was the 30 mansion of the Israelites in the wildernesse being 132 miles from Ierusalem toward the South took the name from the pleasantnesse and fertilitie of the wildernesse being deriued of Iatab Batha A certain good and pleasant wast or wildernesse Of Arbona THis place being very discommodious and no whit profitable the children of Israel were constrained to remoue their tents with great weeping and lamentation for Arbona being deriued from Abar and Naha signifies partly to remoue and partly to weep Of Aezion Gaber THis was a town of the Idumaeans neer the red sea 148 miles from Kades Barnea and 174 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Here the Israelites set vp their tents and here Solomon made his Navy which he sent to Ophir to fetch gold 1 Kings 9. This city no doubt took the name of the strength and multitude of trees whereof these ships were built for they were very faire ships and of excellent workmanship Aezion Gaber signifieth A strong tree beeing deriued of Ez and Gaber that is A Tree of strength Of Zin-Kades THis was a great Wildernesse lying betweene Ezion-Gaber and Kades-Barnea being 184 miles in length abounding with thorns and high mountaines Vpon the North side thereof lay mount Seir and Kades-Barnea and towards the South the red sea It was called Paran and Zin of the aboundance of thorns that grew there for Zin of Zanan signifies a sharp thorne Zinnim full of thorns and Kadesh Sanctity or holinesse Here Moses and Aaron hauing strooke the rocke twice at length it brought forth water but for their murmuring incredulity God would not suffer them to goe into the land of Canaan This lay 120 miles from Ierusalem toward the South Of the mountaine Hor. HOr is a mountain of the Idumaeans 88 miles from Ierusalem toward the Southeast and is deriued of Harar which signifieth a great mountain here Aaron died The King of the Canaanites which dwelt toward the South in a town called Arad vpon the borders of Iudaea and Arabia Petraea hearing that Aaron was dead inuaded the Iews with a great army discomfited them and tooke some of them captiues But after the Israelites to reuenge this iniury tooke and destroyed diuers cities which belonged to the Canaanites and put the citisens to the sword This countrey is called Chormah which signifieth a curse or desolation Of Zalmona THis was a place in the desart of Zin-Kades where the Israelites pitcht their tents being 80 miles from Ierusalem to the Southeast and took the name from shades or little sheds vnder which the Israelites dwelt for Zalmona seems a compound of Zel and Mun which signifies a shady place and seemes to haue affinitie with Manah to distribute here and there Of Phunon THis was a city of the Idumaeans scituated in the wildernes of Arabia Petraea 64 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southeast and takes the name from a faire and flourishing city For Panan in Hebrew signifieth an high pinnacle from whence one might see all parts of the world Here Moses set vp the brasen Serpent Of Oboth THis was the 37 mansion of the Israelites in the wildernesse was 56 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southeast and signifies a serpent called Python Here the Arabians receiued an answer from the Diuell by way of conjuration Of Igim THis was the 38 Mansion of the Israelites so called because of the multitude which were assembled neer to a mountain called Abarim 52 miles from Ierusalem toward the Southeast for Igim signifieth a Congregation Of Dibon Gad. THis was the 39 station of the Israelites in the desart beeing 52 miles from Ierusalem toward the Southeast neere to the floud Zared bordering vpon the Idumaeans and Moabites running from thence into the red sea and as it seemes taketh name from descending into a strong place Of Almon Diblathaim THis place stands beyond the red sea some 40 miles from Ierusalem toward the East and taketh name from a Fraile of dried figs from Alam signifieth he hath hidden and Debeleth A Fraile of dried figs. Here was the 40 mansion of the Israelites and lay close by the riuer Arnon Num. 21. 23. Of the mountaines Abarim THese mountaines lay 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the East and taketh the name from Passing along for Abar is as much to say as He went along Between these mountains and the lake Asphaltites neere to the Easterne riuer of the Dead sea the Moabites inhabited Of Iahza THis was a city of the Levits the sons of Merar in the Tribe of Benjamin 24 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Ios 21. here Moses ouercame the King of the Ammonites and put them to death Num. 21. Of Chezbon THis was the Metropolis of Sehon King of the Ammorites who held the country beyond Iordan and because he would not suffer the children of Israel to passe through his Dominions therefore Moses made warre vpon him put him to death and gaue all his country to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. This was a faire towne and after fell to the Levits Num. 21.33 Deut. 1.2 c. and tooke its name from Cheschebon which signifies An artificiall vnderstanding for Chaschaf is as much as excogitavit that is he hath found out and Cheschaef is An artificiall and ingenious Worke. Of Iaezir IAezir was a city of the Priests in the Tribe of Gad 36 miles from Ierusalem toward the East and in Ieroms time was a smalâ— village and signifies The Lord is my help being deriued of Iah that is The Lord God and Ezaer The helper Of Edrie THis is a city in the countrey of Gilead beyond Iordan and the Galilean sea 32 miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward neere the lake of Gaderin where Og the King of Basan was ouercome by Moses and after fel to the Tribe of Manasses Num. 21. Ios 13. Deut. 13. S. Ierom saith That in his time this towne waâ— called Adar Og signifieth a Cooke or one that baketh bread vpon coles Aedriae signifies an heap of bright clouds being deriueâ— of Adar and Hi that is a cleare heape Of Astoroth THis was a metropolitan City of Basan foure miles distanâ— from Edri and 56 from Ierusalem toward the Southeast Iâ— stood beyond Iordan and belonged to the half tribe of Manasses of which you may reade before in the trauels of Lot Of Pisgah THis was a high mountaine in the plaine of the Moabites against Iericho 240 miles from Ierusalem Eastward It took the name from the cities Pisgah and Nebo and therefore is called somtimes Pisgah somtimes Nebo Here Moses died Nebo signifies a city of the Prophets Pisgah The top of a hill The Trauels of the Prophet Balaam THere are many which thinke that this Prophet Balaam was of the posteritie of Nahor the brother of Abraham and an inhabitant of the city of Charan in Mesopotamia Gen. 11. Iosephus saith he dwelt neere to Euphrates and S. Ierom in a Citie called Phatura of which there is mention Num. 22. and signifies an obscure Prophet or
Ierusalem she returned backe again which was 964 miles So all her trauels were 1928 miles Of Aethiopia THis Countrey by the Hebrewes is called Chus of Chus the son of Cham who was the son of Noah and after Aethiopia ab astu torrida because of the great heate wherewith oftentimes the habitable land and people as also the wildernesse were sorely scorched and burned for it is scituated in the third part of the world called Africa lying vnder the torrid Zone and the Aequator which two by common experience are found to bee extreme hot Of Saba SAba is a metropolitan city in Ethiopia lying beyond Egypt 846 miles from Ierusalem towards the South and tooke the name from a certain pretious stone called Achates wherin might plainly be discerned in certain distinct colors the rising of fountains the chanels of riuers high mountains and somtimes of chariots and horses drawing them It is reported That Pyrrhus King of the Epirots had one of them wherein was liuely represented the nine Muses and Apollo playing on the Viol portrayed by naturall staines and colours so artificially as if they had bin don by some curious workman Of this stone you may reade more in Pliny li. 37. ca. 1.10 It was first found in Achates a riuer of Sicilia whence it tooke the name Afterward in India and Phrygia and of the Hebrewes was called Schaeba or Saba In this city that Queen dwelt who came to heare Solomons wisedom and gaue him for a present 120 talents of pure gold which at 3 pounds an ounce comes to 270000 pounds sterling Afterwards Cambyses King of Persia ouercame it and all the country round about it and after his sisters name called it Meroës It is a stately city to this day scituated in a plain country and compassed about with the riuer Nilus like an Island being now called Elsaba hauing some affinitie to the antient name Saba The Inhabitants of this towne goe naked all but their priuy parts which they couer either with Silke Cotton or some more costly matter and are of a blacke colour which as some thinke hapneth by reason of the extreme heat The land also is maruellously scortched and turned in many places to sand and dust So that the country is thereby wonderfull barren About Meroes or Saba which is made fruitful by the inundation of Nilus there is found plenty of salt brasse yron and some pretious stones Their sheep goats oxen and other cattell are of lesse stature than in other Countries Their dogs are very fierce and cruell In times past there were mighty princes that had the gouernement and command of it and the Country round about it But after as Pliny saith lib. 6. cap. 29. it was in the jurisdiction and gouernment of Queenes who for their noble resolutions courage were called Candaces One of which name in Tiberius the Emperours time was famous both for the extent of her dominions in which she exceeded all the rest of her predecessors as also in regard of her manly presence and noble spirit The Eunuch which Philip baptised Acts 8. was Treasurer or Chamberlain to this Queene and it is to be thought By him the doctrine of the Gospell of Christ was first made knowne in Saba and in the countrey of Aethiopia which afterwards was more largely propagated and dispersed by the Evangelist S. Mathew who taught there This city lieth to the longitude of 61 degrees and 30 scruples in the eleuation of the Pole Artick to the latitude 16 degrees and 25 scruples So that it seemes the inhabitants haue two winters two summers or rather a continual summer because their winter is much hotter than our summer But when the Sunne attaineth to the 15 degree of Taurus and Leo and in the Dog daies it then lies perpendicular ouer that country and neither their bodies nor houses giue any shadowes In the 61 of Esay it is said They shall come from Saba and bring gold frankincense to praise the Lord. From whence some some haue concluded That those wise men which came vnto the childe Iesus and brought Gold Frankincense and Myrrh were Aethiopians and came thence But this agreeth not well with the words of Mathew ca. 2. where it is written That the wise men came out of the East that is from the rising of the Sun to Ierusalem For Saba according to our Sauiors words Mat. 12. lieth towards the South for he saith The Queen of the South that is of Saba shall come forth in the day of Iudgement against this generation and condemne it for she came from the end of the world to heare the wisedome of Solomon c. But if Saba lie vpon the South as here it plainely appeareth then it must needs follow they came not thence but rather from Persia which from Ierusalem lies Eastward For at Susa the metropolis of that country there was an Academy for the whole kingdom in which were chiefly studied Diuinity the Mathematickes and History So that it is likely by their Art they might attain to the knowledge of this diuine Mysterie and from thence come to Ierusalem which was 520 miles Eastward Therfore this place of the Prophet Esay is rather to be referred to the propagation of the church through the whole world where some of euery nation shall bring presents vnto the Lord. There is also another Saba in Arabia Foelix so called from Zaeba the son of Chus the son of Cham the sonne of Noah and it is distant from Ierusalem 1248 miles toward the Southeast In Hebrew it signifies the city of Drunkennesse or of Mirth but with the Syrians Antiquitie Some would haue it in the Arabian tongue to signifie a Mysterie But S. Ierom interprets it To sound their conuersion It is the metropolitan City of Arabia Foelix and by Strabo lib. 6. called Meriaba being scituated in a high and pleasant mountain full of fruitfull trees There inhabiteth in it the King of that countrey a mightie Prince his Gouernors and most of such as haue authority vnder him The land is called the Kingdome of the Sabaeans but generally Arabia Foelix because of the fertilitie of the place for it yeeldeth twice euery yeare great plenty of Frankincense Myrrh Cinnamon Balsam and other odoriferous herbs The tree out of which this Myrrh commeth is fiue cubits high hairy and full of prickles and when you cut the barke there commeth forth a bitter gumme wherewith if you anoint a dead body it will continue long without rotting The frankincense also that is found there droppeth from Cedar trees like a glewie substance and so congealeth into a Gum. This happeneth twice euery yeare and according vnto the season it changeth colour in the Spring it is red in the Summer white This is the best Frankincense in all Arabia Foelix Through the whole country there is a very delectable smell by reason of the Myrrh Frankincense and Cinnamon that is found in it insomuch that if the winde blowes amongst the trees it
carrieth the smell vnto the red sea and they that saile can easily discerne the sweetnesse of the aire There is gold also found there very fine and pure insomuch as for the goodnesse of it it is called Arabian gold The Phoenix is found there of which there is but one in the world Pliny lib. 9. cap. 35. describes her to be as big as an Eagle with a list of feathers like gold about her necke the rest are of a purple colour therefore from Phoenicea and the purple colour of her wings shee is called Phoenix Shee hath a tuft of feathers vpon her head like vnto a crowne Shee liueth 660 yeares at the end of which time she buildeth her a nest of Cassia Cinnamon Calamus and other pretious Gummes and herbs which the Sun by the extremitie of the heate and the wauing of her wings fires and she taking delight in the sweetnesse of the sauor houers so long ouer it that she burnes her selfe in her owne nest Within a while after out of the marrow of her bones and the ashes of her body there groweth a worme which by little and little increaseth to some bignesse and after to a purple bird Then her wings extend themselues to a full greatnesse till such time as she commeth to be a perfect Phoenix This Bird doth liuely represent our Sauiour Christ who only and alone is the true Messiah and through whom we must expect euerlasting life who in the fulnesse of time offered himself a Sacrifice vpon the Crosse sustaining the punishment for sin at the time of his Passion putting on a purple robe being all be sprinkled with his owne bloud Ioh. 19. And as the Phoenix is burnt in her owne nest so likewise was hee consumed in the fire of Gods wrath according to that in the 22 Psal My heart is become like melting wax in the middest of my body And as the Phoenix of it selfe begetteth another of the same kinde so Christ by the power of his Deitie raised vp his body from the dust of the earth and ascended vp into heauen a glorious body to sit at the right hand of his father in that euerlasting Kingdome of glory Thus gentle Reader I thought fit to describe vnto you these two townes that when you shall reade of them in the holy Scripture the one being in Aethiopia towards the South the other in Arabia Foelix and called Seba you might discerne the one from the other of both which there is mention in the 72 Psalme The Kings of the Sea and of the Isles shall bring presents the Kings of Saba and Seba shall giue gifts The Trauels of King Pharaoh out of Aegypt when he ouercame the Towne of Gazer 1 Reg. 9. IN the 16 yeare of King Dauid Anno mundi 2906 and before Christ 1602 Chabreus King of Aegypt began to raigne and raigned 56 yeares Diod. lib. 2. cap. 2. Herodotus calleth this man Chephrines in his second booke and Eusebius Nepher Cherres He went from Memphis the chiefe Citie of Aegypt with a great armie 268 miles euen vnto the tribe of Ephraim and there tooke Gazer a Citie of the Leuites and burned it with fire 1 Reg. 8. Ios 21. After he came to Ierusalem which was 28 miles And this city which he had thus destroied he gaue to his daughter the wife of Solomon 1 Reg. 9. From thence he returned to Memphis in Aegypt 244 miles So all the Trauels of King Pharaoh were 244 miles Of Memphis MEmphis is a great city in Egypt where commonly the kings of that country keepe their Courts and lyeth from Ierusalem 244 miles South-westward This citie was built a little before the floud but repaired and enlarged by a king called Ogdoo who in loue of his daughter after her name called it Memphis You may reade of it in the ninth of Hosea called there by the name of Moph for thus he saith The people of Israel are gone out of the land of Ephraim because of their Idolatrie into Aegypt but Aegypt shall gather them vp Moph that is Memphis shall bury them Moph or Mapheth in this place signifieth A prodigious wonder but the rest of the Prophets call it Noph for the fertilitie pleasantnes of the country as you may reade Esa 19. The Princes of the Zoan are become foolish and the Princes of Noph or of Memphis are deceiued See also Ierem. 2.44.46 Ezech. 30. in which places you may find it called after this name Zoan is the citie Tanis where Moses wrought all his miracles But Noph or Moph is this Memphis a beautifull towne large and spacious scituated in the strongest and profitablest place in Aegypt diuided into two parts by the riuer Nilus so that any kind of commodities or merchandise might with ease bee brouht thither by water for which cause the kings of that countrie for the most part kept their abiding there Strabo saith lib. 17. That vpon the East part of this citie there standeth a Tower or Castle called Babylon built by certaine Babylonians who leauing their owne countrey by the permissions of the kings of Egipt dwelt there in after times there was placed a garrison in it one of the three which were for the defence of Aegypt and by Ptolomy was called Babilon through both which viz. Memphis and Babilon Nilus passed the one standing vpon the East side the other vpon the West Zoan or Tanis stood about some foure miles from this towne and was a faire spacious citie also scituated towards the South vpon the East side of Nilus to which the kings of that country often resorted and Heliopolis anothet faire citie stood some six miles off that towards the Northeast All these foure townes were so wonderfully inhabited by reason of their pleasant profitable scituation that in processe of time they become all one citie and in this age is called Alcaire containing in circuit 60 miles so that it seemeth to spectators to be like a country replenished with nothing but fair houses goodly churches strong towers exceeding all the rest of the cities of Egypt aswell for the beautifulnesse of the place as the extent and largenesse of it It is reported that in the yeare of our Lord 1476 there was such an extreme pestilence in it that there died 20000 a day from whence may be gathered how infinitely it is peopled Neere to this towne stood the Pyramides which are held to he one of the wonders of the World as Strabo saith lib. 17. the height of one of them was 625 foot and square on each side 883 foot it was twentie yeares a building a hundred thousand workemen emploied about it whence it may be easily gathered how hard and difficult it was in those times to get stone it being for the most part brought from Arabia and at what an excessiue charge they were that set vp them Of Gazar This Citie is described in the Trauels of Solomon The Trauels of Hadad King of Idumaea WHen Dauid conquered Idumaea Hadad
in carts Thus God turneth the aire and the earth to the confusion of those that persecute his Church Of Pergamus THis was another of the townes whereto Iohn wrot his Reuelation It was a famous city and metropolitan of Mysia scituated in Asia minor 228 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward It stood vpon a high rock close by the riuer Caicus from whence it was called Pergamus For in antient times all famous and notable places were called amongst the Graecians Pergama as Suidas and Servius obserueth Strabo lib. 13. saith That in the time of Lysimachus the sonne of Agathocles who was one of the successours of Alexander the Great it was but a castle in which place because of the strength of it he vsually kept all his treasures and those things that were of account and committed the custody of it vnto one named Philetaerus an Eunuch of Tyanus But this man being accused to Lysimachus That he would haue forced his wife Arsinoës for feare of some future punishment because of that offence moued the inhabitants of that Hold to rebellion At the same time also there happened many commotions in Asia whereby Lysimachus was constrained to leaue this and make opposition against Seleucus Nicanor who had inuaded his dominions But in this war Lysimachus was slaine And Philetaerus hauing in his possession great riches that hee might enioy what hee had was alwayes obseruant to him that gat the victorie by which meanes he kept himselfe and his riches for the space of 20 yeares in that castle and then dyed and left all his wealth to Eumenes his brothers sonne who inlarged his gouernment and ouercame Antiochus the sonne of Seleucus This man after hee had raigned 32 yeares dyed and Attalus his sonne succeeded him in the Gouerment who hauing conquered Galatia made a league with the Romans and by them was first called by the name of a King After him succeeded his son Eumenes the second of that name who aided the Romanes against Antiochus magnus King of Syria for which seruice the Romans gaue him all the dominions that Antiochus had on this side the Alps. This man was the first that enlarged the castle of Pergamus and made it a goodly city planting round about it a thick wood or grove and called it Nicephorus And after he had reigned 49 yeares he died and left his kingdom to his son Attalus called Philometor This Attalus after hee had done many notable exploits died without issue when hee had reigned 5 yeares and left his kingdome to the Romans who turned it into a prouince There liued in this town many learned men as Galen the Physitian who was famous in the time of Trajan the Emperor and as the fame went liued 140 yeares Of that town also was Apolodorus the Rhetoritian who was schoole-master to Augustus Caesar of which man the Apollodorean sect tooke name and Dionysius Atticus his scholer Here Antipas was crowned with the Wreath of martyrdome To the Bishop of this Towne Iohn wrot his Reuelation and in the second Chapter thereof sharpely reprehendeth him because he bore with the sect of the Nicholaitans which although it lasted not long yet it was very dangerous Eusebius saith That Nicholaus one of the seuen Deacons for the poore at Antiochia of whom you may reade Act. cap. 6. was the first author of this sect yet Clem. Alexand. cleares him of it laying that offence rather on certaine idle persons that misconstruing his words being giuen ouer to vile affections couered their euils vnder his name calling themselues Nicolaits though indeed he had no hand in it but liued and died honestly The opinion that this Sect held as Euseb saith li. 3. ca. 23. and Irenaeus libr. 1. Chap. 27. was That women were to be common That it was lawful to eat meat offered to Idols That fornication and Adultery was no sin beside many other wicked and peruerse opinions concerning the Deity which would be too tedious to recite in this place You may read more of it in Eusebius and Tertullian Of Thyatira THis was the fourth church to which Iohn wrot his Reuelation it was scituated close by the riuer Caicus vpon the borders of Mysia and Lydia 600 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward It was a very faire city in Asia minor yet subiect to the Lydians In this country Lidda was born that dwelt at Philippa and gaue entertainment to Paul and Sylas Acts 16. Philippa was distant from this town 400 miles It was at first called according to the testimony of Stephen Pelopea and Semiramis But after Seleucus Nicanor K. of Syria making war vpon Lysimachus king of Thrace comming to this towne had newes that his wife had bore him a daughter in honor whereof he would needs haue the town called Thugateira which in Greeke signifies a daughter but Thyatira Diuine reuerence Of Sardis TO this city also S. Iohn wrot his Reuelation It was a famous and princely seat scituated in Asia not farre from the mountaine Tmolus where Croesus King of the Lydians kept his court being 536 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest It was so called without doubt of Sardus the sonne of Hercules which maketh Sardis in the plural number Of this Towne were those two Diodories which were Oratours The younger of them did write Histories and Poems and was one of Strabo's great friends Close by this Towne is found a precious stone which after the townes name is called Sardis it is of a fleshly colour and therefore is commonly called Carnalia of which you may reade more in Pliny lib 37. cap. 4. Of Philadelphia SAint Iohn also wrote his Reuelation to this city It was scituated in Mysia a countrie in Asia Minor being 450 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest This city is so often troubled with Earthquakes that the inhabitants are many times constrained to dwell in the open fields Vpon the East side thereof lies a dry and barren country which seemeth to be burnt and scorcht with heat being 60 miles long and 48 miles broad where there grows no trees but there are found great plenty of grapes which being prest yeeld very pleasant wine and may compare with the best of those parts The superfices of the earth seemeth like ashes mountany stony and blacke many conjecture the cause therof to be by reason of the great thunders and lightning that they haue there but there are some which giue other reasons for it It was called Philadelphia of Attolus Philodelphius who first built it Of Laodicea THis was the seuenth and last Citie that Iohn directed his Reuelation to It stood close by the riuer Lycus in Caria a country in Asia the lesse fiue hundred and twentie miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest and is likewise oftentimes troubled with Earthquakes as Sardis Magnesia and Philadelphia are The reason of these often Earthquakes is thought to be because there are vaults and hollow caues vnder the earth into which the aire in the time of heat hauing free entrance
many famous men that either liued or were borne in this towne as Thales Milesius one of the seuen Wise-men of Graece Anaximander who was his scholler Anaximenes and Hecataeus the Historian also Eschenes the Orator not he that contended with Demosthenes who taking too much libertie against Pompey was banished Timothius the musician and Pittacus the Philosopher besides many others But of all these Thales Milesius was held in greatest estimation because he was thought to be the first that taught natural Philosophie and the Mathematicks amongst the Grecians He was the first also that foretold of the Eclipse of the Sun about such time as the battell was fought betweene Cyaxares father of Astyages King of the Medes and Hallyatâ—es father of Croesus K. of the Lidians which was about the 44 Olimpiad There came vnto him a certaine man who asked him what was the hardest thing in the world he answered seipsum nosce to know himselfe Another came to him and askt him how he might do to liue justly he answered Si quae in alijs reprehendimus ipse non faciamus That we doe not those things which we reprehend in others He died about the 58 Olympiad Meletus at this day is called Melasa Of Cous. THis is one of the Cyclad Islands lying in the Aegean sea bordring vpon Caria being so called from the Vaults and caues that are in it and distant from Ierusalem 524 miles It hath a city called after the same name wherein there was a stately Temple built in honour of Iuno another standing in the suburbs therof dedicated to Aesculapius this was a very sumptuous temple and made very rich because of the many presents and gifts that were sent and dedicated to it When the Romanes had obtained the command of this Isle Octavius the father of Augustus Caesar tooke out of this temple a naked Venus which was a goodly image and carried it with him to Rome in honour of his progenitors who deriued their progenie from her It is in compasse 56 miles being so pleasantly scituated that it was a sea marke to Mariners very fruitfull and bringing forth abundance of wine silke by reason of a certain fish that is found there from which they got great plenty See Plin. lib. 11. cap. 22. There were many that liued onely by weauing of silke and aboue the rest there was one Pamphila the daughter of Plates that was most excellent in that Art There were many famous men that were either born or liued in that country as Hipocrates that excellent Physitian Apelles that notable painter Simus the Physician Philetas the poët and orator Nicia the prince and tyrant of Cous Ariston the Peripatetick and Theomnestus that notable politician At this day this Isle is within the Turkish Empire and by them called Stacu also the principall citie thereof is called by the same name and wholly inhabited by the Turks two towns only being inhabited by the Grecians but there are many that dwell in strong castles compassed with round and stately towers This countrey is very fertile abounding with cattell and the mountaines thereof are little inferior to those of Creet Of Rhodes THe city and Isle of Rhodes which is so called from the sweet smell or roses is scituated in the Mediterranean sea a little from Asia the lesse vpon the South being distant from Ierusalem 140 miles toward the Northwest as Strab. saith l. 14. It is in compasse 112 miles It was at first called Ophy then Statilia after Telchin of the inhabitants thereof who were called Telchines a people which as some say were witches others say curious Artificers and were the first that found out the making of brasse and yron At last it tooke the name of Rhodes from the principal city that stood in it for there were three cities in it viz. Lyndus Camirus and Ialyssus In Lyndus Cleobulus one of the seuen Wisemen of Graece and Chares that famous Statuarie who made the Colossus which stood in this Isle were borne Ialyssus of a Rose that was found in it was called Rhodes being scituated vpon an exceeding high promontorie lying toward the East part of that Isle This exceeded the other two cities both for ports waies walls and other ornaments and the inhabitants were gouerned with such excellent lawes and so skilfull in nauigation that it might compare with the strongest citie of the world and for a long time had the command of the sea round about and vtterly abolished all Pirats and robbers from those parts Diodorus Sicul. li. 6. saith that it was called Rhodes of Rhodia a faire and beautifull maid who was dearely beloued of Apollo and therefore this Island was dedicated to the Sunne for as Solinus saith though the heauens be neuer so cloudy yet the Sun shineth in Rhodes Pindarus the Poet because of the fertility of the soile and the exceeding opulencie of the inhabitants saith that it rained gold in that country In former times it flourished with learning and good arts insomuch that the Romans for the most part sent their children to be brought vp at Rhodes This Isle is very fruitfull and bringeth forth many things necessarie for the maintenance of life but aboue all a certaine red wine which the Romans did greatly delight in and valued at a high price In this city liued that notable Painter called Protogines which Apelles conquered in that science as Pliny saith lib. 35. ca. 10. Demetrius King of Asia erected a notable Collossus or Statue of the Sun in this Isle which that notable caruer Chares made being outwardly all of pure brasse but within nothing but stones it was seuentie cubits high and so artificially made that it was accounted for one of the wonders of the world Afterward it was carried into Aegypt by the Aegyptians who woon the towne This Isle is famous to this day in times past it was accounted one of the keys of Christendome but at this day subject vnto the Turk of which you may reade more in the Turkish History Of Patara PAtara was a Citie of Licia so called of Patarus the builder thereof who was the sonne of Apollones or Lacones as Strabo and Servius saith it was scituated vpon the South side of Asia the lesse close by the shore of the Mediterranean sea 408 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest Ptolomaeus Philadelphius K. of Aegypt inlarged this city and called it after his sisters name Arsinoës Lysiaca to put a difference betweene it and other Cities called after that name for there was an Arsinoe in Aegypt and another neere Cyrene where Apollo in certaine Moneths of the winter season by the help of the Divel gaue answer to them that sought after him S. Paul was in this towne Acts 11. There was also another towne of this name in Achaia where S. Andrew was crucified The Trauels of S. Paul when he was taken captiue and carried Prisoner to Rome IN the 57 yeare after the natiuitie of Christ Paul being then 47 yeares of
of Italy not farre from Naples scituated on the sea shore 1388 miles from Ierusalem Westward taking that name from fountains or Wels of hot water being built by the Salamians as Eusebius saith about such time as the Tarquins were banished Rome 507 yeares before the natiuitie of Christ It was antiently called Dicaearchia because of their singular justice noble gouernment But when the Romans made war against Hannibal they fortified this town to withstand his forces and then called it Puteoli which name it retained a long time after At this day it is called Puzzoli At this city the Apostle Paul his companions ariued when they sailed into Rome Acts 27. Between Puteoli and Baia there lieth the lake of Lucrinus into which by the command of Augustus Caesar a Dolphin was thrown Now there was a young Youth called Simon the son of a poore man dwelling in Baia who vsually played among other youths vpon the banks of this lake and seeing the Dolphin it being a strange fish in those parts and verie amiable to looke vpon did take great delight in it and oft times fed it with bread and other things as he could get insomuch as the Dolphin when it heard the boyes voice vpon the banks of the riuer would resort to him receiue at his hand his accustomed food Thus it continued so long that the Dolphin would suffer the boy to handle him take him by the gils play with him yea and somtimes to get vpon his backe then swim with him a great way into the lake and bring him back again and suffer him to go safe vpon the shore After this manner hee continued for many yeares together and in the end the youth died Yet the Dolphin resorted to his vsuall place expecting his accustomed food from the hands of this boy but missing him he left the shore languisht away and died Concerning the nature of this fish you may read more at large in Pliny lib. 9. cap. 8. Of Colossa THis City is scituated in Phrygia a countrey in Asia minor neere the riuers of Lycus and Meander 520 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward not farre from Laodicea so called from the mighty statues and Colosso's that were set vp in it These cities Colossa Laodicea and Hierapolis where the Apostle Philip was put to death in the tenth yeare of Nero a little before Pauls martyrdome were sunke by an earthquake which without doubt was a great judgement of God vpon them because they refused the grace and comfort of the doctrine of the Gospel offered vnto them by the Apostles The Epistle of Paul dedicated to the Colossians was sent by the hand of Onesymus from Rome vnto these towns being 1080 miles For although the Rhodians were called Colossians because of that famous Colossus that stood there yet this city wherein Archippus and Philemon dwelt to whom Paul directed that Epistle stood in Phrygia a country of Asia minor and not in Rhodes Of Nicopolis NIcopolis is a city of Macedonia scituated close by the riuer Nessus not far from Philippus vpon the borders of Thrace 920 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward From hence the Apostle Paul wrot his Epistle to Titus and sent it to Creet 600 miles There are many other cities of this name one standing in Epyre built by Augustus another betweene Cilicia and Syria built by Alexander in glory of his victorie against Darius A fourth in Bythinia a fift in the holy land formerly called Emaus Of Rome THis city if wee rightly consider the deriuation of the name in Hebrew was not built without the singular prouidence of God being deriued of Rom i. Hee hath exalted or made high But the Grecians deriue it from Romen i. strength power Now although the prouidence of God extendeth to euery Creature may to the very haires of a mans head yet where hee determines to expresse his singular power there hee worketh beyond the expectation of man And who knowes not that the beginning of this City was meane raised from a confused company destitute both of ciuilitie communitie and lawes yet hath it bin and for the most part is the glory of the world and the great commander of the Princes of the earth It was so called at first by Romulus as Livy lib. 1. saith who first built it seuen hundred fifty and one yeares before the Natiuitie of Christ being scituated vpon seuen hils that is Capitolinus Aventinus Palatinus Caelius Exquilinus Viminalis and Quirinalis But after when the City was compassed about with walls the hill Ianiculus was inclosed within it The Vallies that lay between these hils were so raised vp with arches vaults and artificial mounts that in processe of time they became levell with the top of some of those hills It was beautified with faire and sumptuous buildings so that as it was the head of the world for command and power in like like manner it exceeded all the rest of the world for glory and riches but principally for stately buildings There were many goodly Temples dedicated to Iupiter Apollo Aesculapius Hercules Diana Iuno Minerva Lucia Concordia Fides Pietas Pax Victoria Isis besides many other dedicated to other gods But aboue all that was the most sumptuous that was called Pantheon deorum at this day called the Church of All hallowes Moreouer here was to be seen the princely Edifices of Kings Emperors Consuls Senators Patricians and other Romans who were mighty in wealth and substance built all of polished Marble beautified with gold and siluer beside palaces bulwarks theatres triumphant arches statues and such like al which were glorious and greatly adorned the city But aboue al these the house of Nero was most worthy of obseruation which to see to was built all of burnisht gold very curiously wrought Here also stood the monuments of the two Caesars Iulius and Augustus also their statues the one made of pure brasse the other of white marble Besides there were many fruitfull orchards water-courses wholsome baths brought thither by Antonius Nero Dioclesian and Constantine the Great Also the Emperor Constantine erected many goodly churches for the vse of the Christians indowed them with great means and amongst the rest that which was dedicated to Saint Iohn of Latteran a faire and goodly Church and for riches and curious workemanship might compare with the stateliest Temples that euer had beene in the world most of the ornaments and images beeing made of Gold and Siluer hee also erected the Vattican which was dedicated to Saint Peter and another holy house dedicated to Saint Paul in either of which he placed their seueral sepulchres and monuments bestowing extraordinary cost to beautifie them So many were the gifts and gratuites of this Emperour that they can scarce bee numbred so that although the Emperour Trajan and Boniface the fourth Pope of Rome bestowed great cost to beautifie and adorne the city yet were they nothing comparable to that which this Emperor did These things then beeing presented to your viewe
