God And the succeeding generation were concerned to carry themselves accordingly being Probationers upon their good behaviour to be admitted into Canaan coming now to the confines thereof 〈…〉 § 45. It is observable that since the Israelites making of the Calfe all their mutterings were mortall and cost many their lives yet onely here at Kadesh none were slain for their disobedience save Moses and Aaron eminently worth thousands of others who here had the sentence of death pronounced against them though reprieved for a time and rendered uncapable of their entering into Canaan as if the rest had fared the better for their punishment God not willing that the chief Magistrate chief Minister and all the people should smart at the same time for the same offence § 46. Here we take our farewell of the Israelites much admiring at their constant disobedience notwithstanding their manifold deliverances so that miracles grown customary with them were like Manna contemned for their commonness and the Pillar of fire going before them What is ever seen is never seen made no more impression on theirs then the rising and setting of the glorious Sun doth on our thankfulness Yea still they persisted to rebell against God and which is remarkable lust was their last tempting of him committing carnall and spirituall whoredome with the daughters of Moaâ— whereof formerly in the Desâ—â—iption of Reuben Now the old generation began to run drogs very few of them being left alive and therefore strange it is that any of them should be wanton in their old age How ill doth green thoughts suiâ— with gray heads though probably some of them having one foot in the grave had an Arme in those amorous embraces § 47. But whilest we condemn the Iews we see not the stubbornness in our own hearts A brain-sick opinion hath possessed many English now adays that they are descended from Iewish extraction and some pretend to derive their pedegree but out of what Heralâ—s office I know not from Iewish parentage Here a mysticall truth may be wrapped up in a literall lye Old-Iury is a street of large extent and too much of Iewish bloud spirits marrow fill move fraught our veins nerves bones pressing God under the weight of our sins who daily loadeth us with his benefits who besides other favours in the day-time of posperity is a pillar of a cloud to cool check and counsell in the night of adversity a pillar of fire to cheer comfort and conduct us and yet neither effectually works our serious amendment Thus leaving the tedious travels of the Iews we come to the ready road betwixt Egypt and Canâ—an which may be gone over in far fewer days then they spent years in their passage § 48. Some will say if so short a cut betwixt Egypt and Canaan how can Ioseph be excused for lack of filiall affection in not sending so long time to his Father to rectifie his mistake and to untorture him from the apprehension of his sons supposed death Especially seeing his Fathers numerous family on small enquiry might easily be found out even by the signe of his different religion from the rest of the Countrey All that can be answered is Ioseph had some immediate security and assurance from God that his dreams in due time should take full effect and therefore attended whilst providence seasonably ripened the same by his own means his obedience to God whose ways he waited on stopping his expression of his love to his parent which flowed forth at last the more plentifully for being so long dammed up before § 49. This compendious passage betwixt Egypt and Canaan leaveth the Mediterranean sea on the left hand as also the Syrbon-lake formerly much larger now daily decreasing since the inlet thereof into the sea hath been choaked up with the sand More eastward it passeth by the Mount Casius famous for the buriall of the unfortunate Pompey the great therein by a poor souldier untill Adrian the Emperour afterwards bestowed a fair Monument upon him But neither this Mountain nor any other place on this road is mentioned in Scripture save two Innes thereon of eminent note § 50. Of these that the ancientest wherein the ten sons of their Father Iacob lodged in their going down to Egypt I say the ten sons of one Father And therefore the same is pertinently alledged by them in their purgation that they were no spies because all one mans children which some resemblance in their countenances probably might partly evidence it being utterly unlikely that persons sent on so dangerous discoveries should all be taken out of one family to the finall extirpation thereof if miscarrying in the designe whereas generally Spies like a Party commanded out of severall troops when sent on desperate service are chosen out of divers housholds with those which Moses sent to search the land one out of every Tribe that if cut off in the Action the