suspicious greatness Politicians having found in their theory and Princes perchance felt in their practise the danger thereof § 34. And now we come to the particular description of the Land of Edom called also Mount-Seir Dumah and Idumea in the Scripture Mount Seir is as much as Mons hispidus or hirsutus a rough and rugged mountain So called some conceive from Esau who Satyr-like had a quickset of hair on his body though it seems the place was so named long before he came to possesse it as brisling with bushes and overgrown with wood in the famous wilderness thereof namely of 1 Teman The inhabitants hereof were or were accounted of themselves or others very wise Is wisdome no more in Teman Yet all their carnall policy could not preserve them from utter destruction there threatned unto them Eliphaz one of Iobs friends was of this Countrey 2 Dedan Such as dwelt therein were merchants and did drive a land trade with Tyrus bringing thither precious clothes for chariots or in chariots 3 Edom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Herein the three Kings wandered and were distressed for want of water till Elisha relieved them As for the other two names of this Countrey Dumah and Idâ—mea formerly largely thereof § 35. Edom had the Dead-sea and Moab on the north-east Arabia deserta on the east the wilderness of Paran on the north-west and the Red-sea on the south-west A sea not so called from the redness of the water thereof yet I know not how it may appear when beheld with bloud-shot eyes nor from a King Eruthraeus for what makes a Greek name so long since in these eastern parts but from Edom or Rufus the red son of Iacob commanding in this countrey so that Red sea is all one with the Edomite or Idumean Sea In Hebrew it is termed Iam Suph or the flaggy sea because of the plenty of flags reeds and weeds found therein though of the last never so many as when the wicked Egyptians were drowned therein Ezion-gaber is a fair haven of great commerce on this sea Here Solomon had his navy royall which jointly with the ships of Hiram brought four hundred and twenty talents of gold from Ophir This it seems was the sum paid de claro into the Kings Exchequer otherwise thirty talents more are mentioned probably expended in defraying the cost of the voyage Long after Iehosaphat joining with Ahaziah hence set forth ships for the same purpose to the same place but they went not for they were broken Why the seas which smiled on Solomon should frown on godly Iehosaphat I durst not conjecture lest my adventuring in guessing prove as unsuccessefull as his in sailing had not Scripture plainly told me that the winds and the waves forbad the Banes of matching Gods children with Idolaters in the same designe Yea the breath of Eliezer the Prophet may be said to have sunk those ships threatening their destruction Thus those shall never reap good harvest who plow with an Oxe and an Asse contrary to Gods flat command Afterwards wicked King Ahaziah requested again of Iehosaphat Let my servants goe with thy servants in the ships but the other refused having foundas bad success with the son at sea as lately he had had on land with Ahab his Father Besides Iehosaphat being sensible how his infant-designe was strangled in the wombe and his ships broken at Ezion gaber in the very haven would not renew his voyage it being a bold defying of divine power to water that project from earth which one plainly sees blasted from heaven § 36. Other remarkable places in Edom were first Mount Hor haply so called from the Horims ancient inhabitants thereof where Aaron put off his clothes the covering of his body and his body the clothes of his soul and Eleazar his son both buried and succeeded him Thus though for his disobedience forbidden the entrance of the land of Canaan yet he came to the selvedge or out-skirt thereof for hard by the Tribe of Iudah with a narrow spong confined on the kingdome of Edom. 2ly The valley of salt at the south end of the Dead Sea where God twice seasoned the Edomites with two sharp and smart overthrows when Abishai killed eighteen thousand and afterwards when Amaziah killed ten thousand of them in the same place 3ly Zair is not far off where King Ioram of Iudah gave the Edomites a great blow though he could not bring them again into a full subjection 4ly More south Bozrah the metropolis of Edom. The name thereof signifieth a muniment or fortification hence so many of them in these parts and it was a place of great strength and renown The Prophet speaking of Christ returning in triumph from overcoming his enemies Who is this saith he that cometh from Edom with red garments from Bozrah But oh the difference though the colour be the same betwixt the manner of the die when Christ came red a sufferer and red a conquerour the latter from Bozrah but the former from Ierusalem § 37. Yet Bozrah carrieth it not so clear to be chiefe in this Countrey but that Sclah is a stiffe corrivall with it for the same honour This Hebrew name signifies a Rock in which sense it is called Petra in Greek and Latine I say not that Arabia is thence denominated Petraea standing on a steep hill from the precipice whereof Amaziah threw ten thousand Edomites and they all burst to pieces whereof before a cruell act yet admitting of a better excuse then another he committed in this kingdome in adoring the captive Idols of Edom and setting them up to be worshipped in Iudah Did he think that as some trees gain more strength by being transplanted so these Gods would get new vigour by being removed into another countrey Petra was by Amaziah named Ioktheel and is called Crach at this day having lately been used for a place therein to secure the treasure of the Sultan § 38. So much of Edom whose ancient antipathy against Israel continued and increased to the last Witness their standing in the cross ways to cut off them of Iudah which should escape and shut up the remnant in the day of affliction God in conclusion was even with them for as they had cast lots upon Ierusalem so at last they drew such a blank for themselves that notwithstanding their Eagles-nests and starry-dwellings wherein they placed their confidence they were brought to destruction their high habitations being so far from saving them that they onely contributed to make their fall more visible to others and dangerous to themselves § 39. East of Edom lay the Land of Uz where Iob dwelt so renowned for his patience when the devill heaped afflictions upon him allowing him no lucid intervalls Onely the more deliberately to torment him measured unto him so much space betwixt his severall stripes that Iob might be distinctly sensible
follow learned Masius though loth to erre with any willing to venture sooner on his then any other Authors judgement herein May the Reader find out Helkah in our Mappe in the South-east part thereof not farre from the Sea thence let his eies start and with good successe following the names in the Text and the pricks in our Mappe for his direction surround the Borders of this Tribe Helkah was afterwards given to the Levites Gershonites to be one of their foure Cities in this Tribe had Achshaph and formerly been a Royall City of the Canaanites whose King had been conquered by Ioshua Verse 26. And Alamelech and Amad and Mishael and reacheth to Carmel Westward and Shihor Libnah Mishael or Mashal was another City of the Levites By this the Border of Asher ran Southwestward to Carmell understand thereby not the mountain so called lying more South in Zebulun but the Plain lying under the same more towards the North. Shihor Libnah that is the white River Now for streames to take their names from their colours is no news to them that have heard of Albis in Germany Melas in Thracia and two Rivers called Blackwater the one in the South the other in the North of Ireland But whether this River in Asher took the whitenesse from the foaming water therein or Chalk-banks like our Albion on both sides or from the materials of glasse or crystall growing there let others dispute whilst we onely observe that Album Promontorium or the white Promontory is by Pliny placed hereabouts Verse 27. And turneth toward the Sun rising to Beth Dagon and reacheth to Zebulun and to the Valley of Iiphthabel toward the Northside of Bethemek and Neiel and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand The Map will make all these flexures plain Beth Dagon that is the Temple of Dagon but how came this Idol of the Philistims to travell thus farre almost to Phoenicia Surely it never came hither on its own legges as the Psalmist observes Feet have they but they walk not but was brought by the Superstition of the Canaanites which borrowed this Idol from their neighbours Concerning Cabul quaere whether it were the name of a particular place or the same with the Land of Cabul which I conceive lay more Northward which Solomon afterward bestowed on Hiram King of Tyre Verse 28. And Hebron and Rehob and Hammon and Kanah even unto great Zidon Hebron differing from a greater City of the same name in the Tribe of Iudah Rehob that is large or spacious this name speaking it a City of great receipt Unto this place came the twelve Spies sent to discover the Land and this City was afterwards bestowed upon the Levites This Kanah the great is conceived by some the birth place of Simon the Canaanite the disciple of Christ. Great Zidon was given to never gained by this Tribe whose Borders reached to Zidon exclusively so that Ashers lips might touch the cup but not taste the liquor of so sweet a City Verse 29. And then the Coast turneth to Ramah and to the strong City Tyre aud the Coast turneth to Hosah and the outgoings thereof are at the Sea from the coast to Achzib Turneth namely towards the South Ramaâ— that is an high place as the name importeth therefore seated by us on a Mountain Such Maps as place Ramah in a valley are guilty of as great a Solecisme in Geography as he in gesture who speaking O Heavens pointed to the Earth Wonder not that in Palestine we meet with so many Ramahs Towns seated on a rising or advantage of ground seeing it was so mountainous a Countrey Equivalent whereunto we have the frequent name of Upton in England whereof I have told Smile good Reader but doe not jeer at my curiosity herein no fewer then three and thirty in the Alphabeticall names of Speeds descriptions Tyre like Zidon was never possest by the Asherites neither was Achzib neer to Helkah where we first began our preambulation about this Tribe and now redit labor actus in orbem we have walked the Round and encompassed the Bounds thereof Verse 30. Ummah also and Aphek and Rehob twenty and two Cities with their Villages This is the inheritance of the Tribe of the children of Asher according to their families these Cities with their Villages All the former were limitary places in the Tribe of Asher these three last were more Inland Cities in the heart of the Countrey To avoid tautology â—ehob here must be allowed a distinct City from that mentioned before § 8. But of all these Cities Aphek was most remarkable whose King was killed by Ioshua and neer whereunto Benhadad lately beaten by Ahab on the Mountains of Samaria with his new model'd Army in a new place hoped for new successe For in stead of the thirty two Kings of more pomp then puissance to his Army he placed so many Captaines seeing it is not the shining of the hilt but the sharpnesse of the edge of the sword must do the the deed And resolved to fight in the Plain conceiving the Gods of the Israelites though by Benhadads swelling words lofty language one might rather have collected the Syrian Gods to have been the Gods of the MouÌ„tains Then appeared he with a mighty Host against whom the Israelites marched forth like two little flocks of Kids Behold here a wonder the Kids kill the Wolves and a hundred thousand Syrian footmen were kill'd in one day From the field they flie into the City of Aphek What was it to try whether the God of Israel concluded now God of the Countrey be it hilly or plain were God of the City also They found it so by sad experience when the wall of the City fell on twenty and seven thousand of them that were left which wall if cruell to kill was charitable to bury them § 9. Yet Ahab afterwards lost the advantage of this victory when contrary to Gods flat command on Benhadads feigned submission he indulged life unto him which caused his own death and destruction not long after Thus foolish pity in stead of breaking whets the knife for it's own throat and they who onely take out the teeth and sting of such serpents which they should kill outright shall finde the very stumps and tail remaining enough to bite and sting them to death § 10. Baanah the sonne of Hushai was Solomons purveyor in Asher and in Aloth What this Aloth should be a deep silence is in all Comments I conceive it a hilly Countrey appendent to Asher ascending with mountains according to the notation of the Hebrew word Herein our guesse is seconded by plenty of Gradati montes Staired mountains which goe up by degrees found in these parts and one most eminent whereof Iosephus takes especiall notice being an hundred furlongs north of Ptolemais called scala Tyriorum or the Tyrians Ladder How neer our conjecture is bowled to the
