that know thee trust in thee because thou O Lord hearest their Prayers and bringest them out of trouble Rebecca as it should seem took her name from the expectation of Eternal Life for Rebechan in Hebrew doth denote such a Woman which expecteth a free delivery frâ—m all Calamity and an inheritance of eternal Life Therefore Rebecca is a notable Type of the Church of God which is the Spouse of Châ—iâ—t shadowed in Isaac as shall hereafter be more plainly manifested The Travels of the Patriarch Isaac ISaac being young went with his Father Abraham from Berzeba to Mount Moriah where his Father would have offered him unto God as the Lord commanded him which is forty miles Genes 22. 2. From thence with his Father he returned again to Berzeba which is forty miles 3. From Berzeba he travelled with his Father to Hebron by the Plain of Mamre which is 16 miles 4. From the Plain of Mamre Isaac travelled Southward to the Fountain of Life which is 16 miles and there he dwelt Gen. 24. 5. From thence he returned back again to his Fathers Burial who was laid in that double Cave in Mamre which is 16 miles 6. From thence he returned back again to the Well of Life where he dwelt 16 miles 7. From the Fountain of Life he went to Gerar which is eight miles where Abimelech seeing the Beauty of his Wife Rebecca would have ravish'd her and for fear she told him that she was his Sister Gen. 26. 8. From Gerar Isaac went Westward to the Valley of Gerar which is eight miles and there he caused the Well to be digged up again which the Inhabitants had stopped up Gen. 26. 9. From thence he went to Beersaba which is four miles where the same Night the Lord appeared unto him and said I am the God of thy Father Abraham fear not for I am with thee and will bless and multiply thy seed for my Servant Abraham ' s sake Gen. 26. 10. From Beersaba he returned again to Hebron by the Plain of Mamre which is 16 miles here Abraham Sarah and Rebecca died and were buried Gen. 35. So all the Travels of the Patriarch Isaac were one hundred â—orty eight miles The typical signification of Isaac THE Name of Isaac is derived from Laughter for Zakah in Hebrew is as much as quod risit is in Latin which signifieth that he laughed and from hence Zechock signifies a Laughter and Isaac Mirth or one that rejoyceth with Mirth This Name was given to him by God before his Nativity Gen. 17. 18. There were seven that were named by God before their Nativity viz. Ishmael Gen. 16. Isaac Gen. 17. Cores or Cyrus King of the Persians Esa. 44. Sampson Iudg. 13. Iosia King of Iuda 1 King 13. Iohn Baptist and Iesus Christ the Son of God Luke 1. of whom Isaac was a notable Type For Christ is our true rejoycing the Laughter Mirth and Delight of the whole Church of God Abraham upon the day of the Nativity of Isaac made a great Feast to which no doubt he called many godly men and perhaps some of the Patriarchs for there was then living Sarag Arphaxad Salah Heber Thamar and Sem the Son of Noah who also had a certain knowledge of Gods promise to Abraham and that of the seed of Isaac should come the Saviour of the World And as Abraham when he would have offered his Son unto the Lord carried the Fire and the Sword but Isaac the Wood upon which he should be slain and burned O miserable sight especially to a Father to see his only Son and Heir which was miraculously begotten even then when he was without hope of Issue burnt to Ashes before his Face This was on Mount Moriah a little from Salem or Ierusalem even so our Saviour Christ for the sins that man commits and carries about him bore upon his Shoulders the wooden Cross whereupon he was offered an acceptable Sacrifice to his Father that so by his Mediation and Satisfaction we might receive Pardon for them and this was likewise done upon Mount Calvary a little from Ierusalem And as the Lord provided another Sacrifice for Abraham that so he might save his Son which was a Ram tied and intangled in Thorns so God provided a Sacrifice for the Salvation of the World even Jesus Christ our Mediator who is that immaculate and precious Lamb of God whose Head being crowned with Thorns and hanging upon the Cross by his precious Death opened unto us the door of eternal Life and made us capable of everlasting Happiness Iohn 19. 1 Peter 1. Such was the love of Abraham a Father unto God such the love of God a Father unto man that they spared not their only Sons the one typically to represent the other The other that is the only begotten Son of God to dye effectually for Abraham Isaac and all Mankind Ioh. 3. Gen. 22. The Travels of the Patriarch Jacob. FRom Bâ—ersaba Iacob went to Bethel which is 48 miles and there he saw a Ladder that reached down from Heaven whereby the Angels ascended and descended Genes 28. 2. From Bethel he went to Haran in Mesopotamia which is 432 miles where he marryed Leah and Rachel Gen. 28. 3. From Haran in Mesopotamia he went to Mount Gilead which is 380 miles and when Laban pursued him at the Commandment of the Lord he made a League with him Gen. 31. 4. From Mount Gilead he went to Mahanaim which is 16 miles and there he met with the Angels of God Gen. 31. 5. From Mahanaim he passed the Water and went to Penuel which is four miles and there wrestled with the Angel of God Gen. 32. 6. From Penuel he went to Succoth where he pitched his Tents two miles Gen. 33. 7. From Succoth he passed the River of Iordan and went to Sichem not far from Salem about eight miles where his Daughter Dinah was ravished Gen. 33. 8. From thence he went to Bethel which is eight and twenty miles Gen. 31. 9. From Bethel he went to Bethlehen Euphrata which is twelve Miles in which way Rachel died and was buried not far from Bethlehem then Iacob went forward and set up his Tents near to the Tower of Eder a mile from Bethlehem towards the South Gen. 35. 10. From Bethlehem Euphrata and the Tower of Eder he returned again to the Valley of Mamre near Hebron to his Father Isaac which is 20 miles Gen. 35. 11. From Hebron he went to Beersaba which is 16 miles Gen. 38. 12. From Beersaba he went to the Town of Ony a little off Aegypt in the land of Gossen which is 168 miles where Ioseph his Son gave him honourable Entertainment Gen. 46. 13. From Ony he went to the City Zoan which is also called Tanis twenty eight miles where he was presented to King Pharaoh Gen. 47. 14. From Tanis he returned to Ony which is 28 miles and there he dwelt and dyed in the Land of Gossen Gen. 49. The Description of the Towns and Places to
extendeth from Damascus to Jordan after his name was called Vz that is the Land of Counsel for so Vz signifieth There were two Towns in this Country where Job is said to have dwelt that is Astaroth Carnaim and Batzra Astaroth Carnaim was distant from Jerusalem fifty two miles towards the North-East the Inhabitants of which Town worshipped the Goddess Venus and called her by the name of Astaroth of which you may read before St. Jerom saith That the Sepulchre of Job was to be seen in his time in that Town and later Writers testifie as much â—ore their times This Town at this day is called Carnea Batzra is mentioned in the thirty sixth of Genesis it signifieth a Grape gathering In this Town it was thought that Iob was born it lay beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East All this Country in those times was subject to the King of the Edomites or Idumaeans but after it was joyned to the Land of the Moabites they having conquered the Kings of Edom you may read more of it in the sixth of Isay also Ios. 20. where is shewed that it was one of the six Cities of Refuge appointed by Ioshuah Here Iob for the most part continued and held this Town in great honour and reputation He lived about the time of Baela the first King of the Edomites and according to the opinion of St. Ierom Augustine Ambrose Philo and Luther was for his excellent Vertue and singular Piety chosen King of that