ridiculous yet to such as are at all touched with the sense of Worldly Affairs it cannot chuse but take a deep impression and draw them thence to the knowledge of Christ Jesus and of his Doctrine To which end and for which purpose I have principally endeavoured to publish this Treatise that so comparing the Estate of man in this present World with the Estate of Grace in the World to come they might perceive the impotency of the one and the permanency of the other and from both draw immoveable Axioms that there can be no Salvation where there is no Humility nor no Prosperity where there is not a knowledge of Christ Jesus in his Humanity and thence gather that the afflictions of this World to which he is most subject through the whole course of his Life is the ready means to honour and immortal Glory But that these things may the better appear unto thee I will endeavour to lay before thee the Beginning and so far as the holy Scripture leads me the ending of our Saviour From whence thou may'st draw such comfortable Resolutions that in what Estate soever thou art whether in Prosperity or Adversity thou may'st therewith rest content c. Of Zacharias the Father of John Baptist. ZAcharias or Zachariah signifies Gods Remembrance This man was the Father of Iohn the Baptist being a Priest of the Tribe of Aaron and dwelling at a Town called Abia of which you may read 1 Chr. 24. There were three famous men of this name as Basilius saith One that was a Prophet of the Lord and lived 520 years before the birth of Christ Zach. 1. And another that was the Son of Iehoiada the high Priest who at the command of that ingrateful King Ioas was stoned to death in the upper Court of the Temple 2 Chr. 24. And a third which was this Zacharias the Father of Iohn Baptist and Son of Barachias that is the Blessed who according to the Opinion of Basil was slain for no other cause but for saying that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary This man had to wise Elizabeth of the Posterity of the High-Priest Aaron and by her had a Son called Iohn so named of the Lord who was afterward called Iohn the Baptist. Elizabeth signifies the rest of God being derived of Eli and Scabbath that is the Rest and Sabbath of the Lord. The Inhabitants of the holy Land take upon them even to this day to shew the House were Zacharias and Elizabeth dwelt in a Town that standeth on the right hand of the way as you go from Emmaus to Ierusalem But Saint Luke ca. 1. saith that Zacharias dwelt not in a Town or Field but in the City of Iudah which was scituated in the mountain of Iudah Risnerus and Iohannes Hedenus write that Zacharias dwelt in Ierusalem in the part of the City scituated upon Mount Bezetha as in the first Book of the description of Ierusalem hath bin declared And this seemeth to be verified out of Nehemiah cap. 3. Yet there are some of opinion that he dwelt at Hebron because that was the chief City of the Tribe of Iuda and a Town of the Priests The Travels of the Virgin Mary MARY if it be derived of Marah signifieth such a Person as is oppressed with carefulness and grief one that is laid open to all misery and calamity press'd with continual vexation and mourning She was born upon the eighth day of September 14 years before the birth of Christ and in the fifteenth of her age brought forth her only begotten Son according to S. Hierome and others Her Fathers name was Eliakim of the House of David Upon the five and twentieth day of March in the same year that our Saviour Christ was born Mary being then fourteen years old the Angel Gabriel declared unto her the Embassie of the Conception of our Lord Jesus Christ. A little after about the beginning of April An. M. 3967 she went from Nazareth in great haste over the Hills to Ierusalem sixty four miles to the House of Zacharias and there saluted her Cousin Elizabeth Luk. 1. From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was sixty four miles And when the command came out from Augustus that all the World should be taxed then Ioseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem seventy two miles and there the time of Marys deliverance drew neer and loe she bare the Son of the living God our Lord and Saviour Christ. Luke 2. From Bethlehem Ioseph and Mary brought the Child Jesus to Ierusalem and presented him in the Temple which was six miles Luke 2. And when they had accomplished all things according to the Law they returned back again to Nazareth a Town in Galilee sixty four miles From Nazareth they went back again to Bethlem seventy two miles Thither the wise men coming out of the East brought the Child Jesus Gold Frankincense and Myrrh Mat. 2. From Bethlehem the same night that Herod caused all the Infants of two years old and under to be slain Ioseph and Mary fled with the Child Jesus to Hermopolis a City in Egypt which was 296 miles Mat. 2. Zozom lib. 6. From thence they returned back again with the Child Jesus to Nazareth 368 miles for they were greatly afraid lest Archilaus who succeeded his father Herod in the Government of the Iews would seek the Childs life Mat. 2. From Nazareth Ioseph and Mary came every year to Ierusalem which was sixty four miles to the feast of the Passover and so many miles back again which for ten years coâ—tinuance came to 1280 miles When Christ was twelve years of age and at the beginning of the thirteenth he went with his Parents from Nazareth to the Feast of the Passover being sixty four miles Luke 2. And when the days of the Feast of the Passover were accomplished they returned home again But the Child Iesus stayed at Ierusalem and his Parents knew it not for they thought he had been among the company Wherefore when they had travelled a dayes Journey that is twenty miles they missed their Son After they search'd through the company but could not find him wherefore they returned back to Ierusalem being twenty miles where on the third day after they found him in the Temple sitting among the Doctors and disputing with them So the next three days he returned back again with his Parents to Nazareth being sixty four miles and was obedient to them Luke 2. After Ioseph and Mary went every year during the life of Ioseph up to Ierusalem to the Passover and without all doubt took Iesus along with them Thus they continued for the space of three years about which time Ioseph died Christ being then sixteen years of age which three years Travel from Nazareth to Ierusalem and back again cometh to 384 miles From that time forward he continued with his Mother till he was thirty one years of age which was the first year of his Ministry Mary his Mother being then
South and because in that place there are many Bushes and Thorns it is called Sinai for Senaeh signifies a Bush. Here the Law which we call the Ten Commandments was given and not unfitly because like Thorns they prick and vex the Hearts and Consciences of wicked men It is also called Horeb or Chareb which signifies a place made dry Bernard Britenbach and many others in the Month of September 1483 went purposely to see this Mountain and with great Labour ascended to the top thereof for as he saith it is a great Mountain and of an extraordinary height in the lower part round in the upper part divided into two tops or mountains one standing toward the West the other toward the East That toward the West is called Horeb that to the East Sinai And from these two it is sometimes called Horeb sometimes Sinai being both one Hill of the Base Between these there lies a fair and spacious Plain in the middle whereof and as it may be thought in the midst of the Mountain there stands a Monastery near to which there is adjoyning a very pleasant Garden and Orchard plentifully furnished with Date-trees Fig-trees and many others very profitable and pleasant where in antient times there were many Monks that continued there But it happened that a certain number of Pagans in hope to find some Booty came from a Haven of the Red Sea called Thor and upon a sudden broke in upon them and put forty of them to the Sword from whence it was ever after called the Abbey of the forty Martyrs Now it remains desolate few or none inhabiting there only two Monks of St. Katharines Order and these are also grievously troubled with the incursions of the Arabians The Orchard also is destroyed with Locusts and the ground become barren In this Orchard there stands a little Chappel in which there is a Cave where S. Onuphrius the Anchorist lived At the foot of Mount Sinai upon the North standeth the Monastery of St. Katharine of which the Emperour Iustinian was the first Founder it is compassed about with a Wall close by it standeth a goodly Orchard furnished with divers Trees of Fruit pleasant and delightful in that there standeth a goodly Fountain which watereth all about it In this place there are a great number of poor Monks which get their Living by their hands in the Desart thereabouts They say that here stood the golden Calf spoken of Exodus 32. And they shew a round stone lying there where they say Moses broke the two Tables that were given him by God To Pilgrims also they shew the Tomb of St. Katharine standing upon the right side of the Quire with certain other Relicks of hers Upon the left side of the Quire there stands a little door by which you enter into a place called the Chappel of St. Mary of the Bush where they shew the place of the Bush in which God appeared unto Moses And to give grace to their Superstitions there may none enter into that place but he must put off his hose and shoes There is another place where they say God commanded Moses to bring up Aaron Nadab and Abihu with him and the seventy Elders with many other Superstitious Chappels which would be too tedious and frivolous to recite Not far from this there standeth also a Mosko of the Saracens full as fair and spacious as that of St. Katharines to which there is adjoyned a certain Turret hither the Arabians and Saracens do also often come to visit St. Katharine At the Ascent of the Mount Horeb near to the Monastery of St. Katharine there standeth a Fountain of very clear Water in the likeness of a Bow made of Stone reaching from the one side of it to the other and standeth like unto an Arch or Gate A little above that at the foot of Mount Horeb is to be seen the Cave where Eliah rested when the Lord spake unto him 1 Reg. 19. Something above that is the Cliff of the Rock where Moses stood by Gods appointment when he past by and he saw his back parts Ex. 33. A little beyond that is the top of Mount Horeb where is built a little Chappel that hath an Iron Door the Keys of which are in the Monks Custody of the Abby of Saint Katherine In this place they say Moses received the two Tables of Stone wherein the ten Commandments were written by the Finger of God Ex. 34. There is none that enters into this Chappel but with great Reverence bare-foot and bare-legged and casting themselves upon the Earth kiss it About fifteen paces from this they shew the Cave wherein Moses fasted forty days and forty nights Ex. 24. 34. A little above that there is a Mosk to which there daily resorts Arabians and Saracens in honour of Moses whom they reverence as a Prophet Between these there lieth a Well of cold wholsom Water which is called Moses Well Here seemeth in times past to have been some Monastery for there are divers Ruins of Walks and Buildings to be seen This Mountain is round and difficult to Ascend it is 7000 steps to the top and from thence the Red Sea and the Arm thereof where Pharaoh was drowned when he followed the Children of Israel may easily be discerned Mount Sina is much higher than this and lyeth two days Journey from the Red Sea Upon the top whereof are many Rocks and great Stones From thence you may see sundry places as a Mountain lying in Thebaidaes the great Haven of the Red Sea the Desart of Elim and Sur with many others The Desarts round about take the name from the height thereof and are called the Desarts of Sina Of the Graves of Concuâ—iscence THese Graves are 112 miles towards the South from Ierusalem where the Children of Israel lusting after Meat were fed by the Lord with Quails and for their disobedience died miserably It was also called â—abaraâ— which signifies an inflammation being derived from Baar to Burn because here the Wrath of the Lord was kindled against them and he struck the uttermost parts of their Tents with Fire from Heaven and consumed them Numb 11. Of Hazeroth THis is a place in the Desart some 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the South the name thereof being derived from Chazer which signifieth a Cave about the Mouth whereof there groweth long Grass And therefore from hence Chazer is also taken for Grass Here Miriam the Sister of Moses and Aaron was strook with Leprosie Of Rithmah RIthmah takes name from Iuniâ—er for Rothaem in Hebrew signifies Juniper It is distant from Ierusalem 112 miles toward the South-easâ— Here the Children of Israel pitched their Tents Num. 33. and here it is very likely the Angel of the Lord appeared to the Prophet Eliah and brought him meat and drink Of Rimmon Parez IN this place the Children of Israel the sixteenth remove made their abiding being an hundred and eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east Here it is thought the
King by the Tribe of Iudah in the year of the World 2891 and before Christ 1077. Here he kept his Court seven years and six months From hence also he sent Messengers to Iabes in Gilead forty four miles to signifie his gracious acceptance of that favour which they shewed unto Saul in burying of his Body there 2 Sam. 1. 1 Chr. 12. From Hebron David went to Ierusalem twenty two miles which then was called Iebus being possessed of the Iebusites but he won it with strong hand and thrust them out of it and in Mount Sion set up the City Millo which was afterward called the City of David and signifies a place of Plenty He began his Reign in Ierusalem in the thirty eighth year of his Age and seventh of his Reign In this place also he set up his House made of Cedar-wood of which Hâ—ram King of Tyrus sent him great Plenty from Mount Libanus distant from thence 104 miles 2 Sam. 5. 1 Ch. 12. From thence he went to the Valley of Rephaim some three miles from Ierusalem in the way that leadeth to the City of Bethlem where he fought a memorable Fight against the Philistines and overcame them for which cause it was also called Baal-Perizim because by the Help and Assistance of God he had conquered the Army of the Philistines 1 Sam. 5. After he had dispersed the Enemies he returned to Ierusalem which is â—our miles The Philistines came the same Year into the Valley of Rephaim again and pitched their Tents within three miles and a half of Ierusalem and the Lord gave David a sign that when he heard a noise in the Mulberry-trees he should set upon the Enemy so David went forth and close by the Town of Gaeba and Kirjath-jearim about two miles from Ierusalem West-ward he set upon the Enemy and gave them the second Overthrow 2 Samuel 5. 1 Chr. 15. From thence David followed the Enemy to Gaza which was eighteen miles 2 Sam. 5. in the tenth Year of his Reign from his first beginning in Hebron David assembled all the Princes Priests and chief men of Israel to the number of 30000 which inhabited from Sechor till you come to Chaemah a City of Naphtali at the foot of Mount Libanus even 163 miles off These men assembled themselves in the City of Ierusalem and from thence they with David went to Kirjath-jearim which was about a mile to fetch the Ark of the Covenant from thence into the City of David 1 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. From Kirjath-jearim David and all his Train returned back again to Ierusalem which was about a mile and they placed the Ark of the Lord in a new Cart and caused it to be drawn with Oxen which turned out of the way to the threshing-floor of Nachon where Vzza rashly and inconsiderately touching the Ark of God contrary to the Divine Law was presently slain by the Lord in the way and that place was called Paeri-Vza that is The Breach of Uza for he was not of the Tribe of Aaron to whom it was only lawful to touch the Ark and therefore the Lord struck him that he died miserably wherefore David being terrified by this example of God's Severity would not that day bring the Ark of the Lord into Ierusalem but carried it to the House of a certain Noble-man called Obed Aedom a Gittite who dwelt not far from Ierusalem but when it was told David that the Lord blessed the House of Obed Aedom and all his Family because the Ark was there David went from Ierusalem with a great multitude of People to the House of Obed Aedom who as is said before dwelt not far from Ierusalem yet there are some that say he was an excellent Musician in Ierusalem and dwelt in Mount Acra that is in the lower City and from thence David fetch'd the Ark of the Lord into the upper City which stood upon Mount Sion but I hold the other Opinion to be the more probable When the Ark was carried by the Priests David girt himself with a linnen Ephod which kind of Garment the Priests of the inferiour Order used to wear and danced before it singing Psalms and Hymns to the praise and glory of God and with great State brought it to the City of Ierusalem with the sound of Trumpets and Instruments of Musick and placed it in the middle of the Tabernacle which they had curiously erected in Mount Sion in the upper City which was also called the City of David This hapned in the tenth year of his Reign at which time Saul's Daughter despised him in her Heart and laughed at him but God gave her a due Recompence as you may read 2 Sam. 6. and him a just Reward for he promised by the Prophet Nathan That of his Posterity and Blood the King of Kings and Saviour of the World should be born In the Year following David invaded the Land of the Philistines and the City of Gath which with strong hand he won this was thirty four miles from Ierusalem From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 34 miles In the twelfth Year of his Reign he afflicted the Moabites with cruel War and destroyed two of their Armies with the Sword and the rest of the multitude he made Tributary which was 24 miles 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chr. 9. He returned thence to Ierusalem with great Triumph and Joy twenty four miles In the thirteenth year of his Reign Anno Mundi 2903. and before Christ 1065 he made an Expedition unto Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam and is in Armenia near to Masia or Mount Taurus 600 miles from Ierusalem toward the North of which you may read before David in this place won a memorable Battel against Hadad Ezer the King thereof near to the River Euphrates he took 700 Horse and 20000 Foot burnt their Chariots took 100 Castles conquered all the Towns and Country round about and went away with a great Booty as well of Gold as Silver Brass and other things which Brass for the Excellency thereof was like unto Gold and as Iosephus saith afterwards Solomon made the Molten Sea of it When Gadarezer King of the Syrians he that built that famous City of Damascus heard of the overthrow of Hadad-Ezer he sent a great Army to his Aid which King David near to the River Euphrates smote with the Sword so that 20000 of them were slain and he carryed away a glorious Victory extending his Government from Ierusalem 600 miles towards the North that is into Armenia and beyond the River Euphrates and made these two Nations tributary unto him 2 Samuel 8. 1 Chr. 19. After David had won these two memorable Victories near Euphrates he went thence with all his Army towards the South and invaded the Land of Syria in which Journey Ioram the Son of Tohi King of Antiochia which City at this time was called Hemath met David with Gifts and Presents in the Name of his Father returning him many Thanks because he had destroyed the common Enemy
