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
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
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
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-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
River of Cutha a multitude of Iews with great shame and grief were constrained to dwell He also gathered a great multitude of other People out of Babylon Hamath or Antiochia some out of his own Dominions of Assyria also out of Media and the People of Ava and Sepharvaiim which People are mentioned Esay 37. and sent them to inhabit in Samaria and all the Cities and Countries round about because it was a Fertile and pleasant Country and to defend it against the incursions of strangers From whence may be gathered that in this behalf the Policy of this Emperour was much greater than that of the Romans for the retaining of this Kingdom but especially than that of Titus Vespasian for he having conquered the Land wasted it and destroyed it with Fire and Sword put thence the Inhabitants and dispersed them here and there left the Country bare and naked only a few Garrisons were placed in the strongest Cities to keep it to their use Which not being able enough to oppose the incursions of the Saracens that in great Troops brake out of the Desarts of Arabia-Petraea they soon lost all that they had gotten and the Turks joyning with them they have now gained into their possession that pleasant and fruitful Land of Iudaea and inhabit therein even to this day to the great detriment and scandal of the Christians But to return to the People sent to inhabit this Kingdom who as they were of divers Nations so were they of divers Religions and every Family had his particular God Wherefore the Lord sent a Multitude of Lyons among them which daily vexed them from whence it happened that Salmanasser was constrained to send back unto them a Levite one of the Priests that had been carried away Captive to shew them the true Worship of God He came to Bethel and there taught them the Doctrine of the Lord and the Customs and Ceremonies of the Mosaical Law whereby it happened that they began to worship God and their Idols in neither observing their Ancient custom For which cause they became so abominable unto the Iews that they refused their company and familiarity as that Samaritan woman confessed to Christ at Iacobs Well Ioh. 4. so that when the Iews could call a man by any ignominious or odious name they would term him a Samaritan Ioh. 8. Do we not say rightly that thou art a Samaritan and â—est a Devil But of all the People which Salmanasser sent into the Holy-Land those that came out of the East part of Persia from Cutha called Cutheis dwelt in Samaria and got the chief command and Government over the rest The Travels of the Kings of Syria that made Wars upon the Kings of Israel And first of the Travels or Incursions of Benhadad BEnhadad King of Syria went from Damascus the chief City of his Kingdom and came to Samaria and straitly besieged it in the time of Ahab King of Israel 1 Reg. 24. being 132 miles From thence being overcome and put to flight by Ahab he returned back to Damascus which was 132 miles The second time he came from thence and invaded the Land of Israel even unto the City of Apheck 124 miles which he besieged But Ahab King of Israel overcame him in a great Battel and put 100000 Syrians to the Sword and when the rest of the multitude would have fled into the City the ruins of a Wall fell down upon them so that there dyed 27000. This put Benhadad in such a fear that he was constrained to fly from one chamber to another to hide himself but at last was taken and not without the great wrath and indignation of God by that wicked King Ahab pardoned and set at liberty 2 Reg. 20. Wherefore he went thence back to Damascus which was 124 miles Within three years after he brought a great Army against Ramoth in Gilead which is 104 miles from Damascus South-Eastward Here he won of Ahab a great Battel in which Ahab was slain with an Arrow 1 Reg. 22. From thence he returned back to Damascus which was about 104 miles After that he came again from Damascus into the land of Israel with a great Army 120 miles where he counselled with his Captains and men of War saying Here and there will we incamp our selves But the Prophet Elisha discoâ—ered their purposes 2 Reg. 6. Out of the Land of Isrel he returned to Damascus which was 120 miles From thence he returned again with his Army to Samaria being 132 miles which the second time he besieged so straitly that an Asses head was worth eighty pieces of Silver But yet the Lord at the fervent Prayers of Elizeus the Prophet struck such a fear and anguish among the Enemies that Benhadad and his Army were constrained to fly 2 Reg. 6. Being sore troubled because he was thus put to flight he went to Damascus which was 132 miles and there within a while after died of grief 2 Reg. 9. So all the Travels of King Benhadad were 1224 miles The Travels of the Captains which Benhadad King of Syria sent to waste and destroy the Land of Baesa King of Israel THIS Army went from Damascus and came to the Town of Hion seventy two miles From thence they went to Dan which is four miles From Dan they went to the City of Abel-Bethmaacha twelve miles From thence they went to the land of Chineroth which was accounted eight miles there they took certain Cities of Fruit and spoiled and destroyed them From Chineroth in the Tribe of Nephtaly when they had cruelly wasted and destroyed that Country they returned with a great booty to Damascus being eighty eight miles 1 Reg. 15. So all their Travels were 184 miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which they travelled Hion and Dan. HIon and Dan are two Towns near to Mount Libanus and the Fountains of Iordan some 104 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward Hion signifies a Town of the Fountain because it standeth near to the Town or Fountains from whence Iordan issueth Of Abel-Bethmaacha you may read before Of Chineroth THIS Chineroth or Cineroth was the Metropolitan City of the Tribe of Nephtaly seventy two miles from Ierusalem Northward It was scituated in a very fruitful and pleasant place and for that cause was so called for Kinroth being derived of Kinnor signifieth Musick or Mirth The Travels of Naaman the Syrian NAaman came from Damascus to Samaria which was 132 miles to be cured of his Leprosie by Elizeus who commanded him to go to the River Iordan and wash himself therein seven times and he should be cleansed Wherefore from Samaria he went to Iordan twenty six miles and there according to the commandment of the Prophet he washed himself seven times and was cleansed 2 Reg. 5. From the River Iordan he returned back again to Elizeus the Prophet to give him thanks for that benefit which was about sixteen miles From Samaria he returned to Damascus 132 miles So all the Travels of Naaman the
