the Market-place where they bought and sold was not farre from it Vpon 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 hee caused the Statue of Augustus curiously wrought and cast iust 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 vp by this King But amongst the rest he bestowed great cost vpon the market place the Theatre and the Amphitheatre which hee wonderfully beautified and instituted certaine Games to be there vsed once euery fifth yeare in honour of Augustus as Iosep de Bell. Iud. li. 1. witnesseth After the death of this king Herod Agrippa was made King of the Iewes This Prince some ten yeares after the resurrection of Christ caused Iames the son of Zebedeus vpon the 25 day of Iuly to be put to death in Ierusalem and when he perceiued it was acceptable vnto the Iews in the following yeare about the feast of the Passeouer hee caused Peter to be cast into prison who by the prayers of the Church was miraculously deliuered as you may reade Acts 12. A little after that is about the moneth of August this King was strook by the Angel of the Lord and died miserably for when he came to Caesarea Strato he caused the publique shewes to be solemnly practised and in honor of Claudius Caesar set forth very sumptuous interludes and playes to which feast and shewes all the Nobility and Gentry of that countrey round about resorted Where the next day very early in the morning hauing put on a rich and goodly garment made all of cloath of gold he went into the theatre and there according to his vsuall custome sate in a princely seat and made an oration to the inhabitants of Tyre Now when the sunne was vp and shone vpon his garments the raies thereof cast such a reflection vpon the beholders that it dazled their eies insomuch that they could scarce see Wherefore those that were his flatterers hearing his gratious speech cried with a loud voice O Agrippa be propitious vnto vs for although heretofore we feared thee as a man yet now we well perceiue thou art of a more noble and Diuine nature But when the King taking delight in these speeches would not restrain the impious clamour of these flatterers a little after he lifted vp his head and vpon the top of a pillar he saw an Owle sitting ouer him Presently he was troubled in his minde and within a while after hee was strooke with an extreme paine in his bowels insomuch that with a loud voice he cried out vnto his friends I whom but now was called your god am but a man and him that you imagined to be immortall must presently die These words being ended they caried him sick into his palace and it was giuen out that he was dead No sooner came this newes to the eares of the vulgar but they with their wiues and children put on sack-cloath and fell vpon the ground with earnest supplications to God to bee mercifull vnto him But the King looking out of his window and seeing them lie thus prostrate vpon the earth wailing and weeping he could not abstain from teares At the length after he had beene cruelly tormented by the space of foure dayes vpon the fift dyed beeing the second of August the wormes hauing consumed his guts and eaten through his body Thus God grieuously punished him who had so much afflicted the members of the Church of Christ but towards other men as well strangers as Gentiles hee was milde and courteous He raigned in the whole almost seuen yeares for he held the Tetrarchy of Philip three yeares vnder Caligula and other foure yeares he held the whole kingdome of the Iewes He died in the eleuenth yeare after the resurrection and in the third of Claudius Caesar being then about 54 yeres of age Act. 22. Ioseph Antiq. lib. 19. Plinie saith that this towne of Caesaria Strato was sometime called Apollonia but after obtained the name of Caesarea Palestina Saint Ierome saith in his Epitaph vpon Paul that in his time which was 400 yeares after Christ there was to be seene in this place the house of Cornelius the Centurion whom Peter baptized Act. 10. This Cornelius is thought by some to haue been of the family of the Lentuli in Rome for they were also called Cornelij as appeareth in Salust in the conspiracy of Cataline it may be that this Cornelius was that Lentulus which wrot to Tiberius Caesar that excellent Epistle concerning the figure proportion and person of our Lord and Sauior Iesus Christ Also the house of Philip the deacon and the chambers of his foure daughters who were Prophetesses When Paul came vnto this towne Agabus the Prophet came vnto him who bound his hands and feet with the girdle of Paul saying The man that oweth this girdle shal be thus bound by the Iewes at Ierusalem and they shall deliuer him into the hands of the Gentiles Here he made a notable sermon before Festus Agrippa Iunior and his sister Bernice Act. 16. This towne flourished for a long time after the destruction of Ierusalem and it was scituated in a faire and profitable place fortified towards the West with the Mediterranean sea and towards the East it was compassed about with a lake in which were great aboundance of Crocodiles though the water was very sweet and of a great depth Many godly and religious men were here crowned with the wreath of martyrdome for professing the Gospel of Christ as Eusebius Bishop of this town and of Pamphilius well obserueth in his Eccles Hist But the Lord did so sharply reuenge the death of these men that at this day it is vtterly destroied and there is not a house left though in times past it had been a Bishops See There was also another town built by Philip the Tetrarch called Caesarea Philippi whereof you may reade before Of Ioppa COncerning this towne I haue already shewed many things in the Trauels of Ionas but omitted some specified by Brittenbach and Dr Ranwolfe who haue described the holy land as it was in the yeare of our Lord 1575. which Authors affirme that there is seen a great chain of iron fastned to a certain rock to the which ships that lay in that harbor were somtimes tied Also the chain wherewith Andromeda was fast bound to a stone when she should haue bin deuoured of the sea monster Also they say that there is a Chappell at this day built vp in the place where sometime the house of Simon the Tanner stood who gaue entertainment to Peter standing by a rock close by the sea side and dedicated to saint Peter But for the rest of the town although formerly it hath bin a goodly city it is vtterly destroied nothing standing but a part of the wall two castles
ITINERARIVM TOTIVS SACRAE SCRIPTVRAE OR The Trauels of the holy Patriarchs Prophets Iudges Kings our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles as they are related in the Old and New TESTAMENTS With a description of the Townes and Places to which they trauelled and how many English miles they stood from IERVSALEM Also a short Treatise of the Weights Monies and Measures mentioned in the Scriptures reduced to our English valuations quantitie and weight Collected out of the Works of HENRY BVNTING and done into English by R.B. LONDON Printed by ADAM ISLIP 1636. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE SIR HENRY MOVNTAGVE Knight Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Majesties BENCH IT is a true saying of the Philosopher Right Honourable and my very good Lord that there is nothing wherin there is life but it hath either motion or action and such is the condition of man that a greater measure of both is imposed vpon him to humble him than vpon many other creatures The whole course of his life being compared vnto a Pilgrimage in which state a man can presume vpon no certaine continuance For as a Traueller that intendeth to finish his journey staies not in his Inne but desires more to be vpon his way than in his bed so it is with man who cannot possesse himselfe in rest from the time of his birth vntill his death and oftentimes is troubled with needlesse and vnprofitable Labours to attaine vnto his ends which got both they and he perish Let Alexander that great Emperour be a president of this who with much Labour hauing got a great estate enjoyed it but a short time and you may reade in this Treatise with what intollerable paines Antigonus Epiphanes endeauoured to establish his kingdome to him and yet in the end purchased little but a lamentable death There is none of the Patriarchs Princes Iudges Kings Prophets Apostles or others mentioned in the Scriptures that could make euident in the whole course of their life any better than a laborious and tedious Pilgrimage With what paines did Abraham wander from Chaldaea into the land of Canaan How was Moses tormented in the Wildernesse almost to the losse of his soule but absolutely neuer to come into the promised land And for Dauid how miserably liued hee when he could not trust his owne friends this is the state of man and to say truth he differs in little beside reason from other creatures and that either lockt vp in silence or not exprest in some memorable action makes him so much the more capable of misery being onely able to distinguish of joy and feare And that these things may be the more apparant I haue endeauoured to collect out of the Works of others this Treatise wherein is briefly described the Trauels of all the Prophets Princes c. together with the condition of Cities Countries Islands and other memorable places as they are mentioned in the Old and New Testaments All which that I might expresse that dutie which hath a long time lien concealed I haue wholly dedicated to your LL. seruice humbly intreating your fauourable acceptance of my paines that so being shrouded vnder your Ho. protection they may the better withstand the aduerse opinions of such as please to censure them At your Hon. seruice R.B. The Preface to the Reader IT hath alwaies beene held a matter worth note gentle Reader euen to the best Diuines to haue the Typographicall description of the townes and places as they are mentioned in the Scriptures and so much the rather because by comparing the actions of men with the beginnings and endings of Cities they might the better vnderstand the Prophets and perceiue the wonderfull prouidence of God who by his omnipotencie so disposeth of Estates that such Cities and Nations which haue beene mightie and ruled vpon the earth with great power notwithstanding on a sudden and by vnexpected euents haue beene vtterly subuerted and ouerthrowne Now that these things might be more apparant I haue in as good and briefe a method as I can gathered out of sundry Authors the particular description of the Cities Townes and places as they are mentioned in the Scriptures where they stood vnder whose command at what time they grew mightie and how lost and decayed To this also I haue added a particular narration of the Trauels of all the holy Patriarchs Prophets Princes Iudges Kings Emperours our blessed Sauiour and his Apostles to what townes they trauelled what memorable actions they did in those places with a short Chronologie of the times that so by comparing this discourse with any text of Scripture you may perceiue the time when those accidents happened All which things I am perswaded will proue no lesse pleasant than profitable and will giue a great light to the vnderstanding of the Bible But if you question with me How it is possible that I should come to the knowledge of those things considering that Babylon Niniuey Ierusalem and most of the Cities of the Holy Land are long since wasted and decaied to this I answer therein consists the greatnesse of the Trauell because I haue beene constrained to vse the helpe of many Authors who amongst other long and learned discourses haue here and there glanced at the actions that were done in the land of Iudaea amongst which are Strabo Ierome de Locis Hebraicis Plinie Liuie Plutarch and many others who haue described in the actions of the Persians Chaldaeans Graecians and Romans the state of the Iewes as it stood in those times with the Description of the Cities and townes And Saint Ierome who liued in that countrie tooke a great deale of paines to rectifie these imperfect discourses which more obscure authors haue laboured in and left to future ages that so those which would might by their dilligence and care make them vsefull to informe their vnderstanding both concerning the state of the Iewes and the obscure meaning of some of the prophesies Also the scituation and destruction of Ierusalem a thing pleasant and profitable to know and no whit vnworthie your consideration How all or the most part of the Townes Cities Countries Nations Islands Seas Desarts Mountaines and most memorable places are scituated from it how many miles English they stand distant what memorable actions haue beene done in them and for the most part where they stood and how they are at this day Besides to make this a perfect worke you shall finde after the end the old Testament and before the beglnning of the new a discourse concerning the weights measures and monies which are mentioned in the Scriptures reduced vnto our valuation how they were currant among the Iewes how with other people nations and countries by which meanes that necessitie of commutatiue Iustice for which monies were principally inuented will be apparent and by this meanes you shall perceiue what equalitie there is and hath beene vsed amongst Nations for the ordaining of measures and monies by which you may perceiue that this vniuerse being compared together
that hee was constrained to leaue the battell 1 Reg. 22. And as he went backe againe to Samaria which was 24 miles he dyed of his wound Of this man you may reade more 1 Reg. 21. 22. So all the Trauels of Ahab were 152 miles The Description of Carmel Apheck and Ramoth you may reade before Of Iesreel IEzreel is a city in the Tribe of Issachar scituated vpon a rising ground some 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Ahab somtimes kept his court Here Noboth the Israelite dwelt an honest and religious man one of good esteeme and authoritie that feared God and would not suffer the inheritance of one Tribe to be transferred to another because God had commanded the contrary Nu. vlt. For which cause he would not sell his vineyard to Ahab wherefore Iezabel that wicked woman to satisfie the Kings desire caused him to be stoned Iezreel signifies The seed of God being deriued of Sera Seed and El the Almighty God Though in former times this hath bin a faire town yet at this day there is not past 30 houses in it and is called Charity standing at the foot of Mount Gilboah they shew at this day the field of Naboth the Iesrelite lying towards the West as you goe into the citie a little before you come at it This towne standeth vpon a faire prospect for you may see from thence through all Galile to Carmel the mountaines of Phoenicia and Mount Thabor also from Mount Gilead by Iordan and Mount Salem where Iohn baptised neere by Mount Hermon vpon the North side of Mount Gilboah there lies a faire and plaine way to the citie Iezreel by which Iehu came when he made wars vpon Iehoram King of Israel of which you may reade more 2 Reg. 9. It stood not far from the riuer Kison as you may reade Ios 17.19 1 Sam. 2. 1 Reg. 4. 18. Of Ahaziah the sonne of Ahab AHaziah was crowned king of Israel during the life of his father a cruell and wicked man he began his raigne in the 17 yeare of Iosaphat king of Iudah Anno mundi 3049 and before Christ 919 about such time as Ahab went downe to Ramoth Gilead to recouer it from the Syrians within a while after the death of his father hee fell through the lattice window in his vpper chamber which was in Samaria of which hurt he died Of this you may reade more 1 King 1. The Trauels of Iehoram King of Israel IEhoram succeeded his brother Ahazia in the kingdome of Israel who began his raigne in the 18 yeare of Iosaphat King of Iudah and as Iosephus saith li. Ant. 9. about the fifth yeare of his raigne went from Samaria to Ierusalem which was 32 miles There he told Iosaphat how the king of Moab had rebelled against him therefore desired him to goe along with him to the war 2 Reg. 3. Then Iehoram and Iosaphat and the King of Edom went from Ierusalem and compassed about through the wildernesse of Idumaea by the space of seuen daies so that they and their army for want of water had almost perished but at the prayers of the Prophet Elisha they were miraculously preserued At length they came to Petra the Metropolitan Citie of the Moabites and is distant from Ierusalem 172 miles which they tooke and consumed it with fire and sword 2 Reg. 3. From the citie of Petra Iehoram King of Israel returned backe to Samaria which was 104 miles where within a while afrer he was so sorely besieged by Benhadad king of Syria that the famine grew very great within the towne insomuch as a certaine woman eate her owne childe 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Ramoth in Gilead with his armie which is 24 miles where he was ouercome by Asahel King of the Syrians and wounded euen to the death 2 Reg. 8. From the fight of Ramoth Gilead he was carried in his chariot backe to Iezreel which was 24 miles where he lay to be cured of his hurts But Iehu one of his chiefe Captaines rebelled against him and as hee was in his Charriot shot an arrow and wounded him the second time whereof he died in the field of Naboth the Iezrelite 2 Reg. 9. So all the Trauels of Iehoram were 356 miles The Trauels of Iehu King of Israel IEHV signifies A constant man in himselfe and was the sonne of Iosaphat the sonne of Nimschi hee was annointed King of Israel in the castle at Ramoth in Gilead by Elisha Anno mundi 3063 and before Christ 905 hee raigned 28 yeares 2 Reg. 9. From Ramoth in Gilead in his Chariot he went to Iezreel which was 24 miles where in the field of Naboth the Iezrelite he killed Iehoram with an arrow And when he came to the gates of the citie he caused Iezabel to be throwne from a tower whom he trampled vnder his horse feet And after in that same place shee was eaten vp with dogs Then hee sent messengers to Samaria commanding the Samaritans that they should put to death the 70 sonnes of Ahab which they immediately did and sent their heads vnto him in baskets 2 Reg. 10. From Iezreel he went to Samaria which is 16 miles In that journey he caused to be slaine by his ministers the 42 brothers of Ahaziah king of Iuda neere to the well which was beside the house where sheepe was shorne And when he came to Samaria he caused all the posterity of Ahab to be vtterly destroied and rooted out And to conclude the tragedy by a cunning policie put to death all the priests of Baal 2 Reg. 10. So all the trauels of Iehu were 40 miles Of Iehoahas King of Israel IEhoahas was the sonne of Iehu and succeeded his father in the Kingdome of Israel he began his raigne in the 33 yeare of Ioas King of Iudah in the yeare of the World 3091 and before Christ 876 hee raigned ouer Israel 17 yeares God stirred vp against this wicked King Asahel King of the Syrians who with 10000 foot and fiue hundred horse besieged Samaria very strongly put to the sword many of his subjects and got many cities and townes from him as the Prophet Elisha had before told him 2 Reg. 8. 13. The Trauels of Ioas King of Israel IOas succeeded his father Iehoahas and while he was yet liuing was annointed King of Israel in the 37 yeare of Ioas King of Iudah and raigned two yeares with his father after his death 15 so all the raigne of Ioas was 17 yeares This man was a great souldier and went from Samaria with an army against the Citie of Apheck which was 14 miles there he smote the Syrians and in three seuerall battels carried away the victory recouering the Cities which his father Iehoahas had lost according to the prophecie of Elisha 2 Reg. 17. From Apheck he returned to Samaria which was foureteene miles From thence he went with his army to Bethsemes in the land of Iuda where in a sharpe and cruell war he conquered Amasia and tooke him
lower he gaue Nicanor a great ouerthrow and put him with 35000 of his host to the sword 1 Mac. 7. 2 Mac. 15. From Adara and Bethoron the lower hee followed the enemies to Gaza a Citie of the Philistines which was 44 miles 1 Mac. 9. From Gaza he returned to Ierusalem which was 44 miles there he caused the arme of Nicanor whom a little before he had slaine at the battell of Adarsa to be cut off his tongue to be cut out of his head shred small and giuen to the fowles of the heauen and his head to be cut from his shoulders because therewith he had blasphemed the Lord and the temple swearing desolation and destruction to it and the Iewes 1 Mac. 7. 2 Mac. 15. A little after that is to say almost at the end of the 6 yere of his gouernment Iudas Macchabeus went out with 3000 chosen men in his army and pitched his tents neere Laisa 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the West But when the Iewes perceiued the mighty armie of Bacchides for hee had 20000 foot and 2000 horse in his hoast there were many of them discouraged so that all left him but 800 men Yet neuerthelesse Iudas constrained by necessitie withstood Bacchides and so manfully behaued himselfe in the battaile that hee ouercame him and put him to flight 1 Mac. 2. His enemies being thus put to flight he pursued them to the mountaines of Azotus and Gazeron which was 6 miles where being oppressed with the multitude and hemmed in amongst them was slaine He died in the moneth Nisan which answers to our April Anno mundi 3810 and before Christ 158 1 Mac. 9. From the Mountaines of Azotus and Gazeron his dead body was carried hacke againe to Modin which was 6 miles and there buried So his Trauels were 915 miles Of the townes and places to which he trauelled Of Mispa Iamnia and Laisa you may reade before Of Caspin THis city stood not far from Iamnia 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest This towne though it was strongly fortified yet Iudas Macchabeus woon it 2 Mac. 12. It is called Caspin of Keseph which signifies siluer There was another city called Casphor that is The siluer mountaine this stood in the land of Giliad neere Mispa which Iudas also woon 1 Mac. 4. Of Asseremoth otherwise called Gazaron GAzaron or Gazera was a citie of the Philistines neere Ecron 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the West It is so called from the cliffe of a rocke being deriued of Gezer which signifies a Cliffe Here Iudas Macchabeus was slaine 1 Mac. 6. Of the Tubiani TVbiani are a people that dwelt beyond Iordan in that part of Arabia Petraea which is called Nabathea of Nabaioth the sonne of Ishmael neere to a Mountaine of the Gileadites not farre distant from Abel of the Vines where it is thought Balaams Asse spoke This land is called Thubin and the inhabitants Tubiani because all that Countrey bringeth forth very pleasant and excellent Wine beeing deriued of Zob which signifieth good and Iaijn wine In this country Iudas Macchabeus continued three daies with his army Of Caphar-Salama THis town stood 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In Herod the greats time it was inlarged and made a very faire city which he caused to be called Antipatridis after the name of his father Antipater of which you may reade more in the Trauels of the Apostle Paul Of Adarsa THis was a towne in the tribe of Ephraim betweene Antipatridis and Bethoron the lower twelue miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest It seemeth to be thus called from a noble gift for it is deriued of Adar which signifies illustrous and Schal a gift The Typicall signification of Iudas Macchabeus IVdas Macchabeus is a type and figure of our Lord Iesus Christ and Antiochus of that wicked Antichrist as the interpretation of their names do euidently declare for Iudas signifies a Confessor praysing God and glorifying his name for all his benefits so Christ the sonne of God is the praise and glory of his father for that in him and by him God the father praised as is euident in the song of Simeon In like manner our Lord Iesus Christ is worthily called Macchabeus for Macchabeus is a syrname of the Iewes which is written after this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Machabai euery letter of which signifieth a seuerall word according to the Song of Moses in the fifteenth chapter of Exodus where are these words Michamocha baelim Iehouah that is Who is like vnto thee amongst the gods O Lord Thus did the children of Israel sing with Moses when God led them out of the land of Aegypt through the Red Sea and this sentence Iudas Macchabeus continually vsed as an Adage and the letters at the beginning of these words being joyned together into one word make the syrname Macchabai Therefore as he had alwaies this golden sentence in his mouth so had he it likewise in his name yea in his ensignes Wherefore this name likewise is worthy to be attributed to Christ for hee is that perfect image and glory of his eternall father Heb. 1. who is called Michael that is Who is like vnto God and Macchabeus or Machabai that is Who is like vnto thee amongst the gods ô Lord. Therfore he saith thus I am that great God that will deliuer you from al euil Ecce Deus fortis foelix de morte resurgo Tartareosque vnguens Daemona ipse ligo Behold I am the God of might from death to life that rose I binde the Diuell to my will his furies I oppose But Antiochus signifies an aduersarie or an opposer or one that fighteth against God The same also doth Sathan signifie in Hebrew He is therefore a fit type of that great opposer of God and Man Antichrist who fighteth against Christ that Iudas Macchabeus and true Captaine of the Church For as the one viz. Antochus was an aduersary against the Iewes the children of God so the other that is Antichrist is an aduersarie and enemy against Christ and his Church c. The Trauels of Ionathan the brother of Iudas Macchabeus IOnathan or Ionathas and Theodorus hath but one signification that is The gift of God This man the same yeare that Iudas his brother died succeeded him in the principalitie and gouerned the Iewes 18 yeares 1 Mac. 9. Ios lib. antiq 3. But vnderstand that Bacchides chiefe captaine of Demetrius King of Syria went about to take his life by craft hee and his brother Simon went from Modin and pitched their tents in the wildernesse of Tecoah neere to the lake of Asphar which was 20 miles From thence they sent their brother Iohn with certaine riches to the Nabathians which dwelt in Medaba in Arabia 28 miles desiring them in friendship to receiue their goods into the town and to keepe them for their vse but the sonnes of Iambri and the Nabathians issued out of Medaba and vnawares fell vpon Iohn put him to death tooke away
and as Iosephus saith the sayd gate was 90 Ells high the doores whereof were forty Ells long and twenty Ells broad gilt all ouer and richly embossed beautified with Cherubims and pretious stones The wall before this gate towards the East was pure gold embost and curiously ingrauen in maner of Vines with great golden leaues as big as the stature of a man whereon there did hang the picture and forme of grapes which were made of fine Crystall Within that high gate also there did hang a Vaile or Curtaine as long and broad as the gate within This Vaile was made of a piece of Babylonian Tapistry wonderfully wrought and made of Silke beautified with diuers colours of Scarlet Purple and Velvet and as Iosephus writeth the Sphere of the heauens was wrought therein but the twelue Signes were not and when the winde blew the Vaile did moue like a Vane Of the Porches or open Courts of the Temple BEfore the high gate of the Temple towards the East there were three Porches or Courts open without roofes which were made all of polisht stone with fair marble pillars beautified with all kind of colours in which Porches men praised and serued God The first was called the vpper Porch where none but the priest might enter when he offered and serued God which porch stood next vnto the high Quire The second was called Solomons Hall or Porch there the people vsed to pray and in that court our Sauior Christ preached Iohn 10. The third porch King Herod built adding that therto for the heathen people which also came vnto Ierusalem to pray These three porches went foure square round about the Temple as the Temple it selfe was and betweene these porches there were also spaces left supported with pillars of marble and close aboue the head for men to walke vnder when it rained which were all made of Cedar and Cypresse wood and of marble stone beautified with gold But towards the East right ouer against the high Quire of the Temple there the Porches were broadest and greatest Here gentle Reader you must note that as often as in the Description of the Temple I speake of certain Ells you must not vnderstand such Ells as we vse here in our Countrey but only of the Geometrical ells or elbowes which are called Cubits being the length of one foot and a halfe or six hands in bredth and two such Ells or Cubits doe containe 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 Zorobabel Ioshuah or Iesu the son of Iozedeck made after the captiuitie in Babylon but that was twenty cubits lower and inclosed about with two porches also But King Herod Ascalonita the great King of the Iewes son of Antipater Idumaeus 16 yeares before the birth of Christ pulled down that Temple and built a new Temple vp from the ground which was like to Solomons 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 sanctuarie for pilgrims and strangers as Iosephus writeth Antiq. Iud lib. 21 ca. 14. de Bello Iudaeo lib. 6. ca. 6. Item Egesippus lib. 1. cap. 35 36. But some do thinke which is more likely that the said Herod did but repaire 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 vnderstood that Solomons Portch was made with a wall in the middle thereof wherein on the North side the Iewish women that were vnspotted or vndefiled vsed to pray and on the other side being South the Iewish women who also according to the Law were vnspotted prayed as Iosephus saith lib. 6. cap. 6. de Bello Iudaeo A particular description of the three seuerall Porches or Courts belonging to the Temple IN the vpper Porch which stood right ouer against the high Quire in the Temple there was an Altar of brrasse proportioned foure square consisting of twenty cubits in length twenty cubits in bredth extending to ten cubits in height beautified with golden hornes whereon they vsed to offer burnt sacrifices of Oxen Sheepe Turtle Doues Calues and other things Also in times past there stood the great molten Sea made by King Solomon and the two brasen Pillars which were made with knobbes Pomegranats and Lillies very costly and most artificially done and ten Kettles vpon Treuets but those kettles and pillars with knobs and pomegranats and the great molten Sea made by King Solomon were carried away by Nabuchadnezzar King of Babylon and broken in pieces after which captiuity they were neuer seen more in the Temple for there were no more made But the Altar of Brasse with the great hornes whereon they offered oxen sheep and Doues was made againe and stood there as I said before by which there stood diuers Tables whereon they killed their Offerings In this Court also there was a goodly Fountaine with the Water whereof they vsed to wash the bloud of the beasts out of the Temple For there were certaine holes and gutters between the marble stones whereby the water ranne vnder the earth and through the earth was conueyed in a pipe into the Lake Kidron In this Court Zacharias the sonne of Barrachias was killed betweene the Temple and the Altar Mat. 23. And Zacharias the high priest the sonne of Ioiadah was stoned to death 2 Chron. 24. It was compassed about with a great wall made of Marble stone of diuers colours wherein there were diuers doores to goe out out and in decked with lofty towers and pleasant walks made of Cedar wood resembling our antient Cloisters But principally toward the East it had a great gate of seuenty Ells or cubits high and twenty fiue broad all couered ouer with gold as Iosephus writeth standing alwayes open without any doores to shut that euery man might looke into it when the Priest serued God If any man offered any thing he brought it to the Priest before the gate but might not go in himselfe Ieremy Chap. 26 and 36 calleth it the New gate Here also was the Chappel of Gemaria the sonne of Saphan in which Chappell Baruch read the booke of the Prophet Ieremy to the people Ieremy 36. And when the Sunne was in Capricorne it shone right in at that gate and through the high Quire of the Temple to the Holy of Holiest as Iosephus writeth Of the second or middle Court called Solomons Porch THis Court was something lower than the other for from it to the vppermost they went by certaine steps and in the tenth of Iohn is called Solomons Porch which as Iosephus writeth was parted in the middle with a Wall wherein on the North side the Iewish women that were clean and vndefiled vsed to pray and on the South the men according to the Law * Masculi enim ab austria muliere
