Son King he returned back again to Babylon 680 miles About three Months after he went the third time back to Ierusalem 680 miles for he feared Iechonias would rebell and revenge the death of his Father Ioachim 2 Kin. 24. In the eighth year of his Reign he took Iechonias Mardoche and 3000 other Iews of the Nobility and carried them captive to Babylon which was 680 miles 2 Kin. 2. Chr. 36. Est. 2. Nine years after he came the fourth time to Ierusalem being 680 miles and besieged the City because of the Impiety and Rebellion of Zedekiah King thereof During this Siege he took divers Towns but chiefly Lachis and Aseka Ier. 34. But when he understood that Pharaoh was coming with an Army out of Egypt to rescue Zedekiah he raised his Camp and went about eighty miles into the Countrey of Egypt which Pharaoh hearing was abashed and turned back again In the absence of this Emperour Ieremy the Prophet being then within the City having foretold the Destruction thereof would have fled thence for his better safety into the Tribe of Benjamin but by the way he was taken in the Gate of Benjamin and cast into Prison Ier. 7. Within a while after according to the Prophecy of Ieremy Nebuchadnezzar returned out of the Desart of Sur whither he went to meet the Aegyptians being eighty miles and utterly destroyed the City of Ierusalem carrying thence the Vessels and Ornaments of the Temple to Babylon 2 Kin. 25. 2 Chr. 36. From Ierusalem he went to Riblah in the Tribe of Naphtaly eighty miles where he put out Zedekia's eyes and kill'd his Children 2 Kin. 25. From Riblah he carried Zedekiah to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserably in Prison 2 Kin. 25. Afterward Nebuchadnezzar went with his Army from Babylon to Tyrus which he won and pittifully wasted with Fire and Sword according to the Prophecy of Ezekiel cap. 26. being 600 miles From Tyrus he went to Aegypt and passed 480 miles through that Kingdom conquering all the Countries and Provinces as he went along even the Ammonites the Moabites Philistines Idumaeans and Aegypt it self all which Countries he made Tributary to him Isa. 15 16 19. Ier. 46 47 48 49. Ez. 25. 29. From Aegypt he returned to Babel 960 miles From that time till his death he was Emperour of all those Kingdoms In the second year of his Empire Daniel expounded unto him his wonderful Dream under the similitude of an Image setting forth the condition of the four Monarchies of the World Dan. 2. Not long after he caused Sidrack Misack and Abednego to be cast in a Fiery Furnace because they refused to worship the golden Image which he had set up Dan. 3. Also this Nebuchadnezzar for his great Pride and Arrogancy was by God strucken mad and into a deep melancholy in which disease he continued for the space of seven years tied in Bonds and Chains running up and down like a Beast and seeding upon Grass and Roots until he came to understand that God the Governour of Heaven and Earth had the disposing of Kingdoms and Governments giving them to whom he list and again taking them away At the end of which time he was restored again to his understanding and Empire and after beautified the City of Babylon with many goodly Buildings fair Orchards and pleasant places as Iosep. lib. Ant. 10. â—aith And when he had reigned forty three years died and was buried by his Father in Babylon An. Mundi 3387. and before Christ 581. So all the Travels of Nebuchadonozor or Nebuchadnezzar were 7892 miles The Description of the Cities and Places that have not as yet been mentioned Of Carchemis THIS was a City in the Country of Syria near Euphrates 400 miles from Ierusalem North-ward and signifies A sacrificed Lamb being derived of Car which signifies a Ram or Lamb and Mosch He hath cut in pieces It may also be taken in the third Conjugation for a Lamb sacrificed to the Idol Chemosch or Chamos the God of Meetings or nightly Salutations Of Pelusio THIS City Peluso was built by Peleus the Father of Achilles from whence it took the name It stands in Egypt some 172 miles from Ierusalem South-westward near to the Gate of Nilus called Pelusiachus where it falleth into the Mediterranean Sea Not far from this City in the Mountain Casius upon the Borders of Arabia-Petraea where the Temple of Iupiter Casius stood is to be seen the Tomb of Pompey the Great beautified and adorned by Adrianus Caesar as Capitolinus saith At this day this City is called by the name of Damiata You may read of it Ezek. cap. 30. Of Tyrus or Zor TYrus signifieth Cheese or to congeal together as Cheese doth of milk something alluding to the Hebrew word Zor signifying to make strait or a Rock having a strait and sharp Edge It was the Metropolitan City of Phoenicia now the Haven or Passage of Sur but in ancient time it was called Sarra Aul. Gel. lib 14. cap. 6. It was scituated upon a very high Rock compassed about with the Mediterranean Sea 100 miles from Ierusalem Northward and a famous Mart Town for all the Holy Land By the description of Ezekiel it seems to have been like unto Venice both in Scituation and Dignity Ez. 27. Ierem. 28. Esay 27. 28. and many other Prophets prophesied against this Town saying Out of the Land of Kithim that is from Macedonia the Destroyer of Tyrus should come As after hapned for Alexander the Great King of Macedon besieged that Town and in the seventh Month after took it for the obtaining whereof he was constrained to fill up the Sea which compassed it about containing 700 Paces and made it firm Land for his Army to pass upon to the Walls of the City In this Country that famous Civilian Vlpian was born as he writeth lib. 1. ff de Censibus And upon the Borders of Tyrus and Sidon Christ cured the Daughter of a Canaanitish Woman of a Devil Mat. 15. Wherefore you shall read more of it in the second Tomb. Of Evil Merodach Emperour of the Babylonians and Assyrians AMilinus Evil-Merodach Son of Nebuchadonosor the Great succeeded his Father An. Mun. 3388. before Christ 580. In the first year of his Reign he set at liberty Iechonias King of Iuda and attributed to him the Title Dignity and Maintenance of a King Iechonias being then fifty five years of age and thirty seven after he had been in Captivity 2 King ult Ier. ult Whence it is concluded by most That this Emperour did also embrace the Doctrine of Daniel concerning the true God as did Nebuchadonosor his Father who had before by publick Edict professed it to the whole State and caused it to be published through his Dominions and therefore shewed favour and mercy toward King Iechonias And from thence it is thought that those which were impious Princes about him called him Amelinus that is the Circumcised being derived of Mol which signifies to circumcise and Evil simple
to lie which was 16 miles here he restored her Son to Life 2 Reg. 4. From thence he went to Gilgal which is distant from Sunem thirty six miles towards the South here he fed 100 men with twenty Barley loaves 2 Reg. 4. From Gilgal he went to Samaria which is accounted twenty miles to this place Naaman the Syrian came to him to be healed of his Leprosie 2 Reg. 5. From Samaria he went to Iordan which was eight miles Here he made a Hatchet of Iron that fell into the Water to swim 2 Reg. 6. From Iordan he went to Dothan where the Children of Iacob sold their Brother Ioseph to the Midianites which was eight miles here the Angels of the Lord compassed him and his Servant about lest they should have been taken by the Army of the Syrians and God struck the Syrians with Blindness 2 Reg. 6. From thence he led the Army of the Syrians being thus made blind to Samaria being twelve miles and delivered them to the King of Israel upon condition that he should give them Meat and Drink to refresh themselves and suffer them to depart in Peace which he did 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Sunem which was sixteen miles here he advised the Woman where he used to lye to travel thence to some other Place because of the Famine that should follow and continue for seven years 2 Reg. 8. From Sunem he went Damascus being 132 miles there he told Hazael that he should succeed his Master Benhadad in the Government of the Syrians 2 Reg. 8. From Damascus he returned to Samaria which was 132 miles where soon after he fell sick and died his body was buried near to Samaria where the Lord a long time after his Death shewed a wonderful Miracle for a dead man being thrown into his Sepulchre was restored again to life by touching of his Bones 2 Reg. 13. This man governed the Church of God amongst the Children of Israel sixty years after the death of Elias So all the Travels of Elisha were 730 miles Concerning the Towns and places mentioned in his Travels you may read before The Typical Signification of Elisha ELisha or Elischa signifieth the Salvation of God being derived of El that is God and Iaschag he hath saved from hence Jesus a Saviour because this Prophet was a notable Type of our Saviour Jesus Christ for as Elisha was anointed Priest by the Prophet Eliah so Christ was the anointed Priest of the Father and as Elisha did many works of Mercy and Miracles to make evident Gods Power and Providence so our Saviour Christ went from place to place shewing mercy to the blind lame and impotent upon them working wonderful Miracles that thereby his doctrine might be made evident to the World and all such as trust in him be made capable of eternal happiness The Travels of the Shunamite whose Son Elisha had raised from Death to Life FRom Sunem she went to Mount Carmel and besought Elisha to come and raise her Son from Death to Life which was sixteen miles 2 Reg. 4. From thence she and Elisha returned back again to Sunem which was sixteen miles and there he delivered her Son unto her alive 2 Reg. 4. From Sunem having buried her Husband she travelled into the Land of the Philistines because of the Famine that was to come suddenly after being fifty six miles 2 Reg. 8. From the Land of the Philistines she returned to Samaria which was forty miles 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria she returned to Sunem which was sixteen miles So all her Travels were 144 miles Of the Prophet Isaiah or Jesaia JEsaia or Ieschaia is all one in signification with Elisha that is a Saviour He was the Son of Amos which signifieth strength and by consequence Ozia King of Iudah was his Cousin-German as may appear by this Genealogy following Iosas ofIuda Amasiah King of Iuda Ozias King of Iuda Iotham King of Iuda Ahas King of Iuda Ezekias King of Iuda Manasses King of Iuda who caused Isaiah to be slain Amos Isaias Father Isaias had two Daughters Sear Iasub that is the rest remaining and was a sign of the rest of the Posterity of Iuda that should remain and dwell there Isa. 7. Mahez Schatal that is a sudden Destruction for this second Daughter of Isay did denote the immediate Desolation of the Kingdoms of Syria and Samaria From whence it plainly appeareth that the Prophet Esaias was of the stock of David and lineage of Christ for which cause in the fifth Chapter of his Prophecy he calleth him his beloved He began to teach publickly in the year of the World 3167 and before Christ 800. and governed the Church eighty years and more until the time of Manasses who caused him to be cut in pieces with a Saw In Anno Mundi 3190. before Christ 778. Isay saw the Lord sitting upon a high Throne in great Majesty the lower part whereof filled the Temple and the Seraphins compassed him round about Esa. 6. Cherubins are glorious and bright shining Angels of a fiery nature for Saraph signifieth He hath turned to Fire His Doctrine was twofold that is partly concerning the Law partly the Gospel as may appear by his Prophesie in the first forty Chapters whereof the Doctrine of the Law is set â—orth with sharp Reprehensions for Sin in the first four of which are grievous Accusations of Sinners for breach of the first Commandment the other for the most part prophecy of horrible Punishments Mutations and Change of Government but principally of the Iews Babylonians Assyrians Syrians and Aegyptians From the â—ortieth to the end of the Book is contained the Doctrine of the Gospel and of the Kingdom of our Saviour Jesus Christ which he hath set forth with such excellent Eloquence Figures and Amplifications that he may be compared with the best Orator that ever wrote The Travels of the Prophet Jeremias 〈◊〉 or â—eremiah signifieth The exalted of the Lord he was born in the Tribe of Benjamin in a City of the Priests called Anathoth and from thence came to Ierusalem being two miles and continued there for forty years teaching and prophecying From Ierusalem he was sent to Euphrates where in the cliff of a Rock he hid his Girdle Ier. 13. being 400 miles From the River Euphrates he returned back again to Ierusalem 400 miles A little after the Lord sent him back again to Euphrates 400 miles to fetch his Girdle and lâ—e it was putrefied From thence he returned back again the second time to Ierusalem 400 miles From Ierusalem he was led captive bound in Chains with other Prisoners to Ramath a City in Mount Ephraim being eight miles there Nabuzaradan the chief Captain caused him to be set at Liberty From Ramath he went to Mispah which is eight miles where he continued a while with Gediliah Prince of the Iews which man had the chief command of certain Cities of Iudaea under Nabuchadnezzar But in the seventh Year of the Captivity of the
Athniel won and therefore Caleb gave him his Daughter Achsa for his Wife Iudg. 1. From Debir they went to Zephat sixteen miles vvhich Tovvn they vvon Iudg. 1. From Zephat they went to Gaza four miles From Gaza they went to Ascalon six miles Iudg. 1. From Ascalon they went to Hebron fourteen miles From Hebron they went back again to Debir where Athniel dwelt twelve miles So all the Travels of Caleb and Athniel were 132 miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which they travelled Of Beseck BEseck was a Metropolitan City of the Canaanites near to the Water Merom where Adoni-Beseck kept his Court forty four miles from Ierusalem toward the North and took the name of Desaeck or Bezeck which signifies Lightning Of this King you may read Iudg. 1. Of Zephah THIS was a Town upon the Borders of the Tribes of Iudah and Simeon not far from Siclag Iosh. 15. It takes the name from Zaphah which signifies a Watch-Tower and was also called by the Sons of Iudah who destroyed all the Countrey Chorma which signifies a Curse or a desolate place To the Citizens hereof David sent gifts 1 Sam. 36. Of Gaza OF this Town you may read more hereafter in the Travels of the Ark of the Covenant The Typical Signification of Caleb CALEB signifieth An hearty man or a man after Gods own heart loving his Neighbour with all his heart For Col is as much as Omnius which signifies all and Cala He forgiveth all and Leb or Lebbah signifieth an Heart the seat and fountain of all Life So that Caleb seems to take his name from a singular hearty affection whereby he forgiveth his Neighbour For as this man being of a noble Resolution and Courage in the 29 year of his age won Hebron a strong City and put to death the three Sons of Anak terrible Gyants so Christ the Son of God that so loved the World that he gave himself for it with more than humane resolution conquered Hell and those three mighty Gyants incident unto it the Sons of Sathan Sin the World and Death Of Athniel IN the year of the World 1503 and before Christ 2565 Ioshuah died after whose Death Caleb and Athniel Judged Israel about which time the Israelites committed Idolatry and worshipped Baal and Asteroth wherefore the Lord suffered them to fall into the hands of Cushan Rishathaim King of Mesopotamia But because of their Oppression they cryed unto the Lord and he stirred up Othniel the younger Brother of Caleb who in the year of the World 2512 conquered Cushan delivered the People and governed Israel forty years Iudg. 3. Athniel or Othniel signifies the God of Time being derived of Aeth that is an Age and is a Type of Christ who is the God of Time and in his due time conquered the World and Sathan the Prince thereof thereby delivering the poor afflicted members of his Church out of his miserable Servitude and Bondage for which cause God hath made him Judge over it and given him full power and authority to Rule and Govern it Of Ehud the third Iudge of Israel EHVD was the Son of Gira of the Tribe of Iudah and dwelt in the City of Iericho or of the Palms He was a valiant and resolute man lame of his right Hand Iug. 3. and to the Judgment of man not fit to be a Captain being so infirm Yet it happened that this man growing in favour with Eglon King of the Moabites who at this time kept his Court in Iericho which Town he had but eighteen years before conquered took opportunity by the Children of Israel's coming to Gilgal for they came thither to offer unto the Idol and to bring gifts of the King to present these Presents unto him and because of his former familiarity was admitted to speak in private with him in his Summer Parlour where as he was talking with him he thrust him into the Belly with a short Knife and locking the door he fled back to Seirah and told the Children of Israel what he had done From thence they presently went to Ephraim there blew the Trumpet and set upon the Moabites and put them to the Sword Iudg. 3. The Travels of Ehud EHVD went from Iericho to Gilgal two miles From Gilgal he went to Iericho two miles From Iericho he went to Mount Ephraim six miles From Mount Ephraim he went to Iordan four miles where he overthrew ten thousand Moabites So all the Travels of Ehud were fourteen miles Of Mount Ephraim THIS Mountain is about eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South and extends it self in Longitude to the City near the Mediterranean Sea called Ioppa which is distant from Ierusalem twenty miles toward the North-west The Travels of the Sons of Hobab the Kenite THE Sons of Hobab the Kenite Moses Brother-in-law went from Iericho to Arad a City in the Tribe of Iudah scituated in the Desart toward the South 44 miles Num. 10. Iudg. 1. Of Arad ARAD is a City in the Tribe of Iudah 22 miles from Ierusalem towards the South taking the name of a multitude of Asses that were found thereabouts in the Desart and is derived from Arod which signifies a wild Ass a rude Creature The Travels of Jael the Wife of Heber the Kenite who killed Sisera the Captain FROM Arad she and her Husband went to the Plain of Zaaenaim and dwelt there near to a Town called Kades a Town of Refuge of the Levites in the Tribe of Naphtali 166 miles there she killed Sisera This Town lieth 92 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Of Deborah and Barak DEBORAH was the Wife of Lapidoth and dwelt under a Palm-tree between Bethel and Ramath in Mount Ephraim eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North the Inhabitants thereabouts shew this Tree even to this day Barak the Son of Abineam a Noble Captain lived in her time at Kades a City of Refuge belonging to the Levites She succeeded Ehud in An. Mun. 2632. and before Christ 1336 years The Travels of Deborah and Barak BARAK went first from Kades Naphtali to the Palm-tree where Deborah dwelt being 84 miles From thence he went with Deborah back again to Kades being eighty four miles From Kades with 10000 men they went to the Hill Thabor thirty six miles Here as Iosephus writeth lib. Antiq. 4. there fell such a shower of Rain and Hail upon the Enemies of the Israelites that through the extream violence thereof they were dispersed and Sisera their Captain constrained to leave his Chariot and to save himself by flight never staying till he came to the Tabernacle of Iael the Wife of Hebar the Kenite scituated in the Valley of Zaaenaim thirty six miles from the foot of the Mountain Thabor where being asleep by reason of his great Journey Iael struck a Nail into the temple of his Head so he died From thence Barak pursued the Enemies with great slaughter to Haraseth of the Gentiles a City in the upper Galilee near to the Lake of
see through all Galilee to Carmel and the Mountains of Phoenicia also to Mount Thabor and the Mountains beyond Iordan called Gilead Of this Town you may read Ios. 17 19. 2 Sam. 2. Of Nobach THis was a City beyond Iordan and stood in the half Tribe of Manasses thirty eight miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward In times past it was called Kenah but after Nobach Prince of the half Tribe of Manasseh had conquered it he called it Nobach Num. 23. and signifieth a Prophet being derived of Nabah or Nabach he hath prophesied or cryed out Of Jogbeha THis Town was built by the Children of Gad and lies beyond Iordan thirty four miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward and taketh the name from the height of the place where it standeth being derived from Gabah which signifieth it excelleth in height Of this you may read Iudg. 8. Numb 32. Of Karkor KArkor is a City in the half Tribe of Manasseh and is scituated beyond Iordan fome 40 miles distant from Ierusalem North-Eastward and taketh the name from Kir which signifies he hath destroyed or subverted the Walls for here the two Kings Zeba and Zalmuna were taken St. Ierom faith in his Book de locis Hebraicis That in his Time it was a fair Town The Typical signification of Gideon THis Gideon whose name signifies to root out destroyed and subverted the Enemies of the Iews so Christ hath destroyed the Kingdom of Sathan and daily rooted out all his impious and wicked members which are Enemies to his Church The Travels of Abimelech the sixth Iudge of Israel GIDEON being dead Abimelech his Son went from Ophra to Sichem which is ten miles and there was chosen by the Citizens to succeed his father in the Government From thence he went back to Ophra which is ten miles and there put to death his seventy Brethren all Sons of Gideon but by divers Concubines for God permitted Bigamie but did not command it From Ophra he went ten miles into the Land of Sichem and there was chosen King about the Year of the World 2712. From Sichem which was the Seat of the Kingdom he went to Ophra being ten miles there he judged Israel three Years After that he went the third time back to the Sichemites which is ten miles but they breaking promise with him for very madness he caused the City to be destroyed and Salt to be Sown in the place that so ever after it might become Barren accursed and unhabitable From Sichem he went with his Host to Thebets or Thebez which is two miles where he was mortally wounded by a woman that flung a stone upon him at the Siege of that Town whereof he died Iudg. 9. So all the Travels of Abimelech were 52 miles Of Thebez THis was distant from Sichem two miles Northward and from Ierusalem thirty eight miles it took the name from Bitzah which signifieth a deep Pond Abimelech took his name from an hereditary Kingdom or rather because he obtained the Kingdom over Israel after his Father and is as much as to say My father is a King because good Princes differ little from good Fathers for Maelaech with the Hebrews signifieth a King Malechah a Queen and Malchech a Kingdom So that this name Abimelech properly signifieth a King or one that is a Father of his People Of the flight of Jotham which was the Brother of Abimelech JOtham signifieth a perfect and swift man being derived from Iatham that is perfect and swift This Man at such time as Abimelech put to death the rest of his Brethren to save his Life fled to Mount Gerizim where he propounded the Riddle mentioned Iudg. 9. And after from thence he went to Beerah where he hid himself from the fury of Abimelech All this was forty four miles Of Mount Gerizim GErizim or Garizim was a Mountain in the Kingdom of the Samaritans and extended it self in the Longitude as far as Iericho near to Mount Hebal In these two Mountains the Blessings and the Cursings were recited of which more shall be said hereafter and it taketh the name from the felling down of Trees being derived from Garaz which signifieth to cut or to fell down here Christ spoke with the Samaritan Iohn 4. Of Beerah BEerah was a Town in the Tribe of Iudah ten miles from Ierusalem Westward Near to this City Iudas Macchabeus fought a memorable Battel against Bacchides and others whom he conquered It taketh the name from a clear Well being derived of Beer that is he hath made clear Of Thola the seventh Iudge of Israel THola takes his Name from a Red Worm or purple Colour which colour is proper to Princes He succeeded Abimelech in the Government of the Iews and began to rule An. Mun. 2715. and 1253 Years before Christ. His Father's name was Puah of the Tribe of Issachar He dwelt in Samir a City of Mount Ephraim not far from Iericho twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North and there he was buried as you may see Iosh. 15. Of Jair the eighth Iudge of Israel JAir succeeded Thola and began his Government in the Year of the World 2738 and 1230 Years before Christ. He took his Name from the singular Worth and noble Disposition that was in him This Iair was one of the Tribe of Manasseh he was lame of both his Feet and was a man of great Estimation among the Iews for there were thirty Castles and Towns that were called after his Name Iudg. 10. Num. 32. Deut. 3. Ios. 13. 1 Chr. 1. He dwelt at Kamon a Town in the Tribe of Gilead some forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East The Travels of Jephthah JEphtha was born at Mizpah in the Land of Gilead and being driven into Exile by his Brothers he fled into the Land of Tob 48 miles from Ierusalem Iudg. 11. From thence he returned to Mizpah 48 miles and there was chosen Prince and began his Government Anno Mundi 2760. and before Christ 1208 Years Iudg. 11. From Mizpah he went with his Army against the Ammonites to the City of Aroer where he put them to flight which is twenty six miles Iudg. 11. From Aroer he pursued the Enemies to Minneth which is eight miles Iudg. 11. From Minneth he went to the Plain of the Vines which is twenty four miles Iudg. 11. From Abel or the Plain of the Vines he went to Mizpah where he offered his Daughter for a Sacrifice to the Lord Iudg. 11. At that time he and the Ephramites got a memorable Battel in which were slain 22000 Iudg. 12. So all the Travels of Iephthah were 322 miles Of the Cities and Places mentioned in his Travels Of Thob or Tob. THob or Tob to which Iephthah fled is in the half Tribe of Manasses beyond Iordan not far from the Mountain of Antilibanus a hundred and four miles from Ierusalem North-eastward this was a very fair and plentiful Country and therefore called Thob being derived from Thobah which signifieth Good and Rate Of Mizpah MIzpah was
And do ye proud Citizens put such trust in the strength and scituation of your City that you think I am not able to come to it with my Army by Land You shall well perceive within this short space that you are scituated upon the Continent and that I will enter it and sack it With these terrible words the Ambassadors departed and shortly after Alexander followed them with a great and mighty Army But when it was known that Alexander had undertaken the sacking of this City there were many that thought it almost impossible for him to accomplish his designs first because of the inconstancy of the Winds and the vehemency of the Water whereby all such matter as they cast into the Sea to joyn it to the Continent would be driven away by the violence of the Water again the City was compassed about with such exceeding high Walls and fortified with such strong Towers that it was not possible for him to bring any Engines to batter them or fasten any scaling Ladders to ascend them unless it were by Ships Twice Alexander attempted by flinging into the Sea mighty Trees of Libanus and heaps of the ruins of ancient Tyre to have made a Bridge to it or else joyn it to the Continent insomuch as the Tyrians mocked the Macedonians saying What can your King Alexander conquer Neptune the God of the Sea For the violence of the Sea was so extream that it carried away all things with it and oftentimes broke the Ships that were joyned together to make a Bridge and drowned the Souldiers that besieged and fought against the City During this Siege a Citizen of Myrus dreamt that their Idol Apollo would depart from them whereupon they bound the Image of Apollo with a Chain of Gold unto the Pillar whereon he stood that he might not leave them There happened also a horrible ostent amongst the Macedonians for a certain Souldier breaking Bread there fell from it some few drops of Bloud at the hearing of which accident Alexander was greatly amazed until he was resolved by one Aristander a very skilful Prophet that if it issued from off the outside of the Bread it had betokened a heavy event to the Macedonians but in regard that it issued from the inside of the Bread it foreshewed that he should forthwith conquer the Town he had so long besieged and so it happened for when Alexander had besieged the City for the space of seven months with great difficulty he won it but before he could win it he was constrained to use a great multitude of Ships and fasten them together with iron bands upon which placing many Engines of battery and other offensive instruments what with the moving of the Ships and the extream Violence of the battery they overcame the City This exploit Alexander performed when he was 25 years of age and about 300 years before Christ. There was one thing that Alexander did during his Siege that was memorable for before any of his Souldiers would attempt to ascend the Walls he went in Person with his Crown upon his head and Princely Armour and scaled a high Tower of the City where he exprest an extraordinary resolution and by reason of his courage did great hurt to the Enemy who perceiving him to be the King resorted to that place in great heaps and shot at him with all their might but he manfully defended himself and compelled the enemy to fly In this assault there were 6000 of the Inhabitants slain and after he had entred the Walls and sackt the City he caused 2000 to be tyed to crosses and thrown into the Sea From whence may be gathered that God by this young Prince did accomplish this great Work that the Prophecies of the Prophets Esay 23. Ieremy 43. and Ezekiel 25 26. might be fulfilled Afterward Alexander as Pliny and Strabo observe caused the Sea to be filled up that it might be no more an Island and joyned it to the Continent upon which place he caused Tyrus to be rebuilded and compassed it about with a Wall five and twenty foot thick strengthened with twelve Towers that it might be sufficiently fortified to oppose the incursion of any Enemy so that it continued safe a long time after and in the time of our Saviour Christ was a fair City though it never attained to the former dignity and Power that it had before Alexander conquered it The ancient City of Tyre was distant from this City about four miles towards the South Our Saviour Christ being in the borders of Tyrus and Sidon helpt a Woman of Canaan whose Daughter had been cruelly tormented with a Devil Matt. 15. In the time of Dioclesian the Emperour there were many Martyrs put to death in this City And at this time it is called by the name of El porta del Zur that is the Haven of Zur as it was in the old Testament called by the name of Zor In the year 1100. when the holy Land was in the hands of the Christians there was an Archbishop of Tyre under whose Government were the Bishops of Ptolomais Sidon and Beryti c. The holy man Origen lieth buried in this City in the Church of the holy Sepulchre which is compassed about and fortified with a mighty strong Wall There also lies buried the Emperour Frederick Barbarosso who died Anno 1160 after he had done many valiant acts and sought many great Battels for the Christians against the Turks and Saracens being overcome by Saphadinus the Sultans Son and put to flight was drowned in the River of Suro to the great grief of his Army but he left behind him a famous report Pope Alexander the third being a great Enemy to this Emperour in S. Marys Church in the City of Venice when this Prince submitted himself to his Holiness set his Foot upon his neck repeating these Words Thou shalt tread upon the Aspe and upon the Basilisk c. Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History saith that there are yet standing in Tyre certain Marble Pillars and other precious Stones of wonderful greatness that it amazeth such as behold them neer to which there have been many Christians and Pilgrims put to death by the Saracens There are also four Wells of wholsome and pleasant Water standing not far from it Of which Wells you may read before Of Zidon THIS also was a City of Phoenicia scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea thirty six miles from Ierusalem towaâ—d the North and sixteen from Tyrus In times past it was assigned to the Tribe of Ashur and lay upon the borders of the Philistines neer to Mount Libanus Being called Sidon or Zidon of Zidon the Son of Canaan who first built it Gen. 10. and signifies a Hunter It was a notable Mart Town wherein much Sattin was made which kind of stuff was very precious among the Iewes and it is said that Ioseph of Arimathia wrapped the Body of our Saviour in white Satin for in Matthew 27. it is called
