the Places to which they trauelled Hion and Dan. HIon and Dan are two towns neere to mount Libanus and the fountains of Iordan some 104 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward Hion signifies A towne of the fountain because it standeth neere to the Towne or Fountaines from whence Iordan issueth Of Abel-Bethmaacha you may reade before Of Chineroth THis Chineroth or Cineroth was the metropolitan City of the tribe of Nepthali 72 miles from Ierusalem Northward It was scituated in a very fruitfull and pleasant place and for that cause was so called for Kinroth being deriued of Kinnor signifieth Musicke or Mirth The Trauels 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 goe to the riuer Iordan and wash himselfe therein 7 times and he should be clensed Wherfore from Samaria he went to Iordan 26 miles there according to the commandement of the Prophet he washed himselfe 7 times and was clensed 2 Reg. 5. From the riuer Iordan he returned backe againe to Elizeus the Prophet to giue him thanks for that benefit which was about 16 miles From Samaria he returned backe to Damascus 132 miles So all the trauels of Naaman the Syrian were 296 miles The Trauels of HASAEL King of Syria HEe went from Damascus where Elizeus told him that hee should succeed his Lord and Master Benhadad in the kingdome to Ramoth Gilead with his Army which was 104 miles There he ouercame Iehoram king of Israel in a great battel 2 Reg. cap. 8. From thence he returned to Damascus 104 miles After he went from Damascus to the city Aroer which was 132 miles From thence he went through the land of Giliad into the kingdom of Basan vntil he came to mount Libanus which is accounted 80 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 againe from Damascus with his army to Gath which is reckoned 188 miles This city he won From Gath he went to Ierusalem 32 miles which he besieged so streightly that Ioas King of Iudah was constrained to giue him great aboundance of gold to raise his siege and be gon 2 Reg. 12. From Ierusalem he went back 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 towns round about in the countrey and made them tributaries to him 2 Reg. 13. which was 132 miles Hauing finished this expedition he returned back to Damascus 132 miles and there died and was buried So all the trauels of Hasael King of Syria were 1384 miles The cities of Aroer and Gath are described before therefore I shall not need to speake of them again in this place The Trauels of BENHADAD second of that name King of Syria THis Benhadad was the son of Hasael and succeeded him in the gouernment He went from the city Damascus with a great army to Apheck which is 104 miles This King was three times one after another ouerthrowne by Ioab King of Israel 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 journies were 208 miles The Trauels of RESIN King of Syria RESIN King of Syria went from Damascus and ioyning 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 yeare of the world 3206 and before Christ 762 the Prophet Esay ca. 7. foretold of the birth of our Sauior Christ saying Behold a Virgin being great shal bring forth a child and shall call his name EMANVEL From thence he brought his army through Idumaea to Elath a city of the Red sea some 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the South and 16 miles from Ezeongaber Northward This city Resin won and thrust the Iewes out of it From Elath hee went to Damascus 280 miles where hee was slain by Tiglath Phulasser that mighty King of the Assyrians who carried a great multitude of the inhabitants of Damascus into the countrey of Syrene where they endured a miserable exile 2 Reg. 16. So all the trauels of King Resin were 600 miles The Trauels of the Kings of Iudah which reigned in the City of Ierusalem and first of the Trauels of REHOBOHAM REhoboam the sonne of Solomon succeeded his father in the Kingdome and began his reign Anno mundi 2971 and before Christ 977. who by reason of his extreme crueltie and threats following the counsell of his yong Courtiers rather than of his graue Senators the same yeare lost 10 of the Tribes that fell from him and rebelled against him so that he reigned ouer Iudah and Benjamin 17 yeares 1 Reg. 11. 14. A little after the death of Solomon he went to Sichem 32 miles where he was anointed and crowned King But the people perceiuing that hee carried himselfe very proudly and arrogantly desired him that he would ease him of the burden formerly imposed vpon them by his father for Solomon had set a certaine Taxe on euery man because hee was at extraordinarie charges as long as the temple was building but he little regarding their request told them that his little finger should be heauier than the whole burthen of his father wherefore they disliking his speech fel all from him except Benjamin and Iudah Wherefore the King shunning the fury of the people with all possible speed went from Sichem to Ierusalem back again being 32 miles Then he fortified all the chiefe cities of Iuda and Benjamin 2 Chr. 11. So all the trauels of Rehoboam were 64 miles But he principally fortified 14 cities in the tribe of Iuda that with the more safetie he might oppose his enemy Ieroboam King of Israel viz. Bethlehem Etam Thecoa Bethzura Adullam Gath Maresa Ziph Adoraijm Lachis Aseca Zarea Ajalon Hebron most of which townes and the memorable actions don in them are described in the former part of this Treatise I will therefore speake only of such townes as haue not as yet bin mentioned Of Maresa THis was a city in the tribe of Iuda 16 miles from Ierusalem Westward which Rehoboam repaired and fortified 2 Chr. 11. where King Asa ouercame the Ethiopians 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 hee was ouercome by Iudas Machabeus 2 Mac. 12. It was scituated on the borders of the tribes of Iuda and Dan as S. Ierom saith in whose time the ruins thereof were to be seene Maresca signifies an Inheritance being deriued of Moraschah that is a Possession Of Bethzura THis is a strong castle often mentioned in the history of the Machabees scituated on a mountaine some 5 furlongs from
downe the walls destroied the Temple which the Emperor Constantine had built and made havock of al things Presently vpon this the Turkes that came out of Scythia by the Caspian mountains won the city draue 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 Iewes 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 againe restored by the Emperor Constantine after the destruction of Caliphas The Christians being weary of this tribute and of the oppression of the Infidels became sutors to Pope Vrban the second of that name for their deliuery who in the yeare 1094 assembled a Councel at Clearemont in France and by the instigation of one Peter the hermit stirred vp the hearts of diuers Christian princes and great Lords to make a croysado so that 10000 braue well mounted souldiers went into the Holy land and for a token of their war bore red crosses vpon their armes In the same yeare there was a great blasing starre seene in the West and after that followed a great plague for the space of two yeares through the world this neuerthelesse hindred them not in their designes but that they went their intended journy won the City of Aelia from the Saracens deliuered the Christians from their bondage and tax and chose Godfrey of Lorrain Earle of Bullion King thereof whom they anointed in the Temple of the holy Sepulchre but hee refused to be crowned with a Crowne 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 euer-liuing God and then chose Arnolphus of Rhodes Patriarch In the moneth of October the same yeare a blasing Starre of maruellous bignesse appeared towards the South it seemed to be like a wauing sword foreshewing no doubt the destruction of all those that went about to re-establish this earthly Ierusalem Immediatly after the Feast of the Natiuitie of Christ all the Christians of the East countries vpon Candlemas day came out of Syria but especially out of Antiochia to Ierusalem in the Temple of the holy Sepulchre consecrated their Bishops and Chorasters and with one consent sung Illuminare Ierusalem They tooke also all the Cities Castles and Villages and ouer them set Bishops created foure Principalities one at Ierusalem another at Antiochia a third at Edissa a fourth at Tripoly Also certain Earledomes and Baronies as at Brito Zidon Caesarea Galilee Ioppa and Ascalon All these were appointed to pay tribute to the King of Ierusalem All this was done in the yere of our Lord 1099. No sooner were these newes published to the world but there was an vniuersall 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 slaine by the Grecians and other nations or els died through famin thirst so that in them was fulfilled the prophecie of Zacharias cap. 12.3 where it is said It shall happen that I will make Ierusalem an heauy stone for all people all they that lift it vp shal be torn though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it And verse 9 And in that day I will seeke to destroy all the nations that come against Ierusalem This yeare 1100 died Godfrey King of Ierusalem of a feuer vpon the â—8 day of Iuly when he had reigned scarce a yere and was buried in the temple of mount Calvarie After him succeeded his brother Baldovin the first of that name second King of Ierusalem This man reigned 18 years in Ierusalem and being ouercome by Caliphas Sultan of Egypt after the losse of thirteene thousand Christians he had much adoe to escape with life Within a short time after hee died without issue Baldwin the second succeeded his vncle and was the third king of Ierusalem He began his reign Anno 1118. This man ouercame the Turks and the King of Damascus had issue only one daughter named Milesent whom he maried to the Earle of Angiers and gaue with her the kingdom of Ierusalem and died without heire male in the yeare 1131. Fulco in right of his wife succeeded his father in law was the fourth King of Ierusalem This Fulco was brother to the King of England he reigned 13 years fought many worthy battels against the Turkes put 3000 of their men to the sword tooke many of them prisoners and caried them to Ierusalem After that as hee was hunting the Hare by Acon riding speedily hee fell from his horse and was sorely brused whereof he died and left two sonnes called Baldwin and Almerick Baldwin the third was the fifth King of Ierusalem and succeeded his father He won the city of Ascalon he rebuilt the towne of Boza which had beene destroyed placed there certaine Knights Templers he lost the City of Edissa to the Saracens where many Christians were cruelly slain And hauing reigned 19 yeares he died without issue After him succeeded his brother Almerick as was the sixt king of Ierusalem In the time of this king the Sultan of Egypt gaue a great ouerthrow to the Knights Templers which he seeking to reuenge inuaded Egypt with a great army besieged the great city of Alcaire but to small purpose wherefore returning back to Ierusalem he shortly after died when he had reigned 12 years he left behinde him three children a sonne called Baldwin and two daughters Sibilla and Isabella Baldwin the fourth succeeded his father and was the seuenth king of Ierusalem who abusing his gouernment was struck with leprosie with the contagion of which disease he died miserably in the 25 yere of his age hauing reigned 13 years Baldwin the fift of that name the onely begotten son of his sister Sibil by his consent was chosen his successor a youth of 9 yeares old his fathers name was William Mountferrat earle of March who dying his mother married one Guy Earle of Lusignan to whom Baldwin committed the protection of the kingdome and of his yong kinsman till he came to mans estate But this yong man within 7 years after the death of his vncle died sitting at his table not without suspition of poison Guy his protector by the persuasion of his wife and at the instigation of the Ierosolimits took vpon him the gouernment but Raimond Earle of Tripoli was his great aduersary for that Baldwin 4. for his exceeding pride at the instigation of that Guy had displaced him of all his Offices and titles in the commonwealth These two striuing for the kingdom it hapned that Guy was charged with his kinsmans death vnder which pretence Raimond made war against him During these troubles Saladine Sultan of Egypt taking aduantage of this opportunitie made war vpon them
desart of Pharan Here Ishmael that excellent Archer and hunter dwelt after with great power and strength he had conquered all the neighboring princes and people thereabout His posteritie also inhabited these parts and after his name were called Ismaelites some eighty miles from Ierusalem toward the South These people were excellent soldiers and of noble courage their principal delight was shooting and therein they exceeded others liuing for the most part by hunting and pillage and so they continue to this day The Saracens who likewise had their abiding in those parts were deriued from that family though they had rather take their name from Sara and from thence Saracens These are of the opinion of the Turks The Trauels of Eleazer the seruant of Abraham AFter Eleazer had sworne to his master to take a wife for his son Isaac of the generation of his fathers he went from the valley of Mamre neere Hebron to Haran a City of Mesopotamia 468 miles off and there made a Contract with Rebeccâ— the daughter of Bethuel and sister of Laban whom he tooke along with him and returned to his master So that his journey to and againe was 944 miles These things hapned in the yeare of the world 2089 and before Christ 1879 Isaac then being forty yeres of age This Eleazer was Steward of Abrahams house and borne at Damascus the chiefe City of Syria Hee was so called because God was his helpe Eleazer being a compound word of El and Ezaer which signifies Almighty God the helper From whence we may perceiue that God is the keeper of the poore and a ready helper in time of tribulation according to that in the Psalmes All they that know thee trust in thee because thou O Lord hearest their prayers and bringest them out of trouble Rebeccha as it should seeme tooke her name from the expectation of Eternall life for Rebechan in Hebrew doth denote such a woman which expecteth a free deliuerie frrom all calamitie and an inheritance of eternall life Therefore Rebeccha is a notable type of the Church of God which is the Spouse of Christ shadowed in Isaac as shall hereafter be more plainely manifested The Trauels of the Patriarch Isaac ISaac being young went with his father Abraham from Berzeba to mount Moriah where his father would haue offered him vnto God as the Lord commanded him which is fortie miles Gens 22. 2 From thence with his father hee returned againe to Berzeba which is forty miles 3 From Berzeba he trauelled with his father to Hebron by the plaine of Mamre which is 16 miles 4 From the plaine of Mamre Isaac trauelled Southward to the fountain of life which is 16 miles there he dwelt Gen. 24. 5 From thence he returned backe again to his fathers burial who was laid in that double caue in Mamre which is 16 miles 6 From thence he returned backe againe to the Well of life where he dwelt 16 miles 7 From the Fountaine of life hee went to Gerar which is 8 miles where Abimelech seeing the beauty of his wife Rebeccha would haue rauisht her and for feare she told him that she was his sister Gen. 26. 8 From Gerar Isaac went Westward to the valley of Gerar which is 8 miles and there he caused the Well to be digged vp againe which the inhabitants had stopped vp Gen. 26. 9 From thence he went to Beersaba which is foure miles where the same night the Lord appeared vnto him and said I am the God of thy father Abraham feare not for I am with thee and will blesse and multiply thy seed for my seruant Abrahams sake Gen. 26. 10 From Beersaba he returned againe to Hebron by the plain of Mamre which is 16 miles here Abraham Sarah and Rebeccha died and were buried Gen. 35. So all the trauels of the Patriarch Isaac were one hundred forty eight miles The typicall signification of Isaac THe name of Isaac is deriued from laughter for Zakah in Hebrew is as much as quod risit is in Latine which signifieth that he laughed and from hence Zechock signifies a Laughter and Isaac mirth or one that reioyceth with mirth This name was giuen to him by God before his natiuitie Gen. 17.18 There were seuen that were named by God before their natiuitie viz. Ishmael Gen. 16. Isaac Gen. 17. Cores or Cyrus King of the Persians Esa 44. Sampson Iudg. 13. Iosia King of Iuda 1. Kings 13. Iohn Baptist and Iesus Christ the sonne of God Luke 1. of whom Isaae was a notable type For Christ is our true rejoicing the laughter mirth and delight of the whole Church of God Abraham vpon the day of the natiuitie of Isaac made a great feast to which no doubt he called many godly men and perhaps some of the Patriarchs for there was then liuing Sarag Arphaxad Salah Heber Thamar and Sem the sonne of Noah who also had a certaine knowledge of Gods promise to Abraham and that of the seed of Isaac should come the Sauiour of the world And as Abraham when hee would haue offered his sonne vnto the Lord carried the fire and the sword but Isaac the wood vpon which he should be slaine and burned O miserable sight especially to a father to see his onely sonne and heire which was miraculously begotten euen then when he was without hope of issue burnt to ashes before his face this was on mount Moriaâ— a little from Salem or Ierusalem euen so our Sauiour Christ foâ— the sinnes that man commits and carries about him bore vpon his shoulders the woodden crosse whereupon he was offered anâ— acceptable sacrifice to his father that so by his mediation and satisfaction we might receiue pardon for them And this was likewise done vpon mount Caluarie a little from Ierusalem And as the Lord prouided another sacrifice for Abraham that so hee might saue his sonne which was a Ramme tied and intangled in thornes so God prouided a sacrifice for the saluation of the world euen Iesus Christ our mediatour who is that immaculate and pretious Lambe of God whose head being crowned with thornes and hanging vpon the crosse by his precious death opened vnto vs the doore of eternall life and made vs capable of euerlasting happinesse Iohn 19. 1 Peter 1. Such was the loue of Abraham a father vnto God such the loue of God a father vnto man that they spared not their only sonnes the one typically to represent the other The other that is the only begotten sonne of God to dye effectually for Abraham Isaac and all mankinde Ioh. 3. Gen. 22. The Trauels of the Patriarch Iacob FRom Beersaba Iacob went to Bethel which is 48 miles and there hee saw a Ladder that reached downe from heauen whereby the Angels ascended and descended Genes 28. 2 From Bethel he went to Haran in Mesopotamia which is 432 miles where he married Leah and Raehel Gen. 28. 3 From Haran in Mesopotamia hee went to mount Gilead which is 380 miles and when Laban pursued him at the
the inhabitants to death because of their mocks From thence he went to Ophra foure miles where gathering together all the gold which hee had taken from the Midianites he made a rich Ephod Iudg. 8. From Ophra hee went to Sichem where his sonne Abimalech was borne which is 10 miles From thence he returned backe to Ophra which is ten miles and there he died after he had judged Israel 10 yeares So all the trauels of Gedion were 82 miles The Description of the Townes and places to which GEDION trauelled Of Iesreel IEsreel was a faire Citie scituated vpon a hill neere to the flood Kison bordering vpon the Tribe of Isacher 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and signifieth the seed of God being deriued from El and Dara the seed of the Almighty God There was another of this name in the tribe of Iuda Ios 15. In times past this was onely the seat and chiefe abiding place of the Kings of Israel For Ahab and Iesabel kept their Court there and Ioram their sonne whom Iehu ouercame and here Iesabel was eaten vp of dogs At this day this faire citie hath in it but thirtie houses and is called by the inhabitants of the holy land Sanatham being scituated at the foot of the mountaine Gilboah Westward in it there is a Watch tower vpon the top whereof you may see through all Galile to Carmel and the mountaines of Phaenicia also to mount Thabor and the mountaines beyond Iordan called Gilead Of this Towne you may reade Ios 17.19 2 Sam. 2. Of Nobach THis was a citie beyond Iordan and stood in the halfe Tribe of Manasses 38 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward In times past it was called Kenah but after Nobach Prince of the halfe Tribe of Manasseh had conquered it he called it Nobach Num. 23. and signifieth a Prophet being deriued of Nabah or Nabach he hath prophesied or cryed out Of Iogbeha THis towne was built by the children of Gad and lies beyond Iordan 34 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward and taketh the name from the height of the place where it standeth being deriued from Gabah which signifieth it excelleth in height Of this you may reade Iudg. 8. Numb 32. Of Karkor KArkor is a citie in the halfe Tribe of Manasseh and is scituated beyond Iordan some forty miles distant from Ierusalem Northeastward and taketh the name from Kir which signifies he hath destroyed or subuerted the walls for here the two Kings Zeba and Zalmuna were taken Saint Ierom saith in his booke de locis Hebraicis That in his time it was a faire Towne The typicall signification of GEDION THis Gedion whose name signifieth to root out destroied and subuerted the enemies of the Iewes so Christ hath destroied the kingdome of Sathan and daily rooteth out all his impious and wicked members which are enemies to his Church The Trauels of Abimalech the sixt Iudge of Israel GEDION being dead Abimalech his sonne went from Ophra to Sichem which is ten miles and there was chosen by the citizens to succeed his father in the gouernment From thence he went backe to Ophra which is ten miles and there put to death his 70 brethren all sonnes of Gedion but by diuers concubins 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 yeare of the World 2712. From Sichem which was the seat of the kingdome he went to Ophra being ten miles there he iudged Israel three yeares After that hee went the third time backe to the Sichemites which is 10 miles but they breaking promise with him for very madnesse he caused the citie to be destroied and salt to be sowne in the place that so euer after it might become barren accursed and vnhabitable From Sichem hee went with his hoast to Thebets or Tebez which is two miles where he was mortally wounded by a woman that flang a stone vpon him at the siege of that towne wherof he died Iudg. 9. So all the Trauels of Abimelech were 52 miles Of Thebez THis was distant from Sichem two miles Northward and from Ierusalem 38 it tooke the name from Bitzah which signifieth a deepe pond Abimelech tooke his name from an hereditary kingdome or rather because he obtained the kingdome ouer Israel after his father and is as much to say as My father is a King because good Princes differ little from good fathers for Maelaech with the Hebrews signifieth a King Malechah a Queene and Malchech a kingdome So that this name Abimelech properly signifieth a King or one that is a father of his people Of the flight of Iotham which was the brother of Abimelech IOtham signifieth a perfect and swift man being deriued from Iatham that is perfect and swift This man at such time as Abimilech put to death the rest of his brethren to saue his life fled to Mount Carizin where hee propounded the riddle mentioned Iudg. 9. And after from thence he went to Beerah where he hid himselfe from the fury of Abimelech All this was 44 miles Of Mount Gerizim GErizim or Garizim was a mountaine in the kingdome of the Samaritans and extended it selfe in the longitude as farre as Iericho neere 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 deriued from Garaz which signifieth to cut or to fel down here Christ spoke with the Samaritan Iohn 4. Of Beerah BEerah was a Towne in the Tribe of Iudah ten miles from Ierusalem Westward Neere to this Citie Iudas Machabeus fought a memorable battell against Bacchides and others whom he conquered It taketh the name from a cleere Well being deriued of Beer that is he hath made cleere Of Thola the seuenth Iudge of Israel In the 3 yeare of this mans rule Hercules king of the Argiues famous for his twelue labors began to raign Macrob. lib. 1. THola takes his name from a red worme or purple colour which colour is proper to Princes Hee succeeded Abimelech in the gouernment of the Iewes and began to rule An. mun 2715. and 1253 yeares before Christ His fathers name was Puah of the Tribe of Issacher He dwelt in Samir a citie of Mount Ephraim not far from Iericho twelue miles from Ierusalem towards the North and there he was buried as you may see Iosh 15. Of Iair the eighth Iudge of Israel In the 10 yeare of this Iudge An. mun 2747 and before Christ 1221 Hercules died and Priamus king of Troy began his raigne which he lost fortie yeares after IAir succeeded Thola began his gouerment in the yere of the world 2738 and 1230 yeares 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 Iewes for
and be reconciled to her but her father shut him out of doores because he had married his wife to another man wherefore he tooke a company of Foxes and tying them taile to taile put fire-brands to their tailes and turned them into the wheat of the Philistines and they set fire of all the Wheat and Vines and Oliues thereabout Iudg. 15. From thence he went to a caue in the rock Eta and there dwelt which is 12 miles Iudg. 15. At the rocke Eta Sampson was bound with two new cords by the Israelites and from thence led to Ramah Lehi which is six miles where hee killed 1000 Philistines with the jaw bone of an Asse that he found in the way From thence he went to Gaza a citie of the Philistins which is 42 miles here he carried away the gates of the citie From Gaza he carried these gates with the posts to the top of a hill neere Hebron which is 20 miles Iudg. 16. From Hebron he went to the riuer Sorecke where hee dwelt with Dalilah the Harlot and by her was deceiued and taken of the Philistines which are 12 miles Being taken of the Philistines he put out both his eies and bound him in chains and led him from thence to Gaza which is 32 miles there they brought him into the house of their god Dagon to make them sport but he pulled downe the house a multitude of them were slaine where he also died and was buried in the Sepulchre of Manoah his father betweene Zerea and Esthaol 28 miles from Gaza and almost 20 from Ierusalem towards the West This was in the yeare of the World 1811 and before Christ 1157. So all the Trauels of Sampson were 240 miles The description of the seuerall Townes and places to which SAMPSON trauelled Of Zarea THis is a city in the tribes of Iuda and Dan neere the riuer Soreck and taketh the name from a Cole or Leprosie being deriued of Sarag that is He was Leaprous it stood 18 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of Esthaol THis was a Towne in the Tribe of Dan two miles from Zarea and stood neere the Riuer Sorecke some 20 miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name from a Woman and Fortitude for Isca signifieth a woman and El or Ol strong or powerfull Here Sampson was brought vp In S. Ieroms time this was called Asto not farre from whence Sampson lieth buried Of Timnah You may reade of this in the trauels of Iudah Of Ascalon THis was a citie of the Philistines scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranean sea some 30 miles from Ierusalem Westward and to this day retaineth the figure of halfe a circle it taketh the name from an ignominious fire being deriued of Esh and Kalon an ignominious light Of Gaza Of this Towne you may reade in the trauels of Ioshuah Of the Riuer Sorek THis was a very pleasant riuer vpon the banke whereof grew great plentie of Vines and Palmes from whence it seemeth to haue taken the name for Sorek in Hebrew signifieth a Myrtle branch which bringeth forth a pleasant berrie whereof excellent Wine is made It takes the beginning at a fountaine in the tribe of Iuda some 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the West where there is a very fertile valley in which Dalilah that betraied Sampson dwelt and from thence it runneth through the land of the Philistines and falleth into the Mediterranean sea Of the rocke Eta IN this rocke there was a caue wherein Sampson dwelt as in a strong tower it stood in the Tribe of Iuda neere to the riuer Sorecke 12 miles from Ierusalem toward the West and seemeth to take the name from Fowles for before that Sampson inhabited there a multitude of fowles bred vpon it and therefore it was called Eta for Aith signifies a Fowle This rocke growing to decay was repaired againe by Ierobaham that idolatrous King of Israel Of Sampson SAmpson or Schimpson according to the Hebrew text taketh his name from the Sunne for Schaemaes in Hebrew signifieth the Sunne and seemeth to haue some affinity with Hercules which signifieth The glory of the aire for what can be said to be the glory of the aire but the Light of the Sunne without which it would become exceeding darke wherefore as some thinke this Sampson was the true Hercules and those noble exploits that hee did the Graecians attributed to their Hercules The typicall signification of SAMPSON HE typically representeth Christ diuers waies first in his person hee was a mightie man secondly in his profession hee was a Nazarite thirdly in his calling he was a Prince and Iudge fourthly in his manner of liuing for he went from place to place to reuenge himselfe vpon the enemies of Gods people the children of Israel and in his death euen so our Sauiour Christ is that strong man who being mightier than the Diuel hath dispossest him of his tyrannicall jurisdiction ouer the soules of mankinde hath taken away those gates of death by his mercy opening vnto vs the dore of life that so being set at liberty from that hellish imprisonment we may be made partakers of euerlasting happinesse he was also a Nazarite euen from his mothers womb borne and bred there tying himselfe to a vow of bondage that we might be made free he is a Prince for euer and a Priest after the order of Melchisadeck during the continuance of his life in this vaile of misery his chiefest actions were to go from place to place to teach to doe good and to rescue and relieue the poore distressed members of the Church who lay miserably afflicted vnder the hands of Sathan healing some relieuing others and bringing a third sort into the state of grace so that as Sampson deliuered the Israelites from the bondage of the Philistins Christ our Prince and Iudge deliuereth his from the slauerie of Sathan by his death sauing more soules than in his life And therby pulling down the strong buildings the temptations of Sathan hath laid them leuel with the ground that they shall neuer be restored againe And lastly after this life ended he shall be our Prince and Iudge and bring vs to that place of promise prepared for vs in his euerlasting kingdome The trauels of the Spies of the Danites SHortly after the death of Sampson the Spies of the Danites went from Zarea and Eastaol to mount Ephraim to the house of Michah which is 24 miles Iudg. 18. From thence they went to Lais which is a hundred and foure miles Iudg. 18. From thence they returned to Zarea and Esthaol which is 126 miles Iudg. 18. So all their trauels were 244 miles Of Lais. LAis was a citie scituated at the foot of mount Libanus some 104 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was sometimes called Belenus this because it stood so farre from aid was quickly conquered by the Danites and by them vtterly destroyed it signifieth a roring or deuouring Lion But after being rebuilt by the Danites they called it Dan
