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
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
there seemeth to lye upon the Tongue of it if it be angry a fiery flame The same Author saith that a little from Zoar between this Lake and the Mountains of Engedi the Pillar whereinto Lot's Wife was turned is yet to be seen shining like Salt The furthest part of this Sea Northward lies 14 miles from Ierusalem toward the East the River Iordan runneth into it The Travels of the two Angels that led Lot out of Sodom THese two Angels having spoken with Abraham in the Valley of Mamre near Hebron forthwith went to Sodom some 40 miles distant from that place where Lot having entertained them into his House by their help was delivered together with his Wife and two Daughters from that miserable Desolation of the Sodomites Of Lot's two Daughters LOT escaping 〈◊〉 is Desolation and seeing a President of God's Judgment fallen upon his Wife for her disobedience fearing that he should not continue safe in Zoar left that and turned aside into the Wilderness and continued there among the Mountains although the Lord had promised him safety in this Town wherefore continuing in a Cave in the Wilderness the eldest of his Daughters losing her Husband in this Destruction supposing that all men had been destroyed counselled her Sister to commit Incest with her Father Lot being now oppressed with Care by reason of the former Calamities gave himself at the Inticement of his Daughters to drink Wine insomuch as with the Excess he became drunk at which time not being himself he begat by his two Daughters two Sons the eldest had a Son whom she called Moab which signifies the begotten of his Father whereby the Impudency of this Woman is laid open to the World in that she was not ashamed of her Sin Of him came the Moabites and dwelt upon the North-side of the Lake Asphaltides some 32 miles from Ierusalem The youngest Daughter had a Son which she called Ben-ammy that is The Son of my People for although she bare him with great shame yet she dwelt among the People of God Of him came the Ammonites that dwelt beyond Mount Giâ—ead threescore miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Of the four Kings that took Lot Prisoner THE first of them was called Amraphel King of Shinear or Babylon the Son of Ninus and Semiramis as some think and is called sometime by the name of Berosus sometime Ninus He kept his Court at Babylon in Chaldaea which is 680 miles from Ierusalem Eastward This Ninus is called Amraphel because of the notable Victories that he won and the number of Countries and Provinces he conquered The second was Arioch or Arrius his Son He was thus called because of his Courage and Cruelty in War for Arioch signifies a mighty roaring Lion Arius Mars This man during the life of his Father was created King of Lassir that is Assyria for so it is called in the Chaldaean Tongue the chief City whereof is Nineveh and lies from Ierusalem North-eastward six hundred eighty four Miles The third was Keder-laomer King of the Elamites in Persia 1200 miles from Ierusalem toward the East This Prince had a great command in that Country Kedar signifies an Ornament or Crown Laomer well deserving The fourth was Thideal King of the Nations He kept his Court in Damascus the Metropolis of Assyria some 160 miles from Ierusalem Northward Thideal signifieth an exalted Lord of Alah that is to be lifted up These four Kings were Confederates and bent their Expedition principally against Aâ—toroâ—h and Kiriâ—thaim which they took and spoiled all the Country round about with Fire and Sword and their Armies being retired from the Spoil met in the Valley of Siddim where now the Dead Sea runneth and there pitched their Tents In this place after a cruel and sharp War they conquered the five Kings of that beautiful and pleasant Soil of Pentapolis for so it was called because of those five Cities that were in it where among others they took Lot Captive with all his Substance Of Astoroth AStoroth seems to be the City of Venus because the Citizens thereof worshipped her for Astoroth is a Goddess of the Sidonians and is compounded of Ash which signifies a company of Stars and Tor placed in order The Sâ—rians call Venus Ashtoroth This Town lay in the Land of Gilead and belonged to the half Tribe of Manasses beyond Iordan 56 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward In this City the four Kings of the East conquered the Gyants of Karnaim that were mighty Princes and Commanders there when they made War against that and Kiriathaim Not far from hence also in the Land of Ham there dwelt certain Gyants called Zusim of Zus and Hamah which signifies to stir up Commotion These were very great strong and stately People and had the Command of all the Countries thereabouts which they held in great fear and were conquered by the four Kings Of Kiriathaim KIriathaim was a City in the Tribe of Reuben beyond Iordan Josh. 13. twenty two miles from Ierusalem towards the East and so called because it was divided into many Parts and Divisions The Heathens corruptly call it Carthage The Hebrews derive it from Kiriath which signifies a City and Emah Terror Here dwelt the Emims a grave and fâ—arful people for so their name signifies Of Hazezon Thamar THIS City took the name from a Palm-tree or a Palm bank Of this kind of Wood the Israelites made their Arrows and therefore derive it from Charar which signifieth to shoot and Thamar a Palm-tree This City standeth upon the Bank of the Dead Sea twenty miles from Ierusalem North-east upon a very fruitful Soil where was found plenty of Palm-trees and precious Balsam and by some called Engedi or the Lambs Well being derived from Ein and Gedi which signifieth Fontem haeduli lactantis that is The Well of a sucking Lamb or Goat Not far from hence stood the Cave where David cut off the outward lap of King Saul's Garment â— Sam. 24. Of the plentiful Valley Siddim THIS Valley stood there where now the Dead Sea runneth and took that name from the fertility of the Soil and seems to have some affinity with the Hebrew word Sâ—del which signifies a Field partly arable partly Pasture and Medow furnished with Trees Herbs and Orchards In this place stood divers Wells of Bitume from whence the Inhabitants fetch'd Caement to build their Houses with but after for their Wickedness which was so great as it appeareth in Gen. 18. that the Cry thereof asâ—â—nded into Heaven the Lord did grievously punish them first with War by which the Inhabitants were destroyed and after that with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven so that as is aforesaid this goodly Valley is nothing but a stinking Lake The Travels of the Aegyptian Maid Hagar AFter Sara had preferred Hagar to that high Grace as to make her equal with her self she growing proud thereof contemned her Mistress and in recompence of that Favour carried her sâ—lf very presumptuously towards her which Sara seeking to
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
Syrian were 296 miles The Travels of Hasael King of Syria HE went from Damascus where Elizeus told him that he should succeed his Lord and Master Benhadad in the Kingdom to â—amâ—th Gilead with his Army which was 104 miles There he overcame Iehoram King of Israel in a great battel 2 Reg. cap. 8. From thence he returned to Damascus 104 miles After he went to Damascus to the City Aroer which was 132 miles From thence he went through the land of Gilead into the Kingdom of Basâ—n until he came to Mount Libanus which is accounted eighty miles and conquered all that part 2 Reg. 10. After he returned into his own Kingdom to Damascus which is 320 miles Within a while after he went again from Damascus with his Army to Gath which is reckoned 188 miles This City he won From Gath he went to Ierusalem thirty two miles which he besieged so streightly that Ioas King of Iudah was constrained to give him great abundance of Gold to raise his Siege and be gone 2 Reg. 12. From Ierusalem he went to Damascus which was about 160 miles The last Journey that he went against the Israelites was when he besieged Samaria at which time he won many Cities and Towns round about in the Country and made them Tributaries unto him 2 Reg 13. which was 132 â—iles Having finished this Expedition he returned back to Damascus 132 miles and there dyed and was buried So all the Travels of Hasael King of Syria were 1384 miles The Cities of Aroer and Gath are described before therefore I shall not need to speak of them again in this place The Travels of Benhadad the second of that name King of Syria THis Benhadad was the Son of Hasael and succeeded him in the Government He went from the City Damascus with a great Army to Apheck which was 104 miles This King was three times one after another overthrown by Ioab King of Israel and lost all those Cities which Hasael his Father had formerly conquered 2 Reg. 13. From Apheck he returned to Damascus 104 miles and there died So both Journeys were 208 miles The Travels of Resin King of Syria RESIN King of Syria went from Damascus and joyning his Army with that of Pekah King of Israel they went to Ierusalem and streightly besieged Ahab king of Iudah 2 Reg. 16. which was 160 miles At this time which was in the year of the World 3206 and before Christ 762. the Prophet Esay ca. 7. foretold of the Birth of our Saviour Christ saying Behold a Virgin being great shall bring forth a Child and shall call his name Emanuel From thence he brought his Army through Idumaea to Elâ—th a City of the Red Sea some 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the South and sixteen miles from Ezeongaber Northward This City Resin won and thrust from thence the Iews out of it From â—lath he went to Damascus 280 miles where he was slain by Tiglath Phulasser that mighty King of the Assyrians who carried a great multitude of the Inhabitants of Damascus into the Country of Syrene where they endured a miserable Exile 2 Reg. 16. So all the Travels of King Resin were 600 miles The Travels of the Kings of Judah which reigned in the City of Jerusalem and first of the Travels of Rehoboam REhoboam the Son of Solomon succeded his Father in the Kingdom and began his Reign Anno mundi 2971 and before Christ 977 who by reason of his extream cruelty and threats following the counsel of his young Courtiers rather than of his grave Senators the same year lost ten of the Tribes that fell from him and rebelled against him so that he reigned over Iudah and Benjamin seventeen years 1 Reg. 11. 14. A little after the death of Solomon he went to Sichem thirty two miles where he was anointed and crowned King But the People perceiving that he carried himself very proudly and arrogantly desired him that he would ease them of the burden formerly imposed upon them by his Father for Solomon had set a certain Tax on every man because he was at extraordinary charges as long as the Temple was building but he little regarding their request told them That his little finger should be heavier than the whole burthen of his Father wherefore they disliking his Speech fell all from him except Benjamin and Iudah Wherefore the King shunning the fury of the People with all possible speed went from Sichem to Jerusalem back again being thirty two miles Then he fortified all the chief Cities of Judah and Benjamin 2 Chr. 11. So all the Travels of Rehoboam were sixty four miles But he principally fortified fourteen Cities in the Tribe of Judah that with the more safety he might oppose his Enemy Jeroboam King of Israel viz. Bethlehem Etam Thecoa Bethzura Adullam Gath Maâ—esa Ziph Adoraiim Lachis Aseca Zarea Ajalon and Hebron most of which Towns and the memorable Actions done in them are described in the former part of this Treatise I will therefore speak only of such Towns as have not as yet been mentioned Of Maresa THIS was a City in the Tribe of Iuda 16 miles from Ierusalem West-ward which Rehoboam repaired and fortified 2 Chr. 11. where King Asa overcame the Ethâ—opians in a cruel Battel 2 Chr. 14. Here Michaias and Eleazer the Prophets were born 2 Chr. 20 Mich. 1 2 Ios. 15 Georgias also fled into this City when he was overcome by Iudas Macchabeus 2 Mac. 12 It was scituated on the Borders of the Tribes of Iuda and Dan as Sâ— Ierom saith in whose time the Ruines thereof were to be seen Maresca signifies an Inheritance being derived of Moraschah that is a Possession Of Bethzura THIS is a strong Castle often mentioned in the History of the Macchabees scituated on a Mountain some five Furlongs from Ierusalem Southward and felll by lot unto the Tribe of Iuda This Tower was as it were a Bulwark for the City of Ierusalem and stood in the way â—s you go thence to Bethlem and so to Gaza Of Zareah THIS was a City in the Tribe of Iuda eight miles from Ierusalem toward the West which Rehoboam did also repair and fortifie 2 Ch. 11. There was another City of this name scituated upon the Border of the Tribes of Iuda and Dan 18 miles from Ierusalem Westward of which you may read in the Travels of Sampson Of Adoraiim ADoraiim or Adarah was a City in the Tribe of Iuda 44 miles from Ierusalem South-westward which Rehoboam the Son of Solomon also fortified 2 Chr. 11. It is scituated upon the Borders of Iudah and Arabia-Petraea between Cades and Casmona It signifies a glorious City being derived of Adar he was glorious The Travels of King Abia. ABijah or Abia signifies The Father of the Sea He began to reign in the eighteenth year of Ieroboam his Adversary An. Mundi 2988 before Christ 980 and reigned over Israel three years 1 Reg. 15 2 Chr. 17. He went from Ierusalem to the Mount Zemeraim eight miles After
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
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
extendeth from Damascus to Jordan after his name was called Vz that is the Land of Counsel for so Vz signifieth There were two Towns in this Country where Job is said to have dwelt that is Astaroth Carnaim and Batzra Astaroth Carnaim was distant from Jerusalem fifty two miles towards the North-East the Inhabitants of which Town worshipped the Goddess Venus and called her by the name of Astaroth of which you may read before St. Jerom saith That the Sepulchre of Job was to be seen in his time in that Town and later Writers testifie as much â—ore their times This Town at this day is called Carnea Batzra is mentioned in the thirty sixth of Genesis it signifieth a Grape gathering In this Town it was thought that Iob was born it lay beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East All this Country in those times was subject to the King of the Edomites or Idumaeans but after it was joyned to the Land of the Moabites they having conquered the Kings of Edom you may read more of it in the sixth of Isay also Ios. 20. where is shewed that it was one of the six Cities of Refuge appointed by Ioshuah Here Iob for the most part continued and held this Town in great honour and reputation He lived about the time of Baela the first King of the Edomites and according to the opinion of St. Ierom Augustine Ambrose Philo and Luther was for his excellent Vertue and singular Piety chosen King of that Country which he greatly inlarged making all the Countries and neighbouring Princes near adjoyning tributary unto him wherefore as Ierom saith in locus Hebraicis having obtained so large an Empire he removed his Seat from Batzra to Astaroth-Carnaim which was a strong and well-defenced City where in those times as Moses witnesseth Gen. 14. there inhabited mighty men and noble Heroes that so by their Vertue he might with the greater facility suppress and conquer other Provinces There are many think him to be of the Stock of Abraham and of the Family of Esau because he is mentioned in the 36 of Genesis where it is said That when Baela died Iobab the Son of Zerah of Bozra or Betzrah reigned in his stead And St. Ierom in his Preface upon the Book of Iob sheweth that he was but five degrees removed from Abraham for Abraham had Ishmael Basmath who was the Wife of Esau Mother of Reguel Grand-mother to Serah and great Grand-mother to Iob. So that by the Mothers side Iob descended from Ishmael and by the Fathers side from Esau. Isaac Esau Reguel Serah Iob or Iobab King of Idumaea Gen. 36. Notwithstanding there are some that are of opinion that he descended from Abraham's Brother and was of the Family of Nahor's Son which opinion also St. Ierom mentioneth in his Hebraâ—cal Qâ—estions But most of the Antient Fathers hold this nothing so probable Luther upon the thirty sixth Chapter of Genesis saith That he was King long time before Moses caâ—ried the Children of Israel out of Egypt For Iuda and Aser the Sons of Iacob had Children before they went into the Land of Egypt Gen. 46. therefore it is not impossible for Reguel the Son of â—sau to have Children also since he was married long before his Brother Iacob From hence then it may be gathered that Iob was King of Idumaea bâ—fore Iacob and his Sons went into the Land of Egypt for although the fourteen Sons of â—sau governed the Land of Edom like so many Princes of which number Reguel the Grand-father of Iob was one because they held it as their Inheritance yet to avoid Sedition and Distractions which oftentimes happen where there is not a certain Head and principal Commander therefore they elected Bela the Son of Beor to be their King after whose death they chose Iob because he was a holy man of God and in his Actions just and upright who without doubt reigned amongst the Edomites a long time for he lived after his Afflictions which God imposed upon him to try him 140 Years Plato saith he married Dina the Daughter of Iacob but St. Ierom That he married the Daughter of an Arabian by whom he had Enon Both these may be true for his first Wife being dead he might marry an Arabian After the death of Iob the Gyants and Heroes in Asteroth-Carnaim fell again from the Idumaeans for when Moses brought the Children of Israel out of the Desart of Arabia-Petraea and that they had conquered the Land beyond Iordan the City Astaroth-Carnaim had a King called Og who governed all the Kingdom of Basan This Gyant was of a mighty Stature he had a Bed of Iron nine Cubits long and four broad Deut. 3. Of Eliphaz ELiphaz the Themanite was the Brother of Iob's Grand-father This Eliphaz had a Son called Theman who built a City and after his own Name called it Theman where Eliphaz his Father dwelt with him From whence it hapned that he was called Eliphaz the Themanite Iob. 2. It was distant from Ierusalem forty miles towards the South and therefore it was called a City of the South you may read of Eliphaz in Ier. cap. 25. He had a Concubine called Thimnah because of her Beauty and comely Proportion by her he had Amaleck of whom came the Amalekites between whom and the Children of Israel were cruel Wars Exad 17. The Travels of Eliphaz the Themanite FROM Themen he went to Astaroth-Carnaim where Iob dwelt which is accounted ninety two miles to comfort his Friend Iob Iob 2. From Astaroth-Carnaim he returned back to his own house which was ninety two miles So the Travels of Eliphaz were 184 miles Of Bildad Job's Friend BEyond Iordan and the Sea of Galilee not far from Astaroth-Carnaim there is at this day found a Town called Suah where as it is thought Bildad the Friend of Iob dwelt Near to this Town as Sebastian Francus observes in his Cosmography there was yearly in the Summer Season a great Mart kept in certain Tents and Tabernacles erected for that purpose of divers colours Bildad signifies an antient Friend and Suah taketh the name from Desolation being derived of Scho He hath made desolate Of Zophar the Friend of Job ZOPHAR dwelt in the City of Naema Iosh. 15. but how far it stood from Ierusalem is uncertain Zophar of Zaphar signifieth swift Naema signifies Pleasant and delectable of Naem courteous and comfortable Of Job's Daughters THE Lord gave unto Iob after his Affliction and that he had tryed his faithfulness three Daughters so fair that there were none fairer to be found in all the Land The name of the first was Iemmima that is as fair as the day of Iom which signifies a Day The second Kazia that is such a one as giveth a pleasant savour like unto Gum Cassia The third because of the excellency of her Countenance was called Kaeren Hapuch that is casting forth rayes or beams Iob 42. APOCRYPHA The Book of JUDITH Of Egbatana
