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
ridiculous is the unequall contest in point of bulk betwixt their severall workmanships that Natures pismires may be said to exceed Arts elephants § 16. Some to excuse the pride of these builders resolve their design on a point of policy onely to busie their people to prevent in them laziness and luxury the mother of mutinies knowing so rich a soile would invite them to riot if out of employment But whatever was their principall project their secundary end intended such structures for sepulchers where the builders bodies lay not interred but immured with all imaginable cost bestowed upon them For the Egyptians fondly conceived Reader pity them and praise God that thou are better informed that the soul even after death like a gratefull guest dwelt in the body so long as the same was kept swept and garnished but finally forsook it and sought out a new body if once the corpse were either carelesly neglected or dispightfully abused and therefore to wooe the soul to constant residence in their bodies at least wise to give it no wilfull distaste or cause of alienation they were so prodigiously expensive both in imbalming their dead and erecting stately places for their monuments § 17. The long lasting of these Pyramids is not the least of admiration belonging unto them They were born the first and doe live the last of all the seven wonders in the world Strange that in three thousand years and upwards no avaritious Prince was found to destroy them to make profit of their Marble and rich materials no humorous or spightfull Prince offered to overthrow them meerly to get a greater name for his peevishness in confounding then their pride in first founding them No Zelote-reformer whilest Egypt was Christian demolished them under the notion of Pagan monuments But surviving such casualties strange that after so long continuance they have not fallen like Copy-holds into the hand of the Grand Signeur as Lord of the Manor for want of repairing Yea at the present they are rather ancient then ruinous and though weather-beaten in their tops have lively looks under a gray head likely to abide these many years in the same condition as being too great for any throat to swallow whole and too hard for any teeth to bite asunder § 18. We have been the longer hereon because Iosephus as is aforesaid makes the Israelites when enslaved in Egypt against their wills the builders of their Pyramids others conceive them Pharaohs magazines so called not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from fire ascending in a narrowing shape but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from wheat as used for granaries or store-houses where corn was deposited both alike improbable for 1 They afford no concavity of considerable receit for such purpose 2 Their form of all least capable is useless for such intents all the spire being to loss 3 The Israelites built with bâ—icks whereas these are made of Marble But for farther satisfaction of the Reader herein I refer him to that learned Traveller who hath made an excellent tract of his own observations herein § 19. However here we may take occasion to mention the miserable condition of the Israelites in Egypt during which time woefull their slavery if we consider the 1 Long continuance thereof two hundred and odde years in the latitude and fourscore from the birth of Moses in the Paroxysme of their bondage 2 Deep misery insomuch that their lives were made bitter unto them 3 Broad extent none exempted no not Moses and Aaron Get you unto your burthens Say not that the officers of Israel who onely oversaw the rest had an easie place of it for they were beaten because others under them did not their impossible taske as if what was wanting in the tale of the peoples bricks must be made up in blows on their backs who were set to oversee them Onely to give the Egyptians their due they gave the Israelites their belly full as of work so of food which proceeded not so much from their pity as their policy Cariers are so mercifull to their horses meat them well to prevent their trying and the plenty of the land affording at cheap prices abundance of provisions § 20. Somewhat north of the aforesaid Pyramids on the same side of Nilus stood the great City of Memphis anciently the Metropolis of Egypt where their Kings kept their Courts and therefore it is probable here Ioseph was bought and beloved by Potiphar here afterwards accused and imprisoned unjustly favoured by the jailer advanced by Pharaoh whose dreams he expounded in a word likely it is that all those eminent passages betwixt him and his brethren were transacted in this City Some hundred years after the frequent addresses of Moses and Aaron to another Pharaoh in the behalf of the Israelites were performed in the same place and here or hereabouts the ten Egyptian plagues were first inflicted in manner and order ensuing 1 All the water formerly the merciless executioner of the Jewish infants was for seven days turned into bloud whereby the fish dyed and the river stank so that the Egyptians could not drink of the water thereof Water which otherwise in it self was most sweet and delicious witness the answer of Pescentius Niger unto his murmuring souldiers What crave you wine and have Nilus to drink of The transubstantiation of this element into bloud extended over all the streams rivers ponds and pooles in Egypt and the sea onely was excepted from whence or from pits newly digged in the ground the Magicians might fetch their water which in imitatition of Moses