therewith Eli to serue God all his life 1 Sam. 1. which is 12. miles From Shilo she returned backe againe to her house and bare Elkana a sonne and two daughters more which is 12 miles So all her trauels were 48 miles Of Ramathaim Sophim THis Citie stood in mount Ephraim not far from Lidda and Ioppa some 16 miles distant from Ierusalem Northeastward and was sometimes called Ramah Here Ioseph whose addition was Arimathia dwelt that demanded the body of our Sauiour to bury in his own sepulchre It seemeth to be called Ramathaim Sophim which signifies the high places of the prophets because there was an Academy or publique schoole of Prophets which serued for the whole land in this city At this day it is called by the name of Ramath hauing some affinitie to the antient name Ramah How the Arke of God was borne from place to place after it was won from the children of Israel by the Philistines 1 Sam. 4.5.6 THe two sons of Eli the Priest Hophney and Phineas carried the Arke of the Lord to Ebenezer which signifies the stone of my help which was 42 miles and is not far from Aphec some 48 miles from Ierusalem Northward Here the Arke of God was taken and Hophney and Phineas died old Eli also broke his necke at this time about the 98 yeare of his age and the fortieth of his rule for hee ruled from the time of Sampson vntill then 1 Sam. 4. This hapned Anno mundi 2850 and before Christ 1117. The prophet Samuel succeeded him in the gouernment of the church and ruled 40 yeares From Aphecke the Philistines carried it to Asdod or Azotus and set it in the temple of their god Dagon but the Idol fel down in the night was broken to pieces before the Ark of the Lord 1 Sam. 4. which was 160 miles From thence to the city Gath which was 4 miles From Gath to the sea town Gaza 12 miles From Gaza to Ekron 32 miles From Ekron they placing it vpon a new cart drawne with two new milch Kine it was brought back again to Bethsemes which was 12 miles From thence it was caried to Kiriath jearim and placed in the house of Abinadab where it was kept vntill Dauids time who fetched it thence to Ierusalem with great joy about the yere of the world 2900 and before Christ 1068 which was two miles So all the while the Arke was from Shilo it was caried hither and thither some 276 miles ¶ Of the Townes and places to which the Arke of the Lord was carried Of Aphek THis was a city of Samaria alotted to the halfe tribe of Manasses some halfe a mile from Israel toward the South and 44 miles from Ierusalem Northward It signifieth an impetuous or violent act being deriued of Aphak which is as much as Hee worketh violently or offereth violence In this city Benhadad king of the Syrians going from one place to another to hide himselfe was at length constrained to fly to Ahab King of Israel to saue his life and craue his aid 1 Reg. 20. Of Asdod Ascalon and Gaza you may reade before Of Gath. THis was a hauen town scituated vpon the bankes of the Mediterranian sea distant from Ierusalem 34 miles toward the West It seemeth to take the name of the aboundance of Vines that grow thereabouts for Gath signifieth a presse or such an instrument wherwith grapes are pressed This was Goliahs country Here Achis to whom Dauid fled gouerned 1 Sam. 21.27 and it is very like that all the Kings of this city were called Achis as somtime the Emperors of Rome were called Caesars There were other Kings of the Philistines that were also called by this name Of Ekron THis also was a city of the Philistins not far from the Mediterranian sea and neere to Asdod some 16 miles from Ierusalem Westward At this day it is but a smal town and called by the name of Accaron hauing some affinity with the antient name Ekron The inhabitants of this towne worshipped Baalzebub for their god It taketh the name from Extirpation or such a towne as Penitus distruit Hath rooted out euen the foundation being deriued of Akar which signifieth To extirpate Of Bethsemes THis was a city of the Levits in the tribe of Iuda Ios 15.21 4 miles from Ierusalem Westward and signifies the house of the Sun Of this you may reade more before The Trauels of the Prophet Samuel SAmuels mother brought him from Arimathia to Shilo being 12 miles where he was to serue the Lord God all his life From Shilo Samuel went to Mizpa in the land of Gilead 48 miles Here Samuel called a congregation and made a solemn sacrifice vnto the Lord of a sucking lambe and the Lord at the same time thundred from heauen and dispersed the army of the Philistines so that they fled 1 Sam. 7. From Mizpa he went to Arimathia 56 miles There he dwelt and built an altar vnto the Lord 1 Sam. 7. From thence he went yearely to Bethel 16 miles 1 Sam. 7. From Bethel he went to Gilgal 2 miles 1 Sam. 7. From Gilgal he went to Mizpa in the land of Gilead 36 miles 1 Sam. 7. From Mizpa he went again to Arimathia 56 miles Thither came vnto him the Elders of the children of Israel desiring him to chuse them a King 1 Sam. 8. Therefore he went out of the towne of Arimathia about 16 miles to Ramath which lieth in the land of Ziph not far from Bethlehem Euphrata and there Samuel anointed Saul the son of Kish to be their King 1 Sam. 10. From Ramath he went to Gilgal 16 miles There he offered and shewed Saul what he should do 1 Sam. 10. From Gilgal hee went to Mizpah in the land of Gilead 36 miles there Saul by casting of lots was chosen King 1 Sam. 10. From Mizpa he returned to Arimathia 56 miles 1 Sam. 10. From Arimathia he went to Beseck about 44 miles where Adoni-Beseck was taken whose fingers and toes the children of Israel cut off There Samuel and Saul caused an army of men to issue out against the children of Ammon 1 Sam. 11. From Besecke Samuel and Saul passed ouer Iordan to Iabes in Gilead 16 miles and there ouerthrew Nahas King of the Ammonites and all his host which done Samuel said vnto the souldiers Let vs now go vnto Gilgal and there renew the Kingdome From Iabes in Gilead he went to Gilgal 36 miles There Saul was placed in his Throne royal 1 Sam. 11. From Gilgal Samuel went to Arimathia which is 20 miles From Arimathia he went again to Gilgal 20 miles and there he sharply rebuked King Saul because he had offered a Sacrifice contrary to his command 1 Sam. 13. From Gilgal he went to Gibeon 12 miles 1 Sam. 13. From Gibeon he went to Arimathia 12 miles From Arimathia he went to Gilgal 20 miles there rebuked king Saul because he did not wholly destroy the Amalekites and Samuel himselfe hewed the body of Agag King of the
From Gibeon he went to Engedi where Dauid in a caue cut off a piece of his garment which was 24 miles 1 Sam. 24. From thence he teturned again to Gibeon 24 miles From Gibeon he went to Ziph 22 miles and as he lay asleepe vpon the hill Hachila Dauid came secretly into the Campe and took his cup and his speare from his head and would not kil him 1 Sam. 26. From the hill Hachila he returned vnto Gibea 22 miles From thence hee went to fight with the Philistines at mount Gilboa 40 miles From mount Gilboa hauing changed his apparell he went to Endor which was 4 miles There he asked counsel of a witch and the Diuel appeared vnto him in the likenesse of Samuel 1 Sam. 28 From thence he returned again to mount Gilboa to the camp 4 miles and the next day he fought against the Enemy in which battel his three sonnes were slaine and hee himselfe put to flight 1 Sam. 31. 1 Chr. 11. From mount Gilboa he fled 8 miles to Bethsan where he kild himselfe 1 Sam. 31. 1 Chr. 11. From thence the body of Saul was brought to Iabes in Gilead where it was buried 2 Sam. 31. 1 Chr. 11. So all the trauels of Saul were 2428 miles The description of the townes and places to which he trauelled OF Gibea Salem Ramath and Iabes you may read before being memorable places to which Abraham Ioshuah and the children of Israel trauelled Of Bethsaliza THe land of Salisa with the city Bethsaliza was scituated in mount Ephraim 8 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest This was also called Baalsalisa 2. King 4. and signifieth the Trinity being deriued of Schillesch to make threefold Of Michmas THis was a citie in mount Ephraim in the borders of the tribes of Beniamin and Manasses not far from Iericho some ten miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Neere to this Citie Ionathan and his armor bearer put the armie of the Philistins to flight 1. Sam. 14. you may read of this towne in Esd 2. Isa 10. This was a strong citie of the Moabites and seemeth to take the name of Kemosch or Chamos which was a god which they worshipped in their banquets meetings for mirth as Bacchus somtime was amongst the Romans To this Idol Solomon built a temple 1. Reg. 11. Ier. 48. Of Zoba THe Kingdome of Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam was in Armenia neer to the mountains Antitaurus and Masius 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North extending it selfe on both sides of the Riuer Euphrates It was a very large fruitfull and pleasant country wherein inhabited many Kings This place Saul conquered Dauid retained it 1 Sam. 14. 2 Sam. 8. And signifies An aspiring Kingdom being deriued of Zabah He hath aspired Of Carmel CArmel was a City in the tribe of Iudah scituated in a fertile mountaine some eight miles from Hebron toward the East but twelue miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest in the wildernesse of Moan where that foolish and couetous fellow Nabal dwelt There is likewise another Towne called by the same name in the tribe of Issacher not farre from Ptolomais which is vpon the shore of the Mediteranian sea 64 miles from Ierusalem toward the North standing vpon a promontory which extendeth it selfe into the Ocean of which you may reade Ios 19. Ier. 46. In this city the Prophets Elias and Elizeus dwelt who put the Priests of Baal to death in that place 1 Reg. 18. 2 Reg. 4. Carmel signifieth Spike or a fertil field bringing forth Vines herbs and diuers kinds of floures and fruits and is oft times vsed for a pleasant place Esay 29.32.37 Ier. 24. There are a sect of Monks that of this mountain are called Carmelits who built for themselues an Abby there close by the Church of S. Maries about the yeare of the world 5170 and in the yeare of our Lord 1170. Of Azekah AZekah and Socho were two townes in the Tribe of Iudah eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Of these you may reade before Of Nobe or Nob. THis was a Citie of the Priests in the Tribe of Benjamin where Abimelech High-Priest of the Israelites dwelt Who at such time as Dauid fled from Saul he gaue him of the Shew-bread and the Sword that he tooke from Goliah For the which cause Saul commanded fourescore and fiue Priests to bee slaine and the City with all the Inhabitants thereof to bee put to the sword 1 Sam. cap. 22. At this day as Bernard Brittenbacchus saith it is called Bethenopolis and is in the way betweene Ierusalem from whence it is distant some sixteen miles towards the Northeast Dyospolim It taketh the name from Naba which signifieth He hath prophecied Of this you may read 1 Sam. 20.21 22. and Esay 10. Of Maon THis was a town in the wildernesse of Iudaea some 24 miles from Ierusalem Southward neere Ziph and Carmel where Saul had besieged Dauid and all his men and would haue either put them to the sword or taken them captiues But the Philistins on a sudden inuaded the land so that Saul was constrained to leaue the siege to oppose their incursions It taketh the name from a fruitfull habitation and a firm and safe mansion 2 Sam. 23 Ios 15. Of Engedi THis was a castle or town scituated in a mountain neere to the shore of the Dead sea a little beyond Sodom six miles from Ierusalem toward the Northeast and in the tribe of Iudah Ios 15. In times past it was a fruitfull place both of vines other fruits there also grew a kinde of balsam But Cleopatra in the time of Mark Anthony brought the roots of it into Egypt and there made a pleasant garden where now Christians inhabit There are yet some small stalks here and there of this Balsam to be found vpon this hill Engedi but the Saracens do not regard it neither dwell any Christians neere to dresse it so that it groweth to decay Engedi signifieth the fountaine or well of a Goat or Lambe These mountains are very high and of a wonderfull nature in some places great ragged rocks appearing in others plain and fruitful vallies insomuch as they are fearefull and horrible to strangers that behold them Of Ziph. THis was a Towne in the Desart of Ziph placed in a certaine mountaine not farre from Hebron in the Tribe of Iudah some 22 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast Iosh 15. Vnto this desart neere to this city Dauid oft times resorted and at last was betrayed by the inhabitants of this towne It seemeth that the Towne and Wildernesse tooke that name of the aboundance of pitch that was found in it for Zaephaeth in Hebrew signifieth Pitch Of Gilboa THis was a mountain in the tribe of Manasse neere to Sichem and Apheck 40 miles from Ierusalem towards the North it extendeth 8 miles to the city Bethsan and two miles towards the North to mount Hermon It seems to take the name from the bubling forth or springing
all speed pursued the enemy and in the way as hee went he found an Aegyptian who a little before the Amalekits had left there because he was vnable to follow them This Aegyptian guided Dauid to the tents of the Amalekits who suspecting no such euill were making merry with the booty that they had taken But Dauid with the rest of his company so manfully behaued themselues that they gaue the Amalekites a sudden ouerthrow and as it often hapneth to such as are negligent and carelesse he tooke away from them their former bootie and put most of them to the sword This battell was fought some 8 or 12 miles from Ziclag as by the circumstance of the history may appeare From this slaughter he returned backe to Ziclag which is 12 miles and repaired it to euery neighbouring citie sending a part of the prey Here hee had certaine intelligence of the successe of the Israelites in their wars against the Philistins and of the death of Saul and Ionathan which hee bitterly lamented 1 Sam. 30. 2 Sam. 1. These things hapned in the 10 yeare after Samuel had annointed Dauid King From Ziclag he went to Hebron a metropolitane Citie of the tribe of Iuda being a towne of refuge belonging to the Leuites which was 16 miles At this time Dauid was about the age of thirtie yeares and was annointed King by the Tribe of Iudah in the yeare of the World 2891 and before Christ 1077. Here he kept his Court seuen yeares and six moneths From hence also he sent messengers to Iabes in Gilead 44 miles to signifie his gracious acceptance of that fauour which they shewed vnto Saul in burying of his body there 2 Sam. 1. 1 Chr. 12. From Hebron Dauid went to Ierusalem 22 miles which then was called Iebus being possessed of the Iebusites but he woon it with strong hand and thrust them out of it and in mount Sion set vp the city Millo which was after called the city of Dauid and signifies A place of plenty He began his raigne in Ierusalem in the 38 yere of his age and 7 of his raigne In this place also he set vp his house made of Cedar wood of which Hyram King of Tyrus sent him great plenty from Mount Libanus distant from thence 104 miles 2 Sam. 5. 1 Chr. 12. From thence he went to the valley of Rephaim some 3 miles from Ierusalem in the way that leadeth to the citie of Bethlem where he fought a memorable fight against the Philistines and ouercame them for which cause it was also called Baal-Perizim because by the helpe and assistance of God he had conquered the army of the Philistines 1 Sam. 5. After he had dispersed the enemies hee returned to Ierusalem which is 4 miles The Philistines came the same yeare into the valley of Rephaim againe and pitched their tents within three miles and a halfe of Ierusalem and the Lord gaue Dauid a signe that when he heard a noyse in the mulberry trees hee should set vpon the enemy so Dauid went forth and close by the towne of Gaeba and Kiriath-jearim about two miles from Ierusalem Westward he set vpon the enemie and gaue them the second ouerthrow 2 Sam. 5. 1 Chr. 15. From thence Dauid followed the enemy to Gaza which was 18 miles 2 Sam. 5. In the 10 yeare of his raigne from his first beginning in Hebron Dauid assembled all the Princes Priests and chiefe men of Israel to the number of 30000 which inhabited from Sechor till you come to Chaemah a citie of Nepthalie at the foot of mount Libanus euen 163 miles off These men assembled themselues in the citie of Ierusalem and from thence they with Dauid went to Kiriath-jearim which was about a mile to fetch the Arke of the Couenant from thence into the city of Dauid 1 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. From Kiriath-jearim Dauid and all his traine returned backe again to Ierusalem which was about a mile and they placed the Arke of the Lord in a new cart and caused it to be drawne with Oxen which turned out of the way to the threshing floure of Nachon where Vza rashly and inconsiderately touching the Arke of God contrary to the Diuine Law was presently slaine by the Lord in the way and that place was called Paeri-Vza that is The breach of Vza For he was not of the Tribe of Aaron to whom it was only lawfull to touch the Arke therfore the Lord strooke him that he died miserably wherefore Dauid being terrified by this example of Gods seueritie would not that day bring the ark of the Lord into Ierusalem but carried it to the house of a certaine Nobleman called Obed-Aedom a Gittite who dwelt not far from Ierusalem but when it was told Dauid that the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Aedom and all his family because the arke was there Dauid went from Ierusalem with a great multitude of people to the house of Obed-Aedom who as is said before dwelt not farre from Ierusalem yet there are some that say he was an excellent musitian in Ierusalem and dwelt in Mount Acra that is in the lower citie and from thence Dauid fetcht the Arke of the Lord into the vpper citie which stood vpon mount Sion but I hold the other opinion to be the more probable When the Arke was carried by the Priests Dauid girt himself with a linnen Ephod which kinde of garment the Priests of the inferior order vsed to weare and danced before it singing Psalms and hymnes to the praise and glory of God and with great state brought it to the citie of Ierusalem with the sound of Trumpets and instruments of musick and placed it in the middle of the Tabernacle which they had curiously erected in Mount Sion in the vpper citie which was also called the citie of Dauid This hapned in the tenth yere of his raigne at which time Michal Sauls daughter despised him in her heart and laughed at him but God gaue her a due recompence as you may reade 2 Sam. 6. and him a just reward for he promised by the Prophet Nathan That of his posteritie and bloud the King of Kings and Sauiour of the world should be borne In the yere following Dauid inuaded the land of the Philistins and the citie of Gath which with strong hand he woon this was 34 miles from Ierusalem From thence he returned backe to Ierusalem 34 miles In the twelfth yere of his raigne he afflicted the Moabits with cruel war and destroyed two of their armies with the sword and the rest of the multitude made tributarie which was 24 miles 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chr. 19. He returned thence to Ierusalem with great triumph and joy 24 miles In the 13 yeare of his raigne Anno mundi 2903 and before Christ 1065 he made an expedition vnto Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam and is in Armenia neere to Masia or Mount Taurus 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North of which you may reade before Dauid in this place woon
that hee was constrained to leaue the battell 1 Reg. 22. And as he went backe againe to Samaria which was 24 miles he dyed of his wound Of this man you may reade more 1 Reg. 21. 22. So all the Trauels of Ahab were 152 miles The Description of Carmel Apheck and Ramoth you may reade before Of Iesreel IEzreel is a city in the Tribe of Issachar scituated vpon a rising ground some 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Ahab somtimes kept his court Here Noboth the Israelite dwelt an honest and religious man one of good esteeme and authoritie that feared God and would not suffer the inheritance of one Tribe to be transferred to another because God had commanded the contrary Nu. vlt. For which cause he would not sell his vineyard to Ahab wherefore Iezabel that wicked woman to satisfie the Kings desire caused him to be stoned Iezreel signifies The seed of God being deriued of Sera Seed and El the Almighty God Though in former times this hath bin a faire town yet at this day there is not past 30 houses in it and is called Charity standing at the foot of Mount Gilboah they shew at this day the field of Naboth the Iesrelite lying towards the West as you goe into the citie a little before you come at it This towne standeth vpon a faire prospect for you may see from thence through all Galile to Carmel the mountaines of Phoenicia and Mount Thabor also from Mount Gilead by Iordan and Mount Salem where Iohn baptised neere by Mount Hermon vpon the North side of Mount Gilboah there lies a faire and plaine way to the citie Iezreel by which Iehu came when he made wars vpon Iehoram King of Israel of which you may reade more 2 Reg. 9. It stood not far from the riuer Kison as you may reade Ios 17.19 1 Sam. 2. 1 Reg. 4. 18. Of Ahaziah the sonne of Ahab AHaziah was crowned king of Israel during the life of his father a cruell and wicked man he began his raigne in the 17 yeare of Iosaphat king of Iudah Anno mundi 3049 and before Christ 919 about such time as Ahab went downe to Ramoth Gilead to recouer it from the Syrians within a while after the death of his father hee fell through the lattice window in his vpper chamber which was in Samaria of which hurt he died Of this you may reade more 1 King 1. The Trauels of Iehoram King of Israel IEhoram succeeded his brother Ahazia in the kingdome of Israel who began his raigne in the 18 yeare of Iosaphat King of Iudah and as Iosephus saith li. Ant. 9. about the fifth yeare of his raigne went from Samaria to Ierusalem which was 32 miles There he told Iosaphat how the king of Moab had rebelled against him therefore desired him to goe along with him to the war 2 Reg. 3. Then Iehoram and Iosaphat and the King of Edom went from Ierusalem and compassed about through the wildernesse of Idumaea by the space of seuen daies so that they and their army for want of water had almost perished but at the prayers of the Prophet Elisha they were miraculously preserued At length they came to Petra the Metropolitan Citie of the Moabites and is distant from Ierusalem 172 miles which they tooke and consumed it with fire and sword 2 Reg. 3. From the citie of Petra Iehoram King of Israel returned backe to Samaria which was 104 miles where within a while afrer he was so sorely besieged by Benhadad king of Syria that the famine grew very great within the towne insomuch as a certaine woman eate her owne childe 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Ramoth in Gilead with his armie which is 24 miles where he was ouercome by Asahel King of the Syrians and wounded euen to the death 2 Reg. 8. From the fight of Ramoth Gilead he was carried in his chariot backe to Iezreel which was 24 miles where he lay to be cured of his hurts But Iehu one of his chiefe Captaines rebelled against him and as hee was in his Charriot shot an arrow and wounded him the second time whereof he died in the field of Naboth the Iezrelite 2 Reg. 9. So all the Trauels of Iehoram were 356 miles The Trauels of Iehu King of Israel IEHV signifies A constant man in himselfe and was the sonne of Iosaphat the sonne of Nimschi hee was annointed King of Israel in the castle at Ramoth in Gilead by Elisha Anno mundi 3063 and before Christ 905 hee raigned 28 yeares 2 Reg. 9. From Ramoth in Gilead in his Chariot he went to Iezreel which was 24 miles where in the field of Naboth the Iezrelite he killed Iehoram with an arrow And when he came to the gates of the citie he caused Iezabel to be throwne from a tower whom he trampled vnder his horse feet And after in that same place shee was eaten vp with dogs Then hee sent messengers to Samaria commanding the Samaritans that they should put to death the 70 sonnes of Ahab which they immediately did and sent their heads vnto him in baskets 2 Reg. 10. From Iezreel he went to Samaria which is 16 miles In that journey he caused to be slaine by his ministers the 42 brothers of Ahaziah king of Iuda neere to the well which was beside the house where sheepe was shorne And when he came to Samaria he caused all the posterity of Ahab to be vtterly destroied and rooted out And to conclude the tragedy by a cunning policie put to death all the priests of Baal 2 Reg. 10. So all the trauels of Iehu were 40 miles Of Iehoahas King of Israel IEhoahas was the sonne of Iehu and succeeded his father in the Kingdome of Israel he began his raigne in the 33 yeare of Ioas King of Iudah in the yeare of the World 3091 and before Christ 876 hee raigned ouer Israel 17 yeares God stirred vp against this wicked King Asahel King of the Syrians who with 10000 foot and fiue hundred horse besieged Samaria very strongly put to the sword many of his subjects and got many cities and townes from him as the Prophet Elisha had before told him 2 Reg. 8. 13. The Trauels of Ioas King of Israel IOas succeeded his father Iehoahas and while he was yet liuing was annointed King of Israel in the 37 yeare of Ioas King of Iudah and raigned two yeares with his father after his death 15 so all the raigne of Ioas was 17 yeares This man was a great souldier and went from Samaria with an army against the Citie of Apheck which was 14 miles there he smote the Syrians and in three seuerall battels carried away the victory recouering the Cities which his father Iehoahas had lost according to the prophecie of Elisha 2 Reg. 17. From Apheck he returned to Samaria which was foureteene miles From thence he went with his army to Bethsemes in the land of Iuda where in a sharpe and cruell war he conquered Amasia and tooke him