His Enemies being thus put to flight he pursued them to the Mountains of Azotus and Gazeron which was six miles where being oppressed with the multitude and hemmed in amongst them was slain He died in the Month Nisan which answers to our April Anno Mundi 3810. and before Christ 158. 1 Mac. 9. From the Mountains of Azotus and Gazeron his dead Body was carried back again to Modin being 6 miles and there buried So his Travels were 915 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Mispa Iamnia and Laisa you may read before Of Caspin THIS City stood not far from Iamnia 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west This Town though it was strongly fortified yet Iudas Macchabeus won it 2 Mac. 12. It is called Caspin of Keseph which signifies Silver There was another City called Casphor that is the Silver Mountain this stood in the Land of Gilead near Mispa which Iudas also won 1 Mac. 4. Of Asseremoth otherwise called Gazaron GAzaron or Gareza was a City of the Philistines near Ekron sixteen miles from Ierusalem towards the West It is so called from the Cliff of a Rock being derived of Gezer which signifies a Cliff Here Iudas Macchabeus was slain 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 Son of Ishmael near to a Mountain of the Gileadites not far distant from Abel of the Vines where it is thought Balaam's Ass spoke This Land is called Thubin and the Inhabitants Tubiani because all that Country bringeth forth very pleasant and excellent Wine being derived of Zob which signifies good and Iaiin Wine In this Country Iudas Macchabeus continued three days with his Army Of Caphar-Salama THIS Town stood twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North In Herod the Great 's time in was enlarged and made a very fair City which he caused to be called Antipatridis after the Name of his Father Antipater of which you may read more in the Travels of the Apostle Paul Of Adarsa THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Ephraim between Antipatridis and Bethoron the lower twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west It seemeth to be thus called from a noble Gift for it is derived of Adar which signifies illustrious and Schal a Gift The Typical Signification of Judas Macchabeus JVdas Macchabeus is a Type and Figure of our Lord Jesus Christ and Antiochus of that wicked Antichrist as the Interpretation of their names do evidently declare for Iudas signifies a Confessor praising God and glorifying his Name for all his Benefits so Christ the Son of God is the Praise and Glory of his Father for that in him and by him God the Father is praised as is evident in the Song of Simeon In like manner our Lord Jesus Christ is worthily called Macchabeus for Macchabeus is a sir-name of the Iews which is written after this manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Machabai every Letter of which signifieth a several Word according to the Song of Moses in the fifteenth Chapter of Exodus where are these Words Michamocha baelim Iehovah that is Who is like unto 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 used as an Adage and the Letters at the beginning of these Words being joyned together into one Word make the sir-name Macchabai Therefore as he had always this golden Sentence in his Mouth so had he it likewise in his Name yea in his Ensigns Wherefore this name likewise is worthy to be attributed to Christ for he is that perfect Image and Glory of his eternal Father Heb. 1. who is called Michael that is Who is like unto God and Macchabeus or Machabai that is Who is like unto thee amongst the Gods O Lord. Therefore he saith thus I am that great God that will deliver you from all evil Ecce Deus fortis foelix de morte resurgo Tartareosque unguens Daemona ipse ligo Behold I am the God of Might from death to Life that rose I bind the Devil to my Will his Furies I oppose But Antiochus signifies an adversary 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 Machabeus and true Captain of the Church For as the one viz. Antiochus was an adversary against the Iews the Children of God so the other that is Antichrist is an adversary and Enemy against Christ and his Church c. The Travels of Jonathan the brother of Judas Macchabeus JOnathan or Jonathas and Theodoâ—us hath but one signification that is The gift of God This man the same year that Judas his Brother died succeeded him in the Principalitâ— and governed the Jews eighteen years 1 Mac. 9. Joseph lib. antiq 3. But understanding that Bacchides chief Captain of Demetrius King of Syria went about to take away his life by craft he and his Brother Simon went from Modin and pitched their Tents in the Wilderness of Tecoah near to the Lake of Asphar which was twenty miles From thence they sent their Brother John with certain Riches to the Nabathians which dwelt in Medaba in Arabia twenty eight miles desiring them in Friendship to receive their Goods into the Town and to keep them for their use but the Sons of Iambri and the Nabathians issued out of Medaba unawares fell upon John put him to death took away all his Wealth and returned into their City with great joy But Jonathan and Simon took this injury very heavily and much bewailed the death of their Brother Wherefore that they might be revenged of the inhabitants of Medaba they went thence twenty eight miles and hid themselves among the Mountains just in the way that led from Medaba to Canaan for they had heard that the Sons of Iambri and the Inhabitants of Medaba were gone forth with great Jollity to fetch home a Bride which was a Princes Daughter of the Land of Canaan Now as they were merry upon the way Jonathan and Simon his Brother with their Army went out from among the Mountains and put a great number of them to the Sword taking away a mighty Spoyl From Medaba they went to the River Jordan which was three miles where upon the East side of the River they pitched their Tents here he was constrained to fight a cruel Battel with Bacchides upon the Sabboth-day but as he was in the fight he met Bacchides and lift up his hand to strike at him but he seeing the danger retired Nevertheless he put to the Sword 1000 of his men and after he and his Followers leapt into the River and swam over so they all escaped without Danger In the fifty sixth year of the Grecians Government in
which Jacob travelled Of Bethel BEthel was a Town in the Tribe of Benjamin eight miles from Jerusalem towards the North and signifies The house of God In times past it was called Luz but Jacob seeing in that place the Vision of the Ladder with the Angels ascending and deâ—cending upon it and because there the Lord renewed the Covenant with him concerning his Seed and the coming of Christ he therefore called it Bethel Afterward Jeroboam having unlawfully usurp'd the Kingdom of Rehoboham caused a Calf to be set up there for which cause it was then called Bethaven which signifieth the house of Sin and abominable Offence Vatablus is of opinion that there are two Bethels one in the Tribe of Benjamin the other in the Tribe of Ephraim both not far from Hay but if this should be granted then these two Towns should stand within two miles one of the other which seemeth very absurd therefore I dare boldly affirm that there was but one Bethel which stood upon the borders of Benjamin and Ephraim both Tribes bordering upon the South-side of the Town of Luz Josh. 16. and 18. This Town of Bethel was at first in the Suburbs of Luz until the Division of the Tribes for then both these Tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin ending in that place so much increased this Town that they became both one City and so were called Bethel Ie. 28. and 25. Iosh. 7. and 18. From hence there is a two-fold Mystery to be apprehended the first of Jacob whose sleeping in this place upon a Stone caused this City or Town to be built and to retain the name of Bethel that is The house of God So whosoever seeks to have eternal Life must rest upon that corner stone Christ Jesus the Son of the everliving God and by faith be incorporated into the Church which is the House of God of which Christ the anointed of the Lord is both King and Priest for ever Secondly as Jacob resting upon this corner Stone saw the Angels ascending and descending from Heaven unto Earth so by this Incorporation into the body of the Church of which Christ is the Head by Faith and Baptism our Souls are made capable to ascend into that heavenly Tabernacle which he hath prepared for all those that believe according to that in John 14. I am the way the truth and the life no Man cometh unto the Father but by me only And whosoever is assured of this Ladder that reacheth from Heaven unto Earth may well say with Iacob Surely the Lord Jesus Christ is in this place here is nothing but the House of God and here is the Gate of Heaven as Christ himself testifieth in the tenth of Iohn I am the door and whosoever entreth not by me c. So that Christ is the Head of his Church the Ladder that ascendeth into Heaven and the door whereby we may enter into eternal Life Of Gilead THIS Land of Gilead was a Country that lay between Iordan and the Mountain of Gilead or rather between the Sea of Galilee and the 〈◊〉 â—ilead sixty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east for the 〈…〉 beginning at Mount Gilead extended thence unto 〈…〉 and separated the Countrey of Israel beyond Iordan from 〈…〉 of the Ammonites But that part which lieth between the Sâ—a 〈…〉 Ammon is properly called Gilead for when Iacob and Labâ—n 〈…〉 either with other in the Mount Gilead they gathered a 〈…〉 Stones and making a Banquet eat together upon it Gen. 13. and 〈◊〉 thence that Mountain and all the Countrey thereabouts took the 〈◊〉 For Laban in the Syrian Tongue is called JEGAR SAHADUTA 〈◊〉 â—eâ—p of covenant But Iacob in the Hebrew Language called that 〈◊〉 together with all the Countrey thereabouts Galâ—ed or Galaad the heap â—f teâ—timony for Gal signifieth a heap or grave and Galal he rolled or he thrust into a round heap From whence the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to roul and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a circle is derived Also Edah signifies testimony with the Hebrews being derived from Id which signifies testatus eâ— that is he beareth witness and from hence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amongst the Grecians is derived which signifieth a witness This Land of Gilead was very fertile and pleasant being adorned with many Castles and strong Cities and in this Countrey the Prophet Eliah was taken up into Heaven in a fiery Chariot 1 Reg. 17. 2 Reg. 2. The Grecians call this Decapolin from ten Cities that are strongly built in that Countrey Marc. 7. Of Machanaim MAchanaim was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Gâ—d near to the floud of Iordâ—n and Iaboch forty four miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east and scituate in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan being so called of the Patriarch Iacob because there he saw the Tents and Army of Angels which he understood to be his assistants against his Brother Esau whom he feared Gen. 31. For Chana signifieth Castrametatus est that is the Tents are measured out from whence Machanaim is the proper name of a place being derived from two Tents of Angels which appeared to Iacob that they might defend him in his Journey For the Angels of God compass them about that fear him Psalm 33. and therefore Iacob with great Joy brake out and said The Tents of God are here and called it Machanaim This was assigned to the Levites Iosh. 21. and here David was received when he fled from his Son Absalom 2 Sam. 17. Here Iacob wrestled with the Angel Gen. 32. Of Pnuel or Penuel THIS Town was upon the East-side of Iordan close by the mouth of the River Iaboch in the Tribe of Gad forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east and is derived from Panah and El which signifies He beheld the Almighty God face to face and for that cause he called it Penuel or Pnuel which is the face of God Gen. 32. The Tower of this Town was destroyed in Gideons time Iudg. 8. Of Succoth THIS is a Town beyond Iordan not far from Penuel in the Tribe of Gad 40 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east Here Iacob set up his Tabernacles and continued for a while from whence it borrows the name For Sachach signifies a covering and from thence it is called Succha and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the Greeks which signifies a shield covering defence or tabernacle Of this Town there is mention in Iosh. 13. 2 Chr. 4. Gideon caused the Inhabitants of this Town of Succoth to be torn to pieces with thorns Iudg. 8. Of Salem SAlem is a Town of the Sichamites lying towards the East side of the River Iordan and in the midst of the Tribe of Manasses forty miles from Ierusalem towards the North not far from Sichem where Dinah Iacob's Daughter was ravished Gen. 33. and 34. In Aenon near to this place Iohn Baptist baptized and signifies a City of Peace and Integrity Of Bethlem Euphrata THIS Town was distant from Ierusalem towards the
South six miles it was scituated in a pleasant and fruitful Countrey and from thence took the Name for Bethlachem is called The house of Bread Euphrata signifies fruitful being derived from Parah that is to fructifie and Baith signifieth a house from the affinity that it hath to Banah that is to build so that Baithlachem doth denote unto us the house of bread and other fruits and meats that are fit to be eaten Here was Christ the Son of God born that Bread of Life of which whosoever eateth shall live eternally Ioh. 6. And here David was the second time anointed King 1 Sam. 16. Of this Town you may read more Luke 2. Of Rachels Grave ABout a mile from Bethlem towards the North Rachel the Wife of Iacob was buried over whom he set a stately Sepulchre made of 〈◊〉 Marble stones or Pyramides these Stones are seen to this day 〈…〉 right hand of the way as you go from Bethlem to Ierusale◠〈…〉 thence all the Land thereabouts is called the Land of Rachel â—or 〈◊〉 Herod killed the innocent Children all the Inhabitants thereabouts 〈◊〉 and would not be comforted Matth. 2. Ierem. 31. Of the Town of Aeder THis was a Watch Tower of the Bethlemites about a mile from Bethlem towards the South and was so called from the flocks of Sheep that resorted thither for Migdal signifies a Tower and Aeder a flock or Herd for thereabouts were very fertile Pastures Here the Angels told the Shepherds of the Nativity of Christ lying at Bethlem in a Manger and in the place of that Tower there was a Church built which in Ieroms time was called Angelus ad Pastores because the Angels there appeared to the Shepherds Here Iacob dwelt for a time and in this place Reuben lay with Billah his Wife Gen. 36. Of Gosen and Ony. GOsen was a very delectable and fruitful Countrey in the Land of Egypt the Metropolitan whereof was Ony two hundred miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west In this City Iacob dwelt The typical signification of the Patriarch Jacob. JAcob signifies a Supplanter and was a Type of Christ who is that Supplanter of Sathan and by his death hath broken his head in pieces Again he is the type of a Christian man for as he wrestling with the Angel obtained a Blessing so every good man continually striving with Perseverance in Prayer shall at length obtain an everlasting blessing for for this cause was Iacob called Israel that is the Prince of God in that he prevailed with God so all those that belive in Christ are called Princes of the Kingdom of Heaven because by his Mediation they have prevailed with God and are made partakers of Eternal Life Iacob had two Wives Leah and Rachel Lea signifies wearied and was a type of the old Mosaical Church for that was oppressed and wearied with the Laws of Moses and brought forth Priests Levites Kings and Warlike Princes by which the People of the Jews became oppressed and wearied by extream Labours and at length were miserably extinguished for as it is in the fifteenth of the Acts of the Apostles The Law of Moses was an intollerable and troublesom Burthen But Rachel signifies a Sheep and is a Type and Sign of the Church of God in the New Testament as Christ himself speaketh in the tenth of John My sheep hear my voice and follow me and I will give them eternal Life Sheep are naturally patient and peaceable so all such as are of Christs Church seek after Patience and Peace Leah was nothing so fair but much more fruitful Rachel was nothing so fruitful but a great deal fairer Leah was the Mother of Benjamin which signifies Sorrow Rachel of Ioseph who was a Type of Christ. Of the Travels of Esau. ESAV travelled from Mount Sier in Mesopotamia to the Town of Pnuel or Penuel eighty miles to meet his Brother Iacob where the singular civility and humility of Iacob towards him is worthy observation For he first sent to meet him then he did him obedience to the ground seven several times and so saluted him saying Lo these are the Children which God of his Grace hath given thy Servant From whence it may be gathered That it becometh every man if it be possible to win his Enemy to Peace and Concord rather by Humanity and Humility than by force for Esau seeing this kind of Reverence though before he had a full determination to do him violence yet now he comes to meet him embraces him takes him about the neck begins to weep and kisses him yea such was their love that they both wept with joy Gen. 33. After Esau returning went home to Sier back again eighty miles these things hapned in the year of the World 2206 when both Brethren were about 89 years of Age and in the year before Christ 1762. Of Mount Sier MOUNT Sier where Esau and his Posterity dwelt is forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South and was so called of Sier the King or Lord thereof of whom came the Horrites who being driven thence by the fourteen Sons of Esau into Arabia the Stony where they continued Gen. 36. It was called Edom of Esau and then Idumaea Gen. 25. and the Inhabitants thereof Edomites or Idumaeans The typical meaning of Esau. ESAV signifies a Factor and was so called from Redness The Enemies of the Church colouring themselves red with the blood of the Godly For as Rebecca had in her Womb two Sons that is Esau and Iacob one elected the other reprobated so in the Church there are found two sorts of People good and evil some are wicked and impious contemners of Gods word and persecuters of the Church as after the posterity of Esau was But there are others that are the faithful Children of God that hope through the mediation of our blessed Saviour to be made heirs of everlasting happiness and be crowned with him in his Kingdom with the Crown of Glory So that here the saying of our Saviour may be verified the first shall be last â—â—d the last shall be first for Esau was the eldest yet lost his Birth-right and Iacob was the youngest yet got the Blessing Of the Travels of the Patriarch Juda. JVDA travelled from Sichem where Jacob dwelt and went to the Town of Odulla some forty and four miles where he was married to the daughter of one Chananei whose name was Schuah which signifies a happy Saviour by her he had two Children in that place Viz. Ger and Onan From thence he went to Timnah to shear his Sheep six miles and as he turned aside out of the way he committed incest with his daughter-in-law Thamar when she was about 26 years of Age. Afterwards he went twice with his Brethren into Egypt to buy Corn at Zoan where Joseph at that time was for the Famine was very great round about So that reckoning his Journey twice two and again it amounted to 822 miles for Zoan was 208 miles from Hebron where Jacob and his Sons
Children of Israel found great store of Pomegranates whereof division was made amongst them For Rimmon is as much as a grained Apple or a Pomegranate and Parez He hath divided Of Libnah LIbnâ—h is the seventeenth place where the Children of Israel stayed and was so called from the abundance of Frankincense that was found there for Libnah signifies white Frankincense This is an 104 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west Of Rissa HEre the Children of Israel pitcht their Tents being about an 100 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east it took the name from the fruitfulness and abundance of Flowers and Herbs that grow there and is derived from Rasa which signifies to make moist for there were usually exceeding pleasant and sweet dews Of Chehelah CHehelah was the nineteenth place where the Children of Israel made their abiding in the Desart being 92 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west Num. 33. and signifies a Congregation or Church being derived from Rahal that is He hath assembled This was a type of the Church where all the Elect and Faithful People of God travel through the Wilderness of this wicked world Of Saphar SAphar is a mountain in the Desart of Arabia Petraea 88 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west This was the twentieth Remove the name of the place being so called partly of their Tents partly of the roundness of the mountains Of Harada HArada was full of wild Beasts which struck the People into a mighty fear so called as being derived from Charada which signifies Terror or trembling Here the Children of Israel stayed the one and twentieth time it being 80 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west Of Thahath THIS is a certain Valley 68 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest and is derived from Tachath which signifieth a certain Plain or low place Of Maceheloth THIS was the two and twentieth abiding of the Israelites being 72 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest Here a Congregation of the Tribes of Israel was called for Maccheloth signifieth a Congregation or meeting together Sometimes it is taken for the Church being derived from Rahal i. He assembleth together Of Tharah THIS was a memorable place in the Wilderness where the Israelites had a breathing time for now growing near to the Borders of the Land of Canaan after so many Journeys they began to rest themselves because of the Wars they were shortly to undertake And it is derived of Roah and Tarah which signifieth a breathing-time Here was the 24th Mansion of the Israelites Of Mithca HERE was the twenty fifth Mansion of the Israelites being but 56 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-west in the utmost Borders of the Land of Canaan and no doubt took the name from the delightful and pleasant taste of Grapes For Mitka signifies the same that Mithetk that is to say sweetness and pleasantness Of Cades Barnea CAdes Barnea a City of the Idumaeans being derived of Kadas and Barah that is a holy place is forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South from this place Moses sent Spies into the Land of Canaan who brought of the Fruit of the Land but all of them discouraged the People only Caleb wherefore they murmured and the Lord was angry and would not suffer them to enter into the Land of Promise So turning their Journey they went to Ezeongaber 148 miles so that they travelled in the Desart forty years before they could enter into the Land of Promise Of this you may read Gen. 14 16 20. Num. 13. 27 33 34. Deut. 1. Psal. 29. Ezek. 47. Of Chasmona IN this place the Children of Israel set up their Tents a little before they sent Spies into the Land of Canaan it is not far from Cades Barnea towards the South For the twelve Spies were not sent from the City of Cades Barnea but from their Tents and of this still distribution or sending for one out of every Tribe was chosen it took the name For Casmona signifies a still distribution being derived of Chasca and Manah he stilly distributed Of Moseroth MOseroth was the twenty seventh Mansion of the Children of Israel in the Wilderness and distant from Ierusalem 72 miles towards the South where the Lord caused them to return back for their murmuring towards the South that so they might live just forty years in the Wilderness Num. 14. 33. This place seemeth to take the name thereof from Traditions for there Moses repeated to the Israelites the Law of the Lord and for this cause their Tents were called Moseroth which signifies Traditions and is derived of Masar that is to Preach Of Benei Iaacon THIS was the twenty eighth Mansion of the Israelites so called because there their Tents were fairly set up with pleasant Walks and places about them for Benei Iaacon signifieth a Building or fair Walk being derived of Bana and Akah that is He hath set up an House and was 96 miles from Ierusalem Southward Num. 33. Of Hor Gidgad AT this Mountain the Children of Israel stayed a while because it was a fertile and pleasant place as Moses himself witnesseth It is an hundred and twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the South being derived of Harar a Mountain and Glebam a Plow Plin. l. 20. ep 20. Of Iotbatha THIS was the thirtieth Mansion of the Israelites in the Wilderness being 132 miles from Ierusalem toward the South and took the name from the pleasantness and fertility of the Wilderness being derived of Iatab and Batha a certain good and pleasant waste or wilderness Of Arbona THIS place being very discommodious and no whit profitable the Children of Israel were constrained to remove their Tents with great weeping and lamentation for Arbona being derived from Abar and Naha signifies partly to remove and partly to weep Of Aezion Gaber THIS was a Town of the Idumaeans near the Red Sea 148 miles from Kades-Barnea and 174 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Here the Israelites set up their Tents and here Solomon made his Navy which he sent to Ophir to fetch Gold 1 Kin. 9. This City no doubt took the name of the strength and multitude of Trees whereof these Ships were built for they were very fair Ships and of excellent Workmanship Aezion Gaber signifieth a strong tree being derived of Ez and Gaber that is a Tree of strength Of Zin-Kades THIS was a great Wilderness lying between Aezion-Gaber and Kades-Barnea being 184 miles in length abounding with thorns and high mountains Upon the North-side thereof lay Mount Seir and Kades-Barnea and towards the South the Red Sea It was called Paran and Zin of the abundance of Thorns that grew there for Zin of Zanan signifies a sharp thorn Zinnim full of Thorns and Kadesh Sanctity or Holiness Here Moses and Aaron having struck the Rock twice at length it brought forth Water but for their murmuring and incredulity God would not suffer them to go into the Land of Canaan This lay an 120 miles from Ierusalem toward the South Of the Mountain Hor. HOR