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
men offered so many half Sicles which make 300000 Sicles the 100th part of which make a Talent from whence it appeareth that 3000 Sicles make a Talent Also Epiâ—hanes observeth lib. 1. de Pon. That the Attick Talent is equal in weight with the Hebrew for as the Hebrew contains 3000 Sickles which make 125 l. so the Attick contains 1200 Drachma's which make the same weight and is worth 375. l. of English Money But the Hebrew Talent of Gold which for the most part is used in every place is worth 4500 l. in our Money The Jews had three sorts of Talents 1. The common Talent weighing 3000 quarters of an Ounce or common Sicles amounts to 6000 Drachma's which is 187 l. 10 s. 2. The Kings Talent weighed 3000 of the Kings Sicles which amounted to 9000 Drachma's which 281 is l. 5 s. 3. The Talent of the Temple or Sanctuary weighed 3000 Sicles of the Temple which are precisely so many half Ounces which amount to 375 Pounds From hence then may easily be gathered that although the Iews had several Weights and denominations of Silver and Gold yet only one kind was usually observed in traffique with other Nations and that had correspondency with their Weights the rest being only for the common sort or particular uses for although there were divers Sicles Mina's and Talents among themselves yet the common weight whether it was of Sicle Mina or Talent was usually that which they termed the Talent of the Temple and that had a just correspondency with the Grecian Talent both in weight and in worth and this not only among them but also by relation from them to the Italians and that Nation obtaining an universal Monarchy made it common with us also Of other Weights used among the Jews THEY had also other Weights which they used passing under several denominations and differing value as Keseph a Silverling or Nummus which name is very often used for a Sicle as appeareth Gen. 20. 16. and 23 16. 43 21. 2 Sam. 18. 11 12. The Chaldaeans called this Silga and the Hebrews Shekel being precisely half an Ounce and worth 2. s. 6 d. For thirty of these Silverlings of the Sanctuary our Saviour Christ was sold Matth. 26. which amounteth to 3 l. 15 s. English There was also another kind of Silverling or Nummus used which was called Siclus but it was the common or Vulgar Sicle which was but a quarter of an Ounce and was worth but 15 d. There was another kind of Silverling or Nummus used which was called Keshitah of which you may read in three several places of Scripture Gen. 33. 19. Ios. 24. 32. Iob 42. 11. and was signed with the Image of a Lamb upon it from whence it is so called The antient Nummus of the Arabians and Chaldeans was like unto this as may be gathered by many circumstances out of the places where it is mentioned and was of the same valuation as the Grecians was amongst the Iews which was 1 d. ob But the Silverlings mentioned Act. 1. 9 19. are intended to be Grecian Silverlings or Nummus and is worth an Attick Dâ—rachma for the Grecians reckon their Sums of Money by Drachma's as the Iews and Romans by Sicles and Sestertia's and is worth of our Money 7 d. ob You shall read in Mat. 17. 24. of a Didrachma which is worth in our Money 15. d. Also Mat. 17. 27. of a Stater which is a Greek Coin worth 2 s. 6 d. And Mat. 18. 22. and 22. 19 c. of a Denarius which was a Roman Coin which is evident Mat. 21. because the Image of Caesar was upon it and was worth 7 d. ob 1 Sam. 2. of a Scruple which was worth 1 d. ob q. O. In Exod. 30. Num. 3. Ezek. 45. of an Obulus which was 1 d. q. In Mat. 12. oâ— a Minutus with was ob q. And in Mat. 12. Mat. 5. you shall read of a Coin called Quadrans being something more than half a farthing These are briefly the Weight and Monies the Iews used both foreign and domestick in their Trade and Commerce Of the Gold Weight among the Iews THE Iews also had their particular Weights for their Gold as they had for their Silver the least of which were called Zuza or Drachma which is worth 7 s. 6. d. and more or less according to the pureness or baseness of it It was also called Daikemonim Esd. 2. and Nehem. 7. The Chaldaeans call it Edarchonim Esd. 8. The common Sicle of Gold weighed two Drachma's and was worth 15 s. The Kings Sicle weighed 3 Drachma's and was worth 22 s. 6. d. The Sicle of the Temple weighed 4 Drachma's being precisely half an ounce and was worth 30 s. The common Mina or pound of Gold weighed 60 Drachma's or Hungarian Ducats which is worth 22 li. 10 s. The Kings Mina or pound 80 Drachma's or Hungarian Ducats which is 30 li English The Mina or pound of the Temple weighed 100 Drachma's or Hungarian Ducats which was 2250 li. The Common Talent of Gold weighed 6000 Drachma's or Hungarian Ductas and was 2250 li. The Kings Talent weighed 9000 Drachma's or Hungarian Ducats which was 3375 li. The Talent of the Temple weighed 12000 Drachma's or Hungarian Ducats which was of our money 45000 li. Of Gold Weights which were not originally the Jews but borrowed of other Nations and used amongst them THere are four kinds of Weights that are mentioned in the Scriptures which were common amongst the Iews besides the former viz. Zahab of which you may read 2 King 5. 5. 2 Chr. 9. 16. and is called by the name of a Nummus The Sicle of Gold 1 Chron. 21. 25. which is there also called Nummus Both which being so called seem to signifie a Didrachma of Gold and these two were properly belonging to the Iews The other that follow belonged not to them but they received them from other Nations as the Stater Drachmon and Adarchon The Stater was an ancient piece of Gold common amongst the Persians the Grecians the Romans and other great Governments being distinguished by the Superscription of the Kings or Countreys where they were made or coined as the Stater Philippici Stater Darici Stater Alexandrei Stater Romani c. They were pure fine Gold some of which were as much in value as a double Ducat others as four Hungarian Ducats and some as Portugues The Drachmon of which you may read Ezra 8. 27 c. is a Persian Coin as it seems for the Grecian Interpreters call it Drachmen which is as much more as the Attick Drachma and in our money is worth 7 s. 6 d. Adarchon also seems to be a Persian Coin and doth imply the name of a Prince or Daricum signifies the Gold of the Persians For Darius the Son of Hystaspis then reigned when these Nummus of Gold thus called were dedicated to the Building of the Temple and this man for the most part coined singular good Gold as Herodotus in
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
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
the East there were three Porches or Courts open without Roofs which were made all of polish'd Stone with fair marble Pillars beautified with all kind of Colours in which Porches men praised and served God The first was called the upper Porch where none but the Priest might enter when he offered and served God which Porch stood next unto the high Quire The second was called Solomon's Hall or Porch there the People used to pray and in that Court our Saviour Christ preached Ioh. 10. The third Porch King Herod built adding that thereto for the Heathen People which also came unto Ierusalem to pray These three Porches went four square round about the Temple as the Temple it self was and between these Porches there were also spaces left supported with pillars of Marble and close above the head for men to walk under when it rained which were all made of Cedar and Cypress-wood and of marble stone beautified with Gold But towards the East right over against the high Quire of the Temple there the Porches were broadest and greatest Here gentle Reader you may note that as often as in the Description of the Temple I speak of certain Ells you must not understand such Ells as we use here in our Country but only of the Geometrical Ells or Elbows which are called Cubits being the length of one foot and a half or six hands in breadth and two such Ells or Cubits do contain three foot which make a yard of our measure The first Temple which King Solomon built had but two Porches as also the second Temple which Zâ—râ—babel and Iosâ—uah or Iesu the Son of Iozedeck made after the Captivity in Babylon but that was twenty cubits lower and inclosed about with two Porches also But King Herod Ascalonita the great King of the Jews Son of 〈◊〉 Idumâ—â—â— sixteen years before the Birth of Christ pulled down that Temple and built a new Temple up from the ground which was like to Solomâ—n's Temple but that it had three Porches for Herod built the third Porch to the intent that the Heathen People might pray therein as a Sanctuary for Pilgrims and Strangers as Iosephus writeth Anâ—iq 〈…〉 21. ca. 14. de Bello Iuâ—deo lib. 6. ca. 6. Item Egisiâ—pus lib. 1. cap. 35 36. But some do think which is more likely that the said Herod did but repair and add Buildings to the second Temple And where Iosephus lib. 2 contra Appionem writeth of four Porches whereas principally there were but three it is to be understood that Solomoâ— Porch was made with a Wall in the middle thereof wherein on the Northside the Jewish Women that were unspotted and undefiled used to pray and on the other side being South the Jewish Women who also according to the Law were unspotted prayed as Iosephus saith lib. 6. cap. 6. de Bello Iudaeo A particular description of the three several Porches or Courts belonging to the Temple IN the upper Porch which stood right over against the high Quire in the Temple there was an Altar of Brass proportioned four square consisting of 20 Cubits in length and 20 Cubits in breadth extending to ten Cubits in height beautified with golden horns whereon they used to offer burnt Sacrifices of Oxen Sheep Turtle Doves Calves and other things Also in times past there stood the great molten Sea made by King Solomon and the two brazen Pillars which were made with Knobs Pomegranates and Lillies very costly and most artificially done and ten Kettles upon Treâ—â—â— but those Kettles and Pillars with Knobs and Pomgranates and the great molten Sea made by King Solomon were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon and broken in pieces after which Captivity they were never seen more in the Temple for there were no more made But the Altar of â—rass with the great horns whereon they offered Oxen Sheep and Doves was made again and stood there as I said before by which there stood divers Tables whereon they killed their Offerings In this Court also there was a goodly Fountain with the Water whereof they used to wash the Blood of the Beasts out of the Temple For there were certain holes and gutters between the marble Stones whereby the Water ran under the Earth and through the Earth was conveyed in a Pipe into the Lake Kidron In this Court Zacharias the Son of Barachias was killed between the Temple and the Altar Mat. 23. And Zacharias the High Priest the Son of Ioiadah was stoned to death 2 Chron. 24. It was compassed about with a great Wall made of marble stone of divers colours wherein there were divers doors to go out and in decked with lofty Towers and pleasant Walks made of Cedar-wood resembling our ancient Cloisters But principally toward the East it had a great Gate of 70 Ells or Cubits high and 25 broad all covered over with gold as Iosephus writeth standing always open without any dores to shut that every man might look into it when the Priest served God If any man offered any thing he brought it to the Priest before the Gate but might not go in himself Iereâ—y cha 26. and 36. calleth it the New Gate Here also was the Chappel of Gemaria the Son of Saphan in which Chappel Bâ—ruâ—h read the book of the Prophet Ieremy to the People Ier. 36. And when the Sun was in Capricorn it shone right in at that Gate and through the high Quire of the Temple to the Holy of Holies as Iosephus writeth Of the second or middle Court called Solomon's Porch THis Court was something lower than the other for from it to the uâ—permost they went by certain steps and in Iohn 10. is called Sâ—lomon's Porch which as Iosephus writeth was parted in the middle with a Wall wherein on the North side the Jewish Women that were clean and undefiled used to pray and on the South the Men according to the Law But no unclean person or Stranger or Heathen might enter therein for on the East side thereof before the steps whereon men ascended into the said Porch there stood a Portal curiously made of marble stone and between it stood Pillars of Marble whereon was ingraven in Hebrew Greek Latine and Idumaean Tongues this Sentence Oâ—nis aliemnigena accideâ—s ad habitaculum Domini moriatur That is If any Stranger go into the House of God he shall surely die And Herod also caused to be hanged over the Eastern Gate by which they came into this Court a golden Sword with this Inscription Peregrinus si fuerit ingressus moriatur that is If a Stranger be so bold to enter let him die So as no Stranger or Heathen might go into Solomon's Porch under danger of his Life Here Simeon took the Child Jesus in his Arms and said Lord let now thy Servant depart in Peace according to thy Word for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation c. At the same time also the Prophetess Annâ— the Daughter of Phanuel of the Tribe of Ashur
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
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
dwelt Lastly he returned again with his Father and his Brother into Aegypt 208 miles These things happened in the year of the World 1239. and before Christ 1729. The Description of the Towns and places to which the Patriarch Juda travelled Of Odullam THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Juda eight miles from Jerusalem towards the South-west and signifies The Testimony of the Poor being derived of Ed which signifies a Testimony and Dallimo such as are called Poor Here David hid himself from the fury of Saul in a Cave 1 Sam. 22. Jerom knew this Town and saith that it was a Village This was a Type of the Faithful who being still subject to the calamities and miseries of this World and persecuted for Righteousness sake are glad with David to seek Holes and Caves to defend them from their wicked Persecuters Of Thimnah THimnah is a City in the borders of the Tribe of Judah and Dan scituated in Mount Ephraim six miles from Jerusalem towards the North-west and signifies a perfect and fully finished City being derived from Thamam that is fully and absolutely finished for it was adorned with many very fair and spacious Buildings set up by Joshua for in his time it was a fair and large City and at such time as the Children of Israel invaded Canaan he had much ado to win it Therefore the Children of Israel for his great Valour and to manifest their thankfulness towards him they gave it to him and to his Posterity for ever and here he lyeth buried Ioshua 24. Here Sampson married his wife and by the way killed the Lyon mentioned in the fourteenth of Iudges This is a Type of the Church wherein Christ Jesus the true Ioshuah is the Head illuminating the same by the bright shining beams of his Gospel the lustre whereof hath gone throughout the whole World Of the Travels of the Patriarch Joseph WHEN Ioseph was sent from Hebron by his father Jacob he went to Sichem to seek his brothers 60 miles Gen. 37. 2. From thence he went to Dothan four miles where by his Brothers he was thrown into a Pit and after sold to the Ishmaelites Gen. 37. 3. From Dothan he was carried to Tanis in Egypt and there sold to Potipher Pharaohs chief Steward 272 miles 4. From Tanis he went to meet his Father in the Land of Gosen which is 28 miles Gen. 46. 5. From thence he turned back again to Tanis and presented his Father and Brethren unto Pharaoh Gen. 47. which is 28 miles 6. From thence he went back to Ony to see his Father who now was sick unto death there receiving his Bleâ—sing he closed his eyes which was 28 miles 7. From thence he returned back again to Tanis which is 28 miles 8. From Tanis he went back to Ony with a great company of Horses and Chariots preparing an honourable Funeral for his Father Gen. 15. being 28 miles 9. From Ony he went to Atad which lies upon the further side of Jordan toward the East which is 240 miles where he made a great lamentation for the Death of his Father seven days Gen 50. The reason why Joseph went thus far about was because he went with such a company towards Hebron that the Idumaeans through whose Country he should have gone would not suffer him to pass that way standing in fear of his power 10. From Atad he went to Hebron the Metropolis of the Tribe of Judah near to which stood the double Cave in the Vale of Mamre where Jacob was buried which was 40 miles Gen. 50. 11. From thence to Heliopolis a City of the Aegyptians where Joseph set up a stately Academy for all Aegpyt which was accounted 200 miles 12. From thence he went to Tanis or Zoan which was the chief defence and Metropolitan City of all Aegyâ—t being accounted 6 miles So all the Travels of the Patriarch Ioseph was 1962 miles A Description of the Places and Cities through which Ioseph travelled Of Dothan DOTHAN was a City in the Tribe of Manasseh forty and four miles from Ierusalem towards the North and distant six miles from Tiberias towards the West and signifies a commandment being derived of Dothor Dathath that is he commandeth or ordaineth Here Joseph was thrust into an empty Ditch and sold to the Ishmaelites Gen. 37. Here Elias the Prophet being besieged by the Syrians shewed to his Servant the Host of Angels that defended him with the Chariots of Fire c. 2 King â—6 Here Holophernes was slain who had pitched his Tents against Bethulia for Dothan is a City which at this day remaineth at the foot of the Mount of Bethuel being scituated in a fertile and pleasant place compassed about with fair Vines Olives and pleasant Medows where the Inhabitants do shew that ancient Ditch wherein Ioseph was cast when his brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites according to that of Solomon One Generation passeth and another cometh but the Earth indureth for ever Of Heliopolis or the City of the Sun THIS City is called by the Prophet Esay chap. 19. Irheri which signifies The City of the Sun and is derived of Ir and Cheres which signifies The brightness of the Sun and distant from Ierusalem 224 miles towards the South-west six miles and a half from Zoan or Tanis This was a goodly City and in times past the Kings of Aegypt have in that place kept their Courts and places of residence Here was a flourishing Academy wherein was taught Astronomy Cosmography and many other Liberal Arts and Scienecs with great care and diligence but principally Divinity as Munster saith being adorned with many benefits and priviledges for it was thought that the Patriarch Ioseph was the first Founder of it and taught there Gen. 47. Here dwelt Dionisius the Areopagit a Student of Athens who at such time as our Saviour Christ was crucified at Noon day the Moon then being in the full seeing the Sun totally darkened said to his Master Apollophan Either the God of Nature suffereth or the Fabrick of the World is dissolved The said Dionisius was afterwards converted by the Apostle Paul in the City of Athens Of Goraen Atad THIS Town or Corn-floor was beyond Iordan not far from Bethabara 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east Here Ioseph and therest of the Aegyptians bewailed the Death of Iacob and took the name from Thorns and Briers that compassed it every where about The Interpretation or Allegory of the Patriarch Joseph and of his Life JOSEPH was a type of Christ divers ways for as Iosephs Coat being of divers colours was dipped in the Blood of Goats so Christ being very God taking upon him the Humane Nature and sprinkled with the Blood of his stripes and wounds being the Lamb of God slain for the sins of the World was also made changeable and of divers Colours Again as Ioseph was sent by Iacob to seek his Brethren so Christ was sent by God his Father to seek the lost sheep of Israel which according to the
