that are eminent in it that is this and another called Tariana The Air in the Winter season is very temperate at which time the Earth bringeth forth many pleasant Flowers and Fruits but in the Summer it is extream hot by which heat all things are scorched and burned away and by reason of the Putrefaction of the Air as some think in that Season there do breed Toads Lyzards and other Noysome Serpents in great abundance so that the Inhabitants are constrained partly because of the heat partly because of the loathsome and dangerous Creatures to build their Houses all of Earth long and narrow the Walls and Roofs being at least a yard thick that so the heat might not pierce through them or Serpents breed in them Strabo lib. Geograph 5. saith that one Tython the Brother of Laomedon King of Troy did first build this City about such time as Tholâ— judged Israel After him his Son Memnon beautified it with a fair and goodly Castle calling it after his own name Memnon Of this man Homer speaketh This Castle was such a goodly thing that a long time after his death the Town was called Memnon as Strabo observeth but in Hester and Daniels's times it was called Susa and the Inhabitants Susans The Persian Emperors in those times keeping their Courts there for the most part and did greatly beautifie the City with many fair Buildings The first of these Emperours that dwelt there was Cyrus who after he had conquered Babylon Assyria and many other Kingdoms and Countries lying near to the City Susa that he might with more ease and better safety retain them in his Government removed his Court from Persepolis which lay up in the East part of Persia to this Town where all the Winter season for the most part he lived and in the Summer went to â—gbatan the chief City of Media because there at that season the Air was very temperate His Successors after him observing the same course for their better conveniency and to make evident their greater magnificence repaired the Castle of Memnon joyned to it many fair and goodly Buildings and close by it planted a pleasant Orchard of diverse and sundry sorts of Trees and Herbs It is reported that the Gate whereby they entred into this Orchard was very curiously built supported with Pillars of polished Marble imbossed with Silver and Gold very rare to look upon over it was a banquetting-house beautified with lively pictures costly furniture and Beds of Gold and Silver covered with rich Tapestry wrought with Silk Silver and Gold upon these they used to eat their Banquets it was paved with Porphire Marble and Hyacinths in such â—ort as it greatly delighted such as beheld it The Queen had a private Garden to her self in which were great abundance of Trees of divers kinds and many sweet Flowers and Herbs In which Garden Ahashuerus walked to qualifie the heat of his wrath that he had conceived against that wicked and perfidious Haman who through envy and ambition sought the destruction of the whole Nation of the Iews leâ—t by giving place unto anger he should transgress the bounds of Clemency and Justice wherefore it becometh every King Prince and Judge to imitate the example of this Emperour who in the heat of his anger would determine nothing of so wicked a man for long and often deliberation becometh every wise man before he doth any thing Est. 7. Not far from the Emperour's Palace in a fair and pleasant Garden there stood a Colledge of the Magi that is such as the Persians accounted wise and learned men these were of such account for their knowledge and understanding amongst that People that some of them in succeeding ages were chosen for Kings and Governours in that Country They studied for the most part the Mathematicks History Philosophy and Divinity and as many have thought the Prophecies of Daniel Ezekiel and others wherefore as is said before many are of opinion that the Wise men which came into Iudaea to see Christ were of this Colledge and Town because it stood East from Ierusalem It is at this day called Cusistane as Ortelius and Sebastian Munster witness and in their times was under the Government of one Caliphus Emperour of the Saracens This Caliphus was strongly besieged by one Allan the great King of Tartaria in this Town Anno. Dom. 1250. But because of his exceeding Covetousness and Parcimony he lost the City and was famished to death Of the River Eulaeo ULai which Stra. li. 15. calleth Eulaea passed through the City of Susa and as Pliny saith lib. 6. cap. 27. took the beginning at Media and so fell into a hole or Cavern of the Earth and passed under the ground till it came near to the City Susa where it brake forth again and compassed about the Tower of Susa and a Temple in the City dedicated to Diana The Inhabitants hold this River in great estimation insomuch as the Kings drink of no other Water and for that purpose carry it a great way Strabo according to the Testimony of Polycletus saith That there are two other Rivers of good account which pass through Persia viz. Choasâ—es and Tygris but neither of them are in like estimation as this is Of Elam PErsia in antient times was called after this name from Elam the Son of Sem. But after Perseus had obtained a large and spacious Government in that Country it was after his name called Persia. Elam signifieth a Youth or a young man Of Egbatana or Egbatan THIS is the Metropolitan City of the Medes and is distant from Ierusalem 1136 miles towards the North-West built by Deioce King of the Medes as Herod l. 2. saith Here Daniel built a fair Temple of which you may read more in his Travels Of this Town you may read more in the Travels of Iudith The Typical Signification of Daniel DAniel signifies the Iudge of God typically representing Christ who is appointed by that eternal Iehovah to be Judge of all things both quick and dead and rescueth his Church which is as a Rose compassed about with Thorns oppressed with the Tyranny and cruelty of Evil and wicked men casting those false Judges and merciless Governours into eternal Exile and the Pit Destruction And as the Prophet was innocently condemned cast into the Lions den and had the door sealed upon him and to the judgment of man no hope of life or means to escape was left him yet by the Providence of God was delivered out of this danger and came thence safe and untouch'd Dan. 6. so our Saviour was innocently condemned cast into the Grave sealed up among the dead and to common judgment left as a man out of mind yet early in the morning at the appointed time by the Power of his Deity he raised himself up from this Pit of Hell the Grave and gloriously triumphed over it and death Of the Prophet Hosea THIS Prophet Hosea was born in a Town called Bemeloth or Bethmeloth as Dorotheâ—s
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
miles The Description of the places mentioned in their Travels Of Naphtaly THIS was the chief City of the Tribe of Naphtaly eighty four miles from Ierusalem toward the North. It stood in Galilee and in times past was a strong Town here Tobias the Elder was born It is to be seen at this day as some say but much decayed and is now called by the name of Sirin scituated in a Mountain so steep and strongly fortified by Nature upon the West side that it is impossible to ascend upon it In a Valley some two miles from this Town towards the South Naason spoken of in the first Chapter of Toby is scituated Upon the left side whereof there stood a Town called Sophet but now there is nothing to be seen but a Castle where in antient times the Knights Templers kept their abiding and at this day is in the custody of the Turks This Castle is scituated upon a high Mountain fortified very strongly both by Art and Nature and standeth within a mile of Naphtaly South-Westward At such time as Iosephus that great Historiographer who was the Son of Matthia or Marathia a Priest of the Iews was chosen chief Commander of the Tribe of Naphtaly he gathered an Army of 100000 and fortified this Castle and Naphtaly and many other Towns thereabouts continuing a long and sharp War against the Romans until Naphtaly was taken and he constrained to yield himself Captive In the taking in of which Town Titus the Son of Vespasian did first ascend the Walls and there made manifest his noble resolution and valour Vid. Ios. de bell Iud. lib. 3. 4. Of Rages a City of the Medes RAges is so called of a great Congregation being derived of Ragasch that is He hath assembled a great company for it was a very Populous City It was also called as Strab. lib. 11. Cosmograph saith Rahga but after being rebuilt and fortified by Nicanor it was by him called Europus being distant from Ierusalem 1396. Miles toward the Northeast The Persians call it Arsacia S. Ierom. de Trad. Hebr. would have Edissa a City of Mesopotamia or rather as Pliny saith of Coelosyria to be Rages which stands but 448. Miles from Ierusalem Northward and from Nineveh 188 miles Westward There are divers others that have wrote of this Town of Edissa but that this and Rages should be both one I cannot see how to agree with Toby for that he himself hath set it down to stand in Media and the Cities of the Medes lie distant from Ierusalem 1396 miles Therefore gentle Reader I refer it to thy better consideration Of Jesus the Son of Syrach SYrach signifies an illustrious Prince being derived of Sarach he hath shined forth he was of that noble Family of David that is the Son of Syrach the son of Iesu and Cousen-german to Amos Syrach who as Philo saith was the chief Prince and captain of the Children of Israel in the time of Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Egypt and is inserted into the Genealogy of Christ Luke 3. He was born 230. years before Christ in the City of Ierusalem from whence about the 38. year of his age he went to Alexandria a City of Egypt 288 miles Evergates Ptolomais the Son of Philadelphus being then King of that Country where he gathered out of that flourishing Library set up at the charge of Ptolomais Philadelphus his book of Ecclesiasticus as Bees from divers flowers gather sweet hony Of the great City Alexandria ALexandria was a City of Egypt distant from Ierusalem 288 miles Westward in ancient time called No that is a Hindrance But Alexander the Great taking affection to this city in the year 330. before Christ began to build it for by continuance of time it was much decayed and within the space of 17. days made it a goodly city much greater than that it was before to which that he might add the greater grace he called it after his own name Alexandria and there he lieth buried after he had governed the Empire of the Grecians 7 years For although he dyed in Babylon the chief City of the Chaldaeans yet Ptolomais one of his chief Princes removed his Body thence in a golden chariot to Memphis in Egypt and 20 years after to Alexandria The Scituation thereof is very delectable bordering to the North upon the Mediterranean Sea and to the South upon the Pool of Mareridis as Strabo saith lib. 17. It was ten miles about strongly fortified with walls beautified with goodly buildings scituated in a very fruitful Country And to give a greater delight unto the inhabitants without the Walls there stood many goodly Orchards and Gardens plentifully furnished with fruits and flowers of divers kinds as Pomecitrons Figgs c. During the time of Ptolomais Philadelphus it was a famous and flourishing City for this Prince being a great lover of Learning instituted an Academy as it is thought in it and added thereto a stately Library wherein were 400000 Books The same whereof being published through the World many People of divers Nations resorted thither to see it Then Eleazar also the High-priest of the Iews at the request of Ptolemais sent 72 Interpreters to translate the Bible out of Hebrew into Greek which was as Eusebius observeth in the third year of his reign before Christ 268. In recompence whereof he sent to be dedicated in the Temple of Ierusalem a Table of gold richly adorned with Carbuncles Smaragdes and other precious stones two stately Cups and 30 Bowls of pure gold as appeareth in Ioseph lib. Antiq. 12. The Academy continued there till after Christs time as you may read Acts 6. But the Library was consumed 47 years before Christ and the City greatly defaced For Iulius Caesar at that time making war with Pompey the younger who continued with his Sister Cleopatra in this City caused the Kings Navy to be set on fire and the Library standing neer it the flame took hold of it and burnt it down to the ground with all that was in it and defaced also a great part of the City Upon the Book of Maccabees The Travels of Antiochus Epiphanes ANtiochus Epiphanes that is An illustrious Adversary in the year of Christ 380. was sent out of Syria by Antiochus the Great to Rome which was 1600. miles where he remained as an hostage for his Father and his Brother Seleucus Philâ—pater seventeen years 1 Mac. 1. After the death of his Father he stole secretly from Rome and went back again to Antiochia in Syria which was 1600 miles and there succeeded his Brother Zeleucus Philopater in the government He began to reign 173 years before Christ. In the third year of his Reign he went from Antiochia to Tyrus 60 miles in that journey he conquered all the lower part of Syria and Phoenicia From thence he went about six score miles through Galilee and Iudaea conquering all the Cities and Countries that lay in his way and would also have gone down into Egypt but when he
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
66.10 31.58 Jarmouth 65.37 31.51 Azecha 65.51 31.54 Lachis 65.51 31.49 Eglon 65.50 31.48 Makeda 65.49 31.52 Libna 95.49 31.50 Debir 65.32 31.46 Bethsur 65.47 31.48 Kâ—chila 65.38 31.47 Mareâ—a 65.42 31.54 Maon 65.38 31.41 Carmel 65.40 31.44 Ziph 65.38 31.43 Arah 65.45 31.37 Hebron 65.33 31.45 Gerer 65.37 31.42 Kades barnea 65.22 31.29 Adar 65.12 31.32 Carcaha 65.06 31.30 Hasmona 65.00 31.30 Bethsemes 65.55 31.55 Beersabah 65.31 31.40 Siclag 65.15 31.37 Ecron 65.40 31.58 Azotus 65.35 31.00 Astalon 65.24 31.52 Gath 65.23 31.48 Gaza 65.11 31.40 The Towns lying on this side of the River Jordan Dan 67.25 33.08 Jor sons 67.31 33.07 Caesarea Philippi 67.30 32.05 Seleucia 67.17 33.50 Eruptio fluvii ex Samachoniride palude 67.11 32.44 Capernaum 66.53 31.29 Eruptio fluvii è mare Genezareth 66.43 32.21 Ephion 66.42 32.20 Ennon 66.40 32.16 Gamala 66.55 32.25 Salem 66.37 32.18 Chrit torrens 66.16 31.57 Ostia Jordanis 66.17 31.54 Engedi 66.22 31.43 Zoar vel Sagor 66.17 31.38 Eruptio Zered 66.19 31.34 Towns standing beyond Jordan Mirba 66.50 32.20 Astharoth 67.00 32.26 Astaroth 66.57 32.23 Gadara 66.48 32.23 Machanaim 66.44 32.19 Jaezar 66.39 32.12 Hesbon 66.28 32.05 Jabes 66.55 32.21 Ramah 66.51 32.20 Nobach 66.38 32.16 Jachsa 66.28 32.02 Aroer 66.30 32.00 Macherus 66.23 31.56 Minith 66.36 32.66 Midian 66.30 31.55 Didon 66.32 32.06 Punuel 66.39 31.18 Edrei 66.15 32.21 Abela Vinearum 67.00 32.23 Philadelphia 67.10 32.22 Pella 67.03 32.20 Phiala fons 67.43 33.05 Betharan 67.30 32.08 Pisgamons 66.26 32.01 Abarim montes 66.29 31.58 Towns in Aegypt Memphis 61.50 29.50 Heliopolis 62.15 29.59 Tanis 63.30 29.50 Taphnis 62.30 31.00 Ony 60.30 30.10 Alexandria 60.30 31.00 Mercurii civitas magna 61.40 28.55 Mercurii civitas parva 61.00 30.50 Delta magnum 62.00 30.00 Xois 62.30 30.45 Busitis 62.30 30.15 Hesâ—oe 63.20 29.10 Solis â—ons 58.15 28.00 Iourneys out of Aegypt Raemses 63.00 30.05 Pihachiroth 62.50 29.40 Mara 63.35 29.50 Elim 63.45 29.50 Juxtâ— mare 63.55 29.45 Paran Promontorium 65.00 29.00 Daphea 64.14 29.46 Alus 64.30 29.46 Raphiddim 64.40 29.53 Sinai mons 65.00 30.00 Hazeroth 65.50 30.14 Zephor mons 65.54 30.50 Mozeroth 64.18 39.04 Hasmona 65.09 31.30 Gidgad mons 65.30 30.20 Jothabatha 65.30 26.40 Habrona 65.30 29.40 Hesion Gaber 65.30 29.20 Sin 66.00 29.56 Hor mons 66.00 30.25 Salmona 66.25 30.40 Phunon 66.30 30.54 Oboth 66.50 31.04 Jeabarim 67.00 31.18 Zered torrens vallis 66.44 21.20 Didon Gad 66.48 31.32 Almon diblathaim 66.48 31.24 Chedemoth solitudo 66.56 32.00 Beer puteus 66.50 23.00 Marthana Solitudo 66.49 23.00 Nathaleel 66.40 00.23 Bamoth vallis 66.30 32.00 Towns in Arabia Petraea Petra 65.40 31.18 Paran 94.30 30.04 Midian 65.30 29.15 Hesion gebar 65.35 29. â—0 Elana villa harla vel elath 95.35 29.15 Ostia Nili Canopicum 66.50 31.05 Bolbithinum 61.30 31.05 Sibenniticum 61.45 31.05 Pathmiticum 92.35 31.10 Mendesium 62.45 31.10 Pelusiacum 63.15 31.15 Thou 63.00 31.30 Sirbonis lacus eruptio 65.45 31.50 Sirbonis lacus 63.30 31.10 Idem 63.45 31.10 Civitas Pelusium 36.25 31.20 Rhinocorura 94.40 31.10 Some other great Towns Babilon 76.00 35.00 Antiochia 60.30 33.35 Damasâ—us 68. â—5 33.00 Palmira 72.40 35.10 Ur chaldeorum 78.00 39.40 Eâ—bathana 88.00 37.47 Rages in Media 93.40 36.04 Sula in Perâ—a 83.00 34.15 Persepolis 91.00 33.20 Heccatompilon in Parthia 96.00 37.50 Zaba in Arabia foelix 97.00 13.00 Meroe 61.30 16.25 Haram in Mesopotania 75.15 36.10 Hircania 98.30 40.00 Ciraenae 50.00 31.20 The Description of the City of Ierusalem as it was before Titus Vespasian destroyed it THE most holy and beautiful City of Ierusalem was twice destroyed first by Nebuchadnezzar the most puissant King of Babylon who did utterly beat down and overthrow the City burning the costly Temple which King Soloâ—on had built After that Zorobabel and the High Priest Ioshua when they returned from the Captivity of Babylon re-edified and built again both the City and the Temple in the Year before the Birth of Christ 535. But the second Temple which was built after their Return was neither so fair nor so great as the first for it was twenty Cubits loweâ— than the former After that King Herod seventeen years before the Birth of Christ caused the said Tâ—â—ple to be broken down again as Iosephus saith and â—â—ected another new Temple in Place thereof which nevâ—rtheless was not like the first Temple that Sâ—lomon built as touching the Greatness but it was exceeding fairly decked and adorâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Gold and Silver so that in regard of the Beautifulness â—â—â—reof it was a Wonder unto all that came to Ierusalem Which Temple forty Years after Christ's Death and 〈◊〉 was also utterly destroyed by Tâ—tus the Son of 〈…〉 the â—mperour I will 〈…〉 form of the City Ierusalem as it was before it was defaced by 〈…〉 of Vespâ—â—an and therewithall I will shew how the costly 〈…〉 Solomon placed therein stood for seeing that the two 〈…〉 great Molten Sea were not therein when our Lord 〈…〉 Earth being broken down by Nebuchadnezzar's 〈…〉 necessary and very requisite to be known how they 〈…〉 that the Reader may be fully satisfied I will also first 〈…〉 of Ierusalem as it was in those Days with the chiefest Places 〈…〉 Towers Gates Houses Castles Fountains Hills Vallies 〈…〉 things therein How the City Ierusalem is scituate 〈…〉 from Germany TH◠〈…〉 is scituate in the middle of 〈…〉 thereabouts and Ierusalem is 〈…〉 five hundred miles but if you will travel to 〈…〉 from thence to Ierusalem it is five hundred and â—ifty Miles The Scituation of Jerusalem and the Mountains whereon it stood JErusalem was four square and scituated upon four Mountains viz. Mount Sion Mount Moriah Mount Acra and Mount Bezetha Mount Sion was the highest of all and lay within the City of Ierusalem towards the South whereon stood King David's House or the Castle of Sion and the uppermost Town Mount Moriah whereon the Temple stood with other excellent Buildings and Towers was on the East side of the City within the Walls Mount Acra whereon the lower Town was built stood Westward in the City where Annas Caiphas Pilate Herod Agripâ—a Bernice Helena and other Kings and great Princes dwelt The holy City of Jerusalem may in this manner be briefly described THE most holy and beautiful City of Ierusalem if any would consider the three principal parts of the World Europe Asia and Africa stood in the midst of the World upon most high Mountains and Rocks like an earthly Paradise a lively Figure of the everlasting City of God This City being the Metropolitan or principallest City of the Jews stood in the Tribe of Benjamin at the first it was called Salem that is Peaceable when Melchisedech the Priest of God reigned therein which he also built after the Deluge as Iosephus and Egisippus write But at that time it was not very great for it stood only upon Mount Sion Mount Moriah where Abraham would have offered his Son Isaac stood without the City and after that they took it into the City as
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 â—yon 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 Arafâ—a 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 Arafâ—a 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 Laâ—er 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 deâ—aced 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 Gâ—â—on 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 Bâ—ris 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 Solâ—mon 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 〈◊〉 and Eusebius that it it exceeded the rest of the City Here stood the house of Helena Queen of the Adiabenoâ—s 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
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 â—ence And that there might be a general Proclamation of this sad and cruel Desolation through the whole City one Ananiâ—s 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 Vâ—ice from the four Wiâ—dâ— 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 Tiâ—us Caesar Son of Flâ—vius 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 〈◊〉 within the Walls where partaking of the former misery they either diâ—d 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 sumptuousâ—eâ—s 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 seâ—â—ng 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 〈◊〉 against the Tower Pseâ—hina the other part of the Army was 〈…〉 the Tower Hiâ—â—ieus not far from the Garden of the Resurrection and the third part had their Castle in the Mount of Olives some five Furlâ—nâ—s or thereabouts from the City Then did he build Bulâ—â—rks make Engiâ—s and wonderful Devices for the battering of
the Walls and combining himself with some of the Iews upon the seventh day of the second Month which answereth to the Month of May with great difficulty and much labour entred the first Wall which lay upon the North and won Mount Bâ—zethâ— and Neapolis Upon the twelfth of the same Month which was the Saâ—â—ath day he entred the second Wall which divided the Suburbs but this was again the same day recovered by the virtue of the Jews so that the Jewes were constrained to fight upon the Sabbath day according to the Propâ—â—â—y of our Saviour Christ Matt. 24. But after upon the sixteenth of this Moâ—th of May the Romans again recovered this Wall and kept it in their own custody Within a while after in the Month of June about this time the Famin growing intolerable within the Town Titus in the space of three dayâ— compassed in the whole City of Jerusalem with a Wall and 〈…〉 Towers and Castles lest any of the Jewes should fly to savâ— tâ—emselves Thus was the Prophecy of our Saviour Christ fulfilled Thy 〈◊〉 shall compass thee about and hem thee in on every side Iosephus was now in the City and walking upon the Walls earnestly intreated the Jewes to desist and no longer to oppose the Romans but this was so hateful a speech to many that they began to fling Darts at him And although at this time the extremity of the Famin was so sore that many died for want of sustenance yet all perswasions were in vain and such was the Calamity that as well those as went out as those that continued in the City were in like danger of their lives for they were either slain by the Enemy or else by the Pestilence and Famin common Injuries and unmerciful Outrages still attending upon War Their Misery did rather increase than at all lesson it self for the jealousie of Treason the hope of Riches and the madness of the Seditious distracted the minds of the Citizens with continual fears and filled the Streets full of Murther and daily spectacles of lamentable Tragedies The Markets were unfrequented with Corn the Victuals with Violâ—nce consumed and taken from the true owners And if it chanced that some one had more than would serve his turn though he dwelt in a fair and stately Building yet the remotest Room and most unfrequented he made his Tabernacle and that little which was left with great parcimony he consumed together with his life till both were ended Those that were Fathers and Senators of the People though before served and attended with reverence and great state in this confusion were glad of a small morsel though with much contention The Wife was not ashamed to take away the Meat from her Husband nor the Children from their Parents nor the Mothers from their Infants and if it hapned that in any house the Seditious seemed to smell food with violence they took it ransack'd the rooms round about whilest the Master thereof was made a laughing-stock and mournful Spectator of those mischiefs But according to the condition of Souldiers whose natural disposition is to be violent without any regard either of Sex or Kindred committed daily outrages So that here you might have seen the Mothers weeping over their dying Infants whilst their husbands were massacred in the streets by the Seditious The increase of days were the increase of Torments and the daily wants of such as were in Power being unaccustomed to such evils caused them to invent new means to satisfie their desire and practice unusual Torments for no other purpose but to find out Sustenance yea such was their insatiable â—â—irst of blood that they spared not him whom but now gave them all he had and lest he should live to cumber the City either hang him up by the heels till he died or else pulled out his Entrails with a sharp Iron Those that went out in the Night-time when the Romans were asleep to gather herbs the Seditious would meet and with violence take what they had got from them And though with tears and lamentations and prayers upon their knees they intreated but for one part a small moiety of that which a little before they had got with danger of their Lives yet they would not give it them and scap't fairly if they went away with Life These Insolencies were committed by the common Souldiers upon such as were the meaner sort of People But for the rest that were either Honourable or Rich they became a Prey to the Captains and Commanders some accused as Traitors and that they would have betrayed the City to the Romans others as Fugitives that they would forsake the City most under pretence of one crime or other despoiled of that they had And they whom Iohn had thus oppressed were entertained of Simon and whom Simon had injured they were entertained by Iohn both drunk the blood of the miserable Citizens like Water so that the desire of Rule was the cause of their dissention the concord of their evil and cruel actions There was an infinite number that perished in this City by Famin insomuch as houses were filled with the bodies of Infants and Children The Angle-gate was thrust full of dead corps The young Men that remained walked up and down the City like Images of Death The old Men were destroyed by the Pestilence the contagion of which disease taking away their Senses they became Mad. And of such as died among the Seditious their Wives or kindred had not room nor time to bury them but as they were putting them into the Grave they also dyed Yet for all this amongst this Miserable Society there was no Weeping no complaining no deploring of their necessities for the violence of the Famin having dryed up their radical moisture the fear of grief was taken from them and such as had most cause to lament and were most pricked with the sting of sorrow before they could utter their grief died the beholders not shedding a Tear so that through the whole City there was a still silence and a thick mist of Death and Destruction didfully possess the same But the Seditious were much more cruel than these were oppressed with Calamity and Sorrow for some opened the graves of the Dead and taking out their Bodies thrust them thorow with their Swords others to try the sharpness of the Edge of their Weapons would fall upon those that were yet alive and when they had slain them go away laughing at their pleasure So that as Iosephus saith there was scarce any mischief under the Sun but was both practised and tollerated in this City To conclude by Sedition the Romans conquered the City and Sedition conquered the Romans All love and modesty through this extream and intolerable Famin became utterly extinct and the dearest Friends would kill one another for a crust of bread the fairest Lady commit open Adultery for a little sustenance Their food was extraordinary and such as men did loath and hate some would
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 â—pon 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
