Lector, scias faetum hunc nostrum in ipso partu prie dolore nimio (sumptum putà immodicum) expiraturum fuisse, si Maecenalū aliquot inanus benevolae com̄ode conatibus nostris non obstetricas-sent A Pisgah-sight of PALESTINE and The CONFINES thereof, with the HISTORY of the old and new TESTAMENT acted thereon. By Thomas Fuller B. D. Gen. 43. 11. Take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices and Myrrh, nuts and Almonds. jerem. 8. 7. Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times, and the turtle, and the Crane, and the Swallow observe the time of their coming, but my people know not the judgement of the Lord. Votum Authoris Terrestres Solymas mihi quiscrípsisse de disti, Coelestes tandem d●s habitare, Deus. Printed by M. F for Iohn Williams at the Crown in● St Paul's Churchyard A PISGAH-SIGHT OF PALESTINE AND THE CONFINES THEREOF, WITH The History of the Old and New TESTAMENT acted thereon. BY THOMAS FULLER B. D. GEN. 43. 11. Take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices and Myrrh, nuts and Almonds. JER. 8. 7. Yea, the Stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times, and the Turtle, and the Crane, and the Swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgement of the Lord. LONDON, Printed by I. F. for john Williams at the sign of the Crown in Paul's Churchyard. MDCL. To the Right Honourable ESME STUART, Earl of March, and Darneley, Lord Leighton etc. Son and Heir to the Illustrious JAMES Duke of Richmond and Lennox. MY LORD, COnsulting with myself about a Patron for this Book, I concluded to make choice of such a Person as should be both of most noble extraction, and of spotless innocency: So that in this captious Age, none should presume to charge him with the least offence in thought, word, or deed. For justly fearing too many faults might be found in the book itself, I desired to make some amends by dedicating it to One free from all exception. Your Honour is the first in our Nobility, whom I find qualified according to my desire; descended from the best Houses in England, Scotland, and France. And as it happeneth in a Constellation, that the Lustre thereof, amounting from many Stars together, darkeneth the light of those particulars, which produced it: So in your Honour's Pedigree, the collective splendour obscureth the distinct brightness of those several families whence the same resulteth. Now that your Honour cannot be taxed with any actual offence, your tender Months not as yet completing a Year; do sufficiently evidence. Whose innocence is the most entire Relic of our Primitive integrity; and most perfect pattern of our future felicity. Yea some admiring what motives to mirth Infants meet with in their silent and solitary smiles, have resolved (how truly I know not) that then they converse with Angels, as indeed such cannot amongst mortals find any fitter Companions. One, or more of these three main Ends are aimed at by Authors in all ingenuous dedications; Hope to receive protection; Desire to derive instruction; and Zeal to express affection. For the first, though you cannot by your Power, yet you may by your Innocence be an excellent Patron to protect our ensuing Work. In these civil wars, some have saved themselves from the sword, with no other shield then bearing a Babe in their arms, which rebated their enemy's fury into compassion. So, when some shall be ready to wound our Book with their censuring Darts, they will be mollified into mercy finding your innocent Name prefixed in the Front thereof. As for deriving instruction, I confess your Honour as yet incapable thereof. But seeing Infants clothes are providently made with the biggest, to which they will grow up in process of time; why may not books (the clothes of the mind) be proportioned above their present capacity, in hope they will seasonably shoot up to the understanding thereof? And until such time as your Lordship's judgement can reap profit from our Descriptions herein, may your eyes but take pleasure in the Maps which here are presented unto you. But the last, not least consideration in my choice of your Honour, is my ambition to tender my humble service thereunto; The rather because ESME * Or Amedcus the Topl●●ll Saint of Aul●igney. your auspicious Name promiseth, in my apprehension, some good success, now at the third return, as long since at the first imposing thereof on your Ancestor. For Esme Lord Aulbigney (a place of great privileges in the Province of Berry, first by the King of France bestowed on [and still possessed by] your Family, in reward of their signal service to that Crown) about two hundred years since proved the happy reviver of your family almost extinguished for want of a Heir, and by his virtuous demeanour added much honour thereunto. The same Name now returns on your Lordship, who found your Father's house in point of posterity in as low a Condition. Indeed your Grandfather left a numerous offspring, whom I may fitly compare to the many strings of some musical Instrument. But amongst his male-issue (for the rest I pass by as silent strings, sending no sounds to posterity, but losing their own Surnames in their matches) One was soon fretted in pieces with sickness; Three more, cut off in these wars; One absent beyond the Seas, and not easily to be tuned to a married estate; and the other single string remaining [His Grace your Father] left altogether issueless until your Lordship's welcome Nativity. But O! what melody can Heavens hand make on a Monochord? which since hath sent your Lordship on a good message I hope, to the Honest house of LENNOX. But I grow tedious in a long Letter to a little Lord, and therefore turn my Pen into Prayers, that Christ would be pleased to take you up into his Arms, (whose embraces are the best swadling-clothes, as to straighten, so to strengthen you in the growth of Grace) to lay * Mark, 10. 16. his hands upon you and bless you, that you may grow in stature and favour with God and with Man; The daily desire of YOUR LORDSHIP'S humble Orator Tho. Fuller. Waltham Abbey july 7. 1650. To the READER. WHen jacob had served Laban full seven years for his daughter Rachel, and now promised himself the possession of what he had long looked and much laboured for; his hopes were frustrated by the a Gen. 29. 23. substituting of Leah in the room of her sister. And although it may be pleaded that Leah was not well qualified and highly meriting in herself, yet still Leah was not Rachel, and jacob remained both deceived and injured thereby. Many have long patiently waited, that I should now according to my promise set forth an Ecclesiastical History; who now may justly complain that their expectation is abused, finding a Changeling in the place thereof, a Book of a far different Nature tendered in stead thereof. And should I plead with Laban the Custom of the Country, that it is not fashionable to * Gen. 19 26. give the younger before the firstborn; should I allege for myself that this Book, containing matter of more ancient date, aught to precede the other, yet this, like Laban's answer, will be taken rather as a 〈…〉, then solid satisfaction. But, Reader, let me plead in my just defence, that if you be pleased to peruse my b In my Epistle to the Reader before the Holy State. promise, you will find the same conditional, and not obligatory, except (besides other requisites there expressed) Peace be first settled amongst us. And indeed the subject challengeth the same, seeing Truth cannot be matched to Safety in such Relations, till Peace shall first contract them. Now herein I make my severest Creditor my sole judge, appealing to him whether the Premises be performed. True it is we have no Wars at this instant, yet we have Rumours of wars; and though the former only doth destroy, the latter also doth distract. Are these gloomy days already disclouded? (to use my own expression in my c Ibidem. Promise) or rather is it not true in the Scripture phrase, that the d Eccles. 12. 2. clouds return after rain? Indeed I am sorry that I can say so much in my own defence, and should account myself happy, if all other Breaches were made up, and I only to be punished for my breach of Promise. Which, notwithstanding all the difficulties of the subject, and distractions of our days, I hope in God, in competent time to effect, might but my endeavours meet with a quiet residence, and proportionable encouragement for such undertake. Mean time accept of these my Labours, which by God's blessing, and the bounty of my friends are brought into the light: Useful I hope for the understanding of the Scriptures. What I have herein performed, I had rather the Reader should tell me at the end, than I tell him at the beginning of the Book. For the manifold faults herein, I doubt not but the ingenuous Reader (finding in Palestinee six Cities of Refuge, by Gods own appointment, for the safeguard of such as slew one unawares without malice prepense) will of his bounty build a seventh in his own bosom for my protection, when guilty of unvoluntary mistakes in so great a work. If thou reapest any profit thereby, give God the glory; To whose providence thou art committed by f Josh. 20. 7. Thine in Christ jesus THO. FULLER. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. JOH. RIDLEY. THE GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JUDEA. CHAP. 1. The Design asserted from causeless Cavils. § ●. BEing now by God's assistance to undertake the Description of judea, Three grand objections against this subject. my condition appears not unlike to the Israelites at a Numb. 13. 23, & 28. Kadesh-Barnea, who were much pleased with the report that the Spies brought of the fruitfulness of the Country, until they told them of Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the three sons of Anak: which quite appalled their courage and deadened their desire thereof. In the like manner whilst I am invited with several pleasing considerations, and delightful motives, to adventure on this work, three Giantlike objections, which must be encountered, do in a manner dishearten me from further proceeding. For some will lay to my charge, that the description of this Country 1 Hath formerly been done by many. 2 Cannot perfectly be done by any. 3 If exactly done, is altogether useless, and may be somewhat superstitious. § 2. Yet we fear not, No disgrace to adventure on the same work after many others. by God's blessing, and the Readers favour, severally to enter the lists against them all. For the first: Whereas it is objected, that many formerly have performed the same; this cavil is not planted particularly against my endeavours, but is leveled against the industry of all Posterity, in any future design. b Eccles. 1. 9 Solomon saith, there is no new thing under the Sun. Except therefore men were Gods to create new subjects to write upon, groundless is the first exception against us. It never disheartened S. Luke to write his Gospel, for as much as many had taken in hand to set it forth before. Yea the former endeavours of many in the same matter, argue the merit of the work to be great. For sure there is some extraordinary worth in that face, which hath had so many Suitors. Wherefore although we cannot with Columbus, find out another world, and bring the first tidings of an unknown Continent or Island, by us discovered, yet our labours ought not to be condemned as unprofitable, if setting forth an old subject in a new edition enlarged and amended. This I dare say, though many have written discourses without Maps, and more Maps without discourses, and c Adricom. puts Zabulun Issachar & Manasses in one Map, Ephraim, Dan & Benjamin in another. some both, (yet so that three tribes are joined in one Map) none have formerly in any tongue (much less in English) presented us with distinct Maps and descriptions together. § 3. But in the second place it is objected, 2. Object. that certainty in this subject is unattainable; Certainty herein not to be obtained. so that the most studious therein, after they have traveled the whole day, through many tedious difficulties, must be fain to take their hard lodging at night on a bare uncertainty. The bowels of the best Maps are puffed up with the humours of fancy, and a sceptical windiness, so that a conjectural Earthquake shakes the foundations of the strongest mountains, in the point of their exact situation. Such are the irreconcilable differences betwixt Geographers in their descriptions. § 4. For answer: 2. Answ. I could wish that this objection also, lay only against the work in hand, This should not quench but quicken our industry. and might not [almost] equally be enforced against other liberal undertake: for he that holds a reed in one hand to meet the Topography, and an hourglass in the other to measure the Chronology of the Scripture, shall meet with as many, if not more uncertainties, in the latter as the former. And yet the learned pains of suchas labour therein, justly merit commendation. If all conjectural results should be cast out for weeds, few herbs would be left in the Gardens of most Arts and Sciences. Saint Paul d 1 Cor. 13. 9 hath a passage, We know in part, and prophecy in part; which is a good curb for our curiosity: And the same Apostle hath a precept, e 1 Thes. 5. 21. Prove all things, hold fast that which is good; which is as good a spur for our diligence. As for the differences betwixt Geographers, they ought not to make us careless to follow any, but careful to choose the best; except with the fluggards drowsy fancy, we tune the Alarms to our industry, to be Lullabies to our laziness. § 5. In the last place it is objected, 2. Object. that the design, if exactly finished, amounts but to a difficult trifle, It is a difficult trifle. hard to do, useless when done. And who will pity the aching of his teeth, who hath wilfully hurt them, with cracking that shell, wherein he knew was no kernel? It matters not to any man's salvation, to know the accurate distance betwixt jericho and jerusalem; and he that hath climbed to the top of mount Libanus, is not in respect of his soul, a hair's breadth nearer to heaven. Besides, some conceive they hear Palestine saying unto them, as Samuel to Saul endeavouring to raise him from his grave, f 1 Sam. 28. 15. Why hast thou disquieted me to bring me up? Describing this Country is but disturbing it, it being better to let it sleep quietly, entombed in its own ashes. The rather, because the g Revel. 21. 10. New jerusalem is now daily expected to come down, and these corporal (not to say carnal) studies of this terrestrial Canaan, begin to grow out of fashion, with the more knowing sort of Christians. § 6. It is answered, 3. Answ. though these studies are not essential to sal●ation, yet they are ornamental, It is ornamental to divinity. to accomplish men with knowledge, contributing much to the true understanding of the History of the Bible. Remarkable is that passage of the Apostle, Acts 17. 26. And hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation: wherein we may see Divinity the Queen waited on by three of her principal Ladies of honour, namely, skill in 1 Genealogies, concerning the persons of men and their Pedigrees, of one blood all nations. 2 Chronology, in the exact computation of the times afore appointed. 3 Geography, measuring out the limits of several nations, and the bounds of their habitations. Our work in hand is a parcel of Geography touching a particular description of judea; without some competent skill wherein, as the blind Syrians h 2 King. 6. 19 intending to go to Dothan, went to Samaria; so ignorant persons discoursing of the Scripture, must needs make many absurd, and dangerous mistakes. Nor can knowledge herein, be more speedily and truly attained, then by particular description of the tribes, where the eye will learn more in an hour from a Map, than the ear can learn in a day from discourse. § 7. But this last objection being forked, No danger of superstition in this subject. hath the sharper point thereof still behind, challenging this our subject to be guilty of superstition. A sin always detestable to God, but now adays grown odious to man. And well it were if the edge of their Zeal were equally whetted against Profaneness. Sure if this our work were faulty in this kind, I myself would send it the same way with the Ephesian l Acts 19 19 conjuring books. Not all the water of Kishon, of jordan, of the Red, of the Dead, of the Middle-Land Sea, described in these Maps, should serve to quench the fire, but all should be burnt to ashes. But no such haste I hope, to condemn this innocent book, wherein studiously we have abstained from all such pictures as come within the bounds of danger, yea borders of offence, and have only made choice of those, which the most precise approve useful for the illustration of Scripture. CHAP. 2. The different names and bounds of Judea. § 1. THis Country which we now come to describe, Six general names of judea. was successively called by several names. 1 The Land Gen. 12. 5. of Canaan, from the sons of Canaan that first possessed it. 2 The Land of Promise, which name after four hundred and odd years honourably ended, and was swallowed up in performance. 3 The Land of judah and Israel, consisting of these two Kingdoms. 4 judea, so called of judah the most puissant Tribe of the twelve. 5 Palestine (from the Philistines.) l In Clio. cap. 105. & in Thalia cap. 5. & 91. & Polymnia cap. 8. Herodotus being the first Author, which I find so terming it, and all Greeks and Latins after him. 6 The Holy Land, because our Saviour's Passion was acted thereon. But fear makes me refrain from using this word, lest whilst I call the Land holy, this Age count me superstitious. § 2. In bounding this Land, The bounds of the larger Canaan. a necessary distinction must be premised, the neglecting (or at least not observing) whereof hath engaged many in inextricable difficulties. Cannon was twofold, 1. The Larger. 2. The Lesser. The Larger is described Deut. 11. 24. Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread, shall be yours: from the wilderness, and Lebanon, from the m Exod. 23. 31. river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea, shall your coast be. This Land in full latitude was never peaceably possessed by the jews as proper owners thereof any considerable time. Say not, God fell short of his promise. Oh no: the jews fell short of his precepts, who being narrow hearted in piety, and straitened in their own bowels, contracted their soil by their sins; and obstructed the bounty of God intended unto them, by their ingratitude. For the Promise ran only conditionally, If ye shall hearken diligently to my n Deut. 11. 13. & 22. Commandments. And had not God's mercy to them been more than their obedience to him, their country had been narrowed to nothing, and shrunk to an indivisible punctum: or at the best and biggest had been but a prison, fit for the punishment of so rebellious a people. § 3. And yet in somemanner in a qualifyed sense, In what sense the Jews possessed it. we may observe the jews did stretch their dominion to the bounds aforesaid in a double consideration. 1 By victorious Salleys and Incursions. Thus the Children of Reuben having o 1 Chro. 5. 22. conquered the Hagarites, inhabited eastward unto the entering in of the wilderness, from the river p 1 Chron. 5. 9 Euphrates. 2 Per Gentes in amicitiam receptas. By the nations which by amicable compliance (though having absolute command in themselves) accepted of the Jewish King to be honorary feodaries unto him. Thus where q 2 Sam. 8. 3, etc. David took some Kings by conquest, as his Vassals, more took him by composition as their Protector. And it is plainly said of r 2 Kin. 4. 24. 2 Chron. 9 26. Solomon that he had Dominion over all the region on this side the river from Tip●sa● even to Azzah, over all the Kings on this side the river: and ●e had peace 〈◊〉 all sides round about. See we here an Essay of God's goodness made to the Israelites. That froward people worshipped him by fits and girds, starting aside like a broken bow: and therefore God to admonish them of the unconstancy of their service, vouchsafed only to the 〈◊〉 a cursory and unsettled Tent●dwelling to Euphrates. Whereas, had that people solidly and seriously set themselves constantly to serve God; no doubt, their Incursions had been turned into fixed Habitations, and the whole Nation (not only by the Synecdoche of this one tribe) had peaceably possessed the large limits allotted unto them. And whereas now only David and Solomon (whom I may more fitly style Emperors than Kings of this larger Canaan) rather commanded then possessed to Eupbrates, God, no doubt, had extended their full Dominions to the same dimensions. § 4. But the lesser Canaan was contented with narrower bounds, The limits of the lesser Canaan. containing only those Nations which God had designed for utter destruction, and is described, Gen. 10. 19 〈…〉, and Admah, and Zebojim, even unto 〈◊〉. And whereas in the larger Canaan, when the Israelites besieged any City, God s Deut. 20. 10. commanded them to proffer peace, before they proclaimed war against it, in this lesser Canaan, they were finally to root t Deut▪ 7. 24. them out. And where God commands men to destroy people, (but first let us be sure that God commands us to destroy them) the foulest quarter is too fair for them, and those have not less pity, but more piety, which 〈◊〉 their ●tter destruction: as the jews were to serve the Inhabitants of this lesser Cana●n, without any ceremony of peace once tendered unto them. § 5. This lesser Canaan extended from the wilderness in the South to mount Lebanon in the North, The length thereof 1600. furlongs. and from jordan on the East, to the Midland Sea on the West. The length thereof sixteen hundred furlongs (so far the blood ran out of the winepress, Revel. 14. 20.) which, allowing ten furlongs to the mile, according to the Eastern account, (whereof largely hereafter) amounts to an hundred and threescore miles. The breadth thereof generally fifty; to which if the kingdom of Sihon and Og be added on the other side jordan (parcels of Canaan the larger, and possessed by Re●ben, Gad and half Manasses) it will make up the breadth to eighty miles. § 6. Having thus assigned the small bounds of Canaan, The matchless fertility of the land. some perchance will place their scorn, where they ought to plant their wonder; and will begin to contemn, what they should justly admire: because all Canaan seems but one u Gen. 19 20. Zoar; Is it not a little one? Yea, some proud Geographer will scarce stoop to take up so small a Rag of land into his consideration. But let such know, that extracted Spirits, and Elixirs are small in bulk in comparison of great and gross bodies; and the land may pass for the quintessence of fruitfulness itself. So that what it lacked in length and breadth, it had in depth, as if nature had heaped one acre upon another in the matchless * Ezek. 20. 6. fertility thereof. Our age barren in belief, affords not faith so easily to the story, as this land afforded food to * 2 Sam. 24. 9 thirteen hundred thousand men, besides women, children, impotent persons, and all the * 1 Chron. 2●. 5, 6. See also 2 Chron. 13. 3. Levites and Benjamites left unnumbered. In general, it is charactered to be a country flowing with milk and honey, that is, having plenty of all things both for necessity and delight. § 7. More particularly it is described by y Deut. 8. 7, 8, 9 Moses, Moses his character thereof. A good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, and vines and figtrees, and pomegranates: a land of oile-olive and honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it: a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayst dig brass. For the further clearing of which description, we will exactly observe the several commodities of Canaan, which nature bountifully bestowed upon it. Only the land seems unhappy herein, that the fruitfulness thereof must come under our barren style to describe it. And yet on second thoughts I perceive, lean pens are fittest to describe fat Country's. The soil of the county of Armagh in Ireland is so rank of itself, that if any compost or artificial improvement be added unto it, it turns barren out of sullenness, and z Camb. Brit. in comitat Armach. indignation, that men should suspect the native fruitfulness thereof: and Fat upon Fat is false Heraldry in husbandry. Lest in like manner we should offend this Country of Cannon with additional ornaments of Rhetoric, and lest all flourishes of Eloquence be misinterpreted distrusts of the real worth of this Country, a plain style and simple relation best becomes our present subject. CHAP. 3. Of the underground wealth of Canaan. § 1. Ship's when sailing are generally conceived to have one moiety of them invisible under water, Iudaea's inulsible treasure. and some countries in like manner are counted to have their wealth equally within the earth as upon it. But the proportion holds not exactly in Canaan; whose visible wealth far transcended her concealed substance, and yet we find some minerals therein of considerable value. § 2. First, Salt, Sa●t. so necessary in itself, that without it neither sustenance is savoury to man, nor a Mar. 9 49. Levit. 2. 13. Sacrifice acceptable to God. Yet had not the jews more use, than plenty thereof. It seems it was a very cheap commodity, when Abimelech (not hoping to reap any harvest thereby) sowed the city of Sech●m with b Judg. 9 45. fault. This was of two sorts in judea▪ sal fossilis, which was digged out of the earth, whereof great store about the dead, otherwise called the Salt Sea, and sal coctilis, which was boiled out of water, at c Josh. 11. 8. & 15. 62. Mizrepoth-maiim near Zidon. § 3. Secondly, materials of Glass, Materials of glass. whereof the best in the world, almost to the purity of crystal, is found in the d Plin. nat. hist. Cendevian lake, and river Belus, whereof largely hereafter in the tribe of Asher. And yet we read not in Scripture that the jews ever used glass for drinking vessels, either because the invention of them was not so ancient, or because of the plenty of cups they had of purer metal. We in England know that glasses are but the seconds, which succeed on the Cupboard, when Plate the principal is otherwise disposed of. § 4. Brimstone. Brimstone and lapis judaicus. How useful this is in Physic and fireworks I need not relate. It is one of the parents of most metals and inclined the waters of judea to be sovereign Baths, and have other medicinal qualities. Marble also was digged up in great plenty in mount e 1 King. 5. 17, 18. Lebanon, conducing much to the adorning of God's temple and many princely palaces in jerusalem. Precious stones they had none, except Lapis judaicus be counted for one, commended by Galen, and is prescribed as excellent to cure the Stone. Where by the way it will not be amiss to observe, that amongst the many maladies to which the jews bodies were subject, I find not the Stone mentioned in Scripture, though I dare not ascribe it to the plenty of this stone, as a preservative against it. § 5. Brass and f Deut. 8. 9 Iron Brass & Iron. abounded in this Country. g Deut. 33. 25. Moses blesseth Asher, Thy shoes shall be Iron and Brass, prognosticating the plenty of those metals in that tribe. If any except, that brass is no original, but a compound metal of Copper and other ingredients; the answer is easy, by a frequent and familiar Metonymy, it being put for the materials whereof it was composed. § 6. As for the two principal metals, judea No gold in judea, and why. may say of them as Saint h Act. 3. 6. Peter to the Cripple, Gold and silver have I none. And it will be no less pleasant, then profitable to recount the reasons thereof. 1 These metals are generally granted by nature in compensation to barren countries. Now whereas judea had plenty of other commodities, it was too much that Leahs fruitfulness should shine with Rahels' fairness, and glister with the lustre of gold and silver. 2 God would have his people i Psal. 121. 1. look to the hills, from whence their help cometh: k Mat. 6. 19 To lay up their treasure in heaven, where rust and moth do not corrupt: sursum corda, sursum oculos, and not that their eyes by a retrograde motion should be peeping and poring on the earth, where the treasures concealed, are by Poets consigned to Pluto King of hell: and modern authors avouch, that malignant Spirits haunt the places, where these metals are found. As if the Devil did there sit abrood to hatch them, cunningly pretending an unwillingness to part with them; whereas indeed he gains more by one mine minted out into money, then by a thousand concealed in the earth. 3 Because it stands not with the State of a Prince to be his own purse-bearer. God would not have this Lordly land of Canaan to be encumbered with carrying such a burden. Let Ophir, and Tarshish, and Havilah have the place of judas, to bear the bag for judea. 4 Because there might be left unto the Gentiles an opportunity to gratify the jews, and to testify their duty and service to God and his Temple. l Psal. 72. 10. The Kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring presents, the Kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring gifts. Now these natitions would have been wholly disheartened if they could have brought judea no novelty, and only presented her with such things, whereof she had plenty before. And yet whosoever shall observe the m 1 King. 10. 27. abundance of gold and silver in Solomon's time in the city of jerusalem, will conclude this Country not to be the cistern, but fountain of those metals. As if divine providence had so divided it, that other lands should be at the care & cost to bear, dig out and refine, and judea have the honour and credit, to use, expend, yea neglect, such glittering need-nots to humane happiness. More minerals no doubt were in the land of judea, and let not either our ignorance, or the jews idleness be interpreted the lands barrenness, the upper fruitfulness of whose soil made them the more negligent in digging into the bowels thereof as those need not to play beneath board, who have all the visible game in their own hands? CHAP. 4. Of the wealth accrueing to Judea from the vegetables therein. § 1. AMongst the native and proper commodities of judea, Balm, Balm a property of judea. or Balsam most justly challengeth the principal place. For when jacob advised his sons to provide a present for joseph, Take (saith he) of the best fruits of the land in your vessels, a little a Gen. 43. 11. balm, and a little honey, spices etc. b jos. hist. Antiq. lib. 8. cap. 2. Hereby appears the improbable error of such as report how amongst other rich presents the Queen of Sheba brought to Solomon, the first plants of Balsam, which afterwards grew in judea. Whereas indeed her bringing of those into that Country, had been no better than carring of water to the fountain. § 2. Hear the judgement of Pagan writers altogether unconcerned Commended by heathen writers. in this business. c Pli●. nat. hist. lib. 12. cap. 25. Pliny saith, Balsamum uni terrarum judaeae concessum, understanding that judea alone was the Primitive place where it grew, though afterwards colonies thereof were transplanted into Egypt and other countries. With him agreeth Theophrastus, Dioscorides and d Gal. de Antid. li. 2. ca ●3. Galen, who professeth that he went on purpose to judea, to observe the distilling thereof, and carried a small portion of balm about him, by comparing thereof to discover and confute the frequent impostures of such as counterfeit the same. This Balsam was principally twofold. 1 Xulo-balsamum, being the parent, namely the shrub, (or in compliment call it the tree) out of which it proceeded. 2 Opo-balsamum, being the daughter, which trickled like tears from the former, useful for men Sound, making a most odoriferous and pleasant perfume; Sick, being a sovereign salve for their wounds; Dead, being an admirable preservative against corruption. So that their embalmed bodies seemed in some sort to typify the eternity of their soul. § 3. But this Balm was not so fixed to Gilead or any other part of judea, but that it was movable thence upon the sins of the people. For after some flittings of this plant to jericho (whereof afterwards) it was first by Pompey, and finally by Vespasian carried captive to Rome. Where it thrived so well that it was never (saith c A●lor 〈…〉 & procerior. Plin. nat. hist. l. 12. c. 15. Pliny) fairer or fruitfuller. Which passage may serve as a parable, whereof our Saviour himself is the sense. Who being formerly confined to Palestine alone, did afterwards effectually extend himself for the good of all nations. But enough hereof, if not too much. Yet seeing the reader, if being to fill his vial with this precious liquor, would not complain of overmuch measure, I trust he will not be displeased with our larger description thereof. § 4. f Deur. 8. 8. Oil-olive, Oil-olive. so called to difference it both from seed, and train-oile. Hereof three kinds, or rather degrees. The coursest employed for lamps; a finer sort used for meat, and the most refined of all compounded with various spices; whereof ointment was made, wherewith great Persons on solemn festivals used to anoint themselves, and upon other occasions, many others. § 5. Honey. Honey. g Exod. 3. 8. & 1 Sam. 14 25. 26. This was the Sugar, as Salt was the Pepper of the ancients. And although Sugar canes grew in judea (whereof some considerable store at this day) yet the use thereof was either unknown to, or neglected by the jews in Scripture, preferring honey in their daily diet. And it may seem strange, that honey being so delicious in taste, and a staple commodity in Canaan, was h Levit. 2. 11. forbidden to be used in any sacrifice. Learned men trouble themselves about the reason of this prohibition. Some conceive voluptuousness thereby is forbidden; others, lip-lusciousnesse and hypocrisy in divine service; others, pride and ambition; (because honey turns into choler) i Hugo Gro●ius in locum praedictum. others, that it is forbidden in opposition to the Persian sacrifices, wherein honey was principally offered. And whereas the varieties of fancies herein are infinite, some soberly rest themselves on no other reason; but divine pleasure. As for Wax, the cask of honey, it was used the less for lights, because lamps were so much in fashion. § 6. Wheat. Wheat. They are called the k Deut. 32. 14. Kidneys of wheat, because the grains therein were so plump and swelling, as if all out of Pharaohs seven full ears. Yea our modern Merchants will tell you (provided they be first out of the Turkish dominions; otherwise it is death to be caught in the manner) that even at this day they carry much wheat out of Palestine into Italy itself. Say not, wheat was not so plentiful in this Country, because our Saviour's constant fare was on barley loaves: this argues the humility of Christ, not the barrenness of the Country; otherwise by the same consequence it might be inferred, that there were no houses in judea, because he wanted where to lay his head. These four aforesaid were the elemental Commodities of Canaan, whereof that Country had not only a self-sufficiency, but also sent plenty thereof to l Ez●k. 27. 17. Tyre, thence to the whole world. judah and the land of Israel they were thy Merchants, they traded in the market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and Honey, and Oil, and Balm. § 7. Wine Wine. may follow in the next place, whereof such plenty, that jacob m Gen. 49. 11. Numb. 13. 23. prophesied of judah, that he should bind his foal unto the vine, and his ass' colt unto the choice vine etc. That is, having occasion to dismount his Ass, and tie him for a time, vines should offer themselves as most obvious to fasten him unto; and those so great (Adjectives in other Country's, but Substantives here) that he might safely tie his beast to them, which with us are tied to other trees for their support. Nor were their grapes less good than great, as a n Sidonius. Poet (the most competent Judge of the matter in hand) doth bear witness, Vina mihi non sunt Gazetica, Chia, Falerna, Quaeque Sareptano palmite missa bibas. I have no Gaza, Chios, Falern wine, Nor any flowing from Sarepta's vine. Thus making a quadripartite division of good wine, two members thereof, that of Gaza and Sarepta, the one falls in the tribe of Simeon, the other of Asher, both in the country of Palestine. § 8. o Josh. 2. 6. Flax. Hereof great plenty. And pity it was so good a commodity should be prostituted to idolatry, which caused God to threaten that he would rescue and recover his p Hose. 2. 9 flax again. The Jewish women were excellent q Prov. 31. 13. housewives, and hereof made great profit, venting it into foreign parts. § 9 Wood of all sorts; so that Palestine was a continued grove of trees, covered over with straight Cedars, strong Oaks, shady Palms, sweet Firres etc. If the body of Hercules may be guessed from his foot, take the Mustard, the little Toe of trees, into consideration, and thence collect the vast proportion of great woods. Some perchance may count it a rabbinical vaunt what r Rab. joseph. in the Babylonish Talmud, Ketab. fol. 3. 6. one writes: A certain man of Sichem had bequeathed by his Father three boughs of Mustard, one of which was broken off from the rest, and it yielded nine Kabs of seed, and the wood thereof was sufficient to cover over the Potter's house. One may also suspect an Hyperbole in what s Jerusalem Talmud. another saith, I had a stem of mustard in my garden, into which I could climb as into a Figtree. However, our t Mat. 13. 31, 32. Saviour's words of the extraordinary growth of this plant must needs be true; and by the same proportion (surely the jews had not more sauce than meat) other trees must be allowed to be of unusual greatness. § 10. Here I omit to speak of the Dates, Almonds, Nuts, (at this day called Pistachioes, and most cordial in Physic) Figs, Pomegranates and other several fruits, whose particular description I pass by on purpose, lest our book should light on some hungry man or longing woman to read, whose appetites I may unhappily raise, but cannot satisfy again. And to leave a good sent behind at the close of the chapter, we must not forget the great store of Frankincense, Myrrh, and other u Gen. 43. 11. Spices which were plentifully afforded in Palestine. CHAP. 5. Of the store of beasts for food, service, and pleasure in Palestine. § 1. WE step now a stair higher from vegetable to sensible creatures: wherein this country was no less happy, such was the variety it afforded therein. Which will appear, first, if we furnish forth a feast of the flesh, fish, and fowl in Palestine; these particulars being premised. First, that no exception be taken at our false ranking of dishes. The Apostles said, it was not their office to a Act. 6. 2. serve tables, and such mistakes are none at all in Divines Secondly, we name only solid and substantial meat, whereon a cunning Cook (besides sauces and salads) may with compounded and forced dishes descant to indefiniteness. Lastly, know the Law forbade the jews the feeding on several meats, so that their life was a Lent, to abstain from such food, to which Christianity allows us a licence: b Levit. 11. 4. 5, 6. etc. Hogges-flesh, Coneys, Hares, Swans, Herons, Lapwings, all fishes in armour, fenced with shells, recounted amongst the dainties of our diet, were prohibited unto them. Which very prohibition speaks their plenty in that country, otherwise the law had been needless to forbid such things which the land did not afford. § 2. Fetching Salt, Bread and Wine from the former chapter, (all of the Quorum to every feast) first Veal is brought in, (food for Angels when c Gen. 18. 6, 7. Sarah dressed it) Beef of the bulls of Basan, or if that be too course, of the stalled d Prov. 15. 17. Oxen; Lamb, Mutton and Kid, savoury meat, if e Gen. 27. 9 Rebecca have the cooking thereof; Venison both red and fallow, for so we find in Solomon's bill of fare, f 1 King. 4. 23. Hearts, Bucks and Bugles. § 3. Fowl of all sorts follow, Hens, and g Mat. 23. 37. & 26. 24. Chickens. Capons I dare promise none, as uncertain whether mutilating of birds was then in fashion, to make them barren, that man's luxury might fructify the more upon them. Next plenty of h Levit. 14. 22. Pigeons, the poor man's lambs; For such as could not go to the cost of the one, was to provide the other for a sacrifice. i Numb. 11. 31, 32. Quails in abundance; for though their plenty in the wilderness was miraculous, when a cloud of them tendered themselves to be taken by the hands of the Israelites, yet ordinarily there was store of them in Palestine. Let Locusts for their wings sake be ranked amongst the fowl, only to fill up an empty place of the table, for otherwise none but the stomach of the mortified k Mat. 3. 4. Baptist would feed on so course a fare. § 4. Fishes come in the next place, whose several sorts in Sea, Rivers, and lakes were so many, that only Adam, whose memory was the Nomenclator of the names of all creatures by him imposed, can summon them by their proper denominations. Of these all that had l Levit. 11. 9 Fins and scales were permitted the jews to eat. Butter the sawce-generall to fish, must not be forgotten. A staple dish of our Saviour's whilst an infant, o Isa 7. 15. Butter and honey shall he eat. Cheese concludes all; such as n 1 Sam. 17. 18. David brought to his brethren, such as o 2 Sam. 17. 29. Barzillai provided for David. Let not any dainty dairy women object, that Jewish cheese must needs be course, where milk of p Deut. 32. 14. sheep and q Prov. 27. 27. goats was so much in use: For a mixture of such milk is in Parmizan itself, so delicious to the palate. And now for Grace before and after meat, might not Palestine thankfully say with r Psal. ●3. 5. David, Thou dost prepare a table before me in the sight of mine adversaries, thou dost anoint mine head with oil, and my cup runneth over? Yea, what is said of the earth in general, is most properly appliable to this Country, O Lord how s Ps●l. 104. 24. manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all, the earth is full of thy riches. riches 5. Besides cattle for food, there were others for labour, Asses, Mules, Camels, Dromedaries, whereof in due place. Birds also and beasts of prey, Eagles, Hawks, Lions, Bears, Boars etc. Some will say this was a mischief in Palestine, whose inhabitants might be said to dwell daily like Daniel in the Lion's den, such the store of ravenous beasts freely roving up and down the country. But let such know, that by these beasts continued of purpose, God kept his people in an awful dependence upon him; whilst they feared God, these beasts t Gen. 9 ●. dreaded them; and man's piety muzzled up the mouth of these ravenous creatures. Otherwise when these jews rebelled against their Master, the beasts (one of God's u Ezek. 14. 21. four sore judgements) were let loose, and became the just executioners of divine vengeance on a wicked nation. To conclude, such the variety of cattle herein, that from hence Noah might have fraught his Ark with a couple of most creatures, some few only excepted (useless for mankind, save for rarity and fancy) as Apes and Peacocks, (perchance rather Parrots) which Solomon's navy w 1 King. 10. 22. fetched in, and supplied from Tarshish. CHAP. 6. Objections against the fruitfulness of Judea answered. BUt seeing we live in so unbelieving an age, that some have brought the happiness even of heaven itself into question, no wonder if such as doubt of the truth deny the type, and (though Scripture be positive in the point) flatly argue against the fruitfulness of judea. 1 Object. The first sort of their objections are taken from some passages scattered from pagan pens, slighting judea as an unconsiderable country. Thus a Lib. 16. fol. 523. Strabo speaking of Moses, winning it from the first inhabitants, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, easily (saith he) he obtained it, being a land of which none need be ambitious, and for which none would studiously engage themselv●● to fight: for it was a stony country. To which we answer first in general. Answ. Heathen writers knew little, and spoke less good of the jews, because of the grand distance of Religions betwixt them. My people (saith God) are like a b jer. 12. 9 speckled bird; and therefore being of a different feather from other fowl in point of divine worship, no wonder if their neighbours flocked about them, to flout at them, hooting at their strange devotion: though such mocked at by men for Owls, may be made of by God as Nightingales. Excellently josephus in his book against Apion the Grammarian doth prove that no credit is to be given to Pagan reports against the jews. And as they loved not that people, so they liked not their place, causelessly raising slanders upon it. More particularly Strabo, in his rash censure counting judea not a prize worth the contending for, is confuted by the course of history. Let the Romans (too cunning Merchants to venture on worthless ware) tell how much the City of jerusalem cost them, paying an ounce of blood for every inch of ground therein. 2 Object. 2 Object. It is said in the Scripture itself, Numb. 13. 23. that it was a land which eateth up the inhabitants thereof. It seems it was a very lean, hungry, and barren land, which in stead of feeding the dwellers therein, fed upon them. Answ. Answ. It is said so indeed, but by whom? The false spies whose tongues were no slander. Now (whatsoever they meant by this their expression) certainly their words intent not any barrenness in that country, having formerly (vers. 27.) confessed the transcendent fertility thereof. Except any will say, that these Spies did now revoke their former witness; and if so, we look no longer on the land of Canaan as devouring her inhabitants, but on these unconstant liars as eating their own words. However their first testimony (when, untampered with by the people, they spoke their own sense, and gave in their true verdict, of the Land) is to be believed, before their second character of this Country, when infected with popular discontentments, they studied cavils against the same. Besides, if the meaning of their words, [a land eating up the inhabitants thereof] be, as it is generally c See the Geneva note on the text. interpreted, a land whose inhabitants by civil wars mutually destroy one another, it tends more to the credit, than disgrace of the Country. It is no fault in that rich pasture, if the grass thereof, be Provender in goodness, so that the horses fed therein, wax so wanton as to fight one with another. 3 Object. 3 Object. Water is a staple commodity for man's support, whose life, lame in itself, soon falls to the ground, if not held up by the Staff of bread in one hand and water in the other. Now judea had great want of this Element, a Well being counted such a treasure amongst them, that great d Gen. 26. 18. strive have happened about it. Answ. Answ. judea wanted no water, though dry in comparison of England. We northern nations are ready to suspect the southern parts as afire with a Fever; whilst southern Countries may fear lest our lands be drowned with a Dropsy; such the superfluity of rain and Rivers amongst us. Let judea be compared with her neighbours in the same Climate, and she would be found not only to equal, but to exceed them in conveniency of water. The Scripture e Deut. 8. 7. describes it a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills etc. And because many now adays will believe the Maid's word before the Mistresses, I mean, humane before divine testimony, hear how f Lib. 16. fol. 523. Strabo speaks to this point, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The Country itself indeed was well watered, but the coasts about were base and ill watered. Besides Rivers judea had constantly (save when the windows of heaven were miraculously shut up) the former and the later rain, which like Trade winds on some seas, came at set seasons, at Seedtime and before Harvest. So that heaven may be said to have kept an Ordinary for judea, and to have fed it at eating hours with set meals of water, whereas other countries have no such standing Table kept for them, being left at large to the uncertainty of weather, and not always drinking when they were athirst, but when they could get moisture. 4 Object. 4 Object. Ammianus g Lib. 14. ●. 7. Marcellinus reports, that therein were no navigable ●ivers, which must needs be a great hindrance of commerce in the Country. Answ. Ausw. The term navigable must be distinguished on. Confess we that judea had no vast streams in it, like Nilus or the Dan●w, whose channels are capable of Boats, ships f●llows; yet wanted it not Rivers to carry vessels of considerable burdens. Every Tribe therein did border on the Midland sea, or on the river of jordan, up which river, even against the stream, they used to sail, in vessels bearing burdens (not unlike our western Barges) by the confession of other h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Strab●, lib. 16. p. 7●5. authors. 5. Object. 5 Object. It was full of mountains, which generally are conceived destructive to the fruitfulness of a country. Answ. Answ. Such dwarf-mountains or Giant-hills made the land insensibly larger in exten●, no whit lesser in increase. Was ever a great belly brought for an argument of barrenness▪ especially seeing these mountains in judea did not swell with a mock-mother Tympany, but were pregnant with special commodities. Some cattle, as Goats; and plants▪ as Vines are never more triumphant on their throne, then when advantaged on the sides of such hills. The i Stra●o, li. 16. p. 755. Geographer speaking of Trachonitis, the coursest list, and most craggy ground about the country of judea, acknowledgeth there were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, grassy and fair fruitful hills; which as they afforded a delightful prospect, so they conduced much to make the cities impregnable which were built amongst them. 6. Object. 6 Object. Mention there is in Scripture of many deserts in judea, as if the country were nothing else but a heap of wildernesses huddled up together. Answ. Answ. Indeed the word Desert sounds hideously to English ears: it frights our fancies with the apparitions of a place full of dismal shades, savage beasts, and doleful desolation, whereas in Hebrew it imports no more than a woody retiredness from public habitation; most of them in extent not exceeding our greater Parks in England, and more alluring with the pleasure of privacy, then affrighting with the sadness of solitariness. 7. Object. 7 Object. Frequent famines are mentioned in this land, and some most prodigious. In the siege of k ● King. 6. 28. Samaria a woman eat her own child, unexampled almost in other histories, and all things were sold at excessive rates. Answ. Answ. The instances alleged argue not the barrenness of the country, being extraordinary Punishments inflicted immediately by divine Justice. This we confess, that as merry men, when sad, are very sad; so this pleasant land, when God frowned upon it, was extremely dejected, and the famines therein were famines with a witness. 8. Object. 8 Object. Saint l On Isaiah cap. 44. v. 14. Hierome, who lived himself long in Palestine, and must be acknowledged so skilful in this matter, that others could not deceive him, & so honest, that he would not deceive others, speaketh very meanly thereof. It is ragged with craggy mountains, and suffereth the penury of thirst, so that it preserveth rain water, and supplieth the scarcity of wells by building of cisterns. Answ. Answ. Saint Hierome in the same place (and none fitter or abler to do it) answers himself, Neque hoc dico in suggillationem terrae Sanctae, sed ut decutiam supercilium judaeorum. etc. I say not this to disgrace the land of judea, (as the heretical Sycophant doth belie● me) or to take away the truth of the history, which is the foundation of spiritual understanding, but to beat down the pride of the jews, which enlarge the straits of the Synagogue, further than the breadth of the Church. This Father did de●ry the literal, to raise the mystical Canaan; and they that know Saint Hierome, know that when he intends to praise or dispraise, he will do it to the purpose. 9 Object. 9 Object. Modern travellers which have lately surveyed the country, report it to be a bare surface of sand at this day. Answ. Answ. Who can guess what Naomi was by what m Ruth 1. 20. Marah is? The stump indeed stands still, but the branches are withered; the Skeleton remains, but the favour and flesh thereof is consumed. judea is, and is not, what it was before; the same in bulk, not blessing; for fashion, not fruitfulness; the old Instrument is the same, but it is neither strung with stock, nor played upon with the hand of skilful husbandry. The n Cant. 2. 1. Rose of Sharon is faded, her ●eaves lost, and now nothing but the prickles thereof to be seen. See what sin can do, or undo rather, and the guilt of our Saviour's blood: A fruitful land maketh he barren, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. As therefore the clear and lovely complexions, the handsome and proper persons, the bold and valiant Spirits, the comely and courtly behaviour of the ancient jews, are not to be measured by the suspicious and louring looks, the low and crooked statures, the slavish and servile conditions, the base and sordid demeanour of the jews now adays; no more are our judgements to contract the former fruitfulness of their soil to the present sterility thereof. And yet as the sheep which fell to o Gen. 30. 35. Jacob's share, had strikes or speckles scattered here and there in their skins: so, granting the generality of judea barren, yet by the confession of p Brocard de terra sancta, & M. George Sands. Travellers some spots and parcels of ground transcendently fruitful, are every where to be found, retaining and transmitting to posterity the memory of the universal fruitfulness of judea, before God had justly cursed it for the sins of the people. CHAP. 7. Of the ancient division of the land betwixt the seven Canaanitish Nations. HAving done with the description of the commodities of this Country, we come now to the several divisions thereof; which thing seriously considered conduceth much to the right understanding of the Scripture. In several ages the land fell under different divisions. 1 In Abraham's time it was parted betwixt the seven Nations of Canaan. 2 Afterwards the same was subdivided into one and thirty petty Kingdoms. 3 By joshua it was parceled into twelve portions, betwixt so many tribes. 4 In Rehoboams reign it was rend into two kingdoms, judah and Israel. 5 After the Captivity it was divided into three Provinces, judea, Samaria, and Galilee. 6 In Christ's and his Apostles time it was carved into four Tetrarchies, and some other appendent dominions. We will first survey it in the original condition thereof, as it consisted of a Heptarchy, or seven ruling nations of Canaan, whose number, names, extraction, and several habitations require much care and diligence to rank and order them aright. The first difficulty we meet with, is in the number of these nations, so variously reckoned up. They are counted up thus: two, Gen. 13. 7. three, Exod. 23. 28. five, Exod. 13. 5. six, Exod. 3. 8. 17. seven, josh. 3. 10. ten, Gen. 15. 19 eleven, Gen. 10. 15. & 1 Chron. 1. 13. and seventeen, if a collective number of them all be cast up. Now how come they to be so differently computed where one and the same Spirit is the Auditor to state their account? It is answered, that seven was the complete and solemn number, whereon God himself emphatically insists when repeating his favours to the jews, a Deut. 7. 1. Seven nations greater and mighter than thou. And perchance the beast in the Revelation b Revel. 13. 1. with seven heads, beareth some allusion thereunto. Wherefore when these seven nations are summed up defectively, under that number, we must conceive such of them as are omitted to be employed under the generical name of Canaanites. But on the other side, when above seven are brought, than the inhabitants of the larger Canaan, are cast into the account: whose country was promised too, but never peaceably possessed by the Israelites, as we observed before. We find three several Editions (as I may call them) of the nations of Canaan, whereof the most authentic and common is Deut. 7. 1. which we will principally peruse, as followeth. 1 Hittites. These come forth first as if it were to usher and make room for the rest; as well they may, being Giants of such strength and stature, the Anakims being descended from them: so formidable to their foes, that c Sam. Bochartus Geog▪ sacra. lib. 4. cap. 35. some conceive them named from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hittah, which signifies to scare and frighten: such the terrible impression of them on their enemies. As stout their men, so their women were notable domineering dames, witness Rebecca's complaint, that she was weary of her life for the d Gen. 27. 46. daughters of Heth which Esau had married. They lived about Hebron and Beersheba, and their country was afterwards possessed by judah and Simeon. 2 Girgashites. It is hard to determine their exact habitation. Wise Agur confesseth that he knew not the way of a e Prov. 30. 19 Serpent upon a stone, so invisibly he slides away on a smooth place. Such the clear conveyances of the Girgashites going into Africa, as the jews f Talmud Hie●os. tract. de ●uram. cap. 35. will have it, after Ioshua's, time▪ that they cannot be traced by any memory left behind: except some relics of them remain in the country of the Gergesens (whose swine the devils g Ma●. 8. 28. drawned by Christ's permission:) whence h Sir Walter Raleigh la ca 8. pa. 138. Authors collect them to have lived on the east of jordan near the Sea of Cinnereth, afterwards in the juncture of the tribes of Gad and Manasseh. 3 Amorites. These sometimes are taken by a Synecdoche of eminency for all the seven nations: The sins of the i Gen. 15. 16. Amorites are not yet full. Here we behold them as a particular people, so called, as k Grego●iu● G●●gorii in verbo. some conceive, from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Amar, to speak, as confident talkers, such as the l Psal. 12▪ 4. Psalmist describes, We ought to speak, who is Lord over us? Yea some carnal cause they had to boast, being compared by the m Amos 2. 9 Prophet to Cedars for their height, and Oaks for their strength. Their original habitation was in the mountainous Country, which fell afterwards to the lot of n Judg. 1. 34. Dan, and the west part of the possession of o judg. 1. 35. Ephraim. Hence they made a ●ally over jordan, and settled themselves under Sihon their King eastward in the countries which they had gained from Moab and Ammon, afterwards possessed by Reuben and Gad. 4 Canaanites. These also generally taken include all the seven nations, growing from the root of Canaan. Consider we them here as one branch of that tree. Now though the false report of the spies was in some respect but a libel of this land, yet they may be believed for the situation of the people therein, that the Canaanites dwelled by the p Numb. 13. 29. Sea, and the coast of jordan, that is, all the breadth of the Country northward, which came afterwards to be possessed by Asher, Nephthali, Zebulun, and Issachar. 5 Perizzites. By interpretation Villagers, as dwelling in dorps and Hamlets, not walled towns. Which as it abated their civility, so it advanced their manhood. Their habitation not far from q Gen. 13. 7. Bethel, where the children of joseph afterwards received their portion; whose land by r josh. 17. 15. joshua was bestowed upon them, in case the country allotted proved too little for them. * Judg. 1. 4. Some of them also were dispersed in the northern part of the Tribe of judah. 6 Hivites. Their name in Hebrew signifieth Serpents. So called, as the learned conceive, from their delight to live underground in caves, whereof plenty in the sides of mountains. I find two Colonies or plantations of the Hivites. One in the centre of the land, where afterwards the tribes of Benjamin, and joseph met together. For the Gibeonites (who put a new cheat on the Israelites, with their old clothes) were s josh. 9 7. & 11. 19 Hivites, as also the inhabitants of Sichem were of the same t Gen. 34. 2. nation. Their other plantation was under mount u josh. 11. 3. Hermon, or in mount Lebanon, as w judg. 3. 3. josh. 11. 17. several Scriptures do place them. Now rather than any difference should arise herein, Hermon will humbly confess itself parcel of Lebanon, and so the seeming contradiction is reconciled. 7 jebusites. Their abode is notoriously known to have been in, and about x 2. Sam. 5. 6. jebus or jerusalem, where they defied all David's power to dispossess them, and yet at last by joabs' valour were ejected. So much of the heathen Heptarchy in Canaan. Come we now to consider a second edition of these nations, as God gave in a list of their names to y Gen. 15. 19 Abraham, promising withal to give his posterity their country in possession. Here we find them ten in number, the Hivites being omitted, and four more added, namely, 8. 1 Kenites. Of these no mention ever after in Scripture. For the Kenites descended from jethro (part whereof z judg. 4. 11. flitted from the South of judah to the North of Nephthali) were a different nation from these Kenites the subject of our enquiry: we conceive therefore one of these two things most probable. 1 Either after abraham's and before Ioshua's time, by famine, sword, and pestilence they were utterly deleted, and their land shared betwixt the former seven nations of the Canaanites. 2 Or within the term aforesaid, being perchance too few and feeble alone to maintain the dignity of a distinct nation, they lost their names by listing themselves under some other people. 9 2 Kenizites. As deep silence of these in holy writ as of the former; as if they had lived in a Psal. 88 12. the land where allthings are forgotten. And probable it is, that betwixt abraham's and Ioshua's time (if a day may bring b Prov. 27. 1. forth much, what alterations may four hundred years produce?) they were extinguished. All flesh is grass, and not only particular men, like single blades, may be mowed down by death, but even whole nations plucked up by the roots, never to grow again, being buried without other monument over or epitaph upon them, then that of the Psalmist, c Psal. 9 6. their memorial is perished with them. 10. 