Country which he greatly inlarged making all the Countries and neighbouring Princes near adjoyning tributary unto him wherefore as Ierom saith in locus Hebraicis having obtained so large an Empire he removed his Seat from Batzra to Astaroth-Carnaim which was a strong and well-defenced City where in those times as Moses witnesseth Gen. 14. there inhabited mighty men and noble Heroes that so by their Vertue he might with the greater facility suppress and conquer other Provinces There are many think him to be of the Stock of Abraham and of the Family of Esau because he is mentioned in the 36 of Genesis where it is said That when Baela died Iobab the Son of Zerah of Bozra or Betzrah reigned in his stead And St. Ierom in his Preface upon the Book of Iob sheweth that he was but five degrees removed from Abraham for Abraham had Ishmael Basmath who was the Wife of Esau Mother of Reguel Grand-mother to Serah and great Grand-mother to Iob. So that by the Mothers side Iob descended from Ishmael and by the Fathers side from Esau. Isaac Esau Reguel Serah Iob or Iobab King of Idumaea Gen. 36. Notwithstanding there are some that are of opinion that he descended from Abraham's Brother and was of the Family of Nahor's Son which opinion also St. Ierom mentioneth in his Hebraâ—cal Qâ—estions But most of the Antient Fathers hold this nothing so probable Luther upon the thirty sixth Chapter of Genesis saith That he was King long time before Moses caâ—ried the Children of Israel out of Egypt For Iuda and Aser the Sons of Iacob had Children before they went into the Land of Egypt Gen. 46. therefore it is not impossible for Reguel the Son of â—sau to have Children also since he was married long before his Brother Iacob From hence then it may be gathered that Iob was King of Idumaea bâ—fore Iacob and his Sons went into the Land of Egypt for although the fourteen Sons of â—sau governed the Land of Edom like so many Princes of which number Reguel the Grand-father of Iob was one because they held it as their Inheritance yet to avoid Sedition and Distractions which oftentimes happen where there is not a certain Head and principal Commander therefore they elected Bela the Son of Beor to be their King after whose death they chose Iob because he was a holy man of God and in his Actions just and upright who without doubt reigned amongst the Edomites a long time for he lived after his Afflictions which God imposed upon him to try him 140 Years Plato saith he married Dina the Daughter of Iacob but St. Ierom That he married the Daughter of an Arabian by whom he had Enon Both these may be true for his first Wife being dead he might marry an Arabian After the death of Iob the Gyants and Heroes in Asteroth-Carnaim fell again from the Idumaeans for when Moses brought the Children of Israel out of the Desart of Arabia-Petraea and that they had conquered the Land beyond Iordan the City Astaroth-Carnaim had a King called Og who governed all the Kingdom of Basan This Gyant was of a mighty Stature he had a Bed of Iron nine Cubits long and four broad Deut. 3. Of Eliphaz ELiphaz the Themanite was the Brother of Iob's Grand-father This Eliphaz had a Son called Theman who built a City and after his own Name called it Theman where Eliphaz his Father dwelt with him From whence it hapned that he was called Eliphaz the Themanite Iob. 2. It was distant from Ierusalem forty miles towards the South and therefore it was called a City of the South you may read of Eliphaz in Ier. cap. 25. He had a Concubine called Thimnah because of her Beauty and comely Proportion by her he had Amaleck of whom came the Amalekites between whom and the Children of Israel were cruel Wars Exad 17. The Travels of Eliphaz the Themanite FROM Themen he went to Astaroth-Carnaim where Iob dwelt which is accounted ninety two miles to comfort his Friend Iob Iob 2. From Astaroth-Carnaim he returned back to his own house which was ninety two miles So the Travels of Eliphaz were 184 miles Of Bildad Job's Friend BEyond Iordan and the Sea of Galilee not far from Astaroth-Carnaim there is at this day found a Town called Suah where as it is thought Bildad the Friend of Iob dwelt Near to this Town as Sebastian Francus observes in his Cosmography there was yearly in the Summer Season a great Mart kept in certain Tents and Tabernacles erected for that purpose of divers colours Bildad signifies an antient Friend and Suah taketh the name from Desolation being derived of Scho He hath made desolate Of Zophar the Friend of Job ZOPHAR dwelt in the City of Naema Iosh. 15. but how far it stood from Ierusalem is uncertain Zophar of Zaphar signifieth swift Naema signifies Pleasant and delectable of Naem courteous and comfortable Of Job's Daughters THE Lord gave unto Iob after his Affliction and that he had tryed his faithfulness three Daughters so fair that there were none fairer to be found in all the Land The name of the first was Iemmima that is as fair as the day of Iom which signifies a Day The second Kazia that is such a one as giveth a pleasant savour like unto Gum Cassia The third because of the excellency of her Countenance was called Kaeren Hapuch that is casting forth rayes or beams Iob 42. APOCRYPHA The Book of JUDITH Of Egbatana
dwelt Lastly he returned again with his Father and his Brother into Aegypt 208 miles These things happened in the year of the World 1239. and before Christ 1729. The Description of the Towns and places to which the Patriarch Juda travelled Of Odullam THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Juda eight miles from Jerusalem towards the South-west and signifies The Testimony of the Poor being derived of Ed which signifies a Testimony and Dallimo such as are called Poor Here David hid himself from the fury of Saul in a Cave 1 Sam. 22. Jerom knew this Town and saith that it was a Village This was a Type of the Faithful who being still subject to the calamities and miseries of this World and persecuted for Righteousness sake are glad with David to seek Holes and Caves to defend them from their wicked Persecuters Of Thimnah THimnah is a City in the borders of the Tribe of Judah and Dan scituated in Mount Ephraim six miles from Jerusalem towards the North-west and signifies a perfect and fully finished City being derived from Thamam that is fully and absolutely finished for it was adorned with many very fair and spacious Buildings set up by Joshua for in his time it was a fair and large City and at such time as the Children of Israel invaded Canaan he had much ado to win it Therefore the Children of Israel for his great Valour and to manifest their thankfulness towards him they gave it to him and to his Posterity for ever and here he lyeth buried Ioshua 24. Here Sampson married his wife and by the way killed the Lyon mentioned in the fourteenth of Iudges This is a Type of the Church wherein Christ Jesus the true Ioshuah is the Head illuminating the same by the bright shining beams of his Gospel the lustre whereof hath gone throughout the whole World Of the Travels of the Patriarch Joseph WHEN Ioseph was sent from Hebron by his father Jacob he went to Sichem to seek his brothers 60 miles Gen. 37. 2. From thence he went to Dothan four miles where by his Brothers he was thrown into a Pit and after sold to the Ishmaelites Gen. 37. 3. From Dothan he was carried to Tanis in Egypt and there sold to Potipher Pharaohs chief Steward 272 miles 4. From Tanis he went to meet his Father in the Land of Gosen which is 28 miles Gen. 46. 