Palaestina

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

THE HOLY LAND· (Book The Holy Land)

THis famous Province of Syria, was heretofore called the Land of Chanaan the Sonne of Cham, who possessed it. It was called also the Land of Promise, or the promised Land, because God promised it to our Fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob. This Country when the ancient Inhabitants were beaten out, and the Israelites came in their place, began to be called Israel and Iudaea. Ptolemy and others doe call it Palaestina, from the Palaestines a people of great note, who in the sacred Scriptures are called Philistins: the Christians doe call it the Holy Land. This Country is situate in the middle of the world,* 1.2 betweene the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia, on which side beyond the River Iordan it is encompassed with a continued ridge of Mountaines, and so it reacheth from Aegypt, as Herodotus will have it, or as others from the Lake Sirbon, even to Phaenitia. The bounds thereof are these; it hath on the East Syria and Arabia: on the South the Desert of Pharan, and Aegypt: on the West the Mediterranean Sea: on the North the Mountaine libanon. The length of it reacheth on the North to the Citty of Dan, seated at the foot of the Mountaine Libanon (which was afterward called Caesarea Philippi and Paneas) & so on the South to the Citty Bearsebach, situate in the Tribe of Simeon over against the great Desert which is about 67. miles, every mile being an houres journey. But the breadth which is to be taken from the Mediterranean Sea on the West to Iordan on the East side, doth containe in some places 16. and in other places 18. miles. Of all Countries it is chiefly commended for the wholesomnesse of the Ayre, and temperature of the Climate, for the Winter is not too cold, nor the Summer too hot. And all Writers both sacred and prophane doe praise it for the fruitfulnesse of the Soyle, the abundance of all kindes of fruits, and the plenty of all things necessary for the sustentation and delectation of mans life. Moyses concerning this Country prophesi'd thus to the Israelites, Deut. Cap. 8. Vers. 7. For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good Land, a Land of Brookes, of Water, of Fountaines, and depths, that spring out of Valleys and Hills, a Land of Wheate, and Barley, and Vines, and Fig-trees, and Pomegranates, a Land of Oyle, Olive, and Hony, a Land wherein thou shalt eate Bread without scarcenesse, thou shalt not lack any thing in it: a Land whose Stones are Iron, and out of whose Hills thou mayest digge Brasse, a Land flowing with Milke and Honey. Iosephus also and Pliny doe praise the fertility of this Country. But of all those things which serve either for delight or medicinable use, the Balsame is especially commended, which God heretofore gave to this part of the World, but now it wanteth it, also the Aromatick sweet Spices, and Mastix, and two kindes of Nuts, the one called Almonds, and the other Pistack Nuts. In the Mountaines also there is Iron and Brasse. It hath abundance of sweet Springs, and pleasant Meddowes which are cloathed with Flocks and Heards of Cattell, which doe yeeld great store of Milke. And here is good hunting of Boares, Goates, Hares, and Hawking after Partridges, Stares, and other Birds. Moreover, the Land of Chanaan had 31. Kings, which were Philistins, but after Israelites entred into this Country, the most part of the Philistins and ancient Kings were slaine and droven out. And the Children of Israel were governd by Captaines about 450. yeeres, untill the Prophet Samuel. Neither did they rule by Succession, or Election, but it was a kinde of Aristocracy, where the Seniors in every Tribe did governe, but afterward at the request of the people, God changed this forme of government into a Kingdome, and this government continued many yeeres. For in processe of time the Israelites suffered many calamities, untill at length they lost their Kingdome. For both sacred and prophane Histories doe witnesse, that this Nation had beene subject to divers changes, and had beene vexed continually with warres, either through the disposition of the people, who could neither endure their own nor others government, or through their sinnes which provoked Gods anger toward them, or through the felicity and happinesse of this Country which tempted Strangers to invade them. Sometimes they were overcome, sometime carried away into captivity, so that they were unfit to live either in prosperity or adversity. Sometimes they were under the yoke of servitude, and in bondage to their neighbours, and sometimes to remote people farre off, as the Aegyptians, Chaldaeans, Medes, Persians, Macedons, and Romanes: and they never ceased to tread downe and overthrow themselves, and their Common-wealth by their evill counsell, untill at length they fastned and nayled the Sonne of God, and the Saviour of mankinde, with their wicked hands to the Crosse, than which there could bee no greater sinne or impiety. After that there ensued new calamities and miseries. For Titus Vespasian having conquerd Iudaea tooke Ierusalem, and carried away many thousand Jewes into Captivity, and many of them being slaine by famine, pestilence, fire, and sword, he wasted and destroyed the Temple and all the sacred and prophane buildings, in the yeere from the birth of Christ 73. which Christ himselfe while hee lived here on Earth had foretold. Aelius Adrianus did re-edifie the Citty, but hee changed the Situation thereof. And the old Temple of Salomon lay ruinate and wasted, even untill the yeere 363. when Iulian the Apostata gave the Jewes leave to re-edifie it, who being dismaid by a miracle desisted from their enterprise, and left it off againe. In the yeere 615. Chosr•es King of Persia tooke the Citty, and put 90000. men to the sword: but he being overcome and taken by Heraclius was punisht for his cruelty. In the yeere 636. Haumer Prince of the Sarazens subdued all Iudaea and it continued 450. yeeres under the power and dominion of the Sarazens. But in the yeere 1097. when it was decreed in the Counsell of Clarimont in the time of Pope Vrban the second, that a Voyage should be made to recover the Holy Land, Godfr•y of Boloyne having raised a great Army of Christians, which consisted of 300000. Foote, and 100000. Horse, did beat out the Sarazens. In the yeere 1185. Saladine King of Persia did restore the Sarazens to their first estate. But not long after the Christians invaded them againe. And the Sarazens invaded them againe in the yeere 1217. untill at length after divers mu•ations and changes, the Turkes got possession of it in the yeere 1517. This Country containeth Idumaea, Iudaea, Samaria, and Galiley. Idumaea beginneth from the Mountaine Cassius, or according to others from the Lake Sirbon, and stretche•h Eastward even to Iudaea. There are these Citties in it, Maresa, Rhinocorur•, Raphia, Anthedon, Ascalon, Asotus, and Gaza. Iudaea is the most famous part of Palestine, being situate betweene the Mediterranean Seas and the Lake Asphaltites▪ and betweene Samaria and •dumaea. It was so called from Iudah which was the chiefe Tribe, in which there were many Citties and Townes, but the fairest of them all was Hierusalem the Metropolis of Iudaea, and the most famous Citty in the World. In Ptolemies time it was called Ae•ia Capatolia, and now the barbarous Inhabitants doe call it Coz or Godz, or Chutz. There are also other Townes and famous places in Iudaea, beside Hierusalem, as Iericho, Ioppe which is now called I•ffa: Stratoes Towre, afterward call Caesars Towre, also Bethlehem; Chebron, or Hebron, before called Arbee▪ and Mambre, and Cariatharbe, that is, the Citty of foure men. And the Towne Macherus with a strong Castle beyond Iordane. •ere were also Sodom and Gomorrah, which were destroyed for their abominable wickednesse. Samaria followeth which is situate in the middle betweene Iudaea, and Galile. It was so called from the Metropolis of the same name, which Amri King of Israel built, it is now called Sebaste: here are these Townes Sichem, afterward called Neapolis, also Capernaum, Bethsaida, and Chorazin. Galiley is situate beweene the Mountaine Liba•us and Samaria; and it is devided into the higher and the lower: the higher is otherwise call'd the Galiley of the Gentiles, neere to Tyre. The lower is situate by the Sea of Tiberias, or Genezareth. The Citties in it are Naim, Cana, Nazareth, and Gadara. Butthe whole Country is situate betweene two Seas, and the River Iordane. It hath many Lakes which are Navigable, and have great store of good Fish. But the Riuer Iordane which the Hebrewes call Iarden, runneth thorow all the length of this Country. This River as Hierome writeth, issueth from two Fountaines, not farre distant one from another, namely, •or, and Dan, and afterward these two forked streames joyning together doe make the River Iordan. It hath two chiefe Mountaines Hermon on the East, and Tabor on the West, which are very high, and all the other Mountaines are but armes and parts of them. For Ebal, Bethoron, and Misha, or Maspha, and Be•el by Hermon: Gelboe, Gerizim, Sarona, and lastly Carmel neere to the Sea, are but part of the Mountaine Tabor. There are also these Mountaines, Mount Sion, Mount Moriah, Mount Olivet, Mount Calvary, and others. It hath also many Woods, Wildernesses, and Groves. Here are many faire buildings, and especially at Hierusalem. But of all those workes which were famous in ancient time, the chiefe is Mons Domus, and the Jebusians Tower, into which King David carried the Arke of the Lord, and there is continued untill Salomons Temple was built and consecrated, of which there are some ruines yet remaining, where it is thought that Christ supped at the time of the Passeover. There are also some Monuments of David and the Kingdome of Iudah. There was also Davids House, which is still preserved, and called by the name of Davids Tower. Here also some ruines of Mello at the farthest part of the Mountaine Moriah. Here was Salomons famous Temple, which was 7. yeeres building, and had 50000. men working daily at it. Concerning the magnificence and statelinesse whereof you may reade in Lib. 1. of the Kings, Cap. 6.7. & Chron. Lib. 2. Cap. 3. & 4. Concerning their Lawes and Customes for brevity sake I will adde nothing, but referre the Reader to the Bookes of Moyses, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Of PALESTINE and the Cities thereof.

THE next Countrey in order is Palestina, having on the East Euphrates, on the West the Mediterranean Sea; on the North Phenicia, and on the South Arabia; this Countrey hath so often changed its name that it hath bin called by 6 severall names, 1 Canaan, 2 the land of promise, 〈◊〉 Israel, 4 Iudea, 5 Palestina, and lastly the holy land; and now divided into 4 parts, Galilea, Iudea, Idumea and Samaria.

In Galilea is not found any City either of note nor trading, though in times past it was famous for many, as Bethsaida the birth place of Peter, Andrew and Philip; and Nazareth second to none, where the Virgin Mary was saluted with those joyfull tydings by an Angell: in this Countrey ariseth the two spring heads of Iord•…, Ior and Dan, of which two that united River doth derive its name.

Neither doth Samaria now afford any City of commerce, though many notable places were there found in the flourishing dayes of the Israelites.

Idumea is also destitute of trading, though it have the commodious Sea Por•… I•…ppa in it, where our Westerne Pilgrims are seen to land and foot it to Ierusalem; where also in times past Ionah took shipping to fly to Tarsus, and where Peter lying in the house of one Simon a Tanner, was in a vision taught the conversion of the Gentiles: here also was Gasa where the Persians did hord up in the greatnes of their Empire the customes and tributes of their westerne dominions: take what I finde in trade here worthy observation.

1652. Cosmographie in four bookes by Peter Heylyn.

PALESTINE is bounden on the East, with the Hills last mentioned, by which parted from Coelo-Syria, and Arabia-Deserta; on the West, with the Mediterranean Sea, and some part of Phoenicia; on the North, with the Anti-Libanus which divides 〈◊〉 from Syria, and the rest of Phoenicia; and on the South, with some part of Arabia Petraea.

It was first called Palestine from the Philistims, the most potent Nation of those parts. A name first found in the History of Herodotus, but generally used in times succeeding by the Greeks & Roman•. And this I look on as the proper and adaequate name of the whole Countrey, according to the bounds before laid down: the others, by which commonly called, being more restrained, and properly belonging to so much hereof as was in the possession of the Tribes of Israel. And of this sort are 1. Canaan, o• the Land of Canaan, so called from Canaan the Sonne of Cham, by whom first peopled after the flood. 2. The Land of Promise, because by God promised to Abraham and his feed for an habitation. 3. Israel, from the Israelites or Sonnes of Jncob, whose surname was Israel. 4. Judaea, and by us Jewry, from the Jews, or people of the Tribe of Jadah, the most prevalent of the Tribes of Israel. And 5. Terr•s Sancta or the Holy Land, because the subject of the greatest part of the Holy Scripture: and that the work of our Redemption was herein accomplished by our Lord and Saviour. Which notwithstanding we must know, that though these names do many times by a Synechdoche, express the whole Countrey of Palestine• yet neither the Canaanites or the Israelites were ever Masters of the whole: except onely in the times of David, and of some of the Maccabean Princes, as also in some part of the reign of Herod the Great; all which had the good fortune to command it totally.

But being the most considerable People of it were the Tribes of Israel; we will first look upon the Countrey People under that capacity. And for so much hereof as was held by them, it is situate between the third and fourth Climats: the longest day being fourteen hours and a quarter: the whole length but 200 miles, and not above 80 in the breadth, yet was of such a fruitful soil, that before the comming in of the Israelites, it had 30 Kings: and after the comming in of that people so extreamly populous, that David numbred on Million and 300000 fighting men, besides those of the Tribes of Levi and Benjami•. But of the fruitfulness hereof more shortly.

As for the People they were by composition of a midle stature, but strong of bodie: in their best times a murmuring and stiff-necked genneration, never well pleased either with God or man, with their Priests or Princes; seldome conform unto the Commandments of their God, nor very much constant to themselves. So crippled in their goings betwixt superstitions and Idolatry, that they knew not how to walk uprightly. Idolatrous above measure, and incorrigible in it, till their coming back from the Captivity of Babylon: and after that as superstitious and severe in the point of their Sabbath, as they had formerly been exorbitant in the worship of Idols. No Medium on either side, but extream in both. Divided antiently into these four ranks, that is to say, 1. Jews, 2. Hellenists, 3. Proselytes, and 4. Samaritans; all of them pretending a right unto this Countrey, though not all of them dwelling in it.

Of these the first called Jews, from Judah, the predominant Tribe; and Hebrews, from Heber the Sonne of Sela, grand-sonne of Sem, and one of the Ancestors of Abraham: were such as naturally descended of the Tribes of Israel, and lived for the most part in their own Countrey, adhering to the Law of Moses; and embracing the whole Canon of the Old Testament, from the book of Genesis to the book of the Prophet Malachi. Called also Israelites, because descended from the loins of their Father 〈◊〉 to whom God gave the name of Israel, for his greater honour: but after the ten Tribes were carryed away by Salm•inassar to an endlesse captivity; and the two tribes (with the remainder of the rest) returned from that temporary one, which they found in Babylon: the name of Israelites was laid by; and that of J••s assumed, as more proper to them. These read the Scriptures, and executed all Divine Offices in their natural Hebrew.

2. The Hellenists, were such as were Jews by parentage, but lived dispersed in most Provinces of the Roman Empire: called by that name (we may English it the Graecizing Jews) because they read the Scriptures in the Greek or Septuagints translation; and performed all publique offices in that lanquage also. In other things as superstitious in their Sabbaths, as tenacious of their Circumcision, and others of the rites and ceremonies of the law of Moses, as the Jews of Palestine; and for that reason scorned and derided by the Gen•iles amongst whom they lived; Credit Indaerus apella, saith one of their Poets; relating to their circumcising; Recu•ing, Sabbat a palles, saith another of them, with scorn enough unto their Sabbaths. Novi•illie ritus & coetets mortalibus con•rar•, saith Tacitus a graver Author, of the whole body of their Rituals or Acts of worship.

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3. The Proselytes were such, as not being Iews by birth, or discent of parentage, conformed themselves unto their customes, and desired to be admitted into their Religion. And these were also of two sorts, the one called Proselyri Portae; and the other Proselyti foederis, The first of these, admitted by the Iews to the worship of God, and instructed in the hopes of the life to come, were onely tied to those precepts which the Hebrew Doctors call the Precepts of the sonnes of Noah; but were neither circumcised, nor otherwise conform to the Law of Moses. Which Precepts of the Sonnes of Noah, so called because supposed to be given by Noah unto his Sonnes, when he came out of the Ark, were seven in number; that is to say, 1. That they dealt uprightly with every man. 2. That they blessed and magnified the name of God. 3. That they worshipped not any false Gods, but to abstain from Idolatry. 4. To refrain from all unlawful lusts and copulations. 5. To keep themselves from theft and robbery. 6. From shedding bloud. And 7. not to eat the flesh or member of any beast taken from it when it was alive, by which all cruelty was forbidden. These though they were admitted to the worship of God, and might repair unto the Temple, yet because of their Uncircumcision they were not suffered to converse with the Iews, nor to come into the same Court of the Temple with them: but were accounted as unclean, and had their Court apart assigned them in the worship of God, which was called Atriam Gentium, or Immundoru•, and was the outermost of all. The other Proselytes which were called Proselyti foederis, conformed in all things to the Iews; as in Circumcision, Sabbath-keeping, and all other Ceremonies: and were accounted of as adopted Iews, privileged as they were to worship in the Inner Court; bound as they were, from eating or drinking with a Gentile; and in a word, partakers with them in all things both divine and humane, and different in nothing from them but their race or parentage. These last in the New Testament called simply Proselytes, without any addition: the former by the name of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or the worshipping Gentiles, of which see Acts 16. v. 14. & chap. 17. v. 4. 17. & chap. 18. v. 4. &c.

4. As for the Samaritans, they possessed a great part of this Countrey which the Proselytes did not, yet were not so much Iews as they. But of these more anon when we come to Samaria, the proper place of their abode.

As for the natural Jews themselves they are divided also into severall Sects, as viz. 1. Esseni, 2. the Sadduces, 3. the Scribes, 4. the Pharisees, 5. the Herodians, and 6. the Gaulonites or 〈◊〉 The Essenes or Esseni derive their name as some conceive from Asca, which signifieth facere, to doe, because they laboured with their hands; as others say from Asa, which signifieth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or to cure diseases, because they were much given to the study and practice of Phisick. Their beginning is not yet agreed on. The first time they were heard of was in the time of Jonathan the brother of Judas Maccabaen•, about 150 years before Christ's nativity, then mentioned by Josephus, Antiqu. Judaic. l. 13. cap. 9. A P•hagorean kind of Jew, and not much differing in opinion from those old Philosophers, professing as they did. 1. Community of goods. 2. Abstaining even from lawfull pleasures. 3. Forbiding of Oaths. 4 Forbearing Wine, and drinking Water. 5. Ascribing the conduct of affairs to fate or destine. 6. Using onely inanimate or un bloody Sacrifices. Some other Dogmata they had, but these the principall: forbiding mariage not being common to the Sect, but onely to some few amongst them. And though we find no mention of them in the New Testament, the Sect in those times being small and inconsiderable; yet it is thought that Saint Paul alludeth to their Tenets: as where he adviseth Timothy to make use of Wine, and glanceth upon those who prohibited mariage, 1 Tim. 4. 3. or condemned others in the use of meat and arnk, 2. Collos. 16. As for the manner of their life, they lived together as it were in Manasteries or Colledges, and in every one had their 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Oratory: admitting none into their fellowship or society, unless he brought all he had into their common Treasury; and not then neither under a three years Probationership. More of them he that listeth to see, may satisfie himself in that tract of Philo, intituled De vita contemplativa, where he most copiously describeth their Institutes and course of life: mistakingly applied by Eusebius to the Primitive Christians, as if that Tract had purposely been composed of them by that learned Jew.

2. The Sadduces either derive their name from Sadoc, who lived about the time of Alexander the Great, and is thought to be the first founder of them; or from Sadok an Hebrew word, signifying Justice; the men pretending to be so exact and strict Iusticiaries, as if they would justifie themselves before Gods Tribunall. The occasion of the Sect or heresie (for both it was) said to arise from a mistake of Antigonus a right learned man, who teaching that we ought not to serve God, as Servants doe their Masters, for the hope of reward; occasioned Sadoc and Baitus, two of his Auditors, to conceive that there was no reward nor recompence for a godly life, and consequently no Resurreection nor World to come, neither Angels nor Spirits. These were the most capital of their Errors, as appeareth Act. 23. 6. 8. Mat. 22. 3. Luke 20. 20. 27. &c. But other Dogmata they had not mentioned in the holy Scripture, ascribing nothing unto Fate, or Predestination, but all things altogether to a mans free-will. 2. Teaching the soul to be annihilated at the hour of death. 3. Rejecting all Traditions; and 4. Allowing no more Scripture than the five Books of Moses. In most of their opinions contrary to the Scribes and Pharisees, but joining with them both in opposing Christ, and though like Sampsons foxes they looked divers wayes and were tied together by their tails onely; yet in those tails they carried fire-brands to destroy Gods harvest; and had done it if they had been able.

3. But indeed the Pharisees were the men who were the Master-wits in the Arts of mis chief. Homines robustioris impietatis in the Fathers words. Fellowes of such a perfect and concocted malice, that they were almost able to possess the devil. Their name they derive from Pharez, which is to separate. Separist• we may rightly call them. For they were first 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, separated to the study of the Law of God, as Saul was brought up to that purpose at the feet of Gamaliel: and 2ly 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,

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separated from the rest of mankind, by a more strict profession of sanctity; as the Phar•see boasted of himself that he was not as other men, or as that Publican. And that they might so seem unto simple men, they did thirdly separate themselves from the society and conversation of others not to pure as themselves, whom they called populum terrae, or the Sonnes of the earth: upbraiding Christ that he kept company with Publicans and Sinners: and more then so, used a particular kind of habit, and had a garbe unto themselves which no others had; using it for a by-word amongst themselves, that 〈◊〉 populi terrae sunt conculcatio Pharisaeorum. To which end, as their Countenances were more clouded and severe than others; so did they wear their Ph•lacteries of a broder size than others did; which by the way, were scrols of Parchment bound about their heads and upon their hands, wherein were writ the Ten Commandments of God: foolishly so interpreting those words of Deut. And they shall be as front••• between thine eyes, &c. chap. 6. ver. 8. They began at the same time with the Sadduces; which was about 300 years before Christs nativity. As for their Dogmata, besides those specified above, which were also practicable, they mentioned 1. a Pythagorean Metempsuchosis, affirming that the soul of a righteous man passed from one man into another, at the time of his death: from whence the divers opinions touching Christ our Saviour, Mat. 16. v. 14. are supposed to spring, as if his body had been animated with the soul of Elias, John the Baptist, Jeremy, or some other Prophet. 2. They adhered so tenaciously to unwritten traditions, that in comparison of them, they neglected the written Law as either insufficient or impertinent. And 3. ascribed so much sanctity unto frequent washings, especially when they came from Market, Mark 7. v. 4. where possibly they might meet with some unclean person; and before their sitting down to meat, Mat. 15. 2. that if they came unto a place where there was not water enough both to drink and wash, the 'Pharisee would rather choose to wash than drink, thoughte died for thirst. More of them he that list to see, may find it copiously set down in the four and twentyeth chapter of Saint Matthew; and thither I referre the Reader. By means of which pretensions to so great a sanctity, and some other arts they had to abuse the people, they grew so strong, and had such store of followers, and dependants on them, that they became formidable in short time to their Kings and Princes. Insomuch that Alexandra durst not enter on the government in her Childrens nonage as Josephus telleth us Antiqu. lib. 13. cap 23. untill she had permitted all things unto their disposing, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. and promised to doe nothing without their advice. And this she did by the direction of King Alexander her dying Husband, whose Government as he found by too sad experience, had in many things proved unsuccessfull, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because he had put some scor•cs upon them, and otherwise offended that prevailing faction. A faction so predominant amongst the People. saith the same Josephus, Antiqu. lib. 19. cap. 18. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. that whatsoever they pleased to spread abroad either of the High Priest. or the King himself, how false and scandalous soever; it was received for truth without more dispute, or any enquire made into it.

4. But of the Pharisees enough, of the Scribes anon. Proceed we now to the Herodians and the Gaulonites, whom I look not on as either the Authors or Promoters of any Sect of Religion in the Jewish Church; but as the names of two opposite factions in the Civil State. The first were such who depending upon Herods fortune, as he did on the pleasure of the Roman Emperours; sollicited the paying of tribute to the Romans; and earnestly pressed upon that point, that Herod might be thereby the more indeered to his Masters of Rome, and they to him. Upon this ground, nick-named Herodians by the people, as men that more endeavoured the greatness and estate of Herod, than the prosperity and liberty of their native Countrey. And possible enough it is, that some amongst them seeing the magnificence of Herods palace, and experimentally knowing his prowess; might fancy him to be the Messiah, so long looked for and thereby own this name with a better title than the others did. Opposite unto these were those called the Gaulonites (we may call the one the Court-faction, the other the faction of the Countrey or Common-people): so named from one Judas, a Gaulonite as Josephus calleth him from the place of his birth; a Galilaean, as Gamaliel calleth him, Acts 5. 37. from the place of his abode or habitation. By him the Jews were practised with to deny this tribute, telling them that it was a manifest token of their fervitude and that they ought to know no Lord, but the Lord of Heaven: drawing them finally on this ground into open armes, in which action he and his adherents perished, and were brought to nothing. Most of his followers were of Galilee, though he had some disciples in Hierusalem and Samaria also: and of these Galilaeans were those poor men, whose bloud Pilate is said to mingle with their Sacrifices, Luke 13. 1.

The language of this people by them called the Hebrew, was naturally and originally the same which Abraham found in the land of Can••an, at his comming thither: as hath been shewn before when we were in Pham•ia. Used by them constantly till their subjugation by the Babylonians, when being led captive to that Countrey, and conforming themselves to the speech and dialect of it: they came at last to speak a kind of broken language, neither true Chaldaean, nor good Hebrew, but one made of both. Chaldee, as to the main body of it, but Hebrew, as to the Affixes, points, and Conjugations; being the same with that which we now call the Syriack. And at their comming home, after seventy years, had so far lost the knowledge of their Mother-tongue: that they were not able to understand the words of the Holy Scripture, when Ezra read it in their hearing; insomuch that he was forced to employ some learned in that tongue, to expound it to them. To this the Scribes so often mentioned in the New Testament, must refer their originall: there being no such Office heard of till the time of Ezra, though long before that time the Law had ordinarily been read unto them in the feast of Tabernacles. For this cause they were called Scribes of the Law, Ezra 7. 6. Doctors

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of the Law, Luke 5. 17. and simply by the name of Lawyers, Luke 7. 30. as men whose office was to expound the Law, and make it intelligible to the people. These people we may resemble to the Canonists in the Church of Rome, or the Divinity Reader in some School or College: and grew to so great estimation in the Jewish State, that it was hard to say at last whether the Pharisees or they were the better men. For what the Pharisees gained on the common people by pretence of sanctity, these got more justifiably by their zeal to the written word, which they endeavoured to preserve from the common dangers both of corruption and contempt. And though I look on those men especially, as the name of a function, not a Sect: yet being they held so close to the Pharisees, and concurred with them in most of their superstitions, as appeareth Mat. 23. I consider them as a strong and potent faction, of great authority and influence in affaires of moment.

For matters of Religion, the people of this land were privileged above all others, had they had the grace to make good use of it: the Law being given to them by God the Father, the Gospel preached amongst them by God the Sonne, and that Gospel countenanced and confirmed before their eyes, by the miraculous operations of the Holy Ghost. The Government of that Church in the time of the Law by a subordination of Priests and Levites to their several heads; the Priests divided by King David into 24. ranks or Classes, each Classis serving in their turnes at the holy Temple: the chiefs or Heads of which several Classes made but that body of men which are called Principes Sacerdotum, or chief Priests, so often mentioned in the writings of the holy Evangelists. Over all which there was one supreme, whom they called Summum Sacerdotem, or the High-Priest, descended lineally from Aaron, till the Romans out of averice and reason of State made the office saleable. And because possibly the High-Priest might be under some pollution, and so uncapable by law to perform his Office, he had his Suffragan (or Sagan) to discharge it for him. Of which sort was Zephaniah, the Sagan or second Priest to Semiah, mentioned Ierem. 52. 24. And of this sort is Annas thought by some to have been to Caiaphas; and for that cause the title of High-Priest to be given to both, Luke 3. 2. though others think that Annas was High-Priest in right, and the other in fact: the one being desposed by the Romans, and the other super-induced into the place. In time of Christianity they were governed as in other Churches, by a subordination of Priests to Bishops, the first said to be Saint Iames, the Sonne of Alphaeus, commonly called the Lords Brother: affirmed by Ignatius, Scholar to the Apostles, in his Epistle ad Trallianos; by Egesippus who lived in the Apostles times, as Saint Hierome and Eusebius cite him; as also by Clem•ns of Alexandria cited by Eusebius, hist. 1. 7. c. 14. by Cyrill of Hierusalem, Catechism. 4. and 14. Epiphanius, Haeres. 78. n. 7. Saint Ambrose in Gal. 1. Saint Chrysost. on the last of Saint Iohus Gospel; Saint Hierome in his Catalogue of Ecelesiastical writers; Saint Augustine cont. Crescon. 1. 2. cap. 37. to whom there may be added the joint consent of 289. Prelates, assembled in the sixth General Council holden at Constantinople, affirming Iames the Lords Brother to be the first Bishop of Hierusalem: all of them, with the Fathers before mentioned, taking the word Bishop in that sense in which it generally passed for the times they lived in. His Successors subject at the first to the Bishop of Caesarea, as their Metropolitan; though privileged in their own Diocese with the rights of Patriarchs, as appears evidently by the Acts of the Nicene Council. But afterwards for the greater honour of the Holy City, wherein our Saviour wrought the work of our Redemption, it was ordained at Chalcedor, that the Bishop of Hieru•alem should have as well the jurisdiction as the name of a Patriarch; the three Palestines, (for Constantine had before divided it into so many Provinces) being subducted from the power of the See of Antioch, to make up this Patriarchate. So stood it in the elder times, but now by the incroachment of Mahometanism the Christian faith is so obscured, and the beauties of it so Ecclipsed: that were it not for some Sects of Christians dwelling in Mount Sinai, and about Hierusalem, it might be said without any manifest untruth to be quite exstinguished.