Canaanites being distant from Ierusalem eighty miles towards the North. This Ioshuah destroyed with Fire and Sword Deborah also the Prophetess besieged it took 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 four miles and somewhat better from Ierusalem towards the North. Here the Ark of the Covenant continued from the time that the Israelites first entred into the Land of Canaan till Eli the Priest fetch'd it thence in whose time it was taken by the Philistims and he for very Grief therefore fell down and brake his Neck against a Stone 1. Sam. 4. The Inhabitants hereabouts shew the Ruines of a certain Sepulchre standing upon the top of this Mount where they say Samuel was buried but that cannot be true for he was buried at Ramath which now is called Arimathea Therefore it seems to be either the Ruines of Eli's Sepulchre who died miserably in that place or else of the House of the Lord which many years past stood there Schiloh signifies happy and peaceable being derived from Schalah that is to live at ease and in peace Of Timnah Of this you may read in the Travels of Iudah The Type and Mystery of Joshuah JOshuah and Iesus is all one in Signification that is Saviour or a Defender and did typically represent our Saviour Christ that as this Ioshuah brought the Children of Israel through Iordan into the Land of Canaan so Jesus Christ the true Ioshuah and Saviour of the World through that Iordan of Baptism bringeth us into that place of Promise Eternal Life Wherae the one and thirty Kings dwelt overcome and slain by Joshuah Josh. 10. AS the Prophet Moses won all the Land upon the one side of Iordan so Ioshuah won all the Countrey on the other from the Town of Baalgadan beginning at Mount Libanus not far from Mount Hebron till you come to the Town of Caesarea Philippi and to the Hill Seir where sometime Esau dwelt all which is 160 miles long and 28 or 32 miles broad The first King that Ioshuah overcame dwelt in Iericho The second King held his Court in Ai. The third King dwelt in Ierusalem and was called Adoni-bezec that is a Lord of Righteousness 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 fifth King called Percam dwelt at Iarmouth in the Tribe of Iuda twenty miles from Jerusalem Westward The sixth King called Japhia dwelt at Lachis two miles from Iarmouth Southward he was also hanged at Makeda Ios. 10. The seventh King dwelt at Eglon called Debir and was also hanged at Makeda The eighth King was called Horam and held his Princely Seat in the Tribe of Dan in the Town of Gezer 16 miles from Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem Westward The eleventh King dwelt at Harma in the Tribe of Judah which is upon the borders of Arabia deserta not far from Ziclag forty miles from Ierusalem South-westward this Town in times past was called Zephal that is a Watch-tower because it stood upon a Hill But when the Children of Iudah had overthrown the whole Army of the Canaanites they called it Haram a Curse Iudg. 1. The twelfth King dwelt at Arat 22 miles from Ierusalem Southward which was a Town of the Ammorites and took the name from the Asses that were in great troops within the Woods thereabout It lay in the Tribe of Iudah The thirteenth King dwelt at Libnah in the Tribe of Iudah The fourteenth King dwelt at Odullam The fifteenth King dwelt at Makeda In this Town Ioshuah hanged five Kings Ios. 10. The sixteenth King dwelt at Bethel The seventeenth King dwelt at Tapnah not far from Iordan and Iericho twelve miles from Ierusalem North-eastward The eighteenth King dwelt at Hepher six miles from Ierusalem North-ward part of this Town was allotted to the Tribe of Zabulon Ionas the Prophet was born in this Town 2 Reg. 14. and is four miles distant from the Town of Nazareth Southward The nineteenth King dwelt at Apheck forty four miles from Ierusalem North-ward and two miles from Iezreel There also the Ark 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 half Tribe of Manasses The twentieth King dwelt at Lazaron eighteen miles and half from Ierusalem North-westward not far from Ioppen and Lidda The one and twentieth King dwelt at Nadan fourteen miles from Ierusalem North-westward The two and twentieth King dwelt at Hazor The twenty third King dwelt at Simron which Town was allotted to the Tribe of Zabulon Iosh. 14. It lieth sixty eight miles from Ierusalem North-ward not far from the Town of Nazareth in Galilee The twenty fourth King dwelt at Achsap eighty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward which Town was allotted to the Tribe of Aser The twenty fifth King dwelt at Tanaach forty four miles from Ierusalem this Town belonged to the Levites and stood in the Tribe of Manasses six miles from Iezreel Southward Iosh. 21. The twenty sixth King dwelt at Megiddo forty four miles from Ierusalem Northward scarce four miles from Tanaach By this Town of Megiddo Iosias King of Iuda was overthrown by Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt 2 Reg. 23. In the Travels of Iosiah King of Iudah I will speak of this Town more at large The twenty seventh King dwelt at Kades Ios. 19. 21. The twenty eighth King dwelt at Iaknedam twenty seven miles from Ierusalem Northward being upon the Mediterranean Sea This Town was allotted to the Tribe of Zabulon and given to the Levites Iosh. 21. The twenty ninth King dwelt at Naphet Dor which Town lay upon the Sea-Coast between the Hill Carmel and the Town of Cesarea Stratonis forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward The thirtieth King dwelt at Gilgal between Iericho and the River Iordan and was the first King that Ioshuah overcame and slew all his host The one and thirtieth King dwelt at Thirtza in the Tribe of Manasses twenty four miles from Ierusalem In this Town Ieroboam and after him all the Kings of Israel kept their Courts before Samaria was built The Book of Iudges The Travels of Caleb and Athniel CALEB and Athniel with all the Children of Iudah went from Iudah to Besek forty four miles where they took King Adoni-Bezek Prisoner and cut off his Fingers and Toes Iudg. 1. From Beseck they went to Ierusalem forty four miles which they took by force and burnt it Iudg. 1. From Ierusalem they went to Hebron 22 miles which they took and slew the Gyants that inhabited therein Iudg. 1. Not far from Hebron lay the Town of Debir which
Samachoniten 28 miles This City is eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. From Haraseth he went to the Plain of Zaaenaim where he found Sisera slain in the Tabernacle of Iael as Deborah the Prophetess had told him From thence Barak with all his Army went to Hazor where Iabin King of the Canaâ—nites kept his Court and of a sudden conquered the City and put to death all the Inhabitants Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. Of Thabor THABOR is a round and high Hill scituated upon the Borders of the Tribes of Issachar and Zabulon fifty six miles from Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it self to the River Kison towards the South and taketh the Name of Light or a pure air being derived of Bo to go and come Tebuah to bring forth fruit and to give light For this Mountain Thabor by reason of the Purity of the Air is wonderful fertile and fruitful There was also a Town at the foot of it called by the same name Here the Kings of the Midianites Zeba and Zalmuna were slain by Gideon Of Hazor THIS is a great City in the Tribe of Nepthali eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North which Ioshuah destroyed with Fire and Sword So did Barak also The Ruines of this City is to be seen to this day The Myâ—tery of Deborah THE word Deborah signifies a Bee and is a memorable Type of the Church For as a Bee in all her actions soundeth pleasantly so the Members of Gods Church in all their actions sing and sound forth the praises of God or by continual Prayers implore his aid and assistance with the Bee sucking from the Flowers of the Holy Scriptures the sweet and acceptable Doctrine of Faith by which the hope of everlasting Life is strengthned in us with the sting of Gods Word repulsing all vain delusions and idle imaginations the Temptations of the Devil and those waspish affections of cruel and wicked men according to that of Ecclesiasticus the Bee is but small yet bringeth forth most pleasant fruit and presenteth unto man many memorable instructions And as Plato saith The King of Bees although without a sting yet Ruleth and Governeth his Commonwealth with great Severity and Iustice. So Christ the head of the Church though he be a delectable Saviour of Souls and without any Sting of Bitterness yet doth he Rule and Govern it with singular Justice and Sincerity Of Barak AFter Deborah was appointed Judge of Israel she ordained Barak for her chief Commander or Captain He taketh his name from Thunder and Lightning typically representing the Glory of Christ Jesus as chief Captain of the Church who with the Thunder of the Law and the Bright shining Glory of the Gospel destroyed the Enemies thereof and by the Hosts of Angels and Saints at the end of the World will cast them down with thunder and lightning into that Bottomless Pit there to remain for ever Of the Travels of Gideon DEBORAH being Dead Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Medeanites cruelly invaded the Land of Iudaea but the Lord taking compassion upon his People sent them a helper one Gideon the Son of Ioas of the family of Abiezer who was born at Ophra or Ephron a City in the Tribe of Manasses not far from Mahanaim on the East side of Iordan some 44 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East and signifieth a Rooter out from Gada that is He hath rooted out This man at the appointment of the Lord took upon him the charge of the People and at Ophra which signifies Dust he destroyed the Idol Baal pitching up in that place an Altar to the Lord wherefore he was after called Ieru-Baal taking that name from Revenge because he had destroyed the Idol He began to Rule in Israel in the year of the World 2672 and before Christ 1296. From Ophra Gideon went to Harad which standeth in the half Tribe of Manasseh where he blew the Trumpet From this place he sent back 22000 of his Army because the Lord had so appointed But the Midianites hearing of this preparation provided a great Host and pitched in the Valley of the Hill Moreh so Gideon taking only 300 with him went over Iordan and came to the Town of Iesreel for Iosephus saith sixteen miles from Harad where he gave the Midianites a wonderful Overthrow Iudg. 7. he also took there two Princes Oreb and Zeb and returned to the River Iordan where he put them to death From thence he went to Succoth with his Army in expectation to have refreshed themselves but the Inhabitants shut him out of the Town and gave him many despightful Words This Town lay close by Iordan and here Iacob sometime pitched his Tent. From thence he went to Penuel which is two miles there also they used him unkindly and gave him bad Language From thence he went to Nobach with his Army which is two miles From thence he went to Iagbetha which is four miles where he conquereâ— Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Midianites who thinking themselves secure made no preparation for War till they were besieged This was a memorable Battel and here the two Kings were put to Death From thence he followed the Enemy with a great Slaughter to Karkor which is four miles From thence he vvent back to Succoth vvhich is eight miles here he put the Inhabitants of this Town to the Sword and all the Elders and Princes he tore to pieces vvith Thorns because they had formerly denied him Entrance into the City From thence he vvent to the Castle of Penuel which is two miles and utterly destroyed it even to the ground and put all the Inhabitants to death because of their mocks From thence he went to Ophra four miles where gathering together all the Gold which he had taken from the Midianites he made a rich Ephod Iudg. 8. From Ophra he went to Sichem where his Son Abimelech was born which is ten miles From thence he returned back to Ophra which is ten miles and there he died after he had judged Israel ten years So all the Travels of Gideon were eighty two miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which Gideon travelled Of Iezreel JEzreel was a fair City scituated upon a hill near to the Flood Kison bordering upon the Tribe of Issachar 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and signifieth the Seed of God being derived from El and Dara the Seed of the Almighty God There was another of this name in the Tribe of Iudah Iosh. 15. In times past this was onely the Seat and chief abiding-place of the Kings of Israel For Ahab and Iezabel kept their Court there and Ioram their Son whom Iehu overcame and here Iezabel was eaten up of Dogs At this day this fair City hath in it but thirty Houses and is called by the Inhabitants of the Holy Land Sanatham being scituated at the foot of the Mountain Gilboah Westward in it there is a Watch Tower upon the top whereof you may
the Travels of Sampson were 240 miles The Description of the several Towns and Places to which Sampson travelled Of Zarea THIS is a City in the Tribes of Iuda and Dan near the River Soreck and taketh the Name from a Cole or Leprosie being derived of Sarag that is He was Leprous it stood eighteen miles from Ierusalem Westward Of Esthaol THis was a Town in the Tribe of Dan two miles from Zarea and stood near the River Soreck some twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name from a Woman and Fortitude for Isca signifieth a Woman and El or Ol strong and powerful Here Sampsen was brought up In St. Ierom's time this was called Asto not far from whence Sampson lieth buried Of Timnah You may read of this in the Travels of Iudah Of Ascalon THis was a City of the Philistines scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea some thirty miles from Ierusalem Westward and to this day retaineth the figure of half a Circle it taketh the name from an ignominious Fire being derived of Esh and Kalon an ignominious light Of Gaza Of this Town you may read in the Travels of Ioshuah Of the River Soreck THis was a very pleasant River upon the Bank whereof grew great plenty of Vines and Palms from whence it seemeth to have taken the Name for Soreck in Hebrew signifieth a Myrtle Branch which bringeth forth a pleasant Berry whereof excellent Wine is made It takes the beginning at a Fountain in the Tribe of Iuda some twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the West where there is a very fertile Valley in which Dalilah that betrayed Sampson dwelt and from thence it runneth through the Land of the Philistines and falleth into the Mediterranean Sea Of the Rock Eta IN this Rock there was a Cave wherein Sampson dwelt as in a strong Tower it stood in the Tribe of Iuda near to the River Soreck twelve miles from Ierusalem toward the West and seemeth to take the Name from Fowls for before that Sampson inhabited there a multitude of Fowls bred upon it and therefore it was called Eta for Aith signifies a Fowl This Rock growing to decay was repaired again by Ieroboam that Idolatrous King of Israel Of Sampson SAmpson or Schimpson according to the Hebrew Text taking his Name from the Sun for Schaemas in Hebrew signifieth the Sun and seemeth to have some Affinity with Hercules which â—ignifieth The glory of the Air for what can be said to be the glory of the Air but the Light of the Sun without which it would become exceeding dark Wherefore as some think this Sampson was the true Hercules and those noble Exploits that he did the Graecians attributed to their Hercules The typical Signification of Sampson HE typically representeth Christ divers ways first in his Person he was a mighty Man secondly in his Profession he was a Nazarite thirdly in his Calling he was a Prince and Judge fourthly in his manner of living for he went from place to place to revenge himself upon the Enemies of God's People the Children of Israel and in his Death even so our Saviour Christ is that strong man who being mightier than the Devil hath dispossest him of his tyrannical Jurisdiction over the Souls of Mankind hath taken away those gates of Death by his Mercy opening unto us the door of Life that so being set at Liberty from that hellish Imprisonment we may be made Partakers of everlasting Happiness he was also a Nazarite even from his Mothers Womb born and bred there tying himself to a Vow of Bondage that we might be made free he is a Prince for ever and a Priest after the Order of Melchisedeck during the continuance of his Life in this Vail of Misery his chiefest Actions were to go from place to place to teach to do good and to rescue and relieve the poor distressed Members of the Church who lay miserably afflicted under the hands of Satan healing some relieving others and bringing a third sort into the state of Grace so that as Sampson delivered the Israelites from the Bondage of the Philistines Christ our Prince and Judge delivereth his from the Slavery of Satan by his Death saving more Souls than in his Life And thereby pulling down the strong Buildings the Temptations of Satan hath laid them level with the Ground that they shall never be restored again And lastly after this Life ended he shall be our Prince and Judge and bring us to that place of Promise prepared for us in his everlasting Kingdom The Travels of the Spies of the Danites SHortly after the Death of Sampson the Spies of the Danites went from Zarea and Esthaol to Mount Ephraim to the House of Michah which is twenty four miles Iudg. 18. From thence they went to Lais which is a hundred and four miles Iudg. 18. From thence they returned to Zarea and Esthaol which is 126 miles Iudg. 18. So all their Travels were 244 miles Of Lais. LAIS was a City scituated at the Foot of Mount Libanus some 104 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was sometimes called Belenus this because it stood so far from Aid was quickly conquered by the Danites and by them utterly destroyed it signifieth a roaring or devouring Lyon But after being rebuilt by the Danites they called it Dan and the Canaanites Lesem Dan being derived of Laeschaem which signifieth a Lyon The Travels of the Danites THE Army of the Danites went from Zarea and Esthaol to Kiijath-jearim and there pitched their Tents which is sixteen miles Iud. 15. From thence they went to Mount Ephraim to the house of Micha and took his carved Image and his Levite from him which was eight miles Iudg. 15. From thence they went to Lais 104 miles So all the Travels were 128 miles Of Kirjath-jearim KIrjath-jearim was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Iuda upon the Borders of the Tribe of Benjamin about a mile from Ierusalem Westward It sometime belonged to the Gibeonites Iosh. 9. and signifies a City of the Desart or Woods being derived from Kiriath which signifies a City and Iaar a Wood or Forrest Here stood the Ark of the Covenant after it had been in the Land of the Philistines seven months and stood in the house of Abinadab whose Son Eleazer because he was of the Family of the Levites by consent of the Children of Israel was consecrated Priest thereof to attend and keep it here it remained forty eight Years till David fetched it thence with great Joy 1 Sam. 7. 2 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. Here Saul was anointed King by Samuel here the Company of the Prophets that is the Scholers of the Wise came down from the more eminent places where the Ark of God was with holy Songs and Instruments of Musick and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and he sung and praised God with them They called this the Hill of God because the Ark of the Covenant stood in it 1 Sam.
