sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n even_o as_o the_o garden_n of_o the_o lord_n or_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n as_o thou_o come_v unto_o zoar._n in_o the_o first_o place_n from_o hence_o we_o gather_v that_o these_o city_n be_v situate_v on_o both_o side_n of_o the_o river_n jordan_n for_o the_o plain_a of_o jordan_n be_v here_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d as_o the_o septuagint_n have_v right_o translate_v rather_o follow_v the_o sense_n than_o the_o genuine_a signification_n of_o the_o hebrew_n word_n chicchar_n which_o proper_o signify_v a_o plain_a country_n as_o we_o find_v gen._n 19_o v._n 17._o where_o it_o be_v oppose_v to_o a_o mountainous_a region_n for_o this_o reason_n in_o follow_v time_n this_o country_n be_v call_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o great_a field_n as_o likewise_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o valley_n to_o make_v this_o more_o evident_o appear_v we_o will_v here_o set_v down_o the_o word_n of_o josephus_n who_o thus_o describe_v it_o in_o the_o five_o book_n de_fw-fr bello_fw-la jud._n chap._n 27._o near_o to_o it_o jericho_n it_o mean_v jericho_n we_o find_v a_o barren_a mountain_n but_o of_o a_o vast_a length_n for_o northwards_o it_o reach_v as_o far_o as_o the_o country_n of_o the_o scythopolitae_n and_o towards_o the_o south_n it_o extend_v as_o far_o as_o the_o land_n of_o sodom_n and_o the_o bound_n of_o the_o dead_a sea_n opposite_a to_o it_o beyond_o jordan_n lie_v a_o mountain_n which_o begin_v from_o julias_n and_o the_o northern_a country_n and_o southwards_o spread_v as_o far_o as_o somorra_n which_o adjoin_v to_o petra_n a_o city_n of_o arabia_n and_o here_o too_o be_v a_o mountain_n call_v the_o iron_n mountain_n which_o reach_v as_o far_o as_o the_o country_n of_o moab_n the_o valley_n between_o these_o mountain_n be_v the_o same_o we_o be_v now_o talk_v of_o and_o josephus_n give_v we_o the_o follow_a description_n of_o it_o the_o country_n which_o lie_v in_o the_o middle_n between_o these_o mountain_n be_v call_v the_o μεγαπεδιον_fw-gr or_o great_a field_n and_o reach_n from_o the_o village_n of_o ginnabrin_n to_o the_o lacus_n asphaltites_n it_o be_v a_o thousand_o two_o hundred_o furlong_n in_o length_n and_o sixscore_a in_o breadth_n the_o river_n jordan_n run_v through_o the_o middle_n of_o it_o the_o same_o place_n from_o the_o nature_n of_o its_o situation_n be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o the_o valley_n although_o st._n jerome_n in_o his_o loci_fw-la haebraici_n erroneous_o pretend_v that_o it_o be_v a_o hebrew_n word_n aulon_n say_v he_o be_v not_o a_o greek_a word_n as_o some_o person_n imagine_v but_o hebrew_n it_o be_v the_o name_n of_o a_o large_a and_o spacious_a valley_n of_o a_o prodigious_a length_n which_o be_v surround_v on_o every_o side_n by_o a_o continue_a ridge_n of_o mountain_n which_o begin_v from_o mount_n libanus_n and_o beyond_o it_o and_o reach_v to_o the_o desert_n of_o paran_n there_o be_v several_a noble_a city_n in_o this_o aulon_n or_o valley_n as_o scythopolis_n tiberias_n and_o the_o lake_n near_o it_o nay_o jericho_n the_o dead_a sea_n and_o all_o the_o country_n about_o it_o through_o which_o the_o river_n jordan_n run_v which_o arise_v from_o the_o fountain_n paneas_n and_o so_o fall_v into_o the_o dead_a sea_n the_o upper_a part_n of_o this_o capacious_a vale_n be_v exceed_o fertile_a full_a of_o pasture_n and_o plant_v with_o all_o sort_n of_o tree_n so_o that_o as_o josephus_n l._n 3._o de_fw-fr bell._n jud._n cap._n 4._o inform_v we_o it_o will_v invite_v even_o those_o who_o be_v the_o least_o incline_v to_o such_o a_o life_n to_o cultivate_v it_o but_o the_o middle_a part_n except_o where_o the_o river_n jordan_n water_v they_o be_v burn_v up_o in_o the_o summer_n as_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o josephus_n in_o the_o abovementioned_a place_n in_o the_o summer_n say_v he_o all_o this_o plain_n be_v burn_v up_o and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o extreme_a vehemence_n of_o the_o heat_n the_o air_n become_v very_o unhealthful_a for_o it_o be_v all_o parch_a but_o where_o jordan_n run_v on_o the_o bank_n of_o which_o river_n there_o be_v the_o most_o beautiful_a grove_n of_o palm-tree_n but_o here_o we_o have_v to_o do_v with_o neither_o of_o these_o part_n but_o only_o with_o the_o low_a which_o reach_v from_o jericho_n to_o the_o mountain_n of_o idumea_n where_o now_o the_o lacus_n asphaltites_n be_v of_o which_o more_o hereafter_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n we_o must_v observe_v by_o the_o bye_n that_o the_o water_n of_o jordon_n by_o reason_n of_o the_o perpetual_a ridge_n of_o hill_n that_o shut_v it_o up_o on_o every_o side_n from_o east_n and_o west_n have_v no_o outlet_n at_o all_o but_o run_v to_o the_o southward_n in_o the_o second_o place_n we_o must_v not_o light_o pass_v over_o what_o moses_n say_v that_o the_o southern_a part_n of_o this_o valley_n as_o you_o go_v to_o zoar_v be_v water_v like_o the_o paradise_n of_o the_o lord_n or_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n all_o which_o word_n require_v a_o particular_a illustration_n by_o themselves_o but_o first_o of_o all_o we_o will_v show_v by_o the_o testimony_n of_o other_o writer_n that_o this_o tract_n of_o ground_n be_v exceed_o well_o water_v which_o be_v a_o thing_n of_o great_a importance_n in_o the_o present_a disquisition_n to_o begin_v then_o with_o the_o country_n about_o jericho_n strabo_n in_o his_o sixteenth_o book_n pag._n 525._o of_o isaac_n casaubon_n edition_n at_o geneva_n affirm_v that_o it_o be_v plentiful_o store_v with_o water_n jericho_n be_v a_o plain_a on_o every_o side_n surround_v with_o hill_n and_o in_o some_o part_n bend_v like_o a_o theatre_n it_o abound_v with_o palm-tree_n mix_v and_o several_a other_o tree_n but_o it_o particular_o abound_v with_o the_o former_a it_o be_v a_o hundred_o furlong_n in_o length_n and_o be_v all_o well_o water_v and_o full_a of_o inhabitant_n now_o how_o this_o country_n come_v to_o be_v so_o plentiful_o water_v josephus_n inform_v we_o in_o the_o abovementioned_a place_n in_o the_o follow_a word_n near_a jericho_n be_v a_o plentiful_a spring_n and_o most_o convenient_a for_o water_v we_o shall_v not_o here_o set_v down_o what_o he_o relate_v of_o a_o alteration_n make_v in_o this_o water_n by_o elisha_n nor_o what_o he_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o great_a wholesomeness_n of_o this_o well_o as_o be_v borrow_v from_o a_o uncertain_a tradition_n but_o thus_o he_o go_v on_o it_o water_v a_o far_o great_a space_n than_o any_o other_o fountain_n viz._n seventy_o furlong_n long_o and_o twenty_o in_o breadth_n southwards_o of_o the_o province_n of_o jericho_n he_o