Lorrain Earl of Bulloin King thereof whom they anointed in the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre but he refused to be Crowned with a Crown of Gold saying That it ill beseemed him to be called King of Ierusalem the true King whereof was Christ or to sit crowned with Gold in the place where he was crowned with Thorns that was the Son of the ever-living God and then chose Arnolphus of Rhodes Patriarch In the Month of October the same year a blazing Star of a marvellous bigness appeared towards the South it seemed to be like a waving Sword foreshewing no doubt the Destruction of all those that went about to re-establish this Earthly Ierusalem Immediatly after the Feast of the Nativity of Christ all the Christians of the East Countries upon Candlemas-day came out of Syria but especially out of Antiochia to Ierusalem and in the Temple of the holy Sepulchre consecrated their Bishops and Choristers and with one consent sung Illuminare Ierusalem They took also all the Cities Castles and Villages and over them set Bishops created four Principalities one at Ierusalem another at Antiochia a third at Edissa a fourth at Tripoly Also certain Earldoms and Baronies as at Briâ—o Zidon Caesaria Galilee Ioppa and Ascalon All these were appointed to pay Tribute to the King of Jerusalem All this was done in the year of our Lord 1099. No sooner were these News published to the World but there was an universal Croysado through all Christendom for the conquering and winning of the rest of the Holy Land but before they could get thither they were either slain by the Grecians and other Nations or else died through Famin and Thirst so that in them was fulfilled the Prophecy of Zacharias cap. 12. 3 where it is said It shall happen that I will make Jerusalem an heavy stone for all People all they that lift it up shall be torn though all the People of the Earth be gathered together against it And verse 9. And in that day will I seek to destroy all Nations that come against Jerusalem This year 1100 died Godfrey King of Jerusalem of a Fever upon the Eighteenth day of July when he had reigned scarce a year and was buried in the Temple of Mount Calvary After him succeeded his Brother Baldwin the first of that name and the second King of Jerusalem This Man reigned Eighteen years in Jerusalem and being overcom by Caliphas Sultan of Egypt after the loss of thirteen thousand Christians he had much ado to escape with life Within a short time after he died without Issue Baldwin the second succeded his Uncle and was the third King of Jerusalem He began his reign Anno 1118. This man overcame the Turks and the King of Damascus had Issue only one daughter named Milesent whom he married to the Earl of Angiers and gave with her the Kingdom of Jerusalem and died without heir Male in the year 1131. Fulco in right of his Wife succeeded his Father in Law and was the fourth King of Jerusalem This Fulco was Brother to the King of England he Reigned thirteen years fought many worthy Battels against the Turks put 3000 of their men to the Sword took many of them Prisoners and carried them to Jerusalem After that as he was hunting the Hare in Acon riding speedily he fell from his Horse and was sorely bruised whereof he died and left two Sons called Baldwin and Almerick Baldwin the third was the fifth King of Jerusalem and succeeded his Father he won the City of Ascalon he rebuilt the Town of Boza which had been destroyed placed there certain Knights Templers he lost the City of Edissa to the Saracens where many Christians were cruely slain And having reigned nineteen years he died without Issue After him succeeded his Brother Almerick who was the sixth King of Jerusalem In the time of this King the Sultan of Egypt gave a great overthrow to the Knights Templers which he seeking to revenge invaded Egypt with a great Army besieged the great City of Alcair but to small purpose wherefore returning back to Jerusalem he shortly after died when he had reigned twelve years he left behind him three children a Son called Baldwin and two daughters Sibella and Isabella Baldwin the fourth succeeded his Father and was the seventh King of Jerusalem who abusing his government was struck with a Leprosie with the contagion of which disease he died miserably in the twenty fifth year of his Age having reigned thirteen years Baldwin the fifth of that name the only begotten Son of his Sister Sibil by his consent was chosen his Successor a youth of nine years old his Fathers name was William Mountferrat Earl of March who dying his Mother married one Guy Earl of Lusignan to whom Baldwin committed the protection of the Kingdom and of his young Kinsman till he came to mans estate But this young man within seven years after the Death of his Uncle died sitting at his Table not without suspicion of Poyson Guy his Protector by the perswasion of his Wife and at the Instigation of the Jerosolimits took upon him the Government But Raimond Earl of Tripoly was his great adversary for that Baldwin the 4th for his exceeding pride at the Instigation of that Guy had displaced him of all his Offices and Titles in the Commonwealth These two striving for the Kingdom it hapned that Guy was charged with his Kinsmans death under which pretence Raymond made War against him During these troubles Saladine Sultan of Egypt taking advantage of this opportunity made War upon them both and with great facility conquered the Kingdom and destroyed Jerusalem In this year 1187 there hapned so great an Eclipse of the Sun that at Noon day the Stars were plainly to be seen Soon after this Raimond and Guy were both taken Prisoners and thirty thousand Christians cruelly put to the Sword After this the Saracens sacked the Town threw the Bells out of the Steeples made Stables of the Churches only the Temple on Mount Golgotha stood untouch'd for the Turks and Saracens honour Christ as a great Prophet And thus the new Kingdom of the Christians in Jerusalem ended which was upon the second day of October in the year 1187 after it had continued in their possession 88 years During the continuance of this Kingdom there were many horrible Visions and strange Signs and Wonders seen both in Heaven on Earth and in the Air foreshewing no doubt that God was not well pleased with their actions which sought to restore that Kingdom of Jerusalem For My Kingdom saith Christ is not of this World And although after that there were many Kings that by all possible means endeavoured to recover and restore the same and for that purpose have leavied many great Armies and undertaken many tedious Journies yet all their councels and determinations came to nothing so that God so often as they undertook any such Expedition either stayed their Armies oppressed them with War or else plagued them with
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 sâ—ine 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 Blasphemiâ—s 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 surfâ—t 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 Abudâ—char 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 Grâ—câ—ins 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to vex and make weary or else from the Hebrew word Tachaera which signifies a shield and from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 infeâ—ted 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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
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 Maâ—â—itania the Lower not far from the Ocean and issâ—es 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 〈◊〉 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 Canopiâ—us or Heracliâ—ticus Bolbitinus Sebiniticus Pharmiticus Mendâ—sius Taniticus and Palusiacus the two outward Gates of which viz. Canoâ—icus and Palusiacus were 160 miles asunder Appianus saith there are two otâ—eâ— Gates called Tineptimiâ—us 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 sciâ—â—ate in the East but rather the South from Ierusâ—lem 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 Ciâ—ies and Castles sciâ—uated upon Rocks Mountains and high Grounds from whence it happeneth that they sustain very little discommodity or loss by any such Inuâ—dation 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 Mamâ—e 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 Apâ—ianus 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 Chalâ—aeans 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 Coverleâ—s 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 tâ—e 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 Eâ—hraim Tanais in Hebrew Zoan an Inn or House of Harbour TANAIS or Zoâ—n 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 Memâ—his 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
four miles from Ierusalem upon the North lying between the two Towns of Bethel and Hay and is called Mount Ephraim where Abraham at his return out of Egypt the second time set up his Tabernacle of purpose to be conversant with Melâ—hisedeck who dwelt in Ierusâ—lem and with him gave thanks to God for the singular favours that he had shewed toward him in delivering his Wife Sara from the hands of Abimelech King of Egypt who woulâ— have ravished her and as he feared indangerâ—d his Life In this place Lot separated himself from Abraham and went to dwell in Sodom Of the Plain or Oâ—k of Mamre THE Plain of Mamre stood a mile from Hebron towards the East and distant from Ierusalem twenty two miles South-eastward In this Vallâ—y there was a fair and pleasant Wood where a certain young man called Mamre dwelt This man was Brother to Escal and Aner mentioned by Moses Genes 14 who according to the custom of Gentlemen with us in these times built up his house nea◠〈…〉 pleasant Wood or Bottom which as some think was called after his name Mamre Others of which Opinion is Ierom of Aelon which signifies a Valley or Tree an Oak-tree saith he But Ioseph and Aegesâ—ppus call it a Terebinth tree which both Summer and Winter beareth green Leaves like a Palm-tree the Sap or Juyce whereof is very good for Medicine Abraham dwelling near to this Tree being entertained by the three Brothers as a Stranger grew into such favour and familiarity with them that he converted them from Paganism and taught them to know the true and ever-living God To gratifie which great favour they aided him in his War against the four Kings that had taken Lot Prisoner and gave him free liberty to inhabit in and use the Plain thereabouts for his Cattel before whose door as some Authors affirm this Terebinth or Oak-tree stood and so continued from the beginning of the World till the time of Constantine the Great it being lawful for none to cut a bough of it or touch it witâ— a Hatchet because it was in those days accounted a holy Tree and visited by divers Strangers and then Helena caused a fair Church to be built in that place and so much the rather for that Abraham sitting under that Tree the three Angels appeared unto him in the Similitude or Likeness of men Gen. 8. â— 2. And some are of Opinion That because of this the Jews offered Incense to their Gods and committed Idolatry upon high Mountains and under green Trees Ezek. 16. There was also a double Cave made of white Marble which as Iosephus saith was very fair and beautiful to the eye and curiously wrought and polished wherein Abraham Isaac and Iacob with their Wives Sarah Rebecca and Leâ—h were buried and as some think was that Cave which he purchased of the Hittites Gen. 23. 34. But that Adam and Evah lye buried in the same place seeing there is no warrant for it in the holy Scriptures I let it pass because whatsoever hath not Authority of Scripture to prove it may as easily be contemned as allowed But Abraham's Sâ—pulchre in Ierom's time was to be seen being old and decayed Of Hebron THIS City was not only a Kings Seat but a Priests also being built not long after the Flood and some seven years before that City of the Aegyptians called Zoan or Tanis Numb 13. and was placed upon a goodly high Mountain very pleasant and delectable It taketh the name from Chabar which signifieth to accompany and from thence Chebron or Hebron a pleasant and delectable Society It was a metropolitan City in the Tribe of Iuda and after called Kiriatharba as it appeareth in Iosh. 14. taking that Name from Arba the Chief Governour of that City This man was one of the Anakims and a very mighty Prince Others there are that say the City being divided into four parts was thereof called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Arba signifies a Quaternion from the Rote Raba four square It was first built by Heth the Son of that cursed Canaan whose Posterity the Hittites inhabited in it and such was their Hospitality that they entertained Abraham being a Stranger and Traveller These People dwelt there until Joshua's time and then one Hoham was King thereof who with other Kings opposing the Children of Israel was by them slain and had their Country wasted and destroyed This Town was after made a Town of Refuge and belonged to the Inheritance of Caleb and was together with Mamre in the Tribe of Iuda Ios. 20. Here David was first anointed King and reigned therein for the space of seven years 2 Sam. 5. But this Town by the injury of Time and oppression of the Enemy is now become desolate only some few old Relicks are to be seen to shew there had been a Town there Nevertheless there is a Town not far from it which retaineth the name placed in a very fruitful Valley called Mamre to this day Here while it was under the Jurisdiction of the Christians stood a Cathedral Church and a Bishops See but the Turks have turned it into a Mosko or one of their Churches Into this place they will not suffer any Christian to enter The Inhabitants take upon them to shew unto Strangers many things as the Vault or Cave wherein Abraham was buried the place where Cain killed Abel the Well where Adam and Evah wept seven years for the death of their Son with many such like Fables which are to no purpose seeing they are not warrantable by Scripture Some Bows-shot Eastward from this place is the Field of Damascus where the red Earth lieth whereof they feign Man to be made It is naturally tough and may be wrought like Wax or Pitch There is also that is white of the same kind and this is conveyed to many places by the Saracens and sold at dear Rates They use it either for the teering of Sepulchres or to mingle with Salves and Unguents Of Gerar. GErar is the uttermost Town in the Land of Canaan and lieth between the Desarts of Sur and Cades Gen. 20. Here King Abimelech kept his Court at such time as Abraham came thither and here Isaac was born Gen. 21. It takes the name from Gor which signifies a Pilgrim or Traveller and did well agree with the Condition of the ancient Patriarchs that sometimes lived there because for the most part they were like Pilgrims and wayfaring men Gen. 47. It lay six miles from Hebron South-west and from Ierusalem 30 upon the Territories of the Tribe of Iuda Of Beerazaba BEerazaba is a Town scituated upon the utmost Bounds of the Holy Land forty miles from Ierusâ—lem South-westward and is derived from Beer and Shebuah and sigâ—ifieth the Well of Covenant for Abraham having digged a Well near to this place Abimelech King of Gerar entred into League with him and his Posterity Isâ—ac also renewed this League in this place as appears Gen 21. It is now called Gallim or
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 Melâ—hisedech 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 Mâ—rar 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 bâ—ing 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 Bâ—la 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
South six miles it was scituated in a pleasant and fruitful Countrey and from thence took the Name for Bethlachem is called The house of Bread Euphrata signifies fruitful being derived from Parah that is to fructifie and Baith signifieth a house from the affinity that it hath to Banah that is to build so that Baithlachem doth denote unto us the house of bread and other fruits and meats that are fit to be eaten Here was Christ the Son of God born that Bread of Life of which whosoever eateth shall live eternally Ioh. 6. And here David was the second time anointed King 1 Sam. 16. Of this Town you may read more Luke 2. Of Rachels Grave ABout a mile from Bethlem towards the North Rachel the Wife of Iacob was buried over whom he set a stately Sepulchre made of 〈◊〉 Marble stones or Pyramides these Stones are seen to this day 〈…〉 right hand of the way as you go from Bethlem to Ierusale◠〈…〉 thence all the Land thereabouts is called the Land of Rachel â—or 〈◊〉 Herod killed the innocent Children all the Inhabitants thereabouts 〈◊〉 and would not be comforted Matth. 2. Ierem. 31. Of the Town of Aeder THis was a Watch Tower of the Bethlemites about a mile from Bethlem towards the South and was so called from the flocks of Sheep that resorted thither for Migdal signifies a Tower and Aeder a flock or Herd for thereabouts were very fertile Pastures Here the Angels told the Shepherds of the Nativity of Christ lying at Bethlem in a Manger and in the place of that Tower there was a Church built which in Ieroms time was called Angelus ad Pastores because the Angels there appeared to the Shepherds Here Iacob dwelt for a time and in this place Reuben lay with Billah his Wife Gen. 36. Of Gosen and Ony. GOsen was a very delectable and fruitful Countrey in the Land of Egypt the Metropolitan whereof was Ony two hundred miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west In this City Iacob dwelt The typical signification of the Patriarch Jacob. JAcob signifies a Supplanter and was a Type of Christ who is that Supplanter of Sathan and by his death hath broken his head in pieces Again he is the type of a Christian man for as he wrestling with the Angel obtained a Blessing so every good man continually striving with Perseverance in Prayer shall at length obtain an everlasting blessing for for this cause was Iacob called Israel that is the Prince of God in that he prevailed with God so all those that belive in Christ are called Princes of the Kingdom of Heaven because by his Mediation they have prevailed with God and are made partakers of Eternal Life Iacob had two Wives Leah and Rachel Lea signifies wearied and was a type of the old Mosaical Church for that was oppressed and wearied with the Laws of Moses and brought forth Priests Levites Kings and Warlike Princes by which the People of the Jews became oppressed and wearied by extream Labours and at length were miserably extinguished for as it is in the fifteenth of the Acts of the Apostles The Law of Moses was an intollerable and troublesom Burthen But Rachel signifies a Sheep and is a Type and Sign of the Church of God in the New Testament as Christ himself speaketh in the tenth of John My sheep hear my voice and follow me and I will give them eternal Life Sheep are naturally patient and peaceable so all such as are of Christs Church seek after Patience and Peace Leah was nothing so fair but much more fruitful Rachel was nothing so fruitful but a great deal fairer Leah was the Mother of Benjamin which signifies Sorrow Rachel of Ioseph who was a Type of Christ. Of the Travels of Esau. ESAV travelled from Mount Sier in Mesopotamia to the Town of Pnuel or Penuel eighty miles to meet his Brother Iacob where the singular civility and humility of Iacob towards him is worthy observation For he first sent to meet him then he did him obedience to the ground seven several times and so saluted him saying Lo these are the Children which God of his Grace hath given thy Servant From whence it may be gathered That it becometh every man if it be possible to win his Enemy to Peace and Concord rather by Humanity and Humility than by force for Esau seeing this kind of Reverence though before he had a full determination to do him violence yet now he comes to meet him embraces him takes him about the neck begins to weep and kisses him yea such was their love that they both wept with joy Gen. 33. After Esau returning went home to Sier back again eighty miles these things hapned in the year of the World 2206 when both Brethren were about 89 years of Age and in the year before Christ 1762. Of Mount Sier MOUNT Sier where Esau and his Posterity dwelt is forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South and was so called of Sier the King or Lord thereof of whom came the Horrites who being driven thence by the fourteen Sons of Esau into Arabia the Stony where they continued Gen. 36. It was called Edom of Esau and then Idumaea Gen. 25. and the Inhabitants thereof Edomites or Idumaeans The typical meaning of Esau. ESAV signifies a Factor and was so called from Redness The Enemies of the Church colouring themselves red with the blood of the Godly For as Rebecca had in her Womb two Sons that is Esau and Iacob one elected the other reprobated so in the Church there are found two sorts of People good and evil some are wicked and impious contemners of Gods word and persecuters of the Church as after the posterity of Esau was But there are others that are the faithful Children of God that hope through the mediation of our blessed Saviour to be made heirs of everlasting happiness and be crowned with him in his Kingdom with the Crown of Glory So that here the saying of our Saviour may be verified the first shall be last â—â—d the last shall be first for Esau was the eldest yet lost his Birth-right and Iacob was the youngest yet got the Blessing Of the Travels of the Patriarch Juda. JVDA travelled from Sichem where Jacob dwelt and went to the Town of Odulla some forty and four miles where he was married to the daughter of one Chananei whose name was Schuah which signifies a happy Saviour by her he had two Children in that place Viz. Ger and Onan From thence he went to Timnah to shear his Sheep six miles and as he turned aside out of the way he committed incest with his daughter-in-law Thamar when she was about 26 years of Age. Afterwards he went twice with his Brethren into Egypt to buy Corn at Zoan where Joseph at that time was for the Famine was very great round about So that reckoning his Journey twice two and again it amounted to 822 miles for Zoan was 208 miles from Hebron where Jacob and his Sons
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 Bleâ—sing 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 Aegyâ—t 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 â—6 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
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 Dibâ—n 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 Abâ—r 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 sâ—gnifies the Lord is my help being derived of Iah that is the Lord God and Ezâ—er 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 Bâ—san was overcome by Moses and after fell to the Tribe of Mâ—nâ—sses 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 Aâ—driae 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 Moâ—bites against Iericho 240 miles from Ierusalem East-ward It took the name from the Cities Pisgâ—h 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 Mesoâ—otamia Gen. 11. Ioseâ—hus 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 Mesoâ—otamia 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 Aegyâ—t 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
which was as much as both they could bear upon their shoulders Num. 13. From Hebron they returned again to Kades-Barnea twenty miles There all the People murmured against Moses Num. 14. Hereby it is to be seen that the Spies in forty dayes travelled 648 miles in the Land of Câ—naaâ— that is every day 16 miles and a little more After that Ioshuah and Caleb travelled with Mâ—ses and the Children of Israel to Ezeon-Gabir and from thence to the Town of Iahza 464 miles From Iahza they pass'd through two Kingdoms to Mount Libanus eighty miles From Mount Libanus they returned again into the Land of Sittim that lay by the hill Pisgah in the field of the Moabites 80 miles From the Land of Sittim they pass'd through the River of Iordan and came to Gilgal six miles where Ioshuah pitched his Camp Numb 21. Iosh. 4. 5. From Gilgal he went to Iericho two miles there he assailed the Town with the sound of Basons and won it Iosh. 6. From Iericho he went to Ai being four miles and took and burnt the whole Town Iosh. 7. 8. From Ai he returned to Gilgal four miles and there upon the Hill of Ebal he built an Altar unto the Lord and there were the Blessings and Cursings pronounced Iosh. 8. Deut. 27. From Gilgal he went to Gibeon twelve miles There the Sun stood still during the Battel against the three Kings Iosh. 10. From Gibeon he went to Ajâ—lon two miles here the Moon stood still Ios. 10. From Ajâ—lon he went to Aseka four miles there it hailed upon the Enemies that fled before Israel Iosh. 10. From Asâ—ka Ioshua returned again into the Camp at Gilgal twenty miles Iosh. 10. From Gilgal he went to Makeda where he hanged the five Kings Ios. 10. From Makeda he went to Libna two miles and took the Town Iosh. 10. From Libna he went to Lachis eight miles From Lachis he went to Eglon eight miles From Eglon he went to Hebron which is sixteen miles Iosh. 10. From Hebron he went to Debir one mile Iosh. 10. After that Ioshuah with one continued War won all that part of Iudaea which lay towards the South bordering Eastward upon the Dead Sea Southward upon Cades-Barneâ— Westward upon Asdod and Gaza and Northward upon Gibeon and Gilgal This circuit of Land containeth about an hundred fifty and six miles From Gilgal Ioshua went out with his Army about twenty two miles to the River of Merom where he slew the rest of the Kings of the Canaanites in a memorable Battel Iosh. 11. From the River of Merom Ioshua chased his Enemies and followed them to Sidon which was 612 miles Iosh. 11. From Sidon he went again to Hazor 32 miles which Town he burnt Iosh 11. After that Ioshuah at one time won all the Towns in the Holy Land which lay Northward in the Lands of Samaria and Galilea from Gibeon to Mount Libanus and from the River of Iordan to the great Sea called Mare Mediterraneum which Countreys in circuit contain 280 miles After that Ioshuah returned again to his Camp at Gilgal which lay 72 miles from the Town of Hazor where he made a division of the Land amongst the Children of Israel Iosh. 14 15. From Gilgal he went to Shilo twelve miles where he made an end of dividing the Land Iosh. 18. From Shilo he went to Timnah Sera eight miles and there he dwelt for the Children of Israel gave him that Town for his own Inheritance Iosh. 19. From Timnah Sera Ioshua not long before he died came to Sichem forty miles There he assembled all the Tribes of Israel Iosh. 24. From Sichem he returned again to Timnah Sera forty miles where he died and was buried Iosh. 24. So all the Travels of Prince Ioshuah were 2392 miles The Description of the several Towns and Places to which Ioshua travelled Of Rechob THIS was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Aâ—hur an hundred miles from Ierusalem toward the North Nuâ— 13. and signifieth a broad Street being derived from Radhab that is to extend out in length Of Haemah or Chaemah THIS was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Nephtali and was an hundred miles from Ierusalem upon the utmost bounds of the Holy Land at the foot of Antilibanus Num. 11. 34. Iosh. 19. derived from Chamah that is furious or burning with anger Of Gilgal THIS was a Town between Iordan and the City Iericho twelve miles from Ierusalem South-eastward where the Children of Israel having past the River of Iordan first made War upon all the Nations of the Land of Canaan Here they solemnized the first Paschal Lamb. After they came into this Land Manna ceased because they then did eat the Fruits of the Countrey Here Ioshua taking twelve stones out of Iordan pitch'd them up for a memorial Here the Tabernacle of God stayed for a time which was the reason that afterward the Israelites committed Idolatry in this place Iosh. 4. 5. Hos. 2. 4 9. Amos 5. Near to this place Ehud the third Judge of the Children of Israel received gifts of them to carry to Eglon King of the Moabites dwelling at Iericho where he killed him with a knife Here Saul was the second time confirmed King of Israel 2 Sam. 10. and as it seems taketh name of Roundness Ioshuah at this time building his Tent in a circular fashion for Galal signifies a round Wheel or Tent compassed about with Ditches and Bulwarks Of Iericho THIS is a City in the Tribe of Benjamin two miles from Iordan and six from Ierusalem South-eastward Ioshuah overcame this with the sound of Horns or Trumpets Iosh. 26. Heb. 11. Here Christ restored the blind man to sight Mat. 6. converted Zachaeus Luke 19. and was called the City of Palms by reason of the great plenty of Palms that grew there You may read more of this hereafter Of Hai or Ai. HAI is a Town in the Tribe of Benjamin near to Bethel toward the East where Abraham dwelt Gen. 12. Ioshuah won this Town Ios. 7. 8. It was so called of a Prophet that dwelt there and signifieth to be placed upon a heap for Ai signifies a heap lying partly equally partly unequally The Ruines of this Town were scarce to be found in Ierom's time Of Gibeon THIS was a Metropolitan City in thâ— Tribe of Benjamin the Inhabitants whereof became Petitioners to Ioâ—huah for Peace Iâ—s 9. 10 18. 2â— Sam. 21. Afterward it was given to the Priests It is derived of Gibeah or Gibeon which signifies a curled Hill It was scituated on a Mountain four miles from Ierusalem toward the North. Here stood the Tabernacle of the Covenant and the brazen Altar Here Saul was first made King of Israel Here he put the Sons of Abimelâ—ch the Priest to death 1 Sam. 12. Here Iosâ—uah overcame the five Kings of the Ammorites Here the Sun stood still Of this you may read more hereafter Of Ajâ—lon THIS was a City of the Priests in the Tribe of Dan four miles
