conquered by the Saracens but they held it not long for Roger Norman King of Sicilia got it out of their Power Anno Dom. 1090. And so it continued in the hands of the Sicilians till Anno Dom. 1520. And then Charles the fifth being Emperour gave it to the Knights of Saint Iohn upon condition that they should oppose the Turks Gallies and defend that part of Christendom So the Knights of St. Iohn together with their Governour sailed to Malta and so fortified it that it is impossible to be taken unless by Famin or Treason There were many famous Bishops that lived in this place and very devout Christians In the time of the Emperour Theodosius there was a Councel held at which were present 240 Bishops At this day this Bishoprick is subject to the Archbishop of Palermo and the chief Government of the Isle is in the Power of the Knights of St. Iohn c. Of Syracusa THIS was a City of the Isle of Sicilia built by one Archia of Corinth standing close by the Sea Shore on the North side of the Isle 2756 miles from Ierusalem towards the West It was a fair and goodly City in antient time called Tetrapolis because it was divided into three parts one of which parts stood in the Isle of Ortygia separated from the Continent with a little streight Sea and with that famous Fountain Arthusia The other part was called Acradine and the third Tycha to which in after-times there was built up a fourth and called by the name of Neapolis All this City was compassed in with three Walls so strong and so admirably fortified both by Nature and Art that it opposed the Carthaginians in equal War It was called Syracusa from drawing or sucking and in process of time obtained the whole Jurisdiction and Government of that Isle which was so well peopled in the time of Dionysius the Tyrant that he was able to make and maintain an Army of one hundred thousand Foot and twelve thousand Horse There were two Havens in that part which was called Ortygia so marvellously fortified with such huge Rocks and other Munition that they were wonderful to look upon There also stood a Castle or Tower called by the name of Mercia which was so strong that when all the rest of the Town was conquered yet that maintained War for a long time In this Hold the Kings and Tyrants of this Country usually kept their Treasures and other things that were material There were many worthy and famous Princes ruled in it but above them all Dionysius the elder exceeded the rest who when he saw what abundance of Vessels of Gold and Silver Dionysius the younger had heaped together cried out and said In te Regius affectus non est qui ex tanta poculorum vi amicum neminem conciliasti That is Verily the mind of a King is not in thee that out of so many Cups couldest not procure one Friend For after he was banished and constrained to keep a School Both these Dionysians were learned Men and great Philosophers It is thought that this Island was some time a part of Italy and joyning to the Field of Brutius but in time through the violence of the Sea separate from the Continent From whence it was called Sicilita and also Trinacris because there were three Mountains standing upon three Promontories in three several places of it giving the proportion of a Triangle for there was an Angle toward the South called Pactinus another toward the South-west called Lilybaeus and another called Pelorus which lay distant near about two miles from Italy In times past it was under the command of the Romans but now the Spaniards have chief Government of it There are many things remaining to this day worthy observation but chiefly the Mountain Aetna which still casteth out Fire and Smoak c. Of Rhegium THIS was a Town of Italy belonging to the Family of the Brutians at first built by the Calcidonians and Messenians upon the utmost bounds of Italy toward the Sicilian Sea being distant from that Isle sixty Furlongs and called by the name of Rhegium as some think from Rumpo to break for that near about the place where that Town stood the Sea being very Tempestuous broke the Isle of Sicilia from the Continent Others think it was called Rhegium because it was so strong and beautiful a City that it might well have been the Seat of a Prince Close by this City in the Sicilian Sea there stands a Rock somewhat above the Water representing in Figure the Proportion of a Man and round about it are to be seen other little Rocks like barking Dogs In this place the Water is so extream violent and runes with so strong a current that it is very dangerous for Mariners especially such as are ignorant to sail that way Wherefore the Poets made this verse to signifie a man that stood in a Dangerous and Doubtful estate Decidit in Scyllam cupiens vitare Charibdim Seeking to shun Charibdis curled Waves He thrusts himself into stern Scylla's Jaws But that Mariners might avoid these dangerous places upon the North angle of Sicilia in the Promontory of Petorus there is erected a lofty Tower standing as a Sea-mark that so they by that direction might escape these dangerous places Not far from Scillari is to be seen another Town of that Rock called Scyllacus but of the Inhabitants it is commonly called Scyglius or Scyglio and Rhegium also at this day is called Rezo and Reggio of Antimnestus Captain of Chalcedon and as Strab. lib. 6. saith is scituated in Calabria 1332 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of Puteoli THIS City is in Campania a Country of Italy not far from Naples scituated on the Sea Shore 1381 miles from Ierusalem Westward taking that name from Fountains or Wells of hot Water being built by the Salamians as Eusebius saith about such time as the Tarquins were banished Rome 507 years before the Nativity of Christ. It was antiently called Dicaearchia because of their singular Justice and Noble Government But when the Romans made War upon Hannibal they fortified this Town to withstand his Forces and then called it Puteoli which name it retained a long time after At this day it is called Puzzoli At this City the Apostle Paul and his Companions arrived when they sailed into Rome Act. 27. Between Puteoli and Baia there lieth the Lake of Lucrinus into which by the command of Augustus Caesar a Dolphin was thrown Now there was a young Youth called Simon the Son of a poor man dwelling in Baia who usually played among other Youths upon the Banks of this Lake and seeing the Dolphin it being a strange Fish in those parts and very amiable to look upon did take great delight in it and oft times fed it with Bread and other things as he could get insomuch as the Dolphin when it heard the Boy 's Voice upon the Bank of the River would resort to him and receive at his hand
miles The Description of the places mentioned in their Travels Of Naphtaly THIS was the chief City of the Tribe of Naphtaly eighty four miles from Ierusalem toward the North. It stood in Galilee and in times past was a strong Town here Tobias the Elder was born It is to be seen at this day as some say but much decayed and is now called by the name of Sirin scituated in a Mountain so steep and strongly fortified by Nature upon the West side that it is impossible to ascend upon it In a Valley some two miles from this Town towards the South Naason spoken of in the first Chapter of Toby is scituated Upon the left side whereof there stood a Town called Sophet but now there is nothing to be seen but a Castle where in antient times the Knights Templers kept their abiding and at this day is in the custody of the Turks This Castle is scituated upon a high Mountain fortified very strongly both by Art and Nature and standeth within a mile of Naphtaly South-Westward At such time as Iosephus that great Historiographer who was the Son of Matthia or Marathia a Priest of the Iews was chosen chief Commander of the Tribe of Naphtaly he gathered an Army of 100000 and fortified this Castle and Naphtaly and many other Towns thereabouts continuing a long and sharp War against the Romans until Naphtaly was taken and he constrained to yield himself Captive In the taking in of which Town Titus the Son of Vespasian did first ascend the Walls and there made manifest his noble resolution and valour Vid. Ios. de bell Iud. lib. 3. 4. Of Rages a City of the Medes RAges is so called of a great Congregation being derived of Ragasch that is He hath assembled a great company for it was a very Populous City It was also called as Strab. lib. 11. Cosmograph saith Rahga but after being rebuilt and fortified by Nicanor it was by him called Europus being distant from Ierusalem 1396. Miles toward the Northeast The Persians call it Arsacia S. Ierom. de Trad. Hebr. would have Edissa a City of Mesopotamia or rather as Pliny saith of Coelosyria to be Rages which stands but 448. Miles from Ierusalem Northward and from Nineveh 188 miles Westward There are divers others that have wrote of this Town of Edissa but that this and Rages should be both one I cannot see how to agree with Toby for that he himself hath set it down to stand in Media and the Cities of the Medes lie distant from Ierusalem 1396 miles Therefore gentle Reader I refer it to thy better consideration Of Jesus the Son of Syrach SYrach signifies an illustrious Prince being derived of Sarach he hath shined forth he was of that noble Family of David that is the Son of Syrach the son of Iesu and Cousen-german to Amos Syrach who as Philo saith was the chief Prince and captain of the Children of Israel in the time of Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Egypt and is inserted into the Genealogy of Christ Luke 3. He was born 230. years before Christ in the City of Ierusalem from whence about the 38. year of his age he went to Alexandria a City of Egypt 288 miles Evergates Ptolomais the Son of Philadelphus being then King of that Country where he gathered out of that flourishing Library set up at the charge of Ptolomais Philadelphus his book of Ecclesiasticus as Bees from divers flowers gather sweet hony Of the great City Alexandria ALexandria was a City of Egypt distant from Ierusalem 288 miles Westward in ancient time called No that is a Hindrance But Alexander the Great taking affection to this city in the year 330. before Christ began to build it for by continuance of time it was much decayed and within the space of 17. days made it a goodly city much greater than that it was before to which that he might add the greater grace he called it after his own name Alexandria and there he lieth buried after he had governed the Empire of the Grecians 7 years For although he dyed in Babylon the chief City of the Chaldaeans yet Ptolomais one of his chief Princes removed his Body thence in a golden chariot to Memphis in Egypt and 20 years after to Alexandria The Scituation thereof is very delectable bordering to the North upon the Mediterranean Sea and to the South upon the Pool of Mareridis as Strabo saith lib. 17. It was ten miles about strongly fortified with walls beautified with goodly buildings scituated in a very fruitful Country And to give a greater delight unto the inhabitants without the Walls there stood many goodly Orchards and Gardens plentifully furnished with fruits and flowers of divers kinds as Pomecitrons Figgs c. During the time of Ptolomais Philadelphus it was a famous and flourishing City for this Prince being a great lover of Learning instituted an Academy as it is thought in it and added thereto a stately Library wherein were 400000 Books The same whereof being published through the World many People of divers Nations resorted thither to see it Then Eleazar also the High-priest of the Iews at the request of Ptolemais sent 72 Interpreters to translate the Bible out of Hebrew into Greek which was as Eusebius observeth in the third year of his reign before Christ 268. In recompence whereof he sent to be dedicated in the Temple of Ierusalem a Table of gold richly adorned with Carbuncles Smaragdes and other precious stones two stately Cups and 30 Bowls of pure gold as appeareth in Ioseph lib. Antiq. 12. The Academy continued there till after Christs time as you may read Acts 6. But the Library was consumed 47 years before Christ and the City greatly defaced For Iulius Caesar at that time making war with Pompey the younger who continued with his Sister Cleopatra in this City caused the Kings Navy to be set on fire and the Library standing neer it the flame took hold of it and burnt it down to the ground with all that was in it and defaced also a great part of the City Upon the Book of Maccabees The Travels of Antiochus Epiphanes ANtiochus Epiphanes that is An illustrious Adversary in the year of Christ 380. was sent out of Syria by Antiochus the Great to Rome which was 1600. miles where he remained as an hostage for his Father and his Brother Seleucus Philâ—pater seventeen years 1 Mac. 1. After the death of his Father he stole secretly from Rome and went back again to Antiochia in Syria which was 1600 miles and there succeeded his Brother Zeleucus Philopater in the government He began to reign 173 years before Christ. In the third year of his Reign he went from Antiochia to Tyrus 60 miles in that journey he conquered all the lower part of Syria and Phoenicia From thence he went about six score miles through Galilee and Iudaea conquering all the Cities and Countries that lay in his way and would also have gone down into Egypt but when he
66.10 31.58 Jarmouth 65.37 31.51 Azecha 65.51 31.54 Lachis 65.51 31.49 Eglon 65.50 31.48 Makeda 65.49 31.52 Libna 95.49 31.50 Debir 65.32 31.46 Bethsur 65.47 31.48 Kâ—chila 65.38 31.47 Mareâ—a 65.42 31.54 Maon 65.38 31.41 Carmel 65.40 31.44 Ziph 65.38 31.43 Arah 65.45 31.37 Hebron 65.33 31.45 Gerer 65.37 31.42 Kades barnea 65.22 31.29 Adar 65.12 31.32 Carcaha 65.06 31.30 Hasmona 65.00 31.30 Bethsemes 65.55 31.55 Beersabah 65.31 31.40 Siclag 65.15 31.37 Ecron 65.40 31.58 Azotus 65.35 31.00 Astalon 65.24 31.52 Gath 65.23 31.48 Gaza 65.11 31.40 The Towns lying on this side of the River Jordan Dan 67.25 33.08 Jor sons 67.31 33.07 Caesarea Philippi 67.30 32.05 Seleucia 67.17 33.50 Eruptio fluvii ex Samachoniride palude 67.11 32.44 Capernaum 66.53 31.29 Eruptio fluvii è mare Genezareth 66.43 32.21 Ephion 66.42 32.20 Ennon 66.40 32.16 Gamala 66.55 32.25 Salem 66.37 32.18 Chrit torrens 66.16 31.57 Ostia Jordanis 66.17 31.54 Engedi 66.22 31.43 Zoar vel Sagor 66.17 31.38 Eruptio Zered 66.19 31.34 Towns standing beyond Jordan Mirba 66.50 32.20 Astharoth 67.00 32.26 Astaroth 66.57 32.23 Gadara 66.48 32.23 Machanaim 66.44 32.19 Jaezar 66.39 32.12 Hesbon 66.28 32.05 Jabes 66.55 32.21 Ramah 66.51 32.20 Nobach 66.38 32.16 Jachsa 66.28 32.02 Aroer 66.30 32.00 Macherus 66.23 31.56 Minith 66.36 32.66 Midian 66.30 31.55 Didon 66.32 32.06 Punuel 66.39 31.18 Edrei 66.15 32.21 Abela Vinearum 67.00 32.23 Philadelphia 67.10 32.22 Pella 67.03 32.20 Phiala fons 67.43 33.05 Betharan 67.30 32.08 Pisgamons 66.26 32.01 Abarim montes 66.29 31.58 Towns in Aegypt Memphis 61.50 29.50 Heliopolis 62.15 29.59 Tanis 63.30 29.50 Taphnis 62.30 31.00 Ony 60.30 30.10 Alexandria 60.30 31.00 Mercurii civitas magna 61.40 28.55 Mercurii civitas parva 61.00 30.50 Delta magnum 62.00 30.00 Xois 62.30 30.45 Busitis 62.30 30.15 Hesâ—oe 63.20 29.10 Solis â—ons 58.15 28.00 Iourneys out of Aegypt Raemses 63.00 30.05 Pihachiroth 62.50 29.40 Mara 63.35 29.50 Elim 63.45 29.50 Juxtâ— mare 63.55 29.45 Paran Promontorium 65.00 29.00 Daphea 64.14 29.46 Alus 64.30 29.46 Raphiddim 64.40 29.53 Sinai mons 65.00 30.00 Hazeroth 65.50 30.14 Zephor mons 65.54 30.50 Mozeroth 64.18 39.04 Hasmona 65.09 31.30 Gidgad mons 65.30 30.20 Jothabatha 65.30 26.40 Habrona 65.30 29.40 Hesion Gaber 65.30 29.20 Sin 66.00 29.56 Hor mons 66.00 30.25 Salmona 66.25 30.40 Phunon 66.30 30.54 Oboth 66.50 31.04 Jeabarim 67.00 31.18 Zered torrens vallis 66.44 21.20 Didon Gad 66.48 31.32 Almon diblathaim 66.48 31.24 Chedemoth solitudo 66.56 32.00 Beer puteus 66.50 23.00 Marthana Solitudo 66.49 23.00 Nathaleel 66.40 00.23 Bamoth vallis 66.30 32.00 Towns in Arabia Petraea Petra 65.40 31.18 Paran 94.30 30.04 Midian 65.30 29.15 Hesion gebar 65.35 29. â—0 Elana villa harla vel elath 95.35 29.15 Ostia Nili Canopicum 66.50 31.05 Bolbithinum 61.30 31.05 Sibenniticum 61.45 31.05 Pathmiticum 92.35 31.10 Mendesium 62.45 31.10 Pelusiacum 63.15 31.15 Thou 63.00 31.30 Sirbonis lacus eruptio 65.45 31.50 Sirbonis lacus 63.30 31.10 Idem 63.45 31.10 Civitas Pelusium 36.25 31.20 Rhinocorura 94.40 31.10 Some other great Towns Babilon 76.00 35.00 Antiochia 60.30 33.35 Damasâ—us 68. â—5 33.00 Palmira 72.40 35.10 Ur chaldeorum 78.00 39.40 Eâ—bathana 88.00 37.47 Rages in Media 93.40 36.04 Sula in Perâ—a 83.00 34.15 Persepolis 91.00 33.20 Heccatompilon in Parthia 96.00 37.50 Zaba in Arabia foelix 97.00 13.00 Meroe 61.30 16.25 Haram in Mesopotania 75.15 36.10 Hircania 98.30 40.00 Ciraenae 50.00 31.20 The Description of the City of Ierusalem as it was before Titus Vespasian destroyed it THE most holy and beautiful City of Ierusalem was twice destroyed first by Nebuchadnezzar the most puissant King of Babylon who did utterly beat down and overthrow the City burning the costly Temple which King Soloâ—on had built After that Zorobabel and the High Priest Ioshua when they returned from the Captivity of Babylon re-edified and built again both the City and the Temple in the Year before the Birth of Christ 535. But the second Temple which was built after their Return was neither so fair nor so great as the first for it was twenty Cubits loweâ— than the former After that King Herod seventeen years before the Birth of Christ caused the said Tâ—â—ple to be broken down again as Iosephus saith and â—â—ected another new Temple in Place thereof which nevâ—rtheless was not like the first Temple that Sâ—lomon built as touching the Greatness but it was exceeding fairly decked and adorâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Gold and Silver so that in regard of the Beautifulness â—â—â—reof it was a Wonder unto all that came to Ierusalem Which Temple forty Years after Christ's Death and 〈◊〉 was also utterly destroyed by Tâ—tus the Son of 〈…〉 the â—mperour I will 〈…〉 form of the City Ierusalem as it was before it was defaced by 〈…〉 of Vespâ—â—an and therewithall I will shew how the costly 〈…〉 Solomon placed therein stood for seeing that the two 〈…〉 great Molten Sea were not therein when our Lord 〈…〉 Earth being broken down by Nebuchadnezzar's 〈…〉 necessary and very requisite to be known how they 〈…〉 that the Reader may be fully satisfied I will also first 〈…〉 of Ierusalem as it was in those Days with the chiefest Places 〈…〉 Towers Gates Houses Castles Fountains Hills Vallies 〈…〉 things therein How the City Ierusalem is scituate 〈…〉 from Germany TH◠〈…〉 is scituate in the middle of 〈…〉 thereabouts and Ierusalem is 〈…〉 five hundred miles but if you will travel to 〈…〉 from thence to Ierusalem it is five hundred and â—ifty Miles The Scituation of Jerusalem and the Mountains whereon it stood JErusalem was four square and scituated upon four Mountains viz. Mount Sion Mount Moriah Mount Acra and Mount Bezetha Mount Sion was the highest of all and lay within the City of Ierusalem towards the South whereon stood King David's House or the Castle of Sion and the uppermost Town Mount Moriah whereon the Temple stood with other excellent Buildings and Towers was on the East side of the City within the Walls Mount Acra whereon the lower Town was built stood Westward in the City where Annas Caiphas Pilate Herod Agripâ—a Bernice Helena and other Kings and great Princes dwelt The holy City of Jerusalem may in this manner be briefly described THE most holy and beautiful City of Ierusalem if any would consider the three principal parts of the World Europe Asia and Africa stood in the midst of the World upon most high Mountains and Rocks like an earthly Paradise a lively Figure of the everlasting City of God This City being the Metropolitan or principallest City of the Jews stood in the Tribe of Benjamin at the first it was called Salem that is Peaceable when Melchisedech the Priest of God reigned therein which he also built after the Deluge as Iosephus and Egisippus write But at that time it was not very great for it stood only upon Mount Sion Mount Moriah where Abraham would have offered his Son Isaac stood without the City and after that they took it into the City as
when time serveth it shall be declared After the Death of Melchisedech unto whom Abraham paid the Tythes of all his Goods the Iebusites dwelt in the City of Ierusalem and had the dominion of it and all the Land thereabouts in their Subjection called the City Iebus after their Name which Name was held a long time as we read in Iosh. 10. Iud. 10. and 2 Sam. 1. But at last Ioab King David's General of his Army won it and drave the Jebusites out of it and called it Ierusalem that is A Sight or Vision of Peace It hath also other Names in the holy Scripture for in Esay 29. it is called Ariel that is God's â—yon and Mount Libanus The Prophet Ezechiel 23. calleth it Ahaliba my fixed Pavillion or Tent that is a City wherein God had placed his own Habitation The Circuit and Bigness of the City Jerusalem THE City of Ierusalem was four-square and in circumference three and thirty Furlongs as Iosephus writeth which three and thirty Furlongs make somewhat more than a Dutch mile Some write that it was four miles Compass about yet these were not Dutch miles but Walloon or Italian miles for four such Italian miles are a Dutch mile Of Mount Sion the higher City MOunt Sion stood Northwards in the City Ierusalem and was much higher than all the other Hills that were therein therefore it was called Sion that is a watch Tower because from thence one might see the Holy Land and all the Countries thereabout upon this Hill the upper City was built which in the Scripture is called the City of David because David won it from the Iebusites and beautified it with many goodly Houses and fair and costly buildings but especially with his house of Cedar-wood which he termed the Castle of Sion which stood Westwards at the corner of the Hill looking into Bethlehem Southwards In that house David dwelt and therein committed Adultery with Berseba the Wife of Vriah the Hittite whose House also with the place of divers Privy Councellors and Officers stood upon the Hill not far from the King's Palace as Iosephus writeth Beneath King David's House upon Mount Sion within a Rock there was to be seen the Sepulchre or Vault wherein King David Solomon his Son and other succeeding Kings of Iuda were entombed and buried Upon Mount Sion also towards the East King Herod had a Garden of Pleasure not far from the Fountain called Silo Nehemiah 3. and there also stood the Tower of Silo whereof Luke in the 13 chapter maketh mention Iosephus in the Wars of the Jews his first Book and sixteenth Chapter saith That King Herod under whom Christ Jesus was born had two fair and strong Houses or Towers which he set and made in the upper part of the City Ierusalem upon Mount Sion which were in a manner comparable with the Temple for Beautifulness which he called after the Name of his Friends the one Caesarea for Caesar the Emperor's sake and the other Agrippa acording to the name of the noble Roman Marcus Agrippa that marryed the Daughter of Augustus Caesar. This may suffice to declare the Scituation of the upper City which stood upon mount Sion and contained in Circuit fifteen Furlongs which is about half a mile This uppermost City in the sacred Scripture is called the City of David it was also called Millo that is Fullness or Plenty for in it there was no Want but Abundance of all things Of the Steps which descended down from the City of David unto the lower City MOunt Sion whereon the upper City of Ierusalem did stand was such a high hard Hill and so steep that no man could climb or ascend unto it by any way or means but only one that is by steps for in the middle thereof there was a great pair of stairs made which descended from David's City unto the lower City into the Valley or Dale of Gates called Thyroreion which stairs were 780 Foot high as Iohannes Heydonius writeth and beneath in the Valley of Thyroreion over against the Valley of Cedron at the foot of the stairs stood a Gate which was called the Gate of Sion and they which went up to Mount Sion must pass through that Gate and so up those Stairs but it is thought nevertheless that in some other part of the Hill there was some winding or other oblique way made by which Horses and Chariots by little and little might ascend Allegorical or Spiritual Significations of Mount Sion SIon in Hebrew signifieth a sure hold or goodly Aspect for that from the top thereof a man might have seen all the Land lying thereabouts and was a type of the highest Heavens or Habitation of Almighty God from whence he beholdeth all things upon Earth from which Throne and Heavenly Habitation he descended into this lower Ierusalem and became our Redeemer and Saviour that so we being purged by his Blood from all our Sins and Imperfections he might bring us into that heavenly Ierusalem which is eternall Glory Of Mount Moriah on which the Temple stood MOunt Moriah stood Eastward within Ierusalem which was a most hard stoney Hill from whence towards the rising of the Sun men by stairs might easily descend but round about on the other three sides it was steep and unapprochable like a Stone wall yet it was not so high as Mount Sion howbeit it was exceeding high extending and reaching 600 Foot in height and on the top thereof was a very fair Plain like unto that of Mount Sion whereon in times past Abraham built an Altar and would have offered his Son Isaac for a Sacrifice Gen. 22. At which time when Abraham obeyed the Commandment of God intending to have offered his Son Isaac upon the Hill and thereon had made an Altar then the said Hill lay without the City but long time after about the space of 850 Years when King David had conquered Ierusalem and driven thence the Iebusites to enlarge the City he compassed in Mount Moriah and Mount Acrâ— with a Wall upon which there stood many goodly Buildings And amongst other things worthy Observation upon this Mount stood the Barn or Threshing floor of Arafâ—a the Iebusite wherein King David built an Altar offered burnt Offerings and besought the Lord that the Angel of God whose hand was stretched over Ierusalem holding a bloody Sword and had smitten the City with the Pestilence might cease from punishing the same and the Plague ceased On the same place where the Barn of Arafâ—a the Jebusite stood King Solomon also did build the Temple 1 Paral. 23. 24. Ioseph Antiq. Jud. lib. 23. 24. An Allegorical or Spiritual Interpretation of Mount Moriah MOriah is as much as to say the Lord's Mirrh and signifieth our Lord Jesus Christ which is the true Mirrh and sweet smelling Sacrifice unto God a stedfast Rock an immoveable Foundation whereon God's Church and the Members thereof are built Esay 28. Matth. 16. Vpon this Rock will I build my
molten Sea standing upon twelve Oxen in the uppermost Court THE molten Sea and Fountain was a figure of Baptism and that living Water issuing from the Wounds of Christ whereby we are washed from all our Sins the Laâ—er of Regeneration whereby we are made capable of Eernal Life that Well of Water whereof if we drink we shall never thirst The twelve Oxen represent the twelve Apostles whose voices have gone through the World according to that in the Corinthians and have carried the Sea of Grace through all parts of the Earth Of which Water saith St. Augustine if thou drinkest but one drop it is more effectual to quench the thirst of Worldly and insatiable desires than an Ocean of earthly Waters The Mystery of the middle Court SOlomon's Court wherein Christ taught and in which the Jews used commonly to pray was a figure of that Church which should be gathered from amongst the Jewes For from thence he indeavoured first to assemble and gather together a Christian Congregation according to that which he spake to the Canaanitish Woman Mat 15. I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel Of the outward Court of the Gentiles THis Court signified That the Gentiles also should partake of the sheepfold and Congregation of Christ and be members of his holy Church according to that of Iohn 10. I have yet other sheep which I must also bring hither that sothere might be one sheepfold one Pastor c. Of the rest of the memorable Buildings standing upon mount Moriah HAving thus described the Temple together with the several Courts and Ornaments all which did typically represent Christ and his Church I will now proceed to the rest of the Buildings standing upon mount Moriah The first and most memorable was the house of Solomon which stood just against the Temple upon the South it shined so with Gold and Silver and was so stately and sumptuously built that when Queen Saba came to Ierusalem she stood amazed to see it There belonged to it divers Courts and Walks in one of which the Prophet Ieremy was prisoner Ier. 37. Over against this he made the Judgment-hall in which he placed the Ivory Chair spoken of 1 Kin. 10. He built by that another house for his Queeen she that was daughter of Pharaoh 1 Kin. 7. But when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Ierusalem all these together with the Temple were burnt and utterly deâ—aced Of the Peol of Bethesda UPon the North lay that sheep-fold or sequestred place called Bethesda Ioh. 5. which had five porches or Xenodochius as some would have it here Cattel came to drink and the Priests used to wash their Sacrifices because no unclean Beast might come within the Temple nor any thing that was foul or spotted be offered upon the Altar The water was of reddish colour and ran into that place in great abundance and therefore it was called the house of effusion or pouring out This was the place into which the Angel of God sometimes descended and troubled the Water after which whosoever stepped in was presently cured and here our Saviour Christ healed the Man that had been diseased 38 years Ioh. 5. This place was made by King Hezekiah who caused the water of the uppermost Pool which was called Gâ—â—on not far from mount Calvary to be conveyed by Pipes and passages through the Earth into the lower city called Acra and so fell into this place for which cause it was called the lower Pool The Allegorie or mystery hereof is That every one of Christs Sheep ought to be washed in the Pool of his Blood before they can be made fit Sacrifices to enter into his Temple or Church 1 Ioh. 1. Of the Tower or Castle called Antonia THis Castle as Ioseph hath it lib. 6. de Bell. cap. 6. stood between two Courts of the Temple at the North-West corner at first built by the Machabees and called by the name of Bâ—ris but after King Herod taking affection to that place bestowed great cost upon it walled it about built up sumptuous Towers and made it very strong then gave it the name of Antonia in favour of Antonius that noble Roman which Augustus a long time sustained after their decease Of the Hall called Coenaculum Anguli THis house stood upon an Angle or Cantle of the Hill and was therefore called Coenaculum Anguli it was very large and spatious and within had a great Hall whereof Nehem. cap. 3. maketh mention and here as some think our Saviour Christ ate the Paschal Lamb with his Disciples but I rather think it was in the Suburbs Of the Tower Ophel or the dark Tower NEar to the Valley of Cedron towards the East not far from the Temple and near the Castle Antonia there was builded a lofty and strong Tower or Palace called Ophel that is a place of darkness it was a very sumptuous thing Of Hamea or the Tower of the Centurions IN the Town wall between the Sheep-gate and the Dung-gate stood this Castle Hamea or Centurion taking the name â— Centenario numero i. The number of an hundred and was upon the East side of the City near to the sheepfold or Pool Bethesda Neh. 3. 12. Here the Centurions commonly kept watch Of Mount Acra and the buildings upon it MOunt Acra as is aforesaid stood upon the West side of Ierusalem it was a very high Mountain and took that name from the Greek word Acra a sharp or high Hill It was much higher than mount Moriah in times past till Machabeus's brother caused it to be cut lower to make it equal in height with mount Moriah Between these two Hills lay the Valley Cedron which was in profundity 400 Cubits Upon this Mountain another part of the City was builded being strongly fortified and richly adorned with sumptuous houses of which David and Solâ—mon were the principal Founders and was called the lower City or the Daughter of Sion It was so beautiful that some hold of which number are 〈◊〉 and Eusebius that it it exceeded the rest of the City Here stood the house of Helena Queen of the Adiabenoâ—s near about the midst of it as Ioseph observeth Li. Bell. 7. cap. 13. which Queen being converted to the Jewish Religion built her an house in this City that she might pray in the Temple Here stood the houses of her Sons Monebasius and Grapta here stood the houses of the High Priests Annas and Caiphas not far from the Valley Tyropae King Herod also that wicked Man who caused the innocent Children to be put to Death built him an house here near about the place where the Machabees in times past had a Castle for they built two one in Mount Moriah another in this Mount That in Mount Moriah was after called the Castle of Antonia and stood right against the Temple as is aforesaid And this being very sumptuously built and a Royal Seat was after the death of this Herod a Palace for his Successors Archilaus and Herod Agrippa
therefore Christ likened this Valley of Hinnon to Hell-fire for he called it Gehenna Mat. 5. That the Iewes should keep themselves from this Monstrous Idolatry God made a Law That if any Man were taken committing this kind of Idolatry he should forthwith be stoned to death and not suffered to live Levit. 18. and 20. The Valley of Gehennon is often times named in the Holy Scripture Iosh. 15. Nehem. 11. 2. Paral. 28. 33. Ier. 7. Jerom writeth that here by this Idol Moloch in the Valley of Hinnon there was a Wood for the Water ran out of the Fountain Siloah along by it and made the Valley Moist Of the field of Blood called Hakeldama THis Field of Blood which was bought for thirty silver Pence for the which Judas betrayed our Saviour Christ lay not far from the Valley of Hinnon Southward by the City of Jerusalem as Jerom writeth Of the Hill Hameskita or Offence and Slander THis Hill lay South-east not far from Jerusalem something wide of Mount Olivet so that there was but one Valley between them and was not altogether so high as it Also upon this Hill King Solomon in his old age suffered his Wives or Concubines to make Idolatrous Temples wherein he and his Wives worshipped Idols Of the Destruction of this famous City of Jerusalem by TITUS VESPASIAN THus have have I briefly set forth the Dignity Scituation and Curiosity of the Buildings of Ierusalem together with the Richness of the Temple and sumptuousness of the Houses now it rests to describe unto you the manner and means how this Famous City was destroyed surely a thing worthy Wonder according to that in Ieremy Whosoever shall hear of it his Ears shall tingle And that it might be the more famous and the Christians within it might take notice of the near approaching Desolation there were divers strange Accidents happened and Visions seen As first about some four years before the River Iordan was turn'd out of her course and was brought into the City Pella A while after that for a Year together there hung a Comet like a flaming Sword over the City and in the Night there was seen a Light in the Temple And in the Day when they were at Sacrifice a Calf brought forth a Lamb. Then about the middle of the Night the Eastern Gates of the Temple opened of their own accord In the Skies were seen Armies of Men Fighting and Horses and Chariots running to and again And at last there was heard a terrible Voice in the Temple uttering these Words Migremus Hinc that is Let us go â—ence And that there might be a general Proclamation of this sad and cruel Desolation through the whole City one Ananiâ—s the Son of Jesus a Man poor and Impotent upon the Feast of the Tabernacles ran through all the streets of the City and crying O a Voice from the East and a Voice from the West a Vâ—ice from the four Wiâ—dâ— a Voice over Jerusalem and the Temple a Voice over the Bridegroom and the Bride and a Voice over the whole multitude of this City And although he was Whipt and Imprisoned and cruelly handled yet so long as he lived he would not cease to utter these words which by somewere judg'd to foretell the horrible Desolation which after hapned For Tiâ—us Caesar Son of Flâ—vius the Emperour about seventy years after the Nativity of our Lord and about eight and thirty after his Ascension utterly overthrew it even to the ground about the first day of the Month of April and within a year after these signs For he taking advantage of the three Factions which at this time swayed in Ierusalem One of Eleazar the the Priest the Son of Simon the other of Zilotus the chief Prince which held the Temple and the third of Iohannes Giscalenus a cruel fellow which had the command of the inferior City besieged it and made this a fit opportunity to further his Enterprises while the Seditious and factious People little regarding their own Safety gave way by their evil and intestine Wars to what he intended weakning themselves much more by their continued slaughters than the Enemy by his Invasion Insomuch as the whole City and Temple was filled with dead Bodies common Insolencies and publick Rapines were ordinarily amongst them some set fire of the City others despoiling the Temple a third for killing the Priests even as they were at Sacrifice all places full of dead Bodies and to this to add a greater measure of misery without any regard at all to their future defence set fire of the store-house wherein the Corn lay for the sustentation of the City and consumed that in one day which had been long a gathering by this means it came to pass that they were sorely afflicted with the Pestilence through the corruption of the Air and with Famin for want of Corn. All these things notwithstanding such was the cruelty obstinancy and perverseness of this People could not restrain them from violating the most Sacred and holy things of the Temple insomuch as Iohannes Giscalenus had a full determination to have destroyed it but that he was prevented by the Romans About this time was the Feast of the Passeover and it fell upon the fourteenth day of April being the Sabbath to the Celebration whereof there resorted to Ierusalem about three hundred thousand Iewes These the Enemy gave way to enter into the City but considering their present necessity for want of Victuals upon a suddain drew up their Forces and so straitly beleaguered them that all this huge multitude was as it were 〈◊〉 within the Walls where partaking of the former misery they either diâ—d by the Plague or Famin. Whence may be perceived the marvellous Providencâ— of God that even on the same day and in the very same place where but eight and thirty years before our Saviour Christ suffered the Authors of such cruelty suffered a most just and severe revenge Now as the Army of the Romans lay upon the North of the City Titus drew out a Band of six hundred Horse to ride about to behold and view the Walls of the Town but as he was in this manner wondring at the sumptuousâ—eâ—s of the City the Jewes in great multitudes slipt out at a Postern-gate and set upon him so fiercely that they endangered his Person being without Armour and had he not with great difficulty broke through them and recovered the Tower of the Romans he had bin there slain But presently upon this seâ—â—ng the danger he besieged the City in three parts himself aâ— the Emperour of the Army built a Castle about some two Furlongs from the City 〈◊〉 against the Tower Pseâ—hina the other part of the Army was 〈…〉 the Tower Hiâ—â—ieus not far from the Garden of the Resurrection and the third part had their Castle in the Mount of Olives some five Furlâ—nâ—s or thereabouts from the City Then did he build Bulâ—â—rks make Engiâ—s and wonderful Devices for the battering of
breathing made new incursions upon the Romans by which means they could not determine thereof The 6th of August the Souldiers of Titus without command of their Captains fired the Temple just upon that day which Nebuchadnezzar before time had destroyed it as Iosephus witnesseth li. de Bell. 6. c. 26. 27. Caesar would fain have saved this Temple for the sumptuousness of it and beckoned to his Souldiers to have quencht the fire but they partly prest on with desire of wealth partly being prickt on with fury and madness gave no ear to his speeches but committed most cruel Massacres without either regard of age or sex So that the cries of the Slaughtered the sound of the Roman Trumpets the fierce resistance of the Seditious and the Fire furiously burning represented a most horrible spectacle The ground below was covered with dead bodies many in desperation threw themselves into the fire 6000 were burnt in the same Gate whither they fled for refuge and the Priests most cruelly massacred as they were in the Temple of Ierusalem the mirror of the World being consumed and spoiled with Fire and Sword After these things upon the Bridge that passeth from the Temple over the Valley into the lower Town Titus made a Speech by an Interpreter to the two Seditious Captains gently intreating them to leave off their Rebellion and he would spare the City and commit no more outrages and such further requests as they desired should according to reason be granted them but if they would not embrace mercy and cease their violent resistance they must expect no manner of compassion but the very Law of Arms This they contemned and made but a mock of Caesar for all his offers whereupon in a great rage he gave the signal to his Souldiers and they went through all the City and set it one fire The next day they won the lower City and with fire and sword consumed the place where the Records lay the Court and all the Princely buildings until they came to that stately house of Helena which stood in the midst of Acra all the houses near being filled with the Bodies of the Dead and the streets horribly defiled with the blood of those that were Slain Within a short while after Iohannes Giscalinus was taken alive and committed to prison The inferior City being thus taken and destroyed about the 16 day of August Caesar began to build his Engines and to batter the Walls of the upper City which within the space of 18 days after with extream labour and skill he laid flat with the Ground as Iosephus saith And upon the 7th of September with great facility he conquered the City the Iewes of their own accord descending from the Towers and the Româ—ns set upon the Walls their Ensigns with a great Acclamation and wasted all the City with Fire and Sword sparing neither Men Women nor Children The eighth day of the Month of September the whole City was destroyed and not a stone left upon a stone but laid level with the Ground only the three Towers that were built by Herod which were of shining Marble viz. Hippicus Phaselus and Mariamne that future Ages seeing the excellency of those Buildings they might judge of the stateliness of the rest But these also were after destroyed by Adrianus Caesar. There died by the Famin and Pestilence an innumerable number by Fire and Sword ten hundred thousand 2000 were found that either killed themselves or one killed another 7900 were taken Captives of these all the seditious Thieves that accused one another were slain by Frontonius Caesar Titus freed many 7000 were sent into Aegypt with extreme labour to consume and dye the Properest and most able were reserved for Triumph many were distributed through the Provinces some were slain by the Sword and by Beasts for publick Spectacles and those that were sixteen years of Age and under together with many other Caesar sold under the Crown at thirty for a silver Penny that as Christ was sold for thirty Pence so thirty of them should be sold for a Penny With the Riches of this Town Caesar triumphed rode into Rome with two golden Chariots built the Temple of Peace and there put all the Plate which he found in the Temple of Ierusalem After all this for a full determination of those Evils the two seditious Captians Iohannes Giscalinus and Simon the Son of Giora were put to most cruel deaths Thus may we see the grievous punishment of the obstinate and ambitious which God permitted to fall upon them for their Unthankfulness and cruel Tyranny How the City of Jerusalem after this Destruction by Titus Vespasian was utterly beaten down and defaced by Aelius Adr. Caesar which he re-edifying called it after his own Name Aelia THE City of Ierusalem being thus laid level with the ground for the space of sixty Years lay desolate a receptacle for Thieves and Murtherers a fit place for Wolves and wild Beasts which resorted thither to feed upon the dead Bodies And now Time consuming their Flesh left their Bones and Skulls to lye upon the Earth as in a Charnel-house Thus it continued until one Benchochab which signifies the Son of the Stars born in the Town of Bethcoron not far from Emaus professed himself to be the Messiah or Christ. The Jewes supposing this to be true because of that saying of Numb 24. There shall a Star rise up out of Jacob assembled themselves to the number of many thousands and followed him with great Tyranny and Cruelty spoiling the Holy Land and through all the Countrey of Judaea committing many Outrages and Massacres Thus they continued for the space of eighteen years at the end of which time Adrianus Aelianus the Emperour hearing of those Insolencies levied an Army and sent them into Judaea under the Government of Julius Severus who in a pitch'd field near to Bethcoron and not far from Emaus conquered this Benchochab or Pseudo-Messiah and with him slew five hundred thousand Jews that were deceived by his persuasion Now when they went to seek for the Body of this Deceiver amongst the Dead as saith Talmudista he was found lying with an horrible Serpent about his neck intimating how God rejected him that would seem to imitate his Son for even as the Serpent deceived our first Parents so this Benchochab deceived the Jews and for this cause they called him Beâ—cozba that is The Son of Lying The number of the Jews which in the time of this War were slain amounted to 500000 men besides many others that perished by Pestilence and Famin. This War happened 64 years after the destruction of Jerusalem After this second Desolation of the Jews at the command of the Emperour that there might be a final extirpation of the Antient City of Jerusalem and that the words of our Saviour might be fulfilled Loe there shall not be a stone left upon a stone Mat. 24. the Ruins and Foundations thereof were digged up the Stones broken in pieces the Ground
left desolate and the Mountains are now become barren and overgrown with Brambles And that the Name thereof might utterly be forgotten and as it were rooted out of the Earth he set up a new Town not far from the Hill Gihon and Golgotha where Christ was crucified which after he had adorned with many goodly Buildings he called it by his own Name Aelia In the place of the Temple he set up a Church in the honour of Jupiter and Venus Just in the place where the Holy Altar stood he erected his own Image upon a Marble Pillar which continued until St. Hierom's time At Bethlehem he erected the Image of Adonis and to that he consecrated a Church Upon the Gates of the City he cut Hogs in Marble in contempt of the Jews Then did he abjure them That they should not come within the Walls of the City not set Foot upon the ground near Jerusalem This being done as Dion saith he dedicated it to the honour of Jupiter Capitolinus and only made it free for Christians and such like to be in it This Town at this day we call Jerusalem although it be scituated in another place and called by another name Future Ages calling the Actions of precedent Times into question pull'd a great Contempt upon this Town and so much the rather because Infidelity and other Heathenish profaneness was cherish'd within this City So that that which a little before was set up in honour of the Emperour Aelianus is now grown into Contempt Wherefore Helena the Mother of Constantine the Great having command of that Empire to give some satisfaction to the Universality caused those prophane Temples and Idols to be abolished and in their places erected others Upon Mount Golgotha the Church called Golgothanus upon the Mount of Olives one in the place of the Ascension of Christ and Constantine her Son richly adorned the Sepulchre and over it built a stately Temple all of Polish't Marble richly gilt with Gold so that to this day it remains as the chief Ornament of the Town In this mans time the Jews with great boldness endeavoured to rebuild the Temple just in the place where it stood before at the commandment of the Emperour they were repelled and in recompence of their presumption had their Eares cut off and their Noses slit because they had Ears and would not hear neither obey the Commandment of our Saviour But as the Emperour was Religious and endeavoured to support Christianity so his Successor Iulianus was as full of Impiety and Prophaneness who that he might frustrate the Prophecy of our Saviour that Ierusalem should never be built again in contempt caused the Iews to assemble together and with all expedition restore it to its former glory giving the uttermost of his help to their endeavours But as they were seriously labouring in this Work of a sudden there came a great Earthquake and look what they had built was by that quite overturned then Fire came out of the Earth and from Heaven which destroyed both the Matter and the Workmen And that the Iews nor any Philosphers might impute it to a Natural Cause there was seen in the Heavens a Bloody Cross and â—pon their clothes Crosses shining like Stars which the Iews could by no means wipe off yet this little prevailed A second time they attempted and as before a second Earthquake hapned with a storm of Wind which came with such extream violence that all the stuff which they had heaped together for this purpose was utterly blown away and destroyed So that of force they were constrained to leave off and acknowledge that Christ whom their Forefathers had Crucified was the true Messiah Greg. Nazianzen and Hierom report That nevertheless the Iews even to this day although it cost them much money come yearly to the place where Ierusaleâ— stood and upon the day of the Destruction thereof weep over it Such was their affection unto this City But these evils were purged with a sudden Invasion for no crying Injuries nor prophane Insolencies against God pass unpunished but that then or soon after a just revenge falls upon them for Cosroâ— Emperour of the Persians whose Impudency and Impiety was so great that he would be worshipped as a God about the year of our Lord 615 besieged this Town took it and put to death 90000 Christians carried the Patriarch thereof together with many others away Captive But Heraclius the Emperor to punish him for his Pride and Cruelty set upon Persia and with Fire and Sword destroyed the Country not far from Nineveh and went away with an honourable Victory Seroes also the only begotten Son of Cosroes but a little before Invading the Kingdom kill'd his own Father in Prison restored the Patriarch and the rest of the Captives which his Father had taken to Heraclius and about the seventh year after he had Warred upon Persia he returned to Aelia with great Pomp. Not long after in the year 637 Haumar the Chief Prince of the Saracens which was the third from Mahomet with a great Army afflicted Syria and Iudaea conquered their Countries and in his Victories used great Tyranny and cruelty Within two years after he won Aelia which had maintained a long and sharp Siege neither would Zacharias the Patriarch give it up till he was compelled thereto by extream Famin and soon after died with Grief Thus the Town continued for the space of 450 years in the hands of the Saracens Then in the year 1012 Caliphas Sultan of Egypt won it beat down the Walls destroyed the Temple which the Emperor Constantine had built and made havock of all things Presently upon this the Turks which came out of Sythia by the Caspian Mountains won the City and drave thence the Saracens Thus we may see that the Saracens and Turks though they were both of one Religion yet for the Country of the Iews fought one against another and compelled the Christians to pay them Tribute for the fourth part of the City wherein the Sepulchre of our Lord stood being again restored by the Emperor Constantine after the Destruction of Caliphas The Christians being weary of this Tribute and of the oppression of these Infidels became sutors to Pope Vrban the second of that name for their delivery who in the year 1094 assembled a councel at Clearemont in France and by the instigation of one Peter the Hermit stirred up the hearts of divers Christian Princes and Lords to make a Croysado so that 10000 brave and well mounted Souldiers went into the Holy Land and for a token of their War bore red Crosses upon their Arms. In the same year there was a great blazing Star seen in the West and after that followed a great Plague for the space of two years through the World this nevertheless hindred them not in their Design but that they went their intended Journey won the City of Aelia from the Saracens delivered the Christians from their Bondage and Tax and chose Godfrey of
Lorrain Earl of Bulloin King thereof whom they anointed in the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre but he refused to be Crowned with a Crown of Gold saying That it ill beseemed him to be called King of Ierusalem the true King whereof was Christ or to sit crowned with Gold in the place where he was crowned with Thorns that was the Son of the ever-living God and then chose Arnolphus of Rhodes Patriarch In the Month of October the same year a blazing Star of a marvellous bigness appeared towards the South it seemed to be like a waving Sword foreshewing no doubt the Destruction of all those that went about to re-establish this Earthly Ierusalem Immediatly after the Feast of the Nativity of Christ all the Christians of the East Countries upon Candlemas-day came out of Syria but especially out of Antiochia to Ierusalem and in the Temple of the holy Sepulchre consecrated their Bishops and Choristers and with one consent sung Illuminare Ierusalem They took also all the Cities Castles and Villages and over them set Bishops created four Principalities one at Ierusalem another at Antiochia a third at Edissa a fourth at Tripoly Also certain Earldoms and Baronies as at Briâ—o Zidon Caesaria Galilee Ioppa and Ascalon All these were appointed to pay Tribute to the King of Jerusalem All this was done in the year of our Lord 1099. No sooner were these News published to the World but there was an universal Croysado through all Christendom for the conquering and winning of the rest of the Holy Land but before they could get thither they were either slain by the Grecians and other Nations or else died through Famin and Thirst so that in them was fulfilled the Prophecy of Zacharias cap. 12. 3 where it is said It shall happen that I will make Jerusalem an heavy stone for all People all they that lift it up shall be torn though all the People of the Earth be gathered together against it And verse 9. And in that day will I seek to destroy all Nations that come against Jerusalem This year 1100 died Godfrey King of Jerusalem of a Fever upon the Eighteenth day of July when he had reigned scarce a year and was buried in the Temple of Mount Calvary After him succeeded his Brother Baldwin the first of that name and the second King of Jerusalem This Man reigned Eighteen years in Jerusalem and being overcom by Caliphas Sultan of Egypt after the loss of thirteen thousand Christians he had much ado to escape with life Within a short time after he died without Issue Baldwin the second succeded his Uncle and was the third King of Jerusalem He began his reign Anno 1118. This man overcame the Turks and the King of Damascus had Issue only one daughter named Milesent whom he married to the Earl of Angiers and gave with her the Kingdom of Jerusalem and died without heir Male in the year 1131. Fulco in right of his Wife succeeded his Father in Law and was the fourth King of Jerusalem This Fulco was Brother to the King of England he Reigned thirteen years fought many worthy Battels against the Turks put 3000 of their men to the Sword took many of them Prisoners and carried them to Jerusalem After that as he was hunting the Hare in Acon riding speedily he fell from his Horse and was sorely bruised whereof he died and left two Sons called Baldwin and Almerick Baldwin the third was the fifth King of Jerusalem and succeeded his Father he won the City of Ascalon he rebuilt the Town of Boza which had been destroyed placed there certain Knights Templers he lost the City of Edissa to the Saracens where many Christians were cruely slain And having reigned nineteen years he died without Issue After him succeeded his Brother Almerick who was the sixth King of Jerusalem In the time of this King the Sultan of Egypt gave a great overthrow to the Knights Templers which he seeking to revenge invaded Egypt with a great Army besieged the great City of Alcair but to small purpose wherefore returning back to Jerusalem he shortly after died when he had reigned twelve years he left behind him three children a Son called Baldwin and two daughters Sibella and Isabella Baldwin the fourth succeeded his Father and was the seventh King of Jerusalem who abusing his government was struck with a Leprosie with the contagion of which disease he died miserably in the twenty fifth year of his Age having reigned thirteen years Baldwin the fifth of that name the only begotten Son of his Sister Sibil by his consent was chosen his Successor a youth of nine years old his Fathers name was William Mountferrat Earl of March who dying his Mother married one Guy Earl of Lusignan to whom Baldwin committed the protection of the Kingdom and of his young Kinsman till he came to mans estate But this young man within seven years after the Death of his Uncle died sitting at his Table not without suspicion of Poyson Guy his Protector by the perswasion of his Wife and at the Instigation of the Jerosolimits took upon him the Government But Raimond Earl of Tripoly was his great adversary for that Baldwin the 4th for his exceeding pride at the Instigation of that Guy had displaced him of all his Offices and Titles in the Commonwealth These two striving for the Kingdom it hapned that Guy was charged with his Kinsmans death under which pretence Raymond made War against him During these troubles Saladine Sultan of Egypt taking advantage of this opportunity made War upon them both and with great facility conquered the Kingdom and destroyed Jerusalem In this year 1187 there hapned so great an Eclipse of the Sun that at Noon day the Stars were plainly to be seen Soon after this Raimond and Guy were both taken Prisoners and thirty thousand Christians cruelly put to the Sword After this the Saracens sacked the Town threw the Bells out of the Steeples made Stables of the Churches only the Temple on Mount Golgotha stood untouch'd for the Turks and Saracens honour Christ as a great Prophet And thus the new Kingdom of the Christians in Jerusalem ended which was upon the second day of October in the year 1187 after it had continued in their possession 88 years During the continuance of this Kingdom there were many horrible Visions and strange Signs and Wonders seen both in Heaven on Earth and in the Air foreshewing no doubt that God was not well pleased with their actions which sought to restore that Kingdom of Jerusalem For My Kingdom saith Christ is not of this World And although after that there were many Kings that by all possible means endeavoured to recover and restore the same and for that purpose have leavied many great Armies and undertaken many tedious Journies yet all their councels and determinations came to nothing so that God so often as they undertook any such Expedition either stayed their Armies oppressed them with War or else plagued them with
