day of Iuly the Iewes filled the Porch toward the West with pitch and betume and then made as though they meant to fly and leaue the citie which some of the Romans perceiuing without any command of their Captaines put scaling ladders to the Tower and began to assault it but when they were most busie the Iewes of a sudden put fire to the pitch and burnt them most miserably insomuch as Titus pittied them to see their extremitie although they were such as did contrary to his command Vpon the last day of this moneth they tooke the North gate which lay towards the rising of the Sunne and close by the brooke Cedron rhis they burnt downe with fire Vpon the third of August Titus commanded to fire the gate of the Temple that was all couered ouer with gold siluer by this gate the Romans made a breach into the Temple which ere this had beene prophaned by the Iewes whiles this gate was a burning the Iewes stood astonished and not one of them resisted the Romans Caesar and all his army labored three daies to quench this fire after which hee called a councell to determine what he should do with the temple it was so rich and sumptuous that he would faine haue left it as an ornament for the Roman Empire But the Iewes hauing got a little breathing made new incursions vpon the Romans by which meanes they could not determine thereof The 6 of August the souldiers of Titus without command of their Captaines fired the Temple just vpon that day which Nebuchadnezzar before time had destroyed it as Iosephus witnesseth li. de Bell. 6. c. 26.27 Caesar would faine haue saued this Temple for the sumptuousnesse of it and beckoned to his souldiers to haue quencht the fire but they partly prest on with a desire of wealth partly being prickt on with a fury and madnesse gaue no eare to his speeches but committed most cruell massacres without either regard of age or sex So that the cries of the slaughterd 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 couered with dead bodies many in desperation threw themselues 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 This was the end of the Temple of Ierusalem the mirror of the world being consumed and spoiled with fire and sword After these things vpon the bridge that passeth from the temple ouer the valley into the lower towne Titus made a speech by an interpreter to the two seditious Captaines gently intreating them to leaue off their rebellion and he would spare the Citie 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 Armes This they contemned and made but a mocke of Caesar for all his offers whereupon in a great rage hee gaue the signall to his souldiers and they went through all the City and set it on fire The next day they woon the lower Citie and with fire and sword consumed the place where the records lay the Court and all the Princely buildings vntill they came to that stately house of Helena which stood in the midst of Acra all the houses neere being filled with the bodies of the dead and the streets horribly defiled with the bloud of those that were slaine Within a short while after Iohannes Giscalinus was taken aliue and committed to prison The inferiour Citie being thus taken and destroyed about the 16 day of August Caesar began to build his engines and batter the walls of the vpper citie which within the space of 18 daies after with extreme labour and skill hee laid flat with the ground as Iosephus saith And vpon the 7 of September with great facilitie hee conquered the citie the Iewes of their owne accord descending from the Towers and the Romanes set vpon the walls their ensignes with a great acclamation and wasted all the citie with fire and sword sparing neither men women nor children The 8 day of the moneth of September the whole Citie was destroyed and not a stone left vpon a stone but laid leuell with the ground onely the three Towers that were built by Herod which were of shining Marble viz. Hippicus Phaselus and Mariamne that future ages seeing the excellencie of those buildings they might iudge of the statelines of the rest But these also were after destroyed by Adrianus Caesar There died by the famine and pestilence an innumerable number by fire and sword ten hundred thousand 2000 were found that either killed themselues or one killed another 7900 were taken captiues of these all the seditious theeues that accused one another were slaine by Frontonius Caesar Titus freed many 7000 were sent into Aegypt with extreme labour to consume and die the properest and most able were reserued for triumph many were distributed through the prouinces some were slaine by the sword and by beasts for publike spectacles and those that were 16 yeares of age and vnder together with many other Caesar sold vnder the crowne at thirty for a siluer penny that as Christ was sold for thirty pence so thirty of them should be sold for a penny With the riches of this towne 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 euils the two seditious captaines Iohannes Giscalenus and Simon the son of Giora were put to most cruell deaths Thus may we see the grieuous punishment of the obstinat and ambitious which God permitted to fall vpon them for their vnthankfulnesse and cruell tyranny How the city of Ierusalem after this destruction by Titus Vespas was vtterly beaten downe and defaced by Aelius Adr. Caesar which he re-edifying called it after his own name Aelia THe city of Ierusalem being thus laid leuel with the ground for the space of sixty yeares lay desolate a receptacle for theeues and murtherers a fit place for Wolues and wilde beasts which resorted thither to feed vpon the dead bodies And now time consuming their flesh left their bones and skuls to lye vpon the earth as in a Charnell house Thus it continued vntill one Benchochab which signifies the Son of the Stars born in the towne of Bethcoron not farre from Emaus professed himselfe to be the Messiah or Christ The Iewes supposing this to be true because of that saying of Numb 24. There shall a Starre rise vp out of Iacob assembled themselues to the number of many thousands and followed him with great tyranny and crueltie spoyling the Holy Land and through all the countrey of Iudaea committing many outrages and massacres
the sinnes of the world Ioh. 1. So these trauels were 140 miles The Trauels of our Sauior Christ in the first yeare of his Ministery which was the 31 of his age BVt yet our Sauiour Christ began not to preach publiquely because it was not lawfull for any to be admitted into the Ministerie of the Word vntill they were past thirty yeres of age Now our Sauior Christ in the moneths of Ianuary and February being then past thirty for he was full thirty vpon the 25 day of December began to preach publiquely but yet hee had no disciples neither had he wrought any miracles In the month of March Iohn Baptist testified of Christ before the Priests Levits and within two daies after Christ being then present Iohn said Behold the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world c. Within a while after Christ went thence towards Cana in Galile in which journy he took vnto him some disciples namely Andrew and Iohn the Evangelist and as some thinke Peter Philip and Nathaniel neere to the town of Bethel where the Patriarch Iacob saw a ladder reaching from earth to heauen for Christ maketh mention of that vision in this journey which was 32 miles Ioh. 2. where hee graced the marriage with a notable mircle turning six pots of water containing 168 gallons and three quarts or thereabouts into wine Ioh. 2. After he went thence with his mother and his disciples to Capernaum 20 miles but he stayed there but a while for the passeouer of the Iewes was at hand Ioh. 2. In the beginning of Aprill Christ went from Capernaum to Ierusalem to the feast of the Passeouer which was 56 miles and there cast out of the Temple the money-changers and those that sold sheepe and oxen and doues in it This was done about 46 yeares after Herod Ascalonita King of the Iewes had rebuilded and beautified the Temple of which you may read in Iosep li. Ant. 15. cap. 14. Ioh. 2. This first Passeouer of the Ministery of our Sauiour Christ The first Passouer of the Ministerie of Christ of which you may reade Iohn cap. 2. was celebrated vpon the sixth day of Aprill and continued vntill the thirteenth day of the same moneth During which time our Sauiour Christ did many Miracles insomuch that many beleeued in his name and amongst the rest Nicodemus who came to him by night and reasoned with him concerning the kingdome of God Nicodemus signifies the Victorie of the people Ioh. 3. At this time he continued in Ierusalem till the moneth of October and there celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles and preached the acceptable yeare of the Lord Esay 61. The feast of Tabernacles being ended Iesus with his disciples came into Iudea that is hee went from Ierusalem and began to teach in Iudea and his Disciples baptised Ioh. 3.4 Iohn also baptised at this time vpon the borders of Galile neer Iudea 42 miles from Ierusalem Northward vpon the East side of the riuer Iordan for hee was not yet cast into prison Therefore Christ chose him a place to teach and baptise in vpon the riuer of Iordan neere Iohn that they might meet and conuerse together A little after the question was moued concerning Purification and Iohn began to preach of Christ and that he was the Son of God and Spouse of the Church In this Sermon Iohn in many places called himselfe the Friend of the Spouse From whence it is euident That Christ and Iohn in the moneth of Nouember did often meet and conuerse together In the moneth of December Christ being assured of the captiuitie of Iohn the Baptist Mat. 4. Mark 1. and of the persecution and fallacies of the Pharisees Iohn 4. went from Iordan and returned into Galilee by the prouince and countrey of Samaria in which countrey he came to Iacobs Well which stood close by Sichar in former times called Sichem about some 10 miles from Iordan towards the West in which place he spake with the Samaritan woman this happened some foure months before Haruest and after went into Sichar and continued there for the space of two dayes and after returning into Galile was very acceptably entertained of the Galileans because they formerly hauing seene his miracles done at Ierusalem were ioyfull to see him there When he had trauelled from Sichar to Cana a city in Galile the lower which was 32 miles where he had changed water into wine there was a certain Ruler came vnto him whose sonne lay sicke at Capernaum 20 miles distant and besought him to heale his son our Sauiour told him that his son was made whole so