his trauels were 120 miles Of Ahaz King of Iudah AHAZ signifies Apprehending or a possessor He began to raigne after the death of his father Iotham about the end of the 17 yere of Pekah King of Israel Anno mundi 3206 before Christ 762. He raigned wickedly 16 yeares 2 Reg. 16. 2 Chr. 28. For hee was a notorious hypocrite who out of a peruerse zeale worshipped many Idols and burnt his sonne in the valley of Gehinnon as an offering vnto Moloch Wherefore he was vnhappy in his gouernment for God stirred vp mighty enemies against him euen Resin king of Syria and Pekah king of Israel who wasted and destroied his Kingdome and straightly besieging Ierusalem conquered Ahaz in a great battell and put to the sword 120000 of his men After that Resin returned to Elath and tooke it so that he lost more than his father had gotten Where being strucke into a great feare hy reason of these aduersities hee sent to craue the aid of Tiglasse Phulasser king of the Assirians who at his request sent a great Army from Niniueh to Damascus 520 miles and there ouercame Resin and put him to death and tooke captiue 242000 of the people of Damascus and sent them into Cyren a country of Africa 2 Reg. 16. The Trauels of Ahaz King Ahaz went from Ierusalem to Damascus which was 160 miles to meet Tiglath Phulasser King of the Assirians to rejoyce with him for his happy victory and giue him thanks for his aid and assistance where when he saw the Altar at Damascus to be very glorious he sent for Vrija the chiefe Priest who tooke a patterne thereof and carried it with him to Ierusalem where he made an Altar like vnto it 2 Reg. 16. From Damascus he returned backe againe 160 miles So his trauels were 320 miles But yet Ahaz continued in his peruerse impiety and idolatry without any regard or feare of God therefore he stirred vp other enemies against him viz. the Idumaeans who tooke a great multitude of them captiue and the Philistines who with their Army broke into the South part of the tribe of Iuda and tooke these cities following viz. Bethsemes Aialon Timnath Socho Gederoth and Gimso with their villages These Cities for the most part are mentioned in the precedent treatise except Gederoth and Gimso Gederoth commonly called Gederothaim is distant from Ierusalem eight little miles towards the South-west and stands neere to the castle of Emaus being compassed about with a hedge from whence it seemeth to take the name for Gadar is as much to say as He hath hedged about Gimso was also in the Tribe of Iuda but in what place it is not certainely known Thus king Ahaz all the daies of his life did euill in the sight of the Lord for which God punished him and all the land and in the 16 yeare of his raigne he died and was buried with his fathers in the Citie Dauid The Trauels of Ezekias King of Iuda Ezekias which signifies The Champion of Iehouah was borne when his father was but thirteene yeares of age which made many questions whether he should succeed him as his lawfull heire in his Kingdome because they doubted whether he was lawfully begotten For if you doe obserue the order and course of the yeares and chronologie in the Scripture you shall finde that from the beginning of the thirteenth yeare of the age of Ahaz to the first yeare of the raigne of this King Ezekias make just twenty fiue yeres Ezekias therefore began to raigne after the death of his father Ahaz about the end of the third yeare of Hosea King of Israel 2 Reg. 19. Anno mun 3222 before Christ 746 being then about 25 yeres of age a little before Easter as it appeareth 2 Chron. 29. He gouerned that Kingdome with great commendations 29 yeares The first journey that he tooke was from Ierusalem to Gaza which was 44 miles there he ouercame the Army of the Philistines and recouered all those cities which his father Ahaz had lost according to that in the Prophet Esay cap. 15. 2 Reg. 18. From Gaza hee returned to Ierusalem which was 44 miles there he broke downe the places for idolatry and the brasen Serpent made by Moses in the wildernesse and called it Nehustan a brasen thing that hath nothing in it selfe of a diuine nature and could neither profit nor hurt therefore ought not to be worshipped This brasen serpent was kept in memory of that signe that God shewed vnto the children of Israel in the desart when they were bitten and stung to death by fiery serpents for looking vpon this brasen serpent they were healed But now because of the abuse thereof by the Iewes which turned it into idolatry it was broken to pieces Num. 21. 