Lachis 65.51 31.49 Eglon 65.50 31.48 Makeda 65.49 31.52 Libna 95.49 31.50 Debir 65.32 31.46 Bethsur 65.47 31.48 Kechila 65.38 31.47 Maresa 65 42 31.54 Maon 65.38 31.41 Carmel 65.40 31.44 Ziph 65.38 31 43 Arah 65.45 31.37 Hebron 65.33 31.45 Gerer 65.37 31.42 Kades barnea 65.22 31.29 Adar 65.12 31.32 Carcaha 65.06 31.30 Hasmona 65.00 31.30 Bethsemes 65.55 31.55 Beersabah 65.31 31.40 Siclag 65.15 31.37 Ecron 65 â—0 31.58 Azotus 65.35 31.00 Astalon 65.24 31.52 Gath 65.23 31.48 Gaza 65.11 31.40 The townes lying on this side of the riuer Iordan Dan 67 25 33.08 Ior â—ons 67 31 33 07 Caesarea Philippi 67 30 33.05 Seleucia 67.17 32.50 Eruptio fluvij ex Samachoniride palude 67.11 32.44 Capernaum 66.53 31.29 Eruptio fluvij è mare Genezareth 66 43 32.21 Ephion 66.42 32.20 Ennon 66.40 32.16 Gamala 66.55 32.25 Salem 66.37 32.18 Chrit torrens 66.16 31.57 Ostia Iordanis 66.17 31.54 Engedi 66.22 31.43 Zoar vel Sagor 66.17 31.38 Eruptio Zered 66.19 31.34 Townes standing beyond Jordan Mirba 66.50 32.20 Astharoth 67.00 32.26 Astaroth 66.57 32.23 Gadara 66.48 32.23 Machanaim 66.44 32.19 Iaczar 66.39 32.12 Hesbon 66.28 32.05 Iabes 66.55 32.21 Ramah 66.51 32.20 Nobach 66.38 32.16 Iachsa 66.28 32 02 Aroer 66.30 32.00 Macherus 66.23 31.56 Minith 66.36 32.66 Midian 66.30 31.55 Didon 66.32 32.06 Punuel 66.39 31.18 Edrei 66.15 32.21 Abela Vinearum 67.00 32.23 Philadelphia 67.10 32.22 Pella 67.03 32.20 Phiala fons 67.43 33.05 Betharan 67.30 32.08 Pisgamons 66 26 32.01 Abarim montes 66.29 31.58 Townes in Egypt Memphis 61.50 29.50 Heliopolis 62.15 29.59 Tanis 63.30 29.50 Taphnis 62 30 31.00 Ony 60.30 30.10 Alaxandria 60.30 31.00 Mercurij ciuitas magna 61.40 28.55 Mercurij ciuitas parua 61.00 30.50 Delta magnum 62.00 30 00 Xois 62.30 30.45 Busitis 62.30 30.15 Hâ—sinoe 63.20 29.10 Solis fons 58.15 28.00 Journies out of Aegypt Raemses 63.00 30.05 Pihachiroth 62.50 29.40 Mara 63.35 29.50 Elim 63.45 29.50 Iuxta mare 63.55 29.45 Paran promontorium 65.00 29.00 Daphea 64.14 29.46 Alus 64.30 29.46 Raphiddim 64.40 29.53 Sinai mons 65.00 30.00 Hazeroth 65.50 30.14 Zephor mons 65.54 30.50 Mozeroth 64.18 39.04 Hasmona 65.09 31.30 Gidgad mons 65.30 30.20 Iothabatha 65.30 26.40 Habrona 65.30 29.40 Hesion Gaber 65.30 29.20 Sin 66.00 29.56 Hor mons 66.00 30.25 Salmona 66.25 30.40 Phunon 66.30 30.54 Oboth 66 50 31.04 Ieabarim 67.00 31.18 Zered rorrens vallis 66.44 31.20 Didon Gad 66.48 31.32 Almon diblathaim 66.48 31.24 Chedemoth solitudo 66.56 32.00 Beer puteus 66.50 23.00 Marthana Solitudo 66.49 23 00 Nathaleel 66.40 00.23 Bamoth vallie 66.30 32.00 Townes in Arabia Petraea Petra 65.40 31.18 Paran 94.30 30.04 Midian 65.30 29.15 Hesion gebar 65 35 29.00 Elana villa harla velelath 95.35 29.15 Ostia Nili Canopicum 66.50 31.05 Bolbithinum 61.30 31.05 Sâ—benniticum 61.45 31.05 Pathmiticum 91.35 31.10 Mendesium 62.45 31.10 Pelusiacum 63.15 31.15 Thon 63.00 31.30 Sirbonis lacus eruptio 65.45 31.50 Sirbonis lacus 63.30 31.10 Idem 63.45 31.10 Ciuitas Pelusium 36.25 31.20 Rhinocorura 94.40 31.10 Some other great Townes Babilon 76.00 35.00 Antiochia 60 30 33.35 Damascus 68.55 33.00 Palmira 72.40 35.10 Vr chaldeorum 78.00 39.40 Ecbathana 88.00 37.45 Rages in Media 93.40 36.04 Sula in Persia 83.00 34.15 Persepolis 91.00 33.20 Heccatompilon in Parthia 96.0 37.50 Zaba in Arabia foelix 97.00 13.00 Meroe 61.30 16.25 Haram in Mesopotania 75 15 36.10 Hircania 98.30 40.00 Ciraenae 50.00 31.20 The description of the Citie of Ierusalem as it was before Titus Vespasian destroyed it THe most holy and beautiful city of Ierusalem was twice destroyed first by Nebuchadnezzar the most puissant King of Babylon who did vtterly beat downe and ouerthrow the Citie burning the costly Temple which King Solomon had built After that Zorobabel and the high Priest Ioshua when they returned from the captiuitie of Babylon re-edified and built againe both the Citie and the Temple in the yeare before the birth of Christ 535. But the second temple which was built after their returne was neither so faire nor so great as the first for it was twenty * Cubitus is a foot and an halfe six hand bredths foure and twentie fingers broad being in former times the fourth part of the height of a man Cubitus a cubando the arme tbat men vse to leane vpon from the elbow to the hand Victru lib. 3. Cal. Lexicon Cubits lower than the former After that King Herod 17 yeares before the birth of Christ caused the said Temple to be broken downe againe as Iosephus saith and erected another new Temple in place thereof which neuerthelesse was not like the first temple that Solomon builded as touching the greatnesse but it was exceeding fairely decked and adorned with gold and siluer so that in regard of the beautifulnesse thereof it was a wonder vnto all that came to Ierusalem Which Temple 40 yeares after Christs death and Ascension was also vtterly destroyed by Titus the sonne of Flavius Vespasian the Emperour I will describe the forme of the Citie Ierusalem as it was before it was defaced by Titus the sonne of Vespasian and therewithall I will shew how the costly Ornaments which Solomon placed therein stood for seeing that the two brasen Pillars and the great Molten sea were not therin when our Lord Iesus Christ liued vpon earth being broken downe by Nabuchadnezzars soldiers it is therefore necessary and very requisite to bee knowne how they stood and to the end that the Reader may be fully satisfied I will also first declare the citie of Ierusalem as it was in those dayes with the chiefest Places Walls Towers Gates Houses Castles Fountaines Hills Vallies and all the principall things therein How the Citie Ierusalem is scituate and standeth distant from Germany THe Towne of Neurenberch is scituate in the middle of Germanie or neere thereabouts and Ierusalem is distant from Neurenberch fiue hundred * Which make 2000 miles English miles but if you will trauell to Venice and from thence to Ierusalem it is fiue hundred and fiftie * Which make 2200 miles miles The scituation of Ierusalem IErusalem was foure square Of the scituation of the Mountaines whereon Ierusalem stood and scituated vpon foure mountaines viz. Mount Sion Mount Moriah Mount Acra and Moun Bezetha Mount Sion was the highest of all and lay within the citie of Ierusalem towards the South whereon stood King Dauids house or the castle of Sion and the vppermost towne Mount Moriah whereon the Temple stood with other excellent buildings and Towers was on the East side of the city within the Walls Mount Acra whereon the lower towne was built stood Westward in the citie where Annas Caiphas Pilot Herod Agrippa Bernice Helena and other Kings and great Princes dwelt The holy Citie of Ierusalem may in this manner be briefely described THe most holy and beautifull Citie of Ierusalem if any would consider the three principall parts of the World The description of Ierusalem Europe Asia and Affrica stood in the middest of
the World vpon most high mountaines and rockes like an earthly Paradise a liuely figure of the euerlasting Citie of God This Citie being the metropolitan or principallest Citie of the Iewes stood in the Tribe of Benjamin at the first it was called Salem that is Peaceable when Melchisedech the Priest of God raigned therein which hee also built after the Deluge as Iosephus and Egisippus write But at that time it was not very great for it stood onely vpon Mount Sion Mount Moriah where Abraham would haue offered his sonne Isaac stood without the Citie and after that they tooke it into the Citie as when time serueth it shall be declared After the death of Melchisedech vnto whom Abraham payd the Tythes of all his goods the Iebusites dwelt in the Citie of Ierusalem and had the dominion of it and all the land thereabouts in their subjection called the City Iebus after their name which name was held a long time as we reade in Iosuah the 10. Iud. 10. 2. Samuel 1. But at the last Ioab King Dauids Generall of his Armie woon it draue the Iebusites out of it and called it Ierusalem that is a sight or vision of Peace It hath also other names in the holy Scripture for in Esay 29. it is called Ariel that is Gods Lyon and mount Libanus * Because it was made of the Ceder trees which came â—ut of Mount Libanus The Prophet Ezechiel 23. calleth it Ahaliba my fixed Pauillion or Tent that is a Citie wherein God had placed his owne habitation The circuit and bignesse of the City Ierusalem THe City of Ierusalem was foure square and in circumference three and thirtie * Which make foure English miles and one furlong furlongs as Iosephus writeth which three and thirty Furlongs make somewhat more than a Dutch mile Some write that it was foure miles compasse about yet these were not Dutch miles but Wallon or Italian miles for foure such Italian miles are a Dutch mile Of mount Sion the higher Citie MOunt Syon stood Northwards in the Citie Ierusalem and was much higher than all the other Hills that were therein therefore it was called Sion that is a watch Tower because from thence one might see the Holy land and all the countries thereabout vpon this Hill the vpper Citie was built which in the Scripture is called the City of Dauid because Dauid wan it from the Iebusites and beautified it with many goodly houses faire and costly buildings but especially with his house of Cedar wood which hee termed the castle of Sion which stood Westwards at the corner of the Hill looking into Bethlehem Southwards In that house Dauid dwelt and therein committed adulterie with Berseba the wife of Vriah the Hittite whose house also with the place of diuers priuie Councellers and officers stood vpon the said Hill not farre from the Kings Pallace as Iosephus writeth Beneath King Dauids house vpon Mount Sion within a Rocke there was to be seene the sepulchre or vault wherein King Dauid Solomon his son and other succeeding Kings of Iuda were entombed and buried Vpon mount Syon also towards the East King Herod had a Garden of pleasure not farre from the Fountaine called Silo Nemiah 3. and there also stood the Tower of Silo whereof Luke in the 13 chapter maketh mention Iosephus in the warres of the Iewes his first book and sixteenth chapter saith That King Herod vnder whom Christ Iesus was borne had two faire and strong houses or Towers which hee set and made in the vpper part of the City Ierusalem vpon mount Syon which were in a manner comparable with the Temple for beautifulnesse which he called after the name of his friends the one Caesarea for Caesar the Emperors sake and the other Agrippa according to the name of the noble Roman Marcus Agrippa that married the daughter of Augustus Caesar This may suffice to declare the scituation of the vpper Citie which stood vpon mount Sion and conteyned in circuit fifteene furlongs which is about halfe a mile This vppermost Citie in the sacred Scripture is called the Citie of Dauid it was also cal-Millo that is fulnesse or plenty for in it there was no want but aboundance of all things Of the steps which descended downe from the citie of Dauid vnto the lower Citie MOunt Sion whereon the vpper citie of Ierusalem did stand was such a high hard hill and so steepe that no man could climbe or ascend vnto it by any way or meanes but only one that is by steps for in the middle thereof there was a great paire of staires made which descended from Dauids Citie vnto the lower Citie That is 26 yards in height into the valley or dale of gates called Thyroreion which staires were 780 foot * high as Iohannes Heydonius writeth and beneath in the valley of Thyroreion ouer against the valley of Cedron at the foot of the staires stood a gate which was called the gate of Sion and they which went vp to mount Sion must passe through that gate and so vp those staires but it is thought neuerthelesse that in some other part of the hill there was some winding or other oblique way made by which horses and chariots by little and little might ascend Allegoricall or Spirituall significations of mount Sion SIon in Hebrew signifieth a sure hold or goodly aspect for that from the top thereof a man might haue seen all the land lying thereabouts and was a type of the highest heauens or habitation of Almighty God from whence he beholdeth all things vpon earth from which throne and heauenly habitation he descended into this lower Ierusalem and became our Redeemer Sauiour that so we being purged by his bloud from all our sinnes and imperfections he might bring vs into that heauenly Ierusalem which is eternall glorie Of Mount Moriah on which the Temple stood MOunt Moriah stood Eastward within Ierusalem which was a most hard stony hill from whence towards the rising of the Sunne men by staires might easily descend but round about on the other three sides it was steepe and vnapprochable like a stone wall yet it was not so high as Mount Sion howbeit it was exceeding high extending and reaching 600 foot in height and on the top thereof was a very faire plaine like vnto that of Mount Sion whereon in times past Abraham builded an Altar and would haue offered his sonne Isaac for a Sacrifice Gen. 22. At which time when Abraham obeyed the commandement of God intending to haue offered his sonne Isaac vpon the Hill and thereon had made an Altar then the said Hill lay without the Citie but long time after about the space of 850 yeres when King Dauid had conquered Ierusalem and driuen thence the Iebusites to enlarge the Citie he compassed in Mount Moriah and Mount Acra with a wall vpon which there stood many goodly buildings And amongst other things worthy obseruation vpon this Mount stood the Barne or Threshing floore
least eight and thirtâ— yeares after In this market place Agrippa had built a Gallery all of marble from his own house to the Iudgment hall it was couered aboue and made with diuers and sundry roomes for men to walke in all burnished with gold and called by the name of Xiston as Iosephus hath it Here Agrippa after this cruell massacre made an Oration to the people Queene Bernice standing by him to this effect That they should forbear to raise any more commotions against the Romans and to banish the Seditious out of the city for that they saw their cruelty Iosep lib. de Bell. 2. Egesip lib. 2. cap. 8. To this Gallery there ioyned a bridge which past ouer the valley of Cedron to the Temple And amongst many other faire and sumptuous Buildings that were vpon this place there were the Colledges of the Pharisees Sadduces and the Synagogues and Schooles for the instruction of Youth which were dispersed here and there among other stately buildings and this was called the lower Towne Of the Valley of Cedron BEtweene ths lower City and the Temple there was a deepe Valley extending it selfe from the gate of Benjamin through the middle of the City to the gate of Sion From this Valley they ascended into either mountaines that is Mount Acra and Mount Moriah by certaine steppes or staires These two hills as is before said were ioyned together with a bridge and this Valley passing betweene them was called by Zephaniah cap. 1. Machten In which place aboue all the rest of the Cities dwelt Merchants and such as vsed commerce and trade as appeareth in the eleuenth verse of his prophecie Howle yee Inhabitants of the low place for the company of the Merchants is destroyed all they that exchange for siluer are cut off Vpon which place of Scripture the Chaldaean Paraphrase reades it thus Howle yee inhabitants of the valley Cedron Iosephus in tit Bell. 6. cap. 6. libr. 6. cap. 7 calleth this valley by two names one Machten from the profunditie the other Cedron from the obscurity for so the name signifieth and whosoeuer looked downe into it from the Temple fogs and mists seemed to lie in the bottome of it like a cloud of darknesse such was the depth of it There was another valley which lay betweene mount Sion and these mountaines called by the name of Tyrexdon Of the Mountaine Bezetha THis place lay Northward in Ierusalem and betweene it and the former hils were deep ditches cast it had two Townes standing vpon it diuided with two walls and was commonly called the Suburbs the name of the one which lay neerest to mount Moriah was called the second city the other that lay vpon the North was called Neapolis or the new towne In the second dwelt Hulda the Prophetesse and Zacharias the father of S. Iohn Baptist 2 Kin. 22.2 2 Chr. 34. Nehem. 3. Ioseph li. 10. c. 5. It was adorned with many faire and sumptuous buldings among which was that princely house of Herod Ascalonites that great and mighty King of the Iewes in whose time our Sauior Christ was born This house was sumptuously built supported and adorned with pillars of polisht marble and so spatious that in one room thereof there might stand a hundred tables The hall also was very great and richly gilded with refined gold intermixt with siluer about it were many pleasant and delectable walls goodly gardens and fountains for pleasure it was compast with a wal of polisht marble 30 cubits high And as Valerius writeth in that house Herod caused Christ to be mocked put a long white garment vpon him in contempt and so sent him to Pilat Here also was a prison in which Peter was kept when the Angel of the Lord deliuered him Acts 12. Of the towne Neapolis or the New City THis lay without the wals of the city and became inhabited by reason of the great concourse of people that flocked thither for in times past there were no inhabitants and stood vpon the North side of the hil Here dwelt the Christians and other laborers strangers and by all likelihood it seems that the house of Mary the mother of Iohn syrnamed Marke stood here which because of the continuall resort of the Apostles thither was called the house of the Church Hither Peter resorted when he was deliuered from the hands of Herod by the Angell for thus saith the Text Acts 12.9 That when Peter had past the first and second watch he came to the Iron gate which led into the Citie and loe it opened of it selfe And from thence he went to the house of Mary the mother of Iohn surnamed Marke Here also in my opinion Christ celebrated the last Paschall Lambe because after supper hee went into the mount of Oliues for this lying vnwalled lay open for them to goe and come at their pleasure But afterward in Herod Agrippa's time it was begunne to be compassed in with a wall and before it could be fully finished the Angell of the Lord strucke him and he died miserably Here also stood the Monuments of Iohn Hircanus the high Priest and of Alexander King of the Iewes as it appeareth in Iosephus libr. de Bello 6. cap. 6. The tops of the houses in the Citie of Ierusalem were flat and couered with faire and plaine roofes compassed about with battlements vpon which they vsed to leape dance and banquet and such recreations as they obserued vpon their festiuall daies were there celebrated And thus much shall serue to haue spoken of the mountaines or hills whereon Ierusalem stood Of the Walls that compassed the Citie THis Citie of Ierusalem was so strongly fortified by nature on euery side except the North for it stood vpon high rockes and cliffes that it seemed to be inuincible And that that side might be the better strengthened they compassed it in with three walls and these so strong that when Vespasian the Emperor and his armie inuaded the citie they had much adoe to conquer them The first of these walls was that which Agrippa built and it compassed in Neapolis otherwise called the new towne At the Northwest end of which Wall was built an exceeding high Tower of very faire Marble stone so high that standing on the top thereof a man might see from thence to the Sea and into Arabia and the vttermost bounds of Iudaea This Tower was called Psephina The second wall was that which diuided the two Suburbes wherein there stood 14 towers and gates This King Hezâ—kiah built 2. Chr. 32. in a corner of which betweene the West gate and the Valley gate there stood a high Tower wherein all the night great fire was made which cast a light a great way off round about so that trauellers passing towards Ierusalem where guided by it in their way Of this light we reade in Nehem. cap. 3. The third wall compassed in the Temple and all the lower citie in it was sixtie Towers but the chiefe of them stood in the East
horse may easily be placed in it And thus we may see the Temple of Solomon and city of Ierusalem not only to be in the power of the Turkes but also prophaned with the blasphemous doctrine of Mahomet And also we may here behold the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place where somtime was the Ark of the Couenant Dan. 9. Mat. 24. and the prophecie of Ieremy is fully finished ca. 19. This place shall be vnclean like vnto the place of Tophet where they did sacrifice to the Host of heauen and vnto other strange gods Of other buildings within the city of Aelia which is now called Ierusalem MOunt Sion is placed toward the South of Ierusalem where euen at this day the Monks vndertake to shew the ruines of Dauids Tower the sepulchres of the Kings of Israel and many other holy places But P. Orosius and other Historians write How in the time of Adrian Caesar there happened a great earthquake in such a terrible maner that the mountain of Sion with the sepulchre of Dauid fel down and were vtterly defaced Further all true Historians do write That Adrian the Emperour did so much deface the City that hee left not a stone standing vpon a stone nay not a whole stone but all were broken into small pieces and yet notwithstanding pilgrims are so mad and blind that they go thither with great pains to seeke those holy places where when they come with the expence of a great deale of time in recompence of their pains are made a laughing stocke to the Kings of Ierusalem and find nothing but feigned and supposed holy places and buildings since the words of our Sauior manifest That there shall not be a stone left vpon a stone which shall not be broken to pieces And Borchardus the Monk saith That the Romans caused the Temple and other princely buildings together with the mountains to be thrown downe and cast into the vallies with which being filled there remaineth not so much as an Emblem of the old Citie From whence may euidently appeare That those places which are now shewen to Pilgrims by the Monkes of Ierusalem are meerly suborned and feigned on purpose to deceiue them get their mony They are very simple therefore that go to Ierusalem seeke their saluation in such places And as for the Sepulchre as is aforesaid the Tartars beat it all in pieces so that this monument of our Lord is not to be found vpon the earth Wherefore our Sauiour Christ is no more to be sought among the dead but in the sacred monument of his holy word for there he hath promised to make euident his divine presence c. Of the Sects that are in and about the Temple of the holy Sepulchre IN and about the church which is built ouer the holy sepulcre vpon mount Calvarie there are at this day many of diuers nations and countries which inhabit of diuers opinions and Religions And although they differ in material points of their faith yet would they be al Christians of which number there are some Latines Greekes Abissines Armenians Gregorians Nestorians Surians and Iacobins The Latines for the most part are such as wee call Franciscan Monks Obseruants or Friers Latines These haue the keeping of the holy Sepulchre and looke to it very diligently where somtimes they make a certain number of Knights of the noble Order of S. Iohns Templers with many ceremonies and great solemnities These Knights are girt with a sword all gilt hanging in a red velvet girdle a chain of gold is put vpon them worth about 100 Hungarian duckets at the end whereof there hangs a Ierusalem Crosse of gold This kind of crosse also they are permitted to weare vpon their armes and clothes then haue they a paire of gilt spurres with velvet tyings But before they are admitted into this order they must sweare vpon the holy Sepulchre to maintain defend the doctrine of the Pope The Grecians that are there be also Monkes Grecians and doe inhabit within the Temple of the holy Sepulchre but they haue the keeping of the place where our Sauior Christ was crucified and differ from the Romanists For they beleeue first That the holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and not the Sonne Secondly they giue the Sacraments in both kinds thirdly they hold not the Pope to be head of the Church fourthly they deny Purgatory and prayer for the dead fiftly they sing Masse in their own language that euery man may vnderstand it but they obserue seuen Sacraments as the Romanists do They teach men to pray to and call vpon Saints they yearly obserue two strict fasting daies and eat no flesh vpon Saturdaies The rest of the Grecians that are through the East parts leaue mariage free as well for the Clergy as Laity and condemne the Latine Priests because they marry not They allow no grauen images in their Churches but in some places of their Churches they haue faire painted pictures hanging They approue not the Pope but haue a Patriarch for their high Bishop which Patriark is greatly reuerenced and much honored in Constantinople Abissines The Abissins be such as are of Prester Iohns gouernment their complexion is browne their habitation is in the Temple vpon mount Calvary on the East side of the Church dore They also approue not the Pope but allow Priests to mary and giue the sacrament in both kinds yet there are many sects and opinions among them forbearing those meats forbidden in the old Testament they circumcise both male and female which the Iews do not they obserue our Saturday for their Sabbath they baptise their children with fire of which I will speake more hereafter in the description of the towne of Saba Armenians The Armenians are Christians and come out of Armenia their dwelling is in a Chappell vpon mount Sion neere to Saint Iames his church they deny the Pope to be head of the Church they minister the Sacraments in both kinds their Priests marry they forbeare the meats forbidden in the old Testament They haue a kinde of custome to whine and cry by the graues of the dead vpon Twelfth day they keep a great feast and the next day begins their Lent which they keep strictly and eat neither eggs nor fish nor any liuing thing during that time They obserue Wednesdayes and Fridayes they preach sing and say their Seruice in their own tongue they deny prayer for the dead and Purgatory they all weare hats with blew hat-bands Gregorians The Gregorians are Christians that dwell by the great city of Trapezunta vpon the Euxinian Sea Their Priests marrie but if their wiues die they must not marrie againe They dwell in Ierusalem in the Church vpon mount Caluarie where Christ after his resurrection shewed himselfe like a Gardner vnto Marie Magdalen The Nestorian heretickes Nestorians who now are found in great numbers in Niniuie which at this day is called Mossell and in other places
in sinne poureth out his bloud vpon vs whereby we are made capable of eternall life Of the place where Adam and Eua dwelt after the breaking of the commandement Gen. 3. ADam and Eua being driuen out of Paradise dwelt at Damascus 160 miles from Ierusalem as Munster and others write the Townes-men of Damascus at this day shew the place where Cain slew his brother Abel and it is well to be beleeued that this Citie receiues her name thereby for Damascus signifies bloud-shedding or a place which hath drunke vp bloud Of the place where Cain dwelt CAin after he had slaine his brother Abel dwelt in the land of Nod a land of feare and disquiet in the Towne of Hanoch and as some thinke it was the same place where Babylon after Noes Floud was built being foure hundred and eightie miles from Ierusalem Eastward Of the place where Noah dwelt NOah signifying quiet and rest dwelt in Armenia six hundred miles from Ierusalem Northward hard by Mount Ararat vpon which Mount the Arke after the Floud staied it selfe Gen. 8. Ptolomeus nameth These high Hills in Armenia Gordes which are alwaies couered with snow and no man may get vpon them Sem. SEm who in the holy Scriptures is called Melchisedeck that is a King of righteousnesse dwelt in the Citie of Ierusalem which as then was called Salem that is a Citie of peace Nimroth NImroth was the first Prince and regent vpon earth and built Babylon which is six hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem Eastward Strabo writeth That in Babylon there was an old foure square Tower built of bricke foure hundred and sixteene ells high * That is 200 yards high and each side thereof foure hundred and sixteene ells broad This without doubt was a piece of the Tower of Babylon the toppe whereof should haue reached vp to Heauen Gen. 22. Babel or Babylon signifieth a confusion because in that place God confounded the workemens tongues when they built the Tower of Babylon The Trauels of Abraham 1 ABraham went out of his owne Countrey of Vhr in Chaldaea to the Citie of Haran in Mesopotamia which is 376 miles 2 Erom Haran by Gods commandement hee went to Sichem which is foure hundred miles 3 From Sichem he went to the Plaine and wood of Mamre to the Hill betweene Bethel and Hay which is 28 miles 4 From thence he went into Aegypt trauelling Southward 240 miles 5 Out of Aegypt he went againe into Canaan to the hill that lyeth betweene Bethel and Hay which is 240 miles Gen. 13. 6 From thence hee went to the Plaine of Mamre neere Hebron 32 miles 7 From the plaine of Mamre hee went to Dan which is 124 miles and there ouerthrew the foure Kings which had taken Lot prisoner Gen. 14. 8 Then he pursued the enemie for the space of 80 miles to Hobam in Phoenicia which lyeth in the left side of Damasco Gen. 14. 9 From Phoenicia hee went to Sodom wnere Melchisedech met him which are 160 miles Gen. 14. 10 From Sodom he went backe again to the plaine of Mamre which are 40 miles 11 From the Plaine of Mamre he went to Gerer which is six miles where his sonne Isaac was borne Gen. 20.21 12 From Gerar he went to Beersaba which is 12 miles where he tooke an oath of King Abimilech 13 From Beersaba he went to mount Moriah which is 40 miles where he would haue offered his sonne Isaac Gen. 22. 14 From mount Moriah hee returned againe to Beersaba which is 40 miles 15 From Beersaba he and his wife went to the plaine of Mamre by Hebron which is 16 miles and there they died and were buried Gen. 23. and 25. So that all the Trauels of the Patriarch Abraham were 1794 miles Now followeth the description of the Townes and places THe Towne of Vhr in Chaldaea where Abraham was borne at this day is called Orchae as Petrus Appianus writeth and is distant from Ierusalem 624 miles Eastward It seemeth it either tooke that name from light or fire or else from diuine worship for there they vsed to offer many burnt offerings but at that time they committed idolatry for which cause Abraham went from thence perceiuing that the Chaldeans tooke the fire for their god because fire came downe from Heauen and consumed their offerings Learned men therefore are of opinion that the Chaldaeans in the town of Vhr worshipped the fire for their god Haran or Charan that is Wrath. HAran is the chiefe city in Mesopotamia where Abraham for a time dwelt with his father Thara There the rich Roman Crassus with his army was ouerthrowne by the Parthians and is distant from Ierusalem 440 miles North-Eastward taking its name from the water Charan which runneth through it But at this day the city is called Ophra lying eleuen daies journy from Mossel or Nineueh as D. Leonard Ronwolfe writeth who in Anno 1575 vpon the thirtieth of Ianuary was in that towne Ophra or Haran is a faire city well inhabited and indifferent great compassed about with walls and towers richly furnished with merchandise but especially with faire couerlets of diuers colors that are made therein There is likewise great trade and trafique for diuers kindes of wares brought thither by Caravans which are great numbers of camels horses other beasts that cary great burdens with many men to conduct them which traffique and trauell from one city to another This city in times past belonged to the Parthians euen then when Crassus the rich Roman fifty three years before the birth of Christ robbed the temple of Ierusalem and of those holy relicks bare away to the value of six tuns of gold For which God punished him openly for vpon the sixt of Iune after hee was by the Parthians ouerthrown hard by Haran in Mesopotamia and there taken and slaine The Parthians pouring molten gold into his mouth said Drinke now thy sill thou greedy Wretch of that which thou so long hast thirsted after for with this thou mayst fill thy greedy throat In this ouerthrow were slaine thirty thousand Romans and by that meanes the city of Haran returned againe vnder the Parthians After that the Persians took it but now it is vnder the Turk In this city of Haran at this day there is to be seene a Well of very cleare water at which Rebecca gaue drinke to Eleazer Abrahams seruant and to his Camels Genes 24.19 This Well by the townsmen is called Abrahams wel there also Rachel Labans daughter first spake with the holy Patriark Iacob who turning the stone off from the Wel gaue her sheep of the water to drinke This water hath a very pleasant taste and is a notable Type of holy Baptisme for like as the holy Fathers tooke their wiues by this wel so Christ receiueth his holy congregation by the Well of Baptisme in his Word and holy Sacrament This is the right Wel of Israel which floweth into euerlasting life The city of Haran now called Ophra lieth from Nineueh 232
but swim vpon the top be it either iron lead copper or any other weighty matter Of which Vespasian the emperor hauing notice to make experience of what he had heard made a journy of purpose to see it and with him tooke certain condemned men who for their offences had deserued death these he manacled and where he thought it to be deepest caused them to bee thrown in but they rose vp againe with such violence as if some storm or tempest had sent them vp The water thereof changeth three times a day and shineth against the sun with diuers colors casting out fire and great cakes of pitch much resembling Bulls without heads and of that quantity This pitch is good for diuers things as to calk ships to lay vpon cables and to vse in medicins wherefore such as come to this sea and know the nature of it haue certain Skifs and instruments wherewith they draw these cakes of pitch to their ships to which it cleaueth so fast it being naturally tough that being brought to land they cannot get it off again but by the help of vrine Vpon the banks thereof grow trees that beare fruit of diuers kinds as apples and such like which are faire and pleasant to the eie but if you either touch or open them you shall finde nothing but dust Brittenbacchus saith In this place the Serpent Tyrus whereof they vse to make treacle is found It is a little serpent about half a cubit long and a finger thick being of diuers colours and is so venomous that where it biteth there is no remedy vnlesse by cutting off the member The head of it is rough and hairy and there seemeth to lie vpon the tongue of it if it be angry a fiery flame The same Author saith That a little from Zoar betweene this Lake and the mountaines of Engedi the pillar whereinto Lots wife was turned is yet to be seen shining like salt The furthest part of this sea Northward lies 14 miles from Ierusalem toward the East the riuer Iordan runneth into it The trauell of the two Angels that led Lot out of Sodom THese two Angels hauing spoken with Abraham in the valley of Mamre neere Hebron forthwith went to Sodom some 40 miles distant from that place where Lot hauing entertained them into his house by their helpe was deliuered together with his wife and two daughters from that miserable desolation of the Sodomits Of Lots two Daughters LOt escaping this desolation and seeing a president of Gods iudgement fallen vpon his wife for her disobedience fearing that he should not continue safe in Zoar left that turned aside into the wildernesse and continued there among the mountains although the Lord had promised him safety in this town wherfore continuing in a Caue in the Wildernesse the eldest of his daughters losing her husband in this destruction supposing that all men had beene destroyed from off the earth counselled her sister to commit incest with her father Lot being now oppressed with care by reason of the former calamities gaue himself at the inticement of his daughters to drinke Wine insomuch as with the excesse he became drunke at which time not being himselfe he begat by his two daughters two sonnes the eldest had a sonne whom shee called Moab which signifies The begotten of his Father whereby the impudencie of this woman is laid open to the World in that she was not ashamed of her sinne Of him came the Moabites and dwelt vpon the North side of the lake Asphaltides some 32 miles from Ierusalem The yongest daughter had a son which she called Ben-ammy that is The son of my people for although she bare him with great shame yet she dwelt among the people of God Of him came the Ammonites that dwelt beyond mount Gilead threescore miles from Ierusalem Northeastward Of the foure Kings that tooke LOT prisoner THe first of them was called Amraphel King of Shinear or Babylon the son of Ninus and Semiramis as some thinke and is called somtime by the name of Berosus sometime Ninus He kept his court at Babylon in Chaldea which is 680 miles from Ierusalem Eastward This Ninus is called Amraphel because of the notable victories that he won and the number of countries and prouinces he conquered The second was Arioch or Arius his sonne He was thus called because of his courage and crueltie in war for Arioch signifies A mighty roaring Lion Arius Mars This man during the life of his father was created king of Lassir that is Assiria for so it is called in the Chaldaean tongue the chiefe city whereof is Nineueh and lies from Ierusalem Northeastward six hundred eighty foure miles The third was Keder-laomer King of the Elamites in Persia 1200 miles from Ierusalem toward the East This Prince had a great command in that country Keder signifies an Ornament or Crowne Laomer Well deseruing The fourth was Thideall King of the Nations Hee kept his court in Damascus the Metropolis of Assyria some 160 miles from Ierusalem Northward Thideal signifieth An exalted Lord of Alah that is To be lifted vp These foure kings were confederats and bent their expedition principally against Astaroth and Kiriathaim which they tooke and spoyled all the Countrey round about with fire and sword and their Armies being retyred from the spoyle met in the vally of Siddim where now the dead Sea runneth and there pitched their tents In this place after a cruel and sharp war they conquered the fiue Kings of that beautifull and pleasant soile of Pentapolis for so it was called because of those fiue cities that were in it where among others they tooke Lot captiue with all his substance Of Astoroth AStoroth seemes to be the city of Venus because the citisens thereof worshipped her for Astoroth is a goddesse of the Sidonians and is compounded of Ash which signifies a company of stars and Tor placed in order The Syrians call Venus Ashtoroth This towne lay in the land of Gilead and belonged to the halfe tribe of Manasse beyond Iordan 56 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward In this city the foure Kings of the East conquered the gyants of Karnaim that were mighty princes and commanders there when they made war against that and Kiriathaim Not far from hence also in the land of Ham there dwelt certaine Gyants called Zusim of Zus and Hamah which signifies to stir vp commotion These were very great strong and stately people and had the command of all the Countries thereabouts which they held in great feare and were conquered by the foure Kings Of Kiriathaim KIriathaim was a City in the tribe of Reubin beyond Iorden Ios 13. 22 miles from Ierusalem toward the East and so called because it was diuided into many parts and diuisions The heathens corruptly cal it Carthage The Hebrews deriue it from Kiriath which signifies a city and Emah Terror Here dwelt the Emims a graue and fearfull people for so their name signifies Of Hazezon Thamar THis Citie tooke the