is a Mountain of the Idumaeans eighty eight miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east and is derived of Harar which signifieth a great Mountain here Aaron died The King of the Canaanites which dwelt toward the South in a Town called Arad upon the Borders of Iudaea and Arabia Petraea hearing that Aaron was dead invaded the Iews with a great Army discomfited them and took some of them Captives But after the Israelites to revenge this injury took and destroyed divers Cities which belonged to the Canaanites and put the Citizens to the Sword This Countrey is called Chormah which signifieth a curse or desolation Of Zalmona THIS was a place in the Desart of Zin-Kades where the Israelites pitch't their Tents being 80 miles from Ierusalem to the South-east and took the name from shades or little sheds under which the Israelites dwelt for Zalmona seems a compound of Zel and Mun which signifies a shady place and seems to have affinity with Manah to distribute here and there Of Phunon THIS was a City of the Idumaeans scituated in the Wilderness of Arabia Petraea 64 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east and takes the name from a fair and flourishing City For Panan in Hebrew signifies an high Pinacle from whence one might see all Parts of the World Here Moses set up the brasen Serpent Of Oboth THIS was the thirty seventh Mansion of the Israelites in the Wilderness and was fifty six miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east and signifies a Serpent called Python Here the Arabians received an answer from the Devil by way of Conjuration Of Igim THIS was the thirty eighth Mansion of the Israelites so called because of the multitude which were assembled near to a Mountain called Abariâ— 52 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east for Igim signifies a Congregation Of Dibâ—n Gad. THIS was the thirty ninth Station of the Israelites in the Desart being fifty two miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east neer to the Floud Zared bordering upon the Idumaeans and Moabites running from thence into the Red Sea and as it seems taketh name from descending into a strong place Of Almon Diblathaim THis place stands beyond the Red Sea some forty miles from Ierusalem towards the East and taketh name from a Frail of dried Figs for Alam signifieth he hath hidden and Debeleth A Frail of dried Figs. Here was the fortieth Mansion of the Israelites and lay close by the River Arnon Num. 21. and 23. Of the Mountaines Abarim THese Mountaines lay 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the East and taketh the name from Passing along for Abâ—r is as much as to say he went along Between these Mountains and the Lake Asphaltites near to the Eastern River of the Dead Sea the Moabites inhabited Of Jahza THis was a City of the Levites the Sons of Merar in the Tribe of Benjamin 24 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Ies. 21. Here Moses overcame the King of the Ammonites and put them to death Num. 21. Of Chezbon THis was the Metropolis of Sehon King of the Ammorites who held the Country beyond Iordan and because he would not suffer the Children of Israel to pass through his Dominions therefore Moses made War upon him put him to death and gave all his Countrey to the Tribes of Reuben and Gad. This was a Fair Town and after fell to the Levites Num. 21. 33. Deut. 1 2 c. and took its name from Cheschebon which signifies an Artificial understanding for Chaschaf is as much as excogitavit that is he hath found out and Cheschaef is an Artificial and ingenious Work Of Jaezir Jaezir was a City of the Priests in the Tribe of Gad 36 miles from Ierusalem towards the East and in Ieroms time was a small Village and sâ—gnifies the Lord is my help being derived of Iah that is the Lord God and Ezâ—er the helper Of Edrie THIS is a City in the Countrey of Gilead beyond Iordan and the Galilean Sea thirty two miles from Ierusalem South-eastward near the Lake of Gaderin where Og the King of Bâ—san was overcome by Moses and after fell to the Tribe of Mâ—nâ—sses Num. 21. Iosh. 13. Deut. 13. S. Ierom saith that in his time this Town was called Adar Og signifieth a Cook or one that baketh Bread upon coals Aâ—driae signifies an heap of bright Clouds being derived of Adar and Hi that is a clear heap Of Astoroth THIS was a Metropolitan City of Basan four miles distant from Edrei and 56 from Ierusalem toward the South-east It stood beyond Iordan and belonged to the half Tribe of Manasses of which you may read before in the Travels of Lot Of Pisgah THIS was an high Mountain in the Plain of the Moâ—bites against Iericho 240 miles from Ierusalem East-ward It took the name from the Cities Pisgâ—h and Nebo and therefore is called sometimes Pisgah sometimes Nebo Here Moses died Nebo signifies a City of the Prophets Pisgah the top of a Hill The Travels of the Prophet Balaam THERE are many which think that this Prophet Balaam was of the Posterity of Nahor the Brother of Abraham and an Inhabitant oâ— Charan in Mesoâ—otamia Gen. 11. Ioseâ—hus saith he dwelt near to Euphrates and St. Ierom in a City called Phatura of which there is mention Num. 22. and signifies an obscure Prophet or Oracle which interpreteth For Pathar with the Hebrews is the same that He hath interpreted is with us Wherefore this Prophet travelled from Pithora or Phatura in Mesoâ—otamia to Abel or the Plain of Vines where his Ass spake Num. 22. which is 400 miles From thence he went to the Land of the Moabites 40 miles where in the Mount of Peor he blessed the Children of Israel So all the Travels of this Prophet were 440 miles Of the Plain of the Vines THere is often mention of this place in the Scripture and for the fertility of the Countrey and plenty of sweet Wines there was a beautiful City built called Abel of the Vines some 56 miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward and was placed just in the way as they went from Mesopotamia into the Countrey of the Moabites Whereby it appeareth that near to this place the Ass spake to Balaam Numb 22. In Ierom's time there was found a little Village so called where there was great plenty of Vines Here Ieptha overcame the Ammorites and made a great slaughter Iudg. 11. The Travels of that Noble Captain Joshuah JOSHVAH and Caleb travelled with Moses from Raemsis out of Aegyâ—t through the Red Sea and came to Kades-Barnea 268 miles From Kades-Barnea they were sent forth with other Spies to the Land of Canaan Num. 13. and went out of the wilderness of Zin and Paran and came to the Town of Rechob in Galilee 140 miles From thence they went to the Town of Hamath in Syria which was after called Antiochia 188 miles From Hamath or Antiochia they returned again to Hebron 304 miles where upon the side of the River Escol they cut off a Bunch of Grapes with the stalk
which was as much as both they could bear upon their shoulders Num. 13. From Hebron they returned again to Kades-Barnea twenty miles There all the People murmured against Moses Num. 14. Hereby it is to be seen that the Spies in forty dayes travelled 648 miles in the Land of Câ—naaâ— that is every day 16 miles and a little more After that Ioshuah and Caleb travelled with Mâ—ses and the Children of Israel to Ezeon-Gabir and from thence to the Town of Iahza 464 miles From Iahza they pass'd through two Kingdoms to Mount Libanus eighty miles From Mount Libanus they returned again into the Land of Sittim that lay by the hill Pisgah in the field of the Moabites 80 miles From the Land of Sittim they pass'd through the River of Iordan and came to Gilgal six miles where Ioshuah pitched his Camp Numb 21. Iosh. 4. 5. From Gilgal he went to Iericho two miles there he assailed the Town with the sound of Basons and won it Iosh. 6. From Iericho he went to Ai being four miles and took and burnt the whole Town Iosh. 7. 8. From Ai he returned to Gilgal four miles and there upon the Hill of Ebal he built an Altar unto the Lord and there were the Blessings and Cursings pronounced Iosh. 8. Deut. 27. From Gilgal he went to Gibeon twelve miles There the Sun stood still during the Battel against the three Kings Iosh. 10. From Gibeon he went to Ajâ—lon two miles here the Moon stood still Ios. 10. From Ajâ—lon he went to Aseka four miles there it hailed upon the Enemies that fled before Israel Iosh. 10. From Asâ—ka Ioshua returned again into the Camp at Gilgal twenty miles Iosh. 10. From Gilgal he went to Makeda where he hanged the five Kings Ios. 10. From Makeda he went to Libna two miles and took the Town Iosh. 10. From Libna he went to Lachis eight miles From Lachis he went to Eglon eight miles From Eglon he went to Hebron which is sixteen miles Iosh. 10. From Hebron he went to Debir one mile Iosh. 10. After that Ioshuah with one continued War won all that part of Iudaea which lay towards the South bordering Eastward upon the Dead Sea Southward upon Cades-Barneâ— Westward upon Asdod and Gaza and Northward upon Gibeon and Gilgal This circuit of Land containeth about an hundred fifty and six miles From Gilgal Ioshua went out with his Army about twenty two miles to the River of Merom where he slew the rest of the Kings of the Canaanites in a memorable Battel Iosh. 11. From the River of Merom Ioshua chased his Enemies and followed them to Sidon which was 612 miles Iosh. 11. From Sidon he went again to Hazor 32 miles which Town he burnt Iosh 11. After that Ioshuah at one time won all the Towns in the Holy Land which lay Northward in the Lands of Samaria and Galilea from Gibeon to Mount Libanus and from the River of Iordan to the great Sea called Mare Mediterraneum which Countreys in circuit contain 280 miles After that Ioshuah returned again to his Camp at Gilgal which lay 72 miles from the Town of Hazor where he made a division of the Land amongst the Children of Israel Iosh. 14 15. From Gilgal he went to Shilo twelve miles where he made an end of dividing the Land Iosh. 18. From Shilo he went to Timnah Sera eight miles and there he dwelt for the Children of Israel gave him that Town for his own Inheritance Iosh. 19. From Timnah Sera Ioshua not long before he died came to Sichem forty miles There he assembled all the Tribes of Israel Iosh. 24. From Sichem he returned again to Timnah Sera forty miles where he died and was buried Iosh. 24. So all the Travels of Prince Ioshuah were 2392 miles The Description of the several Towns and Places to which Ioshua travelled Of Rechob THIS was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Aâ—hur an hundred miles from Ierusalem toward the North Nuâ— 13. and signifieth a broad Street being derived from Radhab that is to extend out in length Of Haemah or Chaemah THIS was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Nephtali and was an hundred miles from Ierusalem upon the utmost bounds of the Holy Land at the foot of Antilibanus Num. 11. 34. Iosh. 19. derived from Chamah that is furious or burning with anger Of Gilgal THIS was a Town between Iordan and the City Iericho twelve miles from Ierusalem South-eastward where the Children of Israel having past the River of Iordan first made War upon all the Nations of the Land of Canaan Here they solemnized the first Paschal Lamb. After they came into this Land Manna ceased because they then did eat the Fruits of the Countrey Here Ioshua taking twelve stones out of Iordan pitch'd them up for a memorial Here the Tabernacle of God stayed for a time which was the reason that afterward the Israelites committed Idolatry in this place Iosh. 4. 5. Hos. 2. 4 9. Amos 5. Near to this place Ehud the third Judge of the Children of Israel received gifts of them to carry to Eglon King of the Moabites dwelling at Iericho where he killed him with a knife Here Saul was the second time confirmed King of Israel 2 Sam. 10. and as it seems taketh name of Roundness Ioshuah at this time building his Tent in a circular fashion for Galal signifies a round Wheel or Tent compassed about with Ditches and Bulwarks Of Iericho THIS is a City in the Tribe of Benjamin two miles from Iordan and six from Ierusalem South-eastward Ioshuah overcame this with the sound of Horns or Trumpets Iosh. 26. Heb. 11. Here Christ restored the blind man to sight Mat. 6. converted Zachaeus Luke 19. and was called the City of Palms by reason of the great plenty of Palms that grew there You may read more of this hereafter Of Hai or Ai. HAI is a Town in the Tribe of Benjamin near to Bethel toward the East where Abraham dwelt Gen. 12. Ioshuah won this Town Ios. 7. 8. It was so called of a Prophet that dwelt there and signifieth to be placed upon a heap for Ai signifies a heap lying partly equally partly unequally The Ruines of this Town were scarce to be found in Ierom's time Of Gibeon THIS was a Metropolitan City in thâ— Tribe of Benjamin the Inhabitants whereof became Petitioners to Ioâ—huah for Peace Iâ—s 9. 10 18. 2â— Sam. 21. Afterward it was given to the Priests It is derived of Gibeah or Gibeon which signifies a curled Hill It was scituated on a Mountain four miles from Ierusalem toward the North. Here stood the Tabernacle of the Covenant and the brazen Altar Here Saul was first made King of Israel Here he put the Sons of Abimelâ—ch the Priest to death 1 Sam. 12. Here Iosâ—uah overcame the five Kings of the Ammorites Here the Sun stood still Of this you may read more hereafter Of Ajâ—lon THIS was a City of the Priests in the Tribe of Dan four miles
from Ierusalem towards the South-east and taketh the name from an Hind for Aâ—ala signifieth an Hind a Beast very strong and swift Here the Moon stood still Here Ionathan tasted Hony contrary to his Fathers command for which he was judged to dye 1 Sam. 14. Of Azeka AZeka was a City of the Ammorites in the Tribe of Iuda eight miles from Ierusalem toward the West near to Odullam where David killed Goâ—â—ah and as it seems takes the name from Munition or a place compassed about with an hedge being derived from Itsek he hedged about This was a fair City in St. Ierom's time Of the Valley of Achor THIS Valley is distant from Ierusalem twelve miles and not far from Iericho and Gilgal towards the North taking name as it seemeth of Achon that Thief mentioned in Ioshuah who was stoned there from whence it is called Achor which signifies Trouble because of the terrible words that Ioshua spake unto him there You may read of this Hos. 2. Esay 25. Iosh. 11. 15. Of Makedah BEtween Eleutheroâ—olin and Bethlehem this Town stood being in the Tribe of Iudah some eight miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name of a Flower that hangs down the head being derived of â—adad which signifieth to hang down Here Ioshua hanged the five Kings of the Ammorites which he had formerly conquered Ios. 10. Of Libna LIbna is a City belonging to the Levites in the Tribe of Iudah and is scituated between Eglon and Makeda ten miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west where the fourteenth King that Ioâ—hua conquered kept his Court and taketh the name from the abundance of Frankincense that is found there For Libâ—nah signifieth white Frankincense Zenacharib besieged this City Some say it taketh the name from the Hebrew Labâ— which signifieth white Bricks because there is found much matter whereof such kind of Bricks are made Of Lacâ—is LAchis is a City in the Tribe of Iudah and lieth between Eleutheropolin and Hebron twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and two miles from Rechila toward the North Iosh. 15. 2 Chr. 11. and taketh the name from Walking being derived from Ialach which signifieth He hath walked Ioshuah took the King of this City and put him to death and Zenacharib King of the Assyrians besieged it but to little purpose Of Eglon. EGlon was a City in the Tribe of Iudah twelve miles from Ierusâ—lem Southward Ioshuah took the King of this City and hanged him It taketh the name from Aecâ—el signifying a Calf Of Debir DEbir was a City of the Levites twenty two miles from Ierusalem towards the South and almost half a mile from Hebron towards the North-west Athniel the Brother of Caleb won this Town wherefore he gave him his Daughter Archsa to Wife Formerly it was called Kiriath-Sepher i. a City of Scribes and Students for it was consecrated to Learning From hence it was called Debir which signifies an Oracle or an holy Altar because the Lord there by his Priests that were assigned for that purpose did foretell and prophecy of things to come being derived from Debar that is He hath spoken Of Asdod or Azotes THIS was a City of the Philistims scituated upon the shore of the Meâ—iterranean Sea in the Tribe of Dan and twenty two miles from Ierusalem towards the West This Town was conquered by Ioshua Iosh. 11. 1 Reg. 5. It was also taken by Psamnitiâ—us King of Egypt in Mâ—nasses time as Herodotus saith it is now a little Town and is called Azotus In times past it was a fair City and took name from the fire of Love being derived of Esh which signifies a fire and Dod beloved Of Gaza GAza was a fair City of the Philistims upon the shore of the Red Sea some 24 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and signifieth a strong Town being derived from Gazez to confirm Samâ—son being inclosed within this Town took away the Gates and Bars thereof and laâ—d them at the foot of Mount Hebron Iudg. 16. Of the River Merom THIS was a Lake not far from Dothan some four miles from Tiberias Westward and forty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North and is so called from the deepness of it being derived of Rom which signifies it was high and Marab bitter whence Merom a high bitter Water Here Ioshuah over-threw the Kings of the Canaanites Josh. 11. Of Sidon SIdon takes the Name of Zod which signifies He hath hunted and was a famous Mart Town in Phoenicea being a place scituated at the foot of that high Hill Antelibanus near to the shore of the Mediâ—erranean sixteen miles from Ierusalem North-ward Of Libanus THIS is a Mountain of an extraordinary height some 104 miles from Ierusalem North-ward looking into Syria and Phoenicia From thence the River Iordan taketh the beginning being so called of two Springs or Wells that is Ior and Dan rising from the bottom of this Hill It seems to take the Name from the abundance of flowers and variety of sweet Smells or Dews that are there and also of Frankincense or Gum Olibanum found upon it it is a very fruitful Place full of Springs and wholsome Herbs so that no Serpent will abide in it it is divided into two parts the one lieth near Sidon West-ward called Antelibanus the other towards Damascus upon the East and is only called Libanus It is so high that it serves for a Sea mark and so much the more remarkable for that as some say Snow lieth continually upon the top of it so that a far off it seemeth white Of the River Jordan JOrdan is a pleasant sweet River watering the Holy Land whereof you may read before It is named Iordan at Caesarea Philippi a little from the foot of Antelibanus 104 miles from Ierusalem North-ward it passeth through the Lake Samachoniten and divideth it into two equal Parts from thence running thorow a great part of Galilee it falls into the Sea Tyberiâ—s and there as it were divideth it into two parts it watereth that part of Iudaea called Samaria and about Easter which is the beginning of that Harvest it floweth over the Banks and fructifies many Countries lying near it at length it falleth into the Lake Asphaltiâ—es and there endeth about fourteen miles from Ierusalem Eastward So that from the first beginning of this River to the end of it is ninety two miles It is called Palah by the Hebrews which signifieth swift and hidden because it riseth from a certain Well or Pit called Phiala which is always full of Water but from whence it springeth is unknown Ioshua about Easter passed upon dry ground through this River even then when it was fullest of Water Ios. 3. So did Eliah and Elisha 2 Reg. Here Naaman the Leper wash'd himself 2 Reg. 5. Here Christ was baptised by S. Iohn Baptist Mat. 3. Luke 3. Of Hazor THIS was a Town in the upper Galilee belonging to the Tribe of Nepthali it was the chief Hold and City of the King of the
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
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