quoad similitudinem if not veritatem they also turned into bloud 2 Frogs so plentifull that they covered the land and so presumptuous they came into Pharaohs Bed-chamber though never sworn his Grooms in ordinary attendance yea they crept into the very ovens as if Salamanders rather then frogs and no private place was priviledged from their unwelcome company But the Magicians made the like in show if not in substance the Devill much delighting in their monstrous shape for we finde in Scripture Three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the Dragon 3 Lice Insects with so many lineaments in a little compass that the eyes of the Magicians could not see much less imitate them so that they were forced to confess it the finger of God But whether thus beaten out of distance they here left off their race of emulation with Moses or still continued it it is hard to determine 4 Flies properly waspes or hornets armed with stings wherewith they tormented the people Surely they were more then ordinary flies because they brought Pharaoh to proffer to Moses a partiall and conditionall departure of the people 5 A generall Murrain insomuch that all the cattell of Egypt dyed Some will object If this was a totall destruction of all the beasts in the land how came it to pass
Israel A tree then the Westminster Hall of the whole Land made the seat of justice in an open place partly that all people might have free access with their Petitions thereunto without doors or porters to exclude any partly that so publick a place might minde Judges parties and witnesses of fair and clear proceeding without secret or sinister reservations having heaven Gods Throne in view and before their eyes This Palme was preferred for this purpose before other trees because far and fair spreading it afforded much people a shady conveniency under the branches thereof not to insist on a text rather for fancy to descant then judgement to comment on the resemblances betwixt the growth of Palmes and judiciall proceedings Which as that plant improves it self by pressures ought in fine to flourish in defiance of all opposition § 24. But the most observable place in the north of this Tribe is the City of Samaria built by Omri because the royall Palace was burnt at Tirzah as is aforesaid on an hill bought by him for two talents of silver and called by him Samaria from Shemer the former owner of that place Strange it should take the denomination rather from him that sold it then him that bought it except this was part of the bargain which appears not in Scripture Sure we are though the name of Omri was not preserved in the place the Statutes of Omri were observed by the people according to the Prophets complaint and his impious injunctions obliged men to the practise thereof Samaria proved afterwards a beautifull City was the principal place of the residence burial of the Kings of Israel § 25. Stately was the Kings Palace therein Hence King Ahaziah Ahabs son had a mortall fall through a lattice in his upper chamber possible this mischance had been prevented had the house or chamber been built according to Gods direction with batlements that men might not fall from thence But likely it is the Fabrick thereof was fashioned according to the Mode of the Sidonian architecture Hard by Ahab built an Ivory-house Conceive it chequered inlaid and adorned therewith otherwise all the Elephants in India and Affrick would not afford materialls for such a structure not to say the crookedness and smalness of their teeth made them useless for beames in that building A frequent Synecdoche to denominate the house from the principall materialls therein like Leaden-hall in London not because wholly built but onely covered with that metall But alass what good would an Ivory-house do Ahab whilest he had an Ebony soul in the midst thereof blacked over with impieties Baals temple built by Ahab and turned by Iehu into a Iakes was a structure of great State into which Baals Priests were trained by a device and slain The greatest place of receipt in Samaria which might serve them for a market-stead or rather for a seat of Justice was that voide place at the entring of the gate of such a latitude that it was able to receive at once the Kings of Israel and Iudah with their royall retinue § 26. But amongst all the structures in Samaria none more eminent then the streets built therein by the King of Syria A thing scarce to be paralleled that a forein King should be permitted to erect streets in the Metropolitan City of another Kingdome If any alledge that Peter Earl of Savoy built his palace in the Strand known by the name of Savoy at this day and that there is a street betwixt Aldersgate and Smithfield called Britons street from the ancient lodgings of the Duke of Britain therein neither of the instances amount to the matter in hand The former palace being erected as I take it for the Earles abode here when in banishment And as for the latter it appears not that the Dukes of Britain were at any cost in building it whereas the Kings of Syria founded the Fabrickes of those streets in the city of Samaria and never inhabited therein It seems when Omri began the new building of Samaria either he requested the assistance of the King of Syria as a neighbouring Prince in amity with him to help him in the work no shame to beg the first clouts of friends for an infant-city or else the Syrian Kings civilly tendered their service to give it as good handsell to so good a work or as a Royall Largess amongst the inferiour builders thereof For mine own part I conceive that