the Princes and Embassadors of the King of Assyria spake blasphemous words against the Lord wherefore he slew 185 thousand of them as appeareth in the 2. King 19. Of the valley of the sonne of Hinnon THis valley lieth behind the city of Ierusalem Southward on the left hand as they went from Ierusalem to Bethelem In this valley the Iewes set vp an Idoll of copper like a King which they called Moloch that is a King of Idols This Copper Idoll stood with the arms stretching out and vnder it there was a great fire whereby the Image shewed fire-redde and besides that the more to honour it they made a great fire betweene two walls which burnt for his sake and through this fire the Idolatrous Priests cast liuing children into Molochs burning armes which he with his armes red hot burnt to death And in this manner the Iewes offered their owne children to the Idoll Moloch and when they did it they made a great noise crie and beat vpon a drum that the fathers when their children were offered should not here them crie by reason of the great noise of Drums This valley was called the valley of Tophet for Tophet signifies a Drum This was a most grosse and fearefull Idolatry therefore Christ likened this valley of Hinnon to hell fire for he called it Gehenna Mat. 5. That the Iewes should keepe themselues from this monstrous Idolatrie God made a law That if any man were taken committing this kind of Idolatry he should forthwith be stoned to death and not suffered to liue Leuit. 18. 20. The valley of Gehennon is oftentimes named in the holy Scriptures Iosh 15. Nehem. 11.2 Paral. 28.33 Ier. 7. Ierom writeth that here by this Idol Moloch in the valley of Hinnon there was a Wood for the water ran out of the Fountaine Siloah along by it and made the valley moist Of the field of bloud called Hakeldama THis field of bloud which was bought for thirty siluer pence for the which Iudas betraied our Sauiour Christ lay not farre from the valley of Hinnon Southward by the city of Ierusalem as Ierom writeth Of the hill Hameskita or offence and stander THis hill lay Southeast not farre from Ierusalem something wide of mount Oliuet so that there was but one Valley betweene them and was not altogether so high as it Also vpon this hill King Solomon in his old age suffered his wiues or concubines to make Idolatrous Temples wherein he and his wiues worshipped Idols Of the destruction of this famous Citie of Ierusalem by TITVS VESPASIAN THus haue I briefly set forth the dignitie scituation curiosity of the buildings of Ierusalem together with the richnesse of the Temple and sumptuousnesse of the houses now it rests to describe vnto you the manner and meanes how this famous Citie was destroyed surely a thing worthy wonder according to that in Ieremy Whosoeuer shall heare of it his eares shall tingle And that it might be the more famous and the Christians within it might take notice of the neer approaching desolation there were diuers strange accidents hapned and visions seene As first about some foure yeares before the riuer Iordan was turned out of her course and was brought into the Citie Pella a while after that for a yeare together there hung a Comet like a flaming sword ouer the City And in the night there was seene a light in the Temple And in the day when they were at sacrifice a Calfe brought forth a Lambe Then about the middle of the night the Easterne gates of the Temple opened of their owne accord In the skies were seene armies of men fighting and Horses and Chariots running too and againe And at last there was heard a terrible voice in the temple vttering these words Migremus hinc that is Let vs goe hence And that there might be a generall Proclamation of this sad and cruell desolation through the whole citie one Ananias the sonne of Iesus a man poore and impotent vpon the Feast of the Tabernacles ran through all the streets of the Citie and crying O a voice from the East and a voice from the West a voice from the foure windes a voice ouer Ierusalem and the Temple a voice ouer the Bridegroome and the Bride and a voice ouer the whole multitude of this Citie And although he was whipt and imprisoned and cruelly handled yet so long as he liued hee would not cease to vtter these words which by some were judg'd to foretel the horrible desolation which after hapned For Titus Caesar sonne of Flavius the Emperor about seuentie yeares after the Natiuitie of our Lord and about eight and thirty after his ascension vtterly ouerthrew it euen to the ground about the first day of the moneth of Aprill and within a yeare after these signes For he taking aduantage of the three factions which at this time swaied in Ierusalem One of Eleazer the Priest the sonne of Simon the other of Zilotus the chiefe Prince which held the Temple and the third of Iohannes Giscalenus a cruell fellow which had the command of the inferiour Citie besieged it and made this a fit opportunitie to further his enterprises whiles the seditious and factious people little regarding their owne safetie gaue way by their euill and intestine warrs to what he intended weakning themselues much more by their continued slaughters than the enemy by his inuasion Insomuch as the whole citie and Temple was filled with dead bodies common insolencies and publique rapines were ordinarily amongst them some set fire of the City others dispoiling the Temple a third sort killing the Priests euen as they were at sacrifice al places ful of dead bodies and to this to adde a greater measure of miserie without any regard at all to their future defence set fire of the store-house wherein the corne lay for the sustentation of the Citie and consumed that in one day which had been long a gathering by this meanes it came to passe that they were sorely afflicted with the pestilence through the corruption of the aire and with famine for want of Corne. All these things notwithstanding such was the crueltie obstinacie and peruersenesse of this people could not restraine them from violating the most sacred and holy things of the Temple insomuch as Iohannes Giscalenus had a full determination to haue destroyed it but that he was preuented by the Romans About this time was the feast of the Passeouer and it fell vpon the fourteenth day of Aprill being the Sabboth to the celebration whereof there resorted to Ierusalem about three hundred thousand Iewes These the enemy gaue way to enter into the Citie but considering their present necessitie for want of victuals vpon a suddain drew vp their forces and so straightly beleagered them that all this huge multitude was as it were imprisoned within the wals where partaking of the former misery they either died by the plague or famin Whence may be perceiued the maruellous prouidence
downe the walls destroied the Temple which the Emperor Constantine had built and made havock of al things Presently vpon this the Turkes that came out of Scythia by the Caspian mountains won the city draue thence the Saracens Thus we may see that the Saracens and Turks though they were both of one religion yet for the country of the Iewes fought one against another and compelled the Christians to pay them Tribute for the fourth part of the city wherein the Sepulchre of our Lord stood being againe restored by the Emperor Constantine after the destruction of Caliphas The Christians being weary of this tribute and of the oppression of the Infidels became sutors to Pope Vrban the second of that name for their deliuery who in the yeare 1094 assembled a Councel at Clearemont in France and by the instigation of one Peter the hermit stirred vp the hearts of diuers Christian princes and great Lords to make a croysado so that 10000 braue well mounted souldiers went into the Holy land and for a token of their war bore red crosses vpon their armes In the same yeare there was a great blasing starre seene in the West and after that followed a great plague for the space of two yeares through the world this neuerthelesse hindred them not in their designes but that they went their intended journy won the City of Aelia from the Saracens deliuered the Christians from their bondage and tax and chose Godfrey of Lorrain Earle of Bullion King thereof whom they anointed in the Temple of the holy Sepulchre but hee refused to be crowned with a Crowne of gold saying That it ill beseemed him to be called King of Ierusalem the true King whereof was Christ or to sit crowned with gold in the place where he was crowned with thorns that was the Son of the euer-liuing God and then chose Arnolphus of Rhodes Patriarch In the moneth of October the same yeare a blasing Starre of maruellous bignesse appeared towards the South it seemed to be like a wauing sword foreshewing no doubt the destruction of all those that went about to re-establish this earthly Ierusalem Immediatly after the Feast of the Natiuitie of Christ all the Christians of the East countries vpon Candlemas day came out of Syria but especially out of Antiochia to Ierusalem in the Temple of the holy Sepulchre consecrated their Bishops and Chorasters and with one consent sung Illuminare Ierusalem They tooke also all the Cities Castles and Villages and ouer them set Bishops created foure Principalities one at Ierusalem another at Antiochia a third at Edissa a fourth at Tripoly Also certain Earledomes and Baronies as at Brito Zidon Caesarea Galilee Ioppa and Ascalon All these were appointed to pay tribute to the King of Ierusalem All this was done in the yere of our Lord 1099. No sooner were these newes published to the world but there was an vniuersall croysado through all Christendom for the conquering and winning of the rest of the holy land but before they could get thither they were either slaine by the Grecians and other nations or els died through famin thirst so that in them was fulfilled the prophecie of Zacharias cap. 12.3 where it is said It shall happen that I will make Ierusalem an heauy stone for all people all they that lift it vp shal be torn though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it And verse 9 And in that day I will seeke to destroy all the nations that come against Ierusalem This yeare 1100 died Godfrey King of Ierusalem of a feuer vpon the â—8 day of Iuly when he had reigned scarce a yere and was buried in the temple of mount Calvarie After him succeeded his brother Baldovin the first of that name second King of Ierusalem This man reigned 18 years in Ierusalem and being ouercome by Caliphas Sultan of Egypt after the losse of thirteene thousand Christians he had much adoe to escape with life Within a short time after hee died without issue Baldwin the second succeeded his vncle and was the third king of Ierusalem He began his reign Anno 1118. This man ouercame the Turks and the King of Damascus had issue only one daughter named Milesent whom he maried to the Earle of Angiers and gaue with her the kingdom of Ierusalem and died without heire male in the yeare 1131. Fulco in right of his wife succeeded his father in law was the fourth King of Ierusalem This Fulco was brother to the King of England he reigned 13 years fought many worthy battels against the Turkes put 3000 of their men to the sword tooke many of them prisoners and caried them to Ierusalem After that as hee was hunting the Hare by Acon riding speedily hee fell from his horse and was sorely brused whereof he died and left two sonnes called Baldwin and Almerick Baldwin the third was the fifth King of Ierusalem and succeeded his father He won the city of Ascalon he rebuilt the towne of Boza which had beene destroyed placed there certaine Knights Templers he lost the City of Edissa to the Saracens where many Christians were cruelly slain And hauing reigned 19 yeares he died without issue After him succeeded his brother Almerick as was the sixt king of Ierusalem In the time of this king the Sultan of Egypt gaue a great ouerthrow to the Knights Templers which he seeking to reuenge inuaded Egypt with a great army besieged the great city of Alcaire but to small purpose wherefore returning back to Ierusalem he shortly after died when he had reigned 12 years he left behinde him three children a sonne called Baldwin and two daughters Sibilla and Isabella Baldwin the fourth succeeded his father and was the seuenth king of Ierusalem who abusing his gouernment was struck with leprosie with the contagion of which disease he died miserably in the 25 yere of his age hauing reigned 13 years Baldwin the fift of that name the onely begotten son of his sister Sibil by his consent was chosen his successor a youth of 9 yeares old his fathers name was William Mountferrat earle of March who dying his mother married one Guy Earle of Lusignan to whom Baldwin committed the protection of the kingdome and of his yong kinsman till he came to mans estate But this yong man within 7 years after the death of his vncle died sitting at his table not without suspition of poison Guy his protector by the persuasion of his wife and at the instigation of the Ierosolimits took vpon him the gouernment but Raimond Earle of Tripoli was his great aduersary for that Baldwin 4. for his exceeding pride at the instigation of that Guy had displaced him of all his Offices and titles in the commonwealth These two striuing for the kingdom it hapned that Guy was charged with his kinsmans death vnder which pretence Raimond made war against him During these troubles Saladine Sultan of Egypt taking aduantage of this opportunitie made war vpon them
both and with great facility conquered the kingdome and destroied Ierusalem In this yeare 1187 there happened so great an Eclipse of the Sunne that at noone day the Starres were plainely to bee seene Soone after this Raimond and Guy were both taken prisoners and thirty thousand Christians cruelly put to the sword After this the Saracens sacked the Towne threw the Bells out of the Steeples made stables of the Churches only the Temple on Mount Golgotha stood vntoucht for the Turkes and Saracens honour Christ as a great Prophet And thus the new kingdome of the Christians in Ierusalem ended which was vpon the second day of October in the yeare 1187 after it had continued in their possession 88 yeares During the continuance of this kingdome there were many horrible visions and strange Signes and Wonders seene both in Heauen on earth and in the ayre foreshewing no doubt that God was not well pleased with their actions which sought to restore that kingdom of Ierusalem For My kingdome saith Christ is not of this world And although after that there were many Kings that by all possible means endeauored to recouer and restore the same and for that purpose haue leauied many great Armies and vndertaken many tedious journies yet all their counsels and determinations came to nothing for that God so often as they vndertooke any such expedition either stayed their Armies oppressed them with war or else plagued them with famine in such an extreame measure that with very hunger they haue bin constrained to eat their Horses Frederick Barbarossus may be an example of these calamities who with a great army making an expedition to Ierusalem as he was trauelling through Asia minor his horse started and flung him into the riuer where he died miserably ere he could be saued Many other Princes besides in the like enterprise came to the like ends for they were either destroied by the Barbarians with the losse of thousands of their men cruelly slain or vtterly destroied with vnnatural diseases or vntimely deaths Now when the Emperour Fredericke the second of that name had beseeged and brought to great miserie the Sultan of Egypt and the Knights Templers had done the like to Damieta Corderio the Sultans son beat downe the walls of Ierusalem and had it not bin for the great lamentations and ernest entreaties of the Christians he would haue destroied the city but for their sakes he left standing Solomons Temple and the Temple of the holy Sepulchre for at this time Christians inhabit in them Within a while after about the yeare 1228 Fredericke the second of that name Emperor 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 Egipt for ten years regained Ierusalem without drawing sword was there crowned in the yeare 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 yeare 1246 Cassanus King of the Tartars being persuaded by the Sultan with a great army inuaded Iudaea won Ierusalem caused the Christians to be cruelly slaine beat downe the holy Sepulchre euen to small pieces and left but little standing It was after this destroyed by Tamerlaine King of the Tartars and by Mahomet the second of that name Emperour of the Turkes But the Monkes had leaue to build vp the holy Sepulcre againe for the which they payed to the Sultan or his Deputy a yearely tribute In the yeare of our Lord 1516 Selymus Emperor of the Turks about the twenty fourth day of August neere to Damascus ouercame Campson Gaurus Sultan of Egypt in a cruell Warre and put to death many thousands of his men and the Sultan himselfe seeking to saue his life by flight was miserably slaine This Selymus conquered the Holy Land Syria Damascus and all the Countries thereabouts and as he went through Iudaea leauing 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 antient 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 looke vpon inhabited by a few poore Christians and they also held in great contempt and bondage paying a great tribute to the Sultan of Egypt for their liberty and the holy Sepulchre as P. Iouius writeth But after that Selymus in that place had done his Offerings and Sacrifices to his god Mahomet seeing the Priests and Christians prest with extreme pouertie out of his singular mercy and compassion gaue them a large and sumptuous gift when hee had stayed but one day and one night in the Towne The next morning before day he went with all expedition to his Army at Gaza from thence into Egypt where he besieged the great and famous city Alcaire and in the yeare 1517 took it conquered all the country vtterly extirpated the Sultan and went away with an honorable victory and rich booty From this yeare euen till now the towne of Aelia or Ierusalem is vnder the jurisdiction of the Turks Thus may we see how often and with what miserable calamities this city hath bin afflicted euen since the first destruction by Vespasian which makes euident the great iudgment of God not only vpon the Iews but also vpon the earth where they inhabited for their infidelitie and vnmercifull cruelty The description of Ierusalem and the scituation thereof as it is now in these times THe former incursions and common desolations leauing this town ruined and spoiled for want of inhabitants it became a desart and forsaken place onely some few Christians either out of the zeale of religion or for vulgar ostentation to shew that there had bin a town dwelt there and thus it continued vntill the yeare 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 himselfe a name with great cost and labor re-edified it set vp many stately buildings and sumptuous houses beautified it with two costly Temples the one the Temple of Solomon and the other the holy Sepulchre inlarged the extent thereof and seated it vpon high hils After all this compast it about with a spatious and thicke wall and vpon 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 hee was stoned the Angle gate the Dung gate the Sheep gate the Golden and Fountaine gates Thus the antient city and that which the Emperor Adrian built being both destroied in another place is set vp again So that between both this new city standeth and the first city begins to be again inhabited Of the Temple of the
but swim vpon the top be it either iron lead copper or any other weighty matter Of which Vespasian the emperor hauing notice to make experience of what he had heard made a journy of purpose to see it and with him tooke certain condemned men who for their offences had deserued death these he manacled and where he thought it to be deepest caused them to bee thrown in but they rose vp againe with such violence as if some storm or tempest had sent them vp The water thereof changeth three times a day and shineth against the sun with diuers colors casting out fire and great cakes of pitch much resembling Bulls without heads and of that quantity This pitch is good for diuers things as to calk ships to lay vpon cables and to vse in medicins wherefore such as come to this sea and know the nature of it haue certain Skifs and instruments wherewith they draw these cakes of pitch to their ships to which it cleaueth so fast it being naturally tough that being brought to land they cannot get it off again but by the help of vrine Vpon the banks thereof grow trees that beare fruit of diuers kinds as apples and such like which are faire and pleasant to the eie but if you either touch or open them you shall finde nothing but dust Brittenbacchus saith In this place the Serpent Tyrus whereof they vse to make treacle is found It is a little serpent about half a cubit long and a finger thick being of diuers colours and is so venomous that where it biteth there is no remedy vnlesse by cutting off the member The head of it is rough and hairy and there seemeth to lie vpon the tongue of it if it be angry a fiery flame The same Author saith That a little from Zoar betweene this Lake and the mountaines of Engedi the pillar whereinto Lots 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 riuer Iordan runneth into it The trauell of the two Angels that led Lot out of Sodom THese two Angels hauing spoken with Abraham in the valley of Mamre neere Hebron forthwith went to Sodom some 40 miles distant from that place where Lot hauing entertained them into his house by their helpe was deliuered together with his wife and two daughters from that miserable desolation of the Sodomits Of Lots two Daughters LOt escaping this desolation and seeing a president of Gods iudgement fallen vpon his wife for her disobedience fearing that he should not continue safe in Zoar left that turned aside into the wildernesse and continued there among the mountains although the Lord had promised him safety in this town wherfore continuing in a Caue in the Wildernesse the eldest of his daughters losing her husband in this destruction supposing that all men had beene destroyed from off the earth counselled her sister to commit incest with her father Lot being now oppressed with care by reason of the former calamities gaue himself at the inticement of his daughters to drinke Wine insomuch as with the excesse he became drunke at which time not being himselfe he begat by his two daughters two sonnes the eldest had a sonne whom shee called Moab which signifies The begotten of his Father whereby the impudencie of this woman is laid open to the World in that she was not ashamed of her sinne Of him came the Moabites and dwelt vpon the North side of the lake Asphaltides some 32 miles from Ierusalem The yongest 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 Gilead threescore miles from Ierusalem Northeastward Of the foure Kings that tooke LOT prisoner THe first of them was called Amraphel King of Shinear or Babylon the son of Ninus and Semiramis as some thinke and is called somtime by the name of Berosus sometime Ninus He kept his court at Babylon in Chaldea 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 prouinces he conquered The second was Arioch or Arius his sonne He was thus called because of his courage and crueltie 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 Assiria for so it is called in the Chaldaean tongue the chiefe city whereof is Nineueh and lies from Ierusalem Northeastward six hundred eighty foure 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 Keder signifies an Ornament or Crowne Laomer Well deseruing The fourth was Thideall King of the Nations Hee 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 vp These foure kings were confederats and bent their expedition principally against Astaroth and Kiriathaim which they tooke and spoyled all the Countrey round about with fire and sword and their Armies being retyred from the spoyle met in the vally 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 fiue Kings of that beautifull and pleasant soile of Pentapolis for so it was called because of those fiue cities that were in it where among others they tooke Lot captiue with all his substance Of Astoroth AStoroth seemes to be the city of Venus because the citisens thereof worshipped her for Astoroth is a goddesse of the Sidonians and is compounded of Ash which signifies a company of stars and Tor placed in order The Syrians call Venus Ashtoroth This towne lay in the land of Gilead and belonged to the halfe tribe of Manasse beyond Iordan 56 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward In this city the foure 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 certaine Gyants called Zusim of Zus and Hamah which signifies to stir vp commotion These were very great strong and stately people and had the command of all the Countries thereabouts which they held in great feare and were conquered by the foure Kings Of Kiriathaim KIriathaim was a City in the tribe of Reubin beyond Iorden Ios 13. 22 miles from Ierusalem toward the East and so called because it was diuided into many parts and diuisions The heathens corruptly cal it Carthage The Hebrews deriue it from Kiriath which signifies a city and Emah Terror Here dwelt the Emims a graue and fearfull people for so their name signifies Of Hazezon Thamar THis Citie tooke the