River of Cutha a multitude of Iews with great shame and grief were constrained to dwell He also gathered a great multitude of other People out of Babylon Hamath or Antiochia some out of his own Dominions of Assyria also out of Media and the People of Ava and Sepharvaiim which People are mentioned Esay 37. and sent them to inhabit in Samaria and all the Cities and Countries round about because it was a Fertile and pleasant Country and to defend it against the incursions of strangers From whence may be gathered that in this behalf the Policy of this Emperour was much greater than that of the Romans for the retaining of this Kingdom but especially than that of Titus Vespasian for he having conquered the Land wasted it and destroyed it with Fire and Sword put thence the Inhabitants and dispersed them here and there left the Country bare and naked only a few Garrisons were placed in the strongest Cities to keep it to their use Which not being able enough to oppose the incursions of the Saracens that in great Troops brake out of the Desarts of Arabia-Petraea they soon lost all that they had gotten and the Turks joyning with them they have now gained into their possession that pleasant and fruitful Land of Iudaea and inhabit therein even to this day to the great detriment and scandal of the Christians But to return to the People sent to inhabit this Kingdom who as they were of divers Nations so were they of divers Religions and every Family had his particular God Wherefore the Lord sent a Multitude of Lyons among them which daily vexed them from whence it happened that Salmanasser was constrained to send back unto them a Levite one of the Priests that had been carried away Captive to shew them the true Worship of God He came to Bethel and there taught them the Doctrine of the Lord and the Customs and Ceremonies of the Mosaical Law whereby it happened that they began to worship God and their Idols in neither observing their Ancient custom For which cause they became so abominable unto the Iews that they refused their company and familiarity as that Samaritan woman confessed to Christ at Iacobs Well Ioh. 4. so that when the Iews could call a man by any ignominious or odious name they would term him a Samaritan Ioh. 8. Do we not say rightly that thou art a Samaritan and â—est a Devil But of all the People which Salmanasser sent into the Holy-Land those that came out of the East part of Persia from Cutha called Cutheis dwelt in Samaria and got the chief command and Government over the rest The Travels of the Kings of Syria that made Wars upon the Kings of Israel And first of the Travels or Incursions of Benhadad BEnhadad King of Syria went from Damascus the chief City of his Kingdom and came to Samaria and straitly besieged it in the time of Ahab King of Israel 1 Reg. 24. being 132 miles From thence being overcome and put to flight by Ahab he returned back to Damascus which was 132 miles The second time he came from thence and invaded the Land of Israel even unto the City of Apheck 124 miles which he besieged But Ahab King of Israel overcame him in a great Battel and put 100000 Syrians to the Sword and when the rest of the multitude would have fled into the City the ruins of a Wall fell down upon them so that there dyed 27000. This put Benhadad in such a fear that he was constrained to fly from one chamber to another to hide himself but at last was taken and not without the great wrath and indignation of God by that wicked King Ahab pardoned and set at liberty 2 Reg. 20. Wherefore he went thence back to Damascus which was 124 miles Within three years after he brought a great Army against Ramoth in Gilead which is 104 miles from Damascus South-Eastward Here he won of Ahab a great Battel in which Ahab was slain with an Arrow 1 Reg. 22. From thence he returned back to Damascus which was about 104 miles After that he came again from Damascus into the land of Israel with a great Army 120 miles where he counselled with his Captains and men of War saying Here and there will we incamp our selves But the Prophet Elisha discoâ—ered their purposes 2 Reg. 6. Out of the Land of Isrel he returned to Damascus which was 120 miles From thence he returned again with his Army to Samaria being 132 miles which the second time he besieged so straitly that an Asses head was worth eighty pieces of Silver But yet the Lord at the fervent Prayers of Elizeus the Prophet struck such a fear and anguish among the Enemies that Benhadad and his Army were constrained to fly 2 Reg. 6. Being sore troubled because he was thus put to flight he went to Damascus which was 132 miles and there within a while after died of grief 2 Reg. 9. So all the Travels of King Benhadad were 1224 miles The Travels of the Captains which Benhadad King of Syria sent to waste and destroy the Land of Baesa King of Israel THIS Army went from Damascus and came to the Town of Hion seventy two miles From thence they went to Dan which is four miles From Dan they went to the City of Abel-Bethmaacha twelve miles From thence they went to the land of Chineroth which was accounted eight miles there they took certain Cities of Fruit and spoiled and destroyed them From Chineroth in the Tribe of Nephtaly when they had cruelly wasted and destroyed that Country they returned with a great booty to Damascus being eighty eight miles 1 Reg. 15. So all their Travels were 184 miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which they travelled Hion and Dan. HIon and Dan are two Towns near to Mount Libanus and the Fountains of Iordan some 104 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward Hion signifies a Town of the Fountain because it standeth near to the Town or Fountains from whence Iordan issueth Of Abel-Bethmaacha you may read before Of Chineroth THIS Chineroth or Cineroth was the Metropolitan City of the Tribe of Nephtaly seventy two miles from Ierusalem Northward It was scituated in a very fruitful and pleasant place and for that cause was so called for Kinroth being derived of Kinnor signifieth Musick or Mirth The Travels of Naaman the Syrian NAaman came from Damascus to Samaria which was 132 miles to be cured of his Leprosie by Elizeus who commanded him to go to the River Iordan and wash himself therein seven times and he should be cleansed Wherefore from Samaria he went to Iordan twenty six miles and there according to the commandment of the Prophet he washed himself seven times and was cleansed 2 Reg. 5. From the River Iordan he returned back again to Elizeus the Prophet to give him thanks for that benefit which was about sixteen miles From Samaria he returned to Damascus 132 miles So all the Travels of Naaman the
commanded 10000 Idumaeans which he had taken in War to be cast down headlong from the top of an high Rock into a deep Valley in which fall their bones were shattered all to pieces and they died miserably 2 Reg. 14. From Selag-Ioctiel he returned to Ierusalem being forty miles where he began to worship the Gods of the Idumaeans that he brought along with him 2 Chron. 24. From Ierusalem he went to Bethsemes and there was overcome by Joas King of Israel which was four miles 2 Chron. 25. From Bethsemes Ioas led Amasiah back again to Ierusalem captive being four miles 2 Reg. 14. From Ierusalem he fled to the City of Lachis which was twenty miles and there was slain by his own Servants 2 Chron. 25. From Lachis his carkass was carried back again to Ierusalem twenty miles where it was buried in the City of David 2 Reg. 14. 2 Chron. 25. So all his Travels were 128 miles The Travels of Azariah or Uzziah King of Judah THIS man succeeded his Father Amasia in the year of the World 3138 and before Christ 830 when he was but sixteen years of age and reigned fifty two years his Mothers name was Iecoliah of Ierusalem He did those things which were upright in the sight of the Lord therefore the Lord blessed him And after the death of his Father built Elah and restored it to Iudah He therefore went from Ierusalem to Elah 160 miles towards the South and rebuilt that Town it being a famous Mart-Town scituated upon the Red Sea and fortified it because Resin King of the Syrians in times past for want of due fortification won it and destroyed it 2 Chron. 26. From Elah he returned to Ierusalem 160 miles After he went from Ierusalem to Gath a City of the Philistines which was accounted thirty four miles this Town he won beat down the Walls and destroyed the Bulwarks thereof From thence he went to Iabnia which is twenty four miles and broke down the Walls thereof 2 Chron. 26. From thence he went to Azotus or Asdod which was eight miles 2 Chron. 26. From Asdod he went again to Ierusalem being twenty two miles Within a while after he gathered an Army and went from Ierusalem to Gur-Baal that is Gerar where he overcame the Arabians in a great Battel which was thirty two miles 2 Chron. 26. From Gerar he returned to Ierusalem being thirty two miles He went from Ierusalem that third time into the Land of the Ammonites sixty miles which People he conquered and made Tributary to him so that he was made Famous through all the Countries thereabout even to the utmost part of Aegypt because of his often Victories and Triumphs 2 Chron 26. Out of the land of the Ammonites he returned to Ierusalem being sixty miles But now being lift up with the Prosperity of Fortune and not content with his Regal Dignity he endeavoured to have chief Authority over the Priests also for which cause he went into that part of the Temple where the Altar of sweet Incense stood where it was lawful for none to go but the Priests and there took upon him to offer sweet Incense but as he was offering the Lord struck him with Leprosie so that he was constrained to dwell in a house by himself separated from the Congregation and his Son Iotham governed in his stead all the days of his Life But within a while after he died of this disease and was buried in the Kings Garden at Ierusalem and not in the Sepulchre of the Kings 2 Reg. 15. 2 Chron. 26. So all the Travels of Azariah King of Iudah were 592 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Elah THIS was a City scituated upon the Red Sea 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the South between Ezion-Gaber and Midian This City Resin King of the Syrians conquered but Azariah King of Iudah drove thence the Syrians and made it so strong that it seemed impossible to be conquered It took the name of abundance of Oaks which as it seemeth grew about that place for Elah or Ilix signifies a kind of Oak Tree of which there is great plenty in the Holy Land so called because of their strength and hardness Of Jobnia THIS was a City near to Ioppa and Libba 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-West This City taketh the name of Wisdom and Prudence being derived of Bin to understand Of Gur-Baal THIS Town is also called Gerar where Abraham and Isaac sometimes travelled it is distant from Ierusalem thirty two miles towards the South-West and six miles from Hebron Here the Iews and neighbouring Arabians afterwards worshipped the Idol Baaâ— and therefore this City which in the times of the Patriarchs was called Gerar a Perigrination was after called Gur-Baal that is the Perigrination of the Idol Baal being derived of Gor which signifies He hath travelled The Travels of Jotham King of Judah JOtham signifies Whole and Perfect He succeeded his Father Azariah when he was about twenty five years of age Anno Mundi 3190 and before Christ 778. He raigned over Iudah seventeen years until the one and fortieth year of his age His Mothers name was Ichruscha so called from an Inheritance or Possession He began his Reign in the second year of Pekah King of Israel and continued it unitl the seventeenth year of his Government 2 Reg. 15. 17. When this noble Prince had rebuilded and richly adorned the House of the Lord he went from Ierusalem and invaded the Country of the Ammonites which was sixty miles conquered their King and made the whole Land pay him Tribute even a hundred Talents of Silver of the common weight 10000 measures of Wheat and 10000 of Barley yearly This Tribute continued three years From the Land of the Ammonites he went back to Ierusalem which was sixty miles where after he had adorned the Temple with many princely buildings he dyed about the one and fortieth year of his age 2 Reg. 15. So all his Travels were 120 miles Of Ahaz King of Judah AHAZ signifies Apprehending or a Possessor He began to reign after the death of his Father Iotham about the end of the seventeenth year of Pekah King of Israel Anno Mundi 3205 before Christ 762. He reigned wickedly 16 years 2 Reg. 16. 2 Chr. 28. For he was a notorious Hypocrite who out of a perverse Zeal worshipped many Idols and burnt his Son in the Valley of Gehinnon as an Offering unto Moloch wherefore he was unhappy in his Government for God stirred up mighty enemies against even Reâ—in King of Syria and Pekah King of Israel who wasted and destroyed his Kingdom and streightly besieging Ierusalem conquered Ahaz in a great Battel and put to the Sword 120000 of his men After that Resin returned to Elath and took it so that he lost more then his Father had gotten Where being struck into a great fear by reason of these adversities he sent to crave the Aid of Tiglasse Phulasser King of the Assyrians who at his request
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
that are eminent in it that is this and another called Tariana The Air in the Winter season is very temperate at which time the Earth bringeth forth many pleasant Flowers and Fruits but in the Summer it is extream hot by which heat all things are scorched and burned away and by reason of the Putrefaction of the Air as some think in that Season there do breed Toads Lyzards and other Noysome Serpents in great abundance so that the Inhabitants are constrained partly because of the heat partly because of the loathsome and dangerous Creatures to build their Houses all of Earth long and narrow the Walls and Roofs being at least a yard thick that so the heat might not pierce through them or Serpents breed in them Strabo lib. Geograph 5. saith that one Tython the Brother of Laomedon King of Troy did first build this City about such time as Tholâ— judged Israel After him his Son Memnon beautified it with a fair and goodly Castle calling it after his own name Memnon Of this man Homer speaketh This Castle was such a goodly thing that a long time after his death the Town was called Memnon as Strabo observeth but in Hester and Daniels's times it was called Susa and the Inhabitants Susans The Persian Emperors in those times keeping their Courts there for the most part and did greatly beautifie the City with many fair Buildings The first of these Emperours that dwelt there was Cyrus who after he had conquered Babylon Assyria and many other Kingdoms and Countries lying near to the City Susa that he might with more ease and better safety retain them in his Government removed his Court from Persepolis which lay up in the East part of Persia to this Town where all the Winter season for the most part he lived and in the Summer went to â—gbatan the chief City of Media because there at that season the Air was very temperate His Successors after him observing the same course for their better conveniency and to make evident their greater magnificence repaired the Castle of Memnon joyned to it many fair and goodly Buildings and close by it planted a pleasant Orchard of diverse and sundry sorts of Trees and Herbs It is reported that the Gate whereby they entred into this Orchard was very curiously built supported with Pillars of polished Marble imbossed with Silver and Gold very rare to look upon over it was a banquetting-house beautified with lively pictures costly furniture and Beds of Gold and Silver covered with rich Tapestry wrought with Silk Silver and Gold upon these they used to eat their Banquets it was paved with Porphire Marble and Hyacinths in such â—ort as it greatly delighted such as beheld it The Queen had a private Garden to her self in which were great abundance of Trees of divers kinds and many sweet Flowers and Herbs In which Garden Ahashuerus walked to qualifie the heat of his wrath that he had conceived against that wicked and perfidious Haman who through envy and ambition sought the destruction of the whole Nation of the Iews leâ—t by giving place unto anger he should transgress the bounds of Clemency and Justice wherefore it becometh every King Prince and Judge to imitate the example of this Emperour who in the heat of his anger would determine nothing of so wicked a man for long and often deliberation becometh every wise man before he doth any thing Est. 7. Not far from the Emperour's Palace in a fair and pleasant Garden there stood a Colledge of the Magi that is such as the Persians accounted wise and learned men these were of such account for their knowledge and understanding amongst that People that some of them in succeeding ages were chosen for Kings and Governours in that Country They studied for the most part the Mathematicks History Philosophy and Divinity and as many have thought the Prophecies of Daniel Ezekiel and others wherefore as is said before many are of opinion that the Wise men which came into Iudaea to see Christ were of this Colledge and Town because it stood East from Ierusalem It is at this day called Cusistane as Ortelius and Sebastian Munster witness and in their times was under the Government of one Caliphus Emperour of the Saracens This Caliphus was strongly besieged by one Allan the great King of Tartaria in this Town Anno. Dom. 1250. But because of his exceeding Covetousness and Parcimony he lost the City and was famished to death Of the River Eulaeo ULai which Stra. li. 15. calleth Eulaea passed through the City of Susa and as Pliny saith lib. 6. cap. 27. took the beginning at Media and so fell into a hole or Cavern of the Earth and passed under the ground till it came near to the City Susa where it brake forth again and compassed about the Tower of Susa and a Temple in the City dedicated to Diana The Inhabitants hold this River in great estimation insomuch as the Kings drink of no other Water and for that purpose carry it a great way Strabo according to the Testimony of Polycletus saith That there are two other Rivers of good account which pass through Persia viz. Choasâ—es and Tygris but neither of them are in like estimation as this is Of Elam PErsia in antient times was called after this name from Elam the Son of Sem. But after Perseus had obtained a large and spacious Government in that Country it was after his name called Persia. Elam signifieth a Youth or a young man Of Egbatana or Egbatan THIS is the Metropolitan City of the Medes and is distant from Ierusalem 1136 miles towards the North-West built by Deioce King of the Medes as Herod l. 2. saith Here Daniel built a fair Temple of which you may read more in his Travels Of this Town you may read more in the Travels of Iudith The Typical Signification of Daniel DAniel signifies the Iudge of God typically representing Christ who is appointed by that eternal Iehovah to be Judge of all things both quick and dead and rescueth his Church which is as a Rose compassed about with Thorns oppressed with the Tyranny and cruelty of Evil and wicked men casting those false Judges and merciless Governours into eternal Exile and the Pit Destruction And as the Prophet was innocently condemned cast into the Lions den and had the door sealed upon him and to the judgment of man no hope of life or means to escape was left him yet by the Providence of God was delivered out of this danger and came thence safe and untouch'd Dan. 6. so our Saviour was innocently condemned cast into the Grave sealed up among the dead and to common judgment left as a man out of mind yet early in the morning at the appointed time by the Power of his Deity he raised himself up from this Pit of Hell the Grave and gloriously triumphed over it and death Of the Prophet Hosea THIS Prophet Hosea was born in a Town called Bemeloth or Bethmeloth as Dorotheâ—s
