This Island in times past was very rich populous for in it there was 100 townes the chiefe of which were Gnossos Cortyna and Zydon but Gnossos was the most principall and antientest wherin King Minos kept his court in it the notable Geographer Strabo was borne This town of Gnossos in times past was called Ceratur of the riuer Cerata which passeth by it but now it and all the Island is called Candia The Venetians euery three yeares appointed a new Duke to gouerne it In this Island stood the townes of Salmona and Lassica by Pliny called Lasas and in the middle between those two townes was the hauen of Gutfurt whereof Saint Luke maketh mention in the Acts of the Apostles cap. 27. saying That Paul counsailed the Saylers that were in the ship to anchor there and stay the Winter season in that Island but the Captain of the ship gaue more credit to the Master of the ship than to Pauls words wherby in the end they were in danger of their liues The townes of Salmona and Lassica with the hauen of Gutfurt lay Southward in this Island vpon the coast of the Mediterranean sea somewhat distant from them stood the towne of Asson by Pliny called Asum where they hoised out their boate and sayled Northward and because they had a faire South-winde they thought to saile to Phoenicia a hauen in Creta but the winde comming about to the East draue them backe againe into the sea by which meanes they were in danger of their liues This Island was brought vnder the subjection of the Romans 66 yeares before the birth of Christ and so for a long time continued vntill the Saracens entred therein and tooke it from the Romans 800 yeares after the birth of Christ After that in the yeare of our Lord 979 the Emperour of Constantinople draue the Saracens out of the Island and kept it but in the end the Venetians brought it vnder their subjection and seigniorie in the yeare of our Lord 1202 and at this day it is called Candia Of Clauda CLauda is an Isle not farre from Creet lying towards the Southwest in the Mediterranean sea 288 miles from Ierusalem towards the West at this day it is called Porto Gabaso here the Saylers the Apostle Paul and the rest of the company haled ouer-bord their Cock-boat and tyed it to their ship and fell to â—awing lest they should haue been sunke into Syrtis a dangerous gulph vpon those seas Acts 27. Of Syrtis THis is a gulph of the sea lying vpon the shore of Africa in which the water is both troublesome and the shore dangerous because of Quick-sands and in this there are two places most remarkeable called by the name of Syrtis from drawing and attracting ships vnto them by which they were greatly endangered the one was called the greater the other the lesse the greater lay 1000 miles from Ierusalem towards the West but the other lay vnder the Isle of Mylete towards the South being distant from Ierusalem 1320 miles towards the West in this place it was where Paul and his companians were in such danger mentioned Acts 17. Of Mylete THis Island was so called from the great aboundance of hony that was found in it but at this day it is called Malta scituated in the Mediterranean sea 1340 miles from Ierusalem towards the West It is very pleasant and fruitfull bringing forth great plenty of Wheat Rye Flax Comin Cotton Figs Wine Roses Violets Tyme Lauender and many other sweet and delightfull herbes from whence Bees did gather great plentie of honey The Sunne is very hot in this Island insomuch that by the extreame feruor thereof the inhabitants lose their naturall complexion and looke of a tawnie colour In Summer euenings there falleth great plenty of dewes whereby the earth is refreshed and the herbes increased There is neither snow nor frost seene in it for the Northerne windes which with vs are the authors of cold and frosts with them procure raine which greatly refresheth and increaseth the fruits of the earth so that the pastures and medowes become very pleasant and full of grasse and although it be but 28 miles long and 60 miles about notwithstanding it is very populous for in the eight parishes that stand in this Isle there is numbred aboue twentie thousand men The inhabitants are very honest religious and godly and the women faire chaste and modest for they neuer come abroad but with their faces couered The children that are borne in this country feare not any snakes neither are hurt be any thing that is venomous insomuch that they will take Scorpions and eat them without danger although in all other parts of the world those kinde of creatures are most pernitious In this Isle also there are bred a kinde of Dogs that are but small yet very white and shagged and so louing that the inhabitants of all the neighbouring countries will buy them though they be at deare rates The chiefe citie thereof called Malta is so strongly fortified both by art and nature that it is almost impossible to be conquered vnlesse it be either by treason or famin The tower or Castle thereof is fortified with the knights of S. Iohns Order who haue mightily expressed their valour and resolution in defending this town from the Turks About a mile from this the ruins of a goodly faire city are to bee seene And vpon the East promontorie a little from the city of Malta there yet remain the decaies which are worthy to looke vpon of a goodly temple dedicated to Iuno It seems by what remaineth that this church hath bin a fair and goodly thing in times past There is also here and there in the earth found certaine brasse monies hauing vpon the one side a superscription written in Greeke letters and vpon the other the image of Iuno There stood vpon the South side of Malta a Temple dedicated to Hercules the ruins of which are yet extant and in it are found monuments worthy of admiration At such time as the Captaine of Massanissa King of the Numidians had conquered this Island amongst other pretious things that he found in these Temples he tooke thence a great deale of goodly Ivorie but that religious King did faithfully restore all those things backe again and dedicated them to the seuerall Temples Thus we may perceiue that the inhabitants of this Isle of Malta were wholly giuen to idolatry and superstition vntil such time as Paul by the inconstancy and vehemencie of the winde was driuen vpon it and conuerted them from that peruerse and prophane worship to the Christian Religion at such time as he suffered shipwracke and Wintered amongst them Acts 27. The inhabitants shew vpon the North part of this Isle the place where the ship was cast away wherein the Apostle Paul was in which place they haue built vp a Chappel and dedicated it to Saint Paul They shew also a Caue in which they say he liued and they verily beleeue that he
faire and stately Church three hundred and twentie yeares after the natiuitie of Christ This Church was dedicated to Saint Marie and remaineth to this day being had in great honour both amongst the Christians and the Turkes and Sarazins This Church is such a stately building that it is thought to exceede all the Churches of Christendome for beautie and curious workemanship It is two hundred twentie and eight foot long and eightie seuen foot wide beeing built all of Marble of diuers colours and couered with lead There are in it foure rowes of Marble pillars wonderfull to looke vpon not onely in regard of their number but of their greatnesse for there is fiftie pillars in euery row The body of this church the pillars from the bottom to the top the walls and euerie part of it is beautified with liuely pictures adorned with diuers colours siluer gold and curious workemanship so as it is wonderfull to behold The pauement of it is of marble polished and of diuers colors so cunningly set in workes and with such variety that it is very delightful to such as look on it There is painted on the pillars and walls almost all the stories of the Old Testament till the birth of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ with such excellent cunning and so liuely that it is to bee admired In the Quire of this Church there is found two Altars one close by the Chappell of Saint Katherine at the East end thereof not far distant from which they shew the place where our Sauiour was circumcised and in the middle of the Quire there standeth another Altar where they say the wise men left their Dromedaries and prepared their gifts to present vnto our Sauiour when they worshipped him Vpon the South side of this quire towards the East they descend by ten stone steps into the Chappell of the Natiuitie of Christ richly beautified and curiously wrought paued with polished Narble This Chappell is not very great but wonderfull faire and sumptuous When the Holy land was ouerrun by the Gentiles this as many other places were in that countrey was all polluted with filth and dirt that they had much adoe to make it cleane a great while after Vpon the place where they said our Lady the blessed Virgin Mary brought forth our Sauiour into the world there is placed a Table of white Marble after the maner of an Altar about some foure foot from this they shew the place where the Manger stood a part of it yet remaining cut out of a rocke not of Marble but of other stone as many other Mangers are in that countrey Close by that there is an Altar where they say the wise-men presented their gifts to our Sauiour Christ and worshipped him At the entrance into the Church there standeth a goodly building which in times past seemed to haue been some Archbishops See but now is called Saint Maries Church Vpon the North side they descended by certaine stepps into the Chappell of Saint Ierom who lay a long time buried there till his bones were remoued thence to Saint Maries in Rome About a mile from Bethlehem Southward stood the Tower of Eder being a watch tower of the Bethlehemites and so called because there resorted thither many flockes of sheepe for Aeder signifieth A Heard Round about this Tower were faire and fruitfull pastures to which many sheepheards resorted to feed their flockes to some of which sheepheards the Angels told the glad tidings of the birth of our Sauiour and that he was laid in a Manger at Bethlehem For which cause in after times there was a Church built iust in the place where the Tower stood and in Saint Ieroms time called by the name of Angelos ad Pastores the same Luther affirmeth and that it is yet standing Iacob sometime dwelt in that place and buried his wife Rachel thereabouts The monument that hee set vpon her graue remaineth to this day which was twelue stones pitcht an end standing about a quarter of a mile from this place vpon the right hand as they goe to Ierusalem of which graue all the countrey thereabouts is called by the name of Rachel Of the way betweene Iudaea and Aegypt BEtweene Aegypt and Iudaea lieth Arabia Petraea a land for the most part barren and vnfruitfull full of sands rockes and mountaines destitute of water and subject to many dangers being in the Summer solstice scorched with extremity of heate the Sun being then perpendiculer ouer them according to Munster in the day time and in the night troubled with extreame windes which blowing the sand with great violence it casteth it vpon great heapes and mountaines by which dust both beasts and sometime men are suffocated and slaine Moreouer there dwell in this Desart a rude and dangerous people called Saracens who take their beginning from Ishmael and are therefore also called Ishmaelites being giuen to crueltie and maliciousnesse They get their liuing for the most part by theft and violence and as Ishmael was an excellent Archer so they also are very cunning in shooting and hunting vsing to this day their ancient euill custome of robbing and spoiling all that passe that way insomuch as Merchants are constrained to goe in great companies lest they should be indangered by them and by reason of the windes and sands are constrained to guide their journey by the compasse as men doe that saile vpon the sea Through this wildernesse did Ioseph and Marie passe when they went with the childe Iesus out of Iudaea into Aegypt where they were in danger of theeues subjects to be smothered by the sands constrained to trauell ouer high rockes and mountaines and to rest in feare because of Lyons Beares and other beasts which greatly abound in that place Besides diuers other discommodities were incident vnto them as want of meate drinke and other necessaries there being little water to be found there insomuch as had not the Lord by an expresse command charged him in a dreame to goe downe into Aegypt Ioseph durst hardly haue ventured vpon so difficult and dangerous a journey But the Lord so mercifully prouided for him that he both went and returned safe Thus may we see to what dangers these good people were exposed and what miseries they sustained from the beginning because of their sonne Christ Iesus Of Hermopilis HErmopilis was called the Towne of Mercurie distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the Southwest it was one of the chiefe cities in Aegypt as Appianus writeth Nicephorus and Zozemenus affirme lib. 5. cap. 22. that Ioseph and Mary came and liued in this Towne where they continued all the daies of Herod that cruel King But Ziglerius saith that they liued in the land of Gosen where the Patriarch Iacob and his posteritie liued which agreeth well with the words of S. Matthew cap. 2. and Hosea 11. Out of Aegypt haue I called my sonne This land of Gosen lay 200 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest The inhabitants of Alcaire in Aegypt take
Cheres which signifies The brighnesse of the Sunne and is distant from Ierusalem 224 miles towards the Southwest six miles and a halfe from Zoan or Tanis This was a goodly Citie and in times past the Kings of Aegypt haue in that place kept their Courts and places of residence Here was a flourishing Academie wherein was taught Astronomie Cosmographie and many other liberall arts and sciences with great care and diligence but principally diuinitie as Munster saith being adorned with many benefits and priuiledges for it was thought that the Patriarch Ioseph was the first founder of it and taught there Gen. 47. Here dwelt Dionisius the Areopagit a studient of Athens who at such time as our Sauiour Christ was crucified at noone day the Moone then being in the full seeing the Sunne totally darkened said to this master Apollophan Either the God of nature suffereth or the fabricke of the world is dissolued The said Dionisius was afterward conuerted by the Apostle Paul in the citie of Athens Of Goraen Atad THis towne or corne floore was beyond Iordan not far from Bethabara 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southeast Here Ioseph and the rest of the Aegiptians bewailed the death of Iacob and tooke the name from thornes and briers that compassed it euery where about The interpretation or allegorie of the Patriarch Ioseph and of his life IOseph was a type of Christ diuers waies for as Iosephs coat being of diuers colours was dipped in the bloud of Goates so Christ being very God taking vpon him the humane nature and sprinkled with the bloud of his stripes and wounds being the lambe of God slaine for the sinnes of the world was also made changeable and of diuers colours Againe as Ioseph was sent by Iacob to seeke his brethren so Christ was sent by God his father to seeke the lost sheepe of Israel which according to the flesh were his brethren Mat. 15. And as the brethren of Ioseph were so great enemies to him that it was not possible for them to dissemble their hatred towards him but that both in words and deeds they must needs expresse their bitternesse enuie being the common companion of vertue so the Iewes the brethen of Christ to whom the knees of all things both in heauen in hell and in earth bow persecuting him with taunts mockes and stripes yea vnto death because he professed himselfe to be a good man and the sonne of the euerliuing God And as the Ismalites and Midianites to whom Ioseph was sold by Iudah was of the stocke of Ioseph the one being deriued from Ismael the sonne of Abraham by his maid Hagar the other of Midian the sonne of his second wife Keturah So Christ was sold by Iudas his disciple to the Iewes his kindred according to the flesh if you respect the nation The difference was in the price Ioseph the type being sold but for twenty pieces of siluer Christ the substance sold at thirtie The end of the booke of Genesis Of the Trauels of the Prophet Moses and the children of Israel out of Aegypt IN the yeare of the world 2412 and before Christ 1554 Moses being then about forty yeares old fled out of Aegypt into the land of Midian 180 miles where he married Ziporah the daughter of Riuel Exod. 3. 2 From thence he went to Mount Sinai or Horeb 64 miles Exod. 3.7 3 From mount Horeb he returned to Midian to his brother 65 miles Ex. 4. 4 From Midian he went to Thanis in Aegypt 180 miles Ex. 12.13 5 From thence he went with the children of Israel to Raemses 48 miles Ex. 12. 6 From Raemses he went to Succoth 8 miles Ex. 13. Num. 3◠7 From Succoth he went to the wildernesse of Etham eigh◠miles 8 From Etham hee came to Hahiroth which lyeth right against Baal-zephon 16 miles Num. 3. 9 From Hahiroth they passed through the middle of the red sea and trauelled three daies through the wildernesse of Etham resting themselues at Morah which is 40 miles There Mose◠threw a piece of wood into the water being bitter and presently it became sweet as soone as the wood was throwne in Exod. 15. Num. 33. 10 From Marah he went to Elim where there stood 12 wels of water and 70 palm trees which is 8 miles Ex. 16. Nu. 33. 11 From Elim they went toward the South 6 miles and rested themselues by the red sea Num. 33. 12 From the red sea they went to the wildernes of Zin where it rained Manna from heauen which is 16 miles Num. 32. 13 From the wildernesse of Zin they went to Daphca which is 12 miles Num. 33. 14 From Daphca they went to Alus which is twelue miles Num. 33 15 From Alus they went to Raphidim being 8 miles there Moses strook the rock and presently water issued forth Ex. 27. 16 From Raphidim they went to mount Sina which is eight miles there God gaue the Commandements Ex. 19 20. 17 From Sina they went to the Graves of Concupiscence because there the children of Israell murmured against God for flesh lo it rained Quails into the camp which is 8 miles Nu. 11 18 From the Graues of Concupiscence they went to Hazeroth which is 8 miles there Miriam Moses sister was strook with leprosie Num. 12. 19 From thence they went to Rithma which is eight miles Num. 33. 20 From Rithma they went to Rimon-Parets which is sixe miles Num. 33. 21 From Rimon-Parets they went to Libanon which is sixe miles 22 From Libanon they went to Rissa which is 6 miles Nu. 33 23 From Rissa they went to Kehelatha 6 miles Num. 33. 24 From Kehelatha they went to the hil of Sephar which is 4 miles 25 From the hill of Sephar they went to Harada four miles and a halfe Num. 33. 26 From Harada they went to Maceheloth 4 miles Nu. 33. 27 From Maceheloth they went to Thahath 4 miles Nu. 33. 28 From Thahath they went to Thara 4 miles Nu. 33. 29 From Thara they went to Mithka 4 miles Num. 33. 30 From Mithka they went to Casmona 8 miles Nu. 33. 31 From Casmona they went to Moseroth 32 miles Nu. 33 32 From Moseroth they went to Bneiaëcon 24 miles 33 From Bneiaëcon they went to mount Gidgad twentie miles 34 From mount Gidgad they went to Iotbatha 24 miles Num. 33. 35 From Iotbotha they went to Ebrona 20 miles Nu. 33. 36 From Ebrona they went to Eziongaber 28 miles 37 From Eziongaber they went to the Wildernesse of Zin-Kades 48 miles 38 From Zin-Kades they went to mount Hor as God commanded 48 miles where Aaron died 39 From mount Hor they went to Salmona 28 miles 40 From Salmona they went to the town of Phunon twenty miles 41 From Phunon they went to Oboth 24 miles 42 From Oboth they went to Igim vpon the hill Abarim 16 miles 43 From Igim they went to Dibon Gad 16 miles there is the water Sarum Num. 31.33 44 From Dibon Gad they went to Almon Diblathaim 16 miles Num. 33.