he beleeued and his son was made whole the same houre This was the second miracle that our Sauior Christ did Io. 4. It is thought that this rulers name was Chuza of whom there is mention Luk. 8 and was Herods Procurator whose wiues name was Iohanna which signifieth Gratious This woman ministred of all her substance vnto Christ Ioh. 4. So these Trauels were 192 miles ¶ Of the Townes and places to which he trauelled Of Canain Galile THis was a city of the lower Galile where our blessed Sauior Christ turned water into wine being distant from Ierusalem 68 miles Northward The place where our Sauior wrought this miracle is to be seen at this day but it is within the ground and you must descend by certain steps before you can come at it because as it seemes there haue bin many churches and buildings set vpon it which being sundry times ouerthrown the ruins therof haue raised the earth in such sort that the antient place is as it were hidden laid vnder the earth as is also the place of the Annuntiation of the natiuity of our Sauior Christ and many other where hee wrought miracles to which they doe descend downe vnder the earth by steps Vpon the North side of this towne stood a round hill and vpon the South a goodly plaine beeing called Cana in Galile to put distinction between it and another towne called after the same name which stood vpon the borders of Tyrus and Sidon in the Tribe of Aser in which the Canaanitish woman or Syroph oenicean dwelt which besought Christ to heal her daughter who was possessed of a diuel Mat. 15. Mark 7. which was called Canah the greater as this was called Canah the lesse and was distant each from other 44 miles Canah was so called because round about it grew Reeds and there were many moorish and waterish grounds wherof the town tooke the name For Canah signifies a Reed which is a fit type of the Church for as our Sauior Christ at this town which stood in a moorish and reedy place graced the marriage with an extraordinarie miracle so likewise will he grace the marriage of his Church though troubled with miseries and afflictions in this world tossed to and fro like a wauering reed with the glorious presence of his gratious countenance and in the world to come crowne it with eternall
almost inuincible and for that cause called The mother of strength as the Church is called The mother of the righteous against which the gates of hell shall not be able to preuaile In the time of Iudas Macchabeus though it was then a small city it was numbred amongst the greatest cities of Iuda because of the scituation and strength of it To this place our Sauiour trauelled from Ierusalem the same day that hee arose from the dead Luke 24. In the time of the Romans warres in Iudaea this city was wonderfully defaced and ruined by the souldiers of Tiberius Maximus who was chiefe Captaine in this countrey in the absence of Titus Vespasian but yet not vtterly abolished for about a hundred and fiftie yeares after Heliogabolus Emperour of Rome caused it to be rebuilded and called by the name of Nicopolis that is the citie of Victorie Not farre from Emmaus there was an Inne or a place to which strangers might resort and there three waies met two went of either side the towne and one through it in this place the two Disciples constrained our blessed Sauiour to stay with them because it was then about Sunne-set Neere vnto this Inne Nicephorus and Zozemenus say in their Ecclesiasticall Historie there was a Spring or Well of that admirable vertue that if either man or beast that was infirme or sicke did drinke of the water thereof they were immediately restored to their former health The reason that these Authors haue for it because they are impertinent I willingly omit But to return ro the city of Emmaus as it is now called Nicopolis being scituated eight miles from Ierusalem towards the Northeast in the way as you goe thence to Ioppa the countrey round about it being very fertile and pleasant by reason of the riuers 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 reade more of this city in Pliny as it is at this day and in Nicephorus and Eusebius I leaue to speake further of it Of Simon of Cyrene THis Simon which carried the Crosse of our Sauiour Christ was born in Kir a city in Africa scituated 16 miles from Ierusalem towards the West Matth. 27. Luke 23. In which city Tiglath Phulasser Emperour of the Assirians planted many of the inhabitants of Damascus after he had conquered that city 2 Reg. 16. This citie and the country round about it by reason of these new inhabitants by little and little changed the name and wheras in former times it was called Kir in the time of our Sauiour it was commonly called Cyrene and this man of that countrey Simon of Cyrene At this day it is a strong and beautifull city scituated betweene Mareotides and Zeugitania at first built by Battus whom Callimachus the Poët 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 thinke this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to haue beene originally vsed by him and by none other Afterward as is said Tiglah Phulasser hauing obtained the jurisdiction of this citie planted the people of Damascus in it and they obtaining some power there continued till a long time after Christ and imbraced the religion of the Iewes built vp Synagogues and dispersed that law in many parts of those quarters There were some of this countrey that opposed that holy Marter Stephen and were consenting to his death There were many learned men in it as Eratosthenes the Mathematician Callimachus the Poët both which were had in great estimation among the Aegyptians Carneades also the Academian Cronus Apollonius and Hegesias the Philosopher of whom Cicero speaketh in the fifth book of his Tusculans and Eratosthenes the Historian who was sonne of Agaclis Salust saith that this citie in his time was so mightie that it maintained war against the Carthaginians for their bounds and limits of their fields and grounds a long time and Iustine lib. 39. That they maintained warre against two nations the Phoenes and the Aegyptians in which warres they gaue Aprius the King of the Aegyptians such a mighty ouerthrow that there were very few of his army that returned into his countrey with him as Horodot affirmeth lib. 4. there were also many great Princes that ruled in this city of which because you may reade in diuers other Authors more at large I omit to speake of them Of Ioseph of Arimathea who buried Christ THis Ioseph which caused our Sauior Christ to be buried in his garden was a rich man vpright just in all his actions a Senator of Ierusalem and one that expected the Kingdome of God borne at Arimathea a citie of the Iewes Luc. 23. This citie was sometime called Ramathaim Sophim and sometime Ramah because it was scituated in a high place and in times past was a fair citie standing 16 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest the description whereof you may reade before At this day it is called Ramalea being nothing so farre as it was but like a countrey towne the houses being carelessely dispersed here and there lying without walls or bulwarkes to defend it notwithstanding the ancient ruins of the former city is to be seen euen at this day There is also a great Inne or resting place for strangers hauing within it many roomes for the receit of passengers and a well of very sweet water This house was first purchased at the charge of Philip Duke of Burgondie and by him committed to the protection of the Monkes of Mount Sion by whom it is at this day made an hospitall wherein pilgrims trauellers and strangers are entertained and find much reliefe In an inward Orchard belonging to this hospital there is a faire plot of ground that bringeth forth great aboundance of Aloes of which there is often mention in the holy Scriptures but more especially in Psalme 48. Thy garments smell of Aloes and Cassia when thou commest out of thy Iuorie pallaces where they haue made thee glad Nichodemus a Prince of the Iewes together with Ioseph of Arimathea brought with them an hundred pound of Aloes mixed with Myrrhe to embalme the body of our Sauiour Christ when they had begged it of Pilat before they buried it Ioh. 19. Myrrh is a kind of gum that issueth out of a tree that growes in the East countries but principally in Arabia the tree out of which it issueth is commonly two yards and a halfe high with some pricks vpon it the barke whereof being cut there issueth out of it drops like teares which congealeth into a gum and is called Mirrh the principall vertue that it hath is to keepe the bodies of the Dead incorruptable see Pli. li. 12. ca. 15. 16. In Arabia Foelix there is such abundance of sweet Myrrhe Frankincense and other odoriferous gums that such as saile in the Red sea may easily smell the sauour of them There is also found
remained there seuen daies Acts 21. From Tyrus Paul and his companions sailed to Ptolomais which was 24 miles From thence they came to Caesarea Strato which was 44 miles there they remained in the house of Philip the Euangelist who was one of the seuen Deacons with Stephen Acts 21. From thence Paul went to Ierusalem which was 32 miles and there about the feast of Penticost he was taken by the Iewes imprisoned and scourged Acts 21. At this time Paul was about 47 yeares of age So all these Trauels were 3396 miles Of the townes and places to which he trauelled And first of Assus COncerning Laodicea to which Paul trauelled you may reade before I will therefore proceed to Assus which was a towne within the jurisdiction of Troada scituated close by the Aegean sea 700 miles from Ierusalem towards the North-East as Strabo saith Lib. 13. wonderfully fortified both by nature and art so that it is a thing almost impossible to be conquered There is found close by it the stone called Sarchophagus in which if any mans corps be buried within the space of 40 daies it is vtterly consumed all but the teeth as Pliny saith li. 36. cap. 17. In this citie Cleantes the Stoicke was borne as Chrysippus saith Of Mitylene THe Isle and towne of Mitylene is scituated in the Aegean sea 624 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest In times past called Lesbus which obtained the whole jurisdiction gouernment of Troada It is in compasse 136 miles and containeth in length from the North to the South 56 miles In it is found much matter for the making and calking of ships there was many goodly cities in it as Mitylene and Pyrrha which stood vpon the West part of it also the Metropolitan called Lesbos Eressus the hauen of Antissa and Mithymna Of Lesbos in times past this whole Isle was called Lesbus vntill the