the Kings of Damascus got some conquest of Samaria not mentioned in Scripture and then built these streets as a monument of their victory and bridle to over-awe the city The rather because Benhadad being afterwards overcome by Ahab profered the like favour and freedome unto him if it pleased him to accept thereof And thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus as my Father made in Samaria § 27. We meet in Scripture with three famous sieges of Samaria Once when Benhadad not content with Ahabs submission profering to hold all he had by homage from him would have all the wealth of the city in specie surrendered unto him vainly vaunting that the dust of Samaria could not suffice for handfulls for all the people that followed him Surely the Scavengers were very diligent in sweeping so populous a place or else it was a most hyperbolicall expression But grant Samaria could not yeeld dust enough to fill the hands the mountains near unto it could afford dirt enough to stop the mouths of most of his army who few days after were thereon miraculously defeated § 28. A second siege was in the reign of King Ioram when the famine was so great that an Asses head and a cab of dung was sold at unconscionable rates the former for food the latter most probably for fewell and surely not to drain peter to make powder thence an invention unknown in that age Nor was the sudden plenty occasioned by the Syrians flight less admirable all provision being brought down in an instant to a very unexpected low price So that he that here knew beforehand what would be cheap or dear needed but a few minutes to make him a rich Merchant But this showre of plenty caused a floud of people to flock to the gates of Samaria where that infidell Prince who despaired of Gods power and Elisha's prophecy was overwhelmed in the multitude living so long to have his eyes confute his tongue but not to have his taste confirme his eyes beholding but not partaking of the plenty § 29. The third and last siege when the city was taken and destroyed by Salmaneser King of Assyria in the reign of Hosea King of Israel a King who was the best or rather the least bad of all that sate on that throne Of whom it is said he was evill in the sight of the Lord but not as the Kings of Israel that were before him It may therefore seem wonderfull that
the world Surely not the building of Gods but his Idols temples impaired his treasure and women impoverished both his wealth and his wisdome Seven hundred Queens and not unlikely so many Courts and three hundred Concubines which though lesser then the former in honour might be greater in expence as the Thiefe in the Candle wasteth more then the burning of the wiek were able to bankrupt the land of Ophir with Tarshish given in to boot Rehoboam requires three days respite for his answer the onely act almost wherein he shewed himself wise Solomons son seeing in matters of such consequence extemporary returns give men leasure afterwards to meditate their Repentance § 46. The old men advise Rehoboam for remission and mitigation of taxes What harm was it if He being now to be married to a Crown should waite on his Bride the wedding-day that she might obey him all her life after Especially they counselled him to speake good words to the people though his good deeds might follow at a distance And truely fair speeches cost the giver nothing and doe ease though not cure the discontented receiver But Rehoboam followed the advice of the young men hot heads enough to set a kingdome on fire not to satisfie but suppress the peoples desires threatning to make his little finger heavier then his Fathers loines more happy if he had made his head but half as wise so that the people deserting the house of David clave to Ieroboam for their King § 47. During this distemper Rehoboam sent Adoram who was over the Tribute unto the people No doubt in hope that they would reverence his gray-haires not abating much of an hundred years in age having enjoyed that office above threescore years from the midst of the reign of King David or else to give them some orall satisfaction how all sums had formerly been expended for the publick good But his sight was offensive to the people whose very looks seemed to demand a taxe and his eyes to exact tribute of them insomuch that the people stoned him to death To lesson all money-officers from publick appearance in popular tumults being persons most obnoxious to the spight and spleen of the Vulgar Thus in Iack Stâ—awes Rebellion their fury fell first and fiercest on Sir Robert Hales Lord of Saint Iohns and then Lord Treasurer whom they drew out of the Chappell in the Tower and without any reverence of his estate or degree with fell noise and huge cryes struck off his head on Tower-hill Nor did Sir â—ames Fines Lord Saie and Treasurer of England fare better in â—he Rebellion of Iack Cade whom without any judiciall proceedings before his confession was ended they executed at the standard in Cheapside And now it was high time for Rehoboam to call for his Chariot and hast to Ierusalem § 48. Near to Shechem was the parcell of ground which Iacob bought of the children of Hamor for an hundred pieces of money whereon he spread his tent and erected an Altar called God the God of Israel Afterwards Iacob gave it as a portion to his son Ioseph whose bones brought out of Egypt were buried therein But how Iacob when he bequeathed this land to Ioseph could properly call it A portion which he took out of the hands of the Amorites with his sword and by his bow is a difficulty much perplexing Divines