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
whence it took the Name Afterward in India or Phrygia and of the Hebrews was called Schaeba or Saba In this City that Queen dwelt who came to hear Solomon's Wisdom and gave him for a Present 120 Talents of pure Gold which at three pounds at ounce comes to 270000 pounds Sterling Afterwards Cambyses King of Persia over-came it and all the Country round about it and after his Sisters Name called it Meroes It is a stately City to this day scituated in a plain Country and compassed about with the River Nilus like an Island being now called Elsaba having some affinity to the ancient Name Saba The Inhabitants of this Town go naked all but their privy Parts which they cover either with Silk Cotton or some more costly matter and are of a black Colour which as some think hapneth by reason of the extream Heat The Land also is marvellously scorched and turned in many places to Sand and Dust so that the Country is thereby wonderful barren About Meroes or Saba which is made fruitful by the Inundation of Nilus there is â—ound plenty of Salt Brass Iron and some precious Stones Their Sheep Goats Oxen and other Cattel are of less Stature than in other Countries Their Dogs are very fierce and cruel In times past there were mighty Princes that had the Government 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 Government of Queens who for their noble Resolutions and 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 baptized Acts 8. was Treasurer or Chamberlain to this Queen and it is to be thought by him the Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ was first made known in Saba and in the Country of Aethiopia which afterwards was more largely propagated and dispersed by the Evangelist St. Matthew who taught there This City lyeth to the longitude of 61 degrees and 30 scruples and in the elevation of the Pole Artick to the Latitude sixteen Degrees and twenty five Scruples So that it seems the Inhabitants have two Winters and two Summers or rather a continual Summer because their Winter is much hotter than our Summer But when the Sun attaineth to the fifteenth Degree of Taurus and Leo and in the Dog-days it then lyes perpendicular over that Country and neither their Bodies nor Houses give any shadows In the sixty first of Esay it is said They shall come from Saba and bring Gold and Frankincence to praise the Lord. From whence some have concluded that those Wise men which came unto the Child Jesus and brought Gold Frankincence and Myrrh were Aethiopians and came thence But this agreeth not well with the words of Matthew 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 Saviours 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 Iudgment against this Generation and condemn it for she came from the end of the World to hear the Wisdom of Solomon c. But if Saba lye upon the South as here it plainly appeareth then it must needs follow they came not thence but rather from Persia which from Ierusalem lyes Eastward For at Susa the Metropolis of that Country there was an Academy for the whole Kingdom in which were chiefly studied Divinity the Mathematicks and History So that it is likely by their Art they might attain to the knowledge of this Divine Mystery and from thence come to Ierusalem which was 520 miles Eastward Therefore this place of the Prophet Esay is rather to be referred to the propagation of the Church through the whole World where some of every Nation shall bring Presents unto the Lord. There is also another Saba in Arabia-Foelix so called from Zaeba the Son of Chus the Son of Cham the Son of Noah and it is distant from Ierusalem 1248 miles towards the South-East In Hebrew it signifies the City of Drunkenness or of Mirth but with the Syrians Antiquity Some would have it in the Arabian Tongue to signifie a Mystery But St. Ierom interprets it to sound their Conversion 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 fruitful Trees There inhabiteth in it the King of that Country a mighty Prince his Governours and most of such as have Authority under him The Land is called the Kingdom of the Sabaeans but generally Arabia-Foelix because of the Fertility of the place for it yieldeth twice every year great plenty of Frankincence Myrrh Cinamon Balsams and other odoriferous Herbs The Tree out of which this Myrrh cometh is five Cubits high hairy and full of prickles and when you cut the Bark there cometh forth a bitter Gum wherewith if you anoint a dead Body it will continue long without rotting The Frankincence also that is found there droppeth from the Cedar-trees like a glewy substance and so congealeth into a Gum. This happeneth twice every year and according unto the season it changeth colour in the Spring it is red in the Summer white This is the best Frankincence in all Arabia-Foelix Through the whole Country there is a very delectable smell by reason of the Myrrh Frankincence and Cinnamon that is found in it insomuch that if the Wind blows amongst the trees it carrieth the smell unto the Red Sea and they that sail can easily discern the sweetness of the Air. There is Gold also found there very fine and pure insomuch as for the goodness of it it is called Arabian Gold The Phoenix is found there of which there is but one in the World Pliny lib. 9. cap. 35. describes her to be as big as an Eagle with a list of Feathers like Gold about her Neck the rest are of a Purple colour therefore from Phoenicia and the purple colour of her Wings she is called Phoenix She hath a tuft of Feathers upon her head like unto a Crown She liveth 660 years at the end of which time she buildeth her a Nest of Cassia Cinnamon Calamus and other precious Gums and Herbs which the Sun by the extremity of the heat and the waving of her wings fires and she taking delight in the sweetness of the savour hovers so long over it that she burneth her self in her own Nest. Within a while after out of the Marrow of her Bones and the Ashes of her Body there groweth a Worm which by little and little increaseth to some bigness and after to a purple bird Then her wings extend themselves to a full greatness till such time as she cometh to a
of Israel who was crowned King his Father yet living about the beginning of the twenty sixth year of Asa King of Iuda at such time as Benhadad King of Syria invaded and wasted Galilee He reigned two years one of them during the Life of his Father the other alone in Thirza at the end of which he was slain by Simri his Servant 1 Reg. 15 16. Of Zimri King of Israel ZImri signifieth a Singer and was a Captain over King Elah's Chariots he reigned seven dayes in Thirza in which time he put to death and utterly rooted out all the Posterity of Baasha and then Omri besieged the City so straitly that he had no hope to escape wherefore he set the City and Palace on fire in which he also perished 1 Reg. 15 16. The Travels of Omri King of Israel OMRI signifieth a Souldier or one that deserveth his Pay He was made King by the Israelites in his Tent while he was at Wars near to Gibithon from whence he went to Thirza which was thirty six miles and besieged the same upon the very day that Zimri had put the Posterity of Baasha to the Sword and took it He began to reign in Thirza Ann. Mund. 3017 and before Christ 951. and reigned over Israel twelve years the first six in Thirza that latter six in Samaria 1 Reg. 16. From Thirza he went to Mount Semer six miles there Omri built Samaria and made it the Seat of his Kingdom He went thither about the seventh year of his Reign 1 Reg. 16. So these two Journeys were forty two miles Of Samaria SAmaria the chief Seat and Metropolis of Israel was built by Omri in Mount Semer 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and took that name of Semer who was Lord of that Mountain of whom King Omri bought it for two Talents of Silver which amounteth to 1200 Crowns In this City fourteen Kings of Israel kept their Courts viz. Omri who was the first Founder of it Ahab Ahazia Iehoram Iehu Ioachas Ioas Ieroboam Zacharias Sallum Menahem Pekahia Pekah and Hosea who was the last of the Kings of Israel that reigned in this City and lost it together with his Liberty Of all these Kings there were but five that died naturally for the Lord being moved to wrath by reason of their Impiety and Idolatry either gave them up into the hands of Foreign Enemies or by Civil War amongst themselves they cruelly murthered one another until such time as the Assyrians destroyed the Land and and led the People captive Thus the Lord punished with a sharp and severe punishment this obstinate Nation because they contemned the Admonitions and Doctrines of the Prophets amongst which Elias and Elizeus were the chief So that although Samaria was a fair and beautiful City and the Countrey for that cause was called the Province of Samaria yet notwithstanding that great God the Judge of all things for the Iniquity of the People caused this fair City to be left desolate the Inhabitants of the Land to be dispersed and the Earth for want of due usage to lye as a Wilderness 2 Reg. 17. This City in the Old Testament according to the Hebrew Phrase is called Shaemaer of Schomron which signifies to keep or a Tower of strength You may read of this 1 Reg. 2. 2 Reg. 1 7. The Greeks and Latines call it Samaria which signifies the Castle of Iehovah or of God You may read more of this in the second Volume Of Hiel that built Jericho again AFter the death of Omri King of Israel when Ahab his Son began to reign Hiel a very rich man in the Town of Bethel that he might leave behind him an eternal memory of his Name went to Iericho which had been formerly destroyed by Ioshuah the Son of Nun and had lain waste for the space of 536 years where contrary to the Commandment of the Lord and curse of Ioshuah he caused the said City to be rebuilt such was the impious Security and Incredulity of this man but the Lord was angry with him and he struck all his Children that they dyed The eldest Son called Abiram at the laying of the Foundation and his youngest Son called Segub at the hanging on of the Gates Ios. 6. 1 Reg. 16. The Travels of King Ahab AHab went from Samaria to the Hill Carmel where Elias put to death the Priests of Baal which was about thirty two miles 1 Reg. 18. From thence he went to Iezreel which is sixteen miles there he told his Wife how Elias had put the Priests of Baal to the Sword 1 Reg. 18. From Iezreel he went again to Samaria eighteen miles where being prest with a hard Siege by Benhadad King of Syria he broke out of the City for his better safety and by Gods great providence and assistance he assailed the Syrians put a great multitude of them to the Sword the rest fled and he went away with a noble Victory as the Prophet of the Lord had formerly told him 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went with his Army to Apheck which was fourteen miles where he renewed a second Battel and therein had good success so that he took Benhadad alive and put to the Sword 100000 Syrians In this place the Prophet of the Lord reproved him for his ingratitude and obstinacy wherefore Ahab being angry he went from Apheck to Samaria which was eight miles 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went to Iezreel sixteen miles where that perfidious Queen Iesabel caused Naboth to be put to death and took possession of his Vineyard 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he went to Ramoth-Gilead twenty four miles and there in a fight that he had against the Syrians was so sore wounded with an Arrow that he was constrained to leave the Battel 1 Reg. 22. And as he went back again to Samaria which was twenty four miles he dyed of his wound Of this man you may read more 1 Reg. 21 22. So all the Travels of Ahab were 152 miles The Description of Carmel Apheck and Ramoth you may read before Of Iezreel JEzreel is a City in the Tribe of Issachar scituated upon a rising ground some forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Ahab sometimes kept his Court. Here Naboth the Iezreelite dwelt an honest and Religious man one of good Esteem and Authority that feared God and would not suffer the Inheritance of one Tribe to be transferred to another because God had commanded the contrary Num. ult For which cause he would not sell his Vine-yard to Ahab wherefore Iezabel that wicked Woman to satisfie the Kings desire caused him to be stoned Iezreel signifies the Seed of God being derived of Sera Seed and El the Almighty God Though in former times this hath been a fair Town yet at this day there is no past thirty houses in it and is called Charity standing at the foot of Mount Gilboah they shew at this day the field of Naboth the Iezreelite lying towards the West as you go
that he went to Bethel and conquered all the Country from thence to Ephron which was 36 miles From Ephron he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles there he took unto him fourteen Wives and begat 20 Sons and 16 Daughters 2 Chr. 13. The Travels of Asa King of Judah AS A signifies a Physician He began to reign about the end of the 21th year of Ieroboam King of Israel An. Mâ—n 2990. before Christ 978. He governed Iudah with great commendation 41 years He went from Ierusalem to Maresa 16 miles where in the Valley of Zephatha he overcame the Ethiopians in a memorable Battel 2 Chr. 14. From thence he pursued the Ethiopians to Gerar being 22 miles and recovered many Cities which the Ethiopians dwelt in 2 Chr. cap. 14. From Gerar he went to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and offered to the Lord of the Spoils that he had taken 700 Oxen and 7000 Sheep 2 Chr. 15. These Travels of King Asa make 70 miles The Iourney and Expedition of Saerah King of Ethiopia whom Asa King of Judah overcame in the Valley of Zephatha SAerah or Saerach signifieth A noble and puissant Lord. This was a mighty and warlike Prince who governed Lybia and Aethiopia the King of which Country at this day we call Presbyter Iohn or rather â—etro Iohannes who holdeth his Court in a fair and goodly City called Hamarich the Metropolitan of all Ethiopia and extendeth his Government beyond Meroes in Africa Many though ignorantly suppose he is a Priest because he is called Presbyter though indeed he is not so but rather a puissant and mighty Emperour But to return to Saerah or Saerach who in hope to extend his Empire into these parts went with a great Army out of Ethiopia to the Valley of Zephatha in Iuda to fight with Asa King of Iudah 1200 miles but lost the day and returned with great shame 2 Chr. 15. It seemeth that this King was the mightiest of all his Predecessors and a Prince of no vulgar Estimation because of the multitude and great abundance of Souldiers which he brought in his Army for it is reported that there were 1000000 that bore Armor and 300 Chariots but this great Army was dispersed and most of them died miserably as did that great Army of Xerxes which consisted of 1700000. From whence it may â—e concluded That it is not the Strength of Man which delivereth him buâ— the Lord. The Travels of Jehosaphat King of Judah JEhosaphat signifies The Judge of the Lord. He began his Reign in the fourth year of Ahab 1 Reg. 22. The greatest part therefore of the first year of this King happened in the Year of the World 3033 and before Christ 935. He reigned over Israel twenty five years that is from the 35th of his Age to the sixtieth In the seventh year of his Reign he went from Ierusalem to Samaria which was 32 miles to visit his Kinsman Ahab King of Israel for Ioram his Son some ten years before had married Athaliah King Ahab's Sister 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria he went with Ahab to the War at Ramoth in Gilead being twenty four miles where Ahab was slain 2 Reg 22. 2 Chr. 18. From Ramoth he went safe from the Wars to Ierusalem vvhich vvas forty eight miles From Ierusalem he vvent to the City of Beersaba the utmost bounds of his Kingdom tovvards the South to instruct his People in the Lavv of the Lord forty tvvo miles from Ierusalem South-ward From Beersaba passing through all his Kingdom he came to Mount Ephraim being forty eight miles and the utmost bounds of his Kingdom North-ward being some eight miles from Ierusalem 2 Chr. 19. From Mount Eâ—hraim he went to Ierusalem which was eight miles Thus Iehosaphat went through all his Dominions to instruct his Subjects in Piety and the true Worship of God in every City ordaining Judges and Governours Magistrates Procurators and Assessors committing to their Discretion the deciding of all Controversies saying to them Take heed what you do for the Office you have taken upon you is not Humane but Divine and as you judge so shall you be judged for the Lord is with you in judgment Wherefore do all things with diligence and in the fear of the Lord for with the Lord there is no iniquity nor respect of Persons neither taketh he any bribes And he himself remained chief Judge in Ierusalem to whom any might appeal from the inferiour Judges that so there might be a just end of Controversies 2 Chr. 16. Afterward Iehosaphat went forth with his Army to Tecoa six miles from Ierusalem where by fervent Prayers the sounding of Trumpets and other musical Instruments in obtained a memorable Battel against the Moabites Ammonites and Idumaeans for the Lord turned the Weapons of them one against another and they wounded one another to the death This fight happened in a fair Valley between Tecoa and Engedi So Iehosaphat pursued the Enemy for three days with great slaughter and returned with a mighty spoil This was called the Valley of Blessing because of this great Victory at Tecoa and began eight miles from Ierusalem South-eastward and extended it self to the Tower of Engedi near to the Bank of the Red Sea twenty miles From Engedi out of the Valley of Blessing Iehosaph at and his Army returned to Ierusalem twenty miles and went into the Temple with Shalms Harps Timbrels and great Joy thankfull acknowledging Gods merciful Favour toward him in giving him so great a Victory 2 Chr. 20. But as there is nothing in this Life that can be said permanent so likewise the felicity of Iehosaâ—hat changed on a sudden the froward and adverse frown of Adversity seising upon his Prosperity for joyning with that wicked and impious King of Israel Ahaziah upon condition to build a certain Navy of Ships at Ezeongaber to fetch gold from Tharshish and other places in India he displeased the Lord for the which cause there arose a great Tempest which brake down the Works and destroyed the Navy From Ierusalem he went with Iehoram King of Israel to war against the Moabites and with them went the King of Idumaea so passing through the Desarts of Edom they came to Mount Seir and so went to Petra the chief City of the King of the Moabites distant from Ierusalem seventy two miles 2 Reg. 3. From Petra Iehosaphat returned to Ierusalem seventy two miles where he died and was buried 2 Reg. 22. 2 Chr. 21. So all the Travels of Iehosaphat King of Iuda were three hundred seventy two miles The typical signification of Jehosaphat AS Iehosaphat by Prayer and the sound of Trumpets and other Instruments of Musick overcame and dispersed his Enemies without drawing his Sword so Christ also by the sound of his Word and Doctrine without drawing Weapon overcame the Enemies of the Church The Travels of Joram King of Judah JORAM signifies The exalted of the Lord. He was crowned King his Father yet living at such time as he made his Expedition against Mesa King
sent a great Army from Niniveh to Damascus 520 miles and there overcame Resin and put him to death and took captive 242000 of the people of Damascus and sent them into Cyren a Country of Africa 2 Reg. 16. The Travels of Ahaz KING Ahaz went from Ierusalem to Damascus which was 160 miles to meet Tiglath-Phulasser King of the Assyrians to rejoyce with him for his happy Victory and give him thanks for his aid and assistance where when he saw the Altar at Damascus to be very glorious he sent for Vrijah the chief Priest who took a patern thereof and carried it with him to Ierusalem where he made an Altar like unto it 2 Reg. 16. From Dâ—mascus he returned back again 160 miles So his Travels were 320 miles But yet Ahaz continued in his perverse Impiety and Idolatry without any regard or fear of God therefore he stirred up other Enemies against him viz. the Idumeans who took a great multitude of them captive and the Philistines who with their Army broke into the South part of the Tribe of Iudah and took these Cities following viz Bethsemes Ajalon Timnath Socho Gederâ—th and Gimso with their Villages These Cities for the most part are mentioned in the precedent Treatise except Gederoth and Gimso Gederoth commonly called Gederothaim is distant from Ierusalem eight miles towards the South-West and stands near to the Castle of Emaus being compassed about with a Hedge from whence it seemeth to take the name for Gadar is as much as to say he hath hedged about Giâ—so was also in the Tribe of Iudah but in what place is not certainly known Thus King Ahaz all the days of his Life did evil in the sight of the Lord for which God punished him and all the Land and in the sixteenth year of his Reign he died and was buried with his Fathers in the City of David The Travelâ— of Ezekias King of Judah EZâ—kias which signifies the Champion of Iehovah was born when his Father was but thirteen years of age which made many Questions whether he should succeed him as his lawful Heir in his Kingdom because they doubted whether he was lawfully begotten For if you do observe the order and course of the years and Chronologie in the Scripture you shall find that from the beginning of the thirteenth year of the age of Ahaz to the first year of the Reign of this King Ezekias make just twenty five years Ezekias therefore began to reign after the death of his Father Ahaz about the end of the third year of Hosea King of Israel 2 Reg. 19. Anno mun 3222 before Christ 746 being then about twenty five years of age a little before Easter as it appeareth 2 Chron. 29. He governed that Kingdom with great Commendations twenty nine years The first Journey that he â—ook was from Ierusalem to Gaza which was forty four miles there he overcame the Army of the Philistines and recovered all those Cities which his Father Ahaz had lost according to that in the Prophet Esay cap. 15. 2 Reg. 18. From Gaza he returned to Ierusalem which was forty four miles there he broke down the places for Idolatry and the brazen Serpent made by Moses in the Wilderness and called it Nehustan a Brazen thing that hath nothing in it self of a Divine nature and could neither profit nor hurt therefore ought not to be worshipped This Brazen Serpent was kept in memory of that Sign that God shewed unto the Children of Israel in the Desart when they were bitten and stung to death by fiery Serpents for looking upon this Brazen Serpent they were healed But now because of the abuse thereof by the Iews which turned it into Idolatry it was broken to pieces Num. 21. 2 Reg. 18. So all the Travels of Ezechias were eighty eight miles In the fourteenth year of the Reign of Ezekias and in the thirty eighth year of his age Senacharib that mighty Emperour of the Assyrians having taken many Towns and Cities in the holy-Land would have also besieged Ierusalem and for that purpose sent from Lachis which was twenty miles distant from Ierusalem Thartan Rabsarim and Rabsacha three mighty Princes Embassadors with a great Train to attend them These men went about the City to see in what part it was most subject to battery and might easiest be got so when they came to the Conduit of the upper Pool which is by the path of the Fullers Field between the Fish-Gate and the Old-Gate in that place where they might easiliest be heard they called to the King but Eliakim the Son of Hilkiah which was Hezekia's Steward Shebna the Chancellor and Ioah the Son of Asaph the Recorder went upon the Wall then Rabsacha uttered blasphemous words against the Lord but Ezekias when he had heard what the Enemy had said called all the Elders of Ierusalem together and sent for Isaiah the Prophet the Son of Amos and they went into the Temple of the Lord and prayed Wherefore the Lord heard their Prayers and sent his Angel into the Camp of the Assyrians and lo in one night there were slain 185000 men as they lay in their Tents before Gibeah which at this time they besieged being distant from Ierusalem some ten miles towards the South-West This great deliverance happen'd in the year of the World 3253 and before Christ 733. About the end of the thirty eighth year of the age of Ezekiah he fell into a dangerous disease which so far forth as could be gathered by all likelihoods was the Plague for God doth oftentimes try the Patience of his Saints with sundry afflictions but yet at his servent Prayers he was restored to Health and his days were lengthened fifteen years at which time the Sun went back ten Degrees according to the variation of the shadow in the Dyal of Ierusalem 2 Reg. 20. Isa 38. 2 Chr. 32. But at the end of the fifteen years which was about the fifty fourth year of his age he dyed and was buried with his Fathers The Travels of Manasses MAnasses or Manasseh signifieth forgetting or he hath forgotten This man was twelve years old when he succeeded his Father Ezekiah in the Kingdom of Iudah he began to reign Anno mundi 3251 and before Christ 717. This King was a great Idolater and one that put the Prophets of the Lord to death so that it was wonderful to see what Tyranny and mischief he wrought in Israel wherefore the Lord stirred up the Assyrians against him who overcame him in a great Battel and took him Captive carrying him bound in Chains from Ierusalem to Babylon even 680 miles But after being humbled by his afflictions he came to a knowledge of himself and repenting for his former evil humbling himself with prayer and fasting under the hand of God wherefore the Lord took compassion of him and stirred up the mind of the King of Babylon to mercy so that he loosed his bands and sent him back again to Ierusalem 680 miles From that time
