is a Mountain of the Idumaeans eighty eight miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east and is derived 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 upon the Borders of Iudaea and Arabia Petraea hearing that Aaron was dead invaded the Iews with a great Army discomfited them and took some of them Captives But after the Israelites to revenge this injury took and destroyed divers Cities which belonged to the Canaanites and put the Citizens 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 pitch't their Tents being 80 miles from Ierusalem to the South-east and took the name from shades or little sheds under which the Israelites dwelt for Zalmona seems a compound of Zel and Mun which signifies a shady place and seems to have affinity with Manah to distribute here and there Of Phunon THIS was a City of the Idumaeans scituated in the Wilderness of Arabia Petraea 64 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east and takes the name from a fair and flourishing City For Panan in Hebrew signifies an high Pinacle from whence one might see all Parts of the World Here Moses set up the brasen Serpent Of Oboth THIS was the thirty seventh Mansion of the Israelites in the Wilderness and was fifty six miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east and signifies a Serpent called Python Here the Arabians received an answer from the Devil by way of Conjuration Of Igim THIS was the thirty eighth Mansion of the Israelites so called because of the multitude which were assembled near to a Mountain called Abariâ 52 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east for Igim signifies a Congregation Of Dibân Gad. THIS was the thirty ninth Station of the Israelites in the Desart being fifty two miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east neer to the Floud Zared bordering upon the Idumaeans and Moabites running from thence into the Red Sea and as it seems taketh name from descending into a strong place Of Almon Diblathaim THis place stands beyond the Red Sea some forty miles from Ierusalem towards the East and taketh name from a Frail of dried Figs for Alam signifieth he hath hidden and Debeleth A Frail of dried Figs. Here was the fortieth Mansion of the Israelites and lay close by the River Arnon Num. 21. and 23. Of the Mountaines Abarim THese Mountaines lay 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the East and taketh the name from Passing along for Abâr is as much as to say he went along Between these Mountains and the Lake Asphaltites near to the Eastern River of the Dead Sea the Moabites inhabited Of Jahza THis was a City of the Levites the Sons of Merar in the Tribe of Benjamin 24 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Ies. 21. Here Moses overcame 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 pass through his Dominions therefore Moses made War upon him put him to death and gave all his Countrey to the Tribes of Reuben and Gad. This was a Fair Town and after fell to the Levites Num. 21. 33. Deut. 1 2 c. and took its name from Cheschebon which signifies an Artificial understanding for Chaschaf is as much as excogitavit that is he hath found out and Cheschaef is an Artificial and ingenious Work Of Jaezir Jaezir was a City of the Priests in the Tribe of Gad 36 miles from Ierusalem towards the East and in Ieroms time was a small Village and sâgnifies the Lord is my help being derived of Iah that is the Lord God and Ezâer the helper Of Edrie THIS is a City in the Countrey of Gilead beyond Iordan and the Galilean Sea thirty two miles from Ierusalem South-eastward near the Lake of Gaderin where Og the King of Bâsan was overcome by Moses and after fell to the Tribe of Mânâsses Num. 21. Iosh. 13. Deut. 13. S. Ierom saith that in his time this Town was called Adar Og signifieth a Cook or one that baketh Bread upon coals Aâdriae signifies an heap of bright Clouds being derived of Adar and Hi that is a clear heap Of Astoroth THIS was a Metropolitan City of Basan four miles distant from Edrei and 56 from Ierusalem toward the South-east It stood beyond Iordan and belonged to the half Tribe of Manasses of which you may read before in the Travels of Lot Of Pisgah THIS was an high Mountain in the Plain of the Moâbites against Iericho 240 miles from Ierusalem East-ward It took the name from the Cities Pisgâh and Nebo and therefore is called sometimes Pisgah sometimes Nebo Here Moses died Nebo signifies a City of the Prophets Pisgah the top of a Hill The Travels of the Prophet Balaam THERE are many which think that this Prophet Balaam was of the Posterity of Nahor the Brother of Abraham and an Inhabitant oâ Charan in Mesoâotamia Gen. 11. Ioseâhus saith he dwelt near to Euphrates and St. Ierom in a City called Phatura of which there is mention Num. 22. and signifies an obscure Prophet or Oracle which interpreteth For Pathar with the Hebrews is the same that He hath interpreted is with us Wherefore this Prophet travelled from Pithora or Phatura in Mesoâotamia to Abel or the Plain of Vines where his Ass spake Num. 22. which is 400 miles From thence he went to the Land of the Moabites 40 miles where in the Mount of Peor he blessed the Children of Israel So all the Travels of this Prophet were 440 miles Of the Plain of the Vines THere is often mention of this place in the Scripture and for the fertility of the Countrey and plenty of sweet Wines there was a beautiful City built called Abel of the Vines some 56 miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward and was placed just in the way as they went from Mesopotamia into the Countrey of the Moabites Whereby it appeareth that near to this place the Ass spake to Balaam Numb 22. In Ierom's time there was found a little Village so called where there was great plenty of Vines Here Ieptha overcame the Ammorites and made a great slaughter Iudg. 11. The Travels of that Noble Captain Joshuah JOSHVAH and Caleb travelled with Moses from Raemsis out of Aegyât through the Red Sea and came to Kades-Barnea 268 miles From Kades-Barnea they were sent forth with other Spies to the Land of Canaan Num. 13. and went out of the wilderness of Zin and Paran and came to the Town of Rechob in Galilee 140 miles From thence they went to the Town of Hamath in Syria which was after called Antiochia 188 miles From Hamath or Antiochia they returned again to Hebron 304 miles where upon the side of the River Escol they cut off a Bunch of Grapes with the stalk
ITINERARIVM TOTIUS Sacrae Scripturae OR THE TRAVELS OF THE Holy Patriarchs Prophets Judges Kings Our Saviour CHRIST and his Apostles as they are related in the OLD and NEW TESTAMENTS WITH A Description of the Towns and Places to which they travelled and how many English miles they stood from Ierusalem Also a short Treatise of the Weights Monies and Measures mentioned in the Scriptures reduced to our English Valuations Quantity and Weight Collected out of the Works of HENRY BVNTING and done into English by R. B. LONDON Printed by I. Harefinch for T. Basset at the George in Fleet-street near St. Dunstan's Church MDCLXXXII To the Right Honourable Sr. Hen. Mountague KNIGHT Lord Chief Justice of the KINGS Majesties BENCH IT is a true Saying of the Philosopher Right Honourable and my very good Lord That there is nothing wherein there is Life but it hath either Motion or Action and such is the condition of Man that a greater measure of both is imposed upon him to humble him than upon many other Creatures The whole course of his Life being compared unto a Pilgrimage in which state a man can presume upon no certain Continuance For as a Traveller that intendeth to finish his Journey stays not in his Inn but desires more to be upon his Way than in his Bed so it is with Man who cannot possess himself in rest from the time of his Birth until his Death and oftentimes is troubled with needless and unprofitable Labours to attain unto his Ends which got both they and he perish Let Alexander that great Emperour be a president of this who with much Labour having got a great Estate enjoyed it but a short time and you may read in this Treatise with what intolerable pains Antigonus Epiphanes endeavoured to establish his Kingdom to him and yet in the end purchased little but a lamentable Death There is none of the Patriarchs Princes Judges Kings Prophets Apostles or others mentioned in the Scriptures that could make evident in the whole course of their Life any better than a laborious and tedious Pilgrimage With what pains did Abraham wander from Chaldea into the Land of Canaan How was Moses tormented in the Wilderness almost to the loss of his Soul but absolutely never to come into the promised Land And for David how miserably lived he when he could not trust his own Friends This is the state of man and to say truth he differs in little beside Reason from other Creatures and that either lock'd up in silence or not express'd in some memorable Action makes him so much the more capable of Misery being only able to distinguish of Joy and Fear Now that these things may be the more apparent I have endeavoured to collect out of the Works of others this Treatise wherein is briefly described the Travels of all the Patriarchs Iudges Kings Prophets Princes c. together with the condition of Cities Countreys Islands and other memorable places as they are mentioned in the Old and New Testaments All which that I might express that Duty which hath a long time lain concealed I have wholly dedicated to your Lordships Service humbly intreating your favourable Acceptance of my Pains that so being shrouded under your Honour's Protection they may the better withstand the adverse Opinions of such as please to censure them At your Honour's Service R. B. The Preface to the Reader IT hath always been held a matter worth note gentle Reader even to the best Divines to have the Typographical description of the Towns and Places as they are mentioned in the Scriptures and so much the rather because by comparing the Actions of Men with the beginnings and endings of Cities they might the better understand the Prophets and perceive the wonderful Providence of God who by his Omnipotency so disposeth of Estates that such Cities and Nations which have been mighty and ruled upon the Earth with great Power notwithstanding on a sudden and by unexpected Events have been utterly subverted and overthrown Now that these things might be more apparent I have in as good and brief a method as I can gathered out of sundry Authors the particular Description of the Cities Towns and places as they are mentioned in the Scriptures where they stood under whose command at what time they grew mighty and how lost and decayed To this also I have added a particular Narration of the Travels of all the holy Patriarchs Prophets Princes Iudges Kings Emperours our blessed Saviour and his Apostles to what Towns they travelled what memorable Actions they did in those places with a short Chronology of the times that so by comparing this discourse with any Text of Scripture you may perceive the time when those Accidents happened All which things I am perswaded will prove no less pleasant than profitable and will give a great light to the understanding of the Bible But if you question with me How it is possible that I should come to the knowledge of those things considering that Babylon Niniveh Jerusalem and most of the Cities of the Holy-Land are long since wasted and decayed To this I answer therein consists the greatness of the Travel because I have been constrained to use the help of many Authors who amongst other long and learned discourses have here and there glanced at the Actions that were done in the Land of Judaea amongst which are Strabo Jerom de Locis Hebraicis Plinie Livie Plutarch and many others who have described in the Actions of the Persians Chaldeans Graecians and Romans the State of the Jews as it stood in those times with the Description of the Cities and Towns And Saint Jerom who lived in that Country took a great deal of pains to rectifie these imperfect discourses which more obscure Authors have laboured in and left to future ages that so those which would might by their diligence and care make them useful to inform their understanding both concerning the State of the. Jews and of the obscure meaning of some of the Prophecies Also the scituation and Destruction of Jerusalem a thing pleasant and profitable to know and no whit unworthy your consideration How all or the most part of the Towns Cities Countries Nations Islands Seas Desarts Mountaines and most memorable places are scituated from it how many miles English they stand distant what memorable actions have been done in them and for the most part where they stood and how they are at this day Besides to make this a perfect work you will find after the end of the Old Testament and before the beginning of the New the Discourse concerning the Weights Measures and Monies which are mentioned in the Scriptures reduced unto our Valuation how they were Current among the Jews how with other People Nations and Countries by which means that necessity of commutative Iustice for which Monies were principally invented will be apparent and by this meanes you shall perceive what equality there is and hath been used amongst Nations for
see through all Galilee to Carmel and the Mountains of Phoenicia also to Mount Thabor and the Mountains beyond Iordan called Gilead Of this Town you may read Ios. 17 19. 2 Sam. 2. Of Nobach THis was a City beyond Iordan and stood in the half Tribe of Manasses thirty eight miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward In times past it was called Kenah but after Nobach Prince of the half Tribe of Manasseh had conquered it he called it Nobach Num. 23. and signifieth a Prophet being derived of Nabah or Nabach he hath prophesied or cryed out Of Jogbeha THis Town was built by the Children of Gad and lies beyond Iordan thirty four miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward and taketh the name from the height of the place where it standeth being derived from Gabah which signifieth it excelleth in height Of this you may read Iudg. 8. Numb 32. Of Karkor KArkor is a City in the half Tribe of Manasseh and is scituated beyond Iordan fome 40 miles distant from Ierusalem North-Eastward and taketh the name from Kir which signifies he hath destroyed or subverted the Walls for here the two Kings Zeba and Zalmuna were taken St. Ierom faith in his Book de locis Hebraicis That in his Time it was a fair Town The Typical signification of Gideon THis Gideon whose name signifies to root out destroyed and subverted the Enemies of the Iews so Christ hath destroyed the Kingdom of Sathan and daily rooted out all his impious and wicked members which are Enemies to his Church The Travels of Abimelech the sixth Iudge of Israel GIDEON being dead Abimelech his Son went from Ophra to Sichem which is ten miles and there was chosen by the Citizens to succeed his father in the Government From thence he went back to Ophra which is ten miles and there put to death his seventy Brethren all Sons of Gideon but by divers Concubines for God permitted Bigamie but did not command it From Ophra he went ten miles into the Land of Sichem and there was chosen King about the Year of the World 2712. From Sichem which was the Seat of the Kingdom he went to Ophra being ten miles there he judged Israel three Years After that he went the third time back to the Sichemites which is ten miles but they breaking promise with him for very madness he caused the City to be destroyed and Salt to be Sown in the place that so ever after it might become Barren accursed and unhabitable From Sichem he went with his Host to Thebets or Thebez which is two miles where he was mortally wounded by a woman that flung a stone upon him at the Siege of that Town whereof he died Iudg. 9. So all the Travels of Abimelech were 52 miles Of Thebez THis was distant from Sichem two miles Northward and from Ierusalem thirty eight miles it took the name from Bitzah which signifieth a deep Pond Abimelech took his name from an hereditary Kingdom or rather because he obtained the Kingdom over Israel after his Father and is as much as to say My father is a King because good Princes differ little from good Fathers for Maelaech with the Hebrews signifieth a King Malechah a Queen and Malchech a Kingdom So that this name Abimelech properly signifieth a King or one that is a Father of his People Of the flight of Jotham which was the Brother of Abimelech JOtham signifieth a perfect and swift man being derived from Iatham that is perfect and swift This Man at such time as Abimelech put to death the rest of his Brethren to save his Life fled to Mount Gerizim where he propounded the Riddle mentioned Iudg. 9. And after from thence he went to Beerah where he hid himself from the fury of Abimelech All this was forty four miles Of Mount Gerizim GErizim or Garizim was a Mountain in the Kingdom of the Samaritans and extended it self in the Longitude as far as Iericho near to Mount Hebal In these two Mountains the Blessings and the Cursings were recited of which more shall be said hereafter and it taketh the name from the felling down of Trees being derived from Garaz which signifieth to cut or to fell down here Christ spoke with the Samaritan Iohn 4. Of Beerah BEerah was a Town in the Tribe of Iudah ten miles from Ierusalem Westward Near to this City Iudas Macchabeus fought a memorable Battel against Bacchides and others whom he conquered It taketh the name from a clear Well being derived of Beer that is he hath made clear Of Thola the seventh Iudge of Israel THola takes his Name from a Red Worm or purple Colour which colour is proper to Princes He succeeded Abimelech in the Government of the Iews and began to rule An. Mun. 2715. and 1253 Years before Christ. His Father's name was Puah of the Tribe of Issachar He dwelt in Samir a City of Mount Ephraim not far from Iericho twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North and there he was buried as you may see Iosh. 15. Of Jair the eighth Iudge of Israel JAir succeeded Thola and began his Government in the Year of the World 2738 and 1230 Years before Christ. He took his Name from the singular Worth and noble Disposition that was in him This Iair was one of the Tribe of Manasseh he was lame of both his Feet and was a man of great Estimation among the Iews for there were thirty Castles and Towns that were called after his Name Iudg. 10. Num. 32. Deut. 3. Ios. 13. 1 Chr. 1. He dwelt at Kamon a Town in the Tribe of Gilead some forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East The Travels of Jephthah JEphtha was born at Mizpah in the Land of Gilead and being driven into Exile by his Brothers he 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 Government Anno Mundi 2760. and before Christ 1208 Years Iudg. 11. From Mizpah he went with his Army against the Ammonites to the City of Aroer where he put them to flight which is twenty six miles Iudg. 11. From Aroer he pursued the Enemies to Minneth which is eight miles Iudg. 11. From Minneth he went to the Plain of the Vines which is twenty four miles Iudg. 11. From Abel or the Plain of the Vines he went to Mizpah where he offered his Daughter for a Sacrifice to the Lord Iudg. 11. At that time he and the Ephramites got a memorable Battel in which were slain 22000 Iudg. 12. So all the Travels of Iephthah were 322 miles Of the Cities and Places mentioned in his Travels Of Thob or Tob. THob or Tob to which Iephthah fled is in the half Tribe of Manasses beyond Iordan not far from the Mountain of Antilibanus a hundred and four miles from Ierusalem North-eastward this was a very fair and plentiful Country and therefore called Thob being derived from Thobah which signifieth Good and Rate Of Mizpah MIzpah was
to Mount Olivet for refuge being brought to a streight so Christ upon Mount Olivet his Heart being prest with an intolerable Agony fled to his Father by Prayer for comfort in that extremity Tenthly as all the Friends and Familiars of David forsook him at such time as Absalom rebelled against him and followed him with Persecutions Mocks and Taunts so Christ at such time as Iudas betrayed him into the hands of the Iews was forsaken of all his Followers and many of those which a little before he had done good unto mocked and derided him as he was upon the Cross. Lastly as David was restored notwithstanding the former miseries and troubles to his ancient Glory and Eminency so Christ after he had suffered the due punishment for Sin Death and before that extream Misery yet at length conquered both and by his Divine Power restored himself to his former estate Eternal Glory The Travels of Abner one of Sauls Captains HE went with King Saul from Gibeah to the Wilderness of Ziph which was twenty two miles Here he was rebuked by David for his negligence From thence he returned to Gibeah twenty two miles 1 Sam 31. From thence he travelled to the Hill Gilboa where Saul killed himself forty miles From thence he went to Machanaim where he made Ishbosheth Sauls Son King who kept his Court there seven Years sixteen miles 2 Sam. 2. From thence he went to Gibeon where he slew Asahel Ioabs Brother in Battel which was forty four miles 2 Sam. 2. From thence he went over Iordan to Bythron twenty eight miles From thence he went back to Machanaim sixteen miles 2 Sam. 2. âastly he went thence to Hebron to David and made a Covenant with him where he was treacherously Slain by Ioab and was sixty eight miles So all the Travels of Abner were 256 miles Of Bithron BIthron or Betharan was a Town beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Gad some 28 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward lying between Dibon and Iordan It taketh the name from a House of singing being derived of Baith which signifies a House and Ron He sung joyfully The Travels of Joab David's Captain was the Son of David's Sister for he had two Zerviah and Abigal Zerviah had Ioab Abishai and Asael Abigal had only Amasa all which were great men in King David's time Now when Ioab heard that Abner had brought down his Army to Gibeon he went from Hebron thither which was 24 miles and there his Brother Asahel was slain 2 Sam. 2. From thence he went to Bethlehem 16 miles where he buried his Brother 2 Sam. 2. From thence he returned to Hebron 20 miles Here under the Gates of the City he traiterously killed Abner 2 Sam. 3. From thence he went with David to Ierusalem where he won Sion and drave thence the blind and the lame being 82 miles From thence he went with his Army against the Ammonites and Syrians whom he conquered in a cruel Fight 60 miles 1 Sam. 20. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 60 miles From thence he went with David into Idumaea 160 miles from Ierusalem Southward there he won the Town of Midian and conquered the Idumaeans or Edomites 2 Sam. 8. From thence he returned to Ierusalem with his Army being 160 miles From thence he went and besieged Rabba the Metropolitan City of the Ammonites being sixty four miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Here Vriah was slain 2 Sam. 11. From thence he returned to Ierusalem with King David 64 miles From thence he went into the Kingdom of Gesur which lieth beyond Iordan upon Mount Libanus by the Town of Caesarea Philippi some eighty miles from Ierusalem North-eastward This Country was called Trachonites From this Land Ioab brought Absalom again to Ierusalem 2 Sam. 14. From thence he returned back again with Absalom to Ierusalem eighty eight miles From thence he went with David when he fled from his Son Absalom to Machanaim being forty four miles Not far from hence he slew Absalom 2 Sam. 18. From thence he came again with King David to Ierusalem 44 miles 2 Sam. 10. From thence he went to Gibeah where he killed Amasa which was four miles From thence he went to the Town of Abel-Bethmaacha in the Tribe of Naphtali being about 88 miles This Town he straightly besieged From thence he went again to Ierusalem 88 miles Afterward he went as David commanded him to number the People at Aroer a Town beyond Iordan which was 24 miles 2 Sam. 24. From thence he went to Iaezer which is sixteen miles From thence going through the Land of Gilead and passing by the Territories of the lovver Country of Hadsi he came to the Town of Dan near to the place vvhere the Fountains of Iordan are which is accounted 116 miles From thence he went to that famous Mart Town Sidon which was 24 miles From that great Tovvn Sidon he went to the Walls of Tyre to which place great multitudes of Ships resorted which was 16 miles From thence he went toward the South till he came to the City Beersaba which was the utmost Bounds of the Holy Land South-vvestvvard and vvas reckoned 132 miles From thence he returned back to Ierusalem where he delivered to David the number of those that were chosen Souldiers 2 Sam. 24. but the Lord struck the Country and City of Ierusalem with a great Plague because he did contrary to his Command 2 Sam. 24. So all the Travels of Ioab were 1348 miles The Description of the places to which he travelled MAny of those Cities mentioned in the Travels of Ioab are already described and set forth therefore I account it needless in this place again to repeat them but only such Towns as yet have not been mentioned Of Gesur GEsur was a Country near to Caesarea Philippi in the Land of Basan beyond Iordan near Libanus in the Tetrarchy Trachonitides 88 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward With the King of this Country Absalom remained in Banishment for three years space after he had slain his Brother Ammon and with us may be termed the Valley of Oxen 2 Sam. 13. Of Hadsi THE lower Country of Hadsi stood near to the City Corazin in the half Tribe of Manasses fifty two miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east and signifies a new Land being derived of Chadasch that is New Of the Fountain Rogel THIS was near Ierusalem Eastward to which place Ionathan and Ahimaaz David's Intelligencers brought him News of Absalom's Counsels and Intentions 2. Sam. 17. It seemeth that Travellers usually washed their Feet in it from whence it was called the Well of Feet being derived from Raegael signifying a Foot Near to this place was the Stone Zochaeleth where Adonijah at such time as he affected the Kingdom contrary to his Fathers liking called an Assembly and made a great Feast 1 Reg. 1. The Travels of Baena and Rechab THese two went out of the Tribe of Beniamin over Iordon to Machanaim 40 miles There they murthered their Master King Ishbosheth in his Chamber
perfect Phoenix This bird doth lively represent our Saviour Christ who only and alone is the true Messiah and through whom we must expect everlasting life who in the fulness of time offered himself a Sacrifice upon the Cross sustaining the punishment of Sin at the time of his Passion putting on a purple Robe being all be sprinkled with his own bloud Ioh. 19. And as the Phoenix is burnt in her own Nest so likewise was he consumed in the fire of Gods wrath according to that in Psal. 22. My heart is become like melting wax in the midst of my body And as the Phoenix of it self begetteth another of the same kind so Christ by the power of his Deity raised up his Body from the dust of the Earth and ascended up into Heaven a glorious Body to sit at the right hand of his Father in that everlasting Kingdom of Glory Thus gentle Reader I thought fit to describe unto you these two Towns that when you shall read of them in the holy Scripture the one being in Aethiopia towards the South the other in Arabia-Foelix and called Seba you might discern the one from the other of both which there is mention in the 72 Psalm The Kings of the Seas and of the Isles shall bring presents the Kings of Saba and Seba shall give Gifts The Travels of King Pharaoh out of Aegypt when he overcame the Town of Gazer 1 Reg. 9. IN the sixteenth year of King David Anno mundi 2906 and before Christ 1602 Chabreus King of Aegypt began to reign and reigned fifty six years Diod. lib. 2. cap. 2. Herodotus calleth this man Chephrines in his second book and Eusebius Nepher Cherres He went from Memphis the chief City of Aegypt with a great Army 268 miles even unto the Tribe of Ephraim and there took Gazer a City of the Levites and burned it with fire I Reg. 8. Ios. 21. After he came to Ierusalem twenty eight miles And this City which he had thus destroyed he gave to his Daughter the Wife of Solomon 1 Reg. 9. From thence he returned to Memphis in Aegypt 244 miles So all the Travels of King Pharaoh were 244 miles Of Memphis MEmphis is a great City in Aegypt where commonly the Kings of that Countrey keep their Courts and lyeth from Ierusalem 244 miles Soââh-west-ward This City was built a little before the Flood but repaired and enlarged by a King called Ogdoo who in love of his Daughter after her Name called it Memphis You may read 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 Idolatry into Aegypt but Aegypt shall gather them up and 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 fertility and pleasantness of the Country as you may read Esay 19. The Princes of Zoan are become foolish and the Princes of Noph or of Memphis are deceived See also Ierom 2. 44. 46. Ezech. 30. in which places you may find it called after this name Zoan is the City Tanis where Moses wrought all his Miracles But Noph or Moph is this Memphis a beautiful Town large and spacious scituated in the strongest and profitablest place in Aegypt divided into two parts by the River Nilus so that any kind of commodities or merchandize might with ease be brought thither by Water for which cause the Kings of that Country for the most part kept their abiding there Strabo saith lib. 17. that upon the East part of this City there standeth a Tower or Castle called Babylon built by certain Babylonians who leaving their own Country by the permission of the Kings of Aegypt 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 Babylon through both which viz. Memphis and Babylon Nilus passed the one standing upon the East side the other upon the West Zoan or Tanis stood about some four miles from this Town and was a fair and spacious City also scituated towards the South upon the East side of Nilus to which the Kings of that Country often resorted and Heliopolis another fair City stood some six miles off that towards the North-East All these four Towns were so wonderfully inhabited by reason of their pleasant and profitable scituation that in process of time they became all one City and in this Age is called Alcaire containing in Circuit sixty miles so that it seemeth to Spectators to be like a Country replenished with nothing but fair Houses goodly Churches and strong Towers exceeding all the rest of the Cities of Aegypt as well for the beautifulness of the place as the extent and largeness of it It is reported that in the year of our Lord 1476 there was such an extreme Pestilence in it that there dyed 20000 a day from whence may be gathered how infinitely it is peopled Near to this Town stood the Pyramides which are held to be 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 twenty years a building a hundred thousand Workmen employed 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 excessive charge they were that set them up Of Gazar This City is described in the Travels of Solomon The Travels of Hadad King of Idumaea WHen David conquered Idumaea Hadad the King of that Country with some few of his Courtiers being then but young fled from Midian to Paran the Metropolitan City of Arabia Petraea which was 84 miles 1 Reg. 11. But because he thought himself scarce safe in that place he fled thence to Cheopes that impious and Tyrannical King of Aegypt that built the greatest of the three Pyramides at Memphis He hating King David gave him kind entertainment assigned him a part of the Kingdom of Aegypt to dwell in and after married him with his Sister Taâhpenes by whom he had a Son called Genubath who was brought up in Pharaohs or King Chopes Court where he continued all the Life of David being twenty seven years 120 miles David being dead he returned into his own Kingdom of Idumaea which was 200 miles From thence he went back to Damascus which was 240 miles where he was created King of the Syrians by Reson and other fugitives which had conspired against Solomon by which means he grievously troubled that Kingdom and became an utter Enemy to the Israelites all the Life of Solomon And of him is the original and stock of the Kings of Syria So all the Travels of Hadad were 644 miles Of Midian and Paran you may read before in the one dwelt Iethro Moses
Son King he returned back again to Babylon 680 miles About three Months after he went the third time back to Ierusalem 680 miles for he feared Iechonias would rebell and revenge the death of his Father Ioachim 2 Kin. 24. In the eighth year of his Reign he took Iechonias Mardoche and 3000 other Iews of the Nobility and carried them captive to Babylon which was 680 miles 2 Kin. 2. Chr. 36. Est. 2. Nine years after he came the fourth time to Ierusalem being 680 miles and besieged the City because of the Impiety and Rebellion of Zedekiah King thereof During this Siege he took divers Towns but chiefly Lachis and Aseka Ier. 34. But when he understood that Pharaoh was coming with an Army out of Egypt to rescue Zedekiah he raised his Camp and went about eighty miles into the Countrey of Egypt which Pharaoh hearing was abashed and turned back again In the absence of this Emperour Ieremy the Prophet being then within the City having foretold the Destruction thereof would have fled thence for his better safety into the Tribe of Benjamin but by the way he was taken in the Gate of Benjamin and cast into Prison Ier. 7. Within a while after according to the Prophecy of Ieremy Nebuchadnezzar returned out of the Desart of Sur whither he went to meet the Aegyptians being eighty miles and utterly destroyed the City of Ierusalem carrying thence the Vessels and Ornaments of the Temple to Babylon 2 Kin. 25. 2 Chr. 36. From Ierusalem he went to Riblah in the Tribe of Naphtaly eighty miles where he put out Zedekia's eyes and kill'd his Children 2 Kin. 25. From Riblah he carried Zedekiah to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserably in Prison 2 Kin. 25. Afterward Nebuchadnezzar went with his Army from Babylon to Tyrus which he won and pittifully wasted with Fire and Sword according to the Prophecy of Ezekiel cap. 26. being 600 miles From Tyrus he went to Aegypt and passed 480 miles through that Kingdom conquering all the Countries and Provinces as he went along even the Ammonites the Moabites Philistines Idumaeans and Aegypt it self all which Countries he made Tributary to him Isa. 15 16 19. Ier. 46 47 48 49. Ez. 25. 29. From Aegypt he returned to Babel 960 miles From that time till his death he was Emperour of all those Kingdoms In the second year of his Empire Daniel expounded unto him his wonderful Dream under the similitude of an Image setting forth the condition of the four Monarchies of the World Dan. 2. Not long after he caused Sidrack Misack and Abednego to be cast in a Fiery Furnace because they refused to worship the golden Image which he had set up Dan. 3. Also this Nebuchadnezzar for his great Pride and Arrogancy was by God strucken mad and into a deep melancholy in which disease he continued for the space of seven years tied in Bonds and Chains running up and down like a Beast and seeding upon Grass and Roots until he came to understand that God the Governour of Heaven and Earth had the disposing of Kingdoms and Governments giving them to whom he list and again taking them away At the end of which time he was restored again to his understanding and Empire and after beautified the City of Babylon with many goodly Buildings fair Orchards and pleasant places as Iosep. lib. Ant. 10. âaith And when he had reigned forty three years died and was buried by his Father in Babylon An. Mundi 3387. and before Christ 581. So all the Travels of Nebuchadonozor or Nebuchadnezzar were 7892 miles The Description of the Cities and Places that have not as yet been mentioned Of Carchemis THIS was a City in the Country of Syria near Euphrates 400 miles from Ierusalem North-ward and signifies A sacrificed Lamb being derived of Car which signifies a Ram or Lamb and Mosch He hath cut in pieces It may also be taken in the third Conjugation for a Lamb sacrificed to the Idol Chemosch or Chamos the God of Meetings or nightly Salutations Of Pelusio THIS City Peluso was built by Peleus the Father of Achilles from whence it took the name It stands in Egypt some 172 miles from Ierusalem South-westward near to the Gate of Nilus called Pelusiachus where it falleth into the Mediterranean Sea Not far from this City in the Mountain Casius upon the Borders of Arabia-Petraea where the Temple of Iupiter Casius stood is to be seen the Tomb of Pompey the Great beautified and adorned by Adrianus Caesar as Capitolinus saith At this day this City is called by the name of Damiata You may read of it Ezek. cap. 30. Of Tyrus or Zor TYrus signifieth Cheese or to congeal together as Cheese doth of milk something alluding to the Hebrew word Zor signifying to make strait or a Rock having a strait and sharp Edge It was the Metropolitan City of Phoenicia now the Haven or Passage of Sur but in ancient time it was called Sarra Aul. Gel. lib 14. cap. 6. It was scituated upon a very high Rock compassed about with the Mediterranean Sea 100 miles from Ierusalem Northward and a famous Mart Town for all the Holy Land By the description of Ezekiel it seems to have been like unto Venice both in Scituation and Dignity Ez. 27. Ierem. 28. Esay 27. 28. and many other Prophets prophesied against this Town saying Out of the Land of Kithim that is from Macedonia the Destroyer of Tyrus should come As after hapned for Alexander the Great King of Macedon besieged that Town and in the seventh Month after took it for the obtaining whereof he was constrained to fill up the Sea which compassed it about containing 700 Paces and made it firm Land for his Army to pass upon to the Walls of the City In this Country that famous Civilian Vlpian was born as he writeth lib. 1. ff de Censibus And upon the Borders of Tyrus and Sidon Christ cured the Daughter of a Canaanitish Woman of a Devil Mat. 15. Wherefore you shall read more of it in the second Tomb. Of Evil Merodach Emperour of the Babylonians and Assyrians AMilinus Evil-Merodach Son of Nebuchadonosor the Great succeeded his Father An. Mun. 3388. before Christ 580. In the first year of his Reign he set at liberty Iechonias King of Iuda and attributed to him the Title Dignity and Maintenance of a King Iechonias being then fifty five years of age and thirty seven after he had been in Captivity 2 King ult Ier. ult Whence it is concluded by most That this Emperour did also embrace the Doctrine of Daniel concerning the true God as did Nebuchadonosor his Father who had before by publick Edict professed it to the whole State and caused it to be published through his Dominions and therefore shewed favour and mercy toward King Iechonias And from thence it is thought that those which were impious Princes about him called him Amelinus that is the Circumcised being derived of Mol which signifies to circumcise and Evil simple
The Land round about it is very pleasant and fertile abounding with all kind of good things necessary for the maintenance of life and delight There is also found great abundance of Grapes which are very delicious and pleasant to the taste whereof the Wine Canamella is made But because the Turks and Saracens are prohibited by the strict Law of the Alcoran from drinking of Wine therefore they suffer no Vineyards to be planted neither the Inhabitants to dress those Vines that grow naturally Before the East Gate of the antient City which now lies destroyed there is built a Chappel in which place they say the Woman of Canaan intreated our Saviouâ Christ to cast a Devil out of her Daughter Mat. 15. The Mountain Antilibanus beginneth close by the River Eleutherius and extends it self beyond Tripolis and in some places it joyneth so close to the Sea that for the streightness of the wayes those that travel that way can scarce pass In this City was the fairest Purple in all those parts nay as some Authors affirm the like was not to be found in the World c. Of Cana Syro-Phoenicia THIS Town which was called Cana the Great was scituated upon the borders of Tyrus and Sidon 112 miles from Ierusalem Northward scituated in the Tribe of Ashur four miles from Sidon towards the South and three from Sareâta towards the East In this Town the Syroâhoenician dwelt that besought our Saviour Christ to heal her Daughter that was possessed of a Devil Mat. 15. Mar. 7. It was called Cana Syro-Phoenicia to put a diffârence between it and another Cana scituated in Galilee the lower in which City our Saviour Christ turned Water into Wine You may read more of this Town before Of Traconitis THIS City was so called from the stony hardness of the Mountains of Gilead which compass it in upon the East side in which Province the Tribe of Gad and the half Tribe of Manasses inhabited It was in antient times called Basan in which Og the mighty Gyant had a great Command but Moses overcame him and gave the Land to the Tribe of Gad and the half Tribe of Mânâsses In Christ's time the Tetrarch and Governour of it was Philip who was Son to Herod the Great and Brother to Herod Anâipas Tetrarch in Galilee and Petraea which Herod took to Wise Herodia whom his Brother Philip had formerly married the said Philip being at that time alive but because Iohn Baptist reprehended him for that fact therefore at her request he was beheaded in the Castle of Machera Itura was another Province belonging to the Tetrarchy of Philip joyning upon the West to the River of Iordan and called Galilee of the Gentiles of which you may read before Of Decapolis THIS Country is so called of ten Cities that were scituated in it It stood beyond Iordan and the Sea of Galilee as may be gathered out of Mark cap. 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 âen Cities which stood there as Chorazin which Christ cursed Mat. 11. Gamala where Agrippa King of the Iews was hurt in his right arm Ios. de Bell. Iud. lib. 4. cap. 1. Iuliades built by Herod Antipas in honour of the Empress Iulia Gadara where our Saviour Christ cast out the Legion of Devils suffering them to enter into the Herd of Swine Mat. 8. Mar. 5. Astoroth the chief City of that Country 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 slain with a Dart 1 Reg. 22. and Abel of the Vines where Baalam's Ass spake Num. 22. These are those ten Cities whereof this Country is called Decapolis being scituated in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan where our Saviour healed the Man that was born blind and deaf 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 Country but they erâ from the truth Of Magdala THIS was a City scituated upon the West side of the Galilean Sea fifty two miles from Ierusalem Northward in which Country Mary who of this Town was called Magdalen was born At this time this City is called by the name of Castle Magdala in which place they shew the House of Mary Magdalen Upon the West and North-side of the City there lieth a great and spacious Plain preserved only for Pasture which Mark cap. 8. calls Dalmanutha that is Drawn dry or a poor and naked Habitation being derived 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 have a poor 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 prevail Mat. 16. Upon the Borders of Magdala and Dalmanutha the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting our blessed Saviour Christ demanded of him a sign from Heaven Mat. 15. 16. Mar. 8. This City belonged to the Tribe of Issachar Of Thabor MOunt Thabor was a round and high Hill upon which our blessed Saviour Christ was transfigured scituated upon the borders of the Tribes of Issachar and Zebulon fifty two miles from the City of Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it self towards the South to the River Kison Here Deborah and Barak discomfited the Host of Sisera King of the Canaanites and put them to flight Iudg. 4. Of this Mountain you may read Psal. 89. Hos. 4. Ier. 45. There was also a Town called after this Name scituated at the foot of this Mountain where Ziba and Zalmana Kings of the Midianites put to death the Brothers of Gideon Iudges 8. It was a very fruitful and pleasant place Concerning the signification of the name you may read before Egesippus saith That this Mountain is almost four miles in height and that upon the top thereof there is a round Plain almost three miles over in which there grows great plenty of Trees of an admirable Pleasantness and Sweetness amongst which Trees there are many Birds which sing very pleasantly to the great delight of all such as hear them and the Air on the top of it is very pure and pleasant It is the received Opinion That upon the top of this Mountain our Saviour Christ in the presence of Peter Iames and Iohn was transfigured and he spake with the holy Prophets Moses and Elias Mat. 17. Luke 9. which place at this day is compassed about with a great Wall within which is a fair and pleasant Orchard watered with many clear and
very curious but within all of polished Marble and Alablaster guilt with resplendent Gold so artificially that it dazleth the Beholders Eyes There was a certain Florentine who revolted from the Christian Faith and obtained to be chief Governour of this Town in which he erected a strong and beautiful Castle which stood for the Defence of it No man can sufficiently express the Beauty and Glory of this City there is great Traffique and much resort of People to it but especially of Turks Saracens Mamalucks and other kinds of Pagan People who are preferred before the Christians in that Government and although there are many Christians in that place yet they are constrained to endure great Injury by those Barbarians because they are hated even unto the Death and if any of them chance to die they are buried in that place where Paul was converted The Inhabitants shew the place where St. Paul was let down over the Wall in a Basket also the House of Ananias who cured the Blindness of Paul besides many other things that are memorable in that City of which you may read in Sebestian Munster Sebastian Frankus Plin. lib. 5. and many other Authors Of Arabia MAny things are already spoken concerning this Country as the division of the place one called Petraea the other Deserta and the third Foelix Arabia Petraea is so called from the metropolitan City thereof called Petra which is scituated forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South and bordereth upon Egypt and India It is also called Arabia Nabathea as you may read before Paran and Sur are a part of it compassing towards the East the Land of Iudaea and so extendeth to Damascus This Country is very full of Rocks and Stones the chief City Petra being scituated upon a Rock of which it taketh the Name Here standeth the Mountains Horeb and Sinai here the Children of Israel travelled when they went out of Egypt here is the Sardonix Stone found and the People of this Country in times past were great Prophets and Astrologians here also St. Paul taught the Gospel a little after his Conversion Gal. 1. at which time Aretas was King thereof whose Sister was married to Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee and Petraea but he cast her off and married Herodias his Brother Philips Wife upon which there began a bloody War between Aretas and Herod and a sharp Battel was fought near to Gamala a City beyond Iordan And although the two Kings were not at this Battel yet by the Treason and Flight of the Souldiers out of Tracones who without all question would have revenged the Contempt done unto their Lord Philip the Arabian Army carried away a notable Victory as Iosephus witnesseth lib. antiq 18. cap. 4. Aretas signifieth An excellent Man which was a common Name to the Kings of Arabia It is to be thought that Damascus and all the Country round about was under the Jurisdiction of this King and that he ordained a Lieutenant or General in those Parts who would have taken Paul and put him to death Acts 9. 2 Col. 12. The other part of Arabia is called by Ptolomy Deserta but Strabo calls it Scenilis because the Inhabitants thereof are without Buildings or Tents and live like Vagrants up and down the Woods This is compass'd in upon the South with certain Mountains of Arabia Foelix towards the North it borders upon Mesopotamia and towards the West upon Petraea The third is called Arabia Foelix because of the Fertility thereof for they have there every year two Harvests as they have in India as Strabo observeth See Plin. lib. 6. cap. 28. Of Antiochia YOU may read of this Town before It is said that Luke the Evangelist was born here This Man was by Profession a Physician Col. 4. and an inseparable Companion to Paul in all his Travels he was of the number of the seventy Disciples as Epiphanius observeth Tertullian saith in his fourth Book against Marcion that Luke received his Gospel from the mouth of Paul he lived till he was 84 years old and then died and lies buried at Constantinople as St. Ierom saith for his Bones were removed out of Achaia thither The second Travels of the Apostle Paul in the Company of Barnabas IN the eleventh year after the Nativity of Christ and in the four and fortieth year of Paul he and Barnabas was sent by the Holy Spirit from Antiochia in Syria to Seleucia which was four and twenty miles From Seleucia they sailed to Salamais in Cyprus which was 94 miles Act. 13. From thence they went to Paphos which is in the same Isle where Sergius Paulur was converted and Elymas the Magician who professing himself to be the Messias and Son of God was struck with Blindness Act. 13. This Journey was 100 miles They loosing from Paphos went by Sea and Land the same year to Pergamus a City of Pamphilia scituated in Asia minor which was 148 miles In the 45 year after the Nativity of Christ they went from Pergamus to Antiochia in Pisidia which was 132 miles From thence they went to Iconia which was 96 miles here they stayed some time and converted many Act. 13. 14. In the 46 year after the Nativity of Christ there being a great Tumult raised in that Country lest the Inhabitants should have stoned them they fled thence to Lystra a City of Lycaonia where Paul healed the lame man which was twenty eight miles The Inhabitants seeing this Miracle worshipped them for Gods and called Barnabas Iupiter and Paul Mercurius because he wrought the Miracle But not long after certain Iews coming from Antiochia and Iconia arrived in Listra by whose perswasion the People stoned Paul and supposing him to be dead carried him out of the City but when his Disciples came unto him he rose up and went into the Town Act. 14. The next day they went to Derbe a City of Lyaconia which was 48 miles From thence they returned back again to Lystra in the same year which was 28 miles From Iconia they came to Atiochia in Pisidia which was 16 miles In this City they comforted the Disciples exhorting them that they should persevere in their Faith For through many Afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven They also elected Elders in the Churches so with Fasting and Prayers they commended them to the Lord in whom they believed In the 47 year after Christ they went from Antiochia thorough all Piâidia and came to Pergamus a City in Pamphilia which was 132 miles here they preached the Word of the Lord Act. 14. From Pergamus in the following year they went down to the City of Attalia which was 26 miles In the 48 year after the Nativity of Christ they loosed thence and went to Antiochia in Syria which was 340 miles here they assembled the Church and shewed what wonderful things the Lord had wrought by them and how he had opened the door of Faith unto the Gentiles In this place they stayed a great space
the Saracens and the Army of the Emperour of Conradus the third in which the Christians lost the day Of Lystra THIS is a City in Lycaonia scituated in Asia the less 436 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In this Town Timothy was born Act. 16. 2 Tim. 3. In this City Paul healed the Cripple and was stoned Act. 14. 2 Cor. 11. Of Darbe THIS also was a City in Lycaonia scituated in Asia the Less 388 miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel Act. 14. Of Attalia ATtalia was a Haven Town of Pamphilia built by Attalus Philadephus King of Pergamus after whose name it was so called as Strato observeth lib. 14. being distant from Ierusalem 332 miles towards the North. Paul and Barnabas sailed out of Syria into this Town At this day it is called Catalia The third Travels of Paul in the company of Sylas IN the fifth year after the Ascension of Christ Paul took unto him Sylas and going through Syria and Cilicia came to Darbe which is 400 miles and there established the Churches Act. 15. 16. From Darbe they went to Lystra forty eight miles where Paul circumcised Timothy Act. 16. In the one and fiftieth year after Christ they went from Lystra and so travelled through Galatia Phrygia and being hindred by the Spirit that they could not preach in Bythinia they went thorough Mysia and so came to Troas where by a Vision that Paul saw in the night he was admonished to go into Macedonia Act. 16. So this Journey between Lycia and Troas was 483 miles Loosing from Troas they sailed with a direct course to Samothracia 116 miles From thence they sailed to Neapolis ninety two miles From thence they went to Philippos in Macedonia twenty four miles Act. 16. here Lydda the Seller of Purple was converted and Paul dispossessed of a Devil and then he and Scylas being scourged were cast into Prison Paul being then about forty one years of age Act. 16. From Philippos they went to Amphipolis about 36 miles Act. 17. From thence they went to Apollonia forty four miles From Apollonia they went to Thessalonica where the Iews stirred up a Tumult eighty miles Wherefore they went thence by night and came to Berrhaea sixty miles here also the Iews stirred up a Tumult Act. 17. These things happened in the Summer Season An. Dom. 51. From Berrhaea Paul was brought by the Brethren to the Sea where entring into a Ship he went to Athens which was 294 miles where he converted Dionysius the Areopagite From this Town he wrote both his Epistles to the Thessalonians as the Subscription witnesseth and sent them to Thessalonica These were the first Epistles that Paul wrote Afterward he went from Athens and came to Corinthia seventy four miles he came thither about the beginning of August An. Dom. 51. and continued there a whole Year and six Months preaching the Gospel and making Tents with Aquila the Iew who was of that Trade Act. 19. From Corinthia about the Spring An. Dom. 53. he went to Cenchraea with Aquila and Priscilla 304 miles There for Devotions sake he polled his Head From Cenchraea he sailed in the company of Aquila and Priseilla to Ephesus about 304 miles Here he left them Act. 18. From Ephesus he sailed to Caesarea Strato in Iudaea being 280 miles From Caesarea he went to Ierusalem 32 miles and saluted the Church From the City of Ierusalem Paul went to Antiochia in Syria 280 miles So all these Travels were 2154. Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Cilicia BEcause you may read of Syria before I will omit it and proceed to speak of Cilicia This was a Country in Asia the less so called as some would have it from Cilix the Kings Son of Phoenicia compassed in upon the East with the Mountain Amanus upon the North with the Mountain Taurus upon the West by Pamphilia and upon the South by the Mediterranean Sea At this day it is called Caramania and is distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North in times past it was divided into two parts that is into Cilicia the higher and the lower Cilicia the higher aboundeth with Mountains the lower is a plain Champian Country very fertile and pleasant The principal Cities thereof are Tarsus where the Apostle Paul was born and where the River Cydnus runs through the midst of it Issus where Alexander overcame Darius last Emperour of the Persians Anazarba where Dioscorides that excellent Physician was born who was of great estimation with Antonius and Cleopatra There are six Books yet extant of his profitable and necessary Labours in that Science From hence may be gathered that the Scituation is strong and pleasant in regard it is fortified on every side with Mountains but principally with the Mountain Taurus famous for the fertility of it and the passage of Alexander with his Army who at the time he conquered Darius went through the streight passages thereof being both dangerous and difficult and watered with many Rivers that take their beginning from that Mountain and so passeth Southward through all Cilicia falling then into the Mediterranean Sea Of Galatia GALATIA or Gallo-Graecia is a Country of Asia Minor distant from Ierusalem 400 miles having upon the hast Cappadocia upon the South Pamphilia upon the West Bythâia and on the North the Euxine Sea The Cities of this Country were anciently Sinopis where King Mithridates kept his Court and Diogenes the Cynick was born Amisus also Pessinus where the Mother of the Gods was had in great honour and was fetch'd thence by the Romans This was a famous Mart Town as Livy saith li 29. Laodicea Tavius and Ancyra where there was held a notable Synod and in this large and spacious Country also stood Antiochia Pisidia for the Galatians dwelt in all Paphlagonia a part of Licaonia Pisidia and Isauria in which Countries the Apostle Paul taught the Gospel of Christ. These Inhabitants which in those daies were called Galatians are said to be a People of France who joyning themselves to the Cyâbrians Danes and Germans under the conduct of Brennus their Captain invaded Italy in which Enterprise they were so fortunate that they conquered a great part of it wherein they planted Colonies and because of their nearness to their own Country in process of time grew mighty and from that beginning the Country where they inhabited was called Cice-alpine-Gallia taking that name partly of the Place partly of the People After Brennus and his Army making use of their Fortunes sorraged all Italy and came to Rome which they won and sack'd all but the Capitol and that also was in great danger until such time as Camillus a valiant Roman Captain taking advantage of the Enemies Security who now took more care how to satisfie their Covetousness than to defend what they had got of a sudden set upon them by which unexpected Invasion they were put to a marvellous straight and the Besieged greatly incouraged so
cost that he much exceeded Alexander and made it a fair and goodly City At this day it is called Ilium But in the place of old Troy there is little to be seen only a small Town as Strabo saith It is distant from Ierusalem 760 miles North-westward Of Bythinia THIS Country is opposite to Constantinople scituated in Asia minor distant from Ierusalem North-westward and so called of Bythinus the Son of Iupiter and Thrax It was sometime called Pontus Bebrycia and Mygdonia as Stephanus saith In this Country the Apostle Paul could not preach the Gospel of Christ when he went into Macedonia and Graecia because he was hindred by the Spirit Act. 16. The principal Cities thereof were Calcidon Heraclea Nicea Nicodemia Apamea Flaviopolis Libissa where Hannibal lieth buried and Prusa now called Brysa where in times past the Enperours of Turky kept their Courts and were buried The Mother and Metropolis of all these Cities was Nicea or rather Nicaea being distant from Ierusalem 720 miles towards the North-west at the first called Antigonia of Antigonus the Son of Philip King of Asia who built it after the death of Alexander the Great But Lysimacus called it Nicaea after his Wifes name and at this day it is called Nissa The compass thereof is two miles being four square scituated as Strabo saith lib. 12. in a fair and pleasant place lying close by the Pool of Ascania and hath in it four Gates standing in a direct line all which Gates might easily have been seen from a certain Stone which stood in the middle of the Market-place In this City the most Christian Emperour Constantine the Great celebrated a Councel Anno Dom. 325. at which time there were present 320 Bishops who condemned the Arrian Heresie and instituted the Nicene Creed But after that viz. Anno Dom. 326. the Arrians endeavouring to hold a second Councel in this City to confirm their Opinions and to dissolve that which went before the Lord hindred them with an Earth-quake by which almost half the City was thrown down Not long after there happened another Earth-quake which utterly destroyed it Notwithstanding it was rebuilt again and in it a second Councel held wherein the Nicene Creed was condemned There were many Cities of this name that before spoken of another in Thrace a third in France not far from the River Varus a fourth as Stephans saith is amongst the Lorrenses in Graecia a fifth in Illeria a sixth in India a seventh in Corsica and the eighth in Leuctris of Boetia Of Mysia THIS is a Country of Asia the less bordering upon Hellespont and Troada being divided into two parts that is the greater and the less That part that bordereth upon Troada is distant from Ierusalem 800 miles North-westward but that which is called Mysia the less and bordering upon Lydia is 1028 miles from Ierusalem North-westward In this Country stood Pergam to which Iohn wrote his Revelation Scepsis where one Neleus kept the Books of Aristotle till Apollonius time also Antandrus Adramitium Tranoiapolis and Aâollonia which stood close by the River Thyndaeus The Inhabitants were Men of a base condition and contemned of the World insomuch as they became a Proverb as often as a Man would denote a thing of no estimation they would say Viâimum esse myliorum that is It is worse than the Mysians as it appeareth in Cicero's oration for Flaccus Yet notwithstanding Paul and Iohn the Evangelist preached the Doctrine and Light of the Gospel to this poor and despised People so that the Mysians which were a contemptable and abominable Nation before all the World were not so before God for they were converted at the preaching of Iohn and Paul From whence he saith Not many Wise according to the flesh not many mighty not many noble but God hath chosen the foolish things of this World that they might confute and overthrow the Wise c. 1. Cor. 1. Intimes past they were a great People though of small estimation for they had under their jurisdiction Lydia Caria Pergamus Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia and Laodicea to many of which Iohn wrote his Revelation Also as Herodotus saith lib. 7. the Mysians and Teucrians before the Trojan War past into Europe and there won and held Thracia Macedonia and all the Land of the Adriatick Sea c. Of Troas THIS City Troas where Paul raised Eutichus which signifies Happy or Fortunate from death to life Act. 10. stood upon the Sea of Hellespont in Asia the less 720 miles from Ierusalem North-westward Antigonus King of Asia called it Troas because it was in the Country where Troy was But after the death of Alexander he called it after his own name Antigonia and the better to honour it kept his Court there But Lysimachus King of Thrace having got this City into his Jurisdiction bestowed great cost upon it and set up many fair and goodly Buildings then called it after Alexander's name Alexandria and so it began to be called Alexandria Troas Plin. lib. 5. Strabo lib. 13. Ier. de locis Hebraicis Now it was called Alexandria Troas to put a difference between it and divers other Cities of that name for there was an Alexandria in Aegypt another in India and many others elsewhere but only this in the Country where Troy stood It was scituated in a high and spacious Mountain about a mile and a half from the Shore of Propontus towards the East between which and Troas is twenty eight miles It is a thing worthy Observation to consider by what divers names the Sea that lies between Europe and Asia the less is called for between Constantinople and Calcidonia close by the Euxine Sea it is called Thrascius Bosphorus in which place it is not above half a mile broad here Xerxes when he invaded Graecia built up a Bridge for his Army to pass over There is also another streight and narrow place in this Sea which is called by the name of Cimmeriu Bosphorius These two Bosphori are so called as some Authors hold because a Bull when he loweth may be heard from the one side to the other but Pliny seemeth to derive the name from Io that fair Maid which Iupiter turned into a Cow who swam over this Sea and of her was called Bosphorus lib. 6. cap. 1. It is also called Proâontus because it lieth just before the Euxine Sea and Hellespont from Helle the Daughter of Athamantis King of Thebes who was drowned therein then running thence it falleth into a Gulph of the Mediterranean Ocean and there it is called the Aegean Sea of Aegeus King of Athens who drowned himself therein for the supposed loss of his Son Theseus In this Sea were scituate the Isles of Pathmos Mytelene Samothrace Chius Lesbus and many other Isles as you may read in the Travels of St. Paul Of Samothracia or Samothrace SAmothracia is an Isle of the Aegean Sea scituated between Troades and Thracia eight hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west