oracle which interpreteth For Pathar with the Hebrewes is the same that He hath interpreted is with vs. Wherefore this Prophet trauelled from Pithora or Phatura in Mesopotamia to Abel or the plaine of Vines where his Asse spake Num. 22. which is 400 miles From thence he went to the land of the Moabites 40 miles where in the mount of Peor he blessed the children of Israel So all the trauels of this Prophet were 440 miles Of the Plain of the Vines THere is often mention of this place in the Scripture for the fertilitie of the countrey and plenty of sweet Wines there was a beautifull city built called Abel of the Vines some 56 miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward and was placed iust in the way as they went from Mesopotamia into the country of the Moabites Whereby it appeareth that neere to this place the Asse spake to Balaam Numb 22. In S. Ieroms time there was found a little Village so called where there was great plenty of Vines Here Ieptha ouercame the Ammorites and made a great slaughter Iud. 11. The Trauels of that noble Captaine IOSHVAH IOSHVAH and Caleb trauelled with Moses from Raemsis out of Aegypt through the Red sea and came to Kades-Barnea 26 miles From Cades-Barnea they were sent forth with other Spieâ— to the land of Canaan Num. 13. and went out of the wildernessâ— of Zin and Paran and came to the towne of Rechob in Galileâ— 140 miles From thence they went to the towne of Hamath in Syria which was after called Antiochia 188 miles From Hamath or Antiochia they returned againe to Hebron 304 miles where vpon the side of the riuer Escol they cut offâ— bunch of grapes with the stalke which was as much as both theâ— could beare vpon their shoulders Num. 13. From Hebron they returned againe to Kades-Barnea twentâ— miles There all the people murmured against Moses Num. 1â— Heereby it is to be seene that the Spies in forty dayes trauelleâ— 648 miles in the land of Canaan that is euery day 16 miles and little more After that Ioshuah and Caleb trauelled with Moses and the chiâ—dren of Israel to Ezeon-Gabir and from thence to the towne oâ— Iahza 464 miles From Iahza they past through two kingdoms to mount Libâ—nus 80 miles From mount Libanus they returned againe into the Land oâ— Sittim that lay by the hill Pisgah in the field of the Moabiteâ— 80 miles From the land of Sittim they past through the riuer of Iordâ—â— and came to Gilgal 6 miles where Ioshuah pitched his Campe Num. 21. Ios 4.5 From Gilgal he went to Iericho 2 miles there he assailed the towne with the sound of basons and won it Ios 6. From Iericho he went to Ai being 4 miles and took and burnt the whole towne Ios 7.8 From Ai he returned to Gilgal 4 miles and there vpon the hil of Ebal he built an altar vnto the Lord and there were the blessings and cursings pronounced Ios 8. Deut. 27. From Gilgal hee went to Gibeon twelue miles There the Sunne stood still during the battaile against the three Kings Ioshuah 10. From Gibeon he went to Ajalon 2 miles here the Moon stood still Ios 10. From Ajalon he went to Aseka 4 miles there it hailed vpon the enemies that fled before Israel Ios 10. From Aseka Ioshuah returned againe into the Camp at Gilgal 20 miles Ios 10. From Gilgal hee went to Makeda where hee hanged the fiue Kings Ios 10. From Makeda he went to Libna 2 miles and tooke the towne Ios 10. From Libna he went to Lachis 8 miles From Lachis he went to Eglon 8 miles From Eglon he went to Hebron which is sixteene miles Ioshuah 10. From Hebron he went to Debir a mile Ios 10. After that Ioshuah with one continued War won all that part of Iudaea which lay towards the South bordering Eastward vpon the Dead Sea Southward vpon Cades-Barnea Westward vpon Asdod and Gaza and Northward vpon Gibeon and Gilgal This circuit of land containeth about one hundred fifty and sixe miles From Gilgal Ioshuah went out with his army about 22 miles to the riuer of Merom where he slew the rest of the Kings of the Canaanites in a memorable battell Ios 11. From the riuer of Merom Ioshuah chased his enemies and followed them to Sidon which was 612 miles Ios 11. From Sidon he went again to Hazor 32 miles which town he burnt Ios 11. After that Ioshuah at one time won all the townes in the Holy land which lay Northward in the lands of Samaria and Galilea from Gibeon to mount Libanus and from the riuer of Iordan to the great sea called Mare Mediterranean which countries in circuit contain 280 miles After that Ioshuah returned again to his camp at Gilgal which lay 72 miles from the towne of Hazor where he made a diuision of the land amongst the children of Israel Ios 14 15. From Gilgal he went to Shilo 12 miles where he made an end of diuiding the land Ios 18. From Shilo he went to Timnah Sera eight miles and there he dwelt for the children of Israel gaue him that town for his own inheritance Ios 19. From Timnah Sera Ioshuah not long before hee died came to Sichem forty miles There he assembled all the tribes of Israel Ios 24. From Sichem he returned againe to Timnah Sera 40 miles where he died and was buried Ios 24. So all the trauels of Prince Ioshuah were 2392 miles The description of the seuerall townes and places to which Ioshuah trauelled ¶ Of Rechob THis was a city of the Levits in the tribe of Ashur 100 miles from Ierusalem toward the North Num. 13. and signifieth a broad street being deriued from Radhab that is To extend out in length Of Haemah or Chaemah THis was a city of the Levits in the Tribe of Nepthaly and was 100 miles from Ierusalem vpon the vtmost bounds of the holy land at the foot of Antilibanus Num. 11.34 Ios 19. deriued from Chamah that is furious or burning with anger Of Gilgal THis was a town between Iordan the city Iericho 12 miles from Ierusalem Southeastward where the children of Israel hauing past the riuer of Iordan first made war vpon all the Nations of the land of Canaan Here they solemnised the first paschal Lambe After they came into this land Manna ceased because they then ate the fruits of the countrey Here Ioshuah taking 12 stones out of Iordan pitcht them vp for a memorial Here the tabernacle of God stayed for a time which was the reason that afterward the Israelites committed idolatry in this place Ios 4.5 Hos 2.4.9 Amos 5. Neere to this place Ehud the third Iudge of the Children of Israel receiued gifts of them to carry to Eglon King of the Moabites dwelling at Iericho where hee killed him with a knife Here Saul was the second time confirmed King of Israel 2 Sam. 10. and as it seemes taketh name of Roundnesse Ioshuah at this time building his tent in a circular fashion for Galal
much the more remarkable for that as some say snow lieth continually vpon the top of it so that a far off it seemeth white Of the riuer Iordan IOrdan is a pleasant sweet riuer watering the holy land whereof you may read before It is named Iorden at Caesarea Philippi a little from the foot of Antelibanus 104 miles from Ierusalem Northward it passeth through the lake Samachoniten and diuiding it into two equall parts from thence running thorow a great part of Galilee it falls into the sea Tyberias there as it were diuideth it into two parts it watereth that part of Iudaea called Samaria and about Easter which is the beginning of that haruest it floweth ouer the banks and fructifies many countries lying neere it at length it falleth into the lake Asphaltites and there endeth about 14 miles from Ierusalem Eastward So that from the first beginning of this Riuer to the end of it is 92 miles It is called Palah by the Hebrewes which signifieth swift and hidden because it riseth from a certain wel or pit called Phiala which is alwaies full of water but from whence it springeth is vnknown Ioshuah about Easter passed vpon dry ground through this riuer euen then when it was fullest of water Ios 3. So did Eliah Elisha 2 Reg. Here Naaman the leper washt himself 2 Reg. 5 Here Christ was baptised by S. Iohn Baptist Mat. 3. Luke 3. Of Hazor THis was a town in the vpper Galilee belonging to the tribe of Nepthali it was the chiefe Hold and city of the king of the Canaanites being distant from Ierusalem 80 miles towards the North. This Ioshuah destroyed with fire and sword Deborah also the Prophetesse besieged it tooke it and put Iabin the King thereof to death In times past it was a very strong city as the ruines thereof testifie Of Siloh SIloh the city and house of God was scituate on a high mountain in the tribe of Ephraim 4 miles and somwhat better from Ierusalem towards the North. Here the Arke of the Couenant continued from the time that the Israelites first entred into the land of Canaan till Eli the Priest fetcht it thence in whose time it was taken by the Philistims and he for very griefe therefore fel downe and brake his necke against a stone 1 Sam. 4. The inhabitants hereabouts shew the ruines of a certaine sepulchre standing vpon the top of this mount where they say Samuel was buried but that canot be true for he was buried at Ramath which now is called Arimathea Therefore it seems to be either the ruins of Elies sepulchre who died miserably in that place or else of the House of the Lord which many yeares past stood there Schiloh signifies Happy and peaceable being deriued from Schalah that is to liue at ease and in peace Of Timnah Of this you may reade in the Trauels of IVDAH The type and mysterie of IOSHVAH IOshuah and Iesus is all one in signification that is Sauour or a Defender and did typically represent our Sauior Christ that as this Ioshuah brought the children of Israel through Iordan into the land of Canaan so Iesus Christ the true Ioshuah and Sauiour of the world through that Iordan of Baptisme bringeth vs into that place of Promise Eternall life Where the one and thirty Kings dwelt ouercome and slain by IOSHVAH Ios 10. AS the Prophet Moses won all the land vpon the one side of Iordan so Ioshuah won all the Countrey on the other from the towne of Baalgadan beginning at mount Libanus not farre from Mount Hebron till you come to the town of Caesarea Philippi and to the hill Seir where somtime Esau dwelt all which is 160 miles long and 28 or 32 miles broad The first King that Ioshuah ouercame dwelt in Iericho The second King held his court in Ai. The third King dwelt in Ierusalem and was called Adoni-Zebec that is a Lord of Righteousnesse This King Ioshuah hanged at Makeda Ios 10. The fourth King called Hoham dwelt at Hebron and was likewise hanged at Makeda Ios 10. The fift King called Percam dwelt at Iarmouth in the tribe of Iuda 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward The 6 King called Iaphia dwelt at Lachis 2 miles from Iarmouth Southward He was also hanged at Makeda Ios 10. The seuenth King dwelt at Eglon called Debir and was also hanged at Makeda The 8 King was called Horam and held his princely seat in the tribe of Dan in the town of Gezer 16 miles from Ierusalem westward whom Ioshuah slew with all his men Ios 10. The ninth King dwelt at Debir The tenth King held his court at Gerar in the tribe of Iudah 14 miles from Ierusalem Westward The 11 King dwelt at Harma in the Tribe of Iudah which is vpon the borders of Arabia deserta not far from Ziclag 40 miles from Ierusalem Southwestward this town in times past was called Zephal that is a watch-tower because it stood vpon a hill But when the children of Iuda had ouerthrowne the whole army of the Canaanites they called it Haram a Curse Iud. 1. The 12 King dwelt at Arat 22 miles from Ierusalem Southward which was a towne of the Ammorites and tooke the name from the Asses that were in great troups within the woods thereabout It lay in the tribe of Iuda The 13 King dwelt at Libnah in the tribe of Iuda The 14 King dwelt at Odullam The 15 King dwelt at Makeda In this towne Ioshuah hanged fiue Kings Ios 10. The 16 King dwelt at Bethel The 17 King dwelt at Tapnah not far from Iordan Iericho 12 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward The 18 King dwelt at Hepher 6 miles from Ierusalem Northward part of this towne was allotted to the tribe of Zabulon Ionas the Prophet was borne in this towne 2 Reg. 14. and is 4 miles distant from the town of Nazareth Southward The 19 King dwelt at Apheck 44 miles from Ierusalem Northward and 2 miles from Iesreel There also the Arke of the Lord was taken and there also the sons of Eli the high priest were slain 1 Sam. 4. This town was in the halfe tribe of Manasses The 20 King dwelt at Lazaron 18 miles and a half from Ierusalem Northwestward not far from Ioppen and Lidda The 21 king dwelt at Nadan 14 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward The 22 King dwelt at Hazor The 23 King dwelt at Simron which town was allotted to the tribe of Zabulon Ioshuah 14. It lieth sixty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward not farre from the town of Nazareth in Galilee The 24 king dwelt at Achsap 88 miles from Ierusalem Northward which town was allotted to the tribe of Aser The 25 King dwelt at Tanaach 44 miles from Ierusalem this town belonged to the Levits and stood in the tribe of Manasses 6 miles from Iesreel Southward Ios 21. The 26 King dwelt at Megiddo 44 miles from Ierusalem Northward scarce 4 miles from Taanach By this towne of Megiddo Iosias King of Iuda was ouerthrown by Pharaoh Necho
vp of water for the riuer Kison begins at the foot of this mountain and diuides it self into diuers parts vntill it commeth to the hill Hermon and then it runs into two principal streams the one passeth toward the East into the sea of Galilee the other to the West towards Carmel and so into the Mediterranian sea There be some that are of opinion that neither raine nor dew falls vpon this hil because when Saul was slain Dauid cursed these mountains saying Let neither rain nor dew fal vpon you ô yee mountaines of Gilboa because the strong men of Israel were slaine there 2 Sam. 1. But this was but a figuratiue speech wherby Dauid would expresse the greatnesse of his sorrow for Borchardus the Monke speaking of this mountain saith That as he was ascending vpon it there was such a violent showre fell that he was wet through his clothes and the waters in great aboundance ran into the vallies And in the yeare of our Lord 1283 sleeping vpon this hill on the Eve of All Saints there was a great dew fell vpon his clothes onely some parts of it were very stony and barren as are many other mountains in that country Of Endor THis was a town in the tribe of Manasses neere the riuer Kison Ios 17. where Saul asked counsell of a witch 1 Sam. 28. It seemes to take the name from a fountaine of durance for Dor signifies he hath made sure It is distant from Ierusalem 44 miles toward the North. In S. Ieroms time this was but a smal village Of Bethsan THis was a city in the Tribe of Manasses betweene Bethulia and the sea of Galile some 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the North Iosh 17. It taketh the name from a Church-yard or a place of rest for Beth signifieth a house and Iaschan he hath slept Here Saul killed himselfe and the Philistines cut off his head and set it vpon the wall of this citie Afterward about S. Ieroms time Ptolomie called this Scythopolis You may reade in the second booke of the Macchabes how it was the towne of the Scythians for the Scythians which dwelt some 800 miles from Ierusalem towards the North came with a great army into the Holy land and by force woon this citie and dwelt there of whom it was called the Scythian towne Ioseph in lib. 2. de Bell. Iud. cap. 18. remembreth a strange accident that hapned neere this towne for the Iewes besieging it there were of their own nation that dwelt within the city who that they might make a priuate gaine took wages of the Scythians to oppose their brethren and countreymen by which meanes the Scythians got the better But after a while the Scythians considering that the number of the Iewes were great and fearing some sudden insurrection or innouation gaue them warning to depart and leaue the towne they though with great griefe as being prest with a two-fold necessity their owne wants and the hatred of their kindred did so relying meerely vpon the courtesie of strangers But about some two dayes after in the night time the