forward he left Idolatry and worshipped the true God adorned the Temple of the Lord with many fair and beautiful Buildings and in the five and fiftieth year of his age he died and was buried in the Kings Garden 2 Reg. 21. 2 Chron. 33. So all the Travels of Manasses were 1360 miles Of Amon King of Judah AMon signifieth True and Faithful he succeeded his Father Manasses when he was twenty two years of age Anno mundi 3307 before Christ 661. He reigned two years and then because of his exceeding Idolatry the Lord cast him off when he was about twenty four years of age near which time some of his Servants conspired against him and put him to death The Travels of King Josiah JOSIAH signifies A Sacrifice of the Lord he succeeded his Father Manasses in the Government when he was but eight years of age Anno Mundi 3309 before Christ 659. He governed Israel with great commendations thirty two years 2 Reg. 22. his Mothers name was Iedidah and dwelt in a Town called Bâ—zâ—ath but how far this Town stood from Ierusalem is not set down by any Author This good King went from Ierusalem to Bethel which was eight miles there he burnt upon the Altar which Ieroboam built the bones of the Priests of Baal as the man of God which came from Iudah had told Ieroboam 350 years before 1 Reg. 13. 2 Chr. 35. From Bethel he returned back to Ierusalem which was eight miles there he celebrated the Passover with a solemn Feast and great Attendance 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. In the last year of his Reign he went with his Army from Ierusalem to Megiddo being forty four miles against Pharaoh Necho King of Aegypt in which Battel he was slain with an Arrow about the thirty ninth year of his age 2 Chron. 3 5. From Megiddo his Body was carried in a Chariot back again to Ierusalem which was forty four miles and there with great Lamentations honourably buried 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. So all his Travels were 104 miles The Travels of Jehoahas King of Judah JEhoahas signifies the knowledge of God he succeeded his Father Iosiah in the twenty third year of his age Anno Mundi 3340 which was 628 years before Christ and reigned only three Months 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ieremy cap. 22. calleth this man Schallum that is a Recompence He went from Ierusalem to Riblah a City in the Tibe of Nepthaly which is accounted eighty miles where he was taken Prisoner by Pharaoh Necho 2 Reg. 23. From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led him Captive bound in Chains back again to Ierusalem being eighty miles and there appointed Iehojakim his elder Brother to reign in his place 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chron. 36. From Ierusalem he carried Iehoahas to Memphis the Metropolitan City of Aegypt which was 244 miles 2 Reg. 23. So all the Travels of Iehoahas were 404 miles Of Jehoiakim King of Judah JEhoiakim was the eldest Son of Iosiah that Good King and succeeded his Brother Iehoahas in the Kingdom Anno Mundi 3341 before Christ 627 he governed Iudah eleven years Pharaoh Necho made him King when he was twenty five years of age to whom he was constrained to pay 100 Talents of Silver and a Talent of Gold This Money being payed he obtained the Kingdom and continued in great Impiety and Idolatry for which cause he was sharply reprehended by Ieremiah the Prophet but he being offended at his words sought to put him to death wherefore the Lord stirred up Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of the Assyrians and Babylonians who in the eleventh year of this King's Reign came to Ierusalem and took him captive tyed him in two chains and would have carried him to Babylon but his mind changed wherefore he caused him to be put to death and cast out into the Fields of Ierusalem for a prey to wild Beasts Ier. 22. 2 Reg. 23. Of Jehoiachin King of Judah Jehoiachin signifies the preparation of Iehovah This man succeeded his Brother Iehoiakim and began his Reign about the end of the 3351 year of the World and reigned only three Months and ten days which was about the eighth year of Nabuchadonozor the Great at which time he was led captive from Ierusalem to Babylon together with Mordochae and many other Nobles which was 680 miles This Captivity happened 617 years before Christ 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ester 2. Ier. 52. The Travels of Zedekiah the last King of Judah AFter Iehoiachin succeeded Zedekiah which signifies the just man of God This was the Son of the good King Iosiah yet an impious Tyrant who by the permission of Nabuchadonozor the Great was suffered to be King of Iudah after his Brother when he was one and twenty years of age He began to reign about the beginning of the 3352 year of the World and before Christ 616 he governed tyranically eleven years 2 Reg. 24. In the eleventh year of this King Ierusalem was taken by Nabuchadonezar the great Emperour of the Babylonians wherefore Zedekiah to escape the brunt of War fled from Ierusalem with all possible speed to Iericho which was twelve miles Ier. 39. 5. From the plain near the City Iericho where he was overcome by the Princes of the Chaldeans he was led to Riblah to Nebuchadonezar which was sixty eight miles From Riblah after the Emperour Nabuchadonezar had caused all his Children to be put to death before his face and had put out both his eyes he led him captive to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserably 2 Reg. 25. So all the Travels of Zedekiah King of Iudah were 680 miles Of the Destruction of Jerusalem by Nabuchadonezar IN the ninth year of this Zedekiah which was the last King of Iudah Nabuchadonezar began to besiege Ierusalem it being then Winter Anno Mundi 3860 upon the tenth day of the tenth Month Tebeth which answereth to the seven and twentieth day of December which day the Iews till now observed as a fasting day The Siege continued even till the eleventh year of this King Ierem. 39. 5. 2 Reg. 25. and upon the ninth day of the fourth Month Thamus which agreeth with the tenth day of Iuly the City was taken and Zedekiah was put to flight Upon the seventh day of the fifth Month Ab Nabuzaradan chief Captain of the Army was sent back by Nabuchadonezar into Iudaea where he destroyed and burned the houses and buildings of the City of Ierusalem Ierem. 52. upon the tenth day of the fifth Month Ab which answereth to the ninth day of August being the Sabbath day the Temple of Ierusalem was set on fire Ier. 52. de bello Iudei lib. 6. cap. 26. 27. This first Captivity and Destruction of the City Ierusalem by Nabuchadonezar that great Emperour happened Anno Mundi 3362 and before Christ 606 three hundred and ninety years being then fully compleat and ended from the first year of Ieroboam King of Israel who set up the Golden Calves and
caused them to be worshipped For after the end of these years according to the Prophecy of Ezekiel caâ— 4. the Sins of Ieroboam should be grievously punished upon the People of Iudah In the like manner from the end of the thirteenth year of Iosiah wherein Ieremie first began to Prophecy until this year in which the Children of Israel were carried away Captive into Babylon are numbred forty years which by Ezek. cap. 4. are called the years of the Iniquity of Iudah because so long the Iews did contemn and despise the admonition of the Prophet Ieremie Of Babylon HOw far this City stood from Ierusalem you may read before which by the Chaldaeans is called Shinear or Sinear and signifies To strike upon the Teeth being derived of Schen A tooth and Naer to strike It may also be taken for that when a man endeavoured with all speed to execute a thing which seems to resemble the condition of Nimrod for that in this place he endeavoured to overcome and conquer all his Neighbours from whence this Land was called Casdius that is The Country of the Destroyer So changing S into L it is called Chaldeus or Chaldaea The Chief and Metropolitan City of which Country was this Babylon built some thirty years after the Floud by Nimrod or the Babylonian Saturn the first great Commander of the World according to Berosus lib. 4. who writeth after this manner Nimrod which was accounted the Son of Iupiter Belus being angry with the Holy Priests of that great God Iehovah came with his Colony and People into the Field of Sinear where he built a City and laid the Foundation of a great Tower 131 years after the Flood and raised this Tower to such a height and withal of such a hugeness that it seemed as if it had been some great Mountain because he would have the Babylonian People accounted the chiefest and greatest in the World also their Governour the King of Kings A little after he saith he built this Tower but before he could finish it dyed in the fifty sixth year after he began it wherefore the City and Tower of Babylon according to the Opinion of Berosus was begun in Anno Mundi 1788 which was 131 years after the Flood and before Christ 2180. There were two causes wherefore the Children of Men built up this Tower first that they might get them a name secondly that they might be safe in case there came another Flood to drown the World It was made of Brick and Bittum lest the Water should loosen it But the Lord turned their Enterprises into evil and divided their Language so that they could not understand one another whereby they were constrained to leave off their building from whence it happened that their Minds Manners Understandings Studies and principal Actions were utterly changed and is the Foundation of all discord and sedition where the fear of God and the true knowledge of Christ doth not prevent it From this division of Tongues it is called the City of Babylon this is the City of Division being derived of the word Balal he hath confounded or mingled together Of this City you may read in Ios. lib. I. cap. 9. where he bringeth in a saying of the Sibyls which was That when all Nations were of one Language they built an exceeding high Tower as though they would have ascended by it into Heaven but the Lord with great tempest and dividing their Tongues subverted their enterprize from whence it was called Babylon This City was the fairest in those times of all others scituated in a spacious Plain upon every side whereof there stood pleasant Orchards and Gardens it was built four square conpassed about with Walls of incredible strength and greatness being fifty Cubits thick and 200 high beautified within with goodly Buildings fair Temples richly gilt with Gold and wonderful to look upon It was in compass 380 Furlongs as Strabo saith which make forty eight miles Through it ran the River Euphrates by which all things necessary were conveyed to the City without it was compassed with fair Ditches fill'd with water like Rivers and in the Wall there stood a hundred Gates Herodotus saith that it was 480 Furlongs about which make sixty miles English but that is not so credible The first Founder of this City was Nimrod who in those times was the chief Commander of the World It is thought that he was the Son of Cham the Son of Noah whose name signifies a cruel Governour or an unmerciful Tyrant And that his Actions might be according to the signification of his name he is branded with most perspicious notes of Cruelty omitting no violent action whereby he might inlarge his Dominions incroaching upon other mens Governments through a thirsty and ambitious desire of Renown without respect of Equity or Humanity And to add evil to evil committed many outrages upon such as were accounted good men and the Priests of the great God Iehovah from whence there grew in him a more than humane resolution accounting himself in this World a God and thorough this opinion grew into contempt of all good things compelling such as were his Subjects and Vassals to do him Worship and Reverence as to a Divine Power which being ingrafâ—ed into the hearts of such as followed in succeeding Ages they countenanced it with Authority from whence it came to pass that he was inrolled into the number of their principal Gods giving him the name of Saturn whom the Hebrews called Sudormin which elegantly implyeth Saturn Berosus saith that the Babylonian Iupiter succeeded this Nimrod whose Authority I am willing to follow to avoid prolixity This man so much inlarged the City that many in succeeding ages have attributed the foundation thereof unto him He ruled over it sixty one years After him succeeded Ninus or as some would have it Nimrod the second who began his Reign Anno Mundi 1909 before Christ 2061 he did many worthy Acts during his life and added to the Empire of Babylon many Provinces and after he had reigned fifty years dyed and was buried in Babylon After him succeeded Semiramis his Wife who took upon her the Government of the Assyrian Empire her Son Ninus being then within age and she began her Government Anno Mundi 1959 before Christ 2009. She was one of the manliest and resolute Women that we read of and performed as many worthy and memorable Actions This Queen built her Sepulchre over the most eminent Gate of Babylon in a publick and perspicious place upon which she caused to be written in Golden letters If there be any King of Babylon that shall come after me and stand in need of Money let him open this Sepulchre and what soever he wanteth he shall find but before it will not be good for him to touch it This notwithstanding it continued till the Reign of Darius who opened this Monument in hope to find what the Superscription imported but no Mony was there to be had only within
and foolish Merodach His Wife's name was Nitocris according to Herod lib. 1. She was a very magnificent and wise Woman set up many fair and goodly Buildings in Babylon and was the Mother of Balthasar the last Emperour of the Assyrians Dan. 5. Of Niriglissoroor Emperour of Babylon NIriglissoroor whose Syrname was Regassaâ— Son-in-law to Nebuchadnezzar the Great having slain Evil-Merodach his Wifes Brother reigned over the Babylonians and Assyrians four years as Berosus saith Of Labassardach the last Emperour of the Babylâ—nians LAbassardach the Son of Niriglissoroor succeeded his Father He reigâ—ed only nine months and died without Heir male Of Balthazar Nabonidus the last Emperour of the Babylonians and Assyrians ANno Mundi 3415 and before Christ 553 Balthazar Nabonidus whose Sirname was Labynitus the Son of Evil-Merodach and Nitocris obtained the Empire and reigned seventeen years according to Berosus with Ioseph cont App. Alexand. Polyb. apud Eusebium Praep. lib 9. l. 4. Alphae Hist. with Euseb. calleth this King Nabinidochus This is that Balthazar saith Iosephus lib. Ant. 10. cap. 13. which Daniel cap. 5. calleth the Son of Nebuchadonosor though indeed he was but his Son's Son as may be gathered from that of Ier. cap. 25. All Nations shall serve Nebuchadonosor and his Son and his Son's Son Bâ—lthasar signifies The Host of the Lord destroying his Enemies Labynitus signifies a shaken Sword This man as he was celebrating a great Feast unto Venus whom they call in the Assyrian Tongue Myleta amongst a great multitude of his Nobility and in that using extraordinary Excess and Blasphemy against the Lord in the midst of his Feast and all his Merriments he saw a hand writing upon the Wall which left these Words Mene Mene Tekel Vpharsin of which you may read more Dan. 5. Some say That at this very time the City was taken by Cyrus Emperour of the Persians and he put to the Sword in those Sports and Pastimes But certain it is that he was slain at a Banquet lost his Empire and was the last of the Assyrian Emperours but whether at that time I refer it to the opinion of the Reader The Travels of the Kings of Aegypt that fought against the Kings of Judah And first of Sisack who made War upon Rehoboam the Son of Solomon THAT proud and presumptuous Prince Sisack which signifies a Garment of Silk in the last year of his Reign which was the first of Rehoboam the Son of Solomon came with 1200 Chariots and 60000 Horse from Memphis to Ierusalem which was 244 miles bringing in his Army a great Multitude of People of divers Nations as Lybians Ethiopians c. With this Company he besieged Ierusalem and took it wasted the City spoiled the Temple and took thence the golden Shields which Solomon had made and destroyed that fair and beautiful house which Solomon had built From whence that Saying of his own was verified Eccles. That it is a great Evil upon the Earth for a man to take care to lay up Riches and Treasures in this World yet knoweth not who shall inherit it For those things which a little before he had with great Labour and Pains builded and beautified within less than twenty Years after were destroyed and made desolate by this King From Ierusalem Sisack returned with the Spoils of the Temple and City to Memphis in Aegypt which was 244 miles and in the Year following he was stricken by the Lord with a grievous Disease of which he died miserably So these two Journeys were 488 miles The Travels of Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt who made War upon Josiah King of Judah NECHO signifies an Enemy or Invader This man was one of the greatest of all the Egyptian Kings who in the thirteenth year of his Reign made War upon Nebuchadnezzar the first and in the Valley of Megiddo near to Magdala 244 miles from Memphis fought a great Battel wherein Iosiah King of Iudah was wounded to death From the Valley of Megiddo Pharaoh Necho went to the River Euphrates 360 miles where he fought a second Battel with Nebuchadnezzar upon a Plain near to Carchemis where he lost the day and was put to flight From Carchemis he fled to Riblah in the Land of Israel being 320 miles where in the Land of Chaemath near to the Lake Samachonites he overcame 〈◊〉 King of Iudah and took him Prisoner From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led Ioachas bound to Ierusalem 80 miles and made Ioachim his Brother King in his place From Ierusalem he returned to Memphis 240 miles Within four years after he went the second time with a great Army from Memphis to the River Euphrates 640 miles But there he was the second time overcome by Nebuchadnezzar and constrained to fly thence back again to Memphis in Egypt being 640 miles But Nebuchadnezzar followed him with an Army of chosen men and conquered all Egypt took Pharaoh Necho and made his Son Psammeticus King in his place who was the second of that name Of this Battel there is mention Ier. ca. 25. 26. So all the Travels of Pharaoh Necho were 1524 miles The Travels of the Holy Prophets and first of the Prophet Eliah ELIAH the Prophet went from Thisbe which was in the Land of Gilead to Samaria twenty four miles where he told the wicked King Ahab that there should be neither Rain nor Dew for the space of seven years 1 Reg. 17. From Samaria he went to the River â—erith twenty four miles where he was fed by a Raven From Kerith he went to Sarepta being an hundred miles where he sojourned with a poor Widow that found him Necessaries whose Son he restored to Life 1 Reg. 17. From Sarepta he went to Mount Carmel in the Land of Israel being sixty miles and by the way as he went he met Obadiah which signifieth the Servant of the Lord and King Ahab whom he rebuked sharply because of his Idolatry Also upon this Mountain he put all Bâ—al's Priests to death and prayed unto the Lord who sent Rain upon the Earth in great abundance 1 Reg. 18. From Mount Carmel he ran by King Ahab's Chariot to Iezreel which was accounted 16 miles After when Queen Iesabel threatned his Death he departed thence and went to Beersaba eighty four miles 1 Reg. 19. From Beersaba he went one dayes Jouney into the Wilderness of Paran because he thought to remain there safe from the mischief of Iesabel which vvas tvventy miles from Beersaba Southvvard Here the Angel of the Lord brought him meat as he vvas sitting under a Juniper-tree 1 Reg. 19. By vertue of this meat Eliah travelled from thence to Mount Horeb or Sinai eighty miles and continued there forty dayes and forty nights vvithout meat or drink There the Lord spake to Eliah as he stood in the â—ntrance of a Cave his Face being covered vvith his Mantle 1 Reg. 19. From the Mount Sinai or Horeb he returned to Abel-Mehola being 156 miles vvhere he called Elizeus the Son of Saphas to the Ministerial Function
and Office of a Prophet 1 Reg. 18. From thence he vvent to Damascus 124 miles vvhere he anointed Hazael King of Syria 1 Reg. 19. From Damscus Elias vvent to Mount Carmel vvhere he dvvelt vvhich vvas accounted 120 miles From Mount Carmel he vvent to Iezreel sixteen miles there in the Vineyard of Naboth whom Iezabel caused to be stoned to death he sharply reprehended Ahab for his Impiety and Idolatry 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he returned back again to his own House to Carmel sixteen miles From thence he went to Samaria which was thirty two miles where he answered the Servants of King Ahaziah whom he had sent to enquire of Bâ—alzebub the Idol of Ekron concerning his health saying Go and tell your Master that sent you That the God of Israel saith Because thou hast sent to ask counsel of Baalzebub the Idol of Ekron and thinkest there is no God in Israel therefore thou shalt not rise off the Bed whereon thou liest but shalt surely dye 2 Reg. 1. Soon after Elias returned to Mount Carmel being 32 miles where the two Captains with their Companies of fifty that were sent to take him were consumed with fire from Heaven 1 Reg. 1. From Mount Carmel he went to Samaria with the third Captain thirty two miles where he prophecied of the death of King Ahaziah 2 Reg. 1. From Samaria he returned back again to Mount Carmel thirty two miles From thence he went to Gilgal fifty two miles From Gilgal he went with Elizeus to the Town of Bethel being six miles 2 Reg. 2. From thence to Iericho four miles 2 Reg. 2. From Iericho he and Elizeus went to Iordan which was six miles through which River they went upon dry ground Now as they were speaking one to another upon the East-side of the River behold a fiery Chariot came with fiery Horses and took Elias up alive into Heaven after he had governed the Church thirty years An. Mundi 3056 and before Christ 912. 2 Reg. 2. So all the Travels of Eliah the Prophet were 1033 miles Of the Cities and Places to which he travelled Of Thisbe IN this Town the Prophet Eliah was born it being scituated in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east It taketh the Name from Captivity being derived of Chabah he hath led into Captivity Of Kerith THE River Kerith where the Ravens fed Elias runneth from Mount Eâ—hraim between Bethel and Iericho eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North and so passing along towards the East falleth into the River Iordan 1 Reg. 17. The Kerethites were such as guarded the Person of the King which in the Prophet David's time were called mighty men taking their name from striking and cutting being derived of Charath he hath smitten or cut in sunder Of Zarpath or Sarepta THIS was a City of the Sidonians where they found much Metal of divers kinds lying between Tyrus and Sidon 112 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and taketh the name from Zoraph which signifies To try or burn with Fire There is at this time but eight Houses in all the Town although by the Ruines it seemeth to have been in times past a very fair City The Inhabitants thereof take upon them to shew the Chamber wherein Elias the Prophet sometimes lived when he raised the Widows Child to Life Before the Gate of the City also there is shewed a certain Chappel where they say Elias first spake with the Widow 1 Reg. 17. Of Abelmehola THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Manasses on this side Iordan in the mid-way between Sichem and Salem some 38 miles from Ierusalem Northward At this day it is called Abisena where there are found certain ruines of Marble Pillars by which may be gathered that in times past it hath been a very beautiful City It seemeth to have taken the name from a great lamentation or mourning for Abel signifieth to lament and bewail and Machol a company The Typical Signification of Elias Elias according to the Interpretation of St. Ierome signifies the Minister of Iehovah but as others would have it Eliah is as much as my God Iehovah He was a Type of St. Iohn Baptist who was sent before to prepare the way of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Of this you may read more Malach. 4. Matt. 11 17. Isa. 40. c. The Travels of the Prophet Elisaeus or Elisha ELisha followed Elias through divers Countries and became as it were his Servant pouring Water upon his hands and ministring to him 1 Reg. 19. 2 Reg. 3. Elisha went with Eliah from Gilgal to Bethel which was six miles 1 Reg. 19. From Bethel they both went to Iericho which was four miles From Iericho he went beyond Iordan six miles where his Master was taken from him up into Heaven and his Spirit was doubled upon him 2 Reg. 2. From thence he returned back again to Iericho which was six miles passing through the River Iordan upon dry ground by which Miracle the Children of the Prophets viz. such as studied Divinity at Iericho did certainly know that the Spirit of his Master Elias rested upon him Near to this Town he â—lung Salt into a River by which the Water was made sweet 2 Reg. 2. From Iericho Elisha returned to Bethel which was four miles here the Children that mock'd him saying Come up thou Bald-pate c. in contempt of his Age and Office were devoured by two Bears 2 Reg. 2. From Bethel he walked to Mount Carmel which was fifty six miles From thence he went to Samaria which was about thirty two miles From thence he went to the three Kings viz. Ioram King of Israel Iehosaphat King of Ierusalem and the King of the Idumaeans into the Desart of Arabia-Petraea which was 104 miles here he prayed unto the Lord and he sent them Water lest they should have perished with thirst 2 Reg. 3. From the Desart of Arabia-Petraea he returned back to Samaria which was 104 miles where he relieved a certain Widow-woman that was afflicted with Poverty and Want miraculously by a Cruse of Oyl 2 Reg. 4. Iosephus lib. Antiq. 9. supposeth this Woman to be the Widow of Obediah the King's Steward of whom you may read before who did hide and maintain a certain number of the Prophets of the Lord in a Cave 2 Reg. 18. From Samaria Elisha went oâ—tentimes to a Town called Sunem as he returned to Samaria to Carmel which was 16 miles distant Here a certain rich Woman observing his often Passage to and fro by that Town built him a little Chamber wherein he might rest himself after his Journey to which place he often resorted and in recompence of this benefit although she had been long barren he prophecied that within a Year she should have a Son which accordingly she had to her great Joy and Comfort 2 Reg. 4. From Sunem he went to Carmel being 16 miles From thence he returned back again to Sunem to the Woman where he used