loss may be the lighter when divided amongst many families Here those brethren were in their return troubled with too much money wealth hath her distractions as well as want the silver in their Sacks which they beheld as a bait laid there to ensâ—are them though all came off joyfully at the last § 51. The other Inne on or near this road was that wherein Moses coming out of Midian and compassing the Red-sea lodged with his wife and children An Inne which was likely to have proved his long-home and Moses his Embassie to Pharaoh was almost turned there into an errand unto his own grave yea the messenger welnigh dispatched before the message God seeking to kill him for neglecting the circumcising of his sons Whether because his forty years living in Midian had made him more remiss in his Religion or out of a peaceable compliance to purchase the quiet of his wise whose aversness herein appears by her words and gesture at the same time here casting her sons foreskin at his feet yet hitting him in the teeth there with Surely a bloudy husband art thou to me § 52. Now to take our farewell of this Wilderness as barren as it was some people besides the Amalekites formerly spoken of made a shift to live therein No place so dry with sand or hard with rockes but if well cooked with industry it will make mans-meat especially for hungry-stomachs As the Madianites where Iethro was Prince in the South-west on the Red-sea the Geshurites and Gezrites in the North-east betwixt Egypt and Shur and above all the Kenites who at first lived mixed with the Amalekites § 53. By Kenites we understand not that antiquated nation whose lands God promised to Abraham but a people descended from Hobab or Iethro the father-in-law to Moses some whereof removed out of this Wilderness and planted themselves near the Tribe of Napthali others continued here and both Colonies of them alwaies kept good
hundred years after So that herein Breidenâ—ach seemeth to speak as S. Peter did in the same place not knowing what he said More likely it is that there may at this day remain some ruines of Oratories erected many years since seeing there was there a Monastery inhabited by Friers untill they being molested by the Arabians to use my Authors expression took their holinesse away with them and left the mountain behind them § 29. The greatest stream of Kishon runneth northward thorow the midst of this Tribe not far from the City of Naim where Christ meeting the widowes onely Child carried forth to be buried miraculously restored him to life Hereabouts also was the City Aijalon where Elon Judge of Israel was buried of whom nothing else is recorded save his name time of his rule ten years and place of his interment Slight him not because so little is reported of him it tending much to the praise of his Policy in preventing forein invasions and domestick commotions so that the land enjoyed peace as far better then victory as health is to be preferred before a recovery from sickness Yea times of much doing are times of much suffering and many martiall aâ—chievements are rather for the Princes honour then the peoples ease § 30. From Naim the river Kishon glides by the northern skirts of mount Carmel beholding the place where Eliah did execution on Baals Priests on this occasion All Israel met on mount Carmel concluding him the true God who answered by fire unto their sacrifices Baals Priests being vainly clamorous in invoking their Idol whose petitions finde no answer from heaven except the echo in the aire descanting in derision on their importunate bawlings discontented hereat they cut themselves with knives and lancers the ready way to make bloud but not fire to come Then enters Eliah on his work and to prevent all suspicion of fraud he three times caused four barrels of water to be powred on the Altar If any here demand how they came by such plenty of water a precious commodity after three years and six months drought when springs wells and brooks were dried up it is answered it was fetched from the sea hard by whose brackish water though useless to quench the thirsts of men and beasts was proper enough therewithall to trie the present experiment Hereupon at Eliahs prayers fire from heaven licked up the water and consumed the Sacrifice The Prophet taking advantage of this juncture of time whilest the people of Israel were possessed with an high opinion of his power and person King Ahab stood admiring at the miracle Baals Priests stood dispirited with guiltiness and wonder and Iazebel their active Patroness absent at great distance being a single man slew four hundred and fifty of them without any resistance Formerly their flattering hands rather acting and doing did theatrically in superstitious formalities let out some drops of wild bloud in the surface of their flesh whereas now Eliah in