Famin in such an extream measure that with very hunger they have been constrained to eat their Horses Frederick Barbarossus may be an Example of these Calamities who with a great Army making an Expedition to Jerusalem as he was travelling through Asia minor his Horse started and flung him into the River where he died miserably e're he could be saved Many other Princes besides in the like enterprise came to the like ends for they were either destroyed by the Barbarians with the loss of thousands of their men cruely slain or utterly destroyed with unnatural Diseases or untimely Deaths Now when the Emperor Frederick the second of that name had besieged and brought to great misery the Sultan of Egypt and the Knights Templers had done the like to Damieta Corderio the Sultans Son beat down the Walls of Jerusalem and had it not been for the great lamentations and earnest Entreaties of the Christians he would have destroyed the City but for their sakes he left standing Solomon's Temple and the Temple of the holy Sepulchre for at this time Christians inhabit in them Within a while after about the Year 1228. Frederick the second of that Name Emperour of Rome went to the Holy Land with a great Army and came to Ptolomais otherwise called Acon where staying a while he made a League with the Sultan of Aegypt for ten years regained Ierusalem without drawing Sword and was there crowned in the Year 1229. keeping at that time in Ierusalem a Royal Easter This man fortified the Christians with a Garrison rebuilt Nazareth and Ioppa and so returned into Italy In the Year 1246 Cassanus King of the Tartars being persuaded by the Sultan with a great Army invaded Iudaea won Ierusalem caused the Christians to be cruelly slain beat down the Holy Sepulchre even to small pieces and left but little standing It was after this destroyed by Tamerlain King of the Tartars and by Mahomet the second of that Name Emperour of the Turks But the Monks had leave to build up the holy Sepulchre again for the which they payed to the Sultan or his Deputy a yearly Tribute In the year of our Lord 1516 Selymus Emperour of the Turks about the twenty fourth day of August near to Damascus overcame Campson Gaurus Sultan of Aegypt in a cruel War and put to death many thousands of his Men and the Sultan himself seeking to save his Life by Flight was miserably slain This Selymus conquered the Holy Land Syria Damascus and all the Countries thereabouts and as he went through Iudaea leaving his Army at Gaza with a few of his Souldiers he went to Ierusalem that he might see with his Eyes that place which was made so famous by the ancient Writers and was so often mentioned in the Old and New Testament But when he came he found nothing but a ruinate and waste place barren and rude to look upon inhabited by a few poor Christians and they also held in great Contempt and Bondage paying a great Tribute to the Sultan of Aegypt for their Liberty and holy Sepulchre as P. Iovius writeth But after that Selymus in that place had done his Offerings and Sacrifices to his God Mahomet seeing the Priests and Christians press'd with extream Poverty out of his singular Mercy and Compassion gave them a large and sumptuous Gift when he had stayed but one day and one night in the Town The next morning before day he went with all expedition to his Army at Gaza and from thence into Aegypt where he besieged the great and famous City Alcaire and in the year 1517. took it conquered all the Country utterly extirpated the Sultan and went away with an honourable Victory and rich Booty From this year even till now the Town of Aelia or Ierusalem is under the Jurisdiction of the Turks Thus may we see how often and with what miserable Calamities this City hath been afflicted even since the first Destruction by Vespasian which makes evident the great Judgment of God not only upon the Iews but also upon the Earth where they inhabited for their Infidelity and unmerciful Cruelty The Description of Jerusalem and the Scituation thereof as it is now in these times THE former Incursions and common Desolations leaving this Town ruined and spoiled for want of Inhabitants it became a Desart and forsaken place only some few Christians either out of the zeal of Religion or for vulgar Ostentation to shew that there had been a Town dwelt there and thus it continued until the year 1542. at which time Solyman the Great Turk either in respect of the strength of the place or in hope of profit or else to get himself a Name with great Cost and Labour re-edified it set up many stately Buildings and sumptuous Houses beautified it with two costly Temples the one the Temple of Solomon and the other the holy Sepulchre enlarged the extent thereof and seated it upon high Hills After all this compass'd it about with a spacious and thick Wall and upon that placed many strong and stately Towers wherein there stands eight Gates viz. the Fish Gate the old Gate S. Stephens Gate so called because they say S. Stephen went out by that Gate when he was stoned the Angle Gate the Dung Gate the Sheep Gate the Golden and Fountain Gates Thus the ancient City and that which the Emperour Adrian built being both destroyed in another place is set up again So that between both this new City standeth and the first City begins to be again inhabited Of the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre THIS Temple lieth upon the West within this new Town at first fairly built by the Emperour Constantine but destroyed by Caliphas Sultan of Egypt then by the Emperours of Constantinople rebuilt which continueth to this day It is round in the proportion adorned with seventy nine Pillars thirty foot long the Wideness by the Diameter besides the Pillars is seventy three Feet leaded above and upon the top of the Roof standeth a Lanthorn by which the Light cometh in This Lanthorn is very curiously glazed In the middle standeth the holy Sepulchre To this joyneth the Church in Mount Golgotha and serveth instead of a Quire It standeth something lower but all under one Roof The place where the holy Sepulchre standeth is four square eight foot long and eight broad hewn out of a Rock and covered with Marble there is a little door in the East part of it very low by which men go into it and within that the Sepulchre it self standeth upon the North side made of gray Marble 3 handfuls high and 8 foot long There are no Windows for light to come to it but over there hangeth continually nine Lamps burning whereby it receiveth Light The Vault of this Sepulchre is divided with a Wall the outward is both of the same Proportion and Length as the inward but that which is without seemeth to be an Entry to the inner Cave where Christ was buried and there as some say even
lye at the bottom thereof two inches thick Therefore the Inhabitants near about it are wont to take a great Pot that holdeth a good quantity whereinto putting Water they let it stand till all the filth be sunk to the bottom and so they clear Water to drink Nilus taketh the beginning from a certain Mountain in Maâ—â—itania the Lower not far from the Ocean and issâ—es from a Lake which they call Nidiles and partly from other Lakes and is increased with the Snow Waters falling from the Mountains of the Moon in Africa 3200 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Some think it took the name from Nileus a certain King thereabouts others from the Soil which is yearly brought down in the Stream whereby all Aegypt is made fruitful from whence some think it was called Servious Nilus for that it bringeth down new Mud with 〈◊〉 The Hebrews call it Gihon because it breaketh out of the Earth with great Violence This River comes through the Desarts of Aethiopia and so with great Violence comes into Egypt where it is divided into seven Streams and in times past had seven Gates the names of which were Canopiâ—us or Heracliâ—ticus Bolbitinus Sebiniticus Pharmiticus Mendâ—sius Taniticus and Palusiacus the two outward Gates of which viz. Canoâ—icus and Palusiacus were 160 miles asunder Appianus saith there are two otâ—eâ— Gates called Tineptimiâ—us and Diolcus this ninth Gate is divided at a City and place called Delta taking the Name from the likeness that it hath to the Greek Letter so called So that Nilus is divided into nine Gates by which nine Gates it falls into the Mediterranean Sea There are many that think that Paradise was only in Egypt and that then it had only but four streams and that at the Flood it was confused into nine and they would seem to prove their Opinions out of the 31 Chapter of Ezekiel where he calleth Egypt a Garden of Pleasure But this differeth from the description of Moses for it is not sciâ—â—ate in the East but rather the South from Ierusâ—lem and far distant from the two Eastern Rivers Euphrates and Hiddikel by which the holy Scriptures do principally denote Paradise Wherefore it may be concluded that Egypt was only a part of Paradise not Paradise it self and that this River was one of the Rivers not all the Streams of which River at some times of the year viz. in the Summer Solstice when the Sun is near the Dog-star begins to swell and overflow the Banks by reason of the melting of the Snow which lies upon the Mountains of the Moon and so drown all the places near unto it through the Land of Egypt leaving behind it certain Slime and Mud by which it comes to pass that the Country is very fruitful and serves them instead of Rain at which time of the Year for this happens once every year the People and Inhabitants of the Country retire themselves to their Towns Ciâ—ies and Castles sciâ—uated upon Rocks Mountains and high Grounds from whence it happeneth that they sustain very little discommodity or loss by any such Inuâ—dation They also keep little Boats whereby they pass from one place to another because all their Passages and Foot-paths are then drowned with Waters There are many pretty Observations which the People of Egypt were wont to take notice of in the rising of this Water for they had certain Staves whereby they measured the depth of it if it rose but to twelve Cubits which is six yards in height they then stood in fear of great Famine so also if it was but thirteen for then the Water was not deep enough to make the ground fertile but if it rose to fourteen or fifteen then they were in great hope and did not doubt of a fruitful Year and if to sixteen they then greatly rejoyced at their Prosperity and kept Banquets and Feasts and were assured that the succeeding year would be very plentiful but if it rose above they laid aside all signs of Joy and lived very sparingly and with great Sorrow this great Inundation of Waters fore-shewing Scarcity and Want and Famine and Pestilence and Death And thus Nilus yearly every year is to them instead of Rain for Egypt is without Rain In Autumn at such time as the Sun going out of the last face of Libra entreth into Scorpio the Waters of Nilus by little and little retire themselves into their Banks and the Earth becomes quite uncovered of Water about which time the Country being exceeding hot the Earth is presently made dry in all those places so that in the Month of October they may both till and sow their Land In this River the Crocodile and the Ichneumo breed of the nature of which two you may sufficiently read in Gesner There also breeds the Pelican of which St. Ierom saith there are two kinds one that lives upon the Water another that lives upon the Land these Birds as some affirm kill their young ones upon their Beak and then leave them lying in their Nest for three days at the end of which time the Female grievously wounds her self upon the Breast and pouring her Blood upon her young ones revives them again This Bird may very well be a type and figure of our Blessed Saviour who shedding his precious Blood upon the Cross for our Sins after the third day rose again and that he might restore us to Life that be dead in Sin poureth out his Blood upon us whereby we are made capable of Eternal Life Of the Place where Adam and Eva dwelt after the breaking of the Commandment Gen. 3. ADAM and Eva being driven out of Pradise dwelt at Damascus 160 miles from Ierusalem as Munster and others write the Townsmen of Damascus at this day shew the place where Cain slew his Brother Abel and it is well to be believed that this City receives her Name thereby for Damascus signifies blood-shedding or a place which hath drunk up Blood Of the Place where Cain dwelt CAIN after he had slain his Brother Abel dwelt in the Land of Nod a Land of Fear and Disquiet in the Town of Hanoch and as some think it was the same place where Babylon after Noah's Flood was built being four hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem Eastward Of the Place where Noah dwelt NOAH signifying quiet and rest dwelt in Armenia six hundred miles from Ierusalem Northward hard by Mount Ararat upon which Mount the Ark after the Flood stayed it self Gen. 8. Ptolomaeus nameth these high Hills in Armenia Gordes which are alwayes covered with Snow and no man may get upon them Sem. SEM who in the Holy Scriptures is called Melchisedech that is a King of Righteousness dwelt in the City of Ierusalem which as then was called Salem that is a City of Peace Nimroth NImroth was the first Prince and Regent upon Earth and built Babylon which is six hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem Eastward Strabo writeth That in Babylon there was an old
four miles from Ierusalem upon the North lying between the two Towns of Bethel and Hay and is called Mount Ephraim where Abraham at his return out of Egypt the second time set up his Tabernacle of purpose to be conversant with Melâ—hisedeck who dwelt in Ierusâ—lem and with him gave thanks to God for the singular favours that he had shewed toward him in delivering his Wife Sara from the hands of Abimelech King of Egypt who woulâ— have ravished her and as he feared indangerâ—d his Life In this place Lot separated himself from Abraham and went to dwell in Sodom Of the Plain or Oâ—k of Mamre THE Plain of Mamre stood a mile from Hebron towards the East and distant from Ierusalem twenty two miles South-eastward In this Vallâ—y there was a fair and pleasant Wood where a certain young man called Mamre dwelt This man was Brother to Escal and Aner mentioned by Moses Genes 14 who according to the custom of Gentlemen with us in these times built up his house nea◠〈…〉 pleasant Wood or Bottom which as some think was called after his name Mamre Others of which Opinion is Ierom of Aelon which signifies a Valley or Tree an Oak-tree saith he But Ioseph and Aegesâ—ppus call it a Terebinth tree which both Summer and Winter beareth green Leaves like a Palm-tree the Sap or Juyce whereof is very good for Medicine Abraham dwelling near to this Tree being entertained by the three Brothers as a Stranger grew into such favour and familiarity with them that he converted them from Paganism and taught them to know the true and ever-living God To gratifie which great favour they aided him in his War against the four Kings that had taken Lot Prisoner and gave him free liberty to inhabit in and use the Plain thereabouts for his Cattel before whose door as some Authors affirm this Terebinth or Oak-tree stood and so continued from the beginning of the World till the time of Constantine the Great it being lawful for none to cut a bough of it or touch it witâ— a Hatchet because it was in those days accounted a holy Tree and visited by divers Strangers and then Helena caused a fair Church to be built in that place and so much the rather for that Abraham sitting under that Tree the three Angels appeared unto him in the Similitude or Likeness of men Gen. 8. â— 2. And some are of Opinion That because of this the Jews offered Incense to their Gods and committed Idolatry upon high Mountains and under green Trees Ezek. 16. There was also a double Cave made of white Marble which as Iosephus saith was very fair and beautiful to the eye and curiously wrought and polished wherein Abraham Isaac and Iacob with their Wives Sarah Rebecca and Leâ—h were buried and as some think was that Cave which he purchased of the Hittites Gen. 23. 34. But that Adam and Evah lye buried in the same place seeing there is no warrant for it in the holy Scriptures I let it pass because whatsoever hath not Authority of Scripture to prove it may as easily be contemned as allowed But Abraham's Sâ—pulchre in Ierom's time was to be seen being old and decayed Of Hebron THIS City was not only a Kings Seat but a Priests also being built not long after the Flood and some seven years before that City of the Aegyptians called Zoan or Tanis Numb 13. and was placed upon a goodly high Mountain very pleasant and delectable It taketh the name from Chabar which signifieth to accompany and from thence Chebron or Hebron a pleasant and delectable Society It was a metropolitan City in the Tribe of Iuda and after called Kiriatharba as it appeareth in Iosh. 14. taking that Name from Arba the Chief Governour of that City This man was one of the Anakims and a very mighty Prince Others there are that say the City being divided into four parts was thereof called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Arba signifies a Quaternion from the Rote Raba four square It was first built by Heth the Son of that cursed Canaan whose Posterity the Hittites inhabited in it and such was their Hospitality that they entertained Abraham being a Stranger and Traveller These People dwelt there until Joshua's time and then one Hoham was King thereof who with other Kings opposing the Children of Israel was by them slain and had their Country wasted and destroyed This Town was after made a Town of Refuge and belonged to the Inheritance of Caleb and was together with Mamre in the Tribe of Iuda Ios. 20. Here David was first anointed King and reigned therein for the space of seven years 2 Sam. 5. But this Town by the injury of Time and oppression of the Enemy is now become desolate only some few old Relicks are to be seen to shew there had been a Town there Nevertheless there is a Town not far from it which retaineth the name placed in a very fruitful Valley called Mamre to this day Here while it was under the Jurisdiction of the Christians stood a Cathedral Church and a Bishops See but the Turks have turned it into a Mosko or one of their Churches Into this place they will not suffer any Christian to enter The Inhabitants take upon them to shew unto Strangers many things as the Vault or Cave wherein Abraham was buried the place where Cain killed Abel the Well where Adam and Evah wept seven years for the death of their Son with many such like Fables which are to no purpose seeing they are not warrantable by Scripture Some Bows-shot Eastward from this place is the Field of Damascus where the red Earth lieth whereof they feign Man to be made It is naturally tough and may be wrought like Wax or Pitch There is also that is white of the same kind and this is conveyed to many places by the Saracens and sold at dear Rates They use it either for the teering of Sepulchres or to mingle with Salves and Unguents Of Gerar. GErar is the uttermost Town in the Land of Canaan and lieth between the Desarts of Sur and Cades Gen. 20. Here King Abimelech kept his Court at such time as Abraham came thither and here Isaac was born Gen. 21. It takes the name from Gor which signifies a Pilgrim or Traveller and did well agree with the Condition of the ancient Patriarchs that sometimes lived there because for the most part they were like Pilgrims and wayfaring men Gen. 47. It lay six miles from Hebron South-west and from Ierusalem 30 upon the Territories of the Tribe of Iuda Of Beerazaba BEerazaba is a Town scituated upon the utmost Bounds of the Holy Land forty miles from Ierusâ—lem South-westward and is derived from Beer and Shebuah and sigâ—ifieth the Well of Covenant for Abraham having digged a Well near to this place Abimelech King of Gerar entred into League with him and his Posterity Isâ—ac also renewed this League in this place as appears Gen 21. It is now called Gallim or
restrain offered to her Son hard Measure which Abraham upon her Complaint winked at whereupon Hagar partly oppress'd with Grief partly with Envy privily stole away from her Mistress and went from the Valley of Mâ—mre near Hebron to the Well of Life sixteen Miles Southward Genesis 16. and it is to be thought that her Journey tended towards Aegypt which was her native Country for this Well lay directly in the way as they went down into Egypt This flight of Hagar without doubt did greatly trouble Abraham's House and put him and his Wife into a great sorrow and fear lest she should destroy her self and the Infant or fall into some other Danger Wherefore that God might make evident the exceeding Care he had of them he sent an Angel unto Hagar and willed her to return unto her Master which Angel some think was the Son of God for he was called by the name of Iehovah Gen. 16. which name was not communicated to any created Angel Whereupon Hagar according to his Command went back again to her Mistress Sarah into the Valley of Mamre 16 miles Gen. 16. From Hebron Hagar went with her Mistress to that Kingly City Gerar six miles Gen. 20. At Gerar she and her Son Ismael were put out of her Masters house and going in the way that leadeth into Egypt they lost themselves in the Wilderness of Beersaba after they had travelled twelve miles from Gerar where oppress'd with want both of Water and other necessaries she fainted and her Son also wherefore she laid him under a Tree and about a Bows shoot off sate down and wept expecting nothing but death As she was in this misery God heard the voice of the Child and sent an Angel unto her saying Fear not for I will make of thy child a great Nation And God opened her eyes and lo close by her there was a Well so she went and filled her bottle and gave her Boy drink At this time Ismael was fifteen years of age So God blessed the Child and he became an Archer and lived in the Wilderness From thence she and her Son went into the Wilderness of Pharan eighty miles where Ismael married an Egyptian Gen. 21. So all the Travels of Hagar the Egyptian Maid were 132 miles Of the Fountain of Hagar which is also called the Well of Life THIS Well lieth between â—ared and Kades-Bernea ten miles from Ierusalem towards the South Some call it the Well of the Living and Seeing because God did there look mercifully upon Hagar when she fled from her Mistriss Here Isaac dwelt and had his two Sons Esau and Iacob Genes 26. Afterwards it was called the Well of the Living God and seemeth mystically to represent Baptism the Lavor of Grace and Regeneration by the operation and special working of the Spirit for the Church like Hagar with her Son Ismael travelling through the Wilderness of this World is press'd with a multitude of Sins and seeing her own misery finds no remedy but by Faith in Christ Jesus to be delivered from so heavy a Burthen wherefore they joyning together in Prayer crave the merciful audience and gracious assistance of God That it would please him of his goodness to refresh them with the Water of Life the Doctrine of Grace that so they may be made capable of eternal Glory For Hagar signifies a Pilgrim and Ismael a godly and good man whom the Lord heareth who travelling together with his Mother the Church in this World fighteth against the Enemies thereof and shooteth the Arrows of Faith against all infernal and cruel Beasts For Schamah signifies He hath heard and El The Almighty God who mercifully heareth the fervent Prayers and Petitions of the Just according to that of St. Iames ch 5. 15. Ismael was born Ann. Mundi 2035. Abraham being then 86 years of age He was circumcised at thirteen he went from his Father at fifteen he was at Abraham's Funeral being 89 years of age he died when he was 137 years of age fifty years after the death of Abraham and left behind him twelve Sons as Iacob did which were the Princes of their Families as was his Of which the Apostle Paul hath an excellent Allegory Abraham had two Sons one by the Bond-woman another by the Free-woman he that was of the Bond-woman was according to the Flesh but he that was of the Free-woman was by Promise By which things another thing is meant for the one which is Agar of Mount Sinai gendereth unto Bondage for Agar or Sinai is a Mountain in Arabia and answereth to Ierusalem that now is and she is in Bondage with her Children but Ierusalem which is above is free fâ—r it is written Rejoyce thou Barren c. Wherefore we are no more of the Bond-woman which is the Law but of the Free noâ— by our own Works or Righteousness but by Faith in Christ who maketh us Heirs of that Heavenly Ierusalem Where Ishmael dwelt PAran a City of Arabia the Stony stood an 104 miles from Ierusalem South-ward and taketh the name from fertility for Parah with the Hebrews signifies a fruitful root From this Metropolitan Town the Desart of Arabia the Stony near Cades taketh name of which mention is made Num. 13. and 14. Deut. 1. Gen. 14. 21. Habac. 3. and is called the Desart of Pharan Here Ishmael that excellent Archer and Hunter dwelt after that with great power and strength he had conquered all the Neighbouring Princes and People thereabout His Posterity also inhabited these Parts and after his name were called Ishmaelites some eighty miles from Ierusalem toward the South These People were excellent Souldiers and of noble courage their principal delight was shooting and therein they exceeded others living 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 derived 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 Travels of Eleazar the Servant of Abraham AFter Eleazar had sworn to his Master to take a Wife for his Son Isaac of the Generation of his Fathers he went from the Valley of Mamre near Hebron to Haran a City of Mesopotamia 468 miles off and there made a Contract with Rebecca the Daughter of Bethuel and Sister of Laban whom he took along with him and returned to his Master So that his Journey to and again was 944 miles These things happened in the Year of the World 2089 and before Christ 1879 Isaac then being forty years of age This Eleazar was Steward of Abraham's house and born at Damascus the chief City of Syria He was so called because God was his help Eleazar being a compound word of El and Ezaer which signifies Almighty God the helper From whence we may perceive that God is the Keeper of the Poor and a ready helper in time of Tribulation according to that in the Psalâ—s All they
Athniel won and therefore Caleb gave him his Daughter Achsa for his Wife Iudg. 1. From Debir they went to Zephat sixteen miles vvhich Tovvn they vvon Iudg. 1. From Zephat they went to Gaza four miles From Gaza they went to Ascalon six miles Iudg. 1. From Ascalon they went to Hebron fourteen miles From Hebron they went back again to Debir where Athniel dwelt twelve miles So all the Travels of Caleb and Athniel were 132 miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which they travelled Of Beseck BEseck was a Metropolitan City of the Canaanites near to the Water Merom where Adoni-Beseck kept his Court forty four miles from Ierusalem toward the North and took the name of Desaeck or Bezeck which signifies Lightning Of this King you may read Iudg. 1. Of Zephah THIS was a Town upon the Borders of the Tribes of Iudah and Simeon not far from Siclag Iosh. 15. It takes the name from Zaphah which signifies a Watch-Tower and was also called by the Sons of Iudah who destroyed all the Countrey Chorma which signifies a Curse or a desolate place To the Citizens hereof David sent gifts 1 Sam. 36. Of Gaza OF this Town you may read more hereafter in the Travels of the Ark of the Covenant The Typical Signification of Caleb CALEB signifieth An hearty man or a man after Gods own heart loving his Neighbour with all his heart For Col is as much as Omnius which signifies all and Cala He forgiveth all and Leb or Lebbah signifieth an Heart the seat and fountain of all Life So that Caleb seems to take his name from a singular hearty affection whereby he forgiveth his Neighbour For as this man being of a noble Resolution and Courage in the 29 year of his age won Hebron a strong City and put to death the three Sons of Anak terrible Gyants so Christ the Son of God that so loved the World that he gave himself for it with more than humane resolution conquered Hell and those three mighty Gyants incident unto it the Sons of Sathan Sin the World and Death Of Athniel IN the year of the World 1503 and before Christ 2565 Ioshuah died after whose Death Caleb and Athniel Judged Israel about which time the Israelites committed Idolatry and worshipped Baal and Asteroth wherefore the Lord suffered them to fall into the hands of Cushan Rishathaim King of Mesopotamia But because of their Oppression they cryed unto the Lord and he stirred up Othniel the younger Brother of Caleb who in the year of the World 2512 conquered Cushan delivered the People and governed Israel forty years Iudg. 3. Athniel or Othniel signifies the God of Time being derived of Aeth that is an Age and is a Type of Christ who is the God of Time and in his due time conquered the World and Sathan the Prince thereof thereby delivering the poor afflicted members of his Church out of his miserable Servitude and Bondage for which cause God hath made him Judge over it and given him full power and authority to Rule and Govern it Of Ehud the third Iudge of Israel EHVD was the Son of Gira of the Tribe of Iudah and dwelt in the City of Iericho or of the Palms He was a valiant and resolute man lame of his right Hand Iug. 3. and to the Judgment of man not fit to be a Captain being so infirm Yet it happened that this man growing in favour with Eglon King of the Moabites who at this time kept his Court in Iericho which Town he had but eighteen years before conquered took opportunity by the Children of Israel's coming to Gilgal for they came thither to offer unto the Idol and to bring gifts of the King to present these Presents unto him and because of his former familiarity was admitted to speak in private with him in his Summer Parlour where as he was talking with him he thrust him into the Belly with a short Knife and locking the door he fled back to Seirah and told the Children of Israel what he had done From thence they presently went to Ephraim there blew the Trumpet and set upon the Moabites and put them to the Sword Iudg. 3. The Travels of Ehud EHVD went from Iericho to Gilgal two miles From Gilgal he went to Iericho two miles From Iericho he went to Mount Ephraim six miles From Mount Ephraim he went to Iordan four miles where he overthrew ten thousand Moabites So all the Travels of Ehud were fourteen miles Of Mount Ephraim THIS Mountain is about eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South and extends it self in Longitude to the City near the Mediterranean Sea called Ioppa which is distant from Ierusalem twenty miles toward the North-west The Travels of the Sons of Hobab the Kenite THE Sons of Hobab the Kenite Moses Brother-in-law went from Iericho to Arad a City in the Tribe of Iudah scituated in the Desart toward the South 44 miles Num. 10. Iudg. 1. Of Arad ARAD is a City in the Tribe of Iudah 22 miles from Ierusalem towards the South taking the name of a multitude of Asses that were found thereabouts in the Desart and is derived from Arod which signifies a wild Ass a rude Creature The Travels of Jael the Wife of Heber the Kenite who killed Sisera the Captain FROM Arad she and her Husband went to the Plain of Zaaenaim and dwelt there near to a Town called Kades a Town of Refuge of the Levites in the Tribe of Naphtali 166 miles there she killed Sisera This Town lieth 92 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Of Deborah and Barak DEBORAH was the Wife of Lapidoth and dwelt under a Palm-tree between Bethel and Ramath in Mount Ephraim eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North the Inhabitants thereabouts shew this Tree even to this day Barak the Son of Abineam a Noble Captain lived in her time at Kades a City of Refuge belonging to the Levites She succeeded Ehud in An. Mun. 2632. and before Christ 1336 years The Travels of Deborah and Barak BARAK went first from Kades Naphtali to the Palm-tree where Deborah dwelt being 84 miles From thence he went with Deborah back again to Kades being eighty four miles From Kades with 10000 men they went to the Hill Thabor thirty six miles Here as Iosephus writeth lib. Antiq. 4. there fell such a shower of Rain and Hail upon the Enemies of the Israelites that through the extream violence thereof they were dispersed and Sisera their Captain constrained to leave his Chariot and to save himself by flight never staying till he came to the Tabernacle of Iael the Wife of Hebar the Kenite scituated in the Valley of Zaaenaim thirty six miles from the foot of the Mountain Thabor where being asleep by reason of his great Journey Iael struck a Nail into the temple of his Head so he died From thence Barak pursued the Enemies with great slaughter to Haraseth of the Gentiles a City in the upper Galilee near to the Lake of
Samachoniten 28 miles This City is eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. From Haraseth he went to the Plain of Zaaenaim where he found Sisera slain in the Tabernacle of Iael as Deborah the Prophetess had told him From thence Barak with all his Army went to Hazor where Iabin King of the Canaâ—nites kept his Court and of a sudden conquered the City and put to death all the Inhabitants Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. Of Thabor THABOR is a round and high Hill scituated upon the Borders of the Tribes of Issachar and Zabulon fifty six miles from Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it self to the River Kison towards the South and taketh the Name of Light or a pure air being derived of Bo to go and come Tebuah to bring forth fruit and to give light For this Mountain Thabor by reason of the Purity of the Air is wonderful fertile and fruitful There was also a Town at the foot of it called by the same name Here the Kings of the Midianites Zeba and Zalmuna were slain by Gideon Of Hazor THIS is a great City in the Tribe of Nepthali eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North which Ioshuah destroyed with Fire and Sword So did Barak also The Ruines of this City is to be seen to this day The Myâ—tery of Deborah THE word Deborah signifies a Bee and is a memorable Type of the Church For as a Bee in all her actions soundeth pleasantly so the Members of Gods Church in all their actions sing and sound forth the praises of God or by continual Prayers implore his aid and assistance with the Bee sucking from the Flowers of the Holy Scriptures the sweet and acceptable Doctrine of Faith by which the hope of everlasting Life is strengthned in us with the sting of Gods Word repulsing all vain delusions and idle imaginations the Temptations of the Devil and those waspish affections of cruel and wicked men according to that of Ecclesiasticus the Bee is but small yet bringeth forth most pleasant fruit and presenteth unto man many memorable instructions And as Plato saith The King of Bees although without a sting yet Ruleth and Governeth his Commonwealth with great Severity and Iustice. So Christ the head of the Church though he be a delectable Saviour of Souls and without any Sting of Bitterness yet doth he Rule and Govern it with singular Justice and Sincerity Of Barak AFter Deborah was appointed Judge of Israel she ordained Barak for her chief Commander or Captain He taketh his name from Thunder and Lightning typically representing the Glory of Christ Jesus as chief Captain of the Church who with the Thunder of the Law and the Bright shining Glory of the Gospel destroyed the Enemies thereof and by the Hosts of Angels and Saints at the end of the World will cast them down with thunder and lightning into that Bottomless Pit there to remain for ever Of the Travels of Gideon DEBORAH being Dead Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Medeanites cruelly invaded the Land of Iudaea but the Lord taking compassion upon his People sent them a helper one Gideon the Son of Ioas of the family of Abiezer who was born at Ophra or Ephron a City in the Tribe of Manasses not far from Mahanaim on the East side of Iordan some 44 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East and signifieth a Rooter out from Gada that is He hath rooted out This man at the appointment of the Lord took upon him the charge of the People and at Ophra which signifies Dust he destroyed the Idol Baal pitching up in that place an Altar to the Lord wherefore he was after called Ieru-Baal taking that name from Revenge because he had destroyed the Idol He began to Rule in Israel in the year of the World 2672 and before Christ 1296. From Ophra Gideon went to Harad which standeth in the half Tribe of Manasseh where he blew the Trumpet From this place he sent back 22000 of his Army because the Lord had so appointed But the Midianites hearing of this preparation provided a great Host and pitched in the Valley of the Hill Moreh so Gideon taking only 300 with him went over Iordan and came to the Town of Iesreel for Iosephus saith sixteen miles from Harad where he gave the Midianites a wonderful Overthrow Iudg. 7. he also took there two Princes Oreb and Zeb and returned to the River Iordan where he put them to death From thence he went to Succoth with his Army in expectation to have refreshed themselves but the Inhabitants shut him out of the Town and gave him many despightful Words This Town lay close by Iordan and here Iacob sometime pitched his Tent. From thence he went to Penuel which is two miles there also they used him unkindly and gave him bad Language From thence he went to Nobach with his Army which is two miles From thence he went to Iagbetha which is four miles where he conquereâ— Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Midianites who thinking themselves secure made no preparation for War till they were besieged This was a memorable Battel and here the two Kings were put to Death From thence he followed the Enemy with a great Slaughter to Karkor which is four miles From thence he vvent back to Succoth vvhich is eight miles here he put the Inhabitants of this Town to the Sword and all the Elders and Princes he tore to pieces vvith Thorns because they had formerly denied him Entrance into the City From thence he vvent to the Castle of Penuel which is two miles and utterly destroyed it even to the ground and put all the Inhabitants to death because of their mocks From thence he went to Ophra four miles where gathering together all the Gold which he had taken from the Midianites he made a rich Ephod Iudg. 8. From Ophra he went to Sichem where his Son Abimelech was born which is ten miles From thence he returned back to Ophra which is ten miles and there he died after he had judged Israel ten years So all the Travels of Gideon were eighty two miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which Gideon travelled Of Iezreel JEzreel was a fair City scituated upon a hill near to the Flood Kison bordering upon the Tribe of Issachar 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and signifieth the Seed of God being derived from El and Dara the Seed of the Almighty God There was another of this name in the Tribe of Iudah Iosh. 15. In times past this was onely the Seat and chief abiding-place of the Kings of Israel For Ahab and Iezabel kept their Court there and Ioram their Son whom Iehu overcame and here Iezabel was eaten up of Dogs At this day this fair City hath in it but thirty Houses and is called by the Inhabitants of the Holy Land Sanatham being scituated at the foot of the Mountain Gilboah Westward in it there is a Watch Tower upon the top whereof you may
see through all Galilee to Carmel and the Mountains of Phoenicia also to Mount Thabor and the Mountains beyond Iordan called Gilead Of this Town you may read Ios. 17 19. 2 Sam. 2. Of Nobach THis was a City beyond Iordan and stood in the half Tribe of Manasses thirty eight miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward In times past it was called Kenah but after Nobach Prince of the half Tribe of Manasseh had conquered it he called it Nobach Num. 23. and signifieth a Prophet being derived of Nabah or Nabach he hath prophesied or cryed out Of Jogbeha THis Town was built by the Children of Gad and lies beyond Iordan thirty four miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward and taketh the name from the height of the place where it standeth being derived from Gabah which signifieth it excelleth in height Of this you may read Iudg. 8. Numb 32. Of Karkor KArkor is a City in the half Tribe of Manasseh and is scituated beyond Iordan fome 40 miles distant from Ierusalem North-Eastward and taketh the name from Kir which signifies he hath destroyed or subverted the Walls for here the two Kings Zeba and Zalmuna were taken St. Ierom faith in his Book de locis Hebraicis That in his Time it was a fair Town The Typical signification of Gideon THis Gideon whose name signifies to root out destroyed and subverted the Enemies of the Iews so Christ hath destroyed the Kingdom of Sathan and daily rooted out all his impious and wicked members which are Enemies to his Church The Travels of Abimelech the sixth Iudge of Israel GIDEON being dead Abimelech his Son went from Ophra to Sichem which is ten miles and there was chosen by the Citizens to succeed his father in the Government From thence he went back to Ophra which is ten miles and there put to death his seventy Brethren all Sons of Gideon but by divers Concubines for God permitted Bigamie but did not command it From Ophra he went ten miles into the Land of Sichem and there was chosen King about the Year of the World 2712. From Sichem which was the Seat of the Kingdom he went to Ophra being ten miles there he judged Israel three Years After that he went the third time back to the Sichemites which is ten miles but they breaking promise with him for very madness he caused the City to be destroyed and Salt to be Sown in the place that so ever after it might become Barren accursed and unhabitable From Sichem he went with his Host to Thebets or Thebez which is two miles where he was mortally wounded by a woman that flung a stone upon him at the Siege of that Town whereof he died Iudg. 9. So all the Travels of Abimelech were 52 miles Of Thebez THis was distant from Sichem two miles Northward and from Ierusalem thirty eight miles it took the name from Bitzah which signifieth a deep Pond Abimelech took his name from an hereditary Kingdom or rather because he obtained the Kingdom over Israel after his Father and is as much as to say My father is a King because good Princes differ little from good Fathers for Maelaech with the Hebrews signifieth a King Malechah a Queen and Malchech a Kingdom So that this name Abimelech properly signifieth a King or one that is a Father of his People Of the flight of Jotham which was the Brother of Abimelech JOtham signifieth a perfect and swift man being derived from Iatham that is perfect and swift This Man at such time as Abimelech put to death the rest of his Brethren to save his Life fled to Mount Gerizim where he propounded the Riddle mentioned Iudg. 9. And after from thence he went to Beerah where he hid himself from the fury of Abimelech All this was forty four miles Of Mount Gerizim GErizim or Garizim was a Mountain in the Kingdom of the Samaritans and extended it self in the Longitude as far as Iericho near to Mount Hebal In these two Mountains the Blessings and the Cursings were recited of which more shall be said hereafter and it taketh the name from the felling down of Trees being derived from Garaz which signifieth to cut or to fell down here Christ spoke with the Samaritan Iohn 4. Of Beerah BEerah was a Town in the Tribe of Iudah ten miles from Ierusalem Westward Near to this City Iudas Macchabeus fought a memorable Battel against Bacchides and others whom he conquered It taketh the name from a clear Well being derived of Beer that is he hath made clear Of Thola the seventh Iudge of Israel THola takes his Name from a Red Worm or purple Colour which colour is proper to Princes He succeeded Abimelech in the Government of the Iews and began to rule An. Mun. 2715. and 1253 Years before Christ. His Father's name was Puah of the Tribe of Issachar He dwelt in Samir a City of Mount Ephraim not far from Iericho twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North and there he was buried as you may see Iosh. 15. Of Jair the eighth Iudge of Israel JAir succeeded Thola and began his Government in the Year of the World 2738 and 1230 Years before Christ. He took his Name from the singular Worth and noble Disposition that was in him This Iair was one of the Tribe of Manasseh he was lame of both his Feet and was a man of great Estimation among the Iews for there were thirty Castles and Towns that were called after his Name Iudg. 10. Num. 32. Deut. 3. Ios. 13. 1 Chr. 1. He dwelt at Kamon a Town in the Tribe of Gilead some forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East The Travels of Jephthah JEphtha was born at Mizpah in the Land of Gilead and being driven into Exile by his Brothers he fled into the Land of Tob 48 miles from Ierusalem Iudg. 11. From thence he returned to Mizpah 48 miles and there was chosen Prince and began his Government Anno Mundi 2760. and before Christ 1208 Years Iudg. 11. From Mizpah he went with his Army against the Ammonites to the City of Aroer where he put them to flight which is twenty six miles Iudg. 11. From Aroer he pursued the Enemies to Minneth which is eight miles Iudg. 11. From Minneth he went to the Plain of the Vines which is twenty four miles Iudg. 11. From Abel or the Plain of the Vines he went to Mizpah where he offered his Daughter for a Sacrifice to the Lord Iudg. 11. At that time he and the Ephramites got a memorable Battel in which were slain 22000 Iudg. 12. So all the Travels of Iephthah were 322 miles Of the Cities and Places mentioned in his Travels Of Thob or Tob. THob or Tob to which Iephthah fled is in the half Tribe of Manasses beyond Iordan not far from the Mountain of Antilibanus a hundred and four miles from Ierusalem North-eastward this was a very fair and plentiful Country and therefore called Thob being derived from Thobah which signifieth Good and Rate Of Mizpah MIzpah was
a City in the Land of Gilead in the half Tribe of Manasses eighteen miles from Ierusalem North-eastward and signifieth a Watch-tower of Zaphah to look out In this Town Gideon dwelt and after him Samuel It was afterward destroyed by Iudas Macchabeus you may read more of it 1 Sam. 7. 10. Ier. 40 41. Iosh. 8. 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr. 6. Nehem 3. Of Aroer THIS was a City of the Moabites beyond Iordan near the River Arnon and sell to the Tribe of Gad Iosh. 12. 13. Deut. 2. and takes the name from Turpentine being derived from Arar that is He hath destroyed and rooted out and was so called because Iephthah won a memorable Battel near to this place Iud. 11. This is often mentioned in the Scriptures There was another Town of this Name close by Damascus Of Minueth IN Ierom's time forty years after Christ this Town was called Menneth of Mercury which the Syrians call Meni from Manah to distribute being a Town of Merchants which disperse their Commodities here and there and stood beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben thirty two miles from Ierusalem toward the East Of the Plain of Vines Of this you may read more in the Travels of Balaam Of the Death of Jephthah THIS Iephthah was a famous Captain and from thence took his Name for Iepthack signifieth To make him an open way with the Sword being derived of Patach to open and after he had judged Israel six years died the manner of whose Death is diversly reported some say that because he performed not his Vow effectually therefore God struck him with a grievous Ulcer so that as he was passing from City to City in every place he left a Member Others say that he died in the City of the Gileadites and that in memory of his singular Actions and noble Exploits which by God's special Aid he atchieved his Body was cut into pieces and into every City of Gilead a Member sent and there buried which as I take it is the better Opinion Of Ebzan EBzan was the tenth Judge of Israel and succeeded Iephthah he began his Government in Anno Mundi 2666 and before Christ 1402. He was a Bethlemite of the Tribe of Iudah and as the Hebrews think Boez the Grand-father of King David he had thirty Sons and thirty Daughters and lived to see them all married and took them home unto him into his own Family which doubtless was a great Blessing of God and from thence took his Name for Ibsan or Abezan signifieth The Father of a Flock or Multitude He lived dwelt and was buried in Bethlem Iuda Iudg. 12. Of Elom IN the Year of the World 2773 and before Christ 1195. Elom the eleventh Judge of Israel began to rule and dwelt in Ajalon in the Tribe of Zabulon who after he had governed ten Years died and was buried in the same Town There was another City of the same Name in the Tribe of Dan some four miles from Ierusalem towards the West where at the Prayer of Ioshua the Sun stood still Of Abdon ABdon the twelfth Judge of Israel succeeded Elom and began to rule Anno Mundi 2782 and before Christ 1185. He dwelt in the Tribe of Ephraim in a Mountain of the Amalekites sixteen miles from Ierusalem Northwards He ruled full eight Years and then died and was buried in Pirithon Abdon signifieth a Servant for he was a good Prince but that in obeying others he lost himself This Abdon was a great man had forty Sons thirty of which he saw married and for his greater honour had his Chariot drawn with seventy Asses for they used them as we do Horses The Travels of Sampson SAmpson was born in the City of Zarea and brought up in the Tents of Dan and Estahol Iud. 13. From thence he went to Timnah which is twelve miles there he fell in love with Iudah the Daughter of a Philistine Iudg. 14. From Timnah he went back to his Father to Zarea and revealed his Affection which is twelve miles He and his Father went back again to Timnah to see the Maid and by the way as he went he killed a Lyon which is twelve miles Iudg. 14. From thence he returned back again which is twelve miles Iudg. 14. Within a while after Sampson and his Friends went again to Timnah and by the way he found Honey in the Lyon that he had slain and gave it to his Friends to eat and when he came to the Philistines House he propounded the Riddle whereof you may read Iudg. 14. These things hapned in Anno Mundi 2791 and before Christ 1176 at which time he succeeded Abdon in the Rule of the Iews From thence he went to Ascalon a City of the Philistines and killed thirty of their men and took away their Garments which is 24 miles From thence he returned back again to Timnah and delivered the Philistines which had unfolded the Riddle those change of Garments Iudg. 14. From thence being angry that his Wife had disclosed the Riddle he returned to Zarea to his Friends which is twelve miles Iudg. 14. Within a while after when his Anger was over he returned back to his Wife to Timnah which is twelve miles it being then Wheat Harvest and carried with him a Goat that so he might be merry and be reconciled to her but her Father shut him out of doors because he had married his Wife to another Man wherefore he took a Company of Foxes and tying them Tail to Tail put Fire-brands to their Tails and turned them into the Wheat of the Philistines and they set fire of all the Wheat and Vines and Olives thereabout Iudg. 15. From thence he went to a Cave in the Rock Eta and there dwelt which is twelve miles Iudg. 15. At the Rock Eta Sampson was bound with two new Cords by the Israelites and from thence led to Ramah Lehi which is six miles where he killed 1000 Philistines with the Jaw-bone of an Ass that he found in the way From thence he went to Gaza a City of the Philistines which is forty two miles here he carried away the Gates of the City From Gaza he carried these Gates with the Posts to the top of a Hill near Hebron which is twenty miles Iudg. 16. From Hebron he went to the River Soreck where he dwelt with Dalilah the Harlot and by her was deceived and taken of the Philistines which are twelve miles Being taken of the Philistines they put out both his Eyes and bound him in Chains and led him from thence to Gaza which is thirty two miles there they brought him into the House of their God Dagon to make them sport but he pulled down the House and a multitude of them were slain where he also died and was buried in the Sepulchre of Manoah his Father between Zerea and Esthaol twenty eight miles from Gaza and almost twenty from Ierusalem towards the West This was in the Year of the World 1811 and before Christ 1157. So all
Years From Apheck the Philistines carried it to Asdod or Azotus and set it in the Temple of their God Dagon but the Idol fell down in the Night and was broken to pieces before the Ark of the Lord 1 Sam. 4. which was 160 miles From thence to the City Gath which was four miles From Gath to the Sea-town Gaza twelve miles From Gaza to Ekron thirty two miles From Ekron they placing it upon a new Cart drawn with two new milch Kine it was brought back again to Bethsemes which was twelve miles From thence it was carried to Kirjath-jearim and placed in the house of Abinadab where it was kept until David's time who fetched it thence to Ierusalem with great Joy about the Year of the World 2900 and before Christ 1068 which was two miles So all the while the Ark was from Shilo it was carried hither and thither some 276 miles Of the Towns and Places to which the Ark of the Lord was carried Of Apheck THis was a City of Samaria alotted to the half Tribe of Manasses some half a mile from Israel toward the South and forty four miles from Ierusalem Northward It signifieth an impetuous or violent Act being derived of Aphak which is as much as He worketh violently or offereth Violence In this City Benhadad King of the Syrians going from one place to another to hide himself was at length constrained to fly to Ahab King of Israel to save his Life and crave his Aid 1 Reg. 20. Of Asdod Ascalon and Gaza you may read before Of Gath. THIS was a Haven Town scituated upon the Banks of the Mediterranean Sea distant from Ierusalem thirty four miles toward the West It seemeth to take the name of the Abundance of Vines that grow thereabouts for Gath signifieth a Press or such an Instrument wherewith Grapes are pressed This was Goliah's Country Here Achis to whom David fled governed 1 Sam. 21 27. and it is very like that all the Kings of this City were called Achis as sometime the Emperours of Rome were called Caesars There were other Kings of the Philistines that were also called by this Name Of Ekron THIS also was a City of the Philistines not far from the Mediterranean Sea and near to Asdod some sixteen miles from Ierusalem Westward At this day it is but a small Town and called by the Name of Accaron having some Affinity with the ancient Name Ekron The Inhabitants of this Town worshipped Baal-zebub for their God It taketh the Name from Extirpation or such a Town as Penitus distruit hath rooted out even the Foundation being derived of Akar which signifieth to extirpate Of Bethsemes THIS was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Iuda Ios. 15. 21. four miles from Ierusalem Westward and signifies the House of the Sun Of this you may read more before The Travels of the Prophet Samuel SAmuel's Mother brought him from Arimathea to Shilo being twelve miles where he was to serve the Lord God all his Life From Shilo Samuel went to Mizpa in the Land of Gilead forty eight miles Here Samuel called a Congregation and made a solemn Sacrifice unto the Lord of a sucking Lamb and the Lord at the same time thundred from Heaven and dispersed the Army of the Philistines so that they fled 1 Sam. 7. From Mizpa he went to Arimathea 56 miles there he dwelt and built an Altar unto the Lord 1 Sam. 7. From thence he went yearly to Bethel sixteen miles 1 Sam. 7. From Bethel he went to Gilgal tvvo miles 1 Sam. 7. From Gilgal he went to Mizpa in the Land of Gilead thirty six miles 1 Sam. 7. From Mizpah he went again to Arimathea 56 miles Thither came unto him the Elders of the Children of Israel desiring him to chuse them a King 1 Sam. 8. Therefore he went out of the Town of Arimathea about sixteen miles to Ramath which lieth in the Land of Ziph not far from Bethlehem Euphrata and there Samuel anointed Saul the Son of Kish to be their King 1 Sam. 10. From Ramath he went to Gilgal sixteen miles There he offered and shewed Saul what he should do 1 Sam. 10. From Gilgal he went to Mizpah in the Land of Gilead thirty six miles there Saul by casting of Lots was chosen King 1 Sam. 10. From Mizpah he returned to Arimathea fifty six miles 1 Sam. 10. From Arimathea he went to Bezeck 44 miles where Adoni-Bezeck was taken whose Fingers and Toes the Children of Israel cut off There Samuel and Saul caused an Army of Men to issue out against the Children of Ammon 1 Sam. 11. From Beseck Samuel and Saul passed over Iordan to Iabes in Gilead sixteen miles and there overthrew Nahaz King of the Ammonites and all his Host which done Samuel said unto the Souldiers Let us now go unto Gilgal and there renew the Kingdom From Iabes in Gilead he went to Gilgal thirty six miles There Saul was placed in his throne Royal 1 Sam. 11. From Gilgal Samuel went to Arimathea which is twenty miles From Arimathea he went again to Gilgal twenty miles and there he sharply rebuked King Saul because he had offered a Sacrifice contrary to his command 1 Sam 13. From Gilgal he went to Gibeon twelve miles 1 Sam. 13. From Gibeon he went to Arimathea twelve miles From Arimathea he went to Gilgal twenty miles there he rebuked King Saul because he did not wholly destroy the Amalekites and Samuel himself hewed the Body of Agag King of the Amalekites in pieces 1 Sam. 16. From Gilgal he went to Arimathea twenty miles From Arimathea he went to Bethlehem sixteen miles and there he anointed David King 1 Sam. 16. Then he returned again to Arimathea sixteen miles where he died and was buried 1 Sam. 28. So all the Travels of the Prophet Samuel were 364 miles Of Arimathea Mizpah Ramath and the rest of the Towns mentioned in his Travels you may read before The typical signification of Samuel SAmuel is derived of Shemuel that is desired of God and was a Type of God the Father For as Samuel anointed David so God anointed his beloved Son with the Oil of Gladness and of the Spirit Psal. 45. Esa. 61. The Travels of King Saul SAVL went from the Town of Gibeon to Mount Ephraim four miles to seek his Father's Asses in An. Mund. 2870 and before Christ 1908. From Mount Ephraim he passed through the Land of Salisa to the Borders of the Town of Salem 12 miles From Salem he went to the Land of Gemini in the Tribe of Benjamin sixteen miles From the Land of Gemini he went to Rama four miles there by Samuel he was anointed King 1 Sam. 10. This Town lay not far from Bethlehem and close by it lay Rachels Grave There certain men met with Saul in the Borders of Benjamin at Zelach and shewed him that his Fathers Asses were found which was about a mile from Ierusalem From thence Saul went about two miles to Zilzah there three men met
travelled Of Bethsaliza THE Land of Salisa with the City Bethsaliza was scituated in Mount Ephraim eight miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west This was also called Baalsaliza 2 King 4. and signifieth the Trinity being derived of Schillesch to make three-fold Of Michmas THIS was a City in Mount Ephraim in the Borders of the Tribes of Benjamin and Manasses not far from Iericho some ten miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Near to this City Ionathan and his Armor-bearer put the Army of the Philistines to flight 1 Sam. 14. You may read of this Town in Esd. 2. Isa. 10. This was a strong City of the Moabites and seemeth to take the Name of Kemosch or Chamos which was a God which they worshipped in their Banquets and Meetings for Mirth as Bacchus sometime was amongst the Romans To this Idol Solomon built a Temple 1 Reg. 11. Ier. 48. Of Zoba THE Kingdom of Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam was in Armenia near to the Mountains Antitaurus and Masius 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North extending it self on both sides of the River Euphrates It was a very large fruitful and pleasant Country wherein inhabited many Kings This place Saul conquered and David retained it 1 Sam. 14. 2 Sam. 8. and signifies an aspiring Kingdom being derived of Zabah He hath aspired Of Carmel CArmel was a City in the Tribe of Iudah scituated in a fertile Mountain some eight miles from Hebron toward the East but twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west in the Wilderness of Moan where that foolish and covetous Fellow Nabal dwelt There is likewise another Town called by the same Name in the Tribe of Issachar not far from Ptolomais which is upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea sixty four miles from Ierusalem toward the North standing upon a Promontory which extendeth it self into the Ocean of which you may read Ios. 19. Ier. 46. In this City the Prophets Elias and Elizeus dwelt who put the Priests of Baal to Death in that place 1 Reg. 18. 2 Reg. 4. Carmel signifieth Spike or a fertile Field bringing forth Vines Herbs and divers kinds of Flowers and Fruits and is oft-times used for a pleasant place Esay 29. 32 37. Ier. 24. There are a Sect of Monks that of this Mountain are called Carmelites who built for themselves an Abbey there close by the Church of St. Maries about the Year of the World 5170 and in the Year of our Lord 1170. Of Azekah AZekah and Socho were two Towns in the Tribe of Iudah eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Of these you may read before Of Nobe or Nob. THIS was a City of the Priests in the Tribe of Benjamin where Abimelech High-Priest of the Israelites dwelt who at such time as David fled from Saul he gave him of the Shew-bread and the Sword that he took from Goliah for the which cause Saul commanded fourscore and five Priests to be slain and the City with all the Inhabitants thereof to be put to the Sword 1 Sam. cap. 22. At this day as Bernard Brittenbaccus saith it is called Bethenopolis and is in the way between Ierusalem from whence it is distant some sixteen miles towards the North-east and Dyospolim It taketh the Name from Naba which signifieth He hath prophesied Of this you may read 1 Sam. 20. 21 22. and Esay 10. Of Maon THIS was a Town in the Wilderness of Iudaea some 24 miles from Ierusalem Southward near Ziph and Carmel where Saul had besieged David and all his men and would have either put them to the Sword or taken them Captives But the Philistines on a sudden invaded the Land so that Saul was constrained to leave the Siege to oppose their Incursions It taketh the Name from a fruitful Habitation and a firm and safe Mansion 2 Sam. 23. Ios. 15. Of Engedi THIS was a Castle or Town scituated in a Mountain near to the shore of the Dead Sea a little beyond Sodom six miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east and in the Tribe of Iudah Ios. 15. In times past it was a fruitful place both of Vines and other Fruits there also grew a kind of Balsam But Cleopatra in the time of Mark Anthony brought the Roots of it into AEgypt and there made a pleasant Garden where now Christians inhabit There are yet some small Stalks here and there of this Balsam to be found upon this Hill Engedi but the Saracens do not regard it neither dwell any Christians near to dress it so that it groweth to decay Engedi signifieth the Fountain or Well of a Goat or Lamb. These Mountains are very high and of a wonderful Nature in some places great ragged Rocks appearing in others plain and fruitful Vallies insomuch as they are fearful and horrible to Strangers that behold them Of Ziph. THIS was a Town in the Desart of Ziph placed in a certain Mountain not far from Hebron in the Tribe of Iudah some twenty two miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Iosh. 15. Unto this Desart near to this City David oft times resorted and at last was betrayed by the Inhabitants of this Town It seemeth that the Town and Wilderness took that Name of the abundance of Pitch that was found in it for Zaephaeth in Hebrew signifieth Pitch Of Gilboa THIS was a Mountain in the Tribe of Manasseh near to Sichem and Apheck forty miles from Ierusalem towards the North it extendeth eight miles to the City Bethsan and two miles towards the North to Mount Hermon It seems to take the name from the bubling forth or springing up of Water for the River Kison begins at the foot of this Mountain and divides it self into divers parts until it cometh to the Hill Hermon and then it runs into two principal Streams the one passeth toward the East into the Sea of Galilee the other to the West towards Carmel and so into the Mediterranean Sea There be some that are of Opinion that neither Rain nor Dew falls upon this Hill because when Saul was slain David cursed these Mountains saying Let neither Rain nor Dew fall upon you O ye Mountains of Gilboa because the strong men of Israel were slain there 2 Sam. 1. But this was but a figurative Speech whereby David would express the greatness of his Sorrow for Borchardus the Monk speaking of this Mountain saith That as he was ascending upon it there was such a violent shower fell that he was wet through his Cloaths and the Waters in great abundance ran into the Vallies And in the Year of our Lord 1283 sleeping upon this Hill on the Eve of All Saints there was a great dew fell upon his Cloaths only some parts of it were very stony and barren as are many other Mountains in that Country Of Endor THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Manasses near the River Kison Ios. 17. where Saul asked Counsel of a Witch 1 Sam. 28. It seems to take the name from a Fountain of Durance for