to lie which was 16 miles here he restored her Son to Life 2 Reg. 4. From thence he went to Gilgal which is distant from Sunem thirty six miles towards the South here he fed 100 men with twenty Barley loaves 2 Reg. 4. From Gilgal he went to Samaria which is accounted twenty miles to this place Naaman the Syrian came to him to be healed of his Leprosie 2 Reg. 5. From Samaria he went to Iordan which was eight miles Here he made a Hatchet of Iron that fell into the Water to swim 2 Reg. 6. From Iordan he went to Dothan where the Children of Iacob sold their Brother Ioseph to the Midianites which was eight miles here the Angels of the Lord compassed him and his Servant about lest they should have been taken by the Army of the Syrians and God struck the Syrians with Blindness 2 Reg. 6. From thence he led the Army of the Syrians being thus made blind to Samaria being twelve miles and delivered them to the King of Israel upon condition that he should give them Meat and Drink to refresh themselves and suffer them to depart in Peace which he did 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Sunem which was sixteen miles here he advised the Woman where he used to lye to travel thence to some other Place because of the Famine that should follow and continue for seven years 2 Reg. 8. From Sunem he went Damascus being 132 miles there he told Hazael that he should succeed his Master Benhadad in the Government of the Syrians 2 Reg. 8. From Damascus he returned to Samaria which was 132 miles where soon after he fell sick and died his body was buried near to Samaria where the Lord a long time after his Death shewed a wonderful Miracle for a dead man being thrown into his Sepulchre was restored again to life by touching of his Bones 2 Reg. 13. This man governed the Church of God amongst the Children of Israel sixty years after the death of Elias So all the Travels of Elisha were 730 miles Concerning the Towns and places mentioned in his Travels you may read before The Typical Signification of Elisha ELisha or Elischa signifieth the Salvation of God being derived of El that is God and Iaschag he hath saved from hence Jesus a Saviour because this Prophet was a notable Type of our Saviour Jesus Christ for as Elisha was anointed Priest by the Prophet Eliah so Christ was the anointed Priest of the Father and as Elisha did many works of Mercy and Miracles to make evident Gods Power and Providence so our Saviour Christ went from place to place shewing mercy to the blind lame and impotent upon them working wonderful Miracles that thereby his doctrine might be made evident to the World and all such as trust in him be made capable of eternal happiness The Travels of the Shunamite whose Son Elisha had raised from Death to Life FRom Sunem she went to Mount Carmel and besought Elisha to come and raise her Son from Death to Life which was sixteen miles 2 Reg. 4. From thence she and Elisha returned back again to Sunem which was sixteen miles and there he delivered her Son unto her alive 2 Reg. 4. From Sunem having buried her Husband she travelled into the Land of the Philistines because of the Famine that was to come suddenly after being fifty six miles 2 Reg. 8. From the Land of the Philistines she returned to Samaria which was forty miles 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria she returned to Sunem which was sixteen miles So all her Travels were 144 miles Of the Prophet Isaiah or Jesaia JEsaia or Ieschaia is all one in signification with Elisha that is a Saviour He was the Son of Amos which signifieth strength and by consequence Ozia King of Iudah was his Cousin-German as may appear by this Genealogy following Iosas ofIuda Amasiah King of Iuda Ozias King of Iuda Iotham King of Iuda Ahas King of Iuda Ezekias King of Iuda Manasses King of Iuda who caused Isaiah to be slain Amos Isaias Father Isaias had two Daughters Sear Iasub that is the rest remaining and was a sign of the rest of the Posterity of Iuda that should remain and dwell there Isa. 7. Mahez Schatal that is a sudden Destruction for this second Daughter of Isay did denote the immediate Desolation of the Kingdoms of Syria and Samaria From whence it plainly appeareth that the Prophet Esaias was of the stock of David and lineage of Christ for which cause in the fifth Chapter of his Prophecy he calleth him his beloved He began to teach publickly in the year of the World 3167 and before Christ 800. and governed the Church eighty years and more until the time of Manasses who caused him to be cut in pieces with a Saw In Anno Mundi 3190. before Christ 778. Isay saw the Lord sitting upon a high Throne in great Majesty the lower part whereof filled the Temple and the Seraphins compassed him round about Esa. 6. Cherubins are glorious and bright shining Angels of a fiery nature for Saraph signifieth He hath turned to Fire His Doctrine was twofold that is partly concerning the Law partly the Gospel as may appear by his Prophesie in the first forty Chapters whereof the Doctrine of the Law is set â—orth with sharp Reprehensions for Sin in the first four of which are grievous Accusations of Sinners for breach of the first Commandment the other for the most part prophecy of horrible Punishments Mutations and Change of Government but principally of the Iews Babylonians Assyrians Syrians and Aegyptians From the â—ortieth to the end of the Book is contained the Doctrine of the Gospel and of the Kingdom of our Saviour Jesus Christ which he hath set forth with such excellent Eloquence Figures and Amplifications that he may be compared with the best Orator that ever wrote The Travels of the Prophet Jeremias 〈◊〉 or â—eremiah signifieth The exalted of the Lord he was born in the Tribe of Benjamin in a City of the Priests called Anathoth and from thence came to Ierusalem being two miles and continued there for forty years teaching and prophecying From Ierusalem he was sent to Euphrates where in the cliff of a Rock he hid his Girdle Ier. 13. being 400 miles From the River Euphrates he returned back again to Ierusalem 400 miles A little after the Lord sent him back again to Euphrates 400 miles to fetch his Girdle and lâ—e it was putrefied From thence he returned back again the second time to Ierusalem 400 miles From Ierusalem he was led captive bound in Chains with other Prisoners to Ramath a City in Mount Ephraim being eight miles there Nabuzaradan the chief Captain caused him to be set at Liberty From Ramath he went to Mispah which is eight miles where he continued a while with Gediliah Prince of the Iews which man had the chief command of certain Cities of Iudaea under Nabuchadnezzar But in the seventh Year of the Captivity of the
sometime Bishop of Tyre saith which was a Town in the Tribe of Issachar not far from Bethulia some fifty two miles from Ierusalem toward the North near to which place Holofernes afterward pitched his Tents extending thence to the Field of Esdrelon and the Town Chelmon from whence it seemeth this Town taketh the Name He prophesied in Israel eight hundred years before Christ his name â—ignifieth a Saviour being derived of Hoschiag the third Conjugation of Iaschag that is He hath saved Mat. 2. Of the Prophet Joel JOEL signifies God's own as St. Ierom expoundeth it He prophesied eight hundred Years before Christ both in Israel and in Iudah He was born in a Village which was called Baâ—homeron not far from Sichem in the Tribe of Manasses as Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre saith Of the Prophet Amos. THIS Man's Father dwelt at Tekoa a poor man one that kept Kine and used to gather wild Figs as appeareth in the first and seventh Chapters of Amos. In this Town Amos was born and followed the Profession of his Father but the Lord called him to be a Prophet and then he went to Bethel which was twelve miles distant Here he reprehended Ieroboam King of Israel for Idolatry and worshipping the Golden Calf after he was accused by Amasia the Chief Priest of the Idols in Bethel and bound in Chains and at length Vria the Son of this Amasia struck him upon his Head with a Spear whereby he was mortally wounded From Bethel being sick he was carried back to Tecoa which was twelve miles where a little after he died as St. Ierom witnesseth in whose time his Monument was to be seen Amos signifies A Burthen as indeed he was to the wicked Israelites he so sharply reprehended them in his Sermons of the Law He lived eight hundred years before Christ. So his Travels were 24 miles Of the Prophet Obediah OBediah signifies God's obedient Servant of Abad he hath served or been obedient He lived six hundred years before Christ about the time of the Captivity of Babylon St. Ierom saith that in his time there were to be seen in the City of Samaria the Monuments of three Prophets that is of Elisha Obediah and Iohn Baptist. But some think that Obediah the Prophet lay not buried in Samaria but rather it was the Sepulchre of that Obediah which lived in the time of Ahab that hid a hundred of the Lord's Prophets fifty in one Cave and fifty in another between which there were three hundred years difference The Travels of the Prophet Jonah THIS Prophet Ionas was born in Gath Hepher which was a Town in the Tribe of Zabulon from whence to Samaria is accounted thirty two miles here he prophecied to Ieroboam second of that name Kâ—ng of Israel that he should recover Hemath and Damascus and so to the Plain of the Red Sea 2 Reg. 14. From â—amaria to Ioppa or Iapho a Port Town upon the Sea Shore to which Ionas went when he fled from the Lord was thirty eight miles but the Lord stirred up a great Wind when Ionas was upon the Sea that the Mariners cast him out and he was devoured of a Whale Ionas 1. That Whale which had devoured Ionas with a continual course and great violence in three days and three nights swam to the Euxine Sea and there cast him up upon the Shore which was 600 miles Ios. Antiq. lib. 9. From the shore of the Euxine Sea Ionas went to Nineveh which are eight hundred miles Here Ionas preached Repentance to the Ninevites Ion. 3. 4. So all the Travels of Ionas were 1470 miles Of Gath Hepher IN this Town the Prophet Ionas was born it was scituated in the Tribe of Zabulon sixty miles from Ierusalem Northward and four miles from Nazareth towards the South It seems to take the name from abundance of Grapes for Gath Ghepher signifieth a Wine-press Of Japho JAPHO or Ioppa was a City or Haven-Town scituated upon the Sea where all such Ships landed as went into Iudaea At this day the Turks and Saracens call it Iafa lying upon the Mediterranean Sea in the Tribe of Dan Ios. 19. in a certain Mountain twenty miles from Ierusalem North-Westward Pliny li. 5. saith this City was built before the Flood and in St. Ierom's time there was to be seen the Stone to which Andromeda was bound when she should have been devoured by a Monster of the Sea The Poets Seign this Woman to be the Daughter of Cepheus and delivered by Perseus King of the Persians whom after she married It is called Iapho because of the beautiful Scituation Some say it was so called of Iapheth the Son of Noah who first caused it to be built Of Tharsis FRom Ioppa as is said the Prophet Ionas descended into a Ship that he might fly upon the Sea The Latine and Greek Texts read it Tharsin whence it hapned that many have thought that Ionas fled from Tharâ—is a City in Ciliâ—â—a in which Country St. Paul was born But Luther in his Exposition of the Prophecy of Ionas doth utterly disallow of this as false for the Hebrew Text reads it not to Tharsin but in Tharsin that is into the Sea For the Hebrew Tongue hath two words or Syllables which signifie the Sea which are Iam and Tharsis Iam signifieth not only a great Sea but the meeting together of Waters or a Lake So in Luke 5. the Sea of Galilee in which Christ and his Disciples sailed is called a Lake yet Ioh. cap. 5. and the rest of the Evangelists call it a Sea So also Moses Gen. 1. calleth the meeting together of the Waters Iam which may signifie a Sea and a Lake But Tharsis or Tharschich denoteth a great Sea and no Lake or an high and troublesome Sea as the Mediteranean Sea is In this Paul travelled and there standeth many Islands as Rhodes Cyprus Cicilia and others all which are at this day subject to the Turks Venetians or Spaniards It extendeth it self from Ioppa and Cilicia to the Streights between Spain and Mauritania Into this Sea Ionas was cast when the Whale devoured him In like manner the Red Sea and all others that are Ocean Seas are called Tharsis as appeareth in the 72 Psalm where it said The Kings of Tharsis and of the Isles shall bring Presents Here the Kings whose Empires extend themselves along the Sea Coast are understood But the City Tharsis the Country of the Apostle Paul is not a Kingdom neither ever had a King much less many Kings So Solomon sent his Ships by Tharsin that is by Sea towards the South-East into the Red Sea and Eastern Ocean that they might bring Gold precious Stones and sweet Gums from Arabia But the Ships could not sail by the Red Sea unto the Town of Tharsis unless they would have sailed over the Land which is impossible because Tharsis lieth into the Land from the Red Sea as all Cosmographers agree So also the Psalmist saith Thou breakest with thy strong Winds the Ships
Christ in his name For Christ was that gracious and innocent Dove who hath made evident to Man his singular Mercy and Clemency without any shew of bitterness or wrath Then in his Affliction for as Ionas thrust himself into the Sea of Calamity and there was swallowed up of a Whale which might be well resembled to the Grave so Christ our Saviour was cast into the Sea of Affliction the misery and calamity of this World and after that thrust into the jaws of death the Grave where as Ionas did in the Whales belly he lay three daies and then arose again the Earth being unable any longer to contain his Body Of the Prophet Micah THIS Prophet was born at Maresa a Town of Iudaea sixteen miles from Ierusalem Westward it signifieth a bitter Field In St Ierom's time the Ruins of the Wall of this City was to be seen Micah or Micheas signifieth humble or lowly This man was held in great estimation because he was the first that named the Country where our Saviour Christ should be born viz. in Bethlehem 800 years before his Nativity He lived Anno Mundi 3200. Of the Prophet Nahum NAhum signifies a Comforter He was born in a Town of Galilee called Elcosch as he saith in the beginning of his Prophecy This Village was shewn unto St. Ierome by those that travelled with him through the Holy Land in his time it was but a small Village called by the name of Elcos and scituated as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith on the further side of Bethabara sixteen miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North-East This Prophet lived 750 years before Christ and Prophesied of the Destruction of Niniveh which after came to pass Of the Prophet Habacuck HAbacuck or Chabacuck signifies one that embraceth or a Lover from Chaback he hath embraced For as a Nurse embraceth and kisseth her inâ—ant so also this Prophet embraced and comforted his People with comfortable Doctrine lest by the destruction of Ierusalem which he prophecied should after happen by the Chaldaeans they should be driven to desperation Paul took the foundation of his Epistle to the Romans out of this Prophet reciting a saying of his viz. The juâ—t shall live by faith He began to preach a little before the Prophet Ieremy 650 years before Christ above 100 years before Daniel was cast into the Lions den From whence most of the Learned conclude that this could not be that Habacuck which brought meat to Daniel as he was among the Lions but they rather think it a fragment of a spiritual Comedy and therefore worthy to be called Apocrypha Of the Prophet Zephania ZEphania signifies the Secretary of the Lord being derived of Zaphan he hath kept secret He lived in Ierusalem and Iudaea in the time of Iosiah King of Iuda He was born as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith in a Town called Sabarthaca in the Tribe of Siâ—eon Of the Prophets Haggai and Zacharia HAggai or Chaggi signifieth A Priest celebrating the Feast of the Lord being derived of Chagag he hath celebrated a Feast And Zacharias or Zacharia doth denote such a man as remembred the Lord being derived of Zachar that is he hath remembred or recorded These two Prophets prophecied in Ierusalem in the second year of Darius the Son of Histaspis 519 years before Christ An. mun 3449. Haggai began his Prophecy upon the first day of the sixth month Elul answering to the 28 of August He sharply reprehended the People because they neglected the house of the Lord and built up their own houses In the eighth month Marhusuan which for the most part answereth to our November Zacharias the same year began to prophecy and in his Sermon exhorted the People to repentance adding the promise of our Saviour and that he would turn unto them that would turn unto him Zach. 1. These two Prophets lie buried 20 miles one from the other For as Dorothaeus Bishop of Tyre saith Haggai lies buried in Ierusalem amongst the Priests but Zacharias near to a Town in the field of Bethania 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward but in the time of Theodosius the Emperour was removed and preserved as an holy Relique Concerning that fable and figment inserted into the History Nicephorus I utterly disallow Of the Prophet Malachi THIS Prophet prophesied after the Captivity of Babylon and dwelt in the Town of Ziph as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith Malachi signifies an Angel sent and in Greek a Messenger for this Prophet preached so comfortably as if he had been an Angel of God but principally of Christ and Saint Iohn Baptist who should go before him to prepare his Way and make his Paths strait S. Ierom in his Epistle to Paul and Eustochius writes that some of the Hebrews suppose this Malachi to have been Esdras the Scribe who was sent by Artaxerxes Longimanus Emperour of the Persians to restore the Commonwealth of Israel in the year before Christ 457. An Instruction how the Prophets may rightly be understood FIRST look into the Cosmographical Table at the beginning of this Book and diligently observe the Countries and Cities that are there set down and how they lie scituated from Ierusalem Toward the South of Ierusalem the Idumeans Ismaelites Arabians and Egyptians dwell Toward the East the Moabites Ammonites Chaldaeans Babylonians and Persians Toward the North the Phoenicians Syrians Assyrians and Armenians Toward the West lieth the Mediterranean Sea Grâ—cia Italy Spain and the Isles of the Sea Secondly this rule is to be observed that as often as the Prophets speak of the Tribes of Israel they use these names viz. Israel Samaria Ephrain Ioseth Iesreel Bethel and Bethaven these are the names of the Kingdom of Israel but to the Kingdom of Iuda these names are attributed viz. Iudaâ— Ierusalem Benjamin the house of David But when the Prophets joyn these two Kingdoms together they call them by the names of Iacob and Israel Thirdly when thou readest in the Prophets the name of any Country or City which is not sufficiently known unto thee search this Alphabetical Table here following and thou shalt find the whole matter declared unto thee An Alphabetical Table of all the Countries and Cities mentioned in the Prophets A. ABarim that is a Bridge or Passage over It was a Mountain of the Moabites where the Israelites pitched their Tents Num. 33. Achor the Valley of Trouble Here Achan was stoned to death for his Thievery It stood not far from Gilgal toward the North twelve miles from Ierusalem Ios. 7. Isa. 6. Adama Red Earth This was one of the Cities that were destroyed with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven Ai Hilly This City Ioshua burnt with Fire It lay eight miles from Ierusalem North-ward Iosh. 8. Aiath idem Isa. 10. Ar or Ari a Lion It was a City of the Moabites lying beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Benjamin called Aâ—iopolis scituated upon the Bank of the River Arnon 24 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward Deut. 2. In Esa. 15. It is