when time serveth it shall be declared After the Death of Melchisedech unto whom Abraham paid the Tythes of all his Goods the Iebusites dwelt in the City 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 read in Iosh. 10. Iud. 10. and 2 Sam. 1. But at last Ioab King David's General of his Army won it and drave the Jebusites 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 God's âyon and Mount Libanus The Prophet Ezechiel 23. calleth it Ahaliba my fixed Pavillion or Tent that is a City wherein God had placed his own Habitation The Circuit and Bigness of the City Jerusalem THE City of Ierusalem was four-square and in circumference three and thirty Furlongs as Iosephus writeth which three and thirty Furlongs make somewhat more than a Dutch mile Some write that it was four miles Compass about yet these were not Dutch miles but Walloon or Italian miles for four such Italian miles are a Dutch mile Of Mount Sion the higher City MOunt Sion stood Northwards in the City 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 upon this Hill the upper City was built which in the Scripture is called the City of David because David won it from the Iebusites and beautified it with many goodly Houses and fair and costly buildings but especially with his house of Cedar-wood which he termed the Castle of Sion which stood Westwards at the corner of the Hill looking into Bethlehem Southwards In that house David dwelt and therein committed Adultery with Berseba the Wife of Vriah the Hittite whose House also with the place of divers Privy Councellors and Officers stood upon the Hill not far from the King's Palace as Iosephus writeth Beneath King David's House upon Mount Sion within a Rock there was to be seen the Sepulchre or Vault wherein King David Solomon his Son and other succeeding Kings of Iuda were entombed and buried Upon Mount Sion also towards the East King Herod had a Garden of Pleasure not far from the Fountain called Silo Nehemiah 3. and there also stood the Tower of Silo whereof Luke in the 13 chapter maketh mention Iosephus in the Wars of the Jews his first Book and sixteenth Chapter saith That King Herod under whom Christ Jesus was born had two fair and strong Houses or Towers which he set and made in the upper part of the City Ierusalem upon Mount Sion which were in a manner comparable with the Temple for Beautifulness which he called after the Name of his Friends the one Caesarea for Caesar the Emperor's sake and the other Agrippa acording to the name of the noble Roman Marcus Agrippa that marryed the Daughter of Augustus Caesar. This may suffice to declare the Scituation of the upper City which stood upon mount Sion and contained in Circuit fifteen Furlongs which is about half a mile This uppermost City in the sacred Scripture is called the City of David it was also called Millo that is Fullness or Plenty for in it there was no Want but Abundance of all things Of the Steps which descended down from the City of David unto the lower City MOunt Sion whereon the upper City of Ierusalem did stand was such a high hard Hill and so steep that no man could climb or ascend unto it by any way or means but only one that is by steps for in the middle thereof there was a great pair of stairs made which descended from David's City unto the lower City into the Valley or Dale of Gates called Thyroreion which stairs were 780 Foot high as Iohannes Heydonius writeth and beneath in the Valley of Thyroreion over against the Valley of Cedron at the foot of the stairs stood a Gate which was called the Gate of Sion and they which went up to Mount Sion must pass through that Gate and so up those Stairs but it is thought nevertheless 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 Allegorical or Spiritual Significations of Mount Sion SIon in Hebrew signifieth a sure hold or goodly Aspect for that from the top thereof a man might have seen all the Land lying thereabouts and was a type of the highest Heavens or Habitation of Almighty God from whence he beholdeth all things upon Earth from which Throne and Heavenly Habitation he descended into this lower Ierusalem and became our Redeemer and Saviour that so we being purged by his Blood from all our Sins and Imperfections he might bring us into that heavenly Ierusalem which is eternall Glory Of Mount Moriah on which the Temple stood MOunt Moriah stood Eastward within Ierusalem which was a most hard stoney Hill from whence towards the rising of the Sun men by stairs might easily descend but round about on the other three sides it was steep and unapprochable 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 fair Plain like unto that of Mount Sion whereon in times past Abraham built an Altar and would have offered his Son Isaac for a Sacrifice Gen. 22. At which time when Abraham obeyed the Commandment of God intending to have offered his Son Isaac upon the Hill and thereon had made an Altar then the said Hill lay without the City but long time after about the space of 850 Years when King David had conquered Ierusalem and driven thence the Iebusites to enlarge the City he compassed in Mount Moriah and Mount Acrâ with a Wall upon which there stood many goodly Buildings And amongst other things worthy Observation upon this Mount stood the Barn or Threshing floor of Arafâa the Iebusite wherein King David built an Altar offered burnt Offerings and besought the Lord that the Angel of God whose hand was stretched over Ierusalem holding a bloody Sword and had smitten the City with the Pestilence might cease from punishing the same and the Plague ceased On the same place where the Barn of Arafâa the Jebusite stood King Solomon also did build the Temple 1 Paral. 23. 24. Ioseph Antiq. Jud. lib. 23. 24. An Allegorical or Spiritual Interpretation of Mount Moriah MOriah is as much as to say the Lord's Mirrh and signifieth our Lord Jesus Christ which is the true Mirrh and sweet smelling Sacrifice unto God a stedfast Rock an immoveable Foundation whereon God's Church and the Members thereof are built Esay 28. Matth. 16. Vpon this Rock will I build my
molten Sea standing upon twelve Oxen in the uppermost Court THE molten Sea and Fountain was a figure of Baptism and that living Water issuing from the Wounds of Christ whereby we are washed from all our Sins the Laâer of Regeneration whereby we are made capable of Eernal Life that Well of Water whereof if we drink we shall never thirst The twelve Oxen represent the twelve Apostles whose voices have gone through the World according to that in the Corinthians and have carried the Sea of Grace through all parts of the Earth Of which Water saith St. Augustine if thou drinkest but one drop it is more effectual to quench the thirst of Worldly and insatiable desires than an Ocean of earthly Waters The Mystery of the middle Court SOlomon's Court wherein Christ taught and in which the Jews used commonly to pray was a figure of that Church which should be gathered from amongst the Jewes For from thence he indeavoured first to assemble and gather together a Christian Congregation according to that which he spake to the Canaanitish Woman Mat 15. I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel Of the outward Court of the Gentiles THis Court signified That the Gentiles also should partake of the sheepfold and Congregation of Christ and be members of his holy Church according to that of Iohn 10. I have yet other sheep which I must also bring hither that sothere might be one sheepfold one Pastor c. Of the rest of the memorable Buildings standing upon mount Moriah HAving thus described the Temple together with the several Courts and Ornaments all which did typically represent Christ and his Church I will now proceed to the rest of the Buildings standing upon mount Moriah The first and most memorable was the house of Solomon which stood just against the Temple upon the South it shined so with Gold and Silver and was so stately and sumptuously built that when Queen Saba came to Ierusalem she stood amazed to see it There belonged to it divers Courts and Walks in one of which the Prophet Ieremy was prisoner Ier. 37. Over against this he made the Judgment-hall in which he placed the Ivory Chair spoken of 1 Kin. 10. He built by that another house for his Queeen she that was daughter of Pharaoh 1 Kin. 7. But when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Ierusalem all these together with the Temple were burnt and utterly deâaced Of the Peol of Bethesda UPon the North lay that sheep-fold or sequestred place called Bethesda Ioh. 5. which had five porches or Xenodochius as some would have it here Cattel came to drink and the Priests used to wash their Sacrifices because no unclean Beast might come within the Temple nor any thing that was foul or spotted be offered upon the Altar The water was of reddish colour and ran into that place in great abundance and therefore it was called the house of effusion or pouring out This was the place into which the Angel of God sometimes descended and troubled the Water after which whosoever stepped in was presently cured and here our Saviour Christ healed the Man that had been diseased 38 years Ioh. 5. This place was made by King Hezekiah who caused the water of the uppermost Pool which was called Gââon not far from mount Calvary to be conveyed by Pipes and passages through the Earth into the lower city called Acra and so fell into this place for which cause it was called the lower Pool The Allegorie or mystery hereof is That every one of Christs Sheep ought to be washed in the Pool of his Blood before they can be made fit Sacrifices to enter into his Temple or Church 1 Ioh. 1. Of the Tower or Castle called Antonia THis Castle as Ioseph hath it lib. 6. de Bell. cap. 6. stood between two Courts of the Temple at the North-West corner at first built by the Machabees and called by the name of Bâris but after King Herod taking affection to that place bestowed great cost upon it walled it about built up sumptuous Towers and made it very strong then gave it the name of Antonia in favour of Antonius that noble Roman which Augustus a long time sustained after their decease Of the Hall called Coenaculum Anguli THis house stood upon an Angle or Cantle of the Hill and was therefore called Coenaculum Anguli it was very large and spatious and within had a great Hall whereof Nehem. cap. 3. maketh mention and here as some think our Saviour Christ ate the Paschal Lamb with his Disciples but I rather think it was in the Suburbs Of the Tower Ophel or the dark Tower NEar to the Valley of Cedron towards the East not far from the Temple and near the Castle Antonia there was builded a lofty and strong Tower or Palace called Ophel that is a place of darkness it was a very sumptuous thing Of Hamea or the Tower of the Centurions IN the Town wall between the Sheep-gate and the Dung-gate stood this Castle Hamea or Centurion taking the name â Centenario numero i. The number of an hundred and was upon the East side of the City near to the sheepfold or Pool Bethesda Neh. 3. 12. Here the Centurions commonly kept watch Of Mount Acra and the buildings upon it MOunt Acra as is aforesaid stood upon the West side of Ierusalem it was a very high Mountain and took that name from the Greek word Acra a sharp or high Hill It was much higher than mount Moriah in times past till Machabeus's brother caused it to be cut lower to make it equal in height with mount Moriah Between these two Hills lay the Valley Cedron which was in profundity 400 Cubits Upon this Mountain another part of the City was builded being strongly fortified and richly adorned with sumptuous houses of which David and Solâmon were the principal Founders and was called the lower City or the Daughter of Sion It was so beautiful that some hold of which number are ãâã and Eusebius that it it exceeded the rest of the City Here stood the house of Helena Queen of the Adiabenoâs near about the midst of it as Ioseph observeth Li. Bell. 7. cap. 13. which Queen being converted to the Jewish Religion built her an house in this City that she might pray in the Temple Here stood the houses of her Sons Monebasius and Grapta here stood the houses of the High Priests Annas and Caiphas not far from the Valley Tyropae King Herod also that wicked Man who caused the innocent Children to be put to Death built him an house here near about the place where the Machabees in times past had a Castle for they built two one in Mount Moriah another in this Mount That in Mount Moriah was after called the Castle of Antonia and stood right against the Temple as is aforesaid And this being very sumptuously built and a Royal Seat was after the death of this Herod a Palace for his Successors Archilaus and Herod Agrippa
Benjamin through the middle of the City to the Gate of Sion From this Valley they ascended into eâther Mountain that is Mount Aâra and Mount Moriah by certain steps or stairs These two Hills as is beforesaid were joyned together with a Bridge and this Valley passing between them was called by Zephaniah cap. 1. Machten In which place above all the rest of the Cities dwelt Merchants and such as used Commerce and trade as appeareth in the eleventh verse of his Prophecie Howl ye Inhabitants of the Low place for the company of Merchants is destroyed all they that exchange for Silver are cut off Upon which place of Scripture the Chaldaean Paraphrase reads it thus Howl ye Inhabitants of the Valley Cedron Iosephus in tit Bell. 6. c. 6. lib. 6. c. 7. calleth this Valley by two names one Machten from the profundity the other Cedron from the obscurity for so the name signifieth and whosoever looked down into it from the Temple Fogs and Mists seemed to lie in the bottom of it like a cloud of darkneâs such was the depth of it There was another Valley which lay between Mount Sion and these Mountains called by the name of Tyrexdon Of the Mountain Bezetha THis place lay Northward in Ierusalem and between it and the former Hills were deep Ditches cast it had two Towns standing upon it divided with two Walls and was commonly called the Suburbs the name of the one which lay nearest to mount Moriah was called the second City the other that lay upon the North was called Neapolis or the new Town In the second dwelt Hulda the Prophetess and Zacharias the Father of S. Iohn Baptist 2 Kin. 22. 2 Chr. 34. Nehem. 3. Ioseph li. 10. c. 5. It was adorned with many fair and sumptuous Buildings among which was that princely house Of Herod Ascalonites that great and mighty King of the Iews in whose time our Saviour 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 an hundred Tables the Hall also was very great and richly gilded with refined gold intermixt with Silver about it were many pleasant and delectable Walls goodly Gardens and Fountains for pleasure it was compass'd with a wall of polisht Marble 30 Cubits high And as Valerius writeth in that house Herod caused Christ to be mocked put a long white garment upon him in contempt and so sent him to Pilate Here also was a Prison in which Peter was kept when the Angel of the Lord delivered him Acts 12. Of the Town Neapolis or the New City THis lay without the Walls 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 upon the North side of the Hill Here dwelt the Christians and other Laborers and Strangers and by all likelihood it seems that the house of Mary the Mother of Iohn sirnamed Mark stood here which because of the continual resort of the Apostles thither was called the house of the Church Hither Peter resorted when he was delivered from the hands of Herod by the Angel 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 City and loe it opened of it self And from thence he went to the house of Mary the Mother of John sirnamed Mark. Here also in my opinion Christ celebrated the last Paschal Lamb because after Supper he went into the Mount of Olives for this lying unwalled lay open for them to go and come at their pleasure But afterward in Agrippa's time it was begun to be compassed in with a Wall and before it could be fully finished the Angel of the Lord struck him and he died miserably Here also stood the Monument of Iohn Hircanus the High Priest and of Alexander King of the Iewes as it appeareth in Iosephus lib. de Bello 6. cap. 6. The tops of the Houses in the City Ierusalem were flat and covered with fair and plain Roofs compassed about with Battlements upon which they used to Leap Dance and Banquet and such Recreations as they observed upon their Festival days were there celebrated And thus much shall serve to have spoken of the Mountains or Hills whereon Ierusalem stood Of the Walls that compassed the City THis City of Ierusalem was so strongly fortified by Nature on every side except the North for it stood upon high Rocks and Cliffs that it seemed to be invincible And that that side might be the better strengthened they compassed it in with three Walls and those so strong that when Vespasian the Emperor and his Army invaded the City they had much ado to conquer them The first of these Walls was that which Agrippa built and it compassed in Neapolis otherwise called the New Town At the North-west end of which Wall was built an exceeding high Tower of very fair Marble stone so high that standing on the top thereof a man might see from thence to the Sea and into Arabia and the uttermost bounds of Iudaea This Tower was called Psephina The second Wall was that which divided the two Suburbs wherein there stood 14 Towers and Gates This King Hezekiah built 2 Chr. 32. in a corner of which between 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 Travellers passing towards Ierusalem were guided by it in their way Of this light we read in Nehem. cap. 3. The third Wall compassed in the Temple and all the lower City in it was sixty Towers but the chief of them stood in the East Angle between the Dung-gate and the Gate of the Valley which was called Hananiel and signifieth the Grace and Gift of God This is much spoken of in the Scripture upon this Wall King Herod the Ascalonite built three fair Towers one between the Garden-gate and the Old-gate which he called Hippicum in honour of his Father Hippicus the other Phaselum in honour of his Brother Phasilus and the third Mariamne after his Wives name who notwithstanding he caused innocently to be put to death These three Gates were built of polish't Marble Pliny and Strabo say that this was the fairest and most spacious City of the East and for the munition and fortification almost invincible The Walls of it were all of white polish't Marble some 25 or 30 Cubits high the stones were 20 Cubits long 20 broad and 5 thick so closely joyned that the junctures could scarcely be perceived Many of the Towers also were made of such stones but those of the Temple exceeded the rest for they were 25 Cubits long 12 broad and 8 thick as Iosephus witnesseth lib. Ant. 15. ca. 14. de Bel. Iud. li. 6. ca. 6. which things being rightly considered we may easily
perceive that these Walls were very difficult to be destroyed Neither were the Ditches of less strength that went about the Town for they were cut out of hard stones at least forty Cubits deep and two hundred and fifty Cubits broad which were impossible to have been won if God had not help'd and assisted the Romans filling up those Ditches with the Bodies of those that died of the Plague and Famin within the Town Of the Gates of Jerusalem IT had twelve Gates to go out and in Upon the East side lay five the first of which was the Fountain Gate which was so called of the Fountain Siloah And this stood close by the Gate of mount Sion in which Fountain the Man that was born blind wash'd himself at the Commandment of our Saviour and had his sight restored Ioh. 9. And at this Gate Christ came riding in upon an Ass when he came from Bethania on Palm Sunday 2. The Sheep-gate which was so called of the multitude of sheep that were driven in by it to be offered in the Temple for it stood hard by the Temple Right before this Gate stood Mount Olivet some half an English mile and a furlong from Ierusalem Eastward by it stood the Garden called Gethsemane where Christ was taken and led into the City through this Gate to be offered up like an innocent sheep for the sins of the whole World 3. The Dung-gate this took the name from a Dung-hill because the Rain-water coming with great power thâough the City washed away the filth and with great violence carried it through this Gate into the Pool Cedron Not far from this Gate was the Water-gate and stood a little within it 4. The Valley Gate which took the Name of the Valley Iehosaphat and lay not far from the other Gate Hereabouts also stood the Dragon-gate 5. The Horse-gate and stood just in the joyning of the East and North-part of the City it took the name from the Kings Horses as appeareth Ier. 31. Neh. 3. The Gates upon the North. 6. The Corner Gate which stood North-west 2. King 14. 1 Ch. 26. Ier. 31. Zach. 14. 7. The Benjamin-gate so called because Men by this Gate went to the Borders of Benjamin in this Gate the Prophet Ieremy was Prisoner Ier. 37. 8. The Ephraim-gate by which they went to the Borders of Ephraim The Gates upon the West 9. The Rain-gate so called because the Rain-water cleansing the streets carried away all the Filth and so past through this Gate toward the West and there thrust it out of the City Neh. 12. 10. The Garden-gate before which the Garden stood wherein Christ was buried 11. The Old Gate before this Mount Calvary stood whereon Christ was Crucified 12. The Fish-gate so called because of Sea Fish that came in by it it was also called the Brick-gate Here the Prophet Ieremy broke an earthen Pitcher Ieremy 19. And out of this Gate they went to Bethlehem But on the South side there were no Gates for there Mount Sion stood which was so high and steep that no Man could go up upon it Of the Gates within the City THE Gate of Sion the Water-gate of which two I have already spoken The middle Gate Ieremy speaketh of cap. 19. and it is thought it stood in the middle of City in the Valley Cedron not far from the Tower called Mariamne The Iron Gate which opened of it self when the Angel led Peter out of Prison Acts 12. this stood in the City Walls passing from one Suburb into another all these Gates stood within the City And thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the Pourtraiture of it Of the Springs Valleys Fountains and other memorable Places as they were scituated near to the City and how to the four parts of the World IN the next place it resteth to shew what things worthy memory were about and stood near to the City the first of which was the Brook Cedron which sprung out of a Hill not far from it upon the South and with great swiftness ran through the East part of the City and so between Ierusalem and the Mount of Olives to the Valley-gate of Iehosaphat thence passing through the Cliffs of Mount Olivet it ran directly East till it came to the Dead Sea which Brook in the Summer time was most commonly dry The Water of it was something Black which colour the Valley Jehosaphat which was very fertile gave it and from thence it was called Nigrescens torrens a blackish stream This is mystically spoken of in 2 Sam. and Psa. 100. Where it is said He that is our Saviour Christ shall drink of the Brook in the way which he fulfilled when he made satisfaction for our Sins by his Death and Passion as it appeareth in the 69 Psalm Save me O God c. Into this Brook ran the Water of Silo and that which came out of the Temple Of the Mount of Olives and Bethania which signifies a House of Mourning THese two the one lay upon the East the other South-west about half an English Mile and a furlong from Jerusalem Of Bethania you may read in Nehemia Of the Hill Gihon GIhon stood before Jerusalem on the West side right against the Fish-gate and the Old gate 2 Chr. 22. Here King Solomon was Crowned 1. Kin. 1. Not far from this stood the Mount Golgatha where Christ was Crucified From whence may be observed That as Solomon upon that Hill was Crowned King so Christ upon this was Crucified our Saviour and the true Solomon that made everlasting peace between God and us From this Mount Gihon sprung the Fountain Gihon and thereabouts also was the Fullers Field 2 King 18. 2 Chron. 33. In which place Senacharib and other the Princes and Embassadors of the King of Assyria spake Blasphemous words against the Lord wherefore he slew 185 thousand of them as appeareth in the 2 King 19. Of the Valley of the Son of Hinnon THis Valley lyeth behind the City of Ierusalem Southward on the left hand as they went from Jerusalem to Bethlehem In this Valley the Jews set up an Idol of Copper like a King which they called Moloch that is a King of Idols This Copper Idolâstood with the Arms stretching out and under it there was a great Fire whereby the Image shewed fire-red and besides that the more to honour it they made a great Fire between two Walls which burnt for his sake and through this Fire the Idolatrous Priests cast living Children into Moloch's burning Arms which he with his Arms red hot burnt to Death And in this manner the Jews offered up their own Children to the Idol Moloch and when they did it they made a great noise and cry and beat upon a Drum that the Fathers when their Children were offered should not hear them cry by reason of the great noise of the Drums This Valley was called the Valley of Tophet for Tophet signifies a Drum This was a most gross and fearful Idolatry and
therefore Christ likened this Valley of Hinnon to Hell-fire for he called it Gehenna Mat. 5. That the Iewes should keep themselves from this Monstrous Idolatry God made a Law That if any Man were taken committing this kind of Idolatry he should forthwith be stoned to death and not suffered to live Levit. 18. and 20. The Valley of Gehennon is often times named in the Holy Scripture Iosh. 15. Nehem. 11. 2. Paral. 28. 33. Ier. 7. Jerom writeth that here by this Idol Moloch in the Valley of Hinnon there was a Wood for the Water ran out of the Fountain Siloah along by it and made the Valley Moist Of the field of Blood called Hakeldama THis Field of Blood which was bought for thirty silver Pence for the which Judas betrayed our Saviour Christ lay not far from the Valley of Hinnon Southward by the City of Jerusalem as Jerom writeth Of the Hill Hameskita or Offence and Slander THis Hill lay South-east not far from Jerusalem something wide of Mount Olivet so that there was but one Valley between them and was not altogether so high as it Also upon this Hill King Solomon in his old age suffered his Wives or Concubines to make Idolatrous Temples wherein he and his Wives worshipped Idols Of the Destruction of this famous City of Jerusalem by TITUS VESPASIAN THus have have I briefly set forth the Dignity Scituation and Curiosity of the Buildings of Ierusalem together with the Richness of the Temple and sumptuousness of the Houses now it rests to describe unto you the manner and means how this Famous City was destroyed surely a thing worthy Wonder according to that in Ieremy Whosoever shall hear of it his Ears shall tingle And that it might be the more famous and the Christians within it might take notice of the near approaching Desolation there were divers strange Accidents happened and Visions seen As first about some four years before the River Iordan was turn'd out of her course and was brought into the City Pella A while after that for a Year together there hung a Comet like a flaming Sword over the City and in the Night there was seen a Light in the Temple And in the Day when they were at Sacrifice a Calf brought forth a Lamb. Then about the middle of the Night the Eastern Gates of the Temple opened of their own accord In the Skies were seen Armies of Men Fighting and Horses and Chariots running to and again And at last there was heard a terrible Voice in the Temple uttering these Words Migremus Hinc that is Let us go âence And that there might be a general Proclamation of this sad and cruel Desolation through the whole City one Ananiâs the Son of Jesus a Man poor and Impotent upon the Feast of the Tabernacles ran through all the streets of the City and crying O a Voice from the East and a Voice from the West a Vâice from the four Wiâdâ a Voice over Jerusalem and the Temple a Voice over the Bridegroom and the Bride and a Voice over the whole multitude of this City And although he was Whipt and Imprisoned and cruelly handled yet so long as he lived he would not cease to utter these words which by somewere judg'd to foretell the horrible Desolation which after hapned For Tiâus Caesar Son of Flâvius the Emperour about seventy years after the Nativity of our Lord and about eight and thirty after his Ascension utterly overthrew it even to the ground about the first day of the Month of April and within a year after these signs For he taking advantage of the three Factions which at this time swayed in Ierusalem One of Eleazar the the Priest the Son of Simon the other of Zilotus the chief Prince which held the Temple and the third of Iohannes Giscalenus a cruel fellow which had the command of the inferior City besieged it and made this a fit opportunity to further his Enterprises while the Seditious and factious People little regarding their own Safety gave way by their evil and intestine Wars to what he intended weakning themselves much more by their continued slaughters than the Enemy by his Invasion Insomuch as the whole City and Temple was filled with dead Bodies common Insolencies and publick Rapines were ordinarily amongst them some set fire of the City others despoiling the Temple a third for killing the Priests even as they were at Sacrifice all places full of dead Bodies and to this to add a greater measure of misery without any regard at all to their future defence set fire of the store-house wherein the Corn lay for the sustentation of the City and consumed that in one day which had been long a gathering by this means it came to pass that they were sorely afflicted with the Pestilence through the corruption of the Air and with Famin for want of Corn. All these things notwithstanding such was the cruelty obstinancy and perverseness of this People could not restrain them from violating the most Sacred and holy things of the Temple insomuch as Iohannes Giscalenus had a full determination to have destroyed it but that he was prevented by the Romans About this time was the Feast of the Passeover and it fell upon the fourteenth day of April being the Sabbath to the Celebration whereof there resorted to Ierusalem about three hundred thousand Iewes These the Enemy gave way to enter into the City but considering their present necessity for want of Victuals upon a suddain drew up their Forces and so straitly beleaguered them that all this huge multitude was as it were ãâã within the Walls where partaking of the former misery they either diâd by the Plague or Famin. Whence may be perceived the marvellous Providencâ of God that even on the same day and in the very same place where but eight and thirty years before our Saviour Christ suffered the Authors of such cruelty suffered a most just and severe revenge Now as the Army of the Romans lay upon the North of the City Titus drew out a Band of six hundred Horse to ride about to behold and view the Walls of the Town but as he was in this manner wondring at the sumptuousâeâs of the City the Jewes in great multitudes slipt out at a Postern-gate and set upon him so fiercely that they endangered his Person being without Armour and had he not with great difficulty broke through them and recovered the Tower of the Romans he had bin there slain But presently upon this seââng the danger he besieged the City in three parts himself aâ the Emperour of the Army built a Castle about some two Furlongs from the City ãâã against the Tower Pseâhina the other part of the Army was ãâ¦ã the Tower Hiââieus not far from the Garden of the Resurrection and the third part had their Castle in the Mount of Olives some five Furlânâs or thereabouts from the City Then did he build Bulâârks make Engiâs and wonderful Devices for the battering of
breathing made new incursions upon the Romans by which means they could not determine thereof The 6th of August the Souldiers of Titus without command of their Captains fired the Temple just upon that day which Nebuchadnezzar before time had destroyed it as Iosephus witnesseth li. de Bell. 6. c. 26. 27. Caesar would fain have saved this Temple for the sumptuousness of it and beckoned to his Souldiers to have quencht the fire but they partly prest on with desire of wealth partly being prickt on with fury and madness gave no ear to his speeches but committed most cruel Massacres without either regard of age or sex So that the cries of the Slaughtered the sound of the Roman Trumpets the fierce resistance of the Seditious and the Fire furiously burning represented a most horrible spectacle The ground below was covered with dead bodies many in desperation threw themselves into the fire 6000 were burnt in the same Gate whither they fled for refuge and the Priests most cruelly massacred as they were in the Temple of Ierusalem the mirror of the World being consumed and spoiled with Fire and Sword After these things upon the Bridge that passeth from the Temple over the Valley into the lower Town Titus made a Speech by an Interpreter to the two Seditious Captains gently intreating them to leave off their Rebellion and he would spare the City and commit no more outrages and such further requests as they desired should according to reason be granted them but if they would not embrace mercy and cease their violent resistance they must expect no manner of compassion but the very Law of Arms This they contemned and made but a mock of Caesar for all his offers whereupon in a great rage he gave the signal to his Souldiers and they went through all the City and set it one fire The next day they won the lower City and with fire and sword consumed the place where the Records lay the Court and all the Princely buildings until they came to that stately house of Helena which stood in the midst of Acra all the houses near being filled with the Bodies of the Dead and the streets horribly defiled with the blood of those that were Slain Within a short while after Iohannes Giscalinus was taken alive and committed to prison The inferior City being thus taken and destroyed about the 16 day of August Caesar began to build his Engines and to batter the Walls of the upper City which within the space of 18 days after with extream labour and skill he laid flat with the Ground as Iosephus saith And upon the 7th of September with great facility he conquered the City the Iewes of their own accord descending from the Towers and the Româns set upon the Walls their Ensigns with a great Acclamation and wasted all the City with Fire and Sword sparing neither Men Women nor Children The eighth day of the Month of September the whole City was destroyed and not a stone left upon a stone but laid level with the Ground only the three Towers that were built by Herod which were of shining Marble viz. Hippicus Phaselus and Mariamne that future Ages seeing the excellency of those Buildings they might judge of the stateliness of the rest But these also were after destroyed by Adrianus Caesar. There died by the Famin and Pestilence an innumerable number by Fire and Sword ten hundred thousand 2000 were found that either killed themselves or one killed another 7900 were taken Captives of these all the seditious Thieves that accused one another were slain by Frontonius Caesar Titus freed many 7000 were sent into Aegypt with extreme labour to consume and dye the Properest and most able were reserved for Triumph many were distributed through the Provinces some were slain by the Sword and by Beasts for publick Spectacles and those that were sixteen years of Age and under together with many other Caesar sold under the Crown at thirty for a silver Penny that as Christ was sold for thirty Pence so thirty of them should be sold for a Penny With the Riches of this Town Caesar triumphed rode into Rome with two golden Chariots built the Temple of Peace and there put all the Plate which he found in the Temple of Ierusalem After all this for a full determination of those Evils the two seditious Captians Iohannes Giscalinus and Simon the Son of Giora were put to most cruel deaths Thus may we see the grievous punishment of the obstinate and ambitious which God permitted to fall upon them for their Unthankfulness and cruel Tyranny How the City of Jerusalem after this Destruction by Titus Vespasian was utterly beaten down and defaced by Aelius Adr. Caesar which he re-edifying called it after his own Name Aelia THE City of Ierusalem being thus laid level with the ground for the space of sixty Years lay desolate a receptacle for Thieves and Murtherers a fit place for Wolves and wild Beasts which resorted thither to feed upon the dead Bodies And now Time consuming their Flesh left their Bones and Skulls to lye upon the Earth as in a Charnel-house Thus it continued until one Benchochab which signifies the Son of the Stars born in the Town of Bethcoron not far from Emaus professed himself to be the Messiah or Christ. The Jewes supposing this to be true because of that saying of Numb 24. There shall a Star rise up out of Jacob assembled themselves to the number of many thousands and followed him with great Tyranny and Cruelty spoiling the Holy Land and through all the Countrey of Judaea committing many Outrages and Massacres Thus they continued for the space of eighteen years at the end of which time Adrianus Aelianus the Emperour hearing of those Insolencies levied an Army and sent them into Judaea under the Government of Julius Severus who in a pitch'd field near to Bethcoron and not far from Emaus conquered this Benchochab or Pseudo-Messiah and with him slew five hundred thousand Jews that were deceived by his persuasion Now when they went to seek for the Body of this Deceiver amongst the Dead as saith Talmudista he was found lying with an horrible Serpent about his neck intimating how God rejected him that would seem to imitate his Son for even as the Serpent deceived our first Parents so this Benchochab deceived the Jews and for this cause they called him Beâcozba that is The Son of Lying The number of the Jews which in the time of this War were slain amounted to 500000 men besides many others that perished by Pestilence and Famin. This War happened 64 years after the destruction of Jerusalem After this second Desolation of the Jews at the command of the Emperour that there might be a final extirpation of the Antient City of Jerusalem and that the words of our Saviour might be fulfilled Loe there shall not be a stone left upon a stone Mat. 24. the Ruins and Foundations thereof were digged up the Stones broken in pieces the Ground
left desolate and the Mountains are now become barren and overgrown with Brambles And that the Name thereof might utterly be forgotten and as it were rooted out of the Earth he set up a new Town not far from the Hill Gihon and Golgotha where Christ was crucified which after he had adorned with many goodly Buildings he called it by his own Name Aelia In the place of the Temple he set up a Church in the honour of Jupiter and Venus Just in the place where the Holy Altar stood he erected his own Image upon a Marble Pillar which continued until St. Hierom's time At Bethlehem he erected the Image of Adonis and to that he consecrated a Church Upon the Gates of the City he cut Hogs in Marble in contempt of the Jews Then did he abjure them That they should not come within the Walls of the City not set Foot upon the ground near Jerusalem This being done as Dion saith he dedicated it to the honour of Jupiter Capitolinus and only made it free for Christians and such like to be in it This Town at this day we call Jerusalem although it be scituated in another place and called by another name Future Ages calling the Actions of precedent Times into question pull'd a great Contempt upon this Town and so much the rather because Infidelity and other Heathenish profaneness was cherish'd within this City So that that which a little before was set up in honour of the Emperour Aelianus is now grown into Contempt Wherefore Helena the Mother of Constantine the Great having command of that Empire to give some satisfaction to the Universality caused those prophane Temples and Idols to be abolished and in their places erected others Upon Mount Golgotha the Church called Golgothanus upon the Mount of Olives one in the place of the Ascension of Christ and Constantine her Son richly adorned the Sepulchre and over it built a stately Temple all of Polish't Marble richly gilt with Gold so that to this day it remains as the chief Ornament of the Town In this mans time the Jews with great boldness endeavoured to rebuild the Temple just in the place where it stood before at the commandment of the Emperour they were repelled and in recompence of their presumption had their Eares cut off and their Noses slit because they had Ears and would not hear neither obey the Commandment of our Saviour But as the Emperour was Religious and endeavoured to support Christianity so his Successor Iulianus was as full of Impiety and Prophaneness who that he might frustrate the Prophecy of our Saviour that Ierusalem should never be built again in contempt caused the Iews to assemble together and with all expedition restore it to its former glory giving the uttermost of his help to their endeavours But as they were seriously labouring in this Work of a sudden there came a great Earthquake and look what they had built was by that quite overturned then Fire came out of the Earth and from Heaven which destroyed both the Matter and the Workmen And that the Iews nor any Philosphers might impute it to a Natural Cause there was seen in the Heavens a Bloody Cross and âpon their clothes Crosses shining like Stars which the Iews could by no means wipe off yet this little prevailed A second time they attempted and as before a second Earthquake hapned with a storm of Wind which came with such extream violence that all the stuff which they had heaped together for this purpose was utterly blown away and destroyed So that of force they were constrained to leave off and acknowledge that Christ whom their Forefathers had Crucified was the true Messiah Greg. Nazianzen and Hierom report That nevertheless the Iews even to this day although it cost them much money come yearly to the place where Ierusaleâ stood and upon the day of the Destruction thereof weep over it Such was their affection unto this City But these evils were purged with a sudden Invasion for no crying Injuries nor prophane Insolencies against God pass unpunished but that then or soon after a just revenge falls upon them for Cosroâ Emperour of the Persians whose Impudency and Impiety was so great that he would be worshipped as a God about the year of our Lord 615 besieged this Town took it and put to death 90000 Christians carried the Patriarch thereof together with many others away Captive But Heraclius the Emperor to punish him for his Pride and Cruelty set upon Persia and with Fire and Sword destroyed the Country not far from Nineveh and went away with an honourable Victory Seroes also the only begotten Son of Cosroes but a little before Invading the Kingdom kill'd his own Father in Prison restored the Patriarch and the rest of the Captives which his Father had taken to Heraclius and about the seventh year after he had Warred upon Persia he returned to Aelia with great Pomp. Not long after in the year 637 Haumar the Chief Prince of the Saracens which was the third from Mahomet with a great Army afflicted Syria and Iudaea conquered their Countries and in his Victories used great Tyranny and cruelty Within two years after he won Aelia which had maintained a long and sharp Siege neither would Zacharias the Patriarch give it up till he was compelled thereto by extream Famin and soon after died with Grief Thus the Town continued for the space of 450 years in the hands of the Saracens Then in the year 1012 Caliphas Sultan of Egypt won it beat down the Walls destroyed the Temple which the Emperor Constantine had built and made havock of all things Presently upon this the Turks which came out of Sythia by the Caspian Mountains won the City and drave thence the Saracens Thus we may see that the Saracens and Turks though they were both of one Religion yet for the Country of the Iews fought one against another and compelled the Christians to pay them Tribute for the fourth part of the City wherein the Sepulchre of our Lord stood being again restored by the Emperor Constantine after the Destruction of Caliphas The Christians being weary of this Tribute and of the oppression of these Infidels became sutors to Pope Vrban the second of that name for their delivery who in the year 1094 assembled a councel at Clearemont in France and by the instigation of one Peter the Hermit stirred up the hearts of divers Christian Princes and Lords to make a Croysado so that 10000 brave and well mounted Souldiers went into the Holy Land and for a token of their War bore red Crosses upon their Arms. In the same year there was a great blazing Star seen in the West and after that followed a great Plague for the space of two years through the World this nevertheless hindred them not in their Design but that they went their intended Journey won the City of Aelia from the Saracens delivered the Christians from their Bondage and Tax and chose Godfrey of
Famin in such an extream measure that with very hunger they have been constrained to eat their Horses Frederick Barbarossus may be an Example of these Calamities who with a great Army making an Expedition to Jerusalem as he was travelling through Asia minor his Horse started and flung him into the River where he died miserably e're he could be saved Many other Princes besides in the like enterprise came to the like ends for they were either destroyed by the Barbarians with the loss of thousands of their men cruely slain or utterly destroyed with unnatural Diseases or untimely Deaths Now when the Emperor Frederick the second of that name had besieged and brought to great misery the Sultan of Egypt and the Knights Templers had done the like to Damieta Corderio the Sultans Son beat down the Walls of Jerusalem and had it not been for the great lamentations and earnest Entreaties of the Christians he would have destroyed the City but for their sakes he left standing Solomon's Temple and the Temple of the holy Sepulchre for at this time Christians inhabit in them Within a while after about the Year 1228. Frederick the second of that Name Emperour of Rome went to the Holy Land with a great Army and came to Ptolomais otherwise called Acon where staying a while he made a League with the Sultan of Aegypt for ten years regained Ierusalem without drawing Sword and was there crowned in the Year 1229. keeping at that time in Ierusalem a Royal Easter This man fortified the Christians with a Garrison rebuilt Nazareth and Ioppa and so returned into Italy In the Year 1246 Cassanus King of the Tartars being persuaded by the Sultan with a great Army invaded Iudaea won Ierusalem caused the Christians to be cruelly slain beat down the Holy Sepulchre even to small pieces and left but little standing It was after this destroyed by Tamerlain King of the Tartars and by Mahomet the second of that Name Emperour of the Turks But the Monks had leave to build up the holy Sepulchre again for the which they payed to the Sultan or his Deputy a yearly Tribute In the year of our Lord 1516 Selymus Emperour of the Turks about the twenty fourth day of August near to Damascus overcame Campson Gaurus Sultan of Aegypt in a cruel War and put to death many thousands of his Men and the Sultan himself seeking to save his Life by Flight was miserably slain This Selymus conquered the Holy Land Syria Damascus and all the Countries thereabouts and as he went through Iudaea leaving his Army at Gaza with a few of his Souldiers he went to Ierusalem that he might see with his Eyes that place which was made so famous by the ancient Writers and was so often mentioned in the Old and New Testament But when he came he found nothing but a ruinate and waste place barren and rude to look upon inhabited by a few poor Christians and they also held in great Contempt and Bondage paying a great Tribute to the Sultan of Aegypt for their Liberty and holy Sepulchre as P. Iovius writeth But after that Selymus in that place had done his Offerings and Sacrifices to his God Mahomet seeing the Priests and Christians press'd with extream Poverty out of his singular Mercy and Compassion gave them a large and sumptuous Gift when he had stayed but one day and one night in the Town The next morning before day he went with all expedition to his Army at Gaza and from thence into Aegypt where he besieged the great and famous City Alcaire and in the year 1517. took it conquered all the Country utterly extirpated the Sultan and went away with an honourable Victory and rich Booty From this year even till now the Town of Aelia or Ierusalem is under the Jurisdiction of the Turks Thus may we see how often and with what miserable Calamities this City hath been afflicted even since the first Destruction by Vespasian which makes evident the great Judgment of God not only upon the Iews but also upon the Earth where they inhabited for their Infidelity and unmerciful Cruelty The Description of Jerusalem and the Scituation thereof as it is now in these times THE former Incursions and common Desolations leaving this Town ruined and spoiled for want of Inhabitants it became a Desart and forsaken place only some few Christians either out of the zeal of Religion or for vulgar Ostentation to shew that there had been a Town dwelt there and thus it continued until the year 1542. at which time Solyman the Great Turk either in respect of the strength of the place or in hope of profit or else to get himself a Name with great Cost and Labour re-edified it set up many stately Buildings and sumptuous Houses beautified it with two costly Temples the one the Temple of Solomon and the other the holy Sepulchre enlarged the extent thereof and seated it upon high Hills After all this compass'd it about with a spacious and thick Wall and upon that placed many strong and stately Towers wherein there stands eight Gates viz. the Fish Gate the old Gate S. Stephens Gate so called because they say S. Stephen went out by that Gate when he was stoned the Angle Gate the Dung Gate the Sheep Gate the Golden and Fountain Gates Thus the ancient City and that which the Emperour Adrian built being both destroyed in another place is set up again So that between both this new City standeth and the first City begins to be again inhabited Of the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre THIS Temple lieth upon the West within this new Town at first fairly built by the Emperour Constantine but destroyed by Caliphas Sultan of Egypt then by the Emperours of Constantinople rebuilt which continueth to this day It is round in the proportion adorned with seventy nine Pillars thirty foot long the Wideness by the Diameter besides the Pillars is seventy three Feet leaded above and upon the top of the Roof standeth a Lanthorn by which the Light cometh in This Lanthorn is very curiously glazed In the middle standeth the holy Sepulchre To this joyneth the Church in Mount Golgotha and serveth instead of a Quire It standeth something lower but all under one Roof The place where the holy Sepulchre standeth is four square eight foot long and eight broad hewn out of a Rock and covered with Marble there is a little door in the East part of it very low by which men go into it and within that the Sepulchre it self standeth upon the North side made of gray Marble 3 handfuls high and 8 foot long There are no Windows for light to come to it but over there hangeth continually nine Lamps burning whereby it receiveth Light The Vault of this Sepulchre is divided with a Wall the outward is both of the same Proportion and Length as the inward but that which is without seemeth to be an Entry to the inner Cave where Christ was buried and there as some say even
to this day is found a piece of the Stone which the Angel rolled from the Grave before the Resurrection the other part of the Stone howsoever it came there lyes upon Mount Sion But some think that the Armenians carried it thither because upon it they have built an Altar In this inner Cave there hangs nine Lamps to give light unto them that enter in by the East so that in the inner and outer Vault there standeth eighteen Lamps The Mount whereon Christ was crucified seemeth to stand upon a Rock of Stone whitish and something blushing It is distant from the Holy Sepulchre a hundred and thirty foot The place where the Cross stood was an hard Rock eighteen steps in the Ascent and answereth to nine and twenty feet The hole where the Cross stood is about the roundness of a mans head in Latitude and if a man might believe the Monks thereabouts they say also that in that place is to be seen the colour of our Saviours Blood even to this day Upon the left hand of this there stands an Altar made of Marble and over that a sumptuous Chappel paved and covered with polish'd Marble gilt and adorned with refulgent Gold the Walls whereof are very curiously wrought and gilded In the Church upon Mount Golgotha they also shew part of a Pillar naturally black speck'd with red Spots where they say Christ was whip'd and make the Vulgar believe that these Specks are the drops of Blood that fell from him The other part of this Column was carried to Constantinople as it was thought In this Church Godfrey first Christian King of Ierusalem and the rest of his Successors lie buried Of the Temple of Solomon as it is at this day THIS Temple lieth towards the East and was built by the Christians just in the same place where the former Temple stood at the time when the City was rebuilt and enlarged The body thereof is very high and spatious and built of polish'd Marble adorned with most exquisite and curious Workmanship very artificial and glorious both within and without insomuch that the polished Stones cast a singular beautiful and resplendent Lustre Above it is covered with Lead and was built up at the cost and labour of the Grecians in the Roof whereof the Turks place an half Moon as they usually do in all such Churches wherein they come and have Authority The Turks and Saracens have this Temple in great Reverence and Devotion they adorn it according to their Custom with divers artificial Pictures and Emblems They will suffer no Christians to enter into it nor any Jews upon pain of Death And if it happens that at any time they go into it they first wash themselves with Water very clean then put off their Hose and Shoos and so go bare-foot This Temple they call the holy Rock and in the body thereof there hangeth seven hundred Lamps which burn Night and Day In the midst hereof there standeth a certain little Rock every where indented with Iron near to which not any of the Saracens or Infidels dare to approach or touch although there come many very far to visit it for they believe that there were many memorable and worthy things done in that Rock they think that Melchisedeck the first Priest of the great God offered Bread and Wine upon it Genes 14. and that here the Patriarch Iacob saw the Ladder which reached from Heaven to Earth Gen. 28. which indeed hapned not in Ierusalem but in Bethel as the Scriptures witness Further they believe that upon this Stone David saw the Angel of the Lord standing with a shaken Sword when he struck the City with the Pestilence 2 Sam. 24. and that the Priests of the old Testament offered upon this stone their Sacrifices to the Lord which were devoured with Fire from Heaven All which things do utterly differ from holy Scripture The Jews also are of Opinion That the Prophet Ieremy about the time of the Captivity of Babylon in this Stone hid the Ark of the Covenant until such time as the Lord brought the People back again from the Captivity which is contrary also to the Books of the holy Scripture for 2 Mach. 2. it is said it was hid in the Mount Nebo where Moses stood when he saw the whole Land of Canaan Also the Turks say that Christ sate upon this stone when Simeon took him in his arms and blessed him Here also he sate in the midst of the Doctors when he was but twelve years of Age Luk. 2. which also differeth from the Scripture for this was not the Body of the Temple but in the middle Court or Solomons Porch which sometimes was taken for the Temple because it joyned to it And divers Circumstances of the Scripture do seem to make this evident because here Christ taught and here the People usually met together as appeareth Iosh. 10. and Psal. 72. About the Temple of Ierusalem there is a fair Plain much resembling our Church-yards all paved with marble stone To this there is adjoyning a fair Church covered with Lead and was somtimes called Solomons Porch but after the Christians had won Ierusalem they gave it the Name of St. Maries The Turk keeps burning in this daily eight hundred Lamps and it is much greater than that of Solomons Temple The Sultan of Aegypt also about an hundred years before built a little Church or Moscho close by Solomons Temple wherein are continually burning eighty eight Lamps There is a Vault under the Temple of the blessed Virgin Mary of such an extraordinary Greatness that six hundred 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 Turks 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 sometime was the Ark of the Covenant Dan. 9. Mat. 24. and the Prophecy of Ieremy is fully finished cap. 19. This place shall be unclean like unto the place of Tophet where they did sacrifice to the Host of Heaven and unto other strange Gods Of other Buildings within the City of Aelia which is now called Jerusalem MOunt Sion is placed toward the South of Ierusalem where even at this day the Monks undertake to shew the Ruines of David's 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 manner that the Mountain of Sion with the Sepulchre of David fell down and were utterly defaced Further all true Historians do write That Adrian the Emperour did so much deface the City that he left not a stone standing upon 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 seek those