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
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
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
are with him that so I may get my self a name and be famous through the whole Kingdom so he came out of Syria and pitched his Tents near Bethoron the lower in the Tribe of Iudah thirty two miles from Samaria But Iudas went down to him to Bethoron where he broke into his Camp overcame his whole Army and put him to the Sword with 8000 of his men but the rest fled into the Land of the Philistines 1 Mac. 3. These two Victories he obtained in the first year of his Government by which he made the name of Macchabees famous through that Kingdom This Battel was fought eight miles from Ierusalem Antiochus Epiphanes having certain Intelligence of that which had happened in the next year made an Expedition into Persia that he might gather Money in those East parts to make an offensive War against the Iews and gave Authority to Lysias whom he made Governour in his absence to suppress this faction sprung up amongst them Wherefore Lysias sent 40000 Foot and 7000 Horse into Iury and appointed Ptolomais Nicanor and Gorgias to be Generals of the whole Army Who so soon as they had entered Iudaea after Hostile manner they pitched their Tents near to a Town called Emaus Iosep. lib. Ant. 13. c. 10. This Town standeth six miles and somwhat more from Ierusalem but Iudas Macchabeus assembled his Army in Mizpah scituated in the Tribe of Benjamin not far from Ierusalem six miles from Bethoron 1. Mac. 3. After Iudas Macchabeus had implored Gods assistance in his Wars and performed many Religious ceremonies he went with his Army to Emaus which was four miles where coming upon the Enemy in the night and unexpected he overcame Nicanor put him to flight and kill'd 3000 of his men This Victory happened in the third year of Iudas Macchabeus his Government 1. Mac. 4. From Emaus he pursued the Enemy to Gexeron Azotus Asserimoth and Iamniah upon the Borders of Idumaea which was eight miles After he returned back from pursuing the Enemy with his Army to Emaus which was eight miles that he might oppose the Army of Gorgias but Gorgias understanding of the overthrow of Nicanor and burning of his Tents fled Iudas Macchabeus obtained his fourth victory in the third year of his Government which was 62 years before Christ and in the 148 year of the Government of the Graecians in Syria six miles from Emaus near to the Castle or Fortress of Bethsura which signifies the house of the Rock being a very strong place scituated in the top of a high Rock some half a mile from Ierusalem in the way which leadeth to Bethlehem Near to this Castle Iudas Macchabeus overcame Lysias Antiochus his chief General of Syria who had 20000 foot and 5000 horse in his Army carrying away a great victory and put to the sword 5000 of his men Lysias being thus overcome mediated a Peace with the Iews which was concluded upon the fourth day of the Month Diosceris which answereth unto the seventh day of our Month of Iune 2 Macch. 10. From Bethsura Iudas Macchabeus brought back his Army to Ierusalem which was almost a mile where he caused the Temple of the Lord to be cleansed of the abomination of the Gentiles and broke down the Statue of Iupiter Olympus which had continued there for the space of three years and on the fifth day of the month Caslew which is our December celebrated a solemn Passeover and built up a new Altar and dedicated it unto the Lord. In the year after being the fourth year of his Government he repaired â—he Town of Sion and fortified Bethsura against the Idumeans which Nation all this year made War upon the Iews But after Iudas gathered an army and went 40 miles into Idumaea and invaded those that were in Arabathnes and in the Land of the sons of Bean which people troubled the Israelites with continual Robberies and put them to flight so that they were constrained to take their Castle where he fired them and it together 1 Macch. 5. 2. Macch. 10. From Idumaea he returned back again with his army to Ierusalem which was forty miles Afterward he led his Army against the Ammonites which lay 60 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast 1. Macch. 5. From thence he went to Iaeser in the Tribe of Gad which was 24 miles which he took and all the Castles thereabouts This Town Moses in times past conquered as you may read before 1 Macch. 15. From Iaeser he returned to Ierusalem which was 40 miles From thence he went to Ioppa which was 20 miles and there he burned their Haven for Ioppa was a Haven-Town and those which scaped the fire he kill'd with the sword 2 Mac. 12. From Ioppa he went to Iamnia which was accounted four miles where in the Night he fired their Haven burn'd their Ships and spoiled their Town insomuch as the Inhabitants of Ierusalem which were sixteen miles off might easily see the Fire 2 Macch. 12. From Iamnia Iudas went with his army against Timotheus chief Captain of Antiochus Eupater who continued at the City Caspin which was something more than a mile where he overcame him and 5000 Arabians which were strengthned with 500 Horse and took the City 1 Mac. 12. Afterward Iudas Macchab. with his Brother Ionathan led an Army to Characa unto the Iews that were called Tubieni which was 96 miles against Timotheus Governour of the Ammonites but he was gone thence and had done nothing but left a Garrison in a strong hold Wherefore Dositheus and Sosipater which were Captains with Macchab. went forth and slew those that Timotheus had left in the Fortress more than 10000 men Timotheus himself also fell into their hands but by reason of his fair Speeches they suffered him to depart with Life 2 Mac. 12. 1 Mac. 5. From thence he went to Bozor a fair City which was scituated beyond Iordan near to Bethabara in the Tribe of Reuben it was also called Bazra which was 24 miles this Town he took and burned with Fire Isa. 64. 1 Mac. 5. From Bozor he went to Mizpa where Iephtha some i me sacrificed his Daughter which was 32 miles In that Journey Iudas Macchabeus rescued the Castle of Datheman drave thence Timotheus and put to the Sword 8000 of his Army After he went thence to Mizpa won the Town burn'd it with Fire and put to the Sword all the male Children because the Inhabitants had vexed the Children of Israel with continual Robbery After that he won many other Towns and Cities thereabouts 1 Mac. 5. From Mizpa Iudas passed the River and went to Astaroth-Carnaim which in the second of Macchabees is called Carnion which was eight miles here he destroyed the Temple of Venus which the Inhabitants call Astaroth and put 25000 of the Inhabitants to the Sword He went also to Atargation a Town not far off and took it and delivered all the Israelites from the greatest to the least which were in Captivity amongst the Giliadites 1.