describe_v the_o brook_n or_o vale_n of_o kedron_n which_o carry_v water_n from_o jerusalem_n to_o the_o dead_a sea_n but_o because_o kedron_n be_v frequent_o mention_v as_o a_o dry_a valley_n and_o there_o be_v some_o reason_n to_o doubt_v whether_o it_o be_v a_o valley_n or_o a_o brook_n we_o shall_v leave_v the_o matter_n undetermined_a and_o proceed_v to_o the_o eastern_a bank_n of_o the_o lacus_n asphaltites_n in_o this_o place_n be_v a_o famous_a fountain_n call_v callirrhoe_n to_o which_o herod_n go_v from_o jericho_n when_o he_o be_v sick_a as_o josephus_n tell_v we_o lib._n 17._o of_o his_o jewish_a antiquity_n ch_n 8._o cross_v jordan_n he_o go_v to_o the_o hot_a water_n near_o callirrhoe_n which_o beside_o their_o virtue_n in_o all_o disease_n may_v be_v safe_o drink_v this_o water_n run_v into_o the_o dead_a sea_n pliny_n place_v this_o fountain_n on_o the_o southside_n of_o the_o lake_n for_o after_o he_o have_v say_v lib._n 5._o cap._n 16._o that_o eastward_n it_o look_v upon_o arabia_n nomadum_fw-la and_o machaerus_n on_o the_o south_n he_o add_v on_o the_o same_o side_n be_v a_o hot_a spring_n of_o a_o medicinal_a virtue_n call_v callirrhoe_n denote_v the_o excellency_n of_o its_o water_n by_o its_o name_n from_o the_o east_n too_o the_o river_n arnon_n fall_v into_o the_o lacus_n asphaltites_n which_o arise_v in_o the_o border_n of_o arabia_n as_o we_o find_v in_o josephus_n l._n 4._o c._n 4._o of_o his_o jewish_a antiquity_n and_o run_v through_o the_o whole_a extent_n of_o the_o desert_n fall_v into_o the_o dead_a sea_n and_o divide_v the_o country_n of_o the_o moabite_n from_o that_o of_o the_o amorites_n more_o to_o the_o southward_n be_v the_o brook_z zered_a mention_v by_o moses_n numb_a 21.12_o deut._n 2.13_o 14._o and_o this_o likewise_o seem_v to_o fall_v into_o the_o lacus_n asphaltites_n from_o whence_o we_o may_v gather_v that_o all_o the_o low_a part_n of_o jordan_n where_o the_o dead_a sea_n now_o be_v be_v not_o only_o water_v with_o the_o stream_n of_o that_o river_n but_o likewise_o with_o several_a fountain_n and_o brook_n which_o run_v into_o it_o now_o since_o all_o this_o water_n have_v no_o inlet_n into_o the_o sea_n it_o
expression_n be_v to_o be_v find_v 2_o sam._n 8.13_o isaiah_n 63.12_o jer_n 32.20_o &_o dan._n 9.15_o and_o so_o this_o tower_n may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v build_v in_o nomen_fw-la i._n e._n to_o spread_v the_o fame_n of_o the_o builder_n all_o over_o the_o world_n which_o phrase_n be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o 1_o chron._n 22.5_o where_o mention_n be_v make_v of_o the_o building_n of_o the_o temple_n of_o jerusalem_n but_o this_o can_v possible_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o this_o place_n for_o what_o a_o odd_a sort_n of_o a_o conclusion_n will_v this_o be_v let_v we_o acquire_v ourselves_o a_o reputation_n lest_o we_o be_v disperse_v all_o over_o the_o earth_n beside_o with_o who_o will_v all_o mankind_n which_o be_v concern_v in_o the_o building_n of_o this_o city_n have_v get_v glory_n and_o fame_n with_o their_o posterity_n as_o some_o will_v be_v apt_a to_o say_v but_o than_o what_o fine_a sense_n will_v this_o make_v let_v we_o make_v ourselves_o famous_a with_o posterity_n lest_o we_o be_v scatter_v into_o several_a country_n if_o we_o careful_o examine_v these_o word_n and_o revolve_v the_o whole_a history_n in_o our_o mind_n we_o shall_v find_v the_o meaning_n of_o the_o place_n to_o be_v to_o this_o or_o the_o like_a purpose_n let_v we_o build_v we_o a_o city_n that_o may_v be_v the_o metropolis_n of_o all_o the_o world_n in_o which_o let_v there_o be_v one_o government_n the_o seat_n of_o which_o empire_n shall_v be_v perpetual_o in_o that_o city_n lest_o mankind_n be_v scatter_v all_o over_o the_o world_n according_a to_o the_o fancy_n of_o every_o ramble_a family_n if_o this_o interpretation_n be_v admit_v it_o will_v follow_v that_o to_o make_v we_o a_o name_n at_o least_o in_o this_o place_n signify_v in_o a_o manner_n the_o same_o as_o to_o leave_v our_o name_n somewhere_o i._n e._n to_o make_v a_o place_n famous_a with_o our_o habitation_n so_o that_o it_o derive_v its_o name_n from_o the_o inhabitant_n see_v 1_o king_n 9.3_o &_o 14.21_o perhaps_o a_o name_n here_o denote_v a_o monument_n which_o be_v call_v by_o the_o name_n of_o the_o person_n that_o erect_v it_o thus_o absalon_n in_o his_o life_n time_n have_v rear_v up_o for_o himself_o a_o pillar_n which_o be_v in_o the_o king_n dale_n for_o he_o say_v i_o have_v no_o son_n to_o keep_v my_o name_n in_o remembrance_n and_o he_o call_v the_o pillar_n after_o his_o own_o name_n and_o it_o be_v call_v unto_o this_o day_n absalom_n place_n 2_o sam._n 18.18_o so_o cain_n not_o long_o after_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n build_v a_o city_n which_o he_o call_v after_o the_o name_n of_o his_o son_n gen._n 4.17_o in_o like_a manner_n man_n be_v now_o resolve_v to_o build_v a_o city_n which_o perhaps_o they_o will_v have_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o by_o some_o such_o sort_n of_o a_o name_n but_o if_o instead_o of_o the_o hebrew_n word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d schem_n a_o name_n we_o change_v one_o letter_n and_o read_v it_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o that_o be_v to_o say_v a_o metropolis_n the_o same_o sense_n will_v arise_v nor_o can_v it_o be_v pretend_v that_o this_o expression_n be_v incongruous_a let_v we_o build_v we_o a_o city_n and_o tower_n and_o make_v we_o a_o metropolis_n lest_o we_o be_v disperse_v through_o all_o the_o earth_n and_o therefore_o the_o intention_n of_o mankind_n perhaps_o may_v be_v to_o build_v a_o mother-city_n or_o metropolis_n in_o the_o vale_n of_o shinaar_n to_o which_o the_o city_n around_o it_o shall_v be_v subject_a thus_o upon_o the_o build_n of_o this_o metropolis_n there_o will_v have_v be_v but_o one_o empire_n in_o the_o world_n which_o perhaps_o be_v design_v at_o first_o with_o no_o ill_a intention_n but_o because_o this_o project_n draw_v several_a great_a inconvenience_n along_o with_o it_o as_o we_o shall_v hereafter_o observe_v god_n be_v please_v to_o blast_v and_o disappoint_v it_o iii_o by_o the_o child_n of_o man_n bochart_n phal_a l._n 1._o c._n 10._o with_o several_a other_o will_v understand_v the_o unfaithful_a only_o because_o the_o daughter_n of_o man_n gen._n 6.2_o signify_v the_o female_a descendant_n of_o cain_n distinguish_v from_o those_o of_o seth_n and_o think_v it_o by_o no_o mean_n probable_a that_o noah_n shem_o arphaxad_n salah_n and_o heber_n be_v concern_v in_o the_o build_n of_o so_o vain_a and_o dare_a a_o structure_n but_o in_o the_o first_o place_n it_o be_v evident_a enough_o that_o all_o mankind_n consist_v of_o the_o faithful_a as_o well_o as_o the_o