day The siege continued euen till the 11 yere of this king Ierem. 39.52 2 Reg. 25. And vpon the 9 day of the 4 moneth Thamus which agreeth with the tenth day of Iuly the City was taken and Zedekiah was put to flight Vpon the 7 of the 5 moneth Ab Nabusaraden chiefe captaine of the army was sent backe by Nabuchadonezar into Iudaea where he destroied and burned the houses and buildings of the citie of Ierusalem Ierem. 52. vpon the tenth day of the fifth Moneth Ab which answereth to the ninth day of Argust being the Sabbath day the temple of Ierusalem was set on fire Ier. 52. de bello Iudaei lib. 6. cap. 26. 27. This first captiuitie and destruction of the citie of Ierusalem by Nabuchadonezar that great Emperor happened anno mundi 3362 and before Christ 606. Three hundred and nintie yeres being then fully compleat and ended from the first yeare of Iaroboam King of Israel who set vp the golden calues and caused them to be worshipped For after the end of these yeares according to the prophecie of Ezekiel cap. 4. the sins of Ieroboam should be grieuously punished vpon the people of Iudah In like manner from the end of the 13 yere of Iosiah wherin Ieremie first began to prophecie vntill this yeare in which the children of Israel were carried away captiue into Babylon are numbred 40 yeares which by Ezek. cap. 4. are called the yeares of the iniquitie of Iuda because so long the Iewes did contemne and despise the admonition of the Prophet Ieremie Of Babylon HOw far this citie stood from Ierusalem you may reade before which by the Chaldaeans is called Shinear or Sinear and signifies To strike vpon the teeth being deriued of Schen A tooth and Naer To strike It may also bee taken for that when a man endeauoured with all speed to execute a thing which seemes to resemble the condition of Nimrod for that in this place he endeuoured to ouercome and conquer all his neighbours from whence this land was called Casdius that is The countrey of the destroyer So changing M into L it is called Chaldeus or Chaldaea The chiefe and Metropolitan citie of which countrie was this Babylon built some thirtie yeares after the floud by Nimrod or the Babylonian Saturne the first great commander of the world according to Berosus lib. 4. who writeth after this manner Nimrod which was accounted the sonne of Iupiter Belus being angry with the holy Priests of that great God Iehouah came with his colonie and people into the field of Sinear where hee built a citie and laid the foundation of a great tower 131 yeares after the floud and raised this tower to such a height and withall of such a hugenesse that it seemed as if it had beene some great mountaine because he would haue the Babylonian people accounted the chiefest and greatest in the world also their gouernor the King of Kings A little after he saith he built this tower but before he could finish it dyed in the 56 yeare aftet he began it wherefore the citie and tower of Babylon according to the opinion of Berosus was begun in Anno mundi 1788 which was 131 yeares after the flood and before Christ 2180. There were two causes wherefore the children of men built vp this Tower first that they might get them a name secondly that they might be safe in case there came another flood to drowne the world It was made of bricke and bittume least the water should loosen it But the Lord turned their enterprises into euill and diuided their Language so that they could not vnderstand one another whereby they were constrained to leaue off their building from whence it happened that their mindes manners vnderstandings studies and principall actions were vtterly changed and is the foundation of all discord and sedition where the feare of God and the true knowledge of Christ doth not preuent it From this diuision of tongues it is called the citie of Babylon this is the citie of diuision being deriued of the word Balal he hath confounded or mingled together Of this city you may reade in Ios lib. 1. cap. 9. where he bringeth in a saying of the Sibels which was That when all nations were of one language they built an exceeding high tower as though they would haue ascended by it into heauen but the Lord with great tempest and diuiding their tongues subuerted their enterprise from whence it was called Babylon This citie was the fairest in those times of all others scituated in a spacious plaine vpon euery side whereof there stood pleasant orchards and gardens it was built foure square compassed about with wals of an incredible strength and greatnesse being 50 cubits thicke and 200 high beautified within with goodly buildings fair temples richly guilt with gold and wonderfull to looke vpon It was in compasse 380 furlongs as Strabo saith which make 48 miles Through it ran the riuer Euphrates by which all things necessarie were conueyed to the Citie without it was compassed with faire ditches fil'd with water like riuers and in the wall there stood a hundred gates Herodotus saith That it was 480 furlongs about which make 60 miles English but that is not so credible The first founder of this citie was Nimrod who in those times was the chiefe commander of the world It is thought that he was the sonne of Cham the sonne of Noah whose name signifies a cruell gouernor or an vnmercifull tyrant And that his actions might be according to the signification of his name he is branded with most perspicuous note of cruelty omitting no violent action whereby he might enlarge his dominions incroching vpon other mens gouerments through a thirstie and ambitious desire of renowne without either respect of equitie or humanitie And to adde euill to euill committed many outrages vpon such as were accounted good men and the Priests of the great God Iehouah from whence there grew in him a more than humane resolution accounting himselfe in this world a god and through this opinion grew into contempt of all good things compelling such as were his subjects and vassals to do him worship and reuerence as to a diuine power which being ingraffed into the hearts of such as followed in succeeding ages they countenanced it with authority from whence it came to passe that he was inrolled into the number of their principall gods giuing him the name of Saturne whom the Hebrewes calleth Sudormin which elegantly imployeth Saturne Berosus saith that the Babylonian Iupiter succeeded this Nimrod whose authoritie I am willing to follow to auoid prolixitie This man so much inlarged the Citie that many in succeeding ages haue attributed the foundation thereof vnto him He ruled ouer it sixtie and one yeares After him succeeded Ninus or as some will haue it Nimrod the second who began his raigne Anno mundi 1909 before Christ 2061 he did many worthy acts during his life and added to the Empire of Babylon many Prouinces
Diuel Mat. 15. wherefore you shall read more of it in the second Tombe Of Evil-Merodach Emperor of the Babylonians and Assyrians AMilinus Evil-Merodach son of Nebuchadonesar the great succeeded his father An. M. 3388. before Christ 580. In the first yeare of his reign he set at liberty Iechonias King of Iuda and attributed to him the title dignitie and maintenance of a King Iechonias being then 55 yeares of age and 37 after he had been in captiuitie 2 Kin. vlt. Ier. vlt. Whence it is concluded by most That this Emperor did also embrace the doctrine of Daniel concerning the true God as did Nebuchadonesar his father who had before by publique Edict professed it to the whole State caused it to be published through his dominions and therfore shewed fauor 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 deriued of Mol which signifies to circumcise and Evil simple and foolish Merodach His wiues name was Nitocris according to Herod lib. 1. She was a very magnificent and wise woman set vp many faire and goodly buildings in Babylon and was the mother of Balthasar the last Emperor of the Assyrians Dan. 5. Of Niriglissoroor Emperor of Babylon NIriglissoroor whose syrname was Regassar son in law to Nebuchadnesar the Great hauing slain Euil-Merodach his wiues brother reigned ouer the Babylonians and Assyrians foure yeares as Berosus saith Of Labassardach the last Emperor of the Babylonions LAbassardach the son of Niriglissoroor succeeded his father He reigned only 9 moneths and died without heire male Of Balthazar Nabonidus the last Emperor of the Babylonians and Assyrians ANno mundi 3415 and before Christ 553 Balthazar Nabonidus whose syrname was Labynitus the son of Euil-Merodach and Nitocris obtained the Empire and reigned 17 yeares according to Berosus with Iosep cont App. Alexand. Polyb. apud Eusebium Praep. lib. 9. cap. 4. Alphae hist with Euseb calleth this King Nabinidochus This is that Balthazar saith Iosephus lib. Ant. 10. ca. 13 which Daniel cap. 5. calleth the son of Nebuchadonesar though indeed he was but his sons son as may be gathered from that of Ier. cap. 25. All nations shall serue Nebuchadonesar and his son and his sons son Balthasar signifies The Host of the Lord destroying his Enemies Labynitus signifies a shaken Sword This man as he was celebrating a great feast vnto Venus whom they call in the Assirian tongue Myleta amongst a great multitude of his Nobility and in that vsing extraordinary excesse and blasphemy against the Lord In the middest of his feast and all his merriments he saw a hand writing vpon the wall which left these words Mene Mene Tekel Vphrasin of which you may reade 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 pastimes But certain it is that he was slain at a banquet lost his empire and was the last of the Assyrian Emperors but whether at that time I refer it to the opinion of the Reader ¶ The Trauels of the Kings of Aegypt that fought against of Iudah And first of SISACK who made war vpon Rehoboam the sonne of Solomon THat proud and presumptuous Prince Sisack which signifies a Garment of Silke in the last yeare of his regne which was the first of Rehoboam the sonne 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 diuers Nations as Lybians Ethiopians c. With this company he besieged Ierusalem and tooke it wasted the city spoiled the Temple and tooke thence the golden shields which Solomon had made and destroyed that faire and beautifull house which Solomon had built From whence that saying of his owne was verified Eccles That it is a great euill vpon the earth for a man to take care to lay vp riches and treasures in this world yet knoweth not who shall inherit it For those things which a little before hee had with great labour and paines builded and beautified within lesse than 20 yeares after were destroyed and made desolate by this King From Ierusalem Sisack returned with the spoiles of the temple and city to Memphis in Egypt which was 244 miles and in the yeare following he was stricken by the Lord with a grieuous disease of which he died miserably So these two journies were 488 miles The Trauels of PHARAOH NECHO King of Aegypt who made warre vpon IOSIAH King of Iudah NEcho signifies an Enemy or Inuader This man was one of the greatest of all the Egyptian Kings who in the thirteenth yeare of his reigne made war vpon Nebuchadnezar the first and in the valley of Megiddo neere to Magdala which was 244 miles from Memphis fought a great battell wherein Iosiah King of Iudah was wounded to the death From the valley of Megiddo Pharaoh Necho went to the Riuer Euphrates which was 360 miles where he fought a second battel with Nebuchadnezar vpon a plaine neere to Carchemis where hee lost the day and was put to flight From Carchemis he fled to Riblah in the land of Israel which was 320 miles where in the land of Chaemath neere to the lake Samachonites he ouercame Ioachas King of Iudah and took him prisoner From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led Ioachas bound to Ierusalem being 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 riuer of Euphrates which was 640 miles But there he was the second time ouercome by Nebuchadnesar and constrained to fly thence back again to Memphis in Aegypt being 640 miles But Nebuchadnesar followed him with an army of chosen men and conquered all Aegypt tooke Pharaoh Necho and made his sonne Psammeticus King in his place who was the second of that name Of this battell there is mention Ier. ca. 25 26. So all the trauels of Pharaoh Necho were 1524 miles The Trauels of the holy Prophets and first of the Prophet ELIAH ELiah the Prophet went from This be which was in the land of Gilead to Samaria 24 miles where he told the wicked King Ahab that there should bee neither rain nor dew for the space of 7 years 1 Reg. cap. 17. From Samaria he went to the riuer Kerith 24 miles where hee was fed by a Rauen. From Kerith hee went to Sarepta which was 100 miles where he sojorned with a poor widow that found him necessaries whose sun he restored to life 1 Reg. 17. From Sarepta he went to Mount Carmel in the land of Israel being 60 miles and by the way as he went he met Obediah which signifieth The Seruant of the Lord and King Ahab whom he rebuked sharply because of his idolatry Also vpon this mountaine he put all Baals
So all his trauels were 320 miles Of Amanus AManus was a mountain between Syria and Cilicia which extendeth it selfe to the riuer Euphrates Between this Amanus and Euphrates Arabia deserta is scituated 400 miles from Ierusalem Northward and signifies The mountain of truth from Aman True and faithfull The Trauels of Demetrius Nicanor the sonne of Demetrius Soter IN the 165 yeare of the gouernment of the Grecians in Syria which was 141 yeares before Christ Demetrius syrnamed Nicanor which signifies Victorre sailed out of Creet into Cilicia which was 600 miles Ios Ant. 13. c. 6. 1 Mac. 10. Out of Cilicia he came into Syria the lower 160 miles where ioyning with Apolonius he tooke vpon him the crowne and Kingdom of Syria Afterward Apolonius went into Iudaea with a great army and besieged Iamnia Ptolomeus Philometor also assisted the proceedings of Demetrius seeing Alexander his son in law beginning to decline and the better to strengthen their allyance matched him to Cleopatra his daughter which before had bin wife to Alexander by which policie he added to the kingdom of Egypt all Asia ouer which he ruled 2 yeares 1 Mac. 11. After Demetrius Nicanor came out of Siria the lower with Ptolomeus Philometor to Antiochia which was 80 miles 1 Mac. 11. From Antiochia they went with their army to a plain neer the mountain Amanus 120 miles where in a sharpe war they ouercame Alexander and put him out of his kingdom Ios Ant. li. 3. c. 7. Now after the death of Ptolomeus Philometor Demetrius Nicanor Nicanor returned to Antiochia 120 miles where he gouerned the kingdome of Syria two yeares From Antiochia he went to Ptolomais which was 200 miles to which place Ionathan the high priest came to meet him where he gaue to him many presents and great gifts to win his fauour 1 Mac. 11. From Ptolomais he returned to Antiochia 200 miles There his soldiers and the city of Antiochia rebelled against him For which cause Ionathan the high-priest sent him 3000 men which deliuered the King out of danger put to the sword 100000 of the seditious and burnt the city of Antiochia 1 Mac. 11. But after Demetrius shewed himselfe vnthankfull hee was driuen out of his kingdome by Tryphon and yong Antiochus the sonne of King Alexander who was also called Theos which signifies God In the 172 yeare of the reigne of the Grecians in Syria which was 138 before Christ Nicanor hauing slaine Antiochus the son of Alexander he would haue reigned alone in Syria wherefore Demetrius who was the lawfull King of Syria being 3 yeares before driuen thence went 1200 miles into Media to craue aid against Tryphon but Arsaces king of the Medes Parthians and Persians sent the chiefe captain of his host against Demetrius who burned his tents tooke him prisoner and caried him back to his master to Hecatompylon the chiefe city of his kingdome distant from Syria 1220 miles toward the East Iustin lib. 36. 38. From Hecatompylon Arsaces sent him to Hyrcania the Metropolitan city of that countrey which was 176 miles where although Arsaces kept him as a prisoner yet he allowed him royall attendance and after maried him to his daughter Iust lib. 38. After the death of Arsaces with singular industry and policie he got out of captiuitie after he had beene 12 yeares prisoner in Hyrcania and came into Syria which was 14 miles where he recouered his kingdome and reigned foure yeares So all his Trauels were 4156 miles ¶ Of the Places to which he trauelled Of Creta now called Candia THis is an Island of the Mediterranian sea distant from Ierusalem 600 miles Westward very fruitfull and pleasant in which there growes great plenty of Cypresse trees and grapes of diuers kindes but principally such whereof Malmsey and Sacke are made Here Tytus Pauls Disciple was Bishop wherefore you shall reade more of it after Of Seleucia SEleucia is a famous city of Syria scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranian sea 280 miles from Ierusalem Northward neere to which the riuer Orantes runneth and the mountaine Casius standeth which is 4 miles high Plin. l. 5. c. 22. You may read more of this in the trauels of S. Paul Of Syria SYria was sometimes called of the Hebrewes Aram of Aram the sonne of Sem of whom all Armenia tooke the name Aram signifies A man of great spirit and dignity being deriued of Rom that is lifted vp for he was a man of an excellent spirit Gen. cap. 10. Syria signifieth a great tract of land and is diuided into two parts the vpper and the lower In the vpper Syria are these cities Antiochia Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea in the lower Syria are Sydon Tyrus Berytus Tripolis and Orthosia This Countrey is scituated in a very temperat Zone from whence it happeneth that it is neither oppressed with too much cold nor heate There are that diuide Syria into foure parts that is into Syria Assyria Leucosyria and Coelosyria Also Pliny Lib. 5. Cap. 12. attributeth Mesopotamia and Babylonia to Syria But it is euident that these were distinct Countries from them in the which there reigned Emperours and Kings which had large and spatious Dominions For Syria is scituated betweene the Mediterranian sea and Euphrates but Mesopotamia which is so called because it is scituated in the middle of waters is separated from Syria and Assyria with the riuers Euphrates Tygris and Arabia is separated from Syria and Babylon with many vast wildernesses Therefore these countries cannot properly passe vnder the denomination of Syria Of Parthia PArthia is a spatious country full of mountains and desarts lying vpon the borders of Media Westward the Metropolis whereof is Hecatompylon taking the name of 100 gates wherewith it is fortified It lieth as Stephanus saith 1512 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Here Arsaces that mighty King of the Parthians kept his court who had vnder his gouernment Media Parthia Persia Hircania and the greatest part of all the countries toward the East It is called Parthia because of the fruitfulnesse of the soile being deriued of Parah To fructifie Of Hyrcania HYrcania is a fruitfull and pleasant countrey bordering vpon Media and the Caspian sea for the most part plain champian beautified with many faire Cities the chiefe of which are Hyrcania the Metropolis of the whole kingdome Talebrota Samariana Carta and Tape It was so fat and fruitfull that the inhabitants vse not to till and dresse the ground as they doe in other places but the seed that falleth from the huske vpon the earth springeth vp and bringeth forth great plenty and increase without further labour The Dewes also falling vpon the trees there droppeth from them oile and honey in great plenty It taketh the name as it is thought from a Wood called Hyrcania In like manner the Caspian sea which bordereth vpon it of this country is called Hyrcanum Many cruel beasts are found therein as the Panther the Tyger and the Leopard The Panther is of a whitish colour inclining something
the World vpon most high mountaines and rockes like an earthly Paradise a liuely figure of the euerlasting Citie of God This Citie being the metropolitan or principallest Citie of the Iewes stood in the Tribe of Benjamin at the first it was called Salem that is Peaceable when Melchisedech the Priest of God raigned therein which hee also built after the Deluge as Iosephus and Egisippus write But at that time it was not very great for it stood onely vpon Mount Sion Mount Moriah where Abraham would haue offered his sonne Isaac stood without the Citie and after that they tooke it into the Citie as when time serueth it shall be declared After the death of Melchisedech vnto whom Abraham payd the Tythes of all his goods the Iebusites dwelt in the Citie of Ierusalem and had the dominion of it and all the land thereabouts in their subjection called the City Iebus after their name which name was held a long time as we reade in Iosuah the 10. Iud. 10. 2. Samuel 1. But at the last Ioab King Dauids Generall of his Armie woon it draue the Iebusites out of it and called it Ierusalem that is a sight or vision of Peace It hath also other names in the holy Scripture for in Esay 29. it is called Ariel that is Gods Lyon and mount Libanus * Because it was made of the Ceder trees which came â—ut of Mount Libanus The Prophet Ezechiel 23. calleth it Ahaliba my fixed Pauillion or Tent that is a Citie wherein God had placed his owne habitation The circuit and bignesse of the City Ierusalem THe City of Ierusalem was foure square and in circumference three and thirtie * Which make foure English miles and one furlong furlongs as Iosephus writeth which three and thirty Furlongs make somewhat more than a Dutch mile Some write that it was foure miles compasse about yet these were not Dutch miles but Wallon or Italian miles for foure such Italian miles are a Dutch mile Of mount Sion the higher Citie MOunt Syon stood Northwards in the Citie Ierusalem and was much higher than all the other Hills that were therein therefore it was called Sion that is a watch Tower because from thence one might see the Holy land and all the countries thereabout vpon this Hill the vpper Citie was built which in the Scripture is called the City of Dauid because Dauid wan it from the Iebusites and beautified it with many goodly houses faire and costly buildings but especially with his house of Cedar wood which hee termed the castle of Sion which stood Westwards at the corner of the Hill looking into Bethlehem Southwards In that house Dauid dwelt and therein committed adulterie with Berseba the wife of Vriah the Hittite whose house also with the place of diuers priuie Councellers and officers stood vpon the said Hill not farre from the Kings Pallace as Iosephus writeth Beneath King Dauids house vpon Mount Sion within a Rocke there was to be seene the sepulchre or vault wherein King Dauid Solomon his son and other succeeding Kings of Iuda were entombed and buried Vpon mount Syon also towards the East King Herod had a Garden of pleasure not farre from the Fountaine called Silo Nemiah 3. and there also stood the Tower of Silo whereof Luke in the 13 chapter maketh mention Iosephus in the warres of the Iewes his first book and sixteenth chapter saith That King Herod vnder whom Christ Iesus was borne had two faire and strong houses or Towers which hee set and made in the vpper part of the City Ierusalem vpon mount Syon which were in a manner comparable with the Temple for beautifulnesse which he called after the name of his friends the one Caesarea for Caesar the Emperors sake and the other Agrippa according to the name of the noble Roman Marcus Agrippa that married the daughter of Augustus Caesar This may suffice to declare the scituation of the vpper Citie which stood vpon mount Sion and conteyned in circuit fifteene furlongs which is about halfe a mile This vppermost Citie in the sacred Scripture is called the Citie of Dauid it was also cal-Millo that is fulnesse or plenty for in it there was no want but aboundance of all things Of the steps which descended downe from the citie of Dauid vnto the lower Citie MOunt Sion whereon the vpper citie of Ierusalem did stand was such a high hard hill and so steepe that no man could climbe or ascend vnto it by any way or meanes but only one that is by steps for in the middle thereof there was a great paire of staires made which descended from Dauids Citie vnto the lower Citie That is 26 yards in height into the valley or dale of gates called Thyroreion which staires were 780 foot * high as Iohannes Heydonius writeth and beneath in the valley of Thyroreion ouer against the valley of Cedron at the foot of the staires stood a gate which was called the gate of Sion and they which went vp to mount Sion must passe through that gate and so vp those staires but it is thought neuerthelesse that in some other part of the hill there was some winding or other oblique way made by which horses and chariots by little and little might ascend Allegoricall or Spirituall significations of mount Sion SIon in Hebrew signifieth a sure hold or goodly aspect for that from the top thereof a man might haue seen all the land lying thereabouts and was a type of the highest heauens or habitation of Almighty God from whence he beholdeth all things vpon earth from which throne and heauenly habitation he descended into this lower Ierusalem and became our Redeemer Sauiour that so we being purged by his bloud from all our sinnes and imperfections he might bring vs into that heauenly Ierusalem which is eternall glorie Of Mount Moriah on which the Temple stood MOunt Moriah stood Eastward within Ierusalem which was a most hard stony hill from whence towards the rising of the Sunne men by staires might easily descend but round about on the other three sides it was steepe and vnapprochable like a stone wall yet it was not so high as Mount Sion howbeit it was exceeding high extending and reaching 600 foot in height and on the top thereof was a very faire plaine like vnto that of Mount Sion whereon in times past Abraham builded an Altar and would haue offered his sonne Isaac for a Sacrifice Gen. 22. At which time when Abraham obeyed the commandement of God intending to haue offered his sonne Isaac vpon the Hill and thereon had made an Altar then the said Hill lay without the Citie but long time after about the space of 850 yeres when King Dauid had conquered Ierusalem and driuen thence the Iebusites to enlarge the Citie he compassed in Mount Moriah and Mount Acra with a wall vpon which there stood many goodly buildings And amongst other things worthy obseruation vpon this Mount stood the Barne or Threshing floore