name from a Palme tree or a Palme banke Of this kinde of wood the Israelites made their arrowes and therefore deriue it from Charar which signifieth to shoot and Thamar a Palme Tree This City standeth vpon the banke of the dead sea twenty miles from Ierusalem North-East vpon a very fruitfull soile where was found plenty of Palm trees and pretious balsam and by some called Engedi or the Lambes Well being deriued from Ein and Gedi which signifieth Fontem haeduli lactantis that is The Wel of a sucking lambe or goat Not far from hence stood the Caue where Dauid cut off the outward lap of King Sauls garment 1 Sam. 24. Of the plentifull valley Siddim THis valley stood there where now the dead sea runneth and took that name from the fertilitie of the soile and seems to haue some affinity with the Hebrew word Sadel which signifies a field partly arable partly pasture and medow furnished with trees herbs and orchards In this place stood diuers Wels of Bitume from whence the inhabitants fetcht caement to build their houses with but after for their wickednes which was so great as it appeareth in Gen. 18. that the cry thereof ascended into heauen the Lord did grieuously punish them first with war by which the inhabitants were destroied and after that with fire and brimstone from heauen so that as is aforesaid this goodly vally is nothing but a stinking lake The Trauels of the Egyptian maid Hagar AFter Sara had preferred Hagar to that high grace as to make her equal with her selfe shee growing proud thereof contemned her Mistresse and in recompence of that fauour carried her selfe very presumptuously towards her which Sarah seeking to restraine offered to her sonne hard measure which Abraham vpon her complaint winked at Whereupon Hagar partly opprest with griefe partly with enuy priuily stole away from her mistresse and went from the valley of Mamre neer Hebron to the Well of life sixteene miles Southward Genesis 16. and it is to be thought that her journey tended towards Egypt which was her natiue countrey For this Well lay directly in the way as they went downe into Egypt This flight of Hagar without doubt did greatly trouble Abrahams house and put him and his wife into a great sorrow and feare lest she should destroy her self and the infant or fall into some other danger Wherefore that God might make euident the exceeding care he had of them he sent an angel vnto Hagar and willed her to returne vnto her master which Angel some think was the son of God for he was called by the name of Iehovah Gen. 16. which name was not communicated to any created Angell Whereupon Hagar according to his commadement went backe againe to her mistresse Sarah into the valley of Mamre 16 miles Gen. 16. From Hebron Hagar went with her mistresse to that kingly city Gerar 6 miles Gen. 20. At Gerar she and her sonne Ismael were put out of her masters house and going in the way that leadeth into Egypt they lost themselues in the wildernes of Beersaba after they had trauelled 12 miles from Gerar where opprest with want both of water and other necessaries she feinted and her son also wherefore she layd him vnder a tree and about a bowes shoot off sate down and wept expecting nothing but death As shee was in this miserie God heard the voice of the childe and sent an Angell vnto her saying Feare not for I will make of thy childe a great Nation And God opened her eies and lo close by her there was a Well so she went and filled her bottle and gaue her boy drinke At this time Ismael was 15 yeres of age So God blessed the child and he became an Archer and liued in the wildernesse From thence she and her son went into the wildernes of Pharan 80 miles where Ismael maried an Egyptian Gen. 21. So all the trauels of Hagar the Egyptian maid were 132 miles Of the Fountaine of Hagar which is also called the Well of Life THis Wel lieth betweene Bared and Kades-Bernea 10 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Some call it the Well of the Liuing and Seeing because God did there look mercifully vpon Hagar when shee fled from her mistresse Here Isaac dwelt and had his two sonnes Esau and Iacob Genesis 26. Afterwards it was called the Well of the liuing God and seemeth mystically to represent Baptisme the lavor of grace and regeneration by the operation and special working of the Spirit for the Church like Hagar with her son Ismael trauelling through the wildernesse of this world is prest with a multitude of sins and seeing her owne miserie finds no remedie but by faith in Christ Iesus to be deliuered from so heauy a burthen wherefore they ioyning together in praier craue the mercifull audience and gratious assistance of God That it would please him of his goodnesse to refresh them with the water of life the doctrine of grace that so they may bee made capable of eternal glory For Hagar signifies a Pilgrim and Ismael a godly and good man whom the Lord heareth Who trauelling together with his mother the Church in this world fighteth against the enemies thereof and shooteth the arrows of faith against all infernal and cruell beasts For Schamah signifies Hee hath heard and El The almighty God who mercifully heareth the feruent prayers and petitions of the Iust according to that of S. Iames cap. 5.15 Ismael was born An. mundi 2035. Abraham being then 86 years of age He was circumcised at 13 he went from his father at 15 he was at Abrahams funeral being 89 yeares of age he died when he was 137 yeares of age fifty yeares after the death of Abraham and left behinde him twelue sonnes as Iacob did which were the Princes of their families as was his Of which the Apostle Paul hath an excellent Allegorie Abraham had two sons one by the bond-woman another by the free-woman he that was of the bond woman was according to the flesh but he that was of the free woman was by promise By which things another thing is meant for the one which is Agar of mount Sinai gendereth vnto bondage for Agar or Sinai is a mountaine in Arabia and answereth to Ierusalem that now is and shee is in bondage with her Children but Ierusalem which is aboue is free for it is written Reioyce thou Barren c. Wherefore we are no more of the bond woman which is the Law but of the Free not by our owne works or righteousnesse but by fairh in Christ who maketh vs heirs of that heauenly Ierusalem Where Ishmael dwelt PAran a city of Arabia the Stony stood 104 miles from Ierusalem Southward and taketh the name from fertilitie for Purah with the Hebrews signifies a fruitfull root From this Metropolitan towne the desart of Arabia the stony neere Cades taketh name of which mention is made Num. 13 14. Deut. 1. Gen. 14.21 Abac. 3. and is called the
25. and the inhabitants thereof Edomites or Idumaeans The typicall meaning of Esau ESau signifies a Factor and was so called from rednes The enemies of the church colouring themselues red with the blood of the godly For as Rebecca had in her wombe two sonnes that is Esau and Iacob one elected the other reprobated so in the Church there are found two sorts of people good and euill some are wicked and impious contemners of Gods word and persecuters of the Church as after the posterity of Esau was But there are others that are the faithfull children of God that hope through the mediation of our blessed Sauiour to be made heires of euerlasting happinesse and be crowned with him in his kingdome with the crowne of Glory So that here the saying of our Sauiour may be verified the first shall be last and the last shall be first for Esau was the eldest yet lost his birthwrite and Iacob was the youngest yet got the blessing Of the Trauels of the Patriarch Iuda IVda trauelled from Sichem where Iacob dwelt and went to the towne of Odulla some forty and foure miles where he was married to the daughter of one Chananei whose name was Schuah which signinifies A happy Sauiour by her he had two children in that place viz. Ger and Onan From thence hee went to Timnah to sheare his sheepe six miles and as hee turned aside out of the way hee committed incest with his daughter in law Thamer when shee was about 26 yeares of age Afterward hee went twice with his brethren into Aegypt to buy corne at Zoan where Ioseph at that time was for the famine was very great round about So that reckoning his journey twice two and againe it amounted to eight hundred twentie and two miles for Zoan was 208 miles from Hebron where Iacob and his sonnes dwelt Lastly he returned againe with his father and his brother into Aegypt two hundred and eight miles These things happened in the yeare of the world 1239. and before Christ 1729. The description of the Townes and places to which the Patriarch Iuda trauelled Of Odullam THis was a towne in the tribe of Iuda eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and signifies The testimonie of the poore being deriued of Ed which signifies a testimonie and Dallimo such as are called poore Here Dauid hid himselfe from the furie of Saul in a caue 1 Sam. 22. Ierom knew this towne and saith that it was a village This was a type of the faithful who being still subject to the calamities and miseries of this world and persecuted for righteousnesse sake are glad with Dauid to seeke holes and caues to defend them from their wicked persecuters Of Thimnah THimnah is a Citie in the borders of the Tribe of Iudah and Dan scituated in mount Ephraim six miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest and signifieth a perfect and fully finished Citie being deriued from Thamam that is fully and absolutely finished for it was adorned with many very faire and spacious buildings set vp by Iosuah for in his time it was a faire and large Citie and at such time as the children of Israel invaded Canaan he had much adoe to win it Therefore the children of Israel for his great valour and to manifest their thankefulnesse towards him they gaue it to him and to his posterity for euer and here he lyeth bured Iosuah 24. Here Sampson married his wife and by the way killed the Lion mentioned in the 14 of Iudges This is â— type of the Church wherein Christ Iesus the true Iosuah is the head illuminating the same by the bright shining beames of his Gospell the lustre whereof hath gone throughout the whole World Of the Trauels of the Patriarch Ioseph WHen Ioseph was sent from Hebron by his father Iacob hee went to Sichem to seeke his brothers 60 miles Gen. 37. 2 From thence he went to Dothan foure miles where by his brothers he was throwne into a Pit and after sold to the Ishmalites Gen. 37. 3 From Dothan hee was carried to Tanis in Aegypt and there sold to Potipher Pharaohs chiefe steward 272 miles 4 From Tanis he went to meet his father in the land of Gosen which is 28 miles Gen. 46. 5 From thence he turned backe againe to Tanis and presented his father and brethren vnto Pharaoh Gen. 47. which is 28 miles 6 From thence hee went backe to Ony to see his father who now was sick vnto the death there receiuing his blessing he closed his eies which was 28 miles 7 From thence he returned backe againe to Tanis which is 28 miles 8 From Tanis he went backe to Ony with a great company of horses and chariots preparing an honourable funerall for his father Gen. 15. being 28 miles 9 From Ony he went to Atad which lies vpon the further side of Iordan toward the East which is 240 miles where hee made a great lamentation for the death of his father 7 daies Gen. 50. The reason why Ioseph went thus far about was because hee went with such a company towards Hebron that the Idumaeans through whose countrey he should haue gone would not suffer him to passe that way standing in feare of his power 10 From Atad he went to Hebron the Metropolis of the tribe of Iudah neere to which stood the double caue in the vaile of Mamre where Iacob was buried which was 40 miles Gen. 50. 11 From thence to Heliopolis a city of the Aegyptians where Ioseph set vp a stately Academy for all Aegypt which was accounted 200 miles 12 From thence he went to Tanis or Zoan which was the chiefe defence and Metropolitan citie of all Aegypt being accounted 6 miles So all the Trauels of the Patriarch Ioseph was 1962 miles A description of the places and cities through which Ioseph trauelled Of Dothan DOthan was a Citie in the tribe of Manasseth fortie and foure miles from Ierusalem towards the North distant six miles from Tiberias towards the West and signifies A commandement being deriued from Dothor Dathath that is he commandeth or ordaineth Here Ioseph was thrust into an emptie ditch and sold to the Ismaelites Gen. 37. Here Elias the Prophet being besieged by the Syrians shewed to his seruant the host of Angels that defended him with the Chariots of fire c. 2 Kings 16. Here Holiphernes was slaine who had pitched his tents against Bethulia for Dothan is a Citie which at this day remaineth at the foot of the Mount of Bethuell beeing scituated in a fertile and pleasant place compassed about with faire vines oliues and pleasant medows where the inhabitants do shew that ancient ditch wherein Ioseph was cast when his brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites according to that of Solomon One generation passeth and another commeth but the earth indureth for euer Of Heliopolis or the Citie of the Sunne THis City is called by the Prophet Esay Ca. 19. Irheri which signifies The Citie of the Sunne and is deriued of Ir and
a palme tree between Bethel and Ramath in mount Ephraim eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North the inhabitants thereabouts shew this tree euen to this day Barak the sonne of Abineam a noble Captaine liued in her time at Kades a citie of refuge belonging to the Leuites She succeeded Ehud in An. man 2632 and before Christ 1336 yeares The Trauels of Deborah and Barak BArak went first from Kades Naphtaly to the Palme tree where Deborah dwelt which are 84 miles From thence he went with Deborah backe againe to Kades which are 84 miles From Kades with 10000 men they went to the hill Thabor 36 miles Here as Iosephus writeth lib. antiq 4. there fell such a shoure of raine and haile vpon the enemies of the Israelites that through the extreme violence thereof they were dispersed and Sisera their captaine constrained to leaue his chariot and to saue himselfe by flight neuer staying till he came to the Tabernacle of Iael the wife of Hebar the Kenite scituated in the valley of Zaaenaim 36 miles from the foot of the mountaine Thabor where being asleep by reason of his great journey Iael strooke a naile into the temple of his head so he died From thench Barak pursued the enemies with great slaughter to Haraseth of the Gentiles a Citie in the vpper Galile neere to the lake of Samachoniten 28 miles This citie is 80 miles from Ierusalem towards the North Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. From Haraseth he went to the plaine of Zaaenaim where hee found Sisera slain in the tabernacle of Iael as Deborah the prophetesse had told him From thence Barak with all his armie went to Hazor where Iabin king of the Canaanites kept his court and of a sudden conquered the citie and put to death all the inhabitants Ioseph Antiq. lib. 5. Of Thabor THabor is a round high hill scituated vpon the borders of the tribes of Issacher and Zabulon 56 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it selfe to the riuer Kison towards the South and taketh the name of light or a pure aire being deriued of Bo To goe and come Tebuah To bring forth fruit and To giue light For this mountaine Thabor by reason of the puritie of the aire is wonderfull fertile and fruitfull There was also a towne at the foot of it called by the same name Here the kingâ— of the Midianites Zeba and Zalmuna were slaine by Gideon Of Hazor THis is a great citie in the tribe of Nepthali 80 miles from Ierusalem towards the North which Ioshuah destroyed with fire and sword so did Barak also The ruines of this citie is to be seene to this day The Mistery of Deborah THe word Deborah signifies a Bee and is a memorable type of the Church For as a Bee in all her actions soundeth pleasantly so the members of Gods Church in all their actions sing and sound forth the praises of God or by continuall prayers implore his ayde and assistants with the Bee sucking from the floures of the holy Scriptures the sweet and acceptable doctrine of faith by which the hope of euerlasting life is strengthned in vs with the sting of Gods word repulsing all vaine delusions and idle imaginations the temptations of the Diuel and those waspish affections of cruell and wicked men according to that of Ecclesiasticus The Bee is but small yet bringeth forth most pleasant fruit and presenteth vnto man many memorable instructions And as Plato saith The King of Bees although without a sting yet ruleth and gouerneth his Commonwealth with great seueritie and justice So Christ the head of the Church though he be a delectable Sauiour of soules and without any sting of bitternesse yet doth hee rule and gouerne it with singular justice and sinceritie Of Barak AFter Deborah was appointed Iudge of Israel shee ordained Barak for her chiefe Commander or Captaine He taketh his name from Thunder and Lightning typically representing the glory of Christ Iesus as chiefe Captaine of the Church who with the thunder of the Law and the bright shining glory of the Gospell destroyed the enemies thereof and by the hosts of Angels and Saints at the end of the World will cast them downe with thunder and lightning into that bottomlesse pit there to remaine for euer Of the trauels GIDEON DEborah being dead Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Medianites cruelly inuaded the Land of Iudaea but the Lord taking compassion vpon his People sent them a helper one GIDEON the sonne of Ioas of the family of Abiezer who was borne at Ophra or Ephron a Citie in the Tribe of Manasses not far from Mahanaim on the East side of Iordan some foure and forty miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East and signifieth a Rooter out from GADA That is Hee hath rooted out This man at the appointment of the Lord tooke vpon him the charge of the people and at Ophra which signifies Dust he destroied the Idol Baal pitching vp in that place an Alter to the Lord wherefore he was after called Ieru-Baal taking that name from Reuenge because he had destroied the Idol He began to rule in Israel in the yeare of the World 2672 and before Christ 1296. From Ophra Gideon went to Harad which standeth in the halfe Tribe of Manasseth where he blew the Trumpet From this place he sent back 22000 of his army because the Lord had so appointed But the Midianites hearing of this preparation prouided a great host and pitched in the valley of the hill Moreh so Gideon taking onely 300 with him went ouer Iordan and came to the towne of Iesrael for Iosephus saith 16 miles from Harod where he gaue the Midianites a wonderfull ouerthrow Iudg. 7. hee also tooke there two princes Oreb and Zeb and returned to the riuer Iordan where he put them to death From thence he went to Succoth with his army in expectation to haue refreshed themselues but the inhabitants shut him out of the towne and gaue him many despightfull words This towne lay close by Iordan and here Iacob sometime pitched his Tent. From thence he went to Penuel which is two miles there also they vsed him vnkindly and gaue him bad language From thence he went to Nobach with his army which is two miles From thence he went to Iagbetha which is 4 miles where he conquered Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Midianites who thinking themselues secure made no preparation for warre till they were besieged This was a memorable battell and here the two Kings were put to death From thence he followed the enemy with a great slaughter to Carkor which is foure miles From thence he went backe to Succoth which is 8 miles here he put the inhabitants of this Towne to the sword and all the Elders and Princes he tore to pieces with thornes because they had formerly denied him entrance into the citie From thence hee went to the Castle of Penuel which is two miles and vtterly destroied it euen to the ground and put all
vp of water for the riuer Kison begins at the foot of this mountain and diuides it self into diuers parts vntill it commeth 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 Mediterranian sea There be some that are of opinion that neither raine nor dew falls vpon this hil because when Saul was slain Dauid cursed these mountains saying Let neither rain nor dew fal vpon you ô yee mountaines of Gilboa because the strong men of Israel were slaine there 2 Sam. 1. But this was but a figuratiue speech wherby Dauid would expresse the greatnesse of his sorrow for Borchardus the Monke speaking of this mountain saith That as he was ascending vpon it there was such a violent showre fell that he was wet through his clothes and the waters in great aboundance ran into the vallies And in the yeare of our Lord 1283 sleeping vpon this hill on the Eve of All Saints there was a great dew fell vpon his clothes onely 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 neere the riuer Kison Ios 17. where Saul asked counsell of a witch 1 Sam. 28. It seemes to take the name from a fountaine of durance for Dor signifies he hath made sure It is distant from Ierusalem 44 miles toward the North. In S. Ieroms time this was but a smal village Of Bethsan THis was a city in the Tribe of Manasses betweene Bethulia and the sea of Galile some 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the North Iosh 17. It taketh the name from a Church-yard or a place of rest for Beth signifieth a house and Iaschan he hath slept Here Saul killed himselfe and the Philistines cut off his head and set it vpon the wall of this citie Afterward about S. Ieroms time Ptolomie called this Scythopolis You may reade in the second booke of the Macchabes how it was the towne of the Scythians for the Scythians which dwelt some 800 miles from Ierusalem towards the North came with a great army into the Holy land and by force woon this citie and dwelt there of whom it was called the Scythian towne Ioseph in lib. 2. de Bell. Iud. cap. 18. remembreth a strange accident that hapned neere this towne for the Iewes besieging it there were of their own nation that dwelt within the city who that they might make a priuate gaine took wages of the Scythians to oppose their brethren and countreymen by which meanes the Scythians got the better But after a while the Scythians considering that the number of the Iewes were great and fearing some sudden insurrection or innouation gaue them warning to depart and leaue the towne they though with great griefe as being prest with a two-fold necessity their owne wants and the hatred of their kindred did so relying meerely vpon the courtesie of strangers But about some two dayes after in the night time the inhabitants of Scythopolis breaking out of the citie vnawarres fell vpon them and in recompence of their kindnesse put to the sword some thirteen thousand many slaine vnawares some as they were eating and most in their sleepe After they had committed this massacre they compassed about the wood where they were took away all their substance and suffered not a man to depart aliue Wherefore one Simon the soone of a certaine ancient and noble Citizen called Saul perceiuing their present miserie and that there was no hope to escape iminent death and vtter ruine in a cruell and desperate maner breakes out into these words O miserable wretch that I am that against my owne conscience haue lift vp these impious hands against my countrey committing daily massacres to pleasure them who at this day lay violent hands vpon all wee haue die therefore thou that art thus profane and with thine owne hands make an end of thy wretched life since thou doest not deserue to die honourably in the face of the enemy but wretchedly in a corner and for thine owne offence So soone as he had ended these words he turned him about with a fierce countenance and falling vpon his father mother wife and children put them all to the sword after burnt his goods and to make an end of the tragedy ran himselfe vpon his owne weapon These things hapned but a little before Vespasian came into the land of Iudaea At this day this Citie Sythopolis is called after the antient name Bethsan The typicall representation of SAVL SAul if it be properly taken doth sometime signifie a Graue or Sepulchre and sometimes Hell being deriued from Scheuol which may be taken for both As therefore Saul persecuted innocent Dauid with an inueterate malice euen vnto the death so the sonnes of Sathan euil and wicked men persecute Christ and his members with an immoueable malice sparing neither Prophets nor Apostles neither such as are religious no nor Christ himself but with cruell torments put them to lingering deaths till they be vtterly exryrpate as they thinke and then wanting objects to satisfie their sauage mindes they follow their owne diuellish councels till with Saul they come to desperate ends Schaul or Saul if it be taken in the better part signifieth He hath desired or called The Philistines trauels from their Campe to Michmas THe Philistines incamped themselues at Michmas vpon Mount Ephraim some ten miles from Ierusalem Northward and out of the Philistines campe there issued three armies to spoile the countrey The one marched towards Ophra and went from Michmas to Salem 28 miles From thence they went to Ophra 4 miles The second went from Michmas to Bethoron 8 miles The third went from Michmas to the valley of Zeboim eight miles So all the Trauels of the Philistines were 58 miles Of Zoboim THis valley is not farre from Ierusalem in the Tribe of Benjamin Nehem. 11. The trauels of Ionathan Sauls sonne IOnathan went from Gibeah to Kiriath-jearim which was two miles where hee draue the Philistines out of their campe 1 Sam. 13. From thence he went backe againe two miles From thence he went to Michmas which is 8 miles and there by the helpe of his Armor-bearer he gaue the Philistines a great ouerthrow 1 Sam. 14. From thence hee followed the enemy to Aialon wich is 12 miles there his father would haue put him to death because he had tasted a little hony 1 Sam. 14. From Aialon Saul and his sonne Ionathan returned to Gibeah his owne citie which was two miles From Gibeah hee went with his father to Socho and Asecha which was 8 miles where after Dauid had slaine Goliah for that singular vertue and heroicall spirit which Ionathan saw in him he loued him as he did his owne soule and preferred him before his owne life and honour 1 Sam. 18. From thence he went with his father to Gibeah some 8
all speed pursued the enemy and in the way as hee went he found an Aegyptian who a little before the Amalekits had left there because he was vnable to follow them This Aegyptian guided Dauid to the tents of the Amalekits who suspecting no such euill were making merry with the booty that they had taken But Dauid with the rest of his company so manfully behaued themselues that they gaue the Amalekites a sudden ouerthrow and as it often hapneth to such as are negligent and carelesse he tooke away from them their former bootie and put most of them to the sword This battell was fought some 8 or 12 miles from Ziclag as by the circumstance of the history may appeare From this slaughter he returned backe to Ziclag which is 12 miles and repaired it to euery neighbouring citie sending a part of the prey Here hee had certaine intelligence of the successe of the Israelites in their wars against the Philistins and of the death of Saul and Ionathan which hee bitterly lamented 1 Sam. 30. 2 Sam. 1. These things hapned in the 10 yeare after Samuel had annointed Dauid King From Ziclag he went to Hebron a metropolitane Citie of the tribe of Iuda being a towne of refuge belonging to the Leuites which was 16 miles At this time Dauid was about the age of thirtie yeares and was annointed King by the Tribe of Iudah in the yeare of the World 2891 and before Christ 1077. Here he kept his Court seuen yeares and six moneths From hence also he sent messengers to Iabes in Gilead 44 miles to signifie his gracious acceptance of that fauour which they shewed vnto Saul in burying of his body there 2 Sam. 1. 1 Chr. 12. From Hebron Dauid went to Ierusalem 22 miles which then was called Iebus being possessed of the Iebusites but he woon it with strong hand and thrust them out of it and in mount Sion set vp the city Millo which was after called the city of Dauid and signifies A place of plenty He began his raigne in Ierusalem in the 38 yere of his age and 7 of his raigne In this place also he set vp his house made of Cedar wood of which Hyram King of Tyrus sent him great plenty from Mount Libanus distant from thence 104 miles 2 Sam. 5. 1 Chr. 12. From thence he went to the valley of Rephaim some 3 miles from Ierusalem in the way that leadeth to the citie of Bethlem where he fought a memorable fight against the Philistines and ouercame them for which cause it was also called Baal-Perizim because by the helpe and assistance of God he had conquered the army of the Philistines 1 Sam. 5. After he had dispersed the enemies hee returned to Ierusalem which is 4 miles The Philistines came the same yeare into the valley of Rephaim againe and pitched their tents within three miles and a halfe of Ierusalem and the Lord gaue Dauid a signe that when he heard a noyse in the mulberry trees hee should set vpon the enemy so Dauid went forth and close by the towne of Gaeba and Kiriath-jearim about two miles from Ierusalem Westward he set vpon the enemie and gaue them the second ouerthrow 2 Sam. 5. 1 Chr. 15. From thence Dauid followed the enemy to Gaza which was 18 miles 2 Sam. 5. In the 10 yeare of his raigne from his first beginning in Hebron Dauid assembled all the Princes Priests and chiefe men of Israel to the number of 30000 which inhabited from Sechor till you come to Chaemah a citie of Nepthalie at the foot of mount Libanus euen 163 miles off These men assembled themselues in the citie of Ierusalem and from thence they with Dauid went to Kiriath-jearim which was about a mile to fetch the Arke of the Couenant from thence into the city of Dauid 1 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. From Kiriath-jearim Dauid and all his traine returned backe again to Ierusalem which was about a mile and they placed the Arke of the Lord in a new cart and caused it to be drawne with Oxen which turned out of the way to the threshing floure of Nachon where Vza rashly and inconsiderately touching the Arke of God contrary to the Diuine Law was presently slaine by the Lord in the way and that place was called Paeri-Vza that is The breach of Vza For he was not of the Tribe of Aaron to whom it was only lawfull to touch the Arke therfore the Lord strooke him that he died miserably wherefore Dauid being terrified by this example of Gods seueritie would not that day bring the ark of the Lord into Ierusalem but carried it to the house of a certaine Nobleman called Obed-Aedom a Gittite who dwelt not far from Ierusalem but when it was told Dauid that the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Aedom and all his family because the arke was there Dauid went from Ierusalem with a great multitude of people to the house of Obed-Aedom who as is said before dwelt not farre from Ierusalem yet there are some that say he was an excellent musitian in Ierusalem and dwelt in Mount Acra that is in the lower citie and from thence Dauid fetcht the Arke of the Lord into the vpper citie which stood vpon mount Sion but I hold the other opinion to be the more probable When the Arke was carried by the Priests Dauid girt himself with a linnen Ephod which kinde of garment the Priests of the inferior order vsed to weare and danced before it singing Psalms and hymnes to the praise and glory of God and with great state brought it to the citie of Ierusalem with the sound of Trumpets and instruments of musick and placed it in the middle of the Tabernacle which they had curiously erected in Mount Sion in the vpper citie which was also called the citie of Dauid This hapned in the tenth yere of his raigne at which time Michal Sauls daughter despised him in her heart and laughed at him but God gaue her a due recompence as you may reade 2 Sam. 6. and him a just reward for he promised by the Prophet Nathan That of his posteritie and bloud the King of Kings and Sauiour of the world should be borne In the yere following Dauid inuaded the land of the Philistins and the citie of Gath which with strong hand he woon this was 34 miles from Ierusalem From thence he returned backe to Ierusalem 34 miles In the twelfth yere of his raigne he afflicted the Moabits with cruel war and destroyed two of their armies with the sword and the rest of the multitude made tributarie which was 24 miles 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chr. 19. He returned thence to Ierusalem with great triumph and joy 24 miles In the 13 yeare of his raigne Anno mundi 2903 and before Christ 1065 he made an expedition vnto Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam and is in Armenia neere to Masia or Mount Taurus 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North of which you may reade before Dauid in this place woon