of Tharsis that is of the Sea beside many such like speeches From whence St. Ierom concludes that Tharsis may better signifie the Sea than the City Tharsis Of the Euxine Sea THE Euxine Ocean is that great and troublesome Sea which beginning not far from Constantinople runneth from Bosphorus and Thrace towards the East and North containing to the Longitude eight hundred miles but to the Latitude two hundred and eighty Towards the South it toucheth upon Asia the less towards the East upon Calcos towards the West upon Thracia and Valachia but towards the North it is â—oyned to the Pool of Maeotides This Sea in times past was called Pontus Axenus that is the inhospitable Countrey because as Strabo lib. 1. of his Cosmography saith The Inhabitants near about the Sea-shore did usually sacrifice those Strangers they got or else cast their Bodies unto Dogs to be devoured making drinking-cups of their Skulls But after when the Ionians had built certain Towns upon the Sea-coast and had restrained the Incursions of certain Scythian Thieves which usually preyed upon Merchants that resorted thither at the command of Pontus their King who had obtained a large and spatious Kingdom in that Country they called it Pontus Euxinus which is as much as to say the hospitable Country Ovid testifieth almost the same concerning the original of the name of this Sea after this manner Frigida me cohibent Euxini littora Ponti Dictus ab antiquis Axinus ille fuit The chilly shoars of th' Euxine Sea constrains me to abide In antient time call'd Axinus as it along did glide Of Ninus or Nineveh NINVS or Nineveh was a City of Assyria where the Emperours of that Country used to keep their Courts It was first built by Ninus that great Emperour of the first Monarchy 300 years after the flood and 2000 before Christ about the time when the Patriarch Abraham was born It continued in great glory for the space of almost 1500 years and was distant from Ierusalem toward the North-east 684 miles upon the East side joyning to the River Tygris on the North to the Caspian Sea It takes the name from the Beauty of it being derived of Navah which signifieth A comely place spatious and pleasant There are many that are of opinion that in many things it exceeded Babylon as for the sumptuousness of the Buildings the strength of the Walls and the extent The Walls were so thick that three Chariots might have met upon them without any danger and beautified with an hundred and fifty Towers Ionas being sent of God to this City was three days going through it that is as Luther expounds it through every Street of it in which time he converted a hundred and twenty thousand to repentance Arbaces who was called Arphaxad was then Emperour This Arbaces Iustine lib. 2. calleth Arbactus he was a Captain of the Medes who perceiving the effeminate disposition of Sardanapalus the then Emperour taking advantage of the times and this man's weakness conspired with some of his Companions to usurp upon his Government and that he might make them hate and loath his looseness brought them into a Room where they might see him sitting amongst his Harlots tired in Womans apparel and carding Wool This sight greatly displeasing them and before being encouraged by Arbactus they seized upon the City and besieged Sardanapalus in his Palace But to prevent the misery of a shameful death after he had gathered all his Riches together he set fire on his Palace where he his companions and Treasure perished this fire continued fifteen days and happened 823 years before Christ about which time Arbactus succeeded Sardanapalus began to reign and continued his Government twenty eight years But the Medes held not the Assyrian Empire long for Phul Belochus who at this time reigned in Babylon and his Successor Tiglath Philasser are called Kings of Assyria between whom there happened many great Wars 2 Kings 15. 26. From whence may be gathered that after the death of Arbactus these Emperours dwelt in Nineveh and succeeded in the Empire Thus was this City greatly defaced with continual evils the Lord before-hand giving them many admonitions and gentle Corrections if it had been in them to have conceived it to win them to repentance but they continued still in their Sins therefore according to their former Prophecies Cyaxares King of the Medes besieging this Town took it and destroyed it even unto the Ground as Eusebius saith This desolation happened thirteen years before the destruction of Ierusalem in the eleventh year of Sadyattis King of the Lydians who was Grandfather to Croesus Anno Mundi 3349 before Christ 619. After this Destruction it lay a long time desolate but at length some part of it was restored though with much trouble and then when it was at the best estate constrained to suffer many changes and at length utterly destroyed by Tamerlane the Great the second time Anno Mundi 3390. After this the Inhabitants of that Country upon the East side of the River Tygris began the third time to build it But whether this third restoring of this City was at the command of some Prince that had the Government of the Country thereabouts or because of the scituation or for private profit it is not set down nevertheless it is again repaired standing upon the Borders of Armenia beautified with goodly Buildings with fair and spacious Streets compassed about as other Cities of the East are with Walls and Ditches sufficiently strengthened to oppose the Enemy But in respect of the former Nineveh it seems a small Village It hath a Bridge built of Ships lying upon the East side of it over the River Tygris and upon that side of the River there stand many fair Gardens or Orchards and the Land there also is very fertile and pleasant But upon the West of Tygris the Soyl is nothing so fruittile At this day it is called by the name of Mossel so that although it stands in the same place yet doth it not retain the same name To this Town there is a great resort of Merchants who bring up their Commodities from the Rier Tygris hither and from hence convey them to Bagdeth and many other parts of the World The Inhabitants thereof are for the most part Nestorians of whom you may read before in the Description of the Sects remaining in Ierusalem at this day They are had in great account and estimation among the Turks because it is imagined that one of this Sect helpt Mahomet to compose the Alcoran This Nestorius lived Anno Dom. 429. and taught at Constantinople but after he was condemned at Ephesus for an Heretick he was constrained to steal from Constantinople and to flie to Thebes in Aegypt where God laid a grievous punishment upon him for his Tongue began to rot his head and to consume with Vermin of which he died miserably The spiritual signification of the Prophet Jonas JOnas signifieth a Dove and typically representeth
Christ in his name For Christ was that gracious and innocent Dove who hath made evident to Man his singular Mercy and Clemency without any shew of bitterness or wrath Then in his Affliction for as Ionas thrust himself into the Sea of Calamity and there was swallowed up of a Whale which might be well resembled to the Grave so Christ our Saviour was cast into the Sea of Affliction the misery and calamity of this World and after that thrust into the jaws of death the Grave where as Ionas did in the Whales belly he lay three daies and then arose again the Earth being unable any longer to contain his Body Of the Prophet Micah THIS Prophet was born at Maresa a Town of Iudaea sixteen miles from Ierusalem Westward it signifieth a bitter Field In St Ierom's time the Ruins of the Wall of this City was to be seen Micah or Micheas signifieth humble or lowly This man was held in great estimation because he was the first that named the Country where our Saviour Christ should be born viz. in Bethlehem 800 years before his Nativity He lived Anno Mundi 3200. Of the Prophet Nahum NAhum signifies a Comforter He was born in a Town of Galilee called Elcosch as he saith in the beginning of his Prophecy This Village was shewn unto St. Ierome by those that travelled with him through the Holy Land in his time it was but a small Village called by the name of Elcos and scituated as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith on the further side of Bethabara sixteen miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North-East This Prophet lived 750 years before Christ and Prophesied of the Destruction of Niniveh which after came to pass Of the Prophet Habacuck HAbacuck or Chabacuck signifies one that embraceth or a Lover from Chaback he hath embraced For as a Nurse embraceth and kisseth her inâ—ant so also this Prophet embraced and comforted his People with comfortable Doctrine lest by the destruction of Ierusalem which he prophecied should after happen by the Chaldaeans they should be driven to desperation Paul took the foundation of his Epistle to the Romans out of this Prophet reciting a saying of his viz. The juâ—t shall live by faith He began to preach a little before the Prophet Ieremy 650 years before Christ above 100 years before Daniel was cast into the Lions den From whence most of the Learned conclude that this could not be that Habacuck which brought meat to Daniel as he was among the Lions but they rather think it a fragment of a spiritual Comedy and therefore worthy to be called Apocrypha Of the Prophet Zephania ZEphania signifies the Secretary of the Lord being derived of Zaphan he hath kept secret He lived in Ierusalem and Iudaea in the time of Iosiah King of Iuda He was born as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith in a Town called Sabarthaca in the Tribe of Siâ—eon Of the Prophets Haggai and Zacharia HAggai or Chaggi signifieth A Priest celebrating the Feast of the Lord being derived of Chagag he hath celebrated a Feast And Zacharias or Zacharia doth denote such a man as remembred the Lord being derived of Zachar that is he hath remembred or recorded These two Prophets prophecied in Ierusalem in the second year of Darius the Son of Histaspis 519 years before Christ An. mun 3449. Haggai began his Prophecy upon the first day of the sixth month Elul answering to the 28 of August He sharply reprehended the People because they neglected the house of the Lord and built up their own houses In the eighth month Marhusuan which for the most part answereth to our November Zacharias the same year began to prophecy and in his Sermon exhorted the People to repentance adding the promise of our Saviour and that he would turn unto them that would turn unto him Zach. 1. These two Prophets lie buried 20 miles one from the other For as Dorothaeus Bishop of Tyre saith Haggai lies buried in Ierusalem amongst the Priests but Zacharias near to a Town in the field of Bethania 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward but in the time of Theodosius the Emperour was removed and preserved as an holy Relique Concerning that fable and figment inserted into the History Nicephorus I utterly disallow Of the Prophet Malachi THIS Prophet prophesied after the Captivity of Babylon and dwelt in the Town of Ziph as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith Malachi signifies an Angel sent and in Greek a Messenger for this Prophet preached so comfortably as if he had been an Angel of God but principally of Christ and Saint Iohn Baptist who should go before him to prepare his Way and make his Paths strait S. Ierom in his Epistle to Paul and Eustochius writes that some of the Hebrews suppose this Malachi to have been Esdras the Scribe who was sent by Artaxerxes Longimanus Emperour of the Persians to restore the Commonwealth of Israel in the year before Christ 457. An Instruction how the Prophets may rightly be understood FIRST look into the Cosmographical Table at the beginning of this Book and diligently observe the Countries and Cities that are there set down and how they lie scituated from Ierusalem Toward the South of Ierusalem the Idumeans Ismaelites Arabians and Egyptians dwell Toward the East the Moabites Ammonites Chaldaeans Babylonians and Persians Toward the North the Phoenicians Syrians Assyrians and Armenians Toward the West lieth the Mediterranean Sea Grâ—cia Italy Spain and the Isles of the Sea Secondly this rule is to be observed that as often as the Prophets speak of the Tribes of Israel they use these names viz. Israel Samaria Ephrain Ioseth Iesreel Bethel and Bethaven these are the names of the Kingdom of Israel but to the Kingdom of Iuda these names are attributed viz. Iudaâ— Ierusalem Benjamin the house of David But when the Prophets joyn these two Kingdoms together they call them by the names of Iacob and Israel Thirdly when thou readest in the Prophets the name of any Country or City which is not sufficiently known unto thee search this Alphabetical Table here following and thou shalt find the whole matter declared unto thee An Alphabetical Table of all the Countries and Cities mentioned in the Prophets A. ABarim that is a Bridge or Passage over It was a Mountain of the Moabites where the Israelites pitched their Tents Num. 33. Achor the Valley of Trouble Here Achan was stoned to death for his Thievery It stood not far from Gilgal toward the North twelve miles from Ierusalem Ios. 7. Isa. 6. Adama Red Earth This was one of the Cities that were destroyed with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven Ai Hilly This City Ioshua burnt with Fire It lay eight miles from Ierusalem North-ward Iosh. 8. Aiath idem Isa. 10. Ar or Ari a Lion It was a City of the Moabites lying beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Benjamin called Aâ—iopolis scituated upon the Bank of the River Arnon 24 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward Deut. 2. In Esa. 15. It is
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
the places mentioned in his Travels Of Michmas and Cades you may read before Of Medaba THIS City is scituated beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben twenty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the East It seems to take the name from a hot Bath that stood near it for there were many Baths and wholsom Springs stood beyond Iordan as Ios. Lib. Ant. 17. c. 9. witnesseth The same things are also mentioned Esa. cap. 26. For Medaba is derived of Maiim and Doba which signifies warm or boyling water Of Bethbesan THIS Town was scituated in the Tribe of Benjamin near Gilgal twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East The Castle of this Town Ionathan and Simon fortified and repaired that it might be a strong place for them to retire to from the danger of Bacchides 1 Mac. 9. Ios. li. Ant. 13. c. 1. saith that this Town was called the House of blushing being derived of Bosâ—h to blush and Bethagla a round House Of Ptolomais IN ancient times this Town was called Acon scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea between Tyrus and Mount Carmel in the Tribe of Aser 76 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. But the Aserites could not cast out the Canaanites out of that City Ptolomeus King of Egypt conquered this Town and rebuilt it calling it after his own Name Ptolomais which signifieth to make War In times past it was a goodly City strongly fortified with Towers Bulwarks Ditches and Walls it was built in a triangular Proportion like to a Shield two parts whereof was compassed in by the Sea and upon the third there stood a fruitful Plain wherein were Corn-Grounds Pastures Medows Vine-yards and Orchards adorned with divers kinds of Fruits It had a very fair and spacious Haven for the preserving of Ships it was beautified with Arcinals Castles Temples and many other Buildings very stately and curious but at this day it is utterly desolate and scarce to be perceived where it stood Of Eleutherius ELeutherius was a River upon the Borders of Phoenicia and Syria near to the City Orthosia at the foot of Mount Libanus 200 miles from Ierusalem towards the North of which you may read in the History of Ionathan 1 Mac. 11. 12. There is also another River of that name between Tyrus and Sarepta upon the Borders of Palestina 108 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Of Genezereth IT is a Sea in Galilee so called from the Land of Genesara which lyeth about it here sometimes Capernaum stood it signifies a Princely Garden being derived of Gen that is a Garden and Sar a Prince for the Country round about it was very pleasant You may read more of this in the Travels of our Saviour Christ. Of the Field Chazor THIS was a Plain near to the Town Chazor or Hazor which is described in the Travels of Joshua It stood in the upper Galilee 84 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Of Zabadei ZAbadei were a People inhabiting Arabia Desarta near to the River Eleutherius on the North-east side of Syria and Damascus two hundred miles from Ierusalem Arabia is three-fold the one part thereof is called Deserta which extendeth it self towards the North to Syria and Damascus the other is called Petraea in which vast Wilderness the Children of Israel travelled the third is called Arabia Foelix which is towards the South extending it self from the East to the Gulph of Persia and upon the West it is shut in with the Gulf of Arabia But the Zabadei they inhabited in Arabia Deserta and were a People of a liberal and free condition from whence it seemeth they are so called for Zabab signifieth to endow or bestow Of Addus ADDVS is called by Iosephus lib. antiq 13. cap. 9. Iadah it was a Town near Arimathea in Mount Ephraim sixteen miles from Ierusasalem towards the North-west and is so called from a Congregation being derived of Iaad that is He hath assembled with Authority and Edah a Congregation or Synagogue Of Ador. THIS was a City of the Idumaeans forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Ador signifies a beautiful City being derived of Adar that is famous and illustrious and Or that is Light Of Baschamah BAschamah standeth in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan fifty two miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east and is so called from sweet Gums of which there is great Plenty in that place The Travels of the High Priest Simon the Brother of Judas Macchabeus SIMON signifies an Auditor and one that heareth being derived of Schamah He hath heard This man did many worthy Acts during the Life of Iudas Macchabeus for being sent into Galâ—lee in which Countrey there were many that rebelled he suppressed the Insurrection and pursued the Enemies into the City of Ptolomais which was seventy six miles From Ptolomais he brought his Army to Arabath 36 miles In this place after he had assembled all the Religious Israelites thereabouts and their Wives and Children he brought them thence to Ierusalem 44 miles After he went with his Brother Iudas to many places and behaved himself manfully in all his Enterprizes 2 Mac. 8. 14. He went also with him to the Battel fought between Azotus and Gazeron where Iudas was slain being 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward 1 Mac. 9. Simon and Ionathan brought the dead body of their Brother Iudas to Modin six miles and there buried him by his Father Mattathias 1 Mac. 9. Afterward Simon and his Brother Ionathan went from Modin to the Lake Asphar in the Wilderness of Tecoa which was twenty miles From the Desart of Tecoa they went to Madaba which was twenty eight miles After they returned thence to the River of Iordan where upon the East side of the River they pitch'd their Tents twelve miles Here they fought with Bacchides After they went thence to Bethbesan three miles From thence they went to Ierusalem twelve miles Ioseph Antiq. lib. 18. cap. 1. From Ierusalem they went to Ioppa twenty miles and won the Town Ios. lib. Ant. 13. c. 6. From Ioppa they went to Asdod twelve miles and in the way they put the Enemy to flight From Asdod they went to Ascalon twelve miles 1 Macc. 10. From Ascalon they returned to Ierusalem being thirty miles 1 Mac. 10. From thence he went to Bethsura half a mile this Town he won and placed a Garison in it 1 Mac. 11. Also in the absence of his Brother Ionathan Simon went with his Army to Ascalon which was thirty miles from Ierusalem 1 Mac. 12. From thence he went to Ioppa which was twenty miles This Town the second time he took and placed a Garison therein 1 Mac. 12. From Ioppa he returned again to Ierusalem which was twenty miles Ios. Ant. lib. 13. cap. 8. From Ierusalem in the last year of his Brother Ionathan's Government he went to the Plain of Sephala about fourteen miles where he built the Hold of Abida 1 Mac. 12. From thence he returned to Ierusalem fourteen miles There after the