citie of Mitylene grew famous being so called of Mitylene the daughter of Macharus as Diodorus saith lib. 4. and after that cities name it was called Mitylene There were many other goodly cities which stood in this Isle but they were either consumed by earthquakes or drowned by the sea The land thereof was very pleasant and fruitfull bringing forth grapes whereof there was a very excellent and cleere wine made which they of Constantinople principally liked there is also found great store of Cypresse Pines and plenty of figs come thence Their horses are very strong but of a low stature it is very mountainy and pestred with wild beasts There were many famous men that liued and were borne in this country as Pittachus one of the seuen Wise-men of Graece Aliaeus the Poet and Alcimenides his brother Diophanes the Orator and Theophanes who wrote the acts of Pompey the Great as it appeareth in Tullies Oration for Archia Theophrastus also that notable Philosopher who at first was called Tyrtamanus then Euphrastus that it a good Orator and lastly Theophrastus that is a diuine Orator this man was an excellent Perapateticke and scholler to Aristotle whom he succeeded in his schoole and had two thousand schollers Vitruvius the Architect maketh mention of Mitylen in his first booke saying that it was a very magnificent city and rarely builded but very badly scituated for when the South winde did blow the inhabitants grew sicke when the West they coughed and when the North wind did blow they were made well Notwithstanding the Apostle Paul and his companions came to this citie as it appeareth Acts 20. At this day it is vnder the iurisdiction of the Turkes and is called by the name of Midilly Of Chius THis is an Isle scituated in the Aegean sea distant from Ierusalem 600 miles towards the Northwest being 112 miles in compasse the principall citie thereof is called Chios taking the name as some say from the Masticke tree which sweateth out a certaine gum of the Syrians called Chian and by vs Mastick this Mastick is the best in those parts of the world Ephorus calleth it by the antient name Aetalia but Cleobulus Chia either because of the Nymph called Chion or else because of the whitenesse of the soile there are others that call it Patyusia and there are some who deriue the name of Chius from the temple of Apollo that standeth in it called Chion There stands in it a faire and goodly mountaine called Pellenaeum from whence the inhabitants dig very excellent marble Also in times past the best Malmsey came thence but in these daies it is brought from Creet Of Samus THis is an Isle and Citie scituated in the Aegean Sea vpon a high or loftie piece of ground so that from thence the inhabitants may see into all the Countries neere adjoyning lying vpon the coast of Ephesus and Ionia 560 miles from Ierusalem toward the Northwest it was in compasse 88 miles very fertile and pleasant much exceeding Chius although it brought forth no Wine In times past it was called Artemisia Parthenea and Stephane taking those names from a crowne or wreath of sweet smelling floures of which there were great plenty in this Isle the Poëts feigne that Iuno was both borne and brought vp in it and Varro saith That there was a faire and stately Temple dedicated vnto her where solemne seruice and the rites of Marriage were yearely celebrated Pythagoras the Philosopher was borne here and one of the Sybels which prophecied of the comming of Christ liued here S. Paul also came to this Isle and conuerted many as appeareth Acts 20. There is another Isle called Samus scituated vpon the coast of Epirus not far from the gulph of Ambracius called also Cephalenia not far from the promontorie of Actium where Augustus ouercame Antonius in honour of which victory he built vp a citie and called it Nicapolis c. Of Trogyllium THis is a promontorie and town not far from Ephesus scituared in Asia minor at the foot of the Mountaine Mycales foure miles and somewhat more from Samus where Paul staied Act. 20. It is distant from Ierusalem 460 miles toward the Northwest There are which say that S. Paul staied at a certaine Isle joining close to this promontory called after that by the name of Trogylium See Strabo lib. 14. Of Myletus THis was a famous city scituated vpon the borders of Ionia and Caesaria close by the shore of the Aegean sea 104 miles from Ierusalem towards the Northwest The Poëts fein that Miletus who was the first builder of this citie was the son of Apollo and called it after his owne name Myletus but Strabo lib. 12. thinketh that it was rather built by Sarpedon the sonne of Iupiter and brother to Radamanthus and Minos and by him was called Myletus from another Citie of the same name which stood in Crete The wooll that commeth from this towne is wonderfull soft and singular good for many purposes but it was principally vsed to make cloth of which they died into an excellent purple and transported into many places There were
the Princes and Embassadors of the King of Assyria spake blasphemous words against the Lord wherefore he slew 185 thousand of them as appeareth in the 2. King 19. Of the valley of the sonne of Hinnon THis valley lieth behind the city of Ierusalem Southward on the left hand as they went from Ierusalem to Bethelem In this valley the Iewes set vp an Idoll of copper like a King which they called Moloch that is a King of Idols This Copper Idoll stood with the arms stretching out and vnder it there was a great fire whereby the Image shewed fire-redde and besides that the more to honour it they made a great fire betweene two walls which burnt for his sake and through this fire the Idolatrous Priests cast liuing children into Molochs burning armes which he with his armes red hot burnt to death And in this manner the Iewes offered their owne children to the Idoll Moloch and when they did it they made a great noise crie and beat vpon a drum that the fathers when their children were offered should not here them crie by reason of the great noise of Drums This valley was called the valley of Tophet for Tophet signifies a Drum This was a most grosse and fearefull Idolatry therefore Christ likened this valley of Hinnon to hell fire for he called it Gehenna Mat. 5. That the Iewes should keepe themselues from this monstrous Idolatrie 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 liue Leuit. 18. 20. The valley of Gehennon is oftentimes named in the holy Scriptures Iosh 15. Nehem. 11.2 Paral. 28.33 Ier. 7. Ierom writeth that here by this Idol Moloch in the valley of Hinnon there was a Wood for the water ran out of the Fountaine Siloah along by it and made the valley moist Of the field of bloud called Hakeldama THis field of bloud which was bought for thirty siluer pence for the which Iudas betraied our Sauiour Christ lay not farre from the valley of Hinnon Southward by the city of Ierusalem as Ierom writeth Of the hill Hameskita or offence and stander THis hill lay Southeast not farre from Ierusalem something wide of mount Oliuet so that there was but one Valley betweene them and was not altogether so high as it Also vpon this hill King Solomon in his old age suffered his wiues or concubines to make Idolatrous Temples wherein he and his wiues worshipped Idols Of the destruction of this famous Citie of Ierusalem by TITVS VESPASIAN THus haue I briefly set forth the dignitie scituation curiosity of the buildings of Ierusalem together with the richnesse of the Temple and sumptuousnesse of the houses now it rests to describe vnto you the manner and meanes how this famous Citie was destroyed surely a thing worthy wonder according to that in Ieremy Whosoeuer shall heare of it his eares shall tingle And that it might be the more famous and the Christians within it might take notice of the neer approaching desolation there were diuers strange accidents hapned and visions seene As first about some foure yeares before the riuer Iordan was turned out of her course and was brought into the Citie Pella a while after that for a yeare together there hung a Comet like a flaming sword ouer the City And in the night there was seene a light in the Temple And in the day when they were at sacrifice a Calfe brought forth a Lambe Then about the middle of the night the Easterne gates of the Temple opened of their owne accord In the skies were seene armies of men fighting and Horses and Chariots running too and againe And at last there was heard a terrible voice in the temple vttering these words Migremus hinc that is Let vs goe hence And that there might be a generall Proclamation of this sad and cruell desolation through the whole citie one Ananias the sonne of Iesus a man poore and impotent vpon the Feast of the Tabernacles ran through all the streets of the Citie and crying O a voice from the East and a voice from the West a voice from the foure windes a voice ouer Ierusalem and the Temple a voice ouer the Bridegroome and the Bride and a voice ouer the whole multitude of this Citie And although he was whipt and imprisoned and cruelly handled yet so long as he liued hee would not cease to vtter these words which by some were judg'd to foretel the horrible desolation which after hapned For Titus Caesar sonne of Flavius the Emperor about seuentie yeares after the Natiuitie of our Lord and about eight and thirty after his ascension vtterly ouerthrew it euen to the ground about the first day of the moneth of Aprill and within a yeare after these signes For he taking aduantage of the three factions which at this time swaied in Ierusalem One of Eleazer the Priest the sonne of Simon the other of Zilotus the chiefe Prince which held the Temple and the third of Iohannes Giscalenus a cruell fellow which had the command of the inferiour Citie besieged it and made this a fit opportunitie to further his enterprises whiles the seditious and factious people little regarding their owne safetie gaue way by their euill and intestine warrs to what he intended weakning themselues much more by their continued slaughters than the enemy by his inuasion Insomuch as the whole citie and Temple was filled with dead bodies common insolencies and publique rapines were ordinarily amongst them some set fire of the City others dispoiling the Temple a third sort killing the Priests euen as they were at sacrifice al places ful of dead bodies and to this to adde a greater measure of miserie without any regard at all to their future defence set fire of the store-house wherein the corne lay for the sustentation of the Citie and consumed that in one day which had been long a gathering by this meanes it came to passe that they were sorely afflicted with the pestilence through the corruption of the aire and with famine for want of Corne. All these things notwithstanding such was the crueltie obstinacie and peruersenesse of this people could not restraine them from violating the most sacred and holy things of the Temple insomuch as Iohannes Giscalenus had a full determination to haue destroyed it but that he was preuented by the Romans About this time was the feast of the Passeouer and it fell vpon the fourteenth day of Aprill being the Sabboth to the celebration whereof there resorted to Ierusalem about three hundred thousand Iewes These the enemy gaue way to enter into the Citie but considering their present necessitie for want of victuals vpon a suddain drew vp their forces and so straightly beleagered them that all this huge multitude was as it were imprisoned within the wals where partaking of the former misery they either died by the plague or famin Whence may be perceiued the maruellous prouidence
