gessit is in Latine or if you will Principatum obtinuit which signifies to obtaine Principalitie And therefore the Saracens or Sarazens may be said Princes or Captaines whose Principalitie extends it selfe far and neere but Agarins signifies Peregrinators for Gor or Gar is as much to say as a Pilgrim These people combined themselues with Mahomet that false Prophet borne of obscure parentage his fathers name was Abdiminech of his wife that was of the family of Ishmael or of the Saracens borne in Arabia the stony and as it is exprest in their Alcaron vpon the xxj day of September according to our account about the yeare of Christ 570. he tooke his name from a tumultuous confusion for hamah signifies tumultuatus est he hath beene tumultuous And Hamam tumultuando disturbauit He diuided by contention From hence Maimo signifies tumultuor A contender and Maiomai concitor a rebell From whence may be gathered That Mahomet is an ominous seditious name Whiles he was in his infancie hee liued with his father after being of a prompt wit he serued one Abdomoneplis a Merchant in whose seruice conuersing with Christians and Iewes he got a smattering knowledge of the old and new Testament and many acquaintance amongst which was one Sergius an Arian Monke a man very well affected of this Abdomoneplis Abdomoneplis died and by the persuasion of this Monke Mahomet married Cadican his wife although she was fiftie yeares of age and by her had great riches shee soone after also died and left Mahomet all that shee had He on a sudden being lift vp to this height of substance grew very ambitious for he was naturally proud wrathfull a theefe a whoremaster a most impudent adulterer and whersoeuer he came made hauocke of all things This man by the helpe of the Sarazens and others affected the kingdome of Arabia which within short time after he obtained entring Mecha the chiefe city therof vpon Thursday the fifteenth of Iuly Anno Dom. 622. and by the helpe of two Iewes and this Sergius wrote that blasphemous Law of the Alcoron falsly professing himselfe to be a Prophet and began cruelly to oppose himselfe against all neighbouring nations and cities The Alcaron taketh the name from Splendor or Brightnesse for Al in the Arabicke is as much as Karan in the Hebrew and that signifies to shine or cast forth a brightnesse This Alcaron containes a blasphemous and detestable law written in the Arabian tongue without any order or colour of knowledge teaching manifest lyes and execrable blasphemies against God and for the most part the pleasures and delights of this world for he doth deny that there is one eternall essence of the Deitie and the holy Trinitie our Sauiour Christ they one while call the Sonne of God and another while the Soule or Spirit of God They deny his Deitie but say that he was a holy man borne without a father of the chast and incorruptible Virgin Marie And although he was before all beginning yet they beleeue that he was not begotten but created before all other essentiall creatures by the eternall God Also they say hee was not crucified but some other in his place and therefore the saluation of man not to consist in the merits of Christ but in our owne proper workes And that the Iewes might embrace the Alcaron they retaine Circumcision which is commonly done when the children are thirteene yeares of age about which time Ishmael was circumcised They forbeare the meates forbidden in the Law they haue many wiues at one time they tollerate a bil of Diuorce and affirme that after the resurrection men may haue many wiues and with them banquet surfet and vse pleasant recreations with diuers such errours and vaine trifles which for breuities sake I omit That hee might the better perswade men to embrace and beleeue these his lies and blasphemous doctrines he very cunningly seemed to confirme them with many false and fained miracles and amongst the rest this was one Hauing taught a white Doue to fetch corne in his eare whiles he was preaching to the people it chanced she came and sat vpon his shoulder and putting her bill into his eare according to her accustomed manner he persuaded the people that it was the spirit of God which deliuered him the words of the Law A Bull also taught after the same manner at his voice came before him and kneeling downe did him reuerence with the Alcaron tied vpon his hornes which he affirmed was come from heauen and brought that new Law Then did hee make diuers hornes of gold and siluer and filling them full of milke hid them in the earth after which in a great assembly he caused the same places to be opened and told the people that these signified plenty and abundance to all such as kept and obserued that Law But the violaters thereof should be punished with death Together with many other such like idle and foolish miracles which would be too tedious to recite that he might make the people beleeue that it came from God And being afflicted with the falling sickenesse gaue it out that then the Angell Gabriel told him the Law making this likewife a meanes to further his designes but after viz. vpon the eighth of Iune Anno Dom. 632. and in the sixtie one yeare of his age he died miserably of this disease after he had raigned in Mecha ten yeres and Enbubizer or Abubachar his father in law succeeded him in the gouernement who built in his honour a Church and in that put his sepulchre both stately and sumptuous The Turkes also embrace this doctrine and joyned their forces with the Saracens They extended their Empire vnder Mahomet the third into Asia Europe and Affrica They deriue their name as I suppose from Crueltie for Turca signifieth A cruell destroyer or an armed enemie being deriued from the Hebrew word Tarach that is to effect his purpose From whence they are not improperly called of the Graecians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to vex and make wearie or else from the Hebrew word Tachaera which signifies a shield and from the Greeke word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to put on a shield and to arme themselues for the Turkes are armed enemies and destroyers of the whole world And by Ezechiel are called Gog and Magog cap. 38. 39. of Magog which was the son of Iaphet Gen. 10. and as some thinke inhabited the North parts of the world Pliny places them in Bospherus Cimmerius Scythia c. which lieth toward the East But indeed they haue often changed their residence and haue come into Persia Armenia Syria Palestina Arabia cruelly destroyed them vntil they had conquered Constantinople and got a great part of Europe and haue infected the mindes of al the inhabitants in those parts with their manners slaughters and rapines according to that blasphemous Law of the Alcaron They first afflicted those parts about the yeare of our Lord 760. Constantius
the Gate was fired the gold that ran from it was in great aboundance and by this meanes the Conquest was made easie This shall suffice to haue spoken of the Buildings of the Temple The Allegoricall or Spirituall meaning of the Temple THe terrestriall Temple built by Solomon was partly a Figure of our Sauiour Christ and partly of his Church For when the Sonne of God suffered the Temple of his holy body to be destroyed and was risen again from the dead Iohn 2. Then hee raised vp to vs the Christian Church which is the true spirituall house and Temple wherein God dwelleth 1 Cor. 6. The mysterie of the white Marble CHrist is the right white Marble stone which is without spot And there is no deceit found in his mouth Esay 53. Ioh. 8. this stone the Builders refused but God chose it out as most pretious and made it the head of the corner that wee like liuing stones might bee built vpon it Esay 21.8 1 Pet. 2. The mysterie of the Gold THe Gold and pretious stones in the Temple signified the Deity of Christ for in him dwelt the fulnesse of the Deity 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wholly and absolutely and in him was contained the Fountaine and treasure of all wisedome and knowledge Col. 2. The mysterie of the Cedar wood AS the Cedar Cypres and Olive wood was neither subiect to putrifaction nor possible to be deuoured with wormes so the humane nature of Christ was subiect to no corruption no putrifaction Psal 16. The mysterie of the Cherubims THe Temple also is a figure of the heauenly glory of euerlasting life to come where the Angels and Cherubims beeing ingrauen and pictured to the image of man do represent the congregation of the blessed Angels and Saints who in presence of the Lord sing a continuall Te Deum laudamus Apoc. 4. The two Cherubims placed vpon the Mercy seat in the holy Quire signifie the old and new Testament which containes the Doctrine of Christ and as their wings touched one another so the old new Testament were ioined together the end of the one the beginning of the other the one continued to the end of the first world the other shall continue to the end of the second both had relation to Christ to whom the ministerie of God was committed The mysterie of the golden Dore of the Temple CHrist is the dore of life by which we must enter into eternall happines Ioh. 10.14 the two dores signifie a twofold knowledge before we can enter into this gate that is of his Person and Office What the Vaile of the Temple signified THe Son of God our Lord Iesus Christ hanging vpon the altar of the Crosse is the true Vaile that is put betweene God and vs shadowing with his wounds and pretious bloud the multitude of our offences that so we may be made acceptable to his Father Heb. 10. The mysterie of the Arke of the Couenant THe Arke of God made of Sittim wood wherin was kept the pot of Manna Aarons Rod and the Tables of the Commandements Exod. 25. Heb. 9. represent as well our Sauior Christ as the hearts of the Faithfull for as in Christs breast was contained the doctrine both of the Law and Gospell so likewise is it in the Faithfull though not in that measure Hee was the true Manna that descended from heauen to giue light vnto the world Iohn 6. The Tables of the Law moue vs to mutuall loue and new obedience Aarons Rod flourishing with blossomes signifies the sweetnesse of the Gospel and the glory of our high Priest Iesus Christ of whom Aaron was a Type The mysterie of the golden Altar THe sacrificing altar in the Sanctuarie of the Temple wheron were foure golden hornes beeing made partly of Sittim wood and partly of Gold compassed about with a Crowne of gold represent the vnitie of the Humanitie and Deity in our Sauiour For as the wood naturally incorruptible was beautified with refulgent gold so the Humanity of Christ not capable of any putrifaction Psalme 16. being adorned with Celestial glorie of the Deity personally vnited to the Diuine Nature ascended vp into the Heauens and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father crowned with a crown of majesty in eternal happines Psa 8. The mysterie of the golden Candlesticks THe golden Candlestick with six branches and seuen lights signifies Christ and the Ministers of the church Christ the foundation is the chiefe Priest and Light of the world illuminating vs to eternal life Ioh. 1. The Doctors and Teachers of the church are the branches by whom Christ inlightneth his church with the sound and vncorruptible doctrine of the Gospel Apoc. 1. Neither ought they to be separated from Christ but by the light of their doctrine and sincere conuersation be a lanthorn vnto our feet Psal 119. that so their works may return to his glory and the good of his church And as all the branches were vnited into the body of the Candlestick so euery Minister and faithfull child of God ought to be vnited into the body of Christ without any schismaticall