commandement of the Lord he made a league with him Gen. 31. 4 From mount Gilead hee went to Mahanaim which is 16 miles and there he met with the Angels of God Gen. 31. 5 From Mahanaim he passed the water and went to Penuel which is foure miles and there wrestled with the Angel of God Gen. 32. 6 From Penuel hee went to Succoth where hee pitched his Tents 2 miles Gen. 33. 7 From Succoth hee passed the riuer of Iordan and went to Sichem not far from Salem about eight miles where his daughter Dinah was rauished Gen. 33. 8 From thence he went to Bethel which is eight and twenty miles Gen. 31. 9 From Bethel he went to Bethlehem Euphrata which is twelue miles in which way Rachel died and was buried not farre from Bethlehem then Iacob went forward and set vp his Tents neere to the Tower of Eder a mile from Bethlehem towards the South Gen. 35. 10 From Bethlehem Euphrata and the Tower of Eder he returned againe to the valley of Mamre neere Hebron to his father Isaac which is 20 miles Gen. 35. 11 From Hebron hee went to Beersaba which is 16 miles Gen. 38. 12 From Beersaba he went to the Towne of Ony a little off Aegypt in the land of Gossen which is 168 miles where Ioseph his sonne gaue him honourable entertainement Gen. 46. 13 From Ony he went to the citie * This was the chiefe Citie of Aegypt Zoan which is also called Tanis 28 miles where he was presented to K. Pharaoh Gen. 47. 14 From Tanis he returned to Ony which is 28 miles and there he dwelt and dyed in the land of Gossen Gen. 49. The Description of the Townes and places to which Iacob trauelled Of Bethel BEthel was a Towne in the Tribe of Benjamin eight miles from Ierusalem toward the North and signifies The house of God In times past it was called Luz but Iacob seeing in that place the vision of the Ladder with the Angells ascending and descending vpon it and because there the Lord renued the couenant with him concerning his seed and the comming of Christ he therefore called it Bethel Afterward Ieroboam hauing vnlawfully vsurpt the kingdome of Rehoboham caused a calfe to be set vp there for which cause it was then called Bethauen which signifieth the house of sinne and abhominable offence Vatablus is of opinion that there are two Bethels one in the tribe of Benjamin the other in the tribe of Ephraim both not far from Hay but if this should be granted then these two townes should stand within two miles one of the other which seemeth very absurd therefore I dare boldly affirme that there was but one Bethel which stood vpon the borders of Benjamin and Ephraim both tribes bordering vpon the South side of the towne of Luz Iosh 16. 18. This towne of Bethel was at first in the Suburbs of Lue vntill the diuision of the tribes for then both these Tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin ending in that place so much increased this town that they became both one city and so were called Bethel Ie. 28. 35. Iosh 7. 18. From hence there is a two-fold mistery to be apprehended the first of Iacob whose sleeping in this place vpon a stone caused this Citie or Towne to be built and to retaine the name of Bethel that is The house of God So whosoeuer seekes to haue eternall life must rest vpon that corner stone Christ Iesus the sonne of the euerliuing God and by faith bee incorporated into the Church which is the house of God of which Christ the Annointed of the Lord is both King and Priest for euer Secondly as Iacob resting vpon this corner stone saw the Angels ascending and descending from heauen vnto earth so by this incorporation into the body of the Church of which Christ is the head by Faith and Baptisme our soules are made capable to ascend into that heauenly Tabernacle which he hath prepared for all those that beleeue according to that in Iohn 14. I am the way the truth and the life no man commeth vnto the father but by me only And whosoeuer is assured of this ladder that reacheth from heauen vnto earth may well say with Iacob surely the Lord Iesus Christ is in this place here is nothing but the house of God and here is the gate of heauen as Christ himselfe testifieth in the tenth of Iohn I am the doore and whosoeuer entreth not by me c. So that Christ is the head of his Church the ladder that ascendeth into heauen and the doore whereby we may enter into eternall life Of Gilead THis land of Gilead was a country that lay betweene Iordan and the mountaine of Gilead or rather betweene the sea of Galilee and the mount Gilead sixtie miles from Ierusalem towards the Southeast for the mountaines of Gilead beginning at mount Gilead extended thence vnto Arabia the stony and seperated the countrey of Israel beyond Iordan from the countrey of the Amonites But that part which lyeth betweene the Sea of Galilee and Ammon is properly called Gilead for when Iacob and Laban made a couenant either with other in the mount Gilead they gathered a heape of stones and making a banquet eat together vpon it Gen. 13. and from thence that mountain and all the countrey thereabouts tooke the name For Laban in the Syrian tongue is called IEGAR SAHADVTA the heap of couenant But Iacob in the Hebrew language called that mountain together with all the Countrie thereabouts Galeed or Galaad the heape of testimonie for Gal signifieth a heape or graue and Galal He rolled or hee thrust into a round heape From whence the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to roule and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a circle is deriued Also Edah signifies testomonie with the Hebrewes being deriued from Id which signifies testaetus est that is he beareth witnesse and from hence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amongst the Grecians is deriued which signifieth a witnesse This land of Gilead was very fertile and pleasant being adorned with many Castles and strong Cities And in this countrey the Prophet Eliah was taken vp into heauen in a fierie Chariot 1 Reg. 17.2 Reg. 2. The Graecians call this Decapolin from ten cities that are strongly built in that countrey Marc. 7. Of Machanaim MAchanaim was a Citie of the Leuites in the Tribe of Gad neere to the floud of Iordan and Iaboch fortie foure miles from Ierusalem toward the Southeast and scituate in the land of Gilead beyond Iordan being so called of the Patriarch Iacob because there he saw the Tents and Armie of Angels which he vnderstood to be his assistants against his brother Esau whom hee feared Genesis 31. For Chana signifieth Castrametatus est that is the Tents are measured out from whence Machanaim is the proper name of a place being deriued from two Tents of Angels which appeared to Iacob That they might defend him in his journey For the Angels of God compasseth
them about that feare him Psal 33. and therefore Iacob with great joy brake out and said The tents of God are here and called it Machanaim This was assigned to the Leuits Iosh 21. and here Dauid was receiued when he fled from his sonne Absalon 2 Sam. 17. Here Iacob wrastles with the Angell Gen. 32. Of Pnuel or Penuel THis Towne was vpon the East side of Iordan close by the mouth of the riuer Iaboch in the tribe of Gad fortie miles from Ierusalem towards the Southeast and is deriued from Panah and El which signifies He beheld the Almighty God face to face and for that cause he called it Penuel or Pnuel which is the face of God Gen. 32. The Tower of this Towne was destroied in Gedeons time Iudg. 8. Of Succoth THis is a towne beyond Iordan not farre from Penuel in the tribe of Gad 40 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southeast Here Iacob set vp his tabernacles and continued for a while from whence it borrowes the name For Sachach signifies A couering and from thence it is called Succha and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the Greeks which signifies A shield couering defence or tabernacle Of this towne there is mention in Iosh 13.2 Chr. 4. Gedeon caused the Citizens of this towne of Succoth to be torne to pieces with thornes Iudg. 8. Of Salem SAlem is a town of the Sichamites lying towards the East side of the riuer Iordan and in the midst of the tribe of Manasses fortie miles from Ierusalem towards the North not farre from Sichem where Dinah Iocobs daughter was rauished Gen. 33. 34. in Aenon neere to this place Iohn Baptist baptised and signifies A Citie of Peace and integritie Of Bethlem Euphrata THis town was distant from Ierusalem towards the South six miles it was scituated in a pleasant and fruitfull countrey and from thence tooke the name for Bethlachem is called The house of bread Euphrata signifies fruitfull being deriued from Parah that is to fructifie and Baith signifieth a house from the affinitie that it hath to Banah that is to build so that Baithlaechem doth denote vnto vs The house of bread and other fruits and meats that are fit to be eaten Here was Christ the sonne of God borne that bread of life of which whosoeuer eateth shall liue eternally Io. 6. And here Dauid was the second time annointed King 1 Sam. 16. Of this towne you may reade more in the second of Luke Of Rachels graue ABout a mile from Bethlem towards the North Rachel the wife of Iacob was buried ouer whom hee set a stately sepulchre made of twelue marble stones or Pyramides these stones are seene to this day vpon the right hand of the way as you goe from Bethlem to Ierusalem and from thence all the land thereabouts is called the land of Rachel For when Herod killed the innocent children all the inhabitants thereabouts wept and would not be comforted Matth. 2. Ierem. 31 Of the Towne of Aeder THis was a watch Tower of the Bethlamites about a mile from Bethlem towards the South and was so called from the flockes of Sheepe that resorted thither for Migdal signifies a Tower and Aeder a flocke or heard for thereabouts were very fertile pastures Here the Angels told the sheepheards of the natiuitie of Christ lying at Bethlem in a manger and in the place of that tower there was a Church built which in Ieroms time was called Angelus ad Pastores because the Angels there appeared to the sheepe-heards Here Iacob dwelt for a time and in this place Reuben lay with Billah his wife Gen. 36. Of Gosen and Ony. GOsen was a very delectable and fruitfull country in the land of Aegypt the Metropolitane whereof was Ony two hundred miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest in this Citie Iacob dwelt The typicall signification of the Patriarch Iacob IAcob signifies a supplanter and was a type of Christ who is that supplanter of Sathan and by his death hath broken his head in pieces Againe he is the type of a Christian man For as he wrestling with the Angell obtained a blessing so euery good man continually striuing with perseuerance in prayer shall at length obtaine an euerlasting blessing for for this cause was Iacob called Israel that is the Prince of God in that he preuailed with God so all those that beleeue in Christ are called Princes of the kingdome of heauen because by his mediation they haue preuailed with God and are made partakers of eternall life Iacob had two wiues Leah and Rachel Leah signifies wearied and was a type of the old Mosaicall Church for that was oppressed and wearied with the lawes of Moses and brought forth Priests Leuites Kings and warlike Princes by which the people of the Iewes became oppressed and wearied by extreame labors and at length were miserably extinguished for as it is in the 15 of the Acts of the Apostles The law of Moses was an intollerable and troublesome burthen But Rachel signifies a Sheepe and is a type and signe of the Church of God in the New Testament as Christ himselfe speaketh in the tenth of Iohn My sheepe heare my voice and follow me and I will giue them eternall life Sheepe are naturally patient and peaceable so all such as are of Christs Church seeke after patience and peace Leah was nothing so faire but much more fruitfull Rachel was nothing so fruitfull but a great deale fairer Leah was the mother of Benjamin which signifieth sorrow Rachel of Ioseph who was a type of Christ Of the Trauels of Esau ESau trauelled from mount Sier in Mesopotamia to the towne of Pnuell or Penuell eightie miles to meet his brother Iacob where the singular ciuilitie and humilitie of Iacob towards him is worthy obseruation For hee first sent to meet him then hee did him obedience to the ground seuen seuerall times and so saluted him saying Loe these are the children which God of his grace haue giuing his seruant From whence it may be gathered That it becommeth euery man if it be possible to win his enemy to peace and concord rather by humanitie and humilitie than by force for Esau seeing this kind of reuerence though before he had a full determination to doe him violence yet now he comes to meet him embraces him takes him about the necke beginnes to weepe and kisses him yea such was their loue that they both wept with joy Gen. 35. After Esau returning went home to Sier backe againe eightie miles these things hapned in the yeare of the World 2206 when both brethren were about 89 yeares of age and in the yeare before Christ 1762. Of mount Sier MOunt Sier where Esau and his posteritie dwelt is forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South and was so called of Sier the King or Lord thereof of whom came the Horrites who being driuen thence by the fourteene sonnes of Esau into Arabia the stony where they continued Gen. 36. It was called Edom of Esau and then Idumaea Gen.
45 From Almon Diblathaim they went to the hill Abarim 16 miles 46 From the hill Abarim they went downward ouer the Riuer Arnon to the field of the Moabites to the town of Iachra 16 miles where Moses ouercame Sehon King of the Ammorites with all his camp Num. 21. Deut. 2. 47 From Iacra they went to Hesbon 4 miles which Towne Moses won from the King of the Ammorites Num. 21. Deut. 2. 48 From Hesbon they went to the towne of Iaëzer which Moses won 8 miles Num. 21. Deut. 2. 49 From Iaëzer they went to Edrei 12 miles there Moses ouerthrew King Og with all his army at Basan Num. 21. Deut. 3. 50 From Edrei they went to mount Libanus 56 miles which Moses won Num. 21. Deut. 3. 51 From mount Libanus they returned backe againe to the field of the Moabites 40 miles by which field lieth the high hill Pisga where Moses died Deut. 34. So all the trauels of the Patriarch Moses were 1424 miles The description of the townes and places by which Moses trauelled with the children of Israel Of Midian MIdian was a metropolitan city of the Midianites neer to the Red sea some 160 miles from Ierusalem toward the South and signifies a measure being deriued of Madad which signifies He hath measured Here Iethro Moses father in law dwelt In this town the Kings of Idumaea kept their court 1 Reg. 11. There was also another city of the same name that stood neere to Arnon some 24 miles from Ierusalem toward the East so that the Midianites had their seat partly neere the red sea in Arabia Paetrea and partly vpon the confines of the Moabites taking their beginning from Midian the sonne of Abraham which he had by his wife Kethura Gen. 25. Of Horeb. HOreb is a mount of the Midianites and is sometimes called by the name of Sina It lieth 420 miles from Ierusalem toward the South In this place God appeared to Moses in a flame of fire Ex. 3. And as Bernard Britenbach saith In this place there is a chappel built called the Church of S. Mary in the bush In this Chappel there is a place shewed where God spake with Moses Ex. 3. but how true that I leaue because there are many Churches built by Monks for no other purpose but to deceiue trauellers and pilgrims of their mony Of Raemsis THis is one of the strong cities which the Israelites built for Pharaoh and is a metropolitan city in the land of Gossen 174 miles from Ierusalem toward the Southwest signifies Ioy and delight being deriued of Raam and Sus that is To leape for joy Of Pihachiroth THis was a certain Plain lying between two hils neere to the Red sea and was called Pinaehiroth which signifies a mouth cut or carued out where the Children of Israel pitched their tents Here Pharaoh inuaded them when they went out of Egypt taking opportunitie of the place for they hauing on either side of them an high mountaine before them the red sea and behinde them a cruell and mighty tyrant to the iudgment of man had no means to escape But the Lord to expresse the mightines of his power and that the Children of Israell might know who it was that deliuered them made them a passage led them vnder the conduct of Moses through the red sea in that very place drowning their enemies which had thought to make a prey of them A little from this place the temple of the idol Baalzephon is to be seen Of the Red sea THe Red sea is 160 miles from Ierusalem Southward betwixt Arabia and Aegypt and as some are of opinion it taketh the name of the red scales that grow therein wherefore in Scripture it is also called the Scaly sea Some say it taketh the name from red sand that lies on the shore cast vp by the sea Others say tha◠the rednesse thereof hapneth because of the shadow cast into the water by the mountaines thereabout The vulgar are of opinion that it is naturally red by reason of the water but it is not so because it is like the water of the Ocean cleare and salt Strabo li. 16 obserueth that this sea was so called from Erithraea and thence Mare Arithraeum because the word Erithraeum in Greek signifieth red or purple the Latines call it Mare rubrum and we the red sea This Erithrae was sonne to Perseus and Andromada who sometime◠dwelt in the Island of that sea It is also called the Arabian gulf running from the South to the West and by the Hebrewes Iam-suph a scaly sea all which names are at this day vsed at the vtmos◠bounds hereof are seene the admirable workes of Pharaoh Meco who would haue brought this Sea to the riuer Nilus that so he might haue sailed thence into the Mediterranian Sea But this worke he could not finish being opposed by the wise men of Aegypt Here also growes certaine trees that are as red as Brasill wood Of the misterie of the red Sea AS Moses led the children of Israel through the red Sea and deliuered them from the bondage and captiuitie of the Kings of Aegypt So Iesus Christ the Sonne of God by his precious bloud hath deliuered vs from the house of bondage and the tyranny of Sathan and as Pharaoh and all his host was there drowned so the sinne of Adam Death and the Diuell in that sea of Christs bloud is vtterly drowned and we deliuered from the pit of hell Of Baal-Zephon THis was an Idol erected by the Aegyptians neer to the shore of the Red Sea and is called Baal-zephon that is the Lord of defence and watchfulnesse because as they thought hee resisted fugitiue seruants as Fagius and other Hebrewes obserue being deriued from Baal which signifies a Lord and Zapha that is That hath seene or to behold and see The temple of this Idol stood close by the shore of the Red sea vpon a high hill very curiously wrought so that the children of Israel going through the same could not chuse but see it yet neuerthelesse they went securely when Pharaoh and all his host were drowned notwithstanding that their God of defence was so neere them Of Marah THis is a place in the Desart which took the name of bitternesse distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the Southwest Here Moses made the water sweet by throwing in wood The misterie whereof is when Adam and Euah had eaten of the forbidden fruit they brought bitternesse through all the World yea the bitternesse of sin and death but God shewed vnto Moses another tree that is our Lord Iesus Christ who being throwne into the waters of bitternesse afflictions calamities miseries yea and the death of the Crosse for our sakes and sins vnderwent the curse of the Law that so taking away the bitternes we might be made capable of that sweet and delectable place of eternall life Of Elim THis was the sixt resting place of the Israelites in the desart 120 miles from Ierusalem toward the
signifies a round wheele or Tent compassed about with Ditches and bulwarks Of Iericho THis is a city in the tribe of Benjamin two miles from Iordan six from Ierusalem Southeastward Ioshuah ouercame this with the sound of horns or trumpets Ios 26. Heb. 11. Heere Christ restored the blind man to sight Mat. 6. conuerted Zachaeus Luke 19. and was called the city of Palms by reason of the great plenty of Palmes that grew there You may reade more of this hereafter Of Hai or Ai. HAi is a Towne in the tribe of Benjamin neere to Bethel toward the East where Abraham dwelt Gen. 12. Ioshuah won this towne Ios 7.8 it was so called of a Prophet that dwelt there and signifieth To be placed vpon a heape for Ai signifies A heape lying partly equally partly vnequally The ruines of this towne were scarce to be found in S. Ieroms time Of Gibeon THis was a Metropolitan city in the Tribe of Benjamin the inhabitants wherof became petitioners to Ioshuah for peace Ios 9.10.18 2 Sam. 21. Afterward it was giuen to the Priests It is deriued of Gibeah or Gibeon which signifies a curled hill It was scituated on a mountain foure miles from Ierusalem toward the North. Here stood the tabernacle of the Couenant the brasen Altar Here Saul was first made King of Israel Here hee put the sons of Abimilech the priest to death 1 Sam. 12. Here Ioshuah ouercame the fiue Kings of the Ammorites Here the Sunne stood still Of this you may reade more hereafter Of Ajalon THis was a city of the Priests in the tribe of Dan four miles from Ierusalem toward the Southeast and taketh the name from a Hinde for Aialah signifieth an Hinde a beast very strong and swift Here the Moon stood still Here Ionathan tasted hony contrary to his fathers command for which he was iudged to dy 1 Sam. 14. Of Azeka AZeka was a city of the Ammorits in the tribe of Iuda eight miles from Ierusalem toward the West neer to Odullam where Dauid killed Goliah and as it seems taketh the name from Munition or a place compassed about with an hedge being deriued from Itsek he hedged about This was a faire city in Saint Ieroms time Of the valley of Achor THis valley is distant from Ierusalem 12 miles and not farre from Iericho and Gilgall towards the North taking name as it seemeth of Achon that Theefe mentioned in Ioshuah who was stoned there from whence it is called Achor which signifinifieth Trouble because of the terrible words that Ioshuah spake vnto him there You may reade of this Hos 2. Esay 25. Ios 11.15 Of Makedah BEtween Elewtheropolin and Bethlehem this town stood being in the tribe of Iudah some 8 miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name of a floure that hangs down the head being deriued of Kadad which signifieth to hang down Here Ioshuah hanged the fiue kings of the Ammorites which he had formerly conquered Ios 10. Of Libna LIbna is a city belonging to the Levites in the tribe of Iudah and is scituated between Eglon and Makeda ten miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest where the 14 King that Ioshuah conquered kept his court and taketh the name from the aboundance of frankincense that is found there for Libonah signifieth white frankincense Zenacharib besieged this city Some say it taketh the name from the Hebrew Laba which signifieth White Bricks because there is found much matter whereof such kind of bricks are made Of Lachis LAchis is a city in the tribe of Iudah and lieth betweene Eleutheropolin and Hebron 20 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest and 2 miles from Rechila toward the North Ios 15. 2 Chr. 11. and taketh the name from Walking beeing deriued from Ialach which signifieth He hath walked Ioshuah tooke the King of this City and put him to death and Zenacharib King of the Assyrians besieged it but to little purpose Of Eglon. EGlon was a city in the tribe of Iuda 12 miles from Ierusalem Southward Ioshuah took the king of this city hanged him It taketh the name from Aecael signifying a Calfe Of Debir DEbir was a city of the Levites 22 miles from Ierusalem towards the South and almost halfe a mile from Hebron towards the Northwest Athniel the brother of Caleb won this town wherefore he gaue him his daughter Archsa to wife Formerly it was called Kiriath-Sepher i. A city of Scribes and Students for it was consecrated to learning From hence it was called Debir which signifies an oracle or an holy altar because the Lord there by his priests that were assigned for that purpose did foretell and prophecie of things to come being deriued from Debar that is He hath spoken Of Asdod or Azotes THis was a city of the Philistines scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranean sea in the tribe of Dan and 22 miles from Ierusalem towards the West This town was conquered by Ioshuah Ios 11. 1 Reg. 5. it was also taken by Psamniticus King of Egypt in Manasses time as Herodotus saith it is now a little town and is called Azotus In times past it was a faire city and tooke name from the fire of loue being deriued of Esh which signifies a fire and Dod beloued Of Gaza GAza was a faire city of the Philistims vpon the shore of the red sea some 24 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest and signifieth a strong town being deriued from Gazez To confirme Sampson being inclosed within this towne tooke away the gates and barres thereof and laid them at the foot of mount Hebron Iudg. 16. Of the riuer Merom THis was a lake not far from Dotham some 4 miles from Tiberias Westward and 44 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and is so called from the deepnesse of it being deriued of Rom which signifies it was high Marab bitter whence Merom a high bitter water Here Ioshuah ouerthrew the Kings of the Canaanites Ios 11. Of Sidon SIdon takes the name of Zod which signifies Hee hath hunted and was a famous mart town in Phoenicea being a place scituated at the foot of that high hill Antelibanus neere to the shore of the Mediterranean 16 miles from Ierusalem Northward Of Libanus THis is a mountaine of an extraordinary height some 104 miles from Ierusalem Northward looking into Syria and Phoenicia From thence the riuer Iordan taketh the beginning being so called of two springs or wels that is Ior and Dan rising from the bottom of this hill It seems to take the name from the aboundance of floures and varietie of sweet smels or dewes that are there and also of frankincense or gum Olibanum found vpon it it is a very fruitfull place ful of springs and wholsome herbs so that no serpent will abide in it it is diuided into two parts the one lieth neere Sidon Westward called Antelibanus the other toward Damascus vpon the East and is only called Libanus It is so high that it serues for a sea marke and so
a palme tree between Bethel and Ramath in mount Ephraim eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North the inhabitants thereabouts shew this tree euen to this day Barak the sonne of Abineam a noble Captaine liued in her time at Kades a citie of refuge belonging to the Leuites She succeeded Ehud in An. man 2632 and before Christ 1336 yeares The Trauels of Deborah and Barak BArak went first from Kades Naphtaly to the Palme tree where Deborah dwelt which are 84 miles From thence he went with Deborah backe againe to Kades which are 84 miles From Kades with 10000 men they went to the hill Thabor 36 miles Here as Iosephus writeth lib. antiq 4. there fell such a shoure of raine and haile vpon the enemies of the Israelites that through the extreme violence thereof they were dispersed and Sisera their captaine constrained to leaue his chariot and to saue himselfe by flight neuer staying till he came to the Tabernacle of Iael the wife of Hebar the Kenite scituated in the valley of Zaaenaim 36 miles from the foot of the mountaine Thabor where being asleep by reason of his great journey Iael strooke a naile into the temple of his head so he died From thench Barak pursued the enemies with great slaughter to Haraseth of the Gentiles a Citie in the vpper Galile neere to the lake of Samachoniten 28 miles This citie is 80 miles from Ierusalem towards the North Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. From Haraseth he went to the plaine of Zaaenaim where hee found Sisera slain in the tabernacle of Iael as Deborah the prophetesse had told him From thence Barak with all his armie went to Hazor where Iabin king of the Canaanites kept his court and of a sudden conquered the citie and put to death all the inhabitants Ioseph Antiq. lib. 5. Of Thabor THabor is a round high hill scituated vpon the borders of the tribes of Issacher and Zabulon 56 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it selfe to the riuer Kison towards the South and taketh the name of light or a pure aire being deriued of Bo To goe and come Tebuah To bring forth fruit and To giue light For this mountaine Thabor by reason of the puritie of the aire is wonderfull fertile and fruitfull There was also a towne at the foot of it called by the same name Here the kingâ— of the Midianites Zeba and Zalmuna were slaine by Gideon Of Hazor THis is a great citie in the tribe of Nepthali 80 miles from Ierusalem towards the North which Ioshuah destroyed with fire and sword so did Barak also The ruines of this citie is to be seene to this day The Mistery of Deborah THe word Deborah signifies a Bee and is a memorable type of the Church For as a Bee in all her actions soundeth pleasantly so the members of Gods Church in all their actions sing and sound forth the praises of God or by continuall prayers implore his ayde and assistants with the Bee sucking from the floures of the holy Scriptures the sweet and acceptable doctrine of faith by which the hope of euerlasting life is strengthned in vs with the sting of Gods word repulsing all vaine delusions and idle imaginations the temptations of the Diuel and those waspish affections of cruell and wicked men according to that of Ecclesiasticus The Bee is but small yet bringeth forth most pleasant fruit and presenteth vnto man many memorable instructions And as Plato saith The King of Bees although without a sting yet ruleth and gouerneth his Commonwealth with great seueritie and justice So Christ the head of the Church though he be a delectable Sauiour of soules and without any sting of bitternesse yet doth hee rule and gouerne it with singular justice and sinceritie Of Barak AFter Deborah was appointed Iudge of Israel shee ordained Barak for her chiefe Commander or Captaine He taketh his name from Thunder and Lightning typically representing the glory of Christ Iesus as chiefe Captaine of the Church who with the thunder of the Law and the bright shining glory of the Gospell destroyed the enemies thereof and by the hosts of Angels and Saints at the end of the World will cast them downe with thunder and lightning into that bottomlesse pit there to remaine for euer Of the trauels GIDEON DEborah being dead Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Medianites cruelly inuaded the Land of Iudaea but the Lord taking compassion vpon his People sent them a helper one GIDEON the sonne of Ioas of the family of Abiezer who was borne at Ophra or Ephron a Citie in the Tribe of Manasses not far from Mahanaim on the East side of Iordan some foure and forty miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East and signifieth a Rooter out from GADA That is Hee hath rooted out This man at the appointment of the Lord tooke vpon him the charge of the people and at Ophra which signifies Dust he destroied the Idol Baal pitching vp in that place an Alter to the Lord wherefore he was after called Ieru-Baal taking that name from Reuenge because he had destroied the Idol He began to rule in Israel in the yeare of the World 2672 and before Christ 1296. From Ophra Gideon went to Harad which standeth in the halfe Tribe of Manasseth where he blew the Trumpet From this place he sent back 22000 of his army because the Lord had so appointed But the Midianites hearing of this preparation prouided a great host and pitched in the valley of the hill Moreh so Gideon taking onely 300 with him went ouer Iordan and came to the towne of Iesrael for Iosephus saith 16 miles from Harod where he gaue the Midianites a wonderfull ouerthrow Iudg. 7. hee also tooke there two princes Oreb and Zeb and returned to the riuer Iordan where he put them to death From thence he went to Succoth with his army in expectation to haue refreshed themselues but the inhabitants shut him out of the towne and gaue him many despightfull words This towne lay close by Iordan and here Iacob sometime pitched his Tent. From thence he went to Penuel which is two miles there also they vsed him vnkindly and gaue him bad language From thence he went to Nobach with his army which is two miles From thence he went to Iagbetha which is 4 miles where he conquered Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Midianites who thinking themselues secure made no preparation for warre till they were besieged This was a memorable battell and here the two Kings were put to death From thence he followed the enemy with a great slaughter to Carkor which is foure miles From thence he went backe to Succoth which is 8 miles here he put the inhabitants of this Towne to the sword and all the Elders and Princes he tore to pieces with thornes because they had formerly denied him entrance into the citie From thence hee went to the Castle of Penuel which is two miles and vtterly destroied it euen to the ground and put all
there were thirty Castles and Townes that were called after his name Iudg. 10. Num. 32. Deut. 3. Ios 13. 1 Chr. 1. Hee dwelt at Kamon a towne in the Tribe of Gilead some 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East The trauels of Ieptha IEptha was borne at Mizpah in the Land of Giliad and being driuen into exile by his brothers hee fled into the Land of Tob 48 miles from Ierusalem Iudg. 11. From thence he returned to Mizpah 48 miles and there was chosen Prince and began his gouernment Anno mundi 2760 and before Christ 1208 yeares Iudg. 11. From Mizpah hee went with is army against the Ammonites to the Citie of Aroer where he put them to flight which is 26 miles Iudg. 11. From Aroer he pursued the enemies to Minneth which is 8 miles Iudg. 11. From Minneth he went to the plaine of the Vines which is 24 miles Iudg. 11. From Abel or the Plaine of the Vines hee went to Mizpah where he offered his daughter for a sacrifice to rhe Lord Iudg. 11. At that time he and the Ephramites got a memorable battell in which were slaine 22000 Iudg. 12. So all the Trauels of Ieptha were 322 miles Of the Cities and places mentioned in his Trauels Of Thob or Tob. THob or Tob to which Ieptha fled is in the halfe tribe of Manasses beyond Iordan not far from the mountain of Antilibanus 104 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward this was a very faire and plentifull countrey and therefore called Thob being deriued from Thobah which signifieth Good and Rare Of Mizpah MIzpha was a Citie in land of Gilead in the halfe Tribe of Manasses 18 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward and signifieth a Watch-tower of Zaphah to looke out In this towne Gideon dwelt and after him Samuel It was afterward destroied by Iudas Macchabeus you may reade more of it 1 Sam. 7.10 Ier. 40.41 Iosh 8. 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr 6. Nehem. 3. Of Aroer THis was a citie of the Moabites beyond Iordan neere the riuer Arnon and fell to the tribe of Gad Iosh 12.13 Deut. 2. and takes the name from Turpentine being deriued from Arar that is He hath destroied and rooted out and was so called because Ieptha woon a memorable battell neere to this place Iud. 11. This is often mentioned in the Scriptures There was another towne of this name close by Damascus Of Minueth IN S. Ieroms time 40 yeres after Christ this towne was called Menneth of Mercury which the Syrians call Meni from Manah to distribute being a towne of Merchants which disperse their commodities here and there and stood beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben 32 miles from Ierusalem toward the East Of the Plaine of Vines Of this you may reade more in the Trauels of Balaam Of the death of Ieptha THis Ieptha was a famous Captaine and from thence took his name for Iepthach signifieth To make him an open way with the sword being deriued of Patach To open and after hee had iudged Israel six yeares died the manner of whose death is diuersly reported some say that because hee performed not his vow effectually therefore God strooke him with a grieuous vlcer so that as he was passing from citie to citie in euery place he left a member Others say that he died in the citie of the Gileadites and that in memorie of his singular actions and noble exploits which by Gods especiall ayd he atchieued his body was cut into pieces and into euery citie of Gilead a member sent and there buried which as I take it is the better opinion Of Ebzan EBzan was the tenth Iudge of Israel and succeeded Iepthah he began his gouernment in Anno mundi 2666 and before Christ 1402. He was a Bethlamite of the Tribe of Iudah and as the Hebrews thinke Boez the grandfather of King Dauid he had thirtie sonnes and thirty daughters and liued to see them all married and tooke them home vnto him into his own family which doubtlesse was a great blessing of God and from thence tooke his name for Ibsan or Abezan signifieth the father of a flocke or multitude He liued dwelt and was buried in Bethlem Iuda Iudg. 12. Of Elom IN the yeare of the world 2773 and before Christ 1195. In the 5 yeare of this mans rule the Trojan warre began Ann. mundi 2777 before Christ 1190. Elon the eleuenth Iudge of Israel began to rule and dwelt in Aialon in the Tribe of Zabulon who after he had gouerned ten yeares dyed and was buried in the same towne There was another citie of the same name in the Tribe of Dan some foure miles from Ierusalem towards the West where at the prayer of Ioshua the Sunne stood still Of Abdon ABdon the twelfth Iudge of Israel succeeded Elon In the 5 yeare of this mans rule Troy was taken and began to rule Anno mundi 2782 and before Christ 1185. Hee dwelt in the Tribe of Ephraim in a mountaine of the Amalakites 16 miles from Ierusalem Northwards He ruled full eight yeares and then died and was buried in Pirithon Abdon signifieth a seruant for hee was a good Prince but that in obeying others he lost himselfe This Abdon was a great man had fortie sonnes thirtie of which he saw married and for his greater honour had his Chariot drawne with 70 Asses for they vsed them as we doe Horses The trauels of Sampson SAmpson was borne in the city of Zarea brought vp in the Tents of Dan and Estahol Iud. 13. From thence hee went to Timnah which is twelue miles there he fell in loue with Iudah the daughter of a Philistine Iudg. 14. From Timnah hee went backe to his father to Zarea and reuealed his affection which is 12 miles He and his father went back again to Timnah to see the maid and by the way as he went hee killed a Lyon which is twelue miles Iudg. 14. From thence he returned back again which is 12 miles Iud. 14. Within a while after Sampson and his friends went againe to Timnah and by the way he found Hony in the Lyon that he had slaine and gaue it to his friends to eat and when he came to the Philistines house he propounded the Riddle whereof you may reade Iudg. 14. These things hapned in Anno mundi 2791 and before Christ 1176 at which time he succeeded Abdon in the rule of the Iewes From thence he went to Ascalon a citie of the Philistines and killed thirtie of their men and tooke away their garments which is 24 miles From thence he returned backe againe to Timnah and deliuered the Philistines which had vnfolded the Riddle those change of garments Iudg. 14. From thence being angry that his wife had disclosed the riddle he returned to Zarea to his friends which is 12 miles Iud. 14. Within a while after when his anger was ouer hee returned backe to his wife to Timnah which is 12 miles it being then wheat haruest and carried with him a Goat that so hee might be merrie