unfaithful_a be_v general_o mean_v by_o the_o child_n of_o men._n second_o it_o be_v manifest_a that_o this_o phrase_n be_v here_o to_o be_v take_v in_o that_o sense_n from_o the_o first_o verse_n of_o this_o chapter_n where_o they_o be_v call_v the_o whole_a earth_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o silence_n of_o moses_n three_o the_o posterity_n of_o three_o woman_n and_o that_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o a_o age_n be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o have_v lay_v the_o foundation_n of_o a_o indifferent_a city_n much_o less_o can_v we_o suppose_v that_o any_o of_o they_o refuse_v to_o give_v their_o assistance_n towards_o so_o vast_a a_o undertake_n which_o require_v so_o many_o hand_n four_o noah_n and_o the_o rest_n from_o who_o the_o hebrew_n be_v descend_v be_v without_o reason_n exempt_v out_o of_o this_o number_n since_o this_o attempt_n have_v nothing_o of_o impiety_n in_o it_o although_o we_o own_v it_o be_v undiscreet_a and_o not_o agreeable_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n as_o shall_v be_v demonstrate_v below_o neither_o if_o there_o have_v be_v any_o harm_n in_o it_o do_v it_o therefore_o follow_v that_o man_n obnoxious_a to_o sin_n although_o in_o other_o respect_v they_o be_v not_o bad_a abstain_v from_o it_o beside_o who_o can_v imagine_v that_o while_n noah_n and_o his_o son_n be_v alive_a at_o so_o small_a a_o distance_n too_o from_o the_o flood_n mankind_n be_v divide_v into_o faithful_a and_o unfaithful_a we_o may_v indeed_o rational_o enough_o suppose_v that_o some_o of_o they_o be_v not_o so_o pious_a as_o other_o but_o however_o they_o do_v not_o therefore_o deserve_v to_o be_v stigmatise_v by_o the_o odious_a character_n of_o unbeliever_n iv_o let_v we_o go_v down_o the_o interpreter_n be_v divide_v about_o the_o meaning_n of_o this_o passage_n as_o well_o as_o that_o of_o let_v we_o make_v man_n in_o the_o first_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n some_o both_o jew_n and_o christian_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o god_n be_v here_o introduce_v speak_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d after_o the_o manner_n of_o king_n who_o as_o they_o act_n not_o only_o by_o their_o own_o judgement_n but_o that_o of_o their_o privy-counsellor_n use_v the_o plural_a number_n when_o they_o speak_v to_o their_o people_n nay_o sometime_o they_o speak_v after_o this_o fashion_n when_o they_o consult_v their_o noble_n thus_o 1_o king_n 12.9_o what_o counsel_n give_v you_o that_o we_o may_v answer_v this_o people_n say_v rehoboam_n to_o his_o young_a adviser_n 2_o chron._n 10.9_o esdras_n 4.18_o thus_o god_n himself_o also_o be_v describe_v like_o a_o king_n consult_v his_o nobleman_n 1_o king_n 22.20_o and_o the_o lord_n say_v who_o shall_v persuade_v ahab_n that_o he_o may_v go_v up_o and_o fall_v at_o ramoth-gilead_n and_o one_o say_v on_o this_o manner_n and_o another_o say_v on_o that_o manner_n other_o pretend_v there_o be_v no_o necessity_n to_o have_v recourse_n to_o this_o custom_n of_o king_n since_o sometime_o we_o find_v in_o the_o hebrew_n as_o well_o as_o in_o the_o greek_a and_o latin_a language_n particular_a man_n speak_v of_o themselves_o in_o the_o plural_a number_n thus_o bildad_n speak_v to_o job_n when_o only_o they_o two_o be_v together_o quando_fw-la tandem_fw-la finem_fw-la imponetis_fw-gr sermonibus_fw-la intelligite_fw-la &_o postea_fw-la loquemur_fw-la cur_n reputamur_fw-la ut_fw-la jumentum_fw-la &_o sorduimus_fw-la in_o oculis_fw-la vestris_fw-la job_n 18.2_o 3._o see_v likewise_o cant._n 1.4_o 2_o sam._n 16.20_o and_o dan._n 2.36_o some_o of_o the_o late_a rabbin_n as_o well_o as_o the_o ancient_a jew_n maintain_v that_o god_n speak_v to_o his_o angel_n here_o as_o to_o his_o guard_n the_o chaldaean_n wise_a man_n indeed_o never_o describe_v god_n do_v any_o thing_n but_o without_o a_o great_a attendance_n of_o angel_n as_o jamblichus_n often_o inform_v we_o and_o particular_o §_o 5._o c._n 21._o that_o all_o those_o power_n that_o be_v subject_a to_o they_o go_v before_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o god_n and_o whenever_o they_o make_v a_o procession_n to_o the_o earth_n bear_v they_o company_n and_o the_o jewish_a master_n who_o as_o some_o learned_a man_n imagine_v borrow_a their_o doctrine_n concern_v angel_n out_o of_o chaldaea_n be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n origen_n in_o his_o homily_n upon_o number_n 11._o be_v
must_v of_o necessity_n follow_v that_o it_o be_v all_o swallow_v up_o in_o the_o sand_n every_o way_n encompass_v it_o which_o may_v so_o much_o the_o more_o easy_o be_v do_v because_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o hot_a country_n use_v to_o divide_v their_o river_n into_o several_a small_a branch_n for_o the_o benefit_n of_o their_o field_n and_o this_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o these_o river_n be_v thus_o exhaust_v in_o several_a place_n be_v not_o able_a to_o carry_v their_o water_n to_o the_o sea_n we_o bring_v the_o like_a instance_n of_o chrysorrhoas_n in_o gen._n 2.11_o i_o know_v indeed_o the_o counterfeit_n aristeas_n very_o grave_o tell_v we_o that_o jordan_n carry_v its_o water_n into_o another_o river_n near_o the_o country_n of_o the_o ptolemy_n which_o river_n have_v a_o passage_n into_o the_o sea_n but_o every_o body_n know_v this_o to_o be_v a_o mere_a fiction_n and_o be_v satisfy_v that_o the_o lacus_n asphaltites_n have_v no_o outlet_n but_o to_o return_v to_o moses_n he_o not_o only_o inform_v we_o that_o the_o lower-most_a part_n of_o the_o plain_a of_o jordan_n be_v well_o water_v but_o he_o compare_v it_o to_o two_o well_o water_v place_n and_o that_o part_n of_o it_o which_o by_o reason_n it_o receive_v so_o great_a plenty_n of_o water_n be_v exceed_v fruitful_a he_o thus_o describe_v as_o the_o garden_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o the_o land_n of_o egypt_n in_o the_o way_n that_o lead_v to_o zoar._n this_o be_v the_o true_a order_n of_o moses_n word_n which_o if_o they_o be_v to_o be_v read_v as_o we_o find_v they_o in_o our_o bibles_n it_o will_v be_v a_o hyperbaton_n therefore_o they_o be_v to_o be_v place_v as_o we_o have_v do_v they_o for_o from_o this_o mountainous_a country_n which_o we_o have_v already_o describe_v out_o of_o josephus_n where_o abraham_n pitch_v his_o tent_n when_o lot_n part_v from_o he_o as_o he_o go_v to_o the_o opposite_a hill_n beyond_o jordan_n by_o zoar_n he_o first_o see_v the_o vale_n of_o jericho_n water_v with_o a_o most_o plentiful_a fountain_n than_o jordan_n and_o callirrhoe_n therefore_o this_o plain_a by_o which_o man_n go_v to_o zoar_v very_o well_o deserve_v to_o be_v call_v well-watered_n a_o example_n of_o the_o like_a perturbation_n of_o