5. From thence he turned back again to Tanis and presented his Father and Brethren unto Pharaoh Gen. 47. which is 28 miles 6. From thence he went back to Ony to see his Father who now was sick unto death there receiving his Bleâ—sing he closed his eyes which was 28 miles 7. From thence he returned back again to Tanis which is 28 miles 8. From Tanis he went back to Ony with a great company of Horses and Chariots preparing an honourable Funeral for his Father Gen. 15. being 28 miles 9. From Ony he went to Atad which lies upon the further side of Jordan toward the East which is 240 miles where he made a great lamentation for the Death of his Father seven days Gen 50. The reason why Joseph went thus far about was because he went with such a company towards Hebron that the Idumaeans through whose Country he should have gone would not suffer him to pass that way standing in fear of his power 10. From Atad he went to Hebron the Metropolis of the Tribe of Judah near to which stood the double Cave in the Vale of Mamre where Jacob was buried which was 40 miles Gen. 50. 11. From thence to Heliopolis a City of the Aegyptians where Joseph set up a stately Academy for all Aegpyt which was accounted 200 miles 12. From thence he went to Tanis or Zoan which was the chief defence and Metropolitan City of all Aegyâ—t being accounted 6 miles So all the Travels of the Patriarch Ioseph was 1962 miles A Description of the Places and Cities through which Ioseph travelled Of Dothan DOTHAN was a City in the Tribe of Manasseh forty and four miles from Ierusalem towards the North and distant six miles from Tiberias towards the West and signifies a commandment being derived of Dothor Dathath that is he commandeth or ordaineth Here Joseph was thrust into an empty Ditch and sold to the Ishmaelites Gen. 37. Here Elias the Prophet being besieged by the Syrians shewed to his Servant the Host of Angels that defended him with the Chariots of Fire c. 2 King â—6 Here Holophernes was slain who had pitched his Tents against Bethulia for Dothan is a City which at this day remaineth at the foot of the Mount of Bethuel being scituated in a fertile and pleasant place compassed about with fair Vines Olives and pleasant Medows where the Inhabitants do shew that ancient Ditch wherein Ioseph was cast when his brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites according to that of Solomon One Generation passeth and another cometh but the Earth indureth for ever Of Heliopolis or the City of the Sun THIS City is called by the Prophet Esay chap. 19. Irheri which signifies The City of the Sun and is derived of Ir and Cheres which signifies The brightness of the Sun and distant from Ierusalem 224 miles towards the South-west six miles and a half from Zoan or Tanis This was a goodly City and in times past the Kings of Aegypt have in that place kept their Courts and places of residence Here was a flourishing Academy wherein was taught Astronomy Cosmography and many other Liberal Arts and Scienecs with great care and diligence but principally Divinity as Munster saith being adorned with many benefits and priviledges for it was thought that the Patriarch Ioseph was the first Founder of it and taught there Gen. 47. Here dwelt Dionisius the Areopagit a Student of Athens who at such time as our Saviour Christ was crucified at Noon day the Moon then being in the full seeing the Sun totally darkened said to his Master Apollophan Either the God of Nature suffereth or the Fabrick of the World is dissolved The said Dionisius was afterwards converted by the Apostle Paul in the City of Athens Of Goraen Atad THIS Town or Corn-floor was beyond Iordan not far from Bethabara 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east Here Ioseph and therest of the Aegyptians bewailed the Death of Iacob and took the name from Thorns and Briers that compassed it every where about The Interpretation or Allegory of the Patriarch Joseph and of his Life JOSEPH was a type of Christ divers ways for as Iosephs Coat being of divers colours was dipped in the Blood of Goats so Christ being very God taking upon him the Humane Nature and sprinkled with the Blood of his stripes and wounds being the Lamb of God slain for the sins of the World was also made changeable and of divers Colours Again as Ioseph was sent by Iacob to seek his Brethren so Christ was sent by God his Father to seek the lost sheep of Israel which according to the
see through all Galilee to Carmel and the Mountains of Phoenicia also to Mount Thabor and the Mountains beyond Iordan called Gilead Of this Town you may read Ios. 17 19. 2 Sam. 2. Of Nobach THis was a City beyond Iordan and stood in the half Tribe of Manasses thirty eight miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward In times past it was called Kenah but after Nobach Prince of the half Tribe of Manasseh had conquered it he called it Nobach Num. 23. and signifieth a Prophet being derived of Nabah or Nabach he hath prophesied or cryed out Of Jogbeha THis Town was built by the Children of Gad and lies beyond Iordan thirty four miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward and taketh the name from the height of the place where it standeth being derived from Gabah which signifieth it excelleth in height Of this you may read Iudg. 8. Numb 32. Of Karkor KArkor is a City in the half Tribe of Manasseh and is scituated beyond Iordan fome 40 miles distant from Ierusalem North-Eastward and taketh the name from Kir which signifies he hath destroyed or subverted the Walls for here the two Kings Zeba and Zalmuna were taken St. Ierom faith in his Book de locis Hebraicis That in his Time it was a fair Town The Typical signification of Gideon THis Gideon whose name signifies to root out destroyed and subverted the Enemies of the Iews so Christ hath destroyed the Kingdom of Sathan and daily rooted out all his impious and wicked members which are Enemies to his Church The Travels of Abimelech the sixth Iudge of Israel GIDEON being dead Abimelech his Son went from Ophra to Sichem which is ten miles and there was chosen by the Citizens to succeed his father in the Government From thence he went back to Ophra which is ten miles and there put to death his seventy Brethren all Sons of Gideon but by divers Concubines for God permitted Bigamie but did not command it From Ophra he went ten miles into the Land of Sichem and there was chosen King about the Year of the World 2712. From Sichem which was the Seat of the Kingdom he went to Ophra being ten miles there he judged Israel three Years After that he went the third time back to the Sichemites which is ten miles but they breaking promise with him for very madness he caused the City to be destroyed and Salt to be Sown in the place that so ever after it might become Barren accursed and unhabitable From Sichem he went with his Host to Thebets or Thebez which is two miles where he was mortally wounded by a woman that flung a stone upon him at the Siege of that Town whereof he died Iudg. 9. So all the Travels of Abimelech were 52 miles Of Thebez THis was distant from Sichem two miles Northward and from Ierusalem thirty eight miles it took the name from Bitzah which signifieth a deep Pond Abimelech took his name from an hereditary Kingdom or rather because he obtained the Kingdom over Israel after his Father and is as much as to say My father is a King because good Princes differ little from good Fathers for Maelaech with the Hebrews signifieth a King Malechah a Queen and Malchech a Kingdom So that this name Abimelech properly signifieth a King or one that is a Father of his People Of the flight of Jotham which was the Brother of Abimelech JOtham signifieth a perfect and swift man being derived from Iatham that is perfect and swift This Man at such time as Abimelech put to death the rest of his Brethren to save his Life fled to Mount Gerizim where he propounded the Riddle mentioned Iudg. 9. And after from thence he went to Beerah where he hid himself from the fury of Abimelech All this was forty four miles Of Mount Gerizim GErizim or Garizim was a Mountain in the Kingdom of the Samaritans and extended it self in the Longitude as far as Iericho near to Mount Hebal In these two Mountains the Blessings and the Cursings were recited of