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
on it There is painted on the Pillars and Walls almost all the Stories of the Old Testament till the Birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with such excellent cunning and so lively that it is to be admired In the Quire of this Church there is found two Altars one close by the Chappel of St. Katherine at the East end thereof not far distant from which they shew the place where our Saviour was circumcised and in the middle of the Quire there standeth another Altar where they say the Wise men left their Dromedaries and prepared their Gifts to present unto our Saviour when they worshipped him Upon the South side of this Quire towards the East they descend by ten stone steps into the Chappel of the Nativity of Christ richly beautified and curiously wrought paved with polished Marble This Chappel is not very great but wonderful fair and sumptuous When the Holy Land was over-run by the Gentiles this as many other places were in that Country was all polluted with Filth and Dirt that they had much ado to make it clean a great while after Upon the place where they said our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary brought forth our Saviour into the World there is placed a Table of white Marble after the manner of an Altar about some four Foot from this they shew the place where the Manger stood a part of it yet remaining cut out of a Rock not of Marble but of other stone as many other Mangers are in that Country Close by that there is an Altar where they say the Wise men presented their Gifts to our Saviour Christ and worshipped him At the entrance into the Church there standeth a goodly Building which in times past seemed to have been some Arch-Bishops See but now is called St. Maries Church Upon the North side they descended by certain steps into the Chappel of St. Ierom who lay a long time buried there till his Bones were removed thence to St. Maries in Rome About a mile from Bethlehem Southward stood the Tower of Eder being a Watch-Tower of the Bethlehemites and so called because there resorted thither many flocks of sheep for Aederâ—ignifieth â—ignifieth a Herd Round about this Tower were fair and fruitful Pastures to which many Shepherds resorted to feed their Flocks to some of which Shepherds the Angels told the glad tidings of the Birth of our Saviour and that he was laid in a Manger at Bethlehem For which cause in after times there was a Church built just in the place where the Tower stood and in Saint Ierom's time called by the name of Angelos ad Pastores the same Luther affirmeth that it is yet standing Iacob sometime dwelt in that Place and buried his wife Rachel thereabouts The Monument that he set upon her grave remaineth to this day which was twelve Stones pitch'd an end standing about a quarter of a mile from this place upon the right Hand as they go to Ierusalem of which Grave all the Country thereabouts is called by the name of Rachel Of the Way between Judea and Egypt BEtween Egypt and Iudea lieth Arabia Petraea a Land for the most part barren and unfruitful full of Sands Rocks and Mountains destitute of Water and subject to many dangers being in the Summer Solstice scorched with extremity of heat the Sun being then perpendicular over them according to Munster in the day time and in the night troubled with extream Winds which blowing the Sand with great violence it casteth it upon great heaps and Mountains by which dust both Beasts and sometime men are suffocated and slain Moreover there dwelt in this Desart a rude and dangerous People called Saracens who take their beginning from Ishmael and are therefore also called Ishmaelites being given to cruelty and malitiousness They get their living for the most part by Theft and Violence and as Ishmael was an excellent Archer so they also are very cunning in shooting and hunting using to this day their ancient evil custom of robbing and spoiling all that pass that way insomuch as Merchants are constrained to go in great companies lest they should be indangered by them and by reason of the Winds and Sands are constrained to guide their Journey by the Compass as men do that sail upon the Sea Through this Wilderness did Ioseph and Mary pass when they went with the Child Jesus out of Iudaea into Egypt where they were in danger of Thieves subject to be smothered by the Sands constrained to travel over high Rocks and Mountains and to rest in Fear because of Lyons Bears and other Beasts which greatly abound in that Place Besides divers other discommodities were incident unto them as want of Meat Drink and other necessaries there being little Water to be found there insomuch as had not the Lord by an express command charged him in a dream to go down into Egypt Ioseph durst hardly have ventured upon so difficult and dangerous a Journey But the Lord so mercifully provided for him that he both went and returned safe Thus may we see to what dangers these good People were exposed and what miseries they sustained from the beginning because of their Son Christ Jesus Of Hermopolis HErmopolis was called the Town of Mercury distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the South-West it was one of the chief Cities in Egypt as Appianus writeth Nicephorus and Zozemenus affirm lib. 5. cap. 22. that Ioseph and Mary came and lived in this Town where they continued all the days of Herod that cruel King But Ziglerius saith that they lived in the Land of Gosen where the Patriarch Iacob and his Posterity lived which agreeth well with the words of S. Matthew cap. 2. and Hosea 11. Out of Egypt have I called my Son This Land of Gosen lay 200 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-West The Inhabitants of Alcair in Egypt take upon them to shew the place where Ioseph and Mary dwelt when they went down into that Country but how true it is I cannot tell because there is no Author for it Of Canah in Galilee THis was a City in Galilee distant from Ierusalem sixty eight miles towards the North of which you may read more in the Travels of our Saviour Christ. Of Capernaum THis Town stood upon the Sea of Galilee sixty eight miles from Ierusalem toward the North of which you may read more after The Travâ—ls of the Wise Men of the East which came to Bethlehem to see Jesus THE Magi were certain wise men of Persia so called from Meditation being derived of Hagah that is he hath meditated and taken in the third Conjugation it signifies to find or search out a thing they being such as gave themselves to the knowledge of hard things and to find out the Secrets and mysteries of Nature But according to Varinus they were not only Philosophers but Priests also And Plaâ—o upon Alcibiades saith Magia est Deorum observantia sive â—ultus divinus that is Magick prescribed the due
and the Woman was healed of her Bloody Issue Mat. 9. But that Matthew was called about this time the circumstances of times make evident for a little after the second Passover of our Saviour Christ the same Matthew was chosen to be an Apostle Luke 5. 6. Mat. 9. Mark 2. In the Month of March the Inhabitants of the Towns which Christ visited in Galilee brought unto him many that were possessed of Devils and afflicted with other Diseases all which he healed insomuch that there followed him a great company out of Galilee and Decapolis and from Ierusalem and Iudaea and of all the Countries beyond Iordan Mat. 3. Thus having finished this Visitation as it may be thought he returned back to Capernaum where he dwelt as I have told you before which was forty eight miles for Caesarea Philippi stood so far from Capernaum The second Passover of the Ministry of Christ. A little after these things were finished was the Feast of the Iews Iohn 4. and Jesus went up to Ierusalem Iohn 5. to celebrate the Feast of the Passeover which this year happened a little before Harvest which was 56 miles This second Passeover of the Ministry of Christ fell upon the six and twentieth day of March at which time Christ celebrated the Passover with his Disciples according to the Law of God Here upon the Sabbath day being the last day of March he healed a certain man that lay by the Pool of Bethesda which had been diseased eight and thirty years Ioh. 5. And at the end of the Passover he went with his Disciples from Ierusalem through the Corn Fields but his Disciples being hungry began to pluck the ears of Corn and to eat them wherefore the Pharisees being offended at them began to reprehend our Saviour Christ and his Disciples upon which followed the disputation concerning the Sabbath Luke 6. Matth 12. Upon the seventh day of April he went on the Sabbath day to Peraea which Country was in the Command of Herod Antipas and there he healed a man with a dried hand Luke 6. Mark 3. The Country of Peraea beyond Iordan is distant from Ierusalem twenty miles But when the Herodian Council heard that he had healed a man on the Sabbath day they sought occasion how they might do to put him to death wherefore our Saviour Christ went thence to the Sea of Galilee which was 40 miles Here he went up into a mountain not far from Capernaum and chose the twelve Apostles Luke 6. Mark 3. And then upon this Mountain he preached unto the People which resorted thither unto him out of the Country round about whom they heard with great diligence and attendance This Sermon being ended he came down from the Mountain and healed the man that was sick of the Leprosie He also went into Capernaum and healed the Centurion's Servant Mat 8. Luke 7. Afterward Christ in the same Month of April when the man whom he healed of his Leprosie had published the Miracle he went from Capernaum into the Desart which lay near unto Bethsaida for there was a certain Desart Mark 1. Luke 7. In the month of May our Saviour went out of Galilee towards Ierusalem to keep the Feast of Pentecost so he came to the gates of the City Naim which stood on the border of Samaria and was distant from Capernaum 16 miles Here he recalled the Widows Son to life Luke 7. and after he went to Ierusalem which was 48 miles that he might celebrate the Feast of Pentecost according to the Law of God Exo. 23. Thrice every year shall every male Child appear before the Lord thy God This Feast fell this year upon the fifteenth day of May for it behoved our Saviour according to the Law to go every year to Ierusalem to these three principal Feasts that is of the Passover Pentecost and of the Tabernacles A little after the Feast of Pentecost Iohn Baptist being then in Prison having certain intelligence of the Miracle that our Saviour wrought upon the Widdows Son at the gate of Naim and of other wonderful Miracles that he did in Ierusalem and in other places in Iudea sent two of his Disciples from the Castle of Macharuntes to ask him the question whether he was the Messia or no So when they came unto him and delivered him their Message at that time he cured many of their sickness and Plagues and evil Spirits and to many blind men he gave sight freely And Jesus said unto them Go your ways and tell John what things you have seen and heard that the blind see the halt go the lepers are cleansed the deaf hear the dead are raised and the poor receive the Gospel And blessed is he that shall not be offended on me Mathew 11. Luke 7. At this Sermon it was thought he converted the sinner that washed his feet and poured a box of pretious Oyl upon his head Luke 7. In the month of Iune our Saviour Jesus Christ went with the Twelve about six and fifty miles out of Iudea into Galilee and there in divers Cities and Towns he began to preach and teach the Kingdom of God At this time there were divers Women followed him whom he had healed of evil Spirits and of their Infirmities but principally Mary Magdalen out of whom he had cast seven Devils and Ioan the wife of Chuza Herod's Procurator and Susanna all which ministred unto him of their Substance Luke 8. Now when he had travelled from place to place some certain time and visited many Cities and Towns thereabout he returned back again to the City of Capernaum where it is said that our Saviour Christ dwelt and there dispossest the man of a Devil that was both blind lame and dumb Mat. 12. Mar. 3. Luke 11. And going thence to the Sea he recited eight Parables Mat. 13. Mark 4. Luke 8. In the evening of the same day he went six miles into the Country of the Gadarens Mar. 4. Luke 8. The next day betimes in the morning he went out of the Ship into the Country of the Gadarens and healed two that were possessed of Devils Mat. 2. Mar. 5. Luke 8. Out of these two he cast a Legion of Devils and suffered them to enter into the Herd of Swine which they carried headlong into the Sea Presently our Saviour Christ went thence six miles into the Land of Genesareth where there was a great multitude upon the Sea shore not far from the City of Capernaum that expected his coming Mar. 5. Luke 8. Within a few daies after about the beginning of Iune he entred into Capernaum and there he healed the man that lay sick upon his Bed of a dead Palsie Mat. 9. Mar. 2. Luke 5. After he went to Sea and taught the multitude that came to him Mar. 2. From Capernaum he went to Caesarea Philippi forty eight miles where being invited to a Banquet by Matthew he eat among Publicans and Sinners and confuted the Pharisees and Iohn's Disciples In the same City he restored
against them insomuch that he left this goodly City as a Prey to the Gentiles and Foreign Nations that carried the People thereof into Captivity where for a long time they remained in great misery After the first desolation because the Country round about this City was very fertile and pleasant abounding with Springs Rivers Vines Olive Gardens Mountains fruitful Vallies fair Cities and strong Castles and Towns Herod Ascalonites that great King of the Iews who put to death the innocent Children re-edified it set up many goodly buildings beautified with Marble Pillars and pleasant Walks And also in the circuit of the Kings House and under the buildings of the Nobility in the common Market-place the Houses and Vaults were supported with Marble Pillars according to the manner of the Iews The Palace called the Kinâ—s House stood in the midst of the City upon the top of the Mountain and round about it there were divers other buildings set up but much lower even about the descent of the Mountain yet scituated that the Inhabitants might see out of their Houses the Country round about Then close to the Palace in the upper part of the City he caused a Temple to be built in honor of Augustus Thus having finished the inside he compass'd it about with a mighty Wall and upon that placed many Turrets and then to flatter Augustus called it by the name of Sebasten which among the Grecians signifies Augustum venerabile Principem now although this City was very glorious and spacious in those times for it was three miles about yet at this day it is utterly ruined and destroyed insomuch that there is not a House standing two Churches only excepted which were built in honour of St. Iohn Baptist and the chief of these which was the Cathedral Church the Saracens have converted to their use so that at this day Mahomet is worshipped in it In this stood the Sepulchre of St. Iohn Baptist cut out in Marble like the Sepulchre of Christ where as Hierom saith he lieth buried between Elisha and Obediah the Prophets This Church stands upon the side of the Mountain in the descent The Saracens do principally reverence St. Iohn Baptist next after Christ and they affirm the Virgin Mary to have conceived by the holy Spirit and not by the Seed of Man That St. Iohn was the greatest Prophet except Christ that ever was They also believe Christ to be the Son of God but not to be equal with God Yet they prefer Mahomet before both because they hold him a Messenger sent from God not unto all Men but only unto the Saracens and Turks and their Subjects The other Church which stood in Samaria was upon the top of the Mountain which somtimes the Kings Palace stood In this Church in times past there dwelt certain Grecian Monks which were Christians and entertained Christian Pilgrims with great Humanity and furnished them with many Necessaries But the City of Samaria it self hath been so often overthrown and brought to such extream misery that almost all the Ground where it stood is at this time converted into an Olive Garden So that as that wicked King Ahab turned the Vineyard of Naboth which stood close by his House into an Olive Garden so God in his singular Justice hath turned the Palace of that King and the whole City wherein he dwelt which was the strength of his Kingdom into an Olive Garden There are not so many ruins found through all the Land of Iudaea though there have been many worthy Cities destroyed as are in this place at this day The scituation of this City was very beautiful for a man might have seen from it to the Sea of Ioppae and Antipatris also to Caesarea Palestina and thorough all the Mountain of Ephraim to Ramatha Sophim and so to Mount Carmel and the City of Ptolomais Of Lidda THIS City was scituated not far from Ioppa upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea 20 miles from Ierusalem North-wâ—â—â—ward In this City Peter healed Aeneas who had been sick eight years of the Palsie At this day there is nothing to be seen but the Church of St. George who was beheaded by the Emperour Dioclesian for professing the Christiaâ— Fâ—ith The Grecians call this Town Diospolis i. An holy Town And the Turks account St. George for a valiant Knight and holy man Of Caesarea Strato THIS City was scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea some 32 miles from Jerusalem North-ward in ancient time it was called Strato being first built by Strato King of Sidon But time having decayed a great part of it Herod Ascalonita repaired it and made it a goodly thing calling it Caesarea after the name of Augustus Caesar. And that Ships might lie at Anchor there without danger he caused to be built a fair Haven to oppose the violence of the Sea This Haven was so wonderfully coâ—trived and set up at such a great charge that it was admirable to look upon for he laid the foundation of it twenty yards under Water burying in the deep Stones of an extraordinary greatness some fifty foot long eight foot thick and ten foot broad and many of them more The Haven it self was beautified with fair Buildings and goodly Walls supported with Marble Pillars and mounted up aloft so that you might see the Ships as they were upon the Sea and made way to his Harbour The entrance into it was upon the North at the mouth thereof there stood three mighty Colosses upon Marble Pillars He also placed upon the Wall of the City towards the Haven mighty Towers the chiefest and fairest of which he dedicated to Drusus Augustus his Son in law and called it by the Name of the Drusian Tower The buildings that joyned to this Haven were all of white polished Marble and the Streets of the City were directly towards it Also the Market-place where they bought and sold was not far from it Upon a little Hill close by this Port he caused a Church to be built in honour of Augustus Caesar. This Temple was a very magnificent and stately building and in it he caused the Statue of Augustus curiously wrought and cast just in the figure of Iupiter Olympius to be erected and worshipped it as his God There are many other stately and sumptuous buildings that were set up by this King But amongst the rest he bestowed great cost upon the Market-place the Theatre and the Amphitheatre which he wonderfully beautified and instituted certain Games to be there used once every fifth year in Honour of Augustus as Ioseph de Bell. Iud. li. 1. witnesseth After the death of this King Herod Agrippa was made King of the Jews This Prince some ten years after the Resurrection of Christ caused James the Son of Zebedeus upon the 25 day of July to be put to death in Jerusalem and when he perceived it was acceptable unto the Jews in the following year about the the Feast of the Passover he caused Peter to be