from Ierusalem towards the South-east and taketh the name from an Hind for Aâ—ala 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 Goâ—â—ah 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 Eleutheroâ—olin 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 â—adad 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 Ioâ—hua conquered kept his Court and taketh the name from the abundance of Frankincense that is found there For Libâ—nah 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 Lacâ—is 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 Ierusâ—lem Southward Ioshuah took the King of this City and hanged him It taketh the name from Aecâ—el 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 Meâ—iterranean 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 Psamnitiâ—us King of Egypt in Mâ—nasses 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 Samâ—son being inclosed within this Town took away the Gates and Bars thereof and laâ—d 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 Mediâ—erranean 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 Tyberiâ—s 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 Asphaltiâ—es 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
Canaanites being distant from Ierusalem eighty miles towards the North. This Ioshuah destroyed with Fire and Sword Deborah also the Prophetess besieged it took it and put Iabin the King thereof to Death In times past it was a very strong City as the Ruines thereof testifie Of Siloh SIloh the City and House of God was scituate on a high Mountain in the Tribe of Ephraim four miles and somewhat better from Ierusalem towards the North. Here the Ark of the Covenant continued from the time that the Israelites first entred into the Land of Canaan till Eli the Priest fetch'd it thence in whose time it was taken by the Philistims and he for very Grief therefore fell down and brake his Neck against a Stone 1. Sam. 4. The Inhabitants hereabouts shew the Ruines of a certain Sepulchre standing upon the top of this Mount where they say Samuel was buried but that cannot be true for he was buried at Ramath which now is called Arimathea Therefore it seems to be either the Ruines of Eli's Sepulchre who died miserably in that place or else of the House of the Lord which many years past stood there Schiloh signifies happy and peaceable being derived from Schalah that is to live at ease and in peace Of Timnah Of this you may read in the Travels of Iudah The Type and Mystery of Joshuah JOshuah and Iesus is all one in Signification that is Saviour or a Defender and did typically represent our Saviour Christ that as this Ioshuah brought the Children of Israel through Iordan into the Land of Canaan so Jesus Christ the true Ioshuah and Saviour of the World through that Iordan of Baptism bringeth us into that place of Promise Eternal Life Wherae the one and thirty Kings dwelt overcome and slain by Joshuah Josh. 10. AS the Prophet Moses won all the Land upon the one side of Iordan so Ioshuah won all the Countrey on the other from the Town of Baalgadan beginning at Mount Libanus not far from Mount Hebron till you come to the Town of Caesarea Philippi and to the Hill Seir where sometime Esau dwelt all which is 160 miles long and 28 or 32 miles broad The first King that Ioshuah overcame dwelt in Iericho The second King held his Court in Ai. The third King dwelt in Ierusalem and was called Adoni-bezec that is a Lord of Righteousness This King Ioshuah hanged at Makeda Ios. 10. The fourth King called Hoham dwelt at Hebron and was likewise hanged at Makeda Ios. 10. The fifth King called Percam dwelt at Iarmouth in the Tribe of Iuda twenty miles from Jerusalem Westward The sixth King called Japhia dwelt at Lachis two miles from Iarmouth Southward he was also hanged at Makeda Ios. 10. The seventh King dwelt at Eglon called Debir and was also hanged at Makeda The eighth King was called Horam and held his Princely Seat in the Tribe of Dan in the Town of Gezer 16 miles from Jerusalem Westward whom Ioshuah slew with all his men Ios. 10. The ninth King dwelt at Debir The tenth King held his Court at Gerar in the Tribe of Iudah 14 miles from Jerusalem Westward The eleventh King dwelt at Harma in the Tribe of Judah which is upon the borders of Arabia deserta not far from Ziclag forty miles from Ierusalem South-westward this Town in times past was called Zephal that is a Watch-tower because it stood upon a Hill But when the Children of Iudah had overthrown the whole Army of the Canaanites they called it Haram a Curse Iudg. 1. The twelfth King dwelt at Arat 22 miles from Ierusalem Southward which was a Town of the Ammorites and took the name from the Asses that were in great troops within the Woods thereabout It lay in the Tribe of Iudah The thirteenth King dwelt at Libnah in the Tribe of Iudah The fourteenth King dwelt at Odullam The fifteenth King dwelt at Makeda In this Town Ioshuah hanged five Kings Ios. 10. The sixteenth King dwelt at Bethel The seventeenth King dwelt at Tapnah not far from Iordan and Iericho twelve miles from Ierusalem North-eastward The eighteenth King dwelt at Hepher six miles from Ierusalem North-ward part of this Town was allotted to the Tribe of Zabulon Ionas the Prophet was born in this Town 2 Reg. 14. and is four miles distant from the Town of Nazareth Southward The nineteenth King dwelt at Apheck forty four miles from Ierusalem North-ward and two miles from Iezreel There also the Ark of the Lord was taken and there also the Sons of Eli the High Priest were slain 1 Sam. 4. This Town was in the half Tribe of Manasses The twentieth King dwelt at Lazaron eighteen miles and half from Ierusalem North-westward not far from Ioppen and Lidda The one and twentieth King dwelt at Nadan fourteen miles from Ierusalem North-westward The two and twentieth King dwelt at Hazor The twenty third King dwelt at Simron which Town was allotted to the Tribe of Zabulon Iosh. 14. It lieth sixty eight miles from Ierusalem North-ward not far from the Town of Nazareth in Galilee The twenty fourth King dwelt at Achsap eighty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward which Town was allotted to the Tribe of Aser The twenty fifth King dwelt at Tanaach forty four miles from Ierusalem this Town belonged to the Levites and stood in the Tribe of Manasses six miles from Iezreel Southward Iosh. 21. The twenty sixth King dwelt at Megiddo forty four miles from Ierusalem Northward scarce four miles from Tanaach By this Town of Megiddo Iosias King of Iuda was overthrown by Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt 2 Reg. 23. In the Travels of Iosiah King of Iudah I will speak of this Town more at large The twenty seventh King dwelt at Kades Ios. 19. 21. The twenty eighth King dwelt at Iaknedam twenty seven miles from Ierusalem Northward being upon the Mediterranean Sea This Town was allotted to the Tribe of Zabulon and given to the Levites Iosh. 21. The twenty ninth King dwelt at Naphet Dor which Town lay upon the Sea-Coast between the Hill Carmel and the Town of Cesarea Stratonis forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward The thirtieth King dwelt at Gilgal between Iericho and the River Iordan and was the first King that Ioshuah overcame and slew all his host The one and thirtieth King dwelt at Thirtza in the Tribe of Manasses twenty four miles from Ierusalem In this Town Ieroboam and after him all the Kings of Israel kept their Courts before Samaria was built The Book of Iudges The Travels of Caleb and Athniel CALEB and Athniel with all the Children of Iudah went from Iudah to Besek forty four miles where they took King Adoni-Bezek Prisoner and cut off his Fingers and Toes Iudg. 1. From Beseck they went to Ierusalem forty four miles which they took by force and burnt it Iudg. 1. From Ierusalem they went to Hebron 22 miles which they took and slew the Gyants that inhabited therein Iudg. 1. Not far from Hebron lay the Town of Debir which
Athniel won and therefore Caleb gave him his Daughter Achsa for his Wife Iudg. 1. From Debir they went to Zephat sixteen miles vvhich Tovvn they vvon Iudg. 1. From Zephat they went to Gaza four miles From Gaza they went to Ascalon six miles Iudg. 1. From Ascalon they went to Hebron fourteen miles From Hebron they went back again to Debir where Athniel dwelt twelve miles So all the Travels of Caleb and Athniel were 132 miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which they travelled Of Beseck BEseck was a Metropolitan City of the Canaanites near to the Water Merom where Adoni-Beseck kept his Court forty four miles from Ierusalem toward the North and took the name of Desaeck or Bezeck which signifies Lightning Of this King you may read Iudg. 1. Of Zephah THIS was a Town upon the Borders of the Tribes of Iudah and Simeon not far from Siclag Iosh. 15. It takes the name from Zaphah which signifies a Watch-Tower and was also called by the Sons of Iudah who destroyed all the Countrey Chorma which signifies a Curse or a desolate place To the Citizens hereof David sent gifts 1 Sam. 36. Of Gaza OF this Town you may read more hereafter in the Travels of the Ark of the Covenant The Typical Signification of Caleb CALEB signifieth An hearty man or a man after Gods own heart loving his Neighbour with all his heart For Col is as much as Omnius which signifies all and Cala He forgiveth all and Leb or Lebbah signifieth an Heart the seat and fountain of all Life So that Caleb seems to take his name from a singular hearty affection whereby he forgiveth his Neighbour For as this man being of a noble Resolution and Courage in the 29 year of his age won Hebron a strong City and put to death the three Sons of Anak terrible Gyants so Christ the Son of God that so loved the World that he gave himself for it with more than humane resolution conquered Hell and those three mighty Gyants incident unto it the Sons of Sathan Sin the World and Death Of Athniel IN the year of the World 1503 and before Christ 2565 Ioshuah died after whose Death Caleb and Athniel Judged Israel about which time the Israelites committed Idolatry and worshipped Baal and Asteroth wherefore the Lord suffered them to fall into the hands of Cushan Rishathaim King of Mesopotamia But because of their Oppression they cryed unto the Lord and he stirred up Othniel the younger Brother of Caleb who in the year of the World 2512 conquered Cushan delivered the People and governed Israel forty years Iudg. 3. Athniel or Othniel signifies the God of Time being derived of Aeth that is an Age and is a Type of Christ who is the God of Time and in his due time conquered the World and Sathan the Prince thereof thereby delivering the poor afflicted members of his Church out of his miserable Servitude and Bondage for which cause God hath made him Judge over it and given him full power and authority to Rule and Govern it Of Ehud the third Iudge of Israel EHVD was the Son of Gira of the Tribe of Iudah and dwelt in the City of Iericho or of the Palms He was a valiant and resolute man lame of his right Hand Iug. 3. and to the Judgment of man not fit to be a Captain being so infirm Yet it happened that this man growing in favour with Eglon King of the Moabites who at this time kept his Court in Iericho which Town he had but eighteen years before conquered took opportunity by the Children of Israel's coming to Gilgal for they came thither to offer unto the Idol and to bring gifts of the King to present these Presents unto him and because of his former familiarity was admitted to speak in private with him in his Summer Parlour where as he was talking with him he thrust him into the Belly with a short Knife and locking the door he fled back to Seirah and told the Children of Israel what he had done From thence they presently went to Ephraim there blew the Trumpet and set upon the Moabites and put them to the Sword Iudg. 3. The Travels of Ehud EHVD went from Iericho to Gilgal two miles From Gilgal he went to Iericho two miles From Iericho he went to Mount Ephraim six miles From Mount Ephraim he went to Iordan four miles where he overthrew ten thousand Moabites So all the Travels of Ehud were fourteen miles Of Mount Ephraim THIS Mountain is about eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South and extends it self in Longitude to the City near the Mediterranean Sea called Ioppa which is distant from Ierusalem twenty miles toward the North-west The Travels of the Sons of Hobab the Kenite THE Sons of Hobab the Kenite Moses Brother-in-law went from Iericho to Arad a City in the Tribe of Iudah scituated in the Desart toward the South 44 miles Num. 10. Iudg. 1. Of Arad ARAD is a City in the Tribe of Iudah 22 miles from Ierusalem towards the South taking the name of a multitude of Asses that were found thereabouts in the Desart and is derived from Arod which signifies a wild Ass a rude Creature The Travels of Jael the Wife of Heber the Kenite who killed Sisera the Captain FROM Arad she and her Husband went to the Plain of Zaaenaim and dwelt there near to a Town called Kades a Town of Refuge of the Levites in the Tribe of Naphtali 166 miles there she killed Sisera This Town lieth 92 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Of Deborah and Barak DEBORAH was the Wife of Lapidoth and dwelt under a Palm-tree between Bethel and Ramath in Mount Ephraim eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North the Inhabitants thereabouts shew this Tree even to this day Barak the Son of Abineam a Noble Captain lived in her time at Kades a City of Refuge belonging to the Levites She succeeded Ehud in An. Mun. 2632. and before Christ 1336 years The Travels of Deborah and Barak BARAK went first from Kades Naphtali to the Palm-tree where Deborah dwelt being 84 miles From thence he went with Deborah back again to Kades being eighty four miles From Kades with 10000 men they went to the Hill Thabor thirty six miles Here as Iosephus writeth lib. Antiq. 4. there fell such a shower of Rain and Hail upon the Enemies of the Israelites that through the extream violence thereof they were dispersed and Sisera their Captain constrained to leave his Chariot and to save himself by flight never staying till he came to the Tabernacle of Iael the Wife of Hebar the Kenite scituated in the Valley of Zaaenaim thirty six miles from the foot of the Mountain Thabor where being asleep by reason of his great Journey Iael struck a Nail into the temple of his Head so he died From thence Barak pursued the Enemies with great slaughter to Haraseth of the Gentiles a City in the upper Galilee near to the Lake of
Samachoniten 28 miles This City is eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. From Haraseth he went to the Plain of Zaaenaim where he found Sisera slain in the Tabernacle of Iael as Deborah the Prophetess had told him From thence Barak with all his Army went to Hazor where Iabin King of the Canaâ—nites kept his Court and of a sudden conquered the City and put to death all the Inhabitants Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. Of Thabor THABOR is a round and high Hill scituated upon the Borders of the Tribes of Issachar and Zabulon fifty six miles from Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it self to the River Kison towards the South and taketh the Name of Light or a pure air being derived of Bo to go and come Tebuah to bring forth fruit and to give light For this Mountain Thabor by reason of the Purity of the Air is wonderful fertile and fruitful There was also a Town at the foot of it called by the same name Here the Kings of the Midianites Zeba and Zalmuna were slain by Gideon Of Hazor THIS is a great City in the Tribe of Nepthali eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North which Ioshuah destroyed with Fire and Sword So did Barak also The Ruines of this City is to be seen to this day The Myâ—tery of Deborah THE word Deborah signifies a Bee and is a memorable Type of the Church For as a Bee in all her actions soundeth pleasantly so the Members of Gods Church in all their actions sing and sound forth the praises of God or by continual Prayers implore his aid and assistance with the Bee sucking from the Flowers of the Holy Scriptures the sweet and acceptable Doctrine of Faith by which the hope of everlasting Life is strengthned in us with the sting of Gods Word repulsing all vain delusions and idle imaginations the Temptations of the Devil and those waspish affections of cruel and wicked men according to that of Ecclesiasticus the Bee is but small yet bringeth forth most pleasant fruit and presenteth unto man many memorable instructions And as Plato saith The King of Bees although without a sting yet Ruleth and Governeth his Commonwealth with great Severity and Iustice. So Christ the head of the Church though he be a delectable Saviour of Souls and without any Sting of Bitterness yet doth he Rule and Govern it with singular Justice and Sincerity Of Barak AFter Deborah was appointed Judge of Israel she ordained Barak for her chief Commander or Captain He taketh his name from Thunder and Lightning typically representing the Glory of Christ Jesus as chief Captain of the Church who with the Thunder of the Law and the Bright shining Glory of the Gospel destroyed the Enemies thereof and by the Hosts of Angels and Saints at the end of the World will cast them down with thunder and lightning into that Bottomless Pit there to remain for ever Of the Travels of Gideon DEBORAH being Dead Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Medeanites cruelly invaded the Land of Iudaea but the Lord taking compassion upon his People sent them a helper one Gideon the Son of Ioas of the family of Abiezer who was born at Ophra or Ephron a City in the Tribe of Manasses not far from Mahanaim on the East side of Iordan some 44 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East and signifieth a Rooter out from Gada that is He hath rooted out This man at the appointment of the Lord took upon him the charge of the People and at Ophra which signifies Dust he destroyed the Idol Baal pitching up in that place an Altar to the Lord wherefore he was after called Ieru-Baal taking that name from Revenge because he had destroyed the Idol He began to Rule in Israel in the year of the World 2672 and before Christ 1296. From Ophra Gideon went to Harad which standeth in the half Tribe of Manasseh where he blew the Trumpet From this place he sent back 22000 of his Army because the Lord had so appointed But the Midianites hearing of this preparation provided a great Host and pitched in the Valley of the Hill Moreh so Gideon taking only 300 with him went over Iordan and came to the Town of Iesreel for Iosephus saith sixteen miles from Harad where he gave the Midianites a wonderful Overthrow Iudg. 7. he also took there two Princes Oreb and Zeb and returned to the River Iordan where he put them to death From thence he went to Succoth with his Army in expectation to have refreshed themselves but the Inhabitants shut him out of the Town and gave him many despightful Words This Town lay close by Iordan and here Iacob sometime pitched his Tent. From thence he went to Penuel which is two miles there also they used him unkindly and gave him bad Language From thence he went to Nobach with his Army which is two miles From thence he went to Iagbetha which is four miles where he conquereâ— Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Midianites who thinking themselves secure made no preparation for War till they were besieged This was a memorable Battel and here the two Kings were put to Death From thence he followed the Enemy with a great Slaughter to Karkor which is four miles From thence he vvent back to Succoth vvhich is eight miles here he put the Inhabitants of this Town to the Sword and all the Elders and Princes he tore to pieces vvith Thorns because they had formerly denied him Entrance into the City From thence he vvent to the Castle of Penuel which is two miles and utterly destroyed it even to the ground and put all the Inhabitants to death because of their mocks From thence he went to Ophra four miles where gathering together all the Gold which he had taken from the Midianites he made a rich Ephod Iudg. 8. From Ophra he went to Sichem where his Son Abimelech was born which is ten miles From thence he returned back to Ophra which is ten miles and there he died after he had judged Israel ten years So all the Travels of Gideon were eighty two miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which Gideon travelled Of Iezreel JEzreel was a fair City scituated upon a hill near to the Flood Kison bordering upon the Tribe of Issachar 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and signifieth the Seed of God being derived from El and Dara the Seed of the Almighty God There was another of this name in the Tribe of Iudah Iosh. 15. In times past this was onely the Seat and chief abiding-place of the Kings of Israel For Ahab and Iezabel kept their Court there and Ioram their Son whom Iehu overcame and here Iezabel was eaten up of Dogs At this day this fair City hath in it but thirty Houses and is called by the Inhabitants of the Holy Land Sanatham being scituated at the foot of the Mountain Gilboah Westward in it there is a Watch Tower upon the top whereof you may
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
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
the Travels of Sampson were 240 miles The Description of the several Towns and Places to which Sampson travelled Of Zarea THIS is a City in the Tribes of Iuda and Dan near the River Soreck and taketh the Name from a Cole or Leprosie being derived of Sarag that is He was Leprous it stood eighteen miles from Ierusalem Westward Of Esthaol THis was a Town in the Tribe of Dan two miles from Zarea and stood near the River Soreck some twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name from a Woman and Fortitude for Isca signifieth a Woman and El or Ol strong and powerful Here Sampsen was brought up In St. Ierom's time this was called Asto not far from whence Sampson lieth buried Of Timnah You may read of this in the Travels of Iudah Of Ascalon THis was a City of the Philistines scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea some thirty miles from Ierusalem Westward and to this day retaineth the figure of half a Circle it taketh the name from an ignominious Fire being derived of Esh and Kalon an ignominious light Of Gaza Of this Town you may read in the Travels of Ioshuah Of the River Soreck THis was a very pleasant River upon the Bank whereof grew great plenty of Vines and Palms from whence it seemeth to have taken the Name for Soreck in Hebrew signifieth a Myrtle Branch which bringeth forth a pleasant Berry whereof excellent Wine is made It takes the beginning at a Fountain in the Tribe of Iuda some twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the West where there is a very fertile Valley in which Dalilah that betrayed Sampson dwelt and from thence it runneth through the Land of the Philistines and falleth into the Mediterranean Sea Of the Rock Eta IN this Rock there was a Cave wherein Sampson dwelt as in a strong Tower it stood in the Tribe of Iuda near to the River Soreck twelve miles from Ierusalem toward the West and seemeth to take the Name from Fowls for before that Sampson inhabited there a multitude of Fowls bred upon it and therefore it was called Eta for Aith signifies a Fowl This Rock growing to decay was repaired again by Ieroboam that Idolatrous King of Israel Of Sampson SAmpson or Schimpson according to the Hebrew Text taking his Name from the Sun for Schaemas in Hebrew signifieth the Sun and seemeth to have some Affinity with Hercules which â—ignifieth The glory of the Air for what can be said to be the glory of the Air but the Light of the Sun without which it would become exceeding dark Wherefore as some think this Sampson was the true Hercules and those noble Exploits that he did the Graecians attributed to their Hercules The typical Signification of Sampson HE typically representeth Christ divers ways first in his Person he was a mighty Man secondly in his Profession he was a Nazarite thirdly in his Calling he was a Prince and Judge fourthly in his manner of living for he went from place to place to revenge himself upon the Enemies of God's People the Children of Israel and in his Death even so our Saviour Christ is that strong man who being mightier than the Devil hath dispossest him of his tyrannical Jurisdiction over the Souls of Mankind hath taken away those gates of Death by his Mercy opening unto us the door of Life that so being set at Liberty from that hellish Imprisonment we may be made Partakers of everlasting Happiness he was also a Nazarite even from his Mothers Womb born and bred there tying himself to a Vow of Bondage that we might be made free he is a Prince for ever and a Priest after the Order of Melchisedeck during the continuance of his Life in this Vail of Misery his chiefest Actions were to go from place to place to teach to do good and to rescue and relieve the poor distressed Members of the Church who lay miserably afflicted under the hands of Satan healing some relieving others and bringing a third sort into the state of Grace so that as Sampson delivered the Israelites from the Bondage of the Philistines Christ our Prince and Judge delivereth his from the Slavery of Satan by his Death saving more Souls than in his Life And thereby pulling down the strong Buildings the Temptations of Satan hath laid them level with the Ground that they shall never be restored again And lastly after this Life ended he shall be our Prince and Judge and bring us to that place of Promise prepared for us in his everlasting Kingdom The Travels of the Spies of the Danites SHortly after the Death of Sampson the Spies of the Danites went from Zarea and Esthaol to Mount Ephraim to the House of Michah which is twenty four miles Iudg. 18. From thence they went to Lais which is a hundred and four miles Iudg. 18. From thence they returned to Zarea and Esthaol which is 126 miles Iudg. 18. So all their Travels were 244 miles Of Lais. LAIS was a City scituated at the Foot of Mount Libanus some 104 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was sometimes called Belenus this because it stood so far from Aid was quickly conquered by the Danites and by them utterly destroyed it signifieth a roaring or devouring Lyon But after being rebuilt by the Danites they called it Dan and the Canaanites Lesem Dan being derived of Laeschaem which signifieth a Lyon The Travels of the Danites THE Army of the Danites went from Zarea and Esthaol to Kiijath-jearim and there pitched their Tents which is sixteen miles Iud. 15. From thence they went to Mount Ephraim to the house of Micha and took his carved Image and his Levite from him which was eight miles Iudg. 15. From thence they went to Lais 104 miles So all the Travels were 128 miles Of Kirjath-jearim KIrjath-jearim was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Iuda upon the Borders of the Tribe of Benjamin about a mile from Ierusalem Westward It sometime belonged to the Gibeonites Iosh. 9. and signifies a City of the Desart or Woods being derived from Kiriath which signifies a City and Iaar a Wood or Forrest Here stood the Ark of the Covenant after it had been in the Land of the Philistines seven months and stood in the house of Abinadab whose Son Eleazer because he was of the Family of the Levites by consent of the Children of Israel was consecrated Priest thereof to attend and keep it here it remained forty eight Years till David fetched it thence with great Joy 1 Sam. 7. 2 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. Here Saul was anointed King by Samuel here the Company of the Prophets that is the Scholers of the Wise came down from the more eminent places where the Ark of God was with holy Songs and Instruments of Musick and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and he sung and praised God with them They called this the Hill of God because the Ark of the Covenant stood in it 1 Sam.
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 â—ephaim or of the Gyants where David won a memorable Battel against the Philistims and pursued them with great Sâ—aughter 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
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
Dâ—r 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 Mâ—nasses between Bethâ—lia and the Sea of Gâ—lilee 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 Bâ—th signifieth a House and Iaschan he hath slept Here Saul killed himself and the Philiâ—â—ines cut off his Head and set it upon the Wall of this City Afterward about St. Ierom's time Ptolomy called this Scythoâ—oliâ— You may read in the Second Book of the Macchabees how it was the Town of the Sâ—â—thians 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 Iosâ—ph 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 Dâ—ath 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 Scythoâ—olis 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 Schâ—ul or Saul if it be taken in the better part signâ—fieth 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.