dissention or separation The floures and lillies denote the ornaments and graces of the holy Spirit which Christ hath bountifully bestowed vpon his Ministers The Lights and lamps do admonish all godly Ministers to a diligent care lest the light of Gods diuine word should either by mens traditions or carnal and philosophical opinions be either diminished or by little and little abolished but as often as such things happen with the sincere doctrine of the Gospel to be purged and preserued The mysterie of the golden Table THe golden Table wheron the Shew bread stood being compassed about with a pretious crown signifies the ministerie of the Gospell For the bread that is set before vs is Christ that Bread of Life which descended out of heauen Iohn 6. and hee by the ministry of the twelve Apostles is mystically offered vnto vs in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper that whosoeuer eateth thereof as they ought might haue eternal life The Frankincense that stood by the bread admonisheth vs that earnest prayers and godly actions are to be vsed in the time of the administring of the Lords supper For as Macarius saith If the diuel was as strong as mountaines yet at the prayers of the Saints he melteth as wax before the fire And S. Cyril saith That Christ is the Table vpon which the bread of life is set whereby all the Faithfull are nourished vnto eternall life And the Crowne about this Table is the goodnesse and mercy of God wherby we are crowned brought to eternal happinesse S. Ierom saith That this Table was a figure of the table and the supper in the kingdome of God Luk. 2. The Shew-bread vpon the table is the Son of God which giueth life vnto the world Iohn 6. The mysterie of the golden Vine and the Crystall grapes THe Vine in the East part of the temple made of shining gold fitly
Abraham was buried the place where Cain killed Abel the Well where Adam and Eva wept seuen years for the death of their son with many such like fables which are to no purpose seeing they are not warrantable by Scripture Some bows shoot Eastward from this place is the field of Damascus where the red earth lieth whereof they feigne man to be made It is naturally tough may be wrought like wax or pitch There is also that is white of the same kind and this is conueyed to many places by the Saracens and sold at deare rates They vse it either for the teering of Sepulchres or to mingle with salves and vnguents Of Gerar. GErar is the vttermost towne in the land of Canaan and lieth between the desarts of Sur and Cades Gen. 20. Here King Abimelech kept his court at such time as Abraham came thither here Isaac was born Gen. 21. It takes the name from Gor which signifies a Pilgrim or Traueller and did well agree with the condition of the antient patriarchs that somtime liued there because for the most part they were like Pilgrimes and wayfaring men Gen. 47. It lay six miles from Hebron Southwest and from Ierusalem 30 vpon the territories of the tribe of Iuda Of Beerazaba BEerazaba is a towne scituated vpon the vtmost bounds of the Holy land forty miles from Ierusalem Southwestward and is deriued from Berr and Shebuah and signifieth the Wel of couenant for Abraham hauing digged a Wel neere to this place Abimelech King of Gerar entred into league with him and his posteritie Isaac also renued this league in this place as appears Gen. 21. It is now called Gallim or Giblin by the Iewes In S. Hieromes time it was a great towne Of Moriah VPon this Mount Abraham would haue offered his son Isaac and stood not far from Salem or mount Sion where Melchisedech dwelt They were so neere that Melchisedech vpon the tower of Sion might easily see the Angell that spake with Abraham when he renewed the couenant with him concerning his seed and posteritie and is deriued from Mor or Marar which signifies bitter Myrrh because as Gregorius saith the Church is euer subiect to affliction For all they that will serue God and liue religiously must suffer persecution Mat. 16. 2 Tim. 3. and Iarr which signifies to feare How Abraham may be typically apprehended ABraham signifies The father of a multitude from Ab pater a Father Ram excelsus Mighty and Hamon multitudinis Of a multitude Not in regard of the Iewes only but all those that in succeeding times shall be ingraffed into the Church and partake of euerlasting life through the mediation of Christ Iesus the promised seed Gal. 3. Ephes 1. Acts 3. and is a Type and figure of God the Father for as that Abraham was the father of many yet had but only one son so although God be the father of all nations yet had but one only son Iesus Christ begotten of his owne essence from before the beginning of the world And as Abraham so loued God that for his sake he would not haue spared his only son so God so loued Abraham and the World that hee gaue his only begotten son to die for the saluation of their soules The Trauels of Lot LOt trauelled with Abraham from Vr in Chaldaea to Haran in Mesopotamia which is 336 miles Gen. 12. 2 From Haran they trauelled to Sichem in the land of Canaan being 400 miles 3 From Sichem they trauelled through Morae to the hil lying between Bethel and Hay which is 24 miles 4 From the hill between Bethel and Hay they went into Egypt which is 240 miles Gen. 13. 5 From Egypt they went into the land of Canaan to the hil lying between Bethel and Hay where Abraham had dwelt before which is 240 miles Gen. 13. 6 From the hil between Bethel and Hay Lot separated himselfe from Abraham and went to the towne of Sodom Eastward which is 28 miles Gen. 13. 7 In the town of Sodom Lot was taken prisoner hee and all his houshold and led away to the town of Dan which is 32 miles Gen. 14. 8 And when Abraham had deliuered him out of the hands of his enemies pursued them he returned with him from Dan to Hobam in Phoenicia lying on the left side of Damascus being 80 miles 9 From Phoenicia Abraham came again with Lot to Sodom which is 160 miles 10 Lastly when the Lord had determined to raine fire and brimstone on Sodom Lot according to his commandement went thence to Zoar a little town neere adioyning where being drunk with Wine hee committed incest with both his daughters but after comming to the knowledge of his offence he was so sore afflicted in his conscience that with extreme grief he died Luther saith that Abraham tooke him to Hebron with him to comfort him and that there he died Hebron is 36 miles from Sodom So all the trauels of the Patriarch Lot were 1652 miles The Description of the Townes and places where he trauelled And first of Sodom THe cities that were destroyed with fire and brimstone from heauen were foure in number that is Sodom Gomorah Adama and Zeboim lying 24 miles from Ierusalem South-eastward where now the dead sea runs The fift was the city Bela called also Zoar which was spared for Lots sake distant from Sodom two miles This Lot accounted but a little City but there are that say it was a very spatious and princely place neere to which his wife for her disobedience was turned into a pillar of salt and not far off he committed incest with his two daughters And although Luther be of opinion that that also within a while after was burnt yet this cannot bee certainly prooued especially because it remaineth euen to this day scituated both in the antient place and called by the antient name vnlesse some new City hath beene lately built in the same place and is now called after that name which I cannot thinke to be true Sodamah signifieth a Mysterie Gomorah a Faggot of Thornes Adamah Red earth Zeboim Fertile and Pleasant Zoar The burning of Baela for in antient times it was called Baela It is the receiued opinion that the country wherein these fiue rich and opulent cities stood was called Pentapolis Of the Lake or dead Sea called Asphaltides IN the very same place where these Cities were burnt and destroyed there is at this day to be seene a Lake about 36 miles long and in some places six in others eight and 12 miles ouer It boileth with pitch and brimstone and in some places passeth by the name of the salt sea and in others the dead sea because of the noisome and venomous aire that riseth out of it insomuch as the very birds that fly ouer it fall down dead and if a beast doe but drink of it mixt with water it makes him incurably sick It is of a wonderfull nature for whatsoeuer heauy thing you fling into it will not sinke
but swim vpon the top be it either iron lead copper or any other weighty matter Of which Vespasian the emperor hauing notice to make experience of what he had heard made a journy of purpose to see it and with him tooke certain condemned men who for their offences had deserued death these he manacled and where he thought it to be deepest caused them to bee thrown in but they rose vp againe with such violence as if some storm or tempest had sent them vp The water thereof changeth three times a day and shineth against the sun with diuers colors casting out fire and great cakes of pitch much resembling Bulls without heads and of that quantity This pitch is good for diuers things as to calk ships to lay vpon cables and to vse in medicins wherefore such as come to this sea and know the nature of it haue certain Skifs and instruments wherewith they draw these cakes of pitch to their ships to which it cleaueth so fast it being naturally tough that being brought to land they cannot get it off again but by the help of vrine Vpon the banks thereof grow trees that beare fruit of diuers kinds as apples and such like which are faire and pleasant to the eie but if you either touch or open them you shall finde nothing but dust Brittenbacchus saith In this place the Serpent Tyrus whereof they vse to make treacle is found It is a little serpent about half a cubit long and a finger thick being of diuers colours and is so venomous that where it biteth there is no remedy vnlesse by cutting off the member The head of it is rough and hairy and there seemeth to lie vpon the tongue of it if it be angry a fiery flame The same Author saith That a little from Zoar betweene this Lake and the mountaines of Engedi the pillar whereinto Lots wife was turned is yet to be seen shining like salt The furthest part of this sea Northward lies 14 miles from Ierusalem toward the East the riuer Iordan runneth into it The trauell of the two Angels that led Lot out of Sodom THese two Angels hauing spoken with Abraham in the valley of Mamre neere Hebron forthwith went to Sodom some 40 miles distant from that place where Lot hauing entertained them into his house by their helpe was deliuered together with his wife and two daughters from that miserable desolation of the Sodomits Of Lots two Daughters LOt escaping this desolation and seeing a president of Gods iudgement fallen vpon his wife for her disobedience fearing that he should not continue safe in Zoar left that turned aside into the wildernesse and continued there among the mountains although the Lord had promised him safety in this town wherfore continuing in a Caue in the Wildernesse the eldest of his daughters losing her husband in this destruction supposing that all men had beene destroyed from off the earth counselled her sister to commit incest with her father Lot being now oppressed with care by reason of the former calamities gaue himself at the inticement of his daughters to drinke Wine insomuch as with the excesse he became drunke at which time not being himselfe he begat by his two daughters two sonnes the eldest had a sonne whom shee called Moab which signifies The begotten of his Father whereby the impudencie of this woman is laid open to the World in that she was not ashamed of her sinne Of him came the Moabites and dwelt