them from a small spark to a fire to a flame but sunlike arising in perfect lustre gaines the greatest reputation amongst people Because in some respect he is like Melchisedek without Father without Mother without descent whilst the admiring vulgar transported with his preaching and ignorant of his extraction on earth will charitably presume his Pedegree from heaven and his breeding as calling to be divine § 16. The cruell Nazarites brought Christ to the brow of the hill with full intent to cast him down headlong All in vaine For Christs death was to come a clean contrary way not by throwing him down but by lifting him up And he passing thorow the midst of them went his way Not that as the Rhemists interpret it to make way for their transubstantiation he penetrated contrary to the nature of a body thorow the very breasts of the people but that either he smote them with blindness that they did not see or else struck them with fear that they dared not to stay him the power of his Person wedge-like cleaving its way and forcing a lane for his passage in the midst of the people § 17. Expect not here â—hat I should write any thing of the opinions of the hereticall Nazarenes taking their name from this City of Nazareth and are commonly but corruptly called Nostranes at this day Much less will I trouble my self and the reader with the severall stages of the Chappel of the Angelical-salutation A Chappell which well may pity the pains and perils of such pilgrims as repair thereunto having it self had an experimentall knowledge how tedious travail is in its own often removealls flitting first from Nazareth to Flumen a City in Illyrium thence for the unworthiness of the inhabitants translated to a wood in the Picene field and thence again because the wood was infected with theeves carried by Angels into the ground of two brethren who falling out about parting the profit thereof was the fourth and last time conveyed into the high way where ever since not because weary but welcome it is pleased to make its abode But I remember the precept of the Apostle nor give heed to fables and therefore proceed to more profitable matter § 18. To returne to Nazareth the nameless rivolet arising near thereunto runneth north betwixt Dothan on the east and Sephoris on the west At the former Ioseph was conspired against by his brethren The cause of their hating of him besides his Fathers loving him was the reporting what he saw in his sleep dreames of his future preferment and what he saw waking no dreames of his brethrens present debauchedness who resolved to murther him O how they saw the anguish of his soul made visible in his bended knees held up hands weeping eyes wailing words and all to no purpose Into the pit he is put whilst his brethren fall a feasting oh with what heart could they say grace either before or after meat whilst it was so sad with Ioseph Stars they say are seen the clearest even in day time by those that are in deep pits Surely divine providence appeared brightest to Ioseph in that condition Indeed Reuben endevoured his restitution to his Father Iudah his preservation from death but neither being privy to others designe unwittingly countermined one another had not God wrought all for the best Ishmaelitish Merchants and Midianites in their company pass by bearing Spices and Balm and myrrh to carry down into Egypt To them Ioseph is sold of whom we take our leave for the present not doubting in due time and place to meet him again Mean time may those merchants be carefull to carry him safe for among all the spices they were laden with none more fragrant and precious then the perfume of this captives innocence So much for Dothan onely I will adde that I have placed it here out of a peaceable compliance with the judgements of learned men otherwise I shall not spare to manifest my private opinion on just occasion § 19. On the west of this rivolet was Sephoris afterwards called Dio-caesarea not to be omitted though not mentioned in Scripture because accounted by Iosephus the greatest City in Galilee where the Jewish Sanhedrin for some time had its residence Let the same Authour inform you how this City was burned by Varus how molested by the seditious how basely it deserted Iosephus was bravely recovered by him plundred by his souldiers and the spoile thereof restored again with severall passages of high concernment in the Jewish history A little more northward this brook falls into Iordan the less which afterwards payes its tribute to the sea of Galilee § 20. Which sea runneth Southward by Gittah-hepher or Gath-hepher as most place it the birth-place of Ionah the Prophet His name in Hebrew a Dove to which he answered rather in his speedy flight from Gods service then in any want of Gall whereof he manifested too much in his anger without cause or measure Ionaâ— therefore being born here in the heart of neather Galilee no less untrue then uncharitable was that assertion of the high Priests and Pharisees Search and look for out of Galilee cometh no Prophet Except their words herein referred to the future not to what was passed and that also onely in relation to the Prophet Paramount the Messiah of Israel More south the sea ran by Magdala a turreted town as the name thereof imports and common tradition is all the argument we have that Mary surnamed Magdalen that eminent penitent was so called from this place because living others say richly landed therein Into the coasts of Magdala Christ came from sea when the Pharisees tempted him to shew them a signe from heaven In the parallel place in the Gospell of Saint Mark the same Countrey is called Dalmanutha different names it seems for the same territory § 21. Going forward on the sea side still southward we meet with the influx of a riyolet thereunto fetching his fountain from the heart of the Countrey near the City of Bethulia nigh unto which was acted the atchievments of Iudith against Holofernes § 22. Form Bethulia the rivolet running full east is swallowed up in the Galilean Sea beholding the high seated City of Iotopata some two miles distant from the inlet thereof The stout defending of this place against the Romans with no less wisdome then valour was the master-piece of Flavius Iosephus in the behalfe of his Countrey-men And now having made necessary mention of his name pardon a digression in giving a free Character of his writings whereof next holy writ we have made most use in this book § 23. It must be confessed that he was guilty of some unexcusable faults namely of Boasting immoderately of his own birth valour learning piety Levity inserting frivolous fables of the root Boras c. And yet we will not confine natures
latter been if as zealous for the substance as for the shadow losing their own lives to maintain the type and taking away his life who was the truth thereof Then balsame intended by nature for the curing was the causing of many wounds such deadly blows passed betwixt them § 29. Ioshua took this City with the sound of Rams horns whereat the wall fell down to the ground It troubleth me not to conceive how the rest of the wall falling flat Rahabs house built thereon should stand upright seeing divine power which miraculously gave the Rule might accordingly make the Exception A solemn curse was by Ioshua imposed on those who should rebuild the walls of Iericho so to obliterate the monument of divine power and justice § 30. But Iericho thus dismantled maintained the reputation of a City and though not walled with stone for defence was shaded with trees for pleasure It is called the City of Palmes where Ehud killed Eglon the corpulent King of Moab growing so plentifully round about it These Palmes or Date-trees had scaly barks and the boughs were generally used in all combates of manhood to crown the conquerour For as Erasmus observeth though severall countries on sundry occasions had distinct garlands of victory made of Laurell Olive Myrtle Oake c. yet the Palme-tree carried away the palme from them all and was universally entertained as the Embleme of triumph The worst I wish these trees is that they may never want store of weight seeing Naturalists observe the more they are depressed the more they flourish § 31. But to return to Iericho it is ill hollowing in the eares of a sleeping Lion and worse awaking that dust which God would have dormant in eternall obscurity See this in the walls of Iericho which Hiel the Bethelite affronting heaven built again and according to Ioshua's execration laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his first borne and set up the gates thereof in Segub his youngest son that is both the one and the other were then destroied by untimely deaths Strange that seeing his first son drop away he desisted not from that design but such the precipice of bad projects once step in and seldome stop in the way of wickedness Nor can Hiels presumption herein be excused whatsoever is pretended in his behalf being led to this act of contempt by one of these considerations 1 Hâ— mistook Ioshua's curse rather for a patheticall expression then propheticall prediction 2 He conceived the virtue thereof worn out and antiquated after five hundred years continuance 3 He chose rather to bottome his memory on so famous a structure then to build it on his posterity as sooner likely to decay However Hiel got a curse and Iericho walls thereby which afterwards grew to be a potent and populous City § 32. When the twelve Tribes were divided into two kingdomes Iericho probably pertained to Israel as may appâ—ar 1 By the frequent conversing of Eliah and Elisha in this City sufficiently known to have been subjects of the crown of Israel 2 Because Hiel the Bethelite Beth-el belonging to Israel built the walls thereof 3 Because that building bears date in the days of Ahab and is not accounted according to the reign of Iehoshaphat the contemporary King of Iudah Afterwards it was in the possession of the Kings of Iudah because in the reign of Ahaz the captives of Iudah are said to be brought back to Iericho unto their brethren When carried into Babylon no more then three hundred fourty five of this City returned home whose zeale was very forward in repairing the walls of Ierusalem § 33. Here Christ cured blind Bartimeus and Zacheus the Publican one of more state then stature dwelt in this City Long had he wished for a sight of Christ and curiosity in this kinde may sometimes open the door for devotion to enter in But alass he was so low more likely in the crowd to loss himself then finde his Saviour till on a suddain he grows a proper man by getting up into a Sycamore tree Who dares say Sycamores are always barren See one here loaden with good fruit Christ seeing him invites himself to his house and down he comes with more speed no doubt then he gat up to welcome his guest with good cheer though the last-course he brought in was the best protesting a fourfold restitution of what he had wrongfully gotten and giving the half of his remaining estate unto the poor § 34. Iericho was surrounded with plains on every side Hither King Zedekiah fled and here was taken by the forces of Babylon The high-way betwixt Iericho and Ierusalem is infamous for theeving because of the covert the neighbouring wilderness affords and great roads are the best rivers for robbers to fish in Wonder not that so short a way betwixt two such eminent Cities was no better secured seeing some hundred years since little safer was the road betwixt London and Saint Albans till an Abbot of that place cut down the woods that afforded them shelter Reader if thy occasion should call thee to goe from Iericho to Ierusalem I wish thee well guarded but if it be thy hard hap with the man in the Gospell be it history or parable to be robbed and wounded with theeves mayst thou meet with some good Samaritan to convey thee to the Inne and provide necessaries for thee § 35. West of the waters of Iericho stood Ai a small City but great enough to give a check to the full speed of Israels victories Their losse here was inconsiderable in it self no more then thirty six men but dangerous in the consequence thereof Such a flaw in their orient success made them cheap in the worlds valuation and the Canaanites who hitherto had charactred them invincible in their apprehension began hence to collect and conclude a possibility of conquering them Yet not valour too little in such as fought but sin too much in some who staid at home caused this defeat Achan was the man who in fine proved no whit richer for the gold or warmer for the garment he had stolen Detected by lot accused by his conscience convicted by his own confession condemned by Ioshua he with his children and cattle is stoned by the Israelites The place of his execution was called the vale of Achor or the vale of trouble both because Achan actively had troubled Israel with his sin and because here he was justly troubled by them in his punishment As for the promise of the Prophet in after ages that the vale of Achor should be a door of hope understand it mystically that the most deplorable and seemingly desperate estate of the Church is capable of comfort and may in Gods due time be changed into a prosperous condition Achan thus punished how active are the Armes of the Israelites when freed from the fetters of Sacriledge Ai is quickly conquered the