But to look back upon the Countrey, it cannot be described more fully and significantly than Moses hath done it to our hands in the 8. of Deut. Where it is said to be a land of Brooks and Waters, of Fountains and depths that spring out of the Vallies and Hills; a Land of Wheat and Barly, and Vines, and Fig-trees, and Pomgranatis; of Oyl-olive, and Honey; a Land wherein was bread without scarceness; a Land whose stones were as Iron, and out of whose Hills one might dig brass. An ample commendation, and yet in some sort short of the fertility of this flourishing Countrey, which did not onely consist in the choice and plenty, but the perpetuity of its fruits: it being on record in the Epistles of the Emperour Julian, (surnamed the Apostate) that the Fig-trees, and other fruit-trees herein, were seldome or never without fruits: the old not fully falling off, till the new come on, which his report if true, (as certainly he did not love our Saviour so well as to flatter the Countrey for his sake) we have then an answer to the difficulty which hath so much perplexed all Commentators of former times, and that is, why our Saviour should curse the Fig-tree for not bearing fruit, when the Text saith, that the time of fruits was not yet come, Mar. 14. 13. For though the time for new fruits was not come as yet (it being then but early Spring) yet our Saviour being hungry might expect to find some of the old, and failing of his expectation lay that curse upon it. Nor is this solution of the doubt discountenanced, (rather much confirmed) by the Character and condition of the Countrey as it stands at present, naturally adorned with beautiful mountains and luxurious vallies, the rocks affording excellent waters, and the Air never pinched with colds, nor scorched with heats: though either by the negligence of the Inhabitants, or some curse laid upon the land, far short of that fertility with which once it flourished. Yet still Figs, Olives, Pomgranates, Palm-trees, are here very frequently to be seen; somestore of Wine, with Oranges, and the Apple of Paradice, which they preserve upon the trees all the year long, (which agrees very well with that of Julian spoken of before) well furnished with Honey and Sugar-canes; as also with Goats, Swine, Hares, Quailes, and Partriges: but pestred so in many places with rats and mice, that if it were not for certain

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Birds which feed upon them, it were not possible for the people to have any Harvest. Balm they had antiently, not now. Nor any Nuts, Peares, Plums, or Cherries, but what are brought hither from Damascus.

Principal Rivers of this Countrey, are, 1. Chison, the Chorsaeus of Ptolomy, which riseth out of Mount Tabor in Galilee, and falleth into the Mediterranean Sea, not farre from Mount Carmel in Phoenicia. 2. Cedron, a Torrent rather than a River, passing betwixt Hierusalem and the Mount of Olives; but more remarkable for many notable actions, than many others of a greater both name and course For over this Brook did David pass when he fled from Absolom; and over this our Saviour the Sence of David passed, when he went to his passion. On the banks hereof did Asa the King of Judah burn his mothers Idols, 1 Kings 15. as Josiah did the vessels which were made for Baal, 2 Kings 23. 3. Zared, and 4. Napthea, which arising out of the hils of the tribe of Iudah, have their fall into the Mediterranean. 5. Arnon, which hath its spring in the hills so called, and endeth its course in the Mare Mortuum. 6. lab••, oft mentioned in the Scriptures; which issuing out of the Mountains of Galaad, and 7. Hermon which springing from the hills so named, lose themselves in Jordan. 8. Iordan, so called from for and Dan, two neighbouring fountains, out of which he seemes to take his source: though they do also fetch their spring from Phiala, a round deep well at the foot of Anti-Libanus, about twenti-four miles from these fountains, into which he maketh his way like a Mole, under ground. A River of more same than length, breadth or depth, running from North to South, almost in a strait line to the Dead Se• only, where he endeth his course; not navigably deep, nor above ten yards in breadth, where broadest; shadowed on both sides with Poplars, Tamari•k-trees, and reeds of many several sorts, of some of which the Arabians make darts and lavel• nes, of others Arows, and some again they fashion into pens to write with. Passing along it maketh two Lakes, the one in the Vpper Galilce, by the antients called Samachonitis; dry for the most part in the Summer, and then covered with shrubs and sedge; not mentioned in the Holy Scriptures: the other in the Lower Galiles, about a hundred furlongs in length, and about fourty in breadth, called the Sea of Galilee from the Countrey, the Lake of Tiberias from a City of that name on the banks thereof, and for the like cause called also the Lake of Genezareth. And it is to be observed, that the River passeth thorow this Lake with so swift a course, that it preserves it self distinct from the waters of it both in tast and colour, as is affirmed of Nilus for a long space in the Mediterranean, and other great Rivers in their falls. Finally, having run thorow the plains of Hiericho, it finisheth its course at last in the Mare Mortuum, or Dead Sea. Honoured with the name of a Sea, because salt, and large: seventy miles long, and sixteen broad, furnishing with salt the whole land of Iewrie: but called the Dead Sea, either because it hath no visible enflux into the Ocean, nor is at all increased with the waters of this River and many other Torrents which fall into it; or because no living creature is nourished it it, suffocated with the bituminous savour which it sendeth forth, from the abundance of which matter it is also called Lacus Alphaltites. Nigh hereunto stood the once-famous Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, with three others more, whence the valley had the name of Pentapolis, destroyed for their abominations by a fire from heaven: now fruitful in shew onely, but not in substance; the fruits here growing, being very fair unto the eye, sed levi tactu pressa in vagum f•tiscunt pulverem, but if touched, moulder into ashes, as Solinus hath it.

Chief Hills and Mountains of it besides Anti-Libanns and Mount Hermon spoken of already, which be onely borderers, are, 1. Mount Sion, memorable for the Tower of David, which was built upon it, called frequently the Holy Hill of Sion. 2. Mount Moriah, famous for the intended sacrifice of Isaac, and the Temple of Solomon. 3. Mount Calvarie, on which CHRIST suffered, supposed to be the burial place of our Father Adam. 4. Mount Tabor, on which our Saviour was transfigured. 5. Mount Oliver, from which he ascended into Heaven. 6. Mount Garizim, whereon stood the Samaritans Temple, their ordinary place of worship, mentioned Iohn 4. 20. 8. The Mountains of Saron, stretching with intermixed vallies from the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean, notfar from Tyre; there ending in a white cliff, and for that cause called Capo Bianco by the Sayler. The whole Mountain pleasantly enriched with the fragant smells of Rosemary, Sweet Marjoram, Hyssop, Baies, and other odoriferous plants which do grow their naturally but for all that destitute of any other Inhabitants than Leopards, Boars, Jaccalls, and such savage Creatures. 9. the Mountains of Gilboa, the highest on the West of Iordan; as 10. those of Basan, celebrated for their height in the book of Psalmes; and 11. those of Abarim, on the East side of it: from one of the Summits of which last called Nebo, by some writers Pasgah, the Lord gave Moses a Survey of the Land of Promise.

As for this whole Countrey comprehended in the name of Palestine, it hath had divers divisions, according to the quality of the People, or the will of those who have been formerly Masters of it. Divided first betwizt the Philistims, Perezites, Hittites, Jebusites, and others of the sonnes of Canaan, on this side Jordan; the Moabites, Ammonites, Midianites, and Amorites, dwelling on the other. When conquered by the sonnes of Jacob, it / was divided into the twelve Tribes, of 1. Iudah, 2. Benjamin, 3. Simeon, 4. Dan, 5. Aser, 6. Nephthali, 7. Zabuton, 8. Issachar, 9. Gad, 10. Reuben, 11. Epbraim, and 12. Manasseth. When that great breach was made by Iereboam in the Kindome of David, it was broken into the two Kingdomes of Iudah and Israel; of which the first contained onely the two Tribes of Iudah and Benjamin, the latter comprehending the other ten. When the Israelites were led captive into Assyria, and a new set of People planted in their rooms, those new-comers, from Samaria their capitall City, had the name of Samaritans: And when the men of Iudah were released of their long captivity, and came back from Babylon, they took to themselves the name of Iewes: after which time the whole Countrey of Palestine antiently possessed or subdued by the seed of Abraham, was divided into 1. Peraea, 2. Ituraea, 3. Galilee, 4. Samarin, 5. Iudaea, and 6. Idumaea. When conquered

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by the Romans, all these were joined into one Province, which for a time was reckoned as a part of Syria, or at least subordinate. But Constantine not liking of the one or the other, went a way by himself, and cast it into three Provinces, viz. 1. Palestina Prima, 2. Palestina Secunda, and 3. Palestina Salutaris; the Metropolis of the first being Caesarea Palestinae; of the second, Samaria; of the third, Hierusalem. But this division of Constantines growing out of use, we will adhere unto to the former, beginning first with those parts hereof which lay on the other side of Iordan, because first conquered and possessed by the house of Israel; who at that gate found entrance into the rest; and coming round to Idumaea; which last of all these Provinces was added to the State of Iewry. In the Chorographis whereof, 1 must confess my self a Debtor to Sir Walter Raleigh, whose industry herein hath saved me a great deal of search, though sometimes I make bold to differ from him, & add to him as I see occasion.

PERAEA.

PERAEA, is that part of Palestine which lieth betwixt the River Iordan and the mountains of Arnon, which divide Palestine from Syria and Arabia, East and West; and reacheth from Pellis in the North, to Petra the chief Town of Arabia Petraea in the South. By Pliny it is made to bend more towards Egypt, who describes it thus. Peraea Judeae pars est ulterior; Arabiae & Egypto proxima, asperis dispersa montibus & á coeteris Indaeis Jordane amne discreta. Peraea (saith he) is the furtherst part of Iudaea, neighbouring Arabia and Egypt, interspersed with rough and craggy mountains, and parted from the rest of the Iews by the River Iordan. So called from the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in regard of the situation of it on the other side of that River, and not improperly might be rendred by Trans-Iordana. Blessed with a rich soil, and large fields beset with divers trees, especially of Olive, Vines, and Palms. The habitation in times past of the Midianites, Amorites, and Ammonites; as also of the two Tribes of Gad and Reuben. Of all which I shall speak in order, beginning with the Midianites, and the Children of Lot, as the first occupants hereof; upon the knowlege of whose affairs, the state and story of the Israelites hath so much dependance.

And first the MADIANITES inhabited on the South-East of the Dead Sea, at the very entrance of the Countrey; descended from one or more of the five Sonnes of Madian, the Sonne of Abraham by Keturah, mentioned Gen. 25. v. 4. Who leaving the rest of their brethren to seek themselves new habitations more towards the banks of the Red Sea, and the desarts of Arabia Petraea, continued neer unto the place of Abrahams dwelling; and mingling with the Moabites and Canaanites in blood and Mariages, came in short time to lose all the knowlege of the true God; and to worship Idols as the rest of their neighbours did.

Their chief Cities were 1. Recon, built by one of the five Kings of the Midianites, which was slain by Iosuah: afterwards called Selah, 2 Kings 14. 7. accounted at that time a City of the Edomites: next of the Ismaelites or Arabians, and by them called Hagar. Best known unto the Greeks and Romans, by the name of Petra, and by that name we shall take further notice of it when we come to Arabia. 2. Midian, on the banks of the Dead Sea, the ordinary residence of their Princes, absolute of themselves at first, as in other places; but at the time when Moses and Iosuah led the people into their possessions, subjected unto Sehon King of the Amorites; whose Dukes their five Kings or Princes are said to be, Iosuah 13. 21. A people whom the Israelites had neither commission or intent to make warre upon, if they had not causelesly provoked them at the request of the Moabites, by sending amongst them (as Balaam the false prophet had advised) the most beautiful of all their women, not only to entice them to prohibited mixtures, but to allure them to the worship of their Idols also. A mischievous and successfull plot, but alike dangerous to both parties: God sending a sierce plague amongst the Israelites, which cost them the lives of 24000 persons, besides such as perished by the sword; and giving a command to Moses to avenge him of the Midianites who had so provoked him. On which commission Moses culled out 12000 men, and sent them under Phineas against the Midianites; by whom all their Princes were slain, their Cities and goodly Castles burnt with fire, their men, women, and male-children put unto the sword; as is related in the one and thireieth Chapter of the Book of Numbers Yet notwithstanding this great slaughter they recovered their former power, if not a greater; and after the death of Barac the Judge of Israel, did for the space of four years so afflict that people, that they were fain to. hide themselves in the Caves and strongholds of the Mountains, as is said Iudg. 6. 2. their enemies having left them neither sheep, oxe, nor asse, or any sustenance at all, v. 4. But Gideon being raised up by God for their deliverance, encountred with their tour Kings and put them to flight: of which four, Oreb and Zeb were taken and slain by the Ephraimites at the passage of Iordan; Zebah and Salmanah, taken by Gideon himself, and executed by his own hand, as the story telleth us. In this war there are said to have perished of this people and their Confederates, no fewer than 120000 persons: by which so weakned that we hear no more of them from this time forwards, in any action of importance: their name and Countrey being first incorporated into that of the Edomites; and after into that of the Ismaelites and other the Inhabitants of Arabia Petraea.

2. The MOABITES, possessed all the Countrey from the Midianites in the South as far as to Esebon in the North, on both sides of the River Arnon: having Iordan on the West, and the hills of Abarin on the East. Possessed at the first by the Emmims, a race of Giants, whole chief City was Sheneth Kiriathaim. But these being vanquished and broken by Cherdorlaomer and his Associates, of which see Gen. 14. 5. their forlom seats were taken up by the Moabites, descended from Moab one of the Sonnes of Lot, who lived herein great prosperity till the time of Vaheb. Grand-father unto Baalac the

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Sonne of Zippor, from whom Sehon King of the Amorites had taken all the parts of Moab on the North of the River Arnom, and made that River, which before was the middle of Moab, to be the North bound or border of it. In which estate it stood in the time of Moses.

Chief Cities of it at that time were 1. Rabbar, the Regall seat of Baalac the King of Moab, the Rhalmathum of P•olomy. 2. Diblatham, destroyed with the rest of Moab by Nabuchadnezzer, as is said Ier. 48. 22. 3. Gallim, the principality of Phalti the Sonne of Laish, to whom Saul gave his Daughter Michael, formerly married unto David, 1. Sam. 25. 44. 4. Muthana, and 5. Nashaliel, thorow which the Israelites passed, after they had left the well called Beer. 6. Bamath, where Moses was encamped when he sent to Sehon to demand a passage thorow his Countrey, Numbers 21. 19. &c. 7. Mizpah, the City of Refuge to the Father and Mother of David, in the time of his troubles under Saul. 8. Hor, the chief City of Moab, not medled with by Moses in his march this way, the Lord himself forbidding him to touch upon it, or distress it; because it had been given by him for an inheritance to the Children of Lot, Deut. 2. 9. Which prohibition was not onely for this place particularly (though this particularly their mentioned) but for all the lands and terretories then in their possession. 9. Kir-hasareth, of chief note for the barbarous and inhumane fact of Mesha the Moabitish King, who being besieged herein by the Kings of Judah, Israel, and Edom, without hope of escape, sacrificed his own eldest Sonne on the wall hereof, which so moved the Kings of Judah, and Edom, that they forsook the King of Israel whose the quarrel was. So the siege was raised, 2 Kings 3. 27.

Now as Moses did not at the present disobey Gods Order in leaving the Moabites in quiet; so neither did the Moabites on their parts provoke him to it; giving him a free and open passage in his march for Ca•aan out of an hope that when the Amorites were subdued, they should be put into possession of their lost estates. And though they were deceived of that expectation, the Israelites looking on the Countrey which they had conquered, as the spoiles of the Amorites; and given it for a possession to the Tribe of Reuben: yet durst they not do any thing in the way of Annes, but sent for Baalam the false Prophet, to cast them by his curses and incantations into some diseases, whereby their strength and courage might be taken from them. Balaac the Sonne of Zippor was at this time King. After whom we find not the name of any other till we come to Eglon, who with the help of Ammon, and Amalek, over-mastered Israel, and for the space of eighteen years tyrannized amongst them: when slain in his own house, and afterwards 10000 of his people by the hand of Ehad. But this indignity was in the times succeeding revenged by Saul in some part, who made warre upon them; but more by David who subdued them, and made them Tributaries. And not so onely but subjected them to the vilest offices, as is intimated in that form of Speech, Moab is my wash-pot, Psal. 60. 8. Taking their opportunity they withdrew themselves from the house of David, and put themselves under the command of the Kings of Israel, to whom they paid for tribute in the time of Ahab, 100000 Lambs, and 200000 Rams, with their fleeces on: but quickly weary of those payments, and revolting from the house of Ahab also, they were invaded by Jehoram, aided herein by the Kings of Judah and Idumaea; by whom being vanquished, Mesha their King was fain to shut himself up in Kir-hasareth, as was said before. After this joining with the Ammonites, and the Idumaeans, or Sonnes of Edom, they invaded Jehosophat King of Judah, to whom God gave a memorable and signall victory, without blow or battel: the Ammonites first setting upon the Edomites, and after upon one another, till they were almost all destroyed, 2 Chron. 20. 23. From this time we hear nothing of them; but that probably they recovered some parts of their former dwellings, when the two Tribes and a half, on the East of Iordan were carryed away captive by Tiglath Pileser. Possessed hereof and of other their habitations, till the reign of Zedekias King of Iudah; when vanquished, with the rest of these Nations by the Babylonians and Assyrians under Nabuchadnezzar. Nor find we any mention of them in the ages following; the name of Moab being forgotten, or grown out of use: the South parts of their Countrey laid to Arabia Petraea, as the East parts were to that also of Arabia Deserta; and all the rest, as well as that which had been conquered by the Jews, swallowed up in the general name of Palestinians.

3. The AMMONITES, inhabited on the North-East of the River Arnon, and possessed all that tract from Arocr on the head of that River to the City of Rabbah; and on both sides of the River Iaboc, as well within the mountains of Galaaed as without the same. The seat in elder times of the Rapharms, and Zamzummins, a Giantlike race of men, as the Emmins were; but vanquished also, as the others, by Cherdorlaomor; Athtaroth, and Heth, being then the principal of their habitations. Succeeded to, in their desolate and forsaken dwellings by the children of Ammon, the other Sonne of Lot, and the brother of Moab: both houses running the same fortune, these Ammonites being conquered and deprived of the best part of their Countrey on the South-side of Iaboc, by Og King of Basan; as the Moabites, at the same time of theirs by Sehon. A monument of which subjection was the bed of Og, found in the City of Rabbah, the chief City of Ammon; there to be seen when Moses had subdued the Kings of the Amorites, as appeareth Deut. 3.

Chief Cities at such times as the Israelites first conquered the Land of Canaan, were 1. Rabbah, the Regall City of their Kings; taken by Og of Basan, as is said before; but again quitted as it seemeth on the comming of Moses, that he might be the better able to keep the field. Memorabble in suceeding times for the death of Vriah, slaine here by a design of Davids, when besieged by Joab. Who haing brought it to termes of yielding sent for the King to come before it, that he might have the honour of taking a place to defensible, environed in a manner with the River Iaboc, and therefore called the City of wa•ers, 2. Sam. 12. 27. Afterwards repaired and beautified by Ptolomy Philadelphus King of Egypt,

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who having made himself master of those parts of Arabia, which lie near unto it, and liking the conveniencie of the situation, honoured it with the name of Philadelphia. 2. Dathema, supposed to be Rithma by the learned Iunius, mentioned Num. 33. 18. (the Hebrew letters D. and R. being much alike) a place of great strength amongst the Ammonites. 3. Minneth, in the South border, and 4. Abel vinearum in the East border of Ammon; both mentioned in the pursuite of that people when subdued by Iephte. 4. Mitspa; sometimes one of the Cities of the halfe Tribe of Manasses, and at that time honoured with the residence of Iephte; but afterwards recovered by the children of Ammon: in whose hands it was when utterly destroyed and burnt by Iudas Maccabeaus. 1 Macc. 5. 35. 6 Magod, and 7. Bosor, two other strong places of the Ammonites, there also mentioned; but said to be in the Region of Galaad, by which name, or by that of Gileadites, all the Countrey of the Ammonites lying on this side of the Mountains was at that time called.

As for those Ammonites; they had nothing at all to do with Israel as they passed towards Canaan; neither provoking them nor provoked by them to any acts of hostility. Afterwards not well pleased, that they were no restored to the possession of those lands which had been taken from them by Og of Basan, (conferred by the decree of Moses on the tribe of Gad;) they joined with the Midianites in their expedition. But worsted by the puissance and good fortune of Gedeon, they lay still a while, till stirred up by some secret motions from, Almighty God, to avenge him on that sinful and idolatrous people, who by worshipping the Gods of the Heathen, had provoked him to anger. Prosperous in it for a time, till his wrath was pacified, who having made use of them to chastise his people, delivered up his rod to be burnt by Jepthe, vanquished, and driven home by him with a very great saughter. Not so much chrushed by the unsuccessefulness of this attempt, but that in the time of Saul they break out again, and besieged Jabesh Gilead, Nabas, a cruel Tyrant, being then their King: who having brought the City into great extremity, would give them no other conditions than the loss of every mans right eye; to the end that they using to carry a great Target on their left Armes, wherewith the eye on that side was wholly shadowed, they might by this means be disabled from all future service. But Saul came time enough to save them from that shame and loss: for that cause so offensive to Nabas, that to despight him, he shewed friendship to David in the time of his trouble. A curtesie which David was so mindful of, that he sent Ambassadours to Hanan the Sonne of Nabas to make acknowledgment of it, and to confirm the, amity which he had with his Father: but found so ill requital from him, that instead of thanks and kind accepance, his messengers were despightfully handled, their beards half shaven, and their garments cut off by the knee. Incensed wherewith he sent Joab against them: by whom the Countrey was laid wast, and Rabbah their chief City taken; their Kings Crown, weighing a talent of Gold, set on Davids head, and all the Prisoners executed with great severity, some of them being cast into lime-kills, and the rest torn in peeces with saws and harrows. Quiet a long while after this we hear no great newes of them till the reign of Jehosophat, against whom confederated with the Edomites and Moabites; they made open warre; but fell by one anothers swords, as was said before. Not well recovered of this blow, they were subdued and made Tributaries by Ozias King of Judah, and so continued in the time of Joatham his Sonne; who so increased the ribute laid upon them by his Father, that it amounted to a hundred Talents of Silver, ten thousand measures of Wheat, and as many of Barley. Taught by this lesson how to value the Kings of Iudah, they continued either quiet neighbours or obedient subjects, though much improved in power and reputation by regaining the greatest part of their antient dwellings on the removal of the two Tribes and an half, on the East of Iordan, to the land of Assyria, by Tiglath Phul-Assur. For after this, (with reference to the common danger) Baulis their King, was so strict a confederate with Zedechias, that when Nabuchadnezzar had taken Zedechias with him unto Babylon, and left Gedaliah as his Deputy to command the Countrey; Ismael, one of the blood of the Kings of Iudah, was sent by Baulis to slay him. But he paid dear for his attempt; his Countrey being shortly conquered by the Babylonians, and the name of Ammonite forgotten: changed by the Grecians when they came to Lord it over them, to those of Gileaditis, and Philadelphia; according to the new name of their principal City, and the old one of the Mountains and hills adjoining.

4. The REVBENITES took name from Reuben the eldest of Jacobs sonnes by Leah, of whom in the first muster which was made of them at Mount Sinai, there were found 46000. fighting men, and 43700. at the second muster, when they passed over Iordan. Their dwelling was on the East of that famous River; having the Gadites on the North, the Desart Arabia on the East, and the Land of Moab on the South, from which parted by the River Arnon.

Places of most observation here, 1. Abel-Sittim, seated in that part of the Countrey which was called the Plains of Moab: the last incamping place of Moses; afterwards by the Iews called simply Sittim; memorable for the wood so often mention in the Scriptures, of which the ark of the Lord was made; In after times by the Greeks and Romans it was called Abila, mistook by some for that Abila or Abilene whereof Lysanias was Tetrarch: that Town and territory as Iosephus doth affirm expressely being situate amongst the spurres and branches of Libanus, farre enough from hence, 2. Bethabora, or Beth-Bara; where Iohn baptized, and Moses made his last and most divine exhortations to the Tribes of Israel, contained in Deuteronomy. 3. Machaerus, the strongest in-land City and Castle in those parts of the world, standing alost upon a Mountain every way unaccessible; first fortified by Alexander Jannaeus King of the Iews, as a frontire Town against the Arabians; and afterwards demolished by Gabinius one of Pompeys Lieutenants in the warre against Aristobulus. Unfortunately remarkable for the death of Iohn Baptist, where murdered by the command of Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee, and Lord of this Countrey of Peraea. 4. Lasa, or Leshah, of which Gen. 10. 19. by the Greeks called Challirh•e, by

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reason of the fair fountains rising from the Hills adjoyning, out of which issue springs both of hot and cold waters, as also bitter and sweet: all which soon after joined into one stream make a wholesome Bath, especially for convulsions, and contraction of sinewes. 5. Medeba, famous for the defeat given to the Syrians and Ammonites by the conduct of Ioab, 1 Chron. 19. 7. 6. Bosor, or Bozra, a City of Refuge, and one of those that were assigned unto the Levites on that side of the water. 7. Levias, a Town new built by Herod in honour of Livia, the mother of Tiberius Caesar: different from that which the Geographers call 8. Libias, (though by some confounded) the same with Laban, mentioned Deut. 1. 1. 9. Kedemoth, another City of the Levites, giving name unto the adjoining Desart, from whence Moses sent his Ambassage to Sehon King of the Ammorites. 10. Bamath-Baal, the chief City of the worshippers of Baal, to which Balaam was brought by Balaac to curse the Israelites. 11. Hesbon, the Regal City of Sehon King of the Ammorites. 11. Adam, or the City Adam (Ios. 3. 17.) where the Tribes passed drie-foot over Iordan, opposite unto Gilgal in the Tribe of Benjamin. Within this Tribe is the Mountain Nobo, from which Moses took a view of the land of Canaan: an hill as it seemeth, of two tops, whereof that which looketh towards Iericho is called Pisgah, that which looketh toward Moth being called Hnir. Here is also an high hill named Peor, where the filthy Idol Baal was worshipped also, who hath hence the addition of Baal-Peor.

5. The GADITES, were so called from Gad the seventh sonne of Jacob, begot on Zilphah the hand-maid of Lea; of whom were found at the first muster when they came out of Egypt forty five thousand five hundred and fifty fighting men; and at the second when they entred the land of Canaan, forty five thousand bearing armes. Their situation was betwixt the Rubenites on the South, and the balfe Tribe of Manasses upon the North, the River Iordan on the West, and the Mountains of Arnon on the East; by which last parted from the dwellings of the Children of Ammon.

Cities of most observation, 1. Aroer, on the banks of the River Arnon, the principall Citie of the Gadites. 2. Dihon, more towards Jordan, of great note in the time of Josuah, and of no small accompt in the time of Saint Hieroeme. 3. Beth-nimah, of which Esay prophesied that the waters thereof should be dried up; seated upon the Arnon also. 4. Nattoroth, more in the body of the Tribe. 5. Beth-haram, mentioned by Josuah, chap. 13. v. 27. by Josephus called Betaramptha; new built by Herod Antipas, and called Livias, in honour of Livia the wife of Augustus Caesar, translated into the Julian family; who also laid unto it fourteen villages to make it of the greater power and jurisdiction. 6. Beth-ezob, by Josephus called Vetezabra, the habitation of Miriam, who in the fiege of Hierusalem when destroyed by Titus, was compelled by famine to eat her own sonne. 7. Succoth, not far from the River Jordan, so called from the Tents or Booths which Jacob fet up there in his passage from Mesopetamis to the land of Canaan: the People of which Town having denied reliefe to Gedeon as he followed the chace of Zeba and Zalmanah, were by him miserably tortured at his return, under a tribulum or threshing carre, wherewith he tore their flesh, and bruised their bodies. 8. Jahzoz, another of the Regall Seats of Sehon King of the Amorites; first taken by Moses, after recovered by the Moabites (as appearech Esay 6. 8.) then possessed by the Ammonites; and finally from them regained by Judas Maccabeus, 1 Macc. 5. 8. 9. Mahanaijm, so called from the Army of Angels which appeared to Iacob (Ger. 32. 2.) as ready to defend him against all his Enemies, the word in the originall importing a double Army. A place of very great strength and safety, and therefore made by Abner the feat Royall of Ishbose•h, the Sonne of Saul, during the warre he had with David; as afterwards the retiring place of David during the rebellion of his Son Absolom. 10. Rogelim, the City of Barzillai the Gileadite, so faithfull to David in that warre. 11. Ramoth, or Ramoth Gilead, so called from the situation of it neer the Mountains of Gilead; a Town of specialll note in the Book of God; particularly for the pacification here made betwixt Iacob and Laban; for the death of Ahab King of Israel, who lost his life in the recovery of it from the hands of the Syrians; and finally for the Election of Iehu to the Crown of Israel, Anointed at the Siege hereof by a Son of the Prophets. 12. Penuel, so called from the enter-view which the Lord pleased to bestow there on his servant Iacob at his return out of Mesopotamia, mentioned Gen. 32. 32. the word signifying the place of the face or vision of God: defaced by Gedeon, for their churlish usage of him, when he craved relief of them against the Midianites; to whom together with the Moabites, and Ammonites, the whole territory appertaining to these two Tribes did once belong. But being from them taken by Og King of Basan, and Sehon King of the Amorites, it came by the overthrow of those Kings to the hands of Moses: by whom assigned unto the Tribes of Gad and Reuben for their habitation; Continuing theirs till the fatall period of this Kingdome of Israel began to approach: at what time these two Tribes with the half Tribe of Manasses, lying on the East of Iordan, being carried captive into Assyria by Tiglath Philaser, the Moabites and Ammonites recovered a great part of their, antient dwellings. Of which possessed till their subversion by the Babylonians. Afterwards this whole Countrey coming into the hands of the Kings of Syria, had the name of Pereaa, for the reason formerly delivered. And being wonne peece-meal by the Maccabaeans, came with the rest of the Kingdome of Iudah to the possession of Herod the Great: by whom bequeathed at his death unto Herod Antipas, one of his Sonnes, who held it together with both Galilees, under the name of Tetrarch of Galilee and Pereaa, as Iosephus, or of Galile onely as Saint Luke: who being dead, it was bestowed on Agrippa King of the Iews, of whom more hereafter.