which more shall be said hereafter and it taketh the name from the felling down of Trees being derived from Garaz which signifieth to cut or to fell down here Christ spoke with the Samaritan Iohn 4. Of Beerah BEerah was a Town in the Tribe of Iudah ten miles from Ierusalem Westward Near to this City Iudas Macchabeus fought a memorable Battel against Bacchides and others whom he conquered It taketh the name from a clear Well being derived of Beer that is he hath made clear Of Thola the seventh Iudge of Israel THola takes his Name from a Red Worm or purple Colour which colour is proper to Princes He succeeded Abimelech in the Government of the Iews and began to rule An. Mun. 2715. and 1253 Years before Christ. His Father's name was Puah of the Tribe of Issachar He dwelt in Samir a City of Mount Ephraim not far from Iericho twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North and there he was buried as you may see Iosh. 15. Of Jair the eighth Iudge of Israel JAir succeeded Thola and began his Government in the Year of the World 2738 and 1230 Years before Christ. He took his Name from the singular Worth and noble Disposition that was in him This Iair was one of the Tribe of Manasseh he was lame of both his Feet and was a man of great Estimation among the Iews for there were thirty Castles and Towns that were called after his Name Iudg. 10. Num. 32. Deut. 3. Ios. 13. 1 Chr. 1. He dwelt at Kamon a Town in the Tribe of Gilead some forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East The Travels of Jephthah JEphtha was born at Mizpah in the Land of Gilead and being driven into Exile by his Brothers he fled into the Land of Tob 48 miles from Ierusalem Iudg. 11. From thence he returned to Mizpah 48 miles and there was chosen Prince and began his Government Anno Mundi 2760. and before Christ 1208 Years Iudg. 11. From Mizpah he went with his Army against the Ammonites to the City of Aroer where he put them to flight which is twenty six miles Iudg. 11. From Aroer he pursued the Enemies to Minneth which is eight miles Iudg. 11. From Minneth he went to the Plain of the Vines which is twenty four miles Iudg. 11. From Abel or the Plain of the Vines he went to Mizpah where he offered his Daughter for a Sacrifice to the Lord Iudg. 11. At that time he and the Ephramites got a memorable Battel in which were slain 22000 Iudg. 12. So all the Travels of Iephthah were 322 miles Of the Cities and Places mentioned in his Travels Of Thob or Tob. THob or Tob to which Iephthah fled is in the half Tribe of Manasses beyond Iordan not far from the Mountain of Antilibanus a hundred and four miles from Ierusalem North-eastward this was a very fair and plentiful Country and therefore called Thob being derived from Thobah which signifieth Good and Rate Of Mizpah MIzpah was
Years From Apheck the Philistines carried it to Asdod or Azotus and set it in the Temple of their God Dagon but the Idol fell down in the Night and was broken to pieces before the Ark of the Lord 1 Sam. 4. which was 160 miles From thence to the City Gath which was four miles From Gath to the Sea-town Gaza twelve miles From Gaza to Ekron thirty two miles From Ekron they placing it upon a new Cart drawn with two new milch Kine it was brought back again to Bethsemes which was twelve miles From thence it was carried to Kirjath-jearim and placed in the house of Abinadab where it was kept until David's time who fetched it thence to Ierusalem with great Joy about the Year of the World 2900 and before Christ 1068 which was two miles So all the while the Ark was from Shilo it was carried hither and thither some 276 miles Of the Towns and Places to which the Ark of the Lord was carried Of Apheck THis was a City of Samaria alotted to the half Tribe of Manasses some half a mile from Israel toward the South and forty four miles from Ierusalem Northward It signifieth an impetuous or violent Act being derived of Aphak which is as much as He worketh violently or offereth Violence In this City Benhadad King of the Syrians going from one place to another to hide himself was at length constrained to fly to Ahab King of Israel to save his Life and crave his Aid 1 Reg. 20. Of Asdod Ascalon and Gaza you may read before Of Gath. THIS was a Haven Town scituated upon the Banks of the Mediterranean Sea distant from Ierusalem thirty four miles toward the West It seemeth to take the name of the Abundance of Vines that grow thereabouts for Gath signifieth a Press or such an Instrument wherewith Grapes are pressed This was Goliah's Country Here Achis to whom David fled governed 1 Sam. 21 27. and it is very like that all the Kings of this City were called Achis as sometime the Emperours of Rome were called Caesars There were other Kings of the Philistines that were also called by this Name Of Ekron THIS also was a City of the Philistines not far from the Mediterranean Sea and near to Asdod some sixteen miles from Ierusalem Westward At this day it is but a small Town and called by the Name of Accaron having some Affinity with the ancient Name Ekron The Inhabitants of this Town worshipped Baal-zebub for their God It taketh the Name from Extirpation or such a Town as Penitus distruit hath rooted out even the Foundation being derived of Akar which signifieth to extirpate Of Bethsemes THIS was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Iuda Ios. 15. 21. four miles from Ierusalem Westward and signifies the House of the Sun Of this you may read more before The Travels of the Prophet Samuel SAmuel's Mother brought him from Arimathea to Shilo being twelve miles where he was to serve the Lord God all his Life From Shilo Samuel went to Mizpa in the Land of Gilead forty eight miles Here Samuel called a Congregation and made a solemn Sacrifice unto the Lord of a sucking Lamb and the Lord at the same time thundred from Heaven and dispersed the Army of the Philistines so that they fled 1 Sam. 7. From Mizpa he went to Arimathea 56 miles there he dwelt and built an Altar unto the Lord 1 Sam. 7. From thence he went yearly to Bethel sixteen miles 1 Sam. 7. From Bethel he went to Gilgal tvvo miles 1 Sam. 7. From Gilgal he went to Mizpa in the Land of Gilead thirty six miles 1 Sam. 7. From Mizpah he went again to Arimathea 56 miles Thither came unto him the Elders of the Children of Israel desiring him to chuse them a King 1 Sam. 8. Therefore he went out of the Town of Arimathea about sixteen miles to Ramath which lieth in the Land of Ziph not far from Bethlehem Euphrata and there Samuel anointed Saul the Son of Kish to be their King 1 Sam. 10. From Ramath he went to Gilgal sixteen miles There he offered and shewed Saul what he should do 1 Sam. 10. From Gilgal he went to Mizpah in the Land of Gilead thirty six miles there Saul by casting of Lots was chosen King 1 Sam. 10. From Mizpah he returned to Arimathea fifty six miles 1 Sam. 10. From Arimathea he went to Bezeck 44 miles where Adoni-Bezeck was taken whose Fingers and Toes the Children of Israel cut off There Samuel and Saul caused an Army of Men to issue out against the Children of Ammon 1 Sam. 11. From Beseck Samuel and Saul passed over Iordan to Iabes in Gilead sixteen miles and there overthrew Nahaz King of the Ammonites and all his Host which done Samuel said unto the Souldiers Let us now go unto Gilgal and there renew the Kingdom From Iabes in Gilead he went to Gilgal thirty six miles There Saul was placed in his throne Royal 1 Sam. 11. From Gilgal Samuel went to Arimathea which is twenty miles From Arimathea he went again to Gilgal twenty miles and there he sharply rebuked King Saul because he had offered a Sacrifice contrary to his command 1 Sam 13. From Gilgal he went to Gibeon twelve miles 1 Sam. 13. From Gibeon he went to Arimathea twelve miles From Arimathea he went to Gilgal twenty miles there he rebuked King Saul because he did not wholly destroy the Amalekites and Samuel