true earnest with an unpartial arme gave vent to their heart bloud by the brook Kishon which presently carrieth both their gore and its own water into the Mediterranean Sea § 31. However though Satan then was silent when in credit most concerned to speak in answer to Baals Priests it seems he found his tongue afterwards and here pretended to informe people of their fortune Suetonius tells us that Vespasian in Iudea took counsell from the oracle of the God CARMELUS which foretold his good success in whatsoever he should undertake which God we conceive was some Spirit of delusion thogh then speaking truly having his residence in or nigh this mountain of Carmel § 32. As for Carmel in generall it was so delicious a place that more pleasure was hardly to be fancied then here to be found It consisted of high hills where the wicked thought in vain by hiding themselves in the height thereof to be secured from divine justice a fruitfull vale pleasant river of Kishom and a goodly forrest so that the feet of Sennacherib did itch to enter it as his fingers did long to fell the fair Cedars in Lebanon From this Carmel the platform of pleasure other delightfull places are so named as copies and transcripts of this the originall yea the name is sometimes rendered appellatively for any fruitfull field § 33. From the top hereof we may easily discover two neighbouring townes Cain and Caiaphas the one named from the murderer of Abel the other from the active contriver of his death whose bloud speaketh better things then that of Abel But neither appearing in Scripture it is enough to name them More northerly we behold the valley of Iiphthah-el or river thereof the same word in Hebrew expressing both as indeed it is hard to finde a vale especially in winter without a rivolet therein And if I mistake not the BOURNE in Wilt-shire and the west signifieth both the river and the dale down which it runneth In the vale nigh the river of Iiphthah-el stood the city Zebulun so beautifully built saith Iosephus let him forfeit his fingers when he measures any thing to loss which concerns his own countrey that Cestius the Roman Governour who burnt it admired the houses therein as corrivalls with those of Tyre Zidon and Berytus in magnificence More southward is Cana called commonly the lesse though greatened with Christs first miracle wrought there at a mariage turning water into wine How many matches have been made to which Christ was never invited guest yea the riot and revels thereat would fright his gracious presence from the place Hence the rivolet runneth to Iokneam surnamed of Carmel from the vicinity thereof the King whereof was destroyed by Ioshua and the City afterwards bestowed upon the Levites § 34. Having mentioned the Levite-cities an importunate difficulty whilest I hoped silently to slip by it plucketh me back in my passage It resulteth from the ensuing parallel Joshua 21. 34 35. And unto the families of the children of Mâ—râ—ri the rest of the Levites out of the Tribe of Zebulun Jokneam with her suburbs and Kartah with her suburbs Dimnah with her suburbs Nahalol with her suburbs four cities 1 Chron. 6. 77. Vnto the rest of the children of Merari was given out of the Tribe of Zebulun Rimmon with her suburbs Tabor with her suburbs The difficulty is double first four Cities are mentioned in Ioshua and but two in Chronicles Secondly those two fall out by their different names nothing like the four formerly assigned them § 35. In solution hereof some will say that the Levites might have six cities in Zebulun But why should this tribe being not the biggest be most bountifull unto them Was it because Zebuluns lot advantaged by the sea-situation thereof was larger in worth then in view and so the Merchant adventurers of this tribe making gainfull voyages and profitable
gain on the affections of the beleeving Iews as yet zealous for the Law partly to confute their falshood who traduced him for an Antinomian against all ceremonious observances Hereupon he came into the Temple to signifie the accomplishment of the days of purification untill that an offering should be offered for him and his companions If any grudge that after the coming of the Gospel so much cost should be bestowed on the Law and sullenly say with Iudas Iscariot To what purpose is this wast Might not the Law truly answer with our Saviour in the same case He did it for my buriall and for the more solemn interment thereof § 16. But Saint Pauls devotion in performing these Obsequies was interrupted by the people who accused him for defiling the Temple having seen Trophimus and Ephesian with him in the City whom they supposed he had brought into the Temple Malicious jealousie never makes good Logician so strange are the inferences thereof In vain might Saint Paul deny the consequence of their syllogisme