3 Kadmonites. That is, by the notation of the word, men of the east, or Easterlings if you please. These a learned d Bochartus G●og. Sac. l. 4. c. 36. p. 347. man with great likelihood conceives to be the Hivites; both because (as aforesaid) the Hivites are omitted in this Catalogue, and because they lived in the eastern part of Canaan, under mount Hermon. As for the opinion, that Cadmus the Phenician with Hermione his wife were Hivites (Serpents their name sounds in Hebrew, as we observed before) and therefore fabled by the e Ovid. Met. lib. 3. Poet, to be turned into Dragons; such as exclude it their judgement, because no solid truth, may admit it into their fancy as a pleasing conceit. 11. 4 Rephaims. Their position is undoubtedly known, living about Ashtaroth f Gen. 14. 5. Carnaim in the half tribe of Manasseh beyond jordan. But though here was their principal nest, we find some of their feathers scattered in other places, in a g 2 Sam. 5. 18. valley near jerusalem of that name, and another in the tribe h Josh. 17. 15. of joseph, whither perchance they fled, when smitten at home by i Gen. 14. 5. Chedorlaomer. But the last and largest volume of these nations of Canaan, is Gen. 10. 15. where six more are added, dwelling in those parts of Canaan which the Israelites never fully possessed. The former nations were as I may say under the first qualification k Deut. 7. 2. to die without mercy, but these had more favour afforded them, according to the honour of Martial proceeding. These latter were never Servants in ordinary to the Israelites, never wholly subdued by them, but were only retainers at large, doing them homage at great solemnities, and high festivals: understand thereby all the victorious reigns of David and Solomon. We take them in order. 12. 1 Zidonians. Eminently known by their famous City, whereof largely hereafter. 13. 2 Archites. These dwelled at Arca, or Arce, a City in Libanus over against Tripoli, whereof mention in Ptolomeus. 14. 3 Sinites. In searching after their proper place, we are at a loss, like joseph when sent to seek his brethren; only he, when wand'ring, l Gen. 37. 15. met with a man to direct him, we with many to distract us. Some place them near the mountain of Sinai. But that barren desert affords no more livelihood, than the Law there delivered could give life unto men. Others seat them near Sin (by Ptolemy Simyra) in the northern bound of the land. And a third m Bochartus ut prius. sort, whom we will follow, in the very south point thereof, at the entrance of Egypt, near Pelusium, called Sin in the n Ezek. 30. 15, 16. Scriptures, whence the desert of Sin hath its name o Exod. 16. 1. . 15. 4 Arvadites. These lived north of the Zidonians, whereof largely in the description of mount Libanus. 16. 5 Zemarites. More uncertain for situation then the former, because no more mention of them. Had the land whereon they lived, like the floor of Bells p Histor. Bel. ver. 14. Temple, been strewed with ashes, some print of their footsteps would have remained, whereas now no marks, to discover them. Learned men thus groping in the dark, some seek (for lack of other light) to light a candle from a glow-worm; their conceit being no better, who from the vicinity of the sound, make these Zemarites inhabit mount Shemir (afterwards, Samaria) which is confuted by the Hebrew Orthography. More probably they may be placed at q Josh. 18. 22. Zemaraim, a City afterwards of Benjamin. 17. 6 Hamathites. As formerly we had too little, here we have too much direction, finding two eminent places equally probable for their habitation▪ Hamath on the north of Nepthali, and another many miles off, called Hamah the great, and afterwards Antiochia. And perchance they might remove from the one to the other. So much of the nations descended from Canaan, amongst whom the Philistims are not reckoned, (whose five Satrapies possessed the South-west part of the land) because they came not from Canaan, but from Mizraim his elder Brother, of whom God willing largely hereafter in the descriptions of the tribes of Dan, and Simeon. To conclude▪ Let the reader beware lest deceived with the similitude of sounds, he condemn the generation of the righteous, and mistake true Israelites by birth, to be Canaanites by descent; as namely, 1 Caleh the r Josh. 14. 14. Kenite, undoubtedly of the tribe of s Num. 13. 6. judah, only his grandfathers name was Kenaz. 2 Vriah the Hittite 3 Ornan the jebusite so loyal so liberal to David: The first might be a Proselyte Hittite, but more likely an Israelite whose Father was called Heth; and the latter of the tribe of t josh. 15. 63. judah or u judg. 1. 21. Benjamin, who lived promiscuously with the jebusites in the City of jebus or jerusalem. 4 Hushi the Archite, who out-achitophelled Achitophel in his policy, was probably an Ephraimite of the w Josh. 16. 2. borders of Archi, otherwise unlikely that David would have chosen a stranger to have been his Cabinet counsellor. 5 Simon the x Mat. 10. 4. Cananite, Christ's Disciple, certainly a jew, (otherwise our Saviour would not have entertained him in so near a relation) born it seems in y John 2. 1. Cana of Galilee. So much for caution, lest Demetrius who was well z 3 john 1, 2. reported of all men, suffer for Demetrius, Diana's silver-smith; and these real jews be misrepresented under the notion of heathen extraction. CHAP. 8. The second solemn division of the land of Canaan into thirty one Kingdoms. § 1. NExt to the distinguishing of this land into seven nations, Anciently an A●my of Kings in Canaan. we must observe the division thereof amongst a Io●h. 12. 9 one and thirty Kings. Strange, that their sceptres (except very short) did not justle one another, in so narrow a Country. But, we must know, that the Genius of that age, delighted not so much, in scraping much together, as in having absolute authority in that little, which was their own. Pride is commonly the sin of young men, covetousness of old folk. The world in the youth thereof, more affected honour, than wealth, high titles, then large treasure. And these Royolets contented themselves, that their crowns (though not so big) were as bright, their sceptres (though not so great) were as glistering, as those of the mightiest Monarches, being as absolute Sovereigns in their own small territories. § 2. Let us consider, The 31 kingdoms how dispensed to the several Tribes. how these one and thirty kingdoms were afterwards disposed of, and how they were shared amongst the several Tribes. In reckoning up their names, we observe the method in b josh, ibid. joshua, as he marshals them upon order following; Kingdoms of 1. jericho. 2. Ali. 3. jerusalem. 4. Heb●o●. 5. jarmuth. 6. La●hish. 7. Eglon. 8. Gezer. 9 D●ber. 10. G●der. 11. Hormah. 12. Arad. 13. Libnath 14. Adulla●●. 15. Makkeda●. 16. Bethel. 17. Tappuah. 18. Hepher. 19 Aphek. 20. Lasharon. 21. Mad●n. 22. Ha●or. 23. Shimr●n-M●ron. 24. Achshaph. 25. Ta●●a●h. 26. Megiddo. 27. Kedesh. 28. Insteam of Ca●mel. 29. Dor in the coasts of Dor. 30. The nations of Gilgal. 31. Tirza. allotted to 1. Benjamin. 2. Benjamin. 3. Ben●amin. judah. 4. Iuda●. 5. judah. 6. judah. 7. judah. 8. ephraim. 9 judah. 10. judah. Sim●on. 11. Simeon. 12. judah. 13. judah. 14. judah. 15. Be●jamin. 16. Benjamin. 17. Manasseh cis I●r. 18. M●nas●cis I●r. 19 As●er. 20. Zebulon. 21. Neph●hali. 22. Nephthali. 23. Zebulon. 24. Asher. 25. Manas. cis I●r. 26. 〈◊〉 cis●or. 27. Nephthali. 28. Zebulon. 29. Manasseb. Issachar. 30. B●nja●in 31. Ephraim. By the King of the nations of Gilgal, understand a Sovereign over a miscellaneous company of people, the master-bee of a swarm not yet fixed in an hive, having a sufficient territory for his men, but no considerable Metropolis of his kingdom. In this Catalogue, Sihon and Og are not reckoned, whose dominions lay ●ast of jordan, and they make up thirty three Kings in all. So much of these Cities for the present; whereof largely hereafter in those respective Tribes to which they belong. § 3. Amongst these Kings one may visibly discover two distinct combinations. Two distinct combinations of these Kings. 1 In the southern circuit of Canaan, Adoni-bezek King of jerusalem seems to be chief of this knot, at whose c josh. 10. 3. sending the Kings of Hebron, jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon etc. assembled themselves against joshua, and were destroyed by him. 2 In the northern Association. There d josh▪ ●● 1, 2, 3. I●bin the King had the precedency, with whom the Kings of Madon, Shimron, and Achshaph etc. confederated themselves against joshua with the same success. Had all at once engaged against joshua, the task had been hard; had he fought them all severally, the work had been long to subdue them. For, these thirty and one Kings, who made up a full month in their number, how many years would they have made up in their resistance? Whereas now divine providence fitting the strength of Ioshua's arm, parceled his foes into two bundles, that he might the more easily at two blows, strike through both of them. § 4. And here we present the Reader with a draught of the land, Necessary difference betwixt the two maps of Canaan. as it was in the days of Abraham, and continued till the time of joshua; not well satisfied, whether more properly to term it old, or new Canaan. If we count from the beginning of the world downwards, it was young or new Canaan, because nearest the creation; if we reckon backwards from our time, the old Canaan. If the Reader discover any difference betwixt this, and the next Map of the same land, as it was constituted after the days of joshua, let him consider, 1 How the same face is disguised by different dressing. Palestine afterwards (when divided betwixt the twelve Tribes) being tricked and trimmed with many new Cities, had the favour thereof quite altered. 2 How the pictures drawn by the same exact Artist, of the same person, first when a youth, afterwards when an old man, must have much difference betwixt them; and the distance of some hundreds of years, causeth a necessary variation in the descriptions of the same Country's. It will be objected, that though age and accidents may alter the old, and induce new lineaments in men's faces, yet the Simile holds not in the description of Country's, where the same channels of sea, courses of rivers, falls of vales, flats of plains, ridges of hills, must remain. As for mountains, time, for want of carriage, must be forced to leave such luggage behind her; and therefore that such land, and water-marks, must always continue, without any considerable alteration. But it is answered, that even these seeming Standards of nature, are movable with time and casualty, inundations, tempests, and earthquakes; in the last (being the earth's violent cough) sometimes she spits up her own lungs, casting up great hills where never were any before. What the Apostle speaks in an higher sense, is true of the material world, and the several countries therein, c 1 Cor. 7. 31. The fashion of this world passeth away; so that to the very view of the eye, the shape, form, and garb thereof is metamorphosed. Besides, other Anagrams happening in the land of Canaan, lands afterwards transposed for water, and water for land; one is most remarkable, namely, when the pleasant vale of f Gen. 1●. 3. Siddim nigh the banks of jordan, was turned into the salt-sea, or noisome Asphaltite-lake. This was the work of the Lord, and it may justly seem marvellous in our eyes. But of the cause, time, and manner of this alteration, largely God willing hereafter. Here the Map of old Canaan it to be inserted. CHAP. 9 The third division of the land into twelve Tribes, some of all which Tribes remained until, at, and after the time of our Saviour. § 1. THe third solemn division of Palestine, was made by joshua into twelve Tribes, of whose several bounds largely in our ensuing discourse. This partition remained until Shalmaneser a 2 King. 17. 6. carried ten Tribes away captive, and in exchange, brought in his own colonies to possess their conquered Country. However, although the main body of the ten Tribes were thus transplanted, without any hope to return to their native soil, yet some competent representation of every Tribe, remained behind in their own country, even until, at, and after the time of Christ, and his Apostles. § 2. Allege not to the contrary, that it is said, after Shalmaneser's carrying them away captive, b 2 King. 17. 18. there was none left but the Tribe of judah only. Understand it, that judah only remained in the flourishing condition of a kingdom. That only was the visible standing-corn, amongst which, others of Israel, like loose ears were scattered. But to the point, that some glean of these ten Tribes, remained in their country, after the Assyrian captivity, may be proved; 1 From the very nature of a general calamity, which lighting on a populous nation, cannot so particularly apply itself to every individual person, but that some will escape. The c Isai. 7. 20. hired razor made not such clean work, as to shave every hair, but that some small down might creep under the edge thereof. That d Isai. 14. 23. Bosom of destruction swept not so clean, but that some dust may be presumed left behind in the small crevices of the country. Some (no doubt) by timely flight, casual absence, especial favour, secret concealment, might escape; and others, through age and sickness unable to travel, might be permitted to remain behind. 2 Mention is made of a e 2 Chr. 30. 6. remnant which escaped out of the hands of the King of Assyria. And when ●iezekiah kept his solemn passover, he sent f 2 Chron. 30. 10. 18. messengers to Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, Asher, some of whom made a mock at his courtesy, and others thankfully embraced his gracious invitation. 3 josiah in his passover (celebrated in the eighteenth year of his reign, ninety and odd years after the banishment of the twelve Tribes) assembled there g 2 Chr. 35. 18. all judah and Israel that were present, or found. § 3. Such remnants of the ten Tribes, being afterwards carried captive with judah to Babylon, returned thence with the rest of their brethren; as probably is insinuated, 1 By the sacrifice at the dedication of the second Temple, h Ezra. 6. 17. A sin offering for all Israel, twelve hee-goats according to the number of the Tribes of Israel. In expression (no doubt) of gladness, of some of every Tribe present thereat. 2 By the number of such as returned, amounting to i Ezra 2. 64. forty two thousand three hundred and threescore. Now, whosoever shall be pleased, to cast up the particular sums, of the several families of judah and Benjamin set down there, will find them fall short twelve thousand of the foresaid number. Where therefore shall we supply the account? Hear how the great Jewish-Chronicle (set forth not long after our Saviour's time) resolves this question; k Vbi ●rgo sunt 12000? in iis sanè qui ascenderunt dereliquis tribubus. Seder olam Rabath. cap. 29. Surely, they were made up of those who came up from Babylon to jerusalem, of other Tribes. 3 The l 1 Chron. 9 3. Scripture saith, after the captivity of Babylon that there dwelled in jerusalem (besides those of judah and Benjamin) of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh. Nor is the testimony of josephus to be slighted herein, though jos. m In Animad ver. in Euseb. numero. 1734. Scaliger causelessly condemns it, affirming that the King of Egypt employed seventy two jews to translate the Bible into Greek, taking six out of every Tribe, which complete that number. § 4. That such fragments of the ten Tribes returning from Babylon, were reestated in their ancient possessions, I dare not affirm, but rather believe the contrary. For there was no inducting them into their former inheritances, because no vacancy or avoidance therein; terra plena, the land was still full with the plantation of Medes and others brought in by Shalmaneser. So that this remnant of the ten Tribes, were (for the main) feign promiscuously to make their habitations where they might, whilst judah and Benjamin were restored to their ancient, entire, and distinct possessions. Yet there is some probability, that some of Zebulun and Nephthali in our Saviour's time had recovered part of their ancient patrimony. Otherwise the force of Isaiahs' prophecy, and Matthews application is much impaired: n Mat. 4. 14. etc. The land of Zebulun and the land of Nephthali etc. The people that sat in darkness saw great light. That is in a genuine and unstrained sense, their posterity had the day of deliverance first dawning unto them, whose ancestors were first overtaken with the night of affliction. § 5. That in the time of Christ, and his Apostles, some pious people of all Tribes, were extant in judea, plainly appears, 1 By o Luk● 2. 36. Anna the Prophetess, which was of the Tribe of Asher. 2 By Saint Paul's expression, p Acts 26. 7. Unto which promise, our twelve Tribes instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. This cannot be meant of those departed this life, before Saint Paul's time, (which were past hope and in possession of the promise) but of such as served God then, when this speech was uttered. 3 By the superscription of S. james his Epistle, q James 1. 1. To the twelve Tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. Being Christian jews probably, r Acts 11. 19 dispersed from jerusalem, after the martyrdom of Saint Stephen. § 6. To conclude, what in the Law God prescribed concerning the fields, he was pleased graciously to practise upon the persons of the Israelites. s Levit. 19 10. Thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape in thy vineyard. He suffered a small racemation to remain, still preserving t Acts 26. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and not wholly discomposing the solemn Jury of the twelve Tribes, which until Christ's time were made the thinner, but not the fewer, by all their calamities. For, although through continuance of time, sudden and great changes in their condition, laziness and neglect, casual losing, and spiteful embezeling of their Records, mixed marriages with heathens, and many other accidents the entireness of their Pedigrees was much perplexed and interrupted; yet by tradition from their parents, they knew in general their extraction from those Tribes, though unable particularly, to clear the immediate series of their descents. CHAP. 10. Of Palestine rend into two kingdoms, under Rehoboam; and their several strengths balanced. § 1. THe next solemn division, the land of Canaan fell under, was, when it was cloven by the ten Tribes a 1 King. 12. 19 defection, into the kingdoms of judah, and Israel. § 2. The kingdom of judah consisted chiefly of the Tribe of judah, which alone was so powerful, and populous, that the men thereof, in the muster made by King b 2 Sam. 24. 9 David, amounted in number to more, than the half of all the other Tribes there expressed. Besides the body of this Tribe, very considerable were the appurtenances thereof, namely, Some of Simeon, c Josh. 19 1. 9 whose inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the Tribe of judah. Dan, part of whose possession was taken out of what originally was assigned to judah. These must be presumed, to bear a State-sympathy to the kingdom of judah, engaged thereunto by the position of their country. Yea, we find it expressed in Scripture, that d 1 King. 19 3. Beersheba a City of Simeon; and e 2 Chr. 11. 8. Gath, f 2 Chr. 11. 10. Zorah, and g Ibidem. Ajalon, Cities of Dan, did belong to, and were fortified by the Kings of judah. § 3. Besides these, two thirds of the Tribe of Benjamin, pertained to the same kingdom; as also all the Levites h 2 Chr. 11. 14 which left their Cities in Israel, and clavae to the house of David. These, though properly the eyes of the land, had hands also, and contributed to the strength of the kingdom. Add hereunto all the well-affected, which out of all the Tribes of i 2 Chr. 11. 16. Israel resorted to jerusalem. For, the by-ditches of Dan and Bethel, did not so drain the people's devotion, but that much thereof ran in the right channel to the Temple; and no doubt, many violently kept at home, had their hearts at jerusalem, and their bodies in Israel, to which kingdom all the rest of the Tribes did belong. § 4. Here it will be richly worth our pains, to enter on a comparative estimate of these two Kingdoms, which of them exceeded in puissance: Herein we shall carry an impartial hand; and indeed, though the controversy be betwixt two Kings, there is nothing to be got by flattering of either. § 5. We will compare them first in that, wherein Solomon placeth the honour of a King, k Prov. 13. 28. the multitude of their subjects. And here any clear judgement will find for the Kings of Israel. § 6. Secondly, if the extent of their dominions be surveyed, and our eye in the Map made umpirer therein, the case is clear in view without measuring, that Israel was the greatest. § 7. Thirdly, if their Cities be numbered, the result will be this, judah had the Sun, jerusalem; Israel had the Moon, Samaria, and most Stars of the first magnitude, Ieri●ho, jezreel, Mahanaim etc. § 8. Fourthly, if their ports, and naval power be considered, neither will be found very active that way, contentedly yielding their sea-trading to the Phoenicians. Yet Israel had the advantage of havens, and marine accommodations, bordering most on the Mediterranean; judah also (to hold the scales even) had Ezion-Gaber, a considerable port on the Red-sea, as may appear by Ahaziahs' request to jehosaphat, l 1 King. 22. 49. Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships; plainly importing, that the men of judah were the Capemerchants and prime mariners in those seas, by whose courtesy the subjects of the Kings of Israel, were admitted to traffic there. However, Ezion-Gaber on the Red-sea was but a key to the backdoor (little of the East-Indies being then known, and less traded to) whereas the havens on the Midland-sea opened the broad gates of commerce to the most and best frequented parts of the world. § 9 Fifthly, if the absoluteness of their King's power be stated in their respective dominions, here in the opinions of some the upper hand must be adjudged to judah. The Kings whereof in administration of justice (or rather revenge) often exercised arbitrary power, making use of their prerogative above law. As appears by Solomon's proceedings against the lives of Shimei, joab, and Adoniah; and more plainly in Iehorams m 1 King. 21. 13. executing his own brethren, by his peremptory pleasure, without legal conviction of them. Whereas no monument is extant, of such arbitrary proceedings in the kings of Israel, more confining themselves to legal courses. Yea, the very murder of Naboth carried the face of a judicial process, wherein legal ⁿ formalities of witnesses, though suborned, were observed in a solemn Session. The reason why the Kings of judah were more unlimited in their power, was, say they, because they derived their title immediately from the God of heaven, confirmed in David's family by several descents. But the Kings of Israel, being Creatures of their own subjects, made by popular election, on condition to remit their taxes and burdens, (and seldom above three of the same stock in a direct succession) were fain to ingratiate themselves, with remitting much of that royal rigour used by the Kings of judah. And this is assigned by a judicious o Sir Walter Raleigh Hist. World 1 part. 2600. cap. 19 Sect. 6. Author as a principal cause why Israel never returned to their former subjection to David's family, because the sceptre of judah was too heavy for them, and they lived under more liberty in their own kingdom. § 10. Sixtly, if their foreign impressions, made by them on neighbouring Princes be considered, the balance is so even, it is hard to say, on which side the beam breaketh. For, as memorable were the victories of the Kings of Israel against the Syrians, so no less fortunate the fights of some Kings p Asa, 2 Chron. 14. 13. & Ichosaphat, 2 Chron. 20. 23 of judah against the Ethiopians, and other enemies. And as the kingdom of Moab, till the death of Ahab, was q 2 King. 3. 5. tributary to Israel: so Edom, until the end of the reign r 2 Chr. 21. 8. of jehosaphat, was in subjection to the crown of judah. § 11. Seventhly, if their home-achievements each against other, be recounted, (the truest touchstone of their several strengths) God often made them alternately hold up one another, whilst he whipped them both for their sins. But although Abijah once got a remarkable s 2 Chr. 13. 19 conquest of jeroboam, yet generally Israel worsted judah, overpowering them with multitude of men. Thus Baasha t 2 Chron. 16. 1. cooped up Asa in his own land; joash u 2 Chr. 25. 23. overcame Amaziah, and took jerusalem; and Pekah almost utterly w 2 Chr 28. 6. consumed Ahaz, and his kingdom. § 12. To conclude, if their lasting and continuance be measured, herein judah clearly carrieth away the pre-eminence. Grant, Israel beat judah at hand, yet judah beat Israel at length, even out of distance. For, whilst the Babylonish captivity did only snuff judah, for seventy years, (blazing the brighter when they returned from banishment) the Assyrian conquest utterly extinguished Israel, from ever appearing again, in a form Commonwealth, in their own Country. CHAP. 11. Of the partition of the Land into the Provinces of Galilea, Samaria, and Judea. § 1. WHen these two kingdoms had determined, & the division of the twelve Tribes was out of date, Palestine began to be distinguished into three Provinces, whose number and posture we find in the Evangelists, being traced in order by the feet of our Saviour, a John. 4. 34. 1. He left judea. 2. And departed again into Galilee. 3. And he must needs go through Samaria. It being denied to our Saviour himself, to travail per saltum, à termino ad terminum sine medio, so that he could not ordinarily pass from judah in the south, to Galilee in the north, without traversing Samaria, which lay in the midst betwixt both. § 2. To begin with judea, judea with the appurtenances thereof. or jury; it is not taken here in that large acception, wherein it contained the whole Country, and entire subject of this our book (in which sense Herod the great is styled b Luke 1. 5. King of judea) but is taken, as c Ezra 5. 8. elsewhere it is termed, the Province of judea, for a third part of the whole land, consisting of the ground formerly belonging to judah, Benjamin, Simeon, Dan, and Reuben. For, that this Province reached eastward, beyond the River, plainly appears in the d Mat. 19 1. & Mark 10. 1. Evangelists, affirming, that Christ came from Galilee into the Coasts of judea beyond jordan. A spacious Country it was, and in our Saviour's time, the proper habitation of the principal jews. Nor is it amiss to observe, that a portion of land (with the governments of Lidda and Ramah) lying in the juncture of Benjamin and Ephraim, was in the time of the Maccabees, taken from Samaria, by King Demetrius, and by him e 1 Macc. 11. 34. assigned to judea, in reward of the friendship, and faithfulness of the jews in his service; which gore, or gusset of ground, was called Apherema, that is, a thing taken away, because parted from Samaria, and pieced to judea. § 3. Samaria succeeds, Samaria peopled with colonies of Medes etc. whereby we understand not, the City of that name, for a long time, Metropolis of the kingdom of Israel; but a country (formerly pertaining to Ephraim, and Manasseh, and f So D. Heyly●. Gad) peopled after the Assyrian captivity, with colonies brought thither from g 2 King. 17. 24. Babylon, and the neighbouring Dominions. At first this land did not fadge well with these new inhabitants, Lions sent by God disturbing their quiet possession; until a Priest of the Israelites was remanded, to teach them h 2 King 17. 27 the manner of the God of the land. But, what betwixt an ignorant Master, and indocible Scholars, nothing was learned to purpose. He taught them no true worship, but only jeroboam divinity (as appears by their i 2 King. 17. 32. appointing out Priests of themselves for their high-places) and they jumbled together their own numerous Idols, with the service of God. In so much, as they are said to k 2 King. 17. 34. fear the Lord, and in the next verse, not to fear the Lord: not that there is any contradiction in the text, but an open opposition, betwixt their pretence, and practise; seeing such as fear God otherwise, than his will in his Word prescribes, fear him not in effect. § 4. However, afterwards the Samaritans quitted their multitude of Idols, The Articles of the Samaritan Creed. and patched up a religion amongst themselves, wherein, 1 They adored one Deity, but him so erroneously, that Christ flatly told them, l John 4. 22. ye worship that which you know not. 2 They acknowledged only the five books of Moses for Canonical. 3 They had a Temple on mount Gerizim, stickling for the honour and holiness thereof to equal, yea exceed that at jerusalem 4 They expected a Saviour, believing him as able, so willing to resolve all important difficulties; m John 4. 25. When Messiah is come, he will tell us all things. 5 They falsely accounted themselves extracted from the ancient Hebrew Patriarches. Thus the Samaritan woman had it rise in her mouth, n John 4. 12. our Father jacob, though in very deed, he was no more her Father, than the man she kept company with, was her husband, being neither lineally descended from the one, nor lawfully married to the other. Hear what josephus hath to this purpose; The Samaritans, says he, o Ant. Ind. lib. 11. sub sinem, pag. 386. & lib. 12. ca 7. pag. 410. are of this nature, that when the jews are high in fortune and success, presently they embrace society with them, and deduce the series of their own descent from the Patriarch joseph, and his sons Ephraim and Manasseb: But when the jews are depressed and low in estate, than they disclaim all kindred, defy all affinity with them, professing themselves (as indeed they are) to be originally Medes and Persians. Persians 5. Generally great was the Antipathy betwixt the Samaritans and jews. The Antipathy betwixt the Samaritans and jews. The former persecuting every face that did but look towards jerusalem; on which bare account they churlishly denied our Saviour entertainment in their town, because p Luke 9 53. his behaviour was as though he would go to jerusalem. Nor came the jews behind them in hatred, so far from familiar q john 4. 9 conversing with them, that a jew would rather contentedly endure thirst, then, to quench it, crave drink of a Samaritan, lest such hands should defile the water, with the very drawing of it. Yea when the malice of the jews meant mortally to wound our Saviour's reputation, they said, he was a r John 8. 48. Samaritan and had a Devil. However, the deluge of sin did not so generally drown all the Samaritans, but that some dry Islands, some good men were found amongst them. One eminent for his gratitude to God, being the tithe of the lepers cleansed by Christ, who s Luke 17. 16. alone returned to give him thanks; & another no less commendable for his charity to t Luke 10. 33. man, being Physician, Surgeon, Host, and in a word, neighbour to the unknown traveller wounded by thiefs in his journey to jericho. § 6. Galilee remains, so called (as u Galilee twofold, why one of them surnamed of the Gentiles. Melanchthon will have it) because in Hebrew signifying a bound or limit, lying in the northern marches of the land. It was twofold, The Upper formerly belonging to the tribes of Asher, Nephthali, and Manasseh beyond jordan. The Lower, formerly belonging to the tribes of Zebulun, and Issachar. The upper Galilee is also called w Isa. 9 1. & Mat. 4. 15. Galilee of the Gentiles, or, Galilaea Gojim, whereof many reaasons are rendered by learned men. These two most considerable, either that it was so called, because very populous, in which consideration it is termed by x Bell. Ind. li. 3. ca 4. pag. 833. josephus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; affirming, that the least 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 village therein had fifteen thousand inhabitants. So that, Galilea Gojim, or of the Gentiles, is the same with populous Galilee. (If any except that Gojim in Scripture is only taken for Heathen, never for the people of the jews, may he be remitted to learned y Ex●●cit. 114. 〈◊〉 25. c. 〈◊〉. Rivet, by instances to the contrary to have his judgement rectified herein) or else, it was called Galilee of the Gentiles, because it bordered on them, and lay in the passage through which travellers journied to the Gentiles. Thus the gate of z 2 King. 14. 13. Ephraim in jerusalem got the name thereof, not that it stood in, but led toward the Tribe of Ephraim. § 7. The Galileans were high spirited people, The character of the Gali●eans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a josephus ut pri●s. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, fighters from their infancy, impatient of wrong, lovers of liberty, and prone to revenge. Much of their nature may be read in their countryman Saint Peter, forward (not to say furious) in hot blood, to draw his b john 18. 10. sword though at great disadvantage, and after, at leisure to repent it. Apt they were to raise tumults against the Romans, but always with ill success. Witness especially, when they pretended sacrifice to cloak their Rebellion, but Pilate was too quick and cunning for them, who subduing them, c Luke 13. 1. mingled their blood with their sacrifices. They were distinguishable by their Dialect from other jews, speaking a broader, or (as I may say) a Doric Syriack, whereof the maid minded Saint Peter, Thou d Mar. 14. 70. art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereunto. They were accounted courser, and less refined jews, as appears by the expression of the Evangelist, e john 4. 45. The Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did at jerusalem at the feast, for they also went up unto the feast. Where those words, for they also, though they admit the Galileans to the communion of the same Religion with the jews, yet set them at a second table, as inferior to the other. Yea, the jews called our Saviour in disgrace, at least wise in diminution, a Galilean. Might I presume to interpose my opinion, I should conceive these Galileans were chiefly extracted from the remainder of the ten Tribes, left behind in the land, after the Assyrian captivity, as we have showed before. § 8. If these three Provinces be in several respects, The three Provinces how compared. compared together, they behave themselves as followeth, For Antiquity; Galilee the first, (mentioned s josh. 20 7. in joshua) judea the next, Samaria the youngest. Extent; judea the greatest, Galilee the next, Samaria the smallest. Honour; judea the highest, (because jerusalem therein) Samaria the next, Galilee the meanest. Safety; Samaria the first (best secured in the middle) judea next, Galilee last, and most exposed to enemies. Fruitfulness; Galilee the first, Samaria second, judea mountainous, and less fruitful, by the testimony of Saint Hierom. This distinction of these three Provinces lasted till the destruction of the second Temple, but abated in the solemnity thereof, by the ensuing partition into Tetrarchies. CHAP. 12. Of the division of this land into four Tetrarchies, and some other small territories. § 1. MUch about the time of our Saviour's birth, The original and nature of Tetrarchies. this land was divided into four Tetrarchies. A Tetrarchy is conceived by a Suidas & Stephanus in Thesa●ro. some to be a dominion, wherein are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b 〈◊〉 colours, 〈…〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: i.e. four squadrons and sixty four men. Others, with Pliny, take it to be a country, with four Cities therein. But learned c Plinian. exercit. ●ol. 576. Salmasius, to whom we refer the reader, confutes these for erroneous, where he proveth a Tetrarchy to be a fourth part of a kingdom; be the men, or Cities therein more or less. These Tetrarchies in judea, took their original from the Testament of Herod the great, who leaving several Sons, bequeathed unto them parcels of his Kingdom. § 2. Afterwards, Why 〈◊〉 Romans continued Tetrarchies. with some alteration of their limits, these Tetrarchies in judea were continued by the Romans (as also elsewhere in the Country of Galatia) on very politic considerations; 1. Hereby they had the advantage four to one, to gratify and engage more friends, with Princely honour; seeing one kingdom thus thriftily managed, afforded four Tetrarchies; as he may be charitable to more, who changeth his pence into farthings. 2 As they gratified moe; so they trusted less, it being no wisdom to venture too much power, in one and the same person. 3 The restless nature of the jews required many overseers; and a small territory amongst them, would yield the Governor thereof plentiful employment. In d Luke 3. 1. Saint Luke, we find the number and order of these Tetrarchies, namely, when john Baptist began to preach, Pilate was Governor of judea. Herod was Tetrarch of Galilee. Philip was Tetrarch of Iturea, and Trach●nitis. Lysanias was Tetrarch of Abilen●. Pilate is styled Governor, having precedency of the rest, as residing in jerusalem the principal City, and (perchance) had a superintendency over the other Tetrarches, by virtue whereof he suppressed the rebel●lious e Luke 13 1. Galileans, which were otherwise of Herod's dominion. Howsoever they observed their distinct jurisdictions; for, Pilate hearing that Christ was of Galilee, f Luke 23. 7. sent him to Herod, to be tried before him: either out of civility, because he would not encroach on another's jurisdiction; or out of policy, to decline so distasteful, and dangerous employment; at leastwise to divide the Odium betwixt them, that Herod should have his share, if not his half thereof. § 3. Concerning the bounds of judea and Galilee (Samaria being so swallowed up betwixt them, Why Abilene mentioned by Saint Luke. that the southern part thereof belonged to judea, the northern to Galilee) largely in the last Chapter. Of Iturea hereafter more fully in the Description of Nephthali. As for Abilene, we are less solicitous in assigning the accurate bounds thereof, because it lay wholly out of the land of Canaan, the proper subject of our discourse. Abilene, called by Ptolemy Abilene Lysaniae, being a fair City in Coelosyria, where the dominions thereof ranged far on the north of Libanus. If any demand, why the Tetrarchy of Abilene is mentioned by Saint Luke, seeing it was an exotic, and foreign territory, out of the pale of Palestine; let them know, it was done out of the over abundant exactness of the Evangelist, for these reasons: 1 The more tightly to notify the particular time of his history, not only by the date of the Governors of judea, but also of contemporary neighbouring Princes. And the harmony in chronology is the sweeter, the more are brought into the consort. 2 Because many dispersed jews, equally concerned in Christ, and the benefit of the Gospel, lived scattered in Abilene. 3 Because having formerly mentioned three Tetrarches, the number had not been perfect, and entire, without adding the fourth. Thus some English coins being quarter-pieces, cannot be put away in payment without loss, except four of them be joined together. 4 Because, though Abilene was not within the compass of the lesser Canaan, possessed by the jews; yet it was within the bounds of the larger Canaan, that Country once belonging to the Archites, and Arvadites the sons of Canaan. § 4. Now whosoever shall with a Compass in his hand, The inequality of these Tetrarchies in extent and revenue. survey the extent of these Tetrarchies, will find them to fall out very uneven in their dimensions, some much larger than others. Indeed they were measured with no other scale, than the favour and friendship of the Emperor, so that the best befriended at Rome, got most dominion in Palestine. Yet were these Tetrarchies as justly divided, as our English Hundreds, (and those perchance equal in their primitive institution, for number of men) seeing we count threescore and eight hundreds in g See speeds Maps. Kent, and but six in Lancashire, accounted little less in the compass thereof. Nor was the Revenues of these Tetrarchies, less unequal than their extent, the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or yearly income of Trachonitis, with the appurtenances belonging to Philip, amounting, h De B●ll. jud. lib. 2. cap. 9 as josephus computeth it, but to an hundred talents; whilst Galilee, with its appendents, returned two hundred; and judea, advantaged with the friendly City of jerusalem, yielded four hundred talents yearly to the Governor. § 5. Indeed exactness in observing the bounds of these Tetrarchies, The word Tetrarchies variously taken. is not to be expected; which, in process of time, passed under all parts of numeration; Multiplied, Subtracted, Added to, new Divided, made moe, made fewer, made other then in their primitive establishment. Let not therefore the Reader be moved, if sometimes he find more Tetrarchies, sometimes fewer than four, mentioned by good Authors in Palestine, seeing as i Salmasius ut prius. Salmasius informs us, the word Tetrarchy in after-ages was negligently taken, for a part or parcel of dominion, without relating to the exact proportion of a fourth part. Thus it is usual for barbarous tongues, to seduce words (as I may say) from their native purity, custom corrupting them to signify things contrary to their genuine, and grammatical notation. Who knows not, but that the word Moiety, both in k Little●on ●ol. 135. & cowel's interpr. in litera C. law, and true language▪ importeth the just midst, and true half of a thing? though small moiety in ordinary discourse is taken for any Canton, or small portion. And in a more proper instance, though the Cinque Ports are notoriously known to be five, as the name signifieth; yet reckoned up with their members they make seven, as I doubt not, but six, yea more Tetrarchies, may sometimes be told in Palestine. § 6. And now to take our farewell, Idumea, Per●a, & Decapolis. of the several divisions of this land, mentioned in Scripture, (for on such only we insist) it will not be amiss to mind the Reader, that besides the foresaid partitions, we find some other territories in judea, having proper names and bounds to themselves, but the latter so excentrical, that they fall out neither even with any one Tribe, nor adequate to any of the Provinces, or territories formerly described. Such are, 1 Idumea, sometimes taken more strictly, for the south part l Mark 3. 8. of judea; sometimes more largely (as always in the old m Isay 34. 5. & Ezek. 35.15. Testament) for the land of Edom, and the adjacent Dominion. 2 Perea, (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cross the water is frequent in the travels of our Saviour) being a country containing all the land once belonging to Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh on the east of jordan. 3 Decapolis, that is, a land with ten Cities therein; the just proportion of command given to the good servant, who improved his five to ten pounds, Take thou authority n Luke 19 17. over ten Cities. However, such is the variety even betwixt good authors, that amongst them the ten Cities of Decapolis, are almost ten several ways reckoned up. We will only set down two, the most authentic computations of them. Pliny his o Nat. Histor. lib. 5. c. 18. account. 1 Damascus. 2 Opoton. 3 Philadelphia, once Rabath. 4 Raphana. 5 Seythopolis, once Bethsan. 6 Gaddara. 7 Hippon. 8 Pella. 9 Galasa, for Gerasa. 10 Canatha. Brochard his p Itin▪ ab Achone versus Eurum. account. 1 Tiberias. 2 Sephet. 3 Kedesh-nepthali. 4 Hazor. 5 Capernaum. 6 Caesarea Philippi. 7 jotopata. 8 Bethsaida. 9 Chorazin. 10 Scythopolis. The reason of their great difference may be this, that in continuance of time, some of these ancient Cities fell into decay, or disfavour to forfeit their franchises, whilst later places might succeed to their lost immunities. § 7. Here we pass over in silence, Hil-countrey, and low-country in judea. the division of judea into the q Luke 1. 3●. Hill-countrey, and the r 2 Chr. 26. 10. Low-countries; because this distinction is not appropriate to Palestine, but usual, and obvious in all other kingdoms. I remember whilst I lived in the West of England and confines of Summerset-shire, hearing a labourer speak much of his long living in the low-countries', I demanded of him, whether he had ever been at Amsterdam? He answered, that he had never been there, but often at Taunton. Whereby I plainly perceived, what low-countries' he meant, namely the flat and level of Summerset-shire, under Quantock-hills, according to the language of the people in those parts. Thus when the Tribe of judah is said to conquer the Can●anites in the s Judg. 1. 9 low-country, we understand the champion and plain-field in judea, which lay at the foot of the mountains. § 8. We meet in Scripture with many other petite tracts of ground, Petite lands in Palestine. honoured with names of lands; as, the land of t 1 King. 4. 10. Hepher, the land of u 1 King. 4. 11. Dor, the land of w 1 Sam. 9 5. Zuph, the land of x 1 Sam. 13. 17. Shual etc. and in the new Testament the land of y Mat. 14. 34. Gennesareth, with many other. These may be compared to our Gilsland in Cumberland, Cleveland in Yorkshire, Marishland in Norfolk, Lovingland in Suffolk, Portland in Dorsetshire: places which sound so big, that if measured by the ear, and length of syllables, they would be accounted Kingdoms, or Counties at least, whereas surveyed by the sight, and scale of miles, they appear like the aforesaid lands in Palestine, very small, and little parcels of ground, whereof largely as we light on them hereafter in our several descriptions. CHAP. 13. How the Hebrews measured places. Of their cubits, furlongs, miles and Sabbath-days-journeys. § 1. THe Hebrews distanced their places by several measures, Hebrews distanced places, by paces, & bow-shoots. some arbitrary, casual, and uncertain; others certain, as reduced to a constant standard. Of the former was their measuring of land by paces, for we a 2 Sam. 6. 13▪ read, when David solemnly brought the Ark into jerusalem, when he had gone six paces he offered oxen and fall. But here we are left at a loss in point of certainty, taking it rather for an ambulatory, than a Geometrical pace, and then how vast the difference herein? For Saul being higher from the shoulders b 1 Sam. 10. 23. upward, than the rest of Israel, by the symmetry of parts, his pace must be presumed proportionably longer than other men. Nor more certain was the Hebrews measuring their land by a bow-shoot, as Hagar is said, to set her son I●hmael a good way off, as it were c Gen. 21. 16. a bow-shoot; which if at rovers, or random, admits of variation, according to the strength of the bow, might or sleight of the archer, weight or fashion of the arrow. § 2. As little certainty is also to be had, by measuring of ground by days-journeys. And by days-journeys. Moses in the name of his countrymen requested Pharaoh, that they might go d Exod. 5. 3. three days journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice unto the Lord their God. And I have seen some Dutch-maps, in their Scale, in stead of miles, measured by days-journeys. A computation most uncertain, especially when it is not agreed, whether the day be in Summer, or Winter; the traveller on horseback, or on foot: not to speak of the goodness, or plainness of the way, (by which advantage, e 2 Sam. 18. 23. Ahimaaz beat Cushi) the speed and diligence of the traveller. For instance; jacob being in the prime of his youth, sole and single with God, and his staff, traveled in a day from Beer-sheba to f Gen. 28. 10. Bethel, no less than sixty English miles; a tough journey, and yet the wonder is lessened, if we observe, 1 No doubt, he set forth early (probably in the dark to prevent discovery) and traveled till after the Sun g Gen. 28. 11. was set. 2 He fled from his brother Esau; and fear makes good footmen. 3 He went to fetch a wife; and so welcome an employment made him mend his pace. Thus early up, and active in himself, and assisted by God, and driven with fear, and drawn with love, and freed from any luggage; no wonder, if he went fast and far in a day. But the same jacob, when he returned from Padan-Aram, bringing with him flocks, children, and the impediments of a family, found h See the Map of G●d. fifteen miles from Mahanaim to Peniel (if he went so far in one day) to be a sufficient journey. However, I deny not, but perchance anciently, the foresaid paces, bow-shoots, and days-journeys were reduced to a certain proportion, though now to us unknown. And yet hence no imperfection in Scripture-History is justly inferred, because the point is of no such concernment, and the holy Spirit intended not exactness therein, as not important to the truth of the story. § 3. Come we now to their certain measures of ground: Cubits the current measure of the Hebrews. amongst which the cubit challengeth the pre-eminence, as most common and current in all judea, yea and in other eastern countries. For we find even in Persia, that the gallows provided by Haman for Mordecai (but hanselled by himself) was fifty i Esther 7. 9 cubits high. Except any will say, this was extraordinary, that in the greater scorn and derision, that the gallows might the better fit a jews body, it was framed and fashioned according to a Jewish dimension. By cubits they were commanded, to measure the suburbs and lands of the Levites, which were to reach from the k Numb. 35. 4. wall of the City, and outwards, a thousand cubits round about. Say not this was a long and tedious work, to meet by so small a measure, God hereby showing, that the least parcel of so fruitful a land, was of considerable valuation. Thus precious drugs are not weighed out by hundreds, or pounds; but by drams, scruples, and grains; so sovereign is the smallest particle thereof. § 4. A cubit (in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Two kinds of C●bus. Amah) is so called from cubitus the elbow (as that from cubo to lean, or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bow) because properly the space betwixt the elbow, and tip of the middle finger. It was twofold, the great, and the less, which may be cleared out of Scripture, against such as level all cubits alike, and conceive this distinction lieth not in the thing itself, but men's bare opinion. For, 2 Chron. 3. 3. we find cubits according to the first measure, and the Prophet a 〈◊〉 41 8. expressly mentioneth a full reed of six great cubits. The lesser cubit generally is adequate to our foot and half, or half yard, the great double as much, commensurate to our full yard or three foot. But Rabbi Cam●i in his comment on b Cap. 46▪ v. 2. cited by Arias Montanus de Mensur. Sac●. Ezekiel assigns the great cubit a larger proportion, so that a thousand Emoth, or cubits make a mile, whom we have followed in laying out the bounds of the Levites suburbs. § 5. Forbear we here to speak of fathoms, Furlongs how long. but once mentioned in Scripture c Acts 27. 28. (and then in the Adriatic sea) because only used to sound the depth of water, nor measure the length of land. A furlong comes next to be considered, so called quasi furrowlong, being so much as a teme in England plougheth going forward, before they return back again. I say in England, otherwise in the east parts of Poland, where Lords have large lands in a continued champion-countrey, uninterrupted with enclosures, they make but two furlongs (and those some miles in length) in a whole day, the one going forth, the other coming back, so to save time and toil of often turning. We find no mention of furlongs in the old Testament, and indeed the Grecian shears first cut the land of Canaan into the fashion of furlongs, after Alexander and the Asian Kings became Masters thereof. Hereupon we first meet with them in d 2 M●c. 12. ●. Maccabees, which afterwards in the new Testament, became the constant computation of distances, both by sea and land. Now although some difference be in the dimension of several furlongs, the Italian is concluded to contain an hundred and five and twenty paces, and to be the eight part of a mile. § 6. A mile consists of a thousand paces, A R●man m●le made the sam● wi●h▪ 〈◊〉 H●brew B●rah. whence in Latin it takes its denomination, and is a measure of pure Roman extraction. However some learned men conceive, that the Hebrew Berah, answereth to the proportion of the Roman mile, and so (saith e In m●●suris sac●is. Montanus) is always rendered by the Rabbins; namely, when jacob is f Gen 35. 16. & 48. 7. twice said, to want but a Berah to come to Ephrath; and when Naaman is said, to have departed g 2 King. 5. 19 a Berah from the Prophet Elisha. In all which places Tremelius hath it exiguum terrae spatium, whom our translation following, readeth it, a little way. A mile is said to contain eight furlongs, though others in these eastern parts, H●w 〈◊〉 Saviour's precept ●s to b● understood. will have ten to concur to the completing thereof. § 7. But, be a mile more, or less; longer, or shorter; the sense, rather than the sound, is to be heeded in our Saviour's precept, h Mat. 5. 41. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Not that hereby he meant to make christian's the lackeys to every man's insolence, but only to beat down in them vindicative dispositions, to gain on their oppressors, by submission, not violence, seeing resistance would invite ruin upon them, during their present condition. Indeed, clothes are straitest when first put on, which afterwards widen with wearing; and so some think the strictness of this precept, was only at the first giving thereof. Yea, they compare this, and the like prudential counsels, rather than positive commands, to the shells of birds, which when they are hatched fall off of their own accord, conceiving only infant Christianity obliged to the keeping thereof. Whereas an eternal tye is therein contained; but, with what circumstances it is to be observed, comes not within the Scale of miles in our Maps to determine. § 8. The Sabbath-days journey remains, A Sabbath-days journey how much. and great difference there is amongst good authors about the proportion thereof. Some count it so much as was betwixt each man's proper habitation, and the next Synagogue, or place of public worship, to which he was to repair; Others, that distance, which one might go after the Morning, and return before the evening sacrifice was offered. But let us attend to the text which directs us to some certainty therein; i Acts 1. 12. Then returned they to jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from jerusalem a Sabbath-days journey. By the Mount here we understand not the verge, or bottom; but the summity, top, or ridge thereof, whence our Saviour made his ascension. Secondly, both going thither, and returning thence are computed in the compass of the journey. Now, Bethany which was on mount Olivet, is elsewhere said to be nigh to jerusalem k John 11. 1●. about fifteen furlongs, two miles on the matter; all which put together, the result is, that four miles, or thereabouts, make up a Sabbath-days journey. Provided, it was leisurely, and moderately paced, coming under the notion rather of recreation, than toil; a walk, than a work, both to man and beast; otherwise the day might be broken as well in going too fast, as too far. § 9 It will here be demanded, Whereon Sabbath-days journeys were grounded. seeing this was flatly against the letter of the Law, (if not only meant for the gathering of Manna) positive, and negative; l Exod. 16. 29. Abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day: Whence then did this indulgence, or dispensation arise? Some ground it on Ioshua's * Josh 3. 4. ordering, that the Ark should in its removal be distanced from the people about two thousand cubits by measure; which space is presumed, might be gone forward and backward by any on the Sabbath-day without offence. But others conceive this equity included in the very words of the Ordinance. For, surely God intended not, that the Sabbath should nail the jews as fast to their houses as the darkness did the Egyptians m Exod. 10. 23. when none arose from their place; seeing such a sedentary stupidity had been a rack, not a rest; and a poor refreshing to the Jewish servants, that those who had been labourers six days, should be prisoners the seventh. Some necessary motion therefore must be allowed. And when the Disciples walked through the corn on the * Mat. 12. 2. Sabbath-day, the Pharisees found fault, not with their feet, but their hands, not with their going, but gathering ears of corn as they went. As for the Pars quota, how far people might go on that day, custom and tradition had decided it, about the days of our Saviour. § 10. For in the age of Elisha the nice restriction of a Sabbath-days journey was unknown. Unknown in the age of Elisha. For when the Shunamite requested of her husband, a 2 King. 4. 22. to send her one of the young men, and one of the asses, that she may run to the man of God, and come again, he rejoined, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? It is neither new Moon, nor▪ Sabbath. Intimating, that had it been Sabbath either weekly or annual, it was her duty, and had been her custom to repair to the place where the Prophet lived; though Carmel, where Elisha resided, was from Shunem at least fifteen miles. As for the jews in our Saviour's time, they persisted in the rigorous observation of the Sabbath, even till, and after the destruction of the Temple, insinuated in our Saviour's counsel, o Mat. 24. 20. Pray that your flight be not in winter, nor on the Sabbath-day. Christ in the latter pitying that conflict, which would happen in the scrupulous conscience of ceremonious jews, betwixt their love of saving their lives, and keeping the law; lest that, while the one spurred them to fly, and the other bridled them to stay, they would be at such a stand, that their enemies might easily knock them down in that stound of amazement, and their life be determined in this world, before the question decided in their conscience. § 11. As for latitudes and longitudes, Difference in the longitudes and latitudes. the light and life of all great Maps, we have only observed them in our general descriptions of Palestine and Egypt, omitting them in the draughts of particular Tribes, whose smallness render them incapable thereof, without very much pains, and with very small profit. In the latitudes we may attain a tolerable certainty, but so different are good Authors in assigning the longitudes, that they accord no better in their testimonies, than the witnesses brought against Christ, p Ma●. 15. 29. not any two of them agreeing together. Nor doth this discord only arise from the different meridians, whence the ancients and moderns do start their computations, because this being easily arbitrated according to just proportion, the difference almost remains as much as ever before. However, we have followed authors of the best authority, as q In our answer to the objections of the Map general of Pales●ine. hereafter God willing we shall give the Reader a particular account thereof. CHAP. 14. Directions for the use of the Scale of miles in our Maps. § 1. WIthout a Scale of miles, The vast difference between miles of several country's. (or degrees equivalent) the livelyest draught of a Country is no regulated Map, but a paper full of names of places. However, vast is the difference betwixt the miles in several Country's. An Italian mile containeth seven, a English eight furlongs. A French is equal to two, a vulgar Dutch to three English miles, the large Dutch to four, the miles in Switzerland to five, not to say six of our English computation: so that, in that mountainous country, travellers have a double disheartening, the worst of ways, and longest of miles. Yea upon the Alps in the juncture of Germany and Italy, in the self same mountain, on the north side the miles are the longest, on the south side the shortest in Christendom. § 2. Come over into England, And betwixt miles of the same country. and what difference is there betwixt a Middlesex and a Yorkshire mile? The former the shortest, because (as some will have it) every London-Lady when weary with walking, concludes the space though never so short to be a mile: whilst the well mounted Rank-riders in the northern country, insensible of the length of the way, because of the swiftness of their horses, make miles of the largest proportion. Our scale of miles presented in all these Maps, is according to the English mile containing eight furlongs; to which we have reduced (a task rather troublesome then difficult) the measures of other authors, giving allowance according to the standards of the several countries whereof they were. § 3. Here (if my complaint might find any pity, and that pity give me any ease) I would complain of the irreconcilable difference betwixt Authors (proceeding on one and the same scale of miles) in making their distances betwixt their several places. We read of Saul that he so scattered the army of the Ammonites so that a 1 Sam. 11. 11. two of them were not lest together▪ Such a dispersion we find in the judgement of learned men, not two of them generally concurring in the measuring of miles betwixt eminent places. § 4. Now as Jurie-men, when several witnesses swear point-blank one against another, make bold to believe his testimony who appears most credible unto them, such power we have assumed to ourselves in these differences, to follow those, who we conceive have the best authority. Herein having a special regard to those that lived upon the place, and preferring their judgements above others, though otherwise of greater learning, because in matters of fact done in his presence, the eyes of a child are to be believed before the ears of a man. § 5. Where both authors appear of equal authority in themselves, and number of followers, we have umpired the difference by pitching on a middle number betwixt both. For instance, b Patest. Seig. f. 19 Seiglerus makes it fourteen thousand paces or fourteen miles betwixt Zidon and Tyre (eminent Marts, and therefore the distance betwixt them might be notoriously known) whilst c Vadian. Phax. f. 271. Vadianus makes it two hundred furlongs, or twenty miles. Here to part the difference equal, we have insisted on 17 miles. § 6. However when this, and much more caution is used by us, our Scale of miles is so far from pretending to the exactness of those lefthanded Gibeonites d Jud. 20. 16. to hit the mark at an haires-breadth and not miss, that a large and charitable latitude must still be allowed us in a subject so hard and full of uncertainty. Yea the holy Spirit itself speaks not positively of distances of places, but with words of qualification. e Luke 24. 13. About threescore furlongs from jerusalem to Emmaus; f John 6. 