2 Reg. 18. So all the trauels of Ezechias were 88 miles In the 14 yeare of the raigne of Ezekias and in the 38 of his age Senacharib that mighty Emperour of the Assirians hauing taken many townes and cities in the Holy land would haue also besieged Ierusalem and for that purpose sent from Lachis which was 20 miles distant from Ierusalem Thartan Rabsarim and Rabsacha three mighty Princes Embassadors with a great traine to attend them These men went about the citie to see in what part it was most subject to batterie and might easiest begot so when they came to the conduit of the vpper poole which is by the path of the Fullers field between the Fish gate and the old gate in that place where they might easiliest be heard they called to the King but Eliakim the sonne of Hilkiah which was Hezekias Steward Shebnah the Chancellor and Ioab the sonne of Asaph the Recorder went vpon the wall then Rabsacha vttered blasphemous words against the Lord but Ezekias when hee had heard what the enemie had said called all the Elders of Ierusalem together and sent for Isaiah the sonne of Amos the Prophet and they went into the temple of the Lord and praied Wherefore the Lord heard their prayers and sent his Angel into the Campe of the Assirians and loe in one night there were slaine 185000 men as they lay in their tents before Gibeah which at this time they besieged being distant from Ierusalem some ten miles towards the south-Southwest This great deliuerance hapned in the yeare of the world 3235 and before Christ 733. About the end of the 38 yeare of the age of Ezekiah he fell into a dangerous disease which so farre forth as could be gathered by all likelihoods was the plague for God doth oftentimes try the patience of his Saints with sundry afflictions but yet at his feruent prayers hee was restored to health and his daies were lengthned 15 yeares at which time the Sunne went backe ten degrees according to the variation of the shadow in the Dyall of Ierusalem 2 Reg. 20. Isa 38. 2 Chron. 32. But at the end of the 15 yeares which was about the 54 yeare of his age he died and was buried with his
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 south-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
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
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
Turkie and Persia and from thence towards the latitude to a towne called Argentaratus where it changeth the name to Tigris in that place it runneth so extreme swift that it will make a mans head dizzie to looke vpon it Strabo saith the Riuer Euphrates riseth out of a mountaine in Armenia called Nipha some 300 miles from the Citie of Ierusalem towards the North watering Mesopotamia and Chaldaea and passing through the midst of that flourishing Citie Babylon diuides it into two parts and after passing through and fructifying Arabia it joyneth with the Flood Tigris and falls into the Persian gulfe Semiramis Queene of the Assyrians and of Babylon built a bridge ouer the narrowest place of this Riuer being some three quarters of a mile ouer The Hebrewes call this Riuer Parah because it fructifieth and from thence the Grecians call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to beare fruit the Germans Fruchter which in English is fruitfull or pleasant And therefore Saint Ambrose saith it is deriued from Euphranein that is from rejoycing For that ouerflowing the Fields it causeth them the next yeare to flourish with all kinde of fruit and pleasant floures The water of this riuer is very foule and dirty so that it is vnfit to drinke according to that of Ieremy cap. 2. What auaileth it thee to goe into Assyria that thou mightest drinke of the water of Euphrates If a man takes this water in a vessel let it stand but two houres the dirt and sand will lie at the bottom therof two inches thicke Therefore the inhabitants neere about it are wont to take a great pot that holdeth a good quantity whereinto putting water they let it stand till all the filth be sunke to the bottome and so they cleare water to drinke Nilus taketh the beginning from a certaine mountain in Mauritania the lower not far from the Ocean and issues from a Lake which they call Nidiles and partly from other Lakes and is increased with the snow waters falling from the mountaines of the Moone in Affrica 3200 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Some thinke it tooke the name from Nileus a certaine King therabouts Others from the soile which it yerely brought downe