and be reconciled to her but her father shut him out of doores because he had married his wife to another man wherefore he tooke a company of Foxes and tying them taile to taile put fire-brands to their tailes and turned them into the wheat of the Philistines and they set fire of all the Wheat and Vines and Oliues thereabout Iudg. 15. From thence he went to a caue in the rock Eta and there dwelt which is 12 miles Iudg. 15. At the rocke Eta Sampson was bound with two new cords by the Israelites and from thence led to Ramah Lehi which is six miles where hee killed 1000 Philistines with the jaw bone of an Asse that he found in the way From thence he went to Gaza a citie of the Philistins which is 42 miles here he carried away the gates of the citie From Gaza he carried these gates with the posts to the top of a hill neere Hebron which is 20 miles Iudg. 16. From Hebron he went to the riuer Sorecke where hee dwelt with Dalilah the Harlot and by her was deceiued and taken of the Philistines which are 12 miles Being taken of the Philistines he put out both his eies and bound him in chains and led him from thence to Gaza which is 32 miles there they brought him into the house of their god Dagon to make them sport but he pulled downe the house a multitude of them were slaine where he also died and was buried in the Sepulchre of Manoah his father betweene Zerea and Esthaol 28 miles from Gaza and almost 20 from Ierusalem towards the West This was in the yeare of the World 1811 and before Christ 1157. So all the Trauels of Sampson were 240 miles The description of the seuerall Townes and places to which SAMPSON trauelled Of Zarea THis is a city in the tribes of Iuda and Dan neere the riuer Soreck and taketh the name from a Cole or Leprosie being deriued of Sarag that is He was Leaprous it stood 18 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of Esthaol THis was a Towne in the Tribe of Dan two miles from Zarea and stood neere the Riuer Sorecke some 20 miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name from a Woman and Fortitude for Isca signifieth a woman and El or Ol strong or powerfull Here Sampson was brought vp In S. Ieroms time this was called Asto not farre from whence Sampson lieth buried Of Timnah You may reade of this in the trauels of Iudah Of Ascalon THis was a citie of the Philistines scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranean sea some 30 miles from Ierusalem Westward and to this day retaineth the figure of halfe a circle it taketh the name from an ignominious fire being deriued of Esh and Kalon an ignominious light Of Gaza Of this Towne you may reade in the trauels of Ioshuah Of the Riuer Sorek THis was a very pleasant riuer vpon the banke whereof grew great plentie of Vines and Palmes from whence it seemeth to haue taken the name for Sorek in Hebrew signifieth a Myrtle branch which bringeth forth a pleasant berrie whereof excellent Wine is made It takes the beginning at a fountaine in the tribe of Iuda some 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the West where there is a very fertile valley in which Dalilah that betraied Sampson dwelt and from thence it runneth through the land of the Philistines and falleth into the Mediterranean sea Of the rocke Eta IN this rocke there was a caue wherein Sampson dwelt as in a strong tower it stood in the Tribe of Iuda neere to the riuer Sorecke 12 miles from Ierusalem toward the West and seemeth to take the name from Fowles for before that Sampson inhabited there a multitude of fowles bred vpon it and therefore it was called Eta for Aith signifies a Fowle This rocke growing to decay was repaired againe by Ierobaham that idolatrous King of Israel Of Sampson SAmpson or Schimpson according to the Hebrew text taketh his name from the Sunne for Schaemaes in Hebrew signifieth the Sunne and seemeth to haue some affinity with Hercules which signifieth The glory of the aire for what can be said to be the glory of the aire but the Light of the Sunne without which it would become exceeding darke wherefore as some thinke this Sampson was the true Hercules and those noble exploits that hee did the Graecians attributed to their Hercules The typicall signification of SAMPSON HE typically representeth Christ diuers waies first in his person hee was a mightie man secondly in his profession hee was a Nazarite thirdly in his calling he was a Prince and Iudge fourthly in his manner of liuing for he went from place to place to reuenge himselfe vpon the enemies of Gods people the children of Israel and in his death euen so our Sauiour Christ is that strong man who being mightier than the Diuel hath dispossest him of his tyrannicall jurisdiction ouer the soules of mankinde hath taken away those gates of death by his mercy opening vnto vs the dore of life that so being set at liberty from that hellish imprisonment we may be made partakers of euerlasting happinesse he was also a Nazarite euen from his mothers womb borne and bred there tying himselfe to a vow of bondage that we might be made free he is a Prince for euer and a Priest after the order of Melchisadeck during the continuance of his life in this vaile of misery his chiefest actions were to go from place to place to teach to doe good and to rescue and relieue the poore distressed members of the Church who lay miserably afflicted vnder the hands of Sathan healing some relieuing others and bringing a third sort into the state of grace so that as Sampson deliuered the Israelites from the bondage of the Philistins Christ our Prince and Iudge deliuereth his from the slauerie of Sathan by his death sauing more soules than in his life And therby pulling down the strong buildings the temptations of Sathan hath laid them leuel with the ground that they shall neuer be restored againe And lastly after this life ended he shall be our Prince and Iudge and bring vs to that place of promise prepared for vs in his euerlasting kingdome The trauels of the Spies of the Danites SHortly after the death of Sampson the Spies of the Danites went from Zarea and Eastaol to mount Ephraim to the house of Michah which is 24 miles Iudg. 18. From thence they went to Lais which is a hundred and foure miles Iudg. 18. From thence they returned to Zarea and Esthaol which is 126 miles Iudg. 18. So all their trauels were 244 miles Of Lais. LAis was a citie scituated at the foot of mount Libanus some 104 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was sometimes called Belenus this because it stood so farre from aid was quickly conquered by the Danites and by them vtterly destroyed it signifieth a roring or deuouring Lion But after being rebuilt by the Danites they called it Dan
and the Canaanites lâ—sem Dan being deriued of Laeschaem which signifieth a Lion The trauels of the Danites THe army of the Danites went from Zarea and Esthaol to Kiriathiearim and there pitched their tents which is 16 miles Iudg. 15. From thence they went to mount Ephraim to the house of Micha and tooke his carued Image and his Leuite from him which was eight miles Iudges 15. From thence they went to Lais 104 miles So all the Trauels were 128 miles Of Kiriath-jearim KIriath-jearim was a city of the Levits in the tribe of Iuda vpon the borders of the tribe of Benjamin about a mile from Ierusalem Westward It somtime belonged to the Gibeonites Ios 9. and signifies a city of the desart or woods beeing deriued from Kiriah which signifies a city and Iaar a wood or Forrest Here stood the arke of the Couenant after it had bin in the land of the Philistines seuen moneths and stood in the house of Abinadab whose son Eliazer because he was of the family of the Leuites by consent of the children of Israel was consecrated priest thereof to attend and keep it here it remained 48 yeares till Dauid fetched it thence with great ioy 1 Sam. 7. 2 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. Here Saul was anointed King by Samuel here the company of the Prophets that is the scolers of the Wise came downe from the more eminent places where the arke of God was with holy songs and instruments of musick and the Spirit of the Lord came vpon Saul and he sung and praised God with them They called this the Hill of God because the Arke of the Couenant stood in it 1 Sam 10. Here Ionathan the sonne of Saul thrust out a garrison of the Philistimes which held this towne in subiection 1 Sam. 14. Neere to this place was the valley Rephaim or of the Gyants where Dauid won a memorable battel against the Philistims and pursued them with great slaughter euen to the plain of Perizim 2 Sam. 15. The Trauels of the Leuite whose Concubine the Inhabitants of Gibeon most wickedly abused THis Leuite dwelt in Ramath in mount Ephraim from whence he went to Bethlehem Iuda which is 16 miles to fetch back his concubine or rather his wife which was the daughter of a certain citizen in Bethlehem but a bond seruant not free such they called concubines because they had neither the honor to be mistresse of the house neither could their posteritie inherit in lands or goods of their father although before God they were lawfull wiues Iudg. 19. From Bethlehem they returned back again on foot to Ierusalem which then was called Iebus because the Iebusits inhabited there Which is 6 miles Iudg. 19. From thence they went to Gibeah not far distant from the city Gibeon where after Saul kept his Royall seat 1 Sam. 22. Here the Gibeonites abused the Levits concubine Which was almost 4 miles From thence he went home to his own city Ramath in Mount Ephraim and there cut the dead body of his wife in 12 parts and sent them throughout all the tribes of Israel Which is 8 miles So all his trauels were 34 miles Of Ramath THis was a city in Mount Ephraim some 8 miles from Ierusalem toward the North and signifieth a high and lofty Citie being deriued of Rom that is It was high This towne Baësa King of Israel would haue fortified and repaired after it had bin decayed but hee was hindred by Benhadad King of the Syrians that he could not finish what hee had begun There were many townes and Cities of this name as Ramoth where Ahab dwelt 1 Reg. 22. Ramathaim Sophim or Arimathia where the prophet Samuel dwelt 1 Sam. 1. and there where the Ark of God stood not far from Gibeah was called Ramah also Iudg. 19. There was another Ramath in the tribe of Nepthali Ios 19. all of them being so called because they stood vpon very high mountains The Trauels of the Children of Israel when they fought against the Benjamites FRom Mizpah in the land of Gilead where they appointed to meet for in the enemies land they could not assemble themselues the whole army of the Israelites went to the Arke of God in Shilo which was about 48 miles From thence they went with their army to Gibeah where they lost 22000 of their men which is 2 miles From thence they returned to Shilo and intreated God for aid which was two miles Iudg. 20. From thence they went the second time to Gibeah and entred battell againe with the enemy but because they trusted in their own strength therefore in this second expedition there were slain 18000 of their men Which was two miles Iudg. 20. From thence the whole Army of the Israelites returned backe again and before the Lord in Shilo lamented the ouerthrow they had twice sustained and with earnest prayers implored his ayd that they might obtain the victorie Which was 2 miles Iud. 20. From thence they returned the third time to Gibeah there with great expedition renued the war because they trusted in God and not to their own strength they put to the sword 25000 of the Benjamits and won a notable victorie Iudg. 20. which was 2 miles Hauing taken and burnt the city of Gibeah with fire they returned backe vnto the town of Shilo which is two miles there before the Lord they began to lament the calamitie of the tribe of Benjamin saying Wherefore hath this thing hapned that one of the Tribes should be rooted out before thee Iudg. 21. From thence they went to Iabes in Gilead and besieged and tooke it and destroyed it to the ground which is 52 miles From thence they returned back again to Shilo with them brought 400 maids which they gaue to the Benjamites to bee their wiues Iudg. 21. Which was 52 miles So all the trauels of the children of Israel were 164 miles Of Iabes THis was a city in the land of Gilead 52 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northeast the inhabitants whereof buried the bones of Saul and Ionathan his son 1 Sam. 31. it is deriued of Iabesh which signifieth a dry city Here endeth the booke of IVDGES The trauels of ELIMELECH and his wife NAOMI ELIMELECK and his wife went from Bethlehem Iuda into the Land of the Moabites where he died which is 40 miles From thence she returned with her daughter in law Ruth to Bethlehem Iuda where Boez married Ruth which was fortie miles So their Trauels were 80 miles The first Booke of SAMVEL The Trauels of HANNA the mother of the Prophet SAMVEL HEr husband Elkana and she went from Ramathaim Sophim in mount Ephraim to Shilo the house of the Lord which was 12 miles where by earnest prayers she obtained of the Lord a sonne 1 Sam. 1. From thence shee returned backe againe to Ramathaim Sophim and there Samuel was borne 1 Sam. 1. which was 12 miles From thence she went to Shilo to present her sonne before the Lord and hee remained
therewith Eli to serue God all his life 1 Sam. 1. which is 12. miles From Shilo she returned backe againe to her house and bare Elkana a sonne and two daughters more which is 12 miles So all her trauels were 48 miles Of Ramathaim Sophim THis Citie stood in mount Ephraim not far from Lidda and Ioppa some 16 miles distant from Ierusalem Northeastward and was sometimes called Ramah Here Ioseph whose addition was Arimathia dwelt that demanded the body of our Sauiour to bury in his own sepulchre It seemeth to be called Ramathaim Sophim which signifies the high places of the prophets because there was an Academy or publique schoole of Prophets which serued for the whole land in this city At this day it is called by the name of Ramath hauing some affinitie to the antient name Ramah How the Arke of God was borne from place to place after it was won from the children of Israel by the Philistines 1 Sam. 4.5.6 THe two sons of Eli the Priest Hophney and Phineas carried the Arke of the Lord to Ebenezer which signifies the stone of my help which was 42 miles and is not far from Aphec some 48 miles from Ierusalem Northward Here the Arke of God was taken and Hophney and Phineas died old Eli also broke his necke at this time about the 98 yeare of his age and the fortieth of his rule for hee ruled from the time of Sampson vntill then 1 Sam. 4. This hapned Anno mundi 2850 and before Christ 1117. The prophet Samuel succeeded him in the gouernment of the church and ruled 40 yeares From Aphecke the Philistines carried it to Asdod or Azotus and set it in the temple of their god Dagon but the Idol fel down in the night was broken to pieces before the Ark of the Lord 1 Sam. 4. which was 160 miles From thence to the city Gath which was 4 miles From Gath to the sea town Gaza 12 miles From Gaza to Ekron 32 miles From Ekron they placing it vpon a new cart drawne with two new milch Kine it was brought back again to Bethsemes which was 12 miles From thence it was caried to Kiriath jearim and placed in the house of Abinadab where it was kept vntill Dauids time who fetched it thence to Ierusalem with great joy about the yere of the world 2900 and before Christ 1068 which was two miles So all the while the Arke was from Shilo it was caried hither and thither some 276 miles ¶ Of the Townes and places to which the Arke of the Lord was carried Of Aphek THis was a city of Samaria alotted to the halfe tribe of Manasses some halfe a mile from Israel toward the South and 44 miles from Ierusalem Northward It signifieth an impetuous or violent act being deriued of Aphak which is as much as Hee worketh violently or offereth violence In this city Benhadad king of the Syrians going from one place to another to hide himselfe was at length constrained to fly to Ahab King of Israel to saue his life and craue his aid 1 Reg. 20. Of Asdod Ascalon and Gaza you may reade before Of Gath. THis was a hauen town scituated vpon the bankes of the Mediterranian sea distant from Ierusalem 34 miles toward the West It seemeth to take the name of the aboundance of Vines that grow thereabouts for Gath signifieth a presse or such an instrument wherwith grapes are pressed This was Goliahs country Here Achis to whom Dauid fled gouerned 1 Sam. 21.27 and it is very like that all the Kings of this city were called Achis as somtime the Emperors of Rome were called Caesars There were other Kings of the Philistines that were also called by this name Of Ekron THis also was a city of the Philistins not far from the Mediterranian sea and neere to Asdod some 16 miles from Ierusalem Westward At this day it is but a smal town and called by the name of Accaron hauing some affinity with the antient name Ekron The inhabitants of this towne worshipped Baalzebub for their god It taketh the name from Extirpation or such a towne as Penitus distruit Hath rooted out euen the foundation being deriued of Akar which signifieth To extirpate Of Bethsemes THis was a city of the Levits in the tribe of Iuda Ios 15.21 4 miles from Ierusalem Westward and signifies the house of the Sun Of this you may reade more before The Trauels of the Prophet Samuel SAmuels mother brought him from Arimathia to Shilo being 12 miles where he was to serue the Lord God all his life From Shilo Samuel went to Mizpa in the land of Gilead 48 miles Here Samuel called a congregation and made a solemn sacrifice vnto the Lord of a sucking lambe and the Lord at the same time thundred from heauen and dispersed the army of the Philistines so that they fled 1 Sam. 7. From Mizpa he went to Arimathia 56 miles There he dwelt and built an altar vnto the Lord 1 Sam. 7. From thence he went yearely to Bethel 16 miles 1 Sam. 7. From Bethel he went to Gilgal 2 miles 1 Sam. 7. From Gilgal he went to Mizpa in the land of Gilead 36 miles 1 Sam. 7. From Mizpa he went again to Arimathia 56 miles Thither came vnto him the Elders of the children of Israel desiring him to chuse them a King 1 Sam. 8. Therefore he went out of the towne of Arimathia about 16 miles to Ramath which lieth in the land of Ziph not far from Bethlehem Euphrata and there Samuel anointed Saul the son of Kish to be their King 1 Sam. 10. From Ramath he went to Gilgal 16 miles There he offered and shewed Saul what he should do 1 Sam. 10. From Gilgal hee went to Mizpah in the land of Gilead 36 miles there Saul by casting of lots was chosen King 1 Sam. 10. From Mizpa he returned to Arimathia 56 miles 1 Sam. 10. From Arimathia he went to Beseck about 44 miles where Adoni-Beseck was taken whose fingers and toes the children of Israel cut off There Samuel and Saul caused an army of men to issue out against the children of Ammon 1 Sam. 11. From Besecke Samuel and Saul passed ouer Iordan to Iabes in Gilead 16 miles and there ouerthrew Nahas King of the Ammonites and all his host which done Samuel said vnto the souldiers Let vs now go vnto Gilgal and there renew the Kingdome From Iabes in Gilead he went to Gilgal 36 miles There Saul was placed in his Throne royal 1 Sam. 11. From Gilgal Samuel went to Arimathia which is 20 miles From Arimathia he went again to Gilgal 20 miles and there he sharply rebuked King Saul because he had offered a Sacrifice contrary to his command 1 Sam. 13. From Gilgal he went to Gibeon 12 miles 1 Sam. 13. From Gibeon he went to Arimathia 12 miles From Arimathia he went to Gilgal 20 miles there rebuked king Saul because he did not wholly destroy the Amalekites and Samuel himselfe hewed the body of Agag King of the
From Gibeon he went to Engedi where Dauid in a caue cut off a piece of his garment which was 24 miles 1 Sam. 24. From thence he teturned again to Gibeon 24 miles From Gibeon he went to Ziph 22 miles and as he lay asleepe vpon the hill Hachila Dauid came secretly into the Campe and took his cup and his speare from his head and would not kil him 1 Sam. 26. From the hill Hachila he returned vnto Gibea 22 miles From thence hee went to fight with the Philistines at mount Gilboa 40 miles From mount Gilboa hauing changed his apparell he went to Endor which was 4 miles There he asked counsel of a witch and the Diuel appeared vnto him in the likenesse of Samuel 1 Sam. 28 From thence he returned again to mount Gilboa to the camp 4 miles and the next day he fought against the Enemy in which battel his three sonnes were slaine and hee himselfe put to flight 1 Sam. 31. 1 Chr. 11. From mount Gilboa he fled 8 miles to Bethsan where he kild himselfe 1 Sam. 31. 1 Chr. 11. From thence the body of Saul was brought to Iabes in Gilead where it was buried 2 Sam. 31. 1 Chr. 11. So all the trauels of Saul were 2428 miles The description of the townes and places to which he trauelled OF Gibea Salem Ramath and Iabes you may read before being memorable places to which Abraham Ioshuah and the children of Israel trauelled Of Bethsaliza THe land of Salisa with the city Bethsaliza was scituated in mount Ephraim 8 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest This was also called Baalsalisa 2. King 4. and signifieth the Trinity being deriued of Schillesch to make threefold Of Michmas THis was a citie in mount Ephraim in the borders of the tribes of Beniamin and Manasses not far from Iericho some ten miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Neere to this Citie Ionathan and his armor bearer put the armie of the Philistins to flight 1. Sam. 14. you may read of this towne in Esd 2. Isa 10. This was a strong citie of the Moabites and seemeth to take the name of Kemosch or Chamos which was a god which they worshipped in their banquets meetings for mirth as Bacchus somtime was amongst the Romans To this Idol Solomon built a temple 1. Reg. 11. Ier. 48. Of Zoba THe Kingdome of Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam was in Armenia neer to the mountains Antitaurus and Masius 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North extending it selfe on both sides of the Riuer Euphrates It was a very large fruitfull and pleasant country wherein inhabited many Kings This place Saul conquered Dauid retained it 1 Sam. 14. 2 Sam. 8. And signifies An aspiring Kingdom being deriued of Zabah He hath aspired Of Carmel CArmel was a City in the tribe of Iudah scituated in a fertile mountaine some eight miles from Hebron toward the East but twelue miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest in the wildernesse of Moan where that foolish and couetous fellow Nabal dwelt There is likewise another Towne called by the same name in the tribe of Issacher not farre from Ptolomais which is vpon the shore of the Mediteranian sea 64 miles from Ierusalem toward the North standing vpon a promontory which extendeth it selfe into the Ocean of which you may reade Ios 19. Ier. 46. In this city the Prophets Elias and Elizeus dwelt who put the Priests of Baal to death in that place 1 Reg. 18. 2 Reg. 4. Carmel signifieth Spike or a fertil field bringing forth Vines herbs and diuers kinds of floures and fruits and is oft times vsed for a pleasant place Esay 29.32.37 Ier. 24. There are a sect of Monks that of this mountain are called Carmelits who built for themselues an Abby there close by the Church of S. Maries about the yeare of the world 5170 and in the yeare of our Lord 1170. Of Azekah AZekah and Socho were two townes in the Tribe of Iudah eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Of these you may reade before Of Nobe or Nob. THis was a Citie of the Priests in the Tribe of Benjamin where Abimelech High-Priest of the Israelites dwelt Who at such time as Dauid fled from Saul he gaue him of the Shew-bread and the Sword that he tooke from Goliah For the which cause Saul commanded fourescore and fiue Priests to bee slaine and the City with all the Inhabitants thereof to bee put to the sword 1 Sam. cap. 22. At this day as Bernard Brittenbacchus saith it is called Bethenopolis and is in the way betweene Ierusalem from whence it is distant some sixteen miles towards the Northeast Dyospolim It taketh the name from Naba which signifieth He hath prophecied Of this you may read 1 Sam. 20.21 22. and Esay 10. Of Maon THis was a town in the wildernesse of Iudaea some 24 miles from Ierusalem Southward neere Ziph and Carmel where Saul had besieged Dauid and all his men and would haue either put them to the sword or taken them captiues But the Philistins on a sudden inuaded the land so that Saul was constrained to leaue the siege to oppose their incursions It taketh the name from a fruitfull habitation and a firm and safe mansion 2 Sam. 23 Ios 15. Of Engedi THis was a castle or town scituated in a mountain neere to the shore of the Dead sea a little beyond Sodom six miles from Ierusalem toward the Northeast and in the tribe of Iudah Ios 15. In times past it was a fruitfull place both of vines other fruits there also grew a kinde of balsam But Cleopatra in the time of Mark Anthony brought the roots of it into Egypt and there made a pleasant garden where now Christians inhabit There are yet some small stalks here and there of this Balsam to be found vpon this hill Engedi but the Saracens do not regard it neither dwell any Christians neere to dresse it so that it groweth to decay Engedi signifieth the fountaine or well of a Goat or Lambe These mountains are very high and of a wonderfull nature in some places great ragged rocks appearing in others plain and fruitful vallies insomuch as they are fearefull and horrible to strangers that behold them Of Ziph. THis was a Towne in the Desart of Ziph placed in a certaine mountaine not farre from Hebron in the Tribe of Iudah some 22 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast Iosh 15. Vnto this desart neere to this city Dauid oft times resorted and at last was betrayed by the inhabitants of this towne It seemeth that the Towne and Wildernesse tooke that name of the aboundance of pitch that was found in it for Zaephaeth in Hebrew signifieth Pitch Of Gilboa THis was a mountain in the tribe of Manasse neere to Sichem and Apheck 40 miles from Ierusalem towards the North it extendeth 8 miles to the city Bethsan and two miles towards the North to mount Hermon It seems to take the name from the bubling forth or springing
vp of water for the riuer Kison begins at the foot of this mountain and diuides it self into diuers parts vntill it commeth to the hill Hermon and then it runs into two principal streams the one passeth toward the East into the sea of Galilee the other to the West towards Carmel and so into the Mediterranian sea There be some that are of opinion that neither raine nor dew falls vpon this hil because when Saul was slain Dauid cursed these mountains saying Let neither rain nor dew fal vpon you ô yee mountaines of Gilboa because the strong men of Israel were slaine there 2 Sam. 1. But this was but a figuratiue speech wherby Dauid would expresse the greatnesse of his sorrow for Borchardus the Monke speaking of this mountain saith That as he was ascending vpon it there was such a violent showre fell that he was wet through his clothes and the waters in great aboundance ran into the vallies And in the yeare of our Lord 1283 sleeping vpon this hill on the Eve of All Saints there was a great dew fell vpon his clothes onely some parts of it were very stony and barren as are many other mountains in that country Of Endor THis was a town in the tribe of Manasses neere the riuer Kison Ios 17. where Saul asked counsell of a witch 1 Sam. 28. It seemes to take the name from a fountaine of durance for Dor signifies he hath made sure It is distant from Ierusalem 44 miles toward the North. In S. Ieroms time this was but a smal village Of Bethsan THis was a city in the Tribe of Manasses betweene Bethulia and the sea of Galile some 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the North Iosh 17. It taketh the name from a Church-yard or a place of rest for Beth signifieth a house and Iaschan he hath slept Here Saul killed himselfe and the Philistines cut off his head and set it vpon the wall of this citie Afterward about S. Ieroms time Ptolomie called this Scythopolis You may reade in the second booke of the Macchabes how it was the towne of the Scythians for the Scythians which dwelt some 800 miles from Ierusalem towards the North came with a great army into the Holy land and by force woon this citie and dwelt there of whom it was called the Scythian towne Ioseph in lib. 2. de Bell. Iud. cap. 18. remembreth a strange accident that hapned neere this towne for the Iewes besieging it there were of their own nation that dwelt within the city who that they might make a priuate gaine took wages of the Scythians to oppose their brethren and countreymen by which meanes the Scythians got the better But after a while the Scythians considering that the number of the Iewes were great and fearing some sudden insurrection or innouation gaue them warning to depart and leaue the towne they though with great griefe as being prest with a two-fold necessity their owne wants and the hatred of their kindred did so relying meerely vpon the courtesie of strangers But about some two dayes after in the night time the inhabitants of Scythopolis breaking out of the citie vnawarres fell vpon them and in recompence of their kindnesse put to the sword some thirteen thousand many slaine vnawares some as they were eating and most in their sleepe After they had committed this massacre they compassed about the wood where they were took away all their substance and suffered not a man to depart aliue Wherefore one Simon the soone of a certaine ancient and noble Citizen called Saul perceiuing their present miserie and that there was no hope to escape iminent death and vtter ruine in a cruell and desperate maner breakes out into these words O miserable wretch that I am that against my owne conscience haue lift vp these impious hands against my countrey committing daily massacres to pleasure them who at this day lay violent hands vpon all wee haue die therefore thou that art thus profane and with thine owne hands make an end of thy wretched life since thou doest not deserue to die honourably in the face of the enemy but wretchedly in a corner and for thine owne offence So soone as he had ended these words he turned him about with a fierce countenance and falling vpon his father mother wife and children put them all to the sword after burnt his goods and to make an end of the tragedy ran himselfe vpon his owne weapon These things hapned but a little before Vespasian came into the land of Iudaea At this day this Citie Sythopolis is called after the antient name Bethsan The typicall representation of SAVL SAul if it be properly taken doth sometime signifie a Graue or Sepulchre and sometimes Hell being deriued from Scheuol which may be taken for both As therefore Saul persecuted innocent Dauid with an inueterate malice euen vnto the death so the sonnes of Sathan euil and wicked men persecute Christ and his members with an immoueable malice sparing neither Prophets nor Apostles neither such as are religious no nor Christ himself but with cruell torments put them to lingering deaths till they be vtterly exryrpate as they thinke and then wanting objects to satisfie their sauage mindes they follow their owne diuellish councels till with Saul they come to desperate ends Schaul or Saul if it be taken in the better part signifieth He hath desired or called The Philistines trauels from their Campe to Michmas THe Philistines incamped themselues at Michmas vpon Mount Ephraim some ten miles from Ierusalem Northward and out of the Philistines campe there issued three armies to spoile the countrey The one marched towards Ophra and went from Michmas to Salem 28 miles From thence they went to Ophra 4 miles The second went from Michmas to Bethoron 8 miles The third went from Michmas to the valley of Zeboim eight miles So all the Trauels of the Philistines were 58 miles Of Zoboim THis valley is not farre from Ierusalem in the Tribe of Benjamin Nehem. 11. The trauels of Ionathan Sauls sonne IOnathan went from Gibeah to Kiriath-jearim which was two miles where hee draue the Philistines out of their campe 1 Sam. 13. From thence he went backe againe two miles From thence he went to Michmas which is 8 miles and there by the helpe of his Armor-bearer he gaue the Philistines a great ouerthrow 1 Sam. 14. From thence hee followed the enemy to Aialon wich is 12 miles there his father would haue put him to death because he had tasted a little hony 1 Sam. 14. From Aialon Saul and his sonne Ionathan returned to Gibeah his owne citie which was two miles From Gibeah hee went with his father to Socho and Asecha which was 8 miles where after Dauid had slaine Goliah for that singular vertue and heroicall spirit which Ionathan saw in him he loued him as he did his owne soule and preferred him before his owne life and honour 1 Sam. 18. From thence he went with his father to Gibeah some 8
Of Gesur GEsur was a country neere to Caesarea Philippi in the land of Basan beyond Iordan neere Libanus in the Tetrarchie Trachonitides 88 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward With the King of this country Absolon remained in banishment for 3 yeres space after he had slain his brother Ammon and with vs may be termed the vally of Oxen 2 Sam. 13. Of Hadsi THe lower country of Hadsi stood neere to the city Corazin in the halfe tribe of Manasses 52 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northeast and signifies a new land beeing deriued of Chadasch that is New Of the fountaine Rogel THis was neere Ierusalem Eastward to which place Ionathan and Ahimaas Dauids intelligencers brought him newes of Absalons counsels and intentions 2 Sam. 17. It seemeth that trauellers vsually washed their feet in it from whence it was called the Wel of feet beeing deriued from Raegael signifying a Foot Neere to this place was the stone Zochaeleth where Adoniah at such time as he affected the kingdome contrary to his fathers liking called an assembly and made a great feast 1 Reg. 1. The Trauels of Baena and Rechab THese two went out of the tribe of Benjamin ouer Iordan to Machanaim 40 miles There they murthered their master king Ishbosheth in his chamber as he lay vpon his bed and after cut off his head The head they brought to King Dauid to Hebron 68 miles But Dauid was not pleased with their treacherie wherefore hee caused them both to be put to death So their trauels were 108 miles The Trauels of Absalon ABsalon was borne in Hebron and went with his father to Ierusalem 22 miles 2 Sam. 13. From thence he went to Baalhazor 8 miles where hee caused his brother Ammon to be slain From thence for feare of his father he fled into the land of Gesur 88 miles 2 Sam. 14. From thence he came backe with Ioab to Ierusalem which was 88 miles 2 Sam. 14. From thence he went to Hebron 22 miles and made himselfe King and rebelled against his father From thence he went backe againe to Ierusalem which is 22 miles There he lay with his fathers Concubines 2 Sam. 16. From thence he pursued his father to Machanaim 40 miles there was hanged by the haire in an oke tree where Ioab put him to death 2 Sam. 18. So all the trauels of Absolon were 290 miles Of Baal-hazor IN this city Absolon made a great feast for his sheepe-sherers and inuited all his brothers to it where he caused Ammon to be slain because he had abused his sister Thamar It lieth in the way some 8 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-East as you go to Iericho neere to mount Ephraim 2 Sam. 13. and is deriued of Baal which signifies a Lord or husband and Chazir a Den or caue Of the name ABSOLON ABSOLON signifieth a Father of peace although he was the author of all discord and sedition against his father The Trauels of the wise woman of Thecoa THis woman went from Thecoa to Ierusalem 8 miles and spake with King Dauid and with her sweet words shee persuaded him that he would recall his sonne out of exile who then remained in Gesur 2 Sam. 14. Of Thecoa THecoa was a city in the tribe of Iuda some 8 miles from Ierusalem toward the Southeast neere this city Iosaphat by praier and the sound of Trumpets without drawing sword got a memorable victory and for that cause it signifieth the sound of a Trumpet In this place the prophet Amos dwelt and there lieth buried whose sepulchre was to be seene 400 yeares after Christ as S. Ierom obserueth It was from Bethlem Iuda 6 miles Neere to Techoa was the lake Aspher where Ionathan and Simon Iudas Machabeus brothers pitcht their tents 1 Mach. 9. Of this city you may reade Ier. 6. Am. 1. 2 Chr. 11. Of ACHITOPHEL THis perfideous and wicked man was borne in the towne of Gilo not far from Hebron and Debir in the tribe of Iudah Ios 15. 2 Sam. 15. 20 miles from Ierusalem Southeastward who when his counsell would not take place he went home to his own house and there desperatly hanged himselfe The Trauels of wicked Shimei SHimei went from Bahurim where he cursed King Dauid to Bathabara vpon the riuer Iordan which was 18 miles where he got pardon of Dauid 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went backe with King Dauid to Gilgall foure miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went with King Dauid to Ierusalem 12 miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went to Bahurim 3 miles From Bahurim King Solomon sent for him again to Ierusalem 3 miles There he was constrained to build him an house and not to depart thence vpon pain of death 1 Reg. 2. But Shimei transgressing this commandment of the king went to Gath a city of the Philistims 12 miles From thence hee returned back againe to Ierusalem 12 miles where he was slain by the command of King Solomon in the third yeare of his reign 1 Reg. 2. So all the trauels of Shimei were 104 miles The Books of Kings and Chronicles Of ABISHAG the Virgin that lay with Dauid THis Maid was accounted the fairest in all Israel for which cause she was brought to Ierusalem for King Dauid that she might lie with him in his old age to procure heat she was born at Sunem a town some 44 miles from Ierusalem 1 Reg. 1. Of Sunem you may read before in the trauels of Dauid Saul The Trauels of King Solomon SOlomon the son of Dauid King of Israel entred vpon the full gouernment of the kingdome of Israel An. mundi 2931. and before Christ 1037. when he was about 20 yeares old After he went from Ierusalem to Gilgal 4 miles and there offered vpon the altar which Moses had made 1000 burnt offerings 1 Reg. 3. 2 Chr. 1. From thence he went backe to Ierusalem which was 4 miles and built a Temple to the Lord in mount Moriah 1 Reg. 6. This was begun about the fourth yere of his reign and 480 yeres after the children of Israel came out of Egypt in the moneth Ziph which answereth to our May. So that the Temple began to bee built in Anno mundi 2934. and before Christ 1034. To the building whereof Hiram King of Tyre sent Cedar trees from Mount Libanus 120 miles to Ierusalem 1 Reg. 5. 2 Chr. 2. This Temple Solomon within plaited ouer with pure gold and set with pretious stones and finished it in the month of Nouember about the eleuenth yeare of his reigne 1 Reg. 6. The dedication whereof was about the twelfth yeare of his reigne and in the 32 yeare of his age Anno Mundi 2942 and before Christ 1026. The Temple being finished he began to build his owne house which was 13 yeares a building and was finished about the 44 yeare of his age and in the 24 of his reign 1 Reg. 7.8 After 20 years in which time he had finished the house of the Lord and his own house in Mount Sion that