the_o word_n we_o find_v in_o genesis_n 25.18_o but_o if_o any_o one_o will_v not_o admit_v of_o a_o trajection_n here_o the_o syrian_a interpreter_n publish_v in_o the_o london_n polyglot_n furnish_v we_o with_o another_o convenient_a read_n where_o for_o zoar_v we_o meet_v zoan_n that_o be_v tanis_n mention_v by_o moses_n numb_a 13.23_o and_o psal_n 78.12_o and_o indeed_o to_o describe_v any_o well-watered_n place_n one_o can_v not_o produce_v a_o fit_a instance_n than_o the_o low_a egypt_n and_o particular_o where_o the_o road_n be_v from_o canaan_n to_o tanis_n for_o it_o be_v not_o only_o abundant_o refresh_v with_o the_o nile_n cut_v into_o several_a branch_n but_o it_o be_v full_a of_o lake_n and_o morass_n to_o confirm_v which_o assertion_n because_o it_o be_v sufficient_o know_v to_o all_o that_o be_v not_o utter_o unacquainted_a with_o the_o chorograpy_a of_o egypt_n i_o will_v only_o allege_v the_o testimony_n of_o strabo_n lib._n 17._o p._n 552._o above_o the_o mendesian_a and_o tanitic_a mouth_n of_o the_o nile_n be_v a_o vast_a lake_n etc._n etc._n then_o the_o tanitic_a mouth_n and_o the_o tanitic_a province_n in_o which_o be_v tanis_n a_o famous_a city_n between_o the_o tanitick_a and_o pelusiack_a mouth_n through_o which_o those_o that_o come_v from_o canaan_n to_o these_o place_n must_v travel_v there_o be_v pool_n and_o great_a and_o continue_a morass_n full_a of_o village_n but_o it_o be_v whole_o indifferent_a to_o we_o whether_o lection_n viz._n that_o of_o the_o common_a bibles_n or_o that_o of_o the_o syriac_a interpreter_n the_o reader_n will_v be_v please_v to_o follow_v provide_v he_o remember_v that_o the_o plain_a of_o jordan_n be_v compare_v to_o the_o low_a egypt_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o its_o well-watered_n pasture_n as_o for_o the_o paradise_n of_o the_o lord_n to_o which_o it_o be_v likewise_o compare_v we_o can_v say_v any_o thing_n of_o it_o here_o which_o we_o have_v not_o take_v notice_n of_o in_o our_o dissertation_n our_o see_v the_o 12_o dissertation_n annotation_n in_o the_o three_o place_n we_o must_v take_v notice_n that_o there_o be_v pit_n of_o bitumen_n in_o this_o tract_n of_o ground_n as_o moses_n inform_v we_o gen._n 14.10_o where_o after_o he_o have_v relate_v the_o overthrow_n of_o the_o man_n of_o sodom_n the_o valley_n of_o siddim_n say_v he_o be_v full_a of_o slime-pit_n and_o the_o king_n of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n flee_v and_o be_v there_o destroy_v from_o this_o remarkable_a passage_n we_o gather_v that_o even_o before_o there_o be_v any_o such_o thing_n as_o the_o lacus_n asphaltites_n that_o plenty_n of_o bitumen_n boil_v up_o out_o of_o the_o ground_n and_o there_o be_v use_v to_o be_v get_v which_o be_v dilute_v by_o the_o confluence_n of_o so_o many_o water_n it_o become_v liquid_a as_o we_o be_v tell_v by_o pliny_n lib._n 35._o c._n 15._o though_o it_o seem_v to_o have_v be_v thick_o before_o for_o the_o reason_n allege_v in_o our_o commentary_n lest_o the_o reader_n shall_v be_v at_o a_o loss_n we_o have_v transcribe_v pliny_n word_n and_o some_o other_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n concern_v bitumen_n out_o of_o other_o author_n bitumen_n say_v he_o which_o in_o some_o place_n be_v a_o mud_n in_o other_o a_o earth_n be_v a_o perfect_a lincus_n or_o mud_n as_o it_o come_v out_o of_o the_o lake_n in_o judaea_n but_o in_o syria_n near_o a_o seaport_n town_n call_v sidon_n it_o be_v a_o earth_n both_o of_o they_o may_v be_v make_v thick_a and_o consistent_a there_o be_v likewise_o a_o sort_n of_o liquid_a bitumen_n as_o that_o which_o come_v from_o zant_n and_o babylon_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o the_o greek_n call_v pissasphalson_n from_o the_o likeness_n of_o pitch_n and_o bitumen_n consult_v dioscorides_n lib._n 1._o c._n 99_o &_o 100_o strabo_n in_o abundance_n of_o place_n tell_v we_o that_o bitumen_n be_v get_v both_o out_o of_o the_o earth_n and_o out_o of_o fountain_n these_o be_v his_o word_n lib._n 16._o p._n 511._o great_a quantity_n of_o bitumen_n grow_v in_o babylonia_n of_o which_o eratosthenes_n speak_v after_o the_o follow_a manner_n the_o liquid_a bitumen_n which_o they_o call_v naphtha_n be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o susiane_n the_o dry_a which_o will_v grow_v hard_a in_o babylonia_n a_o well_o of_o which_o stuff_n there_o be_v near_o naphtha_n consult_v likewise_o what_o he_o say_v of_o a_o fountain_n of_o bitumen_n in_o the_o province_n of_o the_o apolloniata_n lib._n 7._o p._n 219._o and_o the_o several_a author_n cite_v by_o be_v causaubon_n upon_o that_o place_n but_o as_o moses_n mention_n pit_n of_o bitumen_n in_o the_o plain_a of_o jordan_n so_o likewise_o do_v herodotus_n l._n 6._o c._n 119._o tell_v we_o of_o a_o pit_n which_o afford_v three_o sort_n of_o thing_n for_o they_o draw_v bitumen_n salt_n and_o oil_n out_o of_o it_o after_o the_o follow_a manner_n it_o be_v draw_v out_o by_o a_o bucket_n with_o half_a a_o bottle_n fasten_v to_o it_o which_o serve_v instead_o of_o a_o pitcher_n this_o be_v let_v down_o into_o the_o pit_n whatever_o it_o bring_v up_o be_v immediate_o pour_v into_o a_o cistern_n and_o be_v pour_v out_o of_o that_o into_o another_o it_o produce_v three_o several_a thing_n it_o afford_v bitumen_n and_o salt_n present_o etc._n etc._n but_o this_o be_v liquid_a bitumen_n some_o of_o the_o ancient_n have_v even_o take_v notice_n of_o the_o cavern_n from_o whence_o the_o babylonian_n have_v it_o dry_a curtius_n lib._n 5._o c._n 1._o there_o be_v a_o cavern_n in_o that_o place_n from_o which_o a_o fountain_n throw_v up_o a_o prodigious_a quantity_n of_o bitumen_n so_o that_o it_o be_v manifest_o plain_a that_o the_o babylonian_a wall_n of_o mighty_a workmanship_n be_v cement_v with_o the_o bitumen_n of_o this_o fountain_n this_o therefore_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o this_o soil_n this_o the_o situation_n of_o the_o city_n in_o the_o plain_a of_o jordan_n upon_o which_o it_o happen_v as_o we_o shall_v hereafter_o see_v that_o as_o the_o ground_n sink_v down_o a_o great_a lake_n of_o bitumen_n spring_v up_o in_o its_o room_n iii_o as_o the_o babylonian_a soil_n be_v wonderful_o fertile_a by_o reason_n it_o be_v irrigate_v by_o the_o euphrates_n and_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o country_n so_o the_o low_a most_o part_n of_o this_o large_a plain_n be_v for_o the_o same_o reason_n of_o equal_a fecundity_n with_o it_o and_o as_o the_o babylonian_n who_o flow_v in_o all_o manner_n of_o plenty_n be_v addict_v to_o all_o sort_n of_o lust_n so_o the_o sodomite_n and_o their_o neighbour_n by_o the_o same_o infirmity_n of_o humane_a