forty five years old was invited to a Marriage in Cana a City of Galilee which stood eight miles from Galilee towards the North-West Iohn 2. Here our Saviour Christ wrought his first miracle by changing water into wine From Cana in Galilee she went with our Saviour to Capernaum a City of Galilee a little before the Feast of the Paschal Lamb which was twenty miles From Capernaum she returned back to Nazareth which was accounted twelve miles In the thirty second year of the age of our Saviour Christ which was the second of his Ministry Mary went from Nazareth back again to Capernaum where our Saviour Christ cast forth a Devil Mat. 12. Mark 3. which was 12 miles From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was twelve miles for in this Town she dwelt whilst Iesus travelled from place to place teaching and preaching the Word of God Mark 6. And although she oftentimes went from Nazareth with him to many places continuing still in his company yet then especially when he was to sustain the wrath of God and punishment for the Sin of man which was in the thirty fourth year of his age In which year she would not forsake him till his death for she went from Galilee to Ierusalem with him which waâ— sixty four miles a great Journey for one of her age being then forty eighâ— years old And when our Saviour was crucified she stood close by the Cross with a heavy and pensive countenance bewailing the death of her Son Then was the Prophecy of old Simeon accomplished And a Sword shall pass through thy Soul But after by his Glorious Resurrection and Ascension she was revived and comforted From the Passion of Christ to the death of the blessed Virgin Mary was twelve years all which time she lived with Iohn the Evangelist in Ierusalem and then being fifty nine years of age dyed and was buried according to the opinion of Nicephorus and others in the Garden called Gethsamene So all her Travels were 3506 miles Now follows the description of the Towns and Places to which she travelled Of Nazareth THIS was a Town almost of no estimation scituated in a certain Mountain in Galilee the lower sixty four miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North in the Tribe of Zabulon In this Town our Saviour Jesus Christ was brought up Luke 1. 2. Some say that it was nineteen or twenty miles from Ierusalem but they mistake themselves yet I will not dispute thereof but follow my Authors Iacobus Ziglerus and Tilmanus Stella There is not any mention made of it that is extant in the Old Testament It hath a two-fold derivation the one by Zain and the other by Zade If it be written by Zain it may have a two-fold signification since the exposition of this name doth depend upon the Verb Nazar which signifies to consecrate and keep from hence Nezaer a Garland of Flowers or a Crown set with pretious Stones c. such as Kings and High-Priests are accustomed to wear Also from the same word Nazar is derived Nazir and thence Nazaraeus which is as much as to say He is separated from the use of Wine and suffering his Hair to be un-cut as being dedicated to the Lord. Therefore our Saviour Christ is justly called a Nazarite Luke 2. For â—aezer first signifies a holy man who hath made a holy Vow unto the Lord Secondly it doth denote a Crown or wreath of Sincerity Exod. 29. 39. Thirdly a holy Ointment wherewith Kings and Priests were anointed Levit. 27. And fourthly this word Nezaer signifies a Princely Crown 2 Sam. 1. 2. Kings 11. Psal. 89. 132. So that Nazareth being derived of Nazar and Nazir may signifie both a Crown and a holy City Iudg. 13. but if Nazareth be written by Zade it signifies a flourishing plant or Graff according to that of Isay c. 11. But there shall come a rod forth of the stock of Ishai and a Graff shall grow out of his root and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him The Inhabitants of this Town at this day shew certain Monuments and Reliques of what had happened in preceeding Ages as two Churches one built there where the Angel Gabriel saluted the Blessed Virgin and she conceived by the Spirit in which there stands three Altars hew'n out of a Rock and the other built as they say where the house of Ioseph and Mary stood because there our Saviour Christ was brought up Also they shew a Well where the Child Jesus drew Water and ministred to his Mother they also shew the vast Ruins of the Synagogue where our Saviour Christ expounded the sixty first Chapter of Isay for which cause they would have thrown him headlong down the Hill Luke 4. and many other things of which you may read in Borchardus the Monk In Saint Ierom's time some forty years before Christ Nazareth was a small Town called Nazarah Of the Mountains by which Mary passed when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth BEtween Nazareth and Ierusalem there standeth many high Hills as Mount Gilboa whereon King Saul killed himself Mount Gerisim and Hebal upon which Hills the Blessings and Cursings were pronounced Deut. 27. and Mount Ephraim upon which Ehud kill'd Eglon King of the Moabites Iudg. 13. Over this Mountain being very great and steep Mary travelled when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth Of Bethlehem THERE were two Cities called by this name the one Bethlem Iudah the other Bethlem Euphrata where our Saviour Christ was born and signifieth fruitful or the house of Bread It stood upon a Hill some six miles from Ierusalem towards the South The Inhabitants take upon them to shew the place where our Saviour Christ was born which stood upon the East side of the City close by the Wall thereof where as Eusebius saith Hellen the Mother of Constantine the Great caused to be built a fair and stately Church three hundred and twenty years afteâ— the Nativity of Christ. This Church was dedicated to St. Mary and remaineth to this day being had in great honour both amongst the Christians and the Turks and Saracens This Church is such a stately building that it is thought to exceed all the Churches of Christendom for Beauty and curious Workmanship It is two hundred twenty eight Foot long and eighty seven Foot wide being built all of Marble of divers colours and covered with Lead there are in it four rowes of Marble Pillars wonderful to look upon not only in regard of their number but of their greatness for there is fifty Pillars in every row The Body of this Church the Pillars from the bottom to the top the Walls and every part of it is beautified with lively Pictures adorned with divers Colours Silver Gold and curious Workmanship so as it is wonderful to behold The Pavement of it is of Marble polished and of divers colours so cunningly set in Works and with such variety that it is very delightful to such as look
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
went from Ierusalem to Bethania which was almost two miles and there visited Mary and Martha where Martha ministred unto him but Mary sitting at his feet gave diligent heed to his Doctrine Luke 10. At this time he took his leave of these two Sisters and went thence to Bethabara beyond Iordan where Iohn baptized which was sixteen miles it being now about the midst of Winter Christ at this time being about thirty three years of age I am not ignorant that there were many which refer that long Journey of our Saviour Christ when he went to visit all Iudaea the sending forth of his Disciples and divers other Miracles mentioned from the ninth Chapter of Luke to the sixteenth to the beginning of the following year But I am of opinion that all those things could not have been done within the compass of four Months and before the Feast of the Dedication so that it must needs be that the seventy Disciples were sent forth before the Feast of the Dedication for after the Feast of the Dedication which was celebrated in the midst of Winter Iohn 10. there were but two Months between it and the raising up of Lazarus in which short time all those things which are described by Luke could not possibly be accomplished especially considering that our Saviour Christ wintered some time in Bethabara and there taught the multitude that came unto him Ioh. 2. So these Travels of our Saviour were five hundred ninety six miles or thereabouts besides the divers Visitations and Journeys he went hither and thither which because of the great multitude of them it was not possible for the Evangelist to set them down Of the Towns and places to which he travelled Of Bethsaida BEthsaida signifies the house of hunting being derived of Baith a house and Zaid hunting from Zod he hath hunted for from this place went the Fishers and Hunters which fished and hunted thorough the World Ierem. 16. In this Town dwelt three Apostles Peter Andrew and Philip Iohn 1. It was scituated upon the West side of the Galilean Sea in the Tribe of Issachar fifty six miles from Ierusalem toward the North. And because of the abundance of Fishes that were in the Sea of Galilee Peter and Andrew became Fishers and in that Vocation got their living till our Lord and Saviour Christ made them Fishers of Men Mat. 4. Luke 5. Before the Birth of Christ this was but a small Town and without doubt was so called from hunting because close by it stood a Wilderness that did greatly abound with wild Beasts Philip the Terrarch of Traconitis and Itura made this a fair City which in honour of Iulia he called Iuliades This Iulia was the Daughter of Augustus Caesar and Wife of Tiberias Philip also brought many Inhabitants thither who dwelt in that City But when Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee and Brother of this Philip had builded up Bethabara which stood beyond the River Iordan on the East side of the Sea of Galilee and called it by the name of Iuliades in honour of this Iulia. This Town re-edified and inlarged by Philip was called again in the time of our blessed Lord and Saviour Christ after the ancient name Bethsaida and so continueth to this day From hence it is manifest that the Sea of Galilee was subject to the Government of both these Tetrarchs since upon the shore thereof on both sides they had Cities standing I do think the Wilderness or Wood and â—and near adjoyning to Bethsaida is called Itura of Ietur the Son of Ismael Gen. 25. or else from the compass and roundness of it for Tur in Hebrew signifies a circle But that Itura stood upon the West side of the Sea of Galilee those that have been at the Holy Land can testifie This City of Bethsaida hath an ancient Water-course coming from a River not far from it which Iosephus calleth little Iordan which falleth into the Sea of Galilee just in the mid-way between this Town and Capernaum the Channel whereof appeareth to this day Beside the many Sermons which our Saviour Christ preached here he did many notable miracles Mark 8. c. But for the ingratitude and impiety of the Citizens the curse of our Saviour fell upon them Wo be to thee Chorazin wo be to thee Bethsaida for if the miracles had been done in Tyrus and Sidon which have been done in thee they had long e're this repented in sackcloth and ashes Verily verily I say unto you it shall be easier for Tyrus and Sidon in the day of Iudgment than for you Mat. 11. Luk. 10. The prophecie of our Saviour Christ fell upon them accordingly for after divers and sundry overthrows and devastations this Town became utterly unpeopled and as Britenbacchus saith there are scarce six houses standing in it at this day Of Chorazin THis City also stands upon the further side of Iordan close by the Sea of Galilee in the same Country as Capernaum stands for the City of Chorazin standeth upon the East side of the River Iordan where it falleth into the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum upon the West in the half Tribe of Manasses some 16 miles from the City of Ierusalem towards the North. This City also neglecting the preachings and miracles of our Saviour Christ felt the efficacy and force of the curse of the Son of God Mat. 11. Luc. 10. For there is not at this day a house to be seen only some ruines where it stood Chorazin doth denote a Dukedom or Principality from Coh and Razon a Prince and Duke for Rozez signifies a laborious Prince Ierom turning this word Rozez into Razi calls it a secret mystery or my secret Of Tiberias TIberias standeth upon the West side of the Sea of Galilee 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Before the Birth of Christ it was cal-called Kinnereth that is the City of the Harp after which name the Lake of Tiberias or the Sea of Galilee is called Numb 14. But Herod the Teâ—rarch of Galilee at whose command Iohn the Baptist was beheaded did beautifie this City with many fair Buildings and compassed it about with strong Walls and after Caesar's name called it Tiberias He also gathered thither many Inhabitants and endowed it with many large Priviledges for although this place before the restoring of the City was very filthy and impure by reason of the dead Bodies both of Men and Beasts which lay in that place from whence it happened that the Iewes shunned this place as utterly unlawful and durst not dwell there yet notwithstanding Herod with singular Industry and Diligence removed all that filthiness and in that very place built up this City both fair and spacious partly with Gifts partly with fair Speeches alluring many Iews to inhabit therein Many poor People also built themselves houses at their own charge and those that had no Children gave way unto the liberty of the City besides many rich and noble men were constrained to remove their whole
The Land round about it is very pleasant and fertile abounding with all kind of good things necessary for the maintenance of life and delight There is also found great abundance of Grapes which are very delicious and pleasant to the taste whereof the Wine Canamella is made But because the Turks and Saracens are prohibited by the strict Law of the Alcoran from drinking of Wine therefore they suffer no Vineyards to be planted neither the Inhabitants to dress those Vines that grow naturally Before the East Gate of the antient City which now lies destroyed there is built a Chappel in which place they say the Woman of Canaan intreated our Saviouâ— Christ to cast a Devil out of her Daughter Mat. 15. The Mountain Antilibanus beginneth close by the River Eleutherius and extends it self beyond Tripolis and in some places it joyneth so close to the Sea that for the streightness of the wayes those that travel that way can scarce pass In this City was the fairest Purple in all those parts nay as some Authors affirm the like was not to be found in the World c. Of Cana Syro-Phoenicia THIS Town which was called Cana the Great was scituated upon the borders of Tyrus and Sidon 112 miles from Ierusalem Northward scituated in the Tribe of Ashur four miles from Sidon towards the South and three from Sareâ—ta towards the East In this Town the Syroâ—hoenician dwelt that besought our Saviour Christ to heal her Daughter that was possessed of a Devil Mat. 15. Mar. 7. It was called Cana Syro-Phoenicia to put a diffâ—rence between it and another Cana scituated in Galilee the lower in which City our Saviour Christ turned Water into Wine You may read more of this Town before Of Traconitis THIS City was so called from the stony hardness of the Mountains of Gilead which compass it in upon the East side in which Province the Tribe of Gad and the half Tribe of Manasses inhabited It was in antient times called Basan in which Og the mighty Gyant had a great Command but Moses overcame him and gave the Land to the Tribe of Gad and the half Tribe of Mâ—nâ—sses In Christ's time the Tetrarch and Governour of it was Philip who was Son to Herod the Great and Brother to Herod Anâ—ipas Tetrarch in Galilee and Petraea which Herod took to Wise Herodia whom his Brother Philip had formerly married the said Philip being at that time alive but because Iohn Baptist reprehended him for that fact therefore at her request he was beheaded in the Castle of Machera Itura was another Province belonging to the Tetrarchy of Philip joyning upon the West to the River of Iordan and called Galilee of the Gentiles of which you may read before Of Decapolis THIS Country is so called of ten Cities that were scituated in it It stood beyond Iordan and the Sea of Galilee as may be gathered out of Mark cap. 7. and Mat. 15. So that it is manifest that that Country which in times past was called Gilead was afterward known and called by the name of Decapolis because of the â—en Cities which stood there as Chorazin which Christ cursed Mat. 11. Gamala where Agrippa King of the Iews was hurt in his right arm Ios. de Bell. Iud. lib. 4. cap. 1. Iuliades built by Herod Antipas in honour of the Empress Iulia Gadara where our Saviour Christ cast out the Legion of Devils suffering them to enter into the Herd of Swine Mat. 8. Mar. 5. Astoroth the chief City of that Country in the time of Og King of Basan Ios. cap. 12. Here also that holy man Iob sometimes had his dwelling Iabes in Gilead where Saul King of Israel lieth buried 1 Sam. 31. Mizpah where Ieptha offered his Daughter for a Sacrifice to the Lord Iudg. 11. Ramoth in Gilead where King Ahab was slain with a Dart 1 Reg. 22. and Abel of the Vines where Baalam's Ass spake Num. 22. These are those ten Cities whereof this Country is called Decapolis being scituated in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan where our Saviour healed the Man that was born blind and deaf Mark 7. This Opinion exactly agreeth with that of the Holy Scripture Yet I know there are some as Plin. lib. 5. cap. 18. and others who differ from this in the description of this Country but they erâ— from the truth Of Magdala THIS was a City scituated upon the West side of the Galilean Sea fifty two miles from Ierusalem Northward in which Country Mary who of this Town was called Magdalen was born At this time this City is called by the name of Castle Magdala in which place they shew the House of Mary Magdalen Upon the West and North-side of the City there lieth a great and spacious Plain preserved only for Pasture which Mark cap. 8. calls Dalmanutha that is Drawn dry or a poor and naked Habitation being derived of Dalal He hath made dry and Maon a House or dwelling place It may be a notable figure of the Christian Church which in this World may rightly be said to have a poor Habitation but yet is a right Magdala that is a strong and impregnable Tower against which the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevail Mat. 16. Upon the Borders of Magdala and Dalmanutha the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting our blessed Saviour Christ demanded of him a sign from Heaven Mat. 15. 16. Mar. 8. This City belonged to the Tribe of Issachar Of Thabor MOunt Thabor was a round and high Hill upon which our blessed Saviour Christ was transfigured scituated upon the borders of the Tribes of Issachar and Zebulon fifty two miles from the City of Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it self towards the South to the River Kison Here Deborah and Barak discomfited the Host of Sisera King of the Canaanites and put them to flight Iudg. 4. Of this Mountain you may read Psal. 89. Hos. 4. Ier. 45. There was also a Town called after this Name scituated at the foot of this Mountain where Ziba and Zalmana Kings of the Midianites put to death the Brothers of Gideon Iudges 8. It was a very fruitful and pleasant place Concerning the signification of the name you may read before Egesippus saith That this Mountain is almost four miles in height and that upon the top thereof there is a round Plain almost three miles over in which there grows great plenty of Trees of an admirable Pleasantness and Sweetness amongst which Trees there are many Birds which sing very pleasantly to the great delight of all such as hear them and the Air on the top of it is very pure and pleasant It is the received Opinion That upon the top of this Mountain our Saviour Christ in the presence of Peter Iames and Iohn was transfigured and he spake with the holy Prophets Moses and Elias Mat. 17. Luke 9. which place at this day is compassed about with a great Wall within which is a fair and pleasant Orchard watered with many clear and
goodly Springs but there is no man that dwells in it notwithstanding there are many Towns and Inhabitants at the foot of the Mountain neither do they think any man worthy to dwell in it they hold it in such estimation and reverence it as the Hill of God There are to be seen in it divers great Ruines of Palaces Towers and Princely Edifices in which at this day there harbour many Lions and other wild Beasts It is very difficult to ascend up to the top of it it is so exceeding high It is one of the principal hills in the Holy Land not only because that Christ on it was transfigured but because it is very fruitful and plentifully abounds with Vines and other profitable Plants and Herbs The Air thereof is wholsom and good and the Dew upon it rising thick and sweet with indifferent Rain the Trees high and fair green both Winter and Summer At the foot of the Mountain towards the South near to Endoâ— in the way that leadeth from Syria into Aegypt is shewed the place where as it is said Melchisedeck met with Abraham when he returned from the Battel of the four Kings Gen. 14. At the foot of the Mountain lying toward the West just against Nazareth there is a Chappel built in the place where they say our Saviour Christ descending from this Mountain spake to his Disciples saying Tell none of this Vision Mat. 17. Upon the East side of it runs the Brook Kison where Barak and Deborah overcame the Army of Sisera Iudg. 4. There is also another Hill in the upper part of Galilee 92 miles from Ierusalem Northward which Hill is also called Thabor and is three miles distant from Caesarea Philippi Eastward but that was not the place of Christs Transfiguration The Travels of Christ in the fourth year of his Ministry being the four and thirtieth of his age IN the Month of Ianuary Christ the Son of God wintered in Bethabara 16 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward where Iohn sometimes baptised Ioh. 10. And many came unto him saying Iohn shâ—wed us no â—gns but whatsoever he preached of this Christ are true And many believed on him Now as Christ went into the Desart to preach his Disciples came unto him saying Lord teach us to pray as Iohn taught his Disciples to pray Whereupon he prescribed to his Disciples a Form of Prayer which is called the Lords Prayer Luke 11. At this time there came unto him a great multitude and thronged about him where he made that long Sermon which is described Luke 12. 13. Upon the seventeenth Day of Ianuary it being then the Sabbath he cured a certain Woman which had been diseased 18 years Luke 13. And when there came unto him certain Pharisees saying thou art the Son of God wherefore get the out of this Country for Herod seeks to kill thee Jesus answered them saying Go and tell that crafty Fox behold I cast out Devils to day and tomorrow and the third Day I shall be peâ—fected Presently he departed out of Petraea where Herod kept his Court in the Castle of Macharuntes and went into Galilee beyond Iordan 28 miles Luke 13. Upon the last Day of Ianuary being the Sabbath our Lord and Saviour Christ healed in the house of a certain Prince of the Pharisees a man sick of the Dropsie and recited the Parable of the great Supper Luke 14. In the Month of February he went through all Galilee which was 80 miles long and 24 broad in which visitation there followed him a great company And when there came unto him Publicans and Sinners he began to speak of Repentance but the Phâ—risees and Scribes murmured at him and opposed his Parables of the lost sheep of the Woman that had lost her Groat and of the prodigal Son Luke 15. And a little after he recited unto his Disciples the Parable of the unjust Steward and of Dives and Lazarus Luke 16. About the latter end of February as by the circumstance of the History and Times may appear he made that Sermon of the Power of Faith and good Works c. Luke 17. And going out of Galilee through the midst of Samaria he healed the ten Lepers Luke 17. He recited the Parable of the unjust Judge and that of the Publican and Pharisee Luke 18. In the Month of March he finished this general Visitation Which Journey were so many and divers that his Disciples could not describe them Notwithstanding in this Month he went into the Borders of Iudaea and Petraea beyond Iordan and came to Bethabara where Iohn sometimes baptised and there followed him a great company and he healed them Mat. 19. Mark 10. There the Pharisees moved the disputation of the Divorce and Christ lovingly imbraced the little Children Mark 20. In this Month of March Lazarus the Brother of Martha and Mary who dwelt at Bethania fell sick of a deadly disease and they sent messengers to Christ who at this time was at Bethabara to give him to understand of his Sickness Iohn 11. this message came unto our Saviour Christ to Bethabara upon the twentieth day of March being the last day of the twelfth Month Adar Anno Mundi 4000. and about such time as the seventy Weeks spoken of by Daniel were fully ended at the end of which Prophecy it behoved Christ that he might fulfill the Prophecies of the Old Testament to suffer and by his Resurrection and Ascension to enter into the Glory of God and to be partaker of his eternal Kingdom Although our Saviour had received this message of the Sickness of Lazarus he stayed at Bethabara Two dayes after and as it may be thought about the twenty second day of March which was the second day of the first Month Abib Lazarus died But Lazarus being dead and buried then our Saviour went from Bethabara towards Iericho Iohn 14. Luke 8. and in the way a man came to him and said Good Master what shall I do that I may inherit eternal Life Christ said unto him Go and sell all that thou hast and give it unto the Poor and thou shalt find Treasure in Heaven and then come and follow me But because he was very rich he refused and went his way After he recited the Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard making mention of Predestination Also in this Journey he reprehended the Sons of Zebedeus for their Pride and Arrogancy and fore-telleth his Disciples of his Death and Passion and in the way healed the blind man that sate begging and so entred into Iericho where he rested all night in the house of Zacheus Mat. 20. Zacheus signifies Clean. Upon the twenty fourth of March Christ went from Iericho to Bethania which was twelve miles Here he healed Bartimeus the Son of Timeus Mark 10. Timeus signifieth Unclean of Tame He is defiled And going a little further he healed other two resâ—oring them to sight Mâ—t. 19. Upon the twenty fifth of March being Tuesday our Saviour Christ came to Bethania where
