66.10 31.58 Jarmouth 65.37 31.51 Azecha 65.51 31.54 Lachis 65.51 31.49 Eglon 65.50 31.48 Makeda 65.49 31.52 Libna 95.49 31.50 Debir 65.32 31.46 Bethsur 65.47 31.48 Kâ—chila 65.38 31.47 Mareâ—a 65.42 31.54 Maon 65.38 31.41 Carmel 65.40 31.44 Ziph 65.38 31.43 Arah 65.45 31.37 Hebron 65.33 31.45 Gerer 65.37 31.42 Kades barnea 65.22 31.29 Adar 65.12 31.32 Carcaha 65.06 31.30 Hasmona 65.00 31.30 Bethsemes 65.55 31.55 Beersabah 65.31 31.40 Siclag 65.15 31.37 Ecron 65.40 31.58 Azotus 65.35 31.00 Astalon 65.24 31.52 Gath 65.23 31.48 Gaza 65.11 31.40 The Towns lying on this side of the River Jordan Dan 67.25 33.08 Jor sons 67.31 33.07 Caesarea Philippi 67.30 32.05 Seleucia 67.17 33.50 Eruptio fluvii ex Samachoniride palude 67.11 32.44 Capernaum 66.53 31.29 Eruptio fluvii è mare Genezareth 66.43 32.21 Ephion 66.42 32.20 Ennon 66.40 32.16 Gamala 66.55 32.25 Salem 66.37 32.18 Chrit torrens 66.16 31.57 Ostia Jordanis 66.17 31.54 Engedi 66.22 31.43 Zoar vel Sagor 66.17 31.38 Eruptio Zered 66.19 31.34 Towns standing beyond Jordan Mirba 66.50 32.20 Astharoth 67.00 32.26 Astaroth 66.57 32.23 Gadara 66.48 32.23 Machanaim 66.44 32.19 Jaezar 66.39 32.12 Hesbon 66.28 32.05 Jabes 66.55 32.21 Ramah 66.51 32.20 Nobach 66.38 32.16 Jachsa 66.28 32.02 Aroer 66.30 32.00 Macherus 66.23 31.56 Minith 66.36 32.66 Midian 66.30 31.55 Didon 66.32 32.06 Punuel 66.39 31.18 Edrei 66.15 32.21 Abela Vinearum 67.00 32.23 Philadelphia 67.10 32.22 Pella 67.03 32.20 Phiala fons 67.43 33.05 Betharan 67.30 32.08 Pisgamons 66.26 32.01 Abarim montes 66.29 31.58 Towns in Aegypt Memphis 61.50 29.50 Heliopolis 62.15 29.59 Tanis 63.30 29.50 Taphnis 62.30 31.00 Ony 60.30 30.10 Alexandria 60.30 31.00 Mercurii civitas magna 61.40 28.55 Mercurii civitas parva 61.00 30.50 Delta magnum 62.00 30.00 Xois 62.30 30.45 Busitis 62.30 30.15 Hesâ—oe 63.20 29.10 Solis â—ons 58.15 28.00 Iourneys out of Aegypt Raemses 63.00 30.05 Pihachiroth 62.50 29.40 Mara 63.35 29.50 Elim 63.45 29.50 Juxtâ— mare 63.55 29.45 Paran Promontorium 65.00 29.00 Daphea 64.14 29.46 Alus 64.30 29.46 Raphiddim 64.40 29.53 Sinai mons 65.00 30.00 Hazeroth 65.50 30.14 Zephor mons 65.54 30.50 Mozeroth 64.18 39.04 Hasmona 65.09 31.30 Gidgad mons 65.30 30.20 Jothabatha 65.30 26.40 Habrona 65.30 29.40 Hesion Gaber 65.30 29.20 Sin 66.00 29.56 Hor mons 66.00 30.25 Salmona 66.25 30.40 Phunon 66.30 30.54 Oboth 66.50 31.04 Jeabarim 67.00 31.18 Zered torrens vallis 66.44 21.20 Didon Gad 66.48 31.32 Almon diblathaim 66.48 31.24 Chedemoth solitudo 66.56 32.00 Beer puteus 66.50 23.00 Marthana Solitudo 66.49 23.00 Nathaleel 66.40 00.23 Bamoth vallis 66.30 32.00 Towns in Arabia Petraea Petra 65.40 31.18 Paran 94.30 30.04 Midian 65.30 29.15 Hesion gebar 65.35 29. â—0 Elana villa harla vel elath 95.35 29.15 Ostia Nili Canopicum 66.50 31.05 Bolbithinum 61.30 31.05 Sibenniticum 61.45 31.05 Pathmiticum 92.35 31.10 Mendesium 62.45 31.10 Pelusiacum 63.15 31.15 Thou 63.00 31.30 Sirbonis lacus eruptio 65.45 31.50 Sirbonis lacus 63.30 31.10 Idem 63.45 31.10 Civitas Pelusium 36.25 31.20 Rhinocorura 94.40 31.10 Some other great Towns Babilon 76.00 35.00 Antiochia 60.30 33.35 Damasâ—us 68. â—5 33.00 Palmira 72.40 35.10 Ur chaldeorum 78.00 39.40 Eâ—bathana 88.00 37.47 Rages in Media 93.40 36.04 Sula in Perâ—a 83.00 34.15 Persepolis 91.00 33.20 Heccatompilon in Parthia 96.00 37.50 Zaba in Arabia foelix 97.00 13.00 Meroe 61.30 16.25 Haram in Mesopotania 75.15 36.10 Hircania 98.30 40.00 Ciraenae 50.00 31.20 The Description of the City of Ierusalem as it was before Titus Vespasian destroyed it THE most holy and beautiful City of Ierusalem was twice destroyed first by Nebuchadnezzar the most puissant King of Babylon who did utterly beat down and overthrow the City burning the costly Temple which King Soloâ—on had built After that Zorobabel and the High Priest Ioshua when they returned from the Captivity of Babylon re-edified and built again both the City and the Temple in the Year before the Birth of Christ 535. But the second Temple which was built after their Return was neither so fair nor so great as the first for it was twenty Cubits loweâ— than the former After that King Herod seventeen years before the Birth of Christ caused the said Tâ—â—ple to be broken down again as Iosephus saith and â—â—ected another new Temple in Place thereof which nevâ—rtheless was not like the first Temple that Sâ—lomon built as touching the Greatness but it was exceeding fairly decked and adorâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Gold and Silver so that in regard of the Beautifulness â—â—â—reof it was a Wonder unto all that came to Ierusalem Which Temple forty Years after Christ's Death and 〈◊〉 was also utterly destroyed by Tâ—tus the Son of 〈…〉 the â—mperour I will 〈…〉 form of the City Ierusalem as it was before it was defaced by 〈…〉 of Vespâ—â—an and therewithall I will shew how the costly 〈…〉 Solomon placed therein stood for seeing that the two 〈…〉 great Molten Sea were not therein when our Lord 〈…〉 Earth being broken down by Nebuchadnezzar's 〈…〉 necessary and very requisite to be known how they 〈…〉 that the Reader may be fully satisfied I will also first 〈…〉 of Ierusalem as it was in those Days with the chiefest Places 〈…〉 Towers Gates Houses Castles Fountains Hills Vallies 〈…〉 things therein How the City Ierusalem is scituate 〈…〉 from Germany TH◠〈…〉 is scituate in the middle of 〈…〉 thereabouts and Ierusalem is 〈…〉 five hundred miles but if you will travel to 〈…〉 from thence to Ierusalem it is five hundred and â—ifty Miles The Scituation of Jerusalem and the Mountains whereon it stood JErusalem was four square and scituated upon four Mountains viz. Mount Sion Mount Moriah Mount Acra and Mount Bezetha Mount Sion was the highest of all and lay within the City of Ierusalem towards the South whereon stood King David's House or the Castle of Sion and the uppermost Town Mount Moriah whereon the Temple stood with other excellent Buildings and Towers was on the East side of the City within the Walls Mount Acra whereon the lower Town was built stood Westward in the City where Annas Caiphas Pilate Herod Agripâ—a Bernice Helena and other Kings and great Princes dwelt The holy City of Jerusalem may in this manner be briefly described THE most holy and beautiful City of Ierusalem if any would consider the three principal parts of the World Europe Asia and Africa stood in the midst of the World upon most high Mountains and Rocks like an earthly Paradise a lively Figure of the everlasting City of God This City being the Metropolitan or principallest City of the Jews stood in the Tribe of Benjamin at the first it was called Salem that is Peaceable when Melchisedech the Priest of God reigned therein which he also built after the Deluge as Iosephus and Egisippus write But at that time it was not very great for it stood only upon Mount Sion Mount Moriah where Abraham would have offered his Son Isaac stood without the City and after that they took it into the City as
Benjamin through the middle of the City to the Gate of Sion From this Valley they ascended into eâ—ther Mountain that is Mount Aâ—ra and Mount Moriah by certain steps or stairs These two Hills as is beforesaid were joyned together with a Bridge and this Valley passing between them was called by Zephaniah cap. 1. Machten In which place above all the rest of the Cities dwelt Merchants and such as used Commerce and trade as appeareth in the eleventh verse of his Prophecie Howl ye Inhabitants of the Low place for the company of Merchants is destroyed all they that exchange for Silver are cut off Upon which place of Scripture the Chaldaean Paraphrase reads it thus Howl ye Inhabitants of the Valley Cedron Iosephus in tit Bell. 6. c. 6. lib. 6. c. 7. calleth this Valley by two names one Machten from the profundity the other Cedron from the obscurity for so the name signifieth and whosoever looked down into it from the Temple Fogs and Mists seemed to lie in the bottom of it like a cloud of darkneâ—s such was the depth of it There was another Valley which lay between Mount Sion and these Mountains called by the name of Tyrexdon Of the Mountain Bezetha THis place lay Northward in Ierusalem and between it and the former Hills were deep Ditches cast it had two Towns standing upon it divided with two Walls and was commonly called the Suburbs the name of the one which lay nearest to mount Moriah was called the second City the other that lay upon the North was called Neapolis or the new Town In the second dwelt Hulda the Prophetess and Zacharias the Father of S. Iohn Baptist 2 Kin. 22. 2 Chr. 34. Nehem. 3. Ioseph li. 10. c. 5. It was adorned with many fair and sumptuous Buildings among which was that princely house Of Herod Ascalonites that great and mighty King of the Iews in whose time our Saviour Christ was born This house was sumptuously built supported and adorned with Pillars of polisht Marble and so spatious that in one room thereof there might stand an hundred Tables the Hall also was very great and richly gilded with refined gold intermixt with Silver about it were many pleasant and delectable Walls goodly Gardens and Fountains for pleasure it was compass'd with a wall of polisht Marble 30 Cubits high And as Valerius writeth in that house Herod caused Christ to be mocked put a long white garment upon him in contempt and so sent him to Pilate Here also was a Prison in which Peter was kept when the Angel of the Lord delivered him Acts 12. Of the Town Neapolis or the New City THis lay without the Walls of the City and became inhabited by reason of the great concourse of People that flocked thither for in times past there were no inhabitants and stood upon the North side of the Hill Here dwelt the Christians and other Laborers and Strangers and by all likelihood it seems that the house of Mary the Mother of Iohn sirnamed Mark stood here which because of the continual resort of the Apostles thither was called the house of the Church Hither Peter resorted when he was delivered from the hands of Herod by the Angel for thus saith the Text Acts 12. 9. That when Peter had past the first and second Watch he came to the Iron Gate which led into the City and loe it opened of it self And from thence he went to the house of Mary the Mother of John sirnamed Mark. Here also in my opinion Christ celebrated the last Paschal Lamb because after Supper he went into the Mount of Olives for this lying unwalled lay open for them to go and come at their pleasure But afterward in Agrippa's time it was begun to be compassed in with a Wall and before it could be fully finished the Angel of the Lord struck him and he died miserably Here also stood the Monument of Iohn Hircanus the High Priest and of Alexander King of the Iewes as it appeareth in Iosephus lib. de Bello 6. cap. 6. The tops of the Houses in the City Ierusalem were flat and covered with fair and plain Roofs compassed about with Battlements upon which they used to Leap Dance and Banquet and such Recreations as they observed upon their Festival days were there celebrated And thus much shall serve to have spoken of the Mountains or Hills whereon Ierusalem stood Of the Walls that compassed the City THis City of Ierusalem was so strongly fortified by Nature on every side except the North for it stood upon high Rocks and Cliffs that it seemed to be invincible And that that side might be the better strengthened they compassed it in with three Walls and those so strong that when Vespasian the Emperor and his Army invaded the City they had much ado to conquer them The first of these Walls was that which Agrippa built and it compassed in Neapolis otherwise called the New Town At the North-west end of which Wall was built an exceeding high Tower of very fair Marble stone so high that standing on the top thereof a man might see from thence to the Sea and into Arabia and the uttermost bounds of Iudaea This Tower was called Psephina The second Wall was that which divided the two Suburbs wherein there stood 14 Towers and Gates This King Hezekiah built 2 Chr. 32. in a corner of which between the West-gate and the Valley-gate there stood a high Tower wherein all the night great fire was made which cast a light a great way off round about so that Travellers passing towards Ierusalem were guided by it in their way Of this light we read in Nehem. cap. 3. The third Wall compassed in the Temple and all the lower City in it was sixty Towers but the chief of them stood in the East Angle between the Dung-gate and the Gate of the Valley which was called Hananiel and signifieth the Grace and Gift of God This is much spoken of in the Scripture upon this Wall King Herod the Ascalonite built three fair Towers one between the Garden-gate and the Old-gate which he called Hippicum in honour of his Father Hippicus the other Phaselum in honour of his Brother Phasilus and the third Mariamne after his Wives name who notwithstanding he caused innocently to be put to death These three Gates were built of polish't Marble Pliny and Strabo say that this was the fairest and most spacious City of the East and for the munition and fortification almost invincible The Walls of it were all of white polish't Marble some 25 or 30 Cubits high the stones were 20 Cubits long 20 broad and 5 thick so closely joyned that the junctures could scarcely be perceived Many of the Towers also were made of such stones but those of the Temple exceeded the rest for they were 25 Cubits long 12 broad and 8 thick as Iosephus witnesseth lib. Ant. 15. ca. 14. de Bel. Iud. li. 6. ca. 6. which things being rightly considered we may easily
as he lay upon his Bed and after cut off his Head The Head they brought to King David to Hebron 68 miles But David was not pleased with their Treachery wherefore he caused them both to be put to Death So their Travels were 108 miles The Travels of Absalom ABsalom was born in Hebron and went with his Father to Ierusalem 22 miles 2 Sam. 13. From thence he went to Baal-hazor eight miles where he caused his Brother Amnon to be slain From thence for fear of his Father he fled into the Land of Gesur 88 miles 2 Sam 14. From thence he came back with Ioab to Ierusalem which was 88 miles 2 Sam. 14. From thence he went to Hebron 22 miles and made himself King and rebelled against his Father From thence he went back again to Ierusalem which is 22 miles There he lay with his Fathers Concubines 2 Sam. 16. From thence he pursued his Father to Machanaim 40 miles and there was hanged by the Hair in an Oak tree where Ioab put him to death 2 Sam. 18. So all the Travels of Absalom were 290 miles Of Baal-hazor IN this City Absalom made a great Feast for his Sheep-shearers and invited all his Brothers to it where he caused Amnon to be slain because he had abused his Sister Thamar It lieth in the way some eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east as you go to Iericho near to Mount Epraim 2 Sam. 13. and is derived to Baal which signifies a Lord or Husband and Chazir a Den or Cave Of the Name Absalom ABsalom signifieth a Father of Peace although he was the Author of all Discord and Sedition against his Father The Travels of the wise Woman of Thecoa THis woman went from Thecoa to Ierusalem eight miles and spake with King David and with her sweet words she persuaded him that he would recall his Son out of Exile who then remained in Gesur 2 Sam. 14. Of Thecoa THecoa was a City in the Tribe of Iuda some eight miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east near this City Iosaphat by Prayers and the sound of Trumpets without drawing Sword got a memorable Victory and for that cause it signifieth the sound of a Trumpet In this place the Prophet Amos dwelt and there lyeth buried whose Sepulchre was to be seen four hundred Years after Christ as S. Ierom observeth It was from Bethlem-Iuda six miles Near to Thecoa was the Lake Aspher where Ionathan and Machabeus's brothers pitch'd their Tents 1 Mach. 9. Of this City you may read Ier. 6. Am. 1. 2 Chr. 11. Of Achitophel THis perfidious and wicked Man was born in the Town of Gilo not far from Hebron and Debir in the Tribe of Iudah Ios. 15. 2. Sam. 15. twenty miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward who when his Counsel would not take place he went home to his won House and there desperately hanged himself The Travels of wicked Shimei SHimei went from Bahurim where he cursed King David to Bathabara upon the River Iordan which was eighteen miles where he got Pardon of David 2 Sam. 9. From thence he went back with King David unto Gilgal four miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went with King David to Ierusalem twelve miles 2. Sam. 19. From thence he went to Bahurim three miles From Bahurim King Solomon sent for him again to Ierusalem three miles There he was constrained to build him an House and not to depart thence upon pain of Death 1 Reg. 2. But Shimei transgressing the commandment of the King went to Gath a City of the Philistines twelve miles From thence he returned back again to Ierusalem twelve miles where he was slain by the command of King Solomon in the third year of his Reign 1 Reg. 2. So all the Travels of Shimei were 104 miles The Books of KINGS and CHRONICLES Of Abishag the Virgin that lay with David THIS Maid was accounted the fairest in all Israel for which cause she was brought to Ierusalem for King David that she might lye with him in his old Age to procure Heat she was born at Sunem a Town some forty four miles from Ierusalem 1 Reg. 1. Of Sunem you may read before in the Travels of David and Saul The Travels of King Solomon SOlomon the Son of David King of Israel entred upon the full Government of the Kingdom of Israel Anâ—mundi 2931. and before Christ 1037. when he was about twenty years old After he went from Ierusalem to Gilgal four miles and there offered upon the Altar which Moses had made 1000 burnt offerings 1 Reg. 2. 2 Chr. 1. From thence he went back to Ierusalem four miles and built a Temple to the Lord in Mount Moriah I Reg. 6. This was begun about the fourth year of his Reign and 480 years after the Children of Israel came out of Aegypt in the Month Ziph which answereth to our May. So that the Temple began to be built in An. Mundi 2934. and before Christ 1034. To the building whereof Hiram King of Tyre sent Cedar Trees from Mount Libanus 120 miles to Ierusalem 1 Reg. 5. 2. Chr. 2. This Temple Solomon within plaited over with Gold and set with precious Stones and finished it in the Month of November about the eleventh year of his Reign 1 Reg. 6. The Dedication whereof was about the twelfth year of his Reign and in the thirty second year of his Age Anno Mundi 2942 and before Christ 1026. The Temple being finished he began to build his own house which was thirteen years a building and was finished about the 44 year of his Age and in the 24 of his Reign 1 Rg. 7. 8. After 20 Years in which time he had finished the House of the Lord and his own House in Mount Sion that he might manifest his Thankfulness to the King of Tyre he went to Cabul a City in the Tribe of Ashur some 80 miles Northward where he gave to the aforesaid Hiram 20 Towns or Cities with all the Country round about wherefore King Hiram called this Cabul that is Displeasant and Dirty 2 Reg. 9. You may read of Cabul Ios. 19. From thence he returned to Ierusalem 88 miles From thence he went to Hazor and restored the City which was 44 miles From thence he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles From thence he went to Megiddo which is not far from Iesreel in the Tribe of Manasses 44 miles from Ierusalem toward the North. This City Solomon fortified 1 Reg. 9. and Iosiah King of Iuda a long time after was there wounded to Death 2 Reg. 9. From Megiddo he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles After that Pharaoh King of Egypt had conquered Gaser and destroyed it with Fire he gave it to his Daughter the Wife of Solomon who rebuilt it This Town was scituated in the Tribe of Ephraim 28 miles from Ierusalem Northward 1 Reg. 9. From Gaser Solomon returned back again to Ierusalem being 28 miles From thence he went to the higher Bethoron which he fortified and stood 28 miles from Ierusalem
of Israel who was crowned King his Father yet living about the beginning of the twenty sixth year of Asa King of Iuda at such time as Benhadad King of Syria invaded and wasted Galilee He reigned two years one of them during the Life of his Father the other alone in Thirza at the end of which he was slain by Simri his Servant 1 Reg. 15 16. Of Zimri King of Israel ZImri signifieth a Singer and was a Captain over King Elah's Chariots he reigned seven dayes in Thirza in which time he put to death and utterly rooted out all the Posterity of Baasha and then Omri besieged the City so straitly that he had no hope to escape wherefore he set the City and Palace on fire in which he also perished 1 Reg. 15 16. The Travels of Omri King of Israel OMRI signifieth a Souldier or one that deserveth his Pay He was made King by the Israelites in his Tent while he was at Wars near to Gibithon from whence he went to Thirza which was thirty six miles and besieged the same upon the very day that Zimri had put the Posterity of Baasha to the Sword and took it He began to reign in Thirza Ann. Mund. 3017 and before Christ 951. and reigned over Israel twelve years the first six in Thirza that latter six in Samaria 1 Reg. 16. From Thirza he went to Mount Semer six miles there Omri built Samaria and made it the Seat of his Kingdom He went thither about the seventh year of his Reign 1 Reg. 16. So these two Journeys were forty two miles Of Samaria SAmaria the chief Seat and Metropolis of Israel was built by Omri in Mount Semer 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and took that name of Semer who was Lord of that Mountain of whom King Omri bought it for two Talents of Silver which amounteth to 1200 Crowns In this City fourteen Kings of Israel kept their Courts viz. Omri who was the first Founder of it Ahab Ahazia Iehoram Iehu Ioachas Ioas Ieroboam Zacharias Sallum Menahem Pekahia Pekah and Hosea who was the last of the Kings of Israel that reigned in this City and lost it together with his Liberty Of all these Kings there were but five that died naturally for the Lord being moved to wrath by reason of their Impiety and Idolatry either gave them up into the hands of Foreign Enemies or by Civil War amongst themselves they cruelly murthered one another until such time as the Assyrians destroyed the Land and and led the People captive Thus the Lord punished with a sharp and severe punishment this obstinate Nation because they contemned the Admonitions and Doctrines of the Prophets amongst which Elias and Elizeus were the chief So that although Samaria was a fair and beautiful City and the Countrey for that cause was called the Province of Samaria yet notwithstanding that great God the Judge of all things for the Iniquity of the People caused this fair City to be left desolate the Inhabitants of the Land to be dispersed and the Earth for want of due usage to lye as a Wilderness 2 Reg. 17. This City in the Old Testament according to the Hebrew Phrase is called Shaemaer of Schomron which signifies to keep or a Tower of strength You may read of this 1 Reg. 2. 2 Reg. 1 7. The Greeks and Latines call it Samaria which signifies the Castle of Iehovah or of God You may read more of this in the second Volume Of Hiel that built Jericho again AFter the death of Omri King of Israel when Ahab his Son began to reign Hiel a very rich man in the Town of Bethel that he might leave behind him an eternal memory of his Name went to Iericho which had been formerly destroyed by Ioshuah the Son of Nun and had lain waste for the space of 536 years where contrary to the Commandment of the Lord and curse of Ioshuah he caused the said City to be rebuilt such was the impious Security and Incredulity of this man but the Lord was angry with him and he struck all his Children that they dyed The eldest Son called Abiram at the laying of the Foundation and his youngest Son called Segub at the hanging on of the Gates Ios. 6. 1 Reg. 16. The Travels of King Ahab AHab went from Samaria to the Hill Carmel where Elias put to death the Priests of Baal which was about thirty two miles 1 Reg. 18. From thence he went to Iezreel which is sixteen miles there he told his Wife how Elias had put the Priests of Baal to the Sword 1 Reg. 18. From Iezreel he went again to Samaria eighteen miles where being prest with a hard Siege by Benhadad King of Syria he broke out of the City for his better safety and by Gods great providence and assistance he assailed the Syrians put a great multitude of them to the Sword the rest fled and he went away with a noble Victory as the Prophet of the Lord had formerly told him 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went with his Army to Apheck which was fourteen miles where he renewed a second Battel and therein had good success so that he took Benhadad alive and put to the Sword 100000 Syrians In this place the Prophet of the Lord reproved him for his ingratitude and obstinacy wherefore Ahab being angry he went from Apheck to Samaria which was eight miles 1 Reg. 20. From Samaria he went to Iezreel sixteen miles where that perfidious Queen Iesabel caused Naboth to be put to death and took possession of his Vineyard 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he went to Ramoth-Gilead twenty four miles and there in a fight that he had against the Syrians was so sore wounded with an Arrow that he was constrained to leave the Battel 1 Reg. 22. And as he went back again to Samaria which was twenty four miles he dyed of his wound Of this man you may read more 1 Reg. 21 22. So all the Travels of Ahab were 152 miles The Description of Carmel Apheck and Ramoth you may read before Of Iezreel JEzreel is a City in the Tribe of Issachar scituated upon a rising ground some forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Ahab sometimes kept his Court. Here Naboth the Iezreelite dwelt an honest and Religious man one of good Esteem and Authority that feared God and would not suffer the Inheritance of one Tribe to be transferred to another because God had commanded the contrary Num. ult For which cause he would not sell his Vine-yard to Ahab wherefore Iezabel that wicked Woman to satisfie the Kings desire caused him to be stoned Iezreel signifies the Seed of God being derived of Sera Seed and El the Almighty God Though in former times this hath been a fair Town yet at this day there is no past thirty houses in it and is called Charity standing at the foot of Mount Gilboah they shew at this day the field of Naboth the Iezreelite lying towards the West as you go
very curious but within all of polished Marble and Alablaster guilt with resplendent Gold so artificially that it dazleth the Beholders Eyes There was a certain Florentine who revolted from the Christian Faith and obtained to be chief Governour of this Town in which he erected a strong and beautiful Castle which stood for the Defence of it No man can sufficiently express the Beauty and Glory of this City there is great Traffique and much resort of People to it but especially of Turks Saracens Mamalucks and other kinds of Pagan People who are preferred before the Christians in that Government and although there are many Christians in that place yet they are constrained to endure great Injury by those Barbarians because they are hated even unto the Death and if any of them chance to die they are buried in that place where Paul was converted The Inhabitants shew the place where St. Paul was let down over the Wall in a Basket also the House of Ananias who cured the Blindness of Paul besides many other things that are memorable in that City of which you may read in Sebestian Munster Sebastian Frankus Plin. lib. 5. and many other Authors Of Arabia MAny things are already spoken concerning this Country as the division of the place one called Petraea the other Deserta and the third Foelix Arabia Petraea is so called from the metropolitan City thereof called Petra which is scituated forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South and bordereth upon Egypt and India It is also called Arabia Nabathea as you may read before Paran and Sur are a part of it compassing towards the East the Land of Iudaea and so extendeth to Damascus This Country is very full of Rocks and Stones the chief City Petra being scituated upon a Rock of which it taketh the Name Here standeth the Mountains Horeb and Sinai here the Children of Israel travelled when they went out of Egypt here is the Sardonix Stone found and the People of this Country in times past were great Prophets and Astrologians here also St. Paul taught the Gospel a little after his Conversion Gal. 1. at which time Aretas was King thereof whose Sister was married to Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee and Petraea but he cast her off and married Herodias his Brother Philips Wife upon which there began a bloody War between Aretas and Herod and a sharp Battel was fought near to Gamala a City beyond Iordan And although the two Kings were not at this Battel yet by the Treason and Flight of the Souldiers out of Tracones who without all question would have revenged the Contempt done unto their Lord Philip the Arabian Army carried away a notable Victory as Iosephus witnesseth lib. antiq 18. cap. 4. Aretas signifieth An excellent Man which was a common Name to the Kings of Arabia It is to be thought that Damascus and all the Country round about was under the Jurisdiction of this King and that he ordained a Lieutenant or General in those Parts who would have taken Paul and put him to death Acts 9. 2 Col. 12. The other part of Arabia is called by Ptolomy Deserta but Strabo calls it Scenilis because the Inhabitants thereof are without Buildings or Tents and live like Vagrants up and down the Woods This is compass'd in upon the South with certain Mountains of Arabia Foelix towards the North it borders upon Mesopotamia and towards the West upon Petraea The third is called Arabia Foelix because of the Fertility thereof for they have there every year two Harvests as they have in India as Strabo observeth See Plin. lib. 6. cap. 28. Of Antiochia YOU may read of this Town before It is said that Luke the Evangelist was born here This Man was by Profession a Physician Col. 4. and an inseparable Companion to Paul in all his Travels he was of the number of the seventy Disciples as Epiphanius observeth Tertullian saith in his fourth Book against Marcion that Luke received his Gospel from the mouth of Paul he lived till he was 84 years old and then died and lies buried at Constantinople as St. Ierom saith for his Bones were removed out of Achaia thither The second Travels of the Apostle Paul in the Company of Barnabas IN the eleventh year after the Nativity of Christ and in the four and fortieth year of Paul he and Barnabas was sent by the Holy Spirit from Antiochia in Syria to Seleucia which was four and twenty miles From Seleucia they sailed to Salamais in Cyprus which was 94 miles Act. 13. From thence they went to Paphos which is in the same Isle where Sergius Paulur was converted and Elymas the Magician who professing himself to be the Messias and Son of God was struck with Blindness Act. 13. This Journey was 100 miles They loosing from Paphos went by Sea and Land the same year to Pergamus a City of Pamphilia scituated in Asia minor which was 148 miles In the 45 year after the Nativity of Christ they went from Pergamus to Antiochia in Pisidia which was 132 miles From thence they went to Iconia which was 96 miles here they stayed some time and converted many Act. 13. 14. In the 46 year after the Nativity of Christ there being a great Tumult raised in that Country lest the Inhabitants should have stoned them they fled thence to Lystra a City of Lycaonia where Paul healed the lame man which was twenty eight miles The Inhabitants seeing this Miracle worshipped them for Gods and called Barnabas Iupiter and Paul Mercurius because he wrought the Miracle But not long after certain Iews coming from Antiochia and Iconia arrived in Listra by whose perswasion the People stoned Paul and supposing him to be dead carried him out of the City but when his Disciples came unto him he rose up and went into the Town Act. 14. The next day they went to Derbe a City of Lyaconia which was 48 miles From thence they returned back again to Lystra in the same year which was 28 miles From Iconia they came to Atiochia in Pisidia which was 16 miles In this City they comforted the Disciples exhorting them that they should persevere in their Faith For through many Afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven They also elected Elders in the Churches so with Fasting and Prayers they commended them to the Lord in whom they believed In the 47 year after Christ they went from Antiochia thorough all Piâ—idia and came to Pergamus a City in Pamphilia which was 132 miles here they preached the Word of the Lord Act. 14. From Pergamus in the following year they went down to the City of Attalia which was 26 miles In the 48 year after the Nativity of Christ they loosed thence and went to Antiochia in Syria which was 340 miles here they assembled the Church and shewed what wonderful things the Lord had wrought by them and how he had opened the door of Faith unto the Gentiles In this place they stayed a great space
when time serveth it shall be declared After the Death of Melchisedech unto whom Abraham paid the Tythes of all his Goods the Iebusites dwelt in the City of Ierusalem and had the dominion of it and all the Land thereabouts in their Subjection called the City Iebus after their Name which Name was held a long time as we read in Iosh. 10. Iud. 10. and 2 Sam. 1. But at last Ioab King David's General of his Army won it and drave the Jebusites out of it and called it Ierusalem that is A Sight or Vision of Peace It hath also other Names in the holy Scripture for in Esay 29. it is called Ariel that is God's â—yon and Mount Libanus The Prophet Ezechiel 23. calleth it Ahaliba my fixed Pavillion or Tent that is a City wherein God had placed his own Habitation The Circuit and Bigness of the City Jerusalem THE City of Ierusalem was four-square and in circumference three and thirty Furlongs as Iosephus writeth which three and thirty Furlongs make somewhat more than a Dutch mile Some write that it was four miles Compass about yet these were not Dutch miles but Walloon or Italian miles for four such Italian miles are a Dutch mile Of Mount Sion the higher City MOunt Sion stood Northwards in the City Ierusalem and was much higher than all the other Hills that were therein therefore it was called Sion that is a watch Tower because from thence one might see the Holy Land and all the Countries thereabout upon this Hill the upper City was built which in the Scripture is called the City of David because David won it from the Iebusites and beautified it with many goodly Houses and fair and costly buildings but especially with his house of Cedar-wood which he termed the Castle of Sion which stood Westwards at the corner of the Hill looking into Bethlehem Southwards In that house David dwelt and therein committed Adultery with Berseba the Wife of Vriah the Hittite whose House also with the place of divers Privy Councellors and Officers stood upon the Hill not far from the King's Palace as Iosephus writeth Beneath King David's House upon Mount Sion within a Rock there was to be seen the Sepulchre or Vault wherein King David Solomon his Son and other succeeding Kings of Iuda were entombed and buried Upon Mount Sion also towards the East King Herod had a Garden of Pleasure not far from the Fountain called Silo Nehemiah 3. and there also stood the Tower of Silo whereof Luke in the 13 chapter maketh mention Iosephus in the Wars of the Jews his first Book and sixteenth Chapter saith That King Herod under whom Christ Jesus was born had two fair and strong Houses or Towers which he set and made in the upper part of the City Ierusalem upon Mount Sion which were in a manner comparable with the Temple for Beautifulness which he called after the Name of his Friends the one Caesarea for Caesar the Emperor's sake and the other Agrippa acording to the name of the noble Roman Marcus Agrippa that marryed the Daughter of Augustus Caesar. This may suffice to declare the Scituation of the upper City which stood upon mount Sion and contained in Circuit fifteen Furlongs which is about half a mile This uppermost City in the sacred Scripture is called the City of David it was also called Millo that is Fullness or Plenty for in it there was no Want but Abundance of all things Of the Steps which descended down from the City of David unto the lower City MOunt Sion whereon the upper City of Ierusalem did stand was such a high hard Hill and so steep that no man could climb or ascend unto it by any way or means but only one that is by steps for in the middle thereof there was a great pair of stairs made which descended from David's City unto the lower City into the Valley or Dale of Gates called Thyroreion which stairs were 780 Foot high as Iohannes Heydonius writeth and beneath in the Valley of Thyroreion over against the Valley of Cedron at the foot of the stairs stood a Gate which was called the Gate of Sion and they which went up to Mount Sion must pass through that Gate and so up those Stairs but it is thought nevertheless that in some other part of the Hill there was some winding or other oblique way made by which Horses and Chariots by little and little might ascend Allegorical or Spiritual Significations of Mount Sion SIon in Hebrew signifieth a sure hold or goodly Aspect for that from the top thereof a man might have seen all the Land lying thereabouts and was a type of the highest Heavens or Habitation of Almighty God from whence he beholdeth all things upon Earth from which Throne and Heavenly Habitation he descended into this lower Ierusalem and became our Redeemer and Saviour that so we being purged by his Blood from all our Sins and Imperfections he might bring us into that heavenly Ierusalem which is eternall Glory Of Mount Moriah on which the Temple stood MOunt Moriah stood Eastward within Ierusalem which was a most hard stoney Hill from whence towards the rising of the Sun men by stairs might easily descend but round about on the other three sides it was steep and unapprochable like a Stone wall yet it was not so high as Mount Sion howbeit it was exceeding high extending and reaching 600 Foot in height and on the top thereof was a very fair Plain like unto that of Mount Sion whereon in times past Abraham built an Altar and would have offered his Son Isaac for a Sacrifice Gen. 22. At which time when Abraham obeyed the Commandment of God intending to have offered his Son Isaac upon the Hill and thereon had made an Altar then the said Hill lay without the City but long time after about the space of 850 Years when King David had conquered Ierusalem and driven thence the Iebusites to enlarge the City he compassed in Mount Moriah and Mount Acrâ— with a Wall upon which there stood many goodly Buildings And amongst other things worthy Observation upon this Mount stood the Barn or Threshing floor of Arafâ—a the Iebusite wherein King David built an Altar offered burnt Offerings and besought the Lord that the Angel of God whose hand was stretched over Ierusalem holding a bloody Sword and had smitten the City with the Pestilence might cease from punishing the same and the Plague ceased On the same place where the Barn of Arafâ—a the Jebusite stood King Solomon also did build the Temple 1 Paral. 23. 24. Ioseph Antiq. Jud. lib. 23. 24. An Allegorical or Spiritual Interpretation of Mount Moriah MOriah is as much as to say the Lord's Mirrh and signifieth our Lord Jesus Christ which is the true Mirrh and sweet smelling Sacrifice unto God a stedfast Rock an immoveable Foundation whereon God's Church and the Members thereof are built Esay 28. Matth. 16. Vpon this Rock will I build my
10. Here Ionathan the Son of Saul thrust out a Garrison of the Philistims which held this Town in Subjection 1 Sam. 14. Near to this place was the Valley â—ephaim or of the Gyants where David won a memorable Battel against the Philistims and pursued them with great Sâ—aughter even to the Plain of Perizim 2 Sam. 15. The Travels of the Levite whose Concubine the Inhabitants of Gibeon most wickedly abused THIS Levite dwelt in Ramath in Mount Ephraim from whence he went to Bethlehem Iuda which is sixteen miles to fetch back his Concubine or rather his Wife which was the Daughter of a certain Citizen in Bethlehem but a Bond-servant not free such they called Concubines because they had neither the honour to be Mistress of the House neither could their Posterity inherit the Lands or Goods of their Fathers although before God they were lawful Wives Iudg. 19. From Bethlehem they returned back again on foot to Ierusalem which then was called Iebus because the Iebusites inhabited there which is six miles Iudg. 19. From thence they went to Gibeah not far distant from the City Gibeon where after Saul kept his Royal Seat 1 Sam. 22. Here the Gibeonites abused the Levite's Concubine which was almost four miles From thence he went home to his own City Ramath in Mount Ephraim and there cut the dead Body of his Wife in twelve parts and sent them throughout all the Tribes of Israel which is eight miles So all his Travels were thirty four miles Of Ramath THIS was a City in Mount Ephraim some eight miles from Ierusalem toward the North and signifieth a high and lofty City being derived of Rom that is It was high This Town Baesa King of Israel would have fortified and repaired after it had been decayed but he was hindred by Benhadad King of the Syrians that he could not finish what he had begun There were many Towns and Cities of this Name as Ramoth where Ahob dwelt 1 Reg. 22. Ramathaim Sophim or Arimathea where the Prophet Samuel dwelt 1 Sam. 1. and there where the Ark of God stood not far from Gibeah was called Ramah also Iudg. 19. There was another Ramath in the Tribe of Naphtali Ios. 19. all of them being so called because they stood upon very high Mountains The Travels of the Children of Israel when they fought against the Benjamites FRom Mizpah in the Land of Gilead where they appointed to meet for in the Enemies Land they could not assemble themselves the whole Army of the Israelites went to the Ark of God in Shilo which was about 48 miles From thence they went with their Army to Gibeah where they lost 22000 of their men which is two miles From thence they returned to Shilo and entreated God for Aid which was two miles Iudg. 20. From thence they went a second time to Gibeah and entred Battel again with the Enemy but because they trusted in their own Strength therefore in this second Expedition there were slain 18000 of their men which was two miles Iudg. 20. From thence the whole Army of the Israelites returned back again and before the Lord in Shilo lamented the Overthrow they had twice sustained and with earnest Prayers implored his Aid that they might obtain the Victory which was two miles Iudg. 20. From thence they returned the third time to Gibeah and there with great Expedition renewed the War and because they trusted in God and not to their own Strength they put to the Sword 25000 of the Benjamites and won a notable Victory Iudg. 20. which was two miles Having taken and burnt the City of Gibeah with Fire they returned back unto the Town of Shilo which is two miles and there before the Lord they began to lament the Calamity of the Tribe of Benjamin saying Wherefore hath this thing happened that one of the Tribes should be rooted out before thee Judg. 21. From thence they went to Iabes in Gilead and besieged and took it and destroyed it to the Ground which is fifty two miles From thence they returned back again to Shilo and with them brought 400 Maids which they gave to the Benjamites to be their Wives Iudg. 21. which was fifty two miles So all the Travels of the Children of Israel were 164 miles Of Jabes THis was a City in the Land of Gilead fifty two miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east the Inhabitants whereof buried the Bones of Soul and Ionathan his Son 1 Sam. 31. it is derived of Iabesh which signifieth a dry City Here endeth the Book of Judges The Travels of Elimelech and his Wife Naomi ELimelech and his Wife went from Bethlehem Iuda into the Land of the Moabites where he died which is forty miles From thence she returned with her Daughter-in-Law Ruth to Bethlehem Iuda where Boaz married Ruth which is forty miles So their Travels were eighty miles The first Book of SAMVEL The Travels of Hannah the Mother of the Prophet Samuel HER Husband Elkana and she went from Ramathaim Sophim in Mount Ephraim to Shilo the House of the Lord which was twelve miles where by earnest Prayers she obtained of the Lord a Son 1 Sam. 1. From thence she returned back again to Ramathaim Sophim and there Samuel was born 1 Sam. 1. which was twelve miles From thence she went to Shilo to present her Son before the Lord and he remained there with Eli to serve God all his Life 1 Sam. 1. which is twelve miles From Shilo she returned back again to her house and bare Elkana a Son and two Daughters more which is twelve miles So all her Travels were forty eight miles Of Ramathaim Sophim THis City stood in Mount Ephraim not far from Lidda and Ioppa some sixteen miles distant from Ierusalem North-eastward and was sometimes called Ramah Here Ioseph whose Addition was Arimathea dwelt that demanded the Body of our Saviour to bury in his own Sepulchre It seemeth to be called Ramathaim Sophim which signifies the high places of the Prophets because there was an Academy or publick School of Prophets which served for the whole Land in this City At this day it is called by the Name of Ramath having some Affinity to the ancient name Ramah How the Ark of God was borne from place to place after it was won from the Children of Israel by the Philistines 1 Sam. 4. 5 6. THE two Sons of Eli the Priest Hophni and Phineas carried the Ark of the Lord to Ebenezer which signifies the stone of my help which was forty two miles and is not far from Apheck some forty eight miles from Ierusalem Northward Here the Ark of God was taken and Hophni and Phineas died old Eli also broke his Neck at this time about the ninety eighth Year of his Age and the fortieth of his Rule for he ruled from the time of Sampson until then 1 Sam. 4. This happened Anno Mundi 2850. and before Christ 1117. The Prophet Samuel succeeded him in the Government of the Church and ruled 40