that hee was constrained to leaue the battell 1 Reg. 22. And as he went backe againe to Samaria which was 24 miles he dyed of his wound Of this man you may reade more 1 Reg. 21. 22. So all the Trauels of Ahab were 152 miles The Description of Carmel Apheck and Ramoth you may reade before Of Iesreel IEzreel is a city in the Tribe of Issachar scituated vpon a rising ground some 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Ahab somtimes kept his court Here Noboth the Israelite dwelt an honest and religious man one of good esteeme and authoritie that feared God and would not suffer the inheritance of one Tribe to be transferred to another because God had commanded the contrary Nu. vlt. For which cause he would not sell his vineyard to Ahab wherefore Iezabel that wicked woman to satisfie the Kings desire caused him to be stoned Iezreel signifies The seed of God being deriued of Sera Seed and El the Almighty God Though in former times this hath bin a faire town yet at this day there is not past 30 houses in it and is called Charity standing at the foot of Mount Gilboah they shew at this day the field of Naboth the Iesrelite lying towards the West as you goe into the citie a little before you come at it This towne standeth vpon a faire prospect for you may see from thence through all Galile to Carmel the mountaines of Phoenicia and Mount Thabor also from Mount Gilead by Iordan and Mount Salem where Iohn baptised neere by Mount Hermon vpon the North side of Mount Gilboah there lies a faire and plaine way to the citie Iezreel by which Iehu came when he made wars vpon Iehoram King of Israel of which you may reade more 2 Reg. 9. It stood not far from the riuer Kison as you may reade Ios 17.19 1 Sam. 2. 1 Reg. 4. 18. Of Ahaziah the sonne of Ahab AHaziah was crowned king of Israel during the life of his father a cruell and wicked man he began his raigne in the 17 yeare of Iosaphat king of Iudah Anno mundi 3049 and before Christ 919 about such time as Ahab went downe to Ramoth Gilead to recouer it from the Syrians within a while after the death of his father hee fell through the lattice window in his vpper chamber which was in Samaria of which hurt he died Of this you may reade more 1 King 1. The Trauels of Iehoram King of Israel IEhoram succeeded his brother Ahazia in the kingdome of Israel who began his raigne in the 18 yeare of Iosaphat King of Iudah and as Iosephus saith li. Ant. 9. about the fifth yeare of his raigne went from Samaria to Ierusalem which was 32 miles There he told Iosaphat how the king of Moab had rebelled against him therefore desired him to goe along with him to the war 2 Reg. 3. Then Iehoram and Iosaphat and the King of Edom went from Ierusalem and compassed about through the wildernesse of Idumaea by the space of seuen daies so that they and their army for want of water had almost perished but at the prayers of the Prophet Elisha they were miraculously preserued At length they came to Petra the Metropolitan Citie of the Moabites and is distant from Ierusalem 172 miles which they tooke and consumed it with fire and sword 2 Reg. 3. From the citie of Petra Iehoram King of Israel returned backe to Samaria which was 104 miles where within a while afrer he was so sorely besieged by Benhadad king of Syria that the famine grew very great within the towne insomuch as a certaine woman eate her owne childe 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Ramoth in Gilead with his armie which is 24 miles where he was ouercome by Asahel King of the Syrians and wounded euen to the death 2 Reg. 8. From the fight of Ramoth Gilead he was carried in his chariot backe to Iezreel which was 24 miles where he lay to be cured of his hurts But Iehu one of his chiefe Captaines rebelled against him and as hee was in his Charriot shot an arrow and wounded him the second time whereof he died in the field of Naboth the Iezrelite 2 Reg. 9. So all the Trauels of Iehoram were 356 miles The Trauels of Iehu King of Israel IEHV signifies A constant man in himselfe and was the sonne of Iosaphat the sonne of Nimschi hee was annointed King of Israel in the castle at Ramoth in Gilead by Elisha Anno mundi 3063 and before Christ 905 hee raigned 28 yeares 2 Reg. 9. From Ramoth in Gilead in his Chariot he went to Iezreel which was 24 miles where in the field of Naboth the Iezrelite he killed Iehoram with an arrow And when he came to the gates of the citie he caused Iezabel to be throwne from a tower whom he trampled vnder his horse feet And after in that same place shee was eaten vp with dogs Then hee sent messengers to Samaria commanding the Samaritans that they should put to death the 70 sonnes of Ahab which they immediately did and sent their heads vnto him in baskets 2 Reg. 10. From Iezreel he went to Samaria which is 16 miles In that journey he caused to be slaine by his ministers the 42 brothers of Ahaziah king of Iuda neere to the well which was beside the house where sheepe was shorne And when he came to Samaria he caused all the posterity of Ahab to be vtterly destroied and rooted out And to conclude the tragedy by a cunning policie put to death all the priests of Baal 2 Reg. 10. So all the trauels of Iehu were 40 miles Of Iehoahas King of Israel IEhoahas was the sonne of Iehu and succeeded his father in the Kingdome of Israel he began his raigne in the 33 yeare of Ioas King of Iudah in the yeare of the World 3091 and before Christ 876 hee raigned ouer Israel 17 yeares God stirred vp against this wicked King Asahel King of the Syrians who with 10000 foot and fiue hundred horse besieged Samaria very strongly put to the sword many of his subjects and got many cities and townes from him as the Prophet Elisha had before told him 2 Reg. 8. 13. The Trauels of Ioas King of Israel IOas succeeded his father Iehoahas and while he was yet liuing was annointed King of Israel in the 37 yeare of Ioas King of Iudah and raigned two yeares with his father after his death 15 so all the raigne of Ioas was 17 yeares This man was a great souldier and went from Samaria with an army against the Citie of Apheck which was 14 miles there he smote the Syrians and in three seuerall battels carried away the victory recouering the Cities which his father Iehoahas had lost according to the prophecie of Elisha 2 Reg. 17. From Apheck he returned to Samaria which was foureteene miles From thence he went with his army to Bethsemes in the land of Iuda where in a sharpe and cruell war he conquered Amasia and tooke him
in that country peopled many towns cities with them so that there were many of the Israelites led into captiuitie aboue 1396 miles for so many miles is Rages and the Cities of the Medes from Ierusalem Northeastward This captiuitie of the ten Tribes hapned An. mundi 3227 and before Christ 741. OF the cities of Rages and Niniveh you may reade in the trauels of Toby and the Angell Gabriel The Trauels of the People which SALMANASSER Emperour of the Assyrians sent to dwell in the Land of Israel SALMANASSER after hee had carried the Children of Israel away captiue into Assyria sent as it is said part of them into Media and part of them into Persia and so dispersed them here and there about the Countrey But because the Land of Israel by reason of this captiuitie became desolate and without inhabitants therefore he caused those people which dwelt about the riuer Cutha in Persia to go thence and dwell in Samaria and in all the countrey round about to till the land and dresse the Vines least some other people that were strangers to his gouernment should vsurp vpon that kingdom it being thus without inhabitants Ios li. Ant. 9. You may reade of this also 2 Reg. 7. In whose place and neere to the said riuer of Cutha a multitude of Iewes with great shame and griefe were constrained to dwel He also gathered a great multitude of other people out of Babylon Hamath or Antiochia some out of his own dominions of Assyria also out of Medea and the people of Ava and Sepharuaijm which people are mentioned Esay 37. and sent them to inhabit in Samaria and all the cities and countries round about because it was a fertile and pleasant country and to defend it against the incursions of strangers From whence may be gathered that in this behalfe the policy of this Emperor was much greater that of the Romans for the retaining of this kingdome but especially than that of Titus Vespasian for hee hauing conquered the land wasted it and destroyed it with fire and sword put thence the inhabitants and dispersed them heere and there left the countrey bare and naked onely a few Garrisons were placed in the strongest cities to keepe it to their vse Which not beeing able enough to oppose the incursions of the Saracens that in great Troupes brake out of the Desarts of Arabia Petraea they soone lost all that they had gotten and the Turks ioining with them they haue now gained into their possession that pleasant and fruitfull Land of Iudaea and inhabit therein euen to this day to the great detriment and scandall of the Christians But to return to the people sent to inhabit this kingdom who as they were of diuers Nations so were they of diuers religions and euery Family had his particular god Wherefore the Lord sent a multitude of Lions among them which daily vexed them from whence it hapned that Salmanasser was constrained to send backe vnto them a Levite one of the Priests that had bin caried away captiue to shew them the true worship of God He came to Bethel and there taught them the doctrine of the Lord and the customes and ceremonies of the Mosaical Law whereby it hapned that they began to worship God and their idols in neither obseruing their antient custome For which cause they became so abominable vnto the Iewes that they refused their companie and familiaritie as that Samaritan woman confessed to Christ at Iacobs Well Ioh. 4. so that when the Iewes could call a man by any ignominious or odious name they would term him a Samaritan Ioh. 8. Do we not say rightly that thou art a Samaritane and hast a Diuell But of all the people which Salmanasser sent into the Holy land those that came out of the East part of Persia from Cutha called Cutheis dwelt in Samaria and got the chief command and gouernment ouer the rest The Trauels of the Kings of Syria that made warre vpon the Kings of Israel And first of the Trauels or incursions of BENHADAD BEnhadad King of Syria went from Damascus the chiefe city of his kingdome and came to Samaria and streightly besieged it in the time of Ahab King of Israel 1 Reg. 20. being 132 miles From thence being ouercome and put to flight by Ahab he returned backe againe to Damascus which was 132 miles The second time he came from thence and inuaded the land of Israel euen vnto the city of Apheck 124 miles which hee besieged But Ahab King of Israel ouercame him in a great battell and put 100000 Syrians to the sword and when the rest of the multitude would haue fled into the city the ruines of a wall fell vpon them so that there died 27000. This put King Benhadad into such a feare that hee was constrained to fly from one chamber to another to hide himselfe but at lost was taken and not without the great wrath and indignation of God by that wicked king Ahab pardoned and set at liberty 2 Reg. 20. Wherefore he went thence backe vnto Damascus which was 124 miles Within three years after he brought a great army against Ramoth in Gilead which is 104 miles from Damascus South-eastward Here he won of Ahab a great battell in which Ahab was slain with an arrow 1 Reg. 22. From thence he returned back to Damascus which was about 104 miles After that he came again from Damascus into the land of Israel with a great army 120 miles where he counselled with his Captains and men of war saying Here and there will we incamp our selues But the Prophet Elisha discouered their purposes 2 Reg. 6. Out of the land of Israel he returned to Damascus which was 120 miles From thence he returned again with his army to Samaria being 132 miles which the second time he besieged so straightly that an asses head was worth 80 pieces of siluer But yet the Lord at the feruent prayers of Elizeus the Prophet strook such a feare and anguish among the enemies that Benhadad and his army were constrained to fly 2 Reg. 6. Being sore troubled because he was thus put to flight he went to Damascus which was 132 miles and there within a while after died of grief 2 Reg. 9. So all the trauels of King Benhadad were 1224 miles The Trauels of the Captaines which Benhadad King of Syria sent to waste and destroy the land of Baesa King of Israel THis army went from Damascus and came to the towne of Hion 72 miles From thence they went to Dan which is 4 miles From Dan they went to the city of Abel-Bethmaacha twelue miles From thence they went to the land of Chineroth which was accounted 8 miles there they tooke certain cities of fruit and spoiled and destroyed them From Chineroth in the tribe of Nepthali when they had cruelly wasted destroyed that country they returned with a great booty to Damascus being 88 miles 1 Reg. 15. So all their Trauels were 184 miles ¶ The Description of
Ierusalem Southward and fell by lot vnto the tribe of Iuda This tower was as it were a bulwark for the city of Ierusalem stood in the way as you go thence to Bethlem and so to Gaza Of Zareah THis was a city in the tribe of Iuda eight miles from Ierusalem toward the West which Rehoboam did also repaire and fortifie 2 Chr. 11. There was another city of this name scituated vpon the border of the tribes of Iuda and Dan 18 miles from Ierusalem Westward of which you may reade in the trauels of Sampson Of Adoraijm ADoraijm or Adarah was a city in the tribe of Iuda 44 miles from Ierusalem Southwestward which Rehoboam the son of Solomon also fortified 2 Chr. 11. It is scituated vpon the borders of Iudah and Arabia Petraea betweene Cades and Casmona It signifies a glorious City being deriued of Adar he was glorious The Trauels of King Abia. ABijah or Abia signifies The Father of the sea Hee began to reign in the 18 yeare of Ieroboam his Aduersary An. mundi 2988 before Christ 980 and reigned ouer Israel 3 yeres 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr. 17. He went from Ierusalem to the mount Zemeraim 8 miles After that hee went to Bethel and conquered all the countrey from thence to Ephron which was 36 miles From Ephron hee returned to Ierusalem 44 miles there hee tooke vnto him 14 wiues and begat 20 sonnes and 16 daughters 2 Chron. 13. The Trauels of ASA King of Iudah ASa signifies a Physitian He began to reigne about the end of the 21 yeare of Ieroboam King of Israel An. mundi 2990. before Christ 978. He gouerned Iudah with great commendations 41 yeares He went from Ierusalem to Maresa 16 miles where in the valley of Zephatha hee ouercame the Ethiopians in a memorable battell 2 Chr. 14. From thence he pursued the Ethiopians to Gerar being 22 miles and recouered many cities which the Ethiopians dwelt in 2 Chr. ca. 14. From Gerar he went to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and offered to the Lord of the spoiles that hee had taken 700 Oxen and 7000 sheepe 2 Chr. 15. These trauels of King Asa make 70 miles The journey and expedition of Saerah King of Aethiopia whom Asa King of Iudah ouercame in the valley of Zephatha SAerah or Saerach signifieth A noble and puissant Lord. This was a mighty and warlike Prince who gouerned Lybia and Aethiopia the King of which countrey at this day wee call Presbyter Iohn or rather Petro Iohannes who holdeth his Court in a faire and goodly city called Hamarich the Metropolitan of all Aethiopia and extendeth his gouernment beyond Meroes in Affrica Many though ignorantly suppose he is a Priest because he is called Presbyter though indeed he is not so but rather a puissant and mighty Emperor But to return to Saerah or Saerach who in hope to extend his Empire into these parts went with a great army out of Ethiopia to the valley of Zephatha in Iuda to fight with Asa King of Iudah 1200 miles but lost the day and returned with great shame 2 Chr. 15. It seemeth that this King was the mightiest of all his predecessors and a Prince of no vulgar estimation because of the multitude and great aboundance of soldiers which he brought in his army for it is reported that there were 1000000 that bore armor and 300 chariots but this great army was dispersed and most of them died miserably as did that great army of Xerxes which consisted of 1700000. From whence it may be concluded That it is not the strength of man which deliuereth him but the Lord. The Trauels of IEHOSAPHAT King of Iudah IEhosaphat signifies The Iudge of the Lord. He began his reign in the fourth yeare of Ahab 1 Reg. 22. The greatest part therfore of the first yeare of this King hapned in the yeare of the world 3033 and before Christ 935. Hee reigned ouer Israel 25 yeares that is from the 35 of his age till the 60. In the 7 yeare of his reigne hee went from Ierusalem to Samaria which was 32 miles to visit his kinsman Ahab King of Israel for Ioram his son some ten yeares before had maried Athaliah King Ahabs Sister 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria hee went with Ahab to the war at Ramoth in Gilead which was 24 miles where Ahab was slaine 2 Reg. 22. 2 Chr. 18. From Ramoth he went safe from the wars to Ierusalem which was 48 miles From Ierusalem hee went to the city of Beersaba the vtmost bounds of his kingdome towards the South to instruct his people in the Law of the Lord which was 42 miles from Ierusalem Southward From Beersaba passing through all his kingdome hee came to Mount Ephraim which was 48 miles and the vtmost bounds of his kingdome Northward beeing some 8 miles from Ierusalem 2 Chr. 19. From Mount Ephraim he went to Ierusalem which was eight miles Thus Iehosaphat went through al his dominions to instruct his subjects in pietie and the true worship of God In euery Citie ordaining Iudges and Gouernours Magistrates Procurators and Assessors committing to their discretion the deciding of all controuersies saying to them Take heed what you doe for the office which you haue taken vpon you is not humane but Diuine and as you iudge so shall you bee iudged for the Lord is with you in iudgement Wherefore doe all things with diligence and in the feare of the Lord for with the Lord there is no iniquitie nor respect of persons neither taketh he any bribes And he himselfe remained chiefe Iudge in Ierusalem to whom any might appeale from the inferior Iudges that so there might be a iust end of controuersies 2 Chr. 16. Afterward Iehosaphat went forth with his army to Tecoa sixe miles from Ierusalem where by feruent prayers the sounding of trumpets and other musical instruments he obtained a memorable battell against the Moabites Ammonites and Idumaeans for the Lord turned the weapons of them one against another and they wounded one another to the death This fight happened in a faire vally between Tecoa and Engedi So Iehosaphat pursued the enemy for three daies with great slaughter and returned with a mighty spoile This was called the valley of Blessing because of this great victorie at Tecoa and began 8 miles from Ierusalem Southeastward and extended it selfe to the tower of Engedi neer to the banke of the red sea 20 miles From Engedi out of the valley of Blessing Iehosaphat and his army returned to Ierusalem 20 miles and went into the Temple with shalmes harpes timbrels and great joy thankfully acknowledging Gods mercifull fauor toward him in giuing him so great a victorie 2 Chr. 20. But as there is nothing in this life that can be said permanent so likewise the felicitie of Iehosaphat changed on a sudden the froward and aduerse frowne of aduersitie seising vpon his prosperitie for ioyning with that wicked and impious King of Israel Ahaziah vpon condition to build a certain navy of ships at Ezeongaber to
and after hee had raigned 50 yeares dyed and was buried in Babylon After him succeeded Semiramis his wife who tooke vpon her the gouernement of the Assirian Empire her sonne Ninus being then within age and she began her gouernment Anno mundi 1959 before Christ 2009. Shee was one of the manliest and resolute women that we reade of and performed as many worthy and memorable actions This Queene built her sepulchre ouer the most eminent gate of Babylon in a publike and perspicuous place vpon which shee caused to be written in golden letters If there be any King of Babylon that shall come after me and stand in need of mony let him open this sepulchre and whatsoeuer he wanteth hee shall finde but before it will not be good for him to touch it This notwithstanding it continued till the raigne of Darius who opened this monument in hope to finde what the superscription imported but no money was there to bee had onely within might plainely be seene engrauen other letters to this effect Vnlesse thou hadst beene vnsatiably couetous thou wouldest neuer haue opened the graues of the dead in hope of gaine This woman beautified Babylon with many goodly buildings built vp the walles thereof set a bridge ouer Euphrates made a beautifull Orchard and a Garden in it beautified it with many goodly Towers and fortifications added vnto it many prouinces and gouernments and after all because of her owne lasciuious appetite as Sallust saith was murthered by her son Ninus who succeeded her in the gouernment There were many other memorable things within this Citie that were built before and after her time as Herodotus saith as that great and mighty tower before remembred in which stood the temple of Baelus and his sepulchre Not far from that stood a chappell wherein was the statue of Iupiter all of pure gold worth * What this was in our mony you may see after 800 talents of gold Without that chappell there stood an altar of pure gold vpon which they yearely offered 100000 talents of frankincense There was another also somwhat lesse vpon which they vsed to offer their sacrifices for it was not lawfull for them to offer any thing that had life vpon the greater altar there stood also in that place another statue twelue cubits high all of pure gold This City was after taken by Cyrus the first Emperour of the Persians Anno mundi 3432. before Christ 536. in the seuentieth yeare after the Captiuitie of Israel and Iudah according to the prophecie of Ieremy at which time the City was so great that they which dwelt in the middle of it did not know that the Enemie had entred within the walls at the further end which might happen because vpon that day when it was taken the Babylonians celebrated a Feast vnto Venus in which vsing extraordinarie diligence they were lesse mindfull of such things as hapned vnto them Thus this City that with great tyranny had triumphed ouer the Nations of the earth for the space of 1600 yeares being so plentifully furnished with all things necessary for the maintenance of life that the inhabitants therof contemned al other people was by Gods permission for their pride and presumption wasted and consumed by Cyrus as you haue heard and shortly after vtterly destroyed by Xerxes the fourth Emperor of the Persians and so continueth to this day as Strabo saith Where then ô world is thy prosperitie or Riches thy glory since in the one thou art consumed in the other left desolate Of the ruines of old Babylon that are extant at this day BAbylon which as you haue heard reigned ouer the Nations of the earth like a Queen at this day hath nothing to present you withall but an heap of stones out of the ruins whereof there was built a little towne close by where it stood called Elugo or Felugo scituated vpon the banke of the riuer Euphrates Not far from which it seemes there is a profitable harbor for ships where Merchants oftentimes go a shore and trauell thence through many Woods and desart places vnto Seleucia which at this day is called by the Turks Bagdeth distant thence some 36 miles and is the vtmost towne of the Turkish and Persian Empires towards the East being diuided in the midst by the riuer Tygris Some Merchants haue reported That the place where Babylon stood is become stony vnfruitfull and vnpleasant because of the ruines of the destroyed buildings which lie in the earth Also That there is found a tower built of a blacke stone which to outward appearance seemes to haue bin a very goodly house high and eminent so that vpon the top thereof a man might haue seen through the whole city This tower the Inhabitants of Felugo call the tower of Daniel in which was the chamber where hee vsed to pray vnto the Lord three times a day the windowes whereof looked toward Ierusalem Dan. 6. There is also to be seene diuers arches of the bridge which Semiramis built standing vpon the riuer Euphrates and the foundation of the great tower whose top should haue reached to heauen being in compasse two miles but not very high Within the ruines whereof are found certaine serpents very noisome and venomous about the bignesse of a Lizard hauing three heads and spect with diuers colours which the inhabitants call Eglones There are such a multitude of them that no man dares approch within halfe a mile of it at any time but in the Winter season nor then neither but for the space of a moneth in which time these serpents for the extremitie of the cold are constrained to keep their holes Thus as this Tower was hatefull vnto God in the beginning so likewise hath hee made it hurtfull vnto man euen to this day The Trauels of the Babylonian and Assyrian Kings and Emperours that fought against Israel and Iudah And first of Phul Belochus King of Assyria PHul Belochus that is He returned wasting began to reign among the Babylonians An. mundi 3149. before Christ 819 and gouerned 48 yeares This King or Emperour came from Babylon to Samaria which was 660 miles There he so streightly besieged Menahem King of Israel that he was constrained to giue him * What this was in our mony you may see after 1000 talents of siluer to raise his siege and depart 2 Reg. 15. From Samaria he returned back again to Babylon 660 miles So all the trauels of Phul Belochus were 1320 miles The Trauels of TIGLAT PHVLASSER King of the Assyrians TIglat Phulasser signifies The Assyrian Conquerour He was also called Tiglath Philasser 2 Reg. 15. which name is attributed to him either because he caried away the children of Israel captiue or else because of the conquest that he had of all Galile and ouer the tribe of Nepthali which he carried into Assyria Hee succeeded his father Phul Belochus in the gouernment of the Assyrians An. Mun. 3197. before Christ 771. and reigned 25 yeares When Resin King
the Lord he was borne in the Tribe of Benjamin in a Citie of the Priests called Anathoth and from thence came to Ierusalem which was two miles and continued there for 40 yeares teaching and prophecying From Ierusalem he was sent to Euphrates where in the cliffe of a rocke he hid his girdle Ier. 13. which was 400 miles From the riuer Euphrates he returned backe againe to Ierusalem 400 miles A little after the Lord sent him backe againe to Euphrates 400 miles to fetch his girdle and loe it was putrified From thence he returned backe againe the second time to Ierusalem 400 miles From Ierusalem he was led captiue bound in chaines with other prisoners to Ramath a citie in mount Ephraim which was eight miles there Nabusaraden the chiefe captaine caused him to be set at liberty From Ramath he went to Mispah which is 8 miles where he continued a while with Gediliah Prince of the Iewes which man had the chiefe command of certaine cities of Iudaea vnder Nabuchadnezzer But in the seuenth yeare of the captiuitie of the people of Israel Ishmael that was of the stocke and progenie of Dauid hoping to obtaine the gouernement of Iuda made warre vpon Gediliah and put him to death wherefore Ieremy went from thence with Iohn the son of Kareach Prince of the Iewes to Bethlem Euphrata which was 8 miles Ier. 41. Now when he had staied a while in a village neere Bethlem called Geruth Ghimeham were sometime Chimeham the sonne of Barzillai liued 2 Sam. 19. hee prophecied saying If you stay in this land you shall do well neither shall any euill hap vnto you but if you depart hence into Aegypt they shall deuoure you with famine and with the sword Ier. 42. But Iohn and the rest of the Princes would giue no credit to the words of Ieremy but went into Aegypt and compelled the Prophet to goe along with them so they went from Bethlehem to Tachpanes which was 172 miles Here the second time Ieremie prophecied vnto them saying Behold Nabuchadnezzer shall come hither and wast and destroy all the countrey of Aegypt beat downe the Images of Bethsemes or Heliopolis and carry away the Aegyptians into perpetuall captiuity Ier. 43. But the people of Israel being moued to anger because of his words stoned him to death So the Trauels of the Prophet Ieremiah were 1786 miles Concerning the townes and places mentioned in the Trauels of this Prophet you may reade of them before except Geruth Chimeham which stood close by Bethlehem it taketh the name from a stranger or traueller being deriued of Gor which signifieth He hath trauelled and Tachpanes which was a Citie of Aegypt some 180 miles from Ierusalem where the Prophet Ieremy was stoned to death it is oftentimes called by the name of Taphnis The trauels of Vrijah the Prophet VRias or Vriah signifies Illuminated or inlightned of the Lord. He was borne at Kiriath-jearim a mile from Ierusalem towards the West from thence he came to Ierusalem and there prophecied of the destruction of the Citie After when King Ioachim went about to take away his life he fled thence into Aegypt 160 miles But the king sent messengers into Aegipt fetcht Vrijah back againe to Ierusalem 160 miles and there cut off his head and caused his body to be throwne into the sepulchre of a poore despised man that it might not be knowne that he had beene a Prophet of the Lord. So all his trauels were 321 miles Of Hananias the false Prophet HAnanias or Chanania signifieth the grace of God This false Prophet was a Gibeonite and came from Gibeon to Ierusalem which was foure miles where he tooke the woodden yoakes from the necke of Ieremiah the Prophet but Ieremiah caused yron yokes to be made in their places and told Hananias that for his falshood that yere he should surely die as after he did Of the Prophet Ezekiel Ezekiel or Iechezkel signifies the strength or fortitude of God He was carried captiue with 3000 others of the Nobility of the Iewes from Ierusalem to Babylon which was 680 miles the same yeare that Nebuchadnezzer put King Ioachim to death within fiue yeares after a little before Easter the Booke of the Law was found 2 Chron. 3. He began to prophecie in Babylon Anno mundi 3356 before Christ 612 at which time he saw his first visions neere to the Riuer Chebar Of the Riuer Chebar THe riuer Chebar was neere Babylon in Chaldaea vpon the borders of Mesopotamia falling into Euphrates and was oftentimes called Aborras according to the opinion of many learned men Strabo in the seuenteenth book of his Geography saith that there is another riuer between Tygris and Euphrates called Basilius Aborras passeth along by the citie of Athemusia and is a very faire streame from whence it is called Chebar which signifies a swift and spacious riuer Neere to this riuer the Prophet Ezekiel saw the Glory and Majestie of our Lord Iesus Christ in a bright shining cloud In this place also dwelt many Iewes to whom hee prophecied and foretold the destruction of Ierusalem by Nebuchadnezzer and the captiuitie of Zedekiah The Trauels of the Prophet Daniel DAniel signifies The Iudge of God In the raigne of Ioachim King of Iudah he was carried away captiue from Ierusalem to Babylon by Nabuchadonezar which was 680 miles and there with his fellowes learned the Arts and Language of the Chaldaeans for three yeares He was then but young about some 19 or 20 yeares of age and liued in exile 91 yeares vntill the third yeare of Cyrus Emperour of the Persians about which time he saw his last vision and a little after died when hee was about 110 yeares of age as may be gathered by the circumstances of Histories and times From Babylon he went to Susan in Persia an mun 3418 before Christ 550 being then 94 yeares of age which was 252 miles where neere to the flood Eulaeus hee had a vision of a ram and a goate which set forth the state of the second Monarchie which was that of the Graecians In this vision Gabriel the Archangel appeared to Daniel Dan. 8. This was in the third yeare of King Balthasar From Susan Daniel returned to Babylon which was 252 miles Here hee interpreted to Belthasar the meaning of these words Men Mene Tekel Euphrasin Dan. 5. From Babylon he went to the riuer Tygris of Hidekel which was accounted 36 miles here in the third yeare of Cyrus King of Persia he saw his last vision which is described in the 10 11 and 12 chapters of his prophecie From Tygris he returned to his own house at Babylon which was 36 miles Sometimes also in his three last yeares of his life he vsed to goe to Egbatan the Metropolitan citie of the Medes which was accounted 464 miles from Babylon towards the Northeast Here Daniel built a faire and artificiall Temple so strongly that it remained vnperished and retained the ancient beautie many ages to the great admiration of all the