Of Gesur GEsur was a country neere to Caesarea Philippi in the land of Basan beyond Iordan neere Libanus in the Tetrarchie Trachonitides 88 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward With the King of this country Absolon remained in banishment for 3 yeres space after he had slain his brother Ammon and with vs may be termed the vally of Oxen 2 Sam. 13. Of Hadsi THe lower country of Hadsi stood neere to the city Corazin in the halfe tribe of Manasses 52 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northeast and signifies a new land beeing deriued of Chadasch that is New Of the fountaine Rogel THis was neere Ierusalem Eastward to which place Ionathan and Ahimaas Dauids intelligencers brought him newes of Absalons counsels and intentions 2 Sam. 17. It seemeth that trauellers vsually washed their feet in it from whence it was called the Wel of feet beeing deriued from Raegael signifying a Foot Neere to this place was the stone Zochaeleth where Adoniah at such time as he affected the kingdome contrary to his fathers liking called an assembly and made a great feast 1 Reg. 1. The Trauels of Baena and Rechab THese two went out of the tribe of Benjamin ouer Iordan to Machanaim 40 miles There they murthered their master king Ishbosheth in his chamber as he lay vpon his bed and after cut off his head The head they brought to King Dauid to Hebron 68 miles But Dauid was not pleased with their treacherie wherefore hee caused them both to be put to death So their trauels were 108 miles The Trauels of Absalon ABsalon was borne in Hebron and went with his father to Ierusalem 22 miles 2 Sam. 13. From thence he went to Baalhazor 8 miles where hee caused his brother Ammon to be slain From thence for feare of his father he fled into the land of Gesur 88 miles 2 Sam. 14. From thence he came backe with Ioab to Ierusalem which was 88 miles 2 Sam. 14. From thence he went to Hebron 22 miles and made himselfe King and rebelled against his father From thence he went backe againe to Ierusalem which is 22 miles There he lay with his fathers Concubines 2 Sam. 16. From thence he pursued his father to Machanaim 40 miles there was hanged by the haire in an oke tree where Ioab put him to death 2 Sam. 18. So all the trauels of Absolon were 290 miles Of Baal-hazor IN this city Absolon made a great feast for his sheepe-sherers and inuited all his brothers to it where he caused Ammon to be slain because he had abused his sister Thamar It lieth in the way some 8 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-East as you go to Iericho neere to mount Ephraim 2 Sam. 13. and is deriued of Baal which signifies a Lord or husband and Chazir a Den or caue Of the name ABSOLON ABSOLON signifieth a Father of peace although he was the author of all discord and sedition against his father The Trauels of the wise woman of Thecoa THis woman went from Thecoa to Ierusalem 8 miles and spake with King Dauid and with her sweet words shee persuaded him that he would recall his sonne out of exile who then remained in Gesur 2 Sam. 14. Of Thecoa THecoa was a city in the tribe of Iuda some 8 miles from Ierusalem toward the Southeast neere this city Iosaphat by praier and the sound of Trumpets without drawing sword got a memorable victory and for that cause it signifieth the sound of a Trumpet In this place the prophet Amos dwelt and there lieth buried whose sepulchre was to be seene 400 yeares after Christ as S. Ierom obserueth It was from Bethlem Iuda 6 miles Neere to Techoa was the lake Aspher where Ionathan and Simon Iudas Machabeus brothers pitcht their tents 1 Mach. 9. Of this city you may reade Ier. 6. Am. 1. 2 Chr. 11. Of ACHITOPHEL THis perfideous and wicked man was borne in the towne of Gilo not far from Hebron and Debir in the tribe of Iudah Ios 15. 2 Sam. 15. 20 miles from Ierusalem Southeastward who when his counsell would not take place he went home to his own house and there desperatly hanged himselfe The Trauels of wicked Shimei SHimei went from Bahurim where he cursed King Dauid to Bathabara vpon the riuer Iordan which was 18 miles where he got pardon of Dauid 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went backe with King Dauid to Gilgall foure miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went with King Dauid to Ierusalem 12 miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went to Bahurim 3 miles From Bahurim King Solomon sent for him again to Ierusalem 3 miles There he was constrained to build him an house and not to depart thence vpon pain of death 1 Reg. 2. But Shimei transgressing this commandment of the king went to Gath a city of the Philistims 12 miles From thence hee returned back againe to Ierusalem 12 miles where he was slain by the command of King Solomon in the third yeare of his reign 1 Reg. 2. So all the trauels of Shimei were 104 miles The Books of Kings and Chronicles Of ABISHAG the Virgin that lay with Dauid THis Maid was accounted the fairest in all Israel for which cause she was brought to Ierusalem for King Dauid that she might lie with him in his old age to procure heat she was born at Sunem a town some 44 miles from Ierusalem 1 Reg. 1. Of Sunem you may read before in the trauels of Dauid Saul The Trauels of King Solomon SOlomon the son of Dauid King of Israel entred vpon the full gouernment of the kingdome of Israel An. mundi 2931. and before Christ 1037. when he was about 20 yeares old After he went from Ierusalem to Gilgal 4 miles and there offered vpon the altar which Moses had made 1000 burnt offerings 1 Reg. 3. 2 Chr. 1. From thence he went backe to Ierusalem which was 4 miles and built a Temple to the Lord in mount Moriah 1 Reg. 6. This was begun about the fourth yere of his reign and 480 yeres after the children of Israel came out of Egypt in the moneth Ziph which answereth to our May. So that the Temple began to bee built in Anno mundi 2934. and before Christ 1034. To the building whereof Hiram King of Tyre sent Cedar trees from Mount Libanus 120 miles to Ierusalem 1 Reg. 5. 2 Chr. 2. This Temple Solomon within plaited ouer with pure gold and set with pretious stones and finished it in the month of Nouember about the eleuenth yeare of his reigne 1 Reg. 6. The dedication whereof was about the twelfth yeare of his reigne and in the 32 yeare of his age Anno Mundi 2942 and before Christ 1026. The Temple being finished he began to build his owne house which was 13 yeares a building and was finished about the 44 yeare of his age and in the 24 of his reign 1 Reg. 7.8 After 20 years in which time he had finished the house of the Lord and his own house in Mount Sion that
Ierusalem Southward and fell by lot vnto the tribe of Iuda This tower was as it were a bulwark for the city of Ierusalem stood in the way as 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 repaire and fortifie 2 Chr. 11. There was another city of this name scituated vpon the border of the tribes of Iuda and Dan 18 miles from Ierusalem Westward of which you may reade in the trauels of Sampson Of Adoraijm ADoraijm or Adarah was a city in the tribe of Iuda 44 miles from Ierusalem Southwestward which Rehoboam the son of Solomon also fortified 2 Chr. 11. It is scituated vpon the borders of Iudah and Arabia Petraea betweene Cades and Casmona It signifies a glorious City being deriued of Adar he was glorious The Trauels of King Abia. ABijah or Abia signifies The Father of the sea Hee began to reign in the 18 yeare of Ieroboam his Aduersary An. mundi 2988 before Christ 980 and reigned ouer Israel 3 yeres 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr. 17. He went from Ierusalem to the mount Zemeraim 8 miles After that hee went to Bethel and conquered all the countrey from thence to Ephron which was 36 miles From Ephron hee returned to Ierusalem 44 miles there hee tooke vnto him 14 wiues and begat 20 sonnes and 16 daughters 2 Chron. 13. The Trauels of ASA King of Iudah ASa signifies a Physitian He began to reigne about the end of the 21 yeare of Ieroboam King of Israel An. mundi 2990. before Christ 978. He gouerned Iudah with great commendations 41 yeares He went from Ierusalem to Maresa 16 miles where in the valley of Zephatha hee ouercame the Ethiopians in a memorable battell 2 Chr. 14. From thence he pursued the Ethiopians to Gerar being 22 miles and recouered many cities which the Ethiopians dwelt in 2 Chr. ca. 14. From Gerar he went to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and offered to the Lord of the spoiles that hee had taken 700 Oxen and 7000 sheepe 2 Chr. 15. These trauels of King Asa make 70 miles The journey and expedition of Saerah King of Aethiopia whom Asa King of Iudah ouercame in the valley of Zephatha SAerah or Saerach signifieth A noble and puissant Lord. This was a mighty and warlike Prince who gouerned Lybia and Aethiopia the King of which countrey at this day wee call Presbyter Iohn or rather Petro Iohannes who holdeth his Court in a faire and goodly city called Hamarich the Metropolitan of all Aethiopia and extendeth his gouernment beyond Meroes in Affrica Many though ignorantly suppose he is a Priest because he is called Presbyter though indeed he is not so but rather a puissant and mighty Emperor But to return to Saerah or Saerach who in hope to extend his Empire into these parts went with a great army out of Ethiopia to the valley of Zephatha in Iuda to fight with Asa King of Iudah 1200 miles but lost the day and returned with great shame 2 Chr. 15. It seemeth that this King was the mightiest of all his predecessors and a Prince of no vulgar estimation because of the multitude and great aboundance of soldiers which he brought in his army for it is reported that there were 1000000 that bore armor and 300 chariots but this great army was dispersed and most of them died miserably as did that great army of Xerxes which consisted of 1700000. From whence it may be concluded That it is not the strength of man which deliuereth him but the Lord. The Trauels of IEHOSAPHAT King of Iudah IEhosaphat signifies The Iudge of the Lord. He began his reign in the fourth yeare of Ahab 1 Reg. 22. The greatest part therfore of the first yeare of this King hapned in the yeare of the world 3033 and before Christ 935. Hee reigned ouer Israel 25 yeares that is from the 35 of his age till the 60. In the 7 yeare of his reigne hee went from Ierusalem to Samaria which was 32 miles to visit his kinsman Ahab King of Israel for Ioram his son some ten yeares before had maried Athaliah King Ahabs Sister 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria hee went with Ahab to the war at Ramoth in Gilead which was 24 miles where Ahab was slaine 2 Reg. 22. 2 Chr. 18. From Ramoth he went safe from the wars to Ierusalem which was 48 miles From Ierusalem hee went to the city of Beersaba the vtmost bounds of his kingdome towards the South to instruct his people in the Law of the Lord which was 42 miles from Ierusalem Southward From Beersaba passing through all his kingdome hee came to Mount Ephraim which was 48 miles and the vtmost bounds of his kingdome Northward beeing some 8 miles from Ierusalem 2 Chr. 19. From Mount Ephraim he went to Ierusalem which was eight miles Thus Iehosaphat went through al his dominions to instruct his subjects in pietie and the true worship of God In euery Citie ordaining Iudges and Gouernours Magistrates Procurators and Assessors committing to their discretion the deciding of all controuersies saying to them Take heed what you doe for the office which you haue taken vpon you is not humane but Diuine and as you iudge so shall you bee iudged for the Lord is with you in iudgement Wherefore doe all things with diligence and in the feare of the Lord for with the Lord there is no iniquitie nor respect of persons neither taketh he any bribes And he himselfe remained chiefe Iudge in Ierusalem to whom any might appeale from the inferior Iudges that so there might be a iust end of controuersies 2 Chr. 16. Afterward Iehosaphat went forth with his army to Tecoa sixe miles from Ierusalem where by feruent prayers the sounding of trumpets and other musical instruments he obtained a memorable battell against the Moabites Ammonites and Idumaeans for the Lord turned the weapons of them one against another and they wounded one another to the death This fight happened in a faire vally between Tecoa and Engedi So Iehosaphat pursued the enemy for three daies with great slaughter and returned with a mighty spoile This was called the valley of Blessing because of this great victorie at Tecoa and began 8 miles from Ierusalem Southeastward and extended it selfe to the tower of Engedi neer to the banke of the red sea 20 miles From Engedi out of the valley of Blessing Iehosaphat and his army returned to Ierusalem 20 miles and went into the Temple with shalmes harpes timbrels and great joy thankfully acknowledging Gods mercifull fauor toward him in giuing him so great a victorie 2 Chr. 20. But as there is nothing in this life that can be said permanent so likewise the felicitie of Iehosaphat changed on a sudden the froward and aduerse frowne of aduersitie seising vpon his prosperitie for ioyning with that wicked and impious King of Israel Ahaziah vpon condition to build a certain navy of ships at Ezeongaber to
fetch gold from Tharshish and other places in India he displeased the Lord for which cause there arose a great tempest which brake down the workes and destroyed the Navy From Ierusalem he went with Iehoram King of Israel to war against the Moabites and with them went the King of Idumaea so passing through the desarts of Edom they came to Mount Seir and so went to Petra the chiefe city of the King of the Moabits distant from Ierusalem 72 miles 2 Reg. 3. From Petra Iehosaphat returned to Ierusalem 72 miles where he died and was buried 2 Reg. 22. 2 Chr. 21. So all the trauels of Iehosaphat King of Iuda were 372 miles The Typicall signification of IEHOSAPHAT AS Iehosaphat by prayer and the sound of trumpets and other instruments of musick ouercame dispersed his enemies without drawing his sword so Christ also by the sound of his Word and doctrine without drawing weapon ouercame the enemies of the Church The Trauels of IORAM King of Iudah IOram signifies The Exalted of the Lord. He was crowned king his father yet liuing at such time as he made his expedition against Mesa King of the Moabites which hapned about the fift yere of Iehoram King of Israel An. mundi 3055 before Christ 913. He reigned with his father Iehosaphat 2 yeares and after his decease six So Ioram reigned 8 yeares ouer Iudah and when hee was forty yeares old died miserably 2 Reg. 8. 9. About the beginning of the second yeare of this Kings reign which was the sixt of Iehoram King of Israel Elias the Prophet was taken vp into heauen About the beginning of his reigne he went from Ierusalem to Mount Seir which was 28 miles Southward where he vsed such extreme cruelty toward the Edomites which at this time were his subiects that of a sudden they fell from him and chose them a King of their own 2 Reg. 8. From the Mountain of Seir he returned to Ierusalem which is 28 miles and there cruelly put to death his owne brothers But God stirred vp against him the Philistines and Arabians who broke into Iuda and destroyed it with fire and sword They also went to Ierusalem and tooke thence all his substance and riches put his children to the sword all but Ioachas which also called Ahaziah or Ochorias caried away his wiues captiue into Arabia Foelix which is neer vnto Ethiopia 1200 miles Then the Lord strooke him with an extreme paine in his bowels of which after two yeares he died and was buried without any funerall pomp or honorable respect neere to the Kings tower A man vnworthy to be buried in the sepulchre of the rest of the Kings because hee so much degenerated from Dauid his predecessor 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chr. 28. So all the trauels of Ioram were 56 miles The Trauels of AHAZIAH King of Iudah AHaziah which also was called Iehoachas succeeded his Father Ioram in the gouernment of Iudah began his reign in the 12 yeare of Iehoram King of Israel Ann. mundi 3062. and before Christ 906 and reigned one yeare 1 Reg. 8. He went from Ierusalem to Ramoth in Gilead which is accounted 48 miles There he went to battell with Iehoram King of Israel against the Syrians 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chr. 22. From Ramoth in Gilead he returned to Ierusalem forty eight miles Within a while after he went backe again to visit his kinsman Iehoram King of Israel to Iesreel for hee was wounded in the battell against Hasael and lay there to be cured which was forty and eight miles With Iehoram he went to meet Iehu the Captaine of the Host who shot an Arrow and wounded Iehoram that hee died in the field of Naboth the Iesreelite Wherefore Ahaziah to saue his life fled with all possible speed taking his way to the Kings garden that stood close by the vineyard of Naboth the Iesreelite not farre from the City and Tower of Iezreel But Iehu followed him so close that he wounded him as he ascended vp vnto a place called GVR which signifieth A Lions Whelpe neere vnto the Towne which is called Iiblea Wherefore Ahaziah feeling himselfe hurt he went to Megiddo foure miles from Iesreel and neere to Apheck vpon the West There as Iosephus saith Lib. Antiq. 9. hee caused his wounds to be searched and bound vp This citie of Megiddo is 48 miles from Ierusalem Northward From Megiddo hee went to Samaria which was 14 miles there he lay hid for a while flying from one place to another to saue himselfe 2 Chron. 22. But being found out he was carried backe to the citie of Megiddo which was 14 miles and at the commandement of Iehu was there slaine 1 Reg. 8. From Megiddo his carkasse was carried to Ierusalem which was 48 miles and there buried 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chron. 22. So all the Trauels of Ahaziah King of Iudah were 224 miles Of that Idolatrous and wicked Queene Athalia AThalia was sister to Ahab and daughter to Omri married to Ioram sonne of that good King Iehosaphat when he was but 17 yeares of age and after the death of Azahiah who was slaine about the 23 yeres of age she vsurped vpon the kingdome of Israel anno mundi 3063 before Christ 905 and raigned with great tyranny almost 7 yeares So soone as she had obtained the gouernment she cruelly and miserably put to death all the children of Ahaziah and all those that were next heire to the Kingdome onely Ioas who was saued by the policie of Iehoshabeath sister to Ahasiah that stole him from among the rest of the Kings sonnes and put him to nourse in her bed-chamber and hee was with them in the house of God six yeares all which time Athalia raigned ouer the land And in the seuenth yeare Iehoiada waxed bold and proclamed Ioas King as being next heire to the crowne and annointed him in the temple who after Athalia was slaine succeeded in the gouernment 2 Reg. 11. 4. 2 Chron. 22. Of Ioas King of Iudah IOas began th raigne ouer Iudah when he was almost 7 yeres of age and about the middle of the seuenth yeare of Iehu King of Israel anno mundi 3069 and before Christ 899 and raigned ouer Iudah 40 yeres He did that which was acceptable in the sight of the Lord all the daies of Iehoiada the Priest who crowned him king but after his death he fell into euil courses and caused that good Priest Zachariah the sonne of Iehoiada who was the author of all his preferment to be stoned to death in the vpper court of the Temple which act argued that he was very vnthankefull and tyrannicall But the Lord displeased with his crueltie within a yeare after the death of Zachariah stirred vp the Syrians who inuaded Iudaea and spoiled the citie of Ierusalem in which warre all those that stirred vp the king to Idolatrie were cruelly slaine To conclude within a while after some of his courtiers conspired against him and as he lay sicke of a grieuous disease in his
his trauels were 120 miles Of Ahaz King of Iudah AHAZ signifies Apprehending or a possessor He began to raigne after the death of his father Iotham about the end of the 17 yere of Pekah King of Israel Anno mundi 3206 before Christ 762. He raigned wickedly 16 yeares 2 Reg. 16. 2 Chr. 28. For hee was a notorious hypocrite who out of a peruerse zeale worshipped many Idols and burnt his sonne in the valley of Gehinnon as an offering vnto Moloch Wherefore he was vnhappy in his gouernment for God stirred vp mighty enemies against him euen Resin king of Syria and Pekah king of Israel who wasted and destroied his Kingdome and straightly besieging Ierusalem conquered Ahaz in a great battell and put to the sword 120000 of his men After that Resin returned to Elath and tooke it so that he lost more than his father had gotten Where being strucke into a great feare hy reason of these aduersities hee sent to craue the aid of Tiglasse Phulasser king of the Assirians who at his request sent a great Army from Niniueh to Damascus 520 miles and there ouercame Resin and put him to death and tooke captiue 242000 of the people of Damascus and sent them into Cyren a country of Africa 2 Reg. 16. The Trauels of Ahaz King Ahaz went from Ierusalem to Damascus which was 160 miles to meet Tiglath Phulasser King of the Assirians to rejoyce with him for his happy victory and giue him thanks for his aid and assistance where when he saw the Altar at Damascus to be very glorious he sent for Vrija the chiefe Priest who tooke a patterne thereof and carried it with him to Ierusalem where he made an Altar like vnto it 2 Reg. 16. From Damascus he returned backe againe 160 miles So his trauels were 320 miles But yet Ahaz continued in his peruerse impiety and idolatry without any regard or feare of God therefore he stirred vp other enemies against him viz. the Idumaeans who tooke a great multitude of them captiue and the Philistines who with their Army broke into the South part of the tribe of Iuda and tooke these cities following viz. Bethsemes Aialon Timnath Socho Gederoth 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 little miles towards the South-west and stands neere to the castle of Emaus being compassed about with a hedge from whence it seemeth to take the name for Gadar is as much to say as He hath hedged about Gimso was also in the Tribe of Iuda but in what place it is not certainely known Thus king Ahaz all the daies of his life did euill in the sight of the Lord for which God punished him and all the land and in the 16 yeare of his raigne he died and was buried with his fathers in the Citie Dauid The Trauels of Ezekias King of Iuda Ezekias which signifies The Champion of Iehouah was borne when his father was but thirteene yeares of age which made many questions whether he should succeed him as his lawfull heire in his Kingdome because they doubted whether he was lawfully begotten For if you doe obserue the order and course of the yeares and chronologie in the Scripture you shall finde that from the beginning of the thirteenth yeare of the age of Ahaz to the first yeare of the raigne of this King Ezekias make just twenty fiue yeres Ezekias therefore began to raigne after the death of his father Ahaz about the end of the third yeare of Hosea King of Israel 2 Reg. 19. Anno mun 3222 before Christ 746 being then about 25 yeres of age a little before Easter as it appeareth 2 Chron. 29. He gouerned that Kingdome with great commendations 29 yeares The first journey that he tooke was from Ierusalem to Gaza which was 44 miles there he ouercame the Army of the Philistines and recouered all those cities which his father Ahaz had lost according to that in the Prophet Esay cap. 15. 2 Reg. 18. From Gaza hee returned to Ierusalem which was 44 miles there he broke downe the places for idolatry and the brasen Serpent made by Moses in the wildernesse and called it Nehustan a brasen thing that hath nothing in it selfe of a diuine nature and could neither profit nor hurt therefore ought not to be worshipped This brasen serpent was kept in memory of that signe that God shewed vnto the children of Israel in the desart when they were bitten and stung to death by fiery serpents for looking vpon this brasen serpent they were healed But now because of the abuse thereof by the Iewes which turned it into idolatry it was broken to pieces Num. 21. 2 Reg. 18. So all the trauels of Ezechias were 88 miles In the 14 yeare of the raigne of Ezekias and in the 38 of his age Senacharib that mighty Emperour of the Assirians hauing taken many townes and cities in the Holy land would haue also besieged Ierusalem and for that purpose sent from Lachis which was 20 miles distant from Ierusalem Thartan Rabsarim and Rabsacha three mighty Princes Embassadors with a great traine to attend them These men went about the citie to see in what part it was most subject to batterie and might easiest begot so when they came to the conduit of the vpper poole 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 sonne of Hilkiah which was Hezekias Steward Shebnah the Chancellor and Ioab the sonne of Asaph the Recorder went vpon the wall then Rabsacha vttered blasphemous words against the Lord but Ezekias when hee had heard what the enemie had said called all the Elders of Ierusalem together and sent for Isaiah the sonne of Amos the Prophet and they went into the temple of the Lord and praied Wherefore the Lord heard their prayers and sent his Angel into the Campe of the Assirians and loe in one night there were slaine 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 Southwest This great deliuerance hapned in the yeare of the world 3235 and before Christ 733. About the end of the 38 yeare of the age of Ezekiah he fell into a dangerous disease which so farre 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 feruent prayers hee was restored to health and his daies were lengthned 15 yeares at which time the Sunne went backe ten degrees according to the variation of the shadow in the Dyall of Ierusalem 2 Reg. 20. Isa 38. 2 Chron. 32. But at the end of the 15 yeares which was about the 54 yeare of his age he died and was buried with his
fathers The Trauels of Manasses MAnasses or Manasseth signifieth forgetting or he hath forgotten This man was 12 yeares old when hee succeeded his father Ezekiah in the Kingdome of Iudah he began to raigne 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 wonderfull to see what tyranny mischiefe he wrought in Israel wherefore the Lord stirred vp the Assirians against him who ouercame him in a great battell and tooke him captiue carrying him bound in chaines from Ierusalem to Babylon euen 680 miles But after being humbled by his afflictions he came to a knowledge of himselfe and repented for his former euill humbling himselfe with prayer and fasting vnder the hand of God wherefore the Lord tooke compassion of him and stirred vp the minde of the King of Babylon to mercy so that hee loosed his bands and sent him backe againe to Ierusalem 680 miles From that time forward he left idolatry and worshipped the true God adorned the Temple of the Lord with many faire and beautifull buildings and in the 55 yeare of his age he died and was buried in the Kings garden 1 Reg. 21. 2 Chron. 33. So all the trauels of Manasses were 1360 miles Of Amon King of Iuda AMon signifieth True and faithfull he succeeded his father Manasses when he was but 22 yeares of age anno mundi 3307 before Christ 661. He raigned two yeres and then because of his exceeding idolatry the Lord cast him off when he was about 24 yeres of age neere which time some of his seruants conspired against him and put him to death The Trauels of King Iosiah IOsiah signifies A sacrifice of the Lord he succeeded his father Manasses in the gouernment when he was but 8 yeres of age Anno mundi 3309 hefore Christ 659. He gouerned Israel with great commendations 32 yeares 2 Reg. 22. his mothers name was Iedidah and dwelt in a towne called Bozkath but how farre this Towne stood from Ierusalem it is not set downe by any Author This good King went from Ierusalem to Bethel which was 8 miles there he burnt vpon the Altar which Ieroboam built the bones of the Priests of Baal as the man of God that came from Iuda had told Ieroboam 350 yeres before 1 Reg. 13. 2 Chr. 23. From Bethel he returned backe again to Ierusalem which was 8 miles there he celebrated the Passeouer with a solemne feast and great attendance 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. In the last yeare of his raigne he went with his army from Ierusalem to Megiddo which was 44 miles against Pharaoh Necho K. of Aegypt in which battell he was slaine with an arrow about the 39 yeare of his age 2 Chron. 35. From Megiddo his body was carried in a chariot backe again to Ierusalem which was 44 miles and there with great lamentations honourably buried 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. So all his trauels were 104 miles The Trauels of Iehoahas King of Iudah IEhoahas signifies The knowledge of God he succeeded his father Iosiah in the 23 yeare of his age Anno mundi 3340 which was 628 yeares before Christ and raigned onely three moneths 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ieremy cap. 22. calleth this man Schallum that is A recompence He went from Ierusalem to Riblah a city in the tribe of Nepthaly which is accounted 80 miles where he was taken prisoner by Pharaoh Necho 2 Reg. 23. From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led him captiue bound in chaines backe again to Ierusalem which was 80 miles and there appointed Iehoiakim his elder brother to raigne in his place 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chron. 36. From Ierusalem he carried Iehoahas to Memphis the Metropolitan citie of Aegypt which was 244 miles 2 Reg. 23. So all the Trauels of Iehoahas were 404 miles Of Iehoiakim King of Iuda IEhoiakim was the eldest sonne of Iosiah that good King and succeeded his brother Iehoahas in the Kingdome Anno mundi 3341 before Christ 627 he gouerned Iudah 11 yeares Pharaoh Necho made him King when he was 25 yeares of age to whom he was constrained to pay 100 talents of * What this is in our money you may reade after in the quantitie of moneys siluer and a talent of gold This money being payed he obtained the Kingdome and continued in great impiety and idolatry for which cause he was sharply reprehended by Ieremiah the Prophet but he being offended at his words sought to put him to death wherefore the Lord stirred vp Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of the Assirians and Babylonians who in the 11 yeare of this Kings raigne came to Ierusalem and took him captiue tyed him in two chaines and would haue carried him to Babylon but his minde changed wherefore hee caused him to be put to death and cast out into the fields of Ierusalem for a prey to wilde beasts Ier. 22. 2 Reg. 23. Of Iehoiachin King of Iudah IEhoiachin signifies the preparation of Iehouah This man succeeded his brother Iehoiakim and began his raigne about the end of the 3351 yere of the world and raigned only 3 moneths and 10 daies which was about the 8 yeare of Nabuchodonesor the great at which time he was led captiue from Ierusalem to Babylon together with Mordochae and many other Nobles which was 680 miles This captiuitie hapned 617 yeares before Christ 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ester 2. Ier. 52. The Trauels of Zedekiah the last King of Iudah AFter Iehoiachin succeeded Zedekiah which signifies The just man of God This was the sonne of that good King Iosiah yet an impious tyrant who by the permission of Nabuchadonezar the great was suffered to be King of Iudah after his brother when he was 21 yeares of age He began to raigne about the beginning of the 3352 yeare of the World and before Christ 616 he gouerned tyrannically 11 yeares 2 Reg. 24. In the 11 yere of this king Ierusalem was taken by Nabuchadonezar the great Emperour of the Babylonians wherefore Zedekiah to escape the brunt of war fled from Ierusalem with all possible speed to Iericho which was 12 miles Ier. 39.52 From the plaine neere the citie of Iericho where he was ouercome by the Princes of the Chaldeans he was led to Riblah to Nebuchadonezar which was 68 miles From Riblah after the Emperour Nabuchadonezar had caused all his children to be put to death before his face and had put out both his eyes he led him captiue to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserable 2 Reg. 25. So all the Trauels of Zedekiah King of Iudah were 680 miles Of the destruction of Ierusalem by Nabuchadonezar In the ninth yeare of this Zedekiah which was the last King of Iudah Nabuchadonezar began to besiege Ierusalem it being then Winter anno mundi 3860 vpon the tenth day of the tenth moneth Tebeth which answereth to the 27 day of December which day the Iewes till now obserued as a fasting