19 About five and twenty or thirty furlongs they had rowed on the Sea; as if five in thirty made no considerable difference. If the same favour may be but allowed our scale of miles, I doubt not but it will acquit itself against all just exception. § 7. Now for the further managing of our Scale of miles we request the Reader not to extend it, therewith to measure all the properties, or History-pictures in our Map (for then some men would appear Giants, yea monsters, many miles long) expecting him rather to carry a scale in his own eyes, for surveying such portraitures. Yea in general I undertake nothing in defence or excuse of those pictures, to be done according to the rule of Art, as none of my work, ornamental, not essential to the Maps: only this I will say, that eminency in English Gravers, is not to be expected till their Art be more countenanced and encouraged. Nor would I have the Scale applied to Cities drawn in Prospective, as to Rabbah in the Tribe of Gad etc. which then will fall out bigger than indeed they were; desiring the Reader only to understand them to be fair and populous Cities, and therefore made more large and conspicuous than the rest. § 8. Such Towns as stand (as one may say) on tiptoes, Towns on the upstroke how to be accounted. on the very umstroke, or on any part of the utmost line of any Map (unresolved in a manner to stay out or come in) are not to be presumed placed according to exactness, but only signify them there, or thereabouts. Nor is this without precedents in the best Geographers, so in their maps to make the general continuation of neighbouring countries clearer thereby. § 9 If any difference, What Maps most to be credited in matters of difference. on accurate comparing, arise in the distances betwixt the same places presented in several Maps, (some such will escape in defiance of all diligence) we hope the same will appear inconsiderable, & such moats (not being before the sight, but in the corner of the eye) will little, if at all, hinder the light of a Geographical truth. Surely as in the strictest laws of Horse-racers, some waist of weight is allowed to the Riders: so me thinks some favour ought to be afforded an Author, in measuring and making many Maps, were it but for the shaking of his weary hand in so tedious a work. But if such differences appear somewhat great, let those be relied on as the truest, where such places are set down datâ operâ, of set purpose; so that it is the very work of that Map to describe them: let those I say be credited before the distances in other Maps, where such places come in only of compliment, or are brought in by the by, to fashion and fill up the (otherwise empty) borders thereof. CHAP. 15. How the different qualities of places in our Maps, are distinguished by their several Characters. § 1. MAy the Reader be pleased to learn the language of the several Characters of the places used in our Map, How places are known by their s●verall characters. which speak much in little, and are very useful for the clearing of the history. 1 All Cities marked with Coronets were anciently the Royal seats of the thirty one Kings of Canaan, at and before the time of joshua 2 All Cities surrounded with double circles (the reason whereof hereafter) belong to the Tribe of Levi. 3 All Cities having banners or flags placed upon them, show the conjectural position thereof, when we have no assurance of their exact situation. One side of which flags humbly confesseth our want of certainty, the other as earnestly craveth better information. 4 When places are noted with Asterisks it imports difference of Divines, some making them proper names, others merely appellative. 5 Places which have both flags and Asterisks upon them, are as I may say doublehatcht with uncertainty, not only their position being doubtful, but it is questionable whether they be proper names or no. 6 Places mentioned only in the Apocrypha are signed with a Crescent or halfmoon inverted, The b●dge of Apocrypha Cities. in some allusion to the difference of Arms of younger brethren, such books being accounted of the Fathers but of a second rank, and reputed but Deutero-canonicall by learned Romanists. Say not that a Bar of bastardy better befitted them being taken out of Apocrypha writings. For what though those writings were never penned by Prophets (of whom none betwixt Malachi and john the Baptist) never written in Hebrew, never owned by the jews, God's people, for Canonical, to whom the oracles of God g Rom. 3. 2. were committed, (and, which is mainly material, Christ reproved them not for this neglect) never prophesied of Christ to h Acts 10. 33. whom all the Prophets bear witness, never solemnly quoted by Christ and his Apostles; yet because ancient, and because it may be said of them as of Abijah the son of jeroboam, i ●King. 14. 13. in them there is found soon good thing toward the Lord, they deserve from unprejudiced judgements a reverend respect. 7 Places noted with ● cross in a circle, are such whereof no mention in Scripture, but only in humane writers, josephus, Pliny, and the like. 8 Such as have on them an halfmoon with the points upward are modern places in the possession of the Turk. Of these very few, and those either of high note in themselves, or because seated on high roads. We confess these no essential part, but conceive them a fit copartment for our subject in hand. And thus among the flock of cities in our Map, by looking on their brand, their owner and nature are quickly known. § 2. Some will conceive these had better been thrown together without any distinction, seeing the learned do not need, and the unlearned will not heed the differences aforesaid. However we had rather offend on the right hand, and be censured for overmuch caution. Others will adjudge it fitter, that the several towns had been set forth in sundry maps, not putting the new piece to the old so to make the rend the worse, not mingling modern with ancient places, but presenting them apart in entire descriptions. But this being a matter of great expense, we leave such men's judgements to be rectified by their purses, when they seriously consider the price thereof. § 3. And now what remaineth, but that we humbly beg a measuring reed out of the Sanctuary to be lent us, that so by heaven's assistance we may be enabled to perform this survey of the land of Canaan? This in the first place implored, we proceed to our task. It was Saint Paul's advice to the Corinthians, k 1 Cor. 1●. 11. Be ye followers of me, as I am of Christ: my humble request to the reader is, that while I go before him in this my description, he would follow me in his own pace, at his own pleasure, so fast, and so far as I follow the truth, at least the most probability grounded on Scripture, ancient Authors, and modern Travellers who have been eye-witnesses of the country. Finis Libri primi. To the Right Honourable HENRY LORD BEAUCHAMPE, Son to the Right Honourable WILLIAM MARQUIS OF HARTFORD. MY LORD, AMongst many other meditations, my serious thoughts have made enquiry, concerning Government and Nobility, whence each of them derived their original. For the first, I find it as ancient as Man, and extracted from God himself. Who because he was a Spirit, (and therefore invisible) the better to try what Tribute of obedience, Men out of Conscience would pay unto him, stamped a character of dominion, as his own visible Image (in the infancy of mankind) on the Father of the family, that so honour and duty might be given to God in yielding subjection to him who represented him. These first Governors were termed patriarchs, that is, Father-Princes, their compounded name, speaking their mixed authority. And a Ant. jud. ●●. 1. cap. 2. Josephus writing of the death of Methuselah, saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, He left, or passed over his principality to Lamech his son; and this Prince-ship continued in the Primogeniture for many Ages, till the method thereof was discomposed, partly by the numerosity of mankind, partly by their far dispersed habitations. Thus was Government the Mistress, first born in the world, whilst Nobility her Maid came in not long after to attend her. For such Persons, whose virtuous dispositions commended them to the special favour of Princes in Power, had in reward of their worth; marks of Honour fixed upon them: which afterward by succession descended unto their posterity. Of these, some imitating their Ancestors goodness, continued in the splendour of their Nobility, whilst others degenerating by their vicious courses, invited neglect and contempt upon themselves. Insomuch that in some the valour and spirit of their Progenitors (which advanced them by the sword in time of war) evaporated all into empty air; turning into a wild and riotous animosity; And in others, the gravity and wisdom of their Grandfathers (which promoted them by the Gown in the days of Peace) settleth into feculent earth, leaving nothing but a tame and unactive stupidity behind it. heareth Nobility of such had expired, save that some of them seasonably perceiving the desperate Consumption thereof did follow the prescription of Physic, and returned into the Native air which first gave Honour her birth and being; and did so repair their lost reputation by practising the Primitive virtues of Piety, Courtesy, Hospitality; Valour, Wisdom, and Learning; thus going home to the Climate wherein Nobility was first conceived. But thanks be to God, your Lordship is none of those personally guilty of any decay of dignity; whose virtues preserve your Honour in the perfect health and strength thereof, which hath been the main motive to make me so desirous to present my book to your Honour, as a proper Patron, even to the height, for all purposes and intents. Whose judgement can examine the whole, Clemency Pardon what is amiss, and Greatness Protect the rest in defiance of opposition. Indeed Sir, besides desire to shelter myself under your Patronage, gratitude obligeth me to tender my service to your Honour. For all my Books, being my nether and upper millstone, (and such by the levitical Law, might not be taken to pledge, because a Man's b Deut 24. 5. life) without which I had been rendered unable to grind any Grist for the good of myself or others, had been taken from me in these civil wars, had not a Letter from your Lady-mother preserved the greatest part thereof. Good reason therefore that the first handful of my finest meal should be presented in thankfulness to your family. And now my Lord, bethinking myself of a blessing for yourself and worthy Lady, that she-pattern of Meekness, Modesty Piety, and Patience; no fitter can be found then what the Psalmist pronounceth, that you may see your children's children, and c Psal. 128. 7. Peace upon Israel. Here is the finest of wares, and withal the largest of measures, length of days, to enjoy them. Well may this prayer be read at Marriages, there being a marriage in the Prayer, wherein Long-life coupleth Posterity and Peace together. Otherwise it is woeful to multiply for war to subtract; and only to be fruitful for the Sword or Famine. May this Benediction of the Psalmist light on you and yours in the highest performance thereof: which is the desire of Your Lordship's most humble servant THO. FULLER. Here followeth the Map of Reuben. THE TRIBE OF REUBEN. The second Book. § 1. REuben eldest Son of jacob by Leah, forfeited his Birthright by a Gen. 35. 22. defiling his Father's bed. For which fact he was cursed, b Gen. 49. 4. that he should not excel. Whereupon came such a dearth of eminent Persons of this Tribe, that neither King, Judge, Priest, nor Prophet descended thereof. Yea, few men of fame, only two notoriously infamous, c Numb. 16. 1. & 26. 5, 8, 9 Dathan and Abiram, Generals of the mutineers against Moses: haply in hope, because of their extraction, to recover the lost Birthright unto their Tribe. Yet these Reubenites, though not springing high, spread broad; little puissant, very populous, counting no fewer than forty six d Numb. 1. 21. thousand five hundred at the general muster in mount Sinai: all which dying in the wilderness for their infidelity, their children descended * Numb. 26. 7. from them, being forty three thousand, seven hundred and thirty, possessed this land, east of jordan. § 2. A land, that five times exchanged her owners in the old Testament. First, her original inhabitants were the e Deut. ●. 10. Emims, a younger house of the Anakims: accounted Giants, being great in stature and many in number. Secondly, Moabites, who, though less and lower, yet advantaged by divine f Deut. 2. 9 assistance, did overtop and overcome these voluminous Emims, and possessed themselves of their land. Thirdly, Amorites, under Sihon their King who (somewhat before Moses conducted the Israelites hither) acquired the sovereignty of this country, g Numb. 21. 26. beating out the Moabites, and banishing them south of Arnon. Fourthly, Reubenites: on whom Moses bestowed it, after Sihon was conquered and killed. Fifthly, Moabites again. For it seems after the captivity of the Reubenites by Tilgath Pilneser 1 Chron. 5. 26. they made a reentry on their old possessions: seeing those cities (formerly inhabited by the Reubenites) are prophesied against by h Isa. 15. & 16. ●a. ler. 4. 8. Isaiah and jeremiah, under the notion of places belonging to the people of Moab, to be destroyed by Shalmaneser, and Nabuchadnezzar. § 3. This Country had jordan on the west, (dividing it from Ephraim and Benjamin) the River Arnon on the east and south (parting it from the kingdom of Moab) and on the north confined on the Tribe of Gad. The extent thereof from east to west may be allowed forty two miles, not exceeding thirty five from north to south. A Country excellent for grazing, not as if defective in corn and wine, wherein it shared with the rest of the Tribes, (besides the benefits of some Minerals, and medicinal waters, whereof in due place) but because exceeding in conveniencies for cattle: i Numb. 32.1. Pastures to feed, Woods to shade, and Rivers to wate● them. Therefore was it bestowed upon the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh, which much abounded in cattle. In which three we may observe some shadows of Primogeniture, (which might embolden them to petition to be first served) Reuben the eldest of jacob by his wife; Gad eldest by Zilpah his concubine, and Manasseh first born of joseph. But these Tribes as first planted were first plucked up. God carved unto them the first cut of the Land, and after called for the Voider to take it first from them. For they falling from the house of David, and following jeroboam through rebellion to Idolatry, and not being warned with the terrible blow k 2 King. 10. 33. Hazael gave them, shroudly shrubbing their branches, God rend them up by the roots in the days of * 2 King. 15. 29. Pekah, by the hand of l 1 Chr. 5. 6. 26. Tilgath-Pilneser King of Assyria; some twenty years before the general captivity of their brethren, at the end of the reign of Hosheah, 2 Kings 17. 6. § 4 Leaving the people, come we to survey the places, and memorable actions in this Tribe. In the north-east corner thereof, near the banks of Arnon, we find the tract or territory of Aroer. For though Aroer the City was undoubtedly entire in the Tribe of Gad; yet it m 1 Chron. 5. 8. plainly appears, that at least a Moiety of the country adjacent (so called from the city) was possessed by the Reubenites. A populous place it was, the n Isa. 17. 2. Prophet mentioning the cities of Aroer, though their names or number is not expressed. Probably Arnon one of the principal, Tell ye it in Arnon ( o Icr. 48. 20. says jeremy:) surely not to the fishes in the River, but to a City seated on the brink thereof, and thence denominated: as Hull in Yorkshire, so commonly called from the Rivulet running by it. § 5. Going south-west, having the stream of Arnon for our guide, we leave Kedemoth, not far from the north bank thereof. The Septuagint read Kedson for Kedemoth, and the Vulgar, without any warrant, read jethson for Kedson: so procreative is one error of another. This Kedemoth was * Josh. 21 30. 37. one of the four Peculiars of the Levites, wherein they were accommodated with Safety, Pleasure, and Profit. Safety, in the City itself, within whose walls they dwelled in secure habitations: Pleasure in their suburbs, reaching a p Numb. 35. 4. thousand Cubits from the wall round about, (little less than an English mile) where they had houses of retirement, with stalls and stables for their cattle: Profit in their glebe land, extending two thousand Cubits from their suburbs on every side, improved for pasture, tillage and vineyards. For thus the survey of the Levites lands, Numb. 35. 4, 5. (though the difficult place is capable of several senses) is expounded by learned Rabbi Maimonie, and we in our Maps have described them accordingly. Now though herein we have given the Levites lands the largest and most favourable bounds (seeing I am unable to endow them, they shall lose nothing by my restrictive measuring thereof) yet know that narrower limits are assigned them by Tremellius, as shall hereafter be presented in * In our answers to the objections on Reuben. Diagram we have prepared for that purpose. § 6. Behold here Levi's curse turned into a blessing, q Gen. 49 7. Divide them in jacob, and scatter them in Israel. Now the dividing of them proved the disposing of them, for their own and others advantage. Their scattering was their ranking for the best behoof of the people, for whose instruction they were intended. They were the Salt of the earth, and therefore God sprinkled them here and there, the more conveniently to season the whole nation. Insomuch that some English Parishes are more remote from their Mother-church, than most places in Canaan were distant from the Cities of the Levites. We must not forget that in jeroboams apostasy, the religious Levites forsook their Cities and r 2 Chr. 11. 14. fled to jerusalem, preferring voluntary exile before wealthy homes, on the condition of an Idolatrous compliance. It appears not in Scripture, how these Cities and lands thus left were disposed of. Whether jeroboam himself seized on them, converting them into demeans of his Crown, or whether he suffered them to revert to those respective Tribes, from whom they were taken: so fastening his subjects affections unto him with nails of gold of their own profit. Either course may be conceived a cause to hasten the captivity of the people; it being just that those, who swallow Gods morsels, should be spewed out of their own possessions. § 7. Round about this City, is the wilderness of Kedemoth, not wholly abandoned to solitariness, but as the rest of this kind, more thinly inhabited. It abounded with wild beasts, Lions, Bears, Boars, Wolves, Foxes, where the pleasure in hunting the game, did not recompense the pains and dangers of the shepherds lying constant Perdues in defence of their flocks. From this wilderness, Moses sent messengers to s Deut. 2. 26. Sihon King of the Amorites, for peaceable passage through his country. But Sihon (path-wise and land-foolish) by denying a civility, drew destruction on himself and subjects. For seeking in fight to traverse it, for their pedibus ambulando, he was by a firm Ejection outed of his whole kingdom. § 8. To return to Arnon. Hereabouts the children of Israel passed over it, miraculously with dry feet, saith t Adri. in theat. ter. sanct. fol. 51. Adricomius. But the miracle seems rather of his, than Gods making, the Scripture being silent therein, and the river not of that depth or breadth, but that it was fordable, especially with the help of Camels, Mules, and Asses. Many miles hence this river solitarily runs on as sensible of its sad fate suddenly to fall into the dead-Sea, at Ashdoth-pisgah. Where all his comfort is, to have the company of two other Brooks: whereof the eastermost runs near to u Josh. 20. 8. & 21. 36. & ● Chron. 6. 78. jer. 48. 24. Betzar or Bozra: A City of refuge belonging to the Levites Merarites, whereof there were six in the whole Country of Canaan, with a x Deut. 19 8, 9 provision that they should add three more (man's mercy must increase proportionably with his means) if God enlarged their coast; though we read of no such addition, either in david's or Solomon's time. The Cities were so conveniently distanced by God's appointment, that in half a day (men for their lives will take wide and thick strides) some one of them might be recovered from the remotest corner of the land. Let Historians relate the Laws of such Sanctuaries, whereof these most fundamental. 1t. y Numb. 35. 15. Strangers and sojourners in Israel were capable of the privilege thereof, as well as native jews. 2ly. Any murderer that could, might fly thither without any hindrance or interruption; z Deut. 19 3. Thou shalt prepare thee a way: Otherwise such obstructions would have frustrated, and defeated the main intent of such privileged places. 3ly. If the murderer could but reach the a Num. 35. 27. & Rabbi Maimo. lb. cap. 8. sec. 11. border of such cities of refuge (the very hem of Christ's garment had sovereign virtue in it) distant as is aforesaid from the City itself, it was a sufficient protection for him till his cause was examined before the Judges. 4ly. Upon examination, those were denied the benefit of refuge, and b Deut. 19 12. delivered up to Justice, who had committed murder out of malice prepense, or had killed one (as we may say) with a malicious weapon: namely, if the bigness or sharpness thereof, be it c Numb. 35. 17, 18, 23. iron, wood or stone, was mortal in view, carried death in the sight thereof, as probable, enforced with one's hand, to kill a man. 5ly. Others, who casually had killed their neighbour, might live safely in the City, till the death of the Highpriest: typifying the suffering of our Saviour, whose execution is our gaol-delivery. 6ly. If the murderer d Numb. 35. 26, 27. wand'ring out of the suburbs, was found by the avenger of blood, he forfeited his protection, and might be killed with indemnity. 7ly. After the High-priests death (say the e Maimo. on Numb. ca 35. ver. 2●. ca 7. Sect. 14. Rabbins without Express from Scripture) the party was remitted to his innocence, not honour; restored to his liberty, not lustre; clouded the remnant of his life, because of the scandal that came by his hand. Forget we not here, that besides these six Cities, the f Exod. 21. 14. 1 King. 2. 29. Altar in the Tabernacle or Temple, was reputed the seventh and paramount place of murderer's protection. § 9 The brook from the west, begins at Machaerus: one of the strongest inland Forts in the world, nature having prevented Art therein, so impregnable is the City and Castle upon the top of a steep g josep. 13. Aati. judae. cap. 22. hill, with a deep valley round about. Hither h jos. 18. Antiq. cap. 10. josephus saith, Herod the Tetrarch sent john the Baptist to be beheaded. For which fact, his great army was af●terwards overthrown by Aretas King of Arabia. Hereabout, i Idem bell. jud. lib. 7. cap. 25. two springs arise of contrary natures. One hot and sweet, the other cold and bitter. Both which meeting together make a most excellent Bath, cordial for several diseases. As if nature thereby would lesson us, that moderation, wherein extremities agree, is the best cure for all distempers. These waters are approved excellent for the contraction of the nerves, either inwardly taken, or outwarldly applied. Herod the King being sick, (newly come out of a Bath of blood, of the innocent Bethlehem-babes) was hither directed in vain by his Physicians, the water refusing to be guilty of such a Tyrant's recovery. On this stream stood k Hier. quaest. Hebr. in Ge●e. Lasha mentioned Genesis 10. 19 afterwards called Callirrhoe or the Fair stream. And now what pity is it that such percious water should presently be spilt into the the Dead Sea! But what remedy? Fair and foul faces must meet together in the grave. § 10. As for the Dead sea, which only peeps into a corner of this Tribe, but steadfastly faceth a whole side of judah more properly thereof hereafter. And as for josephus his valley of l Lib. 7. bell. judae. cap. 25. Baaras, with the strange growing, gathering, & working of the famous root therein, we mention it, not to seem wholly ignorant thereof; and but mention it, not to seem over credulous therein. Hereabouts is plenty of Alum and Brimstone, the latter probably some straggling drops of that direful shower, which was reigned on Sodom, and Gomorrah, leaving some tincture in the adjacent Country as a remembrancer of so great a Judgement. § 11. It is now high time that we survey the west of this Tribe, which jordan (as we have said) divideth from Ephraim, and Benjamin. This is the true meaning of Deborah's complaint, uttered and repeated, for * judg. 5. 15, 16. the divisions of Reuben were great thoughts of heart, namely because that Tribe separated by jordan from the western continent of Canaan, could not come seasonably to the succour of Barak, and subduing of Sisera. This River used to overflow all his banks in the first month. 1 Chron. 12. 15. (parallel to the end of our March, and beginning of April) or, as it is said josh. 3. 15. at the time of harvest. Which vast distance in our English Climate (as much as betwixt Spring and Autumn) is easily reconciled and made to meet in judea; where the Harvest ●t large is dated from the first fruits, and those ripe in April in that hot country. Let Naturalists discuss the cause, whence this inundation of jordan proceeds; whether from the violence of winds, then blowing on its stream, and angering it beyond his banks; or from the influence of the Moon, Commandress over moist bodies, and their motions; or from the confluence of Snow dissolved from the mountains. But my discourse like jordan overflows, it shall return within its banks. § 12. In the northwest corner of this Tribe, jordan first entering into it, is fordeable at Bethbara or Bethabara, that is, the house of passage. For Gideon having the Midianites in chase, sent messengers to all in mount Ephraim, (a service most proper for them, cause in their confines) to m judg. 7. 24. take before them the water unto Bethbara and jordan, which there with good guides and high Camels might be waded over; but more southward the river is fenced by its own breadth and depth against all Passengers. And here afterward did n joh. 1. ●8. john baptise our Saviour. As for o josh. 13. 4. Aphek hard by, we place it here rather in conformity to p Adrich. theat. Ter. sanc. pa. 126. others, then convinced in our own judgement of the true situation thereof. § 13. The altar Ed, or witness, was hereabouts erected by the Reubenites, Gadites, and half Tribe of Manasseh, returning from the conquest of Canaan. This Altar was a bridge in effect, to conjoin these divided Tribes with the rest; severed by water, the same in worship; on the other side jordan in position, on the same side with the other Tribes in Religion. But though there was a noonday of Innocence in their intentions, yet because (though not a night of guiltiness) a twilight of suspicion obscured their actions, it occasioned jealousies in their brethren, as if they had hatched some idolatrous design. But when the matter came to be disputed in a military way, the controversy was ended by the right stating of the question, and a seasonable distinction well applied, that it was an Altar only of memorial, and q josh. 22. 23▪ 24. not for any burnt meat or Peace-offering. O that all differences between brethren might wind off, in so welcome a conclusion! § 14. And now he that shall cast his eye over the Plain on the east of jordan, shall find it well stocked with multitudes of goodly sheep, which caused Deborah's r judg. 5. 16. expostulation, Why abodest thou Reuben amongst the sheepfolds, to hear the bleating of the flocks? And yet no wonder if he preferred such music, before the clashing of swords, and sounding of trumpets in the battle against the Canaanites: seeing naturally men choose profitable ease, before honourable danger. The tails of those sheep, both for fat and wool, were incredibly great, some of them a s Syriae cubitales ovium caudae, plurimúmque in ●a par●e lanicii. P●m Nat. hist. lib. 8. cap. 48. Cubit long. So that nature who hath tied the tails to other creatures, may seem to have tied the Syrian sheep to their tails, which with great difficulty they drag after them. This is the reason, why it is expressly commanded in the law, that when a sheep is sacrificed for a Peace-offering, the fat thereof and the whole t Levit. 3. 9 tail (not observed in Kine, or Goats) taken off hard by the backbone was to be offered: that part being for bulk and value considerable in their sheep, which is contemptible in other creatures. § 15. To go back to the River, having left that place behind us, where the u 2 Sam. 19 18. Ferry-boat passed over to carry David and his household, after his conquest of Absalon. We are now arrived at that memorable place, where God magnified joshua, heartened his own people, and shriveled up the hearts of their enemies, by drying up the waters of jordan, whilst the Israelites passed over in this admirable Equipage. 1 The Priests went into the river bearing the Ark; in homage whereunto jordan reverently retreated; (very far from the river Adam, which is besides Zaretan) and they stood on firm ground in the w Josh. 3. 17. midst thereof, till all the Israelites were passed over. 2 Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh led the Van, about x Josh. 4. 13. forty thousand men of Arms, the residue of them (in all about y Num. 26. 10. 18. 34. an hundred thousand) remaining at home to husband their ground, guard their houses, govern their families. 3 After them the other Tribes followed: and it is observed that they z josh. 4. 10. hasted, not with a distrustful haste (as suspicious that the returning waters might drown the hindmost of them) but an industrious speed, and mannerly quickness, as not willing to make God wait upon them in continuing a Miracle longer than necessity did require. 4 When all were over, the Priests with the Ark, who first entered, last left the water, (all dangerous designs are begun and finished by God's assistance) and then jordan, whose streams hitherto suspended, returned into his channel. 5 A duplicate or double monument was erected to perpetuate the memory hereof, being a Grand jury of great stones. Of these, twelve were solemnly set up on the land in the Tribe of Benjamin at Gilgal, and the other twelve (the counterpart of this deed) were left in the midst of the river. Some perchance may admire that joshua should set this latter invisible monument, in a place where it is drowned both in water and obscurity. But this River-mark was such, as possibly the tops of the stones might appear at low water; or if wholly hidden, and dangerous for boats to approach, the ●ailers constant care to avoid them in their passage, called the occasion of placing them there to their daily remembrance. § 16. We must not dissemble the difference betwixt Authors, about the situation of the aforesaid City of Adam, but once mentioned in Scripture, and therefore (as the Hebrews have a Proverb of words but once named, that they have no kindred and alliance) more difficult to know the true posture thereof. The best is, this Adam, though having no kindred hath some company to notify it; Adam besides Zaretan: and one Zaretan is sufficiently known to have been in the half Tribe of Manasseh west of jordan, not far from the sea of Galilee. Hence learned a In josh. pag. ●6. Masius concludes, that the waters of jordan were cut off, full seventy miles together, north of the people's passage over it. To which opinion, under favour, we can in no wise consent. Conceiving rather that just against jericho, the river was dried up, for whereas the station of jordan was most wonderful, the Israelites had lost all the sight of this wonder on their right side, if done out of distance so many miles from their view. Place we therefore on these reasons (and the b Adric. de Ter. sanct. pa. 129. example of others) both Adam and Zaretan in the Tribe of Reuben. § 17. Some difference also there is betwixt Divines concerning the latitude of their passage over the river: Some conceiving it only to amount to the proportion of a fair alley, lane, or path of such receipt alone as admitted the Israelites in a full and free march a competent number a breast, and that the waters, as in the Red sea, standing still on both sides, * Exod. 14. 2●. were a wall to them on the right hand and on the left, as the Graver in our Map hath designed it. Others do not only make a gap, through jordan, but pluck down the whole hedge thereof, maintaining that all the water of that river on the left hand, (betwixt their passage over, and the Dead sea) failed and were cut off, or dried up. Which latter opinion is most agreeable to * Josh. 3. 16. Scripture, and reason: for seeing the stream of jordan south of their going over, was not supplied with any reciprocal or refluous tide out of the Dead sea, the stopping of the waters above must necessarily command their defection beneath, and that the channel by consequence for the time being was dried up. § 18. jordan, having now closed his streams together, runs by Livias', a City which Herod c Eus●b. in Chron. Hi●●o. in joel & 〈◊〉. built, and so named, in honour of Livia the Mother of Tiberius Caesar. For to enfavour themselves with the Emperor, the Jewish Kings called many Cities by their names (Augusta, Tiberias, two Cesarea's, julias', Livias') as if Palestine had been a Register book of the Imperial Roman family. § 19 Let us now take an account of the inland Parts of this Tribe, and return to the place where the Israelites passed over Arnon. Betwixt Egypt and Arnon they had forty several stations, and then entered into the Promised land. In comemoration whereof, probably God did order, that an offender should receive but forty stripes (what Judge soever counts them too few, would think thirty too many, if he felt them himself) and then be freed from further punishment. Coming into Canaan, their one and forty and first fixing there was at the foot of mount Abarim, and edge of the wilderness of Ked●moth. Hence they removed to Abelshittim, where Deuteronomie was made, the second Edition of the Law revised, and enlarged by God, the Author thereof. Here the people of Israel were numbered the second time. And although some particular Tribes were increased, amongst whom those three that pitched on the east side of the Tabernacle, judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, (God and the rising Sun make any thing fruitful) yet in the whole, they were diminished d Compare Numb. 2. 3●. with Numb. 26. 51. one thousand eight hundred and twenty. Let such, as admire hereat, that people being in slavery should multiply more than when they were at liberty, consider, 1 Some Plants, (Palm trees and Camomile) the more depressed, the further they expand themselves. 2 Infant Nations, like infants, grow more discernibly at the first, then when they approach their full stature. 3 God purposely to defeat the design of Pharaoh, to destroy the Israelites, blessed them with transcendent fruitfulness. 4 The breeders in the wilderness, were visited with many casualties, bringing them to untimely ends; whereas all those in Egypt, though painful in their livings, were healthful in their lives. But the most memorable Accident in this place, was the Idolatry of the Israelites to Baal-peor an Idol, conceived by most learned men to be Priapus. And who could worship him with piety, whom none with modesty can describe? It seems that Moab and Midian (perceiving S●hon King of the Amorites overthrown in battle) counterfeited amity with them, and pretending to show them (being strangers) the courtesy of the country, made them an entertainment, which could not be courtlike and complete without the company of their women. The Israelites beholding the Midianitish women, first liking their faces, then tasting their feasts, stepped from their Board's to their Beds, thence to their Altars, adding spiritual to corporal fornication. This was done by the e Numb. 31. 16. advice of Balaam, whose counsel did more hurt than his curse. All his charms could have done them no harm, had he not raised these female spirits to improve them, which cost the lives of twenty four thousand Israelites, dying of the Plague; till the Javelin of f Num. 25. 8, 9 Phinehas executing of judgement, stopped Gods fiery sword amongst them. § 20. Let us now request the Reader, to climb up the hills of Abarim, Nebo, and Pisgah. These are a ledge of mountains rising by degrees from east to west. So that some have compared Abarim to the Chancel, Nebo to the Church, and Pisgah to the steeple. In mount Nebo the Author of the g 2 Macc. 2. 5. Maccabees, speaks of a Cave, wherein jeremy laid the Tabernacle, and the Ark, and the Altar of Incense, and so stopped the door. But the same Author in the conclusion of his book confesseth, that his work is like h 2 ●ac. 15. 40. wine tempered with water: and we take this story to be no genuine juice of the grape, and value it accordingly. On Pisgah, Moses surveyed the whole land of Canaan, and although he was advantaged by the height of the place, and clearness of his eyes (no whit abated in their sight at an i Deut. 34. 7. hundred and twenty years of age) yet much of miracle must needs be admitted, in so plain and far discovery. Here Moses was buried, being privileged above other servants of God (whose souls Angels convey to heaven) that an Angel was his Sexton, to cover his body in earth. Here he concealed Moses his grave, lest the Israelites should go a whoring after it. Destroying Idolatry is a pious, but preventing it a more provident Act, crushing it in the occasions thereof. Let none condemn this for a needless caution, as if no fear that they who sometimes would stone Moses while living, should adore him when dead. For the crooked nature of the jews was bowed to Extremes, and had no mean betwixt hating, and adoring. Besides, when the memories of eminent men, hated or envied when living, have passed the purgation of death, it is usual for their former enemies to fall in love with them. § 21. May the reader now conceive himself standing on the top of mount Pisgah. Where (though content with a narrower compass, than what Moses discerned) he describeth a fair Prospect round about him. Not to repeat the places of the west, because mentioned before, looking south ward behold the City of Nebo, at the foot of its namesake mountain: and both of them so called from Nebo and Idol God, hereabouts worshipped. We read indeed how k Num. 22. 38. Reuben changed the names of the Cities of Nebo, and Baalmeon (because their old names taken from false Gods resented of Idolatry.) But so hard it is to unhabit men's mouths from old ill customs, that it seems their ancient names still prevailed in common discourse. l Voss. de origi. & progress. Idol. lib. 2. pa. 346. Critics start many controversies concerning this Idol of Nebo; as: First, whether not originally m Isa. 4●. 1. a Babylonish Deity. Secondly, whether under it the Moon (as the Sun under Bell) was not mystically adored. Thirdly, whether the same with Chemosh and Baal-Peor (which is the opinion of Saint Jerome) and if not, wherein lay the difference? But it shall never trouble me, whether the fictitious Serpents of jannes' and jambres the Egyptian enchanters, were made alike, or did differ in some particulars, seeing the real serpents of Moses n Exod. 7. 12. devoured them all up. And seeing long since the service of the true God hath confuted and confounded all worship of false Idols, I list not to trade in the curiosities of distinctions betwixt them. § 22. Eastward behold Kiriathaim, or the two-towns (like Bridge-North in Shropshire) two lesser Cities being modelled into one. Here lived the Emims, shrewdly smote by o Gen. 14. 5. Chederlaomer, which probably did facilitate the Moabites in their victory over them. jahaza, a City of the Levites, where the Israelites in battle vanquished p Deut. 2. 32. Sibon King of the Amorites. A little further see the City of Medeba, before the walls whereof a q 1 Chr. 19 7. double battle was fought and won at once, by joab against the Aramites, and Abishai against the Ammonites. And it seems that the latter of these had at this time the City in their possession, whither they retreated after their overthrow. For what else do those words import; The children of Ammon likewise fled before Abishai his Brother, r 1 Chr. 19 15. [and entered into the City,] except any (conceiving it inconsistent with the present potency of David, to have any of his enemies nestled in his dominion) will by the City understand Rabbah the Metropolis of Ammon, next year besieged and sacked by joab. As for Medeba, there needs no other evidence to speak her ancient greatness, then that Ptolemy by name takes notice thereof (though placing it in Arabia) which name it retained in the days of Saint Jerome. § 23. But northward is the most pleasant Prospect over the fair and fruitful Plains of Moab. Nor need any wonder why the Plain is so called, seeing Moab had nothing on the north of Arnon (after the time of Moses) when they recollect, how lately all this land was possessed by the Moabites, before Sihon s Num. 21. 26. forcibly expulsed them. Now to prove that places sometimes are termed by their ancient Inhabitants, though some hundred years after: we that live in London, need not go no further than the Old jury; so called from the jews once dwelling there, now banished thence three hundred years ago. But we keep the Reader too long upon the top of this bleak and cold mountain. 'Tis time to come down, when we have told him, that though Pisgah here be taken for a proper name, yet it is often used as an appellative, for any eminent ridge of a hill, which aspires above his fellows. Know also that all the Country hereabouts was called t Hiero. de loc. Hebr. Pisgah in the days of Saint Jerome. § 24. Having now for a while reposed ourselves in the pleasant Plains of Moab, let us not tyre when our task in this Tribe grows so near to an end. Going a little northward we cannot miss the three Stations whither Balak brought Balaam to curse the Israelites. For having first freely feasted Balaam at Kiriath-Huzzoth, his chief City in the land of Moab, he brought him over Arnon, only to see the utmost skirts of the people, hoping if he could but kindle his curse in any corner, it would quickly burn all the house of Israel. But thrice he struck fire to no purpose. 1t. In Bamoth u Num. 22. 41. Baal or the high places of Baal. 2ly. In the field of w Num, 23. 14. Zophim at the top of the hill. 3ly. In the top of Peor, which looks towards x Num. 23 28. jeshimon: building in each place seven Altars, and sacrificing a Bullock, and Ram on every of them. What was the design of the Sorcerer? Conceived he that heaven was covetous like himself, and might be bribed with sacrifices? Surely the stench of his hypocrisy out-sented all the smell of his burnt offerings. Or thought he by often changing the scene to act the more upon God? He that is the same yesterday and to day, and for ever, receives no more impression from the shifting of place, then from the changing of time. Or did he hope with the mystery of his numbers, Thrice seven Altars; to flatter heaven into a consent? All numbers are but bare Ciphers to him, that is infinite. O how he sweats for the wages of iniquity? How is his tongue distracted between the Spirit of God and the spirit of gold. All in vain; the further he goes, the worse he speeds: but the better he speaks, falling at last from slenting, to down right blessing of Israel. However, though he did not his work, he received his wages. And if Balak at that time did not pay him with gold; yet afterwards the Israelites did with steel, justly slaying him with the y Num. 31. 8. sword. § 25. Pass we now, still more northward, by the place, where Elias ascending to heaven in a Chariot of fire, left his mantle and a double portion of his spirit to z 2 King. 2. Elisha his servant and successor: and by Mephaah a City of the Levites, to Sibmah, so famous for her fruitful vineyards. Going through which, the Reader may eat grapes to the full at his own a Deut. 23. 24. pleasure: A liberty lawfully allowed him, but beware putting up any into his vessel, lest he be apprehended for a trespasser. For the same law which provides for his necessity, punisheth his covetousness. And what is this whole world with the wealth thereof, but a vineyard, wherein happy he, who hath enough to serve his turn, seeing when he dieth, he shall b Psal 49. 17. carry nothing away with him. It seems in Sibmah there was some one signal vine eminent for greatness above the rest, or else that all her vines grew so close and uniform, that they resembled one entire and continued tree: The c Isa. 16. 8, 9 & jer. 48. 32. Prophets always addressing themselves unto it in the singular number, O vine of Sibmah, I will weep for thee, etc. § 26. Our work is ended, when we have viewed the north part of this Tribe, where it confineth on Gad. Where we only meet with one place of note Heshbon, anciently the royal Palace of Sihon King of the Amorites, & afterwards a City of the Levites. Which the Scripture placeth sometimes in d Num. 32. 37. Reuben, and sometimes in e josh. 21. 39 Gad. To accommodate this difference without making of two Cities of the same name (such multiplication unwarrantable, save where absolute necessity enforceth it) I find no fitter expedient, then by setting Heshbon so equally between these two Tribes, as partially in both, and totally in neither. Thus Bristol is situated betwixt Gloucester and Somerset shires; and yet challengeth to be an absolute Liberty of itself; as this Heshbon also was an entire demeans of the Levites. One fair gate it had, called Beth Rabbim gate, nigh to which were most clear and pleasant fishponds, to which the f Cant. 7. 4. eyes of the Spouse are compared by Solomon. Not that she was troubled with watery eyes like Leah, (the resemblance being recounted amongst her perfections, not defects) or that her eyes (as some may fancy) are compared to Pools, moistened with tears for her sins, but because of her clear and perspicuous vision and apprehension of heavenly Mysteries. § 27. As for the mountains of Emek, which Mr. More in his Map, without alleging any warrant from Scripture, (otherwise his constant custom) makes the bounds betwixt Reuben and Gad; I have placed them accordingly, yet so that the Reader (without a miraculous Faith) may remove these mountains to some other place, when he finds just cause for the same. At which time also, when proceeding on more infallible principles for their situation, let him take down our conjectural Flags from the tops of Mephaah, g ●osh. 13. 19 Zerethshahar, etc. now placed but by guess, and let him dispose of them, if he can, in a more exact position. § 28. So much for Reuben, not forgetting how in the days of Solomon when the land was divided into twelve Purveyer-ships to make monthly provisions for his Courts * 1 King. 4. 19 Gebar the son of Uri had all the country once of Si●on King of the Amorites (but then possessed by Reuben) in his circuit whence no doubt plenty of good fare out of this Pasture-countrey so abounding in cattle, was brought to jerusalem. Now we have placed the name of Amorites on the sinister front of this our description, because they were the old inhabitants of this Country: our constant custom through this Book in the adverse page opposite to the Tribes name to insert one of the seven Nations of Canaan, (former owners of that land) conceiving it to conduce much to the illustration of Scripture. § 29. Modern Heralds, by Commission authorized from the Jewish Rabbins, assign to Reuben for arms, Argent, three Bars waveè azure, in allusion to Jacob's Legacy, h Gen. 49. 4. Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel. For as water cannot hold itself, but as it is held in a vessel, so Reuben could not contain himself within the bounds of chastity, till shame and sorrow did reclaim him. Besides, as water once shed, is never to be gathered up again; so Reuben could never after recollect his lost credit, to recover the full favour of his Father. Though once he endeavoured to gather up some spilt drops of his reputation by projecting the deliverance of i Gen. 37. 21. joseph from his brethren: but his design miscarried. § 30. For mine own part, I cannot concur with the common opinion, that these three Bars waveè were the Arms of Reuben; principally because Arms are honorary ensigns, assigned, or assumed for the greater grace of the bearer▪ Improbable therefore, that this Tribe to perpetuate the infamy of their ancestor would always have water running in their shield, as if Reubens crime were the Reubenites credit; like such whom the k Philip. 3. 19 Apostle reproves, that glory in their shame. Rather let us hearken to Aben Ezra, who allots to the banner of Reuben a man or male child (others a mandrake, others put mandrakes in his hand) relating to Leahs words at his birth, calling him Reuben, that is, l Gen. 29. 32. See a Son, causing her to forget her pain, for joy that a man child was borne into the world. § 31. The proper place for the standard of this Tribe was to be the m Num. 2. 10. first of the three Tribes which pitched on the south of the Tabernacle. Thus though Reuben lost the Primacy of power over all, he still kept the precedency of place before one quarter of his brethren. Whence parents may be taught, that though on just ground they disinherit, yet not so wholly to dishearten their eldest sons, but still suffer some remembrances of a birthright ever to remain unto them. FINIS. Here the Map of Gad is to be inserted. The third Book. THE TRIBE OF GAD. § 1. GAd eldest Son of jacob by Zilpah, so increased in Egypt, that * Numb. 1. 14, 25. forty five thousand six hundred and fifty males of twenty years old and upward of this Tribe were numbered at Mount Sinai: all which falling in the wilderness for their tempting of God with this disobedience, a new generation of forty thousand * Num. 26. 18. and five hundred entered the Land of Canaan. This Tribe affordeth very martial men. For such of them as repaired to David in Ziglag are described, a 1 Chr. 12. 8. Men of war, fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like to the faces of Lions, and were as swift as the Roes upon the mountains. Yet I meet not with any public Magistrate extracted from Gad, though the b See Speeds genealogy of Gad extracted from M. broughton's. Genealogists rank jehu with four of his Posterity successive Kings of Israel amongst the Gadites; but on no other ground, then because at the first time he is found mentioned in Scripture he was c 2 King. 9 1, 2. employed a Commander at the siege of Ramoth Gilead a City * Josh. 20. 8. in this Tribe. It seems that as the English-law makes a charitable provision for children left by their parents, that the Parish wherein they are first taken up, must maintain them: so Genealogists, the better to methodise the pedigrees of the jews in Scripture, reduce Persons of unknown Parentage, to those respective Tribes, in whose grounds they first light on the mention of them. But let jehu pass for a Gadite: the rather because so puissant a Prince, will prove a credit, rather than a charge to that Tribe to which he is related. § 2. The land of this Tribe was of a double nature. For what lay north of the river jabbok was anciently the possession of Og King of Basan. But what lay south of the river, had its property more intricate and encumbered with often exchange of her owners, and on the right understanding thereof depends no less, than the asserting of the innocence of the Israelites, the confuting of the cavil of the Ammonites, and the reconciling of a seeming contradiction in Scripture; Take it thus briefly. 1t. It was the Land of certain Giants called d Deut. 2. 20. Zamzummims. 2ly. It was possessed by the e Seriously peruse josh. ●3. 25. Ammonites, who destroyed those Giants, and this Country was accounted a moiety or one half of their dominion. 3ly. It was subdued by f Compare Num. 21. 26. with judg. 11. 21. Sihon King of the Amorites, who cast out the Ammonites (when also he destroyed the Moabites) such as were south of jabbok, and dwelled in their stead. Lastly, after the overthrow of Sihon, Moses gave it to the Tribe of Gad, for their inheritance. Thus God by ringing the Changes of successive Lords in this Land made music to his own glory. Behold we here what the Psalmist g Psal. 80. 9 saith, Thou hast brought a Vine out of Egypt, thou preparest room before it; the method and manner of which preparation is most remarkable. First, God in his providence foresaw that the Country of the Canaanites was without other addition too narrow, to receive the numerous people of Israel. Secondly, God in his goodness resolved out of love to righteous Lot, that his posterity should not totally lose their possession, nor would he suffer the Israelites their kinsmen to deprive them of any parcel thereof; giving them a flat command to the contrary. h Deut. 2. 9 19 Lastly, God in his justice permitted Sihon King of the Amorites should win part of the Country from Moab and Ammon; and suddenly sends the Israelites to conquer the conqueror; and now lawfully to inherit, what the other had wrongfully taken away: And thus he prepared room for his Vine. § 3. By this time we plainly perceive, that in the Ammonites demand to jephtha, there was some truth blinded with more falsehood, that the countenance of the former might pass the latter unsuspected. i judg. 11. 13. Israel took away (saith the King) my Land when they came out of Egypt from Arnon even unto jabbok, and unto jordan; now therefore restore these Lands again peaceably. True it was, that this Land was once theirs (and so it is plainly called joshua 13. 25.) but most false, that ever the Israelites took Inch of ground from them, save only mediately and at the second hand, taking it from Sihon, who took it from the Ammonites. We report the rest to Iephtha's answer (who first with a fair embassy, and then with a famous victory confuted the Ammonites antiquated title to this territory) pleading that the Israelites had three k judg. 11. 26. hundred years peaceably possessed the same. Now, if upon a strict account, some years fall short of that sum, the matter is not much, because soldiers love to fill their mouths with a round number, and too hundred fifty and odd with a good sword may well be counted three hundred years' currant, though not complete. § 4. The Tribe of Gad had the kingdom of Ammon on the east, the half Tribe of Manasseh on the north, Reuben on the south, and the river jordan on the west. The length thereof from Aroer to jordan may be computed thirty five miles: and the breadth thereof from Mahanaim to Dibon, falls out a little less. A Tribe inferior to none for fair rivers, fruitful Pastures, shady woods: superior to most for populous Cities, and memorable actions achieved therein. As for Balm or Balsam, it was a peculiar commodity of this Country. Thus the Prophet betwixt grief, anger, and pity demands, Is l jer. 8. 22. there no balm in Gilead? and again, Go up into Gilead, and take m jer. 46. 11. balm O virgin. In describing this Country we will follow the streams of Arnon, jabbok, and jordan, which (with some little help lent us besides) will afford us the conveniency to behold all remarkable mounts in this Country. § 5. In the eastern part of this Tribe the rivers of Arnon and jabbok (though running contrary ways) arise not far asunder: according to the exact observation of n 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. josephus, who saith that the land of Sihon King of the Amorites, lay in nature and fashion like an Island, betwixt the three rivers of jordan, Arnon, and jabbok, so near are the fountains of the latter together. The heads of their springs are found in a mountainous and rocky soil, affording great plenty of jackalls; mongrel creatures of equivocal extraction, deriving cruelty from the Wolves their sires and craft from the Foxes their dams. These jackalls are meant by our translatours' Psalm 63. 10. Let them fall by the edge of the sword, that they may be a portion for Foxes: not for ordinary Foxes, which indeed are so dainty mouthed, that they will not feed on any carcase, but what they kill themselves: but for these jackalls (which may pass for Foxes, because so by the surer side) so ravenous, that they will not only feed on carrion above ground, but even dig holes into the earth, fetch forth, and feed on dead bodies of men, if not deeply interred. § 6. The river Arnon running full south passeth by * Num. 32. 34. Aroer, a fair City whereof frequent mention in Scripture, but in no other notion, but only as the eastern boundary of Canaan. Here Arnon entertaineth a river from the west, called the river of o 2 Sam. 24. 5. Gad, because rising, running, and falling within the compass of this Tribe. § 7. This river of Gad had formerly received into it another stream called the waters of Nimrim, threatened by the p Isa. 156. jer. 48. 34. Prophets to be dried up: on the banks whereof Bethnimrah a City was seated. At the conflux of these two, the Sea of jazer is found, being no other than a Lake (about our Whittlesey Mere in Hungtingtonshire, for greatness) as the jews call the meetings of all waters, whether fresh, or salt, Seas. Nor let their language herein be challenged for impropriety, having a warrant from God himself, q Gen. 1. 10. who at the creation, called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas. Conformable hereunto is the expression of the modern Dutch; for in Helvetia a Province of Germany, yea in Argow (as I may say) a County of r See Mercators Atlas in Helvetia. Helvetia, I have told above sixteen Seas, Zugersee, Thuner-see, Ober-see, Rot-see, etc. though the biggest of them but lakes in effect. Yea the jews did so far extend, or rather, so straight contract the word Sea, that, that capable vessel of brass, used as a Lavatory for the sacrifices in the Temple, was termed the s 1 King. 7. 23. Molten Sea. jazer, which gave name to this Sea, was a t Jo●h. 21. 39 City of the Levites hard by, whereat some sad accident had happened, though the particulars thereof are not discovered in Scripture, for the u Jer. 48. 32. weeping of jazer passeth in the Prophet as the expression of great lamentation. § 8. Hence the river of Gad passeth by Civitas interammis, or the City in the midst of the river, wherewith on all sides it is environed, never mentioned in Scripture but with the company of w Deut. 2. 36. & Josh. 13. 9 Aroer: a clear evidence both of their distinction and vicinity. Hereabouts joab x 2 Sam. 24. 5. pitched his tent, when sent to number the people. Wonder not that having the convenience of three Cities so near to receive him, he preferred rather to reside in a tent during that employment. For (besides that such movable habitations comply best with military men) it was fittest for the work in hand; where the people to be reckoned might have full and free access in open air; both wholesomer for the persons, and speedyer in dispatch, then when penned within the streets and walls of a City. Nothing else memorable remains in the southeast corner of this Tribe, save Dibon, a City sometimes assigned to y josh. 13. 17. Reuben, and sometimes to z Num. 32. 34. Gad. To reconcile this, some make them different and distant Cities; which in my apprehension is rather to set up two marks then to hit the right one. For seeing these two Tribes confine together, and both lay claim to Dibon (like the two mothers challenging the living child) we have only, in stead of a sword, made use of pricks, setting it equally in the bounds of both. Here we advise the Reader (not out of distrust of his skill, but desire of his good) to beware, neither to confound this Dibon in Gad, with a Num. 33. 45. Dibon-Gad, the thirty ninth station of the Israelites as they came out of Egypt; nor with another b Neh. 11. 25. Dibon, which seems to be in judah, wherein the jews dwelled after their captivity. § 9 The river of jabbok arising out of the aforesaid stony country, first runs directly northward, and strengthened with an acce●●ion of waters from the Kingdom of Ammon, turns his stream full west. In which course ere long he cometh to the ford which jacob with his family passed over: and where we crave the Readers leave for a while to discontinue our discourse of this river, and to attend that worthy Patriarch in his travels through this Tribe, which in form of a Belt crossed Gad athwart from north-east to south-west. jacob first entering into this Tribe came to Nahanaim, that is, the two camps, because there the c Gen. 32. 2. Angels digested into two armies (probably behind and before him) appeared to jacob. Now as d Gen. 2. 19 Adam's naming the Creatures argued his dominion over them; so the Patriarches naming of places in Canaan, was an Earnest that their posterity should possess them. Who no doubt, as curious to inquire, so were careful to continue those names which their Ancestors had given them. Mahanaim was afterwards a e josh. 21. 38. City of the Levites, and in the reign of f 2 Sam. 2. 8. 12 Ishbosheth the son of Saul, it was made the chief City of his kingdom. But with his g 2 Sam. 4. 7. life within three years expired the Metropolisship of Mahanaim, which afterwards afforded refuge and residence to h 2 Sam. 17. 24. David, when flying from jerusalem for fear of Absolom. Hither the news of Absoloms' death was brought to King David (joyful to the King, but doleful to David) which caused his pathetical i 2 Sam. 18. 33. lamentation over the gate, till the heat of k 2 Sam. 19 7. joabs' anger dried up David's tears; persuading him with cheerful looks to countenance the conquerors. § 10. From Mahanaim, let us go fairly, and softly on with an easy pace in the company of jacob (not overdriving his children and cattle to the above named l Gen. 32. 22. fords of jabbok) and thence to Peni●l, where jacob (the youngest warrior m Gen. 25. 22. fight before he was born, and the strongest Conqueror) prevailed with God appearing like an Angel. Who in admonition to jacob, that he overcame not with his own striving, but his opposites yielding, gave him a gentle touch, being pleased, where he could have broken the bone, only to shrink the sinew, whereupon jacob carried an upright heart, and lame leg to his grave. Indeed learned n In Genesin ex●rcitatione 139. Rivet is of opinion, that God presently healed his halting, chiefly grounding it, because Esau at his meeting took no notice of his lameness: but doth not the negative follow with more probability, because the Scripture takes no notice of his curing? Besides, had the cure come so quick, the hurt had never left so deep and long lasting impression in the practice of the Israelites, abstaining, for that cause, from eating the o Gen. 32. 