Hadad-Ezer and by strong hand subdued and quelled the Fury of that mighty Tyrant who was also a trouble and vexation to the Kingdom of Antiochia David entertained this Message kindly and thankfully received his Gifts which was of Gold Silver and fine Brass and so gave Ioram an acceptable Dispatch and from thence with his Army went to Damascus the Metropolitan City of Syria where in the Valley of Salt he got a great Victory in which 18000 Syrians were slain and soon after the City of Damascus taken in which David placed a Garrison and compelled them to pay Tribute 2 Sam. 8. This was distant from the Kingdom of Soba 520 miles From Damascus he went with his Army into the Land of the Ammonites 100 miles in the way that leadeth out of Syria to Ierusalem all which he conquered and all the Cities and Towns thereabouts and compelled them to pay Tribute 2 Sam. 8. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was sixty miles and all the Booty that he had gotten in his Journey he dedicated unto the Lord 2 Sam. 8. A while after he with his Army made an Incursion into the Land of Idumaea and compelled the Inhabitants to pay Tribute Moreover he destroyed the City of Midian the Metropolitan of that Country of which you may read before it was distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the South So that the extent of David's Kingdom from the North to the South was 800 miles even from the Kingdom of Soba to the Red Sea and from the East to the West 120 miles from Tyrus and Sydon reaching to Damascus Thus by the singular Blessing of God he obtained a spacious and powerful Empire 1 Sam. 8. 1 Reg. 11. 1 Chr. 19. He made his Expedition into Idumaea about the fourteenth year of his Reign From Midian in Idumaea he returned with great Glory and Praise to Ierusalem which was 160 miles In the fourteenth year of his Reign and in the year of the World 2904 and before Christ 1064 Nahas King of the Ammonites died and Haron his Son succeeded him this Man contemptuously abused the Messengers of David 2 Sam. 10. and to justifie that Injury he gathered an Army out of Soba Syria and Mesopotamia even a mighty Host to oppose David who in the fifteenth year of his Government met him with his Army at Helam some twenty miles from Ierusalem where he obtained a notable Victory and destroyed 700 Chariots and 40000 Horse 1 Chr. 20. David after this with great applause of the People was entertained into Ierusalem which was 20 miles distant where being puft up with Prosperity he forgat his former Piety and Sanctity and by degrees fell into unlawful Actions and unjust desires whence it happened that soon after he committed Adultery with Bathseba and after that to hide his Fault caused her Husband to be slain This was kept secret till the Lord by Nathan sharply reprehends him lays before him what he was and what his present estate is from whence that came and then concludes that he is most unthankful careless and negligent towards God and Man in committing those Insolencies neither left he there but told him that God would severely punish him for his Offence which after happened as you may read 1 Sa. 11 12. 14 17. David being nipt in his Conscience with this sharp reprehension fell into great Lamentation the extremity of whose Passions may very well appear in the Penitential Psalms which at this time and soon after he wrote and left to future Ages After this about the end of Summer he gathered an Army and went into the Land of the Ammonites some sixty four miles where he took the Metropolitan City which at that time was called Rabba because of the Multitude of Citizens that were in it but after being restored by Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Aegypt he called it after his own name Philadelphia and there took the Crown from the Head of the King of the Ammonites which weighed a Talent of Gold being as Iosephus saith richly adorned with fair Sardonick Stones of which you may read 2 Sam. 12. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem which is sixty four miles where he married Bathseba and by her had four Sons Simeon Sobab Nathan and Solomon 1 Chr. 3. Soon after this Amnon defloured his Sister Thamar Not long after that his Son Absalom killed his Brother Amnon being then about eighteen years of age which David took so heinously that he would not suffer him to come into his sight for three years 2 Sam. 13. Then Ioab by the subtilty of the Woman of Tekoa reconciled him to the King his Father yet nevertheless he came not to his Court of two years after This Absalom was a goodly man affable for which cause even at that time the People began to affect him Afterward in the year of the World 2950 and before Christ 1408 Absalom being then about twenty five years of Age moved Sedition against his Father A matter remarkable that although he had slain his own Brother being disgraced and absent from the Court almost five years yet within short time after he so strongly united the Affection of the People to him that he constrained David standing in fear of his greatness all his former Acts and worthy Victories notwithstanding to forsake his own City and for safety to fly to the Mount of Olives being three quarters of a mile from the City There he stayed a while to see the condition of the Tumult but Necessity constrained him to take his way to Bahuzim And as he was going Zimri the Son of Gesa of the house of Saul cursed him every mans Enemy then making himself apparent when he is in Adversity and his best friends commonly forsake him From thence he went to Iordan fourteen miles where the Priests Ionathan and Ahinaaz brought him certain Intelligence of that wicked and perverse Counsel of Achitophel a man in those times famous for his Wisdom but perfidious in his Actions as commonly such are that hope after Honours or seek to benefit themselves by Innovation and Change After he had Intelligence hereof he went over Iordan with those few men that he had and with all possible speed went to Bethabara some 16 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east At this place Ioshuah led the Children of Israel through Iordan on dry ground Ios. 3. 4. and here Iohn the Baptist taught and baptized Christ. Mat. 1. and Luke 3. From thence he went to Makanaim which is 28 miles where he sent forth his Army by bands against Absalom who at this time had assembled a great Host near the Wood Ephraim not far from that place where Ioshua won a memorable Battel against the Canaanites and that the place might be made more famous David's men though few in number gave Absalom and his Host as great Thus Absalom being left in danger to save himself fled but in his flight the Hair of his Head being long and blown with the Wind
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 Anâ—mundi 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
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 Soâ—â—h-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 Taâ—hpenes 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
of Israel who was crowned King his Father yet living about the beginning of the twenty sixth year of Asa King of Iuda at such time as Benhadad King of Syria invaded and wasted Galilee He reigned two years one of them during the Life of his Father the other alone in Thirza at the end of which he was slain by Simri his Servant 1 Reg. 15 16. Of Zimri King of Israel ZImri signifieth a Singer and was a Captain over King Elah's Chariots he reigned seven dayes in Thirza in which time he put to death and utterly rooted out all the Posterity of Baasha and then Omri besieged the City so straitly that he had no hope to escape wherefore he set the City and Palace on fire in which he also perished 1 Reg. 15 16. The Travels of Omri King of Israel OMRI signifieth a Souldier or one that deserveth his Pay He was made King by the Israelites in his Tent while he was at Wars near to Gibithon from whence he went to Thirza which was thirty six miles and besieged the same upon the very day that Zimri had put the Posterity of Baasha to the Sword and took it He began to reign in Thirza Ann. Mund. 3017 and before Christ 951. and reigned over Israel twelve years the first six in Thirza that latter six in Samaria 1 Reg. 16. From Thirza he went to Mount Semer six miles there Omri built Samaria and made it the Seat of his Kingdom He went thither about the seventh year of his Reign 1 Reg. 16. So these two Journeys were forty two miles Of Samaria SAmaria the chief Seat and Metropolis of Israel was built by Omri in Mount Semer 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and took that name of Semer who was Lord of that Mountain of whom King Omri bought it for two Talents of Silver which amounteth to 1200 Crowns In this City fourteen Kings of Israel kept their Courts viz. Omri who was the first Founder of it Ahab Ahazia Iehoram Iehu Ioachas Ioas Ieroboam Zacharias Sallum Menahem Pekahia Pekah and Hosea who was the last of the Kings of Israel that reigned in this City and lost it together with his Liberty Of all these Kings there were but five that died naturally for the Lord being moved to wrath by reason of their Impiety and Idolatry either gave them up into the hands of Foreign Enemies or by Civil War amongst themselves they cruelly murthered one another until such time as the Assyrians destroyed the Land and and led the People captive Thus the Lord punished with a sharp and severe punishment this obstinate Nation because they contemned the Admonitions and Doctrines of the Prophets amongst which Elias and Elizeus were the chief So that although Samaria was a fair and beautiful City and the Countrey for that cause was called the Province of Samaria yet notwithstanding that great God the Judge of all things for the Iniquity of the People caused this fair City to be left desolate the Inhabitants of the Land to be dispersed and the Earth for want of due usage to lye as a Wilderness 2 Reg. 17. This City in the Old Testament according to the Hebrew Phrase is called Shaemaer of Schomron which signifies to keep or a Tower of strength You may read of this 1 Reg. 2. 2 Reg. 1 7. The Greeks and Latines call it Samaria which signifies the Castle of Iehovah or of God You may read more of this in the second Volume Of Hiel that built Jericho again AFter the death of Omri King of Israel when Ahab his Son began to reign Hiel a very rich man in the Town of Bethel that he might leave behind him an eternal memory of his Name went to Iericho which had been formerly destroyed by Ioshuah the Son of Nun and had lain waste for the space of 536 years where contrary to the Commandment of the Lord and curse of Ioshuah he caused the said City to be rebuilt such was the impious Security and Incredulity of this man but the Lord was angry with him and he struck all his Children that they dyed The eldest Son called Abiram at the laying of the Foundation and his youngest Son called Segub at the hanging on of the Gates Ios. 6. 1 Reg. 16. The Travels of King Ahab AHab went from Samaria to the Hill Carmel where Elias put to death the Priests of Baal which was about thirty two miles 1 Reg. 18. From thence he went to Iezreel which is sixteen miles there he told his Wife how Elias had put the Priests of Baal to the Sword 1 Reg. 18. From Iezreel he went again to Samaria eighteen miles where being prest with a hard Siege by Benhadad King of Syria he broke out of the City for his better safety and by Gods great providence and assistance he assailed the Syrians put a great multitude of them to the Sword the rest fled and he went away with a noble Victory as the Prophet of the Lord had formerly told him 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went with his Army to Apheck which was fourteen miles where he renewed a second Battel and therein had good success so that he took Benhadad alive and put to the Sword 100000 Syrians In this place the Prophet of the Lord reproved him for his ingratitude and obstinacy wherefore Ahab being angry he went from Apheck to Samaria which was eight miles 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went to Iezreel sixteen miles where that perfidious Queen Iesabel caused Naboth to be put to death and took possession of his Vineyard 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he went to Ramoth-Gilead twenty four miles and there in a fight that he had against the Syrians was so sore wounded with an Arrow that he was constrained to leave the Battel 1 Reg. 22. And as he went back again to Samaria which was twenty four miles he dyed of his wound Of this man you may read more 1 Reg. 21 22. So all the Travels of Ahab were 152 miles The Description of Carmel Apheck and Ramoth you may read before Of Iezreel JEzreel is a City in the Tribe of Issachar scituated upon a rising ground some forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Ahab sometimes kept his Court. Here Naboth the Iezreelite dwelt an honest and Religious man one of good Esteem and Authority that feared God and would not suffer the Inheritance of one Tribe to be transferred to another because God had commanded the contrary Num. ult For which cause he would not sell his Vine-yard to Ahab wherefore Iezabel that wicked Woman to satisfie the Kings desire caused him to be stoned Iezreel signifies the Seed of God being derived of Sera Seed and El the Almighty God Though in former times this hath been a fair Town yet at this day there is no past thirty houses in it and is called Charity standing at the foot of Mount Gilboah they shew at this day the field of Naboth the Iezreelite lying towards the West as you go
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 â—est 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 discoâ—ered 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 â—amâ—th 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 Basâ—n 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 â—iles 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 Elâ—th 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 â—lath 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 Maâ—esa 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 Ethâ—opians 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 â—s 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
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 Reâ—in 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
might plainly be seen ingraven other Letters to this effect Vnless thou hadst been unâ—â—tiably Covetous thou wouldst never have opened the Graves of the Dead in hope of gain This Woman beautified Babylon with many goodly Buildings built up the Walls thereof set a Bridge over Euphrates made a beautiful Orchard and a Garden in it beautified it with many goodly Towers and Fortifications added unto it many Provinces and Governments and after all because of her own lascivious Appetite as Sallust saith was murthered by her Son Ninus who succeeded her in the Government There were many other memorable things within this City that were built before and after her time as Herodotus saith as that great and mighty Tower before remembred in which stood the Temple of Baelus and his Sepulchre Not far from that stood a Chappel wherein was the Statue of Iupiter all of pure Gold worth 800 Talents of Gold Without that Chappel there stood an Altar of pure Gold upon which they yearly offered 100000 Talents of Frankincense There was another also somewhat less upon which they used to offer their Sacrifices for it was not lawful for them to offer any thing that had life upon the greater Altar there stood also in that place another Statue twelve cubits high all of pure Gold This City was after taken by Cyrus the first Emperour of the Persians An. Mundi 3432. before Christ 536 in the seventieth year after the Captivity of Israel and Iudah according to the Prophecy of Ieremy at which time the City was so great that they which dwelt in the middle of it did not know that the Enemy had entered within the Walls at the farther end which might happen because upon that day when it was taken the Babylonians celebrated a Feast unto Venus in which using extraordinary diligence they were less mindful of such things as hapned unto them Thus this City that with great Tyranny had triumphed over the Nations of the earth for the space of 1600 years being so plentifully furnished with all things necessary for the maintenance of life that the Inhabitants thereof contemned all other People was by God's permission for their pride and presumption wasted and consumed by Cyrus as you have heard and shortly after utterly destroyed by Xerxes the fourth Emperour of the Persians and so continueth to this day as Strabo saith Where then O World is thy Prosperity or Riches thy glory since in the one thou art consumed in the other lest desolate Of the Ruines of old Babylon that are extant at this day BAbylon which as you have heard reigned over the Nations of the Earth like a Queen at this day hath nothing to present you withall but an heap of stones out of the Ruins whereof there was built a little Town close by where it stood called Elugo or Felugo scituated upon the Bank of the River Euphrates Not far from which it seems there is a profitable Harbour for Ships where Merchants often times go a shore and travel thence through many Woods and desart places unto Seleucia which at this day is called by the Turks Bagdeth distant thence some thirty six miles and is the utmost Town of the Turkish and Persian Empires towards the East being divided in the midst by the River Tygris Some Merchants have reported That the place where Babylon stood is become stony unfruitful and unpleasant because of the Ruins of the destroyed buildings which lye in the Earth Also That there is found a Tower built of a black stone which to outward appearance seems to have been a very goodly house high and eminent so that upon the top thereof a man might have seen through the whole City This Tower the Inhabitants of Felugo call the Tower of Daniel in which was the Chamber where he used to pray to the Lord three times a day the Windows whereof looked towards Ierusalem Dan. 6. There is also to be seen divers Arches of the Bridge which Semiramis built standing upon the River Euphrates and the foundation of the great Tower whose top should have reached to Heaven being in compass two miles but not very high Within the Ruins whereof are found certain Serpents very noisom and venemous about the bigness of a Lizard having three heads and spect with divers colours which the Inhabitants call Eglones There are such a multitude of them that no man dares approach within half a mile of it any time but in the Winter season nor then neither but for the space of a Month in which time these Serpents for the extremity of the cold are constrained to keep their holes Thus as this Tower was hateful to God in the beginning so likewise hath he made it hurtful unto man even to this day The Travels of the Babylonian and Assyrian Kings and Emâ—erours that fought against Israel and Judah And first of Phul Belochus King of Assâ—ria PHul Belochus that is he returned wasting began to reign among the Babylonians Anno Mundi 3149. before Christ 819 and governed forty eight years This King or Emperour came from Babylon to Samaria which was 660 miles There he so streightly besieged Menahem King of Israel that he was constrained to give him 1000 talents of Silver to raise his Siege and depart 2 Reg. 15. From Samaria he returned back again to Babylon 660 miles So all Travels of Phul Belochus were 1320 miles The Travels of Tiglat Phulasser King of the Assyrians TIglat Phulasser signifies the Assyrian Conquerour He was also called Tiglath Philasser 2 Reg. 15. which name is attributed to him either because he carried away the Children of Israel captives or else because of the Conquest that he had of all Galilee and over the Tribe of Naphtaly which he carried into Assyria He succeeded his father Phul Belochus in the Government of the Assyrians An. Mundi 3197. before Christ 771. and reigned twenty five years When Reâ—n King of the Assyrians joyning his Army with Pekah Son of Remalia King of Israel had streightly besieged Ierusalem Ahaz was constrained to crave aid of this Tiglath Phulasser and sent him great Presents which he accepted kindly and brought his Army from Niniveh to Damascus 520 miles where he put Reâ—n and the whole City to the Sword 2 Reg. 16. From Damascus he came with his Army into the land of Israel which was 120 miles where he overcame Pekâ—h in a great Battel conquered all the land of Gilead and the tribe of Naphtaly and put a great multitude of the Israelites into perpetual Exile 2 Reg. 15. From thence he went back to Niniveh 640 miles A little after this King Tiglath Phulasser went from Niniveh to Ierusalem 680 miles where he so streightly besieged that wicked King Ahaz that he was constrained to give him great abundance of Gold and Silver to raise his Siege and be gone 2 Chr. 28. From Ierusalem he returned back to Niniveh being 680 miles So all his Travels were 6640 miles Of the City Niniveh you may read
after in the Travels of Ionas the Prophet Of Kyr which is commonly called Cyrene KYR or Cyrene is scituated in Africa 816 miles from Ierusalem Westward In which Country Simon that bore the Cross of Christ was born Mat. 27. Luke 23. It signifies in Hebrew a strong Wall and in Latine a Heart The Travels of King Salmanasser SAlmanasser signifieth the Assyrian Peace-maker This man Ptolomaeus that excellent Mathematician calleth Nabonasarus that is the Prophet of the Assyrians He began to reign upon the 26 of February An. Mundi 3221 before Christ 747 and reigned ten years or thereabout This man went with his Army from Niniveh to Samaria being 652 miles where he compelled Hosea the last King of Israel to pay him tribute 2 Reg. 16. From thence he returned back again with his Army to Nineveh 652 miles After when Hosea King of Israel conspiring with So King of Egypt denied to pay him Tribute he returned back again the second time to Samaria being 652 miles and after three years siege he took and destroyed it with Fire and Sword and conquered all the Countrey round about From Samaria he returned back again to Nineveh 652 miles So all the Travels of Salmanasser King of the Assyrians were 2608 miles The Travels of Senacharib King of the Assyrians SEnâ—charib as Melanâ—thon expounds it signifieth a two-edged Sword He succeeded his Father Salmanasser An. Mund. 3231. before Christ 737. He reigned seven years This man imitating his Father endeavoured to carry away the rest of Gods People into Captivity for which purpose he brought an Army from Nineveh to Lachis which was 700 miles which Town he besieged and sent his Princes to Ierusalem being twenty miles where he blasphemed the Lord of which you may read more in the History of King Hezekiah From Lachis he went to Libnah eight miles This was a strong Hold but he besieged it so narrowly that within a while after he had begun the Siege he took it While he was before this Town there came News that Taracha King of the Ethiopians had invaded his Countrey Wherefore he sent the second time Messengers to Ierusalem But the Lord was offended with their blasphemy wherefore he sent his Angel who in one Night destroyed 185000 of his Army This sudden and unexpected evil falling upon him in a great fear he returned to Niniveh 692 miles where he was slain by his Sons in the Temple The fame of these things was so divulged abroad that Herodotus lib. 2. makes mention of them So these three Journeys make 1400 miles Of Lachis and Libnah you may read before Of Assarhaddon King of the Assyrians ASsarhaddon his father Senacharib being slain succeeded in the Government Anno Mundi 3238 which agreeth with the 730 year before Christ and reigned ten years in Niniveh the chief City of the Assyrians Here again the mutation and change of Kingdoms may be observed for Merodach a Chaldaean rebelling against Senacharib continued his Government in Babylon eleven years that is during a part of the Reign of Senacharib and all the Reign of Assarhaddon his Son in which time he conquered the Assyrians and made them subject to the Empire of the Babylonians Of Merodach the first Emperour of the Babylonians MErodach signifieth a bitter repentance He was the Son of Baladan Prince of Babylon who ruled at such time as Senacharib had that grievous overthrow in Iudah Wherefore taking advantage of the time and the necessity of that Prince he rebelled against him and his Son Assarhaddon taking upon him the absolute command of the City and whole Empire The beginning of whose Reign happened in the year of the World 3236 and before Christ 732. This Merodach sent to Ierusalem wise and learned men with Gifts and Presents to King Ezekiah just in that year when the Sun went back ten Degrees to know the truth of this Miracle For it was a custom amongst the Nations round about Ierusalem if any thing happened beyond the expectation of man to send thither to inquire the truth thereof Such and so Wise a People were the Iews esteemed in those times as may appear by divers places of the Holy Scripture In the beginning of the twelfth year of this King Assaâ—haddon Emperour of the Assyrians died after whose death he became Emperour of all Assyria and Chaldea He began to reign over that spatious Kingdom Anno Mundi 3247 before Christ 721 and reigned after that forty years Of Ben-Merodach Emperour of Babylon BEn-Merodach that is the Son of Merodach succeeded his Father Anno Mundi 3287 before Christ 681. He reigned twenty one years Of Nebuchadnezzar first of that name Emperour of Babylon NEbuchadonezar or Nebuchadnezzar signifieth a Divine Judge He was the most potent King of all the Babylonian This man obtained the chief command over the Babylonians Empire Anno Mundi 3309 before Christ 659. He reigned thirty five years and held his Court sometime in Babylon sometimes in Niniveh Iud. 1. He made War with Pharaoh Necho King of Aegypt of which Battel you may read 2 Reg. 25. 2 Chr. 35. in the Valley of Megiddo where Iosias was slain Herod lib. 2. doth also make mention of this Battel and calls the place by the name of Magdalum Of which Ieremy also speaketh But they were Towns in the Tribe of Manasses scituated near to the Plain where this Battel was fought in which Country Mary Magdalen was born The Travels of Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of Babylon NEbuchadnezzar or Nebuchadonozor the Great which Ptolomaeus calleth Nebupollasser about the end of the third year of Ioachim King of Iudah being a little before created Emperour his Father yet living came unto Ierusalem which he besieged so streightly that he constrained Ioachim to pay him Tribute for thirty seven years Berosus saith Lib. 3. A little after that is Anno Mundi 3344. before Christ 624 he was sent against the Syrians Phoenicians and Aegyptians that rebelled So he went with his Army from Babylon to Carchemis a City of Syria scituated near the River Euphrates which was 280 miles Here he overcame Pharaoh-Necho King of Aegypt in a great Battel Ier. 46. Herod lib. 2. From Carchemis he went to Ierusalem which was 400 miles here he took Daniel and his companions captive and brought them to Babylon After he went with his Army to Pelusio being 132 miles which he took conquered all the Land of Aegypt put to death Pharaoh-Necho and made Psammeticus his Son King in his place Ieremy the Prophet told of this War cap. 25. 26. From Pelusio he returned to Babylon 800 miles Within a while after his Father died and he succeeded in the Government and reigned forty three years In the eleventh year of Ioachim King of Iudah he went again from Babylon to Ierusalem which was 680 miles and by policy took that City and put Ioachim the King thereof to death according to the Prophecy of Ieremy cap. 22. 2 Kin. 24. From thence after he had made Iechonias his
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. â—aith 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