inhabitants of Scythopolis breaking out of the citie vnawarres fell vpon them and in recompence of their kindnesse put to the sword some thirteen thousand many slaine vnawares some as they were eating and most in their sleepe After they had committed this massacre they compassed about the wood where they were took away all their substance and suffered not a man to depart aliue Wherefore one Simon the soone of a certaine ancient and noble Citizen called Saul perceiuing their present miserie and that there was no hope to escape iminent death and vtter ruine in a cruell and desperate maner breakes out into these words O miserable wretch that I am that against my owne conscience haue lift vp these impious hands against my countrey committing daily massacres to pleasure them who at this day lay violent hands vpon all wee haue die therefore thou that art thus profane and with thine owne hands make an end of thy wretched life since thou doest not deserue to die honourably in the face of the enemy but wretchedly in a corner and for thine owne offence So soone as he had ended these words he turned him about with a fierce countenance and falling vpon his father mother wife and children put them all to the sword after burnt his goods and to make an end of the tragedy ran himselfe vpon his owne weapon These things hapned but a little before Vespasian came into the land of Iudaea At this day this Citie Sythopolis is called after the antient name Bethsan The typicall representation of SAVL SAul if it be properly taken doth sometime signifie a Graue or Sepulchre and sometimes Hell being deriued from Scheuol which may be taken for both As therefore Saul persecuted innocent Dauid with an inueterate malice euen vnto the death so the sonnes of Sathan euil and wicked men persecute Christ and his members with an immoueable malice sparing neither Prophets nor Apostles neither such as are religious no nor Christ himself but with cruell torments put them to lingering deaths till they be vtterly exryrpate as they thinke and then wanting objects to satisfie their sauage mindes they follow their owne diuellish councels till with Saul they come to desperate ends Schaul or Saul if it be taken in the better part signifieth He hath desired or called The Philistines trauels from their Campe to Michmas THe Philistines incamped themselues at Michmas vpon Mount Ephraim some ten miles from Ierusalem Northward and out of the Philistines campe there issued three armies to spoile the countrey The one marched towards Ophra and went from Michmas to Salem 28 miles From thence they went to Ophra 4 miles The second went from Michmas to Bethoron 8 miles The third went from Michmas to the valley of Zeboim eight miles So all the Trauels of the Philistines were 58 miles Of Zoboim THis valley is not farre from Ierusalem in the Tribe of Benjamin Nehem. 11. The trauels of Ionathan Sauls sonne IOnathan went from Gibeah to Kiriath-jearim which was two miles where hee draue the Philistines out of their campe 1 Sam. 13. From thence he went backe againe two miles From thence he went to Michmas which is 8 miles and there by the helpe of his Armor-bearer he gaue the Philistines a great ouerthrow 1 Sam. 14. From thence hee followed the enemy to Aialon wich is 12 miles there his father would haue put him to death because he had tasted a little hony 1 Sam. 14. From Aialon Saul and his sonne Ionathan returned to Gibeah his owne citie which was two miles From Gibeah hee went with his father to Socho and Asecha which was 8 miles where after Dauid had slaine Goliah for that singular vertue and heroicall spirit which Ionathan saw in him he loued him as he did his owne soule and preferred him before his owne life and honour 1 Sam. 18. From thence he went with his father to Gibeah some 8
a memorable battell against Hadad-Ezer the King thereof neere to the riuer Euphrates he tooke 700 horse and 20000 foot burnt their chariots tooke 100 castles conquered all the Townes and Countrey round about and went away with a great bootie as well of Gold as siluer brasse and other things which brasse for the excellencie thereof was like vnto gold and as Iosephus saith afterwards Solomon made the molten sea of it When Gadarezer King of the Syrians he that built that famous citie of Damascus heard of the ouerthrow of Hadad-Ezer hee sent a great army to his aid which King Dauid neere to the riuer Euphrates smote with the sword so that 20000 of them were slaine and he carried away a glorious victorie extending his gouernment from Ierusalem 600 miles towards the North that is into Armenia and beyond the riuer Euphrates and made these two nations tributary vnto him 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chr. 19. After Dauid had woon these 2 memorable victories neere Euphrates he went thence with all his army towards the South and inuaded the land of Syria in which journey Ioram the sonne of Tohi King of Antiochia which citie at this time was called Hemath met Dauid with gifts and presents in the name of his Father returning him many thankes because he had destroied the common enemy Hadad-Ezer and by strong hand subdued and quelled the furie of that mighty tyrant who was also a trouble and vexation to the Kingdome of Antiochia Dauid entertained this message kindly thankfully receiued his gifts which was of gold siluer and fine brasse and so gaue Ioram an acceptable dispatch and from thence with his army went to Damascus the Metropolitan citie of Syria where in the valley of salt he got a great victory in which 18000 Syrians were slaine and soon after the Citie of Damascus taken in which Dauid placed a garrison and compelled them to pay tribute 2 Sam. 8. This was distant from the kingdome of Soba 520 miles From Damascus he went with his army into the land of the Ammonites 100 miles in the way that leadeth out of Syria to Ierusalem all which he conquered and all the cities and townes thereabouts and compelled them to pay tribute 2 Sam. 8. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was 60 miles and all the bootie that he had gotten in his journey he dedicated vnto the Lord 2 Sam. 8. A while after hee with his army made an incursion into the land of Idumaea and compelled the inhabitants to pay tribute Moreouer he destroied the citie of Midian the Metropolitane of that countrey of which you may reade before it was distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the South So that the extent of Dauids kingdome from the North to the South was 800 miles euen from the kingdome of Soba to the Red sea and from the East to the West 120 miles from Tyrus and Sydon reaching to Damascus Thus by the singular blessing of God he obtained a spacious and powerfull Empire 1 Sam. 8. 1 Reg. 11. 1 Chr. 19. He made his expedition into Idumaea about the 14 yeare of his raigne From Midian in Idumaea hee returned with great glory and praise to Ierusalem which was 160 miles In the 14 yere of his raigne and in the yere of the world 2904 and before Christ 1064 Nahas King of the Ammonites died and Haron his sonne succeeded him this man contemptuously abused the messengers of Dauid 2 Sam. 10. and to justifie that injury he gathered an army out of Soba Siria and Mesopotamia euen a mighty Host to oppose Dauid who in the 15 yeare of his gouernment met him with his Armie at Helam some twenty miles from Ierusalem where he obtained a notable victorie and destroied 700 chariots and 40000 horse 1 Chr. 20. Dauid after this with great applause of the people was entertained into Ierusalem which was 20 miles distant where being puft vp with prosperity he forgat his former pietie and sanctitie and by degrees fell into vnlawfull actions and vnjust desires whence it hapned that soone after he committed adulterie with Bathseba after that to hide his fault caused her husband to be slaine This was kept secret till the Lord by Nathan sharply reprehends him laies before him what hee was and what his present estate is from whence that came and then concludes that he is most vnthankfull carelesse and negligent towards God and man in committing those insolencies neither left he there but told him that God would seuerely punish him for his offence which after hapned as you may reade 1 Sa. 11.12.14.17 Dauid being nipt in his conscience with this sharpe reprehension fell into great lamentation the extremitie of whose passions may very well appeare in the poenitentiall Psalmes which at this time and soone after hee wrot and left to future ages After this about the end of Summer he gathered an army and went into the land of the Ammonites some 64 miles where hee took the Metropolitan citie which at that time was called Rabba because of the multitude of citizens that were in it but after being restored by Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Aegypt hee called it after his own Philadelphia there took the crowne from the head of the king of the Ammonites which weighed a Talent of * How much this was you may read after in the quantitie of weights gold being as Iosephus saith richly adorned with faire Sardonicke stones of which you may reade in 2 Sam. 12. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem which is 64 miles where hee married Bathseba and by her had foure sonnes Simeon Sobab Nathan and Solomon 1 Chr. 3. Soone after this Ammon defloured his sister Thamar not long after that his son Absalon killed his brother Ammon beeing then about 18 yeares of age which Dauid tooke so hainously that he would not suffer him to come into his sight for three yeares 1 Sam. 13. Then Ioab by the subtiltie of the woman of Tekoa reconciled him to the king his father yet neuerthelesse he came not to his court of two yeares after This Absolon was a goodly man affable for which cause enen at that time the people began to affect him Afterward in the yeare of the world 2950 and before Christ 1408 Absolon being then about 25 yeares of age moued sedition against his father A matter remarkeable that although he had slaine his owne brother being disgraced and absent from the Court almost fiue yeres yet within short time after he so strongly vnited the affection of the people to him that he constrained Dauid standing in feare of his greatnesse all his former acts and worthy victories notwithstanding to forsake his owne citie and for safety to fly to the mount of Oliues beeing three quarters of a mile from the citie There he staied a while to see the condition of the tumult but necessitie constrained him to take his way to Bahuzim And as he was going Zimri the sonne of Gesa of the house of Saul cursed
him euery mans enemy then making himselfe apparant when he is in aduersitie and his best friends commonly forsake him From thence hee went to Iordan 14 miles where the Priests Ionathan and Ahinaaz brought him certaine intelligence of that wicked and peruerse councell of Achitophel a man in those times famous for his wisdome but perfidious in his actions as commonly such are that hope after honours or seeke to benefit themselues by innouation and change After he had intelligence hereof hee went ouer Iordan with those few men that he had with all possible speed went to Bethabara some 16 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-East At this place Ioshuah led the children of Israel through Iordan on drie ground Ios 3.4 and here Iohn the Baptist taught and baptised Christ Mat. 1. Luke 3. From thence hee went to Makanaim which is twentie eight miles where hee sent forth his army by bands against Absolon who at this time had assembled a great host neere the Wood Ephraim not far from that place where Ioshuah woon a memorable battell against the Canaanites and that the place might bee made more famous Dauids men though few in number gaue Absalon and his host as great Thus Absalon being left in danger to saue himself fled but in his flight the haire of his head being long and blowne with the wind tooke hold of the branch of a tree by which he hanged betweene heauen and earth as vnworthy of either and Ioab who but a little before was his friend in that very place with three darts put him to death a just end for so vnjust a man 1 Sam. 18. Dauid notwithstanding tooke the death of Absolon maruellous heauily till by Ioab he was recalled from that griefe and then in the company of Barzillai and of his sonne Chimea of Mephiboseth the sonne of Ionathan and Zeba his seruant Shimei also that before curst him who to leaue a memorable token of a base Sicophant after this victory came first downe to craue pardon for his offence with many others went along with him from Makanaim to Bethabara which was 28 miles To this place there came a great multitude of people to meet Dauid 2 Sam. 19. This Barzillai was one of the eighteene that held the principalitie of the citie of the Giliadites and had a sonne called Chimea whom Dauid tooke with him to Ierusalem that he might make euident his thankefulnesse towards him for that courtesie which he had receiued of his father From Bethabara Dauid passed Iordan and went backe to Gilgal which was 4 miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went to Ierusalem which was 12 miles in the same yeare that he was exiled by his sonne which was about the 13 yeare of his raigne The next yere Saba the sonne of Bicri taking example of Absolon and obseruing the mutabilitie of the peoples affections moued a sedition against Dauid but Ioab his captain ouercame him 2 Sam. 20. After this there followed three yeares of famine About the end of the third yeare of famine and in the 34 yeare of his raigne Dauid went to Iabes Gilead which was 52 miles to fetch the bones of Saul and Ionathan to bury them in the sepulchre of his fathers 2 Sam. 21. From Iabes in Gilead Dauid brought the bones and relickes of King Saul and Ionathan his sonne to Gibeah of Saul which was 52 miles and there he honourably buried them in the Sepulchre of his father Kish 2 Sam. 21. From thence Dauid returned to Ierusalem which was 4 miles In the 35 yere of his raigne he went forth to fight against the Philistines neer to the Leuiticall towne of Nob or Nobe which is 12 miles from Ierusalem vpon the borders of the countries of the Philistines in the tribe of Dan. From thence he returned backe againe to Ierusalem which is 12 miles So all the Trauels of Dauid were 3904 miles The Description of the places to which Dauid trauelled OF the cities of Socho Asekah Gibeon Gibeah of Saul Nob Ziph Moan Engaedi Arimathea Gath the Caue of Odullam Kegila Paran Apheck and Makanaim you may reade before in the trauels of Saul and the Iudges of Israel Of Ziclag ZIclag was a towne in the kingdome of Iuda neere to the riuer Besor 40 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest not far from Gaza a citie of the Philistines In Saint Ieroms time it was but a small towne 1 Sam. 27. Of Sur. SVr is a desart in the wildernesse of Arabia Petraea extending it selfe from the vtmost borders of Iudaea to the Red Sea euen vnto Aegypt and signifieth a Bulwarke or place of defence and is deriued of Schor which signifies To see or contemplate because from Bulwarks men may see into neighbouring countries This was a place of defence of the Aegyptians Gen. 16.20.25 Ex. 15. 1 Sam. 15.17 Of Sunem THis was a city in the tribe of Issacher 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North not farre from Naim where Christ raised the widowes sonne to life Luke 7. So did Elizaeus the Prophet also 2 Kings 4. And seemeth to take the name of a Purple or Scarlet colour being deriued of Schanah which signifies He hath changed and interated a colour Of Gazer GAzer is a towne lying vpon the borders of the Philistines not farre from Ekron 16 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Of this you may reade before Of Sichor THe riuer of Sichor was in the desart of Sur not far from Rhinocura of which it tooke the name and runneth thence into the Mediterraneam Sea from whence also it is called the riuer of Aegypt 1 Chron. 13. It is 72 miles from Ierusalem Southwestward Of the Hebrewes it is called Schichor or Siohor because of the blacknesse of the water Of Bahurim BAhurim was a town in the tribe of Benjamin a mile and something more from Ierusalem towards the Northeast To this place Phaltiel followed his wife Michael 2 Sam. 3. Here also Shimei cursed Dauid 2 Sam. 16. At this time it is a faire castle strongly fortified standing in a high place Neere vnto it in the valley just in the Kings way there is a stone called Bohen taking that name of Bohen the sonne of Reuben and is of an extraordinary greatnesse shining like vnto marble of this you may reade in the 15 of Ioshuah Bahurim or Bachurim signifies A citie of electors being deriued of Bachar To elect or chuse Of Dauids name DAuid is as much to say as my deere my beloued my chosen one being deriued of Dod which signifies a friend or beloued For which cause he was said to be a man after Gods owne heart How Dauid was a type of Christ DAuid represented Christ diuers waies First in his name he was beloued so God testifies of Christ This is my beloued sonne in whom I am well pleased Secondly in the place of his birth he was borne at Bethlem so was Christ Thirdly in his imployment he was a shepheard so was Christ I am the true Shepheard for a good