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ITVRAEA.

ITVRAEA, hath on the East and North Cale-Syria; on the West, the River Iordan; and on the South Peraea. So called from Ietur one of the Sonnes of Ismael, seated in this tract; though lost by his posterity to the Amorites, one of the most powerful tribes amongst the Chanaanites; and by them made the patrimony of the Kings of Basan. The race of which Kings ending in Og, the wealthiest and best parts hereof, were given by Moses to the half Tribe of Manasses; such parts of it as lay towards Damascus being seized on by the neighbouring Aramites, and made a Kingdome of it self, called the Kingdome of Gessur; and the more mountainous and unpleasant left to the first inhabitants, as not worth the conquering. But both the Kingdome of Gessur, and those of the half tribe of Manasses, shifting from one Lord to another, till they came into the hands of the Grecians, the name of Ituraea revived again and grew into very good esteem, the Ituraeans being reputed for good Souldiers, especially at the Bow and Arrowes; of which thus the Poet in his Georgicks lib. 2.

—Ituraeas taxi torquentur in arcus.

Of the best Eugh that can be had

The Ituraean Bows are made.

The whole Countrey in the times of the Greeks and Romans, divided into Trachomitis and Ituraea specially so called: this last again being subdivided into Batanea, Ganlonitis, Auranitis, and Paneas. For whereas it is said in Saint Lukes Gospel, that Philip the brother of Herod, was Tetrach of Ituraea and the Region of Trachonitis; and by Iosephus that for his Tetrachy he had the Provinces of Trachonitis, Batanea, Gaulonitis, Auranitis, and Paneas: it must needs be that the four last mentioned Provinces make up that one which by Saint Luke is comprehended in the name of Ituraea; distinct from that of Trachonitis though a part hereof. Inhabited in the time of Iosephus, as in those of Iosuah and David, both by Iews and Syrians: the Syrians dwelling in the mountainous, and more barren parts, the Iews in that which was assigned them in the time of Moses: the whole not yielding unto Galilee for extent of ground; but far inferiour to it for wealth and fruitfulness; not well inhabited where best, and in some places which are desart and very barren hardly inhabited at all, or bearing any thing but wild-fruits. Such was it in the time of Iosephus, and not bettered since.

1. TRACHONITIS is that mountainous and hilly Countrey, which beginning at the borders of the Ammonites, where the hills are called the Mountains of Gilead, extendeth it self Northwards as far as Libanus: the hills in those parts being by the Iews called Galeed, Syrion, and He•mon; but by the Grecians, for the craggedness and roughness of them, by the name of Trachones. The people mischievously bent and much given to witch-craft, as we find in Strabo. Montanam regionem incolunt Ituraei & Arabes, malefici omnes. So he, or his Translatour rather, for I have not the Originall by me. Where by Arabians he meaneth those of Trachonitis, which every where he maketh to be the fame with Ituraea, though differing from it as the Cots-wold Countreys do from the rest of Gloucestershire, or as a pared th from the whole; because united by that name into one estate at the time he lived in. Solet & Trachonitis Itureae nomine appellari, saith the learned Grottus, according to the generall consent of the antient Writers. A people generally addicted to spoyl and robberie, living especially on the spoil of those Merchants which traded to and from Damascus: till with some difficulty restrained to a more orderly life by Herod, on whom Augustus Caesar had bestowed the Countrey, to the end that by strong hand he might hold them in.

The People and the Countrey by Iosephus are thus described.

The Trachonites (saith he) have neither Towns nor lands, nor heritage or any other possessions, but only certain retreates and caves under the ground, where they lived like beasts: and having made abundant provision of water and victuals, were able to hold out along time against any assailant. For the doors of their Caves were made so narrow that they could be entered but by one at once; and the way to them not direct, but full of turnings and windings, not possibly to be found out but by the help of a Guide, the whole Countrey naturally consisting of craggy Rocks. The passages of the Caves once entred they were found to be very large and spacious: sufficient to contain great multitudes of these theevish people, who when they had not opportunity to spoile their neighbours, would rob one another, and omitted no kind of wickedness; being so accustomed to thest that they could not live otherwise.

But I conceive that this is not meant generally of all the people, but only of some bodie of theeves or out-lawes, which possessed themselves of the streits of the Mountains; and from thence issued to assault and spoil the Passengers. For it is afterwards expressed, that revolting upon the news of Herods death, and committing new out-rages, they no sooner heard of his recovery but they fled the Countrey, and betook themselves unto a strong Castle in Arabia, where they increased to the number of a thousand persons. So that there is no question to be made at all but they had villages and towns, and lands and heritages, in the more civill parts hereof; though not amongst those Mountainers which Iosephus speaks of. And amongst those, I reckon, 1. Gerra, 2. Elere, 3. Nelaxa, 4. Adrama; all named by Ptolomy, and all placed by him in the Longitude of 70 degrees or upwards: more towards the East than well agreeth with the position of this Countrey, or any part of Belying more towards the West than Trachonitis, though to that part of Ituraea, by him ascribed. Hither also I refer the City of 5. Tishbe, the Countrey of old Tobit, and the Prophet Elias. 6. Tob, where Jophes lived in exile, when oppreffed by his Brethren, till the necessities of his Countrey called him to the publick government; and 7. Hippus, at the foot of those Mountains, reckoned amongst the Cities of Coele-Syria.

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2. BATANEA is that part of Ituraea, which antiently made up the best and greatest part of the Kingdome of Basan, whence it had this name: the changing of S to T, as Assyria into Attyria, and the like, being usuall among the Greeks. But that Kingdome being brought to an end by Moses, it was given to the half tribe of Manasses; so called of Manasses the Sonne of Joseph, of whom there were found at the first muster neer Mount Sinai 32200 men able to bear armes: which though consumed in the Desarts, yet were they of such a swift increase, that there were found 52700 fighting men of them when rhey passed over Jordan. Their Territory on that side of the River, streching from Jaboc on the South, to the Realm of Gessur on the North, and from the mountains unto Jordan East and West, was exceeding fertile: repenished withall sorts of Cattel, and adorned with the goodliest Woods in that part of the World; the Oakes of Basan being celebrated in the Holy Scriptures.

It had in it 60. fenced Cities when first conquered by those of this Tribe. The principall of which 1. Pella, formerly called Butis, but being rebuilt by Seleucus the Great King of Syria, was by him called Pella, with reference to a City of that name in Macedon, the birth-place of Alexander, to whom Seleucus owed his greatness and whole estate. Destroyed by Alexander Jannaeus King of the Jews, because not willing to admit of the Law of Moses; it was afterwards restored by Pompey to its former lustre. Memorable in Church-story for the Admonition or premonishment given by a voice from Heaven to the Christians dwelling at Hierusalem, to remove thence and dwell at Pella: that so they might escape that destruction which the Roman Army under Titus was to bring upon it. 2. Edrey, the Seat-Royall of the Kings of Basan. 3. Carnaim, on the banks of Jaboc, taken by Judas Maccabaeus, who set fire on the Temple of the Idols there; and burnt therein all such as sled thither for sanctuary. 4. Ephror, a strong City upon Jordan, taken and burnt by the same Judas Maccabaeus, for refusing to give a passage to his Army. 5. Jabesh Gilead, more neer unto the Mountains, whence it had that Adjunct; memorable in the Scriptures for the siege of Nabas King of the Ammonites, the raising of that siege by Saul, and the gratitude of the People towards him again, in taking down, imbalming and intombing the bodies of him and his Sonnes, which the Philistims had most delpitefully hanged on the walls of Bethsan. 6. Astaroth, a City of great note in the Elder times; the seat of the Rephaims, a Giantlike race of men, of whom descended Og of Basan; from whence the Countrey adjoining had the name of the Land of giant• Astaroth the Godess of the Sidonians had here her worshippers. 7. Gaulon, sometimes possessed by Og of Basan, and afterwards made one of the Cities of Refuge; of such esteem in the times of the Greeks and Romans, that the North part of Basanitis or Batanea was called Gaulonitis, divided into Superior and Inferior, so often mentioned by Josephus. And of this City or Countrey was that Judas of Gal•lee spoken of in the sift of the Acts, the Founder of the Gaulonites, or Anti-Herodians. 8. Gamala, in the Lower Gaulonitis, so called because the Hill upon which it stood was fashioned like the back of a Camel: invincibly situate, strengthned both by Art and Nature: and at the last with so great difficulty, and hazard of Vespasians person, stormed by Titus, that the Romans in the heat of the execution, spared neither Women nor Children; insomuch that all the Inhabitants perished, except some few Women which had hid themselves. 9. Gadara after ten moneths siege taken and destroyed by Alexander Jannaeus King of the lews; repaired by Pompey, and by Gabinius made one of the five feats of Justice for the whole Countrey of Palestine: the other four being Hierusalem, Iericho, Hamath, and Sephorah. 10. Gerasa, or Gergesa, the Chief City of the Gergesites, the people whereof on the loss of their Swine, intreated our Saviour to depart out of their costs, as Saint Matthew hath it. Saint Luke. and Saint Mark ascribe it to the People of Gadara, not that the Cities were both one, or the Evangelists at ods in the Relation, but because they were two neighbouring Cities, and their fields lay in Common pour cause de vicinage, as our Lawyers phrase it; and so the storie might be common to both alike. 11. Hippus, not far from the River Iordan, so called from a Garrison of Horse there placed by Herod: not from the Mountain Hippus, as some suppose; which is too far off to have any influence upon it. 12. Iulias, built by Philip the Tetrarch of Ituraea, in the Southern border of his estate, in imitation of the like work of Herod the Tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea; to ingratiate himself with Iulia, the wife of Tiberius Caesar. 13. Abel, by Iosephus called Abel Maacha, for distinctions sake: where Sheba that Grand Rebell being besieged by Ioab, and the City brought into some danger; had his head cut off and thrown over the wall, at the perswasion of a wife woman of the Town. So the rebellion ended, and the City was saved.

North of Basanitis or Batanea lieth the Kingdome of GESSVR by a latter name called AVRANITIS, from Hauran, a chief City of it mentioned by the Prophet Ezekiel chap. 16. 18. A Kingdome spoken of by Moses as the Northern bound of the Half Tribe of Manasses on that side of Iordan. Deut. 4. 14. by Iosuah as the Northern border of the Kingdome of Basar, chap 12. 5 but reckoned as a part of Syria, because held by the Aramites, 2 Sam. 15. 8. A Kingdome though of no great territorie, yet of some consideration in the eye of the World; David esteeming the alliance of the Kings hereof of some use unto him; and therefore marying Maacha, the daughter of Tolmui, King of Gessur, by whom he had Absolom and Tamar. And to this King it was that Absolom fled on the killing of Amnon, abiding here three years as the storie telleth us.

Conterminus to this, or at least not very much distant from it, was the petit Kingdome of Isk-•ob, which sent 12000. men to the aid of the Ammonites against David: and not far off, but more towards Palmyrens, or Aram-Zobah, that of Beth-Rehob, confederate in the same war also with the other Syrians; mention whereof is made in the second book of Sam. chap. 10. ver. 6. Which whether they belonged to Syria, or to those North-parts of Ituraea, is of no great certainty, and as little consequence.

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For after their greatest and last exploit we hear no more news of them; swallowed up not long after (as it seems) by the Kings of Damascus.

To return therefore into Gessur, as more certainly within the limits of Palestine, the places of most observation in it were, 1. Gessur, then the chief City of it, and giving name unto the whole. 2. Mahaeath or Macuti as some call it: conceived to be that Maacha mentioned 1 Chron. 19. 6. But of this we have already spoken in Comagena. 3. Chauran or Hauran, mentioned by the Prophet Ezekul chap. 47. whence these Northen parts of Palestine were called Auranitis. 4. Chaisar-Hevan, there mentioned by that Prophet also. 5. Ʋs, neer the borders of Damascus, the first habitation of Ʋs the Sonne of Aram and Grand-child of Sem, by whose name so called: supposed to be the founder of Damascus also, and that more probably than that the Countrey thereabouts should be the Land of Hus, enabled by the dwelling and story of Iob. 6. Sueta, mentioned by Brochardus, and by some conceived to be the habitation 〈◊〉 surnamed the Shuchite, one of Iobs three friends mentioned in that story: but both of him, and Iob himself and the Land of Hus, we shall speak more at large when we come to Arabia. More certainly remarkable for a Fort of great strength and use for the commanding of the Countrey; recovered from the 〈◊〉 in the time of Baldwin the second, by digging with incredible labour thorow the very rock upon which it was seated.

As for the fortunes of this part, the Tribes on that side of Iordan were led captive into Assyria, and the Kingdome of Damascus subverted by Tiglah-Phalassar; it followed the fortune of the Babylonian and Per•ian Empires, together with which it came to the Macedonian Kings of the race of Seleucus. In the declining of that house (but the time I find not) it made up the greatest part of the Kingdome of Chalcis; possessed by Ptolomy the Sonne of Mennaeus, in the beginning of Herods greatness, who dying, left unto Lysanias his eldest Sonne, murdered about seven years after by Marc. Antonie, on the suggestions of Cleopatra, who presently seized on his estates. But Antonie and Cleopatra having left the Stage, Lysanias, a Sonne of the murdered Prince entreth next upon it, by the permission of Augustus. During whose time Zenodorus Lord of the Town and territory of Paneas, farming his demeasnes, and paying a very grat Rent for them: not only suffered the Trachonites to play the Robbers, and infest the Merchants of Damascus: but received part of the booty with them. Augustus, on complaint hereof, giveth the whole Countrey of Trachonites, Batanea, Gaulonitis, and Auranitis, to Herod the Ascalonite, before created King of Iewrie: that by his puissance and power, he might quell those Robbers, and reduce the Countrie into order: Leaving unto Lysanias nothing but the City of Abila (of which he was the natural Lord) whereof and of the adjoining territory, he was afterwards created Tetrarch, by the name of the Tetrarch of Abilene, mentioned Luke 3. Nor did Herods good fortune end in this. For presently on the death of Zenodorus, not long after following, Augustus gave him also the district of Paneas (of which we shall speak more when we come to Galilee): which with the Countries formerly taken from Lysanias, made up the Tetrarchie of Philip his youngest Sonne, affording him the yearly Revenue of 100. Talents, which make 37500 l. of English money. On Philips death, his Tetrarchy was by Cains Cal•gula, conferred on Agrippa the Nephew of Herod by his Sonne Aristobulus, whom he had also dignified with the title of King; after whose death, and the death of Agrippa Minor, who next succeeded, his estates escheated to the Romans, and have since had the same fortune with the rest of Palestine.

3. GALILEE.

GALILEE is bounden on the East, with Batanea, and part of the halfe Tribe of Manasses on that side of Iordan; on the West, with the Sea-coast of Phoenicia, on the Mediterranean; on the North, with Anti-Libanus; on the South, with Sam•ria. So called, as some say, from Geliloth, a Phoenician word, signifying as much as borders, because the bordering Countrey betwixt them and the Iews.

The Countrey not so large as that on the other side of the River, but far more fertile; naturally fruitfull of it self, every where producing excellent fruits without much pains to the Husbandman; and so well cultivated in old times that there was hardly any wast ground to be found in it. Thick set with Cities, Towns, and Villages in the time of Iosephus, and those so populous and rich that the smallest Village in it is affirmed by that Author, to comprehend no fewer than 15000 Inhabitants. A number beyond all parallel if reported rightly; and not mistaken in the transcripts. The people from their childhood very stout and warlike, not daunted for fear of want or deard of penury: which seconded by their vast and almost incredible numbers, made them experimentally known for a tough peece of employment, when subdued by Titus. And this, together with their zeal to the Iewish Religion, makes it more than probable, that there was something in them of the antient Israelite; and that they were not meerly of an Assyrian either stock or spirit, but intermixt with such remainders of the Tribes as had saved themselves either by flying to the Mountains, or hiding themselves in Caves and Defarts, or otherwise were inconsiderable for strength and numbers; in the great transplantation of them made by Salmanassar. And in this I am the more confirmed by their speech or language, which was the same with that of the natural Iews, differing no otherwise from it than in tone, and dialect; as our Northern English doth from that which is spoke in London: as appeareth by the communication which the Damosel had with Saint Peter in the High-Priests Hall; in which she plainly understood him, but so that she pronounced him for a Galilean, For had the Transplantation been so universal as some think it was, and that both sick and sound, old and young had been caried away; and none but Colonies of the Assyrians to fill up their places: it must needs be that those Newcomers would have planted their own language there; as the Saxons did on the extirpation of the Bri••• on this side of the Severn. The like may be affirmed of the other Tribes on this side of Iordan (especially

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Simeon and Dan) which either bordering upon Iudah, or having their lands and Cities intermingled with it, continued in great numbers in their former dwellings, under the Patronage or subjection or the Kings thereof.

Divided it was antiently into the Higher, and the Lower. The Higher so called from its situation more amongst the Mountains, had also the name of Galilea Gentium, or Galilee of the Gentiles. And that either because it lay betwixt the Gentiles and the rest of the Iews, or because a great part of it had been g•ven by Solomon to the Kings of Tyre. But for what cause soever it was called so first, certain it is, it had this name unto the last; known by it in the time of the Apostles, as appeareth by Saint Matthews Gospel, chap. 4. ver. 15. The Lower Galilee is situate on the South of the other, memorable for the birth and Education of our blessed Saviour, whom Iulian the Apostata, called, for this cause, in scorn, the Galilean: as for the same, the Disciples Generally had the name of Galileans imposed upon them, till that of Christian, (being a name of their own choosing) did in fine prevail. Both, or the greater part of both, known in the New Testament by the name of Decapolis, or Regio Decapolitant, mentioned Mat. 4. 25. Mark 7. 31. So called from the ten principal Cities of it, that is to say, 1. Caesarea Philippi, 2. Aser, 3. Cedes-Nepthalim, 4. Sephet, 5. Chorazim, 6. Capernaum, 7. Bethsai••, 8. Jotopata, 9. Tiberias, and 10. Scythopolis. By which accompt it stretched from the Mediteranean to the head of Jordan, East and West, and from Libanus to the hills of Gilboa, North and South; which might make up a square of forty miles. With reference to the Tribes of Israel, the whole Galilee was so disposed of, that Aser, Nepthalim, and a part of the tribe of Dan, had their habitation in the Higher; Zabulom, and Issachar in the Lower: according to which distribution we will now describe them.

1. The Tribe of NAPHTHALI, was so called from NAPHTHALI the sixt Sonne of Jacob, begotten on Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel; of whom at their first muster were found 53400 fighting men, and at the second 44540 able to bear armes. The land alotted to them lay on the West-side of the River Jordan, opposite to the Northen parts of Ituraea, where before we left; having on the East, the Tribe of Aser, and that of Zabulun on the South. Within which tract were certain Cities which they never conquered; and one which appertained to the Tribe of Dan: the chief of those which were with-holden by the Gentiles, being Chalcis, Abila, Heliopolis, Cities accompted of as belonging to Coele-Syria, where they have been spoken of already.

That which did appertain to the Tribe of DAN, lay on the North-east part hereof, confronting the most Northen parts of Ituraea, as before was said, where the Danites held one Town of moment, besides many others of less note. And it seemed destined to this Tribe by some old presage, the Eastern fountain of Jordan (which hath its originall in this tract) being called Dan, at the time of the defeat which Abraham gave to Cherdor laomer and his Associates, hundreds of years before this Tribe had ever a possession in it. Of which see Gen. 14. v. 14. The Town of moment first called Leshem, by some Writers, Laish: afterwards subject or allied to the Kings of Sidon, and upon strength thereof made good against those of Naphthali; but taken by some Adventurers of the Tribe of Dan. Of whom it is said Josuah 19. 47. that finding their own Countrey too little for them, they went up and fought against Leshem, which they took and called D A N. Accompted after this exploit, the utmost bound Northward of the land of Cantan, the length thereof being measured from Dan in the North, unto Beersheba in the South: remarkable for one of the Golden Calves which was placed here by Ieroboam; and for the two spring-heads of Iordan, rising neer unto it. When conquered by the Romans, it was called Paneas, from a fountain adjoining of that name: which, with the territory about it, after the death of Zenodorus, who held it of the Roman Empire, as before is said, was given by Augustus Caesar unto Herod the Great, and by him at his decease to Philip his youngest Sonne, with the Tetrarchy of Ituraea and Trachonitis. By him repaired and beautified, it was called Caesarea Philippi, partly to curry favour with Tiberius Caesar, partly to preserve the memory of his own name, and partly to distinguish it from another Caesarea situate on the shores of the Mediterranean, and called Caesarea Palestinae, and being so repaired by him, it was made the Metropolis of that Tetrarchy. Mentioned by that name Mat. 16. 13. when Saint Peter made that confession or acknowledgement of his Lord and Master, That he was CHRIST the Sonne of the living God. By King Agrippa, who succeeded him in his estates, in honour of the Emperour Ner•, it was called Neronia. But that, and the Adjunct of Philippi, were of no continuance; the Town being called Caesarea Paneaa in the time of Ptolomy, and simply Paneas, as before, in the time of Saint Hierome. Of this Caesarea was tha woman whom our Saviour cured of a bloody Flux, by touching but the hem of his garment: who in a pious gratitude of so great a mercy, erected two Statuaes in this place, representing CHRIST, and her self kneeling at his feet; remaining here entire till the time of Iulian the Apostata, by whose command it was cast down, and a Statua of his own set up in the place thereof, miraculously destroyed by a fire from heaven, the City being at that time and long time before, an Episcopal See. Of less note there were, 1. Haleb, and 2. Reccath, both situate in the confines of it. And not far off the strong Town and Castle of 3. Magdala, (the habitation as some say of Mary Magdalen) where the Pharisees desired a signe of our Saviour CHRIST, as is said Mat. 15. 39. and 16. 1. the same, or some place neer unto it, being by Saint Mark reporting the same part of the Story, called Dalmanutha. chap. 8. 10. 11. But whether this Castle did antiently belong to these Danites, or to those of Naphthali, or to the Half Tribe of Manasses beyond the River, I am not able to determine.

Of those which were in the possession of the Tribe of NAPHTHALI, the Cities of most eminent observation were, 1. Hazor, or Azor, by Junius and Tremelius called Chatz•••

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the Regal City and Metropolis of all the Canaanites: memorable for the Rendez-vous of 24. Canaam•• Kings in the war with Jo•uah; by whom it was taken notwithstanding, and burnt to ashes. But being afterwards re-built it became the Regal Seat of Jabin the King of the Canaanites, who so grievously for the space of 20. years afflicted Israel, till vanquished by Deborah and Barak. Destroyed in that warre, and repaired by Solomon, it continued in so good estate in our Saviours time, that it was then one of the ten Cities of Decapolis: in being still, but known by the name of Antiopta. 2. Cape naum, seated on the River Jordan, where it falleth into the Sea of Galilee, of which Country it was accompted the Metropolis, in the time of our Saviour, with whose presence and preaching often honoured, and one of the principal of the Decapolitans. Some marks of its former greatness it retained when Saint Hierome lived, who confesseth it to be a Town of some good capacity; but so decaied in the time of Bre•denbeck and brochardus, that it consisted but of six poor Fishermens houses. 3. Hamath, so called from Hama••• the Sonne of Canaan, planted in these parts; a Town of such esteem in the elder times, that it was rekoned one of the Gates of the Land of Canaan, and therefore called in Scripture, introitum Hamath, or the entrance of Hamath; as Num. 34. 8. Jos. 13. 5. Judg. 3. 3. &c. Mistaken by Saint Hierome for another of the same name in Syria, by the Greeks, and Romans after them, called Epiphania. And in this I say he is mistaken; Epiphania being placed by Ptolomy two degrees more Eastward than Caesarea Philippi, the most Eastern City of all Galilee; and two degrees more North than that, though the most Northern City of all Palestine. The ground of this mistake we have seen before. Won by the Syrians of Damascus, it was again recovered to the Crown of Israel, by Jeroboam the second the Son of Joas: and after added by the Romans (as were Scythopolis, Pella, Gadara, and some other of the Cities of this tract unto Coele-Syria. 4 Kadesh, to difference it from others of the same name, called Ka••• Naphthalim, high-seated on the top of an hill, as is said Jos. 20. 7. the King whereof being taken and slain by Iosuah, it was made one of the Cities of Refuge, and given to the Levites. Most memorable for the birth of Barac, who discomsited Sisera, Lieutenant of the host of Jabin before mentioned, in the infancy of the Jewish State; one of the ten Cities of Decapolis in the time of the Romans; and an Episcopal See in the first ages of Christianity. 5. Riblah, watered with the Fountain of Daphnis, a little Riveret, which hereabouts falleth into Jordan: to which City, as some say, (but I think erroniously) Zedechias the unfortunate King of the Iews was brought Prisoner unto Nebuchadnezzar, who caused his Children to be slain before his face, and then put out his eyes. But this I look on as an Errour in them that say it, the scaene of this sad Tragedy being by Iosephus laid in Reblatha (or Riblah) a City of Syria, the same which in succeeding times had the name of Antioch. And certainly Iosephus who for so long was Governour of both the Galilees, cannot be conceived to be so ignorant of the State of this Province, as to transferre that bloody execution to a City of Syria, if it had been acted in this Countrey. Nor can I think that this Riblah, none of the greatest Towns in the Tribe of Naphthali, should be capable of the Court and train of that mighty Monarch; especially for so long a time, as he is said to have attended in that place the success of his forces then before Hierusalem, and the disposal of the State when the Town was taken. 6. Saphet, another of the Decapolitan Cities, strongly if not impregnably seated; one of the strongest Fortresses of the Western Christians, as it was after their expulsion, of the Turks and Saracens, who from hence wasted and subdued all the neighbouring Countrey, as far as to the very Sea. The onely place, not of this Countrey onely, but of all the East, in which the Iews (who possessed a third part of this Town) have any shew or shadow of a Common-wealth. 7. Bethsemes, mentioned Ios. 15. 38. made tributary unto those of this Tribe; though otherwise possessed by the Canaanites who held out against them. 8. Carthan, or Kiriaitham situate neer the mountain which in following times was called Moas Christi, because much freqvented by our Saviour; who here made choice of his Apostles, as is said Mark. 3. 13 and where he also made that Divine Sermon, recited in the 5, 6, & 7. Chapters of Saint Matthews Gospel. 9. Masoloth, a place of great strength, but forced by Baccludes Generall of the Armies of the Kings of Syria, in the time of the Maccabees. 10. Cinnereth, a strong City, after called Gennesareth; whence the Lake or Sea of Tiberias, neighbouring neer unto it, is sometimes called the Lake of Gennesareth, as Luke 5. 1. &c.

2. The Tribe of A SER was so called from Aser, the 8. Sonne of Iacob, begotten on Zilphah the hand-maid of Leah; of whom at their first muster when they came out of Egypt were found 41500 persons, able to bear Armes, all above 20. years of Age; and at the second muster when they entred the Land of Canaan, 53400 fighting men of the new increase. The portion of the land allotted for their habitation was plentifull in wine, oyl, and wheat, with great store of Balsam: extending from the coast of Sidon to Ptolemais, 30 miles in length; and from the Mediterranean Eastward to the Tribe of Napththali some twelve miles in breadth. And though they never were of power to reduce the maritime Cities of Ptolemais, Tyre, Sarepta, and Sidon, under their command: yet had they in this narrow compasse many beautiful Cities, and Towns of note, which they were quietly possessed of till their subjugation by the Kings of Assyria.

The principal of those, and others which have since been founded, 1. Aphek, memorable for the great slaughter there made of the Syrians, when besieged by Benhadad: of whom 100000. were slain by the Israe ites under the leading of Ahab, and 27000 killed by the fall of the wall. 2. Gabal•, mentioned by Ptolomy amongst the mid-land Cities of Phoenicia; but belonging properly to this Tribe; one of those twenty which were offered by S•lomon unto Hiram, and upon his refusal peopled by the Israelites, Fallen to decay, it was afterwards re-built and strongly fortified by Herod the Great. 3. Gi••ala, a Town of great strength and consequence, the birth-place of Iohn or Iehochaman, one of the three seditious •• Hierusalem when besieged by Titus, where he did more mischief than the enemy. Attempting to betray

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this City to the power of the Romans, he gave the Tyrians an opportunity to be Masters of it, by whom it was burnt unto the ground. But being re-built by the Authority of Iosephus, then Governour of Galilee for the Iews, it was afterwards yielded to Titus upon composition. 4. Cana, for distinction sake called Cana-Ma or, to difference it from another of that name in the Lower Galilee, assumed for the dwelling of that woman, whose daughter Christ delivered of an evil Spirit: called by Saint Mathew, a woman of Canaan, cap. 15. a Syro-Phoenician by Saint Mark chap. 7. the Syro-Phoenicians of this Tract, being originally of the race of Canaan, as was said before. 5. Het•lan, or Ch•••lan, the furthest City of the North; as 6. Messal, or Masheal, to the South, of the Tribe of Aser. Of later date there are. 7. Thoron, a strong piece built by the Christians on the hills neer Tyre, to •••der the excursions of the Turks, when they held that City. Situate in a pleasant and fruitful Soil, of great importance in the wars of the Holy Land, and giving name to the noble family of the Lords of Thor••: one of which being Constable to King Baldwin the third, lieth buried in the Chappel adjoyning to it, a curious piece of workmanship, and Dedicated by the name of the blessed Virgin. 8. Belfort, so named from the strength and beauty of it; seated on the high grounds neer the River Naar; and memorable for the great repulse which Saladine the Victorious King of the Turks received before it; being forced to raise his siege with dishonour and loss, on the comming of the Christian Armies. Some other Forts here are of the same erection, as 9. Montfort, and 10. Mount-Royall (or Castrum Regium) belonging to the Dutch Knights (of whom more hereafter) and by them valiantly defended against the Infidels.