in the streame whereby all Aegypt is made fruitfull from whence some thinke it was called Seruious Nilus for that it bringeth downe new mud with it The Hebrewes call it Gihon because it breaketh out of the earth with great violence This Riuer comes through the desarts of Aethiopia and so with great violence comes into Aegypt where it is diuided into seuen streames and in times past had seuen gates the names of which were Canopicus or Heraclioticus Bolbitinus Sebiniticus Pharmiticus Mendesius Taniticus and Palusinus The two outward gates of which viz. Canopicus and Palusiacus were 160 miles a sunder Appianus saith There are two other gates called Tineptimicus and Diolcus This ninth gate is diuided at a citie and place called Delta taking the name from the likenesse that it hath to the Greeke letter so called So that Nilus is diuided into nine gates by which nine gates it falls into the Mediterranean Sea There are many that thinke that Paradise was only in Aegypt and that then it had onely but foure streams and that at the Floud it was confused into nine and they would seeme to proue their opinion out of the 31 chapter of Ezekiel where hee calleth Egypt a garden of pleasure But this differeth from the description of Moses for it is not scituate in the East but rather the South from Ierusalem and farre distant from the two Easterne Riuers Euphrates and Hiddikel by which the holy Scriptures do principally denote Paradise Wherefore it may be concluded that Aegypt was onely a part of Paradise not Paradise it selfe And that this Riuer was one of the Riuers not all the streames of which Riuer at some times of the yeare viz. in the Summer Solstice when the Sunne is neere the Dogge-starre begins to swell and ouerflow the bankes by reason of the melting of the snow which lies vpon the mountaines of the Moone and so drowne all the places neere vnto it through the land of Aegypt leauing behind it certaine slime and mudde by which it comes to passe that the Countrey is very fruitfull and serues them in steed of raine at which time of the yeare for this happens once euery yeare the people and inhabitants of the Countrey retire themselues to their Towns Cities and Castles scituated vpon Rocks Mountains and high grounds from whence it hapneth that they sustaine very little discommoditie or losse by any such inundation They also keepe little boates whereby they passe from one place to another because all their passages and foot paths are then drowned with waters There are many pretty obseruations which the people of Aegypt were wont to take notice of in the rising of this water for they had certain staues wherby they measured the deapth of it if it rose but to twelue cubits which is six yards in height they then stood in feare of great famine so also if it was but thirteene for then the water was not deepe enough to make the ground fertill but if it rose to fourteene or fifteene then they were in great hope and did not doubt of a fruitfull yeare and if to sixteene they then greatly rejoyced at their prosperity and kept banquets and feasts and were assured that the succeeding yeare would be very plentifull but if it rose aboue they laid a side all signes of joy and liued very sparingly and with great sorrow this great inundation of waters foreshewing scarcitie and want and famine and pestilence and death And thus Nilus yearely euery yeare is to them in stead of raine for Aegypt is without raine In Autumne at such time as the Sunne going out of the last face of Libra entreth into Scorpio the waters of Nilus by little and little retire themselues into their bankes and the earth becomes quite vncouered of water about which time the Country being exceeding hot the earth is presently made drie in all those places so that in the moneth of October they may both till and sow their Land In this riuer the Crocodile and the Ichneumo breed of the nature of which two you may sufficiently reade in Gesner There also breeds the Pellican of which Saint Ierom saith there are two kinds one that liues vpon the water an other that liues vpon the land these birds as some affirme kill their young ones vpon their beake and then leaue them lying in their neast for three daies at the end of which time the female grieuously wounds her selfe vpon the breast and pouring her bloud vpon her young ones reuiues them againe This bird may very well be a type and figure of our blessed Sauiour who shedding his pretious bloud vpon the crosse for our sinnes after the third day rose againe and that he might restore vs to life that be dead