West and signifieth a Royall or loftie gift The Trauels of Baesa King of Israel BAesa is as much to say as An industrous and promt man in doing any thing This may hauing slaine his Master Nadab neere vnto Gibithon vsurped vpon the Kingdome of Israel about the end of the third yearo of Asa King of Iuda and began his raigne Anno mundi 2992 before Christ 974 and raigned ouer Israel almost 24 yeares two of which he raigned with his sonne 1 Reg. 15. He went from Gibithon to Thirza 36 miles where hee vtterly rooted out the whole stocke and family of Ieroboam After falling into Idolatrie he was sharply reprehended for it by Iehu the Prophet the son of Hanani of whom you may reade more 1 Reg. 15. From Thirza he went to Ramah which is 16 miles this towne he built and fortified it very strongly 2 Chr. 29. But when he heard that Benhadad King of Syria had inuaded Israel hee left his building at Ramah and with all possible speed that hee could went to Thirza where hee died and was buried 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr. 16. So all the Trauels of Baesa were 68 miles Of Ramah Of this Citie you may reade before Of Ella or Elah King of Israel ELah signifies a cruell man This was the son of Baasha King of Israel who was crowned King his father yet liuing about the beginning of the 26 yeare of Asa king of Iuda at such time as Benhadad king of Syria inuaded and wasted Galilee He raigned two yeares one of them during the life of his father the other alone in Thirza at the end of which hee was slaine by Simri his seruant 1 Reg. 15. 16. Of Zimri King of Israel SImri signifieth a singer and was a captain ouer king Elahs chariots hee raigned 7 daies in Thirza in which time he put to death and vtterly rooted out all the posteritie of Baasha and then Omri besieged the Citie so straitly that he had no hope to escape wherefore he set the citie and pallace on fire in which he also perished 1 Reg. 15. 16. The Trauels of Omri King of Israel OMri signifieth a souldier or one that deserueth his pay He was made King by the Israelites in his tent while he was at wars neere to Gibithon from whence he went to Thirza which was 36 miles and besieged the same vpon the very day that Simri had put the posteritie of Baasha to the sword and took it He began to raigne in Thirza Anno mundi 3017 and before Christ 951 and raigned ouer Israel 12 yeres the first six of which was in Thirza the latter six in Samaria 1 Reg. 16. From Thirza he went to mount Semer six miles there Omri built Samaria and made it the seat of his kingdome He went thither about the seuenth yeare of his raigne 1 Reg. 16. So these two journies were 42 miles Of Samaria SAmaria the chiefe seat and Metropolis of Israel was built by Omri in mount Semer 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and took that name of Semer who was Lord of that mountaine of whom K. Omri bought it for two talents of siluer which amounteth to 1200 crownes In this citie 14 Kings of Israel kept their Courts viz. Omri who was the first founder of it Ahab Ahasia Iehoram Iehu Ioachas Ioas Ieroboam Zacharias Sallum Menahem Pekahia Pekah and Hosea who was the last of the Kings of Israel that raigned in this citie and lost it together with his libertie Of all these Kings there were but fiue that died naturally for the Lord being moued to wrath by reason of their impietie and idolatrie either gaue them vp into the hands of forrein enemies or by ciuill war amongst themselues they cruelly murthered one another vntill such time as the Assirians destroied the land and led the people captiue Thus the Lord punished with a sharp and seuere punishment this obstinat nation because they contemned the admonitions and doctrines of the Prophets amongst which Elias and Elizeus were the chiefe So that although Samaria was a faire and beautifull city and the country for that cause was called the prouince of Samaria yet notwithstanding that great God the Iudge of all things for the iniquitie of the people caused this faire Citie to be left desolate the inhabitants of the land to be dispersed and the earth for want of due vsage to lie as a wildernesse 2 Reg. 17. This city in the old Testament according to the Hebrew phrase is called Shaemaer of Schomron which signifies To keepe or a Tower of strength You may reade of this 1 Reg. 2. 2 Reg. 1. 7. The Greekes and Latines call it Samaria which signifieth The castle of Iehouah or of God You may reade more of this in the second Volume Of Hiel that built Iericho againe AFter the death of Omri King of Israel when Ahab his sonne began to raigne Hiel a very rich man in the town of Bethel that hee might leaue behind him an eternall memorie of his name went to Iericho which had bin formerly destroied by Ioshuah the son of Nun had lien wast for the space of 536 yeres where contrary to the commandement of the Lord and curse of Ioshuah he caused the said citie to be rebuilt such was the impious securitie and incredulitie of this man but the Lord was angry with him and he strooke all his children that they died The eldest son called Abiram at the laying of the foundation and his yongest sonne called Segub at the hanging on of the gates Ios 6. 1 Reg. 16. The Trauels of King Ahab AHab went from Samaria to the hill Carmel where Elias put to death the Priests of Baal which was about 32 miles 1 Reg. 18. From thence he went to Iezreel which is sixteene miles there he told his wife how Elias had put the priests of Baal to the sword 1 Reg. 18. From Iezreel he went againe to Samaria 18 miles where being prest with a hard siege by Benhadad King of Syria he broke out of the citie for his better safety and by Gods great prouidence and assistance he assailed the Syrians put a great multitude of them to the sword the rest fled and hee went away with a noble victory as the Prophet of the Lord had formerly told him 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went with his army to Napheck which was 14 miles where he renewed a second battell and therein had good successe so that hee tooke Benhadad aliue and put to the sword 100000 Syrians In this place the Prophet of the Lord reproued him for his ingratitude and obstinacie wherefore Ahab being angry he went from Apheck to Samaria which was eight miles 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went io Iesreel 16 miles where that perfidious Queene Iesabel caused Naboth to be put to death and tooke possession of his Vineyard 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he went to Ramoth Giliad 24 miles and there in a fight that hee had against the Syrians was so sore-wounded with an arrow
aliue 2 Reg. 14. which was 32 miles From Bethsemes hee went to Ierusalem and carried the King thereof with him captiue which was 4 miles He woon the citie and broke downe the Walls of it from the gate of Ephraim till you come to the Angle gate foure hundred cubits in length 2 Reg. 14. From the Citie of Ierusalem Ioas the conquerer returned to Samaria with the spoile of the temple and of the Kings house with many captiues and a great prey which was 32 miles where at the end of the seuenteenth yeare of his raigne he died and was buried In this mans time Elisha the Prophet died 2 Reg. 13. 14. So all the trauels of Ioas were 96 miles Of Bethsemes Of this Citie you may reade before The Trauels of Ieroboam the second of that name King of Israel THis Ieroboam succeeded his father Ioas in the Kingdome of Israel and began his raigne Anno mundi 3123 and before Christ 845 which according to the text of the Bible happened about the 15 yeare of Amasia King of Iuda and hee raigned 41 yeares 2 Reg. 14. He kept his court at Samaria where the Prophet Ionas told him that he should recouer not only the townes and cities of the land of Israel that had beene lost but also the cities of Hemeth and Damascus Wherefore he gathered a great army out of the citie of Samaria and went thence vnto Hemeth or Antiochia in Syria which was 248 miles This Citie he conquered and all the countrey thereabout so that he recouered all the ancient Townes and Cities that belonged to Dauid and Saul euen from Hemeth in Syria to Soba in Armenia with all the Cities Townes Castles and Countries neer adjoyning to them 2 Reg. 14. From Hemeth or Antiochia he went to Damascus which is 140 miles This citie he also tooke and all the countrie of Syria round about he made tributary to him 2 Reg. 14. From Damascus he went to the Red sea euen 320 miles and also recouered all the South part which in times past belonged vnto the kingdome of Israel 2 Reg. 14. After this he returned to Samaria his owne countrey which was 192 miles where in the 41 yeare of his raigne he died and was there buried After his death the kingdome of Israel was oppressed with tyranny vntill it was destroied by forreine nations and for the space of 12 yeares there was no King that succeeded him In the raigne of this king a little before his death there hapned an horrible earthquake of which you may reade Amos 1. which without doubt did foreshew some eminent changes that should happen in that kingdome as did afterward Zac. 41. So all the trauels of Ieroboam the second of that name were 900 miles Of Zachariah King of Israel TWelue yeares after the death of Ieroboam Zachariah his son began his raigne in Israel in the 38 yeare of Azaria king of Iuda which was Anno mundi 3975 and before Christ 793 he raigned six moneths and then was miserably slaine by Sallum his friend 2 Reg. 15. Ioseph lib. Antiq. 9. Of Sallum King of Israel SAllum began to raigne after he had slaine Zachariah in the 39 yeare of Azariah King of Iuda and when hee had raigned scarce a moneth he was slaine by Menahem losing his life and kingdome together 2 Reg. 15. The Trauels of Menahem MEnahem was borne in Thirza in the Tribe of Iuda who began to raigne in the same yeare that he slew Sallum hee raigned ten yeares 2 Reg. 10. From Thirza he went to Samaria with his army which was six miles where hauing slaine Sallum his Lord and King he vsurpt vpon the kingdome 2 Reg. 15. From thence he went to Thipsa which is six miles This towne he cruelly destroied with fire and sword and all the townes thereabout because they refused to open their gates vnto him From Thipsa this cruell tyrant went backe again to Samaria 6 miles where he grieuously afflicted the children of Israel tenne yeares Wherefore the Lord being offended with him for his exceeding crueltie stirred vp Phul Belochus King of Assyria who came from Babylon to Samaria beeing 624 miles and put King Menahem to such an exceeding great streight that hee was constrained to buy and procure his peace with * What this was in our money you may read after in the quantity of monies 1000 talents which mony being receiued he suffered him to enioy his kingdom and returned backe vnto Babylon with all his army 2 Reg. 15. So all the trauels of King Menahem were 18 miles Of Thypsa THis was a towne neere to that kingly city Thirza scituated in the tribe of Manasses 24 miles from Ierusalem Northward But because the inhabitants thereof denied to open their gates to this cruell tyrant Menahem therefore he vtterly destroied it euen to the ground Thipsa signifieth The Paschal Lambe or a Passeouer being deriued of Pasach He passed by Of PEKAHIA King of Israel PEkahia reigned two yeares after his fathers death at the end of which term he was slain by Pekah the son of Remalia who succeeded him in the gouernment Ioseph lib. Antiq. 9. saith That this murther was done at a banquet The Trauels of PEKAH King of Israel PEkah the son of Remalia began to reigâ—â— in Samaria Anno mundi 3189 and before Christ 779. in the 52 yeare of Azariah King of Iudah and reigned ouer Israel 20 yeres 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 neuerthelesse he ouercame Ahaz King of Iuda in a great battell and put to the sword in one day aboue 12000 souldiers that bare armor In this war were taken 200000 women children and maids all which hee carried Captiues to Samaria 2 Reg. 16. 2 Chr. 28. From Ierusalem hee returned to Samaria with a great bootie which was 32 miles and at the command of Obed the Prophet set at libertie all his captiues After about the end of the 20 yeare of his reign he was slain by Hosea his chiefe captain who succeeded him in the gouernment 2 Reg. 15. So all the trauels of Pekah were 64 miles Of HOSEA the last King of Israel HOsea began to reign in the fourth yere of Ahas king of Iuda Anno mundi 3209 and before Christ 759. He kept Court at Samaria and was a cruell and wicked King Wherefore God stirred vp Salmanasser Emperour of the Assyrians who about the end of the 7 yeare of his reigne came to Samaria and besieged it for the space of 3 yeares at the end of the third yeare with great labor he won it and all the country round about so that he tooke King Hosea prisoner and led him together with a great multitude of the Iewes amongst which were Gabriel and Raphel the friends of Toby the elder thence to Niniveh captiues beeing 652 miles From Niniveh he sent them to a place called Rages in Medea being 752 miles and