the ordaining of Measures and Monies by which you may perceive that this Vniverse being compared together seemeth but one large and spacious Empire howsoever under divers Governments Again the Peregrination of our Saviour the manner of his wonderful Nativity his long and Tedious Iourneys the condition of his estate whiles he was upon the Earth and as near as can be guest at what time he did most of his Miracles how he behaved himself when he was betrayed with a description of the manner of his death and the Travels of Peter Paul and many other of his Apostles after his death All which things I have with much labour compiled together for your profit and expect nothing in recompence for my pains but your Love And so I commit you to God Yours R. B. A BRIEF DECLARATION OF GEOMETRICAL MEASVRES A Degree of the Heavens is fifteen German or Dutch miles one minute is one quarter of a Dutch mile so that four minutes make a Dutch mile Diversity of miles A Dutch mile is four thousand paces the Spanish miles be very near so long as the Dutch A French mile is two thousand paces a Walloon or Italian mile is a thousand paces so that four Walloon miles make a Dutch mile The word Mile is derived from the Latine word Mille for one thousand paces make a Walloon mile as Gualtherus H. Revius writeth Of Stades or Furlongs THE word Stadium in Latin in English a Furlong is a measure of ground whereof there be three sorts Italicum Olympicum Pythâ—cum That of Italy contained 625 Feet which is 125 Paces half a quarter of an Italian mile The second sort was of the Hill Olympus in Greece where was a Game or Prize kept by the Princes and Cities of Greece every fifth year in the Honour of Hercules who first began it This measure of ground Stadium Olympicum contained 600 Feet that is 120 paces The third kind of Stade or Furlong contained 1000 Feet which is 200 Paces whereof haply arose the difference of Pliny and Diodorus Siculus in describing Sicily What a Furlong is Fifteen Dutch miles make a Degree and a Degree of the Heavens answereth to 480 Furlongs upon Earth whereby it is manifest that 32 Furlongs is a German or common Dutch mile One Minute equalleth eight Furlongs which make an Italian or Walloon mile the fourth part of a Dutch mile Two Minutes of the Heavens or sixteen Furlongs make a Dutch mile Four half of a Dutch mile Three minutes equal 24 Stades or Furlongs which make three quarters of a Dutch mile Four minutes equal 32 Furlongs that is to say a German or Dutch mile The Holy Evangelists S. Luke cap. 24 ver 13. and S. Iohn c. 11. ver 8. reckon the way by Furlongs S. Luke saith the Town Emaus was distant from Ierusalem sixty Furlongs and St. Iohn saith Bethania was fifteen Furlongs distant from Ierusalem Whence it appeareth that Emaus was distant from Ierusalem almost two Dutch miles seven Walloon miles and a half and Bethania almost half a Dutch mile which is a mile a half and half a quarter Iosephus writeth That Mount Olivet was distant from Ierusalem five Furlongs that is a little more than half a quarter of a Dutch mile which is half an Italian mile and half a quarter The same Iosephus saith That the circuit of the City of Ierusalem was thirty three Furlongs a Dutch mile and half a quarter Others say it was four miles in Compass which being understood of Italian or Walloon miles make little or no difference â—eeing it is but the half of a half quarter of a Dutch mile Strabo writeth That the City of Babylon was 380 Furlongs in Circuit that is twelve Dutch miles The Circuit of Samaria was twenty Furlongs that is half a Dutch and half a quarter which is two Italian miles and a half How the Romans measured their Miles THE Romans measured their miles by Paces which they call Passus and that kind of measuring is done after this manner Four Barley-corns laid long-ways one by the other make the breadth of a Finger four Fingers broad make the breadth of an Hand four Hands broad make the length of a Foot which measure is now extant five feet make a Geometrical or great Pace one hundred twenty five such Paces are a Furlong eight Furlongs are one thousand Paces or Walloon mile two thousand Paces are a French mile Ex granis quatuor formabitur unus Est quater in palmo digitus quater in pede palmus Quinque pedes passum faciunt passus quoque centum Viginti quinque stadium dant Sed milliare Octo dabunt stadia duplicatum sit tibi Leuca Four thousand Paces are a Dutch mile I mean a common Dutch mile whereof fifteen are reckoned to a Degree of the Heavens for the Switzer miles are commonly a quarter of a Dutch mile longer than common Dutch miles But through this Book by miles we understand common Dutch miles whereof four thousand Paces make a mile Whosoever will understand St. Ierom. well de locis Hebraicis must mark whether he reckons by Miles or by Stones The miles specified by him are Walloon miles whereof four make a Dutch mile as aforesaid the Stone whereof he writeth whereby also they did measure and divide the way are reckoned six to a Dutch mile To the end that all men that have any little Understanding in Geometry and Cosmography may make the Tables and cast them and at their Pleasure inlarge or diminish them I have here for their direction set down the Longitude and Latitude of the most principal Towns the former Numbers shew the degrees and minutes of the Longitude the later Numbers declare the degrees and minutes of the Latitude  Long. Latit SIdon 67.51 33.30 Tyrus 67.00 33.20 Zarepta 67.10 33.28 Kedes 67.14 33.00 Chabul 67.04 33.04 Rechob 67.13 33.14 Abela Betha macha 67.20 32.59 Senim Vallis 97.01 32.58 Carmel 66.35 32.50 Cana major 67.13 33.24 Cana minor 67.52 32.48 Nazareth 66.56 32.42 Tabor 66.45 32.38 Capernaum 66.53 32.29 Bethsaida 66.51 32.29 Corazim 66.53 32.29 Tiberias 66.44 32.27 Magdalum 66.48 32.28 Dora 66.25 32.08 Caesarea Stratonis 66.19 32.25 Lydda 65.43 32.06 Joppen 65.40 32.05 Messada castellum 66.21 31.47 Maerum lacus 66.36 32.25 Sunem 66.33 32.33 Naim 66.35 32.33 Napthalis 67.06 32.57 Bethoron superior 66.00 32.14 Bethoron inferior 65.54 32.00 Gazar 66.10 32.20 Bethâ—an 66.41 32.23 Endor 66.26 32.27 Megiddo 66.02 32.32 Thebeâ—z 66.30 32.25 Aphec 66.28 32.32 Gilim 66.25 32.22 Alexandrium 66.23 32.11 Thirzo 66.20 32.13 Zilo 65.58 31.58 Beseck 66.34 32.24 Mâ—chmas 66.06 32.04 Samaria 66.22 32.19 Nobe 65.45 32.03 Gazeron 65.45 31.59 Emmahus 65.54 32.01 Jericho 66.10 31.56 Aialon 65.56 31.57 Anathot 66.01 31.55 Gibea Saulis 66.57 31.55 Kiriath-jearim 65.58 31.55 Jerusalem 66.00 31.55 Bahurim 66.03 31.56 Ephraim 66.08 32.00 Gilgal 66.12 32.01 Esthaol 65.36 31.54 Timnah 65.48 32.03 Zarea 65.51 31.55 Gedor 65.14 31.59 Modin 65.45 32.01 Bethanâ—a 66.01 31.54 Bethlehem 65.55 31.51 Debir
Lorrain Earl of Bulloin King thereof whom they anointed in the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre but he refused to be Crowned with a Crown of Gold saying That it ill beseemed him to be called King of Ierusalem the true King whereof was Christ or to sit crowned with Gold in the place where he was crowned with Thorns that was the Son of the ever-living God and then chose Arnolphus of Rhodes Patriarch In the Month of October the same year a blazing Star of a marvellous bigness appeared towards the South it seemed to be like a waving Sword foreshewing no doubt the Destruction of all those that went about to re-establish this Earthly Ierusalem Immediatly after the Feast of the Nativity of Christ all the Christians of the East Countries upon Candlemas-day came out of Syria but especially out of Antiochia to Ierusalem and in the Temple of the holy Sepulchre consecrated their Bishops and Choristers and with one consent sung Illuminare Ierusalem They took also all the Cities Castles and Villages and over them set Bishops created four Principalities one at Ierusalem another at Antiochia a third at Edissa a fourth at Tripoly Also certain Earldoms and Baronies as at Briâ—o Zidon Caesaria Galilee Ioppa and Ascalon All these were appointed to pay Tribute to the King of Jerusalem All this was done in the year of our Lord 1099. No sooner were these News published to the World but there was an universal Croysado through all Christendom for the conquering and winning of the rest of the Holy Land but before they could get thither they were either slain by the Grecians and other Nations or else died through Famin and Thirst so that in them was fulfilled the Prophecy of Zacharias cap. 12. 3 where it is said It shall happen that I will make Jerusalem an heavy stone for all People all they that lift it up shall be torn though all the People of the Earth be gathered together against it And verse 9. And in that day will I seek to destroy all Nations that come against Jerusalem This year 1100 died Godfrey King of Jerusalem of a Fever upon the Eighteenth day of July when he had reigned scarce a year and was buried in the Temple of Mount Calvary After him succeeded his Brother Baldwin the first of that name and the second King of Jerusalem This Man reigned Eighteen years in Jerusalem and being overcom by Caliphas Sultan of Egypt after the loss of thirteen thousand Christians he had much ado to escape with life Within a short time after he died without Issue Baldwin the second succeded his Uncle and was the third King of Jerusalem He began his reign Anno 1118. This man overcame the Turks and the King of Damascus had Issue only one daughter named Milesent whom he married to the Earl of Angiers and gave with her the Kingdom of Jerusalem and died without heir Male in the year 1131. Fulco in right of his Wife succeeded his Father in Law and was the fourth King of Jerusalem This Fulco was Brother to the King of England he Reigned thirteen years fought many worthy Battels against the Turks put 3000 of their men to the Sword took many of them Prisoners and carried them to Jerusalem After that as he was hunting the Hare in Acon riding speedily he fell from his Horse and was sorely bruised whereof he died and left two Sons called Baldwin and Almerick Baldwin the third was the fifth King of Jerusalem and succeeded his Father he won the City of Ascalon he rebuilt the Town of Boza which had been destroyed placed there certain Knights Templers he lost the City of Edissa to the Saracens where many Christians were cruely slain And having reigned nineteen years he died without Issue After him succeeded his Brother Almerick who was the sixth King of Jerusalem In the time of this King the Sultan of Egypt gave a great overthrow to the Knights Templers which he seeking to revenge invaded Egypt with a great Army besieged the great City of Alcair but to small purpose wherefore returning back to Jerusalem he shortly after died when he had reigned twelve years he left behind him three children a Son called Baldwin and two daughters Sibella and Isabella Baldwin the fourth succeeded his Father and was the seventh King of Jerusalem who abusing his government was struck with a Leprosie with the contagion of which disease he died miserably in the twenty fifth year of his Age having reigned thirteen years Baldwin the fifth of that name the only begotten Son of his Sister Sibil by his consent was chosen his Successor a youth of nine years old his Fathers name was William Mountferrat Earl of March who dying his Mother married one Guy Earl of Lusignan to whom Baldwin committed the protection of the Kingdom and of his young Kinsman till he came to mans estate But this young man within seven years after the Death of his Uncle died sitting at his Table not without suspicion of Poyson Guy his Protector by the perswasion of his Wife and at the Instigation of the Jerosolimits took upon him the Government But Raimond Earl of Tripoly was his great adversary for that Baldwin the 4th for his exceeding pride at the Instigation of that Guy had displaced him of all his Offices and Titles in the Commonwealth These two striving for the Kingdom it hapned that Guy was charged with his Kinsmans death under which pretence Raymond made War against him During these troubles Saladine Sultan of Egypt taking advantage of this opportunity made War upon them both and with great facility conquered the Kingdom and destroyed Jerusalem In this year 1187 there hapned so great an Eclipse of the Sun that at Noon day the Stars were plainly to be seen Soon after this Raimond and Guy were both taken Prisoners and thirty thousand Christians cruelly put to the Sword After this the Saracens sacked the Town threw the Bells out of the Steeples made Stables of the Churches only the Temple on Mount Golgotha stood untouch'd for the Turks and Saracens honour Christ as a great Prophet And thus the new Kingdom of the Christians in Jerusalem ended which was upon the second day of October in the year 1187 after it had continued in their possession 88 years During the continuance of this Kingdom there were many horrible Visions and strange Signs and Wonders seen both in Heaven on Earth and in the Air foreshewing no doubt that God was not well pleased with their actions which sought to restore that Kingdom of Jerusalem For My Kingdom saith Christ is not of this World And although after that there were many Kings that by all possible means endeavoured to recover and restore the same and for that purpose have leavied many great Armies and undertaken many tedious Journies yet all their councels and determinations came to nothing so that God so often as they undertook any such Expedition either stayed their Armies oppressed them with War or else plagued them with
lye at the bottom thereof two inches thick Therefore the Inhabitants near about it are wont to take a great Pot that holdeth a good quantity whereinto putting Water they let it stand till all the filth be sunk to the bottom and so they clear Water to drink Nilus taketh the beginning from a certain Mountain in Maâ—â—itania the Lower not far from the Ocean and issâ—es from a Lake which they call Nidiles and partly from other Lakes and is increased with the Snow Waters falling from the Mountains of the Moon in Africa 3200 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Some think it took the name from Nileus a certain King thereabouts others from the Soil which is yearly brought down in the Stream whereby all Aegypt is made fruitful from whence some think it was called Servious Nilus for that it bringeth down new Mud with 〈◊〉 The Hebrews call it Gihon because it breaketh out of the Earth with great Violence This River comes through the Desarts of Aethiopia and so with great Violence comes into Egypt where it is divided into seven Streams and in times past had seven Gates the names of which were Canopiâ—us or Heracliâ—ticus Bolbitinus Sebiniticus Pharmiticus Mendâ—sius Taniticus and Palusiacus the two outward Gates of which viz. Canoâ—icus and Palusiacus were 160 miles asunder Appianus saith there are two otâ—eâ— Gates called Tineptimiâ—us and Diolcus this ninth Gate is divided at a City and place called Delta taking the Name from the likeness that it hath to the Greek Letter so called So that Nilus is divided into nine Gates by which nine Gates it falls into the Mediterranean Sea There are many that think that Paradise was only in Egypt and that then it had only but four streams and that at the Flood it was confused into nine and they would seem to prove their Opinions out of the 31 Chapter of Ezekiel where he calleth Egypt a Garden of Pleasure But this differeth from the description of Moses for it is not sciâ—â—ate in the East but rather the South from Ierusâ—lem and far distant from the two Eastern Rivers Euphrates and Hiddikel by which the holy Scriptures do principally denote Paradise Wherefore it may be concluded that Egypt was only a part of Paradise not Paradise it self and that this River was one of the Rivers not all the Streams of which River at some times of the year viz. in the Summer Solstice when the Sun is near the Dog-star begins to swell and overflow the Banks by reason of the melting of the Snow which lies upon the Mountains of the Moon and so drown all the places near unto it through the Land of Egypt leaving behind it certain Slime and Mud by which it comes to pass that the Country is very fruitful and serves them instead of Rain at which time of the Year for this happens once every year the People and Inhabitants of the Country retire themselves to their Towns Ciâ—ies and Castles sciâ—uated upon Rocks Mountains and high Grounds from whence it happeneth that they sustain very little discommodity or loss by any such Inuâ—dation They also keep little Boats whereby they pass from one place to another because all their Passages and Foot-paths are then drowned with Waters There are many pretty Observations which the People of Egypt were wont to take notice of in the rising of this Water for they had certain Staves whereby they measured the depth of it if it rose but to twelve Cubits which is six yards in height they then stood in fear of great Famine so also if it was but thirteen for then the Water was not deep enough to make the ground fertile but if it rose to fourteen or fifteen then they were in great hope and did not doubt of a fruitful Year and if to sixteen they then greatly rejoyced at their Prosperity and kept Banquets and Feasts and were assured that the succeeding year would be very plentiful but if it rose above they laid aside all signs of Joy and lived very sparingly and with great Sorrow this great Inundation of Waters fore-shewing Scarcity and Want and Famine and Pestilence and Death And thus Nilus yearly every year is to them instead of Rain for Egypt is without Rain In Autumn at such time as the Sun going out of the last face of Libra entreth into Scorpio the Waters of Nilus by little and little retire themselves into their Banks and the Earth becomes quite uncovered of Water about which time the Country being exceeding hot the Earth is presently made dry in all those places so that in the Month of October they may both till and sow their Land In this River the Crocodile and the Ichneumo breed of the nature of which two you may sufficiently read in Gesner There also breeds the Pelican of which St. Ierom saith there are two kinds one that lives upon the Water another that lives upon the Land these Birds as some affirm kill their young ones upon their Beak and then leave them lying in their Nest for three days at the end of which time the Female grievously wounds her self upon the Breast and pouring her Blood upon her young ones revives them again This Bird may very well be a type and figure of our Blessed Saviour who shedding his precious Blood upon the Cross for our Sins after the third day rose again and that he might restore us to Life that be dead in Sin poureth out his Blood upon us whereby we are made capable of Eternal Life Of the Place where Adam and Eva dwelt after the breaking of the Commandment Gen. 3. ADAM and Eva being driven out of Pradise dwelt at Damascus 160 miles from Ierusalem as Munster and others write the Townsmen of Damascus at this day shew the place where Cain slew his Brother Abel and it is well to be believed that this City receives her Name thereby for Damascus signifies blood-shedding or a place which hath drunk up Blood Of the Place where Cain dwelt CAIN after he had slain his Brother Abel dwelt in the Land of Nod a Land of Fear and Disquiet in the Town of Hanoch and as some think it was the same place where Babylon after Noah's Flood was built being four hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem Eastward Of the Place where Noah dwelt NOAH signifying quiet and rest dwelt in Armenia six hundred miles from Ierusalem Northward hard by Mount Ararat upon which Mount the Ark after the Flood stayed it self Gen. 8. Ptolomaeus nameth these high Hills in Armenia Gordes which are alwayes covered with Snow and no man may get upon them Sem. SEM who in the Holy Scriptures is called Melchisedech that is a King of Righteousness dwelt in the City of Ierusalem which as then was called Salem that is a City of Peace Nimroth NImroth was the first Prince and Regent upon Earth and built Babylon which is six hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem Eastward Strabo writeth That in Babylon there was an old
Samachoniten 28 miles This City is eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. From Haraseth he went to the Plain of Zaaenaim where he found Sisera slain in the Tabernacle of Iael as Deborah the Prophetess had told him From thence Barak with all his Army went to Hazor where Iabin King of the Canaâ—nites kept his Court and of a sudden conquered the City and put to death all the Inhabitants Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. Of Thabor THABOR is a round and high Hill scituated upon the Borders of the Tribes of Issachar and Zabulon fifty six miles from Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it self to the River Kison towards the South and taketh the Name of Light or a pure air being derived of Bo to go and come Tebuah to bring forth fruit and to give light For this Mountain Thabor by reason of the Purity of the Air is wonderful fertile and fruitful There was also a Town at the foot of it called by the same name Here the Kings of the Midianites Zeba and Zalmuna were slain by Gideon Of Hazor THIS is a great City in the Tribe of Nepthali eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North which Ioshuah destroyed with Fire and Sword So did Barak also The Ruines of this City is to be seen to this day The Myâ—tery of Deborah THE word Deborah signifies a Bee and is a memorable Type of the Church For as a Bee in all her actions soundeth pleasantly so the Members of Gods Church in all their actions sing and sound forth the praises of God or by continual Prayers implore his aid and assistance with the Bee sucking from the Flowers of the Holy Scriptures the sweet and acceptable Doctrine of Faith by which the hope of everlasting Life is strengthned in us with the sting of Gods Word repulsing all vain delusions and idle imaginations the Temptations of the Devil and those waspish affections of cruel and wicked men according to that of Ecclesiasticus the Bee is but small yet bringeth forth most pleasant fruit and presenteth unto man many memorable instructions And as Plato saith The King of Bees although without a sting yet Ruleth and Governeth his Commonwealth with great Severity and Iustice. So Christ the head of the Church though he be a delectable Saviour of Souls and without any Sting of Bitterness yet doth he Rule and Govern it with singular Justice and Sincerity Of Barak AFter Deborah was appointed Judge of Israel she ordained Barak for her chief Commander or Captain He taketh his name from Thunder and Lightning typically representing the Glory of Christ Jesus as chief Captain of the Church who with the Thunder of the Law and the Bright shining Glory of the Gospel destroyed the Enemies thereof and by the Hosts of Angels and Saints at the end of the World will cast them down with thunder and lightning into that Bottomless Pit there to remain for ever Of the Travels of Gideon DEBORAH being Dead Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Medeanites cruelly invaded the Land of Iudaea but the Lord taking compassion upon his People sent them a helper one Gideon the Son of Ioas of the family of Abiezer who was born at Ophra or Ephron a City in the Tribe of Manasses not far from Mahanaim on the East side of Iordan some 44 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East and signifieth a Rooter out from Gada that is He hath rooted out This man at the appointment of the Lord took upon him the charge of the People and at Ophra which signifies Dust he destroyed the Idol Baal pitching up in that place an Altar to the Lord wherefore he was after called Ieru-Baal taking that name from Revenge because he had destroyed the Idol He began to Rule in Israel in the year of the World 2672 and before Christ 1296. From Ophra Gideon went to Harad which standeth in the half Tribe of Manasseh where he blew the Trumpet From this place he sent back 22000 of his Army because the Lord had so appointed But the Midianites hearing of this preparation provided a great Host and pitched in the Valley of the Hill Moreh so Gideon taking only 300 with him went over Iordan and came to the Town of Iesreel for Iosephus saith sixteen miles from Harad where he gave the Midianites a wonderful Overthrow Iudg. 7. he also took there two Princes Oreb and Zeb and returned to the River Iordan where he put them to death From thence he went to Succoth with his Army in expectation to have refreshed themselves but the Inhabitants shut him out of the Town and gave him many despightful Words This Town lay close by Iordan and here Iacob sometime pitched his Tent. From thence he went to Penuel which is two miles there also they used him unkindly and gave him bad Language From thence he went to Nobach with his Army which is two miles From thence he went to Iagbetha which is four miles where he conquereâ— Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Midianites who thinking themselves secure made no preparation for War till they were besieged This was a memorable Battel and here the two Kings were put to Death From thence he followed the Enemy with a great Slaughter to Karkor which is four miles From thence he vvent back to Succoth vvhich is eight miles here he put the Inhabitants of this Town to the Sword and all the Elders and Princes he tore to pieces vvith Thorns because they had formerly denied him Entrance into the City From thence he vvent to the Castle of Penuel which is two miles and utterly destroyed it even to the ground and put all the Inhabitants to death because of their mocks From thence he went to Ophra four miles where gathering together all the Gold which he had taken from the Midianites he made a rich Ephod Iudg. 8. From Ophra he went to Sichem where his Son Abimelech was born which is ten miles From thence he returned back to Ophra which is ten miles and there he died after he had judged Israel ten years So all the Travels of Gideon were eighty two miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which Gideon travelled Of Iezreel JEzreel was a fair City scituated upon a hill near to the Flood Kison bordering upon the Tribe of Issachar 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and signifieth the Seed of God being derived from El and Dara the Seed of the Almighty God There was another of this name in the Tribe of Iudah Iosh. 15. In times past this was onely the Seat and chief abiding-place of the Kings of Israel For Ahab and Iezabel kept their Court there and Ioram their Son whom Iehu overcame and here Iezabel was eaten up of Dogs At this day this fair City hath in it but thirty Houses and is called by the Inhabitants of the Holy Land Sanatham being scituated at the foot of the Mountain Gilboah Westward in it there is a Watch Tower upon the top whereof you may
a City in the Land of Gilead in the half Tribe of Manasses eighteen miles from Ierusalem North-eastward and signifieth a Watch-tower of Zaphah to look out In this Town Gideon dwelt and after him Samuel It was afterward destroyed by Iudas Macchabeus you may read more of it 1 Sam. 7. 10. Ier. 40 41. Iosh. 8. 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr. 6. Nehem 3. Of Aroer THIS was a City of the Moabites beyond Iordan near the River Arnon and sell to the Tribe of Gad Iosh. 12. 13. Deut. 2. and takes the name from Turpentine being derived from Arar that is He hath destroyed and rooted out and was so called because Iephthah won a memorable Battel near to this place Iud. 11. This is often mentioned in the Scriptures There was another Town of this Name close by Damascus Of Minueth IN Ierom's time forty years after Christ this Town was called Menneth of Mercury which the Syrians call Meni from Manah to distribute being a Town of Merchants which disperse their Commodities here and there and stood beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben thirty two miles from Ierusalem toward the East Of the Plain of Vines Of this you may read more in the Travels of Balaam Of the Death of Jephthah THIS Iephthah was a famous Captain and from thence took his Name for Iepthack signifieth To make him an open way with the Sword being derived of Patach to open and after he had judged Israel six years died the manner of whose Death is diversly reported some say that because he performed not his Vow effectually therefore God struck him with a grievous Ulcer so that as he was passing from City to City in every place he left a Member Others say that he died in the City of the Gileadites and that in memory of his singular Actions and noble Exploits which by God's special Aid he atchieved his Body was cut into pieces and into every City of Gilead a Member sent and there buried which as I take it is the better Opinion Of Ebzan EBzan was the tenth Judge of Israel and succeeded Iephthah he began his Government in Anno Mundi 2666 and before Christ 1402. He was a Bethlemite of the Tribe of Iudah and as the Hebrews think Boez the Grand-father of King David he had thirty Sons and thirty Daughters and lived to see them all married and took them home unto him into his own Family which doubtless was a great Blessing of God and from thence took his Name for Ibsan or Abezan signifieth The Father of a Flock or Multitude He lived dwelt and was buried in Bethlem Iuda Iudg. 12. Of Elom IN the Year of the World 2773 and before Christ 1195. Elom the eleventh Judge of Israel began to rule and dwelt in Ajalon in the Tribe of Zabulon who after he had governed ten Years died and was buried in the same Town There was another City of the same Name in the Tribe of Dan some four miles from Ierusalem towards the West where at the Prayer of Ioshua the Sun stood still Of Abdon ABdon the twelfth Judge of Israel succeeded Elom and began to rule Anno Mundi 2782 and before Christ 1185. He dwelt in the Tribe of Ephraim in a Mountain of the Amalekites sixteen miles from Ierusalem Northwards He ruled full eight Years and then died and was buried in Pirithon Abdon signifieth a Servant for he was a good Prince but that in obeying others he lost himself This Abdon was a great man had forty Sons thirty of which he saw married and for his greater honour had his Chariot drawn with seventy Asses for they used them as we do Horses The Travels of Sampson SAmpson was born in the City of Zarea and brought up in the Tents of Dan and Estahol Iud. 13. From thence he went to Timnah which is twelve miles there he fell in love with Iudah the Daughter of a Philistine Iudg. 14. From Timnah he went back to his Father to Zarea and revealed his Affection which is twelve miles He and his Father went back again to Timnah to see the Maid and by the way as he went he killed a Lyon which is twelve miles Iudg. 14. From thence he returned back again which is twelve miles Iudg. 14. Within a while after Sampson and his Friends went again to Timnah and by the way he found Honey in the Lyon that he had slain and gave it to his Friends to eat and when he came to the Philistines House he propounded the Riddle whereof you may read Iudg. 14. These things hapned in Anno Mundi 2791 and before Christ 1176 at which time he succeeded Abdon in the Rule of the Iews From thence he went to Ascalon a City of the Philistines and killed thirty of their men and took away their Garments which is 24 miles From thence he returned back again to Timnah and delivered the Philistines which had unfolded the Riddle those change of Garments Iudg. 14. From thence being angry that his Wife had disclosed the Riddle he returned to Zarea to his Friends which is twelve miles Iudg. 14. Within a while after when his Anger was over he returned back to his Wife to Timnah which is twelve miles it being then Wheat Harvest and carried with him a Goat that so he might be merry and be reconciled to her but her Father shut him out of doors because he had married his Wife to another Man wherefore he took a Company of Foxes and tying them Tail to Tail put Fire-brands to their Tails and turned them into the Wheat of the Philistines and they set fire of all the Wheat and Vines and Olives thereabout Iudg. 15. From thence he went to a Cave in the Rock Eta and there dwelt which is twelve miles Iudg. 15. At the Rock Eta Sampson was bound with two new Cords by the Israelites and from thence led to Ramah Lehi which is six miles where he killed 1000 Philistines with the Jaw-bone of an Ass that he found in the way From thence he went to Gaza a City of the Philistines which is forty two miles here he carried away the Gates of the City From Gaza he carried these Gates with the Posts to the top of a Hill near Hebron which is twenty miles Iudg. 16. From Hebron he went to the River Soreck where he dwelt with Dalilah the Harlot and by her was deceived and taken of the Philistines which are twelve miles Being taken of the Philistines they put out both his Eyes and bound him in Chains and led him from thence to Gaza which is thirty two miles there they brought him into the House of their God Dagon to make them sport but he pulled down the House and a multitude of them were slain where he also died and was buried in the Sepulchre of Manoah his Father between Zerea and Esthaol twenty eight miles from Gaza and almost twenty from Ierusalem towards the West This was in the Year of the World 1811 and before Christ 1157. So all