Ierom's time it was but a small Town where the Inhabitants shew to Strangers the Sepulchre of Habakkâ—k the Prophet Not far off toward the West lieth Hareth that Wood where David was when Abiathar came to him Kegila in Hebrew signifieth a Tent. The Travels of King David DAVID was anointed King by Samuel when he was twenty years old Anno Mundi 2881 and before Christ 1807. Within a while after he was sent by his Father Isay or Iesse to Gibeah of Saul which was eight miles there he played to Saul upon the Harp 1 Sam. 16. When Saul went out with his Army against the Philistines David returned back to Bethlehem his own Countrey which was about eight miles There he fed his Father's sheep 1 Sam. 17. From thence he went to Socho and Asekah and killed Goliah which was four miles From thence he carried the Head of Goliah to Ierusalem which was eight miles From thence he went with King Saul to Gibeah which was four miles From Gibeah he went twelve miles into the Land of the Philistines and to perform the promise which he had made put to the Sword 200 of them From thence he returned and brought their fore-skins unto Saul in recompence of which noble Exploit he was married to Saul's Daughter which was twelve miles A while after he made an incursion upon the Land of the Philistines and in a sharp and cruel War got a famous Victory and returned with glory to Gibeah which was at the lest twenty four miles But when David perceived that Saul went about to take away his Life and that he was so narrowly pursued he had no way to escape but to be let down by a cord through a window he made haste and went from Gibeah to Arimathea where he complained unto Samuel of the Injuries of Saul and laid before him in what a miserable condition he was and to what straights brought Wherefore Samuel to comfort him brought him to Naioth which seemeth to be so called of the fair scituation and pleasantness of the place for Mabah signifies a laudable and comely place this was a Colledge of such as were Professors of that sacred study of Divinity Now Saul hearing that David was in this place came with some of his Servants on purpose to make him captive But at the sight of Samuel he began to sing Psalmes and Hymns after the manner of the Prophets From thence David returned back unto Gibeah some twelve miles where at the Stone of Ezel not far from Gibeah toward the South Ionathan went to David and counselled him to depart with all speed for that his Father meant evil towards him So they took leave either of other with Tears 1 Sam. 20. Ezel signifies an Angle as was a Stone full of Angles or corners From thence he went to Nob which was twelve miles From thence he went to Gath a City of the Philistines where he â—eigned himself mad because of Achis whom he feared 1 Sam. 21. being twenty four miles From thence he went to the Cave of Odullam twenty four miles and thither resorted unto him many of his Kindred and such as were indebted and in danger to the number of forty Persons In this place he wrote the 57 and 142 Psalms as may appear by their Titles From thence he went to Mizpah in the Land of the Moabites where at this time the King kept his Court and there he carefully commanded his Friends and followers to his safe Protection till such time as the fury of Saul was asswaged 1 Sam. 22. From thence by the counsel of the Prophet Gad he returned by the Wilderness of Hareth to Kegila and rescued it forty miles Here Abiathar the Priest came to him 1 Sam. 23. From thence fearing the coming of Saul he went into the Wilderness of Ziph whither Ionathan came to him 1 Sam. 22. which was four miles From thence he went to the Town of Moan four miles From thence he went to the Hold of Engedi thirty six miles From thence he went six miles to Carmel in Iudaea where he determined to have destroyed Nabal for his churlishness 1 Sam. 25. From thence he went to Hackilah two miles From Hackilah he went to Gath where Achis King of the Philistines kept his Court sixteen miles This Achis was very courteous and bountiful-minded he entertained David and gave him freely the City of Zicklag to inhabit in 1 Sam. 27. Wherefore David went thence to the Town of Ziclag which was twelve miles 1 Sam. 27. and there inhabited one year and seven months From thence David went often towards the South and made incursions upon the Amalekites wasting and destroying their Land which lay in the Desart of Sur about eighty miles distant from Ziclag and a hundred and twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west From the Desart of Sur he returned back again unto Ziclag which was eighty miles and sent part of the Prey which he had gotten to the King of the Philistines Of which you may read more 1 Sam. 27. From Ziclag David went with the Army of the Philistines to fight against Saul eighty eight miles even to Sunem for the Philistines pitched between Iesreel and Sunem 1 Sam. 28 29. But because the Princes of the Philistines durst not trust him therefore by the consent of Achis their King he returned back to Zicklag eighty eight miles 1 Sam. 29. Whilst David was gone with the Philistines to fight against Israel the Amalekites invaded Ziclag took it and burnt it with fire and carried away Ahinoam and David's Wives Captives Wherefore when David came to Ziclag and perceived what had happened with all speed he pursued the Enemy and in the way as he went he found an Egyptian who a little before the Amalekites had left there because he was unable to follow them This Egyptian guided David to the Tents of the Amalekites who suspecting no such evil were making merry with the Booty that they had taken But David with the rest of his Company so manfully behaved themselves they gave the Amalekites a sudden overthrow and as it often happeneth to such as are negligent and careless he took away from them their former Booty and put most of them to the Sword This Battel was fought some eight or twelve miles from Zicklag as by the circumstance of the History may appear From this slaughter he returned back to Ziclag being twelve miles and repaired it to every neighbouring City sending a part of the prey Here he had certain intelligence of the Success of the Israelites in their Wars against the Philistines and of the death of Saul and Ionathan which he bitterly lamented 1 Sam. 30. 2 Sam. 1. These things happened in the tenth year after Samuel had anointed David King From Ziclag he went to Hebron a Metropolitan City of the Tribe of Iudah being a Town of Refuge belonging to the Levites which was sixteen miles At this time David was about the age of thirty years and was anointed
King by the Tribe of Iudah in the year of the World 2891 and before Christ 1077. Here he kept his Court seven years and six months From hence also he sent Messengers to Iabes in Gilead forty four miles to signifie his gracious acceptance of that favour which they shewed unto Saul in burying of his Body there 2 Sam. 1. 1 Chr. 12. From Hebron David went to Ierusalem twenty two miles which then was called Iebus being possessed of the Iebusites but he won it with strong hand and thrust them out of it and in Mount Sion set up the City Millo which was afterward called the City of David and signifies a place of Plenty He began his Reign in Ierusalem in the thirty eighth year of his Age and seventh of his Reign In this place also he set up his House made of Cedar-wood of which Hâ—ram King of Tyrus sent him great Plenty from Mount Libanus distant from thence 104 miles 2 Sam. 5. 1 Ch. 12. From thence he went to the Valley of Rephaim some three miles from Ierusalem in the way that leadeth to the City of Bethlem where he fought a memorable Fight against the Philistines and overcame them for which cause it was also called Baal-Perizim because by the Help and Assistance of God he had conquered the Army of the Philistines 1 Sam. 5. After he had dispersed the Enemies he returned to Ierusalem which is â—our miles The Philistines came the same Year into the Valley of Rephaim again and pitched their Tents within three miles and a half of Ierusalem and the Lord gave David a sign that when he heard a noise in the Mulberry-trees he should set upon the Enemy so David went forth and close by the Town of Gaeba and Kirjath-jearim about two miles from Ierusalem West-ward he set upon the Enemy and gave them the second Overthrow 2 Samuel 5. 1 Chr. 15. From thence David followed the Enemy to Gaza which was eighteen miles 2 Sam. 5. in the tenth Year of his Reign from his first beginning in Hebron David assembled all the Princes Priests and chief men of Israel to the number of 30000 which inhabited from Sechor till you come to Chaemah a City of Naphtali at the foot of Mount Libanus even 163 miles off These men assembled themselves in the City of Ierusalem and from thence they with David went to Kirjath-jearim which was about a mile to fetch the Ark of the Covenant from thence into the City of David 1 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. From Kirjath-jearim David and all his Train returned back again to Ierusalem which was about a mile and they placed the Ark of the Lord in a new Cart and caused it to be drawn with Oxen which turned out of the way to the threshing-floor of Nachon where Vzza rashly and inconsiderately touching the Ark of God contrary to the Divine Law was presently slain by the Lord in the way and that place was called Paeri-Vza that is The Breach of Uza for he was not of the Tribe of Aaron to whom it was only lawful to touch the Ark and therefore the Lord struck him that he died miserably wherefore David being terrified by this example of God's Severity would not that day bring the Ark of the Lord into Ierusalem but carried it to the House of a certain Noble-man called Obed Aedom a Gittite who dwelt not far from Ierusalem but when it was told David that the Lord blessed the House of Obed Aedom and all his Family because the Ark was there David went from Ierusalem with a great multitude of People to the House of Obed Aedom who as is said before dwelt not far from Ierusalem yet there are some that say he was an excellent Musician in Ierusalem and dwelt in Mount Acra that is in the lower City and from thence David fetch'd the Ark of the Lord into the upper City which stood upon Mount Sion but I hold the other Opinion to be the more probable When the Ark was carried by the Priests David girt himself with a linnen Ephod which kind of Garment the Priests of the inferiour Order used to wear and danced before it singing Psalms and Hymns to the praise and glory of God and with great State brought it to the City of Ierusalem with the sound of Trumpets and Instruments of Musick and placed it in the middle of the Tabernacle which they had curiously erected in Mount Sion in the upper City which was also called the City of David This hapned in the tenth year of his Reign at which time Saul's Daughter despised him in her Heart and laughed at him but God gave her a due Recompence as you may read 2 Sam. 6. and him a just Reward for he promised by the Prophet Nathan That of his Posterity and Blood the King of Kings and Saviour of the World should be born In the Year following David invaded the Land of the Philistines and the City of Gath which with strong hand he won this was thirty four miles from Ierusalem From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 34 miles In the twelfth Year of his Reign he afflicted the Moabites with cruel War and destroyed two of their Armies with the Sword and the rest of the multitude he made Tributary which was 24 miles 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chr. 9. He returned thence to Ierusalem with great Triumph and Joy twenty four miles In the thirteenth year of his Reign Anno Mundi 2903. and before Christ 1065 he made an Expedition unto Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam and is in Armenia near to Masia or Mount Taurus 600 miles from Ierusalem toward the North of which you may read before David in this place won a memorable Battel against Hadad Ezer the King thereof near to the River Euphrates he took 700 Horse and 20000 Foot burnt their Chariots took 100 Castles conquered all the Towns and Country round about and went away with a great Booty as well of Gold as Silver Brass and other things which Brass for the Excellency thereof was like unto Gold and as Iosephus saith afterwards Solomon made the Molten Sea of it When Gadarezer King of the Syrians he that built that famous City of Damascus heard of the overthrow of Hadad-Ezer he sent a great Army to his Aid which King David near to the River Euphrates smote with the Sword so that 20000 of them were slain and he carryed away a glorious Victory extending his Government from Ierusalem 600 miles towards the North that is into Armenia and beyond the River Euphrates and made these two Nations tributary unto him 2 Samuel 8. 1 Chr. 19. After David had won these two memorable Victories near Euphrates he went thence with all his Army towards the South and invaded the Land of Syria in which Journey Ioram the Son of Tohi King of Antiochia which City at this time was called Hemath met David with Gifts and Presents in the Name of his Father returning him many Thanks because he had destroyed the common Enemy
Hadad-Ezer and by strong hand subdued and quelled the Fury of that mighty Tyrant who was also a trouble and vexation to the Kingdom of Antiochia David entertained this Message kindly and thankfully received his Gifts which was of Gold Silver and fine Brass and so gave Ioram an acceptable Dispatch and from thence with his Army went to Damascus the Metropolitan City of Syria where in the Valley of Salt he got a great Victory in which 18000 Syrians were slain and soon after the City of Damascus taken in which David placed a Garrison and compelled them to pay Tribute 2 Sam. 8. This was distant from the Kingdom of Soba 520 miles From Damascus he went with his Army into the Land of the Ammonites 100 miles in the way that leadeth out of Syria to Ierusalem all which he conquered and all the Cities and Towns thereabouts and compelled them to pay Tribute 2 Sam. 8. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was sixty miles and all the Booty that he had gotten in his Journey he dedicated unto the Lord 2 Sam. 8. A while after he with his Army made an Incursion into the Land of Idumaea and compelled the Inhabitants to pay Tribute Moreover he destroyed the City of Midian the Metropolitan of that Country of which you may read before it was distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the South So that the extent of David's Kingdom from the North to the South was 800 miles even from the Kingdom of Soba to the Red Sea and from the East to the West 120 miles from Tyrus and Sydon reaching to Damascus Thus by the singular Blessing of God he obtained a spacious and powerful Empire 1 Sam. 8. 1 Reg. 11. 1 Chr. 19. He made his Expedition into Idumaea about the fourteenth year of his Reign From Midian in Idumaea he returned with great Glory and Praise to Ierusalem which was 160 miles In the fourteenth year of his Reign and in the year of the World 2904 and before Christ 1064 Nahas King of the Ammonites died and Haron his Son succeeded him this Man contemptuously abused the Messengers of David 2 Sam. 10. and to justifie that Injury he gathered an Army out of Soba Syria and Mesopotamia even a mighty Host to oppose David who in the fifteenth year of his Government met him with his Army at Helam some twenty miles from Ierusalem where he obtained a notable Victory and destroyed 700 Chariots and 40000 Horse 1 Chr. 20. David after this with great applause of the People was entertained into Ierusalem which was 20 miles distant where being puft up with Prosperity he forgat his former Piety and Sanctity and by degrees fell into unlawful Actions and unjust desires whence it happened that soon after he committed Adultery with Bathseba and after that to hide his Fault caused her Husband to be slain This was kept secret till the Lord by Nathan sharply reprehends him lays before him what he was and what his present estate is from whence that came and then concludes that he is most unthankful careless and negligent towards God and Man in committing those Insolencies neither left he there but told him that God would severely punish him for his Offence which after happened as you may read 1 Sa. 11 12. 14 17. David being nipt in his Conscience with this sharp reprehension fell into great Lamentation the extremity of whose Passions may very well appear in the Penitential Psalms which at this time and soon after he wrote and left to future Ages After this about the end of Summer he gathered an Army and went into the Land of the Ammonites some sixty four miles where he took the Metropolitan City which at that time was called Rabba because of the Multitude of Citizens that were in it but after being restored by Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Aegypt he called it after his own name Philadelphia and there took the Crown from the Head of the King of the Ammonites which weighed a Talent of Gold being as Iosephus saith richly adorned with fair Sardonick Stones of which you may read 2 Sam. 12. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem which is sixty four miles where he married Bathseba and by her had four Sons Simeon Sobab Nathan and Solomon 1 Chr. 3. Soon after this Amnon defloured his Sister Thamar Not long after that his Son Absalom killed his Brother Amnon being then about eighteen years of age which David took so heinously that he would not suffer him to come into his sight for three years 2 Sam. 13. Then Ioab by the subtilty of the Woman of Tekoa reconciled him to the King his Father yet nevertheless he came not to his Court of two years after This Absalom was a goodly man affable for which cause even at that time the People began to affect him Afterward in the year of the World 2950 and before Christ 1408 Absalom being then about twenty five years of Age moved Sedition against his Father A matter remarkable that although he had slain his own Brother being disgraced and absent from the Court almost five years yet within short time after he so strongly united the Affection of the People to him that he constrained David standing in fear of his greatness all his former Acts and worthy Victories notwithstanding to forsake his own City and for safety to fly to the Mount of Olives being three quarters of a mile from the City There he stayed a while to see the condition of the Tumult but Necessity constrained him to take his way to Bahuzim And as he was going Zimri the Son of Gesa of the house of Saul cursed him every mans Enemy then making himself apparent when he is in Adversity and his best friends commonly forsake him From thence he went to Iordan fourteen miles where the Priests Ionathan and Ahinaaz brought him certain Intelligence of that wicked and perverse Counsel of Achitophel a man in those times famous for his Wisdom but perfidious in his Actions as commonly such are that hope after Honours or seek to benefit themselves by Innovation and Change After he had Intelligence hereof he went over Iordan with those few men that he had and with all possible speed went to Bethabara some 16 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east At this place Ioshuah led the Children of Israel through Iordan on dry ground Ios. 3. 4. and here Iohn the Baptist taught and baptized Christ. Mat. 1. and Luke 3. From thence he went to Makanaim which is 28 miles where he sent forth his Army by bands against Absalom who at this time had assembled a great Host near the Wood Ephraim not far from that place where Ioshua won a memorable Battel against the Canaanites and that the place might be made more famous David's men though few in number gave Absalom and his Host as great Thus Absalom being left in danger to save himself fled but in his flight the Hair of his Head being long and blown with the Wind
to Mount Olivet for refuge being brought to a streight so Christ upon Mount Olivet his Heart being prest with an intolerable Agony fled to his Father by Prayer for comfort in that extremity Tenthly as all the Friends and Familiars of David forsook him at such time as Absalom rebelled against him and followed him with Persecutions Mocks and Taunts so Christ at such time as Iudas betrayed him into the hands of the Iews was forsaken of all his Followers and many of those which a little before he had done good unto mocked and derided him as he was upon the Cross. Lastly as David was restored notwithstanding the former miseries and troubles to his ancient Glory and Eminency so Christ after he had suffered the due punishment for Sin Death and before that extream Misery yet at length conquered both and by his Divine Power restored himself to his former estate Eternal Glory The Travels of Abner one of Sauls Captains HE went with King Saul from Gibeah to the Wilderness of Ziph which was twenty two miles Here he was rebuked by David for his negligence From thence he returned to Gibeah twenty two miles 1 Sam 31. From thence he travelled to the Hill Gilboa where Saul killed himself forty miles From thence he went to Machanaim where he made Ishbosheth Sauls Son King who kept his Court there seven Years sixteen miles 2 Sam. 2. From thence he went to Gibeon where he slew Asahel Ioabs Brother in Battel which was forty four miles 2 Sam. 2. From thence he went over Iordan to Bythron twenty eight miles From thence he went back to Machanaim sixteen miles 2 Sam. 2. â—astly he went thence to Hebron to David and made a Covenant with him where he was treacherously Slain by Ioab and was sixty eight miles So all the Travels of Abner were 256 miles Of Bithron BIthron or Betharan was a Town beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Gad some 28 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward lying between Dibon and Iordan It taketh the name from a House of singing being derived of Baith which signifies a House and Ron He sung joyfully The Travels of Joab David's Captain was the Son of David's Sister for he had two Zerviah and Abigal Zerviah had Ioab Abishai and Asael Abigal had only Amasa all which were great men in King David's time Now when Ioab heard that Abner had brought down his Army to Gibeon he went from Hebron thither which was 24 miles and there his Brother Asahel was slain 2 Sam. 2. From thence he went to Bethlehem 16 miles where he buried his Brother 2 Sam. 2. From thence he returned to Hebron 20 miles Here under the Gates of the City he traiterously killed Abner 2 Sam. 3. From thence he went with David to Ierusalem where he won Sion and drave thence the blind and the lame being 82 miles From thence he went with his Army against the Ammonites and Syrians whom he conquered in a cruel Fight 60 miles 1 Sam. 20. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 60 miles From thence he went with David into Idumaea 160 miles from Ierusalem Southward there he won the Town of Midian and conquered the Idumaeans or Edomites 2 Sam. 8. From thence he returned to Ierusalem with his Army being 160 miles From thence he went and besieged Rabba the Metropolitan City of the Ammonites being sixty four miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Here Vriah was slain 2 Sam. 11. From thence he returned to Ierusalem with King David 64 miles From thence he went into the Kingdom of Gesur which lieth beyond Iordan upon Mount Libanus by the Town of Caesarea Philippi some eighty miles from Ierusalem North-eastward This Country was called Trachonites From this Land Ioab brought Absalom again to Ierusalem 2 Sam. 14. From thence he returned back again with Absalom to Ierusalem eighty eight miles From thence he went with David when he fled from his Son Absalom to Machanaim being forty four miles Not far from hence he slew Absalom 2 Sam. 18. From thence he came again with King David to Ierusalem 44 miles 2 Sam. 10. From thence he went to Gibeah where he killed Amasa which was four miles From thence he went to the Town of Abel-Bethmaacha in the Tribe of Naphtali being about 88 miles This Town he straightly besieged From thence he went again to Ierusalem 88 miles Afterward he went as David commanded him to number the People at Aroer a Town beyond Iordan which was 24 miles 2 Sam. 24. From thence he went to Iaezer which is sixteen miles From thence going through the Land of Gilead and passing by the Territories of the lovver Country of Hadsi he came to the Town of Dan near to the place vvhere the Fountains of Iordan are which is accounted 116 miles From thence he went to that famous Mart Town Sidon which was 24 miles From that great Tovvn Sidon he went to the Walls of Tyre to which place great multitudes of Ships resorted which was 16 miles From thence he went toward the South till he came to the City Beersaba which was the utmost Bounds of the Holy Land South-vvestvvard and vvas reckoned 132 miles From thence he returned back to Ierusalem where he delivered to David the number of those that were chosen Souldiers 2 Sam. 24. but the Lord struck the Country and City of Ierusalem with a great Plague because he did contrary to his Command 2 Sam. 24. So all the Travels of Ioab were 1348 miles The Description of the places to which he travelled MAny of those Cities mentioned in the Travels of Ioab are already described and set forth therefore I account it needless in this place again to repeat them but only such Towns as yet have not been mentioned Of Gesur GEsur was a Country near to Caesarea Philippi in the Land of Basan beyond Iordan near Libanus in the Tetrarchy Trachonitides 88 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward With the King of this Country Absalom remained in Banishment for three years space after he had slain his Brother Ammon and with us may be termed the Valley of Oxen 2 Sam. 13. Of Hadsi THE lower Country of Hadsi stood near to the City Corazin in the half Tribe of Manasses fifty two miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east and signifies a new Land being derived of Chadasch that is New Of the Fountain Rogel THIS was near Ierusalem Eastward to which place Ionathan and Ahimaaz David's Intelligencers brought him News of Absalom's Counsels and Intentions 2. Sam. 17. It seemeth that Travellers usually washed their Feet in it from whence it was called the Well of Feet being derived from Raegael signifying a Foot Near to this place was the Stone Zochaeleth where Adonijah at such time as he affected the Kingdom contrary to his Fathers liking called an Assembly and made a great Feast 1 Reg. 1. The Travels of Baena and Rechab THese two went out of the Tribe of Beniamin over Iordon to Machanaim 40 miles There they murthered their Master King Ishbosheth in his Chamber
as he lay upon his Bed and after cut off his Head The Head they brought to King David to Hebron 68 miles But David was not pleased with their Treachery wherefore he caused them both to be put to Death So their Travels were 108 miles The Travels of Absalom ABsalom was born in Hebron and went with his Father to Ierusalem 22 miles 2 Sam. 13. From thence he went to Baal-hazor eight miles where he caused his Brother Amnon to be slain From thence for fear of his Father he fled into the Land of Gesur 88 miles 2 Sam 14. From thence he came back with Ioab to Ierusalem which was 88 miles 2 Sam. 14. From thence he went to Hebron 22 miles and made himself King and rebelled against his Father From thence he went back again to Ierusalem which is 22 miles There he lay with his Fathers Concubines 2 Sam. 16. From thence he pursued his Father to Machanaim 40 miles and there was hanged by the Hair in an Oak tree where Ioab put him to death 2 Sam. 18. So all the Travels of Absalom were 290 miles Of Baal-hazor IN this City Absalom made a great Feast for his Sheep-shearers and invited all his Brothers to it where he caused Amnon to be slain because he had abused his Sister Thamar It lieth in the way some eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east as you go to Iericho near to Mount Epraim 2 Sam. 13. and is derived to Baal which signifies a Lord or Husband and Chazir a Den or Cave Of the Name Absalom ABsalom signifieth a Father of Peace although he was the Author of all Discord and Sedition against his Father The Travels of the wise Woman of Thecoa THis woman went from Thecoa to Ierusalem eight miles and spake with King David and with her sweet words she persuaded him that he would recall his Son out of Exile who then remained in Gesur 2 Sam. 14. Of Thecoa THecoa was a City in the Tribe of Iuda some eight miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east near this City Iosaphat by Prayers and the sound of Trumpets without drawing Sword got a memorable Victory and for that cause it signifieth the sound of a Trumpet In this place the Prophet Amos dwelt and there lyeth buried whose Sepulchre was to be seen four hundred Years after Christ as S. Ierom observeth It was from Bethlem-Iuda six miles Near to Thecoa was the Lake Aspher where Ionathan and Machabeus's brothers pitch'd their Tents 1 Mach. 9. Of this City you may read Ier. 6. Am. 1. 2 Chr. 11. Of Achitophel THis perfidious and wicked Man was born in the Town of Gilo not far from Hebron and Debir in the Tribe of Iudah Ios. 15. 2. Sam. 15. twenty miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward who when his Counsel would not take place he went home to his won House and there desperately hanged himself The Travels of wicked Shimei SHimei went from Bahurim where he cursed King David to Bathabara upon the River Iordan which was eighteen miles where he got Pardon of David 2 Sam. 9. From thence he went back with King David unto Gilgal four miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went with King David to Ierusalem twelve miles 2. Sam. 19. From thence he went to Bahurim three miles From Bahurim King Solomon sent for him again to Ierusalem three miles There he was constrained to build him an House and not to depart thence upon pain of Death 1 Reg. 2. But Shimei transgressing the commandment of the King went to Gath a City of the Philistines twelve miles From thence he returned back again to Ierusalem twelve miles where he was slain by the command of King Solomon in the third year of his Reign 1 Reg. 2. So all the Travels of Shimei were 104 miles The Books of KINGS and CHRONICLES Of Abishag the Virgin that lay with David THIS Maid was accounted the fairest in all Israel for which cause she was brought to Ierusalem for King David that she might lye with him in his old Age to procure Heat she was born at Sunem a Town some forty four miles from Ierusalem 1 Reg. 1. Of Sunem you may read before in the Travels of David and Saul The Travels of King Solomon SOlomon the Son of David King of Israel entred upon the full Government of the Kingdom of Israel Anâ—mundi 2931. and before Christ 1037. when he was about twenty years old After he went from Ierusalem to Gilgal four miles and there offered upon the Altar which Moses had made 1000 burnt offerings 1 Reg. 2. 2 Chr. 1. From thence he went back to Ierusalem four miles and built a Temple to the Lord in Mount Moriah I Reg. 6. This was begun about the fourth year of his Reign and 480 years after the Children of Israel came out of Aegypt in the Month Ziph which answereth to our May. So that the Temple began to be built in An. Mundi 2934. and before Christ 1034. To the building whereof Hiram King of Tyre sent Cedar Trees from Mount Libanus 120 miles to Ierusalem 1 Reg. 5. 2. Chr. 2. This Temple Solomon within plaited over with Gold and set with precious Stones and finished it in the Month of November about the eleventh year of his Reign 1 Reg. 6. The Dedication whereof was about the twelfth year of his Reign and in the thirty second year of his Age Anno Mundi 2942 and before Christ 1026. The Temple being finished he began to build his own house which was thirteen years a building and was finished about the 44 year of his Age and in the 24 of his Reign 1 Rg. 7. 8. After 20 Years in which time he had finished the House of the Lord and his own House in Mount Sion that he might manifest his Thankfulness to the King of Tyre he went to Cabul a City in the Tribe of Ashur some 80 miles Northward where he gave to the aforesaid Hiram 20 Towns or Cities with all the Country round about wherefore King Hiram called this Cabul that is Displeasant and Dirty 2 Reg. 9. You may read of Cabul Ios. 19. From thence he returned to Ierusalem 88 miles From thence he went to Hazor and restored the City which was 44 miles From thence he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles From thence he went to Megiddo which is not far from Iesreel in the Tribe of Manasses 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the North. This City Solomon fortified 1 Reg. 9. and Iosiah King of Iuda a long time after was there wounded to Death 2 Reg. 9. From Megiddo he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles After that Pharaoh King of Egypt had conquered Gaser and destroyed it with Fire he gave it to his Daughter the Wife of Solomon who rebuilt it This Town was scituated in the Tribe of Ephraim 28 miles from Ierusalem Northward 1 Reg. 9. From Gaser Solomon returned back again to Ierusalem being 28 miles From thence he went to the higher Bethoron which he fortified and stood 28 miles from Ierusalem
Northward 2 Chr. 8. From thence he went to the lower Bethoron 16 miles from the upper toward the South 1 Reg. 9. 2 Chr. 8. From the lower Bethoron he went to Ierusalem which was eight miles After Solomon built the City Belath which was 12 miles from Ierusalem North-vvestvvard 1 Reg. 9. 2. Chr. 8. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 12 miles and it is very like that Solomon often visited those Towns that he built and restored From Ierusalem he went to Hemath afterward called Antiochia which was 320 miles and compassed it about with a Wall fortified it and afterward constrained all the Kingdoms thereabout to be obedient to his Government 2 Chr. 8. From thence he went with great State into the Kingdom of Zoba which is 600 miles and fortified all the great Cities and Castles of that Country that with the greater Facility they might oppose the Invasions of neighbouring Countries From thence he returned to that famous City Thamar which was also called the City of the Palmes 400 miles this he rebuilt and fortified 1 Reg. 9. 2 Chr. 8. From thence he went to Ierusalem which is 388 miles From thence he went to Ezeongâ—ber near to the Red Sea in the Country of Idumaea where he built a company of stately Ships and sent them to India to fetch Gold which was 176 miles from Ierusalem Southward 1 Reg. 9. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which is 176 miles But of his Riches and great Prosperity he grew Proud for he excelled all the Kings near him and gave himself to unlawful Pleasures he took unto him 300 Concubines and 700 Wives by whose perswasions he began to worship the Gods of the Gentiles which Idolatry was evil in the sight of the Lord. After he had reigned forty years which was about the sixtieth of his Age he died and was buried by his Father David in Mount Sion the City of David An. Mundi 2770 and before Christ 998. So all the Travels of Solomon were 2544 miles The description of the places to which he travelled Of Gazer you may read before in the Travels of David Of Bethoron THe upper and the lower Bethoron were two Cities in the Tribe of Ephraim built by Saaerah the Daughter of Ephraim 1 Chron. 7. The inferiour Bethoron was not far from the Castle of Emmaus eight miles from Ierusalem toward the North-West The Superiour was twenty miles distant towards the North. These Towns Solomon repaired Near to the lower Bethoron the Lord put the Enemies of Ioshuah to flight with Thunder and Hail Ios. 10. Here also Iudas Macchabeus overcame the Army of Antiochus 1 Mac. 3. Here also he put Niâ—anor to death 1 Mac. 7. and signifieth A white house being derived of Beth which signifies an house and Chor he hath made white Of Baaelath THis is a City twelve miles from Ierusalem North-westward in the Tribe of Dan. This City Solomon repaired at such time as he fell in Love with many Women from whence it seemeth to take his name for Baaeleth signifieth his beloved Lady Of Thamar THamar Tadmor or Palmira stood partly in the Desart of Syria and partly in a fruitful Soyl being compassed about on the one side with a Wood on the other with fair and pleasant Fields It was the Metropolitan City of all Syria not far from Euphrates some 388 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward and as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 25. although it lay betwixt two mighty Empires Rome and Parthia yet it was subject to neither fairly scituated a Free City adorned with fair and sumptuous Buildings and contented with their own Government The Wildernesses called after this Towns name Palâ—arnae or the Desarts of the Palms extend themselves to Petra the Metropolitan City of Arabia-Petraea and to the borders of Arabia-Foelix one days journey from Euphrates two from the upper part of Syria and six from Babylon as Iosephus observeth Antiq. lib. 8. cap. 5. This City Solomon made Tributary to him and fortified it with strong Walls 1 Reg. 9. Of Ezeongaber you may read before The Typical Signification of Solomon SOlâ—mon is as much as FREDERICK in High-Dutch which signifies a Peace-maker being derived of the Hebrew word Schelâ—moh or Schalom to bring glad tidings of Peace Typically representing Christ the Prince of Peace who hath reconciled us with his Heavenly Father and merited an eternal place of Peace and Happiness for all such as trust in him Esay 9. And as Solomon built up the Temple of the Lord with great majesty and glory so Christ hath built up that heavenly Temple the Church of God and adorned it with the Gifts and Graces of his holy Spirit in this World that so it might be capable of eternal Glory in the World to come 2 Cor. 6. The Travels of Solomon's Ships THis Navy of Solomon's went unto Ophir that is India which was accounted from the Mart Town 4800 miles From India they returned back again 4800 miles so all their Travels were 9600 miles This Journey was finished in three years to and again so that every year they went 3200 miles and brought home plenty of Gold Silver precious Stones Ebony c. Of India MOses called this Country Havilah Gen. 2. and Ios. li. Antiq. 8. c. 7. Ophir which name saith he it took of two Brothers so called which inhabited and governed the Country all along the River Ganges But more Modern Writers derive it from Indus a River passing through it It is a spacious and fruitful Country pleasant to inhabit and as Pomponius saith hath in it 5000 Cities being divided into two parts the outward and inward The Travels of the Queen of Saba FRom Saba in Ethiopia she came to Ierusalem 964 miles From Ierusalem she returned back again which was 964 miles So all her Travels were 1928 miles Of Aethiopia THIS Country by the Hebrews is called Chus of Chus the Son of Cham who was the Son of Noah and after Aethiopia ab aestu torrida because of the great heat wherewith oftentimes the habitable Land and People as also the Wilderness were sorely scorched and burned for it is scituated in the third part of the World called Africa lying under the torrid Zone and the Aequator which two by common Experience are found to be extream hot Of Saba SAba is a metropolitan City in Aethiopia lying beyond Egypt 846 miles from Ierusalem towards the South and took the name from a certain precious Stone called Achates wherein might plainly be discerned in certain distinct Colours the rising of Fountains the Chanels of Rivers high Mountains and sometimes of Chariots and Horses drawing them It is reported That Pyrrhus King of the Epirots had one of them wherein was lively represented the Nine Muses and Apollo playing on the Viol portrayed by natural Stains and Colours so artificially as if they had been done by some curious Work-man Of this Stone you may read more in Pliny li. 37. ca. 1. 10. It was first found in Achates a River of Sicilia
perfect Phoenix This bird doth lively represent our Saviour Christ who only and alone is the true Messiah and through whom we must expect everlasting life who in the fulness of time offered himself a Sacrifice upon the Cross sustaining the punishment of Sin at the time of his Passion putting on a purple Robe being all be sprinkled with his own bloud Ioh. 19. And as the Phoenix is burnt in her own Nest so likewise was he consumed in the fire of Gods wrath according to that in Psal. 22. My heart is become like melting wax in the midst of my body And as the Phoenix of it self begetteth another of the same kind so Christ by the power of his Deity raised up his Body from the dust of the Earth and ascended up into Heaven a glorious Body to sit at the right hand of his Father in that everlasting Kingdom of Glory Thus gentle Reader I thought fit to describe unto you these two Towns that when you shall read of them in the holy Scripture the one being in Aethiopia towards the South the other in Arabia-Foelix and called Seba you might discern the one from the other of both which there is mention in the 72 Psalm The Kings of the Seas and of the Isles shall bring presents the Kings of Saba and Seba shall give Gifts The Travels of King Pharaoh out of Aegypt when he overcame the Town of Gazer 1 Reg. 9. IN the sixteenth year of King David Anno mundi 2906 and before Christ 1602 Chabreus King of Aegypt began to reign and reigned fifty six years Diod. lib. 2. cap. 2. Herodotus calleth this man Chephrines in his second book and Eusebius Nepher Cherres He went from Memphis the chief City of Aegypt with a great Army 268 miles even unto the Tribe of Ephraim and there took Gazer a City of the Levites and burned it with fire I Reg. 8. Ios. 21. After he came to Ierusalem twenty eight miles And this City which he had thus destroyed he gave to his Daughter the Wife of Solomon 1 Reg. 9. From thence he returned to Memphis in Aegypt 244 miles So all the Travels of King Pharaoh were 244 miles Of Memphis MEmphis is a great City in Aegypt where commonly the Kings of that Countrey keep their Courts and lyeth from Ierusalem 244 miles Soâ—â—h-west-ward This City was built a little before the Flood but repaired and enlarged by a King called Ogdoo who in love of his Daughter after her Name called it Memphis You may read of it in the ninth of Hosea called there by the name of Moph for thus he saith The people of Israel are gone out of the land of Ephraim because of their Idolatry into Aegypt but Aegypt shall gather them up and Moph that is Memphis shall bury them Moph or Mapheth in this place signifieth a prodigious Wonder but the rest of the Prophets call it Noph for the fertility and pleasantness of the Country as you may read Esay 19. The Princes of Zoan are become foolish and the Princes of Noph or of Memphis are deceived See also Ierom 2. 44. 46. Ezech. 30. in which places you may find it called after this name Zoan is the City Tanis where Moses wrought all his Miracles But Noph or Moph is this Memphis a beautiful Town large and spacious scituated in the strongest and profitablest place in Aegypt divided into two parts by the River Nilus so that any kind of commodities or merchandize might with ease be brought thither by Water for which cause the Kings of that Country for the most part kept their abiding there Strabo saith lib. 17. that upon the East part of this City there standeth a Tower or Castle called Babylon built by certain Babylonians who leaving their own Country by the permission of the Kings of Aegypt dwelt there in after times there was placed a Garrison in it one of the three which were for the defence of Aegypt and by Ptolomy was called Babylon through both which viz. Memphis and Babylon Nilus passed the one standing upon the East side the other upon the West Zoan or Tanis stood about some four miles from this Town and was a fair and spacious City also scituated towards the South upon the East side of Nilus to which the Kings of that Country often resorted and Heliopolis another fair City stood some six miles off that towards the North-East All these four Towns were so wonderfully inhabited by reason of their pleasant and profitable scituation that in process of time they became all one City and in this Age is called Alcaire containing in Circuit sixty miles so that it seemeth to Spectators to be like a Country replenished with nothing but fair Houses goodly Churches and strong Towers exceeding all the rest of the Cities of Aegypt as well for the beautifulness of the place as the extent and largeness of it It is reported that in the year of our Lord 1476 there was such an extreme Pestilence in it that there dyed 20000 a day from whence may be gathered how infinitely it is peopled Near to this Town stood the Pyramides which are held to be one of the Wonders of the World as Strabo saith lib. 17. the height of one of them was 625 foot and square on each side 883 foot it was twenty years a building a hundred thousand Workmen employed about it whence it may be easily gathered how hard and difficult it was in those times to get Stone it being for the most part brought from Arabia and at what an excessive charge they were that set them up Of Gazar This City is described in the Travels of Solomon The Travels of Hadad King of Idumaea WHen David conquered Idumaea Hadad the King of that Country with some few of his Courtiers being then but young fled from Midian to Paran the Metropolitan City of Arabia Petraea which was 84 miles 1 Reg. 11. But because he thought himself scarce safe in that place he fled thence to Cheopes that impious and Tyrannical King of Aegypt that built the greatest of the three Pyramides at Memphis He hating King David gave him kind entertainment assigned him a part of the Kingdom of Aegypt to dwell in and after married him with his Sister Taâ—hpenes by whom he had a Son called Genubath who was brought up in Pharaohs or King Chopes Court where he continued all the Life of David being twenty seven years 120 miles David being dead he returned into his own Kingdom of Idumaea which was 200 miles From thence he went back to Damascus which was 240 miles where he was created King of the Syrians by Reson and other fugitives which had conspired against Solomon by which means he grievously troubled that Kingdom and became an utter Enemy to the Israelites all the Life of Solomon And of him is the original and stock of the Kings of Syria So all the Travels of Hadad were 644 miles Of Midian and Paran you may read before in the one dwelt Iethro Moses
Father-in-law in the other Ishmael that being the chief City of his Dominions as you may read Gen. 21. Ex. 2. Of Reson Solomon's Adversary AFter David had conquered Hadad-Ezer King of Zoba Reson his chief Captain gathered up his dispersed Souldiers of his Army and fled from him to Damascus which was 120 miles and besieged it the Citizens whereof when neither David nor Solomon could suppress his Rebellion entertained him for their King which Principality he held The Travels of the Kings of Israel and first of Jeroboam THis man was the Son of Nebat and born at a Town called Zared not far from Bethlehem-Euphrata some eight miles from Ierusalem from whence he came to Solomon who made him Captain that he might collect the Tribute of Manasses and Ephraim 1 Reg. 11. which was eight miles From Ierusalem as he went to Shilo which was four miles he met the Prophet Ahijah the Shilomite who told him that he should be King of Israel 1 Reg. 11. From thence he went to Memphis in Aegypt which was 224 miles because Solomon sought his life where he remained with Sesak King of Aegypt all the Life of Solomon Eusebius calleth this King Osochores who that same year succeeded Solomon's Father-in-law in that Government From thence he returned to the Town of Sichem in Israel which was 280 miles where the Israelites made him chief Captain against Solomon's Son Wherefore Ieroboam the Son of Nebat began to Raign over Israel An. mundi 2971 and before Christ 997 and raigned twenty two years 1 Reg. 12. His first Seat was at Sichem which he repaired and enlarged From Sichem in the first year of his reign he went to Penuel and there set up many fair Buildings which was twelve miles 1 Reg. 12. From Penuel he went twenty four miles to the Town of Bethel where he caused a Golden Calf to be set up for the People to worship From thence he went to Thirza which is sixteen miles This City he built and there kept his Court 1 Reg. 14. From thence he went to the Mount Zemaraim which is Mount Ephraim eighteen miles where he had a great Battel with Abia King of Iuda and lost 500000 of his Souldiers all chosen men of Israel 2 Chr. 13. ver 17. Having lost this Battel with all possible speed that he could went thence to Thirza which is eighteen miles there the Lord struck him with a grievous Disease that he died miserably 1 Reg. 14. 2 Chr. 13. So all the Travels of Ieroboam first King of Israel were 623 miles The Description of the Towns and places to which Jeroboam travelled Of Zemaraim THis was a certain Plain in Mount Ephraim eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North near to the Town of Bethel in the Tribe of Manasses for Mount Ephraim is divided into divers parts and Tribes It seemeth to take the name of certain Trees that abound near that place whereon Cotton-wooll groweth for Zaemaer signifieth Wooll which by little and little upon such Trees doth increase and grow to perfection Of Thirza THis was a fair and beautiful City scituated in a high and pleasant Mountain in the Tribe of Manasses some twenty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In this place the Kings of Israel us'd to keep their Courts until Samaria was built it was so called because of the Excellency and delectableness of the place for Thirza doth denote An acceptable and thankful City being derived of Razah he received thankfully Of the Years of the Iniquity of Israel THe years of the Iniquity of Israel mentioned in Ezek. 4. is to be accounted from that day wherein Ieroboam first erected the Golden Calves wherefore the greatest part of the first year of the Iniquity agreeth with the second year of Ieroboams Reign From whence may be gathered that from that time till the destruction of Ierusalem by Nebuchadnezzar were 390 years full ended Of Jeroboam's Wife Queen of Israel SHE went from Thirza to Zilo which was about twenty four miles there she asked counsel of Ahijam the Prophet concerning her Son Abia for he was sick but he told her heavy tidings 1 Reg. 14. 7. Wherefore being pensive and troubled in her mind she returned back again to her Husband to Thirza 24 miles 1 Reg. 14. So these two Journeys were 48 miles The Iourney of the Man of God which came out of Juda. THis man of God as Iosephus writeth l. Ant. 8. came from Ierusalem to Bethel which was eight miles and was called by the name of Iadon which signifieth The Judge of the Lord. When he came thither he reproved Ieroboam with an extraordinary Spirit Of whom you may read more 1 Reg. 13. But being deceived as he was returning a Lyon met him in the way where he was slain and after buried in a Sepulchre in Bethel The Travels of Nadab the second King of Israel NAdab or Bonifacias succeeded his Father Ieroboam in the Kingdom of Israel and was anointed while he was yet living a liberal and free-hearted Prince He began to reign in the second year of Asa King of Iuda Anno Mundi 2992 and before Christ 977. He reigned during the Life of his Father a year and somewhat more but when he had reigned two years he went from Thirza with a great Army to the City of Gibithon which was thirty six miles this Town he besieged very straitly but at length was slain by one of his Captains called Baesa so he lost both his Life and Kingdom in that place 1 Reg. 15. Of Gibithon THis was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Dan not far from Ekron in the Land of the Philistines sixteen miles from Ierusalem towards the West and signifieth a Royal or lofty Gift The Travels of Baesa King of Israel BAesa is as much as to say An industrious and prompt man in doing any thing This man having slain his Master near unto Gibithon usurped upon the Kingdom of Israel about the end of the third year of Asa King of Iuda and began his Reign An. Mund. 2992 before Christ 974 and reigned over Israel almost twenty four years two of which he reigned with his Son 1 Reg. 15. He went from Gibithon to Thirza thirty six miles where he utterly rooted out the whole stock and Family of Ieroboam After falling into Idolatry he was sharply reprehended for it by Iehu the Prophet the Son of Hanani of whom you may read more 1 Reg. 15. From Thirza he went to Ramah which is sixteen miles this Town he built and fortified it very strongly 2 Chr. 29. But when he heard that Benhadad King of Syria had invaded Israel he left his Building at Ramah and with all possible speed that he could went to Thirza where he died and was buried 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr. 16. So all the Travels of Baesa were 68 miles Of Ramah Of this City you may read before Of Ella or Elah King of Israel ELAH signifies a cruel man This was the Son of Baasha King
of Israel who was crowned King his Father yet living about the beginning of the twenty sixth year of Asa King of Iuda at such time as Benhadad King of Syria invaded and wasted Galilee He reigned two years one of them during the Life of his Father the other alone in Thirza at the end of which he was slain by Simri his Servant 1 Reg. 15 16. Of Zimri King of Israel ZImri signifieth a Singer and was a Captain over King Elah's Chariots he reigned seven dayes in Thirza in which time he put to death and utterly rooted out all the Posterity of Baasha and then Omri besieged the City so straitly that he had no hope to escape wherefore he set the City and Palace on fire in which he also perished 1 Reg. 15 16. The Travels of Omri King of Israel OMRI signifieth a Souldier or one that deserveth his Pay He was made King by the Israelites in his Tent while he was at Wars near to Gibithon from whence he went to Thirza which was thirty six miles and besieged the same upon the very day that Zimri had put the Posterity of Baasha to the Sword and took it He began to reign in Thirza Ann. Mund. 3017 and before Christ 951. and reigned over Israel twelve years the first six in Thirza that latter six in Samaria 1 Reg. 16. From Thirza he went to Mount Semer six miles there Omri built Samaria and made it the Seat of his Kingdom He went thither about the seventh year of his Reign 1 Reg. 16. So these two Journeys were forty two miles Of Samaria SAmaria the chief Seat and Metropolis of Israel was built by Omri in Mount Semer 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and took that name of Semer who was Lord of that Mountain of whom King Omri bought it for two Talents of Silver which amounteth to 1200 Crowns In this City fourteen Kings of Israel kept their Courts viz. Omri who was the first Founder of it Ahab Ahazia Iehoram Iehu Ioachas Ioas Ieroboam Zacharias Sallum Menahem Pekahia Pekah and Hosea who was the last of the Kings of Israel that reigned in this City and lost it together with his Liberty Of all these Kings there were but five that died naturally for the Lord being moved to wrath by reason of their Impiety and Idolatry either gave them up into the hands of Foreign Enemies or by Civil War amongst themselves they cruelly murthered one another until such time as the Assyrians destroyed the Land and and led the People captive Thus the Lord punished with a sharp and severe punishment this obstinate Nation because they contemned the Admonitions and Doctrines of the Prophets amongst which Elias and Elizeus were the chief So that although Samaria was a fair and beautiful City and the Countrey for that cause was called the Province of Samaria yet notwithstanding that great God the Judge of all things for the Iniquity of the People caused this fair City to be left desolate the Inhabitants of the Land to be dispersed and the Earth for want of due usage to lye as a Wilderness 2 Reg. 17. This City in the Old Testament according to the Hebrew Phrase is called Shaemaer of Schomron which signifies to keep or a Tower of strength You may read of this 1 Reg. 2. 2 Reg. 1 7. The Greeks and Latines call it Samaria which signifies the Castle of Iehovah or of God You may read more of this in the second Volume Of Hiel that built Jericho again AFter the death of Omri King of Israel when Ahab his Son began to reign Hiel a very rich man in the Town of Bethel that he might leave behind him an eternal memory of his Name went to Iericho which had been formerly destroyed by Ioshuah the Son of Nun and had lain waste for the space of 536 years where contrary to the Commandment of the Lord and curse of Ioshuah he caused the said City to be rebuilt such was the impious Security and Incredulity of this man but the Lord was angry with him and he struck all his Children that they dyed The eldest Son called Abiram at the laying of the Foundation and his youngest Son called Segub at the hanging on of the Gates Ios. 6. 1 Reg. 16. The Travels of King Ahab AHab went from Samaria to the Hill Carmel where Elias put to death the Priests of Baal which was about thirty two miles 1 Reg. 18. From thence he went to Iezreel which is sixteen miles there he told his Wife how Elias had put the Priests of Baal to the Sword 1 Reg. 18. From Iezreel he went again to Samaria eighteen miles where being prest with a hard Siege by Benhadad King of Syria he broke out of the City for his better safety and by Gods great providence and assistance he assailed the Syrians put a great multitude of them to the Sword the rest fled and he went away with a noble Victory as the Prophet of the Lord had formerly told him 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went with his Army to Apheck which was fourteen miles where he renewed a second Battel and therein had good success so that he took Benhadad alive and put to the Sword 100000 Syrians In this place the Prophet of the Lord reproved him for his ingratitude and obstinacy wherefore Ahab being angry he went from Apheck to Samaria which was eight miles 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went to Iezreel sixteen miles where that perfidious Queen Iesabel caused Naboth to be put to death and took possession of his Vineyard 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he went to Ramoth-Gilead twenty four miles and there in a fight that he had against the Syrians was so sore wounded with an Arrow that he was constrained to leave the Battel 1 Reg. 22. And as he went back again to Samaria which was twenty four miles he dyed of his wound Of this man you may read more 1 Reg. 21 22. So all the Travels of Ahab were 152 miles The Description of Carmel Apheck and Ramoth you may read before Of Iezreel JEzreel is a City in the Tribe of Issachar scituated upon a rising ground some forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Ahab sometimes kept his Court. Here Naboth the Iezreelite dwelt an honest and Religious man one of good Esteem and Authority that feared God and would not suffer the Inheritance of one Tribe to be transferred to another because God had commanded the contrary Num. ult For which cause he would not sell his Vine-yard to Ahab wherefore Iezabel that wicked Woman to satisfie the Kings desire caused him to be stoned Iezreel signifies the Seed of God being derived of Sera Seed and El the Almighty God Though in former times this hath been a fair Town yet at this day there is no past thirty houses in it and is called Charity standing at the foot of Mount Gilboah they shew at this day the field of Naboth the Iezreelite lying towards the West as you go