Syria which was the fifth year of the Principality of Ionathan Bacchides returned again with his Army into Iudaea and besieged Ionathan and Simon in Bethbesan otherwise called Bethgalam some three miles distant from Iordan Here Ionathan leaving his Brother Simon in the City stole out by a Postern and went to all the Villages near adjoyning from whence he gathered an Army of Chosen men and set upon Bacchides Simon also broke out of the City and set upon him so that they greatly oppressed him and burned his Tents 1 Mac. 1. Wherefore when Bacchides understood that Ionathan and Simon had fortified that City and that the Iews were ready to defend it he concluded a Peace with Ionathan the Captives of either part were re-delivered and the Iews lived in Peace a good while after 1 Mac. 9. From Bethbesan Ionathan went to Michmas being six miles here he dwelt for a while and judged the People of Israel cherishing the good and rooting out the Evil from amongst them 1 Mac. 1. From Michmas he went to Ierusalem which was ten miles Hither Alexander King of Syria and Son of Antiochus Epiphanes sent him a Purple Robe and a Golden Crown and ordained him High-Priest of the Iews Wherefore Ionathan on the day of the Feast of the Tabernacles which was in the year before Christ 150 took upon him the Office to be high Priest 1 Mac. 10. The next year after which was the tenth of Ionathan's Rule after the death of Demetrius King of Syria who was slain in the Wars against Alexander there appeared a Comet of an Extraordinary greatness which was of such an exceeding brightness that it took away the darkness of the Night and the Writers of those times affirm it to equal the Sun in greatness After this Prodigy the Romans began the third Punick War against the Carthaginians Vide Camerar lib. 2. de ostent Ionathan in the eleventh year of his Reign went from Ierusalem to Ptolemais being seventy six miles to the Marriage of Alexander King of Syria and Cleopatra the Daughter of Ptolomeus Philometor King of Aegypt where he was entertained very honourably 1 Mac. 10. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was seventy six miles 1 Mac. 10. From Ierusalem he went to Ioppa and won the Town which was twenty miles From Ioppa he went to Asdod which was twelve miles there he burnt the Temple of Dagon and all that were in it From thence he went with his Army to Ascalon being twelve miles this Town willingly yielded unto him From Ascalon he returned to Ierusalem which was 38 miles 1 Mac. 10. In the fifteenth year of his Government he went to Ioâ—pa being twenty miles to meet Ptolomeus Philometor King of Aegypt and stayed there all that night 1 Mac. 11. The next day he went with the King of Aegypt to the River of Eleutherius which was 200 miles From thence he returned back again to Ierusalem which was 200 miles Here he besieged the Tower of Acropolis because there were many wicked men got into it In the sixteenth year of his Government he went from Ierusalem to Ptolomais to Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria which was 76 miles From Ptolomais he returned back to Ierusalem which was 76 miles From Ierusalem in the seventeenth year of his Government he went beyond the River Euphrates which was accounted four hundred miles and there gathered an Army in Aid of Antiochus the younger the Son of Alexander and went against Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was 400 miles From Ierusalem he went with his Army to Ascalon which was thirty miles From thence he came to Gaza which was eighteen miles this Town he besieged and after a sharp Battel won it From Gaza he went to Damascus in Syria which was about 200 miles From thence he returned to the Lake of Genesereth which was 104 miles Here he opposed the Army of Demetrius Nicanor King of Syria From thence before day he removed his Camp to Chazor which was thirty two miles where when part of his Army was put to flight by a Stratagem he tore his Garments put dust upon his head and prayed earnestly unto the Lord for aid and assistance so having recovered his strength and former courage he returned with those few that he had left him to the War where he put the Army of King Demetrius to flight and slew 3000 of his men with the Sword His Enemies being thus dispersed he pursued them to thier Tents near Cades in Galilee being six miles From thence he returned to Ierusalem with a glorious victory which was about some ninety two miles Here he made a League with the Romans and Spartans 1 Mac. 11. 12. From Ierusalem he went with his Army into the Country of Hemath that is Syria to the River Eleutherius being 200 miles here he put his Enemies to flight after they had burnt and consumed their Tents From thence he went to Nabathia in Arabia being 120 miles Here he conquered the Arabians and Zabadians and spoiled their Land From thence he went through all that Country and wasted it till he came within eight miles of Damascus From thence he returned home to Ierusalem which was 160 miles In the eighteenth and last year of his Reign he caused the Walls of Ierusalem to be built and began to fortifie many places in Iudaea 1 Mac. 12. Also the same year which was the 160 year of the Government of the Graecians in Syria the second Book of Macchabees was written as appeareth cap. 1. After from Ierusalem he went to Bethsan to meet Tryphon being forty four miles here being deceived by the fair speeches of Tryphon he discharged his Army all but 3000. From thence he took these 3000 with him and went with Tryphon to Ptolomais which was thirty two miles into which Town he was no sooner entered but Tryphon caused the Citizens to shut the Gates where all his men were slain From Ptolomais Tryphon brought Ionathan the High-Priest to Addus upon the Borders of Iudaea which was sixty eight miles from whence he sent to Simon the Brother of Ionathan whom he kept Captive in a Castle near adjoyning promising to release his Brother if he would send his two Sons to be Hostages and let him have a hundred Talents of Silver that is 60000 Crowns So Simon sent his two Sons together with the Money to Tryphon but Tryphon took them and the Mony and led them captive with Ionathan their Father from Addâ—s to Addor a Town in Idumaea which was forty eight miles From thence he carried them to Baschaman in the Country of the Gileadites which was ninety six miles where in the Winter Season in the year before Christ 141 this cruel and perfidious Tyrant put Ionathan and his Sons to death From Baschamah of the Gileadites Simon removed the Bodies of Ionathan and his Sons to Modin being sixty miles where he buried them 1 Mac. 13. So all his Travels were 3007 miles The description of
