But that these two men of Balaam were Iannes and Iambres the â—gyptian enchanters the Chaldee Paraphrase shall never perswade me whilst the distance of time and place protest against the possibility thereof Not to say that it is likely that the sorcerers so frequent in the presence of Pharaoh had long before waited on their Master through the red sea to another world Hence Balak conducted Balaam to Kiriath-huzoth or the city of streets which at that time seems to be the Metropolis of Moab § 20. Mizpah of Moab followeth where the Father and Mother of David reposed themselves whilst their Son was persecuted by Saul Ar of Moab and Rabbah of Moab were also places of great note in this land and besides these many other cities of inferiour note But
Ammonites to give them gifts yet we may justly beleeve the same were presented rather with their hands then their hearts bearing a cordiall grudge against Israel § 26. Rabbah was the Metropolis of Ammon called in Scripture the tity of waters because low and plashy in its situation conducing much to the strength thereof rendering all undermining of it uneffectuall But perchance it is so termed from the extraordinary populousness thereof Waters being often used for People in Scripture phrase both being at all times unstable and unconstant and when they get a head implacable neither speaking nor hearing reason both usefull servants but intolerable Masters Here the Iron-bed of Og was preserved for a Relick being nine cubits high and four broad Now though Alexanders souldiers are said to have left shields in India far greater then those which they did or could weare in war onely to possess posterity with a false opinion that his men were mightier then they were yet we may presume this bed of Og was not unproportionably greater then he necessarily used for his ordinary repose No doubt Og confident of his own strength certainly concluded that as he did often lie in health upon that bed so he should quietly die on the same whereas contrary to his expectation he was slain in the field and now his bed served him for a Cenotaph or empty monument § 27. This Rabbah was besieged by Ioab to revenge Hanun King of the Ammonites his despitefull usage of Davids Ambassadours Here Uriah engaged in battell was killed though not conquered by the treacherous retreat of his own countreymen What a deal of doe was here to bring one innocent man to his grave Davids wicked designe Ioabs unworthy compliance Ammons open force Israels secret fraud and yet all too little had not Uriah's own credulous simplicity unspotted loyalty undaunted courage rather to die then to fly concurred to hasten his own destruction Afterwards Ioab having brought the city to terms of yeelding politickly sends for David solemnly to take his place to decline all envy from himself and invest all honour on his Soveraign Here the glorious Crown of this kingdome was taken and set on Davids head and I dare boldly say it became David better then him from whom◠it was taken But oh what a Bridewell or house of correction was provided for the people of this place They were put under saws and under harrows of Iron and under axes of Iron and made to passe through the brick kilne See here Davids patience provoked into fury And was it not just that they who would not civilly like men use Davids Ambassadours should by Davids men be barbarously used like beasts in slavish imployments § 28. The most populous part of the Kingdome of Ammon lay betwixt Aroer and Minnith containing no fewer then twenty Cities so many represented in our Map and had I found their names in Scripture I had imparted them to the Reader All these cities were smote by Iephthah that most valiant Judge of Israel For he passed over to the enemy to fight with them other Judges onely expelling them out of Israel and pursuing them to their own countrey An action of very much prowess in Iephthah to rowze those wild beasts in their own den and no less policy preventing the spoiling of his native soil and translating the Seat of the war into the land of a forein so Here if any demand how the wheat of Minnith comes to be reckoned by the Prophet amongst the staple commodities of the land of Iudah wherewith she bartered with Tyre when Minnith was undoubtedly a city of the Ammonites it is answered 1 This fine wheat might first be denominated from Minnith as originally growing there though afterwards as good and more of that kind grew generally in Iudea Thus some flowers and fruits Province-Roses Burgamo peares c. are as full and fair in other countreys as in that place whence they take their name 2 By Minnith-wheat may be meant wheat winnowed cleansed and dressed after the fine and curious fashion of Minnith Thus they are called Hungar-dollars which are refined to the standard of Hungarian gold in what place or by what Prince soever in Germany they be coined § 29. We must not forget that after the Tribe of Gad was carried away captive by Tiglath-pileser the Ammonites seised on and dwelt in the cities of that Tribe For which reason so many of them are set down in this our Map This caused the complaint of the Prophet Hath Israel no sons Hath he no heire Why then doth their King inherit Gad and his people dwell in his cities Sure I am that Ammon double barred with bastardy and incest though somewhat allied could never legally succeed to the possessions of Israel But in such cases the keenest sword is next to the kin Not to say that Ammon had a title to that kingdome before that Sihon King of the Amorites took that land away from them whereof largely before in the description of Gad. If any aske me what became of the Ammonites in after ages I answer with David he passed away and loe he was not yea I sought him but he could not be found Yea the less there appears of Ammon the more there appears of Gods justice and divine truth foretold by the mouth of Ezekiel I will cut thee off from the people and will