very curious but within all of polished Marble and Alablaster guilt with resplendent Gold so artificially that it dazleth the Beholders Eyes There was a certain Florentine who revolted from the Christian Faith and obtained to be chief Governour of this Town in which he erected a strong and beautiful Castle which stood for the Defence of it No man can sufficiently express the Beauty and Glory of this City there is great Traffique and much resort of People to it but especially of Turks Saracens Mamalucks and other kinds of Pagan People who are preferred before the Christians in that Government and although there are many Christians in that place yet they are constrained to endure great Injury by those Barbarians because they are hated even unto the Death and if any of them chance to die they are buried in that place where Paul was converted The Inhabitants shew the place where St. Paul was let down over the Wall in a Basket also the House of Ananias who cured the Blindness of Paul besides many other things that are memorable in that City of which you may read in Sebestian Munster Sebastian Frankus Plin. lib. 5. and many other Authors Of Arabia MAny things are already spoken concerning this Country as the division of the place one called Petraea the other Deserta and the third Foelix Arabia Petraea is so called from the metropolitan City thereof called Petra which is scituated forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South and bordereth upon Egypt and India It is also called Arabia Nabathea as you may read before Paran and Sur are a part of it compassing towards the East the Land of Iudaea and so extendeth to Damascus This Country is very full of Rocks and Stones the chief City Petra being scituated upon a Rock of which it taketh the Name Here standeth the Mountains Horeb and Sinai here the Children of Israel travelled when they went out of Egypt here is the Sardonix Stone found and the People of this Country in times past were great Prophets and Astrologians here also St. Paul taught the Gospel a little after his Conversion Gal. 1. at which time Aretas was King thereof whose Sister was married to Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee and Petraea but he cast her off and married Herodias his Brother Philips Wife upon which there began a bloody War between Aretas and Herod and a sharp Battel was fought near to Gamala a City beyond Iordan And although the two Kings were not at this Battel yet by the Treason and Flight of the Souldiers out of Tracones who without all question would have revenged the Contempt done unto their Lord Philip the Arabian Army carried away a notable Victory as Iosephus witnesseth lib. antiq 18. cap. 4. Aretas signifieth An excellent Man which was a common Name to the Kings of Arabia It is to be thought that Damascus and all the Country round about was under the Jurisdiction of this King and that he ordained a Lieutenant or General in those Parts who would have taken Paul and put him to death Acts 9. 2 Col. 12. The other part of Arabia is called by Ptolomy Deserta but Strabo calls it Scenilis because the Inhabitants thereof are without Buildings or Tents and live like Vagrants up and down the Woods This is compass'd in upon the South with certain Mountains of Arabia Foelix towards the North it borders upon Mesopotamia and towards the West upon Petraea The third is called Arabia Foelix because of the Fertility thereof for they have there every year two Harvests as they have in India as Strabo observeth See Plin. lib. 6. cap. 28. Of Antiochia YOU may read of this Town before It is said that Luke the Evangelist was born here This Man was by Profession a Physician Col. 4. and an inseparable Companion to Paul in all his Travels he was of the number of the seventy Disciples as Epiphanius observeth Tertullian saith in his fourth Book against Marcion that Luke received his Gospel from the mouth of Paul he lived till he was 84 years old and then died and lies buried at Constantinople as St. Ierom saith for his Bones were removed out of Achaia thither The second Travels of the Apostle Paul in the Company of Barnabas IN the eleventh year after the Nativity of Christ and in the four and fortieth year of Paul he and Barnabas was sent by the Holy Spirit from Antiochia in Syria to Seleucia which was four and twenty miles From Seleucia they sailed to Salamais in Cyprus which was 94 miles Act. 13. From thence they went to Paphos which is in the same Isle where Sergius Paulur was converted and Elymas the Magician who professing himself to be the Messias and Son of God was struck with Blindness Act. 13. This Journey was 100 miles They loosing from Paphos went by Sea and Land the same year to Pergamus a City of Pamphilia scituated in Asia minor which was 148 miles In the 45 year after the Nativity of Christ they went from Pergamus to Antiochia in Pisidia which was 132 miles From thence they went to Iconia which was 96 miles here they stayed some time and converted many Act. 13. 14. In the 46 year after the Nativity of Christ there being a great Tumult raised in that Country lest the Inhabitants should have stoned them they fled thence to Lystra a City of Lycaonia where Paul healed the lame man which was twenty eight miles The Inhabitants seeing this Miracle worshipped them for Gods and called Barnabas Iupiter and Paul Mercurius because he wrought the Miracle But not long after certain Iews coming from Antiochia and Iconia arrived in Listra by whose perswasion the People stoned Paul and supposing him to be dead carried him out of the City but when his Disciples came unto him he rose up and went into the Town Act. 14. The next day they went to Derbe a City of Lyaconia which was 48 miles From thence they returned back again to Lystra in the same year which was 28 miles From Iconia they came to Atiochia in Pisidia which was 16 miles In this City they comforted the Disciples exhorting them that they should persevere in their Faith For through many Afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven They also elected Elders in the Churches so with Fasting and Prayers they commended them to the Lord in whom they believed In the 47 year after Christ they went from Antiochia thorough all Piâ—idia and came to Pergamus a City in Pamphilia which was 132 miles here they preached the Word of the Lord Act. 14. From Pergamus in the following year they went down to the City of Attalia which was 26 miles In the 48 year after the Nativity of Christ they loosed thence and went to Antiochia in Syria which was 340 miles here they assembled the Church and shewed what wonderful things the Lord had wrought by them and how he had opened the door of Faith unto the Gentiles In this place they stayed a great space
Acts. 14. In the year following they went from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was 280 miles to the Apostolical Council which was celebrated in that City Anno Dom. 49. and as they went they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria and there declared the Estate of the Church among the Gentiles Acts. 15. From Ierusalem they with Sâ—las and Iudas sirnamed Barsabas went again to Antiochia in Syria which was 280 miles here Paul opposed Peter for preaching unto the Gentiles Gal. 2. So these Travels of Paul were 1744 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Cyprus BEcause you may read of Seleucia before I therefore willingly omit it that I might speak more fully of Cyprus This is a fair and spacious Isle scituated in the Mediterranean Sea in the Gulph of Issa bordering upon Cilicia and Syria distant 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the North as Strabo saith lib. 14. It is in compass 428 miles very fertile powerful and spacious for an Island There inhabited in it in times past nine Kings and as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 31. called Macaria or one of the happy Islands the Inhabitants were given much unto Luxury and Venery from whence it happened that Venus was greatly honoured amongst them It is said that there are many precious Stones found in it besides Crystal Allum and Cypress Wood which abounds in that place from which it seemeth the Island was called Cyprus There are also found many Simples that are Physical much Sack comes thence and many other things necessary for the Life of Man Here also standeth the Mountain Olympus whose top seemeth to touch the Heavens from whence it taketh the name because there never lies any Clouds upon it Lucan lib 2. There are four Mountains of this name the one lieth between Macedon and Thessaly the other in Cyprus the third amongst the Mysians at the foot whereof Hanibal built Prusa and the fourth in Aethiopia upon the East side of Heliopolis There are many Cities in this Country as Macaria Cyprus or Gyrhea after called Paphos and now Baffa in which there standeth such a famous Temple that Venus of that is called Cypriae and Cytherea Nicosia and Salamus now called Famagusta There have been many and cruel sharp Wars between the Venetians and Turks concerning this Country but at this day it is under the Jurisdiction of the Turks from whence they fetch great abundance of Pitch and Rosin for their Ships and Cables Of Salamais SAlamais Salamin or Salamania was one of the principal Cities of Cyprus and was distant from Ierusalem 196 miles towards the North built by Tucer the Son of Telamon and scituated in the Eubean Sea just against Athens The occasion why this Town was built happened by reason of a discontent that grew betwen Tucer and his Father Telamon For Tucer returning from Troy not having revenged the death of his Mother Ajax so much incensed his Father that he banished him his Country whereupon Teucer sailed thence to Cyprus where he built this City and because of the extraordinary affection that he bore to the Country where he was born called it by the name of Salamena or Salamais Saint Ierom saith that there is a River of extraordinary hot Water that runneth through a great part of this Country and that it was once overcome by the Iews and utterly ruined and destroyed but after re-peopled and called by the name of Constantia This Town at this day is called by the name of Famagusta and was taken with the whole Island of Cyprus by Mustapha chief Captain to Selimus the second Emperour of the Turks An. Dom. 1570. Solon that notable and famous Philosopher was born in this Town And Paul and Barnabas sailed out of Syria and lived in this Town Act. 31. Of Paphos THIS City is scituated upon the shore of Cyprus 212 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and seemeth to take the name from Paphos the Son of Pigmalion the Artificer In this Town there stood a notable Temple built by that Pigmalion in the honour of Venus for that as it seemeth by the Poets he was much given to Women Here Elimas that wicked Magician who as some will have it called himself the Son of Iesus as others the Son of Iehovah dwelt whom the Lord by the Hand of Paul struck with Blindness Here also Sergius Pauluâ— the Pro-Consul was converted It was in times past a goodly fair City as the ruines thereof testifie to this day but now it is destroyed and almost desolate There as it is for the most part through that Island the Air is impure and unwholsom and the ruines of many goodly Churches and Buildings are to be seen also the Walls of a strong and almost impregnable Tower scituated upon a Hill in the middle of the City and as may be thought was sometime the habitatâ—on of Sergius Paulus There is also shewn under a certain Church which in ancient times belonged unto the Brothers of the Minores a certain Prison divided into seven Rooms where Paul and Barnabas were imprisoned for preaching the Gospel Here also under another Church is found a Spring of very wholsome Water which is a present remedy for the Ague and Fever Here also is excellent Wine Of Perga PERGA was a City of Pamphilia from whence Diana is called Pergea because there was a notable Temple in that Town which was dedicated to her It is scituated in Asia the less near to Cheractus as Ptolomais saith but as Strabo saith close by Cestria a fair and goodly River 356 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. The Country wherein this standeth is full of Mountains extending from the Mountain Taurus which beginneth in this place abounding with Vines Olives and other Fruits unto the Sea There are many fair and fruitful Pastures in it and many goodly and beautiful Cities as Aspendius Phaselis and this Perga besides many others needless to be named There was usually every year a great Feast kept here in honour of Diana but Paul and Barnabas coming to this Town converted most of the Inhabitants to the Knowledge of God and of his Son Christ Jesus Acts 13. Of Antiochia in Pisidia THIS was the chief City in Pisidia scituated in Asia Minor 460 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. St. Paul converted a great multitude in this Town to the Faith of Christ. Of Iconium IConium was one of the Metropolitan Cities of Lycaonia as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 27. scituated not far from the bowing of Mount Taurus in Asia the less as Strabo saith lib. 12. 420 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In this City Paul and Barnabas continued a long time and did many Miracles by which means a great multitude of the Inhabitants were converted to the Christian Faith Act. 13. 14. It is to this day a fair City and under the Government of the Turks who won it from the Princes of Caramanian About 400 years before there was a great Battel â—ought close by this Town between
the Saracens and the Army of the Emperour of Conradus the third in which the Christians lost the day Of Lystra THIS is a City in Lycaonia scituated in Asia the less 436 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In this Town Timothy was born Act. 16. 2 Tim. 3. In this City Paul healed the Cripple and was stoned Act. 14. 2 Cor. 11. Of Darbe THIS also was a City in Lycaonia scituated in Asia the Less 388 miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Paul and Barnabas preached the Gospel Act. 14. Of Attalia ATtalia was a Haven Town of Pamphilia built by Attalus Philadephus King of Pergamus after whose name it was so called as Strato observeth lib. 14. being distant from Ierusalem 332 miles towards the North. Paul and Barnabas sailed out of Syria into this Town At this day it is called Catalia The third Travels of Paul in the company of Sylas IN the fifth year after the Ascension of Christ Paul took unto him Sylas and going through Syria and Cilicia came to Darbe which is 400 miles and there established the Churches Act. 15. 16. From Darbe they went to Lystra forty eight miles where Paul circumcised Timothy Act. 16. In the one and fiftieth year after Christ they went from Lystra and so travelled through Galatia Phrygia and being hindred by the Spirit that they could not preach in Bythinia they went thorough Mysia and so came to Troas where by a Vision that Paul saw in the night he was admonished to go into Macedonia Act. 16. So this Journey between Lycia and Troas was 483 miles Loosing from Troas they sailed with a direct course to Samothracia 116 miles From thence they sailed to Neapolis ninety two miles From thence they went to Philippos in Macedonia twenty four miles Act. 16. here Lydda the Seller of Purple was converted and Paul dispossessed of a Devil and then he and Scylas being scourged were cast into Prison Paul being then about forty one years of age Act. 16. From Philippos they went to Amphipolis about 36 miles Act. 17. From thence they went to Apollonia forty four miles From Apollonia they went to Thessalonica where the Iews stirred up a Tumult eighty miles Wherefore they went thence by night and came to Berrhaea sixty miles here also the Iews stirred up a Tumult Act. 17. These things happened in the Summer Season An. Dom. 51. From Berrhaea Paul was brought by the Brethren to the Sea where entring into a Ship he went to Athens which was 294 miles where he converted Dionysius the Areopagite From this Town he wrote both his Epistles to the Thessalonians as the Subscription witnesseth and sent them to Thessalonica These were the first Epistles that Paul wrote Afterward he went from Athens and came to Corinthia seventy four miles he came thither about the beginning of August An. Dom. 51. and continued there a whole Year and six Months preaching the Gospel and making Tents with Aquila the Iew who was of that Trade Act. 19. From Corinthia about the Spring An. Dom. 53. he went to Cenchraea with Aquila and Priscilla 304 miles There for Devotions sake he polled his Head From Cenchraea he sailed in the company of Aquila and Priseilla to Ephesus about 304 miles Here he left them Act. 18. From Ephesus he sailed to Caesarea Strato in Iudaea being 280 miles From Caesarea he went to Ierusalem 32 miles and saluted the Church From the City of Ierusalem Paul went to Antiochia in Syria 280 miles So all these Travels were 2154. Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Cilicia BEcause you may read of Syria before I will omit it and proceed to speak of Cilicia This was a Country in Asia the less so called as some would have it from Cilix the Kings Son of Phoenicia compassed in upon the East with the Mountain Amanus upon the North with the Mountain Taurus upon the West by Pamphilia and upon the South by the Mediterranean Sea At this day it is called Caramania and is distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North in times past it was divided into two parts that is into Cilicia the higher and the lower Cilicia the higher aboundeth with Mountains the lower is a plain Champian Country very fertile and pleasant The principal Cities thereof are Tarsus where the Apostle Paul was born and where the River Cydnus runs through the midst of it Issus where Alexander overcame Darius last Emperour of the Persians Anazarba where Dioscorides that excellent Physician was born who was of great estimation with Antonius and Cleopatra There are six Books yet extant of his profitable and necessary Labours in that Science From hence may be gathered that the Scituation is strong and pleasant in regard it is fortified on every side with Mountains but principally with the Mountain Taurus famous for the fertility of it and the passage of Alexander with his Army who at the time he conquered Darius went through the streight passages thereof being both dangerous and difficult and watered with many Rivers that take their beginning from that Mountain and so passeth Southward through all Cilicia falling then into the Mediterranean Sea Of Galatia GALATIA or Gallo-Graecia is a Country of Asia Minor distant from Ierusalem 400 miles having upon the hast Cappadocia upon the South Pamphilia upon the West Bythâ—ia and on the North the Euxine Sea The Cities of this Country were anciently Sinopis where King Mithridates kept his Court and Diogenes the Cynick was born Amisus also Pessinus where the Mother of the Gods was had in great honour and was fetch'd thence by the Romans This was a famous Mart Town as Livy saith li 29. Laodicea Tavius and Ancyra where there was held a notable Synod and in this large and spacious Country also stood Antiochia Pisidia for the Galatians dwelt in all Paphlagonia a part of Licaonia Pisidia and Isauria in which Countries the Apostle Paul taught the Gospel of Christ. These Inhabitants which in those daies were called Galatians are said to be a People of France who joyning themselves to the Cyâ—brians Danes and Germans under the conduct of Brennus their Captain invaded Italy in which Enterprise they were so fortunate that they conquered a great part of it wherein they planted Colonies and because of their nearness to their own Country in process of time grew mighty and from that beginning the Country where they inhabited was called Cice-alpine-Gallia taking that name partly of the Place partly of the People After Brennus and his Army making use of their Fortunes sorraged all Italy and came to Rome which they won and sack'd all but the Capitol and that also was in great danger until such time as Camillus a valiant Roman Captain taking advantage of the Enemies Security who now took more care how to satisfie their Covetousness than to defend what they had got of a sudden set upon them by which unexpected Invasion they were put to a marvellous straight and the Besieged greatly incouraged so