3. The Tribe of ZABVLON, was so called from Zabulon the tenth sonne of Jacob by his wife Leah: of whom there mustered neer Mount Sinai, 57400 able men; and 65000. at their second muster when they came into Canaan. Their territory lay on the South of Aser and Nephthalim, and the North of Zabulon, extending from the Lake of Tiberias to the Mediterranean.

Places of most observation in it, 1. Jokneham, the King whereof was slain by Josuah, and the City given unto the Levites. 2. Zabulon, or the City of men, a Sately and magnificent City, till burnt to the ground by Cestius, a Roman President. 3. Cana-Minor, so called to difference it from the other in the Tribe of Aser, the birth-place of Nathaneel, and as some say of Simon Zelotes: memorable for the mariage at which our Saviour wrought his first miracle, of turning water into wine. Called in Saint Johns Gospel Cana of Galilee. 4. Bersabe, standing in the border betwixt both Galilees, and therefore strongly fortified by Josephus against the Romans. 5. Dothan, where Ioseph found his brethren as they fed their flocks; and where the Prophet Elisha strook blind the Syrians, who besieged him in it. 6. Bethsaida, situate on the Sea of Galilee, one of the ten Cities of Decapolis, the birth-place of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, but most renowned for the miracles and preaching of our Lord and Saviour. 7. Nazareth, now a small village, seated in a vale betwixt two hills, not far from Ptolema•• or Acon; upon one of which two hills it was formerly built, where still are to be seen the ruins of many Churches, here founded by the Christians: it being in the flourishing times of Christianity an Arch-Bishops See. Of great esteem, for being, if not the birth-place, yet the habitation of the Virgin Mary, who was here saluted with those joyful tidings, by an Angnl, as she sate in her chamber. Of which chamber it is said in the Popish legends, that it was after the Virgins death had in great reverence by the Christians, and remained in this Town, till the Holy Land was subdued by the Turks and Saracens, Anno 1291. Then most miraculously transported into Scalvonia; but that place being unworthy of the Virgins Divine presence, it was by the Angels carried over into the Sea-coast of Italy, Anno 1294. That place also being infested with theeves and pyrats, the Angels removed it to the little village of Loretto, where her miracles were quickly divulged: insomuch that Paul the 2. built a most stately Church over this Chamber, and Xistus the fift made the Village a City. And thus we have the beginning of our famous Lady of Leretto. Here did our blessed Saviour spend a great part of his life before his Baptism; from whence both he and his Disciples had for many years the name of Nazarites. 8. Iotopata, strongly seated on the top of a Mountain, neer the Lake of Gtnnesareth, fortified by Iosephus in the warre with the Romans, but after a long siege taken by Vespasian, and in it Iosephus the Historian, chief Governour of the City, and of both the Galilees. 9. Tiberias, raised out of the ground by Herod the Tetrarch, and named thus in honour of Tiberius Caesar. Situate in a fruitful soyl, on the edge of the Lake, which afterwards took the name of the Lake or Sea of Tiberias: this City being held to be the greatest of the Lower Galilee, and the Metropolis of the Decapolitan Region. In this City it was that our Saviour CHRIST called Saint Matthew from the receipts of the Custome-house; and neer unto it that he raised the daughter of Jairus. 10. Bethulia, more within the land, seated on an high hill, and of very great strength, as appears by the story of Judith and Holofernes. 11. Iapha, a place of like strength, but forced by Titus, who in the fury of the storm slew in it above 15000. persons, and carried away with him 2000 Prisoners. 12. Sephoris or Sipphora, the habitation of Ioachim and Anna, the Parents of the blessed Virgin: fortified with strong walls by Herod the Tetrarch, who made it his Regal seat for the Lower Galilee. Before that time, it had been made by Gabinius, one of the five Iuridical Resorts for the Palestinians; after that, notwithout great difficulty forced by Vespasian; and is now nothing but a Castle known by The name of Zaphet, or Saffet; the ordinary Residence for the most part of the Turkish Sanziack who hath the Government of this Province, and lately, if not still, of the Emirs of Sidon, Faccardine the late Emir having been made the Sanziack of it, before his falling off from the Turks. Not farre off is Mount Tabor, famous for the transfiguration of our Saviour; for a sumptuous Chappel built on the top of the hill in memory of it, by the Empresse Helen, mother of Constantine the Great, and for the Fountain of the brook Cheson, which presently divided into two streams, runneth Eastward with the one to the Sea of Tiberias, and Westward with the other to the Mediterranean.

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4. The Tribe of ISSACHAR is so called from Issachar the ninth sonne of Jacob, by his wife Le••, of whom were found at the first muster 54400 fighting men, and 64300 at the second muster. Their l•t, in the partition of the land amongst the Tribes, fell betwixt Zabulon, and the half Tribe of Man••ss•• on this side Jordan, North and South; extending from that River to the Mid-land Sea. A territory not so well replenished with strong and eminent Cities, as was that before; nor yielding so much matter of observation in the course of business.

Those of most note in it, 1. Tarichaea, on the side of the Lake, about eight miles from Tiberias, or great strength both by Art and Nature, as witnessed the notable resistance which Vespasion found when he besieged it: by whom taken with great difficulty and incredible slaughter. 2. C•shion, a City of the Levites. 3. Remeth, called also farmuth, another Citie of the L•vites, where the hills of Gilboa take beginning, and thence range as far as the Mediterranean Westward, and the City of J•zre•l towards the East. 4. En-hadda, neer which Saul being discomfited by the Philistims, slew himself for grief, or else for fear of falling into the hands of those merciless Enemies, against whom he had so often returned victorious. 5. Naim, on the banks of the River Chison, where CHRIST raised to life the Widowes Sonne. 6. Hapharaim, or Aphraim, on the banks of the same River also. 7. Endor, of chief note for the Witch with whom Saul consulted; and the discomfiture of the Midianites by Gede•m, who perished at Endor, and became as the Dung of the Earth, saith the Royall Psalmist. 8. Dabarath, one of the Cities of refuge. 9. Arbela, not far from the Cave of the two theeves which so greatly infested Galilee in the time of Herod. And 10. of a later date the Castle of Pilgrims (Castrum Peregrinorum in Latine Writers) built by Raymond Earl of Tholouse, and after fortified by the Templers, for the security of such as traveled to the Holy Land: and for long time the Magazine or Store-house of the Western Christians; now called Tortora. Situate on the shores of the Mediterranean neer a spacious bay; on the North-side whereof Mount Carmel, described already.

As for those Galileans which succeeded in the place of these Tribes, they were for the most part originally such as were sent hither by Salmanassar to inhabit there, when the Israelites were led away into endless thraldome; but intermixed with some Remainders of the ten Tribes, as was said before. And yet as if they had been wholly of the same extraction with the rest of the Samaritan Nations, they were as much despised by the Jews (as witnesseth that scornful by-word, Can there any good come out of Galilee?) as the others were: though these as Orthedox in Religion as the Jews themselves. In which so zealously affected, that neither threats nor force could make them offer sacrifice for the health of the Roman Emperours, whom they looked on as the Enemies of their Law and liberty. Brought under the command of the Kings of Iewry by the Maccabaeans, and with the rest of that Kingdome bestowed on Herod by the Romans. Left by him at his death to Herod, surnamed Antipas, the second of his Sonnes then living, with the title of Tetrarch, which he enjoyed till the death of our Saviour, and on his deprivation (being banished to Lyons in France by the Emperour Caligula) bestowed upon Agrippa his brothers Sonne, the first King of the Iews so named. Under him and his Sonne Agrippa the second, it continued till the generall revolt of the Jewish Nation: Subjected by the sword of Titus to the power of the Romans, it hath since followed the same fortune with the rest of Palestine.

4. SAMARIA.

SAMARIA is bounded on the East with the River Jordan; on the West, with the Mediterranean Sea; on the North, with Galilee; and on the South, with Iudaea. So called from Samaria, the chief City of it, of which more hereafter.

The Countrey interchangeably composed of fields and mountains, excellent good for tillage, and full of trees, yielding variety of fruits; watered both with the dew of heaven, and many fresh springs which the Earth affordeth it, occasioning thereby abundance of grass, and consequently of Milchbeasts exceeding plenty. Heretofore very wealthy, and no less populous, but now famed for neither.

The people for the most part were originally the descendants of those Assyrians whom Salmanassar sent hither to possess the dwellings of the captive Israelites. Gentiles at first, till better instructed by the Lions whom God sent amongst them, and after by the Priests sent hither by the Kings of Assyria, they entertained the five Books of Moses, and out of them learned the manner of the God of the Land, 2 Kin. 17 Further then this they would not go, rejecting all the rest of the sacred Canon; and no strict observers of this neither. And though at first they so embraced the worship of God, as that they still adhered to the gods of the Nations, where before they dwelt, as Nergal, Ashimah, Nibbar, Tartak, and the rest of that rabble, mentioned 2 Kings 17. yet they were soon taken off from those impieties, and became zealous in the worship of one onely God, erronious cheifly in the place which was destined to it. The wicked policy of Ieroboam the Sonne of Nebat, was as naturall to them, as if they could not have possessed his estates without it: and therefore would not suffer their people to go up to H•rusalem to worship, as the Law required. More pious yet in this than their Pred•cessours, that they erected no Golden Calves in Dan, and Bethel, or any other parts of their Dominions: though to divert the people from the Temple of God, they would have a Temple of their own. Mount Garizim, and the Temple there (of which more anon) as sacred unto them, as that of Solomon to the Iews: Schismaticat enough in this, but not idolatrous and Schismaticall, as the others were; yet so conceited of themselves, and their own perfections, that they imagined themselves defiled by any company but their own. If therefore they had visited any of their neighbour nations, at their return they used to sprinkle themselves with urine:

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but if by negligence, or the necessitie of business, they had touched any not of their own Sect, they drenched themselves, cloathes and all, in the next fountain. But in this the Iews cryed quittance with them, not so much as eating or drinking with them, nor having with them any kind of commerce or dealing, as appeareth Iohn 4. 9. but loading them, on the other side, with all the bitternesse. of reproach and hatred. There are two manner of people (saith the Sonne of Sirach) which mine heart abhorreth, 〈◊〉 the third is no people: they that sit on the Mountains of Samaria; the Philistims, and the foolish people that dwell as Sichem Ec•ius. 50. And this continued to the times of our blessed Saviour; whom when the Jew• endeavoured to reproch with their heaviest calumnies, they could find out none so great as to say he was a Samaritan, (which they thought came all to one) a man that had converse with Devils and familiar spirits.

Of these there were some Sects also as amongst the Jews, 1. the Dositheans, so called from D•su•eus or Dosth••, supposed to be the first Priest who was sent thither by the Kings of Assyria: agreeing with the Jews in Circumcision, and the Sabbath, and the doctrine of the Resurrection (in which last they differed from the common Samaritan who was a Saducee in that point) but differing from them in some points of as signal consequence. For they rejected the writings of all the Prophets, as not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, inspired by the Holy Ghost; they eat of nothing that had life, like the Pythagoreans; abstained from mariage, like the Essenes; and in the point of Sabbath-keeping out went the Pharisees: it being resolved upon amongst them, that in what posture soever a man was found on the Sabbath-day-morning, in the same he was to continue without alteration the whole day after. 2. The Sebvians, so called from Sebva or Sebviah one of the Companions of that Dosthai: who though they kept all the publick festivals, as the Jews and the other Samaritans did, yet they kept them not at the same time; transferring the P•sseover to August, the Pentecost to Autumn, and the feast of Tabernacles to the time of the Passeov•r; not suffered for that cause to worship in the Temple of Garizim. 3. The Gortheni, who kept the same Festivals, and observed the same times of those Solemnities, as the Law required; but kept onely one of the seven dayes of those great Festivals, and laid by the rest, as dayes of ordinary labour. In other points not differing from the other Samaritans, who though at first possessed of all the land belonging to the ten Tribes of Israel, were yet reduced at last to a narrower compass: shut up betwixt Galilee and Judaea, within the antient territories of the Tribe of Ephraim, and the other half Tribe of Manasses on this side of the water.

1. The half Tribe of MANASSES on this side of Jordan was situate betwixt Issachar on the North, and the Tribe of Ephraim on the South, extending from the Mediterranean to the banks of that River. In which the places of most consequence and consideration, 1. Beth-san, environed almost with the land of Issachar, situate neer the banks of Jordan, where it beginneth again to streighten and be like it self, having been almost lost in the Sea of Galilee: first called Nysa, and so called by Bacchus or Liber Pater the founder of it, in memory of his Nurse there buried: but the children of Manasses not being able to expel the natives out of it, as in other places, gave it the name of Beth-san, or the house of an Enemy. Afterwards when the Scythians invaded those parts of Asia, and compelled some of the Jews to serve them against the rest (whom notwithstanding their good service they put all to the sword) they new-built this City: called therefore by the Grecians, Scythopol•s, or the City of Scythians; and by them reckoned as a City of •oele-Syria. Memorable in the old Testament for the hanging of the dead bodies of Saul and his sonnes on the walls hereof, by the barbarous Philistims; in the time of our Saviour for being the greatest of all the Decapolitan Region; as afterwards in the flourishing times of Christianity, for being the See of an Arch-Bishop: now nothing but a desolate village, or an heap of rubbish, out of which many goodly Pillars, and other peeces of excellent Marble are often digged. 2. Terzah, used by the Kings of Israel for their Regal Seat; till the building of Samaria, and the removal of it thither. 3. A•rabata, the territory whereof called Acrabatena, was after made one of the ten Toparchies of Jude•. 4. Thebes, not far from Samaria, where the Bastard Abimelech was wounded with a stone which a woman threw at him from the wall; and perceiving his death to be drawing on, commanded his Page to slay him, that it might not be said he perished by the hands of a woman. 5. Ephra, or Hophr•, in which Gideon dwelt: neer whereunto there stood an Altar, consecrated to Baal, defaced by Gideon; and not farre off the fatal stone on which Abimelech slew 70 of his Brethren. An heathenish cruelty, and at this day practised by the Turks. 6. Asophon, an ignoble village, made famous only for the great and notable defeat which Ptolomy Lathurus here gave to Alexander the King of the Jews: which victory he used with so great barbarity, that he slew all the Women as he passed along, and caused young children to be sod in Caldron•. 7, Bezek, the City of the bloody Tyrant Adon•Bezek, whose story (touched upon before) see at large in Judges chap. 1. By Josephus it is called Bala, and seemeth to be the place in which Saul assembled the chief strength of Israel and Judah, to the number of 330000. men, for the relief of Iabesh Gilead then distressed by the Ammonites. 8. Iezreel, the Royal City of Ahab and the Kings of his race, situate at the foot of the Mountains of Gilboa; So neer unto the Borders of Issachar, that some have placed it in that Tribe. Memorable in sacred story for the stoning of Naboth by the procurement of Iezabel; and the breaking of Iezabels neck by command of Iehu. A City which gave name to the plains adjoyning, called the valley or Plain• of Iezreel, (but by the name of Campus Magnus in the book of Maccabees; lib. 1. cap. 12.) extending from S••thopolis to the Mediterranean: famous for the great and many battels which have been fought in it, as namely of Gideon against the M•dianites, of Sa•l against the Philistims, of Ahah against the Sy•••n, of Jehu against Iehoram, and finally of the Christians against the Saracens. 9. Megiddo, unfortunately observable for the death of the good King Iosiah, slain hereabouts in a battel against Phar•oh Ne••, King of Egypt; and before that of Ahaziah King of Iudah, who received his death-wound at Gaber, a Town

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adjoining, when pursued by Iehu. 11. Dora, or Dor, as the Scriptures call it, on the Moditerranian, not far from the Castle of Pilgrims in the tribe of Issachar; a very strong and powerfull City, and therefore chose by Try hon for his City of Refuge, who having first treacher•sly taken, and barbarously murdered Ionathan the Maccabaean, after he had received 200 talents for his ransome, and no less vi•lanously slain Antiochus the sixt of Syria, his Lord and Master, whom he succeeded in his throne; was by Antiochus the seventh, with an Army of 120000 foot, and 8000 horse, besieged in this City, and most deservedly put to death. 12. Caesarea, antiently called the Tower of Siraton, from Stra••• a King of the Zidonians, new built by Herod, and by him not only beautified with a large Theatre and Amp••theatre, both of polished Marble, but with a fair and capacious haven, which with incredible charge and pains he forced out of the Sea. And having in twelve years brought it to perfection, in honour of Drusus Caesar, Sonne-in-Law of Augustus, he caused one of the chief Towers thereof to be called D••sus, the City it self to be called Caesarea Palestinae. In this City was Cornelius baptized by St. Peter; here did St. Paul plead in defence of Christianity, before Festus then the Roman President; and finally, here Herod Agrippa was smitten by an Angell, and devoured by worms, after his Rhetorical Oration, which his Parasites called the voyce of God and not of man. The Metropolis of all Palestine, when one Province only; as afterwards of Palestina Prima, when by Constantine, or some of his Successors, cantoned into three: the first Bishop hereof being said to be that Cornelius whom Saint Peter here initiated in the faith of CHRIST. 13. Antipatris, another City of Herods building, in the place where Kapharsalama, mentioned 1 Maccab. 7. 31. had sometimes stood; who in honour of his Father Antipater gave it this new name. Neer hereunto did Iudas Maccabaeus overthrew a part of Nicanors Army; and not far off the Mountain where Abdia, the Steward of Ahab, hid the hundred Prophets, whom he preserved against the fury of Iezabel: finally to this City it was that S. Paul was conveyed by the command of Lysias, to save him from the Iews who lay in wait to destroy him.

2. The Tribe of EPHRAIM was so called from Ephraim the second and youngest sonne of Joseph; of whom were mustered in the Desarts 45000 fighting men, and 32500 in the Land of Canaan: where their lot fell betwixt this half Tribe of Manasses, on the North; and the Tribes of Dan and Benjamin, upon the South; extending from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean.

Places of most consideration, 1. S•r•n, on the Mediterranean, to the South of Antipuris, mentioned Acts 9. 35. and giving name unto that fruitfull valley, which reacheth from Caesarea Palestinae, as far as Joppa. 2. Lydda, upon the same shores, where Saint Peter (virtute Christi non sua) cured Aeneas of the Palsey. By the Gentiles it was called D•ospolis, or the City of Jupiter; but by the Christians in the time of the holy wars, it had the name of the St. Georges: partly from a Magnificent Temple which the Emperour Justinian there errected to the honour of that blessed M•rtyr; but principally from an opinion which they had amongst them, that he suffered martyrdome in that place. An opinion founded on mistakes, first of a Ceno•aphium, or an empty Monument, errected in this City to preserve his memory, for the grave in which he was interred; the other, in taking the word Passio, used in the Mar••yrologies, for the place of his suffering, which is meant onely of the story or celebration. But howsoever they intituled it by the name of Saint Georges, as was said before, and made it on that accompt also an Episcopall See. 3. Ramatha, or A•amathea, a City of the Levites, supposed to be the dwelling of Joseph, who begged of Pilate the bodie of CHRIST. 4. Helon or A•alon, a City of the Levites also. 5. Themnath-Chares, given by the Israelites to Iosuah, who enlarged the same, and made it a strong and goodly City; honoured with the sepulchre of that brave Commander, one of the nine Worthies of the World; and afterwards made one of the Prefectures of Judaea, by the name of Thamnitica. 6. Adasa, or Adars•, where Iudas Maccabaeus with 3000 Iews overthrew the Army of Nicanor. 7. Ie•eti called otherwise Pelethi, which gave name and birth unto the P•lethites, part of Davids guard, under the governance of Benaiah. 8. Silo, situate on the top of a lofty mountain; the receptacle of the Ark, till taken and carryed thence by the Philistims. 9. Michmas, the habitation of Jonathan one of the Maccabaean Brethren, situate in the middle way from Samaria to Hierusalem, now called Byra. 10. N••oth, where Saul prophesied. 11. Bethoron, a City of the Levites, beautified by Solomon, but made more famous by the great and notable overthrow which Judas Maccabaeus here gave to Lysias. 12. Pirhatlon, on the Mountain Amale•, the City of Abdon the Judge of Israel. 13. Si•he•. called also Sichor, the habitation in the old times of Sichem the father of that Hamor who de•l•ured D•na the daughter of Jacob; the City for that cause destroyed by Simeon and Levi, repaired again, and afterward by Abimelech levelled with the ground; a third time re-edified by Ieroboam the Sonne of N•ba•, and a third time ruined by the Kings of Damascus; yet notwithstanding these blowes it was of good esteem in the time of our Saviour, who abode in it two daies, and converted many. Memorable for Iacobs Well which was very neer it, more for its neighbourhood to Mount Garizam, where the blessings were to be read to the people (of which see Deut. 11. 27. and Ios. 8. 23.) and where afterwards was built a magnificent Temple for the use of the Samaritan Nation; at the cost and charge of S••b••• a great Prince amongst them. Who having marryed his Daughter to Manasses, brother of Iaddus the Priest of the Iews; and fearing he would put her away, to avoid the sentence of excommunication, which he was involved in for that match, promised him, that if he would retain her, he would build a Tample answerable unto that of Hierusalem, and make him the Hi••h Priest thereof, which was do•e accordingly. But this Temple had not stood above 200 hundred years, when destroyed by Hyro•••• the M•cabae•n: the place remaining notwithstanding a place of worship, as appeareth Ioh. 4. 20 As for the City of Sichem or Sichor, it was by the Grecians called Ne••olis, afterwards made a Colony by the Emperour Vespasian, who caused it to be called Fl•••• Caesarea; of which Colony was that renowned

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Iustin Martyr. 14. Samaria, the Metropolis of the Kingdome of Israel, founded by Omri one of the Kings thereof, on the top of the Mountain Samrom, (which overlooketh all the bottom as far as the Se-coast) whence it had the name. A stately and magnificent City, conjectured by Brochardus, who had traced the antient ruins of it, to be bigger than Hierusalem. Destroyed by the Assyrians when they carryed away the Ten Tribes, but afterwards repaired again, and again, beaten to the ground by the Sonnes of Hyranus above-mentioned. But Herod the Great, who was pleased with the situation of it, did aagain re-edifie it, in more stately manner than before, as appeareth by the great store of goodly Marble pillars, and other carved stones, in great abundance found amongst the rubbish: and having rebuilt it to has mind, inclosed it with a strong wall, and beautifyed it with a goodly Temple; in honour of Augustus Caesar, whom the Greeks call Sebastos, he caused it to be called Sebaste. Memorable after this new erection for the Sepulchre of Iohn Baptist, and being made the Metropolis of Palestin; Secund•, (by consequence an Arch-Bihops See), now nothing but a few Cottages filled with Grecian Monkes.

Nor were the Samaritans themselves (so called from this their principall City) less subject to the vicissitudes and change of fortune, than the City was. Descended for the most part from the Assyians, and such other Nations, as were sent thither to fill up the empty places of the Captive Tribes: but called Cu•••ans by the Jewes, either because most of them were of Cuth, a Region of Persia, as Josephus telleth us, which is now called Chuzestan: or else by way of scorn, for Chusites, as being of the posterity of the accursed Cham, by Chus his sonne. Having imbraced the Law of Moses, they began to think better of the Jews than the other Nations, but fitted their affections to the change of times: it being the observation of the said Iosephus, that as often as the Iews were in any prosperity, then they called them Cousins, and would be of the same Nation with them; but when their fortunes were on the declining hand, then they were strangers which came thither out of forrain Nations, and no kin at all. Nor doth he wrong them in that Character. For when Alexander the Great had granted the Iews a release of the seventh years tribute, and the Samaritans desiring the like exemption, pleaded for themselves 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. that they indeed were very Hebrews, though it pleased the Sidonians to call them Sichemites. But when Antiochus raged against them with fire and sword, the Samaritans sent letters to him disclaming all relation to those of Iudah, and challenging their descent from the Medes and Persians. Nor were they content onely to disclame all kindred with the Iews in the times of trouble, when any persecution. rose against them for the Law of God; but did them also all ill offices, and joyned with their Enemies to their destruction: especially after the Iews had refused to admit of their assistance, in the re-building of the Temple; which after that they hindred with great malice, and no less perversness. But the fortune of the Iews did at last prevail, the whole Nation being subdued by Hyrcanus the Maccabaean, who destroyed their Schismaticall temple also, and levelled Samaria it self to the very ground. After this subject to the Iews, who possessed themselves of most of their Cities, and contracted them into a narrower compass than they were in formerly: but still so hated and contemned, that nothing was able to appease that inveterate malice, which they had conceived, till both Nations were extirpated in the time of Adrian, and made to seek their dwellings in other Countries. Made afterwards a Province of the Roman Empire, by the name of Palestina Secunda: successively subject with the rest to the Persians, Saracens, and Turks, who doe now possess it.

IVDAEA.

JVDAEA is bounded on the East, with the Dead Sea, and the River Iordan; on the West, with the Mediterranean; on the North, with Samaria; and on the South, with Idumaea. So called from the Iews, or People of the Tribe of Iudah, who after their return from the Captivity of Babylon, communicated the name of Iew unto all the Nation; as they did that of Iudaea to this part of the Countrey.

The Soyl of the same nature with that of Samaria, before described; but that it is more swelled with hills, and more stored with Rivers, though of no great fame. And therefore we shall say no more as to the generall character and description of it; but look on the particular parts as it stood divided betwixt the Philistims, the Tribes of Dan, Simeon, Judah, and Benjamin.

And first, the PHILISTIMS commanded all the Sea-coasts from the South of Phoenicia, to the North of Idumaea, or from the Castle of Pilgrims, to the City of Gaza, taking both into the accompt. But Joppa, and all the Towns on the North of that being taken in by the Israelites, they held no more than six Towns of any importance, with the Countries and territories adjoyning to them: but those so populous and strong, that by their own power, and the assistance of the Edomites and the rest of their neighbours, not well affected to the Tribes, they kept them unto harder terms, and lay more heavy on them than all the Canaanites together; as will appear when we summe up the story and successes of their affairs.

In the mean time let us survey the Countrey which was holden by them, notwithstanding all that could be done against them by the Kings of Israel: and therein we shall find worth our observation, 1. Ge•h, or Gath, the birth-place of the huge Giant Goliah, slain by David; as also of many others of the like Gigantine proportion, slain by Davids worthies. Destroyed by David, or rather slighted and dismantled, it was re-built by Reboam the sonne of Solomon; but again razed by Ozias King of Judah, who found the Philistims there garisoned but ill neighbours to him; and finally laid wast by Hazael the King of Syria. Not much regarded after that, though it kept the name of Gath in Saint Hieromes time; till in these last Ages Fulk the King of Hierusalem created there a new Castle from the antient ruins. From hence as I conceive,

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the Idol Dagon, so much worshipped by these Philistims, was by the Syrians and Phanician called Ater-Gatis; and not from Gatis a Syrian Queen, as is said by many. 2. A•caror, on the South of Gath, of great wealth and power, and one that held out notably against the Danites and Judaeans: much spoke of in the holy Scriptures, but for nothing more than their Idolatrous worship of bel-zebub, that is to say the Lord of Flies: so called by the Iew•, either in contempt of the Idolatries committed to him, or because of that great multitude of flies which attended his sacrifices, wherof some say, the Temple of Hierusalem was wholly free. But whatsoever he was, or for what cause so named, certain it is that he was here had in especial honour, and therefore called in Scripture the God of Accaron: and hither Azahtah the King of Israel sent his messenger to enquire of this Idol concerning his health. 3. Ashdod (by the Grecians called Azotus) memorable in holy writ for the Temple of D•gon, into which the Ark of the Lord was brought; that Idol falling down before it, as not able to stand upright when the Ark so neer. Neer to this Town was Iudas Maccabeus overcome and stain by Bacchides, Lieutenant to Demetrius the King of Syria; and not long after the Town it self was taken by Ioniathan the brother of Iudas, who put the Citizens to the sword, and burnt all such as fled into the Temple of Dagon, together with the very Idol, consumed in the same fire with the Idolaters. Re-built by Gabinius, a Roman General, in the times of Christianity it was made an Episcopal See; and continued a fair village till the daies of Saint Hierom. 4. Ascalon, on the Sea-side also, said to be built by Ascalus a noble Lydian, employed by his King in a warre against the Syrians; but this very uncertain. One of the chief and strongest Cities of the Philistims, of great note amongst the Gentiles for a Temple dedicated to Dirceto the mother of Semiramis, here worshipped in the form of a Mer-maid: and for another of Apollo, wherein Herod the father of Antipater, and Grand-father of Herod the Great (from his birth in this City called Herod the Ascalonite) is said to have served as the Priest. It had in the first times of Christianity an Episcopal See; and in the course of the holy warres was beautified with a new wall and many fair buildings by King Richard the first. 5. Gaza, more within the land, on the River Besor; a fair and strong Town, formerly called Assa, from whence perhaps the name of Gaza was derived by the Heathens; or else it was so called by the Persians, in regard that Cambyses here laid up the treasure which he had provided for the warre of Egypt; the word Gaza in the Persian language signifying treasures. Of which Cambyses it is said by Pomponius Mel•, cum armis Aegyptum peteret huc belli opes et pecuniam in vehi curavi•. After which it was made the Receipt or Treasury in which the Persians laid the tributes of the Western Provinces; whence all Riches had in time the name of Gazae. Once Caleb took it, but not able to hold it against the Philistins, he again deserted it. Destroyed by Alexander the Great, and re-built again it made notable resistance against the Maccabees, till at last forced by Simon the brother of Judas, who liked the place so well that he intended to have made it his place of residence; not so decayed in length of time, but that it was a goodly City in the dayes of Brochardus. And is still the best of all this coast, built on an hill encompassed with rich and pleasant vallies; the building low and mean as in other places; but some of them adorned with pillars of fair Parian marble, digged out of the remaining ruins. 6. Maioma, the Port Town of Gaza, but made a City of it self by Constantine, by whom called Constantia: but restored again by Julian unto those of Gaza, and by him commanded to be called Gaza Mari•ma.