Angle betweene the dung gate and the gate of the valley which was called Hananiel and signifieth The grace and gift of God This is much spoken of in the Scripture vpon this wall King Herod the Ascalonite built three faire Towers one betweene the Garden gate and the old gate which hee called Hippicum in honour of his father Hippicus the other Phaselum in honour of his brother Phasilus and the third Mariamne after his wiues name who notwithstanding hee caused innocently to be put to death These three gates were built of polisht Marble Pliny and Strabo saith That this was the fairest and most spacious city of the East and for the munition and fortification almost inuincible The wals of it were all of white polisht marble some 25 or 30 cubits high the stones were 20 cubits long 20 broad and 5 thicke so closely joyned that the junctures could scarce be perceiued Many of the Towers also were made of such stones but those of the Temple exceeded the rest for they were 25 cubits long 12 broad and 8 thicke as Iosephus witnesseth lib. Ant. 15. ca. 14. de Bel. Iud. li. 6. ca. 6. which things being rightly considered we may easily perceiue that these walls were very difficult to be destroyed Neither were the ditches of lesse strength that went about the Towne for they were cut out of hard stones at least forty cubits deepe and two hundred and fifty cubits broad which were vnpossible to haue beene woon if God had not holpen and assisted the Romans filling vp those ditches with the bodies of those that died of the plague and famine within the towne Of the gates of Ierusalem IT had twelue gates to goe out and in Vpon the East side lay fiue the first of which was the Fountaine gate which was so called of the Fountaine Siloah And this stood close by the gate of mount Sion In which Fountain the man that was borne blind washt himselfe at the commandement of our Sauiour and had his sight restored Ioh. 9. and at this gate Christ came riding in vpon an Asse when he came from Bethania on Palme Sunday 2 The Sheepe-gate which was so called of the multitude of sheepe that were driuen in by it to be offered in the Temple for it stood hard by the temple Right before this gate stood mount Oliuet some halfe an English mile and a furlong from Ierusalem Eastward By it stood the Garden called Gethsemane where Christ was taken and led into the citie through this gate to be offered vp like an innocent sheepe for the sinnes of the whole World 3 The Dung-gate this tooke the name from a dung-hill because the raine water comming with great power through the Citie washed nway the filth and with great violence carried it through this gate into the poole Cedron Not far from this gate was the water gate and stood a little within it 4 The Valley-gate which tooke the name of the valley Iehosaphat and lay not farre from the other gate Hereabouts also stood the Dragon gate 5 The Horse-gate and stood just in the joyning of the East and North part of the Citie it tooke the name from the Kings horses as appeareth Ier. 31. Neh. 3. The gates vpon the North. 6 The corner gate which stood Northwest 2. K. 14. 1. Ch. 26. Ier. 31. Zach. 14. 7 The Benjamin-gate so called because men by this gate went to the borders of Benjamin in this gate the Prophet Ieremy was prisoner Ier. 37. 8 The Ephraim gate by which they went to the borders of Ephraim The gates vpon the West 9 The Raine-gate so called because the raine water clensing the streets carried away all the filth and so past through this gate toward the West and there thrust it out of the Citie Neh. 12. 10 The Garden-gate before which the garden stood wherein Christ was buried 11 The old gate before this Mount Caluarie stood whereon Christ was crucified 12 The fish gate so called because of the Sea fish that came in by it it was also called the Bricke gate Here the Prophet Ieremy broke an earthen pitcher Ieremy 19. and out of this gate they went to Bethlehem But on the South side there were no gates for there mount Sion stood which was so high and steepe that no man could goe vp vpon it Of the gates within the Citie THe gate of Sion the water gate of which two I haue already spoken The middle gate whereof Ieremie speaketh cap. 19. and it is thought it stood in the middle of the citie in the valley Cedron not farre from the Tower called Mariamne The Iron gate which opened of it selfe when the Angell led Peter out of prison Acts 12. this stood in the City walls passing from one suburbe into another all these gates stood within the city And thus much shall suffice to haue spoken of the portraiture of it Of the Springs Valleys Fountaines and other memorable places as they were scituated neere to the Citie and how to the foure parts of the World IN the next place it resteth to shew what things worthy memorie were about and stood neere to the City the first of which was the brooke Cedron which sprung out of a hill not farre from it vpon the South and with great swiftnesse ran through the East part of the citie and so between Ierusalem the mount of Oliues to the valley gate of Iehosaphat thence passing through the cliffes of mount Oliuet it ran directly East till it came to the dead Sea which brooke in the Summer time was most commonly dry The water of it was something blacke which colour the valley Iehosaphat which was very fertile gaue it from thence it was called Nigrescens torrens a blackish streame This is mystically spoken of in 2. Sam. and Psa 100. where it is said He that is our Sauiour Christ shall drink of the brook in the way which he fulfilled when he made satisfaction for our sinnes by his death passion as it appeareth in the 69 Psal Saue me ô God c. Into this brooke ran the water of Silo and that which came out of the temple Of the mount of Oliues and Bethania which signifies a house of mourning THese two the one lay vpon the East the other Southwest about halfe an English mile and a furlong from Ierusalem Of Bethania you may reade in Nehemia Of the hill Gihon GIhon stood before Ierusalem on the West side right against the fish gate and the old gate 2. Chr. 22. Here King Solomon was crowned 1. Kin. 1. Not farre from this stood the mount Golgatha where Christ was crucified From whence may be obserued That as Solomon vpon that hill was crowned King so Christ vpon this was crucified our Sauiour and the true Solomon that made euerlasting peace betweene God and vs. From this mount Gihon sprung the Fountaine Gihon and thereabouts also was the Fullers field 2. King 18. 2. Chron. 33. In which place Senacharib and other
of God that euen on the same day and in the very same place where but eight and thirtie yeares before our Sauiour Christ suffered the authors of such crueltie suffered a most just and seuere reuenge Now as the army of the Romans lay vpon the North of the Citie Titus drew out a band of six hundred horse to ride about to behold and view the walls of the Towne but as he was in this manner wondring at the sumptuousnesse of the Citie the Iewes in great multitudes slipt out at a posterne gate and set vpon him so fiercely that they endangered his person being without armour and had he not with great difficultie broke through them and recouered the Tower of the Romans hee had beene there slaine But presently vpon this seeing the danger hee besieged the Citie in three parts himselfe as the Emperour of the armie built a castle about some two furlongs from the Citie iust against the Tower Psephina Thc other part of the army was intrenched right against the Tower Hippicus not farre from the Garden of the resurrection And the third part had their Castle in the Mount of Oliues some fiue furlongs or thereabouts from the Citie Then did hee build Bulwarkes make Engines and wonderfull deuises for the battering of the Walls and combining himselfe with some of the Iewes vpon the seuenth day of the second moneth which answereth to the moneth of May with great difficultie and much labour entred the first Wall which lay vpon the North and woon Mount Bezitha and Neapolie Vpon the twelfth of the same moneth which was the Sabboth day hee entred the second wall which diuided the suburbs but this was againe the same day recouered by the vertue of the Iewes so that the Iewes were constrained to fight vpon the Sabboth day according to the prophecie of our Sauiour Christ Matt. 24. But after vpon the sixteenth of this moneth of May the Romans againe recouered this wall and kept it in their owne custody Within a while after in the month of Iune about this time the famine growing intollerable within the towne Titus in the space of three daies compassed in the whole citie of Ierusalem with a Wall and vpon that set Towers and Castles lest any of the Iewes should flye to saue themselues Thus was the prophecie of our Sauiour Christ fulfilled Thy enemies shall compasse thee about and hem thee in on euery side Iosephus was now in the Citie and walking vpon the Walls earnestly intreated the Iewes to desist and no longer to oppose the Romans but this was so hatefull a speech to many that they began to fling darts at him And although at this time the extremitie of the famine was so sore that many dyed for want of sustenance yet all perswasions were in vaine and such was the calamitie that as well those as went out as those that continued in the Citie were in like danger of their liues for they were either slaine by the enemy or els by the pestilence and famine common injuries and vnmercifull outrages still attending vpon warre Their misery did rather increase then at all lesson it selfe for the jealousie of treason the hope of riches and the madnes of the seditious distracted the mindes of the Citizens with continuall feares and filled the streets full of murther and daily spectacles of lamentable tragedies The markets were vnfrequented with Corne the victuals with violence consumed and taken from the true owners And if it chanced that some one had more than would serue his turne though he dwelt in a faire and stately building yet the remotest roome and most vnfrequented he made his tabernacle and that little which was left with great parcimonie he consumed together with his life till both were ended Those that were Fathers and Senats of the people though before serued and attended with reuerenced and great state in this consusion was glad of a small morsell though with much contention The wife was not ashamed to take away the meate 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 tooke it ransackt the roomes round about whiles the master therof was made a laughing stocke and mournfull spectator of those mischiefes But according to the condition of souldiers whose naturall disposition is to be violent without any regard either of sex or kindred committed daily outrages So that here you might haue seene the mothers weeping ouer their dying infants whiles their husbands were massacred in the streets by the seditious The increase of daies were the increase of torments and the daily want of such as were in power being vnaccustomed to such euils caused them to inuent new meanes to satisfie their desire and practise vnusuall torments for no other purpose but to finde out sustenance yea such was their insatiable thirst of bloud that they spared not him whom but now gaue them all hee had and least he should liue to cumber the city either hang him vp by the heeles till he died or else pulled out his entrailes with a sharpe yron Those that went out in the night time when the Romans were asleepe to gather herbes the seditious would meet and with violence take what they had got from them and though with teares and lamentations and prayers vpon their knees they intreated but for one part a small moitie of that which a little before they had got with danger of their liues yet they would not giue it them and scap't fairely if they went away with life These insolencies were committed by the common souldiers vpon such as were of the meaner sort of people But for the rest that were either honorable or rich they became a prey to the Captains and Commanders some accused as traitors and that they would haue betraied the Citie to the Romans others as fugitiues that they would forsake the Citie most vnder pretence of one crime or other dispoiled of that they had And they whom Iohn had thus oppressed were entertained of Simon and whom Simon had injuried they were entertained by Iohn both drunke the bloud of the miserable Citizens like water So that the desire of rule was the cause of their dissention the concord of their euill and cruell actions There was an infinite number that perished in this citie by famine insomuch as houses were filled with the bodies of infants and children The Angle gate was thrust full of dead corpes The young men that remained walked vp and downe the Citie like Images of death The old men were destroyed by the pestilence the contagion of which disease taking away their senses they became madde And of such as died among the seditious their wiues or kindred had not roome nor time to bury them but as they were putting them into the graue they also dyed Yet for all this amongst this miserable societie there was no weeping no complaining no deploring
day of Iuly the Iewes filled the Porch toward the West with pitch and betume and then made as though they meant to fly and leaue the citie which some of the Romans perceiuing without any command of their Captaines put scaling ladders to the Tower and began to assault it but when they were most busie the Iewes of a sudden put fire to the pitch and burnt them most miserably insomuch as Titus pittied them to see their extremitie although they were such as did contrary to his command Vpon the last day of this moneth they tooke the North gate which lay towards the rising of the Sunne and close by the brooke Cedron rhis they burnt downe with fire Vpon the third of August Titus commanded to fire the gate of the Temple that was all couered ouer with gold siluer by this gate the Romans made a breach into the Temple which ere this had beene prophaned by the Iewes whiles this gate was a burning the Iewes stood astonished and not one of them resisted the Romans Caesar and all his army labored three daies to quench this fire after which hee called a councell to determine what he should do with the temple it was so rich and sumptuous that he would faine haue left it as an ornament for the Roman Empire But the Iewes hauing got a little breathing made new incursions vpon the Romans by which meanes they could not determine thereof The 6 of August the souldiers of Titus without command of their Captaines fired the Temple just vpon that day which Nebuchadnezzar before time had destroyed it as Iosephus witnesseth li. de Bell. 6. c. 26.27 Caesar would faine haue saued this Temple for the sumptuousnesse of it and beckoned to his souldiers to haue quencht the fire but they partly prest on with a desire of wealth partly being prickt on with a fury and madnesse gaue no eare to his speeches but committed most cruell massacres without either regard of age or sex So that the cries of the slaughterd the sound of the Roman trumpets the fierce resistance of the seditious and the fire furiously burning represented a most horrible spectacle The ground below was couered with dead bodies many in desperation threw themselues into the fire 6000 were burnt in the same gate whither they fled for refuge and the priests most cruelly massacred as they were in the Temple This was the end of the Temple of Ierusalem the mirror of the world being consumed and spoiled with fire and sword After these things vpon the bridge that passeth from the temple ouer the valley into the lower towne Titus made a speech by an interpreter to the two seditious Captaines gently intreating them to leaue off their rebellion and he would spare the Citie and commit no more outrages and such further requests as they desired should according to reason be granted them but if they would not embrace mercy and cease their violent resistance they must expect no manner of compassion but the very law of Armes This they contemned and made but a mocke of Caesar for all his offers whereupon in a great rage hee gaue the signall to his souldiers and they went through all the City and set it on fire The next day they woon the lower Citie and with fire and sword consumed the place where the records lay the Court and all the Princely buildings vntill they came to that stately house of Helena which stood in the midst of Acra all the houses neere being filled with the bodies of the dead and the streets horribly defiled with the bloud of those that were slaine Within a short while after Iohannes Giscalinus was taken aliue and committed to prison The inferiour Citie being thus taken and destroyed about the 16 day of August Caesar began to build his engines and batter the walls of the vpper citie which within the space of 18 daies after with extreme labour and skill hee laid flat with the ground as Iosephus saith And vpon the 7 of September with great facilitie hee conquered the citie the Iewes of their owne accord descending from the Towers and the Romanes set vpon the walls their ensignes with a great acclamation and wasted all the citie with fire and sword sparing neither men women nor children The 8 day of the moneth of September the whole Citie was destroyed and not a stone left vpon a stone but laid leuell with the ground onely the three Towers that were built by Herod which were of shining Marble viz. Hippicus Phaselus and Mariamne that future ages seeing the excellencie of those buildings they might iudge of the statelines of the rest But these also were after destroyed by Adrianus Caesar There died by the famine and pestilence an innumerable number by fire and sword ten hundred thousand 2000 were found that either killed themselues or one killed another 7900 were taken captiues of these all the seditious theeues that accused one another were slaine by Frontonius Caesar Titus freed many 7000 were sent into Aegypt with extreme labour to consume and die the properest and most able were reserued for triumph many were distributed through the prouinces some were slaine by the sword and by beasts for publike spectacles and those that were 16 yeares of age and vnder together with many other Caesar sold vnder the crowne at thirty for a siluer penny that as Christ was sold for thirty pence so thirty of them should be sold for a penny With the riches of this towne Caesar triumphed rode into Rome with two golden Chariots built the Temple of Peace and there put all the plate which he found in the temple of Ierusalem After all this for a full determination of those euils the two seditious captaines Iohannes Giscalenus and Simon the son of Giora were put to most cruell deaths Thus may we see the grieuous punishment of the obstinat and ambitious which God permitted to fall vpon them for their vnthankfulnesse and cruell tyranny How the city of Ierusalem after this destruction by Titus Vespas was vtterly beaten downe and defaced by Aelius Adr. Caesar which he re-edifying called it after his own name Aelia THe city of Ierusalem being thus laid leuel with the ground for the space of sixty yeares lay desolate a receptacle for theeues and murtherers a fit place for Wolues and wilde beasts which resorted thither to feed vpon the dead bodies And now time consuming their flesh left their bones and skuls to lye vpon the earth as in a Charnell house Thus it continued vntill one Benchochab which signifies the Son of the Stars born in the towne of Bethcoron not farre from Emaus professed himselfe to be the Messiah or Christ The Iewes supposing this to be true because of that saying of Numb 24. There shall a Starre rise vp out of Iacob assembled themselues to the number of many thousands and followed him with great tyranny and crueltie spoyling the Holy Land and through all the countrey of Iudaea committing many outrages and massacres
25. and the inhabitants thereof Edomites or Idumaeans The typicall meaning of Esau ESau signifies a Factor and was so called from rednes The enemies of the church colouring themselues red with the blood of the godly For as Rebecca had in her wombe two sonnes that is Esau and Iacob one elected the other reprobated so in the Church there are found two sorts of people good and euill 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 faithfull children of God that hope through the mediation of our blessed Sauiour to be made heires of euerlasting happinesse and be crowned with him in his kingdome with the crowne of Glory So that here the saying of our Sauiour may be verified the first shall be last and the last shall be first for Esau was the eldest yet lost his birthwrite and Iacob was the youngest yet got the blessing Of the Trauels of the Patriarch Iuda IVda trauelled from Sichem where Iacob dwelt and went to the towne of Odulla some forty and foure miles where he was married to the daughter of one Chananei whose name was Schuah which signinifies A happy Sauiour by her he had two children in that place viz. Ger and Onan From thence hee went to Timnah to sheare his sheepe six miles and as hee turned aside out of the way hee committed incest with his daughter in law Thamer when shee was about 26 yeares of age Afterward hee went twice with his brethren into Aegypt to buy corne at Zoan where Ioseph at that time was for the famine was very great round about So that reckoning his journey twice two and againe it amounted to eight hundred twentie and two miles for Zoan was 208 miles from Hebron where Iacob and his sonnes dwelt Lastly he returned againe with his father and his brother into Aegypt two hundred and eight miles These things happened in the yeare of the world 1239. and before Christ 1729. The description of the Townes and places to which the Patriarch Iuda trauelled Of Odullam THis was a towne in the tribe of Iuda eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and signifies The testimonie of the poore being deriued of Ed which signifies a testimonie and Dallimo such as are called poore Here Dauid hid himselfe from the furie of Saul in a caue 1 Sam. 22. Ierom knew this towne 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 righteousnesse sake are glad with Dauid to seeke holes and caues to defend them from their wicked persecuters Of Thimnah THimnah is a Citie in the borders of the Tribe of Iudah and Dan scituated in mount Ephraim six miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest and signifieth a perfect and fully finished Citie being deriued from Thamam that is fully and absolutely finished for it was adorned with many very faire and spacious buildings set vp by Iosuah for in his time it was a faire and large Citie and at such time as the children of Israel invaded Canaan he had much adoe to win it Therefore the children of Israel for his great valour and to manifest their thankefulnesse towards him they gaue it to him and to his posterity for euer and here he lyeth bured Iosuah 24. Here Sampson married his wife and by the way killed the Lion mentioned in the 14 of Iudges This is â— type of the Church wherein Christ Iesus the true Iosuah is the head illuminating the same by the bright shining beames of his Gospell the lustre whereof hath gone throughout the whole World Of the Trauels of the Patriarch Ioseph WHen Ioseph was sent from Hebron by his father Iacob hee went to Sichem to seeke his brothers 60 miles Gen. 37. 2 From thence he went to Dothan foure miles where by his brothers he was throwne into a Pit and after sold to the Ishmalites Gen. 37. 3 From Dothan hee was carried to Tanis in Aegypt and there sold to Potipher Pharaohs chiefe 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 backe againe to Tanis and presented his father and brethren vnto Pharaoh Gen. 47. which is 28 miles 6 From thence hee went backe to Ony to see his father who now was sick vnto the death there receiuing his blessing he closed his eies which was 28 miles 7 From thence he returned backe againe to Tanis which is 28 miles 8 From Tanis he went backe to Ony with a great company of horses and chariots preparing an honourable funerall for his father Gen. 15. being 28 miles 9 From Ony he went to Atad which lies vpon the further side of Iordan toward the East which is 240 miles where hee made a great lamentation for the death of his father 7 daies Gen. 50. The reason why Ioseph went thus far about was because hee went with such a company towards Hebron that the Idumaeans through whose countrey he should haue gone would not suffer him to passe that way standing in feare of his power 10 From Atad he went to Hebron the Metropolis of the tribe of Iudah neere to which stood the double caue in the vaile of Mamre where Iacob was buried which was 40 miles Gen. 50. 11 From thence to Heliopolis a city of the Aegyptians where Ioseph set vp a stately Academy for all Aegypt which was accounted 200 miles 12 From thence he went to Tanis or Zoan which was the chiefe defence and Metropolitan citie of all Aegypt being accounted 6 miles So all the Trauels of the Patriarch Ioseph was 1962 miles A description of the places and cities through which Ioseph trauelled Of Dothan DOthan was a Citie in the tribe of Manasseth fortie and foure miles from Ierusalem towards the North distant six miles from Tiberias towards the West and signifies A commandement being deriued from Dothor Dathath that is he commandeth or ordaineth Here Ioseph was thrust into an emptie ditch and sold to the Ismaelites Gen. 37. Here Elias the Prophet being besieged by the Syrians shewed to his seruant the host of Angels that defended him with the Chariots of fire c. 2 Kings 16. Here Holiphernes was slaine who had pitched his tents against Bethulia for Dothan is a Citie which at this day remaineth at the foot of the Mount of Bethuell beeing scituated in a fertile and pleasant place compassed about with faire vines oliues 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 commeth but the earth indureth for euer Of Heliopolis or the Citie of the Sunne THis City is called by the Prophet Esay Ca. 19. Irheri which signifies The Citie of the Sunne and is deriued of Ir and
Cheres which signifies The brighnesse of the Sunne and is distant from Ierusalem 224 miles towards the Southwest six miles and a halfe from Zoan or Tanis This was a goodly Citie and in times past the Kings of Aegypt haue in that place kept their Courts and places of residence Here was a flourishing Academie wherein was taught Astronomie Cosmographie and many other liberall arts and sciences with great care and diligence but principally diuinitie as Munster saith being adorned with many benefits and priuiledges 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 studient of Athens who at such time as our Sauiour Christ was crucified at noone day the Moone then being in the full seeing the Sunne totally darkened said to this master Apollophan Either the God of nature suffereth or the fabricke of the world is dissolued The said Dionisius was afterward conuerted by the Apostle Paul in the citie of Athens Of Goraen Atad THis towne or corne floore was beyond Iordan not far from Bethabara 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southeast Here Ioseph and the rest of the Aegiptians bewailed the death of Iacob and tooke the name from thornes and briers that compassed it euery where about The interpretation or allegorie of the Patriarch Ioseph and of his life IOseph was a type of Christ diuers waies for as Iosephs coat being of diuers colours was dipped in the bloud of Goates so Christ being very God taking vpon him the humane nature and sprinkled with the bloud of his stripes and wounds being the lambe of God slaine for the sinnes of the world was also made changeable and of diuers colours Againe as Ioseph was sent by Iacob to seeke his brethren so Christ was sent by God his father to seeke the lost sheepe of Israel which according to the flesh were his brethren Mat. 15. And as the brethren of Ioseph were so great enemies to him that it was not possible for them to dissemble their hatred towards him but that both in words and deeds they must needs expresse their bitternesse enuie being the common companion of vertue so the Iewes the brethen of Christ to whom the knees of all things both in heauen in hell and in earth bow persecuting him with taunts mockes and stripes yea vnto death because he professed himselfe to be a good man and the sonne of the euerliuing God And as the Ismalites and Midianites to whom Ioseph was sold by Iudah was of the stocke of Ioseph the one being deriued from Ismael the sonne of Abraham by his maid Hagar the other of Midian the sonne of his second wife Keturah So Christ was sold by Iudas his disciple to the Iewes his kindred according to the flesh if you respect the nation The difference was in the price Ioseph the type being sold but for twenty pieces of siluer Christ the substance sold at thirtie The end of the booke of Genesis Of the Trauels of the Prophet Moses and the children of Israel out of Aegypt IN the yeare of the world 2412 and before Christ 1554 Moses being then about forty yeares old fled out of Aegypt into the land of Midian 180 miles where he married Ziporah the daughter of Riuel Exod. 3. 2 From thence he went to Mount Sinai or Horeb 64 miles Exod. 3.7 3 From mount Horeb he returned to Midian to his brother 65 miles Ex. 4. 4 From Midian he went to Thanis in Aegypt 180 miles Ex. 12.13 5 From thence he went with the children of Israel to Raemses 48 miles Ex. 12. 6 From Raemses he went to Succoth 8 miles Ex. 13. Num. 3◠7 From Succoth he went to the wildernesse of Etham eigh◠miles 8 From Etham hee came to Hahiroth which lyeth right against Baal-zephon 16 miles Num. 3. 9 From Hahiroth they passed through the middle of the red sea and trauelled three daies through the wildernesse of Etham resting themselues at Morah which is 40 miles There Mose◠threw a piece of wood into the water being bitter and presently it became sweet as soone as the wood was throwne in Exod. 15. Num. 33. 10 From Marah he went to Elim where there stood 12 wels of water and 70 palm trees which is 8 miles Ex. 16. Nu. 33. 11 From Elim they went toward the South 6 miles and rested themselues by the red sea Num. 33. 12 From the red sea they went to the wildernes of Zin where it rained Manna from heauen which is 16 miles Num. 32. 13 From the wildernesse of Zin they went to Daphca which is 12 miles Num. 33. 14 From Daphca they went to Alus which is twelue miles Num. 33 15 From Alus they went to Raphidim being 8 miles there Moses strook the rock and presently water issued forth Ex. 27. 16 From Raphidim they went to mount Sina which is eight miles there God gaue the Commandements Ex. 19 20. 17 From Sina they went to the Graves of Concupiscence because there the children of Israell murmured against God for flesh lo it rained Quails into the camp which is 8 miles Nu. 11 18 From the Graues of Concupiscence they went to Hazeroth which is 8 miles there Miriam Moses sister was strook with leprosie Num. 12. 19 From thence they went to Rithma which is eight miles Num. 33. 20 From Rithma they went to Rimon-Parets which is sixe miles Num. 33. 21 From Rimon-Parets they went to Libanon which is sixe miles 22 From Libanon they went to Rissa which is 6 miles Nu. 33 23 From Rissa they went to Kehelatha 6 miles Num. 33. 24 From Kehelatha they went to the hil of Sephar which is 4 miles 25 From the hill of Sephar they went to Harada four miles and a halfe Num. 33. 26 From Harada they went to Maceheloth 4 miles Nu. 33. 27 From Maceheloth they went to Thahath 4 miles Nu. 33. 28 From Thahath they went to Thara 4 miles Nu. 33. 29 From Thara they went to Mithka 4 miles Num. 33. 30 From Mithka they went to Casmona 8 miles Nu. 33. 31 From Casmona they went to Moseroth 32 miles Nu. 33 32 From Moseroth they went to Bneiaëcon 24 miles 33 From Bneiaëcon they went to mount Gidgad twentie miles 34 From mount Gidgad they went to Iotbatha 24 miles Num. 33. 35 From Iotbotha they went to Ebrona 20 miles Nu. 33. 36 From Ebrona they went to Eziongaber 28 miles 37 From Eziongaber they went to the Wildernesse of Zin-Kades 48 miles 38 From Zin-Kades they went to mount Hor as God commanded 48 miles where Aaron died 39 From mount Hor they went to Salmona 28 miles 40 From Salmona they went to the town of Phunon twenty miles 41 From Phunon they went to Oboth 24 miles 42 From Oboth they went to Igim vpon the hill Abarim 16 miles 43 From Igim they went to Dibon Gad 16 miles there is the water Sarum Num. 31.33 44 From Dibon Gad they went to Almon Diblathaim 16 miles Num. 33.