and foolish Merodach His Wife's name was Nitocris according to Herod lib. 1. She was a very magnificent and wise Woman set up many fair and goodly Buildings in Babylon and was the Mother of Balthasar the last Emperour of the Assyrians Dan. 5. Of Niriglissoroor Emperour of Babylon NIriglissoroor whose Syrname was Regassaâ— Son-in-law to Nebuchadnezzar the Great having slain Evil-Merodach his Wifes Brother reigned over the Babylonians and Assyrians four years as Berosus saith Of Labassardach the last Emperour of the Babylâ—nians LAbassardach the Son of Niriglissoroor succeeded his Father He reigâ—ed only nine months and died without Heir male Of Balthazar Nabonidus the last Emperour of the Babylonians and Assyrians ANno Mundi 3415 and before Christ 553 Balthazar Nabonidus whose Sirname was Labynitus the Son of Evil-Merodach and Nitocris obtained the Empire and reigned seventeen years according to Berosus with Ioseph cont App. Alexand. Polyb. apud Eusebium Praep. lib 9. l. 4. Alphae Hist. with Euseb. calleth this King Nabinidochus This is that Balthazar saith Iosephus lib. Ant. 10. cap. 13. which Daniel cap. 5. calleth the Son of Nebuchadonosor though indeed he was but his Son's Son as may be gathered from that of Ier. cap. 25. All Nations shall serve Nebuchadonosor and his Son and his Son's Son Bâ—lthasar signifies The Host of the Lord destroying his Enemies Labynitus signifies a shaken Sword This man as he was celebrating a great Feast unto Venus whom they call in the Assyrian Tongue Myleta amongst a great multitude of his Nobility and in that using extraordinary Excess and Blasphemy against the Lord in the midst of his Feast and all his Merriments he saw a hand writing upon the Wall which left these Words Mene Mene Tekel Vpharsin of which you may read more Dan. 5. Some say That at this very time the City was taken by Cyrus Emperour of the Persians and he put to the Sword in those Sports and Pastimes But certain it is that he was slain at a Banquet lost his Empire and was the last of the Assyrian Emperours but whether at that time I refer it to the opinion of the Reader The Travels of the Kings of Aegypt that fought against the Kings of Judah And first of Sisack who made War upon Rehoboam the Son of Solomon THAT proud and presumptuous Prince Sisack which signifies a Garment of Silk in the last year of his Reign which was the first of Rehoboam the Son of Solomon came with 1200 Chariots and 60000 Horse from Memphis to Ierusalem which was 244 miles bringing in his Army a great Multitude of People of divers Nations as Lybians Ethiopians c. With this Company he besieged Ierusalem and took it wasted the City spoiled the Temple and took thence the golden Shields which Solomon had made and destroyed that fair and beautiful house which Solomon had built From whence that Saying of his own was verified Eccles. That it is a great Evil upon the Earth for a man to take care to lay up Riches and Treasures in this World yet knoweth not who shall inherit it For those things which a little before he had with great Labour and Pains builded and beautified within less than twenty Years after were destroyed and made desolate by this King From Ierusalem Sisack returned with the Spoils of the Temple and City to Memphis in Aegypt which was 244 miles and in the Year following he was stricken by the Lord with a grievous Disease of which he died miserably So these two Journeys were 488 miles The Travels of Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt who made War upon Josiah King of Judah NECHO signifies an Enemy or Invader This man was one of the greatest of all the Egyptian Kings who in the thirteenth year of his Reign made War upon Nebuchadnezzar the first and in the Valley of Megiddo near to Magdala 244 miles from Memphis fought a great Battel wherein Iosiah King of Iudah was wounded to death From the Valley of Megiddo Pharaoh Necho went to the River Euphrates 360 miles where he fought a second Battel with Nebuchadnezzar upon a Plain near to Carchemis where he lost the day and was put to flight From Carchemis he fled to Riblah in the Land of Israel being 320 miles where in the Land of Chaemath near to the Lake Samachonites he overcame 〈◊〉 King of Iudah and took him Prisoner From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led Ioachas bound to Ierusalem 80 miles and made Ioachim his Brother King in his place From Ierusalem he returned to Memphis 240 miles Within four years after he went the second time with a great Army from Memphis to the River Euphrates 640 miles But there he was the second time overcome by Nebuchadnezzar and constrained to fly thence back again to Memphis in Egypt being 640 miles But Nebuchadnezzar followed him with an Army of chosen men and conquered all Egypt took Pharaoh Necho and made his Son Psammeticus King in his place who was the second of that name Of this Battel there is mention Ier. ca. 25. 26. So all the Travels of Pharaoh Necho were 1524 miles The Travels of the Holy Prophets and first of the Prophet Eliah ELIAH the Prophet went from Thisbe which was in the Land of Gilead to Samaria twenty four miles where he told the wicked King Ahab that there should be neither Rain nor Dew for the space of seven years 1 Reg. 17. From Samaria he went to the River â—erith twenty four miles where he was fed by a Raven From Kerith he went to Sarepta being an hundred miles where he sojourned with a poor Widow that found him Necessaries whose Son he restored to Life 1 Reg. 17. From Sarepta he went to Mount Carmel in the Land of Israel being sixty miles and by the way as he went he met Obadiah which signifieth the Servant of the Lord and King Ahab whom he rebuked sharply because of his Idolatry Also upon this Mountain he put all Bâ—al's Priests to death and prayed unto the Lord who sent Rain upon the Earth in great abundance 1 Reg. 18. From Mount Carmel he ran by King Ahab's Chariot to Iezreel which was accounted 16 miles After when Queen Iesabel threatned his Death he departed thence and went to Beersaba eighty four miles 1 Reg. 19. From Beersaba he went one dayes Jouney into the Wilderness of Paran because he thought to remain there safe from the mischief of Iesabel which vvas tvventy miles from Beersaba Southvvard Here the Angel of the Lord brought him meat as he vvas sitting under a Juniper-tree 1 Reg. 19. By vertue of this meat Eliah travelled from thence to Mount Horeb or Sinai eighty miles and continued there forty dayes and forty nights vvithout meat or drink There the Lord spake to Eliah as he stood in the â—ntrance of a Cave his Face being covered vvith his Mantle 1 Reg. 19. From the Mount Sinai or Horeb he returned to Abel-Mehola being 156 miles vvhere he called Elizeus the Son of Saphas to the Ministerial Function
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 Bâ—alzebub 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 Eâ—hraim 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 â—lung 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 oâ—tentimes 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
to lie which was 16 miles here he restored her Son to Life 2 Reg. 4. From thence he went to Gilgal which is distant from Sunem thirty six miles towards the South here he fed 100 men with twenty Barley loaves 2 Reg. 4. From Gilgal he went to Samaria which is accounted twenty miles to this place Naaman the Syrian came to him to be healed of his Leprosie 2 Reg. 5. From Samaria he went to Iordan which was eight miles Here he made a Hatchet of Iron that fell into the Water to swim 2 Reg. 6. From Iordan he went to Dothan where the Children of Iacob sold their Brother Ioseph to the Midianites which was eight miles here the Angels of the Lord compassed him and his Servant about lest they should have been taken by the Army of the Syrians and God struck the Syrians with Blindness 2 Reg. 6. From thence he led the Army of the Syrians being thus made blind to Samaria being twelve miles and delivered them to the King of Israel upon condition that he should give them Meat and Drink to refresh themselves and suffer them to depart in Peace which he did 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Sunem which was sixteen miles here he advised the Woman where he used to lye to travel thence to some other Place because of the Famine that should follow and continue for seven years 2 Reg. 8. From Sunem he went Damascus being 132 miles there he told Hazael that he should succeed his Master Benhadad in the Government of the Syrians 2 Reg. 8. From Damascus he returned to Samaria which was 132 miles where soon after he fell sick and died his body was buried near to Samaria where the Lord a long time after his Death shewed a wonderful Miracle for a dead man being thrown into his Sepulchre was restored again to life by touching of his Bones 2 Reg. 13. This man governed the Church of God amongst the Children of Israel sixty years after the death of Elias So all the Travels of Elisha were 730 miles Concerning the Towns and places mentioned in his Travels you may read before The Typical Signification of Elisha ELisha or Elischa signifieth the Salvation of God being derived of El that is God and Iaschag he hath saved from hence Jesus a Saviour because this Prophet was a notable Type of our Saviour Jesus Christ for as Elisha was anointed Priest by the Prophet Eliah so Christ was the anointed Priest of the Father and as Elisha did many works of Mercy and Miracles to make evident Gods Power and Providence so our Saviour Christ went from place to place shewing mercy to the blind lame and impotent upon them working wonderful Miracles that thereby his doctrine might be made evident to the World and all such as trust in him be made capable of eternal happiness The Travels of the Shunamite whose Son Elisha had raised from Death to Life FRom Sunem she went to Mount Carmel and besought Elisha to come and raise her Son from Death to Life which was sixteen miles 2 Reg. 4. From thence she and Elisha returned back again to Sunem which was sixteen miles and there he delivered her Son unto her alive 2 Reg. 4. From Sunem having buried her Husband she travelled into the Land of the Philistines because of the Famine that was to come suddenly after being fifty six miles 2 Reg. 8. From the Land of the Philistines she returned to Samaria which was forty miles 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria she returned to Sunem which was sixteen miles So all her Travels were 144 miles Of the Prophet Isaiah or Jesaia JEsaia or Ieschaia is all one in signification with Elisha that is a Saviour He was the Son of Amos which signifieth strength and by consequence Ozia King of Iudah was his Cousin-German as may appear by this Genealogy following Iosas ofIuda Amasiah King of Iuda Ozias King of Iuda Iotham King of Iuda Ahas King of Iuda Ezekias King of Iuda Manasses King of Iuda who caused Isaiah to be slain Amos Isaias Father Isaias had two Daughters Sear Iasub that is the rest remaining and was a sign of the rest of the Posterity of Iuda that should remain and dwell there Isa. 7. Mahez Schatal that is a sudden Destruction for this second Daughter of Isay did denote the immediate Desolation of the Kingdoms of Syria and Samaria From whence it plainly appeareth that the Prophet Esaias was of the stock of David and lineage of Christ for which cause in the fifth Chapter of his Prophecy he calleth him his beloved He began to teach publickly in the year of the World 3167 and before Christ 800. and governed the Church eighty years and more until the time of Manasses who caused him to be cut in pieces with a Saw In Anno Mundi 3190. before Christ 778. Isay saw the Lord sitting upon a high Throne in great Majesty the lower part whereof filled the Temple and the Seraphins compassed him round about Esa. 6. Cherubins are glorious and bright shining Angels of a fiery nature for Saraph signifieth He hath turned to Fire His Doctrine was twofold that is partly concerning the Law partly the Gospel as may appear by his Prophesie in the first forty Chapters whereof the Doctrine of the Law is set â—orth with sharp Reprehensions for Sin in the first four of which are grievous Accusations of Sinners for breach of the first Commandment the other for the most part prophecy of horrible Punishments Mutations and Change of Government but principally of the Iews Babylonians Assyrians Syrians and Aegyptians From the â—ortieth to the end of the Book is contained the Doctrine of the Gospel and of the Kingdom of our Saviour Jesus Christ which he hath set forth with such excellent Eloquence Figures and Amplifications that he may be compared with the best Orator that ever wrote The Travels of the Prophet Jeremias 〈◊〉 or â—eremiah signifieth The exalted of the Lord he was born in the Tribe of Benjamin in a City of the Priests called Anathoth and from thence came to Ierusalem being two miles and continued there for forty years teaching and prophecying From Ierusalem he was sent to Euphrates where in the cliff of a Rock he hid his Girdle Ier. 13. being 400 miles From the River Euphrates he returned back again to Ierusalem 400 miles A little after the Lord sent him back again to Euphrates 400 miles to fetch his Girdle and lâ—e it was putrefied From thence he returned back again the second time to Ierusalem 400 miles From Ierusalem he was led captive bound in Chains with other Prisoners to Ramath a City in Mount Ephraim being eight miles there Nabuzaradan the chief Captain caused him to be set at Liberty From Ramath he went to Mispah which is eight miles where he continued a while with Gediliah Prince of the Iews which man had the chief command of certain Cities of Iudaea under Nabuchadnezzar But in the seventh Year of the Captivity of the
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 Iudâ—h 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
sometime Bishop of Tyre saith which was a Town in the Tribe of Issachar not far from Bethulia some fifty two miles from Ierusalem toward the North near to which place Holofernes afterward pitched his Tents extending thence to the Field of Esdrelon and the Town Chelmon from whence it seemeth this Town taketh the Name He prophesied in Israel eight hundred years before Christ his name â—ignifieth a Saviour being derived of Hoschiag the third Conjugation of Iaschag that is He hath saved Mat. 2. Of the Prophet Joel JOEL signifies God's own as St. Ierom expoundeth it He prophesied eight hundred Years before Christ both in Israel and in Iudah He was born in a Village which was called Baâ—homeron not far from Sichem in the Tribe of Manasses as Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre saith Of the Prophet Amos. THIS Man's Father dwelt at Tekoa a poor man one that kept Kine and used to gather wild Figs as appeareth in the first and seventh Chapters of Amos. In this Town Amos was born and followed the Profession of his Father but the Lord called him to be a Prophet and then he went to Bethel which was twelve miles distant Here he reprehended Ieroboam King of Israel for Idolatry and worshipping the Golden Calf after he was accused by Amasia the Chief Priest of the Idols in Bethel and bound in Chains and at length Vria the Son of this Amasia struck him upon his Head with a Spear whereby he was mortally wounded From Bethel being sick he was carried back to Tecoa which was twelve miles where a little after he died as St. Ierom witnesseth in whose time his Monument was to be seen Amos signifies A Burthen as indeed he was to the wicked Israelites he so sharply reprehended them in his Sermons of the Law He lived eight hundred years before Christ. So his Travels were 24 miles Of the Prophet Obediah OBediah signifies God's obedient Servant of Abad he hath served or been obedient He lived six hundred years before Christ about the time of the Captivity of Babylon St. Ierom saith that in his time there were to be seen in the City of Samaria the Monuments of three Prophets that is of Elisha Obediah and Iohn Baptist. But some think that Obediah the Prophet lay not buried in Samaria but rather it was the Sepulchre of that Obediah which lived in the time of Ahab that hid a hundred of the Lord's Prophets fifty in one Cave and fifty in another between which there were three hundred years difference The Travels of the Prophet Jonah THIS Prophet Ionas was born in Gath Hepher which was a Town in the Tribe of Zabulon from whence to Samaria is accounted thirty two miles here he prophecied to Ieroboam second of that name Kâ—ng of Israel that he should recover Hemath and Damascus and so to the Plain of the Red Sea 2 Reg. 14. From â—amaria to Ioppa or Iapho a Port Town upon the Sea Shore to which Ionas went when he fled from the Lord was thirty eight miles but the Lord stirred up a great Wind when Ionas was upon the Sea that the Mariners cast him out and he was devoured of a Whale Ionas 1. That Whale which had devoured Ionas with a continual course and great violence in three days and three nights swam to the Euxine Sea and there cast him up upon the Shore which was 600 miles Ios. Antiq. lib. 9. From the shore of the Euxine Sea Ionas went to Nineveh which are eight hundred miles Here Ionas preached Repentance to the Ninevites Ion. 3. 4. So all the Travels of Ionas were 1470 miles Of Gath Hepher IN this Town the Prophet Ionas was born it was scituated in the Tribe of Zabulon sixty miles from Ierusalem Northward and four miles from Nazareth towards the South It seems to take the name from abundance of Grapes for Gath Ghepher signifieth a Wine-press Of Japho JAPHO or Ioppa was a City or Haven-Town scituated upon the Sea where all such Ships landed as went into Iudaea At this day the Turks and Saracens call it Iafa lying upon the Mediterranean Sea in the Tribe of Dan Ios. 19. in a certain Mountain twenty miles from Ierusalem North-Westward Pliny li. 5. saith this City was built before the Flood and in St. Ierom's time there was to be seen the Stone to which Andromeda was bound when she should have been devoured by a Monster of the Sea The Poets Seign this Woman to be the Daughter of Cepheus and delivered by Perseus King of the Persians whom after she married It is called Iapho because of the beautiful Scituation Some say it was so called of Iapheth the Son of Noah who first caused it to be built Of Tharsis FRom Ioppa as is said the Prophet Ionas descended into a Ship that he might fly upon the Sea The Latine and Greek Texts read it Tharsin whence it hapned that many have thought that Ionas fled from Tharâ—is a City in Ciliâ—â—a in which Country St. Paul was born But Luther in his Exposition of the Prophecy of Ionas doth utterly disallow of this as false for the Hebrew Text reads it not to Tharsin but in Tharsin that is into the Sea For the Hebrew Tongue hath two words or Syllables which signifie the Sea which are Iam and Tharsis Iam signifieth not only a great Sea but the meeting together of Waters or a Lake So in Luke 5. the Sea of Galilee in which Christ and his Disciples sailed is called a Lake yet Ioh. cap. 5. and the rest of the Evangelists call it a Sea So also Moses Gen. 1. calleth the meeting together of the Waters Iam which may signifie a Sea and a Lake But Tharsis or Tharschich denoteth a great Sea and no Lake or an high and troublesome Sea as the Mediteranean Sea is In this Paul travelled and there standeth many Islands as Rhodes Cyprus Cicilia and others all which are at this day subject to the Turks Venetians or Spaniards It extendeth it self from Ioppa and Cilicia to the Streights between Spain and Mauritania Into this Sea Ionas was cast when the Whale devoured him In like manner the Red Sea and all others that are Ocean Seas are called Tharsis as appeareth in the 72 Psalm where it said The Kings of Tharsis and of the Isles shall bring Presents Here the Kings whose Empires extend themselves along the Sea Coast are understood But the City Tharsis the Country of the Apostle Paul is not a Kingdom neither ever had a King much less many Kings So Solomon sent his Ships by Tharsin that is by Sea towards the South-East into the Red Sea and Eastern Ocean that they might bring Gold precious Stones and sweet Gums from Arabia But the Ships could not sail by the Red Sea unto the Town of Tharsis unless they would have sailed over the Land which is impossible because Tharsis lieth into the Land from the Red Sea as all Cosmographers agree So also the Psalmist saith Thou breakest with thy strong Winds the Ships
of Tharsis that is of the Sea beside many such like speeches From whence St. Ierom concludes that Tharsis may better signifie the Sea than the City Tharsis Of the Euxine Sea THE Euxine Ocean is that great and troublesome Sea which beginning not far from Constantinople runneth from Bosphorus and Thrace towards the East and North containing to the Longitude eight hundred miles but to the Latitude two hundred and eighty Towards the South it toucheth upon Asia the less towards the East upon Calcos towards the West upon Thracia and Valachia but towards the North it is â—oyned to the Pool of Maeotides This Sea in times past was called Pontus Axenus that is the inhospitable Countrey because as Strabo lib. 1. of his Cosmography saith The Inhabitants near about the Sea-shore did usually sacrifice those Strangers they got or else cast their Bodies unto Dogs to be devoured making drinking-cups of their Skulls But after when the Ionians had built certain Towns upon the Sea-coast and had restrained the Incursions of certain Scythian Thieves which usually preyed upon Merchants that resorted thither at the command of Pontus their King who had obtained a large and spatious Kingdom in that Country they called it Pontus Euxinus which is as much as to say the hospitable Country Ovid testifieth almost the same concerning the original of the name of this Sea after this manner Frigida me cohibent Euxini littora Ponti Dictus ab antiquis Axinus ille fuit The chilly shoars of th' Euxine Sea constrains me to abide In antient time call'd Axinus as it along did glide Of Ninus or Nineveh NINVS or Nineveh was a City of Assyria where the Emperours of that Country used to keep their Courts It was first built by Ninus that great Emperour of the first Monarchy 300 years after the flood and 2000 before Christ about the time when the Patriarch Abraham was born It continued in great glory for the space of almost 1500 years and was distant from Ierusalem toward the North-east 684 miles upon the East side joyning to the River Tygris on the North to the Caspian Sea It takes the name from the Beauty of it being derived of Navah which signifieth A comely place spatious and pleasant There are many that are of opinion that in many things it exceeded Babylon as for the sumptuousness of the Buildings the strength of the Walls and the extent The Walls were so thick that three Chariots might have met upon them without any danger and beautified with an hundred and fifty Towers Ionas being sent of God to this City was three days going through it that is as Luther expounds it through every Street of it in which time he converted a hundred and twenty thousand to repentance Arbaces who was called Arphaxad was then Emperour This Arbaces Iustine lib. 2. calleth Arbactus he was a Captain of the Medes who perceiving the effeminate disposition of Sardanapalus the then Emperour taking advantage of the times and this man's weakness conspired with some of his Companions to usurp upon his Government and that he might make them hate and loath his looseness brought them into a Room where they might see him sitting amongst his Harlots tired in Womans apparel and carding Wool This sight greatly displeasing them and before being encouraged by Arbactus they seized upon the City and besieged Sardanapalus in his Palace But to prevent the misery of a shameful death after he had gathered all his Riches together he set fire on his Palace where he his companions and Treasure perished this fire continued fifteen days and happened 823 years before Christ about which time Arbactus succeeded Sardanapalus began to reign and continued his Government twenty eight years But the Medes held not the Assyrian Empire long for Phul Belochus who at this time reigned in Babylon and his Successor Tiglath Philasser are called Kings of Assyria between whom there happened many great Wars 2 Kings 15. 26. From whence may be gathered that after the death of Arbactus these Emperours dwelt in Nineveh and succeeded in the Empire Thus was this City greatly defaced with continual evils the Lord before-hand giving them many admonitions and gentle Corrections if it had been in them to have conceived it to win them to repentance but they continued still in their Sins therefore according to their former Prophecies Cyaxares King of the Medes besieging this Town took it and destroyed it even unto the Ground as Eusebius saith This desolation happened thirteen years before the destruction of Ierusalem in the eleventh year of Sadyattis King of the Lydians who was Grandfather to Croesus Anno Mundi 3349 before Christ 619. After this Destruction it lay a long time desolate but at length some part of it was restored though with much trouble and then when it was at the best estate constrained to suffer many changes and at length utterly destroyed by Tamerlane the Great the second time Anno Mundi 3390. After this the Inhabitants of that Country upon the East side of the River Tygris began the third time to build it But whether this third restoring of this City was at the command of some Prince that had the Government of the Country thereabouts or because of the scituation or for private profit it is not set down nevertheless it is again repaired standing upon the Borders of Armenia beautified with goodly Buildings with fair and spacious Streets compassed about as other Cities of the East are with Walls and Ditches sufficiently strengthened to oppose the Enemy But in respect of the former Nineveh it seems a small Village It hath a Bridge built of Ships lying upon the East side of it over the River Tygris and upon that side of the River there stand many fair Gardens or Orchards and the Land there also is very fertile and pleasant But upon the West of Tygris the Soyl is nothing so fruittile At this day it is called by the name of Mossel so that although it stands in the same place yet doth it not retain the same name To this Town there is a great resort of Merchants who bring up their Commodities from the Rier Tygris hither and from hence convey them to Bagdeth and many other parts of the World The Inhabitants thereof are for the most part Nestorians of whom you may read before in the Description of the Sects remaining in Ierusalem at this day They are had in great account and estimation among the Turks because it is imagined that one of this Sect helpt Mahomet to compose the Alcoran This Nestorius lived Anno Dom. 429. and taught at Constantinople but after he was condemned at Ephesus for an Heretick he was constrained to steal from Constantinople and to flie to Thebes in Aegypt where God laid a grievous punishment upon him for his Tongue began to rot his head and to consume with Vermin of which he died miserably The spiritual signification of the Prophet Jonas JOnas signifieth a Dove and typically representeth
Christ in his name For Christ was that gracious and innocent Dove who hath made evident to Man his singular Mercy and Clemency without any shew of bitterness or wrath Then in his Affliction for as Ionas thrust himself into the Sea of Calamity and there was swallowed up of a Whale which might be well resembled to the Grave so Christ our Saviour was cast into the Sea of Affliction the misery and calamity of this World and after that thrust into the jaws of death the Grave where as Ionas did in the Whales belly he lay three daies and then arose again the Earth being unable any longer to contain his Body Of the Prophet Micah THIS Prophet was born at Maresa a Town of Iudaea sixteen miles from Ierusalem Westward it signifieth a bitter Field In St Ierom's time the Ruins of the Wall of this City was to be seen Micah or Micheas signifieth humble or lowly This man was held in great estimation because he was the first that named the Country where our Saviour Christ should be born viz. in Bethlehem 800 years before his Nativity He lived Anno Mundi 3200. Of the Prophet Nahum NAhum signifies a Comforter He was born in a Town of Galilee called Elcosch as he saith in the beginning of his Prophecy This Village was shewn unto St. Ierome by those that travelled with him through the Holy Land in his time it was but a small Village called by the name of Elcos and scituated as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith on the further side of Bethabara sixteen miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North-East This Prophet lived 750 years before Christ and Prophesied of the Destruction of Niniveh which after came to pass Of the Prophet Habacuck HAbacuck or Chabacuck signifies one that embraceth or a Lover from Chaback he hath embraced For as a Nurse embraceth and kisseth her inâ—ant so also this Prophet embraced and comforted his People with comfortable Doctrine lest by the destruction of Ierusalem which he prophecied should after happen by the Chaldaeans they should be driven to desperation Paul took the foundation of his Epistle to the Romans out of this Prophet reciting a saying of his viz. The juâ—t shall live by faith He began to preach a little before the Prophet Ieremy 650 years before Christ above 100 years before Daniel was cast into the Lions den From whence most of the Learned conclude that this could not be that Habacuck which brought meat to Daniel as he was among the Lions but they rather think it a fragment of a spiritual Comedy and therefore worthy to be called Apocrypha Of the Prophet Zephania ZEphania signifies the Secretary of the Lord being derived of Zaphan he hath kept secret He lived in Ierusalem and Iudaea in the time of Iosiah King of Iuda He was born as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith in a Town called Sabarthaca in the Tribe of Siâ—eon Of the Prophets Haggai and Zacharia HAggai or Chaggi signifieth A Priest celebrating the Feast of the Lord being derived of Chagag he hath celebrated a Feast And Zacharias or Zacharia doth denote such a man as remembred the Lord being derived of Zachar that is he hath remembred or recorded These two Prophets prophecied in Ierusalem in the second year of Darius the Son of Histaspis 519 years before Christ An. mun 3449. Haggai began his Prophecy upon the first day of the sixth month Elul answering to the 28 of August He sharply reprehended the People because they neglected the house of the Lord and built up their own houses In the eighth month Marhusuan which for the most part answereth to our November Zacharias the same year began to prophecy and in his Sermon exhorted the People to repentance adding the promise of our Saviour and that he would turn unto them that would turn unto him Zach. 1. These two Prophets lie buried 20 miles one from the other For as Dorothaeus Bishop of Tyre saith Haggai lies buried in Ierusalem amongst the Priests but Zacharias near to a Town in the field of Bethania 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward but in the time of Theodosius the Emperour was removed and preserved as an holy Relique Concerning that fable and figment inserted into the History Nicephorus I utterly disallow Of the Prophet Malachi THIS Prophet prophesied after the Captivity of Babylon and dwelt in the Town of Ziph as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith Malachi signifies an Angel sent and in Greek a Messenger for this Prophet preached so comfortably as if he had been an Angel of God but principally of Christ and Saint Iohn Baptist who should go before him to prepare his Way and make his Paths strait S. Ierom in his Epistle to Paul and Eustochius writes that some of the Hebrews suppose this Malachi to have been Esdras the Scribe who was sent by Artaxerxes Longimanus Emperour of the Persians to restore the Commonwealth of Israel in the year before Christ 457. An Instruction how the Prophets may rightly be understood FIRST look into the Cosmographical Table at the beginning of this Book and diligently observe the Countries and Cities that are there set down and how they lie scituated from Ierusalem Toward the South of Ierusalem the Idumeans Ismaelites Arabians and Egyptians dwell Toward the East the Moabites Ammonites Chaldaeans Babylonians and Persians Toward the North the Phoenicians Syrians Assyrians and Armenians Toward the West lieth the Mediterranean Sea Grâ—cia Italy Spain and the Isles of the Sea Secondly this rule is to be observed that as often as the Prophets speak of the Tribes of Israel they use these names viz. Israel Samaria Ephrain Ioseth Iesreel Bethel and Bethaven these are the names of the Kingdom of Israel but to the Kingdom of Iuda these names are attributed viz. Iudaâ— Ierusalem Benjamin the house of David But when the Prophets joyn these two Kingdoms together they call them by the names of Iacob and Israel Thirdly when thou readest in the Prophets the name of any Country or City which is not sufficiently known unto thee search this Alphabetical Table here following and thou shalt find the whole matter declared unto thee An Alphabetical Table of all the Countries and Cities mentioned in the Prophets A. ABarim that is a Bridge or Passage over It was a Mountain of the Moabites where the Israelites pitched their Tents Num. 33. Achor the Valley of Trouble Here Achan was stoned to death for his Thievery It stood not far from Gilgal toward the North twelve miles from Ierusalem Ios. 7. Isa. 6. Adama Red Earth This was one of the Cities that were destroyed with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven Ai Hilly This City Ioshua burnt with Fire It lay eight miles from Ierusalem North-ward Iosh. 8. Aiath idem Isa. 10. Ar or Ari a Lion It was a City of the Moabites lying beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Benjamin called Aâ—iopolis scituated upon the Bank of the River Arnon 24 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward Deut. 2. In Esa. 15. It is