Priests to death and prayed vnto the Lord who sent rain vpon the earth in great aboundance 1 Reg. 18. From Mount Carmel he ran by King Ahabs chariot to Iesreel which was accounted 16 miles After when Queene Iesabel threatned his death hee departed thence and went to Beersaba 84 miles 1 Reg. 19. From Beersaba he went one daies journy into the wildernes of Paran because hee thought to remaine there safe from the mischiefe of Iesabel which was 20 miles from Beersaba Southward Here the Angell of the Lord brought him meat as he was sitting vnder a Iuniper tree 1 Reg. 19. By vertue of this meat Eliah trauelled from thence to Mount Horeb or Sinai 80 miles and continued there 40 daies and forty nights without meat or drinke There the Lord spake to Eliah as hee stood in the entrance of a caue his face being couered with his mantle 1 Reg. 19. From the mount Sinai or Horeb he returned to Abel-Mehola which was 156 miles where hee called Elizeus the son of Saphas to the ministeriall function and office of a Prophet 1 Reg. 18. From thence he went to Damascus 124 miles where he anointed Hasael King of Syria 1 Reg. 19. From Damascus Elias went to Mount Carmell where hee dwelt which was accounted 120 miles From mount Carmel he went to Iesreel 16 miles there in the vineyard of Naboth who Iezabel caused to be stoned to death he sharply reprehended Ahab for his impiety and idolatry 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he returned back again to his own house to Carmel which was 16 miles From thence he went to Samaria which was 32 miles where he answered the seruants of King Ahaziah whom he had sent to enquire of Baalzebub the idoll of Ekron concerning his health saying Go and tel your master that sent you That the God of Israel saith Because thou hast sent to aske counsel of Baalzebub the idol of Ekron and thinkest there is no God in Israell therefore thou shalt not rise off the bed whereon thou liest but shalt surely die 2 Reg. 1. Soone after Elias returned to Mount Carmel which was 32 miles where the two Captaines with their Companies of fifty that were sent to take him were consumed with fire from heauen 1 Reg. 1. From Mount Carmel he went to Samaria with the third Cap. 32 miles where hee prophecied of the death of King Ahaziah 2 Reg. 1. From Samaria hee returned backe againe to Mount Carmel 32 miles From thence he went to Gilgal 52 miles From Gilgal he went with Elizeus to the towne of Bethel being 6 miles 2 Reg. 2. From thence to Iericho 4 miles 2 Reg. 2. From Iericho hee and Elizeus went to Iordan which was sixe miles through which riuer they went vpon dry ground Now as they were speaking one to another vpon the East side of the riuer behold a fiery chariot came with fiery horses and tooke Elias vp aliue into heauen after he had gouerned the Church 30 yeres an mundi 3056 and before Christ 912 2 Reg. 2. So all the Trauels of Eliah the Prophet were 1033 miles Of the Cities and places to which he trauelled Of Thisbe IN this towne the Prophet Eliah was borne it being scituated in the land of Gilead beyond Iordan 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast It taketh the name from Captiuitie being deriued of Chabah he hath led into captiuitie Of Kerith THe riuer Kerith where the Rauens fed Elias runneth from Mount Ephraim between Bethel and Iericho 8 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and so passing along towards the East falleth into the riuer Iordan 1 Reg. 17. The Kerethites were such as garded the person of the King which in the Prophet Dauids time were called mighty men taking their name from striking and cutting being deriued of Charath he hath smitten or cut in sunder Of Zarpath or Sarepta THis was a Citie of the Sidonians where they found much mettall of diuers kindes lying betweene Tyrus and Sydon 112 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and taketh the name from Zoraph which signifies To trie or burne with fire There is at this time but eight houses in all the towne although by the ruines it seemeth to haue beene in times past a very faire citie The inhabitants thereof take vpon them to shew the chamber wherein Elias the Prophet sometimes liued when hee raised the widowes childe to life Before the gate of the citie also there is shewed a certaine Chappell where they say Elias first spake with the widow 1 Reg. 17. Of Abelmehola THis was a towne in the tribe of Manasses on this side Iordan in the mid-way betweene Sichem and Salem some 38 miles from Ierusalem Northward At this day it is called Abisena where there are found certaine ruines of Marble pillars by which may be gathered that in times past it hath beene a very beautifull citie It seemeth to haue taken the name from a great Lamentation or Mourning for Abel signifieth To lament and bewaile and Machol A company The typicall signification of ELIAS ELias according to the interpretation of Saint Ierome signifies the minister of Iehouah but as others would haue it Eliah is as much as my God Iehouah He was a type of Saint Iohn Baptist who was sent before to prepare the way of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Chirst Of this you may reade more Malach. 4. Matt. 11.17 Isa 40. c. The trauels of the Prophet Elisaeus or Elisha ELisha followed Elias through diuers countries and became as it were his seruant pouring water vpon his hands and ministring to him 1 Reg. 19. 2 Reg. 3. Elisha went with Eliah from Gilgal to Bethel which was six miles 1 Reg. 19. From Bethel they both went to Iericho which was 4 miles From Iericho he went beyond Iordan 6 miles where his Master was taken from him vp into heauen and his spirit was doubled vpon him 2 Reg. 2. From thence he returned backe again to Iericho which was â— miles passing through the riuer Iordan vpon drie ground by which miracle the children of the Prophets viz. such as studied diuinitie at Iericho did certainly know that the spirit of his master Elias rested vpon him Neere to this towne he flang salt into a riuer by which the water was made sweet 2 Reg. 2. From Iericho Elisha returned to Bethel which was 4 miles here the chldren that mockt him saying Come vp thou bald pate c. in contempt of his age and office were deuoured by 2 Bares 2 Reg. 2. From Bethel he walked to Mount Carmel which was fifty six miles From thence he went to Samaria which was about thirtie two miles From thence he went to the three Kings viz. Ioram King of Israel Iehosaphat King of Ierusalem and the King of the Idumaeans into the desart of Arabia Petraea which was 104 miles here he prayed vnto the Lord and he sent them water lest they should haue perished with thirst 2 Reg. 3. From the Desart of Arabia Petraea hee returned backe to
the Lord he was borne in the Tribe of Benjamin in a Citie of the Priests called Anathoth and from thence came to Ierusalem which was two miles and continued there for 40 yeares teaching and prophecying From Ierusalem he was sent to Euphrates where in the cliffe of a rocke he hid his girdle Ier. 13. which was 400 miles From the riuer Euphrates he returned backe againe to Ierusalem 400 miles A little after the Lord sent him backe againe to Euphrates 400 miles to fetch his girdle and loe it was putrified From thence he returned backe againe the second time to Ierusalem 400 miles From Ierusalem he was led captiue bound in chaines with other prisoners to Ramath a citie in mount Ephraim which was eight miles there Nabusaraden the chiefe captaine caused him to be set at liberty From Ramath he went to Mispah which is 8 miles where he continued a while with Gediliah Prince of the Iewes which man had the chiefe command of certaine cities of Iudaea vnder Nabuchadnezzer But in the seuenth yeare of the captiuitie of the people of Israel Ishmael that was of the stocke and progenie of Dauid hoping to obtaine the gouernement of Iuda made warre vpon Gediliah and put him to death wherefore Ieremy went from thence with Iohn the son of Kareach Prince of the Iewes to Bethlem Euphrata which was 8 miles Ier. 41. Now when he had staied a while in a village neere Bethlem called Geruth Ghimeham were sometime Chimeham the sonne of Barzillai liued 2 Sam. 19. hee prophecied saying If you stay in this land you shall do well neither shall any euill hap vnto you but if you depart hence into Aegypt they shall deuoure you with famine and with the sword Ier. 42. But Iohn and the rest of the Princes would giue no credit to the words of Ieremy but went into Aegypt and compelled the Prophet to goe along with them so they went from Bethlehem to Tachpanes which was 172 miles Here the second time Ieremie prophecied vnto them saying Behold Nabuchadnezzer shall come hither and wast and destroy all the countrey of Aegypt beat downe the Images of Bethsemes or Heliopolis and carry away the Aegyptians into perpetuall captiuity Ier. 43. But the people of Israel being moued to anger because of his words stoned him to death So the Trauels of the Prophet Ieremiah were 1786 miles Concerning the townes and places mentioned in the Trauels of this Prophet you may reade of them before except Geruth Chimeham which stood close by Bethlehem it taketh the name from a stranger or traueller being deriued of Gor which signifieth He hath trauelled and Tachpanes which was a Citie of Aegypt some 180 miles from Ierusalem where the Prophet Ieremy was stoned to death it is oftentimes called by the name of Taphnis The trauels of Vrijah the Prophet VRias or Vriah signifies Illuminated or inlightned of the Lord. He was borne at Kiriath-jearim a mile from Ierusalem towards the West from thence he came to Ierusalem and there prophecied of the destruction of the Citie After when King Ioachim went about to take away his life he fled thence into Aegypt 160 miles But the king sent messengers into Aegipt fetcht Vrijah back againe to Ierusalem 160 miles and there cut off his head and caused his body to be throwne into the sepulchre of a poore despised man that it might not be knowne that he had beene a Prophet of the Lord. So all his trauels 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 foure miles where he tooke the woodden yoakes from the necke of Ieremiah the Prophet but Ieremiah caused yron yokes to be made in their places and told Hananias that for his falshood that yere he should surely die as after he did Of the Prophet Ezekiel Ezekiel or Iechezkel signifies the strength or fortitude of God He was carried captiue with 3000 others of the Nobility of the Iewes from Ierusalem to Babylon which was 680 miles the same yeare that Nebuchadnezzer put King Ioachim to death within fiue yeares after a little before Easter the Booke of the Law was found 2 Chron. 3. He began to prophecie in Babylon Anno mundi 3356 before Christ 612 at which time he saw his first visions neere to the Riuer Chebar Of the Riuer Chebar THe riuer Chebar was neere Babylon in Chaldaea vpon the borders of Mesopotamia falling into Euphrates and was oftentimes called Aborras according to the opinion of many learned men Strabo in the seuenteenth book of his Geography saith that there is another riuer between Tygris and Euphrates called Basilius Aborras passeth along by the citie of Athemusia and is a very faire streame from whence it is called Chebar which signifies a swift and spacious riuer Neere to this riuer the Prophet Ezekiel saw the Glory and Majestie of our Lord Iesus Christ in a bright shining cloud In this place also dwelt many Iewes to whom hee prophecied and foretold the destruction of Ierusalem by Nebuchadnezzer and the captiuitie of Zedekiah The Trauels of the Prophet Daniel DAniel signifies The Iudge of God In the raigne of Ioachim King of Iudah he was carried away captiue from Ierusalem to Babylon by Nabuchadonezar which was 680 miles and there with his fellowes learned the Arts and Language of the Chaldaeans for three yeares He was then but young about some 19 or 20 yeares of age and liued in exile 91 yeares vntill the third yeare of Cyrus Emperour of the Persians about which time he saw his last vision and a little after died when hee was about 110 yeares of age as may be gathered by the circumstances of Histories and times From Babylon he went to Susan in Persia an mun 3418 before Christ 550 being then 94 yeares of age which was 252 miles where neere to the flood Eulaeus hee had a vision of a ram and a goate which set forth the state of the second Monarchie which was that of the Graecians In this vision Gabriel the Archangel appeared to Daniel Dan. 8. This was in the third yeare of King Balthasar From Susan Daniel returned to Babylon which was 252 miles Here hee interpreted to Belthasar the meaning of these words Men Mene Tekel Euphrasin Dan. 5. From Babylon he went to the riuer Tygris of Hidekel which was accounted 36 miles here in the third yeare of Cyrus King of Persia he saw his last vision which is described in the 10 11 and 12 chapters of his prophecie From Tygris he returned to his own house at Babylon which was 36 miles Sometimes also in his three last yeares of his life he vsed to goe to Egbatan the Metropolitan citie of the Medes which was accounted 464 miles from Babylon towards the Northeast Here Daniel built a faire and artificiall Temple so strongly that it remained vnperished and retained the ancient beautie many ages to the great admiration of all the
whom God in the beginning made a good Angell exalted him in the heauens and made him much more glorious than others yet notwithstanding glorying in himselfe hee contemned his Maker nothing would content him but to become like vnto him yea he desired to be worshipped of our Lord Iesus Christ Mat. 4. And as Haman endeauoured to ouerthrow not only all the people of the Iewes but Queene Hester also so the Diuell doth not onely endeauour to ouerthrow the whole Church but if it were possible the head of the Church Christ Iesus Of that holy man Iob. IOb was a holy and good man he dwelt in the land of Vz so called of Vz the sonne of Aram the son of Sem as S. Ierome vpon Genesis obserueth This Vz was that great man which built as was thought Damascus in Syria and all the land which extendeth from Damascus to Iordan after his name was called Vz that is the land of counsell fot so Vz signifieth There were two townes in this countrey where Iob is said to haue dwelt that is Astaroth-Carnaim and Batzra Asteroth-Carnaim was distant from Ierusalem 52 miles towards the Northeast the inhabitants of which towne worshipped the goddesse Venus and called her by the name of Astaroth of which you may reade before S. Ierome saith That the sepulchre of Iob was to be seene in his time in that towne and later writers testifie as much for their times This towne at this day is called Carnea Batzra is mentioned in the 36 of Genesis it signifieth a grape gathering In this towne it was thought that Iob was borne it lay beyond Iordan in the tribe of Reuben 20 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast All this countrey 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 hauing conquered the kings of Edom you man reade more of it in the 6 of Isay also Ios 20. where is shewed that it was one of the six cities of refuge appointed by Ioshua Heere Iob for the most part continued and held this towne in great honour and reputation He liued about the time of Baela first king of the Edomites and according to the opinion of Saint Ierom Augustine Ambrose Philo and Luther was for his excellent vertue and singular piety chosen King of that countrey which he greatly enlarged making all the countries and neighbouring Princes neer adjoining tributary vnto him wherfore as Ierom saith in locis Hebraicis hauing obtained so large an Empire he remoued his seat from Batzra to Astaroth Carnaim which was a strong and well defenced citie where in those times as Moses witnesseth Gen. 14. there inhabited mightie men and noble Heroes that so by their vertue he might with the greater facilitie suppresse and conquer other Prouinces There are many thinke him to be of the stocke 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 sonne of Zerah of Bozra or Betzra raigned in his stead And Saint Ierom in his preface vpon the booke of Iob sheweth that he was but fiue degrees remoued from Abraham for Abraham had Ishmael Basmath who was the wife ef Esau mother of Reguel grandmother to Sarah and great grandmother 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 Nahor Abrahams brother and was of the family of Vz Nahors sonne which opinion also Saint Ierom mentioneth in his Hebraicall questions But most of the antient fathers hold this nothing so probable Luther vpon the 36 chapter of Genesis saith That he was King long time before Moses carried the children of Israel out of Aegypt For Iuda and Aser the sonnes of Iacob had children before they went into the land of Aegypt Gen. 46. therefore it is not impossible for Reguel the sonne of Esau to haue children also since he was married long before his brother Iacob From hence then it may be gathered that Iob was King of Idumaea before Iacob and his sonnes went into the land of Aegypt For although the fourteene sonnes of Esau gouerned the land of Edom like so many Princes of which number Reguel the grandfather of Iob was one because they held it as their inheritance yet to auoid sedition and distractions which oftentimes happen where there is not a certaine head and principall commander therefore they elected Bela the sonne 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 vpright who without doubt raigned amongst the Edomites a long time For he liued after his afflictions which God imposed vpon him to trie him 140 yeares Plato saith he married Dina the daughter of Iacob but Saint Ierome That he married the daughter of an Arabian by whom hee had Enon Both these may be true for his first wife being dead he might marrie an Arabian After the death of Iob the Gyants Heroes in Asteroth Carnaim fell againe 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 gouerned all the Kingdome of Basan This Gyant was of a mighty stature he had a bed of yron * Foure yards a half long two broad nine cubits long and foure broad Deut. 3. Of Eliphaz ELiphaz the Themanite was the brother of Reguel Iobs grandfather This Eliphaz had a sonne called Theman who built a citie and after his owne 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 citie of the South you may reade of Eliphaz in Ier. cap. 25. He had a Concubine called Thimnah because of her beauty comely proportion by her he had Amaleck of whom came the Amalekites betweene whom and the children of Israel were cruell wars Exod. 17. The Trauels of Eliphaz the Themanite FRom Themen hee went to Astaroth-Carnaim where Iob dwelt which is accounted 92 miles to comfort his friend Iob Iob 2. From Astaroth-Carnaim he returned backe to his owne house which was 92 miles So the trauels of Eliphaz were 184 miles Of Bildad Iobes friend BEyond Iordan and the sea of Galile not farre from Astaroth-Carnaim there is at this day found a town called Suah where as it is thought Bildad the friend of Iob dwelt Neer to this towne as Sebastian Francus obserueth in his Cosmographie there was yerly in the Summer season a great mart kept in certain tents and tabernacles erected for that purpose of diuers colours Bildad signifies
an antient friend and Suah taketh the name from desolation being deriued of Scho he hath made desolate Of Zophar the friend of Iob. ZOphar dwelt in the citie of Naema Iosh 15. but how farre it stood from Ierusalem is vncertaine Zophar of Zaphar signifieth swift Naema signifies pleasant and delectable of Naem courteous and comfortable Of Iobs daughters THe Lord gaue vnto Iob after his affliction and that he had tried his faithfulnesse three daughters so faire that there were none fairer to be found in all the land The name of the first was Iemmima that is as faire as the day of Iom which signifies a day The second Kazia that is such a one as giueth a pleasant sauor like vnto the gum Cassia The third because of the excellencie of her countenance was called Kaeren Hapuch that is casting forth rayes or beames Iob. 42. APOCRYPHA The Booke of IVDETH Of Egbatana 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 enthronised in that Empire called himselfe Arphaxad or Arbactus the second This man built Egbatana the metropolitan citie of the Medes and beautified it with very faire buildings goodly walls made all of foure square stone cut and polished 70 cubits high and 30 broad towers standing vpon it 100 cubits in height as well those that were for the defence of the town as those where the gates were The aire in that country was temperate inclining rather to cold than heate because it lay toward the North it stood 1136 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward Here for the most part this Emperor kept his court till as Herodotus saith he was vtterly conquered by Nebuchadnezzar Emperor of the Babylonians This was that Nebuchadnezzar which sent Holofernus with a mighty army against Iudaea Bethulia and many other cities and countries and would be worshipped as a god Iudeth 3. Of Hydaspes HYdaspes is a riuer that ariseth in Media which runneth thorough a part of Parthia extendeth it selfe into India and not farre from the citie Nisa falleth into Indus according to the opinion of Pliny and Strabo lib. 15. Neere this riuer Nabuchadnezzar ouercame Dieoces otherwise called Arbactus Iudg. 1. The description of the countries conquered by HOLOFERNES Of Kedar KEdar the wildernesse of Zur was thus called stood in the land of the Ishmaelites 80 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest and tooke the name of Kedar the sonne of Ishmael Gen. 25. Of the mountaines of Ange. THe mountaines of Ange lay betweene Pamphilia and Cicilia to the latitude of that famous country of Cilicia in Asia minor 320 miles from Ierusalem towards the North not farre from Anchiale a citie of Cilicia from whence it seemeth to take the name Of Cilicia CIlicia is a prouince of Asia minor so called of Cilice the kings sonne of Syria and Phoenicia the Metropolitan Citie of which countrey was Tharsus where the Apostle Paul was borne it was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North. Of Mallos MAllos a citie 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 citie to this day and of most of the inhabitants of that country called Mallo as Gesner obserueth Of Gesem GEsem signifies fruitfull The land of Gosen in Aegypt was so called being deriued of Gusch that is a turfe it stood 174 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest Of Aethyopia THis country stands beyond Aegipt 800 miles from Ierusalem towards the South where the Sunne is extreme hot that it turneth the complexion of the inhabitants to blackenesse here breed great abundance of Dragons and cruell beasts Of Esdrelon ESdrelon was a plaine lying betweene the mountains Thabor Hermon and Gilboa extending it selfe from the cities of Megiddo and Apheck to the sea of Gennezareth or Galile In this great field which was called the plaine of Galile and the field of Megiddo and Esdrelon there were many cruell battels fought for here Gideon ouercame the Midianites here Saul was put to flight by the Philistins from whence ascending into Mount Gilboa he killed himselfe Iosias also King of the Iewes was in this place put to flight by Pharaoh Necho and wounded vnto the death The camp of Holofernes was so great that it tooke vp all the plain which contained 16 miles in length In some parts it was wonderfull fruitfull and brought forth wine oyle 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 to say as he hath hid Of Sobal SObal was a countrey vpon the borders of Syria where Sophena was scituated neere to the riuer Euphrates which country Saul and Dauid Kings of Israel somtime conquered it stood 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and signifies an eare of corne Of Apamea THis was a famous citie in Tetrapolis of Syria two hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem towards she North built of Seleucus Nicanor King of Syria and was so called of Apamea his wife Of the city Bethulia BEthulia was scituated within 4 miles of Dothan and two of the Galilean sea 44 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 Bethulia lay the plain of Esdrelon in the midst whereof there ran a pleasant riuer which in times past watred it Here Iudeth according to the custome of the Iewes washed her selfe The place where Bethulia stood is to be seene at this day the ruins of the town and many houses still remaining It was scituated vpon a goodly high mountaine strongly fortified by Nature and as it seemeth by art also A man might haue seen it thorough the greatest part of Galile but aboue the rest a certain castle in the end of the mountain made for the defence of the city They shew at this day in the mountaine and field neere Dothan the place where Holofernes camp stood and the reliques of their tents also the brook where Iudeth washed her selfe Bethulia signifieth The hand-maid of God being deriued of Bethulah a virgin and Iah God Holofernes a prophane Captaine of which sort are those tyrants that persecute the Church of God The Booke of TOBIAS The Trauels of Tobias the elder TObias the elder was caried captiue out of the tribe of Nepthaly where he was born to Ninive the Metropolitan city of Assiria being 600 miles at such time as Salmanasser King of the Assyrians caried away the tenne tribes of Israel into Assyria Captiue in the yeare before Christ 742. 2 Kings ca. 17. Tob. 1. From that time he continued in Ninive being then about 27 years old and numbred amongst the yong men