These were the chief places holden by the Philistims, a strong and Giantlike race of men, such as the Scripture call by the name of Anak, or the Sonnes of Anak. Originally descended from Casluhim, and Copthorim, of the race of Mizraim the sonnes of Cham: as appeareth both by the common consent of antient Writers, and plain Texts of Scripture, Jerem. 47. 4. and Amos 9. 7. These being setled first in the borders of Egypt and Idumaea, where the Casluhim gave name unto the Province of Casiotis, and the Mountain Casius; proceeded North-wards and subdued the Avim, a Canaanish people, planting themselves in their habitations, as is said expressely Deut. 2. 23. Here Abraham found them in his time, and here they were when Israea went down to Gezar. Governed at first by one King, whom they called alwayes by the name of Abimelech, as the Egyptians theirs by the name of Pharaoh; sometimes by five, according to the number of their principal Cities; but still united in the times of approaching dangers. Too strong to be subdued by the Tribes of Israel, they made head against them, and mastered them at several times for above 150. years, Tyrannizing over them, till broken by Sampson, and for a time kept off by Samuel. Recovering again, they vanquished the Israelites in the time of Saul, whom they discomfited, and hanged his dead body barbarously on the walls of Bethsan. But David, a more fortunate Prince, overthew them in many set battels, and at length took the Town of Gath, one of the strongest Towns they had: and by that means so weakned them that they durst not stirre all the time of David, nor a long while after. Beginning to be troublesome in the dayes of Ozias King of Judah, they were warred on by him, their army overthrown, Ita and Amnia, two of their strong Forts, took and razed; and the Town of Gath again dismantled. In the time of the Idolatrous Achaz, associating with the Edomites, (who evermore attended the destruction of Judah) they brake out again, took Bethsemes, Aialon, Timnah, and some other Towns, carried away many Prisoners, and flew much people. But the good King Eze••ah made them pay dear for it, taking from them the greatest part of their Country, betwixt Gath and Gaza Which notwithstanding, they recovered to so great esteem that the whole Countrey had from them the name of Palestine. But broken by degrees by the Maccabaeans, they lost both their power and reputation, passing in common estimate as a part of •ewry; the fortunes of which it followed for thetimes succeeding.

2. The Tribe of DAN, so called from Dan the fift sonne of Iacob, by Bilhah the hand-maid of Rache, of whom were mustered at Mount Sinai 62700. fighting men; and 66400. at the second muster in the Land of Canaan; where their lot fell betwixt Ephraim on the North, Simeon on the

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South, the Tribe of BENIAMEN on the East, and the Mediterranean on the West.

Places of most note in it, 1. Ioppa (now called Iaffa) once a famous Mart-Town, and the onely Haven to Iudaea in foregoing times: the Town, where Ionah took ship to fly unto Tarshiesh; where Peter raised Dorcas from death to life, and where he lying in the house of one Simon a Tanner, was in a vision taught the conversion of the Gentiles. This City they report to have been built before the floudn: here they say reigned Cepheus, whose daughter Andromeda was by Perseus delivered from a Sea-monster, some of whose bones the people use to shew to strangers; even till the flourishing of the Romans. Just as our Citizens of Coventry and Warwick, shew the bones of the Dun-Cow of Dunsmear heath, and the bones of I know not what Gyant, slain by Guy Earl of Warwick. In the time of the Maccabees it was garrisoned by the Syrians, who having in the Port a Fleet of good power and strength, invited 200 of the chief Citizens to go aboard with them, and there drowned them all: for which their fleet was fired by Iudas, and such as did escape the fire fell upon his sword. Twice taken by the Romans, and the second time burnt unto the ground: new walled, and fortified with Towers, by King Lewis of France, in the year 1250, the Holy Warres then drawing to their finall end. Now nothing standing of it but two little Turrets where are certain Harquebusses for defence of the Haven; none of the best, defended from the South and West winds with eminent Rocks, but exposed to the fury of the North, which makes it more unsafe than the open Seas, when inraged by Tempests. Not much frequented by the Merchant, who trade here but for Cottons onely; and hold their Factory not far off in a Town called 2. Rama, by the Moores called Ramula, situate in a sandy plain on the rising of a little hill; built of free-stone, but the streets thereof narrow, and the houses contemptible. More beautifull in the ruins of some Christian Churches, and a Monastery built by Philip the Good of Burgundie, where the house of Nicod mus stood, than in any of the remaining edifices. 3. Iamnia, neer Ioppa, where Iudas burnt the rest of the Syrian Fleet, the flame whereof was seen to Hierusalem, 240 furlongs off; mentioned by Ptolomy, and in the times of Christianity an Episcopall S•e; now not discernable in the ruins. 4. Cedar, or Cedron, fortified against the Iews by Cendebaeus one of the Lieutenants of Antiochus, who hereabouts was overthrown by the Maccabees. 5. Modin, a small Town, but honoured with the birth and sepulchre of those Maccabaeans; the Sepulchre being seven Marble Pillars of so great an height, that they served as a mark for Seamen. 6.Gibbethon, in the Countrey called Makats, a City of the Levites, but afterwards possessed by the Philistims; at the sieige whereof Nadab, the Sonne of Ieroboam King of Israel, was slain by Baasha, who succeeded; and Omri chosen King on the death of Zimri. 7. Cariathi rim, where the Ark of the Lord was kept for 20 years in the house of Aminadab; that is to say, from the sending it home by the Philistims, till brought to Hierusalem by David. 8. Beth-semes, to which the A•• was brought by a yoke of Kine, turned loose by the Philistims: for irreverent looking into which there were slain by the immediate hand of God, no fewer then 50070 persons of this City. 9. Tsarah, neer which is a fountain, called the Fountain of Ethiopia, because Philip there baptized the Ethiopian Eunuch. 10. Caspin, taken with great slaughter by Iudas Maccabaeus. 11. Lachis, remarkable for the death of Amaziah King of Iudah. 12. Aialon, a City of the Levites also, in the valley whereof the Moon is said to have stood still at the prayers of Iosuah, as the Sun did over the City of Gibeon: the motion of the Heavens being said, that he might have the more time for execution on the Kings of the Canaanites. To this Tribe also belonged the Town and Territory of Dan, or Leshem, afterwards called Caesarea Philippi, in the Tribe of NEPHTHALIM; whereof we have there spoke already.

3. The Tribe of SIMEON was so called from Simeon the second Sonne of I•cob by his first wife Leah: of whom were found at the first muster 59300 able men; and but 22200 at the second muster, when they came into Canaan. Where they enjoyed but a small Territory to themselves, their lot falling amongst the Philistims, whom they were not able to expell: and therefore they were taken into the Tribe of Iudah, where they were permitted to enjoy some Towns and Villages, intermixed with that more potent Tribe. Afterwards in the reign of King Hezekiah, some of them possessed themselves of Gedar, belonging to the Children of Ham; and others passing Southwards into Idumaea, smote the Amale•ites which inhabited in the Mountains thereof, and dwelt in the places by them conquered. But for all this, wanting room for themselves and their Children, many of them undertook the Office of Scribes or Scriveners, and dispersed themselves amongst the rest of the Tribes, teaching their Children to write, and giving themselves to the employment of Publick Notaries: God herein verifying the curse which Iacob had denounced on Simeon, that he should be divided and scattered in Israel. But for their fixed habitation which fell to them by lot, it lay betwixt Dan upon the North, and Idumaea on the South; the Tribe of Iudah on the East, and the Philistims upon the West.

Places of most observation in it, 1. Gerar, the Royall seat of the two Abimelechs, Kings of the Philistims, with whom Abraham and Isaac had to do; and probably of some other of their Kings and Princes, till subdued by the Israelites. Situate in the South border of Canaan, not far from the Wildernesse of Beersheba, but in a very healthfull air; called therefore Regio Salutaris in the times succeeding. 2. Siceleg, or Ziglag, belonging to the Philistims till the time of David, to whom given by Achish King of Gath, for his place of retreat, when persecuted by Saul, from whom flying he lodged here all his goods and carriages: sacked by the Amalekites, but the booty recovered from them speedily by the diligence and good fortune of David. 3. Haiin, a City of the Levites. 4. Cariath-〈◊〉, that is to say the City of Books, seated within the bounds of Simeon, but belonging to Iudah, which some hold to be the University or Academie of old Palestine. A Citie of the Levites also, and at first possessed

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by the Sonnes of Anak, or men of a Gigantine stature, but taken by Othomel, the Sonne of Ken•, on the promise and encouragement which was given by Caleb, that whosoever took it should have his Daughter Achsah to wife. Afterwards it was called Debir, Iudg. 1. 11. known in the time of Saint Hierome, by the name of Daema. 5. Chorma, conceived by some to be that place mentioned 〈◊〉 14. 45 to which the Canaanites and Amalekites pursued those of Israel. 6. Beershab, or 〈◊〉 •uramenti, so called of the Well of waters, and the oath which was there sworn betwixt Abraham and Abimelech, Gen. 21. 31. Memorable in the Scripture for the Grove which Abraham there planted, the wandring of Hagar thereabouts, when she was cast out of Abrahams house with her young sonne ••mad, and the dwelling of Isaac, for which cause called the City of Isaac. Situate in the extreme South border of the Land of Canaan, the length whereof is often measured in the Scripture from this Town to Da•: and for that cause well fortified by the Western Christians, when they were possessed of this Countrey, as standing on the borders of Idumaea, and the Desarts of Arabia, in the way from Egypt.

4. The Tribe of IVDAH was so called from Iudah the fourth sonne of Iacob, by his wife Leah; of whom there were numbred at the first generall muster taken neer Mount Sinai, 76600 fighting men; and no fewer than 76500, at their entrance into the Land of Canaan. The greatest Tribe, and therefore answerably fitted with the largest territory; bordering on the Dead Sea, East; upon Simeon, West; and the Tribe of Benjamin on the North; and the Idumaeans on the South. Comparatively large, with reference to the other Tribes: but otherwise unable to contain or feed those infinite multitudes, without the extraordinary providence of Almighty God, which are recorded to be in it: King David mustering 470000 fighting men of this Tribe alone; which was more than half the number found in the rest of the Tribes. A Tribe which had a native Sovereignty over all the others, the Scepter, the Legislative power, and the worlds Messiah, being all promised unto this.

Places of most observation in it, 1. Arad, situate in the entrance of Iudaea, in the way from the Wilderness of Edom. 2. Hebron, one of the antientest Cities of Canaan: the seat of Giants, called Anakim, or the sonnes of Anak. This word Anak signifieth a chain worn for ornament: and it seemeth that this Anak enriched with the spoils of his enemies, wore a chain of Gold, leaving both the custome and name to his posterity. We read the like of Manlius Torquatus in the Roman Histories. This Town did Abraham buy for a buriall place for his dead, and in it his wife Sarah was first buried; and after her four of the Patriarchs. Adjoyning to this town is the plain of Mamre, where Abraham the Father of the faithfull, sitting in his Tent, was visited from Heaven by God in the shape of man. Here David kept his Court before the winning of Hierusalem; to this place came the Tribes to anoint him King over Israel; and hither came Absalon, under the pretence of paying his vowes, to usurp the Kingdome of his Father. 3. Tecoa, the City of Amos the Prophet; and also of that woman, who by the words which Ioab put into her mouth, perswaded the King to call Absolon from exile. In the Wilderness of this Tecoa, there assembled the Inhabitants of Moab, Ammon, and Mount Seir, to overthrow Iuda. But the Lord being appeased by the publique Fast, proclamed and kept by Iehosaphat and the people, sowed dissentions amongst them: So that the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount-Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them; and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Mount Seir, every one helped to destroy one another. 4. Cerioth, or Carioth, the birth-place of Iudas, hence sumamed Iscariot (or the man of Carioth) who betrayed our Saviour. 5. Jether, or Jatter, nigh unto which was fought that memorable battell, wherein Asa, King of Iudah, by the help of God, discomfited Zerah, King of the Arabians; whose Army consisted of a Million of fighting men. 6. Marsia, the native Soyl of the Prophet Michah, neer whereunto first Asa King of Iudah discomfitted the vast Army of Terah the Arabian or Ethiopian, consisting of above a Million of men; and afterwards Gorgias was overthrown by Iudas Maccabaeus. 7. Emaus, (after called Nicopolis) memorable for the third overthrow which Iudas gave to the said Gorgias; for our Redeemers shewing himself after his Resurrection to Cleophas and another of his Disciples; & for the hot Bathes hereabouts, which gave the name of Salntaris to this part of Palestine. The sovereign vertue of which waters Sozomen, a Christian, attributes to the washing of Christ's feet in them, as he passed by at that time; but Iosephus, a Iew, ascribes (as it is most likely) unto naturall causes. 8. Hasor, or Chatsor, one of the forntiere Towns towards Idumaea. 9. Odalla, or Hadullan, an antient and magnificent City, taken and destroyed by Josuah; and long after much enlarged and beautified by Ionathan, one of the Maccabees. 10. Ceila, or Keila, where David sometimes hid himself when he fled from Saul; by him delivered afterwards from the assaults of the Philistims. 11. Eleutheropolis, or the Free City, not far from Hebron, a City of later date than any of Iudah, mentioned by Ptolomy, and much remembred by Saint Hierome. 12. Azecha, not far from Emaus, to which Iosuah followed Dabir the King of Eglon and his four Associates, whom he discomfited in the cause and quarrell of the Gibeonites, molested by them for submitting to their common Enemy. Seated in the vally of Terebinth, and of very great strength; presuming upon which, it revolted from Ioram King of Judah, at the same time that Libn•, and the Edomites had revolted from him. 13. Beth-Sur (or Seth-Sora) that is to say, the house on the Rock, so called from the situation on a rocky hill, one of the strongest places of Sudah: Fortified first by Roboam. the son of Solomon, after by Iudas Maccabaeus, and finally made impregnable by his brother Simeon. 14. Adoram, bordering on the Dead-Sea, beautified also by Roboam. 15. Zoar, in former times called Bela, but took his name from the words of Lot, alleging that it was but a little one, Gen. 19. 20. as the word Tsohor doth import; in whose escape it was preserved; being otherwise one of the five Cities of the Region called Pentapolis, doomed unto destruction; the other four, Sodom, Gomorrals, Ad•ma, and Seboim, being at the same time destroied by fire and brimstone, 16. Massada, situate on an

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high Mountain called Collis Achilloe, an impregnable fortress, built by Herod the Great, in the place where Ionathan the Maccabee had sometime raised a very strong Castle; Which he fortified with 27. Turrets, and left therein, as in a place impregnable, and inaccessible, a Magazine of Armes and all warlike furniture for an Army of 100000 men. 17. Libna, a strong City seated in a corner of Iudah, running between the Tribes of Dan and Benjamin. This City revolted from Ioram King of Iudah, at the same time the Edomites did: and continued a free State, even as long as Iudab continued a Kingdome. 18. Ziph, in the wilderness, wherein David hid himself from the fury of Saul. Hither, when Saul pursued him, David came into his Camp (the watch being all asleep) and took thence his spear, and a Cruse of oyl, and departed. Abishai indeed would fain have killed him: but David, though he knew that Samuel had by Gods command abdicated Saul from the Kingdome, and that himself was appointed in his stead, would not touch him, but left him to the judgement of the Lord, whose annointed he was. 19. Bethlem, or (to distinguish it from another of this name in Zabulon so called) Bethlem-Iudah, where Christ was born; and the Innocents suffered for him, before he had suffered for them. In this general Massacre of young children, a sonne of Herods, which was at nurse, was also slain: Which being told unto Augustus, he replyed, he had rather be Herods swine than his sonne. His swine being safe in regard the Iews were forbidden hog-meat; but his sonnes frequently made away upon fears and jealousies. A Town for this cause had in great respect by the Primitive Christians, beautified by Helen with a Stately Temple, which yet standeth entire; by the Lady Paula (much extolled by Saint Hierome) with some goodly Monasteries, in one of which the body of that Father lieth; and by the Western Christian• with a See Episcopal. 20. On the frontire of this Country towards the Philistians, was that strong Castle, which Herod repairing, called Herodium, seated on a hill, the ascent unto which was made with 200 steps of Marble exceeding fair and large. In this Countrey also are the hils of Engaddi, in a Cave of which David cut off the lap of Sauls garment, and all along the bottomes whereof were the gardens of Balsamum, or Opobalsamum, the trees of which, were by Cleopatra (at such time as she governed M. Antony, and the East,) sent for to be replanted in Heliopolis of Aegypt; and Herod, who durst not deny them, plucked them up by the roots and sent them to her.

5. The Tribe of BENIAMIN took name from the twelf and youngest sonne of Iacob, by Rachel his best beloved wife, who died in that Child-birth: of which at the first muster neer unto Mount Sinai, were numbred 35000 able men; and at the second muster when they entred the Promised Land, there were found of them fit for Armes, 45600. persons. A Tribe in great danger to have been utterly cut off, by the folly of the men of Gibeah: all Israel arming against it, as one man. For besides those that perished in the former battels, there fell in one day 25000 men that drew the sword: the sury of the Conquerours after that great victory sparing neither man nor beast, nor any thing that came to hand, and burning down all their Cities also which they came unto. So great an havock was there made even of innocent maidens, that when the edge of this displeasure was taken off, there were not wives enough found for those few young men which had escaped; the other Tribes having bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to bestow their daughters on them: insomuch, that they were fain to provide themselves of wives of the daughters of Iabesh-Gilead, a Town of the Manissites beyond Iordan, which they took by assault, and of the daughters of Shilo, whom they took by Stratagem. The whole story see at large in the Book of the Indges, chap. 19, 20, 21.

The territories of this Tribe lay betwixt those of Ephraim on the North, and Iudah on the South, having the Dead-Sea to the East, and Tribe of Dan to the West-ward of them. The chief of their Towns and Cities, were, 1. Micmas, the incamping place of Saul, 1 Sam. 13. 2. and the abiding place of Ionathan, one of the Maccaboean brethren. 1 Macc. 9. 73. 2. Mispah, famous in being the ordinary place of assembly, for the whole body of the people, in matters of warre or peace: as also in that standing in the midst of Canaan, it was (together with Gilgal) made the seat of justice to which Samuel went yearly, to give judgement to the people. 3. Gebah, the North border of the Kingdome of Iudah toward Israel. 4. Gibeah, the Countrey of Saul, the first King: where the a busing of the Levites wife by the young men of this Town, had almost rooted the Tribe of Renjamin out of the garden of Israel. 5. At, a great and strong City, in the siege of which, the Israels were first discomfited: but when by the death of Achan, who had stoln the accursed thing, the Camp was purged; Josuah by a warlike stratagem surprised it. 6. Gibeon, the mother City of the Gibeonites, who presaging the unresistable victories of the Israelites, came to the Camp of Josuah, and by a wile obtained peace of Josuah and the People. Emploied by them in hewing wood and drawing water for the use of the Tabernacle, after the fraud was made known unto them; called Nethinims, Ezr. 43. from Nathan, which signifies to give, because they were given to the service of the Tabernacle first; of the Temple after. Saul about four hundred years after, slew some of them, for which fact the Lord caused a famine on the land: which could not be taken away till seven of Sauls sonnes were by David delivered unto the Gibeonites, and by them hanged. This famine did God send, because in killing those poor Gibeonites, the Oath was broken, which Josuah and the Princes swore concerning them. In defence of those Gibeonites it was, that Josuah waged war against the Kings of the Canaanites; and staied the motion of the Sun by his fervent praiers. 7. Jericho, destroied by the sound of Rams-horns, was not onely levelled by Josuah to the ground, but a curse inflicted on him that should attempt the re-building of it. This curse notwithstanding, at the time when Ahab reigned in Israel (which was about five hundred years after the ruine of it) Hiel a Bethelite, delighted with the pleasantness of the place, reedified it. But (as it was foretold by Iosuah) as he laid the foundation of the wals, he lost his eldest Sonne; and when he had finished it, and was setting up the gates thereof, he lost also the younger. It may be Hiel, when he began his work minded not the prophecy; it may be he believed

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it not: peradventure he thought the words of Iosuah, not so much to proceed from the spirit of prophecy, as from an angry and vexed heart; they being spoken in way of wish, or execration. And it is possible, it may be, he chose rather to build the eternity of his name on so pleasant and beautifull a City, than on the lines and issues of two young men. 8. Anathoth, the birth-place of the Prophet Ieremy, and the patrimony of Abiathar the high Priest, sent hither by the command of Solomon, as to a place of his own when deposed from his Office by that King. 9. Nob, called 1 Sam. 22. 19. the Cit of the Priests, destroyed by Saul, for the relief which Abimelech the high Priest had given to David; the A•k of the Lord then residing there. 10. Gilga•, upon the banks of Iordan, where Iosuah did first eat of the fruits of the Land, and kept his first Passeover; where he circumcised such of the People as were born during their wandring in the Wilderness; and nigh to which he set up twelve stones for a Memorial to posterity that the waters of Jordan did there divide themselves to give passage to the twelve Tribes of Israel; where Agag, King of the Amalekites, was hewen in peeces by Samuel, and where Samuel once every year administred Justice to the People. For being seated in the midst of the land of Israel betwixt North and South, and on the Eastside of the Countrey neer the banks of Iordan, it served very fitly for that purpose: as Mispah also did, which stood in the same distance in regard of the length of the land of Canaan, but situate towards the West Sea, neer the land of the Philistinis: used therefore enterchangeably for the ease of the people, 11. Bthel, at first called Luz, but took this new name in remembrance of the vision which Iacob saw here at his going towards Mesopotamia, as is said Gen. 28. 19. It signifieth the house of God, and was therefore chosen by Jeroboam, for the setting up of one of his Golden Calves; though thereby, (as the Prophet saith) he made it to be Beth-aver, the house of vanity, Osee 4. 15. and 10. 5. For then it was a part of the Kingdome of the Ten Tribe, and the Southern border of that Kingdome on the coasts of Ephraim: but taken from it by Abijah the King of Judah, and after that accounted as a member of his Kingdome till the destruction of it by the Chaldoeans. Called with the rest of those parts, in the time of the Maccabees by the of Aphoerema, which signifieth a thing taken away, because taken from the Ten Tribes, to which once it belonged, 1. Maccab. 11. 34. where it is said, to have been taken from the Countrey of Samaria, and added unto the borders of Iudoea. 12. Ramath, another place there mentioned, and said to have been added to the Realm of Iudah, having been formerly the South border of the Kingdome of Israel, and therefore strongly fortified by Baoesha, in the time of Asa King of Iudah. 13. Chadid, or Hadid, one of the three Cities (the other two being 14. Lod, and 15. Ono) which were inhabited by the Fenjamites after the Captivity. Destroyed in the warres with the Kings of Syria, and afterwards rebuilt by Sim•n the Maccaboean.

But he chief glory of this Tribe, and of all the rest, and not so only, but of all the whole world besides, was the famous City of Hurusalem: seated upon a rocky Mountain, every way to be ascended with steep and difficult ascents, (except towards the North;) environed on all other sides also with some neighbouring mountainets, as if placed in the middest of an Amphitheatre. It consisted in the time of its greatest flourish of four parts, separated by their several Walls, as if severall Cities; we may call them the Upper City, the Lower City, the New City, and the City of Herod: all of them but the Lower City seated upon their severall hills. Of these, that which we call the City of Herod, had formerly been beautified with the houses of many of the Prophets, as in our Saviours time with that of Mary the mother of John Mark, mentioned acts 15. 37. converted to a Church by the Primitive Christians: the Western part whereof was wholly taken up by the Palace of Herod (a wicked but magnificent Prince) for cost excessive, and for strength invincible; containing gardens, groves, fish-ponds, places devised for pleasure, besides those for exercise. Fortified with three Towers at the Corners of it, that on the South-East of the wall, 50 Cubi•s high, of excellent workmanship, called Mariamnes Tower, in memory of his beloved but insolent wife, rashly murdered by him. Opposite to which on the South-West corner, stood the Tower of Phaseolus, so called by the name of his brother, 70 Cubits high, and in form resembling that so much celebrated Aegyptian Phtros; and on the North Wall on an high hill the Tower of Hippick, exceeding both the rest in height by 14 Cubits, and having on the top two Spires, in memory of the two Hipp•er, his very dear friends, slain in his service by the wars.

2. On the South-side stood that part which was called the Old City, possessed if not built by the Iebu〈◊〉, and therein both the Mountain and Fort of Sion; but after called the City of David, because taken by him, who thereon built a strong and magnificent Castle, the Royall Court and Mansion of the Kings succeding. In the West part hereof stood the Tower of David; a double Palace built by Herod, the one part whereof he named Agrippa, and the other Coesar, composed of Marble, and every where enterlaid with gold; and not far off the house of Annas and Caiaphas, to which the Conspirators led our Saviour to receive his tryall.

3. That which was called the Lower City, because it had more in it of the Valley, was also called the Daughter of Sion, because built after it, in majesty and greatness did exceed the Mother. For therein upon Mount Moriah stood the Temple of Solomon (whereof more anon,) and betwixt it and Mount Zion, on another hill, the Palace which he built for his Wife the Daughter of Aegypt, and that which he founded for himself, from which by an high Bridge he had a way unto the Temple. West hereof on a losty rock overlooking the City, stood the Royall Palace of the Princes of the Maccaboeans, re-edified and dwelt in by King Agripoa (though of Herod race,) and not far off the Theater of Herods building; adorned with admirall pictures, expressing the many victories and triumphs of Augustus Coesar. In this part also stood Mount A•ra, and on that once a Citadell built by Antiochus King of Syria, but razed by Simon, one of the Maccaboean Brothers, because it overtopped the Temple; the house of Helena Queen of Adiab•ne, who converted from Paganism to Indaism, had here her dwelling, and here died; and finally

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Herods Amphitheatre, capacious enough to contain 80000 people, whom he entertained sometime with such shews and spectacles as were in use amongst the Romans. And in this part also on an high and craggy rock, not far from the Temple, stood the Tower of Baris, whereon the same Herod built a strong and impregnable Citadell, in honour of Marc. Antonie, whose Creature he first was, called by the name of Antonius, having a fair and large Tower at every corner, two of them 50. Cubits high, and the other 70. afterwards garrisoned by the Romans, for fear the Jews presuming on the strengen of the Temple, might take occasion to rebel.

4. As for the New City, which lay North to the City of Herod, it was once a Suburb onely unto all the rest; inhabited by none but mechanicall persons, and the meanest trades-men; but after incompassed by Agrippa with a wall of 25 Cubits high, and fortified with ninety Turrets. The whole City fenced with a wonderfull circumvallation, on all parts thereof, having a Ditch cut out of the main Rock, as Iosephus an eye-witness writeth, sixty foot deep, and no less than two hundred and fifty foot in bredth. First built, say some, by Melghisedech the King of Salem; by the Jebusites themselves, say others: by whomsoever built, called at first Jebusalem, afterwards Jerusalem, with the change of one letter only; inlarged in time, when made the Royall seat of the house of David, to the Magnificence and greatness before described, •• it attained unto the compass of sixty furlongs, or seven miles and an half. Unconquered for the first four hundred years after the entrance of the Children of Israel: and when David attempted it, the people presumed so much on the strength of the place, that they told him in the way of scorn, that the bl•nd and the lame which they had amongst them (as the Text is generally expounded) should defend it against him. But as I think, the late learned Mr. Gregory of Christ-church in Oxon, hath found out a more likely meaning of the Text than this, who telleth us, that the Jubesites by the blind and lame (as they knew well the Israeli•es called blind and lame) did understand those Tutelar Idols, on whose protection they relied (as the 〈◊〉 did on their Palladium) for defence thereof: and then the meaning must be this, those Gods whom you of Israel call blind and lame, shall defend our Walls. Why else should David say (had they meant it literally) that his soul hated the lame and the blind? 2. Sam. 5. 8. or why should the People of Israel be so uncharitable, as to say that the blind and lame should not come into the House (or Temple of God) were it meant no otherwise? But notwithstanding these vain hopes, the Town was carried under the conduct of Joab, that fortunate and couragious leader, and made the Royal seat of the Kings of Judah.