himself hewed the Body of Agag King of the Amalekites in pieces 1 Sam. 16. From Gilgal he went to Arimathea twenty miles From Arimathea he went to Bethlehem sixteen miles and there he anointed David King 1 Sam. 16. Then he returned again to Arimathea sixteen miles where he died and was buried 1 Sam. 28. So all the Travels of the Prophet Samuel were 364 miles Of Arimathea Mizpah Ramath and the rest of the Towns mentioned in his Travels you may read before The typical signification of Samuel SAmuel is derived of Shemuel that is desired of God and was a Type of God the Father For as Samuel anointed David so God anointed his beloved Son with the Oil of Gladness and of the Spirit Psal. 45. Esa. 61. The Travels of King Saul SAVL went from the Town of Gibeon to Mount Ephraim four miles to seek his Father's Asses in An. Mund. 2870 and before Christ 1908. From Mount Ephraim he passed through the Land of Salisa to the Borders of the Town of Salem 12 miles From Salem he went to the Land of Gemini in the Tribe of Benjamin sixteen miles From the Land of Gemini he went to Rama four miles there by Samuel he was anointed King 1 Sam. 10. This Town lay not far from Bethlehem and close by it lay Rachels Grave There certain men met with Saul in the Borders of Benjamin at Zelach and shewed him that his Fathers Asses were found which was about a mile from Ierusalem From thence Saul went about two miles to Zilzah there three men met
Dâ—r signifies He hath made sure It is distant from Ierusalem forty four miles toward the North. In S. Ierom's time this was but a small Village Of Bethsan THIS was a City in the Tribe of Mâ—nasses between Bethâ—lia and the Sea of Gâ—lilee some forty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North Ioâ— 17. It taketh the name from a Church-yard or a place of Rest for Bâ—th signifieth a House and Iaschan he hath slept Here Saul killed himself and the Philiâ—â—ines cut off his Head and set it upon the Wall of this City Afterward about St. Ierom's time Ptolomy called this Scythoâ—oliâ— You may read in the Second Book of the Macchabees how it was the Town of the Sâ—â—thians 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 won this City and dwelt there of whom it was called the Scythian Town Iosâ—ph in lib. 2. de Bell. Iud. cap. 18. remembreth a strange Accident that hapned near this Town for the Iews besieging it there were of their own Nation that dwelt within the City who that they might make a private Gain took wages of the Scythians to oppose their Brethren and Country-men by which means the Scythians got the better But after a while the Scythians considering that the number of the Iews was great and fearing some sudden Insurrection or Innovation gave them warning to depart and leave the Town they though with great Grief as being prest with a two-fold necessity their own Wants and the hatred of their Kindred did so relying merely upon the Courtesie of Strangers But about some two days after in the night time the Inhabitants of Scythopolis breaking out of the City unawares fell upon them and in recompence of their Kindness put to the Sword some thirteen thousand many slain unawares some as they were eating and most in their Sleep 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 alive Wherefore one Simon the Son of a certain ancient and noble Citizen called Saul perceiving their present Misery and that there was no hope to escape imminent Dâ—ath and utter Ruine in a cruel and desperate manner breaks out into these Words O miserable Wretch that I am that against my own Conscience have lift up these Impious Hands against my Country committing daily Massacres to pleasure them who at this day lay violent hands upon all we have die therefore thou that art thus prophane and with thine own hands make an end of thy wretched Life since thou dost not deserve to die honourably in the face of the Enemy but wretchedly in a corner and for thine own offence So soon as he had ended these words he turned him about with a fierce countenance and falling upon 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 himself upon his own Weapon These things happened but a little before Vespasian came into the Land of Iudaea At this day this City Scythoâ—olis is called after the ancient name Bethsan The typical representation of Saul SAVL if it be properly taken doth sometime signifie a Grave or Sepulchre and sometimes Hell being derived from Scheuol which may be taken for both As therefore Saul persecuted innocent David with an inveterate malice even unto the death so the Sons of Sathan evil and wicked men persecute Christ and his Members with an immoveable malice sparing neither Prophets nor Apostles neither such as are Religious no nor Christ himself but with cruel torments put them to lingring deaths till they be utterly extirpate as they think and then wanting objects to satisfie their Savage minds they follow their own devillish councels till with Saul they come to desperate ends Schâ—ul or Saul if it be taken in the better part signâ—fieth He hath desired or called The Philistines Travels from their Camp to Michmas THE Philistines incamped themselves at Michmas upon Mount Ephraim some ten miles from Ierusalem Northward and out of the Philistines Camp there issued three Armies to spoil the Countrey The one marched towards Ophra and went from Michmas to Salem twenty eight miles From thence they went to Ophra four miles The second went from Michmas to Bethoron eight miles The third went from Michmas to the Valley of Zeboim eight miles So all the Travels of the Philistines were fifty eight miles Of Zeboim THis Valley is not far from Ierusalem in the Tribe of Benjamin Nehem 11. The Travels of Jonathan Saul's Son JONATHAN went from Gibeah to Kirjath-jearim which was two miles where he drave the Philistines out of their Camp 1 Sam. 13. From thence he went back again two miles From thence he went to Michmas which is eight miles and there by the help of his Armor-bearer he gave the Philistines a great overthrow 1. Sam. 14. From thence he followed the Enemy to Ajalon which is twelve miles there his Father would have put him to death because he had tasted a little Honey 1. Sam. 14. From Ajalon Saul and his Son Ionathan returned to Gibeah his own City which was two miles From Gibeah he went with his Father to Socho and Asekah which was eight miles where after David had slain Goliah for that singular Virtue and Heroical Spirit which Ionathan saw in him he loved him as he did his own Soul and preferred him before his own Life and Honour 1 Sam. 18. From thence he went with his Father to Gibeah some eight miles where Women with great mirth and joy met him saying Saul hath slain his thousand and David his ten thousand for which cause Saul out of meer envy for then he did not know that he had been anointed by Samuel would have slain him and his Son Ionathan also for excusing him 1 Sam. 18 19. From Gibeah Ionathan went into the Desart of Ziph some 22 miles to comfort David there they swore a solemn Oath of mutual friendship to continue as long as they lived 1 Sam. 23. From thence Ionathan returned which was 22 miles 1 Sam. 23. At last he went to the Wars with his Father to Mount Gilboah forty miles there he his Father his Brothers Abinadab and Melchisuah were slain So all the Travels of Ionathan were 126 miles The Travels of Abiathar Abimelech's Son WHEN Doeg the Idumaean at the command of Saul had slain the Priests of the Lord this Abiathar the Son of Abimelech the High Priest fled to the Wood Hareth not far from Kegilah some twenty miles and came and told David of all that had happened 1 Sam. 22 23. Of Kegilah THis was a City in the Tribe of Iudah four miles Hebron towards the East and twenty from Ierusalem toward the South-west From which Town David drove away the Philistines that had besieged it 1 Sam. 23. You may read of it Iosh. 23. Nehem. 3. In St.