Ierusalem she returned backe again which was 964 miles So all her trauels were 1928 miles Of Aethiopia THis Countrey by the Hebrewes is called Chus of Chus the son of Cham who was the son of Noah and after Aethiopia ab astu torrida because of the great heate wherewith oftentimes the habitable land and people as also the wildernesse were sorely scorched and burned for it is scituated in the third part of the world called Africa lying vnder the torrid Zone and the Aequator which two by common experience are found to bee extreme hot Of Saba SAba is a metropolitan city in Ethiopia lying beyond Egypt 846 miles from Ierusalem towards the South and tooke the name from a certain pretious stone called Achates wherin might plainly be discerned in certain distinct colors the rising of fountains the chanels of riuers high mountains and somtimes of chariots and horses drawing them It is reported That Pyrrhus King of the Epirots had one of them wherein was liuely represented the nine Muses and Apollo playing on the Viol portrayed by naturall staines and colours so artificially as if they had bin don by some curious workman Of this stone you may reade more in Pliny li. 37. ca. 1.10 It was first found in Achates a riuer of Sicilia whence it tooke the name Afterward in India and Phrygia and of the Hebrewes was called Schaeba or Saba In this city that Queen dwelt who came to heare Solomons wisedom and gaue him for a present 120 talents of pure gold which at 3 pounds an ounce comes to 270000 pounds sterling Afterwards Cambyses King of Persia ouercame it and all the country round about it and after his sisters name called it Meroës It is a stately city to this day scituated in a plain country and compassed about with the riuer Nilus like an Island being now called Elsaba hauing some affinitie to the antient name Saba The Inhabitants of this towne goe naked all but their priuy parts which they couer either with Silke Cotton or some more costly matter and are of a blacke colour which as some thinke hapneth by reason of the extreme heat The land also is maruellously scortched and turned in many places to sand and dust So that the country is thereby wonderfull barren About Meroes or Saba which is made fruitful by the inundation of Nilus there is found plenty of salt brasse yron and some pretious stones Their sheep goats oxen and other cattell are of lesse stature than in other Countries Their dogs are very fierce and cruell In times past there were mighty princes that had the gouernement and command of it and the Country round about it But after as Pliny saith lib. 6. cap. 29. it was in the jurisdiction and gouernment of Queenes who for their noble resolutions courage were called Candaces One of which name in Tiberius the Emperours time was famous both for the extent of her dominions in which she exceeded all the rest of her predecessors as also in regard of her manly presence and noble spirit The Eunuch which Philip baptised Acts 8. was Treasurer or Chamberlain to this Queene and it is to be thought By him the doctrine of the Gospell of Christ was first made knowne in Saba and in the countrey of Aethiopia which afterwards was more largely propagated and dispersed by the Evangelist S. Mathew who taught there This city lieth to the longitude of 61 degrees and 30 scruples in the eleuation of the Pole Artick to the latitude 16 degrees and 25 scruples So that it seemes the inhabitants haue two winters two summers or rather a continual summer because their winter is much hotter than our summer But when the Sunne attaineth to the 15 degree of Taurus and Leo and in the Dog daies it then lies perpendicular ouer that country and neither their bodies nor houses giue any shadowes In the 61 of Esay it is said They shall come from Saba and bring gold frankincense to praise the Lord. From whence some some haue concluded That those wise men which came vnto the childe Iesus and brought Gold Frankincense and Myrrh were Aethiopians and came thence But this agreeth not well with the words of Mathew ca. 2. where it is written That the wise men came out of the East that is from the rising of the Sun to Ierusalem For Saba according to our Sauiors words Mat. 12. lieth towards the South for he saith The Queen of the South that is of Saba shall come forth in the day of Iudgement against this generation and condemne it for she came from the end of the world to heare the wisedome of Solomon c. But if Saba lie vpon the South as here it plainely appeareth then it must needs follow they came not thence but rather from Persia which from Ierusalem lies Eastward For at Susa the metropolis of that country there was an Academy for the whole kingdom in which were chiefly studied Diuinity the Mathematickes and History So that it is likely by their Art they might attain to the knowledge of this diuine Mysterie and from thence come to Ierusalem which was 520 miles Eastward Therfore this place of the Prophet Esay is rather to be referred to the propagation of the church through the whole world where some of euery nation shall bring presents vnto the Lord. There is also another Saba in Arabia Foelix so called from Zaeba the son of Chus the son of Cham the sonne of Noah and it is distant from Ierusalem 1248 miles toward the Southeast In Hebrew it signifies the city of Drunkennesse or of Mirth but with the Syrians Antiquitie Some would haue it in the Arabian tongue to signifie a Mysterie But S. Ierom interprets it To sound their conuersion It is the metropolitan City of Arabia Foelix and by Strabo lib. 6. called Meriaba being scituated in a high and pleasant mountain full of fruitfull trees There inhabiteth in it the King of that countrey a mightie Prince his Gouernors and most of such as haue authority vnder him The land is called the Kingdome of the Sabaeans but generally Arabia Foelix because of the fertilitie of the place for it yeeldeth twice euery yeare great plenty of Frankincense Myrrh Cinnamon Balsam and other odoriferous herbs The tree out of which this Myrrh commeth is fiue cubits high hairy and full of prickles and when you cut the barke there commeth forth a bitter gumme wherewith if you anoint a dead body it will continue long without rotting The frankincense also that is found there droppeth from Cedar trees like a glewie substance and so congealeth into a Gum. This happeneth twice euery yeare and according vnto the season it changeth colour in the Spring it is red in the Summer white This is the best Frankincense in all Arabia Foelix Through the whole country there is a very delectable smell by reason of the Myrrh Frankincense and Cinnamon that is found in it insomuch that if the winde blowes amongst the trees it
West and signifieth a Royall or loftie gift The Trauels of Baesa King of Israel BAesa is as much to say as An industrous and promt man in doing any thing This may hauing slaine his Master Nadab neere vnto Gibithon vsurped vpon the Kingdome of Israel about the end of the third yearo of Asa King of Iuda and began his raigne Anno mundi 2992 before Christ 974 and raigned ouer Israel almost 24 yeares two of which he raigned with his sonne 1 Reg. 15. He went from Gibithon to Thirza 36 miles where hee vtterly rooted out the whole stocke and family of Ieroboam After falling into Idolatrie he was sharply reprehended for it by Iehu the Prophet the son of Hanani of whom you may reade more 1 Reg. 15. From Thirza he went to Ramah which is 16 miles this towne he built and fortified it very strongly 2 Chr. 29. But when he heard that Benhadad King of Syria had inuaded Israel hee left his building at Ramah and with all possible speed that hee could went to Thirza where hee died and was buried 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr. 16. So all the Trauels of Baesa were 68 miles Of Ramah Of this Citie you may reade before Of Ella or Elah King of Israel ELah signifies a cruell man This was the son of Baasha King of Israel who was crowned King his father yet liuing about the beginning of the 26 yeare of Asa king of Iuda at such time as Benhadad king of Syria inuaded and wasted Galilee He raigned two yeares one of them during the life of his father the other alone in Thirza at the end of which hee was slaine by Simri his seruant 1 Reg. 15. 16. Of Zimri King of Israel SImri signifieth a singer and was a captain ouer king Elahs chariots hee raigned 7 daies in Thirza in which time he put to death and vtterly rooted out all the posteritie of Baasha and then Omri besieged the Citie so straitly that he had no hope to escape wherefore he set the citie and pallace on fire in which he also perished 1 Reg. 15. 16. The Trauels of Omri King of Israel OMri signifieth a souldier or one that deserueth his pay He was made King by the Israelites in his tent while he was at wars neere to Gibithon from whence he went to Thirza which was 36 miles and besieged the same vpon the very day that Simri had put the posteritie of Baasha to the sword and took it He began to raigne in Thirza Anno mundi 3017 and before Christ 951 and raigned ouer Israel 12 yeres the first six of which was in Thirza the 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 kingdome He went thither about the seuenth yeare of his raigne 1 Reg. 16. So these two journies were 42 miles Of Samaria SAmaria the chiefe 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 mountaine of whom K. Omri bought it for two talents of siluer which amounteth to 1200 crownes In this citie 14 Kings of Israel kept their Courts viz. Omri who was the first founder of it Ahab Ahasia Iehoram Iehu Ioachas Ioas Ieroboam Zacharias Sallum Menahem Pekahia Pekah and Hosea who was the last of the Kings of Israel that raigned in this citie and lost it together with his libertie Of all these Kings there were but fiue that died naturally for the Lord being moued to wrath by reason of their impietie and idolatrie either gaue them vp into the hands of forrein enemies or by ciuill war amongst themselues they cruelly murthered one another vntill such time as the Assirians destroied the land and led the people captiue Thus the Lord punished with a sharp and seuere punishment this obstinat nation because they contemned the admonitions and doctrines of the Prophets amongst which Elias and Elizeus were the chiefe So that although Samaria was a faire and beautifull city and the country for that cause was called the prouince of Samaria yet notwithstanding that great God the Iudge of all things for the iniquitie of the people caused this faire Citie to be left desolate the inhabitants of the land to be dispersed and the earth for want of due vsage to lie as a wildernesse 2 Reg. 17. This city in the old Testament according to the Hebrew phrase is called Shaemaer of Schomron which signifies To keepe or a Tower of strength You may reade of this 1 Reg. 2. 2 Reg. 1. 7. The Greekes and Latines call it Samaria which signifieth The castle of Iehouah or of God You may reade more of this in the second Volume Of Hiel that built Iericho againe AFter the death of Omri King of Israel when Ahab his sonne began to raigne Hiel a very rich man in the town of Bethel that hee might leaue behind him an eternall memorie of his name went to Iericho which had bin formerly destroied by Ioshuah the son of Nun had lien wast for the space of 536 yeres where contrary to the commandement of the Lord and curse of Ioshuah he caused the said citie to be rebuilt such was the impious securitie and incredulitie of this man but the Lord was angry with him and he strooke all his children that they died The eldest son called Abiram at the laying of the foundation and his yongest sonne called Segub at the hanging on of the gates Ios 6. 1 Reg. 16. The Trauels of King Ahab AHab went from Samaria to the hill Carmel where Elias put to death the Priests of Baal which was about 32 miles 1 Reg. 18. From thence he went to Iezreel which is sixteene miles there he told his wife how Elias had put the priests of Baal to the sword 1 Reg. 18. From Iezreel he went againe to Samaria 18 miles where being prest with a hard siege by Benhadad King of Syria he broke out of the citie for his better safety and by Gods great prouidence and assistance he assailed the Syrians put a great multitude of them to the sword the rest fled and hee 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 Napheck which was 14 miles where he renewed a second battell and therein had good successe so that hee tooke Benhadad aliue and put to the sword 100000 Syrians In this place the Prophet of the Lord reproued him for his ingratitude and obstinacie wherefore Ahab being angry he went from Apheck to Samaria which was eight miles 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went io Iesreel 16 miles where that perfidious Queene Iesabel caused Naboth to be put to death and tooke possession of his Vineyard 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he went to Ramoth Giliad 24 miles and there in a fight that hee had against the Syrians was so sore-wounded with an arrow
country or city which is not sufficiently knowne vnto thee search this alphabeticall Table here following and thou shalt finde the whole matter declared vnto thee An alphabeticall Table of all the Countries and Cities mentioned in the Prophets A ABARIM that is a bridge or a passage ouer It was a mountain of the Moabits where the Israelites pitched their tents Num. 33. ACHOR the valley of Trouble Here Achan was stoned to death for his theeuery It stood not farre from Gilgal toward the North 12 miles from Ierusalem Ios 7. Isa 6. ADAMA Red earth This was one of the cities that were destroied with fire and brimstone from heauen AI Hilly This city Ioshuah burnt with fire It lay 8 miles from Ierusalem Northward Ios 8. AIATH Idem Esa 10. AR or ARI a Lion It was a city of the Moabits lying beyond Iordan in the tribe of Benjamin called Ariopolis scituated vpon the banke of the riuer 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 chiefe city of which country is Damascus Pliny lib. 6.17 saith The Scythians were also in antient times called Aramites ARNON a famous riuer 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 ioy AROER by vsurpation an Ewe tree This is a city of the Moabits neere to the riuer Arnon in the tribe of Gad beyond Iordan 24 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Ier. 40. There is another citie so called neere 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 greatnesse Esa 10. But where it is scituated it is vncertain ARVAD was a part of the land of Canaan so called of Aruad the son of Canaan Gen. 10. ASCANES or Tuiscones are a people descended of Ascenitz the son of Gomer the son of Iaphet which sometimes dwelt in Armenia but now haue 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 Dauid killed Goliah It stood 8 miles from Ierusalem Westward ASSVR or ASSYRIA a blessed country being so called of Assur the son of Sem. AVEN Iniquity Bethel was so called after Ieroboam had there set vp a golden Calfe Hos 10. B BABEL Confusion Babylon is the metropolitan city of Chaldaea 280 miles from Ierusalem Eastward BATH Domesticall It was a town of the Moabits in the Tribe of Reuben beyond Iordan Esa 16. BAZRA a grape-gathering It was a city of the Edomites scituaâ—â—d vpon the banke of Iordan on the farther side neere to Bethabara 20 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward Esa 24.36 Ier. 48. Note here that the country of the Moabits in times past was subiect to the Edomits and then this city was in their jurisdiction but after the Moabits got it into their hands again and held it It was one of the six towns of refuge mentioned Ios 29. BEROTHAI a Cypres tree This towne stood neere Hemath or Antiochia 280 miles from Ierusalem Northward Ezek. 49. In this city Dauid King of Israel tooke Hadadesar King of Zoba or Sophena and constrained him to giue him a great deal of Brasse as it is thought yearely for tribute for neere that city were many brasse mines BETHAVIN the house of iniquity Bethel was so called Hos 6. It stood 8 miles from Ierusalem Northward BETH-CHaeREM the house of the Vines It was a towne not far from Ierusalem Northward Ier. 6. BETH-DIBLATHAIM the house of dried Figs. It was a city of the Moabits Ier. 48. BETHIESIMOTH the house of desolations It was also a city of the Moabits beyond Iordan in the tribe of Reuben Ios 13. Ezech. 25.20 miles from Ierusalem BETH-GAMVL the house of Restitution This was a city of the Moabits Ier. 48. BETH-BAALMEON the house of habitation for the idol Baal It was a city of the Moabits 24 miles from Ierusalem Eastward not far from Aroer Ezek. 25. 1 Chr. 5. BVTZ a Castle of prey It was a city of the Ismaelites in Arabia Petraea 80 miles from Ierusalem Southwestward Ier. 25. BEL and NEOB two idols of the Babylonians Esa 45. Bel signifieth the god of mixture or confusion Neob the god of prophecie C CALNO his perfection This is Seleucia scituated vpoa Tygris beyond Babylon 316 miles from Ierusalem Eastward It is now called Bagdeth Gen. 10. Esay 2. CANNE a firme foundation It was a city of the Syrians Ezek. cap. 27. CAPHIHOR a little Sphere or around globe like vnto a Globe or pomegranat Also Cappadocia a countrey of Asia the lesse 600 miles from Ierusalem Northward CARCHEMIS a sacrificed Lambe This was scituated too neer Euphrates in Syria 400 miles from Ierusalem Northward Ierem. cap. 25. D DEEDAN a city of the Idumaeans so called of Dedan the son of Esau Ier. 25. Isa 21. DIBON a mist This was a City of the Moabites neere Hesbon in the tribe of Reuben 28 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward DIBLATH a bunch of Figs. It was a city in the tribe of Nepthali neere to the lake of Samoconites 80 miles from Ierusalem Northward Ezek. 6. Here Zedekiah had his eies put out 2 Kin. 25 Ier. 39.52 DIMON Bloudy This is a city in the tribe of Reuben which as S. Ierom saith is 28 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward DVMA Silence A city of the Israelites so called of Duma the son of Ismael It stood in Arabia Petraea 80 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest Esay 25.21 E EGBATHANA the metropolitan city of the Medes distant from Ierusalem 1136 miles Northeastward EDEN Pleasure A city of Syria scituated neer Euphrates 400 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward Esay 7. This is thought to haue been a part of Paradice EGLAIM a roud Drop It was a town of the Moabites Esay 15.16 ELAM a Yong man so called of Elem the son of Sem Esa 10.21 After Perseus had got in this country a great gouernment he called it after his own name Persia ELEALE the ascention of God It was a city beyond Iordan in the tribe of Reuben between Iacza and Hehbon 26 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward Num. 32. ELIM a Hart. This was a lake so called in the land of the Moabits Esa 10. ELISA the Lambe of God So were the Aeolians called in Grecia of Elysa the son of Iavan the son of Iaphet Ezek. 7. Gen. 10. ENAGLAIM the fountaine of Calves It was a towne or Castle neere to the Red sea Ezek. 10. EPHA the land of Obscuritie It was a part of Arabia Petraea so called of Epha the sonne of Midian the sonne of Abraham Gen. 25. Esa 60. G GEBIM a Ditch This was a town in the tribe of Iuda Esa 10. GEBAH a hill
that went into exile for he was born about such time as Romulus and Remus were born which was An. mun 3200. and before Christ 798 Tob. 1. About the 30 yeare of his age he went from Niniveh 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 hee lent by Gabel by bond 10 talents of siluer which amounts in our mony at v. s. vi d. the ounce to 2062 li. and 10 s. or thereabouts From Rages he returned backe againe to Niniveh 752 miles So all his trauels were 2104 miles The Trauels of the Angell Raphel and yong Tobias IN the yeare before Christ 708 the Archangell Raphel went from Niniveh to Rages in Media with Tobias the yonger being 752 miles From Rages in Media they returned backe again to Niniveh 752 miles So these journies were 1504 miles ¶ The description of the places mentioned in their trauels Of Nepthaly THis was the chiefe city of the tribe of Nepthaly 84 miles from Ierusalem toward the North. It stood in Galile and in times past was a strong town here Tobias the elder was born It is to be seene 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 vpon the West side that it is impossible to ascend vpon it In a valley some two miles from this towne towards the South Naason spoken of in the first Chapter of Toby is scituated Vpon the left side whereof there stood a towne called Sophet but now there is nothing to be seene 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 vpon a high mountaine fortified very strongly both by art and nature and standeth within a mile of Nepthaly Southwestward At such time as Iosephus that great Historiographer who was the sonne of Matthia of Marathia a Priest of the Iewes was chosen chiefe Commander of the tribe of Nepthaly he gathered an army of 100000 and fortified this castle Nepthaly and many other townes thereabouts continuing a long and sharp war against the Romans vntill Nepthaly was taken and he constrained to yeeld himselfe captiue In the taking in of which town Titus the son of Vespasian did first ascend the walls there made manifest his noble resolution and valor Vid. Ios de bell Iud. lib. 3 4. Of Rages a city of the Medes RAges is so called of a great Congregation being deriued of Ragasch that is He hath assembled a great company for it was a very populous city It was also called as Strab. li. 11. Cosmograp saith Rahga but after being rebuilt and fortified by Nicanor it was by him called Europus beeing distant from Ierusalem 1396 miles toward the Northeast The Persians call it Arsacia S. Ierom de Trad. Hebr. would haue 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 Ninive 188 miles Westward There are diuers others that haue wrot of this town of Edissa but that this and Rages should be both one I canot see how to agree with Toby for that hee himselfe hath set it down to stand in Media and the Cities of the Medes lie distant from Ierusalem 1396 miles Therefore gentle Reader I referre it to thy better consideration Of Iesus the sonne of Syrach SYrach signifies an Illustrous Prince being deriued of Sarach he hath shined forth he was of that noble family of Dauid that is the son of Syrach the son of Iesu cousin german to Amos Syrach who as Philo saith was the chiefe prince and captain of the children of Israel in the time of Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Egypt is inserted into the genealogie of Christ Luke 3. He was born 230 years before Christ in the city Ierusalem from whence about the 38 yeare of his age he went to Alexandria a city of Egypt 288 miles Evergetes Ptolomais the sonne of Philadelphus being then King of that countrey where he gathered out of that flourishing Library set vp at the charge of Ptolomais Philadelphus his booke of Ecclesiasticus as bees from diuers floures gather sweet hony Of the great city Alexandria ALexandria was a city of Egypt distant from Ierusalem 288 miles Westward in antient time called No that is a Hinderance But Alexander the Great taking affection to this city in the yere 330 before Christ began to build it for by continuance of time it was much decayed and within the space of 17 dayes made it a goodly city much greater than it was before to which that he might adde the greater grace he called it after his owne name Alexandria and there he lieth buried after hee had gouerned the empire of the Grecians 7 yeares For although he died in Babylon the chiefe city of the Chaldaeans yet Ptolomais one of his chiefe Princes remoued 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 vpon the Mediterranian sea and to the South vpon the poole of Mareridis as Strabo saith lib. 17. It was ten miles about strongly fortified with walls beautified with goodly buildings scituated in a very fruitfull countrey And to giue a greater delight vnto the inhabitants without the Walls there stood many goodly Orchards and Gardens plentifully furnished with fruits and floures of diuers kindes as Pomecitrons Figges c. During the time of Ptolomais Philadelphus it was a famous and flourishing city for this Prince being a great louer of learning instituted an Academy as it is thought in it and added thereto a stately library wherin were 400000 Bookes The same whereof beeing published through the world many people of diuers Nations resorted thither to see it Then Eleazer also the high-priest of the Iews at the request of Ptolemais sent 72 Interpreters to translate the Bible out of Hebrew into Greeke which was as Eusebius obserueth in the third yeare 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 smarages and other pretious stones two stately cups and 30 boules of pure gold as appeareth in Iosep lib. Antiq. 12. The Academy continued there till after Christs time as you may reade Acts 6. But the Library was consumed 47 yeares before Christ and the city greatly defaced For Iulius Caesar at that time making war with Pompey the yonger 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 tooke hold of it and burnt it downe to the ground with all that was in it and defaced also a great part of the city Iosephus writing of this city compares it
from one man that is Christ Iesus For as by the first Adam sin came into the world and by sin death and damnation so by the second Adam that sinne is pardoned and man made partaker of eternall happinesse And that these things might be the more apparant vnto thee I haue described the Townes Cities and places mentioned in their seuerall Trauels both what they were in former times and what they are at this present That so by the due consideration of both thou mightst obserue the mutation and change of estates since through the revolution of times those things which seeme most permanent haue within the compasse of a few yeares beene subuerted and the ruines of those Cities which haue been greatest left to make euident lamentable examples of vast and vnheard of destructions from whence such as haue any small knowledg of the Spirit may draw such comfortable resolutions that neither pouerty can subuert them nor riches and honor exalt them but according to S. Iames ca. 1. They may possesse themselues in peace since neither the prosperitie of the world is permanent nor the aduersitie thereof intolerable The knowledge of both which how soeuer to some it may seeme ridiculous yet to such as are at all touched with the sence of worldly affaires it cannot chuse but take a deep impression and draw them thence to the knowledge of Christ Iesus and of his doctrine To which end and for which purpose I haue principally endeauored to publish this Treatise that so comparing the estate of man in this present world with the estate of grace in the world to come they might perceiue the impotencie of the one and the permanencie of the other and from both draw immoueable Axiomes That there can be no saluation where there is no humilitie nor no prosperity where there is not a knowledge of Christ Iesus in his humanitie and thence gather That the afflictions of this world to which hee is most subiect through the whole course of his life is the ready means to honor and immortal glory But that these things may the better appeare vnto thee I will endeauor to lay before thee the beginning and so farre as the holy Scripture leads mee the ending of our Sauiour From whence thou mayst draw such comfortable resolutions that in what estate soeuer thou art whether in prosperitie or aduersitie thou mayst therewith rest content c. Of Zacharias the father of Iohn Baptist ZAcharias or Zachariahu signifies Gods remembrance This man was the father of Iohn the Baptist being a Priest of the Tribe of Aaron and dwelling at a Towne called Abia of which you may reade 1 Chr. 24. There were three famous men of this name as Basilius saith One that was a Prophet of the Lord and liued 520 yeares before the birth of Christ Zachar. 1. And another that was the sonne of Iehoiada the high-Priest who at the command of that ingrateful King Ioas was stoned to death in the vpper Court of the Temple 2 Chr. 24. And a third which was this Zacharias the father of Iohn Baptist and son of Barachias that is The Blessed who according to the opinion of Basil was slain for no other cause but for saying that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary This man had to wife Elizabeth of the posteritie of the high-Priest Aaron and by her had a son called Iohn so 〈◊〉 of the Lord who was afterward called Iohn the Baptist Elizabeth signifies The Rest of God being deriued of Eli and Scabbath that is The Rest and Sabbath of the Lord. The inhabitants of the Holy land take vpon them euen to this day to shew the house where Zacharias Elizabeth dwelt in a town that standeth on the right hand of the way as you go from Emmaus to Ierusalem But saint Luke ca. 1. saith That Zacharias dwelt not in a town or field but i◠the city of Iudah which was scituated in the mountain of Iudah Risnerus and Iohannes Hedenus write That Zacharias dwelt in Ierusalem in that part of the city scituated vpon mount Bezetha as in the first booke of the description of Ierusalem hath bin declared And this seemeth to be verified out of Nehemia cap. 3. Yet there are some of opinion that hee dwelt at Hebron because that was the chiefe city of the tribe of Iuda and a town of the Priests The Trauels of the Virgin Mary MAry if it be deriued of Marah signifieth such a person as is oppressed with carefulnesse and griefe one that is layd open to all miserie and calamity prest with continual vexation and mourning She was born vpon the 8 day of September 14 yeares before the birth of Christ and in the fifteenth of her age brought forth her only begotten son according to S. Hierome and others Her fathers name was Eliakim of the house of Dauid Vpon the fiue and twentieth day of March in the same yeare that our Sauior Christ was born Mary being then 14 yeares old and the Angel Gabriel declared vnto her the embassie of the Conception of our Lord Iesus Christ A little after about the beginning of April an M. 3967 she went from Nazareth in great haste ouer the hils to Ierusalem 64 miles to the house of Zacharias and there saluted her cousin Elizabeth Luk. 1. From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was 64 miles And when the command came out from Augustus that all the world should be taxed then Ioseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem 72 miles and there the time of Maries deleuerance drew neere and lo she bare the Son of the liuing God our Lord and Sauior Christ Luke 2. From Bethlehem Ioseph and Mary brought the childe Iesus to Ierusalem and presented him in the Temple which was 6 miles Luke 2. And when they had accomplished all things according to the Law they returned backe again to Nazareth a towne in Galilee 64 miles From Nazareth they went backe again to Bethlem 72 miles Thither the Wise men comming out of the East brought the childe Iesus Gold Frankincense and Myrrh Mat. 2. From Bethlehem the same night that Herod caused all the infants of two yeares old and vnder to be slain Ioseph and Mary fled with the childe Iesus to Hermopolis a city in Egypt which was 296 miles Mat. 2. Zozom lib. 6. From thence they returned back again with the child Iesus to Nazareth 368 miles for they were greatly afraid lest Archilaus who succeeded his father Herod in the gouerment of the Iews would seeke the childes life Mat. 2. From Nazareth Ioseph and Mary came euery yere to Ierusalem which was 64 miles to the feast of the Passeouer and so many miles backe againe which for ten yeares continuance came to 1280 miles When Christ was twelue yeares of age and at the beginning of the thirteenth he went with his parents from Nazareth to the feast of the Passeouer which was 64 miles Luke 2. And when the daies of the feast of the Passeouer were