observance and divine worship of the Gods Strabo saith Geogra lib. 6. That the Magi were such among the Persians as those whom the Indians call Gimnosophists and Academians the Babylonians Chaldaeans and the Hebrewes Prophets or Priests which taught the People Divine knowledge And when the ten Tribes were carried into captivity by Salâ—anasser Emperour of the Assyrians into Assyria Media and Persia there is no question but they took with them into the East the holy Books and Volumes of the Law and of the Prophets whereby without doubt many of the People and Philosophers of the East came to have a taste of the true knowledge and worship of God Also the Prophet Daniel was brought up in all the Arts of the Caldaeans whose Writings and Prophecies were not only written and published amongst the Babylâ—nians but also had in great account and estimation amongst the Magi so that they diligently perusing those Books came not only to the knowledge of God but also without doubt to the knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ whom they called the Star of Iacob from whence may be concluded that the Wise-Men that came to see our Saviour Christ were rather of Susa in Persia than of Zaba in Aethiopia Wherefore these Wise Men came from the Academy of Susa in Persia to Ierusalem which was 920 miles saying Where is he that is born King of the Iews for we have seen his Star in the East and are come to worship him This hapned in the month of January in the second year after the birth of our Saviour for Herod in the seventieth year of his age caused all the male Children of the Bethlemites of two years old and under according to the time that he was told of the Wise Men to be put to the Sword From Ierusalem they went to Bethlehem which was six miles where upon the sixth of January they offered their Presents which they brought out of Persia to our Saviour viz. Gold as to a King Frankincense as to a Priest and Myrth as to a Mortal man Mat. 2. So let us offer unto Christ our Saviour the Gold of Faith and heavenly Doctrine the Frankincense of earnest Prayers and the Myrrh of Patience in the midst of Calamity Afterward the Wise-Men as they had been warned in a dream returned another way to Susa in Persia which was 920 miles So their Travels were 1846 miles Of Susa you may read before in the Travels of the Old Testament Of the Star that appeared to the Wise-Men in the East SInce this Star appeared in the lower Region of the Air as it is apparent it did from thence it may be concluded that it neither was any of the fixed Stars Planet or a Comet because they commonly are seen in the upper Region of the Air but rather according to the opinion of some it was an Angel of God appearing in the form of a bright shining Star to direct the Wise Men in their way they went to the Town of Bethlem and so by little and little descending from the sublimity of the Air pointed out unto them the very house where they might find Mary the Mother of our Lord and the Child Jesus almost after the same manner as the Angel of the Lord in the time of Moses appeared to the Children of Israel that is in the day like a cloudy Pillar and in the night like a flaming Fire to direct them their way Exod. 13. 14. 34. Wherefore this Star without doubt was no natural Apparition which happened in the inferiour Region of the Air suddenly vanishing away but as I have said an Angel of the Lord representing the form of a Star Or else as Chrysostom saith a certain miraculous new Star which according to the opinion of Augustine was governed by an Angel of the Lord and for the greatness of the Body and variety of the Aspects was not seen first in the Land of Iudaea but in Persia a Country in the East where the Magi dwelt and accompanied thence into Iudaea And although for a short space it left them in their Journey yet when they came in the way to Bethlem it appeared to them again Mat. 2. As Nicephorus and Chrysostom observe the Star appeared upon the day of the Conception of Christ being the twenty fifth day of March about which time the Arch-Angel Gabriel spoke with the Virgin Mary Luke 1. and was seen for a whole year and forty one weeks that is till the sixth of Ianuary in the beginning of the second year after the Nativity of Christ. It wanted eleven weeks of two years and therefore Herod caused all the Male-children of the Bethlehemites of two years old and under to be slain according to the time declared unto him by the Wise-men Mat. 2. Wherefore this new Star did first fore-shew the Birth of Christ that bright shining Star and eternal light of Glory according to the Prophecy of Billa Num. 22. Secondly the Light of God's Word and the Gospel 2 Pet. 1. Thirdly Godly and Faithful Ministers and Teachers who by their Doctrine and godly Life and Conversation should set before their Auditors and such as observe their actions the way to Christ and eternal happiness Dan. ult The Travels of John Baptist. IN the Month of Thisri which answereth to our September Anno Mundi 3966 the Feast of the Tabernacles being then celebrated the Arch-Angel Gabriel told Zacharias the Priest of the Conception of Iohn the Baptist which should be the voice of a Crier in the Wilderness And a little after that is about the Autumnal Aeqinoctial Iohn the Baptist was conceived six Months before our Saviour The next year after about the Month of Iuly he was born Six Months after that our Saviour Christ was born In which year Zacharias the Father of Iohn Baptist was slain in the upper Court between the Altar and the Temple for saying that our Saviour Christ was born and that Mary his Mother was a Virgin Mat. 33. Wherefore Elizabeth the Wife of Zacharias fearing the cruelty of Herod and of the Pharisees about that time when the young Infants of the Bethlehemites were slain she fled from Ierusalem to Apumim as Nicephorus saith which was scituated in the Wilderness between Iericho and Ierusalem where she privately brought up her Son being thirty two miles In the thirty ninth Year of the Nativity of Christ and upon the twenty fourth day of Iune Iohn the Baptist being then thirty Years of Age by the Commandment of the Lord took upon him the Ministry for it was not lawful for any to enter into that Function before they were thirty Years of Age Numb 4. Wherefore upon the eight and twentieth day of September it being then the Feast of the Tabernacles and about the middle of the last Week spoken of by Daniel he went from Adumim to Bethabara where he took upon him the Ministry of the New Testament Hannas the chief Priest being then newly entred into that Office Luke 2. which was about four