it stands in the same place yet doth it not retain the same name To this towne there is a great resort of merchants who bring vp their commodities from the Riuer Tygris hither and from hence conuey them to Bagdeth many other parts of the world The inhabitants thereof are for the most part Nestorians of whom you may reade before in the description of the Sects remaining in Ierusalem at this day They are had in great account and estimation among the Turkes because it is imagined that one of this sect helpt Mahomet to compose the Alcaron This Nestorius liued anno Dom. 429. and taught at Constantinople but after he was condemned at Ephesus for an heretick he was constrained to steale from Constantinople and to flie to Thebes in Egypt where God laid a grieuous punishment vpon him for his tongue began to rot in his head and to consume with vermin of which he died miserably The spirituall signification of the Prophet Ionas IOnas signifieth a Dove and typically representeth Christ in his name For Christ was that gratious and innocent Dove who hath made euident to man his singular mercy clemencie without any shew of bitternesse or wrath Then in his affliction for as Ionas thrust himselfe into the sea of calamity and there was swallowed vp of a Whale which might be well resembled to the grave so Christ our Sauior was cast into the sea of affliction the miserie and calamity of this world and after that thrust into the jawes of death the graue where as Ionas did in the whales belly he lay three daies and then arose againe the earth being vnable any longer to contain his body Of the Prophet Micah THis Prophet was born at Maresa a towne of Iudea 16 miles from Ierusalem Westward it signifieth a bitter field In S. Ieroms time the ruins of the wall of this City was to be seene Micha or Micheas signifieth humble or lowly This man was held in great estimation because he was the first that named the countrey where our Sauior Christ should be born viz. in Bethlehem 800 yeares before his natiuitie He liued an M. 3200. Of the Prophet Nahum NAhum signifies a Comforter Hee was borne in a towne of Galile called Elcosch as he saith in the beginning of his Prophecie This village was shewne vnto Saint Ierome by those that trauelled with him through the holy land in his time it was but a small village called by the name of Elcos and scituated as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith on the further side of Bethabara sixteene miles and something more from Ierusalem toward the Northeast This Prophet liued 750 yeres before Christ and prophecied of the destruction of Niniveh which after came to passe Of the Prophet Habacuck HAbacuck or Chabacuck signifies One that embraceth or a louer from Chaback He hath embraced For as a Nurse embraceth and kisseth her infant so also this Prophet embraced and comforted his people with comfortable doctrine lest by the destruction of Ierusalem which he prophecied should after happen by the Chaldaeans they should be driuen to desperation Paul tooke the foundation of his Epistle to the Romanes out of this Prophet reciting a saying of his viz. The Iust shall liue by faith He began to preach a little before the Prophet Ieremy 650 yeres before Christ aboue 100 yeares before Daniel was cast into the Lions den From whence most of the Learned conclude that this could not be that Habacuck which brought meat to Daniel as hee was among the Lions but they rather thinke it a fragment of a spiritual comedy and therefore worthy to be called Apocrypha Of the Prophet Zephania ZEphania signifies the Secretary of the Lord being deriued of Zaphan He hath kept secret He liued in Ierusalem and Iudaea in the time of Iosiah King of Iuda He was born as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith in a towne called Sabarthaca in the tribe of Simeon Of the Prophets Haggai and Zacharia HAggai or Chaggai signifieth A Priest celebrating the Feast of the Lord being deriued of Chagag He hath celebrated a feast And Zacharias or Zacharia doth denote such a man as remembred the Lord being deriued of Zachar that is Hee hath remembred or recorded These two Prophets prophecied in Ierusalem in the second yeare of Darius the son of Histaspis 519 years before Christ an mun 3449. Haggai began his prophecy vpon the first day of the sixt moneth Elul answering to the 28 of August He sharpely reprehended the people because they neglected the house of the Lord and built vp their own houses In the eighth moneth Marhusuan which for the most part answereth to our Nouember Zacharias the same yere began to prophecie and in his sermon exhorted the people to repentance adding the promise of our Sauior and that he would turn vnto them that would turn vnto him Zach. 1. These two Prophets lie buried 20 miles one from the other For as Dorothaeus Bishop of Tyre saith Haggai lies buried in Ierusalem amongst the Priests But Zacharias neere to a towne in the field of Bethania 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward But in the time of Theodosius the Emperor was remoued and preserued as an holy Relique Concerning that fable and figment inserted into the history Nicephorus I vtterly disallow Of the Prophet Malachi THis Prophet prophecied after the captiuity of Babylon and dwelt in the towne of Ziph as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith Malachi signifies an Angel sent and in Greek a Messenger for this Prophet preached so comfortably as if he had bin an angell of God but principally of Christ and Saint Iohn Baptist who should goe before him to prepare his way and make his paths straight S. Ierom in his Epistle to Paul and Eustochius writes that some of the Hebrewes suppose this Malachi to haue been Esdras the Scribe who was sent by Artaxerxes Longimanus Emperour of the Persians to restore the commonwealth of Israel in the yeare before Christ 457. An Instruction how the Prophets may rightly bee vnderstood FIrst looke into the Cosmographicall Table at the beginning of this booke and diligently obserue the countries cities that are there set downe and how they lie scituated from Ierusalem Toward the South of Ierusalem the Idumeans Ismaelites Arabians and Egyptians dwell Toward the East the Moabits Ammonites Chaldaeans Babylonians and Persians Toward the North the Phoeniceans Syrians Assyrians and Armenians Toward the West lieth the Mediterranian sea Grecia Italy Spain and the Isles of the sea Secondly this rule is to be obserued that as often as the Prophets speake of the tribes of Israel they vse these names viz. Israel Samaria Ephraim Ioseph Iesreel Bethel Bethauen these are the names of the Kingdom of Israel but to the kingdome of Iuda these names are attributed viz. Iudah Ierusalem Benjamin the house of Dauid But when the Prophets ioyn these two Kingdoms together they call them by the names of Iacob and Israel Thirdly when thou readest in the Prophets the name of any
It was a hill in the city of Kiriath-jearim there was a town also of the same name standing within a little of it This was a little more than a mile from Ierusalem Westward Esa 10. GEBAL a bound or limit It was the bounds and limits of Syria bordering vpon the Mediteranean sea This city Gibal or Gebal was 160 miles from Ierusalem Northward 1 Reg. 5. Psal 82. GIBEAH a hill It was also called Gibeon where Saul dwelt foure miles from Ierusalem Northward Esa 10. GILGAL a roundle or the compasse of a hill Here Ioshuah pitched his tents it stood between Iericho and Iordan 12 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward GOG The Turks were thus called because they liued in tents Ezek. 48. GOSAN a land and riuer in Mesopotamia called after that name 2 Reg. 17. Esa 37. H HADAD RIMMON a Pomegranat This was a towne neere to Megiddo where Iosia King of Iudah was wounded to death 46 miles from Ierusalem Northward Zach. 12. HADRACH the land of Gladnesse So the Prophet Zachary cals Syria cap. 19. HANES an ensigne of Grace This was a city of Egypt bordering vpon Assyria Esa 30. HARAM the Syrian liberty It was the metropolitan Citie of Mesopotamia where Abraham dwelt Gen. 11. distant from Ierusalem 440 miles Northeastward HAVERAN a Casement It was a City in Syria not farre from Damascus 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East Ezek. 47. HAZOR-ENON the gate of a fountain It was a city in Syria HAZOR-TICHON the middle Porch It was a town in Syria not far from Haveran Ezek. 47. HAZOR The land of Hay So the Ismaelities called their countrey HEMATH anger So the Prophets called Antiochia the Metropolitan of Assyria distant from Ierusalem 280 miles Northward HERMON Acurst It was a mountain beyond Iordan neer to Libanus 122 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northeast There is another mountain of this name neer to Naim and not far from Mount Tabor 44 miles from Ierusalem towards the North of which the Psalmist speaketh Psal 89. Tabor and Hermon praise thy Name The mountain beyond Iordan is oftentimes called by the name of Mount Gilead HESBON an ingenious cogitation It was a city of the Moabites in the tribe of Reuben 28 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast HENAH and IEVAH were two idols Esa 37. HEVILAH Sandy So India is called and a certain part of Arabia Petraea of Hevilah the son of Chus Gen. 10. These countries are very dry and sandy HETHLON He hath rolled together It was a city of Syria neere to Antiochia Ezek. 47. HOLON a Window It was a town of the Moabits in the tribe of Reuben and is also called Helon Num. 2. Ier. 47. HORONAIM the Syrian Liberties two towns of the Moabits Esa 16. I IACHZA the priuity of God A city of the Moabits in the tribe of Reuben 24 miles from Ierusalem Eastward IAEZER the help of God A city of Refuge belonging to the Leuits in the tribe of Gad beyond Iordan 40 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward IAVAN GRECIA so called of Iavan the son of Iapheth which was distant from Ierusalem 800 miles Westward IEZREEL the Seed of God This is the city where Queen Iesabel was deuoured of Dogs It standeth 48 miles from Ierusalem Northward IRHERES or Heliopolis a city of the Sun This was a City of Egypt 224 miles from Ierusalem toward the Southwest K KEDAR Blacknesse This was a Desart of the Ismaelites called Sur 80 miles from Ierusalem Southwestward KIR PARIES a Wall This was Cyrene a great city in Africa which was 816 miles from Ierusalem Westward There was a town of this name in the land of the Moabits in the tribe of Reuben Esa 16. KIR-HAZERETH or Kir-Hares a Mudwall It was a City of the Moabits in Arabia Petraea otherwise called Petra 72 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Esa 16. KIRIATHAIM a City This town was in the tribe of Reuben 22 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Esa 16. KIRIAH or Kirieth ibidem KITHIM a shining Iewel Macedonia is so called of Kithim the son of Iavan the son of Iaphet Gen. 10. Ier. 2. Mac. 1. For if you doe diligently obserue the deriuation of names you shal find that of Kithim comes Maketis and so by continuance of time and change of words Macedonia It lieth 920 miles from Ierusalem North-Westward L LACHIS a continuall walking or as some will haue it A pleasant walke This was a city in the tribe of Iuda 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward Ier. 34. LAISA a Lionesse So was Caesarea Philippi somtimes called It was also called Dan scituated neere to the fountains of the riuer Iordan not far from Mount Libanus 104 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward LIBNA Frankincense It was a town in the tribe of Iudah 10 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-West LVD that is Lydia a country in Asia minor so called of Lud the sonne of Sem. LVIT greene grasse it is also a mountaine in the Tribe of Reuben Esa 6. M MAGOG dwelling vnder a shed or tent The Turks are so called Ezech. 38. MARESA an inheritance In this towne the Prophet Micah was borne Micha 1. it was scituated in the Tribe of Iuda distant from Ierusalem 16 miles towards the West MEDAI a measure the Kingdome of Media was so called of Medai the sonne of Iaphet Gen. 10. MEDBA warme water it was a city of the Moabits in the tribe of Reuben 28 miles from Ierusalem towards the East Esay 16. MEDEMENA a dunghill it was a towne in the tribe of Iudah neere Beerseba and Gaza 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the Southwest Iosh 15. There was also another towne of the same name in the tribe of Benjamin not farre from Ierusalem Iosh 10. Ier. 48. MEGIDDO a wholesome apple Here Iosia King of Iuda was slain in war it stood 46 miles from Ierusalem Northward Zach. 12. MEPHAATH the splendor of waters it was a citie belonging to the Priests in the Tribe of Reuben subject to the Moabites 24 miles from Ierusalem towards the East Ier. 48. MESECH the tract of sowing so the Muscouites and Russians are called of Mesech the sonne of Iaphet Gen. 10. MIDIAN a measure a town lying vpon the red sea 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the South so called of Midian the son of Abraham by Keturah Gen. 25. MISPE a Watch. This citie stood in the land of Giliad beyond Iordan eight and fortie miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast There is another Towne of this name also not farre distant from Ierusalem in the Tribe of Benjamin Hosea 5. Ierem 40. MOAB a father The countrie of the Moabites scituated betweene the red sea and the mountaines Abarim Ezech. 9. MEVSAL running swiftly it was the name of a people that tooke their beginning from Vsal the sonne of Ioktan Gen. 19. N NABAIOTH the countrey of the Prophets this country beginneth in the Tribe of Gad beyond Iordan and extendeth to the East part of the dead sea and so by the land of the Moabites to the Red sea It taketh the name
of Nabaioth the sonne of Ishmael for all the tract of Arabia Petraea from the Red sea to the Gulph of Persia of him is called the land of Nabathaea Diodorus Siculus saith as much and further That it extendeth towards the East vnto the Indian sea Gen. 25. NEBO Prophesying It was a city of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben neere to mount Pisga twentie miles from Ierusalem towards the East Ier. 48. NIMRIM a Leopard This was also a citie in the Tribe of Gad beyond Iordan thirtie two miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast Isa 16. NO a hinderance so was Alexandria a citie in Aegypt in ancient times called distant from Ierusalem 288 miles towards the West Ezek. 30. NOPH a honey combe so the Prophets call Memphis the Metropolis of Aegypt being distant from Ierusalem 244 miles towards the Southeast Isa 18. Ier. 2. Ezek. 30. O ON opulencie So Ezech. c. 30. calleth Heliopolis a city of Aegypt which is 224 miles distant from Ierusalem towards the Southwest OREB a Crow or Rauen. Neere to this place in mount Ephraim Prince Oreb was slaine not far from Iericho twelue miles from Ierusalem towards the North Iudg. 7. Psal 83. OPHIR a pallace it was the proper name of the sonne of Ioâ—â— the posteritie of Sem of whom in times past India was called Ophir You may reade of this Gen. 10. 1 Reg. 9. P. PATHROS or PETRA the Metropolitan citie of Arabia Petraea 72 miles from Ierusalem towards the South It is a countrey also of Aegypt neere Taphnis 180 miles from Ierusalem toward the Southwest Isa 11. Ezech. 29. PARATH fruitfull A name of the riuer Euphrates Ier. 2.13 PRAZIN a breach It is a valley neere Ierusalem where Dauid ouercame the Philistines 2 Sam. 5. PHVT is Africa so called of Phuth the sonne of Cham. Gen. 10. R RABBA a multitude Philadelphia the Metropolitan of the Ammonites is so called 96 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast RAEMA thunder so they called Aethyopia of Raema the sonne of Chus Gen. 10. RAMA high This citie stood eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North Isa 10. There were other cities also of the same name and signification REZEPH a cole it was a citie in Syria Isa 37. RIBLATH an inueterate anger This was a citie in the Tribe of Nepthaly neere to the lake of Samoconites 80 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Antiochia also was sometimes called Riblah 2 Reg. 25. Ier. 39.52 RIMMON a Pomegranat This was a citie in the Tribe of Iudah not far from Gerar 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-East S SABA the stone Achates This was the Metropolitan Citie of Aethyopia called also Meroe 960 miles ftom Ierusalem towards the South The two famous Queenes one that came to see Solomon the other mentioned Act. 8. dwelt in this towne SANIR a cleere light So mount Hermon beyond Iordan was called of the Ammonites it stood 112 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast SARION the Doues song So the Edomites called Mount Hermon that stood beyond Iordan SARON a faire plaine or a greene place So is that plain between the sea of Galile and Mount Ephraim called Is 35. There are some that thinke there is a Mountaine so called SELA a Rocke this is Petra a citie of Arabia ante SEPHARVAIM a citie of the Scribes it stood in Assiria Isa 37. SIBARIM a citie of Syria neere to Damascus Ezech. 47. SIBMA a possession a citie built by the sons of Reuben 24 miles from Ierusalem towards the East Num. 32. SICHOR blacke It is a brooke or riuer called Rhinocorurus which falleth into the Mediterranean sea neere to the towne Rinocorura scituated vpon the vtmost borders of the Holy land towards the South 72 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest The riuer Nilus in Aegypt is also called Sichor Ier. 2. SIMRI Gardians They were Arabians dwelling vpon an Angle of Isthumus of the red sea SINEAR a blow vpon the teeth Chaldea is so called Is 11. SION or SCAION by Schin not by Zade tranquilitie and securitie the Mount whereon Ierusalem stood is not so called but Mount Hermon beyond Iordan Deut. 4. SIENE or SEVENE illustrous it was a citie in Affrica vpon the borders of Aegypt and Aethyopia 516 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Iouias saith that the inhabitants at this day call it Guagheram T TACHPANES or TAPHNIS a couered or hidden ensigne It is a city in Aegypt 180 miles from Ierusalem Southwestward Ierem. 2.43 THAMAR a plaine This towne was built by Solomon and stood 360 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast THELASSER a Princes tombe it was a country vpon the borders of Assiria Isay 37. THEMATH wonderfull a city of Arabia Petraea Ier. 25. so called of Thama the sonne of Ismael Gen. 25. it stood 40 miles from Ierusalem Southward it is called Theman a City of the South THOGARMA perfection Tartaria was so called of Thogarma the sonne of Gomer the sonne of Iaphet Gen. 10. Ezech. 27. THVBAL a people bordering vpon the Muscouites so called of Thubal the sonne of Iaphet Gen. 10. Ezekiel cap. 27. 38. maketh Mesech Thubal Gog and Magog all one people from whence may be gathered that these people dwelt towards the North and were gouerned by one Prince In the 38 Chapter he calls them Gog that is the Turke who is Prince and gouernor in Mesech and Thubal Therefore without doubt the people of Russia in times past were called Thubal which people dwelt neere to Muscouia and this opinion seemes to be more probable than theirs that imagine the Italians and Spaniards which haue their dwellings neere vnto the riuer Iberia to be the offspring of Thubal V VPHAR the countrey of gold It is called also Ophir and India 1 Reg. 9. Ier. 10. Dan. 10. Psal 119. Z ZEB a Wolfe The wine-presse of Zeb was in Mount Ephraim not far from Iericho 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Zeb the Prince of the Midianites was slaine There is another towne of this name neere to the riuer Iaboch beyond Iordan 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast ZEBOIM pleasantnesse One of the fiue cities that were burnt with fire from heauen Gen. 14.19 Hosea 11. ZENAN a sheepfold it was a city in the Tribe of Iuda Mich. 1. ZOAN mouing Tanis a city in Aegypt where Moses wrought al his miracles before Pharaoh was so called it stood 232 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest ZOBA presumptuous This was also called Zophena it is the countrey of Armenia 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North which Dauid conquered 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chron. 19. ZOR a rocke Tyrus is so called it stood 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Thus gentle Reader for your better ease and vnderstanding haue I collected a short Alphabeticall Table and therein briefly described all those countries and cities mentioned in the Prophets that so by your diligent care and obseruation you may the better vnderstand the meaning of such texts of Scripture wherein they
whom God in the beginning made a good Angell exalted him in the heauens and made him much more glorious than others yet notwithstanding glorying in himselfe hee contemned his Maker nothing would content him but to become like vnto him yea he desired to be worshipped of our Lord Iesus Christ Mat. 4. And as Haman endeauoured to ouerthrow not only all the people of the Iewes but Queene Hester also so the Diuell doth not onely endeauour to ouerthrow the whole Church but if it were possible the head of the Church Christ Iesus Of that holy man Iob. IOb was a holy and good man he dwelt in the land of Vz so called of Vz the sonne of Aram the son of Sem as S. Ierome vpon Genesis obserueth This Vz was that great man which built as was thought Damascus in Syria and all the land which extendeth from Damascus to Iordan after his name was called Vz that is the land of counsell fot so Vz signifieth There were two townes in this countrey where Iob is said to haue dwelt that is Astaroth-Carnaim and Batzra Asteroth-Carnaim was distant from Ierusalem 52 miles towards the Northeast the inhabitants of which towne worshipped the goddesse Venus and called her by the name of Astaroth of which you may reade before S. Ierome saith That the sepulchre of Iob was to be seene in his time in that towne and later writers testifie as much for their times This towne at this day is called Carnea Batzra is mentioned in the 36 of Genesis it signifieth a grape gathering In this towne it was thought that Iob was borne it lay beyond Iordan in the tribe of Reuben 20 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast All this countrey in those times was subject to the King of the Edomites or Idumaeans but after it was joyned to the land of the Moabites they hauing conquered the kings of Edom you man reade more of it in the 6 of Isay also Ios 20. where is shewed that it was one of the six cities of refuge appointed by Ioshua Heere Iob for the most part continued and held this towne in great honour and reputation He liued about the time of Baela first king of the Edomites and according to the opinion of Saint Ierom Augustine Ambrose Philo and Luther was for his excellent vertue and singular piety chosen King of that countrey which he greatly enlarged making all the countries and neighbouring Princes neer adjoining tributary vnto him wherfore as Ierom saith in locis Hebraicis hauing obtained so large an Empire he remoued his seat from Batzra to Astaroth Carnaim which was a strong and well defenced citie where in those times as Moses witnesseth Gen. 14. there inhabited mightie men and noble Heroes that so by their vertue he might with the greater facilitie suppresse and conquer other Prouinces There are many thinke him to be of the stocke of Abraham and of the family of Esau because he is mentioned in the 36 of Genesis where it is said That when Baela died Iobab the sonne of Zerah of Bozra or Betzra raigned in his stead And Saint Ierom in his preface vpon the booke of Iob sheweth that he was but fiue degrees remoued from Abraham for Abraham had Ishmael Basmath who was the wife ef Esau mother of Reguel grandmother to Sarah and great grandmother to Iob. So that by the mothers side Iob descended from Ishmael and by the fathers side from Esau Isaac Esau Reguel Serah Iob or Iobab king of Idumaea Gen. 36. Notwithstanding there are some that are of opinion That he descended from Nahor Abrahams brother and was of the family of Vz Nahors sonne which opinion also Saint Ierom mentioneth in his Hebraicall questions But most of the antient fathers hold this nothing so probable Luther vpon the 36 chapter of Genesis saith That he was King long time before Moses carried the children of Israel out of Aegypt For Iuda and Aser the sonnes of Iacob had children before they went into the land of Aegypt Gen. 46. therefore it is not impossible for Reguel the sonne of Esau to haue children also since he was married long before his brother Iacob From hence then it may be gathered that Iob was King of Idumaea before Iacob and his sonnes went into the land of Aegypt For although the fourteene sonnes of Esau gouerned the land of Edom like so many Princes of which number Reguel the grandfather of Iob was one because they held it as their inheritance yet to auoid sedition and distractions which oftentimes happen where there is not a certaine head and principall commander therefore they elected Bela the sonne of Beor to be their King after whose death they chose Iob because he was a holy man of God and in his actions just and vpright who without doubt raigned amongst the Edomites a long time For he liued after his afflictions which God imposed vpon him to trie him 140 yeares Plato saith he married Dina the daughter of Iacob but Saint Ierome That he married the daughter of an Arabian by whom hee had Enon Both these may be true for his first wife being dead he might marrie an Arabian After the death of Iob the Gyants Heroes in Asteroth Carnaim fell againe from the Idumaeans for when Moses brought the children of Israel out of the desart of Arabia Petraea and that they had conquered the land beyond Iordan the city Astaroth-Carnaim had a King called Og who gouerned all the Kingdome of Basan This Gyant was of a mighty stature he had a bed of yron * Foure yards a half long two broad nine cubits long and foure broad Deut. 3. Of Eliphaz ELiphaz the Themanite was the brother of Reguel Iobs grandfather This Eliphaz had a sonne called Theman who built a citie and after his owne name called it Theman where Eliphaz his father dwelt with him From whence it hapned that he was called Eliphaz the Themanite Iob 2. It was distant from Ierusalem forty miles towards the South and therefore it was called a citie of the South you may reade of Eliphaz in Ier. cap. 25. He had a Concubine called Thimnah because of her beauty comely proportion by her he had Amaleck of whom came the Amalekites betweene whom and the children of Israel were cruell wars Exod. 17. The Trauels of Eliphaz the Themanite FRom Themen hee went to Astaroth-Carnaim where Iob dwelt which is accounted 92 miles to comfort his friend Iob Iob 2. From Astaroth-Carnaim he returned backe to his owne house which was 92 miles So the trauels of Eliphaz were 184 miles Of Bildad Iobes friend BEyond Iordan and the sea of Galile not farre from Astaroth-Carnaim there is at this day found a town called Suah where as it is thought Bildad the friend of Iob dwelt Neer to this towne as Sebastian Francus obserueth in his Cosmographie there was yerly in the Summer season a great mart kept in certain tents and tabernacles erected for that purpose of diuers colours Bildad signifies
empire of the Persians came to Persepolis in the yeare before Christ 329 and there celebrated a great feast in triumph of his victories to which there resorted a great many women not such as were of the better sort but them that followed the camp and liued dissolutely amongst whom was that notable curtesan Thais who perceiuing the King inclined to mirth and full with wine began to flatter him in his cups among other things to commend and dignifie his noble exploits withall giuing him to vnderstand how acceptable it would be to the Grecians to see that royall palace of the Persians fired which had so often afflicted Grecia No sooner had she vttered these words but another seconded her and then a third After the whole assembly cried out Shall we reuenge the injurie of Grecians and burn the city with that they al rose in great fury the king himself being crowned beginning first to fire the palace wherein was great aboundance of Cedar from whence it happened that suddenly the fire spred it selfe a great way which when the army that lay without the walls perceiued with all speed came to the city to stay the burning of it for which purpose many brought water with them But when they beheld the King himselfe busie in this tragedie laying aside their water they also in hope of booty and to imitate the steps of their Prince fell to firing the city and according to the custom of soldiers in such massacres made a prey of what they could get increasing the fire with dry stuffe and other combustible matter whereby it came to passe that the whole city was therewith fired and burnt to the ground This was the end of that mighty city which ruled ouer so many nations where so many mighty Princes gouerned that was the scourge of Grecia and the greatest part of the world that sent forth a Navie of 10000 ships and an army of an infinit number there being at this day nothing to be seen vnlesse the riuer Araxes that ran close by it remaineth Thus was that consumed in a fury which the King and all his army before endeauoured to spare But after it turned to the great shame of the Macedonians that their King should fire so famous a city in the midst of his cups and Alexander himselfe after hee had slept repented what he had done You shall find in 2 Mac. cap. 6. That Antiochus Epiphanes besieged a certaine City in Persia called Persepolis from whence for his exceeding couetousnesse and sacriledge he was forced by the inhabitants dwelling about the town to raise his siege be gon Therefore some may gather that this Persepolis before mentioned was rebuilded because it also stood in Persia but if you read 1 Mac. cap. 6. you shall finde that this city so besieged by Antiochus was also called Elymais wherein stood the temple of Diana beautified with goodly ornaments shining with the splendor of fine gold wherewith it was gilt In which temple as faith Iosephus lib. Ant. 12. Alexander the Great left his armor and other things From whence may be gathered that this towne was not the Persepolis which he caused to be burnt but rather some other towne built out of the ruines of that city according to the opinion of Quintus Curtius or else some village standing neere to it which being built vp and inlarged might of some be called new Persepolis though indeed it was antiently called Elymais and all the East part of Persia beyond Susa of that towne called Elematica hauing some affinitie with Elam the antient name of Persia so called of Elam the son of Sem Gen. 10. Wherefore it may well be concluded that that Persepolis burnt down by Alexander was neuer restored but lieth waste to this day Thus the empire of the Persians afrer they had ruled ouer the nations of the earth 260 yeares was conquered by the Grecians who held it 129 yeares At the end of which time Demetrius Nicanor the last Emperour of the Grecrans in Syria and Asia going with a great army out of Syria toward the East Arsaces King of the Medes and Parthians being aided by the citisens of Elymais the Persians and Bactrians meeting him in those parts gaue him many sharp and cruell battels and in the end vnder pretence of peace took him prisoner in the yere before Christ 137 and from that time the Parthians gouerned Persia and Grecia and opposed the Romans in many cruell battels Afterward in the yere of our Lord 226 Artaxerxes that mighty Lord of Persia ouercame Artabanus King of the Parthians in a mighty battell and took his crown from his head the same yere entring vpon the gouernment of Persia 548 years after the death of Alexander the Great from which time Artaxerxes and his posteritie reigned in Persia for the space of 314 yeares in the which space there succeeded 28 Kings viz. Artaxerxes 1. Sapores Ormisdates Vararanes Vararanes 2. Vararanes 3. Narses Misdates Sapores 2. Artaxerxes 2. Sapores 3. Vararanes 4. Cermazat syrnamed Isdigertes Vararanes 5. Vararanes 6. Perozes Valens Cavades Zambades Cavades 2. Cosroës Hormisda Cosroës 2. Siroes Adhasir Sarbaras Bornarim Hormisda 2. who was the last King of the Persians for being ouercome by Humarus Amiras of the Saracens and third Emperor of the Mahumetans he was thrown out of his kingdom Anno Dom. 640. After which time it continued long in the gouernement of the Saracens and Turks Where that holy Priest Mattathias the father of Iudas Machabeus dwelt MAttathias and Dorotheus haue both one signification that is The gift of God being deriued of Matath a gift and Iah God This Mattathias was a holy Priest of the tribe of Levi the son of Iohn the son of Simon of whom all that family was called the posteritie of Simon of the stocke of Ioarib of whom you may read 1 Chr. 15. He dwelt in a town called Modin 14 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest scituated in a mountaine close by the way as you go to Ioppa in the tribe of Dan. Modin signifieth a measure being deriued of Madad he hath measured In this place seeing the crueltie of Antiochus Epiphanes and the insolencie of his soldiers he killed one of his captains and afterward in the synagogue put to death an idolatrous Iew ouerthrew the Altar set vp by Antiochus after called forth all the inhabitants of Modin and other towns neere adioyning to withstand the fury of this King So they brought their goods out of the city into the wildernesse where they incamped themselues and after so manfully opposed Antiochus that he deliuered all the cities towns thereabouts out of his bondage and from idolatry But beeing now grown old after he had admonished his sons to constancy in the seruice of God and courage in defence of the countrey he died in the yeare before Christ 164 and was buried at Modin where afterward his sons were buried Simon his third son high-priest of Ierusalem did maruellously beautifie this
their hands but by reason of his faire speeches they suffered him to depart with life 2 Mac. 12.1 Mac. 5. From thence he went to Bozor a faire citie which was scituated beyond Iordan neere to Bethabara in the Tribe of Reuben it was also called Bazra which was 24 miles this towne he tooke and burned with fire Isa 64. 1 Mac. 5. From Bozor he went to Mizpa where Ieptha sometime sacrificed his daughter which was 32 miles In that journey Iudas Macchabeus rescued the castle of Datheman draue thence Timotheus and put to the sword 8000 of his armie After he went thence to Mizpa woon the towne burnt it with fire and put to the sword all the male children because the inhabitants had vexed the children of Israel with continuall robbery After that hee woon many other townes and cities thereabouts 1 Mac. 5. From Mizpa Iudas passed the riuer and went to Astaroth-Carnaim which in the second of Macchabes is called Carnion which was eight miles here he destroyed the temple of Venus which the inhabitants call Astaroth and put 25000 of the inhabitants to the sword He went also to Atargation a towne not far off and tooke it and deliuered all the Israelites from the greatest to the least which were in captiuitie amongst the Giliadites 1 Macch. 5. 2 Macch. 22. From Astaroth-Carnaim hee went to Ephron which was 16 miles this citie Iudas Macchabeus destroied because the inhabitants thereof denied him passage and went through it ouer the dead bodies 2 Macch. 5. Here Gideon Iudge of Israel sometime dwelt it tooke the name from the rising vp of the dust being deriued of Aphar that is he hath made a dust From Ephron Iudas passed ouer Iordan into the great field of Galile and so went to Scythopolis which in antient time was called Bethsan which was foure miles From Bethsan or Scythopolis he returned to Ierusalem which was 44 miles a little before Penticost in the fourth yeare of his gouernment in the yere 161 before Christ 1 Macch. 5. 2 Maccab 12. After the feast of Penticost he went from Ierusalem to Maresa which was 16 miles here he ouercame Gorgias gouernour of Idumaea in a great buttell 2 Mac. 12. From Maresa hee went with his army to Odullam which was 6 miles Here sometime Dauid hid himselfe From Odullam he returned to Ierusalem which was 8 miles 2 Mac. 12. From Ierusalem he brought his army to Hebron the Metropolitan citie of the Idumaeans which was 22 miles this Towne he woon and all the townes and castles neere adjoyning 1 Macchab 5. From thence he went to Samaria which was fiftie six miles 1 Mac. 5. From Samaria he led his army against Azotus which was 44 miles This was a citie of the Philistins which he destroied broke their Altars and burnt their idols in the fire 1 Mac. 5. After that he conquered two castles in Idumaea 1 Mac. 10. After that he returned to Ierusalem which was accounted 22 miles 1 Mac. 5. From Ierusalem he went to meet Timotheus chiefe captaine of the Syrians who came with a great army to inuade Iudaea But when the battell waxed hot there appeared to the enemies from heauen fiue comely men vpon horses with bridles of gold two of which led the Iewes and tooke Macchabeus betweene them and couered him on euery side with their weapons that none could hurt him but against their enemies they shot Darts and lightnings so that they were confounded with blindnesse and beaten downe whereby the Iewes obtained a great victory and put to the sword 20500 foot and 600 horse the rest seeing this great slaughter fled So Iudas praised the Lord and pursued the enemies to Gazara which was 16 miles Heere Timotheus hid himselfe in a caue but the Iewes tooke the citie found him out and put him to death together with his brother Chaerea and Pollophanes 2 Mac. 10. From Gazara Iudas Macchabeus returned to Ierusalem which was 16 miles In the yere following which was the fift of his taigne and 160 before Christ Iudas Maccab. besieged the tower of Sion in Ierusalem because those that were in the garrison had put to the sword some of the Iewes that were sacrificing in the Temple But Antiochus Eupator the son of Antiochus Epiphanes hearing of it at the instigation of Menelaus chiefe Priest of the Iewes brought a great armie to their rescue wherefore Iudas Macchabeus hearing of his comming left the siege and went from Ierusalem to Modin to meet him which was 14 miles Here he ouercame Antiochus destroyed his Elephants and put 4000 of his souldiers to the sword 2 Macc. 13. When King Antiochus had felt a taste of the boldnesse of the Iewes he went with his army through by-waies and secret passages to the castle of Bethsura which he besieged whither Iudas followed him which was 12 miles incamping himselfe a mile from Bethsura in a straight place called Bethzachara Here Antiochus betimes in the morning thinking to take the armie of the Iewes at an aduantage set vpon them But the Iewes and their leaders behaued themselues so manfully that they put Antiochus the second time to flight and kil'd 600 of his men In this battell Eliazer the brother of Iudas Macchabeus was slain by an Elephant Ios lib. Antiq. 12. lib. 16.1 Macc. 6. From Bethzachara he returned backe to Ierusalem which was 2 miles And when the king had taken the town of Bethsura for they were constrained to yeeld by reason of famine he followed Iudas with whom he joyned the third time in battell but Iudas ouercame him and put to the sword many of his army Wherefore hauing certaine intelligence that Philip whom he had made ouerseer of the affaires at Antiochia rebelled he made a peace with Iudas Macchabeus was appeased towards the Iewes did sacrifice adorned the Temple and shewed great gentlenesse towards the people So Antiochus departed out of Iudaea and tooke Menelaus that seditious high Priest along with him captiue 1 Macc. 6. 2 Mac. 13. After in the 6 yeare of his gouernment Iudas went with his armie through all the borders of Iudaea and executed justice vpon all such as were offenders and contemners of the true religion After when Iudas had certaine intelligence that Nicanor whom Demetrius King of Syria had sent against Ierusalem went about by fraudulent courses and vnder pretence of friendship to take away his life 2 Macc. 14. he went priuily from Ierusalem and came to Caphar-Salama scituated 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Here Nicanor and he joyned battell but Iudas discomfited his armie and put to the sword about fiue thousand of his men himselfe not escaping without great danger 1 Mac. 7. From Caphar-Salama Iudas came to Samaria which was 28 miles here he rested himselfe and refreshed his armie a while 2 Mac. 15. In the yere before Christ 128 he went from Samaria to Adarsa which was 28 miles and there vpon the 13 day of Adar which answereth to the 13 day of February neere to Bethoron the