vpon the North side of the lake Asphaltides some 32 miles from Ierusalem The yongest daughter had a son which she called Ben-ammy that is The son of my people for although she bare him with great shame yet she dwelt among the people of God Of him came the Ammonites that dwelt beyond mount Gilead threescore miles from Ierusalem Northeastward Of the foure Kings that tooke LOT prisoner THe first of them was called Amraphel King of Shinear or Babylon the son of Ninus and Semiramis as some thinke and is called somtime by the name of Berosus sometime Ninus He kept his court at Babylon in Chaldea which is 680 miles from Ierusalem Eastward This Ninus is called Amraphel because of the notable victories that he won and the number of countries and prouinces he conquered The second was Arioch or Arius his sonne He was thus called because of his courage and crueltie in war for Arioch signifies A mighty roaring Lion Arius Mars This man during the life of his father was created king of Lassir that is Assiria for so it is called in the Chaldaean tongue the chiefe city whereof is Nineueh and lies from Ierusalem Northeastward six hundred eighty foure miles The third was Keder-laomer King of the Elamites in Persia 1200 miles from Ierusalem toward the East This Prince had a great command in that country Keder signifies an Ornament or Crowne Laomer Well deseruing The fourth was Thideall King of the Nations Hee kept his court in Damascus the Metropolis of Assyria some 160 miles from Ierusalem Northward Thideal signifieth An exalted Lord of Alah that is To be lifted vp These foure kings were confederats and bent their expedition principally against Astaroth and Kiriathaim which they tooke and spoyled all the Countrey round about with fire and sword and their Armies being retyred from the spoyle met in the vally of Siddim where now the dead Sea runneth and there pitched their tents In this place after a cruel and sharp war they conquered the fiue Kings of that beautifull and pleasant soile of Pentapolis for so it was called because of those fiue cities that were in it where among others they tooke Lot captiue with all his substance Of Astoroth AStoroth seemes to be the city of Venus because the citisens thereof worshipped her for Astoroth is a goddesse of the Sidonians and is compounded of Ash which signifies a company of stars and Tor placed in order The Syrians call Venus Ashtoroth This towne lay in the land of Gilead and belonged to the halfe tribe of Manasse beyond Iordan 56 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward In this city the foure Kings of the East conquered the gyants of Karnaim that were mighty princes and commanders there when they made war against that and Kiriathaim Not far from hence also in the land of Ham there dwelt certaine Gyants called Zusim of Zus and Hamah which signifies to stir vp commotion These were very great strong and stately people and had the command of all the Countries thereabouts which they held in great feare and were conquered by the foure Kings Of Kiriathaim KIriathaim was a City in the tribe of Reubin beyond Iorden Ios 13. 22 miles from Ierusalem toward the East and so called because it was diuided into many parts and diuisions The heathens corruptly cal it Carthage The Hebrews deriue it from Kiriath which signifies a city and Emah Terror Here dwelt the Emims a graue and fearfull people for so their name signifies Of Hazezon Thamar THis Citie tooke the
25. and the inhabitants thereof Edomites or Idumaeans The typicall meaning of Esau ESau signifies a Factor and was so called from rednes The enemies of the church colouring themselues red with the blood of the godly For as Rebecca had in her wombe two sonnes that is Esau and Iacob one elected the other reprobated so in the Church there are found two sorts of people good and euill some are wicked and impious contemners of Gods word and persecuters of the Church as after the posterity of Esau was But there are others that are the faithfull children of God that hope through the mediation of our blessed Sauiour to be made heires of euerlasting happinesse and be crowned with him in his kingdome with the crowne of Glory So that here the saying of our Sauiour may be verified the first shall be last and the last shall be first for Esau was the eldest yet lost his birthwrite and Iacob was the youngest yet got the blessing Of the Trauels of the Patriarch Iuda IVda trauelled from Sichem where Iacob dwelt and went to the towne of Odulla some forty and foure miles where he was married to the daughter of one Chananei whose name was Schuah which signinifies A happy Sauiour by her he had two children in that place viz. Ger and Onan From thence hee went to Timnah to sheare his sheepe six miles and as hee turned aside out of the way hee committed incest with his daughter in law Thamer when shee was about 26 yeares of age Afterward hee went twice with his brethren into Aegypt to buy corne at Zoan where Ioseph at that time was for the famine was very great round about So that reckoning his journey twice two and againe it amounted to eight hundred twentie and two miles for Zoan was 208 miles from Hebron where Iacob and his sonnes dwelt Lastly he returned againe with his father and his brother into Aegypt two hundred and eight miles These things happened in the yeare of the world 1239. and before Christ 1729. The description of the Townes and places to which the Patriarch Iuda trauelled Of Odullam THis was a towne in the tribe of Iuda eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and signifies The testimonie of the poore being deriued of Ed which signifies a testimonie and Dallimo such as are called poore Here Dauid hid himselfe from the furie of Saul in a caue 1 Sam. 22. Ierom knew this towne and saith that it was a village This was a type of the faithful who being still subject to the calamities and miseries of this world and persecuted for righteousnesse sake are glad with Dauid to seeke holes and caues to defend them from their wicked persecuters Of Thimnah THimnah is a Citie in the borders of the Tribe of Iudah and Dan scituated in mount Ephraim six miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest and signifieth a perfect and fully finished Citie being deriued from Thamam that is fully and absolutely finished for it was adorned with many very faire and spacious buildings set vp by Iosuah for in his time it was a faire and large Citie and at such time as the children of Israel invaded Canaan he had much adoe to win it Therefore the children of Israel for his great valour and to manifest their thankefulnesse towards him they gaue it to him and to his posterity for euer and here he lyeth bured Iosuah 24. Here Sampson married his wife and by the way killed the Lion mentioned in the 14 of Iudges This is â— type of the Church wherein Christ Iesus the true Iosuah is the head illuminating the same by the bright shining beames of his Gospell the lustre whereof hath gone throughout the whole World Of the Trauels of the Patriarch Ioseph WHen Ioseph was sent from Hebron by his father Iacob hee went to Sichem to seeke his brothers 60 miles Gen. 37. 2 From thence he went to Dothan foure miles where by his brothers he was throwne into a Pit and after sold to the Ishmalites Gen. 37. 3 From Dothan hee was carried to Tanis in Aegypt and there sold to Potipher Pharaohs chiefe steward 272 miles 4 From Tanis he went to meet his father in the land of Gosen which is 28 miles Gen. 46. 5 From thence he turned backe againe to Tanis and presented his father and brethren vnto Pharaoh Gen. 47. which is 28 miles 6 From thence hee went backe to Ony to see his father who now was sick vnto the death there receiuing his blessing he closed his eies which was 28 miles 7 From thence he returned backe againe to Tanis which is 28 miles 8 From Tanis he went backe to Ony with a great company of horses and chariots preparing an honourable funerall for his father Gen. 15. being 28 miles 9 From Ony he went to Atad which lies vpon the further side of Iordan toward the East which is 240 miles where hee made a great lamentation for the death of his father 7 daies Gen. 50. The reason why Ioseph went thus far about was because hee went with such a company towards Hebron that the Idumaeans through whose countrey he should haue gone would not suffer him to passe that way standing in feare of his power 10 From Atad he went to Hebron the Metropolis of the tribe of Iudah neere to which stood the double caue in the vaile of Mamre where Iacob was buried which was 40 miles Gen. 50. 11 From thence to Heliopolis a city of the Aegyptians where Ioseph set vp a stately Academy for all Aegypt which was accounted 200 miles 12 From thence he went to Tanis or Zoan which was the chiefe defence and Metropolitan citie of all Aegypt being accounted 6 miles So all the Trauels of the Patriarch Ioseph was 1962 miles A description of the places and cities through which Ioseph trauelled Of Dothan DOthan was a Citie in the tribe of Manasseth fortie and foure miles from Ierusalem towards the North distant six miles from Tiberias towards the West and signifies A commandement being deriued from Dothor Dathath that is he commandeth or ordaineth Here Ioseph was thrust into an emptie ditch and sold to the Ismaelites Gen. 37. Here Elias the Prophet being besieged by the Syrians shewed to his seruant the host of Angels that defended him with the Chariots of fire c. 2 Kings 16. Here Holiphernes was slaine who had pitched his tents against Bethulia for Dothan is a Citie which at this day remaineth at the foot of the Mount of Bethuell beeing scituated in a fertile and pleasant place compassed about with faire vines oliues and pleasant medows where the inhabitants do shew that ancient ditch wherein Ioseph was cast when his brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites according to that of Solomon One generation passeth and another commeth but the earth indureth for euer Of Heliopolis or the Citie of the Sunne THis City is called by the Prophet Esay Ca. 19. Irheri which signifies The Citie of the Sunne and is deriued of Ir and