nature_n which_o use_v to_o abuse_v god_n almighty_n gift_n abandon_v themselves_o to_o all_o the_o degree_n of_o wickedness_n as_o moses_n particular_o inform_v we_o gen._n 18_o &_o 19_o after_o man_n be_v satiate_v with_o good_a thing_n say_v philo_n in_o his_o book_n concern_v abraham_n this_o satiety_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o world_n soon_o beget_v wantonness_n if_o we_o may_v take_v cicero_n word_n for_o it_o man_n derive_v their_o manner_n not_o so_o much_o from_o the_o seed_n of_o their_o parent_n as_o from_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v afford_v by_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o soil_n and_o our_o manner_n of_o live_v the_o carthaginian_n be_v not_o bear_v deceitful_a and_o liar_n but_o make_v so_o by_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o place_n for_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o abundance_n of_o their_o harbour_n and_o their_o frequent_a deal_n with_o merchant_n and_o stranger_n the_o desire_n of_o gain_n put_v they_o upon_o the_o art_n of_o trick_v and_o cheat_v the_o genoeses_n inhabit_v a_o hilly_a country_n be_v hard_o and_o clownish_a the_o very_a nature_n of_o their_o soil_n teach_v they_o this_o which_o produce_v nothing_o but_o with_o much_o cultivate_a and_o labour_n the_o campanian_o be_v always_o proud_a by_o reason_n of_o the_o great_a fertility_n of_o their_o land_n the_o plenty_n of_o fruit_n the_o wholesomeness_n and_o beauty_n of_o their_o city_n from_o this_o abundance_n and_o superfluity_n of_o every_o thing_n arise_v that_o pride_n which_o dispose_v these_o people_n to_o demand_v of_o the_o ancient_a roman_n that_o one_o of_o the_o consul_n shall_v be_v choose_v out_o of_o capua_n and_o afterward_o that_o luxury_n which_o help_v to_o ruin_n hannibal_n who_o all_o the_o difficulty_n and_o fatigue_n of_o war_n can_v not_o conquer_v cicero_n argue_v after_o this_o rate_n in_o his_o oration_n de_fw-fr lege_fw-la argrario_fw-la deliver_v before_o the_o people_n against_o rullus_n and_o likewise_o in_o another_o which_o he_o speak_v in_o the_o senate-house_n he_o be_v utter_o against_o the_o send_v a_o colony_n to_o that_o place_n which_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o fruitfulness_n of_o the_o soil_n and_o the_o plenty_n of_o all_o thing_n be_v say_v to_o have_v beget_v pride_n and_o cruelty_n all_o which_o thing_n exact_o prove_v true_a in_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o plain_a of_o jordan_n who_o soil_n that_o we_o may_v observe_v this_o by_o the_o by_o be_v not_o unlike_a that_o of_o the_o campanian_o which_o to_o this_o day_n abound_v in_o bitumen_n and_o sulphur_n now_o these_o people_n as_o they_o be_v corrupt_v by_o prosperity_n so_o it_o seem_v adversity_n make_v not_o the_o least_o impression_n upon_o their_o mind_n or_o reform_v their_o manner_n although_o they_o be_v conquer_v by_o the_o etymaeans_n and_o their_o confederate_n which_o affliction_n may_v have_v awaken_v a_o less_o flagitious_a people_n to_o a_o sense_n of_o their_o duty_n yet_o it_o wrought_v not_o any_o good_a effect_n upon_o these_o debauchee_n who_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v deliver_v out_o of_o captivity_n carry_v their_o old_a custom_n and_o vice_n home_n along_o with_o they_o see_v the_o 14_o chapter_n of_o genesis_n now_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o these_o people_n do_v not_o only_o consist_v in_o this_o that_o they_o be_v give_v to_o uncleanness_n and_o lasciviousness_n as_o appear_v from_o gen._n ch_z 19_o but_o in_o all_o manner_n of_o wickedness_n certain_o the_o debauchery_n of_o that_o place_n can_v admit_v of_o no_o new_a accession_n but_o be_v already_o arrive_v to_o its_o height_n where_o they_o can_v think_v of_o abuse_v stranger_n after_o so_o abominable_a a_o manner_n therefore_o josephus_n deserve_o begin_v this_o history_n with_o the_o follow_a word_n the_o sodomite_n wax_v proud_a for_o their_o riches_n and_o wealth_n grow_v contumelious_a towards_o man_n and_o impious_a towards_o god_n so_o that_o they_o be_v whole_o unmindful_a of_o the_o favour_n they_o receive_v from_o he_o they_o hate_v stranger_n and_o burn_v in_o mutual_a lust_n with_o one_o another_o hence_o we_o see_v that_o in_o the_o prophet_n the_o proverbial_a appellation_n of_o wicked_a man_n be_v that_o of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n thus_o isaiah_n call_v the_o people_n of_o jerusalem_n ch_n 1.10_o hear_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n you_o prince_n of_o sodom_n listen_v to_o the_o law_n of_o your_o god_n you_o people_n of_o gomorrah_n see_v likewise_o ezekiel_n 16.46_o &_o seqq._n iu._n and_o therefore_o the_o divine_a justice_n offend_v at_o these_o horrid_a enormity_n resolve_v utter_o to_o destroy_v some_o city_n situate_v in_o the_o far_a part_n of_o the_o plain_a of_o jordan_n which_o moses_n relate_v to_o have_v be_v do_v in_o the_o follow_a manner_n the_o lord_n rain_v upon_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n brimstone_n and_o fire_n from_o the_o lord_n out_o of_o heaven_n and_o he_o overthrow_v those_o city_n and_o all_o the_o plain_a and_o all_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o the_o city_n and_o that_o which_o grow_v upon_o the_o ground_n gen._n 19.24_o 25._o we_o have_v already_o show_v that_o this_o whole_a tract_n of_o land_n be_v full_a of_o bitumen_n which_o as_o it_o will_v easy_o take_v fire_n be_v soon_o kindle_v by_o the_o lightning_n and_o the_o flame_n be_v not_o only_o to_o be_v see_v upon_o the_o superficies_n of_o the_o earth_n which_o frequent_o happen_v in_o such_o place_n without_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n but_o so_o pierce_v into_o the_o subterranean_a vein_n of_o brimstone_n and_o bitumen_n that_o that_o matter_n be_v destroy_v the_o whole_a earth_n sink_v down_o and_o offord_v a_o receptacle_n to_o the_o water_n flow_v thither_o all_o which_o particular_n we_o will_v now_o endeavour_v to_o handle_v more_o copious_o and_o to_o illustrate_v by_o other_o example_n first_o though_o moses_n only_o mention_n two_o city_n which_o god_n destroy_v by_o lightning_n namely_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n yet_o there_o be_v two_o more_o destroy_v at_o the_o same_o time_n adma_n and_o zeboim_n which_o lie_v near_o the_o two_o abovementioned_a city_n as_o appear_v from_o chapter_n 14.2_o nay_o moses_n himself_o affirm_v as_o much_o deut._n 29.23_o where_o take_v occasion_n to_o describe_v the_o punishment_n with_o which_o god_n will_v visit_v the_o wicked_a israelite_n he_o tell_v they_o that_o stranger_n as_o they_o travel_v that_o way_n shall_v gaze_v upon_o their_o land_n burn_v up_o with_o brimstone_n and_o salt_n in_o which_o there_o shall_v be_v no_o sow_v nor_o shall_v any_o thing_n grow_v nor_o any_o herb_n appear_v as_o in_o the_o destruction_n of_o sodom_n gomorrah_n adma_n and_o