holy Places where when they come with the expence of a great deal of time in recompence of their pains are made a laughing-stock to the Kings of Ierusalem and find nothing but feigned and supposed holy Places and Buildings since the words of our Saviour manifest That there shall not be a stone left upon 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 down and cast into the Vallies with which being filled there remaineth not so much as an Emblem of the old City From whence may evidently appear That those Places which are now shewn to Pilgrims by the Monks of Ierusalem are merely suborned and feigned on purpose to deceive them and get their money They are very simple therefore that go to Ierusalem to seek their Salvation 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 upon the Earth Wherefore our Saviour 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 evident 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 over the holy Sepulchre upon Mount Calvary there are at this day many of divers Nations and Countreys which inhabit of divers Opinions and Religions And although they differ in material Points of their Faith yet would they be all Christians of which number there are some Latines Greeks Abissines Armenians Gregorians Nestorians Surians and Iacobins The Latines for the most part are such as we call Franciscan Monks Observants or Friars These have the keeping of the holy Sepulchre and look to it very diligently where sometimes they make a certain number of Knights of the Noble Order of St. 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 upon them worth about an hundred Hungarian Duckats at the end whereof hangs a Ierusalem Cross of gold This kind of Cross also they are permitted to wear upon their Arms and Cloaths then have they a pair of gilt Spurs with Velvet tyings But before they are admitted into this Order they must swear upon the holy Sepulchre to maintain and defend the Doctrine of the Pope The Graecians that are there be also Monks and do inhabit within the Temple of the holy Sepulchre but they have the keeping of the place where our Saviour Christ was crucified and differ from the Romanists For they believe first That the holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and not the Son Secondly they give 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 Fifthly they sing Mass in their own Language that every man may understand it but they observe seven Sacraments as the Romanists do They teach men to pray to and call upon Saints they yearly observe two strict fasting days and eat no Flesh upon Saturdays The rest of the Graecians that are through the East parts leave Marriage free as well for the Clergy as Laity and condemn the Latin Priests because they marry not They allow no graven Images in their Churches but in some places of the Churches they have fair painted Pictures hanging They approve not the Pope but have a Patriarch for their high Bishop which Patriarch is greatly reverenced and much honoured in Constantinople The Abissins be such as are of Iohn's Government their Complexion is brown their Habitation is in the Temple upon Mount Calvary on the East side of the Church door They also approve not the Pope but allow Priests to marry and give 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 Jews do not they observe our Saturday for their Sabbath they baptise their Children with Fire of which I will speak more hereafter in the description of the Town of Saba The Armenians are Christians and come out of Armenia their Dwelling is in a Chappel upon Mount Sion near to St. Iames his Church they deny the Pope to be Head of the Church they minister the Sacraments in both kinds their Priests marry they forbear the meats forbidden in the Old Testament They have a kind of Custom to whine and cry by the Graves of the dead upon 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 living thing during that time they observe Wednesdays and Fridays they preach sing and say their Service in their own Tongue they deny Prayer for the dead and Purgatory they all wear Hats with blew Hat-bands The Gregorians are Christians that dwell by the great City of Trapezunta upon the Euxinian Sea Their Priests marry but if their Wives dye they must not marry again They dwell in Ierusalem in the Church upon Mount Calvary where Christ after his Resurrection shewed himself like a Gardner unto Mary Magdalen The Nestorian Hereticks who now are found in great numbers in Ninevie which at this day is called Mossell and in other places thereabout do yet hold the Heresie of Nestorias their Master and teach That Christ had two Natures and that he hath two Persons and that Mary was not the Mother of God but that she bare Christ who was man only about their Hats they wear flesh-coloured Hat-bands Some of their Priests are found to dwell in the Temple of Mount Calvary The Surians follow the Graecian Christians touching the most of their Opinions they respect not much their Religion for in regard of their Poverty they are forced to work for day Wages under the Turks Some of them also dwell in Ierusalem in a Church called S. Marks which standeth in the place of the house where Iohn Mark dwelt where the Apostle Peter knock'd when the Angel led him out of Prison The Sect of the Iacobins are resident in a Chappel which standeth behind the Sepulchre They take that name of Iacob the Heretick who was a Disciple of the Patriarch of Alexandria they are wavering and unconstant among themselves and are here and there found in Iudaea Aegypt and Barbary divided into many Sects for some of them hold with Eutichus and Macharus who ascribe one Nature to Christ which is the God-head and deny the Man-hood Some of them circumcise their Children some baptise them with Fire and make a Cross upon their Faces Of this fiery Baptism you shall read more hereafter in the description of the City of Saba Hereby you may note how the Temple of the holy Sepulchre in
and left Mahomet all that she had He on a sudden being lift up to this height of substance grew very ambitious for he was naturally proud wrathful a Thief a Whore-master a most impudent Adulterer and wheresoever he came made havock of all things This man by the help of the Saracens and others affected the Kingdom of Arabia which within short time after he obtained entring Mecha the chief City thereof upon Thursday the 15th of Iuly Anno Dom. 622. and by the help of two Jews and this Sergius wrote that blasphemous Law of the Alcoran falsly professing himself to be a Prophet and began cruelly to oppose himself against all neighbouring Nations and Cities The Alcoran taketh the name from Splendour or Brightness for Al in the Arabick is as much as Karan in the Hebrew and that signifies to sâine or cast forth a brightness This Alcoran contains a blasphemous and detestable Law written in the Arabian Tongue without any order or colour of Knowledge teaching manifest Lies and execrable Blasphemiâs against God and for the most part the Pleasures and Delights of this World for he doth deny that there is one eternal Essence of the Deity and the holy Trinity our Saviour Christ they one while call the Son of God and another while the Soul or Spirit of God They deny his Deity but say that he was a holy man born without a Father of the chaste and incorruptible Virgin Mary And although he was before all beginning yet they believe that he was not begotten but created before all other essential Creatures by the Eternal God Also they say he was not crucified but some other in his place and therefore the Salvation of man not to consist in the merits of Christ but in our own proper Works And that the Jews might embrace the Alcoran they retain Circumcision which is commonly done when the Children are thirteen years of Age about which time Ishmael was circumcised They forbear the meats forbidden in the Law they have many Wives at one time they tollerate a Bill of Divorce and affirm that after the Resurrection men may have many Wives and with them banquet surfât and use pleasant Recreations with divers such Errors and vain Trifles which for brevities sake I omit That he might the better persuade men to embrace and believe these his Lies and blasphemous Doctrines he very cunningly seemed to confirm them with many false and feigned Miracles and amongst the rest this was one Having taught a white Dove to put Corn in his Ear whilst he was preaching to the People it chanced she came and sat upon his Shoulder and putting her Bill into his Ear according to her accustomed manner he persuaded the People that it was the Spirit of God which delivered him the words of the Law A Bull also taught after the same manner at his Voice came before him and kneeling down did him reverence with the Alcoran tied upon his horns which he affirmed was come from Heaven and brought that new Law Then did he make divers horns of gold and silver and filling them full of Milk hid them in the Earth after which in a great assembly he caused the same places to be opened and told the people that these signified plenty and abundance to all such as kept and observed that Law but the Violaters thereof should be punished with Death together with many other such like idle and foolish Miracles which would be too tedious to recite that he might make the People believe that it came from God And being afflicted with the Falling Sickness gave it out that then the Angel Gabriel told him the Law making this likewise a means to further his designs but after viz. upon the eighth of Iune Anno Dom. 632. and in the 61 year of his Age he died miserably of this Disease after he had reigned in Mecha ten years and Enbubizer or Abudâchar his Father-in-law succeeded him in the Government who built in his honour a Church and in that put his Sepulchre both stately and sumptuous The Turks also embrace this Doctrine and joyned their forces with the Saracens they extended their Empire under Mahomet the third into Asia Europe and Africa They derive their Name as I suppose from Cruelty for Turca signifieth a cruel Destroyer or an armed Enemy being derived from the Hebrew word Tarach that is to effect his purpose From whence they are not improperly called of the Grâcâins ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to vex and make weary or else from the Hebrew word Tachaera which signifies a shield and from the Greek word ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to put on a Shield and to arm themselves for the Turks are armed Enemies and Destroyers of the whole World and by Ezekiel are called Gog and Magog cap. 38. 39. of Magog which was the Son of Iaphet Gen. 10. and as some think inhabited the North parts of the World Pliny places them in Bospherus Cimmerius Scythia c. which lyeth toward the East But indeed they have often changed their Residence and have come into Persia Armenia Syria Palestina Arabia and cruelly destroyed them until they had conquered Constantinople and got a great part of Europe and have infeâted the minds of all the Inhabitants of those parts with their Manners Slaughters and Rapines according to that blasphemous Law of the Alcoran They first afflicted those Parts about the year of our Lord 760. Constantius Copronius being then the Emperour of Rome since which time they have conquered a great part of the World A Relation of the Travels and Peregrinations of the Saints and holy Patriarchs as they are severally mentioned in the first Book of MOSES And first of the first Man Adam ADAM the first man took his name from Adamah which signifies red Earth because he was made of the red slime of the Earth therefore the Latins derive Homo from Humo also the Graecians from ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã which signifies the Earth But when Man was laid open to all Calamities Miseries yea and Death the Hebrews called him Enosh which signifies a mortal and miserable Man for this Attribute to Man agreeth with the word Nosch which signifies to be sick of a deadly disease There are some that think that Man was made in Syria near to Damascus because there is found much red Earth Others say near to Hebron a City in the Tribe of Iuda and there also lies buried for in a Cave near that place lies much red Earth which the Inhabitants even to this day shew unto Pilgrims but this is nothing to the purpose since we know that Man was first created and then brought into Paradise Gen. 1. and 2. Of Paradise PAradise which in Greek is ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and in Hebrew Pardes signifies a pleasant Garden plentifully furnished with fruitful trees but principally Myrtle-trees which beareth a kind of Berry of a very delectable taste for this Hebrew word seemeth to be a compound
that is of Parah which signifies to fructifie and Hadas a Mirtle of the fruit of which tree there is made a certain Wine called Mirtle or Mulberry Wine the mystery hereof is that Christ is that Tree of Life that fruitful and pleasant Mirtle whereby we are raisâd up unto Eternal Life Gen. 2. Apoc. 22. Mat. 11. Luther calleth Paradise in his discourse of Germany a pleasant Garden Eccl. 2. Munster an Orchard and in the Bible it is called Eden a place plentifully furnished with all things necessary for the procuring of Pleasure and Delight The Grecians call it Hedone which signifies an extraordinary delectable and pleasant place for in it there was great Abundance of all things as well of Trees Fruits Herbs and sweet-smelling Flowers as of Beasts and Fowls of the Heaven Into this place God put man to dress it and keep it But where it stood and whether it be now upon the Earth there are divers Opinions The Romaniâts hold that it is placed in the East without the Tropicks others would have it under the Aequator because it is a very Temperate Region but Experience tells us that there it is very hot and scorching Others think it stands upon the top of a high mountain free from all the violent motions and impreâsions of the Air in which place they hold Enoch and Eliah are yet living There are others that assign the whole East part to be Paradise and that there were some peculiar places most fruitful of which they think was Syria Damascus Arabia Foelix Aegypt and Iudaea in which Part man was put They also say that the Tree of Knowledge stood upon Mount Calvary near about that place where Christ was crucified so that he made satisfaction for sin in the same place where sin was first committed And this I hold to be the better Opinion and that it remained till the Deluge kept in the custody of Angels at Gods appointment and by the Flood together with other Creatures was abolished And for that Saying of our Saviour to the Thief upon the Cross This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise is not to be understood of the Earthly Paradise but of the Heavenly the Place of the blessed Angels and Saints where God with his Divine Majesty filleth them with the Light of Righteousness and quickeneth them with Eternal Life This place St. Paul calls the third Heaven and that Heavenly Paradise of which the Earthly Paradise is a type 2 Cor. 12. Of the four Rivers that watered Paradise THE four Flouds of Paradise were Pison Gihon Hidekel and Euphrates Gen. 2. There was but one Fountain of all these Floods and this was in Paradise it self which in those times was divided into four Streams But as by the Flood all the face of the Earth was changed so likewise were these Rivers and their Fountains and Channels altered from the places where at first they were notwithstanding in memory of them there remains some Reliques tho' perhaps not in the same place nor springing out of one and the same Fountain as they did before And as the Mediterranean Sea the Gulph of Arabia and many other Meers and Lakes before the Flood were not but by the general consent of all Learned men happened by that huge Inundation the same may be said of these Rivers The head or beginning of the River Pischon or Pison is 4800 miles Eastward from Ierusalem and is like unto an Arm of the Sea some twelve or sixteen miles over and for that cause it taketh the name from Posch that is increasing or of an extraordinary greatness from hence the Grecians call it Phuson because it divides it self into divers Rivulets or Streams It compasseth in Havilah it divideth that part of the World which we call India into the outward and inward and there is called Ganges taking that name from an Aethioâian King called Gange as Suidas saith Some say it is unknown where it first riseth others say it riseth in Scythia and watereth all the Neighbour-Countreys as it passeth along as Nilus doth and so being dispersed into thirty Channels divideth India with one of them the narrowest place of Ganges is eight miles over and the shallowest an hundred foot deep it bringeth forth Dolphins Crocodiles and divers other Creatures Solinus and Strabo say That the River Tigris riseth in Armenia a very fair and clear Fountain it is distant from Ierusalem six hundred miles towards the North it runneth with such an exceeding swiftness that Fishes cannot swim against it and passeth through the Lake of Arthusia without once mingling it self with the Water and for this cause it is called Tigris which signifies a dart and a Beast of extraordinary swiftness and cruelty This River running from towards the North and the rising of the Sun it compasseth in Mesopotamia and passeth by the Borders of Media and Assyria and after that of Chaldaea and Arabia it there receiveth in the River Hydasâis and so joyning with Euphrates falls into the Lake of Persia. The Hebrews called this River Chidikill from Chadad which signifies acute and Kalal light for it is a swift running Stream from hence the Graecians call it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the Latines Celer the Germans Ein Zelter which signifies with us a Horse swiftly running for it passeth away swifter than an Arrow out of a Bow Going towards the East some thirty six miles from the antient Babylon it runneth through a Town called Bagedeth bordering upon Turkey and Persia and from thence towards the Latitude to a Town called Argentaratus where it changeth the name to Tigris in that place it runneth so extreme swift that it will make a mans head dizzy to look upon it Strabo saith the River Euphrates riseth out of a Mountain in Armeâia called Nipha some 300 miles from the City of Ierusalem towards the North watering Mesopotamia and Chaldaea and passing through the midst of that flourishing City Babylon divides it into two parts and after passing through and fructifying Arabia it joyneth with the Flood Tigris and falls into the Persian Gulf. Semiramis Queen of the Assyrians and of Babylon built a Bridge over the narrowest place of this River being some three quarters of a mile over The Hebrews call this River Parah because it fructifieth and from thence the Graecians call it ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã or ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to bear fruit the Germans Fruchter which in English is fruitful or pleasant And therefore St. Ambrose saith it is derived from Euâhranein that is from rejoycing for that overflowing the Fields it causeth them the next year to flourish with all kind of Fruit and pleasant Flowers The Water of this River is very foul and dirty so that it is unfit to drink according to that of Ieremy chap. 2. What availeth it thee to go into Assyria that thou mightest drink of the Water of Euphraters If a man takes this Water in a Vessel and let it stand but two hours the Dirt and Sand will
lye at the bottom thereof two inches thick Therefore the Inhabitants near about it are wont to take a great Pot that holdeth a good quantity whereinto putting Water they let it stand till all the filth be sunk to the bottom and so they clear Water to drink Nilus taketh the beginning from a certain Mountain in Maââitania the Lower not far from the Ocean and issâes from a Lake which they call Nidiles and partly from other Lakes and is increased with the Snow Waters falling from the Mountains of the Moon in Africa 3200 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Some think it took the name from Nileus a certain King thereabouts others from the Soil which is yearly brought down in the Stream whereby all Aegypt is made fruitful from whence some think it was called Servious Nilus for that it bringeth down new Mud with ãâã The Hebrews call it Gihon because it breaketh out of the Earth with great Violence This River comes through the Desarts of Aethiopia and so with great Violence comes into Egypt where it is divided into seven Streams and in times past had seven Gates the names of which were Canopiâus or Heracliâticus Bolbitinus Sebiniticus Pharmiticus Mendâsius Taniticus and Palusiacus the two outward Gates of which viz. Canoâicus and Palusiacus were 160 miles asunder Appianus saith there are two otâeâ Gates called Tineptimiâus and Diolcus this ninth Gate is divided at a City and place called Delta taking the Name from the likeness that it hath to the Greek Letter so called So that Nilus is divided into nine Gates by which nine Gates it falls into the Mediterranean Sea There are many that think that Paradise was only in Egypt and that then it had only but four streams and that at the Flood it was confused into nine and they would seem to prove their Opinions out of the 31 Chapter of Ezekiel where he calleth Egypt a Garden of Pleasure But this differeth from the description of Moses for it is not sciââate in the East but rather the South from Ierusâlem and far distant from the two Eastern Rivers Euphrates and Hiddikel by which the holy Scriptures do principally denote Paradise Wherefore it may be concluded that Egypt was only a part of Paradise not Paradise it self and that this River was one of the Rivers not all the Streams of which River at some times of the year viz. in the Summer Solstice when the Sun is near the Dog-star begins to swell and overflow the Banks by reason of the melting of the Snow which lies upon the Mountains of the Moon and so drown all the places near unto it through the Land of Egypt leaving behind it certain Slime and Mud by which it comes to pass that the Country is very fruitful and serves them instead of Rain at which time of the Year for this happens once every year the People and Inhabitants of the Country retire themselves to their Towns Ciâies and Castles sciâuated upon Rocks Mountains and high Grounds from whence it happeneth that they sustain very little discommodity or loss by any such Inuâdation They also keep little Boats whereby they pass from one place to another because all their Passages and Foot-paths are then drowned with Waters There are many pretty Observations which the People of Egypt were wont to take notice of in the rising of this Water for they had certain Staves whereby they measured the depth of it if it rose but to twelve Cubits which is six yards in height they then stood in fear of great Famine so also if it was but thirteen for then the Water was not deep enough to make the ground fertile but if it rose to fourteen or fifteen then they were in great hope and did not doubt of a fruitful Year and if to sixteen they then greatly rejoyced at their Prosperity and kept Banquets and Feasts and were assured that the succeeding year would be very plentiful but if it rose above they laid aside all signs of Joy and lived very sparingly and with great Sorrow this great Inundation of Waters fore-shewing Scarcity and Want and Famine and Pestilence and Death And thus Nilus yearly every year is to them instead of Rain for Egypt is without Rain In Autumn at such time as the Sun going out of the last face of Libra entreth into Scorpio the Waters of Nilus by little and little retire themselves into their Banks and the Earth becomes quite uncovered of Water about which time the Country being exceeding hot the Earth is presently made dry in all those places so that in the Month of October they may both till and sow their Land In this River the Crocodile and the Ichneumo breed of the nature of which two you may sufficiently read in Gesner There also breeds the Pelican of which St. Ierom saith there are two kinds one that lives upon the Water another that lives upon the Land these Birds as some affirm kill their young ones upon their Beak and then leave them lying in their Nest for three days at the end of which time the Female grievously wounds her self upon the Breast and pouring her Blood upon her young ones revives them again This Bird may very well be a type and figure of our Blessed Saviour who shedding his precious Blood upon the Cross for our Sins after the third day rose again and that he might restore us to Life that be dead in Sin poureth out his Blood upon us whereby we are made capable of Eternal Life Of the Place where Adam and Eva dwelt after the breaking of the Commandment Gen. 3. ADAM and Eva being driven out of Pradise dwelt at Damascus 160 miles from Ierusalem as Munster and others write the Townsmen of Damascus at this day shew the place where Cain slew his Brother Abel and it is well to be believed that this City receives her Name thereby for Damascus signifies blood-shedding or a place which hath drunk up Blood Of the Place where Cain dwelt CAIN after he had slain his Brother Abel dwelt in the Land of Nod a Land of Fear and Disquiet in the Town of Hanoch and as some think it was the same place where Babylon after Noah's Flood was built being four hundred and eighty 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 upon which Mount the Ark after the Flood stayed it self Gen. 8. Ptolomaeus nameth these high Hills in Armenia Gordes which are alwayes covered with Snow and no man may get upon them Sem. SEM who in the Holy Scriptures is called Melchisedech that is a King of Righteousness dwelt in the City of Ierusalem which as then was called Salem that is a City of Peace Nimroth NImroth was the first Prince and Regent upon Earth and built Babylon which is six hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem Eastward Strabo writeth That in Babylon there was an old
four-square Tower built of Brick four hundred and sixteen Ells high and each side thereof four hundred and sixteen Ells broad This without doubt was a piece of the Tower of Babylon the top whereof should have reached up to Heaven Gen. 22. Babel or Babylon signifieth a Confusion because in that place God confounded the Work-mens Tongues when they built the Tower of Babylon The Travels of Abraham 1. ABraham went out of his own Countrey of Vr in Chaldaea to the City of Haran in Mesopotamia which is 376 miles 2. From Haran by Gods commandment he went to Sichem which is four hundred miles 3. From Sichem he went to the Plain and Wood of Mamâe to the Hill between Bethel and Hay which is 28 Miles 4. From thence he went into Egypt travelling Southward 240 miles 5. Out of Egypt he went again into Canaan to the Hill that lyeth between Behel and Hay which is 240 miles Gen. 13. 6. From thence he went to the Plain of Mamre near Hebron 32 miles 7. From the Plain of Mamre he went to Dan which is 124 miles and there overthrew the four Kings which had taken Lot Prisoner Gen. 14. 8. Then he pursued the Enemâ for the space of 80 miles to Hobam in Phoenicia which lieth in the left side of Damasco Gen. 14. 9. From Phoenicia he went to Sodom where Melchisedeck met him which are 160 miles Gen. 14. 10. From Sodom he went back again to the Plain of Mamre which are 40 miles 11. From the Plain of Mamre he went to Gerer which is six miles where his Son Isaac was born Gen. 20. 21. 12. From Gerar he went to Beersaba which is 12 miles where he took an Oath of King Abimilech 13. From Beersaba he went to Mount Moriah which is 40 miles where he would have offered his Son Isaac Gen. 22. 14. From Mount Moriah he returned again to Beersaba which is 40 miles 15. From Beersaba he and his Wife went to the Plain of Mamre by Hebron which is 16 miles and there they died and were buried Gen. 23. and 25. So that all the Travels of the Patriarch Abraham were 1794 miles Now followeth the description of the Towns and Places THE Town of Vr in Chaldaea where Abraham was born at this day is called Orchae as Petrus Apâianus writeth and is distant from Ierusalem 624 miles Eastward It seemeth it either took that Name from Light or Fire or else from Divine Worship for there they used to offer many burnt Offerings but at that time they committed Idolatry for which cause Abraham went from thence perceiving thaâ the Chaldaeans took the Fire for their God because Fire came down from Heaven and consumed their Offerings Learned men therefore are of Opinion that the Chalâaeans in the Town of Vr worshipped the Fire for their God Haran or Charan that is Wrath. HAran is the chief City in Mesopotamia where Abraham for a time dwelt with his Father Thara There the rich Roman Crassus with his Army was overthrown 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 eleven days Journey from Mossel or Nineveh as D. Leonard Ronwolfe writeth who in anno 1575 upon the thirtieth of Ianuary was in that Town Ophra or Haran is a fair City well inhabited and indifferent great compassed about with Walls and Towers richly furnished with Merchandize but especially with fair Coverleâs of divers colours that are made therein There is likewise great Trade and Traffick for divers kinds of Wares brought thither by Caravans which are great Numbers of Camels Horses and other Beasts that carry great Burdens with many men to conduct them which traffick and travel from one City to another This City in times past belonged to the Parthians even 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 upon the sixth of Iune after he was by the Parthians overthrown hard by Haran in Mesopotamia and there taken and slain the Parthians pouring molten Gold into his Mouth said Drink now thy fill thou greedy Wretch of that which thou so long hast thirsted after for with this thou mayst fill thy greedy Throat In this overthrow were slain thirty thousand Romans and by that means the City of Haran returned again under the Parthians After that the Persians took it but now it is under the Turk In this City of Haran at this day there is to be seen a Well of very clear Water at which Rebecca gave drink to Abraham's Servant and to his Camels Genes 24. 19. This Well by the Towns-men is called Abraham's Well there also Laban's Daughter first spake with the holy Patriarch Iacob who turning the stone off from the Well gave her Sheep of the Water to drink This Water hath a very pleasant Taste and is a notable Type of holy Baptism for like as the holy Fathers took their Wives by this Well so Christ receiveth his holy Congregation by the Well of Baptism in his Word and holy Sacrament This is the right Well of Israel which floweth into Everlasting Life The City of Haran now called Ophra lieth from Nineveh 232 miles Westward Sichem a Shoulder SIchem is a Town in Samaria on the borders of Ephraim lying on Mount Garizim 36 miles from Ierusalem North-ward It takes the Name as Phil. Melancthon writeth from the place whereon it standeth like a Shoulder for Sichem signifies a Shoulder Of this Town I will speak more at large in the New Testament for that by it Christ spake with the Samaritan Woman Joh. 4. In this Town Jacob's Daughter was ravished Gen. 34. and there tâe Bones of the Patriarch Joseph were buried Josh. 24. Abimelech for spight and upon no occasion utterly destroyed the Town and having razed it to the ground sowed it with Salt Iudg. 9. But Ieroboam King of Ierusalem built it up again and dwelt therein 1 Kin. 12. It was a free Town whither a Man-slayer might resort that had killed any man by chance and save himself Iosh. 20. Mount Garizim whereon the Town of Sichem stood was a piece of Mount Eâhraim Tanais in Hebrew Zoan an Inn or House of Harbour TANAIS or Zoân was the chief City in Egypt where Pharaoh in Abraham's time kept his Court as we read in the thirteenth Chapter of the fourth Book of Moses and Psil. 58. and lieth 232 miles from Ierusalem South-eastward Four miles from Tanais stood the Kingly Town of Memphis which was likewise built before Abraham's time but at that time it was not so famous as Tanais for there is not one word spoken of Memâhis in the Books of Moses But when time serves I will speak more of these two places Of the Mount between Bethel and Hay THIS Hill is
Giblin by the Jews In S. Hierom's time it was a great Town Of Moriah UPON this Mount Abraham would have offered his Son Isaac and stood not far from Salem or Mount Sion where Melâhisedech dwelt They were so near that Melchisedech upon the Tower of Sion might easily see the Angel that spake with Abraham when he renewed the Covenant with him concerning his Seed and Posterity and is derived from Mor or Mârar which signifies bitter Myrrh because as Gregorius saith the Church is ever subject to Affliction For all they that will serve God and live religiously must suffer Persecution Mat. 16. 2 Tim. 3. and Iarr which signifies to fear How Abraham may be typically apprehended ABraham signifies the Father of a Multitude from Ab pater a Father Ram excelsus Mighty and Hamon multitudinis Of a Multitude Not in regard of the Jews only but all those that in succeeding times shall be ingraffed into the Church and partake of everlasting Life through the Mediation of Christ Jesus the promised Seed Gal. 3. Ephes. 1. Acts 3. and is a Type and Figure of God the Father for that as Abraham was the Father of many yet had but only one Son so although God be the Father of all Nations yet had but one only Son Jesus Christ begotten of his own Essence from before the beginning of the World And as Abraham so loved God that for his sake he would not have spared his only Son so God so loved Abraham and the World that he gave his only begotten Son to die for the Salvation of their Souls The Travels of Lot LOT travelled with Abraham from Vr in Chaldaea to Haran in Mesopotamia which is 336 miles Gen. 12. 2. From Haran they travelled to Sichem in the land of Canaan bâing 400 miles 3. From Sichem they travelled through Morae to the Hill lying between Bethel and Hay which is 24 miles 4. From the Hill between Bethel and Hay they went into Aegypt which is 240 miles Gen. 13. 5. From Aegypt they went into the Land of Canaan to the Hill lying between Bethel and Hay where Abraham had dwelt before which is 240 miles Gen. 13. 6. From the Hill between Bethel and Hay Lot separated himself from Abraham and went to the Town of Sodom Eastward which is 28 miles Gen 13. 7. In the Town of Sodom Lot was taken Prisoner he and all his houshold and led away to the Town of Dan which is 32 miles Gen. 14. 8. And when Abraham had delivered him out of the hands of his Enemies a pursued them he returned with him from Dan to Hobam in Phoenicia lying on the left side of Damascus being 80 miles 9. From Phoenicia Abraham came again with Lot to Sodom which is 160 miles 10. Lastly when the Lord had determined to rain Fire and Brimstome on Sodom Lot according to his Commandment went thence to Zoar a little Town near adjoyning where being drunk with Wine he committed Incest with both his Daughters but after coming to the knowledge of his Offence he was so sore afflicted in his Conscience that with extream Grief he died Luther saith that Abraham took him to Hebron with him to comfort him and that there he died Hebron is 36 miles from Sodom So all the Travels of the Patriarch Lot were 1652 miles The Description of the Towns and Places where he travelled and first of Sodom THE Cities that were destroyed with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven were four in number that is Sodom Gomorrah Adama and Zeboim lying 24 miles from Ierusalem South-eastward where now the Dead Sea runs The fifth was the City Bela called also Zoar which was spared for Lot's sake and distant from Sodom two miles This Lot accounted but a little City but there are that say it was a very spacious and Princely place near to which his Wife for her Disobedience was turned into a Pillar of Salt and not far off he committed Incest with his two Daughters And although Luther be of opinion that that also within a while after was burnt yet this cannot be certainly proved especially because it remaineth even to this day scituated both in the ancient place and called by the ancient Name unless some new City hath been lately built in the same place and is now called after that name which I cannot think to be true Sodamah signifieth a Mystery Gomorrah a Faggot of Thorns Adamah Red Earth Zeboim Fertile and Pleasant Zoar the burning of Bâla for in ancient times it was called Baela It is the received Opinion that the Country wherein these five rich and opulent Cities stood was called Pentapolis Of the Lake or Dead Sea called Asphaltides IN the very same place where these Cities were burnt and destroyed there is at this day to be seen a Lake about 36 Miles long and in some places six in others eight and twelve miles over It boileth with Pitch and Brimstone and in some places passeth by the name of the Salt Sea and in others the dead Sea because of the noisome and venomous Air that riseth out of it insomuch as the very Birds that fly over it fall down dead and if a Beast do but drink of it mix'd with Water it makes him incurably sick It is of a wonderful nature for whatsoever heavy thing you fling into it will not sink but swim upon the top be it either Iron Lead Copper or any other weighty matter of which Vespasian the Emperour having notice to make experience of what he had heard made a Journey of purpose to see it and with him took certain condemned men who for their Offences had deserved Death these he manacled and where he thought it to be deepest caused them to be thrown in but they rose up again with such violence as if some Storm or Tempest had sent them up The Water thereof changeth three times a day and shineth against the Sun with divers colours casting out Fire and great Cakes of Pitch much resembling Bulls without heads and of that quantity This Pitch is good for divers things as to calk Ships to lay upon Cables and to use in Medicines wherefore such as come to this Sea and know the nature of it have certain Skifs and Instruments wherewith they draw these Cakes of Pitch to their Ships to which it cleaveth so fast it being naturally tough that being brought to Land they cannot get it off again but by the help of Urine Upon the Banks thereof grow Trees that bear fruit of divers kinds as Apples and such like which are fair and pleasant to the Eye but if you either touch or open them you shall find nothing but Dust. Brittenbacchus saith In this place the Serpent Tyrus whereof they use to make Treacle is found It is a little Serpent about half a Cubit long and a Finger thick being of divers colours and is so venomous that where it biteth there is no remedy unless by cutting off the Member the Head of it is rough and hairy and
which Jacob travelled Of Bethel BEthel was a Town in the Tribe of Benjamin eight miles from Jerusalem towards the North and signifies The house of God In times past it was called Luz but Jacob seeing in that place the Vision of the Ladder with the Angels ascending and deâcending upon it and because there the Lord renewed the Covenant with him concerning his Seed and the coming of Christ he therefore called it Bethel Afterward Jeroboam having unlawfully usurp'd the Kingdom of Rehoboham caused a Calf to be set up there for which cause it was then called Bethaven which signifieth the house of Sin and abominable 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 Towns should stand within two miles one of the other which seemeth very absurd therefore I dare boldly affirm that there was but one Bethel which stood upon the borders of Benjamin and Ephraim both Tribes bordering upon the South-side of the Town of Luz Josh. 16. and 18. This Town of Bethel was at first in the Suburbs of Luz until the Division 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. and 25. Iosh. 7. and 18. From hence there is a two-fold Mystery to be apprehended the first of Jacob whose sleeping in this place upon a Stone caused this City or Town to be built and to retain the name of Bethel that is The house of God So whosoever seeks to have eternal Life must rest upon that corner stone Christ Jesus the Son of the everliving God and by faith be incorporated into the Church which is the House of God of which Christ the anointed of the Lord is both King and Priest for ever Secondly as Jacob resting upon this corner Stone saw the Angels ascending and descending from Heaven unto Earth so by this Incorporation into the body of the Church of which Christ is the Head by Faith and Baptism our Souls are made capable to ascend into that heavenly Tabernacle which he hath prepared for all those that believe according to that in John 14. I am the way the truth and the life no Man cometh unto the Father but by me only And whosoever is assured of this Ladder that reacheth from Heaven unto Earth may well say with Iacob Surely the Lord Jesus Christ is in this place here is nothing but the House of God and here is the Gate of Heaven as Christ himself testifieth in the tenth of Iohn I am the door and whosoever entreth not by me c. So that Christ is the Head of his Church the Ladder that ascendeth into Heaven and the door whereby we may enter into eternal Life Of Gilead THIS Land of Gilead was a Country that lay between Iordan and the Mountain of Gilead or rather between the Sea of Galilee and the ãâã âilead sixty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east for the ãâ¦ã beginning at Mount Gilead extended thence unto ãâ¦ã and separated the Countrey of Israel beyond Iordan from ãâ¦ã of the Ammonites But that part which lieth between the Sâa ãâ¦ã Ammon is properly called Gilead for when Iacob and Labân ãâ¦ã either with other in the Mount Gilead they gathered a ãâ¦ã Stones and making a Banquet eat together upon it Gen. 13. and ãâã thence that Mountain and all the Countrey thereabouts took the ãâã For Laban in the Syrian Tongue is called JEGAR SAHADUTA ãâã âeâp of covenant But Iacob in the Hebrew Language called that ãâã together with all the Countrey thereabouts Galâed or Galaad the heap âf teâtimony for Gal signifieth a heap or grave and Galal he rolled or he thrust into a round heap From whence the Greek word ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to roul and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã a circle is derived Also Edah signifies testimony with the Hebrews being derived from Id which signifies testatus eâ that is he beareth witness and from hence ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã amongst the Grecians is derived which signifieth a witness 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 up into Heaven in a fiery Chariot 1 Reg. 17. 2 Reg. 2. The Grecians call this Decapolin from ten Cities that are strongly built in that Countrey Marc. 7. Of Machanaim MAchanaim was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Gâd near to the floud of Iordân and Iaboch forty four miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east and scituate in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan being so called of the Patriarch Iacob because there he saw the Tents and Army of Angels which he understood to be his assistants against his Brother Esau whom he feared Gen. 31. For Chana signifieth Castrametatus est that is the Tents are measured out from whence Machanaim is the proper name of a place being derived from two Tents of Angels which appeared to Iacob that they might defend him in his Journey For the Angels of God compass them about that fear him Psalm 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 Levites Iosh. 21. and here David was received when he fled from his Son Absalom 2 Sam. 17. Here Iacob wrestled with the Angel Gen. 32. Of Pnuel or Penuel THIS Town was upon the East-side of Iordan close by the mouth of the River Iaboch in the Tribe of Gad forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east and is derived 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 Town was destroyed in Gideons time Iudg. 8. Of Succoth THIS is a Town beyond Iordan not far from Penuel in the Tribe of Gad 40 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east Here Iacob set up his Tabernacles and continued for a while from whence it borrows the name For Sachach signifies a covering and from thence it is called Succha and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã with the Greeks which signifies a shield covering defence or tabernacle Of this Town there is mention in Iosh. 13. 2 Chr. 4. Gideon caused the Inhabitants of this Town of Succoth to be torn to pieces with thorns Iudg. 8. Of Salem SAlem is a Town of the Sichamites lying towards the East side of the River Iordan and in the midst of the Tribe of Manasses forty miles from Ierusalem towards the North not far from Sichem where Dinah Iacob's Daughter was ravished Gen. 33. and 34. In Aenon near to this place Iohn Baptist baptized and signifies a City of Peace and Integrity Of Bethlem Euphrata THIS Town was distant from Ierusalem towards the
dwelt Lastly he returned again with his Father and his Brother into Aegypt 208 miles These things happened in the year of the World 1239. and before Christ 1729. The Description of the Towns and places to which the Patriarch Juda travelled Of Odullam THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Juda eight miles from Jerusalem towards the South-west and signifies The Testimony of the Poor being derived of Ed which signifies a Testimony and Dallimo such as are called Poor Here David hid himself from the fury of Saul in a Cave 1 Sam. 22. Jerom knew this Town and saith that it was a Village This was a Type of the Faithful who being still subject to the calamities and miseries of this World and persecuted for Righteousness sake are glad with David to seek Holes and Caves to defend them from their wicked Persecuters Of Thimnah THimnah is a City in the borders of the Tribe of Judah and Dan scituated in Mount Ephraim six miles from Jerusalem towards the North-west and signifies a perfect and fully finished City being derived from Thamam that is fully and absolutely finished for it was adorned with many very fair and spacious Buildings set up by Joshua for in his time it was a fair and large City and at such time as the Children of Israel invaded Canaan he had much ado to win it Therefore the Children of Israel for his great Valour and to manifest their thankfulness towards him they gave it to him and to his Posterity for ever and here he lyeth buried Ioshua 24. Here Sampson married his wife and by the way killed the Lyon mentioned in the fourteenth of Iudges This is a Type of the Church wherein Christ Jesus the true Ioshuah is the Head illuminating the same by the bright shining beams of his Gospel the lustre whereof hath gone throughout the whole World Of the Travels of the Patriarch Joseph WHEN Ioseph was sent from Hebron by his father Jacob he went to Sichem to seek his brothers 60 miles Gen. 37. 2. From thence he went to Dothan four miles where by his Brothers he was thrown into a Pit and after sold to the Ishmaelites Gen. 37. 3. From Dothan he was carried to Tanis in Egypt and there sold to Potipher Pharaohs chief Steward 272 miles 4. From Tanis he went to meet his Father in the Land of Gosen which is 28 miles Gen. 46. 5. From thence he turned back again to Tanis and presented his Father and Brethren unto Pharaoh Gen. 47. which is 28 miles 6. From thence he went back to Ony to see his Father who now was sick unto death there receiving his Bleâsing he closed his eyes which was 28 miles 7. From thence he returned back again to Tanis which is 28 miles 8. From Tanis he went back to Ony with a great company of Horses and Chariots preparing an honourable Funeral for his Father Gen. 15. being 28 miles 9. From Ony he went to Atad which lies upon the further side of Jordan toward the East which is 240 miles where he made a great lamentation for the Death of his Father seven days Gen 50. The reason why Joseph went thus far about was because he went with such a company towards Hebron that the Idumaeans through whose Country he should have gone would not suffer him to pass that way standing in fear of his power 10. From Atad he went to Hebron the Metropolis of the Tribe of Judah near to which stood the double Cave in the Vale of Mamre where Jacob was buried which was 40 miles Gen. 50. 11. From thence to Heliopolis a City of the Aegyptians where Joseph set up a stately Academy for all Aegpyt which was accounted 200 miles 12. From thence he went to Tanis or Zoan which was the chief defence and Metropolitan City of all Aegyât being accounted 6 miles So all the Travels of the Patriarch Ioseph was 1962 miles A Description of the Places and Cities through which Ioseph travelled Of Dothan DOTHAN was a City in the Tribe of Manasseh forty and four miles from Ierusalem towards the North and distant six miles from Tiberias towards the West and signifies a commandment being derived of Dothor Dathath that is he commandeth or ordaineth Here Joseph was thrust into an empty Ditch and sold to the Ishmaelites Gen. 37. Here Elias the Prophet being besieged by the Syrians shewed to his Servant the Host of Angels that defended him with the Chariots of Fire c. 2 King â6 Here Holophernes was slain who had pitched his Tents against Bethulia for Dothan is a City which at this day remaineth at the foot of the Mount of Bethuel being scituated in a fertile and pleasant place compassed about with fair Vines Olives and pleasant Medows where the Inhabitants do shew that ancient Ditch wherein Ioseph was cast when his brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites according to that of Solomon One Generation passeth and another cometh but the Earth indureth for ever Of Heliopolis or the City of the Sun THIS City is called by the Prophet Esay chap. 19. Irheri which signifies The City of the Sun and is derived of Ir and Cheres which signifies The brightness of the Sun and distant from Ierusalem 224 miles towards the South-west six miles and a half from Zoan or Tanis This was a goodly City and in times past the Kings of Aegypt have in that place kept their Courts and places of residence Here was a flourishing Academy wherein was taught Astronomy Cosmography and many other Liberal Arts and Scienecs with great care and diligence but principally Divinity as Munster saith being adorned with many benefits and priviledges for it was thought that the Patriarch Ioseph was the first Founder of it and taught there Gen. 47. Here dwelt Dionisius the Areopagit a Student of Athens who at such time as our Saviour Christ was crucified at Noon day the Moon then being in the full seeing the Sun totally darkened said to his Master Apollophan Either the God of Nature suffereth or the Fabrick of the World is dissolved The said Dionisius was afterwards converted by the Apostle Paul in the City of Athens Of Goraen Atad THIS Town or Corn-floor was beyond Iordan not far from Bethabara 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east Here Ioseph and therest of the Aegyptians bewailed the Death of Iacob and took the name from Thorns and Briers that compassed it every where about The Interpretation or Allegory of the Patriarch Joseph and of his Life JOSEPH was a type of Christ divers ways for as Iosephs Coat being of divers colours was dipped in the Blood of Goats so Christ being very God taking upon him the Humane Nature and sprinkled with the Blood of his stripes and wounds being the Lamb of God slain for the sins of the World was also made changeable and of divers Colours Again as Ioseph was sent by Iacob to seek his Brethren so Christ was sent by God his Father to seek the lost sheep of Israel which according to the
Children of Israel found great store of Pomegranates whereof division was made amongst them For Rimmon is as much as a grained Apple or a Pomegranate and Parez He hath divided Of Libnah LIbnâh is the seventeenth place where the Children of Israel stayed and was so called from the abundance of Frankincense that was found there for Libnah signifies white Frankincense This is an 104 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west Of Rissa HEre the Children of Israel pitcht their Tents being about an 100 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east it took the name from the fruitfulness and abundance of Flowers and Herbs that grow there and is derived from Rasa which signifies to make moist for there were usually exceeding pleasant and sweet dews Of Chehelah CHehelah was the nineteenth place where the Children of Israel made their abiding in the Desart being 92 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west Num. 33. and signifies a Congregation or Church being derived from Rahal that is He hath assembled This was a type of the Church where all the Elect and Faithful People of God travel through the Wilderness of this wicked world Of Saphar SAphar is a mountain in the Desart of Arabia Petraea 88 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west This was the twentieth Remove the name of the place being so called partly of their Tents partly of the roundness of the mountains Of Harada HArada was full of wild Beasts which struck the People into a mighty fear so called as being derived from Charada which signifies Terror or trembling Here the Children of Israel stayed the one and twentieth time it being 80 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west Of Thahath THIS is a certain Valley 68 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest and is derived from Tachath which signifieth a certain Plain or low place Of Maceheloth THIS was the two and twentieth abiding of the Israelites being 72 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest Here a Congregation of the Tribes of Israel was called for Maccheloth signifieth a Congregation or meeting together Sometimes it is taken for the Church being derived from Rahal i. He assembleth together Of Tharah THIS was a memorable place in the Wilderness where the Israelites had a breathing time for now growing near to the Borders of the Land of Canaan after so many Journeys they began to rest themselves because of the Wars they were shortly to undertake And it is derived of Roah and Tarah which signifieth a breathing-time Here was the 24th Mansion of the Israelites Of Mithca HERE was the twenty fifth Mansion of the Israelites being but 56 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west in the utmost Borders of the Land of Canaan and no doubt took the name from the delightful and pleasant taste of Grapes For Mitka signifies the same that Mithetk that is to say sweetness and pleasantness Of Cades Barnea CAdes Barnea a City of the Idumaeans being derived of Kadas and Barah that is a holy place is forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South from this place Moses sent Spies into the Land of Canaan who brought of the Fruit of the Land but all of them discouraged the People only Caleb wherefore they murmured and the Lord was angry and would not suffer them to enter into the Land of Promise So turning their Journey they went to Ezeongaber 148 miles so that they travelled in the Desart forty years before they could enter into the Land of Promise Of this you may read Gen. 14 16 20. Num. 13. 27 33 34. Deut. 1. Psal. 29. Ezek. 47. Of Chasmona IN this place the Children of Israel set up their Tents a little before they sent Spies into the Land of Canaan it is not far from Cades Barnea towards the South For the twelve Spies were not sent from the City of Cades Barnea but from their Tents and of this still distribution or sending for one out of every Tribe was chosen it took the name For Casmona signifies a still distribution being derived of Chasca and Manah he stilly distributed Of Moseroth MOseroth was the twenty seventh Mansion of the Children of Israel in the Wilderness and distant from Ierusalem 72 miles towards the South where the Lord caused them to return back for their murmuring towards the South that so they might live just forty years in the Wilderness Num. 14. 33. This place seemeth to take the name thereof from Traditions for there Moses repeated to the Israelites the Law of the Lord and for this cause their Tents were called Moseroth which signifies Traditions and is derived of Masar that is to Preach Of Benei Iaacon THIS was the twenty eighth Mansion of the Israelites so called because there their Tents were fairly set up with pleasant Walks and places about them for Benei Iaacon signifieth a Building or fair Walk being derived of Bana and Akah that is He hath set up an House and was 96 miles from Ierusalem Southward Num. 33. Of Hor Gidgad AT this Mountain the Children of Israel stayed a while because it was a fertile and pleasant place as Moses himself witnesseth It is an hundred and twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the South being derived of Harar a Mountain and Glebam a Plow Plin. l. 20. ep 20. Of Iotbatha THIS was the thirtieth Mansion of the Israelites in the Wilderness being 132 miles from Ierusalem toward the South and took the name from the pleasantness and fertility of the Wilderness being derived of Iatab and Batha a certain good and pleasant waste or wilderness Of Arbona THIS place being very discommodious and no whit profitable the Children of Israel were constrained to remove their Tents with great weeping and lamentation for Arbona being derived from Abar and Naha signifies partly to remove and partly to weep Of Aezion Gaber THIS was a Town of the Idumaeans near the Red Sea 148 miles from Kades-Barnea and 174 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Here the Israelites set up their Tents and here Solomon made his Navy which he sent to Ophir to fetch Gold 1 Kin. 9. This City no doubt took the name of the strength and multitude of Trees whereof these Ships were built for they were very fair Ships and of excellent Workmanship Aezion Gaber signifieth a strong tree being derived of Ez and Gaber that is a Tree of strength Of Zin-Kades THIS was a great Wilderness lying between Aezion-Gaber and Kades-Barnea being 184 miles in length abounding with thorns and high mountains Upon 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 abundance of Thorns that grew there for Zin of Zanan signifies a sharp thorn Zinnim full of Thorns and Kadesh Sanctity or Holiness Here Moses and Aaron having struck the Rock twice at length it brought forth Water but for their murmuring and incredulity God would not suffer them to go into the Land of Canaan This lay an 120 miles from Ierusalem toward the South Of the Mountain Hor. HOR
from Ierusalem towards the South-east and taketh the name from an Hind for Aâala signifieth an Hind a Beast very strong and swift Here the Moon stood still Here Ionathan tasted Hony contrary to his Fathers command for which he was judged to dye 1 Sam. 14. Of Azeka AZeka was a City of the Ammorites in the Tribe of Iuda eight miles from Ierusalem toward the West near to Odullam where David killed Goââah and as it seems takes the name from Munition or a place compassed about with an hedge being derived from Itsek he hedged about This was a fair City in St. Ierom's time Of the Valley of Achor THIS Valley is distant from Ierusalem twelve miles and not far from Iericho and Gilgal towards the North taking name as it seemeth of Achon that Thief mentioned in Ioshuah who was stoned there from whence it is called Achor which signifies Trouble because of the terrible words that Ioshua spake unto him there You may read of this Hos. 2. Esay 25. Iosh. 11. 15. Of Makedah BEtween Eleutheroâolin and Bethlehem this Town stood being in the Tribe of Iudah some eight miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name of a Flower that hangs down the head being derived of âadad which signifieth to hang down Here Ioshua hanged the five 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 North-west where the fourteenth King that Ioâhua conquered kept his Court and taketh the name from the abundance of Frankincense that is found there For Libânah signifieth white Frankincense Zenacharib besieged this City Some say it taketh the name from the Hebrew Labâ which signifieth white Bricks because there is found much matter whereof such kind of Bricks are made Of Lacâis LAchis is a City in the Tribe of Iudah and lieth between Eleutheropolin and Hebron twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and two miles from Rechila toward the North Iosh. 15. 2 Chr. 11. and taketh the name from Walking being derived from Ialach which signifieth He hath walked Ioshuah took 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 Iudah twelve miles from Ierusâlem Southward Ioshuah took the King of this City and hanged him It taketh the name from Aecâel signifying a Calf Of Debir DEbir was a City of the Levites twenty two miles from Ierusalem towards the South and almost half a mile from Hebron towards the North-west Athniel the Brother of Caleb won this Town wherefore he gave 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 prophecy of things to come being derived from Debar that is He hath spoken Of Asdod or Azotes THIS was a City of the Philistims scituated upon the shore of the Meâiterranean Sea in the Tribe of Dan and twenty two miles from Ierusalem towards the West This Town was conquered by Ioshua Iosh. 11. 1 Reg. 5. It was also taken by Psamnitiâus King of Egypt in Mânasses time as Herodotus saith it is now a little Town and is called Azotus In times past it was a fair City and took name from the fire of Love being derived of Esh which signifies a fire and Dod beloved Of Gaza GAza was a fair City of the Philistims upon the shore of the Red Sea some 24 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and signifieth a strong Town being derived from Gazez to confirm Samâson being inclosed within this Town took away the Gates and Bars thereof and laâd them at the foot of Mount Hebron Iudg. 16. Of the River Merom THIS was a Lake not far from Dothan some four miles from Tiberias Westward and forty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North and is so called from the deepness of it being derived of Rom which signifies it was high and Marab bitter whence Merom a high bitter Water Here Ioshuah over-threw the Kings of the Canaanites Josh. 11. Of Sidon SIdon takes the Name of Zod which signifies He hath hunted and was a famous Mart Town in Phoenicea being a place scituated at the foot of that high Hill Antelibanus near to the shore of the Mediâerranean sixteen miles from Ierusalem North-ward Of Libanus THIS is a Mountain of an extraordinary height some 104 miles from Ierusalem North-ward looking into Syria and Phoenicia From thence the River Iordan taketh the beginning being so called of two Springs or Wells that is Ior and Dan rising from the bottom of this Hill It seems to take the Name from the abundance of flowers and variety of sweet Smells or Dews that are there and also of Frankincense or Gum Olibanum found upon it it is a very fruitful Place full of Springs and wholsome Herbs so that no Serpent will abide in it it is divided into two parts the one lieth near Sidon West-ward called Antelibanus the other towards Damascus upon the East and is only called Libanus It is so high that it serves for a Sea mark and so much the more remarkable for that as some say Snow lieth continually upon the top of it so that a far off it seemeth white Of the River Jordan JOrdan is a pleasant sweet River watering the Holy Land whereof you may read before It is named Iordan at Caesarea Philippi a little from the foot of Antelibanus 104 miles from Ierusalem North-ward it passeth through the Lake Samachoniten and divideth it into two equal Parts from thence running thorow a great part of Galilee it falls into the Sea Tyberiâs and there as it were divideth it into two parts it watereth that part of Iudaea called Samaria and about Easter which is the beginning of that Harvest it floweth over the Banks and fructifies many Countries lying near it at length it falleth into the Lake Asphaltiâes and there endeth about fourteen miles from Ierusalem Eastward So that from the first beginning of this River to the end of it is ninety two miles It is called Palah by the Hebrews which signifieth swift and hidden because it riseth from a certain Well or Pit called Phiala which is always full of Water but from whence it springeth is unknown Ioshua about Easter passed upon dry ground through this River even then when it was fullest of Water Ios. 3. So did Eliah and Elisha 2 Reg. Here Naaman the Leper wash'd himself 2 Reg. 5. Here Christ was baptised by S. Iohn Baptist Mat. 3. Luke 3. Of Hazor THIS was a Town in the upper Galilee belonging to the Tribe of Nepthali it was the chief Hold and City of the King of the