there were thirty Castles and Townes that were called after his name Iudg. 10. Num. 32. Deut. 3. Ios 13. 1 Chr. 1. Hee dwelt at Kamon a towne in the Tribe of Gilead some 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East The trauels of Ieptha IEptha was borne at Mizpah in the Land of Giliad and being driuen into exile by his brothers hee fled into the Land of Tob 48 miles from Ierusalem Iudg. 11. From thence he returned to Mizpah 48 miles and there was chosen Prince and began his gouernment Anno mundi 2760 and before Christ 1208 yeares Iudg. 11. From Mizpah hee went with is army against the Ammonites to the Citie of Aroer where he put them to flight which is 26 miles Iudg. 11. From Aroer he pursued the enemies to Minneth which is 8 miles Iudg. 11. From Minneth he went to the plaine of the Vines which is 24 miles Iudg. 11. From Abel or the Plaine of the Vines hee went to Mizpah where he offered his daughter for a sacrifice to rhe Lord Iudg. 11. At that time he and the Ephramites got a memorable battell in which were slaine 22000 Iudg. 12. So all the Trauels of Ieptha were 322 miles Of the Cities and places mentioned in his Trauels Of Thob or Tob. THob or Tob to which Ieptha fled is in the halfe tribe of Manasses beyond Iordan not far from the mountain of Antilibanus 104 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward this was a very faire and plentifull countrey and therefore called Thob being deriued from Thobah which signifieth Good and Rare Of Mizpah MIzpha was a Citie in land of Gilead in the halfe Tribe of Manasses 18 miles from Ierusalem Northeastward and signifieth a Watch-tower of Zaphah to looke out In this towne Gideon dwelt and after him Samuel It was afterward destroied by Iudas Macchabeus you may reade more of it 1 Sam. 7.10 Ier. 40.41 Iosh 8. 1 Reg. 15. 2 Chr 6. Nehem. 3. Of Aroer THis was a citie of the Moabites beyond Iordan neere the riuer Arnon and fell to the tribe of Gad Iosh 12.13 Deut. 2. and takes the name from Turpentine being deriued from Arar that is He hath destroied and rooted out and was so called because Ieptha woon a memorable battell neere to this place Iud. 11. This is often mentioned in the Scriptures There was another towne of this name close by Damascus Of Minueth IN S. Ieroms time 40 yeres after Christ this towne was called Menneth of Mercury which the Syrians call Meni from Manah to distribute being a towne of Merchants which disperse their commodities here and there and stood beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben 32 miles from Ierusalem toward the East Of the Plaine of Vines Of this you may reade more in the Trauels of Balaam Of the death of Ieptha THis Ieptha was a famous Captaine and from thence took his name for Iepthach signifieth To make him an open way with the sword being deriued of Patach To open and after hee had iudged Israel six yeares died the manner of whose death is diuersly reported some say that because hee performed not his vow effectually therefore God strooke him with a grieuous vlcer so that as he was passing from citie to citie in euery place he left a member Others say that he died in the citie of the Gileadites and that in memorie of his singular actions and noble exploits which by Gods especiall ayd he atchieued his body was cut into pieces and into euery citie of Gilead a member sent and there buried which as I take it is the better opinion Of Ebzan EBzan was the tenth Iudge of Israel and succeeded Iepthah he began his gouernment in Anno mundi 2666 and before Christ 1402. He was a Bethlamite of the Tribe of Iudah and as the Hebrews thinke Boez the grandfather of King Dauid he had thirtie sonnes and thirty daughters and liued to see them all married and tooke them home vnto him into his own family which doubtlesse was a great blessing of God and from thence tooke his name for Ibsan or Abezan signifieth the father of a flocke or multitude He liued dwelt and was buried in Bethlem Iuda Iudg. 12. Of Elom IN the yeare of the world 2773 and before Christ 1195. In the 5 yeare of this mans rule the Trojan warre began Ann. mundi 2777 before Christ 1190. Elon the eleuenth Iudge of Israel began to rule and dwelt in Aialon in the Tribe of Zabulon who after he had gouerned ten yeares dyed and was buried in the same towne There was another citie of the same name in the Tribe of Dan some foure miles from Ierusalem towards the West where at the prayer of Ioshua the Sunne stood still Of Abdon ABdon the twelfth Iudge of Israel succeeded Elon In the 5 yeare of this mans rule Troy was taken and began to rule Anno mundi 2782 and before Christ 1185. Hee dwelt in the Tribe of Ephraim in a mountaine of the Amalakites 16 miles from Ierusalem Northwards He ruled full eight yeares and then died and was buried in Pirithon Abdon signifieth a seruant for hee was a good Prince but that in obeying others he lost himselfe This Abdon was a great man had fortie sonnes thirtie of which he saw married and for his greater honour had his Chariot drawne with 70 Asses for they vsed them as we doe Horses The trauels of Sampson SAmpson was borne in the city of Zarea brought vp in the Tents of Dan and Estahol Iud. 13. From thence hee went to Timnah which is twelue miles there he fell in loue with Iudah the daughter of a Philistine Iudg. 14. From Timnah hee went backe to his father to Zarea and reuealed his affection which is 12 miles He and his father went back again to Timnah to see the maid and by the way as he went hee killed a Lyon which is twelue miles Iudg. 14. From thence he returned back again which is 12 miles Iud. 14. Within a while after Sampson and his friends went againe to Timnah and by the way he found Hony in the Lyon that he had slaine and gaue it to his friends to eat and when he came to the Philistines house he propounded the Riddle whereof you may reade Iudg. 14. These things hapned in Anno mundi 2791 and before Christ 1176 at which time he succeeded Abdon in the rule of the Iewes From thence he went to Ascalon a citie of the Philistines and killed thirtie of their men and tooke away their garments which is 24 miles From thence he returned backe againe to Timnah and deliuered the Philistines which had vnfolded the Riddle those change of garments Iudg. 14. From thence being angry that his wife had disclosed the riddle he returned to Zarea to his friends which is 12 miles Iud. 14. Within a while after when his anger was ouer hee returned backe to his wife to Timnah which is 12 miles it being then wheat haruest and carried with him a Goat that so hee might be merrie
and be reconciled to her but her father shut him out of doores because he had married his wife to another man wherefore he tooke a company of Foxes and tying them taile to taile put fire-brands to their tailes and turned them into the wheat of the Philistines and they set fire of all the Wheat and Vines and Oliues thereabout Iudg. 15. From thence he went to a caue in the rock Eta and there dwelt which is 12 miles Iudg. 15. At the rocke Eta Sampson was bound with two new cords by the Israelites and from thence led to Ramah Lehi which is six miles where hee killed 1000 Philistines with the jaw bone of an Asse that he found in the way From thence he went to Gaza a citie of the Philistins which is 42 miles here he carried away the gates of the citie From Gaza he carried these gates with the posts to the top of a hill neere Hebron which is 20 miles Iudg. 16. From Hebron he went to the riuer Sorecke where hee dwelt with Dalilah the Harlot and by her was deceiued and taken of the Philistines which are 12 miles Being taken of the Philistines he put out both his eies and bound him in chains and led him from thence to Gaza which is 32 miles there they brought him into the house of their god Dagon to make them sport but he pulled downe the house a multitude of them were slaine where he also died and was buried in the Sepulchre of Manoah his father betweene Zerea and Esthaol 28 miles from Gaza and almost 20 from Ierusalem towards the West This was in the yeare of the World 1811 and before Christ 1157. So all the Trauels of Sampson were 240 miles The description of the seuerall Townes and places to which SAMPSON trauelled Of Zarea THis is a city in the tribes of Iuda and Dan neere the riuer Soreck and taketh the name from a Cole or Leprosie being deriued of Sarag that is He was Leaprous it stood 18 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of Esthaol THis was a Towne in the Tribe of Dan two miles from Zarea and stood neere the Riuer Sorecke some 20 miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name from a Woman and Fortitude for Isca signifieth a woman and El or Ol strong or powerfull Here Sampson was brought vp In S. Ieroms time this was called Asto not farre from whence Sampson lieth buried Of Timnah You may reade of this in the trauels of Iudah Of Ascalon THis was a citie of the Philistines scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranean sea some 30 miles from Ierusalem Westward and to this day retaineth the figure of halfe a circle it taketh the name from an ignominious fire being deriued of Esh and Kalon an ignominious light Of Gaza Of this Towne you may reade in the trauels of Ioshuah Of the Riuer Sorek THis was a very pleasant riuer vpon the banke whereof grew great plentie of Vines and Palmes from whence it seemeth to haue taken the name for Sorek in Hebrew signifieth a Myrtle branch which bringeth forth a pleasant berrie whereof excellent Wine is made It takes the beginning at a fountaine in the tribe of Iuda some 12 miles from Ierusalem towards the West where there is a very fertile valley in which Dalilah that betraied Sampson dwelt and from thence it runneth through the land of the Philistines and falleth into the Mediterranean sea Of the rocke Eta IN this rocke there was a caue wherein Sampson dwelt as in a strong tower it stood in the Tribe of Iuda neere to the riuer Sorecke 12 miles from Ierusalem toward the West and seemeth to take the name from Fowles for before that Sampson inhabited there a multitude of fowles bred vpon it and therefore it was called Eta for Aith signifies a Fowle This rocke growing to decay was repaired againe by Ierobaham that idolatrous King of Israel Of Sampson SAmpson or Schimpson according to the Hebrew text taketh his name from the Sunne for Schaemaes in Hebrew signifieth the Sunne and seemeth to haue some affinity with Hercules which signifieth The glory of the aire for what can be said to be the glory of the aire but the Light of the Sunne without which it would become exceeding darke wherefore as some thinke this Sampson was the true Hercules and those noble exploits that hee did the Graecians attributed to their Hercules The typicall signification of SAMPSON HE typically representeth Christ diuers waies first in his person hee was a mightie man secondly in his profession hee was a Nazarite thirdly in his calling he was a Prince and Iudge fourthly in his manner of liuing for he went from place to place to reuenge himselfe vpon the enemies of Gods people the children of Israel and in his death euen so our Sauiour Christ is that strong man who being mightier than the Diuel hath dispossest him of his tyrannicall jurisdiction ouer the soules of mankinde hath taken away those gates of death by his mercy opening vnto vs the dore of life that so being set at liberty from that hellish imprisonment we may be made partakers of euerlasting happinesse he was also a Nazarite euen from his mothers womb borne and bred there tying himselfe to a vow of bondage that we might be made free he is a Prince for euer and a Priest after the order of Melchisadeck during the continuance of his life in this vaile of misery his chiefest actions were to go from place to place to teach to doe good and to rescue and relieue the poore distressed members of the Church who lay miserably afflicted vnder the hands of Sathan healing some relieuing others and bringing a third sort into the state of grace so that as Sampson deliuered the Israelites from the bondage of the Philistins Christ our Prince and Iudge deliuereth his from the slauerie of Sathan by his death sauing more soules than in his life And therby pulling down the strong buildings the temptations of Sathan hath laid them leuel with the ground that they shall neuer be restored againe And lastly after this life ended he shall be our Prince and Iudge and bring vs to that place of promise prepared for vs in his euerlasting kingdome The trauels of the Spies of the Danites SHortly after the death of Sampson the Spies of the Danites went from Zarea and Eastaol to mount Ephraim to the house of Michah which is 24 miles Iudg. 18. From thence they went to Lais which is a hundred and foure miles Iudg. 18. From thence they returned to Zarea and Esthaol which is 126 miles Iudg. 18. So all their trauels were 244 miles Of Lais. LAis was a citie scituated at the foot of mount Libanus some 104 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was sometimes called Belenus this because it stood so farre from aid was quickly conquered by the Danites and by them vtterly destroyed it signifieth a roring or deuouring Lion But after being rebuilt by the Danites they called it Dan