32. sinew in the thigh. Yea modern jews (oh that they were as observant of the substantial as ceremonial parts of the old Testament!) not certain which sinew it was (so many meeting in the thigh) refrain from feeding on p Rivet ut supr● ex Rabbinis. all Nerves in the hinder parts of a beast. § 11. From Peniel going south-west jacob being to meet Esau his brother, thus marshaled his company. In the forefront his Concubines with their children, next Leah with hers, Rachel and joseph, first in his love and last in place, because furthest from danger; before all, like a valiant Commander taking the worst service on himself, marched jacob in person, having sent before him his presents to Esau, and dispatched before them his prayers to God. See what gifts & good words, a fair tongue and full hand can do. Esau in stead of killing falls a q Geu. 33. 4. kissing him. Behold how they hug! being now more twins, then in their mother's womb: for there they strove, but here they embraced. From Peniel jacob traveled to r Gen. 33. 17. Succoth, in English Booths, because there he erected tents for himself and his cattle: and so he went over jordan, into the Tribe of Ephraim to the City of Sichem; whither (God willing) hereafter we will follow him. And now seeing the way which we have come is both plain and pleasant, let me request the Reader not to begrutch his pains to go some part of it back again, only exchanging the company of plain dealing jacob, for valiant Gideon: who in his march traversed this Tribe from the west to the east thereof. § 12. Gideon pursuing the flying Midianites with his soldiers, as faint as few for want of victuals, coming to Succoth, desired food from the inhabitants thereof. The Succothites were so far from granting him provision, they would not give him good words, not more niggardly of their victuals then prodigal of their s judg. 8. 6. taunts unto him. Wherefore Gideon in his return (not then at leisure, that his wrath should hinder his work) with briers and thorns of the wood hard by, tore their flesh in pieces. The original saith, he taught them with thorns, or made them to know, namely their own folly and his power. Dull Scholars must have sharp teacher's: or rather like unto like, churlish crabbed dispositions, and prickly crooked thorns well agree together. Hence Gideon marched to Peniel, whose Citizens (neighbours to Succoth both in place and peevishness) churlishly entertained him; which cost them at his return the breaking down of their t judg. 8. 17. tower, which was afterwards u 1 King. 12. 25. re-edified by King jeroboam. From Peniel Gideon went forward, by the way of them that dwelled in w judg. 8. 11. tents, on the east of Nobah and jogbehah against the Midianites, unto Karkor, which being out of the Tribe of Gad, we shall hear more of it in our description of Midian. § 13. The mention of those that dwell in tents, puts me in mind, that it is as much my duty here to tender my conjecture to the Reader, as it is his liberty to receive or reject it. There was a Country, undoubtedly in this Tribe, called the x 2 Sam. ●4. 6. Land of Tahtim-hodshi, that is, newly inhabited, where joab made his second station, when sent to number the people. Now may not this in probability be the very place, where the Israelites formerly dwelled in tents, and in David's victorious reign were reduced to more stability, and encouraged to turn their tents into houses, more certain and solid habitations? § 14. To return now to the river jabbok, half impatient for our long deserting it, save that running westward, it glides coolly and calmly under the shade of the forest of Ephraim, so called, as learned men conjecture, (for otherwise Ephraim possessed not any thing on this side jordan) because there y judg. 12. 4. jephtha defeated the Ephraimites for their insolent mutiny against him. But afterwards a greater slaughter happened in the same place, when joab, Abishai, and Ittai Generals for David, routed Absaloms' army, and z 2 Sam. 18. 8. when the wood devoured more than the sword. Wonder not that sticks had a mouth more voracious than steel, understand it that some were devoured by beasts, others famished as lost in the labyrinths of the forest, and some staked on sharp piles in the fierceness of their flight. Well might such sad fate befall the common soldiers, which happened to Absalon himself. This was he that boasted how upright he would be when made a a 2 Sam. 15. 4. Judge, whereas now, if the length of his hair conduced any thing to his execution, it was the best, yea only piece of justice performed by him. Yet more probable it is, that running in haste (not so minding which way to go, as to be gone) he was snatched up by the neck in a forked b 2 Sam. 18. 9 bough: How did the officious Oak act three parts, being the Gallows, Halter, and Hangman for a traitor? But this accident rather occasioned than caused his death: the Oak was rather his Jailor then his Executioner. It was joab that dispatched him with three darts through his c 2 Sam. 18. 14. heart. Wherein through a treble orifice were discovered Disobedience to his Parent, Treason to his Prince, and Hypocrisy to his God, pretending a d 2 Sam. 15. 7. Sacrifice and intending Rebellion. § 15. Hard by was Absoloms' Tomb, consisting of a great e 2 Sam. 18. 17. pit to hold, and a great heap of stones to hide a great Traitor under it. May they there lie hard and heavy on his Corpses, and withal (if possible) sink down his rebellious example for ever having a resurrection. No methodical monument but this hurdle of stones was fittest for such a causer of confusion. Indeed in his life time he had erected a stately f 2 Sam. 18. 18. Pillar near jerusalem, intending it no doubt for the place of his burial. But just it was that his dead carcase should be deprived of his own grave, who endeavoured to dispossess his living Father of his kingdom. § 16. And now a little to acquaint the Reader with the adjacent Country, two several ways led hence to the City of Mahanaim. The one through the mountains, shorter but harder, which Cushi chose: The other g 2 Sam. 18. 23. by the way of the plain, which the furthest about was the nearest way home. Ahimaaz took this as the most ready Road, who being a messenger volunteer, would confess to David no more news than what he knew would be welcome, whilst Cushi a pressed Post must relate the full of his message. And now the river jabbok, who hitherto may seem to run slowly, as attending in suspense the issue of the Battle, certified of the success thereof hastens with all possible speed to fall into the river jordan. § 17. jordan had now some distance of miles escaped out of the sea of Kinneroth or Sea of Galilee: the edge whereof josh. 13. 26. is assigned for the utmost border of this Tribe. Through this lake (as Tacitus observeth) this river kept his ready course, preserving his stream entire from incorporating with the waters of the Lake. A thing no whit incredible to those Welshmen in Merioneth-shire, who have beheld how the river Dee running through h Camden's Brit●n. in Merioneth shire. Pimble-meer continueth his channel without mixing with the Mere. On the east side of this Sea stood the City of Gadara; (the first syllable whereof is argument enough to place it in this Tribe) where the Legion of Devils cast out of the man entered into the herd of Swine: where a threefold difficulty appeareth in the relation of the story. 1 Whilst other i Mar. 5. 1. & Luke 8. 27. Gospels' mention but one, Saint k Mat. 8. 28. Matthew makes two men possessed with a Devil. 2 The same termeth them Gergasens whom other Gospels' name Gadarens. 3 Seeing Swine till killed, return their owners no profit, and then their flesh was forbidden to the jews to eat, how came the Gadarens, being undoubtedly jews (otherwise Christ would not have conversed with them) to keep such a company of useless cattle? But these difficulties accept of their several solutions. 1 Though two were possessed, one of them being Paramount in torture and unruliness eclipsed the mention of the other, the second not being named in the presence of the principal. 2 Gadara and Gerazen, though distinct, were neighbouring Cities, and so might have joint commonage of cattle betwixt them. 3 They kept Swine to truck and barter with other nations. Though their flesh was unclean in the mouths, yet their money was clean in the purses of the jews. But if any conceive they kept Swine not only ad usum but ad esum, such must acknowledge the drowning of them to be the owner's just punishment for their breaking Gods commandments. But when those Hogs were sunk in the sea, a greater herd of them remained in the City: swinish people, who preferred to wallow on the dunghill of their own wealth, rather than to possess the pearl of Christ's presence, whom they requested to depart out of their coasts. So much of the Gadarens, and their neighbours the Gergasens, only let me add, that from the affinity of sound some have collected, the Girgashites anciently to have inhabited this country, (as we have formerly observed) and therefore in the title of every leaf we have divided this Tribe betwixt them and the Amorites, as the old possessors thereof. § 18. Strabo * G●og. lib. 16. col. 764. reports how there is a little Lake near to the City of Gadara infected with such malignant and pestiferous qualities, that it scaldeth off the skin of whatsoever is cast into it. This may seem an effect of the Devils in the hogs, (Satan when he departs useth to leave such perfumes behind him) and semblably the possessed man stripped himself of all his clothes and went naked. But seeing the Scriptures say expressly that the hogs ran into the Sea, and not into this petty Lake, I dare not assign this as the cause of those mischievous waters. § 19 jordan having got out of the aforesaid Sea of Galilee is presently crossed over with a stately Bridge. I conceive it of no great antiquity (no stone thereof appearing in the Scripture) but Mercators' Maps take notice thereof. And a moderate jesuit tells us (observe it Reader against the time thou travelest into those parts) that the way over this bridge, though somewhat further about and less frequented, is an easier and safer rode from Damascus to jerusalem, than what is commonly gone over Jacob's bridge in the Tribe of Naphtali, whereof God willing hereafter. § 20. And now jordan being enriched with the tributary waters of jabbok g●ows fair and large, yet not so deep but that it is fordable, especially at that place so fatal to the l judg. 12. 6. Ephraimites, where forty two thousand of them were by jephthah put to the sword. Four-sold was the offence of these Ephraimites. 1 They neglected on seasonable m Judg. 12. 2. summons to assist jephthah against the Ammonites. 2 They falsely retorted the fault on jephthah, and being wilfully deaf at his call accused him for dumb not calling them. 3 They gave the Gileadites reproachful language, calling them n judg. 12. 4. Runagates. 4 They menaced to burn jephthah and his house with fire. Hereupon jephthah defended himself, and defeated them in a memorable overthrow. The Ephraimites being routed fled to these fords of jordan, so hoping to recover their own country on the other side. But all in vain. jordan indeed might here be waded over; but no passage over the swelling Surges of their enemy's anger▪ How willingly would those who called others Runagates have been now Runnaways themselves; but could not be permitted? The Gileadites pursued, yea prevented them, and arraigned them all for their lives. Shiboleth is their neck-word (and as rattling in the throat is generally to sick men) so lisping of their tongues was a certain Symptom of their death. § 21. Some will accuse Iep●thah of cruelty, that not contented with the honour of the Conquest he followed the Chase so furiously, as to suffer his sword not only to drink to mirth, but to swill to drunkenness in the blood of his brethren. But haply this execution without order from him might be done by the Gileadites in heat of anger: Soldiers in the Precipice of their passion being sensible of no other stop but the bottom. If done by Iepthah's command, surely his own security enforced this severity, as a doleful, but needful, a sad, but safe way to prevent the growth of another war, the seeds whereof jephthah foresaw in the revengeful disposition of the Ephraimites. However some actions in the old Testament as they may not be imitated, so they must not be condemned, whose Actors might have immediate commission of divine inspiration. § 22. From hence jordan casteth a glancing eye at the fair City of jabesh-gilead, sweetly seated at the bottom of Balm-bearing mountains. The Inhabitants hereof engaged not with the rest of Israel against the Benjamites, for which offence they were all slain save four hundred young o judg. 21. 12. Virgins, which were given to the Benjamites to wife. Thus the Benjamites being Gileadites by the mother side, it was not only protection to his subjects, but also love to his kindred which invited Saul to succour this City, when Naash the Ammonite besieged it. Painful and shameful were the conditions of Peace which Naash offered them, namely p 1 Sam. 11. 2. if he might thrust out their right eyes, which was to render their Soldiers stark blind in effect. For whereas the jews were wont to wear in war broad shields on their left arm, which as it sheltered their body, so it hindered their sight on that side) when their right eye was put out by their enemy's sword, and the left blinded by their own shield, they were, during the fight, deprived of the best fence of their body. But q 2 Sam. 11. 11. Saul saved all this harm by a speedy march, suddenly surprising the Ammonites, and delivering the City of jabesh-gilead. § 23. Gratitude to Saul for so great a benefit probably did afterwards put the people of this City on that honourable, but dangerous design to rescue Saul and his sons bodies from the wall of Bethshan, where the r 1 Sam. 31. 10. Philistines had hanged them up. It was no pleasant prospect to these men of jabesh, Bethshan being opposite on the other side of jordan over against them, some eight miles off. (Loialty hath a quick sight and a tender heart, at a distance to behold and bemoan affronts to her Sovereign) Did Saul preserve their right eyes to this end, contentedly to behold his body abused? Out march all the valiant men in the City in the night over jordan: Saul's and his son's corpse they took down from Bethshan, bring them home, burn the flesh, and bury the bones thereof under a s 1 Sam. 31. 13. tree near the City. The jews generally interring their dead under some Oak, pleased perchance with the parallel, that as those plants seemingly dead in winter, have every spring an annual resurrection: so mens dry bones shall have new sap put into them at the day of Judgement. t 2 Sam. 21. 14. David afterwards removed the bones of Saul and jonathan, & buried them in the sepulchre of Kish their father in Zelab in the Country of * Josh. 18. 28. Benjamin. § 24. From the fords of Ephraim, jordan taketh his course by the Cities of u Num. 32. 34. Ataroth and w Josh. 13. 26. Debir, of which we can say neither more nor less, but that they are called Ataroth and Debir. For these places (let x Num. 32. 35. Ataroth-shophan, y Num. 32. 36. Beth-haran etc. march in the same rank) are so short-lived in Scripture, that they live only to be named, and presently vanish away, without any more mention of them. Not long after jordan leaving this Tribe runneth into Reuben. § 25. More inland in Gad lay the large and fruitful Country of Gilead, whereof more fitly and fully in the next Tribe. For though this Tribe of Gad had South-Gilead in her borders; yet under favour I conceive that North-Gilead (which belonged to Manasseh) was the firstand best Country of that name. Now whereas we read in z Josh. 13. 25. Scripture, that Gad had all the Cities of Gilead, and few verses after, that Manasseh had half a Josh. 13. 31. Gilead; know that Gilead is taken restrictively in the former, and generally in the latter acception. § 26. Ramoth-Gilead (called also b josh. 13. 26. vide Tremellium in locum. Ramo●h-mizpeh) was metropolis of Gad-Gilead. It belonged to the Levites, and was also a City of c josh. 20. 8. refuge, afterwards won by the King of d 1 King. 22. 3. Aram. Then, (alas) that city, which so often had saved others from the pursuit of their enemies, could not preserve itself from the sword of the Syrians. Here it was verified, Quod non capit Christus, e 2 Chr. 11. 14. rapit fiscus. For upon jeroboams introducing of Idolatry, the pious Levites were outed of their possessions, and now the pagan Syrians, revenging their quarrel, ejected Israel out of this City, wrongfully wrested from the Levites. § 27. However not long after Ahab and jehoshaphat with joint forces besieged it, when the army of the Syrians bade them both battle. jehoshaphat at ahab's f 1 King. 22. 30. persuasion (pretending his honour, but intending therein his own safety) appeared in his Princely equipage, whilst the other disguised himself in the army. Now the Syrians having received special orders, g 1 King. 23. 31. to fight neither against small nor great, save only with the King of Israel, mistake jehoshaphat for the King of Israel, directed in their conjectures unto him by the lustre of his royal Robes. Bravery betrays men to danger, and not only sets up a fair mark, but giveth malice the right ground to throw at it. And was it not just with God, that jehoshaphat, who in compliment had professed to Ahab, I am h 1 King. 22. 4. as thou art, should in realty be taken to be the same indeed? But upon his crying out the Syrians apprehend their error, and desist from further pursuing him. § 28. But divine Justice continues the chase of Ahab. Gild cannot hide itself in a crowd, and there is no way for a notorious sinner, to disguise himself from God's eye, but by his sincere repentance. A man draws a bow at i 1 King. 22. 34. adventures, and all-seeing providence guiding blind chance to the joints of ahab's armour, mortally wounds him. It seems not only the Corselet, but also the putting on thereof must be of proof to fence death out, which otherwise will creep in at a small cranny. Yet Ahab was stayed up in his chariot till even, & then the Sun & his life set together. Some years after King jehoram Ahabs son at the same place received k 2 King. 2. 14, 15. wounds of more honour and less danger, when forcibly he recovered this Ramoth-Gilead from the Kings of Syria. But of all jehorams hurts here received, none went so near his heart, as that in this l 2 King. 9 1. City, a son of the Prophets sent by Elisha, did anoint jehu, a Captain of the Host, to be his successor and King of Israel. § 29. We had wholly forgotten (no shame to confess and amend our faults) the small Country of Sharon in the north-east part m 1 Chr. 5. 16. of this tribe. It seems it was parcel of the demeans of the Crown in the days of King David, where his herds n 1 Chr 27. 29. were fed under the care and charge of Shetrai the Sharonite. David we see was not only a good man, and good King, but also a good husband, stocking this his land to his best profit, knowing full well, soon would the State of his Court-hall be abated, if the thrift in his country Kitchen were not preserved. Nor was Sharon a place less pleasant than profitable, where plenty of fragrant roses grew, to which Christ (the Church's spouse) is pleased to o ● say 35. 2. Cant. 2. ●. resemble himself; not for any fading condition, but fair sight, sweet smell, and cordial virtues wherein he excelled. § 30. Here some will inquire, In what capacity did David hold his land in Sharon (and elsewhere) where his cattle was graed, * 1. Chron. 27. 25, 26. etc. seeing being Iesse's youngest Son, little land was left him from his Father, and none at all in the Tribe of Gad. The difficulty is increased, because in so penned and populous a country, scarce a foot thereof, but related to some owner not having power to alienate it from his heirs, to whom at the farthest it was to revert at the year of jubilee when all dead possessions had a resurrection to their proper owners. We conceive David held this land by one of the following Titles. 1 By the fundamental establishment of the Crown. For sure when that Kings were made, public provision was made for their Princely support, who (as Lords of Manors have commonage sance number amongst their Tenants) might feed their cattle any where in their own dominions. 2 By improvement of waste grounds, which fell to the King as Lord of the Soil. Yea seeing God made provisionary Laws for the King's behaviour, ( * Deut. 17. 15, 16. four hundred years before any King was in Israel) why might not a reserve of land be also left, at the partition of the country by lot, for their King's future maintenance? 3 By mutual compact: some subjects on valuable consideration, (as perchance the relaxing the tribute due from every person to his Prince) * 1 Sam. 17. 25. might part (not with the propriety, but) present profit of their land for the King's conveniency. 4 By attainder of Traitors: whose lands it seems were (at least for some term of time) at the King's disposal; witness David's granting all * 2 Sam. 16. 4. Mephibosheth had unto Ziba. 5 By conquest, as most probable it is this Sharon was won from the Ammonites, when * 2 Sam. 1●. 29. Rabath was taken from them. However we may prefume that David's title (though unknown to us) was undoubted in itself, free from the least suspicion of injustice, according to his own counsel: * Psal. 65. 10. Trust not in oppression, become not vain in robbery. Otherwise his tender conscience would as well have smote him for cutting off a lap of his subjects ground, as of his * 1 Sam. 24. 5. Sovereign's garment. § 31. We have finished the description of this Tribe and all places therein mentioned in cononical Scripture, only there remains behind some Cities which we find in the Apocrypha, in one p 1 Maccab. 5. chapter whereof we may spring a whole Covey of Cities, namely these following: 1 Dathema, a fortress. 2 Bosora. 3 Bosor. 4 Alema. 5 Chasphor. 6 Mached. 7 Carnaim. 8 Ephron. The general character given of these places consisteth principally in these particulars. 1 q 1 Mac. 5. 26. All these were Cities strong and great. 2 Situated all in the r 1 Mac. 5. 25. Land of Gilead, yea in this Tribe of Gad, Carnaim only excepted, whereof more properly in our next description. 3 Inhabited by jews, and threatened by the pagan Host under Timotheus, that they would take and destroy them all in s 1 Mac. 5. 27. one day. From which last clause we collect that these Cities must be placed somewhat near together, otherwise, how could an army probably propound to dispatch them all in one day? And though the Pagans might mingle much pride with their malice in projecting things high and hard to effect, yet surely they mixed some policy with their pride, not to propound to themselves mere impossibilities. But the seasonable coming of judas Maccabeus with his host frustrated all the Pagan's designs. § 32. But the City of Ephron deserves serious consideration, for the singular situation thereof. For in Maccabeus his return from Carnaim this strong City stood so in his way, that he could not turn from it either to the right hand or to the left, t 1 Mac. 5. 46. but must needs pass through the midst of it. A place in so tyrannical a position may seem an affront to man's natural liberty. Yet such was the situation thereof near the u Vide tabulas Adrichomii. confluence of jabbok and jordan (where perchance the way railed with Morasses on either side) and being a pass of importance, Maccabeus was only free to go this or no way. The Ephronites sensible of their advantage undiscreetly deny him passage. Surely if a flying enemy deserve a bridge of gold to be given him, a potent foe seriously proffering peaceably to depart, may merit a bridge of silver to be lent him. But Maccabeus being denied forced his way through the city w 1 Mac. 5. 51. over them that were slain. § 33. In the partition of the Land of Canaan into several months for Solomon's provisions the Tribe of Gad fell under three Purveyer-ships. 1 Of Gebar the son of Uri, who ranged over most of that land, once the kingdom * 1 King. 4. 19 of Sihon. 2 Of the Son of Geber, to whose jurisdiction * 1 King. 4. 13. Ramoth-Gilead did belong. 3 Of Abinadab the Son of Iddo, * 1 King. 4. 14. to whom Mahanaim did pertain. By Mahanaim here I understand not only the Levites City so named, (poor purveying for victuals within the walls of that alone) but a large Territory of the same name round about it. And although to us it is unknown how far the bounds thereof extended, yet they must be concluded either very large or extraordinary fruitful, acquitting itself as a twelfth part of the Kingdom, and affording Court fare for one month of the year. In the passage to this Mahanaim on the south (to retreive a place which otherwise had escaped us) lay Bithron, a petty Country it seems, through which Abner passed * 2 Sam. ●. 29. when by night he fled from joab. § 34. It will here be demanded, that seeing the land was by Gods own appointment formerly divided into twelve parts, (the twelve Tribes) adequate to the twelve months of the year, why did not Solomon rather make use of this partition, which was jure divino, then make a new model out of his own fancy. It is answered, this later division of the land, was found most convenient for house-keeping, and so more subservient to this particular end for which it was ordained. If that any urge me to give a reason why in this division into Purveyer-ships Ramoth-Gilead distanced some miles off, was added to the jurisdiction of the Son of Geber, who was overseer in Manasseh, thereby mangling and mutilating the entireness of the Country; let such first satisfy me, why so many shreds and parcels of land (especially in Worcester * See Camden's & Speeds Maps. & Hereford shires) are cut off from those Countries in situation, (yea are surrounded with other shires) yet belong unto them in jurisdiction as accounted members thereof. In all these Querees an ordinary eye might at the first institution discover an apparent reason of such fractions, though now, because long since time out of mind, the quickest sight cannot perceive the cause thereof. § 35. The Arms usually assigned to Gad are Gules on a Banner erected argent a Lion rampant sable: grounding their fancy (I can afford it no better term) on Moses his blessing; x Deut. 33. 20. Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad, he dwelleth as a Lion etc. Bu● how to accommodate the prophecy of jacob to this Tribe of Gad, y Gen. 49. 19 a troop shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at last, much employeth the industry of Divines. Most apply it to the situation of this Tribe, much exposed to the incursion of the Ammonites their vexatious neighbours, till at last under z Judg. 12. 11. jephthah, a 1 Sam. ●1. 11. Saul, and chiefly b 2 Sam. 12. 31. David freed from foreign foes, they possessed their country in peace. Others in a mystical meaning make Gad the emblem of God's children, who after many intermediate frights, fights and failings, come off with the conquest at last; I say at last, a word which fully recompenseth its long delays in coming, when come with eternity of continuance. Here follows the Map of the half Tribe of Manasseh beyond Jorda●. MANASSEH beyond JORDAN. CHAP. 3. § 1. MAnasseh eldest Son of joseph by Asernath daughter of Potipherah Prince-priest of On, was by his prophetical grandfather a Gen. 48. 14. jacob placed behind Ephraim his younger brother. Not that Reuben-like he was disinherited for any misdemeanour, but only so it pleased al-disposing Providence to transpose him. However (though inferior to Ephraim in power) he grew so great that thirty b Numb. 1. 35. two thousand two hundred of his body from twenty years old & upward as able men to go forth to war came forth of Egypt, all which digging their graves in the wilderness by their own infidelity c Num. 26. 34. fifty two thousand seven hundred entered the land of Canaan. Many Worthies were extracted from this Tribe (for this Country was d 6●sh. 17. 1. conferred upon them in Intuition to their valour) as Gideon, and jephthah the warlike, jair the younger, the peaceable Judge of Israel, Eliah the Prophet; nor must the five e Josh. 17. 4. daughters, and coheires of Zelophehad, be forgotten, who argued their case so strongly about their inheritance. Bashfulness itself will be bold rather than lose a rightful possession, and a good cause when plainly told, is learnedly pleaded, especially if a meek Moses or just joshua be the judge thereof. § 2. We are now only to describe that part of Manasseh which was east of jordan. Some will say, was it not pity the possessions of this Tribe should be thus dismembered? Was it not enough that joseph was f Gen. 49. 26. separated from his brethren, but Manasseh his Son must also be parted from himself? How came that wisdom who pronounceth it g Psal. 133. 1▪ good and pleasant for brethren to live together in unity, to cleave this Tribe asunder? But let such know, that unity in affection may consist with local separation. Besides, divine Providence might seem to have a design herein, that this Tribe of Manasseh having a joint interest on both sides of jordan, might clasp these Countries together: and the Manassites being (as I may say) Amphibii, on both sides of the River, might by visits amongst their kindred, continue a correspondency and civil communion one with another. § 3. Manasseh had mount Hermon and Gilead on the east, parting it from the Ammonites, and Ismaelites, jordan on the west, Gad on the south, Syria, and particularly the kingdoms of Geshur and Maachah on the north. In which compass of ground, h Deut. 3. 4, 5. & josh. 13. 30. & 1 King. 4. 13. threescore Cities with high walls, gates and bars, besides unwalled towns, were contained. Many will be amazed at this number, & the wonder will seem the greater when they shall reckon but i josh. 19 two and twenty Cities in Asher, nineteen in Naphtali, seventeen in Simeon, sixteen in Issachar, & but twelve in Zebulun: unproportionable that half a Tribe should have treble the number of Cities to those that were bigger. All we can say herein is this, that being a frontier Country, and being exposed on the north and east to heathen enemies, it must have more fenced Cities, than the Tribes on the other side jordan, which were better secured by their situation. Thus the hem is turned in, and sowed double, to prevent the ravelling out thereof. And if I reck on right, there be more Castles in our marches betwixt Scotland and Wales, then in all England besides. However, our eye shall not be evil at Manasseh because Gods was good unto it, who are so far from repining at, that we rejoice for the plenty of strong places therein; only grieving that we cannot give the Reader an exact account of their names, though we will endeavour our best in the following description. § 4. Mount Hermon is the north-east bound of this Tribe, called by the Sidonians k Deut. 3. 9 Syrion, by the Amorites Shenir, by humane l Prolemee & Strabo. writers Hippus, and Trachones, being a branch of Lebanon bended southward. A stately strong mountain fixed on firm foundations, and yet the voice of the Lord (understand the thunder with an earthquake) maketh m Psal. 29. 6. Syrion to skip as an Unicorn; and well may mountains dance when God himself shall pipe unto them. The n Psal. 133. 3. dew of Hermon is highly commended by David, and brotherly love is compared thereunto, because (whilst heat of hatred like a drought parcheth all to nothing) fraternal kindness dew-like gives refreshment and increase. But how this dew of Hermon fell upon the hill of Zion (mountains an hundred miles asunder) so troubled Saint Augustine, that at last leaving the literal sense, he is fain to fly to a mystical meaning. Others interpret that the dew of Hermon fell upon the hill of Zion, because the fruitful flocks fatted on that mountain came afterwards to be sacrificed at jerusalem; which is but a harsh construction; as if one should say, The fruitfulness of Linconcolne-shire which falls on London, because the fatted cattle thereof are sold and eaten in the City. But whilst sundry Interpreters have several wit-engines to draw these two mountains together, our last translation saves their needless pains, rendering it, As the dew of Hermon, & as as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion. Indeed it is the same specifical, though not individual dew which lighteth on both mountains, flowing from heaven the same fountain, though falling on earth in several channels. § 5. Now as Hermon is a chain of continued hills, so a principal link thereof is the mountain Amana. Christ courting his Spouse inviteth her to look from the top of o Cant. 4. 8. Amana. p Adricho. in thea●●. Ter. san●. in Manass●h. Some conceive thereby Amanus a mountain in Cilicia is meant; but seeing Solomon clean through that Poem, maketh use of only native similitudes (whereof a self-sufficiency in his own land) it is improbable that herein he did borrow a foreign and exotic expression. Know also, that the region hereabouts is called Trachonitis or Sharp●land in English, from the steepness of many pointed hills (in shape not unlike the Rocks called Needles near the Isle of Wight) wherewith this country abounded; and it was a moiety of the q Luke. 3. 1. Tetrarch-ship of Philip the brother of Herod. § 6. South of Hermon lay mount Gilead, famous for the interview of Laban and jacob: the former keen with anger (save that God in a r Gen. 31. 24. vision took off his edge) overtaking jacob charged him with a double action of felony, for stealing himself, and his Gods away without his privity. The first, jacob confessed, yet pleaded not guilty to the second, but traversed his innocency. Hue and Cry is made in vain after the thief and felons goods, (or Gods if you please) for she, whose conscience would permit her to carry away, cunning did persuade her to conceal them. jacob thus cleared (as it were by Proclamation) of Defendant turns Plaintiff, accusing the Accuser for his false accusation. At last all winds off in a good agreement, and an Instrument is drawn up betwixt them, not in paper but in stone, interchangeably sealed with solemn oaths. The Condition whereof, was to this effect; That if either of them should pass that place to do any act of hostility to other, he should forfeit his fidelity, and be liable to divine justice for his perjury. § 7. This Pillar and heap of stones had a threefold name imposed on it, called 1 By Laban, s Gen. 31. 47. jegar Sahadutha, that is in the Aramite tongue, A heap of witness. 2 By jacob, t Ibid. Galeed, the same in effect in Hebrew. 3 By both Mizpah; that is, a Watchtower, jacob giving the name, and Laban the occasion thereof by that his expression, The Lord u Gen. 31. 49. watch betwixt thee and me. Here was abundant caution, three names and two languages, and yet nothing too much. For jacob having formerly been sensible of Laban's notorious shuffling with him, knew the best way to find sure was to bind sure; and Laban being guilty, and therefore jealous, thought no security sufficient. And therefore in their mutual suspicions a Triplicate was used in naming the places, that a threefold cable might not be broken. § 8. Gilead was at first only appropriated to that heap and pillar, whence the name may seem to be translated to the adjacent mountains, and thence transmitted to the valley in the east of those mountains, and thence imparted to some eminent persons born in that valley. For as w 1 Chr. 7. 14. Gilead Son of Machir, grandchild of Manasseh, being born in Egypt, so called by a Prophetical Prolepsis, foretelling that his posterity should possess the Country of Gilead; so x Judg. 11. 1. Gilead the Father of jephthah, Gilead of Gilead, seems to take his denomination from the Country possessed. Thus as the y Psal. 49. 11. Psalmist observes some called their lands after their own names, and some it seems were called after the name of their lands. § 9 A fruitful Country Gilead was, till the people thereof were infected with Idolatry, grown so frequent therein, that the Prophet complains, Their z Host 12. 11. Altars were as heaps in the furrows of the field. Thus falling into God's displeasure they quickly fell under their enemy's disposal. The Syrians of Damascus threshing them with a Amos 1. 3. instruments of Iron, and the b Amos 1. 13. Ammonites ripping up their women with child that they might enlarge their border. This latter cruelty seems done in revenge of David's usage of the Ammonites in taking of Rabbah, c 2 Sam. 12. 13. putting them under saws and harrows etc. And although some hundreds of years were betwixt that action of David and this of the Ammonites, yet we know malice hath a strong memory, long to retain and at last to return injuries offered unto it. § 10. Under the hills of Gilead (famous for flocks of goats, to which for thickness and whiteness the hair of the Spouse is d Cant. 4. 1. compared) lay Rogelim a Manor of Barzillai the Gileadite. This was he who so bountifully victualled David at Mahanaim, so civilly waited on him to jordan, so equally requested, and so easily obtained a Writ of ease from Court attendance, being now e 2 Sam. 19 35. fourscore years of age: having first bequeathed his Court-pleasures to Chimham his Son (neither covetous to keep them himself, nor envious that another should enjoy them) because such excusable vanities might become his green youth, which would be burdensome to the withered winter of his Father. Pella seems to be hereabouts, whither many Christians warned by many prodigies fled for shelter from jerusalem, before the Romans besieged it. As we congratulate their thus preventing persecution according to Christ's f Mat. 14. 16. precept, so we cannot but condole, that the same g Vid. Epiphani um Haeresi 29. persons were afterwards poisoned with heretical opinions, contrary to the express word of God, and became Apostate Nazarites. Somewhat more north is h 2 Sam. 17. 27. Lodebar the possession of Machir, a bountiful benefactor to David during his distress, and Guardian to * 2 Sam. 9 4. Mephibosheth in his minority; and Thisbe the birthplace of Eliah the Prophet, the john Baptist of the old Testament. Great was the resemblance betwixt their persons and preaching (all similitudes run like Pharaoh's Charets in the red-sea, i Exod. 14. 25. wanting some wheels) especially because both were born in bad times, when the world was generally infected with wickedness, both contented with plain clothes, and course fare, undaunted in reproving the faults of Princes, and implacably persecuted for the same. § 11. But the principal City in Gilead was Mizpah the place of Iephthah's k Judg. 1. 34. habitation. This is he whom his brethren banished for a l Judg. 11. 2. Bastard; but the elders of Gilead oppressed by the Ammonites, brought back for their m judg. 11. 9 General. When they felt their own woe, they began to see Iephthah's worth, formerly exiled for his Father's fault, but now restored for his own abilities. Virtue once in an age will work her own advancement, and when such as hate it shall chance to need it, they will be forced to prefer it. To Mizpah jephthah returned, though a conqueror, yet a captive and a prisoner to his own rash vow, to sacrifice whatsoever came first forth of the doors of his house; it so happening that his only daughter met him with a virgin-quire and music, which was sad in the close. Here Divines both for number and learning are almost equally divided, n joseph. lib. 4. anti. jud. ca 9 August. l. 7. quaest jud. quaest. 47. Ambro. l. 3. de o●●iciis. cap. 12. Chrys. hom. 14. ad popu A●ti. Origen. fo. 9 in lo●n. pa. 308. Peter Martyr in locum. Capellus in Diatribe. Forbes or Perkins his case. Brodman Theog. Syst. tom. 2. 4034. etc. some avouching her really sacrificed according to the letter of the text, whereof some footsteps in the Fable of Agamemnon sacrificing Iphigenia (haply corrupted for jephthagenia or Iephtha's daughter:) others o Nicolas Lyra in locum, with most Roman commentators since his time in hope to found Nunnery thereupon. I●m. & Tremel. in locum. M. Perkins li. 1. cas. con. ca 15. Scharpius. Symph. p. 171. etc. maintaining that she was only sequestered to perpetual virginity. If any demand my judgement in this difference, I seasonably remember how one being asked in the Massacre of Paris, whether he was a Catholic or an Hugonite, answered he was a Physician. My return must be in this work, I am only a Chorographer, and the controversy in hand concerns matter of fact, not of place, proper only to us for this present. § 12. East of Mizpah lay the plain of Mizpah. joshua having conquered the Kings of Canaan (at the waters of Merom in the next Tribe) pursued them hither on the east and to p josh. 11. 8. Mizrepoth●maim near Sidon westward. A chase with a vengeance all the latitude of the land, the Canaanites flying as far as sea or mountains would give them leave: so that their flight may pass for a Scale of miles for the breadth of this Country, so smitten until they left them none q ibid. remaining, understand it, not in a considerable body to make any resistance. § 13. So much of Gilead. We come now to Bashan: for these two provinces did the Tribe of Manasseh r josh. 17. 1. contain, though it is impossible accurately to distinguish their bounds. Bashan was a grazing country (as indeed all Canaan east of jordan was fitter for Abel then Cain, for pasturage then tillage) anciently called the Land s Deut. 2. 20. & 3. 13. of Giants; which though now extirpated, Og being the last of that race, yet retained some footsteps thereof in the strength and greatness of her 1 Oaks, whereof t ● zek. 27. 6. oars were made for the galleys of Tyre. 2 Rams, u Deut. 32. 14. of the breed of Bashan, being the fattest and fairest of their kind. 3 Bulls, so often mentioned in Scripture. But by w Psal. 22▪ 12. David's metaphorical bulls of Bashan, strong, sturdy, cursed, cruel men are understood. This Province was subdivided into several petty lands: as, first, the La●d x Deut. 3. 14. & 1 King. 4. 13. of Argob on the north next Syria. Secondly, * Deut. 3. 14. Bashan-avoth-Iair: where taking the first word for the Genus and the two latter for the Difference, we have the exact definition of the Country. § 14. jair was a fortunate name in the family of Manasseh, and we must be careful not to confound two eminent men of that name. 1 jair the elder, contemporary with Moses, who, when the field-forces of Og were utterly destroyed, smote the y Num. 32. 41. & josh. 13. 30. small towns thereof (being threescore in number, as joshua counted them) and called them Bashan-Avoth-Iair, that is, the Cities of jair in Bashan. 2 jair the younger, a peaceable Judge in Israel immediately before jephthah, who as he came many years in age short of the former, so the number of his Cities were but half so many, viz. z judg. 10. 4. thirty, which he left to his thirty sons, calling them also Avoth-Iair. It is further recorded of his thirty sons that they road on thirty a Ibid. Asse-colts, i. e. they were itinerant b judg. 5. 10. Judges, say some, in their respective places, it being improper that they in their several circuits should 1 Go on foot. Authority would be contemned if not somewhat heightened above the common people. 2 Or ride on prancing steeds. Marshal law may be so mounted, where the heels of the horses are as terrible to poor people, as the face of the rider. 3 Or ride on swift Coursers; seeing no such haste to execute suspected innocence. 4 Or be housed in covered chariots; which is a kind of engrossing of justice, shutting that up, to which all aught to have open access. 5 But ride on Asses: partly that Petitioners, though lame and weak, might keep pace with them on the way when relating their grievances; and partly by that patient creature to show the slow but sure proceeding of justice; and indeed the Judge's footpace to the sentence is the accused parties post-speed to his grave. We find among these thirty cities, but one of them named, which is c judg. 10. 5. Camon, wherein the body of jair was buried. And it is probable, that Ira the d 2 Sam. 20. 26 jairite so high in favour about King David, was an inhabitant of this country. § 15. More south lay Ashteroth-karnaim, or in English, the two horned Ashteroth, either so named from some forked building, or street therein; (Horn-church in Essex, and Horn-castle in Lincolne-shire so called on the like occasion) or because the Idol Ashteroth, that is, the Moon horned in her waxing or waning, was worshipped therein; or lastly because a fair and gallant City, and all strength, mirth, and jollity are called horns in the Hebrew. Yet may we say to the men of Ashteroth in the words of the e Psal. 75. 5. Psalmist, Set not up your horns so high, neither speak presumptuous words. Horns, which first were well blunted by Chedorlaomer, when he f Gen. 14. 5. smote the Rephaims or Giants in Ashteroth-karnaim, and afterwards were broken quite off, when g Deut. 1. 4. Og King of Bashan who reigned in this City was overthrown. For hard by is Edrei another City wherein Og resided, and near which he bid battle to the children of Israel when he with all his Giantlike race, which peopled this place, was extinguished. For though the Country of Pigmies be a Poets-tale, this h Deut. 2. 20. Land of Giants is a Scripture-truth. However, no eye can now distinguish betwixt the ashes of Giants, and dust of dwarves, death having long since leveled all alike in the grave. § 16. Such remarkable places as remain in this Tribe, will easily be found out, if we follow the stream of jordan, and such rivulets as pay tribute thereunto. jordan having newly recovered himself out of the waters of Merom into a competent channel, receiveth from the east i Vide Tabulas Mercatoris. Hermon a small brook running by Golan, a k Deut. 4. 43. & josh. 20. Levites City of refuge, (whence the neighbouring country in josephus called Gaulonitis) and after jordan falleth betwixt Capernaum and Chorazin into the sea of Galilee. This Chorazin was the place where Christ's miracles and preaching were sown so thick; and where the people's thankfulness for the one, and practise of the other, came up so thin, that it caused that curse, l Mat. 11. 21. Woe be to thee Chorazin etc. A woe, which at this day hath wasted it from a populous city to a ruinous village. As for their conceit, that Antichrist m Vide Adrichomium in Manasse tit. C. should be born in Chorazin, I take it to be a mere Monkish device, to divert men's eyes, from seeking him in the right place where he is to be found. § 17. More southward the brook Cherith (having viewed at some distance n josh. 21. 27. Beeshterah, afterwards called Bosrah, a city of the Levites; called also * 1 Chr. 6. 71. Ashtaroth; And it is questionable, whether this, or Ashtaroth-Carnaim (whereof formerly) were the Metropolis of Og King of Bashan) runneth into the Sea of Galilee. By the banks hereof the Ravens brought Eliah o 1 King. 17. 3. 5, 6. bread and flesh in the morning and evening, and he drank of the river. It seems Dinners are but innovations; whilst breakfasts, and suppers are men's most ancient and natural meals. Here Eliah having the substance of sustenance, cared not for the ceremony of a Table, or compliment of a Carpet. How little will preserve life, but how much must maintain luxury! After a while this River dried up. Collect not thence that the brook was inconsiderably little, but that the drought had been extraordinarily long. p 1 King. 17. 7. § 18. As for the cities of Hippus, julias', and Gamala, whereof as deep silence in Scripture, as frequent mention in josephus, it is enough to name them. In the last of these q jud Ant. lib. 18. cap. 1. josephus reports judas of Galilee to be born, that grand impostor, who r Act. 5. 37. in the days of the taxing pretended himself the Champion of popular liberty, to protect them from such unreasonable payments. Multitudes of men flocked after him; for, spare their purses, and win the hearts of the Vulgar. But judas having got power, fell a pillaging all people, taking from them the whole grist of their estate, so to save the owners from paying toll unto Cesar. How smooth and tender are the gums of Infant-treason, but oh how sharp are the teeth thereof when once grown to full greatness! However, he and his followers came afterward unto confusion, and is the second instance alleged by Gamaliel to prove, that s Act. 5. 38. counsels which are not of God will come to nought. * 1 King. 4. 13. The Son of Geber was Solomon's purveyor in this half Tribe of Manasseh. § 19 The Arms assigned to joseph are, a tree proper growing by a Well, founded on the words of jacob Gen. 49. 22. David may seem hence to have borrowed his Simile of a blessed man, t Psal. 1. 3. He shall be like a tree planted by the water's side. But joseph had more, not only a Well before to refresh, but a wall behind to support him, and his boughs (may Herald's word it in their own language) grew over the wall. Partly foretelling the fruitfulness of Joseph's posterity, and partly pointing at the particular posision of his inheritance. For, as some think, jordan was the wall on the east of the Land of Canaan properly so called; and the children of joseph having their root planted, and main body growing on the other side of the river, spread their branches over this wall, half Manasseh having his portion on the east side of jordan. To conclude, though those Arms did generally belong to the whole house of joseph, yet custom hath appropriated them to Manasseh alone: other Ensigns being assigned to Ephraim, whereof God willing hereafter. Here the Map of Naphtali is to be inserted. THE TRIBE OF NAPHTALI. CHAP. 4. § 1. NAphtali Son of jacob by Bildah his Concubine was multiplied during the abode of his posterity in Egypt, to fifty and three thousand * Numb. 1. 43. & 2. 30. four hundred. All which dying in the desert, their Sons being forty five thousand four * Num. 26. 50. hundred entered the Land of Canaan. A Tribe acquitting itself considerable in relation to the rest, though we meet but with two, or rather but with one and a half Glories thereof. The former * judg. 4. 6. Barak the son of Abinoham, who (acted by Deborah) did act so valiantly against Sisera. The half-one Hiram (a a 1 King. 7. 14. Naphtalite though his * See the description of Da●. 1. part. Father was a man of Tyre) that curious Artificer in Solomon's Temple. Other eminent persons (though unknown) doubtless were of this Tribe, for in their martial addresses to David in Hebron, none appeared in more excellent equipage for number and warlike accoutrements: b 1 Chr. 12. 34. And of Naphtali a thousand Captains, and with them with shield and spear, thirty and seven thousand. § 2. This Tribe bordered (plainly intimated though not expressed in the bounding thereof) on mount Libanus on the north, c josh. 19 34. and reacheth (as is plainly expressed) to Zebulun on the southside, and to Asher on the westside, and to judah upon jordan toward the Sunrising. True this must needs be, for Truth hath said it; the last words present us with a seeming impossibility. For how long an arm must Naphtali make to reach to judah, over the Tribes of Zebulun, Issachar, Manasses, Ephraim, and Benjamin interposed, Naphtali being distanced about an hundred miles from judah? Here some Commentators being not able to quell, never raise this objection: a commendable discretion in them, if unconcerned to meddle therewith; but seeing they profess their calling to be a satisfaction of difficulties, it is in them an unexcusable laziness. But let us hear what the learned resolve in this case. 1 d Tremel. in loca praedict. Some fancy a small Lace of land (or rather a thread for the narrowness thereof) whereby (though invisible in Maps) Naphtali is tied unto judah. 2 e Mas●n josh. 19 34. Nic. Scra●●. in 〈◊〉. Quaest nona. Others, that Naphtali reacheth to judah upon jordan, not immediately in confines, but mediately by commerce; because the river jordan runneth thence unto judah, and so they had the conveniency of Traffic into that Tribe. 3 Others more likely, that Naphtali reached to f M. Arthur jackson. in locum. judah on jordan; because judah as a Tribe in chief had the Royalty of the river jordan, as fishing, fowling, and perchance the impost on all vessels, sailing from the fountain to the fall thereof. 4 Let me cast my Mite into this Treasury. What if this judah was but the name of a town or village, and therefore that addition, judah upon jordan, given for distinction sake? However Masius no less learned, then modest, pleaseth me with this resolution. In rebus tantâ vetustate obliteratis, & quae exploratè percipi nullâ jam ratione possunt, satius est non multa dicere, quam incertissima pro veris absque ullâ dubitatione afferre. Such difficulties were not casually scattered, but purposely placed to improve our industry, and teach us humility. For the best answer man's wit can produce, is no salve to the Text, which of itself is whole and entire, but a plaster only to our own craized understandings. § 3. For the fruitfulness of this country, hear what Moses prophesyeth. g Deut. 33. 23. O Naphtali satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord. See also what was performed. For the land about Laish, which was in the confines of this Tribe is thus charactered, h judg. 18. 10. A place where there is no want of any thing that is in the Earth. i jos. de bell. juda. li. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. josephus' being almost this Countryman, saith, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: One may call this Country the Ambition of nature. Strabo k Lib. 16. in Syria. pa. 755. a Pagan giveth it the Epithets of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, A well natured land and bearing all commodities. But the best fruit it bare was our Saviour himself: by his corporal presence much conversant here; this Tribe being the Theatre whereon his most remarkable Miracles were acted. § 4. From the foot of Libanus to the sea of Galilee may be allowed thirty five miles. Equal whereunto, by the favour of jordan running crooked, (though northernly more narrow) is the breadth thereof, from east to west. In the time of our Saviour this Tribe was parcel of two Tetrarchies. The north-east part thereof, belonged to Iturea. The l Virgil. Poet takes notice of the plenty of Yew in this Province. — Itureos' taxi torquentur in arcus. Yew which in Iturea grows Is neatly bended into Bowes. Hence their inhabitants became excellent Archers: and pity it was, that their arrows were so often shot at a wrong mark, to kill and rob passengers in their journey. Strabo calls the Itureans generally 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and their Country in some sort may seem accessary to their felonies (the Receiver is bad as a thief) which, as the foresaid Author observes, in her caves, woods, and inaccessible mountains protected those Robbers from justice proceeding against them. Insomuch that the Romans were fain to keep Soldiers in Garrison against them (but who kept any against the soldiers?) So that betwixt both, Iturea at that time may be conceived sufficiently miserable. § 5. The south-west of Naphtali was accounted part of Galilee the upper, otherwise called Galilee of the Gentiles, because, as some conceive, the people therein were commixed with heathens, and (being far from jerusalem) were more drossy jews than the rest. Which is a most erroneous opinion. For how improbable is it, that our Saviour, who sending his Disciples to preach gave them instructions, m Mat. 10. 5. Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not, and himself never stayed in Samaria, save as he took it in his necessary passage in or from n Joh. 4. 4. judea; should choose Galilee, if so debased with the mixture of Gentiles, for the place of his principal and constant residence? Far more true is it that it was called Galilaea Gentium, that is, Galilee the populous, because of the multitudes of people, especially near the sea, wherein was Decapolis (a member of Galilee.) And there one city, for want of room, may seem to tread on another. § 6. Before we come to the particular description of this Tribe, we will first dispatch out of the way, nine limitary Towns (which accordingly are figured in the Map) and this will much facilitate our proceeding in the rest. 1 Heleph, * josh. 19 33, 34. in the northern bounds of this Tribe, from which the eastern coasts thereof southwardly are described. 2 Allon, that is in English, oak (as Oakeham in Rutland) so named from plenty of those trees growing therein. 3 Zaanaim. Note that Tremellius maketh these two latter, but one entire place, reading it the Oake-wood of Zaanaim. 4 Adami. Which as Ruthland in Flintshire, probably was so named from the redness of the earth. 5 Nekeb: this is a ditch, where we may conceive jordan was let out for the more convenient watering of other ground. And have we not more than twenty Dittons or Ditch-tons on the same occasion in England? 6 jabneel: different from one of the same name in the Tribe of Dan. 7 Lakum. 8 Aznoth-Tabor. 9 Hukkok. We are not bound to believe all these nine to have been Cities of considerable strength, or greatness, as not so noteworthy in themselves as in their situation. Because (though perchance otherwise poor villages) they stood in the borders of this Tribe. Thus low shrubs growing on high hills, or crooked thorn-trees set by the highway side, are more conspicuous in the eye, and frequent in the mouths of travellers, than straighter and fairer trees which are obscure in the midst of the wood. § 7. To come to the particular description thereof; Amongst the mountains of Libanus, we meet with one of eminent note, not only having a name peculiar to itself, but which from it hath also denominated the adjacent Country. This is mount Paneas, wherein there is a deep hole or cave. And though places of this kind commonly have more horror than pleasure in them, this, besides its natural beauty, was adorned with artificial structures in, and about it. Herein also was an unsoundable spring of water, conceived by some to be the primitive fountain of jordan. Yet o jos. de bell. juda. li. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. josephus tells us of Phiala, a spring above two hundred furlongs off (and therefore out of the bounds of this Tribe) into which Philip the Tetrarch cast cha●●e to try the experiment, and it was rendered up again in the stream of jordan. Whence he concluded, that this river entertained an underground intelligence with that fountain. But we are not to take notice where rivers are secretly conceived, but where they are visibly born: and therefore date the original thereof from the apparent heads of jor and Dan: which keeping themselves sole and single for a short time, are soon wedded together. And from the confluence of their names and streams, jordan is begotten. § 8. To pass by Scripture commendations, it is called by p S●lin. Polyhist. cap. 35. solinus', eximiae suavitatis amnis, a river of excellent sweetness. But as if Rivers, as well as Men, were too prone to be proud of their good properties, it is very subject to * josh. 3. 15. jer. 12. 5. & 49. 19 etc. overswell the banks; in which notion perhaps, it is also called by the aforesaid Solinus, Ambitiosus amnis, an haughty and ambitious river. But what saith the q Zach. 11. 3. Prophet? The pride of jordan is spoiled: namely, in some extraordinary drought (and thence dearth) which he there foretelleth. To keep the golden mean; As jordan sometimes must be acknowledged to mount too high, so Naaman depressed it too low in his valuation: whose ignorance and passion preferred r 2 King. 5. 12. Abana and Pharphar, the rivers of Damascus, before it. § 9 At the aforesaid confluence stands the famous city of Laish, which at first it seems was a free State, living in subjection to none, and yet in slavery to their own intemperance. They were s judg. 18. 28. far from the Zidonians, that is, as t Sir Walter Raleigh Hist. World. one measureth it, about thirty miles: half that distance being too much to receive thence seasonable succour in their sudden surprise by the Danites. In taking which town, the u Deut. 33. 22. prophecy of Moses was fulfilled, Dan is a Lion's whelp he shall leap from Bashan. It seems that the Danites came on the east-side of the City, and might for a time secretly repose themselves in Bashan. Whence, on a sudden, Lion-like (salient in his Posture, when he seizeth on his prey) they leapt on the city, and were felt being on them before seen coming towards them. The City was afterwards called Dan, and the Danites possessed a tract or territory of ground, which otherwise seems to lie within the Tribe of Naphtali, but was not possessed by them. § 10. But as we must praise the prowess and policy, so we detest the Idolatry of these Danites, who hither brought, and here erected, the graven Image stolen from w judg. 18. 30. Micah, worshipping it until the day of the captivity of the land: that is, as x Vid. ejus annot. in loc. praedict. Tremellius well expoundeth it, till the Ark was taken captive and restored, when there followed a general reformation in the days of Samuel. This place y judg. 7. 4. then purged, was not long after defiled again with the same sin. For here jeroboam set up one of his golden Calves, z 1 King. 12. 29. & 13. 33. making Priests of the meanest of the people. And although where a Calf is the God, a wisp of Hay is good enough to be the Priest, yet heinous was the offence, because done by jeroboam in the disgrace of Religion. The erection of these Calves was pretended for the ease of the people of Israel, to spare their tedious travel thrice a year to jerusalem; but in effect occasioned that they were sent a longer journey on a worse errand, even into irrecoverable captivity. Thus to spare a step in the path of piety, is to spend many in the ready road to misery. § 11. In the time of our Saviour, this Dan was called Cesarea-Philippi, built in honour of Tiberius Cesar by Philip the Tetrarch. Who in so nameing it, as wise to remember himself, was also mannerly to prefer the Emperor. This Philip being Tetrarch of a Luk. 3. 1. Iturea, and Trachonitis, made this Caesarea (as conveniently seated betwixt both) the place of his principal residence. Near this b Mar. 16. 13. & Ma●. 8. 27. place, Peter gave Christ that excellent testimony, of his being the Son of God. As for the two statues of melted brass which here are said to be set up by that woman, whose Flux of blood Christ cured, the one resembling our Saviour, the other herself, in humble posture touching the hem of his garment, I had rather the Reader receive it from the c Euseb. hist. eccles. lib. 7. cap. 14. & Niceph. hist. eccles. lib. 6. cap. 15. Authors themselves, than my relation. Chiefly because it seems improbable, that she, who so lately had d Mar. 5. 