zeboim_n which_o the_o lord_n overthrow_v in_o his_o anger_n and_o wrath._n see_v likewise_o hosea_n 11.8_o now_o the_o reason_n why_o these_o two_o last_o city_n be_v omit_v seem_v to_o be_v because_o perhaps_o the_o king_n of_o these_o place_n be_v tributary_n to_o those_o of_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n strabo_n indeed_o in_o his_o sixteenth_o book_n do_v not_o mention_v that_o only_o four_o city_n be_v subvert_v by_o this_o subterranean_a fire_n but_o thirteen_o but_o perhaps_o he_o may_v be_v deceive_v in_o this_o matter_n as_o well_o as_o he_o be_v in_o believe_v that_o the_o lacus_n serbonis_n be_v the_o same_o with_o the_o asphaltites_n .._o perhaps_o to_o nine_o other_o small_a town_n which_o depend_v upon_o these_o four_o be_v destroy_v at_o the_o same_o time_n it_o be_v certain_a that_o ezekiel_n do_v not_o only_o make_v mention_n of_o sodom_n but_o its_o daughter_n chap._n 16._o that_o be_v the_o city_n that_o be_v situate_a in_o the_o same_o province_n as_o i_o live_v say_v the_o lord_n god_n to_o jerusalem_n thy_o sister_n sodom_n and_o the_o daughter_n thereof_o that_o be_v to_o say_v the_o city_n which_o it_o have_v build_v around_o it_o or_o else_o send_v colony_n into_o have_v not_o do_v as_o thou_o and_o thy_o daughter_n have_v do_v it_o may_v not_o improbable_o be_v suppose_v that_o strabo_n a_o man_n of_o great_a diligence_n and_o infinite_a read_n may_v have_v a_o account_n of_o the_o number_n of_o these_o city_n from_o some_o writer_n of_o the_o phoenician_n history_n second_o god_n be_v say_v to_o have_v rain_v down_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n from_o the_o lord_n which_o be_v a_o periphrasis_n for_o lightning_n as_o in_o psalm_n 9_o ver_fw-la 6._o he_o will_v rain_v whirlwind_n upon_o the_o wicked_a fire_n and_o brimstone_n and_o ezekiel_n 38.22_o i_o will_v punish_v he_o with_o pestilence_n and_o blood_n a_o mighty_a shower_n stone_n of_o hail_o fire_n and_o brimstone_n will_v i_o rain_v down_o upon_o he_o now_o thunder_n be_v therefore_o call_v fire_n and_o brimstone_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o say_v brimstone_n set_v on_o fire_n and_o light_v so_o in_o the_o three_o of_o genesis_n v._o 16._o we_o find_v pain_n and_o conception_n that_o be_v pain_n which_o follow_v conception_n he_o that_o be_v desirous_a to_o see_v more_o example_n
of_o this_o nature_n let_v he_o consult_v h._n grotius_n upon_o john_n 3.5_o but_o the_o reason_n why_o thunder_n be_v thus_o describe_v no_o one_o certain_o can_v be_v ignorant_a of_o that_o have_v either_o smell_v those_o place_n that_o have_v be_v strike_v by_o thunder_n or_o have_v read_v what_o learned_a man_n have_v write_v upon_o this_o occasion_n i_o will_v only_o give_v myself_o the_o trouble_n to_o set_v down_o two_o or_o three_o testimony_n thunder_z and_o lightning_n likewise_o say_v pliny_n lib._n 35._o c._n 15._o have_v the_o smell_v of_o brimstone_n and_o the_o very_a light_n or_o flame_n of_o they_o be_v sulphureous_a and_o seneca_n in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o his_o natural_a question_n ch_n 21._o tell_v we_o that_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v strike_v by_o lightning_n have_v a_o sulphureous_a smell_n and_o indeed_o our_o natural_a philosopher_n have_v plain_o demonstrate_v that_o the_o thunderbolt_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o sulphureous_a exhalation_n for_o this_o persius_n in_o his_o second_o satire_n call_v it_o sulphus_n sacrum_n ignovisse_fw-la putas_fw-la quia_fw-la cum_fw-la tonet_fw-la ocyus_fw-la ilex_fw-la sulphur_n discutitur_fw-la sacro_fw-la quam_fw-la túque_fw-la domúsque_fw-la on_o the_o other_o hand_n because_o the_o thunderbolt_n be_v of_o a_o sulphureous_a nature_n the_o greek_n seem_v to_o have_v call_v brimstone_n in_o their_o language_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v divine_a by_o a_o proper_a name_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o it_o come_v from_o god_n now_o god_n be_v not_o bare_o say_v to_o have_v rain_v down_o brimstone_n and_o fire_n but_o brimstone_n and_o fire_n from_o the_o lord_n where_o the_o addition_n of_o from_o the_o lord_n which_o at_o first_o sight_n may_v appear_v to_o be_v superfluous_a do_v more_o particular_o describe_v the_o thunderbolt_n which_o by_o the_o hebrew_n and_o other_o nation_n be_v frequent_o call_v the_o fire_n of_o god_n and_o fire_n from_o god_n thus_o in_o the_o second_o book_n of_o king_n c._n 1._o v._n 12._o the_o fire_n of_o god_n come_v down_o from_o heaven_n and_o devour_v he_o see_v likewise_o job_n 1._o v._o 16._o isaiah_n use_v the_o same_o expression_n c._n 66._o v._n 16._o he_o shall_v be_v punish_v with_o the_o fire_n of_o the_o lord_z after_o this_o manner_n the_o latin_a poet_n speak_v herein_o intimate_v the_o grecian_n as_o ovid._n met._n l._n 15._o jamque_fw-la opus_fw-la exegi_fw-la quod_fw-la nec_fw-la jovis_n ira_fw-la nec_fw-la ignes_fw-la nec_fw-la poterit_fw-la ferrum_fw-la nec_fw-la edax_fw-la abolere_fw-la vetustas_fw-la statius_n in_o the_o first_o book_n of_o his_o thebais_n ilicet_fw-la igne_fw-la jovis_n lapsisque_fw-la citatior_fw-la astris_fw-la tristibus_fw-la exiluit_fw-la ripis_fw-la because_o man_n have_v no_o power_n over_o these_o kind_n of_o meteor_n and_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o they_o by_o any_o contrivance_n to_o ascend_v up_o to_o the_o cloud_n therefore_o god_n be_v suppose_v to_o dwell_v there_o and_o to_o cast_v his_o dart_n from_o thence_o although_o he_o be_v equal_o present_a in_o all_o place_n and_o do_v not_o send_v his_o thunderbolt_n for_o any_o peculiar_a reason_n three_o though_o moses_n do_v not_o inform_v we_o after_o what_o manner_n the_o thunderbolt_n subvert_v these_o unhappy_a city_n and_o the_o adjoin_a territory_n yet_o since_o he_o make_v mention_n of_o they_o we_o can_v comprehend_v how_o it_o happen_v any_o otherwise_o than_o that_o the_o thunderbolt_n fall_v in_o great_a plenty_n upon_o some_o pit_n of_o bitumen_n the_o vein_n of_o that_o combustible_a matter_n take_v fire_n immediate_o and_o as_o the_o fire_n penetrate_v into_o the_o lowermost_a bowel_n of_o this_o bituminous_a soil_n these_o wicked_a city_n be_v subvert_v by_o a_o tremor_n and_o sink_v down_o of_o the_o ground_n we_o will_v not_o here_o enlarge_v how_o easy_o naphtha_n which_o be_v a_o sort_n of_o liquid_a bitumen_n be_v set_v on_o fire_n the_o reader_n may_v at_o his_o leisure_n consult_v what_o strabo_n l._n 16._o plutarch_n in_o the_o life_n of_o alexander_n and_o pliny_n l._n 2._o c._n 105._o have_v say_v upon_o this_o subject_a perhaps_o in_o some_o part_n of_o this_o delicious_a plain_n which_o be_v overthrow_v there_o be_v only_o the_o thick_a bitumen_n but_o even_o the_o very_a vapour_n of_o that_o matter_n which_o exhale_v from_o