a City in the Land of Gilead in the half Tribe of Manasses eighteen miles from Ierusalem North-eastward and signifieth a Watch-tower of Zaphah to look out In this Town Gideon dwelt and after him Samuel It was afterward destroyed by Iudas Macchabeus you may read 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 City of the Moabites beyond Iordan near the River Arnon and sell to the Tribe of Gad Iosh. 12. 13. Deut. 2. and takes the name from Turpentine being derived from Arar that is He hath destroyed and rooted out and was so called because Iephthah won a memorable Battel near to this place Iud. 11. This is often mentioned in the Scriptures There was another Town of this Name close by Damascus Of Minueth IN Ierom's time forty years after Christ this Town was called Menneth of Mercury which the Syrians call Meni from Manah to distribute being a Town of Merchants which disperse their Commodities here and there and stood beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben thirty two miles from Ierusalem toward the East Of the Plain of Vines Of this you may read more in the Travels of Balaam Of the Death of Jephthah THIS Iephthah was a famous Captain and from thence took his Name for Iepthack signifieth To make him an open way with the Sword being derived of Patach to open and after he had judged Israel six years died the manner of whose Death is diversly reported some say that because he performed not his Vow effectually therefore God struck him with a grievous Ulcer so that as he was passing from City to City in every place he left a Member Others say that he died in the City of the Gileadites and that in memory of his singular Actions and noble Exploits which by God's special Aid he atchieved his Body was cut into pieces and into every City of Gilead a Member sent and there buried which as I take it is the better Opinion Of Ebzan EBzan was the tenth Judge of Israel and succeeded Iephthah he began his Government in Anno Mundi 2666 and before Christ 1402. He was a Bethlemite of the Tribe of Iudah and as the Hebrews think Boez the Grand-father of King David he had thirty Sons and thirty Daughters and lived to see them all married and took them home unto him into his own Family which doubtless was a great Blessing of God and from thence took his Name for Ibsan or Abezan signifieth The Father of a Flock or Multitude He lived dwelt and was buried in Bethlem Iuda Iudg. 12. Of Elom IN the Year of the World 2773 and before Christ 1195. Elom the eleventh Judge of Israel began to rule and dwelt in Ajalon in the Tribe of Zabulon who after he had governed ten Years died and was buried in the same Town There was another City of the same Name in the Tribe of Dan some four miles from Ierusalem towards the West where at the Prayer of Ioshua the Sun stood still Of Abdon ABdon the twelfth Judge of Israel succeeded Elom and began to rule Anno Mundi 2782 and before Christ 1185. He dwelt in the Tribe of Ephraim in a Mountain of the Amalekites sixteen miles from Ierusalem Northwards He ruled full eight Years and then died and was buried in Pirithon Abdon signifieth a Servant for he was a good Prince but that in obeying others he lost himself This Abdon was a great man had forty Sons thirty of which he saw married and for his greater honour had his Chariot drawn with seventy Asses for they used them as we do Horses The Travels of Sampson SAmpson was born in the City of Zarea and brought up in the Tents of Dan and Estahol Iud. 13. From thence he went to Timnah which is twelve miles there he fell in love with Iudah the Daughter of a Philistine Iudg. 14. From Timnah he went back to his Father to Zarea and revealed his Affection which is twelve miles He and his Father went back again to Timnah to see the Maid and by the way as he went he killed a Lyon which is twelve miles Iudg. 14. From thence he returned back again which is twelve miles Iudg. 14. Within a while after Sampson and his Friends went again to Timnah and by the way he found Honey in the Lyon that he had slain and gave it to his Friends to eat and when he came to the Philistines House he propounded the Riddle whereof you may read Iudg. 14. These things hapned in Anno Mundi 2791 and before Christ 1176 at which time he succeeded Abdon in the Rule of the Iews From thence he went to Ascalon a City of the Philistines and killed thirty of their men and took away their Garments which is 24 miles From thence he returned back again to Timnah and delivered the Philistines which had unfolded 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 twelve miles Iudg. 14. Within a while after when his Anger was over he returned back to his Wife to Timnah which is twelve miles it being then Wheat Harvest and carried with him a Goat that so he might be merry and be reconciled to her but her Father shut him out of doors because he had married his Wife to another Man wherefore he took a Company of Foxes and tying them Tail to Tail put Fire-brands to their Tails and turned them into the Wheat of the Philistines and they set fire of all the Wheat and Vines and Olives thereabout Iudg. 15. From thence he went to a Cave in the Rock Eta and there dwelt which is twelve miles Iudg. 15. At the Rock Eta Sampson was bound with two new Cords by the Israelites and from thence led to Ramah Lehi which is six miles where he killed 1000 Philistines with the Jaw-bone of an Ass that he found in the way From thence he went to Gaza a City of the Philistines which is forty two miles here he carried away the Gates of the City From Gaza he carried these Gates with the Posts to the top of a Hill near Hebron which is twenty miles Iudg. 16. From Hebron he went to the River Soreck where he dwelt with Dalilah the Harlot and by her was deceived and taken of the Philistines which are twelve miles Being taken of the Philistines they put out both his Eyes and bound him in Chains and led him from thence to Gaza which is thirty two miles there they brought him into the House of their God Dagon to make them sport but he pulled down the House and a multitude of them were slain where he also died and was buried in the Sepulchre of Manoah his Father between Zerea and Esthaol twenty eight miles from Gaza and almost twenty from Ierusalem towards the West This was in the Year of the World 1811 and before Christ 1157. So all
10. Here Ionathan the Son of Saul thrust out a Garrison of the Philistims which held this Town in Subjection 1 Sam. 14. Near to this place was the Valley âephaim or of the Gyants where David won a memorable Battel against the Philistims and pursued them with great Sâaughter even to the Plain of Perizim 2 Sam. 15. The Travels of the Levite whose Concubine the Inhabitants of Gibeon most wickedly abused THIS Levite dwelt in Ramath in Mount Ephraim from whence he went to Bethlehem Iuda which is sixteen miles to fetch back his Concubine or rather his Wife which was the Daughter of a certain Citizen in Bethlehem but a Bond-servant not free such they called Concubines because they had neither the honour to be Mistress of the House neither could their Posterity inherit the Lands or Goods of their Fathers although before God they were lawful Wives Iudg. 19. From Bethlehem they returned back again on foot to Ierusalem which then was called Iebus because the Iebusites inhabited there which is six miles Iudg. 19. From thence they went to Gibeah not far distant from the City Gibeon where after Saul kept his Royal Seat 1 Sam. 22. Here the Gibeonites abused the Levite's Concubine which was almost four miles From thence he went home to his own City Ramath in Mount Ephraim and there cut the dead Body of his Wife in twelve parts and sent them throughout all the Tribes of Israel which is eight miles So all his Travels were thirty four miles Of Ramath THIS was a City in Mount Ephraim some eight miles from Ierusalem toward the North and signifieth a high and lofty City being derived of Rom that is It was high This Town Baesa King of Israel would have fortified and repaired after it had been decayed but he was hindred by Benhadad King of the Syrians that he could not finish what he had begun There were many Towns and Cities of this Name as Ramoth where Ahob dwelt 1 Reg. 22. Ramathaim Sophim or Arimathea 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 Naphtali Ios. 19. all of them being so called because they stood upon very high Mountains The Travels 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 themselves the whole Army of the Israelites went to the Ark 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 two miles From thence they returned to Shilo and entreated God for Aid which was two miles Iudg. 20. From thence they went a second time to Gibeah and entred Battel again 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 back again and before the Lord in Shilo lamented the Overthrow they had twice sustained and with earnest Prayers implored his Aid that they might obtain the Victory which was two miles Iudg. 20. From thence they returned the third time to Gibeah and there with great Expedition renewed the War and because they trusted in God and not to their own Strength they put to the Sword 25000 of the Benjamites and won a notable Victory Iudg. 20. which was two miles Having taken and burnt the City of Gibeah with Fire they returned back unto the Town of Shilo which is two miles and there before the Lord they began to lament the Calamity of the Tribe of Benjamin saying Wherefore hath this thing happened that one of the Tribes should be rooted out before thee Judg. 21. From thence they went to Iabes in Gilead and besieged and took it and destroyed it to the Ground which is fifty two miles From thence they returned back again to Shilo and with them brought 400 Maids which they gave to the Benjamites to be their Wives Iudg. 21. which was fifty two miles So all the Travels of the Children of Israel were 164 miles Of Jabes THis was a City in the Land of Gilead fifty two miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east the Inhabitants whereof buried the Bones of Soul and Ionathan his Son 1 Sam. 31. it is derived of Iabesh which signifieth a dry City Here endeth the Book of Judges The Travels of Elimelech and his Wife Naomi ELimelech and his Wife went from Bethlehem Iuda into the Land of the Moabites where he died which is forty miles From thence she returned with her Daughter-in-Law Ruth to Bethlehem Iuda where Boaz married Ruth which is forty miles So their Travels were eighty miles The first Book of SAMVEL The Travels of Hannah the Mother of the Prophet Samuel HER Husband Elkana and she went from Ramathaim Sophim in Mount Ephraim to Shilo the House of the Lord which was twelve miles where by earnest Prayers she obtained of the Lord a Son 1 Sam. 1. From thence she returned back again to Ramathaim Sophim and there Samuel was born 1 Sam. 1. which was twelve miles From thence she went to Shilo to present her Son before the Lord and he remained there with Eli to serve God all his Life 1 Sam. 1. which is twelve miles From Shilo she returned back again to her house and bare Elkana a Son and two Daughters more which is twelve miles So all her Travels were forty eight miles Of Ramathaim Sophim THis City stood in Mount Ephraim not far from Lidda and Ioppa some sixteen miles distant from Ierusalem North-eastward and was sometimes called Ramah Here Ioseph whose Addition was Arimathea dwelt that demanded the Body of our Saviour 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 publick School of Prophets which served for the whole Land in this City At this day it is called by the Name of Ramath having some Affinity to the ancient name Ramah How the Ark 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 Hophni and Phineas carried the Ark of the Lord to Ebenezer which signifies the stone of my help which was forty two miles and is not far from Apheck some forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward Here the Ark of God was taken and Hophni and Phineas died old Eli also broke his Neck at this time about the ninety eighth Year of his Age and the fortieth of his Rule for he ruled from the time of Sampson until then 1 Sam. 4. This happened Anno Mundi 2850. and before Christ 1117. The Prophet Samuel succeeded him in the Government of the Church and ruled 40
Years From Apheck the Philistines carried it to Asdod or Azotus and set it in the Temple of their God Dagon but the Idol fell down in the Night and 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 four miles From Gath to the Sea-town Gaza twelve miles From Gaza to Ekron thirty two miles From Ekron they placing it upon a new Cart drawn with two new milch Kine it was brought back again to Bethsemes which was twelve miles From thence it was carried to Kirjath-jearim and placed in the house of Abinadab where it was kept until David's time who fetched it thence to Ierusalem with great Joy about the Year of the World 2900 and before Christ 1068 which was two miles So all the while the Ark was from Shilo it was carried hither and thither some 276 miles Of the Towns and Places to which the Ark of the Lord was carried Of Apheck THis was a City of Samaria alotted to the half Tribe of Manasses some half a mile from Israel toward the South and forty four miles from Ierusalem Northward It signifieth an impetuous or violent Act being derived of Aphak which is as much as He worketh violently or offereth Violence In this City Benhadad King of the Syrians going from one place to another to hide himself was at length constrained to fly to Ahab King of Israel to save his Life and crave his Aid 1 Reg. 20. Of Asdod Ascalon and Gaza you may read before Of Gath. THIS was a Haven Town scituated upon the Banks of the Mediterranean Sea distant from Ierusalem thirty four miles toward the West It seemeth to take the name of the Abundance of Vines that grow thereabouts for Gath signifieth a Press or such an Instrument wherewith Grapes are pressed This was Goliah's Country Here Achis to whom David fled governed 1 Sam. 21 27. and it is very like that all the Kings of this City were called Achis as sometime the Emperours 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 Philistines not far from the Mediterranean Sea and near to Asdod some sixteen miles from Ierusalem Westward At this day it is but a small Town and called by the Name of Accaron having some Affinity with the ancient Name Ekron The Inhabitants of this Town worshipped Baal-zebub for their God It taketh the Name from Extirpation or such a Town as Penitus distruit hath rooted out even the Foundation being derived of Akar which signifieth to extirpate Of Bethsemes THIS was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Iuda Ios. 15. 21. four miles from Ierusalem Westward and signifies the House of the Sun Of this you may read more before The Travels of the Prophet Samuel SAmuel's Mother brought him from Arimathea to Shilo being twelve miles where he was to serve the Lord God all his Life From Shilo Samuel went to Mizpa in the Land of Gilead forty eight miles Here Samuel called a Congregation and made a solemn Sacrifice unto the Lord of a sucking Lamb and the Lord at the same time thundred from Heaven and dispersed the Army of the Philistines so that they fled 1 Sam. 7. From Mizpa he went to Arimathea 56 miles there he dwelt and built an Altar unto the Lord 1 Sam. 7. From thence he went yearly to Bethel sixteen miles 1 Sam. 7. From Bethel he went to Gilgal tvvo miles 1 Sam. 7. From Gilgal he went to Mizpa in the Land of Gilead thirty six miles 1 Sam. 7. From Mizpah he went again to Arimathea 56 miles Thither came unto him the Elders of the Children of Israel desiring him to chuse them a King 1 Sam. 8. Therefore he went out of the Town of Arimathea about sixteen 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 sixteen miles There he offered and shewed Saul what he should do 1 Sam. 10. From Gilgal he went to Mizpah in the Land of Gilead thirty six miles there Saul by casting of Lots was chosen King 1 Sam. 10. From Mizpah he returned to Arimathea fifty six miles 1 Sam. 10. From Arimathea he went to Bezeck 44 miles where Adoni-Bezeck 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 Beseck Samuel and Saul passed over Iordan to Iabes in Gilead sixteen miles and there overthrew Nahaz King of the Ammonites and all his Host which done Samuel said unto the Souldiers Let us now go unto Gilgal and there renew the Kingdom From Iabes in Gilead he went to Gilgal thirty six miles There Saul was placed in his throne Royal 1 Sam. 11. From Gilgal Samuel went to Arimathea which is twenty miles From Arimathea he went again to Gilgal twenty 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 twelve miles 1 Sam. 13. From Gibeon he went to Arimathea twelve miles From Arimathea he went to Gilgal twenty miles there he rebuked King Saul because he did not wholly destroy the Amalekites and Samuel himself hewed the Body of Agag King of the Amalekites in pieces 1 Sam. 16. From Gilgal he went to Arimathea twenty miles From Arimathea he went to Bethlehem sixteen miles and there he anointed David King 1 Sam. 16. Then he returned again to Arimathea sixteen miles where he died and was buried 1 Sam. 28. So all the Travels of the Prophet Samuel were 364 miles Of Arimathea Mizpah Ramath and the rest of the Towns mentioned in his Travels you may read before The typical signification of Samuel SAmuel is derived of Shemuel that is desired of God and was a Type of God the Father For as Samuel anointed David so God anointed his beloved Son with the Oil of Gladness and of the Spirit Psal. 45. Esa. 61. The Travels of King Saul SAVL went from the Town of Gibeon to Mount Ephraim four miles to seek his Father's Asses in An. Mund. 2870 and before Christ 1908. From Mount Ephraim he passed through the Land of Salisa to the Borders of the Town of Salem 12 miles From Salem he went to the Land of Gemini in the Tribe of Benjamin sixteen miles From the Land of Gemini he went to Rama four miles there by Samuel he was anointed King 1 Sam. 10. This Town lay not far from Bethlehem and close by it lay Rachels Grave There certain men met with Saul in the Borders of Benjamin at Zelach and shewed him that his Fathers Asses were found which was about a mile from Ierusalem From thence Saul went about two miles to Zilzah there three men met
travelled Of Bethsaliza THE Land of Salisa with the City Bethsaliza was scituated in Mount Ephraim eight miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west This was also called Baalsaliza 2 King 4. and signifieth the Trinity being derived of Schillesch to make three-fold Of Michmas THIS was a City in Mount Ephraim in the Borders of the Tribes of Benjamin and Manasses not far from Iericho some ten miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Near to this City Ionathan and his Armor-bearer put the Army of the Philistines to flight 1 Sam. 14. You may read of this Town in Esd. 2. Isa. 10. This was a strong City of the Moabites and seemeth to take the Name of Kemosch or Chamos which was a God which they worshipped in their Banquets and Meetings for Mirth as Bacchus sometime was amongst the Romans To this Idol Solomon built a Temple 1 Reg. 11. Ier. 48. Of Zoba THE Kingdom of Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam was in Armenia near to the Mountains Antitaurus and Masius 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North extending it self on both sides of the River Euphrates It was a very large fruitful and pleasant Country wherein inhabited many Kings This place Saul conquered and David retained it 1 Sam. 14. 2 Sam. 8. and signifies an aspiring Kingdom being derived of Zabah He hath aspired Of Carmel CArmel was a City in the Tribe of Iudah scituated in a fertile Mountain some eight miles from Hebron toward the East but twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west in the Wilderness of Moan where that foolish and covetous Fellow Nabal dwelt There is likewise another Town called by the same Name in the Tribe of Issachar not far from Ptolomais which is upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea sixty four miles from Ierusalem toward the North standing upon a Promontory which extendeth it self into the Ocean of which you may read 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 fertile Field bringing forth Vines Herbs and divers kinds of Flowers and Fruits and is oft-times used for a pleasant place Esay 29. 32 37. Ier. 24. There are a Sect of Monks that of this Mountain are called Carmelites who built for themselves an Abbey there close by the Church of St. Maries about the Year of the World 5170 and in the Year of our Lord 1170. Of Azekah AZekah and Socho were two Towns in the Tribe of Iudah eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Of these you may read before Of Nobe or Nob. THIS was a City of the Priests in the Tribe of Benjamin where Abimelech High-Priest of the Israelites dwelt who at such time as David fled from Saul he gave him of the Shew-bread and the Sword that he took from Goliah for the which cause Saul commanded fourscore and five Priests to be slain and the City with all the Inhabitants thereof to be put to the Sword 1 Sam. cap. 22. At this day as Bernard Brittenbaccus saith it is called Bethenopolis and is in the way between Ierusalem from whence it is distant some sixteen miles towards the North-east and Dyospolim It taketh the Name from Naba which signifieth He hath prophesied Of this you may read 1 Sam. 20. 21 22. and Esay 10. Of Maon THIS was a Town in the Wilderness of Iudaea some 24 miles from Ierusalem Southward near Ziph and Carmel where Saul had besieged David and all his men and would have either put them to the Sword or taken them Captives But the Philistines on a sudden invaded the Land so that Saul was constrained to leave the Siege to oppose their Incursions It taketh the Name from a fruitful Habitation and a firm and safe Mansion 2 Sam. 23. Ios. 15. Of Engedi THIS was a Castle or Town scituated in a Mountain near to the shore of the Dead Sea a little beyond Sodom six miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east and in the Tribe of Iudah Ios. 15. In times past it was a fruitful place both of Vines and other Fruits there also grew a kind of Balsam But Cleopatra in the time of Mark Anthony brought the Roots of it into AEgypt 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 upon this Hill Engedi but the Saracens do not regard it neither dwell any Christians near to dress it so that it groweth to decay Engedi signifieth the Fountain or Well of a Goat or Lamb. These Mountains are very high and of a wonderful Nature in some places great ragged Rocks appearing in others plain and fruitful Vallies insomuch as they are fearful and horrible to Strangers that behold them Of Ziph. THIS was a Town in the Desart of Ziph placed in a certain Mountain not far from Hebron in the Tribe of Iudah some twenty two miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Iosh. 15. Unto this Desart near to this City David oft times resorted and at last was betrayed by the Inhabitants of this Town It seemeth that the Town and Wilderness took that Name of the abundance of Pitch that was found in it for Zaephaeth in Hebrew signifieth Pitch Of Gilboa THIS was a Mountain in the Tribe of Manasseh near to Sichem and Apheck forty miles from Ierusalem towards the North it extendeth eight 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 up of Water for the River Kison begins at the foot of this Mountain and divides it self into divers parts until it cometh 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 Mediterranean Sea There be some that are of Opinion that neither Rain nor Dew falls upon this Hill because when Saul was slain David cursed these Mountains saying Let neither Rain nor Dew fall upon you O ye Mountains of Gilboa because the strong men of Israel were slain there 2 Sam. 1. But this was but a figurative Speech whereby David would express the greatness of his Sorrow for Borchardus the Monk speaking of this Mountain saith That as he was ascending upon it there was such a violent shower fell that he was wet through his Cloaths and the Waters in great abundance ran into the Vallies And in the Year of our Lord 1283 sleeping upon this Hill on the Eve of All Saints there was a great dew fell upon his Cloaths only 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 near the River Kison Ios. 17. where Saul asked Counsel of a Witch 1 Sam. 28. It seems to take the name from a Fountain of Durance for
Dâr signifies He hath made sure It is distant from Ierusalem forty four miles toward the North. In S. Ierom's time this was but a small Village Of Bethsan THIS was a City in the Tribe of Mânasses between Bethâlia and the Sea of Gâlilee some forty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North Ioâ 17. It taketh the name from a Church-yard or a place of Rest for Bâth signifieth a House and Iaschan he hath slept Here Saul killed himself and the Philiââines cut off his Head and set it upon the Wall of this City Afterward about St. Ierom's time Ptolomy called this Scythoâoliâ You may read in the Second Book of the Macchabees how it was the Town of the Sââthians 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 won this City and dwelt there of whom it was called the Scythian Town Iosâph in lib. 2. de Bell. Iud. cap. 18. remembreth a strange Accident that hapned near this Town for the Iews besieging it there were of their own Nation that dwelt within the City who that they might make a private Gain took wages of the Scythians to oppose their Brethren and Country-men by which means the Scythians got the better But after a while the Scythians considering that the number of the Iews was great and fearing some sudden Insurrection or Innovation gave them warning to depart and leave the Town they though with great Grief as being prest with a two-fold necessity their own Wants and the hatred of their Kindred did so relying merely upon the Courtesie of Strangers But about some two days after in the night time the Inhabitants of Scythopolis breaking out of the City unawares fell upon them and in recompence of their Kindness put to the Sword some thirteen thousand many slain unawares some as they were eating and most in their Sleep 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 alive Wherefore one Simon the Son of a certain ancient and noble Citizen called Saul perceiving their present Misery and that there was no hope to escape imminent Dâath and utter Ruine in a cruel and desperate manner breaks out into these Words O miserable Wretch that I am that against my own Conscience have lift up these Impious Hands against my Country committing daily Massacres to pleasure them who at this day lay violent hands upon all we have die therefore thou that art thus prophane and with thine own hands make an end of thy wretched Life since thou dost not deserve to die honourably in the face of the Enemy but wretchedly in a corner and for thine own offence So soon as he had ended these words he turned him about with a fierce countenance and falling upon 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 himself upon his own Weapon These things happened but a little before Vespasian came into the Land of Iudaea At this day this City Scythoâolis is called after the ancient name Bethsan The typical representation of Saul SAVL if it be properly taken doth sometime signifie a Grave or Sepulchre and sometimes Hell being derived from Scheuol which may be taken for both As therefore Saul persecuted innocent David with an inveterate malice even unto the death so the Sons of Sathan evil and wicked men persecute Christ and his Members with an immoveable malice sparing neither Prophets nor Apostles neither such as are Religious no nor Christ himself but with cruel torments put them to lingring deaths till they be utterly extirpate as they think and then wanting objects to satisfie their Savage minds they follow their own devillish councels till with Saul they come to desperate ends Schâul or Saul if it be taken in the better part signâfieth He hath desired or called The Philistines Travels from their Camp to Michmas THE Philistines incamped themselves at Michmas upon Mount Ephraim some ten miles from Ierusalem Northward and out of the Philistines Camp there issued three Armies to spoil the Countrey The one marched towards Ophra and went from Michmas to Salem twenty eight miles From thence they went to Ophra four miles The second went from Michmas to Bethoron eight miles The third went from Michmas to the Valley of Zeboim eight miles So all the Travels of the Philistines were fifty eight miles Of Zeboim THis Valley is not far from Ierusalem in the Tribe of Benjamin Nehem 11. The Travels of Jonathan Saul's Son JONATHAN went from Gibeah to Kirjath-jearim which was two miles where he drave the Philistines out of their Camp 1 Sam. 13. From thence he went back again two miles From thence he went to Michmas which is eight miles and there by the help of his Armor-bearer he gave the Philistines a great overthrow 1. Sam. 14. From thence he followed the Enemy to Ajalon which is twelve miles there his Father would have put him to death because he had tasted a little Honey 1. Sam. 14. From Ajalon Saul and his Son Ionathan returned to Gibeah his own City which was two miles From Gibeah he went with his Father to Socho and Asekah which was eight miles where after David had slain Goliah for that singular Virtue and Heroical Spirit which Ionathan saw in him he loved him as he did his own Soul and preferred him before his own Life and Honour 1 Sam. 18. From thence he went with his Father to Gibeah some eight miles where Women with great mirth and joy met him saying Saul hath slain his thousand and David his ten thousand for which cause Saul out of meer envy for then he did not know that he had been anointed by Samuel would have slain him and his Son Ionathan also for excusing him 1 Sam. 18 19. From Gibeah Ionathan went into the Desart of Ziph some 22 miles to comfort David there they swore a solemn Oath of mutual friendship to continue as long as they lived 1 Sam. 23. From thence Ionathan returned which was 22 miles 1 Sam. 23. At last he went to the Wars with his Father to Mount Gilboah forty miles there he his Father his Brothers Abinadab and Melchisuah were slain So all the Travels of Ionathan were 126 miles The Travels of Abiathar Abimelech's Son WHEN Doeg the Idumaean at the command of Saul had slain the Priests of the Lord this Abiathar the Son of Abimelech the High Priest fled to the Wood Hareth not far from Kegilah some twenty miles and came and told David of all that had happened 1 Sam. 22 23. Of Kegilah THis was a City in the Tribe of Iudah four miles Hebron towards the East and twenty from Ierusalem toward the South-west From which Town David drove away the Philistines that had besieged it 1 Sam. 23. You may read of it Iosh. 23. Nehem. 3. In St.
King by the Tribe of Iudah in the year of the World 2891 and before Christ 1077. Here he kept his Court seven years and six months From hence also he sent Messengers to Iabes in Gilead forty four miles to signifie his gracious acceptance of that favour which they shewed unto Saul in burying of his Body there 2 Sam. 1. 1 Chr. 12. From Hebron David went to Ierusalem twenty two miles which then was called Iebus being possessed of the Iebusites but he won it with strong hand and thrust them out of it and in Mount Sion set up the City Millo which was afterward called the City of David and signifies a place of Plenty He began his Reign in Ierusalem in the thirty eighth year of his Age and seventh of his Reign In this place also he set up his House made of Cedar-wood of which Hâram King of Tyrus sent him great Plenty from Mount Libanus distant from thence 104 miles 2 Sam. 5. 1 Ch. 12. From thence he went to the Valley of Rephaim some three miles from Ierusalem in the way that leadeth to the City of Bethlem where he fought a memorable Fight against the Philistines and overcame them for which cause it was also called Baal-Perizim because by the Help and Assistance of God he had conquered the Army of the Philistines 1 Sam. 5. After he had dispersed the Enemies he returned to Ierusalem which is âour miles The Philistines came the same Year into the Valley of Rephaim again and pitched their Tents within three miles and a half of Ierusalem and the Lord gave David a sign that when he heard a noise in the Mulberry-trees he should set upon the Enemy so David went forth and close by the Town of Gaeba and Kirjath-jearim about two miles from Ierusalem West-ward he set upon the Enemy and gave them the second Overthrow 2 Samuel 5. 1 Chr. 15. From thence David followed the Enemy to Gaza which was eighteen miles 2 Sam. 5. in the tenth Year of his Reign from his first beginning in Hebron David assembled all the Princes Priests and chief men of Israel to the number of 30000 which inhabited from Sechor till you come to Chaemah a City of Naphtali at the foot of Mount Libanus even 163 miles off These men assembled themselves in the City of Ierusalem and from thence they with David went to Kirjath-jearim which was about a mile to fetch the Ark of the Covenant from thence into the City of David 1 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. From Kirjath-jearim David and all his Train returned back again to Ierusalem which was about a mile and they placed the Ark of the Lord in a new Cart and caused it to be drawn with Oxen which turned out of the way to the threshing-floor of Nachon where Vzza rashly and inconsiderately touching the Ark of God contrary to the Divine Law was presently slain by the Lord in the way and that place was called Paeri-Vza that is The Breach of Uza for he was not of the Tribe of Aaron to whom it was only lawful to touch the Ark and therefore the Lord struck him that he died miserably wherefore David being terrified by this example of God's Severity would not that day bring the Ark of the Lord into Ierusalem but carried it to the House of a certain Noble-man called Obed Aedom a Gittite who dwelt not far from Ierusalem but when it was told David that the Lord blessed the House of Obed Aedom and all his Family because the Ark was there David went from Ierusalem with a great multitude of People to the House of Obed Aedom who as is said before dwelt not far from Ierusalem yet there are some that say he was an excellent Musician in Ierusalem and dwelt in Mount Acra that is in the lower City and from thence David fetch'd the Ark of the Lord into the upper City which stood upon Mount Sion but I hold the other Opinion to be the more probable When the Ark was carried by the Priests David girt himself with a linnen Ephod which kind of Garment the Priests of the inferiour Order used to wear and danced before it singing Psalms and Hymns to the praise and glory of God and with great State brought it to the City of Ierusalem with the sound of Trumpets and Instruments of Musick and placed it in the middle of the Tabernacle which they had curiously erected in Mount Sion in the upper City which was also called the City of David This hapned in the tenth year of his Reign at which time Saul's Daughter despised him in her Heart and laughed at him but God gave her a due Recompence as you may read 2 Sam. 6. and him a just Reward for he promised by the Prophet Nathan That of his Posterity and Blood the King of Kings and Saviour of the World should be born In the Year following David invaded the Land of the Philistines and the City of Gath which with strong hand he won this was thirty four miles from Ierusalem From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 34 miles In the twelfth Year of his Reign he afflicted the Moabites with cruel War and destroyed two of their Armies with the Sword and the rest of the multitude he made Tributary which was 24 miles 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chr. 9. He returned thence to Ierusalem with great Triumph and Joy twenty four miles In the thirteenth year of his Reign Anno Mundi 2903. and before Christ 1065 he made an Expedition unto Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam and is in Armenia near to Masia or Mount Taurus 600 miles from Ierusalem toward the North of which you may read before David in this place won a memorable Battel against Hadad Ezer the King thereof near to the River Euphrates he took 700 Horse and 20000 Foot burnt their Chariots took 100 Castles conquered all the Towns and Country round about and went away with a great Booty as well of Gold as Silver Brass and other things which Brass for the Excellency thereof was like unto Gold and as Iosephus saith afterwards Solomon made the Molten Sea of it When Gadarezer King of the Syrians he that built that famous City of Damascus heard of the overthrow of Hadad-Ezer he sent a great Army to his Aid which King David near to the River Euphrates smote with the Sword so that 20000 of them were slain and he carryed away a glorious Victory extending his Government from Ierusalem 600 miles towards the North that is into Armenia and beyond the River Euphrates and made these two Nations tributary unto him 2 Samuel 8. 1 Chr. 19. After David had won these two memorable Victories near Euphrates he went thence with all his Army towards the South and invaded the Land of Syria in which Journey Ioram the Son of Tohi King of Antiochia which City at this time was called Hemath met David with Gifts and Presents in the Name of his Father returning him many Thanks because he had destroyed the common Enemy
as he lay upon his Bed and after cut off his Head The Head they brought to King David to Hebron 68 miles But David was not pleased with their Treachery wherefore he caused them both to be put to Death So their Travels were 108 miles The Travels of Absalom ABsalom was born in Hebron and went with his Father to Ierusalem 22 miles 2 Sam. 13. From thence he went to Baal-hazor eight miles where he caused his Brother Amnon to be slain From thence for fear of his Father he fled into the Land of Gesur 88 miles 2 Sam 14. From thence he came back with Ioab to Ierusalem which was 88 miles 2 Sam. 14. From thence he went to Hebron 22 miles and made himself King and rebelled against his Father From thence he went back again to Ierusalem which is 22 miles There he lay with his Fathers Concubines 2 Sam. 16. From thence he pursued his Father to Machanaim 40 miles and there was hanged by the Hair in an Oak tree where Ioab put him to death 2 Sam. 18. So all the Travels of Absalom were 290 miles Of Baal-hazor IN this City Absalom made a great Feast for his Sheep-shearers and invited all his Brothers to it where he caused Amnon to be slain because he had abused his Sister Thamar It lieth in the way some eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east as you go to Iericho near to Mount Epraim 2 Sam. 13. and is derived to Baal which signifies a Lord or Husband and Chazir a Den or Cave Of the Name Absalom ABsalom signifieth a Father of Peace although he was the Author of all Discord and Sedition against his Father The Travels of the wise Woman of Thecoa THis woman went from Thecoa to Ierusalem eight miles and spake with King David and with her sweet words she persuaded him that he would recall his Son out of Exile who then remained in Gesur 2 Sam. 14. Of Thecoa THecoa was a City in the Tribe of Iuda some eight miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east near this City Iosaphat by Prayers and the sound of Trumpets without drawing Sword got a memorable Victory and for that cause it signifieth the sound of a Trumpet In this place the Prophet Amos dwelt and there lyeth buried whose Sepulchre was to be seen four hundred Years after Christ as S. Ierom observeth It was from Bethlem-Iuda six miles Near to Thecoa was the Lake Aspher where Ionathan and Machabeus's brothers pitch'd their Tents 1 Mach. 9. Of this City you may read Ier. 6. Am. 1. 2 Chr. 11. Of Achitophel THis perfidious and wicked Man was born in the Town of Gilo not far from Hebron and Debir in the Tribe of Iudah Ios. 15. 2. Sam. 15. twenty miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward who when his Counsel would not take place he went home to his won House and there desperately hanged himself The Travels of wicked Shimei SHimei went from Bahurim where he cursed King David to Bathabara upon the River Iordan which was eighteen miles where he got Pardon of David 2 Sam. 9. From thence he went back with King David unto Gilgal four miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went with King David to Ierusalem twelve miles 2. Sam. 19. From thence he went to Bahurim three miles From Bahurim King Solomon sent for him again to Ierusalem three miles There he was constrained to build him an House and not to depart thence upon pain of Death 1 Reg. 2. But Shimei transgressing the commandment of the King went to Gath a City of the Philistines twelve miles From thence he returned back again to Ierusalem twelve miles where he was slain by the command of King Solomon in the third year of his Reign 1 Reg. 2. So all the Travels of Shimei were 104 miles The Books of KINGS and CHRONICLES Of Abishag the Virgin that lay with David THIS Maid was accounted the fairest in all Israel for which cause she was brought to Ierusalem for King David that she might lye with him in his old Age to procure Heat she was born at Sunem a Town some forty four miles from Ierusalem 1 Reg. 1. Of Sunem you may read before in the Travels of David and Saul The Travels of King Solomon SOlomon the Son of David King of Israel entred upon the full Government of the Kingdom of Israel Anâmundi 2931. and before Christ 1037. when he was about twenty years old After he went from Ierusalem to Gilgal four miles and there offered upon the Altar which Moses had made 1000 burnt offerings 1 Reg. 2. 2 Chr. 1. From thence he went back to Ierusalem four miles and built a Temple to the Lord in Mount Moriah I Reg. 6. This was begun about the fourth year of his Reign and 480 years after the Children of Israel came out of Aegypt in the Month Ziph which answereth to our May. So that the Temple began to be built in An. Mundi 2934. and before Christ 1034. To the building whereof Hiram King of Tyre sent Cedar Trees from Mount Libanus 120 miles to Ierusalem 1 Reg. 5. 2. Chr. 2. This Temple Solomon within plaited over with Gold and set with precious Stones and finished it in the Month of November about the eleventh year of his Reign 1 Reg. 6. The Dedication whereof was about the twelfth year of his Reign and in the thirty second year of his Age Anno Mundi 2942 and before Christ 1026. The Temple being finished he began to build his own house which was thirteen years a building and was finished about the 44 year of his Age and in the 24 of his Reign 1 Rg. 7. 8. After 20 Years in which time he had finished the House of the Lord and his own House in Mount Sion that he might manifest his Thankfulness to the King of Tyre he went to Cabul a City in the Tribe of Ashur some 80 miles Northward where he gave to the aforesaid Hiram 20 Towns or Cities with all the Country round about wherefore King Hiram called this Cabul that is Displeasant and Dirty 2 Reg. 9. You may read of Cabul Ios. 19. From thence he returned to Ierusalem 88 miles From thence he went to Hazor and restored the City which was 44 miles From thence he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles From thence he went to Megiddo which is not far from Iesreel in the Tribe of Manasses 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the North. This City Solomon fortified 1 Reg. 9. and Iosiah King of Iuda a long time after was there wounded to Death 2 Reg. 9. From Megiddo he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles After that Pharaoh King of Egypt had conquered Gaser and destroyed it with Fire he gave it to his Daughter the Wife of Solomon who rebuilt it This Town was scituated in the Tribe of Ephraim 28 miles from Ierusalem Northward 1 Reg. 9. From Gaser Solomon returned back again to Ierusalem being 28 miles From thence he went to the higher Bethoron which he fortified and stood 28 miles from Ierusalem
Northward 2 Chr. 8. From thence he went to the lower Bethoron 16 miles from the upper toward the South 1 Reg. 9. 2 Chr. 8. From the lower Bethoron he went to Ierusalem which was eight miles After Solomon built the City Belath which was 12 miles from Ierusalem North-vvestvvard 1 Reg. 9. 2. Chr. 8. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 12 miles and it is very like that Solomon often visited those Towns that he built and restored From Ierusalem he went to Hemath afterward called Antiochia which was 320 miles and compassed it about with a Wall fortified it and afterward constrained all the Kingdoms thereabout to be obedient to his Government 2 Chr. 8. From thence he went with great State into the Kingdom of Zoba which is 600 miles and fortified all the great Cities and Castles of that Country that with the greater Facility they might oppose the Invasions of neighbouring Countries From thence he returned to that famous City Thamar which was also called the City of the Palmes 400 miles this he rebuilt and fortified 1 Reg. 9. 2 Chr. 8. From thence he went to Ierusalem which is 388 miles From thence he went to Ezeongâber near to the Red Sea in the Country of Idumaea where he built a company of stately Ships and sent them to India to fetch Gold which was 176 miles from Ierusalem Southward 1 Reg. 9. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which is 176 miles But of his Riches and great Prosperity he grew Proud for he excelled all the Kings near him and gave himself to unlawful Pleasures he took unto him 300 Concubines and 700 Wives by whose perswasions he began to worship the Gods of the Gentiles which Idolatry was evil in the sight of the Lord. After he had reigned forty years which was about the sixtieth of his Age he died and was buried by his Father David in Mount Sion the City of David An. Mundi 2770 and before Christ 998. So all the Travels of Solomon were 2544 miles The description of the places to which he travelled Of Gazer you may read before in the Travels of David Of Bethoron THe upper and the lower Bethoron were two Cities in the Tribe of Ephraim built by Saaerah the Daughter of Ephraim 1 Chron. 7. The inferiour Bethoron was not far from the Castle of Emmaus eight miles from Ierusalem toward the North-West The Superiour was twenty miles distant towards the North. These Towns Solomon repaired Near to the lower Bethoron the Lord put the Enemies of Ioshuah to flight with Thunder and Hail Ios. 10. Here also Iudas Macchabeus overcame the Army of Antiochus 1 Mac. 3. Here also he put Niâanor to death 1 Mac. 7. and signifieth A white house being derived of Beth which signifies an house and Chor he hath made white Of Baaelath THis is a City twelve miles from Ierusalem North-westward in the Tribe of Dan. This City Solomon repaired at such time as he fell in Love with many Women from whence it seemeth to take his name for Baaeleth signifieth his beloved Lady Of Thamar THamar Tadmor or Palmira stood partly in the Desart of Syria and partly in a fruitful Soyl being compassed about on the one side with a Wood on the other with fair and pleasant Fields It was the Metropolitan City of all Syria not far from Euphrates some 388 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward and as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 25. although it lay betwixt two mighty Empires Rome and Parthia yet it was subject to neither fairly scituated a Free City adorned with fair and sumptuous Buildings and contented with their own Government The Wildernesses called after this Towns name Palâarnae or the Desarts of the Palms extend themselves to Petra the Metropolitan City of Arabia-Petraea and to the borders of Arabia-Foelix one days journey from Euphrates two from the upper part of Syria and six from Babylon as Iosephus observeth Antiq. lib. 8. cap. 5. This City Solomon made Tributary to him and fortified it with strong Walls 1 Reg. 9. Of Ezeongaber you may read before The Typical Signification of Solomon SOlâmon is as much as FREDERICK in High-Dutch which signifies a Peace-maker being derived of the Hebrew word Schelâmoh or Schalom to bring glad tidings of Peace Typically representing Christ the Prince of Peace who hath reconciled us with his Heavenly Father and merited an eternal place of Peace and Happiness for all such as trust in him Esay 9. And as Solomon built up the Temple of the Lord with great majesty and glory so Christ hath built up that heavenly Temple the Church of God and adorned it with the Gifts and Graces of his holy Spirit in this World that so it might be capable of eternal Glory in the World to come 2 Cor. 6. The Travels of Solomon's Ships THis Navy of Solomon's went unto Ophir that is India which was accounted from the Mart Town 4800 miles From India they returned back again 4800 miles so all their Travels were 9600 miles This Journey was finished in three years to and again so that every year they went 3200 miles and brought home plenty of Gold Silver precious Stones Ebony c. Of India MOses called this Country Havilah Gen. 2. and Ios. li. Antiq. 8. c. 7. Ophir which name saith he it took of two Brothers so called which inhabited and governed the Country all along the River Ganges But more Modern Writers derive it from Indus a River passing through it It is a spacious and fruitful Country pleasant to inhabit and as Pomponius saith hath in it 5000 Cities being divided into two parts the outward and inward The Travels of the Queen of Saba FRom Saba in Ethiopia she came to Ierusalem 964 miles From Ierusalem she returned back again which was 964 miles So all her Travels were 1928 miles Of Aethiopia THIS Country by the Hebrews is called Chus of Chus the Son of Cham who was the Son of Noah and after Aethiopia ab aestu torrida because of the great heat wherewith oftentimes the habitable Land and People as also the Wilderness were sorely scorched and burned for it is scituated in the third part of the World called Africa lying under the torrid Zone and the Aequator which two by common Experience are found to be extream hot Of Saba SAba is a metropolitan City in Aethiopia lying beyond Egypt 846 miles from Ierusalem towards the South and took the name from a certain precious Stone called Achates wherein might plainly be discerned in certain distinct Colours the rising of Fountains the Chanels of Rivers high Mountains and sometimes of Chariots and Horses drawing them It is reported That Pyrrhus King of the Epirots had one of them wherein was lively represented the Nine Muses and Apollo playing on the Viol portrayed by natural Stains and Colours so artificially as if they had been done by some curious Work-man Of this Stone you may read more in Pliny li. 37. ca. 1. 10. It was first found in Achates a River of Sicilia
Father-in-law in the other Ishmael that being the chief City of his Dominions as you may read Gen. 21. Ex. 2. Of Reson Solomon's Adversary AFter David had conquered Hadad-Ezer King of Zoba Reson his chief Captain gathered up his dispersed Souldiers of his Army and fled from him to Damascus which was 120 miles and besieged it the Citizens whereof when neither David nor Solomon could suppress his Rebellion entertained him for their King which Principality he held The Travels of the Kings of Israel and first of Jeroboam THis man was the Son of Nebat and born at a Town called Zared not far from Bethlehem-Euphrata some eight miles from Ierusalem from whence he came to Solomon who made him Captain that he might collect the Tribute of Manasses and Ephraim 1 Reg. 11. which was eight miles From Ierusalem as he went to Shilo which was four miles he met the Prophet Ahijah the Shilomite who told him that he should be King of Israel 1 Reg. 11. From thence he went to Memphis in Aegypt which was 224 miles because Solomon sought his life where he remained with Sesak King of Aegypt all the Life of Solomon Eusebius calleth this King Osochores who that same year succeeded Solomon's Father-in-law in that Government From thence he returned to the Town of Sichem in Israel which was 280 miles where the Israelites made him chief Captain against Solomon's Son Wherefore Ieroboam the Son of Nebat began to Raign over Israel An. mundi 2971 and before Christ 997 and raigned twenty two years 1 Reg. 12. His first Seat was at Sichem which he repaired and enlarged From Sichem in the first year of his reign he went to Penuel and there set up many fair Buildings which was twelve miles 1 Reg. 12. From Penuel he went twenty four miles to the Town of Bethel where he caused a Golden Calf to be set up for the People to worship From thence he went to Thirza which is sixteen miles This City he built and there kept his Court 1 Reg. 14. From thence he went to the Mount Zemaraim which is Mount Ephraim eighteen miles where he had a great Battel with Abia King of Iuda and lost 500000 of his Souldiers all chosen men of Israel 2 Chr. 13. ver 17. Having lost this Battel with all possible speed that he could went thence to Thirza which is eighteen miles there the Lord struck him with a grievous Disease that he died miserably 1 Reg. 14. 2 Chr. 13. So all the Travels of Ieroboam first King of Israel were 623 miles The Description of the Towns and places to which Jeroboam travelled Of Zemaraim THis was a certain Plain in Mount Ephraim eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North near to the Town of Bethel in the Tribe of Manasses for Mount Ephraim is divided into divers parts and Tribes It seemeth to take the name of certain Trees that abound near that place whereon Cotton-wooll groweth for Zaemaer signifieth Wooll which by little and little upon such Trees doth increase and grow to perfection Of Thirza THis was a fair and beautiful City scituated in a high and pleasant Mountain in the Tribe of Manasses some twenty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In this place the Kings of Israel us'd to keep their Courts until Samaria was built it was so called because of the Excellency and delectableness of the place for Thirza doth denote An acceptable and thankful City being derived of Razah he received thankfully Of the Years of the Iniquity of Israel THe years of the Iniquity of Israel mentioned in Ezek. 4. is to be accounted from that day wherein Ieroboam first erected the Golden Calves wherefore the greatest part of the first year of the Iniquity agreeth with the second year of Ieroboams Reign From whence may be gathered that from that time till the destruction of Ierusalem by Nebuchadnezzar were 390 years full ended Of Jeroboam's Wife Queen of Israel SHE went from Thirza to Zilo which was about twenty four miles there she asked counsel of Ahijam the Prophet concerning her Son Abia for he was sick but he told her heavy tidings 1 Reg. 14. 7. Wherefore being pensive and troubled in her mind she returned back again to her Husband to Thirza 24 miles 1 Reg. 14. So these two Journeys were 48 miles The Iourney of the Man of God which came out of Juda. THis man of God as Iosephus writeth l. Ant. 8. came from Ierusalem to Bethel which was eight miles and was called by the name of Iadon which signifieth The Judge of the Lord. When he came thither he reproved Ieroboam with an extraordinary Spirit Of whom you may read more 1 Reg. 13. But being deceived as he was returning a Lyon met him in the way where he was slain and after buried in a Sepulchre in Bethel The Travels of Nadab the second King of Israel NAdab or Bonifacias succeeded his Father Ieroboam in the Kingdom of Israel and was anointed while he was yet living a liberal and free-hearted Prince He began to reign in the second year of Asa King of Iuda Anno Mundi 2992 and before Christ 977. He reigned during the Life of his Father a year and somewhat more but when he had reigned two years he went from Thirza with a great Army to the City of Gibithon which was thirty six miles this Town he besieged very straitly but at length was slain by one of his Captains called Baesa so he lost both his Life and Kingdom in that place 1 Reg. 15. Of Gibithon THis was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Dan not far from Ekron in the Land of the Philistines sixteen miles from Ierusalem towards the West and signifieth a Royal or lofty Gift The Travels of Baesa King of Israel BAesa is as much as to say An industrious and prompt man in doing any thing This man having slain his Master near unto Gibithon usurped upon the Kingdom of Israel about the end of the third year of Asa King of Iuda and began his Reign An. Mund. 2992 before Christ 974 and reigned over Israel almost twenty four years two of which he reigned with his Son 1 Reg. 15. He went from Gibithon to Thirza thirty six miles where he utterly rooted out the whole stock and Family of Ieroboam After falling into Idolatry he was sharply reprehended for it by Iehu the Prophet the Son of Hanani of whom you may read more 1 Reg. 15. From Thirza he went to Ramah which is sixteen miles this Town he built and fortified it very strongly 2 Chr. 29. But when he heard that Benhadad King of Syria had invaded Israel he left his Building at Ramah and with all possible speed that he could went to Thirza where he died and was buried 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr. 16. So all the Travels of Baesa were 68 miles Of Ramah Of this City you may read before Of Ella or Elah King of Israel ELAH signifies a cruel man This was the Son of Baasha King
into the City a little before you come at it This Town standeth upon a fair prospect for you may see from thence through all Galilee to Carmel the Mountains of Phoenicia and Mount Thabor also from Mount Gilead by Iordan and Mount Salem where Iohn baptized near by Mount Hermon upon the North side of Mount Gilboah there lies a fair and plain way to the City Iezreel by which Iehu came when he made Wars upon Ieroboam King of Israel of which you may read more 2 Reg. 9. It stood not far from the River Kison as you may read Ios. 17. 19. 1 Sam. 2. 1 Reg. 4. 18. Of Ahaziah the Son of Ahab AHaziah was crowned King of Israel during the Life of his Father a cruel and wicked man he began his Reign in the 17th year of Iosaphat King of Iudah Anno Mundi 3049 and before Christ 919. about such time as Ahab went down to Ramoth Gilead to recover it from the Syrians Within a while after the death of his Father he fell through the Lattice-window in his upper Chamber which was in Samaria of which hurt he died Of this you may read more 1 King 1. The Travels of Jehoram King of Israel JEhoram succeeded his Brother Ahaziah in the Kingdom of Israel who began his Reign in the eighteenth year of Iosaphat King of Iudah and as Iosephus saith lib. Ant. 9. about the fifth year of his Reign 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 go 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 Wilderness of Idumaea by the space of seven dayes so that they and their Army for want of Water had almost perished but at the Prayers of the Prophet Elisha they were miraculously preserved At length they came to Petra the Metropolitan City of the Moabites and is distant from Ierusalem an hundred seventy two miles which they took and consumed it with Fire and Sword 2 Reg. 3. From the City of Petra Iehoram King of Israel returned back to Samaria which was 104 miles where within a while after he was so sorely besieged by Benhadad King of Syria that the Famine grew very great within the Town insomuch as a certain Woman eat her own Child 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Ramoth in Gilead with his Army which is 24 miles where he was overcome by Asahel King of the Syrians and wounded even to the death 2 Reg. 8. From the Fight of Ramoth Gilead he was carried in his Chariot back to Iezreel which was 24 miles where he lay to be cured of his Hurts But Iehu one of his chief Captains rebelled against him and as he was in his Chariot shot an Arrow and wounded him the second time whereof he died in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite 2 Reg. 9. So all the Travels of Iehoram were 356 miles The Travels of Jehu King of Israel JEHV signifies a constant man in himself and was the Son of Iosaphat the Son of Nimschi he was anointed King of Israel in the Castle at Ramoth in Gilead by Elisha Anno Mun. 3063. and before Christ 905. he reigned 28 years 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 Iezreelite he killed Iehoram with an Arrow And when he came to the Gates of the City he caused Iezabel to be thrown from a Tower whom he trampled under his Horse feet and after in that same place she was eaten up with Dogs Then he sent Messengers to Samaria commanding the Samaritans that they should put to death the 70 Sons of Ahab which they immediately did and sent their Heads unto him in Baskets 2 Reg. 10. From Iezreel he went to Samaria which is sixteen miles In that Journey he caused to be slain by his Ministers the 42 Brothers of Ahaziah King of Iuda near to the Well which was beside the House where Sheep were shorn And when he came to Samaria he caused all the Posterity of Ahab to be utterly destroyed and rooted out And to conclude the Tragedy by a cunning Policy put to death all the Priests of Baal 2 Reg. 10. So all the Travels of Iehu were 40 miles Of Jehoahas King of Israel JEhoahas was the Son of Iehu and succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Israel he began his Reign in the 33 year of Ioas King of Iudah in the Year of the World 3091 and before Christ 876. He reigned over Israel seventeen Years God stirred up against this wicked King Asahel King of the Syrians who with 10000 Foot and five hundred Horse besieged Samaria very strongly put to the Sword many of his Subjects and got many Cities and Towns from him as the Prophet Elisha had before told him 2 Reg. 8. 13. The Travels of Joas King of Israel JOAS succeeded his Father Iehoahas and while he was yet living was anointed King of Israel in the thirty seventh year of Ioas King of Iudah and reigned two years with his Father after his Death fifteen so all the Reign of Ioas was seventeen Years This Man was a great Souldier and went from Samaria with an Army against the City of Apheck which was fourteen miles there he smote the Syrians and in three several Battels carried away the Victory recovering the Cities which his Father Iehoahas had lost according to the Prophecy of Elisha 2 Reg. 17. From Apheck he returned to Samaria being 14 miles From thence he went with his Army to Bethsemes in the Land of Iuda where in a sharp and cruel War he conquered Amasia and took him alive 2 Reg. 14. which was 32 miles From Bethsemes he went to Ierusalem and carried the King thereof with him Captive being four miles He won the City and broke down the Walls of it from the Gate of Ephraim till you come to the Angle-Gate four hundred Cubits in length 2 Reg. 14. From the City of Ierusalem Ioas the Conquerour returned to Samaria with the spoil of the Temple and of the King's House with many Captives and a great Prey being thirty two miles where at the end of the seventeenth year of his Reign he died and was buried In this man's time Elisha the Prophet died 2 Reg. 13. 14. So all the Travels of Ioas were ninety six miles Of Bethsemes Of this City you may read before The Travels of Jeroboam the second of that Name King of Israel THIS Ieroboam succeeded his Father Ioas in the Kingdom of Israel and began his Reign Anno Mundi 3123. and before Christ 845. which according to the Text of the Bible happened about the 15th Year of Amasia King of Iuda and he reigned 41 Years 2 Reg. 14. He kept his Court at Samaria where the Prophet Ionas told him that he should recover not only the Towns and Cities of the Land