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
Ierusalem she returned backe again which was 964 miles So all her trauels were 1928 miles Of Aethiopia THis Countrey by the Hebrewes is called Chus of Chus the son of Cham who was the son of Noah and after Aethiopia ab astu torrida because of the great heate wherewith oftentimes the habitable land and people as also the wildernesse were sorely scorched and burned for it is scituated in the third part of the world called Africa lying vnder the torrid Zone and the Aequator which two by common experience are found to bee extreme hot Of Saba SAba is a metropolitan city in Ethiopia lying beyond Egypt 846 miles from Ierusalem towards the South and tooke the name from a certain pretious stone called Achates wherin might plainly be discerned in certain distinct colors the rising of fountains the chanels of riuers high mountains and somtimes of chariots and horses drawing them It is reported That Pyrrhus King of the Epirots had one of them wherein was liuely represented the nine Muses and Apollo playing on the Viol portrayed by naturall staines and colours so artificially as if they had bin don by some curious workman Of this stone you may reade more in Pliny li. 37. ca. 1.10 It was first found in Achates a riuer of Sicilia whence it tooke the name Afterward in India and Phrygia and of the Hebrewes was called Schaeba or Saba In this city that Queen dwelt who came to heare Solomons wisedom and gaue him for a present 120 talents of pure gold which at 3 pounds an ounce comes to 270000 pounds sterling Afterwards Cambyses King of Persia ouercame it and all the country round about it and after his sisters name called it Meroës It is a stately city to this day scituated in a plain country and compassed about with the riuer Nilus like an Island being now called Elsaba hauing some affinitie to the antient name Saba The Inhabitants of this towne goe naked all but their priuy parts which they couer either with Silke Cotton or some more costly matter and are of a blacke colour which as some thinke hapneth by reason of the extreme heat The land also is maruellously scortched and turned in many places to sand and dust So that the country is thereby wonderfull barren About Meroes or Saba which is made fruitful by the inundation of Nilus there is found plenty of salt brasse yron and some pretious stones Their sheep goats oxen and other cattell are of lesse stature than in other Countries Their dogs are very fierce and cruell In times past there were mighty princes that had the gouernement and command of it and the Country round about it But after as Pliny saith lib. 6. cap. 29. it was in the jurisdiction and gouernment of Queenes who for their noble resolutions courage were called Candaces One of which name in Tiberius the Emperours time was famous both for the extent of her dominions in which she exceeded all the rest of her predecessors as also in regard of her manly presence and noble spirit The Eunuch which Philip baptised Acts 8. was Treasurer or Chamberlain to this Queene and it is to be thought By him the doctrine of the Gospell of Christ was first made knowne in Saba and in the countrey of Aethiopia which afterwards was more largely propagated and dispersed by the Evangelist S. Mathew who taught there This city lieth to the longitude of 61 degrees and 30 scruples in the eleuation of the Pole Artick to the latitude 16 degrees and 25 scruples So that it seemes the inhabitants haue two winters two summers or rather a continual summer because their winter is much hotter than our summer But when the Sunne attaineth to the 15 degree of Taurus and Leo and in the Dog daies it then lies perpendicular ouer that country and neither their bodies nor houses giue any shadowes In the 61 of Esay it is said They shall come from Saba and bring gold frankincense to praise the Lord. From whence some some haue concluded That those wise men which came vnto the childe Iesus and brought Gold Frankincense and Myrrh were Aethiopians and came thence But this agreeth not well with the words of Mathew ca. 2. where it is written That the wise men came out of the East that is from the rising of the Sun to Ierusalem For Saba according to our Sauiors words Mat. 12. lieth towards the South for he saith The Queen of the South that is of Saba shall come forth in the day of Iudgement against this generation and condemne it for she came from the end of the world to heare the wisedome