them about that feare him Psal 33. and therefore Iacob with great joy brake out and said The tents of God are here and called it Machanaim This was assigned to the Leuits Iosh 21. and here Dauid was receiued when he fled from his sonne Absalon 2 Sam. 17. Here Iacob wrastles with the Angell Gen. 32. Of Pnuel or Penuel THis Towne was vpon the East side of Iordan close by the mouth of the riuer Iaboch in the tribe of Gad fortie miles from Ierusalem towards the Southeast and is deriued from Panah and El which signifies He beheld the Almighty God face to face and for that cause he called it Penuel or Pnuel which is the face of God Gen. 32. The Tower of this Towne was destroied in Gedeons time Iudg. 8. Of Succoth THis is a towne beyond Iordan not farre from Penuel in the tribe of Gad 40 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southeast Here Iacob set vp his tabernacles and continued for a while from whence it borrowes the name For Sachach signifies A couering and from thence it is called Succha and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the Greeks which signifies A shield couering defence or tabernacle Of this towne there is mention in Iosh 13.2 Chr. 4. Gedeon caused the Citizens of this towne of Succoth to be torne to pieces with thornes Iudg. 8. Of Salem SAlem is a town of the Sichamites lying towards the East side of the riuer Iordan and in the midst of the tribe of Manasses fortie miles from Ierusalem towards the North not farre from Sichem where Dinah Iocobs daughter was rauished Gen. 33. 34. in Aenon neere to this place Iohn Baptist baptised and signifies A Citie of Peace and integritie Of Bethlem Euphrata THis town was distant from Ierusalem towards the South six miles it was scituated in a pleasant and fruitfull countrey and from thence tooke the name for Bethlachem is called The house of bread Euphrata signifies fruitfull being deriued from Parah that is to fructifie and Baith signifieth a house from the affinitie that it hath to Banah that is to build so that Baithlaechem doth denote vnto vs The house of bread and other fruits and meats that are fit to be eaten Here was Christ the sonne of God borne that bread of life of which whosoeuer eateth shall liue eternally Io. 6. And here Dauid was the second time annointed King 1 Sam. 16. Of this towne you may reade more in the second of Luke Of Rachels graue ABout a mile from Bethlem towards the North Rachel the wife of Iacob was buried ouer whom hee set a stately sepulchre made of twelue marble stones or Pyramides these stones are seene to this day vpon the right hand of the way as you goe from Bethlem to Ierusalem and from thence all the land thereabouts is called the land of Rachel For when Herod killed the innocent children all the inhabitants thereabouts wept and would not be comforted Matth. 2. Ierem. 31 Of the Towne of Aeder THis was a watch Tower of the Bethlamites about a mile from Bethlem towards the South and was so called from the flockes of Sheepe that resorted thither for Migdal signifies a Tower and Aeder a flocke or heard for thereabouts were very fertile pastures Here the Angels told the sheepheards of the natiuitie of Christ lying at Bethlem in a manger and in the place of that tower there was a Church built which in Ieroms time was called Angelus ad Pastores because the Angels there appeared to the sheepe-heards Here Iacob dwelt for a time and in this place Reuben lay with Billah his wife Gen. 36. Of Gosen and Ony. GOsen was a very delectable and fruitfull country in the land of Aegypt the Metropolitane whereof was Ony two hundred miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest in this Citie Iacob dwelt The typicall signification of the Patriarch Iacob IAcob signifies a supplanter and was a type of Christ who is that supplanter of Sathan and by his death hath broken his head in pieces Againe he is the type of a Christian man For as he wrestling with the Angell obtained a blessing so euery good man continually striuing with perseuerance in prayer shall at length obtaine an euerlasting blessing for for this cause was Iacob called Israel that is the Prince of God in that he preuailed with God so all those that beleeue in Christ are called Princes of the kingdome of heauen because by his mediation they haue preuailed with God and are made partakers of eternall life Iacob had two wiues Leah and Rachel Leah signifies wearied and was a type of the old Mosaicall Church for that was oppressed and wearied with the lawes of Moses and brought forth Priests Leuites Kings and warlike Princes by which the people of the Iewes became oppressed and wearied by extreame labors and at length were miserably extinguished for as it is in the 15 of the Acts of the Apostles The law of Moses was an intollerable and troublesome burthen But Rachel signifies a Sheepe and is a type and signe of the Church of God in the New Testament as Christ himselfe speaketh in the tenth of Iohn My sheepe heare my voice and follow me and I will giue them eternall life Sheepe are naturally patient and peaceable so all such as are of Christs Church seeke after patience and peace Leah was nothing so faire but much more fruitfull Rachel was nothing so fruitfull but a great deale fairer Leah was the mother of Benjamin which signifieth sorrow Rachel of Ioseph who was a type of Christ Of the Trauels of Esau ESau trauelled from mount Sier in Mesopotamia to the towne of Pnuell or Penuell eightie miles to meet his brother Iacob where the singular ciuilitie and humilitie of Iacob towards him is worthy obseruation For hee first sent to meet him then hee did him obedience to the ground seuen seuerall times and so saluted him saying Loe these are the children which God of his grace haue giuing his seruant From whence it may be gathered That it becommeth euery man if it be possible to win his enemy to peace and concord rather by humanitie and humilitie than by force for Esau seeing this kind of reuerence though before he had a full determination to doe him violence yet now he comes to meet him embraces him takes him about the necke beginnes to weepe and kisses him yea such was their loue that they both wept with joy Gen. 35. After Esau returning went home to Sier backe againe eightie miles these things hapned in the yeare of the World 2206 when both brethren were about 89 yeares of age and in the yeare before Christ 1762. Of mount Sier MOunt Sier where Esau and his posteritie dwelt is forty miles from Ierusalem towards the South and was so called of Sier the King or Lord thereof of whom came the Horrites who being driuen thence by the fourteene sonnes of Esau into Arabia the stony where they continued Gen. 36. It was called Edom of Esau and then Idumaea Gen.
him euery mans enemy then making himselfe apparant when he is in aduersitie and his best friends commonly forsake him From thence hee went to Iordan 14 miles where the Priests Ionathan and Ahinaaz brought him certaine intelligence of that wicked and peruerse councell of Achitophel a man in those times famous for his wisdome but perfidious in his actions as commonly such are that hope after honours or seeke to benefit themselues by innouation and change After he had intelligence hereof hee went ouer Iordan with those few men that he had 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 drie ground Ios 3.4 and here Iohn the Baptist taught and baptised Christ Mat. 1. Luke 3. From thence hee went to Makanaim which is twentie eight miles where hee sent forth his army by bands against Absolon who at this time had assembled a great host neere the Wood Ephraim not far from that place where Ioshuah woon a memorable battell against the Canaanites and that the place might bee made more famous Dauids men though few in number gaue Absalon and his host as great Thus Absalon being left in danger to saue himself fled but in his flight the haire of his head being long and blowne with the wind tooke hold of the branch of a tree by which he hanged betweene heauen and earth as vnworthy of either and Ioab who but a little before was his friend in that very place with three darts put him to death a just end for so vnjust a man 1 Sam. 18. Dauid notwithstanding tooke the death of Absolon maruellous heauily till by Ioab he was recalled from that griefe and then in the company of Barzillai and of his sonne Chimea of Mephiboseth the sonne of Ionathan and Zeba his seruant Shimei also that before curst him who to leaue a memorable token of a base Sicophant after this victory came first downe to craue pardon for his offence with many others went along with him from Makanaim to Bethabara which was 28 miles To this place there came a great multitude of people to meet Dauid 2 Sam. 19. This Barzillai was one of the eighteene that held the principalitie of the citie of the Giliadites and had a sonne called Chimea whom Dauid tooke with him to Ierusalem that he might make euident his thankefulnesse towards him for that courtesie which he had receiued of his father From Bethabara Dauid passed Iordan and went backe to Gilgal which was 4 miles 2 Sam. 19. From thence he went to Ierusalem which was 12 miles in the same yeare that he was exiled by his sonne which was about the 13 yeare of his raigne The next yere Saba the sonne of Bicri taking example of Absolon and obseruing the mutabilitie of the peoples affections moued a sedition against Dauid but Ioab his captain ouercame him 2 Sam. 20. After this there followed three yeares of famine About the end of the third yeare of famine and in the 34 yeare of his raigne Dauid went to Iabes Gilead which was 52 miles to fetch the bones of Saul and Ionathan to bury them in the sepulchre of his fathers 2 Sam. 21. From Iabes in Gilead Dauid brought the bones and relickes of King Saul and Ionathan his sonne to Gibeah of Saul which was 52 miles and there he honourably buried them in the Sepulchre of his father Kish 2 Sam. 21. From thence Dauid returned to Ierusalem which was 4 miles In the 35 yere of his raigne he went forth to fight against the Philistines neer to the Leuiticall towne of Nob or Nobe which is 12 miles from Ierusalem vpon the borders of the countries of the Philistines in the tribe of Dan. From thence he returned backe againe to Ierusalem which is 12 miles So all the Trauels of Dauid were 3904 miles The Description of the places to which Dauid trauelled OF the cities of Socho Asekah Gibeon Gibeah of Saul Nob Ziph Moan Engaedi Arimathea Gath the Caue of Odullam Kegila Paran Apheck and Makanaim you may reade before in the trauels of Saul and the Iudges of Israel Of Ziclag ZIclag was a towne in the kingdome of Iuda neere to the riuer Besor 40 miles from Ierusalem towards the Southwest not far from Gaza a citie of the Philistines In Saint Ieroms time it was but a small towne 1 Sam. 27. Of Sur. SVr is a desart in the wildernesse of Arabia Petraea extending it selfe from the vtmost borders of Iudaea to the Red Sea euen vnto Aegypt and signifieth a Bulwarke or place of defence and is deriued of Schor which signifies To see or contemplate because from Bulwarks men may see into neighbouring countries This was a place of defence of the Aegyptians Gen. 16.20.25 Ex. 15. 