King by the Tribe of Iudah in the year of the World 2891 and before Christ 1077. Here he kept his Court seven years and six months From hence also he sent Messengers to Iabes in Gilead forty four miles to signifie his gracious acceptance of that favour which they shewed unto Saul in burying of his Body there 2 Sam. 1. 1 Chr. 12. From Hebron David went to Ierusalem twenty two miles which then was called Iebus being possessed of the Iebusites but he won it with strong hand and thrust them out of it and in Mount Sion set up the City Millo which was afterward called the City of David and signifies a place of Plenty He began his Reign in Ierusalem in the thirty eighth year of his Age and seventh of his Reign In this place also he set up his House made of Cedar-wood of which Hâ—ram King of Tyrus sent him great Plenty from Mount Libanus distant from thence 104 miles 2 Sam. 5. 1 Ch. 12. From thence he went to the Valley of Rephaim some three miles from Ierusalem in the way that leadeth to the City of Bethlem where he fought a memorable Fight against the Philistines and overcame them for which cause it was also called Baal-Perizim because by the Help and Assistance of God he had conquered the Army of the Philistines 1 Sam. 5. After he had dispersed the Enemies he returned to Ierusalem which is â—our miles The Philistines came the same Year into the Valley of Rephaim again and pitched their Tents within three miles and a half of Ierusalem and the Lord gave David a sign that when he heard a noise in the Mulberry-trees he should set upon the Enemy so David went forth and close by the Town of Gaeba and Kirjath-jearim about two miles from Ierusalem West-ward he set upon the Enemy and gave them the second Overthrow 2 Samuel 5. 1 Chr. 15. From thence David followed the Enemy to Gaza which was eighteen miles 2 Sam. 5. in the tenth Year of his Reign from his first beginning in Hebron David assembled all the Princes Priests and chief men of Israel to the number of 30000 which inhabited from Sechor till you come to Chaemah a City of Naphtali at the foot of Mount Libanus even 163 miles off These men assembled themselves in the City of Ierusalem and from thence they with David went to Kirjath-jearim which was about a mile to fetch the Ark of the Covenant from thence into the City of David 1 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. From Kirjath-jearim David and all his Train returned back again to Ierusalem which was about a mile and they placed the Ark of the Lord in a new Cart and caused it to be drawn with Oxen which turned out of the way to the threshing-floor of Nachon where Vzza rashly and inconsiderately touching the Ark of God contrary to the Divine Law was presently slain by the Lord in the way and that place was called Paeri-Vza that is The Breach of Uza for he was not of the Tribe of Aaron to whom it was only lawful to touch the Ark and therefore the Lord struck him that he died miserably wherefore David being terrified by this example of God's Severity would not that day bring the Ark of the Lord into Ierusalem but carried it to the House of a certain Noble-man called Obed Aedom a Gittite who dwelt not far from Ierusalem but when it was told David that the Lord blessed the House of Obed Aedom and all his Family because the Ark was there David went from Ierusalem with a great multitude of People to the House of Obed Aedom who as is said before dwelt not far from Ierusalem yet there are some that say he was an excellent Musician in Ierusalem and dwelt in Mount Acra that is in the lower City and from thence David fetch'd the Ark of the Lord into the upper City which stood upon Mount Sion but I hold the other Opinion to be the more probable When the Ark was carried by the Priests David girt himself with a linnen Ephod which kind of Garment the Priests of the inferiour Order used to wear and danced before it singing Psalms and Hymns to the praise and glory of God and with great State brought it to the City of Ierusalem with the sound of Trumpets and Instruments of Musick and placed it in the middle of the Tabernacle which they had curiously erected in Mount Sion in the upper City which was also called the City of David This hapned in the tenth year of his Reign at which time Saul's Daughter despised him in her Heart and laughed at him but God gave her a due Recompence as you may read 2 Sam. 6. and him a just Reward for he promised by the Prophet Nathan That of his Posterity and Blood the King of Kings and Saviour of the World should be born In the Year following David invaded the Land of the Philistines and the City of Gath which with strong hand he won this was thirty four miles from Ierusalem From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 34 miles In the twelfth Year of his Reign he afflicted the Moabites with cruel War and destroyed two of their Armies with the Sword and the rest of the multitude he made Tributary which was 24 miles 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chr. 9. He returned thence to Ierusalem with great Triumph and Joy twenty four miles In the thirteenth year of his Reign Anno Mundi 2903. and before Christ 1065 he made an Expedition unto Zoba which Iosephus calleth Sophenam and is in Armenia near to Masia or Mount Taurus 600 miles from Ierusalem toward the North of which you may read before David in this place won a memorable Battel against Hadad Ezer the King thereof near to the River Euphrates he took 700 Horse and 20000 Foot burnt their Chariots took 100 Castles conquered all the Towns and Country round about and went away with a great Booty as well of Gold as Silver Brass and other things which Brass for the Excellency thereof was like unto Gold and as Iosephus saith afterwards Solomon made the Molten Sea of it When Gadarezer King of the Syrians he that built that famous City of Damascus heard of the overthrow of Hadad-Ezer he sent a great Army to his Aid which King David near to the River Euphrates smote with the Sword so that 20000 of them were slain and he carryed away a glorious Victory extending his Government from Ierusalem 600 miles towards the North that is into Armenia and beyond the River Euphrates and made these two Nations tributary unto him 2 Samuel 8. 1 Chr. 19. After David had won these two memorable Victories near Euphrates he went thence with all his Army towards the South and invaded the Land of Syria in which Journey Ioram the Son of Tohi King of Antiochia which City at this time was called Hemath met David with Gifts and Presents in the Name of his Father returning him many Thanks because he had destroyed the common Enemy
perfect Phoenix This bird doth lively represent our Saviour Christ who only and alone is the true Messiah and through whom we must expect everlasting life who in the fulness of time offered himself a Sacrifice upon the Cross sustaining the punishment of Sin at the time of his Passion putting on a purple Robe being all be sprinkled with his own bloud Ioh. 19. And as the Phoenix is burnt in her own Nest so likewise was he consumed in the fire of Gods wrath according to that in Psal. 22. My heart is become like melting wax in the midst of my body And as the Phoenix of it self begetteth another of the same kind so Christ by the power of his Deity raised up his Body from the dust of the Earth and ascended up into Heaven a glorious Body to sit at the right hand of his Father in that everlasting Kingdom of Glory Thus gentle Reader I thought fit to describe unto you these two Towns that when you shall read of them in the holy Scripture the one being in Aethiopia towards the South the other in Arabia-Foelix and called Seba you might discern the one from the other of both which there is mention in the 72 Psalm The Kings of the Seas and of the Isles shall bring presents the Kings of Saba and Seba shall give Gifts The Travels of King Pharaoh out of Aegypt when he overcame the Town of Gazer 1 Reg. 9. IN the sixteenth year of King David Anno mundi 2906 and before Christ 1602 Chabreus King of Aegypt began to reign and reigned fifty six years Diod. lib. 2. cap. 2. Herodotus calleth this man Chephrines in his second book and Eusebius Nepher Cherres He went from Memphis the chief City of Aegypt with a great Army 268 miles even unto the Tribe of Ephraim and there took Gazer a City of the Levites and burned it with fire I Reg. 8. Ios. 21. After he came to Ierusalem twenty eight miles And this City which he had thus destroyed he gave to his Daughter the Wife of Solomon 1 Reg. 9. From thence he returned to Memphis in Aegypt 244 miles So all the Travels of King Pharaoh were 244 miles Of Memphis MEmphis is a great City in Aegypt where commonly the Kings of that Countrey keep their Courts and lyeth from Ierusalem 244 miles Soâ—â—h-west-ward This City was built a little before the Flood but repaired and enlarged by a King called Ogdoo who in love of his Daughter after her Name called it Memphis You may read of it in the ninth of Hosea called there by the name of Moph for thus he saith The people of Israel are gone out of the land of Ephraim because of their Idolatry into Aegypt but Aegypt shall gather them up and Moph that is Memphis shall bury them Moph or Mapheth in this place signifieth a prodigious Wonder but the rest of the Prophets call it Noph for the fertility and pleasantness of the Country as you may read Esay 19. The Princes of Zoan are become foolish and the Princes of Noph or of Memphis are deceived See also Ierom 2. 44. 46. Ezech. 30. in which places you may find it called after this name Zoan is the City Tanis where Moses wrought all his Miracles But Noph or Moph is this Memphis a beautiful Town large and spacious scituated in the strongest and profitablest place in Aegypt divided into two parts by the River Nilus so that any kind of commodities or merchandize might with ease be brought thither by Water for which cause the Kings of that Country for the most part kept their abiding there Strabo saith lib. 17. that upon the East part of this City there standeth a Tower or Castle called Babylon built by certain Babylonians who leaving their own Country by the permission of the Kings of Aegypt dwelt there in after times there was placed a Garrison in it one of the three which were for the defence of Aegypt and by Ptolomy was called Babylon through both which viz. Memphis and Babylon Nilus passed the one standing upon the East side the other upon the West Zoan or Tanis stood about some four miles from this Town and was a fair and spacious City also scituated towards the South upon the East side of Nilus to which the Kings of that Country often resorted and Heliopolis another fair City stood some six miles off that towards the North-East All these four Towns were so wonderfully inhabited by reason of their pleasant and profitable scituation that in process of time they became all one City and in this Age is called Alcaire containing in Circuit sixty miles so that it seemeth to Spectators to be like a Country replenished with nothing but fair Houses goodly Churches and strong Towers exceeding all the rest of the Cities of Aegypt as well for the beautifulness of the place as the extent and largeness of it It is reported that in the year of our Lord 1476 there was such an extreme Pestilence in it that there dyed 20000 a day from whence may be gathered how infinitely it is peopled Near to this Town stood the Pyramides which are held to be one of the Wonders of the World as Strabo saith lib. 17. the height of one of them was 625 foot and square on each side 883 foot it was twenty years a building a hundred thousand Workmen employed about it whence it may be easily gathered how hard and difficult it was in those times to get Stone it being for the most part brought from Arabia and at what an excessive charge they were that set them up Of Gazar This City is described in the Travels of Solomon The Travels of Hadad King of Idumaea WHen David conquered Idumaea Hadad the King of that Country with some few of his Courtiers being then but young fled from Midian to Paran the Metropolitan City of Arabia Petraea which was 84 miles 1 Reg. 11. But because he thought himself scarce safe in that place he fled thence to Cheopes that impious and Tyrannical King of Aegypt that built the greatest of the three Pyramides at Memphis He hating King David gave him kind entertainment assigned him a part of the Kingdom of Aegypt to dwell in and after married him with his Sister Taâ—hpenes by whom he had a Son called Genubath who was brought up in Pharaohs or King Chopes Court where he continued all the Life of David being twenty seven years 120 miles David being dead he returned into his own Kingdom of Idumaea which was 200 miles From thence he went back to Damascus which was 240 miles where he was created King of the Syrians by Reson and other fugitives which had conspired against Solomon by which means he grievously troubled that Kingdom and became an utter Enemy to the Israelites all the Life of Solomon And of him is the original and stock of the Kings of Syria So all the Travels of Hadad were 644 miles Of Midian and Paran you may read before in the one dwelt Iethro Moses
that he went to Bethel and conquered all the Country from thence to Ephron which was 36 miles From Ephron he returned to Ierusalem 44 miles there he took unto him fourteen Wives and begat 20 Sons and 16 Daughters 2 Chr. 13. The Travels of Asa King of Judah AS A signifies a Physician He began to reign about the end of the 21th year of Ieroboam King of Israel An. Mâ—n 2990. before Christ 978. He governed Iudah with great commendation 41 years He went from Ierusalem to Maresa 16 miles where in the Valley of Zephatha he overcame the Ethiopians in a memorable Battel 2 Chr. 14. From thence he pursued the Ethiopians to Gerar being 22 miles and recovered many Cities which the Ethiopians dwelt in 2 Chr. cap. 14. From Gerar he went to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and offered to the Lord of the Spoils that he had taken 700 Oxen and 7000 Sheep 2 Chr. 15. These Travels of King Asa make 70 miles The Iourney and Expedition of Saerah King of Ethiopia whom Asa King of Judah overcame in the Valley of Zephatha SAerah or Saerach signifieth A noble and puissant Lord. This was a mighty and warlike Prince who governed Lybia and Aethiopia the King of which Country at this day we call Presbyter Iohn or rather â—etro Iohannes who holdeth his Court in a fair and goodly City called Hamarich the Metropolitan of all Ethiopia and extendeth his Government beyond Meroes in Africa Many though ignorantly suppose he is a Priest because he is called Presbyter though indeed he is not so but rather a puissant and mighty Emperour But to return to Saerah or Saerach who in hope to extend his Empire into these parts went with a great Army out of Ethiopia to the Valley of Zephatha in Iuda to fight with Asa King of Iudah 1200 miles but lost the day and returned with great shame 2 Chr. 15. It seemeth that this King was the mightiest of all his Predecessors and a Prince of no vulgar Estimation because of the multitude and great abundance of Souldiers which he brought in his Army for it is reported that there were 1000000 that bore Armor and 300 Chariots but this great Army was dispersed and most of them died miserably as did that great Army of Xerxes which consisted of 1700000. From whence it may â—e concluded That it is not the Strength of Man which delivereth him buâ— the Lord. The Travels of Jehosaphat King of Judah JEhosaphat signifies The Judge of the Lord. He began his Reign in the fourth year of Ahab 1 Reg. 22. The greatest part therefore of the first year of this King happened in the Year of the World 3033 and before Christ 935. He reigned over Israel twenty five years that is from the 35th of his Age to the sixtieth In the seventh year of his Reign he went from Ierusalem to Samaria which was 32 miles to visit his Kinsman Ahab King of Israel for Ioram his Son some ten years before had married Athaliah King Ahab's Sister 2 Reg. 8. From Samaria he went with Ahab to the War at Ramoth in Gilead being twenty four miles where Ahab was slain 2 Reg 22. 2 Chr. 18. From Ramoth he went safe from the Wars to Ierusalem vvhich vvas forty eight miles From Ierusalem he vvent to the City of Beersaba the utmost bounds of his Kingdom tovvards the South to instruct his People in the Lavv of the Lord forty tvvo miles from Ierusalem South-ward From Beersaba passing through all his Kingdom he came to Mount Ephraim being forty eight miles and the utmost bounds of his Kingdom North-ward being some eight miles from Ierusalem 2 Chr. 19. From Mount Eâ—hraim he went to Ierusalem which was eight miles Thus Iehosaphat went through all his Dominions to instruct his Subjects in Piety and the true Worship of God in every City ordaining Judges and Governours Magistrates Procurators and Assessors committing to their Discretion the deciding of all Controversies saying to them Take heed what you do for the Office you have taken upon you is not Humane but Divine and as you judge so shall you be judged for the Lord is with you in judgment Wherefore do all things with diligence and in the fear of the Lord for with the Lord there is no iniquity nor respect of Persons neither taketh he any bribes And he himself remained chief Judge in Ierusalem to whom any might appeal from the inferiour Judges that so there might be a just end of Controversies 2 Chr. 16. Afterward Iehosaphat went forth with his Army to Tecoa six miles from Ierusalem where by fervent Prayers the sounding of Trumpets and other musical Instruments in obtained a memorable Battel against the Moabites Ammonites and Idumaeans for the Lord turned the Weapons of them one against another and they wounded one another to the death This fight happened in a fair Valley between Tecoa and Engedi So Iehosaphat pursued the Enemy for three days with great slaughter and returned with a mighty spoil This was called the Valley of Blessing because of this great Victory at Tecoa and began eight miles from Ierusalem South-eastward and extended it self to the Tower of Engedi near to the Bank of the Red Sea twenty miles From Engedi out of the Valley of Blessing Iehosaph at and his Army returned to Ierusalem twenty miles and went into the Temple with Shalms Harps Timbrels and great Joy thankfull acknowledging Gods merciful Favour toward him in giving him so great a Victory 2 Chr. 20. But as there is nothing in this Life that can be said permanent so likewise the felicity of Iehosaâ—hat changed on a sudden the froward and adverse frown of Adversity seising upon his Prosperity for joyning with that wicked and impious King of Israel Ahaziah upon condition to build a certain Navy of Ships at Ezeongaber to fetch gold from Tharshish and other places in India he displeased the Lord for the which cause there arose a great Tempest which brake down the Works and destroyed the Navy From Ierusalem he went with Iehoram King of Israel to war against the Moabites and with them went the King of Idumaea so passing through the Desarts of Edom they came to Mount Seir and so went to Petra the chief City of the King of the Moabites distant from Ierusalem seventy two miles 2 Reg. 3. From Petra Iehosaphat returned to Ierusalem seventy two miles where he died and was buried 2 Reg. 22. 2 Chr. 21. So all the Travels of Iehosaphat King of Iuda were three hundred seventy two miles The typical signification of Jehosaphat AS Iehosaphat by Prayer and the sound of Trumpets and other Instruments of Musick overcame and dispersed his Enemies without drawing his Sword so Christ also by the sound of his Word and Doctrine without drawing Weapon overcame the Enemies of the Church The Travels of Joram King of Judah JORAM signifies The exalted of the Lord. He was crowned King his Father yet living at such time as he made his Expedition against Mesa King
commanded 10000 Idumaeans which he had taken in War to be cast down headlong from the top of an high Rock into a deep Valley in which fall their bones were shattered all to pieces and they died miserably 2 Reg. 14. From Selag-Ioctiel he returned to Ierusalem being forty miles where he began to worship the Gods of the Idumaeans that he brought along with him 2 Chron. 24. From Ierusalem he went to Bethsemes and there was overcome by Joas King of Israel which was four miles 2 Chron. 25. From Bethsemes Ioas led Amasiah back again to Ierusalem captive being four miles 2 Reg. 14. From Ierusalem he fled to the City of Lachis which was twenty miles and there was slain by his own Servants 2 Chron. 25. From Lachis his carkass was carried back again to Ierusalem twenty miles where it was buried in the City of David 2 Reg. 14. 2 Chron. 25. So all his Travels were 128 miles The Travels of Azariah or Uzziah King of Judah THIS man succeeded his Father Amasia in the year of the World 3138 and before Christ 830 when he was but sixteen years of age and reigned fifty two years his Mothers name was Iecoliah of Ierusalem He did those things which were upright 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 Town it being a famous Mart-Town scituated upon the Red Sea and fortified it because Resin King of the Syrians in times past for want of due fortification won it and destroyed it 2 Chron. 26. From Elah he returned to Ierusalem 160 miles After he went from Ierusalem to Gath a City of the Philistines which was accounted thirty four miles this Town he won beat down the Walls and destroyed the Bulwarks thereof From thence he went to Iabnia which is twenty four miles and broke down the Walls thereof 2 Chron. 26. From thence he went to Azotus or Asdod which was eight miles 2 Chron. 26. From Asdod he went again to Ierusalem being twenty two miles Within a while after he gathered an Army and went from Ierusalem to Gur-Baal that is Gerar where he overcame the Arabians in a great Battel which was thirty two miles 2 Chron. 26. From Gerar he returned to Ierusalem being thirty two miles He went from Ierusalem that third time into the Land of the Ammonites sixty miles which People he conquered and made Tributary to him so that he was made Famous through all the Countries thereabout even to the utmost part of Aegypt because of his often Victories and Triumphs 2 Chron 26. Out of the land of the Ammonites he returned to Ierusalem being sixty miles But now being lift up with the Prosperity of Fortune and not content with his Regal Dignity he endeavoured to have chief Authority over the Priests also for which cause he went into that part of the Temple where the Altar of sweet Incense stood where it was lawful for none to go but the Priests and there took upon him to offer sweet Incense but as he was offering the Lord struck him with Leprosie so that he was constrained to dwell in a house by himself separated from the Congregation and his Son Iotham governed in his stead all the days 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 Travels of Azariah King of Iudah were 592 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Elah THIS was a City scituated upon the Red Sea 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the South between Ezion-Gaber and Midian This City Resin King of the Syrians conquered but Azariah King of Iudah drove thence the Syrians and made it so strong that it seemed impossible to be conquered It took the name of abundance of Oaks which as it seemeth grew about that place for Elah or Ilix signifies a kind of Oak Tree of which there is great plenty in the Holy Land so called because of their strength and hardness Of Jobnia THIS was a City near to Ioppa and Libba 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-West This City taketh the name of Wisdom and Prudence being derived of Bin to understand Of Gur-Baal THIS Town is also called Gerar where Abraham and Isaac sometimes travelled it is distant from Ierusalem thirty two miles towards the South-West and six miles from Hebron Here the Iews and neighbouring Arabians afterwards worshipped the Idol Baaâ— and therefore this City which in the times of the Patriarchs was called Gerar a Perigrination was after called Gur-Baal that is the Perigrination of the Idol Baal being derived of Gor which signifies He hath travelled The Travels of Jotham King of Judah JOtham signifies Whole and Perfect He succeeded his Father Azariah when he was about twenty five years of age Anno Mundi 3190 and before Christ 778. He raigned over Iudah seventeen years until the one and fortieth year of his age His Mothers name was Ichruscha so called from an Inheritance or Possession He began his Reign in the second year of Pekah King of Israel and continued it unitl the seventeenth year of his Government 2 Reg. 15. 17. When this noble Prince had rebuilded and richly adorned the House of the Lord he went from Ierusalem and invaded the Country of the Ammonites which was sixty miles conquered their King and made the whole Land pay him Tribute even a hundred Talents of Silver of the common weight 10000 measures of Wheat and 10000 of Barley yearly This Tribute continued three years From the Land of the Ammonites he went back to Ierusalem which was sixty miles where after he had adorned the Temple with many princely buildings he dyed about the one and fortieth year of his age 2 Reg. 15. So all his Travels were 120 miles Of Ahaz King of Judah AHAZ signifies Apprehending or a Possessor He began to reign after the death of his Father Iotham about the end of the seventeenth year of Pekah King of Israel Anno Mundi 3205 before Christ 762. He reigned wickedly 16 years 2 Reg. 16. 2 Chr. 28. For he was a notorious Hypocrite who out of a perverse Zeal worshipped many Idols and burnt his Son in the Valley of Gehinnon as an Offering unto Moloch wherefore he was unhappy in his Government for God stirred up mighty enemies against even Reâ—in King of Syria and Pekah King of Israel who wasted and destroyed his Kingdom and streightly besieging Ierusalem conquered Ahaz in a great Battel and put to the Sword 120000 of his men After that Resin returned to Elath and took it so that he lost more then his Father had gotten Where being struck into a great fear by reason of these adversities he sent to crave the Aid of Tiglasse Phulasser King of the Assyrians who at his request
might plainly be seen ingraven other Letters to this effect Vnless thou hadst been unâ—â—tiably Covetous thou wouldst never have opened the Graves of the Dead in hope of gain This Woman beautified Babylon with many goodly Buildings built up the Walls thereof set a Bridge over Euphrates made a beautiful Orchard and a Garden in it beautified it with many goodly Towers and Fortifications added unto it many Provinces and Governments and after all because of her own lascivious Appetite as Sallust saith was murthered by her Son Ninus who succeeded her in the Government There were many other memorable things within this City that were built before and after her time as Herodotus saith as that great and mighty Tower before remembred in which stood the Temple of Baelus and his Sepulchre Not far from that stood a Chappel wherein was the Statue of Iupiter all of pure Gold worth 800 Talents of Gold Without that Chappel there stood an Altar of pure Gold upon which they yearly offered 100000 Talents of Frankincense There was another also somewhat less upon which they used to offer their Sacrifices for it was not lawful for them to offer any thing that had life upon the greater Altar there stood also in that place another Statue twelve cubits high all of pure Gold This City was after taken by Cyrus the first Emperour of the Persians An. Mundi 3432. before Christ 536 in the seventieth year after the Captivity of Israel and Iudah according to the Prophecy of Ieremy at which time the City was so great that they which dwelt in the middle of it did not know that the Enemy had entered within the Walls at the farther end which might happen because upon that day when it was taken the Babylonians celebrated a Feast unto Venus in which using extraordinary diligence they were less mindful of such things as hapned unto them Thus this City that with great Tyranny had triumphed over the Nations of the earth for the space of 1600 years being so plentifully furnished with all things necessary for the maintenance of life that the Inhabitants thereof contemned all other People was by God's permission for their pride and presumption wasted and consumed by Cyrus as you have heard and shortly after utterly destroyed by Xerxes the fourth Emperour of the Persians and so continueth to this day as Strabo saith Where then O World is thy Prosperity or Riches thy glory since in the one thou art consumed in the other lest desolate Of the Ruines of old Babylon that are extant at this day BAbylon which as you have heard reigned over the Nations of the Earth like a Queen at this day hath nothing to present you withall but an heap of stones out of the Ruins whereof there was built a little Town close by where it stood called Elugo or Felugo scituated upon the Bank of the River Euphrates Not far from which it seems there is a profitable Harbour for Ships where Merchants often times go a shore and travel thence through many Woods and desart places unto Seleucia which at this day is called by the Turks Bagdeth distant thence some thirty six miles and is the utmost Town of the Turkish and Persian Empires towards the East being divided in the midst by the River Tygris Some Merchants have reported That the place where Babylon stood is become stony unfruitful and unpleasant because of the Ruins of the destroyed buildings which lye in the Earth Also That there is found a Tower built of a black stone which to outward appearance seems to have been a very goodly house high and eminent so that upon the top thereof a man might have seen through the whole City This Tower the Inhabitants of Felugo call the Tower of Daniel in which was the Chamber where he used to pray to the Lord three times a day the Windows whereof looked towards Ierusalem Dan. 6. There is also to be seen divers Arches of the Bridge which Semiramis built standing upon the River Euphrates and the foundation of the great Tower whose top should have reached to Heaven being in compass two miles but not very high Within the Ruins whereof are found certain Serpents very noisom and venemous about the bigness of a Lizard having three heads and spect with divers colours which the Inhabitants call Eglones There are such a multitude of them that no man dares approach within half a mile of it any time but in the Winter season nor then neither but for the space of a Month in which time these Serpents for the extremity of the cold are constrained to keep their holes Thus as this Tower was hateful to God in the beginning so likewise hath he made it hurtful unto man even to this day The Travels of the Babylonian and Assyrian Kings and Emâ—erours that fought against Israel and Judah And first of Phul Belochus King of Assâ—ria PHul Belochus that is he returned wasting began to reign among the Babylonians Anno Mundi 3149. before Christ 819 and governed forty eight years This King or Emperour came from Babylon to Samaria which was 660 miles There he so streightly besieged Menahem King of Israel that he was constrained to give him 1000 talents of Silver to raise his Siege and depart 2 Reg. 15. From Samaria he returned back again to Babylon 660 miles So all Travels of Phul Belochus were 1320 miles The Travels of Tiglat Phulasser King of the Assyrians TIglat Phulasser signifies the Assyrian Conquerour He was also called Tiglath Philasser 2 Reg. 15. which name is attributed to him either because he carried away the Children of Israel captives or else because of the Conquest that he had of all Galilee and over the Tribe of Naphtaly which he carried into Assyria He succeeded his father Phul Belochus in the Government of the Assyrians An. Mundi 3197. before Christ 771. and reigned twenty five years When Reâ—n King of the Assyrians joyning his Army with Pekah Son of Remalia King of Israel had streightly besieged Ierusalem Ahaz was constrained to crave aid of this Tiglath Phulasser and sent him great Presents which he accepted kindly and brought his Army from Niniveh to Damascus 520 miles where he put Reâ—n and the whole City to the Sword 2 Reg. 16. From Damascus he came with his Army into the land of Israel which was 120 miles where he overcame Pekâ—h in a great Battel conquered all the land of Gilead and the tribe of Naphtaly and put a great multitude of the Israelites into perpetual Exile 2 Reg. 15. From thence he went back to Niniveh 640 miles A little after this King Tiglath Phulasser went from Niniveh to Ierusalem 680 miles where he so streightly besieged that wicked King Ahaz that he was constrained to give him great abundance of Gold and Silver to raise his Siege and be gone 2 Chr. 28. From Ierusalem he returned back to Niniveh being 680 miles So all his Travels were 6640 miles Of the City Niniveh you may read
and foolish Merodach His Wife's name was Nitocris according to Herod lib. 1. She was a very magnificent and wise Woman set up many fair and goodly Buildings in Babylon and was the Mother of Balthasar the last Emperour of the Assyrians Dan. 5. Of Niriglissoroor Emperour of Babylon NIriglissoroor whose Syrname was Regassaâ— Son-in-law to Nebuchadnezzar the Great having slain Evil-Merodach his Wifes Brother reigned over the Babylonians and Assyrians four years as Berosus saith Of Labassardach the last Emperour of the Babylâ—nians LAbassardach the Son of Niriglissoroor succeeded his Father He reigâ—ed only nine months and died without Heir male Of Balthazar Nabonidus the last Emperour of the Babylonians and Assyrians ANno Mundi 3415 and before Christ 553 Balthazar Nabonidus whose Sirname was Labynitus the Son of Evil-Merodach and Nitocris obtained the Empire and reigned seventeen years according to Berosus with Ioseph cont App. Alexand. Polyb. apud Eusebium Praep. lib 9. l. 4. Alphae Hist. with Euseb. calleth this King Nabinidochus This is that Balthazar saith Iosephus lib. Ant. 10. cap. 13. which Daniel cap. 5. calleth the Son of Nebuchadonosor though indeed he was but his Son's Son as may be gathered from that of Ier. cap. 25. All Nations shall serve Nebuchadonosor and his Son and his Son's Son Bâ—lthasar signifies The Host of the Lord destroying his Enemies Labynitus signifies a shaken Sword This man as he was celebrating a great Feast unto Venus whom they call in the Assyrian Tongue Myleta amongst a great multitude of his Nobility and in that using extraordinary Excess and Blasphemy against the Lord in the midst of his Feast and all his Merriments he saw a hand writing upon the Wall which left these Words Mene Mene Tekel Vpharsin of which you may read more Dan. 5. Some say That at this very time the City was taken by Cyrus Emperour of the Persians and he put to the Sword in those Sports and Pastimes But certain it is that he was slain at a Banquet lost his Empire and was the last of the Assyrian Emperours but whether at that time I refer it to the opinion of the Reader The Travels of the Kings of Aegypt that fought against the Kings of Judah And first of Sisack who made War upon Rehoboam the Son of Solomon THAT proud and presumptuous Prince Sisack which signifies a Garment of Silk in the last year of his Reign which was the first of Rehoboam the Son of Solomon came with 1200 Chariots and 60000 Horse from Memphis to Ierusalem which was 244 miles bringing in his Army a great Multitude of People of divers Nations as Lybians Ethiopians c. With this Company he besieged Ierusalem and took it wasted the City spoiled the Temple and took thence the golden Shields which Solomon had made and destroyed that fair and beautiful house which Solomon had built From whence that Saying of his own was verified Eccles. That it is a great Evil upon the Earth for a man to take care to lay up Riches and Treasures in this World yet knoweth not who shall inherit it For those things which a little before he had with great Labour and Pains builded and beautified within less than twenty Years after were destroyed and made desolate by this King From Ierusalem Sisack returned with the Spoils of the Temple and City to Memphis in Aegypt which was 244 miles and in the Year following he was stricken by the Lord with a grievous Disease of which he died miserably So these two Journeys were 488 miles The Travels of Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt who made War upon Josiah King of Judah NECHO signifies an Enemy or Invader This man was one of the greatest of all the Egyptian Kings who in the thirteenth year of his Reign made War upon Nebuchadnezzar the first and in the Valley of Megiddo near to Magdala 244 miles from Memphis fought a great Battel wherein Iosiah King of Iudah was wounded to death From the Valley of Megiddo Pharaoh Necho went to the River Euphrates 360 miles where he fought a second Battel with Nebuchadnezzar upon a Plain near to Carchemis where he lost the day and was put to flight From Carchemis he fled to Riblah in the Land of Israel being 320 miles where in the Land of Chaemath near to the Lake Samachonites he overcame 〈◊〉 King of Iudah and took him Prisoner From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led Ioachas bound to Ierusalem 80 miles and made Ioachim his Brother King in his place From Ierusalem he returned to Memphis 240 miles Within four years after he went the second time with a great Army from Memphis to the River Euphrates 640 miles But there he was the second time overcome by Nebuchadnezzar and constrained to fly thence back again to Memphis in Egypt being 640 miles But Nebuchadnezzar followed him with an Army of chosen men and conquered all Egypt took Pharaoh Necho and made his Son Psammeticus King in his place who was the second of that name Of this Battel there is mention Ier. ca. 25. 26. So all the Travels of Pharaoh Necho were 1524 miles The Travels of the Holy Prophets and first of the Prophet Eliah ELIAH the Prophet went from Thisbe which was in the Land of Gilead to Samaria twenty four miles where he told the wicked King Ahab that there should be neither Rain nor Dew for the space of seven years 1 Reg. 17. From Samaria he went to the River â—erith twenty four miles where he was fed by a Raven From Kerith he went to Sarepta being an hundred miles where he sojourned with a poor Widow that found him Necessaries whose Son he restored to Life 1 Reg. 17. From Sarepta he went to Mount Carmel in the Land of Israel being sixty miles and by the way as he went he met Obadiah which signifieth the Servant of the Lord and King Ahab whom he rebuked sharply because of his Idolatry Also upon this Mountain he put all Bâ—al's Priests to death and prayed unto the Lord who sent Rain upon the Earth in great abundance 1 Reg. 18. From Mount Carmel he ran by King Ahab's Chariot to Iezreel which was accounted 16 miles After when Queen Iesabel threatned his Death he departed thence and went to Beersaba eighty four miles 1 Reg. 19. From Beersaba he went one dayes Jouney into the Wilderness of Paran because he thought to remain there safe from the mischief of Iesabel which vvas tvventy miles from Beersaba Southvvard Here the Angel of the Lord brought him meat as he vvas sitting under a Juniper-tree 1 Reg. 19. By vertue of this meat Eliah travelled from thence to Mount Horeb or Sinai eighty miles and continued there forty dayes and forty nights vvithout meat or drink There the Lord spake to Eliah as he stood in the â—ntrance of a Cave his Face being covered vvith his Mantle 1 Reg. 19. From the Mount Sinai or Horeb he returned to Abel-Mehola being 156 miles vvhere he called Elizeus the Son of Saphas to the Ministerial Function
people of Israel Ishmael that was of the Stock and Progeny of David hoping to obtain the Government of Iuda made War upon Gediliah and put him to Death wherefore Ieremy went from thence with Iohn the Son of Kareach Prince of the Iews to Bethlem Euphrata eight miles Ier. 41. Now when he had stayed a while in a Village near Bethlem called Geruth Chimeham where sometime Chimeham the Son of Barzillaâ— lived 2 Sam. 19. he prophesied saying If you stay in this Land you shall do well neither shall any Evil happen unto you but if you depart hence into Aegypt they shall devour you with Famine and with the Sword Jer. 42. But Iohn and the rest of the Princes would give no credit to the words of Ieremy but went into Aegypt and compelled the Prophet to go along with them so they went from Bethlehem to Tachpanes which was 172 miles Here the second time Ieremy prophesied unto them saying Behold Nebuchadnezzar shall come hither and wast and destroy all the Country of Aegypt beat down the Images of Bethsemes or Heliopolis and carry away the Aegyptians into perpetual Captivity Jer. 43. But the People of Israel being moved to Anger because of his Words stoned him to death So the Travels of the Prophet Ieremiah were 1786 miles Concerning the Towns and Places mentioned in the Travels of this Prophet you may read of them before except Geruth-Chimeham which stood close by Bethlehem It taketh the name from a Stranger or Traveller being derived of Gor which signifieth He hath travelled and Tachpanes which was a City of Egypt some 180 miles from Ierusalem where the Prophet Ieremy was stoned to death it is oftentimes called the name of Taphniis The Travels of Urijah the Prophet URIAS or Vriah signifies Illuminated or inlightned of the Lord. He was born at Kirjath-jearim a mile from Ierusalem towards the West from thence he came to Ierusalem and there prophesied of the Destruction of the City After when King Ioachim went about to take away his Life he fled thence into Egypt 160 miles But the King sent Messengers into Egypt and fetch'd Vrijah back again to Ierusalem and hundred and sixty miles and there cut off his head and caused his Body to be thrown into the Sepulchre of a poor despised man that it might not be known that he had been a Prophet of the Lord. So all his Travels were 321 miles Of Hananias the false Prophet HAnanias or Chanania signifieth the Grace of God This false Prophet was a Gibeonite and came from Gibeon to Ierusalem which was four miles where he took the woodden yoaks from the neck of Ieremiah the Prophet but Ieremiah caused Iron Yoaks to be made in their places and told Hananias that for his falshood that year he should surely dye as after he did Of the Prophet Ezekiel EZekiel or Iechezkel signifies the Strength or Fortitude of God He was carried captive with 3000 others of the Nobility of the Iews from Ierusalem to Babylon which was 680 miles the same year that Nebuchadnezzar put King Ioachim to death Within five years after a little before Easter the Book of the Law was found 2 Chron. 3. He began to prophesie in Babylon Anno Mundi 3356 before Christ 612 at which time he saw his first Visions near to the River Chebar Of the River Chebar THE River Chebar was near Babylon in Chaldaea upon the borders of Mesopotamia falling into Euphrates and was often times called Aborras according to the opinion of many learned men Strabo in the sevententh Book of his Geography saith that there is another River between Tygris and Euphrates called Basilius Aborras passeth along by the City of Athemusia and is a very fair stream from whence it is called Chebar which signifies a swift and spacious River Near to this River the Prophet Ezekiel saw the Glory and Majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ in a bright shining Cloud In this place also dwelt many Iews to whom he prophecied and foretold the Destruction of Ierusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the captivity of Zedekiah The Travels of the Prophet Daniel DAniel signifies the Judge of God In the reign of Ioachim King of Iudâ—h he was carried away captive from Ierusalem to Babylon by Nabuchadonozor which was 680 miles and there with his fellows learned the Arts and Language of the Chaldeans for three years He was then but young about some nineteen or twenty years of age and lived in Exile ninety one years until the third year of Cyrus Emperour of the Persians about which time he saw his last Vision and a little after died when he was about 110 years of age as may be gathered by the Circumstances of Histories and Times From Babylon he went to Susan in Persia Anno Mundi 3418 and before Christ 540 being then ninety four years of age which was 252 miles where near to the Flood Eulaeus he had a Vision of a Ram and a Goat which set forth the state of the second Monarchy which was that of the Graecians In this Vision Gabriel the Arch-Angel appeared to Daniel Dan. 8. This was in the third year of King Balthasar From Susan Daniel returned to Babylon which was 252 miles here he interpreted to Balthasar the meaning of these words Mene Mene Tekel Euphar sin Dan. 5. From Babylon he went to the River Tygris or Hidekel which was thirty six miles here in the third year of Cyrus King of Persia he saw his last Vision which is described in the tenth eleventh and twelfth Chapters of his Prophecy From Tygris he returned to his own house at Babylon which was thirty six miles Sometimes also in his three last years of his life he used to goe to Egbatan the Metropolitan City of the Medes which was accounted 464 miles from Babylon towards the North-East Here Daniel built a fair and and artificial Temple so strongly that it remained unperished and retained the ancient beauty many Ages to the great admiration of all the Spectators In it the Kings of the Medes Persians and Parthians were for the most part honourably buried the Government whereof was committed to a Priest of the Iews as Iosephus saith lib. Antiq. 10. cap. 4. From Egbatan he returned back again to Babylon which was 464 miles and there died Anno Mundi 3445 and before Christ 533. So all the Travels of the Prophet Daniel were 2184 miles Of the Places to which he travelled Of Susan SVsa or Susan is so called from a sweet smelling Flower but chiefly a Rose or a Lilly because it is scituated in a fair and pleasant place It was a goodly City lying on both sides the River Eulaeus some 200 furlongs that is twenty five miles English about as Polycletus saith And of this City all the Country round about is called Susana bordering towards the North upon Assyria towards the West upon Babylon towards the South upon the Gulph of Persia and joyneth upon the East part of Persia towards the East There are but two Cities