a memorable battell against Hadad-Ezer the King thereof neere to the riuer Euphrates he tooke 700 horse and 20000 foot burnt their chariots tooke 100 castles conquered all the Townes and Countrey round about and went away with a great bootie as well of Gold as siluer brasse and other things which brasse for the excellencie thereof was like vnto gold and as Iosephus saith afterwards Solomon made the molten sea of it When Gadarezer King of the Syrians he that built that famous citie of Damascus heard of the ouerthrow of Hadad-Ezer hee sent a great army to his aid which King Dauid neere to the riuer Euphrates smote with the sword so that 20000 of them were slaine and he carried away a glorious victorie extending his gouernment from Ierusalem 600 miles towards the North that is into Armenia and beyond the riuer Euphrates and made these two nations tributary vnto him 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chr. 19. After Dauid had woon these 2 memorable victories neere Euphrates he went thence with all his army towards the South and inuaded the land of Syria in which journey Ioram the sonne of Tohi King of Antiochia which citie at this time was called Hemath met Dauid with gifts and presents in the name of his Father returning him many thankes because he had destroied the common enemy Hadad-Ezer and by strong hand subdued and quelled the furie of that mighty tyrant who was also a trouble and vexation to the Kingdome of Antiochia Dauid entertained this message kindly thankfully receiued his gifts which was of gold siluer and fine brasse and so gaue Ioram an acceptable dispatch and from thence with his army went to Damascus the Metropolitan citie of Syria where in the valley of salt he got a great victory in which 18000 Syrians were slaine and soon after the Citie of Damascus taken in which Dauid placed a garrison and compelled them to pay tribute 2 Sam. 8. This was distant from the kingdome of Soba 520 miles From Damascus he went with his army into the land of the Ammonites 100 miles in the way that leadeth out of Syria to Ierusalem all which he conquered and all the cities and townes thereabouts and compelled them to pay tribute 2 Sam. 8. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was 60 miles and all the bootie that he had gotten in his journey he dedicated vnto the Lord 2 Sam. 8. A while after hee with his army made an incursion into the land of Idumaea and compelled the inhabitants to pay tribute Moreouer he destroied the citie of Midian the Metropolitane of that countrey of which you may reade before it was distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the South So that the extent of Dauids kingdome from the North to the South was 800 miles euen from the kingdome of Soba to the Red sea and from the East to the West 120 miles from Tyrus and Sydon reaching to Damascus Thus by the singular blessing of God he obtained a spacious and powerfull Empire 1 Sam. 8. 1 Reg. 11. 1 Chr. 19. He made his expedition into Idumaea about the 14 yeare of his raigne From Midian in Idumaea hee returned with great glory and praise to Ierusalem which was 160 miles In the 14 yere of his raigne and in the yere of the world 2904 and before Christ 1064 Nahas King of the Ammonites died and Haron his sonne succeeded him this man contemptuously abused the messengers of Dauid 2 Sam. 10. and to justifie that injury he gathered an army out of Soba Siria and Mesopotamia euen a mighty Host to oppose Dauid who in the 15 yeare of his gouernment met him with his Armie at Helam some twenty miles from Ierusalem where he obtained a notable victorie and destroied 700 chariots and 40000 horse 1 Chr. 20. Dauid after this with great applause of the people was entertained into Ierusalem which was 20 miles distant where being puft vp with prosperity he forgat his former pietie and sanctitie and by degrees fell into vnlawfull actions and vnjust desires whence it hapned that soone after he committed adulterie with Bathseba after that to hide his fault caused her husband to be slaine This was kept secret till the Lord by Nathan sharply reprehends him laies before him what hee was and what his present estate is from whence that came and then concludes that he is most vnthankfull carelesse and negligent towards God and man in committing those insolencies neither left he there but told him that God would seuerely punish him for his offence which after hapned as you may reade 1 Sa. 11.12.14.17 Dauid being nipt in his conscience with this sharpe reprehension fell into great lamentation the extremitie of whose passions may very well appeare in the poenitentiall Psalmes which at this time and soone after hee wrot and left to future ages After this about the end of Summer he gathered an army and went into the land of the Ammonites some 64 miles where hee took the Metropolitan citie which at that time was called Rabba because of the multitude of citizens that were in it but after being restored by Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Aegypt hee called it after his own Philadelphia there took the crowne from the head of the king of the Ammonites which weighed a Talent of * How much this was you may read after in the quantitie of weights gold being as Iosephus saith richly adorned with faire Sardonicke stones of which you may reade in 2 Sam. 12. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem which is 64 miles where hee married Bathseba and by her had foure sonnes Simeon Sobab Nathan and Solomon 1 Chr. 3. Soone after this Ammon defloured his sister Thamar not long after that his son Absalon killed his brother Ammon beeing then about 18 yeares of age which Dauid tooke so hainously that he would not suffer him to come into his sight for three yeares 1 Sam. 13. Then Ioab by the subtiltie of the woman of Tekoa reconciled him to the king his father yet neuerthelesse he came not to his court of two yeares after This Absolon was a goodly man affable for which cause enen at that time the people began to affect him Afterward in the yeare of the world 2950 and before Christ 1408 Absolon being then about 25 yeares of age moued sedition against his father A matter remarkeable that although he had slaine his owne brother being disgraced and absent from the Court almost fiue yeres yet within short time after he so strongly vnited the affection of the people to him that he constrained Dauid standing in feare of his greatnesse all his former acts and worthy victories notwithstanding to forsake his owne citie and for safety to fly to the mount of Oliues beeing three quarters of a mile from the citie There he staied a while to see the condition of the tumult but necessitie constrained him to take his way to Bahuzim And as he was going Zimri the sonne of Gesa of the house of Saul cursed
that hee was constrained to leaue the battell 1 Reg. 22. And as he went backe againe to Samaria which was 24 miles he dyed of his wound Of this man you may reade more 1 Reg. 21. 22. So all the Trauels of Ahab were 152 miles The Description of Carmel Apheck and Ramoth you may reade before Of Iesreel IEzreel is a city in the Tribe of Issachar scituated vpon a rising ground some 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Ahab somtimes kept his court Here Noboth the Israelite dwelt an honest and religious man one of good esteeme and authoritie that feared God and would not suffer the inheritance of one Tribe to be transferred to another because God had commanded the contrary Nu. vlt. For which cause he would not sell his vineyard to Ahab wherefore Iezabel that wicked woman to satisfie the Kings desire caused him to be stoned Iezreel signifies The seed of God being deriued of Sera Seed and El the Almighty God Though in former times this hath bin a faire town yet at this day there is not past 30 houses in it and is called Charity standing at the foot of Mount Gilboah they shew at this day the field of Naboth the Iesrelite lying towards the West as you goe into the citie a little before you come at it This towne standeth vpon a faire prospect for you may see from thence through all Galile to Carmel the mountaines of Phoenicia and Mount Thabor also from Mount Gilead by Iordan and Mount Salem where Iohn baptised neere by Mount Hermon vpon the North side of Mount Gilboah there lies a faire and plaine way to the citie Iezreel by which Iehu came when he made wars vpon Iehoram King of Israel of which you may reade more 2 Reg. 9. It stood not far from the riuer Kison as you may reade Ios 17.19 1 Sam. 2. 1 Reg. 4. 18. Of Ahaziah the sonne of Ahab AHaziah was crowned king of Israel during the life of his father a cruell and wicked man he began his raigne in the 17 yeare of Iosaphat king of Iudah Anno mundi 3049 and before Christ 919 about such time as Ahab went downe to Ramoth Gilead to recouer it from the Syrians within a while after the death of his father hee fell through the lattice window in his vpper chamber which was in Samaria of which hurt he died Of this you may reade more 1 King 1. The Trauels of Iehoram King of Israel IEhoram succeeded his brother Ahazia in the kingdome of Israel who began his raigne in the 18 yeare of Iosaphat King of Iudah and as Iosephus saith li. Ant. 9. about the fifth yeare of his raigne went from Samaria to Ierusalem which was 32 miles There he told Iosaphat how the king of Moab had rebelled against him therefore desired him to goe along with him to the war 2 Reg. 3. Then Iehoram and Iosaphat and the King of Edom went from Ierusalem and compassed about through the wildernesse of Idumaea by the space of seuen daies so that they and their army for want of water had almost perished but at the prayers of the Prophet Elisha they were miraculously preserued At length they came to Petra the Metropolitan Citie of the Moabites and is distant from Ierusalem 172 miles which they tooke and consumed it with fire and sword 2 Reg. 3. From the citie of Petra Iehoram King of Israel returned backe to Samaria which was 104 miles where within a while afrer he was so sorely besieged by Benhadad king of Syria that the famine grew very great within the towne insomuch as a certaine woman eate her owne childe 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Ramoth in Gilead with his armie which is 24 miles where he was ouercome by Asahel King of the Syrians and wounded euen to the death 2 Reg. 8. From the fight of Ramoth Gilead he was carried in his chariot backe to Iezreel which was 24 miles where he lay to be cured of his hurts But Iehu one of his chiefe Captaines rebelled against him and as hee was in his Charriot shot an arrow and wounded him the second time whereof he died in the field of Naboth the Iezrelite 2 Reg. 9. So all the Trauels of Iehoram were 356 miles The Trauels of Iehu King of Israel IEHV signifies A constant man in himselfe and was the sonne of Iosaphat the sonne of Nimschi hee was annointed King of Israel in the castle at Ramoth in Gilead by Elisha Anno mundi 3063 and before Christ 905 hee raigned 28 yeares 2 Reg. 9. From Ramoth in Gilead in his Chariot he went to Iezreel which was 24 miles where in the field of Naboth the Iezrelite he killed Iehoram with an arrow And when he came to the gates of the citie he caused Iezabel to be throwne from a tower whom he trampled vnder his horse feet And after in that same place shee was eaten vp with dogs Then hee sent messengers to Samaria commanding the Samaritans that they should put to death the 70 sonnes of Ahab which they immediately did and sent their heads vnto him in baskets 2 Reg. 10. From Iezreel he went to Samaria which is 16 miles In that journey he caused to be slaine by his ministers the 42 brothers of Ahaziah king of Iuda neere to the well which was beside the house where sheepe was shorne And when he came to Samaria he caused all the posterity of Ahab to be vtterly destroied and rooted out And to conclude the tragedy by a cunning policie put to death all the priests of Baal 2 Reg. 10. So all the trauels of Iehu were 40 miles Of Iehoahas King of Israel IEhoahas was the sonne of Iehu and succeeded his father in the Kingdome of Israel he began his raigne in the 33 yeare of Ioas King of Iudah in the yeare of the World 3091 and before Christ 876 hee raigned ouer Israel 17 yeares God stirred vp against this wicked King Asahel King of the Syrians who with 10000 foot and fiue hundred horse besieged Samaria very strongly put to the sword many of his subjects and got many cities and townes from him as the Prophet Elisha had before told him 2 Reg. 8. 13. The Trauels of Ioas King of Israel IOas succeeded his father Iehoahas and while he was yet liuing was annointed King of Israel in the 37 yeare of Ioas King of Iudah and raigned two yeares with his father after his death 15 so all the raigne of Ioas was 17 yeares This man was a great souldier and went from Samaria with an army against the Citie of Apheck which was 14 miles there he smote the Syrians and in three seuerall battels carried away the victory recouering the Cities which his father Iehoahas had lost according to the prophecie of Elisha 2 Reg. 17. From Apheck he returned to Samaria which was foureteene miles From thence he went with his army to Bethsemes in the land of Iuda where in a sharpe and cruell war he conquered Amasia and tooke him