1 Sam. 15.17 Of Sunem THis was a city in the tribe of Issacher 48 miles from Ierusalem towards the North not farre from Naim where Christ raised the widowes sonne to life Luke 7. So did Elizaeus the Prophet also 2 Kings 4. And seemeth to take the name of a Purple or Scarlet colour being deriued of Schanah which signifies He hath changed and interated a colour Of Gazer GAzer is a towne lying vpon the borders of the Philistines not farre from Ekron 16 miles from Ierusalem Eastward Of this you may reade before Of Sichor THe riuer of Sichor was in the desart of Sur not far from Rhinocura of which it tooke the name and runneth thence into the Mediterraneam Sea from whence also it is called the riuer of Aegypt 1 Chron. 13. It is 72 miles from Ierusalem Southwestward Of the Hebrewes it is called Schichor or Siohor because of the blacknesse of the water Of Bahurim BAhurim was a town in the tribe of Benjamin a mile and something more from Ierusalem towards the Northeast To this place Phaltiel followed his wife Michael 2 Sam. 3. Here also Shimei cursed Dauid 2 Sam. 16. At this time it is a faire castle strongly fortified standing in a high place Neere vnto it in the valley just in the Kings way there is a stone called Bohen taking that name of Bohen the sonne of Reuben and is of an extraordinary greatnesse shining like vnto marble of this you may reade in the 15 of Ioshuah Bahurim or Bachurim signifies A citie of electors being deriued of Bachar To elect or chuse Of Dauids name DAuid is as much to say as my deere my beloued my chosen one being deriued of Dod which signifies a friend or beloued For which cause he was said to be a man after Gods owne heart How Dauid was a type of Christ DAuid represented Christ diuers waies First in his name he was beloued so God testifies of Christ This is my beloued sonne in whom I am well pleased Secondly in the place of his birth he was borne at Bethlem so was Christ Thirdly in his imployment he was a shepheard so was Christ I am the true Shepheard for a good
Ioppa and Silicia to the Streights betweene Spain and Mauritania Into this Sea Ionas was cast when the Whale deuoured him In like manner the Red sea and all others that are ocean seas are called Tharsis as appeareth in the 72 Psalme where it is said The Kings of Tharsis and of the Isles shall bring Presents Here the Kings whose Empires extend themselues alongst the sea coast are vnderstood But the city Tharsis the countrey of the Apostle Paul is not a kingdome neither euer had a King much lesse many Kings So Solomon sent his shippes by Tharsin that is by sea towards the Southeast into the Red sea and Eastern Ocean that they might bring gold pretious stones and sweet gummes from Arabia But the ships could not saile by the Red sea vnto the town of Tharsis vnlesse they would haue sailed ouer the land which is vnpossible because Tharsis lieth into the land from the Red sea as all Cosmographers agree So also the Psalmist saith Thou breakest with thy strong windes the ships of Tharsis that is of the sea beside many such like speeches From whence S. 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 farre 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 vpon Asia the lesse towards the East vpon Calcos towards the West Thracia and Valachia but towards the North it is ioyned to the poole of Maeotides This sea in times past was called Pontus Axenus that is the inhospitable country because as Strabo lib. 1. of his Cosmography saith The inhabitants neere about the sea-shore did vsually sacrifice those strangers they got or else cast their bodies vnto dogs to he deuoured making drinking cups of their skuls But after when the Ionians had built certain townes vpon the sea coast and had restrained the incursions of certaine Scythian theeues which vsually preyed vpon 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 to say as the hospitable country Ovid testifieth almost the same concerning the originall of the name of this sea after this manner Frigida me cohibent Euxini littora Ponti Dictus ab antiquis Axinus ille fuit The chilly shores of th' Euxine sea constraines me to abide In antient time call'd Axinus as it along did glide Of Ninus or Nineveh NInus or Nineveh was a city of Assyria where the Emperours of that country vsed to keep their courts It was first built by Ninus that great Emperour of the first Monarchy 300 yeares after the floud and 2000 before Christ about the time when the Patriarch Abraham was borne It continued in great glory for the space almost of 1500 yeares and was distant from Ierusalem toward the Northeast 684 miles vpon the East side ioyning to the riuer Tygris on the North to the Caspian sea It takes the name from the beauty of it being deriued 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 sumptuousnesse of the buildings the strength of the Walls and the extent The walls were so thicke that three Chariots might haue met vpon them without any danger and beautified with an hundred and fifty towers Ionas being sent of God to this city was three daies going through it that is as Luther expounds it through euery street of it in which time he conuerted a hundred and twenty thousand to repentance Arbaces who was also called Arphaxad was then Emperor This Arbaces Iustine lib. 2. calleth Arbactus he was a Captaine of the Medes who perceiuing the effeminat disposition of Sardanapalus the then Emperour taking aduantage of the times and this mans weaknesse conspired with some of his companions to vsurp vpon his gouernment and that he might make them hate and loath his loosenesse brought them into a room where the might see him sitting amongst his harlots tyred in womans apparell and carding wooll This sight greatly displeasing them and before being encouraged by Arbactus they seised vpon the city and besieged Sardanapalus in his palace But to preuent the miserie 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 15 daies and hapned 823 yeares before Christ about which time Arbactus succeeded Sardanapalus began to reign and continued his gouernment 28 yeres But the Medes held not the Assyrian Empire long for Phul Belochus who at this time reigned in Babylon and his successour Tiglath Philasser are called Kings of Assyria betweene whom there hapned many great Warres 2 Kings 15.26 From whence may be gathered That after the death of Arbactus these Emperours dwelt in Niniveh and succeeded in the Empire Thus was this city greatly defaced with continuall euills the Lord before hand giuing them many admonitions and gentle corrections if it had bin in them to haue conceiued it to winne them to repentance but they continued still in their sins therefore according to their former prophecies Cyaxares King of the Medes besieging this towne tooke it and destroyed it euen vnto the ground as Eusebius saith This desolation hapned 13 yeares before the destruction of Ierusalem in the 11 yeare of Sadyattis King of the Lyddians who was grandfather to Croesus An. mundi 3349 before Christ 619. After this destruction it lay a long time desolat but at length some part of it was restored though with much trouble then when it was at the best estate constrained to suffer many changes and at length vtterly destroied by Tamerlane the Great the second time An. mun 3390. After this the inhabitants of that countrey vpon the East side of the riuer 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 gouernment of the Country thereabouts or because of the scituation or for priuat profit it is not set down neuerthelesse it is again repaired standing on the borders of Armenia beautified with goodly buildings with faire and spatious streets compassed about as other cities of the East are with walls and ditches sufficiently strengthned to oppose the Enemy But in respect of the former Niniveh it seemes a small village It hath a bridge built of ships lying vpon the East side of it ouer the riuer Tygris and vpon that side of the Riuer there stand many faire gardens and orchards and the land there also is very fertil and pleasant But vpon the West of Tygris the soile is nothing so fruitfull At this day it is called by the name of Mossel so that although