of Solomon c. But if Saba lie vpon the South as here it plainely appeareth then it must needs follow they came not thence but rather from Persia which from Ierusalem lies Eastward For at Susa the metropolis of that country there was an Academy for the whole kingdom in which were chiefly studied Diuinity the Mathematickes and History So that it is likely by their Art they might attain to the knowledge of this diuine Mysterie and from thence come to Ierusalem which was 520 miles Eastward Therfore this place of the Prophet Esay is rather to be referred to the propagation of the church through the whole world where some of euery nation shall bring presents vnto the Lord. There is also another Saba in Arabia Foelix so called from Zaeba the son of Chus the son of Cham the sonne of Noah and it is distant from Ierusalem 1248 miles toward the Southeast In Hebrew it signifies the city of Drunkennesse or of Mirth but with the Syrians Antiquitie Some would haue it in the Arabian tongue to signifie a Mysterie But S. Ierom interprets it To sound their conuersion It is the metropolitan City of Arabia Foelix and by Strabo lib. 6. called Meriaba being scituated in a high and pleasant mountain full of fruitfull trees There inhabiteth in it the King of that countrey a mightie Prince his Gouernors and most of such as haue authority vnder him The land is called the Kingdome of the Sabaeans but generally Arabia Foelix because of the fertilitie of the place for it yeeldeth twice euery yeare great plenty of Frankincense Myrrh Cinnamon Balsam and other odoriferous herbs The tree out of which this Myrrh commeth is fiue cubits high hairy and full of prickles and when you cut the barke there commeth forth a bitter gumme wherewith if you anoint a dead body it will continue long without rotting The frankincense also that is found there droppeth from Cedar trees like a glewie substance and so congealeth into a Gum. This happeneth twice euery yeare and according vnto the season it changeth colour in the Spring it is red in the Summer white This is the best Frankincense in all Arabia Foelix Through the whole country there is a very delectable smell by reason of the Myrrh Frankincense and Cinnamon that is found in it insomuch that if the winde blowes amongst the trees it
empire of the Persians came to Persepolis in the yeare before Christ 329 and there celebrated a great feast in triumph of his victories to which there resorted a great many women not such as were of the better sort but them that followed the camp and liued dissolutely amongst whom was that notable curtesan Thais who perceiuing the King inclined to mirth and full with wine began to flatter him in his cups among other things to commend and dignifie his noble exploits withall giuing him to vnderstand how acceptable it would be to the Grecians to see that royall palace of the Persians fired which had so often afflicted Grecia No sooner had she vttered these words but another seconded her and then a third After the whole assembly cried out Shall we reuenge the injurie of Grecians and burn the city with that they al rose in great fury the king himself being crowned beginning first to fire the palace wherein was great aboundance of Cedar from whence it happened that suddenly the fire spred it selfe a great way which when the army that lay without the walls perceiued with all speed came to the city to stay the burning of it for which purpose many brought water with them But when they beheld the King himselfe busie in this tragedie laying aside their water they also in hope of booty and to imitate the steps of their Prince fell to firing the city and according to the custom of soldiers in such massacres made a prey of what they could get increasing the fire with dry stuffe and other combustible matter whereby it came to passe that the whole city was therewith fired and burnt to the ground This was the end of that mighty city which ruled ouer so many nations where so many mighty Princes gouerned that was the scourge of Grecia and the greatest part of the world that sent forth a Navie of 10000 ships and an army of an infinit number there being at this day nothing to be seen vnlesse the riuer Araxes that ran close by it remaineth Thus was that consumed in a fury which the King and all his army before endeauoured to spare But after it turned to the great shame of the Macedonians that their King should fire so famous a city in the midst of his cups and Alexander himselfe after hee had slept repented what he