as he lay upon his Bed and after cut off his Head The Head they brought to King David to Hebron 68 miles But David was not pleased with their Treachery wherefore he caused them both to be put to Death So their Travels were 108 miles The Travels of Absalom ABsalom was born in Hebron and went with his Father to Ierusalem 22 miles 2 Sam. 13. From thence he went to Baal-hazor eight miles where he caused his Brother Amnon to be slain From thence for fear of his Father he fled into the Land of Gesur 88 miles 2 Sam 14. From thence he came back with Ioab to Ierusalem which was 88 miles 2 Sam. 14. From thence he went to Hebron 22 miles and made himself King and rebelled against his Father From thence he went back again to Ierusalem which is 22 miles There he lay with his Fathers Concubines 2 Sam. 16. From thence he pursued his Father to Machanaim 40 miles and there was hanged by the Hair in an Oak tree where Ioab put him to death 2 Sam. 18. So all the Travels of Absalom were 290 miles Of Baal-hazor IN this City Absalom made a great Feast for his Sheep-shearers and invited all his Brothers to it where he caused Amnon to be slain because he had abused his Sister Thamar It lieth in the way some eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east as you go to Iericho near to Mount Epraim 2 Sam. 13. and is derived to Baal which signifies a Lord or Husband and Chazir a Den or Cave Of the Name Absalom ABsalom signifieth a Father of Peace although he was the Author of all Discord and Sedition against his Father The Travels of the wise Woman of Thecoa THis woman went from Thecoa to Ierusalem eight miles and spake with King David and with her sweet words she persuaded him that he would recall his Son out of Exile who then remained in Gesur 2 Sam. 14. Of Thecoa THecoa was a City in the Tribe of Iuda some eight miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east near this City Iosaphat by Prayers and the sound of Trumpets without drawing Sword got a memorable Victory and for that cause it signifieth the sound of a Trumpet In this place the Prophet Amos dwelt and there lyeth buried whose Sepulchre was to be seen four hundred Years after Christ as S. Ierom observeth It was from Bethlem-Iuda six miles Near to Thecoa was the Lake Aspher where Ionathan and Machabeus's brothers pitch'd their Tents 1 Mach. 9. Of this City you may read Ier. 6. Am. 1. 2 Chr. 11. Of Achitophel THis perfidious and wicked Man was born in the Town of Gilo not far from Hebron and Debir in the Tribe of Iudah Ios. 15. 2. Sam. 15. twenty miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward who when his Counsel would not take place he went home to his won House and there desperately hanged himself The Travels of wicked Shimei SHimei went from Bahurim where he cursed King David to Bathabara upon the River Iordan which was eighteen miles where he got Pardon of David 2 Sam. 9. From thence he went back with King David unto Gilgal four miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went with King David to Ierusalem twelve miles 2. Sam. 19. From thence he went to Bahurim three miles From Bahurim King Solomon sent for him again to Ierusalem three miles There he was constrained to build him an House and not to depart thence upon pain of Death 1 Reg. 2. But Shimei transgressing the commandment of the King went to Gath a City of the Philistines twelve miles From thence he returned back again to Ierusalem twelve miles where he was slain by the command of King Solomon in the third year of his Reign 1 Reg. 2. So all the Travels of Shimei were 104 miles The Books of KINGS and CHRONICLES Of Abishag the Virgin that lay with David THIS Maid was accounted the fairest in all Israel for which cause she was brought to Ierusalem for King David that she might lye with him in his old Age to procure Heat she was born at Sunem a Town some forty four miles from Ierusalem 1 Reg. 1. Of Sunem you may read before in the Travels of David and Saul The Travels of King Solomon SOlomon the Son of David King of Israel entred upon the full Government of the Kingdom of Israel Anâ—mundi 2931. and before Christ 1037. when he was about twenty years old After he went from Ierusalem to Gilgal four miles and there offered upon the Altar which Moses had made 1000 burnt offerings 1 Reg. 2. 2 Chr. 1. From thence he went back to Ierusalem four miles and built a Temple to the Lord in Mount Moriah I Reg. 6. This was begun about the fourth year of his Reign and 480 years after the Children of Israel came out of Aegypt in the Month Ziph which answereth to our May. So that the Temple began to be built in An. Mundi 2934. and before Christ 1034. To the building whereof Hiram King of Tyre sent Cedar Trees from Mount Libanus 120 miles to Ierusalem 1 Reg. 5. 2. Chr. 2. This Temple Solomon within plaited over with Gold and set with precious Stones and finished it in the Month of November about the eleventh year of his Reign 1 Reg. 6. The Dedication whereof was about the twelfth year of his Reign and in the thirty second year of his Age Anno Mundi 2942 and before Christ 1026. The Temple being finished he began to build his own house which was thirteen years a building and was finished about the 44 year of his Age and in the 24 of his Reign 1 Rg. 7. 8. After 20 Years in which time he had finished the House of the Lord and his own House in Mount Sion that he might manifest his Thankfulness to the King of Tyre he went to Cabul a City in the Tribe of Ashur some 80 miles Northward where he gave to the aforesaid Hiram 20 Towns or Cities with all the Country round about wherefore King Hiram called this Cabul that is Displeasant and Dirty 2 Reg. 9. You may read of Cabul Ios. 19. From thence he returned to Ierusalem 88 miles From thence he went to Hazor and restored the City which was 44 miles From thence he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles From thence he went to Megiddo which is not far from Iesreel in the Tribe of Manasses 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the North. This City Solomon fortified 1 Reg. 9. and Iosiah King of Iuda a long time after was there wounded to Death 2 Reg. 9. From Megiddo he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles After that Pharaoh King of Egypt had conquered Gaser and destroyed it with Fire he gave it to his Daughter the Wife of Solomon who rebuilt it This Town was scituated in the Tribe of Ephraim 28 miles from Ierusalem Northward 1 Reg. 9. From Gaser Solomon returned back again to Ierusalem being 28 miles From thence he went to the higher Bethoron which he fortified and stood 28 miles from Ierusalem
into the City a little before you come at it This Town standeth upon a fair prospect for you may see from thence through all Galilee to Carmel the Mountains of Phoenicia and Mount Thabor also from Mount Gilead by Iordan and Mount Salem where Iohn baptized near by Mount Hermon upon the North side of Mount Gilboah there lies a fair and plain way to the City Iezreel by which Iehu came when he made Wars upon Ieroboam King of Israel of which you may read more 2 Reg. 9. It stood not far from the River Kison as you may read Ios. 17. 19. 1 Sam. 2. 1 Reg. 4. 18. Of Ahaziah the Son of Ahab AHaziah was crowned King of Israel during the Life of his Father a cruel and wicked man he began his Reign in the 17th year of Iosaphat King of Iudah Anno Mundi 3049 and before Christ 919. about such time as Ahab went down to Ramoth Gilead to recover it from the Syrians Within a while after the death of his Father he fell through the Lattice-window in his upper Chamber which was in Samaria of which hurt he died Of this you may read more 1 King 1. The Travels of Jehoram King of Israel JEhoram succeeded his Brother Ahaziah in the Kingdom of Israel who began his Reign in the eighteenth year of Iosaphat King of Iudah and as Iosephus saith lib. Ant. 9. about the fifth year of his Reign went from Samaria to Ierusalem which was 32 miles There he told Iosaphat how the King of Moab had rebelled against him therefore desired him to go along with him to the War 2 Reg. 3. Then Iehoram and Iosaphat and the King of Edom went from Ierusalem and compassed about through the Wilderness of Idumaea by the space of seven dayes so that they and their Army for want of Water had almost perished but at the Prayers of the Prophet Elisha they were miraculously preserved At length they came to Petra the Metropolitan City of the Moabites and is distant from Ierusalem an hundred seventy two miles which they took and consumed it with Fire and Sword 2 Reg. 3. From the City of Petra Iehoram King of Israel returned back to Samaria which was 104 miles where within a while after he was so sorely besieged by Benhadad King of Syria that the Famine grew very great within the Town insomuch as a certain Woman eat her own Child 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Ramoth