cause thee to perish out of the countreys § 30. Esau eldest Son of Isaac was red and hairy at his birth the one shewing his irefull nature the other his hardy constitution He was highly beloved of his Father whilest Iacob was Gods and his Mothers darling chiefly for providing him Venison a consideration beneath so good a man and for which Isaac smarted afterwards sawcing each morsell of his Sons venison in his own teares caused by Esaus unhappy matches and undutifull demeanour This Esau is as generally known in Scripture by the name of Edom given him on this occasion Coming one day hungry from hunting he sold his birthright to his brother Iacob for red pottage red being Edom in Hebrew I confess many flaws may be found in this bargain and sale as namely 1 It was no faire but fraudulent dealing for Iacob to surprize his brother taking advantage of his hunger 2 The contract was not made on a valuable compensation not to say it was Simoniacall to sell or buy such heavenly priviledges 3 The heires of Esau as yet in his loines concerned therein but not consenting thereto might justly question their Fathers grant in passing away what by nature was intailed upon them Wherefore it is safest to turn all our excusing of Iacob into our admiring of Gods wisdome who makes mens crooked actions to tend in a streight line to his own glory And yet we must not forget that even after Esau had satisfied himself with food the text saith Thus Esau despised his birthright It
eminent of his name A great Lord no doubt who could qualifie four hundred and fifty Prophets for his Chaplains He was served with bowing of the knee and his Priests in a religious frenzie used to cut themselves with knives and lancers till the bloud gushed out upon them Oh◠how doe some go down hill with difficulty and take pains to the place of eternal Pain In the interim betwixt the Judges Baalisme was first brought into Israel which in the days of Samuel was publickly abandoned by the people Afterwards the worship of Baal ebbed and flowed variously as followeth In Israel 1 Iezebel daughter to Eth-baal King of the Zidonians wife to Ahab brought in Baal as part of her portion into Samaria 2 Eliah gave his worship a mortall wound when killing four hundred and fifty of his Prophets at mount Carmel 3. Iezebel before Ahabs death recruited the number of Baals Prophets to about four hundred and set up his service again 4 Ichoram her son best of all the bad Kings put away the image of Baal which Ahab had made 5 Iehu so totally and finally routed Baal and his Priests that they never after rallied up their forces in Israeal In Iudah 1 Athaliath Iezebels daughter publickly planted the service of Baal in Ierusalem and bestowed on him all the dedicate things of the House of the Lord. 2 Iehoiada rooted it out when he slew Mattan Baals Priest before the Alter 3 Ahaz set up bank-rupt Baal with a new stock and made molten images for his service 4 Hezekiah is presumed to have destroyed Baal amongst the rest of the images which he brake in pieces 5 Manasseh reared up Altars for Baal and made a grove for him in imitation of Ahab 6 Iosiah made an utter abolition of Baal out of the land Then was fully acomplished what God by his Prophet had foretold I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth and they shall no more be remembred by their name § 24. Some will aske that seeing Baal is made a Man by Eliah He is a God pursuing his enemies which is no womans work how comes Saint Paul to make him female Rom. 11. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where the feminine article speaks him or her rather of the weaker sex It is answered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Image or something equivalent is understood If this satisfie not even Let Baal plead for himself and make his own vindication for the monstrosity of an Hermaphrodite Baal-Berith and Baal-meon § 25. I take these to be the same with Baal onely distinguished by the place wherein they were worshipped Thus the Lady of Lauretta Hall and Walsingham are not severall persons but the same adored in sundry Shrines Baal-Berith perchance because first worshipped in Berithus a City in Phoenicia had a Temple in or near Shechem whence Abimelech took seventy pieces of silver to raise his Army Baal-meon was placed in the Tribe of Reuben Baal-peor § 26. Taking his name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to lay open Deus apertionis an Idol which shewed all that Adam covered with fig-leaves The Fathers make him to be the beastly God Priapus No wonder then if grave Cato went off from the stage at the Plays presented to the honour of the God Bacchus accounting such scurrility inconsistent with his severity seeing none could contentedly behold the image of Baal-peor the Idol of Moab and Midian but first must sacrifice all his modesty unto it And we may be well assured where the Idol was naked the Idolaters were not covered so that both sexes assumed much licentiousness in their feasts and merry meetings as appears by the impudency of Cozbi and Zimri § 27. One thing I much admire at in the worship of Baal-peor that such as adored him as the Psalmist observeth did eat the sacrifices of the dead Me thinkes each morsell they put into their mouths should mar their mirth and the very mention of the Dead make them all amort Their warm and wanton embraces of living bodies ill agreed with their offerings Diis manibius to gashly Ghosts This inclines me to that learned mans opinion that by sacrifices to the dead are intended no Inferiae or obsequies to the departed but onely meer offerings to the Idol a liveless dull dead and inanimate thing in opposition whereunto God so often in Scripture is styled the living Lord. Bel. § 28. The same say some with Baal onely he was a Phenician this a Babylonish Deity This Bel was the grand confounder of so many barnes flocks and vineyards spending daily twelve measures of