reigne made his expedition from Antiochiato 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 masse of gold and siluer to maintain warre against Iudas Machabeus But a multitude of citisens disliking his sacriledge banded themselues together and put Antiochus and his souldiers to flight before hee could take the city of Persepolis 1 Mach. 6. 2 Mach. 9. Wherefore being driuen from thence he fled with his army to Egbatana a city in Media which was 209 miles Here hauing certain intelligence by letters of the noble exploits of Iudas Machabeus and that he purged the temple of such things as were prophane he fell into an extreme griefe and like one distracted railed against the Iewes and swore to be reuenged of them 1 Mac. 9. In this extreme anger he went from Egbatana to Babylon with his army which was 464 miles But as he went his Chariot was ouerthrown in the fall wherof he was so extremely wounded that they were constrained to carry him in a bed to Babylon where he shortly after died miserably So all his trauels were 8153 miles Thus may we see with what difficulties and dangers this wicked prince obtained his victories and past away his life somtime in trauel his journies long and troublesome somtimes in prosperitie somtimes in aduersitie again somtimes afflicted with troublesome cogitations sometimes with extreame anger seldome in peace and then also his actions sauoring of violence and filthines From whence it appeareth That the wicked with more sorowes troubles and vexations gaine eternall damnation than the Iust though they suffer many grieuous afflictions obtain euerlasting saluation 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 minde and conscience with vnprofitable vanities and wicked thoughts and at length had a miserable and terrible end ¶ Of the Cities and places mentioned in his Trauels Of Antiochia ANtiochia where Antiochus Epiphanes kept his court was antiently called Chaemath or Riblah It was scituated in Syria 180 miles from Ierusalem towards the North neer to the Cities Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea which foure Cities as Strabo saith in the sixteenth Booke of his Geographie was built by Seleucus Nicanor first King of Syria This man was a mighty Prince and obtained the name of Nicanor which signifieth Victorie because he prospered in his warres and conquered his aduersaries For when within 13 yeares after the death of Alexander the Great hee had got the kingdome of Syria hee became so great in the 31 yeare of his reign that he obtained the empire of all the East and beside as Strabo saith re-edified and built vp these foure 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 foure 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 excellencie of building It was diuided into foure parts and those parts seperated with four wals The first which was antiently called Hemath A violent anger of Chamathai the sonne of Canaan was after Riblath from the multitude of the inhabitants and the third time by Seleucus after his fathers 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 citisens of Syria inhabited In the third Seleucus 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 Citie there stood a pleasant wood watered with many cleare fountains and delightfull springs to which there resorted a great multitude of Fowles of diuers sorts which sung very pleasantly among the trees to the great content and delectation of the citisens 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 countrey thereabout is called Epidaphne Not far off standeth the riuer Orontes which beginneth in Coelosyria and passeth vnder the earth til it comes neere to Apamea where it riseth and watreth all Antiochia So passing thence it runneth some 16 miles and so fals into the Mediterranian sea Heere Paul preached and kept a Synod Euseb lib. 7. cap. 24. 25. There was another Synod kept heere by the Arrians Trip. lib. 4. 9. Stephanus reckons vp many other cities of this name as Antiochia Lisidia in Galatia where Paul preached Act. 3. and is distant from this 384 miles Antiochia in Mesopotamia which is also called Mygdonia and Nisibis in which Apollophanes the Stoicke and Pharnuchus that wrot the Persian historie are said to be born Antiochia between Syria and Arabia built by Semiramis Antiochia in Cilicia scituated neere to the riuer Pyramus Antiochia in Pieria also called by the Syrians Arados There is also a city called Antiochia neere mount Taurus in the countrey of Comagena Antiochia scituated vpon the lake of Callichan Antiochia in Scythia There was another in Caria called also Pithapolis Antiochia Marigiana built by Antiochus Soter And many Authors call Tharsus in Cilicia by the name of Antiochia Antiochia signifies an Aduersarie Of Rome ROme stands 1528 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of this city you may reade more in the trauels of the Apostle Paul Tyrus Ioppa Memphis Pelusio Mallo and Alexandria are before described Of Tharsus TArsus or Tharsus signifieth aa Hyacinth stone so called as some thinke of Tharsis the son of Iavan the son of Iaphet 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 mightie King of the Persians who re-edified it and gaue it that name which is as much to say as the city of the Persians which also of him were so called The Astronomers because he was greatly affected to such as were skilfull in that art attributed his name and his wiues name to two constellations in the heauens of which Ovids fable is contriued of Pegasus and Andromache This city of Persepolis was so fair that it exceeded all the cities of the East both for statelinesse and beauty and so continued from Perseus time vntill Alexander the Great had conquered Darius at which time this great Emperor hauing got into his hand the whole
empire of the Persians came to Persepolis in the yeare 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 liued dissolutely amongst whom was that notable curtesan Thais who perceiuing the King inclined to mirth and full with wine began to flatter him in his cups among other things to commend and dignifie his noble exploits withall giuing him to vnderstand how acceptable it would be to the Grecians to see that royall palace of the Persians fired which had so often afflicted Grecia No sooner had she vttered these words but another seconded her and then a third After the whole assembly cried out Shall we reuenge the injurie of Grecians and burn the city with that they al rose in great fury the king himself being crowned beginning first to fire the palace wherein was great aboundance of Cedar from whence it happened that suddenly the fire spred it selfe a great way which when the army that lay without the walls perceiued 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 himselfe busie in this tragedie laying aside their water they also in hope of booty and to imitate the steps of their Prince fell to firing the city and according to the custom of soldiers in such massacres made a prey of what they could get increasing the fire with dry stuffe and other combustible matter whereby it came to passe that the whole city was therewith fired and burnt to the ground This was the end of that mighty city which ruled ouer so many nations where so many mighty Princes gouerned that was the scourge of Grecia and the greatest part of the world that sent forth a Navie of 10000 ships and an army of an infinit number there being at this day nothing to be seen vnlesse the riuer Araxes that ran close by it remaineth Thus was that consumed in a fury which the King and all his army before endeauoured to spare But after it turned to the great shame of the Macedonians that their King should fire so famous a city in the midst of his cups and Alexander himselfe after hee had slept repented what he had done You shall find in 2 Mac. cap. 6. That Antiochus Epiphanes besieged a certaine City in Persia called Persepolis from whence for his exceeding couetousnesse and sacriledge he was forced by the inhabitants dwelling about the town to raise his siege be gon Therefore some may gather that this Persepolis before mentioned was rebuilded because it also stood in Persia but if you read 1 Mac. cap. 6. you shall finde that this city so besieged by Antiochus was also called Elymais wherein stood the temple of Diana beautified with goodly ornaments shining with the splendor of fine gold wherewith it was gilt In which temple as faith Iosephus lib. Ant. 12. Alexander the Great left his armor and other things From whence may be gathered that this towne was not the Persepolis which he caused to be burnt but rather some other towne built out of the ruines of that city according to the opinion of Quintus Curtius or else some village standing neere to it which being built vp and inlarged might of some be called new Persepolis though indeed it was antiently called Elymais and all the East part of Persia beyond Susa of that towne called Elematica hauing some affinitie with Elam the antient name of Persia so called of Elam the son of Sem Gen. 10. Wherefore it may well be concluded that that Persepolis burnt down by Alexander was neuer restored but lieth waste to this day Thus the empire of the Persians afrer they had ruled ouer the nations of the earth 260 yeares was conquered by the Grecians who held it 129 yeares At the end of which time Demetrius Nicanor the last Emperour of the Grecrans in Syria and Asia going with a great army out of Syria toward the East Arsaces King of the Medes and Parthians being aided by the citisens of Elymais the Persians and Bactrians meeting him in those parts gaue him many sharp and cruell battels and in the end vnder pretence of peace took him prisoner in the yere before Christ 137 and from that time the Parthians gouerned Persia and Grecia and opposed the Romans in many cruell battels Afterward in the yere of our Lord 226 Artaxerxes that mighty Lord of Persia ouercame Artabanus King of the Parthians in a mighty battell and took his crown from his head the same yere entring vpon the gouernment of Persia 548 years after the death of Alexander the Great from which time Artaxerxes and his posteritie reigned in Persia for the space of 314 yeares in the which space there succeeded 28 Kings viz. Artaxerxes 1. Sapores Ormisdates Vararanes Vararanes 2. Vararanes 3. Narses Misdates Sapores 2. Artaxerxes 2. Sapores 3. Vararanes 4. Cermazat syrnamed Isdigertes Vararanes 5. Vararanes 6. Perozes Valens Cavades Zambades Cavades 2. Cosroës Hormisda Cosroës 2. Siroes Adhasir Sarbaras Bornarim Hormisda 2. who was the last King of the Persians for being ouercome by Humarus Amiras of the Saracens and third Emperor of the Mahumetans he was thrown out of his kingdom Anno Dom. 640. After which time it continued long in the gouernement of the Saracens and Turks Where that holy Priest Mattathias the father of Iudas Machabeus dwelt MAttathias and Dorotheus haue both one signification that is The gift of God being deriued of Matath a gift and Iah God This Mattathias was a holy Priest of the tribe of Levi the son of Iohn the son of Simon of whom all that family was called the posteritie of Simon of the stocke of Ioarib of whom you may read 1 Chr. 15. He dwelt in a town called Modin 14 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest scituated in a mountaine close by the way as you go to Ioppa in the tribe of Dan. Modin signifieth a measure being deriued of Madad he hath measured In this place seeing the crueltie of Antiochus Epiphanes and the insolencie of his soldiers he killed one of his captains and afterward in the synagogue put to death an idolatrous Iew ouerthrew the Altar set vp by Antiochus after called forth all the inhabitants of Modin and other towns neere adioyning to withstand the fury of this King So they brought their goods out of the city into the wildernesse where they incamped themselues and after so manfully opposed Antiochus that he deliuered all the cities towns thereabouts out of his bondage and from idolatry But beeing now grown old after he had admonished his sons to constancy in the seruice of God and courage in defence of the countrey he died in the yeare before Christ 164 and was buried at Modin where afterward his sons were buried Simon his third son high-priest of Ierusalem did maruellously beautifie this
vpon the East side of the riuer they pitcht their tents 12 miles Here they fought with Bacchides After they went thence to Bethbesan 3 miles From thence they went to Ierusalem 12 miles Ios Ant. li. 18. cap. 1. From Ierusalem they went to Ioppa 20 miles and wonne the towne Ios lib. Ant. 13. ca. 6. From Ioppa they went to Asdod 12 miles and in the way they put the enemy to flight From Asdod they went to Ascalon which was 12 miles 1 Mac. cap. 10. From Ascalon they returned to Ierusalem which was 30 miles 1 Mac. 10. From thence he went to Bethsura halfe a mile this towne he won and placed a garrison in it 1 Mac. 11. Also in the absence of his brother Ionathan Simon went with his army to Ascalon which was 30 miles from Ierusalem 1 Mac. cap. 12. From thence he went to Ioppa which was twenty miles This towne the second time hee tooke and placed a Garrison therein ◠Mac. 12. From Ioppa hee returned againe to Ierusalem which was twenty miles Ios antiq lib. 13. cap. 8. From Ierusalem in the last yeare of his brother Ionathans gouernment he went to the plain of Sephala about 14 miles where he built the Hold of Abida 1 Mac. 12. From thence he returned to Ierusalem 14 miles There after the captiuitie of his brother Ionathan whom Tryphon by cunning had betrayed as is before said hee was chosen by the people of the Iewes into the principalitie From thence hee went to Addus to meet Tryphon 16 miles where he would haue ransomed his brother Ionathan 1 Machab. cap. 13. From Addus he went to a city of the Idumaeans called Ador or Adaram 48 miles From Ador he returned into Iudaea with his army 40 miles that he might oppose the inuasion of Tryphon and his souldiers lest they should haue destroyed the country and got Ierusalem in his absence Tryphon hauing put to death his brother Ionathan which was in the yeare before Christ 140 Simon entered vpon the office of high priest the same yere and continued in the gouernment eight yeares In the first yeare of his gouernment he went from Ierusalem to Modin 14 miles Here he buried the body of his brother Ionathan in his fathers sepulchre very honorably and richly beautified it From Modin he returned to Ierusalem 14 miles where he executed his priestly function diligently repaired the holds and decaied towns of Iudea compassing them about with stone wals and fortifying them with towers and bulwarks From thence he went to Gaza 44 miles from Ierusalem South-westward This town he tooke From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was foure and forty miles There he repaired the tower of Acropolis wherin he dwelt From Ierusalem he went to Ioppa and won the towne which was 20 miles From Ioppa he returned to Ierusalem which was twenty miles where for a time hee liued very honourably and kept a princely port 1 Mac. 14. Lastly he went with his two sons Iudas and Mattathias and his wife to visit his father in law Ptolomeus the son of Abodus to the castle of Doch which was neere to Iericho some ten miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast Here he was slain by his father in law at a banquet in the yeare before Christ 132 in the 11 moneth which answereth to our February 1 Mac. 16. So all his trauels were 799 miles ¶ The description of the places mentioned in his Trauels Of Arabath ARrabath or Araba was a city neere to the lake or riuer Merom not farre from Dothan 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the North. It seemes to take the name from Locusts wherof there are many kinds 1 Mac. 5. for there are Locusts that liue vpon herbs and flours others that fly in great swarms in the aire and some also that liue in the waters not much vnlike Crabs or Crayfishes their tailes only excepted Plin. lib. 9. cap. 12. reckons vp another kinde of Locusts whereof Iohn Baptist did feed and it was lawfull for the Iewes to eat of them hee describes them to haue foure feet and wings so that they can either fly or leap vpon the earth They can be resembled to nothing more fitly than to grashoppers These the Hebrewes call Rabae Levit. 11. Mat. 3. because of the aboundance of them being deriued of the verbe Rabah He hath multiplied or increased because these kinds of Locusts come in mighty great swarmes and multitudes into the East part of the world Of these kindes of Locusts Arabath took the name but they are not known to vs neuerthelesse such there are and as it appeareth in Levit. cap. 11. were permitted to be eaten among the Iewes From whence may be concluded that Iohn Baptist liued vpon these kinde of Locusts and not vpon Crabs or Cray-fishes or any such kinde of Locusts Mat. 3. Of Sephela SEphela is a plain compassed about with mountaines neere the riuer Sorecke It lieth 14 miles from Ierusalem Westward Here Simon built the castle Adida and fortified it very strongly Afterward there was a city built neere to this tower called Eleutheropolis It was a free city in the tribe of Iudah halfe way between Ierusalem and Ascalon of which Ierome speaketh li. de Locis Hebr. Of Doch THis was a strong tower the ruins wherof may be seen to this day It was scituated neere Iericho in the field of Hiericuntis ten miles from Ierusalem Northeastward where Ptolomeus the son of Abodus perfidiously put to death his son in law Simon high Priest of the Iewes From this tower you might haue seen all the country of the Giliadites the two tribes of Gad and Reuben and the halfe tribe of Manasses with the mountains of the Moabites Nebo Pisga and Abarim vid. 1 Mac. ca. vlt. The Trauels of Iohn Hyrcanus IOhn Hyrcanus was made Captaine ouer all the men of War by his father Simon and went from Ierusalem to Gaza 44 miles where he dwelt 1 Mac. 13. From thence he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles in the 5 yeare of his fathers gouernment to let him vnderstand how Cendebius had inuaded the holy land 1 Mac. 16. From Ierusalem he and his brother Iudas went with their army to Modin 14 miles where they stayed all night The next morning before day they gaue battell to Cendebius not far from Modin ouercame him and put him to flight So he pursued the chase till he came to the fortresse of Cedron which stood in the field of Azotus euen 8 miles From the field of Azotus he and his brother Iudas returned to Ierusalem being 22 miles 1 Mac. 16. From Ierusalem he returned to Gaza which is 44 miles Now when Sorius Ptolomeus the son of Abodus who a little before had treacherously slaine his sonne in law Simon at a banquet heard of Iohns comming into the towne he sent forth certain traitors and homicides to put him to death also but Hyrcanus hauing certain intelligence of the matter preuented the mischief and put these traitors to the sword 1 Mac.
So all his trauels were 320 miles Of Amanus AManus was a mountain between Syria and Cilicia which extendeth it selfe to the riuer Euphrates Between this Amanus and Euphrates Arabia deserta is scituated 400 miles from Ierusalem Northward and signifies The mountain of truth from Aman True and faithfull The Trauels of Demetrius Nicanor the sonne of Demetrius Soter IN the 165 yeare of the gouernment of the Grecians in Syria which was 141 yeares before Christ Demetrius syrnamed Nicanor which signifies Victorre sailed out of Creet into Cilicia which was 600 miles Ios Ant. 13. c. 6. 1 Mac. 10. Out of Cilicia he came into Syria the lower 160 miles where ioyning with Apolonius he tooke vpon him the crowne and Kingdom of Syria Afterward Apolonius went into Iudaea with a great army and besieged Iamnia Ptolomeus Philometor also assisted the proceedings of Demetrius seeing Alexander his son in law beginning to decline and the better to strengthen their allyance matched him to Cleopatra his daughter which before had bin wife to Alexander by which policie he added to the kingdom of Egypt all Asia ouer which he ruled 2 yeares 1 Mac. 11. After Demetrius Nicanor came out of Siria the lower with Ptolomeus Philometor to Antiochia which was 80 miles 1 Mac. 11. From Antiochia they went with their army to a plain neer the mountain Amanus 120 miles where in a sharpe war they ouercame Alexander and put him out of his kingdom Ios Ant. li. 3. c. 7. Now after the death of Ptolomeus Philometor Demetrius Nicanor Nicanor returned to Antiochia 120 miles where he gouerned the kingdome of Syria two yeares From Antiochia he went to Ptolomais which was 200 miles to which place Ionathan the high priest came to meet him where he gaue to him many presents and great gifts to win his fauour 1 Mac. 11. From Ptolomais he returned to Antiochia 200 miles There his soldiers and the city of Antiochia rebelled against him For which cause Ionathan the high-priest sent him 3000 men which deliuered the King out of danger put to the sword 100000 of the seditious and burnt the city of Antiochia 1 Mac. 11. But after Demetrius shewed himselfe vnthankfull hee was driuen out of his kingdome by Tryphon and yong Antiochus the sonne of King Alexander who was also called Theos which signifies God In the 172 yeare of the reigne of the Grecians in Syria which was 138 before Christ Nicanor hauing slaine Antiochus the son of Alexander he would haue reigned alone in Syria wherefore Demetrius who was the lawfull King of Syria being 3 yeares before driuen thence went 1200 miles into Media to craue aid against Tryphon but Arsaces king of the Medes Parthians and Persians sent the chiefe captain of his host against Demetrius who burned his tents tooke him prisoner and caried him back to his master to Hecatompylon the chiefe city of his kingdome distant from Syria 1220 miles toward the East Iustin lib. 36. 38. From Hecatompylon Arsaces sent him to Hyrcania the Metropolitan city of that countrey which was 176 miles where although Arsaces kept him as a prisoner yet he allowed him royall attendance and after maried him to his daughter Iust lib. 38. After the death of Arsaces with singular industry and policie he got out of captiuitie after he had beene 12 yeares prisoner in Hyrcania and came into Syria which was 14 miles where he recouered his kingdome and reigned foure yeares So all his Trauels were 4156 miles ¶ Of the Places to which he trauelled Of Creta now called Candia THis is an Island of the Mediterranian sea distant from Ierusalem 600 miles Westward very fruitfull and pleasant in which there growes great plenty of Cypresse trees and grapes of diuers kindes but principally such whereof Malmsey and Sacke are made Here Tytus Pauls Disciple was Bishop wherefore you shall reade more of it after Of Seleucia SEleucia is a famous city of Syria scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranian sea 280 miles from Ierusalem Northward neere to which the riuer Orantes runneth and the mountaine Casius standeth which is 4 miles high Plin. l. 5. c. 22. You may read more of this in the trauels of S. Paul Of Syria SYria was sometimes called of the Hebrewes Aram of Aram the sonne of Sem of whom all Armenia tooke the name Aram signifies A man of great spirit and dignity being deriued of Rom that is lifted vp for he was a man of an excellent spirit Gen. cap. 10. Syria signifieth a great tract of land and is diuided into two parts the vpper and the lower In the vpper Syria are these cities Antiochia Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea in the lower Syria are Sydon Tyrus Berytus Tripolis and Orthosia This Countrey is scituated in a very temperat Zone from whence it happeneth that it is neither oppressed with too much cold nor heate There are that diuide Syria into foure parts that is into Syria Assyria Leucosyria and Coelosyria Also Pliny Lib. 5. Cap. 12. attributeth Mesopotamia and Babylonia to Syria But it is euident that these were distinct Countries from them in the which there reigned Emperours and Kings which had large and spatious Dominions For Syria is scituated betweene the Mediterranian sea and Euphrates but Mesopotamia which is so called because it is scituated in the middle of waters is separated from Syria and Assyria with the riuers Euphrates Tygris and Arabia is separated from Syria and Babylon with many vast wildernesses Therefore these countries cannot properly passe vnder the denomination of Syria Of Parthia PArthia is a spatious country full of mountains and desarts lying vpon the borders of Media Westward the Metropolis whereof is Hecatompylon taking the name of 100 gates wherewith it is fortified It lieth as Stephanus saith 1512 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Here Arsaces that mighty King of the Parthians kept his court who had vnder his gouernment Media Parthia Persia Hircania and the greatest part of all the countries toward the East It is called Parthia because of the fruitfulnesse of the soile being deriued of Parah To fructifie Of Hyrcania HYrcania is a fruitfull and pleasant countrey bordering vpon Media and the Caspian sea for the most part plain champian beautified with many faire Cities the chiefe of which are Hyrcania the Metropolis of the whole kingdome Talebrota Samariana Carta and Tape It was so fat and fruitfull that the inhabitants vse not to till and dresse the ground as they doe in other places but the seed that falleth from the huske vpon the earth springeth vp and bringeth forth great plenty and increase without further labour The Dewes also falling vpon the trees there droppeth from them oile and honey in great plenty It taketh the name as it is thought from a Wood called Hyrcania In like manner the Caspian sea which bordereth vpon it of this country is called Hyrcanum Many cruel beasts are found therein as the Panther the Tyger and the Leopard The Panther is of a whitish colour inclining something
he returned to Ierusalem 280 miles where he began to build the tower of Acropolis in mount Acra and that he might please that wicked King and keep his fauour hee built certain Theatres in Ierusalem and caused Interludes and Playes to be acted in them at such times and vpon such daies as the people were wont to meet in the Temple to serue God Also K. Antiochus Epiphanes in the 4 yeare of his priesthood comming to Ierusalem he gaue him royall entertainment The same yeare Iason was put out of his office of high-priest by the policy and cunning of his brother Menelaus and was constrained to fly into the land of the Ammonites beyond Iordan being 40 miles Two yeares after when Antiochus Epiphanes inuaded Aegypt there was a vaine rumor that he was slain wherefore Iason with a thousand souldiers returned to Ierusalem which was 40 miles and broke suddenly into the city so that Menelaus was constrained for safety of his life to fly to the garrison of the Syrians that were in Ierusalem But Antiochus hearing what had hapned came out of Aegypt with a great army to Ierusalem wherefore he fled thence backe again to the Ammonites 40 miles but they fearing that Antiochus would come thither with his army he was accused before Areta King of Arabia and constrained to fly from one city to another for safety Wherefore when he perceiued that he could not liue there secure he went thence into Egypt 280 miles From thence he went to the Lacedemonians 600 miles where he died in exile being cast out vnlamented or buried So all his trauels were 1560 miles Of Lacedemonia the metropolitan city of Peloponesus LAcedemonia or Sparta was a famous city of Peloponnesus distant from Ierusalem 600 miles toward the West which although it had no wals yet was it one of the fairest and most populous cities in all Grecia and was called Sparta of Spartus who was sometime King thereof and rebuilt it adorning it with faire goodly buildings At first it was built by one Lacedaemon who was king thereof and of him called Lacedemonia and after Menelaus that mighty King of the Grecians who had to wife Helena the fairest woman of all Grecia kept his court there Here also Lycurgus that famous Philosopher reigned as King and prescribed to the citisens and inhabitants excellent lawes by the obseruance whereof they became famous in after-ages and performed many noble wars and exploits against their enemies Ionathan and Simon held a friendly league with the Lacedemonians The Trauels of the high-Priest Menelaus THis Menelaus called also Onias was as Iosephus saith the third son of Simon the Iust and brother to Iason although 2 Mac. 3 4. he is said to be the brother of one Simon of the tribe of Benjamin who was chiefe of those that kept the Temple of whom you may reade before This man in the fourth yere of Antiochus Epiphanes was sent by Iason his brother to Antiochia being 280 miles vpon certain busines but principally to cary the king mony Where he made a secret Contract with him to pay him 30 talents * That is 180000 Crownes beside all that his brother Iason had payd him if hee would institute him to be high-Priest The King in hope of profit gaue eare to his motion and vnder pretence of injury wrong offered by Iason constrained him to leaue his office and flie from Ierusalem into the land of the Ammonites for his safety and so instituted Menelaus to be chiefe Priest of the Iewes who entred vpon his gouernment in the yeare before Christ 169. Wherefore Menelaus returned from Antiochia to Ierusalem 280 miles where he began to gouern not as chiefe Priest but as a cruell and wicked tyrant 2 Mac. 4. But when in the beginning of his gouernment hee could not pay that great summe of money which he had promised the king sent for him to Antiochia being 280 miles where for that time he was remoued from his office and his brother Lysimacus ordained chiefe Priest in his roome Wherefore Menelaus being sore troubled vexed and grieued in mind for that which had hapned in the first yeare of his priesthood returned backe from Antiochia to Ierusalem beeing 280 miles But a little after when Antiochus Epiphanes brought an Armie into Cilicia to suppresse the rebellion of the Tharsians and Mallotans Menelaus taking aduantage of the Kings absence went to Andronichus who was chief Agent for the King in Syria to Antiochia 280 miles and there gaue him certain golden vessels and jewels that he had stolne out of the temple to hire him to be his friend and help him to his office of high-priesthood againe But Onias the elder hearing of this sacriledge greatly reprehended Menelaus for this shamefull fact but he taking it in ill part combined with Andronichus who by faire speeches alluring him out of the sanctuary in the wood Daphne put him to death after hee had bin 5 years in exile But King Antiochus returning from Antiochia accused Andronichus of treason and by the means of a certain Courtier receiued Menelaus into fauor From Antiochia Menelaus returned to Ierusalem 280 miles where by the help of his brother Lysimachus he stole a great masse of mony out of the Temple Which sacriledge being known to the people they fell to vprore and killed Lysimachus close by the Treasurie They accused Menelaus also before Antiochus 2 Mac. cap. 4. Antiochus in the second yeare of his priesthood went to Tyrus which is 100 miles where he so corrupted certain courtiers with mony that he procured the fauor of Antiochus and caused his Accusers good and iust men to be banished thence as slanderers and such as went about to defame Menelaus From Tyrus he returned backe again to Ierusalem 100 miles where he fell into his old crueltie and in the third yere of his gouernment receiued Antiochus Epiphanes with his army into the city of Ierusalem who cruelly murthered the citisens and spoyled the Temple 2 Mac. 5. After the death of Antiochus who as it is said perished of a grieuous disease and was buried at Babylon his sonne Antiochus Eupator came with a great Army into Iudaea in hostile manner Wherefore Menelaus in the last yeare of his Priesthood went out to meet him But Lysias accused him vnto the King as one that was the onely author of all the euills that had hapned to the Iewes Wherefore Antiochus willed Lysias to take him prisoner who brought him to Berea a towne in Syria distant from Ierusalem 360 miles Northward where vpon the top of a Tower fifty cublts high he was tied to a wheel and had all his joints broken and through the extremity of the pain died 2 Mac. 3. So all his trauels were 2240 miles The Trauels of Alcimus High-Priest of the posteritie of Aaron THis Alcimus after the death of Menelaus which was the yere before Christ 150 went with certaine impious and wicked men to Demetrius Soter who liued in Antiochia in