bed put him to death and buried him in Millo the Citie of Dauid Thus God justly punished this tyrant for his vnthankefulnesse apostasie and cruelty when he had liued 47 yeares 2 Reg. 12. The Trauels of Amasiah King of Iuda AMasias or Amasiah signifies the strength of Iehouah This man was 25 yeares of age when he was enthronised by his father about the second yeare of Ioas King of Israel Anno mundi 3108 and before Christ 806. He ruled the kingdome while his father was sicke one yeare and after his decease 28 so all the yeares of his raigne were 29. He went with an army from Ierusalem to Saelag that is to the tower or rocke of Mount Seir 40 miles towards the South here in the valley of Salt he put to death a multitude of the Idumaeans And although this towne was very strongly scituated yet he woon it and called it Ioctiel that is The eare of the Lord because God in that place heard his prayers being deriued of Iakah and El which is God hath heard Neere to this Towne Amasiah commanded ten thousand Idumaeans which hee had taken in warre to be cast downe headlong from the top of an high rocke into a deepe valley in which fall their bones were shattered all to pieces and they died miserably 2 Reg. 14. From Selag Ioctiel hee returned to Ierusalem which was 40 miles where hee began to worship the gods of the Idumaeans that he brought along with him 2 Chron. 25. From Ierusalem hee went to Bethsemes and there was ouercome by Ioas King of Israel which was 4 miles 2 Chron. 25. From Bethsemes Ioas led Amasiah backe againe to Ierusalem captiue which was 4 miles 2 Reg. 14. From Ierusalem he fled to the citie of Lachis which was 20 miles and there was slaine by his owne seruants 2 Chron. 25. From Lachis his carkasse was carried backe againe to Ierusalem 20 miles where it was buried in the citie of Dauid 2 Reg. 14. 2 Chron. 25. So all his trauels were 128 miles The Trauels of Azariah or Vzziah King of Iudah THis man succeeded his father Amasia in the yeare of the world 3138 and before Christ 830 when hee was but 16 yeares of age and raigned 52 yeares his mothers name was Iecoliah of Ierusalem He did those things that were vpright in the sight of the Lord therefore the Lord blessed him And after the death of his father built Elah and restored it to Iudah He therefore went from Ierusalem to Elah 160 miles towards the South and rebuilt that towne it being a famous Mart towne scituated vpon the red sea and fortified it because Resin King of the Syrians in times past for want of due fortification woon it and destroied it 2 Chron 26. From Elah he returned to Ierusalem 160 miles After hee went from Ierusalem to Gath a citie of the Philistines which was accounted 34 miles this towne he woon beat downe the wals and destroied the Bulwarkes thereof From thence he went to Iabnia which is 24 miles and broke downe the wals thereof 2 Chron. 26. From thence he went to Azotus or Asdod which was 8 miles 2 Chron. 26. From Asdod he went againe to Ierusalem being 22 miles Within a while after he gathered an armie and went from Ierusalem to Gur-Baal that is Gerar where he ouercame the Arabians in a great battell which was 32 miles 2 Chron. 26. From Gerar he returned to Ierusalem being 32 miles He went from Ierusalem the third time into the land of the Amonites 60 miles which people he conquered and made tributarie to him so that he was made famous through all the countries thereabout euen to the vtmost part of Egypt because of his often victories and triumphs 2 Chron. 26. Out of the land of the Ammonites he returned to Ierusalem which was 60 miles But now being lift vp with the prosperitie of fortune and not content with his regall dignitie he endeauoured to haue chiefe authority ouer the Priests also for which cause he went into that part of the temple where the Altar of sweet incense stood where it was lawfull for none to goe but the Priests and there tooke vpon him to offer sweet incense but as he was offering the Lord strucke him with Leprosie so that he was constrained to dwell in a house by himselfe separated from the congregation And his sonne Iotham gouerned in his stead all the dayes of his life But within a while after he died of this disease and was buried in the Kings garden at Ierusalem and not in the sepulchre of the Kings 2 Reg. 15. 2 Chron. 26. So all the trauels of Azariah King of Iuda were 592 miles Of the places to which he trauelled Of Elah THis was a city scituated vpon the Red Sea 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the South betweene Ezion-gaber and Midian This city Resin King of the Syrians conquered but Azariah King of Iudah droue thence the Syrians and made it so strong that it seemed impossible to be conquered It tooke the name of aboundance of Oakes which as it seemeth grew about that place for Elah or Ilix signifies a kind of Oake tree of which there is great plenty in the Holy land so called because of their strength and hardnesse Of Iabnia THis was a city neere to Ioppa and Lidda 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest This city taketh the name of wisedome and prudence being deriued of Bin to vnderstand Of Gur-Baal THis towne is also called Gerar where Abraham and Isaac sometimes trauelled it is distant from Ierusalem 32 miles towards the Southwest and six miles from Hebron Here the Iewes and neighbouring Arabians afterward worshipped the Idol Baal and therefore this citie which in the times of the Patriarchs was called Gerar a Perigrination was after called Gur-Baal that is the Perigrination of the idoll Baal being deriued of Gor which signifies He hath trauelled The Trauels of Iotham King of Iudah IOtham signifies Whole and Perfect He succeeded his father Azariah when he was about 25 yeares of age anno mundi 3190 and before Christ 778. He raigned ouer Iudah 17 yeares vntill the 41 yeare of his age His mothers name was Icruscha so called from an inheritance or possession He began his raigne in the second yeare of Pekah King of Israel and continued it vntill the 17 yeare of his gouernment 2 Reg. 15. 17. When this noble Prince had rebuilded and richly adorned the porch of the house of the Lord he went from Ierusalem and inuaded the countrey of the Ammonites which was 60 miles conquered their King and made the whole land pay him tribute euen a hundred talents of siluer of the common weight and 10000 measure of Wheate and 10000 of Barley yearely This tribute continued three yeares From the land of the Ammonites he went backe to Ierusalem which was 60 miles where after he had adorned the Citie and Temple with many Princely buildings hee died about the 41 yeare of his age 2 Reg. 15. So all
Samaria which was 104 miles where he relieued a certain widdow woman that was afflicted with pouertie and want miraculously by a Cruse of Oyle 2 Reg. 4. Iosephus lib. Antiq. 9. supposeth this Woman to bee the widdow of Obediah the Kings Steward of whom you may reade before who did hide and maintaine a certaine number of the Prophets of the Lord in a caue 2 Reg. 18. From Samaria Elisha went oftentimes to a Towne called Sunem as he returned to Samaria to Carmel which was 16 miles distant Here a certaine rich woman obseruing his often passage to and fro by that Towne built him a little chamber wherein he might rest himselfe after his journey to which place he often resorted and in recompence of this benefit although she had been long barren he prophecied that within a yeare she should haue a sonne which accordingly shee had to her great joy and comfort 2 Reg. 4. From Sunem he went to Carmel which was 16 miles From thence he returned back again to Sunem to the woman where hee vsed to lie which was 16 miles here hee restored her sonne to life 2 Reg. 4. From thence he went to Gilgal which is distant from Sunem 36 miles towards the South here he fed 100 men with 20 barlie loaues 2 Reg. 4. From Gilgal he went to Samaria which is accounted 20 miles to this place Naaman the Syrian came to him to be healed of his leprosie 2 Reg. 5. From Samaria he went to Iordan which was eight miles Here he made a Hatchet of yron that fell into the water to swimme 2 Reg. 6. From Iordan he went to Dothan where the children of Iacob sould their brother Ioseph to the Midianites which was 8 miles here the Angells of the Lord compassed him and his seruant about lest they should haue bin taken by the armie of the Syrians and God strooke the Syrians with blindnesse 2 Reg. 6. From thence he led the army of the Syrians being thus made blind to Samaria which was 12 miles and deliuered them to the King of Israel vpon condition that he should giue them meate and drinke to refresh themselues and suffer them to depart in peace which he did 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Sunem which was 16 miles here he aduised the woman where he vsed to lie to trauel thence to some other place because of the famine that should follow and continue for seuen yeares 2 Reg. 8. From Sunem hee went to Damascus which was 132 miles there he told Hazael that he should succeed his Master Benhadid in the gouernment of the Syrians 2 Reg. 8. From Damascus he returned to Samaria which was 132 miles where soone after he fell sicke and died his body was buried neer to Samaria where the Lord a long time after his death shewed a wonderfull miracle for a dead man being throwne into his Sepulchre was restored againe to life by touching of his bones 2 Reg. 13. This man gouerned the Church of God amongst the children of Israel 60 yeares after the death of Elias So all the Trauels of Elisha were 730 miles Concerning the townes and places mentioned in his Trauels you may reade before The Typicall signification of Elisha ELisha or Elischa signifieth The saluation of God being deriued of El that is God and Iaschag He hath saued from hence Iesus a Sauiour because this Prophet was a notable type of our Sauiour Iesus Christ for as Elisha was annointed Priest by the Prophet Eliah so Christ was the annointed Priest of the father and as Elisha did many workes of mercy and myracles to make euident Gods power and prouidence so our Sauiour Christ went from place to place shewing mercy to the blind lame and impotent vpon them