that are eminent in it that is this and another called Tariana The Air in the Winter season is very temperate at which time the Earth bringeth forth many pleasant Flowers and Fruits but in the Summer it is extream hot by which heat all things are scorched and burned away and by reason of the Putrefaction of the Air as some think in that Season there do breed Toads Lyzards and other Noysome Serpents in great abundance so that the Inhabitants are constrained partly because of the heat partly because of the loathsome and dangerous Creatures to build their Houses all of Earth long and narrow the Walls and Roofs being at least a yard thick that so the heat might not pierce through them or Serpents breed in them Strabo lib. Geograph 5. saith that one Tython the Brother of Laomedon King of Troy did first build this City about such time as Tholâ— judged Israel After him his Son Memnon beautified it with a fair and goodly Castle calling it after his own name Memnon Of this man Homer speaketh This Castle was such a goodly thing that a long time after his death the Town was called Memnon as Strabo observeth but in Hester and Daniels's times it was called Susa and the Inhabitants Susans The Persian Emperors in those times keeping their Courts there for the most part and did greatly beautifie the City with many fair Buildings The first of these Emperours that dwelt there was Cyrus who after he had conquered Babylon Assyria and many other Kingdoms and Countries lying near to the City Susa that he might with more ease and better safety retain them in his Government removed his Court from Persepolis which lay up in the East part of Persia to this Town where all the Winter season for the most part he lived and in the Summer went to â—gbatan the chief City of Media because there at that season the Air was very temperate His Successors after him observing the same course for their better conveniency and to make evident their greater magnificence repaired the Castle of Memnon joyned to it many fair and goodly Buildings and close by it planted a pleasant Orchard of diverse and sundry sorts of Trees and Herbs It is reported that the Gate whereby they entred into this Orchard was very curiously built supported with Pillars of polished Marble imbossed with Silver and Gold very rare to look upon over it was a banquetting-house beautified with lively pictures costly furniture and Beds of Gold and Silver covered with rich Tapestry wrought with Silk Silver and Gold upon these they used to eat their Banquets it was paved with Porphire Marble and Hyacinths in such â—ort as it greatly delighted such as beheld it The Queen had a private Garden to her self in which were great abundance of Trees of divers kinds and many sweet Flowers and Herbs In which Garden Ahashuerus walked to qualifie the heat of his wrath that he had conceived against that wicked and perfidious Haman who through envy and ambition sought the destruction of the whole Nation of the Iews leâ—t by giving place unto anger he should transgress the bounds of Clemency and Justice wherefore it becometh every King Prince and Judge to imitate the example of this Emperour who in the heat of his anger would determine nothing of so wicked a man for long and often deliberation becometh every wise man before he doth any thing Est. 7. Not far from the Emperour's Palace in a fair and pleasant Garden there stood a Colledge of the Magi that is such as the Persians accounted wise and learned men these were of such account for their knowledge and understanding amongst that People that some of them in succeeding ages were chosen for Kings and Governours in that Country They studied for the most part the Mathematicks History Philosophy and Divinity and as many have thought the Prophecies of Daniel Ezekiel and others wherefore as is said before many are of opinion that the Wise men which came into Iudaea to see Christ were of this Colledge and Town because it stood East from Ierusalem It is at this day called Cusistane as Ortelius and Sebastian Munster witness and in their times was under the Government of one Caliphus Emperour of the Saracens This Caliphus was strongly besieged by one Allan the great King of Tartaria in this Town Anno. Dom. 1250. But because of his exceeding Covetousness and Parcimony he lost the City and was famished to death Of the River Eulaeo ULai which Stra. li. 15. calleth Eulaea passed through the City of Susa and as Pliny saith lib. 6. cap. 27. took the beginning at Media and so fell into a hole or Cavern of the Earth and passed under the ground till it came near to the City Susa where it brake forth again and compassed about the Tower of Susa and a Temple in the City dedicated to Diana The Inhabitants hold this River in great estimation insomuch as the Kings drink of no other Water and for that purpose carry it a great way Strabo according to the Testimony of Polycletus saith That there are two other Rivers of good account which pass through Persia viz. Choasâ—es and Tygris but neither of them are in like estimation as this is Of Elam PErsia in antient times was called after this name from Elam the Son of Sem. But after Perseus had obtained a large and spacious Government in that Country it was after his name called Persia. Elam signifieth a Youth or a young man Of Egbatana or Egbatan THIS is the Metropolitan City of the Medes and is distant from Ierusalem 1136 miles towards the North-West built by Deioce King of the Medes as Herod l. 2. saith Here Daniel built a fair Temple of which you may read more in his Travels Of this Town you may read more in the Travels of Iudith The Typical Signification of Daniel DAniel signifies the Iudge of God typically representing Christ who is appointed by that eternal Iehovah to be Judge of all things both quick and dead and rescueth his Church which is as a Rose compassed about with Thorns oppressed with the Tyranny and cruelty of Evil and wicked men casting those false Judges and merciless Governours into eternal Exile and the Pit Destruction And as the Prophet was innocently condemned cast into the Lions den and had the door sealed upon him and to the judgment of man no hope of life or means to escape was left him yet by the Providence of God was delivered out of this danger and came thence safe and untouch'd Dan. 6. so our Saviour was innocently condemned cast into the Grave sealed up among the dead and to common judgment left as a man out of mind yet early in the morning at the appointed time by the Power of his Deity he raised himself up from this Pit of Hell the Grave and gloriously triumphed over it and death Of the Prophet Hosea THIS Prophet Hosea was born in a Town called Bemeloth or Bethmeloth as Dorotheâ—s
of Tharsis that is of the Sea beside many such like speeches From whence St. Ierom concludes that Tharsis may better signifie the Sea than the City Tharsis Of the Euxine Sea THE Euxine Ocean is that great and troublesome Sea which beginning not far from Constantinople runneth from Bosphorus and Thrace towards the East and North containing to the Longitude eight hundred miles but to the Latitude two hundred and eighty Towards the South it toucheth upon Asia the less towards the East upon Calcos towards the West upon Thracia and Valachia but towards the North it is â—oyned to the Pool of Maeotides This Sea in times past was called Pontus Axenus that is the inhospitable Countrey because as Strabo lib. 1. of his Cosmography saith The Inhabitants near about the Sea-shore did usually sacrifice those Strangers they got or else cast their Bodies unto Dogs to be devoured making drinking-cups of their Skulls But after when the Ionians had built certain Towns upon the Sea-coast and had restrained the Incursions of certain Scythian Thieves which usually preyed upon Merchants that resorted thither at the command of Pontus their King who had obtained a large and spatious Kingdom in that Country they called it Pontus Euxinus which is as much as to say the hospitable Country Ovid testifieth almost the same concerning the original of the name of this Sea after this manner Frigida me cohibent Euxini littora Ponti Dictus ab antiquis Axinus ille fuit The chilly shoars of th' Euxine Sea constrains me to abide In antient time call'd Axinus as it along did glide Of Ninus or Nineveh NINVS or Nineveh was a City of Assyria where the Emperours of that Country used to keep their Courts It was first built by Ninus that great Emperour of the first Monarchy 300 years after the flood and 2000 before Christ about the time when the Patriarch Abraham was born It continued in great glory for the space of almost 1500 years and was distant from Ierusalem toward the North-east 684 miles upon the East side joyning to the River Tygris on the North to the Caspian Sea It takes the name from the Beauty of it being derived of Navah which signifieth A comely place spatious and pleasant There are many that are of opinion that in many things it exceeded Babylon as for the sumptuousness of the Buildings the strength of the Walls and the extent The Walls were so thick that three Chariots might have met upon them without any danger and beautified with an hundred and fifty Towers Ionas being sent of God to this City was three days going through it that is as Luther expounds it through every Street of it in which time he converted a hundred and twenty thousand to repentance Arbaces who was called Arphaxad was then Emperour This Arbaces Iustine lib. 2. calleth Arbactus he was a Captain of the Medes who perceiving the effeminate disposition of Sardanapalus the then Emperour taking advantage of the times and this man's weakness conspired with some of his Companions to usurp upon his Government and that he might make them hate and loath his looseness brought them into a Room where they might see him sitting amongst his Harlots tired in Womans apparel and carding Wool This sight greatly displeasing them and before being encouraged by Arbactus they seized upon the City and besieged Sardanapalus in his Palace But to prevent the misery of a shameful death after he had gathered all his Riches together he set fire on his Palace where he his companions and Treasure perished this fire continued fifteen days and happened 823 years before Christ about which time Arbactus succeeded Sardanapalus began to reign and continued his Government twenty eight years But the Medes held not the Assyrian Empire long for Phul Belochus who at this time reigned in Babylon and his Successor Tiglath Philasser are called Kings of Assyria between whom there happened many great Wars 2 Kings 15. 26. From whence may be gathered that after the death of Arbactus these Emperours dwelt in Nineveh and succeeded in the Empire Thus was this City greatly defaced with continual evils the Lord before-hand giving them many admonitions and gentle Corrections if it had been in them to have conceived it to win them to repentance but they continued still in their Sins therefore according to their former Prophecies Cyaxares King of the Medes besieging this Town took it and destroyed it even unto the Ground as Eusebius saith This desolation happened thirteen years before the destruction of Ierusalem in the eleventh year of Sadyattis King of the Lydians who was Grandfather to Croesus Anno Mundi 3349 before Christ 619. After this Destruction it lay a long time desolate but at length some part of it was restored though with much trouble and then when it was at the best estate constrained to suffer many changes and at length utterly destroyed by Tamerlane the Great the second time Anno Mundi 3390. After this the Inhabitants of that Country upon the East side of the River Tygris began the third time to build it But whether this third restoring of this City was at the command of some Prince that had the Government of the Country thereabouts or because of the scituation or for private profit it is not set down nevertheless it is again repaired standing upon the Borders of Armenia beautified with goodly Buildings with fair and spacious Streets compassed about as other Cities of the East are with Walls and Ditches sufficiently strengthened to oppose the Enemy But in respect of the former Nineveh it seems a small Village It hath a Bridge built of Ships lying upon the East side of it over the River Tygris and upon that side of the River there stand many fair Gardens or Orchards and the Land there also is very fertile and pleasant But upon the West of Tygris the Soyl is nothing so fruittile At this day it is called by the name of Mossel so that although it stands in the same place yet doth it not retain the same name To this Town there is a great resort of Merchants who bring up their Commodities from the Rier Tygris hither and from hence convey them to Bagdeth and many other parts of the World The Inhabitants thereof are for the most part Nestorians of whom you may read before in the Description of the Sects remaining in Ierusalem at this day They are had in great account and estimation among the Turks because it is imagined that one of this Sect helpt Mahomet to compose the Alcoran This Nestorius lived Anno Dom. 429. and taught at Constantinople but after he was condemned at Ephesus for an Heretick he was constrained to steal from Constantinople and to flie to Thebes in Aegypt where God laid a grievous punishment upon him for his Tongue began to rot his head and to consume with Vermin of which he died miserably The spiritual signification of the Prophet Jonas JOnas signifieth a Dove and typically representeth
Journies long and troublesom sometimes in Prosperity sometimes in Adversity again sometimes afflicted with troublesom Cogitations sometimes with extream Anger seldom in Peace and then also his Actions savouring of Violence and Filthiness From whence it appeareth That the Wicked with more Sorrows Troubles and Vexations gain eternal Damnation that the Just tho they suffer many grievous Afflictions obtain everlasting Salvation For amongst all the Patriarchs good Kings and Prophets there is not found any that had so many long and tedious Journies as this Antiochus who continually oppressed his Mind and Conscience with unprofitable Vanities and wicked Thoughts and at length had a miserable and terrible end Of the Cities and Places mentioned in his Travels Of Antiochia ANtiochia where Antiochus Epiphanes kept his Court was anciently called Chaemath or Riblah It was scituated in Syria 180 miles from Ierusalem towards the North near to the Cities Seleucia Laodicea and Apamea which four Cities as Strabo saith in the sixteenth Book of his Geography were built by Seleucus Nicanor first King of Syria This man was a mighty Prince and obtained the Name of Nicanor which signifieth Victory because he prospered in his Wars and conquered his Adversaries For when within 13 years after the Death of Alexander the Great he had got the Kingdom of Syria he became so great in the 31 year of his Reign that he obtained the Empire of all the East and beside as Strabo saith re-edified and built up these four Cities calling one of them Antiochia after the name of his Father another Laodicea after the name of his Mother a third after his own name Seleucia and the last Apamea after the name of his Wife These four Cities because they were all built by one man and at one time were called Sisters But Antiochia was much fairer than the other and in those times was a greater City than any other called after that name yea it was equal to Alexandria in Egypt for glory and excellency of Building It was divided into four parts and those parts separated with four Walls The first which was anciently called Hemath a violent Anger of Chamathai the Son of Canaan was after Riblath from the multitude of the Inhabitants and the third time by Seleucus after his Father's name called Antiochia In this part Seleucus to dignifie the City kept his Court it being compassed about with Goodly Walls In the second part the Citizens of Syria inhabited In the third Seleuchus Callimichus afterward King of the Syrians kept his Court and greatly beautified it But in the fourth where afterward many Christians inhabited Antigonus Epiphanes continued and did greatly adorn it and set it forth with goodly buildings and sumptuous Houses Close by the City there stood a pleasant Wood watered with many clear Fountains and delightful Springs to which there resorted a great multitude of Fowls of divers sorts which sung very pleasantly among the Trees to the great content and delectation of the Citizens In the midst of this Wood stood the Temple of Apollo and Diana goodly things and very curiously built It was called the Wood of Daphne because it was full of Laurel Trees From this Wood all the Country thereabout is called Epidaphne Not far off standeth the River Orontes which beginneth in Coelosyria and passeth under the earth till it comes near to Apamea where it riseth and watereth all Antiochia So passing thence it runneth some sixteen miles and so falls into the Mediterranean Sea Here Paul preached and kept a Synod Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 24 25. There was another Synod kept here by the Arrians Trip. lib. 4. 9. Stephanus reckons up many other Cities of this name as Antiochia 〈◊〉 in Galatia where Paul preached Act. 3. and is distant from this 384 miles Antiochia in Mesopotamia which is also called Mygdonia and 〈◊〉 in which Apollophanes the Stoick and Pharnuchus that wrote the Persian History are said to be born Antiochia between Syria and Arabia built by Semiramis Antiochia in Cilicia scituated near to the River Pyramus Antiochia in Pieria also called by the Syrians Arados There is also a City called Antiochia near Mount Taurus in the Country of Comagena Antiochia scituated upon the Lake of Callichan Antiochia in Scythia There was another in Caria called also Pithapolis Antiochia Marigiana built by Antiochius Soter And many Authors call Tharsus in Cilicia by the name of Antiochia Antiochia signifies an Adversary Of Rome ROME stands 1528 miles from Ierusalem Westward Of this City you may read more in the Travels of the Apostle Paul Tyrus Ioppa Memphis Peluso Mallo and Alexandria are before described Of Tharsus TArsus or Tharsus signifieth a Hyacinth stone so called as some think of Tharsis the Son of Iavan the Son of Iapâ—et the Son of Noah Gen. 10. It was distant from Ierusalem 304 miles Northward Of Persepolis PErsepolis was the Metropolitan City of Persia distant from Ierusalem 1240 miles Eastward So called of Perseus that mighty King of the Persians who re-edified it and gave it that name which is as much as to say the City of the Persians which also of him were so called The Astronomers because he was greatly affected to such as were skilful in that Art attributed his name and his Wives name to two Constellations in the Heavens of which Ovid's Fable is contributed of Pegasus and Andromache This City of Persepolis was so fair that it exceeded all the Cities of the East both for Stateliness and Beauty and so continued from Perseus time until Alexander the Great had conquered Darius at which time this great Emperour having got into his hand the whole Empire of the Persians came to Persepolis in the year before Christ 329 and there celebrated a great feast in triumph of his Victories to which there resorted a great many Women not such as were of the better sort but them that followed the Camp and lived dissolutely amongst whom was that notable Curtesan Thais who perceiving the King inclined to Mirth and full with Wine began to flatter him in his Cups and among other things to commend and dignifie his Noble Exploits withal giving him to understand how acceptable it would be to the Grecians to see the Royal Palace of the Persians fired which had so often afflicted Grecia No sooner had she uttered these words but another seconded her and then a third After the whole assembly cried out Shall we revenge the Injury of the Grecians and burn the City With that they all rose in great fury the King himself being crowned beginning first to fire the Palace wherein was great abundance of Cedar from whence it happened that suddenly the fire spread it self a great way which when the Army that lay without the Walls perceived with all speed came to the City to stay the burning of it for which purpose many brought Water with them But when they beheld the King himself busie in this Tragedy laying aside their Water they also in hope of Booty and to
against them insomuch that he left this goodly City as a Prey to the Gentiles and Foreign Nations that carried the People thereof into Captivity where for a long time they remained in great misery After the first desolation because the Country round about this City was very fertile and pleasant abounding with Springs Rivers Vines Olive Gardens Mountains fruitful Vallies fair Cities and strong Castles and Towns Herod Ascalonites that great King of the Iews who put to death the innocent Children re-edified it set up many goodly buildings beautified with Marble Pillars and pleasant Walks And also in the circuit of the Kings House and under the buildings of the Nobility in the common Market-place the Houses and Vaults were supported with Marble Pillars according to the manner of the Iews The Palace called the Kinâ—s House stood in the midst of the City upon the top of the Mountain and round about it there were divers other buildings set up but much lower even about the descent of the Mountain yet scituated that the Inhabitants might see out of their Houses the Country round about Then close to the Palace in the upper part of the City he caused a Temple to be built in honor of Augustus Thus having finished the inside he compass'd it about with a mighty Wall and upon that placed many Turrets and then to flatter Augustus called it by the name of Sebasten which among the Grecians signifies Augustum venerabile Principem now although this City was very glorious and spacious in those times for it was three miles about yet at this day it is utterly ruined and destroyed insomuch that there is not a House standing two Churches only excepted which were built in honour of St. Iohn Baptist and the chief of these which was the Cathedral Church the Saracens have converted to their use so that at this day Mahomet is worshipped in it In this stood the Sepulchre of St. Iohn Baptist cut out in Marble like the Sepulchre of Christ where as Hierom saith he lieth buried between Elisha and Obediah the Prophets This Church stands upon the side of the Mountain in the descent The Saracens do principally reverence St. Iohn Baptist next after Christ and they affirm the Virgin Mary to have conceived by the holy Spirit and not by the Seed of Man That St. Iohn was the greatest Prophet except Christ that ever was They also believe Christ to be the Son of God but not to be equal with God Yet they prefer Mahomet before both because they hold him a Messenger sent from God not unto all Men but only unto the Saracens and Turks and their Subjects The other Church which stood in Samaria was upon the top of the Mountain which somtimes the Kings Palace stood In this Church in times past there dwelt certain Grecian Monks which were Christians and entertained Christian Pilgrims with great Humanity and furnished them with many Necessaries But the City of Samaria it self hath been so often overthrown and brought to such extream misery that almost all the Ground where it stood is at this time converted into an Olive Garden So that as that wicked King Ahab turned the Vineyard of Naboth which stood close by his House into an Olive Garden so God in his singular Justice hath turned the Palace of that King and the whole City wherein he dwelt which was the strength of his Kingdom into an Olive Garden There are not so many ruins found through all the Land of Iudaea though there have been many worthy Cities destroyed as are in this place at this day The scituation of this City was very beautiful for a man might have seen from it to the Sea of Ioppae and Antipatris also to Caesarea Palestina and thorough all the Mountain of Ephraim to Ramatha Sophim and so to Mount Carmel and the City of Ptolomais Of Lidda THIS City was scituated not far from Ioppa upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea 20 miles from Ierusalem North-wâ—â—â—ward In this City Peter healed Aeneas who had been sick eight years of the Palsie At this day there is nothing to be seen but the Church of St. George who was beheaded by the Emperour Dioclesian for professing the Christiaâ— Fâ—ith The Grecians call this Town Diospolis i. An holy Town And the Turks account St. George for a valiant Knight and holy man Of Caesarea Strato THIS City was scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea some 32 miles from Jerusalem North-ward in ancient time it was called Strato being first built by Strato King of Sidon But time having decayed a great part of it Herod Ascalonita repaired it and made it a goodly thing calling it Caesarea after the name of Augustus Caesar. And that Ships might lie at Anchor there without danger he caused to be built a fair Haven to oppose the violence of the Sea This Haven was so wonderfully coâ—trived and set up at such a great charge that it was admirable to look upon for he laid the foundation of it twenty yards under Water burying in the deep Stones of an extraordinary greatness some fifty foot long eight foot thick and ten foot broad and many of them more The Haven it self was beautified with fair Buildings and goodly Walls supported with Marble Pillars and mounted up aloft so that you might see the Ships as they were upon the Sea and made way to his Harbour The entrance into it was upon the North at the mouth thereof there stood three mighty Colosses upon Marble Pillars He also placed upon the Wall of the City towards the Haven mighty Towers the chiefest and fairest of which he dedicated to Drusus Augustus his Son in law and called it by the Name of the Drusian Tower The buildings that joyned to this Haven were all of white polished Marble and the Streets of the City were directly towards it Also the Market-place where they bought and sold was not far from it Upon a little Hill close by this Port he caused a Church to be built in honour of Augustus Caesar. This Temple was a very magnificent and stately building and in it he caused the Statue of Augustus curiously wrought and cast just in the figure of Iupiter Olympius to be erected and worshipped it as his God There are many other stately and sumptuous buildings that were set up by this King But amongst the rest he bestowed great cost upon the Market-place the Theatre and the Amphitheatre which he wonderfully beautified and instituted certain Games to be there used once every fifth year in Honour of Augustus as Ioseph de Bell. Iud. li. 1. witnesseth After the death of this King Herod Agrippa was made King of the Jews This Prince some ten years after the Resurrection of Christ caused James the Son of Zebedeus upon the 25 day of July to be put to death in Jerusalem and when he perceived it was acceptable unto the Jews in the following year about the the Feast of the Passover he caused Peter to be
molten Sea standing upon twelve Oxen in the uppermost Court THE molten Sea and Fountain was a figure of Baptism and that living Water issuing from the Wounds of Christ whereby we are washed from all our Sins the Laâ—er of Regeneration whereby we are made capable of Eernal Life that Well of Water whereof if we drink we shall never thirst The twelve Oxen represent the twelve Apostles whose voices have gone through the World according to that in the Corinthians and have carried the Sea of Grace through all parts of the Earth Of which Water saith St. Augustine if thou drinkest but one drop it is more effectual to quench the thirst of Worldly and insatiable desires than an Ocean of earthly Waters The Mystery of the middle Court SOlomon's Court wherein Christ taught and in which the Jews used commonly to pray was a figure of that Church which should be gathered from amongst the Jewes For from thence he indeavoured first to assemble and gather together a Christian Congregation according to that which he spake to the Canaanitish Woman Mat 15. I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel Of the outward Court of the Gentiles THis Court signified That the Gentiles also should partake of the sheepfold and Congregation of Christ and be members of his holy Church according to that of Iohn 10. I have yet other sheep which I must also bring hither that sothere might be one sheepfold one Pastor c. Of the rest of the memorable Buildings standing upon mount Moriah HAving thus described the Temple together with the several Courts and Ornaments all which did typically represent Christ and his Church I will now proceed to the rest of the Buildings standing upon mount Moriah The first and most memorable was the house of Solomon which stood just against the Temple upon the South it shined so with Gold and Silver and was so stately and sumptuously built that when Queen Saba came to Ierusalem she stood amazed to see it There belonged to it divers Courts and Walks in one of which the Prophet Ieremy was prisoner Ier. 37. Over against this he made the Judgment-hall in which he placed the Ivory Chair spoken of 1 Kin. 10. He built by that another house for his Queeen she that was daughter of Pharaoh 1 Kin. 7. But when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Ierusalem all these together with the Temple were burnt and utterly deâ—aced Of the Peol of Bethesda UPon the North lay that sheep-fold or sequestred place called Bethesda Ioh. 5. which had five porches or Xenodochius as some would have it here Cattel came to drink and the Priests used to wash their Sacrifices because no unclean Beast might come within the Temple nor any thing that was foul or spotted be offered upon the Altar The water was of reddish colour and ran into that place in great abundance and therefore it was called the house of effusion or pouring out This was the place into which the Angel of God sometimes descended and troubled the Water after which whosoever stepped in was presently cured and here our Saviour Christ healed the Man that had been diseased 38 years Ioh. 5. This place was made by King Hezekiah who caused the water of the uppermost Pool which was called Gâ—â—on not far from mount Calvary to be conveyed by Pipes and passages through the Earth into the lower city called Acra and so fell into this place for which cause it was called the lower Pool The Allegorie or mystery hereof is That every one of Christs Sheep ought to be washed in the Pool of his Blood before they can be made fit Sacrifices to enter into his Temple or Church 1 Ioh. 1. Of the Tower or Castle called Antonia THis Castle as Ioseph hath it lib. 6. de Bell. cap. 6. stood between two Courts of the Temple at the North-West corner at first built by the Machabees and called by the name of Bâ—ris but after King Herod taking affection to that place bestowed great cost upon it walled it about built up sumptuous Towers and made it very strong then gave it the name of Antonia in favour of Antonius that noble Roman which Augustus a long time sustained after their decease Of the Hall called Coenaculum Anguli THis house stood upon an Angle or Cantle of the Hill and was therefore called Coenaculum Anguli it was very large and spatious and within had a great Hall whereof Nehem. cap. 3. maketh mention and here as some think our Saviour Christ ate the Paschal Lamb with his Disciples but I rather think it was in the Suburbs Of the Tower Ophel or the dark Tower NEar to the Valley of Cedron towards the East not far from the Temple and near the Castle Antonia there was builded a lofty and strong Tower or Palace called Ophel that is a place of darkness it was a very sumptuous thing Of Hamea or the Tower of the Centurions IN the Town wall between the Sheep-gate and the Dung-gate stood this Castle Hamea or Centurion taking the name â— Centenario numero i. The number of an hundred and was upon the East side of the City near to the sheepfold or Pool Bethesda Neh. 3. 12. Here the Centurions commonly kept watch Of Mount Acra and the buildings upon it MOunt Acra as is aforesaid stood upon the West side of Ierusalem it was a very high Mountain and took that name from the Greek word Acra a sharp or high Hill It was much higher than mount Moriah in times past till Machabeus's brother caused it to be cut lower to make it equal in height with mount Moriah Between these two Hills lay the Valley Cedron which was in profundity 400 Cubits Upon this Mountain another part of the City was builded being strongly fortified and richly adorned with sumptuous houses of which David and Solâ—mon were the principal Founders and was called the lower City or the Daughter of Sion It was so beautiful that some hold of which number are 〈◊〉 and Eusebius that it it exceeded the rest of the City Here stood the house of Helena Queen of the Adiabenoâ—s near about the midst of it as Ioseph observeth Li. Bell. 7. cap. 13. which Queen being converted to the Jewish Religion built her an house in this City that she might pray in the Temple Here stood the houses of her Sons Monebasius and Grapta here stood the houses of the High Priests Annas and Caiphas not far from the Valley Tyropae King Herod also that wicked Man who caused the innocent Children to be put to Death built him an house here near about the place where the Machabees in times past had a Castle for they built two one in Mount Moriah another in this Mount That in Mount Moriah was after called the Castle of Antonia and stood right against the Temple as is aforesaid And this being very sumptuously built and a Royal Seat was after the death of this Herod a Palace for his Successors Archilaus and Herod Agrippa
therefore Christ likened this Valley of Hinnon to Hell-fire for he called it Gehenna Mat. 5. That the Iewes should keep themselves from this Monstrous Idolatry God made a Law That if any Man were taken committing this kind of Idolatry he should forthwith be stoned to death and not suffered to live Levit. 18. and 20. The Valley of Gehennon is often times named in the Holy Scripture Iosh. 15. Nehem. 11. 2. Paral. 28. 33. Ier. 7. Jerom writeth that here by this Idol Moloch in the Valley of Hinnon there was a Wood for the Water ran out of the Fountain Siloah along by it and made the Valley Moist Of the field of Blood called Hakeldama THis Field of Blood which was bought for thirty silver Pence for the which Judas betrayed our Saviour Christ lay not far from the Valley of Hinnon Southward by the City of Jerusalem as Jerom writeth Of the Hill Hameskita or Offence and Slander THis Hill lay South-east not far from Jerusalem something wide of Mount Olivet so that there was but one Valley between them and was not altogether so high as it Also upon this Hill King Solomon in his old age suffered his Wives or Concubines to make Idolatrous Temples wherein he and his Wives worshipped Idols Of the Destruction of this famous City of Jerusalem by TITUS VESPASIAN THus have have I briefly set forth the Dignity Scituation and Curiosity of the Buildings of Ierusalem together with the Richness of the Temple and sumptuousness of the Houses now it rests to describe unto you the manner and means how this Famous City was destroyed surely a thing worthy Wonder according to that in Ieremy Whosoever shall hear of it his Ears shall tingle And that it might be the more famous and the Christians within it might take notice of the near approaching Desolation there were divers strange Accidents happened and Visions seen As first about some four years before the River Iordan was turn'd out of her course and was brought into the City Pella A while after that for a Year together there hung a Comet like a flaming Sword over the City and in the Night there was seen a Light in the Temple And in the Day when they were at Sacrifice a Calf brought forth a Lamb. Then about the middle of the Night the Eastern Gates of the Temple opened of their own accord In the Skies were seen Armies of Men Fighting and Horses and Chariots running to and again And at last there was heard a terrible Voice in the Temple uttering these Words Migremus Hinc that is Let us go â—ence And that there might be a general Proclamation of this sad and cruel Desolation through the whole City one Ananiâ—s the Son of Jesus a Man poor and Impotent upon the Feast of the Tabernacles ran through all the streets of the City and crying O a Voice from the East and a Voice from the West a Vâ—ice from the four Wiâ—dâ— a Voice over Jerusalem and the Temple a Voice over the Bridegroom and the Bride and a Voice over the whole multitude of this City And although he was Whipt and Imprisoned and cruelly handled yet so long as he lived he would not cease to utter these words which by somewere judg'd to foretell the horrible Desolation which after hapned For Tiâ—us Caesar Son of Flâ—vius the Emperour about seventy years after the Nativity of our Lord and about eight and thirty after his Ascension utterly overthrew it even to the ground about the first day of the Month of April and within a year after these signs For he taking advantage of the three Factions which at this time swayed in Ierusalem One of Eleazar the the Priest the Son of Simon the other of Zilotus the chief Prince which held the Temple and the third of Iohannes Giscalenus a cruel fellow which had the command of the inferior City besieged it and made this a fit opportunity to further his Enterprises while the Seditious and factious People little regarding their own Safety gave way by their evil and intestine Wars to what he intended weakning themselves much more by their continued slaughters than the Enemy by his Invasion Insomuch as the whole City and Temple was filled with dead Bodies common Insolencies and publick Rapines were ordinarily amongst them some set fire of the City others despoiling the Temple a third for killing the Priests even as they were at Sacrifice all places full of dead Bodies and to this to add a greater measure of misery without any regard at all to their future defence set fire of the store-store-house wherein the Corn lay for the sustentation of the City and consumed that in one day which had been long a gathering by this means it came to pass that they were sorely afflicted with the Pestilence through the corruption of the Air and with Famin for want of Corn. All these things notwithstanding such was the cruelty obstinancy and perverseness of this People could not restrain them from violating the most Sacred and holy things of the Temple insomuch as Iohannes Giscalenus had a full determination to have destroyed it but that he was prevented by the Romans About this time was the Feast of the Passeover and it fell upon the fourteenth day of April being the Sabbath to the Celebration whereof there resorted to Ierusalem about three hundred thousand Iewes These the Enemy gave way to enter into the City but considering their present necessity for want of Victuals upon a suddain drew up their Forces and so straitly beleaguered them that all this huge multitude was as it were 〈◊〉 within the Walls where partaking of the former misery they either diâ—d by the Plague or Famin. Whence may be perceived the marvellous Providencâ— of God that even on the same day and in the very same place where but eight and thirty years before our Saviour Christ suffered the Authors of such cruelty suffered a most just and severe revenge Now as the Army of the Romans lay upon the North of the City Titus drew out a Band of six hundred Horse to ride about to behold and view the Walls of the Town but as he was in this manner wondring at the sumptuousâ—eâ—s of the City the Jewes in great multitudes slipt out at a Postern-gate and set upon him so fiercely that they endangered his Person being without Armour and had he not with great difficulty broke through them and recovered the Tower of the Romans he had bin there slain But presently upon this seâ—â—ng the danger he besieged the City in three parts himself aâ— the Emperour of the Army built a Castle about some two Furlongs from the City 〈◊〉 against the Tower Pseâ—hina the other part of the Army was 〈…〉 the Tower Hiâ—â—ieus not far from the Garden of the Resurrection and the third part had their Castle in the Mount of Olives some five Furlâ—nâ—s or thereabouts from the City Then did he build Bulâ—â—rks make Engiâ—s and wonderful Devices for the battering of
the Walls and combining himself with some of the Iews upon the seventh day of the second Month which answereth to the Month of May with great difficulty and much labour entred the first Wall which lay upon the North and won Mount Bâ—zethâ— and Neapolis Upon the twelfth of the same Month which was the Saâ—â—ath day he entred the second Wall which divided the Suburbs but this was again the same day recovered by the virtue of the Jews so that the Jewes were constrained to fight upon the Sabbath day according to the Propâ—â—â—y of our Saviour Christ Matt. 24. But after upon the sixteenth of this Moâ—th of May the Romans again recovered this Wall and kept it in their own custody Within a while after in the Month of June about this time the Famin growing intolerable within the Town Titus in the space of three dayâ— compassed in the whole City of Jerusalem with a Wall and 〈…〉 Towers and Castles lest any of the Jewes should fly to savâ— tâ—emselves Thus was the Prophecy of our Saviour Christ fulfilled Thy 〈◊〉 shall compass thee about and hem thee in on every side Iosephus was now in the City and walking upon the Walls earnestly intreated the Jewes to desist and no longer to oppose the Romans but this was so hateful a speech to many that they began to fling Darts at him And although at this time the extremity of the Famin was so sore that many died for want of sustenance yet all perswasions were in vain and such was the Calamity that as well those as went out as those that continued in the City were in like danger of their lives for they were either slain by the Enemy or else by the Pestilence and Famin common Injuries and unmerciful Outrages still attending upon War Their Misery did rather increase than at all lesson it self for the jealousie of Treason the hope of Riches and the madness of the Seditious distracted the minds of the Citizens with continual fears and filled the Streets full of Murther and daily spectacles of lamentable Tragedies The Markets were unfrequented with Corn the Victuals with Violâ—nce consumed and taken from the true owners And if it chanced that some one had more than would serve his turn though he dwelt in a fair and stately Building yet the remotest Room and most unfrequented he made his Tabernacle and that little which was left with great parcimony he consumed together with his life till both were ended Those that were Fathers and Senators of the People though before served and attended with reverence and great state in this confusion were glad of a small morsel though with much contention The Wife was not ashamed to take away the Meat from her Husband nor the Children from their Parents nor the Mothers from their Infants and if it hapned that in any house the Seditious seemed to smell food with violence they took it ransack'd the rooms round about whilest the Master thereof was made a laughing-stock and mournful Spectator of those mischiefs But according to the condition of Souldiers whose natural disposition is to be violent without any regard either of Sex or Kindred committed daily outrages So that here you might have seen the Mothers weeping over their dying Infants whilst their husbands were massacred in the streets by the Seditious The increase of days were the increase of Torments and the daily wants of such as were in Power being unaccustomed to such evils caused them to invent new means to satisfie their desire and practice unusual Torments for no other purpose but to find out Sustenance yea such was their insatiable â—â—irst of blood that they spared not him whom but now gave them all he had and lest he should live to cumber the City either hang him up by the heels till he died or else pulled out his Entrails with a sharp Iron Those that went out in the Night-time when the Romans were asleep to gather herbs the Seditious would meet and with violence take what they had got from them And though with tears and lamentations and prayers upon their knees they intreated but for one part a small moiety of that which a little before they had got with danger of their Lives yet they would not give it them and scap't fairly if they went away with Life These Insolencies were committed by the common Souldiers upon such as were the meaner sort of People But for the rest that were either Honourable or Rich they became a Prey to the Captains and Commanders some accused as Traitors and that they would have betrayed the City to the Romans others as Fugitives that they would forsake the City most under pretence of one crime or other despoiled of that they had And they whom Iohn had thus oppressed were entertained of Simon and whom Simon had injured they were entertained by Iohn both drunk the blood of the miserable Citizens like Water so that the desire of Rule was the cause of their dissention the concord of their evil and cruel actions There was an infinite number that perished in this City by Famin insomuch as houses were filled with the bodies of Infants and Children The Angle-gate was thrust full of dead corps The young Men that remained walked up and down the City like Images of Death The old Men were destroyed by the Pestilence the contagion of which disease taking away their Senses they became Mad. And of such as died among the Seditious their Wives or kindred had not room nor time to bury them but as they were putting them into the Grave they also dyed Yet for all this amongst this Miserable Society there was no Weeping no complaining no deploring of their necessities for the violence of the Famin having dryed up their radical moisture the fear of grief was taken from them and such as had most cause to lament and were most pricked with the sting of sorrow before they could utter their grief died the beholders not shedding a Tear so that through the whole City there was a still silence and a thick mist of Death and Destruction didfully possess the same But the Seditious were much more cruel than these were oppressed with Calamity and Sorrow for some opened the graves of the Dead and taking out their Bodies thrust them thorow with their Swords others to try the sharpness of the Edge of their Weapons would fall upon those that were yet alive and when they had slain them go away laughing at their pleasure So that as Iosephus saith there was scarce any mischief under the Sun but was both practised and tollerated in this City To conclude by Sedition the Romans conquered the City and Sedition conquered the Romans All love and modesty through this extream and intolerable Famin became utterly extinct and the dearest Friends would kill one another for a crust of bread the fairest Lady commit open Adultery for a little sustenance Their food was extraordinary and such as men did loath and hate some would