River of Cutha a multitude of Iews with great shame and grief were constrained to dwell 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 Media and the People of Ava and Sepharvaiim 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 behalf the Policy of this Emperour was much greater than that of the Romans for the retaining of this Kingdom but especially than that of Titus Vespasian for he having conquered the Land wasted it and destroyed it with Fire and Sword put thence the Inhabitants and dispersed them here and there left the Country bare and naked only a few Garrisons were placed in the strongest Cities to keep it to their use Which not being able enough to oppose the incursions of the Saracens that in great Troops brake out of the Desarts of Arabia-Petraea they soon lost all that they had gotten and the Turks joyning with them they have now gained into their possession that pleasant and fruitful Land of Iudaea and inhabit therein even to this day to the great detriment and scandal of the Christians But to return to the People sent to inhabit this Kingdom who as they were of divers Nations so were they of divers Religions and every Family had his particular God Wherefore the Lord sent a Multitude of Lyons among them which daily vexed them from whence it happened that Salmanasser was constrained to send back unto them a Levite one of the Priests that had been carried away Captive to shew them the true Worship of God He came to Bethel and there taught them the Doctrine of the Lord and the Customs and Ceremonies of the Mosaical Law whereby it happened that they began to worship God and their Idols in neither observing their Ancient custom For which cause they became so abominable unto the Iews that they refused their company and familiarity as that Samaritan woman confessed to Christ at Iacobs Well Ioh. 4. so that when the Iews 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 Samaritan and âest a Devil 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 Government over the rest The Travels of the Kings of Syria that made Wars upon the Kings of Israel And first of the Travels or Incursions of Benhadad BEnhadad King of Syria went from Damascus the chief City of his Kingdom and came to Samaria and straitly besieged it in the time of Ahab King of Israel 1 Reg. 24. being 132 miles From thence being overcome and put to flight by Ahab he returned back to Damascus which was 132 miles The second time he came from thence and invaded the Land of Israel even unto the City of Apheck 124 miles which he besieged But Ahab King of Israel overcame him in a great Battel and put 100000 Syrians to the Sword and when the rest of the multitude would have fled into the City the ruins of a Wall fell down upon them so that there dyed 27000. This put Benhadad in such a fear that he was constrained to fly from one chamber to another to hide himself but at last 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 back to 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 Battel 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 selves But the Prophet Elisha discoâered their purposes 2 Reg. 6. Out of the Land of Isrel 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 straitly that an Asses head was worth eighty pieces of Silver But yet the Lord at the fervent Prayers of Elizeus the Prophet struck such a fear 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 Travels of King Benhadad were 1224 miles The Travels of the Captains 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 Town of Hion seventy two miles From thence they went to Dan which is four miles From Dan they went to the City of Abel-Bethmaacha twelve miles From thence they went to the land of Chineroth which was accounted eight miles there they took certain Cities of Fruit and spoiled and destroyed them From Chineroth in the Tribe of Nephtaly when they had cruelly wasted and destroyed that Country they returned with a great booty to Damascus being eighty eight miles 1 Reg. 15. So all their Travels were 184 miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which they travelled Hion and Dan. HIon and Dan are two Towns near to Mount Libanus and the Fountains of Iordan some 104 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward Hion signifies a Town of the Fountain because it standeth near to the Town or Fountains from whence Iordan issueth Of Abel-Bethmaacha you may read before Of Chineroth THIS Chineroth or Cineroth was the Metropolitan City of the Tribe of Nephtaly seventy two miles from Ierusalem Northward It was scituated in a very fruitful and pleasant place and for that cause was so called for Kinroth being derived of Kinnor signifieth Musick or Mirth The Travels of Naaman the Syrian NAaman came from Damascus to Samaria which was 132 miles to be cured of his Leprosie by Elizeus who commanded him to go to the River Iordan and wash himself therein seven times and he should be cleansed Wherefore from Samaria he went to Iordan twenty six miles and there according to the commandment of the Prophet he washed himself seven times and was cleansed 2 Reg. 5. From the River Iordan he returned back again to Elizeus the Prophet to give him thanks for that benefit which was about sixteen miles From Samaria he returned to Damascus 132 miles So all the Travels of Naaman the
Syrian were 296 miles The Travels of Hasael King of Syria HE went from Damascus where Elizeus told him that he should succeed his Lord and Master Benhadad in the Kingdom to âamâth Gilead with his Army which was 104 miles There he overcame Iehoram King of Israel in a great battel 2 Reg. cap. 8. From thence he returned to Damascus 104 miles After he went to Damascus to the City Aroer which was 132 miles From thence he went through the land of Gilead into the Kingdom of Basân until he came to Mount Libanus which is accounted eighty miles and conquered all that part 2 Reg. 10. After he returned into his own Kingdom to Damascus which is 320 miles Within a while after he went again from Damascus with his Army to Gath which is reckoned 188 miles This City he won From Gath he went to Ierusalem thirty two miles which he besieged so streightly that Ioas King of Iudah was constrained to give him great abundance of Gold to raise his Siege and be gone 2 Reg. 12. From Ierusalem he went to Damascus which was about 160 miles The last Journey that he went against the Israelites was when he besieged Samaria at which time he won many Cities and Towns round about in the Country and made them Tributaries unto him 2 Reg 13. which was 132 âiles Having finished this Expedition he returned back to Damascus 132 miles and there dyed and was buried So all the Travels of Hasael King of Syria were 1384 miles The Cities of Aroer and Gath are described before therefore I shall not need to speak of them again in this place The Travels of Benhadad the second of that name King of Syria THis Benhadad was the Son of Hasael and succeeded him in the Government He went from the City Damascus with a great Army to Apheck which was 104 miles This King was three times one after another overthrown by Ioab King of Israel and lost all those Cities which Hasael his Father had formerly conquered 2 Reg. 13. From Apheck he returned to Damascus 104 miles and there died So both Journeys were 208 miles The Travels of Resin King of Syria RESIN King of Syria went from Damascus and joyning his Army with that of Pekah King of Israel they went to Ierusalem and streightly besieged Ahab king of Iudah 2 Reg. 16. which was 160 miles At this time which was in the year of the World 3206 and before Christ 762. the Prophet Esay ca. 7. foretold of the Birth of our Saviour Christ saying Behold a Virgin being great shall bring forth a Child and shall call his name Emanuel From thence he brought his Army through Idumaea to Elâth a City of the Red Sea some 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the South and sixteen miles from Ezeongaber Northward This City Resin won and thrust from thence the Iews out of it From âlath he went to Damascus 280 miles where he was slain by Tiglath Phulasser that mighty King of the Assyrians who carried a great multitude of the Inhabitants of Damascus into the Country of Syrene where they endured a miserable Exile 2 Reg. 16. So all the Travels of King Resin were 600 miles The Travels of the Kings of Judah which reigned in the City of Jerusalem and first of the Travels of Rehoboam REhoboam the Son of Solomon succeded his Father in the Kingdom and began his Reign Anno mundi 2971 and before Christ 977 who by reason of his extream cruelty and threats following the counsel of his young Courtiers rather than of his grave Senators the same year lost ten of the Tribes that fell from him and rebelled against him so that he reigned over Iudah and Benjamin seventeen years 1 Reg. 11. 14. A little after the death of Solomon he went to Sichem thirty two miles where he was anointed and crowned King But the People perceiving that he carried himself very proudly and arrogantly desired him that he would ease them of the burden formerly imposed upon them by his Father for Solomon had set a certain Tax on every man because he was at extraordinary charges as long as the Temple was building but he little regarding their request told them That his little finger should be heavier than the whole burthen of his Father wherefore they disliking his Speech fell all from him except Benjamin and Iudah Wherefore the King shunning the fury of the People with all possible speed went from Sichem to Jerusalem back again being thirty two miles Then he fortified all the chief Cities of Judah and Benjamin 2 Chr. 11. So all the Travels of Rehoboam were sixty four miles But he principally fortified fourteen Cities in the Tribe of Judah that with the more safety he might oppose his Enemy Jeroboam King of Israel viz. Bethlehem Etam Thecoa Bethzura Adullam Gath Maâesa Ziph Adoraiim Lachis Aseca Zarea Ajalon and Hebron most of which Towns and the memorable Actions done in them are described in the former part of this Treatise I will therefore speak only of such Towns as have not as yet been mentioned Of Maresa THIS was a City in the Tribe of Iuda 16 miles from Ierusalem West-ward which Rehoboam repaired and fortified 2 Chr. 11. where King Asa overcame the Ethâopians in a cruel Battel 2 Chr. 14. Here Michaias and Eleazer the Prophets were born 2 Chr. 20 Mich. 1 2 Ios. 15 Georgias also fled into this City when he was overcome by Iudas Macchabeus 2 Mac. 12 It was scituated on the Borders of the Tribes of Iuda and Dan as Sâ Ierom saith in whose time the Ruines thereof were to be seen Maresca signifies an Inheritance being derived of Moraschah that is a Possession Of Bethzura THIS is a strong Castle often mentioned in the History of the Macchabees scituated on a Mountain some five Furlongs from Ierusalem Southward and felll by lot unto the Tribe of Iuda This Tower was as it were a Bulwark for the City of Ierusalem and stood in the way âs 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 repair and fortifie 2 Ch. 11. There was another City of this name scituated upon the Border of the Tribes of Iuda and Dan 18 miles from Ierusalem Westward of which you may read in the Travels of Sampson Of Adoraiim ADoraiim or Adarah was a City in the Tribe of Iuda 44 miles from Ierusalem South-westward which Rehoboam the Son of Solomon also fortified 2 Chr. 11. It is scituated upon the Borders of Iudah and Arabia-Petraea between Cades and Casmona It signifies a glorious City being derived of Adar he was glorious The Travels of King Abia. ABijah or Abia signifies The Father of the Sea He began to reign in the eighteenth year of Ieroboam his Adversary An. Mundi 2988 before Christ 980 and reigned over Israel three years 1 Reg. 15 2 Chr. 17. He went from Ierusalem to the Mount Zemeraim eight miles After
of the Moabites which happened about the fifth year of Iehoram King of Israel An. Mundi 3055 and before Christ 913. He reigned with his Father Iehosaphat two years and after his Decease six So Ioram reigned eight years over Iudah and when he was forty years old died miserably 2 Reg. 8 9. About the beginning of the second year of this King's Reign which was the sixth of Iehoram King of Israel Elias the Prophet was taken up into Heaven About the beginning of his Reign he went from Ierusalem to Mount Seir being twenty eight miles South-ward where he used such extreme cruelty toward the Edomites which at this time were his Subjects that of a sudden they fell from him and chose them a King of their own 2 Reg. 8. From the Mountain of Seir he returned to Ierusalem which is twenty eight miles and there cruelly put to death his own Brothers But God stirred up against him the Philistines and Arabians who broke into Iuda and destroyed it with Fire and Sword They also went to Ierusalem and took thence all his Substance and Riches put his Children to the Sword all but Ioachas which was also called Ahaziah or Ochorias and carried away his Wives captive into Arabia Foelix which is near unto Ethiopia 1200 miles Then the Lord struck him with an extream pain in his Bowels of which after two years he died and was buried without any Funeral-pomp or honourable Respect near to the King's Tower A man unworthy to be buried in the Sepulchre of the rest of the Kings because he so much degenerated from David his Predecessor 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chr. 28. So all the Travels of Ioram were fifty six miles The Travels of Ahaziah King of Judah AHaziah which also was called Iehoachas succeeded his Father Ioram in the Government of Iudah and began his Reign in the twelfth year of Iehoram King of Israel Ann. Mund. 3062. and before Christ 906 and reigned one year 1 Reg. 8. He went from Ierusalem to Ramoth in Gilead which is accounted forty eight miles There he went to Battel with Iehoram King of Israel against the Syrians 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chr. 22. From Ramoth in Gilead he returned to Ierusalem forty eight miles Within a while after he went back again to visit his Kinsman Iehoram King of Israel to Iezteel for he was wounded in the Battel against Hasael and lay there to be cured which was forty eight miles With Iehoram he went to meet Iehu the Captain of the Host who shot an Arrow and wounded Iehoram that he died in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite Wherefore Ahaziah to save his Life fled with all possible speed taking his way to the King's Garden that stood close by the Vineyard of Naboth the Iezreelite not far from teh City and Tower of Iezreel But Iehu followed him so close that he wounded him as he ascended up to a place called GVR which signifieth a Lions Whelp near unto the Town which is called Iiblea Wherefore Ahaziah feeling himself hurt went to Megiddo four miles from Iezreel and near to Apheck upon the West There as Iosephus saith lib. Antiq. 9. he caused his wounds to be searched and bound up This City of Megiddo is forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward From Megiddo he went to Samaria which was fourteen miles there he lay hid for a while flying from one place to another to save himself 2 Chr. 22. But being found out he was carried back to the City of Megiddo which was fourteen miles and at the commandment of Iehu was there slain 1 Reg. 8. From Megiddo his Carcasa was carried to Ierusalem which was forty eight miles and there buried 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chron. 22. So all the Travels of Ahaziah King of Iudah were 224 miles Of that Idolatrous and wicked Queen Athalia AThalia was Sister to Ahab and Daughter to Omri married to Ioram Son of that good King Iehosaphat when he was but seventeen years of age and after the death of Azahiah who was slain about the twenty third year of his age she usurped upon the Kingdom of Israel Anno Mundi 3063 before Christ 905 and reigned with great Tyranny almost seven years So soon as she had obtained the Government she cruelly and miserably put to death the children of Ahaziah and all those that were next Heirs to the kingdom only Ioas who was saved by the policy of Iehoshabeath Sister to Ahasiah that stole him from among the rest of the King's Sons and put him to Nurse in her Bed-Chamber and he was with them in the House of God six years all which time Athalia raigned over the land And in the seventh year Iehojada waxed bold and proclaimed Ioas King as being next Heir to the Crown and anointed him in the Temple who after Athalia was slain succeeded in the Government 2 Reg. 11. 2 Chron. 23. Of Joas King of Judah JOas began to reign over Iudah when he was almost seven years of age and about the middle of the seventh year of Iehu King of Israel Anno Mundi 3069 and before Christ 899 and raigned over Iudah forty years He did that which was acceptable in the âight of the Lord all the days of Iehojada the Priest who crowned him King but after his death he fell into evil courses and caused that good Priest Zachariah the Son of Iehojada who was the Author of all his preferment to be stoned to death in the upper Court of the Temple which act argued that he was very unthankful and tyrannical But the Lord displeased with his cruelty within a year after the death of Zachariah stirred up the Syrians who invaded Iudaea and spoiled the City of Ierusalem in which War all those that stirred up the King to Idolatry were cruelly slain To conclude within a while after some of his Courtiers conspired against him and as he lay sick of a grievous disease in his bed put him to death and buried him in Milo the City of David Thus God justly punished this Tyrant for his Unthankfulness Apostasie and Cruelty when he had lived 47 years 2 Reg. 12. The Travels of Amasiah King of Judah AMasias or Amasiah signifies the strength of Iehovah This man was twenty five years of Age when he was enthronised by his Father about the second year of Ioas King of Israel Anno mundi 3108 and before Christ 806. He ruled the Kingdom while his Father was sick one year and after his decease twenty eight so all the years of his Reign were twenty nine He went with an Army from Ierusalem to Saelag that is to the Tower or Rock of Mount Seir forty miles towards the South here in the Valley of Salt he put to death a multitude of the Idumaeans And although this Town was very strongly scituated yet he won it and called it Ioctiel that is the Year of the Lord because God in that place heard his Prayers being derived of Iakah and El which is God hath heard Near to this Town Amasiah
commanded 10000 Idumaeans which he had taken in War to be cast down headlong from the top of an high Rock into a deep Valley in which fall their bones were shattered all to pieces and they died miserably 2 Reg. 14. From Selag-Ioctiel he returned to Ierusalem being forty miles where he began to worship the Gods of the Idumaeans that he brought along with him 2 Chron. 24. From Ierusalem he went to Bethsemes and there was overcome by Joas King of Israel which was four miles 2 Chron. 25. From Bethsemes Ioas led Amasiah back again to Ierusalem captive being four miles 2 Reg. 14. From Ierusalem he fled to the City of Lachis which was twenty miles and there was slain by his own Servants 2 Chron. 25. From Lachis his carkass was carried back again to Ierusalem twenty miles where it was buried in the City of David 2 Reg. 14. 2 Chron. 25. So all his Travels were 128 miles The Travels of Azariah or Uzziah King of Judah THIS man succeeded his Father Amasia in the year of the World 3138 and before Christ 830 when he was but sixteen years of age and reigned fifty two years his Mothers name was Iecoliah of Ierusalem He did those things which were upright in the sight of the Lord therefore the Lord blessed him And after the death of his Father built Elah and restored it to Iudah He therefore went from Ierusalem to Elah 160 miles towards the South and rebuilt that Town it being a famous Mart-Town scituated upon the Red Sea and fortified it because Resin King of the Syrians in times past for want of due fortification won it and destroyed it 2 Chron. 26. From Elah he returned to Ierusalem 160 miles After he went from Ierusalem to Gath a City of the Philistines which was accounted thirty four miles this Town he won beat down the Walls and destroyed the Bulwarks thereof From thence he went to Iabnia which is twenty four miles and broke down the Walls thereof 2 Chron. 26. From thence he went to Azotus or Asdod which was eight miles 2 Chron. 26. From Asdod he went again to Ierusalem being twenty two miles Within a while after he gathered an Army and went from Ierusalem to Gur-Baal that is Gerar where he overcame the Arabians in a great Battel which was thirty two miles 2 Chron. 26. From Gerar he returned to Ierusalem being thirty two miles He went from Ierusalem that third time into the Land of the Ammonites sixty miles which People he conquered and made Tributary to him so that he was made Famous through all the Countries thereabout even to the utmost part of Aegypt because of his often Victories and Triumphs 2 Chron 26. Out of the land of the Ammonites he returned to Ierusalem being sixty miles But now being lift up with the Prosperity of Fortune and not content with his Regal Dignity he endeavoured to have chief Authority over the Priests also for which cause he went into that part of the Temple where the Altar of sweet Incense stood where it was lawful for none to go but the Priests and there took upon him to offer sweet Incense but as he was offering the Lord struck him with Leprosie so that he was constrained to dwell in a house by himself separated from the Congregation and his Son Iotham governed in his stead all the days of his Life But within a while after he died of this disease and was buried in the Kings Garden at Ierusalem and not in the Sepulchre of the Kings 2 Reg. 15. 2 Chron. 26. So all the Travels of Azariah King of Iudah were 592 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Elah THIS was a City scituated upon the Red Sea 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the South between Ezion-Gaber and Midian This City Resin King of the Syrians conquered but Azariah King of Iudah drove thence the Syrians and made it so strong that it seemed impossible to be conquered It took the name of abundance of Oaks which as it seemeth grew about that place for Elah or Ilix signifies a kind of Oak Tree of which there is great plenty in the Holy Land so called because of their strength and hardness Of Jobnia THIS was a City near to Ioppa and Libba 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-West This City taketh the name of Wisdom and Prudence being derived of Bin to understand Of Gur-Baal THIS Town is also called Gerar where Abraham and Isaac sometimes travelled it is distant from Ierusalem thirty two miles towards the South-West and six miles from Hebron Here the Iews and neighbouring Arabians afterwards worshipped the Idol Baaâ and therefore this City which in the times of the Patriarchs was called Gerar a Perigrination was after called Gur-Baal that is the Perigrination of the Idol Baal being derived of Gor which signifies He hath travelled The Travels of Jotham King of Judah JOtham signifies Whole and Perfect He succeeded his Father Azariah when he was about twenty five years of age Anno Mundi 3190 and before Christ 778. He raigned over Iudah seventeen years until the one and fortieth year of his age His Mothers name was Ichruscha so called from an Inheritance or Possession He began his Reign in the second year of Pekah King of Israel and continued it unitl the seventeenth year of his Government 2 Reg. 15. 17. When this noble Prince had rebuilded and richly adorned the House of the Lord he went from Ierusalem and invaded the Country of the Ammonites which was sixty miles conquered their King and made the whole Land pay him Tribute even a hundred Talents of Silver of the common weight 10000 measures of Wheat and 10000 of Barley yearly This Tribute continued three years From the Land of the Ammonites he went back to Ierusalem which was sixty miles where after he had adorned the Temple with many princely buildings he dyed about the one and fortieth year of his age 2 Reg. 15. So all his Travels were 120 miles Of Ahaz King of Judah AHAZ signifies Apprehending or a Possessor He began to reign after the death of his Father Iotham about the end of the seventeenth year of Pekah King of Israel Anno Mundi 3205 before Christ 762. He reigned wickedly 16 years 2 Reg. 16. 2 Chr. 28. For he was a notorious Hypocrite who out of a perverse Zeal worshipped many Idols and burnt his Son in the Valley of Gehinnon as an Offering unto Moloch wherefore he was unhappy in his Government for God stirred up mighty enemies against even Reâin King of Syria and Pekah King of Israel who wasted and destroyed his Kingdom and streightly besieging Ierusalem conquered Ahaz in a great Battel and put to the Sword 120000 of his men After that Resin returned to Elath and took it so that he lost more then his Father had gotten Where being struck into a great fear by reason of these adversities he sent to crave the Aid of Tiglasse Phulasser King of the Assyrians who at his request
sent a great Army from Niniveh to Damascus 520 miles and there overcame Resin and put him to death and took captive 242000 of the people of Damascus and sent them into Cyren a Country of Africa 2 Reg. 16. The Travels of Ahaz KING Ahaz went from Ierusalem to Damascus which was 160 miles to meet Tiglath-Phulasser King of the Assyrians to rejoyce with him for his happy Victory and give him thanks for his aid and assistance where when he saw the Altar at Damascus to be very glorious he sent for Vrijah the chief Priest who took a patern thereof and carried it with him to Ierusalem where he made an Altar like unto it 2 Reg. 16. From Dâmascus he returned back again 160 miles So his Travels were 320 miles But yet Ahaz continued in his perverse Impiety and Idolatry without any regard or fear of God therefore he stirred up other Enemies against him viz. the Idumeans who took a great multitude of them captive and the Philistines who with their Army broke into the South part of the Tribe of Iudah and took these Cities following viz Bethsemes Ajalon Timnath Socho Gederâth and Gimso with their Villages These Cities for the most part are mentioned in the precedent Treatise except Gederoth and Gimso Gederoth commonly called Gederothaim is distant from Ierusalem eight miles towards the South-West and stands near to the Castle of Emaus being compassed about with a Hedge from whence it seemeth to take the name for Gadar is as much as to say he hath hedged about Giâso was also in the Tribe of Iudah but in what place is not certainly known Thus King Ahaz all the days of his Life did evil in the sight of the Lord for which God punished him and all the Land and in the sixteenth year of his Reign he died and was buried with his Fathers in the City of David The Travelâ of Ezekias King of Judah EZâkias which signifies the Champion of Iehovah was born when his Father was but thirteen years of age which made many Questions whether he should succeed him as his lawful Heir in his Kingdom because they doubted whether he was lawfully begotten For if you do observe the order and course of the years and Chronologie in the Scripture you shall find that from the beginning of the thirteenth year of the age of Ahaz to the first year of the Reign of this King Ezekias make just twenty five years Ezekias therefore began to reign after the death of his Father Ahaz about the end of the third year of Hosea King of Israel 2 Reg. 19. Anno mun 3222 before Christ 746 being then about twenty five years of age a little before Easter as it appeareth 2 Chron. 29. He governed that Kingdom with great Commendations twenty nine years The first Journey that he âook was from Ierusalem to Gaza which was forty four miles there he overcame the Army of the Philistines and recovered all those Cities which his Father Ahaz had lost according to that in the Prophet Esay cap. 15. 2 Reg. 18. From Gaza he returned to Ierusalem which was forty four miles there he broke down the places for Idolatry and the brazen Serpent made by Moses in the Wilderness and called it Nehustan a Brazen thing that hath nothing in it self of a Divine nature and could neither profit nor hurt therefore ought not to be worshipped This Brazen Serpent was kept in memory of that Sign that God shewed unto the Children of Israel in the Desart when they were bitten and stung to death by fiery Serpents for looking upon this Brazen Serpent they were healed But now because of the abuse thereof by the Iews which turned it into Idolatry it was broken to pieces Num. 21. 2 Reg. 18. So all the Travels of Ezechias were eighty eight miles In the fourteenth year of the Reign of Ezekias and in the thirty eighth year of his age Senacharib that mighty Emperour of the Assyrians having taken many Towns and Cities in the holy-Land would have also besieged Ierusalem and for that purpose sent from Lachis which was twenty miles distant from Ierusalem Thartan Rabsarim and Rabsacha three mighty Princes Embassadors with a great Train to attend them These men went about the City to see in what part it was most subject to battery and might easiest be got so when they came to the Conduit of the upper Pool which is by the path of the Fullers Field between the Fish-Gate and the Old-Gate in that place where they might easiliest be heard they called to the King but Eliakim the Son of Hilkiah which was Hezekia's Steward Shebna the Chancellor and Ioah the Son of Asaph the Recorder went upon the Wall then Rabsacha uttered blasphemous words against the Lord but Ezekias when he had heard what the Enemy had said called all the Elders of Ierusalem together and sent for Isaiah the Prophet the Son of Amos and they went into the Temple of the Lord and prayed Wherefore the Lord heard their Prayers and sent his Angel into the Camp of the Assyrians and lo in one night there were slain 185000 men as they lay in their Tents before Gibeah which at this time they besieged being distant from Ierusalem some ten miles towards the South-West This great deliverance happen'd in the year of the World 3253 and before Christ 733. About the end of the thirty eighth year of the age of Ezekiah he fell into a dangerous disease which so far forth as could be gathered by all likelihoods was the Plague for God doth oftentimes try the Patience of his Saints with sundry afflictions but yet at his servent Prayers he was restored to Health and his days were lengthened fifteen years at which time the Sun went back ten Degrees according to the variation of the shadow in the Dyal of Ierusalem 2 Reg. 20. Isa 38. 2 Chr. 32. But at the end of the fifteen years which was about the fifty fourth year of his age he dyed and was buried with his Fathers The Travels of Manasses MAnasses or Manasseh signifieth forgetting or he hath forgotten This man was twelve years old when he succeeded his Father Ezekiah in the Kingdom of Iudah he began to reign Anno mundi 3251 and before Christ 717. This King was a great Idolater and one that put the Prophets of the Lord to death so that it was wonderful to see what Tyranny and mischief he wrought in Israel wherefore the Lord stirred up the Assyrians against him who overcame him in a great Battel and took him Captive carrying him bound in Chains from Ierusalem to Babylon even 680 miles But after being humbled by his afflictions he came to a knowledge of himself and repenting for his former evil humbling himself with prayer and fasting under the hand of God wherefore the Lord took compassion of him and stirred up the mind of the King of Babylon to mercy so that he loosed his bands and sent him back again to Ierusalem 680 miles From that time
forward he left Idolatry and worshipped the true God adorned the Temple of the Lord with many fair and beautiful Buildings and in the five and fiftieth year of his age he died and was buried in the Kings Garden 2 Reg. 21. 2 Chron. 33. So all the Travels of Manasses were 1360 miles Of Amon King of Judah AMon signifieth True and Faithful he succeeded his Father Manasses when he was twenty two years of age Anno mundi 3307 before Christ 661. He reigned two years and then because of his exceeding Idolatry the Lord cast him off when he was about twenty four years of age near which time some of his Servants conspired against him and put him to death The Travels of King Josiah JOSIAH signifies A Sacrifice of the Lord he succeeded his Father Manasses in the Government when he was but eight years of age Anno Mundi 3309 before Christ 659. He governed Israel with great commendations thirty two years 2 Reg. 22. his Mothers name was Iedidah and dwelt in a Town called Bâzâath but how far this Town stood from Ierusalem is not set down by any Author This good King went from Ierusalem to Bethel which was eight miles there he burnt upon the Altar which Ieroboam built the bones of the Priests of Baal as the man of God which came from Iudah had told Ieroboam 350 years before 1 Reg. 13. 2 Chr. 35. From Bethel he returned back to Ierusalem which was eight miles there he celebrated the Passover with a solemn Feast and great Attendance 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. In the last year of his Reign he went with his Army from Ierusalem to Megiddo being forty four miles against Pharaoh Necho King of Aegypt in which Battel he was slain with an Arrow about the thirty ninth year of his age 2 Chron. 3 5. From Megiddo his Body was carried in a Chariot back again to Ierusalem which was forty four miles and there with great Lamentations honourably buried 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. So all his Travels were 104 miles The Travels of Jehoahas King of Judah JEhoahas signifies the knowledge of God he succeeded his Father Iosiah in the twenty third year of his age Anno Mundi 3340 which was 628 years before Christ and reigned only three Months 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ieremy cap. 22. calleth this man Schallum that is a Recompence He went from Ierusalem to Riblah a City in the Tibe of Nepthaly which is accounted eighty miles where he was taken Prisoner by Pharaoh Necho 2 Reg. 23. From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led him Captive bound in Chains back again to Ierusalem being eighty miles and there appointed Iehojakim his elder Brother to reign in his place 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chron. 36. From Ierusalem he carried Iehoahas to Memphis the Metropolitan City of Aegypt which was 244 miles 2 Reg. 23. So all the Travels of Iehoahas were 404 miles Of Jehoiakim King of Judah JEhoiakim was the eldest Son of Iosiah that Good King and succeeded his Brother Iehoahas in the Kingdom Anno Mundi 3341 before Christ 627 he governed Iudah eleven years Pharaoh Necho made him King when he was twenty five years of age to whom he was constrained to pay 100 Talents of Silver and a Talent of Gold This Money being payed he obtained the Kingdom and continued in great Impiety and Idolatry for which cause he was sharply reprehended by Ieremiah the Prophet but he being offended at his words sought to put him to death wherefore the Lord stirred up Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of the Assyrians and Babylonians who in the eleventh year of this King's Reign came to Ierusalem and took him captive tyed him in two chains and would have carried him to Babylon but his mind changed wherefore he caused him to be put to death and cast out into the Fields of Ierusalem for a prey to wild Beasts Ier. 22. 2 Reg. 23. Of Jehoiachin King of Judah Jehoiachin signifies the preparation of Iehovah This man succeeded his Brother Iehoiakim and began his Reign about the end of the 3351 year of the World and reigned only three Months and ten days which was about the eighth year of Nabuchadonozor the Great at which time he was led captive from Ierusalem to Babylon together with Mordochae and many other Nobles which was 680 miles This Captivity happened 617 years before Christ 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ester 2. Ier. 52. The Travels of Zedekiah the last King of Judah AFter Iehoiachin succeeded Zedekiah which signifies the just man of God This was the Son of the good King Iosiah yet an impious Tyrant who by the permission of Nabuchadonozor the Great was suffered to be King of Iudah after his Brother when he was one and twenty years of age He began to reign about the beginning of the 3352 year of the World and before Christ 616 he governed tyranically eleven years 2 Reg. 24. In the eleventh year of this King Ierusalem was taken by Nabuchadonezar the great Emperour of the Babylonians wherefore Zedekiah to escape the brunt of War fled from Ierusalem with all possible speed to Iericho which was twelve miles Ier. 39. 5. From the plain near the City Iericho where he was overcome by the Princes of the Chaldeans he was led to Riblah to Nebuchadonezar which was sixty eight miles From Riblah after the Emperour Nabuchadonezar had caused all his Children to be put to death before his face and had put out both his eyes he led him captive to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserably 2 Reg. 25. So all the Travels of Zedekiah King of Iudah were 680 miles Of the Destruction of Jerusalem by Nabuchadonezar IN the ninth year of this Zedekiah which was the last King of Iudah Nabuchadonezar began to besiege Ierusalem it being then Winter Anno Mundi 3860 upon the tenth day of the tenth Month Tebeth which answereth to the seven and twentieth day of December which day the Iews till now observed as a fasting day The Siege continued even till the eleventh year of this King Ierem. 39. 5. 2 Reg. 25. and upon the ninth day of the fourth Month Thamus which agreeth with the tenth day of Iuly the City was taken and Zedekiah was put to flight Upon the seventh day of the fifth Month Ab Nabuzaradan chief Captain of the Army was sent back by Nabuchadonezar into Iudaea where he destroyed and burned the houses and buildings of the City of Ierusalem Ierem. 52. upon the tenth day of the fifth Month Ab which answereth to the ninth day of August being the Sabbath day the Temple of Ierusalem was set on fire Ier. 52. de bello Iudei lib. 6. cap. 26. 27. This first Captivity and Destruction of the City Ierusalem by Nabuchadonezar that great Emperour happened Anno Mundi 3362 and before Christ 606 three hundred and ninety years being then fully compleat and ended from the first year of Ieroboam King of Israel who set up the Golden Calves and
and Office of a Prophet 1 Reg. 18. From thence he vvent to Damascus 124 miles vvhere he anointed Hazael King of Syria 1 Reg. 19. From Damscus Elias vvent to Mount Carmel vvhere he dvvelt vvhich vvas accounted 120 miles From Mount Carmel he vvent to Iezreel sixteen miles there in the Vineyard of Naboth whom Iezabel caused to be stoned to death he sharply reprehended Ahab for his Impiety and Idolatry 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he returned back again to his own House to Carmel sixteen miles From thence he went to Samaria which was thirty two miles where he answered the Servants of King Ahaziah whom he had sent to enquire of Bâalzebub the Idol of Ekron concerning his health saying Go and tell your Master that sent you That the God of Israel saith Because thou hast sent to ask counsel of Baalzebub the Idol of Ekron and thinkest there is no God in Israel therefore thou shalt not rise off the Bed whereon thou liest but shalt surely dye 2 Reg. 1. Soon after Elias returned to Mount Carmel being 32 miles where the two Captains with their Companies of fifty that were sent to take him were consumed with fire from Heaven 1 Reg. 1. From Mount Carmel he went to Samaria with the third Captain thirty two miles where he prophecied of the death of King Ahaziah 2 Reg. 1. From Samaria he returned back again to Mount Carmel thirty two miles From thence he went to Gilgal fifty two miles From Gilgal he went with Elizeus to the Town of Bethel being six miles 2 Reg. 2. From thence to Iericho four miles 2 Reg. 2. From Iericho he and Elizeus went to Iordan which was six miles through which River they went upon dry ground Now as they were speaking one to another upon the East-side of the River behold a fiery Chariot came with fiery Horses and took Elias up alive into Heaven after he had governed the Church thirty years An. Mundi 3056 and before Christ 912. 2 Reg. 2. So all the Travels of Eliah the Prophet were 1033 miles Of the Cities and Places to which he travelled Of Thisbe IN this Town the Prophet Eliah was born it being scituated in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east It taketh the Name from Captivity being derived of Chabah he hath led into Captivity Of Kerith THE River Kerith where the Ravens fed Elias runneth from Mount Eâhraim between Bethel and Iericho eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North and so passing along towards the East falleth into the River Iordan 1 Reg. 17. The Kerethites were such as guarded the Person of the King which in the Prophet David's time were called mighty men taking their name from striking and cutting being derived of Charath he hath smitten or cut in sunder Of Zarpath or Sarepta THIS was a City of the Sidonians where they found much Metal of divers kinds lying between Tyrus and Sidon 112 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and taketh the name from Zoraph which signifies To try or burn with Fire There is at this time but eight Houses in all the Town although by the Ruines it seemeth to have been in times past a very fair City The Inhabitants thereof take upon them to shew the Chamber wherein Elias the Prophet sometimes lived when he raised the Widows Child to Life Before the Gate of the City also there is shewed a certain Chappel where they say Elias first spake with the Widow 1 Reg. 17. Of Abelmehola THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Manasses on this side Iordan in the mid-way between Sichem and Salem some 38 miles from Ierusalem Northward At this day it is called Abisena where there are found certain ruines of Marble Pillars by which may be gathered that in times past it hath been a very beautiful City It seemeth to have taken the name from a great lamentation or mourning for Abel signifieth to lament and bewail and Machol a company The Typical Signification of Elias Elias according to the Interpretation of St. Ierome signifies the Minister of Iehovah but as others would have it Eliah is as much as my God Iehovah He was a Type of St. Iohn Baptist who was sent before to prepare the way of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Of this you may read more Malach. 4. Matt. 11 17. Isa. 40. c. The Travels of the Prophet Elisaeus or Elisha ELisha followed Elias through divers Countries and became as it were his Servant pouring Water upon his hands and ministring to him 1 Reg. 19. 2 Reg. 3. Elisha went with Eliah from Gilgal to Bethel which was six miles 1 Reg. 19. From Bethel they both went to Iericho which was four miles From Iericho he went beyond Iordan six miles where his Master was taken from him up into Heaven and his Spirit was doubled upon him 2 Reg. 2. From thence he returned back again to Iericho which was six miles passing through the River Iordan upon dry ground by which Miracle the Children of the Prophets viz. such as studied Divinity at Iericho did certainly know that the Spirit of his Master Elias rested upon him Near to this Town he âlung Salt into a River by which the Water was made sweet 2 Reg. 2. From Iericho Elisha returned to Bethel which was four miles here the Children that mock'd him saying Come up thou Bald-pate c. in contempt of his Age and Office were devoured by two Bears 2 Reg. 2. From Bethel he walked to Mount Carmel which was fifty six miles From thence he went to Samaria which was about thirty two miles From thence he went to the three Kings viz. Ioram King of Israel Iehosaphat King of Ierusalem and the King of the Idumaeans into the Desart of Arabia-Petraea which was 104 miles here he prayed unto the Lord and he sent them Water lest they should have perished with thirst 2 Reg. 3. From the Desart of Arabia-Petraea he returned back to Samaria which was 104 miles where he relieved a certain Widow-woman that was afflicted with Poverty and Want miraculously by a Cruse of Oyl 2 Reg. 4. Iosephus lib. Antiq. 9. supposeth this Woman to be the Widow of Obediah the King's Steward of whom you may read before who did hide and maintain a certain number of the Prophets of the Lord in a Cave 2 Reg. 18. From Samaria Elisha went oâtentimes to a Town called Sunem as he returned to Samaria to Carmel which was 16 miles distant Here a certain rich Woman observing his often Passage to and fro by that Town built him a little Chamber wherein he might rest himself after his Journey to which place he often resorted and in recompence of this benefit although she had been long barren he prophecied that within a Year she should have a Son which accordingly she had to her great Joy and Comfort 2 Reg. 4. From Sunem he went to Carmel being 16 miles From thence he returned back again to Sunem to the Woman where he used
people of Israel Ishmael that was of the Stock and Progeny of David hoping to obtain the Government of Iuda made War upon Gediliah and put him to Death wherefore Ieremy went from thence with Iohn the Son of Kareach Prince of the Iews to Bethlem Euphrata eight miles Ier. 41. Now when he had stayed a while in a Village near Bethlem called Geruth Chimeham where sometime Chimeham the Son of Barzillaâ lived 2 Sam. 19. he prophesied saying If you stay in this Land you shall do well neither shall any Evil happen unto you but if you depart hence into Aegypt they shall devour you with Famine and with the Sword Jer. 42. But Iohn and the rest of the Princes would give no credit to the words of Ieremy but went into Aegypt and compelled the Prophet to go along with them so they went from Bethlehem to Tachpanes which was 172 miles Here the second time Ieremy prophesied unto them saying Behold Nebuchadnezzar shall come hither and wast and destroy all the Country of Aegypt beat down the Images of Bethsemes or Heliopolis and carry away the Aegyptians into perpetual Captivity Jer. 43. But the People of Israel being moved to Anger because of his Words stoned him to death So the Travels of the Prophet Ieremiah were 1786 miles Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in the Travels of this Prophet you may read of them before except Geruth-Chimeham which stood close by Bethlehem It taketh the name from a Stranger or Traveller being derived of Gor which signifieth He hath travelled and Tachpanes which was a City of Egypt some 180 miles from Ierusalem where the Prophet Ieremy was stoned to death it is oftentimes called the name of Taphniis The Travels of Urijah the Prophet URIAS or Vriah signifies Illuminated or inlightned of the Lord. He was born at Kirjath-jearim a mile from Ierusalem towards the West from thence he came to Ierusalem and there prophesied of the Destruction of the City After when King Ioachim went about to take away his Life he fled thence into Egypt 160 miles But the King sent Messengers into Egypt and fetch'd Vrijah back again to Ierusalem and hundred and sixty miles and there cut off his head and caused his Body to be thrown into the Sepulchre of a poor despised man that it might not be known that he had been a Prophet of the Lord. So all his Travels 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 four miles where he took the woodden yoaks from the neck of Ieremiah the Prophet but Ieremiah caused Iron Yoaks to be made in their places and told Hananias that for his falshood that year he should surely dye as after he did Of the Prophet Ezekiel EZekiel or Iechezkel signifies the Strength or Fortitude of God He was carried captive with 3000 others of the Nobility of the Iews from Ierusalem to Babylon which was 680 miles the same year that Nebuchadnezzar put King Ioachim to death Within five years after a little before Easter the Book of the Law was found 2 Chron. 3. He began to prophesie in Babylon Anno Mundi 3356 before Christ 612 at which time he saw his first Visions near to the River Chebar Of the River Chebar THE River Chebar was near Babylon in Chaldaea upon the borders of Mesopotamia falling into Euphrates and was often times called Aborras according to the opinion of many learned men Strabo in the sevententh Book of his Geography saith that there is another River between Tygris and Euphrates called Basilius Aborras passeth along by the City of Athemusia and is a very fair stream from whence it is called Chebar which signifies a swift and spacious River Near to this River the Prophet Ezekiel saw the Glory and Majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ in a bright shining Cloud In this place also dwelt many Iews to whom he prophecied and foretold the Destruction of Ierusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the captivity of Zedekiah The Travels of the Prophet Daniel DAniel signifies the Judge of God In the reign of Ioachim King of Iudâh he was carried away captive from Ierusalem to Babylon by Nabuchadonozor which was 680 miles and there with his fellows learned the Arts and Language of the Chaldeans for three years He was then but young about some nineteen or twenty years of age and lived in Exile ninety one years until the third year of Cyrus Emperour of the Persians about which time he saw his last Vision and a little after died when he was about 110 years of age as may be gathered by the Circumstances of Histories and Times From Babylon he went to Susan in Persia Anno Mundi 3418 and before Christ 540 being then ninety four years of age which was 252 miles where near to the Flood Eulaeus he had a Vision of a Ram and a Goat which set forth the state of the second Monarchy which was that of the Graecians In this Vision Gabriel the Arch-Angel appeared to Daniel Dan. 8. This was in the third year of King Balthasar From Susan Daniel returned to Babylon which was 252 miles here he interpreted to Balthasar the meaning of these words Mene Mene Tekel Euphar sin Dan. 5. From Babylon he went to the River Tygris or Hidekel which was thirty six miles here in the third year of Cyrus King of Persia he saw his last Vision which is described in the tenth eleventh and twelfth Chapters of his Prophecy From Tygris he returned to his own house at Babylon which was thirty six miles Sometimes also in his three last years of his life he used to goe to Egbatan the Metropolitan City of the Medes which was accounted 464 miles from Babylon towards the North-East Here Daniel built a fair and and artificial Temple so strongly that it remained unperished and retained the ancient beauty many Ages to the great admiration of all the Spectators In it the Kings of the Medes Persians and Parthians were for the most part honourably buried the Government whereof was committed to a Priest of the Iews as Iosephus saith lib. Antiq. 10. cap. 4. From Egbatan he returned back again to Babylon which was 464 miles and there died Anno Mundi 3445 and before Christ 533. So all the Travels of the Prophet Daniel were 2184 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Susan SVsa or Susan is so called from a sweet smelling Flower but chiefly a Rose or a Lilly because it is scituated in a fair and pleasant place It was a goodly City lying on both sides the River Eulaeus some 200 furlongs that is twenty five miles English about as Polycletus saith And of this City all the Country round about is called Susana bordering towards the North upon Assyria towards the West upon Babylon towards the South upon the Gulph of Persia and joyneth upon the East part of Persia towards the East There are but two Cities
30. calleth Heliopolis a City of Aegypt which is 224 miles distant from Ierusalem towards the South-west Oreb A Crow or Raven Near to this place in Mount Ephraim Prince Oreb was slain not far from Iericho twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North Iudg. 7. Psal. 83. Ophir A Palace It was the proper Name of the Son of Ioktan the Posterity of Sem of whom in times past India was called Ophir You may read of this Gen. 10. 1 Reg. 9. P. PAthros or Petra the Metropolitan City of Arabia Petraea 72 miles from Ierusalem towards the South It is a Country also of Aegypt near Tathnis 180 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Isa. 11. Ezek. 29. Parath Fruitful A name of the River Euphrates Ier. 2. 13. Prazin A Breach It is a Valley near Ierusalem where David overcame the Philistines 2 Sam. 5. Phut is Africa so called of Phuth the Son of Cham Gen. 10. R. RAbba A Multitude Philadelphia the Metropolitan of the Ammonites is so called 96 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Raema Thunder So they called Aethiopia of Raema the Son of Châs Gen. 10. Rama High This City 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 City in Syria Isa. 37. Riblath An inveterate Anger This was a City in the Tribe of Naphtali near to the Lake of Samoconites eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Antiochia also was sometimes called Riblah 2 Reg. 25. Ier. 39. 52. Rimmon A Pomegranate This was a City in the Tribe of Judah not far from Gerar 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east S. SAba The Stone Achates This was the Metropolitan City of Ethiopia called also Meroe 960 miles from Ierusalem towards the South The two famous Queens one that came to see Solomon the other mentioned Act. 8. dwelt in this Town Sanir A clear Light So Mount Hermon beyond Jordan was called of the Ammonites it stood 112 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Sarion The Doves Song So the Edomites called Mount Hermon that stood beyond Jordan Saron A fair Plain or a green Place So is that Plain between the Sea of Galilee and Mount Ephraim called Is. 35. There are some that think there is a Mountain so called Sela a Rock This is Petra a City of Arabia ante Sepharuaim A City of the Scribes It stood in Assyria Isa. 37. Sibarim A City of Syria near to Damascus Ezek. 47. Sibma A Possession A City built by the Sons of Reuben 24 miles from Ierusalem towards the East Num. 32. Sichor Black It is a Brook or River called Rhinocorurus which falleth into the Mediterranean Sea near to the Town Rinocorura scituated upon the utmost Borders of the Holy Land towards the South 72 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west The River Nilus in Aegypt is also called Sichor Jer. 2. Simri Gardians They were Arabians dwelling upon an Angle of Isthumus of the Red Sea Sinear a blow upon the teeth Chaldea is so called Is. 11. Sion or Scaion by Schin not by Zade Tranquillity and Security The Mount whereon Ierusalem stood is not so called but Mount Hermon beyond Iordan Deut. 4. Sâene or Sevene illustrious It was a City in Africa upon the Borders of Egypt and Ethiopia 516 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Iovias saith that the Inhabitants at this day call it Guagheram T. TAchpanes or Taphnis a covered or hidden Ensign It is a City in Egypt 180 miles from Ierusalem South-westward Ier. 2. 43. Thamar a Plain This Town was built by Solomon and stood 360 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Thelasser a Princes Tomb. It was a Countrey upon the Borders of Assyria Isa. 37. Themath Wonderful A City of Arabia Petraea Ier. 25. so called of Thama the Son 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 Son of Gomer the Son of Iaphet Gen. 10. Ezek. 27. Thubal a People bordering upon the Muscovites so called of Thubal the Son 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 governed by one Prince In the 38 Chapter he calls them Gog that is the Turk who is Prince and Governour in Mesech and Thubal Therefore without doubt the People of Russia in times past were called Thubal which People dwelt near to Muscovia and this opinion seems to be more probable than theirs that imagine the Italians and Spaniards which have their dwellings near unto the River Iberia to be the Off-spring of Thubal V. UPhar the Countrey of Gold It is called also Ophir and India 1 Reg. 9. Ier. 10. Dan. 10. Psal. 119. Z. ZEb a Wolf The Wine-press of Zeb was in Mount Ephraim not far from Ioriâho twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Zeb the Prince of the Midianites was slain There is another Town of this name near to the Iaboch beyond Iordan forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Zeboim Pleasantness One of the fivâ Cities that were burnt with fire from Heaven Gen. 14. 19. Hos. 11. Zenan a Sheep-fold It was a City in the Tribe of Iudah Mich. 1. Zoaâ moving âanis a City in Egypt where Moses wrought all his Miracles before Pharaoh was so called it stood 232 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Zoba presumptuous This was also called Sophena It is the Countrey of Armenia 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North which David conquered 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chron. 19. Zor a Rock Tyrus is so called It stood 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Thus gentle Reader for your better ease and understanding have I collected a short Alphabetical Table and therein briefly described all those Countreys and Cities mentioned in the Prophets that so by your diligent care and observation you may the better understand the meaning of such Texts of Scripture wherein they are mentioned Of Esdras the Lawyer ESDRAS signifies a Helper of Asar he helped He is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ who is our Helper and Saviour which hath brought us into that holy Land eternal Life and is the Restorer of Religion and the Christian Common-wealth This Esdras was sent to Jerusalem to restore the Common-wealth of the Jews Anno Mundi 3511 before Christ 457 in the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus that good Emperour of the Persians So he went from Babylon to Ahaeva a certain River near Babylon to which place he assembled a great Multitude of the Jews and from thence sent to Caspia to fetch a certain number of Levites this Land was in Chaldaea not far from Babylon These being here met together celebrated a Fast unto the Lord and with âolemn Prayers besought his aid and furtherance in their Enterprise then they went