fine flowre forty sheep and six great pots of wine Surely he deserved to forfeit his large fare by the Apostles rule He that will not work let him not eat finding no activity in this Idol proportionable to his voracious appetite Indeed his Priests and their famiy are said to make riddance of all those victuals and although the whole story may be challenged to be Apocrypha yet so much thereof as relateth to Bels devouring belly so beleeved by a vulgar errour seems framed in some analogy to Canonicall truth witness the threatning of God in the Prophet And I will punish Bel in Bablyon and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up Baal-Zebub § 29. That is the Lord of flies but whether so called from bringing or banishing of flies from causing or chasing them away is not decided Indeed the Iews account it one of their constant miracles in their Temple that whereas naturally as where the carcase is thither will the Eagles resort so flies swarme where sacrifices are slain yet not any of such troublesome insects infected their Altar whilest plenty thereof about the sacrifices of Baal-zebub Of this Idol formerly in Dan here I onely enter my dissent from their opinion who conceive Baal-zebub a nick-name given in derision to the God of Ekron Surely sick men speake seriously and Ahaziah his fall had not so far crazed his intellectuals calling him Baal-zebub in his Commission to his messengers as to send a mock by their mouth to that God from whom he begged a boon and hoped to have a favorable answer At which time those messengers were remanded by Elijah and soon after the two Captains with their fifties sent to attach him burnt with fire from heaven whilest the third saved himself with submissive language a Petition working more then a Mandamus on the spirit of the Prophet Bel-zebub or God of flies passeth in the Testament for the Prince of Devils Indeed as flies have their felicity in inflaming of raw sores so the Devill delights in heightning each pimple into a scab scab into a boyle boyle into an ulcer ulcer into a fistula endevouring to improve our smallest sins by his temptations into unpardonableness if Gods mercy prevent not his malice
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
of Galilee Philol. I admire much at your inconstancy In your Map of Palestine some seven years since prefixed to your Holy War you set Iabesh-Gilead north of the river Iabbok in the Tribe of Manasseh which now you have translated many miles southward into this Tribe It seems you need no other to confute you but your self Aleth I have seen mine error and you see my retractation thereof One day teacheth another To live and not to learn is to loiter and not to live Confessions of our former mistakes are the honourable Trophies of our conquest over our own ignorance The main reason why Iabesh-Gilead could not be so far north is this because Saul marched from Bezek in the Tribe of Ephraim with an army of foot in an afternoon and a night over Iordan unto this City and came hither in the morning-watch Now though we allow that zeal to their brethren in danger spurred on the souldiers and did horse those foot in point of speed yet they almost needed wings in so short a time to goe so long a journey fifty miles at least besides the crossing of two great rivers Iordan and Iabbok and to come thither so early Wherefore with master More we have placed Iabesh-Gilead south of Iabbok some thirty miles from Bezek having the concurrence of other Authors for the position thereof â—hilol You have found a nest of Cities in the Apocrypha and place them all in this Tribe Whereas two of them namely Bozra and Betzer are by learned Tremellius found to be the one in Edom the other in Reuben many miles from the Tribe of Gad. Aleth I deny not but two Cities of the foresaid names are presented in those Countreys but could not be the same with these Cities which Maccabeus relieved It is expresly recorded once and again for the more certainty thereof that these places were in the land of Gilead And that any part of Edom or Reuben was ever reputed to belong to the land of Gilead is as I conceive an opinion unpresidented in any good author and unavouchable by any strong argmâ—nts CHAP. IV. Objections concerning Manasseh beyond Jordan answered Philol. YOu have made the countrey of Manasseh beyond Iordan too large in the dimensions thereof for it being the portion but of half a Tribe is according to your scale of miles little less in proportion then the Countrey which other entire Tribes did possess Aleth I confess the truth of what you alledge which is no whit strange in it self What more common then to call a Twin half a man Yet I doubt not but you have seen such half-men as proper persons as any single-born And the moiety of this Tribe possessed as much ground as most other whole Tribes in Israel This may appear by the number of Cities no fewer then threescore contained therein Yet under favour I conceive that the land east of Iordan was not altogether so civilized but more wilde and warlike then the countrey west thereof Especially this of Manasseh subject to hostile incursions from the north and east and therefore their portion was cut out in the largest size that what they wanted in the quietness they might have in the quanâ—ity of their possessions Philol. You make Chorazin within two miles of Capernaum whereas Mr. More in his Maps placeth it on the west side of the sea of Galilee hard by Bethsaida in my minde with more probability of truth For our Saviour saith Woe be to thee Chorazin woe be unto thee Bethsaida coupling them together in his commination who probably would have joined Capernaum and Chorazin together for the vicinity both of their profaneness and place had they been seated so near together as they are presented in your description Aleth Your argument concludes nothing at all Have you not often seen malefactours manacled together whose places of