who now sitteth at the right hand of his father in power and eternall glory but rather if wee be desirous to see the footsteps of Christ let vs seeke them in the Church which is disperst through the world wherein wee are sufficiently taught how we should follow him The Palme is a famous tree which bringeth forth Dates and is so called because vpon the top the boughes are thicke and round extending out like fingers from whence it is called Dactylus that is a finger Of Gethsamene THis was a village scituated at the foot of the mount of Oliues in a pleasant and fruitfull place Neere vnto this village as Saint Augustine obserueth there were many pleasant gardens which gaue forth very sweet and delectable sauors vnto which place Christ and his Disciples did oftentimes resort as the Euangelist Luke cap. 22. obserueth It was so called from the pressing forth of oyle for Gathor Geth signifies a Presse and Schaemen Oyle In this place the heart of our Sauiour Christ was so prest with affliction that he sweat drops of bloud By which bloud the sinnes of our soules are washed away and wee that are wounded are made whole as with a most precious balsome Isa 53. Hellen the Empresse in an Orchard close by this towne set vp a faire and beautifull Church ouer the sepulchre of the Virgin Mary which she called by the name of the mother of God Niceph lib. 2. cap. 30. It is said that this sepulchre remaineth to this day in this Church made of white polished Marble standing about eight and fortie steps vnder ground being something wider than the sepulchre of Christ in it there is two doors one to goe in another to goe out But whither this be the right sepulchre of the blessed Virgin it concerneth vs not sith it appertaineth not to our saluation neither is mentioned in the holy Scriptures but if any man be desirous to be further satisfied in it let him reade Nicephorus who makes mention of that and her ascension both in my opinion of like credit because I suppose that Saint Luke who wrote the Acts of the Apostles and liued in those times would not haue omitted so memorable an action But to returne to the Garden of Gethsamene About some fiftie paces towards the East of this sepulchre of the blessed Virgin close by the foot of the mount of Oliues stands a certain chappell just in the place where sometimes the towne of Gethsemane stood Not far from this chappell is showne a certaine hollow place vnder a rocke where the inhabitants say our Sauiour sweat drops of bloud They also shew a certaine stone whereon the Angels stood which comforted our Sauiour Discending thence about a stones cast they shew vnto Pilgrims a place close by the caue in the Mount of Oliues where Peter Iames and Iohn sate when our Sauiour was in his agonie They also shew the place where Peter cut off Malchas eare There is to be seene a memorable place where Iudas betraied our Sauiour with a kisse when he deliuered him to the Iewes Not farre off is to be seene the place where the Iewes fell backeward when our Sauiour askt them Whom seeke yee Besides many other things if Borchardus may be credited as the impression of his haire and head vpon a stone and of his finger as if it had beene in wax vpon a rocke and in the place where he prayed of his hands and knees which are so firme in stone that they cannot be defaced with any instrument But there haue beene many in this place since these times which haue seene none of these things from whence may be gathered that they haue been idle delusions vsed by ancient monkes to get money from Pilgrims and strangers and I haue here remembred them that others knowing these may beware of the like fallacies and deceits purposely inuented for lucres sake This garden of Gethsamene is credibly thought to haue been planted in former times by the Kings Dauid and Solomon but increased inlarged by other succeeding Princes that there they might recreate themselues receiue some content by the fruits of the earth But on the contrary that great King the annointed of the Lord our blessed Sauiour in this place of pleasure this paradise of the Iewes was constrained to vndergoe that almost vnsupportable passion to make vs partakers of that heauenly paradise and place of pleasure Not far from hence is to bee seene the place where Iudas hanged himselfe and a little from that the field of Akeldoma which was bought with the thirtie Siluerlings for which Iudas betraied Christ This field by the appointment of the Empresse Hellen was compassed about with foure walls in the maner of a tower vpon the top whereof there are seuen distinct doores like windowes by which the dead bodies of Christians are let downe into it it is fiftie foot wide and seuentie two long It standeth not farre from the valley of Hinnon towards the East and vpon the South side of Mount Sion in Ierusalem c. Of Kidron or Cedron THis brooke was so called because of the blacknesse of the water being deriued of Kadar To wax blacke The Mountaine whence it first riseth stands not farre from Ierusalem towards the South from whence it runneth through the valley of Iehosaphat which vally being very fat and fertile changeth the colour of the water and makes it looke blacke and so through Ierusalem then passing towards the East ouer a cliffe of Mount Oliuet it falleth into the Lake of Asphaltites When there falls any store of raine the channell is very full but in Summer it is oftentimes dry with the extremitie of heat Ouer this brooke Dauid passed when he was persecuted by his sonne Absolon 2 Sam. 16. and our Sauiour Christ when he dranke of the Riuer in the way that is when he suffered vpon the crosse for the sinne of man according to that saying of the Psalmist Psal 69. Saue me O God because the waters are entred euen into my soule Of Mount Caluarie THis Mountaine according to the common opinion was so called of dead mens skuls or the skuls of such who were put to death for some capitall offence It stood vpon the West side of Ierusalem as you goe out of the ancient Gate and is a part of Mount Gihon At this day it standeth within the city of Ierusalem together with the sepulchre of our Sauiour and vpon it is built a faire Church which is joyned vnto the Church of the holy Sepulchre being as it were a Quire vnto it But it standeth somewhat lower It is built all of Marble and the inside is all polished and wrought very curiously It is also paued with the same stone Within it is seen a piece of the pillar of stone to which they say Christ was tyed when he was whipped in which stone are to be seene certaine red spects as if they had been drops of bloud and these also they say were the bloud of
Because as Onuphrius saith in Comment fast lib. 2. also Euseb lib. 2. cap. 22. and Tertul cont Marcion Peter and Paul in the 35 yeare after the resurrection of Christ and vpon the third day of the Calends of Iuly C. Fonteius Capitonius C. Iulius Rufus being then Consuls of Rome were crowned with the Wreath of martyrdome and with their bloud sealed the truth of the Gospel But there are others of opinion that Peter neuer came at Rome but that he was crucified at Ierusalem by King Agrippa's command others say at Babylon But because it is a thing doubtfull and not greatly materiall I leaue it to the Readers consideration ¶ Of the Townes and places to which he trauelled Of Samaria BEcause I haue before briefly intreated of the beginning and foundation of this city I shal not need here againe to repeat it I will now therefore shew the end of it which was principally caused by the obstinacie of the inhabitants who refusing the doctrine and prophecy of Elias and Elizeus imbraced and followed strange gods and offered incense vnto idols whereby the wrath of God was kindled against them insomuch that hee left this goodly city as a prey to the Gentiles and forreine nations that carried the people thereof into captiuitie where for a long time they remained in great miserie After the first desolation because the countrey round about this citie was very fertile and pleasant abounding with springs riuers vines oliue gardens mountaines fruitfull valleyes faire cities and strong castles and townes Herod Ascalonites that great King of the Iewes who put to death the innocent children reedified it set vp many goodly buildings beautified with marble pillars and pleasant walkes and also in the circuit of the Kings house and vnder the buildings of the nobilitie in the common Market place the houses and vaults were supported with marble pillars according to the maner of the Iewes The pallace callled the K. house stood in the midst of the citie vpon the top of the mountain and round about it there were diuers other buildings set vp but much lower euen about the descent of the mountaine yet so scituated that the inhabitants might see out of their houses the country round about Then close to the pallace in the vpper part of the citie he caused a temple to be built in honor of Augustus Thus hauing finished the inside he compast it about with a mighty wall and vpon that placed many turrets then to flatter Augustus called it by the name of Sebasten which among the Grecians signifies Augustum venerabile principem now although this citie was very glorious and spatious in those times for it was three miles about yet at this day it is vtterly ruined destroied insomuch that there is not a house standing two Churches only excepted which were built in honour of S. Iohn Baptist and the chief of these which was the Cathedrall Church the Saracens haue conuerted to their vse so that at this day Mahomet is worshipt in it In this stood the Sepulchre of S. Iohn Baptist cut out in marble like the sepulchre of Christ where as Hierom saith he lieth buried between Elisha Obediah the Prophets This church stands vpon the side of the mountaine in the descent The Saracens do principally reuerence S. Iohn Baptist next after Christ and they affirm the virgin Mary to haue conceiued by the holy Spirit and not by the seed of man That S. Iohn was the greatest prophet except Christ that euer was They also beleeue Christ to be the son of God but not to be equall with God Yet they prefer Mahomet before both because they hold him a messenger sent of God not vnto all men but onely vnto the Saracens and Turks and their subiects The other Church which stood in Samaria was vpon 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 humanitie and furnished them with many necessaries But the city of Samaria it selfe hath bin so often ouerthrown and brought to such extreme miserie that almost all the ground where it stood is at this time conuerted 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 the whole city wherein he dwelt which was the strength of his kingdome into an olive garden There are not so many ruins found through all the land of Iudaea though there haue bin many worthy cities destroyed as are in this place at this day The scituation of this city was very beautifull for a man might haue seen from it to the sea of Ioppa and Antipatris also to Caesarea Palestina thorow al the mountain of Ephraim to Ramatha Sophim so to mount Carmel and the city of Ptolomais Of Lidda THis city was scituated not far from Ioppa vpon the shore of the Mediterranian sea 20 miles from Ierusalem Northwestward In this city Peter healed Aeneas who had bin sick 8 years of the palsie At this day there is nothing to be seen but the Church of S. George who was beheaded by the Emperour Dioclesian for professing the Christian faith The Grecians call this town Diospolis i. an holy Town And the Turks account S. George for a valiant Knight and holy man Of Caesarea Strato THis city was scituated vpon the shore of the Mediterranian sea some 32 miles from Ierusalem Northward in antient time it was called Strato being first built by Strato King of Sydon But time hauing 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 builded a fair hauen to oppose the violence of the sea This hauen was so wonderfully contriued and set vp at such a great charge that it was admirable to looke vpon for he laid the foundation of it twenty yards vnder water burying in the Deepe stones of an extraordinarie greatnesse some fifty foot long eight foot thicke and ten foot broad and many of them more The Hauen it selfe was beautified with faire buildings and goodly Walkes supported with marble Pillars and mounted vp aloft so that you might see the ships as they were vpon the sea and made way to this harbor The entrance into it was vpon the North at the mouth thereof there stood three mighty Colosses vpon marble pillars Hee also placed vpon the wall of the City towards the Hauen 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 ioyned to this Hauen were all of white polished marble and the streets of the City were directly towards it Also