working wonderfull miracles that thereby his Doctrine might be made euident to the World and all such as trust in him be made capable of eternall happinesse Tha Trauels of the Shunamite whose sonne Elisha had raised from death to life FRom Sunem she went to Mount Carmel and besought Elisha to come and raise her sonne from death to life which was 16 miles 2 Reg. 4. From thence she and Elisha returned backe againe to Sunem which was 16 miles and there hee deliuered her sonne vnto her aliue 2 Reg. 4. From Sunem hauing buried her husband shee trauelled into the land of the Philistins because of the famine that was to come suddenly after being 56 miles 2 Reg. 8. From the land of the Philistines shee returned to Samaria which was 40 miles 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria she returned to Sunem which was 16 miles So all her trauels were 144 miles Of the Prophet Isaiah or Iesaia IEsaia or Ieschaia is all one in signification with Elisha that is a Sauiour He was the sonne of Amos which signifieth strength and by consequence Ozia King of Iudah was his cosin-german as may appeare by this Genealogie following Ioas King of Iuda Amasiah King of Iuda Ozias King of Iuda Iotham King of Iuda Ahas King of Iuda Ezekias King of Iuda Manasses King of Iuda who caused Isaiah to be slaine Amos Isaias father Isaias had two daughters Sear Iasub that is the rest remaining and was a signe of the rest of the posteritie of Iuda that should remaine and dwell there Isa 7. Mahez Schatal that is a suddē destruction for this 2d daughter of Isay did denote the immediat desolation of the kingdomes of Syria and Samaria From whence it plainely appeareth that the Prophet Esaias was of the stocke of Dauid and linage of Christ for which cause in the fifth chapter of his prophecie he calleth him his beloued He began to teach publiquely in the yeare of the World 3167 and before Christ 800 and gouerned the Church eighty yeares and more vntill the time of Manasses who caused him to be cut in pieces with a saw In anno mundi 3190 before Christ 778 Isay saw the Lord sitting vpon a high throne in great majestie the lower part whereof filled the Temple and the Saraphins compassed him round about Esa 6. Cherubins are glorious and bright shining Angels of a fiery nature For Saraph signifieth He hath turned to fire His doctrine was two fold that is partly concerning the Law partly the Gospell as may appeare by his prophecie in the first forty chapters whereof the doctrine of the law is set forth with sharpe reprehensions for sinne in the first foure of which are grieuous accusations of sinners for breach of the first commandement the other for the most part prophecie of horrible punishments mutations and change of gouernement but principally of the Iewes Babylonians Assirians Syrians and Aegyptians From the fortieth to the end of the booke is contained the doctrine of the Gospell and of the Kingdome of our Sauiour Iesus Christ which hee hath set forth with such excellent eloquence figures and amplifications that hee may be compared with the best Orator that euer wrote The Trauels of the Prophet Ieremias IEremias or Ieremiah signifieth The exalted of
who now sitteth at the right hand of his father in power and eternall glory but rather if wee be desirous to see the footsteps of Christ let vs seeke them in the Church which is disperst through the world wherein wee are sufficiently taught how we should follow him The Palme is a famous tree which bringeth forth Dates and is so called because vpon the top the boughes are thicke and round extending out like fingers from whence it is called Dactylus that is a finger Of Gethsamene THis was a village scituated at the foot of the mount of Oliues in a pleasant and fruitfull place Neere vnto this village as Saint Augustine obserueth there were many pleasant gardens which gaue forth very sweet and delectable sauors vnto which place Christ and his Disciples did oftentimes resort as the Euangelist Luke cap. 22. obserueth It was so called from the pressing forth of oyle for Gathor Geth signifies a Presse and Schaemen Oyle In this place the heart of our Sauiour Christ was so prest with affliction that he sweat drops of bloud By which bloud the sinnes of our soules are washed away and wee that are wounded are made whole as with a most precious balsome Isa 53. Hellen the Empresse in an Orchard close by this towne set vp a faire and beautifull Church ouer the sepulchre of the Virgin Mary which she called by the name of the mother of God Niceph lib. 2. cap. 30. It is said that this sepulchre remaineth to this day in this Church made of white polished Marble standing about eight and fortie steps vnder ground being something wider than the sepulchre of Christ in it there is two doors one to goe in another to goe out But whither this be the right sepulchre of the blessed Virgin it concerneth vs not sith it appertaineth not to our saluation neither is mentioned in the holy Scriptures but if any man be desirous to be further satisfied in it let him reade Nicephorus who makes mention of that and her ascension both in my opinion of like credit because I suppose that Saint Luke who wrote the Acts of the Apostles and liued in those times would not haue omitted so memorable an action But to returne to the Garden of Gethsamene About some fiftie paces towards the East of this sepulchre of the blessed Virgin close by the foot of the mount of Oliues stands a certain chappell just in the place where sometimes the towne of Gethsemane stood Not far from this chappell is showne a certaine hollow place vnder a rocke where the inhabitants say our Sauiour sweat drops of bloud They also shew a certaine stone whereon the Angels stood which comforted our Sauiour Discending thence about a stones cast they shew vnto Pilgrims a place close by the caue in the Mount of Oliues where Peter Iames and Iohn sate when our Sauiour was in his agonie They also shew the place where Peter cut off Malchas eare There is to be seene a memorable place where Iudas betraied our Sauiour with a kisse when he deliuered him to the Iewes Not farre off is to be seene the place where the Iewes fell backeward when our Sauiour askt them Whom seeke yee Besides many other things if Borchardus may be credited as the impression of his haire and head vpon a stone and of his finger as if it had beene in wax vpon a rocke and in the place where he prayed of his hands and knees which are so firme in stone that they cannot be defaced with any instrument But there haue beene many in this place since these times which haue seene none of these things from whence may be gathered that they haue been idle delusions vsed by ancient monkes to get money from Pilgrims and strangers and I haue here remembred them that others knowing these may beware of the like fallacies and deceits purposely inuented for lucres sake This garden of Gethsamene is credibly thought to haue been planted in former times by the Kings Dauid and Solomon but increased inlarged by other succeeding Princes that there they might recreate themselues receiue some content by the fruits of the earth But on the contrary that great King the annointed of the Lord our blessed Sauiour in this place of pleasure this paradise of the Iewes was constrained to vndergoe that almost vnsupportable passion to make vs partakers of that heauenly paradise and place of pleasure Not far from hence is to bee seene the place where Iudas hanged himselfe and a little from that the field of Akeldoma which was bought with the thirtie Siluerlings for which Iudas betraied Christ This field by the appointment of the Empresse Hellen was compassed about with foure walls in the maner of a tower vpon the top whereof there are seuen distinct doores like windowes by which the dead bodies of Christians are let downe into it it is fiftie foot wide and seuentie two long It standeth not farre from the valley of Hinnon towards the East and vpon the South side of Mount Sion in Ierusalem c. Of Kidron or Cedron THis brooke was so called because of the blacknesse of the water being deriued of Kadar To wax blacke The Mountaine whence it first riseth stands not farre from Ierusalem towards the South from whence it runneth through the valley of Iehosaphat which vally being very fat and fertile changeth the colour of the water and makes it looke blacke and so through Ierusalem then passing towards the East ouer a cliffe of Mount Oliuet it falleth into the Lake of Asphaltites When there falls any store of raine the channell is very full but in Summer it is oftentimes dry with the extremitie of heat Ouer this brooke Dauid passed when he was persecuted by his sonne Absolon 2 Sam. 16. and our Sauiour Christ when he dranke of the Riuer in the way that is when he suffered vpon the crosse for the sinne of man according to that saying of the Psalmist Psal 69. Saue me O God because the waters are entred euen into my soule Of Mount Caluarie THis Mountaine according to the common opinion was so called of dead mens skuls or the skuls of such who were put to death for some capitall offence It stood vpon the West side of Ierusalem as you goe out of the ancient Gate and is a part of Mount Gihon At this day it standeth within the city of Ierusalem together with the sepulchre of our Sauiour and vpon it is built a faire Church which is joyned vnto the Church of the holy Sepulchre being as it were a Quire vnto it But it standeth somewhat lower It is built all of Marble and the inside is all polished and wrought very curiously It is also paued with the same stone Within it is seen a piece of the pillar of stone to which they say Christ was tyed when he was whipped in which stone are to be seene certaine red spects as if they had been drops of bloud and these also they say were the bloud of
of Licaonia Pisidia and Isauria in which countries the Apostle Paul taught the Gospel of Christ These inhabitants which in those daies were called Galathians are said to be a people of France who ioyning themselues to the Cymbrians Danes and Germans vnder the conduct of Brennus their captain inuaded Italy in which enterprise they were so fortunat that they conquered a great part of it wherin they planted colonies and because of their neernesse to their own country in processe of time grew mightie and from that beginning the countrey where they inhabited was called Cice-alpine-Gallia taking that name partly of the place partly of the people After Brennus and his armie making vse of their fortunes forraged all Italy and came to Rome which they woone and sackt all but the Capitoll and that also was in great danger vntill such time as Camillus a valiant Roman Captaine taking aduantage of the enemies securitie who now tooke more care how to satisfie their couetousnesse than to defend what they had got of a sudden set vpon them by which vnexpected inuasion they were put to a maruellous straight and the besieged greatly incouraged so that they also issuing out of the Capitoll made such a slaughter that they forced Brennus and his armie to retire and to restore all the pillage that hee had got and also forsake the countrey This misfortune they bore patiently considering their former prosperitie and in hope of better successe sailed thence into Grecia where after they had attempted many noble exploits and failing in some they determined a voyage for Delphos because there was great store of treasure and the inhabitants as they supposed weake to oppose their armie In this expedition they vsed much pillage and robbing vpon the Seas and through many dangers came at length to this Isle landed their men wan the citie fired a great part of it and put many of the inhabitants to the sword