in the solution thereof meeting onely with Iacobs staffe though Esau had a bow in the Tenour of Scripture We will present the Reader with their best answers leaving him to chuse which he conceives most probable Some conceive 1 That Iacob being a peaceable and plain dealing man in reproof of such as delight in force and violence called his money his sword and his bow And indeed in all ages money is the sharpest sword and bow that best hits the mark yea answereth all things 2 That thereby he meant his prayers the Armes of the Patriarchs and Primitive Christians whereby he obtained of God that his posterity being now in his loins in due time should by their martiall atchievments conquer the countrey and speakes of the conquest as already made because of the undoubted assurance of it upon Gods promise 3 That his sword and his bow import no more then his industry and endevours Thus the Latine phrase Fecit proprio marte carrieth a warlike sound but a peaceable sense when one acquires a thing though in a legall way with his own might without the assistance of others as Iacob purchased the foresaid heritage 4 That his sword related not to his purchase but to the city of Shechem which Simeon and Levi won by their sword and the sons conquest is reputed to their Father Now let none be troubled because Iacob is said to purchase this land of the Amorites Hamor of whom he bought it being an Hivite Amorite being there taken in a genericall sense as all the inhabitants of the eight united Provinces are comonly called Hollanders § 49. Near to this parcell of ground which Iacob gave to Ioseph stood the city of Sychar wherein was the well at which that excellent discourse passed betwixt our Saviour and the Samaritan woman who came thither to draw water Some also place hereabouts the city Shalem founding it on the words of the text And Iacob came to Shalem a city of Shechem Which the Chaldee and other translations read and Iacob came safe or sound and entire to a city of Shechem Not that here he was healed of his halting as some will have it but rather that hitherto no notorious or eminent dysaster befell his family which afterwards fell thick and threefold upon it As the defiling of Dinah Simeon and Levi slaughtering the Shechemites Reubens incest Rachels death Er and Onan slain by God Iudah's incest with Tamar Ioseph sold by his brethren § 50. And now to take our farewell of the countrey about Shechem anciently called the plain of Moreh two eminent oakes grew therein One under which Iacob buried his heathen Gods with the superstitious ear-rings of his family wherein no doubt Idols were ingraven Another under which was a great stone solemnly set up by Ioshua with the words of the Law written thereon to be a witness against the Israelites in case afterwards they should deny that God whom then they generally resolved to serve But the question will be how this latter oake was termed to be by the Sanctuary of the Lord seeing the Tabernacle and the Sanctuary Lieger therein resided at Shiloh in those days If any say that every place where men seriously set their souls to serve God is his Sanctuary they speake rather an Evangelicall truth then a proper answer to the present question This inclines me to conceive either that by Sanctuary is meant that place of the Altar which Iacob long before thereabouts erected or that the Tabernacle not far off
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
Canaanites some remnant of the Anakims which escaped his hand did in his absence return possess Hebron and put Caleb to a new task of a second subduing them § 22. David afterwards made Hebron the Metropolis of this kingdome as being the most eminent City of his own Tribe of Iudah and reigned almost seven years therein In the third year of his reign Abner repaired hither with full intent to reduce all Israel to his obedience had not Ioabs sudden murdering him frustrated his design Probably some mixture of jealousie might put Ioab on this foul action fearing to be outed of his office that if Abner made David King David would make Abner Generall over all Israel Certainly revenge of his brother Asahels bloud prompted him thereunto Ioab sending messengers to fetch Abner back from the well of Siriah slew him treacherously as he was entering the gates of Hebron § 23. Forget we not that Hebron in the gate whereof Ioab so basely and barbarously murdered him was a City of Refuge appointed by God for the saving of such as had killed one unawares Did not Ioab therefore in such a place acting wilfull murder in an high hand relie on his own greatness to beare him out in so bloudy a deed as if he neither feared the justice of man nor needed the mercy of God No wonder then if many years after he flying to the horns of the Altar was denyed the protection of that place who formerly so cruelly despightfully and presumptuously had defiled the City of Refuge with innocent bloud § 24. Thus died Abner very loyall to Saul whilest Saul was living and too loving to his concubine when he was dead Never man was killed more cowardly or buried more honourably David himself following the bâ—ere weeping as chiefe mourner at his funerall In the same sepulcher the head of Ishbosheth was afterwards interred Though some jars were betwixt them whilest living their dust well agreed in the same grave Nor durst the ashes of Ishbosheth cross the others who when alive though checked and chidden by him could not answer Abner a word again because he feared him As for the bodies of Baanah and Rechab the murderers of Ishbosheth they had by order from David