AFTER the death of Arbactus or Arphaxad which signifies a mighty Lyon to whom Ionas prophecied as is said before there succeeded in the Empire of the Medes Mandanes Sarsomenes Artecarnis Cardiceas and Deioces who being enthronized in that Empire called himself Arphaxad or Arbactus the second This man built Egbatana the Metropolitan City of the Medes and beautified it with very fair Buildings and goodly Walls made all of four-square Stone cut and polished 70 Cubits high and 30 broad Towers standing upon it 100 Cubits in height as well those that were for the Defence of the Town as those where the Gates were The Air in that Countrey was temperate inclining rather to Cold than Heat because it lay toward the North it stood 1136 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Here for the most part this Emperour kept his Court till as Herodotus saith he was utterly conquered by Nebuchadnezzar Emperour of the Babylonians This was that Nebuchadnezzar which sent Holofernes with a mighty Army against Iudaea Bethulia and many other Cities and Countries and would be worshipped as a God Iudith 3. Of Hydaspes HYdaspes is a River that ariseth in Media which runneth through a part of Parthia extendeth it self into India and not far from the City Nisa falleth into Indus according to the Opinion of Pliny and Strabo l. 15. Near this River Nebuchadnezzar overcame Deioces otherwise called Arbactus Iudg. 1. The Description of the Countries conquered by Holofernes Of Kedar KEdar the Wilderness of Zur was thus called stood in the Land of the Ishmaelites eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and took the name of Kedar the Son of Ishmael Gen. 25. Of the Mountains of Ange. THE Mountains of Ange lay between Pamphylia and Cicilia to the Latitude of that famous Countrey of Cilicia in Asia minor 320 miles from Ierusalem towards the North not far from Anchiale a City of Cilicia from whence it seemeth to take the name Of Cilicia CIlicia is a Province of Asia minor so called of Cilice the King's Son of Syria and Phoenicia the Metropolitan City of which Country was Tharsus where the Apostle Paul was born it was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North. Of Mallos MAllos a City of Cilicia was so called of Malo that is Plenty of all things Stephanus saith that it took that Name of Mollo who first built it It is a City to this day and of most of the Inhabitants of that Counâry called Mallo as Gesner observeth Of Gesem GEsem signifies fruitful The Land of Gosen in Aegypt was so called being derived of Gusch that is a Turf it stood 174 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Of Aethiopia THIS Country stands beyond Aegypt 800 miles from Ierusalem towards the South where the Sun is extream hot that it turneth the Complexion of the Inhabitants to Blackness here breed great abundance of Dragons and cruel Beasts Of Esdrelon ESdrelon was a Plain lying between the Mountains Thabor Hermon and Gilboa extending it self from the Cities of Megiddo and Apheck to the Sea of Gennezareth or Galilee In this great Field which was called the Plain of Galilee and the Field of Megiddo and Esdrelon there were many cruel Battels fought for here Gideon overcame the Midianites here Saul was put to flight by the Philistines from whence ascending into Mount Gilboa he killed himself Iosias also King of the Iews was in this place put to flight by Pharaoh Necho and wounded unto the death The Camp of Holofernes was so great that it took up all the Plain which contained sixteen miles in length In some parts it was wonderful fruitful and brought forth Wine Oyl and many other Commodities in great Abundance It stood 52 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was so called of Caeder that is A hid order and disposition for Alam is as much as to say he hath hid Of Sobal SObal was a Country upon the Borders of Syria where Sophena was scituated near to the River Euphrates which Country Saul and David Kings of Israel sometime conquered it stood 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and signifies an ear of Corn. Of Apamea THIS was a famous City in Tetrapolis of Syria two hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North built by Seleucus Nicanor King of Syria and was so called of Apamea his Wife Of the City Bethulia BEthulia was scituated within four miles of Dothan and two of the Galiâlean Sea forty four miles from Ierusalem Northward About four miles from this Town in a Mountain a little beside Dothan lay the Tents of Holofernes in the sight of Bethulia Iudeth c. 7. between which and Bethulia lay the Plain of Esdrelon in the midst whereof there ran a pleasant River which in times past watered it Here Iudeth according to the custom of the Iews washed her self The place where Bethulia stood is to be seen at this day the ruins of the Town and many houses still remaining It was scituated upon a goodly high Mountain strongly fortified by Nature and as it seemeth by Art also A man might have seen it thorough the greatest part of Galilee but above the rest a certain Castle in the end of the Mountain made for the defence of the Ciây They shew at this day in the Mountain and Field near Dothan the place where Holoferne's Camp stood and the Reliques of their Tents also the Brook where Iudeth washed her self Bethulia signifieth The Hand-maid of God being derived of Bethulah a Virgin and Iah God Holofernes a prophane Captain of which sort are those Tyrants that persecute the Church of God The BOOK of TOBIAS The Travels of Tobias the Elder TOBIAS the elder was carried captive out of the Tribe of Naphtaly where he was born to Nineveh the Metropolitan City of Assyria being 600 miles at such time as Salmanasser King of the Assyrians carried away the ten Tribes of Israel into Assyria captive in the year before Christ 742. 2 Kings ca. 17. Tob. 1. From that time he continued in Nineveh being then about twenty seven years old and numbred amongst the young men that went into Exile for he was born about such time as Romulus and Remus were born which was An. Mundi 3200 and before Christ 798 Tob. 1. About the thirtieth year of his Age he went from Nineveh into Media which was 752 miles and there came to a City called Rages in that Country to visit the banished Israelites at which time he lent Gabel by Bond ten Talents of Silver which amounts in our Mony at 5. s 6. d. the Ounce to 2062 pound and 10 s. or thereabouts From Rages he returned back again to Nineveh 752 miles So all his Travels were 2104 miles The Travels of the Angel Raphel and young Tobias IN the year before Christ 708 the Arch-Angel Raphel went from Nineveh to Rages in Media with Tobias the younger being 752 miles From Rages in Media they returned back again to Nineveh 752 miles So these Journeys were 1504
heard that his Nephew Ptolomais Philometor had proclaimed an Assembly and Parliament and would not acknowledge him for his Protector he sent Apollonius one of his Princes upon the day of the meeting into Egypt and he himself returned back again to Ioppa 2 Mac. 4. From Ioppa he went to Ierusalem which was 20. miles where Iason the High-priest and all the people received him with great honour At that time Antiochus placed a Guard in the Castle or Tower of Ierusalem which was the beginning of their intolerable Servitude But for that year which was the fourth of his reign he returned through Phoenicia to Antiochia in Syria 280 miles In the fifth year of his reign he went from Antiochia with a great Army into Cilicia being 80. miles There he appeased the Uproars of the Inhabitants of Tharsus and Mallotus and conquered all Cilicia 2 Mac. 4. From Cilicia he returned back again to Antiochia eighty miles In the sixth year of his reign Antiochus went with a great Army both by sea and land wherein were many Elephants to Pelusio 400 miles This City he conquered and overcame the Alexandrians in a Naval battel 2 Mac. 4. From Pelusio having built a bridge over Nilus he went with his Army to Memphis conquered all the Countries and strong Cities as he went about 140. miles and brought thither a mighty and great prey where according to the saying of the Prophet Daniel cap. 11. he dealt subtilly with Ptolomais Philometor From Memphis he returned to Alexandria where the Citizens would not suffer him to enter the gates wherefore he besieged it but to small purpose which was 120 miles From Alexandria he returned to Pelusio which was 160. miles there he left a Garrison to retain what he had gotten in Egypt 1 Mac. 4. From Pelusio he returned to Antiochia with a great prey being 400 miles In the mean time Ptolomais King of Egypt and his Sister Cleopatra brought in the aid of the Romans Livy Decad. lib. 4 5. In the next year that is in the seventh year of Antiochus Epiphanes there was seen in the air as if there had been men fighting a Comet also appeared This happened in the year before Christ 167. This year in the Spring Antiochus went the second time from Antiochia with his Army into Alexandria in Egypt which was 560. miles So passing through Coelosyria and Iudaea he came into Egypt which he invaded with open war endeavouring to get that by force which he could not get by entreaty But the Romans sent P. Popillius with other Embassadours into Egypt who hearing that Antiochus was come to Leusia which was within a mile of Alexandria the Romans went thither to him Where when he had welcomed them and shewed all the courtesie he could to P. Popillius P. Popillius delivered him certain Tables that he had about him written And first of all commanded him to read them which he did Then he counselled with some of his friends what was best to be done in the business While he was thus in a great Study P. Popillius with a wand that he had in his hand made a Circle about him in the Dust saying E're thoustir a foot out of this Circle return thy Answer that I may tell the Senate whether thou hadst rather have War or Peace This he uttered with such a firm Countenance that it amazed the King wherefore after he had paused a while quoth he I will do what the Senate hath written or shall think fit So doing little or nothing in Egypt he returned back again Iustine lib. 34. Decad. Lib. 4. cap. 5. Ios. lib. 12. cap. 6. These things hapned ann urb Rom. 585. L. Aemilius Paulus aup Caiâs Licinius Crassus being then Consuls in which year the Moon was totally ecclipsed Aemilius overcame Perseus King of Macedon and reduced Macedonia into a Province lib. Dec. 4. lib. 5. From Leusia Antiochus fearing lest the Iews would forsake his Empire and rebell went to Ierusalem which was 288 miles but the Inhabitants of the Town shut him out of the City wherefore he besieged it and by the Treason of Menelaus Chief Priest who for that purpose conspired with the Guard that was in the Castle quickly got it and entred the Gates In every place where he came he put the Citizens to the Sword and for three days space did little else but cruelly massacre the People He went also with Menelaus into the Temple where he polluted the sacred things of the Temple and took thence the Vessels of Silver and Gold or whatsoever he found precious or worthy so that the Prey he took amounted to 1800 Talents which make almost eleven Tun of pure Gold all which were partly Gifts dedicated to the Temple and partly Treasure that was left there as in in a safe and sure place to the use of poor distressed Widows and Orphans After that Antiochus had robbed the Temple of all the Silver and Gold that he could find had banished Iason had placed a strong Garrison in the Tower of Acropolis the Captain of which was one Philip a very cruel man and made Menelaus High-Priest with all this booty and some number of Captives he returned to Antiochia which was 280 miles In the Year following that is before Christ 166 Lu. Aemilius Paulus triumphed for the Wars of Macedonia Not long after Antiochus misdoubted the Fidelity of the Iews sent Apollonius with an Army of 22000 to Ierusalem who entred the City upon the Sabbath day and committed many Out-rages Then Antiochus having spent a great part of the Gold and Silver which he had got from Ierusalem about the eleventh Year of his Reign made his Expedition from Antiochia to Persepolis it was also called Elymaides in Persia which was 196 miles Here he took the Temple of Diana spoiled all that Country round about and with strong hand gathered together a great Mass of Gold and Silver to maintain War against Iudas Macchabeuâ But a multitude of Citizens disliking his Sacriledge banded themselves together and put Antiochus and his Souldiers to flight before he could take the City of Persepolis 1 Mach. 6. 2 Mach. 9. Wherefore being driven from thence he fled with his Army to Egbatana a City in Media which was 209 miles Here having certain Intelligence by Letters of the noble Exploits of Iudas Macchabeus and that he purged the Temple of such things as were prophane he fell into an extream Grief and like one distracted railed against the Iews and swore to be revenged of them 1 Mac. 9. In this extream Anger he went from Egbatana to Babylon with his Army which was 464 miles But as he went his Chariot was overthrown in the fall whereof he was so extreamly wounded that they were constrained to âarry him in a Bed to Babylon where he shortly after died miserably So all his Travels were 8153 miles Thus may we see with what Difficulties and Dangers this wicked Prince obtained his Victories and past away his Life sometimes in Travel his
Journies long and troublesom sometimes in Prosperity sometimes in Adversity again sometimes afflicted with troublesom Cogitations sometimes with extream Anger seldom in Peace and then also his Actions savouring of Violence and Filthiness From whence it appeareth That the Wicked with more Sorrows Troubles and Vexations gain eternal Damnation that the Just tho they suffer many grievous Afflictions obtain everlasting Salvation For amongst all the Patriarchs good Kings and Prophets there is not found any that had so many long and tedious Journies as this Antiochus who continually oppressed his Mind and Conscience with unprofitable Vanities and wicked Thoughts and at length had a miserable and terrible end Of the Cities and Places mentioned in his Travels Of Antiochia ANtiochia where Antiochus Epiphanes kept his Court was anciently called Chaemath or Riblah It was scituated in Syria 180 miles from Ierusalem towards the North near to the Cities Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea which four Cities as Strabo saith in the sixteenth Book of his Geography were built by Seleucus Nicanor first King of Syria This man was a mighty Prince and obtained the Name of Nicanor which signifieth Victory because he prospered in his Wars and conquered his Adversaries For when within 13 years after the Death of Alexander the Great he had got the Kingdom of Syria he became so great in the 31 year of his Reign that he obtained the Empire of all the East and beside as Strabo saith re-edified and built up these four Cities calling one of them Antiochia after the name of his Father another Laodicea after the name of his Mother a third after his own name Seleucia and the last Apamea after the name of his Wife These four Cities because they were all built by one man and at one time were called Sisters But Antiochia was much fairer than the other and in those times was a greater City than any other called after that name yea it was equal to Alexandria in Egypt for glory and excellency of Building It was divided into four parts and those parts separated with four Walls The first which was anciently called Hemath a violent Anger of Chamathai the Son of Canaan was after Riblath from the multitude of the Inhabitants and the third time by Seleucus after his Father's name called Antiochia In this part Seleucus to dignifie the City kept his Court it being compassed about with Goodly Walls In the second part the Citizens of Syria inhabited In the third Seleuchus Callimichus afterward King of the Syrians kept his Court and greatly beautified it But in the fourth where afterward many Christians inhabited Antigonus Epiphanes continued and did greatly adorn it and set it forth with goodly buildings and sumptuous Houses Close by the City there stood a pleasant Wood watered with many clear Fountains and delightful Springs to which there resorted a great multitude of Fowls of divers sorts which sung very pleasantly among the Trees to the great content and delectation of the Citizens In the midst of this Wood stood the Temple of Apollo and Diana goodly things and very curiously built It was called the Wood of Daphne because it was full of Laurel Trees From this Wood all the Country thereabout is called Epidaphne Not far off standeth the River Orontes which beginneth in Coelosyria and passeth under the earth till it comes near to Apamea where it riseth and watereth all Antiochia So passing thence it runneth some sixteen miles and so falls into the Mediterranean Sea Here Paul preached and kept a Synod Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 24 25. There was another Synod kept here by the Arrians Trip. lib. 4. 9. Stephanus reckons up many other Cities of this name as Antiochia ãâã in Galatia where Paul preached Act. 3. and is distant from this 384 miles Antiochia in Mesopotamia which is also called Mygdonia and ãâã in which Apollophanes the Stoick and Pharnuchus that wrote the Persian History are said to be born Antiochia between Syria and Arabia built by Semiramis Antiochia in Cilicia scituated near to the River Pyramus Antiochia in Pieria also called by the Syrians Arados There is also a City called Antiochia near Mount Taurus in the Country of Comagena Antiochia scituated upon the Lake of Callichan Antiochia in Scythia There was another in Caria called also Pithapolis Antiochia Marigiana built by Antiochius Soter And many Authors call Tharsus in Cilicia by the name of Antiochia Antiochia signifies an Adversary Of Rome ROME stands 1528 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of this City you may read more in the Travels of the Apostle Paul Tyrus Ioppa Memphis Peluso Mallo and Alexandria are before described Of Tharsus TArsus or Tharsus signifieth a Hyacinth stone so called as some think of Tharsis the Son of Iavan the Son of Iapâet the Son of Noah Gen. 10. It was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles Northward Of Persepolis PErsepolis was the Metropolitan City of Persia distant from Ierusalem 1240 miles Eastward So called of Perseus that mighty King of the Persians who re-edified it and gave it that name which is as much as to say the City of the Persians which also of him were so called The Astronomers because he was greatly affected to such as were skilful in that Art attributed his name and his Wives name to two Constellations in the Heavens of which Ovid's Fable is contributed of Pegasus and Andromache This City of Persepolis was so fair that it exceeded all the Cities of the East both for Stateliness and Beauty and so continued from Perseus time until Alexander the Great had conquered Darius at which time this great Emperour having got into his hand the whole Empire of the Persians came to Persepolis in the year 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 lived dissolutely amongst whom was that notable Curtesan Thais who perceiving the King inclined to Mirth and full with Wine began to flatter him in his Cups and among other things to commend and dignifie his Noble Exploits withal giving him to understand how acceptable it would be to the Grecians to see the Royal Palace of the Persians fired which had so often afflicted Grecia No sooner had she uttered these words but another seconded her and then a third After the whole assembly cried out Shall we revenge the Injury of the Grecians and burn the City With that they all rose in great fury the King himself being crowned beginning first to fire the Palace wherein was great abundance of Cedar from whence it happened that suddenly the fire spread it self a great way which when the Army that lay without the Walls perceived 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 himself busie in this Tragedy laying aside their Water they also in hope of Booty and to
the places mentioned in his Travels Of Michmas and Cades you may read before Of Medaba THIS City is scituated beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben twenty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the East It seems to take the name from a hot Bath that stood near it for there were many Baths and wholsom Springs stood beyond Iordan as Ios. Lib. Ant. 17. c. 9. witnesseth The same things are also mentioned Esa. cap. 26. For Medaba is derived of Maiim and Doba which signifies warm or boyling water Of Bethbesan THIS Town was scituated in the Tribe of Benjamin near Gilgal twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East The Castle of this Town Ionathan and Simon fortified and repaired that it might be a strong place for them to retire to from the danger of Bacchides 1 Mac. 9. Ios. li. Ant. 13. c. 1. saith that this Town was called the House of blushing being derived of Bosâh to blush and Bethagla a round House Of Ptolomais IN ancient times this Town was called Acon scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea between Tyrus and Mount Carmel in the Tribe of Aser 76 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. But the Aserites could not cast out the Canaanites out of that City Ptolomeus King of Egypt conquered this Town and rebuilt it calling it after his own Name Ptolomais which signifieth to make War In times past it was a goodly City strongly fortified with Towers Bulwarks Ditches and Walls it was built in a triangular Proportion like to a Shield two parts whereof was compassed in by the Sea and upon the third there stood a fruitful Plain wherein were Corn-Grounds Pastures Medows Vine-yards and Orchards adorned with divers kinds of Fruits It had a very fair and spacious Haven for the preserving of Ships it was beautified with Arcinals Castles Temples and many other Buildings very stately and curious but at this day it is utterly desolate and scarce to be perceived where it stood Of Eleutherius ELeutherius was a River upon the Borders of Phoenicia and Syria near to the City Orthosia at the foot of Mount Libanus 200 miles from Ierusalem towards the North of which you may read in the History of Ionathan 1 Mac. 11. 12. There is also another River of that name between Tyrus and Sarepta upon the Borders of Palestina 108 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Of Genezereth IT is a Sea in Galilee so called from the Land of Genesara which lyeth about it here sometimes Capernaum stood it signifies a Princely Garden being derived of Gen that is a Garden and Sar a Prince for the Country round about it was very pleasant You may read more of this in the Travels of our Saviour Christ. Of the Field Chazor THIS was a Plain near to the Town Chazor or Hazor which is described in the Travels of Joshua It stood in the upper Galilee 84 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Of Zabadei ZAbadei were a People inhabiting Arabia Desarta near to the River Eleutherius on the North-east side of Syria and Damascus two hundred miles from Ierusalem Arabia is three-fold the one part thereof is called Deserta which extendeth it self towards the North to Syria and Damascus the other is called Petraea in which vast Wilderness the Children of Israel travelled the third is called Arabia Foelix which is towards the South extending it self from the East to the Gulph of Persia and upon the West it is shut in with the Gulf of Arabia But the Zabadei they inhabited in Arabia Deserta and were a People of a liberal and free condition from whence it seemeth they are so called for Zabab signifieth to endow or bestow Of Addus ADDVS is called by Iosephus lib. antiq 13. cap. 9. Iadah it was a Town near Arimathea in Mount Ephraim sixteen miles from Ierusasalem towards the North-west and is so called from a Congregation being derived of Iaad that is He hath assembled with Authority and Edah a Congregation or Synagogue Of Ador. THIS was a City of the Idumaeans forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Ador signifies a beautiful City being derived of Adar that is famous and illustrious and Or that is Light Of Baschamah BAschamah standeth in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan fifty two miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east and is so called from sweet Gums of which there is great Plenty in that place The Travels of the High Priest Simon the Brother of Judas Macchabeus SIMON signifies an Auditor and one that heareth being derived of Schamah He hath heard This man did many worthy Acts during the Life of Iudas Macchabeus for being sent into Galâlee in which Countrey there were many that rebelled he suppressed the Insurrection and pursued the Enemies into the City of Ptolomais which was seventy six miles From Ptolomais he brought his Army to Arabath 36 miles In this place after he had assembled all the Religious Israelites thereabouts and their Wives and Children he brought them thence to Ierusalem 44 miles After he went with his Brother Iudas to many places and behaved himself manfully in all his Enterprizes 2 Mac. 8. 14. He went also with him to the Battel fought between Azotus and Gazeron where Iudas was slain being 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward 1 Mac. 9. Simon and Ionathan brought the dead body of their Brother Iudas to Modin six miles and there buried him by his Father Mattathias 1 Mac. 9. Afterward Simon and his Brother Ionathan went from Modin to the Lake Asphar in the Wilderness of Tecoa which was twenty miles From the Desart of Tecoa they went to Madaba which was twenty eight miles After they returned thence to the River of Iordan where upon the East side of the River they pitch'd their Tents twelve miles Here they fought with Bacchides After they went thence to Bethbesan three miles From thence they went to Ierusalem twelve miles Ioseph Antiq. lib. 18. cap. 1. From Ierusalem they went to Ioppa twenty miles and won the Town Ios. lib. Ant. 13. c. 6. From Ioppa they went to Asdod twelve miles and in the way they put the Enemy to flight From Asdod they went to Ascalon twelve miles 1 Macc. 10. From Ascalon they returned to Ierusalem being thirty miles 1 Mac. 10. From thence he went to Bethsura half a mile this Town he won and placed a Garison in it 1 Mac. 11. Also in the absence of his Brother Ionathan Simon went with his Army to Ascalon which was thirty miles from Ierusalem 1 Mac. 12. From thence he went to Ioppa which was twenty miles This Town the second time he took and placed a Garison therein 1 Mac. 12. From Ioppa he returned again to Ierusalem which was twenty miles Ios. Ant. lib. 13. cap. 8. From Ierusalem in the last year of his Brother Ionathan's Government he went to the Plain of Sephala about fourteen miles where he built the Hold of Abida 1 Mac. 12. From thence he returned to Ierusalem fourteen miles There after the
and a half Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in his Travels you may read before The Travels 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 Mediterranean Sea and came to Tripolis in Syria which Journey was two thousand six hundred and eighty miles and usurped upon the Government of Syria against young Antiochus the Son of Epiphanes 1 Mac. 7. From Tripolis he went to Antiochia where the King kept his Court eighty eight miles Here he caused young Antiochus and Lysias to be slain and after reigned in Syria ten years At length he was slain in a great Battel by Alexander the Son of Epiphanes 1 Mac. 7. So all his Travels were 1760 miles Of Tripolis THIS was scituated in Phoenicia a Province of Syria on the Shore of the Mediterranean 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 even to this day the Ocean Sea coming into every street and principal place of it and full as Populous as Tyrus For there inhabit Grecians Latines Armeniâns Maronites Nestorians and People of many other Nations of divers Conditions and Customs in manner of living It aboundeth also with great abundance of costly Tapestry which is made so curiously and with such cost that it is very delightful to such as look upon it It is credibly reported That there are found within the City of Tripolis 4000 men that do little else but Weave and make Tapestry and such like costly hangings The Country round about where it standeth is very pleasant and because of the great abundance of Vines Olives Figs and other Fruits and Flowers which yieldeth 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 breadth in which there are to be seen very curious Gardens and artificially contrived 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 falleth into the Vallies it joyns with other Waters and becomes a fair and pleasant River watering all the Gardens of the Plain betwen 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 me my Spouse from the Denns of the Lions and the Mountains of the Leopards The Water of this Spring is very clear pleasant cold and healthful upon the Banks of it there standeth many Churches and Religious Houses it is called the Fountain of the Gardens and is divided into three Rivers 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 Fountain shall increase to a great River and shall be poured out against many Waters The Travels of King Alexander Son of Epiphanes and Brother to Antiochus Eupater 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 gave unto 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 believed And at this time Demetrius because of his cruelty being much hated of all sorts of People it came to pass that most and those of the greatest also combined with this young man supposing him indeed to be of noble Descent and the Son of a King Wherefore Alexander or Prompatus being thus encouraged took upon him to be the Brother of Antiochus Eupator and called himself the Lawful Heir and Successor to the Crown of Syria going from thence to Ptolomais where he kept a Royal Court and in the year of the World 3818 before Christ 150 by the help of the Antiochians and others the Inhabitants of Syria he took upon him the Government of that Country and reigned five years This man suffered many varieties and changes of Fortune at first was put to flight by Demetrius after he put Demetrius to flight and at length put him to death and usurp'd upon his Government In the third year of his Reign he married Cleapatra the Daughter of Ptolomeus Philometor King of Aegypt by whom he had his Son Antiochus To this Marriage Ionathan was invited In the last year of his Government he went from Ptolomais to Antiochia which was 200 miles where he opposed himself against Demetrius Nicanor the Son of Demetrius Soter 1 Mac. cap. 10. From Antiochia he went to Cilicia which was 120 miles to suppress the Rebellion of his Subjects but when he heard that Ptolomeus Philometor his Father-in-Law had taken up Arms against him conquered Syria and given his Wife to Demetrius Nicanor which had been married unto him two years before he gathered all his forces he could and with all expedition made good the War against Ptolomeus but he was overcome and fled into that part of Arabia which bordereth upon the Mountain Emanus for refuge where Zabdiel the Governour of that Country fearing left he should fall into the displeasure of Ptolomeus caused his Servants to cut off his head and sent it to him into Syria Within three days after which sight he died being mortally wounded in the former Battel Ios. li. Ant. 13. c. 17. So all his Travels were 320 miles Of Amanus AManus was a Mountain between Syria and Cilicia which extendeth it self to the River Euphrates Between this Amanus and Euphrates Arabia Deserta is scituatâd 400 miles from Ierusalem Northward and signifies the Mountain of Truth from Aman True and Faithful The Travels of Demetrius Nicanor the Son of Demetrius Soter IN the 165 year of the Government of the Grecians in Syria which was 131 years before Christ Demetrius sirnamed Nicanor which signifies Victory sailed out of Creet into Cilicia which was 600 miles Ios. Ant. 13. c. 6. 1 Mac. 10. Out of Cilicia he came into Syria the lower 160 miles where joyning with Apolonius he took upon him the Crown and Kingdom of Syria Afterward Apolonius went into Iudaea with a great Army and besieged Iamniah Ptolomeus Philometor also assisted the proceeding of Demetrius seeing Alexander his Son-in-law beginning to decline and the better to strengthen their Alliance matched him to Cleopatra his Daughter which before had been Wife to Alexander by which policy he added to the Kingdom of Egypt all Asia over which he ruled two years 1 Mac. 11. After Demetrius Nicanor came out of Syria the lower with Ptolomeus Philometor to Antiochia which was eighty miles 1 Mac. 11. From
Antiochia they went with their Army to a Plain near the Mountain Amanus 120 miles where in a sharp War they overcame Alexander and put him out of his Kingdom Ios Ant. li. 3. c. 7. Now after the death of Ptolomeus Philimetor Demetrius Nicanor returned to Antiochia 120 miles where he governed the Kingdom of Syria two years From Antiochia he went to Ptolomais which was 200 miles to which place Ionathan the High-Priest came to meet him where he gave to him many Presents and great Gifts to win his Favour 1 Mac. 11. From Ptolomais he returned to Antiochia 200 miles There his Souldiers and the City of Antiochia rebelled against him For which cause Ionathan the High-Priest sent him 3000 men which delivered the King out of danger put to the Sword 100000 of the Seditious and burnt the City of Antiochia 1 Mac. 11. But after Demetrius shewed himself unthankful he was driven out of his Kingdom by Tryphon and young Antiochus the Son of King Alexander who was also called Theos which signifies God In the 172 year of the Reign of the Grecians in Syria which was 138 years before Christ Nicanor having slain Antiochus the Son of Alexander he would have reigned alone in Syria wherefore Demetrius who was the lawful King of Syria being three years before driven thence went 1200 miles into Media to crave aid against Tryphon but Arsaces King of the Medes Parthians and Persians sent the chief Captain of his Host against Demetrius who burned his Tents took him Prisoner and carried him back to his Master to Hecatompilon the chief City of his Kingdom distant from Syria 1220 miles toward the East Iustin. lib. 36. 38. From Hecatomâylon Arsaces sent him to Hyrcania the metropolitan City of that Country which was 176 miles where although Arsaces kept him as a Prisoner yet he allowed him royal Attendance and after marryed him to his Daughter Iust. lib. 38. After the Death of Arsaces with singular Industry and Policy he got out of Captivity after he had been twelve years Prisoner in Hyrcania and came into Syria which was fourteen miles where he recovered his Kingdom and reigned four years So all his Travels were 4156 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Creta now called Candia THIS is an Island of the Mediterranean Sea diftant from Ierusalem 600 miles westward very fruitful and pleasant in which there grows great plenty of Cypress Trees and Grapes of divers kinds but principally such whereof Malmsey and Sack are made Here Paul's Disciple was Bishop wherefore you shall read more of it after Of Seleucia SEleucia is a famous City of Syria scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea 280 miles from Ierusalem North-ward near to which the River Orantes runneth and the Mountain Casius standeth which is four miles high Plin. l. 5. c. 22. You may read more of this in the Travels of St. Paul Of Syria SYria was sometimes called of the Hebrews Aram of Aram the Son of Sem of whom all Armenia took the Name Aram signifies A man of great Spirit and Dignity being derived of Rom that is lifted up for he was a man of an excellent Spirit Gen. cap. 10. Syria signifieth a great Tract of Land and is divided into two parts the upper and the lower In the upper Syria are these Cities Antiochia Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea in the lower Syria are Sydon Tyrus Berytus Tripolis and Orthâsia This Country is scituated in a very temperare Zone from whence it happeneth that it is neither oppressed with too much Cold nor Heat There are that divide Syria into four parts that is into Syria Assyria Leucosyria and Coelosyriae Also Pliny lib. 5. cap. 12. attributeth Mesopotamia and Babylonia to Syriâ But it is evident that these were distinct Countries from them in the which there reigned Emperours and Kings which had large and spacious Dominions For Syria is scituated between the Mediterranean Sea and Euphrates but Mesopotamia which is so called because it is scituated in the middle of Waters is separated from Syria and Assyria with the Rivers Euphrates and Tygris and Arabia is separated from Syria and Babylon with many vast Wildernesses Therefore these Countries cannot properly pass under the denomination of Syria Of Parthia PArthia is a spacious Countrey full of Mountains and Desarts lying upon the Borders of Media Westward the Metropolis whereof his Hecatompylon taking the name of an hundred Gates wherewith it is fortified It lieth as Stephanus saith 1512 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Here Arsaces that mighty King of the Parthians kept his Court who had under his Government Media Parthia Persia Hircania and the greatest part of all the Countreys toward the East It is called Parthia because of the fruitfulness of the Soil being derived of Parah to fructifie Of Hyrcania HYrcania is a fruitful and pleasant Countrey bordering upon Media and the Caspian Sea for the most part plain and champian beautified with many fair Cities the chief of which are Hyrcania the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom Talebrota Samariana Carta and Tape It was so fat and fruitful that the Inhabitants use not to till and dress the ground as they do in other places but the Seed that falleth from the husk upon the Earth springeth up and bringeth forth great Plenty and increase without farther labour The Dews also falling upon the Trees there droppeth from them Oil and Honey in great Plenty It taketh the name as it is thought from a Wood called Hyrcania In like manner the Caspian Sea which bordereth upon it of this Countrey is called Hyrcanum Many cruel Beasts are found therein as the Panther the Tyger and the Leopard The Panther is of a whitish colour inclining something to yellow spotted all over with round shining spots in like manner are their Eyes She is a friend almost to all kinds of Creatures except the Asp and Dragon and as Oppianus saith never taken but when she is drunk or in her sleep She is the Female to the Leopard The Leopard is of the same colour and of the nature of a Wolf being full he hurteth nothing but if empty he preyeth upon every thing yea even upon men his Breath is very sweet with which many other Creatures being delighted he often preys upon them but being full he sleepeth sometimes three days together The Tyger also is a very swift and cruel Creature from whence he is so called his skin is yellow and full of black Spots round and shining If the chance to lose her young she never leaves seeking till she finds them out The Travels of Tryphon that put Antiochus to death IN An. Mundi 3826 before Christ 142. Tryphon sometime chief Captain to Alexander King of Syria who was slain in Arabia went to Emalâuel Prince of Arabia Deserta with whom Antiochus the Son of Alexander was brought up where he so wrought with him that he got the Boy from him and brought him thence into Syria 160 miles and within a while after besieged
Antiochia took the Town drove thence Demetrius Nicanor and crowned young Antiochus King of Assyria This Journey to and again was 320 miles 1 Mac. 11. In the second year of the Reign of young Antiochus Tryphon went from Antiochia to Bethsan where he perfidiously betrayed Ionathan the Brother of Iudas Macchabeus 1 Mac. 12. being 36 miles From Bethsan he went to Ptolomais 32 miles From Ptolomais he went to Addus a Town upon the Borders of Iudaea sixty eight miles 1 Mac. 13. To Addus Simon sent his Brother's Children and his Ransom which was 60 Talents of Silver but after he had received the Money he broke his Word and went thence with Ionathan and his Sons to Ador which was forty eight miles From Ador he went to Baschaman in the Land of Gilead ninety six miles Here he put to death Ionathan and his Sons From the Countrey of the Gileadites he returned to Antiochia which was 240 miles Here he put to death young Antiochus being but a Boy of seven year of age and usurped upon the Government in his place He began to reign in the 172 year of the Grecians Government in Syria and reigned three years 1 Mac. 14. Ios. lib. ant 13. About the end of the three years which was in the 174 year of the Grecians Government in Syria Antiochus Sedetes Brother of Demetrius Nicanor made War upon Tryphon and compelled him to fly from Antiochia to Dora 240 miles from Antiochia towards the South 1 Mac. 85. But Antiochus Sedetes followed him thither and so streightly besieged Dora that he was constrained to steal thence in a Ship and âail to Orthoâia which was 160 miles Lastly In the way as he was going thence to Apamea which was an hundred and twenty miles he was taken and put to death So all his Travels were 1360 miles Of the Places mentioned in his Travels which have been formerly recited Of Dora DORA was a Haven-Town scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward in the mid-way between Carmel and Caesârea Strato In Ioseph cap. 17. it is called Dor that is â durans Of Orthosia THIS was a City of Assyria scituated upon the Shore of the Mediterranean Sea near to the place where the Eleutherius falleth into it 200 miles from Ierusalem Northward being so called of Diana whom the Grecians called Orthosia that is Exalted or lifted up Hither Tryphon sailed when he fled from Antiochus Sedetes 1 Mac. 15. Plin. lib. 5. cap. 20. Concerning the Travels of Apolonius Nicanor Bacchides and Cendebius because they are sufficiently described in the Travels of the Macchabees I thought it unfit to speak further of them The Travels of Heliodorus HEliodorus signifies the House of the Sun He was Secretary and chief Governour of Antiochiâ in Syria for that mighty King Saleuchus Philopator who was Brother to that cruel Tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes and was sent by his Lord and Master Seleuchus from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was eighty miles to spoil the Temple of the Lord but the Lord sent an Angel richly beautified with Armour of Gold fitting upon a Horse who went to Heliodorus and with his Horse trod him under his feet and there appeared two other Angels full of Majesty and Power that strook Heliodorus and beat him with Whips so that he lay upon the Floor of the Temple as a Man half Dead and could not go forth until he was carried out 2 Mac. 3. From Ierusalem he went with that good man Onias chief Priest of the Iews at whose earnest Prayers and Supplications he was made whole to Antiochia 280 miles where he told Seleuchus Philopator of the wonderful Works of the Lord. So all his Travels were 580 miles The Travels of the High-Priest of the Jews that ruled before the Macchabees as they are severally mentioned in the Books of Maccabees and first of the Travels of Onias the High-Priest ONIAS signifies the Riches of God from On Opulency and Iah God for although he was afflicted with Poverty in this World yet he was rich in God He succeeded his Father Simon the Just An. Mun. 3757. before Christ 211. Antiochus the Great being King of Syria He was High-Priest thirty nine years until the death Seleuchus Philopater at the end of which time one Simon the chief of those that kept the Temple being ambitious of Rule fell to words with Onias and from words to blows so that there were many outrages committed by the Friends of Simon Wherefore Onias to give place to the Fury of his Adversaries went from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was to hundred and eighty miles But Seleucus Philopator being dead and Antiochus Epiphanes in the Government who was a covetous and cruel Prince good Onias partly for fear of him and partly of his Brother Iason who had but a little before purchased the Office of High-Priest for three hundred and sixty Talents of Silver and promised to pay a yearly Tribute of eighty Talents durst not return home to Ierusalem but went to a Sanctuary that stood in the Wood of Daphne which was about one mile from Antiochia in hope of safety to which place one Andronichus chief Captain to Antiochus came to him and with fair Speeches and flattering Words allured him out of the Sanctuary and traiterously put him to death So all his Travels were two hundred eighty one miles The Travels of the High-Priest Jason JAson and Iesus have both one signification he entred upon the Office of High-Priest in the first year of Antiochus Epiphanes which was one hundred seventy three years before Christ. He went from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was two hundred eighty miles where after the death of Onias he paid to Antiochus for the Office of High-Priest almost three Tuns of Gold with promise to pay a yearly Tribute of 48000 Crowns From Antiochia he returned to Ierusalem two hundred eighty miles where he began to build the Tower of Acropolis in Mount Acra and that he might please that wicked King and keep his favour he built certain Theatres in Ierusalem and caused Interludes and Plays to be acted in them at such times and upon such days as the Poeple were wont to meet in the Temple to serve God Also King Antiochus Epiphanes in the fourth year of his Priesthood coming to Ierusalem he gave him royal entertainment The same year Iason was put out of his Office of High-Priest by the policy and cunning of his Brother Menelaus and was constrained to fly into the Land of the Ammonites beyond Iordan being forty miles Two years after when Antiochus Epiphanes invaded Aegypt there was a vain rumour that he was slain wherefore Iason with a thousand Souldiers returned to Ierusalem being forty miles and broke suddenly into the City so that Menelaus was constrained for safety of his life to fly to the Garrison of the Syrians that were in Ierusalem But Antiochus hearing what had happened came out of Aegypt with â great Army of Ierusalem wherefore he fled
principally followed Budaeus to our Measures he is then to understand that there is another course to be taken namely by Weight four ordinary Spoonfuls of Water weigh an Ounce 12 Ounces of Troy weight make a pound 8 Pounds of Troy weight make a Gallon and 32 Gallons make a Barrel c. The same course may be taken in the account of Corn-measures there going eight Gallons after the same proportion to a Bushel So that what I have set down may be rectified by your own industry and made more capable to your understanding Examples collected out of Prophane Histories by which you may perceive the profit that may arise by the due use of this Treatise to all such as read the Grecian and Roman Histories IN the time of Claudius Emerour of Rome there was so great a Famin according to the Prophecie of Agabus Act 1. that a Modius that is a Peck wanting a Pint of Wheat was sold at six Drachma's which at 7 d. ob the Drachma comes to 3 s. 9 d. English This great Famin is specified by Suetonius and Dion where they say that but a little before the same measure of Wheat was worth but four Sestertia's which was 7 d. ob English Of Pythius King of Lydia Herodot 7. PYthius King of Lydia who entertained that mighty Emperour Xerxes and all his Army would have lent him three Millions of Talents of Silver towards the charge of his War which according to the Attick Talent that is 187 l. 10 s. the Talent amounts to 562 millions five hundred pounds And further he would add to it four millions of Daricons which at 15 s. the Daricon cometh to three millions of Pounds But Xerxes being greatly pleased with his Hospitality and Liberality that he might make evident his Noble Disposition refused his offer and gave him by way of Gratuity 7000 Darico's which was in our Money 5250 l. Of Croesus the mighty King of Lydia THIS King Croesus sent an Ambassador to Delphos to ask the Idol of Apollo if he should prosper in the Wars he took in hand against Cyrus King of Persia withall sending divers rich Presents and amongst the rest a Lion of Gold most cunningly wrought weighing 100 Talents every Talent weighing 4500 l. which in the whole amounted to 450000 l. Moreover two Cups wherof one was fine Gold cunningly wrought weighing eight Talents and a half which at 4500 l. the Talent cometh to 36000 pound the other Cup was made by that noble Workman Theodorus Sanius of pure Silver very curiously and artificially wrought containing forty Gallons but of what valuation it was is not set down For this great and rich present King Croesus received of the Devil a double and deceitful answer whereby he was not only provoked to make War against Cyrus but by that means lost his Kingdom and being taken Prisoner he was set upon a pile of wood to be burnt but crying with a loud voice O Solon Solon thereby shewing that wise Solon had foretold him That no man is to be accounted happy before his end King Cyrus granted him his Life This recompence did the Devil return to Croesus for so great a Present Such and many other the like Histories by this Book may be understood The first rule for Drachma's IF you have any number of Drachma's divide them by eight and the production will be English Crowns according to Budaeus 100 Drachma's make a Mina which is about 12 Crowns or 3 l. sterling The second rule of Mina's THE Mina multiplied by twelve the production is Crowns for twelve Crowns English is a Roman Mina or a Mina of the Temple 125 Mina's make a Talent so that multiply 125 by 12 and the production will be 1500 Crowns which maketh a Talent The third rule of Talents THE Talent multiplied by twelve the production is Crowns ãâã 125 Mina's being multiplied by twelve makes 1500 Crowns English which is a Talent and 3000 Crowns is two Talents c. by which means you may reduce all Drachma's and other less Weights mentioned in the Scriptures to Mina's and Talents and these again into Crowns But concerning the distinction of Talents you may read before Notwithstanding observe this that if you chance to read of any Talent Mina or Sicle in the Scripture whereto there is not an addition of the Kings Talent or the Talent of the Temple as I have said you may then presume that it is the Common Talent And this shall suffice for the Weights Measures and Monies mentioned in the Scriptures A Catalogue of the principal Authors out of whom this fore-going Treatise of Weights and Measures c. was gathered AMbrosius Calapinus Aulus Gellius Cassarus Peucerus Athenaeus Flavius Ioseph Galenus Guilihelmus Budaeus Hesychius Saint Ierome Ioachim Camerarius Iohannes Avenarius Iohannes Fosterus Iulius Pollux Martin Luther Matthew Hostius Paulus Eberus Philip Melancthon Priscian Grammaticus Sebastian Munster Septuaginta Interpretes Suidas Volutius Metianus The due Proportion of Weights and Measures are also found in Myropolis ITINERARIVM Novi Testamenti Wherein is contained the Travels of the Virgin Mary and Joseph also of the Wise men of the East of our Saviour Jesus Christ and of his Apostles BUT since I have briefly related the Travels of the antient Patriarchs Judges Kings and Prophets which things I know cannot be unprofitable unto such as are judicious mentioned in the Old Testament that I might make a perfect end of what I have begun I will proceed and shew unto you the Travels of all the holy Men and Women mentioned in the New Testament where by due observation of this discourse you may well understand that as all the Nations of the World were derived from one man that is Adam so all the Righteous and such as are to be saved are derived 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 Sin is pardoned and Man made partaker of Eternal happiness And that these things might be the more apparent unto thee I have described the Towns Cities and Places mentioned in their several Travels both what they were in former times and what they are at this present that so by the due consideration of both thou might'st observe the mutation and change of Estates since through the revolution of Times those things which seem most permanent have within the compass of a few years been subverted and the ruines of those Cities which have been greatest left to make evident lamentable Examples of vast and unheard of destructions from whence such as have any small knowledge of the Spirit may draw such comfortable resolutions that neither Poverty can subvert them nor Riches and Honour exalt them but according to S. Iames ca. 1. they may possess themselves in peace since neither the Prosperity of the World is permanent nor the adversity thereof intolerable The knowledge of both which howsoever to some it may seem
forty five years old was invited to a Marriage in Cana a City of Galilee which stood eight miles from Galilee towards the North-West Iohn 2. Here our Saviour Christ wrought his first miracle by changing water into wine From Cana in Galilee she went with our Saviour to Capernaum a City of Galilee a little before the Feast of the Paschal Lamb which was twenty miles From Capernaum she returned back to Nazareth which was accounted twelve miles In the thirty second year of the age of our Saviour Christ which was the second of his Ministry Mary went from Nazareth back again to Capernaum where our Saviour Christ cast forth a Devil Mat. 12. Mark 3. which was 12 miles From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was twelve miles for in this Town she dwelt whilst Iesus travelled from place to place teaching and preaching the Word of God Mark 6. And although she oftentimes went from Nazareth with him to many places continuing still in his company yet then especially when he was to sustain the wrath of God and punishment for the Sin of man which was in the thirty fourth year of his age In which year she would not forsake him till his death for she went from Galilee to Ierusalem with him which waâ sixty four miles a great Journey for one of her age being then forty eighâ years old And when our Saviour was crucified she stood close by the Cross with a heavy and pensive countenance bewailing the death of her Son Then was the Prophecy of old Simeon accomplished And a Sword shall pass through thy Soul But after by his Glorious Resurrection and Ascension she was revived and comforted From the Passion of Christ to the death of the blessed Virgin Mary was twelve years all which time she lived with Iohn the Evangelist in Ierusalem and then being fifty nine years of age dyed and was buried according to the opinion of Nicephorus and others in the Garden called Gethsamene So all her Travels were 3506 miles Now follows the description of the Towns and Places to which she travelled Of Nazareth THIS was a Town almost of no estimation scituated in a certain Mountain in Galilee the lower sixty four miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North in the Tribe of Zabulon In this Town our Saviour Jesus Christ was brought up Luke 1. 2. Some say that it was nineteen or twenty miles from Ierusalem but they mistake themselves yet I will not dispute thereof but follow my Authors Iacobus Ziglerus and Tilmanus Stella There is not any mention made of it that is extant in the Old Testament It hath a two-fold derivation the one by Zain and the other by Zade If it be written by Zain it may have a two-fold signification since the exposition of this name doth depend upon the Verb Nazar which signifies to consecrate and keep from hence Nezaer a Garland of Flowers or a Crown set with pretious Stones c. such as Kings and High-Priests are accustomed to wear Also from the same word Nazar is derived Nazir and thence Nazaraeus which is as much as to say He is separated from the use of Wine and suffering his Hair to be un-cut as being dedicated to the Lord. Therefore our Saviour Christ is justly called a Nazarite Luke 2. For âaezer first signifies a holy man who hath made a holy Vow unto the Lord Secondly it doth denote a Crown or wreath of Sincerity Exod. 29. 39. Thirdly a holy Ointment wherewith Kings and Priests were anointed Levit. 27. And fourthly this word Nezaer signifies a Princely Crown 2 Sam. 1. 2. Kings 11. Psal. 89. 132. So that Nazareth being derived of Nazar and Nazir may signifie both a Crown and a holy City Iudg. 13. but if Nazareth be written by Zade it signifies a flourishing plant or Graff according to that of Isay c. 11. But there shall come a rod forth of the stock of Ishai and a Graff shall grow out of his root and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him The Inhabitants of this Town at this day shew certain Monuments and Reliques of what had happened in preceeding Ages as two Churches one built there where the Angel Gabriel saluted the Blessed Virgin and she conceived by the Spirit in which there stands three Altars hew'n out of a Rock and the other built as they say where the house of Ioseph and Mary stood because there our Saviour Christ was brought up Also they shew a Well where the Child Jesus drew Water and ministred to his Mother they also shew the vast Ruins of the Synagogue where our Saviour Christ expounded the sixty first Chapter of Isay for which cause they would have thrown him headlong down the Hill Luke 4. and many other things of which you may read in Borchardus the Monk In Saint Ierom's time some forty years before Christ Nazareth was a small Town called Nazarah Of the Mountains by which Mary passed when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth BEtween Nazareth and Ierusalem there standeth many high Hills as Mount Gilboa whereon King Saul killed himself Mount Gerisim and Hebal upon which Hills the Blessings and Cursings were pronounced Deut. 27. and Mount Ephraim upon which Ehud kill'd Eglon King of the Moabites Iudg. 13. Over this Mountain being very great and steep Mary travelled when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth Of Bethlehem THERE were two Cities called by this name the one Bethlem Iudah the other Bethlem Euphrata where our Saviour Christ was born and signifieth fruitful or the house of Bread It stood upon a Hill some six miles from Ierusalem towards the South The Inhabitants take upon them to shew the place where our Saviour Christ was born which stood upon the East side of the City close by the Wall thereof where as Eusebius saith Hellen the Mother of Constantine the Great caused to be built a fair and stately Church three hundred and twenty years afteâ the Nativity of Christ. This Church was dedicated to St. Mary and remaineth to this day being had in great honour both amongst the Christians and the Turks and Saracens This Church is such a stately building that it is thought to exceed all the Churches of Christendom for Beauty and curious Workmanship It is two hundred twenty eight Foot long and eighty seven Foot wide being built all of Marble of divers colours and covered with Lead there are in it four rowes of Marble Pillars wonderful to look upon not only in regard of their number but of their greatness for there is fifty Pillars in every row The Body of this Church the Pillars from the bottom to the top the Walls and every part of it is beautified with lively Pictures adorned with divers Colours Silver Gold and curious Workmanship so as it is wonderful to behold The Pavement of it is of Marble polished and of divers colours so cunningly set in Works and with such variety that it is very delightful to such as look
miles and within a short time after that is upon the seventh day of October being then the Feast of Expiation our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was baptised when he was fully thirty Years of Age Luke 3. Matthew 3. Iohn 1. In the Year following which was the one and thirtieth Year of the Nativity of Christ a little before the Feast of Easter the Synedrion of Ierusalem sent Messengers unto Iohn he then remaining at Bethabara to know whether he was the Christ or Elias or some other Prophet Iohn 1. Upon the eighteenth day of September the same Year Iohn entred upon the second year of his Ministry about which time Caiphas began to enter upon the Office of the High Priest and the Sadducees and Pharisees to persecute Iohn Baptist. Wherefore he departed from Bethabara and went to Aenon a City in Galilee which was twenty four miles After that Iohn had preached publickly and freely by the space of a whole year and two months about the month of December and the end of the first year of the Ministry of our Saviour by the Commandment of Herod he was taken and led Prisoner from Aenon to the Tower of Macheruntes which was twenty eight miles where he remained untill his Death So all his Travels were eighty eight miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Adumim ADumim or Adummim as it is in Ioshua cap. 15. was a Tower twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the East scituated in the Wilderness that is between Ierusalem and Iericho so called because of the multitude of Robberies and Murthers that were done in that place for Dam signifieth Blood Here the poor man that Christ mentioned Luke 10. fell amongst Thieves and here Eliah continued when he was sed by the Raveâs and drank the Water of the River Cherith 1 King 17. which was a notable Type of Iohn the Baptist who lived in a Cave in this place This Cave stood close by the Garden of Engedi where in former times the Academy and School of the Prophets Eliah and Elisha was kept here the Esseis which was a Sect amongst the Iews also continued who led a Monastical kind of Life and gave themselves wholly to Prayers and good Works under whose Discipline and Instruction Iohn was brought up Mathesius wisely observes that of all other the Esseis would never oppose Christ but were a People that lived chastly and honestly according to the Custom of the Nazarites with all diligence reading the Scriptures and avoiding idleness as a great temptation of the Devil giving themselves principally to the Study of Physick After this sort was Iohn brought up Of Bethabara THIS was a Town scituated upon the East side of the River Iordan sixteen miles from Ierusalem towards the East where there was either a Bridge or a Ferry to pass over Iordan from whence this place was called Bethabara being derived of Baith a House and Abarah a Passage wherefore at a certain time there being assembled in this place a great Concourse and Congregation of People Iohn did first enter upon the Ministry of the New Testament and taught the People the Doctrine of Repentance and Baptism Here Elias the Thesbite who was a Type of Iohn the Baptist was taken up into Heaven in a fiery Chariot Here Iohn spake with the Messengers that came to inquire whether he was Christ or not to whom he answered That he was neither Elias nor a Prophet of the Old Testament but the Voice of a Cryer in the Wilderness Io. 4. Is. 40. And in the same place where the Priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant whilst Ioshua and the Children of Israel passed over Iordan Iohn baptized Christ the true Ark of the Covenant of the Throne of Grace Iosh. 3. 4. Mat. 4. Luke 3. Heb. 9. Of Aenon THIS Town stood upon the West-side of the River of Iordan 42 miles from Ierusalem Northward a little on this side of the Sea of Tiberias near the mouth of the River Iaboch where it falleth into Iordan in which place was great abundance of Waters Here also Iohn sometimes baptized Ioh. 3. it being two miles from Salem where Iacob in times past dwelt Gen. 33. Of the meeting together of the Waters this Town was called Aenon of Ain which signifies an Eye and a Fountain that springeth as it were from an Eye Of Macherus or Macharuntes MAcherus was a Town of Peraea beyond Iordan twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the East scituated in a high Mountain being derived of Macherah that is a Sword This was one of the chief Castles of Herod Antipas who obtained the chief Command in the City of Ierusalem Plin. lib. 5. c. 16. In this place Iohn Baptist was beheaded as Ioseph saith lib. Antiq. 80. c. 10. And although his Disciples buried his Body thereabouts yet long after the Christians removed his Bones and Relicks to Sebasten that is Samaria where they were the second time buried with great Honour and Reverence Afterward as Nicephorus and Theodorus saâ his Bones were taken up again by Iulian the Apostate and burn'd There are many other things that are written concerning his Reliques which because of the uncertainty of them I omit to speak of and will proceed to a further Description of this City Alexander King of the Iews first built and fortified it and then making War against Aristobulus it hapned to be destroyed by Gabinus one of his Captains and so continued desolate till Herod's time who rebuilt the Town and the Castle and fortified it with strong Walls and high Towers even a hundred and sixty Cubits in height so that a man could scarce see to the top of it But that God might revenge the blood of his Saints at such time as Ierusalem and the Holy Land was left desolate Lucius Bassus a noble Roman came to this City and besieged it during which Siege Bassus took a certain young man which was a Prince of the Iews called Eleazer and caused a Cross to be set on purpose to have crucified him but they which were besieged in the Town seeing the pitiful Lamentations this young man made promised Bassus if he would spare his Life to yield up the Town which he did so the Castle being taken the Gates of the City were set open But the Romans fell to the Slaughter without Mercy and put to the Sword 1700 Persons besides there were a great multitude of Women and Children carried thence into Captivity as Iosephus lib. de Bello Iud. 7. cap. 25. affirmeth There were many goodly Wells and stately Buildings within this City there is cut out in the Castle a Rue Tree of an admirable greatness and in the Valley upon the North-side of the City the Root Baarus is found presenting both in Colour and Figure a Flame There are also found many hot Baths and Fountains of wholsome Waters but above the rest Iosephus maketh mention of one in a Cave where two Streams issueth as it were out of two Dugs the one hot