26. & Luke 8. 43. serpent all her substance upon Physicians, should so quickly recrute herself, as to be able to go to the cost of such a Monument. § 12. Leaving now the territory of Dan, we enter on Naphtali; and jordan running hence, after some miles expatiateth itself into the waters of Merom or the Samoc●onite-lake. This was a Sea in winter, and in Summer a thicket of reeds, affording shelter to Lions, and Wolves, and (which now a days are more dangerous to travellers, then either) wild Arabians. Behold (saith the e jer. 50. 44. Prophet) He shall come up like a Lion from the swelling of jordan, that is, most fierce and furious; who having lodged there quietly all summer in the shade, is vexed to be roused by the rising of the waters in winter: and, therefore is ready to revenge this wrong on the next object he meets. Near these waters, joshua gave that famous overthrow to f josh. 11. 1. 4, 5 jabin signior King of the Canaanites pursuing the chase as far as Zidon. On the west of this lake, where Daphnis a rivulet falleth into it, they place Riblah, accounted a terrestrial Paradise, for the sweet situation thereof. But grant it pleasant in itself, it was a sad place to King g 2 King. 22. 6. Zed●kiah, who having first beheld the slaughter of his Sons, had here his own eyes bored out. Thus man's tyranny accomplisheth God's justice, whilst Zedekiah had now leisure enough to bethink himself how he deserved this punishment, who indevored to put out the eyes of Israel, by persecuting the Prophets, and h jer. 38. 5, 6. imprisoning the Seers thereof. Afterwards, jordan recovering itself out of the lake, and contented with a competent stream, is passable at the ford of jacob, so called because tradition reports that Patriarch there to have i Gen. 32. 10. gone over this river with the company of God and his staff. At this day there is a * Biddulph's T●av. beautiful bridge built over, retaining the name of Jacob's bridge, kept in excellent repair (as being the highway betwixt Damascus and jerusalem.) And well may t●e Turks afford it, seeing the unconscionable toll, which they extort of Christian passengers for Caphar or custom, will serve almost to build all the arches thereof with silver. § 13. Here let us hold a while, and desiring to please all palates, let us temper the harshness of old matters, with the mixture of a modern passage. If the Reader should ever travel this way from Damascus to jerusalem and so into Egypt, he may repose himself for a night in the Cave east of this bridge, on the other side jordan. A Cave is a public building erected by some devout Turk in nature of an Inn, for the benefit of travellers, of more or less receipt & conveniency according to the bounty or fancy of the founder. But here the guest must be his own host to entertain himself, seeing generally nothing but a bare lodging and water, is provided for him. And though we pity the Readers bad lodging this night, where (if not bringing better accommodations with him) he and his Camel must be bedfellows in straw; yet we promise him next day a pleasant way and handsome entertainment. For about seven miles off he shall pass by Cave joseph, where a Well will be showed him full of k Biddulph's trav. p. 103. water, and adorned with marble Pillars, which common tradition avoucheth to be the pit wherein joseph was put, and a learned l 〈…〉 elucidat. Te●. sanc. lib. 7. cap. 10. Friar very zealously stickleth for the truth thereof, though indeed the story is confuted both by the distance and nature of the place. For it is sixty miles from Dothan near m Gen. 37. 13. 17. Sechem, where Joseph's brethren kept their sheep. Besides, that pit had no moisture in it (save what fell from the eyes of joseph) whereas this is full of water, so that Joseph's dreams▪ had been but dreams if put therein. But it is as good as a bait to tired travellers (whose credulity is swifter than the Camels they ride on) to be refreshed in the way with such relations. Some twelve miles off, the reader may lodge in a convenient Cave called Minium by the Moors, but by the Turks n B●ddu●ph. ut p●tus. Missia: and if early up next morning, may, going southwestward, before noon enter the Tribe of Zebulun. Where we may in due time overtake him, and hereafter give him larger direction for his travel. § 14. From Jacob's bridge the river jordan sees nothing memorable besides rich meadows and pleasant pastures, until he falleth into the sea of Cinnereth, so called (say some) because in form not unlike a o Hen. Bunt●u. Trau. of C●hrist. pa. 446. Kinnor in Hebrew a harp. harp: as indeed an active fancy in point of resemblance will fashion any thing to any thing. How well the similitude suits, the Reader will best judge when hereafter he shall behold the entire proportion of this Sea in the Tribe of Zebul●●, where he may feed his fill on the dimensions and several names thereof; till which time to stay his stomach, we here present him with such a parcel of this sea-lake, as falls to the share of Naphtali. At the influx of jordan into this Sea, stood the once famous City of Capernaum, called Christ's p Mat. 9 1. compared with Mar. 2. 1. own City. Note by the way, Christ had three Cities which may be called his own (if seven contended for Homer, well may three be allowed to Christ) Bethlehem where he was born, Nazareth where conceived and bred, and Capernaum where q Mat. 4. 13. he dwelled, more than probably in the house of Simon Peter though born in Bethlehem. § 15. This Capernaum was the Magazine of Christ's Miracles. Here was healed the servant of that good r Mat. 8. 5. Centurion: who though a Gentile outfaithed Israel itself, concluding from his own authority over his Soldiers, that Christ by a more absolute power, as Lord high Marshal of all maladies, without his personal presence, could by his bare word of command, order any disease to march or retreat at his pleasure. Here Simon Peter's wives mother was cured of a s Mat. 8. 14. Fever, and t Mark. 2. 1. here such as brought the man sick of the Palsy, not finding a door on the floor, made one on the Roof (Love will creep, but Faith will climb where it cannot go) let him down with cords, his bed bringing him in, which presently he carried out being perfectly cured. u Mat. 9 18. & Mark 5. 22. Here also Christ restored the daughter of jairus to life, and in the way as he went (each Parenthesis of our Saviour's motion is full of heavenly matter, and his obiter more to the purpose, than our iter) he cured the Woman of her flux of blood, with the touch of his garment. But amongst all these and more wonders, the greatest was the ingratitude of the people of Capernaum, justly occasioning our Saviour's sad prediction, And w Mat. 11. 23. thou Capernaum which art exalted to heaven shalt be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Tyre and S●don, they would have repent long ●goe in sackcloth and ashes. O sad strappado of the soul, to be hoist up so high, and then cast down suddenly so low, enough to disjoint all the powers thereof in pieces! * ●. Hieron. de loc. Hebr. Capernaum at this day is a poor village scarce consisting of seven fisher-men's Cottages. § 16. Some furlongs westward from this City stood the Receipt of custom, whence Matthew was * Mat. 9 9 & Mar. 2. 14. called from a Publican to be an Apostle. In Capernaum afterwards the y Mat. 17. 24. Toll-gatherers did civilly demand of Peter, Doth not your Master pay tribute? It being questionable in point of law, whether Christ were legally liable to such payments. And l●t us inquire whence the doubt did arise. Was it because he 1 Being a Physician, (such persons of public employment for general good were often exempted from taxes) who gave his pains gratis to others, it was but equal he should be privileged from such pecuniary burdens? 2 Being poor, was under value in the Excise-book? And where nothing is to be had the Emperor must lose his right. Yea generally Alms folk who live on the charity of others (such the condition of our z Luke 8. 3. Saviour) are not to be rated. 3 Being an inmate or under-tenant in the house of Peter, the question was, whether Peter or Christ was to pay the taxation? This last is most probable. For our Saviour taking order for the discharging of the debt, Give the money (saith he to St. Peter) unto them a Mat. 17. 27. for me and thee. As rates in London are divided betwixt Landlord and Tenant. Hence Peter was sent to sea, where a fish, which probably had plundered a piece of money out of the Pocket of some shipwracked fisherman, lost his life for the fact, and the felons goods found in him were justly forfeited to Christ, Lord Paramount both of sea and soil. § 17. Going forward along the shore, some will be so positive as to point at the place where after his resurrection, Christ took his repast with his Disciples on bread and broiled fish; yet we find no express mention of his drinking after he rose from the grave; and that, as some will have it, either in reference to his promise to his Disciples, * Mat. 26. 29. I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the Vine until that day, when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Or because (though accepting of meat out of voluntary conformity) yet he refrained from moisture, to manifest himself, though no less than a true, yet much more than a mere man: but this we leave with the Authors. § 18. Some miles hence towards the north is a mountain of a moderate ascent and pleasant prospect, generally known by the name of Christ's mountain. Here our Saviour made that excellent Sermon in the mount, which was the key of the Old Law. And here he chose his twelve Disciples, frequently repairing hither, when he affected retiredness. Here also b 〈◊〉. ca 63. Concordance. learned men on good likelihood (Scripture being silent of the particular place) conceive the miracle of loaves multiplied wrought by our Saviour. And to avoid confusion, we must carefully observe that this was twice wrought. Place. Guests. Meat. Fragments: Gospels. A desert nigh Tiberias 5000 men. 5 loaves, two fishes 12 baskets full Mat. 14. 20 Mar. 6. 43. Lu. 9 16. 10. 6. 23 Christ's mountai●● 4000 men 7 loaves a few little fishes 7 baskets full. Mat. 17. 37. Mark 8. 1. Behold in the latter though the meat was the more, & the mouths fewer, yet fewer fragments did remain. And good reason that our Saviour in working of miracles, should observe no other proportion then his own pleasure. § 19 Following still the Sea shore and going westward, we light on the City c josh. 19 35. Cinnereth, which some conceive gave the name to the lake adjoining, and also to the land thereabouts. For when Benhadad in favour to King Asa, to remove Baasha from besieging Ramah, inroded Israel, he smote d 1 Kin. 15. 20. john 12. 21. all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali. Some five miles westward we meet with Bethsaida of Galilee, in English a * ●r sishing house rather, because on the lake; this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will bear both. hunting house. Nor is it unlikely, that at first it was a Mansion merely made for recreation, the neighbouring Desert (frequently visited by our Saviour when desiring privacy) affording the pleasure of the Game. From a house it grew to be a village, so called by Saint Mark, and thence proceeded to be a City so graced in other e Luke 9 10. joh. 1. 44. Gospels. Nor need learned men so trouble themselves about the difference, seeing in a short time (Hague in Holland may be an instance) a great town with addition of walls, may at pleasure commence a small City. It was the f john 1. 44. native place of Peter, Andrew & Philip, and another staple City of Christ's miracles, whose ingratitude forced our Saviour's expression, Woe unto thee Chorazin, woe unto thee g Mat. 11. 21. Bethsaida etc. § 20. In the confines of Bethsaida Christ by the hand led forth a blind man out of the town, spat on his eyes, so restoring him to a confused and imperfect sight to see men walking as h Mar. 8. 25. trees, (well might his spittle give half sight, whose i Gen. 2. 7. breath gave man whole life at the Creation) and then putting his hands upon his eyes completely cured him. But how came it to pass that he, who other while healed at distance by the Proxy of his word, Subveniens prius quam veniens, curing before coming to his Patients, should here be so long, not to say tedious, in working a miracle? Even so Saviour, because it pleased thee. Let us not raise cavils where we should rather return thanks, seeing Christ, that our dull meditations might keep pace with his actions, did not only go slowly on set purpose, but even stayed in the mid way of a miracle, doing it first by halves, that our conceptions might the better overtake him. § 21. To clear this Corner before we go hence: north-east of Bethsaida, on a tridented mountain standeth Saphetta, two parts whereof are inhabited by the Turks, and one by the jews, and is at this day a very considerable Place. Here the jews live in the greatest liberty (or rather in the least slavery) of any place under heaven: having some tolerable Privileges allowed them by the Turk. So that they who get wealth enough elsewhere, here seem to have some show of a commonwealth. Yea here there is a k Biddulph trav. pa. 105. University of jews. And though commonly that Nation count their children to have learning enough, if able to cheat Christians in their bargains, here they give them studious education: and the pure Hebrew tongue (as also at Thessalonica, now Salonichi in Greece) is here usually spoken, but industriously acquired, the jews being neither born to foot of land nor word of language then what they purchase by their pains. What shall we say if this little place be left still to keep possession, as an earnest that God in due time upon their conversion may possibly restore the whole country unto them? § 22. Three Cities follow south-west, Naphtali, a city properly so called; Thisbe different from the native place of Eliah; and Naasson; all their credits depending on the two first verses of the book of Tobit. Now as Comedians, though often they adorn their interludes with fancies and fictions; yet are very careful always to lay their scene right, in a true place, which is eminently and notoriously known: so grant the book of Tobit guilty of improbabilities and untruths, surely the author thereof would be punctual in describing the place, past possibility of confutation. Yet since the same book presents us with the pedigree of the Angel Raphael, with l Tobit 5. 12. Ananias the great his Father, and m Tobit 5. 13. Sammajas his grandfather, contrary to our Saviour's character, that they neither n Mat. 22. 30. marry, nor are given in marriage, and so by consequence can neither get, nor can be begotten; we may as justly suspect his Geography, as Genealogy, and conceive him false in the position of towns, who is fabulous in the extraction of Angels. And if Naphtali and Thisbe pass for real places, yet not only doubtful, but desperate is the case of the City Naasson, not being founded on the rock of the Greek text, where no such town appears, but on the quicksand of the erroneous Vulgar Latin translation. § 23. Having thus surveyed the east and south parts of this Tribe, lest the other coasts thereof should justly complain of neglect, we return to mount Libanus to give an account of the remainder. In this Map, though not in this Tribe (no trespass I hope to look over the hedge) behold Heliopolis, in English, the City of the Sun. But how well it brooks the name, they can best tell, o Sir Walter Raleigh hist. World. lib. 2. 1 part. pa. 290. who of certain report, that the height of the mountains adjoining shadow it from the Sun the better half of the day. Was it therefore by the same figure, that the mountains are so called from moving, that Heliopolis got this name? Or because the Sun (as all other Blessings are valued) is most worshipped, where it is most wanted. Not far hence, the river p Cant. 4. 15. Fons hortorum Libani, or the fountain of the gardens of Libanus, (with which the banks thereof on either side are enameled) fetcheth his original; running thence by Hamah, afterwards called Epiphania, often mentioned in Scripture. Thus far came the twelve q Num. 13. 22. spies, sent to search the land; and this place passeth in r Num. 34. 8. & josh. 13. 5. & jud. 3. 3. Scripture from the entering of Hamah for the northern Boundary of the land of Israel, not only before the expression of Dan came into request, but also long after the s Ezek. 47. 20. mention thereof in holy Writ was disused. We shall in due place speak, as of Hamah the great, so named by the t Amos. 6. ●. Prophet, (since called Antiochia in Coelosyria, and by vulgar unskilfulness often confounded with this Hamah in Naphtali) so also of u 2 King. 17. 30. Ashimah, the topical or peculiar Idol of this place. § 24. Hence that river runneth by Hazor, anciently the w jost. 11. 10. Metropolis of the Canaanites, where very many of their Kings met together against joshua, to his great advantage. Had he sought them in their several Cities, to what expense of time and pains would it have amounted? Whereas now their malice did his work, all of them meeting together, having but one neck in effect, which here they tendered to the Axe of divine justice. Hazor by joshua was burnt, and more than an hundred years after was probably re-edified by jabin the Second, into whose hand God is said to have sold his people. Not far off this river of Gardens leaveth Naphtali, and vis●teth the Tribe of Asher. § 25. But before we leave the river, let this memorandum be entered, that z Adricho. in theat. Ter. sanc. in Naphta. some hold this is the same with the Sabbatariam river mentioned in a Nat. hist. lib. ●●. cap. 2. Pliny; which is said to run six days, and lie still the seventh, whence it gained the name. Were this true; as Solomon sent the sluggard to the b Prov. 6. 6. Pismire to learn industry, well might profane persons be remitted to this river, thereby to be instructed in the Sabbaths due observation. But most listen to it, as to a fable, and the Hurlers in Cornwall (men c Camb. Brit. in Cornwall. metamorphosed into stones, as tradition reports, for playing on the Lord's day) may fitly serve to build a bridge over this river. It much shakes the credit of this report, because d jos. de b●ll. juda. ●●. 7. c. 24. in latin & ca 13. in gre●k. josephus relates it clean contrary, namely that this river lies still six days, and only runs the seventh: adding how Titus the Emperor going from jury to Antioch took a journey by the way to behold the same. But indeed learned e Ex●r●. 15. Diat●. 20. advers. Baronium. Casaubon not only observeth herein the Copies of josephus to be corrupted, but also giveth his advice for the amendment of the same. So that by right pointing his words, and some other small alteration, josephus and Pliny, may be made to agree. However modern travellers bring us no intelligence of such alternation or intermitting course of any river hereabouts, and some perchance will be ready to say, that since the Jewish Sabbath hath been swallowed up in the Christians Lords day, this river hath discontinued his former custom, lest what anciently was ceremonious, be now adays censured for superstitious. § 26. Let us now traverse this tribe southeast: where we cannot miss Abel a City, sometimes single, sometimes double represented unto us, namely 1t. f 2 Sam. 20. 15. Abel of Bethmaacah; as if the former were but parcel of the latter. 2ly. g 2 Sam. 20. 14 Abel and Bethmaacah; as if different, but bordering Cities. 3ly. h 2 King. 15. 29. Abel-Bethmaacah; as if both made up one and the same place. In this City, Sheba the rebel, pursued by joab and his own guiltiness, took covert, so that the storm of a furious assault was ready to fall upon it, when the breath of a wise woman blew it clear away, who so ordered it, that i 2 Sam. 20. 22 Sheba's head was cast over the wall See how his head, which thought to turn all Israel upside down, when whirled in the air, was tossed and tumbled about. And pity it is any bullets should be shot into that city, which would cast such fireballs out of it. We know the wicked man's, not the wise woman's name, and yet when his vertueless name shall rot, her nameless virtue shall remain. But Abel wanted such another wise woman to protect it, when furiously k 1 King. 15. 20 taken by Be●●hadad, and at last finally destroyed by l 2 King. 15. 29 Tiglath-Pilesar. § 27. But in the very midst of this Tribe the * Judg. 4. 11. oake-trees of Zahanaim fair and far spread themselves: For Tremellius reads it Quercetum Zahanaim, The oake-tree place of Zahanaim, where our translations render it the plain of Zahanaim. A difference not so great but that our age can accommodate, which being wasteful in woods hath expounded into plains, many places which formerly were dark with the thickest oake-trees. Here jael the wife of Heber the Kenite dwelled in her tent, whither Sisera (who went forth with nine hundred charets, but was glad to come home on two legs) fled for security, having quitted his chariot. Not that he thought himself swifter, but safer without it; seeing his chariot which in fight was the strength to cover, in flight was the mark to discover him. And here jael with a hammer & nail dispatched him, for which she was blessed by Deborah. § 28. The mention of her blessing minds us of the curse of Meroz, and consequently to inquire, where the same was seated. Well may we look for it in any Tribe, which we find in no Tribe. Yea learned men do so differ in their verdict, that some will have Meroz to be, 1 The Devil himself, as m In his not●s on judg. 5. 23. Nicholas Lyra, whose opinion is rejected and refuted by all that mention it. 2 A potent n Magell. in textum. Person in these parts having many Tenants and Retainers. 3 A Country full of populous inhabitants. 4 A o Pet Martyr. S●●rar. & major pars comment. City near the place where the battle against Sisera was fought Grant the last as most probable, new Quaere's are engendered; whether a City of Caananites or Israelites; and where to be placed. For the exact position whereof we refer the reader to those our learned Divines, which in these unhappy dissensions have made that p judg. 5. 23. Text so often the subject of their Sermons. We have placed it in this tribe not far from Kedesh, whence Barak first went forth with his men, in the place where Mercators' Maps have a city called Meroth (a rush-candle is better than no light) our only motive for the situation thereof. Mean time consider, that as the Disciples observed that the figtree cursed by our q Mat. 21. 20. Saviour, was in their return withered away; so this city after Deborah's execration so dwindled by degrees, that nothing is left of Meroz, but Meroz, nothing surviving of the thing but the name. Which name, let the reader behold in our Map as the mast of that ship, whose keel is swallowed up in the quicksands. A seamark to all posterity to beware, and not to be negligent when they are called to be auxiliaries to God's cause in distress. § 29. And now our hand is in about conjectural places, we must not forget Madon once a royal city, * josh. 12. 19 certainly hereabouts, because, * josh. 11. 1. jobab the King thereof, was conquered by joshua at the waters of Merom, though all our industry cannot discover the particular position thereof. Happy our condition that in things concerning salvation we have Christ's gracious promise, * Mat. 7. 7. Seek and ye shall find, though in these meaner matters our search often wanteth success. We are bold to place it near Dan one of the fountains of jordan, the rather because * 1 I●●n. 〈◊〉. 2. Brocard finds a place thereabouts called Medan by the Turks at this day. Where I pray let it stand till better information, for rather than with Adrichomius we should leave it out of our Maps, it is better to put it under any penthouse, than quite shut it out of doors. Let Dan-javan, * 2 Sam. 24. 6. the third station where joab pitched his tent when he numbered the people, be joined unto it. § 30. To return to the place where Meroz is set, with far more certainty we place * judg. 4. 2. Harrosheth of the Gentiles, the native City of Sisera. But if the reader should chance to overlook the low situation thereof, he cannot oversee Kedesh Naphtali the habitation of r judg. 4. 6. Barak, and a city of refuge belonging to the Levites; for observable it is that all the cities of refuge on this side jordan were advantaged on very high foundations. And they s josh. 20. 7. appointed K●desh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Sechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath-arba (which is Hebron) in the mountain of judah. Whether because those towns were to typify Christ himself, who like the brazen Serpent was to be listed up, or to comfort the flying and fainting offender, whose eyes were at his journey's end long before his feet, which could not but much revive his spirits. Say not, that it damped them again when his tired legs after a long and tedious journey must at last climb up a steep mountain to the city of refuge: For (as hath been observed t See the description of Kedemoth in the Tribe of Reuben. before) if the offender got but within the verge of the suburbs on either side of the city, he was secured from the Avenger of blood. § 31. Kedesh was attended on each side with two smaller cities, Bethshemesh on the west, Beth-anath on the southeast, both assigned to, yet neither possessed by the Naphtalites, because the u judg. 1. 33. Canaanites though tributaries dwelled therein. Much is pretended in the excuse of the Israelites why generally they drove not these heathens out of their Country. 1 None can act above their strength, and they were not able to drive out the Canaanites. 2 Had they strength, it had been cruelty, not valour, in cold blood to kill quiet enemies. 3 God gave them a kind of toleration being only to drive them out by degrees. 4 Much good accrued by this remnant of Canaanites being touchstones to prove the jews faith to their God. But these and many more palliations notwithstanding, unexcusable was the jews connivance at them contrary to God's flat command, and the foresaid pleas of no validity. For 1 The weakness of the jews chiefly consisted in their want of industry, and uniting themselves against those heathen their common enemy. 2 It is only cruelty to a man's own soul to disobey Gods positive command. 3 What's to be done by degrees, is to be done. Whereas the jews not only reprieved these Canaanites for a time according to God's permission, but finally pardoned their lives contrary to his injunction. 4 The good accidentally accrueing from the remains of the Canaanites, argues not the innocence of the Israelites, but the exceeding goodness of God, ordering their negligence to his own honour. Yea the sad success showed God's displeasure with his people herein; these Canaanites eftsoons rousing themselves from being couchant under tribute to be rampant in tyranny, and the mixture of their persons infected the Israelites with their Idolatrous practices. Nor know I any thing else considerable in this tribe except w josh. 21. 32. Karthan or x 1 Chr. 6. 76. Kiriathaim, a city of the Levites Gershonites, of whose posture we are not so well assured as we could desire. § 32. Ahimaaz * 1 King. 4. 15. was solomon's Purveyor in Naphtali, and had Basmah his daughter to wife. Say not it was poor preferment for the daughter of so mighty a Monarch to marry her Father's subject. For God's law forbade, heathen matches, and hereby she might keep a clear conscience and lead a comfortable life. King's children too often wed where they neither affect nor are affected, to foreign Princes (strangers as well in their lands as loves unto them) whilst here Solomon's daughter, might have a softer Pillow, though not so sumptuous curtains in her home-marriage. By the way observe, we find an army of Solomon's wives and concubines, and but three scattered scouts of his children, * Rehoboam, Basmah and Tashah. 1 King. 4. 11. a son and two daughters. Multiplying wives in man's sin, children, God's blessing, and Solomon laid too many foundations at once, to build much posterity upon them. § 33. The usual Arms of Naphtali are Vert a Hind trippant proper according to y Gen. 49. 21. Jacob's prediction: Naphtali is a Hind let loose; he giveth goodly words. But how this character conforms to the Tribe, learned men much disagree; z In his comments on the place. Luther finds the analogy in Deborah, where in deed both her feminine sex is proper, as also because she was an excellent a judg. 5. 1. spokeswoman; all the error is, she was rather extracted from b See our description of Ephraim. Paragraph the second. Ephraim then Naphtali. § 34. Others read the resemblance in Barak, because Hindelike he was so fearful to come out to war. But surely these blessings were given by prophetical jacob to his children as future badges of their honour, not brands of their infamy, and therefore the similitude is to be sought not in the disgraceful but commendable qualities of a Hind, and more probably to be fetched not from their fear but fleetness in several performances. Besides some conceive it too restrictive an interpretation of Jacob's blessing to confine it to any particular (though eminent) person, which speaks rather the general disposition of the whole Tribe, and may thus more largely be expounded Naphtali is a Hind. No ravenous or beast of prey (cruel like the Benjamites, churlish like the Ephraimites) but a quiet creature: intimating the Naphtalites nature disposed to peacefulness. Let loose. Not penned within the pales of a Park, but having room enough to range in: implying the large and spacious possessions of this Tribe. He giveth goodly words. They were men of fair speech and loving discourse, not querulous, nor captious, but preferring friendly compliance before brawls & contentions. The Standard of Naphtali in the Israelites pitching about the Tabernacle, was the last in the Rear on the northside thereof. Here the Map of Asher is to be inserted. THE TRIBE OF ASHER. CHAP. 5. § 1. ASher youngest Son of jacob by Zilpah his Concubine, carrieth blessedness in his name, and was so prospered in his posterity, that a Numb. 1. 41. forty one thousand and five hundred were reckoned of this Tribe in the general rendezvous at mount Sinah. All which punished in the wilderness with death, for provoking God with their disobedience, their sons being b Num. 26. 47. fifty three thousand four hundred entered the land of promise. Many no doubt were the eminent Grandees extracted from Asher, though we mee● with none of them in Scripture, save one, and that a woman in the new Testament, c Luke 2. 36. Anna the Prophetess, that property of the Temple, as constant therein as the pillars thereof, she departed not thence but served God with fasting and prayer night and day. § 2. Asher had mount Libanus on the north, Naphtali on the east, Zebulun on the south and southeast, the sea on the west containing well-nigh forty miles in length, the breadth not exceeding sixteen. A fruitful country, d Gen. 49. 10. Ashers' bread shall be fat (so hearty as if it were bread and flesh too) and he shall yield royal dainties. Moses foretold that he should be wetshooed in oil, he should dip his e Deut. ●3. 24. foot therein. Adding moreover that his shoes should be iron and brass. Not that the ground in this Tribe parched by drought proved impenetrable, and rebellious to the commands of the plough, (as elsewhere God threatens the disobedient jews, f Deut. 28. 23. the earth that is under thee shall be iron) but that this land should afford plenty of those metals, according to the testimony of Eumaeus in g Odyss●o. 425. Homer, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Sidon I ●oast to be born where's brass in abundance. Besides the great commodities of the sea, with the convenient havens thereof, Deborah complains that when Zebulun and Naphtali (most concerned as nearest danger) engaged themselves against Sisera, h judg. 5. 17. Asher continued on the Seashore, and abode in his breaches. And no wonder if being Merchants they preferred profit before peril, especially being in a safe place where the iron chariots of jabin King of Canaan could not approach them. § 3. The worst mischief in this Tribe was, that after the death of joshua, the Canaanites quartered so hard on the men of Asher, that they detained no fewer than seven i judg. 1. 31. great cities from them. Yea perchance something may be picked out of the expression of the holy Spirit, for whereas the Canaanites are said to dwell amongst those of k judg. 1. 30. Zebulun, the Asherites (the phrase being altered) in the following verse are said to dwell among the Canaanites, as if those pagans were the principal Landlords (engrossing all memorable places in this Tribe to themselves) whilst the Asherites lived amongst them as Tenants at will by the others leave. Nor was this fully remedied until the victorious reigns of David and Solomon. § 4. In the northwest part of this Tribe near the sea side, Salt and glass made in Asher. we first meet with l josh. 11. 8. Misrepothmaim, that is, the boiling of waters, though uncertain whether done artificially by fire, or naturally by the Sun. Here great plenty of salt was made in brine-pits, a necessary, and gainful commodity. However, Tremellius rendereth Misrepothmaim fornaces vitrarias, Glass-furnaces; and we know, store of the m Plin. 〈◊〉. 36. Nat. hist. ca 2●. best sort of that brickle ware was made hereabouts. joshua having foiled the Kings of Canaan at the waters of Merom, pursued them thus far to the shore of the Mediterranean, where his foes had the free choice, whether they would be killed with the sword, or drowned in the sea. Hard by is Mearah, which signifieth a cave, (and so some translations render it, though others retain the Hebrew word) being the n josh. 13. 4. northern boundary of the land of Canaan, and an impregnable underground fortification of the Zidonians. Yea many hundred years after in the Holy War, when the Christians possessed Palestine, they manfully defended it until the garrison therein o Tyr. li. 19 Bel. Sacr. ca 11. corrupted with money, basely betrayed it unto the Saracens. § 5. Observe by the way, Vast caves in the land of Canaan. that the hills in Palestine generally had in their sides plenty of caves, and those of such laxity and receipt, that ours in England are but conny-boroughs if compared to the palaces which those hollow places afforded. Neither wonder that the cave of Makkedah could contain five p josh. 10. 23. Kings together, or that Obadiah could hide an hundred Prophets by fifty & fifty in a q 1 King. 18. 13. cave, or that about four hundred men abode with David in the cave of r 1 Sam. 22. 2. Adullam, or that six hundred Benjamites lurked, for four months, in the rock of s judg. 20. 49. Rimmon, when t G●og li. ●6. Strabo hath reported, that towards Iturea, (which beginneth not far off) there be sharp mountains, having deep de●s in them, whereof one is able to receive four thousand Men. These caves (being only a cellar by nature) were by Art contrived into several rooms, and by industry fortified even unto admiration. So well man'd, they could not be stormed, well victualled, they could not be starved, and (not having any combustible matter about them) fire-free they could not be burned, so thick, they could not be battered, so high, they could not be scaled, and so low, they could not be undermined. But these Inns gave entertainment to any guests, and as sometimes they gave shelter to pious people in persecution, so often they afforded harbour to thiefs and vagabonds. The Psalmist glanceth on such places, in that his expression, Thou art of more honour and u Psal. 76. 4. might than the hills of the robbers; and our Saviour directly pointeth at them, when he complaineth, that they had turned the house of God into a w Mat. 21. 13. den of thiefs. § 6. To proceed, The city Enoch wrong placed. hereabouts we can quickly discover an ancient City, wrongfully placed by the presumption of Authors, namely Enoch, built by Cain in the land of Nod, which x Io. Viterbien. apud Naucler. Vid. Adricho. in Asher. num. 39 one tells us was at the foot of mount Libanus, and that vast foundations thereof are at this day to be seen. Surely cain's wand'ring humour (bloody hands are always attended with roving feet) seems to have possessed these Author's brains, straggling in the position of this place so far from the truth, and the text, which describeth it east of y Gen. 417. Eden. But we may seek the City Enoch with more probability to find it amongst the Henochii, a people seated by z Nat. hist. li. 2. cap. 16. Pliny near the Bactrians in the east country. § 7. But before we go farther, we will alter our former method, (hoping such variety will prove the more pleasant) and because most memorable Places in Asher, are mentioned in joshua, where the Possessions of this Tribe were first allotted him; we will briefly comment on those verses, wherein the Bounds of his Inheritance are described. joshua 19 24. And the fifth lot came out for the Tribe of the Children of Asher according to their Families. To prevent all Quarrels, the Land on this side jordan was divided by lot, betwixt the nine Tribes and an half, much of providence being couched under the seeming casualty thereof; for although their Portions fell not to them in such seniority as they sat down at Pharaoh's a Gen. 43. 33. Table, the firstborn according to his Birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, yet an excellent method was observed therein: For, The first b josh. 15. 1. Lot fell to judah the Tribe Royal, of whom the c 1 Chron. 5. 2. Chief Rulers and Christ himself was to descend. The d josh. 16. 1. second, to the sons of joseph, Ephraim and Manasses, to whom (on Reubens forfeiting thereof) the Birthright belonged. e 1 Chron. 5. 2. The third to f josh. 18. 11. Benjamin, Jacob's youngest, but next best beloved son, by Rachel his dearest wife. The fourth, fifth and sixth for Simeon g josh. 19 1. 10. & 17. Zebulun and Issachar, his sons by Leah, so that all Jacob's children by his wives were provided for first, before those he had by his Concubines received any Possessions. The seventh for Asher h josh. 19 24. Jacob's son by i Gen. 30. 13. Zilpah handmaid to Leah his first wife, and therefore her child in seniority preferred, Gad his elder brother being already provided for on the other side jordan. The eight and ninth for Naphtali and k josh. 19 32. 40. Dan born of Bilhah handmaid to Rachel, the younger sister, and Jacob's second wife. We know who said in another case, l Cant. 5. 2. I sleep, but my heart awaketh. So see here, though drowsy Chance in the Lot is commonly challenged to have slept out her eyes, and to become stark blind, yet is there a concealed vigilancy therein, ordered by divine Providence. Verse 25. And their border was Helkah, and Hali, and beaten, and Achshaph. In expounding these words for the main we follow learned Masius, though loath to err with any, willing to venture sooner on his then any other Author's judgement herein. May the Reader find out Helkah in our Map (in the Southeast part thereof, not far from the Sea) thence let his eyes start, and with good success (following the names in the Text, and the pricks in our Map for his direction) surround the Borders of this Tribe. Helkah was afterwards given to the Levites Gershonites, to be one of their m josh. 21. 31. & 1 Chr. 6. 75. where it is called Hukok. four Cities in this Tribe, had Achshaph and formerly been a Royal City of the Canaanites whose King had been conquered by joshua n josh. 12. 20. . Verse 26. And Alamelech, and Amad, and Mishael, and reacheth to Carmel Westward, and Shihor Libnah. Mishael or o 1 Chr. 6. 74. Mashal was another City of the Levites. By this the Border of Asher ran Southwestward to Carmell; understand thereby not the mountain so called (lying more South in Zebulun) but the Plain lying under the same, more towards the North. Shihor Libnah, that is, the white * Or white Nilus. River. Now for streams to take their names from their colours, is no news to them that have heard of Albis in Germany, Melas in Thracia, and two Rivers called Blackwater, the one in the South, the other in the North of Ireland. But whether this River in Asher took the whiteness from the foaming water therein, or Chalk-banks (like our Albion) on both sides, or from the materials of glass or crystal growing there, let others dispute, whilst we only observe that Album Promontorium or the white Promontory, is by p Nat. hist. lib. 5. cap. 19 Pliny placed hereabouts. Verse 27. And turneth toward the Sun rising to Beth Dagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the Valley of jiphthabel toward the Northside of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand. The Map will make all these flexures plain. Beth Dagon, that is, the Temple of Dagon; but how came this q 1 Sam. 5. 2. Idol of the Philistims to travel thus far almost to Phoenicia? Surely it never came hither on its own legs, as the r Psal. 115. 7. Psalmist observes, Feet have they, but they walk not, but was brought by the Superstition of the Canaanites, which borrowed this Idol from their neighbours. Concerning Cabul, quaere whether it were the name of a particular place, or the same with the Land of Cabul, which I conceive lay more Northward, which s 1 King. 9 13. Solomon afterward bestowed on Hiram King of Tyre. Verse 28. And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon. Hebron differing from a greater City of the same name in the Tribe of judah. Rehob, that is, large or spacious, this name speaking it a City of great receipt. Unto this t Numb. 13. 21. place came the twelve Spies sent to discover the Land, and this City was afterwards bestowed upon the u josh. 21. 31. Levites. This Kanah the great is conceived by some the birth place of Simon the w Mat. 10. 4. Canaanite, the disciple of Christ. Great Zidon was given to, never gained by this Tribe, whose Borders reached to Zidon exclusively, so that Ashers lips might touch the cup, but not taste the liquor of so sweet a City. Verse 29. And then the Coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong City Tyre, and the Coast turneth to Hosah, and the outgoing thereof are at the Sea from the coast to Achzib. Turneth, namely towards the South; Rama●, that is, an high place, as the name importeth, therefore seated by us on a Mountain; Such Maps as place Ramah in a valley are guilty of as great a Solecism in Geography, as he in gesture, who speaking, O Heavens, pointed to the Earth. Wonder not that in Palestine we meet with so many Ramahs (Towns seated on a rising or advantage of ground) seeing it was so mountainous a Country: Equivalent whereunto we have the frequent name of Upton in England, whereof I have told, (Smile good Reader, but do not jeer at my curiosity herein) no fewer than three and thirty in the Alphabetical names of Speeds descriptions. Tyre like Zidon was never possessed by the Asherites, neither was Achzib near to Helkah where we first began our preambulation about this Tribe, and now redit labor actus in orbem, we have walked the Round, and encompassed the Bounds thereof. Verse 30. Ummah also and Aphek, and Rehob, twenty and two Cities with their Villages. This is the inheritance of the Tribe of the children of Asher, according to their families, these Cities with their Villages. All the former were limitary places in the Tribe of Asher, these three last were more Inland Cities in the heart of the Country. To avoid tautology, ●ehob here, must be allowed a distinct City from that mentioned before. § 8. But of all these Cities, Aphek was most remarkable, whose King x josh. 12. 18. was killed by joshua, and near whereunto Benhadad (lately beaten by Ahab on the Mountains of Samaria) with his new modelled Army in a new place hoped for new success. For in stead of the thirty two y 1 King. 20. 1. Kings, of more pomp than puissance to his Army, he placed so many Captains, seeing it is not the shining of the hilt, but the sharpness of the edge of the sword must do the the deed. And resolved to fight in the Plain, conceiving the Gods of the Israelites (though by Benhadad's swelling words & lofty z 1 King. 20. 10 language one might rather have collected the Syrian Gods to have been) the Gods of the Mountains. Then appeared he with a mighty Host, against whom the Israelites marched forth like two little flocks of a 1 King 20. 27 Kids. Behold here a wonder, the Kids kill the Wolves, and a hundred thousand Syrian footmen were killed in one day. From the field they fly into the City of Aphek. What, was it to try whether the God of Israel (concluded now God of the Country, be it hilly or plain) were God of the City also? They found it so by sad experience, when the wall of the City fell on twenty and seven b 1 King. 20 30. thousand of them that were left, which wall if cruel to kill, was charitable to bury them. § 9 Yet Ahab afterwards lost the advantage of this victory, when contrary to God's flat command, on Benhadad's feigned submission he indulged life unto him, which caused his own death * 1 King. 22. 31. and destruction not long after. Thus foolish pity, in stead of breaking, whets the knife for its own throat: and they who only take out the teeth and sting of such serpents which they should kill outright, shall find the very stumps and tail remaining enough to bite and sting them to death. § 10. Baanah the son of Hushai was Solomon's purveyor in Asher and in c 1 King. 4. 16. Aloth; What this Aloth should be, a deep silence is in all Comments. I conceive it a hilly Country, appendent to Asher, ascending with mountains, according to the notation of the Hebrew word. Herein our guess is seconded by plenty of d Se● Ni●▪ Full●r Misce l. lib. 4. cap. 6. Gradati montes, Staired mountains, which go up by degrees, found in these parts, and one most eminent, whereof e Bel. jud. lib. 2. cap. 9 josephus takes especial notice, being an hundred furlongs north of Ptolemais, called scala Tyriorum, or the Tyrians Ladder. How near our conjecture is bowled to the mark I know not, but hope the Reader before he knocks this away will lay a better in the room thereof. So much of Asher, whose country was much straitened by the Phoenicians, their mortal enemies (lying within his bounds, though never subdued) which we now come to describe. § 11. Phoenicia is often mentioned * Act. 11. 19 15. 3. in Scripture, and is so called as some will have it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, from plenty of palm trees growing therein; as others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from the many slaughters formerly made in that warlike Nation. To omit other antiquated deductions thereof, prettiest (because newest) is that of a modern a Boch●. Geog. Sanc. part 2 d●. lib. ●. cap. 1. pag. 362. Author from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bhene-Anak, Pheanak, Phoenik, the sons of Anak, as the fathers and founders of the people of this Country. A long slender Country it is, having the bounds thereof by several Authors variously assigned; but generally extended from the Sea to Mount Libanus in breadth, and in length from Carmel to the River Canis in the north; a tract of an hundred miles and upwards. § 12. The inhabitants hereof were transcendently ingenious; whose wits (like the gold wire they so much dealt with) were ductile and pliable to all inventions. From a pin to a pillar, nothing was so small but their skill could work, nothing so great but their industry could achieve. Whatsoever was pretty for children to play with, or neat for women to wear, or necessary for man to use, in any one of these the Phoenicians were so expert, nature might seem to design them for that alone, and so dextrous in all of them, it were hard to say wherein they excelled. They could wove clothes with the smallest thread, dress them with the finest work, die them with the freshest colours, embroider them with the richest cost, and then either sell them to others to their great profit, or wear them with as much pride themselves. They were excellent Architects; Solomon himself (who well knew the most cunning workmen in every craft) confessing to Hiram, b 1 King. 5. 6. 18. There is not amongst us any that can skill to he● timber like the Sidonians. They are also conceived the first founders of Letters, Arithmetic, Astronomy, with the working in glass, and several other rare devices. § 13. Tyre was the chiefest city in Phoenicia, c Ezek. 27. 3. situate at the entrance of the Sea. Elegantly the d Isa. 23. 3. Prophet termeth the harvest of the river her revenue: an harvest lasting all the year long, every day sowing at the setting forth, and reaping at the return of her Ships. Tyre said of herself, e Ezek. 2●. 3. I am of perfect beauty, which coming out of her own mouth was rather proudly then falsely spoken. If it be accounted one of the stateliest sights in the world, to see a stout Ship under sail, how beautiful was it to behold the Tyrian Galleys with all their accoutrements; Planks of s Ezek. 27. 5. the Fir-trees of Senir, Masts of the Cedars of Lebanon, Oars of the Oaks of Bashan, Hatches of the ivory of Chittim, Sailes with broidered work (oh vanity top and top gallant!) out of Egypt, blue and purple Carpets for covering from the Isles of Elisha, with Giblites for Calkers, Arvadites for Mariners, Persians etc. for Soldiers, and Tyrians, her own Townsmen for Pilots, so keeping the honour, and haply seeking to preserve the mysteries of their harbour to themselves? § 14. Pass we from their Ships to their Shops, which we find fraught with commodities of all kinds. Whose g Isa. 23. 8. Merchants are Princes, saith the Prophet; and it seems that Tyramus a good word for a good King (till customary using thereof in the worst sense infected it) had its original from the Pride and Magnificence of the Tyrian Merchants. This city is termed h Isa. 23. 3. a Mart of Nations, both because all Nations were there to sell, and there to be sold: i Ezek. 27. 13. joel 3. 46. they traded the persons of men, and not only arms but armies, were here to be bought, and k Ez●k. 27. 14. horsemen as well as horses were chaffered in their markets. § 15. Now as Tyre was dispersed all over the world in the several Colonies planted by her in foreign parts; so the World was contracted into Tyre, whither Merchants from all countries did repair. Compare Ezek. 27. with Gen. 10. and it will appear, that most of those nations which departed from Babel in a confusion, met in Tyre in such a method as now enabled through industry, observation, and intercourse, they could understand the languages and traffic one with another. We intent a little to insist both upon the commodities and countries of such as hither resorted. For though I dare not go out of the bounds of Canaan to give these Nations a visit at their own homes, yet finding them here within my Precincts, it were incivility in me not to take some acquaintance of them. In setting down of their several places, I have wholly followed (let my candle go out in a stink, when I refuse to confess from whom I have lighted it) Bochartus in his holy Geography. Their several trades we rank according to the twelve great Companies in London. Let not the comparison as ominous offend any, Tyre since being reduced to a ruinous heap; seeing the Parallel is only intended to show the like latitude of commerce betwixt them. However, it is neither unseasonable on this occasion, nor improper for my profession (every Minister in this respect being the City's Remembrancer) to mind London l 1 Tim 6. 17. not to trust in uncertain riches; seeing pride and unthankfulness may quickly level the highest bank of wealth, yea strongest mountain of outward greatness. 1 Merchant-Mercers. Such as traded in Silks (Byssus in latin, though rendered fine-linnen in our translation) blue and purple, being m Ezek. 27. 7. Egyptians, n Ezek. 27. 16. Syrians, and from the Isles o Ezek. 27. 7. of Elisha. By Elisha p Gen. 10. 4. understand Peloponnesus, wherein an ancient & ample country called Elis, and part thereof termed Alisium by Homer, where the adjacent Islands Co, Carpathus, Cythera, Rhodes, Gyarus etc. are eminent for plenty of purple. Here some will object it was a real tautology to bring purples to Tyre, seeing by general confession the best of the world were made in that place. In answer whereunto, know that these Elishian purples being of a different die and dress from those of Tyre, were a distinct commodity. It is so far from being needless pains, that it may bring considerable Profit, to carry Char-coals to Newcastle. And these courser purples, though not for the Tyrians own wearing, might be for their barter with other Nations. Not to say, but that the peevish principle might possess the people of Tyre, to slight homebred, and prise foreign wares, so that the Tyrians Ladies might prefer those purples best for their own use, which were fetched the farthest off. 2 Merchant-Grocers. Such as trafficked q Ezek. 27. 22. Gen. 10. 7. Psal. 72. 10. with the chief of all spices being those of Sheba, and Raamah, both being places in Arabia the happy. Great no doubt was the fragrancy of these spices brought over land to Tyre, whereas such as are conveyed into England by ship from India, have the less vigour of that land where they grow, and the more moisture of the sea through which they are brought. The men also of Dan and javan (of whom hereafter) furnished Tire with r Ezek. 27. 19 Cassia and Calamus, drugs of high worth and value. 3 Merchant-drapers'. Such as brought s Ezek. 27. 20. precious clothes for (or with) chariots being the men of Dedan, which is an eminent country in Idumea. 4 Merchant-Fishmongers. Many of these must be presumed in Tyre, where fish was a staple commodity, which they transported into other countries, and vented for their own gain without any other respect of time or place. This caused Nehemiah's complaint that in jerusalem there dwelled men of Tyre which brought t N●h. 13. 16. fish and all manner of ware, and sold them on the Sabbath. 5 Merchant-Gold-smiths. Such as occupied in her Fairs u Ez●k. 27. 22. with all precious stones out of the Country of Sheba and Raamah aforesaid. Besides w Ezek. 27. 16. Emeralds, Corals and Agate brought out of Syria, Silver from Tarshish. i e. Spain (as our x Bochar. Geog Sanc. l●b. 3. c. 7. Author irrefragably proves plenty of that metal therein) and y Ezek. 27. 22 gold from Arabia. Yea, as some observe that though the body of the Sun ariseth in the East, yet his shining by reflection is first discovered in the z Iust. l. 18. p. 196. west, so granting gold originally to grow in lands east from Tyre, yet in this City most gorgeous and glittering was the lustre thereof, beaten and drawn out in most artificial embroideries and embosments. 6 Merchant-Skinners. Although no mention of their trade in this City, where the heat of the climate made furs not only useless but burdensome, yet we may be confident there wanted not those therein which traded in such skins which were in valuation in these parts. 7 Merchant-taylours'. Such as dealt in a Ezek. 27. 24. all sorts of things, in blue clothes and broidered work, and in Chests of rich apparel bound with cords and made of Cedar. Those that trafficked in these commodities were b Ezek. ut. pri. of Haran and Canneh and Eden and Sheba, Ashur and Chilmad, all near one another (as appears by their bundling up together) about the confluence of Tigris and Euphrates. 8 Merchant-Haberdashers. Great their number who by wholesale sold ●he fine manufactures wrought here, of Gold, Silver, c Ezek. 27. 15. Ivory and Ebony, brought from Dedan (different from the former country of the same name in Idumea) at this day called Daden, situate on the Persian gulf. But oh the infinite varieties of precious toys made thereof! Well did d Iliad. 23. 743. & 6. 289. Odies. 15. 114. & 4. 54. Homer give the Sidonians the Epithet of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or very much ingenious. Their fingers might seem all of bone, so strong and hardy to endure any labour; and yet all of flesh, so flexible and limber to any employment. Those mysteries in manufactures which English men in our age gaze on as rare discoveries, the Phoenicians of Tyre would but smile at as rude recoveries of what by them was most perfectly performed. 9 Merchant-salters'. Store of these may be concluded therein, not only because salt is so needful a commodity, but also because at c josh. 11. 8. Misrepothmaim or the boiling of waters, hard by Sidon, great store of salt was made. 10 Merchant-Iron-mongers. Such as bartered f Ezek. 27. 12. in Iron, Tin, or Led Brought from Spain or Tarshish, as also in g 13. vessels of brass from javan, Tubal and Mesech, that is, jonia, Pontus and Moscovia, as our h Brochart. Geog. Sanc. Author will have it, though we are not at leisure severally to examine his judgement therein. 11 Merchant-Vintners. Such as traded in i Ezek. 27. 18. Wine of Helbon (no doubt most delicious to the Palate) brought hither by the Merchants of Damascus. Helbon we conceive the same with Calybon a City in Syria whereof mention in Ptolemy, and from which the Country about it is denominated Calybonidis. 12 Merchant-Clothworkers. Such as from the Whitewooll brought from Damascus transmitted the same from the Spinsters wheel, to the Weavers loom, to the Fuller's shears, to the Dyers vat, and so to be worn by the greatest Princes in the world, who were beholding to Tyre the centre of rich clothing, for all their holiday apparel. Thus was their City fraught with commodities of all kinds, to say nothing of their Smithfield full of k Ezek. 27. 14. horses, horsemen and mules from Togarma, or Cappadocia; their East-cheap full of the flesh of l Ezek. 27. 21. Rams, Lambs, Goats, etc. from Arabia: their Leaden-hall where a market was kept with the wheat of m Ezek. 27. 17. Minnith, and Pannag out of judea, so that all things save piety, humility, and thankfulness to God, were to be had in this City. § 16. Thus sat Tyre on her throne in a Princely posture, no less envious than proud: witness her rejoicing at the destruction of jerusalem (the breaking of one Merchant is the making of another) when she said to herself, a Ezek. 26. 2. jerusalem is turned unto me, I shall be replenished now she is made waste; meaning that all trading divided before, should now be engrossed to herself alone. But God marred her markets, threatening by Isaiah to b Isa. 23. 9 slain the pride of her glory, alluding to Tires masterpiece which was to fix fair and fresh colours, which God would soil and blur, notwithstanding all her curiosity in that kind. Ezekiel useth two maritime expressions as most proper for a Port; first that her enemies should come up against her as the Sea causeth his c Ezek. 26. 3. waves to come up, and then that an east wind should break her, meaning Nabuchadnezzar (living north-east from this place) who afterwards besieged and sacked the City. § 17. It seems the taking thereof, called elsewhere the strong City Tyre * josh. 19 29. did not quit cost for the taking thereof, the profit received by it not countervailing the pains expended upon it; God himself confesseth that Nabuchadnezzar served a great service against Tyre and yet had d Ezek. 30. 18. no wages. e Sir Walter Rawlegh. 2 book 76. pag. 285. One tells us that the Tyrians after thirteen years' siege, despoiled of all hope of relief, abandoned their City, and in their ships transported their wives, children, and portable wealth to Carthage, Cyprus, and other Colonies, leaving Nabuchadnezzar their empty nest, when all the birds worth pluming, were flown away. However God afterwards gave him the spoil of the f Ezek 29. 19 20 land of Egypt for wages for his army. Thus, not only those who do Gods will in a direct line, but also such, who collaterally (not to say casually) work his pleasure shall find a reward, seeing in sacking of Tyre, Nabuchadnezzar went in the path and pace of his own pride and covetousness, though haply in his own way he met with God's will, not only besides his intention, but without the knowledge thereof. § 18. As the ruins, so the g Esay 23. 15. restauration of Tyre was foretold by the Prophet; not the same numerical Tire in place and position (for Paletyrus or old Tyre ever after remained desolate according to the prediction, h Ezek. 26. 14. thou shalt be built no more) but the same in name, country, convenience of site, wealth, and wickedness. Yea, she exchanged and improved her place for commodity and strength, removing from the entrance to the midst of the Sea, from the continent to almost an Island. Here to use the Prophet's expression, i Esay 23. 15. after seventy years (the end of the Babylonish kingdom) Tyre began to sing as an harlot; Siren songs to allure Merchants to be her lovers, as before; counting trade and profit t● be her richest pleasure. And so she did flourish again as much or more than ever, during the Persian Monarchy, about two hundred six years; till Alexander the great made her change her tune, alter her notes, and turn her merry love songs into mournful Elegies on herself. For being denied by the Tyrians in their City to sacrifice to Hercules the Tutelar God of that place, Alexander not so superstitious as ambitious, with vast pains and expense (as one whom no peril could affright, nor labour weary) sacked the City, putting such to the sword as resisted, and causing two thousand more to be hung up in rank on the sea shore. At which time he built a Castle of his own name (now corruptly called Sandalium) two miles' south of the City. § 19 Yet Tyre afterwards recovered itself to considerable greatness, like a cunning Broker, though often proving quite bankrupt, she set up again, though having nothing to give her credit but the conveniency of her situation: as indeed an harlot needs no other wares than herself to set up her trading. Insomuch that the Poet's fiction of the Phoenix springing again out of his own ashes, being disclaimed by natural History for a falsehood, may mythologically find a truth in, and probably fetch its ground from this Phoenix or Phoenician City of Tyre, always arising fresh and fair out of his own ruins. In our Saviour's time it was a stately place, and yet though with Dives it was k Luke ●6. 19 clothed in purple; Tyre could not with him fare deliciously every day, unless beholding to Herod's land of Galilee to afford it constant provision, because its country was l Acts 12. 20. nourished by the King's Country. Sensible hereof when Herod was highly displeased with these of Tyre and Sidon, they politicly compounded the breach (knowing that to fight with him who fed them, was the ready way to be famished) and opening the breast of Blastus the King's Chamberlain with a golden key, through that passage they made their access to pacify King Herod. § 20. m 1 King. 16. 