into the City a little before you come at it This Town standeth upon a fair prospect for you may see from thence through all Galilee to Carmel the Mountains of Phoenicia and Mount Thabor also from Mount Gilead by Iordan and Mount Salem where Iohn baptized near by Mount Hermon upon the North side of Mount Gilboah there lies a fair and plain way to the City Iezreel by which Iehu came when he made Wars upon Ieroboam King of Israel of which you may read more 2 Reg. 9. It stood not far from the River Kison as you may read Ios. 17. 19. 1 Sam. 2. 1 Reg. 4. 18. Of Ahaziah the Son of Ahab AHaziah was crowned King of Israel during the Life of his Father a cruel and wicked man he began his Reign in the 17th year of Iosaphat King of Iudah Anno Mundi 3049 and before Christ 919. about such time as Ahab went down to Ramoth Gilead to recover it from the Syrians Within a while after the death of his Father he fell through the Lattice-window in his upper Chamber which was in Samaria of which hurt he died Of this you may read more 1 King 1. The Travels of Jehoram King of Israel JEhoram succeeded his Brother Ahaziah in the Kingdom of Israel who began his Reign in the eighteenth year of Iosaphat King of Iudah and as Iosephus saith lib. Ant. 9. about the fifth year of his Reign went from Samaria to Ierusalem which was 32 miles There he told Iosaphat how the King of Moab had rebelled against him therefore desired him to go along with him to the War 2 Reg. 3. Then Iehoram and Iosaphat and the King of Edom went from Ierusalem and compassed about through the Wilderness of Idumaea by the space of seven dayes so that they and their Army for want of Water had almost perished but at the Prayers of the Prophet Elisha they were miraculously preserved At length they came to Petra the Metropolitan City of the Moabites and is distant from Ierusalem an hundred seventy two miles which they took and consumed it with Fire and Sword 2 Reg. 3. From the City of Petra Iehoram King of Israel returned back to Samaria which was 104 miles where within a while after he was so sorely besieged by Benhadad King of Syria that the Famine grew very great within the Town insomuch as a certain Woman eat her own Child 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Ramoth in Gilead with his Army which is 24 miles where he was overcome by Asahel King of the Syrians and wounded even to the death 2 Reg. 8. From the Fight of Ramoth Gilead he was carried in his Chariot back to Iezreel which was 24 miles where he lay to be cured of his Hurts But Iehu one of his chief Captains rebelled against him and as he was in his Chariot shot an Arrow and wounded him the second time whereof he died in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite 2 Reg. 9. So all the Travels of Iehoram were 356 miles The Travels of Jehu King of Israel JEHV signifies a constant man in himself and was the Son of Iosaphat the Son of Nimschi he was anointed King of Israel in the Castle at Ramoth in Gilead by Elisha Anno Mun. 3063. and before Christ 905. he reigned 28 years 2 Reg. 9. From Ramoth in Gilead in his Chariot he went to Iezreel which was 24 miles where in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite he killed Iehoram with an Arrow And when he came to the Gates of the City he caused Iezabel to be thrown from a Tower whom he trampled under his Horse feet and after in that same place she was eaten up with Dogs Then he sent Messengers to Samaria commanding the Samaritans that they should put to death the 70 Sons of Ahab which they immediately did and sent their Heads unto him in Baskets 2 Reg. 10. From Iezreel he went to Samaria which is sixteen miles In that Journey he caused to be slain by his Ministers the 42 Brothers of Ahaziah King of Iuda near to the Well which was beside the House where Sheep were shorn And when he came to Samaria he caused all the Posterity of Ahab to be utterly destroyed and rooted out And to conclude the Tragedy by a cunning Policy put to death all the Priests of Baal 2 Reg. 10. So all the Travels of Iehu were 40 miles Of Jehoahas King of Israel JEhoahas was the Son of Iehu and succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Israel he began his Reign in the 33 year of Ioas King of Iudah in the Year of the World 3091 and before Christ 876. He reigned over Israel seventeen Years God stirred up against this wicked King Asahel King of the Syrians who with 10000 Foot and five hundred Horse besieged Samaria very strongly put to the Sword many of his Subjects and got many Cities and Towns from him as the Prophet Elisha had before told him 2 Reg. 8. 13. The Travels of Joas King of Israel JOAS succeeded his Father Iehoahas and while he was yet living was anointed King of Israel in the thirty seventh year of Ioas King of Iudah and reigned two years with his Father after his Death fifteen so all the Reign of Ioas was seventeen Years This Man was a great Souldier and went from Samaria with an Army against the City of Apheck which was fourteen miles there he smote the Syrians and in three several Battels carried away the Victory recovering the Cities which his Father Iehoahas had lost according to the Prophecy of Elisha 2 Reg. 17. From Apheck he returned to Samaria being 14 miles From thence he went with his Army to Bethsemes in the Land of Iuda where in a sharp and cruel War he conquered Amasia and took him alive 2 Reg. 14. which was 32 miles From Bethsemes he went to Ierusalem and carried the King thereof with him Captive being four miles He won the City and broke down the Walls of it from the Gate of Ephraim till you come to the Angle-Gate four hundred Cubits in length 2 Reg. 14. From the City of Ierusalem Ioas the Conquerour returned to Samaria with the spoil of the Temple and of the King's House with many Captives and a great Prey being thirty two miles where at the end of the seventeenth year of his Reign he died and was buried In this man's time Elisha the Prophet died 2 Reg. 13. 14. So all the Travels of Ioas were ninety six miles Of Bethsemes Of this City you may read before The Travels of Jeroboam the second of that Name King of Israel THIS Ieroboam succeeded his Father Ioas in the Kingdom of Israel and began his Reign Anno Mundi 3123. and before Christ 845. which according to the Text of the Bible happened about the 15th Year of Amasia King of Iuda and he reigned 41 Years 2 Reg. 14. He kept his Court at Samaria where the Prophet Ionas told him that he should recover not only the Towns and Cities of the Land
of Israel that had been lost but also the Cities of Hemeth and Damascus wherefore he gathered a great Army out of the City of Samaria and went thence unto Hemeth or Antiochia in Syria which was 248 miles This City he conquered and all the Country thereabout so that he recovered all the ancient Towns and Cities that belonged to David and Saul even to Hemeth in Syria to Soba in Armenia with all the Cities Towns Castles and Countries near adjoyning to them 2 Reg. 14. From Hemeth or Antiochia he went to Damascus which is 140 miles This City he also took and all the Country of Syria round about he made tributary to him 2 Reg. 14. From Damascus he went to the Red Sea even 320 miles and also recovered all the South part which in times past belonged unto the Kingdom of Israel 2 Reg. 14. After this he returned to Samaria his own Country which was 192 miles where in the one and fortieth year of his Reign he dyed and was there buried After his death the Kingdom of Israel was oppressed with Tyranny until it was destroyed by Foreign Nations and for the space of twelve years there was no King that succeeded him In the Reign of this King a little before his death there happened a horrible Earth-quake of which you may read Amos 1. which without doubt did fore-shew some eminent changes that should happen in that Kingdom as did afterward Zac. 41. So all the Travels of Ieroboam the second of that name were 900 miles Of Zachariah King of Israel TWelve years after the death of Ieroboam Zachariah his Son began his Reign in Israel in the thirty eighth year of Azariah King of Iuda which was An. mundi 3975 and before Christ 723 he reigned six months and then was miserably slain by Sallum his Friend 2 Reg. 15. Ioseph lib. Antiq. 9. Of Sallum King of Israel SAllum began to reign after he had slain Zachariah in the thirty ninth year of Azariah King of Iuda and when he had reigned scarce a Month he was slain by Menahem losing his Life and Kingdom together 2 Reg. 15. The Travels of Menahem MEnahem was born in Thirza in the Tribe of Iuda who began to reign in the same year that he slew Sallum he reigned ten years 2 Reg. 10. From Thirza he went to Samaria with his Army which was six miles where having slain Sallum his Lord and King he usurp'd upon the Kingdom 2 Reg. 15. From thence he went to Thipsa which is six miles This Town he cruelly destroyed with Fire and Sword and all the Towns thereabout because they refused to open their Gates unto him From Thypsa this cruel Tyrant went back again to Samaria six miles where he grievously afflicted the Children of Israel ten years Wherefore the Lord being offended with him for his exceeding Cruelty stirred up Phul Belochus King of Assyria who came from Babylon to Samaria being 624 miles and put King Menahem to such an exceeding great streight that he was constrained to buy and procure his peace with 1000 Talents which money being received he suffered him to enjoy his Kingdom and returned back to Babylon with all his Army 2 Reg. 15. So all the Travels of King Menahem were 18 miles Of Thypsa THIS was a Town near to that Kingly Seat Thirza scituated in the Tribe of Manasses twenty four miles from Ierusalem Northward But because the inhabitants thereof denied to open their Gates to this cruel Tyrant Menahem therefore he utterly destroyed it even to the Ground Thypsa signifieth The Paschal Lamb or a Passover being derived of Pasach he passed over Of Pekahia King of Israel PEkahia reigned two years after his Fathers Death at the end of which term he was slain by Pekah the Son of Remalia who succeeded him in the Government Ioseph lib. Antiq. 9. saith that this Murther was done at a Banquet The Travels of Pekah King of Israel PEkah the Son of Remalia began to reign in Samaria Anno mundi 3189 and before Christ 779. in the two and fiftieth year of Azariah King of Iudah and reigned over Israel twenty years 2 Reg. 15. 16. From the City of Samaria he went with Resin King of Syria to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and besieged it but could not take it nevertheless he overcame Ahaz King of Iuda in a great Battel and put to the Sword in one day above 12000 Souldiers that bare Armour In this War there were taken 200000 Women Children and Maids all which he carried Captives to Samaria 2 Reg. 16. 2. Chr. 28. From Ierusalem he returned to Samaria with a great Booty being 32 miles and at the Command of Obed the Prophet set at liberty all his Captives After about the end of the twentieth year of his Reign he was slain by Hosea his chief Captain who succeeded him in the Government 2 Reg. 15. So all the Travels of Pekah were 64 miles Of Hosea the last King of Israel HOSEA began to reign in the fourth Year of Ahas King of Iuda Anno Mundi 3209 and before Christ 759. He kept Court at Samaria and was a cruel and wicked King Wherefore God stirred up Salmanasser Emperour of the Assyrians who about the end of the seventh Year of his Reign came to Samaria and besieged it for the space of three Years at the end of the third Year with great Labour he won it and all the Country round about so that he took King Hosea Prisoner and led him together with a great Multitude of the Iews amongst which were Gabriel and Raphael the Friends of Toby the Elder thence to Nineveh Captives being 652 miles From Nineveh he sent them to a place called Rages in Media being 752 miles and in that Country peopled many Towns and Cities with them so that there were many of the Israelites led into Captivity above 1396 miles for so many miles is Rages and the Cities of the Medes from Ierusalem North-eastward This Captivity of the ten Tribes hapned Anno Mundi 3227. and before Christ 741. Of the Cities of Rages and Nineveh you may read in the Travels of Toby and the Angel Gabriel The Travels of the People which Salmanasser Emperour of the Assyrians sent to dwell in the Land of Israel SALMANASSER after he had carried the Children of Israel away captive into Assyria sent as it is said part of them into Media and part of them into Persia and so diâ—persed them here and there about the Country But because the Land of Israel by reason of this Captivity became desolate and without Inhabitants therefore he caused those People which dwelt about the River Cutha in Persia to go thence and dwell in Samaria and in all the Country round about to till the Land and dress the Vines lest some other People that were strangers to his Government should usurp upon that Kingdom it being thus without Inhabitants Ios. li. Ant. 9. You may read of this also 2 Reg. 7. In whose place and near to the said
that he went to Bethel and conquered all the Country from thence to Ephron which was 36 miles From Ephron he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles there he took unto him fourteen Wives and begat 20 Sons and 16 Daughters 2 Chr. 13. The Travels of Asa King of Judah AS A signifies a Physician He began to reign about the end of the 21th year of Ieroboam King of Israel An. Mâ—n 2990. before Christ 978. He governed Iudah with great commendation 41 years He went from Ierusalem to Maresa 16 miles where in the Valley of Zephatha he overcame the Ethiopians in a memorable Battel 2 Chr. 14. From thence he pursued the Ethiopians to Gerar being 22 miles and recovered many Cities which the Ethiopians dwelt in 2 Chr. cap. 14. From Gerar he went to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and offered to the Lord of the Spoils that he had taken 700 Oxen and 7000 Sheep 2 Chr. 15. These Travels of King Asa make 70 miles The Iourney and Expedition of Saerah King of Ethiopia whom Asa King of Judah overcame in the Valley of Zephatha SAerah or Saerach signifieth A noble and puissant Lord. This was a mighty and warlike Prince who governed Lybia and Aethiopia the King of which Country at this day we call Presbyter Iohn or rather â—etro Iohannes who holdeth his Court in a fair and goodly City called Hamarich the Metropolitan of all Ethiopia and extendeth his Government beyond Meroes in Africa Many though ignorantly suppose he is a Priest because he is called Presbyter though indeed he is not so but rather a puissant and mighty Emperour But to return to Saerah or Saerach who in hope to extend his Empire into these parts went with a great Army out of Ethiopia to the Valley of Zephatha in Iuda to fight with Asa King of Iudah 1200 miles but lost the day and returned with great shame 2 Chr. 15. It seemeth that this King was the mightiest of all his Predecessors and a Prince of no vulgar Estimation because of the multitude and great abundance of Souldiers which he brought in his Army for it is reported that there were 1000000 that bore Armor and 300 Chariots but this great Army was dispersed and most of them died miserably as did that great Army of Xerxes which consisted of 1700000. From whence it may â—e concluded That it is not the Strength of Man which delivereth him buâ— the Lord. The Travels of Jehosaphat King of Judah JEhosaphat signifies The Judge of the Lord. He began his Reign in the fourth year of Ahab 1 Reg. 22. The greatest part therefore of the first year of this King happened in the Year of the World 3033 and before Christ 935. He reigned over Israel twenty five years that is from the 35th of his Age to the sixtieth In the seventh year of his Reign he went from Ierusalem to Samaria which was 32 miles to visit his Kinsman Ahab King of Israel for Ioram his Son some ten years before had married Athaliah King Ahab's Sister 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria he went with Ahab to the War at Ramoth in Gilead being twenty four miles where Ahab was slain 2 Reg 22. 2 Chr. 18. From Ramoth he went safe from the Wars to Ierusalem vvhich vvas forty eight miles From Ierusalem he vvent to the City of Beersaba the utmost bounds of his Kingdom tovvards the South to instruct his People in the Lavv of the Lord forty tvvo miles from Ierusalem South-ward From Beersaba passing through all his Kingdom he came to Mount Ephraim being forty eight miles and the utmost bounds of his Kingdom North-ward being some eight miles from Ierusalem 2 Chr. 19. From Mount Eâ—hraim he went to Ierusalem which was eight miles Thus Iehosaphat went through all his Dominions to instruct his Subjects in Piety and the true Worship of God in every City ordaining Judges and Governours Magistrates Procurators and Assessors committing to their Discretion the deciding of all Controversies saying to them Take heed what you do for the Office you have taken upon you is not Humane but Divine and as you judge so shall you be judged for the Lord is with you in judgment Wherefore do all things with diligence and in the fear of the Lord for with the Lord there is no iniquity nor respect of Persons neither taketh he any bribes And he himself remained chief Judge in Ierusalem to whom any might appeal from the inferiour Judges that so there might be a just end of Controversies 2 Chr. 16. Afterward Iehosaphat went forth with his Army to Tecoa six miles from Ierusalem where by fervent Prayers the sounding of Trumpets and other musical Instruments in obtained a memorable Battel against the Moabites Ammonites and Idumaeans for the Lord turned the Weapons of them one against another and they wounded one another to the death This fight happened in a fair Valley between Tecoa and Engedi So Iehosaphat pursued the Enemy for three days with great slaughter and returned with a mighty spoil This was called the Valley of Blessing because of this great Victory at Tecoa and began eight miles from Ierusalem South-eastward and extended it self to the Tower of Engedi near to the Bank of the Red Sea twenty miles From Engedi out of the Valley of Blessing Iehosaph at and his Army returned to Ierusalem twenty miles and went into the Temple with Shalms Harps Timbrels and great Joy thankfull acknowledging Gods merciful Favour toward him in giving him so great a Victory 2 Chr. 20. But as there is nothing in this Life that can be said permanent so likewise the felicity of Iehosaâ—hat changed on a sudden the froward and adverse frown of Adversity seising upon his Prosperity for joyning with that wicked and impious King of Israel Ahaziah upon condition to build a certain Navy of Ships at Ezeongaber to fetch gold from Tharshish and other places in India he displeased the Lord for the which cause there arose a great Tempest which brake down the Works and destroyed the Navy From Ierusalem he went with Iehoram King of Israel to war against the Moabites and with them went the King of Idumaea so passing through the Desarts of Edom they came to Mount Seir and so went to Petra the chief City of the King of the Moabites distant from Ierusalem seventy two miles 2 Reg. 3. From Petra Iehosaphat returned to Ierusalem seventy two miles where he died and was buried 2 Reg. 22. 2 Chr. 21. So all the Travels of Iehosaphat King of Iuda were three hundred seventy two miles The typical signification of Jehosaphat AS Iehosaphat by Prayer and the sound of Trumpets and other Instruments of Musick overcame and dispersed his Enemies without drawing his Sword so Christ also by the sound of his Word and Doctrine without drawing Weapon overcame the Enemies of the Church The Travels of Joram King of Judah JORAM signifies The exalted of the Lord. He was crowned King his Father yet living at such time as he made his Expedition against Mesa King
of the Moabites which happened about the fifth year of Iehoram King of Israel An. Mundi 3055 and before Christ 913. He reigned with his Father Iehosaphat two years and after his Decease six So Ioram reigned eight years over Iudah and when he was forty years old died miserably 2 Reg. 8 9. About the beginning of the second year of this King's Reign which was the sixth of Iehoram King of Israel Elias the Prophet was taken up into Heaven About the beginning of his Reign he went from Ierusalem to Mount Seir being twenty eight miles South-ward where he used such extreme cruelty toward the Edomites which at this time were his Subjects that of a sudden they fell from him and chose them a King of their own 2 Reg. 8. From the Mountain of Seir he returned to Ierusalem which is twenty eight miles and there cruelly put to death his own Brothers But God stirred up against him the Philistines and Arabians who broke into Iuda and destroyed it with Fire and Sword They also went to Ierusalem and took thence all his Substance and Riches put his Children to the Sword all but Ioachas which was also called Ahaziah or Ochorias and carried away his Wives captive into Arabia Foelix which is near unto Ethiopia 1200 miles Then the Lord struck him with an extream pain in his Bowels of which after two years he died and was buried without any Funeral-pomp or honourable Respect near to the King's Tower A man unworthy to be buried in the Sepulchre of the rest of the Kings because he so much degenerated from David his Predecessor 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chr. 28. So all the Travels of Ioram were fifty six miles The Travels of Ahaziah King of Judah AHaziah which also was called Iehoachas succeeded his Father Ioram in the Government of Iudah and began his Reign in the twelfth year of Iehoram King of Israel Ann. Mund. 3062. and before Christ 906 and reigned one year 1 Reg. 8. He went from Ierusalem to Ramoth in Gilead which is accounted forty eight miles There he went to Battel with Iehoram King of Israel against the Syrians 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chr. 22. From Ramoth in Gilead he returned to Ierusalem forty eight miles Within a while after he went back again to visit his Kinsman Iehoram King of Israel to Iezteel for he was wounded in the Battel against Hasael and lay there to be cured which was forty eight miles With Iehoram he went to meet Iehu the Captain of the Host who shot an Arrow and wounded Iehoram that he died in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite Wherefore Ahaziah to save his Life fled with all possible speed taking his way to the King's Garden that stood close by the Vineyard of Naboth the Iezreelite not far from teh City and Tower of Iezreel But Iehu followed him so close that he wounded him as he ascended up to a place called GVR which signifieth a Lions Whelp near unto the Town which is called Iiblea Wherefore Ahaziah feeling himself hurt went to Megiddo four miles from Iezreel and near to Apheck upon the West There as Iosephus saith lib. Antiq. 9. he caused his wounds to be searched and bound up This City of Megiddo is forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward From Megiddo he went to Samaria which was fourteen miles there he lay hid for a while flying from one place to another to save himself 2 Chr. 22. But being found out he was carried back to the City of Megiddo which was fourteen miles and at the commandment of Iehu was there slain 1 Reg. 8. From Megiddo his Carcasa was carried to Ierusalem which was forty eight miles and there buried 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chron. 22. So all the Travels of Ahaziah King of Iudah were 224 miles Of that Idolatrous and wicked Queen Athalia AThalia was Sister to Ahab and Daughter to Omri married to Ioram Son of that good King Iehosaphat when he was but seventeen years of age and after the death of Azahiah who was slain about the twenty third year of his age she usurped upon the Kingdom of Israel Anno Mundi 3063 before Christ 905 and reigned with great Tyranny almost seven years So soon as she had obtained the Government she cruelly and miserably put to death the children of Ahaziah and all those that were next Heirs to the kingdom only Ioas who was saved by the policy of Iehoshabeath Sister to Ahasiah that stole him from among the rest of the King's Sons and put him to Nurse in her Bed-Chamber and he was with them in the House of God six years all which time Athalia raigned over the land And in the seventh year Iehojada waxed bold and proclaimed Ioas King as being next Heir to the Crown and anointed him in the Temple who after Athalia was slain succeeded in the Government 2 Reg. 11. 2 Chron. 23. Of Joas King of Judah JOas began to reign over Iudah when he was almost seven years of age and about the middle of the seventh year of Iehu King of Israel Anno Mundi 3069 and before Christ 899 and raigned over Iudah forty years He did that which was acceptable in the â—ight of the Lord all the days of Iehojada the Priest who crowned him King but after his death he fell into evil courses and caused that good Priest Zachariah the Son of Iehojada who was the Author of all his preferment to be stoned to death in the upper Court of the Temple which act argued that he was very unthankful and tyrannical But the Lord displeased with his cruelty within a year after the death of Zachariah stirred up the Syrians who invaded Iudaea and spoiled the City of Ierusalem in which War all those that stirred up the King to Idolatry were cruelly slain To conclude within a while after some of his Courtiers conspired against him and as he lay sick of a grievous disease in his bed put him to death and buried him in Milo the City of David Thus God justly punished this Tyrant for his Unthankfulness Apostasie and Cruelty when he had lived 47 years 2 Reg. 12. The Travels of Amasiah King of Judah AMasias or Amasiah signifies the strength of Iehovah This man was twenty five years of Age when he was enthronised by his Father about the second year of Ioas King of Israel Anno mundi 3108 and before Christ 806. He ruled the Kingdom while his Father was sick one year and after his decease twenty eight so all the years of his Reign were twenty nine He went with an Army from Ierusalem to Saelag that is to the Tower or Rock of Mount Seir forty miles towards the South here in the Valley of Salt he put to death a multitude of the Idumaeans And although this Town was very strongly scituated yet he won it and called it Ioctiel that is the Year of the Lord because God in that place heard his Prayers being derived of Iakah and El which is God hath heard Near to this Town Amasiah
sent a great Army from Niniveh to Damascus 520 miles and there overcame Resin and put him to death and took captive 242000 of the people of Damascus and sent them into Cyren a Country of Africa 2 Reg. 16. The Travels of Ahaz KING Ahaz went from Ierusalem to Damascus which was 160 miles to meet Tiglath-Phulasser King of the Assyrians to rejoyce with him for his happy Victory and give him thanks for his aid and assistance where when he saw the Altar at Damascus to be very glorious he sent for Vrijah the chief Priest who took a patern thereof and carried it with him to Ierusalem where he made an Altar like unto it 2 Reg. 16. From Dâ—mascus he returned back again 160 miles So his Travels were 320 miles But yet Ahaz continued in his perverse Impiety and Idolatry without any regard or fear of God therefore he stirred up other Enemies against him viz. the Idumeans who took a great multitude of them captive and the Philistines who with their Army broke into the South part of the Tribe of Iudah and took these Cities following viz Bethsemes Ajalon Timnath Socho Gederâ—th and Gimso with their Villages These Cities for the most part are mentioned in the precedent Treatise except Gederoth and Gimso Gederoth commonly called Gederothaim is distant from Ierusalem eight miles towards the South-West and stands near to the Castle of Emaus being compassed about with a Hedge from whence it seemeth to take the name for Gadar is as much as to say he hath hedged about Giâ—so was also in the Tribe of Iudah but in what place is not certainly known Thus King Ahaz all the days of his Life did evil in the sight of the Lord for which God punished him and all the Land and in the sixteenth year of his Reign he died and was buried with his Fathers in the City of David The Travelâ— of Ezekias King of Judah EZâ—kias which signifies the Champion of Iehovah was born when his Father was but thirteen years of age which made many Questions whether he should succeed him as his lawful Heir in his Kingdom because they doubted whether he was lawfully begotten For if you do observe the order and course of the years and Chronologie in the Scripture you shall find that from the beginning of the thirteenth year of the age of Ahaz to the first year of the Reign of this King Ezekias make just twenty five years Ezekias therefore began to reign after the death of his Father Ahaz about the end of the third year of Hosea King of Israel 2 Reg. 19. Anno mun 3222 before Christ 746 being then about twenty five years of age a little before Easter as it appeareth 2 Chron. 29. He governed that Kingdom with great Commendations twenty nine years The first Journey that he â—ook was from Ierusalem to Gaza which was forty four miles there he overcame the Army of the Philistines and recovered all those Cities which his Father Ahaz had lost according to that in the Prophet Esay cap. 15. 2 Reg. 18. From Gaza he returned to Ierusalem which was forty four miles there he broke down the places for Idolatry and the brazen Serpent made by Moses in the Wilderness and called it Nehustan a Brazen thing that hath nothing in it self of a Divine nature and could neither profit nor hurt therefore ought not to be worshipped This Brazen Serpent was kept in memory of that Sign that God shewed unto the Children of Israel in the Desart when they were bitten and stung to death by fiery Serpents for looking upon this Brazen Serpent they were healed But now because of the abuse thereof by the Iews which turned it into Idolatry it was broken to pieces Num. 21. 2 Reg. 18. So all the Travels of Ezechias were eighty eight miles In the fourteenth year of the Reign of Ezekias and in the thirty eighth year of his age Senacharib that mighty Emperour of the Assyrians having taken many Towns and Cities in the holy-Land would have also besieged Ierusalem and for that purpose sent from Lachis which was twenty miles distant from Ierusalem Thartan Rabsarim and Rabsacha three mighty Princes Embassadors with a great Train to attend them These men went about the City to see in what part it was most subject to battery and might easiest be got so when they came to the Conduit of the upper Pool which is by the path of the Fullers Field between the Fish-Gate and the Old-Gate in that place where they might easiliest be heard they called to the King but Eliakim the Son of Hilkiah which was Hezekia's Steward Shebna the Chancellor and Ioah the Son of Asaph the Recorder went upon the Wall then Rabsacha uttered blasphemous words against the Lord but Ezekias when he had heard what the Enemy had said called all the Elders of Ierusalem together and sent for Isaiah the Prophet the Son of Amos and they went into the Temple of the Lord and prayed Wherefore the Lord heard their Prayers and sent his Angel into the Camp of the Assyrians and lo in one night there were slain 185000 men as they lay in their Tents before Gibeah which at this time they besieged being distant from Ierusalem some ten miles towards the South-West This great deliverance happen'd in the year of the World 3253 and before Christ 733. About the end of the thirty eighth year of the age of Ezekiah he fell into a dangerous disease which so far forth as could be gathered by all likelihoods was the Plague for God doth oftentimes try the Patience of his Saints with sundry afflictions but yet at his servent Prayers he was restored to Health and his days were lengthened fifteen years at which time the Sun went back ten Degrees according to the variation of the shadow in the Dyal of Ierusalem 2 Reg. 20. Isa 38. 2 Chr. 32. But at the end of the fifteen years which was about the fifty fourth year of his age he dyed and was buried with his Fathers The Travels of Manasses MAnasses or Manasseh signifieth forgetting or he hath forgotten This man was twelve years old when he succeeded his Father Ezekiah in the Kingdom of Iudah he began to reign Anno mundi 3251 and before Christ 717. This King was a great Idolater and one that put the Prophets of the Lord to death so that it was wonderful to see what Tyranny and mischief he wrought in Israel wherefore the Lord stirred up the Assyrians against him who overcame him in a great Battel and took him Captive carrying him bound in Chains from Ierusalem to Babylon even 680 miles But after being humbled by his afflictions he came to a knowledge of himself and repenting for his former evil humbling himself with prayer and fasting under the hand of God wherefore the Lord took compassion of him and stirred up the mind of the King of Babylon to mercy so that he loosed his bands and sent him back again to Ierusalem 680 miles From that time
forward he left Idolatry and worshipped the true God adorned the Temple of the Lord with many fair and beautiful Buildings and in the five and fiftieth year of his age he died and was buried in the Kings Garden 2 Reg. 21. 2 Chron. 33. So all the Travels of Manasses were 1360 miles Of Amon King of Judah AMon signifieth True and Faithful he succeeded his Father Manasses when he was twenty two years of age Anno mundi 3307 before Christ 661. He reigned two years and then because of his exceeding Idolatry the Lord cast him off when he was about twenty four years of age near which time some of his Servants conspired against him and put him to death The Travels of King Josiah JOSIAH signifies A Sacrifice of the Lord he succeeded his Father Manasses in the Government when he was but eight years of age Anno Mundi 3309 before Christ 659. He governed Israel with great commendations thirty two years 2 Reg. 22. his Mothers name was Iedidah and dwelt in a Town called Bâ—zâ—ath but how far this Town stood from Ierusalem is not set down by any Author This good King went from Ierusalem to Bethel which was eight miles there he burnt upon the Altar which Ieroboam built the bones of the Priests of Baal as the man of God which came from Iudah had told Ieroboam 350 years before 1 Reg. 13. 2 Chr. 35. From Bethel he returned back to Ierusalem which was eight miles there he celebrated the Passover with a solemn Feast and great Attendance 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. In the last year of his Reign he went with his Army from Ierusalem to Megiddo being forty four miles against Pharaoh Necho King of Aegypt in which Battel he was slain with an Arrow about the thirty ninth year of his age 2 Chron. 3 5. From Megiddo his Body was carried in a Chariot back again to Ierusalem which was forty four miles and there with great Lamentations honourably buried 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. So all his Travels were 104 miles The Travels of Jehoahas King of Judah JEhoahas signifies the knowledge of God he succeeded his Father Iosiah in the twenty third year of his age Anno Mundi 3340 which was 628 years before Christ and reigned only three Months 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ieremy cap. 22. calleth this man Schallum that is a Recompence He went from Ierusalem to Riblah a City in the Tibe of Nepthaly which is accounted eighty miles where he was taken Prisoner by Pharaoh Necho 2 Reg. 23. From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led him Captive bound in Chains back again to Ierusalem being eighty miles and there appointed Iehojakim his elder Brother to reign in his place 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chron. 36. From Ierusalem he carried Iehoahas to Memphis the Metropolitan City of Aegypt which was 244 miles 2 Reg. 23. So all the Travels of Iehoahas were 404 miles Of Jehoiakim King of Judah JEhoiakim was the eldest Son of Iosiah that Good King and succeeded his Brother Iehoahas in the Kingdom Anno Mundi 3341 before Christ 627 he governed Iudah eleven years Pharaoh Necho made him King when he was twenty five years of age to whom he was constrained to pay 100 Talents of Silver and a Talent of Gold This Money being payed he obtained the Kingdom and continued in great Impiety and Idolatry for which cause he was sharply reprehended by Ieremiah the Prophet but he being offended at his words sought to put him to death wherefore the Lord stirred up Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of the Assyrians and Babylonians who in the eleventh year of this King's Reign came to Ierusalem and took him captive tyed him in two chains and would have carried him to Babylon but his mind changed wherefore he caused him to be put to death and cast out into the Fields of Ierusalem for a prey to wild Beasts Ier. 22. 2 Reg. 23. Of Jehoiachin King of Judah Jehoiachin signifies the preparation of Iehovah This man succeeded his Brother Iehoiakim and began his Reign about the end of the 3351 year of the World and reigned only three Months and ten days which was about the eighth year of Nabuchadonozor the Great at which time he was led captive from Ierusalem to Babylon together with Mordochae and many other Nobles which was 680 miles This Captivity happened 617 years before Christ 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ester 2. Ier. 52. The Travels of Zedekiah the last King of Judah AFter Iehoiachin succeeded Zedekiah which signifies the just man of God This was the Son of the good King Iosiah yet an impious Tyrant who by the permission of Nabuchadonozor the Great was suffered to be King of Iudah after his Brother when he was one and twenty years of age He began to reign about the beginning of the 3352 year of the World and before Christ 616 he governed tyranically eleven years 2 Reg. 24. In the eleventh year of this King Ierusalem was taken by Nabuchadonezar the great Emperour of the Babylonians wherefore Zedekiah to escape the brunt of War fled from Ierusalem with all possible speed to Iericho which was twelve miles Ier. 39. 5. From the plain near the City Iericho where he was overcome by the Princes of the Chaldeans he was led to Riblah to Nebuchadonezar which was sixty eight miles From Riblah after the Emperour Nabuchadonezar had caused all his Children to be put to death before his face and had put out both his eyes he led him captive to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserably 2 Reg. 25. So all the Travels of Zedekiah King of Iudah were 680 miles Of the Destruction of Jerusalem by Nabuchadonezar IN the ninth year of this Zedekiah which was the last King of Iudah Nabuchadonezar began to besiege Ierusalem it being then Winter Anno Mundi 3860 upon the tenth day of the tenth Month Tebeth which answereth to the seven and twentieth day of December which day the Iews till now observed as a fasting day The Siege continued even till the eleventh year of this King Ierem. 39. 5. 2 Reg. 25. and upon the ninth day of the fourth Month Thamus which agreeth with the tenth day of Iuly the City was taken and Zedekiah was put to flight Upon the seventh day of the fifth Month Ab Nabuzaradan chief Captain of the Army was sent back by Nabuchadonezar into Iudaea where he destroyed and burned the houses and buildings of the City of Ierusalem Ierem. 52. upon the tenth day of the fifth Month Ab which answereth to the ninth day of August being the Sabbath day the Temple of Ierusalem was set on fire Ier. 52. de bello Iudei lib. 6. cap. 26. 27. This first Captivity and Destruction of the City Ierusalem by Nabuchadonezar that great Emperour happened Anno Mundi 3362 and before Christ 606 three hundred and ninety years being then fully compleat and ended from the first year of Ieroboam King of Israel who set up the Golden Calves and
caused them to be worshipped For after the end of these years according to the Prophecy of Ezekiel caâ— 4. the Sins of Ieroboam should be grievously punished upon the People of Iudah In the like manner from the end of the thirteenth year of Iosiah wherein Ieremie first began to Prophecy until this year in which the Children of Israel were carried away Captive into Babylon are numbred forty years which by Ezek. cap. 4. are called the years of the Iniquity of Iudah because so long the Iews did contemn and despise the admonition of the Prophet Ieremie Of Babylon HOw far this City stood from Ierusalem you may read before which by the Chaldaeans is called Shinear or Sinear and signifies To strike upon the Teeth being derived of Schen A tooth and Naer to strike It may also be taken for that when a man endeavoured with all speed to execute a thing which seems to resemble the condition of Nimrod for that in this place he endeavoured to overcome and conquer all his Neighbours from whence this Land was called Casdius that is The Country of the Destroyer So changing S into L it is called Chaldeus or Chaldaea The Chief and Metropolitan City of which Country was this Babylon built some thirty years after the Floud by Nimrod or the Babylonian Saturn the first great Commander of the World according to Berosus lib. 4. who writeth after this manner Nimrod which was accounted the Son of Iupiter Belus being angry with the Holy Priests of that great God Iehovah came with his Colony and People into the Field of Sinear where he built a City and laid the Foundation of a great Tower 131 years after the Flood and raised this Tower to such a height and withal of such a hugeness that it seemed as if it had been some great Mountain because he would have the Babylonian People accounted the chiefest and greatest in the World also their Governour the King of Kings A little after he saith he built this Tower but before he could finish it dyed in the fifty sixth year after he began it wherefore the City and Tower of Babylon according to the Opinion of Berosus was begun in Anno Mundi 1788 which was 131 years after the Flood and before Christ 2180. There were two causes wherefore the Children of Men built up this Tower first that they might get them a name secondly that they might be safe in case there came another Flood to drown the World It was made of Brick and Bittum lest the Water should loosen it But the Lord turned their Enterprises into evil and divided their Language so that they could not understand one another whereby they were constrained to leave off their building from whence it happened that their Minds Manners Understandings Studies and principal Actions were utterly changed and is the Foundation of all discord and sedition where the fear of God and the true knowledge of Christ doth not prevent it From this division of Tongues it is called the City of Babylon this is the City of Division being derived of the word Balal he hath confounded or mingled together Of this City you may read in Ios. lib. I. cap. 9. where he bringeth in a saying of the Sibyls which was That when all Nations were of one Language they built an exceeding high Tower as though they would have ascended by it into Heaven but the Lord with great tempest and dividing their Tongues subverted their enterprize from whence it was called Babylon This City was the fairest in those times of all others scituated in a spacious Plain upon every side whereof there stood pleasant Orchards and Gardens it was built four square conpassed about with Walls of incredible strength and greatness being fifty Cubits thick and 200 high beautified within with goodly Buildings fair Temples richly gilt with Gold and wonderful to look upon It was in compass 380 Furlongs as Strabo saith which make forty eight miles Through it ran the River Euphrates by which all things necessary were conveyed to the City without it was compassed with fair Ditches fill'd with water like Rivers and in the Wall there stood a hundred Gates Herodotus saith that it was 480 Furlongs about which make sixty miles English but that is not so credible The first Founder of this City was Nimrod who in those times was the chief Commander of the World It is thought that he was the Son of Cham the Son of Noah whose name signifies a cruel Governour or an unmerciful Tyrant And that his Actions might be according to the signification of his name he is branded with most perspicious notes of Cruelty omitting no violent action whereby he might inlarge his Dominions incroaching upon other mens Governments through a thirsty and ambitious desire of Renown without respect of Equity or Humanity And to add evil to evil committed many outrages upon such as were accounted good men and the Priests of the great God Iehovah from whence there grew in him a more than humane resolution accounting himself in this World a God and thorough this opinion grew into contempt of all good things compelling such as were his Subjects and Vassals to do him Worship and Reverence as to a Divine Power which being ingrafâ—ed into the hearts of such as followed in succeeding Ages they countenanced it with Authority from whence it came to pass that he was inrolled into the number of their principal Gods giving him the name of Saturn whom the Hebrews called Sudormin which elegantly implyeth Saturn Berosus saith that the Babylonian Iupiter succeeded this Nimrod whose Authority I am willing to follow to avoid prolixity This man so much inlarged the City that many in succeeding ages have attributed the foundation thereof unto him He ruled over it sixty one years After him succeeded Ninus or as some would have it Nimrod the second who began his Reign Anno Mundi 1909 before Christ 2061 he did many worthy Acts during his life and added to the Empire of Babylon many Provinces and after he had reigned fifty years dyed and was buried in Babylon After him succeeded Semiramis his Wife who took upon her the Government of the Assyrian Empire her Son Ninus being then within age and she began her Government Anno Mundi 1959 before Christ 2009. She was one of the manliest and resolute Women that we read of and performed as many worthy and memorable Actions This Queen built her Sepulchre over the most eminent Gate of Babylon in a publick and perspicious place upon which she caused to be written in Golden letters If there be any King of Babylon that shall come after me and stand in need of Money let him open this Sepulchre and what soever he wanteth he shall find but before it will not be good for him to touch it This notwithstanding it continued till the Reign of Darius who opened this Monument in hope to find what the Superscription imported but no Mony was there to be had only within
might plainly be seen ingraven other Letters to this effect Vnless thou hadst been unâ—â—tiably Covetous thou wouldst never have opened the Graves of the Dead in hope of gain This Woman beautified Babylon with many goodly Buildings built up the Walls thereof set a Bridge over Euphrates made a beautiful Orchard and a Garden in it beautified it with many goodly Towers and Fortifications added unto it many Provinces and Governments and after all because of her own lascivious Appetite as Sallust saith was murthered by her Son Ninus who succeeded her in the Government There were many other memorable things within this City that were built before and after her time as Herodotus saith as that great and mighty Tower before remembred in which stood the Temple of Baelus and his Sepulchre Not far from that stood a Chappel wherein was the Statue of Iupiter all of pure Gold worth 800 Talents of Gold Without that Chappel there stood an Altar of pure Gold upon which they yearly offered 100000 Talents of Frankincense There was another also somewhat less upon which they used to offer their Sacrifices for it was not lawful for them to offer any thing that had life upon the greater Altar there stood also in that place another Statue twelve cubits high all of pure Gold This City was after taken by Cyrus the first Emperour of the Persians An. Mundi 3432. before Christ 536 in the seventieth year after the Captivity of Israel and Iudah according to the Prophecy of Ieremy at which time the City was so great that they which dwelt in the middle of it did not know that the Enemy had entered within the Walls at the farther end which might happen because upon that day when it was taken the Babylonians celebrated a Feast unto Venus in which using extraordinary diligence they were less mindful of such things as hapned unto them Thus this City that with great Tyranny had triumphed over the Nations of the earth for the space of 1600 years being so plentifully furnished with all things necessary for the maintenance of life that the Inhabitants thereof contemned all other People was by God's permission for their pride and presumption wasted and consumed by Cyrus as you have heard and shortly after utterly destroyed by Xerxes the fourth Emperour of the Persians and so continueth to this day as Strabo saith Where then O World is thy Prosperity or Riches thy glory since in the one thou art consumed in the other lest desolate Of the Ruines of old Babylon that are extant at this day BAbylon which as you have heard reigned over the Nations of the Earth like a Queen at this day hath nothing to present you withall but an heap of stones out of the Ruins whereof there was built a little Town close by where it stood called Elugo or Felugo scituated upon the Bank of the River Euphrates Not far from which it seems there is a profitable Harbour for Ships where Merchants often times go a shore and travel thence through many Woods and desart places unto Seleucia which at this day is called by the Turks Bagdeth distant thence some thirty six miles and is the utmost Town of the Turkish and Persian Empires towards the East being divided in the midst by the River Tygris Some Merchants have reported That the place where Babylon stood is become stony unfruitful and unpleasant because of the Ruins of the destroyed buildings which lye in the Earth Also That there is found a Tower built of a black stone which to outward appearance seems to have been a very goodly house high and eminent so that upon the top thereof a man might have seen through the whole City This Tower the Inhabitants of Felugo call the Tower of Daniel in which was the Chamber where he used to pray to the Lord three times a day the Windows whereof looked towards Ierusalem Dan. 6. There is also to be seen divers Arches of the Bridge which Semiramis built standing upon the River Euphrates and the foundation of the great Tower whose top should have reached to Heaven being in compass two miles but not very high Within the Ruins whereof are found certain Serpents very noisom and venemous about the bigness of a Lizard having three heads and spect with divers colours which the Inhabitants call Eglones There are such a multitude of them that no man dares approach within half a mile of it any time but in the Winter season nor then neither but for the space of a Month in which time these Serpents for the extremity of the cold are constrained to keep their holes Thus as this Tower was hateful to God in the beginning so likewise hath he made it hurtful unto man even to this day The Travels of the Babylonian and Assyrian Kings and Emâ—erours that fought against Israel and Judah And first of Phul Belochus King of Assâ—ria PHul Belochus that is he returned wasting began to reign among the Babylonians Anno Mundi 3149. before Christ 819 and governed forty eight years This King or Emperour came from Babylon to Samaria which was 660 miles There he so streightly besieged Menahem King of Israel that he was constrained to give him 1000 talents of Silver to raise his Siege and depart 2 Reg. 15. From Samaria he returned back again to Babylon 660 miles So all Travels of Phul Belochus were 1320 miles The Travels of Tiglat Phulasser King of the Assyrians TIglat Phulasser signifies the Assyrian Conquerour He was also called Tiglath Philasser 2 Reg. 15. which name is attributed to him either because he carried away the Children of Israel captives or else because of the Conquest that he had of all Galilee and over the Tribe of Naphtaly which he carried into Assyria He succeeded his father Phul Belochus in the Government of the Assyrians An. Mundi 3197. before Christ 771. and reigned twenty five years When Reâ—n King of the Assyrians joyning his Army with Pekah Son of Remalia King of Israel had streightly besieged Ierusalem Ahaz was constrained to crave aid of this Tiglath Phulasser and sent him great Presents which he accepted kindly and brought his Army from Niniveh to Damascus 520 miles where he put Reâ—n and the whole City to the Sword 2 Reg. 16. From Damascus he came with his Army into the land of Israel which was 120 miles where he overcame Pekâ—h in a great Battel conquered all the land of Gilead and the tribe of Naphtaly and put a great multitude of the Israelites into perpetual Exile 2 Reg. 15. From thence he went back to Niniveh 640 miles A little after this King Tiglath Phulasser went from Niniveh to Ierusalem 680 miles where he so streightly besieged that wicked King Ahaz that he was constrained to give him great abundance of Gold and Silver to raise his Siege and be gone 2 Chr. 28. From Ierusalem he returned back to Niniveh being 680 miles So all his Travels were 6640 miles Of the City Niniveh you may read
after in the Travels of Ionas the Prophet Of Kyr which is commonly called Cyrene KYR or Cyrene is scituated in Africa 816 miles from Ierusalem Westward In which Country Simon that bore the Cross of Christ was born Mat. 27. Luke 23. It signifies in Hebrew a strong Wall and in Latine a Heart The Travels of King Salmanasser SAlmanasser signifieth the Assyrian Peace-maker This man Ptolomaeus that excellent Mathematician calleth Nabonasarus that is the Prophet of the Assyrians He began to reign upon the 26 of February An. Mundi 3221 before Christ 747 and reigned ten years or thereabout This man went with his Army from Niniveh to Samaria being 652 miles where he compelled Hosea the last King of Israel to pay him tribute 2 Reg. 16. From thence he returned back again with his Army to Nineveh 652 miles After when Hosea King of Israel conspiring with So King of Egypt denied to pay him Tribute he returned back again the second time to Samaria being 652 miles and after three years siege he took and destroyed it with Fire and Sword and conquered all the Countrey round about From Samaria he returned back again to Nineveh 652 miles So all the Travels of Salmanasser King of the Assyrians were 2608 miles The Travels of Senacharib King of the Assyrians SEnâ—charib as Melanâ—thon expounds it signifieth a two-edged Sword He succeeded his Father Salmanasser An. Mund. 3231. before Christ 737. He reigned seven years This man imitating his Father endeavoured to carry away the rest of Gods People into Captivity for which purpose he brought an Army from Nineveh to Lachis which was 700 miles which Town he besieged and sent his Princes to Ierusalem being twenty miles where he blasphemed the Lord of which you may read more in the History of King Hezekiah From Lachis he went to Libnah eight miles This was a strong Hold but he besieged it so narrowly that within a while after he had begun the Siege he took it While he was before this Town there came News that Taracha King of the Ethiopians had invaded his Countrey Wherefore he sent the second time Messengers to Ierusalem But the Lord was offended with their blasphemy wherefore he sent his Angel who in one Night destroyed 185000 of his Army This sudden and unexpected evil falling upon him in a great fear he returned to Niniveh 692 miles where he was slain by his Sons in the Temple The fame of these things was so divulged abroad that Herodotus lib. 2. makes mention of them So these three Journeys make 1400 miles Of Lachis and Libnah you may read before Of Assarhaddon King of the Assyrians ASsarhaddon his father Senacharib being slain succeeded in the Government Anno Mundi 3238 which agreeth with the 730 year before Christ and reigned ten years in Niniveh the chief City of the Assyrians Here again the mutation and change of Kingdoms may be observed for Merodach a Chaldaean rebelling against Senacharib continued his Government in Babylon eleven years that is during a part of the Reign of Senacharib and all the Reign of Assarhaddon his Son in which time he conquered the Assyrians and made them subject to the Empire of the Babylonians Of Merodach the first Emperour of the Babylonians MErodach signifieth a bitter repentance He was the Son of Baladan Prince of Babylon who ruled at such time as Senacharib had that grievous overthrow in Iudah Wherefore taking advantage of the time and the necessity of that Prince he rebelled against him and his Son Assarhaddon taking upon him the absolute command of the City and whole Empire The beginning of whose Reign happened in the year of the World 3236 and before Christ 732. This Merodach sent to Ierusalem wise and learned men with Gifts and Presents to King Ezekiah just in that year when the Sun went back ten Degrees to know the truth of this Miracle For it was a custom amongst the Nations round about Ierusalem if any thing happened beyond the expectation of man to send thither to inquire the truth thereof Such and so Wise a People were the Iews esteemed in those times as may appear by divers places of the Holy Scripture In the beginning of the twelfth year of this King Assaâ—haddon Emperour of the Assyrians died after whose death he became Emperour of all Assyria and Chaldea He began to reign over that spatious Kingdom Anno Mundi 3247 before Christ 721 and reigned after that forty years Of Ben-Merodach Emperour of Babylon BEn-Merodach that is the Son of Merodach succeeded his Father Anno Mundi 3287 before Christ 681. He reigned twenty one years Of Nebuchadnezzar first of that name Emperour of Babylon NEbuchadonezar or Nebuchadnezzar signifieth a Divine Judge He was the most potent King of all the Babylonian This man obtained the chief command over the Babylonians Empire Anno Mundi 3309 before Christ 659. He reigned thirty five years and held his Court sometime in Babylon sometimes in Niniveh Iud. 1. He made War with Pharaoh Necho King of Aegypt of which Battel you may read 2 Reg. 25. 2 Chr. 35. in the Valley of Megiddo where Iosias was slain Herod lib. 2. doth also make mention of this Battel and calls the place by the name of Magdalum Of which Ieremy also speaketh But they were Towns in the Tribe of Manasses scituated near to the Plain where this Battel was fought in which Country Mary Magdalen was born The Travels of Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of Babylon NEbuchadnezzar or Nebuchadonozor the Great which Ptolomaeus calleth Nebupollasser about the end of the third year of Ioachim King of Iudah being a little before created Emperour his Father yet living came unto Ierusalem which he besieged so streightly that he constrained Ioachim to pay him Tribute for thirty seven years Berosus saith Lib. 3. A little after that is Anno Mundi 3344. before Christ 624 he was sent against the Syrians Phoenicians and Aegyptians that rebelled So he went with his Army from Babylon to Carchemis a City of Syria scituated near the River Euphrates which was 280 miles Here he overcame Pharaoh-Necho King of Aegypt in a great Battel Ier. 46. Herod lib. 2. From Carchemis he went to Ierusalem which was 400 miles here he took Daniel and his companions captive and brought them to Babylon After he went with his Army to Pelusio being 132 miles which he took conquered all the Land of Aegypt put to death Pharaoh-Necho and made Psammeticus his Son King in his place Ieremy the Prophet told of this War cap. 25. 26. From Pelusio he returned to Babylon 800 miles Within a while after his Father died and he succeeded in the Government and reigned forty three years In the eleventh year of Ioachim King of Iudah he went again from Babylon to Ierusalem which was 680 miles and by policy took that City and put Ioachim the King thereof to death according to the Prophecy of Ieremy cap. 22. 2 Kin. 24. From thence after he had made Iechonias his
Son King he returned back again to Babylon 680 miles About three Months after he went the third time back to Ierusalem 680 miles for he feared Iechonias would rebell and revenge the death of his Father Ioachim 2 Kin. 24. In the eighth year of his Reign he took Iechonias Mardoche and 3000 other Iews of the Nobility and carried them captive to Babylon which was 680 miles 2 Kin. 2. Chr. 36. Est. 2. Nine years after he came the fourth time to Ierusalem being 680 miles and besieged the City because of the Impiety and Rebellion of Zedekiah King thereof During this Siege he took divers Towns but chiefly Lachis and Aseka Ier. 34. But when he understood that Pharaoh was coming with an Army out of Egypt to rescue Zedekiah he raised his Camp and went about eighty miles into the Countrey of Egypt which Pharaoh hearing was abashed and turned back again In the absence of this Emperour Ieremy the Prophet being then within the City having foretold the Destruction thereof would have fled thence for his better safety into the Tribe of Benjamin but by the way he was taken in the Gate of Benjamin and cast into Prison Ier. 7. Within a while after according to the Prophecy of Ieremy Nebuchadnezzar returned out of the Desart of Sur whither he went to meet the Aegyptians being eighty miles and utterly destroyed the City of Ierusalem carrying thence the Vessels and Ornaments of the Temple to Babylon 2 Kin. 25. 2 Chr. 36. From Ierusalem he went to Riblah in the Tribe of Naphtaly eighty miles where he put out Zedekia's eyes and kill'd his Children 2 Kin. 25. From Riblah he carried Zedekiah to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserably in Prison 2 Kin. 25. Afterward Nebuchadnezzar went with his Army from Babylon to Tyrus which he won and pittifully wasted with Fire and Sword according to the Prophecy of Ezekiel cap. 26. being 600 miles From Tyrus he went to Aegypt and passed 480 miles through that Kingdom conquering all the Countries and Provinces as he went along even the Ammonites the Moabites Philistines Idumaeans and Aegypt it self all which Countries he made Tributary to him Isa. 15 16 19. Ier. 46 47 48 49. Ez. 25. 29. From Aegypt he returned to Babel 960 miles From that time till his death he was Emperour of all those Kingdoms In the second year of his Empire Daniel expounded unto him his wonderful Dream under the similitude of an Image setting forth the condition of the four Monarchies of the World Dan. 2. Not long after he caused Sidrack Misack and Abednego to be cast in a Fiery Furnace because they refused to worship the golden Image which he had set up Dan. 3. Also this Nebuchadnezzar for his great Pride and Arrogancy was by God strucken mad and into a deep melancholy in which disease he continued for the space of seven years tied in Bonds and Chains running up and down like a Beast and seeding upon Grass and Roots until he came to understand that God the Governour of Heaven and Earth had the disposing of Kingdoms and Governments giving them to whom he list and again taking them away At the end of which time he was restored again to his understanding and Empire and after beautified the City of Babylon with many goodly Buildings fair Orchards and pleasant places as Iosep. lib. Ant. 10. â—aith And when he had reigned forty three years died and was buried by his Father in Babylon An. Mundi 3387. and before Christ 581. So all the Travels of Nebuchadonozor or Nebuchadnezzar were 7892 miles The Description of the Cities and Places that have not as yet been mentioned Of Carchemis THIS was a City in the Country of Syria near Euphrates 400 miles from Ierusalem North-ward and signifies A sacrificed Lamb being derived of Car which signifies a Ram or Lamb and Mosch He hath cut in pieces It may also be taken in the third Conjugation for a Lamb sacrificed to the Idol Chemosch or Chamos the God of Meetings or nightly Salutations Of Pelusio THIS City Peluso was built by Peleus the Father of Achilles from whence it took the name It stands in Egypt some 172 miles from Ierusalem South-westward near to the Gate of Nilus called Pelusiachus where it falleth into the Mediterranean Sea Not far from this City in the Mountain Casius upon the Borders of Arabia-Petraea where the Temple of Iupiter Casius stood is to be seen the Tomb of Pompey the Great beautified and adorned by Adrianus Caesar as Capitolinus saith At this day this City is called by the name of Damiata You may read of it Ezek. cap. 30. Of Tyrus or Zor TYrus signifieth Cheese or to congeal together as Cheese doth of milk something alluding to the Hebrew word Zor signifying to make strait or a Rock having a strait and sharp Edge It was the Metropolitan City of Phoenicia now the Haven or Passage of Sur but in ancient time it was called Sarra Aul. Gel. lib 14. cap. 6. It was scituated upon a very high Rock compassed about with the Mediterranean Sea 100 miles from Ierusalem Northward and a famous Mart Town for all the Holy Land By the description of Ezekiel it seems to have been like unto Venice both in Scituation and Dignity Ez. 27. Ierem. 28. Esay 27. 28. and many other Prophets prophesied against this Town saying Out of the Land of Kithim that is from Macedonia the Destroyer of Tyrus should come As after hapned for Alexander the Great King of Macedon besieged that Town and in the seventh Month after took it for the obtaining whereof he was constrained to fill up the Sea which compassed it about containing 700 Paces and made it firm Land for his Army to pass upon to the Walls of the City In this Country that famous Civilian Vlpian was born as he writeth lib. 1. ff de Censibus And upon the Borders of Tyrus and Sidon Christ cured the Daughter of a Canaanitish Woman of a Devil Mat. 15. Wherefore you shall read more of it in the second Tomb. Of Evil Merodach Emperour of the Babylonians and Assyrians AMilinus Evil-Merodach Son of Nebuchadonosor the Great succeeded his Father An. Mun. 3388. before Christ 580. In the first year of his Reign he set at liberty Iechonias King of Iuda and attributed to him the Title Dignity and Maintenance of a King Iechonias being then fifty five years of age and thirty seven after he had been in Captivity 2 King ult Ier. ult Whence it is concluded by most That this Emperour did also embrace the Doctrine of Daniel concerning the true God as did Nebuchadonosor his Father who had before by publick Edict professed it to the whole State and caused it to be published through his Dominions and therefore shewed favour and mercy toward King Iechonias And from thence it is thought that those which were impious Princes about him called him Amelinus that is the Circumcised being derived of Mol which signifies to circumcise and Evil simple