inhabitants thereof being trained by a dissembled flight of their foes into their own destruction Now although such ambushes are now adays unambushed by the generall suspicion all have of them yet in the infancy of the world when battells were meerly managed by main might and downright blowes men bringing all their forces above board such lying in wait was an unusuall stratagem and perchance may justly be referred to Ioshua as the first inventor thereof § 36. West of Ai betwixt Bethel and Ai was the mountain where Abraham and Lot long lived lovingly together until the contest betwixt their heardsmen when the land was grown too little for their substance Poverty preserveth amity when riches oft-times make rents among friends Hard by was the City and wilderness of Beth-aven which signifies the house of vanity Strange that any should impose on a place except in derision so ill and unlucky a name Yet hath not Solomon in effect set the same on the whole world Vanity of vanities all is vanity But Beth-aven seems emphatically so called for some eminent Idolatry committed therein Neer this place was the wood wherein when it rained honey from heaven the Israelites being in pursuit of the Philistines wanted hands to receive it having them bound up by Sauls adjuration not to eat before night I see neither piety nor policy but humour and headiness in Sauls resolution the way to encrease their stomach and not their valour Might not a cursory meal been allowed them in a running march a snatch and away Here Ionathans eyes were opened with tasting a little honey and presently his eyes were opened again in a sadder sense seeing himself liable to death for breaking his Fathers command Nor was it his own innocence and invincible ignorance of the law but the peoples interposing which preserved him alive Yet will not this one good act of popular violence make amends for those many mischiefs which their impetuous exorbitances in other cases have produced § 37. Still westward of Beth-aven stood Gibeon termed a royall City in Scripture that is a fair and princely place otherwise in all the transactions betwixt this City and the Israelites we meet with no King thereof which may almost perswade us to believe it a popular State The inhabitants thereof with clouted old shooes mouldy bread and a lie farther fetched then their journey pretending their dwellings at great distance deceived the congregation of Israel then camped at Gilgal For the smoke of those ovens wherein their bread was baked might almost be perceived from Gibeon to Gilgal which space Ioshua marched over with his foot-army in one night However hereby they saved their lives onely for their cheat were condemned to be Nethinims or Deodands that is people given to God to hew wood draw water and doe the drudgery of the Tabâ—rnacle and Temple a condition which they gladly accepted of so sweet is life in it self though sawced with servitude § 38. Afterwards Ioshua with a miraculous victory here conquered the five Kings of Canaan which assembled themselves to besiege Gibeon in revenge of their defection to the Israelites Never had battell more of God therein for he himself brought up or rather let down the train of Artillery killing the Canaanites with hail-stones from heaven as they fled in the going down to Bethoron unto Azekah Here Ioshua by his faithfull prayer stopt a Giant in his full career as he was running his race staying the Sun in Gibeon to attend his execution on his enemies This was as I may say the Barnady day of the whole world the very longest which that climate ever did or shal behold when time was delivered of twins two days joined together without any night interposed How the heavens this extraordinary accident notwithstanding were afterwards reconciled to their regular motions and how the expence of so much delay was repaired by future thrift I mean this staying of the Sun made up in the years account by his swifter moving afterwards I leave to be audited and cast up even by Astronomers Mean time the foresaid five Kings were first hid then stopt in the cave of Makkâ—dah till Ioshua commanded them to be brought forth and his souldiers to set their feet on their necks and David in his expression many years after reflecteth hereon Thou hast given me the necks of mine enemies c. Then were those five Kings hanged by Makkedah a regall City of the Canaanites which at that time was taken and the King thereof destroyed by Ioshua § 39. To return to Gibeon it was afterwards one of the four Cities in this Tribe which were allotted to the Levites and yet we finde it the Theater chiefly of martial atchievements for by the great pool in Gibeon in Helkath-hazzurim or thâ— field of strong men was Abner with the host of Israel worsted by Ioab Generall for David when Asahel like a wild Roe wild for his rashness Roe for his swiftness would not be perswaded from pursuing of Abner untill nigh the hill Amnah which lieth before Giah he taught Asahel the great difference between a nimble leg a and vigorous arme smiting him with his spear under the fifth rib § 40. Under the same rib at the great stone which is in Gibeon Ioab jealous of Amasa his cousin-german Ambition owns no alliance and is onely of kin to it self basâ—ly murdered him in this manner Ioab had a sword hanging on his loines and as he went it used to fall out as if it sought for another sheath bâ—sides what it had already Surely he had put his sword in this careless posture thus to play at in and out to cover his intended murder under some pretence of casualty as if in his embraces his weapon had hurt Amasa by unhappy accident Vain excuse for certainly his sword could not of its own accord have gone so quickly and so deeply to Amasa's fifth rib had not Ioab's steddy aime both dispatched it on that errand and directed it to that place Amasa thus slain all the people passing by make an halt at his corps and every one that came by him stood still untill his body was removed Where amongst so many gazing on his corps it is hard if the active thoughts of some did not light on this observation of divine justice that he now was treacherously slain who so lately had been the Generall to a Traitor § 41. In the beginning of the reign of King Solomon Gibeon was a publick place of divine worship where part of the Tabernacle resided Here two things are carefully to be observed 1 The Arke it self This being taken out of the Tabernacle at Shiloh by Hophni and Phinehas never returned thither again But from the land of the Philistines was brought back first to Bethshemesh thence to Kiriath-jearim thence to the house of Obed-Edom and at last fixed and setled
adventurous to drink of the waters thereof so stifling and suffocating is the nature of it In a word this sea hath but one good quality namely that it entertains intercourse with no other seas which may be imputed to the providence of nature debarring it from communion with the Ocean lest otherwise it should infect other waters with its malignity Nor doeth any healthfull thing grow thereon save onely this wholesome counsell which may be collected from this pestiferous lake for men to beware how they provoke divine justice by their lustfull and unnaturall enormities § 9. Heathen writers Tacitus and Pliny take notice of this lake with the qualities thereof but especially Solinus whose testimony but with some variations from Scripture we thought fit to insert and translate though the latter will scarcely be done without some abatement of the native elegancy and expressiveness thereof Longo ab Hierosolymis recessu tristis sinus panditur quem de coelo tactum testatur humus nigra in cinerem soluta Duo ibi oppida Sodomum nominatum alterum alterum Gomorrhum Apud quae pomum gignitur quod habeat speciem licèt maturitatis mandi tamen non potest Nam fuliginem intrinsecus favillaceam ambitio tantùm extimae cutis cohibet quae vel levi tactu pressa fumum exhalat fatiscit in vagum pulverem A good way side of Ierusalem lies ope a melancholy Bay which the black soil being also turned into ashes witnesseth to have been blasted from heaven In it are two towns the one called Sodome the other Gomorrah Wherein grows an apple which though it seem fair and ripe yet cannot be eaten For the compass of the outward rinde onely holds within it an ember-like soot which being but lightly pressed evaporates into smoke and becomes flittering dust § 10. But Lot was preserved and God is said therein to have remembred Abraham though he might have seemed to have forgotten him in refusing to grant to spare Sodome at his request Thus though divine providence may denie good mens prayers in the full latitude of their desires he always grants them such a competent proportion thereof as is most for his glory and their good Lot with his wife are enjoined onely not to look back wherein she disobeyed the commandement either out of 1 High contempt Yet seeing for the main she had been a good woman accompanying her husband many miles from his native to a strange Countrey meerly depending on Gods providence our charity believes her fact proceeding rather from 2 Carelesness or incogitancy having for that instant forgotten the command or 3 Curiosity to behold the manner of so strange and suddain a destruction or 4 Infidelity not conceiving it possible so great a City could be so soon overthrown or 5 Covetousness when she thought on the wealth she had left behinde her or 6 Compassion hearing the whining of swine braying of Asses bleating of sheep lowing of kine crying of children shrieking of women roaring of men and some of them of her own flesh and bloud Were they any or all of these back she looked and was turned into a pillar of salt which Saint Hierome saith was extant in his age-Mean time how sad a case was Lot in bearing about him life and death one halfe of him quick lively and active the other halfe his wife both making but one flesh so strangely and suddainly sensless dead and immoveable § 11. Not far off is the City of Zoar Littleton in English so named by Lot whereas formerly it was called Belah I say by Lot who was the best benefactor to this place which otherwise had been sent the same way of destruction with the other four Cities had not his importunity prevailed with God for the sparing thereof Yet I finde not any monument of gratitude made by the men of Zoar to the memory of Lot their preserver yea they would not afford him a quiet and comfortable being amongst them insomuch that he feared to dwell in Zoar. Either suspecting that they would offer violence to his person or infect his soul with their bad example or that he might be involved in their suddain destruction as a wicked place spared not pardoned by God and allowed to himself for his present refuge not constant habitation Their ill usage of so good a man mindes me of Solomons observation There was a little City and few men within it and there came a great King against it and besieged it and built great bulwarks against it Now there was found in it a poor wise man and â—e by his wisedome delivered the City yet no man remembred the same poor man No more then Lot was remembred in Zoar though the tutelar Saint thereof But his clear conscience in free doing this courtesie rewarded it self in doing it whilest mercenary souls working onely for the wages of thanks often lose their labour especially in this ungratefull age § 12. From Zoar Lot removed to a neighbouring mountain and dwelt in a cave therein which is shown to travellers at this day Now an hole in an hil could hold him and all his family whose substance formerly was so great the whole Countrey could not afford room for his flocks and heard-men without striving with those of his uncle Abraham Here made drunken by his daughters practise upon him with them he committed incest It is grace not the place can secure mens souls from sin seeing Lot fasting from lust in wanton and populous Sodome â—urfeited thereof in a solitary cave and whilest he carefully fenced the castle of chastity even to make it impregnable against the battery of forein force he never suspected to be surprised by the treachery of his own family § 13. So much for Pentepolis once a countrey of five cities now all turned into one lake Come we now to survey the particular limits of this Tribe That Maxime Qui bene distinguit bene docet holds most true herein the well distinguishing of bounds conduceth much to the true knowledge of this Countrey especially seeing the Holy Spirit hath been so exact in assigning them Where God is pleased to point for man not to vouchsafe a look sheweth that proud earth valueth his eyes as more worth then the hand of heaven § 14. The borders of Iudah with all their particular flexure are thus described in Ioshua East South North. West The Salt-Sea 1 From the south-side of the salt-sea to the going up of Acrabbin 2 Thence to the wilderness of Zin 3 Thence to the south-side unto Kadesh-Barnea 4 Thence to Hezron 5 Thence it went up to Adar 6 Thence fetched a compass to Karkaa 7 Thence it passed to Azmon 8 Thence unto the river of Egypt 9 Thence went out at the Sea Observe we that these south bounds of Iudah are for the main the same with the south limits of the whole land assigned Numbers 34. 1 From the end of Iordan at
blessing brought the possession of the upper and nether springs along with it Know also in after ages the south part of Iudah was called Caleb probably from the large inheritance Caleb obtained in these parts and puissance of his posterity therein Thus the Egyptian giving an account of the passages of the army of the Amalekites confesseth they had been roving upon the coast that belonged to Iudah and upon the south of Caleb § 29. Libnah is the third in honour of the nine royall Cities in the days of Ioshua assigned afterwards for the Priests habitation Long it continued loyall to the Crown of Iudah untill in the days of Iehoram that ungodly unmercifull unsuccesfull unbeloved unlamented King Edom revolted from under the hand of Iudah unto this day then Libnah revolted at the same time Was it casualty or confederacy by mutuall intelligence that both thir defections bare the same date Surely breach of faith is a catching disease yea infectious from one to another But how could the inhabitants of Libnah being Priests whose best livelyhood depended on their personall officiating in the Temple at Ierusalem subsist being cut off from their service and the salary thereof Yea did they not thereby necessarily apostate from their religion to God desert his Temple and their own profession Except any will say easier spoken then proved that at this present not the Priests but some other persons were possessours of Libnah We finde not this City afterwards reduced to the Kings of Iudah whereupon some conceive that henceforward it stood on its own bottome as an absolute Common-wealth § 30. If any object it impossible that Libnah so small a City should subsist here as a free State against all the powers of the Kings of Iudah let such look on little Lucca in Italy and less Geneva in France defended by their foes from their foes environed with enemies on all sides yet so that rather then any one shall subdue them all the rest will assist them Such probably was the position and politick State-poizing of Libnah seated in the vicinity of the Kings of Iudah Israel and the Philistines not to say Egypt though far off might come in as a protectour thereof that it might make a Cordiall of a self-subsistance from the Antidotes of its enemies Afterwards we finde Sennacherib fighting against Libnah whence he sent a railing message to Hezekiah but read nothing of the taking thereof yea probably here the Angel by night did that memorable excution slaying an hundred fourscore and five thousand of his numerous army § 31. Lachish must not be forgotten whose King was destroyed by Ioshua King Amaziah conspired against by his subjects in Ierusalem fled hither in vain for They sent after him to Lachish and slew him there It was