called Arar a Destroyer Aram Noble or Mighty Armenia and Syria are so called of Aram the Son of Sem the chief City of which Country is Damasâ—us Pliny lib. 6. I7 saith the Scythians were also in ancient times called Aramites Arnon a famous River of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben which falls into the dead Sea 20 miles from Ierusalem Eastward In Esa. 16. it is called Ranan he hath shouted for joy Aroer by usurpation an Ewe Tree This is a City of the Moabites near to the River Arnon in the Tribe of Gad beyond Iordan 24 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Ier. 40. there is another City so called near to Damascus in Syria Esa. 7. Arpad the light of Redemption This was a City in the Land of Damascus Ier. 49. There is another flourishing City of that name which may compare with Antiochia for greatness Esa. 10. But where it is scituated it is uncertain Arvad was a part of the Land of Canaan so called of Arvad the Son of Canaan Gen. I0 Ascanes or Tuiscones are a People descended of Ascenitz the Son of Gomer the Son of Iaphet which sometimes dwelt in Armenia but now have their abiding in Germany 2 Gen. 10. Esa 51. so that of Gomer they are called Germanes and of Ascanes Ascanians or Tuiscons Asseca fortified round about Neer to this Town David killed Goliah It stood eight miles from Ierusalem Westward Assur or Assyria a blessed Country being so called of Assur the Son â—f â—em Aven Iniquity Bethel was so called after Ieroboam had there set up a Golden Calf Hos. 10. B. BAbel Confusion Babylon is the Metropolitan City of Chaldaea 280 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Bath Domestical It was a Town of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben beyond Iordon Esa. 16. Bazra a Grape-gathering It was a City of the Edomites scituated upon the Bank of Iordan on the farther side near to Bethabara twenty miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Esa. 24. 36. Ier. 48. Note here that the Country of the Moabites in times past was subject to the Edomites and then this City was in their jurisdiction but after the Moabites got it into their hands again and held it It was one of the six Towns of Refuge mentioned Ios. 29. Berothai a Cypress Tree This Town stood near Hemath or Antiochia 280 miles from Ierusalem Northward Ezek. 49. In this City David King of Israel took Hadadesar King of Zoba or Sophena and constrained him to give him a great deal of Brass as it is thought yearly for Tribute for near that City were many Brass Mines Bethavin the house of Iniquity Bethel was so called Hos 6. It stood eight miles from Ierusalem Northward Beth-Cherem the house of the Vines It was a Town not far from Ierusalem Northward Ier. 6. Beth-Diblathaim the house of dried Figs. It was a City of the Moabites Ier. 48. Bethieâ—imoth the house of Desolations It was also a City of the Moabites beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben Ios. 13. Ezech. 25. twenty miles from Ierusalem Beth-Gamul the house of Restitution This was a City of the Moabites Ier. 48. Beth-Bealmeon the house of habitation for the Idol Baal It was a City of the Moabites twenty four miles from Ierusalem Eastward not far from Aroer Ezek. 25. 1 Chr. 5. Butz a Castle of Prey It was a City of the Ismaelites in Arabia-Petraeâ— eighty miles from Ierusalem South-Westward Ier. 25. Bel and Neob two Idols of the Babylonians Esa. 45. Bel signifieth the God of Mixture or Confusion Neob the God of Prophecy C. CAlno his Perfection This is Selucia scituated upon Tygris beyond Babylon 316 miles from Ierusalem Eastward It is now called Bagdeth Gen. 10. Esâ—y 2. Canne a firm foundation It was a City of the Syrians Ezek. 27. Caphihor a little Sphere or a round Globe like unto a Globe or Pomegranate Also Capâ—adocia a Country of Asia the less 600 miles from Ierusalem Northward Carchemis a sacrificed Lamb. This was scituated too near Euphrates in Syria 400 miles from Ierusalem Northward Ierem. 25. D. DEâ—dan a City of the Idumaeans so called of Dedan the Son of Esâ—u Ier. 25. Isa. 21. Dâ—bon a Mist. This was a City of the Moabites near Hesbon in the Tribe of Reuben twenty eight miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Diblath a bunch of Figs. It was a City in the Tribe of Naphtali near to the Lake of Samachonites eighty miles from Ierusalem Northward Ezek. 6. Here Zedekiah had his eyes put out 2 Kin. 25. Ier. 39. 52. Dimon Bloudy This is a City in the Tribe of Reuben which as St. Ieron saith is twenty eight miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Duma Silence A City of the Israelites so called of Duma the Son of Ismael It stood in Arabia Petaea eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest Esa. 25. 21. E. EGbathana the Metropolitian City of the Medes distant from Ierusalem 1136 miles North-east-ward Eden Pleasure A City of Syria scituated near Euphrates 400 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Esay 7. This is thought to have been a part of Paradice Eglaim a round Drop It was a Town of the Moabites Esa. 15. 16. Elam a Young man so called of Elem the Son of Sem Esa. 10. 21. After Perseus had got in this Countrey a great Government he called it after his own name Persâ—a Eleale the Ascension of God It was a City beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben between Iacza and Heshbon 26 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Num. 32. Elim a Hart. This was a Lake so called in the Land of the Moabites Esa. 10. Elisa the Lamb of God So were the Aeolians called in Grecia of Elisa the Son of Iavan the Son of Iaphet Ezek. 7. Gen 10. Enaglaim the Fountain of Calves It was a Town or Castle near to the Red Sea Ezek. 10. Epha the Land of Obscurity It was a part of Arabia Petraea so called of Epha the Son of Midian the Son of Abraham Gen. 25. Esa. 60. G. GEbim a Ditch This was a Town in the Tribe of Iuda Esa. 10. Gebah a Hill It was a Hill in the City of Kirjath-jearim there was a Town also of the same name standing within a little of it This was little more than a mile from Ierusalem Westward Esa. 10. Gebal a bound or limit It was the bounds and limits of Syria bordering upon the Mediterranean Sea This City Gibal or Gebal was 160 miles from Ierusalem Northward 1 Reg. 5. Psal. 82. Gibeah a Hill It was also called Gibeon where Saul dwelt four miles from Ierusalem Northward Esa. 10. Gilgal a roundle or the compass of a hill Here Ioshuah pitched his Tents it stood between Iericho and Iordan twelve miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Gog. The Turks were thus called because they liv'd in Tents Ezek. 48. Gosan a Land and River in Mesopotamia called after that name 2 Reg. 17. Esa. 37. H. HAdad Rimmon a Pomegranat This was a Town near to Megiddo where Iosiah King of Iudah was wounded to death 46 miles from
Ierusalem Northward Zach. 12. Hadrach the Land of Gladness So the Prophet Zachary calls Syria c. 19. Hanes an Ensign of Grace This was a City of Egypt bordering upon Assyria Esa. 30. Haram the Syrian liberty It was the Metropolitan City of Mesopotamia where Abraham dwelt Gen. 11. distant from Ierusalem 440 miles North-eastward Haveran a Casement It was a City in Syria not far from Damascus 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Hazor Enon the gate of the Fountain It was a City in Syria Hazor-Tichon the middle Porch It was a Town in Syria not far from Haveran Ezek. 47. Hazor the Land of Hay So the Ismaelites called their Countrey Hemath Anger So the Prophets called Antiochia the Metropolitan of Assyria distant from Ierusalem 280 miles Northward Hermon Accurst It was a Mountain beyond Iordan near to Libanus 122 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east There is another Mountain of this name near to Naim and not far from Mount Tabor forty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North of which the Psalmist speaketh Psal. 89. Tabor and Hermon praise thy name The Mountain beyond Iordan is oftentimes called by the name of Mount Gilead Hesbon an Ingenious Cogitation It was a City of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben twenty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East Henah and Ievah were two Idols Esa. 37. Hevilah Sandy So India is called and a certain part of Arabia-Petraea of Hevilah the Son of Chus Gen. 10. These Countries are very dry and sandy Hethlon he hath rolled together It was a City of Syria near to Antiochia Ezek. 47. Holon a Window It was a Town of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben and is also called Helon Num. 2. Ier. 47. Horonaim the Syrian Liberties two Towns of the Moabites Esa. 16. I. JAchza the privity of God A City of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben twenty four miles from Ierusalem Eastward Iaezer the help of God A City of Refuge belonging to the Levites in the Tribe of Gâ—d beyond Iordan forty miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward Iavan Grecia so called of Iavan the Son of Iapheth which was distant from Ierusalem 800 miles Westward Iezreel the Seed of God This is the City where Queen Iesabel was devoured of Dogs It standeth forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward Irheres or Heliopolis a City of the Sun This was a City of Aegypt 224 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-West K. KEdar Blackness This was a Desart of the Ismaelites called Sur eighty miles from Ierusalem South-Westward Kir Paries a Wall This was Cyrene a great City in Africa which was 816 miles from Ierusalem Westward There was a Town of this name in the Land of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben Esa. 16. Kir-Hazereth or Kir-Hares a Mud-Wall It was a City of the Moabites in Arabia-Petraea otherwise called Petra seventy two miles from Ierusalem towards the South Esa. 16. Kiriathaim a-City This Town was in the Tribe of Reuben 22 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Esa. 16. Kiriah or Kirieth ibidem Kithim a shining Jewel Macedonia is so called of Kithim the Son of Iavan the Son of Iaphet Gen. 10. Ier. 2. Mac. 1. For if you do diligently observe the derivation of Names you shall find that of Kithin comes Maketis and so by continuance of time and change of words Macedonia It lieth 920 miles from Ierusalem North-Westward L. LAchis a continual walking or as some will have it A pleasant Walk This was a City in the Tribe of Iuda twenty miles from Ierusalem Westward Ier. 34. Laisa a Lioness So was Caesarea Philippi sometimes called It was also called Dan scituated near to the Fountains of the River Iordan not far from Mount Libanus 104 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Libna Frankincense It was a Town in the Tribe of Iudah ten miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Lud that is Lydia a Countrey in Asia Minor so called of Lud the Son of Sem. Luit green Grass It is also a Mountain in the Tribe of Reuben Esa. 6. M. MAgâ—g dwelling under a shed or Tent. The Turks are so called Ezek. 8. Maresa an inheritance In this Town the Prophet Micah was born Mich. 1. It was scituated in the Tribe of Iudah distant from Ierusalem sixteen miles towards the West Medai a Measure The Kingdom of Medea was so called of Medai the Son of Iaphet Gen. 10. Medba warm Water It was a City of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben twenty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the East Esa. 16. Medemena a Dunghil It was a Town in the Tribe of Iudah neer Beerseba and Gaza 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west Iosh. 15. There was also another Town of the same name in the Tribe of Benjamin not far from Ierusalem Iosh. 10. Ier. 48. Megiddo a wholsome Apple Here Iosiah King of Iudah was slain in War It stood 46 miles from Ierusalem Northward Zach. 12. Mephaath the splendor of Waters It was a City belonging to the Priests in the Tribe of Reuben subject to the Moabites twenty four miles from Ierusalem towards the East Ier. 48. Mesech the tract of sowing So the Muscovites and Russians are called of Mesech the Son of Iaphet Gen. 10. Midian a Measure A Town lying upon the Red Sea 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the South so called of Midian the Son of Abraham by â—eturah Gen. 25. Mispe a Watch. This City stood in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east There is another Town of this name also not far distant from Ierusalem in the Tribe of Benjamin Hos. 5. Ier. 40. Moab A Father The Country of the Moabites scituated between the Red Sea and the Mountains Abarim Ezech. 9. Meusal Running swiftly It was the name of a People that took their beginning from Vsal the Son of Ioktan Gen. 19. N. NAbaioth The Country of the Prophets This Country beginneth in the Tribe of Gad beyond Iordan and extendeth to the East part of the Dead Sea and so by the Land of the Moabites to the Red Sea It taketh the Name of Nabaioth the Son of Ishmael for all the Tract of Arabia Petraea from the Red Sea to the Gulph of Persia of him is called the Land of Nabathaea Diodorus Siculus saith as much and further That it extendeth towards the East unto the Indian Sea Gen. 25. Nebo Prophecying It was a City of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben near to Mount Pisga twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the East Ier. 48. Nimrim A Leopard This was also a City in the Tribe of Gad beyond Iordan thirty two miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Isa. 16. No A Hinderance So was Alexandria a City in Aegypt in ancient times called distant from Ierusalem 288 miles towards the West Ezek. 30. Noph A Honey Comb. So the Prophets call Memphis the Metropolis of Aegypt being distant from Ierusalem 244 miles towards the South-east Isa. 18. Ier. 2. Ezek. 30. O. ON Opulency So Ezek. c.
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 Châ—s 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. Sâ—ene 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 Ioriâ—ho 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 â—anis 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 â—olemn 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 Counâ—ry 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 Galiâ—lean 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 Ciâ—y 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
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 〈◊〉 in Galatia where Paul preached Act. 3. and is distant from this 384 miles Antiochia in Mesopotamia which is also called Mygdonia and 〈◊〉 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 Iapâ—et 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
His Enemies being thus put to flight he pursued them to the Mountains of Azotus and Gazeron which was six miles where being oppressed with the multitude and hemmed in amongst them was slain He died in the Month Nisan which answers to our April Anno Mundi 3810. and before Christ 158. 1 Mac. 9. From the Mountains of Azotus and Gazeron his dead Body was carried back again to Modin being 6 miles and there buried So his Travels were 915 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Mispa Iamnia and Laisa you may read before Of Caspin THIS City stood not far from Iamnia 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west This Town though it was strongly fortified yet Iudas Macchabeus won it 2 Mac. 12. It is called Caspin of Keseph which signifies Silver There was another City called Casphor that is the Silver Mountain this stood in the Land of Gilead near Mispa which Iudas also won 1 Mac. 4. Of Asseremoth otherwise called Gazaron GAzaron or Gareza was a City of the Philistines near Ekron sixteen miles from Ierusalem towards the West It is so called from the Cliff of a Rock being derived of Gezer which signifies a Cliff Here Iudas Macchabeus was slain 1 Mac. 6. Of the Tubiani TVbiani are a People that dwelt beyond Iordan in that part of Arabia-Petraea which is called Nabathea of Nabaioth the Son of Ishmael near to a Mountain of the Gileadites not far distant from Abel of the Vines where it is thought Balaam's Ass spoke This Land is called Thubin and the Inhabitants Tubiani because all that Country bringeth forth very pleasant and excellent Wine being derived of Zob which signifies good and Iaiin Wine In this Country Iudas Macchabeus continued three days with his Army Of Caphar-Salama THIS Town stood twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North In Herod the Great 's time in was enlarged and made a very fair City which he caused to be called Antipatridis after the Name of his Father Antipater of which you may read more in the Travels of the Apostle Paul Of Adarsa THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Ephraim between Antipatridis and Bethoron the lower twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west It seemeth to be thus called from a noble Gift for it is derived of Adar which signifies illustrious and Schal a Gift The Typical Signification of Judas Macchabeus JVdas Macchabeus is a Type and Figure of our Lord Jesus Christ and Antiochus of that wicked Antichrist as the Interpretation of their names do evidently declare for Iudas signifies a Confessor praising God and glorifying his Name for all his Benefits so Christ the Son of God is the Praise and Glory of his Father for that in him and by him God the Father is praised as is evident in the Song of Simeon In like manner our Lord Jesus Christ is worthily called Macchabeus for Macchabeus is a sir-name of the Iews which is written after this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Machabai every Letter of which signifieth a several Word according to the Song of Moses in the fifteenth Chapter of Exodus where are these Words Michamocha baelim Iehovah that is Who is like unto thee amongst the Gods O Lord Thus did the Children of Israel sing with Moses when God led them out of the Land of Aegypt through the Red Sea and this Sentence Iudas Macchabeus continually used as an Adage and the Letters at the beginning of these Words being joyned together into one Word make the sir-name Macchabai Therefore as he had always this golden Sentence in his Mouth so had he it likewise in his Name yea in his Ensigns Wherefore this name likewise is worthy to be attributed to Christ for he is that perfect Image and Glory of his eternal Father Heb. 1. who is called Michael that is Who is like unto God and Macchabeus or Machabai that is Who is like unto thee amongst the Gods O Lord. Therefore he saith thus I am that great God that will deliver you from all evil Ecce Deus fortis foelix de morte resurgo Tartareosque unguens Daemona ipse ligo Behold I am the God of Might from death to Life that rose I bind the Devil to my Will his Furies I oppose But Antiochus signifies an adversary or an opposer or one that fighteth against God The same also doth Sathan signifie in Hebrew He is therefore a fit Type of that great opposer of God and Man Antichrist who fighteth against Christ that Iudas Machabeus and true Captain of the Church For as the one viz. Antiochus was an adversary against the Iews the Children of God so the other that is Antichrist is an adversary and Enemy against Christ and his Church c. The Travels of Jonathan the brother of Judas Macchabeus JOnathan or Jonathas and Theodoâ—us hath but one signification that is The gift of God This man the same year that Judas his Brother died succeeded him in the Principalitâ— and governed the Jews eighteen years 1 Mac. 9. Joseph lib. antiq 3. But understanding that Bacchides chief Captain of Demetrius King of Syria went about to take away his life by craft he and his Brother Simon went from Modin and pitched their Tents in the Wilderness of Tecoah near to the Lake of Asphar which was twenty miles From thence they sent their Brother John with certain Riches to the Nabathians which dwelt in Medaba in Arabia twenty eight miles desiring them in Friendship to receive their Goods into the Town and to keep them for their use but the Sons of Iambri and the Nabathians issued out of Medaba unawares fell upon John put him to death took away all his Wealth and returned into their City with great joy But Jonathan and Simon took this injury very heavily and much bewailed the death of their Brother Wherefore that they might be revenged of the inhabitants of Medaba they went thence twenty eight miles and hid themselves among the Mountains just in the way that led from Medaba to Canaan for they had heard that the Sons of Iambri and the Inhabitants of Medaba were gone forth with great Jollity to fetch home a Bride which was a Princes Daughter of the Land of Canaan Now as they were merry upon the way Jonathan and Simon his Brother with their Army went out from among the Mountains and put a great number of them to the Sword taking away a mighty Spoyl From Medaba they went to the River Jordan which was three miles where upon the East side of the River they pitched their Tents here he was constrained to fight a cruel Battel with Bacchides upon the Sabboth-day but as he was in the fight he met Bacchides and lift up his hand to strike at him but he seeing the danger retired Nevertheless he put to the Sword 1000 of his men and after he and his Followers leapt into the River and swam over so they all escaped without Danger In the fifty sixth year of the Grecians Government in
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 Bosâ—h 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 Galâ—lee 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
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 〈◊〉 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
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 Raveâ—s 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
the Children are free yet nevertheless c. From whence may be gathered that he was no Stranger but an Inhabitant in Capernaum It had upon the North side of it the three Tribes Neâ—thalim Asser and Zabulon upon the South Benjamin Iuda Dan and Simeon upon the West Issachar Epharaim and the half Tribe of Manasses and upon the East Reuben Gad and the other half Tribe of Manasses so that our Saviour Christ dwelt in the midst of the twelve Tribes of Israel Furthermore it was a goodly Market Town and had as well relation to Tyrus and Sidon two Towns of the Gentiles within forty four miles of it as to Ierusalem from whence may be verified that saying of Esa. ca. 8 9. The Land of Zebulon and Naphtalim near the way of the Sea beyond Jordan and Galilee of the Gentiles a People which sit in Darkness and in the shadow of Death saw a great Light This Town is therefore justly called the City of Comfort and Consolation since our Saviour Christ dwelt there who with his Doctrine and preaching refreshed and comforted all such as were afflicted with the Burthen of their Sins But the great men that were Inhabitants of this City had more respect to their private profit than to the Doctrine and Miracles that Christ wrought among them from whence it came to pass that they did as it were neglect and contemn that Good which God had offered to them which made our Saviour say And thou Capernaum which seemest to be exalted up unto Heaven shall be cast down into Hell for if the Miracles had been done in Sodom and Gomorrah which have been done in thee they had continued until this day Verily verily I say unto you it shall be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of Iudgment than for thee Mat. 11. For there was no such benefit offered to any City neither such Honours and Dignities as were to Capernaum our Saviour himself dwelling there Wherefore for their Ingratitude and Impiety the City hath divers times been wasted and destroyed as well by the Romans as other Nations so that at this day this Glorious City is become so Desolate that there is scarce eight Houses standing and they also like small Sheds Of Sichar IN antient time this Town was called Sichem of which you may read more both in the Travels of Iacob and Abimelech After it came to be called Sichar according to the opinion of Luther upon Genesis because the Inhabitants of that Country were given to Pleasure and Voluptuousness the greatest part of their Delight being in drinking and quaffing so Sichar being derived of Schachar signifieth to be Drunk or inordinately to swallow sweet and pleasant Wine of which there was plenty in that Town made of the Juice of Apples the Fruit of Palm-Trees and Honey which may very well resemble Hipocras or Metheglin as some Authors have it And although by the Incursions of the Romans it was utterly wasted and left Desolate yet in succeeding times it was re-built and called Nicapolis that is a New Town It is scituated very pleasantly and aboundeth with all manner of Delights but it is unfortified neither can it by any means be fortified neither have the Inhabitants any help if they be oppressed by the Enemy but to fly for it is scituated in the middle of a Valley between two high Mountains so that a man may fling a stone from the top of one of them into the City About two Bows shot without the South Gate of this Town is to be seen the Fountain or Well of Iacob upon the Brim of which our Saviour Christ sate when he was weary as we may read in the fourth of Iohn This Well standeth just in the way as Pilgrims travel to Ierusalem Upon the right hand above this Well there standeth a Mountain of an exceeding height divided into two tops the one of them being called Gerizim the other Hebal In Mount Gerizim the Patriarch Ioshuah built an Altar and the People standing upon Mount Hebal he caused the whole Book of Deuteronomy to be read over with the Blessings and Cursings so that all the People might hear them for thus we read in Ios. 8. The one half of the People stood close by Mount Gerizim and the other by Mount Hebal c. Deut. chap. 27. These two great Mountains began upon the right side of the City Sichar and extended themselves in length to the City of Iericho Upon the left side of this Well is to be seen the Ruins of a great Town which is thought to be the old Sichem and by the Reliques that remain there it may be judged to have been a very goodly City For there are yet to be seen certain broken Pillars of Marble as also large and spacious Buildings which in times past without Question have been very goodly things and standeth wonderful pleasantly the Soil round about it being very pleasant and fruitful only there is want of Water This Town lieth some two Bows shot from Sichar and the Inhabitants of that place judge this Sichar to be Thebez where Abimelech died Iudg. 9. Not far from Iacob's Well is to be seen that piece of Ground which Iacob gave to Ioseph more than the rest of his Brethren Gen. 48. It is a long Valley very fruitful and pleasant where there lies butied in a certain fair Garden the Bones of Iacob and Ioseph which were brought out of Aegypt Iosh. 24. the Reliques of which Sepulchre are yet to be seen Mount Garizim or Gerizim is so called from the cutting down of Trees for Garaz signifies to cut down Upon this Mountain is to be seen even to this day the place where the Temple stood that was built by Sanballath dedicated to Iupiter Olympius in contempt of the Temple of Ierusalem The Chief Priest of this Temple was one Manasses a Fugitive of the stock of Levi. This Manasses was Brother to Iaddus Chief Priest of Ierusalem of whom you may read Nehem. 13. But some 200 years after the first Foundation Iohn Hircanus High-Priest of Ierusalem utterly destroyed it to the Ground The Travels of our Saviour Christ in the second year of his Ministry which was the two and thirtieth year of his age IN the Month of Ianuary Christ went from Cana in Galilee to Nazareth which was eight miles Here upon the Sabbath-day he went into the Synagogue and began to teach insomuch as the Inhabitants were astonished at his Doctrine but the Citizens being ingrateful he went to Capernaum a City which I have chosen to dwell in before all others Luke 4. Mat. 4. being twelve miles or thereabouts In the Month of February he compassed about all Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God healing the Sick and those that were diseased amongst the People Mat. 4. In this Visitation our Saviour went to Caesarea Philippi which was distant from Capernaum forty eight miles toward the North. Here Matthew was called as he was at the receipt of Custome