feed upon Snails and Worms others of old hay chop'd small many eat Corn either unground or made into Bread some pluckt the Meat from the spit raw others with their teeth gnaw'd off the leather off their Shields and that very mouth which cried Crucifie him Crucifie him let his Blood be upon us and our Children was constrained to feed upon three sorts of Dung that is to say Doves dung Oxe dung and Mans dung Moreover many were constrained for meer necessity to feed upon the dead Bodies of such as a little before Died partly by Famin partly by the Pestilence And to conclude for very madness eat up their Gold for some of them being taken as they were flying for their safety by the Romans in their Excrement was found Gold of which the Souldiers hearing and supposing that all the Iews had been full of Gold thorow covetousness of that gain in one night killed 2000 of them and ript up their Bellies and had not Titus Caesar by a severe Edict forbidden these cruel and unheard of slaughters there had been many more slain To make an end of this unheard of Famin I will repeat one memorable Example out of Josephus of an Outrage which a Mother committed even upon her own Son There was a Woman of the Inhabitants beyond Jordan whose name was Mary of the stock of Eleazar and of the Town Bethezor which signifies the House of Hysop she was of a Noble and rich Family and amongst others went to Jerusalem in hopes of Safety where she was likewise oppressed with the misery of this Siege for as soon as she had brought all her Riches and Substance into the City which she had before beyond Jordan this Famin growing greater and greater upon the Inhabitants the Seditious perceiving that this Woman was well furnished both with Riches and Sustenance on a suddain set upon her house despoiled her of her Substance took away her Sustenance and utterly deprived her of all means to live She being pricked with the misery and calamity of the Times saw it little prevailed to strive wherefore with Tears upon her knees she intreated that she might have but some small part of that they had taken from her to maintain her self and her Son with life but the Seditious gave little ear to her intreaties wherefore being moved to extream anger she daily cursed with contumelious words those barbarous Villains that had thus rob'd her of all her means but when she saw that neither Anger nor Intreaty could procure Mercy and through the Town not one morsel of food was to be found partly prest with an extream necessity partly with a furious rage beyond all nature and compassion laid violent hands upon her own Son and accounted an untimely Death more honorable than that he should live to be a Prey to the Seditious or a Slave to the Romans The Body of this Infant she Rosted and Eat the Soldiers of the Town being prest with hunger smelling the Meat supposing that as in former times they should have found plenty with violence broke in upon her and look what she had provided greedily consumed and compelled her to fetch the rest which she did and when they were well satisfied she shewed them the Head and Feet of her Son which they perceiving loathing the inhumanity of the fact with dejected countenance departed This Famin was so extream that one measure of grain was worth a Talent that is 600 Crowns But the Romans all this while did abound with plenty of all things and to vex the Iewes they shewed them the great abundance of their store for the neighbouring Provinces sent them supplies After this Famin there followed an extreme Plague procured partly through the stench of the Bodies that lay unburied partly by the multitude of Massacres which daily happned that as Egisâ—â—â—us writeth within the compass of eleven Weeks there were carried out by one Gate of the City 111000 dead Bodies yet could they not empty the City but that they were constrained either to bury them at the Publick charge or else cast them over the Walls into the Ditches of the City which when Titus saw and that the putrefaction of the Bodies swam upon the brim of the Ditch for it was full with dead carcasses fetching a deep sigh and lifting up his hands to Heaven he said God is my witness this is not my fault but the punishment of God upon them The City being thus pestered with Sedition Famin Pestilence and War was made now a ready prey to the Enemy and that they might make a fâ—nal end of their miseries Titus caused the Engins of Battery to be brought against the Walls and upon the first day of the fourth Month which answers to our Iune he took the third Wall which lay upon the North. Upon the fourth of Iune after though with great labour he took the Tower of Antonia and in it placed a Garison Upon the seventeenth day of the fourth Month which was a Fast to the Iewes Iosephus going up to the top of that Tower made an Oration to Giscalinus and the rest to disswade them from their Rebellion and cease to oppose the Romans but this little prevailed Upon the twentieth day of Iuly the Iewes burnt a part of the Porch of the Temple towards the North not far from the Tower of Antonia lest that the Romans having got that Hold should with the greater facility have conquered the Temple also Two days after the Romans destroyed the whole Porch with Fire and the Jewes helpt to pull it down with their hands this was none of the three Porches but a Bulwark of the Temple Upon the 25 of July the Jews filled the Porch towards the West with Pitch and Bittume and then made as though they meant to fly and leave the City which some of the Romans perceiving without any command of their Captains put Scaling Ladders to the Tower and began to Assault it but when they were most busie the Jewes on a suddain put fire to the Pitch and burnt them most miserably insomuch as Titus pittied them to see their Extremity although they were such as did contrary to his command Upon the last day of this Month they took the North Gate which lay towards the rising of the Sun and close by the brook Cedron this they burnt down with fire Upon the third of August Titus commanded to fire the Gate of the Temple that was all covered over with Gold and Silver by this Gate the Romans made a breach into the Temple which e're this had been prophaned by the Iews while this gate was a burning the Iews stood astonished and not one of them resisted the Romans Caesar and all his Army laboured three days to quench this Fire after which he called a Council to determine whaâ— he should do with the Temple it was so rich and sumptuous that he would fain have left it as an Ornament for the Roman Empire But the Iewes having got a little
breathing made new incursions upon the Romans by which means they could not determine thereof The 6th of August the Souldiers of Titus without command of their Captains fired the Temple just upon that day which Nebuchadnezzar before time had destroyed it as Iosephus witnesseth li. de Bell. 6. c. 26. 27. Caesar would fain have saved this Temple for the sumptuousness of it and beckoned to his Souldiers to have quencht the fire but they partly prest on with desire of wealth partly being prickt on with fury and madness gave no ear to his speeches but committed most cruel Massacres without either regard of age or sex So that the cries of the Slaughtered the sound of the Roman Trumpets the fierce resistance of the Seditious and the Fire furiously burning represented a most horrible spectacle The ground below was covered with dead bodies many in desperation threw themselves into the fire 6000 were burnt in the same Gate whither they fled for refuge and the Priests most cruelly massacred as they were in the Temple of Ierusalem the mirror of the World being consumed and spoiled with Fire and Sword After these things upon the Bridge that passeth from the Temple over the Valley into the lower Town Titus made a Speech by an Interpreter to the two Seditious Captains gently intreating them to leave off their Rebellion and he would spare the City and commit no more outrages and such further requests as they desired should according to reason be granted them but if they would not embrace mercy and cease their violent resistance they must expect no manner of compassion but the very Law of Arms This they contemned and made but a mock of Caesar for all his offers whereupon in a great rage he gave the signal to his Souldiers and they went through all the City and set it one fire The next day they won the lower City and with fire and sword consumed the place where the Records lay the Court and all the Princely buildings until they came to that stately house of Helena which stood in the midst of Acra all the houses near being filled with the Bodies of the Dead and the streets horribly defiled with the blood of those that were Slain Within a short while after Iohannes Giscalinus was taken alive and committed to prison The inferior City being thus taken and destroyed about the 16 day of August Caesar began to build his Engines and to batter the Walls of the upper City which within the space of 18 days after with extream labour and skill he laid flat with the Ground as Iosephus saith And upon the 7th of September with great facility he conquered the City the Iewes of their own accord descending from the Towers and the Româ—ns set upon the Walls their Ensigns with a great Acclamation and wasted all the City with Fire and Sword sparing neither Men Women nor Children The eighth day of the Month of September the whole City was destroyed and not a stone left upon a stone but laid level with the Ground only the three Towers that were built by Herod which were of shining Marble viz. Hippicus Phaselus and Mariamne that future Ages seeing the excellency of those Buildings they might judge of the stateliness of the rest But these also were after destroyed by Adrianus Caesar. There died by the Famin and Pestilence an innumerable number by Fire and Sword ten hundred thousand 2000 were found that either killed themselves or one killed another 7900 were taken Captives of these all the seditious Thieves that accused one another were slain by Frontonius Caesar Titus freed many 7000 were sent into Aegypt with extreme labour to consume and dye the Properest and most able were reserved for Triumph many were distributed through the Provinces some were slain by the Sword and by Beasts for publick Spectacles and those that were sixteen years of Age and under together with many other Caesar sold under the Crown at thirty for a silver Penny that as Christ was sold for thirty Pence so thirty of them should be sold for a Penny With the Riches of this Town Caesar triumphed rode into Rome with two golden Chariots built the Temple of Peace and there put all the Plate which he found in the Temple of Ierusalem After all this for a full determination of those Evils the two seditious Captians Iohannes Giscalinus and Simon the Son of Giora were put to most cruel deaths Thus may we see the grievous punishment of the obstinate and ambitious which God permitted to fall upon them for their Unthankfulness and cruel Tyranny How the City of Jerusalem after this Destruction by Titus Vespasian was utterly beaten down and defaced by Aelius Adr. Caesar which he re-edifying called it after his own Name Aelia THE City of Ierusalem being thus laid level with the ground for the space of sixty Years lay desolate a receptacle for Thieves and Murtherers a fit place for Wolves and wild Beasts which resorted thither to feed upon the dead Bodies And now Time consuming their Flesh left their Bones and Skulls to lye upon the Earth as in a Charnel-house Thus it continued until one Benchochab which signifies the Son of the Stars born in the Town of Bethcoron not far from Emaus professed himself to be the Messiah or Christ. The Jewes supposing this to be true because of that saying of Numb 24. There shall a Star rise up out of Jacob assembled themselves to the number of many thousands and followed him with great Tyranny and Cruelty spoiling the Holy Land and through all the Countrey of Judaea committing many Outrages and Massacres Thus they continued for the space of eighteen years at the end of which time Adrianus Aelianus the Emperour hearing of those Insolencies levied an Army and sent them into Judaea under the Government of Julius Severus who in a pitch'd field near to Bethcoron and not far from Emaus conquered this Benchochab or Pseudo-Messiah and with him slew five hundred thousand Jews that were deceived by his persuasion Now when they went to seek for the Body of this Deceiver amongst the Dead as saith Talmudista he was found lying with an horrible Serpent about his neck intimating how God rejected him that would seem to imitate his Son for even as the Serpent deceived our first Parents so this Benchochab deceived the Jews and for this cause they called him Beâ—cozba that is The Son of Lying The number of the Jews which in the time of this War were slain amounted to 500000 men besides many others that perished by Pestilence and Famin. This War happened 64 years after the destruction of Jerusalem After this second Desolation of the Jews at the command of the Emperour that there might be a final extirpation of the Antient City of Jerusalem and that the words of our Saviour might be fulfilled Loe there shall not be a stone left upon a stone Mat. 24. the Ruins and Foundations thereof were digged up the Stones broken in pieces the Ground
left desolate and the Mountains are now become barren and overgrown with Brambles And that the Name thereof might utterly be forgotten and as it were rooted out of the Earth he set up a new Town not far from the Hill Gihon and Golgotha where Christ was crucified which after he had adorned with many goodly Buildings he called it by his own Name Aelia In the place of the Temple he set up a Church in the honour of Jupiter and Venus Just in the place where the Holy Altar stood he erected his own Image upon a Marble Pillar which continued until St. Hierom's time At Bethlehem he erected the Image of Adonis and to that he consecrated a Church Upon the Gates of the City he cut Hogs in Marble in contempt of the Jews Then did he abjure them That they should not come within the Walls of the City not set Foot upon the ground near Jerusalem This being done as Dion saith he dedicated it to the honour of Jupiter Capitolinus and only made it free for Christians and such like to be in it This Town at this day we call Jerusalem although it be scituated in another place and called by another name Future Ages calling the Actions of precedent Times into question pull'd a great Contempt upon this Town and so much the rather because Infidelity and other Heathenish profaneness was cherish'd within this City So that that which a little before was set up in honour of the Emperour Aelianus is now grown into Contempt Wherefore Helena the Mother of Constantine the Great having command of that Empire to give some satisfaction to the Universality caused those prophane Temples and Idols to be abolished and in their places erected others Upon Mount Golgotha the Church called Golgothanus upon the Mount of Olives one in the place of the Ascension of Christ and Constantine her Son richly adorned the Sepulchre and over it built a stately Temple all of Polish't Marble richly gilt with Gold so that to this day it remains as the chief Ornament of the Town In this mans time the Jews with great boldness endeavoured to rebuild the Temple just in the place where it stood before at the commandment of the Emperour they were repelled and in recompence of their presumption had their Eares cut off and their Noses slit because they had Ears and would not hear neither obey the Commandment of our Saviour But as the Emperour was Religious and endeavoured to support Christianity so his Successor Iulianus was as full of Impiety and Prophaneness who that he might frustrate the Prophecy of our Saviour that Ierusalem should never be built again in contempt caused the Iews to assemble together and with all expedition restore it to its former glory giving the uttermost of his help to their endeavours But as they were seriously labouring in this Work of a sudden there came a great Earthquake and look what they had built was by that quite overturned then Fire came out of the Earth and from Heaven which destroyed both the Matter and the Workmen And that the Iews nor any Philosphers might impute it to a Natural Cause there was seen in the Heavens a Bloody Cross and â—pon their clothes Crosses shining like Stars which the Iews could by no means wipe off yet this little prevailed A second time they attempted and as before a second Earthquake hapned with a storm of Wind which came with such extream violence that all the stuff which they had heaped together for this purpose was utterly blown away and destroyed So that of force they were constrained to leave off and acknowledge that Christ whom their Forefathers had Crucified was the true Messiah Greg. Nazianzen and Hierom report That nevertheless the Iews even to this day although it cost them much money come yearly to the place where Ierusaleâ— stood and upon the day of the Destruction thereof weep over it Such was their affection unto this City But these evils were purged with a sudden Invasion for no crying Injuries nor prophane Insolencies against God pass unpunished but that then or soon after a just revenge falls upon them for Cosroâ— Emperour of the Persians whose Impudency and Impiety was so great that he would be worshipped as a God about the year of our Lord 615 besieged this Town took it and put to death 90000 Christians carried the Patriarch thereof together with many others away Captive But Heraclius the Emperor to punish him for his Pride and Cruelty set upon Persia and with Fire and Sword destroyed the Country not far from Nineveh and went away with an honourable Victory Seroes also the only begotten Son of Cosroes but a little before Invading the Kingdom kill'd his own Father in Prison restored the Patriarch and the rest of the Captives which his Father had taken to Heraclius and about the seventh year after he had Warred upon Persia he returned to Aelia with great Pomp. Not long after in the year 637 Haumar the Chief Prince of the Saracens which was the third from Mahomet with a great Army afflicted Syria and Iudaea conquered their Countries and in his Victories used great Tyranny and cruelty Within two years after he won Aelia which had maintained a long and sharp Siege neither would Zacharias the Patriarch give it up till he was compelled thereto by extream Famin and soon after died with Grief Thus the Town continued for the space of 450 years in the hands of the Saracens Then in the year 1012 Caliphas Sultan of Egypt won it beat down the Walls destroyed the Temple which the Emperor Constantine had built and made havock of all things Presently upon this the Turks which came out of Sythia by the Caspian Mountains won the City and drave thence the Saracens Thus we may see that the Saracens and Turks though they were both of one Religion yet for the Country of the Iews fought one against another and compelled the Christians to pay them Tribute for the fourth part of the City wherein the Sepulchre of our Lord stood being again restored by the Emperor Constantine after the Destruction of Caliphas The Christians being weary of this Tribute and of the oppression of these Infidels became sutors to Pope Vrban the second of that name for their delivery who in the year 1094 assembled a councel at Clearemont in France and by the instigation of one Peter the Hermit stirred up the hearts of divers Christian Princes and Lords to make a Croysado so that 10000 brave and well mounted Souldiers went into the Holy Land and for a token of their War bore red Crosses upon their Arms. In the same year there was a great blazing Star seen in the West and after that followed a great Plague for the space of two years through the World this nevertheless hindred them not in their Design but that they went their intended Journey won the City of Aelia from the Saracens delivered the Christians from their Bondage and Tax and chose Godfrey of
to this day is found a piece of the Stone which the Angel rolled from the Grave before the Resurrection the other part of the Stone howsoever it came there lyes upon Mount Sion But some think that the Armenians carried it thither because upon it they have built an Altar In this inner Cave there hangs nine Lamps to give light unto them that enter in by the East so that in the inner and outer Vault there standeth eighteen Lamps The Mount whereon Christ was crucified seemeth to stand upon a Rock of Stone whitish and something blushing It is distant from the Holy Sepulchre a hundred and thirty foot The place where the Cross stood was an hard Rock eighteen steps in the Ascent and answereth to nine and twenty feet The hole where the Cross stood is about the roundness of a mans head in Latitude and if a man might believe the Monks thereabouts they say also that in that place is to be seen the colour of our Saviours Blood even to this day Upon the left hand of this there stands an Altar made of Marble and over that a sumptuous Chappel paved and covered with polish'd Marble gilt and adorned with refulgent Gold the Walls whereof are very curiously wrought and gilded In the Church upon Mount Golgotha they also shew part of a Pillar naturally black speck'd with red Spots where they say Christ was whip'd and make the Vulgar believe that these Specks are the drops of Blood that fell from him The other part of this Column was carried to Constantinople as it was thought In this Church Godfrey first Christian King of Ierusalem and the rest of his Successors lie buried Of the Temple of Solomon as it is at this day THIS Temple lieth towards the East and was built by the Christians just in the same place where the former Temple stood at the time when the City was rebuilt and enlarged The body thereof is very high and spatious and built of polish'd Marble adorned with most exquisite and curious Workmanship very artificial and glorious both within and without insomuch that the polished Stones cast a singular beautiful and resplendent Lustre Above it is covered with Lead and was built up at the cost and labour of the Grecians in the Roof whereof the Turks place an half Moon as they usually do in all such Churches wherein they come and have Authority The Turks and Saracens have this Temple in great Reverence and Devotion they adorn it according to their Custom with divers artificial Pictures and Emblems They will suffer no Christians to enter into it nor any Jews upon pain of Death And if it happens that at any time they go into it they first wash themselves with Water very clean then put off their Hose and Shoos and so go bare-foot This Temple they call the holy Rock and in the body thereof there hangeth seven hundred Lamps which burn Night and Day In the midst hereof there standeth a certain little Rock every where indented with Iron near to which not any of the Saracens or Infidels dare to approach or touch although there come many very far to visit it for they believe that there were many memorable and worthy things done in that Rock they think that Melchisedeck the first Priest of the great God offered Bread and Wine upon it Genes 14. and that here the Patriarch Iacob saw the Ladder which reached from Heaven to Earth Gen. 28. which indeed hapned not in Ierusalem but in Bethel as the Scriptures witness Further they believe that upon this Stone David saw the Angel of the Lord standing with a shaken Sword when he struck the City with the Pestilence 2 Sam. 24. and that the Priests of the old Testament offered upon this stone their Sacrifices to the Lord which were devoured with Fire from Heaven All which things do utterly differ from holy Scripture The Jews also are of Opinion That the Prophet Ieremy about the time of the Captivity of Babylon in this Stone hid the Ark of the Covenant until such time as the Lord brought the People back again from the Captivity which is contrary also to the Books of the holy Scripture for 2 Mach. 2. it is said it was hid in the Mount Nebo where Moses stood when he saw the whole Land of Canaan Also the Turks say that Christ sate upon this stone when Simeon took him in his arms and blessed him Here also he sate in the midst of the Doctors when he was but twelve years of Age Luk. 2. which also differeth from the Scripture for this was not the Body of the Temple but in the middle Court or Solomons Porch which sometimes was taken for the Temple because it joyned to it And divers Circumstances of the Scripture do seem to make this evident because here Christ taught and here the People usually met together as appeareth Iosh. 10. and Psal. 72. About the Temple of Ierusalem there is a fair Plain much resembling our Church-yards all paved with marble stone To this there is adjoyning a fair Church covered with Lead and was somtimes called Solomons Porch but after the Christians had won Ierusalem they gave it the Name of St. Maries The Turk keeps burning in this daily eight hundred Lamps and it is much greater than that of Solomons Temple The Sultan of Aegypt also about an hundred years before built a little Church or Moscho close by Solomons Temple wherein are continually burning eighty eight Lamps There is a Vault under the Temple of the blessed Virgin Mary of such an extraordinary Greatness that six hundred Horse may easily be placed in it And thus we may see the Temple of Solomon and City of Ierusalem not only to be in the power of the Turks but also prophaned with the blasphemous Doctrine of Mahomet And also we may here behold the Abomination of Desolation standing in the holy place where sometime was the Ark of the Covenant Dan. 9. Mat. 24. and the Prophecy of Ieremy is fully finished cap. 19. This place shall be unclean like unto the place of Tophet where they did sacrifice to the Host of Heaven and unto other strange Gods Of other Buildings within the City of Aelia which is now called Jerusalem MOunt Sion is placed toward the South of Ierusalem where even at this day the Monks undertake to shew the Ruines of David's Tower the Sepulchres of the Kings of Israel and many other holy places But P. Orosius and other Historians write How in the time of Adrian Caesar there happened a great Earthquake in such a terrible manner that the Mountain of Sion with the Sepulchre of David fell down and were utterly defaced Further all true Historians do write That Adrian the Emperour did so much deface the City that he left not a stone standing upon a stone nay not a whole stone but all were broken into small pieces and yet notwithstanding Pilgrims are so mad and blind that they go thither with great pains to seek those
four-square Tower built of Brick four hundred and sixteen Ells high and each side thereof four hundred and sixteen Ells broad This without doubt was a piece of the Tower of Babylon the top whereof should have reached up to Heaven Gen. 22. Babel or Babylon signifieth a Confusion because in that place God confounded the Work-mens Tongues when they built the Tower of Babylon The Travels of Abraham 1. ABraham went out of his own Countrey of Vr in Chaldaea to the City of Haran in Mesopotamia which is 376 miles 2. From Haran by Gods commandment he went to Sichem which is four hundred miles 3. From Sichem he went to the Plain and Wood of Mamâ—e to the Hill between Bethel and Hay which is 28 Miles 4. From thence he went into Egypt travelling Southward 240 miles 5. Out of Egypt he went again into Canaan to the Hill that lyeth between Behel and Hay which is 240 miles Gen. 13. 6. From thence he went to the Plain of Mamre near Hebron 32 miles 7. From the Plain of Mamre he went to Dan which is 124 miles and there overthrew the four Kings which had taken Lot Prisoner Gen. 14. 8. Then he pursued the Enemâ— for the space of 80 miles to Hobam in Phoenicia which lieth in the left side of Damasco Gen. 14. 9. From Phoenicia he went to Sodom where Melchisedeck met him which are 160 miles Gen. 14. 10. From Sodom he went back again to the Plain of Mamre which are 40 miles 11. From the Plain of Mamre he went to Gerer which is six miles where his Son Isaac was born Gen. 20. 21. 12. From Gerar he went to Beersaba which is 12 miles where he took an Oath of King Abimilech 13. From Beersaba he went to Mount Moriah which is 40 miles where he would have offered his Son Isaac Gen. 22. 14. From Mount Moriah he returned again to Beersaba which is 40 miles 15. From Beersaba he and his Wife went to the Plain of Mamre by Hebron which is 16 miles and there they died and were buried Gen. 23. and 25. So that all the Travels of the Patriarch Abraham were 1794 miles Now followeth the description of the Towns and Places THE Town of Vr in Chaldaea where Abraham was born at this day is called Orchae as Petrus Apâ—ianus writeth and is distant from Ierusalem 624 miles Eastward It seemeth it either took that Name from Light or Fire or else from Divine Worship for there they used to offer many burnt Offerings but at that time they committed Idolatry for which cause Abraham went from thence perceiving thaâ— the Chaldaeans took the Fire for their God because Fire came down from Heaven and consumed their Offerings Learned men therefore are of Opinion that the Chalâ—aeans in the Town of Vr worshipped the Fire for their God Haran or Charan that is Wrath. HAran is the chief City in Mesopotamia where Abraham for a time dwelt with his Father Thara There the rich Roman Crassus with his Army was overthrown by the Parthians and is distant from Ierusalem 440 miles North-Eastward taking its Name from the Water Charan which runneth through it But at this day the City is called Ophra lying eleven days Journey from Mossel or Nineveh as D. Leonard Ronwolfe writeth who in anno 1575 upon the thirtieth of Ianuary was in that Town Ophra or Haran is a fair City well inhabited and indifferent great compassed about with Walls and Towers richly furnished with Merchandize but especially with fair Coverleâ—s of divers colours that are made therein There is likewise great Trade and Traffick for divers kinds of Wares brought thither by Caravans which are great Numbers of Camels Horses and other Beasts that carry great Burdens with many men to conduct them which traffick and travel from one City to another This City in times past belonged to the Parthians even then when Crassus the rich Roman fifty three years before the Birth of Christ robbed the Temple of Ierusalem and of those holy Relicks bare away to the value of six Tuns of Gold for which God punished him openly for upon the sixth of Iune after he was by the Parthians overthrown hard by Haran in Mesopotamia and there taken and slain the Parthians pouring molten Gold into his Mouth said Drink now thy fill thou greedy Wretch of that which thou so long hast thirsted after for with this thou mayst fill thy greedy Throat In this overthrow were slain thirty thousand Romans and by that means the City of Haran returned again under the Parthians After that the Persians took it but now it is under the Turk In this City of Haran at this day there is to be seen a Well of very clear Water at which Rebecca gave drink to Abraham's Servant and to his Camels Genes 24. 19. This Well by the Towns-men is called Abraham's Well there also Laban's Daughter first spake with the holy Patriarch Iacob who turning the stone off from the Well gave her Sheep of the Water to drink This Water hath a very pleasant Taste and is a notable Type of holy Baptism for like as the holy Fathers took their Wives by this Well so Christ receiveth his holy Congregation by the Well of Baptism in his Word and holy Sacrament This is the right Well of Israel which floweth into Everlasting Life The City of Haran now called Ophra lieth from Nineveh 232 miles Westward Sichem a Shoulder SIchem is a Town in Samaria on the borders of Ephraim lying on Mount Garizim 36 miles from Ierusalem North-ward It takes the Name as Phil. Melancthon writeth from the place whereon it standeth like a Shoulder for Sichem signifies a Shoulder Of this Town I will speak more at large in the New Testament for that by it Christ spake with the Samaritan Woman Joh. 4. In this Town Jacob's Daughter was ravished Gen. 34. and there tâ—e Bones of the Patriarch Joseph were buried Josh. 24. Abimelech for spight and upon no occasion utterly destroyed the Town and having razed it to the ground sowed it with Salt Iudg. 9. But Ieroboam King of Ierusalem built it up again and dwelt therein 1 Kin. 12. It was a free Town whither a Man-slayer might resort that had killed any man by chance and save himself Iosh. 20. Mount Garizim whereon the Town of Sichem stood was a piece of Mount Eâ—hraim Tanais in Hebrew Zoan an Inn or House of Harbour TANAIS or Zoâ—n was the chief City in Egypt where Pharaoh in Abraham's time kept his Court as we read in the thirteenth Chapter of the fourth Book of Moses and Psil. 58. and lieth 232 miles from Ierusalem South-eastward Four miles from Tanais stood the Kingly Town of Memphis which was likewise built before Abraham's time but at that time it was not so famous as Tanais for there is not one word spoken of Memâ—his in the Books of Moses But when time serves I will speak more of these two places Of the Mount between Bethel and Hay THIS Hill is
restrain offered to her Son hard Measure which Abraham upon her Complaint winked at whereupon Hagar partly oppress'd with Grief partly with Envy privily stole away from her Mistress and went from the Valley of Mâ—mre near Hebron to the Well of Life sixteen Miles Southward Genesis 16. and it is to be thought that her Journey tended towards Aegypt which was her native Country for this Well lay directly in the way as they went down into Egypt This flight of Hagar without doubt did greatly trouble Abraham's House and put him and his Wife into a great sorrow and fear lest she should destroy her self and the Infant or fall into some other Danger Wherefore that God might make evident the exceeding Care he had of them he sent an Angel unto Hagar and willed her to return unto her Master which Angel some think was the Son of God for he was called by the name of Iehovah Gen. 16. which name was not communicated to any created Angel Whereupon Hagar according to his Command went back again to her Mistress Sarah into the Valley of Mamre 16 miles Gen. 16. From Hebron Hagar went with her Mistress to that Kingly City Gerar six miles Gen. 20. At Gerar she and her Son Ismael were put out of her Masters house and going in the way that leadeth into Egypt they lost themselves in the Wilderness of Beersaba after they had travelled twelve miles from Gerar where oppress'd with want both of Water and other necessaries she fainted and her Son also wherefore she laid him under a Tree and about a Bows shoot off sate down and wept expecting nothing but death As she was in this misery God heard the voice of the Child and sent an Angel unto her saying Fear not for I will make of thy child a great Nation And God opened her eyes and lo close by her there was a Well so she went and filled her bottle and gave her Boy drink At this time Ismael was fifteen years of age So God blessed the Child and he became an Archer and lived in the Wilderness From thence she and her Son went into the Wilderness of Pharan eighty miles where Ismael married an Egyptian Gen. 21. So all the Travels of Hagar the Egyptian Maid were 132 miles Of the Fountain of Hagar which is also called the Well of Life THIS Well lieth between â—ared and Kades-Bernea ten miles from Ierusalem towards the South Some call it the Well of the Living and Seeing because God did there look mercifully upon Hagar when she fled from her Mistriss Here Isaac dwelt and had his two Sons Esau and Iacob Genes 26. Afterwards it was called the Well of the Living God and seemeth mystically to represent Baptism the Lavor of Grace and Regeneration by the operation and special working of the Spirit for the Church like Hagar with her Son Ismael travelling through the Wilderness of this World is press'd with a multitude of Sins and seeing her own misery finds no remedy but by Faith in Christ Jesus to be delivered from so heavy a Burthen wherefore they joyning together in Prayer crave the merciful audience and gracious assistance of God That it would please him of his goodness to refresh them with the Water of Life the Doctrine of Grace that so they may be made capable of eternal Glory For Hagar signifies a Pilgrim and Ismael a godly and good man whom the Lord heareth who travelling together with his Mother the Church in this World fighteth against the Enemies thereof and shooteth the Arrows of Faith against all infernal and cruel Beasts For Schamah signifies He hath heard and El The Almighty God who mercifully heareth the fervent Prayers and Petitions of the Just according to that of St. Iames ch 5. 15. Ismael was born Ann. Mundi 2035. Abraham being then 86 years of age He was circumcised at thirteen he went from his Father at fifteen he was at Abraham's Funeral being 89 years of age he died when he was 137 years of age fifty years after the death of Abraham and left behind him twelve Sons as Iacob did which were the Princes of their Families as was his Of which the Apostle Paul hath an excellent Allegory Abraham had two Sons one by the Bond-woman another by the Free-woman he that was of the Bond-woman was according to the Flesh but he that was of the Free-woman was by Promise By which things another thing is meant for the one which is Agar of Mount Sinai gendereth unto Bondage for Agar or Sinai is a Mountain in Arabia and answereth to Ierusalem that now is and she is in Bondage with her Children but Ierusalem which is above is free fâ—r it is written Rejoyce thou Barren c. Wherefore we are no more of the Bond-woman which is the Law but of the Free noâ— by our own Works or Righteousness but by Faith in Christ who maketh us Heirs of that Heavenly Ierusalem Where Ishmael dwelt PAran a City of Arabia the Stony stood an 104 miles from Ierusalem South-ward and taketh the name from fertility for Parah with the Hebrews signifies a fruitful root From this Metropolitan Town the Desart of Arabia the Stony near Cades taketh name of which mention is made Num. 13. and 14. Deut. 1. Gen. 14. 21. Habac. 3. and is called the Desart of Pharan Here Ishmael that excellent Archer and Hunter dwelt after that with great power and strength he had conquered all the Neighbouring Princes and People thereabout His Posterity also inhabited these Parts and after his name were called Ishmaelites some eighty miles from Ierusalem toward the South These People were excellent Souldiers and of noble courage their principal delight was shooting and therein they exceeded others living for the most part by Hunting and Pillage and so they continue to this day The Saracens who likewise had their abiding in those Parts were derived from that Family though they had rather take their name from Sara and from thence Saracens These are of the Opinion of the Turks The Travels of Eleazar the Servant of Abraham AFter Eleazar had sworn to his Master to take a Wife for his Son Isaac of the Generation of his Fathers he went from the Valley of Mamre near Hebron to Haran a City of Mesopotamia 468 miles off and there made a Contract with Rebecca the Daughter of Bethuel and Sister of Laban whom he took along with him and returned to his Master So that his Journey to and again was 944 miles These things happened in the Year of the World 2089 and before Christ 1879 Isaac then being forty years of age This Eleazar was Steward of Abraham's house and born at Damascus the chief City of Syria He was so called because God was his help Eleazar being a compound word of El and Ezaer which signifies Almighty God the helper From whence we may perceive that God is the Keeper of the Poor and a ready helper in time of Tribulation according to that in the Psalâ—s All they
is a Mountain of the Idumaeans eighty eight miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east and is derived of Harar which signifieth a great Mountain here Aaron died The King of the Canaanites which dwelt toward the South in a Town called Arad upon the Borders of Iudaea and Arabia Petraea hearing that Aaron was dead invaded the Iews with a great Army discomfited them and took some of them Captives But after the Israelites to revenge this injury took and destroyed divers Cities which belonged to the Canaanites and put the Citizens to the Sword This Countrey is called Chormah which signifieth a curse or desolation Of Zalmona THIS was a place in the Desart of Zin-Kades where the Israelites pitch't their Tents being 80 miles from Ierusalem to the South-east and took the name from shades or little sheds under which the Israelites dwelt for Zalmona seems a compound of Zel and Mun which signifies a shady place and seems to have affinity with Manah to distribute here and there Of Phunon THIS was a City of the Idumaeans scituated in the Wilderness of Arabia Petraea 64 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east and takes the name from a fair and flourishing City For Panan in Hebrew signifies an high Pinacle from whence one might see all Parts of the World Here Moses set up the brasen Serpent Of Oboth THIS was the thirty seventh Mansion of the Israelites in the Wilderness and was fifty six miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east and signifies a Serpent called Python Here the Arabians received an answer from the Devil by way of Conjuration Of Igim THIS was the thirty eighth Mansion of the Israelites so called because of the multitude which were assembled near to a Mountain called Abariâ— 52 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-east for Igim signifies a Congregation Of Dibâ—n Gad. THIS was the thirty ninth Station of the Israelites in the Desart being fifty two miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east neer to the Floud Zared bordering upon the Idumaeans and Moabites running from thence into the Red Sea and as it seems taketh name from descending into a strong place Of Almon Diblathaim THis place stands beyond the Red Sea some forty miles from Ierusalem towards the East and taketh name from a Frail of dried Figs for Alam signifieth he hath hidden and Debeleth A Frail of dried Figs. Here was the fortieth Mansion of the Israelites and lay close by the River Arnon Num. 21. and 23. Of the Mountaines Abarim THese Mountaines lay 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the East and taketh the name from Passing along for Abâ—r is as much as to say he went along Between these Mountains and the Lake Asphaltites near to the Eastern River of the Dead Sea the Moabites inhabited Of Jahza THis was a City of the Levites the Sons of Merar in the Tribe of Benjamin 24 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Ies. 21. Here Moses overcame the King of the Ammonites and put them to death Num. 21. Of Chezbon THis was the Metropolis of Sehon King of the Ammorites who held the Country beyond Iordan and because he would not suffer the Children of Israel to pass through his Dominions therefore Moses made War upon him put him to death and gave all his Countrey to the Tribes of Reuben and Gad. This was a Fair Town and after fell to the Levites Num. 21. 33. Deut. 1 2 c. and took its name from Cheschebon which signifies an Artificial understanding for Chaschaf is as much as excogitavit that is he hath found out and Cheschaef is an Artificial and ingenious Work Of Jaezir Jaezir was a City of the Priests in the Tribe of Gad 36 miles from Ierusalem towards the East and in Ieroms time was a small Village and sâ—gnifies the Lord is my help being derived of Iah that is the Lord God and Ezâ—er the helper Of Edrie THIS is a City in the Countrey of Gilead beyond Iordan and the Galilean Sea thirty two miles from Ierusalem South-eastward near the Lake of Gaderin where Og the King of Bâ—san was overcome by Moses and after fell to the Tribe of Mâ—nâ—sses Num. 21. Iosh. 13. Deut. 13. S. Ierom saith that in his time this Town was called Adar Og signifieth a Cook or one that baketh Bread upon coals Aâ—driae signifies an heap of bright Clouds being derived of Adar and Hi that is a clear heap Of Astoroth THIS was a Metropolitan City of Basan four miles distant from Edrei and 56 from Ierusalem toward the South-east It stood beyond Iordan and belonged to the half Tribe of Manasses of which you may read before in the Travels of Lot Of Pisgah THIS was an high Mountain in the Plain of the Moâ—bites against Iericho 240 miles from Ierusalem East-ward It took the name from the Cities Pisgâ—h and Nebo and therefore is called sometimes Pisgah sometimes Nebo Here Moses died Nebo signifies a City of the Prophets Pisgah the top of a Hill The Travels of the Prophet Balaam THERE are many which think that this Prophet Balaam was of the Posterity of Nahor the Brother of Abraham and an Inhabitant oâ— Charan in Mesoâ—otamia Gen. 11. Ioseâ—hus saith he dwelt near to Euphrates and St. Ierom in a City called Phatura of which there is mention Num. 22. and signifies an obscure Prophet or Oracle which interpreteth For Pathar with the Hebrews is the same that He hath interpreted is with us Wherefore this Prophet travelled from Pithora or Phatura in Mesoâ—otamia to Abel or the Plain of Vines where his Ass spake Num. 22. which is 400 miles From thence he went to the Land of the Moabites 40 miles where in the Mount of Peor he blessed the Children of Israel So all the Travels of this Prophet were 440 miles Of the Plain of the Vines THere is often mention of this place in the Scripture and for the fertility of the Countrey and plenty of sweet Wines there was a beautiful City built called Abel of the Vines some 56 miles from Ierusalem South-Eastward and was placed just in the way as they went from Mesopotamia into the Countrey of the Moabites Whereby it appeareth that near to this place the Ass spake to Balaam Numb 22. In Ierom's time there was found a little Village so called where there was great plenty of Vines Here Ieptha overcame the Ammorites and made a great slaughter Iudg. 11. The Travels of that Noble Captain Joshuah JOSHVAH and Caleb travelled with Moses from Raemsis out of Aegyâ—t through the Red Sea and came to Kades-Barnea 268 miles From Kades-Barnea they were sent forth with other Spies to the Land of Canaan Num. 13. and went out of the wilderness of Zin and Paran and came to the Town of Rechob in Galilee 140 miles From thence they went to the Town of Hamath in Syria which was after called Antiochia 188 miles From Hamath or Antiochia they returned again to Hebron 304 miles where upon the side of the River Escol they cut off a Bunch of Grapes with the stalk