and foolish Merodach His Wife's name was Nitocris according to Herod lib. 1. She was a very magnificent and wise Woman set up many fair and goodly Buildings in Babylon and was the Mother of Balthasar the last Emperour of the Assyrians Dan. 5. Of Niriglissoroor Emperour of Babylon NIriglissoroor whose Syrname was Regassaâ— Son-in-law to Nebuchadnezzar the Great having slain Evil-Merodach his Wifes Brother reigned over the Babylonians and Assyrians four years as Berosus saith Of Labassardach the last Emperour of the Babylâ—nians LAbassardach the Son of Niriglissoroor succeeded his Father He reigâ—ed only nine months and died without Heir male Of Balthazar Nabonidus the last Emperour of the Babylonians and Assyrians ANno Mundi 3415 and before Christ 553 Balthazar Nabonidus whose Sirname was Labynitus the Son of Evil-Merodach and Nitocris obtained the Empire and reigned seventeen years according to Berosus with Ioseph cont App. Alexand. Polyb. apud Eusebium Praep. lib 9. l. 4. Alphae Hist. with Euseb. calleth this King Nabinidochus This is that Balthazar saith Iosephus lib. Ant. 10. cap. 13. which Daniel cap. 5. calleth the Son of Nebuchadonosor though indeed he was but his Son's Son as may be gathered from that of Ier. cap. 25. All Nations shall serve Nebuchadonosor and his Son and his Son's Son Bâ—lthasar signifies The Host of the Lord destroying his Enemies Labynitus signifies a shaken Sword This man as he was celebrating a great Feast unto Venus whom they call in the Assyrian Tongue Myleta amongst a great multitude of his Nobility and in that using extraordinary Excess and Blasphemy against the Lord in the midst of his Feast and all his Merriments he saw a hand writing upon the Wall which left these Words Mene Mene Tekel Vpharsin of which you may read more Dan. 5. Some say That at this very time the City was taken by Cyrus Emperour of the Persians and he put to the Sword in those Sports and Pastimes But certain it is that he was slain at a Banquet lost his Empire and was the last of the Assyrian Emperours but whether at that time I refer it to the opinion of the Reader The Travels of the Kings of Aegypt that fought against the Kings of Judah And first of Sisack who made War upon Rehoboam the Son of Solomon THAT proud and presumptuous Prince Sisack which signifies a Garment of Silk in the last year of his Reign which was the first of Rehoboam the Son of Solomon came with 1200 Chariots and 60000 Horse from Memphis to Ierusalem which was 244 miles bringing in his Army a great Multitude of People of divers Nations as Lybians Ethiopians c. With this Company he besieged Ierusalem and took it wasted the City spoiled the Temple and took thence the golden Shields which Solomon had made and destroyed that fair and beautiful house which Solomon had built From whence that Saying of his own was verified Eccles. That it is a great Evil upon the Earth for a man to take care to lay up Riches and Treasures in this World yet knoweth not who shall inherit it For those things which a little before he had with great Labour and Pains builded and beautified within less than twenty Years after were destroyed and made desolate by this King From Ierusalem Sisack returned with the Spoils of the Temple and City to Memphis in Aegypt which was 244 miles and in the Year following he was stricken by the Lord with a grievous Disease of which he died miserably So these two Journeys were 488 miles The Travels of Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt who made War upon Josiah King of Judah NECHO signifies an Enemy or Invader This man was one of the greatest of all the Egyptian Kings who in the thirteenth year of his Reign made War upon Nebuchadnezzar the first and in the Valley of Megiddo near to Magdala 244 miles from Memphis fought a great Battel wherein Iosiah King of Iudah was wounded to death From the Valley of Megiddo Pharaoh Necho went to the River Euphrates 360 miles where he fought a second Battel with Nebuchadnezzar upon a Plain near to Carchemis where he lost the day and was put to flight From Carchemis he fled to Riblah in the Land of Israel being 320 miles where in the Land of Chaemath near to the Lake Samachonites he overcame 〈◊〉 King of Iudah and took him Prisoner From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led Ioachas bound to Ierusalem 80 miles and made Ioachim his Brother King in his place From Ierusalem he returned to Memphis 240 miles Within four years after he went the second time with a great Army from Memphis to the River Euphrates 640 miles But there he was the second time overcome by Nebuchadnezzar and constrained to fly thence back again to Memphis in Egypt being 640 miles But Nebuchadnezzar followed him with an Army of chosen men and conquered all Egypt took Pharaoh Necho and made his Son Psammeticus King in his place who was the second of that name Of this Battel there is mention Ier. ca. 25. 26. So all the Travels of Pharaoh Necho were 1524 miles The Travels of the Holy Prophets and first of the Prophet Eliah ELIAH the Prophet went from Thisbe which was in the Land of Gilead to Samaria twenty four miles where he told the wicked King Ahab that there should be neither Rain nor Dew for the space of seven years 1 Reg. 17. From Samaria he went to the River â—erith twenty four miles where he was fed by a Raven From Kerith he went to Sarepta being an hundred miles where he sojourned with a poor Widow that found him Necessaries whose Son he restored to Life 1 Reg. 17. From Sarepta he went to Mount Carmel in the Land of Israel being sixty miles and by the way as he went he met Obadiah which signifieth the Servant of the Lord and King Ahab whom he rebuked sharply because of his Idolatry Also upon this Mountain he put all Bâ—al's Priests to death and prayed unto the Lord who sent Rain upon the Earth in great abundance 1 Reg. 18. From Mount Carmel he ran by King Ahab's Chariot to Iezreel which was accounted 16 miles After when Queen Iesabel threatned his Death he departed thence and went to Beersaba eighty four miles 1 Reg. 19. From Beersaba he went one dayes Jouney into the Wilderness of Paran because he thought to remain there safe from the mischief of Iesabel which vvas tvventy miles from Beersaba Southvvard Here the Angel of the Lord brought him meat as he vvas sitting under a Juniper-tree 1 Reg. 19. By vertue of this meat Eliah travelled from thence to Mount Horeb or Sinai eighty miles and continued there forty dayes and forty nights vvithout meat or drink There the Lord spake to Eliah as he stood in the â—ntrance of a Cave his Face being covered vvith his Mantle 1 Reg. 19. From the Mount Sinai or Horeb he returned to Abel-Mehola being 156 miles vvhere he called Elizeus the Son of Saphas to the Ministerial Function
and Office of a Prophet 1 Reg. 18. From thence he vvent to Damascus 124 miles vvhere he anointed Hazael King of Syria 1 Reg. 19. From Damscus Elias vvent to Mount Carmel vvhere he dvvelt vvhich vvas accounted 120 miles From Mount Carmel he vvent to Iezreel sixteen miles there in the Vineyard of Naboth whom Iezabel caused to be stoned to death he sharply reprehended Ahab for his Impiety and Idolatry 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he returned back again to his own House to Carmel sixteen miles From thence he went to Samaria which was thirty two miles where he answered the Servants of King Ahaziah whom he had sent to enquire of Bâ—alzebub the Idol of Ekron concerning his health saying Go and tell your Master that sent you That the God of Israel saith Because thou hast sent to ask counsel of Baalzebub the Idol of Ekron and thinkest there is no God in Israel therefore thou shalt not rise off the Bed whereon thou liest but shalt surely dye 2 Reg. 1. Soon after Elias returned to Mount Carmel being 32 miles where the two Captains with their Companies of fifty that were sent to take him were consumed with fire from Heaven 1 Reg. 1. From Mount Carmel he went to Samaria with the third Captain thirty two miles where he prophecied of the death of King Ahaziah 2 Reg. 1. From Samaria he returned back again to Mount Carmel thirty two miles From thence he went to Gilgal fifty two miles From Gilgal he went with Elizeus to the Town of Bethel being six miles 2 Reg. 2. From thence to Iericho four miles 2 Reg. 2. From Iericho he and Elizeus went to Iordan which was six miles through which River they went upon dry ground Now as they were speaking one to another upon the East-side of the River behold a fiery Chariot came with fiery Horses and took Elias up alive into Heaven after he had governed the Church thirty years An. Mundi 3056 and before Christ 912. 2 Reg. 2. So all the Travels of Eliah the Prophet were 1033 miles Of the Cities and Places to which he travelled Of Thisbe IN this Town the Prophet Eliah was born it being scituated in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east It taketh the Name from Captivity being derived of Chabah he hath led into Captivity Of Kerith THE River Kerith where the Ravens fed Elias runneth from Mount Eâ—hraim between Bethel and Iericho eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North and so passing along towards the East falleth into the River Iordan 1 Reg. 17. The Kerethites were such as guarded the Person of the King which in the Prophet David's time were called mighty men taking their name from striking and cutting being derived of Charath he hath smitten or cut in sunder Of Zarpath or Sarepta THIS was a City of the Sidonians where they found much Metal of divers kinds lying between Tyrus and Sidon 112 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and taketh the name from Zoraph which signifies To try or burn with Fire There is at this time but eight Houses in all the Town although by the Ruines it seemeth to have been in times past a very fair City The Inhabitants thereof take upon them to shew the Chamber wherein Elias the Prophet sometimes lived when he raised the Widows Child to Life Before the Gate of the City also there is shewed a certain Chappel where they say Elias first spake with the Widow 1 Reg. 17. Of Abelmehola THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Manasses on this side Iordan in the mid-way between Sichem and Salem some 38 miles from Ierusalem Northward At this day it is called Abisena where there are found certain ruines of Marble Pillars by which may be gathered that in times past it hath been a very beautiful City It seemeth to have taken the name from a great lamentation or mourning for Abel signifieth to lament and bewail and Machol a company The Typical Signification of Elias Elias according to the Interpretation of St. Ierome signifies the Minister of Iehovah but as others would have it Eliah is as much as my God Iehovah He was a Type of St. Iohn Baptist who was sent before to prepare the way of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Of this you may read more Malach. 4. Matt. 11 17. Isa. 40. c. The Travels of the Prophet Elisaeus or Elisha ELisha followed Elias through divers Countries and became as it were his Servant pouring Water upon his hands and ministring to him 1 Reg. 19. 2 Reg. 3. Elisha went with Eliah from Gilgal to Bethel which was six miles 1 Reg. 19. From Bethel they both went to Iericho which was four miles From Iericho he went beyond Iordan six miles where his Master was taken from him up into Heaven and his Spirit was doubled upon him 2 Reg. 2. From thence he returned back again to Iericho which was six miles passing through the River Iordan upon dry ground by which Miracle the Children of the Prophets viz. such as studied Divinity at Iericho did certainly know that the Spirit of his Master Elias rested upon him Near to this Town he â—lung Salt into a River by which the Water was made sweet 2 Reg. 2. From Iericho Elisha returned to Bethel which was four miles here the Children that mock'd him saying Come up thou Bald-pate c. in contempt of his Age and Office were devoured by two Bears 2 Reg. 2. From Bethel he walked to Mount Carmel which was fifty six miles From thence he went to Samaria which was about thirty two miles From thence he went to the three Kings viz. Ioram King of Israel Iehosaphat King of Ierusalem and the King of the Idumaeans into the Desart of Arabia-Petraea which was 104 miles here he prayed unto the Lord and he sent them Water lest they should have perished with thirst 2 Reg. 3. From the Desart of Arabia-Petraea he returned back to Samaria which was 104 miles where he relieved a certain Widow-woman that was afflicted with Poverty and Want miraculously by a Cruse of Oyl 2 Reg. 4. Iosephus lib. Antiq. 9. supposeth this Woman to be the Widow of Obediah the King's Steward of whom you may read before who did hide and maintain a certain number of the Prophets of the Lord in a Cave 2 Reg. 18. From Samaria Elisha went oâ—tentimes to a Town called Sunem as he returned to Samaria to Carmel which was 16 miles distant Here a certain rich Woman observing his often Passage to and fro by that Town built him a little Chamber wherein he might rest himself after his Journey to which place he often resorted and in recompence of this benefit although she had been long barren he prophecied that within a Year she should have a Son which accordingly she had to her great Joy and Comfort 2 Reg. 4. From Sunem he went to Carmel being 16 miles From thence he returned back again to Sunem to the Woman where he used
people of Israel Ishmael that was of the Stock and Progeny of David hoping to obtain the Government of Iuda made War upon Gediliah and put him to Death wherefore Ieremy went from thence with Iohn the Son of Kareach Prince of the Iews to Bethlem Euphrata eight miles Ier. 41. Now when he had stayed a while in a Village near Bethlem called Geruth Chimeham where sometime Chimeham the Son of Barzillaâ— lived 2 Sam. 19. he prophesied saying If you stay in this Land you shall do well neither shall any Evil happen unto you but if you depart hence into Aegypt they shall devour you with Famine and with the Sword Jer. 42. But Iohn and the rest of the Princes would give no credit to the words of Ieremy but went into Aegypt and compelled the Prophet to go along with them so they went from Bethlehem to Tachpanes which was 172 miles Here the second time Ieremy prophesied unto them saying Behold Nebuchadnezzar shall come hither and wast and destroy all the Country of Aegypt beat down the Images of Bethsemes or Heliopolis and carry away the Aegyptians into perpetual Captivity Jer. 43. But the People of Israel being moved to Anger because of his Words stoned him to death So the Travels of the Prophet Ieremiah were 1786 miles Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in the Travels of this Prophet you may read of them before except Geruth-Chimeham which stood close by Bethlehem It taketh the name from a Stranger or Traveller being derived of Gor which signifieth He hath travelled and Tachpanes which was a City of Egypt some 180 miles from Ierusalem where the Prophet Ieremy was stoned to death it is oftentimes called the name of Taphniis The Travels of Urijah the Prophet URIAS or Vriah signifies Illuminated or inlightned of the Lord. He was born at Kirjath-jearim a mile from Ierusalem towards the West from thence he came to Ierusalem and there prophesied of the Destruction of the City After when King Ioachim went about to take away his Life he fled thence into Egypt 160 miles But the King sent Messengers into Egypt and fetch'd Vrijah back again to Ierusalem and hundred and sixty miles and there cut off his head and caused his Body to be thrown into the Sepulchre of a poor despised man that it might not be known that he had been a Prophet of the Lord. So all his Travels were 321 miles Of Hananias the false Prophet HAnanias or Chanania signifieth the Grace of God This false Prophet was a Gibeonite and came from Gibeon to Ierusalem which was four miles where he took the woodden yoaks from the neck of Ieremiah the Prophet but Ieremiah caused Iron Yoaks to be made in their places and told Hananias that for his falshood that year he should surely dye as after he did Of the Prophet Ezekiel EZekiel or Iechezkel signifies the Strength or Fortitude of God He was carried captive with 3000 others of the Nobility of the Iews from Ierusalem to Babylon which was 680 miles the same year that Nebuchadnezzar put King Ioachim to death Within five years after a little before Easter the Book of the Law was found 2 Chron. 3. He began to prophesie in Babylon Anno Mundi 3356 before Christ 612 at which time he saw his first Visions near to the River Chebar Of the River Chebar THE River Chebar was near Babylon in Chaldaea upon the borders of Mesopotamia falling into Euphrates and was often times called Aborras according to the opinion of many learned men Strabo in the sevententh Book of his Geography saith that there is another River between Tygris and Euphrates called Basilius Aborras passeth along by the City of Athemusia and is a very fair stream from whence it is called Chebar which signifies a swift and spacious River Near to this River the Prophet Ezekiel saw the Glory and Majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ in a bright shining Cloud In this place also dwelt many Iews to whom he prophecied and foretold the Destruction of Ierusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the captivity of Zedekiah The Travels of the Prophet Daniel DAniel signifies the Judge of God In the reign of Ioachim King of Iudâ—h he was carried away captive from Ierusalem to Babylon by Nabuchadonozor which was 680 miles and there with his fellows learned the Arts and Language of the Chaldeans for three years He was then but young about some nineteen or twenty years of age and lived in Exile ninety one years until the third year of Cyrus Emperour of the Persians about which time he saw his last Vision and a little after died when he was about 110 years of age as may be gathered by the Circumstances of Histories and Times From Babylon he went to Susan in Persia Anno Mundi 3418 and before Christ 540 being then ninety four years of age which was 252 miles where near to the Flood Eulaeus he had a Vision of a Ram and a Goat which set forth the state of the second Monarchy which was that of the Graecians In this Vision Gabriel the Arch-Angel appeared to Daniel Dan. 8. This was in the third year of King Balthasar From Susan Daniel returned to Babylon which was 252 miles here he interpreted to Balthasar the meaning of these words Mene Mene Tekel Euphar sin Dan. 5. From Babylon he went to the River Tygris or Hidekel which was thirty six miles here in the third year of Cyrus King of Persia he saw his last Vision which is described in the tenth eleventh and twelfth Chapters of his Prophecy From Tygris he returned to his own house at Babylon which was thirty six miles Sometimes also in his three last years of his life he used to goe to Egbatan the Metropolitan City of the Medes which was accounted 464 miles from Babylon towards the North-East Here Daniel built a fair and and artificial Temple so strongly that it remained unperished and retained the ancient beauty many Ages to the great admiration of all the Spectators In it the Kings of the Medes Persians and Parthians were for the most part honourably buried the Government whereof was committed to a Priest of the Iews as Iosephus saith lib. Antiq. 10. cap. 4. From Egbatan he returned back again to Babylon which was 464 miles and there died Anno Mundi 3445 and before Christ 533. So all the Travels of the Prophet Daniel were 2184 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Susan SVsa or Susan is so called from a sweet smelling Flower but chiefly a Rose or a Lilly because it is scituated in a fair and pleasant place It was a goodly City lying on both sides the River Eulaeus some 200 furlongs that is twenty five miles English about as Polycletus saith And of this City all the Country round about is called Susana bordering towards the North upon Assyria towards the West upon Babylon towards the South upon the Gulph of Persia and joyneth upon the East part of Persia towards the East There are but two Cities
sometime Bishop of Tyre saith which was a Town in the Tribe of Issachar not far from Bethulia some fifty two miles from Ierusalem toward the North near to which place Holofernes afterward pitched his Tents extending thence to the Field of Esdrelon and the Town Chelmon from whence it seemeth this Town taketh the Name He prophesied in Israel eight hundred years before Christ his name â—ignifieth a Saviour being derived of Hoschiag the third Conjugation of Iaschag that is He hath saved Mat. 2. Of the Prophet Joel JOEL signifies God's own as St. Ierom expoundeth it He prophesied eight hundred Years before Christ both in Israel and in Iudah He was born in a Village which was called Baâ—homeron not far from Sichem in the Tribe of Manasses as Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre saith Of the Prophet Amos. THIS Man's Father dwelt at Tekoa a poor man one that kept Kine and used to gather wild Figs as appeareth in the first and seventh Chapters of Amos. In this Town Amos was born and followed the Profession of his Father but the Lord called him to be a Prophet and then he went to Bethel which was twelve miles distant Here he reprehended Ieroboam King of Israel for Idolatry and worshipping the Golden Calf after he was accused by Amasia the Chief Priest of the Idols in Bethel and bound in Chains and at length Vria the Son of this Amasia struck him upon his Head with a Spear whereby he was mortally wounded From Bethel being sick he was carried back to Tecoa which was twelve miles where a little after he died as St. Ierom witnesseth in whose time his Monument was to be seen Amos signifies A Burthen as indeed he was to the wicked Israelites he so sharply reprehended them in his Sermons of the Law He lived eight hundred years before Christ. So his Travels were 24 miles Of the Prophet Obediah OBediah signifies God's obedient Servant of Abad he hath served or been obedient He lived six hundred years before Christ about the time of the Captivity of Babylon St. Ierom saith that in his time there were to be seen in the City of Samaria the Monuments of three Prophets that is of Elisha Obediah and Iohn Baptist. But some think that Obediah the Prophet lay not buried in Samaria but rather it was the Sepulchre of that Obediah which lived in the time of Ahab that hid a hundred of the Lord's Prophets fifty in one Cave and fifty in another between which there were three hundred years difference The Travels of the Prophet Jonah THIS Prophet Ionas was born in Gath Hepher which was a Town in the Tribe of Zabulon from whence to Samaria is accounted thirty two miles here he prophecied to Ieroboam second of that name Kâ—ng of Israel that he should recover Hemath and Damascus and so to the Plain of the Red Sea 2 Reg. 14. From â—amaria to Ioppa or Iapho a Port Town upon the Sea Shore to which Ionas went when he fled from the Lord was thirty eight miles but the Lord stirred up a great Wind when Ionas was upon the Sea that the Mariners cast him out and he was devoured of a Whale Ionas 1. That Whale which had devoured Ionas with a continual course and great violence in three days and three nights swam to the Euxine Sea and there cast him up upon the Shore which was 600 miles Ios. Antiq. lib. 9. From the shore of the Euxine Sea Ionas went to Nineveh which are eight hundred miles Here Ionas preached Repentance to the Ninevites Ion. 3. 4. So all the Travels of Ionas were 1470 miles Of Gath Hepher IN this Town the Prophet Ionas was born it was scituated in the Tribe of Zabulon sixty miles from Ierusalem Northward and four miles from Nazareth towards the South It seems to take the name from abundance of Grapes for Gath Ghepher signifieth a Wine-press Of Japho JAPHO or Ioppa was a City or Haven-Town scituated upon the Sea where all such Ships landed as went into Iudaea At this day the Turks and Saracens call it Iafa lying upon the Mediterranean Sea in the Tribe of Dan Ios. 19. in a certain Mountain twenty miles from Ierusalem North-Westward Pliny li. 5. saith this City was built before the Flood and in St. Ierom's time there was to be seen the Stone to which Andromeda was bound when she should have been devoured by a Monster of the Sea The Poets Seign this Woman to be the Daughter of Cepheus and delivered by Perseus King of the Persians whom after she married It is called Iapho because of the beautiful Scituation Some say it was so called of Iapheth the Son of Noah who first caused it to be built Of Tharsis FRom Ioppa as is said the Prophet Ionas descended into a Ship that he might fly upon the Sea The Latine and Greek Texts read it Tharsin whence it hapned that many have thought that Ionas fled from Tharâ—is a City in Ciliâ—â—a in which Country St. Paul was born But Luther in his Exposition of the Prophecy of Ionas doth utterly disallow of this as false for the Hebrew Text reads it not to Tharsin but in Tharsin that is into the Sea For the Hebrew Tongue hath two words or Syllables which signifie the Sea which are Iam and Tharsis Iam signifieth not only a great Sea but the meeting together of Waters or a Lake So in Luke 5. the Sea of Galilee in which Christ and his Disciples sailed is called a Lake yet Ioh. cap. 5. and the rest of the Evangelists call it a Sea So also Moses Gen. 1. calleth the meeting together of the Waters Iam which may signifie a Sea and a Lake But Tharsis or Tharschich denoteth a great Sea and no Lake or an high and troublesome Sea as the Mediteranean Sea is In this Paul travelled and there standeth many Islands as Rhodes Cyprus Cicilia and others all which are at this day subject to the Turks Venetians or Spaniards It extendeth it self from Ioppa and Cilicia to the Streights between Spain and Mauritania Into this Sea Ionas was cast when the Whale devoured him In like manner the Red Sea and all others that are Ocean Seas are called Tharsis as appeareth in the 72 Psalm where it said The Kings of Tharsis and of the Isles shall bring Presents Here the Kings whose Empires extend themselves along the Sea Coast are understood But the City Tharsis the Country of the Apostle Paul is not a Kingdom neither ever had a King much less many Kings So Solomon sent his Ships by Tharsin that is by Sea towards the South-East into the Red Sea and Eastern Ocean that they might bring Gold precious Stones and sweet Gums from Arabia But the Ships could not sail by the Red Sea unto the Town of Tharsis unless they would have sailed over the Land which is impossible because Tharsis lieth into the Land from the Red Sea as all Cosmographers agree So also the Psalmist saith Thou breakest with thy strong Winds the Ships
Christ in his name For Christ was that gracious and innocent Dove who hath made evident to Man his singular Mercy and Clemency without any shew of bitterness or wrath Then in his Affliction for as Ionas thrust himself into the Sea of Calamity and there was swallowed up of a Whale which might be well resembled to the Grave so Christ our Saviour was cast into the Sea of Affliction the misery and calamity of this World and after that thrust into the jaws of death the Grave where as Ionas did in the Whales belly he lay three daies and then arose again the Earth being unable any longer to contain his Body Of the Prophet Micah THIS Prophet was born at Maresa a Town of Iudaea sixteen miles from Ierusalem Westward it signifieth a bitter Field In St Ierom's time the Ruins of the Wall of this City was to be seen Micah or Micheas signifieth humble or lowly This man was held in great estimation because he was the first that named the Country where our Saviour Christ should be born viz. in Bethlehem 800 years before his Nativity He lived Anno Mundi 3200. Of the Prophet Nahum NAhum signifies a Comforter He was born in a Town of Galilee called Elcosch as he saith in the beginning of his Prophecy This Village was shewn unto St. Ierome by those that travelled with him through the Holy Land in his time it was but a small Village called by the name of Elcos and scituated as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith on the further side of Bethabara sixteen miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North-East This Prophet lived 750 years before Christ and Prophesied of the Destruction of Niniveh which after came to pass Of the Prophet Habacuck HAbacuck or Chabacuck signifies one that embraceth or a Lover from Chaback he hath embraced For as a Nurse embraceth and kisseth her inâ—ant so also this Prophet embraced and comforted his People with comfortable Doctrine lest by the destruction of Ierusalem which he prophecied should after happen by the Chaldaeans they should be driven to desperation Paul took the foundation of his Epistle to the Romans out of this Prophet reciting a saying of his viz. The juâ—t shall live by faith He began to preach a little before the Prophet Ieremy 650 years before Christ above 100 years before Daniel was cast into the Lions den From whence most of the Learned conclude that this could not be that Habacuck which brought meat to Daniel as he was among the Lions but they rather think it a fragment of a spiritual Comedy and therefore worthy to be called Apocrypha Of the Prophet Zephania ZEphania signifies the Secretary of the Lord being derived of Zaphan he hath kept secret He lived in Ierusalem and Iudaea in the time of Iosiah King of Iuda He was born as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith in a Town called Sabarthaca in the Tribe of Siâ—eon Of the Prophets Haggai and Zacharia HAggai or Chaggi signifieth A Priest celebrating the Feast of the Lord being derived of Chagag he hath celebrated a Feast And Zacharias or Zacharia doth denote such a man as remembred the Lord being derived of Zachar that is he hath remembred or recorded These two Prophets prophecied in Ierusalem in the second year of Darius the Son of Histaspis 519 years before Christ An. mun 3449. Haggai began his Prophecy upon the first day of the sixth month Elul answering to the 28 of August He sharply reprehended the People because they neglected the house of the Lord and built up their own houses In the eighth month Marhusuan which for the most part answereth to our November Zacharias the same year began to prophecy and in his Sermon exhorted the People to repentance adding the promise of our Saviour and that he would turn unto them that would turn unto him Zach. 1. These two Prophets lie buried 20 miles one from the other For as Dorothaeus Bishop of Tyre saith Haggai lies buried in Ierusalem amongst the Priests but Zacharias near to a Town in the field of Bethania 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward but in the time of Theodosius the Emperour was removed and preserved as an holy Relique Concerning that fable and figment inserted into the History Nicephorus I utterly disallow Of the Prophet Malachi THIS Prophet prophesied after the Captivity of Babylon and dwelt in the Town of Ziph as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith Malachi signifies an Angel sent and in Greek a Messenger for this Prophet preached so comfortably as if he had been an Angel of God but principally of Christ and Saint Iohn Baptist who should go before him to prepare his Way and make his Paths strait S. Ierom in his Epistle to Paul and Eustochius writes that some of the Hebrews suppose this Malachi to have been Esdras the Scribe who was sent by Artaxerxes Longimanus Emperour of the Persians to restore the Commonwealth of Israel in the year before Christ 457. An Instruction how the Prophets may rightly be understood FIRST look into the Cosmographical Table at the beginning of this Book and diligently observe the Countries and Cities that are there set down and how they lie scituated from Ierusalem Toward the South of Ierusalem the Idumeans Ismaelites Arabians and Egyptians dwell Toward the East the Moabites Ammonites Chaldaeans Babylonians and Persians Toward the North the Phoenicians Syrians Assyrians and Armenians Toward the West lieth the Mediterranean Sea Grâ—cia Italy Spain and the Isles of the Sea Secondly this rule is to be observed that as often as the Prophets speak of the Tribes of Israel they use these names viz. Israel Samaria Ephrain Ioseth Iesreel Bethel and Bethaven these are the names of the Kingdom of Israel but to the Kingdom of Iuda these names are attributed viz. Iudaâ— Ierusalem Benjamin the house of David But when the Prophets joyn these two Kingdoms together they call them by the names of Iacob and Israel Thirdly when thou readest in the Prophets the name of any Country or City which is not sufficiently known unto thee search this Alphabetical Table here following and thou shalt find the whole matter declared unto thee An Alphabetical Table of all the Countries and Cities mentioned in the Prophets A. ABarim that is a Bridge or Passage over It was a Mountain of the Moabites where the Israelites pitched their Tents Num. 33. Achor the Valley of Trouble Here Achan was stoned to death for his Thievery It stood not far from Gilgal toward the North twelve miles from Ierusalem Ios. 7. Isa. 6. Adama Red Earth This was one of the Cities that were destroyed with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven Ai Hilly This City Ioshua burnt with Fire It lay eight miles from Ierusalem North-ward Iosh. 8. Aiath idem Isa. 10. Ar or Ari a Lion It was a City of the Moabites lying beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Benjamin called Aâ—iopolis scituated upon the Bank of the River Arnon 24 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward Deut. 2. In Esa. 15. It is
AFTER the death of Arbactus or Arphaxad which signifies a mighty Lyon to whom Ionas prophecied as is said before there succeeded in the Empire of the Medes Mandanes Sarsomenes Artecarnis Cardiceas and Deioces who being enthronized in that Empire called himself Arphaxad or Arbactus the second This man built Egbatana the Metropolitan City of the Medes and beautified it with very fair Buildings and goodly Walls made all of four-square Stone cut and polished 70 Cubits high and 30 broad Towers standing upon it 100 Cubits in height as well those that were for the Defence of the Town as those where the Gates were The Air in that Countrey was temperate inclining rather to Cold than Heat because it lay toward the North it stood 1136 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Here for the most part this Emperour kept his Court till as Herodotus saith he was utterly conquered by Nebuchadnezzar Emperour of the Babylonians This was that Nebuchadnezzar which sent Holofernes with a mighty Army against Iudaea Bethulia and many other Cities and Countries and would be worshipped as a God Iudith 3. Of Hydaspes HYdaspes is a River that ariseth in Media which runneth through a part of Parthia extendeth it self into India and not far from the City Nisa falleth into Indus according to the Opinion of Pliny and Strabo l. 15. Near this River Nebuchadnezzar overcame Deioces otherwise called Arbactus Iudg. 1. The Description of the Countries conquered by Holofernes Of Kedar KEdar the Wilderness of Zur was thus called stood in the Land of the Ishmaelites eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and took the name of Kedar the Son of Ishmael Gen. 25. Of the Mountains of Ange. THE Mountains of Ange lay between Pamphylia and Cicilia to the Latitude of that famous Countrey of Cilicia in Asia minor 320 miles from Ierusalem towards the North not far from Anchiale a City of Cilicia from whence it seemeth to take the name Of Cilicia CIlicia is a Province of Asia minor so called of Cilice the King's Son of Syria and Phoenicia the Metropolitan City of which Country was Tharsus where the Apostle Paul was born it was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North. Of Mallos MAllos a City of Cilicia was so called of Malo that is Plenty of all things Stephanus saith that it took that Name of Mollo who first built it It is a City to this day and of most of the Inhabitants of that Counâ—ry called Mallo as Gesner observeth Of Gesem GEsem signifies fruitful The Land of Gosen in Aegypt was so called being derived of Gusch that is a Turf it stood 174 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Of Aethiopia THIS Country stands beyond Aegypt 800 miles from Ierusalem towards the South where the Sun is extream hot that it turneth the Complexion of the Inhabitants to Blackness here breed great abundance of Dragons and cruel Beasts Of Esdrelon ESdrelon was a Plain lying between the Mountains Thabor Hermon and Gilboa extending it self from the Cities of Megiddo and Apheck to the Sea of Gennezareth or Galilee In this great Field which was called the Plain of Galilee and the Field of Megiddo and Esdrelon there were many cruel Battels fought for here Gideon overcame the Midianites here Saul was put to flight by the Philistines from whence ascending into Mount Gilboa he killed himself Iosias also King of the Iews was in this place put to flight by Pharaoh Necho and wounded unto the death The Camp of Holofernes was so great that it took up all the Plain which contained sixteen miles in length In some parts it was wonderful fruitful and brought forth Wine Oyl and many other Commodities in great Abundance It stood 52 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was so called of Caeder that is A hid order and disposition for Alam is as much as to say he hath hid Of Sobal SObal was a Country upon the Borders of Syria where Sophena was scituated near to the River Euphrates which Country Saul and David Kings of Israel sometime conquered it stood 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and signifies an ear of Corn. Of Apamea THIS was a famous City in Tetrapolis of Syria two hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North built by Seleucus Nicanor King of Syria and was so called of Apamea his Wife Of the City Bethulia BEthulia was scituated within four miles of Dothan and two of the Galiâ—lean Sea forty four miles from Ierusalem Northward About four miles from this Town in a Mountain a little beside Dothan lay the Tents of Holofernes in the sight of Bethulia Iudeth c. 7. between which and Bethulia lay the Plain of Esdrelon in the midst whereof there ran a pleasant River which in times past watered it Here Iudeth according to the custom of the Iews washed her self The place where Bethulia stood is to be seen at this day the ruins of the Town and many houses still remaining It was scituated upon a goodly high Mountain strongly fortified by Nature and as it seemeth by Art also A man might have seen it thorough the greatest part of Galilee but above the rest a certain Castle in the end of the Mountain made for the defence of the Ciâ—y They shew at this day in the Mountain and Field near Dothan the place where Holoferne's Camp stood and the Reliques of their Tents also the Brook where Iudeth washed her self Bethulia signifieth The Hand-maid of God being derived of Bethulah a Virgin and Iah God Holofernes a prophane Captain of which sort are those Tyrants that persecute the Church of God The BOOK of TOBIAS The Travels of Tobias the Elder TOBIAS the elder was carried captive out of the Tribe of Naphtaly where he was born to Nineveh the Metropolitan City of Assyria being 600 miles at such time as Salmanasser King of the Assyrians carried away the ten Tribes of Israel into Assyria captive in the year before Christ 742. 2 Kings ca. 17. Tob. 1. From that time he continued in Nineveh being then about twenty seven years old and numbred amongst the young men that went into Exile for he was born about such time as Romulus and Remus were born which was An. Mundi 3200 and before Christ 798 Tob. 1. About the thirtieth year of his Age he went from Nineveh into Media which was 752 miles and there came to a City called Rages in that Country to visit the banished Israelites at which time he lent Gabel by Bond ten Talents of Silver which amounts in our Mony at 5. s 6. d. the Ounce to 2062 pound and 10 s. or thereabouts From Rages he returned back again to Nineveh 752 miles So all his Travels were 2104 miles The Travels of the Angel Raphel and young Tobias IN the year before Christ 708 the Arch-Angel Raphel went from Nineveh to Rages in Media with Tobias the younger being 752 miles From Rages in Media they returned back again to Nineveh 752 miles So these Journeys were 1504
heard that his Nephew Ptolomais Philometor had proclaimed an Assembly and Parliament and would not acknowledge him for his Protector he sent Apollonius one of his Princes upon the day of the meeting into Egypt and he himself returned back again to Ioppa 2 Mac. 4. From Ioppa he went to Ierusalem which was 20. miles where Iason the High-priest and all the people received him with great honour At that time Antiochus placed a Guard in the Castle or Tower of Ierusalem which was the beginning of their intolerable Servitude But for that year which was the fourth of his reign he returned through Phoenicia to Antiochia in Syria 280 miles In the fifth year of his reign he went from Antiochia with a great Army into Cilicia being 80. miles There he appeased the Uproars of the Inhabitants of Tharsus and Mallotus and conquered all Cilicia 2 Mac. 4. From Cilicia he returned back again to Antiochia eighty miles In the sixth year of his reign Antiochus went with a great Army both by sea and land wherein were many Elephants to Pelusio 400 miles This City he conquered and overcame the Alexandrians in a Naval battel 2 Mac. 4. From Pelusio having built a bridge over Nilus he went with his Army to Memphis conquered all the Countries and strong Cities as he went about 140. miles and brought thither a mighty and great prey where according to the saying of the Prophet Daniel cap. 11. he dealt subtilly with Ptolomais Philometor From Memphis he returned to Alexandria where the Citizens would not suffer him to enter the gates wherefore he besieged it but to small purpose which was 120 miles From Alexandria he returned to Pelusio which was 160. miles there he left a Garrison to retain what he had gotten in Egypt 1 Mac. 4. From Pelusio he returned to Antiochia with a great prey being 400 miles In the mean time Ptolomais King of Egypt and his Sister Cleopatra brought in the aid of the Romans Livy Decad. lib. 4 5. In the next year that is in the seventh year of Antiochus Epiphanes there was seen in the air as if there had been men fighting a Comet also appeared This happened in the year before Christ 167. This year in the Spring Antiochus went the second time from Antiochia with his Army into Alexandria in Egypt which was 560. miles So passing through Coelosyria and Iudaea he came into Egypt which he invaded with open war endeavouring to get that by force which he could not get by entreaty But the Romans sent P. Popillius with other Embassadours into Egypt who hearing that Antiochus was come to Leusia which was within a mile of Alexandria the Romans went thither to him Where when he had welcomed them and shewed all the courtesie he could to P. Popillius P. Popillius delivered him certain Tables that he had about him written And first of all commanded him to read them which he did Then he counselled with some of his friends what was best to be done in the business While he was thus in a great Study P. Popillius with a wand that he had in his hand made a Circle about him in the Dust saying E're thoustir a foot out of this Circle return thy Answer that I may tell the Senate whether thou hadst rather have War or Peace This he uttered with such a firm Countenance that it amazed the King wherefore after he had paused a while quoth he I will do what the Senate hath written or shall think fit So doing little or nothing in Egypt he returned back again Iustine lib. 34. Decad. Lib. 4. cap. 5. Ios. lib. 12. cap. 6. These things hapned ann urb Rom. 585. L. Aemilius Paulus aup Caiâ—s Licinius Crassus being then Consuls in which year the Moon was totally ecclipsed Aemilius overcame Perseus King of Macedon and reduced Macedonia into a Province lib. Dec. 4. lib. 5. From Leusia Antiochus fearing lest the Iews would forsake his Empire and rebell went to Ierusalem which was 288 miles but the Inhabitants of the Town shut him out of the City wherefore he besieged it and by the Treason of Menelaus Chief Priest who for that purpose conspired with the Guard that was in the Castle quickly got it and entred the Gates In every place where he came he put the Citizens to the Sword and for three days space did little else but cruelly massacre the People He went also with Menelaus into the Temple where he polluted the sacred things of the Temple and took thence the Vessels of Silver and Gold or whatsoever he found precious or worthy so that the Prey he took amounted to 1800 Talents which make almost eleven Tun of pure Gold all which were partly Gifts dedicated to the Temple and partly Treasure that was left there as in in a safe and sure place to the use of poor distressed Widows and Orphans After that Antiochus had robbed the Temple of all the Silver and Gold that he could find had banished Iason had placed a strong Garrison in the Tower of Acropolis the Captain of which was one Philip a very cruel man and made Menelaus High-Priest with all this booty and some number of Captives he returned to Antiochia which was 280 miles In the Year following that is before Christ 166 Lu. Aemilius Paulus triumphed for the Wars of Macedonia Not long after Antiochus misdoubted the Fidelity of the Iews sent Apollonius with an Army of 22000 to Ierusalem who entred the City upon the Sabbath day and committed many Out-rages Then Antiochus having spent a great part of the Gold and Silver which he had got from Ierusalem about the eleventh Year of his Reign made his Expedition from Antiochia to Persepolis it was also called Elymaides in Persia which was 196 miles Here he took the Temple of Diana spoiled all that Country round about and with strong hand gathered together a great Mass of Gold and Silver to maintain War against Iudas Macchabeuâ— But a multitude of Citizens disliking his Sacriledge banded themselves together and put Antiochus and his Souldiers to flight before he could take the City of Persepolis 1 Mach. 6. 2 Mach. 9. Wherefore being driven from thence he fled with his Army to Egbatana a City in Media which was 209 miles Here having certain Intelligence by Letters of the noble Exploits of Iudas Macchabeus and that he purged the Temple of such things as were prophane he fell into an extream Grief and like one distracted railed against the Iews and swore to be revenged of them 1 Mac. 9. In this extream Anger he went from Egbatana to Babylon with his Army which was 464 miles But as he went his Chariot was overthrown in the fall whereof he was so extreamly wounded that they were constrained to â—arry him in a Bed to Babylon where he shortly after died miserably So all his Travels were 8153 miles Thus may we see with what Difficulties and Dangers this wicked Prince obtained his Victories and past away his Life sometimes in Travel his
Journies long and troublesom sometimes in Prosperity sometimes in Adversity again sometimes afflicted with troublesom Cogitations sometimes with extream Anger seldom in Peace and then also his Actions savouring of Violence and Filthiness From whence it appeareth That the Wicked with more Sorrows Troubles and Vexations gain eternal Damnation that the Just tho they suffer many grievous Afflictions obtain everlasting Salvation For amongst all the Patriarchs good Kings and Prophets there is not found any that had so many long and tedious Journies as this Antiochus who continually oppressed his Mind and Conscience with unprofitable Vanities and wicked Thoughts and at length had a miserable and terrible end Of the Cities and Places mentioned in his Travels Of Antiochia ANtiochia where Antiochus Epiphanes kept his Court was anciently called Chaemath or Riblah It was scituated in Syria 180 miles from Ierusalem towards the North near to the Cities Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea which four Cities as Strabo saith in the sixteenth Book of his Geography were built by Seleucus Nicanor first King of Syria This man was a mighty Prince and obtained the Name of Nicanor which signifieth Victory because he prospered in his Wars and conquered his Adversaries For when within 13 years after the Death of Alexander the Great he had got the Kingdom of Syria he became so great in the 31 year of his Reign that he obtained the Empire of all the East and beside as Strabo saith re-edified and built up these four Cities calling one of them Antiochia after the name of his Father another Laodicea after the name of his Mother a third after his own name Seleucia and the last Apamea after the name of his Wife These four Cities because they were all built by one man and at one time were called Sisters But Antiochia was much fairer than the other and in those times was a greater City than any other called after that name yea it was equal to Alexandria in Egypt for glory and excellency of Building It was divided into four parts and those parts separated with four Walls The first which was anciently called Hemath a violent Anger of Chamathai the Son of Canaan was after Riblath from the multitude of the Inhabitants and the third time by Seleucus after his Father's name called Antiochia In this part Seleucus to dignifie the City kept his Court it being compassed about with Goodly Walls In the second part the Citizens of Syria inhabited In the third Seleuchus Callimichus afterward King of the Syrians kept his Court and greatly beautified it But in the fourth where afterward many Christians inhabited Antigonus Epiphanes continued and did greatly adorn it and set it forth with goodly buildings and sumptuous Houses Close by the City there stood a pleasant Wood watered with many clear Fountains and delightful Springs to which there resorted a great multitude of Fowls of divers sorts which sung very pleasantly among the Trees to the great content and delectation of the Citizens In the midst of this Wood stood the Temple of Apollo and Diana goodly things and very curiously built It was called the Wood of Daphne because it was full of Laurel Trees From this Wood all the Country thereabout is called Epidaphne Not far off standeth the River Orontes which beginneth in Coelosyria and passeth under the earth till it comes near to Apamea where it riseth and watereth all Antiochia So passing thence it runneth some sixteen miles and so falls into the Mediterranean Sea Here Paul preached and kept a Synod Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 24 25. There was another Synod kept here by the Arrians Trip. lib. 4. 9. Stephanus reckons up many other Cities of this name as Antiochia 〈◊〉 in Galatia where Paul preached Act. 3. and is distant from this 384 miles Antiochia in Mesopotamia which is also called Mygdonia and 〈◊〉 in which Apollophanes the Stoick and Pharnuchus that wrote the Persian History are said to be born Antiochia between Syria and Arabia built by Semiramis Antiochia in Cilicia scituated near to the River Pyramus Antiochia in Pieria also called by the Syrians Arados There is also a City called Antiochia near Mount Taurus in the Country of Comagena Antiochia scituated upon the Lake of Callichan Antiochia in Scythia There was another in Caria called also Pithapolis Antiochia Marigiana built by Antiochius Soter And many Authors call Tharsus in Cilicia by the name of Antiochia Antiochia signifies an Adversary Of Rome ROME stands 1528 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of this City you may read more in the Travels of the Apostle Paul Tyrus Ioppa Memphis Peluso Mallo and Alexandria are before described Of Tharsus TArsus or Tharsus signifieth a Hyacinth stone so called as some think of Tharsis the Son of Iavan the Son of Iapâ—et the Son of Noah Gen. 10. It was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles Northward Of Persepolis PErsepolis was the Metropolitan City of Persia distant from Ierusalem 1240 miles Eastward So called of Perseus that mighty King of the Persians who re-edified it and gave it that name which is as much as to say the City of the Persians which also of him were so called The Astronomers because he was greatly affected to such as were skilful in that Art attributed his name and his Wives name to two Constellations in the Heavens of which Ovid's Fable is contributed of Pegasus and Andromache This City of Persepolis was so fair that it exceeded all the Cities of the East both for Stateliness and Beauty and so continued from Perseus time until Alexander the Great had conquered Darius at which time this great Emperour having got into his hand the whole Empire of the Persians came to Persepolis in the year before Christ 329 and there celebrated a great feast in triumph of his Victories to which there resorted a great many Women not such as were of the better sort but them that followed the Camp and lived dissolutely amongst whom was that notable Curtesan Thais who perceiving the King inclined to Mirth and full with Wine began to flatter him in his Cups and among other things to commend and dignifie his Noble Exploits withal giving him to understand how acceptable it would be to the Grecians to see the Royal Palace of the Persians fired which had so often afflicted Grecia No sooner had she uttered these words but another seconded her and then a third After the whole assembly cried out Shall we revenge the Injury of the Grecians and burn the City With that they all rose in great fury the King himself being crowned beginning first to fire the Palace wherein was great abundance of Cedar from whence it happened that suddenly the fire spread it self a great way which when the Army that lay without the Walls perceived with all speed came to the City to stay the burning of it for which purpose many brought Water with them But when they beheld the King himself busie in this Tragedy laying aside their Water they also in hope of Booty and to
Syria which was the fifth year of the Principality of Ionathan Bacchides returned again with his Army into Iudaea and besieged Ionathan and Simon in Bethbesan otherwise called Bethgalam some three miles distant from Iordan Here Ionathan leaving his Brother Simon in the City stole out by a Postern and went to all the Villages near adjoyning from whence he gathered an Army of Chosen men and set upon Bacchides Simon also broke out of the City and set upon him so that they greatly oppressed him and burned his Tents 1 Mac. 1. Wherefore when Bacchides understood that Ionathan and Simon had fortified that City and that the Iews were ready to defend it he concluded a Peace with Ionathan the Captives of either part were re-delivered and the Iews lived in Peace a good while after 1 Mac. 9. From Bethbesan Ionathan went to Michmas being six miles here he dwelt for a while and judged the People of Israel cherishing the good and rooting out the Evil from amongst them 1 Mac. 1. From Michmas he went to Ierusalem which was ten miles Hither Alexander King of Syria and Son of Antiochus Epiphanes sent him a Purple Robe and a Golden Crown and ordained him High-Priest of the Iews Wherefore Ionathan on the day of the Feast of the Tabernacles which was in the year before Christ 150 took upon him the Office to be high Priest 1 Mac. 10. The next year after which was the tenth of Ionathan's Rule after the death of Demetrius King of Syria who was slain in the Wars against Alexander there appeared a Comet of an Extraordinary greatness which was of such an exceeding brightness that it took away the darkness of the Night and the Writers of those times affirm it to equal the Sun in greatness After this Prodigy the Romans began the third Punick War against the Carthaginians Vide Camerar lib. 2. de ostent Ionathan in the eleventh year of his Reign went from Ierusalem to Ptolemais being seventy six miles to the Marriage of Alexander King of Syria and Cleopatra the Daughter of Ptolomeus Philometor King of Aegypt where he was entertained very honourably 1 Mac. 10. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was seventy six miles 1 Mac. 10. From Ierusalem he went to Ioppa and won the Town which was twenty miles From Ioppa he went to Asdod which was twelve miles there he burnt the Temple of Dagon and all that were in it From thence he went with his Army to Ascalon being twelve miles this Town willingly yielded unto him From Ascalon he returned to Ierusalem which was 38 miles 1 Mac. 10. In the fifteenth year of his Government he went to Ioâ—pa being twenty miles to meet Ptolomeus Philometor King of Aegypt and stayed there all that night 1 Mac. 11. The next day he went with the King of Aegypt to the River of Eleutherius which was 200 miles From thence he returned back again to Ierusalem which was 200 miles Here he besieged the Tower of Acropolis because there were many wicked men got into it In the sixteenth year of his Government he went from Ierusalem to Ptolomais to Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria which was 76 miles From Ptolomais he returned back to Ierusalem which was 76 miles From Ierusalem in the seventeenth year of his Government he went beyond the River Euphrates which was accounted four hundred miles and there gathered an Army in Aid of Antiochus the younger the Son of Alexander and went against Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was 400 miles From Ierusalem he went with his Army to Ascalon which was thirty miles From thence he came to Gaza which was eighteen miles this Town he besieged and after a sharp Battel won it From Gaza he went to Damascus in Syria which was about 200 miles From thence he returned to the Lake of Genesereth which was 104 miles Here he opposed the Army of Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria From thence before day he removed his Camp to Chazor which was thirty two miles where when part of his Army was put to flight by a Stratagem he tore his Garments put dust upon his head and prayed earnestly unto the Lord for aid and assistance so having recovered his strength and former courage he returned with those few that he had left him to the War where he put the Army of King Demetrius to flight and slew 3000 of his men with the Sword His Enemies being thus dispersed he pursued them to thier Tents near Cades in Galilee being six miles From thence he returned to Ierusalem with a glorious victory which was about some ninety two miles Here he made a League with the Romans and Spartans 1 Mac. 11. 12. From Ierusalem he went with his Army into the Country of Hemath that is Syria to the River Eleutherius being 200 miles here he put his Enemies to flight after they had burnt and consumed their Tents From thence he went to Nabathia in Arabia being 120 miles Here he conquered the Arabians and Zabadians and spoiled their Land From thence he went through all that Country and wasted it till he came within eight miles of Damascus From thence he returned home to Ierusalem which was 160 miles In the eighteenth and last year of his Reign he caused the Walls of Ierusalem to be built and began to fortifie many places in Iudaea 1 Mac. 12. Also the same year which was the 160 year of the Government of the Graecians in Syria the second Book of Macchabees was written as appeareth cap. 1. After from Ierusalem he went to Bethsan to meet Tryphon being forty four miles here being deceived by the fair speeches of Tryphon he discharged his Army all but 3000. From thence he took these 3000 with him and went with Tryphon to Ptolomais which was thirty two miles into which Town he was no sooner entered but Tryphon caused the Citizens to shut the Gates where all his men were slain From Ptolomais Tryphon brought Ionathan the High-Priest to Addus upon the Borders of Iudaea which was sixty eight miles from whence he sent to Simon the Brother of Ionathan whom he kept Captive in a Castle near adjoyning promising to release his Brother if he would send his two Sons to be Hostages and let him have a hundred Talents of Silver that is 60000 Crowns So Simon sent his two Sons together with the Money to Tryphon but Tryphon took them and the Mony and led them captive with Ionathan their Father from Addâ—s to Addor a Town in Idumaea which was forty eight miles From thence he carried them to Baschaman in the Country of the Gileadites which was ninety six miles where in the Winter Season in the year before Christ 141 this cruel and perfidious Tyrant put Ionathan and his Sons to death From Baschamah of the Gileadites Simon removed the Bodies of Ionathan and his Sons to Modin being sixty miles where he buried them 1 Mac. 13. So all his Travels were 3007 miles The description of