accomplished they returned home againe But the childe Iesus staied at Ierusalem and his parents knew it not for they thought he had beene among the company Wherefore when they had trauelled a dayes journey that is twentie miles they missed their sonne After they searcht through the companie but could not finde him wherefore they returned backe to Ierusalem being 20 miles where on the third day after they found him in the Temple sitting among the Doctors and disputing with them So the next three daies he returned back again with his parents to Nazereth which was 64 miles and was obedient to them Luke 2. After Iosoph and Mary went euery yeare during the life of Ioseph vp to Ierusalem to the Passeouer and without all doubt took Iesus along with them Thus they continued for the space of three yeares about which time Ioseph died Christ beeing then 16 yeares of age which three yeares trauell of Nazareth to Ierusalem and backe againe commeth to 384 miles From that time forward he continued with his mother till he was 31 yeares of age which was the first yeare of his ministerie Marie his mother being then 45 yeares old was inuited to a marriage in Cana a city of Galile which stood eight miles from Gaâ—ile towards the North-west Iohn 2. Here our Sauiour Christ wrought his first miracle by changing water into Wine From Cana in Galile she went with our Sauiour to Capernaum a city of Galile a little before the feast of the Paschal Lamb which was 20 miles From Capernaum she returned back to Nazareth which was accounted 12 miles In the 32 yeare of the age of our Sauiour Christ which was â—he second of his ministerie Mary went from Nazareth backe againe to Capernaum where our Sauiour Christ cast forth a diuell Matt. 12. Matke 3. which was 12 miles From thence shee returned backe againe to Nazareth which was 12 miles for in this Towne shee dwelt whiles Iesus trauelled from place to place teaching and preaching the word of God Marke 6. And although shee oftentimes went from Nazareth with him to many places continuing still in his company yet then specially when he was to sustaine the wrath of God and punishment for the sinne of man which was in the 34 yeare of his age In which yeare shee would not forsake him till his death for shee went from Galile to Ierusalem with him which was 64 miles a great journey for one of her age being then 48 yeares old And when our Sauiour was crucified shee stood close by the crosse with a heauie and pensiue countenance bewailing the death of her sonne Then was the prophecie of old Simeon accomplished And a sword shall passe through thy soule But after by his glorious resurrection and ascension shee was reuiued and comforted From the passion of Christ to the death of the blessed virgin Marie was 12 yeares All which time shee liued with Iohn the Euangelist in Ierusalem and then being 59 yeares of age dyed and was buried according to the opinion of Nicephorus and others in the garden called Gethsamene So all her Trauels were 3506 miles Now followes the description of the townes and places to which she trauelled Of Nazareth THis was a towne almost of no estimation scituated in a certaine mountaine in Galile the lower sixtie and foure miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North in the tribe of Zebulon In this Towne our Sauiour Iesus Christ was brought vp Luke 1.2 Some say that it was nineteene or twenty miles from Ierusalem but they mistake themselues yet I will not dispute thereof but follow my authors Iacobus Ziglerus and Tilmanus Stella There is not any mention made of it that is exstant in the old Testament It hath a two fold deriuation the one by Zain and the other by Zade If it bee written by Zaien it may haue a twofold signification since the exposition of this name doth depend vpon the Verbe Nazar which signifies to consecrate and keepe from hence Nezaer a garland of floure or a crowne set with pretious stones c. such as Kings and high Priests are accustomed to weare Also from the same word Nazar is deriued Nazir thence Nazaraeus which is as much to say he is separated from the vse of wine and suffering his haire to bee vncut as being dedicated to the Lord. Therefore our Sauiour Christ is justly called a Nazarite Luke 2. For Naezer first signifies a holy man who hath made a holy vow vnto the Lord Secondly it doth denote a crowne or wreathe of synceritie Exod. 29.39 Thirdly a holy ointment wherewith Kings and Priests were annointed Leuit. 27. and fourthly this word Nezaer signifies a Princely crowne 2 Sam. 1. 2 Kings 11. Psal 89.132 So that Nazareth being deriued of Nazar and Nazir may signifie both a crowne and a holy citie Iudg. 13. but if Nazareth be written by Zade it signifies a flourishing plant or graffe according to that of Isay cap. 11. But there shall come a rod forth of the stocke of Ishai and a graffe shall grow out of his root and the spirit of the Lord shall rest vpon him The inhabitants of this Towne at this day shew certaine monuments and reliques of what had happened in preceding ages as two Churches one built there where the Angell Gabriel saluted the blessed Virgin and shee conceiued by the spirit In which there stands three altars hewen out of a rock and the other built as they say where the house of Ioseph and Marie stood because there our Sauiour Christ was brought vp Also they shew a well where the childe Iesus drew water and ministred to his mother They also shew the vast ruines of the sinagogue where our Sauiour Christ expounded the 61 chapter of Isay for which cause they would haue throwne him headlong downe the hill Luke 4. And many other things of which you may reade in Borchardus the Monke In Saint Ieroms time some 40 yeares before Christ Nazareth was a small towne called Nazarah Of the mountaines by which Mary passed when she went to visit her cosen Elizabeth BEtweene Narareth and Ierusalem there standeth many high hils as Mount Gilboa whereon King Saul killed himselfe Mount Grisim and Hebal vpon which hills the blessings and cursings were pronounced Deut. 27. and mount Ephraim vpon which Ehud kild Eglon king of the Moabites Iudg. 13. Ouer this mountaine being very great and steepe Mary trauelled when she went to visit her cosen Elizabeth Of Bethlehem THere were two cities called by this name the one Bethlem Iuda the other Bethlem Euphrata where our sauior Christ was borne and signifies fruitfull or the house of Bread It stood vpon a hil some 6 miles from Ierusalem towards the South The inhabitants take vpon them to shew the place where our sauiour Christ was borne which stood vpon the East side of the Citie close by the wall thereof where as Eusebius sayth Hellen the Mother of Constantine the Great caused to bee built a
glory Of Capernaum THis city was so called from the pleasant and comfortable scituation of it In the Hebrew text Mathew cals it Capharnacum i. The town of comfort being deriued of Nocham i. Consolation In this town our Sauior dwelt after he had left Nazareth and in it wrought many miracles as the healing of the sick casting out of diuels and such like whereof you may read Mat. 8. Mark 1. Luke 5.7 Iohn 4. It stood in the land of Genesareth vpon the West and North side of Iordan in an angle of land ioyning to the sea of Galile 56 miles from Ierusalem Northward in the tribe of Issacher and as it is thought by some iust in the middest of the twelue tribes Mat. 9. calls it the city of our Sauior And that Christ was no stranger but an inhabitant of this city it is manifest Mat. 17. where Christ when he gaue tribute to the magistrats of this city asked Peter saying Of whom doe the Kings of the earth take tribute Peter said Of strangers Then quoth hee the children are free yet neuerthelesse c. From whence may be gathered that he was no stranger but an inhabitant in Capernaum It had vpon the Northside of it the three Tribes Nepthalim Aser and Zabulon vpon the South Benjamin Iuda Dan and Simeon vpon the West Issacher Ephraim and the halfe Tribe of Manasses and vpon the East Reuben Gad and the other halfe tribe of Manasses so that our Sauior Christ dwelt in the midst of the 12 tribes of Israel Furthermore it was a goodly market towne and had as well relation to Tyrus and Sidon two townes of the Gentiles within 44 miles of it as to Ierusalem from whence may be verified that saying of Esa ca. 8.9 The land of Zebulon and Nepthalim neere the way of the sea beyond Iordan and Galile of the Gentiles a people which sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death saw a great Light This town is therfore instly called the city of Comfort and Consolation since our Sauior Christ dwelt there who with his doctrine and preaching refreshed comforted all such as were afflicted with the burthen of their sins But the great men that were inhabitants of this City had more respect to their priuat profit than to the doctrine miracles that Christ wrought among them from whence it came to passe that they did as it were neglect and contemne that good which God had offered vnto them which made our Sauior say And thou Capernaum which seemest to be exalted vp vnto heauen shalt be cast down into hell for if the miracles had been done in Sodom and Gomorah which haue been done in thee they had continued vntill this day Verily verily I say vnto you It shall be easier for Sodom and Gomorah in the day of Iudgment than for thee Mat. 11. For there was no such benefit offered to any Citie neither such honours and dignities as were to Capernaum our Sauior himselfe dwelling there Wherefore for their ingratitude and impiety the city hath diuers times bin wasted and destroied as well by the Romanes as other nations so that at this day this glorious city is become so desolate that there is scarce 8 houses standing and they also like small sheds Of Sichar IN antient time this towne was called Sichem of which you may reade more both in the trauels of Iacob and Abimilech After it came to be called Sichar according to the opinion of Luther vpon Genesis because the inhabitants of that country were giuen to pleasure and voluptuousnesse the greatest part of their delight being in drinking and quaffing for Sichar being deriued of Schachar signifieth to bee drunke or inordinately to swallow sweet and pleasant wine of which there was great plenty in that towne made of the juice of Apples the fruit of Palme trees and honey which may very well resemble Hipocras or Metheglin as some Authors haue it And although by the incursion of the Romanes it was vtterly wasted and left desolate yet in succeeding times it was rebuilt and called Nicapolis that is a New towne It is scituated very pleasantly and aboundeth with all manner of delights but it is vnfortified neither can it by any meanes bee fortified neither haue the inhabitants any helpe if they be oppressed by the Enemy but to fly for it is scituated in the middle of a valley betweene two high mountaines so that a man may fling a stone from the top of one of them into the city About two bowes shoot without the South gate of this towne is to be seene the Fountaine or Well of Iacob vpon the brimme of which our Sauiour Christ sate when hee was wearie as wee may reade in the fourth of Iohn This Well standeth iust in the way as Pilgrimes trauell to Ierusalem Vpon the right hand aboue this Well there standeth a mountain of an exceeding height diuided into two tops the one of them being called Gerizim the other Heball In mount Gerizim the Patriarch Ioshuah built an Altar and the people standing vpon mount Heball he caused the whole booke of Deuteronomie to be read ouer with the Blessings and Cursings so that all the people might heare them for thus we reade in Ios 8. The one halfe of the people stood close by Mount Gerizim and the other by mount Heball c. Deuteronom Chap. 27. These two great mountaines began vpon the right side of the Citie Sichar and extended themselues in length to the Citie of Iericho Vpon the left side of this Wel is to be seen the ruins of a great towne which is thought to be the old Sichem and by the relicks that remaine there it may be iudged to haue been a very goodly Citie For there are yet to bee seene certaine broken Pillars of Marble as also large and spatious Buildings which in times past without question haue beene very goodly things and standeth wonderfull pleasantly the soile round about it beeing very pleasant and fruitfull onely there is want of water This Towne lieth some two Bowes shoot from Sichar and the inhabitants of that place judge this Sichar to be Thebez where Abimelech died Iudg. 9. Not farre from Iacobs Well is to be seene that piece of ground which Iacob gaue to Ioseph more than the rest of his brethren Gen. 48. It is a long valley very fruitfull and pleasant where there lies buried in a certaine faire garden the bones of Iacob and Ioseph which were brought out of Aegypt Iosh 24. the reliques of which sepulchre are yet to be seene Mount Garizim or Gerizim is so called from the cutting downe of Trees for Garaz signifies To cut downc Vpon this Mountaine is to be seene euen to this day the place where the Temple stood that was built by Sanballath dedicated to Iupiter Olympius in contempt of the Temple of Ierusalem The chiefe Priest of this Temple was one Manasses a fugitiue of the stocke of Leui. This Manasses was brother to Iaddus chiefe Priest of Ierusalem
Bethsaida Migdala Tiberias and Trichaea these stood vpon the West Vpon the East stood Iulia and Gadara Of the holy mountaine neere Capernaum in Galile ABout a mile from Capernaum toward the Southwest is to be seene an exceeding high hill standing vpon the shore of the sea of Galile beautified with many herbes and floures of diuers kindes being very fruitfull and pleasant extending it self in length almost two bowes shoot and in bredth one From this hil one might haue seen the whole sea of Galile the countries of Itura and Trachonitis euen to mount Libanus also the mountaines Sanir and Hermon and a great part of the vpper and lower Galilee Heere also the inhabitants of the holy land shew a certaine stone on which they say our Sauiour Christ did vsually sit when he preached to the people which stone the Christians cal the table here was that sermon made of the eight Beatitudes Mat. 5.6.7 Luke 6. Here were the twelue Apostles chosen Luke 6. Mar. 3. And our Sauiour Christ descending from this mountaine in the suburbs of the City of Capernaum healed a man that was infected with the leprosie About thirty paces from the foot of this hill there ariseth a fountain which is compassed about with a wal and is thought to be a vein of Nilus because they finde in it such kind of fishes the like whereof are not to be found in any other place but Nilus Iosephus calleth this Spring Capernaum and likewise all the plaine being very pleasant and fruitfull for the space of a mile euen vnto Iordan after the same name because it is subiect to the jurisdiction of that city About 20 paces from this wall on the shore of the sea of Galile there is shewn a place where they say Christ appeared to his seuen Disciples after his resurrection and asked them whether they had any meat And about ten paces from that is shewn a place where they say our Sauiours Disciples came to land and they drew vp in their nets a great draught of fishes c. Ioh. 21. Of Naim NAim signifies Fruitfull and pleasant it stood 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and typically representeth the condition of this world For the children of this world liue in all manner of pleasures and delights neuer thinking of any sorrow til death seiseth on them but then that ouerturns all and those delights become loathsome vnto them Notwithstanding this one comfort wee haue left vs Hope in Christ Iesus who as â—e raised the Widowes son at the gates of this city from death to life will by his mighty power raise vs againe at the last day from the bowels of the earth and make vs partakers with him of an heauenly habitation It stood in the land of Samaria and in the tribe of Issacher about two miles off it vpon the East side stood mount Tabor a little from it vpon the South side stood mount Hermon the lesser and extended it selfe thence vnto the sea of Galile 16 miles Of these two hils you may read Psal 89. And about 2 miles from Naim Westward Sunem is to be seene to which the Prophet Elisaeus sometimes resorted 2 Reg. 4. Of Gadara GAdarah or Gederah in Hebrew signifies munition and somtimes it is taken to compasse about of Gadar hee hath hedged or compassed about S. Ierom saith in his time that is 400 yeares after Christ this was a very faire city and stood in a very high mountaine vpon the East side of the sea of Galilee beyond Iordan in the halfe tribe of Manasses some 48 miles from Ierusalem Northward and is to be seene at this day Strabo lib. 6. Geogr. saith that close by Gadara there is a venomous lake wherof what beast soeuer drinketh he immediatly loseth his hornes his hoofs and his haire and there are many that thinke this Lake became thus venomous because of the 2000 swine that were drowned in it when our Sauior suffered the diuels to enter into them Mat. 8. Mark 5. Luke 8. Close by this town stood Gerasa called also Gergesa Mat. 8. so named as some thinke of Girgasus the son of Canaan Gen. 10. Of Genesareth THis was a Countrey bordering vpon the Northwest side of the sea of Galile from whence this sea was called the Lake of Genesareth Luke 5. This land was very pleasant and fruitfull as if it had bin a Princes Garden bringing forth faire Apples Pomegranates Palmes Olives Vines and diuers other kinds of pleasant Fruits faire and goodly to the eye and therefore not without cause was it called the Garden of a Prince beeing deriued of Gan which signifies a Garden and Sur a Prince It is distant from Ierusalem six and fiftie miles towards the North as you may reade Matth. 6. 14. The chiefe cities of this countrey were Capernaum and Bethsaida of which cities though in former times they were very faire and large there are at this day not scarce eight houses to be seene The Trauels of our Sauiour Christ in the third yeare of his Ministrie which was the three and thirtieth yeare of his age FRom Ierusalem our Sauiour Christ returned some six and fiftie miles into Galile and in the beginning of this yeare wintered in that place so that as it may be gathered out of the Euangelists hee continued there the most part of Ianuarie and February and now the Spring approaching a little after the death of Saint Iohn the Baptist who as it is thought was put to death betweene the midst of Winter and the Spring not long before the feast of the Passeouer so that hee liued two yeares and a halfe in his Ministrie hee wrought many notable miracles not farre from the citie of Bethsaida The same time the Feast of the Passeouer drawing neere which was the third Passeouer of his Ministrie he went thence ouer Iordan and so beyond the sea of Tiberias Matth. 14. Make 6. Luke 9. At this time the Apostles of Christ being dispersed through all Galile and Iudaea teaching the Gospell of the Kingdome of heauen hearing of the miserable death of Iohn the Baptist about the beginning of the Moneth of Aprill returned with all possible speed out of euery part to our Sauiour Christ that so they might be secure against the tyranny of Herod Matth. 14. Marke 6. Luke 9. Also the Disciples of Iohn came vnto him and told him of his death and buriall Matth. 14. Our Sauiour Christ therefore hauing by this meanes certaine intelligence as he was betweene Bethsaida and Tiberias of the death of S Iohn Baptist in the month of April he went into a ship and passed about foure miles to the further side of the sea of Galile where in a certain desart he fed fiue thousand men with fiue barley loaues and two fishes Ioh. 6. From thence he returned backe again to the sea and so to Capernaum which was foure miles here he made that long sermon of the spirituall eating of his flesh Mat. 14. Luke 9. Iohn 6. From
repeating these words Thou shalt tread vpon the Aspe and vpon the Basiliske c. Eusebius in his Ecclesiasticall Historie saith that there are yet standing in Tyre certaine Marble pillars and other precious stones of a wonderfull greatnesse that it amaseth such as behold them neere to which there haue beene many Christians and Pilgrims put to death by the Saracens There are also foure wels of wholesome and pleasant water standing not far from it of which wells you may reade before Of Zidon THis also was a city of Phoenicia scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranean sea thirtie six miles from Ierusalem toward the North and sixteene from Tyrus In times past it was assigned to the Tribe of Ashur and lay vpon the borders of the Philistines neere to Mount Libanus Being called Sidon or Zidon of Zidon the sonne of Canaan who first built it Gen. 10. and signifies a hunter It was a notable mart towne wherein much Satin was made which kinde of stuffe was very precious among the Iewes and it is said That Ioseph of Arimathia wrapped the body of our Sauior in white Satin for in Matthew 27. it is called Zadin which in English is Satin And as at this day the finest glasse is made at Venice so the finest glasse in those times was made at Sarepta a city that belonged to the Sidonians about which there stood many mines of which it is ' called Sarepta as you may reade before This towne in times past was one of the chiefe cities of Phoenicia but because of the extraordinarie pride of the citisens God afflicted them with diuers punishments brought in Ocho king of the Persians who besieged it and by treason woon it and burnt it to the ground as Diodorus Siculus lib. 16. saith The Citisens whereof were driuen to such streights by the enemy that there perished in the fire aboue fortie thousand men Within a while after Darius last Emperour of the Persians rebuilt it but made it nothing so beautifull neither fortified it in like manner as it was before hee ordained one Strato to be King thereof a man proud and arrogant After about three hundred and two yeares before the natiuitie of Christ Alexander being then but 24 yeres of age hauing ouercome Darius that mighty Emperour of the Persians at Issa a citie of Cilicia in a cruell and sharpe warre he sent Hephestion one of his Princes to the Sydonians with authoritie to depose Strato and to let the Citisens vnderstand that they should chuse him for their King whom they thought most worthy of that honour as Quint. Curt. sheweth lib. 4. At this time there was a certaine young man among the followers of Hephestion in whose behalfe he moued the Citisens that hee might be their King but they refused saying it was not their custome to chuse any to rule ouer them but such as were of the Kings stocke and progenie Hephestion hearing this answer greatly admired their resolution and modestie especially when they refused to accept him for their King whom others had sought to obtaine with fire and sword saying Truly there is more required to rule and gouerne a Kingdome than to get it but yet name one vnto me of royall discent whom you would willingly receiue to be your King So they named vnto him one Abdolomius who had beene knowne to haue beene of the Kings stocke by many discents but because of his pouertie he was constrained to dwell in the suburbs of the Citie in a cottage and had little else but a Garden to liue vpon This man howsoeuer poore and because of that of many contemned yet hee was knowne to be honest and of an vpright life following with all dilligence his vocation without any regard of other businesse insomuch as he was vtterly ignorant of all these stirre and combustions which had so lately vexed Asia As he was now in his garden digging and labouring purging it of weeds and planting herbes Hephestion with the rest of the Citizens went vnto him and brought him the robes and habiliments of a King The poore Gardner stood amazed to see such a company of gallants come vnto him but Hephestion told him That the occasion of their comming was to make an exchange with him of those royall ornaments which he had in his hands for those poore and foule garments which he wore therefore goe and wash thy selfe and returne So he did where immediately they put vpon him those royall robes and saluted him as their Soueraigne Afrer these things were finished quoth Hephestion Now remember in what a state thou art no more Gardener but a King and therefore take vnto thee the minde and resolution of a King that so thou mayest rule and gouerne this citie as a man worthy of that honour and remember that although the liues and goods of thy subjects are at thy command yet by them thou wast chosen neither be forgetfull of him that was the author of thine honour No sooner was he enthronised in his kingdom but fame who is more speedie than a thousand Posts had dispersed this newes through all the neighbouring cities some being thereby moued to admiration and quickned in their studies others stirred vp to indignation and enuie Those that were mighty and friends to Alexander contemned and despised his humilitie and pouertie and no sooner were they come into his presence but they began to accuse him for his ignorance wherefore Alexander commanded that he should come before him where after hee had welâ— viewed the lineaments and proportion of his person and could not perceiue it any whit repugnant to the fame of his birth hee demanded of him how it was possible that hee should endure his pouertie with patience To which he answered I pray the gods I may continue the gouernment of this kingdome with the like minde for these hands were sufficient for me to liue by and as I had nothing so I wanted nothing At which answer Alexander was so well pleased that he not only gaue him all the princely jewels and ornaments of the first king called Strato but also a great part of the booty which he tooke from the Emperor of Persia and added to his command all the neighboring countries round about This history I haue inserted that thereby we might perceiue the mighty power of God in all his works that can exalt the poore contented with his estate out of the very dust and can pull the mighty from their thrones So the Euill carke and care in this world to gather riches for the Vertuous to inherit But to return to Sidon This city did so much increase and grew so famous in succeeding ages that it was the chiefe town Tyrus onely excepted in all Phoenicia ioyning vpon the West to the Mediterranian sea extending it selfe towards the North and South lying in a plain vnder Antilibanus which mountain lay some two miles off it vpon the East It oftentimes because of the pride of the inhabitants felt the wrath and