a leading City in Idolatry infected from Israel and infecting of Iudah Micah prophesied in particular against this City warning it to prepare for speedy captivity from its enemies O thou inhabitant of Lachish binde the charet to the swift beast she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee And although we finde not Lachish taken by Sennacherib who warred against it yet it escaped not the fury of Nebuchadnezzar though one of the last Cities by him subdued § 32. But Adâ—llam another regall City in Iudah was more ancient where Hirah Iudah's fast friend dwelt though employed by him but as a pandar post factum to carry Tamar the hire of her whoredome In a cave hereabouts repaired to David every one that was in distress and every one that was in debt and every one that was discontented and he became a Captain over them Was this well done of him to be Protector Generall of Out-laws thereby defying justice defrauding creditours defeating Gods command which provided that the debâ—er if not solveable should be sold for satisfaction Alas his need is all that can be alleadged in his excuse Sure I am David promised when in power to make his own choice that his houshold or Court should consist of persons better qualified However these men freely resorting to him were better then those hired by Abimelech vain and light persons and as far to be preferred before them as want is more excusable then wickedness Yea we may charitably believe Davids consorts impoverisht not by their own carelesness but their creditors cruelty § 33. As for Gedar it hath formerly been described in Simeon onely we will adde that Baal-hanan the Gederite was of this place Davids Overseer over the Olive trees and Sycamore trees in the low plain This name of Baal-hanan inverted is the same with Hannibal that great Generall of the Carthaginians See here the affinity of the Hebrew with the Phoenician or Carthaginian tongue Wonder not that Baal-hanan or Hannibal was a fashionable name for potent persons in these parts we finde also a King of Edom so called seeing it signifieth a Lord in grace or favour and our Saviour hath told us such as exercise authority over others are called Gracious Lords As for Iâ—rmuth Eglon and Arad we read nothing of them remarkable since their severall Kings were destroied by Ioshua Of Hepher we shall speak more properly in the close of this Description § And now what a fall must our Description have from the Cities of Kings to the Manor of a clown the fruitfull Carmell not far from the Dead-sea Here folly and wisdome dwelt under the same roof sate at the same table slept in the same bed Nabal and Abigail Are matches made in heaven and was Abigail so ill beloved there to be condemned to such a choice Surely God saw it most for his own glory and her good for the emprovement of her patience This Nabal proved himself a perfect Miser both by his niggardliness to David and prodigality of the King-like dinner he made to his shepheards But both he and his family had been utterly destroyed by David had not the discreet mediation of Abigail been seasonably interposed § 35. After his gluttonous supper Abigail next morning serves Nabal with a thrifty breakfast telling him of the great danger he so narrowly had escaped Hereupon his heart dyed within him Thus some drunkards have been said to have swooned when sober at the serious review of such perils they so neerly escaped in the fits of their distemper Probably feare encreased his sadness suspecting to fall into a relapse of Davids disfavour and that his anger might revert to give him another visite hereafter Thus the wrath of a King though but in reversion is as the roaring of a Lion Yea Nabal became as a stone and no wonder being little better then a stock before such his senseless stupidity But though he was a churl in his miserable living he was bountifull in his seasonable dying freeing Abigail from
he like the Scribes and Pharisees who bind heavy burthens and grievous to be born and lay them on mens shoulders but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers § 12. It is answered his zeal was active and exemplary in Gods work and therein expressed it self 1 Privatively in forbearing the salary of the Governour which his predecessours did and he might justly receive In this respect one may truly say that each gate tower and piece of wall in Ierusalem was in part repaired with Nehemiah's money because the builders thereof were the better enabled for that work by his remitting unto them the taxe due to him as Governour 2 Positively not onely forbearing his own right but also bearing a large proportion in the work He kept a daily Ordinary thanks being the onely shot his guests were to pay for an hundred and fifty Iews and Rulers besides strangers of the Heathen How many attendants then dined on the reversion at the waiters table and how many poor feasted on the fragments at the Porters lodge It may be presumed many laborers at the wall had gone supperless to bed had they not repaired to Nehemiah's house for their refection As for the opinion of Tremellius that Nehemiah built the Kings palace at his own charge grounding the same on his own translation of the text because I finde no other Authours to follow him therein it is enough barely to mention his opinion § 13. At the Sheep-gate they began to repaire and thereat also they ended The Gold-smiths and Merchants brought up the Rere of the work betwixt the going up of the corner unto the sheep-gate § 14. Within the circumference of the walls lay much ground uninhabited people being loth to live therein except by lot compelled thereunto and all blessed such as willingly offered themselves to dwell therein Strange that the chiefe City should run so low in generall reputation the Gallants of our age being otherwise minded all posting unto the principall place of the kingdome as the fountain of fashions and all delights I read indeed of Histria a province under the Venetian Common-wealth that they are fain to hire people to inhabit there But the reason thereof is visible because of the unwholsomeness of the aire whereas no such pretence for any to decline the City of Ierusalem whose elevated situation conduced much to the purity and wholsomeness thereof § 15. But mens unwillingness to dwell therein took the rise from other reasons as namely 1 The common enemy beheld it with most envious eyes as the proper object of his malice 2 The vast circuit of the City put them to hard duty to guard it 3 Trading was dead therein and little wealth to be gotten at the new erection thereof 4 All coveted the countrey for the privacy pleasure and profit thereof However in after ages Ierusalem grew exceeding populous and had all the vacuities thereof filled yea crowded with inhabitants Thus as it is most easie and thrifty to make childrens garments too big for their bodies because they will quickly grow up to their clothes so providence advised Nehemiah to make the circumference of Infant Ierusalem the larger as which in process of time would soon spread it self to the replenishing thereof CHAP. VI. Of the waters in and about the City § 1. PAss we now from the walls to the water of Ierusalem a most necessary commodity for the well being of mankind True it is Ierusalem was so far from boasting of any navigable river that it had no stream near or about it to drive any water-mils If it be demanded how without such mils so populous a place could subsist and not be famished for want of grinders as a chap-fallen man for lack of use of his teeth Know this was principally supplyed by hand-mils here ordinarily used where multitudes of slaves were in every family As for other waters both for necessity and pleasure Ieâ—â—salem had though no superâ—tuity a self suffiâ—iâ—ncy thereof § 2. The waters in and about Ierusalem are reducible unto three several kinds 1 Partly artificiall as Pools and Conduits 2 Partly naturall as the brook Kidron whereof formerly and the fountain of Siâ—â—am 3 Partly supernaturall as the miracle-working Pool of Bethesda Of the former sort were the Kings fishponds on the south-west not far from the fountain gaâ—â— and near thereunto the pool which was made no doubt with greâ—â— care and cost betwixt the sepulchers of David and house of the mighty men Also the conduit of the upper or old pool in the path â—o the fullers field and probably another of the lower pool all referred by learned mâ—n to Solomon as principall Author thereof § 3. For in the Inventory of his vanities he confesseth of himself I made me pools of water to â—aâ—â—r thâ—reâ—ith the wood that bringeth forth trees Thus he sought for felicity in the aire climbing up with his lofty buildings in the earth diâ—ing low in his deep minigs in the water wading therein through costly aquaducts but found at last that happiness wâ—s super-elementall and not to be found but in heaven § 4. Some may conceive that King Uzziah had a hand in promoting the water-fabricks near Ierusalem finding him a very active Engineer and of whom it is expresly recorded that he digged many wellâ— But what followeth for he had much cattell both in the low Countrey and in the plain The scene therefore of his watry discoveries was laid at greater distance where his cattell were kept and where he was more commendably imployed in his husbandry then afterwards in Gods house any instrument better befitting his hand then a Censer § 5. Not long after probably in the reign of King Ahaz as may partly be collected from the time of Isaiah's Prophecy and plaâ—ing of this passage therein when the siege of Ierusalem was suspected from Rezin King of Syria and Pekah King of Israel the Iews fell to the fortifying of their City both with wall and water-works Hereupon the Prophet when the new line about Ierusalem was finished complaineth thereof as followeth Yee have seen also the breaches of the City of David that they are many and yee have gathered together the waters of the lower pool And yee have numbered the houses in Ierusalem and the houses yee have broken down to fortifie the wall Yee made also a ditch betwixt the two walls for the water of the old pool but yee have not looked unto the maker thereof nâ—ither had respect unto him that fashioned it long agoe And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping and mourning c. § 6. Not that the Prophet herein reproved the people for provident preventing of danger or politick endevouâ—ing of safety or moderate delighting in pleasure but justly taxed them for 1 Too much confidence in the arme of flesh 2 Unseasonable
All which we leave in the Levites safe custody being confident that they will very carefully keep them from ever coming into the fingers of such covetous wretches who would willingly make The Ephah small and the Shekel great and falsifie the ballances by deceit especially if the Originals of both were but once in their absolute disposall thereof § 9. There were also Books kept in the Temple of which the Autograph of the law was most remarkable by command from Moses to be placed in the side of the Ark of the Covenant that is by the side as some expound it in a coffer by it self made for that purpose But others conceive the performance hereof neglected after Moses his decease before which time it could not conveniently be done Deuteronomy not being fully finished till after his death and this book deposited not in the Holy of Holies but in some outward place amongst the treasures of the Temple Alledging in confirmation hereof how Hilkiah the high Priest sent to seek out and sum up the silver for repairing of Gods house found what in Davids and all good mens valuation is dearer then gold and silver the book of the Law hid in some treasury within the verge of the Temple But probably this book was originally placed in the Holy of Holies which afterwards when the Temple-service in the Idolatrous days of Aâ—az and Manasseh was turned upside down might fall out of the proper position thereof into another place § 10. Other books no doubt were kept by the Priests Scribes wherof many amongst them and books being relatives though their Libraries could not be so numerous in volumes the Art of printing not being then invented Wherefore when we read in Iob a most ancient authour Oh that they were printed in a book the mystery of the Press is not meant thereby but letters written in deep and large characters And amongst all other books most likely it is that that book of the description of the land into seven parts by lot as of publick concernment daily use and divine institution was preferred in the Temple like our Domes-day book in England which some Criticks will have so called not because all lands are arraigned to appear therein as at a General Iudgment but quasi domus Dei or Gods-house book where the originall thereof was anciently intrusted § 11. The Refectories must not be forgotten being roomes wherein the Priests had their repast on hallowed food Amongst all whose fare we most admire at the Shew-bread that being shifted but once a week by Gods command it did not contract corruption grow hard and dry good onely for the Gibeonites to cheat the Israelites with the mouldiness thereof This the Rabbins ascribe to miracle the same command which enjoined it to be set there preserving it from putrefaction that nothing might lose ought of its goodness which is exactly ordered according to Gods direction Thus as Man liveth not by bread alone so bread lasteth not onely by naturall causes but by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God § 12. And now to conclude all fast and firme there was also an Armory in the Temple well provided with weapons to guard the Treasure therein For seeing it is the priviledge of heaven alone that there Theeves cannot break through and steal the provident Princes of the Iewes thought not fit to entrust so much wealth without Ammunition to defend it seeing no place so sacred as to secure it self from sacâ—iledge David provided Speares and bucklers and shields for that purpose as if foreseeing in his Propheticall spirit that in after ages a distressed Prince Ioash extracted from his loines should by Gods blessing and the assistance of those weapons