miles and within a short time after that is upon the seventh day of October being then the Feast of Expiation our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was baptised when he was fully thirty Years of Age Luke 3. Matthew 3. Iohn 1. In the Year following which was the one and thirtieth Year of the Nativity of Christ a little before the Feast of Easter the Synedrion of Ierusalem sent Messengers unto Iohn he then remaining at Bethabara to know whether he was the Christ or Elias or some other Prophet Iohn 1. Upon the eighteenth day of September the same Year Iohn entred upon the second year of his Ministry about which time Caiphas began to enter upon the Office of the High Priest and the Sadducees and Pharisees to persecute Iohn Baptist. Wherefore he departed from Bethabara and went to Aenon a City in Galilee which was twenty four miles After that Iohn had preached publickly and freely by the space of a whole year and two months about the month of December and the end of the first year of the Ministry of our Saviour by the Commandment of Herod he was taken and led Prisoner from Aenon to the Tower of Macheruntes which was twenty eight miles where he remained untill his Death So all his Travels were eighty eight miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Adumim ADumim or Adummim as it is in Ioshua cap. 15. was a Tower twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the East scituated in the Wilderness that is between Ierusalem and Iericho so called because of the multitude of Robberies and Murthers that were done in that place for Dam signifieth Blood Here the poor man that Christ mentioned Luke 10. fell amongst Thieves and here Eliah continued when he was sed by the Raveâ—s and drank the Water of the River Cherith 1 King 17. which was a notable Type of Iohn the Baptist who lived in a Cave in this place This Cave stood close by the Garden of Engedi where in former times the Academy and School of the Prophets Eliah and Elisha was kept here the Esseis which was a Sect amongst the Iews also continued who led a Monastical kind of Life and gave themselves wholly to Prayers and good Works under whose Discipline and Instruction Iohn was brought up Mathesius wisely observes that of all other the Esseis would never oppose Christ but were a People that lived chastly and honestly according to the Custom of the Nazarites with all diligence reading the Scriptures and avoiding idleness as a great temptation of the Devil giving themselves principally to the Study of Physick After this sort was Iohn brought up Of Bethabara THIS was a Town scituated upon the East side of the River Iordan sixteen miles from Ierusalem towards the East where there was either a Bridge or a Ferry to pass over Iordan from whence this place was called Bethabara being derived of Baith a House and Abarah a Passage wherefore at a certain time there being assembled in this place a great Concourse and Congregation of People Iohn did first enter upon the Ministry of the New Testament and taught the People the Doctrine of Repentance and Baptism Here Elias the Thesbite who was a Type of Iohn the Baptist was taken up into Heaven in a fiery Chariot Here Iohn spake with the Messengers that came to inquire whether he was Christ or not to whom he answered That he was neither Elias nor a Prophet of the Old Testament but the Voice of a Cryer in the Wilderness Io. 4. Is. 40. And in the same place where the Priests stood with the Ark of the Covenant whilst Ioshua and the Children of Israel passed over Iordan Iohn baptized Christ the true Ark of the Covenant of the Throne of Grace Iosh. 3. 4. Mat. 4. Luke 3. Heb. 9. Of Aenon THIS Town stood upon the West-side of the River of Iordan 42 miles from Ierusalem Northward a little on this side of the Sea of Tiberias near the mouth of the River Iaboch where it falleth into Iordan in which place was great abundance of Waters Here also Iohn sometimes baptized Ioh. 3. it being two miles from Salem where Iacob in times past dwelt Gen. 33. Of the meeting together of the Waters this Town was called Aenon of Ain which signifies an Eye and a Fountain that springeth as it were from an Eye Of Macherus or Macharuntes MAcherus was a Town of Peraea beyond Iordan twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the East scituated in a high Mountain being derived of Macherah that is a Sword This was one of the chief Castles of Herod Antipas who obtained the chief Command in the City of Ierusalem Plin. lib. 5. c. 16. In this place Iohn Baptist was beheaded as Ioseph saith lib. Antiq. 80. c. 10. And although his Disciples buried his Body thereabouts yet long after the Christians removed his Bones and Relicks to Sebasten that is Samaria where they were the second time buried with great Honour and Reverence Afterward as Nicephorus and Theodorus saâ— his Bones were taken up again by Iulian the Apostate and burn'd There are many other things that are written concerning his Reliques which because of the uncertainty of them I omit to speak of and will proceed to a further Description of this City Alexander King of the Iews first built and fortified it and then making War against Aristobulus it hapned to be destroyed by Gabinus one of his Captains and so continued desolate till Herod's time who rebuilt the Town and the Castle and fortified it with strong Walls and high Towers even a hundred and sixty Cubits in height so that a man could scarce see to the top of it But that God might revenge the blood of his Saints at such time as Ierusalem and the Holy Land was left desolate Lucius Bassus a noble Roman came to this City and besieged it during which Siege Bassus took a certain young man which was a Prince of the Iews called Eleazer and caused a Cross to be set on purpose to have crucified him but they which were besieged in the Town seeing the pitiful Lamentations this young man made promised Bassus if he would spare his Life to yield up the Town which he did so the Castle being taken the Gates of the City were set open But the Romans fell to the Slaughter without Mercy and put to the Sword 1700 Persons besides there were a great multitude of Women and Children carried thence into Captivity as Iosephus lib. de Bello Iud. 7. cap. 25. affirmeth There were many goodly Wells and stately Buildings within this City there is cut out in the Castle a Rue Tree of an admirable greatness and in the Valley upon the North-side of the City the Root Baarus is found presenting both in Colour and Figure a Flame There are also found many hot Baths and Fountains of wholsome Waters but above the rest Iosephus maketh mention of one in a Cave where two Streams issueth as it were out of two Dugs the one hot