Captivity of his Brother Ionathan whom Tryphon by cunning had betrayed as is before-said he was chosen by the People of the Iews into the Principality From thence he went to Addus to meet Tryphon sixteen miles where he would have ransomed his Brother Ionathan 1 Mac. 13. From Addus he went to a City of the Idumeans called Ador or Adaram forty eight miles From Ador he returned into Iudea with his Army forty miles that he might oppose the Invasion of Tryphon and his Souldiers lest they should have destroyed the Country and got Ierusalem in his absence Tryphon having put to death his Brother Ionathan which was in the year before Christ 140. Simon entred upon the Office of High-Priest the same year and continued in the Government eight years In the first year of his Government he went from Ierusalem to Modin fourteen miles Here he buried the Body of his Brother Ionathan in his Father's Sepulchre very honourably and richly beautified it From Modin he returned to Ierusalem fourteen miles where he executed his Priestly Function diligently and repaired the Holds and decayed Towns of Iudea compassing them about with Stone Walls and fortifying them with Towers and Bulwarks From thence he went to Gaza forty four miles from Ierusalem South-westward This Town he took From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was four and forty miles There he repaired the Tower of Acropolis wherein he dwelt From Ierusalem he went to Ioppa and won the Town which was twenty miles From Ioppa he returned to Ierusalem which was twenty miles where for a time he lived very honourably and kept a Princely Court 1 Mac. 14. Lastly he went with his two Sons Iudas and Mattathias and his Wife to visit his Father-in-law Ptolomeus the Son of Abodus to the Castle of Doch which was near to Iericho some ten miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Here he was slain by his Father-in-law at a Banquet in the year before Christ 132 in the eleventh Month which answereth to our February 1 Mac. 16. So all his Travels were 799 miles The Description of the Places mentioned in his Travels Of Arabath ARabath or Araba was a City near to the Lake or River Merom not far from Dothan forty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North. It seems to take the name from Locusts whereof there are many kinds 1 Mac. 5. for there are Locusts that live upon Herbs and Flowers others that fly in great swarms in the Air and some also that live in the Waters not much unlike Crabs or Cray-fishes their Tails only excepted Plin. lib. 9. cap. 12. reckons up another kind of Locusts whereon Iohn Baptist did feed and it was lawful for the Iews to eat of them he describes them to have four Feet and Wings so that they can either fly or leap upon the Earth They can be resembled to nothing more fitly than to Grashoppers These the Hebrews call Robae Levit. 11. Mat. 3. because of the abundance of them being derived of the Verb Rabah He hath multiplied or increased because these kinds of Locusts come in mighty great swarms and multitudes into the East part of the World Of these kinds of Locusts Arabath took the Name but they are not known to us nevertheless such there are and as it appeareth in Leuit. 11. were permitted to be eaten among the Iews From whence may be concluded that Iohn Baptist lived upon these kind of Locusts and not upon Crabs or Cray-fish or any such kind of Locusts Mat. 3. Of Sephela SEphela is a Plain compassed about with Mountains near the River Sorek It lieth fourteen miles from Ierusalem Westward Here Simon built the Castle Adida and fortified it very strongly Afterward there was a City built near to this Tower called Eleutheropolis It was a free City in the Tribe of Iudah half way between Ierusalem and Ascalon of which St. Ierom speaketh lib. de Locis Hebr. Of Doch THIS was a strong Tower the Ruines whereof may be seen to this day It was scituated near Iericho in the Field of Hiericuntis ten miles from Ierusalem North-eastward where Ptolomeus the Son of Abodus persidiously put to death his Son-in-law Simon High Priest of the Jews From this Tower you might have seen all the Countrey of the Gileadites the two Tribes of Gad and Reuben and the half Tribe of Manasses with the Mountains of the Moabites Nebo Pisgah and Abarim Vid. 1 Mac. cap. ult The Travels of John Hyrcanus JOHN Hyrcanus was made Captain over all the Men of War by his Father Simon and went from Ierusalem to Gaza forty four miles where he dwelt 1 Mac. 13. From thence he returned to Ierusalem forty four miles in the fifth year of his Father's Government to let him understand how Cendebius had invaded the holy Land 1 Mac. 16. From Ierusalem he and his Brother Iudas went with their Army to Modin fourteen miles where they stayed all night The next morning before day they gave Battel to Cendebius not far from Modin overcame him and put him to flight So he pursued the chase till he came to the Fortress of Cedron which stood in the Field of Azotus even eight miles From the Field of Azotus he and his Brother Iudas returned to Ierusalem being twenty two miles 1 Mac. 16. From Ierusalem he returned to Gaza 44 miles Now when Sorius Ptolomeus the Son of Abodus who a little before had treacherously slain his Son-in-law Simon at a Banquet heard of Iohn's coming into the Town he sent forth certain Traitors and Homicides to put him to death also but Hyrcanus having certain intelligence of the matter prevented the mischief and put these Traitors to the Sword 1 Mac. 16. So all his Travels were 176 miles Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in these Travels you may read before Of the Kings of Syria that succeeded Antiochus Epiphanes and made War upon the Macchabees And first of the Travels of Antiochus Eupator THIS Antiochus the younger succeeded his Father Antiochus Epiphanes in the 149 year of the Grecians Government in Syria which was the 161 Year before Christ and he continued King of Asia and Syria three Years Lysias the King's Substitute for Syria called this man by the name of Eupator that is a good Father because Kings ought to be Fathers of their Countries This Antiochus Eupator in the second year of his Reign came with a great Army from Antiochia to the Town of Modin which was 380 miles From Modin he went to the Hold at Bethsura this he sharply besieged being 12 miles From Bethsura he went to Bethsachara almost a mile to meet with Iudas Macchabeus who put him to flight and kill'd 600 of his Men 1 Mac. 6. From Bethsachara he returned to the Hold of Bethsura and won it being almost a mile From Bethsura he came to Ierusalem which was half a mile From Ierusalem he went with his Army to Ptolomais being seventy six miles From Ptolomais he returned to Antiochia two hundred and four miles
Antiochia they went with their Army to a Plain near the Mountain Amanus 120 miles where in a sharp War they overcame Alexander and put him out of his Kingdom Ios Ant. li. 3. c. 7. Now after the death of Ptolomeus Philimetor Demetrius Nicanor returned to Antiochia 120 miles where he governed the Kingdom of Syria two years From Antiochia he went to Ptolomais which was 200 miles to which place Ionathan the High-Priest came to meet him where he gave to him many Presents and great Gifts to win his Favour 1 Mac. 11. From Ptolomais he returned to Antiochia 200 miles There his Souldiers and the City of Antiochia rebelled against him For which cause Ionathan the High-Priest sent him 3000 men which delivered the King out of danger put to the Sword 100000 of the Seditious and burnt the City of Antiochia 1 Mac. 11. But after Demetrius shewed himself unthankful he was driven out of his Kingdom by Tryphon and young Antiochus the Son of King Alexander who was also called Theos which signifies God In the 172 year of the Reign of the Grecians in Syria which was 138 years before Christ Nicanor having slain Antiochus the Son of Alexander he would have reigned alone in Syria wherefore Demetrius who was the lawful King of Syria being three years before driven thence went 1200 miles into Media to crave aid against Tryphon but Arsaces King of the Medes Parthians and Persians sent the chief Captain of his Host against Demetrius who burned his Tents took him Prisoner and carried him back to his Master to Hecatompilon the chief City of his Kingdom distant from Syria 1220 miles toward the East Iustin. lib. 36. 38. From Hecatomâ—ylon Arsaces sent him to Hyrcania the metropolitan City of that Country which was 176 miles where although Arsaces kept him as a Prisoner yet he allowed him royal Attendance and after marryed him to his Daughter Iust. lib. 38. After the Death of Arsaces with singular Industry and Policy he got out of Captivity after he had been twelve years Prisoner in Hyrcania and came into Syria which was fourteen miles where he recovered his Kingdom and reigned four years So all his Travels were 4156 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Creta now called Candia THIS is an Island of the Mediterranean Sea diftant from Ierusalem 600 miles westward very fruitful and pleasant in which there grows great plenty of Cypress Trees and Grapes of divers kinds but principally such whereof Malmsey and Sack are made Here Paul's Disciple was Bishop wherefore you shall read more of it after Of Seleucia SEleucia is a famous City of Syria scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea 280 miles from Ierusalem North-ward near to which the River Orantes runneth and the Mountain Casius standeth which is four miles high Plin. l. 5. c. 22. You may read more of this in the Travels of St. Paul Of Syria SYria was sometimes called of the Hebrews Aram of Aram the Son of Sem of whom all Armenia took the Name Aram signifies A man of great Spirit and Dignity being derived of Rom that is lifted up for he was a man of an excellent Spirit Gen. cap. 10. Syria signifieth a great Tract of Land and is divided into two parts the upper and the lower In the upper Syria are these Cities Antiochia Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea in the lower Syria are Sydon Tyrus Berytus Tripolis and Orthâ—sia This Country is scituated in a very temperare Zone from whence it happeneth that it is neither oppressed with too much Cold nor Heat There are that divide Syria into four parts that is into Syria Assyria Leucosyria and Coelosyriae Also Pliny lib. 5. cap. 12. attributeth Mesopotamia and Babylonia to Syriâ— But it is evident that these were distinct Countries from them in the which there reigned Emperours and Kings which had large and spacious Dominions For Syria is scituated between the Mediterranean Sea and Euphrates but Mesopotamia which is so called because it is scituated in the middle of Waters is separated from Syria and Assyria with the Rivers Euphrates and Tygris and Arabia is separated from Syria and Babylon with many vast Wildernesses Therefore these Countries cannot properly pass under the denomination of Syria Of Parthia PArthia is a spacious Countrey full of Mountains and Desarts lying upon the Borders of Media Westward the Metropolis whereof his Hecatompylon taking the name of an hundred Gates wherewith it is fortified It lieth as Stephanus saith 1512 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Here Arsaces that mighty King of the Parthians kept his Court who had under his Government Media Parthia Persia Hircania and the greatest part of all the Countreys toward the East It is called Parthia because of the fruitfulness of the Soil being derived of Parah to fructifie Of Hyrcania HYrcania is a fruitful and pleasant Countrey bordering upon Media and the Caspian Sea for the most part plain and champian beautified with many fair Cities the chief of which are Hyrcania the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom Talebrota Samariana Carta and Tape It was so fat and fruitful that the Inhabitants use not to till and dress the ground as they do in other places but the Seed that falleth from the husk upon the Earth springeth up and bringeth forth great Plenty and increase without farther labour The Dews also falling upon the Trees there droppeth from them Oil and Honey in great Plenty It taketh the name as it is thought from a Wood called Hyrcania In like manner the Caspian Sea which bordereth upon it of this Countrey is called Hyrcanum Many cruel Beasts are found therein as the Panther the Tyger and the Leopard The Panther is of a whitish colour inclining something to yellow spotted all over with round shining spots in like manner are their Eyes She is a friend almost to all kinds of Creatures except the Asp and Dragon and as Oppianus saith never taken but when she is drunk or in her sleep She is the Female to the Leopard The Leopard is of the same colour and of the nature of a Wolf being full he hurteth nothing but if empty he preyeth upon every thing yea even upon men his Breath is very sweet with which many other Creatures being delighted he often preys upon them but being full he sleepeth sometimes three days together The Tyger also is a very swift and cruel Creature from whence he is so called his skin is yellow and full of black Spots round and shining If the chance to lose her young she never leaves seeking till she finds them out The Travels of Tryphon that put Antiochus to death IN An. Mundi 3826 before Christ 142. Tryphon sometime chief Captain to Alexander King of Syria who was slain in Arabia went to Emalâ—uel Prince of Arabia Deserta with whom Antiochus the Son of Alexander was brought up where he so wrought with him that he got the Boy from him and brought him thence into Syria 160 miles and within a while after besieged
Antiochia took the Town drove thence Demetrius Nicanor and crowned young Antiochus King of Assyria This Journey to and again was 320 miles 1 Mac. 11. In the second year of the Reign of young Antiochus Tryphon went from Antiochia to Bethsan where he perfidiously betrayed Ionathan the Brother of Iudas Macchabeus 1 Mac. 12. being 36 miles From Bethsan he went to Ptolomais 32 miles From Ptolomais he went to Addus a Town upon the Borders of Iudaea sixty eight miles 1 Mac. 13. To Addus Simon sent his Brother's Children and his Ransom which was 60 Talents of Silver but after he had received the Money he broke his Word and went thence with Ionathan and his Sons to Ador which was forty eight miles From Ador he went to Baschaman in the Land of Gilead ninety six miles Here he put to death Ionathan and his Sons From the Countrey of the Gileadites he returned to Antiochia which was 240 miles Here he put to death young Antiochus being but a Boy of seven year of age and usurped upon the Government in his place He began to reign in the 172 year of the Grecians Government in Syria and reigned three years 1 Mac. 14. Ios. lib. ant 13. About the end of the three years which was in the 174 year of the Grecians Government in Syria Antiochus Sedetes Brother of Demetrius Nicanor made War upon Tryphon and compelled him to fly from Antiochia to Dora 240 miles from Antiochia towards the South 1 Mac. 85. But Antiochus Sedetes followed him thither and so streightly besieged Dora that he was constrained to steal thence in a Ship and â—ail to Orthoâ—ia which was 160 miles Lastly In the way as he was going thence to Apamea which was an hundred and twenty miles he was taken and put to death So all his Travels were 1360 miles Of the Places mentioned in his Travels which have been formerly recited Of Dora DORA was a Haven-Town scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward in the mid-way between Carmel and Caesâ—rea Strato In Ioseph cap. 17. it is called Dor that is â— durans Of Orthosia THIS was a City of Assyria scituated upon the Shore of the Mediterranean Sea near to the place where the Eleutherius falleth into it 200 miles from Ierusalem Northward being so called of Diana whom the Grecians called Orthosia that is Exalted or lifted up Hither Tryphon sailed when he fled from Antiochus Sedetes 1 Mac. 15. Plin. lib. 5. cap. 20. Concerning the Travels of Apolonius Nicanor Bacchides and Cendebius because they are sufficiently described in the Travels of the Macchabees I thought it unfit to speak further of them The Travels of Heliodorus HEliodorus signifies the House of the Sun He was Secretary and chief Governour of Antiochiâ— in Syria for that mighty King Saleuchus Philopator who was Brother to that cruel Tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes and was sent by his Lord and Master Seleuchus from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was eighty miles to spoil the Temple of the Lord but the Lord sent an Angel richly beautified with Armour of Gold fitting upon a Horse who went to Heliodorus and with his Horse trod him under his feet and there appeared two other Angels full of Majesty and Power that strook Heliodorus and beat him with Whips so that he lay upon the Floor of the Temple as a Man half Dead and could not go forth until he was carried out 2 Mac. 3. From Ierusalem he went with that good man Onias chief Priest of the Iews at whose earnest Prayers and Supplications he was made whole to Antiochia 280 miles where he told Seleuchus Philopator of the wonderful Works of the Lord. So all his Travels were 580 miles The Travels of the High-Priest of the Jews that ruled before the Macchabees as they are severally mentioned in the Books of Maccabees and first of the Travels of Onias the High-Priest ONIAS signifies the Riches of God from On Opulency and Iah God for although he was afflicted with Poverty in this World yet he was rich in God He succeeded his Father Simon the Just An. Mun. 3757. before Christ 211. Antiochus the Great being King of Syria He was High-Priest thirty nine years until the death Seleuchus Philopater at the end of which time one Simon the chief of those that kept the Temple being ambitious of Rule fell to words with Onias and from words to blows so that there were many outrages committed by the Friends of Simon Wherefore Onias to give place to the Fury of his Adversaries went from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was to hundred and eighty miles But Seleucus Philopator being dead and Antiochus Epiphanes in the Government who was a covetous and cruel Prince good Onias partly for fear of him and partly of his Brother Iason who had but a little before purchased the Office of High-Priest for three hundred and sixty Talents of Silver and promised to pay a yearly Tribute of eighty Talents durst not return home to Ierusalem but went to a Sanctuary that stood in the Wood of Daphne which was about one mile from Antiochia in hope of safety to which place one Andronichus chief Captain to Antiochus came to him and with fair Speeches and flattering Words allured him out of the Sanctuary and traiterously put him to death So all his Travels were two hundred eighty one miles The Travels of the High-Priest Jason JAson and Iesus have both one signification he entred upon the Office of High-Priest in the first year of Antiochus Epiphanes which was one hundred seventy three years before Christ. He went from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was two hundred eighty miles where after the death of Onias he paid to Antiochus for the Office of High-Priest almost three Tuns of Gold with promise to pay a yearly Tribute of 48000 Crowns From Antiochia he returned to Ierusalem two hundred eighty miles where he began to build the Tower of Acropolis in Mount Acra and that he might please that wicked King and keep his favour he built certain Theatres in Ierusalem and caused Interludes and Plays to be acted in them at such times and upon such days as the Poeple were wont to meet in the Temple to serve God Also King Antiochus Epiphanes in the fourth year of his Priesthood coming to Ierusalem he gave him royal entertainment The same year Iason was put out of his Office of High-Priest by the policy and cunning of his Brother Menelaus and was constrained to fly into the Land of the Ammonites beyond Iordan being forty miles Two years after when Antiochus Epiphanes invaded Aegypt there was a vain rumour that he was slain wherefore Iason with a thousand Souldiers returned to Ierusalem being forty miles and broke suddenly into the City so that Menelaus was constrained for safety of his life to fly to the Garrison of the Syrians that were in Ierusalem But Antiochus hearing what had happened came out of Aegypt with â— great Army of Ierusalem wherefore he fled
thence back again to the Ammonites forty miles but they fearing that Antiochus would come thither with his Army he was accused before Areta King of Arabia and constrained to fly from one City to another for safety Wherefore when he perceived that he could not live there secure he went thence into Aegypt 280 miles From thence he went to the Lacedemonians six hundred miles where he died in Exile being cast out unlamented or buried So all his Travels were 1560 miles Of Lacedemonia the Metropolitan City of Peloponnesus LAcedemonia or Sparta was famous City of Peloponnesus distant from Ierusalem six hundred miles toward the West which although it had no Walls yet was it one of the most fair and most populous Cities in all Grecia and was called Sparta of Spartus who was King thereof and re-built it adorning it with fair and goodly Buildings At first it was built by one Lacedemon who was somtime King thereof and of him called Lacedemonia and after Menelaus that mighty King of the Grecians who had to Wife Helena the fairest Woman of all Grecia kept his Court there Here also Lycurgus that famous Philosopher reigned as King and prescribed to the Citizens and Inhabitants excellent Laws by the observance whereof they became famous in after-Ages and performed many noble Wars and Exploits against their Enemies Ionathan and Simon held a friendly league with the Lacedemonians The Travels of the High-Priest Menelaus THIS Menelaus called alos Onias was as Iosephus saith the third Son of Simon the Just and Brother of Iason although 2 Mac. 3 4 he is said to be the Brother of one Simon of the Tribe of Benjamin who was chief of those that kept the Temple of whom you may read before This man in the fourth year of Antiochus Epiphanes was sent by Iason his Brother to Antiochia being two hundred and eighty miles â—pon certain business but principally to carry the King Money Where he made a secret Contract with hm to pay him thirty Talents beside all that his Brother Iason had pay'd him if he would instiâ—ute him to be High-Priest The King in hope of profit gave 〈◊〉 to his motion and under pretence of Injury and Wrong offered by Iason constrained him to leave his Office and fly from Ierusalem into the Land of the Ammonites for his Safety and so instituted Menelaus to be chief Priest of the Iews who entred upon his Government in the year before Christ one hundred sixty nine Wherefore Menelaus returned from Antiochia to Ierusalem two hundred and eighty miles where he began to govern not as chief Priest but as a cruel and wicked Tyrant 2 Mac. 4. But when in the beginning of his Government he could not pay that great sum of mony which he had promised the King sent for him to Antiochia being two hundred and eighty miles where for that time he was removed from his Office and his Brother Lysimacus ordained chief Priest in his room Wherefore Menelaus being sore troubled vexed and grieved in mind for that which had hapned in the first year of his Priest-hood returned back from Antiochia to Ierusalem being two hundred and eighty miles But a little after when Antiochus Epiphanes brought an Army into Cilicia to suppress the Rebellion of the Thaâ—sians and Mallotans Menelaus taking advantage of the Kings absence went to Andronichus who was chief Agent for the King in Syria to Antiochia two hundred and eighty miles and there gave him certain golden Vessels and Jewels that he had stollen out of the Temple ot hire him to be his friend and help him to his Office of High-priesthood again But Onias the elder hearing of this Sacriledge greatly reprehended Menelaus for shameful Fact but he taking it in ill part combined with Andronichus who by fair speeches alluring him out of the Sanctuary in the wood Daphne put him to death after he had been five years in exile But King Antiochus returning from Antiochia accused Andronichus of Treason and by the means of a certain Courtier received Menelaus into favour From Antiochia Menelaus returned to Ierusalem two hundred and eighty miles where by the help of his brother Lysimachus he stole a great mass of mony out of the Temple Which Sacriledge being known to the People they fell to uproar and killed Lysimachus close by the Treasury They accused Menelaus also before Antiochus 2 Mac. cap. 4. Antiochus in the second year of his Priest-hood went to Tyrus which is one hundred miles where he so corrupted certain Courtiers with mony that he procured the favour of Antiochus and caused his Accusers good and just men to be banished thence as slanderers and such as went about to defame Menelaus From Tyrus be returned back again to Ierusalem one hundred miles where he fell into his old cruelty and in the third year of his Government received Antiochus Epiphanes with his Army into the City of Ierusalem who cruelly murthered the Citizens and spoiled the Temple 2 Mac. 5. After the death of Antiochus who as it is said perished of a grievous disease and was buried at Babylon his Son Antiochus Eupator came with a great Army into Iudaea in hostile manner Wherefore Menelaus in the last year of his Priesthood went out to meet him But Lysiâ—s accused him unto the king as one that was the only Author of all the Evils that had hapned to the Iews Wherefore Antiochus willed Lysias to take him Prisoner who brought him to Berea a Town in Syria distant from Ierusalem 360 miles Northward where upon the top of a Tower fifty Cubits high he was tyed to a Wheel and had all his Joynts broken and through the extremity of the pain died 2 Mac. 3. So all his Travels were two thousand two hundred forty miles The Travels of Alcimus High-Priest of the Posterity of Aaron THIS Alcimus after the death of Menelaus which was the year before Christ one hundred fifty went with certain impious and wicked men to Demetrius Soter who lived in Antiochia in Syria being two hundred eighty miles and there accused Iudas Macchabeus and all the Godly Iews using such flattery toward the King that he obtained the Principality and Office of High-Priest which he held three years 1 Mac. 7. From Antiochia he and Bacchides returned back again of Ierusalem where he was instituted in the Office of High-Priesthood which is two hundred eighty miles But when he saw that he was not able to withstand the power and singular vertue of Iudas Macchabeus he returued back to Antiochia two hundred eighty miles where after he had accused the good men among the Iews he obtained the Aid of Demetrius who sent Nicanor with a great Army into Iudaea against Iudas to establish Aleimus in the Priesthood So Alcimus and Nicanor returned into Iudaea two hundred eighty miles But Alcimus seeing familiar Conference to pass between Nicanor and Iudas Macâ—habeus he went back again to Antiochia two hundred eighty miles where he told Demetrius of the perfidious
dealing of Nicanor Wherefore Demetrius being very angry at what had happened wrote a sharp Letter to Nicanor giving him to understand That it was much against his mind that he should make a League with Iudas and further willed him the said League notwithstanding to bring him bound to Antiochia Upon the receipt of which Letter he made War upon Iudas in which expedition Nicanor was taken and had his head cut off All this happened the first year of the Priesthood of Alcimus But when Demetrius heard of this overthrow he sent Bacchides and Alcimus with a great Army who went to Antiochia and came to Mastoth in the Country of Arbela one hundred ninty two miles where they made Incursions upon the Tribe of Naphtaly and slew a great multitude of the Israelites 1 Mac. 9. From Masloth they went with their Army to Gilgal seventy six miles This happened in the second year of the Priesthood of Alcimus From Gilgal they came to Ierusalem which was about twelve miles 1 Mac. cap. 9. From thence they brought their Army to Berea being twelve miles here they were overcome and put to flight by Iudas Macchabeus 1 Mac. cap. 9. From Berea tho fled amongst the Mountains which are between Azotus and Gazeron six miles Here Iudas Macchabeus was slain Wherefore Alcimus returned thence back again to Ierusalem twenty miles and caused the Walls of the inner house of the Temple and the Monuments of the Priests to be taken down and destroyed but before his command was fully executed the Lord struck him with a dead Palsie of which he lay a time dumb but within a while after he died of that disease in the second year of his Priesthood An. Mundi three thousand eight hundred and eleven and before Christ one hundred and fifty seven Alcimus being dead Bacchides returned back to Demetrius in Syria 1 Mac. 9. For seven years after there was no High-priest in Ierusalem till Ionathan the Brother of Iudas Macchabeus took upon him that Office 1 Mac. 10. So all his Travels were 1717 miles Of the places to which he travelled Of Arbela THIS was a City in the upper Galilee belonging to the Tribe of Naphtaly ninety six miles from Ierusalem Northward of which Town all the Country is called Arbela being derived of Arab to lie hid Of Masloth THIS also is a Town of Naphtaly ninety two miles from Ierusalem Northward and is derived to Maschal which signifies he hath governed Of Berea TO this City Iotham sometime fled from the Fury of his Brother Abimelech Judge of Israel Iudg. 9. It is scituated twelve miles from Ierusalem Westward and signifies a clear Well Thus by God's Providence have I described the Travels and Journeys of the Holy Patriarchs Kings and Prophets c. as they are severally mentioned in the Old Testament that so gentle Reader thou might'st understand what difficult and tedious Journeys and in them what great Labour and Vexation they were constrained to bear in this World till God of his Mercy took them out of this Vale of Misery and placed them in everlasting Happiness where now without doubt they remain in peace The Quantities of the Monies both Silver and Gold as they are severally mentioned in the Scriptures reduced to our Weights and English Valuations EVER since the time that Monies have been allowed as current in Exchange betwixt man and man which for that purpose as Aristotle saith was first ordained it hath passed according to the valuation of a certain Weight which for the most part is Universal according to the worth and estimation thereof in the several Countries where it is to be sold and exchanged or else by Coin which is current according to the valuation that is imposed upon it by the consent of a State or command of a Prince In both which there have been used sundry distinctions of greater and less valuations of Weights and Coin according to the necessity and estimation thereof in several Kingdoms and Governments As amongst the Iews they used Weights and no Coin and these distinguished in several sorts and as is thought separated with sundry Marks that they might be known each from other The Weights that they used were commonly three viz. the Centiner or Talent the Mina and the Sicle according to the Opinion of Iosephus Budaeus Hostius and many others Of a Sicle A Sicle was a kind of Weight current among the Iews containing precisely half an ounce of silver or Gold which that it might be distinguished had a particular Effigies or Superscription viz. upon one side was to be seen the measure wherein they kept Manna in the Sanctuary with this Superscription The Sicle of Israel and on the other the Rod of Aaron flourishing with this Inscription Holy Ierusalem which is ordinarily worth in English money 2 s. 6 d. and Gold 15s and more or less according to the pureness or baseness of either A Sicle was divided into these parts 1. Into a Drachma i. e. 7 d. ob whereof four make a Sicle Gen. 13. 15. Exod 21. 32 c. 2. Half Sicles mentioned Exod. 30. 13. 15. ca. 38. 26. which was the yearly Tax imposed upon every man toward the building of the Tabernacle i. 15 d. English 3. Quadrans Sicli or the fourth part of a Sicle which was also in use among the Iewes 1 Sam. 8. 9. which amounts to a Roman penny and in our money to 7 d. ob and by the Grecians were called Drachma 4. Gheras Exod. 30. 13. which was the twentieth part of a Sicle and was worth 1 d. ob Of Sicles there were three sorts 1. A common Sicle which weighed a quarter of an ounce and was worth 15 d. 2. The Kings Sicle which weighed three Drachma's that is in our money 22 d. ob 3. The Sicle of the Temple which weighed directly half an ounce and was worth 2 s. 6d Of a Mina A Mina was a pound weight among the Iews and were of two sorts one of Gold which weighed 100 Drachma's another of Silver weighing 240 Drachma's These were called the antient Weights but there was later which is said to contain 100 Denaria's or Attick Drachma's which seem to be so called because of the Traffick the Iews had with the Grecians among whom it was worth 100 Attick Drachma's i. 3. l. 2 s. 6. d. English Of Mina's there were three sorts as appeareth in Ezech. 45. 1. The common Mina or Pound weighing twenty five half Ounces or Sicles of the Temple amounted to sixty Drachma's i. 37 s. 6 d. 2. The King 's Mina or Pound weighing twenty half Ounces or Sicles of the Temple amounted to eighty Drachma's i. 50 s. 3. The Mina or Pound of the Temple or Sanctuary which weighed 25 half Ounces or Sicles maketh 100 Drachma's i. 3 l. 2 s. 5 d. Of a Talent THE Heâ—rew Talent ordinarily weigheth 125 Pounds which being divided amounteth to 3000 Sicles or half Ounces as it plainly appeareth Exod. 38. 25 26. where it is said that 600000
principally followed Budaeus to our Measures he is then to understand that there is another course to be taken namely by Weight four ordinary Spoonfuls of Water weigh an Ounce 12 Ounces of Troy weight make a pound 8 Pounds of Troy weight make a Gallon and 32 Gallons make a Barrel c. The same course may be taken in the account of Corn-measures there going eight Gallons after the same proportion to a Bushel So that what I have set down may be rectified by your own industry and made more capable to your understanding Examples collected out of Prophane Histories by which you may perceive the profit that may arise by the due use of this Treatise to all such as read the Grecian and Roman Histories IN the time of Claudius Emerour of Rome there was so great a Famin according to the Prophecie of Agabus Act 1. that a Modius that is a Peck wanting a Pint of Wheat was sold at six Drachma's which at 7 d. ob the Drachma comes to 3 s. 9 d. English This great Famin is specified by Suetonius and Dion where they say that but a little before the same measure of Wheat was worth but four Sestertia's which was 7 d. ob English Of Pythius King of Lydia Herodot 7. PYthius King of Lydia who entertained that mighty Emperour Xerxes and all his Army would have lent him three Millions of Talents of Silver towards the charge of his War which according to the Attick Talent that is 187 l. 10 s. the Talent amounts to 562 millions five hundred pounds And further he would add to it four millions of Daricons which at 15 s. the Daricon cometh to three millions of Pounds But Xerxes being greatly pleased with his Hospitality and Liberality that he might make evident his Noble Disposition refused his offer and gave him by way of Gratuity 7000 Darico's which was in our Money 5250 l. Of Croesus the mighty King of Lydia THIS King Croesus sent an Ambassador to Delphos to ask the Idol of Apollo if he should prosper in the Wars he took in hand against Cyrus King of Persia withall sending divers rich Presents and amongst the rest a Lion of Gold most cunningly wrought weighing 100 Talents every Talent weighing 4500 l. which in the whole amounted to 450000 l. Moreover two Cups wherof one was fine Gold cunningly wrought weighing eight Talents and a half which at 4500 l. the Talent cometh to 36000 pound the other Cup was made by that noble Workman Theodorus Sanius of pure Silver very curiously and artificially wrought containing forty Gallons but of what valuation it was is not set down For this great and rich present King Croesus received of the Devil a double and deceitful answer whereby he was not only provoked to make War against Cyrus but by that means lost his Kingdom and being taken Prisoner he was set upon a pile of wood to be burnt but crying with a loud voice O Solon Solon thereby shewing that wise Solon had foretold him That no man is to be accounted happy before his end King Cyrus granted him his Life This recompence did the Devil return to Croesus for so great a Present Such and many other the like Histories by this Book may be understood The first rule for Drachma's IF you have any number of Drachma's divide them by eight and the production will be English Crowns according to Budaeus 100 Drachma's make a Mina which is about 12 Crowns or 3 l. sterling The second rule of Mina's THE Mina multiplied by twelve the production is Crowns for twelve Crowns English is a Roman Mina or a Mina of the Temple 125 Mina's make a Talent so that multiply 125 by 12 and the production will be 1500 Crowns which maketh a Talent The third rule of Talents THE Talent multiplied by twelve the production is Crowns 〈◊〉 125 Mina's being multiplied by twelve makes 1500 Crowns English which is a Talent and 3000 Crowns is two Talents c. by which means you may reduce all Drachma's and other less Weights mentioned in the Scriptures to Mina's and Talents and these again into Crowns But concerning the distinction of Talents you may read before Notwithstanding observe this that if you chance to read of any Talent Mina or Sicle in the Scripture whereto there is not an addition of the Kings Talent or the Talent of the Temple as I have said you may then presume that it is the Common Talent And this shall suffice for the Weights Measures and Monies mentioned in the Scriptures A Catalogue of the principal Authors out of whom this fore-going Treatise of Weights and Measures c. was gathered AMbrosius Calapinus Aulus Gellius Cassarus Peucerus Athenaeus Flavius Ioseph Galenus Guilihelmus Budaeus Hesychius Saint Ierome Ioachim Camerarius Iohannes Avenarius Iohannes Fosterus Iulius Pollux Martin Luther Matthew Hostius Paulus Eberus Philip Melancthon Priscian Grammaticus Sebastian Munster Septuaginta Interpretes Suidas Volutius Metianus The due Proportion of Weights and Measures are also found in Myropolis ITINERARIVM Novi Testamenti Wherein is contained the Travels of the Virgin Mary and Joseph also of the Wise men of the East of our Saviour Jesus Christ and of his Apostles BUT since I have briefly related the Travels of the antient Patriarchs Judges Kings and Prophets which things I know cannot be unprofitable unto such as are judicious mentioned in the Old Testament that I might make a perfect end of what I have begun I will proceed and shew unto you the Travels of all the holy Men and Women mentioned in the New Testament where by due observation of this discourse you may well understand that as all the Nations of the World were derived from one man that is Adam so all the Righteous and such as are to be saved are derived from one man that is Christ Iesus For as by the first Adam Sin came into the World and by Sin Death and Damnation so by the second Adam that Sin is pardoned and Man made partaker of Eternal happiness And that these things might be the more apparent unto thee I have described the Towns Cities and Places mentioned in their several Travels both what they were in former times and what they are at this present that so by the due consideration of both thou might'st observe the mutation and change of Estates since through the revolution of Times those things which seem most permanent have within the compass of a few years been subverted and the ruines of those Cities which have been greatest left to make evident lamentable Examples of vast and unheard of destructions from whence such as have any small knowledge of the Spirit may draw such comfortable resolutions that neither Poverty can subvert them nor Riches and Honour exalt them but according to S. Iames ca. 1. they may possess themselves in peace since neither the Prosperity of the World is permanent nor the adversity thereof intolerable The knowledge of both which howsoever to some it may seem
ridiculous yet to such as are at all touched with the sense of Worldly Affairs it cannot chuse but take a deep impression and draw them thence to the knowledge of Christ Jesus and of his Doctrine To which end and for which purpose I have principally endeavoured to publish this Treatise that so comparing the Estate of man in this present World with the Estate of Grace in the World to come they might perceive the impotency of the one and the permanency of the other and from both draw immoveable Axioms that there can be no Salvation where there is no Humility nor no Prosperity where there is not a knowledge of Christ Jesus in his Humanity and thence gather that the afflictions of this World to which he is most subject through the whole course of his Life is the ready means to honour and immortal Glory But that these things may the better appear unto thee I will endeavour to lay before thee the Beginning and so far as the holy Scripture leads me the ending of our Saviour From whence thou may'st draw such comfortable Resolutions that in what Estate soever thou art whether in Prosperity or Adversity thou may'st therewith rest content c. Of Zacharias the Father of John Baptist. ZAcharias or Zachariah signifies Gods Remembrance This man was the Father of Iohn the Baptist being a Priest of the Tribe of Aaron and dwelling at a Town called Abia of which you may read 1 Chr. 24. There were three famous men of this name as Basilius saith One that was a Prophet of the Lord and lived 520 years before the birth of Christ Zach. 1. And another that was the Son of Iehoiada the high Priest who at the command of that ingrateful King Ioas was stoned to death in the upper Court of the Temple 2 Chr. 24. And a third which was this Zacharias the Father of Iohn Baptist and Son of Barachias that is the Blessed who according to the Opinion of Basil was slain for no other cause but for saying that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary This man had to wise Elizabeth of the Posterity of the High-Priest Aaron and by her had a Son called Iohn so named of the Lord who was afterward called Iohn the Baptist. Elizabeth signifies the rest of God being derived of Eli and Scabbath that is the Rest and Sabbath of the Lord. The Inhabitants of the holy Land take upon them even to this day to shew the House were Zacharias and Elizabeth dwelt in a Town that standeth on the right hand of the way as you go from Emmaus to Ierusalem But Saint Luke ca. 1. saith that Zacharias dwelt not in a Town or Field but in the City of Iudah which was scituated in the mountain of Iudah Risnerus and Iohannes Hedenus write that Zacharias dwelt in Ierusalem in the part of the City scituated upon Mount Bezetha as in the first Book of the description of Ierusalem hath bin declared And this seemeth to be verified out of Nehemiah cap. 3. Yet there are some of opinion that he dwelt at Hebron because that was the chief City of the Tribe of Iuda and a Town of the Priests The Travels of the Virgin Mary MARY if it be derived of Marah signifieth such a Person as is oppressed with carefulness and grief one that is laid open to all misery and calamity press'd with continual vexation and mourning She was born upon the eighth day of September 14 years before the birth of Christ and in the fifteenth of her age brought forth her only begotten Son according to S. Hierome and others Her Fathers name was Eliakim of the House of David Upon the five and twentieth day of March in the same year that our Saviour Christ was born Mary being then fourteen years old the Angel Gabriel declared unto her the Embassie of the Conception of our Lord Jesus Christ. A little after about the beginning of April An. M. 3967 she went from Nazareth in great haste over the Hills to Ierusalem sixty four miles to the House of Zacharias and there saluted her Cousin Elizabeth Luk. 1. From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was sixty four miles And when the command came out from Augustus that all the World should be taxed then Ioseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem seventy two miles and there the time of Marys deliverance drew neer and loe she bare the Son of the living God our Lord and Saviour Christ. Luke 2. From Bethlehem Ioseph and Mary brought the Child Jesus to Ierusalem and presented him in the Temple which was six miles Luke 2. And when they had accomplished all things according to the Law they returned back again to Nazareth a Town in Galilee sixty four miles From Nazareth they went back again to Bethlem seventy two miles Thither the wise men coming out of the East brought the Child Jesus Gold Frankincense and Myrrh Mat. 2. From Bethlehem the same night that Herod caused all the Infants of two years old and under to be slain Ioseph and Mary fled with the Child Jesus to Hermopolis a City in Egypt which was 296 miles Mat. 2. Zozom lib. 6. From thence they returned back again with the Child Jesus to Nazareth 368 miles for they were greatly afraid lest Archilaus who succeeded his father Herod in the Government of the Iews would seek the Childs life Mat. 2. From Nazareth Ioseph and Mary came every year to Ierusalem which was sixty four miles to the feast of the Passover and so many miles back again which for ten years coâ—tinuance came to 1280 miles When Christ was twelve years of age and at the beginning of the thirteenth he went with his Parents from Nazareth to the Feast of the Passover being sixty four miles Luke 2. And when the days of the Feast of the Passover were accomplished they returned home again But the Child Iesus stayed at Ierusalem and his Parents knew it not for they thought he had been among the company Wherefore when they had travelled a dayes Journey that is twenty miles they missed their Son After they search'd through the company but could not find him wherefore they returned back to Ierusalem being twenty miles where on the third day after they found him in the Temple sitting among the Doctors and disputing with them So the next three days he returned back again with his Parents to Nazareth being sixty four miles and was obedient to them Luke 2. After Ioseph and Mary went every year during the life of Ioseph up to Ierusalem to the Passover and without all doubt took Iesus along with them Thus they continued for the space of three years about which time Ioseph died Christ being then sixteen years of age which three years Travel from Nazareth to Ierusalem and back again cometh to 384 miles From that time forward he continued with his Mother till he was thirty one years of age which was the first year of his Ministry Mary his Mother being then
forty five years old was invited to a Marriage in Cana a City of Galilee which stood eight miles from Galilee towards the North-West Iohn 2. Here our Saviour Christ wrought his first miracle by changing water into wine From Cana in Galilee she went with our Saviour to Capernaum a City of Galilee a little before the Feast of the Paschal Lamb which was twenty miles From Capernaum she returned back to Nazareth which was accounted twelve miles In the thirty second year of the age of our Saviour Christ which was the second of his Ministry Mary went from Nazareth back again to Capernaum where our Saviour Christ cast forth a Devil Mat. 12. Mark 3. which was 12 miles From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was twelve miles for in this Town she dwelt whilst Iesus travelled from place to place teaching and preaching the Word of God Mark 6. And although she oftentimes went from Nazareth with him to many places continuing still in his company yet then especially when he was to sustain the wrath of God and punishment for the Sin of man which was in the thirty fourth year of his age In which year she would not forsake him till his death for she went from Galilee to Ierusalem with him which waâ— sixty four miles a great Journey for one of her age being then forty eighâ— years old And when our Saviour was crucified she stood close by the Cross with a heavy and pensive countenance bewailing the death of her Son Then was the Prophecy of old Simeon accomplished And a Sword shall pass through thy Soul But after by his Glorious Resurrection and Ascension she was revived and comforted From the Passion of Christ to the death of the blessed Virgin Mary was twelve years all which time she lived with Iohn the Evangelist in Ierusalem and then being fifty nine years of age dyed and was buried according to the opinion of Nicephorus and others in the Garden called Gethsamene So all her Travels were 3506 miles Now follows the description of the Towns and Places to which she travelled Of Nazareth THIS was a Town almost of no estimation scituated in a certain Mountain in Galilee the lower sixty four miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North in the Tribe of Zabulon In this Town our Saviour Jesus Christ was brought up Luke 1. 2. Some say that it was nineteen or twenty miles from Ierusalem but they mistake themselves yet I will not dispute thereof but follow my Authors Iacobus Ziglerus and Tilmanus Stella There is not any mention made of it that is extant in the Old Testament It hath a two-fold derivation the one by Zain and the other by Zade If it be written by Zain it may have a two-fold signification since the exposition of this name doth depend upon the Verb Nazar which signifies to consecrate and keep from hence Nezaer a Garland of Flowers or a Crown set with pretious Stones c. such as Kings and High-Priests are accustomed to wear Also from the same word Nazar is derived Nazir and thence Nazaraeus which is as much as to say He is separated from the use of Wine and suffering his Hair to be un-cut as being dedicated to the Lord. Therefore our Saviour Christ is justly called a Nazarite Luke 2. For â—aezer first signifies a holy man who hath made a holy Vow unto the Lord Secondly it doth denote a Crown or wreath of Sincerity Exod. 29. 39. Thirdly a holy Ointment wherewith Kings and Priests were anointed Levit. 27. And fourthly this word Nezaer signifies a Princely Crown 2 Sam. 1. 2. Kings 11. Psal. 89. 132. So that Nazareth being derived of Nazar and Nazir may signifie both a Crown and a holy City Iudg. 13. but if Nazareth be written by Zade it signifies a flourishing plant or Graff according to that of Isay c. 11. But there shall come a rod forth of the stock of Ishai and a Graff shall grow out of his root and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him The Inhabitants of this Town at this day shew certain Monuments and Reliques of what had happened in preceeding Ages as two Churches one built there where the Angel Gabriel saluted the Blessed Virgin and she conceived by the Spirit in which there stands three Altars hew'n out of a Rock and the other built as they say where the house of Ioseph and Mary stood because there our Saviour Christ was brought up Also they shew a Well where the Child Jesus drew Water and ministred to his Mother they also shew the vast Ruins of the Synagogue where our Saviour Christ expounded the sixty first Chapter of Isay for which cause they would have thrown him headlong down the Hill Luke 4. and many other things of which you may read in Borchardus the Monk In Saint Ierom's time some forty years before Christ Nazareth was a small Town called Nazarah Of the Mountains by which Mary passed when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth BEtween Nazareth and Ierusalem there standeth many high Hills as Mount Gilboa whereon King Saul killed himself Mount Gerisim and Hebal upon which Hills the Blessings and Cursings were pronounced Deut. 27. and Mount Ephraim upon which Ehud kill'd Eglon King of the Moabites Iudg. 13. Over this Mountain being very great and steep Mary travelled when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth Of Bethlehem THERE were two Cities called by this name the one Bethlem Iudah the other Bethlem Euphrata where our Saviour Christ was born and signifieth fruitful or the house of Bread It stood upon a Hill some six miles from Ierusalem towards the South The Inhabitants take upon them to shew the place where our Saviour Christ was born which stood upon the East side of the City close by the Wall thereof where as Eusebius saith Hellen the Mother of Constantine the Great caused to be built a fair and stately Church three hundred and twenty years afteâ— the Nativity of Christ. This Church was dedicated to St. Mary and remaineth to this day being had in great honour both amongst the Christians and the Turks and Saracens This Church is such a stately building that it is thought to exceed all the Churches of Christendom for Beauty and curious Workmanship It is two hundred twenty eight Foot long and eighty seven Foot wide being built all of Marble of divers colours and covered with Lead there are in it four rowes of Marble Pillars wonderful to look upon not only in regard of their number but of their greatness for there is fifty Pillars in every row The Body of this Church the Pillars from the bottom to the top the Walls and every part of it is beautified with lively Pictures adorned with divers Colours Silver Gold and curious Workmanship so as it is wonderful to behold The Pavement of it is of Marble polished and of divers colours so cunningly set in Works and with such variety that it is very delightful to such as look
miles and within a short time after that is upon the seventh day of October being then the Feast of Expiation our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was baptised when he was fully thirty Years of Age Luke 3. Matthew 3. Iohn 1. In the Year following which was the one and thirtieth Year of the Nativity of Christ a little before the Feast of Easter the Synedrion of Ierusalem sent Messengers unto Iohn he then remaining at Bethabara to know whether he was the Christ or Elias or some other Prophet Iohn 1. Upon the eighteenth day of September the same Year Iohn entred upon the second year of his Ministry about which time Caiphas began to enter upon the Office of the High Priest and the Sadducees and Pharisees to persecute Iohn Baptist. Wherefore he departed from Bethabara and went to Aenon a City in Galilee which was twenty four miles After that Iohn had preached publickly and freely by the space of a whole year and two months about the month of December and the end of the first year of the Ministry of our Saviour by the Commandment of Herod he was taken and led Prisoner from Aenon to the Tower of Macheruntes which was twenty eight miles where he remained untill his Death So all his Travels were eighty eight miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Adumim ADumim or Adummim as it is in Ioshua cap. 15. was a Tower twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the East scituated in the Wilderness that is between Ierusalem and Iericho so called because of the multitude of Robberies and Murthers that were done in that place for Dam signifieth Blood Here the poor man that Christ mentioned Luke 10. fell amongst Thieves and here Eliah continued when he was sed by the Raveâ—s and drank the Water of the River Cherith 1 King 17. which was a notable Type of Iohn the Baptist who lived in a Cave in this place This Cave stood close by the Garden of Engedi where in former times the Academy and School of the Prophets Eliah and Elisha was kept here the Esseis which was a Sect amongst the Iews also continued who led a Monastical kind of Life and gave themselves wholly to Prayers and good Works under whose Discipline and Instruction Iohn was brought up Mathesius wisely observes that of all other the Esseis would never oppose Christ but were a People that lived chastly and honestly according to the Custom of the Nazarites with all diligence reading the Scriptures and avoiding idleness as a great temptation of the Devil giving themselves principally to the Study of Physick After this sort was Iohn brought up Of Bethabara THIS was a Town scituated upon the East side of the River Iordan sixteen miles from Ierusalem towards the East where there was either a Bridge or a Ferry to pass over Iordan from whence this place was called Bethabara being derived of Baith a House and Abarah a Passage wherefore at a certain time there being assembled in this place a great Concourse and Congregation of People Iohn did first enter upon the Ministry of the New Testament and taught the People the Doctrine of Repentance and Baptism Here Elias the Thesbite who was a Type of Iohn the Baptist was taken up into Heaven in a fiery Chariot Here Iohn spake with the Messengers that came to inquire whether he was Christ or not to whom he answered That he was neither Elias nor a Prophet of the Old Testament but the Voice of a Cryer in the Wilderness Io. 4. Is. 40. And in the same place where the Priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant whilst Ioshua and the Children of Israel passed over Iordan Iohn baptized Christ the true Ark of the Covenant of the Throne of Grace Iosh. 3. 4. Mat. 4. Luke 3. Heb. 9. Of Aenon THIS Town stood upon the West-side of the River of Iordan 42 miles from Ierusalem Northward a little on this side of the Sea of Tiberias near the mouth of the River Iaboch where it falleth into Iordan in which place was great abundance of Waters Here also Iohn sometimes baptized Ioh. 3. it being two miles from Salem where Iacob in times past dwelt Gen. 33. Of the meeting together of the Waters this Town was called Aenon of Ain which signifies an Eye and a Fountain that springeth as it were from an Eye Of Macherus or Macharuntes MAcherus was a Town of Peraea beyond Iordan twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the East scituated in a high Mountain being derived of Macherah that is a Sword This was one of the chief Castles of Herod Antipas who obtained the chief Command in the City of Ierusalem Plin. lib. 5. c. 16. In this place Iohn Baptist was beheaded as Ioseph saith lib. Antiq. 80. c. 10. And although his Disciples buried his Body thereabouts yet long after the Christians removed his Bones and Relicks to Sebasten that is Samaria where they were the second time buried with great Honour and Reverence Afterward as Nicephorus and Theodorus saâ— his Bones were taken up again by Iulian the Apostate and burn'd There are many other things that are written concerning his Reliques which because of the uncertainty of them I omit to speak of and will proceed to a further Description of this City Alexander King of the Iews first built and fortified it and then making War against Aristobulus it hapned to be destroyed by Gabinus one of his Captains and so continued desolate till Herod's time who rebuilt the Town and the Castle and fortified it with strong Walls and high Towers even a hundred and sixty Cubits in height so that a man could scarce see to the top of it But that God might revenge the blood of his Saints at such time as Ierusalem and the Holy Land was left desolate Lucius Bassus a noble Roman came to this City and besieged it during which Siege Bassus took a certain young man which was a Prince of the Iews called Eleazer and caused a Cross to be set on purpose to have crucified him but they which were besieged in the Town seeing the pitiful Lamentations this young man made promised Bassus if he would spare his Life to yield up the Town which he did so the Castle being taken the Gates of the City were set open But the Romans fell to the Slaughter without Mercy and put to the Sword 1700 Persons besides there were a great multitude of Women and Children carried thence into Captivity as Iosephus lib. de Bello Iud. 7. cap. 25. affirmeth There were many goodly Wells and stately Buildings within this City there is cut out in the Castle a Rue Tree of an admirable greatness and in the Valley upon the North-side of the City the Root Baarus is found presenting both in Colour and Figure a Flame There are also found many hot Baths and Fountains of wholsome Waters but above the rest Iosephus maketh mention of one in a Cave where two Streams issueth as it were out of two Dugs the one hot
the Daughter of Iairus to life Mat. 9. Mark 2. Luke 5. and as he went thence he restored two men to their sight and cast out a Devil Mat. 9. About the end of the Month of Iuly our Saviour Christ went from Caesarea Philippi to Nazareth thirty six miles where because of the ingratitude and contempt of the Citizens he did no great Miracles Mark 6. Mat. 13. In the Month of August our Saviour Christ went from Nazareth toward Ierusalem to the Feast of Tabernacles and as he went he visited the Towns and Cities near adjoyning Now when he saw that they wanted Teachers it being at this time the second Harvest he said unto his Disciples Lo the Harvest is great but the Labourers are few c. and he sent his Disciples out into the Harvest Mat. 9. Luke 9. Of this second Harvest you may read Exod. 23. where God commanded the People that they should observe the Feast of the Tabernacles when in the end of the year they had gathered in all the Fruits of the Fields Also in Levit. 23. it is thus written From the fifteenth day of the seventeenth Month when you have gathered all the Fruits of your Land you shall celebrate unto the Lord your God seven days c. From Galilee our Saviour Christ came to Ierusalem sixty four miles where from the twentieth to the twenty seventh day of September he celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles according to the Law of God The rest of the Travels of our Saviour Christ and the Miracles that he wrought in this three last Months of this year viz. in October November and December for their great multitude cannot be described So the Travels of our Saviour Christ in the second year of his Ministry were 912 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Caesarea Philippi THIS City is scituated not far from the foot of the Mountain Antilibanus 104 miles from Ierusalem toward the North close by the two Wells of Iordan Ior and Dan. Upon the East side of this City these two Streams meet and make the River Iordan Philip the Tetrarch of Traconitis called this City after his own name Philippus and in honour of the Roman Caesars he added the name of Caesarea Tiberias at this time being Emperour of Rome In times past it was called Laisch or Lais which signifies a ravening or roaring Lion But the Tribe of Dan having conquered it and rebuilt it again they called it Dan and the Inhabitants of the Holy Land Laeâ—hem Dan as you may read in the Travels of the Danites But the Town as it is reported by such as have travelled into the Holy Land and by the Authority of Volateran notwithstanding these names is often called Belenas Here as Eusebius Zozomenes and Nicephorus say in their Ecclesiastical Histories the Woman that was diseased with the bloudy Issue was healed by touching the Hem of our Saviour's Garment which Woman in token of thankfulness for so great a benefit and in memory of so notable a Miracle erected in this City a little without the Gates of her House a stone Pillar on which she caused to be set the Image of Christ made of Brass and behind that stood the Image of this Woman who had been diseased twelve years with the bloudy Issue bowing her self at the feet of our Lord and touching the Hem of his Garment They also say there grew certain Herbs about this Pillar whereby Miracles were wrought thirty years after it was set up But Iulian the Apostate having intelligence of these things caused those Images to be broken down and erected his own in the same place But soon after there happened such an exceeding Thunder that fire falling from Heaven strook this Image thus set up by this cruel Tyrant upon the Breast and cast the Head and the Neck thereof with great violence upon the Earth These things happened in Caesarea Philippi Upon the Borders of Caesarea Philippi our Saviour Christ asked his Disciples saying Whom do men say that I am Mat. 6. Ioseph Aâ—t li. 20. cap. 6. saith Agrippa King of the Iews did much inlarge Caesarea Philippi in honour of Nero and called it after his name Neromia but it retained not that name long Of Peraea PEraea or Peraia was the utmost part of the Holy Land in which were the Tribes Gad and Reuben separated from the rest of Iudea by the River Iordan and under the Subjection and Government of Herod Antipas It was sixteen miles from Ierusalem Eastward so called of Peran which signifies beyond or upon the other side Plin. li. 4. ca. 1. In the Castle of Macharuntes standing in this Country Iohn Baptist was beheaded Of the Sea of Galilee THIS Sea lay forty four miles from Ierusalem Northward representing upon the Banks a Harp in figure whence it was called Kinnaereth that is the Sea of the Harp Num. 34. for Kinnor signifieth an Harp Toward the North it extendeth it self into some bredth but toward the South it drew into a streight Angle and was called the Sea of Galilee because it bordered upon Galilee It was also called the Lake of Genesareth because of the pleasantness and fruitfulness of the Soil lying upon the North side of it It is called Ioh. 6. the Sea of Tiberias from the City Tiberias that stood upon the shore of it It was but four miles and a little more broad but in length from the North to the South twelve miles Upon the East side it had the Town Chorazin and upon the West Capernaum and as Iosephus saith the Water of this Sea was very sweet and pleasant from whence it came to pass that Fishes did greatly abound in it and there were many Fishers that lived thereabouts only by fishing in that Sea There were many other Cities besides those two before mentioned that stood upon this Sea as Bethsaida Migdala Tiberias and Trichaea these stood upon the West Upon the East stood Iulia and Cadara Of the holy Mountain near Capernaum in Galilee ABout a mile from Capernaum toward the South-west is to be seen an exceeding high Hill standing upon the shore of the Sea of Galilee beautified with many Herbs and Flowers of divers kinds being very fruitful and pleasant extending it self in length almost two Bows shoot and in breadth one From this Hill one might have seen the whole Sea of Galilee the Countries of Iâ—ura and Trachonitis even to Mount Libanus also the Mountains Sanir and Hermon and a great part of the upper and lower Galilee Here also the Inhabitants of the Holy Land shew a certain Stone on which they say our Saviour Christ did usually sit when he preached to the People which Stone the Christians call the Table here was that Sermon made of the eight Beatitudes Mat. 5. 6 7. Luke 6. Here were the twelve Apostles chosen Luke 6. Mar. 3. And our Saviour Christ descending from this Mountain in the Suburbs of the City of Capernaum healed a Man that was infected with the