with this victorie most of his armie which were more religious than the rest would haue willingly left the countrey but Brennus who beforetimes had beene vsed to sacriledge and those that were as couetous as himselfe thought it basenesse through an opinion of holinesse to leaue so great a bootie behind them as was contained in the Temple of Apollo for that place of all the Temples of the world in those times was notorious for riches and treasure the many and great gratuities and offerings of most Princes which were both magnificent and rich being hoarded vp in the secret caues of this Oracle wherefore they attempted the assault but with bad successe for the diuell raised such a tempest with thundring lightning and other strange and vncoth accidents that Brennus in this distemperature of the aire was * Some say he killed himself with his owne dagger slaine many of his shippes were set on fire and the greatest part of his armie lost being either spoiled with lightning slaine by the inhabitants or dispersed with feare Such euent had this sacrilegious attempt Those that remained after they had gathered themselues into a body went thence into Asia the lesse and planted themselues in this country where the inhabitants in processe of time called them Gallo-Graecians adding their originall name to that of the countrey wherein they liued and after for beauties sake they were called Galatians See Liu. lib. 5. Diodorus Siculus lib. 6. saith That the inhabitants of Galatia were so called of this people in the time that Gidion iudged Israel that Cyrus was Emperour of Persia both may be true considering the mutabilitie and change of States in those times Some thinke they were first called Galatians by Attalus King of Pergamus who gaue them a great ouerthrow close by the riuer Halym because they originally were of Gallia and continued sometime in Graecia and after came into Asia so he joyning these two names into one called them Gallo-Graecians or Gallatians This history is diuersly reported by diuers authors but all conclude that they rested and inhabited in Asia where their posteritie continued to this day In times past it was a very warlike and generous nation and in their expedition performed many noble exploits attaining to eminence onely by their sword for which cause many Princes neere them were beholding vnto them for their aide but withall cruell and barbarous insomuch as they oftentimes eat their captiues or offered them to their gods and thus they continued for the space of 300 yeares till Paul comming into that countrey preached the Gospell amongst them and conuerted them from this Barbarisme to the Christian faith He sent an Epistle to this people from Rome being 1200 miles They in those times held all Paphligonia a part of Phrigia Cappadocia and of all the neighbouring countries thereabouts which after their names was called Gallo Graecia or Galatia such a mightie nation was this growne in a short time at first being a people thrust out of theit owne countrey for want of a place to inhabit in as you may reade more at large in the fifth booke of Liuie whose authoritie I haue principally followed herein Of Phrygia PHrygia is as much to say as a dry and sandy country scituated in Asia the lesse between Galatia and Mysia 600 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward It is diuided into two parts the greater and the lesse in the greater Phrygia stood Smyrna in the lesse Dardania so called of Dardanus who first built it in which town there reigned many wealthy mighty Princes as Ericthonius Tros of whom it was called Troy Ilus of whom it was called Ilion Laomedon who was the father of Priamus the last king therof for in his time it was destroyed by the Grecians Of which desolation I will not speak because it is commonly known It lay waste so long although it had bin a faire and goodly city the like not in the world that the place where it stood was become like a plain field only here and there some heaps of old ruins to shew that there had been a city in that place And as Virgil said I am seges est vbi Troia fuit Corne now growes where Troy stood A long time after there were a certain people that called themselues Trojans who rebuilt it but not in the same place and in it erected a goodly Temple in honour of the goddesse Pallas to the which Temple Alexander the Great after he had conquered Darius King of Persia close by the riuer Granicus which tooke beginning in a mountain not far from Troy went and with singular gladnesse and great solemnitie offered many rich and goodly Presents enlarged the towne and greatly adorned But after he had ended the Persian war and conquered almost all the knowne world he sent very kinde and louing letters to these new Trojans promising not only to inlarge the towne and endow it with ma-priuiledges and reuenues but also to build vp a faire and sumptuous Temple there as Strabo lib. 15. saith all which was done for the loue
many famous men that either liued or were borne in this towne as Thales Milesius one of the seuen Wise-men of Graece Anaximander who was his scholler Anaximenes and Hecataeus the Historian also Eschenes the Orator not he that contended with Demosthenes who taking too much libertie against Pompey was banished Timothius the musician and Pittacus the Philosopher besides many others But of all these Thales Milesius was held in greatest estimation because he was thought to be the first that taught natural Philosophie and the Mathematicks amongst the Grecians He was the first also that foretold of the Eclipse of the Sun about such time as the battell was fought betweene Cyaxares father of Astyages King of the Medes and Hallyatâ—es father of Croesus K. of the Lidians which was about the 44 Olimpiad There came vnto him a certaine man who asked him what was the hardest thing in the world he answered seipsum nosce to know himselfe Another came to him and askt him how he might do to liue justly he answered Si quae in alijs reprehendimus ipse non faciamus That we doe not those things which we reprehend in others He died about the 58 Olympiad Meletus at this day is called Melasa Of Cous. THis is one of the Cyclad Islands lying in the Aegean sea bordring vpon Caria being so called from the Vaults and caues that are in it and distant from Ierusalem 524 miles It hath a city called after the same name wherein there was a stately Temple built in honour of Iuno another standing in the suburbs therof dedicated to Aesculapius this was a very sumptuous temple and made very rich because of the many presents and gifts that were sent and dedicated to it When the Romanes had obtained the command of this Isle Octavius the father of Augustus Caesar tooke out of this temple a naked Venus which was a goodly image and carried it with him to Rome in honour of his progenitors who deriued their progenie from her It is in compasse 56 miles being so pleasantly scituated that it was a sea marke to Mariners very fruitfull and bringing forth abundance of wine silke by reason of a certain fish that is found there from which they got great plenty See Plin. lib. 11. cap. 22. There were many that liued onely by weauing of silke and aboue the rest there was one Pamphila the daughter of Plates that was most excellent in that Art There were many famous men that were either born or liued in that country as Hipocrates that excellent Physitian Apelles that notable painter Simus the Physician Philetas the poët and orator Nicia the prince and tyrant of Cous Ariston the Peripatetick and Theomnestus that notable politician At this day this Isle is within the Turkish Empire and by them called Stacu also the principall citie thereof is called by the same name and wholly inhabited by the Turks two towns only being inhabited by the Grecians but there are many that dwell in strong castles compassed with round and stately towers This countrey is very fertile abounding with cattell and the mountaines thereof are little inferior to those of Creet Of Rhodes THe city and Isle of Rhodes which is so called from the sweet smell or roses is scituated in the Mediterranean sea a little from Asia the lesse vpon the South being distant from Ierusalem 140 miles toward the Northwest as Strab. saith l. 14. It is in compasse 112 miles It was at first called Ophy then Statilia after Telchin of the inhabitants thereof who were called Telchines a people which as some say were witches others say curious Artificers and were the first that found out the making of brasse and yron At last it tooke the name of Rhodes from the principal city that stood in it for there were three cities in it viz. Lyndus Camirus and Ialyssus In Lyndus Cleobulus one of the seuen Wisemen of Graece and Chares that famous Statuarie who made the Colossus which stood in this Isle were borne Ialyssus of a Rose that was found in it was called Rhodes being scituated vpon an exceeding high promontorie lying toward the East part of that Isle This exceeded the other two cities both for ports waies walls and other ornaments and the inhabitants were gouerned with such excellent lawes and so skilfull in nauigation that it might compare with the strongest citie of the world and for a long time had the command of the sea round about and vtterly abolished all Pirats and robbers from those parts Diodorus Sicul. li. 6. saith that it was called Rhodes of Rhodia a faire and beautifull maid who was dearely beloued of Apollo and therefore this Island was dedicated to the Sunne for as Solinus saith though the heauens be neuer so cloudy yet the Sun shineth in Rhodes Pindarus the Poet because of the fertility of the soile and the exceeding opulencie of the inhabitants saith that it rained gold in that country In former times it flourished with learning and good arts insomuch that the Romans for the most part sent their children to be brought vp at Rhodes This Isle is very fruitfull and bringeth forth many things necessarie for the maintenance of life but aboue all a certaine red wine which the Romans did greatly delight in and valued at a high price In this city liued that notable Painter called Protogines which Apelles conquered in that science as Pliny saith lib. 35. ca. 10. Demetrius King of Asia erected a notable Collossus or Statue of the Sun in this Isle which that notable caruer Chares made being outwardly all of pure brasse but within nothing but stones it was seuentie cubits high and so artificially made that it was accounted for one of the wonders of the world Afterward it was carried into Aegypt by the Aegyptians who woon the towne This Isle is famous to this day in times past it was accounted one of the keys of Christendome but at this day subject vnto the Turk of which you may reade more in the Turkish History Of Patara PAtara was a Citie of Licia so called of Patarus the builder thereof who was the sonne of Apollones or Lacones as Strabo and Servius saith it was scituated vpon the South side of Asia the lesse close by the shore of the Mediterranean sea 408 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest Ptolomaeus Philadelphius K. of Aegypt inlarged this city and called it after his sisters name Arsinoës Lysiaca to put a difference betweene it and other Cities called after that name for there was an Arsinoe in Aegypt and another neere Cyrene where Apollo in certaine Moneths of the winter season by the help of the Divel gaue answer to them that sought after him S. Paul was in this towne Acts 11. There was also another towne of this name in Achaia where S. Andrew was crucified The Trauels of S. Paul when he was taken captiue and carried Prisoner to Rome IN the 57 yeare after the natiuitie of Christ Paul being then 47 yeares of