birth and breeding were farthest asunder So might it be with Chorazin and Bethsaida whilest Capernaum is singled out and set solely by it self in our Saviours threatning as a signall offender most eminent for its ingratitude As for our placing of Chorazin we have therein observed the instructions of Saint Hierome and other good Authours Philol. You make the brook Cherith in this Tribe without rendering any reason why you place it here which Adrichomius no doubt on good ground appointeth to be on the west side of Iordan in the Tribe of Ephraim Aleth The brook is but once mentioned in Scripture and therefore we want exact instructions for the position thereof Yea generally the Maps of Palestine take no notice of this brook As if it had been so dried up with the long drought in the days of Eliah that the channell thereof did not afterwards appear But to the point Two things are observable in Scripture concerning the postâ—re of this Cherith First that Eliah after his message done to Ahab in Samaria was commanded to turn himself Eastward Secondly that the brook Cherith whither he was sent is said to be before Iordan the Hebrew hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Tremellius rendereth it è regione Iordanis All which put together clearly speaketh it to have been â—ast of Samaria and on the other side of Iordan where judicious Mr. More in his Map hath placed it whom I conceive my self to follow on good reason CHAP. V. Objections concerning Naphtali answered Philol. YOu make all the Tribe of Naphtali west and on this side the River of Iordan whereas that passage foretold by the Prophet and applied by the Evangelist describes it on the other side The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali by the way of the sea beyond Iordan Galilee of the Gentiles The particle beyond is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek which makes it plain that Naphtali lay on the east side of Iordan Aleth The strength of your objection consists in the words beyond Iordan which are variously rendered by learned men By Tremellius in Isaiah secundum Iordanem by the same Author in Matthew transitus Iordan by Beza secus Iordanem The dicision of the difficulty depends on the proper sense of the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—nebher in Hebrew which barely imports no more then over but which way whether Cis or Trans whether on this side or beyond is to be expounded by the context This flexible nature and promiscuous sense of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gnebher is observed by Tremellius and others so that the text alledged by you renders no more then the land of Naphtali over Iordan without specifying any side of the river Secondly we answer that those words beyond Iordan are so indifferently placed in the Prophet that they may equally be referred to what followeth Galilee of the Gentiles part of which Galilee we have formerly described to lie east of Iordan and therein the City Chorazin wherein our Saviour so frequently conversed Philol. You make two fountains the one Ior the other Dan
as the father and mother of the River Iordan a fancy I fear rather pretty them solid bearing too much affinity with the derivation of the River Dourdan in France from the confluence of the two streams Dour and Dan whilest such a composition hath more of Latine then Hebrew therein Not to say that Iosephus is wholly silent hereof I suspect it for a modern conceit unavouchable by ancient Authors and prefer his opinion as most probable who deduceth Iordan from the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iarad to descend because it comes down with a powder and at set times overflowes all his bankes Aleth The negative argument from Iosephus is of small validity but to attest the antiquity of Iordans descent according to our description grudge not to read the following testimony of Philostorgius both because he is an ancient Author living in the fifth Century after Christ and his book at this day not extant save that some parcells of his are recited by Ioannes Antiochenus out of whose Manuscript not yet printed the following words are transcribed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In this Countrey of Paneas one of the fountains of Iordan is begotten there being two of them Dan so called even to this day from the ancient name thereof As for the other which is named for a certain hill of the same mountain sendeth it forth distant from the former about an hundred and sixty furlongs from either of which flows a rivolet the one termed Ioâ—ates the other Danites which flowing by the mountains to the foot of the plain thence forthwith compleate one great River Iordan in the same mingling both their names and streams See here an excellent evidence of the extraction of Iordan which cannot be condemned for a modern invention However if any will deduce Iordans name from a third fountain that Hebrew word aforesaid let him herein contentedly embrace his own opinion Philol. If you stick so stedfastly to the authority of Philostoâ—gius why dissent you from him in the distance between those two fountains which â—e makes an hundred and sixty furlongs that is twenty miles if eight furlongs make a mile and the interstitium in your Map amounts not fully to half so much Aleth Some mistake may justly be suspected in Philostorgius his number because for exceeding the proportion in other Authours I formerly acquainted you with that arbitrating power I have assumed I hope not unjustly to reconcile such differences in Authors by pitching on a middle number betwixt their extremities and here have made use of the same power accordingly Philol. What mean you by these eight nameless buildings surrounding the City of Cesarea Philippi Aleth They are set there to signifie the townes of Cesarea Philippi mentioned by the Evangelist whereabouts Saint Peter gave that eminent testimony of the Deity of our