near to the Town of Bethel where the Patriarch Iacob saw a Ladder reaching from Earth to Heaven for Christ maketh mention of that Vision in his Journey which was 32 miles Ioh. 2. where he graced the Marriage with a notable Miracle turning six pots of Water containing 168 Gallons and three Quarts or thereabouts into Wine Ioh. 2. After he went thence with his Mother and his Disciples to Capernaum 20 miles but he stayed there but a while for the Passover of the Iewes was at hand Ioh. 2. In the beginning of April Christ went from Capernaum to Ierusalem to the Feast of the Passover which was 56 miles and there cast out of the Temple the Money-changers and those that sold Sheep and Oxen and Doves in it This was done about 46 years after Herod Ascalonita King of the Jewes had rebuilded and beautified the Temple of which you may read in Ioseph lib. Ant. 15. cap. 14. Ioh. 2. The first Passover of the Ministry of Christ. This first Passover of the Ministry of our Saviour Christ of which you may read Iohn 2. was celebrated upon the sixth day of April and continued until the thirteenth day of the same Month. During which time our Saviour Christ did many Miracles insomuch that many believed in his Name and amongst the rest Nicodemus who came to him by night and reasoned with him concerning the Kingdom of God Nicodemus signifies the Victory of the People Ioh. 3. At this time he continued in Ierusalem till the month of October and there celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles and Preached the acceptable year of the Lord Esay 61. The Feast of Tabernacles being ended Jesus with his Disciples came into Iudea that is he went from Ierusalem and began to teach in Iudea and his Disciples baptised Ioh. 3. 4. Iohn also baptised at this time upon the borders of Galilee near Iudea 42 miles from Ierusalem Northward upon the East side of the River Iordan for he was not yet cast into Prison Therefore Christ chose him a place to teach and baptise in upon the River of Iordan near Iohn that they might meet and converse together A little after the question was moved concerning Purification and Iohn began to preach of Christ and that he was the Son of God and Spouse of the Church In this Sermon Iohn in many places called himself the Friend of the Spouse From whence it is evident that Christ and Iohnâin the month of November did often meet and converse together In the month of December Christ being assured of the captivity of Iohn the Baptist Mat. 4. Mark 1. and of the Persecution and fallacies of the Pharisees Iohn 4. went from Iordan and returned into Galilee by the Province and Country of Samaria in which Country he came to Iacob's Well which stood close by Sichar in former times called Sichem about some 10 miles from Iordan towards the West in which place he spake with the Samaritan Woman this happened some four months before Harvest and after went into Sichar and continued there for the space of two days and after returning into Galilee was very acceptably entertained of the Galileans because they formerly having seen his miracles done at Ierusalem were joyful to see him there When he had travelled from Sichar to Cana a City in Galilee the lower which was 32 miles where he had changed water into wine there was a certain Ruler came unto him whose Son lay sick at Capernaum 20 miles distant and besought him to heal his Son our Saviour told him that his Son was made whole so he believed and his Son was made whole the same hour This was the second miracle that our Saviour Christ did Io. 4. It is thought that this Rulers name was Chuza of whom there is mention Luk. 8. and was Herod's Procurator whose Wives name was Iohanna which signified Gracious This Woman ministred of all her substance unto Christ Iohn 4. So these Travels were 192 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Cana in Galilee THis was a City of the lower Galilee where our blessed Saviour Christ turned Water into Wine being distant from Ierusalem 68 miles Northward The place where our Saviour wrought this Miracle is to be seen at this day but it is within the Ground and you must descend by certain steps before you can come at it because as it seems there have been many Churches and Buildings set upon it which being sundry times overthrown the ruins thereof have raised the Earth in such sort that the antient Place is as it were hidden and laid under the earth as is also the place of the Anuntiation of the Nativity of our Saviour Christ and many other where he wrought Miracles to which they do descend down under the earth by steps Upon the North side of this Town stood a round Hill and upon the South a goodly Plain being called Cana in Galilee to put distinction between it and another Town called after the same name which stood upon the borders of Tyrus and Sidon in the Tribe of Asser in which the Canaanitish woman or Syrophoenicean dwelt which besought Christ to heal her Daughter who was possessed of a Devil Mat. 15. Mark 7. Which was called Canah the greater as this was called Canah the less and was distant each from the other 44 miles Canah was so called because round about it grew Reeds and there were many moorish and waterish grounds whereof the Town took the name For Canah signifies a Reed which is a fit type of the Church for as our Saviour Christ at this Town which stood in a moorish and Reedy place graced the marriage with an extraordinary Miracle so likewise will he grace the marriage of his Church though troubled with miseries and afflictions in this World tossed to and fro like a wavering Reed with the glorious presence of his gracious countenance and in the World to come crown it with Eternal Glory Of Caâernaum THis City was so called from the pleasant and comfortable Scituation of it In the Hebrew Text Mathew calls it Ca harnacuâ i. The Town of comfort being derived of Noââam i. Consolation In this Town our Saviour dwelt after he had left Nazareth and in it wrought many Miracles as the healing of the sick casting out of Devils and such like whereof you may read Mat. 8. Mark 1. Luke 5. 7. Iohn 4. It stood in the Land of Genezareth upon the West and North side of Iordan in an angle of Land joyning to the Sea of Galilee 56 miles from Ierusalem Northward in the Tribe of Issachar and as it is thought by some just in the midst of the twelve Tribes Mat. 9. calls it the City of our Saviour And that Christ was no Stranger but an Inhabitant of this City it is manifest Mat. 17. where Christ when he gave Tribute to the Magistrates of this City asked Peter saying Of whom do the Kings of the Earth take tribute Peter said of strangers then quoth he
Leprosie About thirty Paces from the foot of this Hill there ariseth a Fountain which is compassed about with a Wall and is thought to be a Vein of Nilus because they find in it such kind of fishes the like wherof are not to be found in any other place but Nilus Iosephus calleth this Spring Capernaum and likewise all the plain being very pleasant and fruitful for the space of a mile even unto Iordan after the same name because it is subiect to the Jurisdiction of that City About 20 paces from this wall on the shore of the Sea of Galilee there is shewn a place where they say Christ appeared to his seven Disciples after his Resurrection and asked them whether they had any meat And about ten paces from that is shewn a place where they say our Saviours Disciples came to Land and they drew up in their nets a great draught of fishes c. John 21. Of Naim NAim signifies fruitful and pleasant it stood 48 miles from Jerusalem towards the North and typically representeth the condition of the World For the Children of this World live in all manner of Pleasures and Delights never thinking of any sorrow till Death seiseth on them but then that overturns all and those delights become loathsome unto them Notwithstanding this one comfort we have left us Hope in Christ Jesus who as he raised the Widows Son at the gates of this City from Death to Life will by his mighty Power raise us again at the last day from the Bowels of the Earth and make us partakers with him of an heavenly habitation It stood in the Land of Samaria and in the tribe of Issachar about two miles off it upon the East side stood mount Tabor and a little from it upon the South side stood mount Hermon the lesser and extended it self thence unto the Sea of Galilee 16 miles Of these two Hills you may read Psal. 89. and about two miles from Naim Westward Sunem is to be seen to which the Prophet Elisaeus sometimes resorted 2 Reg. 4. Of Gadara GAdarah or Gederah in Hebrew signifies munition and sometimes it is taken to compass about of Gadar he hath hedged or compassed about S. Jerom saith in his time that is 400 years after Christ this was a very fair City and stood in a very high Mountain upon the East side of the Sea of Galilee beyond Jordan in the half tribe of Manasses some 48 miles from Ierusalem Northward and is to be seen at this day Strabo lib. 6. Georg. saith that close by Gadara there is a venomous lake whereof what Beast soever drinketh he immediately loseth his Horns his Hoofs and his Hair and there are many that think this Lake became thus venomous because of the 2000 Swine that were drowned in it when our Saviour suffered the Devils to enter into them Mat 8. Mark 5. Luke 8. Close by this Town stood Gerasa called also Girgesa Mat. 8. so named as some think of Girgasus the Son of Canaan Gen. 10. Of Genesareth THIS was a Country bordering upon the North-west side of the Sea of Galilee from whence this Sea was called the Lake of Genesareth Luke 5. This Land was very pleasant and fruitful as if it had been a Princes Garden bringing forth fair Apples Pomegranates Palmes Olives Vines and divers other kinds of pleasant Fruits fair and goodly to the eye and therefore not without cause was it called the Garden of a Prince being derived of Gan which signifies a Garden and Sur a Prince It is distant from Ierusalem six and fifty miles towards the North as you may read Matth. 6. 14. The chief Cities of this Country were Capernaum and Bethsaida of which Cities though in former times they were very fair and large there are at this day not scarce eight houses to be seen The Travels of our Saviour Christ in the third year of his Ministry which was the three and thirtieth year of his age FROM Ierusalem our Saviour Christ returned some six and fifty miles into Galilee and in the beginning of this year wintered in that place so that as it may be gathered out of the Evangelists he continued there the most part of Ianuary and February and now the Spring approching a little after the death of Saint Iohn the Baptist who as it is thought was put to death between the midst of Winter and the Spring not long before the Feast of the Passover so that he lived two years and a half in his Ministry he wrought many notable Miracles not far from the City of Bethsaida The same time the Feast of the Passover drawing near which was the third Passover of his ministry he went thence over Iordan and so beyond the Sea of Tiberias Matth. 14. Mark 6. Luke 9. At this time the Apostles of Christ being dispersed through all Galilee and Iudaea teaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven hearing of the miserable death of Iohn the Baptist about the beginning of the month of April returned with all possible speed out of every Part to our Saviour Christ that so they might be secure against the tyranny of Herod Matth. 14. Mark 6. Luke 9. Also the Disciples of Iohn came unto him and told him of his Death and Burial Matth. 14. Our Saviour Christ therefore having by this means certain intelligence as he was between Bethsaida and Tiberias of the death of S. Iohn Baptist in the month of April he went into a Ship and passed about four miles to the further side of the Sea of Galilee where in a certain Desart he sed five thousand men with five Barley loaves and two fishes Ioh. 6. From thence he returned back again to the Sea and so to Capernaum which was four miles here he made that long Sermon of the Spiritual eating of his flesh Mat. 14. Luke 9. Iohn 6. From thence he went to Ierusalem which was 56 miles to the Feast of the Passeover being the third Passeover of his ministry The third Passover of the Ministry of Christ. Upon the thirteenth day of April being Sunday according to the Ecclesiastical computation Christ as God commanded celebrated the third Passover of his ministry for the space of eight days in the City of Ierusalem that is till the twentieth day of the same month After the Feast of the Passeover the Iews took counsel how they might put him to death Ioh. 7. wherefore about the end of April he departed thence and went 56 miles into the Land of Galilee In the month of May after the controversie that happened concerning the Tradition of the Elders because of the fallacies and contentions of the Scribes and Pharisees he departed thence into the borders of Tyrus and Sidon which was 56 miles Matth. 15. and there entred into a house and would fain have been private but there was a certain Woman that was a Grecian of Syrophoenissa came unto him and intreated his aid Mark 7. But our Saviour having a determination to depart from this
went from Ierusalem to Bethania which was almost two miles and there visited Mary and Martha where Martha ministred unto him but Mary sitting at his feet gave diligent heed to his Doctrine Luke 10. At this time he took his leave of these two Sisters and went thence to Bethabara beyond Iordan where Iohn baptized which was sixteen miles it being now about the midst of Winter Christ at this time being about thirty three years of age I am not ignorant that there were many which refer that long Journey of our Saviour Christ when he went to visit all Iudaea the sending forth of his Disciples and divers other Miracles mentioned from the ninth Chapter of Luke to the sixteenth to the beginning of the following year But I am of opinion that all those things could not have been done within the compass of four Months and before the Feast of the Dedication so that it must needs be that the seventy 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 Months between it and the raising up of Lazarus in which short time all those things which are described by Luke could not possibly be accomplished especially considering that our Saviour Christ wintered some time in Bethabara and there taught the multitude that came unto him Ioh. 2. So these Travels of our Saviour were five hundred ninety six miles or thereabouts besides the divers Visitations and Journeys he went hither and thither which because of the great multitude of them it was not possible for the Evangelist to set them down Of the Towns and places to which he travelled Of Bethsaida BEthsaida signifies the house of hunting being derived 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 thorough the World Ierem. 16. In this Town dwelt three Apostles Peter Andrew and Philip Iohn 1. It was scituated upon the West side of the Galilean Sea in the Tribe of Issachar fifty six miles from Ierusalem toward the North. And because of the abundance of Fishes that were in the Sea of Galilee Peter and Andrew became Fishers and in that Vocation got their living till our Lord and Saviour Christ made them Fishers of Men Mat. 4. Luke 5. Before the Birth of Christ this was but a small Town and without doubt was so called from hunting because close by it stood a Wilderness that did greatly abound with wild Beasts Philip the Terrarch of Traconitis and Itura made this a fair City which in honour of Iulia he called Iuliades This Iulia was the Daughter of Augustus Caesar and Wife of Tiberias Philip also brought many Inhabitants thither who dwelt in that City But when Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee and Brother of this Philip had builded up Bethabara which stood beyond the River Iordan on the East side of the Sea of Galilee and called it by the name of Iuliades in honour of this Iulia. This Town re-edified and inlarged by Philip was called again in the time of our blessed Lord and Saviour Christ after the ancient name Bethsaida and so continueth to this day From hence it is manifest that the Sea of Galilee was subject to the Government of both these Tetrarchs since upon the shore thereof on both sides they had Cities standing I do think the Wilderness or Wood and âand near adjoyning to Bethsaida is called Itura of Ietur the Son of Ismael Gen. 25. or else from the compass and roundness of it for Tur in Hebrew signifies a circle But that Itura stood upon the West side of the Sea of Galilee those that have been at the Holy Land can testifie This City of Bethsaida hath an ancient Water-course coming from a River not far from it which Iosephus calleth little Iordan which falleth into the Sea of Galilee just in the mid-way between this Town and Capernaum the Channel whereof appeareth to this day Beside the many Sermons which our Saviour Christ preached here he did many notable miracles Mark 8. c. But for the ingratitude and impiety of the Citizens the curse of our Saviour fell upon them Wo be to thee Chorazin wo be to thee Bethsaida for if the miracles had been done in Tyrus and Sidon which have been done in thee they had long e're this repented in sackcloth and ashes Verily verily I say unto you it shall be easier for Tyrus and Sidon in the day of Iudgment than for you Mat. 11. Luk. 10. The prophecie of our Saviour Christ fell upon them accordingly for after divers and sundry overthrows and devastations this Town became utterly unpeopled and as Britenbacchus saith there are scarce six houses standing in it at this day Of Chorazin THis City also stands upon the further side of Iordan close by the Sea of Galilee in the same Country as Capernaum stands for the City of Chorazin standeth upon the East side of the River Iordan where it falleth into the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum upon the West in the half Tribe of Manasses some 16 miles from the City of Ierusalem towards the North. This City also neglecting the preachings and miracles of our Saviour Christ felt the efficacy and force of the curse of the Son of God Mat. 11. Luc. 10. For there is not at this day a house to be seen only some ruines where it stood Chorazin doth denote a Dukedom 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 mystery or my secret Of Tiberias TIberias standeth upon the West side of the Sea of Galilee 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Before the Birth of Christ it was cal-called Kinnereth that is the City of the Harp after which name the Lake of Tiberias or the Sea of Galilee is called Numb 14. But Herod the Teârarch of Galilee at whose command Iohn the Baptist was beheaded did beautifie this City with many fair Buildings and compassed it about with strong Walls and after Caesar's name called it Tiberias He also gathered thither many Inhabitants and endowed it with many large Priviledges for although this place before the restoring of the City was very filthy and impure by reason of the dead Bodies both of Men and Beasts which lay in that place from whence it happened that the Iewes shunned this place as utterly unlawful and durst not dwell there yet notwithstanding Herod with singular Industry and Diligence removed all that filthiness and in that very place built up this City both fair and spacious partly with Gifts partly with fair Speeches alluring many Iews to inhabit therein Many poor People also built themselves houses at their own charge and those that had no Children gave way unto the liberty of the City besides many rich and noble men were constrained to remove their whole
Families and to dwell in this City so that in short time it became very well peopled according to Ios. lib. Antiq. 18. cap. 4. Egisip lib. 2. cap. 3. Not above two miles from Tiberias towards the South upon the shore of the Sea of Galilee stood Tarachaea a Town wherein Iosephus dwelt Now it happened that the Citizens of Tiberias upon some discontent and as it was thought at the instigation of one Clitus fell into Rebellion of which Iosephus having certain intelligence he caused all the Gates of Terachaea to be shut lest any man going thence should disclose his intentions or any coming from Tiberias should move that City also to Rebellion and then privily sent out a command to assemble all the Ships and other Vessels that were upon the Sea or Lake even to the number of 230 Ships all which he caused to be manned only with four men apiece and of a sudden sailed towards Tiberias But when he came within view of the City so that the Citizens from the Wall might discern the Ships he lest the Body of the Navy a good way remote from Tiberias and took only one Ship manned with seven men and went close to the City of Tiberias as it seemed to have had a parly with the Citizens but they seeing such a multitude of Ships and the bold resolution of Iosephus supposing that they had been sufficiently manned and contained a great Army were greatly afraid insomuch that they cast away their Arms and came out of the City with humble Petitions to Iosephus intreating him to spare the City and to take pity on the Inhabitants Notwithstanding he utterly refused to shew them any mercy unless they would deliver unto him the Ruler of the City which they did so he settled the Affairs of that Town and took the Ruler thereof with him to Terachaea where he committed him to Prison But after it being certainly found out that one Clitus was the principal Author of this Rebellion he sent Leuyn one of his Guard with command to apprehend him and cut off both his Hands of which punishment Clytus being certainly informed with tears and prayers humbly besought this Leuyn that he would spare one of his hands and he would willingly lose the other which with much ado was granted him upon condition that he would cut off his own Hand so he took his Sword and cut off his left Hand which being done Iosephus returned the Captives to Tiberias and received the Inhabitants again into favour and ever after retained it in obedience Vespasian also invaded this City at such time as he undertook his Expedition against Ierusalem as it appeareth in Iosephus lib. de bello Iud. cap. 16. but the Inhabitants fearing his greatness willingly submitted themselves to his power and opened him the Gates going forth of the City to meât him with great humility giving him and his whole Army entertainment into the City receiving him with Musick and Songs and with great Acclamations and shouts calling him their Saviour and Protector which kind of Courtesies the Emperour took very lovingly and in token of thankfulness for this kindness he commanded his Souldiers after they had broken down a great part of the Wall upon the South side that they should abstain from all manner of Rapin and Violence so that he continued there peaceably and went away peaceably This City to this day as Borchardus the Monk saith is a fair Town scituated to the Longitude upon the shore of the said Sea there being upon the South side many wholesom Baths and Springs and there are to be seen also many great ruins of decayed Buildings The Land also round about is very pleasant and fertil abounding with Palm Trees Vines Olives and Figs. This City in antient time was scituated in the Tribe of Issaâhar Of Tyrus or Zor THIS was the chief City of Phoenicia distant from Ierusalem 100 miles towards the North. It was first built by the Citizens of Zidon because of a Sedition that happened in that City 240 years before the Temple of Solomon as Iosephus saith just in the place where at this day the ruins of antient Tyre are to be seen But after it began to grow famous which was about such time as Troy was destroyed King Angenor removed it to a Rock 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 fairly scituated for the entertainment of Ships for which purpose on every side there were many saâe Havens and Harbours made It was but a small Town almost three miles about and two miles wide yet the great Mart Town in those Parts for Merchants resorted thither from all the three Parts of the World Europe Asia and Africa as well for the uttering 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 upon which Continent they had obtained a portion of Land for the maintenance of the City containing 19000 paces in compass The Citizens also being greatly inriched because of their traffick built up many fair Cities and Towns in more remote parts which was added to their jurisdiction as Leptis Vtica and Carthage scituated in Africa They also built Cades which at this day is called Caliz as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 19. being scituated in a very fair Island in the Mediterranean Sea not far from Hercules Pillars insomuch as the Citizens of this Town having thus inlarged their command and increased their substance in every place they called themselves Princes and took upon them to wear Scarlet and Purple which colours in that place above all other colours were most artificially died And because of the rarity of them transported thence into many Countries more remote But because of their extreme arrogance and pride it was twice conquered and ruinated First by Nabuchadonozer Emperour of Babylon and then by Alexander the Great as it appeareth in Quint. Curtius lib. in the Life of Alexander Now the occasion that Alexander made war upon this City was because the Citizens upon a time sending unto him certain Ambassadors with a Crown of Gold in token of friendship and to congratulate his Prosperity which he accepted very kindly and gave them Royal entertainment as to his Friends amongst other things he told them that he would come unto their City and do sacrifice to their god Hercules for the Kings of the Macedonians are perswaded that they proceed from the off-spring of that god and beside he was commanded by an Oracle so to do But the Ambassadors of Tyre answered that the Temple of Hercules stood without the City in Paaetzton where ancient Tyre stood so that the King might easily come thither to do sacrifice but Alexander hearing these words could not contain himself but in a great anger answered
And do ye proud Citizens put such trust in the strength and scituation of your City that you think I am not able to come to it with my Army by Land You shall well perceive within this short space that you are scituated upon the Continent and that I will enter it and sack it With these terrible words the Ambassadors departed and shortly after Alexander followed them with a great and mighty Army But when it was known that Alexander had undertaken the sacking of this City there were many that thought it almost impossible for him to accomplish his designs first because of the inconstancy of the Winds and the vehemency of the Water whereby all such matter as they cast into the Sea to joyn it to the Continent would be driven away by the violence of the Water again the City was compassed about with such exceeding high Walls and fortified with such strong Towers that it was not possible for him to bring any Engines to batter them or fasten any scaling Ladders to ascend them unless it were by Ships Twice Alexander attempted by flinging into the Sea mighty Trees of Libanus and heaps of the ruins of ancient Tyre to have made a Bridge to it or else joyn it to the Continent insomuch as the Tyrians mocked the Macedonians saying What can your King Alexander conquer Neptune the God of the Sea For the violence of the Sea was so extream that it carried away all things with it and oftentimes broke the Ships that were joyned together to make a Bridge and drowned the Souldiers that besieged and fought against the City During this Siege a Citizen of Myrus dreamt that their Idol Apollo would depart from them whereupon they bound the Image of Apollo with a Chain of Gold unto the Pillar whereon he stood that he might not leave them There happened also a horrible ostent amongst the Macedonians for a certain Souldier breaking Bread there fell from it some few drops of Bloud at the hearing of which accident Alexander was greatly amazed until he was resolved by one Aristander a very skilful Prophet that if it issued from off the outside of the Bread it had betokened a heavy event to the Macedonians but in regard that it issued from the inside of the Bread it foreshewed that he should forthwith conquer the Town he had so long besieged and so it happened for when Alexander had besieged the City for the space of seven months with great difficulty he won it but before he could win it he was constrained to use a great multitude of Ships and fasten them together with iron bands upon which placing many Engines of battery and other offensive instruments what with the moving of the Ships and the extream Violence of the battery they overcame the City This exploit Alexander performed when he was 25 years of age and about 300 years before Christ. There was one thing that Alexander did during his Siege that was memorable for before any of his Souldiers would attempt to ascend the Walls he went in Person with his Crown upon his head and Princely Armour and scaled a high Tower of the City where he exprest an extraordinary resolution and by reason of his courage did great hurt to the Enemy who perceiving him to be the King resorted to that place in great heaps and shot at him with all their might but he manfully defended himself and compelled the enemy to fly In this assault there were 6000 of the Inhabitants slain and after he had entred the Walls and sackt the City he caused 2000 to be tyed to crosses and thrown into the Sea From whence may be gathered that God by this young Prince did accomplish this great Work that the Prophecies of the Prophets Esay 23. Ieremy 43. and Ezekiel 25 26. might be fulfilled Afterward Alexander as Pliny and Strabo observe caused the Sea to be filled up that it might be no more an Island and joyned it to the Continent upon which place he caused Tyrus to be rebuilded and compassed it about with a Wall five and twenty foot thick strengthened with twelve Towers that it might be sufficiently fortified to oppose the incursion of any Enemy so that it continued safe a long time after and in the time of our Saviour Christ was a fair City though it never attained to the former dignity and Power that it had before Alexander conquered it The ancient City of Tyre was distant from this City about four miles towards the South Our Saviour Christ being in the borders of Tyrus and Sidon helpt a Woman of Canaan whose Daughter had been cruelly tormented with a Devil Matt. 15. In the time of Dioclesian the Emperour there were many Martyrs put to death in this City And at this time it is called by the name of El porta del Zur that is the Haven of Zur as it was in the old Testament called by the name of Zor In the year 1100. when the holy Land was in the hands of the Christians there was an Archbishop of Tyre under whose Government were the Bishops of Ptolomais Sidon and Beryti c. The holy man Origen lieth buried in this City in the Church of the holy Sepulchre which is compassed about and fortified with a mighty strong Wall There also lies buried the Emperour Frederick Barbarosso who died Anno 1160 after he had done many valiant acts and sought many great Battels for the Christians against the Turks and Saracens being overcome by Saphadinus the Sultans Son and put to flight was drowned in the River of Suro to the great grief of his Army but he left behind him a famous report Pope Alexander the third being a great Enemy to this Emperour in S. Marys Church in the City of Venice when this Prince submitted himself to his Holiness set his Foot upon his neck repeating these Words Thou shalt tread upon the Aspe and upon the Basilisk c. Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History saith that there are yet standing in Tyre certain Marble Pillars and other precious Stones of wonderful greatness that it amazeth such as behold them neer to which there have been many Christians and Pilgrims put to death by the Saracens There are also four Wells of wholsome and pleasant Water standing not far from it Of which Wells you may read before Of Zidon THIS also was a City of Phoenicia scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea thirty six miles from Ierusalem towaâd the North and sixteen from Tyrus In times past it was assigned to the Tribe of Ashur and lay upon the borders of the Philistines neer to Mount Libanus Being called Sidon or Zidon of Zidon the Son of Canaan who first built it Gen. 10. and signifies a Hunter It was a notable Mart Town wherein much Sattin was made which kind of stuff was very precious among the Iewes and it is said that Ioseph of Arimathia wrapped the Body of our Saviour in white Satin for in Matthew 27. it is called
Upon the 40 day after his Resurrection he returned fifty six miles to Ierusalem where his Disciples were assembled together and upon the fourteenth day of May in the sight of all the Apostles with great triumph and joy he ascended up into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of his Father in Divine Majesty and Glory Mar. Luke ult Act. 1. Psal. 28. Ephes. 1. 1. Pet. 3. Heb. 1. So these Travels of our Saviour Christ were 319 miles But if you reckon his Travels from the time of his infancy to the day of his Ascension they make 3093 miles besides his general Visitations and Journeys hither and thither which were so many that as Iohn witnesseth cap. vlt. they could not be described Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Jericho THIS City stood very pleasantly in the Tribe of Benjamin ten miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Ioshuah overcame this Town by sounding of Trumpets Ios. 6. Heb. 11. It was rebuilt by Hiel and was compassed about with a new wall by Herod that mighty King of the Iewes who put the Innocent Children to death and called it after his Mothers Name Cyprus Ios. de Bell. Iud. lib. 1. cap. 16. And although this City was taken and utterly overthrown the second time by the Romans at such time as Vespasian and his Son Titus wasted and destroyed Ierusalem and all the Land of Iudaea yet afterward it was re-edified and in St. Ieroms time which was 400 years after Christ it was a fair City There was shewn the House of Zaccheus and the Sycomore-tree that he went up to see Christ Luk. 19. But by reason of the often destructions and devastations that hath fallen upon it there is not to be seen at this day above eight Houses in the Town and all the Monuments and Reliques of the holy Places are utterly destroyed the House of Zaccheus and the Sicomore-tree are no more to be seen in that Place only the Place is to be seen where our Saviour restored the blind man to sight when he cryed after him Lord thou Son of David have mercy upon me Luke chap. 18. Also though the Country throughout be very fruitful and pleasant yet it is nothing so fertile and pleasant as it was when the Children of Israel did dwell there For the Roses of Iericho are no more to be found there but rather in a Village about sixteen miles from Iordan towards the East And although they stand so far distant off yet they retain their ancient name Between Ierusalem and Iericho there is a Desart or Wilderness which by the Inhabitants of the holy Land is called Quarentena where the man of which Christ speaketh fell among Thieves Luke 10. There is in the same place at this day great thieving and many Robberies committed as Brittenbacchus saith In this Place also is to be seen the River Chereth where the Ravens fed Eliah 1 Reg. 17. Near to Iericho also is found the River the Water whereof Elizeus made sweet by casting in Salt whereas before it was bitter and it remains very pleasant and sweet to this day 2 Reg. 2. Of Ephraim THIS City is so called from the pleasantness and fruitfulness of the Soil being derived from Parah to fructifie It lieth 8 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward just in the way as you go from thence to Iericho in the Wilderness of Quarentena close by the River Chereth in the Tribe of Benjamin Here our Saviour Christ after he had raised Lazarus from Death to Life hid himself with his Disciples because the Iewes sought to take away his Life by deceit The Passover following he was made a sacrifice for the Sin of man Ioh. 11. Of Bethania THIS City was a type of the Church which is always subject to the Cross and exposed to every calamity and therefore is called Bethania that is The House of Sorrow and Affliction being derived of Baith a House and Oni Affliction According to the prophecy of our Saviour who foretold of the Afflictions and Tribulations that should fall upon his Church You shall mourn but you shall be comforted and your grief shall be turned into joy It was distant from Ierusalem almost two miles towards the South-East Borchardus the Monk observeth that close by a Well about a stones cast out of this Town there is shewed the place where Martha met our Saviour Christ when he came to Bethania and a little after called her Sister to meet him Ioh. cap. 11. There is also shewn in this Town the House of Simon the Leper where a certain Woman having an Alablaster box of precious Ointment poured it on our Saviours head not without the great indignation of his Disciples Mat. 26. There is also to be seen the house of Martha to which our Saviour did oftentimes resort Luke 10. Iohn 11. and 12. and in that place there is at this day a Church built in honour of those two Sisters which were the Sisters of Lazarus There is also seen the Sepulchre out of which Lazarus was raised from death to life Iohn 11. which stands close by the said Church and over it is built a Chappel of Marble very decent and comely The Saracens hold this Chappel in great estimation You cannot see the City of Ierusalem from Bethania because of the Mount of Olives but as soon as you ascend a little Hill in the way as you go thence to Ierusalem you may discern Mount Sion and a part of the City then when you are descended from that Hill the City is again hidden After that upon the left side of the Mount of Olives some stones cast from Bethpage you do leave a small Village standing under the Mountain of Offence where Solomon in times past committed Idolatry From this Village the Ass and the Colt was brought unto Christ. Not far from thence upon the South side as you go upon the Mount of Olives you come unto the place where Christ mounted upon the Ass as we read Mat. 21. And a little after you may see the whole City of Ierusalem with Solomon's Temple and the Church of the holy Sepulchre with many other holy places Then as you descend from the top of the Mount of Olives you may see the place where the multitude cried Hosanna Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord. And in this descent also our Saviour Christ wept over Ierusalem saying O Ierusalem Ierusalem how often would I have gathered thee under my Wings as a Hen gathereth her Chickens but thou wouldest not Of Bethpage BEthpage standeth upon the right hand of the way towards the East as you go from Bethania to Ierusalem and as St. Ierom saith was sometimes a Habitation of the Priests which at their appointed times went up to Ierusalem to minister to the Lord. It was so called because of the multitude of Figs that grow there for Pagim signifies a Fig Cant. 2. Bethpage is a notable type of the Church for that ought likewise to be fruitful and
In this Monument our Saviour Christ was buried and from this Place upon the third Day early in the Morning he rose to the terrour and astonishment of such as watched the Sepulchre From whence may be gathered that as our first Parents Adam and Eve trespassed against God and lost Felicity in a Garden so Christ the Son of God in a Garden made satisfaction for that Sin restored us again to Grace and make us capable of heavenly felicity This Sepulchre as it is described by S. Iohn when he went with S. Peter to see if that notable Miracle of the Resurrection were true was like a little Chappel the door thereof being upon the outside and was but one Room without any division so that a Man might see all that was within it for he saith Joh. 20. That he did not go in but look'd in and saw the linnen Cloaths where they lay wrapped up from whence may be concluded that that Sepulchre which is now extant howsoever perhaps it may stand in the same place is not the same Sepulchre wherein our Saviour Christ was buried for it is described to be four square to be open at the top to have within it two Vaults an inward and an outward and that you descend to it by Stairs as you may read at the beginning of this Treatise which description doth not agree with that of St. John's Again St. John saith that they rolled a great Stone to the door of the Sepulchre did not lay it upon the top of it Also Eusebius and Nicephorus affirm that the Pagans and other heathen People filled up the Sepulchre of Christ with Earth and built up in the place the Temple of Venus and in it put her Image where she was worshipped a long time after untill such time as that godly Emperess Hellen caused that Temple to be abolished and the Sepulchre cleansed and purified Afterwards at her instigation Constantine the Great who was her Son built up in the very same place a fair and goodly Church in the memory of our Saviour and bestowed great cost both in the workmanship and in beautifying it with Gold and Silver This Temple as it was before it was destroyed by the Saracens is said to be built all of white polished Marble and beautified with Stones of divers colours gilt with Gold and Silver covered on the out side with Lead to withstand the storms and showers of Rain that happened but the inside was gilt all with splendent and refulgent Gold which cast a wonderful lustre upon the Beholders Upon either side of it were two walking Galleries one above which was close and another below which was open extending themselves the length of the Sanctuary all the Roof and Vault being covered over with Gold and artificial Work the one being supported with Pillars of Marble the other with Posts of Wood plaited with Silver There were also three Gates towards the East very fitly and fairly disposed by which the multitude that resorted thither go in and out within these there stood an Arch representing after a sort the Hemisphere of the Heavens extended to the top of the Sanctuary like a Circle girded about with twelve Pillars of equal bigness representing the twelve Apostles and upon the top of this Arch were placed Cups of Silver beautifully burnished All which the said Emperour dedicated to God for a Monument There were many other memorable things that did belong to this Temple which were admirable to look on all which as you came up the high-street from the market place were presented to your view a stately sight the like whereof those parts did not afford This Temple was built by the Emperour Constantine Anno Dom. 333. Venerable Bede who was a Dr. of Divinity and lived in England 700 years after Christ described the holy Sepulchre after this manner This Sepulchre over head was something round and so high that a man could scarce touch it with his hand standing in that Rock which extendeth it self to Mount Calvary into the Garden of Joseph of Arimathea representing in form a little Chappel the entrance thereinto was towards the East And further he addeth that they which went into this Vail found on the right hand toward the North a stone Tomb which resembled a Coffin scituated in the pavement joyning to the Wall which stone Coffin was of a mix'd colour that is white and red being seven Foot long and three handfuls high This description Venerable Bede received from certain Monks that went upon devotion to Ierusalem to visit this Sepulchre but since it hath been divers times destroyed and polluted by the Turks and other Heathen People From whence may be gathered that the Sepulchre which is now standing and shewed unto Pilgrims is some device of the Monks to get Money of Strangers and procure a kind of Devotion in the hearts of Ignorant People wherefore as the Angel said Mark 16. Let us not seek Christ any longer among the dead or in the Grave but in his holy Church where the lively pourtraiture of his Divine Presence is set forth unto us that so we may be made partakers with him hereafter in that place of eternal Glory Concerning the residue of this description you may see it before Of Emmaus THIS City or Castle of Emmaus is distant from Jerusalem almost eight miles towards the North-West It signifies the Mother of Fortitude being derived of Em a Mother and Vtz which the Hebrews call Fortitude It stood where three several ways were that so it might serve for a direction to Passengers From whence Melancton saith that it was a notable type of the Church which is our true Mother shewing us the way unto eternal Life And although it be but little and the number in it few yet it is strong As the Castle though it were small yet it is almost invincible and for that cause called The Mother of Strength as the Church is called The Mother of the Righteous against which the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevail In the time of Iudas Macchabeâs though it was then a small City it was numbred amongst the greatest Cities of Iuda because of the scituation and strength of it To this place our Saviour travelled from Ierusalem the same day that he arose from the Dead Luke 24. In the time of the Romans Wars in Iudaea this City was wonderfully defaced and ruined by the Souldiers of Tiberius Maximus who was Chief Captain in this Country in the absence of Titus Vespâsian but yet not utterly abolished for about a hundred and fifty years after Heliogabolus Emperour of Rome caused it to be rebuilded and called by the name of Nicopolis that is The City of Victory Not far from Emmaus there was an Inn or a place to which Strangers might resort and there three ways met two went of either side the Town and one through it in this place the two Disciples constrained our blessed Saviour to stay with them because it was then about
Sun-set Near unto this Inn Nicephorus and Zozemenus say in their Ecclesiastical History there was a Spring or Well of that admirable Vertue that if either Man or Beast that was infirm or sick did drink of the Water thereof they were immediately restored to their former Health The reason that these Authors have for it because they are impertinent I will omit But to return to the City of Emmaus as it is now called Nicopolis being scituated eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East in the way as you go thence to Ioppa the Countrey round about it being very fertile and pleasant by reason of the Rivers and Springs wherewith it is watered as Pliny saith l. 5. c. 14. and much altered from that which it was in times past But because you may read more of this City in Pliny as it is at this day and in Nicephorus and Eusebius I leave to speak further of it Of Simon of Cyrene THIS Simon which carried the Cross of our Saviour Christ was born in Kir a City in Africa scituated sixteen miles from Ierusalem towards the West Mat. 27. Luk. 23. In which City Tiglath Phulasser Emperour of the Assyrians planted many of the Inhabitants of Damascus after he had conquered that City 2 Reg. 16. This City and the Country round about it by reason of these new Inhabitants by little and little changed the name and whereas in former times it was called Kir in the time of our Saviour it was commonly called Cyrene and this Man of that Country Simon of Cyrene At this day it is a strong and beautiful City scituated between Mareotides and Zeugitania at first built by Battus whom Callimachus the Poet claimeth to be his Progenitor This Battus was a mighty King in Africa but was one that had a great impediment in his Speech insomuch that many think this word ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã to have been originally used by him and by none other Afterward as is said Tiglath Phulasser having obtained the Jurisdiction of this City planted the People of Daâascus in it and they obtaining some Power there continued till a long time after Christ and imbraced the Religion of the Jews built up Synagogues and dispersed that Law in many parts of those Quarters There were some of this Country that opposed that holy Martyr Stephen and were consenting to his death There were many learned men in it as Eratosthenes the Mathematician Callimacus the Poet both which were had in great estimation among the Aegyptians Carneades also the Academian Cronus Appolonus and Hegesias the Philosopher of whom Cicero speaketh in the fifth Book of his Tusculans and Eratosthenes the Historian who was Son of Agaclis Salust saith that this City in his time was so mighty that it maintained War against the Carthaginians for their Bounds and Limits of their Fields and Grounds a long time and Iustin lib. 39. that they maintained War against two Nations the Phoenes and the Egyptians in which Wars they gave Aprius the King of the Egyptians such a mighty overthrow that there were very few of his Army that returned into his Country with him as Horodot affirmeth lib. 4. there were also many Great Princes that ruled in this City of which because you may read in divers other Authors more at large I omit to speak of them Of Joseph of Arimathea who buried Christ. THIS Ioseph which caused our Saviour Christ to be buried in his Garden was a rich man upright and just in all his Actions a Senator of Ierusalem and one that expected the Kingdom of God born at Arimathea a City of the Iews Luc. 23. This City was sometime called Ramathaim Sophim and sometime Ramah because it was scituated in a high place and in times past was a fair City standing 16 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west the description whereof you may read before At this day it is called Ramalea being nothing so fair as it was but like a Country Town the Houses being carelesly dispersed here and there lying without Walls or Bulwarks to defend it notwithstanding the ancient ruines of the former City is to be seen even at this day There is also a great Inn or resting place for Strangers having within it many Rooms for the receipt of Passengers and a Well of very sweet Water This House was first purchased at the charge of Philip Duke of Burgundy and by him committed to the protection of the Monks of Mount Sion by whom it is at this day made an Hospital wherein Pilgrims Travellers and Strangers are entertained and find much relief In an inward Orchard belonging to this Hospital there is a fair plat of Ground that bringeth forth great abundance of Aloes of which there is often mention in the holy Scriptures but more especially in Psalm 48. Thy Garments smell of Aloes and Cassia when thou comest out of thy Ivory Palaces where they have made thee glad Nicodemus a Prince of the Iews together with Ioseph of Arimathea brought with them an hundred pound of Aloes mixed with Myrrh to embalm the Body of our Saviour Christ when they had begged it of Pilate before they buried it Ioh. 19. Myrrh is a kind of Gum that issueth out of a Tree that grows in the East Countries but principally in Arabia The Tree out of which it issueth is commonly two Yards and a half high with some Pricks upon it the Bark whereof being cut there issueth out of it drops like Tears which congealeth into a Gum and is called Myrrh The principal Vertue that it hath is to keep the Bodies of the dead incorruptable see Pli. li. 12. ca. 15. 16. In Arabia Foelix there is such abundance of sweet Myrrh Frankincense and other odoriferous Gums that such as Sail in the red Sea may easily smell the savour of them There is also found in the Holy Land Myrrh and Aloes Aloes is the juyce of a certain bitter Herb which by some is called Everliving it killeth the Worms and preserveth from Putrifaction it is also good for the Sight There is to be gathered in India Arabia and the Holy Land a certain Herb of an extraordinary sweet smell with Leaves broad fat and juycy which being press'd yieldeth more Aloes than Honey from whence this metaphorical Proverb is used Quod plus molestiae quam voluptatis gignit that is more troublesome than profitable You may read also in Plautus that the Life of Man tasteth more of Aloes than Honey and Iuvenal speaking of an evil Wife saith she hath more of Aloes than Honey So Euripides Every sweet hath his sowre So also the Holy Cross seemeth to have more of Aloes than Honey notwithstanding it preserveth us from eternal Corruption and killeth the venemous Worms of Conscience cleanseth us from our Sins and freeth us from the fear of the Devil and eternal Death that so we might be recreated and by the Faith of our Saviour be raised up at the last day and partake with him in his everlasting
Kingdom according to that of Iohannes Taulerus Where the Cross there the Light where Temptation there Prayer and Regeneration c. The Travels of Peter IN the thirty fifth year after the Nativity of Christ about the Month of Ianuary and a little before the Conversion of the Apostle Paul Peter and Iohn were sent from Ierusalem to Samaria being thirty two miles that the Samaritans might receive that admirable gift of the Holy Ghost and there they disputed with Simon Magus Acts 8. From Samaria they returned back again to Ierusalem which was thirty two miles In this Jonrney they went to divers Towns of the Samaritans teaching and preaching unto them the Doctrine of the Gospel Acts 8. In the sixth year after the Resurrection of Christ Peter went to Lidda which was distant from Ierusalem twenty miles towards the North-East where he cured Aeneas who had lain sick eight years of the Palsie upon his Bed Acts. 9. From thence he went to Ioppa which was three miles here he raised Tabitha from Death Acts 9. In the seventh year after the Resurrection of Christ Peter went from Ioppa and came to Caesarea Strato which was six and thirty miles where he preached the Gospel to Cornelius the Centurion and baptized him and his whole Family Acts. 10. Clemens Recogn lib. 9. From Caesarea he returned to Ierusalem being thirty two miles where being accused for going to the Gentiles he excused himself Acts 11. In the eleventh year after the Resurrection of Christ he was cast into Prison and set at liberty by an Angel of God Acts 12. So he went secretly from Ierusalem as it was thought into the Desart or to some other unknown place upon the second day of August in the same year Herod Agrippa King of the Iews was struck by an Angel of God at Caesarea and he was devoured of Worms Acts 12. Ioseph Antiq. lib. 19. cap. 4. After Herod Agrippa being dead and buried Peter returned to Ierusalem where he was in Council with the rest of the Apostles about sixteen years after the Resurrection of Christ and fourteen after the Conversion of Paul Gal. 2. Acts 15. See also Bede upon the Acts of the Apostles In the seventeenth year after the Resurrection of Christ Peter went from Ierusalem and came to Antiochia in Syria which Journey was 280 miles there Paul resisted him Gal. 2. From Antiochia he went to Babylon in Egypt where he wrote his first Epistle this Journey was 520 miles So all his Travels which are mentioned in the Scripture were 955 miles Allegations of the Author to prove that Peter was never at Rome BUT that Peter was twenty five years seven Months and five days Bishop and Chief Priest of Rome cannot be proved by the testimony of the Scripture and is utterly repugnant to the supputation and true accompt of the times First Because it is manifest by that which hath been said that he continued at Ierusalem and in Iudaea during the time that Tiberius Caligula and Claudius were Emperours of Rome And shortly after the Martyrdom of Stephen he and Iohn were sent into Samaria that the Samaritans might also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Acts 8. Paul also in the third year after his Conversion came to Ierusalem and there spoke with Peter and remained with him fifteen days Acts 9. Gal. 1. Fourteen days after the Conversion of Paul Peter was at the Apostolical Council held in Ierusalem and there with Iames and Iohn gave the right hand of Fellowship to Paul and Barnabas that they should go and preach the Gospel unto the Gentiles and that he and the rest would go to the Iews and those that were circumcised Gal. 2. In the time of Claudius Caesar Peter was committed to Prison by Herod Agriâpa in Ierusalem and miraculously delivered by the Angel of God Acts 10. In the ninth year of Claudius Caesar Peter was at Antiochia in Syria where Paul resisted him to his face Gal. 2. All these things manifestly prove that the Apostle Peter was not at Rome at such time as any of these three viz. Tiberius Caligula and Claudius were Emperours but either in Ierusalem or else at Antiochia in Syria Secondly it may exactly be made evident out of the holy Scriptures that Peter was not at Rome in the time of Nero. For in the second year of Nero Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans and sent it from Corinth by the hand of Phebe in which Epistle he saluted all his Friends which he had in that City by name as by the conclusion of the Epistle more plainly appeareth but there is no mention of the Apostle Peter who if at that time Bishop of that place surely should not have been omited Also in the fifth year of Nero Paul being then in Prison at Rome wrote his Epistles to the Galatians Ephesians Philipâians Colossians and to Philemon and in the conclusion of these Epistles he expresly nameth all his Friends that he had in Rome yet makes no mention of Peter And when he was the second time in Prison under Nero in the last year of the Reign of this Emperour he wrote from Rome his second Epistle to Timothy being a little before his death at the end of which Epistle he plainly shews that he had no Companion there but Luke 2 Tim. 4. From whence it is manifest that Peter during all the Pilgrimage and Life of Paul was never at Rome how then can it possibly be that Peter should be Bishop of Rome for the space of almost twenty six years Truly there are many learned men and they also of great Judgment which hold this Opinion false and utterly repugnant to Holy Scripture neither can be proved by any good Authors or Histories But if Peter were ever at Rome he came thither after the last Imprisonment of Paul and a few years before his Martyrdom Because as Onuphrius saith in Comment fast lib. 2. also Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 22. and Tertul. Cont. Marcion Peter and Paul in the thirty fifth year after the Resurrection of Christ and upon the third day of the Calends of Iuly C. Fonteius Caâitonius and C. Iulius Rufus being then Cousuls of Rome were crowned with the Wreath of Martyrdom and with their Blood sealed the Truth of the Gospel But there are others of Opinion that Peter never 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 doubtful and not greatly material I leave it to the Reader 's consideration Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Samaria BEcause I have before briefly intreated of the Beginning and Foundation of this City I shall not need here again to repeat it I will now therefore shew the end of it which was principally caused by the obstinancy of the Inhabitants who refusing the Doctrine and Prophecy of Elias and Elizeus imbraced and followed strange Gods and offered Incense unto Idols whereby the wrath of God was kindled