Ierom's time it was but a small Town where the Inhabitants shew to Strangers the Sepulchre of Habakkâ—k the Prophet Not far off toward the West lieth Hareth that Wood where David was when Abiathar came to him Kegila in Hebrew signifieth a Tent. The Travels of King David DAVID was anointed King by Samuel when he was twenty years old Anno Mundi 2881 and before Christ 1807. Within a while after he was sent by his Father Isay or Iesse to Gibeah of Saul which was eight miles there he played to Saul upon the Harp 1 Sam. 16. When Saul went out with his Army against the Philistines David returned back to Bethlehem his own Countrey which was about eight miles There he fed his Father's sheep 1 Sam. 17. From thence he went to Socho and Asekah and killed Goliah which was four miles From thence he carried the Head of Goliah to Ierusalem which was eight miles From thence he went with King Saul to Gibeah which was four miles From Gibeah he went twelve miles into the Land of the Philistines and to perform the promise which he had made put to the Sword 200 of them From thence he returned and brought their fore-skins unto Saul in recompence of which noble Exploit he was married to Saul's Daughter which was twelve miles A while after he made an incursion upon the Land of the Philistines and in a sharp and cruel War got a famous Victory and returned with glory to Gibeah which was at the lest twenty four miles But when David perceived that Saul went about to take away his Life and that he was so narrowly pursued he had no way to escape but to be let down by a cord through a window he made haste and went from Gibeah to Arimathea where he complained unto Samuel of the Injuries of Saul and laid before him in what a miserable condition he was and to what straights brought Wherefore Samuel to comfort him brought him to Naioth which seemeth to be so called of the fair scituation and pleasantness of the place for Mabah signifies a laudable and comely place this was a Colledge of such as were Professors of that sacred study of Divinity Now Saul hearing that David was in this place came with some of his Servants on purpose to make him captive But at the sight of Samuel he began to sing Psalmes and Hymns after the manner of the Prophets From thence David returned back unto Gibeah some twelve miles where at the Stone of Ezel not far from Gibeah toward the South Ionathan went to David and counselled him to depart with all speed for that his Father meant evil towards him So they took leave either of other with Tears 1 Sam. 20. Ezel signifies an Angle as was a Stone full of Angles or corners From thence he went to Nob which was twelve miles From thence he went to Gath a City of the Philistines where he â—eigned himself mad because of Achis whom he feared 1 Sam. 21. being twenty four miles From thence he went to the Cave of Odullam twenty four miles and thither resorted unto him many of his Kindred and such as were indebted and in danger to the number of forty Persons In this place he wrote the 57 and 142 Psalms as may appear by their Titles From thence he went to Mizpah in the Land of the Moabites where at this time the King kept his Court and there he carefully commanded his Friends and followers to his safe Protection till such time as the fury of Saul was asswaged 1 Sam. 22. From thence by the counsel of the Prophet Gad he returned by the Wilderness of Hareth to Kegila and rescued it forty miles Here Abiathar the Priest came to him 1 Sam. 23. From thence fearing the coming of Saul he went into the Wilderness of Ziph whither Ionathan came to him 1 Sam. 22. which was four miles From thence he went to the Town of Moan four miles From thence he went to the Hold of Engedi thirty six miles From thence he went six miles to Carmel in Iudaea where he determined to have destroyed Nabal for his churlishness 1 Sam. 25. From thence he went to Hackilah two miles From Hackilah he went to Gath where Achis King of the Philistines kept his Court sixteen miles This Achis was very courteous and bountiful-minded he entertained David and gave him freely the City of Zicklag to inhabit in 1 Sam. 27. Wherefore David went thence to the Town of Ziclag which was twelve miles 1 Sam. 27. and there inhabited one year and seven months From thence David went often towards the South and made incursions upon the Amalekites wasting and destroying their Land which lay in the Desart of Sur about eighty miles distant from Ziclag and a hundred and twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west From the Desart of Sur he returned back again unto Ziclag which was eighty miles and sent part of the Prey which he had gotten to the King of the Philistines Of which you may read more 1 Sam. 27. From Ziclag David went with the Army of the Philistines to fight against Saul eighty eight miles even to Sunem for the Philistines pitched between Iesreel and Sunem 1 Sam. 28 29. But because the Princes of the Philistines durst not trust him therefore by the consent of Achis their King he returned back to Zicklag eighty eight miles 1 Sam. 29. Whilst David was gone with the Philistines to fight against Israel the Amalekites invaded Ziclag took it and burnt it with fire and carried away Ahinoam and David's Wives Captives Wherefore when David came to Ziclag and perceived what had happened with all speed he pursued the Enemy and in the way as he went he found an Egyptian who a little before the Amalekites had left there because he was unable to follow them This Egyptian guided David to the Tents of the Amalekites who suspecting no such evil were making merry with the Booty that they had taken But David with the rest of his Company so manfully behaved themselves they gave the Amalekites a sudden overthrow and as it often happeneth to such as are negligent and careless he took away from them their former Booty and put most of them to the Sword This Battel was fought some eight or twelve miles from Zicklag as by the circumstance of the History may appear From this slaughter he returned back to Ziclag being twelve miles and repaired it to every neighbouring City sending a part of the prey Here he had certain intelligence of the Success of the Israelites in their Wars against the Philistines and of the death of Saul and Ionathan which he bitterly lamented 1 Sam. 30. 2 Sam. 1. These things happened in the tenth year after Samuel had anointed David King From Ziclag he went to Hebron a Metropolitan City of the Tribe of Iudah being a Town of Refuge belonging to the Levites which was sixteen miles At this time David was about the age of thirty years and was anointed
as he lay upon his Bed and after cut off his Head The Head they brought to King David to Hebron 68 miles But David was not pleased with their Treachery wherefore he caused them both to be put to Death So their Travels were 108 miles The Travels of Absalom ABsalom was born in Hebron and went with his Father to Ierusalem 22 miles 2 Sam. 13. From thence he went to Baal-hazor eight miles where he caused his Brother Amnon to be slain From thence for fear of his Father he fled into the Land of Gesur 88 miles 2 Sam 14. From thence he came back with Ioab to Ierusalem which was 88 miles 2 Sam. 14. From thence he went to Hebron 22 miles and made himself King and rebelled against his Father From thence he went back again to Ierusalem which is 22 miles There he lay with his Fathers Concubines 2 Sam. 16. From thence he pursued his Father to Machanaim 40 miles and there was hanged by the Hair in an Oak tree where Ioab put him to death 2 Sam. 18. So all the Travels of Absalom were 290 miles Of Baal-hazor IN this City Absalom made a great Feast for his Sheep-shearers and invited all his Brothers to it where he caused Amnon to be slain because he had abused his Sister Thamar It lieth in the way some eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east as you go to Iericho near to Mount Epraim 2 Sam. 13. and is derived to Baal which signifies a Lord or Husband and Chazir a Den or Cave Of the Name Absalom ABsalom signifieth a Father of Peace although he was the Author of all Discord and Sedition against his Father The Travels of the wise Woman of Thecoa THis woman went from Thecoa to Ierusalem eight miles and spake with King David and with her sweet words she persuaded him that he would recall his Son out of Exile who then remained in Gesur 2 Sam. 14. Of Thecoa THecoa was a City in the Tribe of Iuda some eight miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east near this City Iosaphat by Prayers and the sound of Trumpets without drawing Sword got a memorable Victory and for that cause it signifieth the sound of a Trumpet In this place the Prophet Amos dwelt and there lyeth buried whose Sepulchre was to be seen four hundred Years after Christ as S. Ierom observeth It was from Bethlem-Iuda six miles Near to Thecoa was the Lake Aspher where Ionathan and Machabeus's brothers pitch'd their Tents 1 Mach. 9. Of this City you may read Ier. 6. Am. 1. 2 Chr. 11. Of Achitophel THis perfidious and wicked Man was born in the Town of Gilo not far from Hebron and Debir in the Tribe of Iudah Ios. 15. 2. Sam. 15. twenty miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward who when his Counsel would not take place he went home to his won House and there desperately hanged himself The Travels of wicked Shimei SHimei went from Bahurim where he cursed King David to Bathabara upon the River Iordan which was eighteen miles where he got Pardon of David 2 Sam. 9. From thence he went back with King David unto Gilgal four miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went with King David to Ierusalem twelve miles 2. Sam. 19. From thence he went to Bahurim three miles From Bahurim King Solomon sent for him again to Ierusalem three miles There he was constrained to build him an House and not to depart thence upon pain of Death 1 Reg. 2. But Shimei transgressing the commandment of the King went to Gath a City of the Philistines twelve miles From thence he returned back again to Ierusalem twelve miles where he was slain by the command of King Solomon in the third year of his Reign 1 Reg. 2. So all the Travels of Shimei were 104 miles The Books of KINGS and CHRONICLES Of Abishag the Virgin that lay with David THIS Maid was accounted the fairest in all Israel for which cause she was brought to Ierusalem for King David that she might lye with him in his old Age to procure Heat she was born at Sunem a Town some forty four miles from Ierusalem 1 Reg. 1. Of Sunem you may read before in the Travels of David and Saul The Travels of King Solomon SOlomon the Son of David King of Israel entred upon the full Government of the Kingdom of Israel Anâ—mundi 2931. and before Christ 1037. when he was about twenty years old After he went from Ierusalem to Gilgal four miles and there offered upon the Altar which Moses had made 1000 burnt offerings 1 Reg. 2. 2 Chr. 1. From thence he went back to Ierusalem four miles and built a Temple to the Lord in Mount Moriah I Reg. 6. This was begun about the fourth year of his Reign and 480 years after the Children of Israel came out of Aegypt in the Month Ziph which answereth to our May. So that the Temple began to be built in An. Mundi 2934. and before Christ 1034. To the building whereof Hiram King of Tyre sent Cedar Trees from Mount Libanus 120 miles to Ierusalem 1 Reg. 5. 2. Chr. 2. This Temple Solomon within plaited over with Gold and set with precious Stones and finished it in the Month of November about the eleventh year of his Reign 1 Reg. 6. The Dedication whereof was about the twelfth year of his Reign and in the thirty second year of his Age Anno Mundi 2942 and before Christ 1026. The Temple being finished he began to build his own house which was thirteen years a building and was finished about the 44 year of his Age and in the 24 of his Reign 1 Rg. 7. 8. After 20 Years in which time he had finished the House of the Lord and his own House in Mount Sion that he might manifest his Thankfulness to the King of Tyre he went to Cabul a City in the Tribe of Ashur some 80 miles Northward where he gave to the aforesaid Hiram 20 Towns or Cities with all the Country round about wherefore King Hiram called this Cabul that is Displeasant and Dirty 2 Reg. 9. You may read of Cabul Ios. 19. From thence he returned to Ierusalem 88 miles From thence he went to Hazor and restored the City which was 44 miles From thence he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles From thence he went to Megiddo which is not far from Iesreel in the Tribe of Manasses 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the North. This City Solomon fortified 1 Reg. 9. and Iosiah King of Iuda a long time after was there wounded to Death 2 Reg. 9. From Megiddo he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles After that Pharaoh King of Egypt had conquered Gaser and destroyed it with Fire he gave it to his Daughter the Wife of Solomon who rebuilt it This Town was scituated in the Tribe of Ephraim 28 miles from Ierusalem Northward 1 Reg. 9. From Gaser Solomon returned back again to Ierusalem being 28 miles From thence he went to the higher Bethoron which he fortified and stood 28 miles from Ierusalem
into the City a little before you come at it This Town standeth upon a fair prospect for you may see from thence through all Galilee to Carmel the Mountains of Phoenicia and Mount Thabor also from Mount Gilead by Iordan and Mount Salem where Iohn baptized near by Mount Hermon upon the North side of Mount Gilboah there lies a fair and plain way to the City Iezreel by which Iehu came when he made Wars upon Ieroboam King of Israel of which you may read more 2 Reg. 9. It stood not far from the River Kison as you may read Ios. 17. 19. 1 Sam. 2. 1 Reg. 4. 18. Of Ahaziah the Son of Ahab AHaziah was crowned King of Israel during the Life of his Father a cruel and wicked man he began his Reign in the 17th year of Iosaphat King of Iudah Anno Mundi 3049 and before Christ 919. about such time as Ahab went down to Ramoth Gilead to recover it from the Syrians Within a while after the death of his Father he fell through the Lattice-window in his upper Chamber which was in Samaria of which hurt he died Of this you may read more 1 King 1. The Travels of Jehoram King of Israel JEhoram succeeded his Brother Ahaziah in the Kingdom of Israel who began his Reign in the eighteenth year of Iosaphat King of Iudah and as Iosephus saith lib. Ant. 9. about the fifth year of his Reign went from Samaria to Ierusalem which was 32 miles There he told Iosaphat how the King of Moab had rebelled against him therefore desired him to go along with him to the War 2 Reg. 3. Then Iehoram and Iosaphat and the King of Edom went from Ierusalem and compassed about through the Wilderness of Idumaea by the space of seven dayes so that they and their Army for want of Water had almost perished but at the Prayers of the Prophet Elisha they were miraculously preserved At length they came to Petra the Metropolitan City of the Moabites and is distant from Ierusalem an hundred seventy two miles which they took and consumed it with Fire and Sword 2 Reg. 3. From the City of Petra Iehoram King of Israel returned back to Samaria which was 104 miles where within a while after he was so sorely besieged by Benhadad King of Syria that the Famine grew very great within the Town insomuch as a certain Woman eat her own Child 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Ramoth in Gilead with his Army which is 24 miles where he was overcome by Asahel King of the Syrians and wounded even to the death 2 Reg. 8. From the Fight of Ramoth Gilead he was carried in his Chariot back to Iezreel which was 24 miles where he lay to be cured of his Hurts But Iehu one of his chief Captains rebelled against him and as he was in his Chariot shot an Arrow and wounded him the second time whereof he died in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite 2 Reg. 9. So all the Travels of Iehoram were 356 miles The Travels of Jehu King of Israel JEHV signifies a constant man in himself and was the Son of Iosaphat the Son of Nimschi he was anointed King of Israel in the Castle at Ramoth in Gilead by Elisha Anno Mun. 3063. and before Christ 905. he reigned 28 years 2 Reg. 9. From Ramoth in Gilead in his Chariot he went to Iezreel which was 24 miles where in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite he killed Iehoram with an Arrow And when he came to the Gates of the City he caused Iezabel to be thrown from a Tower whom he trampled under his Horse feet and after in that same place she was eaten up with Dogs Then he sent Messengers to Samaria commanding the Samaritans that they should put to death the 70 Sons of Ahab which they immediately did and sent their Heads unto him in Baskets 2 Reg. 10. From Iezreel he went to Samaria which is sixteen miles In that Journey he caused to be slain by his Ministers the 42 Brothers of Ahaziah King of Iuda near to the Well which was beside the House where Sheep were shorn And when he came to Samaria he caused all the Posterity of Ahab to be utterly destroyed and rooted out And to conclude the Tragedy by a cunning Policy put to death all the Priests of Baal 2 Reg. 10. So all the Travels of Iehu were 40 miles Of Jehoahas King of Israel JEhoahas was the Son of Iehu and succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Israel he began his Reign in the 33 year of Ioas King of Iudah in the Year of the World 3091 and before Christ 876. He reigned over Israel seventeen Years God stirred up against this wicked King Asahel King of the Syrians who with 10000 Foot and five hundred Horse besieged Samaria very strongly put to the Sword many of his Subjects and got many Cities and Towns from him as the Prophet Elisha had before told him 2 Reg. 8. 13. The Travels of Joas King of Israel JOAS succeeded his Father Iehoahas and while he was yet living was anointed King of Israel in the thirty seventh year of Ioas King of Iudah and reigned two years with his Father after his Death fifteen so all the Reign of Ioas was seventeen Years This Man was a great Souldier and went from Samaria with an Army against the City of Apheck which was fourteen miles there he smote the Syrians and in three several Battels carried away the Victory recovering the Cities which his Father Iehoahas had lost according to the Prophecy of Elisha 2 Reg. 17. From Apheck he returned to Samaria being 14 miles From thence he went with his Army to Bethsemes in the Land of Iuda where in a sharp and cruel War he conquered Amasia and took him alive 2 Reg. 14. which was 32 miles From Bethsemes he went to Ierusalem and carried the King thereof with him Captive being four miles He won the City and broke down the Walls of it from the Gate of Ephraim till you come to the Angle-Gate four hundred Cubits in length 2 Reg. 14. From the City of Ierusalem Ioas the Conquerour returned to Samaria with the spoil of the Temple and of the King's House with many Captives and a great Prey being thirty two miles where at the end of the seventeenth year of his Reign he died and was buried In this man's time Elisha the Prophet died 2 Reg. 13. 14. So all the Travels of Ioas were ninety six miles Of Bethsemes Of this City you may read before The Travels of Jeroboam the second of that Name King of Israel THIS Ieroboam succeeded his Father Ioas in the Kingdom of Israel and began his Reign Anno Mundi 3123. and before Christ 845. which according to the Text of the Bible happened about the 15th Year of Amasia King of Iuda and he reigned 41 Years 2 Reg. 14. He kept his Court at Samaria where the Prophet Ionas told him that he should recover not only the Towns and Cities of the Land
of Israel that had been lost but also the Cities of Hemeth and Damascus wherefore he gathered a great Army out of the City of Samaria and went thence unto Hemeth or Antiochia in Syria which was 248 miles This City he conquered and all the Country thereabout so that he recovered all the ancient Towns and Cities that belonged to David and Saul even to Hemeth in Syria to Soba in Armenia with all the Cities Towns Castles and Countries near adjoyning to them 2 Reg. 14. From Hemeth or Antiochia he went to Damascus which is 140 miles This City he also took and all the Country of Syria round about he made tributary to him 2 Reg. 14. From Damascus he went to the Red Sea even 320 miles and also recovered all the South part which in times past belonged unto the Kingdom of Israel 2 Reg. 14. After this he returned to Samaria his own Country which was 192 miles where in the one and fortieth year of his Reign he dyed and was there buried After his death the Kingdom of Israel was oppressed with Tyranny until it was destroyed by Foreign Nations and for the space of twelve years there was no King that succeeded him In the Reign of this King a little before his death there happened a horrible Earth-quake of which you may read Amos 1. which without doubt did fore-shew some eminent changes that should happen in that Kingdom as did afterward Zac. 41. So all the Travels of Ieroboam the second of that name were 900 miles Of Zachariah King of Israel TWelve years after the death of Ieroboam Zachariah his Son began his Reign in Israel in the thirty eighth year of Azariah King of Iuda which was An. mundi 3975 and before Christ 723 he reigned six months and then was miserably slain by Sallum his Friend 2 Reg. 15. Ioseph lib. Antiq. 9. Of Sallum King of Israel SAllum began to reign after he had slain Zachariah in the thirty ninth year of Azariah King of Iuda and when he had reigned scarce a Month he was slain by Menahem losing his Life and Kingdom together 2 Reg. 15. The Travels of Menahem MEnahem was born in Thirza in the Tribe of Iuda who began to reign in the same year that he slew Sallum he reigned ten years 2 Reg. 10. From Thirza he went to Samaria with his Army which was six miles where having slain Sallum his Lord and King he usurp'd upon the Kingdom 2 Reg. 15. From thence he went to Thipsa which is six miles This Town he cruelly destroyed with Fire and Sword and all the Towns thereabout because they refused to open their Gates unto him From Thypsa this cruel Tyrant went back again to Samaria six miles where he grievously afflicted the Children of Israel ten years Wherefore the Lord being offended with him for his exceeding Cruelty stirred up Phul Belochus King of Assyria who came from Babylon to Samaria being 624 miles and put King Menahem to such an exceeding great streight that he was constrained to buy and procure his peace with 1000 Talents which money being received he suffered him to enjoy his Kingdom and returned back to Babylon with all his Army 2 Reg. 15. So all the Travels of King Menahem were 18 miles Of Thypsa THIS was a Town near to that Kingly Seat Thirza scituated in the Tribe of Manasses twenty four miles from Ierusalem Northward But because the inhabitants thereof denied to open their Gates to this cruel Tyrant Menahem therefore he utterly destroyed it even to the Ground Thypsa signifieth The Paschal Lamb or a Passover being derived of Pasach he passed over Of Pekahia King of Israel PEkahia reigned two years after his Fathers Death at the end of which term he was slain by Pekah the Son of Remalia who succeeded him in the Government Ioseph lib. Antiq. 9. saith that this Murther was done at a Banquet The Travels of Pekah King of Israel PEkah the Son of Remalia began to reign in Samaria Anno mundi 3189 and before Christ 779. in the two and fiftieth year of Azariah King of Iudah and reigned over Israel twenty years 2 Reg. 15. 16. From the City of Samaria he went with Resin King of Syria to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and besieged it but could not take it nevertheless he overcame Ahaz King of Iuda in a great Battel and put to the Sword in one day above 12000 Souldiers that bare Armour In this War there were taken 200000 Women Children and Maids all which he carried Captives to Samaria 2 Reg. 16. 2. Chr. 28. From Ierusalem he returned to Samaria with a great Booty being 32 miles and at the Command of Obed the Prophet set at liberty all his Captives After about the end of the twentieth year of his Reign he was slain by Hosea his chief Captain who succeeded him in the Government 2 Reg. 15. So all the Travels of Pekah were 64 miles Of Hosea the last King of Israel HOSEA began to reign in the fourth Year of Ahas King of Iuda Anno Mundi 3209 and before Christ 759. He kept Court at Samaria and was a cruel and wicked King Wherefore God stirred up Salmanasser Emperour of the Assyrians who about the end of the seventh Year of his Reign came to Samaria and besieged it for the space of three Years at the end of the third Year with great Labour he won it and all the Country round about so that he took King Hosea Prisoner and led him together with a great Multitude of the Iews amongst which were Gabriel and Raphael the Friends of Toby the Elder thence to Nineveh Captives being 652 miles From Nineveh he sent them to a place called Rages in Media being 752 miles and in that Country peopled many Towns and Cities with them so that there were many of the Israelites led into Captivity above 1396 miles for so many miles is Rages and the Cities of the Medes from Ierusalem North-eastward This Captivity of the ten Tribes hapned Anno Mundi 3227. and before Christ 741. Of the Cities of Rages and Nineveh you may read in the Travels of Toby and the Angel Gabriel The Travels of the People which Salmanasser Emperour of the Assyrians sent to dwell in the Land of Israel SALMANASSER after he had carried the Children of Israel away captive into Assyria sent as it is said part of them into Media and part of them into Persia and so diâ—persed them here and there about the Country But because the Land of Israel by reason of this Captivity became desolate and without Inhabitants therefore he caused those People which dwelt about the River Cutha in Persia to go thence and dwell in Samaria and in all the Country round about to till the Land and dress the Vines lest some other People that were strangers to his Government should usurp upon that Kingdom it being thus without Inhabitants Ios. li. Ant. 9. You may read of this also 2 Reg. 7. In whose place and near to the said
of the Moabites which happened about the fifth year of Iehoram King of Israel An. Mundi 3055 and before Christ 913. He reigned with his Father Iehosaphat two years and after his Decease six So Ioram reigned eight years over Iudah and when he was forty years old died miserably 2 Reg. 8 9. About the beginning of the second year of this King's Reign which was the sixth of Iehoram King of Israel Elias the Prophet was taken up into Heaven About the beginning of his Reign he went from Ierusalem to Mount Seir being twenty eight miles South-ward where he used such extreme cruelty toward the Edomites which at this time were his Subjects that of a sudden they fell from him and chose them a King of their own 2 Reg. 8. From the Mountain of Seir he returned to Ierusalem which is twenty eight miles and there cruelly put to death his own Brothers But God stirred up against him the Philistines and Arabians who broke into Iuda and destroyed it with Fire and Sword They also went to Ierusalem and took thence all his Substance and Riches put his Children to the Sword all but Ioachas which was also called Ahaziah or Ochorias and carried away his Wives captive into Arabia Foelix which is near unto Ethiopia 1200 miles Then the Lord struck him with an extream pain in his Bowels of which after two years he died and was buried without any Funeral-pomp or honourable Respect near to the King's Tower A man unworthy to be buried in the Sepulchre of the rest of the Kings because he so much degenerated from David his Predecessor 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chr. 28. So all the Travels of Ioram were fifty six miles The Travels of Ahaziah King of Judah AHaziah which also was called Iehoachas succeeded his Father Ioram in the Government of Iudah and began his Reign in the twelfth year of Iehoram King of Israel Ann. Mund. 3062. and before Christ 906 and reigned one year 1 Reg. 8. He went from Ierusalem to Ramoth in Gilead which is accounted forty eight miles There he went to Battel with Iehoram King of Israel against the Syrians 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chr. 22. From Ramoth in Gilead he returned to Ierusalem forty eight miles Within a while after he went back again to visit his Kinsman Iehoram King of Israel to Iezteel for he was wounded in the Battel against Hasael and lay there to be cured which was forty eight miles With Iehoram he went to meet Iehu the Captain of the Host who shot an Arrow and wounded Iehoram that he died in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite Wherefore Ahaziah to save his Life fled with all possible speed taking his way to the King's Garden that stood close by the Vineyard of Naboth the Iezreelite not far from teh City and Tower of Iezreel But Iehu followed him so close that he wounded him as he ascended up to a place called GVR which signifieth a Lions Whelp near unto the Town which is called Iiblea Wherefore Ahaziah feeling himself hurt went to Megiddo four miles from Iezreel and near to Apheck upon the West There as Iosephus saith lib. Antiq. 9. he caused his wounds to be searched and bound up This City of Megiddo is forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward From Megiddo he went to Samaria which was fourteen miles there he lay hid for a while flying from one place to another to save himself 2 Chr. 22. But being found out he was carried back to the City of Megiddo which was fourteen miles and at the commandment of Iehu was there slain 1 Reg. 8. From Megiddo his Carcasa was carried to Ierusalem which was forty eight miles and there buried 2 Reg. 8. 2 Chron. 22. So all the Travels of Ahaziah King of Iudah were 224 miles Of that Idolatrous and wicked Queen Athalia AThalia was Sister to Ahab and Daughter to Omri married to Ioram Son of that good King Iehosaphat when he was but seventeen years of age and after the death of Azahiah who was slain about the twenty third year of his age she usurped upon the Kingdom of Israel Anno Mundi 3063 before Christ 905 and reigned with great Tyranny almost seven years So soon as she had obtained the Government she cruelly and miserably put to death the children of Ahaziah and all those that were next Heirs to the kingdom only Ioas who was saved by the policy of Iehoshabeath Sister to Ahasiah that stole him from among the rest of the King's Sons and put him to Nurse in her Bed-Chamber and he was with them in the House of God six years all which time Athalia raigned over the land And in the seventh year Iehojada waxed bold and proclaimed Ioas King as being next Heir to the Crown and anointed him in the Temple who after Athalia was slain succeeded in the Government 2 Reg. 11. 2 Chron. 23. Of Joas King of Judah JOas began to reign over Iudah when he was almost seven years of age and about the middle of the seventh year of Iehu King of Israel Anno Mundi 3069 and before Christ 899 and raigned over Iudah forty years He did that which was acceptable in the â—ight of the Lord all the days of Iehojada the Priest who crowned him King but after his death he fell into evil courses and caused that good Priest Zachariah the Son of Iehojada who was the Author of all his preferment to be stoned to death in the upper Court of the Temple which act argued that he was very unthankful and tyrannical But the Lord displeased with his cruelty within a year after the death of Zachariah stirred up the Syrians who invaded Iudaea and spoiled the City of Ierusalem in which War all those that stirred up the King to Idolatry were cruelly slain To conclude within a while after some of his Courtiers conspired against him and as he lay sick of a grievous disease in his bed put him to death and buried him in Milo the City of David Thus God justly punished this Tyrant for his Unthankfulness Apostasie and Cruelty when he had lived 47 years 2 Reg. 12. The Travels of Amasiah King of Judah AMasias or Amasiah signifies the strength of Iehovah This man was twenty five years of Age when he was enthronised by his Father about the second year of Ioas King of Israel Anno mundi 3108 and before Christ 806. He ruled the Kingdom while his Father was sick one year and after his decease twenty eight so all the years of his Reign were twenty nine He went with an Army from Ierusalem to Saelag that is to the Tower or Rock of Mount Seir forty miles towards the South here in the Valley of Salt he put to death a multitude of the Idumaeans And although this Town was very strongly scituated yet he won it and called it Ioctiel that is the Year of the Lord because God in that place heard his Prayers being derived of Iakah and El which is God hath heard Near to this Town Amasiah
commanded 10000 Idumaeans which he had taken in War to be cast down headlong from the top of an high Rock into a deep Valley in which fall their bones were shattered all to pieces and they died miserably 2 Reg. 14. From Selag-Ioctiel he returned to Ierusalem being forty miles where he began to worship the Gods of the Idumaeans that he brought along with him 2 Chron. 24. From Ierusalem he went to Bethsemes and there was overcome by Joas King of Israel which was four miles 2 Chron. 25. From Bethsemes Ioas led Amasiah back again to Ierusalem captive being four miles 2 Reg. 14. From Ierusalem he fled to the City of Lachis which was twenty miles and there was slain by his own Servants 2 Chron. 25. From Lachis his carkass was carried back again to Ierusalem twenty miles where it was buried in the City of David 2 Reg. 14. 2 Chron. 25. So all his Travels were 128 miles The Travels of Azariah or Uzziah King of Judah THIS man succeeded his Father Amasia in the year of the World 3138 and before Christ 830 when he was but sixteen years of age and reigned fifty two years his Mothers name was Iecoliah of Ierusalem He did those things which were upright in the sight of the Lord therefore the Lord blessed him And after the death of his Father built Elah and restored it to Iudah He therefore went from Ierusalem to Elah 160 miles towards the South and rebuilt that Town it being a famous Mart-Town scituated upon the Red Sea and fortified it because Resin King of the Syrians in times past for want of due fortification won it and destroyed it 2 Chron. 26. From Elah he returned to Ierusalem 160 miles After he went from Ierusalem to Gath a City of the Philistines which was accounted thirty four miles this Town he won beat down the Walls and destroyed the Bulwarks thereof From thence he went to Iabnia which is twenty four miles and broke down the Walls thereof 2 Chron. 26. From thence he went to Azotus or Asdod which was eight miles 2 Chron. 26. From Asdod he went again to Ierusalem being twenty two miles Within a while after he gathered an Army and went from Ierusalem to Gur-Baal that is Gerar where he overcame the Arabians in a great Battel which was thirty two miles 2 Chron. 26. From Gerar he returned to Ierusalem being thirty two miles He went from Ierusalem that third time into the Land of the Ammonites sixty miles which People he conquered and made Tributary to him so that he was made Famous through all the Countries thereabout even to the utmost part of Aegypt because of his often Victories and Triumphs 2 Chron 26. Out of the land of the Ammonites he returned to Ierusalem being sixty miles But now being lift up with the Prosperity of Fortune and not content with his Regal Dignity he endeavoured to have chief Authority over the Priests also for which cause he went into that part of the Temple where the Altar of sweet Incense stood where it was lawful for none to go but the Priests and there took upon him to offer sweet Incense but as he was offering the Lord struck him with Leprosie so that he was constrained to dwell in a house by himself separated from the Congregation and his Son Iotham governed in his stead all the days of his Life But within a while after he died of this disease and was buried in the Kings Garden at Ierusalem and not in the Sepulchre of the Kings 2 Reg. 15. 2 Chron. 26. So all the Travels of Azariah King of Iudah were 592 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Elah THIS was a City scituated upon the Red Sea 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the South between Ezion-Gaber and Midian This City Resin King of the Syrians conquered but Azariah King of Iudah drove thence the Syrians and made it so strong that it seemed impossible to be conquered It took the name of abundance of Oaks which as it seemeth grew about that place for Elah or Ilix signifies a kind of Oak Tree of which there is great plenty in the Holy Land so called because of their strength and hardness Of Jobnia THIS was a City near to Ioppa and Libba 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-West This City taketh the name of Wisdom and Prudence being derived of Bin to understand Of Gur-Baal THIS Town is also called Gerar where Abraham and Isaac sometimes travelled it is distant from Ierusalem thirty two miles towards the South-West and six miles from Hebron Here the Iews and neighbouring Arabians afterwards worshipped the Idol Baaâ— and therefore this City which in the times of the Patriarchs was called Gerar a Perigrination was after called Gur-Baal that is the Perigrination of the Idol Baal being derived of Gor which signifies He hath travelled The Travels of Jotham King of Judah JOtham signifies Whole and Perfect He succeeded his Father Azariah when he was about twenty five years of age Anno Mundi 3190 and before Christ 778. He raigned over Iudah seventeen years until the one and fortieth year of his age His Mothers name was Ichruscha so called from an Inheritance or Possession He began his Reign in the second year of Pekah King of Israel and continued it unitl the seventeenth year of his Government 2 Reg. 15. 17. When this noble Prince had rebuilded and richly adorned the House of the Lord he went from Ierusalem and invaded the Country of the Ammonites which was sixty miles conquered their King and made the whole Land pay him Tribute even a hundred Talents of Silver of the common weight 10000 measures of Wheat and 10000 of Barley yearly This Tribute continued three years From the Land of the Ammonites he went back to Ierusalem which was sixty miles where after he had adorned the Temple with many princely buildings he dyed about the one and fortieth year of his age 2 Reg. 15. So all his Travels were 120 miles Of Ahaz King of Judah AHAZ signifies Apprehending or a Possessor He began to reign after the death of his Father Iotham about the end of the seventeenth year of Pekah King of Israel Anno Mundi 3205 before Christ 762. He reigned wickedly 16 years 2 Reg. 16. 2 Chr. 28. For he was a notorious Hypocrite who out of a perverse Zeal worshipped many Idols and burnt his Son in the Valley of Gehinnon as an Offering unto Moloch wherefore he was unhappy in his Government for God stirred up mighty enemies against even Reâ—in King of Syria and Pekah King of Israel who wasted and destroyed his Kingdom and streightly besieging Ierusalem conquered Ahaz in a great Battel and put to the Sword 120000 of his men After that Resin returned to Elath and took it so that he lost more then his Father had gotten Where being struck into a great fear by reason of these adversities he sent to crave the Aid of Tiglasse Phulasser King of the Assyrians who at his request