Ierusalem Southward and fell by lot vnto the tribe of Iuda This tower was as it were a bulwark for the city of Ierusalem stood in the way as you go thence to Bethlem and so to Gaza Of Zareah THis was a city in the tribe of Iuda eight miles from Ierusalem toward the West which Rehoboam did also repaire and fortifie 2 Chr. 11. There was another city of this name scituated vpon the border of the tribes of Iuda and Dan 18 miles from Ierusalem Westward of which you may reade in the trauels of Sampson Of Adoraijm ADoraijm or Adarah was a city in the tribe of Iuda 44 miles from Ierusalem Southwestward which Rehoboam the son of Solomon also fortified 2 Chr. 11. It is scituated vpon the borders of Iudah and Arabia Petraea betweene Cades and Casmona It signifies a glorious City being deriued of Adar he was glorious The Trauels of King Abia. ABijah or Abia signifies The Father of the sea Hee began to reign in the 18 yeare of Ieroboam his Aduersary An. mundi 2988 before Christ 980 and reigned ouer Israel 3 yeres 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr. 17. He went from Ierusalem to the mount Zemeraim 8 miles After that hee went to Bethel and conquered all the countrey from thence to Ephron which was 36 miles From Ephron hee returned to Ierusalem 44 miles there hee tooke vnto him 14 wiues and begat 20 sonnes and 16 daughters 2 Chron. 13. The Trauels of ASA King of Iudah ASa signifies a Physitian He began to reigne about the end of the 21 yeare of Ieroboam King of Israel An. mundi 2990. before Christ 978. He gouerned Iudah with great commendations 41 yeares He went from Ierusalem to Maresa 16 miles where in the valley of Zephatha hee ouercame the Ethiopians in a memorable battell 2 Chr. 14. From thence he pursued the Ethiopians to Gerar being 22 miles and recouered many cities which the Ethiopians dwelt in 2 Chr. ca. 14. From Gerar he went to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and offered to the Lord of the spoiles that hee had taken 700 Oxen and 7000 sheepe 2 Chr. 15. These trauels of King Asa make 70 miles The journey and expedition of Saerah King of Aethiopia whom Asa King of Iudah ouercame in the valley of Zephatha SAerah or Saerach signifieth A noble and puissant Lord. This was a mighty and warlike Prince who gouerned Lybia and Aethiopia the King of which countrey at this day wee call Presbyter Iohn or rather Petro Iohannes who holdeth his Court in a faire and goodly city called Hamarich the Metropolitan of all Aethiopia and extendeth his gouernment beyond Meroes in Affrica Many though ignorantly suppose he is a Priest because he is called Presbyter though indeed he is not so but rather a puissant and mighty Emperor But to return to Saerah or Saerach who in hope to extend his Empire into these parts went with a great army out of Ethiopia to the valley of Zephatha in Iuda to fight with Asa King of Iudah 1200 miles but lost the day and returned with great shame 2 Chr. 15. It seemeth that this King was the mightiest of all his predecessors and a Prince of no vulgar estimation because of the multitude and great aboundance of soldiers which he brought in his army for it is reported that there were 1000000 that bore armor and 300 chariots but this great army was dispersed and most of them died miserably as did that great army of Xerxes which consisted of 1700000. From whence it may be concluded That it is not the strength of man which deliuereth him but the Lord. The Trauels of IEHOSAPHAT King of Iudah IEhosaphat signifies The Iudge of the Lord. He began his reign in the fourth yeare of Ahab 1 Reg. 22. The greatest part therfore of the first yeare of this King hapned in the yeare of the world 3033 and before Christ 935. Hee reigned ouer Israel 25 yeares that is from the 35 of his age till the 60. In the 7 yeare of his reigne hee went from Ierusalem to Samaria which was 32 miles to visit his kinsman Ahab King of Israel for Ioram his son some ten yeares before had maried Athaliah King Ahabs Sister 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria hee went with Ahab to the war at Ramoth in Gilead which was 24 miles where Ahab was slaine 2 Reg. 22. 2 Chr. 18. From Ramoth he went safe from the wars to Ierusalem which was 48 miles From Ierusalem hee went to the city of Beersaba the vtmost bounds of his kingdome towards the South to instruct his people in the Law of the Lord which was 42 miles from Ierusalem Southward From Beersaba passing through all his kingdome hee came to Mount Ephraim which was 48 miles and the vtmost bounds of his kingdome Northward beeing some 8 miles from Ierusalem 2 Chr. 19. From Mount Ephraim he went to Ierusalem which was eight miles Thus Iehosaphat went through al his dominions to instruct his subjects in pietie and the true worship of God In euery Citie ordaining Iudges and Gouernours Magistrates Procurators and Assessors committing to their discretion the deciding of all controuersies saying to them Take heed what you doe for the office which you haue taken vpon you is not humane but Diuine and as you iudge so shall you bee iudged for the Lord is with you in iudgement Wherefore doe all things with diligence and in the feare of the Lord for with the Lord there is no iniquitie nor respect of persons neither taketh he any bribes And he himselfe remained chiefe Iudge in Ierusalem to whom any might appeale from the inferior Iudges that so there might be a iust end of controuersies 2 Chr. 16. Afterward Iehosaphat went forth with his army to Tecoa sixe miles from Ierusalem where by feruent prayers the sounding of trumpets and other musical instruments he obtained a memorable battell against the Moabites Ammonites and Idumaeans for the Lord turned the weapons of them one against another and they wounded one another to the death This fight happened in a faire vally between Tecoa and Engedi So Iehosaphat pursued the enemy for three daies with great slaughter and returned with a mighty spoile This was called the valley of Blessing because of this great victorie at Tecoa and began 8 miles from Ierusalem Southeastward and extended it selfe to the tower of Engedi neer to the banke of the red sea 20 miles From Engedi out of the valley of Blessing Iehosaphat and his army returned to Ierusalem 20 miles and went into the Temple with shalmes harpes timbrels and great joy thankfully acknowledging Gods mercifull fauor toward him in giuing him so great a victorie 2 Chr. 20. But as there is nothing in this life that can be said permanent so likewise the felicitie of Iehosaphat changed on a sudden the froward and aduerse frowne of aduersitie seising vpon his prosperitie for ioyning with that wicked and impious King of Israel Ahaziah vpon condition to build a certain navy of ships at Ezeongaber to
fathers The Trauels of Manasses MAnasses or Manasseth signifieth forgetting or he hath forgotten This man was 12 yeares old when hee succeeded his father Ezekiah in the Kingdome of Iudah he began to raigne anno mundi 3251 and before Christ 717. This King was a great Idolater and one that put the Prophets of the Lord to death so that it was wonderfull to see what tyranny mischiefe he wrought in Israel wherefore the Lord stirred vp the Assirians against him who ouercame him in a great battell and tooke him captiue carrying him bound in chaines from Ierusalem to Babylon euen 680 miles But after being humbled by his afflictions he came to a knowledge of himselfe and repented for his former euill humbling himselfe with prayer and fasting vnder the hand of God wherefore the Lord tooke compassion of him and stirred vp the minde of the King of Babylon to mercy so that hee loosed his bands and sent him backe againe to Ierusalem 680 miles From that time forward he left idolatry and worshipped the true God adorned the Temple of the Lord with many faire and beautifull buildings and in the 55 yeare of his age he died and was buried in the Kings garden 1 Reg. 21. 2 Chron. 33. So all the trauels of Manasses were 1360 miles Of Amon King of Iuda AMon signifieth True and faithfull he succeeded his father Manasses when he was but 22 yeares of age anno mundi 3307 before Christ 661. He raigned two yeres and then because of his exceeding idolatry the Lord cast him off when he was about 24 yeres of age neere which time some of his seruants conspired against him and put him to death The Trauels of King Iosiah IOsiah signifies A sacrifice of the Lord he succeeded his father Manasses in the gouernment when he was but 8 yeres of age Anno mundi 3309 hefore Christ 659. He gouerned Israel with great commendations 32 yeares 2 Reg. 22. his mothers name was Iedidah and dwelt in a towne called Bozkath but how farre this Towne stood from Ierusalem it is not set downe by any Author This good King went from Ierusalem to Bethel which was 8 miles there he burnt vpon the Altar which Ieroboam built the bones of the Priests of Baal as the man of God that came from Iuda had told Ieroboam 350 yeres before 1 Reg. 13. 2 Chr. 23. From Bethel he returned backe again to Ierusalem which was 8 miles there he celebrated the Passeouer with a solemne feast and great attendance 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. In the last yeare of his raigne he went with his army from Ierusalem to Megiddo which was 44 miles against Pharaoh Necho K. of Aegypt in which battell he was slaine with an arrow about the 39 yeare of his age 2 Chron. 35. From Megiddo his body was carried in a chariot backe again to Ierusalem which was 44 miles and there with great lamentations honourably buried 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. So all his trauels were 104 miles The Trauels of Iehoahas King of Iudah IEhoahas signifies The knowledge of God he succeeded his father Iosiah in the 23 yeare of his age Anno mundi 3340 which was 628 yeares before Christ and raigned onely three moneths 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ieremy cap. 22. calleth this man Schallum that is A recompence He went from Ierusalem to Riblah a city in the tribe of Nepthaly which is accounted 80 miles where he was taken prisoner by Pharaoh Necho 2 Reg. 23. From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led him captiue bound in chaines backe again to Ierusalem which was 80 miles and there appointed Iehoiakim his elder brother to raigne in his place 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chron. 36. From Ierusalem he carried Iehoahas to Memphis the Metropolitan citie of Aegypt which was 244 miles 2 Reg. 23. So all the Trauels of Iehoahas were 404 miles Of Iehoiakim King of Iuda IEhoiakim was the eldest sonne of Iosiah that good King and succeeded his brother Iehoahas in the Kingdome Anno mundi 3341 before Christ 627 he gouerned Iudah 11 yeares Pharaoh Necho made him King when he was 25 yeares of age to whom he was constrained to pay 100 talents of * What this is in our money you may reade after in the quantitie of moneys siluer and a talent of gold This money being payed he obtained the Kingdome and continued in great impiety and idolatry for which cause he was sharply reprehended by Ieremiah the Prophet but he being offended at his words sought to put him to death wherefore the Lord stirred vp Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of the Assirians and Babylonians who in the 11 yeare of this Kings raigne came to Ierusalem and took him captiue tyed him in two chaines and would haue carried him to Babylon but his minde changed wherefore hee caused him to be put to death and cast out into the fields of Ierusalem for a prey to wilde beasts Ier. 22. 2 Reg. 23. Of Iehoiachin King of Iudah IEhoiachin signifies the preparation of Iehouah This man succeeded his brother Iehoiakim and began his raigne about the end of the 3351 yere of the world and raigned only 3 moneths and 10 daies which was about the 8 yeare of Nabuchodonesor the great at which time he was led captiue from Ierusalem to Babylon together with Mordochae and many other Nobles which was 680 miles This captiuitie hapned 617 yeares before Christ 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ester 2. Ier. 52. The Trauels of Zedekiah the last King of Iudah AFter Iehoiachin succeeded Zedekiah which signifies The just man of God This was the sonne of that good King Iosiah yet an impious tyrant who by the permission of Nabuchadonezar the great was suffered to be King of Iudah after his brother when he was 21 yeares of age He began to raigne about the beginning of the 3352 yeare of the World and before Christ 616 he gouerned tyrannically 11 yeares 2 Reg. 24. In the 11 yere of this king Ierusalem was taken by Nabuchadonezar the great Emperour of the Babylonians wherefore Zedekiah to escape the brunt of war fled from Ierusalem with all possible speed to Iericho which was 12 miles Ier. 39.52 From the plaine neere the citie of Iericho where he was ouercome by the Princes of the Chaldeans he was led to Riblah to Nebuchadonezar which was 68 miles From Riblah after the Emperour Nabuchadonezar had caused all his children to be put to death before his face and had put out both his eyes he led him captiue to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserable 2 Reg. 25. So all the Trauels of Zedekiah King of Iudah were 680 miles Of the destruction of Ierusalem by Nabuchadonezar In the ninth yeare of this Zedekiah which was the last King of Iudah Nabuchadonezar began to besiege Ierusalem it being then Winter anno mundi 3860 vpon the tenth day of the tenth moneth Tebeth which answereth to the 27 day of December which day the Iewes till now obserued as a fasting
are mentioned Of Esdras the Lawyer ESdras signifies a helper of Asar he helped He is a type of our Lord Iesus Christ who is our helper and Sauiour which hath brought vs into that holy land eternall life and is the restorer of religion and the Christian Common-wealth This Esdras was sent to Ierusalem to restore the common-wealth of the Iewes Anno mundi 3511 before Christ 457 in the seuenth yeare of Artaxerxes Longimanus that good Emperour of the Persians So he went from Babylon to Ahaeua a certaine riuer neere Babylon to which place he assembled a great multitude of Iewes and from thence sent to Caspia to fetch a certaine number of Leuites this land was in Chaldea not far from Babylon These being here met together celebrated a fast vnto the Lord and with solemne prayers besought his aide and furtherance in their enterprise then they went thence to Ierusalem which was 680 miles and there restored the Iudaicall gouerment instituting Ecclesiasticall officers chiefe Priests Princes and other gouernours Of the land of Caspia THe land of Caspia signifieth the land of siluer being deriued of Kesaeph that is siluer It was so called because they vsed to dig siluer in that place see Lyra it was a country neere Babylon where the priests and Leuites were in captiuitie and stood 680 miles from Ierusalem towards the East Of Nehemia IN the 20 yeare of Artaxerxes Longimanus which was anno mun 3524 and before Christ 444. Nehemias went from Susan to Ierusalem which was 920 miles there hee repaired the walls and gates in 52 daies Nehem. 1.2.6 When he had gouerned Iudaea 12 yeares he returned backe againe to Susan to Artaxerxes Longimanus which was 920 miles Nehem. 3. Afterward Artaxerxes about the end of his raigne suffered Nehemia to returne backe againe to Ierusalem which was 920 miles Nehem. 17. So these journeyes of Nehemia make 2760 miles Of this citie Susan you may reade before Of the name and typicall signification of Nehemiah NEhemiah signifies The consolation of God being deriued of Nicham He hath comforted This man was a type of our Lord Iesus Christ for as Nehemias was a comfort vnto the dispersed Iewes in that he was sent to restore them into their own country and to rebuild Ierusalem so Christ our comforter was sent by his Father from that euerlasting throne of heauen to refresh comfort vs by his doctrine and gather the dispersed members of his Church into one communion that he might bring them into that heauenly Ierusalem which he hath built and where he hath prepared a place for vs. The Trauels of Serubabel SErubabel carried the people of Israel from Babylon to Ierusalem which was 680 miles in the first yeare of Cyrus Emperor of Persia anno mundi 3433 before Christ 535. In the 17 yeare of his gouernment he went from Ierusalem to Susan 920 miles 3 Esd 3.4 From Susan he went to Babylon which was 242 miles 3 Es 4. From Babylon in the same yere he returned to Ierusalem 680 miles where the next yeare after in the beginning of the second moneth which answers to the 21 of May in the 3 yere of Darius Ahasuerus Zerubabel and Iosua the chiefe Priests of the Iewes began to build the Temple and finisht it in the sixt yere of the same King 1 Esd 6. So all the trauels of Zerubabel were 2280 miles The Booke of ESTER MOrdochius was led prisoner with Iechoniah to Babylon which was 680 miles From Babylon he went to Susan which was 252 miles there he brought vp Ester his brothers daughter and taught her honest discipline and the feare of God This maid was very beautifull and comely wherefore at such time as Darius Ahasuerus the sonne of Hystaspis had caused all the beautifull Virgins of his Empire to be brought before him that from amongst them he might chuse him a wife Mordochius adorned this Virgin with goodly apparell and she also went with them in whose presence by his instruction she behaued her selfe so well that the Emperor chose her from among the rest and made her his Queene she being at that time but a poore maid and of small abilitie They were married in Susan in the second yere of his Empire an mun 3454 and before Christ 514. From whence it is euident That preferment commeth neither from the East nor from the West but from the Lord. So these two journies make 932 miles The Types and Allegories collected out of the Booke of Ester MOrdochius or Mordochai signifies bitter and contrite being deriued of Marah He was bitter and Dachah Sorrowfull and contrite A fit resemblance of that true Mordochius Christ Iesus who for our sinnes and offences was constrained to drinke of that bitter cup of afflictions the necessities of this world suffering in his body more than tollerable torments as you may reade in his passion therefore justly called Mordochius that is bitter and contrite Ester and Alma haue both one signification that is a virgin or one kept from the bed of man Therefore she was a notable image of the Church who keepeth her selfe chast and vndefiled auoyding the society of euill men and although she seeme to be desolate and forsaken in this world in respect of the wicked who flourish like a floure and glory in voluptuousnesse and pleasure yet hath shee her Mordochius her Spouse her deerely beloued which prouides for her euen Iesus Christ that immaculate lambe who died for her saluation and will clothe her in white put into her hand a regall scepter crowne her with glory and set her with him in the throne of eternall happinesse Ahasuerus signifies a noble Captaine and typically represents God the father for as the Emperour had the command of 127 Prouinces and in them did principally rule so God our heauenly father is the Emperor and gouernor of all Kingdomes and all creatures both in heauen and in earth be obedient to his will he sitteth in that euerlasting pallace of heauen that place of joy and that eternall Paradice from whence he looketh downe to behold vs miserable and distressed creatures vpon earth of his mercifull goodnesse electing and chusing vs to be heires of that eternall Kingdome and purifieth vs with the graces of his holy Spirit so that we might be made capable to sit with him in eternall felicitie The disdainfull Queene Vasthy may be a fit Type and Effigies of this world not onely in respect of her pride but her excesse in drinking taking her name from Schatha which signifies To drinke so this World liueth in all manner of prodigalitie and luxurie and contemneth the Lord and King thereof that Almighty God which sitteth in the Heauens and therefore is justly throwne downe from that eternall Kingdome whereas on the contrary humble Ester that is the Church is taken vp into dignitie and crowned in that euerlasting Kingdome of Heauen Haman signifies A rebellious and proud man being deriued of HAMAN He hath stirred vp a tumult typically representing the Diuel