in Gilead with his Army which is 24 miles where he was overcome by Asahel King of the Syrians and wounded even to the death 2 Reg. 8. From the Fight of Ramoth Gilead he was carried in his Chariot back to Iezreel which was 24 miles where he lay to be cured of his Hurts But Iehu one of his chief Captains rebelled against him and as he was in his Chariot shot an Arrow and wounded him the second time whereof he died in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite 2 Reg. 9. So all the Travels of Iehoram were 356 miles The Travels of Jehu King of Israel JEHV signifies a constant man in himself and was the Son of Iosaphat the Son of Nimschi he was anointed King of Israel in the Castle at Ramoth in Gilead by Elisha Anno Mun. 3063. and before Christ 905. he reigned 28 years 2 Reg. 9. From Ramoth in Gilead in his Chariot he went to Iezreel which was 24 miles where in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite he killed Iehoram with an Arrow And when he came to the Gates of the City he caused Iezabel to be thrown from a Tower whom he trampled under his Horse feet and after in that same place she was eaten up with Dogs Then he sent Messengers to Samaria commanding the Samaritans that they should put to death the 70 Sons of Ahab which they immediately did and sent their Heads unto him in Baskets 2 Reg. 10. From Iezreel he went to Samaria which is sixteen miles In that Journey he caused to be slain by his Ministers the 42 Brothers of Ahaziah King of Iuda near to the Well which was beside the House where Sheep were shorn And when he came to Samaria he caused all the Posterity of Ahab to be utterly destroyed and rooted out And to conclude the Tragedy by a cunning Policy put to death all the Priests of Baal 2 Reg. 10. So all the Travels of Iehu were 40 miles Of Jehoahas King of Israel JEhoahas was the Son of Iehu and succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Israel he began his Reign in the 33 year of Ioas King of Iudah in the Year of the World 3091 and before Christ 876. He reigned over Israel seventeen Years God stirred up against this wicked King Asahel King of the Syrians who with 10000 Foot and five hundred Horse besieged Samaria very strongly put to the Sword many of his Subjects and got many Cities and Towns from him as the Prophet Elisha had before told him 2 Reg. 8. 13. The Travels of Joas King of Israel JOAS succeeded his Father Iehoahas and while he was yet living was anointed King of Israel in the thirty seventh year of Ioas King of Iudah and reigned two years with his Father after his Death fifteen so all the Reign of Ioas was seventeen Years This Man was a great Souldier and went from Samaria with an Army against the City of Apheck which was fourteen miles there he smote the Syrians and in three several Battels carried away the Victory recovering the Cities which his Father Iehoahas had lost according to the Prophecy of Elisha 2 Reg. 17. From Apheck he returned to Samaria being 14 miles From thence he went with his Army to Bethsemes in the Land of Iuda where in a sharp and cruel War he conquered Amasia and took him alive 2 Reg. 14. which was 32 miles From Bethsemes he went to Ierusalem and carried the King thereof with him Captive being four miles He won the City and broke down the Walls of it from the Gate of Ephraim till you come to the Angle-Gate four hundred Cubits in length 2 Reg. 14. From the City of Ierusalem Ioas the Conquerour returned to Samaria with the spoil of the Temple and of the King's House with many Captives and a great Prey being thirty two miles where at the end of the seventeenth year of his Reign he died and was buried In this man's time Elisha the Prophet died 2 Reg. 13. 14. So all the Travels of Ioas were ninety six miles Of Bethsemes Of this City you may read before The Travels of Jeroboam the second of that Name King of Israel THIS Ieroboam succeeded his Father Ioas in the Kingdom of Israel and began his Reign Anno Mundi 3123. and before Christ 845. which according to the Text of the Bible happened about the 15th Year of Amasia King of Iuda and he reigned 41 Years 2 Reg. 14. He kept his Court at Samaria where the Prophet Ionas told him that he should recover not only the Towns and Cities of the Land
Captivity of his Brother Ionathan whom Tryphon by cunning had betrayed as is before-said he was chosen by the People of the Iews into the Principality From thence he went to Addus to meet Tryphon sixteen miles where he would have ransomed his Brother Ionathan 1 Mac. 13. From Addus he went to a City of the Idumeans called Ador or Adaram forty eight miles From Ador he returned into Iudea with his Army forty miles that he might oppose the Invasion of Tryphon and his Souldiers lest they should have destroyed the Country and got Ierusalem in his absence Tryphon having put to death his Brother Ionathan which was in the year before Christ 140. Simon entred upon the Office of High-Priest the same year and continued in the Government eight years In the first year of his Government he went from Ierusalem to Modin fourteen miles Here he buried the Body of his Brother Ionathan in his Father's Sepulchre very honourably and richly beautified it From Modin he returned to Ierusalem fourteen miles where he executed his Priestly Function diligently and repaired the Holds and decayed Towns of Iudea compassing them about with Stone Walls and fortifying them with Towers and Bulwarks From thence he went to Gaza forty four miles from Ierusalem South-westward This Town he took From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was four and forty miles There he repaired the Tower of Acropolis wherein he dwelt From Ierusalem he went to Ioppa and won the Town which was twenty miles From Ioppa he returned to Ierusalem which was twenty miles where for a time he lived very honourably and kept a Princely Court 1 Mac. 14. Lastly he went with his two Sons Iudas and Mattathias and his Wife to visit his Father-in-law Ptolomeus the Son of Abodus to the Castle of Doch which was near to Iericho some ten miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Here he was slain by his Father-in-law at a Banquet in the year before Christ 132 in the eleventh Month which answereth to our February 1 Mac. 16. So all his Travels were 799 miles The Description of the Places mentioned in his Travels Of Arabath ARabath or Araba was a City near to the Lake or River Merom not far from Dothan forty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North. It seems to take the name from Locusts whereof there are many kinds 1 Mac. 5. for there are Locusts that live upon Herbs and Flowers others that fly in great swarms in the Air and some also that live in the Waters not much unlike Crabs or Cray-fishes their Tails only excepted Plin. lib. 9. cap. 12. reckons up another kind of Locusts whereon Iohn Baptist did feed and it was lawful for the Iews to eat of them he describes them to have four Feet and Wings so that they can either fly or leap upon the Earth They can be resembled to nothing more fitly than to Grashoppers These the Hebrews call Robae Levit. 11. Mat. 3. because of the abundance of them being derived of the Verb Rabah He hath multiplied or increased because these kinds of Locusts come in mighty great swarms and multitudes into the East part of the World Of these kinds of Locusts Arabath took the Name but they are not known to us nevertheless such there are and as it appeareth in Leuit. 11. were permitted to be eaten among the Iews From whence may be concluded that Iohn Baptist lived upon these kind of Locusts and not upon Crabs or Cray-fish or any such kind of Locusts Mat. 3. Of Sephela SEphela is a Plain compassed about with Mountains near the River Sorek It lieth fourteen miles from Ierusalem Westward Here Simon built the Castle Adida and fortified it very strongly Afterward there was a City built near to this Tower called Eleutheropolis It was a free City in the Tribe of Iudah half way between Ierusalem and Ascalon of which St. Ierom speaketh lib. de Locis Hebr. Of Doch THIS was a strong Tower the Ruines whereof may be seen to this day It was scituated near Iericho in the Field of Hiericuntis ten miles from Ierusalem North-eastward where Ptolomeus the Son of Abodus persidiously put to death his Son-in-law Simon High Priest of the Jews From this Tower you might have seen all the Countrey of the Gileadites the two Tribes of Gad and Reuben and the half Tribe of Manasses with the Mountains of the Moabites Nebo Pisgah and Abarim Vid. 1 Mac. cap. ult The Travels of John Hyrcanus JOHN Hyrcanus was made Captain over all the Men of War by his Father Simon and went from Ierusalem to Gaza forty four miles where he dwelt 1 Mac. 13. From thence he returned to Ierusalem forty four miles in the fifth year of his Father's Government to let him understand how Cendebius had invaded the holy Land 