their hands and feet cut off and they hanged up over the pool in Hebron § 25. After the death of Ishbosheth all Israel repaired to Hebron to make David their King whose severall numbers deserve our observation 1 Out of Iudah six thousand and eight hundred 2 Simeon seven thousand one hundred 3 Levi eight thousand three hundred twenty two 4 Benjamin three thousand 5 Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred 6 Half Tribe of Manasseh on this side Iordan eighteen thousand 7 Issachar two hundred officers and all their brethren at ther coÌ„mandment 8 Zebulun fifty thousand 9 Naphtali thirty seven â—housand besides a thousand Captains 10 Dan twenty eight thousand and six hundred 11 〈◊〉 fourty thousand 12 Reuben Gâ—d and Manassâ—h beyond Iordan an hundred and twenty thousand Behold here those Tribes which lived farthest from Hebron appearing in the highest equipage as if they endevouring to be revenged on the distance of their habitation purposely advanced with the greatest number Here it will be enquired why Iudah largest in dominion next in position nearest in relation as Davids native Tribe made here the slenderest appearance of all the rest Benjamin alone excepted the thinness of whose numbers are excused in the text because hitherto the greatest part of them kept the ward of the house of Saul What! doth it fare with Princes as with Prophets that they are not without honour save in their own Countrey and in their own house that David found fewest attendants from his own Tribe Oh no he was abundantly loved and honoured therein But Tostatus answers 1 Davids daily attendance both civill in his Court and military in his camp and garrison hitherto chiefly consisted of the Tribe of Iudah 2 The rest of Iudah remained at home to make provision and give entertainment to this confluence of people from all parts Adde hereunto 1 Six thousand eight hundred were a sufficient representation of Iudah and moe not onely needless but burdensome for the present to pester Hebron too populous already The rest keeping home and living hard by were ready no doubt on competent warning to come quickly if need required or David commanded their attendance 2 Iudahs main work was done two years before when David was solemnly made their King And they now rather spectators then actors at his second Coronation over all Israel Now no less politick then thrifty were the other Tribes in bringing their victualls along with them lest otherwise they should be held as occasioners of scarcity in Iudah and enhauncers of the prices of provisions § 26. Afterwards Absalom when he intended a rebellion against his Father chose Hebron as the fittest City from whence he meant to mount into the Throne Hither he came under pretence to doe sacrifice with his chariots and horses and fifty men running before him but which was most to be pitied he brought with him from Ierusalem two hundred men which were as one may say Loyall traitors coming in the simplicity of their hearts and meerly drawn-in to treasonable practises But Hebron proved not a place so succesfull to Absalom the son as formerly fortunate to David his father This Traitours soveraignty soon expired when forsaken of God Man and Beast his own Mule going away from him he was slain of Ioab as formerly related § 27. Some ten miles south of Hebron lay Debir anciently called Kiriah-Sepher the City of a book conceived a Canaanitish University And although the Giant Anakims dwelling hereabouts may be presumed but little bookish yet civilized Countreys in all ages have allowed such places for the education of youth who are better unborn then unbred Caleb proffered Acsah his daughter in marriage to any one that should conquer this City which was accordingly performed by Othniel his younger brothers son and first Judge of Israel What were not the glory of God and good of his Countrey enough to set an edge on his valour but the promise of a wife needed also to whet his resolution No doubt the scales of his resolution went down formerly on the right side before this match was cast in as overweight It is no unlawfull Bigamy of the soul when wedded to Gods glory in the first place to embrace also therewith the recompense of reward and grand is the difference betwixt an hireling whose minde is meerly mercenary and him that works for his hire with Othniel taking it not as the main motive much less as the end but onely as a welcome encouragement of his undertakings § 28. Thus all parties were pleased Israel recovered Debir Othniel got Acsah to wife she gained a blessing from her Father that
an unequall yoke and fitting her with an husband better suiting with her deserts even David himself § 36. But Carmel had not such a fool but that Giloh hard by had as wise a man for the owner thereof even oraculous Ahithophel This was he that gave the wholesomest but Hushai the toothsomest counsell to Absalom best pleasing the palate of a vainglorious traitour Ahithophel advised as a cruel hunter that David should presently be pursued not giving him any breath but either running him down outright or killing him in the form where they should finde him Hushai counselled to prolong the sport for their greater pleasure and seeing all the game was surely in their own hand to give David the larger law to shift away a while for himself that so he might be put to death in the greater state and with more ceremonious magnificence Ahithophel seeing his counsell neglected at Court and foreseeing in the causes Absaloms ruin and Davids return to prevent farther shame and save the executioner the paines fairly