reigne made his expedition from Antiochiato Persepolis it was also called Elymaides in Persia which was 196 miles Here he took the temple of Diana spoiled all that country round about and with strong hand gathered together a great masse of gold and siluer to maintain warre against Iudas Machabeus But a multitude of citisens disliking his sacriledge banded themselues together and put Antiochus and his souldiers to flight before hee could take the city of Persepolis 1 Mach. 6. 2 Mach. 9. Wherefore being driuen from thence he fled with his army to Egbatana a city in Media which was 209 miles Here hauing certain intelligence by letters of the noble exploits of Iudas Machabeus and that he purged the temple of such things as were prophane he fell into an extreme griefe and like one distracted railed against the Iewes and swore to be reuenged of them 1 Mac. 9. In this extreme anger he went from Egbatana to Babylon with his army which was 464 miles But as he went his Chariot was ouerthrown in the fall wherof he was so extremely wounded that they were constrained to carry him in a bed to Babylon where he shortly after died miserably So all his trauels were 8153 miles Thus may we see with what difficulties and dangers this wicked prince obtained his victories and past away his life somtime in trauel his journies long and troublesome somtimes in prosperitie somtimes in aduersitie again somtimes afflicted with troublesome cogitations sometimes with extreame anger seldome in peace and then also his actions sauoring of violence and filthines From whence it appeareth That the wicked with more sorowes troubles and vexations gaine eternall damnation than the Iust though they suffer many grieuous afflictions obtain euerlasting saluation For amongst all the Patriarchs good Kings and Prophets there is not found any that had so many long and tedious journies as this Antiochus who continually oppressed his minde and conscience with vnprofitable vanities and wicked thoughts and at length had a miserable and terrible end ¶ Of the Cities and places mentioned in his Trauels Of Antiochia ANtiochia where Antiochus Epiphanes kept his court was antiently called Chaemath or Riblah It was scituated in Syria 180 miles from Ierusalem towards the North neer to the Cities Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea which foure Cities as Strabo saith in the sixteenth Booke of his Geographie was built by Seleucus Nicanor first King of Syria This man was a mighty Prince and obtained the name of Nicanor which signifieth Victorie because he prospered in his warres and conquered his aduersaries For when within 13 yeares after the death of Alexander the Great hee had got the kingdome of Syria hee became so great in the 31 yeare of his reign that he obtained the empire of all the East and beside as Strabo saith re-edified and built vp these foure cities calling one of them Antiochia after the name of his father another Laodicea after the name of his mother a third after his own name Seleucia and the last Apamea after the name of his wife These foure cities because they were all built by one man and at one time were called Sisters But Antiochia was much fairer than the other and in those times was a greater city than any other called after that name yea it was equal to Alexandria in Egypt for glory and excellencie of building It was diuided into foure parts and those parts seperated with four wals The first which was antiently called Hemath A violent anger of Chamathai the sonne of Canaan was after Riblath from the multitude of the inhabitants and the third time by Seleucus after his fathers name called Antiochia In this part Seleucus to dignifie the City kept his court it being compassed about with goodly walls In the second part the citisens of Syria inhabited In the third Seleucus Callimichus afterward King of the Syrians kept his court and greatly beautified it But in the fourth where afterward many Christians inhabited Antigonus Epiphanes continued and did greatly adorn it and set it forth with goodly buildings and sumptuous houses Close by the Citie there stood a pleasant wood watered with many cleare fountains and delightfull springs to which there resorted a great multitude of Fowles of diuers sorts which sung very pleasantly among the trees to the great content and delectation of the citisens In the midst of this wood stood the temple of Apollo and Diana goodly things and very curiously built It was called the wood of Daphne because it was full of Laurel trees From this wood all the countrey thereabout is called Epidaphne Not far off standeth the riuer Orontes which beginneth in Coelosyria and passeth vnder the earth til it comes neere to Apamea where it riseth and watreth all Antiochia So passing thence it runneth some 16 miles and so fals into the Mediterranian sea Heere Paul preached and kept a Synod Euseb lib. 7. cap. 24. 25. There was another Synod kept heere by the Arrians Trip. lib. 4. 9. Stephanus reckons vp many other cities of this name as Antiochia Lisidia in Galatia where Paul preached Act. 3. and is distant from this 384 miles Antiochia in Mesopotamia which is also called Mygdonia and Nisibis in which Apollophanes the Stoicke and Pharnuchus that wrot the Persian historie are said to be born Antiochia between Syria and Arabia built by Semiramis Antiochia in Cilicia scituated neere to the riuer Pyramus Antiochia in Pieria also called by the Syrians Arados There is also a city called Antiochia neere mount Taurus in the countrey of Comagena Antiochia scituated vpon the lake of Callichan Antiochia in Scythia There was another in Caria called also Pithapolis Antiochia Marigiana built by Antiochus Soter And many Authors call Tharsus in Cilicia by the name of Antiochia Antiochia signifies an Aduersarie Of Rome ROme stands 1528 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of this city you may reade more in the trauels of the Apostle Paul Tyrus Ioppa Memphis Pelusio Mallo and Alexandria are before described Of Tharsus TArsus or Tharsus signifieth aa Hyacinth stone so called as some thinke of Tharsis the son of Iavan the son of Iaphet the son of Noah Gen. 10. It was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles Northward Of Persepolis PErsepolis was the metropolitan city of Persia distant from Ierusalem 1240 miles Eastward So called of Perseus that mightie King of the Persians who re-edified it and gaue it that name which is as much to say as the city of the Persians which also of him were so called The Astronomers because he was greatly affected to such as were skilfull in that art attributed his name and his wiues name to two constellations in the heauens of which Ovids fable is contriued of Pegasus and Andromache This city of Persepolis was so fair that it exceeded all the cities of the East both for statelinesse and beauty and so continued from Perseus time vntill Alexander the Great had conquered Darius at which time this great Emperor hauing got into his hand the whole
lower he gaue Nicanor a great ouerthrow and put him with 35000 of his host to the sword 1 Mac. 7. 2 Mac. 15. From Adara and Bethoron the lower hee followed the enemies to Gaza a Citie of the Philistines which was 44 miles 1 Mac. 9. From Gaza he returned to Ierusalem which was 44 miles there he caused the arme of Nicanor whom a little before he had slaine at the battell of Adarsa to be cut off his tongue to be cut out of his head shred small and giuen to the fowles of the heauen and his head to be cut from his shoulders because therewith he had blasphemed the Lord and the temple swearing desolation and destruction to it and the Iewes 1 Mac. 7. 2 Mac. 15. A little after that is to say almost at the end of the 6 yere of his gouernment Iudas Macchabeus went out with 3000 chosen men in his army and pitched his tents neere Laisa 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the West But when the Iewes perceiued the mighty armie of Bacchides for hee had 20000 foot and 2000 horse in his hoast there were many of them discouraged so that all left him but 800 men Yet neuerthelesse Iudas constrained by necessitie withstood Bacchides and so manfully behaued himselfe in the battaile that hee ouercame him and put him to flight 1 Mac. 2. His enemies being thus put to flight he pursued them to the mountaines of Azotus and Gazeron which was 6 miles where being oppressed with the multitude and hemmed in amongst them was slaine He died in the moneth Nisan which answers to our April Anno mundi 3810 and before Christ 158 1 Mac. 9. From the Mountaines of Azotus and Gazeron his dead body was carried hacke againe to Modin which was 6 miles and there buried So his Trauels were 915 miles Of the townes and places to which he trauelled Of Mispa Iamnia and Laisa you may reade before Of Caspin THis city stood not far from Iamnia 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest This towne though it was strongly fortified yet Iudas Macchabeus woon it 2 Mac. 12. It is called Caspin of Keseph which signifies siluer There was another city called Casphor that is The siluer mountaine this stood in the land of Giliad neere Mispa which Iudas also woon 1 Mac. 4. Of Asseremoth otherwise called Gazaron GAzaron or Gazera was a citie of the Philistines neere Ecron 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the West It is so called from the cliffe of a rocke being deriued of Gezer which signifies a Cliffe Here Iudas Macchabeus was slaine 1 Mac. 6. Of the Tubiani TVbiani are a people that dwelt beyond Iordan in that part of Arabia Petraea which is called Nabathea of Nabaioth the sonne of Ishmael neere to a Mountaine of the Gileadites not farre distant from Abel of the Vines where it is thought Balaams Asse spoke This land is called Thubin and the inhabitants Tubiani because all that Countrey bringeth forth very pleasant and excellent Wine beeing deriued of Zob which signifieth good and Iaijn wine In this country Iudas Macchabeus continued three daies with his army Of Caphar-Salama THis town stood 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. In Herod the greats time it was inlarged and made a very faire city which he caused to be called Antipatridis after the name of his father Antipater of which you may reade more in the Trauels of the Apostle Paul Of Adarsa THis was a towne in the tribe of Ephraim betweene Antipatridis and Bethoron the lower twelue miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest It seemeth to be thus called from a noble gift for it is deriued of Adar which signifies illustrous and Schal a gift The Typicall signification of Iudas Macchabeus IVdas Macchabeus is a type and figure of our Lord Iesus Christ and Antiochus of that wicked Antichrist as the interpretation of their names do euidently declare for Iudas signifies a Confessor praysing God and glorifying his name for all his benefits so Christ the sonne of God is the praise and glory of his father for that in him and by him God the father praised as is euident in the song of Simeon In like manner our Lord Iesus Christ is worthily called Macchabeus for Macchabeus is a syrname of the Iewes which is written after this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Machabai euery letter of which signifieth a seuerall word according to the Song of Moses in the fifteenth chapter of Exodus where are these words Michamocha baelim Iehouah that is Who is like vnto thee amongst the gods O Lord Thus did the children of Israel sing with Moses when God led them out of the land of Aegypt through the Red Sea and this sentence Iudas Macchabeus continually vsed as an Adage and the letters at the beginning of these words being joyned together into one word make the syrname Macchabai Therefore as he had alwaies this golden sentence in his mouth so had he it likewise in his name yea in his ensignes Wherefore this name likewise is worthy to be attributed to Christ for hee is that perfect image and glory of his eternall father Heb. 1. who is called Michael that is Who is like vnto God and Macchabeus or Machabai that is Who is like vnto thee amongst the gods ô Lord. Therfore he saith thus I am that great God that will deliuer you from al euil Ecce Deus fortis foelix de morte resurgo Tartareosque vnguens Daemona ipse ligo Behold I am the God of might from death to life that rose I binde the Diuell to my will his furies I oppose But Antiochus signifies an aduersarie or an opposer or one that fighteth against God The same also doth Sathan signifie in Hebrew He is therefore a fit type of that great opposer of God and Man Antichrist who fighteth against Christ that Iudas Macchabeus and true Captaine of the Church For as the one viz. Antochus was an aduersary against the Iewes the children of God so the other that is Antichrist is an aduersarie and enemy against Christ and his Church c. The Trauels of Ionathan the brother of Iudas Macchabeus IOnathan or Ionathas and Theodorus hath but one signification that is The gift of God This man the same yeare that Iudas his brother died succeeded him in the principalitie and gouerned the Iewes 18 yeares 1 Mac. 9. Ios lib. antiq 3. But vnderstand that Bacchides chiefe captaine of Demetrius King of Syria went about to take his life by craft hee and his brother Simon went from Modin and pitched their tents in the wildernesse of Tecoah neere to the lake of Asphar which was 20 miles From thence they sent their brother Iohn with certaine riches to the Nabathians which dwelt in Medaba in Arabia 28 miles desiring them in friendship to receiue their goods into the town and to keepe them for their vse but the sonnes of Iambri and the Nabathians issued out of Medaba and vnawares fell vpon Iohn put him to death tooke away