from Ierusalem towards the South-east and taketh the name from an Hind for Aâ—ala signifieth an Hind a Beast very strong and swift Here the Moon stood still Here Ionathan tasted Hony contrary to his Fathers command for which he was judged to dye 1 Sam. 14. Of Azeka AZeka was a City of the Ammorites in the Tribe of Iuda eight miles from Ierusalem toward the West near to Odullam where David killed Goâ—â—ah and as it seems takes the name from Munition or a place compassed about with an hedge being derived from Itsek he hedged about This was a fair City in St. Ierom's time Of the Valley of Achor THIS Valley is distant from Ierusalem twelve miles and not far from Iericho and Gilgal towards the North taking name as it seemeth of Achon that Thief mentioned in Ioshuah who was stoned there from whence it is called Achor which signifies Trouble because of the terrible words that Ioshua spake unto him there You may read of this Hos. 2. Esay 25. Iosh. 11. 15. Of Makedah BEtween Eleutheroâ—olin and Bethlehem this Town stood being in the Tribe of Iudah some eight miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name of a Flower that hangs down the head being derived of â—adad which signifieth to hang down Here Ioshua hanged the five Kings of the Ammorites which he had formerly conquered Ios. 10. Of Libna LIbna is a City belonging to the Levites in the Tribe of Iudah and is scituated between Eglon and Makeda ten miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west where the fourteenth King that Ioâ—hua conquered kept his Court and taketh the name from the abundance of Frankincense that is found there For Libâ—nah signifieth white Frankincense Zenacharib besieged this City Some say it taketh the name from the Hebrew Labâ— which signifieth white Bricks because there is found much matter whereof such kind of Bricks are made Of Lacâ—is LAchis is a City in the Tribe of Iudah and lieth between Eleutheropolin and Hebron twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and two miles from Rechila toward the North Iosh. 15. 2 Chr. 11. and taketh the name from Walking being derived from Ialach which signifieth He hath walked Ioshuah took the King of this City and put him to death and Zenacharib King of the Assyrians besieged it but to little purpose Of Eglon. EGlon was a City in the Tribe of Iudah twelve miles from Ierusâ—lem Southward Ioshuah took the King of this City and hanged him It taketh the name from Aecâ—el signifying a Calf Of Debir DEbir was a City of the Levites twenty two miles from Ierusalem towards the South and almost half a mile from Hebron towards the North-west Athniel the Brother of Caleb won this Town wherefore he gave him his Daughter Archsa to Wife Formerly it was called Kiriath-Sepher i. a City of Scribes and Students for it was consecrated to Learning From hence it was called Debir which signifies an Oracle or an holy Altar because the Lord there by his Priests that were assigned for that purpose did foretell and prophecy of things to come being derived from Debar that is He hath spoken Of Asdod or Azotes THIS was a City of the Philistims scituated upon the shore of the Meâ—iterranean Sea in the Tribe of Dan and twenty two miles from Ierusalem towards the West This Town was conquered by Ioshua Iosh. 11. 1 Reg. 5. It was also taken by Psamnitiâ—us King of Egypt in Mâ—nasses time as Herodotus saith it is now a little Town and is called Azotus In times past it was a fair City and took name from the fire of Love being derived of Esh which signifies a fire and Dod beloved Of Gaza GAza was a fair City of the Philistims upon the shore of the Red Sea some 24 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west and signifieth a strong Town being derived from Gazez to confirm Samâ—son being inclosed within this Town took away the Gates and Bars thereof and laâ—d them at the foot of Mount Hebron Iudg. 16. Of the River Merom THIS was a Lake not far from Dothan some four miles from Tiberias Westward and forty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North and is so called from the deepness of it being derived of Rom which signifies it was high and Marab bitter whence Merom a high bitter Water Here Ioshuah over-threw the Kings of the Canaanites Josh. 11. Of Sidon SIdon takes the Name of Zod which signifies He hath hunted and was a famous Mart Town in Phoenicea being a place scituated at the foot of that high Hill Antelibanus near to the shore of the Mediâ—erranean sixteen miles from Ierusalem North-ward Of Libanus THIS is a Mountain of an extraordinary height some 104 miles from Ierusalem North-ward looking into Syria and Phoenicia From thence the River Iordan taketh the beginning being so called of two Springs or Wells that is Ior and Dan rising from the bottom of this Hill It seems to take the Name from the abundance of flowers and variety of sweet Smells or Dews that are there and also of Frankincense or Gum Olibanum found upon it it is a very fruitful Place full of Springs and wholsome Herbs so that no Serpent will abide in it it is divided into two parts the one lieth near Sidon West-ward called Antelibanus the other towards Damascus upon the East and is only called Libanus It is so high that it serves for a Sea mark and so much the more remarkable for that as some say Snow lieth continually upon the top of it so that a far off it seemeth white Of the River Jordan JOrdan is a pleasant sweet River watering the Holy Land whereof you may read before It is named Iordan at Caesarea Philippi a little from the foot of Antelibanus 104 miles from Ierusalem North-ward it passeth through the Lake Samachoniten and divideth it into two equal Parts from thence running thorow a great part of Galilee it falls into the Sea Tyberiâ—s and there as it were divideth it into two parts it watereth that part of Iudaea called Samaria and about Easter which is the beginning of that Harvest it floweth over the Banks and fructifies many Countries lying near it at length it falleth into the Lake Asphaltiâ—es and there endeth about fourteen miles from Ierusalem Eastward So that from the first beginning of this River to the end of it is ninety two miles It is called Palah by the Hebrews which signifieth swift and hidden because it riseth from a certain Well or Pit called Phiala which is always full of Water but from whence it springeth is unknown Ioshua about Easter passed upon dry ground through this River even then when it was fullest of Water Ios. 3. So did Eliah and Elisha 2 Reg. Here Naaman the Leper wash'd himself 2 Reg. 5. Here Christ was baptised by S. Iohn Baptist Mat. 3. Luke 3. Of Hazor THIS was a Town in the upper Galilee belonging to the Tribe of Nepthali it was the chief Hold and City of the King of the
Samachoniten 28 miles This City is eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. From Haraseth he went to the Plain of Zaaenaim where he found Sisera slain in the Tabernacle of Iael as Deborah the Prophetess had told him From thence Barak with all his Army went to Hazor where Iabin King of the Canaâ—nites kept his Court and of a sudden conquered the City and put to death all the Inhabitants Ioseph Ant. lib. 5. Of Thabor THABOR is a round and high Hill scituated upon the Borders of the Tribes of Issachar and Zabulon fifty six miles from Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it self to the River Kison towards the South and taketh the Name of Light or a pure air being derived of Bo to go and come Tebuah to bring forth fruit and to give light For this Mountain Thabor by reason of the Purity of the Air is wonderful fertile and fruitful There was also a Town at the foot of it called by the same name Here the Kings of the Midianites Zeba and Zalmuna were slain by Gideon Of Hazor THIS is a great City in the Tribe of Nepthali eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North which Ioshuah destroyed with Fire and Sword So did Barak also The Ruines of this City is to be seen to this day The Myâ—tery of Deborah THE word Deborah signifies a Bee and is a memorable Type of the Church For as a Bee in all her actions soundeth pleasantly so the Members of Gods Church in all their actions sing and sound forth the praises of God or by continual Prayers implore his aid and assistance with the Bee sucking from the Flowers of the Holy Scriptures the sweet and acceptable Doctrine of Faith by which the hope of everlasting Life is strengthned in us with the sting of Gods Word repulsing all vain delusions and idle imaginations the Temptations of the Devil and those waspish affections of cruel and wicked men according to that of Ecclesiasticus the Bee is but small yet bringeth forth most pleasant fruit and presenteth unto man many memorable instructions And as Plato saith The King of Bees although without a sting yet Ruleth and Governeth his Commonwealth with great Severity and Iustice. So Christ the head of the Church though he be a delectable Saviour of Souls and without any Sting of Bitterness yet doth he Rule and Govern it with singular Justice and Sincerity Of Barak AFter Deborah was appointed Judge of Israel she ordained Barak for her chief Commander or Captain He taketh his name from Thunder and Lightning typically representing the Glory of Christ Jesus as chief Captain of the Church who with the Thunder of the Law and the Bright shining Glory of the Gospel destroyed the Enemies thereof and by the Hosts of Angels and Saints at the end of the World will cast them down with thunder and lightning into that Bottomless Pit there to remain for ever Of the Travels of Gideon DEBORAH being Dead Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Medeanites cruelly invaded the Land of Iudaea but the Lord taking compassion upon his People sent them a helper one Gideon the Son of Ioas of the family of Abiezer who was born at Ophra or Ephron a City in the Tribe of Manasses not far from Mahanaim on the East side of Iordan some 44 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East and signifieth a Rooter out from Gada that is He hath rooted out This man at the appointment of the Lord took upon him the charge of the People and at Ophra which signifies Dust he destroyed the Idol Baal pitching up in that place an Altar to the Lord wherefore he was after called Ieru-Baal taking that name from Revenge because he had destroyed the Idol He began to Rule in Israel in the year of the World 2672 and before Christ 1296. From Ophra Gideon went to Harad which standeth in the half Tribe of Manasseh where he blew the Trumpet From this place he sent back 22000 of his Army because the Lord had so appointed But the Midianites hearing of this preparation provided a great Host and pitched in the Valley of the Hill Moreh so Gideon taking only 300 with him went over Iordan and came to the Town of Iesreel for Iosephus saith sixteen miles from Harad where he gave the Midianites a wonderful Overthrow Iudg. 7. he also took there two Princes Oreb and Zeb and returned to the River Iordan where he put them to death From thence he went to Succoth with his Army in expectation to have refreshed themselves but the Inhabitants shut him out of the Town and gave him many despightful Words This Town lay close by Iordan and here Iacob sometime pitched his Tent. From thence he went to Penuel which is two miles there also they used him unkindly and gave him bad Language From thence he went to Nobach with his Army which is two miles From thence he went to Iagbetha which is four miles where he conquereâ— Zaeba and Zalmuna Kings of the Midianites who thinking themselves secure made no preparation for War till they were besieged This was a memorable Battel and here the two Kings were put to Death From thence he followed the Enemy with a great Slaughter to Karkor which is four miles From thence he vvent back to Succoth vvhich is eight miles here he put the Inhabitants of this Town to the Sword and all the Elders and Princes he tore to pieces vvith Thorns because they had formerly denied him Entrance into the City From thence he vvent to the Castle of Penuel which is two miles and utterly destroyed it even to the ground and put all the Inhabitants to death because of their mocks From thence he went to Ophra four miles where gathering together all the Gold which he had taken from the Midianites he made a rich Ephod Iudg. 8. From Ophra he went to Sichem where his Son Abimelech was born which is ten miles From thence he returned back to Ophra which is ten miles and there he died after he had judged Israel ten years So all the Travels of Gideon were eighty two miles The Description of the Towns and Places to which Gideon travelled Of Iezreel JEzreel was a fair City scituated upon a hill near to the Flood Kison bordering upon the Tribe of Issachar 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and signifieth the Seed of God being derived from El and Dara the Seed of the Almighty God There was another of this name in the Tribe of Iudah Iosh. 15. In times past this was onely the Seat and chief abiding-place of the Kings of Israel For Ahab and Iezabel kept their Court there and Ioram their Son whom Iehu overcame and here Iezabel was eaten up of Dogs At this day this fair City hath in it but thirty Houses and is called by the Inhabitants of the Holy Land Sanatham being scituated at the foot of the Mountain Gilboah Westward in it there is a Watch Tower upon the top whereof you may
a City in the Land of Gilead in the half Tribe of Manasses eighteen miles from Ierusalem North-eastward and signifieth a Watch-tower of Zaphah to look out In this Town Gideon dwelt and after him Samuel It was afterward destroyed by Iudas Macchabeus you may read 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 City of the Moabites beyond Iordan near the River Arnon and sell to the Tribe of Gad Iosh. 12. 13. Deut. 2. and takes the name from Turpentine being derived from Arar that is He hath destroyed and rooted out and was so called because Iephthah won a memorable Battel near to this place Iud. 11. This is often mentioned in the Scriptures There was another Town of this Name close by Damascus Of Minueth IN Ierom's time forty years after Christ this Town was called Menneth of Mercury which the Syrians call Meni from Manah to distribute being a Town of Merchants which disperse their Commodities here and there and stood beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben thirty two miles from Ierusalem toward the East Of the Plain of Vines Of this you may read more in the Travels of Balaam Of the Death of Jephthah THIS Iephthah was a famous Captain and from thence took his Name for Iepthack signifieth To make him an open way with the Sword being derived of Patach to open and after he had judged Israel six years died the manner of whose Death is diversly reported some say that because he performed not his Vow effectually therefore God struck him with a grievous Ulcer so that as he was passing from City to City in every place he left a Member Others say that he died in the City of the Gileadites and that in memory of his singular Actions and noble Exploits which by God's special Aid he atchieved his Body was cut into pieces and into every City of Gilead a Member sent and there buried which as I take it is the better Opinion Of Ebzan EBzan was the tenth Judge of Israel and succeeded Iephthah he began his Government in Anno Mundi 2666 and before Christ 1402. He was a Bethlemite of the Tribe of Iudah and as the Hebrews think Boez the Grand-father of King David he had thirty Sons and thirty Daughters and lived to see them all married and took them home unto him into his own Family which doubtless was a great Blessing of God and from thence took his Name for Ibsan or Abezan signifieth The Father of a Flock or Multitude He lived dwelt and was buried in Bethlem Iuda Iudg. 12. Of Elom IN the Year of the World 2773 and before Christ 1195. Elom the eleventh Judge of Israel began to rule and dwelt in Ajalon in the Tribe of Zabulon who after he had governed ten Years died and was buried in the same Town There was another City of the same Name in the Tribe of Dan some four miles from Ierusalem towards the West where at the Prayer of Ioshua the Sun stood still Of Abdon ABdon the twelfth Judge of Israel succeeded Elom and began to rule Anno Mundi 2782 and before Christ 1185. He dwelt in the Tribe of Ephraim in a Mountain of the Amalekites sixteen miles from Ierusalem Northwards He ruled full eight Years and then died and was buried in Pirithon Abdon signifieth a Servant for he was a good Prince but that in obeying others he lost himself This Abdon was a great man had forty Sons thirty of which he saw married and for his greater honour had his Chariot drawn with seventy Asses for they used them as we do Horses The Travels of Sampson SAmpson was born in the City of Zarea and brought up in the Tents of Dan and Estahol Iud. 13. From thence he went to Timnah which is twelve miles there he fell in love with Iudah the Daughter of a Philistine Iudg. 14. From Timnah he went back to his Father to Zarea and revealed his Affection which is twelve miles He and his Father went back again to Timnah to see the Maid and by the way as he went he killed a Lyon which is twelve miles Iudg. 14. From thence he returned back again which is twelve miles Iudg. 14. Within a while after Sampson and his Friends went again to Timnah and by the way he found Honey in the Lyon that he had slain and gave it to his Friends to eat and when he came to the Philistines House he propounded the Riddle whereof you may read Iudg. 14. These things hapned in Anno Mundi 2791 and before Christ 1176 at which time he succeeded Abdon in the Rule of the Iews From thence he went to Ascalon a City of the Philistines and killed thirty of their men and took away their Garments which is 24 miles From thence he returned back again to Timnah and delivered the Philistines which had unfolded 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 twelve miles Iudg. 14. Within a while after when his Anger was over he returned back to his Wife to Timnah which is twelve miles it being then Wheat Harvest and carried with him a Goat that so he might be merry and be reconciled to her but her Father shut him out of doors because he had married his Wife to another Man wherefore he took a Company of Foxes and tying them Tail to Tail put Fire-brands to their Tails and turned them into the Wheat of the Philistines and they set fire of all the Wheat and Vines and Olives thereabout Iudg. 15. From thence he went to a Cave in the Rock Eta and there dwelt which is twelve miles Iudg. 15. At the Rock Eta Sampson was bound with two new Cords by the Israelites and from thence led to Ramah Lehi which is six miles where he killed 1000 Philistines with the Jaw-bone of an Ass that he found in the way From thence he went to Gaza a City of the Philistines which is forty two miles here he carried away the Gates of the City From Gaza he carried these Gates with the Posts to the top of a Hill near Hebron which is twenty miles Iudg. 16. From Hebron he went to the River Soreck where he dwelt with Dalilah the Harlot and by her was deceived and taken of the Philistines which are twelve miles Being taken of the Philistines they put out both his Eyes and bound him in Chains and led him from thence to Gaza which is thirty two miles there they brought him into the House of their God Dagon to make them sport but he pulled down the House and a multitude of them were slain where he also died and was buried in the Sepulchre of Manoah his Father between Zerea and Esthaol twenty eight miles from Gaza and almost twenty from Ierusalem towards the West This was in the Year of the World 1811 and before Christ 1157. So all
the Travels of Sampson were 240 miles The Description of the several Towns and Places to which Sampson travelled Of Zarea THIS is a City in the Tribes of Iuda and Dan near the River Soreck and taketh the Name from a Cole or Leprosie being derived of Sarag that is He was Leprous it stood eighteen miles from Ierusalem Westward Of Esthaol THis was a Town in the Tribe of Dan two miles from Zarea and stood near the River Soreck some twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the West and taketh the name from a Woman and Fortitude for Isca signifieth a Woman and El or Ol strong and powerful Here Sampsen was brought up In St. Ierom's time this was called Asto not far from whence Sampson lieth buried Of Timnah You may read of this in the Travels of Iudah Of Ascalon THis was a City of the Philistines scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea some thirty miles from Ierusalem Westward and to this day retaineth the figure of half a Circle it taketh the name from an ignominious Fire being derived of Esh and Kalon an ignominious light Of Gaza Of this Town you may read in the Travels of Ioshuah Of the River Soreck THis was a very pleasant River upon the Bank whereof grew great plenty of Vines and Palms from whence it seemeth to have taken the Name for Soreck in Hebrew signifieth a Myrtle Branch which bringeth forth a pleasant Berry whereof excellent Wine is made It takes the beginning at a Fountain in the Tribe of Iuda some twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the West where there is a very fertile Valley in which Dalilah that betrayed Sampson dwelt and from thence it runneth through the Land of the Philistines and falleth into the Mediterranean Sea Of the Rock Eta IN this Rock there was a Cave wherein Sampson dwelt as in a strong Tower it stood in the Tribe of Iuda near to the River Soreck twelve miles from Ierusalem toward the West and seemeth to take the Name from Fowls for before that Sampson inhabited there a multitude of Fowls bred upon it and therefore it was called Eta for Aith signifies a Fowl This Rock growing to decay was repaired again by Ieroboam that Idolatrous King of Israel Of Sampson SAmpson or Schimpson according to the Hebrew Text taking his Name from the Sun for Schaemas in Hebrew signifieth the Sun and seemeth to have some Affinity with Hercules which â—ignifieth The glory of the Air for what can be said to be the glory of the Air but the Light of the Sun without which it would become exceeding dark Wherefore as some think this Sampson was the true Hercules and those noble Exploits that he did the Graecians attributed to their Hercules The typical Signification of Sampson HE typically representeth Christ divers ways first in his Person he was a mighty Man secondly in his Profession he was a Nazarite thirdly in his Calling he was a Prince and Judge fourthly in his manner of living for he went from place to place to revenge himself upon the Enemies of God's People the Children of Israel and in his Death even so our Saviour Christ is that strong man who being mightier than the Devil hath dispossest him of his tyrannical Jurisdiction over the Souls of Mankind hath taken away those gates of Death by his Mercy opening unto us the door of Life that so being set at Liberty from that hellish Imprisonment we may be made Partakers of everlasting Happiness he was also a Nazarite even from his Mothers Womb born and bred there tying himself to a Vow of Bondage that we might be made free he is a Prince for ever and a Priest after the Order of Melchisedeck during the continuance of his Life in this Vail of Misery his chiefest Actions were to go from place to place to teach to do good and to rescue and relieve the poor distressed Members of the Church who lay miserably afflicted under the hands of Satan healing some relieving others and bringing a third sort into the state of Grace so that as Sampson delivered the Israelites from the Bondage of the Philistines Christ our Prince and Judge delivereth his from the Slavery of Satan by his Death saving more Souls than in his Life And thereby pulling down the strong Buildings the Temptations of Satan hath laid them level with the Ground that they shall never be restored again And lastly after this Life ended he shall be our Prince and Judge and bring us to that place of Promise prepared for us in his everlasting Kingdom The Travels of the Spies of the Danites SHortly after the Death of Sampson the Spies of the Danites went from Zarea and Esthaol to Mount Ephraim to the House of Michah which is twenty four miles Iudg. 18. From thence they went to Lais which is a hundred and four miles Iudg. 18. From thence they returned to Zarea and Esthaol which is 126 miles Iudg. 18. So all their Travels were 244 miles Of Lais. LAIS was a City scituated at the Foot of Mount Libanus some 104 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and was sometimes called Belenus this because it stood so far from Aid was quickly conquered by the Danites and by them utterly destroyed it signifieth a roaring or devouring Lyon But after being rebuilt by the Danites they called it Dan and the Canaanites Lesem Dan being derived of Laeschaem which signifieth a Lyon The Travels of the Danites THE Army of the Danites went from Zarea and Esthaol to Kiijath-jearim and there pitched their Tents which is sixteen miles Iud. 15. From thence they went to Mount Ephraim to the house of Micha and took his carved Image and his Levite from him which was eight miles Iudg. 15. From thence they went to Lais 104 miles So all the Travels were 128 miles Of Kirjath-jearim KIrjath-jearim was a City of the Levites in the Tribe of Iuda upon the Borders of the Tribe of Benjamin about a mile from Ierusalem Westward It sometime belonged to the Gibeonites Iosh. 9. and signifies a City of the Desart or Woods being derived from Kiriath which signifies a City and Iaar a Wood or Forrest Here stood the Ark of the Covenant after it had been in the Land of the Philistines seven months and stood in the house of Abinadab whose Son Eleazer because he was of the Family of the Levites by consent of the Children of Israel was consecrated Priest thereof to attend and keep it here it remained forty eight Years till David fetched it thence with great Joy 1 Sam. 7. 2 Sam. 6. 1 Chr. 14. Here Saul was anointed King by Samuel here the Company of the Prophets that is the Scholers of the Wise came down from the more eminent places where the Ark of God was with holy Songs and Instruments of Musick and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and he sung and praised God with them They called this the Hill of God because the Ark of the Covenant stood in it 1 Sam.
Dâ—r signifies He hath made sure It is distant from Ierusalem forty four miles toward the North. In S. Ierom's time this was but a small Village Of Bethsan THIS was a City in the Tribe of Mâ—nasses between Bethâ—lia and the Sea of Gâ—lilee some forty four miles from Ierusalem towards the North Ioâ— 17. It taketh the name from a Church-yard or a place of Rest for Bâ—th signifieth a House and Iaschan he hath slept Here Saul killed himself and the Philiâ—â—ines cut off his Head and set it upon the Wall of this City Afterward about St. Ierom's time Ptolomy called this Scythoâ—oliâ— You may read in the Second Book of the Macchabees how it was the Town of the Sâ—â—thians for the Scythians which dwelt some 800 miles from Ierusalem towards the North came with a great Army into the Holy Land and by force won this City and dwelt there of whom it was called the Scythian Town Iosâ—ph in lib. 2. de Bell. Iud. cap. 18. remembreth a strange Accident that hapned near this Town for the Iews besieging it there were of their own Nation that dwelt within the City who that they might make a private Gain took wages of the Scythians to oppose their Brethren and Country-men by which means the Scythians got the better But after a while the Scythians considering that the number of the Iews was great and fearing some sudden Insurrection or Innovation gave them warning to depart and leave the Town they though with great Grief as being prest with a two-fold necessity their own Wants and the hatred of their Kindred did so relying merely upon the Courtesie of Strangers But about some two days after in the night time the Inhabitants of Scythopolis breaking out of the City unawares fell upon them and in recompence of their Kindness put to the Sword some thirteen thousand many slain unawares some as they were eating and most in their Sleep After they had committed this Massacre they compassed about the Wood where they were took away all their Substance and suffered not a Man to depart alive Wherefore one Simon the Son of a certain ancient and noble Citizen called Saul perceiving their present Misery and that there was no hope to escape imminent Dâ—ath and utter Ruine in a cruel and desperate manner breaks out into these Words O miserable Wretch that I am that against my own Conscience have lift up these Impious Hands against my Country committing daily Massacres to pleasure them who at this day lay violent hands upon all we have die therefore thou that art thus prophane and with thine own hands make an end of thy wretched Life since thou dost not deserve to die honourably in the face of the Enemy but wretchedly in a corner and for thine own offence So soon as he had ended these words he turned him about with a fierce countenance and falling upon his Father Mother Wife and Children put them all to the Sword after burnt his Goods and to make an end of the Tragedy ran himself upon his own Weapon These things happened but a little before Vespasian came into the Land of Iudaea At this day this City Scythoâ—olis is called after the ancient name Bethsan The typical representation of Saul SAVL if it be properly taken doth sometime signifie a Grave or Sepulchre and sometimes Hell being derived from Scheuol which may be taken for both As therefore Saul persecuted innocent David with an inveterate malice even unto the death so the Sons of Sathan evil and wicked men persecute Christ and his Members with an immoveable malice sparing neither Prophets nor Apostles neither such as are Religious no nor Christ himself but with cruel torments put them to lingring deaths till they be utterly extirpate as they think and then wanting objects to satisfie their Savage minds they follow their own devillish councels till with Saul they come to desperate ends Schâ—ul or Saul if it be taken in the better part signâ—fieth He hath desired or called The Philistines Travels from their Camp to Michmas THE Philistines incamped themselves at Michmas upon Mount Ephraim some ten miles from Ierusalem Northward and out of the Philistines Camp there issued three Armies to spoil the Countrey The one marched towards Ophra and went from Michmas to Salem twenty eight miles From thence they went to Ophra four miles The second went from Michmas to Bethoron eight miles The third went from Michmas to the Valley of Zeboim eight miles So all the Travels of the Philistines were fifty eight miles Of Zeboim THis Valley is not far from Ierusalem in the Tribe of Benjamin Nehem 11. The Travels of Jonathan Saul's Son JONATHAN went from Gibeah to Kirjath-jearim which was two miles where he drave the Philistines out of their Camp 1 Sam. 13. From thence he went back again two miles From thence he went to Michmas which is eight miles and there by the help of his Armor-bearer he gave the Philistines a great overthrow 1. Sam. 14. From thence he followed the Enemy to Ajalon which is twelve miles there his Father would have put him to death because he had tasted a little Honey 1. Sam. 14. From Ajalon Saul and his Son Ionathan returned to Gibeah his own City which was two miles From Gibeah he went with his Father to Socho and Asekah which was eight miles where after David had slain Goliah for that singular Virtue and Heroical Spirit which Ionathan saw in him he loved him as he did his own Soul and preferred him before his own Life and Honour 1 Sam. 18. From thence he went with his Father to Gibeah some eight miles where Women with great mirth and joy met him saying Saul hath slain his thousand and David his ten thousand for which cause Saul out of meer envy for then he did not know that he had been anointed by Samuel would have slain him and his Son Ionathan also for excusing him 1 Sam. 18 19. From Gibeah Ionathan went into the Desart of Ziph some 22 miles to comfort David there they swore a solemn Oath of mutual friendship to continue as long as they lived 1 Sam. 23. From thence Ionathan returned which was 22 miles 1 Sam. 23. At last he went to the Wars with his Father to Mount Gilboah forty miles there he his Father his Brothers Abinadab and Melchisuah were slain So all the Travels of Ionathan were 126 miles The Travels of Abiathar Abimelech's Son WHEN Doeg the Idumaean at the command of Saul had slain the Priests of the Lord this Abiathar the Son of Abimelech the High Priest fled to the Wood Hareth not far from Kegilah some twenty miles and came and told David of all that had happened 1 Sam. 22 23. Of Kegilah THis was a City in the Tribe of Iudah four miles Hebron towards the East and twenty from Ierusalem toward the South-west From which Town David drove away the Philistines that had besieged it 1 Sam. 23. You may read of it Iosh. 23. Nehem. 3. In St.
Hadad-Ezer and by strong hand subdued and quelled the Fury of that mighty Tyrant who was also a trouble and vexation to the Kingdom of Antiochia David entertained this Message kindly and thankfully received his Gifts which was of Gold Silver and fine Brass and so gave Ioram an acceptable Dispatch and from thence with his Army went to Damascus the Metropolitan City of Syria where in the Valley of Salt he got a great Victory in which 18000 Syrians were slain and soon after the City of Damascus taken in which David placed a Garrison and compelled them to pay Tribute 2 Sam. 8. This was distant from the Kingdom 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 Towns thereabouts and compelled them to pay Tribute 2 Sam. 8. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which was sixty miles and all the Booty that he had gotten in his Journey he dedicated unto the Lord 2 Sam. 8. A while after he with his Army made an Incursion into the Land of Idumaea and compelled the Inhabitants to pay Tribute Moreover he destroyed the City of Midian the Metropolitan of that Country of which you may read before it was distant from Ierusalem 160 miles towards the South So that the extent of David's Kingdom from the North to the South was 800 miles even from the Kingdom 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 powerful Empire 1 Sam. 8. 1 Reg. 11. 1 Chr. 19. He made his Expedition into Idumaea about the fourteenth year of his Reign From Midian in Idumaea he returned with great Glory and Praise to Ierusalem which was 160 miles In the fourteenth year of his Reign and in the year of the World 2904 and before Christ 1064 Nahas King of the Ammonites died and Haron his Son succeeded him this Man contemptuously abused the Messengers of David 2 Sam. 10. and to justifie that Injury he gathered an Army out of Soba Syria and Mesopotamia even a mighty Host to oppose David who in the fifteenth year of his Government met him with his Army at Helam some twenty miles from Ierusalem where he obtained a notable Victory and destroyed 700 Chariots and 40000 Horse 1 Chr. 20. David after this with great applause of the People was entertained into Ierusalem which was 20 miles distant where being puft up with Prosperity he forgat his former Piety and Sanctity and by degrees fell into unlawful Actions and unjust desires whence it happened that soon after he committed Adultery with Bathseba and after that to hide his Fault caused her Husband to be slain This was kept secret till the Lord by Nathan sharply reprehends him lays before him what he was and what his present estate is from whence that came and then concludes that he is most unthankful careless and negligent towards God and Man in committing those Insolencies neither left he there but told him that God would severely punish him for his Offence which after happened as you may read 1 Sa. 11 12. 14 17. David being nipt in his Conscience with this sharp reprehension fell into great Lamentation the extremity of whose Passions may very well appear in the Penitential Psalms which at this time and soon after he wrote 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 sixty four miles where he took the Metropolitan City 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 he called it after his own name Philadelphia and there took the Crown from the Head of the King of the Ammonites which weighed a Talent of Gold being as Iosephus saith richly adorned with fair Sardonick Stones of which you may read 2 Sam. 12. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem which is sixty four miles where he married Bathseba and by her had four Sons Simeon Sobab Nathan and Solomon 1 Chr. 3. Soon after this Amnon defloured his Sister Thamar Not long after that his Son Absalom killed his Brother Amnon being then about eighteen years of age which David took so heinously that he would not suffer him to come into his sight for three years 2 Sam. 13. Then Ioab by the subtilty of the Woman of Tekoa reconciled him to the King his Father yet nevertheless he came not to his Court of two years after This Absalom was a goodly man affable for which cause even at that time the People began to affect him Afterward in the year of the World 2950 and before Christ 1408 Absalom being then about twenty five years of Age moved Sedition against his Father A matter remarkable that although he had slain his own Brother being disgraced and absent from the Court almost five years yet within short time after he so strongly united the Affection of the People to him that he constrained David standing in fear of his greatness all his former Acts and worthy Victories notwithstanding to forsake his own City and for safety to fly to the Mount of Olives being three quarters of a mile from the City There he stayed a while to see the condition of the Tumult but Necessity constrained him to take his way to Bahuzim And as he was going Zimri the Son of Gesa of the house of Saul cursed him every mans Enemy then making himself apparent when he is in Adversity and his best friends commonly forsake him From thence he went to Iordan fourteen miles where the Priests Ionathan and Ahinaaz brought him certain Intelligence of that wicked and perverse Counsel of Achitophel a man in those times famous for his Wisdom but perfidious in his Actions as commonly such are that hope after Honours or seek to benefit themselves by Innovation and Change After he had Intelligence hereof he went over Iordan with those few men that he had and with all possible speed went to Bethabara some 16 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east At this place Ioshuah led the Children of Israel through Iordan on dry ground Ios. 3. 4. and here Iohn the Baptist taught and baptized Christ. Mat. 1. and Luke 3. From thence he went to Makanaim which is 28 miles where he sent forth his Army by bands against Absalom who at this time had assembled a great Host near the Wood Ephraim not far from that place where Ioshua won a memorable Battel against the Canaanites and that the place might be made more famous David's men though few in number gave Absalom and his Host as great Thus Absalom being left in danger to save himself fled but in his flight the Hair of his Head being long and blown with the Wind
to Mount Olivet for refuge being brought to a streight so Christ upon Mount Olivet his Heart being prest with an intolerable Agony fled to his Father by Prayer for comfort in that extremity Tenthly as all the Friends and Familiars of David forsook him at such time as Absalom rebelled against him and followed him with Persecutions Mocks and Taunts so Christ at such time as Iudas betrayed him into the hands of the Iews was forsaken of all his Followers and many of those which a little before he had done good unto mocked and derided him as he was upon the Cross. Lastly as David was restored notwithstanding the former miseries and troubles to his ancient Glory and Eminency so Christ after he had suffered the due punishment for Sin Death and before that extream Misery yet at length conquered both and by his Divine Power restored himself to his former estate Eternal Glory The Travels of Abner one of Sauls Captains HE went with King Saul from Gibeah to the Wilderness of Ziph which was twenty two miles Here he was rebuked by David for his negligence From thence he returned to Gibeah twenty two miles 1 Sam 31. From thence he travelled to the Hill Gilboa where Saul killed himself forty miles From thence he went to Machanaim where he made Ishbosheth Sauls Son King who kept his Court there seven Years sixteen miles 2 Sam. 2. From thence he went to Gibeon where he slew Asahel Ioabs Brother in Battel which was forty four miles 2 Sam. 2. From thence he went over Iordan to Bythron twenty eight miles From thence he went back to Machanaim sixteen miles 2 Sam. 2. â—astly he went thence to Hebron to David and made a Covenant with him where he was treacherously Slain by Ioab and was sixty eight miles So all the Travels of Abner were 256 miles Of Bithron BIthron or Betharan was a Town beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Gad some 28 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward lying between Dibon and Iordan It taketh the name from a House of singing being derived of Baith which signifies a House and Ron He sung joyfully The Travels of Joab David's Captain was the Son of David's Sister for he had two Zerviah and Abigal Zerviah had Ioab Abishai and Asael Abigal had only Amasa all which were great men in King David's time Now when Ioab heard that Abner had brought down his Army to Gibeon he went from Hebron thither which was 24 miles and there his Brother Asahel was slain 2 Sam. 2. From thence he went to Bethlehem 16 miles where he buried his Brother 2 Sam. 2. From thence he returned to Hebron 20 miles Here under the Gates of the City he traiterously killed Abner 2 Sam. 3. From thence he went with David to Ierusalem where he won Sion and drave thence the blind and the lame being 82 miles From thence he went with his Army against the Ammonites and Syrians whom he conquered in a cruel Fight 60 miles 1 Sam. 20. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 60 miles From thence he went with David into Idumaea 160 miles from Ierusalem Southward there he won the Town of Midian and conquered the Idumaeans or Edomites 2 Sam. 8. From thence he returned to Ierusalem with his Army being 160 miles From thence he went and besieged Rabba the Metropolitan City of the Ammonites being sixty four miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Here Vriah was slain 2 Sam. 11. From thence he returned to Ierusalem with King David 64 miles From thence he went into the Kingdom of Gesur which lieth beyond Iordan upon Mount Libanus by the Town of Caesarea Philippi some eighty miles from Ierusalem North-eastward This Country was called Trachonites From this Land Ioab brought Absalom again to Ierusalem 2 Sam. 14. From thence he returned back again with Absalom to Ierusalem eighty eight miles From thence he went with David when he fled from his Son Absalom to Machanaim being forty four miles Not far from hence he slew Absalom 2 Sam. 18. From thence he came again with King David to Ierusalem 44 miles 2 Sam. 10. From thence he went to Gibeah where he killed Amasa which was four miles From thence he went to the Town of Abel-Bethmaacha in the Tribe of Naphtali being about 88 miles This Town he straightly besieged From thence he went again to Ierusalem 88 miles Afterward he went as David commanded him to number the People at Aroer a Town beyond Iordan which was 24 miles 2 Sam. 24. From thence he went to Iaezer which is sixteen miles From thence going through the Land of Gilead and passing by the Territories of the lovver Country of Hadsi he came to the Town of Dan near to the place vvhere the Fountains of Iordan are which is accounted 116 miles From thence he went to that famous Mart Town Sidon which was 24 miles From that great Tovvn Sidon he went to the Walls of Tyre to which place great multitudes of Ships resorted which was 16 miles From thence he went toward the South till he came to the City Beersaba which was the utmost Bounds of the Holy Land South-vvestvvard and vvas reckoned 132 miles From thence he returned back to Ierusalem where he delivered to David the number of those that were chosen Souldiers 2 Sam. 24. but the Lord struck the Country and City of Ierusalem with a great Plague because he did contrary to his Command 2 Sam. 24. So all the Travels of Ioab were 1348 miles The Description of the places to which he travelled MAny of those Cities mentioned in the Travels of Ioab are already described and set forth therefore I account it needless in this place again to repeat them but only such Towns as yet have not been mentioned Of Gesur GEsur was a Country near to Caesarea Philippi in the Land of Basan beyond Iordan near Libanus in the Tetrarchy Trachonitides 88 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward With the King of this Country Absalom remained in Banishment for three years space after he had slain his Brother Ammon and with us may be termed the Valley of Oxen 2 Sam. 13. Of Hadsi THE lower Country of Hadsi stood near to the City Corazin in the half Tribe of Manasses fifty two miles from Ierusalem toward the North-east and signifies a new Land being derived of Chadasch that is New Of the Fountain Rogel THIS was near Ierusalem Eastward to which place Ionathan and Ahimaaz David's Intelligencers brought him News of Absalom's Counsels and Intentions 2. Sam. 17. It seemeth that Travellers usually washed their Feet in it from whence it was called the Well of Feet being derived from Raegael signifying a Foot Near to this place was the Stone Zochaeleth where Adonijah at such time as he affected the Kingdom contrary to his Fathers liking called an Assembly and made a great Feast 1 Reg. 1. The Travels of Baena and Rechab THese two went out of the Tribe of Beniamin over Iordon to Machanaim 40 miles There they murthered their Master King Ishbosheth in his Chamber
Northward 2 Chr. 8. From thence he went to the lower Bethoron 16 miles from the upper toward the South 1 Reg. 9. 2 Chr. 8. From the lower Bethoron he went to Ierusalem which was eight miles After Solomon built the City Belath which was 12 miles from Ierusalem North-vvestvvard 1 Reg. 9. 2. Chr. 8. From thence he returned back to Ierusalem 12 miles and it is very like that Solomon often visited those Towns that he built and restored From Ierusalem he went to Hemath afterward called Antiochia which was 320 miles and compassed it about with a Wall fortified it and afterward constrained all the Kingdoms thereabout to be obedient to his Government 2 Chr. 8. From thence he went with great State into the Kingdom of Zoba which is 600 miles and fortified all the great Cities and Castles of that Country that with the greater Facility they might oppose the Invasions of neighbouring Countries From thence he returned to that famous City Thamar which was also called the City of the Palmes 400 miles this he rebuilt and fortified 1 Reg. 9. 2 Chr. 8. From thence he went to Ierusalem which is 388 miles From thence he went to Ezeongâ—ber near to the Red Sea in the Country of Idumaea where he built a company of stately Ships and sent them to India to fetch Gold which was 176 miles from Ierusalem Southward 1 Reg. 9. From thence he returned to Ierusalem which is 176 miles But of his Riches and great Prosperity he grew Proud for he excelled all the Kings near him and gave himself to unlawful Pleasures he took unto him 300 Concubines and 700 Wives by whose perswasions he began to worship the Gods of the Gentiles which Idolatry was evil in the sight of the Lord. After he had reigned forty years which was about the sixtieth of his Age he died and was buried by his Father David in Mount Sion the City of David An. Mundi 2770 and before Christ 998. So all the Travels of Solomon were 2544 miles The description of the places to which he travelled Of Gazer you may read before in the Travels of David Of Bethoron THe upper and the lower Bethoron were two Cities in the Tribe of Ephraim built by Saaerah the Daughter of Ephraim 1 Chron. 7. The inferiour Bethoron was not far from the Castle of Emmaus eight miles from Ierusalem toward the North-West The Superiour was twenty miles distant towards the North. These Towns Solomon repaired Near to the lower Bethoron the Lord put the Enemies of Ioshuah to flight with Thunder and Hail Ios. 10. Here also Iudas Macchabeus overcame the Army of Antiochus 1 Mac. 3. Here also he put Niâ—anor to death 1 Mac. 7. and signifieth A white house being derived of Beth which signifies an house and Chor he hath made white Of Baaelath THis is a City twelve miles from Ierusalem North-westward in the Tribe of Dan. This City Solomon repaired at such time as he fell in Love with many Women from whence it seemeth to take his name for Baaeleth signifieth his beloved Lady Of Thamar THamar Tadmor or Palmira stood partly in the Desart of Syria and partly in a fruitful Soyl being compassed about on the one side with a Wood on the other with fair and pleasant Fields It was the Metropolitan City of all Syria not far from Euphrates some 388 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward and as Pliny saith lib. 5. cap. 25. although it lay betwixt two mighty Empires Rome and Parthia yet it was subject to neither fairly scituated a Free City adorned with fair and sumptuous Buildings and contented with their own Government The Wildernesses called after this Towns name Palâ—arnae or the Desarts of the Palms extend themselves to Petra the Metropolitan City of Arabia-Petraea and to the borders of Arabia-Foelix one days journey from Euphrates two from the upper part of Syria and six from Babylon as Iosephus observeth Antiq. lib. 8. cap. 5. This City Solomon made Tributary to him and fortified it with strong Walls 1 Reg. 9. Of Ezeongaber you may read before The Typical Signification of Solomon SOlâ—mon is as much as FREDERICK in High-Dutch which signifies a Peace-maker being derived of the Hebrew word Schelâ—moh or Schalom to bring glad tidings of Peace Typically representing Christ the Prince of Peace who hath reconciled us with his Heavenly Father and merited an eternal place of Peace and Happiness for all such as trust in him Esay 9. And as Solomon built up the Temple of the Lord with great majesty and glory so Christ hath built up that heavenly Temple the Church of God and adorned it with the Gifts and Graces of his holy Spirit in this World that so it might be capable of eternal Glory in the World to come 2 Cor. 6. The Travels of Solomon's Ships THis Navy of Solomon's went unto Ophir that is India which was accounted from the Mart Town 4800 miles From India they returned back again 4800 miles so all their Travels were 9600 miles This Journey was finished in three years to and again so that every year they went 3200 miles and brought home plenty of Gold Silver precious Stones Ebony c. Of India MOses called this Country Havilah Gen. 2. and Ios. li. Antiq. 8. c. 7. Ophir which name saith he it took of two Brothers so called which inhabited and governed the Country all along the River Ganges But more Modern Writers derive it from Indus a River passing through it It is a spacious and fruitful Country pleasant to inhabit and as Pomponius saith hath in it 5000 Cities being divided into two parts the outward and inward The Travels of the Queen of Saba FRom Saba in Ethiopia she came to Ierusalem 964 miles From Ierusalem she returned back again which was 964 miles So all her Travels were 1928 miles Of Aethiopia THIS Country by the Hebrews is called Chus of Chus the Son of Cham who was the Son of Noah and after Aethiopia ab aestu torrida because of the great heat wherewith oftentimes the habitable Land and People as also the Wilderness were sorely scorched and burned for it is scituated in the third part of the World called Africa lying under the torrid Zone and the Aequator which two by common Experience are found to be extream hot Of Saba SAba is a metropolitan City in Aethiopia lying beyond Egypt 846 miles from Ierusalem towards the South and took the name from a certain precious Stone called Achates wherein might plainly be discerned in certain distinct Colours the rising of Fountains the Chanels of Rivers high Mountains and sometimes of Chariots and Horses drawing them It is reported That Pyrrhus King of the Epirots had one of them wherein was lively represented the Nine Muses and Apollo playing on the Viol portrayed by natural Stains and Colours so artificially as if they had been done by some curious Work-man Of this Stone you may read more in Pliny li. 37. ca. 1. 10. It was first found in Achates a River of Sicilia