vanisheth away and is without any corporiall substance In the same moneth of Aprill our Sauiour Christ appeared again to Peter Thomas Nathaniel the sons of Zebedeus and other two Disciples as they were fishing vpon the shore of Tiberias which stood 56 miles from Ierusalem Northward betweene Bethsaida and Capernaum Ioh. 21. The day of this apparition is not set downe From the sea of Tiberias neere to Capernaum and Bethsaida to mount Thabor scituated in Galile is reckoned 10 miles there about the end of April our Sauior Christ appeared to aboue 500 brethren at once where many worshipped him others doubted Mat. 28. 1 Cor. 15. In the month of May our Sauior Christ appeared to Iames the son of Alpheus for he had been seen before of Iames the sonne of Zebedeus both which were after crowned with martyrdom in the city Ierusalem the son of Zebedeus vpon the 25 day of Iuly ten yeares after the resurrection and the sonne of Alpheus vpon the feast day of the Passeouer was throwne from a Pinnacle of the Temple 29 yeares after the resurrection of our Sauior Vpon the 40 day after his resurrection hee returned fiftie sixe miles to Ierusalem where his disciples were assembled together and vpon the fourteenth day of May in the sight of all the Apostles with great triumph and ioy he ascended vp into heauen and sitteth at the right hand of his father in diuine majestie and glory Mar. Luk. vlt. Act. 1. Psal 28. Ephes 1. 1 Pet. 3. Heb. 1. So these Trauels of our Sauior Christ were 319 miles But if you reckon his trauels from the time of his infancie to the day of his ascention they make 3093 miles Besides his generall Visitations and journies hither and thither which were so many that as Iohn witnesseth cap. vlt. they could not be described ¶ Of the townes and places to which he trauelled Of Iericho THis city stood very pleasantly in the tribe of Benjamin ten miles from Ierusalem Northeastward Ioshuah ouercame this towne by sounding of trumpets Ios 6. Heb. 11. it was rebuilt by Hiel and was compassed about with a new wall by Herod that mighty King of the Iews who put the innocent children to death and called it after his mothers name Cyprus Ios de Bell. Iud. lib. 1. cap. 16. And although this city was taken and vtterly ouerthrown the second time by the Romans at such time as Vespasian and his son Titus wasted and destroied Ierusalem and all the land of Iudaea yet afterward it was re-edified and in Ieroms time which was 400 yeares after Christ it was a faire city There was shewn the house of Zacheus and the Sycomore tree that he went vpon to see Christ Luk. 19. But by reason of the often destructions and deuastations that hath fallen vpon it there is not to be seen at this day aboue eight houses in the towne and all the monuments and Reliques of the holy places are vtterly destroyed the house of Zacheus and the Sicomore tree are no more to be seen in that place only the place is to be seen where our Sauiour restored the blind man to sight when hee cried after him Lord thou Sonne of Dauid haue mercy vpon mee Luke Chap. 18. Also though this Countrey throughout be very fruitfull and pleasant yet is it nothing so fertile and pleasant as it was when the Children of Israel did dwell there For the Roses of Iericho are no more to bee found there but rather in a Village about sixteen miles from Iordan towards the East And although they stand so farre distant off yet they retain their antient name Between Ierusalem and Iericho there is a desart or wildernes which by the inhabitants of the holy land is called Quarentena where the man of which Christ speaketh fell among theeues Luk. 10. There is in the same place at this day great theeuing and many roberies committed as Brittenbacchus saith In this place also is to be seen the riuer Chereth where the Rauens fed Eliah 1 Reg. 17. Neere to Iericho also is found the riuer the water whereof Elizaeus made sweet by casting in salt whereas before it was bitter and it remaines very pleasant and sweet to this day 2 Reg. 2. Of Ephraim THis city is so called from the pleasantnesse and fruitfulnes of the soile being deriued from Parah To fructifie It lieth 8 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward iust in the way as you go from thence to Iericho in the wildernesse of Quarentena close by the riuer Chereth in the tribe of Benjamin Heere our Sauiour Christ after he had raised Lazarus from death to life hid himself with his disciples because the Iewes sought to take away his life by deceit The Passeouer following he was made a sacrifice for the sin of man Ioh. 11. Of Bethania THis city was a type of the Church which is alwaies subject to the Crosse and exposed to euery calamitie and therefore is called Bethania that is The house of sorrow and affliction being deriued of Baith an House and Oni Affliction According to the prophecie of our Sauiour who foretold of the afflictions and tribulations that should fall vpon his Church You shall mourn but you shall be comforted and your griefe shall be turned into ioy It was distant from Ierusalem almost two miles towards the South-East Borchardus the Monke obserueth That close by a Well about a stones cast out of this Towne there is shewed the place where Martha met our Sauiour Christ when he came to Bethania and a little after called her sister to meet him Iohn cap. 11. There is also shewne in this Towne the house of Simon the Leper where ◠certaine woman hauing an Alabaster boxe of pretious Ointment poured it on our Sauiors head not without the great indignation of his Disciples Matth. 26. There is also to be seene the house of Martha to which our Sauiour did oftentimes resort Luk. 10. Ioh. 11. 12. and in that place there is at this day a Church built in honour of those two sisters which were the sisters of Lazarus There is also seen the sepulchre out of which Lazarus was raised from death to life Ioh. 11. which stands close by the said Church and ouer it is built a chappell of Marble very decent and comely The Saracens hold this Chappell in great estimation You cannot see the citie of Ierusalem from Bethania because of the mount of Oliues but as soon as you ascend a little hill in the way as you got hence to Ierusalem you may discerne mount Sion and a part of the city then when you are discended from that hill the citie is againe hidden After that vpon the left side of the mount of Oliues some stones cast from Bethpage you doe leaue a small village standing vnder the mountaine of Offence where Solomon in times past committed Idolatry From this village the Asse and the Colt was brought vnto Christ Not farre from thence vpon the South side as you goe vpon the Mount
almost inuincible and for that cause called The mother of strength as the Church is called The mother of the righteous against which the gates of hell shall not be able to preuaile In the time of Iudas Macchabeus though it was then a small city it was numbred amongst the greatest cities of Iuda because of the scituation and strength of it To this place our Sauiour trauelled from Ierusalem the same day that hee arose from the dead Luke 24. In the time of the Romans warres in Iudaea this city was wonderfully defaced and ruined by the souldiers of Tiberius Maximus who was chiefe Captaine in this countrey in the absence of Titus Vespasian but yet not vtterly abolished for about a hundred and fiftie yeares after Heliogabolus Emperour of Rome caused it to be rebuilded and called by the name of Nicopolis that is the citie of Victorie Not farre from Emmaus there was an Inne or a place to which strangers might resort and there three waies met two went of either side the towne and one through it in this place the two Disciples constrained our blessed Sauiour to stay with them because it was then about Sunne-set Neere vnto this Inne Nicephorus and Zozemenus say in their Ecclesiasticall Historie there was a Spring or Well of that admirable vertue that if either man or beast that was infirme or sicke did drinke of the water thereof they were immediately restored to their former health The reason that these Authors haue for it because they are impertinent I willingly omit But to return ro the city of Emmaus as it is now called Nicopolis being scituated eight miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast in the way as you goe thence to Ioppa the countrey round about it being very fertile and pleasant by reason of the riuers and springs wherewith it is watered as Pliny saith l. 5. c. 14. and much altered from that which it was in times past but because you may reade more of this city in Pliny as it is at this day and in Nicephorus and Eusebius I leaue to speake further of it Of Simon of Cyrene THis Simon which carried the Crosse of our Sauiour Christ was born in Kir a city in Africa scituated 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the West Matth. 27. Luke 23. In which city Tiglath Phulasser Emperour of the Assirians planted many of the inhabitants of Damascus after he had conquered that city 2 Reg. 16. This citie and the country round about it by reason of these new inhabitants by little and little changed the name and wheras in former times it was called Kir in the time of our Sauiour it was commonly called Cyrene and this man of that countrey Simon of Cyrene At this day it is a strong and beautifull city scituated betweene Mareotides and Zeugitania at first built by Battus whom Callimachus the Poët claimeth to be his progenitor This Battus was a mighty king in Africa but was one that had a great impediment in his speech insomuch that many thinke this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to haue beene originally vsed by him and by none other Afterward as is said Tiglah Phulasser hauing obtained the jurisdiction of this citie planted the people of Damascus in it and they obtaining some power there continued till a long time after Christ and imbraced the religion of the Iewes built vp Synagogues and dispersed that law in many parts of those quarters There were some of this countrey that opposed that holy Marter Stephen and were consenting to his death There were many learned men in it as Eratosthenes the Mathematician Callimachus the Poët both which were had in great estimation among the Aegyptians Carneades also the Academian Cronus Apollonius and Hegesias the Philosopher of whom Cicero speaketh in the fifth book of his Tusculans and Eratosthenes the Historian who was sonne of Agaclis Salust saith that this citie in his time was so mightie that it maintained war against the Carthaginians for their bounds and limits of their fields and grounds a long time and Iustine lib. 39. That they maintained warre against two nations the Phoenes and the Aegyptians in which warres they gaue Aprius the King of the Aegyptians such a mighty ouerthrow that there were very few of his army that returned into his countrey with him as Horodot affirmeth lib. 4. there were also many great Princes that ruled in this city of which because you may reade in diuers other Authors more at large I omit to speake of them Of Ioseph of Arimathea who buried Christ THis Ioseph which caused our Sauior Christ to be buried in his garden was a rich man vpright just in all his actions a Senator of Ierusalem and one that expected the Kingdome of God borne at Arimathea a citie of the Iewes Luc. 23. This citie was sometime called Ramathaim Sophim and sometime Ramah because it was scituated in a high place and in times past was a fair citie standing 16 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest the description whereof you may reade before At this day it is called Ramalea being nothing so farre as it was but like a countrey towne the houses being carelessely dispersed here and there lying without walls or bulwarkes to defend it notwithstanding the ancient ruins of the former city is to be seen euen at this day There is also a great Inne or resting place for strangers hauing within it many roomes for the receit of passengers and a well of very sweet water This house was first purchased at the charge of Philip Duke of Burgondie and by him committed to the protection of the Monkes of Mount Sion by whom it is at this day made an hospitall wherein pilgrims trauellers and strangers are entertained and find much reliefe In an inward Orchard belonging to this hospital there is a faire plot of ground that bringeth forth great aboundance of Aloes of which there is often mention in the holy Scriptures but more especially in Psalme 48. Thy garments smell of Aloes and Cassia when thou commest out of thy Iuorie pallaces where they haue made thee glad Nichodemus a Prince of the Iewes together with Ioseph of Arimathea brought with them an hundred pound of Aloes mixed with Myrrhe to embalme the body of our Sauiour Christ when they had begged it of Pilat before they buried it Ioh. 19. Myrrh is a kind of gum that issueth out of a tree that growes in the East countries but principally in Arabia the tree out of which it issueth is commonly two yards and a halfe high with some pricks vpon it the barke whereof being cut there issueth out of it drops like teares which congealeth into a gum and is called Mirrh the principall vertue that it hath is to keepe the bodies of the Dead incorruptable see Pli. li. 12. ca. 15. 16. In Arabia Foelix there is such abundance of sweet Myrrhe Frankincense and other odoriferous gums that such as saile in the Red sea may easily smell the sauour of them There is also found
he bore to Homers Iliads Wherefore looke what Alexander had promised Lysimachus one of his chiefe Princes and King of Thrace after his death performed for he returned to Troy enlarged the city beautified it with goodly buildings set vp a stately Temple and then compast it about with strong wals After this sort it continued a long time vntill Fimbria a Questor of the Romans when he had slaine Valerius Flaccus the Consull with whom hee was sent against Mithridates King of Pontus besieged it and within ten dayes space woon it making his vaunts that hee conquered that citie in ten dayes which Agamemnon could scarce do in ten yeares to which one of the inhabitants of the citie answered That then Troy had a Hector but now it had none But for this hee cruelly wasted the citie This destruction hapned in the 84 yeare before Christ thus it lay desolate till Augustus Caesars time who caused it again to be re-edified and beautified with many faire and goodly buildings because the Romanes and especially those noble families of the Iulij and Caesars doe deriue their progenie from the Trojans for which cause Augustus vsed such diligence in the rebuilding of this citie and bestowed such infinit cost that he much exceeded Alexander and made it a faire and goodly citie At this day it is called Ilium But in the place of old Troy there is little to bee seene only a small towne as Strabo saith It is distant from Ierusalem 760 miles Northwestward Of Bythinia THis countrey is opposite to Constantinople scituated in Asia minor distant from Irusalem Northwestward and so called of Bythinus the sonne of Iupiter and Thrax It was sometime called Pontus Bebrycia and Mygdonia as Stephanus saith In this countrey the Apostle Paul could not preach the Gospel of Christ when he went into Macedonia and Graecia because hee was hindred by the Spirit Act. 16. The principall cities thereof were Calcidon Heraclea Nicea Nicomedia Apamea Flauiopolis Libissa where Hannibal lieth buried and Prusa now called Byrsa where in times past the Emperours of Turkie kept their Courts and were buried The mother and metropolis of all these cities was Nicea or rather Nicaea beeing distant from Ierusalem 720 miles towards the Northwest at the first called Antigonia of Antigonus the sonne of Philip King of Asia who built it after the death of Alexander the Great But Lysimachus called it Nicaea after his wifes name and at this day is called Nissa The compasse thereof is two miles being foure square scituated as Strabo saith lib. 12. in a faire and pleasant place lying close by the poole of Ascania and hath in it 4 gates standing in a direct line al which gates might easily haue beene seene from a certaine stone which stood in the middle of the Market place In this citie the most Christian Emperor Constantine the Great celebrated a Councell anno Dom. 325. at which time there were present 320 Bishops who condemned the Arrian herisie and instituted the Nicaen Creed But after that viz. anno Dom. 326 the Arrians endeauouring to hold a second Councell in this citie to confirme their opinions and to dissolue that which went before the Lord hindred them with an Earthquake by which almost half the citie was throwne down Not long after there hapned another earthquake which vtterly destroied it notwithstanding it was rebuilt again and in it a second Councell held wherein the Nicaen 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 riuer Varus a fourth as Stephanus saith is amongst the Lorrenses in Graecia a fift in Illeria a sixt in India a seuenth in Corsica and the eighth in Leuctris of Boetia Of Mysia THis is a country of Asia the lesse bordring vpon Helle spont and Troada being diuided into two parts that is the greater and the lesse That part that bordreth vpon Troada is distant from Ierusalem 800 miles Northwestward but that which is called Mysia the lesse and bordring vpon Lydia is 1028 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward In this countrey stood Pergamus to which Iohn wrote his Reuelation Scepsis where one Neleus kept the bookes of Aristotle til Apollonius time also Antandrus Adramitium Tranoiapolis and Apollinia which stood close by the riuer Thyndaeus The inhabitants were men of a base condition and contemned of the world insomuch as they became a prouerbe as often as a man would denote a thing of no estimation they would say Vltimum esse Mysiorum that is It is worse than the Mysians as it appeareth in Cicero's oration for Flaccus Yet notwithstanding Paul and Iohn the Euangelist preached the doctrine and light of the Gospell to this poore and despised people so that the Mysians which were a contemptible and abhominable nation before all the world were not so before God for they were conuerted at the preaching of Iohn and Paul From whence he saith Not many wise according to the flesh not many mightie not many noble but God hath chosen the foolish things of this world that they might confute and ouerthrow the wise c. 1. Cor. 1. In times past they were a great people though of smal estimation for they had vnder their iurisdiction Lydia Caria Pergamus Thyatira Sardis Philidelphia 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 woon and held Thracia Macedonia and all the land to the Adriatick sea c. Of Troas THis citie Troas where Paul raised Eutichus which signifies happie or fortunate from death to life Acts. 10. stood vpon the sea of Hellespont in Asia the lesse 720 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward Antigonus king of Asia called it Troas because it was in the countrey where Troy was But after the death of Alexander he called it after his owne name Antigonia And the better to honour it kept his court there But Lysimachus King of Thrace hauing got this city into his iurisdiction bestowed great cost vpon it and set vp many fair and goodly buildings then called it after Alexanders name Alexandria and so it began to be called Alexandria Troas Plin. lib. 5. Strabo l. 13. Ier de locis Hebraicis Now it was called Alexandria Troas to put a difference between it and diuers other cities of that name for there was an Alexandria in Aegypt another in India and many others elsewhere but only this in the countrey where Troy stood It was scituated in a high and spacious mountaine about a mile and a halfe from the shore of Propontus towards the East between which Troads is twentie and eight miles It is a thing worthy obseruation to consider by what diuers names the sea that lies between Europe and Asia the lesse is called for betweene Constantinople and Calcidonia close by the Euxine sea it is called Thracius Bosphorus in which place it is not aboue halfe a mile
of Italy not farre from Naples scituated on the sea shore 1388 miles from Ierusalem Westward taking that name from fountains or Wels of hot water being built by the Salamians as Eusebius saith about such time as the Tarquins were banished Rome 507 yeares before the natiuitie of Christ It was antiently called Dicaearchia because of their singular justice noble gouernment But when the Romans made war against Hannibal they fortified this town to withstand his forces and then called it Puteoli which name it retained a long time after At this day it is called Puzzoli At this city the Apostle Paul his companions ariued when they sailed into Rome Acts 27. Between Puteoli and Baia there lieth the lake of Lucrinus into which by the command of Augustus Caesar a Dolphin was thrown Now there was a young Youth called Simon the son of a poore man dwelling in Baia who vsually played among other youths vpon the banks of this lake and seeing the Dolphin it being a strange fish in those parts and verie amiable to looke vpon did take great delight in it and oft times fed it with bread and other things as he could get insomuch as the Dolphin when it heard the boyes voice vpon the banks of the riuer would resort to him receiue at his hand his accustomed food Thus it continued so long that the Dolphin would suffer the boy to handle him take him by the gils play with him yea and somtimes to get vpon his backe then swim with him a great way into the lake and bring him back again and suffer him to go safe vpon the shore After this manner hee continued for many yeares together and in the end the youth died Yet the Dolphin resorted to his vsuall place expecting his accustomed food from the hands of this boy but missing him he left the shore languisht away and died Concerning the nature of this fish you may read more at large in Pliny lib. 9. cap. 8. Of Colossa THis City is scituated in Phrygia a countrey in Asia minor neere the riuers of Lycus and Meander 520 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward not farre from Laodicea so called from the mighty statues and Colosso's that were set vp in it These cities Colossa Laodicea and Hierapolis where the Apostle Philip was put to death in the tenth yeare of Nero a little before Pauls martyrdome were sunke by an earthquake which without doubt was a great judgement of God vpon them because they refused the grace and comfort of the doctrine of the Gospel offered vnto them by the Apostles The Epistle of Paul dedicated to the Colossians was sent by the hand of Onesymus from Rome vnto these towns being 1080 miles For although the Rhodians were called Colossians because of that famous Colossus that stood there yet this city wherein Archippus and Philemon dwelt to whom Paul directed that Epistle stood in Phrygia a country of Asia minor and not in Rhodes Of Nicopolis NIcopolis is a city of Macedonia scituated close by the riuer Nessus not far from Philippus vpon the borders of Thrace 920 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward From hence the Apostle Paul wrot his Epistle to Titus and sent it to Creet 600 miles There are many other cities of this name one standing in Epyre built by Augustus another betweene Cilicia and Syria built by Alexander in glory of his victorie against Darius A fourth in Bythinia a fift in the holy land formerly called Emaus Of Rome THis city if wee rightly consider the deriuation of the name in Hebrew was not built without the singular prouidence of God being deriued of Rom i. Hee hath exalted or made high But the Grecians deriue it from Romen i. strength power Now although the prouidence of God extendeth to euery Creature may to the very haires of a mans head yet where hee determines to expresse his singular power there hee worketh beyond the expectation of man And who knowes not that the beginning of this City was meane raised from a confused company destitute both of ciuilitie communitie and lawes yet hath it bin and for the most part is the glory of the world and the great commander of the Princes of the earth It was so called at first by Romulus as Livy lib. 1. saith who first built it seuen hundred fifty and one yeares before the Natiuitie of Christ being scituated vpon seuen hils that is Capitolinus Aventinus Palatinus Caelius Exquilinus Viminalis and Quirinalis But after when the City was compassed about with walls the hill Ianiculus was inclosed within it The Vallies that lay between these hils were so raised vp with arches vaults and artificial mounts that in processe of time they became levell with the top of some of those hills It was beautified with faire and sumptuous buildings so that as it was the head of the world for command and power in like like manner it exceeded all the rest of the world for glory and riches but principally for stately buildings There were many goodly Temples dedicated to Iupiter Apollo Aesculapius Hercules Diana Iuno Minerva Lucia Concordia Fides Pietas Pax Victoria Isis besides many other dedicated to other gods But aboue all that was the most sumptuous that was called Pantheon deorum at this day called the Church of All hallowes Moreouer here was to be seen the princely Edifices of Kings Emperors Consuls Senators Patricians and other Romans who were mighty in wealth and substance built all of polished Marble beautified with gold and siluer beside palaces bulwarks theatres triumphant arches statues and such like al which were glorious and greatly adorned the city But aboue al these the house of Nero was most worthy of obseruation which to see to was built all of burnisht gold very curiously wrought Here also stood the monuments of the two Caesars Iulius and Augustus also their statues the one made of pure brasse the other of white marble Besides there were many fruitfull orchards water-courses wholsome baths brought thither by Antonius Nero Dioclesian and Constantine the Great Also the Emperor Constantine erected many goodly churches for the vse of the Christians indowed them with great means and amongst the rest that which was dedicated to Saint Iohn of Latteran a faire and goodly Church and for riches and curious workemanship might compare with the stateliest Temples that euer had beene in the world most of the ornaments and images beeing made of Gold and Siluer hee also erected the Vattican which was dedicated to Saint Peter and another holy house dedicated to Saint Paul in either of which he placed their seueral sepulchres and monuments bestowing extraordinary cost to beautifie them So many were the gifts and gratuites of this Emperour that they can scarce bee numbred so that although the Emperour Trajan and Boniface the fourth Pope of Rome bestowed great cost to beautifie and adorne the city yet were they nothing comparable to that which this Emperor did These things then beeing presented to your viewe
all his wealth and returned into their citie with great joy But Ionathan and Simon tooke this injurie very heauily and much bewailed the death of their brother wherefore that they might bee reuenged of the inhabitants of Medaba they went thence twenty eight miles and hid themselues among the mountaines just in the way that led ftom Medaba to Canaan for they had heard that the sonnes of Iambri and the inhabitants of Medaba were gone forth with great jollitie to fetch home a Bride which was a Princes daughter of the land of Canaan Now as they were merrie vpon the way Ionathan and Simon his brother with their army went out from among the Mountaines and put a great number of them to the sword taking away a mighty spoyle From Medaba they went to the riuer Iordan which was three miles where vpon the East side of the riuer they pitched their Tents here he was constrained to fight a cruell battell with Bacchides vpon the Sabboth day but as he was in the fight hee met Bacchides and lift vp his hand to strike at him but he seeing the danger retyred Neuerthelesse he put to the sword 1000 of his men and after he and his followers leapt into the riuer and swam ouer so they all escaped without danger In the 56 yeare of the Graecians gouernment in Syria which was the fifth yere of the principalitie of Ionathan Bacchides returned againe with his army into Iudaea and besieged Ionathan and Simon in Bethbesan otherwise called Bethgalam some three miles distant from Iordan Here Ionathan leauing his brother Simon in the citie stole out by a posterne and went to all the villages neere adjoyning from whence he gathered an army of chosen men and set vpon Bacchides Simon also broke out of the city and set vpon him so that they greatly oppressed him and burned his Tents 1 Macchab. 9. Wherefore when Bacchides vnderstood that Ionathan and Simon had fortified that citie and that the Iewes were readie to defend it hee concluded a peace with Ionathan the captiues of either part were redeliuered and the Iewes liued in peace a good while after 1 Macchab. 9. From Bethbesan Ionathan went to Michmas which was six miles here he dwelt for a while and judged the people of Israel cherishing the good and rooting out the euill from amongst them 1 Macch. 9. From Michmas he went to Ierusalem which was ten miles Hither Alexander King of Syria and sonne of Antiochus Epiphanes sent him a purple robe and a golden crowne and ordained him high Priest of the Iewes Wherefore Ionathan on the day of the feast of the Tabernacles which was in the yere before Christ 150 tooke vpon him the office to be high Priest 1 Macchab. 10. The next yeare after which was the tenth of Ionathans rule after the death of Demetrius king of Syria who was slaine in the warres against Alexander there appeared a Comet of an extraordinarie greatnesse which was of such an exceeding brightnesse that it tooke away the darknesse of the night and the writers of those times affirme it to equall the Sunne in greatnesse After this Prodigi the Romans began the third Punick warre against the Carthaginians vide Camerar lib. 2. de ostent Ionathan in the eleuenth yeare of his raigne went from Ierusalem to Ptolemais which was 76 miles to the marriage of Alexander King of Syria and Cleopatra the daughter of Ptolomeus Philometor King of Aegypt where he was entertained very honourably 1 Mac. 10. From thence hee returned to Ierusalem which was 76 miles 1 Mac. 10. From Ierusalem he went to Ioppa and woon the towne which was 20 miles From Ioppa he went to Asdod which was 12 miles there he burnt the Temple of Dagon and all that were in it From thence he went with his armie to Ascalon which was 12 miles this towne willingly yeelded vnto him From Ascalon he returned to Ierusalem which was 38 miles 1 Mac. 10. In the 15 yeare of his gouernment hee went to Ioppa which was 20 miles to meet Ptolomeus Philometer King of Aegypt and stayed there all that night 1 Mac. 11. The next day he went with the King of Aegypt to the riuer of Eleutherius which was 200 miles From thence he returned backe again to Ierusalem which was 200 miles Heere he besieged the tower of Acropolis because there were many wicked men got into it In the sixteenth yeare of his gouernement he went from Ierusalem to Ptolomais to Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria which was 76 miles From Ptolomais he returned backe to Ierusalem which was 76 miles From Ierusalem in the seuenteenth yeare of his gouernment he went beyond the riuer Euphrates which was accounted 400 miles and there gathered an army in ayd of Antiochus the younger the sonne of Alexander and went against Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was 400 miles From Ierusalem hee went with his army to Ascalon which was 30 miles From thence he came to Gaza which was 18 miles this towne he besieged and after a sharpe battell woon it From Gaza he went to Damascus in Syria which was about 200 miles From thence he returned to the lake of Genesereth which was 104 miles Here hee opposed the Army of Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria From thence before day he remoued his campe to Chazor which was 32 miles where when part of his armie was put to flight by a stratagem he tore his garments put dust vpon his head and praied earnestly vnto the Lord for ayd and assistance so hauing recouered his strength and former courage hee returned with those few that hee had left him to the war where he put the army of King Demetrius to flight and slew three thousand of his men with the sword His enemies being thus dispersed hee pursued them to their Tents neere Cades in Galile which was 6 miles From thence he returned to Ierusalem with a glorious victorie which was about some 92 miles Here he made a league with the Romans and Spartans 1 Mac. 11.12 From Ierusalem he went with his armie into the countrey of Hemath that is Syria to the riuer Eleutherius which was 200 miles here he put his enemies to flight after they had burnt and consumed their Tents From thence he went to Nabathia in Arabia which was 120 miles Here he conquered the Arabians and Zabadians and spoiled their land From thence he went through all that country and wasted it till he came within eighty miles of Damascus From thence he returned home to Ierusalem which was 160 miles In the 18 and last yeare of his raigne he caused the wals of Ierusalem to be built and began to fortifie many places in Iudea 1 Macch. 12. Also the same yeare which was the 160 yeare of the gouernment of the Graecians in Syria the second booke of Macchabees was written as appeareth cap. 1. After from Ierusalem hee went to Bethsan to meet Tryphon which was 44 miles here being deceiued by the faire