lower he gaue Nicanor a great ouerthrow and put him with 35000 of his host to the sword 1 Mac. 7. 2 Mac. 15. From Adara and Bethoron the lower hee followed the enemies to Gaza a Citie of the Philistines which was 44 miles 1 Mac. 9. From Gaza he returned to Ierusalem which was 44 miles there he caused the arme of Nicanor whom a little before he had slaine at the battell of Adarsa to be cut off his tongue to be cut out of his head shred small and giuen to the fowles of the heauen and his head to be cut from his shoulders because therewith he had blasphemed the Lord and the temple swearing desolation and destruction to it and the Iewes 1 Mac. 7. 2 Mac. 15. A little after that is to say almost at the end of the 6 yere of his gouernment Iudas Macchabeus went out with 3000 chosen men in his army and pitched his tents neere Laisa 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the West But when the Iewes perceiued the mighty armie of Bacchides for hee had 20000 foot and 2000 horse in his hoast there were many of them discouraged so that all left him but 800 men Yet neuerthelesse Iudas constrained by necessitie withstood Bacchides and so manfully behaued himselfe in the battaile that hee ouercame him and put him to flight 1 Mac. 2. His enemies being thus put to flight he pursued them to the mountaines of Azotus and Gazeron which was 6 miles where being oppressed with the multitude and hemmed in amongst them was slaine He died in the moneth Nisan which answers to our April Anno mundi 3810 and before Christ 158 1 Mac. 9. From the Mountaines of Azotus and Gazeron his dead body was carried hacke againe to Modin which was 6 miles and there buried So his Trauels were 915 miles Of the townes and places to which he trauelled Of Mispa Iamnia and Laisa you may reade before Of Caspin THis city stood not far from Iamnia 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest This towne though it was strongly fortified yet Iudas Macchabeus woon it 2 Mac. 12. It is called Caspin of Keseph which signifies siluer There was another city called Casphor that is The siluer mountaine this stood in the land of Giliad neere Mispa which Iudas also woon 1 Mac. 4. Of Asseremoth otherwise called Gazaron GAzaron or Gazera was a citie of the Philistines neere Ecron 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the West It is so called from the cliffe of a rocke being deriued of Gezer which signifies a Cliffe Here Iudas Macchabeus was slaine 1 Mac. 6. Of the Tubiani TVbiani are a people that dwelt beyond Iordan in that part of Arabia Petraea which is called Nabathea of Nabaioth the sonne of Ishmael neere to a Mountaine of the Gileadites not farre distant from Abel of the Vines where it is thought Balaams Asse spoke This land is called Thubin and the inhabitants Tubiani because all that Countrey bringeth forth very pleasant and excellent Wine beeing deriued of Zob which signifieth good and Iaijn wine In this country Iudas Macchabeus continued three daies with his army Of Caphar-Salama THis town stood 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In Herod the greats time it was inlarged and made a very faire city which he caused to be called Antipatridis after the name of his father Antipater of which you may reade more in the Trauels of the Apostle Paul Of Adarsa THis was a towne in the tribe of Ephraim betweene Antipatridis and Bethoron the lower twelue miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest It seemeth to be thus called from a noble gift for it is deriued of Adar which signifies illustrous and Schal a gift The Typicall signification of Iudas Macchabeus IVdas Macchabeus is a type and figure of our Lord Iesus Christ and Antiochus of that wicked Antichrist as the interpretation of their names do euidently declare for Iudas signifies a Confessor praysing God and glorifying his name for all his benefits so Christ the sonne of God is the praise and glory of his father for that in him and by him God the father praised as is euident in the song of Simeon In like manner our Lord Iesus Christ is worthily called Macchabeus for Macchabeus is a syrname of the Iewes which is written after this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Machabai euery letter of which signifieth a seuerall word according to the Song of Moses in the fifteenth chapter of Exodus where are these words Michamocha baelim Iehouah that is Who is like vnto thee amongst the gods O Lord Thus did the children of Israel sing with Moses when God led them out of the land of Aegypt through the Red Sea and this sentence Iudas Macchabeus continually vsed as an Adage and the letters at the beginning of these words being joyned together into one word make the syrname Macchabai Therefore as he had alwaies this golden sentence in his mouth so had he it likewise in his name yea in his ensignes Wherefore this name likewise is worthy to be attributed to Christ for hee is that perfect image and glory of his eternall father Heb. 1. who is called Michael that is Who is like vnto God and Macchabeus or Machabai that is Who is like vnto thee amongst the gods ô Lord. Therfore he saith thus I am that great God that will deliuer you from al euil Ecce Deus fortis foelix de morte resurgo Tartareosque vnguens Daemona ipse ligo Behold I am the God of might from death to life that rose I binde the Diuell to my will his furies I oppose But Antiochus signifies an aduersarie or an opposer or one that fighteth against God The same also doth Sathan signifie in Hebrew He is therefore a fit type of that great opposer of God and Man Antichrist who fighteth against Christ that Iudas Macchabeus and true Captaine of the Church For as the one viz. Antochus was an aduersary against the Iewes the children of God so the other that is Antichrist is an aduersarie and enemy against Christ and his Church c. The Trauels of Ionathan the brother of Iudas Macchabeus IOnathan or Ionathas and Theodorus hath but one signification that is The gift of God This man the same yeare that Iudas his brother died succeeded him in the principalitie and gouerned the Iewes 18 yeares 1 Mac. 9. Ios lib. antiq 3. But vnderstand that Bacchides chiefe captaine of Demetrius King of Syria went about to take his life by craft hee and his brother Simon went from Modin and pitched their tents in the wildernesse of Tecoah neere to the lake of Asphar which was 20 miles From thence they sent their brother Iohn with certaine riches to the Nabathians which dwelt in Medaba in Arabia 28 miles desiring them in friendship to receiue their goods into the town and to keepe them for their vse but the sonnes of Iambri and the Nabathians issued out of Medaba and vnawares fell vpon Iohn put him to death tooke away
all his wealth and returned into their citie with great joy But Ionathan and Simon tooke this injurie very heauily and much bewailed the death of their brother wherefore that they might bee reuenged of the inhabitants of Medaba they went thence twenty eight miles and hid themselues among the mountaines just in the way that led ftom Medaba to Canaan for they had heard that the sonnes of Iambri and the inhabitants of Medaba were gone forth with great jollitie to fetch home a Bride which was a Princes daughter of the land of Canaan Now as they were merrie vpon the way Ionathan and Simon his brother with their army went out from among the Mountaines and put a great number of them to the sword taking away a mighty spoyle From Medaba they went to the riuer Iordan which was three miles where vpon the East side of the riuer they pitched their Tents here he was constrained to fight a cruell battell with Bacchides vpon the Sabboth day but as he was in the fight hee met Bacchides and lift vp his hand to strike at him but he seeing the danger retyred Neuerthelesse he put to the sword 1000 of his men and after he and his followers leapt into the riuer and swam ouer so they all escaped without danger In the 56 yeare of the Graecians gouernment in Syria which was the fifth yere of the principalitie of Ionathan Bacchides returned againe with his army into Iudaea and besieged Ionathan and Simon in Bethbesan otherwise called Bethgalam some three miles distant from Iordan Here Ionathan leauing his brother Simon in the citie stole out by a posterne and went to all the villages neere adjoyning from whence he gathered an army of chosen men and set vpon Bacchides Simon also broke out of the city and set vpon him so that they greatly oppressed him and burned his Tents 1 Macchab. 9. Wherefore when Bacchides vnderstood that Ionathan and Simon had fortified that citie and that the Iewes were readie to defend it hee concluded a peace with Ionathan the captiues of either part were redeliuered and the Iewes liued in peace a good while after 1 Macchab. 9. From Bethbesan Ionathan went to Michmas which was six miles here he dwelt for a while and judged the people of Israel cherishing the good and rooting out the euill from amongst them 1 Macch. 9. From Michmas he went to Ierusalem which was ten miles Hither Alexander King of Syria and sonne of Antiochus Epiphanes sent him a purple robe and a golden crowne and ordained him high Priest of the Iewes Wherefore Ionathan on the day of the feast of the Tabernacles which was in the yere before Christ 150 tooke vpon him the office to be high Priest 1 Macchab. 10. The next yeare after which was the tenth of Ionathans rule after the death of Demetrius king of Syria who was slaine in the warres against Alexander there appeared a Comet of an extraordinarie greatnesse which was of such an exceeding brightnesse that it tooke away the darknesse of the night and the writers of those times affirme it to equall the Sunne in greatnesse After this Prodigi the Romans began the third Punick warre against the Carthaginians vide Camerar lib. 2. de ostent Ionathan in the eleuenth yeare of his raigne went from Ierusalem to Ptolemais which was 76 miles to the marriage of Alexander King of Syria and Cleopatra the daughter of Ptolomeus Philometor King of Aegypt where he was entertained very honourably 1 Mac. 10. From thence hee returned to Ierusalem which was 76 miles 1 Mac. 10. From Ierusalem he went to Ioppa and woon the towne which was 20 miles From Ioppa he went to Asdod which was 12 miles there he burnt the Temple of Dagon and all that were in it From thence he went with his armie to Ascalon which was 12 miles this towne willingly yeelded vnto him From Ascalon he returned to Ierusalem which was 38 miles 1 Mac. 10. In the 15 yeare of his gouernment hee went to Ioppa which was 20 miles to meet Ptolomeus Philometer King of Aegypt and stayed there all that night 1 Mac. 11. The next day he went with the King of Aegypt to the riuer of Eleutherius which was 200 miles From thence he returned backe again to Ierusalem which was 200 miles Heere he besieged the tower of Acropolis because there were many wicked men got into it In the sixteenth yeare of his gouernement he went from Ierusalem to Ptolomais to Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria which was 76 miles From Ptolomais he returned backe to Ierusalem which was 76 miles From Ierusalem in the seuenteenth yeare of his gouernment he went beyond the riuer Euphrates which was accounted 400 miles and there gathered an army in ayd of Antiochus the younger the sonne of Alexander and went against Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was 400 miles From Ierusalem hee went with his army to Ascalon which was 30 miles From thence he came to Gaza which was 18 miles this towne he besieged and after a sharpe battell woon it From Gaza he went to Damascus in Syria which was about 200 miles From thence he returned to the lake of Genesereth which was 104 miles Here hee opposed the Army of Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria From thence before day he remoued his campe to Chazor which was 32 miles where when part of his armie was put to flight by a stratagem he tore his garments put dust vpon his head and praied earnestly vnto the Lord for ayd and assistance so hauing recouered his strength and former courage hee returned with those few that hee had left him to the war where he put the army of King Demetrius to flight and slew three thousand of his men with the sword His enemies being thus dispersed hee pursued them to their Tents neere Cades in Galile which was 6 miles From thence he returned to Ierusalem with a glorious victorie which was about some 92 miles Here he made a league with the Romans and Spartans 1 Mac. 11.12 From Ierusalem he went with his armie into the countrey of Hemath that is Syria to the riuer Eleutherius which was 200 miles here he put his enemies to flight after they had burnt and consumed their Tents From thence he went to Nabathia in Arabia which was 120 miles Here he conquered the Arabians and Zabadians and spoiled their land From thence he went through all that country and wasted it till he came within eighty miles of Damascus From thence he returned home to Ierusalem which was 160 miles In the 18 and last yeare of his raigne he caused the wals of Ierusalem to be built and began to fortifie many places in Iudea 1 Macch. 12. Also the same yeare which was the 160 yeare of the gouernment of the Graecians in Syria the second booke of Macchabees was written as appeareth cap. 1. After from Ierusalem hee went to Bethsan to meet Tryphon which was 44 miles here being deceiued by the faire
16. So all his trauels were 176 miles Concerning the towns and places mentioned in these trauels you may reade before ¶ Of the Kings of Syria that succeeded Antiochus Epiphanes and made war vpon the MACHABEES And first of the Trauels of Antiochus Eupator THis Antiochus the yonger succeeded his father Antiochus Epiphanes in the 149 yere of the Grecians gouernment in Syria which was the 161 yere before Christ and he continued King of Asia and Syria 3 yeares Lysias the Kings Substitute for Syria called this man by the name of Eupator that is a good Father because Kings ought to be Fathers of their countries This Antiochus Eupator in the second yeare of his reign came with a great army from Antiochia to the town of Modin which was 380 miles From Modin he went to the Hold at Bethsura this he sharply besieged being 12 miles From Bethsura he went to Bethsachara almost a mile to meet wrth Iudas Machabeus who put him to flight and kild 600 of his men 1 Mac. 6. From Bethsachara hee returned to the Hold of Bethsura and won it which was almost a mile From Bethsura he came to Ierusalem which was halfe a mile From Ierusalem he went with his Army to Ptolomais beeing 76 miles From Ptolomais hee returned to Antiochia 204 miles and a halfe Concerning the townes and places mentioned in his Trauels you may reade before The Trauels of Demetrius Soter the brother of Antiochus Epiphanes IN An. mundi 3809. before Christ 159. Demetrius Soter the son of Seleucus Philopater who was sent to Rome brought a Navy from thence through the Mediterranian sea and came to Tripolis in Syria which journy was 2680 miles and vsurped vpon the gouernment of Syria against young Antiochus the son of Epiphanes 1 Mac. 7. From Tripolis he went to Antiochia where the King kept his court 88 miles Here he caused yong Antiochus and Lysias to be slain and after reigned in Syria 10 yeares At length he was slain in a great battel by Alexander the son of Epiphanes 1 Mac. 7. So all his trauels were 1760 miles Of Tripolis THis city was scituated in Phoenicia a prouince of Syria on the shore of the Mediterranian sea 170 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was so called because there dwelt in it three sorts of people viz. Tyrians Sydonians and Arabians It is a very famous City euen to this day the Ocean sea comming into euery street and principall place of it and full as populous as Tyrus For there inhabit Grecians Latines Armenians Maronites Nestorians and people of many other nations of diuers conditions and customes in manner of liuing It aboundeth also with great aboundance of costly Tapestrie which is made so curiously and with such cost that it is very delightfull to such as looke vpon it It is credibly reported That there are found within the city of Tripolis 4000 men that do little els but weaue and make Tapestry and such like costly hangings The country round about where it standeth is very pleasant because of the great aboundance of Vines Olives Figgs and other fruits and floures which yeeld a comfortable smell and is profitable for the maintenance of life it is called Paradice There is a field before the City some two miles in length and one in bredth in which there are to be seene very curious gardens and artificially contriued About six miles from the city standeth mount Libanus at the foot whereof riseth a goodly fountain which with great violence runneth thence but suddenly falling into the vallies it ioyns with other waters and becomes a faire and pleasant riuer watering all the gardens of the plain between Tripolis and Libanus but especially the mountains of the Leopards which is not far off In the Canticles cap. 4. there is mention of this hill Come with mee my Spouse from the dennes of the Lions and the mountains of the Leopards The water of this Spring is very cleare pleasant cold and healthfull vpon the banks of it there stand many churches religious houses It is called the Fountaine of the gardens and is diuided into three riuers or principal streams besides many other small brooks which run thence and fall into the sea so that the sentence Est 9. is verified of this A small fountaine shall increase to a great Riuer and shall be poured out against many waters The Trauels of King Alexander son of Epiphanes and brother to Antiochus Eupator OF this Alexander Iustin writes lib. 35. where he sheweth That he was not son to Antiochus Epiphanes as was supposed but had to name Prompalus being a man of the meaner sort of people but the Antiochians for the great tyranny of Demetrius falling into rebellion gaue vnto him the name of Alexander and withal caused it to be published abroad that he was the son of Epiphanes which by reason of his youth was easily beleeued And at this time Demetrius because of his crueltie being much hated of all sorts of people it came to passe that most and those of the greatest also combined with this yong man supposing him indeed to be of noble descent and the son of a King Wherefore Alexander or Prompatus being thus encouraged tooke vpon him to bee the brother of Antiochus Eupator and called himselfe the lawful heire and successor to the crowne of Syria going from thence to Ptolomais where he kept a royall court and in the yere of the world 3818 before Christ 150 by the help of the Antiochians other the inhabitants of Syria hee tooke vpon him the gouernment of that country and reigned fiue yeares This man suffered many varieties and changes of fortune at first was put to flight by Demetrius after hee put Demetrius to flight and at length put him to death and vsurpt vpon his gouernment In the third yere of his reign he maried Cleopatra the daughter of Ptolomeus Philometor King of Egypt by whom he had his son Antiochus To this marriage Ionathan was inuited In the last yeare of his gouernment hee went from Ptolomais to Antiochia which was 200 miles where hee opposed himselfe against Demetrius Nicanor the sonne of Demetrius Soter 1 Machab. cap. 10. From Antiochia he went to Cilicia which was 120 miles to suppresse the rebellion of his subiects but when hee heard that Ptolomeus Philometor his father in law had taken vp armes against him conquered Syria and giuen his wife to Demetrius Nicanor which had been maried vnto him two yeares before hee gathered all his forces hee could and with all expedition made good the war against Ptolomeus but hee was ouercome and fled into that part of Arabia which bordereth vpon the mountaine Amanus for refuge where Zabdiel the gouernor of that countrey fearing lest he should fall into the displeasure of Ptolomeus caused his seruants to cut off his head and sent it to him into Syria Within three daies after which sight he died being mortally wounded in the former battell Ios li. Ant. 13. c. 17.
from one man that is Christ Iesus For as by the first Adam sin came into the world and by sin death and damnation so by the second Adam that sinne is pardoned and man made partaker of eternall happinesse And that these things might be the more apparant vnto thee I haue described the Townes Cities and places mentioned in their seuerall Trauels both what they were in former times and what they are at this present That so by the due consideration of both thou mightst obserue the mutation and change of estates since through the revolution of times those things which seeme most permanent haue within the compasse of a few yeares beene subuerted and the ruines of those Cities which haue been greatest left to make euident lamentable examples of vast and vnheard of destructions from whence such as haue any small knowledg of the Spirit may draw such comfortable resolutions that neither pouerty can subuert them nor riches and honor exalt them but according to S. Iames ca. 1. They may possesse themselues in peace since neither the prosperitie of the world is permanent nor the aduersitie thereof intolerable The knowledge of both which how soeuer to some it may seeme ridiculous yet to such as are at all touched with the sence of worldly affaires it cannot chuse but take a deep impression and draw them thence to the knowledge of Christ Iesus and of his doctrine To which end and for which purpose I haue principally endeauored to publish this Treatise that so comparing the estate of man in this present world with the estate of grace in the world to come they might perceiue the impotencie of the one and the permanencie of the other and from both draw immoueable Axiomes That there can be no saluation where there is no humilitie nor no prosperity where there is not a knowledge of Christ Iesus in his humanitie and thence gather That the afflictions of this world to which hee is most subiect through the whole course of his life is the ready means to honor and immortal glory But that these things may the better appeare vnto thee I will endeauor to lay before thee the beginning and so farre as the holy Scripture leads mee the ending of our Sauiour From whence thou mayst draw such comfortable resolutions that in what estate soeuer thou art whether in prosperitie or aduersitie thou mayst therewith rest content c. Of Zacharias the father of Iohn Baptist ZAcharias or Zachariahu signifies Gods remembrance This man was the father of Iohn the Baptist being a Priest of the Tribe of Aaron and dwelling at a Towne called Abia of which you may reade 1 Chr. 24. There were three famous men of this name as Basilius saith One that was a Prophet of the Lord and liued 520 yeares before the birth of Christ Zachar. 1. And another that was the sonne of Iehoiada the high-Priest who at the command of that ingrateful King Ioas was stoned to death in the vpper Court of the Temple 2 Chr. 24. And a third which was this Zacharias the father of Iohn Baptist and son of Barachias that is The Blessed who according to the opinion of Basil was slain for no other cause but for saying that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary This man had to wife Elizabeth of the posteritie of the high-Priest Aaron and by her had a son called Iohn so 〈◊〉 of the Lord who was afterward called Iohn the Baptist Elizabeth signifies The Rest of God being deriued of Eli and Scabbath that is The Rest and Sabbath of the Lord. The inhabitants of the Holy land take vpon them euen to this day to shew the house where Zacharias Elizabeth dwelt in a town that standeth on the right hand of the way as you go from Emmaus to Ierusalem But saint Luke ca. 1. saith That Zacharias dwelt not in a town or field but i◠the city of Iudah which was scituated in the mountain of Iudah Risnerus and Iohannes Hedenus write That Zacharias dwelt in Ierusalem in that part of the city scituated vpon mount Bezetha as in the first booke of the description of Ierusalem hath bin declared And this seemeth to be verified out of Nehemia cap. 3. Yet there are some of opinion that hee dwelt at Hebron because that was the chiefe city of the tribe of Iuda and a town of the Priests The Trauels of the Virgin Mary MAry if it be deriued of Marah signifieth such a person as is oppressed with carefulnesse and griefe one that is layd open to all miserie and calamity prest with continual vexation and mourning She was born vpon the 8 day of September 14 yeares before the birth of Christ and in the fifteenth of her age brought forth her only begotten son according to S. Hierome and others Her fathers name was Eliakim of the house of Dauid Vpon the fiue and twentieth day of March in the same yeare that our Sauior Christ was born Mary being then 14 yeares old and the Angel Gabriel declared vnto her the embassie of the Conception of our Lord Iesus Christ A little after about the beginning of April an M. 3967 she went from Nazareth in great haste ouer the hils to Ierusalem 64 miles to the house of Zacharias and there saluted her cousin Elizabeth Luk. 1. From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was 64 miles And when the command came out from Augustus that all the world should be taxed then Ioseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem 72 miles and there the time of Maries deleuerance drew neere and lo she bare the Son of the liuing God our Lord and Sauior Christ Luke 2. From Bethlehem Ioseph and Mary brought the childe Iesus to Ierusalem and presented him in the Temple which was 6 miles Luke 2. And when they had accomplished all things according to the Law they returned backe again to Nazareth a towne in Galilee 64 miles From Nazareth they went backe again to Bethlem 72 miles Thither the Wise men comming out of the East brought the childe Iesus Gold Frankincense and Myrrh Mat. 2. From Bethlehem the same night that Herod caused all the infants of two yeares old and vnder to be slain Ioseph and Mary fled with the childe Iesus to Hermopolis a city in Egypt which was 296 miles Mat. 2. Zozom lib. 6. From thence they returned back again with the child Iesus to Nazareth 368 miles for they were greatly afraid lest Archilaus who succeeded his father Herod in the gouerment of the Iews would seeke the childes life Mat. 2. From Nazareth Ioseph and Mary came euery yere to Ierusalem which was 64 miles to the feast of the Passeouer and so many miles backe againe which for ten yeares continuance came to 1280 miles When Christ was twelue yeares of age and at the beginning of the thirteenth he went with his parents from Nazareth to the feast of the Passeouer which was 64 miles Luke 2. And when the daies of the feast of the Passeouer were
glory Of Capernaum THis city was so called from the pleasant and comfortable scituation of it In the Hebrew text Mathew cals it Capharnacum i. The town of comfort being deriued of Nocham i. Consolation In this town our Sauior dwelt after he had left Nazareth and in it wrought many miracles as the healing of the sick casting out of diuels and such like whereof you may read Mat. 8. Mark 1. Luke 5.7 Iohn 4. It stood in the land of Genesareth vpon the West and North side of Iordan in an angle of land ioyning to the sea of Galile 56 miles from Ierusalem Northward in the tribe of Issacher and as it is thought by some iust in the middest of the twelue tribes Mat. 9. calls it the city of our Sauior And that Christ was no stranger but an inhabitant of this city it is manifest Mat. 17. where Christ when he gaue tribute to the magistrats of this city asked Peter saying Of whom doe the Kings of the earth take tribute Peter said Of strangers Then quoth hee the children are free yet neuerthelesse c. From whence may be gathered that he was no stranger but an inhabitant in Capernaum It had vpon the Northside of it the three Tribes Nepthalim Aser and Zabulon vpon the South Benjamin Iuda Dan and Simeon vpon the West Issacher Ephraim and the halfe Tribe of Manasses and vpon the East Reuben Gad and the other halfe tribe of Manasses so that our Sauior Christ dwelt in the midst of the 12 tribes of Israel Furthermore it was a goodly market towne and had as well relation to Tyrus and Sidon two townes of the Gentiles within 44 miles of it as to Ierusalem from whence may be verified that saying of Esa ca. 8.9 The land of Zebulon and Nepthalim neere the way of the sea beyond Iordan and Galile of the Gentiles a people which sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death saw a great Light This town is therfore instly called the city of Comfort and Consolation since our Sauior Christ dwelt there who with his doctrine and preaching refreshed comforted all such as were afflicted with the burthen of their sins But the great men that were inhabitants of this City had more respect to their priuat profit than to the doctrine miracles that Christ wrought among them from whence it came to passe that they did as it were neglect and contemne that good which God had offered vnto them which made our Sauior say And thou Capernaum which seemest to be exalted vp vnto heauen shalt be cast down into hell for if the miracles had been done in Sodom and Gomorah which haue been done in thee they had continued vntill this day Verily verily I say vnto you It shall be easier for Sodom and Gomorah in the day of Iudgment than for thee Mat. 11. For there was no such benefit offered to any Citie neither such honours and dignities as were to Capernaum our Sauior himselfe dwelling there Wherefore for their ingratitude and impiety the city hath diuers times bin wasted and destroied as well by the Romanes as other nations so that at this day this glorious city is become so desolate that there is scarce 8 houses standing and they also like small sheds Of Sichar IN antient time this towne was called Sichem of which you may reade more both in the trauels of Iacob and Abimilech After it came to be called Sichar according to the opinion of Luther vpon Genesis because the inhabitants of that country were giuen to pleasure and voluptuousnesse the greatest part of their delight being in drinking and quaffing for Sichar being deriued of Schachar signifieth to bee drunke or inordinately to swallow sweet and pleasant wine of which there was great plenty in that towne made of the juice of Apples the fruit of Palme trees and honey which may very well resemble Hipocras or Metheglin as some Authors haue it And although by the incursion of the Romanes it was vtterly wasted and left desolate yet in succeeding times it was rebuilt and called Nicapolis that is a New towne It is scituated very pleasantly and aboundeth with all manner of delights but it is vnfortified neither can it by any meanes bee fortified neither haue the inhabitants any helpe if they be oppressed by the Enemy but to fly for it is scituated in the middle of a valley betweene two high mountaines so that a man may fling a stone from the top of one of them into the city About two bowes shoot without the South gate of this towne is to be seene the Fountaine or Well of Iacob vpon the brimme of which our Sauiour Christ sate when hee was wearie as wee may reade in the fourth of Iohn This Well standeth iust in the way as Pilgrimes trauell to Ierusalem Vpon the right hand aboue this Well there standeth a mountain of an exceeding height diuided into two tops the one of them being called Gerizim the other Heball In mount Gerizim the Patriarch Ioshuah built an Altar and the people standing vpon mount Heball he caused the whole booke of Deuteronomie to be read ouer with the Blessings and Cursings so that all the people might heare them for thus we reade in Ios 8. The one halfe of the people stood close by Mount Gerizim and the other by mount Heball c. Deuteronom Chap. 27. These two great mountaines began vpon the right side of the Citie Sichar and extended themselues in length to the Citie of Iericho Vpon the left side of this Wel is to be seen the ruins of a great towne which is thought to be the old Sichem and by the relicks that remaine there it may be iudged to haue been a very goodly Citie For there are yet to bee seene certaine broken Pillars of Marble as also large and spatious Buildings which in times past without question haue beene very goodly things and standeth wonderfull pleasantly the soile round about it beeing very pleasant and fruitfull onely there is want of water This Towne lieth some two Bowes shoot from Sichar and the inhabitants of that place judge this Sichar to be Thebez where Abimelech died Iudg. 9. Not farre from Iacobs Well is to be seene that piece of ground which Iacob gaue to Ioseph more than the rest of his brethren Gen. 48. It is a long valley very fruitfull and pleasant where there lies buried in a certaine faire garden the bones of Iacob and Ioseph which were brought out of Aegypt Iosh 24. the reliques of which sepulchre are yet to be seene Mount Garizim or Gerizim is so called from the cutting downe of Trees for Garaz signifies To cut downc Vpon this Mountaine is to be seene euen to this day the place where the Temple stood that was built by Sanballath dedicated to Iupiter Olympius in contempt of the Temple of Ierusalem The chiefe Priest of this Temple was one Manasses a fugitiue of the stocke of Leui. This Manasses was brother to Iaddus chiefe Priest of Ierusalem
of whom you muy reade Nehem 13. But some two hundred yeares after the first foundation Iohn Hircanus high Priest of Ierusalem vtterly destroied it to the ground The Trauels of our Sauiour Christ in the second yeare of his Ministerie which was the two and thirtieth yeare of his age IN the moneth of Ianuary Christ went from Cana in Galile to Nazareth which was eight miles Here vpon the Sabboth day he went into the Sinagogue and began to teach insomuch as the inhabitants were astonished at his doctrine but the citizens being ingratefull he went to Capernaum a citie which he had chosen to dwell in before all others Luke 4. Mat. 4. which was 12 miles or thereabouts In the moneth of February hee compassed about all Galile preaching the Gospel of the kingdome of God healing the sick and those that were diseased amongst the people Matth. 4. In this visitation our Sauiour went to Gaesarea Philippi which was distant from Capernaum fortie eight miles towards the North. Here Matthew was called as he was at the receipt of Custome and the woman was healed of her bloudy issue Mat. 9. But that Mathew was called about this time the circumstances of times make euident for a little after the second Passeouer of our Sauior Christ the same Mathew was chosen to be an Apostle Luke 5 6. Mat. 9. Mark 2. In the moneth of March the inhabitants of the towns which Christ visited in Galilee brought vnto him many that were possessed of diuels and afflicted with other diseases all which he healed insomuch that there followed him a great company out of Galile and Decapolis and from Ierusalem and Iudaea and of all the countries beyond Iordan Mat. 4. Thus hauing finishing this visitation as it may be thought he returned backe againe to Capernaum where he dwelt as I haue shewed before which was 48 miles for Caesarea Philippi stood so farre from Capernaum A little after these things were finished The second Passeouer of the Ministerie of Christ was the feast of the Iewes Iohn 4. and Iesus went vp to Ierusalem Iohn 5. to celebrate the feast of the Passeouer which this yeare hapned a little before Haruest which was 56 miles This second Passeouer of the Ministrie of Christ fell vpon the six and twentieth day of March at which time Christ celebrated the Passeouer with his Disciples according to the Law of God Here vpon the Sabboth day being the last day of March he healed a certaine man that lay by the Poole Bethesda which had bin diseased eight and thirtie yeres Ioh. 5. And at the end of the Passeouer he went with his Disciples from Ierusalem through the corne fields but his Disciples being hungry began to pull the eares of corne and to eat them wherefore the Pharises beeing offended at them began to reprehend our Sauiour Christ and his Disciples vpon which followed the disputation concerning the Sabboth Luke 6. Matth. 12. Vpon the seuenth day of Aprill he went on the Sabboth day to Peraea which country was in the command of Herod Antipas and there he healed a man with a dried hand Luke 6. Marke 3. The country of Peraea beyond Iordan is distant from Ierusalem twentie miles But when the Herodian Councell heard that he had healed a man on the Sabboth day they sought occasion how they might doe to put him to death Wherefore our Sauiour Christ went thence to the sea of Galile which was 40 miles Here he went vp into a mountain not far from Capernaum and chose the twelue Apostles Luke 6. Mark 3. And then vpon this mountain he preached vnto the people which resorted thither vnto him out of the Countrey round about whom they heard with great diligence and attendance This sermon being ended hee came down from the mountaine and healed the man that was sicke of the Leprosie Hee also went into Capernaum and healed the Centurions seruant Mat. 8. Luke 7. Afterward Christ in the same moneth of April when the man whom he healed of his leprosie had published that Miracle hee went from Capernaum into the Desart which lay neere vnto Bethsaida for there was a certaine Desart Marke 1. Luke 7. In the moneth of May our Sauiour went out of Galile towards Ierusalem to keep the feast of Penticost so he came to the gates of the city Naim which stood on the border of Samaria and was distant from Capernaum 16 miles Here he recalled the widowes sonne to life Luke 7. And after he went to Ierusalem which was 48 miles that he might celebrate the feast of Penticost according to the law of God Exo. 23. Thrice euery yeare shall euery male childe appeare before the Lord thy God This feast fell this yeare vpon the 15 day of May for it behooued our Sauiour according to the law to go euery yere to Ierusalem to these three principall feasts that is of the Passeouer Penticost and of the Tabernacles A little after the feast of Penticost Iohn Baptist being then in prison hauing certaine intelligence of the Miracle that our Sauiour wrought vpon the Widowes sonne at the gates of Naim and of other wonderfull Miracles that he did in Ierusalem and in other places in Iudaea sent two of his disciples from the Castle of Macharuntes to aske him the question whether he was the Messia or no So when they came vnto him and deliuered their message at that time he cured many of their sicknesse and plagues and euill spirits and to many blinde men hee gaue sight freely And Iesus said vnto them Goe your wayes and tell Iohn what things you haue seene and heard That the Blinde see the Halt go the Lepers are clensed the Deafe heare the Dead are raised and the Poore receiue the Gospell And blessed is hee that shall not be offended in me Mathew 11. Luke 7. At this sermon it was thought hee conuerted the sinner that washed his feet poured a box of pretious oile vpon his head Luke 7. In the moneth of Iune our Sauior Iesus Christ went with the Twelue about six and fifty miles out of Iudaea into Galilee and there in diuers Cities and Townes he began to preach and teach the Kingdome of God At this time there were diuers Women followed him whom hee had healed of euill Spirits and of their infirmities but principally Mary Magdalen out of whom he had cast seuen Diuels and Ioan the wife of Chuza Herods Procurator and Susanna All which ministred vnto him of their substance Luke 8. Now when he had trauelled from place to place some certain time and visited many cities and towns thereabouts he returned backe again to the city of Capernaum where it is said that our Sauior Christ dwelt and there dispossest the man of a diuel that was both blind lame and dumbe Mat. 12. Mar. 3. Luke 11. And going thence to the sea he recited 8 Parables Matth. 13. Marke 4. Luke 8. In the euening of the same day he went six miles into the country of the Gadarens