the Daughter of Iairus to life Mat. 9. Mark 2. Luke 5. and as he went thence he restored two men to their sight and cast out a Devil Mat. 9. About the end of the Month of Iuly our Saviour Christ went from Caesarea Philippi to Nazareth thirty six miles where because of the ingratitude and contempt of the Citizens he did no great Miracles Mark 6. Mat. 13. In the Month of August our Saviour Christ went from Nazareth toward Ierusalem to the Feast of Tabernacles and as he went he visited the Towns and Cities near adjoyning Now when he saw that they wanted Teachers it being at this time the second Harvest he said unto his Disciples Lo the Harvest is great but the Labourers are few c. and he sent his Disciples out into the Harvest Mat. 9. Luke 9. Of this second Harvest you may read Exod. 23. where God commanded the People that they should observe the Feast of the Tabernacles when in the end of the year they had gathered in all the Fruits of the Fields Also in Levit. 23. it is thus written From the fifteenth day of the seventeenth Month when you have gathered all the Fruits of your Land you shall celebrate unto the Lord your God seven days c. From Galilee our Saviour Christ came to Ierusalem sixty four miles where from the twentieth to the twenty seventh day of September he celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles according to the Law of God The rest of the Travels of our Saviour Christ and the Miracles that he wrought in this three last Months of this year viz. in October November and December for their great multitude cannot be described So the Travels of our Saviour Christ in the second year of his Ministry were 912 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Caesarea Philippi THIS City is scituated not far from the foot of the Mountain Antilibanus 104 miles from Ierusalem toward the North close by the two Wells of Iordan Ior and Dan. Upon the East side of this City these two Streams meet and make the River Iordan Philip the Tetrarch of Traconitis called this City after his own name Philippus and in honour of the Roman Caesars he added the name of Caesarea Tiberias at this time being Emperour of Rome In times past it was called Laisch or Lais which signifies a ravening or roaring Lion But the Tribe of Dan having conquered it and rebuilt it again they called it Dan and the Inhabitants of the Holy Land Laeâ—hem Dan as you may read in the Travels of the Danites But the Town as it is reported by such as have travelled into the Holy Land and by the Authority of Volateran notwithstanding these names is often called Belenas Here as Eusebius Zozomenes and Nicephorus say in their Ecclesiastical Histories the Woman that was diseased with the bloudy Issue was healed by touching the Hem of our Saviour's Garment which Woman in token of thankfulness for so great a benefit and in memory of so notable a Miracle erected in this City a little without the Gates of her House a stone Pillar on which she caused to be set the Image of Christ made of Brass and behind that stood the Image of this Woman who had been diseased twelve years with the bloudy Issue bowing her self at the feet of our Lord and touching the Hem of his Garment They also say there grew certain Herbs about this Pillar whereby Miracles were wrought thirty years after it was set up But Iulian the Apostate having intelligence of these things caused those Images to be broken down and erected his own in the same place But soon after there happened such an exceeding Thunder that fire falling from Heaven strook this Image thus set up by this cruel Tyrant upon the Breast and cast the Head and the Neck thereof with great violence upon the Earth These things happened in Caesarea Philippi Upon the Borders of Caesarea Philippi our Saviour Christ asked his Disciples saying Whom do men say that I am Mat. 6. Ioseph Aâ—t li. 20. cap. 6. saith Agrippa King of the Iews did much inlarge Caesarea Philippi in honour of Nero and called it after his name Neromia but it retained not that name long Of Peraea PEraea or Peraia was the utmost part of the Holy Land in which were the Tribes Gad and Reuben separated from the rest of Iudea by the River Iordan and under the Subjection and Government of Herod Antipas It was sixteen miles from Ierusalem Eastward so called of Peran which signifies beyond or upon the other side Plin. li. 4. ca. 1. In the Castle of Macharuntes standing in this Country Iohn Baptist was beheaded Of the Sea of Galilee THIS Sea lay forty four miles from Ierusalem Northward representing upon the Banks a Harp in figure whence it was called Kinnaereth that is the Sea of the Harp Num. 34. for Kinnor signifieth an Harp Toward the North it extendeth it self into some bredth but toward the South it drew into a streight Angle and was called the Sea of Galilee because it bordered upon Galilee It was also called the Lake of Genesareth because of the pleasantness and fruitfulness of the Soil lying upon the North side of it It is called Ioh. 6. the Sea of Tiberias from the City Tiberias that stood upon the shore of it It was but four miles and a little more broad but in length from the North to the South twelve miles Upon the East side it had the Town Chorazin and upon the West Capernaum and as Iosephus saith the Water of this Sea was very sweet and pleasant from whence it came to pass that Fishes did greatly abound in it and there were many Fishers that lived thereabouts only by fishing in that Sea There were many other Cities besides those two before mentioned that stood upon this Sea as Bethsaida Migdala Tiberias and Trichaea these stood upon the West Upon the East stood Iulia and Cadara Of the holy Mountain near Capernaum in Galilee ABout a mile from Capernaum toward the South-west is to be seen an exceeding high Hill standing upon the shore of the Sea of Galilee beautified with many Herbs and Flowers of divers kinds being very fruitful and pleasant extending it self in length almost two Bows shoot and in breadth one From this Hill one might have seen the whole Sea of Galilee the Countries of Iâ—ura and Trachonitis even to Mount Libanus also the Mountains Sanir and Hermon and a great part of the upper and lower Galilee Here also the Inhabitants of the Holy Land shew a certain Stone on which they say our Saviour Christ did usually sit when he preached to the People which Stone the Christians call the Table here was that Sermon made of the eight Beatitudes Mat. 5. 6 7. Luke 6. Here were the twelve Apostles chosen Luke 6. Mar. 3. And our Saviour Christ descending from this Mountain in the Suburbs of the City of Capernaum healed a Man that was infected with the