you might iustly say that Rome in her prosperitie and eminencie was the glory of the world but as all estates are fickle and vncertain still subiect to varietie and change so was this first enuied of the world because of the extreame oppression of her gouernours and after made desolate by violence and force all her former glorie beeing eclipsed and the greatest part of these goodly buildings layed leuell with the ground Thus haue I shewed you what Rome was when it was in her prosperitie It resteth now to shew what Rome is Rome at this day differeth as much from the antient Rome as the substance from the shadow For although the Pope hath beautified and adorned the West part of it with many faire and goodly buildings and called it by the name of new Rome Yet is it nothing comparable to the antient city as it was when Augustus and Constantine the Great were Emperours thereof neither doth it stand in the antient place for the first Citie stood vpon the East side of Tyber this vpon the West The chiefe part of the other stood vpon the mountaines Capitolinus and Palatinus vpon which were the stately buildings of Senatours Kings and Emperors but now they lie desolate and waste The Capitol also and the Temple of Iupiter Feretrius goodly Buildings beaten to the ground onely some ruins to shew that such things there hath beene And what now resteth that are worthie note are in the commaund and power of the Pope which are not many the most that can be named are the Vattican the tower of S. Angelo the Popes Pallace his banquetting house and the gardens and walkes about it which are so well scituated that they are a grace to all Rome the rest are but ordinarie and common buildings Thus may you see that there is nothing in this world but hath a period to which if with much labour it attaineth then it commonly declineth seldome continueth for who knowes not with what labour what perills by sea what dangers by land through how many forreine warres and Domesticke seditions Rome was raised to her greatnesse And how suddenly was all this lost What the vertue and wisedome of graue and resolute Consuls Captaines and Commaunders had with great hazard heaped vp thrusting their Capitol and other Treasuries ful with the triumphant spoiles of forreine nations was left to be consumed either by seditious souldiers or prodigall Emperours and the State left as a prey to those that were mightiest so that they were accounted most honourable that with most injurie could get to themselues either countenance to ouersway authoritie or opulency to purchase eminency insomuch that there hath been no action so euill nor any attempt so pernicious in former times but may be matcht in the declining of the Romane state Where more murthers where more corruption where more oppression than is mentioned in Histories to bee practised amongst the Romans the liues of men the state of Prouinces and the crowns of Kings sold for money But now her time is finished and her ruins are left for succeeding ages to admire that so in beholding they might learne to know the difference betweene vertue and vice and from thence conclude That there is nothing permanent and that those things wherein men most glorie doe oftentimes soonest decay For if this citie which commanded the nations Princes of the earth whose Colonies Armies Legions confederacies and treasures were so mightie and extended so farre that there was almost no countrey vnconquered or nation that did not feare to heare the inhabitants therof named is made desolate and laid leuell with the ground what then may be said of pettie Cities Townes Lordships Manors and Houses shall not they likewise be subiect to the like calamities wasted and destroyed through the continuance of time Verily yea Wherefore let not the king glorie in his power nor the strong man in his strength nor the rich man in his riches but let him that glorieth glorie in the Lord. FINIS A Table of the Persons Townes and places mentioned in the foregoing Treatise A ADam 72.78 Abarim 127 Abel of the Vines 129. Abner his trauels 194. Abraham and his trauels 79 Absalon and his trauels 197. Achor 134. Aethyopia 205 320. Aialon 134. Alexandria 324. Amanus 361. Antiochus Epiphanes and his trauels 325. Antiochus Eupator 357. Apamca 320. Aphec 166. Arabia 522. Aroer 154. Asdod 136. Azeca 134. Asteroth 92 128. Athens 542. Antipatris 556. Ahab and his trauels 218 Aeziongaber 125. Arbona ib. Almon Diblathaim 127. Athniel 143. Arad 144. Abdon 155. Ascalon 158. Of the Arke of God 165. Abiathar 180. Abishag 200. Ahazia 224 Abijn ibid. Aza ibid. Ahazia 240. Athalia 241. Amasia 242. Amos 287. Ammon king of Iuda 250. Assarbaddon 260. Abelmehola 274. An instruction to vnderstand the Prophets 297 An Alphabeticall table of all the cities countries mentioned in the Prophets fram 298 to 309. Ange 319. Antiochia 330. 523. Asseremoth 343. Adarsa 344. Addus 352. Addor ibid. Arabath 355. Alexander son of Epiphanes 359 Alcimus and his trauels 373. Arbela ibid. Adummim 448. Aenon 429. Antiochia Pisidia 527. Attalia 528. Amphipolis 540. Apolonia ibid. B BAbylon from 253 to 258. Babylon in Aegypt 583. Baaena and his trauels 197. Baesa and his trauels 215. Bazra 289. Benhadad his trauels 228 232 Berea 374 542. Bethabara 429. Bethania 480. Bethoron or Bethcoron 202. Bethel 100. Bethlem 104 420. Bethpage 481. Bethsaliza 173. Bethsan 176 350. Bethseme ibid. Bethsura 234. Bethulia 321. Beerzaba 86 Baalzephon 117. Benei Iaaechon 125. Baalam and his trauels 129. Besech 142. Bezra 152. Bahurim 192. Baalhazor 198. Baaelath 203. Ben Merodach 263. Balthazar Emperor of the Assirians 268. Bildad 317. Bâ—schamah 352. Bethsaida 454. Bethbesah 350. Bythinia 535. C CAdes Barnea 124. Caesarea Philippi 444. Caren 78. Caleb and his trauels 141. Caphar Salama 344. Catchemis 266. Carmel 174. Cedron or Kydron a little Hill that runs through Ierusalem 487. Chasor or Hazor 138. Creet and the scituation thereof 363 537. Chehelah 112. Chasmona 124. Chesbon 128. Chinereth 152. Cilicia 319 530. Caspina 310. Caspin 345. Chazor a field 351. Canah in Galile 423 436. Capernaum 437. Chorazin 435. Of Canah Syro Phoenicia 466. Of Mount Caluarie 487. Caesarea Strato 502. The Isle of Cyprus and how it is scituated 525. The Isle of Chius and how scituated 550. The famous citie of Corinthia 544. Cous how scituated and why so called 552 Of the Isle of Clauda and how scituated 559 Of Colossa in Phrigia 566. D DOthan so called from commaunding 111. Doch a castle 356 Dora a hauen towne 366. Dibon Gad 127 Deborah and Barak 145. 147 Debir 135. Danites and their trauels 160 Demetrius Soter and his trauells 358 Demetrius Nicanor and his trauels 361. Decapolis and why so called 467 Derbe 528 Dauid and his trauels 180. The typical signification of Dauid 192. Daniel and his trauels 282. The typical signification of Daniel 286 Damascus a famous citie in
that went into exile for he was born about such time as Romulus and Remus were born which was An. mun 3200. and before Christ 798 Tob. 1. About the 30 yeare of his age he went from Niniveh into Media which was 752 miles and there came to a city called Rages in that country to visit the banished Israelites at which time hee lent by Gabel by bond 10 talents of siluer which amounts in our mony at v. s. vi d. the ounce to 2062 li. and 10 s. or thereabouts From Rages he returned backe againe to Niniveh 752 miles So all his trauels were 2104 miles The Trauels of the Angell Raphel and yong Tobias IN the yeare before Christ 708 the Archangell Raphel went from Niniveh to Rages in Media with Tobias the yonger being 752 miles From Rages in Media they returned backe again to Niniveh 752 miles So these journies were 1504 miles ¶ The description of the places mentioned in their trauels Of Nepthaly THis was the chiefe city of the tribe of Nepthaly 84 miles from Ierusalem toward the North. It stood in Galile and in times past was a strong town here Tobias the elder was born It is to be seene at this day as some say but much decayed and is now called by the name of Sirin scituated in a mountain so steep and strongly fortified by nature vpon the West side that it is impossible to ascend vpon it In a valley some two miles from this towne towards the South Naason spoken of in the first Chapter of Toby is scituated Vpon the left side whereof there stood a towne called Sophet but now there is nothing to be seene but a Castle where in antient times the Knights Templers kept their abiding and at this day is in the custody of the Turks This castle is scituated vpon a high mountaine fortified very strongly both by art and nature and standeth within a mile of Nepthaly Southwestward At such time as Iosephus that great Historiographer who was the sonne of Matthia of Marathia a Priest of the Iewes was chosen chiefe Commander of the tribe of Nepthaly he gathered an army of 100000 and fortified this castle Nepthaly and many other townes thereabouts continuing a long and sharp war against the Romans vntill Nepthaly was taken and he constrained to yeeld himselfe captiue In the taking in of which town Titus the son of Vespasian did first ascend the walls there made manifest his noble resolution and valor Vid. Ios de bell Iud. lib. 3 4. Of Rages a city of the Medes RAges is so called of a great Congregation being deriued of Ragasch that is He hath assembled a great company for it was a very populous city It was also called as Strab. li. 11. Cosmograp saith Rahga but after being rebuilt and fortified by Nicanor it was by him called Europus beeing distant from Ierusalem 1396 