whilest they were ready to prove it by an inartificiall argument from the Authority or prevalency rather of a popular uproare Some cryed one thing some another and those no doubt that knew least railed loudest and no certainty could be known for the tumult the many-headed multitude speaking a Language whereof none can be an interpreter to understand them which understand not themselves § 17. Suppositive was the offence of Saint Paul onely on their bare surmise but positive must be his punishment drawing him out of the Temple whom certainly they had killed had not the seasonable interposing of the Captain rescued him from them Who hence conveyed him safe into the Castle no doubt of Antonia hard by and not the Castle on Mount Sion built out of the ruines of the Palace of David though formerly following the authority of others we made that place the Theater of Saint Pauls future actions on this occasion CHAP. XI Of the vast wealth of the second Temple § 1. WE have cause to conceive that the Corban or Treasury of the second Temple was about our Saviours time welnigh as well lined with wealth as in the reign of Solomon flowing from three principall springs 1 Meer Gentiles 2 Proselytes 3 Native Iews The first of these were very bountifull to the Temple and constantly § 4. Native Iews were the last and best benefactours to the Temple especially if all contributed thereunto in proportion to the poor widow who cast in two mites being all her substance Now had one been present when the Scribes and Pharisees cast in their offerings into the treasury it had been pleasant to behold the conflict betwixt their covetousness and vainglory and how the latter prevailed in them For though they were covetous yet when people beheld them they were content to part with their money or rather to let it out for the interest of popular applause But besides free-will-offerings at any time that Gods service might not be lest arbitrary the Iews were injoyned thrice a year at the solemn festivalls with their men children when able saith the Rabbih led in their Fathers hands to climbe up the mountain whereon the Temple was built to appear before God where none who hoped to return with their hearts ful of joy came with their hands empty of money For seeing the Iews held their estates of no mean Lord but all by tenure in capiâ—e from the God of Heaven these were the three solemn payments of their head rent to their high Land lord Besides these in the days of our Saviour vast were the sums which were advanced to the treasury by that gainfull Divinity current amongst the people though stamped onely with Pharisaicall traditions of which this one that followeth was the most remarkable § 5. It plainly appears that all children if of ability should maintain their parents if by age or accident grown weak and impotent to subsist of themselves according to Gods command Honour thy father and mother Qamp c. Notwithstanding which obligation the Scribes and Pharisees did preach teach that in case any children were pleased to compound with Corban c to pay a round sum proportionable to their estates unto pious uses thereby they were disingaged in conscieâ—de from making any farther provision for their poor parents Going on this ground that one debt was to be but once satisfied and if they paid it in to the service of God the grand-father to all mankinde thereby they were discharged from duty to their immediate and subordinate parents § 6. This commutation-money as I may term it amounted to a Nemâ—scit of revenue but withall made a dearth of dutifull children in the land who counted it the more frugall way once for all to fine to the Temple then to pay the constant rent of daily relief to their parents But can an Acquittance of humane â—â—adition be valid against a debt of Specialty by Gods command Oh! had the hole in the cover of Corban been a mouth to speak as well as to take in how zealously would it have protested against such proceedings And we may conceive this one cause of hastening the wofull ruine of the Temples wealth such ill gotten money poisoning the Corban making it suddenly swell and then break in pieces when swept away by the Romans which we come now to relate CHAP. XII The finall abolition of the Utensils of the second Temple § 1. GReat houses commonly crack before they fall to give the dwellers therein notice to depart Thus before the Temple was finally ruined and her vessels taken away two grand warnings were given the Iews seasonably to amend and prevent farther mischief The first in that famous year wherein Tully and Mark Antony were Consuls some sixty years before our Saviours birth when Pompey the great having taken the City and Temple entred the Holy of Holies with some of his souldiers the floor whereof had formerly felt no other feet but those of the high Priests