by the power of his Word he raised Lazarus to life after he had been buried four dayes Iohn 11. Lazâ—rus and Eleazer have both one signification that is God is my Help Upon the twenty sixth day of March the Feast of the Passover of the Iews drawing near he went from Bethania to the City of Ephraim near to the Desart that he might avoid the Traps and Deceits of the Iews who went about to take him Iohn 11. being ten miles Upon the twenty seventh day of March he returned back again from Ephraim to Bethania being ten miles coming thither about the evening six dayes before the Passover at which time Martha ministred to him and Mary anointed his feet whereat Iudas grutched Iohn 12. Upon the Sabbath day being the twenty eighth of March he rested in Bethania at the House of Martha Now as he was at Supper with Lazarus many of the Iews understanding that he was there resorted thither not only to see him but Lazarus also whom he had raised from the dead Iohn 12. Upon the twenty ninth of March Christ sitting on an Ass went to Ierusalem Now when the multitude heard that he was come unto Ierusalem they went out to meet him some laying their Garments in the way others strowing the boughs of Trees where he should go and those that went before cried saying Hosanna to the Son of David blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord At this time our Saviour Christ wept over Ierusalem and cast out all those that bought and sold in the Temple Mat. 21. Iohn cap. 17. About the evening he went out of the City again to Bethania almost two miles and there rested all night Mat. 21. So this dayes journey was almost four miles In the evening of this day the Iews chose their Paschal Lamb according to the Law Exod. 12. Upon the thirtieth day of March he went from Bethania to Ierusalem betimes in the morning in which Country he cursed the Fig-tree that wanted Fruit and after entring into the City he cast out of the Temple the Money-changers and Merchants Mark 11. About the evening as may be gathered by circumstance of time he returned back again to Bethania This daies Journey was four miles Upon the last day of March in the morning Christ went back again from Bethania to Ierusalem and by the way as he went his Disciples beheld the Fig-tree that he had cursed and lo it was dried up Mark 11. After when he was in the Temple there came certain Pharisees unto him and disputed with him at which time he recited the Parable of the Marriage of the Kings Daughter Also certain Scribes and Pharisees came unto him asking him whether it was lawful to pay Tribute unto Caesar Mat. 21. 22. He also sharply rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees and recited the Simile of the Hen and her Chickens Mat. 23. After that he went to the Mount of Olives almost a mile And then his Disciples looking upon the goodly building of the Temple from thence he took occasion to preach of the Destruction of Ierusalem and the consummation of the World so he stayd all that night in the Mount of Olives Mat. 24. Upon the first day of April being Wednesday our Saviour Christ rising before day taught again in the Temple and after as he was going to Bethania he said to his Disciples Know ye that within the se two daies is the Feast of the Passover and the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of Sinners and crucified At the same time the Chief Priests assembled themselves together and took counsel how they might do to take him by deceit Mat. 26. The same day as our Saviour Christ was in the House of Simon the Leper whom he had healed of that Sickness there came a Woman and brought a box of precious Ointment and poured it upon his head at which the Disciples murmured Mat. 26. Mar. 14. Luke 21. The fourth Passover of the Ministry of Christ. Upon Thursday being the second day of April the dayes of the Feast of the Passover being now at hand Christ with his Disciples prepared for the eating of the Paschal Lamb which was the fourth Passover of our Saviour and when about the evening of this day it was necessary for them to keep the Paschal Lamb and to prepare the Passover according to God's Law Christ sent Peter and John to make ready the Supper and he with the rest of his Disciples about evening went from Bethania toward Jerusalem just at the beginning of the fourteenth day of the first Month Abib or Nisan which began about the evening of this day Here he celebrated his last Supper among his Disciples between six and seven of the Clock in the evening at which time he celebrated the Sacrament of the Lords Supper concerning the true receiving of his Body and Blood of which you may read Mat. 26. Mark 14. Luke 22. 1 Cor. 11. Afterward about the eighth hour he washed his Dicsiples feet and then leaning upon the Table he pointed out Judas that should betray him John cap. 13. From the ninth hour to the tenth hour about the second Watch of the night Judas that Traitor went from his Disciples John 13. In the mean time Christ made that long Sermon recited only by John 14 15 16. and made that effectual Prayer John 17. About the tenth hour after they had sung a Psalm Christ went over the Brook Cedron to the Garden of Gethsamene being somewhat more than half a mile There between the hours of eleven and twelve he sweat Water and Blood and prayed earnestly About twelve of the Clock it being then midnight Christ was betrayed by Judas who about three dayes before had sold him for thirty Silverlings which was about 3 l. 15 s. From Gethsaâ—ene the Jews brought him bound to Jerusalem being more than half a mile and about one of the Clock in the morning carried him to the house of Annas who was one of the Chief Priests About two of the Clock led him from thence to Caiâ—has Chief Priest From three a Clock till four which was about Cocks-crowing Peter denied Christ. At the same time Caiâ—has and all the Priests of Ierusalem would have condemned the Lord of Glory the Son of God At the same time also the Servants and Officers of the Priests beat him and mocked him About five of the Clock in the morning Christ was condemned by the whole consent of the Synâ—drion of the Iews Luke 22. All these things Christ suffered between Thursday and Friday And whereas the Iews according to the commandment of God begin their day in the evening therefore that night wherein our Saviour Christ suffered all these things belonged unto the fourteenth day of the Month Abib So that just at the same time as the Feast of the Paschal Lamb was celebrated amongst the Iews Christ the true Lamb of God was made a living Sacrifice on the Cross for the Sins of man Thus