Saviour Philol. At Dan in this Tribe alià s Leshem and Cesarea Philippi you erect one of Ieroboam his Calves whereas Brocard who exactly surveyed Palestine in his Iournall gives us to understand that half a league from Bethel where one of the Calves were set up stood a mountain called Dan opposite thereunto where the other Calfe was erected Aleth His authority cannot countervaile Saint Hieromes Benjamin in Itinerario and others yea Truth it self which are on our side and against his opinion For Ieroboam was too good an husband to lavish both his Calves in one place which he rather would scatter in distant Cities the better to spread Idolatry in his kingdome Besides consider the end pretended at their erection namely to spare the peoples pains It is too much for you to goe up to Ierusalem that these Calves should be as it were Chappels of ease to save his subjects a tedious journey Now if both his Calves were penn'd up in a stall near Bethel as Brocard would have it little ease thereby was given to the northern Tribes and their journey not considerably shortned Therefore the other Calfe was set up at Dan in Naphtali as we have described it Philol. All that you have said doth not satisfie me that this Dan was the place where the Calfe was worshipped For soon after Ieroboams death in the reign of Baasha this Dan you speak of was smitten by Benhadad King of Syria This probably would have extinguished Calfe-worship if set up in that place which notwithstanding continued many hundred years after in the kingdome of Israel Aleth You might argue on the same grounds that the other Calfe was not erected in Bethel seeing even in the life of Ieroboam Abijah King of Iudah took from him Bethel with the towns thereof Observable herein is divine Justice punishing both those idolatrous places by the sword of their enemies so soon after the Calves were set up in them But we may be confident the Kings of Israel recovered both Dan and Bethel again and restored them to their former impious uses Philol. In the Worthies of Naphtali you account on Hiram Solomons Architect in building the Temple as a Naphtalite by the mothers side And yet in the description of Dan you make him a Danite by his female extraction Now what saith Nicodemus Can a man enter the second time into his mothers wombe Yea can he be born as you would have it twice though not of the same of severall women Aleth This your objection is not brought against my description but against the very letter of the Scripture that affirmeth the same 1 KING 7. 14. He was a widows son of the Tribe of Naphtali and his Father was a man of Tyre 2 CHRON. 2. 14. The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan and his father was a man of Tyre Now although I am not ingaged to meddle with the solution of this difficulty yet under favour I conceive the same properly to depend on an observation in Chorography May you be pleased to remember that Dan had a parcell of his portion acquired by conquest near the fountains of Iordan where Leshem Laish or Dan was placed which small territory lay above an hundred miles from the main body of that Tribe surrounded about with the Tribe of Naphtali as appeareth in our description thereof Now I suppose Hiram whose paternall extraction from Tyre is confessed on all hands was descended a Danite by his mother and called a Naphtalite also by his mothers side because of her habitation though in Dans small Countrey aforesaid lying in the land allotted to Naphtali Philol. You term it a most erroneous opinion in such who conceive the Galileans more drossie Iews then the rest herein contradicting your self having formerly affirmed that they were courser and less refined Iews Aleth Give me leave to distinguish between Iews courser in Religion and courser in Extraction The former we confess that the Galileans were less pure in Gods service as probably descended from the remnant of the ten Tribes Yet were they most truly the lost
sheep of Israel not debased by mixture of Gentilisme in their bloud like the Samaritans whom Christ declined whilest he constantly conversed with these Galileans Philol. You say that the City Naasson depends meerly upon the credit of the vulgar translation Tobit 1. Whereas looking on the Hebrew Map graven at Amsterdam by Abraham Goos but designed and made by another Abraham a great Rabbin skilled in the land and language of his own nation this Naasson appears there in Hebrew characters the Author no doubt having good assurance for the same Whose Map I can tell you is much valued by many Antiquaries as appears by their difficult procuring dear purchasing and carefull preserving thereof And you may finde it solemnly set up at the upper end of Sion Colledge Library Aleth It ill becomes me to detract from the pains of any being also my self a man under authority of the pens and tongues of others and Candidate for the Readers good will in this my description Yet give me leave plainly to profess that the Map by you alleadged answereth not the great price and generall praise thereof being nothing else but Adrichomius his Map translated into Hebrew What once Sir Iohn Old Castle Lord Cobham spoke jeastingly that the Priests made Christ to be boots and spurs and all in the Sacrament may I serously say that Adrichomius with his faults and failings dross dirt and all together without any correction is cast into this Abrahams overvalued description so that the Map you alledge is not gold but mean metall gilded over containing surreptitious names out of the Vulgar Latine therein Hebraized and presenting many spurious places utterly disclaimed in the Originall CHAP. VI. Objections against Asher answered Philol. I Admire you have altogether omitted the River Eleutherus in this Tribe much mentioned in Maccabees and which Adrichomius makes to fall into the Mediterranean in the mid-way betwixt Zidon and Tyre Yea M. George Sandys in his travels going from Sarepta