sent a great Army from Niniveh to Damascus 520 miles and there overcame Resin and put him to death and took captive 242000 of the people of Damascus and sent them into Cyren a Country of Africa 2 Reg. 16. The Travels of Ahaz KING Ahaz went from Ierusalem to Damascus which was 160 miles to meet Tiglath-Phulasser King of the Assyrians to rejoyce with him for his happy Victory and give him thanks for his aid and assistance where when he saw the Altar at Damascus to be very glorious he sent for Vrijah the chief Priest who took a patern thereof and carried it with him to Ierusalem where he made an Altar like unto it 2 Reg. 16. From Dâ—mascus he returned back again 160 miles So his Travels were 320 miles But yet Ahaz continued in his perverse Impiety and Idolatry without any regard or fear of God therefore he stirred up other Enemies against him viz. the Idumeans who took a great multitude of them captive and the Philistines who with their Army broke into the South part of the Tribe of Iudah and took these Cities following viz Bethsemes Ajalon Timnath Socho Gederâ—th and Gimso with their Villages These Cities for the most part are mentioned in the precedent Treatise except Gederoth and Gimso Gederoth commonly called Gederothaim is distant from Ierusalem eight miles towards the South-West and stands near to the Castle of Emaus being compassed about with a Hedge from whence it seemeth to take the name for Gadar is as much as to say he hath hedged about Giâ—so was also in the Tribe of Iudah but in what place is not certainly known Thus King Ahaz all the days of his Life did evil in the sight of the Lord for which God punished him and all the Land and in the sixteenth year of his Reign he died and was buried with his Fathers in the City of David The Travelâ— of Ezekias King of Judah EZâ—kias which signifies the Champion of Iehovah was born when his Father was but thirteen years of age which made many Questions whether he should succeed him as his lawful Heir in his Kingdom because they doubted whether he was lawfully begotten For if you do observe the order and course of the years and Chronologie in the Scripture you shall find that from the beginning of the thirteenth year of the age of Ahaz to the first year of the Reign of this King Ezekias make just twenty five years Ezekias therefore began to reign after the death of his Father Ahaz about the end of the third year of Hosea King of Israel 2 Reg. 19. Anno mun 3222 before Christ 746 being then about twenty five years of age a little before Easter as it appeareth 2 Chron. 29. He governed that Kingdom with great Commendations twenty nine years The first Journey that he â—ook was from Ierusalem to Gaza which was forty four miles there he overcame the Army of the Philistines and recovered all those Cities which his Father Ahaz had lost according to that in the Prophet Esay cap. 15. 2 Reg. 18. From Gaza he returned to Ierusalem which was forty four miles there he broke down the places for Idolatry and the brazen Serpent made by Moses in the Wilderness and called it Nehustan a Brazen thing that hath nothing in it self of a Divine nature and could neither profit nor hurt therefore ought not to be worshipped This Brazen Serpent was kept in memory of that Sign that God shewed unto the Children of Israel in the Desart when they were bitten and stung to death by fiery Serpents for looking upon this Brazen Serpent they were healed But now because of the abuse thereof by the Iews which turned it into Idolatry it was broken to pieces Num. 21. 2 Reg. 18. So all the Travels of Ezechias were eighty eight miles In the fourteenth year of the Reign of Ezekias and in the thirty eighth year of his age Senacharib that mighty Emperour of the Assyrians having taken many Towns and Cities in the holy-Land would have also besieged Ierusalem and for that purpose sent from Lachis which was twenty miles distant from Ierusalem Thartan Rabsarim and Rabsacha three mighty Princes Embassadors with a great Train to attend them These men went about the City to see in what part it was most subject to battery and might easiest be got so when they came to the Conduit of the upper Pool which is by the path of the Fullers Field between the Fish-Gate and the Old-Gate in that place where they might easiliest be heard they called to the King but Eliakim the Son of Hilkiah which was Hezekia's Steward Shebna the Chancellor and Ioah the Son of Asaph the Recorder went upon the Wall then Rabsacha uttered blasphemous words against the Lord but Ezekias when he had heard what the Enemy had said called all the Elders of Ierusalem together and sent for Isaiah the Prophet the Son of Amos and they went into the Temple of the Lord and prayed Wherefore the Lord heard their Prayers and sent his Angel into the Camp of the Assyrians and lo in one night there were slain 185000 men as they lay in their Tents before Gibeah which at this time they besieged being distant from Ierusalem some ten miles towards the South-West This great deliverance happen'd in the year of the World 3253 and before Christ 733. About the end of the thirty eighth year of the age of Ezekiah he fell into a dangerous disease which so far forth as could be gathered by all likelihoods was the Plague for God doth oftentimes try the Patience of his Saints with sundry afflictions but yet at his servent Prayers he was restored to Health and his days were lengthened fifteen years at which time the Sun went back ten Degrees according to the variation of the shadow in the Dyal of Ierusalem 2 Reg. 20. Isa 38. 2 Chr. 32. But at the end of the fifteen years which was about the fifty fourth year of his age he dyed and was buried with his Fathers The Travels of Manasses MAnasses or Manasseh signifieth forgetting or he hath forgotten This man was twelve years old when he succeeded his Father Ezekiah in the Kingdom of Iudah he began to reign Anno mundi 3251 and before Christ 717. This King was a great Idolater and one that put the Prophets of the Lord to death so that it was wonderful to see what Tyranny and mischief he wrought in Israel wherefore the Lord stirred up the Assyrians against him who overcame him in a great Battel and took him Captive carrying him bound in Chains from Ierusalem to Babylon even 680 miles But after being humbled by his afflictions he came to a knowledge of himself and repenting for his former evil humbling himself with prayer and fasting under the hand of God wherefore the Lord took compassion of him and stirred up the mind of the King of Babylon to mercy so that he loosed his bands and sent him back again to Ierusalem 680 miles From that time
forward he left Idolatry and worshipped the true God adorned the Temple of the Lord with many fair and beautiful Buildings and in the five and fiftieth year of his age he died and was buried in the Kings Garden 2 Reg. 21. 2 Chron. 33. So all the Travels of Manasses were 1360 miles Of Amon King of Judah AMon signifieth True and Faithful he succeeded his Father Manasses when he was twenty two years of age Anno mundi 3307 before Christ 661. He reigned two years and then because of his exceeding Idolatry the Lord cast him off when he was about twenty four years of age near which time some of his Servants conspired against him and put him to death The Travels of King Josiah JOSIAH signifies A Sacrifice of the Lord he succeeded his Father Manasses in the Government when he was but eight years of age Anno Mundi 3309 before Christ 659. He governed Israel with great commendations thirty two years 2 Reg. 22. his Mothers name was Iedidah and dwelt in a Town called Bâ—zâ—ath but how far this Town stood from Ierusalem is not set down by any Author This good King went from Ierusalem to Bethel which was eight miles there he burnt upon the Altar which Ieroboam built the bones of the Priests of Baal as the man of God which came from Iudah had told Ieroboam 350 years before 1 Reg. 13. 2 Chr. 35. From Bethel he returned back to Ierusalem which was eight miles there he celebrated the Passover with a solemn Feast and great Attendance 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. In the last year of his Reign he went with his Army from Ierusalem to Megiddo being forty four miles against Pharaoh Necho King of Aegypt in which Battel he was slain with an Arrow about the thirty ninth year of his age 2 Chron. 3 5. From Megiddo his Body was carried in a Chariot back again to Ierusalem which was forty four miles and there with great Lamentations honourably buried 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. So all his Travels were 104 miles The Travels of Jehoahas King of Judah JEhoahas signifies the knowledge of God he succeeded his Father Iosiah in the twenty third year of his age Anno Mundi 3340 which was 628 years before Christ and reigned only three Months 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ieremy cap. 22. calleth this man Schallum that is a Recompence He went from Ierusalem to Riblah a City in the Tibe of Nepthaly which is accounted eighty miles where he was taken Prisoner by Pharaoh Necho 2 Reg. 23. From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led him Captive bound in Chains back again to Ierusalem being eighty miles and there appointed Iehojakim his elder Brother to reign in his place 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chron. 36. From Ierusalem he carried Iehoahas to Memphis the Metropolitan City of Aegypt which was 244 miles 2 Reg. 23. So all the Travels of Iehoahas were 404 miles Of Jehoiakim King of Judah JEhoiakim was the eldest Son of Iosiah that Good King and succeeded his Brother Iehoahas in the Kingdom Anno Mundi 3341 before Christ 627 he governed Iudah eleven years Pharaoh Necho made him King when he was twenty five years of age to whom he was constrained to pay 100 Talents of Silver and a Talent of Gold This Money being payed he obtained the Kingdom and continued in great Impiety and Idolatry for which cause he was sharply reprehended by Ieremiah the Prophet but he being offended at his words sought to put him to death wherefore the Lord stirred up Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of the Assyrians and Babylonians who in the eleventh year of this King's Reign came to Ierusalem and took him captive tyed him in two chains and would have carried him to Babylon but his mind changed wherefore he caused him to be put to death and cast out into the Fields of Ierusalem for a prey to wild Beasts Ier. 22. 2 Reg. 23. Of Jehoiachin King of Judah Jehoiachin signifies the preparation of Iehovah This man succeeded his Brother Iehoiakim and began his Reign about the end of the 3351 year of the World and reigned only three Months and ten days which was about the eighth year of Nabuchadonozor the Great at which time he was led captive from Ierusalem to Babylon together with Mordochae and many other Nobles which was 680 miles This Captivity happened 617 years before Christ 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ester 2. Ier. 52. The Travels of Zedekiah the last King of Judah AFter Iehoiachin succeeded Zedekiah which signifies the just man of God This was the Son of the good King Iosiah yet an impious Tyrant who by the permission of Nabuchadonozor the Great was suffered to be King of Iudah after his Brother when he was one and twenty years of age He began to reign about the beginning of the 3352 year of the World and before Christ 616 he governed tyranically eleven years 2 Reg. 24. In the eleventh year of this King Ierusalem was taken by Nabuchadonezar the great Emperour of the Babylonians wherefore Zedekiah to escape the brunt of War fled from Ierusalem with all possible speed to Iericho which was twelve miles Ier. 39. 5. From the plain near the City Iericho where he was overcome by the Princes of the Chaldeans he was led to Riblah to Nebuchadonezar which was sixty eight miles From Riblah after the Emperour Nabuchadonezar had caused all his Children to be put to death before his face and had put out both his eyes he led him captive to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserably 2 Reg. 25. So all the Travels of Zedekiah King of Iudah were 680 miles Of the Destruction of Jerusalem by Nabuchadonezar IN the ninth year of this Zedekiah which was the last King of Iudah Nabuchadonezar began to besiege Ierusalem it being then Winter Anno Mundi 3860 upon the tenth day of the tenth Month Tebeth which answereth to the seven and twentieth day of December which day the Iews till now observed as a fasting day The Siege continued even till the eleventh year of this King Ierem. 39. 5. 2 Reg. 25. and upon the ninth day of the fourth Month Thamus which agreeth with the tenth day of Iuly the City was taken and Zedekiah was put to flight Upon the seventh day of the fifth Month Ab Nabuzaradan chief Captain of the Army was sent back by Nabuchadonezar into Iudaea where he destroyed and burned the houses and buildings of the City of Ierusalem Ierem. 52. upon the tenth day of the fifth Month Ab which answereth to the ninth day of August being the Sabbath day the Temple of Ierusalem was set on fire Ier. 52. de bello Iudei lib. 6. cap. 26. 27. This first Captivity and Destruction of the City Ierusalem by Nabuchadonezar that great Emperour happened Anno Mundi 3362 and before Christ 606 three hundred and ninety years being then fully compleat and ended from the first year of Ieroboam King of Israel who set up the Golden Calves and
after in the Travels of Ionas the Prophet Of Kyr which is commonly called Cyrene KYR or Cyrene is scituated in Africa 816 miles from Ierusalem Westward In which Country Simon that bore the Cross of Christ was born Mat. 27. Luke 23. It signifies in Hebrew a strong Wall and in Latine a Heart The Travels of King Salmanasser SAlmanasser signifieth the Assyrian Peace-maker This man Ptolomaeus that excellent Mathematician calleth Nabonasarus that is the Prophet of the Assyrians He began to reign upon the 26 of February An. Mundi 3221 before Christ 747 and reigned ten years or thereabout This man went with his Army from Niniveh to Samaria being 652 miles where he compelled Hosea the last King of Israel to pay him tribute 2 Reg. 16. From thence he returned back again with his Army to Nineveh 652 miles After when Hosea King of Israel conspiring with So King of Egypt denied to pay him Tribute he returned back again the second time to Samaria being 652 miles and after three years siege he took and destroyed it with Fire and Sword and conquered all the Countrey round about From Samaria he returned back again to Nineveh 652 miles So all the Travels of Salmanasser King of the Assyrians were 2608 miles The Travels of Senacharib King of the Assyrians SEnâ—charib as Melanâ—thon expounds it signifieth a two-edged Sword He succeeded his Father Salmanasser An. Mund. 3231. before Christ 737. He reigned seven years This man imitating his Father endeavoured to carry away the rest of Gods People into Captivity for which purpose he brought an Army from Nineveh to Lachis which was 700 miles which Town he besieged and sent his Princes to Ierusalem being twenty miles where he blasphemed the Lord of which you may read more in the History of King Hezekiah From Lachis he went to Libnah eight miles This was a strong Hold but he besieged it so narrowly that within a while after he had begun the Siege he took it While he was before this Town there came News that Taracha King of the Ethiopians had invaded his Countrey Wherefore he sent the second time Messengers to Ierusalem But the Lord was offended with their blasphemy wherefore he sent his Angel who in one Night destroyed 185000 of his Army This sudden and unexpected evil falling upon him in a great fear he returned to Niniveh 692 miles where he was slain by his Sons in the Temple The fame of these things was so divulged abroad that Herodotus lib. 2. makes mention of them So these three Journeys make 1400 miles Of Lachis and Libnah you may read before Of Assarhaddon King of the Assyrians ASsarhaddon his father Senacharib being slain succeeded in the Government Anno Mundi 3238 which agreeth with the 730 year before Christ and reigned ten years in Niniveh the chief City of the Assyrians Here again the mutation and change of Kingdoms may be observed for Merodach a Chaldaean rebelling against Senacharib continued his Government in Babylon eleven years that is during a part of the Reign of Senacharib and all the Reign of Assarhaddon his Son in which time he conquered the Assyrians and made them subject to the Empire of the Babylonians Of Merodach the first Emperour of the Babylonians MErodach signifieth a bitter repentance He was the Son of Baladan Prince of Babylon who ruled at such time as Senacharib had that grievous overthrow in Iudah Wherefore taking advantage of the time and the necessity of that Prince he rebelled against him and his Son Assarhaddon taking upon him the absolute command of the City and whole Empire The beginning of whose Reign happened in the year of the World 3236 and before Christ 732. This Merodach sent to Ierusalem wise and learned men with Gifts and Presents to King Ezekiah just in that year when the Sun went back ten Degrees to know the truth of this Miracle For it was a custom amongst the Nations round about Ierusalem if any thing happened beyond the expectation of man to send thither to inquire the truth thereof Such and so Wise a People were the Iews esteemed in those times as may appear by divers places of the Holy Scripture In the beginning of the twelfth year of this King Assaâ—haddon Emperour of the Assyrians died after whose death he became Emperour of all Assyria and Chaldea He began to reign over that spatious Kingdom Anno Mundi 3247 before Christ 721 and reigned after that forty years Of Ben-Merodach Emperour of Babylon BEn-Merodach that is the Son of Merodach succeeded his Father Anno Mundi 3287 before Christ 681. He reigned twenty one years Of Nebuchadnezzar first of that name Emperour of Babylon NEbuchadonezar or Nebuchadnezzar signifieth a Divine Judge He was the most potent King of all the Babylonian This man obtained the chief command over the Babylonians Empire Anno Mundi 3309 before Christ 659. He reigned thirty five years and held his Court sometime in Babylon sometimes in Niniveh Iud. 1. He made War with Pharaoh Necho King of Aegypt of which Battel you may read 2 Reg. 25. 2 Chr. 35. in the Valley of Megiddo where Iosias was slain Herod lib. 2. doth also make mention of this Battel and calls the place by the name of Magdalum Of which Ieremy also speaketh But they were Towns in the Tribe of Manasses scituated near to the Plain where this Battel was fought in which Country Mary Magdalen was born The Travels of Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of Babylon NEbuchadnezzar or Nebuchadonozor the Great which Ptolomaeus calleth Nebupollasser about the end of the third year of Ioachim King of Iudah being a little before created Emperour his Father yet living came unto Ierusalem which he besieged so streightly that he constrained Ioachim to pay him Tribute for thirty seven years Berosus saith Lib. 3. A little after that is Anno Mundi 3344. before Christ 624 he was sent against the Syrians Phoenicians and Aegyptians that rebelled So he went with his Army from Babylon to Carchemis a City of Syria scituated near the River Euphrates which was 280 miles Here he overcame Pharaoh-Necho King of Aegypt in a great Battel Ier. 46. Herod lib. 2. From Carchemis he went to Ierusalem which was 400 miles here he took Daniel and his companions captive and brought them to Babylon After he went with his Army to Pelusio being 132 miles which he took conquered all the Land of Aegypt put to death Pharaoh-Necho and made Psammeticus his Son King in his place Ieremy the Prophet told of this War cap. 25. 26. From Pelusio he returned to Babylon 800 miles Within a while after his Father died and he succeeded in the Government and reigned forty three years In the eleventh year of Ioachim King of Iudah he went again from Babylon to Ierusalem which was 680 miles and by policy took that City and put Ioachim the King thereof to death according to the Prophecy of Ieremy cap. 22. 2 Kin. 24. From thence after he had made Iechonias his
people of Israel Ishmael that was of the Stock and Progeny of David hoping to obtain the Government of Iuda made War upon Gediliah and put him to Death wherefore Ieremy went from thence with Iohn the Son of Kareach Prince of the Iews to Bethlem Euphrata eight miles Ier. 41. Now when he had stayed a while in a Village near Bethlem called Geruth Chimeham where sometime Chimeham the Son of Barzillaâ— lived 2 Sam. 19. he prophesied saying If you stay in this Land you shall do well neither shall any Evil happen unto you but if you depart hence into Aegypt they shall devour you with Famine and with the Sword Jer. 42. But Iohn and the rest of the Princes would give no credit to the words of Ieremy but went into Aegypt and compelled the Prophet to go along with them so they went from Bethlehem to Tachpanes which was 172 miles Here the second time Ieremy prophesied unto them saying Behold Nebuchadnezzar shall come hither and wast and destroy all the Country of Aegypt beat down the Images of Bethsemes or Heliopolis and carry away the Aegyptians into perpetual Captivity Jer. 43. But the People of Israel being moved to Anger because of his Words stoned him to death So the Travels of the Prophet Ieremiah were 1786 miles Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in the Travels of this Prophet you may read of them before except Geruth-Chimeham which stood close by Bethlehem It taketh the name from a Stranger or Traveller being derived of Gor which signifieth He hath travelled and Tachpanes which was a City of Egypt some 180 miles from Ierusalem where the Prophet Ieremy was stoned to death it is oftentimes called the name of Taphniis The Travels of Urijah the Prophet URIAS or Vriah signifies Illuminated or inlightned of the Lord. He was born at Kirjath-jearim a mile from Ierusalem towards the West from thence he came to Ierusalem and there prophesied of the Destruction of the City After when King Ioachim went about to take away his Life he fled thence into Egypt 160 miles But the King sent Messengers into Egypt and fetch'd Vrijah back again to Ierusalem and hundred and sixty miles and there cut off his head and caused his Body to be thrown into the Sepulchre of a poor despised man that it might not be known that he had been a Prophet of the Lord. So all his Travels were 321 miles Of Hananias the false Prophet HAnanias or Chanania signifieth the Grace of God This false Prophet was a Gibeonite and came from Gibeon to Ierusalem which was four miles where he took the woodden yoaks from the neck of Ieremiah the Prophet but Ieremiah caused Iron Yoaks to be made in their places and told Hananias that for his falshood that year he should surely dye as after he did Of the Prophet Ezekiel EZekiel or Iechezkel signifies the Strength or Fortitude of God He was carried captive with 3000 others of the Nobility of the Iews from Ierusalem to Babylon which was 680 miles the same year that Nebuchadnezzar put King Ioachim to death Within five years after a little before Easter the Book of the Law was found 2 Chron. 3. He began to prophesie in Babylon Anno Mundi 3356 before Christ 612 at which time he saw his first Visions near to the River Chebar Of the River Chebar THE River Chebar was near Babylon in Chaldaea upon the borders of Mesopotamia falling into Euphrates and was often times called Aborras according to the opinion of many learned men Strabo in the sevententh Book of his Geography saith that there is another River between Tygris and Euphrates called Basilius Aborras passeth along by the City of Athemusia and is a very fair stream from whence it is called Chebar which signifies a swift and spacious River Near to this River the Prophet Ezekiel saw the Glory and Majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ in a bright shining Cloud In this place also dwelt many Iews to whom he prophecied and foretold the Destruction of Ierusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the captivity of Zedekiah The Travels of the Prophet Daniel DAniel signifies the Judge of God In the reign of Ioachim King of Iudâ—h he was carried away captive from Ierusalem to Babylon by Nabuchadonozor which was 680 miles and there with his fellows learned the Arts and Language of the Chaldeans for three years He was then but young about some nineteen or twenty years of age and lived in Exile ninety one years until the third year of Cyrus Emperour of the Persians about which time he saw his last Vision and a little after died when he was about 110 years of age as may be gathered by the Circumstances of Histories and Times From Babylon he went to Susan in Persia Anno Mundi 3418 and before Christ 540 being then ninety four years of age which was 252 miles where near to the Flood Eulaeus he had a Vision of a Ram and a Goat which set forth the state of the second Monarchy which was that of the Graecians In this Vision Gabriel the Arch-Angel appeared to Daniel Dan. 8. This was in the third year of King Balthasar From Susan Daniel returned to Babylon which was 252 miles here he interpreted to Balthasar the meaning of these words Mene Mene Tekel Euphar sin Dan. 5. From Babylon he went to the River Tygris or Hidekel which was thirty six miles here in the third year of Cyrus King of Persia he saw his last Vision which is described in the tenth eleventh and twelfth Chapters of his Prophecy From Tygris he returned to his own house at Babylon which was thirty six miles Sometimes also in his three last years of his life he used to goe to Egbatan the Metropolitan City of the Medes which was accounted 464 miles from Babylon towards the North-East Here Daniel built a fair and and artificial Temple so strongly that it remained unperished and retained the ancient beauty many Ages to the great admiration of all the Spectators In it the Kings of the Medes Persians and Parthians were for the most part honourably buried the Government whereof was committed to a Priest of the Iews as Iosephus saith lib. Antiq. 10. cap. 4. From Egbatan he returned back again to Babylon which was 464 miles and there died Anno Mundi 3445 and before Christ 533. So all the Travels of the Prophet Daniel were 2184 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Susan SVsa or Susan is so called from a sweet smelling Flower but chiefly a Rose or a Lilly because it is scituated in a fair and pleasant place It was a goodly City lying on both sides the River Eulaeus some 200 furlongs that is twenty five miles English about as Polycletus saith And of this City all the Country round about is called Susana bordering towards the North upon Assyria towards the West upon Babylon towards the South upon the Gulph of Persia and joyneth upon the East part of Persia towards the East There are but two Cities
of Tharsis that is of the Sea beside many such like speeches From whence St. Ierom concludes that Tharsis may better signifie the Sea than the City Tharsis Of the Euxine Sea THE Euxine Ocean is that great and troublesome Sea which beginning not far from Constantinople runneth from Bosphorus and Thrace towards the East and North containing to the Longitude eight hundred miles but to the Latitude two hundred and eighty Towards the South it toucheth upon Asia the less towards the East upon Calcos towards the West upon Thracia and Valachia but towards the North it is â—oyned to the Pool of Maeotides This Sea in times past was called Pontus Axenus that is the inhospitable Countrey because as Strabo lib. 1. of his Cosmography saith The Inhabitants near about the Sea-shore did usually sacrifice those Strangers they got or else cast their Bodies unto Dogs to be devoured making drinking-cups of their Skulls But after when the Ionians had built certain Towns upon the Sea-coast and had restrained the Incursions of certain Scythian Thieves which usually preyed upon Merchants that resorted thither at the command of Pontus their King who had obtained a large and spatious Kingdom in that Country they called it Pontus Euxinus which is as much as to say the hospitable Country Ovid testifieth almost the same concerning the original of the name of this Sea after this manner Frigida me cohibent Euxini littora Ponti Dictus ab antiquis Axinus ille fuit The chilly shoars of th' Euxine Sea constrains me to abide In antient time call'd Axinus as it along did glide Of Ninus or Nineveh NINVS or Nineveh was a City of Assyria where the Emperours of that Country used to keep their Courts It was first built by Ninus that great Emperour of the first Monarchy 300 years after the flood and 2000 before Christ about the time when the Patriarch Abraham was born It continued in great glory for the space of almost 1500 years and was distant from Ierusalem toward the North-east 684 miles upon the East side joyning to the River Tygris on the North to the Caspian Sea It takes the name from the Beauty of it being derived of Navah which signifieth A comely place spatious and pleasant There are many that are of opinion that in many things it exceeded Babylon as for the sumptuousness of the Buildings the strength of the Walls and the extent The Walls were so thick that three Chariots might have met upon them without any danger and beautified with an hundred and fifty Towers Ionas being sent of God to this City was three days going through it that is as Luther expounds it through every Street of it in which time he converted a hundred and twenty thousand to repentance Arbaces who was called Arphaxad was then Emperour This Arbaces Iustine lib. 2. calleth Arbactus he was a Captain of the Medes who perceiving the effeminate disposition of Sardanapalus the then Emperour taking advantage of the times and this man's weakness conspired with some of his Companions to usurp upon his Government and that he might make them hate and loath his looseness brought them into a Room where they might see him sitting amongst his Harlots tired in Womans apparel and carding Wool This sight greatly displeasing them and before being encouraged by Arbactus they seized upon the City and besieged Sardanapalus in his Palace But to prevent the misery of a shameful death after he had gathered all his Riches together he set fire on his Palace where he his companions and Treasure perished this fire continued fifteen days and happened 823 years before Christ about which time Arbactus succeeded Sardanapalus began to reign and continued his Government twenty eight years But the Medes held not the Assyrian Empire long for Phul Belochus who at this time reigned in Babylon and his Successor Tiglath Philasser are called Kings of Assyria between whom there happened many great Wars 2 Kings 15. 26. From whence may be gathered that after the death of Arbactus these Emperours dwelt in Nineveh and succeeded in the Empire Thus was this City greatly defaced with continual evils the Lord before-hand giving them many admonitions and gentle Corrections if it had been in them to have conceived it to win them to repentance but they continued still in their Sins therefore according to their former Prophecies Cyaxares King of the Medes besieging this Town took it and destroyed it even unto the Ground as Eusebius saith This desolation happened thirteen years before the destruction of Ierusalem in the eleventh year of Sadyattis King of the Lydians who was Grandfather to Croesus Anno Mundi 3349 before Christ 619. After this Destruction it lay a long time desolate but at length some part of it was restored though with much trouble and then when it was at the best estate constrained to suffer many changes and at length utterly destroyed by Tamerlane the Great the second time Anno Mundi 3390. After this the Inhabitants of that Country upon the East side of the River Tygris began the third time to build it But whether this third restoring of this City was at the command of some Prince that had the Government of the Country thereabouts or because of the scituation or for private profit it is not set down nevertheless it is again repaired standing upon the Borders of Armenia beautified with goodly Buildings with fair and spacious Streets compassed about as other Cities of the East are with Walls and Ditches sufficiently strengthened to oppose the Enemy But in respect of the former Nineveh it seems a small Village It hath a Bridge built of Ships lying upon the East side of it over the River Tygris and upon that side of the River there stand many fair Gardens or Orchards and the Land there also is very fertile and pleasant But upon the West of Tygris the Soyl is nothing so fruittile At this day it is called by the name of Mossel so that although it stands in the same place yet doth it not retain the same name To this Town there is a great resort of Merchants who bring up their Commodities from the Rier Tygris hither and from hence convey them to Bagdeth and many other parts of the World The Inhabitants thereof are for the most part Nestorians of whom you may read before in the Description of the Sects remaining in Ierusalem at this day They are had in great account and estimation among the Turks because it is imagined that one of this Sect helpt Mahomet to compose the Alcoran This Nestorius lived Anno Dom. 429. and taught at Constantinople but after he was condemned at Ephesus for an Heretick he was constrained to steal from Constantinople and to flie to Thebes in Aegypt where God laid a grievous punishment upon him for his Tongue began to rot his head and to consume with Vermin of which he died miserably The spiritual signification of the Prophet Jonas JOnas signifieth a Dove and typically representeth