recover his rightfull throne from the unjust usurpation of Athaliah an Idolatrous intrudress thereinto CHAP. XI The additionall Utensils of the Temple after the days of Solomon § 1. MAny other instruments were added to the Temple after Solomons death by succeeding Kings as occasion did require Amongst which we must take especiall notice of that Chest which in the reign of King Iehoash was made by Iehoiada the high-Priest to receive the peoples free-offerings for the repair of the Temple § 2. It may seem strange that the Temple built so substantially at the first of the most solid materialls should in so short a time of an hundred and fifty years run so far to ruine as to need so costly reparation But we must know it stood without shelter high on a mount exposed to tempests and in the last seven years of wicked Athaliahs reign gray hairs are multiplyed on men more by afflictions then old age besides neglect of reparation did meet with despightfull defacing thereof Iehoash therefore resolves to amend the decays therein as indeed he stood obliged both in credit and conscience for seeing the Temple had formely been the nursing-mother to Iehoash well might Iehoash be the nursing-father to the Temple who now did onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pay for his feeding and breeding who six years had his preservation and his education therein § 3. The care of the work was at first committed to the charge of the Levites in generall though it thrived not under their managing therof so that in the twenty third year of the reign of King Iehoash they had not repaired the breaches of the house We can not be so uncharitable as to conceive they embez'led the monies appointed for that purpose but rather impute their slow proceedings herein either to 1 The unhappiness usually attending great undertakings few effectually advancing that work wherein all are equally intrusted Or else 2 Being every one to receive money of their own acquaintance some carnall indulgence might be used therein to retard the business 3 Receiving small sums of severall persons they were insensible in the taking and inconsiderable in their laying out 4 Repairing was out of the Levites element having no dexterity therein and we know that Ministers and Church-wardens are two distinct employments Hereupon the Levites by King Iehoash are called checked commanded to forbear farther collection of money and some other particular persons deputed for that purpose who had more care skill and success to order the matter § 4. To this end a chest was devised with an hole bored in the lid thereof and appointed to receive the free-gifts of those who would contribute to so pious a work It was placed very handy and convenient for such as went up to sacrifice to cast in their bâ—nevolence being set beside the Altar on the right side in the outward-court as one came into the House of the Lord. Perchance our Saviour reflected on the position of this chest so fit for dexterous Benefactours when advising in giving of almes Let not thy left hand know what thy right doth In this chest were mens charities
drave them out of the Temple Say not it was as lawfull to sell as sacrifice cattell therein the one being the main use thereof according to Gods command the othâ—r a notorious abuâ—â— of the Temple turning it by fraudulent bargains into a den of the 〈◊〉 § 10. Saint Hierome reports that certain fiery rayes or beams darting from Christâ— eyes drove out these Merchants from this place A câ—nceiâ— which we dare not presently avouch for fear those 〈◊〉 of Christs scourge flie also in our faces thereupon For if he whipped out those Merchants for setting up their ware-houses in the Temple surely he will lend a lash to such as adde traditions to the Text. This sure we are because recorded in Scripture that Christ so earnestly pursued this reformation that the zeal of his Fathers house did eate him up Understand it that our Saviour being truly Carneus though not Carnalis of a fleshy though no fleshly constitution had his body wearied out with faintness not able in its performances to keep pace with the desires of his mind § 11. After this time many were those heaâ—enly Sermons Christ made in the Temple which here we forbear to relate Onely we take notice of that he preached in Solomons Porch which afterwards deserved rather the name of Christs-porch seeing a greater then Solomon 〈◊〉 here when the people mysteries are blasphemies to 〈…〉 took up stones to stone him Some will aâ—ke whence had they those stones It being unlikely that any were let to lie loose in so holy a place But we may be confident if there were any to be had above ground their malice would finde them out And probably they plâ—cked them off from the pavement their furious zeal counting it a meritorious act ratheâ— to â—end theâ— out of the ground then suffer a supposed blasphemer to escape Surely such stones would rather have spoken in his praise then done any thing to his prejudice especially before his â—oure was come § 12. And as he spake woll so he did as well therein The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple and he healed them See here those with 〈◊〉 might come to him in the Temple not those with Insections the lame but not the leprous might enter therein Thus whilest sufferings and afflictions do not hinder us sinfull pollutions do debar our access to Gods gracious presence § 13. We must not forget that a little before his passion Christ the second time purged the Temple Three years since he cast all Merchants and their appurtenances out of Gods house which now notwithstanding that ejection had again gotten unlawful possession therein Devils he cast out of men so finally that they entred no more into them but wicked men once thrown out of the Temple recovered their stations therein again Abuses in the Church depart not till they are driven and then go away unwillingly animo revertendi with full intent to embrace the next opportunity to return What need hath Reformation it self to be frequently reformed seeing corruptions will so quickly creep thereinto Christ the second time cast those vermine out of the Temple § 14. Now just before he took his farewell of his Fathers house he beheld the Pharisees casting their money into the treasury So that the Widowes mites was the last object no small credit unto her which in the Temple entertained our Saviours eyes on earth and no doubt long since hath been rewarded by him in heaven For presently he departed to mount Olivet and there foretold yea thence denounced the destruction of the Temple which followed not many years after CHAP. X. The acts of the Apostles in the Temple § 1. CHrist after his ascension resigned the Temple to his Apostles to supply his absence by their preaching to the people Here on the day of Pentecost Saint Peter made that memorable Sermon wherein he vindicated both himself and company from the aspersion of drunkenness avouched the truth of Christs resurrection charged the Iews so home for shedding his innocent bloud that by the sharpness of his reproof the words of the wise are as goads and as nails fastned by the masters of the assemblies such as heard him were pricked in their heart crying out to Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we doe § 2. Here by the peoples equall applications and addresses to the rest of the Apostles it appeareth that they were all fellow helpers and joint Commissioners with Saint Peter all in the Iury besides the Foreman are not cyphers though he for order sake and regularity to avoid confusion was made the mouth for the rest Yea such their sobriety and discretion though at that instant inabled with the gift of tongues that they onely made use of seasonable silence such as best know how to speake know best when to hold their peace with their tacite suffrages concurring to the truth of what Saint Peter delivered who further gave his Auditory counsell TO REPENT § 3. But was this well done of him to adde grief to grief What more repentance still Why further pain to such as were pricked to their hearts Was this any valour to beat them with more blows who already cryed out for fair quarter WHAT SHALL WE DOE But know Peter herein advised them to join to their former legall sorrow an evangelicall repentance such as is attended with desire hope some assurance of Pardon He prescribes them the same receipt he lately took himself having found the good fruit thereof when on his hearty sorrow he obtained pardon for denying his Master No Sermons so soveraign as those which proceed from the Ministers comfortable experience Nor did he barely advise them to repent but also to be baptized every one of theÌ„ in the name of Iesus Christ c. § 4. See the success of his counsell about three thousand were added to the Church that same day O high holy-day in heaven This Many-Saints-day was a festivall of great solemnity therein where there is joy over one sinner that repenteth singing on their golden viols Peter and the Apostles have saved their three thousand His Sermon as set down contained not so many words as it converted souls Though surely what we read in Saint Luke was onely the breviate sum and abridgement of his Sermon seeing with many other words did he tesâ—ifie and exhort § 5. Many advantages concurred to render his Sermon the more effectuall First the suffering of our Saviour was so near in place and late in time that his wounds were as I may say still fresh bleeding in the guilty memories of the people assembled Secondly the present miracle of tongues bestowed on Peter and his â—â—mpanions did wonderfully make way for the Word he delivered Thirdly such to whom he spake were devout men blindly pious like Saint Paul before
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
as many mean men living obscurely so that the world takes no notice of them if surprized by some unusuall and strange mortality become remarkable for their deaths who were never memorable for their lives so some cities of Moab whereof no mention in Scripture for any action done in or by them are onely famous in holy writ for their strange ruine and destruction by the Prophet sadly foretold and therefore certainly accomplished Such are Misgab Horonaim Luhith Baith Eglaim Ber-elim Holon Kirioth Kirherez and Madmen The last as I conceive is note-worthy not for its own merit but others mistake For in the Bibles and those numerous printed Anno Dom. 1625. the verse in Ieremy is thus rendered O Maiden the sword shall pursue thee where the Corrector of the Press conceiving it incongruous to join Thee a singular pronoune with Madmen which he mistook for an appellative no proper name ran himself upon that dangerous errour § 21. But Kirharasheth seems the Metropolis of Moab Near to this three Kings Iehoram of Iudah Iehosaphat of Israel and the nameless Kingdeputy of Edom marched on a designe to chastise Mesha the rebellious King of Moab into subjection But wandring in the wilderness of Edom they encountred a worse enemy Thirst it self wherewith all of them were ready to saint But happily it happened that Elisha who powred water on the hands of Eliah by the same Element seasonably refreshed the hearts of the distressed armies respecting Iehosaphat for his own goodness the other two Kings for his company How many generall benefits doe the very Tares enjoy because inseparably mingled with the Wheat in the field of this world Yea Elisha was an instrument to give them not onely water but victory heavens favours goe commonly by couples after this miraculous manner § 22. The Moabites beholding water miraculously brought in that place where never any was seen or known before and the same at distance appearing red unto them guilded with the beames of the Sun concluded it to be bloud and that that Paroyall of Armies had smitten one another Wonder not that their conjecture was so wide and wild for well might the Comment be out of the way of Truth when the Text was out of the Rode of nature and the Moabites on the suddain not capable to suspect a miracle Hereupon the word is given Moab to the spoâ—le which in some sense was true that is not to take but become the spoile of others For the tents they assaulted being lined with armed men quickly overcame them And it is worth our observing that this victory was bestowed on Iehosaphat my eyes are onely on him on whom alone the looks of Elisha reflected just in the morning when the Meat-offering was offered as procured by the Propitiatory virtue thereof all favours being conferred in and for the merits of Christ the truth of all sacrifices § 23. God gave man used this conquest Improving their success they beat down the cities and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone and filled it and stopped all the wells of water and felled all the good trees This was contrary to Gods express command but none could better dispense with the Law then the lawgiver who in detestation of the rebellion of Moab against Israel enjoined this severity Onely the City of Kirharasheth was left and that they besieged untill the King of Moab therein took and sacrificed his eldest Son who was to succeed him either out of a bad imitation of Iephthah and their Idols we know were adored with sacrifices of men or to give assurance to the besiegers that they were men resolved to endure all extremities so that they might presume he that would sacrifice his Son would not spare to spend his souldiers on any desperate adventure Hereupon the foresaid three Kings surceased their siege either out of policy perceiving the same desperate and unlikely to prevaile or out of a royall sympathy that it was revenge enough to distress though not destroy a King or which is most probable out of a religious horrour the trembling whereat made their swords fall out of their hands as unwilling to provoke the besieged any further to such impious and unhumane performances lest heaven should arraign them as accessary thereunto by giving the occasion thereof whatsoever was the cause home they returned content with the spoiling without the finall conquering of the Countrey § 24. Many are the invectives of the Prophets against Moab for their sins The people thereof are charged