to Tyre crossed a little valley divided by the River Eleutherus called Casmire at this day by the inhabitants thereabouts Aleth By what name or title soever the water he there went over is known at this day sure I am it cannot be the ancient Eleutherus which by Ptolemy Strabo and generall consent of all Authors falls above sixty miles more northward into the Mediterranean And therefore the error of Adrichomius and others herein is briefly taxed by judicious Sir Walter Ralegh Philol. You make Asher to border on Zidon contrary to the description of Wolsegangus Wiseburgius and learned Tostatus who set Zebulun in the same place as the most north-west of all the Tribes and alleadge Iacobs words to avouch the same prophecying that Zebuluns borders shall be unto Zidon Aleth Gods Word the coast of the Countrey and all good authors justifie our description those two onely excepted which you alleadge being both deceived by taking Zidon restrictively in Iacobs prophecy for the City so called whereas the whole Countrey thereby is intended as Sarepta is called a City of Zidon and the name of Zidonians adequate to Phenicians in which sense Zebulun confined on the Countrey though Asher onely on the City of Zidon Philol. You peremptorily place the defeat of Benâ—adad and fall of Apheks wall on his flying Army in this Tribe not remembring the while that there is another Aphek in Issachar nearer to Samaria which puts in with more probability to be the theater whereon that tragical accident was acted Aleth I confess Aphek a place in Issachar but finde it not charactered to be a City such an one as our Aphek in Asher is described and whose walls are therefore more probable to doe the foresaid execution However be it known unto you whensoever two places are with equall likelihood corrivals for actions therein atchieved we adjudge it to that place that falls first under our description Thus the start of half an hour bestows on the elder twin the whole inheritance To avoid confusion and prevent repetition first come first serv'd the place first occurring carries away all history in our describing thereof CHAP. VII Objections against Zebulun answered Philol. YOu very confidently make Iordan continue his unâ—ixit stream clean through the Galilean-sea a course somewhat irregular in nature without alleadging any authority for the proof of so improbable a passage Aleth Excellent Authors avouch the same Tacitus amongst others tells us of this River Unum atque alterum lacum integer perfluit tertio â—etinetur One and another lake viz. the waters of Merom and Galilean-sea it runneth through entire but is stopped in the third namely in Asphaltite-lake or Dead-sea More full is the testimony of Philostorgius and deserveth our serious perusall thereof Who speaking of this River 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which saith he passeth through the lake of Tiberias cutting it in the middle and flowing clean through it in its own proper channell Which cutting of the lake implies the entire continuance of Iordans water otherwise that knife doth not cut the loaf but is cut by the loaf which is broken in the dividing thereof Philol. I wonder you pass over Shimron-Meron in such silence which appears a place of great note yea a Royall City in the days of Ioshua as the Coronet thereupon doth inform us Aleth I confess it signed with a Coronet and with something more a flag of uncertainty having nothing sure of the location thereof the chiefest cause that I willingly declined the mention of it However we will scrue our selves into as much certainty of this place as may be extracted out of Scripture and observe the four first wreaths of my scrue are undoubtedly the fifth and last more then probably true as followeth 1 Shimron-Meron was one of the Royall Cities whose King Ioshua destroyed 2 The same City is elsewhere called plainly Shimron without any addition 3 It lay on the northern part of the land because the King thereof associated in the northern and second combination of the Canaanites against Ioshua 4 A City named Shimron was alloted to the Tribe of Zebulun 5 Most probably this is the same Shimron whose King was destroyed by Ioshua This is all which my best industry could collect out of Scripture or good Authors concerning the situation of this place Philol. What mean you by that third smooty circle which as the Meteor Halo about the Sun surroundeth the Levites City of Iockneam Aleth It signifieth nothing being a meer aberration of the Graver which now but obscure will in process of Printing wholly disappear And I could hartily wish no other faults in our Maps would be of longer continuance Philol. You make the Galilean-sea all along the east boundary of this Tribe Whereas I am altogether of the minde of Masius that no part of Zebulun touched on that sea with him principally grounding my opinion on the Scriptures silence which mentioneth not any conterminating of this Tribe
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
walls of any City but always pitched in the open desert This premised when they are said to be in Kadesh-Barnea we understand thereby a Countrey not City so named which began southwardly about Rithmah the fifteenth station of the Israelities whence they sent their spies and extended northwardly to Kadesh-Barnea properly so called probably a City certainly a limitary place belonging afterwards to the Tribe of Iudah Philol. You term their provocation of God in this place as yet the last and greatest temptation which seems to me not of so hainous a nature Aleth So many and great were their Rebellions it is hard to define which was their highest offence Their carriage for forty years is styled by God a day of temptation whose transgressions were so frequent and came so fast that they all compleated but one intire constant and continued temptation But to the point that this their despising of the pleasant land was a paramount