1 Mac. 16. From Ierusalem he and his Brother Iudas went with their Army to Modin fourteen miles where they stayed all night The next morning before day they gave Battel to Cendebius not far from Modin overcame him and put him to flight So he pursued the chase till he came to the Fortress of Cedron which stood in the Field of Azotus even eight miles From the Field of Azotus he and his Brother Iudas returned to Ierusalem being twenty two miles 1 Mac. 16. From Ierusalem he returned to Gaza 44 miles Now when Sorius Ptolomeus the Son of Abodus who a little before had treacherously slain his Son-in-law Simon at a Banquet heard of Iohn's coming into the Town he sent forth certain Traitors and Homicides to put him to death also but Hyrcanus having certain intelligence of the matter prevented the mischief and put these Traitors to the Sword 1 Mac. 16. So all his Travels were 176 miles Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in these Travels you may read before Of the Kings of Syria that succeeded Antiochus Epiphanes and made War upon the Macchabees And first of the Travels of Antiochus Eupator THIS Antiochus the younger succeeded his Father Antiochus Epiphanes in the 149 year of the Grecians Government in Syria which was the 161 Year before Christ and he continued King of Asia and Syria three Years Lysias the King's Substitute for Syria called this man by the name of Eupator that is a good Father because Kings ought to be Fathers of their Countries This Antiochus Eupator in the second year of his Reign came with a great Army from Antiochia to the Town of Modin which was 380 miles From Modin he went to the Hold at Bethsura this he sharply besieged being 12 miles From Bethsura he went to Bethsachara almost a mile to meet with Iudas Macchabeus who put him to flight and kill'd 600 of his Men 1 Mac. 6. From Bethsachara he returned to the Hold of Bethsura and won it being almost a mile From Bethsura he came to Ierusalem which was half a mile From Ierusalem he went with his Army to Ptolomais being seventy six miles From Ptolomais he returned to Antiochia two hundred and four miles
on it There is painted on the Pillars and Walls almost all the Stories of the Old Testament till the Birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with such excellent cunning and so lively that it is to be admired In the Quire of this Church there is found two Altars one close by the Chappel of St. Katherine at the East end thereof not far distant from which they shew the place where our Saviour was circumcised and in the middle of the Quire there standeth another Altar where they say the Wise men left their Dromedaries and prepared their Gifts to present unto our Saviour when they worshipped him Upon the South side of this Quire towards the East they descend by ten stone steps into the Chappel of the Nativity of Christ richly beautified and curiously wrought paved with polished Marble This Chappel is not very great but wonderful fair and sumptuous When the Holy Land was over-run by the Gentiles this as many other places were in that Country was all polluted with Filth and Dirt that they had much ado to make it clean a great while after Upon the place where they said our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary brought forth our Saviour into the World there is placed a Table of white Marble after the manner of an Altar about some four Foot from this they shew the place where the Manger stood a part of it yet remaining cut out of a Rock not of Marble but of other stone as many other Mangers are in that Country Close by that there is an Altar where they say the Wise men presented their Gifts to our Saviour Christ and worshipped him At the entrance into the Church there standeth a goodly Building which in times past seemed to have been some Arch-Bishops See but now is called St. Maries Church Upon the North side they descended by certain steps into the Chappel of St. Ierom who lay a long time buried there till his Bones were removed thence to St. Maries in Rome About a mile from Bethlehem Southward stood the Tower of Eder being a Watch-Tower of the Bethlehemites and so called because there resorted thither many flocks of sheep for Aederâ—ignifieth â—ignifieth a Herd Round about this Tower were fair and fruitful Pastures to which many Shepherds resorted to feed their Flocks to some of which Shepherds the Angels told the glad tidings of the Birth of our Saviour and that he was laid in a Manger at Bethlehem For which cause in after times there was a Church built just in the place where the Tower stood and in Saint Ierom's time called by the name of Angelos ad Pastores the same Luther affirmeth that it is yet standing Iacob sometime dwelt in that Place and buried his wife Rachel thereabouts The Monument that he set upon her grave remaineth to this day which was twelve Stones pitch'd an end standing about a quarter of a mile from this place upon the right Hand as they go to Ierusalem of which Grave all the Country thereabouts is called by the name of Rachel Of the Way between Judea and Egypt BEtween Egypt and Iudea lieth Arabia Petraea a Land for the most part barren and unfruitful full of Sands Rocks and Mountains destitute of Water and subject to many dangers being in the Summer Solstice scorched with extremity of heat the Sun being then perpendicular over them according to Munster in the day time and in the night troubled with extream Winds which blowing the Sand with great violence it casteth it upon great heaps and Mountains by which dust both Beasts and sometime men are suffocated and slain Moreover there dwelt in this Desart a rude and dangerous People called Saracens who take their beginning from Ishmael and are therefore also called Ishmaelites being given to cruelty and malitiousness They get their living for the most part by Theft and Violence and as Ishmael was an excellent Archer so they also are very cunning in shooting and hunting using to this day their ancient evil custom of robbing and spoiling all that pass that way insomuch as Merchants are constrained to go in great companies lest they should be indangered by them and by reason of the Winds and Sands are constrained to guide their Journey by the Compass as men do that sail upon the Sea Through this Wilderness did Ioseph and Mary pass when they went with the Child Jesus out of Iudaea into Egypt where they were in danger of Thieves subject to be smothered by the Sands constrained to travel over high Rocks and Mountains and to rest in Fear because of Lyons Bears and other Beasts which greatly abound in that Place Besides divers other discommodities were incident unto them as want of Meat Drink and other necessaries there being little Water to be found there insomuch as had not the Lord by an express command charged him in a dream to go down into Egypt Ioseph durst hardly have ventured upon so difficult and dangerous a Journey But the Lord so mercifully provided for him that he both went and returned safe Thus may we see to what dangers these good People were exposed and what miseries they sustained from the beginning because of their Son Christ Jesus Of Hermopolis HErmopolis was called the Town of Mercury distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the South-West it was one of the chief Cities in Egypt as Appianus writeth Nicephorus and Zozemenus affirm lib. 5. cap. 22. that Ioseph and Mary came and lived in this Town where they continued all the days of Herod that cruel King But Ziglerius saith that they lived in the Land of Gosen where the Patriarch Iacob and his Posterity lived which agreeth well with the words of S. Matthew cap. 2. and Hosea 11. Out of Egypt have I called my Son This Land of Gosen lay 200 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-West The Inhabitants of Alcair in Egypt take upon them to shew the place where Ioseph and Mary dwelt when they went down into that Country but how true it is I cannot tell because there is no Author for it Of Canah in Galilee THis was a City in Galilee distant from Ierusalem sixty eight miles towards the North of which you may read more in the Travels of our Saviour Christ. Of Capernaum THis Town stood upon the Sea of Galilee sixty eight miles from Ierusalem toward the North of which you may read more after The Travâ—ls of the Wise Men of the East which came to Bethlehem to see Jesus THE Magi were certain wise men of Persia so called from Meditation being derived of Hagah that is he hath meditated and taken in the third Conjugation it signifies to find or search out a thing they being such as gave themselves to the knowledge of hard things and to find out the Secrets and mysteries of Nature But according to Varinus they were not only Philosophers but Priests also And Plaâ—o upon Alcibiades saith Magia est Deorum observantia sive â—ultus divinus that is Magick prescribed the due