extendeth from Damascus to Jordan after his name was called Vz that is the Land of Counsel for so Vz signifieth There were two Towns in this Country where Job is said to have dwelt that is Astaroth Carnaim and Batzra Astaroth Carnaim was distant from Jerusalem fifty two miles towards the North-East the Inhabitants of which Town worshipped the Goddess Venus and called her by the name of Astaroth of which you may read before St. Jerom saith That the Sepulchre of Job was to be seen in his time in that Town and later Writers testifie as much â—ore their times This Town at this day is called Carnea Batzra is mentioned in the thirty sixth of Genesis it signifieth a Grape gathering In this Town it was thought that Iob was born it lay beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East All this Country in those times was subject to the King of the Edomites or Idumaeans but after it was joyned to the Land of the Moabites they having conquered the Kings of Edom you may read more of it in the sixth of Isay also Ios. 20. where is shewed that it was one of the six Cities of Refuge appointed by Ioshuah Here Iob for the most part continued and held this Town in great honour and reputation He lived about the time of Baela the first King of the Edomites and according to the opinion of St. Ierom Augustine Ambrose Philo and Luther was for his excellent Vertue and singular Piety chosen King of that Country which he greatly inlarged making all the Countries and neighbouring Princes near adjoyning tributary unto him wherefore as Ierom saith in locus Hebraicis having obtained so large an Empire he removed his Seat from Batzra to Astaroth-Carnaim which was a strong and well-defenced City where in those times as Moses witnesseth Gen. 14. there inhabited mighty men and noble Heroes that so by their Vertue he might with the greater facility suppress and conquer other Provinces There are many think him to be of the Stock of Abraham and of the Family of Esau because he is mentioned in the 36 of Genesis where it is said That when Baela died Iobab the Son of Zerah of Bozra or Betzrah reigned in his stead And St. Ierom in his Preface upon the Book of Iob sheweth that he was but five degrees removed from Abraham for Abraham had Ishmael Basmath who was the Wife of Esau Mother of Reguel Grand-mother to Serah and great Grand-mother to Iob. So that by the Mothers side Iob descended from Ishmael and by the Fathers side from Esau. Isaac Esau Reguel Serah Iob or Iobab King of Idumaea Gen. 36. Notwithstanding there are some that are of opinion that he descended from Abraham's Brother and was of the Family of Nahor's Son which opinion also St. Ierom mentioneth in his Hebraâ—cal Qâ—estions But most of the Antient Fathers hold this nothing so probable Luther upon the thirty sixth Chapter of Genesis saith That he was King long time before Moses caâ—ried the Children of Israel out of Egypt For Iuda and Aser the Sons of Iacob had Children before they went into the Land of Egypt Gen. 46. therefore it is not impossible for Reguel the Son of â—sau to have Children also since he was married long before his Brother Iacob From hence then it may be gathered that Iob was King of Idumaea bâ—fore Iacob and his Sons went into the Land of Egypt for although the fourteen Sons of â—sau governed the Land of Edom like so many Princes of which number Reguel the Grand-father of Iob was one because they held it as their Inheritance yet to avoid Sedition and Distractions which oftentimes happen where there is not a certain Head and principal Commander therefore they elected Bela the Son of Beor to be their King after whose death they chose Iob because he was a holy man of God and in his Actions just and upright who without doubt reigned amongst the Edomites a long time for he lived after his Afflictions which God imposed upon him to try him 140 Years Plato saith he married Dina the Daughter of Iacob but St. Ierom That he married the Daughter of an Arabian by whom he had Enon Both these may be true for his first Wife being dead he might marry an Arabian After the death of Iob the Gyants and Heroes in Asteroth-Carnaim fell again from the Idumaeans for when Moses brought the Children of Israel out of the Desart of Arabia-Petraea and that they had conquered the Land beyond Iordan the City Astaroth-Carnaim had a King called Og who governed all the Kingdom of Basan This Gyant was of a mighty Stature he had a Bed of Iron nine Cubits long and four broad Deut. 3. Of Eliphaz ELiphaz the Themanite was the Brother of Iob's Grand-father This Eliphaz had a Son called Theman who built a City and after his own Name called it Theman where Eliphaz his Father dwelt with him From whence it hapned that he was called Eliphaz the Themanite Iob. 2. It was distant from Ierusalem forty miles towards the South and therefore it was called a City of the South you may read of Eliphaz in Ier. cap. 25. He had a Concubine called Thimnah because of her Beauty and comely Proportion by her he had Amaleck of whom came the Amalekites between whom and the Children of Israel were cruel Wars Exad 17. The Travels of Eliphaz the Themanite FROM Themen he went to Astaroth-Carnaim where Iob dwelt which is accounted ninety two miles to comfort his Friend Iob Iob 2. From Astaroth-Carnaim he returned back to his own house which was ninety two miles So the Travels of Eliphaz were 184 miles Of Bildad Job's Friend BEyond Iordan and the Sea of Galilee not far from Astaroth-Carnaim there is at this day found a Town called Suah where as it is thought Bildad the Friend of Iob dwelt Near to this Town as Sebastian Francus observes in his Cosmography there was yearly in the Summer Season a great Mart kept in certain Tents and Tabernacles erected for that purpose of divers colours Bildad signifies an antient Friend and Suah taketh the name from Desolation being derived of Scho He hath made desolate Of Zophar the Friend of Job ZOPHAR dwelt in the City of Naema Iosh. 15. but how far it stood from Ierusalem is uncertain Zophar of Zaphar signifieth swift Naema signifies Pleasant and delectable of Naem courteous and comfortable Of Job's Daughters THE Lord gave unto Iob after his Affliction and that he had tryed his faithfulness three Daughters so fair that there were none fairer to be found in all the Land The name of the first was Iemmima that is as fair as the day of Iom which signifies a Day The second Kazia that is such a one as giveth a pleasant savour like unto Gum Cassia The third because of the excellency of her Countenance was called Kaeren Hapuch that is casting forth rayes or beams Iob 42. APOCRYPHA The Book of JUDITH Of Egbatana
miles The Description of the places mentioned in their Travels Of Naphtaly THIS was the chief City of the Tribe of Naphtaly eighty four miles from Ierusalem toward the North. It stood in Galilee and in times past was a strong Town here Tobias the Elder was born It is to be seen at this day as some say but much decayed and is now called by the name of Sirin scituated in a Mountain so steep and strongly fortified by Nature upon the West side that it is impossible to ascend upon it In a Valley some two miles from this Town towards the South Naason spoken of in the first Chapter of Toby is scituated Upon the left side whereof there stood a Town called Sophet but now there is nothing to be seen but a Castle where in antient times the Knights Templers kept their abiding and at this day is in the custody of the Turks This Castle is scituated upon a high Mountain fortified very strongly both by Art and Nature and standeth within a mile of Naphtaly South-Westward At such time as Iosephus that great Historiographer who was the Son of Matthia or Marathia a Priest of the Iews was chosen chief Commander of the Tribe of Naphtaly he gathered an Army of 100000 and fortified this Castle and Naphtaly and many other Towns thereabouts continuing a long and sharp War against the Romans until Naphtaly was taken and he constrained to yield himself Captive In the taking in of which Town Titus the Son of Vespasian did first ascend the Walls and there made manifest his noble resolution and valour Vid. Ios. de bell Iud. lib. 3. 4. Of Rages a City of the Medes RAges is so called of a great Congregation being derived of Ragasch that is He hath assembled a great company for it was a very Populous City It was also called as Strab. lib. 11. Cosmograph saith Rahga but after being rebuilt and fortified by Nicanor it was by him called Europus being distant from Ierusalem 1396. Miles toward the Northeast The Persians call it Arsacia S. Ierom. de Trad. Hebr. would have Edissa a City of Mesopotamia or rather as Pliny saith of Coelosyria to be Rages which stands but 448. Miles from Ierusalem Northward and from Nineveh 188 miles Westward There are divers others that have wrote of this Town of Edissa but that this and Rages should be both one I cannot see how to agree with Toby for that he himself hath set it down to stand in Media and the Cities of the Medes lie distant from Ierusalem 1396 miles Therefore gentle Reader I refer it to thy better consideration Of Jesus the Son of Syrach SYrach signifies an illustrious Prince being derived of Sarach he hath shined forth he was of that noble Family of David that is the Son of Syrach the son of Iesu and Cousen-german to Amos Syrach who as Philo saith was the chief Prince and captain of the Children of Israel in the time of Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Egypt and is inserted into the Genealogy of Christ Luke 3. He was born 230. years before Christ in the City of Ierusalem from whence about the 38. year of his age he went to Alexandria a City of Egypt 288 miles Evergates Ptolomais the Son of Philadelphus being then King of that Country where he gathered out of that flourishing Library set up at the charge of Ptolomais Philadelphus his book of Ecclesiasticus as Bees from divers flowers gather sweet hony Of the great City Alexandria ALexandria was a City of Egypt distant from Ierusalem 288 miles Westward in ancient time called No that is a Hindrance But Alexander the Great taking affection to this city in the year 330. before Christ began to build it for by continuance of time it was much decayed and within the space of 17. days made it a goodly city much greater than that it was before to which that he might add the greater grace he called it after his own name Alexandria and there he lieth buried after he had governed the Empire of the Grecians 7 years For although he dyed in Babylon the chief City of the Chaldaeans yet Ptolomais one of his chief Princes removed his Body thence in a golden chariot to Memphis in Egypt and 20 years after to Alexandria The Scituation thereof is very delectable bordering to the North upon the Mediterranean Sea and to the South upon the Pool of Mareridis as Strabo saith lib. 17. It was ten miles about strongly fortified with walls beautified with goodly buildings scituated in a very fruitful Country And to give a greater delight unto the inhabitants without the Walls there stood many goodly Orchards and Gardens plentifully furnished with fruits and flowers of divers kinds as Pomecitrons Figgs c. During the time of Ptolomais Philadelphus it was a famous and flourishing City for this Prince being a great lover of Learning instituted an Academy as it is thought in it and added thereto a stately Library wherein were 400000 Books The same whereof being published through the World many People of divers Nations resorted thither to see it Then Eleazar also the High-priest of the Iews at the request of Ptolemais sent 72 Interpreters to translate the Bible out of Hebrew into Greek which was as Eusebius observeth in the third year of his reign before Christ 268. In recompence whereof he sent to be dedicated in the Temple of Ierusalem a Table of gold richly adorned with Carbuncles Smaragdes and other precious stones two stately Cups and 30 Bowls of pure gold as appeareth in Ioseph lib. Antiq. 12. The Academy continued there till after Christs time as you may read Acts 6. But the Library was consumed 47 years before Christ and the City greatly defaced For Iulius Caesar at that time making war with Pompey the younger who continued with his Sister Cleopatra in this City caused the Kings Navy to be set on fire and the Library standing neer it the flame took hold of it and burnt it down to the ground with all that was in it and defaced also a great part of the City Upon the Book of Maccabees The Travels of Antiochus Epiphanes ANtiochus Epiphanes that is An illustrious Adversary in the year of Christ 380. was sent out of Syria by Antiochus the Great to Rome which was 1600. miles where he remained as an hostage for his Father and his Brother Seleucus Philâ—pater seventeen years 1 Mac. 1. After the death of his Father he stole secretly from Rome and went back again to Antiochia in Syria which was 1600 miles and there succeeded his Brother Zeleucus Philopater in the government He began to reign 173 years before Christ. In the third year of his Reign he went from Antiochia to Tyrus 60 miles in that journey he conquered all the lower part of Syria and Phoenicia From thence he went about six score miles through Galilee and Iudaea conquering all the Cities and Countries that lay in his way and would also have gone down into Egypt but when he
Journies long and troublesom sometimes in Prosperity sometimes in Adversity again sometimes afflicted with troublesom Cogitations sometimes with extream Anger seldom in Peace and then also his Actions savouring of Violence and Filthiness From whence it appeareth That the Wicked with more Sorrows Troubles and Vexations gain eternal Damnation that the Just tho they suffer many grievous Afflictions obtain everlasting Salvation For amongst all the Patriarchs good Kings and Prophets there is not found any that had so many long and tedious Journies as this Antiochus who continually oppressed his Mind and Conscience with unprofitable Vanities and wicked Thoughts and at length had a miserable and terrible end Of the Cities and Places mentioned in his Travels Of Antiochia ANtiochia where Antiochus Epiphanes kept his Court was anciently called Chaemath or Riblah It was scituated in Syria 180 miles from Ierusalem towards the North near to the Cities Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea which four Cities as Strabo saith in the sixteenth Book of his Geography were built by Seleucus Nicanor first King of Syria This man was a mighty Prince and obtained the Name of Nicanor which signifieth Victory because he prospered in his Wars and conquered his Adversaries For when within 13 years after the Death of Alexander the Great he had got the Kingdom of Syria he became so great in the 31 year of his Reign that he obtained the Empire of all the East and beside as Strabo saith re-edified and built up these four Cities calling one of them Antiochia after the name of his Father another Laodicea after the name of his Mother a third after his own name Seleucia and the last Apamea after the name of his Wife These four Cities because they were all built by one man and at one time were called Sisters But Antiochia was much fairer than the other and in those times was a greater City than any other called after that name yea it was equal to Alexandria in Egypt for glory and excellency of Building It was divided into four parts and those parts separated with four Walls The first which was anciently called Hemath a violent Anger of Chamathai the Son of Canaan was after Riblath from the multitude of the Inhabitants and the third time by Seleucus after his Father's name called Antiochia In this part Seleucus to dignifie the City kept his Court it being compassed about with Goodly Walls In the second part the Citizens of Syria inhabited In the third Seleuchus Callimichus afterward King of the Syrians kept his Court and greatly beautified it But in the fourth where afterward many Christians inhabited Antigonus Epiphanes continued and did greatly adorn it and set it forth with goodly buildings and sumptuous Houses Close by the City there stood a pleasant Wood watered with many clear Fountains and delightful Springs to which there resorted a great multitude of Fowls of divers sorts which sung very pleasantly among the Trees to the great content and delectation of the Citizens In the midst of this Wood stood the Temple of Apollo and Diana goodly things and very curiously built It was called the Wood of Daphne because it was full of Laurel Trees From this Wood all the Country thereabout is called Epidaphne Not far off standeth the River Orontes which beginneth in Coelosyria and passeth under the earth till it comes near to Apamea where it riseth and watereth all Antiochia So passing thence it runneth some sixteen miles and so falls into the Mediterranean Sea Here Paul preached and kept a Synod Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 24 25. There was another Synod kept here by the Arrians Trip. lib. 4. 9. Stephanus reckons up many other Cities of this name as Antiochia 〈◊〉 in Galatia where Paul preached Act. 3. and is distant from this 384 miles Antiochia in Mesopotamia which is also called Mygdonia and 〈◊〉 in which Apollophanes the Stoick and Pharnuchus that wrote the Persian History are said to be born Antiochia between Syria and Arabia built by Semiramis Antiochia in Cilicia scituated near to the River Pyramus Antiochia in Pieria also called by the Syrians Arados There is also a City called Antiochia near Mount Taurus in the Country of Comagena Antiochia scituated upon the Lake of Callichan Antiochia in Scythia There was another in Caria called also Pithapolis Antiochia Marigiana built by Antiochius Soter And many Authors call Tharsus in Cilicia by the name of Antiochia Antiochia signifies an Adversary Of Rome ROME stands 1528 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of this City you may read more in the Travels of the Apostle Paul Tyrus Ioppa Memphis Peluso Mallo and Alexandria are before described Of Tharsus TArsus or Tharsus signifieth a Hyacinth stone so called as some think of Tharsis the Son of Iavan the Son of Iapâ—et the Son of Noah Gen. 10. It was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles Northward Of Persepolis PErsepolis was the Metropolitan City of Persia distant from Ierusalem 1240 miles Eastward So called of Perseus that mighty King of the Persians who re-edified it and gave it that name which is as much as to say the City of the Persians which also of him were so called The Astronomers because he was greatly affected to such as were skilful in that Art attributed his name and his Wives name to two Constellations in the Heavens of which Ovid's Fable is contributed of Pegasus and Andromache This City of Persepolis was so fair that it exceeded all the Cities of the East both for Stateliness and Beauty and so continued from Perseus time until Alexander the Great had conquered Darius at which time this great Emperour having got into his hand the whole Empire of the Persians came to Persepolis in the year before Christ 329 and there celebrated a great feast in triumph of his Victories to which there resorted a great many Women not such as were of the better sort but them that followed the Camp and lived dissolutely amongst whom was that notable Curtesan Thais who perceiving the King inclined to Mirth and full with Wine began to flatter him in his Cups and among other things to commend and dignifie his Noble Exploits withal giving him to understand how acceptable it would be to the Grecians to see the Royal Palace of the Persians fired which had so often afflicted Grecia No sooner had she uttered these words but another seconded her and then a third After the whole assembly cried out Shall we revenge the Injury of the Grecians and burn the City With that they all rose in great fury the King himself being crowned beginning first to fire the Palace wherein was great abundance of Cedar from whence it happened that suddenly the fire spread it self a great way which when the Army that lay without the Walls perceived with all speed came to the City to stay the burning of it for which purpose many brought Water with them But when they beheld the King himself busie in this Tragedy laying aside their Water they also in hope of Booty and to
imitate the steps of their Prince fell to firing the City and according to the custom of Souldiers in such Massacres made a Prey of what they could get increasing the fire with dry stuff and other Combustible matter whereby it came to pass that the whole City was therewâ—th fired and burnt to the ground This was the end of that mighty City which ruled over so many Nations where so many mighty Princes governed that was the scourge of Grecia and the greatest part of the World that sent forth a Navy of 10000 Ships and an Army of an infinite number there being an infinite number there being at this day nothing to be seen unless the River Araxes that ran close by it remaineth Thus was that consumed in a fury which the King and all his Army before endeavoured 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 himself after he had slept repented what he had done You shall find in 2 Mac. cap. 6. That Antiochus Epiphanes besieged a certain City in Persia called Persepolis from whence for his exceeding Covetousness and Sacriledge he was forced by the Inhabitants dwelling about the Town to raise his Siege and be gone 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 find that this City so besieged by Antiochus was also called Elymais wherein stood the Temple of Diana beautified with many goodly Ornaments shining with the splendor of fine Gold wherewith it was gilt In which Temple as saith Iosephus lib. Ant. 12. Alexander the Great left his Armour and other things From whence may be gathered that this Town was not the Persepolis which he caused to be burn'd but rather some other Town built out of the Ruines of that City according to the opinion of Quintus Curtius or else some Village standing near to it which being built up and enlarged might of some be called new Persepolis though indeed it was anciently called Elymais and all the East part of Persia beyond Susa of that Town called Elematica having some affinity with Elam the ancient 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 never restored but lieth waste to this day Thus the Empire of the Persians after they had ruled over the Nations of the Earth 260 years was conquered by the Grecians who held it 129 years At the end of which time Demetrius Nicanor the last Emperour of the Grecians 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 Citizens of Elymais the Persians and Bactrians meeting him in those parts gave him many sharp and cruel Battels and in the end under the pretence of Peace took him Prisoner in the year before Christ 137. and from that time the Parthians governed Persia and Grecia and opposed the Romans in many cruel Battels Afterward in the year of our Lord 226 Artaxerxes that mighty Lord of Persia overcame Artabanus King of the Parthians in a mighty Battel and took his Crown from his head the same year entring upon the Goverment of Persia 548 years after the death of Alexander the Great from which time Artaxerxes and his Posterity reigned in Persia for the Space of 314 years in the which space there succeeded twenty eight Kings viz. Artaxerxes 1. Sapores Ormisdates Vararanes Vararanes 2. Vararanes 3. Narses Misdates Sapores 2. Artaxerxes 2. Sapores 3. Vararanes 4. Cermazat sir-named Isdigertes Vararanes 5. Vararanes 6. Perozes Valens Cavades Zambades Cavades 2. Cosroes Hormisda Cosroes 2. Siroes Adhasir Sarbaras Bornarim Hormisda 2. who was the last King of the Persians for being overcome by Humarus Amiras of the Saracens and third Emperour of the Mahumetans he was thrown out of his Kingdom Anno Dom. 640. After which time it continued long in the Government of the Saracens and Turks Where that holy Priest Mattathias the Father of Judas Machabeâ—s dwelt MAttathias and Dorotheus have both one signification that is The Gift of God being derived of Matath a Gift and Iah God This Mattâ—thias 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 Posterity of Simon of the Stock of Ioarib of whom you may read 1 Chr. 15. He dwelt in a Town called Modin fourteen miles from Ierusalem toward the North-West scituated in a Mountain close by the way as you go to Ioppa in the Tribe of Dan. Modin signifieth a Measure being derived of Madad he hath measured In this place seeing the cruelty of Antiochus Epiphanes and the Insolence of his Souldiers he killed one of his Captains and afterward in the Synagogue put to death an Idolatrous Iew overthrew the Altar set up by Antiochus after called forth all the Inhabitants of Modin and other Towns near adjoyning to withstand the fury of this King So they brought their Goods out of the City into the Wilderness where they incamped themselves and after so manfully opposed Antiochus that he delivered all the Cities and Towns thereabouts out of his Bondage and from Idolatry But being now grown old after he had admonished his Sons to Constancy in the Service of God and Courage in Defence of the Country he died in the year before Christ 164 and was buried at Modin where afterward his Sons were buried Simon his third Son high Priest of Ierusalem did marvellously beautifie this Sepulchre for he made a Vault of white Marble compassed about with fair Pillars which supported an admirable curious Arch to see to as if it had been one stone Over this Vault in convenient places he built seven Pyramids in memory of his Father Mother his four Brethren and himself In the Circumference of this Monument he set up fair Marble Pillars upon which he caused to be ingraven Ships so artificially that they which sailed upon the Sea might see them and upon these he placed the Arms of his Father and of his Brethren You may read more of this 1 Mach. 13. Ioseph Antiq. lib. 12. cap. 9. The Travels of Judas Macchabeus JVdas Macchabeus succeeded his Father Mattathias in the year before Christ 164 Anno Mundi 3804. and ruled six years Immediately after his Father's death who as is said was buried in Modin he led his Army against Apollonius chief â—aptain of Antiochus who at that time was in Samaria which was thirty miles here he overcame Apollonius and killed him with his own Sword 2 Mac. 2 3. When Seron who was also one of Antiochus's chief Captains in Syria the lower heard that Iudas Macchabeus had overcome Apollonius and put him to death he was very angry and said I will go and conquer Judas Machabeus and those that
Mac. 5. 2 Mac. 22. From Astaroth-Carnaim he went to Ephron being 16 miles this City Iudas Macchabeus destroyed because the Inhabitants thereof denied him Passage and went through it over the dead Bodies 2 Mac. 5. Here Gideon Judge of Israel sometime dwelt it took the Name from the rising up of the Dust being derived of Aphar that is he hath made a dust From Ephron Iudas passed over Iordan into the great Field of Galilee and so went to Scythopolis which in ancient time was called Bethsan which was four miles From Bethsan or Scythopolis he returned to Ierusalem which was 44 miles a little before Pentecost in the fourth year of his Government in the Year 161 before Christ 1 Mac. 5. 2 Mac. 12. After the Feast of Pentecost he went from Ierusalem to Maresa which was 16 miles here he overcame Gorgias Governour of Idumaea in a great Battel 2 Mac. 12. From Maresa he went with his Army to Odullam which was six miles Here sometime David hid himself From Odullam he returned to Ierusalem being eight miles 2 Mac. 12. From Ierusalem he brought his Army to Hebron the Metropolitan City of the Idumaeans which was 22 miles this Town he won and all the Towns and Castles near adjoyning 1 Mac. 5. From thence he went to Samaria which was fifty six miles 1 Mac. 5. From Samaria he led his Army against Azotus being 44 miles This was a City of the Philistines which he destroyed broke their Altars and burn'd their Idols in the Fire 1 Mac. 5. After that he conquered two Castles in Idumaea 1 Mac. 10. After that he returned to Ierusalem which was accounted 22 miles 1 Mac. 5. From Ierusalem he went to meet Timotheus chief Captain of the Syrians who came with a great Army to invade Iudaea But when the Battel waxed hot there appeared to the Enemies from Heaven five comely men upon Horses with Bridles of Gold two of which led the Iews and took Macchabeus between them and covered him on every side with their Weapons that none could hurt him but against their Enemies they shot Darts and Lightnings so that they were confounded with Blindness and beaten down whereby the Iews obtained a great Victory and put to the Sword 20500 Foot and 600 Horse the rest seeing this great Slaughter fled So Iudas praised the Lord and pursued the Enemies to Gazara being sixteen miles Here Timotheus hid himself in a Cave but the Iews took the City found him out and put him to death together with his Brother Chaerea and Pollophanes 2 Mac. 10. From Gazara Iudas Macchabeus returned to Ierusalem being 16 miles In the Year following which was the fifth of his Reign and 160 before Christ Iudas Macchab besieged the Tower of Sion in Ierusalem because those that were in the Garrison had put to the Sword some of the Iews that were sacrificing in the Temple But Antiochus Eupator the Son of Antiochus Epiphanes hearing of it at the Instigation of Menelaus Chief Priest of the Iews brought a great Army to their Rescue wherefore Iudas Macchabeus hearing of his coming left the Siege and went from Ierusalem to Modin to meet him which was 14 miles Here he overcame Antiochus destroyed his Elephants and put 4000 of his Souldiers to the Sword 2 Mac. 13. When King Antiochus had felt a taste of the boldness of the Jews he went with his Army through by-ways and secret Passages to the Castle of Bethsuâ—a which he besieged whither Iudas followed him which was twelve miles encamped himself a mile from Bethsura in a straight place called Bethzachara Here Antiochus betimes in the Morning thinking to take the Army of the Iews at an Advantage set upon them But the Iews and their Leaders behaved themselves so manfully that they put Antiochus the second time to flight and kill'd 600 of his men In this Battel Eliazer the Brother of Iudas Macchabeus was slain by an Elephant Ios. lib. Antiq. 12. lib. 16. 1 Macc. 6. From Bethzachara he returned back to Ierusalem being two miles and when the King had taken the Town of Bethsura for they were constrained to yield by reason of Famine he followed Iudas with whom he joyned the third time in Battel but Iudas overcame him and put to the Sword many of his Army Wherefore having certain Intelligence that Philip whom he had made Over-seer of the Affairs at Antiochia rebelled he made a Peace with Iudas Macchabeus was appeased towards the Iews did sacrifice adorned the Temple and shewed great Gentleness towards the People So Antiochus departed out of Iudaea and took Menelaus that seditious High-Priest along with him captive 1 Mac. 6. 2. Mac. 13. After in the sixth Year of his Government Iudas went with his Army through all the Borders of Iudaea and executed Justice upon all such as were Offenders and Contemners of the true Religion After when Iudas had certain intelligence that Nicanor whom Demetrius King of Syria had sent against Ierusalem went about by fraudulent Courses and under pretence of Friendship to take away his Life 2 Mac. 14. he went privily from Ierusalem and came to Caphar-Salama scituated twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Here Nicanor and he joyned Battel but Judas discomfited his Army and put to the Sword about five thousand of his Men himself not escaping without great danger 1 Mâ—c 7. From Caphar-Salama Judas came to Samaria which was 28 miles here he rested himself and refreshed his Army a while 2 Mac. 15. In the Year before Christ 128 he went from Samaria to Adâ—rsâ— which was 28 miles and there upon the 13th day of Adar which answereth to the 13th day of February near to Bethoron the lower he gave Nicanor a great Overthrow and put him with 35000 of his Host to the Sword 1 Mac. 7. 2 Mac. 15. From Adara and Bethoron the lower he followed the Enemies to Gaza a City of the Philistines being 44 miles 1 Mac. 9. From Gaza he returned to Ierusalem being 44 miles there he caused the Arm of Nicanor whom a little before he had slain at the Battel of Adarsa to be cut off and his Tongue to be cut out of his Head shred small and given to the Fowls of the Heaven 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 Iews 1 Mac. 7. 2 Mac. 15. A little after that is to say almost at the end of the sixth year of his Government Iudas Macchabeus went out with 3000 chosen men in his Army and pitched his Tents near Laisa twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the West but when the Iews perceived the mighty Army of Bacchides for he had 20000 fooâ— and 2000 Horse in his Host there were many of them discouraged so that all left him but 800 men yet nevertheless Iudas constrained by necessity withstood Bacchides and so manfully behaved himself in the Battel that he overcame him and put him to flight 1 Mac. 2.