to have been at ease from their youth and setled on their less because not emptied from vessell to vessell neither carried into captivity whilest poor Israel was posted from Canaan to Egypt from Egypt to Canaan from Canaan to Babylon from Babylon to Canaan backward and forward God therefore threatneth because they had not been emptied from their vessell to break them in their vessell and foretelleth that Moab should be made drunk haply alluding to his geniture seeing he was begotten in a fit of drunkenness and wallow in his vomit and come to utter destruction Thus never to be acquainted with any affliction in youth is a certain prognostick of finall confusion in old age So much for Moab leaving it to learned men to dispute what is intended by the restauration of Moab foretold in the latter days as also let them enquire whether that passage in Daniel that after a generall overthrow Edom Moab c. should escape must not mystically be meant of the enemies of the Church in which sense we may be sure the devill will have a Moab as long as God hath any Israel in the world § 25. AMmon another base Son of Lot had Midian on the east Moab on the south Gad on the west and Syria on the north a circular countrey extending about sixty miles every way The ancient inhabitants hereof were the Giants Zamzâ—mmims These were conquered and cast out by the Ammonites who afterwards dwelt in their countrey being a fruitfull land and too good for these Ammonites that bare an inveterate malice to the people of Israel manifested in many particulars 1 In their oppressing them eighteen years till Iephthah gave them deliverance 2 In their cruell conditions such Ravens and birds of prey first peck out the eyes tendered to the men of Iabesh-Gilead 3 In their barbarous abusing Davids ambassadours 4 In ripping up the bellies of the women with child in Gilead 5 In their Clapping their hands stamping with their feet and rejoycing in their heart at the sacking of Ierusalem by the King of Babylon 6 In their contriving the destruction of Gedaliah and the poor remnant of the Iews left behind in the land by the Babylonians 7 In retarding the building of the Temple after the Iews return from captivity And although David and some other Kings amongst whom Uzziah most remarkeable forced the
seems thereby that what his hast and hunger had conveyed his profaneness did deliberately confirme and by that his neglect and contempt he acknowledged a Fine cutting off his heires from any recovery thereof Indeed afterwards Esau made it a main matter of quarrell with his brother but never a matter of conscience in himself But enough hereof onely I will adde the crossing of the common rule Caveat venditor let here the seller beware for God took Esau at his word and accordingly deprived him of his birthright § 31. But Esau set a greater valuation on his Blessing wherein being prevented by Iacob he sought it with teares though they were not a kindely showre of repentance but onely some heate drops of anger and indignation not so much grieved that he had lost as vexed that Iacob had gotten the Blessing At last his importunity got from his Father a Blessing though not the blessing the severall clauses whereof we are seriously to consider because thereon dependeth the right understanding of the conditions of the people and countrey of Edom which we are now to describe Behold thy dwelling shall be the fatnesse of the earth and of the dew of heaven from above Earth is by Isaac first mentioned because by Esau most minded But oh the difference betwixt the dew of heaven in Iacobs and Esau's blessing In the former it signified Gods favour with an undoubted right unto and sanctified use of divine promises service and Sacraments whereas in this blessing of Esau heavenly dew was in effect but earthly dew temporall terrestriall fertility allowed to this mountainous land of Edom whose lean hils were larded with many fruitfull vallies interposed Heathen Authors confesse no less Dulce nemus florentis Idumes The fair grove of flourishing Idumea Quicquid nobile Ponticis nucetis Foecundis cadit aut jugis Idumes What ever noble worth destils On Pontus nut-trees or what fils The fruitfull Idumean Hils However divine providence seems to have suited the Countreys to the conditions of Isaacs children giving plain-dealing Iacob a more low and levell Land and fitting the haughty minde of aspiring Esau with high-swelling and ambitious mountains though he who was nearest to heaven was farthest from God And by thy sword shalt thou live and shalt be thy Brothers Servant It is observable that though God in the time of the Judges made use of almost all other heathen nations bordering on the Iewes successively to oppress that his own people Midianites Ammonites Moabites Philistines c. Yet he never permitted the Edomites at any time to Lord it over Israel because according to Isaacs Blessing subjection to Iacob not soveraignty over him belonged to Esau and his posterity This prophecy of Esau's serving Iacob was fully accomplished in the days of David when he put a Garison in Edom throughout all Edom put he souldiers and all they of Edom became Davids servants and so remained tributaries to the Kings of Iudah and governed by their deputies for one hundred and fifty years and upwards But it shall come to passe when thou shalt get the mastery that thou shalt breake his yoke from thy neck This was fulfilled when the Edomites rebelling against King Iehoram finally recovered their liberty whilest he more cruell to kill his brethren at home then valiant to conquer his enemies abroad could never after reduce them into subjection nor his successors after him § 32. The Horims first inhabited this Countrey of Mount Seir whose Dukes are reckoned up by Moses of whom Duke Anah is most remarkable for his first finding out of Mules as he fed his Father Zibions Asses A creature or rather a living beast which may be called a reall fallacy in nature whose extraction is a conclusion unduely inferred from the premises of an Hee-asse and a Mare joined together Yet this is commendable in Mules they imitate rather the virtues then vices of their Sire and Dam having in them the dulness of the Asse quickened with the metall of the Mare and the Mares stubbornness corrected with the Asses patience Barren they are as to whom God never granted the Charter of increase and yet Pliny reports but it is Pliny who reports it that in Rome Mules are often recorded to beare young ones but then always accounted ominous Let others dispute whether Anah was the Inventour or onely the Repertour of Mules the industrious Founder or the casuall Finder of them Let them also discuss whether such copulations be lawfull for men of set purpose to joine together severall kinds which God hath parted asunder yea they may seem to amount to a tacite upbraiding of Gods want of wisdome or goodness in not providing sufficient Creatures for mans service without such monstrous additionals in nature If they be concluded unlawfull let them argue whether the constant use of Mules be not continuing in a known sin and yet some good men in Scripture rather then they would goe on foot used to ride on them though our Saviour himself accepted of a plaine Asse for his own Saddle § 33. These Horims were at last conquered and exâ—irpated by the Edomites who succeeded them and dwelt in their stead The civill government of the land of Edom was sometimes Ducall sometimes Regall Moses reckoning up eleven Edomite Dukes leaveth it doubtfull whether they were successively one after another or went all a brest as living at the same time which is most probable and so the land divided into Eleven Dukedomes This is most certain that eight severall Kings reigned in Edom one after another and all before there reigned any King over the children of Israel Thus the wicked as they have their portion in this world so they quickly come to full age to possess the same whilest Gods children are long children long kept in nonage and brought up in the School of affliction Now it is recorded in Scripture that every Edomite King had successively a severall city of his royall residence namely Kings Parentage Royall-city Bela The son of â—eor Dimhabah Iobab The son of Zerah Bozrah Husham of the land of Temani Teman Hadad The son of Bedad Avith Samlaâ— Â Masrâ—kah Shaut  Râ—hoboth by the river Baal-banan The son of Achbor  Hadaâ— Â Pan. It is plain those Kings were not by succession and probably they were not by election but onely by strength and power as they could make their parties according to Isaacs prediction By thy sword shalt thou live Now this their frequent removall of their royal City was politickly done 1 To declare the fulnes and freedome of their power and pleasure that they were not confined to follow the footsteps of their predecessours 2 To disperse and communicate civility and courtship into all the parts of their kingdome 3 To honour and adorne the place of their birth for probably their native was their royall city 4 To cut off from one place the occasion of
of the smart thereof Yea this father of confusion observed a methodicall gradation in doing mischief that still the hindmost was the heaviest affliction 1 The Sabeans a people of Arabia the happy took away his Oxen when plowing and Asses when feeding besides them 2 Fire of hell falling from heaven of Satans sending and Gods suffering consumed his sheep and servants 3 The Chaldeans coming in three bands fell on his Camels and carried them away If any object that Chaldea was many miles hence it is answered that roving crafty theeves have long strides and commonly fox-like prey farthest from their den Besides probably the Chaldeans driving a land-trade from Arabia to Babylon with Spices being Merchant-pirates did light on this prize in their passage 4 A winde smote the four corners of the house wherein his seven sons were feasting with their three sisters Nor will any wonder at this wild Hericano blowing at once from all points of the Compass when he remembers that Satan is styled the Prince of the power of the aire 5 His body became an Hospitall of diseases equally painfull shamefull loathsome How quickly is Dives turned into Lazarus as if his heards of cattell were turned into boiles and flocks of sheep into so many Scabs on his body 6 His wife persecuted him with her bad counsell When the physick which should help traiterously sides with the disease Oh the dolefull condition of the Patient 7 Lastly his friends proved his greatest enemies Others onely despoiled him of his goods they sought to deprive him of his goodness And whereas Iob was onely passive in his other losses plundered of all his wealth against his will they endevoured to perswade him voluntarily to resigne and surrender his innocence and integrity and to confess himself an hypocrite For to this purpose tended their large discourses containing true Doctrines but false Uses as applied in relation to Iob. All these crosses Iob bare with invincible patience Insomuch that some Moderns accounting such patience impossible have turned it all into a Parable denying the historicall and onely making an Allegoricall truth of all his sufferings dealing worse with Iob then the devilidid whose commission extended not to take away his life whereas these men utterly destroy his beeing denying such an one ever to have been in Rerum natura See the baseness of our degenerate days being so far from following the worthy example of former Heroes that mens laziness takes a more compendious way in stead of imitating their virtues practise to abolish their persons And yet what clearer demonstration can there be of the historicall truth of Iob then that his own name the name of the place of his dwelling are set down with the names of his foes friends and daughters and the whole History as largely recorded in the old as briefly repeated in the new Testament On the other side we listen as little to those who lessen Iobs sufferings because he lost nothing with in doors his Coin Jewels Plate and houshold-stuffe presumed in a considerable equipage to the rest of his substance remained entire for any thing we finde to the contrary But the wealth of that age chiefly consisted in their stock so that one may call their cattell their coin Grammarians derive Pecunia à pecudibus bargains in those days not being driven with money in specie but by bartering of commodities § 40. But Comicall was the end of Iob and all things restored double to him so that it had been better for him to have lost more for then he should have had twice as much restored onely the same number of children were given him seven sons and three daughters because his former children non amissi sed praemissi were not foregone but gone before Parents may account on their pious children departed and reckon not that once they had but still have them though not here in heaven Yea in some sort Iobs children were doubled also because he lived to see his sons sons to the fourth generation As for the friends of Iob Eliphaz the Temanite of whom formerly lived in Edom Bildad the Shubite dwelt hereabouts as descended from Shuah one of Abrahams sons by Keturah Zophar the Naamathite from Naamah a City after allotted to Iudah on the south of Iudea bordering in Edom § 41. Here I omit the Countrey of Temah with some other petty territories all parcels of Arabia deserta Yea the Reader may stand on the edge of this Map and there smell the fragrancies of Arabia the happy so called on good reason Misers measure Paradise by their profit Epicures by their pleasure both met here And it is hard to say whether the spices or the gold of the countrey are more renowned But if heaven should commence an action against Arabia the happy for usurping his priviledge Arabia would non-sute it self and confess her unhappiness in the midst of all her felicity For in default of other fuell they are fain to burn and dress their meat with Aromaticall wood which so stupefieth the senses of the people that they are forced with Bitumen and the sent of Goates where perfumes are too frequent a stink is a perfume to qualifie their suffocating sweetness Thus no heaven out of heaven and no earthly felicity will fall out even measure to content us but either too much or too little § 42. It remaineth now that we observe the severall stations of the children of Israel coming out of Egypt which cross this map in fashion of a Belt We begin at mount Hor their thirty fourth stage in the edge of the land of Edom. Hence Moses sent messengers to request a peaceable passage through the kingdome of Edom but could not obtain it No doubt they were jealous of Israels greatness and being carnally suspicious of them because Power generally performeth promises no further then it complies with its profit conceived it easier to keep then cast them out of their countrey If Iacob was frighted with Esau's coming to meet him with four hundred men Esau was now no less afraid of Iacob accosting him with six hundred thousand men § 43. However God commanded his people not to force this but finde another passage It was well more ways then one led to Canaan else Israel had been at a losse But wicked men may for a time retard not finally obstruct our access to happiness It is but fetching a compass making two steps for one a little more pains and patience will doe the deed Israel surrounds the land of Edom and next sets down at Zalmona § 44. Here they want water and fall a muttering and God sends them more fire in lieu thereof Fiery Serpents to destroy them Humble praying is the onely means to remove peevish muttering the ready way to double our distress Yet afterwards by the setting up of the brazen Serpent their malady was remedied Suddain wound to be hurt with a touch and as quick