and those but once a year Here he saw mysterious ornaments understanding not the meaning but the matter thereof to be pure gold a shroud bait to tempt his hungry souldiers to sacriledge besides two thousand talents of silver in the treasury of the Temple On all which he onely feasted his and his officers eies whilest their hands did fast not diminishing the least mite thereof in veneration of that deity to whom they did belong Onely he took on him to restore Hircanus to be high Priest a presage that the Jewish Priesthood would shortly fall down which already did so shake that the high Priest needed to take a Presentation ad corroborandum from the hands of Pompey a Pagan Patron § 2. Secondly when Crassus that rich churl and Roman Generall marching with his Army into Syria and through Ierusalem flayed what Pompey did not fleece spoiling the Temple
digged and doe nothing unworthy of that honourable parentage whence you are derived Far be it from your Honour to be listed among those noble men of whom it may be said in a sad sense that they are very highly descended as being come down many degrees from the worth and virtues of their noble Progenitors To conclude then with Theophilus with whom I began It is observable of him that though styled most excellent by Saint Luke in his Gospell yet in the Book of the Acts which was written many years after he calls him onely Theophilus without any honourable addition What Had Saint Luke in process of time less civility or Theophilus with more age less Nobility Surely neither but Saint Luke may be presumed purposely to wave his titles out of compliance to the temper of Theophilus who in his reduced age grew weary of worldly pompe more pleased to have the truth of honour fixed within him then hear the titles thereof fastned upon him according to the Analogie of the Apostles preâ—ept Let him that hath honour be as if he had it not Thus the longer your Lordship shall live the less you will delight in outward state and daily discover the vanity thereof especially in your old age your soul will grow sensible that nothing can satisfie it which is less then Grace or Glory or God himself To whose protection you are committed by the daily prayer of him who is Your Honours most humble servant THO. FULLER Waltham Abbey Iuly 16. 1650. Here followeth the Map of Mount Libanus THE DESCRIPTION OF MOVNT LIBANVS and the adjacent Countreys The fourth Book CHAP. I. § 1. SO much for the Iewel Palestine it self Now for the Case thereof namely the neighbouring Countreys which surrounded it Onely herein the Simile holds not because Cases serve as to compass so to preserve and defend the Jewell whereas these bordering nations were sworn enemies to oppose and destroy the land and people of Palestine The most quiet neighbour Iudea had was the Midland sea on the west side thereof which though sometimes as the Psalmist observes it would rage horribly yet generally it was more peaceable and serviceable then the Pagans which bounded them on all other quarters as namely 1 In Syria on the north Giblites Arvadites Aramites c. 2 In Arabia on the east and south-east Ammonites Moabites Ismaelites Midianites 3 In Egypt and the wilderness of the south Edomites Amalekites Egyptians c. So that the Iews to finde faithfull friends must not look about them but above them even to heaven whence all their safety was derived § 2. For the present we are to describe mount Libanus or Lebanon with the parts of Syria confining thereunto A mountain which some will have so named from Frankincense 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek whereof great plenty groweth there Yet seeing it is usuall for Parents to give names to their children not children to their Parents more probable it is that Frankincense is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from this mountain breeding store thereof then that the mountain should be named Libanus from Frankincense growing therein § 3. But whilst humane writers are best pleased with this Greek extraction of Libanus more conformable to Scripture is the Hebrew Etymology thereof from Whiteness because the faithfull snow forsakes not the top of this mountain no not when persecuted by the Sun in the dog-days but remains there all the year long A pleasant sight at the same time to have Winter on the top and Sommer at the bottome of one and the same mountain Excellent the use of this snow in these hot climats the Prophet mentioning it as most welcome and precious Will a man leave the snow in Lebanon wherewith the Tyrians and neighbouring nations used to allay and mixe their wines so making the Torrid and Frozen Zone to meet in the Temperate more healthfull for their Constitutions § 4. Lebanon was a place so pleasant that an Epicure therein might feed all his senses to a surfeit 1 Sight The â—pouse saith