to yellow spotted all ouer with round shining spots in like manner are their eies She is a friend almost to all kinde of creatures except the Aspe and Dragon and as Oppianus saith neuer taken but when shee is drunke or in her sleepe She is the female to the Leopard The Leopard is of the same colour and of the nature of a Wolfe being full hee hurteth nothing but if empty he preyeth vpon euery thing yea euen vpon men his breath is very sweet with which many other creatures being delighted he often preyes vpon them but beeing full he sleepeth somtimes three daies together The Tyger also is a very swift and cruell creature from whence he is so called his skin is yellow and full of black spots round and shining If shee chance to lose her yong she neuer leaues seeking till shee findes them out The Trauels of Tryphon that put Antiochus to death IN An. mundi 3826. before Christ 142. Tryphon somtime chief Captain to Alexander King of Syria who was slain in Arabia went to Emalcuel Prince of Arabia deserta with whom Antiochus the son of Alexander was brought vp 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 tooke the towne droue thence Demetrius Nicanor and crowned yong Antiochus King of Assyria This journy to and again was 320 miles 1 Mac. 11. In the second yeare of the reign of young Antiochus Tryphon went from Antiochia to Bethsan where he perfidiously betrayed Ionathan the brother of Iudas Machabeus 1 Mac. 12. being thirtie six miles From Bethsan he went to Ptolomais 32 miles From Ptolomais he went to Addus a towne vpon the borders of Iudea 68 miles 1 Mac. 13. To Addus Simon sent his brothers Children and his ransome which was 60 talents of siluer but after hee had receiued the mony he broke his word and went thence with Ionathan and his sons to Ador 48 miles From Ador hee went to Bascharnan in the land of Gilead 96 miles Here he put to death Ionathan and his sonnes From the country of the Gileadites he returned to Antiochia which was 240 miles here he put to death yong Antiochus being but a boy of 7 yeares of age and vsurped vpon the gouernment in his place He began to reign in the 172 yeare of the Grecians gouernment in Syria and reigned 3 yeares 1 Mac. 14. Ios li. Ant. 13. About the end of the three yeares which was in the 174 yeare of the Grecians gouernment in Syria Antiochus Sedetes brother of Demetrius Nicanor made war vpon Tryphon and compelled him to fly from Antiochia to Dora 240 miles from Antiochia toward the South 1 Mac. 15. But Antiochus Sedetes followed him thither and so streightly besieged Dora that he was constrained to steale thence in a ship and saile to Orthosia which was 160 miles Lastly in the way as he was going thence to Apamea which was 120 miles he was taken and put to death So all his trauels were 1360 miles ¶ Of the places mentioned in his trauels which haue been formerly recited Of Dora DOra was a hauen towne scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranean sea 48 miles from Ierusalem Northward in the mid way between Carmel and Caesarea Strato In Ioseph cap. 17. it is called Dor that is à durans Of Orthosia THis was a city of Assiria scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranian sea neere to the place where the riuer Eleutherius falleth into it 200 miles from Ierusalem Northward being so called of Diana whom the Grecians called Orthosia that is Exalted or lifted vp Hither Tryphon sailed when hee fled from Antiochus Sedetes 1 Mac. 15. Plin. lib. 5. cap. 20. Concerning the trauels of Apolonius Nicanor Bacchides and Cendebius because they are sufficiently described in the trauels of the Machabees I thought it vnfit to speake further of them The Trauels of Heliodorus HEliodorus signifies the House of the Sun He was Scretarie and chiefe Gouernor of Antiochia in Syria for that mightie King Seleucus Philopater who was brother to that cruel Tyrant Antiochus Epiphanes and was sent by his Lord and master Seleucus from Antiochia to Ierusalem which is 80 miles to spoile the Temple of the Lord but the Lord sent an Angel richly beautified with armor of gold sitting vpon a horse who went to Heliodorus and with his horse trod him vnder his feet and there appeared two other Angels full of majestie and power that strooke Heliodorus and beat him with whips so that he lay vpon the floore of the Temple as a man halfe dead and could not go forth vntil he was caried out 2 Mac. 3. From Ierusalem he went with that good man Onias chief priest of the Iewes at whose earnest prayers and supplications hee was made whole to Antiochia 280 miles where hee told Seleucus Philopater of the wonderfull works of the Lord. So all his trauels were 580 miles The Trauels of the high-Priests of the Iewes that ruled before the Machabees as they are seuerally mentioned in the Books of Machabees And first of the trauels of Onias the high-Priest ONias signifies the riches of God from On Opulency and Iah God for although he was afflicted with pouertie in this world yet he was rich in God He succeeded his Father Simon the Iust an M. 3757. before Christ 211. Antiochus the great being King of Syria He was high-priest 39 years vntil the death of Seleucus Philopater at the end of which time one Simon the chiefe of those that kept the temple being ambitious of rule fell to words with Onias and from words to blowes so that there were many outrages committed by the friends of Simon Wherefore Onias to giue place to the fury of his aduersaries went from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was 280 miles But Seleucus Philopater being dead and Antiochus Epiphanes in the gouernment who was a couetous and cruell 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 360 talents of siluer and promised to pay a yearely tribute of 80 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 chiefe Captaine to Antiochus came to him and with faire speeches and flattering words allured him out of the Sanctuary and traiterously put him to death So his trauels were 281 miles The Trauels of the high-Priest Iason IAson and Iesus haue both one signification he entred vpon the office of High priest in the first yere of Antiochus Epiphanes which was 173 yeares before Christ He went from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was 280 miles where after the death of Onias he payd to Antiochus for the office of high-priest almost 3 tunnes of gold with promise to pay a yearely tribute of 48000 crowns From Antiochia
was borne and That Marie his mother was a Virgin Matt. 33. Wherefore Elizabeth the wife to Zacharias fearing the cruelty of Herod and of the Pharises about that time when the young infants of the Bethlehemites were slaine shee fled from Ierusalem to Apumim as Nicephorus faith which was scituated in the wildernesse betweene Iericho and Ierusalem where she priuatly brought vp her sonne which was 32 miles In the 39 yeare of the natiuitie of Christ and vpon the 24 day of Iune Iohn the Baptist being then 30 yeares of age by the commandement of the Lord tooke vpon him the ministerie for it was not lawfull for any to enter into that function before they were thirtie yeares of age Numb 4. Wherefore vpon the eight and twentieth day of September it being then the feast of the Tabernacles and about the middle of the last weeke spoken of by Daniel Hee went from Adumim to Bethabara where hee tooke vpon him the Ministerie of the New Testament Hannas the chiefe Priest being then newly entred into that office Luke 2. which was about foure miles and within a short time after that is vpon the seuenth day of October beeing then the feast of Expiation our Lord and Sauiour Iesuis Christ was baptised when hee was fully thirtie yeares of age Luke 3 Matthew 3. Iohn 1. In the yeare following which was the one and thirtieth yeare of the Natiuitie of Christ a little before the feast of Easter the Synedrion of Ierusalem sent messengers vnto Iohn hee then remaining at Bethabara to know whether hee was the Christ or Elias or some other Prophet Iohn the first Vpon the eighteenth day of September the same yeare Iohn entred vpon the second yeare of his ministerie About which time Caiphas began to enter vpon the office of the high Priest and the Sadduces and Pharises to persecute Iohn Baptist Wherefore he departed from Bethabara and went to Aenon a Citie in Galile which was 24 miles After that Iohn had preached publikely and freely by the space of a whole yeare and two moneths about the moneth of December and the end of the first yeare of the Ministrie of our Sauiour by the commandement of Herod hee was taken and led prisoner from Aenon to the Tower of Macheruntes which was 28 miles where he remained vntill his death So all his Trauels were 88 miles Of the townes and places to which he trauelled Of Adumim ADumim or Adummim as it is in Ioshua ca. 15. was a Tower twelue miles from Ierusalem towards the East scituated in the wildernesse that is betweene Ierusalem and Iericho so called because of the multitude of robberies and murthers that were done in that place for Dam signifieth Blood Here the poore man that Christ mentioned Luk. 10. fell amongst theeues and here Eliah continued when he was fed by the Rauens aad dranke the water of the riuer Cherith 1 King 17. which was a notable type of Iohn the Baptist who liued in a caue in this place This caue stood close by the Garden of Engedi where in former times the Academie and Schoole of the Prophets Eliah and Elisha was kept here the Esseis which was a Sact amongst the Iewes also continued who led a Monasticall kinde of life and gaue themselues wholly to prayers and good workes vnder whose discipline and instruction Iohn was brought vp Mathesius wisely obserues that of all other the Esseies would neuer oppose Christ but were a people that liued chastly and honestly according to the custome of the Nazarites with all diligence reading the Scriptures and auoiding idlenesse as a great temptation of the diuell giuing themselues principally to the studie of Phisicke After rhis sort was Iohn brought vp Of Bethabara THis was a towne scituated vpon the East side of the riuer Iordan 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the East where there was either a Bridge or a ferry to passe ouer Iordan from whence this place was called Bethabara being deriued of Baith a house and Abarah a passage Wherefore at a certaine time there being assembled in this place a great concourse and congregation of people Iohn did first enter vpon the ministerie of the New Testament and taught the people the Doctrine of Repentance and Baptisme Here Elias the Thesbite who was a type of Iohn the Baptist was taken vp into heauen in a fierie Chariot Here Iohn spoke with the messengers that came to inquire Whither he was the Christ or not to whom hee answered that hee was neither Elias nor a prophet of the Old Testament but the voice of a crier in the wildernesse Io. 4. Is 40. And in the same place where the Priests stood with the Arke of the couenant whiles Ioshua and the children of Israel passed ouer Iordan Iohn baptised Christ the true Arke of the Couenant of the Throne of grace Iosh 3.4 Mat. 4. Luke 3. Heb. 9. Of Aenon THis towne stood vpon the West side of the riuer of Iordan 42 miles from Ierusalem Northward a little on this side of the sea of Tiberias neere the mouth of the riuer Iaboch where it falleth into Iordan in which place was great aboundance of waters Here also Iohn sometimes baptized Ioh. 3. it being two miles from Salem where Iacob in times past dwelt Gen. 33. Of the meeting together of the waters this towne was called Aenon of Ain which signifies an Eye and a fountaine that springeth as it were from an Eye Of Macherus or Macharuntes MAcherus was a towne of Peraea beyond Iordan 20 miles from Ierusalem towards the East scituated in a high mountaine being deriued Macherah that is A Sword This was one of the chief castles of Herod Antipas who obtained the chiefe command in the citie of Ierusalem Plin. lib. 5. c. 16. In this place Iohn Baptist was beheaded as Ioseph saith lib. Antiq. 80. c. 10. And although his Disciples buried his body thereabouts yet long after the christians remoued his bones reliques to Sebasten that is Samaria where they were the second time buried with great honor and reuerence Afterward as Nicephorus and Theodor saith his bones were taken vp againe by Iulian the Apostata and burnt There are many other things that are written concerning his reliques which because of the vncertainty of them I omit to speak of and will proceed to a further description of this citie Alexander King of the Iewes first built and fortified it and then making warre against Aristobulus it hapned to be destroied by Gabinus one of his Captaines and so continued desolate till Herods time who rebuilt the towne and the castle and fortified it with strong walls and high towers euen a hundred and sixtie cubits in height so that a man could scarce see to the top of it But that God might reuenge the bloud of his Saints at such time as Ierusalem and the Holy land was left desolate Lucius Bassus a noble Roman came to this citie and besieged it during which siege Bassus tooke a certaine young man which was a Prince of
Mar. 4. Luke 8. The next day betimes in the morning he went out of the ship into the countrey of the Gadarens and healed two that were possessed of diuels Matth. 2. Mar. 5. Luk. 8. Out of these two he cast a legion of Diuels and suffered them to enter into the herd of swine which they caried headlong into the sea Presently our Sauiour Christ went thence 6 miles into the land of Genesareth where there was a great multitude vpon the sea shore not far from the City of Capernaum that expected his comming Mar. 5. Luke 8. Within a few daies after about the beginning of Iune hee entred into Capernaum and there healed the man that lay sick vpon his bed of a dead palsie Mat. 9. Mar. 2. Luke 5. after he went to sea and taught the multitude that came to him Mar 2. From Capernaum hee went to Caesarea Philippi 48 miles where being inuited to a banquet by Mathew he ate among Publicans and sinners and confuted the Pharisees and Iohns disciples In the same city he restored the daughter of Iairus to life Mat. 9. Marke 2. Luke 5. and as hee went thence hee restored two men to their sight and cast out a Diuell Mat. 9. About the end of the moneth of Iuly our Sauior Christ went from Cesarea Philippi to Nazareth 36 miles where because of the ingratitude and contempt of the citisens he did no great miracles Mark 6. Mat. 13. In the moneth of August our Sauior Christ went from Nazareth toward Ierusalem to the feast of Tabernacles and as he went visited the towns and cities neere adioyning Now when he saw that they wanted Teachers it beeing at this time the second haruest he said vnto his Disciples Loe the Haruest is great but the Labourers are few c. and he sent his Disciples out into the Haruest Mat. 9. Luke 9. Of this second haruest you may reade Exod. 23. where God commanded the people that they should obserue the feast of the Tabernacles when in the end of the yere they had gathered in all the fruits of the fields Also in Levit. 