an accusation long dormant in the deck and awaken it at last when conceiving it most for its advantage § 36. That Miriam was most active in this brawle is not onely probable from the female subject thereof but may certainly be collected from the first naming of her And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses and the punishment lighting heaviest upon her For God making himself umpire ended the brawle cleared Moses checked Aaron and punished Miriam with seven days leprosie During which time the Congregation of Israel not removing out of regard to her leprous Miriam is Miriam still a good woman for the main and such when smarting for their faults are not to be cast away but comforted respectfully attended her recovery § 37. Hence they removed to the Wilderness of Paran whence spies were sent to search the land and whither after forty days they returned with medly tydings in their mouths feeding such as sent them with a bit and a knock great grapes figs and pomegranates but withall telling them that the rest whereof these were a sample must cost bloudy blows before they could quietly be gathered Here we will not defend their falshoods by a figure pleading a Miosis when they in respect of the Anakims were in their own sight as Grashoppers whilest the Cities of the Canaâ—nites liers relations like the sea what they lose in one place gain in another were by an Hyperbole bringing both stone and mortar walled up to heaven seeing in down right terms they with their carnall fear flatly belyed both the place and people therein Yea what if their wals had reached up to heaven Did not Israels help come down from thence so that the bottome of their comfort was higher then the battlements of their enemies buildings Hereat the people fall a muttering and whilest Caleb and Ioshua the onely two Tell-troths endevoured to undeceive and incourage the people instead of stilling them they had been stoned themselves if the glorious appearance of God out of the Tabernacle had not seasonably interposed betwixt their innocence and the fury of the multitude § 38. God as justly he might took this their affront in high indignity especially seeing since their coming out of Egypt they had tempted him now these ten times and this decumana tentatio as yet the last and greatest Ten Commandements he gave them to observe and ten temptations they already returned him in lieu thereof Surely God is a just Accountant not charging moe faults on their score then they were guilty of but let us reckon up as many murmurings of them as appear in Scripture Not to speake of the personall faults of Nadab and Abihu offering with strange fire conceived drunk at the same time because immediately after wine and strong drink are forbidden the Priests when they officiate one that blasphemed another gathering sticks on the Sabbath we insist on more generall and solemn Rebellions out of the stock of the publick infidelity 1 Before their coming over the Red-sea Exod. 14. 11. 2 At Marah for want of water Exod. 15. 24. 3 In Sin Wilderness for lack of food Exod. 16. 2. 4 At the same place some keeping Manna till it stâ—nk ver 20. contrary to Gods comand 5 Others going out to gather it on the Sabbath ver 27. contrary to Gods comand 6 At Rephidim for want of water Exod. 17. 2. 7 For the absence of Moses when they made the calfe Exod. 32. 1. 8 At Taberah when fire consumed them Numb 11. 1. 9 At Kibroth-Hattaavah longing for food Numb 11. 4. 10 At this time after the return of the Spies Yet not to stand strictly on ten perchance a certain is put for an uncertain number Thou hast changed my wages ten times that is very often Not that the Iews tempted God under but rather over that number their severall impieties not being all expressed as appears by the charge of the Prophet Amos In the wilderness forty years ô house of Israel you have born the Tabernacle of Moloch and Chiun your images c. being guilty of more Idolatry then is particularly mentioned by Moses § 39. The place whence the Spies were sent and whither they returned is called in Scripture by three severall names 1 Rithmah as may be collected from the order of their severall stations This we conceive the center of the camp and punctuall place otherwise but obscure in it self where the Tabernacle was pitched 2 Kadesh-barnea whither the out skirts of that numerous Camp distant some space might extend 3 The Wilderness of Paran which though the genericall name to the whole Desert is here appropriated to a particular part therof Thus in Asia a fourth part of the world there is the lesser Asia now Natolia a large Countrey and therein proper Asia a little Province which I may call the Asia of ASIA in ASIA as here this proper Paran in the midst of the great Wilderness of the same name § 40. God on their disobedience condemned this whole generation Caleb and Ioshua excepted to death in the Wilderness forbidding them farther approach to the land of Canaan and enjoining their tedious return toward the Red-sea Notwithstanding whose prohibition some outlaw'd of his protection armed onely with their own stubborness as if with their gold and silver they had borrowed also part of Pharaohs hardened heart without Pillar to guide or Arke to accompany them advanced forward and became a prey to the Canaanites and Amalekites And no wonder if such who in their march set their faces against Gods command be found in their retrait or flight rather turning their backs towards their enemies The rest were remanded by Gods order towards the south who from Rithmah their fifteenth to Kadesh their thirty third station spent well-nigh thirty eight years and were spent by the same wherein all that generation was consumed § 41. Which term of time we may fitly call the Gulfe of silence nothing remarkable being stored thereof in Scripture save onely the rebellion of Korah Dathan and Abiram and that also without any notation of the particular place whereon it was acted Yet learned men with some probability conceive that Makheloth the two and twentieth stage of the Israelites was the Theater of so sad a Tragedy because interpreted Assemblies in the Hebrew tongue the same word which in the Originall is used when those mutineers are said to gather themselves together against Moses § 42. Come we now to Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin their thirty third resting place where one may rationally hope to finde much reformation amongst the people if all things be seriously considered For such as survived of the old generation seeing their equalls in age extinguished before their eyes and this the last year in their lease of forty begun should probably prove older and wiser learning wit from others woe not to provoke
The field of Zoan where many of Moses his miracles were wrought The Princes of Zoan though pretending to much wisedome are twice pronounced fools by the Prophet The other stream of Nile falleth into the sea at Sin where hard-by anciently lived the Sinites one of the eleven nations of the Canaanites called also Raamses being one of the cities which the Israelites built for Pharaoh as Pithom was another afterwards called Pelusium from the muddy situation thereof and Damiata at this day § 29. But we hasten to the land of Goshen as the best ground in all Egypt lying in the east part thereof The bounty of an ancient Pharaoh gave this Countrey to the Israelites for the goodness thereof and the policy of succeeding Pharaohs continued it unto them for the situation thereof being surrounded with Egypt on all sides save the sea on the east so that the Israelites were wedged in fast not to depart without leave Herein they multiplyed miraculously though the Egyptians endevoured their destruction § 30. Shiphrah and Puah are tampered with of Midwives to become Murderers that all the male children of Israel might be still-born The privacy of their place might have performed this with the less suspicion by but lending a Pinch to such tender plants and then putting it on the account of casualty or some sinister accident But they the Ministers of life refused to be the Messengers yea the Procurers of death and God in reward of their kindness to his people made them houses Not materiall houses as little comfortable in a land where they and theirs were not long to live but understand it God made their posterity the Midwives themselves being presumed ancient before entring on that profession to multiply and increase Some will say such houses could not stand firme being built on the foundered foundation of their lying For this act of these Midwives was with child with twins Fides mentis and Fallacia mentientis the faith of their love and falseness of their lying and the former onely was rewarded by God without any approbation of the other § 31. This taking no effect came out that cruel edict that all the males should be drowned whilest the females were kept alive to be drudges In which time Moses was born one of the best of men in the worst of ages He was a beautifull childe not onely in the eyes of his partiall parents every bird counting its own young-ones the fairest but really the marks of extraordinary comliness appeared in his face Yea such was his persevering beauty fair in the Cradle and Saddle too that it lasted unto his old-age His vigorous and sparkling eyes not being dimmed after an hundred any twenty years His parents hid him three moneths and then not daring longer to keep him for fear of the Kings searchers for forbidden goods male-children expose him in a bulrush Ark unto the water § 32. Pharaoâ—s daughter with her feminine train-guard comes down to wash her self spies the Ark and commands one of her maidens to fetch it At the opening thereof to see with what wares it was fraught they finde a child therein and behold the babe wept It is common for children to cry few born without it whilest this infant did not cry out of curstness nor sob out of sullenness but wept out of sorrow as silently sensible of more sadness then he durst express lest he should give his enemies warning thereby to destroy him How early did Moses begin his meekness and learned the lesson of patience betime The Lady beholding him had compassion on him accounted it pity to drown him who had almost drowned himself with his tears She saves him alive sends him to his mother-nurse pays her wages for suckling him takes him home when weaned counts him her son and gives him breeding accordingly they being but half-parents that bestow Nutrition not education on their children § 33. Moses well becomes his breeding and is learned in all the wisdome of the Egyptians Yet we finde not that the Court made that impression on him as on Ioseph never swearing by the life of Pharaoh However when he was come to years he refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter Probably in his minority he owned that royall relation When he was a child he did as a child Now come to the full use of his reason he renounced all such false extraction He was so far from writing or styling himself so that he would not be called the son of Pharaohs daughter It is not enough for us not to tell lies but we must not suffer them to be told if it lie in our power to forbid it Moses is not ashamed of Amram and Iochebed his poor but pious parents and will not exchange them to be supposed the son to Pharaohs daughter Though that was not a bare title but had both the pleasures and treasures of Egypt attending it An Israelite in the kilne is better then an Egyptian in the Court. § 34. He chose rather the afflictions of his brethren and goes out to see how it fared with them Finding an Egyptian wronging an Israelite he kils him shewing therein some signes of that Saviour-ship which God intended him for and he hoped his Countreymen would have understood But alass they were capable onely of burning brick whose eyes had pored so long on the earth at last they had almost lost looking up to heaven with any hope of deliverance The Egyptians body is hid in the sand but his killing was publick in the mouths and discourse of all the Israelites § 35. This his first essay succeeding so well Moses would adventure on a second design to at one two Israelites at variance But he found it more facile to subdue a foe then reconcile friends fallen out and easier to be a Conquerour then Peace-maker He that did the wrong demands of him who made him a Judge and whether he intended to kill him as he did the Egyptian I see it is no sufficient proof because the party is Plaintiffe that his cause is the best seeing sometimes they that are most injurious are the most querulous Herein God gave Moses an handsell or taste of the froward nature of the Iews offended with such as advised them for the best that he might know the better how hereafter to demean himself towards such waiward dispositions Hereupon Moses by seasonable flight provides for his own safety § 36. Shall such a man as Moses fly Had he not better have stood to it and avouched his act Sure the Princess royall his Lady-mother could bear him out for innocent at the worst by her Court-interest could procure his pardon But he knew it was ill trusting of doubtfull friends in dangerous cases especially that Ladies affection no doubt abating unto him since his refusall of her son-ship Into the