of Christ His countenance is as Lebanon where most delightfull is the prospect with high hills humble dales sweet rivers shady groves No wonder then if Ptolemy placeth Paradise a City hereabouts where what Poets can fancy Nature hath performed 2 Smell Such the fragrancy of flowers Gummes and Spices thereon perfuming the aire round about His smell is as the smell of Lebanon 3 Hearing For besides the melody wrabled forth by the sweet Choristers of the wood pleasant it was to listen to the complaints which the Rivers murmuring made against the Rocks for wronging them in obstructing their channels whose complaints therein were so far from finding pity in mens hearts that they onely lulled their heads the sooner and faster asâ—eep 4 Taste Touch. Such the most delicious fruits and liquors this mountain affords Vinum C.O.S. The sent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon Galen also reporteth that yearly in mount Libanus husbandmen used to sing God raineth hony at which time they spread hides on the ground and from the boughs of trees shook into them the hony dropt from heaven called therefore mel roscidum aereum filling pots and pitchers with the same No wonder then that Moses made it his earnest request to take this place in his way to heaven I pray thee let me goe over and see the good land which is beyond Iordan that goodly mountain and Lebanon As if his soul more conveniently might take his rise from the top thereof to eternall blisse and be the better provided to entertain endless happiness when first he had sipt some drops of the same in delightfull Lebanon the temporall type thereof § 5. It will perchance be objected against the fertility of this place that the Prophet foretelleth Is it not yet a very little while and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitfull field Where its future conversion into fruitfulness seemingly implies the present barrenness thereof But here we must distinguish betwixt field and forest fruitfulness The former is composed of the concurrence of art and industry with nature the latter onely takes what nature tenders without any toile to improve the same wherein Libanus already did exceed But now the Prophet foretells besides this wild and native an elaborate and artificiall fertility likely to befall this mountain namely in the speedy and universall alteration of things in Israel when champian fields for fear should be forsaken and husbandmen for their security retire with their tillage to mount Lebanon Thus much for this fair and fruitfull place full of goodly trees wild and tame beasts in abundance and yet when measured by an infinite majesty Lebanon is not sufficient for him to burn nor all the beasts thereof of sufficient for a burnt offering § 6. Having largely praised this place enough to set all the neighbouring Princes at variance about the propriety thereof it is now high time
Chemosh § 30. Notoriously known to be the abomination of Moab yet so that this Idol was held in Coparcenary betwixt them and the Ammonites witness Iephthah his question to the King of Ammon demanding restitution of the land of Gilead from the Israelites Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy God giveth thee to possess Thus as Moab and Ammon once parted the incestuous extraction from the same Grandfather so now they met again at the Idolatrous adoration of the same God We finde nothing in Scripture of the fashion or worship of Chemosh onely we read in Benjamin an ancient learned Iew that at Gebal in a Temple was found the Idol of the children of Ammon certainly either Chemosh or Moloch being an image of stone gilded over sitting on a throne betwixt two female images also sitting having an Altar before him whereon incense was offered as we in our draught have designed it accordingly Dagon § 31. Neither good flesh nor fish but a mixture of both bearing fish in his name and flesh in his head and hands Indeed the heathens observe the Syrians generally to have adored fish Piscen Syri venerantuâ— saith Tully Yet dare I not impute Gods not apointing any fish to be sacrificed unto him to his detestation thereof on the foresaid account but rather either because being ferae naturae they could not be constantly gotten for the continuall sacrifice or because it was hard to bring fish alive to Ierusalem many miles by land it being essentiall to the sacrifice to be presented quick at the Altar when offered thereupon But of Dagon formerly in Dan. The Ephod § 32. This by the primitive institution thereof is sufficiently known for a Priests vestment Indeed once we finde David when dancing before the Arke wearing an Ephod but in what capacity let others dispute surely not with any â—â—crilegious invading of the Priest-like office Perchance as formerly our English Kings at their Coronation wore a Dalmatica