was borne and That Marie his mother was a Virgin Matt. 33. Wherefore Elizabeth the wife to Zacharias fearing the cruelty of Herod and of the Pharises about that time when the young infants of the Bethlehemites were slaine shee fled from Ierusalem to Apumim as Nicephorus faith which was scituated in the wildernesse betweene Iericho and Ierusalem where she priuatly brought vp her sonne which was 32 miles In the 39 yeare of the natiuitie of Christ and vpon the 24 day of Iune Iohn the Baptist being then 30 yeares of age by the commandement of the Lord tooke vpon him the ministerie for it was not lawfull for any to enter into that function before they were thirtie yeares of age Numb 4. Wherefore vpon the eight and twentieth day of September it being then the feast of the Tabernacles and about the middle of the last weeke spoken of by Daniel Hee went from Adumim to Bethabara where hee tooke vpon him the Ministerie of the New Testament Hannas the chiefe Priest being then newly entred into that office Luke 2. which was about foure miles and within a short time after that is vpon the seuenth day of October beeing then the feast of Expiation our Lord and Sauiour Iesuis Christ was baptised when hee was fully thirtie yeares of age Luke 3 Matthew 3. Iohn 1. In the yeare following which was the one and thirtieth yeare of the Natiuitie of Christ a little before the feast of Easter the Synedrion of Ierusalem sent messengers vnto Iohn hee then remaining at Bethabara to know whether hee was the Christ or Elias or some other Prophet Iohn the first Vpon the eighteenth day of September the same yeare Iohn entred vpon the second yeare of his ministerie About which time Caiphas began to enter vpon the office of the high Priest and the Sadduces and Pharises to persecute Iohn Baptist Wherefore he departed from Bethabara and went to Aenon a Citie in Galile which was 24 miles After that Iohn had preached publikely and freely by the space of a whole yeare and two moneths about the moneth of December and the end of the first yeare of the Ministrie of our Sauiour by the commandement of Herod hee was taken and led prisoner from Aenon to the Tower of Macheruntes which was 28 miles where he remained vntill his death So all his Trauels were 88 miles Of the townes and places to which he trauelled Of Adumim ADumim or Adummim as it is in Ioshua ca. 15. was a Tower twelue miles from Ierusalem towards the East scituated in the wildernesse that is betweene 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 poore man that Christ mentioned Luk. 10. fell amongst theeues and here Eliah continued when he was fed by the Rauens aad dranke the water of the riuer Cherith 1 King 17. which was a notable type of Iohn the Baptist who liued in a caue in this place This caue stood close by the Garden of Engedi where in former times the Academie and Schoole of the Prophets Eliah and Elisha was kept here the Esseis which was a Sact amongst the Iewes also continued who led a Monasticall kinde of life and gaue themselues wholly to prayers and good workes vnder whose discipline and instruction Iohn was brought vp Mathesius wisely obserues that of all other the Esseies would neuer oppose Christ but were a people that liued chastly and honestly according to the custome of the Nazarites with all diligence reading the Scriptures and auoiding idlenesse as a great temptation of the diuell giuing themselues principally to the studie of Phisicke After rhis sort was Iohn brought vp Of Bethabara THis was a towne scituated vpon the East side of the riuer Iordan 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the East where there was either a Bridge or a ferry to passe ouer Iordan from whence this place was called Bethabara being deriued of Baith a house and Abarah a passage Wherefore at a certaine time there being assembled in this place a great concourse and congregation of people Iohn did first enter vpon the ministerie of the New Testament and taught the people the Doctrine of Repentance and Baptisme Here Elias the Thesbite who was a type of Iohn the Baptist was taken vp into heauen in a fierie Chariot Here Iohn spoke with the messengers that came to inquire Whither he was the Christ or not to whom hee answered that hee was neither Elias nor a prophet of the Old Testament but the voice of a crier in the wildernesse Io. 4. Is 40. And in the same place where the Priests stood with the Arke of the couenant whiles Ioshua and the children of Israel passed ouer Iordan Iohn baptised Christ the true Arke of the Couenant of the Throne of grace Iosh 3.4 Mat. 4. Luke 3. Heb. 9. Of Aenon THis towne stood vpon the West side of the riuer of Iordan 42 miles from Ierusalem Northward a little on this side of the sea of Tiberias neere the mouth of the riuer Iaboch where it falleth into Iordan in which place was great aboundance 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 towne was called Aenon of Ain which signifies an Eye and a fountaine that springeth as it were from an Eye Of Macherus or Macharuntes MAcherus was a towne of Peraea beyond Iordan 20 miles from Ierusalem towards the East scituated in a high mountaine being deriued Macherah that is A Sword This was one of the chief castles of Herod Antipas who obtained the chiefe command in the citie 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 remoued his bones reliques to Sebasten that is Samaria where they were the second time buried with great honor and reuerence Afterward as Nicephorus and Theodor saith his bones were taken vp againe by Iulian the Apostata and burnt There are many other things that are written concerning his reliques which because of the vncertainty of them I omit to speak of and will proceed to a further description of this citie Alexander King of the Iewes first built and fortified it and then making warre against Aristobulus it hapned to be destroied by Gabinus one of his Captaines and so continued desolate till Herods time who rebuilt the towne and the castle and fortified it with strong walls and high towers euen a hundred and sixtie cubits in height so that a man could scarce see to the top of it But that God might reuenge the bloud of his Saints at such time as Ierusalem and the Holy land was left desolate Lucius Bassus a noble Roman came to this citie and besieged it during which siege Bassus tooke a certaine young man which was a Prince of
of the raritie of them transported thence into many countries more remote But because of their extreame arrogancie 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 warre vpon this Citie was because the citizens vpon a time sending vnto him certaine Embassadors with a crowne of gold in token of friendship and to congratulate his prosperitie which he accepted very kindely and gaue them royall entertainment as to his friends amongst other things hee told them that hee would come vnto their Citie and doe 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 hee was commanded by an Oracle so to do But the Embassadors of Tyre answered that the Temple of Hercules stood without the citie in Paaetzron where ancient Tyre stood so that the King might easily come thither to doe sacrifice but Alexander hearing these words could not containe himselfe but in a great anger answered And doe yee proud Citizens put such trust in the strength and scituation of your Citie that you thinke I am not able to come to it with my Army by land You shall well perceiue within this short space that you are scituated vpon the continent and that I will enter it and sacke it With these terrible words the Embassadors departed and shortly after Alexander followed them with a great and mightie army But when it was knowne that Alexander had vndertaken the sacking of this citie there were many that thought it almost impossible for him to accomplish his designes first because of the inconstancie of the windes and the vehemencie of the water whereby all such matter as they cast into the sea to joine it to the continent would be driuen away by the violence of the Water againe 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 vnlesse it were by ships Twice Alexander attempted by flinging into the sea mighty trees of Libanus and heapes of the ruines of ancient Tyre to haue made a bridge to it or else joyne 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 extreame that it carried away all things with it and oftentimes broke the ships that were joyned together to make a bridge and drowned the soldiers that besieged and sought against the citie During this siege a Citisen of Tyrus dreamt that their Idoll Apollo would depart from them whereupon they bound the Image of Apollo with a chaine of gold vnto the pillar whereon he stood that he might not leaue them There hapned also a horrible ostent amongst the Macedonians for a certaine souldier breaking bread there fell from it some few drops of bloud at the hearing of which accident Alexander was greatly amased vntill hee was resolued by one Aristander a very skilfull Prophet That if it issued from off the outside of the bread it had betokened a heauie euent to the Macedoniaes but in regard that it issued from the inside of the bread it foreshewed that hee should forthwith conquer the towne hee had so long besieged And so it hapned for when Alexander had besieged the city for the space of seuen moneths with great difficulty he woon it but before he could win it he was constrained to vse a great multitude of ships and fasten them together with yron bands vpon which placing many engines of battery and other offensiue instruments what with the moouing of the ships and the extreame violence of the batterie they ouercame the citie This exploit Alexander performed when he was 25 yeares of age and about 300 yeares 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 hee went in person with his crowne vpon his head and in princely armor and scaled a high tower of the citie where he exprest an extraordinary resolution and by reason of his courage did great hurt to the enemy who perceiuing him to be the King resorted to that place in great heaps and shot at him with all their might but hee manfully defended himselfe and compelled the enemy to fly In this assault there were 6000 of the inhabitants slaine and after he had entred the wals and sackt the citie he caused 2000 to be tyed to crosses and throwne into the sea From whence may be gathered that God by this young Prince did accomplish this great worke that the prophecies of the Prophets Esay 23. Ieremy 43. and Ezekiel 25.26 might be fulfilled Afterward Alexander as Pliny and Strabo obserueth caused the sea to be filled vp that it might be no more an Island and joined it to the continent vpon which place he caused Tyrus to be rebuilded and compassed it about with a wall fiue and twentie foot thicke strengthned with twelue 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 Sauiour Christ was a faire city though it neuer attaind to the former dignitie and power that it had before Alexander conquered it The ancient citie of Tyre was distant from this city about foure miles towards the South Our Sauiour Christ being in the borders of Tyrus and Sidon helpt a woman of Canaan whose daughter had beene cruelly tormented with a Diuell Matt. 15. In the time of Dioclesian the Emperour there were many Martyrs put to death in this Citie And at this time it is called by the name of El porta del zur that is the hauen of Zur as it was in the Old Testament called by the name of Zor In the yeare 1100 when the holy land was in the hands of the Christians there was an Archbishop of Tyre vnder whose gouerment were the Bishops of Ptolomais Sydon and Beryti c. The holy man Origen lieth buried in this citie in the Church of the holy Sepulchre which is compassed about fortified with a mighty strong wall There also lies buried the Emperour Fredericke Barbarosso who died Anno 1160 after hee had done many valiant acts and fought many great battels for the Christians against the Turkes and Saracens being ouercome by Saphadinus the Sultans son and put to flight was drowned in the riuer of Suro to the great griefe of his armie but he left behind him a famous report Pope Alexander the third being a great enemie to this Emperour in S. Maries church in the citie of Venice when this Prince submitted himself to his Holinesse set his foot vpon his neck
repeating these words Thou shalt tread vpon the Aspe and vpon the Basiliske c. Eusebius in his Ecclesiasticall Historie saith that there are yet standing in Tyre certaine Marble pillars and other precious stones of a wonderfull greatnesse that it amaseth such as behold them neere to which there haue beene many Christians and Pilgrims put to death by the Saracens There are also foure wels of wholesome and pleasant water standing not far from it of which wells you may reade before Of Zidon THis also was a city of Phoenicia scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranean sea thirtie six miles from Ierusalem toward the North and sixteene from Tyrus In times past it was assigned to the Tribe of Ashur and lay vpon the borders of the Philistines neere to Mount Libanus Being called Sidon or Zidon of Zidon the sonne of Canaan who first built it Gen. 10. and signifies a hunter It was a notable mart towne wherein much Satin was made which kinde of stuffe was very precious among the Iewes and it is said That Ioseph of Arimathia wrapped the body of our Sauior in white Satin for in Matthew 27. it is called Zadin which in English is Satin And as at this day the finest glasse is made at Venice so the finest glasse 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 reade before This towne in times past was one of the chiefe cities of Phoenicia but because of the extraordinarie pride of the citisens God afflicted them with diuers punishments brought in Ocho king of the Persians who besieged it and by treason woon it and burnt it to the ground as Diodorus Siculus lib. 16. saith The Citisens whereof were driuen to such streights by the enemy that there perished in the fire aboue fortie thousand men Within a while after Darius last Emperour of the Persians rebuilt it but made it nothing so beautifull neither fortified it in like manner as it was before hee ordained one Strato to be King thereof a man proud and arrogant After about three hundred and two yeares before the natiuitie of Christ Alexander being then but 24 yeres of age hauing ouercome Darius that mighty Emperour of the Persians at Issa a citie of Cilicia in a cruell and sharpe warre he sent Hephestion one of his Princes to the Sydonians with authoritie to depose Strato and to let the Citisens vnderstand that they should chuse him for their King whom they thought most worthy of that honour as Quint. Curt. sheweth lib. 4. At this time there was a certaine young man among the followers of Hephestion in whose behalfe he moued the Citisens that hee might be their King but they refused saying it was not their custome to chuse any to rule ouer them but such as were of the Kings stocke and progenie Hephestion hearing this answer greatly admired their resolution and modestie especially when they refused to accept him for their King whom others had sought to obtaine with fire and sword saying Truly there is more required to rule and gouerne a Kingdome than to get it but yet name one vnto me of royall discent whom you would willingly receiue to be your King So they named vnto him one Abdolomius who had beene knowne to haue beene of the Kings stocke by many discents but because of his pouertie he was constrained to dwell in the suburbs of the Citie in a cottage and had little else but a Garden to liue vpon This man howsoeuer poore and because of that of many contemned yet hee was knowne to be honest and of an vpright life following with all dilligence his vocation without any regard of other businesse insomuch as he was vtterly ignorant of all these stirre and combustions which had so lately vexed Asia As he was now in his garden digging and labouring purging it of weeds and planting herbes Hephestion with the rest of the Citizens went vnto him and brought him the robes and habiliments of a King The poore Gardner stood amazed to see such a company of gallants come vnto him but Hephestion told him That the occasion of their comming was to make an exchange with him of those royall ornaments which he had in his hands for those poore and foule garments which he wore therefore goe and wash thy selfe and returne So he did where immediately they put vpon him those royall robes and saluted him as their Soueraigne Afrer these things were finished quoth Hephestion Now remember in what a state thou art no more Gardener but a King and therefore take vnto thee the minde and resolution of a King that so thou mayest rule and gouerne this citie as a man worthy of that honour and remember that although the liues and goods of thy subjects are at thy command yet by them thou wast chosen neither be forgetfull of him that was the author of thine honour No sooner was he enthronised in his kingdom but fame who is more speedie than a thousand Posts had dispersed this newes through all the neighbouring cities some being thereby moued to admiration and quickned in their studies others stirred vp to indignation and enuie Those that were mighty and friends to Alexander contemned and despised his humilitie and pouertie 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 hee had welâ— viewed the lineaments and proportion of his person and could not perceiue it any whit repugnant to the fame of his birth hee demanded of him how it was possible that hee should endure his pouertie with patience To which he answered I pray the gods I may continue the gouernment of this kingdome with the like minde for these hands were sufficient for me to liue by and as I had nothing so I wanted nothing At which answer Alexander was so well pleased that he not only gaue him all the princely jewels and ornaments of the first king called Strato but also a great part of the booty which he tooke from the Emperor of Persia and added to his command all the neighboring countries round about This history I haue inserted that thereby we might perceiue the mighty power of God in all his works that can exalt the poore contented with his estate out of the very dust and can pull the mighty from their thrones So the Euill carke 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 chiefe town Tyrus onely excepted in all Phoenicia ioyning vpon the West to the Mediterranian sea extending it selfe towards the North and South lying in a plain vnder Antilibanus which mountain lay some two miles off it vpon the East It oftentimes because of the pride of the inhabitants felt the wrath and
of Oliues you come vnto the place where Christ mounted vpon the Asse as we reade Matth. 21. And a little after you may see the whole citie of Ierusalem with Solomons Temple and the Church of the holy sepulchre with many other holy places Then as you descend from the top of the mount of Oliues you may see the place where the multitude cryed Hosanna blessed be he that commeth in the name of the Lord. And in this discent also our Sauiour Christ wept ouer Ierusalem saying O Ierusalem Ierusalem how often would I haue gathered thee vnder my wings as a Hen gathereth her Chickens but thou wouldest not Of Bethpage BEthpage standeth vpon the right hand of the way towards the East as you goe from Bethania to Ierusalem and as S. Ierom saith was somtimes a habitation of the Priests which at their appointed times went vp to Ierusalem to minister to the Lord. It was so called because of the multitude of Figs that grow there for Pagim signifies a Figge Cant. 2. Bethpage is a notable type of the Church for that ought likewise to be fruitfull and to bring forth sweet Figges that is good workes and many other comfortable vertues that so men in their afflictions might be comforted As it is thought the Fig-tree that our Sauiour Christ cursed because it wanted fruit stood not farre from Bethpage Matth. 21. Marke 11. Wherefore let vs take heed that wee be not like that fruitlesse Fig-tree couered onely like our forefathers Adam and Eue with leaues and bearing no fruit Gen. 3. lest so Gods curse fall vpon vs and we be thrust out of eternall happinesse Matth. 3. Of the Castle from whence the Asse and the Colt were brought vpon which our Sauiour rode to Ierusalem THis Castle as Adamus Risnerus saith was a certaine Hold compassed about with strong walls and within beautified with a faire pallace supported with goodly columnes it stood not farre from the Mount of Oliues just in the deuiding of the way as you goe from Bethania to Ierusalem for there goes one way to the fountaine gate and another to the valley of Gehinnon In the Hebrew text it is called Tirah as you may reade in Matthew which signifies not onely a Castle but a firme and sure building with good decorum and order for Tor signifies a circular order It is credible that this Hold is a resting place and that the Asse and the colt were tied in the way for this cause that if by chance any trauellers were wearie by reason of the tediousnesse of their journey they might hire them for certain houres to carrie them ouer the Mount of Oliues and so returne them backe againe The Allegoricall meaning of this Asse and the Colt according to the opinion of many learned men signifies the people of the Iewes who were burthened with Moses lawes and the Asses Colt signifies the rest of the Gentiles which were not charged with the burthen of Moses law but tyed onely to the law of nature So we also like trauellers and strangers in this miserable world are tyed to the afflictions and calamities thereof standing in two waies expecting the death of the body and libertie of the soule then our Sauior Christ commeth in peace and looseth this bond of death as the Apostle saith Rom. 7. and bringeth vs to that heauenly Ierusalem eternall joy according to that of Saint Paul in the first of the Philippians I desire to be loosed and to be with our Lord Iesus Christ Of the Mount of Oliues ABout halfe a mile and a furlong from Ierusalem towards the East stood the Mount of Oliues very fruitfull and pleasant bringing forth Oliues Palmes Figs Gossumpine many other notable fruits but principally Palmes and Oliues of which the mountaine taketh the name It is said in Pliny lib. 16. cap. 19. that these Oliue and Palme trees doe neuer lose their leaues and are greene both Winter and Summer Saint Austine calleth it The mountaine of vnction because of the fertilitie and pleasantnesse of it also The mountaine of health because it bringeth forth Oyles and many other plants necessarie for Physicke also The mountain of light first because it lieth vpon the East so that the Sun shineth in the morning very pleasantly vpon it and in the euening when it setteth the beames thereof reflecting vpon the Temple of Ierusalem casteth a beautifull light to this Mount secondly because it bringeth forth Oyle which is the nourishment and life of light thirdly because it was beautified with the gratious presence of our blessed Lord and Sauiour Christ which is the Day-starre and light of the Church rising vpon high to enlighten all those which shall be called vnto eternall happinesse For which cause it typically representeth the Church which is the light of the World wherein are found many Christians that bring forth pleasant fruit good workes relieuing the necessitie of such as are in want comforting the afflicted patiently supporting the calamitie and misery of this world that so they might triumphantly rejoyce with Christ in that heauenly citie of Ierusalem What things Zacharias hath spoken of this Mount in his last chapter is to be vnderstood of the preaching of the Gospell and propagation of the Church through all the world Saint Ierom saith in his Epitaph vpon S. Paul That vpon this hill the Iewes commonly burnt the red Cow with the ashes whereof the people of God being sprinckled they were purified and sanctified of which you may reade Num. 19. Heb. 6. Hellen the Empresse mother to that godly Emperor Constantine the Great about the yeare of our Lord 332 caused a faire and beautifull church to be built vpon this Mount just in the place where our blessed Lord and Sauior Christ ascended vp into heauen It was built round all of white polished marble vpon the top therof there is no roofe but a window euen as Christ should ascend through it as Eusebius saith in the life of the Emperour Constantine the Great lib. 3. cap. 40. The same S. Ierom affirmeth in his booke de locis Hebraicis He also saith That the inhabitants of the Holy land take vpon them to shew in this Church the impression of the feet of our Sauiour Christ which hapned as they say just at such time as he ascended vp into heauen out of which trauellers and pilgrims take sand to carry with them as an holy relicke though indeed it is verily to be thought that they were feet made in stone by antient Monkes thereby to get mony from such as resorted thither vpon deuotion for looke how oft pilgrims take thence the sand they are presenly filled againe from whence may bee gathered that there is no sand naturally there Euery man therefore ought to embrace a neerer way to saluation than to follow those monkish fables and to seeke Christ in the holy Scripture not vpon the Mount of Oliues or amongst sand for since the graue could not containe him the Mount of Oliues cannot hold him
of Licaonia Pisidia and Isauria in which countries the Apostle Paul taught the Gospel of Christ These inhabitants which in those daies were called Galathians are said to be a people of France who ioyning themselues to the Cymbrians Danes and Germans vnder the conduct of Brennus their captain inuaded Italy in which enterprise they were so fortunat that they conquered a great part of it wherin they planted colonies and because of their neernesse to their own country in processe of time grew mightie and from that beginning the countrey where they inhabited was called Cice-alpine-Gallia taking that name partly of the place partly of the people After Brennus and his armie making vse of their fortunes forraged all Italy and came to Rome which they woone and sackt all but the Capitoll and that also was in great danger vntill such time as Camillus a valiant Roman Captaine taking aduantage of the enemies securitie who now tooke more care how to satisfie their couetousnesse than to defend what they had got of a sudden set vpon them by which vnexpected inuasion they were put to a maruellous straight and the besieged greatly incouraged so that they also issuing out of the Capitoll made such a slaughter that they forced Brennus and his armie to retire and to restore all the pillage that hee had got and also forsake the countrey This misfortune they bore patiently considering their former prosperitie and in hope of better successe sailed 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 weake to oppose their armie In this expedition they vsed much pillage and robbing vpon the Seas and through many dangers came at length to this Isle landed their men wan the citie fired a great part of it and put many of the inhabitants to the sword with this victorie most of his armie which were more religious than the rest would haue willingly left the countrey but Brennus who beforetimes had beene vsed to sacriledge and those that were as couetous as himselfe thought it basenesse through an opinion of holinesse to leaue so great a bootie behind them as was contained in the Temple of Apollo 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 vp in the secret caues of this Oracle wherefore they attempted the assault but with bad successe for the diuell raised such a tempest with thundring lightning and other strange and vncoth accidents that Brennus in this distemperature of the aire was * Some say he killed himself with his owne dagger slaine many of his shippes were set on fire and the greatest part of his armie lost being either spoiled with lightning slaine by the inhabitants or dispersed with feare Such euent had this sacrilegious attempt Those that remained after they had gathered themselues into a body went thence into Asia the lesse and planted themselues in this country where the inhabitants in processe of time called them Gallo-Graecians adding their originall name to that of the countrey wherein they liued and after for beauties sake they were called Galatians See Liu. lib. 5. Diodorus Siculus lib. 6. saith That the inhabitants of Galatia were so called of this people in the time that Gidion iudged Israel that Cyrus was Emperour of Persia both may be true considering the mutabilitie and change of States in those times Some thinke they were first called Galatians by Attalus King of Pergamus who gaue them a great ouerthrow close by the riuer 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-Graecians or Gallatians This history is diuersly reported by diuers authors but all conclude that they rested and inhabited in Asia where their posteritie 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 onely by their sword for which cause many Princes neere them were beholding vnto them for their aide but withall cruell and barbarous insomuch as they oftentimes eat their captiues or offered them to their gods and thus they continued for the space of 300 yeares till Paul comming into that countrey preached the Gospell amongst them and conuerted them from this Barbarisme to the Christian faith He sent an Epistle to this people from Rome being 1200 miles They in those times held all Paphligonia a part of Phrigia Cappadocia and of all the neighbouring countries thereabouts which after their names was called Gallo Graecia or Galatia such a mightie nation was this growne in a short time at first being a people thrust out of theit owne countrey for want of a place to inhabit in as you may reade more at large in the fifth booke of Liuie whose authoritie I haue principally followed herein Of Phrygia PHrygia is as much to say as a dry and sandy country scituated in Asia the lesse between Galatia and Mysia 600 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward It is diuided into two parts the greater and the lesse in the greater Phrygia stood Smyrna in the lesse Dardania so called of Dardanus who first built it in which town there reigned many wealthy mighty Princes as Ericthonius Tros of whom it was called Troy Ilus of whom it was called Ilion Laomedon who was the father of Priamus the last king therof for in his time it was destroyed by the Grecians Of which desolation I will not speak because it is commonly known It lay waste so long although it had bin a faire 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 ruins to shew that there had been a city in that place And as Virgil said I am seges est vbi Troia fuit Corne now growes where Troy stood A long time after there were a certain people that called themselues Trojans who rebuilt it but not in the same place and in it erected a goodly Temple in honour of the goddesse Pallas to the which Temple Alexander the Great after he had conquered Darius King of Persia close by the riuer Granicus which tooke beginning in a mountain not far from Troy went and with singular gladnesse and great solemnitie offered many rich and goodly Presents enlarged the towne and greatly adorned But after he had ended the Persian war and conquered almost all the knowne world he sent very kinde and louing letters to these new Trojans promising not only to inlarge the towne and endow it with ma-priuiledges and reuenues but also to build vp a faire and sumptuous Temple there as Strabo lib. 15. saith all which was done for the loue