In the 38 Year after the Nativity of Christ he returned from Arabia Petraea and came to Damascus which was 160 miles and there he diligently taught the Gospel of Christ. But when in the same Year Araeta King of Arabia went about to put him secretly to death he was let down in a Basket over the Wall and so went from Damascus to Ierusalem which was 160 miles and when he came thither he brought Barnabas to the Apostles and shewed them his Conversion and remained with Peter fifteen days preaching the Gospel At this time he saw Iames the Son of Alpheus and Brother of our Lord Acts 9. 2 Cor. 11. Galat. 1. But when his Adversaries that were at Ierusalem went about secretly to put him to death he went from Ierusalem and was brought by the Brethren to Caesarea Strato which was 32 miles Act. 9. About the 38 Year after the Nativity of Christ he went thence into Syria to Tarsus a City of Cilicia which was 272 miles here he continued some Years teaching the Gospel of Christ Gal. 1. 2. Cor. 11. In the 41 Year after the Nativity of Christ and about the seventh Year of his Ministry he was brought by Barnabas from Tarsus to Antiochia in Syria which was 120 miles At this time and in this Town all those that believed in Christ began to be called Christians whereas before they were called Disciples and Brothers Acts 11. These things hapned in the eighth year after the Resurrection of Christ about this time also Matthew wrote his Gospel and Agabus prophesied of the universal Dearth that should happen under Claudius Act. 11. In the 42 year after the Nativity of Christ Paul being then at Antiochia and about 32 years of age was wrap'd up into the third Heaven 14 years before he wrote his second Epistle to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 12. In the 43 year after the Nativity of Christ the Famin whereof Agabus prophesied being now begun he went with the gifts of the Church from Antiochia to Ierusalem which was 280 miles this year Iames the Elder was beheaded at the Command of Agrippa Act. 11. 12. In the 44 year after the Nativity of Christ Paul and Barnâ—bas with Peter were delivered out of Prison by the Angel of the Lord. Now having distributed the Gifts of the Church he returned in the Company of Iohn Mark from Ierusalem to Antiochia which was 280 miles So these Travels were 1928 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Tarsus or Tharsus THIS was the Metropolis of Cilicia scituated upon the River of Cydnus which beginning at Mount Taurus runs thence through this Town into the Mediterranean Sea It was first built by Perseus King of the Persians whom the Poets feign to be the Son of Iupiter and Danae and called Tharsus of the Hyacinth stone which as it seemeth is found thereabous It was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles towards the North in ancient time a goodly City but through the Injury of the Time and Invasion of the Enemy much impaired and lay almost ruined till as Strabo saith li. 14. it was repaired by Sardanapalus that effeminate King of the Assyrians of whom Tully remembreth this Epitaph lib. 5. Tuscula Haec habeo quae aedi quaeque exatura libido Hausit at illa jacent multa praeclara relicta What things I eat or spend in Sport and Play Those I enjoy the rest I cast away From his time until the Reign of Darius the last King of the Persians it continued in great Prosperity and was become a marvellous stately City the Inhabitants thereof being grown very wealthy but then Alexander the Great making War upon that Prince amongst others brought his Army against this City but the Citizens hearing of his notable Exploits durst not abide his coming therefore they fired the City lest he should make a Prey of their Riches and fled which when Alexander perceived he gave order to Parmenio with all possible speed to quench the Fire and save the City In the mean time the King being press'd with an extraordinary Thirst by reason of the extream Heat that was in that Country the Dust and his long Journey put off his royal Garments and cast himself into the River Cydnus which being a cold Water coming out of the North struck the heat presently inward and so benummed his Sinews that had it not been for the present help of his Souldiers and the extraordinary diligence and care of Philip his Physician he had died immediately notwithstanding by the great Providence of God and the carefulness of his Physician he recovered his dangerous Sickness beyond the expectation of Man and after overcame Darius in a sharp and cruel War near to a place called Issa as you may read before See Plutarch in vita Alexand. and Quintus Curtius From that time forward this City grew to be very famous and daily encreased in Stateliness and fair Buildings And to add more dignity to it there was a famous Academy in which were many learned and rare Philosophers insomuch that they of Tharsus exceeded the Philosophers of Athens and Alexandria for Learning and Knowledge though indeed for number of Scholars and common Resort they exceeded Tharsus Saint Paul was born and brought up in this Town and here learned the Knowledge of the Tongues Philosophy and other good Arts. He also perused the Writings of Aratus Epimenides Menander and other learned Men whose Sayings are here and there dispersed through his Epistles From thence he was sent to Ierusalem where he lived and was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel who was Provost of that Academy and after was converted to be an Apostle of Christ Jesus as appeareth Acts 22. This Town at this day is subject to the Empire of the Turks and called by the Name of Terassa being neither so famous nor so fair a City as in the time when the Roman Empire flourished for then because of the extraordinary Vertue of the Citizens it was indowed with the Liberty and Freedom of Rome Of Damascus THis was a metropolitan Town in Syria distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the North-east being an ancient and fair City and before such time as Antiochia was built the head of all that Kingdom It was scituated in a fair and fruitful place close by the Mountain Libanus which bringeth forth Frankincense Ceders Cypress and many odoriferous and sweet smelling Flowers There were many Kings that kept their Court in it as Hadad Benhadad the First Benhadad the Second Hasael and others who grievously opposed the Kings of Israel in many sharp and cruel Wars as you may read before The Land round about it aboundeth with white and red Roses Pomgranates Almonds Figs and other sweet and pleasant Fruits In that place the Alablaster stone is found very fair and clear The Air pleasant and healthful The River called Chrysorrus runneth close by it in which there is found golden Veins which yielded perfect Gold The Houses without are not