impietie appears not onely by the exclusion of that whole generation from entering the same but by the confession of modern Iews Manasseh Ben Israel the Hebrew Divine at this day in Amsterdam observes the ninth day of the moneth Ab whereon saith he Exploratores flebant sinecauâ—a The spies sent to discover the land and all the congregation occasioned by their false reports wept without cause hath ever since been unfortunate to their nation their first and second Temple being burnt on the same day and many dysasters have since befallen them thereon Thus the Iews travell far off in their inquiries fetching the cause of their misfortunes from their forefathers in the wilderness more then three thousand years agoe which with more ease might take up their lodging nearer hand and finde the same in their crucifying of Christ as their highest sin and the cause of their deepest suffering Philol. Think you that Rithmah the fifteenth stage of the Israelites was the particular place whither the spies returned bringing the report of Canaan Aleth Though many conceive so under favour I take it more probable that the next mansion Rimmon-parez by name was the proper scene of that action For it signifieth in Hebrew the Division of Pomegranates so called as I conceive not from any growing there too barren a place for such beautifull fruit but brought thither by the Spies Pomegranates being specified amongst the fruits of the land which here were divided and shared among the people of Israel to show them a sample of the fruitfullness of Canaan Philol. What a blank and vacuity have you left betwixt Ezion-Gaber the thirty second and Kadesh-Zin the thirty third station of the Israelites sixty miles at least without any stage interposed It is not probable that they travelled so far without resting themselves betwixt them Aleth Surely they had intermediate Mansions where they took their nightly repose though not named by Moses because not making any considerable abode therein I conceive that after their departure from Ezion-Gaber God quickned the Israelites who truanted before in their slow and snail-like proceedings making them mend their pace probably travelling every day will they came to Kadesh which their young men might the better endure the old generation being almost worn out Philol. How comes Aaron to be buried in mount Hor whom elsewhere the Scripture affirmeth to be interred in Mosera Aleth It is no news to have severall names for the same place The forest of Black-more and the forest of White-Hart though black and white be contrary colours signifie the self same tract of ground in Dorset-shire Hor was the east part and Mosera the west part of this mountain This Mosera had formerly been the twenty seventh Mansion of the Israelites in their passage to Ezion-Gaber near which afterwards they made their thirty fourth station when Aaron was buried there which sufficiently argues the crookedness of their journying crossing those parts again where they had been before Philol. I commend your cunning that hath slipt over in silence four of the hardest names contained all in one verse Deut. 1. 1. These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Iordan in the wilderness in the plain over against the Red-sea between Paran and Tophel and Luban and Hazerâ—th and Dizahab Direct us to the position of these places Aleth Some conceive the plains of Moab wherein Moses wrote the book of Deuteronomy described thereby with the eminent bounds though at some distance round about it in manner following Others refuse this interpretation as an obscure and far fetch'd bounding of those plains preferring our English translation reading it Red-sea in stead of Zuph or Sedgie-land and so making these severall places the signall stages of the children of Israel in their passage out of Egypt Whereof the Red-sea and Paran are sufficiently known Laban the same with Libnaâ— their seventeenth station Hazeroth the place where Miriam was punished with leprosie Dizahab which the Greek renders golden mines and the Chaldee refers to the place where the golden Calfe was made and stamped to powder whilest Tophel not mentioned again in Scripture is conceived some station in Paran Thus Deuteronomy is a repetition of the law and of the memorable actions which occurred at these severall places Philol. I object nothing against the draught of the Tabernacle because the authority of Arias Montanus whence you confess it taken will pass it without exception But I question the exactness of severall places in your Map of Egypt Aleth You minde me of a Gentlemans finding a Picture in the shop of a Country-Painter whom he mistook for the maker thereof and thereupon fell a finding many faults therein But being informed that the same was drawn by one of the rarest Masters in Italy he instantly turned his cavilling at into commending thereof Such a convent your judgment will quickly be when I shall tell you that the Map of Egypt is of Ortelius his making save onely that the southern part thereof uselesse for our history is cut off and such places onely inserted herein as appears in Scripture The same I plead for the Habits and Idols of the Iews the former taken all out of Scripture the latter out of such Authors as are severally cited in our description Onely I could wish that in the Picture of Moloch out of Benjamins Itinerarie the three statues had been presented â—itting according to our directions And by the Altar to the unknown God we mean not that erected in Athens to a Grecian no Iewish Deity but onely we intend the same for a reserve for those many Iewish Idols whose names and severall worships are unknown unto us But it is time to break off lest one grand objection be made against all our Objections and Answers that they swell the volume into tediousness EZEKIEL his VISIONARY LAND OF CANAAN CHAP. I. Ezekiels visionary Land City and Temple uncapable of a literall meaning § 1.