Idol of that Countrey Nibhaz § 37. This and Tarkah were the Idols of the Avites of whom nothing save their names extant in Scripture though the Rabbies fancy the one like a Dog the other an Asse and it is a good hearing that we hear no more of them Some heathen accounted those men happiest that were never born and those next that died the soonest so we esteem those Idols least bad which never appeared and next them such as are most obscure the manner of whose mischievous worship have left the least impressions to posterity Queen of Heaven § 38. God himself most justly is styled The King of heaven by Nebucchadnezzaâ— but by Queen of heaven in the Prophet superstitiously worshipped by the Iews we understand the Moon made to rule the night Let her be deposed from her Regency if willingly accepting of this usurped title and their unlawfull offerings but seeing mans importunity forced them upon her against consent the Moon is as free from idolatry as the Virgin Mary from superstition on whom Regina Coeli is obtruded by the Roman Missals The Cakes offered unto her must needs be most compleate seeing each one in the family had a finger in the making thereof The Children gather the wood and the Fathers kindle the fire and the women â—knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of heaven Their servants being conceived too mean to be used in so high an employment Remphan or Rephan § 39. Onely mentioned by Saint Steven in his purgation of himself and that with such difference from the text in the old Testament that learned men have much adoe to reconcile it AMOâ— 5. 26. But yee have born the Tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your Images the Stars of your God which yee made to your selves ACTS 7. 43. Yea yee took up the Tabernacle of Moloch and the Star of your God Remphan figures which yee made to worship them The main difficulty is this how comes Chiun in the Hebrew to be rendered Remphan in the Greek not the same letter save the last being found in the one as in the other The best solution we meet with is as followeth 1 By Chium as Aben-ezra will have it the Planet Saturn is meant Plautus in his Penulus calls the same Câ—un as a learned Critick hath observed and the Egyptian Anubis called Cyon in Greek Plutarch conceives to be the same with Saturne 2 Rephan in the Coptick language a tongue extant at this day partly consisting of Greek and partly of old Egyptian is used for Saturn as an Author well skilled in that tongue hath informed us 3. The Septuagint we know was written in the land of Egypt at the instance of Pâ—olemaeus Philadelphus where the Translatours using Rephan the noted name for Saturn in stead of Chiun altered the word and retained the sense a liberty lawfully assumed by the most faithfull interpreters 4. Probably Saint Steven spake to the Iews in their own language but Saint Lâ—ke writing in Greek alledgeth his words according to the Septuagint translation This I conceive to be most satisfactory amongst multiplicity of answers by severall Authors applyed to the place Rimmon § 40. An Idol of Syria whose principall Temple was in Damascus The name signifieth a Pomegranate as one will have it who thereupon concludes it to be Venus because Apples were dedicated unto her and her image commonly made with such fruit as a frolick in hâ—r hand More probable it is that this God got his name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rum that is high or exalted used so frequently in Scripture of the true God and of them abused to their Idol Sâ—ccoth-Benoth § 41. This was made by the men of Babylon The Rabbines according to their assumed liberty to fancy any thing without reason rendered thereof conceive this Idol A Hen and her Chickens We stick to the originall notation of the word The tents of the daughters conceiving thereby meant some Temple-like Tents by them made and erected in the honour of Mylitta or Venus Urania known for an eminent Deity in Babylon unto which tents their daughters were sent there to doe their devotions How honest they went in we know not it is suspicious they came out none of the chastest the bargain of their uncleanness being driven though not performed in that place That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Binos Venos Venus is deduced from Benoth in Succoth-Benoth is learnedly observed for probable by Mr. Selden in his excellent book de Diis Syris From whom I have with the children of the Prophets not onely borrowed an Axe but most of the tools and timber wherewith the structure of this our Iewish Pantheon is erected Teraphim § 42. A word plurall in the sound and termination like Penates in the Latine yet single in the sense thereof Three sorts of Teraphims appear in Scripture in the originall 1 Common onely an ordinary carved image such as Micâ—ol is said to have laid in her bed making a mock-David or counterfeiting her sick husband therewith 2 Religious in which sense the Prophet threatneth that Israel should remain many days without King Prince Sacrifice Image Ephod and Teraphâ—â— that is a Prophet to instruct them in future occurrence 3 Superstitious such as Micah made which foretold the Danâ—tes of their future good success This we conceive some Image acted and informed by the Devill according to his serpentine knowledge shrewdly guessing at all contingences Thamuz § 43. That is Adonis as Saint Hieromâ— conceives whom most Latines doe follow Adonis is known by all for a Pheniciaâ— Deity so called from 〈◊〉 Adone A Lord in Hebrew And the Poets are almost hoarse with singin the sad Elâ—gies how Venus bemoaned Adonis killed by a Boar. In mythologie this is true when wanâ—on women bemoan their beautifull youth slaughtered with old age leaving the print and mark of his teeth and tuskes in the wrinkles furrowed in their faces But seeing Adonis is generally conceived to be the Sun Venus her mourning at his death rather represents the generall griefe of northern men when the Sun in Iune called Thamâ—z by the Iews and their neighbours takes his leave of them in the tropick of Cancer and retreateth southward making shorter days by dâ—greâ—s This Phenician superstition infected the Iews Then he brought me to the dooâ— of the gate of the Lords house which was towards the north and behold there sat women weeping for Tammuz And why the gate towards the north Because the body of the Sun never appearing in that quarter of the heaven it was the fittest place to bemoan the absence thereof Had not those womens tears been better expended on the death of Iosiah according to that ordinance in Israel But we may be well assured such eyes as wept for Tammuz were dry for Iosiah Conclusion § 44. Many other obscure Deities were adored by the Iews which we purposely
PErusing the nine last Chapters of Ezekiels prophesie invited thereunto with the mention of many places in Palestine whilest I hoped to find and feel a Solid body I onely grasped the flitting aire or rather a meer spirit I mean in stead of a literall sense I found the Canaan by him described no Geography but Ouranography no earthly truth but mysticall prediction Now his Description will appear irreconcileable with a literall interpretation no Topicall but a bare Typicall relation if the particular location of the Tribes therein be seriously considered § 3. Adde hereunto the miraculous fruit unfading and new every moneth which this land produced one leafe whereof was more worth then all the great Grapes Pomegranates and Figs the Spies brought from Canaan as being unfading and soveraign for medicines Now surely such as understand this literally have need of some of those Leaves to cure their distempers therein § 4. It will be objected that this Propheticall Palestine makes frequent mention of Seas Great Sea and East Sea River Ioâ—dan Mountain Gilead besides the land is bounded North South and East with severall places of name and note as Hethlon Zedad Hâ—math c. Now what saith our Saviour A spirit hath not flesh and bones meer visions are of a more rarified and attenuated nature not consisting of such gross and drossie parts and therefore the Prophet seems rather to be taken at his word and his literall relation to be embraced without farther search for a mysticall meaning therein § 5. It is answered Omnis visio fundatur in historia the most refined vision hath some mixture of and analogie with an historicall truth As in a Web the stamen or Warp it fast fixed through which the Woofe is cast or woven â—o there re certain standards in all visions being the materiall and corporall ground-work for a spirituall flourish or descant to improve it self thereupon More particularly because so many places of Palestine are named in this vision yea seeing the body thereof is confoâ—med to an unlike likeliness as I may terme it of the earthly Canaan it intimaâ—es that the Iewish nation shall have more then a single share in the accomplishment of this Prophesie and have their happiness highly concerned in the performaâ—ce thereof § 6. As the Land so the City described by the Prophet is not appliable to the earthly Ierusalem It is said of Christ Thou art fairer then the children of men sure I am this City as presented by the Prophet was fairer finer slicker smoother more exact more uniforme then any fabrick the earth afforded This Triumphant Ierusalem as I may term it was a compleate square of four thousand five hundred reeds with a just Iury of gates three of each side according to the names of the twelve Tribes with most regular suburbs reaching two hundred and fifty reeds every way so terse so trim that not an house started out of its due proportion Whereas the literall Ierusalem built by parcels at severall times on abrupt precipices ranged about with the wals rather for strength then beauty being on the East and South suburbless and without such correspondency either in the number or position of the gates thereof In a word that so exact structure in the Prophet never sprang by art out of earth but was let down by a miracle from heaven to which Saint Iohn alludes in his celestiall Ierusalem § 7. Lastly the Temple as framed by the Prophet is not suitable with Solomons and the very waters rising from under the threshold thereof encreasing by degrees unto an unpassable river doe drown all possibility of a literall sense therein Expect not here I should intermeddle with a particular description of the foresaid Land City and Temple both because they being meerly mysticall are alien from our subject and because I am deterred from so difficult an undertaking by the ensuing computation 1 Moses saith the days of our years are threescore years and ten 2 The Iews made an ordinance that none should read this vision till thirty years old 3 Villalpandus confesseth he studied this Prophesie twenty three years yet understood not the difficulties thereof If life be so short and we must begin so late and study so long on this Prophesie alone without attaining the full understanding thereof high time at the end of those studying years to leave the measuring of this vision and survey the dimensions of our own Graves § 8. To conclude as once our Saviour told Pilate My kingdome is not of this world so the sense of Ezekiels Land City and Temple is not carnall and corporall but mysticall and spirituall Yea God may seem of set purpose to have troubled and perplexed the text imbittering the Nibbles thereof with inextricable difficulties meerly to wean us from the milke of the letter and make us with more appetite seek for stronger meat therein For the main therefore it is generally conceived this vision imports the great inlargement and dilatation of the Church under the Gospell when the Gentiles shall be called to the knowledge of Christ and the Iews also as mainly concerned though not solely intended in this vision brought home to their true Messiah not excluding even those of the ten Tribes from having each one his Childs-portion in the performance of this Prophesie A word or two of whose condition since their captivity CHAP. II. What became of the ten Tribes since their captivity and where probably extant at this day § 1. POlitick was the practice of the Kings of Assyria when conquering a Countrey neither to kill the natives thereof nor to continue them any longer in their own land but to transport them into a far distant Countrey and in exchange planting other colonies in their room For first to kill them besides the cruelty thereof in cold bloud had been an improvident act men amongst them being precious to people their vast dominions which otherwise if empty had been more exposed to the invasion of enemies To continue them in their own land had not been safe who best knowing the advantages thereof would on all occasions practice the recovery of their lost liberty and therefore to prevent farther disputes the subject of the question was taken away and they advisedly disposed of in far distant places Lastly the removing them into other parts and substituting others in their land taught both these plantations an immediate dependence on their Prince having no other plea but his bare pleasure for their present possessions which made them like the Turkish Timarioâ—s more dutifull at home and daring abroad in their undertakings § 2. These reasons moved the Kings of Assyria to transport the Israelites from their native soil Indeed they if any people might term the land their own having a threefold tiâ—â—e thereunto by Donation from God the supreme Proprietary by conquest of the Canaanites the ancient owners by prescription