Upon the 40 day after his Resurrection he returned fifty six miles to Ierusalem where his Disciples were assembled together and upon the fourteenth day of May in the sight of all the Apostles with great triumph and joy he ascended up into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of his Father in Divine Majesty and Glory Mar. Luke ult Act. 1. Psal. 28. Ephes. 1. 1. Pet. 3. Heb. 1. So these Travels of our Saviour Christ were 319 miles But if you reckon his Travels from the time of his infancy to the day of his Ascension they make 3093 miles besides his general Visitations and Journeys hither and thither which were so many that as Iohn witnesseth cap. vlt. they could not be described Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Jericho THIS City stood very pleasantly in the Tribe of Benjamin ten miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Ioshuah overcame this Town by sounding of Trumpets Ios. 6. Heb. 11. It was rebuilt by Hiel and was compassed about with a new wall by Herod that mighty King of the Iewes who put the Innocent Children to death and called it after his Mothers Name Cyprus Ios. de Bell. Iud. lib. 1. cap. 16. And although this City was taken and utterly overthrown the second time by the Romans at such time as Vespasian and his Son Titus wasted and destroyed Ierusalem and all the Land of Iudaea yet afterward it was re-edified and in St. Ieroms time which was 400 years after Christ it was a fair City There was shewn the House of Zaccheus and the Sycomore-tree that he went up to see Christ Luk. 19. But by reason of the often destructions and devastations that hath fallen upon it there is not to be seen at this day above eight Houses in the Town and all the Monuments and Reliques of the holy Places are utterly destroyed the House of Zaccheus and the Sicomore-tree are no more to be seen in that Place only the Place is to be seen where our Saviour restored the blind man to sight when he cryed after him Lord thou Son of David have mercy upon me Luke chap. 18. Also though the Country throughout be very fruitful and pleasant yet it is nothing so fertile and pleasant as it was when the Children of Israel did dwell there For the Roses of Iericho are no more to be found there but rather in a Village about sixteen miles from Iordan towards the East And although they stand so far distant off yet they retain their ancient name Between Ierusalem and Iericho there is a Desart or Wilderness which by the Inhabitants of the holy Land is called Quarentena where the man of which Christ speaketh fell among Thieves Luke 10. There is in the same place at this day great thieving and many Robberies committed as Brittenbacchus saith In this Place also is to be seen the River Chereth where the Ravens fed Eliah 1 Reg. 17. Near to Iericho also is found the River the Water whereof Elizeus made sweet by casting in Salt whereas before it was bitter and it remains very pleasant and sweet to this day 2 Reg. 2. Of Ephraim THIS City is so called from the pleasantness and fruitfulness of the Soil being derived from Parah to fructifie It lieth 8 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward just in the way as you go from thence to Iericho in the Wilderness of Quarentena close by the River Chereth in the Tribe of Benjamin Here our Saviour Christ after he had raised Lazarus from Death to Life hid himself with his Disciples because the Iewes sought to take away his Life by deceit The Passover following he was made a sacrifice for the Sin of man Ioh. 11. Of Bethania THIS City was a type of the Church which is always subject to the Cross and exposed to every calamity and therefore is called Bethania that is The House of Sorrow and Affliction being derived of Baith a House and Oni Affliction According to the prophecy of our Saviour who foretold of the Afflictions and Tribulations that should fall upon his Church You shall mourn but you shall be comforted and your grief shall be turned into joy It was distant from Ierusalem almost two miles towards the South-East Borchardus the Monk observeth that close by a Well about a stones cast out of this Town there is shewed the place where Martha met our Saviour Christ when he came to Bethania and a little after called her Sister to meet him Ioh. cap. 11. There is also shewn in this Town the House of Simon the Leper where a certain Woman having an Alablaster box of precious Ointment poured it on our Saviours head not without the great indignation of his Disciples Mat. 26. There is also to be seen the house of Martha to which our Saviour did oftentimes resort Luke 10. Iohn 11. and 12. and in that place there is at this day a Church built in honour of those two Sisters which were the Sisters of Lazarus There is also seen the Sepulchre out of which Lazarus was raised from death to life Iohn 11. which stands close by the said Church and over it is built a Chappel of Marble very decent and comely The Saracens hold this Chappel in great estimation You cannot see the City of Ierusalem from Bethania because of the Mount of Olives but as soon as you ascend a little Hill in the way as you go thence to Ierusalem you may discern Mount Sion and a part of the City then when you are descended from that Hill the City is again hidden After that upon the left side of the Mount of Olives some stones cast from Bethpage you do leave a small Village standing under the Mountain of Offence where Solomon in times past committed Idolatry From this Village the Ass and the Colt was brought unto Christ. Not far from thence upon the South side as you go upon the Mount of Olives you come unto the place where Christ mounted upon the Ass as we read Mat. 21. And a little after you may see the whole City of Ierusalem with Solomon's Temple and the Church of the holy Sepulchre with many other holy places Then as you descend from the top of the Mount of Olives you may see the place where the multitude cried Hosanna Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord. And in this descent also our Saviour Christ wept over Ierusalem saying O Ierusalem Ierusalem how often would I have gathered thee under my Wings as a Hen gathereth her Chickens but thou wouldest not Of Bethpage BEthpage standeth upon the right hand of the way towards the East as you go from Bethania to Ierusalem and as St. Ierom saith was sometimes a Habitation of the Priests which at their appointed times went up to Ierusalem to minister to the Lord. It was so called because of the multitude of Figs that grow there for Pagim signifies a Fig Cant. 2. Bethpage is a notable type of the Church for that ought likewise to be fruitful and
to bring forth sweet Figs that is good Works and many other comfortable Vertues that so men in their afflictions might be comforted As it is thought the Fig-tree that our Saviour Christ cursed because it wanted Fruit stood not far from Bethpage Mat. 21. Mark 11. Wherefore let us take heed that we be not like fruitless Fig-trees covered only like our Forefathers Adam and Eve with Leaves and bearing no fruit Gen. 3. lest so God's Curse fall upon us and we be thrust out of Eternal Happiness Mat. 3. Of the Castle from whence the Ass and the Colt were brought upon which our Saviour Christ rode to Jerusalem THIS Castle as Adamus Risnerus saith was a certain Hold compassed about with strong Walls and within beautified with a fair Palace supported with goodly Columns it stood not far from the Mount of Olives just in the dividing of the way as you go from Bethania to Ierusalem for there goes one way to the Fountain-Gate and another to the Valley of Gehinnon In the Hebrew Text it is called Tirah as you may read in Matthew which signifies not only a Castle but a firm and sure building with good decorum and order for Tor signifies a circular order It is credible that this Hold is a resting place and that the Ass and the Colt were tied in the way for this cause that if by chance any Travellers were weary by reason of the tediousness of their Journey they might hire them for certain hours to carry them over the Mount of Olives and so return them back again The Allegorical meaning of this Ass and the Colt according to the opinion of many learned men signifies the People of the Iews who were burthened with Moses's Laws and the Asses Colt signifies the rest of the Gentiles which were not charged with the burthen of Moses's Law but tied only to the Law of Nature So we also like Travellers and Strangers in this miserable World are tied to the Afflictions and Calamities thereof standing in two ways expecting the death of the Body and liberty of the Soul then our Saviour Christ cometh in Peace and looseth this Body of death as the Apostle saith Rom. 7. and bringeth us to that Heavenly Ierusalem eternal Joy according to that of St. Paul in the first of the Philippians I desire to be loosed and to be with our Lord Iesus Christ. Of the Mount of Olives ABout half a mile and a Furlong from Jerusalem towards the East stood the Mount of Olives very fruitful and pleasant bringing forth Olives Palms Figs Gossumtine and many other notable Fruits but principally Palms and Olives of which the Mountain taketh the Name It is said in Pliny lib. 16. cap. 19. that these Olive and Palm trees do never lose their Leaves and are green both Winter and Summer St. Austin calleth it The Mountain of Vnction because of the Fertility and pleasantness of it also The Mountain of Health because it bringeth forth Oyls and many other Plants necessary for Physick also The Mountain of Light first because it lieth upon the East so that the Sun shineth in the morning very pleasantly upon it and in the evening when it setteth the Beams thereof reflecting upon the Temple of Jerusalem casteth a beautiful light to this Mount secondly because it bringeth forth Oyl which is the nourishment and life of light thirdly because it was beautified with the gracious presence of our blessed Lord and Saviour Christ which is the Day-star and Light of the Church rising up on high to inlighten all those which shall be called unto eternal happiness For which cause it typically representeth the Church which is the light of the World wherein are found many Christians that bring forth pleasant Fruit good Works relieving the necessity of such as are in want comforting the afflicted and patiently supporting the Calamity and Misery of this World that so they might triumphantly rejoyce with Christ in that heavenly City of Jerusalem What things Zacharias hath spoken of this Mount in his last Chapter is to be understood of the preaching of the Gospel and propagation of the Church through all the World St. Jerom saith in his Epitaph upon St. Paul That upon this Hill the Jews commonly burnt the red Cow with the Ashes whereof the People of God being sprinkled they were purified and sanctified of which you may read Num. 19. Heb. 6. Hellen the Empress Mother to that godly Emperour Constantine the Great about the year of our Lord 332 caused a fair and beautiful Church to be built upon this Mount just in the place where our blessed Lord and Saviour Christ ascended up into Heaven It was built round all of white polished Marble upon the top thereof there is no Roof but a Window even as Christ should ascend through it as Eusebius saith in the Life of the Emperour Constantine the Great lib. 3. cap. 40. The same St. Jerom affirmeth in his Book Delocis Hebraicis He also saith That the Inhabitants of the Holy Land take upon them to shew in this Church the Impression of the Feet of our Saviour Christ which hapned as they say just at such time as he ascended up into Heaven out of which Travellers and Pilgrims take Sand to carry with them as an holy Relick though indeed it is verily to be thought that they were feet made in stone by antient Monks thereby to get Money from such as resorted thither upon Devotion for look how oft Pilgrims take thence the Sand they are presently filled again from whence may be gathered that there is no Sand naturally there Every man therefore ought to imbrace a nearer way to Salvation than to follow those Monkish Fables and to seek Christ in the Holy Scripture not upon the Mount of Olives or amongst Sand for since the Grave could not contain him the Mount of Olives cannot hold him who now sitteth at the right Hand of his Father in Power and eternal Glory but rather if we be desirous to see the Footsteps of Christ let us seek them in the Church which is dispers'd through the World wherein we are sufficiently taught how we should follow him The Palm is a famous Tree which bringeth forth Dates and is so called because upon the top the boughs are thick and round extending out like fingers from whence it is called Dactilus that is a finger Of Gethsamene THIS was a Village scituated at the foot of the Mountain of Olives in a pleasant and fruitful place Near unto this Village as Saint Augustine observeth there were many pleasant Gardens which gave forth very sweet and delectable savours unto which Place Christ and his Disciples did oftentimes resort as the Evangelist Luke cap 22. observeth It was so called from the pressing forth of Oyl for Gath or Geth signifies a Press and Schaemen Oyl In this place the heart of our Saviour Christ was so press'd with affliction that he sweat drops of Blood By which Blood the Sins of our Souls are washed
cast into Prison who by the Prayers of the Church was miraculously delivered as you may read Acts 12. A little after that is about the month of August this King was struck by the Angel of the Lord and died miserably for when he came to Caesarea Strato he caused the publick Shews to be solemnly practised and in honour of Claudius Caesar set forth very sumptuous Interludes and Plays to which Feast and Shews all the Nobility and Gentry of that Country round about resorted Where the next day very early in the Morning having put on a rich and goodly Garment made all of Cloath of Gold he went into the Theatre and there according to his usual custom sat in a princely Seat and made an Oration to the Inhabitants of Tyre Now when the Sun was up and shone upon his Garments the Rays therâ—of cast such a reflection upon the beholders that it dazled their Eyes insomuch that they could scarce see Wherefore those that were his Flatterers hearing his gracious Speech cried with a loud Voice O Agripâ—a be propitious unto us for although heretofore we feared thee as a Man yet now we well perceive thou art of a more Noble and Divine Nature But when the King taking delight in these speeches would not restrain the impious clamour of these flatterers a little after he lifted up his head and upon the top of a Pillar he saw an Owl sittingâ—over him Presently he was troubled in his mind and within a while after he was struck with an extream pain in his Bowels insomuch that with a loud Voice he cried unto his Friends I whom but now was called your God am but a Man and him that you imagined to be immortal must presently die These Words being ended they carried him sick into his Palace and it was given out that he was dead No sooner came this News to the Ears of the Vulgar but they with their Wives and Children put on sack-cloath and fell upon the Ground with earnest Supplications to God to be merciful unto him But the King looking out of his Window and seeing them lie thus prostrate upon the Earth wailing and weeping he could not abstain from Tears At length after he had been cruelly tormented by the space of four days upon the fifth died being the second of August the Worms having consumed his Guts and eaten through his Body Thus God greviously punished him who had so much afflicted the Members of the Church of Christ but towards other Men as well Strangers as Gentiles he was mild and courteous He reigned in the whole almost seven years for he held the Tetrarchy of Philip three years under Caligula and other four years he held the whole Kingdom of the Iews He died in the eleventh year after the Resurrection and in the third of Claudius Caesar being then about 54 years of age Acts. 22. Ioseph Antiq. lib. 19. Pliny saith that this Town of Caesarea Strato was sometime called Apollonia but after obtained the name of Caesarea Palestina Saint Ierom saith in his Epitaph upon Paul that in his time which was 400 years after Christ there was to be seen in this place the House of Cornelius the Centurian whom Peter baptized Act. 10. This Cornelius is thought by some to have been of the Family of Lentuli in Rome for they were also called Cornelii as appeareth in Salust in the conspiracy of Cataline and it may be that this Cornelius was that Lentulus which wrote to Tiberius Caesar that excellent Epistle concerning the figure proportion and person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Also the House of Philip the Deacon and the Chambers of his four Daughters who were Prophetesses When Paul came unto this Town Agabus the Prophet came unto him who bound his Hands and Feet with the Girdle of Paul saying The Man that oweth this Girdle shall be thus bound by the Iews at Ierusalem and they shall deliver him into the Hands of the Gentiles Here he made a notable Sermon before Festus Agrippa Iunior and his Sister Bernice Act. 16. This Town flourished for a long time after the Destruction of Ierusalem and it was scituated in a fair and profitable place fortified towards the West with the Mediterranean Sea and towards the East it was compassed about with a Lake in which were great abundance of Crocodiles though the Water was very sweet and of a great depth Many Godly and Religious Men were here crowned with the Wreath of Martyrdom for professing the Gospel of Christ as Eusebius Bishop of this Town and of Pamphilius well observeth in his Eccles. Hist. But the Lord did so sharply revenge the death of these men that at this day it is utterly destroyed and there is not a house left though in times past it had been a Bishop's See There was also another Town built by Philip the Tetrarch called Caesarea Philippi whereof you may read before Of Ioppa COncerning this Town I have already shewed many things in the Travels of Ionas but omitted some specified by Brittenbach and Dr. Ranwolfe who have described the holy Land as it was in the year of our Lord 1575. which Authors affirm that there is seen a great Chain of Iron fastened to a certain Rock to the which Ships that lay in that Harbour were sometimes tied Also the Chain wherewith Andromda was fast bound to a stone when she should have been devoured of the Sea Monster Also they say that there is a Chappel at this day built up in the place where sometime the house of Simon the Tanner stood who gave entertainment to Peter standing by a Rock close by the Sea side and dedicated to St. Peter But for the rest of the Town although formerly it hath been a goodly City it is utterly destroyed nothing standing but a part of the Wall and two Castles upon the Haven to defend such as come thither with Ships from the Injuries and Incursions of the Pagans and Saracens Of Babylon in Aegypt BAbylon signifieth Confusion as you may read before There were two Cities of this name the one was in Chaldaea and the other in Egypt That in Chaldaea was scituated upon the River Euphrates and this upon the River Nilus being 244 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-West and called in the Arabian Tongue Alcair or Cair whether you please which also signifieth Confusion Concerning both which Cities you may read more at large in their former description From this Town it is credibly thought and not from that Town which stood in Chaldaea Peter wrote his first Epistle as the circumstances of the History do evidently declare for that Babylon which stood in Chaldaea was in the time of Peter utterly destroyed but then this Babylon was had in great estimation About this time also Mark who was the Disciple of Peter was the first Bishop of Alexandria as you may read in the end of this Epistle Wherefore that Opinion which some would have to pass for truth that Peter wrote his
South-wind they thought to sail to Phoenicia a Haven in Creta but the wind coming about to the East drave them back again into the Sea by which means they were in danger of their Lives This Island was brought under the subjection of the Romans 66 years before the birth of Christ and so for a long time continued until the Saracens entered therein and took it from the Romans 800 years after the Birth of Christ. After that in the year of our Lord 979 the Emperour of Constantinople drave the Saracens out of the Island and kept it but in the end the Venetians brought it under their Subjection and Seigniory in the year of our Lord 1202 and at this day it is called Candia Of Clauda CLaudea is an Isle not far from Crete lying towards the Southwest in the Mediterranean Sea 288 miles from Ierusalem towards the West at this day it is called Porto Cabaso here the Saylers the Apostle Paul and the rest of the company haled overboard their Cock-boat and tyed it to their Ship and fell to towing lest they should have been sunk into Syrâ—is a dangerous Gulph upon those Seas Acts 27. Of Syrtis THIS is a Gulph of the Sea lying upon 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 remarkable called by the name of Syrtis from drawing and attracting Ships unto them by which they were greatly endangered the one was called the greater and the other the less the greater lay 1000 miles from Ierusalem towards the West but the other lay under 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 Companions were in such danger mentioned Act. 17. Of Mylete THIS Island was so called from the great abundance of Honey 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 fruitful bringing forth great plenty of Wheat Rye Flax Cumin Cotton Figs Wine Roses Violets Time Lavender and many other sweet and delightful Herbs from whence Bees did gather great plenty of Honey The Sun is very hot in this Island insomuch that by the extreme servor thereof the Inhabitants lose their natural complexion and look of a tawny colour In Summer Evenings there falleth great plenty of dews whereby the Earth is refreshed and the Herbs increased There is neither Snow or Frost seen in it for the Northern Winds which with us are the Authors of Cold and Frosts with them procure Rain which greatly refresheth and increaseth the Fruits of the Earth so that the Pastures and Medows become very pleasant and full of Grass 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 above twenty thousand Men. The Inhabitants are very honest religious and godly and the Women fair chast and modest for they never come abroad but with their faces covered The Children that are born in this Country fear not any Snakes neither are hurt by 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 kind of creatures are most pernicious In this Isle also there are bred a kind of Dogs that are but small yet very white and shagged and so loving that the Inhabitants of all the neighbouring Countries will buy them though they be at dear rates The chief City thereof called Malta is so strongly fortified both by Art and Nature that it is almost impossible to be conquered unless it be either by Treason or Famine The Town or Castle whereof is fortified with the Knights of St. Iohn's Order who have mightily expressed their Valour and Resolution in defending this Town from the Turks About a mile from this the ruines of a goodly fair City are to be seen And upon the East Promontory a little from the City of Malta there yet remain the decays which are worthy to look upon of a goodly Temple dedicated to Iunâ— It seemeth by what remaineth that this Church hath been a fair and goodly thing in times past There is also here and there in the Earth found certain brass Monies having upon the one side a superscription written in Greek Letters and upon the other the Image of Iuno There stood upon the South side of Malta a Temple dedicated to Hercules the ruines of which are yet extant and in it are found Mountains worthy of admiration At such time as the Captain of Massanissa King of the Numidians had conquered this Island amongst other pretious things that he found in these Temples he took thence a great deal of goodly Ivory but that religious King did faithfully restore all those things back again and dedicated them to the several Temples Thus we may perceive that the Inhabitants of this Island of Malta were wholly given to Idolatry and Superstition untill such time as Paul by the Inconstancy and Vehemency of the Wind was driven upon it and converted them from that perverse and prophane Worship to the Christian Religion at such time as he suffered Shipwrack and wintered amongst them Acts 27. The Inhabitants shew upon the North part of this Isle the place where the Ship was cast away wherein the Apostle Paul was in which place they have built up a Chappel and dedicated it to Saint Paul They shew also a Cave in which they say he lived and they verily believed that he expelled all Venome and Poyson out of that Island at such time as he was there It was first subject unto the Africans as may appear by certain Marble Pillars which are here and there found in which there are ingraven certain Characters of the Carthaginians not much unlike to Hebrew Letters And although the Inhabitants are Christians yet their Speech is much like the Saracens which differeth little or nothing from the antient Punick At such time as Dido built Carthage which is thought to be 890 years before Christ Battus was King of this Isle and held a Confederacy with Dido for when Hyarbas King of the Gelutians made War upon Dido because he could not obtain her in Matrimony she received Aid from this Battus and when for the love of Aeneas she had killed her self Hyarbas having conquered Carthage banished her Sister Anne who was entertained by this Battus But Hyarbas taking that unkindly made War upon Battus and conquered the Island of Malta so it continued in the Jurisdiction of the Carthaginians a long time after until the Carthaginians were conquered by the Romans and then one Titus Sempronius about such times as Hannibal brought his Army before Trebia won it 217 years before Christ. And after it continued under the Jurisdiction of the Romans 130 years and then it was