forward he left Idolatry and worshipped the true God adorned the Temple of the Lord with many fair and beautiful Buildings and in the five and fiftieth year of his age he died and was buried in the Kings Garden 2 Reg. 21. 2 Chron. 33. So all the Travels of Manasses were 1360 miles Of Amon King of Judah AMon signifieth True and Faithful he succeeded his Father Manasses when he was twenty two years of age Anno mundi 3307 before Christ 661. He reigned two years and then because of his exceeding Idolatry the Lord cast him off when he was about twenty four years of age near which time some of his Servants conspired against him and put him to death The Travels of King Josiah JOSIAH signifies A Sacrifice of the Lord he succeeded his Father Manasses in the Government when he was but eight years of age Anno Mundi 3309 before Christ 659. He governed Israel with great commendations thirty two years 2 Reg. 22. his Mothers name was Iedidah and dwelt in a Town called Bâ—zâ—ath but how far this Town stood from Ierusalem is not set down by any Author This good King went from Ierusalem to Bethel which was eight miles there he burnt upon the Altar which Ieroboam built the bones of the Priests of Baal as the man of God which came from Iudah had told Ieroboam 350 years before 1 Reg. 13. 2 Chr. 35. From Bethel he returned back to Ierusalem which was eight miles there he celebrated the Passover with a solemn Feast and great Attendance 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. In the last year of his Reign he went with his Army from Ierusalem to Megiddo being forty four miles against Pharaoh Necho King of Aegypt in which Battel he was slain with an Arrow about the thirty ninth year of his age 2 Chron. 3 5. From Megiddo his Body was carried in a Chariot back again to Ierusalem which was forty four miles and there with great Lamentations honourably buried 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chr. 35. So all his Travels were 104 miles The Travels of Jehoahas King of Judah JEhoahas signifies the knowledge of God he succeeded his Father Iosiah in the twenty third year of his age Anno Mundi 3340 which was 628 years before Christ and reigned only three Months 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ieremy cap. 22. calleth this man Schallum that is a Recompence He went from Ierusalem to Riblah a City in the Tibe of Nepthaly which is accounted eighty miles where he was taken Prisoner by Pharaoh Necho 2 Reg. 23. From Riblah Pharaoh Necho led him Captive bound in Chains back again to Ierusalem being eighty miles and there appointed Iehojakim his elder Brother to reign in his place 2 Reg. 23. 2 Chron. 36. From Ierusalem he carried Iehoahas to Memphis the Metropolitan City of Aegypt which was 244 miles 2 Reg. 23. So all the Travels of Iehoahas were 404 miles Of Jehoiakim King of Judah JEhoiakim was the eldest Son of Iosiah that Good King and succeeded his Brother Iehoahas in the Kingdom Anno Mundi 3341 before Christ 627 he governed Iudah eleven years Pharaoh Necho made him King when he was twenty five years of age to whom he was constrained to pay 100 Talents of Silver and a Talent of Gold This Money being payed he obtained the Kingdom and continued in great Impiety and Idolatry for which cause he was sharply reprehended by Ieremiah the Prophet but he being offended at his words sought to put him to death wherefore the Lord stirred up Nebuchadnezzar the second of that name Emperour of the Assyrians and Babylonians who in the eleventh year of this King's Reign came to Ierusalem and took him captive tyed him in two chains and would have carried him to Babylon but his mind changed wherefore he caused him to be put to death and cast out into the Fields of Ierusalem for a prey to wild Beasts Ier. 22. 2 Reg. 23. Of Jehoiachin King of Judah Jehoiachin signifies the preparation of Iehovah This man succeeded his Brother Iehoiakim and began his Reign about the end of the 3351 year of the World and reigned only three Months and ten days which was about the eighth year of Nabuchadonozor the Great at which time he was led captive from Ierusalem to Babylon together with Mordochae and many other Nobles which was 680 miles This Captivity happened 617 years before Christ 2 Reg. 24. 2 Chron. 36. Ester 2. Ier. 52. The Travels of Zedekiah the last King of Judah AFter Iehoiachin succeeded Zedekiah which signifies the just man of God This was the Son of the good King Iosiah yet an impious Tyrant who by the permission of Nabuchadonozor the Great was suffered to be King of Iudah after his Brother when he was one and twenty years of age He began to reign about the beginning of the 3352 year of the World and before Christ 616 he governed tyranically eleven years 2 Reg. 24. In the eleventh year of this King Ierusalem was taken by Nabuchadonezar the great Emperour of the Babylonians wherefore Zedekiah to escape the brunt of War fled from Ierusalem with all possible speed to Iericho which was twelve miles Ier. 39. 5. From the plain near the City Iericho where he was overcome by the Princes of the Chaldeans he was led to Riblah to Nebuchadonezar which was sixty eight miles From Riblah after the Emperour Nabuchadonezar had caused all his Children to be put to death before his face and had put out both his eyes he led him captive to Babylon which was 600 miles where he died miserably 2 Reg. 25. So all the Travels of Zedekiah King of Iudah were 680 miles Of the Destruction of Jerusalem by Nabuchadonezar IN the ninth year of this Zedekiah which was the last King of Iudah Nabuchadonezar began to besiege Ierusalem it being then Winter Anno Mundi 3860 upon the tenth day of the tenth Month Tebeth which answereth to the seven and twentieth day of December which day the Iews till now observed as a fasting day The Siege continued even till the eleventh year of this King Ierem. 39. 5. 2 Reg. 25. and upon the ninth day of the fourth Month Thamus which agreeth with the tenth day of Iuly the City was taken and Zedekiah was put to flight Upon the seventh day of the fifth Month Ab Nabuzaradan chief Captain of the Army was sent back by Nabuchadonezar into Iudaea where he destroyed and burned the houses and buildings of the City of Ierusalem Ierem. 52. upon the tenth day of the fifth Month Ab which answereth to the ninth day of August being the Sabbath day the Temple of Ierusalem was set on fire Ier. 52. de bello Iudei lib. 6. cap. 26. 27. This first Captivity and Destruction of the City Ierusalem by Nabuchadonezar that great Emperour happened Anno Mundi 3362 and before Christ 606 three hundred and ninety years being then fully compleat and ended from the first year of Ieroboam King of Israel who set up the Golden Calves and
caused them to be worshipped For after the end of these years according to the Prophecy of Ezekiel caâ— 4. the Sins of Ieroboam should be grievously punished upon the People of Iudah In the like manner from the end of the thirteenth year of Iosiah wherein Ieremie first began to Prophecy until this year in which the Children of Israel were carried away Captive into Babylon are numbred forty years which by Ezek. cap. 4. are called the years of the Iniquity of Iudah because so long the Iews did contemn and despise the admonition of the Prophet Ieremie Of Babylon HOw far this City stood from Ierusalem you may read before which by the Chaldaeans is called Shinear or Sinear and signifies To strike upon the Teeth being derived of Schen A tooth and Naer to strike It may also be taken for that when a man endeavoured with all speed to execute a thing which seems to resemble the condition of Nimrod for that in this place he endeavoured to overcome and conquer all his Neighbours from whence this Land was called Casdius that is The Country of the Destroyer So changing S into L it is called Chaldeus or Chaldaea The Chief and Metropolitan City of which Country was this Babylon built some thirty years after the Floud by Nimrod or the Babylonian Saturn the first great Commander of the World according to Berosus lib. 4. who writeth after this manner Nimrod which was accounted the Son of Iupiter Belus being angry with the Holy Priests of that great God Iehovah came with his Colony and People into the Field of Sinear where he built a City and laid the Foundation of a great Tower 131 years after the Flood and raised this Tower to such a height and withal of such a hugeness that it seemed as if it had been some great Mountain because he would have the Babylonian People accounted the chiefest and greatest in the World also their Governour the King of Kings A little after he saith he built this Tower but before he could finish it dyed in the fifty sixth year after he began it wherefore the City and Tower of Babylon according to the Opinion of Berosus was begun in Anno Mundi 1788 which was 131 years after the Flood and before Christ 2180. There were two causes wherefore the Children of Men built up this Tower first that they might get them a name secondly that they might be safe in case there came another Flood to drown the World It was made of Brick and Bittum lest the Water should loosen it But the Lord turned their Enterprises into evil and divided their Language so that they could not understand one another whereby they were constrained to leave off their building from whence it happened that their Minds Manners Understandings Studies and principal Actions were utterly changed and is the Foundation of all discord and sedition where the fear of God and the true knowledge of Christ doth not prevent it From this division of Tongues it is called the City of Babylon this is the City of Division being derived of the word Balal he hath confounded or mingled together Of this City you may read in Ios. lib. I. cap. 9. where he bringeth in a saying of the Sibyls which was That when all Nations were of one Language they built an exceeding high Tower as though they would have ascended by it into Heaven but the Lord with great tempest and dividing their Tongues subverted their enterprize from whence it was called Babylon This City was the fairest in those times of all others scituated in a spacious Plain upon every side whereof there stood pleasant Orchards and Gardens it was built four square conpassed about with Walls of incredible strength and greatness being fifty Cubits thick and 200 high beautified within with goodly Buildings fair Temples richly gilt with Gold and wonderful to look upon It was in compass 380 Furlongs as Strabo saith which make forty eight miles Through it ran the River Euphrates by which all things necessary were conveyed to the City without it was compassed with fair Ditches fill'd with water like Rivers and in the Wall there stood a hundred Gates Herodotus saith that it was 480 Furlongs about which make sixty miles English but that is not so credible The first Founder of this City was Nimrod who in those times was the chief Commander of the World It is thought that he was the Son of Cham the Son of Noah whose name signifies a cruel Governour or an unmerciful Tyrant And that his Actions might be according to the signification of his name he is branded with most perspicious notes of Cruelty omitting no violent action whereby he might inlarge his Dominions incroaching upon other mens Governments through a thirsty and ambitious desire of Renown without respect of Equity or Humanity And to add evil to evil committed many outrages upon such as were accounted good men and the Priests of the great God Iehovah from whence there grew in him a more than humane resolution accounting himself in this World a God and thorough this opinion grew into contempt of all good things compelling such as were his Subjects and Vassals to do him Worship and Reverence as to a Divine Power which being ingrafâ—ed into the hearts of such as followed in succeeding Ages they countenanced it with Authority from whence it came to pass that he was inrolled into the number of their principal Gods giving him the name of Saturn whom the Hebrews called Sudormin which elegantly implyeth Saturn Berosus saith that the Babylonian Iupiter succeeded this Nimrod whose Authority I am willing to follow to avoid prolixity This man so much inlarged the City that many in succeeding ages have attributed the foundation thereof unto him He ruled over it sixty one years After him succeeded Ninus or as some would have it Nimrod the second who began his Reign Anno Mundi 1909 before Christ 2061 he did many worthy Acts during his life and added to the Empire of Babylon many Provinces and after he had reigned fifty years dyed and was buried in Babylon After him succeeded Semiramis his Wife who took upon her the Government of the Assyrian Empire her Son Ninus being then within age and she began her Government Anno Mundi 1959 before Christ 2009. She was one of the manliest and resolute Women that we read of and performed as many worthy and memorable Actions This Queen built her Sepulchre over the most eminent Gate of Babylon in a publick and perspicious place upon which she caused to be written in Golden letters If there be any King of Babylon that shall come after me and stand in need of Money let him open this Sepulchre and what soever he wanteth he shall find but before it will not be good for him to touch it This notwithstanding it continued till the Reign of Darius who opened this Monument in hope to find what the Superscription imported but no Mony was there to be had only within
and Office of a Prophet 1 Reg. 18. From thence he vvent to Damascus 124 miles vvhere he anointed Hazael King of Syria 1 Reg. 19. From Damscus Elias vvent to Mount Carmel vvhere he dvvelt vvhich vvas accounted 120 miles From Mount Carmel he vvent to Iezreel sixteen miles there in the Vineyard of Naboth whom Iezabel caused to be stoned to death he sharply reprehended Ahab for his Impiety and Idolatry 1 Reg. 21. From Iezreel he returned back again to his own House to Carmel sixteen miles From thence he went to Samaria which was thirty two miles where he answered the Servants of King Ahaziah whom he had sent to enquire of Bâ—alzebub the Idol of Ekron concerning his health saying Go and tell your Master that sent you That the God of Israel saith Because thou hast sent to ask counsel of Baalzebub the Idol of Ekron and thinkest there is no God in Israel therefore thou shalt not rise off the Bed whereon thou liest but shalt surely dye 2 Reg. 1. Soon after Elias returned to Mount Carmel being 32 miles where the two Captains with their Companies of fifty that were sent to take him were consumed with fire from Heaven 1 Reg. 1. From Mount Carmel he went to Samaria with the third Captain thirty two miles where he prophecied of the death of King Ahaziah 2 Reg. 1. From Samaria he returned back again to Mount Carmel thirty two miles From thence he went to Gilgal fifty two miles From Gilgal he went with Elizeus to the Town of Bethel being six miles 2 Reg. 2. From thence to Iericho four miles 2 Reg. 2. From Iericho he and Elizeus went to Iordan which was six miles through which River they went upon dry ground Now as they were speaking one to another upon the East-side of the River behold a fiery Chariot came with fiery Horses and took Elias up alive into Heaven after he had governed the Church thirty years An. Mundi 3056 and before Christ 912. 2 Reg. 2. So all the Travels of Eliah the Prophet were 1033 miles Of the Cities and Places to which he travelled Of Thisbe IN this Town the Prophet Eliah was born it being scituated in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east It taketh the Name from Captivity being derived of Chabah he hath led into Captivity Of Kerith THE River Kerith where the Ravens fed Elias runneth from Mount Eâ—hraim between Bethel and Iericho eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North and so passing along towards the East falleth into the River Iordan 1 Reg. 17. The Kerethites were such as guarded the Person of the King which in the Prophet David's time were called mighty men taking their name from striking and cutting being derived of Charath he hath smitten or cut in sunder Of Zarpath or Sarepta THIS was a City of the Sidonians where they found much Metal of divers kinds lying between Tyrus and Sidon 112 miles from Ierusalem towards the North and taketh the name from Zoraph which signifies To try or burn with Fire There is at this time but eight Houses in all the Town although by the Ruines it seemeth to have been in times past a very fair City The Inhabitants thereof take upon them to shew the Chamber wherein Elias the Prophet sometimes lived when he raised the Widows Child to Life Before the Gate of the City also there is shewed a certain Chappel where they say Elias first spake with the Widow 1 Reg. 17. Of Abelmehola THIS was a Town in the Tribe of Manasses on this side Iordan in the mid-way between Sichem and Salem some 38 miles from Ierusalem Northward At this day it is called Abisena where there are found certain ruines of Marble Pillars by which may be gathered that in times past it hath been a very beautiful City It seemeth to have taken the name from a great lamentation or mourning for Abel signifieth to lament and bewail and Machol a company The Typical Signification of Elias Elias according to the Interpretation of St. Ierome signifies the Minister of Iehovah but as others would have it Eliah is as much as my God Iehovah He was a Type of St. Iohn Baptist who was sent before to prepare the way of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Of this you may read more Malach. 4. Matt. 11 17. Isa. 40. c. The Travels of the Prophet Elisaeus or Elisha ELisha followed Elias through divers Countries and became as it were his Servant pouring Water upon his hands and ministring to him 1 Reg. 19. 2 Reg. 3. Elisha went with Eliah from Gilgal to Bethel which was six miles 1 Reg. 19. From Bethel they both went to Iericho which was four miles From Iericho he went beyond Iordan six miles where his Master was taken from him up into Heaven and his Spirit was doubled upon him 2 Reg. 2. From thence he returned back again to Iericho which was six miles passing through the River Iordan upon dry ground by which Miracle the Children of the Prophets viz. such as studied Divinity at Iericho did certainly know that the Spirit of his Master Elias rested upon him Near to this Town he â—lung Salt into a River by which the Water was made sweet 2 Reg. 2. From Iericho Elisha returned to Bethel which was four miles here the Children that mock'd him saying Come up thou Bald-pate c. in contempt of his Age and Office were devoured by two Bears 2 Reg. 2. From Bethel he walked to Mount Carmel which was fifty six miles From thence he went to Samaria which was about thirty two miles From thence he went to the three Kings viz. Ioram King of Israel Iehosaphat King of Ierusalem and the King of the Idumaeans into the Desart of Arabia-Petraea which was 104 miles here he prayed unto the Lord and he sent them Water lest they should have perished with thirst 2 Reg. 3. From the Desart of Arabia-Petraea he returned back to Samaria which was 104 miles where he relieved a certain Widow-woman that was afflicted with Poverty and Want miraculously by a Cruse of Oyl 2 Reg. 4. Iosephus lib. Antiq. 9. supposeth this Woman to be the Widow of Obediah the King's Steward of whom you may read before who did hide and maintain a certain number of the Prophets of the Lord in a Cave 2 Reg. 18. From Samaria Elisha went oâ—tentimes to a Town called Sunem as he returned to Samaria to Carmel which was 16 miles distant Here a certain rich Woman observing his often Passage to and fro by that Town built him a little Chamber wherein he might rest himself after his Journey to which place he often resorted and in recompence of this benefit although she had been long barren he prophecied that within a Year she should have a Son which accordingly she had to her great Joy and Comfort 2 Reg. 4. From Sunem he went to Carmel being 16 miles From thence he returned back again to Sunem to the Woman where he used
sometime Bishop of Tyre saith which was a Town in the Tribe of Issachar not far from Bethulia some fifty two miles from Ierusalem toward the North near to which place Holofernes afterward pitched his Tents extending thence to the Field of Esdrelon and the Town Chelmon from whence it seemeth this Town taketh the Name He prophesied in Israel eight hundred years before Christ his name â—ignifieth a Saviour being derived of Hoschiag the third Conjugation of Iaschag that is He hath saved Mat. 2. Of the Prophet Joel JOEL signifies God's own as St. Ierom expoundeth it He prophesied eight hundred Years before Christ both in Israel and in Iudah He was born in a Village which was called Baâ—homeron not far from Sichem in the Tribe of Manasses as Dorotheus the Bishop of Tyre saith Of the Prophet Amos. THIS Man's Father dwelt at Tekoa a poor man one that kept Kine and used to gather wild Figs as appeareth in the first and seventh Chapters of Amos. In this Town Amos was born and followed the Profession of his Father but the Lord called him to be a Prophet and then he went to Bethel which was twelve miles distant Here he reprehended Ieroboam King of Israel for Idolatry and worshipping the Golden Calf after he was accused by Amasia the Chief Priest of the Idols in Bethel and bound in Chains and at length Vria the Son of this Amasia struck him upon his Head with a Spear whereby he was mortally wounded From Bethel being sick he was carried back to Tecoa which was twelve miles where a little after he died as St. Ierom witnesseth in whose time his Monument was to be seen Amos signifies A Burthen as indeed he was to the wicked Israelites he so sharply reprehended them in his Sermons of the Law He lived eight hundred years before Christ. So his Travels were 24 miles Of the Prophet Obediah OBediah signifies God's obedient Servant of Abad he hath served or been obedient He lived six hundred years before Christ about the time of the Captivity of Babylon St. Ierom saith that in his time there were to be seen in the City of Samaria the Monuments of three Prophets that is of Elisha Obediah and Iohn Baptist. But some think that Obediah the Prophet lay not buried in Samaria but rather it was the Sepulchre of that Obediah which lived in the time of Ahab that hid a hundred of the Lord's Prophets fifty in one Cave and fifty in another between which there were three hundred years difference The Travels of the Prophet Jonah THIS Prophet Ionas was born in Gath Hepher which was a Town in the Tribe of Zabulon from whence to Samaria is accounted thirty two miles here he prophecied to Ieroboam second of that name Kâ—ng of Israel that he should recover Hemath and Damascus and so to the Plain of the Red Sea 2 Reg. 14. From â—amaria to Ioppa or Iapho a Port Town upon the Sea Shore to which Ionas went when he fled from the Lord was thirty eight miles but the Lord stirred up a great Wind when Ionas was upon the Sea that the Mariners cast him out and he was devoured of a Whale Ionas 1. That Whale which had devoured Ionas with a continual course and great violence in three days and three nights swam to the Euxine Sea and there cast him up upon the Shore which was 600 miles Ios. Antiq. lib. 9. From the shore of the Euxine Sea Ionas went to Nineveh which are eight hundred miles Here Ionas preached Repentance to the Ninevites Ion. 3. 4. So all the Travels of Ionas were 1470 miles Of Gath Hepher IN this Town the Prophet Ionas was born it was scituated in the Tribe of Zabulon sixty miles from Ierusalem Northward and four miles from Nazareth towards the South It seems to take the name from abundance of Grapes for Gath Ghepher signifieth a Wine-press Of Japho JAPHO or Ioppa was a City or Haven-Town scituated upon the Sea where all such Ships landed as went into Iudaea At this day the Turks and Saracens call it Iafa lying upon the Mediterranean Sea in the Tribe of Dan Ios. 19. in a certain Mountain twenty miles from Ierusalem North-Westward Pliny li. 5. saith this City was built before the Flood and in St. Ierom's time there was to be seen the Stone to which Andromeda was bound when she should have been devoured by a Monster of the Sea The Poets Seign this Woman to be the Daughter of Cepheus and delivered by Perseus King of the Persians whom after she married It is called Iapho because of the beautiful Scituation Some say it was so called of Iapheth the Son of Noah who first caused it to be built Of Tharsis FRom Ioppa as is said the Prophet Ionas descended into a Ship that he might fly upon the Sea The Latine and Greek Texts read it Tharsin whence it hapned that many have thought that Ionas fled from Tharâ—is a City in Ciliâ—â—a in which Country St. Paul was born But Luther in his Exposition of the Prophecy of Ionas doth utterly disallow of this as false for the Hebrew Text reads it not to Tharsin but in Tharsin that is into the Sea For the Hebrew Tongue hath two words or Syllables which signifie the Sea which are Iam and Tharsis Iam signifieth not only a great Sea but the meeting together of Waters or a Lake So in Luke 5. the Sea of Galilee in which Christ and his Disciples sailed is called a Lake yet Ioh. cap. 5. and the rest of the Evangelists call it a Sea So also Moses Gen. 1. calleth the meeting together of the Waters Iam which may signifie a Sea and a Lake But Tharsis or Tharschich denoteth a great Sea and no Lake or an high and troublesome Sea as the Mediteranean Sea is In this Paul travelled and there standeth many Islands as Rhodes Cyprus Cicilia and others all which are at this day subject to the Turks Venetians or Spaniards It extendeth it self from Ioppa and Cilicia to the Streights between Spain and Mauritania Into this Sea Ionas was cast when the Whale devoured him In like manner the Red Sea and all others that are Ocean Seas are called Tharsis as appeareth in the 72 Psalm where it said The Kings of Tharsis and of the Isles shall bring Presents Here the Kings whose Empires extend themselves along the Sea Coast are understood But the City Tharsis the Country of the Apostle Paul is not a Kingdom neither ever had a King much less many Kings So Solomon sent his Ships by Tharsin that is by Sea towards the South-East into the Red Sea and Eastern Ocean that they might bring Gold precious Stones and sweet Gums from Arabia But the Ships could not sail by the Red Sea unto the Town of Tharsis unless they would have sailed over the Land which is impossible because Tharsis lieth into the Land from the Red Sea as all Cosmographers agree So also the Psalmist saith Thou breakest with thy strong Winds the Ships
Christ in his name For Christ was that gracious and innocent Dove who hath made evident to Man his singular Mercy and Clemency without any shew of bitterness or wrath Then in his Affliction for as Ionas thrust himself into the Sea of Calamity and there was swallowed up of a Whale which might be well resembled to the Grave so Christ our Saviour was cast into the Sea of Affliction the misery and calamity of this World and after that thrust into the jaws of death the Grave where as Ionas did in the Whales belly he lay three daies and then arose again the Earth being unable any longer to contain his Body Of the Prophet Micah THIS Prophet was born at Maresa a Town of Iudaea sixteen miles from Ierusalem Westward it signifieth a bitter Field In St Ierom's time the Ruins of the Wall of this City was to be seen Micah or Micheas signifieth humble or lowly This man was held in great estimation because he was the first that named the Country where our Saviour Christ should be born viz. in Bethlehem 800 years before his Nativity He lived Anno Mundi 3200. Of the Prophet Nahum NAhum signifies a Comforter He was born in a Town of Galilee called Elcosch as he saith in the beginning of his Prophecy This Village was shewn unto St. Ierome by those that travelled with him through the Holy Land in his time it was but a small Village called by the name of Elcos and scituated as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith on the further side of Bethabara sixteen miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North-East This Prophet lived 750 years before Christ and Prophesied of the Destruction of Niniveh which after came to pass Of the Prophet Habacuck HAbacuck or Chabacuck signifies one that embraceth or a Lover from Chaback he hath embraced For as a Nurse embraceth and kisseth her inâ—ant so also this Prophet embraced and comforted his People with comfortable Doctrine lest by the destruction of Ierusalem which he prophecied should after happen by the Chaldaeans they should be driven to desperation Paul took the foundation of his Epistle to the Romans out of this Prophet reciting a saying of his viz. The juâ—t shall live by faith He began to preach a little before the Prophet Ieremy 650 years before Christ above 100 years before Daniel was cast into the Lions den From whence most of the Learned conclude that this could not be that Habacuck which brought meat to Daniel as he was among the Lions but they rather think it a fragment of a spiritual Comedy and therefore worthy to be called Apocrypha Of the Prophet Zephania ZEphania signifies the Secretary of the Lord being derived of Zaphan he hath kept secret He lived in Ierusalem and Iudaea in the time of Iosiah King of Iuda He was born as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith in a Town called Sabarthaca in the Tribe of Siâ—eon Of the Prophets Haggai and Zacharia HAggai or Chaggi signifieth A Priest celebrating the Feast of the Lord being derived of Chagag he hath celebrated a Feast And Zacharias or Zacharia doth denote such a man as remembred the Lord being derived of Zachar that is he hath remembred or recorded These two Prophets prophecied in Ierusalem in the second year of Darius the Son of Histaspis 519 years before Christ An. mun 3449. Haggai began his Prophecy upon the first day of the sixth month Elul answering to the 28 of August He sharply reprehended the People because they neglected the house of the Lord and built up their own houses In the eighth month Marhusuan which for the most part answereth to our November Zacharias the same year began to prophecy and in his Sermon exhorted the People to repentance adding the promise of our Saviour and that he would turn unto them that would turn unto him Zach. 1. These two Prophets lie buried 20 miles one from the other For as Dorothaeus Bishop of Tyre saith Haggai lies buried in Ierusalem amongst the Priests but Zacharias near to a Town in the field of Bethania 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward but in the time of Theodosius the Emperour was removed and preserved as an holy Relique Concerning that fable and figment inserted into the History Nicephorus I utterly disallow Of the Prophet Malachi THIS Prophet prophesied after the Captivity of Babylon and dwelt in the Town of Ziph as Dorotheus Bishop of Tyre saith Malachi signifies an Angel sent and in Greek a Messenger for this Prophet preached so comfortably as if he had been an Angel of God but principally of Christ and Saint Iohn Baptist who should go before him to prepare his Way and make his Paths strait S. Ierom in his Epistle to Paul and Eustochius writes that some of the Hebrews suppose this Malachi to have been Esdras the Scribe who was sent by Artaxerxes Longimanus Emperour of the Persians to restore the Commonwealth of Israel in the year before Christ 457. An Instruction how the Prophets may rightly be understood FIRST look into the Cosmographical Table at the beginning of this Book and diligently observe the Countries and Cities that are there set down and how they lie scituated from Ierusalem Toward the South of Ierusalem the Idumeans Ismaelites Arabians and Egyptians dwell Toward the East the Moabites Ammonites Chaldaeans Babylonians and Persians Toward the North the Phoenicians Syrians Assyrians and Armenians Toward the West lieth the Mediterranean Sea Grâ—cia Italy Spain and the Isles of the Sea Secondly this rule is to be observed that as often as the Prophets speak of the Tribes of Israel they use these names viz. Israel Samaria Ephrain Ioseth Iesreel Bethel and Bethaven these are the names of the Kingdom of Israel but to the Kingdom of Iuda these names are attributed viz. Iudaâ— Ierusalem Benjamin the house of David But when the Prophets joyn these two Kingdoms together they call them by the names of Iacob and Israel Thirdly when thou readest in the Prophets the name of any Country or City which is not sufficiently known unto thee search this Alphabetical Table here following and thou shalt find the whole matter declared unto thee An Alphabetical Table of all the Countries and Cities mentioned in the Prophets A. ABarim that is a Bridge or Passage over It was a Mountain of the Moabites where the Israelites pitched their Tents Num. 33. Achor the Valley of Trouble Here Achan was stoned to death for his Thievery It stood not far from Gilgal toward the North twelve miles from Ierusalem Ios. 7. Isa. 6. Adama Red Earth This was one of the Cities that were destroyed with Fire and Brimstone from Heaven Ai Hilly This City Ioshua burnt with Fire It lay eight miles from Ierusalem North-ward Iosh. 8. Aiath idem Isa. 10. Ar or Ari a Lion It was a City of the Moabites lying beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Benjamin called Aâ—iopolis scituated upon the Bank of the River Arnon 24 miles from Ierusalem North-Eastward Deut. 2. In Esa. 15. It is
called Arar a Destroyer Aram Noble or Mighty Armenia and Syria are so called of Aram the Son of Sem the chief City of which Country is Damasâ—us Pliny lib. 6. I7 saith the Scythians were also in ancient times called Aramites Arnon a famous River of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben which falls into the dead Sea 20 miles from Ierusalem Eastward In Esa. 16. it is called Ranan he hath shouted for joy Aroer by usurpation an Ewe Tree This is a City of the Moabites near to the River Arnon in the Tribe of Gad beyond Iordan 24 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Ier. 40. there is another City so called near to Damascus in Syria Esa. 7. Arpad the light of Redemption This was a City in the Land of Damascus Ier. 49. There is another flourishing City of that name which may compare with Antiochia for greatness Esa. 10. But where it is scituated it is uncertain Arvad was a part of the Land of Canaan so called of Arvad the Son of Canaan Gen. I0 Ascanes or Tuiscones are a People descended of Ascenitz the Son of Gomer the Son of Iaphet which sometimes dwelt in Armenia but now have their abiding in Germany 2 Gen. 10. Esa 51. so that of Gomer they are called Germanes and of Ascanes Ascanians or Tuiscons Asseca fortified round about Neer to this Town David killed Goliah It stood eight miles from Ierusalem Westward Assur or Assyria a blessed Country being so called of Assur the Son â—f â—em Aven Iniquity Bethel was so called after Ieroboam had there set up a Golden Calf Hos. 10. B. BAbel Confusion Babylon is the Metropolitan City of Chaldaea 280 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Bath Domestical It was a Town of the Moabites in the Tribe of Reuben beyond Iordon Esa. 16. Bazra a Grape-gathering It was a City of the Edomites scituated upon the Bank of Iordan on the farther side near to Bethabara twenty miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Esa. 24. 36. Ier. 48. Note here that the Country of the Moabites in times past was subject to the Edomites and then this City was in their jurisdiction but after the Moabites got it into their hands again and held it It was one of the six Towns of Refuge mentioned Ios. 29. Berothai a Cypress Tree This Town stood near Hemath or Antiochia 280 miles from Ierusalem Northward Ezek. 49. In this City David King of Israel took Hadadesar King of Zoba or Sophena and constrained him to give him a great deal of Brass as it is thought yearly for Tribute for near that City were many Brass Mines Bethavin the house of Iniquity Bethel was so called Hos 6. It stood eight miles from Ierusalem Northward Beth-Cherem the house of the Vines It was a Town not far from Ierusalem Northward Ier. 6. Beth-Diblathaim the house of dried Figs. It was a City of the Moabites Ier. 48. Bethieâ—imoth the house of Desolations It was also a City of the Moabites beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben Ios. 13. Ezech. 25. twenty miles from Ierusalem Beth-Gamul the house of Restitution This was a City of the Moabites Ier. 48. Beth-Bealmeon the house of habitation for the Idol Baal It was a City of the Moabites twenty four miles from Ierusalem Eastward not far from Aroer Ezek. 25. 1 Chr. 5. Butz a Castle of Prey It was a City of the Ismaelites in Arabia-Petraeâ— eighty miles from Ierusalem South-Westward Ier. 25. Bel and Neob two Idols of the Babylonians Esa. 45. Bel signifieth the God of Mixture or Confusion Neob the God of Prophecy C. CAlno his Perfection This is Selucia scituated upon Tygris beyond Babylon 316 miles from Ierusalem Eastward It is now called Bagdeth Gen. 10. Esâ—y 2. Canne a firm foundation It was a City of the Syrians Ezek. 27. Caphihor a little Sphere or a round Globe like unto a Globe or Pomegranate Also Capâ—adocia a Country of Asia the less 600 miles from Ierusalem Northward Carchemis a sacrificed Lamb. This was scituated too near Euphrates in Syria 400 miles from Ierusalem Northward Ierem. 25. D. DEâ—dan a City of the Idumaeans so called of Dedan the Son of Esâ—u Ier. 25. Isa. 21. Dâ—bon a Mist. This was a City of the Moabites near Hesbon in the Tribe of Reuben twenty eight miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Diblath a bunch of Figs. It was a City in the Tribe of Naphtali near to the Lake of Samachonites eighty miles from Ierusalem Northward Ezek. 6. Here Zedekiah had his eyes put out 2 Kin. 25. Ier. 39. 52. Dimon Bloudy This is a City in the Tribe of Reuben which as St. Ieron saith is twenty eight miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Duma Silence A City of the Israelites so called of Duma the Son of Ismael It stood in Arabia Petaea eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest Esa. 25. 21. E. EGbathana the Metropolitian City of the Medes distant from Ierusalem 1136 miles North-east-ward Eden Pleasure A City of Syria scituated near Euphrates 400 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Esay 7. This is thought to have been a part of Paradice Eglaim a round Drop It was a Town of the Moabites Esa. 15. 16. Elam a Young man so called of Elem the Son of Sem Esa. 10. 21. After Perseus had got in this Countrey a great Government he called it after his own name Persâ—a Eleale the Ascension of God It was a City beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben between Iacza and Heshbon 26 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Num. 32. Elim a Hart. This was a Lake so called in the Land of the Moabites Esa. 10. Elisa the Lamb of God So were the Aeolians called in Grecia of Elisa the Son of Iavan the Son of Iaphet Ezek. 7. Gen 10. Enaglaim the Fountain of Calves It was a Town or Castle near to the Red Sea Ezek. 10. Epha the Land of Obscurity It was a part of Arabia Petraea so called of Epha the Son of Midian the Son of Abraham Gen. 25. Esa. 60. G. GEbim a Ditch This was a Town in the Tribe of Iuda Esa. 10. Gebah a Hill It was a Hill in the City of Kirjath-jearim there was a Town also of the same name standing within a little of it This was little more than a mile from Ierusalem Westward Esa. 10. Gebal a bound or limit It was the bounds and limits of Syria bordering upon the Mediterranean Sea This City Gibal or Gebal was 160 miles from Ierusalem Northward 1 Reg. 5. Psal. 82. Gibeah a Hill It was also called Gibeon where Saul dwelt four miles from Ierusalem Northward Esa. 10. Gilgal a roundle or the compass of a hill Here Ioshuah pitched his Tents it stood between Iericho and Iordan twelve miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Gog. The Turks were thus called because they liv'd in Tents Ezek. 48. Gosan a Land and River in Mesopotamia called after that name 2 Reg. 17. Esa. 37. H. HAdad Rimmon a Pomegranat This was a Town near to Megiddo where Iosiah King of Iudah was wounded to death 46 miles from
30. calleth Heliopolis a City of Aegypt which is 224 miles distant from Ierusalem towards the South-west Oreb A Crow or Raven Near to this place in Mount Ephraim Prince Oreb was slain not far from Iericho twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North Iudg. 7. Psal. 83. Ophir A Palace It was the proper Name of the Son of Ioktan the Posterity of Sem of whom in times past India was called Ophir You may read of this Gen. 10. 1 Reg. 9. P. PAthros or Petra the Metropolitan City of Arabia Petraea 72 miles from Ierusalem towards the South It is a Country also of Aegypt near Tathnis 180 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Isa. 11. Ezek. 29. Parath Fruitful A name of the River Euphrates Ier. 2. 13. Prazin A Breach It is a Valley near Ierusalem where David overcame the Philistines 2 Sam. 5. Phut is Africa so called of Phuth the Son of Cham Gen. 10. R. RAbba A Multitude Philadelphia the Metropolitan of the Ammonites is so called 96 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Raema Thunder So they called Aethiopia of Raema the Son of Châ—s Gen. 10. Rama High This City stood eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North Isa. 10. There were other Cities also of the same Name and Signification Rezeph A Cole It was a City in Syria Isa. 37. Riblath An inveterate Anger This was a City in the Tribe of Naphtali near to the Lake of Samoconites eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Antiochia also was sometimes called Riblah 2 Reg. 25. Ier. 39. 52. Rimmon A Pomegranate This was a City in the Tribe of Judah not far from Gerar 32 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-east S. SAba The Stone Achates This was the Metropolitan City of Ethiopia called also Meroe 960 miles from Ierusalem towards the South The two famous Queens one that came to see Solomon the other mentioned Act. 8. dwelt in this Town Sanir A clear Light So Mount Hermon beyond Jordan was called of the Ammonites it stood 112 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Sarion The Doves Song So the Edomites called Mount Hermon that stood beyond Jordan Saron A fair Plain or a green Place So is that Plain between the Sea of Galilee and Mount Ephraim called Is. 35. There are some that think there is a Mountain so called Sela a Rock This is Petra a City of Arabia ante Sepharuaim A City of the Scribes It stood in Assyria Isa. 37. Sibarim A City of Syria near to Damascus Ezek. 47. Sibma A Possession A City built by the Sons of Reuben 24 miles from Ierusalem towards the East Num. 32. Sichor Black It is a Brook or River called Rhinocorurus which falleth into the Mediterranean Sea near to the Town Rinocorura scituated upon the utmost Borders of the Holy Land towards the South 72 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west The River Nilus in Aegypt is also called Sichor Jer. 2. Simri Gardians They were Arabians dwelling upon an Angle of Isthumus of the Red Sea Sinear a blow upon the teeth Chaldea is so called Is. 11. Sion or Scaion by Schin not by Zade Tranquillity and Security The Mount whereon Ierusalem stood is not so called but Mount Hermon beyond Iordan Deut. 4. Sâ—ene or Sevene illustrious It was a City in Africa upon the Borders of Egypt and Ethiopia 516 miles from Ierusalem towards the South Iovias saith that the Inhabitants at this day call it Guagheram T. TAchpanes or Taphnis a covered or hidden Ensign It is a City in Egypt 180 miles from Ierusalem South-westward Ier. 2. 43. Thamar a Plain This Town was built by Solomon and stood 360 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Thelasser a Princes Tomb. It was a Countrey upon the Borders of Assyria Isa. 37. Themath Wonderful A City of Arabia Petraea Ier. 25. so called of Thama the Son of Ismael Gen. 25. it stood 40 miles from Ierusalem Southward it is called Theman a City of the South Thogarma Perfection Tartaria was so called of Thogarma the Son of Gomer the Son of Iaphet Gen. 10. Ezek. 27. Thubal a People bordering upon the Muscovites so called of Thubal the Son of Iaphet Gen. 10. Ezekiel cap. 27. 38. maketh Mesech Thubal Gog and Magog all one People from whence may be gathered that these People dwelt towards the North and were governed by one Prince In the 38 Chapter he calls them Gog that is the Turk who is Prince and Governour in Mesech and Thubal Therefore without doubt the People of Russia in times past were called Thubal which People dwelt near to Muscovia and this opinion seems to be more probable than theirs that imagine the Italians and Spaniards which have their dwellings near unto the River Iberia to be the Off-spring of Thubal V. UPhar the Countrey of Gold It is called also Ophir and India 1 Reg. 9. Ier. 10. Dan. 10. Psal. 119. Z. ZEb a Wolf The Wine-press of Zeb was in Mount Ephraim not far from Ioriâ—ho twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North where Zeb the Prince of the Midianites was slain There is another Town of this name near to the Iaboch beyond Iordan forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east Zeboim Pleasantness One of the fivâ— Cities that were burnt with fire from Heaven Gen. 14. 19. Hos. 11. Zenan a Sheep-fold It was a City in the Tribe of Iudah Mich. 1. Zoaâ— moving â—anis a City in Egypt where Moses wrought all his Miracles before Pharaoh was so called it stood 232 miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Zoba presumptuous This was also called Sophena It is the Countrey of Armenia 600 miles from Ierusalem towards the North which David conquered 2 Sam. 8. 1 Chron. 19. Zor a Rock Tyrus is so called It stood 160 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Thus gentle Reader for your better ease and understanding have I collected a short Alphabetical Table and therein briefly described all those Countreys and Cities mentioned in the Prophets that so by your diligent care and observation you may the better understand the meaning of such Texts of Scripture wherein they are mentioned Of Esdras the Lawyer ESDRAS signifies a Helper of Asar he helped He is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ who is our Helper and Saviour which hath brought us into that holy Land eternal Life and is the Restorer of Religion and the Christian Common-wealth This Esdras was sent to Jerusalem to restore the Common-wealth of the Jews Anno Mundi 3511 before Christ 457 in the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus that good Emperour of the Persians So he went from Babylon to Ahaeva a certain River near Babylon to which place he assembled a great Multitude of the Jews and from thence sent to Caspia to fetch a certain number of Levites this Land was in Chaldaea not far from Babylon These being here met together celebrated a Fast unto the Lord and with â—olemn Prayers besought his aid and furtherance in their Enterprise then they went