Captivity of his Brother Ionathan whom Tryphon by cunning had betrayed as is before-said he was chosen by the People of the Iews into the Principality From thence he went to Addus to meet Tryphon sixteen miles where he would have ransomed his Brother Ionathan 1 Mac. 13. From Addus he went to a City of the Idumeans called Ador or Adaram forty eight miles From Ador he returned into Iudea with his Army forty miles that he might oppose the Invasion of Tryphon and his Souldiers lest they should have destroyed the Country and got Ierusalem in his absence Tryphon having put to death his Brother Ionathan which was in the year before Christ 140. Simon entred upon the Office of High-Priest the same year and continued in the Government eight years In the first year of his Government he went from Ierusalem to Modin fourteen miles Here he buried the Body of his Brother Ionathan in his Father's Sepulchre very honourably and richly beautified it From Modin he returned to Ierusalem fourteen miles where he executed his Priestly Function diligently and repaired the Holds and decayed Towns of Iudea compassing them about with Stone Walls and fortifying them with Towers and Bulwarks From thence he went to Gaza forty four miles from Ierusalem South-westward This Town he took From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was four and forty miles There he repaired the Tower of Acropolis wherein he dwelt From Ierusalem he went to Ioppa and won the Town which was twenty miles From Ioppa he returned to Ierusalem which was twenty miles where for a time he lived very honourably and kept a Princely Court 1 Mac. 14. Lastly he went with his two Sons Iudas and Mattathias and his Wife to visit his Father-in-law Ptolomeus the Son of Abodus to the Castle of Doch which was near to Iericho some ten miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Here he was slain by his Father-in-law at a Banquet in the year before Christ 132 in the eleventh Month which answereth to our February 1 Mac. 16. So all his Travels were 799 miles The Description of the Places mentioned in his Travels Of Arabath ARabath or Araba was a City near to the Lake or River Merom not far from Dothan forty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North. It seems to take the name from Locusts whereof there are many kinds 1 Mac. 5. for there are Locusts that live upon Herbs and Flowers others that fly in great swarms in the Air and some also that live in the Waters not much unlike Crabs or Cray-fishes their Tails only excepted Plin. lib. 9. cap. 12. reckons up another kind of Locusts whereon Iohn Baptist did feed and it was lawful for the Iews to eat of them he describes them to have four Feet and Wings so that they can either fly or leap upon the Earth They can be resembled to nothing more fitly than to Grashoppers These the Hebrews call Robae Levit. 11. Mat. 3. because of the abundance of them being derived of the Verb Rabah He hath multiplied or increased because these kinds of Locusts come in mighty great swarms and multitudes into the East part of the World Of these kinds of Locusts Arabath took the Name but they are not known to us nevertheless such there are and as it appeareth in Leuit. 11. were permitted to be eaten among the Iews From whence may be concluded that Iohn Baptist lived upon these kind of Locusts and not upon Crabs or Cray-fish or any such kind of Locusts Mat. 3. Of Sephela SEphela is a Plain compassed about with Mountains near the River Sorek It lieth fourteen miles from Ierusalem Westward Here Simon built the Castle Adida and fortified it very strongly Afterward there was a City built near to this Tower called Eleutheropolis It was a free City in the Tribe of Iudah half way between Ierusalem and Ascalon of which St. Ierom speaketh lib. de Locis Hebr. Of Doch THIS was a strong Tower the Ruines whereof may be seen to this day It was scituated near Iericho in the Field of Hiericuntis ten miles from Ierusalem North-eastward where Ptolomeus the Son of Abodus persidiously put to death his Son-in-law Simon High Priest of the Jews From this Tower you might have seen all the Countrey of the Gileadites the two Tribes of Gad and Reuben and the half Tribe of Manasses with the Mountains of the Moabites Nebo Pisgah and Abarim Vid. 1 Mac. cap. ult The Travels of John Hyrcanus JOHN Hyrcanus was made Captain over all the Men of War by his Father Simon and went from Ierusalem to Gaza forty four miles where he dwelt 1 Mac. 13. From thence he returned to Ierusalem forty four miles in the fifth year of his Father's Government to let him understand how Cendebius had invaded the holy Land 1 Mac. 16. From Ierusalem he and his Brother Iudas went with their Army to Modin fourteen miles where they stayed all night The next morning before day they gave Battel to Cendebius not far from Modin overcame him and put him to flight So he pursued the chase till he came to the Fortress of Cedron which stood in the Field of Azotus even eight miles From the Field of Azotus he and his Brother Iudas returned to Ierusalem being twenty two miles 1 Mac. 16. From Ierusalem he returned to Gaza 44 miles Now when Sorius Ptolomeus the Son of Abodus who a little before had treacherously slain his Son-in-law Simon at a Banquet heard of Iohn's coming into the Town he sent forth certain Traitors and Homicides to put him to death also but Hyrcanus having certain intelligence of the matter prevented the mischief and put these Traitors to the Sword 1 Mac. 16. So all his Travels were 176 miles Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in these Travels you may read before Of the Kings of Syria that succeeded Antiochus Epiphanes and made War upon the Macchabees And first of the Travels of Antiochus Eupator THIS Antiochus the younger succeeded his Father Antiochus Epiphanes in the 149 year of the Grecians Government in Syria which was the 161 Year before Christ and he continued King of Asia and Syria three Years Lysias the King's Substitute for Syria called this man by the name of Eupator that is a good Father because Kings ought to be Fathers of their Countries This Antiochus Eupator in the second year of his Reign came with a great Army from Antiochia to the Town of Modin which was 380 miles From Modin he went to the Hold at Bethsura this he sharply besieged being 12 miles From Bethsura he went to Bethsachara almost a mile to meet with Iudas Macchabeus who put him to flight and kill'd 600 of his Men 1 Mac. 6. From Bethsachara he returned to the Hold of Bethsura and won it being almost a mile From Bethsura he came to Ierusalem which was half a mile From Ierusalem he went with his Army to Ptolomais being seventy six miles From Ptolomais he returned to Antiochia two hundred and four miles
and a half Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in his Travels you may read before The Travels of Demetrius Soter the Brother of Antiochus Epiphanes IN An. Mundi 3809. before Christ 159. Demetrius Soter the Son of Seleucus Philopater who was sent to Rome brought a Navy from thence through the Mediterranean Sea and came to Tripolis in Syria which Journey was two thousand six hundred and eighty miles and usurped upon the Government of Syria against young Antiochus the Son of Epiphanes 1 Mac. 7. From Tripolis he went to Antiochia where the King kept his Court eighty eight miles Here he caused young Antiochus and Lysias to be slain and after reigned in Syria ten years At length he was slain in a great Battel by Alexander the Son of Epiphanes 1 Mac. 7. So all his Travels were 1760 miles Of Tripolis THIS was scituated in Phoenicia a Province of Syria on the Shore of the Mediterranean Sea 170 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was so called because there dwelt in it three sorts of People viz. Tyrians Sydonians and Arabians It is a very famous City even to this day the Ocean Sea coming into every street and principal place of it and full as Populous as Tyrus For there inhabit Grecians Latines Armeniâ—ns Maronites Nestorians and People of many other Nations of divers Conditions and Customs in manner of living It aboundeth also with great abundance of costly Tapestry which is made so curiously and with such cost that it is very delightful to such as look upon it It is credibly reported That there are found within the City of Tripolis 4000 men that do little else but Weave and make Tapestry and such like costly hangings The Country round about where it standeth is very pleasant and because of the great abundance of Vines Olives Figs and other Fruits and Flowers which yieldeth a comfortable smell and is profitable for the maintenance of life it is called Paradice There is a Field before the City some two miles in length and one in breadth in which there are to be seen very curious Gardens and artificially contrived About six miles from the City standeth Mount Libanus at the foot whereof riseth a goodly Fountain which with great violence runneth thence but suddenly falleth into the Vallies it joyns with other Waters and becomes a fair and pleasant River watering all the Gardens of the Plain betwen Tripolis and Libanus but especially the Mountains of the Leopards which is not far off In the Canticles cap. 4. there is mention of this Hill Come with me my Spouse from the Denns of the Lions and the Mountains of the Leopards The Water of this Spring is very clear pleasant cold and healthful upon the Banks of it there standeth many Churches and Religious Houses it is called the Fountain of the Gardens and is divided into three Rivers or principal Streams besides many other small Brooks which run thence and fall into the Sea so that the Sentence Est. 9. is verified of this A small Fountain shall increase to a great River and shall be poured out against many Waters The Travels of King Alexander Son of Epiphanes and Brother to Antiochus Eupater OF this Alexander Iustin writes lib. 35. where he sheweth that he was not Son to Antiochus Epiphanes as was supposed but had to name Prompalus being a man of the meaner sort of People but the Antiochians for the great Tyranny of Demetrius falling into Rebellion gave unto him the Name of Alexander and withal caused it to be published abroad that he was the Son of Epiphanes which by reason of his youth was easily believed And at this time Demetrius because of his cruelty being much hated of all sorts of People it came to pass that most and those of the greatest also combined with this young man supposing him indeed to be of noble Descent and the Son of a King Wherefore Alexander or Prompatus being thus encouraged took upon him to be the Brother of Antiochus Eupator and called himself the Lawful Heir and Successor to the Crown of Syria going from thence to Ptolomais where he kept a Royal Court and in the year of the World 3818 before Christ 150 by the help of the Antiochians and others the Inhabitants of Syria he took upon him the Government of that Country and reigned five years This man suffered many varieties and changes of Fortune at first was put to flight by Demetrius after he put Demetrius to flight and at length put him to death and usurp'd upon his Government In the third year of his Reign he married Cleapatra the Daughter of Ptolomeus Philometor King of Aegypt by whom he had his Son Antiochus To this Marriage Ionathan was invited In the last year of his Government he went from Ptolomais to Antiochia which was 200 miles where he opposed himself against Demetrius Nicanor the Son of Demetrius Soter 1 Mac. cap. 10. From Antiochia he went to Cilicia which was 120 miles to suppress the Rebellion of his Subjects but when he heard that Ptolomeus Philometor his Father-in-Law had taken up Arms against him conquered Syria and given his Wife to Demetrius Nicanor which had been married unto him two years before he gathered all his forces he could and with all expedition made good the War against Ptolomeus but he was overcome and fled into that part of Arabia which bordereth upon the Mountain Emanus for refuge where Zabdiel the Governour of that Country fearing left he should fall into the displeasure of Ptolomeus caused his Servants to cut off his head and sent it to him into Syria Within three days after which sight he died being mortally wounded in the former Battel Ios. li. Ant. 13. c. 17. So all his Travels were 320 miles Of Amanus AManus was a Mountain between Syria and Cilicia which extendeth it self to the River Euphrates Between this Amanus and Euphrates Arabia Deserta is scituatâ—d 400 miles from Ierusalem Northward and signifies the Mountain of Truth from Aman True and Faithful The Travels of Demetrius Nicanor the Son of Demetrius Soter IN the 165 year of the Government of the Grecians in Syria which was 131 years before Christ Demetrius sirnamed Nicanor which signifies Victory 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 joyning with Apolonius he took upon him the Crown and Kingdom of Syria Afterward Apolonius went into Iudaea with a great Army and besieged Iamniah Ptolomeus Philometor also assisted the proceeding of Demetrius seeing Alexander his Son-in-law beginning to decline and the better to strengthen their Alliance matched him to Cleopatra his Daughter which before had been Wife to Alexander by which policy he added to the Kingdom of Egypt all Asia over which he ruled two years 1 Mac. 11. After Demetrius Nicanor came out of Syria the lower with Ptolomeus Philometor to Antiochia which was eighty miles 1 Mac. 11. From
Antiochia they went with their Army to a Plain near the Mountain Amanus 120 miles where in a sharp War they overcame Alexander and put him out of his Kingdom Ios Ant. li. 3. c. 7. Now after the death of Ptolomeus Philimetor Demetrius Nicanor returned to Antiochia 120 miles where he governed the Kingdom of Syria two years From Antiochia he went to Ptolomais which was 200 miles to which place Ionathan the High-Priest came to meet him where he gave to him many Presents and great Gifts to win his Favour 1 Mac. 11. From Ptolomais he returned to Antiochia 200 miles There his Souldiers and the City of Antiochia rebelled against him For which cause Ionathan the High-Priest sent him 3000 men which delivered the King out of danger put to the Sword 100000 of the Seditious and burnt the City of Antiochia 1 Mac. 11. But after Demetrius shewed himself unthankful he was driven out of his Kingdom by Tryphon and young Antiochus the Son of King Alexander who was also called Theos which signifies God In the 172 year of the Reign of the Grecians in Syria which was 138 years before Christ Nicanor having slain Antiochus the Son of Alexander he would have reigned alone in Syria wherefore Demetrius who was the lawful King of Syria being three years before driven thence went 1200 miles into Media to crave aid against Tryphon but Arsaces King of the Medes Parthians and Persians sent the chief Captain of his Host against Demetrius who burned his Tents took him Prisoner and carried him back to his Master to Hecatompilon the chief City of his Kingdom distant from Syria 1220 miles toward the East Iustin. lib. 36. 38. From Hecatomâ—ylon Arsaces sent him to Hyrcania the metropolitan City of that Country which was 176 miles where although Arsaces kept him as a Prisoner yet he allowed him royal Attendance and after marryed him to his Daughter Iust. lib. 38. After the Death of Arsaces with singular Industry and Policy he got out of Captivity after he had been twelve years Prisoner in Hyrcania and came into Syria which was fourteen miles where he recovered his Kingdom and reigned four years So all his Travels were 4156 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Creta now called Candia THIS is an Island of the Mediterranean Sea diftant from Ierusalem 600 miles westward very fruitful and pleasant in which there grows great plenty of Cypress Trees and Grapes of divers kinds but principally such whereof Malmsey and Sack are made Here Paul's Disciple was Bishop wherefore you shall read more of it after Of Seleucia SEleucia is a famous City of Syria scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea 280 miles from Ierusalem North-ward near to which the River Orantes runneth and the Mountain Casius standeth which is four miles high Plin. l. 5. c. 22. You may read more of this in the Travels of St. Paul Of Syria SYria was sometimes called of the Hebrews Aram of Aram the Son of Sem of whom all Armenia took the Name Aram signifies A man of great Spirit and Dignity being derived of Rom that is lifted up for he was a man of an excellent Spirit Gen. cap. 10. Syria signifieth a great Tract of Land and is divided into two parts the upper and the lower In the upper Syria are these Cities Antiochia Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea in the lower Syria are Sydon Tyrus Berytus Tripolis and Orthâ—sia This Country is scituated in a very temperare Zone from whence it happeneth that it is neither oppressed with too much Cold nor Heat There are that divide Syria into four parts that is into Syria Assyria Leucosyria and Coelosyriae Also Pliny lib. 5. cap. 12. attributeth Mesopotamia and Babylonia to Syriâ— But it is evident that these were distinct Countries from them in the which there reigned Emperours and Kings which had large and spacious Dominions For Syria is scituated between the Mediterranean Sea and Euphrates but Mesopotamia which is so called because it is scituated in the middle of Waters is separated from Syria and Assyria with the Rivers Euphrates and Tygris and Arabia is separated from Syria and Babylon with many vast Wildernesses Therefore these Countries cannot properly pass under the denomination of Syria Of Parthia PArthia is a spacious Countrey full of Mountains and Desarts lying upon the Borders of Media Westward the Metropolis whereof his Hecatompylon taking the name of an hundred Gates wherewith it is fortified It lieth as Stephanus saith 1512 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Here Arsaces that mighty King of the Parthians kept his Court who had under his Government Media Parthia Persia Hircania and the greatest part of all the Countreys toward the East It is called Parthia because of the fruitfulness of the Soil being derived of Parah to fructifie Of Hyrcania HYrcania is a fruitful and pleasant Countrey bordering upon Media and the Caspian Sea for the most part plain and champian beautified with many fair Cities the chief of which are Hyrcania the Metropolis of the whole Kingdom Talebrota Samariana Carta and Tape It was so fat and fruitful that the Inhabitants use not to till and dress the ground as they do in other places but the Seed that falleth from the husk upon the Earth springeth up and bringeth forth great Plenty and increase without farther labour The Dews also falling upon the Trees there droppeth from them Oil and Honey in great Plenty It taketh the name as it is thought from a Wood called Hyrcania In like manner the Caspian Sea which bordereth upon it of this Countrey is called Hyrcanum Many cruel Beasts are found therein as the Panther the Tyger and the Leopard The Panther is of a whitish colour inclining something to yellow spotted all over with round shining spots in like manner are their Eyes She is a friend almost to all kinds of Creatures except the Asp and Dragon and as Oppianus saith never taken but when she is drunk or in her sleep She is the Female to the Leopard The Leopard is of the same colour and of the nature of a Wolf being full he hurteth nothing but if empty he preyeth upon every thing yea even upon men his Breath is very sweet with which many other Creatures being delighted he often preys upon them but being full he sleepeth sometimes three days together The Tyger also is a very swift and cruel Creature from whence he is so called his skin is yellow and full of black Spots round and shining If the chance to lose her young she never leaves seeking till she finds them out The Travels of Tryphon that put Antiochus to death IN An. Mundi 3826 before Christ 142. Tryphon sometime chief Captain to Alexander King of Syria who was slain in Arabia went to Emalâ—uel Prince of Arabia Deserta with whom Antiochus the Son of Alexander was brought up where he so wrought with him that he got the Boy from him and brought him thence into Syria 160 miles and within a while after besieged
Antiochia took the Town drove thence Demetrius Nicanor and crowned young Antiochus King of Assyria This Journey to and again was 320 miles 1 Mac. 11. In the second year of the Reign of young Antiochus Tryphon went from Antiochia to Bethsan where he perfidiously betrayed Ionathan the Brother of Iudas Macchabeus 1 Mac. 12. being 36 miles From Bethsan he went to Ptolomais 32 miles From Ptolomais he went to Addus a Town upon the Borders of Iudaea sixty eight miles 1 Mac. 13. To Addus Simon sent his Brother's Children and his Ransom which was 60 Talents of Silver but after he had received the Money he broke his Word and went thence with Ionathan and his Sons to Ador which was forty eight miles From Ador he went to Baschaman in the Land of Gilead ninety six miles Here he put to death Ionathan and his Sons From the Countrey of the Gileadites he returned to Antiochia which was 240 miles Here he put to death young Antiochus being but a Boy of seven year of age and usurped upon the Government in his place He began to reign in the 172 year of the Grecians Government in Syria and reigned three years 1 Mac. 14. Ios. lib. ant 13. About the end of the three years which was in the 174 year of the Grecians Government in Syria Antiochus Sedetes Brother of Demetrius Nicanor made War upon Tryphon and compelled him to fly from Antiochia to Dora 240 miles from Antiochia towards the South 1 Mac. 85. But Antiochus Sedetes followed him thither and so streightly besieged Dora that he was constrained to steal thence in a Ship and â—ail to Orthoâ—ia which was 160 miles Lastly In the way as he was going thence to Apamea which was an hundred and twenty miles he was taken and put to death So all his Travels were 1360 miles Of the Places mentioned in his Travels which have been formerly recited Of Dora DORA was a Haven-Town scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward in the mid-way between Carmel and Caesâ—rea Strato In Ioseph cap. 17. it is called Dor that is â— durans Of Orthosia THIS was a City of Assyria scituated upon the Shore of the Mediterranean Sea near to the place where the Eleutherius falleth into it 200 miles from Ierusalem Northward being so called of Diana whom the Grecians called Orthosia that is Exalted or lifted up Hither Tryphon sailed when he fled from Antiochus Sedetes 1 Mac. 15. Plin. lib. 5. cap. 20. Concerning the Travels of Apolonius Nicanor Bacchides and Cendebius because they are sufficiently described in the Travels of the Macchabees I thought it unfit to speak further of them The Travels of Heliodorus HEliodorus signifies the House of the Sun He was Secretary and chief Governour of Antiochiâ— in Syria for that mighty King Saleuchus Philopator who was Brother to that cruel Tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes and was sent by his Lord and Master Seleuchus from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was eighty miles to spoil the Temple of the Lord but the Lord sent an Angel richly beautified with Armour of Gold fitting upon a Horse who went to Heliodorus and with his Horse trod him under his feet and there appeared two other Angels full of Majesty and Power that strook Heliodorus and beat him with Whips so that he lay upon the Floor of the Temple as a Man half Dead and could not go forth until he was carried out 2 Mac. 3. From Ierusalem he went with that good man Onias chief Priest of the Iews at whose earnest Prayers and Supplications he was made whole to Antiochia 280 miles where he told Seleuchus Philopator of the wonderful Works of the Lord. So all his Travels were 580 miles The Travels of the High-Priest of the Jews that ruled before the Macchabees as they are severally mentioned in the Books of Maccabees and first of the Travels of Onias the High-Priest ONIAS signifies the Riches of God from On Opulency and Iah God for although he was afflicted with Poverty in this World yet he was rich in God He succeeded his Father Simon the Just An. Mun. 3757. before Christ 211. Antiochus the Great being King of Syria He was High-Priest thirty nine years until the death Seleuchus Philopater at the end of which time one Simon the chief of those that kept the Temple being ambitious of Rule fell to words with Onias and from words to blows so that there were many outrages committed by the Friends of Simon Wherefore Onias to give place to the Fury of his Adversaries went from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was to hundred and eighty miles But Seleucus Philopator being dead and Antiochus Epiphanes in the Government who was a covetous and cruel Prince good Onias partly for fear of him and partly of his Brother Iason who had but a little before purchased the Office of High-Priest for three hundred and sixty Talents of Silver and promised to pay a yearly Tribute of eighty Talents durst not return home to Ierusalem but went to a Sanctuary that stood in the Wood of Daphne which was about one mile from Antiochia in hope of safety to which place one Andronichus chief Captain to Antiochus came to him and with fair Speeches and flattering Words allured him out of the Sanctuary and traiterously put him to death So all his Travels were two hundred eighty one miles The Travels of the High-Priest Jason JAson and Iesus have both one signification he entred upon the Office of High-Priest in the first year of Antiochus Epiphanes which was one hundred seventy three years before Christ. He went from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was two hundred eighty miles where after the death of Onias he paid to Antiochus for the Office of High-Priest almost three Tuns of Gold with promise to pay a yearly Tribute of 48000 Crowns From Antiochia he returned to Ierusalem two hundred eighty miles where he began to build the Tower of Acropolis in Mount Acra and that he might please that wicked King and keep his favour he built certain Theatres in Ierusalem and caused Interludes and Plays to be acted in them at such times and upon such days as the Poeple were wont to meet in the Temple to serve God Also King Antiochus Epiphanes in the fourth year of his Priesthood coming to Ierusalem he gave him royal entertainment The same year Iason was put out of his Office of High-Priest by the policy and cunning of his Brother Menelaus and was constrained to fly into the Land of the Ammonites beyond Iordan being forty miles Two years after when Antiochus Epiphanes invaded Aegypt there was a vain rumour that he was slain wherefore Iason with a thousand Souldiers returned to Ierusalem being forty miles and broke suddenly into the City so that Menelaus was constrained for safety of his life to fly to the Garrison of the Syrians that were in Ierusalem But Antiochus hearing what had happened came out of Aegypt with â— great Army of Ierusalem wherefore he fled
thence back again to the Ammonites forty miles but they fearing that Antiochus would come thither with his Army he was accused before Areta King of Arabia and constrained to fly from one City to another for safety Wherefore when he perceived that he could not live there secure he went thence into Aegypt 280 miles From thence he went to the Lacedemonians six hundred miles where he died in Exile being cast out unlamented or buried So all his Travels were 1560 miles Of Lacedemonia the Metropolitan City of Peloponnesus LAcedemonia or Sparta was famous City of Peloponnesus distant from Ierusalem six hundred miles toward the West which although it had no Walls yet was it one of the most fair and most populous Cities in all Grecia and was called Sparta of Spartus who was King thereof and re-built it adorning it with fair and goodly Buildings At first it was built by one Lacedemon who was somtime King thereof and of him called Lacedemonia and after Menelaus that mighty King of the Grecians who had to Wife Helena the fairest Woman of all Grecia kept his Court there Here also Lycurgus that famous Philosopher reigned as King and prescribed to the Citizens and Inhabitants excellent Laws by the observance whereof they became famous in after-Ages and performed many noble Wars and Exploits against their Enemies Ionathan and Simon held a friendly league with the Lacedemonians The Travels of the High-Priest Menelaus THIS Menelaus called alos Onias was as Iosephus saith the third Son of Simon the Just and Brother of Iason although 2 Mac. 3 4 he is said to be the Brother of one Simon of the Tribe of Benjamin who was chief of those that kept the Temple of whom you may read before This man in the fourth year of Antiochus Epiphanes was sent by Iason his Brother to Antiochia being two hundred and eighty miles â—pon certain business but principally to carry the King Money Where he made a secret Contract with hm to pay him thirty Talents beside all that his Brother Iason had pay'd him if he would instiâ—ute him to be High-Priest The King in hope of profit gave 〈◊〉 to his motion and under pretence of Injury and Wrong offered by Iason constrained him to leave his Office and fly from Ierusalem into the Land of the Ammonites for his Safety and so instituted Menelaus to be chief Priest of the Iews who entred upon his Government in the year before Christ one hundred sixty nine Wherefore Menelaus returned from Antiochia to Ierusalem two hundred and eighty miles where he began to govern not as chief Priest but as a cruel and wicked Tyrant 2 Mac. 4. But when in the beginning of his Government he could not pay that great sum of mony which he had promised the King sent for him to Antiochia being two hundred and eighty miles where for that time he was removed from his Office and his Brother Lysimacus ordained chief Priest in his room Wherefore Menelaus being sore troubled vexed and grieved in mind for that which had hapned in the first year of his Priest-hood returned back from Antiochia to Ierusalem being two hundred and eighty miles But a little after when Antiochus Epiphanes brought an Army into Cilicia to suppress the Rebellion of the Thaâ—sians and Mallotans Menelaus taking advantage of the Kings absence went to Andronichus who was chief Agent for the King in Syria to Antiochia two hundred and eighty miles and there gave him certain golden Vessels and Jewels that he had stollen out of the Temple ot hire him to be his friend and help him to his Office of High-priesthood again But Onias the elder hearing of this Sacriledge greatly reprehended Menelaus for shameful Fact but he taking it in ill part combined with Andronichus who by fair speeches alluring him out of the Sanctuary in the wood Daphne put him to death after he had been five years in exile But King Antiochus returning from Antiochia accused Andronichus of Treason and by the means of a certain Courtier received Menelaus into favour From Antiochia Menelaus returned to Ierusalem two hundred and eighty miles where by the help of his brother Lysimachus he stole a great mass of mony out of the Temple Which Sacriledge being known to the People they fell to uproar and killed Lysimachus close by the Treasury They accused Menelaus also before Antiochus 2 Mac. cap. 4. Antiochus in the second year of his Priest-hood went to Tyrus which is one hundred miles where he so corrupted certain Courtiers with mony that he procured the favour of Antiochus and caused his Accusers good and just men to be banished thence as slanderers and such as went about to defame Menelaus From Tyrus be returned back again to Ierusalem one hundred miles where he fell into his old cruelty and in the third year of his Government received Antiochus Epiphanes with his Army into the City of Ierusalem who cruelly murthered the Citizens and spoiled the Temple 2 Mac. 5. After the death of Antiochus who as it is said perished of a grievous disease and was buried at Babylon his Son Antiochus Eupator came with a great Army into Iudaea in hostile manner Wherefore Menelaus in the last year of his Priesthood went out to meet him But Lysiâ—s accused him unto the king as one that was the only Author of all the Evils that had hapned to the Iews Wherefore Antiochus willed Lysias to take him Prisoner who brought him to Berea a Town in Syria distant from Ierusalem 360 miles Northward where upon the top of a Tower fifty Cubits high he was tyed to a Wheel and had all his Joynts broken and through the extremity of the pain died 2 Mac. 3. So all his Travels were two thousand two hundred forty miles The Travels of Alcimus High-Priest of the Posterity of Aaron THIS Alcimus after the death of Menelaus which was the year before Christ one hundred fifty went with certain impious and wicked men to Demetrius Soter who lived in Antiochia in Syria being two hundred eighty miles and there accused Iudas Macchabeus and all the Godly Iews using such flattery toward the King that he obtained the Principality and Office of High-Priest which he held three years 1 Mac. 7. From Antiochia he and Bacchides returned back again of Ierusalem where he was instituted in the Office of High-Priesthood which is two hundred eighty miles But when he saw that he was not able to withstand the power and singular vertue of Iudas Macchabeus he returued back to Antiochia two hundred eighty miles where after he had accused the good men among the Iews he obtained the Aid of Demetrius who sent Nicanor with a great Army into Iudaea against Iudas to establish Aleimus in the Priesthood So Alcimus and Nicanor returned into Iudaea two hundred eighty miles But Alcimus seeing familiar Conference to pass between Nicanor and Iudas Macâ—habeus he went back again to Antiochia two hundred eighty miles where he told Demetrius of the perfidious