and the Woman was healed of her Bloody Issue Mat. 9. But that Matthew was called about this time the circumstances of times make evident for a little after the second Passover of our Saviour Christ the same Matthew was chosen to be an Apostle Luke 5. 6. Mat. 9. Mark 2. In the Month of March the Inhabitants of the Towns which Christ visited in Galilee brought unto him many that were possessed of Devils and afflicted with other Diseases all which he healed insomuch that there followed him a great company out of Galilee and Decapolis and from Ierusalem and Iudaea and of all the Countries beyond Iordan Mat. 3. Thus having finished this Visitation as it may be thought he returned back to Capernaum where he dwelt as I have told you before which was forty eight miles for Caesarea Philippi stood so far from Capernaum The second Passover of the Ministry of Christ. A little after these things were finished was the Feast of the Iews Iohn 4. and Jesus went up to Ierusalem Iohn 5. to celebrate the Feast of the Passeover which this year happened a little before Harvest which was 56 miles This second Passeover of the Ministry of Christ fell upon the six and twentieth day of March at which time Christ celebrated the Passover with his Disciples according to the Law of God Here upon the Sabbath day being the last day of March he healed a certain man that lay by the Pool of Bethesda which had been diseased eight and thirty years Ioh. 5. And at the end of the Passover he went with his Disciples from Ierusalem through the Corn Fields but his Disciples being hungry began to pluck the ears of Corn and to eat them wherefore the Pharisees being offended at them began to reprehend our Saviour Christ and his Disciples upon which followed the disputation concerning the Sabbath Luke 6. Matth 12. Upon the seventh day of April he went on the Sabbath day to Peraea which Country was in the Command of Herod Antipas and there he healed a man with a dried hand Luke 6. Mark 3. The Country of Peraea beyond Iordan is distant from Ierusalem twenty miles But when the Herodian Council heard that he had healed a man on the Sabbath day they sought occasion how they might do to put him to death wherefore our Saviour Christ went thence to the Sea of Galilee which was 40 miles Here he went up into a mountain not far from Capernaum and chose the twelve Apostles Luke 6. Mark 3. And then upon this Mountain he preached unto the People which resorted thither unto him out of the Country round about whom they heard with great diligence and attendance This Sermon being ended he came down from the Mountain and healed the man that was sick of the Leprosie He also went into Capernaum and healed the Centurion's Servant Mat 8. Luke 7. Afterward Christ in the same Month of April when the man whom he healed of his Leprosie had published the Miracle he went from Capernaum into the Desart which lay near unto Bethsaida for there was a certain Desart Mark 1. Luke 7. In the month of May our Saviour went out of Galilee towards Ierusalem to keep the Feast of Pentecost so he came to the gates of the City Naim which stood on the border of Samaria and was distant from Capernaum 16 miles Here he recalled the Widows Son to life Luke 7. and after he went to Ierusalem which was 48 miles that he might celebrate the Feast of Pentecost according to the Law of God Exo. 23. Thrice every year shall every male Child appear before the Lord thy God This Feast fell this year upon the fifteenth day of May for it behoved our Saviour according to the Law to go every year to Ierusalem to these three principal Feasts that is of the Passover Pentecost and of the Tabernacles A little after the Feast of Pentecost Iohn Baptist being then in Prison having certain intelligence of the Miracle that our Saviour wrought upon the Widdows Son at the gate of Naim and of other wonderful Miracles that he did in Ierusalem and in other places in Iudea sent two of his Disciples from the Castle of Macharuntes to ask him the question whether he was the Messia or no So when they came unto him and delivered him their Message at that time he cured many of their sickness and Plagues and evil Spirits and to many blind men he gave sight freely And Jesus said unto them Go your ways and tell John what things you have seen and heard that the blind see the halt go the lepers are cleansed the deaf hear the dead are raised and the poor receive the Gospel And blessed is he that shall not be offended on me Mathew 11. Luke 7. At this Sermon it was thought he converted the sinner that washed his feet and poured a box of pretious Oyl upon his head Luke 7. In the month of Iune our Saviour Jesus Christ went with the Twelve about six and fifty miles out of Iudea into Galilee and there in divers Cities and Towns he began to preach and teach the Kingdom of God At this time there were divers Women followed him whom he had healed of evil Spirits and of their Infirmities but principally Mary Magdalen out of whom he had cast seven Devils and Ioan the wife of Chuza Herod's Procurator and Susanna all which ministred unto him of their Substance Luke 8. Now when he had travelled from place to place some certain time and visited many Cities and Towns thereabout he returned back again to the City of Capernaum where it is said that our Saviour Christ dwelt and there dispossest the man of a Devil that was both blind lame and dumb Mat. 12. Mar. 3. Luke 11. And going thence to the Sea he recited eight Parables Mat. 13. Mark 4. Luke 8. In the evening of the same day he went six miles into the Country of the Gadarens Mar. 4. Luke 8. The next day betimes in the morning he went out of the Ship into the Country of the Gadarens and healed two that were possessed of Devils Mat. 2. Mar. 5. Luke 8. Out of these two he cast a Legion of Devils and suffered them to enter into the Herd of Swine which they carried headlong into the Sea Presently our Saviour Christ went thence six miles into the Land of Genesareth where there was a great multitude upon the Sea shore not far from the City of Capernaum that expected his coming Mar. 5. Luke 8. Within a few daies after about the beginning of Iune he entred into Capernaum and there he healed the man that lay sick upon his Bed of a dead Palsie Mat. 9. Mar. 2. Luke 5. After he went to Sea and taught the multitude that came to him Mar. 2. From Capernaum he went to Caesarea Philippi forty eight miles where being invited to a Banquet by Matthew he eat among Publicans and Sinners and confuted the Pharisees and Iohn's Disciples In the same City he restored
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 â—and 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 Teâ—rarch 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 meâ—t 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 Issaâ—har 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 saâ—e 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 towaâ—d 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
Zadin which in English is Sattin And as at this day the finest Glass is made at Venice so the finest Glass in those times was made at Sarepta a City that belonged to the Sidonians about which there stood many Mines of which it is called Sarepta as you may read before This Town in times past was one of the chief Cities of Phoenicia but because of the extraordinary Pride of the Citizens God afflicted them with divers punishments and brought in Ocho King of the Persians who besieged it and by Treason won it and burnt it to the ground as Diodorus Siculus lib. 16. saith The Citizens whereof were driven to such streights by the Enemy that there perished in the fire above forty thousand men Within a while after Darius the last Emperour of the Persians rebuilt it but made it nothing so beautiful neither fortified it in like manner as it was before he ordained one Strato to be King thereof a man proud and arrogant After about three hundred and two years before the Nativity of Christ Alexander being then but twenty four years of age having overcome Darius that mighty Emperour of the Persians at Issa a City of Cilicia in a cruel and sharp War he sent Hephestion one of his Princes to the Sidonians with authority to depose Strato and to let the Citizens understand that they should chuse him for their King whom they thought most worthy of that honour as Quintus Curtius sheweth lib. 4. At this time there was a certain young man among the followers of Hephestion in whose behalf he moved the Citizens that he might be their King but they refused saying it was not their custom to chuse any to rule over them but such as were of the King's stock and Progeny Hephestion hearing this answer greatly admired their resolution and modesty especially when they refused to accept him for their King whom others had sought to obtain with Fire and Sword saying truly there is more required to rule and govern a Kingdom than to get it but yet name one unto me of Royal descent whom you would willingly receive to be your King So they named unto him one Abdolomius who had been known to have been of the Kings stock by many descents but because of his Poverty he was constrained to dwell in the Suburbs of the City in a Cottage and had little else but a Garden to live upon This man howsoever poor and because of that of many contemned yet he was known to be honest and of an upright life following with all diligence his Vocation without any regard of other business insomuch as he was utterly ignorant of all these stirs and combustions which had so lately vexed Asia As he was now in his Garden digging and labouring purging it of Weeds and planting of Herbs Hephestion with the rest of the Citizens went unto him and brought him the Robes and Habiliments of a King The poor Gardner stood amazed to see such a Company of Gallants come unto him but Hephestion told him that the occasion of their coming was to make aâ— exchange with him of those Royal Ornaments which he had in his hand for those poor and foul Garments which he wore therefore go and wash thy self and return So he did where immediately they put upon him those Royal Robes and saluted him as their Sovereign After these things were finished quoth Hephestion Now remember in what a state thou art no more Gardener but a King and therefore take unto thee the mind and resolution of a King that so thou mayest rule and govern this City as a man worthy of that honour and remember that although the Lives and Goods of thy Subjects are at thy command yet by them thou wast chosen neither be forgetful of him that was the Author of thine Honour No sooner was he enthronized in his Kingdom but Fame who is more speedy than a thousand Posts had dispersed this News through all the neighbouring Cities some being thereby moved to admiration and quickned in their Studies others stirred up to Indignation and Envy Those that were mighty and Friends to Alexander contemned and despised his Humility and Poverty and no sooner were they come into his presence but they began to accuse him for his Ignorance wherefore Alexander commanded that he should come before him where after he had well viewed the Lineaments and Proportion of his Person and could not perceive it any whit repugnant to the fame of his Birth he demanded of him how it was possible that he should endure his Poverty with Patience To which he answered I pray the Gods I may continue the Government of this Kingdom with the like mind for these hands were sufficient for me to live by and as I had nothing so I wanted nothing At which answer Alexander was so well pleased that he not only gave him all the Princely Jewels and Ornaments of the first King called Strato but also a great part of the Booty which he took from the Emperour of Persia and added to his command all the neighbouring Countries round about This History I have inserted that thereby we might perceive the mighty power of God in all his works that can exalt the poor contented with his estate out of the very dust and can pull the mighty from their Thrones So the evil cark and care in this World to gather riches for the Vertuous to inherit But to return to Sidon This City did so much increase and grew so famous in succeeding Ages that it was the chief Town Tyrus only excepted in all Phoenicia joyning upon the West to the Mediterranean Sea extending it self towards the North and South lying in a Plain under Antilibanus which Mountain lay some two miles off it upon the East It oftentimes because of the Pride of the Inhabitants felt the wrath and punishing hand of God as well by the Invasion of Enemies as sickness and dearth according to the Predictions of the Prophets Esay 28. and Ezek. 28. untill at last in succeeding ages it was utterly destroyed the Ruins of which City remain to this day and make evident that it was a fair and spatious Town There is to be seen yet to this day a City built out of the Ruins of the former though nothing so large as it very strong and mightily fortified so that it seemeth almost invincible if it have men wherewith to defend it Upon the one side it joyneth to the Sea and upon the other side of it there standeth two mighty strong Castles one of them scituated toward the North upon a very strong Rock as it were in the heart of the Sea the which was built by certain Pilgrims that came out of Germany to visit the holy City of Ierusalem The other of them was scituated upon a Hill toward the South of the City as well fortified and no less difficult to be conquered These two Castles with the whole City in times past were in the hands of the Knights Templers
The Land round about it is very pleasant and fertile abounding with all 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 Sareâ—ta towards the East In this Town the Syroâ—hoenician 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 diffâ—rence 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 Mâ—nâ—sses In Christ's time the Tetrarch and Governour of it was Philip who was Son to Herod the Great and Brother to Herod Anâ—ipas 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 â—en 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
by the power of his Word he raised Lazarus to life after he had been buried four dayes Iohn 11. Lazâ—rus and Eleazer have both one signification that is God is my Help Upon the twenty sixth day of March the Feast of the Passover of the Iews drawing near he went from Bethania to the City of Ephraim near to the Desart that he might avoid the Traps and Deceits of the Iews who went about to take him Iohn 11. being ten miles Upon the twenty seventh day of March he returned back again from Ephraim to Bethania being ten miles coming thither about the evening six dayes before the Passover at which time Martha ministred to him and Mary anointed his feet whereat Iudas grutched Iohn 12. Upon the Sabbath day being the twenty eighth of March he rested in Bethania at the House of Martha Now as he was at Supper with Lazarus many of the Iews understanding that he was there resorted thither not only to see him but Lazarus also whom he had raised from the dead Iohn 12. Upon the twenty ninth of March Christ sitting on an Ass went to Ierusalem Now when the multitude heard that he was come unto Ierusalem they went out to meet him some laying their Garments in the way others strowing the boughs of Trees where he should go and those that went before cried saying Hosanna to the Son of David blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord At this time our Saviour Christ wept over Ierusalem and cast out all those that bought and sold in the Temple Mat. 21. Iohn cap. 17. About the evening he went out of the City again to Bethania almost two miles and there rested all night Mat. 21. So this dayes journey was almost four miles In the evening of this day the Iews chose their Paschal Lamb according to the Law Exod. 12. Upon the thirtieth day of March he went from Bethania to Ierusalem betimes in the morning in which Country he cursed the Fig-tree that wanted Fruit and after entring into the City he cast out of the Temple the Money-changers and Merchants Mark 11. About the evening as may be gathered by circumstance of time he returned back again to Bethania This daies Journey was four miles Upon the last day of March in the morning Christ went back again from Bethania to Ierusalem and by the way as he went his Disciples beheld the Fig-tree that he had cursed and lo it was dried up Mark 11. After when he was in the Temple there came certain Pharisees unto him and disputed with him at which time he recited the Parable of the Marriage of the Kings Daughter Also certain Scribes and Pharisees came unto him asking him whether it was lawful to pay Tribute unto Caesar Mat. 21. 22. He also sharply rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees and recited the Simile of the Hen and her Chickens Mat. 23. After that he went to the Mount of Olives almost a mile And then his Disciples looking upon the goodly building of the Temple from thence he took occasion to preach of the Destruction of Ierusalem and the consummation of the World so he stayd all that night in the Mount of Olives Mat. 24. Upon the first day of April being Wednesday our Saviour Christ rising before day taught again in the Temple and after as he was going to Bethania he said to his Disciples Know ye that within the se two daies is the Feast of the Passover and the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of Sinners and crucified At the same time the Chief Priests assembled themselves together and took counsel how they might do to take him by deceit Mat. 26. The same day as our Saviour Christ was in the House of Simon the Leper whom he had healed of that Sickness there came a Woman and brought a box of precious Ointment and poured it upon his head at which the Disciples murmured Mat. 26. Mar. 14. Luke 21. The fourth Passover of the Ministry of Christ. Upon Thursday being the second day of April the dayes of the Feast of the Passover being now at hand Christ with his Disciples prepared for the eating of the Paschal Lamb which was the fourth Passover of our Saviour and when about the evening of this day it was necessary for them to keep the Paschal Lamb and to prepare the Passover according to God's Law Christ sent Peter and John to make ready the Supper and he with the rest of his Disciples about evening went from Bethania toward Jerusalem just at the beginning of the fourteenth day of the first Month Abib or Nisan which began about the evening of this day Here he celebrated his last Supper among his Disciples between six and seven of the Clock in the evening at which time he celebrated the Sacrament of the Lords Supper concerning the true receiving of his Body and Blood of which you may read Mat. 26. Mark 14. Luke 22. 1 Cor. 11. Afterward about the eighth hour he washed his Dicsiples feet and then leaning upon the Table he pointed out Judas that should betray him John cap. 13. From the ninth hour to the tenth hour about the second Watch of the night Judas that Traitor went from his Disciples John 13. In the mean time Christ made that long Sermon recited only by John 14 15 16. and made that effectual Prayer John 17. About the tenth hour after they had sung a Psalm Christ went over the Brook Cedron to the Garden of Gethsamene being somewhat more than half a mile There between the hours of eleven and twelve he sweat Water and Blood and prayed earnestly About twelve of the Clock it being then midnight Christ was betrayed by Judas who about three dayes before had sold him for thirty Silverlings which was about 3 l. 15 s. From Gethsaâ—ene the Jews brought him bound to Jerusalem being more than half a mile and about one of the Clock in the morning carried him to the house of Annas who was one of the Chief Priests About two of the Clock led him from thence to Caiâ—has Chief Priest From three a Clock till four which was about Cocks-crowing Peter denied Christ. At the same time Caiâ—has and all the Priests of Ierusalem would have condemned the Lord of Glory the Son of God At the same time also the Servants and Officers of the Priests beat him and mocked him About five of the Clock in the morning Christ was condemned by the whole consent of the Synâ—drion of the Iews Luke 22. All these things Christ suffered between Thursday and Friday And whereas the Iews according to the commandment of God begin their day in the evening therefore that night wherein our Saviour Christ suffered all these things belonged unto the fourteenth day of the Month Abib So that just at the same time as the Feast of the Paschal Lamb was celebrated amongst the Iews Christ the true Lamb of God was made a living Sacrifice on the Cross for the Sins of man Thus
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 Macchabeâ—s 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 Vespâ—sian 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 Daâ—ascus 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 Agriâ—pa 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 Philipâ—ians 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 Caâ—itonius 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 Kinâ—s 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-wâ—â—â—ward 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— Fâ—ith 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 coâ—trived 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
first Epistle from Rome calling it allegorically Babylon is utterly to be condemned since there is none who can certainly prove that conjecture neither is it grounded upon any firm foundation for although Babylon in the Revelation of S. John because it was a secret Prophecy was allegorically used yet in a plain and manifested history such kind of Allegories are not allowed From whence may be concluded that S. Peter wrote his first Epistle from this Babylon not from Rome The Travels of Saint John with the Annotation of the Times wherein he lived JOHN the Evangelist and Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ was born in the tenth year after the Nativity of our Saviour and was made his Disciple when he was 21 years of Age. He saw the Miracle of Christ when he changed the Water into Wine John cap 2. In the year following viz. in the 22 year of his Age he was taken into the number of the twelve Apostles Luke 6. Mar. 3. After that in the three and twentieth year of his age he saw the transfiguration of Christ in mount Thabor and when he was four and twenty years of age he stood under the Cross of our Saviour Christ and the same year a little after Christs Ascension he with the rest of the Apostles received the Gift of the holy Ghost being then the Feast of Pentecost which fell about the four and twentieth day of May in the same year he was cast into Prison with Peter for healing the lame Man Acts 3. 4. Thus much of his Youth About the middle of the first year after our Saviour Christs Ascension Iohn being then 25 years old was sent with Peter from the City of Ierusalem to Samaria 32 miles From Samaria he returned back again to Ierusalem 32 miles and as he returned preached the Gospel of Christ in divers Towns of the Samaritans Acts 8. Mary the Mother of our Lord being now 59 years of age died in the twelfth year after the Resurrection of Christ and was buried by Iohn the Evangelist in the Garden of Gethsemene Iohn being then 35 years old Four years after her death he was present at the Apostolical Council in Ierusalem Now Iames his Brother who was called the Elder was beheaded two years before for this Council was celebrated in the presence of Iames the younger Peter Iohn Paul and Barnabas c. about sixteen years after the Resurrection of Christ and fourteen after the Conversion of Paul Gal. 2. Before the Destruction of Ierusalem which happened about the 61 year of his age and 38 after Christs Ascension Iohn went from Ierusalem and came to Ephesus 544 miles where after the death of the Apostle Paul he governed the Churches of Asia minor In the 86 year of his age being cast into a Vessel of boiling Oyl and coming out unhurt by the command of Domitian the Emperour he was banished into the Isle of Pathmos distant from Ephesus 40 miles There he wrote his Revelation to the seven Churches in Asia minor whereof you may read Apoc. 1. From Pathmos he returned to Ierusalem which was forty miles being then 88 years of age and there he raised Drusana from Death to Life After this he governed the Churches in Asia four years that is from the Government of Nero the Emperour unto the fourth year of the Government of Trajan the Emperour and called the young Man to repentance which was of the Society of Thieves at length he died at Ephesus when he was 91 years old An. Dom. 100. as St. Ierom and Nicephorus li. 2. ca. 32. observe So all his Travels were 688 miles The Testimony of the Fathers concerning John THE Testimonies of the holy Fathers that are yet extant concerning Iohn are these In Euseb. â—i 3. c. 1. 18. 20. 3. you may read the History concerning the Conversion of the young Man from the company of Thieves Irenaeus witnesseth the same li. 2. ca. 23. In Irenaeus also li. 3. ca. 23. you may read the History of Cerinthus and how that Iohn lived until the time of Trajan the Emperour Also li. 3. ca. 11. he saith that the Gospel of St. Iohn was written because of the Blasphemy of Cerinthus The Description of the Towns and places to which John travelled Of Ephesus THIS was the Metropolitan City of Ionia scituated in Asia Minor 544 miles from Ierusalem North-westward It was built saith Strabo by Androclus the Son of Codrus King of Athens in the time of David King of Israel and because of the beautiful scituation and ferâ—ility of the Soil called Ephesus in future Ages growing into such credit and estimation that it was mightily increased and became one of the most famous Mart Towns in all Asia but it stood somewhat low so that the Sea brake in upon it and drowned it and many of the Inhabitants perished Nevertheless Lysimachus King of Thrace built it up again in the same place where now it stands and called it Arsinoes after his Wives name But he being dead it was again called by the antient name Ephesus There were many worthy Men that lived in it as Heraclitus Scotinus and Hermadorus who for his excellent understanding and singular honesty was banished Hipponachus also the Poet Perrhasius and Apelles the Painters Alexander the Orator and Theodotio a Iew who interpreted the Bible It was in ancient times inhabited by the Amazons whose Queen kept her court there and wonderfully increased and adorned it with fair and beautiful Buildings Here also that notable Temple dedicated to Diana which as Strab. saith li. 14. Plin. li. 36. c. 14. was 220 years a building It stood upon Morish Ground to avoid the danger of Earth-quakes There were in it 127 Pillars erected by so many Kings among which there were 36 that were curiously sicled and artificially carved and ingraven It was 425 foot long and 120 broad There were so many Gifts and Gratuities sent from all the Cities and Kings round about toward the building of this Temple that the Riches and Treasure thereof was wonderful insomuch that when it was finished it was accounted one of the stateliest Buildings the World could afford and numbered amongst the Wonders of the World This Temple thus built at such an extraordinary charge that it was almost unvaluable was set on fire by one Herostratus a wicked and perverse Fellow in the same Olympiad and Day that Alexander the Great was born who having nothing in him that might make him famous in after-ages burnt this goodly Building that so though not for his good but for his evil he might get a name But the Ephesians were so incensed because of this Mischief that they procured Proclamation to be made through all the Kingdoms round about that his name should not be once mentioned which perhaps for a time was observed but in future ages they could not prevent it but that he was both spoken of and written of Notwithstanding afterward the Inhabitants of this City became so exceeding wealthy that they soon
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 Polycarâ—us 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 â—egium 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 Aâ—tiochia 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 Halicaâ—â—assus 57.50 36.10 Gâ—ydus 57.10 35.30 â—atara 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 Eâ—bea 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 Barnâ—bas 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
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 Piâ—idia 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
Acts. 14. In the year following they went from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was 280 miles to the Apostolical Council which was celebrated in that City Anno Dom. 49. and as they went they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria and there declared the Estate of the Church among the Gentiles Acts. 15. From Ierusalem they with Sâ—las and Iudas sirnamed Barsabas went again to Antiochia in Syria which was 280 miles here Paul opposed Peter for preaching unto the Gentiles Gal. 2. So these Travels of Paul were 1744 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Cyprus BEcause you may read of Seleucia before I therefore willingly omit it that I might speak more fully of Cyprus This is a fair and spacious Isle scituated in the Mediterranean Sea in the Gulph of Issa bordering upon Cilicia and Syria distant 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the North as Strabo saith lib. 14. It is in compass 428 miles very fertile powerful and spacious for an Island There inhabited in it in times past nine Kings and as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 31. called Macaria or one of the happy Islands the Inhabitants were given much unto Luxury and Venery from whence it happened that Venus was greatly honoured amongst them It is said that there are many precious Stones found in it besides Crystal Allum and Cypress Wood which abounds in that place from which it seemeth the Island was called Cyprus There are also found many Simples that are Physical much Sack comes thence and many other things necessary for the Life of Man Here also standeth the Mountain Olympus whose top seemeth to touch the Heavens from whence it taketh the name because there never lies any Clouds upon it Lucan lib 2. There are four Mountains of this name the one lieth between Macedon and Thessaly the other in Cyprus the third amongst the Mysians at the foot whereof Hanibal built Prusa and the fourth in Aethiopia upon the East side of Heliopolis There are many Cities in this Country as Macaria Cyprus or Gyrhea after called Paphos and now Baffa in which there standeth such a famous Temple that Venus of that is called Cypriae and Cytherea Nicosia and Salamus now called Famagusta There have been many and cruel sharp Wars between the Venetians and Turks concerning this Country but at this day it is under the Jurisdiction of the Turks from whence they fetch great abundance of Pitch and Rosin for their Ships and Cables Of Salamais SAlamais Salamin or Salamania was one of the principal Cities of Cyprus and was distant from Ierusalem 196 miles towards the North built by Tucer the Son of Telamon and scituated in the Eubean Sea just against Athens The occasion why this Town was built happened by reason of a discontent that grew betwen Tucer and his Father Telamon For Tucer returning from Troy not having revenged the death of his Mother Ajax so much incensed his Father that he banished him his Country whereupon Teucer sailed thence to Cyprus where he built this City and because of the extraordinary affection that he bore to the Country where he was born called it by the name of Salamena or Salamais Saint Ierom saith that there is a River of extraordinary hot Water that runneth through a great part of this Country and that it was once overcome by the Iews and utterly ruined and destroyed but after re-peopled and called by the name of Constantia This Town at this day is called by the name of Famagusta and was taken with the whole Island of Cyprus by Mustapha chief Captain to Selimus the second Emperour of the Turks An. Dom. 1570. Solon that notable and famous Philosopher was born in this Town And Paul and Barnabas sailed out of Syria and lived in this Town Act. 31. Of Paphos THIS City is scituated upon the shore of Cyprus 212 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and seemeth to take the name from Paphos the Son of Pigmalion the Artificer In this Town there stood a notable Temple built by that Pigmalion in the honour of Venus for that as it seemeth by the Poets he was much given to Women Here Elimas that wicked Magician who as some will have it called himself the Son of Iesus as others the Son of Iehovah dwelt whom the Lord by the Hand of Paul struck with Blindness Here also Sergius Pauluâ— the Pro-Consul was converted It was in times past a goodly fair City as the ruines thereof testifie to this day but now it is destroyed and almost desolate There as it is for the most part through that Island the Air is impure and unwholsom and the ruines of many goodly Churches and Buildings are to be seen also the Walls of a strong and almost impregnable Tower scituated upon a Hill in the middle of the City and as may be thought was sometime the habitatâ—on of Sergius Paulus There is also shewn under a certain Church which in ancient times belonged unto the Brothers of the Minores a certain Prison divided into seven Rooms where Paul and Barnabas were imprisoned for preaching the Gospel Here also under another Church is found a Spring of very wholsome Water which is a present remedy for the Ague and Fever Here also is excellent Wine Of Perga PERGA was a City of Pamphilia from whence Diana is called Pergea because there was a notable Temple in that Town which was dedicated to her It is scituated in Asia the less near to Cheractus as Ptolomais saith but as Strabo saith close by Cestria a fair and goodly River 356 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. The Country wherein this standeth is full of Mountains extending from the Mountain Taurus which beginneth in this place abounding with Vines Olives and other Fruits unto the Sea There are many fair and fruitful Pastures in it and many goodly and beautiful Cities as Aspendius Phaselis and this Perga besides many others needless to be named There was usually every year a great Feast kept here in honour of Diana but Paul and Barnabas coming to this Town converted most of the Inhabitants to the Knowledge of God and of his Son Christ Jesus Acts 13. Of Antiochia in Pisidia THIS was the chief City in Pisidia scituated in Asia Minor 460 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. St. Paul converted a great multitude in this Town to the Faith of Christ. Of Iconium IConium was one of the Metropolitan Cities of Lycaonia as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 27. scituated not far from the bowing of Mount Taurus in Asia the less as Strabo saith lib. 12. 420 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In this City Paul and Barnabas continued a long time and did many Miracles by which means a great multitude of the Inhabitants were converted to the Christian Faith Act. 13. 14. It is to this day a fair City and under the Government of the Turks who won it from the Princes of Caramanian About 400 years before there was a great Battel â—ought close by this Town between