went home set his house in order and hanged himself § 37. Tekoah is not far off where a wise woman once lived the subtilest subtilest manager of Ioabs design to David for the bringing back of Absalom and a wiser man Amos called from an heardsman and a gatherer of wild figs to be a Prophet Near Tekoah Iehosaphat obtained a memorable victory against the children of Ammon Moab and Mount Seir though at the first hearing of their coming Iehosaphat is said to have been affraid Did he not discover much cowardice herein considering what multitudes of men Iehosaphat at that time did command Namely 1 Under Adnah the chief of Iudah three hundred thousand mighty men of valour 2 Next to him Iehohanan captain over two hundred and fourscore thousand 3 Next him Amaziah with two hundred thousand mighty men of valour 4 And of Benjamin Eliada with two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield 5 Next him Iehoshabad with an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war What need then Iehosaphat fear except as in Gideons case suspecting he had too many for God to give victory by having an Army if well disciplined with advantage of time and place able to to encounter all mankind especially on the defensive side to make good their own Countrey against any invasion § 38. It is answered the suddenness of the news might adde much to his fright that an enemy was come into the bowels of his Countrey Behold they be in Hazeron-Tamar which is Engedi before the first intelligence was brought thereof Secondly Iehosaphat feared not so much his foes as his faults guilty to himself of great offences good men the less sinfull the more sensible thereof and chiefly of his matching at home and marching abroad with the Idolatrous family of Ahab Lastly those vast numbers of his souldiers lately specified were not all at any one time but severally and successively during the five and twenty years of Iehosaphat his reign Wherefore those words in the list of Iehosaphat's Generalls thrice repeated Next him Next him Next him imply not a gradation in honour as if all of them though subordinately were extant together but import a succession of time the latter entering with his men on the office of a Generall after the displacing or death of the former § 39. However Iehosaphat puts his people into a penitent posture falling to fasting and prayer and obtains a memorable conquest which was purely heavens Donative Sine cura without mans care cost or charge to atchieve it Prince and people stand still look on believe God sing Psalmes accounting their conquest gotten because promised by the Prophet Mean time their enemies amazed with ambushments of Gods setting fall foul one on another till Moab and Ammon had destroyed first the Edomites then themselves Three days are the men of Iudah employed in gathering the spoile and so return to Ierusalem with wealth in their hands joy in their hearts musick in their mouths having left behind them the name of Berachah or blessing imposed on the place where this celestiall victory was bestowed upon them § 40. But now it is high time that we enter on the severall Stages and removalls of David in or near this Tribe after that he having formerly suffered much from Saul as a private person began to Prince it and to stand on his guard The text saith he and his men went wheresoever they could go David herein being like the Son and Lord of David who had not where to lay his head Indeed David confesseth that God made the stony rocks for the Conies but yet he himself was glad to be their In-mate and share with them in their habitations and yet his soul was never so discomposed in any hole or cave but that in the darkest of them he could see to make Psalmes and praise his Maker No place came amiss to his pious soul above or under ground all alike to him to serve his God therein Now seeing it is Davids expression of himself that he was hunted as a Partridge on the mountains Partridge a bird innocent whose fine flesh is its greatest guilt and importent not armed with beak or talons whose chiefe might consisteth in the flight thereof Now whilest Saul followed him we will follow Davids Metaphore in our ensuing description But be it premised that Saul was no fair Faulconer who more desiring the prey then the sport came with his nets and setting dogs with full intent to kill David wherever he might catch him § 41. We begin at the cave of Adullam which we may call his nest wherein he composed the fifty seventh and the hundreth fourty second Psalme Hence he made wing taking a long and strong flight to Mizpah in the land of Moab Here the Partridge shewed much of the Stork in him feeding his parents and taking order with the King of Moab for the maintenance of his Father and mother § 42. Hence by the advice of the Prophet Gad not to trust himself again in the cave of Adullam by the forest of Hareth to the City of Keilah The Inhabitants whereof David had lately obliged to himself by saving them from the Philistines notwithstanding which favour God assured him of their intentions to betray him to Saul If a skilfull Gardiner can in the depth of winter by beholding the bare root and knowing the kind thereof foretell when and what flowers the same will bring forth many moneths after well may the God of heaven the searcher of hearts know mens thoughts afar off and infallibly conclude what they will be before they have any being Base Keilites who had rather pick thanks with Saul then pay thanks to David to whom they were due Thus deliver an ungratefull man from a danger and he will be the first to