forty five years old was invited to a Marriage in Cana a City of Galilee which stood eight miles from Galilee towards the North-West Iohn 2. Here our Saviour Christ wrought his first miracle by changing water into wine From Cana in Galilee she went with our Saviour to Capernaum a City of Galilee a little before the Feast of the Paschal Lamb which was twenty miles From Capernaum she returned back to Nazareth which was accounted twelve miles In the thirty second year of the age of our Saviour Christ which was the second of his Ministry Mary went from Nazareth back again to Capernaum where our Saviour Christ cast forth a Devil Mat. 12. Mark 3. which was 12 miles From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was twelve miles for in this Town she dwelt whilst Iesus travelled from place to place teaching and preaching the Word of God Mark 6. And although she oftentimes went from Nazareth with him to many places continuing still in his company yet then especially when he was to sustain the wrath of God and punishment for the Sin of man which was in the thirty fourth year of his age In which year she would not forsake him till his death for she went from Galilee to Ierusalem with him which waâ— sixty four miles a great Journey for one of her age being then forty eighâ— years old And when our Saviour was crucified she stood close by the Cross with a heavy and pensive countenance bewailing the death of her Son Then was the Prophecy of old Simeon accomplished And a Sword shall pass through thy Soul But after by his Glorious Resurrection and Ascension she was revived and comforted From the Passion of Christ to the death of the blessed Virgin Mary was twelve years all which time she lived with Iohn the Evangelist in Ierusalem and then being fifty nine years of age dyed and was buried according to the opinion of Nicephorus and others in the Garden called Gethsamene So all her Travels were 3506 miles Now follows the description of the Towns and Places to which she travelled Of Nazareth THIS was a Town almost of no estimation scituated in a certain Mountain in Galilee the lower sixty four miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North in the Tribe of Zabulon In this Town our Saviour Jesus Christ was brought up Luke 1. 2. Some say that it was nineteen or twenty miles from Ierusalem but they mistake themselves yet I will not dispute thereof but follow my Authors Iacobus Ziglerus and Tilmanus Stella There is not any mention made of it that is extant in the Old Testament It hath a two-fold derivation the one by Zain and the other by Zade If it be written by Zain it may have a two-fold signification since the exposition of this name doth depend upon the Verb Nazar which signifies to consecrate and keep from hence Nezaer a Garland of Flowers or a Crown set with pretious Stones c. such as Kings and High-Priests are accustomed to wear Also from the same word Nazar is derived Nazir and thence Nazaraeus which is as much as to say He is separated from the use of Wine and suffering his Hair to be un-cut as being dedicated to the Lord. Therefore our Saviour Christ is justly called a Nazarite Luke 2. For â—aezer first signifies a holy man who hath made a holy Vow unto the Lord Secondly it doth denote a Crown or wreath of Sincerity Exod. 29. 39. Thirdly a holy Ointment wherewith Kings and Priests were anointed Levit. 27. And fourthly this word Nezaer signifies a Princely Crown 2 Sam. 1. 2. Kings 11. Psal. 89. 132. So that Nazareth being derived of Nazar and Nazir may signifie both a Crown and a holy City Iudg. 13. but if Nazareth be written by Zade it signifies a flourishing plant or Graff according to that of Isay c. 11. But there shall come a rod forth of the stock of Ishai and a Graff shall grow out of his root and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him The Inhabitants of this Town at this day shew certain Monuments and Reliques of what had happened in preceeding Ages as two Churches one built there where the Angel Gabriel saluted the Blessed Virgin and she conceived by the Spirit in which there stands three Altars hew'n out of a Rock and the other built as they say where the house of Ioseph and Mary stood because there our Saviour Christ was brought up Also they shew a Well where the Child Jesus drew Water and ministred to his Mother they also shew the vast Ruins of the Synagogue where our Saviour Christ expounded the sixty first Chapter of Isay for which cause they would have thrown him headlong down the Hill Luke 4. and many other things of which you may read in Borchardus the Monk In Saint Ierom's time some forty years before Christ Nazareth was a small Town called Nazarah Of the Mountains by which Mary passed when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth BEtween Nazareth and Ierusalem there standeth many high Hills as Mount Gilboa whereon King Saul killed himself Mount Gerisim and Hebal upon which Hills the Blessings and Cursings were pronounced Deut. 27. and Mount Ephraim upon which Ehud kill'd Eglon King of the Moabites Iudg. 13. Over this Mountain being very great and steep Mary travelled when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth Of Bethlehem THERE were two Cities called by this name the one Bethlem Iudah the other Bethlem Euphrata where our Saviour Christ was born and signifieth fruitful or the house of Bread It stood upon a Hill some six miles from Ierusalem towards the South The Inhabitants take upon them to shew the place where our Saviour Christ was born which stood upon the East side of the City close by the Wall thereof where as Eusebius saith Hellen the Mother of Constantine the Great caused to be built a fair and stately Church three hundred and twenty years afteâ— the Nativity of Christ. This Church was dedicated to St. Mary and remaineth to this day being had in great honour both amongst the Christians and the Turks and Saracens This Church is such a stately building that it is thought to exceed all the Churches of Christendom for Beauty and curious Workmanship It is two hundred twenty eight Foot long and eighty seven Foot wide being built all of Marble of divers colours and covered with Lead there are in it four rowes of Marble Pillars wonderful to look upon not only in regard of their number but of their greatness for there is fifty Pillars in every row The Body of this Church the Pillars from the bottom to the top the Walls and every part of it is beautified with lively Pictures adorned with divers Colours Silver Gold and curious Workmanship so as it is wonderful to behold The Pavement of it is of Marble polished and of divers colours so cunningly set in Works and with such variety that it is very delightful to such as look
the other cold which two Waters being mingled â—ogether are very wholsome and cure many Diseases but principally the shrinking of the Sinews And this shall suffice concerning the Travels of Iohn the Baptist. The Travels of our Lord and Saviour Christ in his Infancy Matth. 3. Luke 2. FRom Bethlehem the Child Jesus was brought to Ierusalem and there presented in the Temple Anno Mundi 3967 which was 6 miles From Ierusalem Ioseph and Mary when they had accomplished all things in the Temple of the Lord carried the Child Iesus to Nazareth in Galilee which was sixty four miles From thence Ioseph and Mary brought Jesus back again to Bethlehem which was seventy two miles Upon the second day of Ianuary in the second Year after the Nativity of Christ the wise men of Persia brought Gifts and worshipped him A little after that is about the Ides of Ianuary just the Night before the Command came from Herod to kill the innocent Children Ioseph and Mary went with the Child Jesus through the Mountains and Desarts of Iudea into Egypt to Hermopolis in the Land of Gosen which was reckoned from Bethlehem 296 miles From Hermopolis in Egypt after the death of Herod Jesus was brought back again by his Parents to Nazareth in Iudea which was above 368 miles When Jesus was twelve years of age he went with his Parents from Nazareth to Ierusalem to the Feast of the Passeover which was sixty four miles And when his Parents had lost him and found him again in the Temple among the Learned then he continued in obedience unto them and went with them from Ierusalem to Nazareth which was sixty four miles So his Travels were 934 miles Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in his Travels you may read before in the Travels of the Virgin Mary The Travels of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ from his Baptism till the first year of his Ministry CHrist in the thirtieth year of his age went from Nazareth and came to Bethabara which stood upon the River Iordan where Iohn baptized and upon the seventh day of October in the middle of the last Week spoken of by Daniel cap. 9. was there baptized at whose baptism the testimony of the Spirit descended down upon him in the likeness of a Dove which was fifty two miles From Iordan Jesus was led by the Spirit into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil and there fasted forty dayes and forty nights at the end of which time the Devil came and tempted him How this Wilderness was called the Evangelist doth not specifie but it is to be thought that it was the Desart of Arabia Petraea and that our Saviour Christ fasted upon the mountain of Sinai where Moses and Eliah fasted forty dayes and forty nights Exod. 24. 1. Reg. 19. For this Desart extendeth it self from the borders of Egypt and the Red Sea to Iordan where Iohn baptized and from thence by the Country of Trachonites to the mountain of Libanus Therefore our Saviour Christ might that present seventh day of October whereon he was baptized come into this Wilderness and by little and little go thence to Mount Sinai which was 136 miles For there was no place more fit for Sathâ—n to tempt our Saviour in than where the Law was delivered which is the power of Sin for although the Son of God was without Sin yet he took upon him the Sins of all the World Levit. 16. Joh. 1. Isa. 53. So then our Saviour Christ according to this supputation continued in the Desart from the seventh day of October to the sixteenth of November which was forty dayes and forty nights Epiphanius lib. 2. Tom. 1. Haeres 51. saith that our Saviour Christ was baptized upon the eighth day of November which was the twelfth day of the month Athyr amongst the Egyptians but this supputation is false and altogether repugnant to the certain Mathematical calculation Wherefore upon the seventeenth day of November our Saviour Christ hungred Mat. 4. Mark 1. Luke 4. and then the Devil with an extraordinary boldness came unto him and carried him from Mount Sinai with great violence through the Air and set him upon the top of a Pinacle of the Temple in Jerusalem which was 120 miles this Pinacle was so exceeding high as you may read in the description of Ierusalem that whosoever lookt down from it into the Valley of Cedron their eyes dazled and it seemed as though there had been Clouds in the bottom of the Valley for it was 600 foot from the bottom to the top From this place the Devil bid our Saviour Christ throw himself down c. Mat. 4. From the Pinacle of the Temple the Devil took our Saviour Christ and set him upon a high Mountain but what Hill it was or how called the holy Evangelist doth not set down The Inhabitants of the holy Land think it was the Hill that stood betwixt Bethel and Ai upon which Hill in times past Abraham dwelt Gen. 13. But that Hill is not very high and there are many higher Hills in the holy Land wherefore it is to be thought that he was carried upon the top of that high Mountain Nebo which was also called Pisgah and stood 24 miles from Ierusalem Eastward where God shewed unto Moses all the holy Land beyond Iordan Deut. 34. And in this place as God had shewed Moses so the Devil shewed our Saviour the Kingdoms of the World and the Glory of them saying All these will I give thee c. It is to be thought that all these sharp temptations of the Devil were done in one day This Hill Pisgah is distant from Bethabara 8 miles where Iohn Baptist baptised and bare witness of our Saviour Christ Ioh. ca. 1. Now after the Devil had left him and the Angels had comforted him he came thence unto Iohn which was 8 miles and Iohn said to his Disciples Behold this is the Lamb of God which taketh away the Sins of the World Ioh. 1. So these Travels were 140 miles The Travels of our Saviour Christ in the first year of his Ministry which was the 31 of his age BUT yet our Saviour Christ began not to preach publickly because it was not lawful for any to be admitted into the Ministry of the Word until they were past thirty years of age Now our Saviour Christ in the Months of Ianuary and February being then past thirty for he was full thirty upon the 25 day of December began to preach publickly but yet he had no Disciples neither had he wrought any Miracles In the month of March Iohn Baptist testifieth of Christ before the Priest and Levites and within two days after Christ being then present Iohn said Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the Sins of the World c. Within a while after Christ went thence towards Cana in Galilee in which Journey he took unto him some Disciples namely Andrew and Iohn the Evangelist and as some think Peter Philip and Nathaniel
Leprosie About thirty Paces from the foot of this Hill there ariseth a Fountain which is compassed about with a Wall and is thought to be a Vein of Nilus because they find in it such kind of fishes the like wherof are not to be found in any other place but Nilus Iosephus calleth this Spring Capernaum and likewise all the plain being very pleasant and fruitful for the space of a mile even unto Iordan after the same name because it is subiect to the Jurisdiction of that City About 20 paces from this wall on the shore of the Sea of Galilee there is shewn a place where they say Christ appeared to his seven Disciples after his Resurrection and asked them whether they had any meat And about ten paces from that is shewn a place where they say our Saviours Disciples came to Land and they drew up in their nets a great draught of fishes c. John 21. Of Naim NAim signifies fruitful and pleasant it stood 48 miles from Jerusalem towards the North and typically representeth the condition of the World For the Children of this World live in all manner of Pleasures and Delights never thinking of any sorrow till Death seiseth on them but then that overturns all and those delights become loathsome unto them Notwithstanding this one comfort we have left us Hope in Christ Jesus who as he raised the Widows Son at the gates of this City from Death to Life will by his mighty Power raise us again at the last day from the Bowels of the Earth and make us partakers with him of an heavenly habitation It stood in the Land of Samaria and in the tribe of Issachar about two miles off it upon the East side stood mount Tabor and a little from it upon the South side stood mount Hermon the lesser and extended it self thence unto the Sea of Galilee 16 miles Of these two Hills you may read Psal. 89. and about two miles from Naim Westward Sunem is to be seen to which the Prophet Elisaeus sometimes resorted 2 Reg. 4. Of Gadara GAdarah or Gederah in Hebrew signifies munition and sometimes it is taken to compass about of Gadar he hath hedged or compassed about S. Jerom saith in his time that is 400 years after Christ this was a very fair City and stood in a very high Mountain upon the East side of the Sea of Galilee beyond Jordan in the half tribe of Manasses some 48 miles from Ierusalem Northward and is to be seen at this day Strabo lib. 6. Georg. saith that close by Gadara there is a venomous lake whereof what Beast soever drinketh he immediately loseth his Horns his Hoofs and his Hair and there are many that think this Lake became thus venomous because of the 2000 Swine that were drowned in it when our Saviour suffered the Devils to enter into them Mat 8. Mark 5. Luke 8. Close by this Town stood Gerasa called also Girgesa Mat. 8. so named as some think of Girgasus the Son of Canaan Gen. 10. Of Genesareth THIS was a Country bordering upon the North-west side of the Sea of Galilee from whence this Sea was called the Lake of Genesareth Luke 5. This Land was very pleasant and fruitful as if it had been a Princes Garden bringing forth fair Apples Pomegranates Palmes Olives Vines and divers other kinds of pleasant Fruits fair and goodly to the eye and therefore not without cause was it called the Garden of a Prince being derived of Gan which signifies a Garden and Sur a Prince It is distant from Ierusalem six and fifty miles towards the North as you may read Matth. 6. 14. The chief Cities of this Country were Capernaum and Bethsaida of which Cities though in former times they were very fair and large there are at this day not scarce eight houses to be seen The Travels of our Saviour Christ in the third year of his Ministry which was the three and thirtieth year of his age FROM Ierusalem our Saviour Christ returned some six and fifty miles into Galilee and in the beginning of this year wintered in that place so that as it may be gathered out of the Evangelists he continued there the most part of Ianuary and February and now the Spring approching a little after the death of Saint Iohn the Baptist who as it is thought was put to death between the midst of Winter and the Spring not long before the Feast of the Passover so that he lived two years and a half in his Ministry he wrought many notable Miracles not far from the City of Bethsaida The same time the Feast of the Passover drawing near which was the third Passover of his ministry he went thence over Iordan and so beyond the Sea of Tiberias Matth. 14. Mark 6. Luke 9. At this time the Apostles of Christ being dispersed through all Galilee and Iudaea teaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven hearing of the miserable death of Iohn the Baptist about the beginning of the month of April returned with all possible speed out of every Part to our Saviour Christ that so they might be secure against the tyranny of Herod Matth. 14. Mark 6. Luke 9. Also the Disciples of Iohn came unto him and told him of his Death and Burial Matth. 14. Our Saviour Christ therefore having by this means certain intelligence as he was between Bethsaida and Tiberias of the death of S. Iohn Baptist in the month of April he went into a Ship and passed about four miles to the further side of the Sea of Galilee where in a certain Desart he sed five thousand men with five Barley loaves and two fishes Ioh. 6. From thence he returned back again to the Sea and so to Capernaum which was four miles here he made that long Sermon of the Spiritual eating of his flesh Mat. 14. Luke 9. Iohn 6. From thence he went to Ierusalem which was 56 miles to the Feast of the Passeover being the third Passeover of his ministry The third Passover of the Ministry of Christ. Upon the thirteenth day of April being Sunday according to the Ecclesiastical computation Christ as God commanded celebrated the third Passover of his ministry for the space of eight days in the City of Ierusalem that is till the twentieth day of the same month After the Feast of the Passeover the Iews took counsel how they might put him to death Ioh. 7. wherefore about the end of April he departed thence and went 56 miles into the Land of Galilee In the month of May after the controversie that happened concerning the Tradition of the Elders because of the fallacies and contentions of the Scribes and Pharisees he departed thence into the borders of Tyrus and Sidon which was 56 miles Matth. 15. and there entred into a house and would fain have been private but there was a certain Woman that was a Grecian of Syrophoenissa came unto him and intreated his aid Mark 7. But our Saviour having a determination to depart from this
place this Woman was very importunate that he would dispossess her Daughter of a Devil which because of her importunity he did Mat. 15. And after he went thence into the Country of Trachonitis beyond Iordan going through the borders of Decapolis and coming to the Galilean Sea and in the way he healed one that was both blind and dumb Mark 7. and there ascending up into a Mountain he cured many that were blind and lame and the third day after fed four thousand with seven loaves and a few fishes Mat. 15. So this Journey was 64 miles Afterward in the same month of May he went into a Ship and passed thence into the parts of Dalmatia and upon the borders of Magdala which was four miles he propounded the sign of the Prophet Ionah to the Pharisees and Sadducees Mat. 15. 16. From thence he sailed to Bethsaida which was four miles and by the way he admonished his Disciples to take heed of the leaven of the Sadducees and Pharisees Mat. 16. and as he was entring into a Town he cured a blind man of his sight Mark 8. About the end of the month of May Christ went to Ierusalem which was 56 miles where upon the second day of Iune he kept the Feast of Pentecost according as God had commanded Exod. 23. The Feast of Pentecost being ended he returned from Ierusalem into the Country of Galilee to Capernaum where he dwelt which was 56 miles In the same month of Iune he went the second time unto the borders of the Gentiles where Peter in the name of all the Disciples upon the confines of Caesarea Philippi made that notable confession saying Thou art Christ the Son of the living God Luk. 9. Capernaum is distant from Caesarea Philippi 48 miles Six or as Luke saith eight days after our Saviour in the month of Iune went to the mountain Thabor which stood 48 miles from Caesarea Philippi towards the Southwest where he was transfigured and the next day after he cured the Lunatick and cast out a Devil Mat. 7. Mark 9. In the month of Iuly Christ walked into Galilee and there confirmed his Doctrine with many wonderful miracles which did greatly amaze his Disciples where he put them in mind of the Cross and of his Death Mat. 17. Luke 9. From thence he returned to Capernaum which was ten miles from mount Thabor at this time Peter went to the Lake of Genesareth and there caught a fish in whose mouth he found a Stater which was worth 2 s. 6 d. in our money Mat. 17. Here also our Saviour Christ made a long Sermon wherein he reprehended the pride and arrogancy of his Disciples and withal taught the doctrine of the Remission of sins Mat. 12. Mark Luke 9. In the month of August he had a full determination to make a Journey through Samaria into Iudea and so by little and little visiting the Churches as he went to go to Ierusalem to the feast of the Tabernacles Iohn 7. but when he came to Samaria which was ten miles from Capernaum the Samaritans would not receive him because he made as though he would go to Ierusalem wherefore he turned aside into Galilee Luke 9. And as he was there visiting the Churches there came a certain man unto him saying I will follow thee whither soever thou goest But Christ answered him saying The Foxes have holes and the Fowls of the heavens have nests but the Son of man hath not where to hide his head Matth. 8. And to another Jesus said Follow thou me But he answered Let me first go and bury my father There was another also that would have followed Christ but he would first go take his leave of his friends Luke 9. In the month of September about the time of the second harvest which was next before the feast of the Tabernacles Lev. 23. Christ began his last visitation throughout all the Land of Iudea at which time he sent forth seventy of his disciples into Galilee to prepare the way and so dispersed Labourers into his harvest saying The harvest is great but the labourers are few Luk. 10. This Speech seems to be taken from the present condition of the time for it was now harvest time it being a little before the Vernal Aequinoctial About the beginning of October when the feast of the Tabernacles drew near the Disciples and those that were of the kindred of our Saviour according to the flesh went up to the Feast but he remained in Galilee notwithstanding a little after he went privily up now between Galilee and Ierusalem were accounted 56 miles Ioh. 7. Upon the ninth day of October was this Feast celebrated in Ierusalem and being now half past our Saviour Christ taught publickly in the Temple Ioh. 7. Upon the fifteenth day of October it being the last day of the Feast of the Tabernacles and the Sabbath day he taught the second time publickly in the Temple and so continued preaching and doing miracles in Ierusalem until the Feast of the Dedication which was kept about the middle of Winter Matth. 4. In the month of November he preached daily in the Temple and at night went to the Mount of Olives where he rested which was about half a mile from Ierusalem and every morning returned back to the Temple At this time there came unto him certain Scribes and Pharisees who brought a Woman which had been lately taken in Adultery and said unto him Master what shall we do with this Woman c. And he answered He among you that is without sin throw the first stone at her Iohn 8. About this time also were the Sermons concerning the Power of the Son of God and a great disputation between our Saviour and the Jews Ioh. 8. for which cause they would have stoned him In the month of December Christ wintered in Ierusalem and recited the Parable of the Sheep Ioh. 10. Also upon the Sabbath day a little before the Feast of the Dedication he healed a man that was born blind Ioh. 9. In this feast the Jews being angry because he had healed the blind man upon the Sabbath day compassed our Saviour about as he was in Solomon's Porch and when they heard our Saviour confess openly that he was the Son of God they began to grow into a fury and for very anger would have stoned him to death Wherefore our Saviour Christ went thence beyond Iordan and continued there the rest of the Winter Iohn 10. But before he went to Ierusalem there were returned unto him certain of the seventy Disciples which a little before in the month of September he had sent abroad and there at that time he recited the similitude of the man who descending from Ierusalem to Iericho fell amongst Thieves This similitude seemeth to be taken from the present occasion because our Saviour Christ going from Ierusalem beyond Iordan was to pass through great wildernesses just in the way as they go thence to Iericho Joh. 10. At the same time he
Kingdom according to that of Iohannes Taulerus Where the Cross there the Light where Temptation there Prayer and Regeneration c. The Travels of Peter IN the thirty fifth year after the Nativity of Christ about the Month of Ianuary and a little before the Conversion of the Apostle Paul Peter and Iohn were sent from Ierusalem to Samaria being thirty two miles that the Samaritans might receive that admirable gift of the Holy Ghost and there they disputed with Simon Magus Acts 8. From Samaria they returned back again to Ierusalem which was thirty two miles In this Jonrney they went to divers Towns of the Samaritans teaching and preaching unto them the Doctrine of the Gospel Acts 8. In the sixth year after the Resurrection of Christ Peter went to Lidda which was distant from Ierusalem twenty miles towards the North-East where he cured Aeneas who had lain sick eight years of the Palsie upon his Bed Acts. 9. From thence he went to Ioppa which was three miles here he raised Tabitha from Death Acts 9. In the seventh year after the Resurrection of Christ Peter went from Ioppa and came to Caesarea Strato which was six and thirty miles where he preached the Gospel to Cornelius the Centurion and baptized him and his whole Family Acts. 10. Clemens Recogn lib. 9. From Caesarea he returned to Ierusalem being thirty two miles where being accused for going to the Gentiles he excused himself Acts 11. In the eleventh year after the Resurrection of Christ he was cast into Prison and set at liberty by an Angel of God Acts 12. So he went secretly from Ierusalem as it was thought into the Desart or to some other unknown place upon the second day of August in the same year Herod Agrippa King of the Iews was struck by an Angel of God at Caesarea and he was devoured of Worms Acts 12. Ioseph Antiq. lib. 19. cap. 4. After Herod Agrippa being dead and buried Peter returned to Ierusalem where he was in Council with the rest of the Apostles about sixteen years after the Resurrection of Christ and fourteen after the Conversion of Paul Gal. 2. Acts 15. See also Bede upon the Acts of the Apostles In the seventeenth year after the Resurrection of Christ Peter went from Ierusalem and came to Antiochia in Syria which Journey was 280 miles there Paul resisted him Gal. 2. From Antiochia he went to Babylon in Egypt where he wrote his first Epistle this Journey was 520 miles So all his Travels which are mentioned in the Scripture were 955 miles Allegations of the Author to prove that Peter was never at Rome BUT that Peter was twenty five years seven Months and five days Bishop and Chief Priest of Rome cannot be proved by the testimony of the Scripture and is utterly repugnant to the supputation and true accompt of the times First Because it is manifest by that which hath been said that he continued at Ierusalem and in Iudaea during the time that Tiberius Caligula and Claudius were Emperours of Rome And shortly after the Martyrdom of Stephen he and Iohn were sent into Samaria that the Samaritans might also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost Acts 8. Paul also in the third year after his Conversion came to Ierusalem and there spoke with Peter and remained with him fifteen days Acts 9. Gal. 1. Fourteen days after the Conversion of Paul Peter was at the Apostolical Council held in Ierusalem and there with Iames and Iohn gave the right hand of Fellowship to Paul and Barnabas that they should go and preach the Gospel unto the Gentiles and that he and the rest would go to the Iews and those that were circumcised Gal. 2. In the time of Claudius Caesar Peter was committed to Prison by Herod Agriâ—pa in Ierusalem and miraculously delivered by the Angel of God Acts 10. In the ninth year of Claudius Caesar Peter was at Antiochia in Syria where Paul resisted him to his face Gal. 2. All these things manifestly prove that the Apostle Peter was not at Rome at such time as any of these three viz. Tiberius Caligula and Claudius were Emperours but either in Ierusalem or else at Antiochia in Syria Secondly it may exactly be made evident out of the holy Scriptures that Peter was not at Rome in the time of Nero. For in the second year of Nero Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans and sent it from Corinth by the hand of Phebe in which Epistle he saluted all his Friends which he had in that City by name as by the conclusion of the Epistle more plainly appeareth but there is no mention of the Apostle Peter who if at that time Bishop of that place surely should not have been omited Also in the fifth year of Nero Paul being then in Prison at Rome wrote his Epistles to the Galatians Ephesians Philipâ—ians Colossians and to Philemon and in the conclusion of these Epistles he expresly nameth all his Friends that he had in Rome yet makes no mention of Peter And when he was the second time in Prison under Nero in the last year of the Reign of this Emperour he wrote from Rome his second Epistle to Timothy being a little before his death at the end of which Epistle he plainly shews that he had no Companion there but Luke 2 Tim. 4. From whence it is manifest that Peter during all the Pilgrimage and Life of Paul was never at Rome how then can it possibly be that Peter should be Bishop of Rome for the space of almost twenty six years Truly there are many learned men and they also of great Judgment which hold this Opinion false and utterly repugnant to Holy Scripture neither can be proved by any good Authors or Histories But if Peter were ever at Rome he came thither after the last Imprisonment of Paul and a few years before his Martyrdom Because as Onuphrius saith in Comment fast lib. 2. also Euseb. lib. 2. cap. 22. and Tertul. Cont. Marcion Peter and Paul in the thirty fifth year after the Resurrection of Christ and upon the third day of the Calends of Iuly C. Fonteius Caâ—itonius and C. Iulius Rufus being then Cousuls of Rome were crowned with the Wreath of Martyrdom and with their Blood sealed the Truth of the Gospel But there are others of Opinion that Peter never came at Rome but that he was crucified at Ierusalem by King Agrippa's Command others say at Babylon But because it is a thing doubtful and not greatly material I leave it to the Reader 's consideration Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Samaria BEcause I have before briefly intreated of the Beginning and Foundation of this City I shall not need here again to repeat it I will now therefore shew the end of it which was principally caused by the obstinancy of the Inhabitants who refusing the Doctrine and Prophecy of Elias and Elizeus imbraced and followed strange Gods and offered Incense unto Idols whereby the wrath of God was kindled