Leprosie About thirty Paces from the foot of this Hill there ariseth a Fountain which is compassed about with a Wall and is thought to be a Vein of Nilus because they find in it such kind of fishes the like wherof are not to be found in any other place but Nilus Iosephus calleth this Spring Capernaum and likewise all the plain being very pleasant and fruitful for the space of a mile even unto Iordan after the same name because it is subiect to the Jurisdiction of that City About 20 paces from this wall on the shore of the Sea of Galilee there is shewn a place where they say Christ appeared to his seven Disciples after his Resurrection and asked them whether they had any meat And about ten paces from that is shewn a place where they say our Saviours Disciples came to Land and they drew up in their nets a great draught of fishes c. John 21. Of Naim NAim signifies fruitful and pleasant it stood 48 miles from Jerusalem towards the North and typically representeth the condition of the World For the Children of this World live in all manner of Pleasures and Delights never thinking of any sorrow till Death seiseth on them but then that overturns all and those delights become loathsome unto them Notwithstanding this one comfort we have left us Hope in Christ Jesus who as he raised the Widows Son at the gates of this City from Death to Life will by his mighty Power raise us again at the last day from the Bowels of the Earth and make us partakers with him of an heavenly habitation It stood in the Land of Samaria and in the tribe of Issachar about two miles off it upon the East side stood mount Tabor and a little from it upon the South side stood mount Hermon the lesser and extended it self thence unto the Sea of Galilee 16 miles Of these two Hills you may read Psal. 89. and about two miles from Naim Westward Sunem is to be seen to which the Prophet Elisaeus sometimes resorted 2 Reg. 4. Of Gadara GAdarah or Gederah in Hebrew signifies munition and sometimes it is taken to compass about of Gadar he hath hedged or compassed about S. Jerom saith in his time that is 400 years after Christ this was a very fair City and stood in a very high Mountain upon the East side of the Sea of Galilee beyond Jordan in the half tribe of Manasses some 48 miles from Ierusalem Northward and is to be seen at this day Strabo lib. 6. Georg. saith that close by Gadara there is a venomous lake whereof what Beast soever drinketh he immediately loseth his Horns his Hoofs and his Hair and there are many that think this Lake became thus venomous because of the 2000 Swine that were drowned in it when our Saviour suffered the Devils to enter into them Mat 8. Mark 5. Luke 8. Close by this Town stood Gerasa called also Girgesa Mat. 8. so named as some think of Girgasus the Son of Canaan Gen. 10. Of Genesareth THIS was a Country bordering upon the North-west side of the Sea of Galilee from whence this Sea was called the Lake of Genesareth Luke 5. This Land was very pleasant and fruitful as if it had been a Princes Garden bringing forth fair Apples Pomegranates Palmes Olives Vines and divers other kinds of pleasant Fruits fair and goodly to the eye and therefore not without cause was it called the Garden of a Prince being derived of Gan which signifies a Garden and Sur a Prince It is distant from Ierusalem six and fifty miles towards the North as you may read Matth. 6. 14. The chief Cities of this Country were Capernaum and Bethsaida of which Cities though in former times they were very fair and large there are at this day not scarce eight houses to be seen The Travels of our Saviour Christ in the third year of his Ministry which was the three and thirtieth year of his age FROM Ierusalem our Saviour Christ returned some six and fifty miles into Galilee and in the beginning of this year wintered in that place so that as it may be gathered out of the Evangelists he continued there the most part of Ianuary and February and now the Spring approching a little after the death of Saint Iohn the Baptist who as it is thought was put to death between the midst of Winter and the Spring not long before the Feast of the Passover so that he lived two years and a half in his Ministry he wrought many notable Miracles not far from the City of Bethsaida The same time the Feast of the Passover drawing near which was the third Passover of his ministry he went thence over Iordan and so beyond the Sea of Tiberias Matth. 14. Mark 6. Luke 9. At this time the Apostles of Christ being dispersed through all Galilee and Iudaea teaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven hearing of the miserable death of Iohn the Baptist about the beginning of the month of April returned with all possible speed out of every Part to our Saviour Christ that so they might be secure against the tyranny of Herod Matth. 14. Mark 6. Luke 9. Also the Disciples of Iohn came unto him and told him of his Death and Burial Matth. 14. Our Saviour Christ therefore having by this means certain intelligence as he was between Bethsaida and Tiberias of the death of S. Iohn Baptist in the month of April he went into a Ship and passed about four miles to the further side of the Sea of Galilee where in a certain Desart he sed five thousand men with five Barley loaves and two fishes Ioh. 6. From thence he returned back again to the Sea and so to Capernaum which was four miles here he made that long Sermon of the Spiritual eating of his flesh Mat. 14. Luke 9. Iohn 6. From thence he went to Ierusalem which was 56 miles to the Feast of the Passeover being the third Passeover of his ministry The third Passover of the Ministry of Christ. Upon the thirteenth day of April being Sunday according to the Ecclesiastical computation Christ as God commanded celebrated the third Passover of his ministry for the space of eight days in the City of Ierusalem that is till the twentieth day of the same month After the Feast of the Passeover the Iews took counsel how they might put him to death Ioh. 7. wherefore about the end of April he departed thence and went 56 miles into the Land of Galilee In the month of May after the controversie that happened concerning the Tradition of the Elders because of the fallacies and contentions of the Scribes and Pharisees he departed thence into the borders of Tyrus and Sidon which was 56 miles Matth. 15. and there entred into a house and would fain have been private but there was a certain Woman that was a Grecian of Syrophoenissa came unto him and intreated his aid Mark 7. But our Saviour having a determination to depart from this
And do ye proud Citizens put such trust in the strength and scituation of your City that you think I am not able to come to it with my Army by Land You shall well perceive within this short space that you are scituated upon the Continent and that I will enter it and sack it With these terrible words the Ambassadors departed and shortly after Alexander followed them with a great and mighty Army But when it was known that Alexander had undertaken the sacking of this City there were many that thought it almost impossible for him to accomplish his designs first because of the inconstancy of the Winds and the vehemency of the Water whereby all such matter as they cast into the Sea to joyn it to the Continent would be driven away by the violence of the Water again the City was compassed about with such exceeding high Walls and fortified with such strong Towers that it was not possible for him to bring any Engines to batter them or fasten any scaling Ladders to ascend them unless it were by Ships Twice Alexander attempted by flinging into the Sea mighty Trees of Libanus and heaps of the ruins of ancient Tyre to have made a Bridge to it or else joyn it to the Continent insomuch as the Tyrians mocked the Macedonians saying What can your King Alexander conquer Neptune the God of the Sea For the violence of the Sea was so extream that it carried away all things with it and oftentimes broke the Ships that were joyned together to make a Bridge and drowned the Souldiers that besieged and fought against the City During this Siege a Citizen of Myrus dreamt that their Idol Apollo would depart from them whereupon they bound the Image of Apollo with a Chain of Gold unto the Pillar whereon he stood that he might not leave them There happened also a horrible ostent amongst the Macedonians for a certain Souldier breaking Bread there fell from it some few drops of Bloud at the hearing of which accident Alexander was greatly amazed until he was resolved by one Aristander a very skilful Prophet that if it issued from off the outside of the Bread it had betokened a heavy event to the Macedonians but in regard that it issued from the inside of the Bread it foreshewed that he should forthwith conquer the Town he had so long besieged and so it happened for when Alexander had besieged the City for the space of seven months with great difficulty he won it but before he could win it he was constrained to use a great multitude of Ships and fasten them together with iron bands upon which placing many Engines of battery and other offensive instruments what with the moving of the Ships and the extream Violence of the battery they overcame the City This exploit Alexander performed when he was 25 years of age and about 300 years before Christ. There was one thing that Alexander did during his Siege that was memorable for before any of his Souldiers would attempt to ascend the Walls he went in Person with his Crown upon his head and Princely Armour and scaled a high Tower of the City where he exprest an extraordinary resolution and by reason of his courage did great hurt to the Enemy who perceiving him to be the King resorted to that place in great heaps and shot at him with all their might but he manfully defended himself and compelled the enemy to fly In this assault there were 6000 of the Inhabitants slain and after he had entred the Walls and sackt the City he caused 2000 to be tyed to crosses and thrown into the Sea From whence may be gathered that God by this young Prince did accomplish this great Work that the Prophecies of the Prophets Esay 23. Ieremy 43. and Ezekiel 25 26. might be fulfilled Afterward Alexander as Pliny and Strabo observe caused the Sea to be filled up that it might be no more an Island and joyned it to the Continent upon which place he caused Tyrus to be rebuilded and compassed it about with a Wall five and twenty foot thick strengthened with twelve Towers that it might be sufficiently fortified to oppose the incursion of any Enemy so that it continued safe a long time after and in the time of our Saviour Christ was a fair City though it never attained to the former dignity and Power that it had before Alexander conquered it The ancient City of Tyre was distant from this City about four miles towards the South Our Saviour Christ being in the borders of Tyrus and Sidon helpt a Woman of Canaan whose Daughter had been cruelly tormented with a Devil Matt. 15. In the time of Dioclesian the Emperour there were many Martyrs put to death in this City And at this time it is called by the name of El porta del Zur that is the Haven of Zur as it was in the old Testament called by the name of Zor In the year 1100. when the holy Land was in the hands of the Christians there was an Archbishop of Tyre under whose Government were the Bishops of Ptolomais Sidon and Beryti c. The holy man Origen lieth buried in this City in the Church of the holy Sepulchre which is compassed about and fortified with a mighty strong Wall There also lies buried the Emperour Frederick Barbarosso who died Anno 1160 after he had done many valiant acts and sought many great Battels for the Christians against the Turks and Saracens being overcome by Saphadinus the Sultans Son and put to flight was drowned in the River of Suro to the great grief of his Army but he left behind him a famous report Pope Alexander the third being a great Enemy to this Emperour in S. Marys Church in the City of Venice when this Prince submitted himself to his Holiness set his Foot upon his neck repeating these Words Thou shalt tread upon the Aspe and upon the Basilisk c. Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History saith that there are yet standing in Tyre certain Marble Pillars and other precious Stones of wonderful greatness that it amazeth such as behold them neer to which there have been many Christians and Pilgrims put to death by the Saracens There are also four Wells of wholsome and pleasant Water standing not far from it Of which Wells you may read before Of Zidon THIS also was a City of Phoenicia scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea thirty six miles from Ierusalem towaâ—d the North and sixteen from Tyrus In times past it was assigned to the Tribe of Ashur and lay upon the borders of the Philistines neer to Mount Libanus Being called Sidon or Zidon of Zidon the Son of Canaan who first built it Gen. 10. and signifies a Hunter It was a notable Mart Town wherein much Sattin was made which kind of stuff was very precious among the Iewes and it is said that Ioseph of Arimathia wrapped the Body of our Saviour in white Satin for in Matthew 27. it is called
Zadin which in English is Sattin And as at this day the finest Glass is made at Venice so the finest Glass in those times was made at Sarepta a City that belonged to the Sidonians about which there stood many Mines of which it is called Sarepta as you may read before This Town in times past was one of the chief Cities of Phoenicia but because of the extraordinary Pride of the Citizens God afflicted them with divers punishments and brought in Ocho King of the Persians who besieged it and by Treason won it and burnt it to the ground as Diodorus Siculus lib. 16. saith The Citizens whereof were driven to such streights by the Enemy that there perished in the fire above forty thousand men Within a while after Darius the last Emperour of the Persians rebuilt it but made it nothing so beautiful neither fortified it in like manner as it was before he ordained one Strato to be King thereof a man proud and arrogant After about three hundred and two years before the Nativity of Christ Alexander being then but twenty four years of age having overcome Darius that mighty Emperour of the Persians at Issa a City of Cilicia in a cruel and sharp War he sent Hephestion one of his Princes to the Sidonians with authority to depose Strato and to let the Citizens understand that they should chuse him for their King whom they thought most worthy of that honour as Quintus Curtius sheweth lib. 4. At this time there was a certain young man among the followers of Hephestion in whose behalf he moved the Citizens that he might be their King but they refused saying it was not their custom to chuse any to rule over them but such as were of the King's stock and Progeny Hephestion hearing this answer greatly admired their resolution and modesty especially when they refused to accept him for their King whom others had sought to obtain with Fire and Sword saying truly there is more required to rule and govern a Kingdom than to get it but yet name one unto me of Royal descent whom you would willingly receive to be your King So they named unto him one Abdolomius who had been known to have been of the Kings stock by many descents but because of his Poverty he was constrained to dwell in the Suburbs of the City in a Cottage and had little else but a Garden to live upon This man howsoever poor and because of that of many contemned yet he was known to be honest and of an upright life following with all diligence his Vocation without any regard of other business insomuch as he was utterly ignorant of all these stirs and combustions which had so lately vexed Asia As he was now in his Garden digging and labouring purging it of Weeds and planting of Herbs Hephestion with the rest of the Citizens went unto him and brought him the Robes and Habiliments of a King The poor Gardner stood amazed to see such a Company of Gallants come unto him but Hephestion told him that the occasion of their coming was to make aâ— exchange with him of those Royal Ornaments which he had in his hand for those poor and foul Garments which he wore therefore go and wash thy self and return So he did where immediately they put upon him those Royal Robes and saluted him as their Sovereign After these things were finished quoth Hephestion Now remember in what a state thou art no more Gardener but a King and therefore take unto thee the mind and resolution of a King that so thou mayest rule and govern this City as a man worthy of that honour and remember that although the Lives and Goods of thy Subjects are at thy command yet by them thou wast chosen neither be forgetful of him that was the Author of thine Honour No sooner was he enthronized in his Kingdom but Fame who is more speedy than a thousand Posts had dispersed this News through all the neighbouring Cities some being thereby moved to admiration and quickned in their Studies others stirred up to Indignation and Envy Those that were mighty and Friends to Alexander contemned and despised his Humility and Poverty and no sooner were they come into his presence but they began to accuse him for his Ignorance wherefore Alexander commanded that he should come before him where after he had well viewed the Lineaments and Proportion of his Person and could not perceive it any whit repugnant to the fame of his Birth he demanded of him how it was possible that he should endure his Poverty with Patience To which he answered I pray the Gods I may continue the Government of this Kingdom with the like mind for these hands were sufficient for me to live by and as I had nothing so I wanted nothing At which answer Alexander was so well pleased that he not only gave him all the Princely Jewels and Ornaments of the first King called Strato but also a great part of the Booty which he took from the Emperour of Persia and added to his command all the neighbouring Countries round about This History I have inserted that thereby we might perceive the mighty power of God in all his works that can exalt the poor contented with his estate out of the very dust and can pull the mighty from their Thrones So the evil cark and care in this World to gather riches for the Vertuous to inherit But to return to Sidon This City did so much increase and grew so famous in succeeding Ages that it was the chief Town Tyrus only excepted in all Phoenicia joyning upon the West to the Mediterranean Sea extending it self towards the North and South lying in a Plain under Antilibanus which Mountain lay some two miles off it upon the East It oftentimes because of the Pride of the Inhabitants felt the wrath and punishing hand of God as well by the Invasion of Enemies as sickness and dearth according to the Predictions of the Prophets Esay 28. and Ezek. 28. untill at last in succeeding ages it was utterly destroyed the Ruins of which City remain to this day and make evident that it was a fair and spatious Town There is to be seen yet to this day a City built out of the Ruins of the former though nothing so large as it very strong and mightily fortified so that it seemeth almost invincible if it have men wherewith to defend it Upon the one side it joyneth to the Sea and upon the other side of it there standeth two mighty strong Castles one of them scituated toward the North upon a very strong Rock as it were in the heart of the Sea the which was built by certain Pilgrims that came out of Germany to visit the holy City of Ierusalem The other of them was scituated upon a Hill toward the South of the City as well fortified and no less difficult to be conquered These two Castles with the whole City in times past were in the hands of the Knights Templers
Upon the 40 day after his Resurrection he returned fifty six miles to Ierusalem where his Disciples were assembled together and upon the fourteenth day of May in the sight of all the Apostles with great triumph and joy he ascended up into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of his Father in Divine Majesty and Glory Mar. Luke ult Act. 1. Psal. 28. Ephes. 1. 1. Pet. 3. Heb. 1. So these Travels of our Saviour Christ were 319 miles But if you reckon his Travels from the time of his infancy to the day of his Ascension they make 3093 miles besides his general Visitations and Journeys hither and thither which were so many that as Iohn witnesseth cap. vlt. they could not be described Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Jericho THIS City stood very pleasantly in the Tribe of Benjamin ten miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Ioshuah overcame this Town by sounding of Trumpets Ios. 6. Heb. 11. It was rebuilt by Hiel and was compassed about with a new wall by Herod that mighty King of the Iewes who put the Innocent Children to death and called it after his Mothers Name Cyprus Ios. de Bell. Iud. lib. 1. cap. 16. And although this City was taken and utterly overthrown the second time by the Romans at such time as Vespasian and his Son Titus wasted and destroyed Ierusalem and all the Land of Iudaea yet afterward it was re-edified and in St. Ieroms time which was 400 years after Christ it was a fair City There was shewn the House of Zaccheus and the Sycomore-tree that he went up to see Christ Luk. 19. But by reason of the often destructions and devastations that hath fallen upon it there is not to be seen at this day above eight Houses in the Town and all the Monuments and Reliques of the holy Places are utterly destroyed the House of Zaccheus and the Sicomore-tree are no more to be seen in that Place only the Place is to be seen where our Saviour restored the blind man to sight when he cryed after him Lord thou Son of David have mercy upon me Luke chap. 18. Also though the Country throughout be very fruitful and pleasant yet it is nothing so fertile and pleasant as it was when the Children of Israel did dwell there For the Roses of Iericho are no more to be found there but rather in a Village about sixteen miles from Iordan towards the East And although they stand so far distant off yet they retain their ancient name Between Ierusalem and Iericho there is a Desart or Wilderness which by the Inhabitants of the holy Land is called Quarentena where the man of which Christ speaketh fell among Thieves Luke 10. There is in the same place at this day great thieving and many Robberies committed as Brittenbacchus saith In this Place also is to be seen the River Chereth where the Ravens fed Eliah 1 Reg. 17. Near to Iericho also is found the River the Water whereof Elizeus made sweet by casting in Salt whereas before it was bitter and it remains very pleasant and sweet to this day 2 Reg. 2. Of Ephraim THIS City is so called from the pleasantness and fruitfulness of the Soil being derived from Parah to fructifie It lieth 8 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward just in the way as you go from thence to Iericho in the Wilderness of Quarentena close by the River Chereth in the Tribe of Benjamin Here our Saviour Christ after he had raised Lazarus from Death to Life hid himself with his Disciples because the Iewes sought to take away his Life by deceit The Passover following he was made a sacrifice for the Sin of man Ioh. 11. Of Bethania THIS City was a type of the Church which is always subject to the Cross and exposed to every calamity and therefore is called Bethania that is The House of Sorrow and Affliction being derived of Baith a House and Oni Affliction According to the prophecy of our Saviour who foretold of the Afflictions and Tribulations that should fall upon his Church You shall mourn but you shall be comforted and your grief shall be turned into joy It was distant from Ierusalem almost two miles towards the South-East Borchardus the Monk observeth that close by a Well about a stones cast out of this Town there is shewed the place where Martha met our Saviour Christ when he came to Bethania and a little after called her Sister to meet him Ioh. cap. 11. There is also shewn in this Town the House of Simon the Leper where a certain Woman having an Alablaster box of precious Ointment poured it on our Saviours head not without the great indignation of his Disciples Mat. 26. There is also to be seen the house of Martha to which our Saviour did oftentimes resort Luke 10. Iohn 11. and 12. and in that place there is at this day a Church built in honour of those two Sisters which were the Sisters of Lazarus There is also seen the Sepulchre out of which Lazarus was raised from death to life Iohn 11. which stands close by the said Church and over it is built a Chappel of Marble very decent and comely The Saracens hold this Chappel in great estimation You cannot see the City of Ierusalem from Bethania because of the Mount of Olives but as soon as you ascend a little Hill in the way as you go thence to Ierusalem you may discern Mount Sion and a part of the City then when you are descended from that Hill the City is again hidden After that upon the left side of the Mount of Olives some stones cast from Bethpage you do leave a small Village standing under the Mountain of Offence where Solomon in times past committed Idolatry From this Village the Ass and the Colt was brought unto Christ. Not far from thence upon the South side as you go upon the Mount of Olives you come unto the place where Christ mounted upon the Ass as we read Mat. 21. And a little after you may see the whole City of Ierusalem with Solomon's Temple and the Church of the holy Sepulchre with many other holy places Then as you descend from the top of the Mount of Olives you may see the place where the multitude cried Hosanna Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord. And in this descent also our Saviour Christ wept over Ierusalem saying O Ierusalem Ierusalem how often would I have gathered thee under my Wings as a Hen gathereth her Chickens but thou wouldest not Of Bethpage BEthpage standeth upon the right hand of the way towards the East as you go from Bethania to Ierusalem and as St. Ierom saith was sometimes a Habitation of the Priests which at their appointed times went up to Ierusalem to minister to the Lord. It was so called because of the multitude of Figs that grow there for Pagim signifies a Fig Cant. 2. Bethpage is a notable type of the Church for that ought likewise to be fruitful and
In this Monument our Saviour Christ was buried and from this Place upon the third Day early in the Morning he rose to the terrour and astonishment of such as watched the Sepulchre From whence may be gathered that as our first Parents Adam and Eve trespassed against God and lost Felicity in a Garden so Christ the Son of God in a Garden made satisfaction for that Sin restored us again to Grace and make us capable of heavenly felicity This Sepulchre as it is described by S. Iohn when he went with S. Peter to see if that notable Miracle of the Resurrection were true was like a little Chappel the door thereof being upon the outside and was but one Room without any division so that a Man might see all that was within it for he saith Joh. 20. That he did not go in but look'd in and saw the linnen Cloaths where they lay wrapped up from whence may be concluded that that Sepulchre which is now extant howsoever perhaps it may stand in the same place is not the same Sepulchre wherein our Saviour Christ was buried for it is described to be four square to be open at the top to have within it two Vaults an inward and an outward and that you descend to it by Stairs as you may read at the beginning of this Treatise which description doth not agree with that of St. John's Again St. John saith that they rolled a great Stone to the door of the Sepulchre did not lay it upon the top of it Also Eusebius and Nicephorus affirm that the Pagans and other heathen People filled up the Sepulchre of Christ with Earth and built up in the place the Temple of Venus and in it put her Image where she was worshipped a long time after untill such time as that godly Emperess Hellen caused that Temple to be abolished and the Sepulchre cleansed and purified Afterwards at her instigation Constantine the Great who was her Son built up in the very same place a fair and goodly Church in the memory of our Saviour and bestowed great cost both in the workmanship and in beautifying it with Gold and Silver This Temple as it was before it was destroyed by the Saracens is said to be built all of white polished Marble and beautified with Stones of divers colours gilt with Gold and Silver covered on the out side with Lead to withstand the storms and showers of Rain that happened but the inside was gilt all with splendent and refulgent Gold which cast a wonderful lustre upon the Beholders Upon either side of it were two walking Galleries one above which was close and another below which was open extending themselves the length of the Sanctuary all the Roof and Vault being covered over with Gold and artificial Work the one being supported with Pillars of Marble the other with Posts of Wood plaited with Silver There were also three Gates towards the East very fitly and fairly disposed by which the multitude that resorted thither go in and out within these there stood an Arch representing after a sort the Hemisphere of the Heavens extended to the top of the Sanctuary like a Circle girded about with twelve Pillars of equal bigness representing the twelve Apostles and upon the top of this Arch were placed Cups of Silver beautifully burnished All which the said Emperour dedicated to God for a Monument There were many other memorable things that did belong to this Temple which were admirable to look on all which as you came up the high-street from the market place were presented to your view a stately sight the like whereof those parts did not afford This Temple was built by the Emperour Constantine Anno Dom. 333. Venerable Bede who was a Dr. of Divinity and lived in England 700 years after Christ described the holy Sepulchre after this manner This Sepulchre over head was something round and so high that a man could scarce touch it with his hand standing in that Rock which extendeth it self to Mount Calvary into the Garden of Joseph of Arimathea representing in form a little Chappel the entrance thereinto was towards the East And further he addeth that they which went into this Vail found on the right hand toward the North a stone Tomb which resembled a Coffin scituated in the pavement joyning to the Wall which stone Coffin was of a mix'd colour that is white and red being seven Foot long and three handfuls high This description Venerable Bede received from certain Monks that went upon devotion to Ierusalem to visit this Sepulchre but since it hath been divers times destroyed and polluted by the Turks and other Heathen People From whence may be gathered that the Sepulchre which is now standing and shewed unto Pilgrims is some device of the Monks to get Money of Strangers and procure a kind of Devotion in the hearts of Ignorant People wherefore as the Angel said Mark 16. Let us not seek Christ any longer among the dead or in the Grave but in his holy Church where the lively pourtraiture of his Divine Presence is set forth unto us that so we may be made partakers with him hereafter in that place of eternal Glory Concerning the residue of this description you may see it before Of Emmaus THIS City or Castle of Emmaus is distant from Jerusalem almost eight miles towards the North-West It signifies the Mother of Fortitude being derived of Em a Mother and Vtz which the Hebrews call Fortitude It stood where three several ways were that so it might serve for a direction to Passengers From whence Melancton saith that it was a notable type of the Church which is our true Mother shewing us the way unto eternal Life And although it be but little and the number in it few yet it is strong As the Castle though it were small yet it is almost invincible and for that cause called The Mother of Strength as the Church is called The Mother of the Righteous against which the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevail In the time of Iudas Macchabeâ—s though it was then a small City it was numbred amongst the greatest Cities of Iuda because of the scituation and strength of it To this place our Saviour travelled from Ierusalem the same day that he arose from the Dead Luke 24. In the time of the Romans Wars in Iudaea this City was wonderfully defaced and ruined by the Souldiers of Tiberius Maximus who was Chief Captain in this Country in the absence of Titus Vespâ—sian but yet not utterly abolished for about a hundred and fifty years after Heliogabolus Emperour of Rome caused it to be rebuilded and called by the name of Nicopolis that is The City of Victory Not far from Emmaus there was an Inn or a place to which Strangers might resort and there three ways met two went of either side the Town and one through it in this place the two Disciples constrained our blessed Saviour to stay with them because it was then about
Kingdom according to that of Iohannes Taulerus Where the Cross there the Light where Temptation there Prayer and Regeneration c. The Travels of Peter IN the thirty fifth year after the Nativity of Christ about the Month of Ianuary and a little before the Conversion of the Apostle Paul Peter and Iohn were sent from Ierusalem to Samaria being thirty two miles that the Samaritans might receive that admirable gift of the Holy Ghost and there they disputed with Simon Magus Acts 8. From Samaria they returned back again to Ierusalem which was thirty two miles In this Jonrney they went to divers Towns of the Samaritans teaching and preaching unto them the Doctrine of the Gospel Acts 8. In the sixth year after the Resurrection of Christ Peter went to Lidda which was distant from Ierusalem twenty miles towards the North-East where he cured Aeneas who had lain sick eight years of the Palsie upon his Bed Acts. 9. From thence he went to Ioppa which was three miles here he raised Tabitha from Death Acts 9. In the seventh year after the Resurrection of Christ Peter went from Ioppa and came to Caesarea Strato which was six and thirty miles where he preached the Gospel to Cornelius the Centurion and baptized him and his whole Family Acts. 10. Clemens Recogn lib. 9. From Caesarea he returned to Ierusalem being thirty two miles where being accused for going to the Gentiles he excused himself Acts 11. In the eleventh year after the Resurrection of Christ he was cast into Prison and set at liberty by an Angel of God Acts 12. So he went secretly from Ierusalem as it was thought into the Desart or to some other unknown place upon the second day of August in the same year Herod Agrippa King of the Iews was struck by an Angel of God at Caesarea and he was devoured of Worms Acts 12. Ioseph Antiq. lib. 19. cap. 4. After Herod Agrippa being dead and buried Peter returned to Ierusalem where he was in Council with the rest of the Apostles about sixteen years after the Resurrection of Christ and fourteen after the Conversion of Paul Gal. 2. Acts 15. See also Bede upon the Acts of the Apostles In the seventeenth year after the Resurrection of Christ Peter went from Ierusalem and came to Antiochia in Syria which Journey was 280 miles there Paul resisted him Gal. 2. From Antiochia he went to Babylon in Egypt where he wrote his first Epistle this Journey was 520 miles So all his Travels which are mentioned in the Scripture were 955 miles Allegations of the Author to prove that Peter was never at Rome BUT that Peter was twenty five years seven Months and five days Bishop and Chief Priest of Rome cannot be proved by the testimony of the Scripture and is utterly repugnant to the supputation and true accompt of the times First Because it is manifest by that which hath been said that he continued at Ierusalem and in Iudaea during the time that Tiberius Caligula and Claudius were Emperours of Rome And shortly after the Martyrdom of Stephen he and Iohn were sent into Samaria that the Samaritans might also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Acts 8. Paul also in the third year after his Conversion came to Ierusalem and there spoke with Peter and remained with him fifteen days Acts 9. Gal. 1. Fourteen days after the Conversion of Paul Peter was at the Apostolical Council held in Ierusalem and there with Iames and Iohn gave the right hand of Fellowship to Paul and Barnabas that they should go and preach the Gospel unto the Gentiles and that he and the rest would go to the Iews and those that were circumcised Gal. 2. In the time of Claudius Caesar Peter was committed to Prison by Herod Agriâ—pa in Ierusalem and miraculously delivered by the Angel of God Acts 10. In the ninth year of Claudius Caesar Peter was at Antiochia in Syria where Paul resisted him to his face Gal. 2. All these things manifestly prove that the Apostle Peter was not at Rome at such time as any of these three viz. Tiberius Caligula and Claudius were Emperours but either in Ierusalem or else at Antiochia in Syria Secondly it may exactly be made evident out of the holy Scriptures that Peter was not at Rome in the time of Nero. For in the second year of Nero Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans and sent it from Corinth by the hand of Phebe in which Epistle he saluted all his Friends which he had in that City by name as by the conclusion of the Epistle more plainly appeareth but there is no mention of the Apostle Peter who if at that time Bishop of that place surely should not have been omited Also in the fifth year of Nero Paul being then in Prison at Rome wrote his Epistles to the Galatians Ephesians Philipâ—ians Colossians and to Philemon and in the conclusion of these Epistles he expresly nameth all his Friends that he had in Rome yet makes no mention of Peter And when he was the second time in Prison under Nero in the last year of the Reign of this Emperour he wrote from Rome his second Epistle to Timothy being a little before his death at the end of which Epistle he plainly shews that he had no Companion there but Luke 2 Tim. 4. From whence it is manifest that Peter during all the Pilgrimage and Life of Paul was never at Rome how then can it possibly be that Peter should be Bishop of Rome for the space of almost twenty six years Truly there are many learned men and they also of great Judgment which hold this Opinion false and utterly repugnant to Holy Scripture neither can be proved by any good Authors or Histories But if Peter were ever at Rome he came thither after the last Imprisonment of Paul and a few years before his Martyrdom Because as Onuphrius saith in Comment fast lib. 2. also Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 22. and Tertul. Cont. Marcion Peter and Paul in the thirty fifth year after the Resurrection of Christ and upon the third day of the Calends of Iuly C. Fonteius Caâ—itonius and C. Iulius Rufus being then Cousuls of Rome were crowned with the Wreath of Martyrdom and with their Blood sealed the Truth of the Gospel But there are others of Opinion that Peter never came at Rome but that he was crucified at Ierusalem by King Agrippa's Command others say at Babylon But because it is a thing doubtful and not greatly material I leave it to the Reader 's consideration Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Samaria BEcause I have before briefly intreated of the Beginning and Foundation of this City I shall not need here again to repeat it I will now therefore shew the end of it which was principally caused by the obstinancy of the Inhabitants who refusing the Doctrine and Prophecy of Elias and Elizeus imbraced and followed strange Gods and offered Incense unto Idols whereby the wrath of God was kindled
first Epistle from Rome calling it allegorically Babylon is utterly to be condemned since there is none who can certainly prove that conjecture neither is it grounded upon any firm foundation for although Babylon in the Revelation of S. John because it was a secret Prophecy was allegorically used yet in a plain and manifested history such kind of Allegories are not allowed From whence may be concluded that S. Peter wrote his first Epistle from this Babylon not from Rome The Travels of Saint John with the Annotation of the Times wherein he lived JOHN the Evangelist and Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ was born in the tenth year after the Nativity of our Saviour and was made his Disciple when he was 21 years of Age. He saw the Miracle of Christ when he changed the Water into Wine John cap 2. In the year following viz. in the 22 year of his Age he was taken into the number of the twelve Apostles Luke 6. Mar. 3. After that in the three and twentieth year of his age he saw the transfiguration of Christ in mount Thabor and when he was four and twenty years of age he stood under the Cross of our Saviour Christ and the same year a little after Christs Ascension he with the rest of the Apostles received the Gift of the holy Ghost being then the Feast of Pentecost which fell about the four and twentieth day of May in the same year he was cast into Prison with Peter for healing the lame Man Acts 3. 4. Thus much of his Youth About the middle of the first year after our Saviour Christs Ascension Iohn being then 25 years old was sent with Peter from the City of Ierusalem to Samaria 32 miles From Samaria he returned back again to Ierusalem 32 miles and as he returned preached the Gospel of Christ in divers Towns of the Samaritans Acts 8. Mary the Mother of our Lord being now 59 years of age died in the twelfth year after the Resurrection of Christ and was buried by Iohn the Evangelist in the Garden of Gethsemene Iohn being then 35 years old Four years after her death he was present at the Apostolical Council in Ierusalem Now Iames his Brother who was called the Elder was beheaded two years before for this Council was celebrated in the presence of Iames the younger Peter Iohn Paul and Barnabas c. about sixteen years after the Resurrection of Christ and fourteen after the Conversion of Paul Gal. 2. Before the Destruction of Ierusalem which happened about the 61 year of his age and 38 after Christs Ascension Iohn went from Ierusalem and came to Ephesus 544 miles where after the death of the Apostle Paul he governed the Churches of Asia minor In the 86 year of his age being cast into a Vessel of boiling Oyl and coming out unhurt by the command of Domitian the Emperour he was banished into the Isle of Pathmos distant from Ephesus 40 miles There he wrote his Revelation to the seven Churches in Asia minor whereof you may read Apoc. 1. From Pathmos he returned to Ierusalem which was forty miles being then 88 years of age and there he raised Drusana from Death to Life After this he governed the Churches in Asia four years that is from the Government of Nero the Emperour unto the fourth year of the Government of Trajan the Emperour and called the young Man to repentance which was of the Society of Thieves at length he died at Ephesus when he was 91 years old An. Dom. 100. as St. Ierom and Nicephorus li. 2. ca. 32. observe So all his Travels were 688 miles The Testimony of the Fathers concerning John THE Testimonies of the holy Fathers that are yet extant concerning Iohn are these In Euseb. â—i 3. c. 1. 18. 20. 3. you may read the History concerning the Conversion of the young Man from the company of Thieves Irenaeus witnesseth the same li. 2. ca. 23. In Irenaeus also li. 3. ca. 23. you may read the History of Cerinthus and how that Iohn lived until the time of Trajan the Emperour Also li. 3. ca. 11. he saith that the Gospel of St. Iohn was written because of the Blasphemy of Cerinthus The Description of the Towns and places to which John travelled Of Ephesus THIS was the Metropolitan City of Ionia scituated in Asia Minor 544 miles from Ierusalem North-westward It was built saith Strabo by Androclus the Son of Codrus King of Athens in the time of David King of Israel and because of the beautiful scituation and ferâ—ility of the Soil called Ephesus in future Ages growing into such credit and estimation that it was mightily increased and became one of the most famous Mart Towns in all Asia but it stood somewhat low so that the Sea brake in upon it and drowned it and many of the Inhabitants perished Nevertheless Lysimachus King of Thrace built it up again in the same place where now it stands and called it Arsinoes after his Wives name But he being dead it was again called by the antient name Ephesus There were many worthy Men that lived in it as Heraclitus Scotinus and Hermadorus who for his excellent understanding and singular honesty was banished Hipponachus also the Poet Perrhasius and Apelles the Painters Alexander the Orator and Theodotio a Iew who interpreted the Bible It was in ancient times inhabited by the Amazons whose Queen kept her court there and wonderfully increased and adorned it with fair and beautiful Buildings Here also that notable Temple dedicated to Diana which as Strab. saith li. 14. Plin. li. 36. c. 14. was 220 years a building It stood upon Morish Ground to avoid the danger of Earth-quakes There were in it 127 Pillars erected by so many Kings among which there were 36 that were curiously sicled and artificially carved and ingraven It was 425 foot long and 120 broad There were so many Gifts and Gratuities sent from all the Cities and Kings round about toward the building of this Temple that the Riches and Treasure thereof was wonderful insomuch that when it was finished it was accounted one of the stateliest Buildings the World could afford and numbered amongst the Wonders of the World This Temple thus built at such an extraordinary charge that it was almost unvaluable was set on fire by one Herostratus a wicked and perverse Fellow in the same Olympiad and Day that Alexander the Great was born who having nothing in him that might make him famous in after-ages burnt this goodly Building that so though not for his good but for his evil he might get a name But the Ephesians were so incensed because of this Mischief that they procured Proclamation to be made through all the Kingdoms round about that his name should not be once mentioned which perhaps for a time was observed but in future ages they could not prevent it but that he was both spoken of and written of Notwithstanding afterward the Inhabitants of this City became so exceeding wealthy that they soon
after rebuilt this Temple of Diana and made it much fairer than it was before all the Citizens contributing with willing hands to the charge of the building insomuch that the Women brought all their Silver Gold and other pretious Ornaments and communicated them towards this great Work Also in after times those fair Pillars before spoken of were again erected towards the rebuilding whereof they received so many and wonderful Gifts from all the neighbouring Kings Cities and Countries that this Temple might as it was thought compare with all the World beside for Riches and Treasure It was standing in St. Paul's time who came thither about twelve years after the Resurrection of our Saviour and continued there three years in which time he so faithfully and diligently preached the Gospel that he converted most of the Citizens from their Idolatry and Worship of Diana to the reverend Knowledge and Confession of our blessed Saviour For which cause Demetrius the Silver Smith who made a great gain by Idolatry stirred up a great tumult so that the Gentiles running up and down the City for two hours space cried out with a loud voice Great is Diana of the Ephesians Acts 19. Here also Paul fought with Beasts 1 Cor. 15. And to this City Paul wrote his Epistle and sent it from Rome 996 miles He made Timothy also a Bishop of this City to whom he wrot two Epistles the first was sent him from Laodicea to Phrygia being 280 miles the second from Rome as I said By these Epistles Timothy was greatly comforted and taught them to his Disciples and Auditors that so they might constantly continue and persevere in the Christian Faith and Religion to the end To conclude Iohn the Evangelist came also to Ephesus and wrote his Gospel against the Heretick Cerinthus who denyed Christ to be the true God for which cause God grievously punished him so that he died as he was bathing himself in a Bath Irenaeus lib. 5. ca. 3. Euseb. li. 3. c. 22. This was the first Church to which Iohn wrote his Revelation and there when he returned out of Pathmos he raised his Host Drusana from death to life So when he had governed the Churches in Asia thirty years after the death of Paul he died when he was ninety one years old and was honourably buried at Ephesus not far from the City There was also another Iohn that liv'd in Ephesus to whom as many think the Epistles of Iohn the Evangelist were dedicated as Ierom sheweth in his Catalogue of Ecclesiastical Writers The Sepulchre of this man is shewed not far from the Sepulchre of St. Iohn the Evangelist as Euseb. witnesseth lib. 3. cap. 31. At this day this City is named Figlo ho Epheso See Gesner Of Pathmos THIS is an Isle of the Aegean Sea scituated betwixt Asia minor and Grecia 2080 miles from Ierusalem North-Westward Pli. l. 4. c. 12. saith that it was thirty miles in compass Into this Isle the Evangelist was banished by Domitian Nero where he wrote his Revelation It was one of the Cyclad Islands which were fifty three in number that lay round about the Island Delus as Stra. li. 10. Geog. observes It stood forty miles from Ephesus South-Westward and as Petr. Apianus saith was sometimes called Posidius but now Palmosa Of Smyrna THIS is the second City to which Iohn dedicated his Revelation It was scituated in Ionia in Asia minor 540 miles from Ierusalem North-Westward This was a very fair City beautified with many goodly buildings and of good account in Grecia It was at first but a Colony transplanted from another City in that Country But Theseus that great Prince being then King thereof that he might add some grace to that which he had begun he called it after his Wives name Smyrna signifying Myrrh Herodot saith that Homer was born here but not Blind and called by the name of Melisigines but after the Gumaenians called him of his Blindness Homer Strab. li. 14. Geogr. saith that the Inhabitants take upon them to shew his Picture standing there and also a Temple built in his Honour During his Life he was a man of small or no Reputation or rather contemned than honoured as Herod saith But after his death his Works beginning to grow famous the Cities of Greece contended who should Patronize him The Colophonians claim a part in him because he was in that Town and there made some of his Odysses They of Chios say he belonged to them because he lived there a long time and taught School But for ought that can be found by Authors the Smyrnians have most interest in him Nevertheless I leave him to them that please to Patronize him since it is not certainly found where he lived He lived about 900 years before Christ. Eusebius saith Hist. Eccl. lib. 4. cap. 14. that in after-times this City grew very famous and was so much inlarged that it became a Bishops See whereof Polycarâ—us a very godly and Religious man was Bishop He governed the Church in that place at such time as Iohn the Evangelist wrote his Revelation and by him cap. 2. is called the Angel of the Church of Smyrna This man after he had faithfully preached the Gospel for the space of 86 years was by the Inhabitants thereof condemned to death for the profession of Christ Anno 170. But the town of Smyrna because of the unthankfulness and cruelty of the Inhabitants was grievously punished for within ten years it was cast down by an Earth-quake since which time it was hardly rebuilt again The River Pactolus which beginneth in Lydia runneth by this Town of Smyrna But the Inhabitants because of the golden Veins that are found therein call it Crysorrhoas Plin. lib. 5. cap. 29. A little after that there was such an extreme Plague happened in Rome that they were constrained to carry out the dead Bodies in Carts Thus God turneth the Air and the Earth to the confusion of those that persecute his Church Of Pergamus THIS was another of the Towns whereto Iohn wrote his Revelation It was a famous City and Metropolitan of Mysia scituated in Asia minor 228 miles from Ierusalem North-westward It stood upon a high Rock close by the River Caicus from whence it was called Pergamus For in ancient times all famous and notable places were called amongst the Graecians Pergama as Suidas and Servius observe Strabo lib. 13. saith that in the time of Lysimachus the Son of Agathocles who was one of the Successours of Alexander the Great it was but a Castle in which place because of the strength of it he usually kept all his Treasure and those things that were of account and committed the custody of it unto one named Philetaerus an Eunuch of Tyanus But this man being accused to Lysimacus that he would have forced his Wife Arsinoes for fear of some future punishment because of that Offence moved the Inhabitants of that Hold to Rebellion At the same time also there happened many Commotions in
Polemon his Son who for his noble Acts was first by Antonio and then by Augustus Caesar honoured with the Dignity of a King as Strabo witnesseth lib. 12. This Laodicea Colossis and Hierapolis where the Apostle Philip was crucified were sunk by an Earth-quake about the tenth year of Nero and a little before the Martyrdom of Paul There were three Cities called after this Name that is this which stood in Caria to which Paul never came as appeareth in the second Chapter to the Colossians a second stood in Phrigia where Paul wrote his Epistle to Timothy and a third in Syria near to Antiochia Seleucia and Apamea The Travels of Philip. THEN a little after the Martyrdom of Stephen which hapned in the Month of Ianuary thirty and five Years after the Nativity of Christ Philip which was one of the seven Deacons with Stephen Act. 6. went from Ierusalem to Samaria which was thirty and two miles and in many Cities of the Samaritans preached the Gospel and did many Miracles at which time he converted Simon Magus Act. 8. From Samaria he went to Bethzur which was scituated forty and four miles towards the South here Philip baptised the Aethiopian who was Queen Candaces Eunuch And suddenly he was taken out of sight by the Spirit of the Lord and went to Azotus which was 16 miles From thence preaching in all the Cities as he went he came to Caesarea Stratâ— which was 44 miles So all his Travels were 136 miles Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in his Travels you may read of them in several places mentioned before The Travels of the Aethiopian which was Eunuch to Queen Candaces who kept her Court in Saba FROM Saba or Meroe in Aethiopia this Eunuch came to Ierusalem which was about 964 miles Act. 4. From Ierusalem he came to the Town of Bethzur which was 12 miles here he was baptised by Philip in the Month of Ianuary the next Year after the Resurrection of Christ. From thence he returned to Saba in Aethiopia which was 952 miles So all his Travels were 1928 miles Of Saba THIS City is before mentioned and at this time when the Eunuch came to Ierusalem Candaces governed it and a great part of Aethiopia Tiberius Caesar being then Emperour of Rome She was a very warlike Woman but blind of one Eye as Strabo saith lib. 6. and Pliny lib. 6. cap. 29. In whose time the City Saba was called Meroe and the Queens for many Successions Candaces because of the worthiness of those Queens which had been of that Name This Woman was very well beloved of her Subjects and was very gracious towards them as Suidas saith To this Queen the Eunuch which Philip baptised was chief Steward and no doubt spread the Christian Faith in many places of those parts An Introduction to the Travels of Saint Paul NOW before I enter upon the Travels of the Apostle Paul I thought it fit to make a Collection of all the Countries Islands and Cities wherein he taught so that they which are skillful in Geometry or Cosmography might discern their Longitudes Latitudes and several distances according to the Degrees and Scruples hereafter following Towns in Italy  Long. Latit Rome 36.40 41.40 Puteoli 39.50 41.00 Naples 39.10 41.00 Capua 40.00 41.00 Brundusia 42.20 39.40 â—egium 39.50 38.15 Towns in Graecia Constantinople 56.00 43.05 Neapolis 51.15 41.40 Philippi 50.45 41.45 Amphipolis 50.00 41.30 Apollonia Mygdoniae 49.30 40.30 Thessalonica 49.50 39.50 Athens 52.45 37.15 Corinthus 51.15 36.55 Cenchera 51.20 37.00 Cities in Syria Antiochia 69.30 35.30 Seleucia 69.25 35.40 Sydon 67.15 33.30 Tyrus 67.00 33.20 Ptolomais 66.50 32.58 Caesarea Stratonis 66.16 23.25 Joppa 66.40 32.06 Jerusalem 66.00 31.55 Damascus 60.55 30.00 Cities in Asia minor Thrasia 67.40 36.50 Attalia 62.15 36.30 Perga 62.15 36.56 Aâ—tiochia Pisidiae 62.30 39.00 Laodicea Phrigiae 63.40 39.40 Lystra 64.00 39.00 Iconium 64.30 38.45 Derbe 64.20 38.15 Calcedon 56.05 43.05 Nicea 57.00 41.40 Cities in Asia Ilium 55.30 41.00 Troada 55.25 40.40 Assus 56.00 40.15 Pergamus 57.25 39.45 Philadelphia 59.00 38.50 Sardis 58.20 38.15 Ephesus 57.40 37.40 Thyatira Smyrna 58.25 38.25 Myletus 58.00 37.90 Halicaâ—â—assus 57.50 36.10 Gâ—ydus 57.10 35.30 â—atara 60.30 36.00 Mira 61.00 36.40 Hycropolis 60.00 38.15 Cities in Egypt Alexandria 60.30 31.00 Memphis Alcayre 61.50 29.50 Hermopolis magna 61.40 28.55 Islands Ciciliae civitatis Siracusa 39.30 37.15 Malta 38.45 34.50 Corsica 45.40 38.15 Creta 45.00 34.45 Clauda 52.20 34.00 Salamis 50.00 37.00 Eâ—bea 43.40 38.15 Andros 55.00 37.12 Samathrocua 52.30 41.15 Mithilena 55.40 39.20 Chius 59.20 38.25 Trogylion 57.15 37.40 Pathmos 57.00 37.35 Cous 57.00 36.25 Rhodus 58.30 35.40 Raphus cypri 64.10 35.05 Salamais cypri 66.20 35.10 The Travels of the Holy Apostle St. Paul with an exact annotation of the Times PAVL was born at Tarsus in Cicilia about the tenth year of the Nativity of our Saviour and was near about the age of St. Iohn the Evangelist as the circumstances of Histories do declare After he grew to some Bigness he was sent by his Parents from thence to Ierusalem being 304 miles where he had not been long brought up with Gamaliel which signifies The Recompence of God Act. 22. but he became the Disciple of Simon the Just Luke 2. Act. 5. This Paul was of the Tribe of Benjamin Phil. 2. 2 Cor. 11. and being yet but a young Man he was one of those that kept the Garments of the holy Martyr St. Stephen who was stoned about the end of the four and thirtieth Year after the Nativity of Christ Act. 1. at which time also St. Iohn the Evangelist was but four and twenty years of Age. If therefore you would observe the Age of the Apostle Paul in this following discourse of his Travels deduct ten from the Years after the Nativity of our Saviour Christ and the Remainder is his Age. At his Circumcision he was called Saul that is a mortal Man but when he was made the Apostle of the Gentiles he was called Paul of which Name there was a noble Family in Rome so called because of the lowness of their Stature and smallness of their Body as Carolus Sigonius observeth In the â— Year after the Nativity of Christ Paul was an Inquisitor for private Heresie and a cruel Persecutor of the Gospel The next Year he went from Ierusalem to Damascus in Syria which was 160 miles in which Journey about the 25 day of Ianuary he was converted and upon the 28 day of Ianuary was baptised by Ananias So he stayed some few days in Damascus and taught the Gospel of Christ Act. 9. 22. In the same Year that he was converted the Iews and those that were Enemies to the Gospel went about by deceit to take his Life wherefore he went from Damascus to Arabia Petraea which was 160 miles here he continued teaching the Gospel by the space of three Years that is from the beginning of the 35 to the end of the 37 year after the Nativity of Christ Act. 9.