31. Tyre at this day is reduced almost to nothing. Here it is seasonably remembered that Ethbaal Father of jezebel was the King, as Tyre was the chief City of the Sidonians, and I find a great conformity betwixt the fortunes of his daughter and this place: In their 1 Outward happiness. She a crowned Queen, and Tyre a n Esay 23. 8. Crowning City, whose Merchants were Princes. 2 Inward wickedness; both of them styled o Esay 23. 15. Revel. 2. 21. Harlots in Scripture. 3 Final wofulness; she eaten up by the dogs to the short reversion of her p 2 King. 9 35. skull, feet and palms; and Tyre q Sands Trau. li. 3. p. 216. so consumed by all-devouring time, that now no other than an heap of Ruins, yet have they a reverend respect, and do instruct the pensive beholders with their exemplary frailty. Enough of Tyre, if not too much: fearing that long since the Reader hath sadly sympathized with the sufferings of Nabuchadnezzar and Alexander, guessing their pains to be great in the long siege of this place by the proportion of their own patience in reading our tedious description thereof. All I will add is this, that though Tyre was a sink of sin, yet is this r Mat. 11. 21. recorded in excuse of her profaneness, and mitigation of her punishment, that if the miracles done in Chorazin and Bethsaida had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have long since repent in sackcloth and ashes. § 21. Two bows shoot from the east gate of Tyre the place is shown, where the woman made that spirituall-carnall exclamation, s Luke. 11. 27, 28. Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck; when Christ not disproving her words diverted his Auditors from this, and directed them to a more necessary trut●, Yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. A little mile south of old Tyre are t Bradenback de Te●. Sanc. & Sand. Trau. pag. 217. four fair pits, the least twenty five cubits square, commonly called solomon's Cisterns. Surely the water of them is more clear than is the place alleged out of the u Cant. 4. 15. Canticles, to prove Solomon the Author thereof, where but obscure and oblite mention is made of those water-works. More probable some King of Tyre made these and the neighbouring Aqueducts, for the use of the City. § 22. Seventeen miles' north of Tyre lay the City of Sidon, so named from the eldest w Gen. 10. 15. son of Canaan. A city of great antiquity, seeing Tyre is termed by the x Esay 23. 12. Prophet, the daughter of Sidon. Sure here the Hebrew proverb held true, y Ezek. 16 44. As is the mother, so is the daughter, both of these Cities being of great wealth and wickedness. Insomuch that to live careless, quiet, and secure, is in Scripture phrase z judg. 18. 7. to live after the manner of the Zidonians. § 23. It was also a place of very great extent, therefore termed in a josh. 11. 8. & 19 28. holy writ, Zidon Rabbah, or great Zidon. Not that there was ever a lesser Zidon, (though there be one grand Cairo, it followeth not there is also a petty Cairo) but it is emphatically so named in comparison of other Cities. Yea b Lib. 16. Diodorus Siculus and c Lib. 1. ●. 12. Pomponius Mela make Sidon the greatest city of all Phenicia; understand then anciently, whilst as yet she suckled Tyre, her little infant, which afterwards outgrew her mother in greatness. This haply is the reason why Homer so often making honourable mention of Sidon, is so silent of Tyre, because reputing this latter a parcel of the former. § 24. Many and great were the fortifications of Sidon: but in vain was the arm of flesh with it, when God himself saith, d Ezek. 28. 22. Behold I am against thee O Zidon; whereupon in general it felt the same destruction with Tyre, which here we forbear to repeat. Only we will add, that as bad a place as Sidon was; after Christ's resurrection a Church was quickly converted therein; and Saint Paul sailing to Rome touched here, and was courteously refreshed by his e Act. 27. 3. friends. § 25. Near the east-gate of Sidon they show the place, where the Syrophenician woman begged so importunately for the cure of her daughter, not disheartened though likened to a f Mat 15. 21. dog, by our Saviour. In deed she showed one of the best qualities of a dog in keeping her hold where once she had well fastened, not giving over or letting go, until she had gotten what she desired. § 26. So much for the City of Sidon. The Country of Sidon was larger, adequate almost to Phenicia, and full of many fair harbours. Amongst these * Obad. ver. 20. Zarephah or Zarepta, styled both in the g 1 King. 17. 9, old and h Luke 9 26. new Testament, a City of Sidon. The land round about it was fruitful of the best Wine, as we have i Lib. 1. cap. 4. formerly observed. During the three years' drought in Israel here dwelled that widow, whose thrift had so evenly ordered her bread and oil, that a little of both were left, till she got a spring in her cruse by entertaining the Prophet Elijah. As for her son k King. 17. 20 restored to life by Elijah, that he was jonah that eminent Prophet, it may be ranked with the making of Dinah Jacob's daughter to be jobs wife, and with Ruth her being daughter to Eglon King of Moab; all which three traditions are equally improbable in themselves, altogether ungrounded on Scripture, and yet peremptorily affirmed of the Jewish Doctors. Nor have I ought else to observe of this City, save that the Hebrew name of Zarephah, signifieth a conflatory or melting place, where metals, (whereof plenty in this Province) were made fu●il by the fire in their furnaces. § 27. l Judg. 1. 3●. Accho remains to be observed in the south part of this Tribe, and confines of Zebulun. A learned m Stephanus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. vid. Nic. Full. lib. 4. Misce. cap. writer conceiveth it called Ace by Grecians from affording medicine (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek) to Hercules, when hurt in his conflict with the Lernaean Serpent. Whereas indeed Ace is plainly derived from Accho the Scriputre name of this City. Thus those who take aim from the Greek tongue to shoot at the Etymologies of Hebrew places, come wide of the mark. This city was afterwards called Ptolemais from one of the Kings of Egypt. Here I forbear to recite how jonathan, through the perfidiousness of Tryphon and his own over credulity, was n 1 Mac. 12. 4. trained into this city, taken and murdered. Saint Paul sailing from Tyre touched here, * Act. 21. 7. saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. As for Achzib a city of Asher whence they could not expel the Canaanites, it was seated nine miles' north of Ptolemais, being a tolerable harbour, and called Ecdippa afterwards. § 28. Many were the rivulets in this Tribe, but those no sooner delivered out of the womb of their fountains, but devoured in the grave of the Ocean; only Belus hath got a name (though not in Scripture) running through the Cendevian Lake, famous for its o Plin. l. 5. c. 19 inexhausted sands, turning all things it toucheth into glass. As for the sepulchre of Memnon, whom the Poets feign the son of the Morning, and p L. 2. Bel. jud. cap. 9 josephus erects his monument near the river Belus; we take no notice thereof, being hereafter to find his tomb, q Psal. 110. 3. the dew of whose birth is as the womb of the morning, in a far distant place. § 29. The Arms usually assigned to Asher are azure, The Arms of Asher. a standing cup covered Or, relating to Jacob's blessing, r Gen. 49. 20. he shall yield royal dainties. A cup being taken here by a Synedochicall metonymy for all plentiful Provisions, Asher otherwise affording dishes as well as cups, and esculents as well as variety of beverage. But should the shield of this Tribe be as full of charge as the land thereof was fruitful of commodities, what was the credit of the country would be the disgrace of the Coat of Asher. Here the Map of Zebulun is to be inserted. THE TRIBE OF ZEBULUN. CHAP. 6. § 1. ZEbulun tenth son of jacob by Leah his wise had his posterity so increased in Egypt, The populousness and puissance of Zebulun. that a Num. 1. 31. fifty seven thousand four hundred were extracted from him. All which dying in the wilderness for their manifold disobedience, their next generation being b Num. 26. 27. sixty thousand five hundred possessed the land of Canaan. Honourable mention on all occasions is made of this Tribe in Scripture. How forward were they in their expedition against Sisera, in so much as c judg. 5. 14. out of Zebulun they came down that handled the pen of the writer; Gownsmen turned Swordmen, Clerks became Captains, changing their penknives into swords. Thus the peaceableness of their profession can bail none to stay at home, when eminent danger arrests all at the suit of the Commonwealth to serve in person abroad. David calls them the Princes d Psal. 68 27. of Zebulun etc. and well might he afford them that style of dignity, who attended him at Hebron with an army so absolutely accomplished For 1 Number, e 1 Chr. 12. 33. fifty thousand. 2 Skill, expert in war, which could keep rank. 3 Weapons, with all instruments of war. 4 Loyalty, they were not of double hearts. Yet in all ages, of all the numerous Tribe of Zebulun, we find but two Grandees expressed by name, f judg. 12. 12. Elon a peaceable Judge, and jonah an eminent Prophet. But what shall we say? A greater than jonah was here, even Christ himself, the honour and dishonour (though not of the tribe) of the land of Zebulun: honour, because here miraculously conceived, poorly & painfully bread & brought up, here frequent in preaching & working of miracles: dishonour, because carelessly neglected and scornfully contemned, yea dispightfully persecuted of his own countrymen. § 2. Zebulun had Asher on the northwest, The situation and sea conveniences thereof. Naphtali on the north-east, Issachar on the south, the Mediterranean on the west, and Galilean sea on the east thereof. This maritime position of this Tribe jacob foresaw in his Prophecy, g Gen. 49. 13. Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the Sea, and he shall be for an haven of ships, and his border shall be unto Zidon. Which Charter of sea conveniencies is renewed, and enlarged by Moses in his blessing, Rejoice h Deut. 33. 18, 19 Zebulun in thy going out, and Issachar in thy tents. They shall call the people unto the mountains, and there shall they offer Sacrifices of righteousness, for they shall suck of the abundance of the Seas, and treasures hid in the sand. Where though these two Tribes be made Partners, and joint sharers in marine interests, and are promised equal profit thereby, yet Issachar it seems loved land and an home life best, employing his canvas rather for Tents, than Sails, whilst the sea and going out in long voyages was rather Zebuluns' delight. So have I seen chickens and ducklings hatched under the same hen, no sooner unhoused out of their shells, but presently the one falls a pecking on the ground, the other a paddling in the water. § 3. Nor let any be staggered at the close of Jacob's Prophecy, Zebulun how bordering on Sidon. wherein he foretelleth, Zebuluns' border shall be unto i Gen. 49. 13. Sidon, finding this Tribe to fall many miles short and south of that place. For Sidon is not there to be taken for the City but Country k Bochar. Geog. Sacr. par. pri. pag. 342. so named. And the land of the Sidonians or Phoenicians, extended to Accho or Ptolemais a city thereof, on which the north bound of Zebulun did confine. Greater will be the difficulty to assign a clear reason, why in the first book of Chronicles, where the Pedigrees of all the other Tribes are reckoned up; Zebulun and Dan (as considerable and deserving as the rest) is omitted. The best is, places not persons concern our present subject, and I hope I shall not betray such indiscretion to leave the plain and ready Road of my work in hand, to enter into the wood (not to say the bog) of an impertinent question. § 4. We begin with the sea of Galilee the eastern boundary of this Tribe, The several measures and names of the Galilean Sea. called always a sea by three of the Evangelists, but generally a Lake by Saint Luke. Indeed amongst lakes it may be accounted for a Sea, such the greatness; amongst seas reputed for a lake, such the sweetness and freshness of the water therein. The extent thereof is most variously reported amongst Authors. l jos. l. 3. de bell. jud. ca 18. josephus makes it an hundred furlongs long, and six broad. m Lib. 5. c. 15. Nat. hist. Pliny measures it to be sixteen miles long, and six broad. n De Ter. sa●c. Munster assigns it to be twenty Germane miles (eighty English) in compass. o Trau. of Patriarches. p. 446. Bunting contracts it to twelve in length, four miles and somewhat more in breadth. p Trau. p. 104. Biddulph a late English Divine, and eye-witness thereof computes it eight leagues in length and five in breadth (three miles to all leagues) whom for the main we have followed. Others assign it other dimensions, all agree it is not very great. But what it wants in bigness, it hath in variety of names, called the Sea of 1 Cinnereth only in the old q josh. 13. 27. & josh. 19 35. Testament from a City of that name in the Tribe Naphtali. Others conceive it so named from Kinnor, an Harp in Hebrew, which it is said in shape to resemble: sure the high winds, sometimes make but bad music (to the ears of mariners) when playing thereupon. 2 r Luke 5. 1. Gennesareth 3 s john 6. 1. Tiberias. cities of note in our Saviour's time flourishing thereon. 4 t Mat. 15. 29. Galilee, the country which almost on all sides surrounded it. Small vessels sometimes termed u Luke. 5. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ships, sometimes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, w Ma●ke 3. 9 Boats or Barges, went to and again in this sea, Gally-like x Luke 8. 23. sailing or y Mark 6. 48. rowing (or perchance both) as they saw their advantage. They were little of strength, (because no Pirates to molest them) and not great of burden, not comparable to the ship wherein Saint Paul sailed on the Mediterranean Sea, carrying two z Acts 27. 37. hundred threescore and sixteen souls, which for the greatness thereof might be Admiral of all the Navy in the new Testament. The river of jordan runneth through the midst of this Sea, and mingleth not therewith, but preserveth his own stream entire: which some impute to the swiftness, yea rapidness of his course, not at leisure to take notice of (much less to unite with) any water he meets in the way, before he come to his journey's end at the dead Sea. § 5. This was the only and all the seas, Why our Saviour traversed sea as well as land. that ever our Saviour sailed upon. It is reported of wise Cato, that he repented he ever went thither by Sea, whither he might have gone by land. But see here Wisdom itself (who by going about might have passed to any place on the other side of the Sea) preferred the use of a ship, not to spare his own pains, (whereof none more liberal) but to 1 Show nature's intent of the Sea, made as well to be sailed, as the ground to be gone upon. 2 Take occasion to manifest his Deity in working of miracles thereon. 3 Comfort seafaring-men in their distresses, praying to such a Saviour as had an exprerimentall knowledge of the danger on both elements. And here, amongst the many voyages of our Saviour (who often crossed the length and breadth of this sea-lake) let us take account of some most remarkable. And first in general we may observe, that after the working of some extraordinary miracle, (which might have great influence on people's affections) as the feeding of so many thousands, Christ presently put to sea (clouding himself in obscurity) and shunning popularity so far, that it should venture a drowning, if offering to follow after him. § 6. The first voyage we will insist on, Christ's first voyage. was when our Saviour sailed in Simons a Luke 5. 7. ship, who formerly had fished all night, getting nothing save a drowsy head and empty hands, until casting his net at Christ's command, he caught such store of fish, both his and his partner's ship began to sink. O when will any earthly thing fall out even to our desires! We always find fish, either none at all, or too many; and a surfeit of wealth is as dangerous as a famine thereof. The fish were now ready to return into the water from whence they came, and not by their wit, but weight had caught their fishermen, had not Christ by miracle brought all safe to shore. § 7. A second when the Disciples put to sea at the command, The second voyage saves Peter. but without the person of their Master. Tossed they were on the waves, rowing with great pains to little purpose, for the wind was contrary, till looking at last b M●t. 14. 24. they see jesus walking on the water; Then were the words of the Psalmist literally true, c Psal. 77. 19 Thy way is in the Sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. The Disciples unable to conceive such a mystery conclude it was a Ghost. It is not worth our enquiry, what Ghost, or whence, good or evil, of man or devil, this wild guess being the effect of their fright, than which no more professed foe to a clear judgement. Christ quickly discovering himself, Peter requests a commission to meet him: which granted, he walks for a while on the water, till his Faith first, than feet failing him, he began to answer the name of Cephas, proving himself a stone, not by the stability, but the heaviness thereof, and began to sink, till Christ saved him. Nor was Christ sooner in the ship, but the ship was d john 6. 21. at the land. Thus those many strokes at the oars which the Disciples had taken before, were not merely lost, but only laid up, and now restored them in their speedy arrival. Yea the sails of the ship were not now on the mast, but in the keel thereof, Christ's person did the deed. Thus projects driven on without God's gracious presence are but driven on, whilst such designs fly to their wished end, which take God along with them. § 8. The third and last voyage we will insist on, The third voyage when Christ was fast a sleep. was when the ship was not upon but under the sea, e Mat. 8. 24. covered with the waves. Yea, it was now full of f Mark. 4. 3. 7. water, and the Disciples of fear, whilst Christ himself was fast asleep, having a pillow under his head, and a softer under his heart, a clear conscience. See we here our Saviour a perfect, because an imperfect Man, his infirmities speak the reality of his humanity. Working had made him weary, weariness had caused him to sleep much out of a desire to be refreshed, more out of a design to be awaked. Here all cry out, Master save us, we perish. Danger will make the profane to pray, the wilfull-dumbe to speak, who will find a tongue, rather than lose a life. No doubt judas himself, who afterwards sold him, was now as clamorous as any to be saved by him. Christ awakes, and rebukes first the Disciples g Mar. 4. 39, 40. for being too fearful, and despairing, than the winds and waves, for being too bold and presumptuous. Both obey, owning their Creators' voice; as well may his words, who made them at first, make them now to be quiet. § 9 Many more were the voyages our Saviour made on the Sea, Why Christ never sailed after his resurrection. as when after the feeding of so many thousands, they had but one h Mar. 8. 14. loaf in the ship, and on our Saviour's caveat of the leaven of the Pharisees, their jealousies grew solicitous for food. Had they not besides that one loaf in their Cupboard, twelve more in their memory (five at one batch, and seven at another) on the recollection whereof their minds might feed, to depend on providence, especially whilst the founder of the feast was in their company. But we who condemn them, are too likely to commit the like distrust, if left to ourselves, upon less occasion. To return to our Saviour, it is observable that after his resurrection, we read not that he sailed any more upon the Seas. For such a fluctuating and turbulent condition, which necessarily attends sea-voyages, was utterly inconsistent with the constancy, stability, and perpetuity of Christ's estate when risen from the grave. The firm land therefore better agreeing with his fixed and immovable happiness, thereon he stood, and only gave the word of command to his disciples at Sea, on which side they should cast forth their net, when they caught so i john 21 4. many fishes. And so much for the Sea of Tiberias, hoping that if the weakly reader be sea-sick by staying so long on the water, he will instantly be well upon our arrival on the main land, to which now we proceed. § 10. As this Tribe did overflow in sea conveniences; The method of the future description. so it fell not short in the commodities of the land. The country thereof was enameled with pleasant rivers, whose banks were adorned with fair Cities. We will follow the channels of those rivers, which will direct us to the most considerable places in Zebulun; beginning with little jordan. Indeed so little, that there is no mention thereof at all in Scripture, and little in other Authors, k Vid. Tabulam Ter. Sanc. Mercator being one of the first in my observation that takes notice thereof. It ariseth in the south part of the vale of jephtael, and running full east is augmented from the south with the tribute of another brook, fetching his course by Nazareth an eminent place, and famous in the new Testament. § 11. Nazareth l Luke 4. 29. was seated on the brow of an hill, in the very centre of this Tribe: The situation and denomination of Nazareth. so called (as Saint m Tom. 1. epi. 17. ad Marcellam. Hierom will have it) from a flower which it signifieth in Hebrew, because Christ, that Prime n Cant. 2. 1. Rose and Lily, had here his conception. For though he saw his first light at Bethlehem, he sucked his first breath in Nazareth, where his mother lived till very near the time of her delivery. Also here he afterwards had his poor and painful education, working on his Father's trade (as it is probable from the words of the Evangelist, * Mar. 6. 3. Is not this the Carpenter?) though who would not have rather looked for a Sceptre, than an Axe in his hand, who was born King of the jews? § 12. His short and secret abode at Bethlehem, A Vulgar error. long and public living at Nazareth, gave the ground to the then vulgar error, that he was born in this place. To foment this popular mistake, and disguise the truth of Christ's nativity (so to leave the jews at the greater loss concerning their Messiah) the devils (who knew full well that he was jesus of Bethlehem by birth) publicly called him jesus o Luke 4. 34. of Nazareth, the reputation of that place running so low in common account, that p john 1. 46. no good could thence be expected. This nickname of Nazareth, first publicly fastened (as some conceive) by Satan on our Saviour, stuck by him all his life, yea at his death, (fixed by Pilate in his title on q john 19 19 the Cross) yea after his ascension, so that such as believed on him, and embraced his doctrine, were opprobriously termed, the sect of the r Act. 24. 5. nazarenes. § 13. Here also some (otherwise good and learned) men, Christ no ceremonious Nazarite. are guilty of another mistake, in making Christ one of the Legal Nazarites (whence groweth the length of his hair in most pictures) who by virtue of their s Numb 6. 2. vow were tied to many ceremonious observances. Whereas our Saviour frequently t Mat. 11. 19 drank wine, familiarly touched the dead & took u Luke 8. 54. them by their hands, (and probably therefore a Razor touched his head) both the former being expressly forbidden the Mosaical Nazarites, during the days of their separation. Yet how our Saviour is termed a Nazaren x Mat. 2. 23. in reference, it may seem, amongst others, to that Prophecy, * Isay 11. 1. And there shall come out a Rod out of the stem of jesse, and a branch [〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉] shall grow out of his roots, we leave to the learned Commentators on that Text. § 14. During our Saviour's living at Nazareth after he entered into the Ministry, The first fruits of Christ's preaching in Nazareth. he bestowed a Sermon on this place of his education, and having found out his text y Luke 4. 20. , Isa. 61. 1. 1 He closed his book. Not in any vain ostentation of his memory; but because either his Auditors were so well versed in the letter of the Scripture, that they could tell by heart any quotation he should cite therein: or rather, because out of his fullness of divine knowledge and wisdom, himself had no more need of it; and he would thereby fasten the more their ears, and his tongue to that one text which was of so main concernment and importance unto them. 2 And he gave it again to the Minister. Of him he received, to him he restored it, and coming in Reader by his leave, he would not undermine the Incumbent, of the place, but honoured him in the presence of his people. Hereby also he might haply show that Ministers are to keep God's word, not as hucksters in gross, but as Stewards to dispense it. 3 And sat down. Professor-like, to show his authority, and the steadiness of his doctrine. In England the Pastor only stands, whilst the people sit; yet we envy not their ease, nor begrudge our own pains; any posture shall please us, which may profit them. 4 And the eyes of all were fastened on him, (advantaged likely thereunto by the round and pillar-less structure of their Synagogue) not sleeping there, nor gazing about, nor reading, an action (like Achitophel his z 2 Sam 17. 7. counsel) good, but not at that time: But thus fixing their eyes to help their attention, and express their longing desire to know how he would interpret that famous place of Scripture; as also for the fame that they had heard of him, who without study and ordinary means became so incomparable a Teacher * John 7. 15. . And yet curiosity as much as true devotion may seem to cause this their attention; seeing they who out of novelty were ready to eat his words, soon after out of cruelty were more ready to devour the speaker, contemning him for the poverty of his parentage, person and kindred, and hating him for the truth he delivered, that a Prophet is not without honour but in his own Country. § 15. How this comes to pass, Why Prophets without honour in their own country. let others largely dispute. We may in brief conclude, it is partly because their cradles can be remembered, and those swadling-cloathes, once used about them, to strengthen them whilst infants, are afterwards abused against them, to disgrace them when men, and all the passages of their childhood repeated to their disparagement. Partly because all the faults of their family (which must be many in a numerous alliance) are charged on the Prophet's account. Wherefore that Prophet who comes at the first in full growth from a far foreign place (not improving himself amongst them from a small spark, to a fire, to a flame; but sunlike arising in perfect lustre) gains the greatest reputation amongst people: Because in some respect he is like Melchisedek, a Heb. 7. 3. without Father, without Mother, without descent, whilst the admiring vulgar, transported with his preaching, and ignorant of his extraction on earth, will charitably presume his Pedigree from heaven, and his breeding, as calling, to be divine. § 16. The cruel Nazarites brought Christ to the brow of the hill, The murdering intents of the Nazarites defeated. with full intent to cast him down headlong. All in vain. For Christ's death was to come a clean contrary way, not by throwing him down, but by b john 3. 14. lifting him up. And he passing thorough the midst of them went his way. Not that (as the * See them on the place. Rhemists interpret it, to make way for their transubstantiation) he penetrated contrary to the nature of a body, thorough the very breasts of the people, but that either he smote them with blindness, that they did not see, or else struck them with fear, that they dared not to stay him, the power of his Person wedge-like cleaving its way, and forcing a lane for his passage in the midst of the people. § 17. Expect not here ●hat I should write any thing of the opinions of the heretical Nazarenes, The travels of the chapel of Lauretto. taking their name from this City of Nazareth, and are commonly (but corruptly) called Nostranes at this day. Much less will I trouble myself and the reader, with the several stages of the Chapel of the Angelical-salutation. A Chapel which well may pity the pains and perils of such pilgrims as repair thereunto, having itself had an experimental knowledge how tedious travail is in its own often removealls: flitting first from * See T●re●llinus his historia La●rettana. Nazareth to Flumen a City in Illyrium, thence for the unworthiness of the inhabitants translated to a wood in the Picene field, and thence again (because the wood was infected with thiefs) carried by Angels into the ground of two brethren, who falling out about parting the profit thereof, was the fourth and last time conveyed into the high way, where ever since (not because weary but welcome) it is pleased to make its abode. But I remember the precept of the Apostle, c 1 Tim. 1. 4. nor give heed to fables; and therefore proceed to more profitable matter. § 18. To return to Nazareth, the nameless rivulet arising near thereunto, joseph sold by his brethren. runneth north betwixt Dothan on the east, and Sephoris on the west. At the former joseph was conspired against by his brethren. The cause of their hating of him (besides his Father's loving him) was the reporting what he saw in his sleep, (dreams of his future preferment) and what he saw waking, (no dreams of his brethren's present d Gen. 37. 2. debauchedness) who resolved to murder him. O how they e Gen. 42. 21. saw the anguish of his soul, made visible in his bended knees, held up hands, weeping eyes, wailing words, and all to no purpose! Into the pit he is put, whilst his brethren f Gen. 37. 25. fall a feasting: oh with what heart could they say grace, either before, or after meat, whilst it was so sad with joseph! Stars they say are seen the clearest (even in day time) by those that are in deep pits. Surely divine providence appeared brightest to joseph in that condition. Indeed * verse 22. Reuben endeavoured his restitution to his Father; * verse 26. judah his preservation from death; but neither being privy to others design, unwittingly countermined one another, had not God wrought all for the best. Ishmaelitish Merchants, and Midianites in their company, pass by, bearing Spices, and Balm, and myrrh to carry down into g Gen. 37. 25. Egypt. To them joseph is sold, of whom we take our leave for the present; not doubting in due time and place to meet him again. Mean time may those merchants be careful to carry him safe; for among all the spices they were laden with, none more fragrant and precious, than the perfume of this captives innocence. So much for Dothan, only I will add that I have placed it here, out of a peaceable compliance with the judgements of learned men, otherwise I shall not spare to manifest my private opinion h See description of Ephraim's Tribe. Sephoris the greatest city in Galilee. on just occasion. § 19 On the west of this rivulet, was Sephoris, afterwards called Dio-caesarea; not to be omitted (though not mentioned in Scripture) because accounted by i De bell. jud. lib. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. josephus, the greatest City in Galilee, where the Jewish Sanhedrin for some time had its residence. Let the same Author inform you, how this City was burned by Varus, how molested by the seditious, how basely it deserted josephus, was bravely recovered by him, plundered by his soldiers, and the spoil thereof restored again, with several passages of high concernment in the Jewish history. A little more northward, this brook falls into jordan the less, which afterwards pays its tribute to the sea of Galilee. § 20. Which sea runneth Southward by k Josh. 19 13. Gittah-hepher, or Gath-hepher as most place it, the birthplace of l The birth plac● of jonah. 2 King. 14. 25. jonah the Prophet. His name in Hebrew a Dove, to which he answered rather in his speedy m jonah 1. 3. flight from God's service, then in any want of Gall, whereof he manifested too much in his n jonah. 4. 9 anger without cause or measure. Iona● therefore being born here in the heart of nether Galilee, no less untrue, then uncharitable was that assertion of the high Priests and Pharisees; o john 7. 52. Search and look, for out of Galilee cometh no Prophet. Except their words herein referred to the future, not to what was passed, and that also only in relation to the Prophet Paramount, the Messiah of Israel. More south, the sea ran by Magdala a turreted town (as the name thereof imports:) and common tradition is all the argument we have, that Mary surnamed Magdalen that eminent penitent, was so called from this place, because living (others say richly landed) therein. Into the coasts p Mat. 15. 39 of Magdala Christ came from sea, when the Pharisees tempted him to show them a sign from heaven. In the parallel place in the Gospel of Saint Mark the same Country is called Dalmanutha; q Mar. 8. 10. different names (it seems) for the same territory. § 21. Going forward on the sea side, Bethulia the stage of the tragedy of Holofernes. still southward, we meet with the influx of a riyolet thereunto, fetching his fountain from the heart of the Country, near the City of Bethulia, nigh unto which was acted the achievements of judith against Holofernes. § 22. Form Bethulia the rivulet running full east, is swallowed up in the Galilean Sea, beholding the high seated City of jotopata, The high seated city Iot●pata. some two miles distant from the inlet thereof. The stout defending of this place against the Romans, with no less wisdom, than valour, was the masterpiece of Flavius josephus, in the behalf of his Countrymen. And now having made necessary mention of his name, pardon a digression in giving a free Character of his writings, whereof, next holy writ, we have made most use in this book. § 23. It must be confessed that he was guilty of some unexcusable faults: The character of Flavius josephus jew and Priest, son of Ma●tathias. namely of Boasting immoderately of his own birth, valour, learning, piety. Levity, inserting frivolous fables of the root Boras etc. And yet we will not confine nature's power to our belief, concluding that impossible which we conceive improbable. Flattery of the Roman Emperors Vespasian and Titus, (a catching disease, wherewith the soundest Authors in that age were infected) and that so gross, that it seems not limned with a Pencil, but daubed with a Trowel. But all these may be winked at, with a charitable eye, were he not also guilty of falsity: appearing first in his faults of u Though in his Proem he promiseth, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, without adding or diminishing any thing. omission, not mentioning the Jewish Idolatry, in making the Calf, nor the disobedience of Moses their Ministerial Legislator in smiting the Rock, which Moses himself, writing of himself, thought fitting to relate. Secondly, of Commission, stuffing his history with improbable tales of Moses loving the Lady Tarbith etc. and some mistakes contradictory to holy writ. When we meet with any such in him relating to this present work, we have made bold (the Sun is not to be set by dials, but dials by the Sun) to alter and rectify his extravagancies according to Scripture. Notwithstanding all these faults, the main bulk of his book deserves commendation, if not admiration; no doubt at the first compiled, and since preserved by the special providence of God, to reflect much light and lustre upon the Scriptures. His last book De bello judaico is the best Comment on that part of the twenty fourth Chapter of Saint Matthew, which concerns the destruction of the City and Temple. As for the censure of Baronius, it is too harsh and uncharitable, charging him with w In Apparatu, numero 84. absurda & portentosa mendacia, seeing that it cannot appear, that josephus willingly and wittingly made those mistakes. Wherefore such chance-medley amounts not to manslaughter, much less to wilful murder; not to say, that the charitable Reader ought to be a City of refuge to such Authors, who rather unhappy, then unfaithful, fall into unvoluntary errors. In a word, historians, who have no fault are only fit to write the actions of those Princes and people, who have no miscarriages, and only an Angels pen taken from his own wing is proper to describe the story of the Church triumphant. § 24. We still follow the Sea shore southward, Christ's Sermon on this sea. and light on the place where our Saviour standing in a ship taught the people on the land in his x Mat. 13. 2. Sermon full of parables. A Sermon not unlike the pillar of cloud and fire, which gave light to the Israelites at the red sea, y Exod. 14. 19, 20. but was a cloud of darkness to the Egyptians: because his preaching then obscure and parabolical to the common people, was privately expounded, and made plain unto his disciples. § 25. At last we are come to the City of Tiberias, Tiberias, nigh to which Christ multiplied the loaves. so named by Herod the Tetrarch in honour of Tiberius the Roman Emperor. A populous City, and which gave the name to the neighbouring sea, thence termed z john 21. 1. the sea of Tiberias. Near to this place a joh. 6. 22, 23. Christ fed five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes. Afterwards he went over the sea, but how and which way, grudge not Reader to peruse this following account given us b● a b M Biddulph in his Trau. p. 104. M. Biddulphs' eye-comment on our Saviour's sea-voyage. learned man, an eye-witness of the place. § 26. It is said john 6. 1. that jesus went over the sea of Galilee: and in another place that he went beyond the lake: and Luke 9 10. it is said that he went into a solitary place near unto a City called Bethsaida; which place of john I learned to understand better by seeing it, than ever I could before by reading it. For seeing that Tiberias and Bethsaida, were both Cities on the same side of the sea, and Christ went from Tiberias to or near unto Bethsaida: I gather thereby that our Saviour Christ went not over the length or breadth of that sea, but over some arm, bosom, or reach thereof, viz. so far as Tiberias was distant from Bethsaida, which is also confirmed in that it is said elsewhere, * M●●. 6. 33. a great multitude followed him on foot thither; which they could not have done, if he had gone quite over the sea, to the other side among the Gergesens. So far our author, with whose judgement I am moved to concur. § 27. More southward, The ancient river of K●shon. the sea of Tiberias leaveth the Tribe of Zebulun, and entereth into Issachar. Come we therefore now to describe the remaining places of note in this Tribe, most of them being seated on, or near the river of Kishon, whose course we will observe. It is called by c Judg. 5. 21. Deborah, the ancient river the river Kishon. And why ancient? are not all rivers of equal antiquity, and the same seniority, seeing Gen. 1. (the Register book of the age of all creatures) they were made in the third day, when this lower globe was distinguished into earth and water d Gen. 1. 9 ? No surely, though this be true of original and primitive rivers, many since have been of a second edition, occasioned by Noah's flood, earthquakes, eruptions of waters after long rain; not to speak of many o●thers derived by art and industry. Thus we discourse with ourselves whilst e Vid. eum in locum. Tremellius takes away the subject of the question rendering 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or the Ancient river, torrens occursuum, or the river of meetings. Not that many tributary rivulets met therein (a probable sense on the first sound) but (as he f Ad quem utrique exc●●citus concur●entes manu conseruer unt: Tr●m. ibid. The 2 streams of Kishon running into several seas. expounds himself) because the army of Israel there against Sisera appeared in their general Rendezvous. § 28. However, Kishon was a fair River, and surely the same which is termed by Ptolemy Choriaeus. Entering with a full and large stream (next to jordan in breadth, depth, and swiftness) into the land of Zebulun, it divideth itself according to the observation of our g B●●eiden bachius inter. Sacr. Author (if not hypercritical herein) into two channels, the one, and that the lesser, running east (commonly called Kadumim) and falleth into the sea of Galilee, the other rushing northwestward, and emptieth itself into the Mediterranean. Nigh the banks of the former stands the famous mountain of Tabor, generally conceived to have been the place of Christ's transfiguration, where h Mat. 17. 1. Mark 9 2. Luke 9 30. Moses and Elias were seen talking with him. Origen (according to his allegorising of the text) saith that thereby was signified, the harmony betwixt the Law, the Prophets, and the Gospel, all agreeing together. But here I cannot but smile at what i In his description of Palestin which is neither divided into l●aves, page's, columns, nor chapters. Breidenbachius reports (who traveled up this mountain) Ibi etiam hodie ostenduntur ruinae trium tabernaculorum secundum desiderium Petri constructorum, there (saith he) even at this day, are showed the ruins of those three tabernacles built according to Peter's desire. In very good time no doubt. I confess one Scripture saith, Ask and ye shall have k M●t. 7. 7. , but another Text answereth it, Ye ask and l jam. 4. 3. because ye ask amiss; and improbable it is, that God would grant the desire (or rather distempter) of Peter; and that his wish should come to him, who was not come to himself, by reason of his great fear, amazement, and ecstasy of joy. Besides, Tabernacles or Tents, being light, slight occasional structures, make small visible impressions in the earth, when set up; and leave no durable footsteps to be seen so many hundred years after. So that herein, Breiden●ach seemeth to speak (as S. Peter did in the same place) not m Luke 9 33. knowing what he said. More likely it is, that there may at this day remain some ruins of Oratories erected many years since, seeing there was there a Monastery inhabited by Friars, until they being molested by the Arabians (to use my n Biddulphs' Trau. p. 101. Author's expression) took their holiness away with them, and left the mountain behind them. § 29. The greatest stream of Kishon runneth northward thorough the midst of this Tribe, The city Naim & Judge Elons' sepulchre. not far from the City of Naim, where Christ meeting the widow's only Child, carried forth to be buried, miraculously restored him to o Luke 7. 11. life. Hereabouts also was the City Aijalon, where p Judg. 12. 12. Elon Judge of Israel was buried, of whom nothing else is recorded save his name, time of his rule, ten years, and place of his interment. 'Slight him not because so little is reported of him, it tending much to the praise of his Policy in preventing foreign invasions, and domestic commotions, so that the land enjoyed peace; as far better than victory, as health is to be preferred before a recovery from sickness. Yea times of much doing, are times of much suffering, and many martial a●chievements are rather for the Prince's honour, than the people's ease. § 30. From Naim the river Kishon glides by the northern skirts of mount Carmel, The place where Baal's pr●est● were slain by Eliah. beholding the place where Eliah did execution on Baal's Priests, on this occasion. All Israel met on mount Carmel, concluding him the true God, who answered by fire unto their sacrifices. Baal's Priests being vainly clamorous in invoking their Idol, whose petitions find no answer from heaven, except the echo in the air descanting in derision on their importunate bawl; discontented hereat they q 1 King. 18. 28. cut themselves with knives and lancers, the ready way to make blood, but not fire to come. Then enters Eliah on his work, and to prevent all suspicion of fraud, he three times caused four barrels of water to be poured on the Altar. If any here demand how they came by such plenty of water, a precious commodity after three years and six months' drought, when springs, wells, and brooks were r 1 King. 17. 7. dried up: it is answered, it was fetched from the sea hard by, whose brackish water, though useless to quench the thirsts of men and beasts, was proper enough therewithal to try the present experiment. Hereupon at Eliahs' prayers, fire from heaven licked up the water, and consumed the Sacrifice. The Prophet taking advantage of this juncture of time, whilst the people of Israel were possessed with an high opinion of his power and person, King Ahab stood admiring at the miracle, Baal's Priests stood dispirited with guiltiness and wonder, and jazebel their active Patroness absent at great distance, being a single man, slew four hundred and fifty of them without any resistance. Formerly their flattering hands rather acting and doing, did theatrically in superstitious formalities let out some drops of wild blood in the surface of their flesh, whereas now Eliah in true earnest, with an unpartial arm, gave vent to their heart blood by the brook Kishon, which presently carrieth both their gore, and its own water into the Mediterranean Sea. § 31. However though Satan then was silent, The God Carmelus. (when in credit most concerned to speak in answer to Baal's Priests) it seems he found his tongue afterwards, and here pretended to inform people of their fortune. Suetonius tells us * In V●sp●siano cap. 5. that Vespasian in judea took counsel from the oracle of the God CARMELUS, which foretold his good success in whatsoever he should undertake, which God we conceive was some Spirit of delusion, (though then speaking truly) having his residence in or nigh this mountain of Carmel. § 32. As for Carmel in general, The pleasure of Carmel. it was so delicious a place▪ that more pleasure was hardly to be fancied, then here to be found. It consisted of high hills, (where the wicked thought in vain by a Amos 9 3. hiding themselves in the height thereof, to be secured from divine justice) a fruitful vale, pleasant river of Kishom, and a goodly forest, so that the feet of Sennacherib did itch to b 2 King. 19 32. enter it, as his fingers did long to fallen the fair Cedars in Lebanon. From this Carmel, the platform of pleasure, other delightful places are so named (as copies and transcripts of this the original) yea the name is sometimes c Ibid in the marginal note. rendered appellatively for any fruitful field. § 33. From the top hereof we may easily discover two neighbouring towns Cain and * V●de ●abulas Adrichomii. Caiaphas, Cain, Caiaphas, 〈◊〉, etc. the one named from the murderer of d Gen. 4. 8. Abel; the other from the e Joh. 11. 49. active contriver of his death, f Heb. 12. 2. whose blood speaketh better things then that of Abel. But neither appearing in Scripture, it is enough to name them. More northerly we behold the valley of jiphthah-el, or river thereof, the same * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 word in Hebrew expressing both, as indeed it is hard to find a vale, especially in winter, without a rivulet therein. And if I mistake not, the BOURNE in Wilt-shire, and the west, signifieth both the river and the dale down which it runneth. In the vale nigh the river of jiphthah-el stood the city Zebulun, so beautifully built, saith g De bell. I●d. li●. 2, cap. 32. josephus, (let him forfeit his fingers when he measures any thing to loss which concerns his own country) that Cestius the Roman Governor who burned it, admired the houses therein as corrivals with those of Tyre, Zidon, and Berytus in magnificence. More southward is Cana called commonly the less, though greatened with Christ's first miracle wrought there at a marriage, turning h john 2. 1. water into wine. How many matches have been made, to which Christ was never invited guest; yea the riot and revels thereat, would fright his gracious presence from the place. Hence the rivulet * josh. 19 11. runneth to jokneam, surnamed i josh. 12. 22. of Carmel from the vicinity thereof; the King whereof was destroyed by joshua, and the City afterwards bestowed upon the k josh. 21. 34. Levites. § 34. Having mentioned the Levite-cities, A churlish difficulty an importunate difficulty (whilst I hoped silently to slip by it) plucketh me back in my passage: It resulteth from the ensuing parallel. Joshua 21. 34, 35. And unto the families of the children of M●r●ri, the rest of the Levites, out of the Tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs, Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalol with her suburbs: four cities. 1 Chron. 6. 77. Unto the rest of the children of Merari, was given out of the Tribe of Zebulun, Rimmon with her suburbs, Tabor with her suburbs. The difficulty is double: first four Cities are mentioned in joshua, and but two in Chronicles. Secondly, those two fall out by their different names, nothing like the four formerly assigned them. § 35. In solution hereof, Rather waved then satisfied. some will say that the Levites might have six cities in Zebulun. But why should this tribe being not the biggest be most bountiful unto them? Was it because Zebuluns' lot advantaged by the sea-situation thereof, was larger in worth then in view; and so the Merchant adventurers of this tribe, making gainful voyages and profitable returns, were obliged in conscience to be more liberal to the maintenance of God's Ministers? Or are two of the Levites cities left out in Chronicles (omission in such cases for reasons to us unknown is no contradiction) and the other l Tostatus, & Trem●llius in locum Chroni●o●um, who maketh Dimnah the same with Rimmon, Tabo● with Nahalol. two the same (though unlike in sound) with the two last mentioned in joshua. Indeed I deny not, but the towns at the same time may have two names nothing alike, (Medena, alias Newport, in the Isle of Wight may be an instance thereof.) But for all I can find, still I languish in expectation of a better solution. Yet let not his good will be slighted, who though unable to cure the wound; (whilst Commentatours on the place suffer it to lie festering in silence) desires to wash it and keep it clean, till a more skilful hand apply an effectual plaster thereunto. § 36. In Solomon's division of the land into twelve purveyourships, The arms of Z●bulun. Zebulun had no distinct officer over him, but belonged to the territory of Baanah the Son of Ahilud; who, besides many places he had in Manasseh, extended his Jurisdiction m 1 King. 4. 12. even beyond jokneam. The Arms of Zebulun, confirmed unto him by custom, and rabbinical tradition, were Argent, a ship with Maste and tackling sable. An honourable Bearing, the same with the Coat armour of Albertus' free Baron of Alasco in Poland, ●ave that his ship is without sails, (with this Motto, Deus dabit vela, God will send sails) and Zebuluns' accomplished with all the accoutrements thereof. Here the Map of Issachar is to be inserted. THE TRIBE OF ISSACHAR. CHAP. 7. § 1. ISsachar, Issachars' numbers and eminent persons. the fifth a Gen. 30. 17. Son which jacob begat on Leah his wife, had his posterity so increased in Egypt, that from thence came forth of this Tribe fifty b Numb. 1. 29. four thousand and four hundred. All which falling in the wilderness, for their frequent tempting of God, their Sons grew (judah and Dan excepted) more numerous than any other Tribe, insomuch that sixty four c Num. 26. 25. thousand and three hundred, of twenty years old and upward, appeared at their second solemn muster in the plains of Moab. Tolah the Judge was of this Tribe; Baasha and Elah Kings of Israel * 1 King. 15. 27 fair Abishag the Shunamite, wife (or d 1 King. 1. 4. rather bedfellow) to aged David; with another Lady (if in beauty, not in goodness her inferior) of the same city, who so kindly entertained the Prophet Elisha. § 2. Issachar had the sea e Deut. 33. 18, 19 on the west, jordan on the f Josh. 19 ●2. east; His bounds & fruitfulness. Zebulun on the north, Manasseh on the south. A fair fruitful country; for, as all Canaan is called the pleasant g Psal. 106. 24. land: so it is particularly observed of Issachars' portion, he saw the land h Gen. 49. 15. that it was pleasant, and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute. This Tribe better acquitted itself in the Subsidy, then in the Muster-book, they were the best Yeomantry of Israel, towards the advancing of ra●es and taxes. They loved rest, and a sedentary life. Blame them not, if sensible of the goodness of their soil, they were loath to leave home, because certain to remove to their loss, and are compared to an i Gen. 49. 14. Ass couching between two burdens. § 3. Yet were not the men of Issachar of such servile natures, Not defective in valour. but that they could be valiant, when just occasion was offered them. They were as willing, and resolute as any other, in k Judg. 5. 15. helping Barak in the battle against Sisera. Yet even then we may observe, they marched not far from their own habitations, the field being fought in the bowels of their country. And well might his Ass, find both heels and teeth, to kick and bite such, as offer to take his Hay from his rack and Provender a way from his manger. § 4. Nor let the resembling of Issachar to an Ass; Excelling in Chronology. depress this Tribe too low in our estimation. The strength of his back, not stupidity of his head, gave the occasion thereunto 〈◊〉 in one point of excellent skill, this Tribe surpassed all others, being men that had understanding of the times, l 1 Chr. 12. 32. to know what Israel ought to do. Now seeing time janus-like hath two faces, one looking backward [Chronology] the other forward [Prognostication] the question will be, in which of these lay the learning of the Issacharites? A learned man m Riv●t Exer●. in 49. Gen●sios. conceives them only like husbandmen, weather-wise by their own rural observations. Sure more is imported in that expression, and not only Almanac, but Chronicle-skill contained therein; so that from deductions from former, they could make directions for the future times. Oh for a little of Issachars' art in our age, to make us understand these intricate and perplexed times, and to teach us to know what we ought to do, to be safe with a good conscience. So much of the persons in this Tribe; come we now to survey the eminent places contained therein. § 5. In the south confines thereof stood the regal city of n Josh. 19 18. jezreel. jezreel a regal City. For though the valley of jezreel belonged to o Josh. 17. 10. Manasseh, the city itself must pertain to Issachar, otherwise the sixteen cities assigned him josh. 19 will fall short of that number. In jezreel Ahab had a Princely Palace (haply the joynter-house of jezebel) besides a p 2 King. 9 27. garden-house adjoining; and here in the city lived Naboth, as hard by lay his vineyard, which Ahab could not obtain from him, either by purchase or q ● King. 21. 3. exchange. § 6. Some will find more equity in Ahabs offers, than discretion in Naboths Naboths refusal defended. refusal. But, blame him not, if loath to offend his God, to accommodate his King. Being (no doubt) in his conscience persuaded that his earthly possession, was the earnest of his heavenly inheritance, and that his parting with the former, voided his title to the latter. Besides, his vineyard (six hundred years since the partition of the land by lot) had pertained to his ancestors (probably) more ages, then Ahabs new erected palace had belonged years to his family. § 7. On the denial Ahab falls sullen-sick. No meat will down with him for lack of a salad, because wanting Naboths Iezebels murdering of Naboth. vineyard for a garden of herbs, till jezebel undertook the business. A letter is made up of her brains, her husband's hand and seal to the Elders of jezreel, enjoining them to set up two r 1 King. 21. 10 men of Belial, to accuse Naboth of blasphemy against God, and the King. She took it for granted, plenty of such persons were to be found in so populous, and vicious a place. Oh the ancient order of Knight of the post, for money to depose any falsehood. Hereupon Naboth is stoned to death, and his s 2 King. 9 26. Sons also, flatly contrary to God's command, which in this case had provided, The t Deut. 24. 16. children shall not be put to death for their fathers, but every man shall be put to death for his own sin. But this was don●, to clear all claims, and prevent all pretenders of titles unto the inheritance. § 8. Thu● Naboth's vineyard was for Ahabs use turned into a garden of ●erbes. Divine justice. Surely the bitter wormwood of Divine revenge grew plentifully there●n. Fo● in the same place his Son joram, and granchild Ahaz●ah had a martial interview with jehu, and were both worsted by him. Here jehu with a shot out of a bow (archery fatal both to u 1 King. 22. 34. Ahab and his Son) wounded Iehoram to the w 2 King. 9 24 heart, and by special order to Bidkar● Captain, commanded that his corpse should be cast into the field of Naboth the Iezr●●lite. Oh the exact Topography observed in divine justice! so accurate is God, not only in the time, but place of his punishment. § 9 Greater is the difficulty about the death of King Ahaziah slain about the same time. Abaziahs' double death reconciled. For, whereas it is x Heb. 9 27. appointed for all men once, he seemed twice to die, and that in far distant places. 2 Kings 9 27. But when Ahaziah the King of judah saw this, he fled by the way of the Garden-house, and jehu followed after him, and said, Smite him also in the chariot [and they did so] at the going up to Gur, which is by Ibleam: and he fled to Megiddo, and died there. 2 Chron. 22. 9 And jehu sought Ahaziah, and they caught him (for he was hid in Samaria) and brought him to jehu, and when they had slain him, they buried him: because said they, he is the Son of jehosaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart. But all is reconciled, if we take Samaria, not for the city so named, but for the whole kingdom of Israel, in which notion Ahab is styled King of y 1 King 21. 1. Samaria, that is, the ten Tribes, whereof Samaria was the Metropolis. In this acception, Megiddo, and all the passage thereunto was in Samaria, where Ahaziah hoped in vain, by his flight to hide, and conceal himself. § 10. All thus agreed concerning the death, And his doubl●●●riall. I hope no difference will arise about the burial of Ahaziah. Though in one text his z 2 King. 9 28. ow● servants, in another jehu a 2 Chr. 22. 9▪ his men are said to bu●y him. The one might do it by the leave and licence of the other, and jehu his soldiers did deliver Ahaziah's de●d corpse to his own servants, to inter it in jerusalem. § 11. jezebel survived not long after. The manner of lezebels death. As jehu was entering jezreel, she (newly painted) entertains him with a taunt out of the window, to try whether her tongue, or his sword were the sharper. We meet but with three principal speeches of her in Scripture; the first an Idolatrous oath and curse, The b 1 King. 19 2▪ Gods do so to me, and more also: the next, a mortal threat, and loud lie, If I make not Elijah's, like c Ibidem. one of their lives by to morrow this time: the last an impudent and unseasonable jeer, Had Zimri d 2 King. 9 31. peace that slew his Master? Presently she is thrown down headlong, and the dogs eat her up to the reversion of her e Ibid. vers. 35. skull, palms of her hands, and feet. What, h●d the poison of her painting, 〈◊〉 deeply pierced into these the naked f Feet, in thos● parts, naked i●●andal●. parts of her body, that the dogs were afraid to feed o● them? However it came to pass, jezebels skull may be worn as a deaths-head in the memories of all wicked persons, abusing their power, to mind them of their certain ruin, without serious repentance. The heads also of ahab's children killed in Samaria, were laid in two heaps at the entrance of the gates of g 2 King. 10. 8. jezreel. § 12. It may seem strange, The blood of jezebel why required of jehu. that seeing jehu was warranted by commission from heaven, in the execution of ahab's family, and friends, that God should afterwards threaten by his Prophet, I will h Hose. 1. 4. avenge the blood of jezreel upon the house of jehu. But it seems, though herein jehu his chariot went in the path of God's command, yet he did drive it on furiously, the pace of his own cruelty, vainglory, and ambition. Thus, that officer is a murderer, though acting the sentence of the Judge, if withal he pleaseth his private malice, in executing persons condemned to die. The matter of jehu his act was rewarded, the manner revenged by God. § 13. The river Kishon runneth through the midst of this Tribe, The brave battle against 〈◊〉. which entering in at Naboths vineyard, taketh his course northward with a winding channel, not far from Shamir in mount Ephraim, wherein Tola the judge, or rather, the justice of peace in Israel (nothing of war being achieved in his government) both dwelled, i judg. 10. 1, 2. and was buried. Hence on his western bank, Kishon beholds the place, where Barak fought that famous battle against Sisera. It is recorded to the commendation of such Israelites, k judg. 5. 19 as assisted him, that they took no gain of money. Indeed they of Zebulun were by their calling l judg. 5. 14. such as handled the pen, though now turned swordmen, in case of necessity. And when men of peaceable professions, are, on a pinch of extremity for a short time, forced to fight, they ought not, like soldiers of fortune, to make a tradeto enrich themselves thereby, seeing defence of religion, life, and liberty, are the only wages they seek for in their service. § 14. In this most eminent battle, S●ars wa●●curs the Stars in their courses fought against Sisera. What, are the numerous people of Israel meant thereby, whom God m Gen. 15. 5. & 22. 17. promised to multiply as the Stars in heaven? or, are only the principal officers in their Army intended therein? Sure, it is safest to embrace the literal sense, that those celestial lights, frowning with their malignant aspects, caused frights and fears in the hearts of the Canaanites. Such, as utterly deny all influences of Stars on men's minds, show therein, that the moon hath made too much impression on their crazy judgements, and lunatic opinions. § 15. But, the river of Kishon Kishon God's bosom. was not only a spectator of this fight, but also an actor of a principal part therein: For, when the Canaanites routed in the battle, essayed to wade this river, so to recover their country on the other side, the stream thereof, probably lately made more deep, and rapid with extraordinary rain (the largess of some wa●ry Planet which fought for Israel) n judg. 5. 