against them insomuch that he left this goodly City as a Prey to the Gentiles and Foreign Nations that carried the People thereof into Captivity where for a long time they remained in great misery After the first desolation because the Country round about this City was very fertile and pleasant abounding with Springs Rivers Vines Olive Gardens Mountains fruitful Vallies fair Cities and strong Castles and Towns Herod Ascalonites that great King of the Iews who put to death the innocent Children re-edified it set up many goodly buildings beautified with Marble Pillars and pleasant Walks And also in the circuit of the Kings House and under the buildings of the Nobility in the common Market-place the Houses and Vaults were supported with Marble Pillars according to the manner of the Iews The Palace called the Kinâ—s House stood in the midst of the City upon the top of the Mountain and round about it there were divers other buildings set up but much lower even about the descent of the Mountain yet scituated that the Inhabitants might see out of their Houses the Country round about Then close to the Palace in the upper part of the City he caused a Temple to be built in honor of Augustus Thus having finished the inside he compass'd it about with a mighty Wall and upon that placed many Turrets and then to flatter Augustus called it by the name of Sebasten which among the Grecians signifies Augustum venerabile Principem now although this City was very glorious and spacious in those times for it was three miles about yet at this day it is utterly ruined and destroyed insomuch that there is not a House standing two Churches only excepted which were built in honour of St. Iohn Baptist and the chief of these which was the Cathedral Church the Saracens have converted to their use so that at this day Mahomet is worshipped in it In this stood the Sepulchre of St. Iohn Baptist cut out in Marble like the Sepulchre of Christ where as Hierom saith he lieth buried between Elisha and Obediah the Prophets This Church stands upon the side of the Mountain in the descent The Saracens do principally reverence St. Iohn Baptist next after Christ and they affirm the Virgin Mary to have conceived by the holy Spirit and not by the Seed of Man That St. Iohn was the greatest Prophet except Christ that ever was They also believe Christ to be the Son of God but not to be equal with God Yet they prefer Mahomet before both because they hold him a Messenger sent from God not unto all Men but only unto the Saracens and Turks and their Subjects The other Church which stood in Samaria was upon the top of the Mountain which somtimes the Kings Palace stood In this Church in times past there dwelt certain Grecian Monks which were Christians and entertained Christian Pilgrims with great Humanity and furnished them with many Necessaries But the City of Samaria it self hath been so often overthrown and brought to such extream misery that almost all the Ground where it stood is at this time converted into an Olive Garden So that as that wicked King Ahab turned the Vineyard of Naboth which stood close by his House into an Olive Garden so God in his singular Justice hath turned the Palace of that King and the whole City wherein he dwelt which was the strength of his Kingdom into an Olive Garden There are not so many ruins found through all the Land of Iudaea though there have been many worthy Cities destroyed as are in this place at this day The scituation of this City was very beautiful for a man might have seen from it to the Sea of Ioppae and Antipatris also to Caesarea Palestina and thorough all the Mountain of Ephraim to Ramatha Sophim and so to Mount Carmel and the City of Ptolomais Of Lidda THIS City was scituated not far from Ioppa upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea 20 miles from Ierusalem North-wâ—â—â—ward In this City Peter healed Aeneas who had been sick eight years of the Palsie At this day there is nothing to be seen but the Church of St. George who was beheaded by the Emperour Dioclesian for professing the Christiaâ— Fâ—ith The Grecians call this Town Diospolis i. An holy Town And the Turks account St. George for a valiant Knight and holy man Of Caesarea Strato THIS City was scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea some 32 miles from Jerusalem North-ward in ancient time it was called Strato being first built by Strato King of Sidon But time having decayed a great part of it Herod Ascalonita repaired it and made it a goodly thing calling it Caesarea after the name of Augustus Caesar. And that Ships might lie at Anchor there without danger he caused to be built a fair Haven to oppose the violence of the Sea This Haven was so wonderfully coâ—trived and set up at such a great charge that it was admirable to look upon for he laid the foundation of it twenty yards under Water burying in the deep Stones of an extraordinary greatness some fifty foot long eight foot thick and ten foot broad and many of them more The Haven it self was beautified with fair Buildings and goodly Walls supported with Marble Pillars and mounted up aloft so that you might see the Ships as they were upon the Sea and made way to his Harbour The entrance into it was upon the North at the mouth thereof there stood three mighty Colosses upon Marble Pillars He also placed upon the Wall of the City towards the Haven mighty Towers the chiefest and fairest of which he dedicated to Drusus Augustus his Son in law and called it by the Name of the Drusian Tower The buildings that joyned to this Haven were all of white polished Marble and the Streets of the City were directly towards it Also the Market-place where they bought and sold was not far from it Upon a little Hill close by this Port he caused a Church to be built in honour of Augustus Caesar. This Temple was a very magnificent and stately building and in it he caused the Statue of Augustus curiously wrought and cast just in the figure of Iupiter Olympius to be erected and worshipped it as his God There are many other stately and sumptuous buildings that were set up by this King But amongst the rest he bestowed great cost upon the Market-place the Theatre and the Amphitheatre which he wonderfully beautified and instituted certain Games to be there used once every fifth year in Honour of Augustus as Ioseph de Bell. Iud. li. 1. witnesseth After the death of this King Herod Agrippa was made King of the Jews This Prince some ten years after the Resurrection of Christ caused James the Son of Zebedeus upon the 25 day of July to be put to death in Jerusalem and when he perceived it was acceptable unto the Jews in the following year about the the Feast of the Passover he caused Peter to be
first Epistle from Rome calling it allegorically Babylon is utterly to be condemned since there is none who can certainly prove that conjecture neither is it grounded upon any firm foundation for although Babylon in the Revelation of S. John because it was a secret Prophecy was allegorically used yet in a plain and manifested history such kind of Allegories are not allowed From whence may be concluded that S. Peter wrote his first Epistle from this Babylon not from Rome The Travels of Saint John with the Annotation of the Times wherein he lived JOHN the Evangelist and Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ was born in the tenth year after the Nativity of our Saviour and was made his Disciple when he was 21 years of Age. He saw the Miracle of Christ when he changed the Water into Wine John cap 2. In the year following viz. in the 22 year of his Age he was taken into the number of the twelve Apostles Luke 6. Mar. 3. After that in the three and twentieth year of his age he saw the transfiguration of Christ in mount Thabor and when he was four and twenty years of age he stood under the Cross of our Saviour Christ and the same year a little after Christs Ascension he with the rest of the Apostles received the Gift of the holy Ghost being then the Feast of Pentecost which fell about the four and twentieth day of May in the same year he was cast into Prison with Peter for healing the lame Man Acts 3. 4. Thus much of his Youth About the middle of the first year after our Saviour Christs Ascension Iohn being then 25 years old was sent with Peter from the City of Ierusalem to Samaria 32 miles From Samaria he returned back again to Ierusalem 32 miles and as he returned preached the Gospel of Christ in divers Towns of the Samaritans Acts 8. Mary the Mother of our Lord being now 59 years of age died in the twelfth year after the Resurrection of Christ and was buried by Iohn the Evangelist in the Garden of Gethsemene Iohn being then 35 years old Four years after her death he was present at the Apostolical Council in Ierusalem Now Iames his Brother who was called the Elder was beheaded two years before for this Council was celebrated in the presence of Iames the younger Peter Iohn Paul and Barnabas c. about sixteen years after the Resurrection of Christ and fourteen after the Conversion of Paul Gal. 2. Before the Destruction of Ierusalem which happened about the 61 year of his age and 38 after Christs Ascension Iohn went from Ierusalem and came to Ephesus 544 miles where after the death of the Apostle Paul he governed the Churches of Asia minor In the 86 year of his age being cast into a Vessel of boiling Oyl and coming out unhurt by the command of Domitian the Emperour he was banished into the Isle of Pathmos distant from Ephesus 40 miles There he wrote his Revelation to the seven Churches in Asia minor whereof you may read Apoc. 1. From Pathmos he returned to Ierusalem which was forty miles being then 88 years of age and there he raised Drusana from Death to Life After this he governed the Churches in Asia four years that is from the Government of Nero the Emperour unto the fourth year of the Government of Trajan the Emperour and called the young Man to repentance which was of the Society of Thieves at length he died at Ephesus when he was 91 years old An. Dom. 100. as St. Ierom and Nicephorus li. 2. ca. 32. observe So all his Travels were 688 miles The Testimony of the Fathers concerning John THE Testimonies of the holy Fathers that are yet extant concerning Iohn are these In Euseb. â—i 3. c. 1. 18. 20. 3. you may read the History concerning the Conversion of the young Man from the company of Thieves Irenaeus witnesseth the same li. 2. ca. 23. In Irenaeus also li. 3. ca. 23. you may read the History of Cerinthus and how that Iohn lived until the time of Trajan the Emperour Also li. 3. ca. 11. he saith that the Gospel of St. Iohn was written because of the Blasphemy of Cerinthus The Description of the Towns and places to which John travelled Of Ephesus THIS was the Metropolitan City of Ionia scituated in Asia Minor 544 miles from Ierusalem North-westward It was built saith Strabo by Androclus the Son of Codrus King of Athens in the time of David King of Israel and because of the beautiful scituation and ferâ—ility of the Soil called Ephesus in future Ages growing into such credit and estimation that it was mightily increased and became one of the most famous Mart Towns in all Asia but it stood somewhat low so that the Sea brake in upon it and drowned it and many of the Inhabitants perished Nevertheless Lysimachus King of Thrace built it up again in the same place where now it stands and called it Arsinoes after his Wives name But he being dead it was again called by the antient name Ephesus There were many worthy Men that lived in it as Heraclitus Scotinus and Hermadorus who for his excellent understanding and singular honesty was banished Hipponachus also the Poet Perrhasius and Apelles the Painters Alexander the Orator and Theodotio a Iew who interpreted the Bible It was in ancient times inhabited by the Amazons whose Queen kept her court there and wonderfully increased and adorned it with fair and beautiful Buildings Here also that notable Temple dedicated to Diana which as Strab. saith li. 14. Plin. li. 36. c. 14. was 220 years a building It stood upon Morish Ground to avoid the danger of Earth-quakes There were in it 127 Pillars erected by so many Kings among which there were 36 that were curiously sicled and artificially carved and ingraven It was 425 foot long and 120 broad There were so many Gifts and Gratuities sent from all the Cities and Kings round about toward the building of this Temple that the Riches and Treasure thereof was wonderful insomuch that when it was finished it was accounted one of the stateliest Buildings the World could afford and numbered amongst the Wonders of the World This Temple thus built at such an extraordinary charge that it was almost unvaluable was set on fire by one Herostratus a wicked and perverse Fellow in the same Olympiad and Day that Alexander the Great was born who having nothing in him that might make him famous in after-ages burnt this goodly Building that so though not for his good but for his evil he might get a name But the Ephesians were so incensed because of this Mischief that they procured Proclamation to be made through all the Kingdoms round about that his name should not be once mentioned which perhaps for a time was observed but in future ages they could not prevent it but that he was both spoken of and written of Notwithstanding afterward the Inhabitants of this City became so exceeding wealthy that they soon
after rebuilt this Temple of Diana and made it much fairer than it was before all the Citizens contributing with willing hands to the charge of the building insomuch that the Women brought all their Silver Gold and other pretious Ornaments and communicated them towards this great Work Also in after times those fair Pillars before spoken of were again erected towards the rebuilding whereof they received so many and wonderful Gifts from all the neighbouring Kings Cities and Countries that this Temple might as it was thought compare with all the World beside for Riches and Treasure It was standing in St. Paul's time who came thither about twelve years after the Resurrection of our Saviour and continued there three years in which time he so faithfully and diligently preached the Gospel that he converted most of the Citizens from their Idolatry and Worship of Diana to the reverend Knowledge and Confession of our blessed Saviour For which cause Demetrius the Silver Smith who made a great gain by Idolatry stirred up a great tumult so that the Gentiles running up and down the City for two hours space cried out with a loud voice Great is Diana of the Ephesians Acts 19. Here also Paul fought with Beasts 1 Cor. 15. And to this City Paul wrote his Epistle and sent it from Rome 996 miles He made Timothy also a Bishop of this City to whom he wrot two Epistles the first was sent him from Laodicea to Phrygia being 280 miles the second from Rome as I said By these Epistles Timothy was greatly comforted and taught them to his Disciples and Auditors that so they might constantly continue and persevere in the Christian Faith and Religion to the end To conclude Iohn the Evangelist came also to Ephesus and wrote his Gospel against the Heretick Cerinthus who denyed Christ to be the true God for which cause God grievously punished him so that he died as he was bathing himself in a Bath Irenaeus lib. 5. ca. 3. Euseb. li. 3. c. 22. This was the first Church to which Iohn wrote his Revelation and there when he returned out of Pathmos he raised his Host Drusana from death to life So when he had governed the Churches in Asia thirty years after the death of Paul he died when he was ninety one years old and was honourably buried at Ephesus not far from the City There was also another Iohn that liv'd in Ephesus to whom as many think the Epistles of Iohn the Evangelist were dedicated as Ierom sheweth in his Catalogue of Ecclesiastical Writers The Sepulchre of this man is shewed not far from the Sepulchre of St. Iohn the Evangelist as Euseb. witnesseth lib. 3. cap. 31. At this day this City is named Figlo ho Epheso See Gesner Of Pathmos THIS is an Isle of the Aegean Sea scituated betwixt Asia minor and Grecia 2080 miles from Ierusalem North-Westward Pli. l. 4. c. 12. saith that it was thirty miles in compass Into this Isle the Evangelist was banished by Domitian Nero where he wrote his Revelation It was one of the Cyclad Islands which were fifty three in number that lay round about the Island Delus as Stra. li. 10. Geog. observes It stood forty miles from Ephesus South-Westward and as Petr. Apianus saith was sometimes called Posidius but now Palmosa Of Smyrna THIS is the second City to which Iohn dedicated his Revelation It was scituated in Ionia in Asia minor 540 miles from Ierusalem North-Westward This was a very fair City beautified with many goodly buildings and of good account in Grecia It was at first but a Colony transplanted from another City in that Country But Theseus that great Prince being then King thereof that he might add some grace to that which he had begun he called it after his Wives name Smyrna signifying Myrrh Herodot saith that Homer was born here but not Blind and called by the name of Melisigines but after the Gumaenians called him of his Blindness Homer Strab. li. 14. Geogr. saith that the Inhabitants take upon them to shew his Picture standing there and also a Temple built in his Honour During his Life he was a man of small or no Reputation or rather contemned than honoured as Herod saith But after his death his Works beginning to grow famous the Cities of Greece contended who should Patronize him The Colophonians claim a part in him because he was in that Town and there made some of his Odysses They of Chios say he belonged to them because he lived there a long time and taught School But for ought that can be found by Authors the Smyrnians have most interest in him Nevertheless I leave him to them that please to Patronize him since it is not certainly found where he lived He lived about 900 years before Christ. Eusebius saith Hist. Eccl. lib. 4. cap. 14. that in after-times this City grew very famous and was so much inlarged that it became a Bishops See whereof Polycarâ—us a very godly and Religious man was Bishop He governed the Church in that place at such time as Iohn the Evangelist wrote his Revelation and by him cap. 2. is called the Angel of the Church of Smyrna This man after he had faithfully preached the Gospel for the space of 86 years was by the Inhabitants thereof condemned to death for the profession of Christ Anno 170. But the town of Smyrna because of the unthankfulness and cruelty of the Inhabitants was grievously punished for within ten years it was cast down by an Earth-quake since which time it was hardly rebuilt again The River Pactolus which beginneth in Lydia runneth by this Town of Smyrna But the Inhabitants because of the golden Veins that are found therein call it Crysorrhoas Plin. lib. 5. cap. 29. A little after that there was such an extreme Plague happened in Rome that they were constrained to carry out the dead Bodies in Carts Thus God turneth the Air and the Earth to the confusion of those that persecute his Church Of Pergamus THIS was another of the Towns whereto Iohn wrote his Revelation It was a famous City and Metropolitan of Mysia scituated in Asia minor 228 miles from Ierusalem North-westward It stood upon a high Rock close by the River Caicus from whence it was called Pergamus For in ancient times all famous and notable places were called amongst the Graecians Pergama as Suidas and Servius observe Strabo lib. 13. saith that in the time of Lysimachus the Son of Agathocles who was one of the Successours of Alexander the Great it was but a Castle in which place because of the strength of it he usually kept all his Treasure and those things that were of account and committed the custody of it unto one named Philetaerus an Eunuch of Tyanus But this man being accused to Lysimacus that he would have forced his Wife Arsinoes for fear of some future punishment because of that Offence moved the Inhabitants of that Hold to Rebellion At the same time also there happened many Commotions in
In the 38 Year after the Nativity of Christ he returned from Arabia Petraea and came to Damascus which was 160 miles and there he diligently taught the Gospel of Christ. But when in the same Year Araeta King of Arabia went about to put him secretly to death he was let down in a Basket over the Wall and so went from Damascus to Ierusalem which was 160 miles and when he came thither he brought Barnabas to the Apostles and shewed them his Conversion and remained with Peter fifteen days preaching the Gospel At this time he saw Iames the Son of Alpheus and Brother of our Lord Acts 9. 2 Cor. 11. Galat. 1. But when his Adversaries that were at Ierusalem went about secretly to put him to death he went from Ierusalem and was brought by the Brethren to Caesarea Strato which was 32 miles Act. 9. About the 38 Year after the Nativity of Christ he went thence into Syria to Tarsus a City of Cilicia which was 272 miles here he continued some Years teaching the Gospel of Christ Gal. 1. 2. Cor. 11. In the 41 Year after the Nativity of Christ and about the seventh Year of his Ministry he was brought by Barnabas from Tarsus to Antiochia in Syria which was 120 miles At this time and in this Town all those that believed in Christ began to be called Christians whereas before they were called Disciples and Brothers Acts 11. These things hapned in the eighth year after the Resurrection of Christ about this time also Matthew wrote his Gospel and Agabus prophesied of the universal Dearth that should happen under Claudius Act. 11. In the 42 year after the Nativity of Christ Paul being then at Antiochia and about 32 years of age was wrap'd up into the third Heaven 14 years before he wrote his second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 12. In the 43 year after the Nativity of Christ the Famin whereof Agabus prophesied being now begun he went with the gifts of the Church from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was 280 miles this year Iames the Elder was beheaded at the Command of Agrippa Act. 11. 12. In the 44 year after the Nativity of Christ Paul and Barnâ—bas with Peter were delivered out of Prison by the Angel of the Lord. Now having distributed the Gifts of the Church he returned in the Company of Iohn Mark from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was 280 miles So these Travels were 1928 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Tarsus or Tharsus THIS was the Metropolis of Cilicia scituated upon the River of Cydnus which beginning at Mount Taurus runs thence through this Town into the Mediterranean Sea It was first built by Perseus King of the Persians whom the Poets feign to be the Son of Iupiter and Danae and called Tharsus of the Hyacinth stone which as it seemeth is found thereabous It was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North in ancient time a goodly City but through the Injury of the Time and Invasion of the Enemy much impaired and lay almost ruined till as Strabo saith li. 14. it was repaired by Sardanapalus that effeminate King of the Assyrians of whom Tully remembreth this Epitaph lib. 5. Tuscula Haec habeo quae aedi quaeque exatura libido Hausit at illa jacent multa praeclara relicta What things I eat or spend in Sport and Play Those I enjoy the rest I cast away From his time until the Reign of Darius the last King of the Persians it continued in great Prosperity and was become a marvellous stately City the Inhabitants thereof being grown very wealthy but then Alexander the Great making War upon that Prince amongst others brought his Army against this City but the Citizens hearing of his notable Exploits durst not abide his coming therefore they fired the City lest he should make a Prey of their Riches and fled which when Alexander perceived he gave order to Parmenio with all possible speed to quench the Fire and save the City In the mean time the King being press'd with an extraordinary Thirst by reason of the extream Heat that was in that Country the Dust and his long Journey put off his royal Garments and cast himself into the River Cydnus which being a cold Water coming out of the North struck the heat presently inward and so benummed his Sinews that had it not been for the present help of his Souldiers and the extraordinary diligence and care of Philip his Physician he had died immediately notwithstanding by the great Providence of God and the carefulness of his Physician he recovered his dangerous Sickness beyond the expectation of Man and after overcame Darius in a sharp and cruel War near to a place called Issa as you may read before See Plutarch in vita Alexand. and Quintus Curtius From that time forward this City grew to be very famous and daily encreased in Stateliness and fair Buildings And to add more dignity to it there was a famous Academy in which were many learned and rare Philosophers insomuch that they of Tharsus exceeded the Philosophers of Athens and Alexandria for Learning and Knowledge though indeed for number of Scholars and common Resort they exceeded Tharsus Saint Paul was born and brought up in this Town and here learned the Knowledge of the Tongues Philosophy and other good Arts. He also perused the Writings of Aratus Epimenides Menander and other learned Men whose Sayings are here and there dispersed through his Epistles From thence he was sent to Ierusalem where he lived and was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel who was Provost of that Academy and after was converted to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus as appeareth Acts 22. This Town at this day is subject to the Empire of the Turks and called by the Name of Terassa being neither so famous nor so fair a City as in the time when the Roman Empire flourished for then because of the extraordinary Vertue of the Citizens it was indowed with the Liberty and Freedom of Rome Of Damascus THis was a metropolitan Town in Syria distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the North-east being an ancient and fair City and before such time as Antiochia was built the head of all that Kingdom It was scituated in a fair and fruitful place close by the Mountain Libanus which bringeth forth Frankincense Ceders Cypress and many odoriferous and sweet smelling Flowers There were many Kings that kept their Court in it as Hadad Benhadad the First Benhadad the Second Hasael and others who grievously opposed the Kings of Israel in many sharp and cruel Wars as you may read before The Land round about it aboundeth with white and red Roses Pomgranates Almonds Figs and other sweet and pleasant Fruits In that place the Alablaster stone is found very fair and clear The Air pleasant and healthful The River called Chrysorrus runneth close by it in which there is found golden Veins which yielded perfect Gold The Houses without are not
his accustomed Food Thus it continued so that the Dolphin would suffer the Boy to handle him take him by the Gills play with him yea and sometimes to get upon his Back then swim with him a great way into the Lake and bring him back again and suffer him to go safe upon the shore After this manner he continued for many Years together and in the end the Youth died Yet the Dolphin resorted to his usual place expecting his accustomed Food from the hands of this Boy but missing him he left the shore languish'd away and died Concerning the nature of this Fish you may read more at large in Pliny lib. 9. cap. 8. Of Colossa THIS City is scituated in Phrygia a Country in Asia minor near the Rivers of Lycus and Meander 520 miles from Ierusalem North-westward not far from Laodicea so called from the mighty Statues and Colosso's that were set up in it These Cities Colossa Laodicea and Hierapolis where the Apostle Philip was put to death in the tenth year of Nero a little before Paul's Martyrdom were sunk by an Earthquake which without doubt was a great judgment of God upon them because they refused the Grace and Comfort of the Doctrine of the Gospel offered unto them by the Apostles The Epistle of Paul dedicated to the Colossians was sent by the hand of Onesymus from Rome unto these Towns being 1080 miles For although the Rhodians were called Colossians because of that famous Colossus that stood there yet this City wherein Archippus and Philemon dwelt to whom Paul directed that Epistle stood in Phrygia a Country in Asia minor and not in Rhodes Of Nicopolis NIcopolis is a City of Macedonia scituated close by the River Nessus not far from Philippus upon the Borders of Thrace 920 miles from Ierusalem North-westward From hence the Apostle Paul wrote his Epistle to Titus and sent it to Crete 600 miles There are many other Cities of this Name one standing in Epyre built by Augustus another between Cilicia and Syria built by Alexander in glory of his Victory against Darius a fourth in Bythinia a fifth in the Holy Land formerly called Emmaus Of Rome THis City if we rightly consider the derivation of the Name in Hebrew was not built without the singular Providence of God being derived of Rom i. He hath exalted or made high But the Grecians derive it from Romen i. Strength and Power Now although the Providence of God extendeth to every Creature nay to the very hairs of a Man's Head yet where he determines to express his singular Power there he worketh beyond the expectation of man And who knows not that the beginning of this City was mean raised from a confused Company destitute both of Civility Community and Laws yet hath it been and for the most part is the glory of the World and the great Commander of the Princes of the Earth It was so called at first by Romulus as Livy lib. 1. saith who first built it seven hundred fifty and one years before the Nativity of Christ being scituated upon seven Hills that is Capitolinus Aventinus Palatinus Cealius Exquilinus Viminalis and Quirinalis But after when the City was compassed about with Walls the Hill Ianiculus was inclosed within it The Vallies that lay between these Hills were so raised up with Arches Vaults and artificial Mounts that in process of time they became level with the top of some of those Hills It was beautified with fair and sumptuous Buildings so that as it was the head of the World for Command and Power in like manner it exceeded all the rest of the World for Glory and Riches but principally for stately Buildings There were many goodly Temples dedicated to Iupiter Apollo Aesculapius Hercules Diana Iuno Minerva Lucia Concordia Fides Pietas Pax Victoria Isis besides many other dedicated to other Gods But above all that was the most sumptuous that was called Pantheon Deorum at this day called the Church of Alhallows Moreover here was to be seen the Princely Edifices of Kings Emperours Consuls Senators Patricians and other Romans who were mighty in Wealth and Substance built all of polished Marble beautified with Gold and Silver beside Palaces Bulwarks Theatres triumphant Arches Statues and such like all which were glorious and greatly adorned the City But above all these the House of Nero was most worthy of Observation which to see to was built all of burnish'd Gold very curiously wrought Here also stood the Monuments of the two Caesars Iulius and Augustus also their Statues the one made of pure Brass the other of white Marble Besides there were many fruitful Orchards Water Courses and wholsome Baths brought thither by Antonius Nero Dioclesian and Constantine the Great Also the Emperour Constantine erected many goodly Churches for the use of the Christians and endowed them with great means and amongst the rest that which was dedicated to St. Iohn of Latteran a fair and goodly Church and for Riches and curious Workmanship might compare with the stateliest Temples that ever had been in the World most of the Ornaments and Images being made of Gold and Silver he also erected the Vatican which was dedicated to St. Peter and another holy House dedicated to St. Paul in either of which he placed their several Sepulchres and Monuments bestowing extraordinary Cost to beautifie them So many were the Gifts and Gratuities of this Emperour that they can scarce be numbred so that although the Emperour Trajan and Boniface the Fourth Pope of Rome bestowed great Cost to beautifie and adorn the City yet were they nothing comparable to that which this Emperour did These things then being presented to your view you might justly say That Rome in her Prosperity and Eminency was the Glory of the World but as all Estates are fickle and uncertain still subject to Variety and Change so was this first envied of the World because of the extream oppression of her Governours and after made desolate by Violence and Force all her former Glory being eclipsed and the greatest part of these goodly Buildings laid level with the Ground Thus have I shewed you what Rome was when it was in her Prosperity it resteth now to shew what Rome is Rome at this day differeth as much from the ancient Rome as the Substance from the Shadow For although the Pope hath beautified and adorned the West part of it with many fair and goodly Buildings and called it by the name of new Rome yet it is nothing comparable to the ancient City as it was when Augustus and Constantine the Great were Emperâ—ours thereof neither doth it stand in the ancient place for the first City stood upon the East side of Tyber this upon the West The chief part of the other stood upon the Mountains Capitolinus and Palatinus upon which were the stately Buildings of Senators Kings and Emperours but now they lye desolate and waste The Capitol also and the Temple of Iupiter Feretrius goodly Buildings beaten to the