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 Bythâ—ia 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 Cyâ—brians 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
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 â—ailed 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 Aâ—ollo 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 begâ—nning 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
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 Aâ—ollonia 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 Viâ—imum 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 Proâ—ontus 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
close to that part of Thracia where Hebrus falleth into the Sea sometimes called Dardani◠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 Sicha◠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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 â—ore 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 Aâ—tica 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
as Alethes who was King thereof at such time as Samuel judged Israel which was 1103 years before Christ he bestowed great cost upon it set up many fair and goodly Buildings and ruled over it thirty and five years as Eusebius saith After him there succeeded many Kings by whose Worthiness and Prowess it was so much enlarged and made so famous that it was little inferiour to the City of Rome for at such time as Ambassadours were sent thence to intreat of some Business concerning the State the Corinthians did not let to give them many reproachful Terms as Strabo saith lib. 8. because of which Insolency the Romans sent Lucius Mummus the Consul into Grecia who besieged Corinth and within a short time took it and burn'd it down to the Ground in the year before Christ 145. of which you may read more in Florus and in the second Decad of Livy It was a marvellous rich Town and abounded with Gold Silver and costly Brass also with Plate and curious Pictures so that although Mummus conquered Corinth yet Corinth conquered Rome for the Citizens thereof were so bewitched with the Riches and Glory of this Town that they forgot their ancient Severity and with violence followed their Vices as Salust saith lib. 1. So that as before Corinth abounded with Luxury and divers other abominable Evils as Whordom Adultery Fornication Covetousness Idolatry Rapine and Murther so Rome in future Ages became as bad or worse than it Thus it continued waste from that time till Iulius Caesar was Emperour of Rome who having travelled into those parts of the World and seen the Ruines of this City and the profitable Scituation for Traffick caused it to be re-builded after which time it began to grow great and spacious little inferiour to the former in glory and no less corrupted with Vices having forgot the former misery which it sustained by the hands of the Romans and so continued from the year before Christ 44 until the year after Christ 41 at which time Paul came thither and preached the Gospel by whose divine Doctrine and godly Life and Conversation they were converted from their evil Courses and lived more holily and honestly as appeareth by the two Epistles of St. Paul wrote from Philippos to the Inhabitants of this Town But after they falling from their Faith and forsaking their ancient Integrity the Lord punished them with a second Desolation for at such time as Amurath Emperour of the Turks grew to Eminency and had conquered Thessalonica Beotia and Attica he came into this Isthmus and made all Peloponnesus tributary to him Then after him Mahomet the Second although the Inhabitants of Corinth had fortified their City with three Walls and made it so strong that it was thought to be almost invincible besieged it and won it An. Dom. 1458. about six years after Constantinople was conquered by the Turks But now it is in the command of the Venetians and that and all the Country is called by the name of Morea as it appeareth in the Turkish History lib. 10. The fourth Peregrination of the Apostle Paul IN the Year after the Nativity of Christ 53. Paul went from Antiochia in Syria and came to Galatia and Laodicea in Phrygia and thence wrote his Epistle to Timothy as it appeareth by the Subscription of that Epistle which was 380 miles From Laodicea he went to Ephesus which was 280 miles and there appointed Timothy to be a Bishop and daily disputed in the School of a certain Tyrant and did many miracles as it appeareth Acts 19. From Ephesus he came to Troada which was 200 miles where when he could not find Titus he was troubled in Spirit 2 Cor. 2. From Troada he failed into Macedonia and came to Philippos which was 232 miles from hence he wrote his Epistles to the Corinthians and sent them to Corinth which was 292 miles In the same year also Paul passing through Grecia in every place where he came preaching and visiting the Churches Act. 19. at length came to Corinthus which was 480 miles In the fifty seventh year after the Nativity of Christ when Paul had wintered among the Corinthians in the Spring that he might avoid the deceits of the Iews who went about to take away his Life he went thence and returned to Philippos which was 292 miles where he celebrated the Feast of Pentecost Acts 2. From thence he sailed to Troada which was 232 miles where he raised Eutichus from Death to Life Acts 20. From Troada he went to Assa which was thirty six miles Acts 20. From Assa he sailed to Mileten which was 760 miles Acts 20. From Mileten he went to Chius which was 64 miles Act. 20. From Chius he sailed to Samus which was 60 miles and continued in the Isle of Trogylius which was close by Samus as Plin. saith lib. 5. cap. 3. and Strabo cap. 13. From Trogylius he sailed by Ephesus and came to Miletus which was 160 miles From thence he sent Messengers to the Ministers of Ephesus commanding them to have a special care to the Flock of Christ which he had purchased with his precious Blood and added that he was so much the more importunate in that behalf because they should never see him again wherefore they embraced Paul with great Lamentations and Sorrow Act. 5. From Myletus he and his Companions went with a direct course to the Island of Cous which was 200 miles Act 21. From thence the next day they went to Rhodes which was 84 miles From Rhodes they went to Patara which was 100 miles From Patara they sailed to Tyrus leaving Cyprus upon the left hand which was 360 miles where he found certain Disciples and remained there seven days Act. 21. From Tyrus Paul and his Companions sailed to Ptolomais which was 24 miles From thence they came to Caesarea Strato who was 44 miles there they remained in the house of Philip the Evangelist who was one of the seven Deacons with Stephen Act. 21. From thence Paul went to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and there about the Feast of Pentecost he was taken by the Iews imprisoned and scourged Act. 21. At this time Paul was about forty seven years of Age. So all these Travels were 3396 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled And first of Assus COncerning Laodicea to which Paul travelled you may read before I will therefore proceed to Assus which was a Town within the Jurisdiction of Troada scituated close by the Aegean Sea 700 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east as Strabo saith lib. 13. wonderfully fortified both by Nature and Art so that it is a thing almost impossible to be conquered There is found close by it the stone called Sarchophagus in which if any Mans Corps be buried within the space of forty days it is utterly consumed all but the Teeth as Pliny saith lib. 36. cap. 17. In this City Cleantes the Stoick was born as Chrysippus saith Of Mitylene THE Isle and Town of
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 Satâ—us 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 hâ—re 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
bordering upon Caria being so called from the Vaults and Caves that are in it and distant from Ierusalem 524 miles It hath a City called after the same Name wherein there was a stately Temple built in honour of Iuno and another standing in the Suburbs thereof dedicated to Aesculapius this was a very sumptuous Temple and made very rich because of the many Presents and Gifts that were sent and dedicated to it When the Romans had obtained the Command of this Isle Octavius the Father of Augustus Caesar took out of this Temple a naked Venus which was a goodly Image and carried it with him to Rome in honour of his Progenitors who derived their Progeny from her It is in compass 56 miles being so pleasantly scituated that it was a Sea-Mark to Mariners very fruitful and bringing forth abundance of Wine and Silk by reason of a certain Fish that is found there from which they got great Plenty See Plin. lib. 11. cap. 22. There were many that lived only by weaving of Silk and above the rest there was one Pamphila the Daughter of Plates that was most excellent in that Art There were many famous men that were either born or lived in that Country as Hippocrates that excellent Physician Apelles that notable Painter Simus the Physician Philetas the Poet and Orator Nicia the Prince and Tyrant of Cous Ariston the Peripatetick and Theomnestus that notable Politician At this day this Isle is within the Turkish Empire and by them called Stacu also the principal City thereof is called by the same Name and wholly inhabited by the Turks two Towns only being inhabited by the Grecians but there are many that dwell in strong Castles compassed with round and stately Towers This Country is very fertile abounding with Cattel and the Mountains thereof are little inferiour to those of Crete Of Rhodes THE City and Isle of Rhodes which is so called from the sweet Smell or Roses is scituated in the Mediterranean Sea a little from Asia the less upon the South being distant from Ierusalem 140 miles toward the North-west as Strabo saith lib. 14. It is in compass 112 miles It was at first called Ophy then Statilia and after Telchin of the Inhabitants thereof who were called Telchines a People which as some say were Witches others say curious Artificers and were the first that found out the making of Brass and Iron At last it took the name of Rhodes from the principal City that stood in it for there were three Cities in it viz. Lyndus Camirus and Ialyssus In Lyndus Cleobulus one of the seven Wise-men of Greece and Chares that famous Statuary who made the Colossus which stood in this Isle were born Ialyssus of a Rose that was found in it was called Rhodes being scituated upon an exceeding high Promontory lying toward the East part of that Isle This exceeded the other two Cities both for Ports Ways Walls and other Ornaments and the Inhabitants were governed with such excellent Laws and so skilful in Navigation that it might compare with the strongest City of the World and for a long time had the Command of the Sea round about and utterly abolished all Pirates and Robbers from those parts Diodorus Sicul. lib. 6 saith that it was called Rhodes of Rhodia a fair and beautiful Maid who was dearly beloved of Apollo and therefore this Island was dedicated to the Sun for as Solinus saith Though the Heavens be never so cloudy yet the Sun shineth in Rhodes Pindarus the Poet because of the fertility of the Soil and the exceeding Opulency of the Inhabitants saith that it rained Gold in that Country In former times it flourished with Learning and good Arts insomuch that the Romans for the most part sent their Children to be brought up at Rhodes This Isle is very fruitful and bringeth forth many things necessary for the maintenance of Life but above all a certain Red Wine which the Romans did greatly delight in and valued at a high Price In this City lived that notable Painter called Protogines which Apelles conquered in that Science as Pliny saith li. 35. ca. 10. Demetrius King of Asia erected a notable Colossus or Statue of the Sun in this Isle which that notable Carver Chares made being outwardly all of pure Brass but within nothing but Stones it was seventy Cubits high and so artificially made that it was accounted for one of the Wonders of the World Afterward it was carried into Egypt by the Egyptians who won the Town This Isle is famous to this day in times past it was accounted one oâ— the Keys of Christendom but at this day subject unto the Turk of which yoâ— may read more in the Turkish History Of Patara PAtara was a City of Licia so called of Patarus the Builder thereof who was the Son of Apollones or Lacones as Strabo and Servius saith it was scituated upon the South-side of Asia the less close by the shore of the Mediterranean Sea 408 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west Ptolomaeus Philadelphus King of Aegypt enlarged the City and called it after his Sisters Name Arsinoes Lysiaca to put a difference between it and other Cities called after that Name for there was an Arsinoe in Egypt and another near Cyrene where Apollo in certain months of the Winter Season by the help of the Devil gave answer to them that sought after him St. Paul was in this Town Act. 11. There was also another Town of this Name in Achaia where St. Andrew was crucified The Travels of St. Paul when he was taken Captive and carried Prisoner to Rome IN the 57 year after the Nativity of Christ Paul being then 47 years of Age by the command of Claudius Lysius was taken and scourged by the Iews and brought thence to Antipatris by Night because there were forty Iews which had sworn his Death which was twelve miles Act. 22 23 24. From Antipatris he was brought to Caesarea Strato which was twenty eight miles where he was brought before Foelix who was President for the Romans in those parts and was captive there for the space of two days Act. 24 25 26. In the fifty ninth year after the Nativity of Christ Paul being then 49 years of Age or thereabouts was sent by Portius Festus President of the Iews to Rome so Paul sailed from Caesarea Strato to Sidon which was 84 miles Act. 27. From thence Paul sailed close by Cyprus because the Wind was contrary and came to the Sea over against Cilicia which was very troublesom and so passing by Pamphilia they came to Myra which was 480 miles Loosing from Myra they sailed to Gnidum which was 248 miles Act. 27. From Gnidum they sailed towards the South and came to Crete and so passed by the Towns of Salmo Lasaea and Assus and so came to Phoenicia which was 180 miles From Phoenicia they came to the Island of Claudia which was 108 miles From the Island of Claudia they came to Melite which now is called
Ground only some Ruines to shew that such things there hath been And what now resteth that are worthy note are in the Command and Power of the Pope which are not many the most that can be named are the Vatican the Tower of S. Angelo the Pope's Palace his Banquetting-house and the Gardens and Walks about it which are so well scituated that they are a grace to all Rome the rest are but ordinary and common Buildings Thus may you see that there is nothing in this World but hath a period to which if with much Labour it attaineth then it commonly declineth seldom continueth for who knows not with what labour what perils by Sea what dangers by Land through how many Forein Wars and Domestick Seditions Rome was raised to her greatness And how suddenly was all this lost What the Vertue and Wisdom of grave and resolute Consuls Captains and Commanders had with great hazard heaped up thrusting their Capitol and other Treasuries full with the Triumphant Spoyls of Forein Nations was left to be consumed either by Seditious Souldiers or prodigal Emperours and the State left as a Prey to those that were mightiest so that they were accounted most honourable that with most Injury could get to themselves either Countenance to oversway Authority or Opulency to purchase Eminency insomuch that there hath been no action so evil nor any attempt so pernicious in former times but may be match'd in the declining of the Roman State Where more Murthers where more Corruption where more Oppression than is mentioned in Histories to be practised amongst the Romans the Lives of Men the state of Provinces and the Crowns of Kings sold for Money but now her time is finished and her Ruins are left for succeeding Ages to admire that so in beholding they might learn to know the difference between Virtue and Vice and from thence conclude that there is nothing permanent and that those things wherein men most glory do oftentimes soonest decay For if this City which commanded the Nations and Princes of the Earth whose Colonies Armies Legions Confederacies and Treasures were so Mighty and extended so far that there was almost no Countrey unconquered or Nation that did not fear to hear the Inhabitants thereof named is made desolate and laid level with the Ground what then may be said of petty Cities Towns Lordships Manors and Houses shall not they likewise be subject to the like Calamities and wasted and destroyed through the continuance of time Verily yea Wherefore let not the King glory in his Power nor the strong man in his Strength nor the Rich man in his Riches but let him that glorieth glory in the Lord. A Table of the Persons Towns and Places mentioned in the fore-going Treatise A. ADam Fol. 51 Abarim 93 Abel of the Vines 94 Abner and his Travels 145 Abraham and his Travels 56 The typical Signification of Abraham 62 Absalom and his Travels 148 Achor 98 Aethiopia 154 Ajalon 98 Alexandria 244 Amanus 271 Aâ—â—â—chus Epiphanes and his Travels 245 Antiochus Eupator 269 Apamea 242 Aphec 123 Achitophel 142 Arabia 395 Aroer 114 Asdod 99 Azeca 98 Asteroth 66 Athens 410 Antipatris 419 Ahab and his Travels 164 Aeziongaber 91 Arbona Ibid. Almon Diblathaim 93 Athniel 105 Arad 106 Abdon 115 Ascalon 117 Of the Ark of God 123 Abiathar 134 Abishag 150 Ahaziah 165 Ahaz King of Iuda 185 Ahaziah 180 Athalia 181 Amazia 182 Azariah Ibid. Adoraiim 176 Abia Ibib. Abiin 177 Aza Ibid. Amos 216 Ammon King of Iuda 187 Assarhaddon 196 Abelmehola 205 An Instruction to understand the Prophets 223 An alphabetical Table of all the Cities and Countries mentioned in the Prophets from 224 to 232 Abimelech and his Travels 111 Abimelech's Son and his Travels 134 Ange 240 Antiochia 396 Asseremoth 253 Adarsa 259 Addus 265 Addor Ibid. Arabath 267 Alexander Son of Epiphanes 270 Alcimus and his Travels 280 Arbela 281 Adummim 324 Aenon 325 Antiochia Pisidia 400 Attalia Ibid. Amphipolis 409 Apollonia ibid. Assus 415 B. BAbylon from 191 to 194 Babylon in Aegypt 381 Baaena and his Travels 148 Baesa and his Travels 161 Bazra 237 Baelath 152 Benhadad and his Travels 172 Benhadad II. 174 Berea 112 182 Bethabara 325 Bethania 363 Bethoron or Bethocoron 152 Bethel 72 Bethlem 75 318 Bethphage 364 Bethsaliza 129 Bethsan 132 Bethsemes 124 Bethsura 176 Bethulia 242 Beerzaba 61 Baalzephon 85 Benei Iaachon 91 Balaan and his Travels 94 Besech 410 Bahurim 144 Baalhazor 148 Baaelath 152 Ben Merodach 197 Balthazer Emperour of the Assyrians 201 Bildad 239 Bithron 146 Bischamath 265 Bethsaida 344 Bethbesan 263 Bythinia 405 C. CAdes Barnea 90 Caesarea Philippi 337 Caleb and his Travels 104 The typical Signification of Caleb 105 Caphar Salama 259 Carchemis 200 Carmel 129 Cedron or Kydron a little Hill that runs through Ierusalem 368 Chasor or Hazor 264 Crete and the Scituation thereof 273 Chehelah 89 Chasmona 90 Chesbon 93 Chineroth 173 Cilicia 141 Caspin 258 Caspia 233 Chazor a Field 264 Canah in Galilee 321 330 Capernaum ibib Chorazin 345 Of Cana Syrophoenicia 353 Of Mount Calvary 369 Caesarea Strato 378 The Isle of Cyprus and how 't is scituated 397 Corinthia 412 The Isle of Chius and how scituated 416 Cous how scituated and why so called 418 Of the Isle of Clauda and how scituated 423 Of Colossa in Phrygia 418 D. DOthan so called from commanding 80 Doch a Castle 268 Dora a Haven Town 275 Dibon Gad 93 Deborah and Barak 107 Debir 99 Danites and their Travels 119 Demetrius Soter and his Travels 269 Demetrius Nicanor and his Travels 272 Decapolis and why so called 354 Derbe 400 David and his Travels 135 The typical Signification of David 144 Damascus a famous City of Syria 394 Dibon Gad 93 The Prophet Daniel 212 E. Abraham's Servant and his Travels 69 Esau and his Travels 77 The typical meaning of Fsau ibid. Edrie 94 Elim 86 Eglon 99 Ehud 105 Of Mount Ephraim 106 Eson and Ebzan 114 Estaol 117 Elimelech 122 Ecron 124 Engedi 130 Endor 132 Ella 162 Elah 183 Ezekias 186 Evil Merodath Emperour of Babylon 201 Eliah the Prophet and his Travels 203 The typical Signification of Eliah 206 Elizeus or Elisha ibid. His typical Signification 208 Ezekiel 241 Elam 115 Egbatana a famous City ibid. 240 Euxine Sea 218 Eleutherius 264 Esdrasthe Lawyer 233 Of the Book of Esther 235 The Types and Figures collected out of Esther ibid. Eliphaz the Temanite 238 Esdrelon 241 Ephraim 363 Emmaus 371 Ephesus 383 Queen Candaces Eunuch and his Travels 389 G. GIhon a Hill 28 Gerar 61 The Country of Gilead 73 The Land of Gosen 76 Goren Atad 80 The Graves of Concupiscence 88 Gideon Judge of Israel 108 The typical Signification of Gideon 111 Gilgal 97 Gibithon 161 Gibeon 98 Gaza 100 Of Mount Gerizim 112 Gath 124 Of Mount Gilboa where Saul killed himself 131 Gazer 144 Gesur 147 Gurbaal 184 Gath Hepher 217 Gesem 241 Genezereth 264 Gadara 339 The Lake of Genezereth 340 Of Gethsamene and
ridiculous yet to such as are at all touched with the sense of Worldly Affairs it cannot chuse but take a deep impression and draw them thence to the knowledge of Christ Jesus and of his Doctrine To which end and for which purpose I have principally endeavoured to publish this Treatise that so comparing the Estate of man in this present World with the Estate of Grace in the World to come they might perceive the impotency of the one and the permanency of the other and from both draw immoveable Axioms that there can be no Salvation where there is no Humility nor no Prosperity where there is not a knowledge of Christ Jesus in his Humanity and thence gather that the afflictions of this World to which he is most subject through the whole course of his Life is the ready means to honour and immortal Glory But that these things may the better appear unto thee I will endeavour to lay before thee the Beginning and so far as the holy Scripture leads me the ending of our Saviour From whence thou may'st draw such comfortable Resolutions that in what Estate soever thou art whether in Prosperity or Adversity thou may'st therewith rest content c. Of Zacharias the Father of John Baptist. ZAcharias or Zachariah signifies Gods Remembrance This man was the Father of Iohn the Baptist being a Priest of the Tribe of Aaron and dwelling at a Town called Abia of which you may read 1 Chr. 24. There were three famous men of this name as Basilius saith One that was a Prophet of the Lord and lived 520 years before the birth of Christ Zach. 1. And another that was the Son of Iehoiada the high Priest who at the command of that ingrateful King Ioas was stoned to death in the upper Court of the Temple 2 Chr. 24. And a third which was this Zacharias the Father of Iohn Baptist and Son of Barachias that is the Blessed who according to the Opinion of Basil was slain for no other cause but for saying that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary This man had to wise Elizabeth of the Posterity of the High-Priest Aaron and by her had a Son called Iohn so named of the Lord who was afterward called Iohn the Baptist. Elizabeth signifies the rest of God being derived of Eli and Scabbath that is the Rest and Sabbath of the Lord. The Inhabitants of the holy Land take upon them even to this day to shew the House were Zacharias and Elizabeth dwelt in a Town that standeth on the right hand of the way as you go from Emmaus to Ierusalem But Saint Luke ca. 1. saith that Zacharias dwelt not in a Town or Field but in the City of Iudah which was scituated in the mountain of Iudah Risnerus and Iohannes Hedenus write that Zacharias dwelt in Ierusalem in the part of the City scituated upon Mount Bezetha as in the first Book of the description of Ierusalem hath bin declared And this seemeth to be verified out of Nehemiah cap. 3. Yet there are some of opinion that he dwelt at Hebron because that was the chief City of the Tribe of Iuda and a Town of the Priests The Travels of the Virgin Mary MARY if it be derived of Marah signifieth such a Person as is oppressed with carefulness and grief one that is laid open to all misery and calamity press'd with continual vexation and mourning She was born upon the eighth day of September 14 years before the birth of Christ and in the fifteenth of her age brought forth her only begotten Son according to S. Hierome and others Her Fathers name was Eliakim of the House of David Upon the five and twentieth day of March in the same year that our Saviour Christ was born Mary being then fourteen years old the Angel Gabriel declared unto her the Embassie of the Conception of our Lord Jesus Christ. A little after about the beginning of April An. M. 3967 she went from Nazareth in great haste over the Hills to Ierusalem sixty four miles to the House of Zacharias and there saluted her Cousin Elizabeth Luk. 1. From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was sixty four miles And when the command came out from Augustus that all the World should be taxed then Ioseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem seventy two miles and there the time of Marys deliverance drew neer and loe she bare the Son of the living God our Lord and Saviour Christ. Luke 2. From Bethlehem Ioseph and Mary brought the Child Jesus to Ierusalem and presented him in the Temple which was six miles Luke 2. And when they had accomplished all things according to the Law they returned back again to Nazareth a Town in Galilee sixty four miles From Nazareth they went back again to Bethlem seventy two miles Thither the wise men coming out of the East brought the Child Jesus Gold Frankincense and Myrrh Mat. 2. From Bethlehem the same night that Herod caused all the Infants of two years old and under to be slain Ioseph and Mary fled with the Child Jesus to Hermopolis a City in Egypt which was 296 miles Mat. 2. Zozom lib. 6. From thence they returned back again with the Child Jesus to Nazareth 368 miles for they were greatly afraid lest Archilaus who succeeded his father Herod in the Government of the Iews would seek the Childs life Mat. 2. From Nazareth Ioseph and Mary came every year to Ierusalem which was sixty four miles to the feast of the Passover and so many miles back again which for ten years coâ—tinuance came to 1280 miles When Christ was twelve years of age and at the beginning of the thirteenth he went with his Parents from Nazareth to the Feast of the Passover being sixty four miles Luke 2. And when the days of the Feast of the Passover were accomplished they returned home again But the Child Iesus stayed at Ierusalem and his Parents knew it not for they thought he had been among the company Wherefore when they had travelled a dayes Journey that is twenty miles they missed their Son After they search'd through the company but could not find him wherefore they returned back to Ierusalem being twenty miles where on the third day after they found him in the Temple sitting among the Doctors and disputing with them So the next three days he returned back again with his Parents to Nazareth being sixty four miles and was obedient to them Luke 2. After Ioseph and Mary went every year during the life of Ioseph up to Ierusalem to the Passover and without all doubt took Iesus along with them Thus they continued for the space of three years about which time Ioseph died Christ being then sixteen years of age which three years Travel from Nazareth to Ierusalem and back again cometh to 384 miles From that time forward he continued with his Mother till he was thirty one years of age which was the first year of his Ministry Mary his Mother being then
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 â—aezer 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