21. swept them away. So that what fragments of these Canaanites, were left by the Israelites swords glutted with slaughter, Kishon was the voider to take them clean away. § 16. Hence Kishon Kishon and Enga●●im. runneth on by Kishion (the vicinity of the name is argument enough, to place it on the banks of this river) elsewhere o 1 Chron. 6. called Kedesh, being one of the four cities in this Tribe, belonging to the Levites p Josh. 21 28. Gershonites. More east whereof lay another of the same nature, Engannim, called jenine at this day, being now a very pleasant q Biddulphs' travels. p. 113. place, having fine gardens, orchards, and waters about it, as it hath its Hebrew name from a fountain. And that we may know, that the country hereabouts, still retaineth more than the ruins of its former fertility, a judicious r Idem ibidem. modern traveller tells us, that in his whole journey from Damascus to jerusalem, he saw not more fruitful ground, and so much together, than he did in two and twenty miles riding, betwixt mount Tabor and Engannim. § 17. Hence Kishon continuing his course northward, Sh●nem Abishags birthplach. leaveth the city s josh. 19 18. Shunem at some distance from his western bank, the birthplace of Abishag, wife-nurse to King David, to procure t 1 King. 1. 3. heat to his decayed age. Time was, when he boasted, that his youth was u Psal. 103. 5. renewed as the eagles, but eagles (notwithstanding the often casting of their bills, and years therewith) are at last seized on with age, and death, as it fared then with decrepit David. Adonijah, David's Son, afterwards lost his life, for petitioning to have this Abishag w 1 King. 2. 23. for his wife. What was his fault? Incest, or treason? Surely, neither effected, no, nor attempted in any clandestine way, without leave from the King. Let it suffice, Solomon saw more, than we, in this matter; his eyes also not wanting the magnifying-glass of state-jealousy, to improve his discoveries herein. But, this accident was only the hilt or handle, for Solomon to take hold on; Adonijahs former fault was the edge, to cut off his life. Thus, let those, who once have been desperately sick of a Prince's displeasure, and recovered, know, that the least relapse will prove deadly unto them. § 18. In Shunem dwelled that worthy woman, Elisha his honourable land-lady. who prevailed with her husband, to harbour Elisha in his passage this way. God's Prophets are no lumber, but the most profitable stuff wherewith an house can be furnished. Landlords prove no losers by such Tenants, (though sitting rent-free) whose dwelling with them, pays for their dwelling with them. At Elisha's prayer God made this woman (barren before) the happy mother of an hopeful x 2 King. 4. 17. Son. Somes years after, this child grown a stripling, and going into his Father's field to see his reapers, was there smitten with a deadly sickness. So that the corn on the land might pass for the emblem of this child's condition, save that that being ripe, and ready wooed the cycles to cut it, whilst this green grain was mow'n down in the blade thereof. At noon y 2 King. 4. 20. the child died. Had one the same morning beheld the Sun arising out of the east, and this child coming forth of his father's house in perfect health, he would not have suspected, that the noon of the one would prove the night to the other. But by the prayers of Elisha he was restored again unto her. § 19 This Shunamite was afterwards seven years absent, Restored to her lost possession●. in the land of the Philistines, during which time, the profits of her estate, as appears by the text, x were seized on by the King's officers. z 2 Kin. 8. 1. etc. Custom (it seems) entitled the Crown to their revenues, which resided not on their lands, especially (if living as she did) in the land of a foreign foe. She addressed herself by petition to King joram, for restitution of her means. Formerly she had no use of the Prophet's proffer, to a 2 King. 4. 13. speak for her to the King, or to the Captain of the host, who now was fain to prefer her suit in her own person. None know what hereafter may befall them. Such, whose young feet were only taught to traverse their own ground, may in their old age be learned a harder lesson, to trudge abroad in attendance to others. Gehazi happily there present, attests her the woman whose Son was restored to life, and by the King's command, her lands and profits were restored to he. Let her, under God, thank Elisha for this favour; for, that place in her house, where his b 2 King. 4. 10. bed, table, stool, and candlestick stood, kept possession for her in her absence, of all the rest of her Demesnes, and procured the speedy restitution thereof. § 20. To return to Kishon, Tabor a city. which somewhat more northward leaveth this Tribe, and entereth into Zebulun, having first divided itself into two streams, whereof the easternmost (being the north-boundary of Issachar) runneth by c josh. 19 22. Tabor, a city so called, from the vicinity of the mountain we formerly described. Hereabouts Zeba d judg. 8. 18. and Zalmunna, made a massacre of many Princelike Israelites, for which fact Gideon ordered their execution. And here we take notice of two neighbouring mountains lovingly agreeing together. 1 Tabor on the north (whereof formerly in Zebulun) of so eminent note, that it passed for a proverbial expression, of any unquestioned certainty, As e jer. 46. 18. sure as▪ Tabor is among the mountains. This place was in after ages much profaned with Idolatry, as appears by the Prophet f Host 5. 1. complaining of the priests, that they had been a net spread upon Tabor. 2 Hermon, hard by on the south of this Tribe (the top-cliffe whereof is called Hermonium g Brocardus in Descrip. Terrae Sanc. Itin. ab Acone versu● Eurum. as a modern Traveller doth describe. h Psal. 89. 12. David puts them both together, The north and the south thou hast ●reated them, Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name. However others understand the Psalmist of another Hermon, that famous mountain formerly described in Manasseh beyond jordan, being the east-border, as Tabor was in the heart of the land of Canaan; meaning thereby, that, middle, and marches; outside, and inside; centre, and circumference; all the whole world must rejoice in God's power which made; and providence, which preserveth them. § 21. This east-stream of Kishon, Da●arah and Tarichea. in modern Maps called Kedummim, runneth to Daberah in the confines of i josh. 19 12. Zebulun, but belongeth to this Tribe, out of which k josh. 21. 28. it was assigned a city for the Levites. Then falleth it into the sea of Cinnereth, or Tiberias, somewhat south of Tarichea a famous city, whereof frequent mention in josephus, but none in Scripture, to which we chiefly confine our description. § 22. The east part of Issachar is wholly taken up with the mountains of Gilboa, where the Armies of the Israelites, and the Philistines met, having formerly measured most part of this Tribe, with their military motions. The Philistines marching first from l 1 S●m. 28. 4. Shunem to m 1 Sam. 29. 1. Aphek; thence to n 1 Sam. 29. 11. jezreel, (backward and forward to find an advantageous place for fight) thence to mount Gilboa, where they encountered, and conquered the Israelites in battle. Saul being here grievously wounded, desired his Armour-bearer to slay him, who refused it, as bearing his Arms for the defence, not destruction of his Master. Hereupon Saul slew himself, and his Armour-bearer followed his example. Both which, having since cast up their▪ Audit, can tell, what is gotten by the prodigal thrift of throwing away one's life, to prevent the losing thereof. Then a fourfold division was made of what remained of Saul. His o 1 Sam. 31. 9, 10. head sent into the land of the Philistines; body hung up upon the walls of Bethshean; Armour offered in the Temple of Ashtaroth; p 2 Sam. 1. 10. Crown, and bracelets brought by the Amalekite to King David. For though his tongue spoke lies, his hands told truth, presenting the very regalia of King Saul. Wonder not, that Saul should wear these ornaments in battle, where an helmet had been more proper than a Crown; seeing we read in our English q Speed in the life of Richard the third towards the end. Chronicles, that in Bosworth-fight King Richard's Crown-ornamentall was found among the spoils in the field, and then, and there set by the Lord Stanley on the head of King Henry the seventh. § 23. David, Rain on mount Gilboa. on this dysaster of Saul's death, cursed Mount Gilboa, r 2 Sam. 1. 21. Let there be no dew or rain upon you. But, s Descrip. T●r. Sanc. ab Acone versus Notum. Brochardus travelling over them Anno Dom. 1283. found, and felt both, being well wetted in his journey. What! were david's words guilty of infidelity, seeing it is easier to withhold rain from a mountain, then to remove it from its foundation, and cast it into the sea? and yet our Saviour t Mat. 17. 20. assures us this shall be done, if in faith desired. But, be it known, David intended not his curse should take effect, but merely to manifest his great grief, and to show, how far he was from delighting at the death of his greatest enemy. Better to fall under david's Dirae, as he was a Poet, then as he was a Prophet, the latter lighting heavily indeed, as u Act. 1. 20. judas in w Psal. 109. 7. Achitophel could witness the weight thereof. Nor remaineth any thing more observable in this Tribe, save in the east part thereof, on jordan they show Pilgrims the place where * 1 King. 5. Naaman (patient at last by his servants persuasion) washed seven times, and was cleansed of his Leprosy. § 24. Thus all the remarkable places of Issachar, Manass●h in Issachar. but not all those in Issachar, are already by us described. For, (as the text x josh. 17. 11. expressly saith) the Tribe of Manasseh had in Issachar, and in Asher, even three Countries; that is, lying in Issachar, and Asher, but environed round with those Tribes possessions, yet pertaining to the portion of Manasseh. Let none blame Divine Providence of ill Architecture, for not well contriving the rooms in the house of Israel; the division of the land by lot, not being well designed, wherein Issachars' Chamber [his portion] was made a thoroughfare, Manasseh having three closerts [three small countries] within the same. So that neither Tribe could enjoy his own with privacy, and entireness; and Manasseh (if but stepping out of the highway) must in a manner trespass on Issachar, or crave leave of him, to come, through his, to his own inheritance. But know, all was ordered by the y Ephes. 1. 11. counsel of God's will, for reasons best known to himself; who would not have his children Churls, to engross habitations by themselves; but, by such mixture of their portions, invited, yea, engaged their persons to mutual intercourse, seeing the very lots of their Tribes gave loving visits, and their Countries (by Gods own appointment) came so courteously, and confidently, one within another. § 25. But very hard it is to conceive, And how in Asher. how Manasseh could have any land within Asher, which Tribe lay many miles more northward, and beyond the Tribe of Zebulun interposed. The Jewish Rabbins being much perplexed at the Pedigree of A●zel, why it is twice reckoned up in z Viz. 1 Chr. 8. 38. & 1 Chr. 9 44. Chronicles, use to say, that they a Opus est quadring●ntis camelis onustis Commentariis, rationem reddere. Mar. Sutra cited by Buxdors. in Thesauro. sol. 202. need four hundred Camels loaden with Commentaries to give the true reason thereof. But their expression is more appliable to this present difficulty, how Manasseh could have any ground in Asher, except (as we have presented it in our Map) some part of Asher lay southward at distance, dis-jointed from the main body of that Tribe, which we have formerly described. Who knows not that pieces of Parishes, parcels of Manors, portions of Counties, though far off dismembered, relate unto them, notwithstanding the intermediate distance betwixt them? § 26. But let not Issachar, or Asher repine, that Manasseh had so much land in their Countries, seeing though the right was assigned unto them, the Canaanites for a long time (till about David's reign) kept all the same in their possession, as will appear by the ensuing parallel. Joshua 17. 11. And Manasseh had in Issachar and Asher, Bethshean, and her towns, and Ibleam, and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor, and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor, and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanch, and her towns, and the inhabitants, of Meggido and her towns, even three Countries. Judges 1. 27. Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean, and her towns, nor Taanach, and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor, and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam, and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo, and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. Of Bethshean more conveniently hereafter. By Ibleam, b 2 King. 9 27. Ahaziah was wounded, as was formerly observed. Dor (mentioned for a sea-town in Ptolemy) had the King thereof conquered c josh. 12. 23. by joshua. Endor, whither Sisera's soldiers defeated in fight, not far off at d judg. 5. 19 Taanach, (which also●was a regal city in the days of e Ios●. 11. 21. joshua, and afterwards belonged to the Levites) fled, were pursued, f Psal. 83. 10. perished and became as the dung of the earth. Hither Saul repaired to a witch, to raise Samuel, and received cold comfort from the dead, or Devil rather, informing him of his future destruction: so that Saul, formerly sick with fear of the worst, lived to hear Satan toll his passing-bell in his sad predictions. § 27. But g josh. 17. 11. Megiddo Megiddo an eminent city. was the most eminent City Manasseh had in Issachar. The King hereof was destroyed by joshua, and many years after josiah was slain in the vale of Megiddo, bidding Pharaoh Necho battle, in his march against Charchemish by Euphrates. Never Prince showed more devotion in his life, or less discretion in his death, courting that danger which declined him, seeing Pharaoh desired h 2 Chr. 35. 21. peaceably to depart. But haply josiah conceived himself engaged to fight him, in point of 1 Honour; because without leave he had made his land an high way to pass through it. 2 Policy; suspicious, though Pharaoh went forth as a friend, he would return as a foe, especially if puffed up with success in his expedition. But what shall we say? it was the sin of his subjects would not suffer josiah to keep quiet at home. Their impieties made him to march, thrust him into the field, forced him into the fight, yea, shot the fatal arrow, which wounded him at the heart. § 28. Now let none be troubled, because josiah (who rather deserved two lives) seems to have two deaths, josiah his death reconciled. one text making him to die i 2 King. 23. 29. at Megiddo, another k 2 Chr. 35. 24. at jerusalem. Understand it, death arrested him with a mortal wound at Megiddo, but did not imprison him till he came to jerusalem, where he expired. Much less let any challenge God, as worse than his word with josiah, having promised him by his Prophet l 2 King. 22. 20. to be gathered to his Fathers in peace; for besides that that promise principally related to the captivity of Babylon (from which josiah was exempted) even such may be said to die in peace, which swim to their graves in their own blood, if withal embarked in a good conscience. § 29. All Israel, General grief thereat. and principally the Prophet jeremy, dropped many a precious tear on his hearse, whose * See the Sep●u●gints preface on the Lamentations. Lamentations are an Elegy on Iosiah's death; yea, their grief was no land-flood of present passion, but a constant channel of continued sorrow, streaming from an annual fountain, it being made an m 2 Chr. 35. 25. Ordinance in Israel. The Prophet speaking of a grand, and general grieving for men's sins, n Zech, 12. 11. compareth it to the mourning of Hadadrimmon (conceived to be a place hard by) in the valley of Megiddon. § 30. jehosaphat the son of Paruah was solomon's purvey our in o 1 King. 4. 17. Issachar, The Arms of Issachar. but the dis-jointed piece of Manasseh in this Tribe pertained partly to Baanah the son of Ahilud (to whom belongeth Taanach; Megiddo, and all Bethsh●an p 1 Kin. 4. 12. ) and partly to Aminada● husband to Taphath Solomon's daughter, purveyour alone in the land of q 1 King. 4. 11. Dor. An argument of the great fertility of that little land, because the land of Dor alone, was a sign for a whole month in the Zodiac of Solomon's yearly provisions. An Ass (formerly observed) argent, in a field vert, was Issachar's Arms, cou●hing between two r Gen. 49. 14. burdens. Some by these understand Zebulun, and Manasseh, which bounded Issachar on both sides. But, why was their neighbourhood more burdensome, than any other Tribes? Such perchance, are nearer the truth, who expound the two burdens, Tribute and Tillage; betwixt which, Issachar, quietly cocuhed, never meddling with wars, but when forced thereunto in his own defence. Here the Map of Manasseh on this side Jordan is to be inserted. THE DESCRIPTION OF MANASSEH on this side JORDAN. CHAP. 8. § 1. MAnasseh his numbers and worthies have formerly been described on the east of jordan, The remainder of Manasseh. as also such Cities as being environed with Issachar, yet belonged to this Tribe. It remaineth that we survey that portion of Manasseh west of jordan, lying entire in itself, and having Issachar on the north, Ephraim on the south, the Mediterranean Sea on the west, and jordan on the east thereof, a fruitful Country divided betwixt a Josh. 17. 2. six male-families of the Manassites, and the five daughters of Zelophehad. Zeloph●h●ds daughters plea. § 2. These were those Virgins, who pleading before b Numb. 27. 2. & 36. 12. Moses, got a right to, before c Josh. 17. 4. joshua got possession of their inheritance. Silence was enjoined their Sex in the d 1 Tim. 2. 1●. Church, not Court, where they handled their own cause so well, it is pity any Counsel should be retained for them. Nor was it the worst part of their Rhetoric, the good Character they gave their dead Father, which might serve for an Epitaph to be inscribed on his monument. Here lieth the man, who e Numb. 2●3. was not in the company of them who gathered themselves together against the Lord in the COMPANY OF KORAH, but died in his OWN SIN. Meaning he died a natural death for his personal offences, and was no sharer in the guilt of Rebellion against God in Moses. This instance of Zelophehad his coheirs, let Lawyers judge how justly it is alleged of some against their practice, who by entails on the Heir male, damn up inheritances from running in that general channel into which God and nature hath derived them. § 3. In the west of this Tribe on the sea, Caesarea built by Herod. we meet with Caesarea Stratonis, built and beautified (with a fair haven called Drusus) by Herod the great in the honour of Augustus Cesar. Amongst other edifices therein, f Act. 23. 35. Herod's judgement hall by him built was a most remarkable structure. Indeed all Caesarea might be termed God's judgement hall, from an exemplary piece of justice here executed on Herod Antipas. Who coming hither from jerusalem clad with gorgeous raiment, (and the guilt of Saint g Act. 12. 2. james his blood) made an eloquent oration, more gaudy than his apparel, unto the people, who cried out in approbation thereof, The voice of a God, and not of a man: here Herod in stead of rejoining The voice of lying flatterers, and not of sober men; in stead of reclaiming what they exclaimed, embraced and hug'd their praises as proper to himself, and thereupon an * Act. 12. 23. Angel and worms, the best and basest of creatures, met in his punishment, the one smiting, the other eating him up: and no wonder if Worms quickly devoured him, whom those flesh-flies had blown up before. If any ask, seeing the people were equally guilty in that their sacrilegious expression, (yea they were the thiefs, Herod but the receiver) why fell not the punishment also on the whole multitude? It is answered, First, because they were the whole multitude; and God in such cases mercifully singles out some singall offenders for punishment to save but fright the rest. Secondly, more discretion was expected from a Prince, then from a rabble of people. Lastly, what in them was but a blasphemous compliment, was by Herod's acceptance thereof made in him a reality, usurped by him as due to his deserts. § 4. But leaving profane Herod, Inhabited by pious people. many pious people lived in Caesarea, as * Act. 10. 1. Cornelius the Centurion, the first fruits of the Gentiles; * Act. 21. 10. Agabus the Prophet, foretelling Saint Paul's bonds and Martyrdom; and Philip the Evangelist, famous for his four daughters * Act. 21. 9 Virgins-prophetesses. This I firmly believe, whilst my faith demurs at what I read of Brechin a Lord in * Camden's Brit. in Brecknockshire. Wales, who had four and twenty daughters all Saints begotten of his own body. § 5. Here Saint Paul eloquently defended his innocence, Saint Paul his behaviour in Caesarea. against the saleable tongue of Tertullus, and afterwards reasoned of righteousness, temperance h Act. 24. 25. and judgement, before Felix the corrupt, vicious and debauched Deputy of judea, till Felix, (his foundered feet feeling the Pincers) began to winch and to prefer Saint Paul's room before his company. In the same place the Apostle pleaded for himself before Festus, Agrippa and Bernice his * joseph. lib. 20. incestuous wife-sister, entering into the place of hearing, i Act. 25. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, with much fancifulness, or great pomp. Perchance this Bernice ware then about her, that eminent Gem, whereof the Heathen Poet k I●venal satire. 6. took especial notice. — deinde adamas notissimus, & Berenice's In digito factus preciosior; hunc dedit olim Barbarus, incestae dedit hunc Agrippa sorori. And l Translated by Sir Rob. Stapil●on. the famed diamond the richer showed On Berenice's fingers, this bestowed The barbarous Agrippa, he to his Incestuous sister once presented this. But be Bernice never so brave, the m Act. 26. 29. bonds of Saint Paul, (worn by him then in Caesarea) were in the Judgement of God, and all good men the most glorious ornament. § 6. South of Caesarea stood Antipatris, The river Kanah. named in the honour of Antipater father to Herod the great. Hi●her Saint Paul came guarded in state by night with more than n Act. 23. 23. five hundred soldiers, and hence the footmen were sent back to jerusalem whilst the seventy horse advanced forward with him to Caesarea. South of Antipatris the river o Josh. 17. 9 Kanah (which divideth this Tribe from Ephraim) runneth into the sea, so called from reeds KANAH in Hebrew, (whence our English Canes or walking-staves fetch in both the name and thing from the east Countries) growing plentifully thereabouts, and many Maps present us with a valley of Reeds in this place. Say not this debaseth the land, that so course a commodity should take up a whole valley therein, (for besides as London watermens will tell you, an acre of reeds on the bank side is as beneficial as one of wheat) these Canes were to make arrows and staves, yea some to make Sugars thereof: an p M. Sands in his travels pag eye-witness affirming that plenty of sugarcanes grow in Palestine at this day. Surely formerly growing there, (though little known to▪ and less used by the ancients) seeing that Country hath gained no new plants, but rather lost much fertility it had before. § 7. Sugar (pardon a digression) was anciently less used, S●gar a modeer invention. either because their masculine palates were not so liquorish as ours now adays; or because they preferred honey, plenty whereof was extracted and refined to their hand. Yea our modern Sugar, as it is boiled and baked, is not above two hundred years old; and the art of refining it was found out long since by a q Panci●ollus de r●bus in●ent. lib. 2. ●it. 5. Venetian, getting above an hundred thousand crowns thereby, leaving them to his son afterward made a Knight, who wasted all to nothing. § 8. In the north of this Tribe lies the vale of jesreel and Well of Herod, Gedeon of a thresher made Judge. where Gedeon conquered the Midianites●ncamping ●ncamping by the hill of Moreh. Indeed the achievements of Gedeon take up almost this whole half-tribe, and therefore we will attend on him from his call to be a Judge unto his summons to his Grave. § 9 Sad in his time was the condition of the Israelites, Israel's sad condition. oppressed by the Midianites, who swarmed * judg. 6. ●. like Grass-hoppers, for number and noisomeness, over the land of Canaan: Grass-hoppers were formerly a Plague for Egypt, but now for Israel, these * judg. 6. 3. Midianites devouring all which the other had sown. Time was, when the Israelites reaped the fields they did not sow, whereas now they sowed what they did not reap. See what woeful inversions sin can make. In this doleful estate the Angel found Israel, when he sat under * judge 6. 11. an oak in Ophrah in the east of this Tribe near jordan, and saluted Gedeon threshing by the wine-press, The Lord is with thee, thou valiant man. Much concealed valour may lurk under a plain & painful outside, which a just occasion may produce into public view. Yet let none turn their flails, aker-staves, sheep-hooks, shuttles, needles, into swords, till first with Gedeon they have a warrant from God for the same. Gedeon having thus a call from God, and confirmed with many miracles, first by night cast down the Altar (erecting one to God in the same place) and cut down the grove of Baal, then gathered an army of thirty two thousand therewithal to fight the Midianites. § 10. But his army must be garbled, gedeon's army abridged. as too great for God to give victory thereby: all the fearful return home by r judg. 7. 3. Proclamation, leaving the Perons, not the Men in the army, fewer for their departure. The good liquor was no less for the loss of such froth, though two and twenty thousand then went away. Yea the body of his men remaining, was still too big, and must pass another decoction. Their valour, hardiness and industry must be tried by a Purgatory of water, and those only were admitted to march on, (proving but three hundred) who bowed not down on their knees, in a lazy posture, (as if they meant to make a set meal● in drinking) but loath to lose so much time, s judg. 7. 5. doglike lapped water out of their hands, (their dishes, as their tongues, were their spoons,) manifesting thereby, (quick at meat, quick at work) the activity of their spirits, taking all refreshing, only in passage to their farther employment. § 11. With these three hundred Gedeon advanceth against the Midianites, God's condescension to Ged●on. and (as formerly by the deeds of his friends) is now confirmed afresh with the dreams of his foes, and their own t judg. 7. 14. interpretation thereof. Strange that God should condescend so much, and so often for gedeon's satisfaction, working miracles backward and forward for his sake: fleece only wet, and ground dry, u judg. 6. 37. 39 fleece only dry, and ground wet. Heaven's real miracles, will endure turning, being lining, and facing, inside and outside both alike. Yea after these and other confirmations, God the night before the battle gave Gedeon a new sign out of his enemies own mouth. He that spurneth at the presumptuous, how low will he stoop to take up a weak but true faith! Thus the wise mother beateth the sound and froward, but bemoaneth and cherisheth her sick and froward child. § 12. The Midianites lay secure in their tents when the word was given, The Midianites assaulted. The sword of God and Gedeon. Excellent mixture, both joined together; admirable method God put in the first place; Where divine blessing leads up the Van, and man's valour brings up the battle, must not victory needs follow in the rear? gedeon's men by order from him broke their lamp-lined pitchers, whereby night is turned into light, silence becomes a loud sound in an instant. We have this treasure in earthen vessels, and what miracles may the light of God's word in the pitchers of poor preachers bring to pass? § 13. The sudden shining and sounding fills the eyes and ears of the Midianites with amazement. Whence came these spirits walking in the dark, dropped from heaven, or raised from the earth? The text was terrible, but oh what dismal descants did their affrighted fancies make thereon? Every man's fear, single in itself, was doubled by reflection from his next neighbour. For, hearing so many Trumpets, together, if so many Trumpeters, then how many soldiers in proportion unto them? Hereupon the host ran, w Judg. 7. 21. and cried, and fled to Bethshittah in Zererah, and to the borders of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath. Thus, great Armies, once struck with amazement, are like wounded whales, give them but line enough, and the fishes will be the fishermen to catch themselves, and beat themselves ●ame by their own violence. § 14. Hereafter let none term Gideon (as Ulysses x Sene●. in Troad. is disgracefully called) Nocturne miles, Improves his victory. the night Knight, because he conversed with the Angel, cast down Baal's Altar, conquered the Midianites, all by night; seeing now in open light he pursued his conquest, chase Zebah and Zalmunna with the rest of their Army, home to their own Country, where he overtook and destroyed them. Mean time the Ephraimites were active in stopping the passages on jordan, and slew Oreb and Zeeb, the one at a rock, the other at a y Judg. 7. 2●. wine-press, first coloured with their blood, then called after their names to all posterity. § 15. What remains of Gideon, Gideon occasioneth Idolatry. I would willingly conceal, that his Sun might not set in a cloud. But, man must not smother, what God will have seen, especially because tending to his honour, our instruction, though gideon's disgrace. Who, refusing a Crown, accepted the earrings of the people, and thereof made an z Judg. 8. 27. Ephod: surely only as a civil memorial of his valour, and their thankfulness. But, what had Gideon a Manassite, to do with an Ephod, a levitical vestment? Such a monument was neither of divine institution, or benediction, and therefore through man's corruption, easily subject to be abused to superstition. If Gideon walks but on the brink, the next generation will fall to the bottom of Idolatry, as here it came to pass. Posterity went a a Ibidem. whoring after this Ephod, which caused the massacre in, and destruction of the family of Gideon, whom we leave buried in Ophrah in the b Ibid. v. 32. grave of his father joash, and so proceed. § 16. And now his history finished, Abel-meholah the place of Elisha. we shall soon dispatch the remainder of this half Tribe. First we resume Abel-meholah (lately mentioned) which was the habitation in after ages of Elisha. Here he was ploughing with twelve c 1 King. 19 19 yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. What in several teams, or all in the same, to draw one plough? The latter is most likely, whilst our English husbandmen will not wonder at such an herd of oxen, (twenty four) haling at one plough, when they shall read, that the Vale of jordan (wherein lay Abel-meholah) is noted for d 1 King. 7. 46. clay ground, and therefore such stiff land, (especially at the first tilth thereof) must needs require a great strength thereunto. But had his oxen been as many more Elisha would willingly have left them, when Eliah his man●le was once cast upon him. Mo●●le, which could, stop rivers in the full speed of their e ● King. 2. 8. course, and therefore might stay a man in the height of his calling. Hereby we perceive that the words of our Saviour, No f Luke 9 62. ●an having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God, are not literally, but spiritually, to be expounded, of such as having well begun, apostate from their religious Resolutions. § 17. In the aforesaid vale of jordan The Vale of jordan. lay Zarthan, betwixt which and S●ccoth (on the other side of jordan in the Tribe of Gad) the two brazen pillars, (jachin, and Boaz) with all the vessels of the Temple, were made by Hiram, of bright brass, in the clay g 1 King. 7. 46. ground, which probable served him for moulds to run the melted metal therein. And somewhat more towards the north, lay Aenon near to Salim, where john was baptising, because there was much h john 3. 23. water there. Here his Disciples complained to john, concerning Jesus eclipsing him with his lustre. john truly stated the controversy, and modestly determined it against himself, how he must decrease, whilst Christ must increase. § 18. As these places lay on the east of this Tribe, Gath. Rimmon, and the land of Tappuah. in the vale of jordan. so in the western part thereof in the vale of jezreel, lay i josh. 21. 25. Gath-Rimmon (in Chronicles called k 1 Chr. 6. 70. Bileam) the sole City which the Levites had in this entire part of the Tribe of Manasseh; seeing Taanach (called Anar in Chronicles) lay (as is aforesaid) in that part of Manasseh which was surrounded with Issachar. The land of Tappuah belonged also to this half Tribe, though Tappuah the City pertained to Ephraim. Thus the town, and late Castle of Belvoir stands in Lincolne-shire, though the vale thence denominated lies in three shires round about it. § 19 Amongst the mountains in Manasseh, The mountain of O●adiah. we take especial notice of Gilead (so called from Gilead the grand son of Manasseh) l judg. 7. 3. whence Gideon's cowards departed; the hill Moreh, m judg. 7. 1. nigh which the Midtanitish Army was encamped; and above all the mountain of Obadiah, so called because therein in two caves he hid an n 1 Kin. 1●. 13. hundred Prophets, so close, that neither foes nor friends knew thereof, neither jezebel nor Elijah getting intelligence of their being there, the latter erroneously conceiving himself alone left of all the Prophets in the land. Their bill of fare was bread and water, precious liquor when it had not reigned in Israel for three years and an half; hereto our Saviour reflected, that none should lose his reward that gave his little ones a cup of cold water, yea, that such who received a Prophet, should receive a Prophet's o M●t. 10. 41. reward, as here it came to pass. For the sparks of his guests spirit catched hold on Obadiah their host, so far inflaming his breast with inspiration that the short prophecy bearing his name, is by learned men referred to him, as the Author thereof. Saint p In Epitaphio Paulae & Epist. ad ●●arcellum. Hierome tells us, that the Lady Paula (as weak as she was) climbed up this mountain, to behold those monimental caves therein. § 20. In this land we also meet with the woody hills of the Perizzites, The Rephaims their iron chariots. and of the Rephaims, or Giants, mingled amongst them, much affrighting the Manassites with their Iron chariots. Not as if all made of massy iron▪ (such would have been slugs in fight, and so heavy, that they needed horses of steel for strength to draw them) but that they were plated and armed with iron hooks, mischievous instruments of execution, especially in the pursuit of a broken army, men being as grass whereof whole swaths were mowed down with these crooked scythes in chase a routed enemy. Enough almost to make one suspect our ancient Britoneses akin to these Canaanites, seeing such chariots were so fashionable in their q Caesar de B●llo 〈◊〉. fights; were it not that we find the like r Diod S●c l. 17 Pluta●chus in Artax●●xi & all. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, frequently used in all eastern Countries. However joshua gave the Manassites both a promise and prophecy, that (notwithstanding those Ironmoving forts of the Canaanites) they should in process of time certainly overcome them. § 21. We must not forget Beths●n Bethsan where Bacchus hisn nur●e was b●i●d. belonging to M●nasseh (but s josh. 17. 11. seated and environed with Issach●r) whence for a long time they could not expel the Canaanites, therefore called it Bethsan, that is, the house of an Enemy. Here the bodies of Saul and jonathan were hung up by the t 1 Sam. ●1. 12. Philistines Bethsan was afterwards called Nysa by u Plin. Nat. hist. lib. 5. cap. 18. humane writers (and at last Scythopolis) from Nysa Bacchus his nurse, whom he is said there solemnly to have buried. A jolly dame no doubt, as appears by the well battling of the plump boy her nursery. But seeing wine was Bacchus his milk when a child, meat when a man, food when well, physic when sick, we may justly conceive the history mythologically true, the burying of Bacchus his nurse in this place plainly importing plenty of the best wines in the Country hereabouts. § 22. As for Bezek Bezek. I name it last of all▪ because ambiguously placed in the confines of Manasseh, and Ephraim, different from a City of the same name, nearer w See the description of the land of Moriah. jerusalem, where the Tyrant Adonibezek lived. In this Bezek x 1 Sam. 11. 8. saul numbered the Israelites (being three hundred and thirty thousand) and thence marched to the relieving of L●besh-Gilead from the Ammonites. The Arms of Manasseh have been formerly blazoned, and expounded in our Description of the half Tribe beyond jordan, and in the solomon's Purveyourships this land, with some of Zebulun, fell under the care of Baanah the Son of Ahilud. Here the Map of the Land of Ephraim is to be inserted. THE TRIBE OF EPHRAIM. CHAP. 9 § 1. EPhraim the younger Son of Ios●ph was blest by his grandfather jacob, Ephraim why accounted the eldest. laying * Gen. ●8. 14. his right hand on his head (the print of whose fingers remained visible in the happiness of Ephraim's posterity) that behind Manasseh in age, he should prove before him in honour; which came to pass accordingly. Such was his increase in Egypt that they amounted to forty ‡ Numb. 1. 33. thousand five hundred men, all whose carcases fell in the wilderness, and a new generation of thirty two * Num. 26. 37. thousand five hundred entered the land of Promise. §. 2. A Princely and puissant Tribe. Ephraim (saith David) is the strength of ‡ Psal. 60. 7. my head, A princely and puissant Tribe. and is often put by a honourable Synecdoche for all the ten Tribes or whole a Isa. 7. 2. Kingdom of Israel. The people thereof were active, valiant, ambitious of honour, but withal hasty, humorous, hard to be pleased, forward enough to fight with their foes, and too forward to fall out with their friends, counting other men's honour to be their injury, except they might be admitted joint purchasers with them in all gallant undertake. This caused their contest, first with * Judg. 8. 2. Gideon, who pacified them with his compliance, & afterwards with jephthah, where their Brawl was heightened into a Battle, (how quickly do hot spirits hatch words into blows!) of which we have ‡ In Gad § 20. spoked before. § 3. This Tribe was subject to a natural imperfection of lisping, The Ephraimites had a natural lisping. the cause whereof we leave to others to dispute, whether got by imitation, or some hereditary defect in their tongue, or proceeding from some secret quality in their soil, as it is observed in a village at Charleton in b Camd. Brit. in Lecest. Leicestershire, that the people therein are troubled with wharling in their utterance. The best is, men must answer to God for their vicious habits, not natural impediments, and better it is to lisp the language of Canaan; then plainly to pronounce the speech of Ashdod. § 4. Sure I am, But were valiant and fortunate. no Tribe, judah excepted, can vie eminent persons with Ephraim, as Deborah and Abdon, both Judges of Israel, the one by he● c Judg. 4 5. habitation whilst living, the other by his d Judg. 12. 15. sepulchre when dead, truly collected to be of this Tribe, as also c 1 Kin. 11. 26. jeroboam and all the Kings of Israel 〈…〉 § 5. 〈…〉 The bounds of Ephraim. Dan on the south, 〈…〉 But as for the particular 〈◊〉 and flexures 〈…〉 borders of this Tribe, they are so many, and so small, they will be scattered out of our memories, except bound together as, we find them in the text. § 6. Condemn not this our diligence for needless curiosity, Exactness why necessary herein. but know, that every meer-stone that standeth for a landmark, though in substance but a hard flint, or plain pebble, is a precious stone in virtue, and is cordial against dangerous controversies between party and party, and therefore it is of great consequence to be well skilled in the out-limits and boundaries of this, or any other considerable 〈◊〉. § 7. The particular bounds therefore of this Tribe 〈◊〉 exactly as followeth. Ephraim's particular bounds. South. West. North. East. 1 From jordan by 〈◊〉 to the 〈…〉 2 Thence to the wilderness that goeth up from 〈◊〉, throughout moun● 〈◊〉. 3 Thence to 〈◊〉, thence to be bord●●s f Hereof no doubt was Hushai the Archite. 〈…〉 Ataroth. 4 Thence westward to the coasts of Iapble●i. 5 Thence to the coasts of Bethhoron 〈…〉. 6 Then●e 〈◊〉 Gezer, thence to the sea. The Medditerranean Sea. Northwest. 1 From the sea to 〈…〉 K●na. thence to 〈◊〉▪ North-east. 2 Thence to Beth-hor●n the upper, thence to Michm●●ha 3 Thence went about unto 〈…〉 eastward. 4 And passed on the east to 〈◊〉. 5 Thence to At●roth. 6 Thence to 〈◊〉, and so to 〈◊〉. The river 〈◊〉. We reserve the satisfying of such difficulties as encumber these borders, to our fifth ●nd last book, intending it shall serve our four former in the same office wherein the Spleen attendeth on the Liver. For, as that is the drain or sewer of the feculent and melancholy blood: so we design our last book of objections for the Repository of all hard doubts and difficulties, that the rest of our work may be more cheerful and pleasant in the reading thereof. § 8. Amongst these limitary towns, Gezer given to the 〈◊〉. besides the B●th-horons, both of them with Uzzen-Sherah, g 1 Chr. 7. 24. founded by Sherah the daughter of Ephraim the younger (the greatest Buildress in the whole Bible) Gezer is most remarkable. The King 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 by Ioshu●, h Josh. 12. 1●. and the City was given to the Levites, but kept by the Canaanites in defiance of all the powers of i Judg. 1. 29. Ephraim, until Pharaoh taking it, burning it, and killing the Canaanites therein gave it for a k 1 King. 9 16. present to his daughter Solomon's wife. Behold here two titles on foot at once, and the question is which should take effect. Whether the title of the Levites deriving it from Gods l Josh. 21. 21. grant, though (a main matter) they never had the possession of Gezer given them, or that of Pharaohs daughter claiming it as a donative from her father. The best is, the cause was to be tried before the wisdom and integrity of Solomon, who no doubt, being so bountiful to the Temple, would not be injurious to the Ministers thereof, but that as he gave the child to the true mother, he would adjudge the City to the original owners thereof, though making his Queen some reparation otherwise. Proceed we now to the description of this Tribe, and will begin with two eminent Cities in the south part thereof. § 9 Rama, Ramathaimzophine otherwise a 1 Sam. 1. 1. Ramathaim-Zophim (because consisting of two towns, and seated in the land of b 1 Sam. 9 5. Zuph) was the place, where Samuel was c 1 S●m. 1. 19 born wonderfully, of a long barren mother, d 1 Sam. 7. 17. lived unblamably, (as appears by the e 1 Sam. 12. 14. national testimony of his integrity) died peaceably, and was f 1 Sam. 25. 1. buried honourably. Naioth near Rama was the name of his house, where David sometime conversed with Samuel, two eminent Prophets then living together under the same roof. § 10. Yea, Saul prophectes. the very air of this place seems prophetical, seeing Saul coming hither to attach David, was by the great well that is in S●chu (the Helicon of heavenly raptures) strangely inspired, and stripping himself, fell a g 1 Sam. 19 21. prophesying a day and a night together. § 11. This Saul continued constantly a carnal man, though we meet with many spirits, which successively possessed, and deserted him, 1. The spirit of prophecy, which h 1 Sam. 10. 10. twice ravished, then finally forsook him. 2. The Spirit of the Lord, fitting him for government, which i 1 Sam. 16. 14. departed from him after David was anointed. 3. An k Ibidem. evil spirit which troubled him, partly allayed by David's music. 4. His vital and animal Spirits, which partially forsook him at the witches sad news, when he fell all along on the earth, and there was no l 1 Sam. 28. 20. strength in him. 5. His spirit, or soul, finally forced from him by his own sword on mount Gilboa. What need then have men to try the m 1 John 4. 1. Spirits before they trust them, seeing so many of them may be in one and the same person? § 12. In the new Testament this Rama is called Arimathe●, Arimathea. whereof was n Mat. 27. 57 joseph that honourable counsellor, who so freely resigned his own sepulchre to the body of our Saviour, and with Nicodemus provided for the decent interring thereof. § 13. Shiloh succeeds (in a narrow southern spong of this Tribe) where after the conquering of Canaan, Shiloh why the f●rst place of the Ark●s residence. the Tabernacle was solemnly set up, and remained there almost four hundred years. This place was for that purpose preferred before others, partly because almost the centre of the land, and partly in honourable respect to o Josh. 18. 1. joshua, extracted from, and living in this Tribe of Ephraim; and pity it was that God and the Prince should be parted. Perchance the allusion of Shiloh with p Is●. 8. 6. Shiloah, or q John 9 7. Siloam, (which is by interpretation sent, clearly pointing at our Saviour) might promote this place for the erection of the Tabernacle therein. § 14. At Shiloh there was an anniversary dancing of the daughters thereof (probably collected out of all Israel coming then to the Tabernacle) where the Benjamites as yet unprovided for wives, Here Benjamites 〈◊〉 them wives. lying in ambush in the vineyards, violently r Judg. 21. 23. seized some of those maids for their brides, (happy man be his dole) making strange matches, if each interest concerned therein be seriously considered. § 15. First for the Fathers of these virgins. Equivocation. Did this equivocating expedient satisfy their consciences, who had formerly s judg. 21. 1. sworn not to give their daughters to the Benjamites to wife, and yet now by laying the design t Judg. 21. 20. themselves did in effect give these women in marriage to these men? § 16. Secondly, Match-lottery. for the young men. What assurance had they, they could love, not choosing the fittest whom they liked of, but catching the first they lighted on? Or that they could be beloved, storming their wives with violence, in stead of taking their affections by mutual composition? § 17. As for these Brides of fortune, Goldenchance. may we not presume that many of them which danced this day, wept on the morrow? Yet one thing might comfort them, they were all richly married to mighty matches of landed men, seeing the fair and fruitful Tribe of Benjamin, with all the Cities therein was to be shared amongst their six hundred husbands alone, as the sole survivers and absolute heirs of the whole Country. § 18. In Shiloh Eli lived Priest, Eli at Shiloh connives at his wicked sons. and Judge of Israel, whither Elkanah and Hannah, samuel's parents, repaired to God's public worship. This Hannah though silent u 1 Sam. 1. 7. when twi●ted by Peninnah for barrenness, found her tongue when here w Ibid. v. 15. taxed by Eli of drunkenness: because a mere sufferer in the former, but in the latter a sinner, had the accusation been true. Samuel (here prayed for) afterward here served God in a linen Ephod, and though generally there was a x 1 Sam. 3. 1. dearth of visions in this age, here he had many revealed unto him. But Eli's dim eyes connived here at his sons impieties. Whose servant with his y 1 Sam. 2. 13. Trident (an Innovation, no doubt, and none of the utensils made by Moses according to the pattern of the mount) would have raw flesh for his Master; so that, what between the raw flesh here sacrilegiously stolen, and the strange flesh wherewith those Priests z Ibid. v. 22. abused themselves at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation, any pious ears would now a 1 Sam. 3. 11. tingle to hear their faults, as hereafter at their punishment. § 19 For soon after happened the destruction of Hophni and Phinehas, Afterwards sadly destroyed. (slain in battle) the Arkes' captivity, Eli's heart-breaking with the news, neck-breaking with his fall, the death of Phinehas his wife newly delivered, whose son got the sad name (not of Benoni, a name calculated for private pangs, but) of b 1 Sam. 4. 21. Ichabod from this sorrowful accident, because born in this grand eclipse when the glory was departed from Israel. § 20. Yea the very city of Shiloh itself, Shiloh sinks in silence with the Tabernacle. may seem in some sort to expire on the same occasion, which, as it owed its life and lustre to the Tabernacles residence therein, so sinks down in silence at the captivity thereof. For we find no after mention of any eminent act therein, only that Ahijah the Prophet long after lived c 1 King. 14. 2. there. He was the Jewish Tiresias, though blind, a Seer, who discerning jeroboam wife through her disguise, foretold the death of her sick son Abijah. So much of Shiloh; proceed we now to the more northern and mountainous part of this Tribe. § 21. Amongst the remarkable places in mount Ephraim, The possession given to joshua. we find Timnath Serah, or Timnath * judg. 2. 9 Heres (by inversion of the letters) on the northside of the hill Gaash, where a josh. 19 49, 50. when they had made an end of dividing the land, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to joshua. See here his public spirit, not improving his power, though Comamnder in chief, to pickout the fattest pastures, fairest meadows, fertilest fields for himself, but (as if he counted it possession enough for him to have gained possessions for others) when the meanest man was first served, he was contented to stand to the people's courtesy, what they would bestow upon him. If it sound to the praise of a General's valour, to come last out of the field when it is won, no less is the commendation of his temperance to come last into it when it is divided. In Timnath Serah, asked and built by him, joshua afterwards was b josh. 24. 30. buried; and as Saint Hierome reports that in his time the Sun was depicted on his monument. This I dare boldly say, that whereas modern Heralds blazon arms by the specious titles of Planets, their fancy is with most truth appliable to Ioshua's shield, bearing Sol and Luna indeed, having made both Sun and Moon stand still by his prayers. Also Eleazar the High priest was * josh. 24. 33. buried in mount Ephraim, in an hill which pertained to Phinehas his son. § 22. Tirzah was another city near mount Eph●aim, Tirzah once Metropolis of the kingdom of Israel. whose King was conquered by c josh. 12. 24. joshua. In the days of Solomon it was a place of great repute, Thou art beautiful, o my Love, as d Cant. 6. 4. Tirzah; comely as jerusalem, terrible as an army with banners. jeroboam chose it to be his e 1 Kin. 14. 17. Royall-seat (perchance because near f 1 King. 11. 26. Zereda his native place) where he and his successors lived for well-nigh sixty years. Indeed Baasha had a project to make Ramah the place of his residence, as nearer to jerusalem, and therefore more convenient to mark the motions of the Kings of judah; but frustrated of his design he was fain to g 1 King. 15. 21. return to Tirzah, h 1 King. 16. 9 reigned and was buried here. Elah, Baasha's son, was here drinking in the house of Azzah his steward, when a dear reckoning was brought in, and no less than his life extorted from him by Zimri his successor. Afterwards, when Tirzah was taken, Zimri either out of envy that the royal Palace should survive him, or desire to prevent a more shameful death, burned himself, and the King's house together. We read of King Asa, that after his death, his subjects made a very great i 2 Chr. 16. 14. burning for him; but Zimri exceeded, making a bonfire for and of himself when alive; herein standing alone, except seconded by k justin. lib. 1. Sardanapalus, who in like manner destroyed himself on the same occasion. Thus died Zimri, a King only for a week, whose Reign like a winter's day was short and dirty; yet long enough to leave this taunt for Iezebels mouth, l 2 King. 9 31. and Proverb to posterity, Had Zimri peace, that slew his Master? Hard by is * 2 King. 15. 16. Tiphsaph, where King Menahem barbarously ripped up the women with child, because the city opened not to receive him. § 23. Besides cities, many private dwellings were sprinkled on mount Ephraim; Private houses on mount Ephraim. as the house of that m judg. 19 1. Levite, whose concubine the men of Gibeah abused to death: the house of Micah, well stored with Idols, where first the five spies, than the six hundred men of Dan, took up their lodgings, when marching to Laish: Ungrateful guests! who in stead of discharging their quarters, plundered their n jud. 18. 2. 24. Landlord, taking his Images and priest away with them. Thirdly, the house of Deborah under a o jud. 4. 5. Palmtree betwixt Ramah and Bethel, where she judged Israel. A tree then the Westminster Hall of the whole Land, made the seat of justice in an open place, partly that all people might have free access with their Petitions thereunto, without doors or porters to exclude any; partly that so public a place might mind Judges, parties, and witnesses of fair and clear proceeding without secret or sinister reservations, having heaven God's Throne in view, and before their eyes. This Palm was preferred for this purpose before other trees, because far and fair spreading, it afforded much people a shady conveniency under the branches thereof; not to insist on (a text rather for fancy to descant, than judgement to comment on) the resemblances betwixt the growth of Palms and judicial proceedings. Which, as that plant improves itself by pressures, aught in fine to flourish in defiance of all opposition. § 24. But the most * Esay 7. 9 observable place in the north of this Tribe is the City of Samaria, Samaria built by Omri. built by Omri, (because the royal Palace was burnt at Tirzah, as is aforesaid) on an hill bought by him for two talents of silver, and called by him Samaria, from p 1 King. 16. 24. Shemer the former owner of that place. Strange, it should take the denomination rather from him that sold it, then him that bought it: except this was part of the bargain, which appears not in Scripture. Sure we are, though the name of Omri was not preserved in the place, the Statutes of Omri were observed by the people, according to the q Mic. 6. 16. Prophet's complaint, and his impious injunctions obliged men to the practice thereof. Samaria proved afterwards a beautiful City, & was the principal place of the residence & burial of the Kings of Israel. § 25. Stately was the King's Palace therein. The stately buildings in Samaria. Hence King Ahaziah Ahabs son had a mortal fall through a lattice in his upper r 2 King. 1. 2. chamber: possible this mischance had been prevented, had the house or chamber been built according to God's direction, s De●t. 22. 8. with batlements, that men might not fall from thence. But likely it is, the Fabric thereof was fashioned according to the Mode of the Sidonian architecture. Hard by Ahab built an t 1 King. 22. 39 Ivory-house. Conceive it checkered, inlaid, and adorned therewith; otherwise all the Elephants in India and Africa would not afford materials for such a structure: not to say, the crookedness and smallness of their teeth, made them useless for beams in that building. A frequent Synecdoche, to denominate the house from the principal materials therein, like Leaden-hall in London; not because wholly built, but only covered with that metal. But alas, what good would an Ivory-house do Ahab, whilst he had an Ebony soul in the midst thereof, blacked over with impieties. Baal's temple u 1 King 16. 32. built by Ahab, and turned by w 2 King. 10. 25. 27. jehu into a jakes, was a structure of great State, into which Baal's Priests were trained by a device, and slain. The greatest place of receipt in Samaria (which might serve them for a market-stead, or rather for a seat of Justice) was that void x 1 Kin. 22. 10. place at the entering of the gate; of such a latitude, that it was able to receive at once the Kings of Israel and judah, with their royal retinue. § 26. But amongst all the structures in Samaria, The King of Syria's streets in Samaria. none more eminent than the streets built therein by the King of Syria. A thing scarce to be paralleled, that a foreign King should be permitted to erect streets in the Metropolitan City of another Kingdom. If any allege that Peter Earl of Savoy built his palace in the Strand (known by the name of Savoy at this day) and that there is a street betwixt Aldersgate and Smithfield called Britons street, from the ancient lodgings of the Duke of Britain therein; neither of the instances amount to the matter in hand. The former palace being erected, as I take it, for the Earls abode here when in banishment. And as for the latter, it appears not that the Dukes of Britain were at any cost in building it: whereas the Kings of Syria founded the Fabrics of those streets in the city of Samaria, and never inhabited therein. It seems when Omri began the new building of Samaria, either he requested the assistance of the King of Syria (as a neighbouring Prince in amity with him) to help him in the work; (no shame to beg the first clouts of friends, for an infant-city) or else the Syrian Kings civilly tendered their service, to give it as good handsel to so good a work, or as a Royal Largess amongst the inferior builders thereof. For mine own part I conceive that the Kings of Damascus, got some conquest of Samaria not mentioned in Scripture, and then built these streets, as a monument of their victory and bridle to over-awe the city. The rather because Benhadad being afterwards overcome by Ahab proffered the like favour and freedom unto him, if it pleased him to accept thereof, y 1 Kin. 20. 34. And thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my Father made in Samaria. § 27. We meet in Scripture with three famous sieges of Samaria. First siege of Samaria. Once when Benhadad not content with ahab's submission, (proffering to hold all he had by homage from him) would have all the wealth of the city in specie surrendered unto him, vainly vaunting that z 1 King. 20. 10. the dust of Samaria could not suffice for handfuls for all the people that followed him. Surely the Scavengers were very diligent in sweeping so populous a place, or else it was a most hyperbolical expression. But grant Samaria could not yield dust enough to fill the hands, the mountains near unto it could afford dirt enough to stop the mouths of most of his army, who few days after were thereon miraculously a 1 King. 20. 21. defeated. § 28. A second siege was in the reign of King joram, when the famine was so great, The second siege of Samaria that an Ass' head, and a cab of dung was sold at unconscionable rates: the former for food, the latter most probably for fuel, and surely not to drain peter to make powder thence, an invention unknown in that age. Nor was the sudden plenty, occasioned by the Syrians flight, less admirable, all provision being brought down in an instant to a very unexpected low price. So that he that here knew beforehand what would be cheap or dear, needed but a few minutes to make him a rich Merchant. But this shower of plenty caused a flood of people to flock to the gates of Samaria, where that infidel Prince, who despaired of God's power and Elisha's prophecy, was b 2 King. 7. 17. overwhelmed in the multitude; living so long to have his eyes confute his tongue, but not to have his taste confirm his eyes; beholding, but not partaking of the plenty. § 29. The third and last siege when the city was taken and destroyed by Salmaneser King of Assyria, The third and last siege of Samaria. in the reign of Hosea King of Israel, a King who was the best, or rather the least bad of all that sat on that throne. Of whom it is said, he was evil in the sight of the Lord, but e 2 King. 17. 2. not as the Kings of Israel, that were before him. It may therefore seem wonderful that the ruin of the kingdom should happen in his reign: but what shall we say? When a vessel is already brimful, the addition of the least drop more, will make it run over. § 30. Afterwards Samaria was peopled with Colonies of the Assyrians; A Christian Church in Samaria. great back friends to the rebuilding of jerusalem, as the books of Ezra and Nehemiah do sufficiently declare. Our Saviour therefore gave in charge to the disciples, when sent to preach, Into f Mat. 10. 5. any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But this was but a temporary prohibition, for after Christ's ascension and the persecution about Steven, Samaria quickly received the Gospel by the preaching of g Act. 8. 5. 14. 25. & 9 31. Philip the Evangelist. Here afterwards happened the great contest betwixt the two Simons, Peter and Magus. The latter h Act. 8. 19 proffering money to buy the gift of bestowing the holy Ghost. But leaving them we may observe God's gradation in giving his holy Spirit. First, to those that were purely jews in i Act. 2. 4. jerusalem; Then to such as were partly jews in Samaria; Lastly, to such as were purely Gentiles k Act. 10. 44. in Caesarea, where Cornelius was baptised. § 31. Near Samaria was a fountain to wash, Memorable places near Samaria. and house to shear the sheep. Nigh to which in the road to jezreel, jehu met two l 2 King. 10. 14. and forty men coming on a visit of respect, to salute the late slain sons of the King of Israel. Wherefore because the persons they came to wait on were not in this world, jehu took order to send them all to the grave, that they might be more perfectly informed how it fared with those, whom they came to salute. Hard by is the Lazar-house, wherein lived those m 2 King. 7. 3. 4. Levit. ●3. 46. Lepers, who being bandied betwixt two deaths of the famine and the sword, preferred to put themselves on sudden and doubtful, rather than on slow but certain destruction; and first brought to Samaria the tidings of the Syrians tents left empty of men, and full of provision. § 32. We must not forget the people near Samaria, The pool of Samaria. wherein ahab's chariot was washed, though some difference appears betwixt the prediction and performance thereof. Prediction. 1 King. 21. 19 Thus saith the Lord, In the place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. Performance. 