with sleeves a Sacerdotall garment so David as custos utriusque tabulae and being by his place to provide that the Priests should perform their office habited himself especially on that occasion in some generall conformity to their function But leaving this to others as God by Aâ—rons chiefe Ephod informed such as inquired of him so Satan Gods Ape in his Temples Priests Prophets Altars Sacrifices Oracles and Ephods counterfeited in his mock Ephods to resolve such as asked counsell thereat Thus the Danites before their expedition against Laish consulted the Ephod which Micah had in his house concerning their success Gideon also made an Ephod of the spoiles of the Midianites which we charitably beleeve might be when first made a Virgin as innocently intended by him onely for a civill memoriall but in fine proved an Harlot when all Israel went a whoring after it So that such an Ephold may pass under the notion of a Iewish Idol Milcom § 33. That is their King If any object that the points therein answer not exactly to that sense know their Gods were too great to be ranked under Grammar Rules Iupiter we know irregularly declined both in Latine and Greek and some grammaticall Anomaly is conceived to conduce the more to their magnificence It was the God of the Ammonites and was the same with Moloch as may appear because what Amos calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saint Luke rendereth Moloch according to the judicious observation of the most learned Father concerning Apostles and Apostolicall meâ— citing places out of the old Testament Illos non verba considerare sed sensum nec eadem sermonum calcaâ—e vestigia dummodo à sententâ—is non recedant Moloch § 34. A monstrous Idol Nothing came amiss to him having Stowage enough to receive whatever was offered unto him It was an hollow image of brass having seven repositories therein one for Meal a second for Turtles a third for a Sheep a fourth for a Ram the fifth for a Calfe like to which was the head thereof the sixth for an Oxe the seventh for a Child which it first embraced in its armes and then Hags hugs kill with kindness seared to death having fire made under the concavity thereof This murder of children was acted near Ierusalem in a place remarkable for its double name 1 The valley of the sons of Hinnom So called from the skreeking of children 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nahem is to roar out when sacrificed there 2 Tophet From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Toph a drum loud musick being used to intercept the childrens crying from their parents hearing it But had not such parents ears as well is their hearts as on their heads to sympathize with the suffering of their own flesh and bloud And seeing these Tragedies were acted in their presence why had not such parents as musick to keep the sound from their eares so maskes to hide the same from their sight But what shall we say They may be ranked amongst those of whom the Apostle speaks Whom the God of this world hath blinded Superstition depriving men both of Grace and Nature together Nergal § 35. He was adored by the Cuthites by whom we understand such who before their transplanting into Samaria dwelled at or nigh Cuth a river in Persia. His name may be deduced from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ner light or fire and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gal rolled or wreathed the raies of the one and flakes of the other appearing waved or curled to the beholder Hence we conceive this Nergal of the Cuthites to be a constant fire which they adored as the symbole of the Sun notoriously known to be the grand Deity of the Persians As indeed fire is the the terrestriall Sun Whence the Stars of our torches and tapers borrow their light Yea such the purity clarity and activity thereof that though it be not to be called a God God is pleased to call himself a consuming fire Nisroch § 36. A God of the Assyrians in whose Temple Sennacherib was a worshipping when slain therein by Adramelech and Sharezer his sons This was he who so lately boasted Where is the King of Hamath of Arphad of Sepharvaim of Henah and Ivah Let now one more be added to that Catalogue And where is Sennacherib the proud King of Assyria Many were gainers by his death God got the honour of the action Isaiah the performance of his prophecy Hezekiah riddance from his worst enemy Esarhaddon his son and successour got the kingdome of Assyria and his two sons who slew him got exile into the land of Armenia too fair a reward for so foul a Patricide Now though we finde not this Nisroch by name to be worshipped by the Iews yet because the Prophets complaint is generall that they doted on the Assyrians their neighbours we may conclude them guilty of spirituall whoredome with Nisroch as a principall