against them insomuch that he left this goodly City as a Prey to the Gentiles and Foreign Nations that carried the People thereof into Captivity where for a long time they remained in great misery After the first desolation because the Country round about this City was very fertile and pleasant abounding with Springs Rivers Vines Olive Gardens Mountains fruitful Vallies fair Cities and strong Castles and Towns Herod Ascalonites that great King of the Iews who put to death the innocent Children re-edified it set up many goodly buildings beautified with Marble Pillars and pleasant Walks And also in the circuit of the Kings House and under the buildings of the Nobility in the common Market-place the Houses and Vaults were supported with Marble Pillars according to the manner of the Iews The Palace called the Kinâs House stood in the midst of the City upon the top of the Mountain and round about it there were divers other buildings set up but much lower even about the descent of the Mountain yet scituated that the Inhabitants might see out of their Houses the Country round about Then close to the Palace in the upper part of the City he caused a Temple to be built in honor of Augustus Thus having finished the inside he compass'd it about with a mighty Wall and upon that placed many Turrets and then to flatter Augustus called it by the name of Sebasten which among the Grecians signifies Augustum venerabile Principem now although this City was very glorious and spacious in those times for it was three miles about yet at this day it is utterly ruined and destroyed insomuch that there is not a House standing two Churches only excepted which were built in honour of St. Iohn Baptist and the chief of these which was the Cathedral Church the Saracens have converted to their use so that at this day Mahomet is worshipped in it In this stood the Sepulchre of St. Iohn Baptist cut out in Marble like the Sepulchre of Christ where as Hierom saith he lieth buried between Elisha and Obediah the Prophets This Church stands upon the side of the Mountain in the descent The Saracens do principally reverence St. Iohn Baptist next after Christ and they affirm the Virgin Mary to have conceived by the holy Spirit and not by the Seed of Man That St. Iohn was the greatest Prophet except Christ that ever was They also believe Christ to be the Son of God but not to be equal with God Yet they prefer Mahomet before both because they hold him a Messenger sent from God not unto all Men but only unto the Saracens and Turks and their Subjects The other Church which stood in Samaria was upon 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 Humanity and furnished them with many Necessaries But the City of Samaria it self hath been so often overthrown and brought to such extream misery that almost all the Ground where it stood is at this time converted 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 and the whole City wherein he dwelt which was the strength of his Kingdom into an Olive Garden There are not so many ruins found through all the Land of Iudaea though there have been many worthy Cities destroyed as are in this place at this day The scituation of this City was very beautiful for a man might have seen from it to the Sea of Ioppae and Antipatris also to Caesarea Palestina and thorough all the Mountain of Ephraim to Ramatha Sophim and so to Mount Carmel and the City of Ptolomais Of Lidda THIS City was scituated not far from Ioppa upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea 20 miles from Ierusalem North-wâââward In this City Peter healed Aeneas who had been sick eight years of the Palsie At this day there is nothing to be seen but the Church of St. George who was beheaded by the Emperour Dioclesian for professing the Christiaâ Fâith The Grecians call this Town Diospolis i. An holy Town And the Turks account St. George for a valiant Knight and holy man Of Caesarea Strato THIS City was scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea some 32 miles from Jerusalem North-ward in ancient time it was called Strato being first built by Strato King of Sidon But time having 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 built a fair Haven to oppose the violence of the Sea This Haven was so wonderfully coâtrived and set up at such a great charge that it was admirable to look upon for he laid the foundation of it twenty yards under Water burying in the deep Stones of an extraordinary greatness some fifty foot long eight foot thick and ten foot broad and many of them more The Haven it self was beautified with fair Buildings and goodly Walls supported with Marble Pillars and mounted up aloft so that you might see the Ships as they were upon the Sea and made way to his Harbour The entrance into it was upon the North at the mouth thereof there stood three mighty Colosses upon Marble Pillars He also placed upon the Wall of the City towards the Haven 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 joyned to this Haven were all of white polished Marble and the Streets of the City were directly towards it Also the Market-place where they bought and sold was not far from it Upon a little Hill close by this Port he caused a Church to be built in honour of Augustus Caesar. This Temple was a very magnificent and stately building and in it he caused the Statue of Augustus curiously wrought and cast just in the figure of Iupiter Olympius to be erected and worshipped it as his God There are many other stately and sumptuous buildings that were set up by this King But amongst the rest he bestowed great cost upon the Market-place the Theatre and the Amphitheatre which he wonderfully beautified and instituted certain Games to be there used once every fifth year in Honour of Augustus as Ioseph de Bell. Iud. li. 1. witnesseth After the death of this King Herod Agrippa was made King of the Jews This Prince some ten years after the Resurrection of Christ caused James the Son of Zebedeus upon the 25 day of July to be put to death in Jerusalem and when he perceived it was acceptable unto the Jews in the following year about the the Feast of the Passover he caused Peter to be
after rebuilt this Temple of Diana and made it much fairer than it was before all the Citizens contributing with willing hands to the charge of the building insomuch that the Women brought all their Silver Gold and other pretious Ornaments and communicated them towards this great Work Also in after times those fair Pillars before spoken of were again erected towards the rebuilding whereof they received so many and wonderful Gifts from all the neighbouring Kings Cities and Countries that this Temple might as it was thought compare with all the World beside for Riches and Treasure It was standing in St. Paul's time who came thither about twelve years after the Resurrection of our Saviour and continued there three years in which time he so faithfully and diligently preached the Gospel that he converted most of the Citizens from their Idolatry and Worship of Diana to the reverend Knowledge and Confession of our blessed Saviour For which cause Demetrius the Silver Smith who made a great gain by Idolatry stirred up a great tumult so that the Gentiles running up and down the City for two hours space cried out with a loud voice Great is Diana of the Ephesians Acts 19. Here also Paul fought with Beasts 1 Cor. 15. And to this City Paul wrote his Epistle and sent it from Rome 996 miles He made Timothy also a Bishop of this City to whom he wrot two Epistles the first was sent him from Laodicea to Phrygia being 280 miles the second from Rome as I said By these Epistles Timothy was greatly comforted and taught them to his Disciples and Auditors that so they might constantly continue and persevere in the Christian Faith and Religion to the end To conclude Iohn the Evangelist came also to Ephesus and wrote his Gospel against the Heretick Cerinthus who denyed Christ to be the true God for which cause God grievously punished him so that he died as he was bathing himself in a Bath Irenaeus lib. 5. ca. 3. Euseb. li. 3. c. 22. This was the first Church to which Iohn wrote his Revelation and there when he returned out of Pathmos he raised his Host Drusana from death to life So when he had governed the Churches in Asia thirty years after the death of Paul he died when he was ninety one years old and was honourably buried at Ephesus not far from the City There was also another Iohn that liv'd in Ephesus to whom as many think the Epistles of Iohn the Evangelist were dedicated as Ierom sheweth in his Catalogue of Ecclesiastical Writers The Sepulchre of this man is shewed not far from the Sepulchre of St. Iohn the Evangelist as Euseb. witnesseth lib. 3. cap. 31. At this day this City is named Figlo ho Epheso See Gesner Of Pathmos THIS is an Isle of the Aegean Sea scituated betwixt Asia minor and Grecia 2080 miles from Ierusalem North-Westward Pli. l. 4. c. 12. saith that it was thirty miles in compass Into this Isle the Evangelist was banished by Domitian Nero where he wrote his Revelation It was one of the Cyclad Islands which were fifty three in number that lay round about the Island Delus as Stra. li. 10. Geog. observes It stood forty miles from Ephesus South-Westward and as Petr. Apianus saith was sometimes called Posidius but now Palmosa Of Smyrna THIS is the second City to which Iohn dedicated his Revelation It was scituated in Ionia in Asia minor 540 miles from Ierusalem North-Westward This was a very fair City beautified with many goodly buildings and of good account in Grecia It was at first but a Colony transplanted from another City in that Country But Theseus that great Prince being then King thereof that he might add some grace to that which he had begun he called it after his Wives name Smyrna signifying Myrrh Herodot saith that Homer was born here but not Blind and called by the name of Melisigines but after the Gumaenians called him of his Blindness Homer Strab. li. 14. Geogr. saith that the Inhabitants take upon them to shew his Picture standing there and also a Temple built in his Honour During his Life he was a man of small or no Reputation or rather contemned than honoured as Herod saith But after his death his Works beginning to grow famous the Cities of Greece contended who should Patronize him The Colophonians claim a part in him because he was in that Town and there made some of his Odysses They of Chios say he belonged to them because he lived there a long time and taught School But for ought that can be found by Authors the Smyrnians have most interest in him Nevertheless I leave him to them that please to Patronize him since it is not certainly found where he lived He lived about 900 years before Christ. Eusebius saith Hist. Eccl. lib. 4. cap. 14. that in after-times this City grew very famous and was so much inlarged that it became a Bishops See whereof Polycarâus a very godly and Religious man was Bishop He governed the Church in that place at such time as Iohn the Evangelist wrote his Revelation and by him cap. 2. is called the Angel of the Church of Smyrna This man after he had faithfully preached the Gospel for the space of 86 years was by the Inhabitants thereof condemned to death for the profession of Christ Anno 170. But the town of Smyrna because of the unthankfulness and cruelty of the Inhabitants was grievously punished for within ten years it was cast down by an Earth-quake since which time it was hardly rebuilt again The River Pactolus which beginneth in Lydia runneth by this Town of Smyrna But the Inhabitants because of the golden Veins that are found therein call it Crysorrhoas Plin. lib. 5. cap. 29. A little after that there was such an extreme Plague happened in Rome that they were constrained to carry out the dead Bodies in Carts Thus God turneth the Air and the Earth to the confusion of those that persecute his Church Of Pergamus THIS was another of the Towns whereto Iohn wrote his Revelation It was a famous City and Metropolitan of Mysia scituated in Asia minor 228 miles from Ierusalem North-westward It stood upon a high Rock close by the River Caicus from whence it was called Pergamus For in ancient times all famous and notable places were called amongst the Graecians Pergama as Suidas and Servius observe Strabo lib. 13. saith that in the time of Lysimachus the Son 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 usually kept all his Treasure and those things that were of account and committed the custody of it unto one named Philetaerus an Eunuch of Tyanus But this man being accused to Lysimacus that he would have forced his Wife Arsinoes for fear of some future punishment because of that Offence moved the Inhabitants of that Hold to Rebellion At the same time also there happened many Commotions in
Polemon his Son who for his noble Acts was first by Antonio and then by Augustus Caesar honoured with the Dignity of a King as Strabo witnesseth lib. 12. This Laodicea Colossis and Hierapolis where the Apostle Philip was crucified were sunk by an Earth-quake about the tenth year of Nero and a little before the Martyrdom of Paul There were three Cities called after this Name that is this which stood in Caria to which Paul never came as appeareth in the second Chapter to the Colossians a second stood in Phrigia where Paul wrote his Epistle to Timothy and a third in Syria near to Antiochia Seleucia and Apamea The Travels of Philip. THEN a little after the Martyrdom of Stephen which hapned in the Month of Ianuary thirty and five Years after the Nativity of Christ Philip which was one of the seven Deacons with Stephen Act. 6. went from Ierusalem to Samaria which was thirty and two miles and in many Cities of the Samaritans preached the Gospel and did many Miracles at which time he converted Simon Magus Act. 8. From Samaria he went to Bethzur which was scituated forty and four miles towards the South here Philip baptised the Aethiopian who was Queen 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 Stratâ which was 44 miles So all his Travels were 136 miles Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in his Travels you may read of them in several places mentioned before The Travels of the Aethiopian which was Eunuch to Queen Candaces who kept her Court in Saba FROM Saba or Meroe in Aethiopia this Eunuch came to Ierusalem which was about 964 miles Act. 4. From Ierusalem he came to the Town of Bethzur which was 12 miles here he was baptised by Philip in the Month of Ianuary the next Year after the Resurrection of Christ. From thence he returned to Saba in Aethiopia which was 952 miles So all his Travels were 1928 miles Of Saba THIS City is before mentioned and at this time when the Eunuch came to Ierusalem Candaces governed it and a great part of Aethiopia Tiberius Caesar being then Emperour of Rome She was a very warlike Woman but blind of one Eye as Strabo saith lib. 6. and Pliny lib. 6. cap. 29. In whose time the City Saba was called Meroe and the Queens for many Successions Candaces because of the worthiness of those Queens which had been of that Name This Woman was very well beloved of her Subjects and was very gracious towards them as Suidas saith To this Queen the Eunuch which Philip baptised was chief Steward and no doubt spread the Christian Faith in many places of those parts An Introduction to the Travels of Saint Paul NOW before I enter upon the Travels of the Apostle Paul I thought it fit to make a Collection of all the Countries Islands and Cities wherein he taught so that they which are skillful in Geometry or Cosmography might discern their Longitudes Latitudes and several distances according to the Degrees and Scruples hereafter following Towns 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 42.20 39.40 âegium 39.50 38.15 Towns 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 Cenchera 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 Caesarea Stratonis 66.16 23.25 Joppa 66.40 32.06 Jerusalem 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 Aâtiochia 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 Halicaââassus 57.50 36.10 Gâydus 57.10 35.30 âatara 60.30 36.00 Mira 61.00 36.40 Hycropolis 60.00 38.15 Cities in Egypt Alexandria 60.30 31.00 Memphis Alcayre 61.50 29.50 Hermopolis magna 61.40 28.55 Islands Ciciliae civitatis 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 Eâbea 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 Travels of the Holy Apostle St. Paul with an exact annotation of the Times PAVL was born at Tarsus in Cicilia about the tenth year of the Nativity of our Saviour and was near about the age of St. Iohn the Evangelist as the circumstances of Histories do declare After he grew to some Bigness he was sent by his Parents from thence to Ierusalem being 304 miles where he had not been long brought up with Gamaliel which signifies The Recompence of God Act. 22. but he became the Disciple of Simon the Just Luke 2. Act. 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 St. Stephen who was stoned about the end of the four and thirtieth Year after the Nativity of Christ Act. 1. at which time also St. Iohn the Evangelist was but four and twenty years of Age. If therefore you would observe the Age of the Apostle Paul in this following discourse of his Travels deduct ten from the Years after the Nativity of our Saviour Christ and the Remainder is his Age. At his Circumcision he was called Saul that is a mortal Man but when he was made the Apostle of the Gentiles he was called Paul of which Name there was a noble Family in Rome so called because of the lowness of their Stature and smallness of their Body as Carolus Sigonius observeth In the â Year after the Nativity of Christ Paul was an Inquisitor for private Heresie and a cruel Persecutor of the Gospel The next Year he went from Ierusalem to Damascus in Syria which was 160 miles in which Journey about the 25 day of Ianuary he was converted and upon the 28 day of Ianuary was baptised by Ananias So he stayed some few days in Damascus and taught the Gospel of Christ Act. 9. 22. In the same Year that he was converted the Iews and those that were Enemies to the Gospel went about by deceit to take his Life wherefore he went from Damascus to Arabia Petraea which was 160 miles here he continued teaching the Gospel by the space of three Years that is from the beginning of the 35 to the end of the 37 year after the Nativity of Christ Act. 9.
In the 38 Year after the Nativity of Christ he returned from Arabia Petraea and came to Damascus which was 160 miles and there he diligently taught the Gospel of Christ. But when in the same Year Araeta King of Arabia went about to put him secretly to death he was let down in a Basket over the Wall and so went from Damascus to Ierusalem which was 160 miles and when he came thither he brought Barnabas to the Apostles and shewed them his Conversion and remained with Peter fifteen days preaching the Gospel At this time he saw Iames the Son of Alpheus and Brother of our Lord Acts 9. 2 Cor. 11. Galat. 1. But when his Adversaries that were at Ierusalem went about secretly to put him to death he went from Ierusalem and was brought by the Brethren to Caesarea Strato which was 32 miles Act. 9. About the 38 Year after the Nativity of Christ he went thence into Syria to Tarsus a City of Cilicia which was 272 miles here he continued some Years teaching the Gospel of Christ Gal. 1. 2. Cor. 11. In the 41 Year after the Nativity of Christ and about the seventh Year of his Ministry he was brought by Barnabas from Tarsus to Antiochia in Syria which was 120 miles At this time and in this Town all those that believed in Christ began to be called Christians whereas before they were called Disciples and Brothers Acts 11. These things hapned in the eighth year after the Resurrection of Christ about this time also Matthew wrote his Gospel and Agabus prophesied of the universal Dearth that should happen under Claudius Act. 11. In the 42 year after the Nativity of Christ Paul being then at Antiochia and about 32 years of age was wrap'd up into the third Heaven 14 years before he wrote his second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 12. In the 43 year after the Nativity of Christ the Famin whereof Agabus prophesied being now begun he went with the gifts of the Church from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was 280 miles this year Iames the Elder was beheaded at the Command of Agrippa Act. 11. 12. In the 44 year after the Nativity of Christ Paul and Barnâbas with Peter were delivered out of Prison by the Angel of the Lord. Now having distributed the Gifts of the Church he returned in the Company of Iohn Mark from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was 280 miles So these Travels were 1928 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Tarsus or Tharsus THIS was the Metropolis of Cilicia scituated upon the River of Cydnus which beginning at Mount Taurus runs thence through this Town into the Mediterranean Sea It was first built by Perseus King of the Persians whom the Poets feign to be the Son of Iupiter and Danae and called Tharsus of the Hyacinth stone which as it seemeth is found thereabous It was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North in ancient time a goodly City but through the Injury of the Time and Invasion of the Enemy much impaired and lay almost ruined till as Strabo saith li. 14. it was repaired by Sardanapalus that effeminate King of the Assyrians of whom Tully remembreth this Epitaph lib. 5. Tuscula Haec habeo quae aedi quaeque exatura libido Hausit at illa jacent multa praeclara relicta What things I eat or spend in Sport and Play Those I enjoy the rest I cast away From his time until the Reign of Darius the last King of the Persians it continued in great Prosperity and was become a marvellous stately City the Inhabitants thereof being grown very wealthy but then Alexander the Great making War upon that Prince amongst others brought his Army against this City but the Citizens hearing of his notable Exploits durst not abide his coming therefore they fired the City lest he should make a Prey of their Riches and fled which when Alexander perceived he gave order to Parmenio with all possible speed to quench the Fire and save the City In the mean time the King being press'd with an extraordinary Thirst by reason of the extream Heat that was in that Country the Dust and his long Journey put off his royal Garments and cast himself into the River Cydnus which being a cold Water coming out of the North struck the heat presently inward and so benummed his Sinews that had it not been for the present help of his Souldiers and the extraordinary diligence and care of Philip his Physician he had died immediately notwithstanding by the great Providence of God and the carefulness of his Physician he recovered his dangerous Sickness beyond the expectation of Man and after overcame Darius in a sharp and cruel War near to a place called Issa as you may read before See Plutarch in vita Alexand. and Quintus Curtius From that time forward this City grew to be very famous and daily encreased in Stateliness and fair Buildings And to add more dignity to it there was a famous Academy in which were many learned and rare Philosophers insomuch that they of Tharsus exceeded the Philosophers of Athens and Alexandria for Learning and Knowledge though indeed for number of Scholars and common Resort they exceeded Tharsus Saint Paul was born and brought up in this Town and here learned the Knowledge of the Tongues Philosophy and other good Arts. He also perused the Writings of Aratus Epimenides Menander and other learned Men whose Sayings are here and there dispersed through his Epistles From thence he was sent to Ierusalem where he lived and was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel who was Provost of that Academy and after was converted to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus as appeareth Acts 22. This Town at this day is subject to the Empire of the Turks and called by the Name of Terassa being neither so famous nor so fair a City as in the time when the Roman Empire flourished for then because of the extraordinary Vertue of the Citizens it was indowed with the Liberty and Freedom of Rome Of Damascus THis was a metropolitan Town in Syria distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the North-east being an ancient and fair City and before such time as Antiochia was built the head of all that Kingdom It was scituated in a fair and fruitful place close by the Mountain Libanus which bringeth forth Frankincense Ceders Cypress and many odoriferous and sweet smelling Flowers There were many Kings that kept their Court in it as Hadad Benhadad the First Benhadad the Second Hasael and others who grievously opposed the Kings of Israel in many sharp and cruel Wars as you may read before The Land round about it aboundeth with white and red Roses Pomgranates Almonds Figs and other sweet and pleasant Fruits In that place the Alablaster stone is found very fair and clear The Air pleasant and healthful The River called Chrysorrus runneth close by it in which there is found golden Veins which yielded perfect Gold The Houses without are not
that they also issuing out of the Capitol made such a Slaughter that they forced Brennus and his Army to retire and to restore all the Pillage that he had got and also forsake the Country This Misfortune they bore patiently considering their former Prosperity and in hope of better Success âailed thence into Grecia where after they had attempted many noble Exploits and failing in some they determined a Voyage for Delphos because there was great store of Treasure and the Inhabitants as they supposed weak to oppose their Army In this Expedition they used much Pillage and robbing upon the Seas and through many dangers came at length to this Isle landed their Men won the City fired a great part of it and put many of the Inhabitants to the Sword with this Victory most of his Army which were more Religious than the rest would have willingly left the Country but Brennus who before-times had been used to Sacriledge and those that were as covetous as himself thought it Baseness through an Opinion of Holiness to leave so great a Booty behind them as was contained in the Temple of Aâollo for that place of all the Temples of the World in those times was notorious for Riches and Treasure the many and great Gratuities and Offerings of most Princes which were both magnificent and rich being hoarded up in the secret Caves of this Oracle wherefore they attempted the Assault but with bad Success for the Devil raised such a Tempest with Thundring Lightning and other strange and uncouth Accidents that Brennus in this Distemperature of the Air was slain many of his Ships were set on fire and the greatest part of his Army lost being either spoiled with Lightning slain by the Inhabitants or dispersed with Fear such Event had this sacrilegious Attempt Those that remained after they had gathered themselves into a Body went thence into Asia the less and planted themselves in this Country where the Inhabitants in process of time called them Gallâ-Graecians adding their original name to that of the Country wherein they lived and after for beauties sake they were called Galatians See Liv. lib. 5. Diodorus Siculus lib. 6. saith That the Inhabitants of Galatia were so called of this People in the time that Gideon judged Israel and that Cyrus was Emperour of Persia both may be true considering the mutability and change of States in those times Some think they were first called Galatians by Attalus King of Pergamus who gave them a great overthrow close by the River Halym because they originally were of Gallia and continued sometime in Graecia and after came into Asia so he joyning these two names into one called them Gallo-Gracian or Gallatians This History is diversly reported by divers Authors but all conclude that they rested and inhabited in Asia where their Posterity continued to this day In times past it was a very Warlike and Generous Nation and in their Expedition performed many noble Exploits attaining to Eminence only by their Sword for which cause many Princes near them were beholding unto them for their Aid but withal cruel and barbarous insomuch as they oftentimes eat their Captives or offered them to their Gods and thus they continued for the space of 300 years till Paul coming into that Country preached the Gospel amongst them and converted them from this Barbarism to the Christian Faith he sent an Epistle to this People from Rome being 1200 miles They in those times held all Paphlagonia a part of Phrygia Cappadocia and of all the neighbouring Countries thereabouts which after their names was called Gallo-Graecia or Galatia such a mighty Nation was this grown in a short time at first being a People shut out of their own Country for want of a place to inhabit in as you may read more at large in the fifth Book of Livie whose Authority I have princippally followed herein Of Phrygia PHryga is as much as to say a dry and sandy Country scituated in Asia the less between Galatia and Mysia 600 miles from Ierusalem North-westward It is divided into two parts the greater and the less in the greater Phrygia stood Smyrna in the less Dardania so called of Dardanus who first built it in which Town there reigned many wealthy and mighty Princes as Ericthoinâ Tros of whom it was called Troy Ilus of whom it was called Ilion Laomedon who was the Father of Priamus the last King thereof for in his time it was destroyed by the Grecians Of which Desolation I will not speak because it is commonly known It lay wast so long although it had been a fair and goodly City the like not in the World that the place where it stood was become like a plain Field only here and there some heaps of old Ruines to shew that there had been a City in that place And as Virgil said Iam seges est ubi Troja fuit Corn now grows where Troy stood A long time after there were a certain People that called themselves Trojans who rebuilt it but not in the same place and in it erected a goodly Temple in honour of the Goddess Pallas to the which Temple Alexander the Great after he had conquered Darius King of Persia close by the River Granicus which took begânning in a Mountain not far from Troy went and with singular Gladness and great Solemnity offered many rich and goodly Presents enlarged the Town and greatly adorned But after he had ended the Persian War and conquered almost all the known World he sent very kind and loving Letters to these new Trojans promising not only to inlarge the Town and indow it with many Priviledges and Revenues but also to build up a fair and sumptuous Temple there as Strabo lib. 15. saith all which was done for the love he bore to Homers Iliads Wherefore look what Alexander had promised Lysimacus one of his chief Princes and King of Thrace after his death performed for he returned to Troy enlarged the City beautified it with goodly Buildings set up a stately Temple and then compass'd it about with strong Walls After this sort it continued a long time untill Fimbria a Questor of the Romans when he had slain Vallerius Flaccus the Consul with whom he was sent against Mithridates King of Pontus besieged it and within ten days space won it making his Vaunts that he conquered that City in ten days which Agamemnon could scarce do in ten years to which one of the Inhabitants of the City answered that then Troy had a Hector but now it had none But for this he cruelly wasted the City This destruction happened in the 84 year before Christ thus it lay desolate till Caesar's time who caused it again to be re-edified and beautified with many fair and goodly Buildings because the Romans and especially those noble Families of the Iulii and Caesars do derive their Progeny from the Trojans for which cause Augustus used such diligence in the rebuilding of this City and bestowed such infinite
close to that part of Thracia where Hebrus falleth into the Sea sometimes called Dardaniâ of Dardanus King of Troy who when he had slain his Brother Iacius and taken from him the Palladiam he came first into Samothracia and then into Asia where he first laid the Foundation of the City called Troy and of that Kingdom And although this Isle at that time was called Dardania yet because of the nearness that it had to Thrace and the altitude of the Rock whereon it stood it soon changed the name and then especially when the People called Samos came thither to inhabit who after their own name called it Samothracia It stood upon such a lofty place that from thence all the Countries round about might easily be seen Arsinoe Queen of Thrace was banished by Ptolomeus her Brother into this Island who after put to death all her Children and usurp'd upon the Kingdom of Thrace A cruel part in a Brother Virg. lib. Aeneid 3. makes mention of this Island saying Terciamque Samum quae nunc Samothracia fertur And Samian-Troy which now adays is Samothracia call'd Strabo also writeth of it li. 13. And in Act. 16. It is said St. Paul sailed from Troadis to Samothracia and so went thence into Thracia and came to the City of Neapolis Of Neapolis THIS Neapolis to which Paul went was a City of Thrace not far from Macedonia 880 miles from Ierusalem North-westward called also of some Caurus There are many other Cities of this name one in Iudea where Sichem and Sichaâ stood another in Caria a third in Africa a fourth in Pannonia but above all that which stands in Campania is most remarkable being the chief City of the Neapolitan Kingdom Of Philippa THIS City in times past was called Crenides because of the Veins of Gold that were found close by it But after Philip King of Macedon Father of Alexander the Great caused it in the year before Christ 354 to be re-edefied and inlarged and then after his own name called it Philippos It was scituated in Grecia close by the River Stridon 926 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west and indowed with many Priviledges In those times the Gold was so much increased in this place that the Revenue thereof was worth to this King more than a thousand Talents which at 4500 l. the Talent amounteth to forty five millions of pounds yearly By the which means King Philip grew so rich that he caused his Gold to be coined and called it after his own name Philippian Gold To this place Paul came and did many Miracles taught the Gospel and converted many From hence he wrote his second Epistle to the Corinthians and sent it to Corinth even 292 miles He also wrote an Epistle from Rome to the Christians of this Town and sent it them by the hand of Epaphroditus even 628 miles It was afterward a Colony of the Romans Of Amphipolis THIS was a City of Macedonia compassed about with the River Strymon from whence it took the name and was distant from Ierusalem 960 miles towards the North-west Here also the Apostle Paul was Act. 17. Of Appollonia THIS was a City of Mygdonia scituated not far from Thessalonica towards the West close by the River Echedorus 948 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west being so called from Appollines which signifies the Sun It stood twenty miles from Thessalonica There are many other Cities of this name one scituate in Grecia close by the Adriatick Sea another among Islands of Thrace a third in Crete on this side the River Ister a fourth in Syria and a fifth in Africa amongst the Cyrenes Of Thessalonia or Thessalonica THIS was a City of Macedon in ancient times called Halia because it stood upon the Sea after called Therma of the hot Baths that were in it and lastly Thessalonica of Philip the Son of Amintas King of the Macedonians who gave it that name either of the great Victory that he had against the Thessalonians or else after the name of his Daughter called Thessalonica who was the Mother of Cassandrus It stood close by the Thermaick Gulph not far from the Mouth of the River Echedorus 932 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west The Apostle Paul taught publickly in this City and there converted a great multitude of People Act. 17. He also wrote two Epistles to the Inhabitants thereof and sent them from Athens being 232 miles distant In the time of Theodosius the first Emperour of Rome there hapened by reason of some Discontent a grievous Sedition amongst the Thessalonians in which stir some of his Captains and Governours were slain Wherefore the Emperour having intelligence of what had hapened sent an Army against the City with Authority to put to death a certain number of those who had rebelled whence it happened that the City was fill'd with many unjust slaughters for the Souldiers respecting more their private profit than the equity of the cause spared neither Innocent nor Nocent Young nor Old so that as well the Inhabitants as Strangers that resorted thither did partake of this Misery and suffered like punishment as did they which were the first Authors of this Rebellion But because the Emperour was consenting unto these evils Ambrose Bishop of Millain would not suffer him without publick repentance to come to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper wherefore in a publick Assembly he acknowledged his offence with great Contrition Theodor. li. 5. ca. 17. Soz. li. 7. ca. 14. This Town was afterward purchased by the Venetians of Andronicus Palaeologus Son of Emanuel Emperour of Constantinople who held it a long time until Amurath Emperour of the Turks won it from them and exercised grievous cruelty upon the Inhabitants At this day it is a fair 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 have 80 Synagogues but they are constrained to wear yellow wreaths about their heads the Christians blew and the Turks white There are many Iews 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 upon the River of Halakmon 960 miles from Ierusalem North-westward In this City the Iews stirred up a great tumult and sedition against the Apostle Paul Act. 17. At this day it is called Voria Of Athens THIS was the most famous City of all Grecia the Mother of Arts and a bountiful nourisher of large and mighty Colonies in that part of Achaia called Acte or Attica It was scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea 720 miles from Ierusalem Westward It took name from a Divine knowledg for the word is derived of ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã and ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the mind
of God It was first built by Cecrops five years 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 and worthy Princes But after it was called Mopsonia of Mopsus King of Thessaly and after Ionia which name it held for a while and lastly Athens dedicated to Pallas which goddess the Grecians say was born of the brain of Iupiter which name it held a long time after There lived in this City Solon Socrates Plato Aristotle Demosthenes and many other excellent Philosophers It was scituated upon a fair and strong Rock beautified with many goodly Temples and Buildings but principally that of Minerva was most sumptuous in which there hung a great number of Lamps which gave a continual Light There was also the Monastery of the holy Virgins and the Image of Pallas made all of white Ivory very curious and costly There were many Schools Colledges and pleasant Gardens in which Philosophers used to walk and it abounded with sweet and delectable Musick and with great resort of Merchants and Scholars To conclude in those times it was the most notable City in the World Moreover there were many profitable Havens for the receit of Ships but that which was called Piraeum exceeded being capable to receive forty Ships beautified with many goodly buildings in compass two miles fortified with seven Walls and joyning to the City whereof Terence writeth Eunuch Act. 3. Scen. 4. At this day it is called Porto Lini fortified with two walls four miles in length extending to the Hill Munichya the sirname of Diana being compassed in the figure of a Chersoness and so joyned to the City of Athens In which distance there are two other Havens besides that of Piraeum In this Iupiter had a magnificent Temple and in it were found many artificial Tables Pictures and graven Images all which are at this day destroyed and carried away It hath been three times destroyed first by Xerxes and Mardonius which happened in the year before Christ 479. Then by Lysander who broke down a hundred paces of the Wall and almost utterly destroyed their Ships and broke down the Haven of Peraea It was also âore oppressed by the Romans as they also brake down their Haven and burnt their Ships but spared the Town and held it in great estimation But was the third time overthrown and utterly destroyed by the Turks who both changed the place and name of the City after it had flourished 3113 years At this day it is divided into three parts and called by the name of Sethina because of the variety of the Inhabitants that live in it being very well peopled and a fair 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 Aâtica yet at this day it is so much altered that their Language is base and their Glory is eclipsed The uppermost part of the City where formerly the Temple stood dedicated to the unknown God is now wholly and absolutely in the hands of the Turks in which they have built a strong and almost invincible Castle which hath the command of the rest of the Town The second and middle part of the Town is all inhabited by Christians In the third there standeth a fair and goodly Palace supported with Marble Pillars and adorned with goodly Works In this part of the City there inhabiteth People of divers Sects and Conditions And here also is the Seat of a Metropolitan who hath under him many Bishops So that God doth support and maintain his Church even amongst the Enemies thereof for there are four Patriarchs in Turkâ to which all the other Christian Metropolitans and Bishops are subject viz. the Patriarch of Alexandria Constantinople Antiochia and Ierusalem Paul was the first man that preached the Gospel of Christ in this City and converted many Citizens but especially Dionysius the Areopagite who dwelt upon a Promontory without the City and as it seems was one of the principal Judges and Governours of the Town for after he had taught publickly in the Town and had disputed against the Iews 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 Judgment he might receive condign punishment for his Offence But St. Paul so well behaved himself and preached with such admirable Eloquence and Learning that he not only confuted his Enemies but among others converted this Dionysius Areopagitus who was afterwards the first Bishop of Athens as Euseb. saith lib. 4. cap. 13. and went captive with Paul to Rome and from thence to Paris in France where he suffered Martyrdom under Dionysius the Emperour Of Corinthia COrinthus a famous City in Grecia is scituated in Peloponnesus a pleasant Country of Achaia joyning 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 Son of Aeolus at such time as Ioshuah governed Israel who was a mighty Pirate 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 fair Town and called by the name of Corcyra as Strabo saith then Ephym of Ephyra who was a fair and goodly Nymph and Queen of that place Now although even in those times it was held in great estimation yet it became much wasted and decayed through the continuance of time until it was repaired by King Corinthus who as some think was the Son of Marathon Suidas saith the Son of Pelops others would have him the Son of Orestis and after his name was called Corinth that is the Flower of Maides It was a fair and goodly City very commodiously built for it stood between the two Seas of Ionium and Aegeum so that there resorted thither great multitude of Merchants from all places Close by the City there stood a steep Mountain which was as it were a Bulwark for the defence thereof being 560 Feet high and called Acrocorinthus that is The Glory and Strength of the Corinthians It was also compassed about with strong Walls and beautified with many goodly Buildings and Temples but above the rest the Temple of Venus was had in great reputation which as Strabo saith stood upon the top of the Mountain Acrocorinthus wherein there were above a thousand Maids prostituted every year This Temple was had in such great honour and was so gloriously built that above all the places of the World there was resort unto it Close by it stood the ancient Castle called Sysyphius built all of white Marble and a little below that the Fountain of Pyrene dedicated to the Muses There were many mighty Princes that ruled in this City
Mitylene is scituated in the Aegean Sea 624 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west In times past called Lesbus which obtained the whole Jurisdiction and Government of Troada It is in compass 136 miles and containeth in length from the North to the South 56 miles In it is found much matter for the making and calking of Ships there was many goodly Cities in it as Mitylene and Pyrrha which stood upon the West part of it also the Metropolitan called Lesbos Eressus the Haven of Antissa and Mithymna Of Lesbos in times past this whole Isle was called Lesbus until the City of Mitylene grew famous being so called of Mitylene the Daughter of Macharus as Diodorus saith lib. 4. and after that Cities name called Mitylene There were many other goodly Cities which stood in this Isle but they were either consumed by Earth-quakes or drowned by the Sea The Land thereof was very pleasant and fruitful bringing forth grapes whereof there was a very excellent and clear Wine made which they of Constantinople principally liked there is also found great store of Cypress Pines and plenty of Figs come thence Their Horses are very strong but of a low Stature it is very mountainy and pestred with wild Beasts There were many famous men that lived and were born in this Country as Pittachus one of the seven Wise Men of Greece Aliaeus the Poet and Alcimenides his Brother Diophanes the Orator and Theophanes who wrote the Acts of Pompey the Great as it appeareth in Tullies Oration for Archia Theophrastus also that notable Philosopher who at first was called Tyrtamanus then Euphrastus that is a good Orator and lastly Theophrastus that is a divine Orator this man was an excellent Peripatetick and Scholar to Aristotle whom he succeeded in his School and had 2000 Scholars Vitruvius the Architect maketh mention of Mitylen in his first Book saying that it was a very magnificent City and rarely builded but very badly scituated for when the South Wind did blow the Inhabitants grew sick when the West they coughed and when the North Wind did blow they were made well Notwithstanding the Apostle Paul and his Companions came to this City as it appeareth Act. 20. At this day it is under the Jurisdiction of the Turks and is called by the Name of Midilly Of Chius THIS is an Isle scituated in the Aegean Sea distant from Ierusalem 600 miles towards the North-west being 112 miles in Compass the principal City thereof is called Chios taking the Name as some say from the Mastick Tree which sweateth out a certain Gum of the Syrians called Chian and by us Mastick this Mastick is the best in those parts of the World Ephorus calleth it by the ancient Name Aetalia but Cleobulus Chia either because of the Nymph called Chion or else because of the whiteness of the Soil there are others that call it Patyusia and there are some who derive the name of Chius from the Temple of Apollo that standeth in it called Chion There stands in it a fair and goodly Mountain called Pellenaeum from whence the Inhabitants dig very excellent marble Also in times past the best Malmsey came thence but in these days it is brought from Crete Of Satâus THIS is an Isle and City scituated in the Aegean Sea upon a high or lofty piece of Ground so that from thence the Inhabitants may see into all the Countries near adjoyning lying upon the Coast of Ephesus and Ionia 560 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west it was in compass eighty eight miles very fertile and pleasant much exceeding Chius although it brought forth no Wine In times past it was called Artemisia Parthenea and Stephane taking those names from a Crown or Wreath of sweet smelling Flowers of which there were great plenty in this Isle the Poets feign that Iunâ was both born and brought up in it and Varro saith That there was a fair and stately Temple dedicated unto her where solemn Service and the Rites of Marriage were yearly celebrated Pythagoras the Philosopher was born here and one of the Sybels which prophecied of the comming of Christ lived hâre St. Paul also came into this Isle and converted many as appeareth Act. 20. There is another Isle called Samus scituated upon the Coast of Epirus not far from the Gulph of Ambracius called also Cephalenia not far from the Promontory of Actium where Augustus overcame Antonius in Honour of which Victory he built up a City and called it Nicapolis c. Of Trogyllium THIS is a Promontory and Town not far from Ephesus scituated in Asia-minor at the foot of the Mountain Mycales four miles and somewhat more from Samus where Paul stayed Act. 20. It is distant from Ierusalem 460 miles toward the North-West There are which say that St. Paul stayed at a certain Isle joyning close to this Promontory called after that by the name of Trogyllium See Strabo lib. 14. Of Myletus THIS was a famous City scituated upon the Borders of Ionia and Caesaria close by the Shore of the Aegean Sea 104 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west The Poets feign that Miletus who was the first builder of this City was the Son of Apollo and called it after his own name Miletus but Strabo lib 12. thinketh that it was rather built by Sarpedon the Son of Iupiter and Brother to Radamanthus and Minos and by him was called Myletus from another City of the same name which stood in Crete The Wool that cometh from this Town is wonderful soft and singular good for many purposes but it was principally used to make Cloath of which they died into an excellent Purple and transported into many places There were a great many famous men that either lived or were born in this Town as Thales Milesius one of the seven Wise-Men of Graece Anaximander who was his Scholar Anaximenes and Hecataeus the Historian also Eschenes the Orator not he that contended with Demosthenes who taking too much Liberty against Pompey was banished Timotheus 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 Philosophy and the Mathematicks amongst the Grecians He was the first also that foretold of the Eclipse of the Sun about such time as the Battel was fought between Cyaxares Father of Astyages King of the Medes and Hallyattes Father of Croesus King of the Lidians which was about the 44 Olympiad There came unto him a certain Man who asked him what was the hardest thing in the World he answered Seipsum nosce To know himself Another came to him and ask'd him how he might do to live justly he answered Si quae in alis reprehendimus ipse non faciamus That we do 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
conquered by the Saracens but they held it not long for Roger Norman King of Sicilia got it out of their Power Anno Dom. 1090. And so it continued in the hands of the Sicilians till Anno Dom. 1520. And then Charles the fifth being Emperour gave it to the Knights of Saint Iohn upon condition that they should oppose the Turks Gallies and defend that part of Christendom So the Knights of St. Iohn together with their Governour sailed to Malta and so fortified it that it is impossible to be taken unless by Famin or Treason There were many famous Bishops that lived in this place and very devout Christians In the time of the Emperour Theodosius there was a Councel held at which were present 240 Bishops At this day this Bishoprick is subject to the Archbishop of Palermo and the chief Government of the Isle is in the Power of the Knights of St. Iohn c. Of Syracusa THIS was a City of the Isle of Sicilia built by one Archia of Corinth standing close by the Sea Shore on the North side of the Isle 2756 miles from Ierusalem towards the West It was a fair and goodly City in antient time called Tetrapolis because it was divided into three parts one of which parts stood in the Isle of Ortygia separated from the Continent with a little streight Sea and with that famous Fountain Arthusia The other part was called Acradine and the third Tycha to which in after-times there was built up a fourth and called by the name of Neapolis All this City was compassed in with three Walls so strong and so admirably fortified both by Nature and Art that it opposed the Carthaginians in equal War It was called Syracusa from drawing or sucking and in process of time obtained the whole Jurisdiction and Government of that Isle which was so well peopled in the time of Dionysius the Tyrant that he was able to make and maintain an Army of one hundred thousand Foot and twelve thousand Horse There were two Havens in that part which was called Ortygia so marvellously fortified with such huge Rocks and other Munition that they were wonderful to look upon There also stood a Castle or Tower called by the name of Mercia which was so strong that when all the rest of the Town was conquered yet that maintained War for a long time In this Hold the Kings and Tyrants of this Country usually kept their Treasures and other things that were material There were many worthy and famous Princes ruled in it but above them all Dionysius the elder exceeded the rest who when he saw what abundance of Vessels of Gold and Silver Dionysius the younger had heaped together cried out and said In te Regius affectus non est qui ex tanta poculorum vi amicum neminem conciliasti That is Verily the mind of a King is not in thee that out of so many Cups couldest not procure one Friend For after he was banished and constrained to keep a School Both these Dionysians were learned Men and great Philosophers It is thought that this Island was some time a part of Italy and joyning to the Field of Brutius but in time through the violence of the Sea separate from the Continent From whence it was called Sicilita and also Trinacris because there were three Mountains standing upon three Promontories in three several places of it giving the proportion of a Triangle for there was an Angle toward the South called Pactinus another toward the South-west called Lilybaeus and another called Pelorus which lay distant near about two miles from Italy In times past it was under the command of the Romans but now the Spaniards have chief Government of it There are many things remaining to this day worthy observation but chiefly the Mountain Aetna which still casteth out Fire and Smoak c. Of Rhegium THIS was a Town of Italy belonging to the Family of the Brutians at first built by the Calcidonians and Messenians upon the utmost bounds of Italy toward the Sicilian Sea being distant from that Isle sixty Furlongs and called by the name of Rhegium as some think from Rumpo to break for that near about the place where that Town stood the Sea being very Tempestuous broke the Isle of Sicilia from the Continent Others think it was called Rhegium because it was so strong and beautiful a City that it might well have been the Seat of a Prince Close by this City in the Sicilian Sea there stands a Rock somewhat above the Water representing in Figure the Proportion of a Man and round about it are to be seen other little Rocks like barking Dogs In this place the Water is so extream violent and runes with so strong a current that it is very dangerous for Mariners especially such as are ignorant to sail that way Wherefore the Poets made this verse to signifie a man that stood in a Dangerous and Doubtful estate Decidit in Scyllam cupiens vitare Charibdim Seeking to shun Charibdis curled Waves He thrusts himself into stern Scylla's Jaws But that Mariners might avoid these dangerous places upon the North angle of Sicilia in the Promontory of Petorus there is erected a lofty Tower standing as a Sea-mark that so they by that direction might escape these dangerous places Not far from Scillari is to be seen another Town of that Rock called Scyllacus but of the Inhabitants it is commonly called Scyglius or Scyglio and Rhegium also at this day is called Rezo and Reggio of Antimnestus Captain of Chalcedon and as Strab. lib. 6. saith is scituated in Calabria 1332 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of Puteoli THIS City is in Campania a Country of Italy not far from Naples scituated on the Sea Shore 1381 miles from Ierusalem Westward taking that name from Fountains or Wells of hot Water being built by the Salamians as Eusebius saith about such time as the Tarquins were banished Rome 507 years before the Nativity of Christ. It was antiently called Dicaearchia because of their singular Justice and Noble Government But when the Romans made War upon 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 and his Companions arrived when they sailed into Rome Act. 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 poor man dwelling in Baia who usually played among other Youths upon the Banks of this Lake and seeing the Dolphin it being a strange Fish in those parts and very amiable to look upon 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 Boy 's Voice upon the Bank of the River would resort to him and receive at his hand
his accustomed Food Thus it continued so that the Dolphin would suffer the Boy to handle him take him by the Gills play with him yea and sometimes to get upon his Back then swim with him a great way into the Lake and bring him back again and suffer him to go safe upon the shore After this manner he continued for many Years together and in the end the Youth died Yet the Dolphin resorted to his usual place expecting his accustomed Food from the hands of this Boy but missing him he left the shore languish'd 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 Country in Asia minor near the Rivers of Lycus and Meander 520 miles from Ierusalem North-westward not far from Laodicea so called from the mighty Statues and Colosso's that were set up in it These Cities Colossa Laodicea and Hierapolis where the Apostle Philip was put to death in the tenth year of Nero a little before Paul's Martyrdom were sunk by an Earthquake which without doubt was a great judgment of God upon them because they refused the Grace and Comfort of the Doctrine of the Gospel offered unto them by the Apostles The Epistle of Paul dedicated to the Colossians was sent by the hand of Onesymus from Rome unto 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 in Asia minor and not in Rhodes Of Nicopolis NIcopolis is a City of Macedonia scituated close by the River Nessus not far from Philippus upon the Borders of Thrace 920 miles from Ierusalem North-westward From hence the Apostle Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus and sent it to Crete 600 miles There are many other Cities of this Name one standing in Epyre built by Augustus another between Cilicia and Syria built by Alexander in glory of his Victory against Darius a fourth in Bythinia a fifth in the Holy Land formerly called Emmaus Of Rome THis City if we rightly consider the derivation of the Name in Hebrew was not built without the singular Providence of God being derived of Rom i. He hath exalted or made high But the Grecians derive it from Romen i. Strength and Power Now although the Providence of God extendeth to every Creature nay to the very hairs of a Man's Head yet where he determines to express his singular Power there he worketh beyond the expectation of man And who knows not that the beginning of this City was mean raised from a confused Company destitute both of Civility Community and Laws yet hath it been 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 seven hundred fifty and one years before the Nativity of Christ being scituated upon seven Hills that is Capitolinus Aventinus Palatinus Cealius 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 Hills were so raised up with Arches Vaults and artificial Mounts that in process of time they became level with the top of some of those Hills It was beautified with fair and sumptuous Buildings so that as it was the head of the World for Command and Power in 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 above all that was the most sumptuous that was called Pantheon Deorum at this day called the Church of Alhallows Moreover here was to be seen the Princely Edifices of Kings Emperours Consuls Senators Patricians and other Romans who were mighty in Wealth and Substance built all of polished Marble beautified with Gold and Silver beside Palaces Bulwarks Theatres triumphant Arches Statues and such like all which were glorious and greatly adorned the City But above all these the House of Nero was most worthy of Observation which to see to was built all of burnish'd Gold very curiously wrought Here also stood the Monuments of the two Caesars Iulius and Augustus also their Statues the one made of pure Brass the other of white Marble Besides there were many fruitful Orchards Water Courses and wholsome Baths brought thither by Antonius Nero Dioclesian and Constantine the Great Also the Emperour Constantine erected many goodly Churches for the use of the Christians and endowed them with great means and amongst the rest that which was dedicated to St. Iohn of Latteran a fair and goodly Church and for Riches and curious Workmanship might compare with the stateliest Temples that ever had been in the World most of the Ornaments and Images being made of Gold and Silver he also erected the Vatican which was dedicated to St. Peter and another holy House dedicated to St. Paul in either of which he placed their several Sepulchres and Monuments bestowing extraordinary Cost to beautifie them So many were the Gifts and Gratuities of this Emperour that they can scarce be numbred so that although the Emperour Trajan and Boniface the Fourth Pope of Rome bestowed great Cost to beautifie and adorn the City yet were they nothing comparable to that which this Emperour did These things then being presented to your view you might justly say That Rome in her Prosperity and Eminency was the Glory of the World but as all Estates are fickle and uncertain still subject to Variety and Change so was this first envied of the World because of the extream oppression of her Governours and after made desolate by Violence and Force all her former Glory being eclipsed and the greatest part of these goodly Buildings laid level with the Ground Thus have I shewed you what Rome was when it was in her Prosperity it resteth now to shew what Rome is Rome at this day differeth as much from the ancient Rome as the Substance from the Shadow For although the Pope hath beautified and adorned the West part of it with many fair and goodly Buildings and called it by the name of new Rome yet it is nothing comparable to the ancient City as it was when Augustus and Constantine the Great were Emperâours thereof neither doth it stand in the ancient place for the first City stood upon the East side of Tyber this upon the West The chief part of the other stood upon the Mountains Capitolinus and Palatinus upon which were the stately Buildings of Senators Kings and Emperours but now they lye desolate and waste The Capitol also and the Temple of Iupiter Feretrius goodly Buildings beaten to the