broad here Xerxes when he inuaded Graecia built vp a bridge for his army to passe ouer There is also another strait and narrow place in this sea which is called by the name of Cimmerius 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 deriue the name from Io that faire maid which Iupiter turned into a Cow who swam ouer this sea and of her was called Bosphorus lib. 6. cap. 1. It is also called Propontus because it lieth just before the Euxine sea and Hellespont from Helle the daughter of Athamantis K. of Thebes who was drowned therein then running thence it falleth into a gulph of the Mediterranean Ocean there it is called the Aegean sea of Aegeus King of Athens who drowned himselfe therein for the supposed losse of his sonne Theseus In this sea were scituate the Isles of Pathmos Mytelene Samothrace Chius Lesbus and many other Isles as you may reade in the trauels of S. Paul Of Samothracia ot Samothrace SAmothracia is an Isle of the Aegean sea scituate between Troades and Thracia eight hundred and eightie miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest close to that part of Thracia where Hebrus falleth into the sea sometimes called Dardania of Dardanus King of Troy who when hee had slaine 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 citie called Troy and of that Kingdome And although this Isle at that time was called Dardania yet because of the neerenes that it had to Thrace and the altitude of the rocke whereon it stood it soone 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 vpon such a loftie place that from thence all the countries round about might easily bee seen Arsinoë Queene of Thrace was banished by Ptolomeus her brother into this Island who after put to death all her children and vsurpt vpon the kingdome of Thrace A cruell part in a brother Virg. li. Aeneid 3. makes mention of this Island saying Treiciamque Samum quae nunc Samothracia fertur And Samian-Troy which now adayes is Samo-Thracia call'd Strabo also writeth of it li. 13. And in Acts 16. it is said S. Paul sailed from Troad is to Samothracia 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 Macedoni 880 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward called also of some Caurus There are many other Cities of this name one in Iudea where Sichem and Sichar stood another in Caria a third in Africa a fourth in Pannonia but aboue all that which stands in Campania is most remarkable being the chiefe city of the Neapolitan kingdome 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 yeare before Christ 354 to bee re-edified and inlarged and then after his own name called it Philippos It was scituated in Grecia close by the riuer Stridon 936 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest and endowed with many priuiledges In those times the gold was so much increased in this place that the reuenue thereof was worth vnto this King more than a thousand Talents which at 4500 li. the talent amounteth to forty fiue Millions of pounds yearely By the which means King Philip grew so rich that he caused his gold to be coined and called it after his owne name Philippian gold To this place Paul came and did many miracles taught the Gospell and conuerted many From hence he wrote his second Epistle to the Corinthians and sent it to Corinth euen 292 miles He also wrote an Epistle from Rome to the Christians of this Towne and sent it them by the hands of Epaphroditus euen 628 miles It was afterward a Colony of the Romans Of Amphipolis THis was a city of Macedonia compassed about with the riuer Strymon from whence it tooke the name and was distant from Ierusalem 960 miles towards the Northwest Here also the Apostle Paul was Acts 17. Of Apollonia THis was a citie of Mygdonia scituated not farre from Thessalonica towards the West close by the riuer Echedorus 948 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest being so called from Apollines which signifies the Sunne it stood twentie miles from Thessalonica There are many other Cities of this name one scituate in Graecia close by the Adriatick sea another among the Islands of Thrace a third in Creet on this side the riuer Ister a fourth in Syria and a fift in Africa amongst the Cyrenes Of Thessalonia or Thessalonica THis was a citie of Macedon in ancient times called Halia because it stood vpon the sea after called Therma of the hot bathes that were in it and lastly Thessalonica of Philip the sonne of Amyntas King of the Macedonians who gaue 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 farre from the mouth of the riuer Echedorus 932 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest The Apostle Paul taught publiquely in this city and there conuerted a great multitude of people Act. 17. Hee also wrote two Epistles to the inhabitants thereof and sent them from Athens being 232 miles distant In the time of Theodosius the first Emperor of Rome there hapned by reason of some discontent a grieuous sedition amongst the Thessalonians in which stirre some of his captains gouernors were slain Wherefore the Emperor hauing intelligence of what had hapned sent an army against the city with authority to put to death a certain number of those who had rebelled whence it hapned that the city was filled with many vniust slaughters for the soldiers respecting more their priuat profit than the equitie of the cause spared neither innocent nor nocent yong nor old so that as well the inhabitants as strangers that resorted thither did partake of this miserie and suffered like punishment as did they which were the first authors of this rebellion But because the emperor was consenting vnto these euils Ambrose Bishop of Millaine would not suffer him without publique repentance to come to the sacrament of the Lords supper wherefore in a publique assembly hee acknowledged his offence with great contrition Theodor. li. 5. ca. 17. Soz. li. 7. ca. 24. This town was afterward purchased by the Venetians of Andronichus Palaeologus son of Emanuel Emperor of Constantinople who held it a long time vntill Amurath Emperor of the Turkes won it from them and exercised grieuous cruelty vpon the inhabitants At this day it is
a faire and goodly city wherein is to be seen 23 Churches and is inhabited both by Christians Iews and Turks as Sebastian Munster saith but the greatest number is Iews who are partly merchants partly of other trades their number in this place as it is said by some of their own nation is 14000 and they haue 80 synagogues but they are constrained to weare yellow wreaths about their heads the Christians blew the Turks white There are many Iewes also in Constantinople and Adrianople but in no place more than in this town which is now called Salonica Of Berraea THis is a city of Macedon scituated vpon the riuer of Halakmon 960 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward In this city the Iewes stirred vp a great tumult and sedition against the Apostle Paul Acts 17. At this day it it is called Voria Of Athens THis was the most famous City of all Grecia the mother of Arts and a bountifull nourisher of large and mighty Colonies in that part of Achaia called Acte or Attica It was scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranian sea 720 miles from Ierusalem Westward It tooke name from a Diuine knowledge for the word is deriued of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. the minde of God It was first built by Cecrops fiue yeares before Moses fled out of Egypt into the land of the Midianites and of him called Cecropia This Cecrops was the first King thereof and there succeeded him at least 40 both famous worthy princes But after it was called Mopsonia of Mopsus K. of Thessaly and after Ionia which name it held for a while and lastly Athens dedicated to Pallas which goddesse the Grecians say was born of the brain of Iupiter which name it held a long time after There liued in this city Solon Socrates Plato Aristotle Demosthenes and many other excellent Philosophers It was scituated vpon a faire and strong Rocke beautified with many goodly Temples and buildings but principally that of Minerva was most sumptuous in which there hung a great number of Lampes which gaue a continuall light There was also the Monasterie of the holy Virgins and the image of Pallas made all of white Ivorie very curious and costly There were many Schools Colledges and pleasant gardens in which Philosophers vsed to walk and it abounded with sweet and delectable musick and with great resort of Merchants and Schollers To conclude in those times it was the most notable city in the world Moreouer there were many profitable hauens for the receit of ships but that which was called Piraeum exceeded being capable to receiue 40 * As some say 400. ships beautified with many goodly buildings in compasse two miles fortified with seuen walls and ioyning to the city wherof Terence writeth in Eunuch Act. 3. Scen. 4 At this day it is called Porto Lini fortified with two wals foure miles in length extending to the hill Munichya the syrname of Diana being compassed in the figure of a Chersonesse so ioyned to the city of Athens In which distance there are two other hauens besides that of Piraeum In this Iupiter had a magnificent Temple and in it were found many artificiall tables pictures and grauen images all which are at this day destroied and carried away It hath beene three times destroyed first by Xexes and Mardonius which happened in the yeare before Christ 479. Then by Lysander who broke downe an hundred paces of the wall and almost vtterly destroyed their ships and broke downe the hauen of Peraea It was also sore oppressed by the Romans and they also brake downe their hauen and burnt their shippes but spared the towne and held it in great estimation But it was the third time ouerthrowne and vtterly destroyed by the Turks who both changed the place and name of the city after it had flourished 3113 yeares At this day it is diuided into three parts and called by the name of Sethina because of the varietie of the inhabitants that liue in it being very well peopled and a faire and spatious City but much altered from that it was in times past For although before it was the very mother of eloquence and glory of Attica yet at this day it is so much altered that their language is base and their glory is eclipsed The vppermost part of the city where formerly the temple stood dedicated to the vnknown God is now wholly and absolutely in the hands of the Turkes in which they haue built a strong and almost inuincible Castle which hath the command of the rest of the towne The second and middle part of the towne is all inhabited by Christians In the third there standeth a fair and goodly Palace supported with marble pillars and adorned with goodly workes In this part of the City there inhabiteth people of diuers sects and conditions And heere also is the seat of a Metropolitane who hath vnder him many Bishops So that God doth support and maintaine his Church euen amongst the enemies thereof for there ate four Patriarks in Turky to which al the other Christian Metroplitans and Bishops are subiect viz. the Patriarch of Alexandria Constantinople Antiochia and Ierusalem Paul was the first man that preached the Gospell of Christ in this city and conuerted many citisens but especially Dionysius the Areopagite who dwelt vpon a promontory without the city and as it seems was one of the principal Iudges and gouernors of the town for after he had taught publiquely in the towne had disputed against the Iewes and Philosophers concerning Christ they supposing him to be a busie fellow and one worthy of death as a disturber of the common peace brought him before this Dionysius that so by his iudgement he might receiue condign punishment for his offence But S. Paul so well behaued himselfe and preached with such admirable eloquence and learning that hee not only confuted his enemies but among others conuerted this Dionysius Areopagitus who was afterwards the first Bishop of Athens as Euseb saith lib. 4. cap. 23. and went captiue with Paul to Rome and from thence to Paris in France where he suffered martyrdome vnder Dionysius the Emperor Of Corinthia COrinthus is a famous city in Grecia scituated in Peloponessus a pleasant countrey of Achaia ioyning to the continent of Grecia like an Isthmus or Peninsula distant from Ierusalem 760 miles towards the West commonly called Corantha built as Eusebius saith by Sisiphus sonne of Aeolus at such time as Ioshuah gouerned Israel who was a mighty Pirat At first it was but a castle and called after his name Sisiphyus but after because of the strength of the place and pleasant scituation it became a faire towne and called by the name of Corcyra as Strabo faith then Ephym of Ephyra who was a faire and goodly Nymph and Queen of that place Now although euen in those times it was held in great estimation yet it became much wasted and decayed through the continuance of time vntill
it was repaired by King Corinthus who as some thinke was the sonne of Marathon Suidas saith the sonne of Pelops others would haue him the sonne of Orestis and after his name was called Corinth that is The floure of Maides It was a faire and goodly citie very commodiously built for it stood betweene the two seas of Ionium and Aegeum so that there resorted thither great multitude of Merchants from all places Close by the citie there stood a steepe mountaine which was as it were a bulwarke 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 aboue the rest the Temple of Venus was had in great reputation which as Strabo saith stood vpon the top of the mountaine Acrocorinthus wherein there were aboue a thousand Maides prostituted euery yeare This Temple was had in such great honour and was so gloriously built that aboue all the places of the world there was resort vnto it Close by it stood the ancient castle called Sysyphius built all of white Marble and a little below that the fountaine of Pyrene dedicated to the Muses There were many mightie Princes that ruled in this citie as Alethes who was King thereof at such time as Samuel judged Israel which was 1103 yeares before Christ hee bestowed great cost vpon it set vp many faire and goodly buildings and ruled ouer it thirtie and fiue yeares as Eusebius saith After him there succeeded many Kings by whose worthinesse and prowesse it was so much inlarged and made so famous that it was little inferiour to the citie of Rome for at such time as Embassadors were sent thence to intreate of some businesse concerning the state the Corinthians did not let to giue them many reprochfull tearmes as Strabo saith lib. 8. because of which insolencie the Romans sent Lucius Mummus the Consul into Graetia who besieged Corinth and within a short time tooke it and burnt it downe to the ground in the yeare before Christ 145 of which you may reade more in Florus and in the second Decad of Lyuie It was a maruellous rich Towne and abounded with gold siluer and costly brasse also with plate and curious pictures so that although Mummius conquered Corinth yet Corinth conquered Rome for the citizens thereof were so bewitched with the riches and glory of this towne that they forgot their ancient seueritie and with violence followed their vices as Salust saith lib. 1. So that as before Corinth abounded with luxurie and diuers other abhominable euils as whoredome adulterie fornication couetousnes 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 hauing trauelled into those parts of the world and seene the ruines of this citie and the profitale scituation for traffique caused it to be rebuilded after which time it began to grow great spacious little inferiour to the former in glory and no lesse corrupted with vices hauing forgot the former miserie which it sustained by the hands of the Romans and so continued from the yeare before Christ 44 vntill the yeare after Christ 41 at which time Paul came thither preached the Gospell by whose diuine doctrine and godly life and conuersation they were conuerted from their euill courses and liued more holily and honestly as appeareth by the two Epistles of Saint Paul wrote from Philippos to the inhabitants of this towne But after they falling from their faith and forsaking their ancient integritie the Lord punished them with a second desolation for at such time as Amurath Emperor of the Turkes grew to eminencie and had conquered Thessalonica Boaetia and Attica he came into this Isthums and made all Peloponessus tributary to him Then after him Mahomet the second although the inhabitants of Corinth had fortified their citie with three walls and made it so strong that it was thought to be almost inuincible besieged it and woon it An. Dom. 1458. about six yeares after Constantinople was conquered by the Turkes But now it is in the command of the Venetians and that and all the countrey is called by the name of Morea as it appeareth in the Turkish Historie lib. 10. The fourth peregrination of the Apostle Paul IN the yeare after the Natiuitie of Christ 53 Paul went from Antiochia in Syria and came to Galatia and Laodicia in Phrygia and thence wrote his Epistle to Timothy as it appeareth by the subscription of that Epistle which was 380 miles From Laodicea hee went to Ephesus which was 280 miles and there appointed Timothy to be a Bishop and daily disputed in the schoole of a certaine 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 hee sailed into Macedonia and came to Philippos which was 232 miles from hence hee wrote his Epistles to the Corinthians and sent them to Corinth which was 292 miles In the same yeare also Paul passing through Graecia in euery place where he came preaching and visiting the churches Act. 19. at length came to Corinthus which was 480 miles In the 57 yeare after the Natiuitie of Christ when Paul had wintred among the Corinthians in the Spring that hee might auoyd the deceits of the Iewes who went about to take away his life hee went thence and returned to Philippos which was 292 miles where he celebrated the feast of Penticost 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 thirtie and 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 Acts 20. From Chius he sailed to Samus which was 60 miles and continued in the Isle of Trogylius which was close by Samus as Pl. saith lib. 5. cap. 3. and Strabo cap. 13. From Trogylius hee sailed by Ephesus and came to Miletus which was 160 miles From thence hee sent Messengers to the Ministers of Ephesus commanding them to haue a speciall care to the flocke of Christ which he had purchased with his pretious bloud and added that he was so much the more importunate in that behalfe because they should neuer see him againe Wherefore they embraced Paul with great lamentations and sorrow Acts 2. From Myletus he his companions went with a direct course to the Island of Cous which was 200 miles Acts 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 sayled to Tyrus leauing Cyprus vpon the left hand which was 360 miles where hee found certaine Disciples and
This Island in times past was very rich populous for in it there was 100 townes the chiefe of which were Gnossos Cortyna and Zydon but Gnossos was the most principall and antientest wherin King Minos kept his court in it the notable Geographer Strabo was borne This town of Gnossos in times past was called Ceratur of the riuer Cerata which passeth by it but now it and all the Island is called Candia The Venetians euery three yeares appointed a new Duke to gouerne it In this Island stood the townes of Salmona and Lassica by Pliny called Lasas and in the middle between those two townes was the hauen of Gutfurt whereof Saint Luke maketh mention in the Acts of the Apostles cap. 27. saying That Paul counsailed the Saylers that were in the ship to anchor there and stay the Winter season in that Island but the Captain of the ship gaue more credit to the Master of the ship than to Pauls words wherby in the end they were in danger of their liues The townes of Salmona and Lassica with the hauen of Gutfurt lay Southward in this Island vpon the coast of the Mediterranean sea somewhat distant from them stood the towne of Asson by Pliny called Asum where they hoised out their boate and sayled Northward and because they had a faire South-winde they thought to saile to Phoenicia a hauen in Creta but the winde comming about to the East draue them backe againe into the sea by which meanes they were in danger of their liues This Island was brought vnder the subjection of the Romans 66 yeares before the birth of Christ and so for a long time continued vntill the Saracens entred therein and tooke it from the Romans 800 yeares after the birth of Christ After that in the yeare of our Lord 979 the Emperour of Constantinople draue the Saracens out of the Island and kept it but in the end the Venetians brought it vnder their subjection and seigniorie in the yeare of our Lord 1202 and at this day it is called Candia Of Clauda CLauda is an Isle not farre from Creet lying towards the Southwest in the Mediterranean sea 288 miles from Ierusalem towards the West at this day it is called Porto Gabaso here the Saylers the Apostle Paul and the rest of the company haled ouer-bord their Cock-boat and tyed it to their ship and fell to â—awing lest they should haue been sunke into Syrtis a dangerous gulph vpon those seas Acts 27. Of Syrtis THis is a gulph of the sea lying vpon the shore of Africa in which the water is both troublesome and the shore dangerous because of Quick-sands and in this there are two places most remarkeable called by the name of Syrtis from drawing and attracting ships vnto them by which they were greatly endangered the one was called the greater the other the lesse the greater lay 1000 miles from Ierusalem towards the West but the other lay vnder the Isle of Mylete towards the South being distant from Ierusalem 1320 miles towards the West in this place it was where Paul and his companians were in such danger mentioned Acts 17. Of Mylete THis Island was so called from the great aboundance of hony that was found in it but at this day it is called Malta scituated in the Mediterranean sea 1340 miles from Ierusalem towards the West It is very pleasant and fruitfull bringing forth great plenty of Wheat Rye Flax Comin Cotton Figs Wine Roses Violets Tyme Lauender and many other sweet and delightfull herbes from whence Bees did gather great plentie of honey The Sunne is very hot in this Island insomuch that by the extreame feruor thereof the inhabitants lose their naturall complexion and looke of a tawnie colour In Summer euenings there falleth great plenty of dewes whereby the earth is refreshed and the herbes increased There is neither snow nor frost seene in it for the Northerne windes which with vs are the authors of cold and frosts with them procure raine which greatly refresheth and increaseth the fruits of the earth so that the pastures and medowes become very pleasant and full of grasse and although it be but 28 miles long and 60 miles about notwithstanding it is very populous for in the eight parishes that stand in this Isle there is numbred aboue twentie thousand men The inhabitants are very honest religious and godly and the women faire chaste and modest for they neuer come abroad but with their faces couered The children that are borne in this country feare not any snakes neither are hurt be any thing that is venomous insomuch that they will take Scorpions and eat them without danger although in all other parts of the world those kinde of creatures are most pernitious In this Isle also there are bred a kinde of Dogs that are but small yet very white and shagged and so louing that the inhabitants of all the neighbouring countries will buy them though they be at deare rates The chiefe citie thereof called Malta is so strongly fortified both by art and nature that it is almost impossible to be conquered vnlesse it be either by treason or famin The tower or Castle thereof is fortified with the knights of S. Iohns Order who haue mightily expressed their valour and resolution in defending this town from the Turks About a mile from this the ruins of a goodly faire city are to bee seene And vpon the East promontorie a little from the city of Malta there yet remain the decaies which are worthy to looke vpon of a goodly temple dedicated to Iuno It seems by what remaineth that this church hath bin a fair and goodly thing in times past There is also here and there in the earth found certaine brasse monies hauing vpon the one side a superscription written in Greeke letters and vpon the other the image of Iuno There stood vpon the South side of Malta a Temple dedicated to Hercules the ruins of which are yet extant and in it are found monuments worthy of admiration At such time as the Captaine of Massanissa King of the Numidians had conquered this Island amongst other pretious things that he found in these Temples he tooke thence a great deale of goodly Ivorie but that religious King did faithfully restore all those things backe again and dedicated them to the seuerall Temples Thus we may perceiue that the inhabitants of this Isle of Malta were wholly giuen to idolatry and superstition vntil such time as Paul by the inconstancy and vehemencie of the winde was driuen vpon it and conuerted them from that peruerse and prophane worship to the Christian Religion at such time as he suffered shipwracke and Wintered amongst them Acts 27. The inhabitants shew vpon the North part of this Isle the place where the ship was cast away wherein the Apostle Paul was in which place they haue built vp a Chappel and dedicated it to Saint Paul They shew also a Caue in which they say he liued and they verily beleeue that he
of Italy not farre from Naples scituated on the sea shore 1388 miles from Ierusalem Westward taking that name from fountains or Wels of hot water being built by the Salamians as Eusebius saith about such time as the Tarquins were banished Rome 507 yeares before the natiuitie of Christ It was antiently called Dicaearchia because of their singular justice noble gouernment But when the Romans made war against Hannibal they fortified this town to withstand his forces and then called it Puteoli which name it retained a long time after At this day it is called Puzzoli At this city the Apostle Paul his companions ariued when they sailed into Rome Acts 27. Between Puteoli and Baia there lieth the lake of Lucrinus into which by the command of Augustus Caesar a Dolphin was thrown Now there was a young Youth called Simon the son of a poore man dwelling in Baia who vsually played among other youths vpon the banks of this lake and seeing the Dolphin it being a strange fish in those parts and verie amiable to looke vpon did take great delight in it and oft times fed it with bread and other things as he could get insomuch as the Dolphin when it heard the boyes voice vpon the banks of the riuer would resort to him receiue at his hand his accustomed food Thus it continued so long that the Dolphin would suffer the boy to handle him take him by the gils play with him yea and somtimes to get vpon his backe then swim with him a great way into the lake and bring him back again and suffer him to go safe vpon the shore After this manner hee continued for many yeares together and in the end the youth died Yet the Dolphin resorted to his vsuall place expecting his accustomed food from the hands of this boy but missing him he left the shore languisht away and died Concerning the nature of this fish you may read more at large in Pliny lib. 9. cap. 8. Of Colossa THis City is scituated in Phrygia a countrey in Asia minor neere the riuers of Lycus and Meander 520 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward not farre from Laodicea so called from the mighty statues and Colosso's that were set vp in it These cities Colossa Laodicea and Hierapolis where the Apostle Philip was put to death in the tenth yeare of Nero a little before Pauls martyrdome were sunke by an earthquake which without doubt was a great judgement of God vpon them because they refused the grace and comfort of the doctrine of the Gospel offered vnto them by the Apostles The Epistle of Paul dedicated to the Colossians was sent by the hand of Onesymus from Rome vnto these towns being 1080 miles For although the Rhodians were called Colossians because of that famous Colossus that stood there yet this city wherein Archippus and Philemon dwelt to whom Paul directed that Epistle stood in Phrygia a country of Asia minor and not in Rhodes Of Nicopolis NIcopolis is a city of Macedonia scituated close by the riuer Nessus not far from Philippus vpon the borders of Thrace 920 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward From hence the Apostle Paul wrot his Epistle to Titus and sent it to Creet 600 miles There are many other cities of this name one standing in Epyre built by Augustus another betweene Cilicia and Syria built by Alexander in glory of his victorie against Darius A fourth in Bythinia a fift in the holy land formerly called Emaus Of Rome THis city if wee rightly consider the deriuation of the name in Hebrew was not built without the singular prouidence of God being deriued of Rom i. Hee hath exalted or made high But the Grecians deriue it from Romen i. strength power Now although the prouidence of God extendeth to euery Creature may to the very haires of a mans head yet where hee determines to expresse his singular power there hee worketh beyond the expectation of man And who knowes not that the beginning of this City was meane raised from a confused company destitute both of ciuilitie communitie and lawes yet hath it bin and for the most part is the glory of the world and the great commander of the Princes of the earth It was so called at first by Romulus as Livy lib. 1. saith who first built it seuen hundred fifty and one yeares before the Natiuitie of Christ being scituated vpon seuen hils that is Capitolinus Aventinus Palatinus Caelius Exquilinus Viminalis and Quirinalis But after when the City was compassed about with walls the hill Ianiculus was inclosed within it The Vallies that lay between these hils were so raised vp with arches vaults and artificial mounts that in processe of time they became levell with the top of some of those hills It was beautified with faire and sumptuous buildings so that as it was the head of the world for command and power in like like manner it exceeded all the rest of the world for glory and riches but principally for stately buildings There were many goodly Temples dedicated to Iupiter Apollo Aesculapius Hercules Diana Iuno Minerva Lucia Concordia Fides Pietas Pax Victoria Isis besides many other dedicated to other gods But aboue all that was the most sumptuous that was called Pantheon deorum at this day called the Church of All hallowes Moreouer here was to be seen the princely Edifices of Kings Emperors Consuls Senators Patricians and other Romans who were mighty in wealth and substance built all of polished Marble beautified with gold and siluer beside palaces bulwarks theatres triumphant arches statues and such like al which were glorious and greatly adorned the city But aboue al these the house of Nero was most worthy of obseruation which to see to was built all of burnisht gold very curiously wrought Here also stood the monuments of the two Caesars Iulius and Augustus also their statues the one made of pure brasse the other of white marble Besides there were many fruitfull orchards water-courses wholsome baths brought thither by Antonius Nero Dioclesian and Constantine the Great Also the Emperor Constantine erected many goodly churches for the vse of the Christians indowed them with great means and amongst the rest that which was dedicated to Saint Iohn of Latteran a faire and goodly Church and for riches and curious workemanship might compare with the stateliest Temples that euer had beene in the world most of the ornaments and images beeing made of Gold and Siluer hee also erected the Vattican which was dedicated to Saint Peter and another holy house dedicated to Saint Paul in either of which he placed their seueral sepulchres and monuments bestowing extraordinary cost to beautifie them So many were the gifts and gratuites of this Emperour that they can scarce bee numbred so that although the Emperour Trajan and Boniface the fourth Pope of Rome bestowed great cost to beautifie and adorne the city yet were they nothing comparable to that which this Emperor did These things then beeing presented to your viewe