ground_n impregnate_v with_o it_o be_v easy_o set_v on_o fire_n in_o lycia_n the_o hephoestian_a mountain_n if_o you_o do_v but_o touch_v they_o with_o a_o light_a torch_n immediate_o take_v fire_n so_o that_o the_o very_a stone_n in_o the_o river_n and_o the_o sand_n in_o the_o water_n burn_v if_o you_o take_v a_o stick_v out_o of_o these_o water_n and_o draw_v furrow_n upon_o the_o ground_n with_o it_o according_a to_o the_o common_a report_n a_o tract_n of_o fire_n follow_v it_o these_o be_v pliny_n word_n l._n 2._o c._n 106._o there_o be_v a_o small_a hill_n in_o the_o province_n belong_v to_o grenoble_n from_o whence_o a_o smoke_n of_o a_o bituminous_a smell_n be_v perpetual_o see_v to_o proceed_v now_o this_o smoke_n by_o a_o light_a flambeau_n or_o chaff_n be_v soon_o set_v on_o fire_n which_o we_o ourselves_o know_v to_o be_v true_a by_o ocular_a experience_n in_o that_o lamentable_a earthquake_n which_o in_o the_o month_n of_o january_n 1693._o shake_v all_o sicily_n after_o so_o prodigious_a and_o miserable_a a_o manner_n some_o author_n of_o very_a good_a credit_n have_v assure_v we_o that_o thunderbolt_n fall_v in_o several_a place_n of_o the_o island_n and_o this_o observation_n be_v not_o unknown_a to_o the_o ancient_n for_o seneca_n quoest_n nat._n l._n 2._o c._n 30._o say_v aetna_n have_v sometime_o burn_v exceed_o and_o throw_v up_o a_o wonderful_a quantity_n of_o burn_a sand_n the_o day_n obscure_v by_o the_o smoke_n and_o ash_n so_o that_o the_o people_n be_v terrify_v at_o so_o unexpected_a a_o scence_z of_o darkness_n at_o these_o time_n as_o the_o common_a tradition_n go_v there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o thunder_n and_o lightning_n and_o therefore_o the_o bitumen_n which_o be_v so_o plentiful_o find_v in_o the_o soil_n of_o sodom_n may_v be_v set_v on_o fire_n by_o a_o thunderbolt_n and_o since_o it_o flow_v or_o be_v dig_v not_o from_o the_o superficies_n of_o the_o earth_n but_o from_o vein_n of_o a_o mighty_a depth_n when_o once_o it_o have_v take_v fire_n the_o flame_n must_v of_o necessity_n run_v along_o all_o those_o vein_n and_o at_o last_o shake_v and_o subvert_v the_o ground_n the_o same_o thing_n frequent_o happen_v to_o the_o field_n about_o aetna_n and_o vesuvius_n for_o the_o very_a same_o reason_n innumerable_a author_n have_v write_v of_o the_o soil_n of_o sicily_n but_o justin_n shall_v serve_v for_o all_o who_o in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o book_n thus_o describe_v it_o the_o earth_n be_v natural_o thin_a and_o friable_a and_o by_o reason_n of_o the_o several_a cavern_n and_o pipe_n so_o penetrable_a that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o it_o be_v expose_v to_o the_o violence_n of_o the_o wind_n nay_o the_o genius_n of_o the_o soil_n be_v proper_a for_o generate_a and_o nourish_v of_o fire_n because_o it_o be_v say_v to_o be_v crust_v within_o with_o sulphur_n and_o bitumen_n which_o be_v the_o reason_n that_o when_o the_o wind_n struggle_v with_o the_o fire_n under_o ground_n it_o frequent_o belch_v out_o sometime_o flame_n sometime_o vapour_n and_o sometime_o smoke_n and_o that_o in_o several_a place_n cornelius_n severus_n prosecute_v this_o argument_n at_o large_a in_o his_o poem_n entitle_v aetna_n the_o same_o observation_n have_v be_v make_v of_o the_o ground_n that_o lie_v about_o the_o vesuvius_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o naples_n and_o several_a town_n have_v frequent_o be_v there_o overthrow_v by_o earthquake_n pliny_n the_o young_a in_o the_o 16_o epistle_n l._n 6._o where_o he_o relate_v the_o death_n of_o his_o learned_a uncle_n who_o be_v suffocate_v as_o he_o approach_v too_o near_o the_o fire_n of_o that_o mountain_n the_o house_n say_v he_o with_o frequent_a and_o prodigious_a tremble_n nod_v and_o as_o if_o they_o have_v be_v remove_v from_o their_o foundation_n seem_v to_o move_v this_o way_n and_o that_o way_n and_o seneca_n in_o the_o six_o book_n of_o his_o natural_a question_n ch_n 1._o have_v the_o follow_a passage_n we_o be_v tell_v that_o pompeii_n a_o famous_a city_n of_o campania_n be_v subvert_v by_o a_o earthquake_n this_o concussion_n happen_v on_o the_o five_o the_o which_o be_v our_o five_o nones_n of_o february_n under_o the_o consulate_a of_o regulus_n and_o virginius_n and_o occasion_v incredible_a loss_n in_o campania_n which_o though_o it_o be_v never_o free_a from_o these_o motion_n yet_o it_o seldom_o suffer_v by_o they_o that_o which_o seneca_n tell_v we_o happen_v to_o the_o city_n of_o pompeii_n do_v we_o say_v be_v the_o very_a same_o calamity_n which_o visit_v these_o city_n in_o the_o plain_a of_o
which_o at_o uncertain_a season_n boil_v up_o from_o the_o bottom_n with_o bubbel_n like_o hot_a water_n and_o then_o the_o superficies_n of_o the_o lake_n swell_v and_o resemble_v the_o rise_n of_o a_o hill_n it_o emit_v vast_a quantity_n of_o smoky_a ash_n that_o deceive_v the_o eyesight_n it_o immediate_o rust_v silver_n and_o brass_n and_o in_o short_a every_o thing_n that_o look_v bright_a and_o polish_a except_o gold_n alone_o when_o their_o utensil_n grow_v rusty_a the_o inhabitant_n know_v that_o a_o eruption_n of_o bitumen_n will_v soon_o happen_v for_o which_o reason_n they_o go_v in_o flat-bottomed_a boat_n make_v of_o reed_n to_o gather_v it_o bitumen_n be_v a_o sort_n of_o earth_n which_o be_v melt_v by_o the_o heat_n spread_v mighty_o but_o with_o a_o little_a cold_a water_n be_v soon_o condense_a again_o into_o a_o solid_a body_n and_o therefore_o need_v incision_n several_n other_o sign_n convince_v we_o that_o in_o the_o soil_n of_o this_o country_n there_o be_v actual_a fire_n for_o they_o show_v we_o rough_a rock_n burn_v up_o near_o mosais_n and_o cavern_n wrought_v out_o in_o several_a place_n the_o earth_n full_a of_o ash_n drop_n of_o pitch_n distil_v from_o the_o rock_n the_o river_n hot_a and_o cast_v forth_o a_o unsavoury_a smell_n and_o their_o house_n frequent_o throw_v down_o so_o that_o what_o the_o native_n of_o the_o place_n relate_v may_v very_o well_o be_v credit_v viz._n that_o thirteen_o city_n be_v former_o inhabit_v in_o this_o tract_n of_o ground_n the_o metropolis_n of_o which_o sodom_n have_v still_o the_o compass_n of_o sixty_o furlong_n visible_o remain_v that_o by_o earthquake_n together_o with_o violent_a eruption_n of_o fire_n and_o hot_a bituminous_a sulphurous_a water_n a_o great_a lake_n be_v make_v that_o the_o stone_n take_v fire_n that_o some_o of_o the_o city_n be_v swallow_v up_o and_o other_o abandon_v by_o the_o inhabitant_n that_o can_v make_v their_o escape_n erastothenes_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n be_v of_o opinion_n that_o the_o country_n be_v overwhelm_v by_o store_n of_o subterranean_a pool_n we_o will_v now_o introduce_v tacitus_n to_o confirm_v what_o have_v