Proceed we now unto the Temple built by Solomon, in providing the materials whereof there were in Lebanon 30000 workmen, which wrought by the ten thousand every moneth; 70000 Labourers which carried burdens; 80000 Quarry-men that hewed stones in the Mountains; and of Officers and Overseers of the work, no lesse then 3300 men. The description of this Stately Fabrick we have in the first of Kings, cap. 6. 7. In the year of the world 2350 it was destroyed by Nabuchadzezzar at the taking of Hierusalem: rebuilt again after the return from the Captivity; but with such opposition of the Samaritans, that the Workmen were fain to hold their Tooles in one hand, and their swords in the other, to repulse, if need were, those malicious enemies. But yet this Temple was not answerable to the magnificence of the former; so that the Prophet Haggi had good occasion to say to the People, cap. 2. ver. 3. Who is l•ft among you that saw this house in her first glory? is it not in your eyes as nothing, in comparison of it? Nor fell it short thereof onely in the outward structure, but some inward Additaments. For it wanted, 1. The Pot of Mannah, which the Lord commanded Moses to lay up before the Testimony for a Memorial, Exod. 16. 32. &c. 2. The Rod of Aaron, which onely budded of all the Rods of the Princes of Israel, and was commanded to be kept before the (Ark of the) Testimony, for a token against Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, Num. 17. 10. 3. The Ark of the Covenant: the making whereof we have Exod. 25. 10. and the placing of it in the Oracle, or Sanctum Sanctorum, 1 King 6. 19. 4. The Two Tables of the Law, writ by Gods own finger, and by Moses laid up in the Ark of the Covenant, Exod. 40. 30. and Deut. 10. 5. And 5. The fire of Sacrifice, which came down from Heaven, mentioned Levit. 9. 24. 2 Chron. 17. 1. which by the Priest was to be kept continually burning, never to go out. This second Temple, partly because it was grown ruinous, partly because it seemed not magnificent enough, but principally to curry favour with the Jews, Herod the Asealonate pulled down, and set up another in the place; making it not much inferiour (if at all) unto that of Solomon, but far superiour to the other: immensoe opulentioe Templum, as Tacitus most truly called it. And this was it to which our Saviour did sometimes vouchsafe his presence. But here we are to understand, that by the Temple is not meant the Fabrick onely, or the house it self, but also all those several Courts with which encompassed, being four in number: That is to say, Atrium Sacerdotum, or the Priests Court, which was next unto the Temple, wherein stood the brazen Altar for the dayly sacrifice, and the Laver for the washing of the Priests and the Sacrifice also: into which Court might none enter but the Priest alone. 2. Then there was Atrium populi, or the Peoples Court, separated from the other by a wall of three Cubits height; to which the people did repair to perform their Sacrifices, to say their prayers, and to make payment of their vowes. In the middle of this Court, did Solomon maken a brazen Scaffold for the Kings his Successors, 2 Chron. 6. 13. and afterwards in imitation of his Porol built before the Temple, were many Porches built about it, for the people to repaire into in rainy weather, which gave to this whole Court the name of Solomons porch; whereof see John 10. 23. A •• 3. 11. Without that stood 3. Atrium Foeminarum, or the Womens Court, divided from the other, as is collected out of 2 Chron. 20. 5. in the time of Iehosophat King of Iudah; in which stood their Treasury, or poor-mans Box, mentioned in the one and twentieth Chapter of Saint Lukes Gospell, from whence this whole Court had sometimes the name of Treasury, as appeareth John 8. 20. where it is said, that these words spake JESUS in the Treasury, that is to say in the Womens Court, where

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the Treafury or Alm-Box stood. Betwixt these last was an Ascent of fifteen steps, on which the Levites used to sing those 15. Psalmes which do immediately follow the hundred nineteenth Psalm, upon each step one; from whence they had the name of Psalmi Graduales, or Cantica graduum, i.e. the Psalms or Songs of degrees. And so farre all was counted holy Ground, upon which none might tread but either natural Jews, or circumcised Proselytes, whom they called Proselytifoederis, as before was said; or such of the other Sex, (not natural Jewesses) who having received all outward initiations, had bound themselves unto the observation of the law of Moses. 4. So was it not with the fourth and last Court, called Atrium Gentium, or the Court of the Gentiles, designed for the use of those Gentiles whom they called Proselyti portoe, bound onely unto the keeping of the Precepts given the Sonnes of Noah. For in that, as unsanctified ground, (though counted part of the Temple also) did they permit a market of sheep and oxen, the sale of Doves and Pigeons, and the Tables of money-changets, for the oblations of the people: stabling the poor Gentiles amongst their Cattel, and ranking them with the worst of men. And out of this Temple, or Court of the Temple, did CHRIST our Saviour cast the buyers and eller•, and overthrew the Tables of the money-changers, asserting it to its primitive and original use, which was to be an house of prayer for all the Nations. This last Court separated from the other by a wall of three Cubits height, adorned with certain Pillars of equal distance, bearing this inscription, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, i.e. Let no Alien (or one that is no lew) enter into the holy place, And to this wall it is that the Apostle alludeth, saying, He hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us (i.e. betwen the Iews and Gentiles) making one of twain, Ephes. 2. 14, 15. inferring hereupon that the Gentiles are no more strangers and forreiners, but fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the houshold of God, v. 19.

But to go forwards with the Temple, having continued in the glories to which Herod brought it, not above 85 years, it was finally destroyed by Titus the sonne of Vespasian, in the 69. year after Christs nativity. At what time the Temple of Delphos was utterly overthrown by Earth-quakes and thunder-bolts from Heaven, neither of them ever-since repaired, though much endeavoured. The concurrence of which two miracles evidently sheweth that the time was then come in which God would put an end both to the Iewish Ceremonies, and Heathen Idolatries, that so the Kingdome of his sonne might be all in all. For this destruction of the Temple of Hierusalem I may call a miracle, in regard it was done against the command of Titus, who was not onely careful to preserve it, before his Souldiers had put fire to it, but did all that possibly might be to quench it. His reason was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; as Iosephus hath it, because the loss thereof would redound so highly to the prejudice of the Roman Empire, in being deprived of such a glorious and magnificent structure. But do he what he could with his utmost industry, there was no quenching of it till it was consumed. And it addes somewhat to the marvel, that this should happen on the tenth day of August, on which day, the first Temple had been burnt by Nabu•hadnozzar. And certainly it is worth the noting (I hope I shall not be accounted superstitious for this observation) to see how happy or unfortunate one and the same day hath been found unto divers persons. In the wars betwixt the French and the Spaniards for the Realm of Naples, Friday was observed to be very lucky to that great Captain Consalvo; he having on that day given the French many notable overthrows. Wednesday is said to have been fortunate to Pope Sixtus the fift; for on that day was he born, on the same made a Monk; on that day created Generall of his Order; on the same made Cardinal, then chosen to be Pope, and finally on the same inaugurated. To Henry the seventh of England Saturday was observed to be very fortunate in all his actions, as was the 24. of February unto Charles the fift, on what day soever: for on that he came into the world, & in that he took K. Francis Prisoner at the battel of Pav•e, and on the same received the Imperial Crown. But to return unto the Temple, we find that on the Sabbath or Saturday it was taken by Pampey, on the same by Herod, and on that also by Titus.

But goe we forwards to Hierusalem as now it standeth, it lay in rubbish and unbuilt (after the destruction of it by Titus) till repaired by Adrian: and then the Temple not so much as thought of, till out of an ungodly policy, in the Reign of Julian that Politick Enemy of the Church; who to diminish the infinite number of Christians by the increase of the Jews: began again to build this Temple. But no sooner were the foundations laid, but a terrible Earth-quake cast them up again, and fire from Heaven consumed the Tools of the Workmen, together with the Stones, Timber, and other materials. As for the City it self, after the desolation in it which was made by Titus, it was re-edified by the Emperour Aelius Adrianus, who named it Aelia, drave thence the Jews, and gave it to the Christians. But this new City was not built in the place of the old. For within this Mount Calvary is comprehended, which was not in the Old before: As on the other side a great part of Mount Sion, part of the City of Herod, and the Soyl where the New City stood, are left out of this: the ruines of the other still remaining visible, to shew the antient greatness and magnificence of it. To look upon it then as it stands at present, it is now onely famous for the Temple of the Sepulchre, built by Helena (whom most report to have been daughter to Corlus a British King) Mother to Constantine the great. Much a doe had the good Lady to find the place where the LORDS body had been laid: for the Jews and Heathens had raised great hillocks on the place; and built there a Temple of Venus. This Temple being plucked down, and the earth d•gged away, she found the three Crosses, whereon our blessed Saviour, and the two Theeves had suffered. To know which of these was the right Cross, they were all carried to a woman, who had been long visited with sickness, and now lay at the point of death. The Crosses of the two Theeves did the weak woman no good: but as soon as they laid on her the Cross on which the Lord died, she leaped up and was restored to her former health. This Temple of the Sepu•chre, even at the first building, was highly reverenced and esteemed by the Christians of these parts: and even untill our daies, it is much resorted to, both by Pilgrims from

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all the parts of the Romish Church, who fondly and superstitiously hope to merit by their journey: and also by divers Gentlemen of the reformed Churches, who travell hitherward; partly for curiosity, partly for love to the antiquity of the place, and partly because their generous spirits imitate the heaven and delight in motion. Whosoever is admitted to the sight of this Sepulchre, payeth nine crowns to the Turkish Officers: so that this •ribute onely is worth to the Grand Signeur, eighty thousand Duckats yearly. The other building generally very mean and poor, if not contemptible. Built of flint stones, Low, and but one rock high; flat on the tops for men to walk on, and fenced with battlements of a yard in hight to preserve them from falling; the under-rooms no better than vaults, where they repose themselves in the heat of the day.

Some houses neer the Temple of Solomon, and the Palace of Herod, adorned with Arches toward the Street, where the passenger may walk dry in a showr of rain; but not many such: nor any thing but the ruins left of the antient buildings. The whole circuit of it reduced to two or three miles: and yet to those which take a survey thereof from some hills adjoining, where the ruines are not well discerned from the standing edifices, it affordeth to the eye no unpleasing prospect. And as the place is, such is the people, inhabited for the most part by Artizans of the meanest quality, gathered together of the scumme of divers Nations: the greatest part consisting of Moores, and Arabians; a few poor Christians, of all the Orientall Sects, which dwell there for devotion, and some Turks, who for the profit which they make of Christians, are content to stay in it. Insomuch that when Robert Duke of Normandy, being then not cured of his wounds, and was carried into this City on the backs of some of this rascal people, he called to a Gentleman of his, who was going for England, and bad him say, that he saw Duke Robert carried into Heaven on the backs of devils.

Come we now to the Tribe of LEVI, though indeed not reckoned for a Tribe, because not planted close together as the other were, nor had whole Provinces to themselves, but mingled and dispersed amongst the rest of the people, having forty eight Cities assigned them for their habitation, proportionably taken out of the other Tribes. So was it ordered by the Lord, partly that they being set apart for his Service, might be at hand in every place to instruct the People; and partly to fulfill the Prophecy which he had spoken by Jacob, who had fore-signified to Levi at the time of his death, that he should be divided in Jacob, and scattered in Israel. The like fortune he had prophesied of Simeon also; of the accomplishment whereof, so far as it refered to him, and the dispersion of his Tribe, we have spoken before. Now to make up the number of the twelve Tribes, Joseph was divided into Ephraim, and Manasses; and the Levites were reckoned to belong unto that Tribe, within whose territorie, that City which they dwelt in, stood. Their maintenance was from the tenths or tithes, the first fruits, offerings, and Sacrifices of the People: and as it is in the eighteenth of Joshua, v. the seventeenth, The Priesthood of the Lord was their inheritance. There were of them four kinds. 1. Punies or Tirones, which from their childhood, till the five and twentieth year of their age, learned the duty of their offices. 2. Graduates, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which having spent four years in the study of the Law, were able to answer and oppose in it. 3. Licenciates, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which did actually exercise the Priestly function. And 4. Doctors (Rabbins they use to call them) who were the highest in degree. For maintenance of whom they had (as before is said) the Tithes, first fruits, and offerings of all the rest of the People; besides the 48 Cities assigned for their habitation: which last, with the severall territories appertaining to them, extending every way for the space of two thousand Cubits, seems to have been a greater proportion of it self, than any of the other Tribes (with reference to the small number of the Levites) had in their possessions. Then for the Tithes, there was not onely a full tenth set out of all kinds of increase, but such an imposition laid upon all sorts of grain, as came to more than a sixt part of the Crop it self. For first, out of six thousand bushels (and so accordingly in all after that proportion) a sixtieth part at least, (and that they termed the Therumah of the evil eye, or the niggards first fruits) was to be set forth as the first fruits of the threshing floor, which was an hundred in the totall. Out of the residue, being five thousand and nine hundred Bushels, the first Tith paid unto the Levites came to five hundred and ninety Bushels: and of the residue, being five thousand three hundred and thirty Bushels, five hundred thirty and one were paid for the second Tithe unto the Priest which ministred in the holy Temple: yet so, that such as would decline the trouble of carrying it in hand unto Hierusalem, must pay the price thereof at the Priest's own estimate. Laying which severall summes together, it appears demonstrably, that of six thousand Bushels (& fic de cateris) there will accrew one thousand two hundred seventy and one Bushels to the Priests and Levites; and but four thousand seven hundred seventy and nine to the Lord or Tenant; which is not fully a sixt part, as was said before. Then had they the first born of mankind and all unclean Beasts, redeemed at a certain rate; the first fruits of Wine, Oyl, and wool; the first fruits of the dough, and of the firstlings of clean Beasts (their bloud being sprinkled on the Altar, and the fat offered for a burnt offering) the flesh remained unto the Priest. They had also the meat-offerings, the sinneofferings, the trespass-offerings, the shake-offerings, the heave-offerings, and the Shew-bread: as also of all Eucharisticall Sacrifices the breast and the shoulder; of others the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the maw; and of the whole burnt-offering they received the skin; besides the free-gifts of the people appearing thrice yearly before the Lord; and all this brought in unto them without charge or trouble. Which makes it evident that they were farre moore liberally provided for than the rest of the Tribes; though they had no whole Countrey allotted to them, as the others had. And so much for such parts of the Land of Palestine as were possessed in part or wholly, by the Sons of Jacob: proceed we now to the Inheritance of the Sons of Esau.

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IDVMAEA.

IDVMAEA, or the Land of EDOM, is bounded on the East and South, with Arabia Petraea; on the North, with Judaea; and on the West, with the Mediterranean Sea. So called from the Edomites, or Children of Esau, whose name is Edom, Gen. 36. 1. the Father of the Edomites, v. 43. by whom it was planted and possessed: or as others say from the Idumai, a people of Arabia, who in a mutiny being forced to forsake their Countrey, came and setled here. The first the more certain of the two, and therefore I adhere to that.

The Countrey towards the Seaside very fat and fruitful; but where it bendeth towards Arabia, exceeding mountainous and barren. Heretofore it afforded Balm, not now: but still it hath some store of Palmtrees, for which much celebrated by some writers of antient times, as Arbusto Palmarum dives Idu••e, in the Poet Lucan. Sandy and full of vast desarts, for which, and for the want of water, it is thought unconquerable. For though they have many wells there for the use of the natives, yet to them only are they known, not obvious at all to the eyes of strangers, no not upon the strictest search that can be imagined. But all places are not so well furnished, as appeareth by the sad condition which the Kings of Iudah, Israel, and Edom were fallen into, when they led their Armies thorough the desarts of this Countrey against the Moabite, finding herein no water for man or beast: insomuch that the King of Israel said, Alas that the Lord hath called these three Kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab, 2 Kings 3. 10. Not otherwise delivered out of this perplexity, but by a miracle from Heaven: God sending them the next day an abundance of water, without wind or rain, or any other visible means, ver. 17, 20.

The people antiently rude and barbarous, greedy of change in government, easily stirred to insurrections, and in love with tumults. Professed enemies to the lews, till conquered by them: and when compelled by Hyrcanus to the lewish Religion, they were at the best but false friends, and in the siege of Hierusalem by Titus, did them more mischief than the Romans. At this time subject to the Turk, and differ not much in life and custome from the wild Arabians.

Rivers of note there can be none, where so little waters. One Lake it hath, though possibly it had been better had they been without it, now small, and every day growing less; the passage being long since bared which it had to the Sea. Antiently, though then narrow, it was two hundred surlongs, or five and twenty miles long; bordered on each side by hills of Sand, which born by the winds into the water did so thicken the same, that it was not easie to be discerned from the dry land; insomuch as whole Armies have been swallowed up in it. Thence called Barathrum by the Latines; The true name of it formerly was the lake of Sirbon. By the Italians it is now called Lago di Teveso, by the Natives Bayrema, the utmost bound of Palestine where it joineth on Aegypt.

The Chief mountains of it, are, 1. Mount Seir, the first habitation of Esau, after he left his dwelling in the Land of Canaan to make room for Iacob, as is said Gen. 36. 7, 8. Not called so unless by Anticipation (a thing not unusuall in the Scriptures) till the coming of Esau thither; the word Seir signifying ba•ry or brisled, such as Esau is described to be, Gen. 27. 11. To this St. Hierome doth accord, deriving the name of Seir from Esau, Sumpto ab autore nomine. His reason is, Seir quippe interpretatur Hispidus & pilosus qua'is Esau fuit. So he in his Comment on Esaiah, cap. 21. For the same cause, is the whole Countrey of Edom, sometimes called Mount Seir, in Scripture, by the name of this Mountain, as 2 Chron. 20. 10, 23. The 2. hill of note is that called Cassius, not far from the Lake of Sirbon, now nothing but an huge heap of sand, formerly famous for a Temple of Iupiter, and the Sepulchre of Pompey the Great. Who being basely murdered here (after his defeat neer Pharsalia by Iulius Caesar) by the command of Ptolomy the younger, King of Aegypt, unto whom he fled (or rather by the command of Achillus who then governed his Counsails) by the piety of a private Souldier was here interred in an obscure and homely, but honest Sepulchre. The Sepulchre afterwards re-edified and made more suitable to the man, by the Emperour Adrian. The piety of the Souldier not a whit the less for the cost of the Emperour; in whose name Lucan had bestowed this Epitaph on that first Monument.

Hic situs est Magnus, placet hoc Fortuna Sepulchrum

Dicere Pompeii, quo condi malluit illum,

Quam terra carnisse Socer.

Which may be Englished to this purpose.

Here Magnus lies, Such, Fortune, is thy doom

That this vile earth should be great Pompeys Tomb.

In which even Caesars self would rather have

His Son-in-Law interr'd, than want a grave.

Places of most consideration in it, 1. Dinhahah, the City of Bela, the first King of Edom. 2. Anith, the City of Had•d, and 3. Pan, the City of Hadar, two others of the Kings hereof: which three are mentioned Gen. 36. 32. 35. 39. 4. Berzamna, placed here by Ptolomy, supposed to be the same with Bershabee in the Tribe of Simeon, the utmost border South-wards of the Land of Canaan: of which more there. 5. Caparorsa. 6. Gammararis, and 7. Elasa, all of them mentioned by Ptolomy, which sheweth them to be of some consideration in those times; though now forgotten with the former. 8. Anthedon, on the South-side of the River Besor, opposite to Gaza in the Tribe of Simeon, which is situate on the Northern bank. A port Town, once of good repute, till defaced by Alexander King of the lewes: re-edified afterwards by Herod the Great, and named Agr•ppias, in honour of Agrippa the favorite and Sonne-in-Law of Augustus Caesar. 9. Raphia, memorable for the great defeat which

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Ptolomy Philopater there gave unto Antiochus surnamed Magnus. 10. Rhinocurura, so called from a mishap which befel the Inhabitants hereof, by mangling and defacing their noses. By Plinie and S•rab• called Rhinocurula; and at this day Pharamica. Memorable for an old but ill-grounded tradition, that here the world was divided by lots, betwixt the posterity of Noah: and so considerable in the warres of the holy land, that it was strongly fortified by Baldwin the first, to obstruct the passage of such forces as usually came out on Egypt to aid the Turks. 11. Ostracine, now Stragion•; on the Sea-side beneath Anthedon, and in that part of the Countrey which from Mount Casius hath the name of Casiotus: ascribed by Ptolomy to Egypt; but being they are both on the North of the Lake of Sirbon, more properly belonging to Palestina. But most of these being now buried in their ruines, there are left none but a few Castles and scattered villages: the villages inhabited for the most part by Arabians, the Castles garrisoned by Turks. The chief of which lying on the Sea in the road to Egypt, are 12. Hamones, a small Castle not farre from Gaza, used chiefly for a Toll-booth, to receive custome of such Merchants as pass that way. 13. Harissa, a small Castle also, serving specially for the same use, but stronger and of more importance because neer the Sea; from which not above two miles distant; and for that cause garrisoned with a hundred Souldiers: environed with a few houses, by reason of the commodity of the water, which is sweet and wholesome; else little better than a Desart. 14. Catio, an other Castle, or rather Tollbooth, with a garrison of about 60 Souldiers in it: seated in a place so desert and unfruitful, that nothing vegetable groweth in it, but a few starved Palm-trees; The water which they have there so bad and brackish, though esteemed good enough for the common Souldiers, that all which the Captain drinketh is brought from 15. Tina, a Town upon the Sea-shore, about twelve miles distant, and the last upon this coast towards Egypt.

The first Inhabitants of this Countrey were the Horites, the Horites which dwelt in Mount Seir, as we reade in Gen. cap. 14, v. 6. that is to say, which dwelt in that hilly Countrey which afterwards was called Mount Seir. But whether it were so called from Esaus dwelling here, as is said before, or from Seir the Horite, mentioned Gen. 36. 20. as perhaps may probably be supposed, need not now come into dispute. Broken by Cherdolaomer and his Associates, they were the more easily subdued by Esau. Who leaving the land of Canaan to his brother Iacob, Gen. 36. 7, 8. because those parts in which they dwelt did not afford them room enough for their several Cattel, came into this Countrey, and having destroyed the Horites from before them, succeeded in their habitations, and dwelt there in their stead •venunto this day, Deut. 2. 22. Tis true, we find Esau in Mount Seir, before this remove: for it is said, that Iacob at his first coming out of Mesopotamia, sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, unto the Land of Seir, the Countrey of Edom, Gen. 32. 3. And hence a question hath been moved, how Esau dwelling there before Jacobs coming, can be said to remove thither to make room for him. To this Sir Walter Ra egh and some others answer, that at the time when Jacob came out of Padan-Aram, Esau dwelt in those parts of the Mountains which lie on the East of Jordan, called afterwards Galaad and Mount Hermon, by which Jacob must needs passe in his way to Canaan; which Mountains then were called by the name of Seir, and from thence Syrion by the Zidonians or Phoenicians in the ages following: from whence driven by the Amorites at such time as they vanquished those of Moab and Ammon, they were forced to seat themselves on the South of Canaan, where Moses found them. But with this I am by no means satisfied. For besides that it maketh Esau to carry a Mount Sier with him, wheresoever he went; it doth expressely differ from the plain words of Scripture, both in the occasion and the time of his setling there: the victories which the Amorites had over the Ammonites and Moabites, being then fresh and newly gotten when Moses with the children of Israel came into these parts, which was at the least 200. years after Esau did withdraw himself to the land of Edom. And therefore I should rather think, that Esau finding himself distasted by his Father and Mother, in regard of his Canaanitish mariages, and the hatred which he bare to Jacob, departed from them, and so journed in the South parts amongst the Horites of Moun Seir; that thither Jacob sent his messengers to make peace between them; that the reconciliation being made, Esau returned unto the place where before he sojourned; and having brought thence his children, cattel, and the rest of his substance, fixed himself again neer the house of his Fathers; and finally, that on Isaacs death, finding his family increased, his heards of flocks augmented, and the rest of his substance also doubled by the death of his father; he thought it fit also to enlarge his dwelling, and so removed back once more to Edom. A thing not needful to be done had he dwelt in Galaad, H•rmon, or any other part of that Mountainous Tract: considering the great distance betwixt those Mountaines and the City of Hebron in which Isaac dwelt, nigh to which Iacob also had set up his dwelling.

But on what ground soever Esau left the possession of the land of Canaan to his brother Iacob, certain it is, he did it not without some strong impulsions from the spirit of God, by whom the possession of that Land was desigued for Iacob; to whom the blessing & the birth-right had been both preferred. And though Esau over-ruled by Almighty God, seemed to have forgotten all displeasure against his brother: yet the quarrel began by them in the womb of Rebecca, brake out more violently in the times of their posterity. Insomuch that Moses could by no means obtain a passage thorow Edom into the Promised Land, though he sought it by a fair address, and pressed it by all those motives and inducements which a wise and understanding man could have set before them. For though the King of Edom then being, seemed to pretend nothing but the safety of himself and his people, both which he might have hazarded (in all humane Reason) by opening the closures of his Mountains, and letting in a Nation mightier than his own: yet it is possible there might be as much of stomach as worldly policy, and that aswell the buying of the birth-right for so sleight a trifle, as the getting of the blessing by such fraudulent means, might not be forgotten. Forhe not onely denyed them passage

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and sent back word expressely they should not go thorow, but came against them with much people and a strong band, as is said Numbers 20. 20. But the Edomites could not for all this prevent their destiny' or make the word of God to be ineffectuall, by which it had been signified, when they were yet in their mothers womb, that the elder should serve the younger. Not verified in Esaus person, for Iacob called him his Lord Esau, professed himself to be his Servant, and willingly submitted to his superierity; but in the issues of them both: then specially when David had subdued the Edomites, and made them Homagers and Vassals to the Crown of Judah, 2 Sam. 8. 14. Nor is less intimated in those words of the 60 Psalm, where it is said, Over Edom will I cast my shooe; it being a custome of old times to fling their shooes upon a Countrey conquered or designed for conquest. Pro ectio calceamenti super Regionem aliquam denotat subiicere, as my Author hath it. And in allusion unto this, there is a story in the Chronicles of the Kings of Man, how Magnus King of the Isles sent his Ambassadours to Murchard a King in Ireland, commanding him on the next Christmas day to carry openly the shooes of King Magnus upon his shoulders, in testimony, saith the story, that he was his Vassal. The casting of the Shooe on a conquered Countrey, or the treading of it under feet, another ceremony of this nature mentioned Deut. 33. 29. do come both to one, and signifie that vassallage or bondage, which such a captivated Country was reduced unto.

But on the other side, there was another part of the heavenly Oracle, which made for Edom: Isaac had signified to Esau, that though the blessing given to Jacob could not be revoked, and that he must content himself with being a servant to his brother for a certain in season: yet there should one day come a time in which he should not onely break that yoke from off his neck, but obtain the dominion over him, Gen. 27. 40. The first part verified, when the Edomites revolted from the Kings of Judah in the time of Joram, or Jehoram the Sonne of Jehosophat: and instead of a Vice-Roy sent unto them from the Court of Hierusalem, set up a King of their own Nation; never returning after that to the house of David. For though foram made war presently upon them, and got the victory, yet he did not prosecute it unto any effect, nor beat them out of any of their strong holds, nor reduce any of their Cities unto his obedience: as if he had got honour enough in the eye of the world by being master of the Field; or shewing his abilities in command of a greater Army than the Edomites could bring against him. The like errour was committed also by Amaziah, who by a vast Army of 300000 fighting men, did no greater wonders, than the killing of 10000, and the taking of as many Edomites; but neither left garrisons in any of their defensible places, nor reduced any part of their Countrey under his obedience. And for the later part thereof, it was as punctually fulfilled in the time of Antipater an Idumaean, Herod the Ascalonite his Sonne, and their Successors, who in the decrepit age of the house of Iacob, became Kings of the Iews, and lorded over them with insolence and contempt enough.

Mean time to look upon the intermediate passages of their State and story, it seemeth that at the first they were governed by Dukes, each having the command of those severall families of which they were the heads or Princes. But as ambition and power did prevail among them, the most potent having vanquished or awed the rest, took to himself the name of King: which by the names of their Fathers, and their several Cities in which they reigned, seem to have been chosen by election, or otherwise to come in by strong hand, as the sword could carry it. The names of which are thus set down in the book of Genesis.

The Kings of Edom.

1. Bela, the Sonne of Beor.

2. Iobab, the Sonne of Zerah.

3. Hasham, of the Land of Temani.

4. Hadad, the Sonne of Bedad, who warred against the Midianites, and vanquished them in the fields of Moab, Gen. 36. 35.

5. Samlah, of Masrekah.

6. Saul, of Rehoboth by the River Euphrates.

7. Baal-Hanan, the Sonne of Achbor.

8. Hadar, the Sonne perhaps of Baal-Hanan, for I find no mention of his Father. After whose death, the heads of the severall Families resumed the Government again, ruling over their own Tribes, without any one Soveraign or Supreme. And all these Kings they had before there reigned any King in Israel, Gen. 36. 31. that is to say, before any form of Supreme Government was established amongst them in the person of Moses, called by the name of a King in the book of Deut. chap. 35. v. 5. But this distracted Government did not long continue, the Edomites being under a King again, at such time as the Children of Israel came out of Egypt: for it was unto the King of Edom that Moses sent Messengers from Kadesh to desire a passage thorow his Countrey. Which being denied, and the Edomites in Armes to defend their passes, Moses forbore to force his way, though the neerest for him, partly because he had no mind to spend those forces in fighting with hills and desarts, which were designed for the conquest of another Countrey; but principally because God commanded him not to medle with them, or to take so much as a foot of their Countrey from them, Deut. 2. 5. But David, upon whom lay no such obligation, having vanquished the Syrians and other Nations round about him, followed his fortunes unto Edom, whom he overcame, and put Garrisons into all their Cities, and the Edomites became his servants. Governed from thenceforth by a Deputy or Vice-Roy (as is said before) till the time of Joram the Son of Jehosophat King of Judah; in whose Reign they revolted as before was said. Never regained to that Crown, and but twice endeavoured, that so the word of God might be all in all. Onely the Simeonites in the reign of Hezekiah, wanting pasture for their cattel, and room for themselves, seized on the parts which lay neerest to them, destroyed the inhabitants thereof, and dwelt in their habitations, because there was pasture for their flocks, 1. Chron. 4. 39. Provoked wherewith, and with the natural Antipathy which

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was between them. No people were more mischievously bent against Judah, than these Edomites were: no men so forward of themselves to assist Nabuchadonosor against Hierusalem; none that so vehemently cryed Down with it down unto the ground; none half so ready to set fire to the holy Temple. But they got little by this service to the Babylonians, their own thraldome following close upon that of Judah: with whom made fellow-subjects to the Chaldaeans, as afterwards to the Persians, and Kings of Syria of the race of Seleucus. In the declining of that house, subdued by Hyrcanus the Son of Simon, the fourth of the Maccabaean Princes; by whom they were compelled to be Circumcised, and to receive the Law of Moses: not onely reckoned after that, as a Province of the Jewish Kingdome, but as naturall Jews. Which notwithstanding, and that the setting of that Crown on the head of Herod and his house, being originally Idumaenus, might in all reason have extinguished their inveterate malice: yet was their hatred of that Nation as great as ever. Forgetting therefore how they had been rewatded by the Babylonians, they would needs aid the Romans against them also: putting themselves into Hierusalem, when besieged by Titus, onely of purpose to betray it; joyning with the seditious there, doing more mischief in the City than the enemy had done without; and finally, setting fire to the second Temple, as they had done unto the first. Subjected afterwards by the Romans, they followed the same fortune with the rest of Palestine.