had done You shall find in 2 Mac. cap. 6. That Antiochus Epiphanes besieged a certaine City in Persia called Persepolis from whence for his exceeding couetousnesse and sacriledge he was forced by the inhabitants dwelling about the town to raise his siege be gon Therefore some may gather that this Persepolis before mentioned was rebuilded because it also stood in Persia but if you read 1 Mac. cap. 6. you shall finde that this city so besieged by Antiochus was also called Elymais wherein stood the temple of Diana beautified with goodly ornaments shining with the splendor of fine gold wherewith it was gilt In which temple as faith Iosephus lib. Ant. 12. Alexander the Great left his armor and other things From whence may be gathered that this towne was not the Persepolis which he caused to be burnt but rather some other towne built out of the ruines of that city according to the opinion of Quintus Curtius or else some village standing neere to it which being built vp and inlarged might of some be called new Persepolis though indeed it was antiently called Elymais and all the East part of Persia beyond Susa of that towne called Elematica hauing some affinitie with Elam the antient name of Persia so called of Elam the son of Sem Gen. 10. Wherefore it may well be concluded that that Persepolis burnt down by Alexander was neuer restored but lieth waste to this day Thus the empire of the Persians afrer they had ruled ouer the nations of the earth 260 yeares was conquered by the Grecians who held it 129 yeares At the end of which time Demetrius Nicanor the last Emperour of the Grecrans in Syria and Asia going with a great army out of Syria toward the East Arsaces King of the Medes and Parthians being aided by the citisens of Elymais the Persians and Bactrians meeting him in those parts gaue him many sharp and cruell battels and in the end vnder pretence of peace took him prisoner in the yere before Christ 137 and from that time the Parthians gouerned Persia and Grecia and opposed the Romans in many cruell battels Afterward in the yere of our Lord 226 Artaxerxes that mighty Lord of Persia ouercame Artabanus King of the Parthians in a mighty battell and took his crown from his head the same yere entring vpon the gouernment of Persia 548 years after the death of Alexander the Great from which time Artaxerxes and his posteritie reigned in Persia for the space of 314 yeares in the which space there succeeded 28 Kings viz. Artaxerxes 1. Sapores Ormisdates Vararanes Vararanes 2. Vararanes 3. Narses Misdates Sapores 2. Artaxerxes 2. Sapores 3. Vararanes 4. Cermazat syrnamed Isdigertes Vararanes 5. Vararanes 6. Perozes Valens Cavades Zambades Cavades 2. Cosroës Hormisda Cosroës 2. Siroes Adhasir Sarbaras Bornarim Hormisda 2. who was the last King of the Persians for being ouercome by Humarus Amiras of the Saracens and third Emperor of the Mahumetans he was thrown out of his kingdom Anno Dom. 640. After which time it continued long in the gouernement of the Saracens and Turks Where that holy Priest Mattathias the father of Iudas Machabeus dwelt MAttathias and Dorotheus haue both one signification that is The gift of God being deriued of Matath a gift and Iah God This Mattathias was a holy Priest of the tribe of Levi the son of Iohn the son of Simon of whom all that family was called the posteritie of Simon of the stocke of Ioarib of whom you may read 1 Chr. 15. He dwelt in a town called Modin 14 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest scituated in a mountaine close by the way as you go to Ioppa in the tribe of Dan. Modin signifieth a measure being deriued of Madad he hath measured In this place seeing the crueltie of Antiochus Epiphanes and the insolencie of his soldiers he killed one of his captains and afterward in the synagogue put to death an idolatrous Iew ouerthrew the Altar set vp by Antiochus after called forth all the inhabitants of Modin and other towns neere adioyning to withstand the fury of this King So they brought their goods out of the city into the wildernesse where they incamped themselues and after so manfully opposed Antiochus that he deliuered all the cities towns thereabouts out of his bondage and from idolatry But beeing now grown old after he had admonished his sons to constancy in the seruice of God and courage in defence of the countrey he died in the yeare before Christ 164 and was buried at Modin where afterward his sons were buried Simon his third son high-priest of Ierusalem did maruellously beautifie this