miles toward the Northeast The Persians call it Arsacia S. Ierom de Trad. Hebr. would haue Edissa a city of Mesopotamia or rather as Pliny saith of Coelosyria to be Rages which stands but 448 miles from Ierusalem Northward and from Ninive 188 miles Westward There are diuers others that haue wrot of this town of Edissa but that this and Rages should be both one I canot see how to agree with Toby for that hee himselfe hath set it down to stand in Media and the Cities of the Medes lie distant from Ierusalem 1396 miles Therefore gentle Reader I referre it to thy better consideration Of Iesus the sonne of Syrach SYrach signifies an Illustrous Prince being deriued of Sarach he hath shined forth he was of that noble family of Dauid that is the son of Syrach the son of Iesu cousin german to Amos Syrach who as Philo saith was the chiefe prince and captain of the children of Israel in the time of Ptolomeus Philadelphus King of Egypt is inserted into the genealogie of Christ Luke 3. He was born 230 years before Christ in the city Ierusalem from whence about the 38 yeare of his age he went to Alexandria a city of Egypt 288 miles Evergetes Ptolomais the sonne of Philadelphus being then King of that countrey where he gathered out of that flourishing Library set vp at the charge of Ptolomais Philadelphus his booke of Ecclesiasticus as bees from diuers floures gather sweet hony Of the great city Alexandria ALexandria was a city of Egypt distant from Ierusalem 288 miles Westward in antient time called No that is a Hinderance But Alexander the Great taking affection to this city in the yere 330 before Christ began to build it for by continuance of time it was much decayed and within the space of 17 dayes made it a goodly city much greater than it was before to which that he might adde the greater grace he called it after his owne name Alexandria and there he lieth buried after hee had gouerned the empire of the Grecians 7 yeares For although he died in Babylon the chiefe city of the Chaldaeans yet Ptolomais one of his chiefe Princes remoued his body thence in a golden chariot to Memphis in Egypt and 20 years after to Alexandria The scituation thereof is very delectable bordering to the North vpon the Mediterranian sea and to the South vpon the poole of Mareridis as Strabo saith lib. 17. It was ten miles about strongly fortified with walls beautified with goodly buildings scituated in a very fruitfull countrey And to giue a greater delight vnto the inhabitants without the Walls there stood many goodly Orchards and Gardens plentifully furnished with fruits and floures of diuers kindes as Pomecitrons Figges c. During the time of Ptolomais Philadelphus it was a famous and flourishing city for this Prince being a great louer of learning instituted an Academy as it is thought in it and added thereto a stately library wherin were 400000 Bookes The same whereof beeing published through the world many people of diuers Nations resorted thither to see it Then Eleazer also the high-priest of the Iews at the request of Ptolemais sent 72 Interpreters to translate the Bible out of Hebrew into Greeke which was as Eusebius obserueth in the third yeare of his reign before Christ 268. In recompence whereof he sent to be dedicated in the Temple of Ierusalem a table of gold richly adorned with Carbuncles smarages and other pretious stones two stately cups and 30 boules of pure gold as appeareth in Iosep lib. Antiq. 12. The Academy continued there till after Christs time as you may reade Acts 6. But the Library was consumed 47 yeares before Christ and the city greatly defaced For Iulius Caesar at that time making war with Pompey the yonger who continued with his sister Cleopatra in this City caused the Kings navy to be set on fire and the Library standing neer it the flame tooke hold of it and burnt it downe to the ground with all that was in it and defaced also a great part of the city Iosephus writing of this city compares it
with the fairest cities of those times being strongly fortified both by sea and land so that it seemed to be inuincible But at this day it is but a smal city the incursions of forrein enemies hauing wasted and destroied the greater part and left the rest to be a wonder to the world the heaps and ruins of goodly buildings making euident lamentable destructions Thus man with his deuices perisheth but the Lord endureth for euer Vpon the Booke of MACHABES The Trauels of Antiochus Epiphanes ANtiochus Epiphanes that is An illustrous Aduersary in the yeare of Christ 380 was sent out of Syria by Antiochus the Great to Rome which 1600 miles where he remained as an hostage for his father and his brother Seleucus Philopater seuenteen yeares 1 Mac. 1. After the death of his father he stole secretly from Rome and went backe again to Antiochia in Syria which was 1600 miles and there succeeded his brother Seleucus Philopater in the gouernment He began to reign 173 yeares before Christ In the third yeare of his reign he went from Antiochia to Tyrus 60 miles in that journey he conquered all the lower part of Syria and Phoenicia From thence he went aboue sixe score miles through Galilee and Iudaea conquering al the cities and countries that lay in his way and would also haue gon downe into Egypt but when hee heard that his nephew Ptolomais Philometor had proclaimed an assembly and parliament and would not acknowledge him for his Protector he sent Apolonius one of his princes vpon the day of the meeting into Egypt and he himselfe returned back again to Ioppa 2 Mac. 4. From Ioppa hee went to Ierusalem which was 20 miles where Iason the high-Priest and all the people receiued him with great honour At that time Antiochus placed a Gard in the Castle or tower of Ierusalem which was the beginning of their intolerable seruitude But for that yeare which was the fourth of his reign he returned through Phoenicia to Antiochia in Syria 280 miles In the fift yeare of his reign hee went from Antiochia with a great army into Cilicia being 80 miles There he appeased the vprores of the inhabitants of Tharsus and Mallotus and conquered all Cilicia 2 Mac. 4. From Cilicia he returned backe againe to Antiochia eightie miles In the sixt yeare of his reign Antiochus went with a great army both by sea and land wherein were many Elephants to Pelusio 400 miles This city he conquered and ouercame the Alexandrians in a navall battell 2 Mac. 4. From Pelusio hauing built a bridge ouer Nilus he went with his army to Memphis conquerd all the countries strong cities as he went about 140 miles and brought thither a mightie and great prey where according to the saying of the Prophet Daniel cap. 11. He dealt subtilly with Ptolomais Philometor From Memphis he returned to Alexandria where the citisens would not suffer him to enter the gates wherefore he besieged it but to small purpose which was 120 miles From Alexandria he returned to Pelusio which was 160 miles there he left a garrison to retaine what hee had gotten in Aegypt 1 Mac. 4. From Pelusio he returned to Antiochia with a great prey being 400 miles In the mean time Ptolomais King of Egypt his sister Cleopatra brought in the aid of the Romanes Livy Decad. lib. 4. 5. In the next yeare that is in the seuenth yeare of Antiochus Epiphanes there was seen in the aire as if there had been men fighting a Comet also appeared This happened in the yeare before Christ 167. This yeare in the spring Antiochus went the second time from Antiochia with his army into Alexandria in Egypt which was 560 miles So passing through Coelosyria and Iudaea hee came into Egypt which he inuaded with open war endeauoring to get that by force which hee could not get by entreaty But the Romans sent P. Popillius with other Embassadours into Egypt who hearing that Antiochus was come to Leusia which was within a mile of Alexandria the Romanes went thither to him Where when he had welcommed them and shewed all the courtesie hee could to P. Popillius P. Popillius deliuered him certain tables that he had about him written And first of all commanded him to reade them which he did Then he counselled with some of his friends What was best to be done in the businesse While he was thus in a great study P. Popillius with a wand that hee had in his hand made a circle about him in the dust saying Ere thou stirre a foot out of this circle returne thy answer that I may tell the Senate Whe-thou hadst rather haue warre or peace This hee vttered with such a firme countenance that it amased the King Wherefore after he had paused a while quoth hee I will doe what the Senate hath written or shall thinke fit So doing little or nothing in Egypt hee returned backe againe Iustine Lib. 34. Decad. Lib. 4. cap. 5. Ios lib. 12. cap. 6. These things hapned ann vrb Rom. 585. L. Aemilius Paulus Caius Licinius Crassus being then Consuls in which yeare the Moon was totally eclipsed Aemilius ouercame Perseus King of Macedon and reduced Macedonia into a Prouince Lib. Dec. 4. lib. 5. From Leusia Antiochus fearing lest the Iewes would forsake his Empire and rebell went to Ierusalem which was 288 miles but the inhabitants of the towne shut him out of the city wherefore he besieged it and by the treason of Menelaus chiefe Priest who for that purpose conspired with the gard that was in the castle quickly got it and entred the gates In every place where he came hee put the Citisens to the sword and for three daies space did little else but cruelly massacre the people He went also with Menelaus into the Temple where he polluted the sacred things of the Temple and took thence the vessels of siluer gold or whatsoeuer he found pretious or worthy so that the prey he tooke amounted to 1800 talents which make almost 11 tunne of pure gold all which were partly gifts dedicated to the Temple and partly treasure that was left there as in a safe and sure place to the vse of poore distressed widowes and orphans After that Antiochus had robbed the Temple of all the siluer and gold that he could finde had banished Iason had placed a strong garrison in the tower of Acropolis the captaine of which was one Philip a very cruell man and made Menelaus high-Priest with all this booty and some number of captiues hee returned to Antiochia which was 280 miles In the yeare following that is before Christ 166 Lu. Aemilius Paulus triumphed for the wars of Macedonia Not long after Antiochus misdoubting the fidelitie of the Iewes sent Apolonius with an army of 22000 to Ierusalem who entred the city vpon the Sabbath day and committed many outrages Then Antiochus hauing spent a great part of the gold and siluer which he had got from Ierusalem about the eleuenth yeare of his