and recited the parable of the Sheepe Ioh. 10. Also vpon the Sabboth day a little before the feast of the Dedication he healed a man that was born blind Iohn 9. In this feast the Iewes being angry because he had healed the blind man vpon the Sabboth day compassed our Sauiour about as he was in Solomons Porch and when they heard our Sauiour confesse openly that hee was the Sonne of God they began to grow into a fury and for very anger would haue stoned him to death Wherefore our Sauiour Christ went thence beyond Iordan and continued there the rest of the Winter Iohn 10. But before hee went to Ierusalem there were returned vnto him certaine of the seuentie Disciples which a little before in the moneth of September he had sent abroad and there at that time he recited the similitude of the man who descending from Ierusalem to Iericho fell amongst theeues This similitude seemeth to be taken from the present occasion because our Sauior Christ going from Ierusalem beyond Iordan was to passe through great wildernesses just in the way as they goe thence to Iericho Iohn 10. At the same time he went from Ierusalem to Bethania which was almost two miles and there visited Mary and Martha where Martha ministred vnto him but Mary sitting at his feet gaue diligent heed to his Doctrine Luke 10. At this time he tooke his leaue of these two sisters and went thence to Bethabara beyond Iordan where Iohn baptised which was 16 miles it being now about the midst of Winter Christ at this time being about 33 yeares of age I am not ignorant that there were many which refer that long journey of our Sauiour Christ when hee went to visit all Iudaea the sending forth of his Disciples diuers other miracles mentioned from the ninth chapter of Luke to the sixteenth to the beginning of the following yere But I am of opinion that all those things could not haue beene done within the compasse of foure moneths and before the feast of the Dedication so that it must needs bee that the seuentie Disciples were sent forth before the feast of the Dedication for after the feast of the Dedication which was celebrated in the midst of Winter Iohn 10. there were but two moneths betweene it and the raising vp of Lazarus in which short time all those things which are described by Luke could not possibly be accomplished especially considering that our Sauiour Christ wintered some time in Bethabara and there taught the multitude that came vnto him Ioh. 2. So these trauels of our Sauiour were 596 miles or thereabouts besides the diuers visitations and journeies hee went hither and thither which because of the great multitude of them it was not possible for the Euangelist to set them downe Of the townes and places to which he trauelled Of Bethsaida BEthsaida signifies the house of hunting being deriued of Baith a house and Zaid hunting from Zod he hath hunted for from this place went the fishers and hunters which fished and hunted through the world Ierem. 16. In this Towne dwelt three Apostles Peter Andrew and Philip Iohn 1. It was scituated vpon the West side of the Galilean sea in the Tribe of Issachar fiftie six miles from Ierusalem towards the North. And because of the aboundance of Fishes that were in the sea of Galile Peter and Andrew became Fishers and in that vocation got their liuing till our Lord and Sauiour Christ made them Fishers of men Matt. 4. Luke 5. Before the birth of Christ this was but a small Towne and without doubt was so called from hunting because close by it stood a wildernesse that did greatly abound with wilde beasts Philip the Tetrarch of Traconitis and Itura made this a faire citie which in honour of Iulia hee called Iuliades This Iulia was the daughter of Augustus Caesar and wife of Tiberias Philip also brought many inhabitants thither who dwelt in that Citie But when Herod the Tetrarch of Galile and brother of this Philip had builded vp Bethara which stood beyond the riuer Iordan on the East side of the sea of Galilee and called it by the name of Iuliades in honour of this Iulia. This towne re-edified and inlarged by Philip was called againe in the time of our blessed Lord and Sauiour Christ after the antient name Bethsaida and so continueth to this day From hence it is manifest that the sea of Galile was subject to the gouernment of both these Tetrachs since vpon the shore thereof on both sides they had cities standing I doe thinke the wildernesse or wood and land neere adjoining to Bethsaida is called Itura of Ietur the sonne of Ismael Gen. 25. or else from the compasse and roundnesse of it for Tur in Hebrew signifies A circle But that Itura stood vpon the West side of the sea of Galilee those that haue beene at the Holy land can testifie This citie of Bethsaida hath an antient water course comming from a riuer not far from it which Iosephus calleth little Iordan which falleth into the sea of Galile just in the mid-way betweene this towne and Capernaum the channell whereof appeareth to this day Beside the many sermons which our Sauior Christ preached here he did many notable miracles Marc. 8. c. But for the ingratitude and impietie of the citisens the curse of our Sauiour fell vpon them Woe be thee Chorazin woe be to thee Bethsaida for if the miracles had beene done in Tyrus and Sidon which haue beene done in thee they had long ere this repented in sackloth and ashes Verily verily I say vnto you it shall be easier for Tyrus and Sydon in the day of judgement than for you Matt. 11. Luc. 10. The prophecie of our Sauiour Christ fell vpon them accordingly for after diuers and sundry ouerthrowes and deuastations this towne became vtterly vnpeopled and as Britenbacchus saith there are scarce six houses standing in it at this day Of Chorazin THis city also stands vpon the further side of Iordan close by the sea of Galile in the same country as Capernaum stands for the city of Chorazin standeth vpon the East side of the riuer Iordan where it falleth into the sea of Galile and Capernaum vpon the West in the halfe tribe of Manasses some 16 miles from the citie of Ierusalem towards the North. This citie also neglecting the preachings and miracles of our Sauiour Christ felt the efficacie and force of the curse of the Sonne of God Mat. 11. Luc. 10. For there is not at this day a house to be seene onely some ruines where it stood Chorazin doth denote a dukedome or principality from Coh and Razon a Prince and Duke for Rozez signifies A laborious Prince Ierom turning this word Rozez into Razi calls it A secret mistery or my secret Of Tiberias TIberias standeth vpon the West side of the sea of Galilee 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Before the birth of Christ it was called Kinnereth that is the
city of the Harpe after which name the lake of Tiberias or sea of Galile is called Numb 14. But Herod the Tetrach of Galile at whose command Iohn the Baptist was beheaded did beautifie this Citie with many faire buildings and compassed about with strong walls and after Tiberias Caesars name called it Tiberias He also gathred thither many inhabitants and indowed it with many large priuiledges for although this place before the restoring of the citie was very filthy and impure by reason of the dead bodies both of men and beasts which lay in that place from whence it hapned that the Iewes shunned this place as vtterly vnlawfull and durst not dwel there yet notwithstanding Herod with singular industrie and diligence remoued all that filthinesse and in that very place built vp this Citie both faire and spacious partly with gifts partly with faire speeches alluring many Iewes to inhabit therin Many poore people also built themselues houses at their owne charge and those that had no children gaue way vnto the liberty of the citie besides many rich and noble men were constrained to remoue their whole families and to dwell in this citie so that in short time it became very well peopled according to Ios lib. Antiq 18. cap. 4. Egisip lib. 2. cap. 3. Not aboue two miles from Tiberias towards the South vpon the shore of the sea of Galile stood Tarachaea a town wherein Iosephus dwelt Now it hapned that the Citisens of Tiberias vpon some discontent and as it was thought at the instigation of one Clitus fell into rebellion of which Iosephus hauing certaine intelligence he caused all the gates of Terachaea to be shut least any man going thence should disclose his intentions or any comming from Tiberias should mooue that Citie also to rebellion and then priuily sent out a command to assemble all the shippes and other vessels that were vpon the sea or lake euen to the number of 230 ships all which he caused to be manned only with foure men apiece and of a sudden sailed towards Tiberias But when he came within view of the city so that the citisens from the wall might discern the ships he left the body of the nauie a good way remote from Tiberias and tooke only one ship manned with seuen men and went close to the citie of Tiberias as it seemed to haue had a parley with the citisens but they seeing such a multitude of ships and the bold resolution of Iosephus supposing that they had beene sufficiently manned and contained a great armie were greatly affraid insomuch that they cast away their armes and came out of the citie with humble petitions to Iosephus entreating him to spare the city and to take pity of the inhabitants Notwithstanding hee vtterly refused to shew them any mercie vnlesse they would deliuer vnto him the Ruler of the citie which they did so he settled the affaires of that Towne and tooke the Ruler thereof with him to Terachaea where hee committed him to prison But after it being certainely found out that one Clitus was the principall author of this rebellion he sent Leuyn one of his Gard with command to apprehend him and cut off both his hands of which punishment Clytus being certainly informed with tears and prayers humbly besought rhis Leuyn that he would spare one of his hands and he would willingly lose the other which with much ado was granted him vpon condition that he would cut off his owne hand so he tooke his sword and cut off his left hand which being done Iosephus returned the captiues to Tiberias and receiued the inhabitants againe into fauour and euer after reteyned it in obedience Vespasian also inuaded this citie at such time as he vndertooke his expedition against Ierusalem as it appeareth in Iosephus lib. de bello Iuda cap. 16. but the inhabitants fearing his greatnesse willingly submitted themselues to his power and opened him the gates going forth of the citie to meet him with great humilitie giuing him and his whole armie entertainment into the citie receiuing him with musick and songs and with great acclamations and shouts calling him their Sauiour and protector which kind of courtesies the Emperour tooke very louingly and in token of thankefulnesse for this kindenesse hee commanded his souldiers after they had broken downe a great part of the wall vpon the South side that they should abstaine from all manner of rapine and violence so that he continued there peaceably and went away peaceably This citie to this day as Borchardus the Monke saith is a faire towne scituated to the longitude vpon the shore of the said sea there beeing vpon the South side many wholesome bathes and springs and there are to be seene also many great ruins of decayed buildings The land also round about is very pleasant and fertile abounding with Palme trees Vines Oliues and Figs. This city in antient time was scituated in the Tribe of Issachar Of Tyrus or Zor THis was the chiefe citie of Phoenicia distant from Ierusalem 100 miles towards the North. It was first builded by the citisens of Zidon because of a sedition that hapned in that Citie 240 yeares before the Temple of Solomon as Iosephus saith just in the place where at this day the ruins of antient Tyre are to be seene But after it began to grow famous which was about such tims as Troy was destroled King Angenor remoued it to a rocke which stood in the heart of the Mediterranean sea compassed about therewith like an Island Ezek. 26. and bestowed great cost in fortifying and building it It stood round compassed with strong walls beautified with goodly buildings and fairely scituated for the entertainement of shippes for which puprose on euery side there were many safe hauens and harbours made It was but a small towne almost three miles about and two miles wide yet the great Mart Towne in those parts for Merchants resorted thither from all the three parts of the World Europe Asia and Africa as well for the vttering as buying commodities and was made so much the more famous because of the scituation and strength It stood distant from the land of Phoenicia almost two miles vpon which continent they had obtained a portion of land for the maintenance of the citie containing 19000 paces in compasse The citizens also being greatly inriched because of their trafficke built vp many faire cities and townes in more remote parts which was added to their jurisdiction as Leptis Vtica rnd Carthage scituated in Africa They also built Cades which at this day is called Caliz as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 19. beeing scituated in a very faire Island in the Mediterranian sea not far from Hercules pillars insomuch as the citizens of this towne hauing thus inlarged their command and increased their substance In euery place they called themselues Princes and tooke vpon them to weare scarlet and purple which colours in that place aboue all other colours were most artificially dyed And because
punishing hand of God as wel by the inuasion of Enemies as sickenesse and dearth according to the predictions of the Prophets Esay 28. and Ezek. 28. vntil at last in succeeding ages it was vtterly destroyed the ruins of which city remain to this day and make euident that it was a faire and spatious towne There is to be seen yet to this day a city built out of the ruines of the former though nothing so large as it very strong mightily fortified so that it seemeth almost inuincible if it haue men wherewith to defend it Vpon the one side it ioyneth to the sea and vpon the other side of it there standeth two mighty strong castles one of them scituated toward the North vpon a very strong â—ock as it were in the heart of the sea the which was built by cerâ—ain Pilgrims that came out of Germany to visit the holy city of â—erusalem The other of them was scituated vpon a hill toward the South of the city as well fortified and no lesse difficult to be conquered These two castles with the whole city in times past were in the hands of the Knights templers The land round about it is very pleasant and fertile abounding with all kinde of good things necessarie for the maintenance of life and delight There is also found great aboundance of Grapes which are very delicious and pleasant to the tast wherof the wine Canamella is made But because the Turkes and Saracens are inhibited by the strict law of their Alcaron from drinking of wine therefore they suffer no vineyards to be planted neither the inhabitants to dresse those Vines that grow naturally Before the East gate of the antient city which now lies destroied there is built a Chappel in which place they say the woman of Canaan entreated our Sauior Christ to cast a Diuell out of her daughter Mat. 15. The mountain Antilibanus beginneth close by the riuer Eleutherius and extends it selfe beyond Tripolis and in some places it ioyneth so close to the sea that for the streightnesse of the wayes those that trauel that way can scarse passe In this city was the fairest purple in all those parts nay as some Authors affirme the like was not to be found in the world c. Of Cana Syro-Phoenicea THis towne which was called Cana the Great was scituated vpon the borders of Tyrus and Sydon 112 miles from Ierusalem Northward scituated in the Tribe of Ashur 4 miles from Sydon towards the South and three from Sarepta towards the East In this towne the Syrophoenician dwelt that besought our Sauior Christ to heale her daughter that was possessed of a diuel Mat. 15. Mar. 7. It was called Cana to put a difference betweene it and another Cana scituated in Galile the lower in which city our Sauior Christ turned water into wine You may reade more of this towne before Of Trachonitis THis city was so called from the stony hardnes of the mountains of Gilead which compasse it in vpon the East side in which prouince the tribe of Gad and the halfe tribe of Manasses inhabited It was in antient times called Basan in which Og the mighty Gyant had a great command but Moses ouercame him and gaue the land to the tribe of Gad and the half tribe of Manasses In Christs time the Tetrarch and gouernour of it was Philip who was son to Herod the Great and brother to Herod Antipas Tetrach in Galile and Petraea which Herod tooke to wife Herodia whom his brother Philip had formerly maried the said Philip beeing at that time aliue but because Iohn Baptist reprehended him for that fact therefore at her request he was beheaded in the Castle of Machera Itura was another Prouince belonging to the tetrarchy of Philip ioyning vpon the West to the riuer of Iordan and called Galile of the Gentiles of which you may reade before Of Decapolis THis country is so called of ten cities that were scituated in it It stood beyond Iordan and the sea of Galile as may be gathered out of Mark ca. 7. and Mat. 15. So that it is manifest that that country which in times past was called Gilead was afterward known and called by the name of Decapolis because of the ten cities which stood there as Chorazin which Christ cursed Mat. 11. Gamala where Agrippa King of the Iewes was hurt in his right arme Ios de bell Iud. lib. 4. cap. 1. Iuliades built by Herod Antipas in honor of the Empresse Iulia. Gadara where our Sauior Christ cast out the legion of diuels suffering them to enter into the herd of swine Mat. 8. Mar. 5. Astaroth the chiefe citie of that Countrey in the time of Og King of Basan Ios cap. 12. Here also that holy man Iob sometimes had his dwelling Iabes in Gilead where Saul King of Israel lieth buried 1 Sam. 31. Mizpah where Ieptha offered his daughter for a sacrifice to the Lord Iudg. 11. Ramoth in Gilead where King Ahab was slaine with a Dart 1 Reg. 22. And Abel of the Vines where Baalams Asse spake Num. 22. These are those ten cities whereof this country is called Decapolis being scituated in the land of Gilead betweene Iordan where our Sauior healed the man that was both blind and deafe Mark 7. This opinion exactly agreeth with that of the holy scripture Yet I know there are some as Plin. lib. 5. cap. 18. and others who differ from this in the description of this countrey but they erre from the truth Of Magdala THis was a city scituated vpon the West side of the Galilean sea 52 miles from Ierusalem Northward in which Country Mary who of this town was called Magdalen was borne At this time this city is called by the name of Castle Magdala in which place they shew the house of Mary Magdalen Vpon the West and North side of the city there lieth a great and spatious plain preserued only for pasture which Mar. cap. 8. calls Dalmanutha that is Drawn dry or a poore and naked habitation being deriued of Dalal He hath made dry and Maon a House or dwelling place It may be a notable figure of the Christian Church which in this world may rightly be said to haue a poore habitation but yet is a right Magdala that is a strong and impregnable Tower against which the gates of Hell shall not be able to preuaile Matt. 16. Vpon the borders of Magdala and Dalmanutha the Pharisees and Sadduces tempting our blessed Sauior Christ demanded of him a signe from heauen Mat. 15.16 Mar. 8. This city belonged to the tribe of Issacher Of Thabor MOunt Thabor was a round and high hill vpon which our blessed Sauior Christ was transfigured scituated vpon the borders of the tribes of Issacher Zebulon fifty two miles from the City of Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it selfe toward the South to the riuer Kison Heere Deborah and Barack discomfited the Host of Sisera King of the Canaanites and put them to flight Iug. 4. Of this mountain
Because as Onuphrius saith in Comment fast lib. 2. also Euseb lib. 2. cap. 22. and Tertul cont Marcion Peter and Paul in the 35 yeare after the resurrection of Christ and vpon the third day of the Calends of Iuly C. Fonteius Capitonius C. Iulius Rufus being then Consuls of Rome were crowned with the Wreath of martyrdome and with their bloud sealed the truth of the Gospel But there are others of opinion that Peter neuer came at Rome but that he was crucified at Ierusalem by King Agrippa's command others say at Babylon But because it is a thing doubtfull and not greatly materiall I leaue it to the Readers consideration ¶ Of the Townes and places to which he trauelled Of Samaria BEcause I haue before briefly intreated of the beginning and foundation of this city I shal not need here againe to repeat it I will now therefore shew the end of it which was principally caused by the obstinacie of the inhabitants who refusing the doctrine and prophecy of Elias and Elizeus imbraced and followed strange gods and offered incense vnto idols whereby the wrath of God was kindled against them insomuch that hee left this goodly city as a prey to the Gentiles and forreine nations that carried the people thereof into captiuitie where for a long time they remained in great miserie After the first desolation because the countrey round about this citie was very fertile and pleasant abounding with springs riuers vines oliue gardens mountaines fruitfull valleyes faire cities and strong castles and townes Herod Ascalonites that great King of the Iewes who put to death the innocent children reedified it set vp many goodly buildings beautified with marble pillars and pleasant walkes and also in the circuit of the Kings house and vnder the buildings of the nobilitie in the common Market place the houses and vaults were supported with marble pillars according to the maner of the Iewes The pallace callled the K. house stood in the midst of the citie vpon the top of the mountain and round about it there were diuers other buildings set vp but much lower euen about the descent of the mountaine yet so scituated that the inhabitants might see out of their houses the country round about Then close to the pallace in the vpper part of the citie he caused a temple to be built in honor of Augustus Thus hauing finished the inside he compast it about with a mighty wall and vpon that placed many turrets then to flatter Augustus called it by the name of Sebasten which among the Grecians signifies Augustum venerabile principem now although this citie was very glorious and spatious in those times for it was three miles about yet at this day it is vtterly ruined destroied insomuch that there is not a house standing two Churches only excepted which were built in honour of S. Iohn Baptist and the chief of these which was the Cathedrall Church the Saracens haue conuerted to their vse so that at this day Mahomet is worshipt in it In this stood the Sepulchre of S. Iohn Baptist cut out in marble like the sepulchre of Christ where as Hierom saith he lieth buried between Elisha Obediah the Prophets This church stands vpon the side of the mountaine in the descent The Saracens do principally reuerence S. Iohn Baptist next after Christ and they affirm the virgin Mary to haue conceiued by the holy Spirit and not by the seed of man That S. Iohn was the greatest prophet except Christ that euer was They also beleeue Christ to be the son of God but not to be equall with God Yet they prefer Mahomet before both because they hold him a messenger sent of God not vnto all men but onely vnto the Saracens and Turks and their subiects The other Church which stood in Samaria was vpon the top of the mountain which somtimes the Kings palace stood In this Church in times past there dwelt certain Grecian Monks which were Christians and entertained Christian Pilgrims with great humanitie and furnished them with many necessaries But the city of Samaria it selfe hath bin so often ouerthrown and brought to such extreme miserie that almost all the ground where it stood is at this time conuerted into an Olive garden So that as that wicked King Ahab turned the Vineyard of Naboth which stood close by his house into an olive garden so God in his singular justice hath turned the palace of that King the whole city wherein he dwelt which was the strength of his kingdome into an olive garden There are not so many ruins found through all the land of Iudaea though there haue bin many worthy cities destroyed as are in this place at this day The scituation of this city was very beautifull for a man might haue seen from it to the sea of Ioppa and Antipatris also to Caesarea Palestina thorow al the mountain of Ephraim to Ramatha Sophim so to mount Carmel and the city of Ptolomais Of Lidda THis city was scituated not far from Ioppa vpon the shore of the Mediterranian sea 20 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward In this city Peter healed Aeneas who had bin sick 8 years of the palsie At this day there is nothing to be seen but the Church of S. George who was beheaded by the Emperour Dioclesian for professing the Christian faith The Grecians call this town Diospolis i. an holy Town And the Turks account S. George for a valiant Knight and holy man Of Caesarea Strato THis city was scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranian sea some 32 miles from Ierusalem Northward in antient time it was called Strato being first built by Strato King of Sydon But time hauing decayed a great part of it Herod Ascalonita repaired it and made it a goodly thing calling it Caesarea after the name of Augustus Caesar And that ships might lie at anchor there without danger he caused to be builded a fair hauen to oppose the violence of the sea This hauen was so wonderfully contriued and set vp at such a great charge that it was admirable to looke vpon for he laid the foundation of it twenty yards vnder water burying in the Deepe stones of an extraordinarie greatnesse some fifty foot long eight foot thicke and ten foot broad and many of them more The Hauen it selfe was beautified with faire buildings and goodly Walkes supported with marble Pillars and mounted vp aloft so that you might see the ships as they were vpon the sea and made way to this harbor The entrance into it was vpon the North at the mouth thereof there stood three mighty Colosses vpon marble pillars Hee also placed vpon the wall of the City towards the Hauen mighty Towers the chiefest and fairest of which he dedicated to Drusus Augustus his son in law and called it by the name of the Drusian tower The buildings that ioyned to this Hauen were all of white polished marble and the streets of the City were directly towards it Also
then closeth vp againe so that it can find no passage out it striueth with continuall motion to make way through the earth by which meanes the earth trembleth and shaketh and looke how much the deeper these vaults are vnder the earth so much the more violent are the Earthquakes by which means cities are oftentimes vtterly ouerthrowne and ruined sometimes the earth sinketh and ponds and riuers are swallowed vp It was at first called Diospolis that is the city of Iupiter then Rhoas and lastly it obtained the name of Laodicea And although at the beginning it was but a small town yet by reason of the fertilitie of the soile and pleasant scituation it of a sudden became a faire citie beautified with many faire and goodly houses wherein there dwelt many wealthie citizens so that for their nobilitie and worthinesse it was accounted the most famous towne in all Asia Here Hiero dwelt who diuided his inheritance among the citizens and ouer and aboue he gaue them two thousand talents of gold besides many other gifts and gratuities to adorne and beautifie the citie After him there liued Zeno the Orator and Polemon his sonne who for his noble acts was first by Antonio and then by Augustus Caesar honored with the dignitie of a King as Strabo witnesseth lib. 12. This Laodicea Colossis and Hieropolis where the Apostle Philip was crucified were sunk by an earthquake about the tenth yeare of Nero and a little before the Martyrdome of Paul There were three cities called after this name that is this which stood in Caria to which Paul neuer came as appeareth in the second chapter to the Collossians a second stood in Phrigia where Paul wrote his Epistle to Timothy and a third in Syria neere ro Antiochia Seleucia and Apamea The Trauels of Philip. THan a little after the martyrdome of Stephen which hapned in the Moneth of Ianuary thirtie and fiue yeares after the natiuitie of Christ Philip which one of the seauen Deacons with Stephen Acts 6. went from Ierusalem to Samaria which was thirtie and two miles and in many Cities of the Samaritans preached the Gospell and did many miracles at which time he conuerted Simon Magus Acts 8. From Samaria he went to Bethzur which was scituated fortie and foure miles towards the South here Philip baptised the Aethiopian who was Queene Candaces Eunuch And suddenly he was taken out of sight by the spirit of the Lord and went to Azotus which was 16 miles From thence preaching in all the cities as he went he came to Caesarea Strato which was 44 miles So all his Trauels were 136 miles Concerning the townes and places mentioned in his Trauels you may reade of them in seuerall places mentioned before The Trauels of the Aethiopian which was Eunuch to Queene Candaces who kept her court in Saba FRom Saba or Meroe in Aethiopia this Eunuch came to Ierusalem which was about 964 miles Acts 4. From Ierusalem he came to the towne of Bethzur which was 12 miles here he was baptised by Philip in the Moneth of Ianuary the next yeare after the resurrection of Christ From thence he returned to Saba in Aethiopia which was 952 miles So all his Trauels were 1928 miles Of Saba THis citie is before mentioned and at this time when the Eunuch came to Ierusalem Candaces gouerned it and a great part of Aethiopia Tiberius Caesar being then Emperour of Rome Shee was a very warlike woman but blinde of one eie as Strabo saith lib. 16. and Plin. lib. 6. cap. 29. In whose time the citie Saba was called Meroe and the Queenes for many successions Candaces because of the worthinesse of those Queenes which had beene of that name This woman was very well beloued of her subjects and was very gratious towards them as Suidas saith To this Queene the Eunuch which Philip baptised was chiefe Steward and no doubt spread the Christian faith in many places of those parts An Introduction to the Trauels of Saint Paul NOw before I enter vpon the Trauels of the Apostle Paul I though it fit to make a collection of all the Countries Islands and Cities wherein he taught so that they which are skilfull in Geometrie or Cosmographie might discerne their Longitudes Latitudes and seuerall distances according to the degrees and scruples hereafter following Townes in Italy  Long. Latit Rome 36.40 41.40 Puteoli 39.50 41.00 Naples 39.10 41.00 Capua 40.00 41.00 Brundusia 42.30 39.40 Regium 39.50 38.15 Townes in Graecia Constantinople 56.00 43.05 Neapolis 51.15 41.40 Philippi 50.45 41.45 Amphipolis 50.00 41.30 Apollonia Mygdoniae 49.30 40.30 Thessalonica 49.50 39.50 Athens 52.45 37.15 Corinthus 51.15 36.55 Ceâ—chera 51.20 37.00 Cities in Syria Antiochia 69.30 35.30 Seleucia 69.25 35.40 Sydon 67.15 33 30 Tyrus 67.00 33 20 Ptolomais 66.50 32.58 Caesarca Stratonis 66.16 23.25 Ioppa 66.40 32.06 Ierusalem 66.00 31.55 Damascus 60.55 30.00 Cities in Asia minor Thrasia 67.40 36.50 Attalia 62.15 36.30 Perga 62.15 36.56 Antiochia Pisidiae 62.30 39.00 Laodicea Phrigiae 63 40 39.40 Lystra 64.00 39.00 Iconium 64.30 38 45 Derbe 64.20 38 15 Calcedon 56.05 43.05 Nicea 57.00 41.40 Cities in Asia Ilium 55.30 41.00 Troada 55.25 40.40 Assus 56.00 40.15 Pergamus 57.25 39.45 Philadelphia 59.00 38.50 Sardis 58.20 38.15 Ephesus 57.40 37.40 Thyatira   Smyrna 58 25 38.25 Myletus 58.00 37.90 Halicarnassus 57.50 36.10 Gnydus 57.10 35.30 Patara 60.30 36.00 Mira 61.00 36.40 Hycropolis 60.00 38.15 Cities in Aegypt Alexandria 60.30 31.00 Memphis Alcayre 61.50 29.50 Hermopolis magna 61.40 28.55 Jslands Ciciliae ciuitatis Siracusa 39.30 37.15 Malta 38.45 34.50 Corsica 45.40 38.15 Creta 45.00 34.45 Clauda 52.20 34 00 Salamis 50.00 37 00 Enbea 43.40 38.15 Andros 55.00 37.12 Samathrocua 52.30 41.15 Mithilena 55 40 39 20 Chius 59.20 38.25 Trogylion 57 15 37 40 Pathmos 57.00 37.35 Cous 57.00 36.25 Rhodus 58.30 35.40 Raphus cypri 64.10 35.05 Salamais cypri 66.20 35.10 The Trauels of the holy Apostle S. Paul with an axact annotation of the times PAul was borne at Tarsus in Cicilia about the tenth yeare of the natiuitie of our Sauiour and was neere about the age of S. Iohn the Euangelist as the circumstances of Histories doe declare After he grew to some bignesse he was sent by his parents from thence to Ierusalem being 304 miles where he had not beene long brought vp with Gamaliel which signifies The recompence of God Acts 22. but he became the Disciple of Simon the just Luke 2. Acts 5. This Paul was of the Tribe of Benjamin Phil. 2. 2 Cor. 11. and being yet but a young man he was one of those that kept the garments of the holy Martyr S. Stephen who was stoned about the end of the foure and thirtieth yeare after the natiuitie of Christ Acts 1. at which time also S. Iohn the Euangelist was but foure and twentie yeares of age If therefore you would obserue the age of the Apostle Paul in this following discourse of his Trauels deduct ten from the yeres after the natiuitie of our
a faire and goodly city wherein is to be seen 23 Churches and is inhabited both by Christians Iews and Turks as Sebastian Munster saith but the greatest number is Iews who are partly merchants partly of other trades their number in this place as it is said by some of their own nation is 14000 and they haue 80 synagogues but they are constrained to weare yellow wreaths about their heads the Christians blew the Turks white There are many Iewes also in Constantinople and Adrianople but in no place more than in this town which is now called Salonica Of Berraea THis is a city of Macedon scituated vpon the riuer of Halakmon 960 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward In this city the Iewes stirred vp a great tumult and sedition against the Apostle Paul Acts 17. At this day it it is called Voria Of Athens THis was the most famous City of all Grecia the mother of Arts and a bountifull nourisher of large and mighty Colonies in that part of Achaia called Acte or Attica It was scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranian sea 720 miles from Ierusalem Westward It tooke name from a Diuine knowledge for the word is deriued of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. the minde of God It was first built by Cecrops fiue yeares before Moses fled out of Egypt into the land of the Midianites and of him called Cecropia This Cecrops was the first King thereof and there succeeded him at least 40 both famous worthy princes But after it was called Mopsonia of Mopsus K. of Thessaly and after Ionia which name it held for a while and lastly Athens dedicated to Pallas which goddesse the Grecians say was born of the brain of Iupiter which name it held a long time after There liued in this city Solon Socrates Plato Aristotle Demosthenes and many other excellent Philosophers It was scituated vpon a faire and strong Rocke beautified with many goodly Temples and buildings but principally that of Minerva was most sumptuous in which there hung a great number of Lampes which gaue a continuall light There was also the Monasterie of the holy Virgins and the image of Pallas made all of white Ivorie very curious and costly There were many Schools Colledges and pleasant gardens in which Philosophers vsed to walk and it abounded with sweet and delectable musick and with great resort of Merchants and Schollers To conclude in those times it was the most notable city in the world Moreouer there were many profitable hauens for the receit of ships but that which was called Piraeum exceeded being capable to receiue 40 * As some say 400. ships beautified with many goodly buildings in compasse two miles fortified with seuen walls and ioyning to the city wherof Terence writeth in Eunuch Act. 3. Scen. 4 At this day it is called Porto Lini fortified with two wals foure miles in length extending to the hill Munichya the syrname of Diana being compassed in the figure of a Chersonesse so ioyned to the city of Athens In which distance there are two other hauens besides that of Piraeum In this Iupiter had a magnificent Temple and in it were found many artificiall tables pictures and grauen images all which are at this day destroied and carried away It hath beene three times destroyed first by Xexes and Mardonius which happened in the yeare before Christ 479. Then by Lysander who broke downe an hundred paces of the wall and almost vtterly destroyed their ships and broke downe the hauen of Peraea It was also sore oppressed by the Romans and they also brake downe their hauen and burnt their shippes but spared the towne and held it in great estimation But it was the third time ouerthrowne and vtterly destroyed by the Turks who both changed the place and name of the city after it had flourished 3113 yeares At this day it is diuided into three parts and called by the name of Sethina because of the varietie of the inhabitants that liue in it being very well peopled and a faire and spatious City but much altered from that it was in times past For although before it was the very mother of eloquence and glory of Attica yet at this day it is so much altered that their language is base and their glory is eclipsed The vppermost part of the city where formerly the temple stood dedicated to the vnknown God is now wholly and absolutely in the hands of the Turkes in which they haue built a strong and almost inuincible Castle which hath the command of the rest of the towne The second and middle part of the towne is all inhabited by Christians In the third there standeth a fair and goodly Palace supported with marble pillars and adorned with goodly workes In this part of the City there inhabiteth people of diuers sects and conditions And heere also is the seat of a Metropolitane who hath vnder him many Bishops So that God doth support and maintaine his Church euen amongst the enemies thereof for there ate four Patriarks in Turky to which al the other Christian Metroplitans and Bishops are subiect viz. the Patriarch of Alexandria Constantinople Antiochia and Ierusalem Paul was the first man that preached the Gospell of Christ in this city and conuerted many citisens but especially Dionysius the Areopagite who dwelt vpon a promontory without the city and as it seems was one of the principal Iudges and gouernors of the town for after he had taught publiquely in the towne had disputed against the Iewes and Philosophers concerning Christ they supposing him to be a busie fellow and one worthy of death as a disturber of the common peace brought him before this Dionysius that so by his iudgement he might receiue condign punishment for his offence But S. Paul so well behaued himselfe and preached with such admirable eloquence and learning that hee not only confuted his enemies but among others conuerted this Dionysius Areopagitus who was afterwards the first Bishop of Athens as Euseb saith lib. 4. cap. 23. and went captiue with Paul to Rome and from thence to Paris in France where he suffered martyrdome vnder Dionysius the Emperor Of Corinthia COrinthus is a famous city in Grecia scituated in Peloponessus a pleasant countrey of Achaia ioyning to the continent of Grecia like an Isthmus or Peninsula distant from Ierusalem 760 miles towards the West commonly called Corantha built as Eusebius saith by Sisiphus sonne of Aeolus at such time as Ioshuah gouerned Israel who was a mighty Pirat At first it was but a castle and called after his name Sisiphyus but after because of the strength of the place and pleasant scituation it became a faire towne and called by the name of Corcyra as Strabo faith then Ephym of Ephyra who was a faire and goodly Nymph and Queen of that place Now although euen in those times it was held in great estimation yet it became much wasted and decayed through the continuance of time vntill