Having thus gon through with the story of those neighbouring Nations which encompassed Canaan: it will be seasonable to look on the affairs of the Canaanites first, and after of the house of Jacob who possessed their Countrey. First for the Canaanites, they descended from Canaan the son of Cham, who with his eleven sons were here setled immediatly after the confusion at Babel. Of those twelve (taking in the Father) five planted in Phoenicia, and the coasts of Syria, that is to say, Sidon, Harki, Arvadi, Semari, and Hamathi: the other seven in those parts which we now call Palestine, though not all of that, the Edomites, Moabites, Midianites, Ammonites, and Ituraeans, being Occupants or Tenants with them. And of those seven came those seven Nations, which by Gods appointment were totally to be rooted out, viz. the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Iebusites, the Hivites, the Gergeshites, and the Perizites. But from which of the sons of Canaan these last descended, is not yet agreed on, unless perhaps they were descended of the Sinites (not otherwise reckoned in this muster) and got the name of Perizites, on some new occasion. Governed at first by the Chiefest of their severall Families, with the names of Kings; the number of which increased as their Families were subdivided into smaller branches: insomuch as Iosuah found 31 Kings of the Cannanites onely, besides what might descend from those who were setled in Phoenicia and the borders of Syria. The most potent of those Nations were the Amorites, the Iebusites, and the Chanaanites properly so called. Of which the Amorites had not onely inlarged their borders beyond Iordan, but in the reigns of Og and Sihon, ruling at the same time in their severall parts, had thrust the Ituraeans, Ammonites and Moabites, out of most of their Countries: and so restored the same again to the race of the Emmims and Zanzummims (of which they were) who had been dispossessed thereof by the Sons of Lot. These vanquished in the time of Moses, and their habitations assigned over to the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the one half-tribe of Manasses. The Canaanites properly so called, as they were the first which fought with the house of Iacob; so they were the last of all these people that contended with them. They first fought with them under the conduct of Arad their King, who thinking it more safe and prudent to encounter the Enemy in an other mans Countrey, than to expect them in his own; gave battell unto Moses in the Desarts of Moab: and having cut off some of the out-parts of his Army, and taken a few Prisoners, he went home again. But Iabin, under whom they made their second onset, went to work more resolutely; and taking a time when the iniquities of that People cried loud for vengeance, so prevailed against them, that he tyrannized over them for the space of 20 years. After which time, his Army being discomfited by Bara•, in the time of Debora; Sisera, his great Captain, slain by Iael the wife of Heber the Kenite; and most of his Cities taken and possessed by the Israelites; he perished himself in the close of that war; for it is said that they prevailed against Iabin the King of Canaan, till they had destroyed him, Judg. 4. 24. As for the Iebusites, they were grown so formidable (at the time of the comming of the Hebrews) to the rest of their neighbours, that their King Adonibezek bragged that he had cut off the thumbs and great toes of 70 Kings, and made them eat the crums which fell under his table. But being vanquished by Iudah, he was served in the same kind himself by Iudah and Simeon, and carried to Hicrusalem, where he died: the whole Countrey of the Iebusites, and the City of Hierusalem it self, the fortress of Mount Zion excepted onely, being made a prey unto the Victor. And though the Iebusites held that fortess till the time of David, yet being they were onely on the defensive side, and made no open war against those of Israel, I reckon the Canaanites as the last which did contend with them for the chief command.

The Canaanites thus conquered, and for the most part worn out of the Countrey, the Israelites succeeded in their possessions; according to the promise of God made to Abraham, renewed to Isaac, and confirmed to Iacob. Governed, after the death of Moses and Josuah, by the Congregation of the Elders, as appears by many passages in the book of Iudg. the Iudges (as the Scripture calleth them) not being the ordinary Magistrates, but raised up occasionally by God for some speciall purpose, according to the exigence of their affairs. Carrying in this a likeness unto the Dictators in the State of Rome. So that the Government at the first was an Aristocratie; though to say truth, it rather was a Theocratie, as the Fathers call it, that is to say, a government wherein GOD presided more immediatly than in other Nations. And thereupon when the People cried out to Samuel to have a King, God said unto him, Hearken unto the voice of the people, for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them, 1 Samuel 8. 7. God was their King, and he had mightily reigned over them since they came out of Egypt; but they desired to have a King like to other Nations, to go in and out before them, and to fight their battels: a King whom they might see with their bodily eyes, and converse with him in such manner as the people did, which dwelt round about them. And so came in the Monarchy or Kingly Government, begun

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in Saul, but confirmed in David; the first a Benjamite, the second of the Tribe of Judah; of which Jacob had fore-told at the time of his death, that the Kingdome of his People should be vested in it. But there were onely three in all, reckoning Saul for one, who had Dominion over the whole house of Israel; the Kingdome after Solomons death being rent in twain; ten of the twelve Tribes revolting unto Jeroboam the Sonne of Nebat; and only Benjamin and Judah, and so much of the Tribes of Dan and Sime•n, as lay intermingled with and in the Tribe of Judah, remaining firm to Reholoam the Son of Solomon, who misguided by some evil Counsellers which were about him, had given occasion to the breach. A breach that never could be soldered or made up again; notwithstanding the fair opportunities which were after offered, of uniting Judah unto Israel (for so the two Kingdomes were distinguished) in the time of Joas; and rejoining Israel to Judah, in the time of Asa. The opportunity offered to Asa King of Iudah for regaining the revolted Tribes, was the confusions which in his time had fallen out amongst them by severall factions, each challenging the privilege of making a King unto it self: Nadab the Sonne of 〈◊〉 being slain by Baasha, Ela the sonne of Baasha murdered by Zimri, Zimri deposed by O•• the Father of Ahab, and Tobni a competitor against Omri also. During which time, as the people must needs suffer many great oppressions, which might make them think of their allegeance to the house of David: so could not Asa have wanted many fair advantages (had he made his best use of them) of working on the divided Kingdome, and reducing it back unto his house. But there were two reasons which prevailed more against this re-union, than any that could be presented to invite them to it. First the imperiousness and arbitrary government of the Kings of Iudah, putting to death without formality of law, those that had displeased them; as in the case of Shimei, Ioab, and Adonijah, in the daies of Solomon: and raising on the Subject what sums they pleased, though more for ostentation of their own magnificence, than the necessities of the State. Of which exactions Rehoboam the Sonne of Solomon was so far from promising a release, or some mitigation at the least, that he threatned to make them more than double what they had been formerly: and how knew they, but that Asa, and all such as descended from him, might be of the same temper also, and act according to those Principles which their Fathers left them. Whereas the Kings of Israel holding by no other title than the love of their people, and the moderate and regular form of their government over them, had put their mouthes in such a tast of the sweets of liberty, and made them so much masters of their own both lives and fortunes; that Naboth durst deny his vine-yard to Ahab, though offering full compensation for it; and Ahab durst not question the life of Naboth, but by suborning witnesses to accuse him of blasphemie. So that the present confusions under which they suffered by the change and violent death of so many Kings one after another, being only temporary, and not likely to continue long; were no perswasions unto them to accept of Asa, and much less to offer themselves unto him; who conceived all adversity to be far more tolerable than the weighty Scepter of that house. And there was something also of present profit which swaied the business. The people were obliged by the Law of Moses to make three chargeable journeys yearly to Hierusalem, to worship there in the Holy Temple; and to pay a double tenth yearly out of their estates (besides offerings and other casualties) to the Priests and Levites. Jeroboam out of an ungodly policie, fearing these frequent journeys unto Hierusalem might be an occasion of reducing them to the house of David, released them of that charge and trouble, by setting up a new form of worship, erecting golden Calves for them in Dan and Bethel, and leaving every man unto the liberty of his own opinion, so it tended not to the establishment of the old Religion. And on the other side the Levites which dwelt amongst them, and received their Tithes, not willing to conform to these new impieties, and finding that their Ministery was no longer useful, withdrew themselves into the Kingdome of Judah, and left the antient places of their habitations: by means whereof, the people were released of those payments also. If they returned again to their old obedience, and accepted Asa for their King, they must return again also to their old Religion; the golden Calves of their own imaginations and inventions must no more be worshipped: and (which no doubt prevailed most on the common people, who like that Religion best which costs them nothing) the antient payments to the Priests and Levites must come up again. Rather than so, they were resolved to suffer yet a little longer, to please themselves in expectation of more settled times: and so no falling off to Asa, though as moderate and religious a Prince as they could have wished for, had they had power of fashioning a King to their own desires. Now as this opportunity of rejoining Israel unto Judah, proved unsuccesful unto Asa, so did the like of uniting Jud•th unto Israel prove as unprofitable unto Joas the Sonne of Jehoahaz and grand-child of Iehu King of Israel, who being provoked by Amaziah King of Iudah made warre upon him; and not onely discomfited him without battell, and took him prisoner without blowes, but led him captive to the very walls of Hierusalem, and by his authority got the gates thereof to be opened to him. But not contented with this honor, (greater than ever had befallen to the Kings of Israel) he caused 400 Cubits of the wall to be broken down, thorow which breach he entered triumphantly in his chariot, carrying the unhappy Prince before him: and being entered, sacked both the Royal palace, and the holy Temple. This was the opportunity which was given to Ioas of uniting Iudah unto Israel; and this the loss of it. For the people, otherwise like enough to have accepted him for their King, as a Prince of whose noble Acts they had heard much speech; were so exasperated by these rash and unseasonable out-rages, that they looked upon him as a Sacrilegious Church-Robber, whom the Holy Altars were not safe from; and as a covetous and ungoverned Tyrant, not able to concoct the fulness of his own prosperities. If he were thus unfatiable in his covetousness, and insupportable in his pride, when he was a Candidate for their Kingdome: when in all common prudence he should have sought their loves, and insinuated into their good opinions, by easing them of former taxes, and shewing them fair hopes of his moderate government: what must they look for when their towns were fill'd with garrisons, Hierusalem stuffed with armed troops; & all the Princes of the house of David, from whom they might

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Redemption from cruel bondage, destroyed or banished, or otherwise made unable to afford them suecours? Rather than so, they were resolved to rise as one man against him, and let him see, that neither their Army was so scattered, nor themselves so cowed, but that they durst adventure it to a farther trial. The fear of which made 〈◊〉 sensible of the loss of his opportunity: and so content with hostages for his safe retreat, he returned home again without other benefit of his victory, than the spoil and honour. And that this possibly might be the motive of his going back, without putting the success of the affair to a further hazard; may be made probable by the like occurrence in the story of Guicciardine, which in brief is this. 〈◊〉 Medic•s had very weakly opened the gates of Florence to Charles the eighth, then in his passage towards Naples. Charles entreth it triumphantly as a conquered City, armed in compleat manner, and his lance on his thing; his whole army with him. Many insolencies being committed by the 〈◊〉, the Citizens prepare to fight in defence of their liberties. Charles willing to go forwards on his m•reh towards Naples, propounds conditions in writing: but so intolerable, that Peter Cappori one of the chief Citizens catching the papers out of the Kings Secretaries hands, and tearing them before his face; do you, saith he, sound your trumpets, we will ring our bells, and see what will follow. Which stout and peremptory dealing did so daunt the French, that they condescended upon very casie termes to abandon the City, and restore all the places appertaining unto their estate, which were then in his power. The like consideration probably might prevail with Ioas, as did then with Charles; and prompt him not to fight with an inraged uiultitude in the streets of a City where he could make no use of his horse; and where he might be more galled with women and children, throwing stones or darts out of their windows, and from the tops of their houses, than with an armed enemy in the open field. Nor wanted loas an example of this kind in the times before him, even that of Abimelech in the book of Iudges, who having taken the Town of Thebet, and forced all the men and women into the Castle, was slain there by a pecce of a Mill-stone, thrown at his head from one of the Turrets of it by the hands of a woman.

To proceed further in the story of these several Kings, or recapitulate the summe of their principal actions (as in other places we have done) may be thought unnecessary: the Scripture being in the hands of all fears of persons, in which their actions, and successions, are at large contained. So that I onely shall subjoin their names, with the time of their reigns, and the year of the world in which they did begin their Empire: leaving the rest unto the industry and search of the Christian Reader, of whose acquaintance with the Scriptures I dare make no question. This onely I premise as concerning the Iudges, that the time of their continuance in rhat authority is not to be measured from the time of their coming to it, till the entrance of the next Successor, as in that of the Kings; these being occasionally raised by Almighty God, for some present service, and no standing or established Magistrates; except Moses and Iosuah onely, who held the government during life, and managed it as absolute Princes.

The Judges and Captains of the Hebrews.

A. M.

2454. 1.Moses, a Levite, the Lawgiver of the Hebrews, brought by him out of the Land of Egypt. 40.

2494. 2.Josuath, an Ephramite, who setled them in the land of Canaan. 33.

2526. 3. Othoniel, of Judah, by whom they were delivered from the Mesopotamiaens.

1530. 4. Ehud, a Beniamite, who rescued them from the hand of Eglon King of Moab.

2610. 5. Deborah the Prophetess, and Barack the Nephtalite, who discomfited the host of Jabin King of the Canaanites.

2650. 6. Gideon, a Manassite, who ransomed them from the power of the Midianites. 40.

2690. 7. Abimelech, the Base Sonne of Gideon. 3.

2693. 8. Tola, of the Tribe of Issachar. 23.

2716. 9. Iair, a Gileadite. 22.

2760. 10. Iephtah, a Gileadite, by whom the People were redeemed from the hand of the Ammonites,

2766. 11. Ibsan, of Bethlehem. 7.

2773. 12. Elon, a Zebulonite. 10.

2783. 13. Abdon, an Ephramite. 8.

2790. 14. Samson, a Danite, the Avenger of the People upon the Philistiws.

2809. 15. Eli, the High Priest, in whose time the Ark was taken by the Philistims.

2849. 16. Samuel, the Prophet, of the Tribe of Ephraim, in the later end of whose government, the People being weary of the command of their former Rulers, desired to have a King, to go in and out before them like other Nations.

The Kings of the Hebrews.

A. M.

2878. 1. Saul, of the Tribe of Benjamin, the first King of the Hebrews, an unlucky one to begin withall. 17.

2890. 2. David, the Sonne of Jesse, of the Tribe of Judah, the most victorious King of the Hebrew Nation. 40.

2930. 3. Solomon, the Sonne of David, renowned for building of the Temple. The Kingdome afterward divided into Judah, and Israel.

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The Kings of Judah.

A. M.

2971. 1. Rehoboam, the Sonne of Solomon, the first King of Iudth. 17.

2988. 2. Abisah, the Sonne of Rehoboam. 3.

2991. 3. Asa, the Sonne of Abijah; discemfired the numerous Army of Zerah, the Ethiopian or Arabian King.

3031. 4. Iehosaphat, the Sonne of Asa, a great Reformer of the State, both Ecclesiasticall and Civil. 35.

3056. 5. Iehoram, the Sonne of Iehosophat. 8.

3064. 6. Ahaziah, the Sonne of Iehoram by Athaliah his wife, the Sister of Ahab King of Israel. 1.

3065. 7. Athaliah, the Daughter of Omri, and Sister of Ahab, having destroyed the Regall race of the house of David, usurped the Kingdome for 7. years.

3072. 8. Ioash, the onely surviving Heir of the house of David, restored by Iehojada the Priest, to the Throne of his Ancestors. 40.

3112. 9. Amaziah, the Sonne of Ioash, vanquished by Ioash King of Israel, and a breach forced thorow the walls of Hierusalem. 29.

3141. 10. Azariah, the Sonne of Amaziah, called also Vzziah; smote with a Leprosie by the Lord. 52.

3192. 11. Iotham, the Sonne of Vzziah or Azariah. 16.

3208. 12. Achaz, the Son of Iotham, in whose time, and on whose occasion, the Kingdome of Damascus was ruined by Tiglath-Pileser King of Assyria; and the Tribes on the farther side of Iordan led into captivity. 16.

3224. 13. Hezekiah, the Sonne of Ahaz, a religious Prince; in whose time the Kingdom of the ten Tribes was destroyed by the Assyrians; and that of Assyria, by the Babylonians.

3253. 14. Manasses, the wicked sonne of the good King Hezekiah, restored Idolatry, and put to death the Prophet Esaiah for opposing his irreligous courses. 55.

3308. 15. Amon the sonne of Manasses, and as bad as he; slain by a conspiracy of his Servants, when he had reigned but two years onely.

3310. 16. Iosiah, the sonne of Amon, a right godly King, unfortunately slain by Pharaoh Necoh King of Egypt, at the battel of Megiddo. 31.

3341. 17. Iehoahaz, the sonne of Iosiah, a King of 3. moneths onely, deposed and sent Prisoner by Pharaoh Necoh, to Riblah in the land of Hamath, since called Antiochia.

18. Iehoiakim the sonne of Iosiah, and half Brother of Iehoahaz, advanced unto the Throne by Necoh, who changed his name from Eliakim, by which he formerly was called, into that of Iehoiakim. 11.

3351. 19. Iehoiachin or Iechoniah, the sonne of Iehoiakim, at the end of three moneths led captive unto Babylon, with his wives and Mother, and the great Officers of the Realm, by Nebuchadnezzar.

20. Zedekiah, an other of the sonnes of Iosiah, and brother by the whole blood of Iehoahaz, made King by Nebuchadnezzar in the place of Iehoiachin or Iechoniah; his name being changed from Mattaniah, by which called before. But rebelling against his Benefactor, contrary to the Counsel of the Prophet Ierem, he was taken Prisoner in the 11. year of his reign, Hierusalem destroyed, the Temple ruinated, and the People carried Captive to the land of Babylon. A. M. 3362. where they lived in exile 70 years: which time being expired, Cyrus the King of the Persians, gave them leave to return to their Countrey, and to re-edifie their City and Temple; which work being finished, by the encouragement of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zorobabel, and the Nation again setled in some part of their old possessions, they were after governed by their High-Priests, and the Counsel of the Elders, which they called the Sanhedrim: the High-Priest bearing the chief stroke, and being looked on as the man of the greatest power. And therefore I will here subjoyn the Catalogue of so many of them,

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as governed the affaires of this Countrey from the Return of the People from the Captivity of Babylon, till the time of the Maccabces; who managed the estate hereof both as Priests and Princes, till their subjection by the Romans.

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The Kings of Ispael.

A. M.

2971. 1. Ieroboam, the Sonne of Nebat, of the Tribe of Ephraim, the first King of Israel. 22

2993. 2. Nadab, the Son of Ieroboam. 2.

2995. 3. Baasha, of the Tribe of Issachar, having slain Nadab, reigned in his steed. 24.

3019. 4. Ela, the Son of Baasha. 2.

3021. 5. Zimri, a King of seven daies onely, the murderer of Ela, and his own Executioner.

6. Omri, the Captain of the host, who removed the Regall seat from Tirzah to Samaria. 8.

3029. 7. Ahab, the Son of Omri, and husband of Iezebel.

3051. 8. Ahaziah, the Son of Ahab. 2.

3053. 9. Iehoram, the Brother of Ahaziah. 12.

3065. 10. Iehu, the Captain of the host, vanquished and slew Ieboram, reigning in his steed. 28.

3093. 11. Iehoahaz, the Son of Iehu. 17.

3110. 12. Ioash, the Son of Iehoahaz. 16.

3126. 13. Ieroboam II. the Son of Ioash. 41.

3178. 14. Zachariah, the Son of Ieroboam the second, after an Interregnum of 11 years, succeeded in the Throne of his Father: slain at the end of six moneths, by

3178. 16. Menahem, the Son of Gadi. 10.

3188. 17. Pekahiah, the Sonne of Menahem; slain by

3190. 18. Pekah, the Son of Remaliah; served in the same kind after a reign of 20 years, by

3210. 19. Hoseah, the Son of Ela, in the fifth year of whose reign, and the 18th year from the death of Pekah, Salmanassar King of Assyria, having by a siege of three years carried the City of Samaria, destroyed the Kingdome of Israel, and led the greatest part of the People into Captivity.

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The High-Priests of the lews.

A. M.

3427. 1. Iosuah, the High-Priest at the time of the Return, assistant to Zorobabel in rebuilding the Temple, which he lived not to finish; though continuing (as som say) in the Government 100. years. But I believe rather, that the names of his Successors being lost, the whole time is ascribed to him.

3530. 2. Ioiakim, said to be the sonne of Iosuah; in whose time, by the diligence of Ezra and Nehemiah, the Temple was finished, and the Worship of God restored.

3580. 3. Ionathan, or Iohanan. 30.

3610. 4. Iaddus, who entertained Alexander the Great coming to Hier•salem (of whom more anon) the brother of that Manasses, for whose sake, and on whose occasion, the Temple on Mount Garazim was built by Sanballat, with the leave of Alexander. 20.

3630. 5. Ontas succeeded Iaddus, as Iaddus had done Ionathan, not by birth (as formerly) but by the Election of the People.

3651. 6. Simon, surnamed Iustus. 9.

3660. 7. Eleazer, the brother of Simon. 32.

3692. 8. Menelaus, the brother of Eleazer and Simon.

3718. 9. Onias II. 14.

3732. 10. Simon II. 10.

3742. 11. Ontas III. the sonne of Simon the 2.

3787. 12. Iason, the brother of Omas the 3.

3789. 13. Menelaus II. the brother of Iason; in whose time the Temple was profaned by the Syrians, at the command of Antiochus Epiphanes.

3794. 14. Aletmus, under whose Government the Maccabees began to appear in defence of their Countrey and Religion, by whom succeeded in the office of High-Priest, after his decease. Among these none of greater note than Iaddus, High-Priest at such time as Alexander the Great having conquered Syria marched towards Hierusalem, and was encountred by this Iaddus in his Priestly vestments; assuring him in the name of the most high God, and making it demonstrable from the Prophecy of Daniel, that he should prosper in his enterprize against the Persians. An hope which Alexander did imbrace with the greater confidence, because (as he affirmed to Parmenio his chief commander) he had once at Diu, a City of Macedon, seen in a dream or Vision such a person as Iaddus was, so habited, and prosessing the same one God, by whom he was encouraged to pursue the action which he had in hand, with assurance of Victory. And upon this, the lews were so much favoured by him, that he gave them leave to live according to their own laws, and to enjoy with freedome their own Religion. But it held onely for his own time. For shortly after his decease, they were on both sides plagued by the Kings of Egypt and Syria, who ransacked their Cities, slaughtered their People, made havock of their goods, and compelled many of them both to eat of forbidden meats, and offer sacrifice unto Idols. At the last God raised up Mattathias and his five sonnes to resist these insolencies, who in the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes King of Syria, undertook the protection of the People, and gave unto the Syrians many notable overthrows, insomuch that the Iews made choice of Iudus surnamed Maccaboeus (the eldest of the five brethem) for their Prince or Governour.

The Maccabaean Princes of Jewry.

A. M.

3799. 1. Judas Maceaboeus, one of the nine Worthies, vanquished three great and puissant Armies of the Syrians, conducted by Apollonius, Gorgias, and Lysias, men of great renown, being Commanders of the forces of Antiochus Epiphanes before mentioned.

1805. 2. Jonathan, the brother of Judas, vanquished the forces of Bacchides and Alcimus, Captains of Demetrius King of Syria; and after many notable exploits and deeds of Armes, was treacherously murdered by Tryphon, aspiring at that time to the Syrian Diadem.

3823. 3. Simon, the brother of Judas and Jonathan, subdued the Cities of Gaza, Joppe, and Jamnia, and cleered Judaea of the Syrians: perfidiously slain in the course of his fortunes by his sonne-in-law Ptolomy. 8.

3831. 4. Johannes Hyrcanus, the third sonne of Simon, (his two other Brethren being in the power of Ptolomy) succeeded in the Government. He destroyed the Temple on Mount Garazim, subdued the Idumoeans, compelling them to be Circumcised; transferred the warre into Syria, and dying left the Sovereignty to his eldestsonne Aristobulus.

The Maccabaean Kings of Judah.

3862. 1. Aristobulus, the first King of Judah after the Babylonian captivity; starved his mother, and slew Antigonus his brother.

3863. 2. Alexander, the brother of Aristobulus, exceedingly inlarged the Kingdome of Jewrie, but was withall so great a Tyrant, that he slew of his subjects 50000 in battel; and commanded 800 of his principal enemies to be hanged before his face. 27

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3890. 3. Alexandra or Solome, wife to Alexander. 9.

3899. 4. Hyrcanus, elder sonne to Alexander, was disturbed in his succession by his younger brother Aristobulus; but was at length firmly established in his Throne, by Pompey: who carried Aristobulus with his sonnes, Alexander and Antigonus, captives to Rome. Alexander escaping out of prison, troubled the quiet of his Countrey, till he was surprized by Gabinius, and slain by Scipio, two of Pompeys Captains: after whose death Antigonus set free by Iulius Coesar, deprived Hyrcanus of his Kingdome, and cut off his eares. Revenge suddenly followed this villany: for he was slain by Marcus Antonius, and his Kingdome given to a stranger.

The stranger Kings of Iewry.

A. M.

3920. 1. Herod the Ascalonite, surnamed the Great, sonne of Antipater an Idnmaean, was by Mar. Antonie created, and by Augustus confirmed King of Jewrie, under whom that Kingdome was more inlarged, and in greater splendour, than ever it had been in the time of David. A Prince of great magnificence, but of great vices. During his reign, the Scepter being now departed from Iudah, the Lord CHRIST was born.

...A. C.

6. 2. Archelaus, eldest sonne of Herod at the time of his death, succeeded with the title of King, but in truth and realty possessed onely a Tetrarchie or fourth part of the Kingdome, though the best and largest of the four, containing Iudaea, Samaria, and Idumaea. The rest of Herods Kingdome was divided into three other Tetrarchies, i.e. the Tetrarchie of Galilee and Perae•, given to Herod Antipas; 2. That of Ituraea given to Philip, another of the sonnes of Herod; And 3. That of Abilene conferred on Lysanias. Banished into France, his Tetrarchie was made a Province of the Roman Empire; governed by Pontus Pilate, at our Saviours Passion.

16. 3. Herod II. surnamed Antipas, Tetrarch of Galilee and Peraea, on the banishment of Archelius, succeeded him, as chief of the Herodian family, but not in his Tetrarchie; and at last followed him in his banishment also. This is he who murdered Iohn Baptist, and in whose time CHRIST suffered.

40. 4. Herod III. surnamed Agrippa, Nephew to Herod the Great, by his sonne Aristobulus begotten on Mariamne of the race of the Maccabees; was by Caligula first invested in the Tetrarchy of his Uncle Philip with the title of King, and next in that of Antipas also, and finally by Claudius in that of Lysanias also; some part of the Tetrarchie of Archelaus being added unto his dominions. This was the man that murdered Iames, and imprisoned Peter, and in the end was stricken by an Angel, and devoured by wormes. 7.

47. 5. Agrippa Minor, sonne of Herod Agrippa, was he before whom Saint Paul pleaded in defence of the Gospel; and the last which had the title of King of the Iews: for in his time the City of Hierusalem was destroyed by Titus, and the whole Kingdome made a Province of the Roman Empire. Anno 73.

And here it is to be observed, that when Salmanassar had subdued and captivated the ten Tribes of Israel, he sent new Colonies of his own to plant this Countrey; that so fruitful and well-situate a part of his Empire might yield its just tribute, and not lye open to the fury of the next Invader. But the Romans not having (it seemeth) so much policy or providence, as those whom they accounted barbatous; having laid the Countrey desolate, left it unfurnished of new Colonies; whereby the Persians, next the Saracens, and after them the Turks, entring the Roman Empire at this doore, have successively driven the Romans out of the whole house. Now that we may the better perceive how the Romans had weakned and almost utterly rooted out the Iewish Nation, we will relate some of their particular massacres: which were not more cruelly inflicted on them by the enemy, then justly deserved by themselves; they wishing, though (I suppose) not desiring, that the innocent Bloud of our Saviour should be on them and their children. First then the inhabitants of Caesarea slew of the Iews in one day, about 20000, and such as fled were took and imprisoned by Florus the Roman Lieutenant of Iudaea. To revenge this slaughter, the Iews set upon the Syrians; in which skirmish 13000 of them were slain. The people of Alexandria put 50000 of them to the sword; they of Damascus, 10000; Antonius a Roman Captain, slew in Ascalon 10000 of them; and Cestius another Captain, 8040 persons. Now to come to the warres here managed by Vespasian. This Vespasian in the siege of Aphaca, slew and took prisoners, 17130. persons. In Samaria, 11600. persons; in Iotopata, 42200 persons. In Ioppa, so many killed and drowned themselves, that the Sea threw up again 4200 dead bodies: and the rest so totally perished, that there remained none to carry tidings unto Hierusalem, of the loss of the Town. In the City of Tarichea, were slain, and made captives, 45000 persons, besides those which were given to the King Agrippa. In Gamala there perished 90000. and none left alive but only two women: In Gascala 5000. men dyed by the sword; in the City of Gadera there were slain 32200, besides an infinite number of such as had drowned themselves. In Hierusalem it self, there died 1100000 of them, partly by the sword, and parly by the famine; the worser enemy of the two: there were found 2000 in privies and sinks; and 97000 taken prisoners, insomuch that 30 lews were sold for a penny. So punctual was the Divine Iustice in retaliating to this wretched people according to the measure of their iniquities; that they who bought their Saviour for 30 pence, should be sold at 30 for a penny in the open market.