In the 38 Year after the Nativity of Christ he returned from Arabia Petraea and came to Damascus which was 160 miles and there he diligently taught the Gospel of Christ. But when in the same Year Araeta King of Arabia went about to put him secretly to death he was let down in a Basket over the Wall and so went from Damascus to Ierusalem which was 160 miles and when he came thither he brought Barnabas to the Apostles and shewed them his Conversion and remained with Peter fifteen days preaching the Gospel At this time he saw Iames the Son of Alpheus and Brother of our Lord Acts 9. 2 Cor. 11. Galat. 1. But when his Adversaries that were at Ierusalem went about secretly to put him to death he went from Ierusalem and was brought by the Brethren to Caesarea Strato which was 32 miles Act. 9. About the 38 Year after the Nativity of Christ he went thence into Syria to Tarsus a City of Cilicia which was 272 miles here he continued some Years teaching the Gospel of Christ Gal. 1. 2. Cor. 11. In the 41 Year after the Nativity of Christ and about the seventh Year of his Ministry he was brought by Barnabas from Tarsus to Antiochia in Syria which was 120 miles At this time and in this Town all those that believed in Christ began to be called Christians whereas before they were called Disciples and Brothers Acts 11. These things hapned in the eighth year after the Resurrection of Christ about this time also Matthew wrote his Gospel and Agabus prophesied of the universal Dearth that should happen under Claudius Act. 11. In the 42 year after the Nativity of Christ Paul being then at Antiochia and about 32 years of age was wrap'd up into the third Heaven 14 years before he wrote his second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 12. In the 43 year after the Nativity of Christ the Famin whereof Agabus prophesied being now begun he went with the gifts of the Church from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was 280 miles this year Iames the Elder was beheaded at the Command of Agrippa Act. 11. 12. In the 44 year after the Nativity of Christ Paul and Barnâ—bas with Peter were delivered out of Prison by the Angel of the Lord. Now having distributed the Gifts of the Church he returned in the Company of Iohn Mark from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was 280 miles So these Travels were 1928 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Tarsus or Tharsus THIS was the Metropolis of Cilicia scituated upon the River of Cydnus which beginning at Mount Taurus runs thence through this Town into the Mediterranean Sea It was first built by Perseus King of the Persians whom the Poets feign to be the Son of Iupiter and Danae and called Tharsus of the Hyacinth stone which as it seemeth is found thereabous It was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North in ancient time a goodly City but through the Injury of the Time and Invasion of the Enemy much impaired and lay almost ruined till as Strabo saith li. 14. it was repaired by Sardanapalus that effeminate King of the Assyrians of whom Tully remembreth this Epitaph lib. 5. Tuscula Haec habeo quae aedi quaeque exatura libido Hausit at illa jacent multa praeclara relicta What things I eat or spend in Sport and Play Those I enjoy the rest I cast away From his time until the Reign of Darius the last King of the Persians it continued in great Prosperity and was become a marvellous stately City the Inhabitants thereof being grown very wealthy but then Alexander the Great making War upon that Prince amongst others brought his Army against this City but the Citizens hearing of his notable Exploits durst not abide his coming therefore they fired the City lest he should make a Prey of their Riches and fled which when Alexander perceived he gave order to Parmenio with all possible speed to quench the Fire and save the City In the mean time the King being press'd with an extraordinary Thirst by reason of the extream Heat that was in that Country the Dust and his long Journey put off his royal Garments and cast himself into the River Cydnus which being a cold Water coming out of the North struck the heat presently inward and so benummed his Sinews that had it not been for the present help of his Souldiers and the extraordinary diligence and care of Philip his Physician he had died immediately notwithstanding by the great Providence of God and the carefulness of his Physician he recovered his dangerous Sickness beyond the expectation of Man and after overcame Darius in a sharp and cruel War near to a place called Issa as you may read before See Plutarch in vita Alexand. and Quintus Curtius From that time forward this City grew to be very famous and daily encreased in Stateliness and fair Buildings And to add more dignity to it there was a famous Academy in which were many learned and rare Philosophers insomuch that they of Tharsus exceeded the Philosophers of Athens and Alexandria for Learning and Knowledge though indeed for number of Scholars and common Resort they exceeded Tharsus Saint Paul was born and brought up in this Town and here learned the Knowledge of the Tongues Philosophy and other good Arts. He also perused the Writings of Aratus Epimenides Menander and other learned Men whose Sayings are here and there dispersed through his Epistles From thence he was sent to Ierusalem where he lived and was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel who was Provost of that Academy and after was converted to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus as appeareth Acts 22. This Town at this day is subject to the Empire of the Turks and called by the Name of Terassa being neither so famous nor so fair a City as in the time when the Roman Empire flourished for then because of the extraordinary Vertue of the Citizens it was indowed with the Liberty and Freedom of Rome Of Damascus THis was a metropolitan Town in Syria distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the North-east being an ancient and fair City and before such time as Antiochia was built the head of all that Kingdom It was scituated in a fair and fruitful place close by the Mountain Libanus which bringeth forth Frankincense Ceders Cypress and many odoriferous and sweet smelling Flowers There were many Kings that kept their Court in it as Hadad Benhadad the First Benhadad the Second Hasael and others who grievously opposed the Kings of Israel in many sharp and cruel Wars as you may read before The Land round about it aboundeth with white and red Roses Pomgranates Almonds Figs and other sweet and pleasant Fruits In that place the Alablaster stone is found very fair and clear The Air pleasant and healthful The River called Chrysorrus runneth close by it in which there is found golden Veins which yielded perfect Gold The Houses without are not
very curious but within all of polished Marble and Alablaster guilt with resplendent Gold so artificially that it dazleth the Beholders Eyes There was a certain Florentine who revolted from the Christian Faith and obtained to be chief Governour of this Town in which he erected a strong and beautiful Castle which stood for the Defence of it No man can sufficiently express the Beauty and Glory of this City there is great Traffique and much resort of People to it but especially of Turks Saracens Mamalucks and other kinds of Pagan People who are preferred before the Christians in that Government and although there are many Christians in that place yet they are constrained to endure great Injury by those Barbarians because they are hated even unto the Death and if any of them chance to die they are buried in that place where Paul was converted The Inhabitants shew the place where St. Paul was let down over the Wall in a Basket also the House of Ananias who cured the Blindness of Paul besides many other things that are memorable in that City of which you may read in Sebestian Munster Sebastian Frankus Plin. lib. 5. and many other Authors Of Arabia MAny things are already spoken concerning this Country as the division of the place one called Petraea the other Deserta and the third Foelix Arabia Petraea is so called from the metropolitan City thereof called Petra which is scituated forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South and bordereth upon Egypt and India It is also called Arabia Nabathea as you may read before Paran and Sur are a part of it compassing towards the East the Land of Iudaea and so extendeth to Damascus This Country is very full of Rocks and Stones the chief City Petra being scituated upon a Rock of which it taketh the Name Here standeth the Mountains Horeb and Sinai here the Children of Israel travelled when they went out of Egypt here is the Sardonix Stone found and the People of this Country in times past were great Prophets and Astrologians here also St. Paul taught the Gospel a little after his Conversion Gal. 1. at which time Aretas was King thereof whose Sister was married to Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee and Petraea but he cast her off and married Herodias his Brother Philips Wife upon which there began a bloody War between Aretas and Herod and a sharp Battel was fought near to Gamala a City beyond Iordan And although the two Kings were not at this Battel yet by the Treason and Flight of the Souldiers out of Tracones who without all question would have revenged the Contempt done unto their Lord Philip the Arabian Army carried away a notable Victory as Iosephus witnesseth lib. antiq 18. cap. 4. Aretas signifieth An excellent Man which was a common Name to the Kings of Arabia It is to be thought that Damascus and all the Country round about was under the Jurisdiction of this King and that he ordained a Lieutenant or General in those Parts who would have taken Paul and put him to death Acts 9. 2 Col. 12. The other part of Arabia is called by Ptolomy Deserta but Strabo calls it Scenilis because the Inhabitants thereof are without Buildings or Tents and live like Vagrants up and down the Woods This is compass'd in upon the South with certain Mountains of Arabia Foelix towards the North it borders upon Mesopotamia and towards the West upon Petraea The third is called Arabia Foelix because of the Fertility thereof for they have there every year two Harvests as they have in India as Strabo observeth See Plin. lib. 6. cap. 28. Of Antiochia YOU may read of this Town before It is said that Luke the Evangelist was born here This Man was by Profession a Physician Col. 4. and an inseparable Companion to Paul in all his Travels he was of the number of the seventy Disciples as Epiphanius observeth Tertullian saith in his fourth Book against Marcion that Luke received his Gospel from the mouth of Paul he lived till he was 84 years old and then died and lies buried at Constantinople as St. Ierom saith for his Bones were removed out of Achaia thither The second Travels of the Apostle Paul in the Company of Barnabas IN the eleventh year after the Nativity of Christ and in the four and fortieth year of Paul he and Barnabas was sent by the Holy Spirit from Antiochia in Syria to Seleucia which was four and twenty miles From Seleucia they sailed to Salamais in Cyprus which was 94 miles Act. 13. From thence they went to Paphos which is in the same Isle where Sergius Paulur was converted and Elymas the Magician who professing himself to be the Messias and Son of God was struck with Blindness Act. 13. This Journey was 100 miles They loosing from Paphos went by Sea and Land the same year to Pergamus a City of Pamphilia scituated in Asia minor which was 148 miles In the 45 year after the Nativity of Christ they went from Pergamus to Antiochia in Pisidia which was 132 miles From thence they went to Iconia which was 96 miles here they stayed some time and converted many Act. 13. 14. In the 46 year after the Nativity of Christ there being a great Tumult raised in that Country lest the Inhabitants should have stoned them they fled thence to Lystra a City of Lycaonia where Paul healed the lame man which was twenty eight miles The Inhabitants seeing this Miracle worshipped them for Gods and called Barnabas Iupiter and Paul Mercurius because he wrought the Miracle But not long after certain Iews coming from Antiochia and Iconia arrived in Listra by whose perswasion the People stoned Paul and supposing him to be dead carried him out of the City but when his Disciples came unto him he rose up and went into the Town Act. 14. The next day they went to Derbe a City of Lyaconia which was 48 miles From thence they returned back again to Lystra in the same year which was 28 miles From Iconia they came to Atiochia in Pisidia which was 16 miles In this City they comforted the Disciples exhorting them that they should persevere in their Faith For through many Afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven They also elected Elders in the Churches so with Fasting and Prayers they commended them to the Lord in whom they believed In the 47 year after Christ they went from Antiochia thorough all Piâ—idia and came to Pergamus a City in Pamphilia which was 132 miles here they preached the Word of the Lord Act. 14. From Pergamus in the following year they went down to the City of Attalia which was 26 miles In the 48 year after the Nativity of Christ they loosed thence and went to Antiochia in Syria which was 340 miles here they assembled the Church and shewed what wonderful things the Lord had wrought by them and how he had opened the door of Faith unto the Gentiles In this place they stayed a great space
Acts. 14. In the year following they went from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was 280 miles to the Apostolical Council which was celebrated in that City Anno Dom. 49. and as they went they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria and there declared the Estate of the Church among the Gentiles Acts. 15. From Ierusalem they with Sâ—las and Iudas sirnamed Barsabas went again to Antiochia in Syria which was 280 miles here Paul opposed Peter for preaching unto the Gentiles Gal. 2. So these Travels of Paul were 1744 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Cyprus BEcause you may read of Seleucia before I therefore willingly omit it that I might speak more fully of Cyprus This is a fair and spacious Isle scituated in the Mediterranean Sea in the Gulph of Issa bordering upon Cilicia and Syria distant 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the North as Strabo saith lib. 14. It is in compass 428 miles very fertile powerful and spacious for an Island There inhabited in it in times past nine Kings and as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 31. called Macaria or one of the happy Islands the Inhabitants were given much unto Luxury and Venery from whence it happened that Venus was greatly honoured amongst them It is said that there are many precious Stones found in it besides Crystal Allum and Cypress Wood which abounds in that place from which it seemeth the Island was called Cyprus There are also found many Simples that are Physical much Sack comes thence and many other things necessary for the Life of Man Here also standeth the Mountain Olympus whose top seemeth to touch the Heavens from whence it taketh the name because there never lies any Clouds upon it Lucan lib 2. There are four Mountains of this name the one lieth between Macedon and Thessaly the other in Cyprus the third amongst the Mysians at the foot whereof Hanibal built Prusa and the fourth in Aethiopia upon the East side of Heliopolis There are many Cities in this Country as Macaria Cyprus or Gyrhea after called Paphos and now Baffa in which there standeth such a famous Temple that Venus of that is called Cypriae and Cytherea Nicosia and Salamus now called Famagusta There have been many and cruel sharp Wars between the Venetians and Turks concerning this Country but at this day it is under the Jurisdiction of the Turks from whence they fetch great abundance of Pitch and Rosin for their Ships and Cables Of Salamais SAlamais Salamin or Salamania was one of the principal Cities of Cyprus and was distant from Ierusalem 196 miles towards the North built by Tucer the Son of Telamon and scituated in the Eubean Sea just against Athens The occasion why this Town was built happened by reason of a discontent that grew betwen Tucer and his Father Telamon For Tucer returning from Troy not having revenged the death of his Mother Ajax so much incensed his Father that he banished him his Country whereupon Teucer sailed thence to Cyprus where he built this City and because of the extraordinary affection that he bore to the Country where he was born called it by the name of Salamena or Salamais Saint Ierom saith that there is a River of extraordinary hot Water that runneth through a great part of this Country and that it was once overcome by the Iews and utterly ruined and destroyed but after re-peopled and called by the name of Constantia This Town at this day is called by the name of Famagusta and was taken with the whole Island of Cyprus by Mustapha chief Captain to Selimus the second Emperour of the Turks An. Dom. 1570. Solon that notable and famous Philosopher was born in this Town And Paul and Barnabas sailed out of Syria and lived in this Town Act. 31. Of Paphos THIS City is scituated upon the shore of Cyprus 212 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and seemeth to take the name from Paphos the Son of Pigmalion the Artificer In this Town there stood a notable Temple built by that Pigmalion in the honour of Venus for that as it seemeth by the Poets he was much given to Women Here Elimas that wicked Magician who as some will have it called himself the Son of Iesus as others the Son of Iehovah dwelt whom the Lord by the Hand of Paul struck with Blindness Here also Sergius Pauluâ— the Pro-Consul was converted It was in times past a goodly fair City as the ruines thereof testifie to this day but now it is destroyed and almost desolate There as it is for the most part through that Island the Air is impure and unwholsom and the ruines of many goodly Churches and Buildings are to be seen also the Walls of a strong and almost impregnable Tower scituated upon a Hill in the middle of the City and as may be thought was sometime the habitatâ—on of Sergius Paulus There is also shewn under a certain Church which in ancient times belonged unto the Brothers of the Minores a certain Prison divided into seven Rooms where Paul and Barnabas were imprisoned for preaching the Gospel Here also under another Church is found a Spring of very wholsome Water which is a present remedy for the Ague and Fever Here also is excellent Wine Of Perga PERGA was a City of Pamphilia from whence Diana is called Pergea because there was a notable Temple in that Town which was dedicated to her It is scituated in Asia the less near to Cheractus as Ptolomais saith but as Strabo saith close by Cestria a fair and goodly River 356 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. The Country wherein this standeth is full of Mountains extending from the Mountain Taurus which beginneth in this place abounding with Vines Olives and other Fruits unto the Sea There are many fair and fruitful Pastures in it and many goodly and beautiful Cities as Aspendius Phaselis and this Perga besides many others needless to be named There was usually every year a great Feast kept here in honour of Diana but Paul and Barnabas coming to this Town converted most of the Inhabitants to the Knowledge of God and of his Son Christ Jesus Acts 13. Of Antiochia in Pisidia THIS was the chief City in Pisidia scituated in Asia Minor 460 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. St. Paul converted a great multitude in this Town to the Faith of Christ. Of Iconium IConium was one of the Metropolitan Cities of Lycaonia as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 27. scituated not far from the bowing of Mount Taurus in Asia the less as Strabo saith lib. 12. 420 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In this City Paul and Barnabas continued a long time and did many Miracles by which means a great multitude of the Inhabitants were converted to the Christian Faith Act. 13. 14. It is to this day a fair City and under the Government of the Turks who won it from the Princes of Caramanian About 400 years before there was a great Battel â—ought close by this Town between
that they also issuing out of the Capitol made such a Slaughter that they forced Brennus and his Army to retire and to restore all the Pillage that he had got and also forsake the Country This Misfortune they bore patiently considering their former Prosperity and in hope of better Success â—ailed thence into Grecia where after they had attempted many noble Exploits and failing in some they determined a Voyage for Delphos because there was great store of Treasure and the Inhabitants as they supposed weak to oppose their Army In this Expedition they used much Pillage and robbing upon the Seas and through many dangers came at length to this Isle landed their Men won the City fired a great part of it and put many of the Inhabitants to the Sword with this Victory most of his Army which were more Religious than the rest would have willingly left the Country but Brennus who before-times had been used to Sacriledge and those that were as covetous as himself thought it Baseness through an Opinion of Holiness to leave so great a Booty behind them as was contained in the Temple of Aâ—ollo for that place of all the Temples of the World in those times was notorious for Riches and Treasure the many and great Gratuities and Offerings of most Princes which were both magnificent and rich being hoarded up in the secret Caves of this Oracle wherefore they attempted the Assault but with bad Success for the Devil raised such a Tempest with Thundring Lightning and other strange and uncouth Accidents that Brennus in this Distemperature of the Air was slain many of his Ships were set on fire and the greatest part of his Army lost being either spoiled with Lightning slain by the Inhabitants or dispersed with Fear such Event had this sacrilegious Attempt Those that remained after they had gathered themselves into a Body went thence into Asia the less and planted themselves in this Country where the Inhabitants in process of time called them Gallâ—-Graecians adding their original name to that of the Country wherein they lived and after for beauties sake they were called Galatians See Liv. lib. 5. Diodorus Siculus lib. 6. saith That the Inhabitants of Galatia were so called of this People in the time that Gideon judged Israel and that Cyrus was Emperour of Persia both may be true considering the mutability and change of States in those times Some think they were first called Galatians by Attalus King of Pergamus who gave them a great overthrow close by the River Halym because they originally were of Gallia and continued sometime in Graecia and after came into Asia so he joyning these two names into one called them Gallo-Gracian or Gallatians This History is diversly reported by divers Authors but all conclude that they rested and inhabited in Asia where their Posterity continued to this day In times past it was a very Warlike and Generous Nation and in their Expedition performed many noble Exploits attaining to Eminence only by their Sword for which cause many Princes near them were beholding unto them for their Aid but withal cruel and barbarous insomuch as they oftentimes eat their Captives or offered them to their Gods and thus they continued for the space of 300 years till Paul coming into that Country preached the Gospel amongst them and converted them from this Barbarism to the Christian Faith he sent an Epistle to this People from Rome being 1200 miles They in those times held all Paphlagonia a part of Phrygia Cappadocia and of all the neighbouring Countries thereabouts which after their names was called Gallo-Graecia or Galatia such a mighty Nation was this grown in a short time at first being a People shut out of their own Country for want of a place to inhabit in as you may read more at large in the fifth Book of Livie whose Authority I have princippally followed herein Of Phrygia PHryga is as much as to say a dry and sandy Country scituated in Asia the less between Galatia and Mysia 600 miles from Ierusalem North-westward It is divided into two parts the greater and the less in the greater Phrygia stood Smyrna in the less Dardania so called of Dardanus who first built it in which Town there reigned many wealthy and mighty Princes as Ericthoinâ— Tros of whom it was called Troy Ilus of whom it was called Ilion Laomedon who was the Father of Priamus the last King thereof for in his time it was destroyed by the Grecians Of which Desolation I will not speak because it is commonly known It lay wast so long although it had been a fair and goodly City the like not in the World that the place where it stood was become like a plain Field only here and there some heaps of old Ruines to shew that there had been a City in that place And as Virgil said Iam seges est ubi Troja fuit Corn now grows where Troy stood A long time after there were a certain People that called themselves Trojans who rebuilt it but not in the same place and in it erected a goodly Temple in honour of the Goddess Pallas to the which Temple Alexander the Great after he had conquered Darius King of Persia close by the River Granicus which took begâ—nning in a Mountain not far from Troy went and with singular Gladness and great Solemnity offered many rich and goodly Presents enlarged the Town and greatly adorned But after he had ended the Persian War and conquered almost all the known World he sent very kind and loving Letters to these new Trojans promising not only to inlarge the Town and indow it with many Priviledges and Revenues but also to build up a fair and sumptuous Temple there as Strabo lib. 15. saith all which was done for the love he bore to Homers Iliads Wherefore look what Alexander had promised Lysimacus one of his chief Princes and King of Thrace after his death performed for he returned to Troy enlarged the City beautified it with goodly Buildings set up a stately Temple and then compass'd it about with strong Walls After this sort it continued a long time untill Fimbria a Questor of the Romans when he had slain Vallerius Flaccus the Consul with whom he was sent against Mithridates King of Pontus besieged it and within ten days space won it making his Vaunts that he conquered that City in ten days which Agamemnon could scarce do in ten years to which one of the Inhabitants of the City answered that then Troy had a Hector but now it had none But for this he cruelly wasted the City This destruction happened in the 84 year before Christ thus it lay desolate till Caesar's time who caused it again to be re-edified and beautified with many fair and goodly Buildings because the Romans and especially those noble Families of the Iulii and Caesars do derive their Progeny from the Trojans for which cause Augustus used such diligence in the rebuilding of this City and bestowed such infinite
of God It was first built by Cecrops five years before Moses fled out of Egypt into the Land of the Midianites and of him called Cecropia This Cecrops was the first King thereof and there succeeded him at least 40 both famous and worthy Princes But after it was called Mopsonia of Mopsus King of Thessaly and after Ionia which name it held for a while and lastly Athens dedicated to Pallas which goddess the Grecians say was born of the brain of Iupiter which name it held a long time after There lived in this City Solon Socrates Plato Aristotle Demosthenes and many other excellent Philosophers It was scituated upon a fair and strong Rock beautified with many goodly Temples and Buildings but principally that of Minerva was most sumptuous in which there hung a great number of Lamps which gave a continual Light There was also the Monastery of the holy Virgins and the Image of Pallas made all of white Ivory very curious and costly There were many Schools Colledges and pleasant Gardens in which Philosophers used to walk and it abounded with sweet and delectable Musick and with great resort of Merchants and Scholars To conclude in those times it was the most notable City in the World Moreover there were many profitable Havens for the receit of Ships but that which was called Piraeum exceeded being capable to receive forty Ships beautified with many goodly buildings in compass two miles fortified with seven Walls and joyning to the City whereof Terence writeth Eunuch Act. 3. Scen. 4. At this day it is called Porto Lini fortified with two walls four miles in length extending to the Hill Munichya the sirname of Diana being compassed in the figure of a Chersoness and so joyned to the City of Athens In which distance there are two other Havens besides that of Piraeum In this Iupiter had a magnificent Temple and in it were found many artificial Tables Pictures and graven Images all which are at this day destroyed and carried away It hath been three times destroyed first by Xerxes and Mardonius which happened in the year before Christ 479. Then by Lysander who broke down a hundred paces of the Wall and almost utterly destroyed their Ships and broke down the Haven of Peraea It was also â—ore oppressed by the Romans as they also brake down their Haven and burnt their Ships but spared the Town and held it in great estimation But was the third time overthrown and utterly destroyed by the Turks who both changed the place and name of the City after it had flourished 3113 years At this day it is divided into three parts and called by the name of Sethina because of the variety of the Inhabitants that live in it being very well peopled and a fair and spatious City but much altered from that it was in times past For although before it was the very Mother of Eloquence and glory of Aâ—tica yet at this day it is so much altered that their Language is base and their Glory is eclipsed The uppermost part of the City where formerly the Temple stood dedicated to the unknown God is now wholly and absolutely in the hands of the Turks in which they have built a strong and almost invincible Castle which hath the command of the rest of the Town The second and middle part of the Town is all inhabited by Christians In the third there standeth a fair and goodly Palace supported with Marble Pillars and adorned with goodly Works In this part of the City there inhabiteth People of divers Sects and Conditions And here also is the Seat of a Metropolitan who hath under him many Bishops So that God doth support and maintain his Church even amongst the Enemies thereof for there are four Patriarchs in Turkâ— to which all the other Christian Metropolitans and Bishops are subject viz. the Patriarch of Alexandria Constantinople Antiochia and Ierusalem Paul was the first man that preached the Gospel of Christ in this City and converted many Citizens but especially Dionysius the Areopagite who dwelt upon a Promontory without the City and as it seems was one of the principal Judges and Governours of the Town for after he had taught publickly in the Town and had disputed against the Iews and Philosophers concerning Christ they supposing him to be a busie Fellow and one worthy of death as a Disturber of the common Peace brought him before this Dionysius that so by his Judgment he might receive condign punishment for his Offence But St. Paul so well behaved himself and preached with such admirable Eloquence and Learning that he not only confuted his Enemies but among others converted this Dionysius Areopagitus who was afterwards the first Bishop of Athens as Euseb. saith lib. 4. cap. 13. and went captive with Paul to Rome and from thence to Paris in France where he suffered Martyrdom under Dionysius the Emperour Of Corinthia COrinthus a famous City in Grecia is scituated in Peloponnesus a pleasant Country of Achaia joyning to the Continent of Grecia like an Isthmus or Peninsula distant from Ierusalem 760 miles towards the West commonly called Corantha built as Eusebius saith by Sisiphus Son of Aeolus at such time as Ioshuah governed Israel who was a mighty Pirate At first it was but a Castle and called after his name Sisiphyus but after because of the strength of the place and pleasant scituation it became a fair Town and called by the name of Corcyra as Strabo saith then Ephym of Ephyra who was a fair and goodly Nymph and Queen of that place Now although even in those times it was held in great estimation yet it became much wasted and decayed through the continuance of time until it was repaired by King Corinthus who as some think was the Son of Marathon Suidas saith the Son of Pelops others would have him the Son of Orestis and after his name was called Corinth that is the Flower of Maides It was a fair and goodly City very commodiously built for it stood between the two Seas of Ionium and Aegeum so that there resorted thither great multitude of Merchants from all places Close by the City there stood a steep Mountain which was as it were a Bulwark for the defence thereof being 560 Feet high and called Acrocorinthus that is The Glory and Strength of the Corinthians It was also compassed about with strong Walls and beautified with many goodly Buildings and Temples but above the rest the Temple of Venus was had in great reputation which as Strabo saith stood upon the top of the Mountain Acrocorinthus wherein there were above a thousand Maids prostituted every year This Temple was had in such great honour and was so gloriously built that above all the places of the World there was resort unto it Close by it stood the ancient Castle called Sysyphius built all of white Marble and a little below that the Fountain of Pyrene dedicated to the Muses There were many mighty Princes that ruled in this City
as Alethes who was King thereof at such time as Samuel judged Israel which was 1103 years before Christ he bestowed great cost upon it set up many fair and goodly Buildings and ruled over it thirty and five years as Eusebius saith After him there succeeded many Kings by whose Worthiness and Prowess it was so much enlarged and made so famous that it was little inferiour to the City of Rome for at such time as Ambassadours were sent thence to intreat of some Business concerning the State the Corinthians did not let to give them many reproachful Terms as Strabo saith lib. 8. because of which Insolency the Romans sent Lucius Mummus the Consul into Grecia who besieged Corinth and within a short time took it and burn'd it down to the Ground in the year before Christ 145. of which you may read more in Florus and in the second Decad of Livy It was a marvellous rich Town and abounded with Gold Silver and costly Brass also with Plate and curious Pictures so that although Mummus conquered Corinth yet Corinth conquered Rome for the Citizens thereof were so bewitched with the Riches and Glory of this Town that they forgot their ancient Severity and with violence followed their Vices as Salust saith lib. 1. So that as before Corinth abounded with Luxury and divers other abominable Evils as Whordom Adultery Fornication Covetousness Idolatry Rapine and Murther so Rome in future Ages became as bad or worse than it Thus it continued waste from that time till Iulius Caesar was Emperour of Rome who having travelled into those parts of the World and seen the Ruines of this City and the profitable Scituation for Traffick caused it to be re-builded after which time it began to grow great and spacious little inferiour to the former in glory and no less corrupted with Vices having forgot the former misery which it sustained by the hands of the Romans and so continued from the year before Christ 44 until the year after Christ 41 at which time Paul came thither and preached the Gospel by whose divine Doctrine and godly Life and Conversation they were converted from their evil Courses and lived more holily and honestly as appeareth by the two Epistles of St. Paul wrote from Philippos to the Inhabitants of this Town But after they falling from their Faith and forsaking their ancient Integrity the Lord punished them with a second Desolation for at such time as Amurath Emperour of the Turks grew to Eminency and had conquered Thessalonica Beotia and Attica he came into this Isthmus and made all Peloponnesus tributary to him Then after him Mahomet the Second although the Inhabitants of Corinth had fortified their City with three Walls and made it so strong that it was thought to be almost invincible besieged it and won it An. Dom. 1458. about six years after Constantinople was conquered by the Turks But now it is in the command of the Venetians and that and all the Country is called by the name of Morea as it appeareth in the Turkish History lib. 10. The fourth Peregrination of the Apostle Paul IN the Year after the Nativity of Christ 53. Paul went from Antiochia in Syria and came to Galatia and Laodicea in Phrygia and thence wrote his Epistle to Timothy as it appeareth by the Subscription of that Epistle which was 380 miles From Laodicea he went to Ephesus which was 280 miles and there appointed Timothy to be a Bishop and daily disputed in the School of a certain Tyrant and did many miracles as it appeareth Acts 19. From Ephesus he came to Troada which was 200 miles where when he could not find Titus he was troubled in Spirit 2 Cor. 2. From Troada he failed into Macedonia and came to Philippos which was 232 miles from hence he wrote his Epistles to the Corinthians and sent them to Corinth which was 292 miles In the same year also Paul passing through Grecia in every place where he came preaching and visiting the Churches Act. 19. at length came to Corinthus which was 480 miles In the fifty seventh year after the Nativity of Christ when Paul had wintered among the Corinthians in the Spring that he might avoid the deceits of the Iews who went about to take away his Life he went thence and returned to Philippos which was 292 miles where he celebrated the Feast of Pentecost Acts 2. From thence he sailed to Troada which was 232 miles where he raised Eutichus from Death to Life Acts 20. From Troada he went to Assa which was thirty six miles Acts 20. From Assa he sailed to Mileten which was 760 miles Acts 20. From Mileten he went to Chius which was 64 miles Act. 20. From Chius he sailed to Samus which was 60 miles and continued in the Isle of Trogylius which was close by Samus as Plin. saith lib. 5. cap. 3. and Strabo cap. 13. From Trogylius he sailed by Ephesus and came to Miletus which was 160 miles From thence he sent Messengers to the Ministers of Ephesus commanding them to have a special care to the Flock of Christ which he had purchased with his precious Blood and added that he was so much the more importunate in that behalf because they should never see him again wherefore they embraced Paul with great Lamentations and Sorrow Act. 5. From Myletus he and his Companions went with a direct course to the Island of Cous which was 200 miles Act 21. From thence the next day they went to Rhodes which was 84 miles From Rhodes they went to Patara which was 100 miles From Patara they sailed to Tyrus leaving Cyprus upon the left hand which was 360 miles where he found certain Disciples and remained there seven days Act. 21. From Tyrus Paul and his Companions sailed to Ptolomais which was 24 miles From thence they came to Caesarea Strato who was 44 miles there they remained in the house of Philip the Evangelist who was one of the seven Deacons with Stephen Act. 21. From thence Paul went to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and there about the Feast of Pentecost he was taken by the Iews imprisoned and scourged Act. 21. At this time Paul was about forty seven years of Age. So all these Travels were 3396 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled And first of Assus COncerning Laodicea to which Paul travelled you may read before I will therefore proceed to Assus which was a Town within the Jurisdiction of Troada scituated close by the Aegean Sea 700 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east as Strabo saith lib. 13. wonderfully fortified both by Nature and Art so that it is a thing almost impossible to be conquered There is found close by it the stone called Sarchophagus in which if any Mans Corps be buried within the space of forty days it is utterly consumed all but the Teeth as Pliny saith lib. 36. cap. 17. In this City Cleantes the Stoick was born as Chrysippus saith Of Mitylene THE Isle and Town of
his accustomed Food Thus it continued so that the Dolphin would suffer the Boy to handle him take him by the Gills play with him yea and sometimes to get upon his Back then swim with him a great way into the Lake and bring him back again and suffer him to go safe upon the shore After this manner he continued for many Years together and in the end the Youth died Yet the Dolphin resorted to his usual place expecting his accustomed Food from the hands of this Boy but missing him he left the shore languish'd away and died Concerning the nature of this Fish you may read more at large in Pliny lib. 9. cap. 8. Of Colossa THIS City is scituated in Phrygia a Country in Asia minor near the Rivers of Lycus and Meander 520 miles from Ierusalem North-westward not far from Laodicea so called from the mighty Statues and Colosso's that were set up in it These Cities Colossa Laodicea and Hierapolis where the Apostle Philip was put to death in the tenth year of Nero a little before Paul's Martyrdom were sunk by an Earthquake which without doubt was a great judgment of God upon them because they refused the Grace and Comfort of the Doctrine of the Gospel offered unto them by the Apostles The Epistle of Paul dedicated to the Colossians was sent by the hand of Onesymus from Rome unto these Towns being 1080 miles For although the Rhodians were called Colossians because of that famous Colossus that stood there yet this City wherein Archippus and Philemon dwelt to whom Paul directed that Epistle stood in Phrygia a Country in Asia minor and not in Rhodes Of Nicopolis NIcopolis is a City of Macedonia scituated close by the River Nessus not far from Philippus upon the Borders of Thrace 920 miles from Ierusalem North-westward From hence the Apostle Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus and sent it to Crete 600 miles There are many other Cities of this Name one standing in Epyre built by Augustus another between Cilicia and Syria built by Alexander in glory of his Victory against Darius a fourth in Bythinia a fifth in the Holy Land formerly called Emmaus Of Rome THis City if we rightly consider the derivation of the Name in Hebrew was not built without the singular Providence of God being derived of Rom i. He hath exalted or made high But the Grecians derive it from Romen i. Strength and Power Now although the Providence of God extendeth to every Creature nay to the very hairs of a Man's Head yet where he determines to express his singular Power there he worketh beyond the expectation of man And who knows not that the beginning of this City was mean raised from a confused Company destitute both of Civility Community and Laws yet hath it been and for the most part is the glory of the World and the great Commander of the Princes of the Earth It was so called at first by Romulus as Livy lib. 1. saith who first built it seven hundred fifty and one years before the Nativity of Christ being scituated upon seven Hills that is Capitolinus Aventinus Palatinus Cealius Exquilinus Viminalis and Quirinalis But after when the City was compassed about with Walls the Hill Ianiculus was inclosed within it The Vallies that lay between these Hills were so raised up with Arches Vaults and artificial Mounts that in process of time they became level with the top of some of those Hills It was beautified with fair and sumptuous Buildings so that as it was the head of the World for Command and Power in like manner it exceeded all the rest of the World for Glory and Riches but principally for stately Buildings There were many goodly Temples dedicated to Iupiter Apollo Aesculapius Hercules Diana Iuno Minerva Lucia Concordia Fides Pietas Pax Victoria Isis besides many other dedicated to other Gods But above all that was the most sumptuous that was called Pantheon Deorum at this day called the Church of Alhallows Moreover here was to be seen the Princely Edifices of Kings Emperours Consuls Senators Patricians and other Romans who were mighty in Wealth and Substance built all of polished Marble beautified with Gold and Silver beside Palaces Bulwarks Theatres triumphant Arches Statues and such like all which were glorious and greatly adorned the City But above all these the House of Nero was most worthy of Observation which to see to was built all of burnish'd Gold very curiously wrought Here also stood the Monuments of the two Caesars Iulius and Augustus also their Statues the one made of pure Brass the other of white Marble Besides there were many fruitful Orchards Water Courses and wholsome Baths brought thither by Antonius Nero Dioclesian and Constantine the Great Also the Emperour Constantine erected many goodly Churches for the use of the Christians and endowed them with great means and amongst the rest that which was dedicated to St. Iohn of Latteran a fair and goodly Church and for Riches and curious Workmanship might compare with the stateliest Temples that ever had been in the World most of the Ornaments and Images being made of Gold and Silver he also erected the Vatican which was dedicated to St. Peter and another holy House dedicated to St. Paul in either of which he placed their several Sepulchres and Monuments bestowing extraordinary Cost to beautifie them So many were the Gifts and Gratuities of this Emperour that they can scarce be numbred so that although the Emperour Trajan and Boniface the Fourth Pope of Rome bestowed great Cost to beautifie and adorn the City yet were they nothing comparable to that which this Emperour did These things then being presented to your view you might justly say That Rome in her Prosperity and Eminency was the Glory of the World but as all Estates are fickle and uncertain still subject to Variety and Change so was this first envied of the World because of the extream oppression of her Governours and after made desolate by Violence and Force all her former Glory being eclipsed and the greatest part of these goodly Buildings laid level with the Ground Thus have I shewed you what Rome was when it was in her Prosperity it resteth now to shew what Rome is Rome at this day differeth as much from the ancient Rome as the Substance from the Shadow For although the Pope hath beautified and adorned the West part of it with many fair and goodly Buildings and called it by the name of new Rome yet it is nothing comparable to the ancient City as it was when Augustus and Constantine the Great were Emperâ—ours thereof neither doth it stand in the ancient place for the first City stood upon the East side of Tyber this upon the West The chief part of the other stood upon the Mountains Capitolinus and Palatinus upon which were the stately Buildings of Senators Kings and Emperours but now they lye desolate and waste The Capitol also and the Temple of Iupiter Feretrius goodly Buildings beaten to the
50 Of Sem 56 Sichem 58 Sodom 63 Of the Sea Asphaltites ibid. Of the Valley Siddim 67 Succoth 75 Salem ib. The Desart of Sin 86 Of Mount Sinai ib. Of Saphar 89 Sidon 100 Sampson and his Travels 115 The typical Signification of Sampson 110 Of the River Sorek 117 Samuel and his Travels 124 The typical Signification of Samuel 126 Saul and his Travels ib. The typical signification of Saul 133 Sur 143 Sunem ib. Suchar 144 Shimei 149 Solomon and his Travels 150 The typical signification of Solomon 153 〈◊〉 Travels of Solomons Ships 153 Saba and the Scituation of it 154 Samaria by whom built 163 Seleucia when it was built and flourished 273 Syria ib. Of the Star that appeared to the Wise-men of the East 322 Sychar 332 The Sea of Galilee 338 Teh description of the holy Sepulchre 369 Sallum 168 Saerah King of Aethiopia and his Travels 177 Salmanasser and his Travels 195 Senacharib and his Trav. 196 Sysach King of Aegypt and his Travels 202 Sarepta 205 The Sunamite and her Travels 208 Of Susan 213 Serubbabel 234 Sobal 241 Simon and his Travels 265 Sephala 268 Of a Sicle 283 Siloh 101 Simon of Cyrene who carried Christ's Cross 372 Samaria 376 Smyrna 385 Sardis 387 Saba 390 Salamais 398 Samothracia 407 Samus an Isle 417 T. TAnais 59 The desciption of the Temple 91 Of the Porches or open Courts of the Temple from 11 to 15 Of the Allegorical or Spiritual meaning of the Temple from 16 to 19 The Tower Antonia 20 The Tower Ophel ib. The Tower of the Centurions 21 The Travels of the two Angels 64 the Tower Aeder 76 Thimnah 78 Thahath 90 Tharah ib. Thabor 107 355 Thebes 111 Tholah 112 Thob 113 The Travels of the Children of Israel when they fought against the Benjamites 121 Thecoah 149 Thamar 152 Thirza 160 Thipza 169 The Travels of the People that Salmanasser carried into Captivity 1â—0 Tiglat Phulasser and his Travels 195 Tyrus or Zor 200 347 Thisbe 205 Tharsis 206 Tobias 242 Of the City Tharsus 250 The Tubiani a People 258 Tripolis 270 Tryphon and his Travels 274 Of a Talent 284 The Travels of the Wise Men out of the East 321 The Travels of our Saviour Christ in his Infancy 326 The Travels of our Saviour Christ from his Baptism till the first Year of his Ministry 327 The Travels of our Saviour Christ in the second Year of his Ministry 333 The Travels of our Saviour Christ in the third Year of his Ministry 340 Tyberias 345 Trachonitis 353 The Travels of our Saviour Christ in the fourth Year of his Ministry 356 Thyatira 387 Tarsus or Tharsus 393 Troas 407 Thessalonia or Thessalonica 409 Trogillium 417 V. THe Valley of Cedron 24 The Valley of Hinnom 28 Vizziah or Azariah and his Travels 182 Vriah ad his Travels 211 W. OF the Walls that compassed the City of Ierusalem 25 Of Weights Measures and Moneys from 283 to 311 The way between Iudaea and Aegypt 320 Y. THe Years of the Iniquity of Israel 160 Z. ZOan 59 Zin Cades 92 Zalmona ib. Zarea 117 Zoba 129 Ziph 131 Ziglag 143 Zemeraim 160 Zephah 104 Zachariah 168 Zarea 176 Zedekiah 189 Zephaniah 222 Zachariah ib. Zophar 239 Zabadei 264 Zacharias 314 Zidon 350 Zeboim 133 Zimri 162 FINIS * Cubitus is a Foot and an half six Hand breadths four and twenty Fingers broad being in former times the fourth part of the heâ—ght of a Man Cubitus a cubando the Arm that men use to lean upon from the Elbow to the Hand Victru lib. 3. Col. Lexicon * Which make 〈…〉 †Which make 2200. Miles * Because it was made of the Cedar Trees which came out of Mount Libanus †Which make four English Miles and a Furlong * That is 206 yards in height * Or Araâ—â—a That is an 100 Cubits which make 50 yards English so that the Temple was 50 yards long 50 broad and 60 high * Masâ—uli eniâ—n ab 〈…〉 one dominâ—m inâ—ocarunt * Or a well wrought stone * That is 200 yards high * Here also dwelt Sisai Abiman and Thalmas the sons of Anak * This was the Chief City of Aegypt In the third Year of this man's Rule Hercules King of the Argives famous for his twelve Labours began to reign Macrob. lib. 1. In the tenth Year of this Judge An. Mun. 2747. and before Christ 1221 Hercules died and Priamus King of Troy began his Reign which he lost forty Years after In the fifth Year of this man's Rule the Trojan War began Ann. Mun. 2777 before Christ 1190. In the fifth Year of this Man's Rule Troy was taken * From the place where David killed Goliah * How much this was you may read hereafter in the quantity of weights * What this was in our Mony you may read after in the quantity of Monies * What this is in our Money you may read after in the quantity of Moneys * What this was in our Mony you may see after * What this was in our Money you may see after * Four Yards and a half long and two broad * That is 180000 Crowns Lucian in Carâ—nt Suid loc alleg at Hysich in †A Silique is the Fruit of a Charob-tree which carrieth certain sweet Cods or Husks about five inches long and as broad as a mans Thumb six Carobs or Charob-Bean-cods weighed a Drachma or Carract About the 18 day of October in this year the Practises of Sejanus were discovered and he died miserably Tac. lib. 5. * Some say he killed himself with his own Dagger †As some say 400.
the Travels of Sampson were 240 miles The Description of the several Towns and Places to which Sampson travelled Of Zarea THIS is a City in the Tribes of Iuda and Dan near the River Soreck and taketh the Name from a Cole or Leprosie being derived of Sarag that is He was Leprous it stood eighteen miles from Ierusalem Westward Of Esthaol THis was a Town in the Tribe of Dan two miles from Zarea and stood near the River Soreck some twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name from a Woman and Fortitude for Isca signifieth a Woman and El or Ol strong and powerful Here Sampsen was brought up In St. Ierom's time this was called Asto not far from whence Sampson lieth buried Of Timnah You may read of this in the Travels of Iudah Of Ascalon THis was a City of the Philistines scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea some thirty miles from Ierusalem Westward and to this day retaineth the figure of half a Circle it taketh the name from an ignominious Fire being derived of Esh and Kalon an ignominious light Of Gaza Of this Town you may read in the Travels of Ioshuah Of the River Soreck THis was a very pleasant River upon the Bank whereof grew great plenty of Vines and Palms from whence it seemeth to have taken the Name for Soreck in Hebrew signifieth a Myrtle Branch which bringeth forth a pleasant Berry whereof excellent Wine is made It takes the beginning at a Fountain in the Tribe of Iuda some twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the West where there is a very fertile Valley in which Dalilah that betrayed Sampson dwelt and from thence it runneth through the Land of the Philistines and falleth into the Mediterranean Sea Of the Rock Eta IN this Rock there was a Cave wherein Sampson dwelt as in a strong Tower it stood in the Tribe of Iuda near to the River Soreck twelve miles from Ierusalem toward the West and seemeth to take the Name from Fowls for before that Sampson inhabited there a multitude of Fowls bred upon it and therefore it was called Eta for Aith signifies a Fowl This Rock growing to decay was repaired again by Ieroboam that Idolatrous King of Israel Of Sampson SAmpson or Schimpson according to the Hebrew Text taking his Name from the Sun for Schaemas in Hebrew signifieth the Sun and seemeth to have some Affinity with Hercules which â—ignifieth The glory of the Air for what can be said to be the glory of the Air but the Light of the Sun without which it would become exceeding dark Wherefore as some think this Sampson was the true Hercules and those noble Exploits that he did the Graecians attributed to their Hercules The typical Signification of Sampson HE typically representeth Christ divers ways first in his Person he was a mighty Man secondly in his Profession he was a Nazarite thirdly in his Calling he was a Prince and Judge fourthly in his manner of living for he went from place to place to revenge himself upon the Enemies of God's People the Children of Israel and in his Death even so our Saviour Christ is that strong man who being mightier than the Devil hath dispossest him of his tyrannical Jurisdiction over the Souls of Mankind hath taken away those gates of Death by his Mercy opening unto us the door of Life that so being set at Liberty from that hellish Imprisonment we may be made Partakers of everlasting Happiness he was also a Nazarite even from his Mothers Womb born and bred there tying himself to a Vow of Bondage that we might be made free he is a Prince for ever and a Priest after the Order of Melchisedeck during the continuance of his Life in this Vail of Misery his chiefest Actions were to go from place to place to teach to do good and to rescue and relieve the poor distressed Members of the Church who lay miserably afflicted under the hands of Satan healing some relieving others and bringing a third sort into the state of Grace so that as Sampson delivered the Israelites from the Bondage of the Philistines Christ our Prince and Judge delivereth his from the Slavery of Satan by his Death saving more Souls than in his Life And thereby pulling down the strong Buildings the Temptations of Satan hath laid them level with the Ground that they shall never be restored again And lastly after this Life ended he shall be our Prince and Judge and bring us to that place of Promise prepared for us in his everlasting Kingdom The Travels of the Spies of the Danites SHortly after the Death of Sampson the Spies of the Danites went from Zarea and Esthaol to Mount Ephraim to the House of Michah which is twenty four miles Iudg. 18. From thence they went to Lais which is a hundred and four miles Iudg. 18. From thence they returned to Zarea and Esthaol which is 126 miles Iudg. 18. So all their Travels were 244 miles Of Lais. LAIS was a City scituated at the Foot of Mount Libanus some 104 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was sometimes called Belenus this because it stood so far from Aid was quickly conquered by the Danites and by them utterly destroyed it signifieth a roaring or devouring Lyon But after being rebuilt by the Danites they called it Dan and the Canaanites Lesem Dan being derived of Laeschaem which signifieth a Lyon The Travels of the Danites THE Army of the Danites went from Zarea and Esthaol to Kiijath-jearim and there pitched their Tents which is sixteen miles Iud. 15. From thence they went to Mount Ephraim to the house of Micha and took his carved Image and his Levite from him which was eight miles Iudg. 15. From thence they went to Lais 104 miles So all the Travels were 128 miles Of Kirjath-jearim KIrjath-jearim was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Iuda upon the Borders of the Tribe of Benjamin about a mile from Ierusalem Westward It sometime belonged to the Gibeonites Iosh. 9. and signifies a City of the Desart or Woods being derived from Kiriath which signifies a City and Iaar a Wood or Forrest Here stood the Ark of the Covenant after it had been in the Land of the Philistines seven months and stood in the house of Abinadab whose Son Eleazer because he was of the Family of the Levites by consent of the Children of Israel was consecrated Priest thereof to attend and keep it here it remained forty eight Years till David fetched it thence with great Joy 1 Sam. 7. 2 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. Here Saul was anointed King by Samuel here the Company of the Prophets that is the Scholers of the Wise came down from the more eminent places where the Ark of God was with holy Songs and Instruments of Musick and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and he sung and praised God with them They called this the Hill of God because the Ark of the Covenant stood in it 1 Sam.
His Enemies being thus put to flight he pursued them to the Mountains of Azotus and Gazeron which was six miles where being oppressed with the multitude and hemmed in amongst them was slain He died in the Month Nisan which answers to our April Anno Mundi 3810. and before Christ 158. 1 Mac. 9. From the Mountains of Azotus and Gazeron his dead Body was carried back again to Modin being 6 miles and there buried So his Travels were 915 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Mispa Iamnia and Laisa you may read before Of Caspin THIS City stood not far from Iamnia 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west This Town though it was strongly fortified yet Iudas Macchabeus won it 2 Mac. 12. It is called Caspin of Keseph which signifies Silver There was another City called Casphor that is the Silver Mountain this stood in the Land of Gilead near Mispa which Iudas also won 1 Mac. 4. Of Asseremoth otherwise called Gazaron GAzaron or Gareza was a City of the Philistines near Ekron sixteen miles from Ierusalem towards the West It is so called from the Cliff of a Rock being derived of Gezer which signifies a Cliff Here Iudas Macchabeus was slain 1 Mac. 6. Of the Tubiani TVbiani are a People that dwelt beyond Iordan in that part of Arabia-Petraea which is called Nabathea of Nabaioth the Son of Ishmael near to a Mountain of the Gileadites not far distant from Abel of the Vines where it is thought Balaam's Ass spoke This Land is called Thubin and the Inhabitants Tubiani because all that Country bringeth forth very pleasant and excellent Wine being derived of Zob which signifies good and Iaiin Wine In this Country Iudas Macchabeus continued three days with his Army Of Caphar-Salama THIS Town stood twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North In Herod the Great 's time in was enlarged and made a very fair City which he caused to be called Antipatridis after the Name of his Father Antipater of which you may read more in the Travels of the Apostle Paul Of Adarsa THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Ephraim between Antipatridis and Bethoron the lower twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west It seemeth to be thus called from a noble Gift for it is derived of Adar which signifies illustrious and Schal a Gift The Typical Signification of Judas Macchabeus JVdas Macchabeus is a Type and Figure of our Lord Jesus Christ and Antiochus of that wicked Antichrist as the Interpretation of their names do evidently declare for Iudas signifies a Confessor praising God and glorifying his Name for all his Benefits so Christ the Son of God is the Praise and Glory of his Father for that in him and by him God the Father is praised as is evident in the Song of Simeon In like manner our Lord Jesus Christ is worthily called Macchabeus for Macchabeus is a sir-name of the Iews which is written after this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Machabai every Letter of which signifieth a several Word according to the Song of Moses in the fifteenth Chapter of Exodus where are these Words Michamocha baelim Iehovah that is Who is like unto thee amongst the Gods O Lord Thus did the Children of Israel sing with Moses when God led them out of the Land of Aegypt through the Red Sea and this Sentence Iudas Macchabeus continually used as an Adage and the Letters at the beginning of these Words being joyned together into one Word make the sir-name Macchabai Therefore as he had always this golden Sentence in his Mouth so had he it likewise in his Name yea in his Ensigns Wherefore this name likewise is worthy to be attributed to Christ for he is that perfect Image and Glory of his eternal Father Heb. 1. who is called Michael that is Who is like unto God and Macchabeus or Machabai that is Who is like unto thee amongst the Gods O Lord. Therefore he saith thus I am that great God that will deliver you from all evil Ecce Deus fortis foelix de morte resurgo Tartareosque unguens Daemona ipse ligo Behold I am the God of Might from death to Life that rose I bind the Devil to my Will his Furies I oppose But Antiochus signifies an adversary or an opposer or one that fighteth against God The same also doth Sathan signifie in Hebrew He is therefore a fit Type of that great opposer of God and Man Antichrist who fighteth against Christ that Iudas Machabeus and true Captain of the Church For as the one viz. Antiochus was an adversary against the Iews the Children of God so the other that is Antichrist is an adversary and Enemy against Christ and his Church c. The Travels of Jonathan the brother of Judas Macchabeus JOnathan or Jonathas and Theodoâ—us hath but one signification that is The gift of God This man the same year that Judas his Brother died succeeded him in the Principalitâ— and governed the Jews eighteen years 1 Mac. 9. Joseph lib. antiq 3. But understanding that Bacchides chief Captain of Demetrius King of Syria went about to take away his life by craft he and his Brother Simon went from Modin and pitched their Tents in the Wilderness of Tecoah near to the Lake of Asphar which was twenty miles From thence they sent their Brother John with certain Riches to the Nabathians which dwelt in Medaba in Arabia twenty eight miles desiring them in Friendship to receive their Goods into the Town and to keep them for their use but the Sons of Iambri and the Nabathians issued out of Medaba unawares fell upon John put him to death took away all his Wealth and returned into their City with great joy But Jonathan and Simon took this injury very heavily and much bewailed the death of their Brother Wherefore that they might be revenged of the inhabitants of Medaba they went thence twenty eight miles and hid themselves among the Mountains just in the way that led from Medaba to Canaan for they had heard that the Sons of Iambri and the Inhabitants of Medaba were gone forth with great Jollity to fetch home a Bride which was a Princes Daughter of the Land of Canaan Now as they were merry upon the way Jonathan and Simon his Brother with their Army went out from among the Mountains and put a great number of them to the Sword taking away a mighty Spoyl From Medaba they went to the River Jordan which was three miles where upon the East side of the River they pitched their Tents here he was constrained to fight a cruel Battel with Bacchides upon the Sabboth-day but as he was in the fight he met Bacchides and lift up his hand to strike at him but he seeing the danger retired Nevertheless he put to the Sword 1000 of his men and after he and his Followers leapt into the River and swam over so they all escaped without Danger In the fifty sixth year of the Grecians Government in
the Saracens and the Army of the Emperour of Conradus the third in which the Christians lost the day Of Lystra THIS is a City in Lycaonia scituated in Asia the less 436 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In this Town Timothy was born Act. 16. 2 Tim. 3. In this City Paul healed the Cripple and was stoned Act. 14. 2 Cor. 11. Of Darbe THIS also was a City in Lycaonia scituated in Asia the Less 388 miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel Act. 14. Of Attalia ATtalia was a Haven Town of Pamphilia built by Attalus Philadephus King of Pergamus after whose name it was so called as Strato observeth lib. 14. being distant from Ierusalem 332 miles towards the North. Paul and Barnabas sailed out of Syria into this Town At this day it is called Catalia The third Travels of Paul in the company of Sylas IN the fifth year after the Ascension of Christ Paul took unto him Sylas and going through Syria and Cilicia came to Darbe which is 400 miles and there established the Churches Act. 15. 16. From Darbe they went to Lystra forty eight miles where Paul circumcised Timothy Act. 16. In the one and fiftieth year after Christ they went from Lystra and so travelled through Galatia Phrygia and being hindred by the Spirit that they could not preach in Bythinia they went thorough Mysia and so came to Troas where by a Vision that Paul saw in the night he was admonished to go into Macedonia Act. 16. So this Journey between Lycia and Troas was 483 miles Loosing from Troas they sailed with a direct course to Samothracia 116 miles From thence they sailed to Neapolis ninety two miles From thence they went to Philippos in Macedonia twenty four miles Act. 16. here Lydda the Seller of Purple was converted and Paul dispossessed of a Devil and then he and Scylas being scourged were cast into Prison Paul being then about forty one years of age Act. 16. From Philippos they went to Amphipolis about 36 miles Act. 17. From thence they went to Apollonia forty four miles From Apollonia they went to Thessalonica where the Iews stirred up a Tumult eighty miles Wherefore they went thence by night and came to Berrhaea sixty miles here also the Iews stirred up a Tumult Act. 17. These things happened in the Summer Season An. Dom. 51. From Berrhaea Paul was brought by the Brethren to the Sea where entring into a Ship he went to Athens which was 294 miles where he converted Dionysius the Areopagite From this Town he wrote both his Epistles to the Thessalonians as the Subscription witnesseth and sent them to Thessalonica These were the first Epistles that Paul wrote Afterward he went from Athens and came to Corinthia seventy four miles he came thither about the beginning of August An. Dom. 51. and continued there a whole Year and six Months preaching the Gospel and making Tents with Aquila the Iew who was of that Trade Act. 19. From Corinthia about the Spring An. Dom. 53. he went to Cenchraea with Aquila and Priscilla 304 miles There for Devotions sake he polled his Head From Cenchraea he sailed in the company of Aquila and Priseilla to Ephesus about 304 miles Here he left them Act. 18. From Ephesus he sailed to Caesarea Strato in Iudaea being 280 miles From Caesarea he went to Ierusalem 32 miles and saluted the Church From the City of Ierusalem Paul went to Antiochia in Syria 280 miles So all these Travels were 2154. Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Cilicia BEcause you may read of Syria before I will omit it and proceed to speak of Cilicia This was a Country in Asia the less so called as some would have it from Cilix the Kings Son of Phoenicia compassed in upon the East with the Mountain Amanus upon the North with the Mountain Taurus upon the West by Pamphilia and upon the South by the Mediterranean Sea At this day it is called Caramania and is distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North in times past it was divided into two parts that is into Cilicia the higher and the lower Cilicia the higher aboundeth with Mountains the lower is a plain Champian Country very fertile and pleasant The principal Cities thereof are Tarsus where the Apostle Paul was born and where the River Cydnus runs through the midst of it Issus where Alexander overcame Darius last Emperour of the Persians Anazarba where Dioscorides that excellent Physician was born who was of great estimation with Antonius and Cleopatra There are six Books yet extant of his profitable and necessary Labours in that Science From hence may be gathered that the Scituation is strong and pleasant in regard it is fortified on every side with Mountains but principally with the Mountain Taurus famous for the fertility of it and the passage of Alexander with his Army who at the time he conquered Darius went through the streight passages thereof being both dangerous and difficult and watered with many Rivers that take their beginning from that Mountain and so passeth Southward through all Cilicia falling then into the Mediterranean Sea Of Galatia GALATIA or Gallo-Graecia is a Country of Asia Minor distant from Ierusalem 400 miles having upon the hast Cappadocia upon the South Pamphilia upon the West Bythâ—ia and on the North the Euxine Sea The Cities of this Country were anciently Sinopis where King Mithridates kept his Court and Diogenes the Cynick was born Amisus also Pessinus where the Mother of the Gods was had in great honour and was fetch'd thence by the Romans This was a famous Mart Town as Livy saith li 29. Laodicea Tavius and Ancyra where there was held a notable Synod and in this large and spacious Country also stood Antiochia Pisidia for the Galatians dwelt in all Paphlagonia a part of Licaonia Pisidia and Isauria in which Countries the Apostle Paul taught the Gospel of Christ. These Inhabitants which in those daies were called Galatians are said to be a People of France who joyning themselves to the Cyâ—brians Danes and Germans under the conduct of Brennus their Captain invaded Italy in which Enterprise they were so fortunate that they conquered a great part of it wherein they planted Colonies and because of their nearness to their own Country in process of time grew mighty and from that beginning the Country where they inhabited was called Cice-alpine-Gallia taking that name partly of the Place partly of the People After Brennus and his Army making use of their Fortunes sorraged all Italy and came to Rome which they won and sack'd all but the Capitol and that also was in great danger until such time as Camillus a valiant Roman Captain taking advantage of the Enemies Security who now took more care how to satisfie their Covetousness than to defend what they had got of a sudden set upon them by which unexpected Invasion they were put to a marvellous straight and the Besieged greatly incouraged so