be_v deliver_v by_o strabo_n who_o tell_v we_o in_o the_o five_o book_n of_o his_o history_n ch_n 6._o a_o lake_n of_o a_o mighty_a compass_n resemble_v a_o sea_n but_o of_o a_o more_o odious_a taste_n and_o for_o the_o noisomness_n of_o the_o smell_v that_o proceed_v from_o it_o often_o fatal_a to_o the_o inhabitant_n it_o be_v neither_o agitate_a by_o the_o wind_n nor_o do_v it_o harbour_v any_o fish_n or_o fowl_n accustom_v to_o the_o water_n at_o certain_a season_n of_o the_o year_n it_o throw_v up_o bitumen_n the_o use_n of_o gather_v which_o experience_n have_v teach_v as_o it_o have_v do_v other_o arts._n not_o far_a from_o thence_o be_v field_n which_o they_o report_v to_o have_v be_v extreme_o fruitful_a in_o former_a time_n and_o inhabit_v by_o large_a and_o populous_a city_n but_o afterward_o be_v set_v on_o fire_n by_o thunder_n bolt_n the_o footstep_n of_o which_o calamity_n be_v still_o remain_v but_o that_o the_o earth_n which_o seem_v to_o be_v parch_v and_o burn_v up_o have_v whole_o lose_v its_o fertility_n for_o every_o thing_n whether_o it_o grow_v spontanious_o or_o be_v plant_v by_o man_n whether_o herb_n or_o flower_n or_o arrive_v to_o full_a maturity_n if_o compress_v moulder_n away_o immediate_o into_o ash_n therefore_o as_o i_o ready_o grant_v that_o some_o famous_a city_n be_v here_o destroy_v by_o lightning_n in_o time_n past_a so_o i_o suppose_v that_o the_o earth_n be_v infect_v by_o steam_n from_o the_o lake_n and_o the_o circum-ambient_a air_n corrupt_v which_o putrify_v the_o fruit_n of_o the_o earth_n this_o lake_n likewise_o have_v be_v describe_v by_o diodorus_n siculus_n l._n 19_o by_o pliny_n l._n 5._o c._n 16._o and_o by_o solinus_n c._n 36._o who_o the_o reader_n if_o he_o think_v fit_a may_v consult_v when_o he_o please_v we_o will_v not_o here_o examine_v the_o particular_n they_o relate_v although_o we_o make_v no_o question_n but_o that_o abundance_n of_o false_a report_n have_v be_v utter_v upon_o this_o subject_a we_o will_v only_o inquire_v into_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o several_a name_n it_o go_v by_o with_o all_o convenient_a brevity_n every_o one_o know_v wherefore_o it_o receive_v the_o name_n of_o asphaltites_n since_o it_o so_o plentiful_o abound_v in_o asphaltus_n or_o bitumen_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o it_o be_v frequent_o call_v the_o salt_n sea_n in_o scripture_n be_v because_o the_o hebrew_n call_v all_o lake_n sea_n and_o because_o two_o other_o lake_n viz._n that_o of_o semechon_n and_o genesareth_n receive_v the_o river_n jordan_n in_o his_o passage_n above_o both_o which_o be_v fresh_a water_n therefore_o this_o three_o to_o be_v distinguish_v from_o they_o be_v call_v the_o salt_n sea_n otherwise_o the_o mediterranean_a sea_n be_v likewise_o salt_n although_o it_o be_v certain_a there_o be_v some_o difference_n in_o the_o saltness_n in_o succeed_a time_n it_o be_v call_v the_o dead_a sea_n not_o because_o the_o water_n of_o it_o be_v immovable_a as_o justin_n pretend_v l._n 36.3_o but_o because_o as_o josephus_n inform_v we_o it_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v it_o have_v no_o fish_n in_o it_o the_o abovementioned_a writer_n that_o give_v a_o description_n of_o this_o lake_n confirm_v the_o opinion_n of_o josephus_n to_o who_o we_o will_v add_v two_o eye-witness_n first_o pausanias_n who_o in_o his_o five_o book_n express_o tell_v we_o he_o see_v the_o river_n jordan_n which_o run_v through_o the_o lake_n of_o tiberias_n fall_v into_o another_o lake_n call_v the_o dead_a sea_n by_o who_o it_o be_v consume_v and_o afterward_o add_v this_o lake_n be_v void_a of_o fish_n who_o turn_v back_o to_o their_o accustom_a water_n as_o from_o a_o manifest_a danger_n the_o second_o be_v st._n jerome_n who_o upon_o the_o 47th_o chapter_n of_o ezekiel_n if_o jordan_n say_v he_o swell_v by_o the_o rain_n carry_v any_o fish_n into_o it_o they_o immediate_o die_v and_o float_v upon_o the_o surface_n of_o the_o fat_a water_n vi_o so_o much_o concern_v the_o lake_n now_o let_v we_o proceed_v to_o say_v something_o of_o its_o bank_n and_o the_o circumjacent_a country_n beside_o what_o we_o have_v already_o relate_v of_o it_o by_o the_o by_o josephus_n speak_v of_o the_o territory_n about_o sodom_n thus_o express_v himself_o near_o this_o lake_n say_v he_o be_v sodomitis_n former_o a_o delicious_a and_o fertile_a land_n and_o famous_a for_o the_o riches_n of_o its_o city_n but_o now_o whole_o burn_v up_o after_o this_o he_o go_v on_o in_o the_o follow_a word_n so_o that_o you_o will_v rather_o think_v that_o tacitus_n or_o any_o pagan_a author_n speak_v rather_o than_o josephus_n the_o report_v run_v that_o for_o the_o wickedness_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n it_o be_v destroy_v by_o thunderbolt_n indeed_o the_o remainder_n of_o the_o divine_a fire_n and_o the_o resemblance_n of_o five_o city_n be_v still_o to_o be_v see_v the_o sight_n of_o which_o give_v credit_n to_o the_o story_n that_o be_v tell_v of_o the_o country_n about_o sodom_n after_o the_o same_o manner_n philo_n towards_o the_o end_n of_o his_o second_o book_n concern_v the_o life_n of_o moses_n the_o monument_n of_o that_o unspeakable_a destruction_n be_v to_o this_o day_n show_v in_o syria_n ruin_n ash_n brimstone_n smoak_n and_o a_o slender_a small_a flame_n still_o break_v forth_o certain_a indication_n of_o fire_n st._n judas_n in_o the_o seven_o verse_n of_o his_o epistle_n seem_v to_o have_v his_o eye_n upon_o this_o where_o he_o say_v that_o sodom_n and_o gomorrah_n and_o the_o neighbour_a city_n be_v propose_v as_o a_o spectacle_n bear_v the_o punishment_n of_o everlasting_a fire_n this_o fire_n which_o for_o so_o many_o age_n be_v feed_v by_o the_o bituminous_a matter_n and_o perhaps_o still_o continue_v be_v call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thus_o pliny_n l._n 2._o c._n 106._o say_v that_o the_o mountain_n chimaera_n in_o phaselis_n burn_v night_n and_o day_n with_o a_o immortal_a flame_n after_o ctesias_n who_o have_v use_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d of_o the_o same_o signification_n in_o greek_a diogenes_n laertius_n l._n 8._o §_o 75._o thus_o speak_v to_o empedocles_n who_o be_v report_v to_o have_v throw_v himself_o headlong_o into_o aetna_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d thou_o have_v drink_v fire_n out_o of_o immortal_a cup_n learned_a man_n be_v mistake_v who_o imagine_v that_o this_o fire_n which_o burn_v down_o the_o city_n of_o this_o famous_a valley_n be_v therefore_o call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d because_o it_o be_v a_o figure_n of_o eternity_n or_o because_o it_o be_v not_o extinguish_v till_o it_o have_v destroy_v every_o thing_n for_o it_o flame_v long_o after_o that_o and_o both_o interpretation_n