Lachis 65.51 31.49 Eglon 65.50 31.48 Makeda 65.49 31.52 Libna 95.49 31.50 Debir 65.32 31.46 Bethsur 65.47 31.48 Kechila 65.38 31.47 Maresa 65 42 31.54 Maon 65.38 31.41 Carmel 65.40 31.44 Ziph 65.38 31 43 Arah 65.45 31.37 Hebron 65.33 31.45 Gerer 65.37 31.42 Kades barnea 65.22 31.29 Adar 65.12 31.32 Carcaha 65.06 31.30 Hasmona 65.00 31.30 Bethsemes 65.55 31.55 Beersabah 65.31 31.40 Siclag 65.15 31.37 Ecron 65 â—0 31.58 Azotus 65.35 31.00 Astalon 65.24 31.52 Gath 65.23 31.48 Gaza 65.11 31.40 The townes lying on this side of the riuer Iordan Dan 67 25 33.08 Ior â—ons 67 31 33 07 Caesarea Philippi 67 30 33.05 Seleucia 67.17 32.50 Eruptio fluvij ex Samachoniride palude 67.11 32.44 Capernaum 66.53 31.29 Eruptio fluvij è mare Genezareth 66 43 32.21 Ephion 66.42 32.20 Ennon 66.40 32.16 Gamala 66.55 32.25 Salem 66.37 32.18 Chrit torrens 66.16 31.57 Ostia Iordanis 66.17 31.54 Engedi 66.22 31.43 Zoar vel Sagor 66.17 31.38 Eruptio Zered 66.19 31.34 Townes standing beyond Jordan Mirba 66.50 32.20 Astharoth 67.00 32.26 Astaroth 66.57 32.23 Gadara 66.48 32.23 Machanaim 66.44 32.19 Iaczar 66.39 32.12 Hesbon 66.28 32.05 Iabes 66.55 32.21 Ramah 66.51 32.20 Nobach 66.38 32.16 Iachsa 66.28 32 02 Aroer 66.30 32.00 Macherus 66.23 31.56 Minith 66.36 32.66 Midian 66.30 31.55 Didon 66.32 32.06 Punuel 66.39 31.18 Edrei 66.15 32.21 Abela Vinearum 67.00 32.23 Philadelphia 67.10 32.22 Pella 67.03 32.20 Phiala fons 67.43 33.05 Betharan 67.30 32.08 Pisgamons 66 26 32.01 Abarim montes 66.29 31.58 Townes in Egypt Memphis 61.50 29.50 Heliopolis 62.15 29.59 Tanis 63.30 29.50 Taphnis 62 30 31.00 Ony 60.30 30.10 Alaxandria 60.30 31.00 Mercurij ciuitas magna 61.40 28.55 Mercurij ciuitas parua 61.00 30.50 Delta magnum 62.00 30 00 Xois 62.30 30.45 Busitis 62.30 30.15 Hâ—sinoe 63.20 29.10 Solis fons 58.15 28.00 Journies out of Aegypt Raemses 63.00 30.05 Pihachiroth 62.50 29.40 Mara 63.35 29.50 Elim 63.45 29.50 Iuxta mare 63.55 29.45 Paran promontorium 65.00 29.00 Daphea 64.14 29.46 Alus 64.30 29.46 Raphiddim 64.40 29.53 Sinai mons 65.00 30.00 Hazeroth 65.50 30.14 Zephor mons 65.54 30.50 Mozeroth 64.18 39.04 Hasmona 65.09 31.30 Gidgad mons 65.30 30.20 Iothabatha 65.30 26.40 Habrona 65.30 29.40 Hesion Gaber 65.30 29.20 Sin 66.00 29.56 Hor mons 66.00 30.25 Salmona 66.25 30.40 Phunon 66.30 30.54 Oboth 66 50 31.04 Ieabarim 67.00 31.18 Zered rorrens vallis 66.44 31.20 Didon Gad 66.48 31.32 Almon diblathaim 66.48 31.24 Chedemoth solitudo 66.56 32.00 Beer puteus 66.50 23.00 Marthana Solitudo 66.49 23 00 Nathaleel 66.40 00.23 Bamoth vallie 66.30 32.00 Townes in Arabia Petraea Petra 65.40 31.18 Paran 94.30 30.04 Midian 65.30 29.15 Hesion gebar 65 35 29.00 Elana villa harla velelath 95.35 29.15 Ostia Nili Canopicum 66.50 31.05 Bolbithinum 61.30 31.05 Sâ—benniticum 61.45 31.05 Pathmiticum 91.35 31.10 Mendesium 62.45 31.10 Pelusiacum 63.15 31.15 Thon 63.00 31.30 Sirbonis lacus eruptio 65.45 31.50 Sirbonis lacus 63.30 31.10 Idem 63.45 31.10 Ciuitas Pelusium 36.25 31.20 Rhinocorura 94.40 31.10 Some other great Townes Babilon 76.00 35.00 Antiochia 60 30 33.35 Damascus 68.55 33.00 Palmira 72.40 35.10 Vr chaldeorum 78.00 39.40 Ecbathana 88.00 37.45 Rages in Media 93.40 36.04 Sula in Persia 83.00 34.15 Persepolis 91.00 33.20 Heccatompilon in Parthia 96.0 37.50 Zaba in Arabia foelix 97.00 13.00 Meroe 61.30 16.25 Haram in Mesopotania 75 15 36.10 Hircania 98.30 40.00 Ciraenae 50.00 31.20 The description of the Citie of Ierusalem as it was before Titus Vespasian destroyed it THe most holy and beautiful city of Ierusalem was twice destroyed first by Nebuchadnezzar the most puissant King of Babylon who did vtterly beat downe and ouerthrow the Citie burning the costly Temple which King Solomon had built After that Zorobabel and the high Priest Ioshua when they returned from the captiuitie of Babylon re-edified and built againe both the Citie and the Temple in the yeare before the birth of Christ 535. But the second temple which was built after their returne was neither so faire nor so great as the first for it was twenty * Cubitus is a foot and an halfe six hand bredths foure and twentie fingers broad being in former times the fourth part of the height of a man Cubitus a cubando the arme tbat men vse to leane vpon from the elbow to the hand Victru lib. 3. Cal. Lexicon Cubits lower than the former After that King Herod 17 yeares before the birth of Christ caused the said Temple to be broken downe againe as Iosephus saith and erected another new Temple in place thereof which neuerthelesse was not like the first temple that Solomon builded as touching the greatnesse but it was exceeding fairely decked and adorned with gold and siluer so that in regard of the beautifulnesse thereof it was a wonder vnto all that came to Ierusalem Which Temple 40 yeares after Christs death and Ascension was also vtterly destroyed by Titus the sonne of Flavius Vespasian the Emperour I will describe the forme of the Citie Ierusalem as it was before it was defaced by Titus the sonne of Vespasian and therewithall I will shew how the costly Ornaments which Solomon placed therein stood for seeing that the two brasen Pillars and the great Molten sea were not therin when our Lord Iesus Christ liued vpon earth being broken downe by Nabuchadnezzars soldiers it is therefore necessary and very requisite to bee knowne how they stood and to the end that the Reader may be fully satisfied I will also first declare the citie of Ierusalem as it was in those dayes with the chiefest Places Walls Towers Gates Houses Castles Fountaines Hills Vallies and all the principall things therein How the Citie Ierusalem is scituate and standeth distant from Germany THe Towne of Neurenberch is scituate in the middle of Germanie or neere thereabouts and Ierusalem is distant from Neurenberch fiue hundred * Which make 2000 miles English miles but if you will trauell to Venice and from thence to Ierusalem it is fiue hundred and fiftie * Which make 2200 miles miles The scituation of Ierusalem IErusalem was foure square Of the scituation of the Mountaines whereon Ierusalem stood and scituated vpon foure mountaines viz. Mount Sion Mount Moriah Mount Acra and Moun Bezetha Mount Sion was the highest of all and lay within the citie of Ierusalem towards the South whereon stood King Dauids house or the castle of Sion and the vppermost towne Mount Moriah whereon the Temple stood with other excellent buildings and Towers was on the East side of the city within the Walls Mount Acra whereon the lower towne was built stood Westward in the citie where Annas Caiphas Pilot Herod Agrippa Bernice Helena and other Kings and great Princes dwelt The holy Citie of Ierusalem may in this manner be briefely described THe most holy and beautifull Citie of Ierusalem if any would consider the three principall parts of the World The description of Ierusalem Europe Asia and Affrica stood in the middest of
carrieth the smell vnto the red sea and they that saile can easily discerne the sweetnesse of the aire There is gold also found there very fine and pure insomuch as for the goodnesse of it it is called Arabian gold The Phoenix is found there of which there is but one in the world Pliny lib. 9. cap. 35. describes her to be as big as an Eagle with a list of feathers like gold about her necke the rest are of a purple colour therefore from Phoenicea and the purple colour of her wings shee is called Phoenix Shee hath a tuft of feathers vpon her head like vnto a crowne Shee liueth 660 yeares at the end of which time she buildeth her a nest of Cassia Cinnamon Calamus and other pretious Gummes and herbs which the Sun by the extremitie of the heate and the wauing of her wings fires and she taking delight in the sweetnesse of the sauor houers so long ouer it that she burnes her selfe in her owne nest Within a while after out of the marrow of her bones and the ashes of her body there groweth a worme which by little and little increaseth to some bignesse and after to a purple bird Then her wings extend themselues to a full greatnesse till such time as she commeth to be a perfect Phoenix This Bird doth liuely represent our Sauiour Christ who only and alone is the true Messiah and through whom we must expect euerlasting life who in the fulnesse of time offered himself a Sacrifice vpon the Crosse sustaining the punishment for sin at the time of his Passion putting on a purple robe being all be sprinkled with his owne bloud Ioh. 19. And as the Phoenix is burnt in her owne nest so likewise was hee consumed in the fire of Gods wrath according to that in the 22 Psal My heart is become like melting wax in the middest of my body And as the Phoenix of it selfe begetteth another of the same kinde so Christ by the power of his Deitie raised vp his body from the dust of the earth and ascended vp into heauen a glorious body to sit at the right hand of his father in that euerlasting Kingdome of glory Thus gentle Reader I thought fit to describe vnto you these two townes that when you shall reade of them in the holy Scripture the one being in Aethiopia towards the South the other in Arabia Foelix and called Seba you might discerne the one from the other of both which there is mention in the 72 Psalme The Kings of the Sea and of the Isles shall bring presents the Kings of Saba and Seba shall giue gifts The Trauels of King Pharaoh out of Aegypt when he ouercame the Towne of Gazer 1 Reg. 9. IN the 16 yeare of King Dauid Anno mundi 2906 and before Christ 1602 Chabreus King of Aegypt began to raigne and raigned 56 yeares Diod. lib. 2. cap. 2. Herodotus calleth this man Chephrines in his second booke and Eusebius Nepher Cherres He went from Memphis the chiefe Citie of Aegypt with a great armie 268 miles euen vnto the tribe of Ephraim and there tooke Gazer a Citie of the Leuites and burned it with fire 1 Reg. 8. Ios 21. After he came to Ierusalem which was 28 miles And this city which he had thus destroied he gaue to his daughter the wife of Solomon 1 Reg. 9. From thence he returned to Memphis in Aegypt 244 miles So all the Trauels of King Pharaoh were 244 miles Of Memphis MEmphis is a great city in Egypt where commonly the kings of that country keepe their Courts and lyeth from Ierusalem 244 miles South-westward This citie was built a little before the floud but repaired and enlarged by a king called Ogdoo who in loue of his daughter after her name called it Memphis You may reade of it in the ninth of Hosea called there by the name of Moph for thus he saith The people of Israel are gone out of the land of Ephraim because of their Idolatrie into Aegypt but Aegypt shall gather them vp Moph that is Memphis shall bury them Moph or Mapheth in this place signifieth A prodigious wonder but the rest of the Prophets call it Noph for the fertilitie pleasantnes of the country as you may reade Esa 19. The Princes of the Zoan are become foolish and the Princes of Noph or of Memphis are deceiued See also Ierem. 2.44.46 Ezech. 30. in which places you may find it called after this name Zoan is the citie Tanis where Moses wrought all his miracles But Noph or Moph is this Memphis a beautifull towne large and spacious scituated in the strongest and profitablest place in Aegypt diuided into two parts by the riuer Nilus so that any kind of commodities or merchandise might with ease bee brouht thither by water for which cause the kings of that countrie for the most part kept their abiding there Strabo saith lib. 17. That vpon the East part of this citie there standeth a Tower or Castle called Babylon built by certaine Babylonians who leauing their owne countrey by the permissions of the kings of Egipt dwelt there in after times there was placed a garrison in it one of the three which were for the defence of Aegypt and by Ptolomy was called Babilon through both which viz. Memphis and Babilon Nilus passed the one standing vpon the East side the other vpon the West Zoan or Tanis stood about some foure miles from this towne and was a faire spacious citie also scituated towards the South vpon the East side of Nilus to which the kings of that country often resorted and Heliopolis anothet faire citie stood some six miles off that towards the Northeast All these foure townes were so wonderfully inhabited by reason of their pleasant profitable scituation that in processe of time they become all one citie and in this age is called Alcaire containing in circuit 60 miles so that it seemeth to spectators to be like a country replenished with nothing but fair houses goodly churches strong towers exceeding all the rest of the cities of Egypt aswell for the beautifulnesse of the place as the extent and largenesse of it It is reported that in the yeare of our Lord 1476 there was such an extreme pestilence in it that there died 20000 a day from whence may be gathered how infinitely it is peopled Neere to this towne stood the Pyramides which are held to he one of the wonders of the World as Strabo saith lib. 17. the height of one of them was 625 foot and square on each side 883 foot it was twentie yeares a building a hundred thousand workemen emploied about it whence it may be easily gathered how hard and difficult it was in those times to get stone it being for the most part brought from Arabia and at what an excessiue charge they were that set vp them Of Gazar This Citie is described in the Trauels of Solomon The Trauels of Hadad King of Idumaea WHen Dauid conquered Idumaea Hadad
the King of that country with some few of his courtiers being then but young fled from Midian to Paran the Metropolitan Citie of Arabia Petraea which was 84 miles 1 Reg. 11. But because he thought himselfe scarce safe in that place he fled thence to Cheopes that impious and tyrannicall King of Aegypt that built the greatest of the three Pyramides at Memphis He hating King Dauid gaue him kinde entertainment assigned him a part of the Kingdome of Aegypt to dwell in and after married him with his sister Tachpenes by whom he had a sonne called Genubath who was brought vp in Pharaohs or King Chopes court where he continued all the life of Dauid being 27 yeares which was 120 miles Dauid being dead he returned into his own kingdome of Idumaea which was 200 miles From thence hee went to Damascus which was 240 miles where he was created King of the Syrians by Reson and other fugitiues which had conspired against Solomon by which meanes he grieuously troubled that Kingdome and became an vtter enemie to the Israelites all the life of Solomon And of him is the originall and stocke of the Kings of Syria So all the trauels of Hadad were 644 miles Of Midian and Paran you may reade before in the one dwelt Iethro Moses father in law in the other Ishmael that being the chiefe city of his dominions as you may reade Gen. 21. Ex. 2. Of Reson Solomons aduersarie AFter Dauid had conquered Hadad Ezer king of Zoba Reson his chiefe captaine gathered vp his dispersed souldiers of his army and fled from him to Damascus which was 120 miles and besieged it the Citizens whereof when neither Dauid nor Solomon could suppresse his rebellion entertained him for their King which principalitie he held The Trauels of the Kings of Israel and first of IEROBOAM THis man was the sonne of Nebat and borne at a towne called Zared not far from Bethlehem Ephrata some eight miles from Ierusalem from whence hee came to Solomon who made him captaine that he might collect the tribute of Manasses and Ephraim 1 Reg. 11. which was eight miles From Ierusalem as he went to Shilo which was foure miles he met the Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite who told him that he should be King of Israel 1 Reg. 11. From thence he went to Memphis in Aegipt which was 224 miles because Solomon sought his life where he remained with Sesak king of Aegypt all the life of Solomon Eusebius calleth this King Osochores who that same yeare succeeded Macrenius Solomons father in law in that gouernment From thence hee returned to the towne of Sichem in Israel which was 280 miles where the Israelites made him chiefe captaine against Rehoboam Solomons sonne Wherefore Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat began to raigne ouer Israel An. mundi 2971 and before Christ 997 and raigned 22 yeares 1 Reg. 12. His first seat was at Sichem which he repaired and enlarged From Sichem in the first yeare of his raigne hee went to Penuell and there set vp many faire buildings which was twelue miles 1 Reg. 12. From Penuel he went 24 miles to the towne of Bethel where he caused a golden Calfe to be set vp for the people to worship From thence he went to Thirza which is 16 miles This citie he built and there kept his court 1 Reg. 14. From thence he went to the mount Zemaraim which is mount Ephraim 18 miles where he had a great battell with Abia king of Iuda and lost 500000 of his souldiers all chosen men of Israel 2 Chr. 13. verse 17. Hauing lost this battell with all possible speed that he could went thence to Thirza which is 18 miles there the Lord strucke him with a grieuous disease that hee died miserably 1 Reg. 14. 2 Chr. 13. So all the Trauels of Ieroboam first King of Israel were 623 miles The Description of the townes and places to which IEROBOAM trauelled Of Zemeraim THis was a certaine Plaine in mount Ephraim eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North neere to the towne of Bethel in the Tribe of Manasses for mount Ephraim is diuided into diuers parts and Tribes It seemeth to take the name of certaine trees that abound neere that place whereon cotton wooll groweth for Zaemaer signifieth Wooll which by little and little vpon such trees doth increase and grow to perfection Of Thirza THis was a faire and beautifull citie scituated in a high and pleasant mountaine in the Tribe of Manasses some twenty foure miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In this place the kings of Israel vsed to keep their courts vntill Samaria was built It was so called because of the excellencie and delectablenesse of the place for Thirza doth denote An acceptable and thankfull citie being deriued of Razah he receiueth thankfully Of the yeares of the iniquitie of Israel THe yeares of the iniquitie of Israel mentioned in Ezek. 4. is to be accounted from that day wherin Ieroboam first erected the golden Calues wherefore the greatest part of the first yeare of the iniquitie agreeth with the second yeare of Ieroboams raign From whence may be gathered that from that time till the destruction of Ierusalem by Nabuchadnezzar were 390 yeares full ended Of Ieroboams wife Queene of Israel SHee went from Thirzo to Zilo which was about 24 miles there she asked counsell of Ahijam the Prophet concerning her son Abia for he was sicke but he told her heauie tidings 1 Reg. 14.7 Wherefore being pensiue and troubled in her mind she returned backe againe to her husband to Thirzo which was 24 miles 1 Reg. 14. So these two journies were 48 miles The journey of the man of God which came out of Iuda THis man of God as Iosephus writeth lib. Ant. 8. came from Ierusalem to Bethel which was eight miles and was called by the name of Iadon which signifieth the Iudge of the Lord. When he came thither he reproued Ieroboam with an extraordinary spirit of whom you may reade more 1 Reg. 13. But being deceiued as he was returning a Lyon met him in the way where he was slaine and after buried in a sepulchre in Bethel The Trauels of NADAB the second King of Israel NAdab or Bonifacias succeeded his father Ieroboam in the Kingdome of Israel and was annointed while hee was yet liuing a liberall and free-hearted Prince Hee began to raigne in the second yeare of Asa King of Iuda Anno mundi 2992 and before Christ 977. Hee raigned during the life of his father a yeare and somewhat more but when hee had raigned two yeares hee went from Thirza with a great army to the citie of Gibithon which was 36 miles this towne he besieged very straitly but at length was slaine by one of his captaines called Baesa so he lost both his life and kingdome in that place 1 Reg. 15. Of Gibithon THis was a citie of the Leuites in the Tribe of Dan not farre from Ekron in the land of the Philistines 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the
the sinnes of the world Ioh. 1. So these trauels were 140 miles The Trauels of our Sauior Christ in the first yeare of his Ministery which was the 31 of his age BVt yet our Sauiour Christ began not to preach publiquely because it was not lawfull for any to be admitted into the Ministerie of the Word vntill they were past thirty yeres of age Now our Sauior Christ in the moneths of Ianuary and February being then past thirty for he was full thirty vpon the 25 day of December began to preach publiquely but yet hee had no disciples neither had he wrought any miracles In the month of March Iohn Baptist testified of Christ before the Priests Levits and within two daies after Christ being then present Iohn said Behold the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world c. Within a while after Christ went thence towards Cana in Galile in which journy he took vnto him some disciples namely Andrew and Iohn the Evangelist and as some thinke Peter Philip and Nathaniel neere to the town of Bethel where the Patriarch Iacob saw a ladder reaching from earth to heauen for Christ maketh mention of that vision in this journey which was 32 miles Ioh. 2. where hee graced the marriage with a notable mircle turning six pots of water containing 168 gallons and three quarts or thereabouts into wine Ioh. 2. After he went thence with his mother and his disciples to Capernaum 20 miles but he stayed there but a while for the passeouer of the Iewes was at hand Ioh. 2. In the beginning of Aprill Christ went from Capernaum to Ierusalem to the feast of the Passeouer which was 56 miles and there cast out of the Temple the money-changers and those that sold sheepe and oxen and doues in it This was done about 46 yeares after Herod Ascalonita King of the Iewes had rebuilded and beautified the Temple of which you may read in Iosep li. Ant. 15. cap. 14. Ioh. 2. This first Passeouer of the Ministery of our Sauiour Christ The first Passouer of the Ministerie of Christ of which you may reade Iohn cap. 2. was celebrated vpon the sixth day of Aprill and continued vntill the thirteenth day of the same moneth During which time our Sauiour Christ did many Miracles insomuch that many beleeued in his name and amongst the rest Nicodemus who came to him by night and reasoned with him concerning the kingdome of God Nicodemus signifies the Victorie of the people Ioh. 3. At this time he continued in Ierusalem till the moneth of October and there celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles and preached the acceptable yeare of the Lord Esay 61. The feast of Tabernacles being ended Iesus with his disciples came into Iudea that is hee went from Ierusalem and began to teach in Iudea and his Disciples baptised Ioh. 3.4 Iohn also baptised at this time vpon the borders of Galile neer Iudea 42 miles from Ierusalem Northward vpon the East side of the riuer Iordan for hee was not yet cast into prison Therefore Christ chose him a place to teach and baptise in vpon the riuer of Iordan neere Iohn that they might meet and conuerse together A little after the question was moued concerning Purification and Iohn began to preach of Christ and that he was the Son of God and Spouse of the Church In this Sermon Iohn in many places called himselfe the Friend of the Spouse From whence it is euident That Christ and Iohn in the moneth of Nouember did often meet and conuerse together In the moneth of December Christ being assured of the captiuitie of Iohn the Baptist Mat. 4. Mark 1. and of the persecution and fallacies of the Pharisees Iohn 4. went from Iordan and returned into Galilee by the prouince and countrey of Samaria in which countrey he came to Iacobs Well which stood close by Sichar in former times called Sichem about some 10 miles from Iordan towards the West in which place he spake with the Samaritan woman this happened some foure months before Haruest and after went into Sichar and continued there for the space of two dayes and after returning into Galile was very acceptably entertained of the Galileans because they formerly hauing seene his miracles done at Ierusalem were ioyfull to see him there When he had trauelled from Sichar to Cana a city in Galile the lower which was 32 miles where he had changed water into wine there was a certain Ruler came vnto him whose sonne lay sicke at Capernaum 20 miles distant and besought him to heale his son our Sauiour told him that his son was made whole so he beleeued and his son was made whole the same houre This was the second miracle that our Sauior Christ did Io. 4. It is thought that this rulers name was Chuza of whom there is mention Luk. 8 and was Herods Procurator whose wiues name was Iohanna which signifieth Gratious This woman ministred of all her substance vnto Christ Ioh. 4. So these Trauels were 192 miles ¶ Of the Townes and places to which he trauelled Of Canain Galile THis was a city of the lower Galile where our blessed Sauior Christ turned water into wine being distant from Ierusalem 68 miles Northward The place where our Sauior wrought this miracle is to be seen at this day but it is within the ground and you must descend by certain steps before you can come at it because as it seemes there haue bin many churches and buildings set vpon it which being sundry times ouerthrown the ruins therof haue raised the earth in such sort that the antient place is as it were hidden laid vnder the earth as is also the place of the Annuntiation of the natiuity of our Sauior Christ and many other where hee wrought miracles to which they doe descend downe vnder the earth by steps Vpon the North side of this towne stood a round hill and vpon the South a goodly plaine beeing called Cana in Galile to put distinction between it and another towne called after the same name which stood vpon the borders of Tyrus and Sidon in the Tribe of Aser in which the Canaanitish woman or Syroph oenicean dwelt which besought Christ to heal her daughter who was possessed of a diuel Mat. 15. Mark 7. which was called Canah the greater as this was called Canah the lesse and was distant each from other 44 miles Canah was so called because round about it grew Reeds and there were many moorish and waterish grounds wherof the town tooke the name For Canah signifies a Reed which is a fit type of the Church for as our Sauior Christ at this town which stood in a moorish and reedy place graced the marriage with an extraordinarie miracle so likewise will he grace the marriage of his Church though troubled with miseries and afflictions in this world tossed to and fro like a wauering reed with the glorious presence of his gratious countenance and in the world to come crowne it with eternall
glory Of Capernaum THis city was so called from the pleasant and comfortable scituation of it In the Hebrew text Mathew cals it Capharnacum i. The town of comfort being deriued of Nocham i. Consolation In this town our Sauior dwelt after he had left Nazareth and in it wrought many miracles as the healing of the sick casting out of diuels and such like whereof you may read Mat. 8. Mark 1. Luke 5.7 Iohn 4. It stood in the land of Genesareth vpon the West and North side of Iordan in an angle of land ioyning to the sea of Galile 56 miles from Ierusalem Northward in the tribe of Issacher and as it is thought by some iust in the middest of the twelue tribes Mat. 9. calls it the city of our Sauior And that Christ was no stranger but an inhabitant of this city it is manifest Mat. 17. where Christ when he gaue tribute to the magistrats of this city asked Peter saying Of whom doe the Kings of the earth take tribute Peter said Of strangers Then quoth hee the children are free yet neuerthelesse c. From whence may be gathered that he was no stranger but an inhabitant in Capernaum It had vpon the Northside of it the three Tribes Nepthalim Aser and Zabulon vpon the South Benjamin Iuda Dan and Simeon vpon the West Issacher Ephraim and the halfe Tribe of Manasses and vpon the East Reuben Gad and the other halfe tribe of Manasses so that our Sauior Christ dwelt in the midst of the 12 tribes of Israel Furthermore it was a goodly market towne and had as well relation to Tyrus and Sidon two townes of the Gentiles within 44 miles of it as to Ierusalem from whence may be verified that saying of Esa ca. 8.9 The land of Zebulon and Nepthalim neere the way of the sea beyond Iordan and Galile of the Gentiles a people which sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death saw a great Light This town is therfore instly called the city of Comfort and Consolation since our Sauior Christ dwelt there who with his doctrine and preaching refreshed comforted all such as were afflicted with the burthen of their sins But the great men that were inhabitants of this City had more respect to their priuat profit than to the doctrine miracles that Christ wrought among them from whence it came to passe that they did as it were neglect and contemne that good which God had offered vnto them which made our Sauior say And thou Capernaum which seemest to be exalted vp vnto heauen shalt be cast down into hell for if the miracles had been done in Sodom and Gomorah which haue been done in thee they had continued vntill this day Verily verily I say vnto you It shall be easier for Sodom and Gomorah in the day of Iudgment than for thee Mat. 11. For there was no such benefit offered to any Citie neither such honours and dignities as were to Capernaum our Sauior himselfe dwelling there Wherefore for their ingratitude and impiety the city hath diuers times bin wasted and destroied as well by the Romanes as other nations so that at this day this glorious city is become so desolate that there is scarce 8 houses standing and they also like small sheds Of Sichar IN antient time this towne was called Sichem of which you may reade more both in the trauels of Iacob and Abimilech After it came to be called Sichar according to the opinion of Luther vpon Genesis because the inhabitants of that country were giuen to pleasure and voluptuousnesse the greatest part of their delight being in drinking and quaffing for Sichar being deriued of Schachar signifieth to bee drunke or inordinately to swallow sweet and pleasant wine of which there was great plenty in that towne made of the juice of Apples the fruit of Palme trees and honey which may very well resemble Hipocras or Metheglin as some Authors haue it And although by the incursion of the Romanes it was vtterly wasted and left desolate yet in succeeding times it was rebuilt and called Nicapolis that is a New towne It is scituated very pleasantly and aboundeth with all manner of delights but it is vnfortified neither can it by any meanes bee fortified neither haue the inhabitants any helpe if they be oppressed by the Enemy but to fly for it is scituated in the middle of a valley betweene two high mountaines so that a man may fling a stone from the top of one of them into the city About two bowes shoot without the South gate of this towne is to be seene the Fountaine or Well of Iacob vpon the brimme of which our Sauiour Christ sate when hee was wearie as wee may reade in the fourth of Iohn This Well standeth iust in the way as Pilgrimes trauell to Ierusalem Vpon the right hand aboue this Well there standeth a mountain of an exceeding height diuided into two tops the one of them being called Gerizim the other Heball In mount Gerizim the Patriarch Ioshuah built an Altar and the people standing vpon mount Heball he caused the whole booke of Deuteronomie to be read ouer with the Blessings and Cursings so that all the people might heare them for thus we reade in Ios 8. The one halfe of the people stood close by Mount Gerizim and the other by mount Heball c. Deuteronom Chap. 27. These two great mountaines began vpon the right side of the Citie Sichar and extended themselues in length to the Citie of Iericho Vpon the left side of this Wel is to be seen the ruins of a great towne which is thought to be the old Sichem and by the relicks that remaine there it may be iudged to haue been a very goodly Citie For there are yet to bee seene certaine broken Pillars of Marble as also large and spatious Buildings which in times past without question haue beene very goodly things and standeth wonderfull pleasantly the soile round about it beeing very pleasant and fruitfull onely there is want of water This Towne lieth some two Bowes shoot from Sichar and the inhabitants of that place judge this Sichar to be Thebez where Abimelech died Iudg. 9. Not farre from Iacobs Well is to be seene that piece of ground which Iacob gaue to Ioseph more than the rest of his brethren Gen. 48. It is a long valley very fruitfull and pleasant where there lies buried in a certaine faire garden the bones of Iacob and Ioseph which were brought out of Aegypt Iosh 24. the reliques of which sepulchre are yet to be seene Mount Garizim or Gerizim is so called from the cutting downe of Trees for Garaz signifies To cut downc Vpon this Mountaine is to be seene euen to this day the place where the Temple stood that was built by Sanballath dedicated to Iupiter Olympius in contempt of the Temple of Ierusalem The chiefe Priest of this Temple was one Manasses a fugitiue of the stocke of Leui. This Manasses was brother to Iaddus chiefe Priest of Ierusalem