of more then seven hundred years peaceable possession thereof But this threefold cable was broken with the weight of their sins and so was Israel carried away from their own land to Assyria unto this day Even Lands as well as Goods are moveables though not from their Center from their Owners at leastwise the owners are moveable from their lands § 3. Yet God did not all at once begin and end the captivity of the ten Tribes but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at sundry times and in diverse manners For 1 Pâ—l King of Assyria in the reign of Menahem carried the Reubenites Gadites and half Tribe of Manasseh away to the Cities of the Medes 2 Tiglath-Piâ—â—eser in the days of Pekah transported besides Gilead and the remains of the aforesaid Tribes Galilee namely so much thereof as was in the land of Naphtali unto Assyria 3 Shalmaneser cleared all the rest in the ninth year of Hoshea carrying them away to Halath and Habor by the River Gozan in the Cities of the Medes Probably the second or middle captivity of the Naphtalites afterwards removed themselves into Tartary where Ortelius findes their very name and a City called Tabor Asnoth-Tabor we know was a place in the border of Naphtali imposed no doubt to perpetuate the memory of their native Countrey § 4. Scripture gives us no account what afterwards became of these ten Tribes Onely in Esdras â— book accounted by some as the Apâ—â—rypha of the Apocrypha because never owned for Canonicall either by the Iews Romish Church in generall or Protestant writers we finde them travelling over Euphrates miraculously dried up in their passage towards Arsareth or Tartary a great way namely a journey of a year and an half A long stride indeed and yet might be but little if mending their pace no more then their ancestors did in their passage between Egypt and Canaan But waving Esdras his single testimony these ten Tribes appeare not since in any authenticall relation strange that the posterity of the two Tribes Iudah and Benjamin should be found almost every where whilest the off-spring of the ten Tribes are found no where Thuâ— God hath on them 〈◊〉 that curse which he formerly threatned To scatter them into corners and make the remembrance of them to cease Not that he hath utterly extinguished the being an opinion as unreasonable as uncharitable but hath hitherto concealed the known bâ—ing of so numerous a nation whom we may call the lost-loâ—t sheep of Israel both in respect of their spirituall condition and corporall habitation § 5. Some conceive the modern Amâ—ricans of the Jewish race collecting the same from some resemblances in rites community of customes conformity of clothes fragments of letters foot-steps of knowledge ruines of language though by a casuall coincidence some straggling words of the Athenians may meet in the mouths of the veriest Barbarians and many other Iudaismes amongst the Indians And lately a Jewish Rabbin of Amsterdam tels us that beyond the Cordiller hills and river Maragnon a fair people are found with long beards and rich in clothes living by themselves different in religion from the rest of the Indians whom he will have to be the ten Tribes there remaining in a body together His arguments so prevaile on some formerly contrarily minded as to turn the tyde of their judgment to concur with his with others they make it dead water not to oppose his opinion whilest a third sort listen to his relation as onely priviledged from confutation by the remoteness thereof § 6. For mine own part I behold his report as the Twilight but whether it will prove the morning twilight which will improve it self into full light or that of the evening darkening by degrees into silence and utter obscurity time will discover When the eleven Tribes so virtually may I term them brought news that one lost Tribe Ioseph was found Iacobs heart fainted for he beleeved them not till afterwards he was convinced on clearer evidence How much more then may I be permitted to suspend my judgment when one man brings tydings of ten lost Tribes all found in an instant untill farther proof be made thereof Surely we who now secretly smile at some probable insinuations in his report shall on better assurance have our mouthes filled with laughter not Sarahs laughter of distrust but Abrahams of desire delight and beliefe when his relation shall be confirmed to us from other hands And indeed the messenger deserves to be well paid for his pains who brings clear proof thereof the discovery of the posterity of these ten Tribes being an happy Forerunner and Furtherer of their future conversion CHAP. III. Of the Jews their repossessing their native Countrey § 1. IT is a conceit of the modern Iews that one day they shall return under the conduct of their Messias to the Countrey of Canaan and City of Ierusalem and be re-estated in the full possession thereof If any object that their land now base and barren is not worth the regaining They answer when they shall recover their Countrey the Countrey shall recover its former fruitfulness as if God would effect miracles as fast as man can fancy them With them concur some Protestant Divines maintaining that the Iews shall be restored to a flourishing Common-wealth with the affluence of all outward pomp and pleasure so that they shall fight and conquer Gog and Magog the Turke with many other miraculous achievements One Author so enlargeth the future amplitude of the Jewish State that thereby he occasioned a confining to himself His expressions indiscreetly uttered or uncharitably construed importing that all Christian Princes should surrender their power as homagers to the temporall supreme Empire of the Jewish nation § 2. For the proof of this their position never did the servants of Benhadad more diligently observe or more hastily catch any thing of comfort coming from the mouth of Ahab then the Iews search out and snatch at every gracious promise made to them in the old Testament Such principally as Deut. 30. 3. Then on their repentance the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity and have compassion upon thee and will return and gather thee from all nations whiter the Lord thy God hath scattered thee Isaiah 11. 12. And he shall set up an Ensigne for the nations and shall assemble the out-casts of Israel and gather together the dispersed of Iudah from the four corners of the earth Levit. 26. 44. And yet for all that when they be in the land of their enemies I will not cast them away neither will I abhor them to destroy them utterly and to break my covenant with them for I am the Lord their God § 3. This last place the Iews highly price and such of them as live in Germany call it Simiam auream or the Golden Ape And why so Because forsooth in the