thence to Jerusâ—lem which was 680 miles and there restored the Judaical Government instituting Ecclesiastical Officers chief Priests Prâ—nces and other Governours Of the Land of Caspia THE Land of Caspia signifieth the Land of Silver being derived of Kesaeph that is Silver It was so called because they used to dig Silver in that place see Lyra it was a Country near Babylon where the Priests and Levites were in Captivity and stood 680 miles from Jerusalem towards the East Of Nehemia IN the twentieth Year of Artaxerxes Longimanus which was Anno Mun. 3524 and before Christ 444. Nehemias went from Susan to Jerusalem which was 920 miles there he repaired the Walls and Gates in 52 days Neh. 1. 2. 6. When he had governed Judaea 12 years he returned back again to Susan to Artaxerxes Longimanus which was 920 miles Neh. 3. Afterward Artaxerxes about the end of his Reign suffered Nehemia to return back again to Ierusalem which was 920 miles Neh. 17. So these Journeys of Nehemia make 2760 miles Of this City Susan you may read before Of the Name and typical Signification of Nehemiah NEhemiah signifies The Consolation of God being derived of Nicham He hath comforted This Man was a Type of our Lord Jesus Christ for as Nehemias was a Comfort unto the dispersed Jews in that he was sent to restore them into their own Country and to rebuild Ierusalem so Christ our Comforter was sent by his Father from that everlasting Throne of Heaven to refresh and comfort us by his Doctrine and gather the dispersed Members of his Church into one Communion that he might bring them into that heavenly Ierusalem which he hath built and where he hath prepared a place for us The Travels of Serubbabel SErubbabel carried the People of Israel from Babylon to Ierusalem which was 680 miles in the first Year of Cyrus Emperour of Persia Anno Mundi 3433. before Christ 535. In the seventeenth year of his Government he went from Ierusalem to Susan 920 miles 3 Esd. 3. 4. From Susan he went to Babylon which was 242 miles 3 Esd. 4. From Babylon in the same Year he returned to Ierusalem 680 miles where the next Year after in the beginning of the second Month which answers to the 21 of May in the third year of Darius Ahasuerus Zerubbabel and Josua the chief Priests of the Jews began to build the Temple and finish'd it in the sixth year of the same King 1 Esd. 6. So all the Travels of Zerubbabel were 2280 miles The Book of ESTHER MORDOCHIVS was led Prisoner with Jechoniah to Babylon which was 680 miles From Babylon he went to Susan which was 252 miles there he brought up Esther his Brothers Daughter and taught her honest Discipline and the fear of God This Maid was very beautiful and comely wherefore at such time as Darius Ahasuerus the Son of Hystaspis had caused all the beautiful Virgins of his Empire to be brought before him that from amongst them he might chuse him a Wife Mordochius adorned this Virgin with goodly Apparel and she also went with them in whose Presence by his Instruction she behaved her self so well that the Emperour chose her from among the rest and made her his Queen she being at that time but a poor Maid and of small Ability They were married in Susan in the second year of his Empire An. Mun. 3454 and before Christ 514. From whence it is evident That Preferment cometh neither from the East nor from the West but from the Lord. So these two Journeys make nine hundred thirty two miles The Types and Allegories collected out of the Book of Esther MORDOCHIVS or Mordochai signifies bitter and contrite being derived of Marah He was bitter and Dachah sorrowful and contrite A fit resemblance of that true Mordochius Christ Jesus who for our Sins and Offences was constrained to drink of that bitter Cup of Afflictions the Necessities of this World suffering in his Body more than tolerable Torments as you may read in his Passion therefore justly called Mordochius that is bitter and contrite Ester and Alâ—a have both one signification that is a Virgin or one kept from the Bed of Man Therefore she was a notable Image of the Church who keepeth her self chaste and undefiled avoiding the Society of evil Men and although she seem to be desolate and forsaken in this World in respect of the wicked who flourish like a Flower and glory in Voluptuousness and Pleasure yet hath she her Mordochius her Spouse her dearly beloved which provides for her even Jesus Christ that immaculate Lamb which died for her Salvation and will cloath her in white put into her hand a regal Scepter crown her with Glory and set her with him in the Throne of eternal Happiness Ahasuerus signifies A noble Captain and typically represents God the Father for as the Emperour had the Command of 127 Provinces and in them did principally Rule so God our Heavenly Father is the Emperour and Governour of all Kingdoms and all Creatures both in Heaven and in Earth be obedient to his will he sitteth in that everlasting Palace of Heaven that place of Joy and that eternal Paradice from whence he looketh down to behold us miserable and distressed Creatures upon Earth of his merciful Goodness electing and chusing us to be Heirs of that eternal Kingdom and purifieth us with the Graces of his holy Spirit so that we might be made capable to sit with him in eternal Felicity The disdainful Queen Vasthy may be a fit Type and Effigies of this World not only in respect of her Pride but her excess in drinking taking her name from Schatha which signifies To Drink so this World liveth in all manner of Prodigality and Luxury and contemneth the Lord and King thereof that Almighty God which sitteth in the Heavens and therefore is justly thrown down from that eternal Kingdom whereas on the contrary humble Esther that is the Church is taken up into Dignity and crowned in that everlasting Kingdom of Heaven Haman signifies a Rebellious and Proud Man being derived of Haman He hath stirred up a Tumult typically representing the Devil whom God in the beginning made a good Angel exalted him in the Heavens and made him much more Glorious than others yet notwithstanding glorying in himself he contemned his Maker and nothing would content him but to become like unto him yea he desired to be worshipped of our Lord Jesus Christ Mat. 4. And as Haman endeavoured to overthrow not only all the People of the Iews but Queen Esther alsâ— so the Devil doth not only endeavour to overthrow the whole Church but if it were possible the Head of the Church Christ Jesus Of that holy Man Job JOB was a holy and good man he dwelt in the Land of Vz so called of Vz the Son of Aram the Son of Sem as St. Jerom upon Genesis observeth This Vz was that great Man which built as was thought Damascus in Syria and all the Land which
extendeth from Damascus to Jordan after his name was called Vz that is the Land of Counsel for so Vz signifieth There were two Towns in this Country where Job is said to have dwelt that is Astaroth Carnaim and Batzra Astaroth Carnaim was distant from Jerusalem fifty two miles towards the North-East the Inhabitants of which Town worshipped the Goddess Venus and called her by the name of Astaroth of which you may read before St. Jerom saith That the Sepulchre of Job was to be seen in his time in that Town and later Writers testifie as much â—ore their times This Town at this day is called Carnea Batzra is mentioned in the thirty sixth of Genesis it signifieth a Grape gathering In this Town it was thought that Iob was born it lay beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben twenty miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East All this Country in those times was subject to the King of the Edomites or Idumaeans but after it was joyned to the Land of the Moabites they having conquered the Kings of Edom you may read more of it in the sixth of Isay also Ios. 20. where is shewed that it was one of the six Cities of Refuge appointed by Ioshuah Here Iob for the most part continued and held this Town in great honour and reputation He lived about the time of Baela the first King of the Edomites and according to the opinion of St. Ierom Augustine Ambrose Philo and Luther was for his excellent Vertue and singular Piety chosen King of that Country which he greatly inlarged making all the Countries and neighbouring Princes near adjoyning tributary unto him wherefore as Ierom saith in locus Hebraicis having obtained so large an Empire he removed his Seat from Batzra to Astaroth-Carnaim which was a strong and well-defenced City where in those times as Moses witnesseth Gen. 14. there inhabited mighty men and noble Heroes that so by their Vertue he might with the greater facility suppress and conquer other Provinces There are many think him to be of the Stock of Abraham and of the Family of Esau because he is mentioned in the 36 of Genesis where it is said That when Baela died Iobab the Son of Zerah of Bozra or Betzrah reigned in his stead And St. Ierom in his Preface upon the Book of Iob sheweth that he was but five degrees removed from Abraham for Abraham had Ishmael Basmath who was the Wife of Esau Mother of Reguel Grand-mother to Serah and great Grand-mother to Iob. So that by the Mothers side Iob descended from Ishmael and by the Fathers side from Esau. Isaac Esau Reguel Serah Iob or Iobab King of Idumaea Gen. 36. Notwithstanding there are some that are of opinion that he descended from Abraham's Brother and was of the Family of Nahor's Son which opinion also St. Ierom mentioneth in his Hebraâ—cal Qâ—estions But most of the Antient Fathers hold this nothing so probable Luther upon the thirty sixth Chapter of Genesis saith That he was King long time before Moses caâ—ried the Children of Israel out of Egypt For Iuda and Aser the Sons of Iacob had Children before they went into the Land of Egypt Gen. 46. therefore it is not impossible for Reguel the Son of â—sau to have Children also since he was married long before his Brother Iacob From hence then it may be gathered that Iob was King of Idumaea bâ—fore Iacob and his Sons went into the Land of Egypt for although the fourteen Sons of â—sau governed the Land of Edom like so many Princes of which number Reguel the Grand-father of Iob was one because they held it as their Inheritance yet to avoid Sedition and Distractions which oftentimes happen where there is not a certain Head and principal Commander therefore they elected Bela the Son of Beor to be their King after whose death they chose Iob because he was a holy man of God and in his Actions just and upright who without doubt reigned amongst the Edomites a long time for he lived after his Afflictions which God imposed upon him to try him 140 Years Plato saith he married Dina the Daughter of Iacob but St. Ierom That he married the Daughter of an Arabian by whom he had Enon Both these may be true for his first Wife being dead he might marry an Arabian After the death of Iob the Gyants and Heroes in Asteroth-Carnaim fell again from the Idumaeans for when Moses brought the Children of Israel out of the Desart of Arabia-Petraea and that they had conquered the Land beyond Iordan the City Astaroth-Carnaim had a King called Og who governed all the Kingdom of Basan This Gyant was of a mighty Stature he had a Bed of Iron nine Cubits long and four broad Deut. 3. Of Eliphaz ELiphaz the Themanite was the Brother of Iob's Grand-father This Eliphaz had a Son called Theman who built a City and after his own Name called it Theman where Eliphaz his Father dwelt with him From whence it hapned that he was called Eliphaz the Themanite Iob. 2. It was distant from Ierusalem forty miles towards the South and therefore it was called a City of the South you may read of Eliphaz in Ier. cap. 25. He had a Concubine called Thimnah because of her Beauty and comely Proportion by her he had Amaleck of whom came the Amalekites between whom and the Children of Israel were cruel Wars Exad 17. The Travels of Eliphaz the Themanite FROM Themen he went to Astaroth-Carnaim where Iob dwelt which is accounted ninety two miles to comfort his Friend Iob Iob 2. From Astaroth-Carnaim he returned back to his own house which was ninety two miles So the Travels of Eliphaz were 184 miles Of Bildad Job's Friend BEyond Iordan and the Sea of Galilee not far from Astaroth-Carnaim there is at this day found a Town called Suah where as it is thought Bildad the Friend of Iob dwelt Near to this Town as Sebastian Francus observes in his Cosmography there was yearly in the Summer Season a great Mart kept in certain Tents and Tabernacles erected for that purpose of divers colours Bildad signifies an antient Friend and Suah taketh the name from Desolation being derived of Scho He hath made desolate Of Zophar the Friend of Job ZOPHAR dwelt in the City of Naema Iosh. 15. but how far it stood from Ierusalem is uncertain Zophar of Zaphar signifieth swift Naema signifies Pleasant and delectable of Naem courteous and comfortable Of Job's Daughters THE Lord gave unto Iob after his Affliction and that he had tryed his faithfulness three Daughters so fair that there were none fairer to be found in all the Land The name of the first was Iemmima that is as fair as the day of Iom which signifies a Day The second Kazia that is such a one as giveth a pleasant savour like unto Gum Cassia The third because of the excellency of her Countenance was called Kaeren Hapuch that is casting forth rayes or beams Iob 42. APOCRYPHA The Book of JUDITH Of Egbatana
the places mentioned in his Travels Of Michmas and Cades you may read before Of Medaba THIS City is scituated beyond Iordan in the Tribe of Reuben twenty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the East It seems to take the name from a hot Bath that stood near it for there were many Baths and wholsom Springs stood beyond Iordan as Ios. Lib. Ant. 17. c. 9. witnesseth The same things are also mentioned Esa. cap. 26. For Medaba is derived of Maiim and Doba which signifies warm or boyling water Of Bethbesan THIS Town was scituated in the Tribe of Benjamin near Gilgal twelve miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East The Castle of this Town Ionathan and Simon fortified and repaired that it might be a strong place for them to retire to from the danger of Bacchides 1 Mac. 9. Ios. li. Ant. 13. c. 1. saith that this Town was called the House of blushing being derived of Bosâ—h to blush and Bethagla a round House Of Ptolomais IN ancient times this Town was called Acon scituated upon the shore of the Mediterranean Sea between Tyrus and Mount Carmel in the Tribe of Aser 76 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. But the Aserites could not cast out the Canaanites out of that City Ptolomeus King of Egypt conquered this Town and rebuilt it calling it after his own Name Ptolomais which signifieth to make War In times past it was a goodly City strongly fortified with Towers Bulwarks Ditches and Walls it was built in a triangular Proportion like to a Shield two parts whereof was compassed in by the Sea and upon the third there stood a fruitful Plain wherein were Corn-Grounds Pastures Medows Vine-yards and Orchards adorned with divers kinds of Fruits It had a very fair and spacious Haven for the preserving of Ships it was beautified with Arcinals Castles Temples and many other Buildings very stately and curious but at this day it is utterly desolate and scarce to be perceived where it stood Of Eleutherius ELeutherius was a River upon the Borders of Phoenicia and Syria near to the City Orthosia at the foot of Mount Libanus 200 miles from Ierusalem towards the North of which you may read in the History of Ionathan 1 Mac. 11. 12. There is also another River of that name between Tyrus and Sarepta upon the Borders of Palestina 108 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Of Genezereth IT is a Sea in Galilee so called from the Land of Genesara which lyeth about it here sometimes Capernaum stood it signifies a Princely Garden being derived of Gen that is a Garden and Sar a Prince for the Country round about it was very pleasant You may read more of this in the Travels of our Saviour Christ. Of the Field Chazor THIS was a Plain near to the Town Chazor or Hazor which is described in the Travels of Joshua It stood in the upper Galilee 84 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Of Zabadei ZAbadei were a People inhabiting Arabia Desarta near to the River Eleutherius on the North-east side of Syria and Damascus two hundred miles from Ierusalem Arabia is three-fold the one part thereof is called Deserta which extendeth it self towards the North to Syria and Damascus the other is called Petraea in which vast Wilderness the Children of Israel travelled the third is called Arabia Foelix which is towards the South extending it self from the East to the Gulph of Persia and upon the West it is shut in with the Gulf of Arabia But the Zabadei they inhabited in Arabia Deserta and were a People of a liberal and free condition from whence it seemeth they are so called for Zabab signifieth to endow or bestow Of Addus ADDVS is called by Iosephus lib. antiq 13. cap. 9. Iadah it was a Town near Arimathea in Mount Ephraim sixteen miles from Ierusasalem towards the North-west and is so called from a Congregation being derived of Iaad that is He hath assembled with Authority and Edah a Congregation or Synagogue Of Ador. THIS was a City of the Idumaeans forty eight miles from Ierusalem towards the South-west Ador signifies a beautiful City being derived of Adar that is famous and illustrious and Or that is Light Of Baschamah BAschamah standeth in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan fifty two miles from Ierusalem towards the North-east and is so called from sweet Gums of which there is great Plenty in that place The Travels of the High Priest Simon the Brother of Judas Macchabeus SIMON signifies an Auditor and one that heareth being derived of Schamah He hath heard This man did many worthy Acts during the Life of Iudas Macchabeus for being sent into Galâ—lee in which Countrey there were many that rebelled he suppressed the Insurrection and pursued the Enemies into the City of Ptolomais which was seventy six miles From Ptolomais he brought his Army to Arabath 36 miles In this place after he had assembled all the Religious Israelites thereabouts and their Wives and Children he brought them thence to Ierusalem 44 miles After he went with his Brother Iudas to many places and behaved himself manfully in all his Enterprizes 2 Mac. 8. 14. He went also with him to the Battel fought between Azotus and Gazeron where Iudas was slain being 20 miles from Ierusalem Westward 1 Mac. 9. Simon and Ionathan brought the dead body of their Brother Iudas to Modin six miles and there buried him by his Father Mattathias 1 Mac. 9. Afterward Simon and his Brother Ionathan went from Modin to the Lake Asphar in the Wilderness of Tecoa which was twenty miles From the Desart of Tecoa they went to Madaba which was twenty eight miles After they returned thence to the River of Iordan where upon the East side of the River they pitch'd their Tents twelve miles Here they fought with Bacchides After they went thence to Bethbesan three miles From thence they went to Ierusalem twelve miles Ioseph Antiq. lib. 18. cap. 1. From Ierusalem they went to Ioppa twenty miles and won the Town Ios. lib. Ant. 13. c. 6. From Ioppa they went to Asdod twelve miles and in the way they put the Enemy to flight From Asdod they went to Ascalon twelve miles 1 Macc. 10. From Ascalon they returned to Ierusalem being thirty miles 1 Mac. 10. From thence he went to Bethsura half a mile this Town he won and placed a Garison in it 1 Mac. 11. Also in the absence of his Brother Ionathan Simon went with his Army to Ascalon which was thirty miles from Ierusalem 1 Mac. 12. From thence he went to Ioppa which was twenty miles This Town the second time he took and placed a Garison therein 1 Mac. 12. From Ioppa he returned again to Ierusalem which was twenty miles Ios. Ant. lib. 13. cap. 8. From Ierusalem in the last year of his Brother Ionathan's Government he went to the Plain of Sephala about fourteen miles where he built the Hold of Abida 1 Mac. 12. From thence he returned to Ierusalem fourteen miles There after the
ridiculous yet to such as are at all touched with the sense of Worldly Affairs it cannot chuse but take a deep impression and draw them thence to the knowledge of Christ Jesus and of his Doctrine To which end and for which purpose I have principally endeavoured to publish this Treatise that so comparing the Estate of man in this present World with the Estate of Grace in the World to come they might perceive the impotency of the one and the permanency of the other and from both draw immoveable Axioms that there can be no Salvation where there is no Humility nor no Prosperity where there is not a knowledge of Christ Jesus in his Humanity and thence gather that the afflictions of this World to which he is most subject through the whole course of his Life is the ready means to honour and immortal Glory But that these things may the better appear unto thee I will endeavour to lay before thee the Beginning and so far as the holy Scripture leads me the ending of our Saviour From whence thou may'st draw such comfortable Resolutions that in what Estate soever thou art whether in Prosperity or Adversity thou may'st therewith rest content c. Of Zacharias the Father of John Baptist. ZAcharias or Zachariah signifies Gods Remembrance This man was the Father of Iohn the Baptist being a Priest of the Tribe of Aaron and dwelling at a Town called Abia of which you may read 1 Chr. 24. There were three famous men of this name as Basilius saith One that was a Prophet of the Lord and lived 520 years before the birth of Christ Zach. 1. And another that was the Son of Iehoiada the high Priest who at the command of that ingrateful King Ioas was stoned to death in the upper Court of the Temple 2 Chr. 24. And a third which was this Zacharias the Father of Iohn Baptist and Son of Barachias that is the Blessed who according to the Opinion of Basil was slain for no other cause but for saying that Christ was born of the Virgin Mary This man had to wise Elizabeth of the Posterity of the High-Priest Aaron and by her had a Son called Iohn so named of the Lord who was afterward called Iohn the Baptist. Elizabeth signifies the rest of God being derived of Eli and Scabbath that is the Rest and Sabbath of the Lord. The Inhabitants of the holy Land take upon them even to this day to shew the House were Zacharias and Elizabeth dwelt in a Town that standeth on the right hand of the way as you go from Emmaus to Ierusalem But Saint Luke ca. 1. saith that Zacharias dwelt not in a Town or Field but in the City of Iudah which was scituated in the mountain of Iudah Risnerus and Iohannes Hedenus write that Zacharias dwelt in Ierusalem in the part of the City scituated upon Mount Bezetha as in the first Book of the description of Ierusalem hath bin declared And this seemeth to be verified out of Nehemiah cap. 3. Yet there are some of opinion that he dwelt at Hebron because that was the chief City of the Tribe of Iuda and a Town of the Priests The Travels of the Virgin Mary MARY if it be derived of Marah signifieth such a Person as is oppressed with carefulness and grief one that is laid open to all misery and calamity press'd with continual vexation and mourning She was born upon the eighth day of September 14 years before the birth of Christ and in the fifteenth of her age brought forth her only begotten Son according to S. Hierome and others Her Fathers name was Eliakim of the House of David Upon the five and twentieth day of March in the same year that our Saviour Christ was born Mary being then fourteen years old the Angel Gabriel declared unto her the Embassie of the Conception of our Lord Jesus Christ. A little after about the beginning of April An. M. 3967 she went from Nazareth in great haste over the Hills to Ierusalem sixty four miles to the House of Zacharias and there saluted her Cousin Elizabeth Luk. 1. From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was sixty four miles And when the command came out from Augustus that all the World should be taxed then Ioseph and Mary went from Nazareth to Bethlehem seventy two miles and there the time of Marys deliverance drew neer and loe she bare the Son of the living God our Lord and Saviour Christ. Luke 2. From Bethlehem Ioseph and Mary brought the Child Jesus to Ierusalem and presented him in the Temple which was six miles Luke 2. And when they had accomplished all things according to the Law they returned back again to Nazareth a Town in Galilee sixty four miles From Nazareth they went back again to Bethlem seventy two miles Thither the wise men coming out of the East brought the Child Jesus Gold Frankincense and Myrrh Mat. 2. From Bethlehem the same night that Herod caused all the Infants of two years old and under to be slain Ioseph and Mary fled with the Child Jesus to Hermopolis a City in Egypt which was 296 miles Mat. 2. Zozom lib. 6. From thence they returned back again with the Child Jesus to Nazareth 368 miles for they were greatly afraid lest Archilaus who succeeded his father Herod in the Government of the Iews would seek the Childs life Mat. 2. From Nazareth Ioseph and Mary came every year to Ierusalem which was sixty four miles to the feast of the Passover and so many miles back again which for ten years coâ—tinuance came to 1280 miles When Christ was twelve years of age and at the beginning of the thirteenth he went with his Parents from Nazareth to the Feast of the Passover being sixty four miles Luke 2. And when the days of the Feast of the Passover were accomplished they returned home again But the Child Iesus stayed at Ierusalem and his Parents knew it not for they thought he had been among the company Wherefore when they had travelled a dayes Journey that is twenty miles they missed their Son After they search'd through the company but could not find him wherefore they returned back to Ierusalem being twenty miles where on the third day after they found him in the Temple sitting among the Doctors and disputing with them So the next three days he returned back again with his Parents to Nazareth being sixty four miles and was obedient to them Luke 2. After Ioseph and Mary went every year during the life of Ioseph up to Ierusalem to the Passover and without all doubt took Iesus along with them Thus they continued for the space of three years about which time Ioseph died Christ being then sixteen years of age which three years Travel from Nazareth to Ierusalem and back again cometh to 384 miles From that time forward he continued with his Mother till he was thirty one years of age which was the first year of his Ministry Mary his Mother being then
forty five years old was invited to a Marriage in Cana a City of Galilee which stood eight miles from Galilee towards the North-West Iohn 2. Here our Saviour Christ wrought his first miracle by changing water into wine From Cana in Galilee she went with our Saviour to Capernaum a City of Galilee a little before the Feast of the Paschal Lamb which was twenty miles From Capernaum she returned back to Nazareth which was accounted twelve miles In the thirty second year of the age of our Saviour Christ which was the second of his Ministry Mary went from Nazareth back again to Capernaum where our Saviour Christ cast forth a Devil Mat. 12. Mark 3. which was 12 miles From thence she returned back again to Nazareth which was twelve miles for in this Town she dwelt whilst Iesus travelled from place to place teaching and preaching the Word of God Mark 6. And although she oftentimes went from Nazareth with him to many places continuing still in his company yet then especially when he was to sustain the wrath of God and punishment for the Sin of man which was in the thirty fourth year of his age In which year she would not forsake him till his death for she went from Galilee to Ierusalem with him which waâ— sixty four miles a great Journey for one of her age being then forty eighâ— years old And when our Saviour was crucified she stood close by the Cross with a heavy and pensive countenance bewailing the death of her Son Then was the Prophecy of old Simeon accomplished And a Sword shall pass through thy Soul But after by his Glorious Resurrection and Ascension she was revived and comforted From the Passion of Christ to the death of the blessed Virgin Mary was twelve years all which time she lived with Iohn the Evangelist in Ierusalem and then being fifty nine years of age dyed and was buried according to the opinion of Nicephorus and others in the Garden called Gethsamene So all her Travels were 3506 miles Now follows the description of the Towns and Places to which she travelled Of Nazareth THIS was a Town almost of no estimation scituated in a certain Mountain in Galilee the lower sixty four miles and something more from Ierusalem towards the North in the Tribe of Zabulon In this Town our Saviour Jesus Christ was brought up Luke 1. 2. Some say that it was nineteen or twenty miles from Ierusalem but they mistake themselves yet I will not dispute thereof but follow my Authors Iacobus Ziglerus and Tilmanus Stella There is not any mention made of it that is extant in the Old Testament It hath a two-fold derivation the one by Zain and the other by Zade If it be written by Zain it may have a two-fold signification since the exposition of this name doth depend upon the Verb Nazar which signifies to consecrate and keep from hence Nezaer a Garland of Flowers or a Crown set with pretious Stones c. such as Kings and High-Priests are accustomed to wear Also from the same word Nazar is derived Nazir and thence Nazaraeus which is as much as to say He is separated from the use of Wine and suffering his Hair to be un-cut as being dedicated to the Lord. Therefore our Saviour Christ is justly called a Nazarite Luke 2. For â—aezer first signifies a holy man who hath made a holy Vow unto the Lord Secondly it doth denote a Crown or wreath of Sincerity Exod. 29. 39. Thirdly a holy Ointment wherewith Kings and Priests were anointed Levit. 27. And fourthly this word Nezaer signifies a Princely Crown 2 Sam. 1. 2. Kings 11. Psal. 89. 132. So that Nazareth being derived of Nazar and Nazir may signifie both a Crown and a holy City Iudg. 13. but if Nazareth be written by Zade it signifies a flourishing plant or Graff according to that of Isay c. 11. But there shall come a rod forth of the stock of Ishai and a Graff shall grow out of his root and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him The Inhabitants of this Town at this day shew certain Monuments and Reliques of what had happened in preceeding Ages as two Churches one built there where the Angel Gabriel saluted the Blessed Virgin and she conceived by the Spirit in which there stands three Altars hew'n out of a Rock and the other built as they say where the house of Ioseph and Mary stood because there our Saviour Christ was brought up Also they shew a Well where the Child Jesus drew Water and ministred to his Mother they also shew the vast Ruins of the Synagogue where our Saviour Christ expounded the sixty first Chapter of Isay for which cause they would have thrown him headlong down the Hill Luke 4. and many other things of which you may read in Borchardus the Monk In Saint Ierom's time some forty years before Christ Nazareth was a small Town called Nazarah Of the Mountains by which Mary passed when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth BEtween Nazareth and Ierusalem there standeth many high Hills as Mount Gilboa whereon King Saul killed himself Mount Gerisim and Hebal upon which Hills the Blessings and Cursings were pronounced Deut. 27. and Mount Ephraim upon which Ehud kill'd Eglon King of the Moabites Iudg. 13. Over this Mountain being very great and steep Mary travelled when she went to visit her Cousin Elizabeth Of Bethlehem THERE were two Cities called by this name the one Bethlem Iudah the other Bethlem Euphrata where our Saviour Christ was born and signifieth fruitful or the house of Bread It stood upon a Hill some six miles from Ierusalem towards the South The Inhabitants take upon them to shew the place where our Saviour Christ was born which stood upon the East side of the City close by the Wall thereof where as Eusebius saith Hellen the Mother of Constantine the Great caused to be built a fair and stately Church three hundred and twenty years afteâ— the Nativity of Christ. This Church was dedicated to St. Mary and remaineth to this day being had in great honour both amongst the Christians and the Turks and Saracens This Church is such a stately building that it is thought to exceed all the Churches of Christendom for Beauty and curious Workmanship It is two hundred twenty eight Foot long and eighty seven Foot wide being built all of Marble of divers colours and covered with Lead there are in it four rowes of Marble Pillars wonderful to look upon not only in regard of their number but of their greatness for there is fifty Pillars in every row The Body of this Church the Pillars from the bottom to the top the Walls and every part of it is beautified with lively Pictures adorned with divers Colours Silver Gold and curious Workmanship so as it is wonderful to behold The Pavement of it is of Marble polished and of divers colours so cunningly set in Works and with such variety that it is very delightful to such as look
the Daughter of Iairus to life Mat. 9. Mark 2. Luke 5. and as he went thence he restored two men to their sight and cast out a Devil Mat. 9. About the end of the Month of Iuly our Saviour Christ went from Caesarea Philippi to Nazareth thirty six miles where because of the ingratitude and contempt of the Citizens he did no great Miracles Mark 6. Mat. 13. In the Month of August our Saviour Christ went from Nazareth toward Ierusalem to the Feast of Tabernacles and as he went he visited the Towns and Cities near adjoyning Now when he saw that they wanted Teachers it being at this time the second Harvest he said unto his Disciples Lo the Harvest is great but the Labourers are few c. and he sent his Disciples out into the Harvest Mat. 9. Luke 9. Of this second Harvest you may read Exod. 23. where God commanded the People that they should observe the Feast of the Tabernacles when in the end of the year they had gathered in all the Fruits of the Fields Also in Levit. 23. it is thus written From the fifteenth day of the seventeenth Month when you have gathered all the Fruits of your Land you shall celebrate unto the Lord your God seven days c. From Galilee our Saviour Christ came to Ierusalem sixty four miles where from the twentieth to the twenty seventh day of September he celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles according to the Law of God The rest of the Travels of our Saviour Christ and the Miracles that he wrought in this three last Months of this year viz. in October November and December for their great multitude cannot be described So the Travels of our Saviour Christ in the second year of his Ministry were 912 miles Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Caesarea Philippi THIS City is scituated not far from the foot of the Mountain Antilibanus 104 miles from Ierusalem toward the North close by the two Wells of Iordan Ior and Dan. Upon the East side of this City these two Streams meet and make the River Iordan Philip the Tetrarch of Traconitis called this City after his own name Philippus and in honour of the Roman Caesars he added the name of Caesarea Tiberias at this time being Emperour of Rome In times past it was called Laisch or Lais which signifies a ravening or roaring Lion But the Tribe of Dan having conquered it and rebuilt it again they called it Dan and the Inhabitants of the Holy Land Laeâ—hem Dan as you may read in the Travels of the Danites But the Town as it is reported by such as have travelled into the Holy Land and by the Authority of Volateran notwithstanding these names is often called Belenas Here as Eusebius Zozomenes and Nicephorus say in their Ecclesiastical Histories the Woman that was diseased with the bloudy Issue was healed by touching the Hem of our Saviour's Garment which Woman in token of thankfulness for so great a benefit and in memory of so notable a Miracle erected in this City a little without the Gates of her House a stone Pillar on which she caused to be set the Image of Christ made of Brass and behind that stood the Image of this Woman who had been diseased twelve years with the bloudy Issue bowing her self at the feet of our Lord and touching the Hem of his Garment They also say there grew certain Herbs about this Pillar whereby Miracles were wrought thirty years after it was set up But Iulian the Apostate having intelligence of these things caused those Images to be broken down and erected his own in the same place But soon after there happened such an exceeding Thunder that fire falling from Heaven strook this Image thus set up by this cruel Tyrant upon the Breast and cast the Head and the Neck thereof with great violence upon the Earth These things happened in Caesarea Philippi Upon the Borders of Caesarea Philippi our Saviour Christ asked his Disciples saying Whom do men say that I am Mat. 6. Ioseph Aâ—t li. 20. cap. 6. saith Agrippa King of the Iews did much inlarge Caesarea Philippi in honour of Nero and called it after his name Neromia but it retained not that name long Of Peraea PEraea or Peraia was the utmost part of the Holy Land in which were the Tribes Gad and Reuben separated from the rest of Iudea by the River Iordan and under the Subjection and Government of Herod Antipas It was sixteen miles from Ierusalem Eastward so called of Peran which signifies beyond or upon the other side Plin. li. 4. ca. 1. In the Castle of Macharuntes standing in this Country Iohn Baptist was beheaded Of the Sea of Galilee THIS Sea lay forty four miles from Ierusalem Northward representing upon the Banks a Harp in figure whence it was called Kinnaereth that is the Sea of the Harp Num. 34. for Kinnor signifieth an Harp Toward the North it extendeth it self into some bredth but toward the South it drew into a streight Angle and was called the Sea of Galilee because it bordered upon Galilee It was also called the Lake of Genesareth because of the pleasantness and fruitfulness of the Soil lying upon the North side of it It is called Ioh. 6. the Sea of Tiberias from the City Tiberias that stood upon the shore of it It was but four miles and a little more broad but in length from the North to the South twelve miles Upon the East side it had the Town Chorazin and upon the West Capernaum and as Iosephus saith the Water of this Sea was very sweet and pleasant from whence it came to pass that Fishes did greatly abound in it and there were many Fishers that lived thereabouts only by fishing in that Sea There were many other Cities besides those two before mentioned that stood upon this Sea as Bethsaida Migdala Tiberias and Trichaea these stood upon the West Upon the East stood Iulia and Cadara Of the holy Mountain near Capernaum in Galilee ABout a mile from Capernaum toward the South-west is to be seen an exceeding high Hill standing upon the shore of the Sea of Galilee beautified with many Herbs and Flowers of divers kinds being very fruitful and pleasant extending it self in length almost two Bows shoot and in breadth one From this Hill one might have seen the whole Sea of Galilee the Countries of Iâ—ura and Trachonitis even to Mount Libanus also the Mountains Sanir and Hermon and a great part of the upper and lower Galilee Here also the Inhabitants of the Holy Land shew a certain Stone on which they say our Saviour Christ did usually sit when he preached to the People which Stone the Christians call the Table here was that Sermon made of the eight Beatitudes Mat. 5. 6 7. Luke 6. Here were the twelve Apostles chosen Luke 6. Mar. 3. And our Saviour Christ descending from this Mountain in the Suburbs of the City of Capernaum healed a Man that was infected with the
went from Ierusalem to Bethania which was almost two miles and there visited Mary and Martha where Martha ministred unto him but Mary sitting at his feet gave diligent heed to his Doctrine Luke 10. At this time he took his leave of these two Sisters and went thence to Bethabara beyond Iordan where Iohn baptized which was sixteen miles it being now about the midst of Winter Christ at this time being about thirty three years of age I am not ignorant that there were many which refer that long Journey of our Saviour Christ when he went to visit all Iudaea the sending forth of his Disciples and divers other Miracles mentioned from the ninth Chapter of Luke to the sixteenth to the beginning of the following year But I am of opinion that all those things could not have been done within the compass of four Months and before the Feast of the Dedication so that it must needs be that the seventy Disciples were sent forth before the Feast of the Dedication for after the Feast of the Dedication which was celebrated in the midst of Winter Iohn 10. there were but two Months between it and the raising up of Lazarus in which short time all those things which are described by Luke could not possibly be accomplished especially considering that our Saviour Christ wintered some time in Bethabara and there taught the multitude that came unto him Ioh. 2. So these Travels of our Saviour were five hundred ninety six miles or thereabouts besides the divers Visitations and Journeys he went hither and thither which because of the great multitude of them it was not possible for the Evangelist to set them down Of the Towns and places to which he travelled Of Bethsaida BEthsaida signifies the house of hunting being derived of Baith a house and Zaid hunting from Zod he hath hunted for from this place went the Fishers and Hunters which fished and hunted thorough the World Ierem. 16. In this Town dwelt three Apostles Peter Andrew and Philip Iohn 1. It was scituated upon the West side of the Galilean Sea in the Tribe of Issachar fifty six miles from Ierusalem toward the North. And because of the abundance of Fishes that were in the Sea of Galilee Peter and Andrew became Fishers and in that Vocation got their living till our Lord and Saviour Christ made them Fishers of Men Mat. 4. Luke 5. Before the Birth of Christ this was but a small Town and without doubt was so called from hunting because close by it stood a Wilderness that did greatly abound with wild Beasts Philip the Terrarch of Traconitis and Itura made this a fair City which in honour of Iulia he called Iuliades This Iulia was the Daughter of Augustus Caesar and Wife of Tiberias Philip also brought many Inhabitants thither who dwelt in that City But when Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee and Brother of this Philip had builded up Bethabara which stood beyond the River Iordan on the East side of the Sea of Galilee and called it by the name of Iuliades in honour of this Iulia. This Town re-edified and inlarged by Philip was called again in the time of our blessed Lord and Saviour Christ after the ancient name Bethsaida and so continueth to this day From hence it is manifest that the Sea of Galilee was subject to the Government of both these Tetrarchs since upon the shore thereof on both sides they had Cities standing I do think the Wilderness or Wood and â—and near adjoyning to Bethsaida is called Itura of Ietur the Son of Ismael Gen. 25. or else from the compass and roundness of it for Tur in Hebrew signifies a circle But that Itura stood upon the West side of the Sea of Galilee those that have been at the Holy Land can testifie This City of Bethsaida hath an ancient Water-course coming from a River not far from it which Iosephus calleth little Iordan which falleth into the Sea of Galilee just in the mid-way between this Town and Capernaum the Channel whereof appeareth to this day Beside the many Sermons which our Saviour Christ preached here he did many notable miracles Mark 8. c. But for the ingratitude and impiety of the Citizens the curse of our Saviour fell upon them Wo be to thee Chorazin wo be to thee Bethsaida for if the miracles had been done in Tyrus and Sidon which have been done in thee they had long e're this repented in sackcloth and ashes Verily verily I say unto you it shall be easier for Tyrus and Sidon in the day of Iudgment than for you Mat. 11. Luk. 10. The prophecie of our Saviour Christ fell upon them accordingly for after divers and sundry overthrows and devastations this Town became utterly unpeopled and as Britenbacchus saith there are scarce six houses standing in it at this day Of Chorazin THis City also stands upon the further side of Iordan close by the Sea of Galilee in the same Country as Capernaum stands for the City of Chorazin standeth upon the East side of the River Iordan where it falleth into the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum upon the West in the half Tribe of Manasses some 16 miles from the City of Ierusalem towards the North. This City also neglecting the preachings and miracles of our Saviour Christ felt the efficacy and force of the curse of the Son of God Mat. 11. Luc. 10. For there is not at this day a house to be seen only some ruines where it stood Chorazin doth denote a Dukedom or Principality from Coh and Razon a Prince and Duke for Rozez signifies a laborious Prince Ierom turning this word Rozez into Razi calls it a secret mystery or my secret Of Tiberias TIberias standeth upon the West side of the Sea of Galilee 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North. Before the Birth of Christ it was cal-called Kinnereth that is the City of the Harp after which name the Lake of Tiberias or the Sea of Galilee is called Numb 14. But Herod the Teâ—rarch of Galilee at whose command Iohn the Baptist was beheaded did beautifie this City with many fair Buildings and compassed it about with strong Walls and after Caesar's name called it Tiberias He also gathered thither many Inhabitants and endowed it with many large Priviledges for although this place before the restoring of the City was very filthy and impure by reason of the dead Bodies both of Men and Beasts which lay in that place from whence it happened that the Iewes shunned this place as utterly unlawful and durst not dwell there yet notwithstanding Herod with singular Industry and Diligence removed all that filthiness and in that very place built up this City both fair and spacious partly with Gifts partly with fair Speeches alluring many Iews to inhabit therein Many poor People also built themselves houses at their own charge and those that had no Children gave way unto the liberty of the City besides many rich and noble men were constrained to remove their whole