23. it is thus written From the fifteenth day of the seuenteenth moneth when you haue gathered all the fruits of your land you shall celebrate vnto the Lord your God seuen dayes c. From Galile our Sauior Christ came to Ierusalem 64 miles where from the 20 to the 27 day of September he celebrated the feast of Tabernacles according to the Law of God About the 18 day of Octob in this yeare the Practises of Seianus were discouered and he died miserably Tac. lib. 5. The rest of the trauels of our Sauiour Christ and the miracles that he wrought in these three last moneths of this yeare viz. in October Nouember and December for their great multitude cannot be described So the trauels of our Sauiour Christ in the second yeare of his Ministerie were 912 miles Of the townes and places to which he trauelled Of Caesarea Philippi THis city is scituated not far from the foot of the mountain Antilibanus 104 miles from Ierusalem toward the North close by the two Wells of Iordan Ior and Dan. Vpon the East side of this Citie these two streames meet and make the Riuer Iordan Philip the Tetrarch of Traconitis called this city after his own name Philippus and in honor of the Romane Caesars he added the name of Caesaria Tiberias at this time beeing Emperour of Rome In times past it was called Laisch or Lais which signifies a rauening or roaring Lion But the tribe of Dan hauing conquered it and rebuilt it again they called it Dan and the inhabitants of the Holy land Laechem Dan as you may reade in the trauels of the Danits But this town as it is reported by such as haue trauelled into the holy land and by the authority of Volateran notwithstanding these names is often called Belenas Here as Eusebius Zozomenes and Nicephorus say in their Ecclesiasticall histories the woman that was diseased with the bloudie issue was healed by touching the hem of our Sauiours garment which woman in token of thankfulnesse for so great a benefit and in memory of so notable a miracle erected in this City a little without the gates of her house a stone pillar on which shee caused to be set the image of Christ made of brasse and behind that stood the image of this woman who had been diseased 12 yeares with the bloudy issue bowing her self at the feet of our Lord and touching the hem of his garment They also say there grew certain herbs about this pillar whereby miracles were wrought thirty yeares after it was set vp But Iulian the Apostata hauing intelligence of these things caused those images to be broken down and erected his own in the same place But soon after there hapned such an exceeding thunder that fire falling from heauen strook this image thus set vp by this cruell tyrant vpon the brest and cast the head and the necke thereof with great violence vpon the earth These things hapned in Caesarea Philippi Vpon the borders of Caesarea Philippi our Sauior Christ asked his Disciples saying Whom do men say that I am Mat. 6. Iosep Ant. li. 20. ca. 6. saith Agrippa King of the Iewes did much inlarge Caesarea Philippi in honor of Nero and called it after his name Neronia but it retained not that name long Of Peraea PEraea or Peraia was the vtmost part in the holy land in which were the Tribes Gad and Reuben separated from the rest of Iudea by the riuer Iordan and vnder the subiection and gouernement of Herod Antipas It was 16 miles from Ierusalem Eastward so called of Peran which signifies beyond or vpon the other side Pli. li. 4. ca. 1. In the castle of Macharuntes standing in this country Iohn Baptist was beheaded Of the sea of Galile THis sea lay 44 miles from Ierusalem Northward representing vpon the bankes a harpe in figure whence it was called Kinnaereth that is the sea of the harp Num. 34. for Kinnor signifieth an harpe Toward the North it extendeth it selfe into some bredth but toward the South it drew into a streight angle was called the sea of Galile because it bordered vpon Galile It was also called the lake of Genesareth because of the pleasantnesse and fruitfulnesse of the soile lying vpon the North side of it It is called Ioh. 6. the sea of Tiberias from the city Tiberias that stood vpon the shore of it It was but 4 miles and a little more broad but in length from the North to the South 12 miles Vpon the East side it had the towne Chorazin and vpon the West Capernaum and as Iosephus saith the water of this sea was very sweet and pleasant from whence it came to passe that fishes did greatly abound in it and there were many fishers that liued thereabouts only by fishing in that sea There were many other Cities besides those two before mentioned that stood vpon this Sea as
thence he went to Ierusalem which was 56 miles to the feast of the Passeouer being the third Passeouer of his ministerie The third Passeouer of the Ministrie of Christ Vpon the thirteenth day of Aprill being Sunday according to the Ecclesiasticall computation Christ as God commanded celebrated the third Passeouer of his Ministerie for the space of eight daies in the citie of Ierusalem that is till the twentieth day of the same moneth After the feast of the Passeouer the Iewes tooke councell how they might put him to death Ioh. 7. wherfore about the end of April he departed thence went 56 miles into the land of Galile In the moneth of May after the controuersie that hapned concerning the tradition of the Elders because of the falacies contentions of the Scribes and Pharises he departed thence into the borders of Tyrus and Sydon which was 56 miles Matth. 15. and there entred into a house and would faine haue been priuat but there was a certaine woman that was a Grecian of Syrophoenissa came vnto him and intreated his aide Marke 7. But our Sauiour hauing a determination to depart from this place this woman was very importunate that hee would dispossesse her daughter of a diuell which because of her importunitie he did Mat 15. And after he went thence into the countrey of Trachonitis beyond Iordan going through the borders of Decapolis and comming to the Galilean sea and in the way he healed one that was both blinde and dumbe Marke 7. and there ascending vp into a mountaine he cured many that were blinde and lame and the third day after fed foure thousand with seuen loaues and a few fishes Mat. 15. So this journey was 64 miles Afterward in the same moneth of May he went into a ship and passed thence into the parts of Dalmatia and vpon the borders of Magdala which was foure miles hee propounded the signe of the Prophet Ionah to the Pharises and Sadduces Mat. 15. 16. From thence he sailed to Bethsaida which was 4 miles by the way he admonished his Disciples to take heed of the leauen of the Sadduces and Pharises Mat. 16. and as he was entring into a towne he cured a blinde man of his sight Marke 8. About the end of the moneth of May Christ went to Ierusalem which was 56 miles where vpon the second day of Iune he kept the feast of Penticost according as God had commanded Exod. 23. The feast of Penticost being ended hee returned from Ierusalem into the Countrey of Galile to Capernaum where he dwelt which was 56 miles In the same moneth of Iune he went the second time vnto the borders of the Gentiles where Peter in the name of all the disciples vpon the confines of Caesarea Philippi made that notable confession saying Thou art Christ the sonne of the liuing God Luk. 9. Capernaum is distant from Caesarea Philippi 48 miles Six or as Luke saith eight daies after our Sauiour in the moneth of Iune went to the mountain Thabor which stood 48 miles from Caesarea Philippi towards the Southwest where hee was transfigured and the next day after he cured the Lunaticke and cast out a Diuell Mat. 7. Marke 9. In the month of Iuly Christ walked into Galile and there confirmed his doctrine with many wonderfull miracles which did greatly amase his Disciples where hee put them in minde of the crosse and of his death Mat. 17. Luke 9. From thence he returned to Capernaum which was 10 miles from Mount Thabor at this time Peter went to the Lake of Genesereth there caught a fish in whose mouth he found a Stater which was worth ij s. vi d. in our money Mat. 17. Here also our Sauior Christ made a long Sermon wherein he reprehended the pride and arrogancie of his Disciples and withall taught the doctrine of the remission of sinnes Mat. 12. Marke Luke 9. In the moneth of August he had a full determination to make a journey through Samaria into Iudaea 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 receiue him because he made as though he would go to Ierusalem wherefore he turned aside into Galile Luc. 9. And as he was there visiting the Churches there came a certaine man vnto him saying I will follow thee whither soeuer thou goest But Christ answered him saying The Foxes haue holes and the fowles of the heauens haue nests but the Sonne of man hath not where to hide his head Matth. 8. And to another Iesus said Follow thou me But he answered Let me first goe and bury my father There was another also that would haue followed Christ but he would first goe take his leaue of his friends Luc. 9. In the month of September about the time of the second haruest which was next before the feast of the Tabernacles Leu. 23. Christ began his last visitation throughout all the land of Iudea at which time he sent forth seuentie of his disciples into Galile to prepare the way and so Dispersed labourers into his haruest saying The haruest is great but the labourers are few Luc. 10. This speech seems to be taken from the present condition of the time for it was now heruest time it being a little before the vernall Aequinoctiall About the beginning of October when the feast of the Tabernacles drew neere the Disciples and those that were of the kindred of our Sauiour according to the flesh went vp to the Feast but he remained in Galile notwithstanding a little after he went priuily vp now betweene Galile and Ierusalem were accounted 56 miles Ioh. 7. Vpon the ninth day of October was this feast celebrated in Ierusalem and being now half past our Sauior Christ taught publiquely in the Temple Ioh. 7. Vpon the fifteenth day of October it being the last day of the Feast of the Tabernacles and the Sabboth day he taught the second time publiquely in the Temple and so continued preaching and doing miracles in Ierusalem vntill the Feast of the Dedication which was kept about the middle of Winter Matth. 4. In the Month of Nouember he preached daily in the temple and at night went to the Mount of Oliues where he rested which was aboue halfe a mile from Ierusalem and euery morning returned backe to the Temple At this time there came vnto him certaine Scribes and Pharases who brought a woman which had beene lately taken in adultery and said vnto him Master what shall we do with this woman c. And hee answered He among you that is without sinne 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 Sauior and the Iewes Ioh. 8. for which cause they would haue stoned him In the Moneth of December Christ wintred in Ierusalem
Sauiour Christ and the remainder is his age At his circumcision he was called Saul that is a mortall man but when he was made the Apostle of the Gentiles he was called Paul of which name there was a noble family in Rome so called because of the lownesse of their stature and smalnesse of their body as Carolus Sigonius obserueth In the 35 yeare after the natiuitie of Christ Paul was an inquisitor for priuate heresie and a cruel persecutor of the Gospel The next yeare he went from Ierusalem to Damascus in Syria which was 160 miles in which journey about the 25 day of Ianuary he was conuerted and vpon the 28 day of Ianuary was baptized by Ananias So he staied some few daies in Damascus and taught the Gospell of Christ Acts 9. 22. In the same yere that he was conuerted the Iewes those that were enemies to the Gospell went about by deceit to take his life wherefore he went from Damascus to Arabia Petraea which was 160 miles here hee continued teaching the Gospell by the space of three yeares that is from the beginning of the 35 to the end of the 37 yeare after the Natiuitie of Christ Act. 9. In the 38 yeare after the Natiuitie of Christ he returned from Arabia Petraea and came to Damascus which was 160 miles and there he diligently taught the Gospell of Christ But when in the same yeare Araeta King of Arabia went about to put him secretly to death he was let down in a basket ouer the wall and so went from Damascus to Ierusalem which was 160 miles and when hee came thither he brought Barnabas to the Apostles and shewed them his conuersion and remained with Peter 15 daies preaching the Gospell At this time he saw Iames the sonne of Alpheus and brother of our Lord Acts 9. 2 Cor. 11. Galat. 1. But when his aduersaries that were at Ierusalem went about secretly to put him to death hee went from Ierusalem and was brought by the brethren to Caesarea Strato which was 32 miles Acts 9. About the 38 yere after the natiuitie of Christ he went thence into Syria to Tarsus a citie of Cilicia which was 272 miles here he continued some yeares teaching the Gospell of Christ Gal. 1. 2 Cor. 11. In the 41 yeare after the natiuitie of Christ and about the seuenth yeare of his Ministrie hee was brought by Barnabas from Tarsus to Antiochia in Syria which was 120 miles At this time and in this towne all those that beleeued in Christ began to bee called Christians wheras before they were called Disciples and brothers Acts 11. These things hapned in the eight yeare after the resurrection of Christ about this time also Matthew wrote his Gospell and Agabus prophesied of the vniuersall dearth that should happen vnder Claudius Acts 11. In the 42 yeare after the natiuitie of Christ Paul being then at Antiochia and about 32 yeres of age was wrapt vp into the third heauen 14 yeares before he wrote his second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 12. In the 43 yeare after the natiuitie of Christ the famine wherof Agabus prophecied being now begun hee went with the gifts of the Church from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was 280 miles this yeare Iames the elder was beheaded at the command of Agrippa Acts 11. 12. In the 44 yeare after the natiuitie of Christ Paul and Barnabas with Peter were deliuered out of prison by the Angell of the Lord. Now hauing distributed the gifts of the Church hee returned in the company of Iohn Marke from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was 280 miles So these trauels were 1928 miles Of the townes and places to which he trauelled of Tarsus or Tharsus THis was the Metropolis of Cilicia scituated vpon the riuer of Cydnus which beginning at Mount Taurus runs thence through this towne into the Mediterranean sea It was first built by Perseus King of the Persians whom the Poëts faigne to bee the sonne of Iupiter and Danaë called Tharsus of the Hyacinth stone which as it seemeth is found thereabouts It was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North in antient time a goodly city but through the injurie of the time and inuasion of the enemy much impaired lay almost ruined til as Strab. saith li. 14. it was repaired by Sardanapalus that effeminat K. of the Assirians of whom Tully remembreth this Epitaph lib. 5. Tuscula Haec habeo quae aedi quaeque exaturata 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 vntill the raigne of Darius the last king of the Persians it continued in great prosperity and was become a maruellous stately citie the inhabitants therof being growne very wealthy but then Alexander the Great making warre vpon that Prince amongst others brought his Army against this citie but the citisens hearing of his notable exployts durst not abide his comming therefore they fired the citie left hee should make a prey of their riches and fled which when Alexander perceiued he gaue order to Parmenio with all possible speed to quench the fire and saue the citie In the meane time the King being prest with an extraordinary thirst by reason of the extreame heate that was in that country the dust and his long journie put off his roiall garments and cast himselfe into the riuer Cydnus which being a cold water comming out of the North stroke the heat presently inward and so benummed his sinewes that had it not been for the present helpe of his souldiers and the extraordinarie diligence and care of Philip his Phisitian he had died immediately notwithstanding by the great prouidence of God and the carefulnesse of his physitian hee recouered his dangerous sickenesse beyond the expectation of man and after ouercame Darius in a sharpe and cruell warre neere to a place called Issa as you may reade before See Plutarch in vita Alexand. and Quintus Curtius From that time forward this citie grew to be very famous and daily increased in statelinesse and faire buildings And to adde more dignitie to it there was a famous Academie in which were many learned and rare Philosophers in so much that they of Tharsus exceeded the Philosophers of Athens and Alexandria for learning and knowleged though indeed for number of scholers and common resort they exceeded Tharsus Saint Paul was borne and brought vp in this Towne and here learned the knowledge of the tongues Philosophie and other good arts Hee 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 hee liued and was brought vp at the feet of Gamaliel who was Prouost of that Academy and after was conuerted to be an Apostle of Christ Iesus as appeareth Acts 22. This towne at this day is subject to the Empire of the Turkes and called