Now that Hierusalem was able to contain such a number of people, is evident in that when Cestius was Lieutenant of Iewry, the High-Priest did at his request number the people which came thither to eat

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the Pas•hall Lamb, and found them to be two millions and seven hundred thousand living souls, all found and purifyed: For to leapers, or men having a flux of seed, or women in their monethly terms, or to strangers, it was not lawful to eat of it. And when Titus laid siege to the City it was in the feast of the Passeover, when most of the people were there assembled; God (as it were) having thus imprisoned them. All these massacres, besides divers others which I have omitted, and infinite numbers which were slain in the fields and villages, which drowned themselves, and which were privately made away, amounting all to almost 2000000 of people, hapned in the compass of 4 years, beginning at the 12 of Nero, and ending at the 2d. of Ve•p•sian: yet was not the whole Nation rooted out, till the year 136. For then this miserabic people, having stirred two not able rebellions; the one under Trajan, and the last under Adrian the Emperours; were generally banished their native Countrey, and never again permitted to inhabite it, otherwise than as strangers. After this dissolution the Iews were dispersed all over the world, and especially in Spain, where Adrian commanded many of them to dwell: yet they found every where so little favour, that having divers times been put to grievous mulcts and ransomes, they were at last thrust cut of most of the Kingdomes of Europe also. They were ban shed out of England by Edward the first, Anno 1290. Out of France, by Philip the fair, 1307. Out of Spain, by Ferdinand the Catholique, 1492. Out of Portugal, by Emmanuel, 1497. Out of Naples and Sicily, by Charles the fist, 1539. Yet are they found in great numbers in the Romish parts of Germany and Poland; in most Cities of Italy; especially Rome it self, where there are no less then 15000 or 20000 of them; and also in the Popes Countrey of Avignton. The reason why they are permitted to live thus under the Popes nose, is pretended to be an expectation of their conversion, which is a meer pretence; indeed the true reason being the benefit hence arising to his Holiness coffers: the hopes of their conversion being very small, and the means less. For besides the scandal, datum & acceptum, by the Papists fond worshipping of Images, so peremptorily contrary to the first table of the Law: they are not permitted to see any book of the Christian Religion, no not so much as the new Testament. And (which worketh much upon men of their metall) because at their conversion they must quit all their goods unto the Church, as being ill gotten, and by consequence the works of the devil; which in their baptism they promise to renounce. They have also a Synagogue at Amsterdam, and are pretty thick spred over the Dominions of the Turkes: who notwithstanding so hate them for crucifying of CHRIST, that they used to say in derestation of a thing, I would I might dy a Iew. Neither will they permit a Iew to turn Turk, unless he be first baptized. And though their multitudes be so great both in Thessalonica and Constantinople, that it is conceived they do amount to the number of 160000 persons: yet are they not only contemned and hated, but there and in all other places of their habitation, upon every tumultuous assembly of the Common people, and constantly every Easter, wheresoever they be, in danger of death. Insomuch that if a Iew do but stir out of doors betwixt Maundie Thursday at noon, and Easter Eve at night, the Christians of the East amongst whom they dwell, (though far fewer in number) will be sure to stone them, because at that time, they buffeted, derided, and in fine crucified their Saviour. Hated in all the parts of the Turks dominions, because imployed as Publioans in gathering and enhauncing the publick tributes, which they exact with all severity that may be, and improve unto the most. And no less hated in all parts of the Christian world, as enemies to the Cross of CHRIST, so unreclaimably addicted to their antient Judaism, and so abhorring from the conversation of other men, that it is not possible that they should reap any other harvest than contempt and scorn from those amongst whom they dwell.

To give you their Character in brief. They are a people which know how to comply with the times, and the condition which they live in; especially if their profit be concerned in it: reviled like dogs, and used like slaves, yet never shew so much as an angry Countenance. A Nation which will thrive wheresoever they come, but most by usury and hrocage; not lending any thing but on pawnes; and those once forfeited never more redeemable. The best of both Sexes said to have an unsavoury rankness, not incident (if not caused by sluttishness) to other people: from whom as different in their habit as in their Religion. And as for that, they retain still Circumcision as the badge and cognizance of their Nation, but mingled with many ceremonies not prescribed by the law, nor observed by the Antients: placing a void chair for the Prophet Elias, whom they believe to be present, though unseen, at the solemnity. And upon this they are so besotted, that they conceive the female sex uncapable of eternal life, because not capable of Circumcision: and therefore use to name them with no other Ceremonie, than at the six weeks end to have some young wenches lift up the Cradle with the child in it, which she that standeth at the head, giveth the name unto, Of their Sabbath so extremely doting, that they have added to the superstitions left them by the Phtrisees: and herein they are so precise, that if a Iew travel on the Friday, and in the Evening fall so short of his journeys end, that it amounts to more then 2000. Cubits, or six Furlongs, which they accompt a Sabbathdties journey, there must he sit him down and keep his Sabbath, though in a wood, or field, or the high-way side, without fear of wind or weather, of Theeves or Robbers, and without taking order for meat or drink: periculo latronum praedonumg{que} omni, penuria item omni cibi potus{que} •neglect is, as Buxdorfius hath it. And so farre have they gone in despight of Christ, as to declare it unlawful to lift the Ox or Ase out of a ditch, permitted in the strictest times of Pharisaical rigor. So pertinacious in retaining the difference of meats and drinks, that thy will by no means sit at the same table with other men: and so precise in the dressing of it, that they will eat of no flesh but of their own killing onely; and that too with such cautions and reservations, that if any of the entrailes be corrupt or dislocated, they will sell the whole beast to the Christians for a very trifle. Beneficial in that onely to the neighbouring Christian. Wine they forbear except it be of their own planting, not so much out of dislike of that liquor, for they are

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generally good fellows, and love their bellies; as for fear the wine should be baptized; a Cetemeny much used in the Eastern parts. Of the coming of their Messiah so full of hopes, that there is no great Warrier stirring, but they look upon him as the man, till some sad tragedy or other, which they suffer under that perswasion, makes them see there error: promising to themselves whensoever he cometh, a restitution of their Kingdome; and such felicities there in in the litteral sense of some Texts of Scripture, which carry in them a more mystical and sacred meaning. That in good time (but Gods not theirs) they shall be made partakers of the several blessings which those Texts do speak of, is both the hope and wish of all pious men, who cannot choose but grieve to behold the natural branches so long dismembred and cut off from the tree of life. And this they neither hope nor wish for but on some fair grounds presented to them by Saint Paul: who saith expressely, that when the fulness of the Gentiles is once come in, that then all Israel shall be saved; Rom. 11. 25, 26. The words so plainly positive that they need no commentary; or if they did, we have the general consent of the antients, besides the constant current of most modern writers, which cherish the glad hopes of their conversion to the Gospel, which the Apostle doth there aim at. Origen, Athanasius, Hierome, Augustixe, Chrysostome, for the primitive times; Bedoe and Hugo Cardinalis in the times succeeding, Gorram and Thomas Aquinas for those of Rome, Calvin, Beza, Bullinger and Peter Martyr for the Reformed Churches, besides divers others of great note, so expound that Text. Nor want there other Texts of Scripture to affirm as much; which he that doth desire to see, may find them with the expositions of most Christian Writers, in a Book writ by Doctor Willet, entituled De generali et novissima Judaeorum vocatione; and thither I referre the more curious Reader. Out of all I shall take these words of Peter Martyr, written on that passage of Saint Paul to the Romans, viz. Non ita Judaei perierunt, ut nulla de illorum salute spes super sit; The Jews (saith he) are not so wholly fallen from the favour of God, but that there still remain some hopes of their salvation. Of their Salvation then by the Gospel of Christ, when the fulness of the Gentiles is once come in, we conceive good hopes: but whether there be any of their restitution to their temporal Kindome, is a further question, and not so cleerly evidenced in the Book of God, though there be somewhat in that Book which may seem to intimate it. That the opinion of being restored by the Messiah to that temporal power which was taken from them by the Romans, was prevalent as well amongst Christs Disciples, as the rest of the Iews, is, as I take it, clear enough in the holy Gospel. In such a Kingdome and no other did the two sonnes of Zebedee desire to sit on both hands of their Master: and the same was it and no other, which all of them expected, appeareth by the words of Cleophas, Luke 24. 21. that Christ should have restored them. We though said he, that this would have proved the man that should have redeemed Israel, Redeemed Israel? from what? from sinne and Satan, or the curse and bondage of the Law? Not so, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; but from the yoke of vassallage which the Romans had so lately imposed on them, say the Fathers right. Touching the same it was that they moved him saying, Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdome of Israel? Acts 1. 6. In answer whereunto, our Saviour makes them no deniall, as unto the thing, nor tells them that they never must expect such a restauration; but only puts them off as unto the time, and bids them rest themselves on the pleasure of God the Father, in whose hands the disposing of all Kingdomes was. It is not for you (saith he) to know the times and seasons, which the Father hath in his own power, ver. 7. By which answer (as it seems to me) there is a possibility of restoring them to their Kingdome also, though not in the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, at that very instant when they were most desirous to have it done, or at any other time fit for them to know, that being a secret which the Father hath reserved to himself alone.

But leaving these speculations of a restitution of the Throne of Israel, and the great power and privileges it may then enjoy; let us look back on the estate in which it flourished in the former times, when the forces and Revenue of it were at the highest. And first for the Revenues, they amounted in the time of Solomon (as is said 2 Chron. 9. 13.) to 666 Talents of Gold, besides the benefits of his Customes and Impositions, which cometh to two Millions, and nine hundred ninety and seven thousand pounds of yearly income. A vast summe for such a litle Kingdome. Nor can we reckon them at less, if they were not greater, in the time of David: of whom it is affirmed, 1 Chron. 22. 14. that he left to Solomon an hundred thousand Talents of Gold, and ten hundred thousand Talents of Silver, towards the building of the Temple: besides three thousand Talents of Gold, and seven thousand Talents of Silver, formerly deposited for that purpose, as is and 1 Chron. 29. 4. Which if it be computed at the ordinary rate of a Jewish Talent, reckoning a Talent of Gold at four thousand and five hundred pound, and a Talent of Silver, at three hundred seventy five pound, will amount in our money to eight hundred and forty millions and one hundred twenty and five thousand pounds. So vast a summe, that it had been sufficient to have built a Temple of pure Gold and Silver, far greater than the Temple of Solomon, without other materials. I conceive therefore with our learned and industrious Brerewood, that by the Talent in those places we are to understand a far lesser summe than the ordinary Hebrew Talents: which whether it doth there signifie a Sicle onely, which is half a Crown of English money, as Eupolemus, cited by Eusebius, was of opinion; or that every Talent of Gold, came to three golden Crowns of Athens, which maketh forty five shillings of English money, as Julius Pollux hath it in his Onomasticon; I am not able to determine. But measuring it by the last estimate, which I more approve of, it will amount to two millions and two hundred ninety and five thousand pounds: a vast summe for a King to leave in ready money, which was alwaies exercised in war. And though I doe not find expresly what the Revenues of Judah might amount unto after the division: yet by one circumstance I find them to be very great. For it is written 2 Kings 18. 14. that the yearly tribute imposed upon Hezekiah by the King of Assyria, was three hundred Talents of Silver, and thirty Talents of Gold, amounting (according to the ordinary Hebrew Talent, which questionless is there intended) to two hundred forty seven thousand

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and five hundred pounds of English money: and therefore probably his ordinary Revenue must be thrice as much, above tha ttribue; Else the Assyrian had not left him a subsistance for a King to live on. Nor can I think that the Revenues of this Crown were less to Herod, than formerly to Solomon or David; considering his vast expences, the many and magnificent Structures which he brought to perfection, and the large Legacies he gave at the time of his death; not paralleld by any King before or since, though of a larger and more ample territory than he stood possessed of.

What forces the Kings of the Hebrews were able to bring into the field, may best be estimated by the muster which David made when he numbred the People: the inrolment of such as were able to bear arms, and fit for service, coming in all to five hundred thousand fighting men, in Judab onely, and eight hundred thousand men in the Tribes of Israel. Tis true, that David never brought into the field so vast a multitude; but when the Kingdomes wete divided, and warre denounced betwixt Jeroboam and Abijah, we find almost the whole number brought into the field: that is to say, eight hundred thousand on the side of Jerobsam the King of Israel, and four hundred thousand by Abijah the King of Iudah. After this, out of that small Kingdome, Asa the Son of Abijah, being invaded by Zerah the Arabian or Ethiopian, advanced an Army of five hundred and eighty thousand men; which was more than the inrolment made in the time of David. An infinite proportion for so small a Kingdome; and were it not a vouched in the holy Scriptures, far above belief: had not that God who said to Abraham, that his seed should be as the stars of Heaven for multitude, been able to have made it good.

As for the story and affairs of this Countrey since the time of Adrian, the Iews being all expelled their native Soyl, and Christianity in fine prevailing over all those parts, it was inhahited as the rest of the Empire was, by men of that Religion onely: in this Countrey so advanced and countenanced, that Helena the Mother of Constantine, is reported to have built in it no less than two hundred Temples and Monasteries in places of most note for the miracles of Christ our Savio ur, or the dwelling of some of his Disciples. In the year 615. the Persians, under the conduct of Chosroes their King, became Masters of it; and possessed themselves of Hierusalem also: expelled thence by the valour and good fortune of the Emperour Heraclius, who recovering the Cross on which Christ suffered, out of the hands of the Pagans, carried it with as great a triumph into Constantinople, as David once did the Ark into Hierusalem. But this glory and rejoycing did not long continue: For within twenty years after the recovery of this City from the power of the Persians, it was again conquered and subdued by Homar or Aumar Caliph of the Saracens, Anno 637. Under this yoak the captivated Christians had long suffered, when they changed the Tyrant but not the tyranny: the Turks about the year 1079. overcoming the Saracens, and domineering in their steed. Twenty years did the Christians langnish under this oppression, when one Peter an Hermite, travelling for devotion to the holy Lnd, and being an eye-witness of the miseries under which they groaned, at his return, made his addresses to Pope Vrban the second, acquainting him with the sad condition of the poor Christians in those Countries. A Councill thereupon is called at Clermont in France, where the Pope (willing to imploy the Christian Princes farther off, that he might the better play his game at home) did so effectually advance and indeer the business, that no fewer than three hundred thousand fighting men, under severall Leaders, undertook the service. And it prospered so well with them in the first beginning, that having beaten the Turks out of Asia Minor, taken the great City of Antioch, and most of the strong Towns of Syria, they incamped before Hierusalem, and in short time took it, Anno 1099. after it had been four hundred years and upwards in the power of the Infidels. The City being thus gained, was offered with the title of King, to Robert Duke of Normandy, Sonne of William the Conquerour: but he upon the hopes of the Kingdome of England, refused that honour, never prospering, as it was observed, after that refusall. Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke of Lorreine, had the next offer of it, which with a religious joy he accepted of; though on the day of his Inanguration he refused the Crown: affirming that it was not fit for a Christian Prince to wear in that City a Crown of Gold, where the Redeemer of the World ware a Crown of Thornes.

The Kings of Hierusalem.

1099. 1. Godfrey of Bouillon, Duke of Lorreine.

1100. 2. Baldwin of Lorreine, brother of Godsrey, wonne Ptolemais, and many other Cities of Syria.

1118. 3. Baldwin II. surnamed of Bruges, Cousin of Godfrey and Baldwin, the Former Kings, overcame the Sultan of Damascus, and inlarged his Kingdome by the addition of Tyre.

1131. 4. Fulk, Earl of Anjon, having maryed Milliscent the daughter of Baldwin the 2d. succeeded after his decease; unfortunately killed with a fall from his horse.

1142. 5. Baldwin III. Sonne of Fulk and Milliscent, fortified Gaza against the Caliph of Aegypt, and recoverd Paneade from the King of Damascus.

1164. 6. Almericus, the Brother of Baldwin the 3d. so distressed the great Caliph of Aegypt, that he was forced to call in the Turks to aid him; by whom slain, and his Kingdome transferred on Sarracon, the Turkish Generall.

1173. 7. Baldwin IV. Sonne of Almericus, overthrew Saladine the victorious King of the Turkes in a fight neer Ascalon, and valiantly defended his Dominions.

1185. 8. Baldwin V. Sonne of Sibyll the Sister of Baldwin the 4th. by William Marquess of Montferrat, unnaturally poisoned by his own mother, having reigned only five moneths, to make way for her second husband, called

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1185. 9. Guy of Lusignan, the last King of Hierusalem, that had the possession of the City, during whose time Saladine the Sultan of Aegypt won that Kingdome, Anno 1187. which his Successours defended against all invasions, till the year 1517. in which Selimus the first, Emperour of the Turks, added the Holy Land, together with Aegypt, to his Empire. When Hierusalem was taken by the Christians, the German Emperours name was Fredericus, the Popes, Vrbanus, the Hierosolymitan Patriarch, Heraclius; and so also were they called, when the Christians again lost it. This is the conceit of Roger Hoveden in the life of Henry the second; but how it can agree with Chronology, I do not see.

After the taking of Hierusalem by Sultan Saladine, the Christians retired their forces into some of the other Towns of the Holy land; which they made good against the enemy: and defended them under the government of these three Kings following, viz.

10. Conrade Marq. of Montferrat, husband of Isabel the daughter of Almericus King of Hierusalem.

11. Henry Earl of Campagne, second husband of Isabel.

12. John di Brenne, husband of Mary, or Yoland as some call her, daughter of Conrade and Isabel, the last Christian King that ever had possession in Syria or Palestine: inhabited ever-since by Moores and Arabians, few Christians, and not many Turks but such as be in garrisons onely. Yoland the daughter of this John di Brenne, was wife to Frederick King of Naples, who in her right intituled himself King of Hierusalem: and so now do the Kings of Spain, as heirs unto, and possessors of the Kingdome of Naples. Concerning which title it would not be amisse to insert this story. When the warres, in Queen Elizabeths time, were hot between England and Spain, there were Commissioners of both sides appointed to treat of peace. They met at a Town of the French Kings, and first it was debated in what tongue the negotiation should be handled. A Spaniard thinking to give the English Commissioners a shrewd gird, proposed the French tongue as most fit: it being a language which the Spaniards were well skilled in; and for these gentlemen of England, I suppose (saith he) that they cannot be ignorant of the language of their fellow-subjects: their Queen is Queen of France as well as of England. Nay in faith my masters, replyed Doctor Dale, (the master of the Requests) the French tongue is too vulgar for a business of this secrecy and importance, especially in a French Town. We will rather treat in Hebrew, the language of Hierusalem, whereof your master is King: and I suppose you are therein as well skilled, as we in the French. And thus much for this title.

The Armes of the Christian Kings in Hierusalem was Luna, a cross crosser crossed, Sol, which was commonly called the Hierusalem Cross. But for their forces and Revenues, I cannot see how any estimate may be made hereof, in regard they subsisted not by their own proper strength, but by the Purses and the Forces of the Western Christians; more or less active in that service, as zeal, or emulation, or desire of glory were predominant in them.

Chief Orders of Kinght-hood in this Kingdome after the recovery thereof from the power of the Turks, Were

1. Of the Sepulchre, said to be instituted originally by Queen Helena, the Mother of Constantine the Great, by whom the Temple of the Sepulchre was indeed first built: but more truly by Philip King of France, Anno 1099. at such time as that Temple was regained from the Turks. Their Armes the same with that of the Kings before blazoned, representing the five wounds of our Saviour CHRIST. At the first conferred on none but Gentlemen of blood and fortunes; now saleable to any that will buy it of the Pater-Guardian, who with a Convent of Franciscans doth reside neer that Temple.

2. Of Saint John of Hierusalem, begun by one Gerrard, Anno 1114. and confirmed by Pope Paschalis the second. Their badge or Cognizance, is a White Crosse of eight points. Their duty to defend the Holy land, relieve Pilgrims, and succour Christian Princes against the Insidels. They were to be of noble parentage and extraction: and grew in time to such infinite riches, especially after the suppression of the Templars (most of whose lands were after given unto this Order) that they had at one time in the several parts of Christendome no fewer than 20000. Mannours; and of such reputation in all Christian Kingdomes, that in En•land the Lord Prior of this Order, was accompted the Prime Baron in the Realm. But now their Revenue is not a little diminished, by the withdrawing of the Kings of England and other Protestant Princes from the Church of Rome: who on that change, seized on all the Lands of this Order in their several Countries, and either kept them to themselves, or disposed them to others as they pleased. Of these we shall speak more when we are in Malta, where they now reside: advertising onely at the present, that their first Great Master was that Gerrard by whom they were founded; the last that had his residence in the Holy land one John de Villiers, in whose time being driven out of Palestine, they removed unto Cyprus, and in the time of Fulk de Villaret Anno 1309. to the Isle of Rhodes. Outed of which by Solomon the Magnificent Anno 1522. they removed from one place ro another, till at last by the magnificence of Charles the fift Anno 1530. they were setled in Malta: and there we shall speak farther of them.

3. Of the Templers, instituted by Hugh of Payennes, Anno 1113, and confirmed by Pope Eugenius. Their ensign was a Red Cross, in token that they should shed their blood to defend Christs Temple. They were burried Cross-legged, and wore on their backs the figure of the Cross; for which they were by the common people called Cross-back, or Crouch-back, and by corruption, Crook-back. Edmund Earl of Lancaster, second sonne to our Henry the third, being of this Order, was vulgarly called Edmund Crook-back; which gave Henry the fourth a foolish occasion to faign, that this Edmund (from whom he was descended) was indeed the eldest sonne of King Henry the third, but for his crookedness and

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PAGE 110

deformity, his younger brother was preferred to the Crown before him. These Knights had in all Provinces of Europe their subordinate governours, in which they possessed on lesse than 16000 Lordships; the greatness of which Revenue was not the least cause of dissolving the Order. For Philip the fair, king of France, had a plot to invest one of his sonnes with the title of King of Hierusalem, and hoped to procure of the Pope the revenue of this order to be laid unto that Kingdome for support of the Title: which he might the better do, because Cl•ment the fift then Pope, for the love he bare to France, had transferred his feat from Rome to Avignion. But herein his hopes deceived him; for this Order being dissolved, the lands thereto belonging were given to the Knights Hospitallers, or of Saint John. The crimes objected against this Order was, first, their revolt from their professed obedience unto the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who was their visitor; Secondly, their unspeakable pride; and thirdly their sinnes against nature. The house of our Law-students in London, called the Temple, was the chief house of the Knights of this order in England: and was by the Knights of Saint John, whose principal mansion was in Smithfield, sold unto the students of the Laws, for the yearly rent of 10 l. about the middle of the reign of Edward the third.

These three orders M.Salden (and deservedly) putteth not in his Titles of honour, in that they were prohibited to kiss a woman: honourary Knight-hood, and the love of Ladies, going together like vertue and reward.

Thus much for Palestine.

1676. A most exact and accurate map of the whole world by Donald Lupton.

XXI. From Caelosyria, over Hermon we go to Palestine,

W. Mediterranean, N. Antilibanus, S. Arabia Petrea; under the third and fourth clime, 200 miles long, and 80 broad,

where are first Rivers,

1. Chison.
2. Kidron.
3. Zared and Naphthea.
4. Arnon.
5. Jaboc.
6. Hermon.
7. Jordan, surrounded with Poplars, Tamarishes and Reeds of all sorts, and passing through the Lake of Tiberias without mixture with it into the Mediterranean, and the dead Sea.

Secondly, Hills,

1. Sion.
2. Moriah.
3. Calvari.
4. Tabor.
5. Olivet.
6. Gerizim.
7. Savon, now Capo Bianco with its Rosemary, Sweet Mayjorum, Hyssop, Bayes, and other odoriferous plants, besides Leopards, &c.
8. Gilboa.
9. Basan.
10. Abarim.

1. In Peraa, a Part of Palestine between Jordan and Arnon, from Pella N. to Petra S. was

1. Recome, 2 Kings 14.7.
2. Midian.
3. Rabbat.
4. Diblathan.
5. Gallim.
6. Muthana.
7. Nathaliel.
8. Bamath.
9. Mizpah.
10. Hor.
11. Kir-harasath.
12. Rabbah.
13. Dathema.
14. Minneth,
15. Abel vinearum.
16. Mitspa.
17. Magod.
18. Bosor.
19. Abel shittim.
20. Bethbara.
21. Machaerus.
22. Lesha.
23. Midibuh.
24. Bosor.
25. Livias.
26. Libias.
27. Hedemath.
28. Bamath Baal.
29. Heshbon.
30. Adam.
31. Aroer.
32. Dihon.
33. Bethnimrah.
34. Nolloroh.
35. Bethharan.
36. Beth-ezob.
37. Succoth
38. Jazor.
39. Mahanaim.
40. Rogelim.
41. Ramoth Gilead.
42. Penuel.

2. In Ituraea another Province, ragged, rude, and given to witch-craft;

1. Hippus.
2. Bathira.
3. Pella.
4. Edrey.
5. Carnaim.
6. Ephron.
7. Jabesh Gilead.
8. Ashteroth.
9. Gaulon.
10. Gamala.
11. Gadara.
12. Gergesa.
13. Juleus.
14. Abel.
15. Gessur.
16. Mahacath.
17. Chauran.
18. Chalsar Havan.
19. Ʋs.
20. Sueta.

3. In Galilee, rich with all manner of fruit, was

1. Hazor, now Antronia.
2. Capernaum, a poor fisher-town.
3. Hamath.
4. Kadesh.
5. Riblah.
6. Saphet, the onely place where the Jewes have the face of a Common-Wealth.
7. Bethsomes, Carthan, Musoloth and Cinereth.
8. Ascheche, Gabula, Giscala, Cana, Messal pleasantly seated, and of great importance.
9. Jokneham, Zabulon, Cana-major, Barsabe, Dothan, Bethsaida, Nazareth, Jotopata, Tiberis, Bethulia, Japha, Sephoris.
10. Tanihaea, Chishion, Remelh, Enhadda, Naim, Aphraim, Daborath the Castle of Pilgrims, now Tortora.

4. In Samaria, rich in Pastures, Cattle, and fruits, is

1. Bethsan, on the banks of Jordan, out of whose ruines many pillars, and other pieces of marble are drawn out.
2. Thirza.
3. Acrabula.
4. Thebes.
5. Ephra.
6. Bezeke.
7. Jezreel.
8. Megiddo.
9. Dora.
10. Caesarea.
11. Antipatris.
12. Saron, and Lidda, or Diospolis, Ramatha, Ajalon, Shempath, Cares, Silo, Bethoron, Michmas, now Byra, Sichem since Nicopolis, Samaria, famous for the marble pillars found there, now nothing but a few Cottages, filled with greek monks.

5. In Judea, on the Sea coasts from the South of Phaenicia, to the North of Idumaea, is

1. Gath and its New-Castle.
2. Wealthy and strong Accaron.
3. The fair village of Ashdod.
4. The goodly Sea-town, Ascalon, repaired by Rich. I. King of England.
5. Wealthy Gaza, surrounded with its rich and pleasant vallies, and its Port Majoma.
6. Joppa, Joffa with two Turrets with Harquebusses to defend the haven, which lies too open to the North-winds, whither Merchants trade for Cotton-wool, keeping their Factory at Rama on a sandy plain, in the rising of an hill.
7. Modin, where the Macchabees Sepulchre of seven Pillars, so that they are the Seamans marks.
8. Tzara.
9. Healthful Gerar in the south of Canaan.
10. Ziglag.
11. Coreath Sepher since Daema an old University.
12. The well fortified frontire-town Beersheba;

besides those Cities of the Tribe of Judah:

1. Arad.
2. Hebron.
3. Tecoa.
4. Cerioth.
5. Jether or Jethica.
6. Maresa.
7. Emaus, and its hot baths.
8. Hason, Odalla, Keila, Eleutheropolis, Azeha, Bethsur, Zoar, Mussuda, the strongest place in Judaea, Libna, Ziph, Bethlem, places renowned for Balsom,

and those of the Tribe of Benjamin; as

1. Michmas,
2. Mispah.
3. Geba.
4. Gibeah.
5. Ai.
6. Gibeon.
7. Jericho.
8. Anathoth.
9. Gilgal.
10. Bethel; Ramath.
11. Jerusalem, to whose ruines many repair out of devotion, more out of curiosity, paying the Turk nine Crowns a man, amounting yearly to 80000 Ducats, only low roofed houses built here and there for two miles compass, looking handsomly at distance; inhabited by mean Artezans of all Nations and Religions.

6. In Idumea, E. S. Arabia Petraea, W. Mediterranean that dry and sandy place, bearing nothing but Palmtrees, besides the two Hills, Mount Seir and Cassius are remarkable,

1. Dinahahath, Gen. 36.32, 35, 37.
2. Anthedon, a port town on S. River Boser against Gaza.
3. Well fortified Rhino curura.
4. Ostracine, now Stragione on the Sea-side beneath Anthedon, and some few Villages inhabited by Arabians, and Castles kept by the Turks in the way to Egypt; as Hamones, Harista, and Cario, Custome houses near Gaza, so ill watered, that the chief men there have all their water from Tena, twelve miles off, on the Coast of Aegypt; all these places under the Turk, though inhabited by the hated Jews in many places, who every Easter are in danger of that death they inflicted on our Saviour, by reason of their Ʋsury and Brocage, together with their being the Turks Publicans, and Tax-gatherers, their Nation stinks, as much as they said their bodies do.

1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun.

Palestina, Palaestina, a small, but celebrated and noble Country in Asia; extended from North to South; between Syria to the North, the Desarts of Arabia to the East, the Stony Arabia to the South, and the Mediterranean Sea to the West. This was that spot of Ground allotted by God to his own People the Children of Israel; and divided at first into twelve Tribes. About the time of our Saviour's Birth it was divided into six Provinces. Now commonly called the Holy Land; and in the Hands of the Turks ever since the year 1517. See Jerusalem.