The Land round about it is very pleasant and fertile abounding with all kind of good things necessary for the maintenance of life and delight There is also found great abundance of Grapes which are very delicious and pleasant to the taste whereof the Wine Canamella is made But because the Turks and Saracens are prohibited by the strict Law of the Alcoran from drinking of Wine therefore they suffer no Vineyards to be planted neither the Inhabitants to dress those Vines that grow naturally Before the East Gate of the antient City which now lies destroyed there is built a Chappel in which place they say the Woman of Canaan intreated our Saviouâ— Christ to cast a Devil out of her Daughter Mat. 15. The Mountain Antilibanus beginneth close by the River Eleutherius and extends it self beyond Tripolis and in some places it joyneth so close to the Sea that for the streightness of the wayes those that travel that way can scarce pass In this City was the fairest Purple in all those parts nay as some Authors affirm the like was not to be found in the World c. Of Cana Syro-Phoenicia THIS Town which was called Cana the Great was scituated upon the borders of Tyrus and Sidon 112 miles from Ierusalem Northward scituated in the Tribe of Ashur four miles from Sidon towards the South and three from Sareâ—ta towards the East In this Town the Syroâ—hoenician dwelt that besought our Saviour Christ to heal her Daughter that was possessed of a Devil Mat. 15. Mar. 7. It was called Cana Syro-Phoenicia to put a diffâ—rence between it and another Cana scituated in Galilee the lower in which City our Saviour Christ turned Water into Wine You may read more of this Town before Of Traconitis THIS City was so called from the stony hardness of the Mountains of Gilead which compass it in upon the East side in which Province the Tribe of Gad and the half Tribe of Manasses inhabited It was in antient times called Basan in which Og the mighty Gyant had a great Command but Moses overcame him and gave the Land to the Tribe of Gad and the half Tribe of Mâ—nâ—sses In Christ's time the Tetrarch and Governour of it was Philip who was Son to Herod the Great and Brother to Herod Anâ—ipas Tetrarch in Galilee and Petraea which Herod took to Wise Herodia whom his Brother Philip had formerly married the said Philip being at that time alive but because Iohn Baptist reprehended him for that fact therefore at her request he was beheaded in the Castle of Machera Itura was another Province belonging to the Tetrarchy of Philip joyning upon the West to the River of Iordan and called Galilee of the Gentiles of which you may read before Of Decapolis THIS Country is so called of ten Cities that were scituated in it It stood beyond Iordan and the Sea of Galilee as may be gathered out of Mark cap. 7. and Mat. 15. So that it is manifest that that Country which in times past was called Gilead was afterward known and called by the name of Decapolis because of the â—en Cities which stood there as Chorazin which Christ cursed Mat. 11. Gamala where Agrippa King of the Iews was hurt in his right arm Ios. de Bell. Iud. lib. 4. cap. 1. Iuliades built by Herod Antipas in honour of the Empress Iulia Gadara where our Saviour Christ cast out the Legion of Devils suffering them to enter into the Herd of Swine Mat. 8. Mar. 5. Astoroth the chief City of that Country in the time of Og King of Basan Ios. cap. 12. Here also that holy man Iob sometimes had his dwelling Iabes in Gilead where Saul King of Israel lieth buried 1 Sam. 31. Mizpah where Ieptha offered his Daughter for a Sacrifice to the Lord Iudg. 11. Ramoth in Gilead where King Ahab was slain with a Dart 1 Reg. 22. and Abel of the Vines where Baalam's Ass spake Num. 22. These are those ten Cities whereof this Country is called Decapolis being scituated in the Land of Gilead beyond Iordan where our Saviour healed the Man that was born blind and deaf Mark 7. This Opinion exactly agreeth with that of the Holy Scripture Yet I know there are some as Plin. lib. 5. cap. 18. and others who differ from this in the description of this Country but they erâ— from the truth Of Magdala THIS was a City scituated upon the West side of the Galilean Sea fifty two miles from Ierusalem Northward in which Country Mary who of this Town was called Magdalen was born At this time this City is called by the name of Castle Magdala in which place they shew the House of Mary Magdalen Upon the West and North-side of the City there lieth a great and spacious Plain preserved only for Pasture which Mark cap. 8. calls Dalmanutha that is Drawn dry or a poor and naked Habitation being derived of Dalal He hath made dry and Maon a House or dwelling place It may be a notable figure of the Christian Church which in this World may rightly be said to have a poor Habitation but yet is a right Magdala that is a strong and impregnable Tower against which the Gates of Hell shall not be able to prevail Mat. 16. Upon the Borders of Magdala and Dalmanutha the Pharisees and Sadducees tempting our blessed Saviour Christ demanded of him a sign from Heaven Mat. 15. 16. Mar. 8. This City belonged to the Tribe of Issachar Of Thabor MOunt Thabor was a round and high Hill upon which our blessed Saviour Christ was transfigured scituated upon the borders of the Tribes of Issachar and Zebulon fifty two miles from the City of Ierusalem towards the North and extendeth it self towards the South to the River Kison Here Deborah and Barak discomfited the Host of Sisera King of the Canaanites and put them to flight Iudg. 4. Of this Mountain you may read Psal. 89. Hos. 4. Ier. 45. There was also a Town called after this Name scituated at the foot of this Mountain where Ziba and Zalmana Kings of the Midianites put to death the Brothers of Gideon Iudges 8. It was a very fruitful and pleasant place Concerning the signification of the name you may read before Egesippus saith That this Mountain is almost four miles in height and that upon the top thereof there is a round Plain almost three miles over in which there grows great plenty of Trees of an admirable Pleasantness and Sweetness amongst which Trees there are many Birds which sing very pleasantly to the great delight of all such as hear them and the Air on the top of it is very pure and pleasant It is the received Opinion That upon the top of this Mountain our Saviour Christ in the presence of Peter Iames and Iohn was transfigured and he spake with the holy Prophets Moses and Elias Mat. 17. Luke 9. which place at this day is compassed about with a great Wall within which is a fair and pleasant Orchard watered with many clear and
Upon the 40 day after his Resurrection he returned fifty six miles to Ierusalem where his Disciples were assembled together and upon the fourteenth day of May in the sight of all the Apostles with great triumph and joy he ascended up into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of his Father in Divine Majesty and Glory Mar. Luke ult Act. 1. Psal. 28. Ephes. 1. 1. Pet. 3. Heb. 1. So these Travels of our Saviour Christ were 319 miles But if you reckon his Travels from the time of his infancy to the day of his Ascension they make 3093 miles besides his general Visitations and Journeys hither and thither which were so many that as Iohn witnesseth cap. vlt. they could not be described Of the Towns and Places to which he travelled Of Jericho THIS City stood very pleasantly in the Tribe of Benjamin ten miles from Ierusalem North-eastward Ioshuah overcame this Town by sounding of Trumpets Ios. 6. Heb. 11. It was rebuilt by Hiel and was compassed about with a new wall by Herod that mighty King of the Iewes who put the Innocent Children to death and called it after his Mothers Name Cyprus Ios. de Bell. Iud. lib. 1. cap. 16. And although this City was taken and utterly overthrown the second time by the Romans at such time as Vespasian and his Son Titus wasted and destroyed Ierusalem and all the Land of Iudaea yet afterward it was re-edified and in St. Ieroms time which was 400 years after Christ it was a fair City There was shewn the House of Zaccheus and the Sycomore-tree that he went up to see Christ Luk. 19. But by reason of the often destructions and devastations that hath fallen upon it there is not to be seen at this day above eight Houses in the Town and all the Monuments and Reliques of the holy Places are utterly destroyed the House of Zaccheus and the Sicomore-tree are no more to be seen in that Place only the Place is to be seen where our Saviour restored the blind man to sight when he cryed after him Lord thou Son of David have mercy upon me Luke chap. 18. Also though the Country throughout be very fruitful and pleasant yet it is nothing so fertile and pleasant as it was when the Children of Israel did dwell there For the Roses of Iericho are no more to be found there but rather in a Village about sixteen miles from Iordan towards the East And although they stand so far distant off yet they retain their ancient name Between Ierusalem and Iericho there is a Desart or Wilderness which by the Inhabitants of the holy Land is called Quarentena where the man of which Christ speaketh fell among Thieves Luke 10. There is in the same place at this day great thieving and many Robberies committed as Brittenbacchus saith In this Place also is to be seen the River Chereth where the Ravens fed Eliah 1 Reg. 17. Near to Iericho also is found the River the Water whereof Elizeus made sweet by casting in Salt whereas before it was bitter and it remains very pleasant and sweet to this day 2 Reg. 2. Of Ephraim THIS City is so called from the pleasantness and fruitfulness of the Soil being derived from Parah to fructifie It lieth 8 miles from Ierusalem North-eastward just in the way as you go from thence to Iericho in the Wilderness of Quarentena close by the River Chereth in the Tribe of Benjamin Here our Saviour Christ after he had raised Lazarus from Death to Life hid himself with his Disciples because the Iewes sought to take away his Life by deceit The Passover following he was made a sacrifice for the Sin of man Ioh. 11. Of Bethania THIS City was a type of the Church which is always subject to the Cross and exposed to every calamity and therefore is called Bethania that is The House of Sorrow and Affliction being derived of Baith a House and Oni Affliction According to the prophecy of our Saviour who foretold of the Afflictions and Tribulations that should fall upon his Church You shall mourn but you shall be comforted and your grief shall be turned into joy It was distant from Ierusalem almost two miles towards the South-East Borchardus the Monk observeth that close by a Well about a stones cast out of this Town there is shewed the place where Martha met our Saviour Christ when he came to Bethania and a little after called her Sister to meet him Ioh. cap. 11. There is also shewn in this Town the House of Simon the Leper where a certain Woman having an Alablaster box of precious Ointment poured it on our Saviours head not without the great indignation of his Disciples Mat. 26. There is also to be seen the house of Martha to which our Saviour did oftentimes resort Luke 10. Iohn 11. and 12. and in that place there is at this day a Church built in honour of those two Sisters which were the Sisters of Lazarus There is also seen the Sepulchre out of which Lazarus was raised from death to life Iohn 11. which stands close by the said Church and over it is built a Chappel of Marble very decent and comely The Saracens hold this Chappel in great estimation You cannot see the City of Ierusalem from Bethania because of the Mount of Olives but as soon as you ascend a little Hill in the way as you go thence to Ierusalem you may discern Mount Sion and a part of the City then when you are descended from that Hill the City is again hidden After that upon the left side of the Mount of Olives some stones cast from Bethpage you do leave a small Village standing under the Mountain of Offence where Solomon in times past committed Idolatry From this Village the Ass and the Colt was brought unto Christ. Not far from thence upon the South side as you go upon the Mount of Olives you come unto the place where Christ mounted upon the Ass as we read Mat. 21. And a little after you may see the whole City of Ierusalem with Solomon's Temple and the Church of the holy Sepulchre with many other holy places Then as you descend from the top of the Mount of Olives you may see the place where the multitude cried Hosanna Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord. And in this descent also our Saviour Christ wept over Ierusalem saying O Ierusalem Ierusalem how often would I have gathered thee under my Wings as a Hen gathereth her Chickens but thou wouldest not Of Bethpage BEthpage standeth upon the right hand of the way towards the East as you go from Bethania to Ierusalem and as St. Ierom saith was sometimes a Habitation of the Priests which at their appointed times went up to Ierusalem to minister to the Lord. It was so called because of the multitude of Figs that grow there for Pagim signifies a Fig Cant. 2. Bethpage is a notable type of the Church for that ought likewise to be fruitful and
Sun-set Near unto this Inn Nicephorus and Zozemenus say in their Ecclesiastical History there was a Spring or Well of that admirable Vertue that if either Man or Beast that was infirm or sick did drink of the Water thereof they were immediately restored to their former Health The reason that these Authors have for it because they are impertinent I will omit But to return to the City of Emmaus as it is now called Nicopolis being scituated eight miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East in the way as you go thence to Ioppa the Countrey round about it being very fertile and pleasant by reason of the Rivers and Springs wherewith it is watered as Pliny saith l. 5. c. 14. and much altered from that which it was in times past But because you may read more of this City in Pliny as it is at this day and in Nicephorus and Eusebius I leave to speak further of it Of Simon of Cyrene THIS Simon which carried the Cross of our Saviour Christ was born in Kir a City in Africa scituated sixteen miles from Ierusalem towards the West Mat. 27. Luk. 23. In which City Tiglath Phulasser Emperour of the Assyrians planted many of the Inhabitants of Damascus after he had conquered that City 2 Reg. 16. This City and the Country round about it by reason of these new Inhabitants by little and little changed the name and whereas in former times it was called Kir in the time of our Saviour it was commonly called Cyrene and this Man of that Country Simon of Cyrene At this day it is a strong and beautiful City scituated between Mareotides and Zeugitania at first built by Battus whom Callimachus the Poet claimeth to be his Progenitor This Battus was a mighty King in Africa but was one that had a great impediment in his Speech insomuch that many think this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to have been originally used by him and by none other Afterward as is said Tiglath Phulasser having obtained the Jurisdiction of this City planted the People of Daâ—ascus in it and they obtaining some Power there continued till a long time after Christ and imbraced the Religion of the Jews built up Synagogues and dispersed that Law in many parts of those Quarters There were some of this Country that opposed that holy Martyr Stephen and were consenting to his death There were many learned men in it as Eratosthenes the Mathematician Callimacus the Poet both which were had in great estimation among the Aegyptians Carneades also the Academian Cronus Appolonus and Hegesias the Philosopher of whom Cicero speaketh in the fifth Book of his Tusculans and Eratosthenes the Historian who was Son of Agaclis Salust saith that this City in his time was so mighty that it maintained War against the Carthaginians for their Bounds and Limits of their Fields and Grounds a long time and Iustin lib. 39. that they maintained War against two Nations the Phoenes and the Egyptians in which Wars they gave Aprius the King of the Egyptians such a mighty overthrow that there were very few of his Army that returned into his Country with him as Horodot affirmeth lib. 4. there were also many Great Princes that ruled in this City of which because you may read in divers other Authors more at large I omit to speak of them Of Joseph of Arimathea who buried Christ. THIS Ioseph which caused our Saviour Christ to be buried in his Garden was a rich man upright and just in all his Actions a Senator of Ierusalem and one that expected the Kingdom of God born at Arimathea a City of the Iews Luc. 23. This City was sometime called Ramathaim Sophim and sometime Ramah because it was scituated in a high place and in times past was a fair City standing 16 miles from Ierusalem toward the North-west the description whereof you may read before At this day it is called Ramalea being nothing so fair as it was but like a Country Town the Houses being carelesly dispersed here and there lying without Walls or Bulwarks to defend it notwithstanding the ancient ruines of the former City is to be seen even at this day There is also a great Inn or resting place for Strangers having within it many Rooms for the receipt of Passengers and a Well of very sweet Water This House was first purchased at the charge of Philip Duke of Burgundy and by him committed to the protection of the Monks of Mount Sion by whom it is at this day made an Hospital wherein Pilgrims Travellers and Strangers are entertained and find much relief In an inward Orchard belonging to this Hospital there is a fair plat of Ground that bringeth forth great abundance of Aloes of which there is often mention in the holy Scriptures but more especially in Psalm 48. Thy Garments smell of Aloes and Cassia when thou comest out of thy Ivory Palaces where they have made thee glad Nicodemus a Prince of the Iews together with Ioseph of Arimathea brought with them an hundred pound of Aloes mixed with Myrrh to embalm the Body of our Saviour Christ when they had begged it of Pilate before they buried it Ioh. 19. Myrrh is a kind of Gum that issueth out of a Tree that grows in the East Countries but principally in Arabia The Tree out of which it issueth is commonly two Yards and a half high with some Pricks upon it the Bark whereof being cut there issueth out of it drops like Tears which congealeth into a Gum and is called Myrrh The principal Vertue that it hath is to keep the Bodies of the dead incorruptable see Pli. li. 12. ca. 15. 16. In Arabia Foelix there is such abundance of sweet Myrrh Frankincense and other odoriferous Gums that such as Sail in the red Sea may easily smell the savour of them There is also found in the Holy Land Myrrh and Aloes Aloes is the juyce of a certain bitter Herb which by some is called Everliving it killeth the Worms and preserveth from Putrifaction it is also good for the Sight There is to be gathered in India Arabia and the Holy Land a certain Herb of an extraordinary sweet smell with Leaves broad fat and juycy which being press'd yieldeth more Aloes than Honey from whence this metaphorical Proverb is used Quod plus molestiae quam voluptatis gignit that is more troublesome than profitable You may read also in Plautus that the Life of Man tasteth more of Aloes than Honey and Iuvenal speaking of an evil Wife saith she hath more of Aloes than Honey So Euripides Every sweet hath his sowre So also the Holy Cross seemeth to have more of Aloes than Honey notwithstanding it preserveth us from eternal Corruption and killeth the venemous Worms of Conscience cleanseth us from our Sins and freeth us from the fear of the Devil and eternal Death that so we might be recreated and by the Faith of our Saviour be raised up at the last day and partake with him in his everlasting
cast into Prison who by the Prayers of the Church was miraculously delivered as you may read Acts 12. A little after that is about the month of August this King was struck by the Angel of the Lord and died miserably for when he came to Caesarea Strato he caused the publick Shews to be solemnly practised and in honour of Claudius Caesar set forth very sumptuous Interludes and Plays to which Feast and Shews all the Nobility and Gentry of that Country round about resorted Where the next day very early in the Morning having put on a rich and goodly Garment made all of Cloath of Gold he went into the Theatre and there according to his usual custom sat in a princely Seat and made an Oration to the Inhabitants of Tyre Now when the Sun was up and shone upon his Garments the Rays therâ—of cast such a reflection upon the beholders that it dazled their Eyes insomuch that they could scarce see Wherefore those that were his Flatterers hearing his gracious Speech cried with a loud Voice O Agripâ—a be propitious unto us for although heretofore we feared thee as a Man yet now we well perceive thou art of a more Noble and Divine Nature But when the King taking delight in these speeches would not restrain the impious clamour of these flatterers a little after he lifted up his head and upon the top of a Pillar he saw an Owl sittingâ—over him Presently he was troubled in his mind and within a while after he was struck with an extream pain in his Bowels insomuch that with a loud Voice he cried unto his Friends I whom but now was called your God am but a Man and him that you imagined to be immortal must presently die These Words being ended they carried him sick into his Palace and it was given out that he was dead No sooner came this News to the Ears of the Vulgar but they with their Wives and Children put on sack-cloath and fell upon the Ground with earnest Supplications to God to be merciful unto him But the King looking out of his Window and seeing them lie thus prostrate upon the Earth wailing and weeping he could not abstain from Tears At length after he had been cruelly tormented by the space of four days upon the fifth died being the second of August the Worms having consumed his Guts and eaten through his Body Thus God greviously punished him who had so much afflicted the Members of the Church of Christ but towards other Men as well Strangers as Gentiles he was mild and courteous He reigned in the whole almost seven years for he held the Tetrarchy of Philip three years under Caligula and other four years he held the whole Kingdom of the Iews He died in the eleventh year after the Resurrection and in the third of Claudius Caesar being then about 54 years of age Acts. 22. Ioseph Antiq. lib. 19. Pliny saith that this Town of Caesarea Strato was sometime called Apollonia but after obtained the name of Caesarea Palestina Saint Ierom saith in his Epitaph upon Paul that in his time which was 400 years after Christ there was to be seen in this place the House of Cornelius the Centurian whom Peter baptized Act. 10. This Cornelius is thought by some to have been of the Family of Lentuli in Rome for they were also called Cornelii as appeareth in Salust in the conspiracy of Cataline and it may be that this Cornelius was that Lentulus which wrote to Tiberius Caesar that excellent Epistle concerning the figure proportion and person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Also the House of Philip the Deacon and the Chambers of his four Daughters who were Prophetesses When Paul came unto this Town Agabus the Prophet came unto him who bound his Hands and Feet with the Girdle of Paul saying The Man that oweth this Girdle shall be thus bound by the Iews at Ierusalem and they shall deliver him into the Hands of the Gentiles Here he made a notable Sermon before Festus Agrippa Iunior and his Sister Bernice Act. 16. This Town flourished for a long time after the Destruction of Ierusalem and it was scituated in a fair and profitable place fortified towards the West with the Mediterranean Sea and towards the East it was compassed about with a Lake in which were great abundance of Crocodiles though the Water was very sweet and of a great depth Many Godly and Religious Men were here crowned with the Wreath of Martyrdom for professing the Gospel of Christ as Eusebius Bishop of this Town and of Pamphilius well observeth in his Eccles. Hist. But the Lord did so sharply revenge the death of these men that at this day it is utterly destroyed and there is not a house left though in times past it had been a Bishop's See There was also another Town built by Philip the Tetrarch called Caesarea Philippi whereof you may read before Of Ioppa COncerning this Town I have already shewed many things in the Travels of Ionas but omitted some specified by Brittenbach and Dr. Ranwolfe who have described the holy Land as it was in the year of our Lord 1575. which Authors affirm that there is seen a great Chain of Iron fastened to a certain Rock to the which Ships that lay in that Harbour were sometimes tied Also the Chain wherewith Andromda was fast bound to a stone when she should have been devoured of the Sea Monster Also they say that there is a Chappel at this day built up in the place where sometime the house of Simon the Tanner stood who gave entertainment to Peter standing by a Rock close by the Sea side and dedicated to St. Peter But for the rest of the Town although formerly it hath been a goodly City it is utterly destroyed nothing standing but a part of the Wall and two Castles upon the Haven to defend such as come thither with Ships from the Injuries and Incursions of the Pagans and Saracens Of Babylon in Aegypt BAbylon signifieth Confusion as you may read before There were two Cities of this name the one was in Chaldaea and the other in Egypt That in Chaldaea was scituated upon the River Euphrates and this upon the River Nilus being 244 miles from Ierusalem toward the South-West and called in the Arabian Tongue Alcair or Cair whether you please which also signifieth Confusion Concerning both which Cities you may read more at large in their former description From this Town it is credibly thought and not from that Town which stood in Chaldaea Peter wrote his first Epistle as the circumstances of the History do evidently declare for that Babylon which stood in Chaldaea was in the time of Peter utterly destroyed but then this Babylon was had in great estimation About this time also Mark who was the Disciple of Peter was the first Bishop of Alexandria as you may read in the end of this Epistle Wherefore that Opinion which some would have to pass for truth that Peter wrote his
first Epistle from Rome calling it allegorically Babylon is utterly to be condemned since there is none who can certainly prove that conjecture neither is it grounded upon any firm foundation for although Babylon in the Revelation of S. John because it was a secret Prophecy was allegorically used yet in a plain and manifested history such kind of Allegories are not allowed From whence may be concluded that S. Peter wrote his first Epistle from this Babylon not from Rome The Travels of Saint John with the Annotation of the Times wherein he lived JOHN the Evangelist and Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ was born in the tenth year after the Nativity of our Saviour and was made his Disciple when he was 21 years of Age. He saw the Miracle of Christ when he changed the Water into Wine John cap 2. In the year following viz. in the 22 year of his Age he was taken into the number of the twelve Apostles Luke 6. Mar. 3. After that in the three and twentieth year of his age he saw the transfiguration of Christ in mount Thabor and when he was four and twenty years of age he stood under the Cross of our Saviour Christ and the same year a little after Christs Ascension he with the rest of the Apostles received the Gift of the holy Ghost being then the Feast of Pentecost which fell about the four and twentieth day of May in the same year he was cast into Prison with Peter for healing the lame Man Acts 3. 4. Thus much of his Youth About the middle of the first year after our Saviour Christs Ascension Iohn being then 25 years old was sent with Peter from the City of Ierusalem to Samaria 32 miles From Samaria he returned back again to Ierusalem 32 miles and as he returned preached the Gospel of Christ in divers Towns of the Samaritans Acts 8. Mary the Mother of our Lord being now 59 years of age died in the twelfth year after the Resurrection of Christ and was buried by Iohn the Evangelist in the Garden of Gethsemene Iohn being then 35 years old Four years after her death he was present at the Apostolical Council in Ierusalem Now Iames his Brother who was called the Elder was beheaded two years before for this Council was celebrated in the presence of Iames the younger Peter Iohn Paul and Barnabas c. about sixteen years after the Resurrection of Christ and fourteen after the Conversion of Paul Gal. 2. Before the Destruction of Ierusalem which happened about the 61 year of his age and 38 after Christs Ascension Iohn went from Ierusalem and came to Ephesus 544 miles where after the death of the Apostle Paul he governed the Churches of Asia minor In the 86 year of his age being cast into a Vessel of boiling Oyl and coming out unhurt by the command of Domitian the Emperour he was banished into the Isle of Pathmos distant from Ephesus 40 miles There he wrote his Revelation to the seven Churches in Asia minor whereof you may read Apoc. 1. From Pathmos he returned to Ierusalem which was forty miles being then 88 years of age and there he raised Drusana from Death to Life After this he governed the Churches in Asia four years that is from the Government of Nero the Emperour unto the fourth year of the Government of Trajan the Emperour and called the young Man to repentance which was of the Society of Thieves at length he died at Ephesus when he was 91 years old An. Dom. 100. as St. Ierom and Nicephorus li. 2. ca. 32. observe So all his Travels were 688 miles The Testimony of the Fathers concerning John THE Testimonies of the holy Fathers that are yet extant concerning Iohn are these In Euseb. â—i 3. c. 1. 18. 20. 3. you may read the History concerning the Conversion of the young Man from the company of Thieves Irenaeus witnesseth the same li. 2. ca. 23. In Irenaeus also li. 3. ca. 23. you may read the History of Cerinthus and how that Iohn lived until the time of Trajan the Emperour Also li. 3. ca. 11. he saith that the Gospel of St. Iohn was written because of the Blasphemy of Cerinthus The Description of the Towns and places to which John travelled Of Ephesus THIS was the Metropolitan City of Ionia scituated in Asia Minor 544 miles from Ierusalem North-westward It was built saith Strabo by Androclus the Son of Codrus King of Athens in the time of David King of Israel and because of the beautiful scituation and ferâ—ility of the Soil called Ephesus in future Ages growing into such credit and estimation that it was mightily increased and became one of the most famous Mart Towns in all Asia but it stood somewhat low so that the Sea brake in upon it and drowned it and many of the Inhabitants perished Nevertheless Lysimachus King of Thrace built it up again in the same place where now it stands and called it Arsinoes after his Wives name But he being dead it was again called by the antient name Ephesus There were many worthy Men that lived in it as Heraclitus Scotinus and Hermadorus who for his excellent understanding and singular honesty was banished Hipponachus also the Poet Perrhasius and Apelles the Painters Alexander the Orator and Theodotio a Iew who interpreted the Bible It was in ancient times inhabited by the Amazons whose Queen kept her court there and wonderfully increased and adorned it with fair and beautiful Buildings Here also that notable Temple dedicated to Diana which as Strab. saith li. 14. Plin. li. 36. c. 14. was 220 years a building It stood upon Morish Ground to avoid the danger of Earth-quakes There were in it 127 Pillars erected by so many Kings among which there were 36 that were curiously sicled and artificially carved and ingraven It was 425 foot long and 120 broad There were so many Gifts and Gratuities sent from all the Cities and Kings round about toward the building of this Temple that the Riches and Treasure thereof was wonderful insomuch that when it was finished it was accounted one of the stateliest Buildings the World could afford and numbered amongst the Wonders of the World This Temple thus built at such an extraordinary charge that it was almost unvaluable was set on fire by one Herostratus a wicked and perverse Fellow in the same Olympiad and Day that Alexander the Great was born who having nothing in him that might make him famous in after-ages burnt this goodly Building that so though not for his good but for his evil he might get a name But the Ephesians were so incensed because of this Mischief that they procured Proclamation to be made through all the Kingdoms round about that his name should not be once mentioned which perhaps for a time was observed but in future ages they could not prevent it but that he was both spoken of and written of Notwithstanding afterward the Inhabitants of this City became so exceeding wealthy that they soon
cost that he much exceeded Alexander and made it a fair and goodly City At this day it is called Ilium But in the place of old Troy there is little to be seen only a small Town as Strabo saith It is distant from Ierusalem 760 miles North-westward Of Bythinia THIS Country is opposite to Constantinople scituated in Asia minor distant from Ierusalem North-westward and so called of Bythinus the Son of Iupiter and Thrax It was sometime called Pontus Bebrycia and Mygdonia as Stephanus saith In this Country the Apostle Paul could not preach the Gospel of Christ when he went into Macedonia and Graecia because he was hindred by the Spirit Act. 16. The principal Cities thereof were Calcidon Heraclea Nicea Nicodemia Apamea Flaviopolis Libissa where Hannibal lieth buried and Prusa now called Brysa where in times past the Enperours of Turky kept their Courts and were buried The Mother and Metropolis of all these Cities was Nicea or rather Nicaea being distant from Ierusalem 720 miles towards the North-west at the first called Antigonia of Antigonus the Son of Philip King of Asia who built it after the death of Alexander the Great But Lysimacus called it Nicaea after his Wifes name and at this day it is called Nissa The compass thereof is two miles being four square scituated as Strabo saith lib. 12. in a fair and pleasant place lying close by the Pool of Ascania and hath in it four Gates standing in a direct line all which Gates might easily have been seen from a certain Stone which stood in the middle of the Market-place In this City the most Christian Emperour Constantine the Great celebrated a Councel Anno Dom. 325. at which time there were present 320 Bishops who condemned the Arrian Heresie and instituted the Nicene Creed But after that viz. Anno Dom. 326. the Arrians endeavouring to hold a second Councel in this City to confirm their Opinions and to dissolve that which went before the Lord hindred them with an Earth-quake by which almost half the City was thrown down Not long after there happened another Earth-quake which utterly destroyed it Notwithstanding it was rebuilt again and in it a second Councel held wherein the Nicene Creed was condemned There were many Cities of this name that before spoken of another in Thrace a third in France not far from the River Varus a fourth as Stephans saith is amongst the Lorrenses in Graecia a fifth in Illeria a sixth in India a seventh in Corsica and the eighth in Leuctris of Boetia Of Mysia THIS is a Country of Asia the less bordering upon Hellespont and Troada being divided into two parts that is the greater and the less That part that bordereth upon Troada is distant from Ierusalem 800 miles North-westward but that which is called Mysia the less and bordering upon Lydia is 1028 miles from Ierusalem North-westward In this Country stood Pergam to which Iohn wrote his Revelation Scepsis where one Neleus kept the Books of Aristotle till Apollonius time also Antandrus Adramitium Tranoiapolis and Aâ—ollonia which stood close by the River Thyndaeus The Inhabitants were Men of a base condition and contemned of the World insomuch as they became a Proverb as often as a Man would denote a thing of no estimation they would say Viâ—imum esse myliorum that is It is worse than the Mysians as it appeareth in Cicero's oration for Flaccus Yet notwithstanding Paul and Iohn the Evangelist preached the Doctrine and Light of the Gospel to this poor and despised People so that the Mysians which were a contemptable and abominable Nation before all the World were not so before God for they were converted at the preaching of Iohn and Paul From whence he saith Not many Wise according to the flesh not many mighty not many noble but God hath chosen the foolish things of this World that they might confute and overthrow the Wise c. 1. Cor. 1. Intimes past they were a great People though of small estimation for they had under their jurisdiction Lydia Caria Pergamus Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia and Laodicea to many of which Iohn wrote his Revelation Also as Herodotus saith lib. 7. the Mysians and Teucrians before the Trojan War past into Europe and there won and held Thracia Macedonia and all the Land of the Adriatick Sea c. Of Troas THIS City Troas where Paul raised Eutichus which signifies Happy or Fortunate from death to life Act. 10. stood upon the Sea of Hellespont in Asia the less 720 miles from Ierusalem North-westward Antigonus King of Asia called it Troas because it was in the Country where Troy was But after the death of Alexander he called it after his own name Antigonia and the better to honour it kept his Court there But Lysimachus King of Thrace having got this City into his Jurisdiction bestowed great cost upon it and set up many fair and goodly Buildings then called it after Alexander's name Alexandria and so it began to be called Alexandria Troas Plin. lib. 5. Strabo lib. 13. Ier. de locis Hebraicis Now it was called Alexandria Troas to put a difference between it and divers other Cities of that name for there was an Alexandria in Aegypt another in India and many others elsewhere but only this in the Country where Troy stood It was scituated in a high and spacious Mountain about a mile and a half from the Shore of Propontus towards the East between which and Troas is twenty eight miles It is a thing worthy Observation to consider by what divers names the Sea that lies between Europe and Asia the less is called for between Constantinople and Calcidonia close by the Euxine Sea it is called Thrascius Bosphorus in which place it is not above half a mile broad here Xerxes when he invaded Graecia built up a Bridge for his Army to pass over There is also another streight and narrow place in this Sea which is called by the name of Cimmeriu Bosphorius These two Bosphori are so called as some Authors hold because a Bull when he loweth may be heard from the one side to the other but Pliny seemeth to derive the name from Io that fair Maid which Iupiter turned into a Cow who swam over this Sea and of her was called Bosphorus lib. 6. cap. 1. It is also called Proâ—ontus because it lieth just before the Euxine Sea and Hellespont from Helle the Daughter of Athamantis King of Thebes who was drowned therein then running thence it falleth into a Gulph of the Mediterranean Ocean and there it is called the Aegean Sea of Aegeus King of Athens who drowned himself therein for the supposed loss of his Son Theseus In this Sea were scituate the Isles of Pathmos Mytelene Samothrace Chius Lesbus and many other Isles as you may read in the Travels of St. Paul Of Samothracia or Samothrace SAmothracia is an Isle of the Aegean Sea scituated between Troades and Thracia eight hundred and eighty miles from Ierusalem towards the North-west
into the City a little before you come at it This Town standeth upon a fair prospect for you may see from thence through all Galilee to Carmel the Mountains of Phoenicia and Mount Thabor also from Mount Gilead by Iordan and Mount Salem where Iohn baptized near by Mount Hermon upon the North side of Mount Gilboah there lies a fair and plain way to the City Iezreel by which Iehu came when he made Wars upon Ieroboam King of Israel of which you may read more 2 Reg. 9. It stood not far from the River Kison as you may read Ios. 17. 19. 1 Sam. 2. 1 Reg. 4. 18. Of Ahaziah the Son of Ahab AHaziah was crowned King of Israel during the Life of his Father a cruel and wicked man he began his Reign in the 17th year of Iosaphat King of Iudah Anno Mundi 3049 and before Christ 919. about such time as Ahab went down to Ramoth Gilead to recover it from the Syrians Within a while after the death of his Father he fell through the Lattice-window in his upper Chamber which was in Samaria of which hurt he died Of this you may read more 1 King 1. The Travels of Jehoram King of Israel JEhoram succeeded his Brother Ahaziah in the Kingdom of Israel who began his Reign in the eighteenth year of Iosaphat King of Iudah and as Iosephus saith lib. Ant. 9. about the fifth year of his Reign went from Samaria to Ierusalem which was 32 miles There he told Iosaphat how the King of Moab had rebelled against him therefore desired him to go along with him to the War 2 Reg. 3. Then Iehoram and Iosaphat and the King of Edom went from Ierusalem and compassed about through the Wilderness of Idumaea by the space of seven dayes so that they and their Army for want of Water had almost perished but at the Prayers of the Prophet Elisha they were miraculously preserved At length they came to Petra the Metropolitan City of the Moabites and is distant from Ierusalem an hundred seventy two miles which they took and consumed it with Fire and Sword 2 Reg. 3. From the City of Petra Iehoram King of Israel returned back to Samaria which was 104 miles where within a while after he was so sorely besieged by Benhadad King of Syria that the Famine grew very great within the Town insomuch as a certain Woman eat her own Child 2 Reg. 6. From Samaria he went to Ramoth in Gilead with his Army which is 24 miles where he was overcome by Asahel King of the Syrians and wounded even to the death 2 Reg. 8. From the Fight of Ramoth Gilead he was carried in his Chariot back to Iezreel which was 24 miles where he lay to be cured of his Hurts But Iehu one of his chief Captains rebelled against him and as he was in his Chariot shot an Arrow and wounded him the second time whereof he died in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite 2 Reg. 9. So all the Travels of Iehoram were 356 miles The Travels of Jehu King of Israel JEHV signifies a constant man in himself and was the Son of Iosaphat the Son of Nimschi he was anointed King of Israel in the Castle at Ramoth in Gilead by Elisha Anno Mun. 3063. and before Christ 905. he reigned 28 years 2 Reg. 9. From Ramoth in Gilead in his Chariot he went to Iezreel which was 24 miles where in the Field of Naboth the Iezreelite he killed Iehoram with an Arrow And when he came to the Gates of the City he caused Iezabel to be thrown from a Tower whom he trampled under his Horse feet and after in that same place she was eaten up with Dogs Then he sent Messengers to Samaria commanding the Samaritans that they should put to death the 70 Sons of Ahab which they immediately did and sent their Heads unto him in Baskets 2 Reg. 10. From Iezreel he went to Samaria which is sixteen miles In that Journey he caused to be slain by his Ministers the 42 Brothers of Ahaziah King of Iuda near to the Well which was beside the House where Sheep were shorn And when he came to Samaria he caused all the Posterity of Ahab to be utterly destroyed and rooted out And to conclude the Tragedy by a cunning Policy put to death all the Priests of Baal 2 Reg. 10. So all the Travels of Iehu were 40 miles Of Jehoahas King of Israel JEhoahas was the Son of Iehu and succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Israel he began his Reign in the 33 year of Ioas King of Iudah in the Year of the World 3091 and before Christ 876. He reigned over Israel seventeen Years God stirred up against this wicked King Asahel King of the Syrians who with 10000 Foot and five hundred Horse besieged Samaria very strongly put to the Sword many of his Subjects and got many Cities and Towns from him as the Prophet Elisha had before told him 2 Reg. 8. 13. The Travels of Joas King of Israel JOAS succeeded his Father Iehoahas and while he was yet living was anointed King of Israel in the thirty seventh year of Ioas King of Iudah and reigned two years with his Father after his Death fifteen so all the Reign of Ioas was seventeen Years This Man was a great Souldier and went from Samaria with an Army against the City of Apheck which was fourteen miles there he smote the Syrians and in three several Battels carried away the Victory recovering the Cities which his Father Iehoahas had lost according to the Prophecy of Elisha 2 Reg. 17. From Apheck he returned to Samaria being 14 miles From thence he went with his Army to Bethsemes in the Land of Iuda where in a sharp and cruel War he conquered Amasia and took him alive 2 Reg. 14. which was 32 miles From Bethsemes he went to Ierusalem and carried the King thereof with him Captive being four miles He won the City and broke down the Walls of it from the Gate of Ephraim till you come to the Angle-Gate four hundred Cubits in length 2 Reg. 14. From the City of Ierusalem Ioas the Conquerour returned to Samaria with the spoil of the Temple and of the King's House with many Captives and a great Prey being thirty two miles where at the end of the seventeenth year of his Reign he died and was buried In this man's time Elisha the Prophet died 2 Reg. 13. 14. So all the Travels of Ioas were ninety six miles Of Bethsemes Of this City you may read before The Travels of Jeroboam the second of that Name King of Israel THIS Ieroboam succeeded his Father Ioas in the Kingdom of Israel and began his Reign Anno Mundi 3123. and before Christ 845. which according to the Text of the Bible happened about the 15th Year of Amasia King of Iuda and he reigned 41 Years 2 Reg. 14. He kept his Court at Samaria where the Prophet Ionas told him that he should recover not only the Towns and Cities of the Land