cost that he much exceeded Alexander and made it a fair and goodly City At this day it is called Ilium But in the place of old Troy there is little to be seen only a small Town as Strabo saith It is distant from Ierusalem 760 miles North-westward Of Bythinia THIS Country is opposite to Constantinople scituated in Asia minor distant from Ierusalem North-westward and so called of Bythinus the Son of Iupiter and Thrax It was sometime called Pontus Bebrycia and Mygdonia as Stephanus saith In this Country the Apostle Paul could not preach the Gospel of Christ when he went into Macedonia and Graecia because he was hindred by the Spirit Act. 16. The principal Cities thereof were Calcidon Heraclea Nicea Nicodemia Apamea Flaviopolis Libissa where Hannibal lieth buried and Prusa now called Brysa where in times past the Enperours of Turky kept their Courts and were buried The Mother and Metropolis of all these Cities was Nicea or rather Nicaea being distant from Ierusalem 720 miles towards the North-west at the first called Antigonia of Antigonus the Son of Philip King of Asia who built it after the death of Alexander the Great But Lysimacus called it Nicaea after his Wifes name and at this day it is called Nissa The compass thereof is two miles being four square scituated as Strabo saith lib. 12. in a fair and pleasant place lying close by the Pool of Ascania and hath in it four Gates standing in a direct line all which Gates might easily have been seen from a certain Stone which stood in the middle of the Market-place In this City the most Christian Emperour Constantine the Great celebrated a Councel Anno Dom. 325. at which time there were present 320 Bishops who condemned the Arrian Heresie and instituted the Nicene Creed But after that viz. Anno Dom. 326. the Arrians endeavouring to hold a second Councel in this City to confirm their Opinions and to dissolve that which went before the Lord hindred them with an Earth-quake by which almost half the City was thrown down Not long after there happened another Earth-quake which utterly destroyed it Notwithstanding it was rebuilt again and in it a second Councel held wherein the Nicene Creed was condemned There were many Cities of this name that before spoken of another in Thrace a third in France not far from the River Varus a fourth as Stephans saith is amongst the Lorrenses in Graecia a fifth in Illeria a sixth in India a seventh in Corsica and the eighth in Leuctris of Boetia Of Mysia THIS is a Country of Asia the less bordering upon Hellespont and Troada being divided into two parts that is the greater and the less That part that bordereth upon Troada is distant from Ierusalem 800 miles North-westward but that which is called Mysia the less and bordering upon Lydia is 1028 miles from Ierusalem North-westward In this Country stood Pergam to which Iohn wrote his Revelation Scepsis where one Neleus kept the Books of Aristotle till Apollonius time also Antandrus Adramitium Tranoiapolis and Aâ—ollonia which stood close by the River Thyndaeus The Inhabitants were Men of a base condition and contemned of the World insomuch as they became a Proverb as often as a Man would denote a thing of no estimation they would say Viâ—imum esse myliorum that is It is worse than the Mysians as it appeareth in Cicero's oration for Flaccus Yet notwithstanding Paul and Iohn the Evangelist preached the Doctrine and Light of the Gospel to this poor and despised People so that the Mysians which were a contemptable and abominable Nation before all the World were not so before God for they were converted at the preaching of Iohn and Paul From whence he saith Not many Wise according to the flesh not many mighty not many noble but God hath chosen the foolish things of this World that they might confute and overthrow the Wise c. 1. Cor. 1. Intimes past they were a great People though of small estimation for they had under their jurisdiction Lydia Caria Pergamus Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia and Laodicea to many of which Iohn wrote his Revelation Also as Herodotus saith lib. 7. the Mysians and Teucrians before the Trojan War past into Europe and there won and held Thracia Macedonia and all the Land of the Adriatick Sea c. Of Troas THIS City Troas where Paul raised Eutichus which signifies Happy or Fortunate from death to life Act. 10. stood upon the Sea of Hellespont in Asia the less 720 miles from Ierusalem North-westward Antigonus King of Asia called it Troas because it was in the Country where Troy was But after the death of Alexander he called it after his own name Antigonia and the better to honour it kept his Court there But Lysimachus King of Thrace having got this City into his Jurisdiction bestowed great cost upon it and set up many fair and goodly Buildings then called it after Alexander's name Alexandria and so it began to be called Alexandria Troas Plin. lib. 5. Strabo lib. 13. Ier. de locis Hebraicis Now it was called Alexandria Troas to put a difference between it and divers other Cities of that name for there was an Alexandria in Aegypt another in India and many others elsewhere but only this in the Country where Troy stood It was scituated in a high and spacious Mountain about a mile and a half from the Shore of Propontus towards the East between which and Troas is twenty eight miles It is a thing worthy Observation to consider by what divers names the Sea that lies between Europe and Asia the less is called for between Constantinople and Calcidonia close by the Euxine Sea it is called Thrascius Bosphorus in which place it is not above half a mile broad here Xerxes when he invaded Graecia built up a Bridge for his Army to pass over There is also another streight and narrow place in this Sea which is called by the name of Cimmeriu Bosphorius These two Bosphori are so called as some Authors hold because a Bull when he loweth may be heard from the one side to the other but Pliny seemeth to derive the name from Io that fair Maid which Iupiter turned into a Cow who swam over this Sea and of her was called Bosphorus lib. 6. cap. 1. It is also called Proâ—ontus because it lieth just before the Euxine Sea and Hellespont from Helle the Daughter of Athamantis King of Thebes who was drowned therein then running thence it falleth into a Gulph of the Mediterranean Ocean and there it is called the Aegean Sea of Aegeus King of Athens who drowned himself therein for the supposed loss of his Son Theseus In this Sea were scituate the Isles of Pathmos Mytelene Samothrace Chius Lesbus and many other Isles as you may read in the Travels of St. Paul Of Samothracia or Samothrace SAmothracia is an Isle of the Aegean Sea scituated between Troades and Thracia eight hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west
Mitylene is scituated in the Aegean Sea 624 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west In times past called Lesbus which obtained the whole Jurisdiction and Government of Troada It is in compass 136 miles and containeth in length from the North to the South 56 miles In it is found much matter for the making and calking of Ships there was many goodly Cities in it as Mitylene and Pyrrha which stood upon the West part of it also the Metropolitan called Lesbos Eressus the Haven of Antissa and Mithymna Of Lesbos in times past this whole Isle was called Lesbus until the City of Mitylene grew famous being so called of Mitylene the Daughter of Macharus as Diodorus saith lib. 4. and after that Cities name called Mitylene There were many other goodly Cities which stood in this Isle but they were either consumed by Earth-quakes or drowned by the Sea The Land thereof was very pleasant and fruitful bringing forth grapes whereof there was a very excellent and clear Wine made which they of Constantinople principally liked there is also found great store of Cypress Pines and plenty of Figs come thence Their Horses are very strong but of a low Stature it is very mountainy and pestred with wild Beasts There were many famous men that lived and were born in this Country as Pittachus one of the seven Wise Men of Greece Aliaeus the Poet and Alcimenides his Brother Diophanes the Orator and Theophanes who wrote the Acts of Pompey the Great as it appeareth in Tullies Oration for Archia Theophrastus also that notable Philosopher who at first was called Tyrtamanus then Euphrastus that is a good Orator and lastly Theophrastus that is a divine Orator this man was an excellent Peripatetick and Scholar to Aristotle whom he succeeded in his School and had 2000 Scholars Vitruvius the Architect maketh mention of Mitylen in his first Book saying that it was a very magnificent City and rarely builded but very badly scituated for when the South Wind did blow the Inhabitants grew sick when the West they coughed and when the North Wind did blow they were made well Notwithstanding the Apostle Paul and his Companions came to this City as it appeareth Act. 20. At this day it is under the Jurisdiction of the Turks and is called by the Name of Midilly Of Chius THIS is an Isle scituated in the Aegean Sea distant from Ierusalem 600 miles towards the North-west being 112 miles in Compass the principal City thereof is called Chios taking the Name as some say from the Mastick Tree which sweateth out a certain Gum of the Syrians called Chian and by us Mastick this Mastick is the best in those parts of the World Ephorus calleth it by the ancient Name Aetalia but Cleobulus Chia either because of the Nymph called Chion or else because of the whiteness of the Soil there are others that call it Patyusia and there are some who derive the name of Chius from the Temple of Apollo that standeth in it called Chion There stands in it a fair and goodly Mountain called Pellenaeum from whence the Inhabitants dig very excellent marble Also in times past the best Malmsey came thence but in these days it is brought from Crete Of Satâ—us THIS is an Isle and City scituated in the Aegean Sea upon a high or lofty piece of Ground so that from thence the Inhabitants may see into all the Countries near adjoyning lying upon the Coast of Ephesus and Ionia 560 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west it was in compass eighty eight miles very fertile and pleasant much exceeding Chius although it brought forth no Wine In times past it was called Artemisia Parthenea and Stephane taking those names from a Crown or Wreath of sweet smelling Flowers of which there were great plenty in this Isle the Poets feign that Iunâ— was both born and brought up in it and Varro saith That there was a fair and stately Temple dedicated unto her where solemn Service and the Rites of Marriage were yearly celebrated Pythagoras the Philosopher was born here and one of the Sybels which prophecied of the comming of Christ lived hâ—re St. Paul also came into this Isle and converted many as appeareth Act. 20. There is another Isle called Samus scituated upon the Coast of Epirus not far from the Gulph of Ambracius called also Cephalenia not far from the Promontory of Actium where Augustus overcame Antonius in Honour of which Victory he built up a City and called it Nicapolis c. Of Trogyllium THIS is a Promontory and Town not far from Ephesus scituated in Asia-minor at the foot of the Mountain Mycales four miles and somewhat more from Samus where Paul stayed Act. 20. It is distant from Ierusalem 460 miles toward the North-West There are which say that St. Paul stayed at a certain Isle joyning close to this Promontory called after that by the name of Trogyllium See Strabo lib. 14. Of Myletus THIS was a famous City scituated upon the Borders of Ionia and Caesaria close by the Shore of the Aegean Sea 104 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west The Poets feign that Miletus who was the first builder of this City was the Son of Apollo and called it after his own name Miletus but Strabo lib 12. thinketh that it was rather built by Sarpedon the Son of Iupiter and Brother to Radamanthus and Minos and by him was called Myletus from another City of the same name which stood in Crete The Wool that cometh from this Town is wonderful soft and singular good for many purposes but it was principally used to make Cloath of which they died into an excellent Purple and transported into many places There were a great many famous men that either lived or were born in this Town as Thales Milesius one of the seven Wise-Men of Graece Anaximander who was his Scholar Anaximenes and Hecataeus the Historian also Eschenes the Orator not he that contended with Demosthenes who taking too much Liberty against Pompey was banished Timotheus the Musician and Pittacus the Philosopher besides many others But of all these Thales Milesius was held in greatest Estimation because he was thought to be the first that taught natural Philosophy and the Mathematicks amongst the Grecians He was the first also that foretold of the Eclipse of the Sun about such time as the Battel was fought between Cyaxares Father of Astyages King of the Medes and Hallyattes Father of Croesus King of the Lidians which was about the 44 Olympiad There came unto him a certain Man who asked him what was the hardest thing in the World he answered Seipsum nosce To know himself Another came to him and ask'd him how he might do to live justly he answered Si quae in alis reprehendimus ipse non faciamus That we do not those things which we reprehend in others He died about the 58 Olympiad Meletus at this day is called Melasa Of Cous. THIS is one of the Cyclad Islands lying in the Aegean Sea
thence to Jerusâ—lem which was 680 miles and there restored the Judaical Government instituting Ecclesiastical Officers chief Priests Prâ—nces and other Governours Of the Land of Caspia THE Land of Caspia signifieth the Land of Silver being derived of Kesaeph that is Silver It was so called because they used to dig Silver in that place see Lyra it was a Country near Babylon where the Priests and Levites were in Captivity and stood 680 miles from Jerusalem towards the East Of Nehemia IN the twentieth Year of Artaxerxes Longimanus which was Anno Mun. 3524 and before Christ 444. Nehemias went from Susan to Jerusalem which was 920 miles there he repaired the Walls and Gates in 52 days Neh. 1. 2. 6. When he had governed Judaea 12 years he returned back again to Susan to Artaxerxes Longimanus which was 920 miles Neh. 3. Afterward Artaxerxes about the end of his Reign suffered Nehemia to return back again to Ierusalem which was 920 miles Neh. 17. So these Journeys of Nehemia make 2760 miles Of this City Susan you may read before Of the Name and typical Signification of Nehemiah NEhemiah signifies The Consolation of God being derived of Nicham He hath comforted This Man was a Type of our Lord Jesus Christ for as Nehemias was a Comfort unto the dispersed Jews in that he was sent to restore them into their own Country and to rebuild Ierusalem so Christ our Comforter was sent by his Father from that everlasting Throne of Heaven to refresh and comfort us by his Doctrine and gather the dispersed Members of his Church into one Communion that he might bring them into that heavenly Ierusalem which he hath built and where he hath prepared a place for us The Travels of Serubbabel SErubbabel carried the People of Israel from Babylon to Ierusalem which was 680 miles in the first Year of Cyrus Emperour of Persia Anno Mundi 3433. before Christ 535. In the seventeenth year of his Government he went from Ierusalem to Susan 920 miles 3 Esd. 3. 4. From Susan he went to Babylon which was 242 miles 3 Esd. 4. From Babylon in the same Year he returned to Ierusalem 680 miles where the next Year after in the beginning of the second Month which answers to the 21 of May in the third year of Darius Ahasuerus Zerubbabel and Josua the chief Priests of the Jews began to build the Temple and finish'd it in the sixth year of the same King 1 Esd. 6. So all the Travels of Zerubbabel were 2280 miles The Book of ESTHER MORDOCHIVS was led Prisoner with Jechoniah to Babylon which was 680 miles From Babylon he went to Susan which was 252 miles there he brought up Esther his Brothers Daughter and taught her honest Discipline and the fear of God This Maid was very beautiful and comely wherefore at such time as Darius Ahasuerus the Son of Hystaspis had caused all the beautiful Virgins of his Empire to be brought before him that from amongst them he might chuse him a Wife Mordochius adorned this Virgin with goodly Apparel and she also went with them in whose Presence by his Instruction she behaved her self so well that the Emperour chose her from among the rest and made her his Queen she being at that time but a poor Maid and of small Ability They were married in Susan in the second year of his Empire An. Mun. 3454 and before Christ 514. From whence it is evident That Preferment cometh neither from the East nor from the West but from the Lord. So these two Journeys make nine hundred thirty two miles The Types and Allegories collected out of the Book of Esther MORDOCHIVS or Mordochai signifies bitter and contrite being derived of Marah He was bitter and Dachah sorrowful and contrite A fit resemblance of that true Mordochius Christ Jesus who for our Sins and Offences was constrained to drink of that bitter Cup of Afflictions the Necessities of this World suffering in his Body more than tolerable Torments as you may read in his Passion therefore justly called Mordochius that is bitter and contrite Ester and Alâ—a have both one signification that is a Virgin or one kept from the Bed of Man Therefore she was a notable Image of the Church who keepeth her self chaste and undefiled avoiding the Society of evil Men and although she seem to be desolate and forsaken in this World in respect of the wicked who flourish like a Flower and glory in Voluptuousness and Pleasure yet hath she her Mordochius her Spouse her dearly beloved which provides for her even Jesus Christ that immaculate Lamb which died for her Salvation and will cloath her in white put into her hand a regal Scepter crown her with Glory and set her with him in the Throne of eternal Happiness Ahasuerus signifies A noble Captain and typically represents God the Father for as the Emperour had the Command of 127 Provinces and in them did principally Rule so God our Heavenly Father is the Emperour and Governour of all Kingdoms and all Creatures both in Heaven and in Earth be obedient to his will he sitteth in that everlasting Palace of Heaven that place of Joy and that eternal Paradice from whence he looketh down to behold us miserable and distressed Creatures upon Earth of his merciful Goodness electing and chusing us to be Heirs of that eternal Kingdom and purifieth us with the Graces of his holy Spirit so that we might be made capable to sit with him in eternal Felicity The disdainful Queen Vasthy may be a fit Type and Effigies of this World not only in respect of her Pride but her excess in drinking taking her name from Schatha which signifies To Drink so this World liveth in all manner of Prodigality and Luxury and contemneth the Lord and King thereof that Almighty God which sitteth in the Heavens and therefore is justly thrown down from that eternal Kingdom whereas on the contrary humble Esther that is the Church is taken up into Dignity and crowned in that everlasting Kingdom of Heaven Haman signifies a Rebellious and Proud Man being derived of Haman He hath stirred up a Tumult typically representing the Devil whom God in the beginning made a good Angel exalted him in the Heavens and made him much more Glorious than others yet notwithstanding glorying in himself he contemned his Maker and nothing would content him but to become like unto him yea he desired to be worshipped of our Lord Jesus Christ Mat. 4. And as Haman endeavoured to overthrow not only all the People of the Iews but Queen Esther alsâ— so the Devil doth not only endeavour to overthrow the whole Church but if it were possible the Head of the Church Christ Jesus Of that holy Man Job JOB was a holy and good man he dwelt in the Land of Vz so called of Vz the Son of Aram the Son of Sem as St. Jerom upon Genesis observeth This Vz was that great Man which built as was thought Damascus in Syria and all the Land which