1 King. 22. 28. 2 King. 6. 25. 26. And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and they washed his armour according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke. The difficulty is this; the dogs licked the blood of Ahab at Samaria whereas Naboth was stoned at n 1 King. 21. 1. jezreel, twenty miles and more northward. To reconcile which difference, Rabbi Solomon conceives that though Ahabs chariot was washed at Samaria, his armour was washed at jezreel, where (saith he) the royal armoury was kept. Others fancy an outlet of the pool of Samaria in the river Kison, which many miles off glided by the vineyard of Naboth, so that his blood might be carried thither down the stream. Lastly, it is generally answered, that those words, In the place, are not to be taken restrictively for the same numerical spot of ground, but extensively for the same Land, country, and kingdom, which then was fulfilled according to the Prophet's prediction. Not to say, that some understand, In the place where the dogs licked, that is, pro eo quod, in stead, in lieu, or in requital of thy cruelty, dogs shall lick thy blood, etc. Nor have I ought else to observe of Samaria, save that Herod called the name thereof Sebaste from a fair Temple erected here, in the honour of Augustus Cesar. § 33. Hard by, Curs●g and blessing on Ebal and Gerizim. are Ebal and Gerizim, twin-mountains of equal height, on which, in the days of a Josh. 8. 34. joshua, after the conquest of the land, the people of Israel, according to God's b Deut. 11. 29. command, assembled themselves, with their c josh. 8 35. women, little ones, and strangers, in manner and method following, On mount Gerizim to bless. 1 d Deut. 27. 12. Simeon. 2 Levi. 3 judah. 4 Issachar. 5 joseph. 6 Benjamin. On mount Ebal to curse. 1 Reuben. 2 Gad. 3 Asher. 4 Zebulun. 5 Dan. 6 Naphtali. See we here, both the Royal and Sacerdotal tribes (judah and Levi) on the blessing side; all cursings and imprecations (save when of absolute necessity) ill becoming the mouths of Magistrates and Ministers. In this action, the Levites appeared in a double capacity; as public officers, so they spoke to the men of Israel with a loud e Deut. 27. 14. voice; and as private persons, so they contributed their Amen, with the rest of the people. § 34. Here it will be demanded, How they might be heard form one mount to another seeing the sides of this Choir were so far asunder, how could the Levites voices be distinctly heard from one mountain to another, especially if the whole city of Sechem (as the f Benjamin in 〈◊〉. pa. 38. Rabbin will have it) lay interposed betwixt them: and may not divine service as well be warranted in a language unknown, as unheard; both being equally understood? For answer whereunto, we must know, that the very make, and fashion of these mountains (picked out by God's providence for that purpose) might advantage much the articulate audibility of the Levites voices, especially if (as some fancy them) they bended tops, hanged over and leaned inwards, so, as it were with mutual consent, more conveniently to reach the sound from the one to the other. We know what g Giraldus Cambrensis. See Camden's Brit●in Merionithshire. some have written of the mountains in Merionithshire, so even in height that the shepherds may talk together on the tops of them, yet so, that if haply they appoint to meet together, they can hardly do it from morning to night. Besides, the people knew before hand, the very numerical words, both of the blessings, and cursings, which the Levites were to pronounce, and this rendered their voice intelligible at the greater distance. For, our ears and eyes quickly own those objects far off, with which formerly they have been familiarly acquainted. Lastly, the Levites uttered no long continued orations, but short speeches severally distinguished, with the full periods of the people's Amen, which gave fair notice to their neighbours on the next mountain, when to begin, and end their attention; and sentences so plainly pointed, are more easily understood at greater distance. § 35. On mount Ebal, A solmn Altar built on mount Ebal. where the curses were pronounced, a solemn Altar was, according to h Deut. 27. 5. God's command, set up by joshua; and burnt, and i Josh. 8. 31. peace offerings, were sacrificed thereon. No more than needed, for otherwise, the maledictions had no sooner been uttered, but condemnation, and execution had instantly ensued, if these sacrifices, with the merits of Christ typified therein, had not seasonably interceded. This altar was made of whole stones, without Iron lift upon it, and was plastered over, serving also for a table-book (the stones being the leaves, and in the plastering were the letters thereof) wherein, by God's command, all the k Deut. 27. 8. 32 words of the law were written very plainly: not that all Deuteronomy, much less all the Pentateuch was registered thereon (where should they find, and how should they fetch stones in folio for so voluminous a work?) but, either the thirteen cursings (with their opposite blessings) mentioned there; or else the ten Commandments, the Breviate, and abstract of the whole law. § 36. But mount Gerizim was the Holy of holies to the Samaritans, Two sects of Samaritans the first Idolaters. in after ages commonly calling it the blessed mountain, and confining their public service, and sacrifices, to that place. Here, to avoid confusion, we must take notice of two distinct sorts, or sects of Samaritans, differing much amongst themselves, in. 1 Antiquity. 2 Extraction. 3 Religion. 4 Place of their worship. One from Hez●kiahs time. Heathens by descent. Heretical. Any where in the province of Samaria. Another from 〈◊〉 ti●e. Mongrel- jews. Idolatrous. In mount Gerizim alone. We begin with the former, being colonies of Assyrians, planted by Salmaneser in the place of the ten Tribes, which he had carried away into final captivity. These at first were devoured with Lions, saith the l 2 King. 17. 25. Scripture, though m Antiq. lib. 9 cap. 14. josephus affirmeth, that the plague; the Samaritan Chronicle, that the famine destroyed them. Presumption in them to deviate from God's word; for though both plague and famine may in some sense be allowed to be Lions, that is, devourers; yet such as confound them, destroy Gods solemn Quadripartite of his punishments; making three members, of his four sore judgements mentioned in the n Ezek. 1●. 21. Prophet, coincidere, to interfeer, yea run all into one. Afterward, a Jewish Priest was at their request sent out of Assyria, to teach these Samaritans the o 2 King. 17. 27 manner of the God of the land. He is called Ezdras by p Contr. Haeres. lib. 1. pag. 5. ●● Epiphanius, by others q ●bn. Patrick. in 〈◊〉. Arab. Lun, and by some Zacharias; but seeing God hath concealed his name, it is no whit material to know it, especially, except he had taught them better divinity. For he instructed them not to serve God as they ought, in his Temple then extant at jerusalem, but in their own country, according to the direction of jeroboam; and then, no wonder, if the Samaritans were guilty of abominable impieties. For, as water neither will, nor can naturally ascend higher, then just level to the spring, or fountain, whence it is derived: so these people were capable of no purer service of God, then as they were principled by this superstitious Priest, who either did not know, or would not teach them the true Religion. Yea, their practice fell short of his precepts, not worshipping one God alone, but every city had also a several r 2 King. 17. 29, 30, 31. Idol to themselves, according to the nations, whence they were descended. These were the ancient Idolatrous Samaritans, which, as chrysostom saith, did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, mingle what was not to be conjoined, and which in process of time were well wasted, and few (if any of them) extant in the days of our Saviour. § 37. These were succeeded with a second sort of heretical Samaritans, The second Sect heretical. beginning in the government of Nehemiah, who s Nehe. 13. 28. reporteth, that one of the sons of jojada, the son of Eliashib the highpriest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite, and therefore I chased him from me. This Priest is by josephus t Anti. jud. li. 11. cap. 7. 8. called Manasse; who thus driven away from jerusalem, went with other jews, guilty of the like mongrell-matches, to the Samaritans their wives kindred, and there (as the Jewish u Zemach. David part. prim. pag. 26. ●. b. writers relate) built an Anti-temple on mount Gerizim, where a medley nation devised a miscellaneons worship of God, rejecting all the Scriptures, save the five books of Moses, and maintaining many abominable superstitions. And yet they were not so bad, as Epiphanius w Haeres. 9 makes them, charging them by a far-fetched consequence, to worship heathen Gods, because placing sanctity in that mountain, wherein jacob buried his Idols, x Gen. 35. 4. whilst some tax them to adore a Dove, the Arms of the Kings of Babylon, and others unjustly accuse them, utterly to deny the resurrection; we remit the Reader to our learned y Hotting. Exercit. Anti-mor. Author, who cleareth them from these false aspersions; and, though we ourselves will not take the pains to plead their cause, let us have the patience, to hear others speak for the worst of men, when unjustly traduced. § 38. But the main difference in matter of Religion, Samaritans for their own advantage falsify the text. betwixt the Samaritans, and jews, is no less briefly, then clearly, and truly stated in those words of the woman to our Saviour, z john 4. 20. Our Father's [Samaritans] worshipped in this mountain [Gerizim,] and ye [jews] say, that in jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. The contest grew high betwixt them, each zealous to assert the transcendent holiness of their Temple; insomuch, that the Samaritans made the text false, to make their title true, wilfully depraving the original. For, whereas we read in the Hebrew, both that a Deut. 27. 12. Moses directed, and joshua b josh. 8. 30. erected an Altar on mount Ebal, the c Vid. Sam. Pent. Deut. 27. 4. Samaritan Pentateuch make the same built on mount Gerizim, in the very place where afterwards their mock-Temple was set up, so to gain thereunto the greater reputation of holiness. This false foundation laid, they proceeded thereon, to vaunt of the excellency of their divine service, exceeding the jews in 1 Antiquity, 1 King. 6. 1. it bearing date from this solemn Altar, four hundred and odd years before the structure of the Temple by Solomon. And, if the jews once offered to plead the original of their Temple from Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac on mount Moriah, than the Samaritans to outvie them, derived the seniority and sanctity of their mountain, from the first apparition God made to d Gen. 12. 6, 7. Abraham, and first Altar Abraham made to God in the land of Canaan, both in this, before Isaac was ever promised. 2 Constant continuance, pretending an uninterrupted succession of divine service in this place, whilst they objected the long intermission of God's worship in jerusalem, lying waist during the seventy years of the captivity in Babylon. But, oh how light and slight, how few and feeble are the Samaritan arguments for the place of their worship, if compared to the numerous, ponderous, pregnant proofs jews can produce, for God's presence fixed in jerusalem! The Samaritans therefore were wise in their generation, to admit alone of the five books of Moses for canonical (wherein all their supposed evidences, for the matter in controversy, are contained) seeing otherwise, had they accepted of the rest of the Prophets in the old Testament, their witness had utterly overthrown the fundamentals of their Religion, which so frequently make jerusalem the proper centre of all pious men's devotion. One instance for many; e Psal. 78. 67, 68, 69. Moreover he refused the tabernacle of joseph, and chose not the Tribe of Ephraim; but chose the Tribe of judah, the mount Zion which he loved. And he built his sanctuary like-high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever. Here Ephraim is singled out by himself, as of all the Tribes, most probable in after-ages to justle with judah, for the place of God's public service (in whose portion was mount Gerizim, besides f Iosh 18. 1. josh. 16. 6. Shiloh where the tabernacle so long resided) and yet he is clearly cast, and the cause adjudged against him, by the immediate determination of God himself. § 39 We have no more to say of the Samaritan temple on mount Gerizim, The testimony of the son of Sirach. save only that g 2 Macc. 6. 2. Antiochus afterward turned it for a time into the temple of jupiter that keepeth hospitality. Sure I am, the Samaritans practised small hospitality in the country hereabouts; denying to give our Saviour entertainment in their towns h Luk. 9 53. because he was going to jerusalem. The truth is, this temple was destroyed, somewhat before the time of our Saviour, by john i Zemach. David part 1●. pag. 26. Hyrcanus, after it had flourished above two hundred years: but, when the temple was taken away, the mountain remained, in which the Samaritans continued their adoration. We conclude all with the words of the son of k Eccles. 50 25. Sirach, There be two manner of nations which my heart abhorreth, and the third is no nation: They that sit upon the mountains of Samaria, and they that dwell amongst the Philistines, and that foolish people that dwell in Sichem. Meaning by the first, the Idolatrous, by the last, the heretical Samaritans, who indeed were no distinct nation (as Leopards, and mules, are properly no creatures) but a mixture of jews, and heathen, blended together. § 41. Expect not here from me (as alien from our work in hand) any arguments, Impudence to prefer the Samaritan, before the Hebrew Pentateuch. against their presumption, who have dared to compare, yea prefer the Samaritan Pentateuch, for authenticalness, before the Hebrew Original. For three things (saith l Prov. 30. 21. 23. Solomon) the earth is disquieted, and the fourth it can not bear, namely, an handmaid that is heir to her mistress. How much more intolerable than is it, when a translation, which is, or aught to be, the dutiful servant to the original, shall presume, (her mistress being extant, and in presence,) to take the place and precedency of her? As here, apographum doth of the autographum, when the Samaritan transcript is by some m Vide Exercit. Hottinge●i contra Mori●um. advanced above the canonical copy in the Hebrew. All I will add is this, that to the jews 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, were n Rom. 3. 2. committed the oracles of God: and, to give them their due, they were careful preservers thereof, being never reproved by our Saviour, (though often for false-glosses thereon) of any forgery in corrupting, depraving, or altering the Letter of the text: whereas no such trust appears, delivered to the charge of the Sama●itans. In a word, such as defend, that the Pentateuch coming from the heretical (not to say apostate Samaritans) is purer than that in Hebrew, transmitted to us from the jews, in that age the only o Amos 3. 2. true Church of God in the world, may with as much truth maintain, that breath proceeding from putrefied and corrupted lungs, is more healthful and wholesome, than what cometh from vitals sound and entire. § 42. Shechem, Dinah deflowered in Shechem. Gen. 34. 1. which we lately mentioned, lay betwixt the aforesaid mountains; a place stained with many treacherous practices, which were acted therein. Here Dinah went out to see the daughters of the land, so to please her fancy with gazing on foreign fashions. O where was the tent, wherein her great-grand-mother p Gen 18. 9 Sarah lived, that now she had left it? Where was the q Gen. 24. 65 veil, wherewith her grandmother Rebekah covered her face, that now she had lost it? Her own mother L●ahs r Gen. 29. 17. eyes, which were weak and tender, (those worse) were better than Dinahs, which were wanton, and wand'ring. She sees, and is seen, and is liked, ●nd lusted after, and (whether by force, or fraud) defiled, and still passionately affected; contrary to what commonly happens, that the snuff of lust goes out in the stink s 2 Sam. 13. 15. of loathing. Yea Shechem was so honest in his dishonesty, that he desired to make Dinah the best amends he could give, or she receive, and on any rate went about to purchase the vine to himself, so to colour a title to those unripe grapes, which he had snatched from it. The agreement is made, on condition all the Shechemites should be circumcised; which done, on the t Gen. 34. 25. third day (when commonly wounds are more painful, then when first given) Simeon and Levi kill all the males of the city, and the rest of their brethren fall on the spoil thereof. § 42. Long after, Abimelech made King by the Shechemites Abimelech, the base-born and bloody-minded son of good Gedeon, was by the Shechemites (his townsmen by his mother's side) here at the u judg. 9 6. stone in the plain, made King of I●rael; whilst jotham (which of his seventy brethren had only escaped his cruelty) from the top of mount w judg. 4. 7. Gerizim, uttered his parable of the Bramble, kinging it over the trees of the wood. Bramble; which he applied so home to the men of Shechem, that for the present, he left the pricks thereof in the ears of his auditors; the pain whereof they found and felt afterwards in their hearts, when God put a spirit of discord betwixt them, and Abimelech. § 43. We find not the particular cause, Shechem sacked by Abimele●h. but the effects of the discord betwixt them. Insomuch that Abimelech sacked the city of Shechem, and a judg. 9 45. sowed it with salt. A formality usual in that age in execration of people's perfidiousness: but whence fetching its original, it is hard to decide. I dare not say, in imitation of God himself, who when he destroyed the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, turned the fruitful vales wherein they stood, into the b Gen. 14. 3. salt-sea, in token of their perpetual desolation. Sure I am, the custom hath been imitated in these western parts. For Frederick Barbarossa, for some affronts offered to his Empress by those of Milan, razed the city, and sowed it with c Munster's Cosm. in descr. Italy. salt. § 44. The Shechemites retreated into the house of Baal-berith their God, hoping in vain to make it good for their defence. Ab●melech slain at ●he tower of Thebez. For Abimelech fetching fuel from the neighbouring mountain of Zalmon d judg. 9 48. (whence the Psalmist fetched his expression of spotless purity, white as snow in e Psal. 68 14. Zalmon, which commonly candied the top of this mountain, being the Jewish Albion) and firing the tower of the Temple, slew therein a thousand men and women. Then no doubt the f judg. 9 20. 6. house of Millo was destroyed: which I take not for any building in the city of Shechem (though there was a fair street of that g 1 King. 11. 27 name in jerusalem) but for a potent and puissant family therein, (as the house of the Fuggers in Auspurge) who first advanced Abimelech, and sought, when too late, to suppress. But the weaker sex revenged on Abimelech his cruelty to them, when besieging the tower of Thebez, which we conceive hard by Shechem, (having no other indication, but this single mention for the posture thereof) a woman broke his brainpan with a piece of a h judg. 9 53. millstone. § 45. Though not the salt which was sown, The people petition R●hoboam at Shechem. yet the city of Shechem, grew up again to its former greatness. Hither repaired Rehoboam for the people to make him King. One may haply sent jeroboam policy & his hand in appointing the place, in his own Tribe of Ephraim, where his party was most puissant: 1 King. 11. 31. 37. ●●. who intending to run a race with Rehoboam for a Crown, chose out the ground most advantageous for himself. Here the people presented Rehoboam with a Petition for the mitigation of the intolerable burdens, whether personal, or pecuniary, which Solomon imposed upon them. How came he to be behind hand who was the most wealthy Prince in the world? Surely not the building of Gods, but his Idols temples impaired his treasure; and women impoverished both his wealth and his wisdom. Seven hundred i 1 King. 11. 3. Queens, and not unlikely so many Courts; and three hundred Concubines, which though lesser than the former in honour, might be greater in expense (as the Thief in the Candle wasteth more than the burning of the wick) were able to bankrupt the land of Ophir, with Tarshish given in to boot▪ Rehoboam requires three k 1 King. 12. 5. days respite for his answer: the only act almost wherein he showed himself wise Solomon's son; seeing in matters of such consequence, extemporary returns give men leisure afterwards to meditate their Repentance. § 46. The old men advise Rehoboam for remission and mitigation of taxes. Rehoboam followeth the young men's advice. What harm was it if He being now to be married to a Crown should wait on his Bride the wedding-day, that she might obey him all her life after? Especially they counselled him to l 2 King. 12. 7. speak good words to the people, though his good deeds might follow at a distance. And truly fair speeches cost the giver nothing, and do ease, though not cure the discontented receiver. But Rehoboam followed the advice of the young men (hot heads, enough to set a kingdom on fire) not to satisfy, but suppress the people's desires, threatening to make his little finger heavier than his Father's loins; (more happy if he had made his head but half as wise) so that the people deserting the house of David, clavae to jeroboam for their King. § 47. During this distemper, Adoram stoned by the people. Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the Tribute, unto the people. No doubt in hope that they would reverence his gray-hairs, not abating much of an hundred years in age, (having enjoyed that office above threescore years, from the midst of the reign of King m 2 Sam. 20. 24. David;) or else to give them some oral satisfaction, how all sums had formerly been expended for the public good. But his sight was offensive to the people, whose very looks seemed to demand a tax, and his eyes to exact tribute of them: insomuch that the * 1 King. 12. 18. people stoned him to death. To lesson all money-officers from public appearance in popular tumults, being persons most obnoxious to the spite and spleen of the Vulgar. Thus in jack Straws' Rebellion, their fury fell first and fiercest on Sir Robert Hales Lord of Saint john's, and then Lord Treasurer, whom they drew out of the Chapel in the Tower; and without any reverence of his estate or degree, with fell noise and huge cries struck off his head on n Hollir shed. pag. 431. Tower-hill. Nor did Sir ●ames Fines, Lord Say, and Treasurer of England, fare better in ●he Rebellion of jack Cade, whom without any judicial proceedings, before his confession was ended, they o Ide● 〈◊〉 634. executed at the standard in Cheapside. And now it was high time for Rehoboam to call for his Chariot, and hast to jerusalem. § 48. Jacob's purchase ●nd Ios●phs portion. Near to Shechem was the parcel of ground which jacob bought of the children of Hamor for an hundred pieces of money, whereon he spread his tent, and erected an Altar called God the p Gen. 33. 20. God of Israel. Afterwards jacob gave it as a portion to his son joseph, whose bones brought out of Egypt were q josh. 24. 32. buried therein. But how jacob, when he bequeathed this land to joseph, could properly call it, A portion. r Gen. 48. 22. which he took out of the hands of the Amorites with his sword and by his bow, is a difficulty much perplexing Divines in the solution thereof, meeting only with Jacob's staff (though Esau had a bow) in the Tenor of Scripture: We will present the Reader with their best answers, leaving him to choose which he conceives most probable. Some conceive 1 That jacob being a peaceable and plain dealing man, in reproof of such as delight in force and violence, called his money his sword and his bow. And indeed in all age's money is the sharpest sword, and bow that best hits the mark yea * Eccles. 10. 19 answereth all things. 2 That thereby he meant his prayers (the Arms of the Patriarches and Primitive Christians) whereby he obtained of God, that his posterity being now in his loins, in due time should by their martial achievements conquer the country; and speaks of the conquest as already made, because of the undoubted assurance of it upon God's promise. 3 That his sword and his bow import no more than his industry and endeavours. Thus the Latin phrase, Fecit proprio mart, carrieth a warlike sound, but a peaceable sense, when one acquires a thing, though in a legal way with his own might, without the assistance of others, as jacob purchased the foresaid heritage. 4 That his sword related not to his purchase, but to the city of s 〈◊〉 in locum. Shechem, which Simeon and Levi won by their sword, and the son's conquest is reputed to their Father. Now let none be troubled because jacob is said to purchase this land of the Amorites, Hamor of whom he bought it being an t Gen. 34. 2. Hivite: Amorite being there taken in a generical sense, as all the inhabitants of the eight united Provinces, are commonly called Hollanders. § 49. Near to this parcel of ground which jacob gave to joseph, 〈◊〉 and Shalem c●ties nigh She●hem. stood the city of Sychar; wherein was the well, at which that excellent discourse passed betwixt our Saviour and the u john 4. 5. Samaritan woman, who came thither to draw water. Some also place hereabouts the city Shalem founding it on the words of the text, And jacob came to w Gen. 33. 18. Shalem a city of Shechem. Which the Chaldee and other translations read, and jacob came safe or sound and entire to a city of Shechem. Not that here he was healed of his halting (as some will have it) but rather that hitherto no notorious or eminent dysaster befell his family, which afterwards fell thick and threefold upon it. As the defiling of Dinah; Simeon and Levi slaughtering the Shechemites; Reubens incest; Rachel's death; Er and Onan slain by God; Iudah's incest with Tamar; joseph sold by his brethren. brethren 50. And now to take our farewell of the country about Shechem, Two eminent oaks near Shechem. anciently called the x Gen. 12. 6. plain of Moreh: two eminent oaks grew therein. One, under which jacob buried his heathen Gods, with the superstitious y Gen. 35. 4. earrings of his family, wherein no doubt, Idols were engraven. Another, under which was a great stone solemnly set up by joshua with the words of the Law z Io●●. 24. 27. written thereon, to be a witness against the Israelites, in case afterwards they should deny that God, whom then they generally resolved to serve But the question will be how this latter oak was termed to be a josh. 24. 26. by the Sanctuary of the Lord; seeing the Tabernacle, and the Sanctuary Lieger therein resided at b josh. 18.1. Shiloh in those days. If any say that every place where men seriously set their souls to serve God is his Sanctuary; they speak rather an Evangelicall truth, than a proper answer to the present question. This inclines me to conceive, either that by Sanctuary is meant that place of the Altar, which jacob long before thereabouts erected; or that the Tabernacle not far off, was brought hither for the instant occasion, and afterwards returned back unto Shiloh. § 51. Dothan lay east of Shechem, Doth●● where the Syrians were smitten with blindness. wherein the Prophet Elisha for some time made his abode. Here he was complained of to the King of Syria, for being the picklock of his Cabinet-councels: and therefore an army was ordered to apprehend him. But why so many to attach a single person and his servant? Indeed no more than needed. For Elisha alone was an army in himself c 2 Kin. 13. 14. being the horsemen of Israel and chariots thereof▪ His servant seeing themselves surrounded cries out, till having his eyes opened, he discovereth themselves guarded with a fiery army on the tops of the mountains. Thus Angels are good men's Janissaries to protect them, and those Natives of heaven grudge not to guard those, who are only free Denizens thereof. The Syrians are b 2 King. 6. 18. smitten with blindness; and they that came for the destruction, are glad to follow the direction of Elisha. Indeed to whom should blind men go, but to the Prophet, the Seer, to guide them? He leads them, for the present, the wrong way to their intents and desires, but in fine the right way to God's glory, and their safety; in stead of Dothan, bringing them to Samaria. How easily are those misled who lack the use of eyes? And (alas!) whither will implicire faith, and blind obedience steer the followers thereof? Yet here all came off in a peaceable close; so that their lives being saved, sight restored, bodies feasted, and minds better informed, they returned to Damascus. If I must be a captive, may I be a prisoner to a pious Prophet, so shall I be best used, and my ransom easiliest procured. § 52. This Dothan I take to be the very place, Dothan where joseph was sold by his brethren where joseph found his brethren, and there was put into the pit, and sold to the Merchants. For being sent by his Father to c Gen. 37. 12. Shechem, he was by a man directed to Dothan, whither his brethren had removed their flocks, and which probably was not far off, but some few miles from the former place. Wherefore, when formerly in the description of Zebulun, we placed Dothan in the northern parts of that Tribe, threescore miles from Shechem, therein we were carried away with the common current of other men's judgements, and now have watched our advantage to swim back again, and show our private opinion in the position thereof. And besides the aforesaid text, settling Dothan near Shechem in this Tribe of Ephraim, it is proportionable to divine providence, that the place whereon joseph was betrayed, and pit wherein he was put, should in after ages fall to the possession of the sons of Ephraim descended from him. § 53. But here a material Question will be started, How this country was called the land of the Hebrews. how joseph could properly say, that he was stolen away out of the f Gen. 40. 15. land of the Hebrews; when the Hebrews at that time, had none inheritance in it, no not so g Act. 7. 5. much as to set their foot on? Say not that joseph being a child when taken away might be allowed to speak incongruously; for we behold his words as uttered by him when a man. And surely he, who then could expound dreams, could express himself in proper language. Some conceive it was termed the Land of the Hebrews, 1 From those few Hebrews, the family of jacob, living there, though not as inhabitants, but only as sojourners therein. 2 It was the Land of the Hebrews by promise, and in due time should be theirs by possession. 3 The Land of the Hebrews, though not in lineage, in language; the Canaanites speaking the same tongue with Jacob's family. 4 Some conceive this land anciently belonged to Heber, (as all Asia to the sons of Shem,) and that the Canaanites had before Abraham's time encroached on that Country. To strengthen this last conjecture, we must remember that Melchisedech King of Salem, who generally is conceived to be Shem, the ancestor of the Hebrews, still retained his * Gen. 14. 18. kingdom in the land of Canaan. And it might be that the other Hebrews were ejected by the Canaanites. If so, the Israelites afterwards got the land under joshua by a double Right, of Conquest, and Recovery. § 54. In this Tribe no doubt was the city Ephraim, The City Ephraim. in a h joh. 11. 54. Country near to the wilderness: where our Saviour that Sun of righteousness clouded himself for a time when the jews took counsel to kill him. Wonder not, that we cannot find the exact situation of this place. For Christ chose it on purpose for the privacy and obscurity thereof. Thus though willing i joh. 10. 15. to lay down, he was not willing to cast away his life: unfit to be a Saviour of mankind, if a destroyer of himself. And though he knew well, that all the weights of man's craft and cruelty, could not make the clock of his time strike one minute before his k joh. 12. 23. hour was come; yet he counted it his duty, by prudential means to endeavour self-preservation. § 55. Two eminent places remain, The mount of Phinehas. which we have reserved for the last, because of the uncertainty of their particular situation, though both of them certainly in this Tribe. One, the hill of Phinehas, which was given him in mount l josh. 24. 33. Ephraim. Let no sacrilegious hands hasten hither with their Spades, and Mattocks, to pair and abate this hill as too large a possession for the high Priest, seeing a greater had been too small for his deserts, who m Psal. 106. 30. stood up, and executed judgement, and so the plague ceased. This Hill of Phinehas certainly was with in the circumference of some levitical city in this Tribe, and we conjecturally have placed it within the circuit of Bethhoron the upper. Here, religious Eleazar the son of Aaron was n josh. 24. 33. buried, in this hill belonging to his son Phinehas. § 56. The other the Mount of Amaleck o judg. 12. 25. in the land of Ephraim. Mou●● Amalek But how came the Amalekites, to have any thing in the heart of Ephraim, whose own country lay two hundred miles more southward near the Red-sea? And yet it is no wonder to find thiefs, and robbers (such were the p See our Description of Paran-parag. 20 Amalekites) in any place, who like the Devil their father, q job. 2. 7. go to and fro in the earth, walking up and down therein. But we are confident, this mountain was so called from some eminent thing, here done, or suffered by the Amalekites. For we find them joined with the Midianites in the days of r judg. 6. 3. Gedeon, to destroy Israel, and find afterwards this Tribe of judg. 7. 24, 25. Ephraim very successful in doing execution on the remains of the Midianitish Army when defeated. Why then might not this mountain of Amalek be so named from some Amalekites then slain in this place? As Danes-end, in the westside of Hartford-shire, took its name from a t See camd. Map▪ of Hartfordshire. battle thereby, wherein the Danes were overthrown. In Pirathon, a town on mount Amalek, Abdon one of the peaceable Judges in Israel, was interred. § 57 I conceived all memorable places described in this Tribe, Baal-Hazor stained wi●h Absoloms' cruelty. but on review do discover a guilty town lurking besides u 2 Sam. 13. 23. Ephraim as if conscious of the treachery committed therein, it endeavoured to escape our observation, namely Baal-hazor, where Absolom sheared his sheep. If any demand, how he came by any land in this Tribe to feed cattle therein; no doubt he held it by gift or grant from David his Father; and how David when King, became possessed of demesnes in all Tribes, hath w In Description of Gad. pag. 84. formerly been largely resolved. Nor was it any disgrace to a King's son to be master of sheep, seeing the x Eccles. 5. 9 King himself is maintained by husbandry. As commendable the thrift: so damnable the cruelty of Absolom in this place, causing the murder of his brother Amnon just y 2 Sam. 13. 28. when his heart was merry with wine, as if his wild revenge would imitate divine justice, to kill both z Mat. 10. 28. body and soul together. This Amnon was he that a 2 Sam. 13. 6. feigned himself sick when he was well, and now died before he was sick. § 58. Let Archelais not be forgotten, Archelais and Iscariot. half ashamed to bear the name of wicked Archelaus the builder b josephus' Antiq. l●. 17. cap. 19 thereof, son and successor of Herod in judea, whose cruelty c Mat. 2. 22. frighted joseph from returning to Bedlam, and diverted him to Nazareth. As Archelais took its name from a wicked man: so Iscariot (a village not far from it) gave name to a worse; that traitor of his Master being born in this place, as Adrichomius out of Saint Hierome will have it. But other reasons are rendered of judas his surname, and the place of his exemplary d Act. 1. 18. death is more certainly known, then that of his obscure nativity. As for Apollonia by the sea side, e 1 Macc. 13. 13. Addida over against the plain, with some other petite places in Ephraim, they are well known by their several marks, not to be mentioned in Canonical Scripture. § 59 The Son of Hur was solomon's monthly Purveyour in mount f 1 King. 4. 8. Ephraim. The Arms of Ephraim. The standard of Ephraim was pitched first on the g Num. 2. 18. west side of the Tabernacle: Arms anciently depicted thereon, an Ox sable passant, in a field argent, founded on h Deut. 33. 17. Moses his words, His beauty shall be like the firstling of a bullock, to which we may add the prophecy of Hosea, i Host 10. 11. Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the Corn. Which perchance gave occasion to the postnate arms usually assigned to this Tribe, though later by twelve hundred years then their ancient standard erected in the wilderness. Here the Map of DAN is to be inserted. THE TRIBE OF DAN. CHAP. 10. § 1. DAN was eldest Son of jacob by * Gen. 35. 25. Bilhah Rahels' maid and his concubine. Of his body but one, [Hushim] went down into Egypt, yet of his Posterity came forth thence no fewer than ‡ Numb. 1. 39 threescore and two thousand and seven hundred males of twenty years old and upwards: all which falling in the wilderness, for their faithlesness in God's promises, * Num. 26. 43. threescore and four thousand and four hundred entered the land of Canaan. § 2. There passeth a general tradition taken up by some Fathers, ‡ Irenaeus lib. 5. Ambros. de benedict. Patriar. cap. 7. August. quaest. 22. in joshu. Prosper. de promis. Dei par. 4. Theodoret. quaest. 109. in Gen. Gregor. lib. 31. moralium etc. continued by some middle, to modern Popish writers, that the Antichrist should descend of the Tribe of Dan. And why conceive (or conceit they rather) so uncharitably of this Tribe? Confess we, that Dan hears ill, on several occasions in the Scripture. 1 Dan, Father of this Tribe, had a foul mouth, which made a Gen. 37. 2. joseph bring in a complaint thereof to * So had all the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah. jacob. 2 The first personal blasphemy recorded amongst the Israelites was committed by a Mongrel b L●vit. 24. 11. Danite, being the son of Shelomith, for which he was stoned. 3 The first tribuall defection to idolatry Dan was guilty of, publicly c judg. 18. ●0. setting up * This was jeroboams not the T●●bes act. and worshipping a graven Image. 4 A moiety of the national apostasy of the Idolatrous jews was solemnly acted on the theatre of this Tribe, one of d 1 Kin. 12. 29. jeroboam golden calves being set up at Dan. 5 When twelve thousand of Gods sealed ones are reckoned up out of every Tribe * Rev. 7. , Dan is omitted, as consigned to malediction, say some: as formerly in the first of Chronicles, no mention of Dan, * So also is Zebulun, as Simeon is omitted in Moses his blessings, Deut. 33. where the genealogies of all other Tribes are recounted. The reader may judge whether these roots be deep enough to bring and bear the branches of so far spread report, that therefore the Man of sin must derive his pedigree from this Tribe. Little probability of Antichrist coming from Dan literal (long since carried captive with the rest of his brethren into Africa) but as for Dan mystical many have sought, and many conceive they have found him in another and nearer place. But leaving the uncertainties of Antichrist, most sure it is, that Samson, one of the liveliest types of Christ, was descended of Dan. And so was e Exod. 31. 6. Aholiab that excellent artist: who was joint master of the fabric of the Tabernacle: as Hiram also in the work of the Temple, was a Danite on the mother's side. § 3. The land allotted to Dan, Josh. 15. 1 -- 13. seems, for the most part, first to fall to the share of judah at the partition of the Country. And because the bounds of judah were too great, the surplusage thereof by a new grant was made over to the Danites. Some will wonder, that God, who divided Manna so equally, a homer for every man, should part the land so unevenly, that one Tribe should leave and another lack: so that the thirst of Simeon and Dan was quenched with those few drops, which overflowed out of the cup of judah. May such remember, judah was the Princely Tribe, out of which Messiah was to arise, and his portion cut out in state; leaving the superfluous reversions thereof to others; may typify Christ himself, who is f Psal. 45. 7. anointed with oil of gladness above his fellows: of whose fullness (not only of sufficiency and abundance, but even of redundance) we have all received, grace for grace. Nor will the reader be moved when he finds some cities ensuing, sometimes mentioned as belonging to judah, other while to Dan: because to the former by original assignation, and to the latter by actual possession. § 4. This Country was bounded with Ephraim on the north, judah on the east, Simeon on the south, and the Mid-land-sea on the west. From above Lydda to the brook Soreck, some thirty miles; and little less east and west, from the sea to the edge of judah. A land at the best, but half Iudah's leave, and that not entirely possessed of the Danites. For herein the Amorites did both cut and choose for themselves, reserving the fat and flesh thereof, (all the fruitful g judge 1. 34. valley) for their own use, whilst the Danites were glad to pick the bones, crowded up into the mountains. Besides, three of the Satrapies of the Philistines, are found in this Tribe; A puissant nation, and at deadly feud with the people of Israel. This put the Danites on the necessity (men over-pent will some way vent themselves) of seeking new Quarters, josh. 19 47. in that their memorable expedition, whereof formerly in Nephthali. If any ask, why they did not endeavour the enlargement of their bounds at home against the Amorites and Philistines, before a far adventure, an hundred miles off. Let such know, the design was conceived easier, suddenly to surprise the secure Leshemites, pursy with long peace, then to undertake those two warlike nations, well breathed daily in military Discipline: And * Gen 49. 17. Deut. 33. 22. sudden surprisals were foretold in this Tribe. § 5. But grant the measure in this Tribe but short, the ware thereof was very fine, the Country being passing fruitful in commodities. Herein grew that bunch of Grapes of prodigious greatness, in gathering whereof, by the hand of the spies sent to search the Land, the Israelites took Livery and Seisin of the fruits of the Country. Besides, this Tribe did drive some sea-trade (Deborah complains, Why did Dan h jud. 5. 17. remain in ships?) though the jews generally were mean Mariners and Merchants. Partly because the fatness of their soil so stuck by their sides, it unactived them for foreign adventures: and nature's bounty unto them gave their industry a Writ of ease to sit at home. And partly because, being divided (as an Island from the Continent of the World) in Religion from other Countries, it cut off their comfortable commerce with other nations: though since their woeful Posterity have proved the Capemerchants of the world. § 6. First to survey the west side on the sea, Io●●. 19 46. therein we are accosted with joppa, a strong City, seated on an high rock, so that Strabo reports, that jerusalem may thence be discovered: which a modern i Sand. his trav. pag. 152. Traveller concludes impossible. At the bottom thereof a haven [formerly] most convenient. So ancient a place, that some make it first founded, and so named from japheth before the k Adricho. in theat. Ter. Sanc. pag. 23. flood. But it is utterly improbable that Noah being himself busied about building an Ark, which threatened the world's destruction, would suffer his son to erect a City, as promising a fixed habitation. Hither all the timber of the Temple, cut down and carved in mount Lebanon, was brought by the Tyrians in l 2 Chro. 2. 16. floats, and hence by Carts conveyed to jerusalem. Hither jonah fled, and took shipping for Tarshish m jon. 1. 3. , conceived by some to be the Country of Cilicia; by others the city Tarsus therein. But be it Sea or Land, Country or City, sure it was not Niniveh, whither God had sent him. Here charitable n Act. 9 36. Dorcas which made coats and garments for the poor widows whilst she was with them, (the lantern of men's good deeds cast the best light, when carried before them, and done in their life time) lived, died, and was revived by Saint Peter. Here he lodged in the house of Simon a Tanner by the seaside, o Act. 3. 43. & 11. 5. 13. water we know is very necessary in that occupation (though salt water only useful to wash raw hides) and therein beheld that vision, wherein the Epitome of all creatures were in a sheet represented unto him. Of this great City, at this day only two old towers do survive, it being questionable, whether the place be more ruinous, or the poor Moor more ragged, that dwell therein. A bad haven, much obstructed with sands, and exposed to the fury of the north wind. The best commendation of this harbour is, that jury had no better, scarce another, as if God condemned the seacoasts thereof to danger, as the Continent to barrenness. § 7. p Act. 9 38. 32. 33, 34. Near unto joppa is Lydda (some six miles' Northwest) where Peter cured En●as (truly pious) of the palsy, which eight years had afflicted him. Here Saint George is q Guilel. Tyrius. reported to have been beheaded, and his tomb is showed in this place. All I will add is (I hope without offence) this ensuing Parallel, In joppa. In Lydda. The valour of r Pliny Nat. his. lib. cap. Perseus is celebrated for freeing Andromeda daughter to King Cepheus, Et Pomp. Mela. Ovid. lib. 4. tied with chains to the rocks, Metam. from the fury of a sea monster to which she was exposed. The puissance of Saint George is remembered for delivering the nameless and s joh. de Vorag. in the golden Legion. only daughter of a certain King of Libya, from a fiery Dragon, to whom she was tendered by lot, to be devoured. It is pity these two stories should be parted asunder, which will both in full latitude be believed together. Hard to say, whether nearer, the two places, or two reports. He that considers the resemblance of their complexions, will conclude, Fancy the father, Credulity the mother of both; though we need not presently reject all the story of Saint George for fictitious for some improbable circumstances appendent thereunto. Nor have I ought else to observe of Lydda, save that in Saint Hieroms time it was called Diospolis. § 8. To return to joppa, the port of jerusalem. And let us a little way accompany the Pilgrims in the road thitherwards. Take the character of the Country on the credit of a late t Morisons trav. part 1. c. p. 215. eye-witness: A most pleasant plain yielding Time and Hyssop, and other fragrant herbs without tillage or planting, growing so high, that they came to the knees of our Asses. Nor need any wonder at the stature of this ground Hyssop in jury (different from wall-Hyssope or moss rather, the last and lowest step of nature's storehouse, and u 1 King. 4: 33. Solomon's study) seeing good * Hugo Groti. in Ioha. 19 29. Authors have affirmed, that haec planta in judaeâ arborescit, hyssop doth tree it in judea. And what is called by w Mat. 27. 29. Mar. 15. 26. Matthew and Mark Calamus, a reed, cane, or spear, is rendered an Hyssope-stalke by x joh. 19 29. Saint john. Because as a learned man concludes, Hyssop here sprouted so high, that thereof an instrument might be made to lift up the sponge to our Saviour's mouth hanging on the Cross. And thus we see that as always one of Iob's messengers escaped, to bring the sad tidings of their fellows destruction; so even at this day, some straggling valleys in Palestine, have made hard shift by their own fruitfulness still continuing) to inform the world, how plentiful this Country was, before barrenness by God's appointment, seized on the generality thereof. § 9 To proceed in the road to jerusalem (as the best guide to direct us in the survey of the north of this Tribe) It passeth not far from Shaal●im a City of z josh. 19 42. Dan, but in the confines of Ephraim. Where though the Amorites dwelled in despite of the Danites, yet the Tribe of Ephraim a judg. 1. 35. made them tributaries. A little further, this highway takes its farewell of the Tribe of Dan, but with full intent shortly to visit it again. For having passed over a corner of Ephraim, which baggeth into the south, it returns into Dan, and goes forward by Modin, the City of Mattathias and his sons, where the seven b 1 Macc. 13. 27, 28, 29. sepulchres of the Maccabees (each a high Pyramid on a square basis, and all mounted on a steep hill) are a conspicuous sea-mark to the Mariners many miles distant. Charitable monuments, which being erected for the honour of the dead, are employed for the safety of the living! Few miles hence this highway finally leaves this Tribe. And therefore we leave it, only wishing the passengers therein a prosperous journey to jerusalem. That such as go thither about business may dispatch the same to their own contentment; such as travel out of curiosity may have their expectation so satisfied, as to countervail all their pains and charges: and such as go thither out of superstitious opinion to merit, may have their erroneous judgements better rectified and informed. § 10. Nor doth aught else observable offer itself in this corner of the Tribe, save * josh. 21. 24. josh. 10. 12. Aijalon, (where Ioshua's * josh. 21. 24. josh. 10. 12. prayer arrested the Moon to stand still) assigned by God to the Levites. But the Amorites took the boldness to keep possession thereof. Hear the words of the c jud. 1. 34. Scripture, And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountains: for they would not suffer them to come down into the valley, but the Amorites would dwell in mount Herez, in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim. The genuine sense is, that though the Amorites generally penned the Danites up in the mountains; yet in these three places (though mountainous in their situation) they crossed their common custom; not out of necessity, but design, as sensible of their own profit that these transcended the valleys in fertility, and therefore placed themselves therein. Let others dispute, how it came to pass, that the Priests, whom God intended men of peace, by their profession, had a controversial City appointed them, encumbered with enemies so that they must win it before they could wear it. As also how the Levites could live, when the Land allotted them, was sequestered in the hand of a foreign foe. It will be for enough us to observe, that in all ages the Church being embarked in the same bottom with the State ran an equal hazard therein, according to her proportion. And when the whole Tribe of Dan, like the Parish in general, was straitened in its processions, well might the Priest's maintenance be abated accordingly. § 11. We go back now to joppa, where standing on the rocks, an indifferent fight may easily discern those ships, into which the heathen people of joppa, with much courtesy, but more craft, invited the jews with their wives and their children to go aboard: for they made them pay their lives the freight for their voyage, wilfully drowning two hundred of them. Whose blood Maccabeus revenged with a contrary, but as cruel an d 2 Macc. 12. 3, 4, 5, 6. Element, burning all their ships in their harbour, with such as were found therein. Hard by is jamnia, a little haven (which may be rendered Seaton in English) whose mischievous intention against the jews, Maccabeus punished by e 2 Mac. 12. 8, 9 burning their town by night. Which bonfire was beheld, two hundred and forty furlongs off, as far as jerusalem. A thing not incredible, that fire itself should be seen so far, by the light whereof other things in darkness are discovered, especially when mounted high on its throne, with the advantage of pitch, cordage, and other naval and combustible matter. f See Moor's Mapof Palestine Some do conceive that this jamnia is the same with jabneh, the wall whereof was broken down by g 2 Chr. 26. 6. Uzziah the puissant King of judah. § 12. Hence the sea running southward provides itself to entertain a nameless brook: which Mercator calls Naphtoah, and h Adricho. in theat. Ter. Sanc. pag. 24. num. 59 others (making signs, as unable to speak the true name thereof) the brook of the land of the Philistines, because otherwhiles the northern boundary of their dominion. We had rather give it no name, than a nickname. And because the course thereof affords us conveniency to visit the middle parts of this Tribe, we will accept of his courtesy, and follow the guidance thereof. § 13. This brook hath its birth and infancy in the Tribe of judah, whence flowing into Dan, he runneth through the desert of Modin, which is full of rocks, and those of holes, and those [once] of men, flying out of the neighbouring Cities from the persecution of the Pagans. Herein a thousand of them were slain by the fury of their enemies, or rather by the fondness of their own superstition, i 1 M●c. 2. 38. refusing to make resistance on the Sabbath day. A sad accident. But the parent of a good event, because putting the surviving jews in a posture of defence, and teaching them more wise and valiant resolutions. Yea not long after, hereabouts they obtained a victory over the numerous army of * 1 Macc. 16. 4. Cendebaeus. Nor will any slight this brook as inconsiderable, when they read how it ran in the midst betwixt the armies of the jews and Pagans, and was so deep, that the hardiest of the former durst not adventure to wade it, before first encouraged by the example of their k 1 Macc 16. 5, 6 General. Except any will say, they did not so much fear the depth of the river, as the height of the banks of the other side, to wit, the puissant army of their enemies. § 14. Going further on the river, we come into the Country of Makats, that is (as learned l Vid. ●jus 〈◊〉. in 1 King. 4. 9 Tremelius well observeth) the border or boundary (if you please, the Marches) betwixt this Tribe and their professed enemies the Philistines. It is impossible to define the limits thereof, seeing the Country was the constant Cockpit of war: and the ground thereof, sometimes marched forward, sometimes retreated backward, according to the variety of martial success. Great is the difference betwixt the same sea, at high and low water mark: and so this Country must needs be much disproportioned to itself, when extended in a full tide, and when contracted in a low ebb of success. § 15. In this Country of Makats Bethshemesh was a principal City, belonging to the Levites, and reputed part of judah, but (except some Label of land tacked to judah) surrounded about with the Tribe of Dan. A case obvious in the dividing of Country's. Who knows not how Worcester-shire hath speckled all the adjacent Counties with snips and shreds belonging unto it, though environed with other shires, and that at considerable distance? Hither the kine drawing the Cart, and lowing as they went to their Calves at home, (nature in them was not rooted out, but overruled) brought the Ark, and rested it near a great stone in the field of m 1 Sam. 6. 18. joshua a Bethshemite. At what▪ time the Bethshemites were reaping their harvest in the valley. Instantly at so good news, their Sicles lost their edges, and could cut no more corn that day. The Arke-home is to be preferred before Harvest-home. But oh! how hard is it to keep hungry eyes from feeding on forbidden objects! All the Bethshemites were Levites, but not Priests, much less high-Priests: to whom alone (and that only anniversary) the survey of those mysteries did belong. Besides at this time Bethshemesh from a City, was enlarged to be a Country: (such the confluence of Israelites from all places) Otherwise no back of one City might seem broad enough for so great a road, * 1 Sam. 6. 19 whereby fifty thousand and threescore and ten men were destroyed by the Plague, for their Curiosity, in prying into the Ark. § 16. Gibbethon is another prime place in Makats: allotted by God to the n josh. 19 44. & 21. 23. Levites of Kohath, and no doubt by them peaceably possessed for many years, seeing nothing to the contrary doth appear. But after the days of jeroboam it is said to o 1 King. 15. 27 & 16. 15. belong to the Philistines. Probably, when the Levites loyal both to God and their King, upon the idolatrous defection of Israel, willingly p 2 Chr. 11. 14. deserted their own Cities, the Philistines taking advantage thereof (when much good blood is let out, bad humours are nimble to supply the place) seized on this City. To recover the same, Nadab the son of jeroboam besieged it: but was so far from taking the City, that before it he lost his own life, by the treachery of Baasha conspiring against him. This siege continued more than twenty years, (no doubt with intervals of cessation) for q 1 King. 16. 15, 16, 17, 18. here Om●i a great Commander was in service, when by the soldiery voted King of Israel. After which election he had not so much mind to take the City, as a Crown, vigorously to prosecute his new title, and to suppress Tib●● his Corrival. So much of the siege, but nothing of the taking of Gibbethon, so that it was still violently possessed by the Philistines. § 17. The southeast part of this Tribe is still to survey. jud. 16. 4. Where the brook Zorek creeps faintly out of the Tribe of judah. Not far from whose banks we light on Zorah and Eshtaol: two twin-cities, the one seldom mentioned in Scripture without the other. Except one will call them man and wife: because Machaneh-Dan (betwixt Zorah and Eshtaol) was joint issue of them both. For when six hundred men out of these two cities marched towards the taking of Leshem, here they r judg. 18. 2. 8. 11. 12. met (probably by mutual agreement the most convenient place betwixt them) behind (that is, west) of Kiriath-jearim. These did call this the first place of their station Machaneh-Dan; and the last Dan (both from Dan their Ancestor) without naming any intermediate places. As in all undertaking, the first motion which found'st and the last which finisheth it, are most memorable. It seems that afterwards, a town was built in that place, where their tents were pitched, as a fortunate ground handselled with good success, where f jud. 13. 25. Samson seems to have had his education. § 18. But his birth at Zorah. Where he was the son of a long barren mother (a regiment in Scripture of such eminent Persons, Isaac, jacob, Samuel, Samson, john Baptist etc.) as if (besides higher causes) nature had long thriftily reserved her utmost strength, to expend it at last with more credit. Here an Angel appearing to Manoahs' wife, both t jud. 13. 4, 5. told her that she should be a mother, and taught her how she should be a nurse; with the ceremonious breeding of her son. No Wine must come in, no razor on him. Hercules the Pagan-Samson in some sort may seem, by the luxury of Poet's wits, to ape this jewish Hercules. Neither of them otherwise mounted, then on their legs: otherwise defensively armed, then with their skin and clothes. A ●aw-bone a sword to the one, a Club, to the other. Both of them very like for their valour, and too like for their wantonness, women being the destruction of them both. § 19 But as Samsons lustre did rise, so it did set in this Tribe. Hereabouts born and u jud. 16. 31. buried in the grave of his Father Manoah, betwixt Zorah and Eshtaol. Reader, let me invite thee with me solemnly to behold his sepulchre, that therein both of us may bury all our vain thoughts of eternity here. He that hereafter shall presume on his own might as immortal, hath not stronger brains, but a weak●● back then Samson. § 20. To go back to 〈◊〉, * Num. 13. 24, 25. & cap. 32. 9 Deut. 1. 24. which now grows confident and bold with the accession of the brook 〈◊〉, so named (as the vine in Hampshire) from bunches of grapes there growing, whereof one was the load for two men. Surely Bac●hus●id ●id not so drown Ceres in this Country, nor did God the wise master of the feast, entertain the jews his daily guests, with suc● liquid diet, but that we may justly presume the land afforded bread and meat in a plentiful proportion to their wine. But when the spies brought this home to the camp of the Israelites at Kadesh-barnea, they like● the wine, but not the reckoning which was to be paid for it▪ not so pleased with the bigness of the grapes, as frighted at the bulks of the Giants. § 21. Nor is there any other considerable City remaining in this Tribe, save Tim●ah, where judah sheared his sheep, and at Pethah-enaim (or the opening of the ways) committed incest with Thamar his unknown daughter-in-law, whom after wards he commanded to be brought forth and w Gen. 38. 24. burnt. Thus easier i●●s for one to cause another to be consumed to ashes, then to quench the least spark of lust in our own soul. Afterwards Samson going with his Parents to woo his wife, killed a young Lion in the vineyards of Timnah, and the x jud. 14. 5, 6. text saith, he told not his Father or ●other what he had done. Herein his silence no less commendable than his valour. But indeed true prowess pleaseth itself more in doing then reporting its own achievements. Verse 8. Not long after the Bees made a hive of the Lion's body. And did not this land flow with honey, when it was poured into a carcase for want of other vessels to receive it? Honey which in fine proved gall to the Philistines. For though they read his riddle by ploughing with his heifer, Verse 16. he paid his forfeit by killing their Country men. Hence afterwards Samson, jud. 15. 4. to revenge the injuries offered unto him, sent forth his Foxes, which proved incendiaries of the corn and grain of the Philistines. § 22. So much for the places of this Tribe, of whose situation we have any certainty from God's word, or good Authors. On the rest we hang out our conjectural Flag. Which whilst some censure for the Ensigns of our ignorance; others I hope will approve as the colours of our modesty. Especially having done our best endeavour in ranking them; and in default of demonstrations, the most probability hath ever been accounted the next heir apparent to Truth. The best is, such places are only of name, not of note; but once mentioned in y josh. 19 41, 42. etc. joshua, without any memorable actions done in them, and so any mistake in the false posture will prove less dangerous. Mountains of eminency this Tribe affords none, save z josh. 15. 10. mount Seir (puny hills far different from those in Edom) and mount a josh. 15. 11. Baalah. Both parcels of the south-west bounds of judah, as originally they were assigned. But seeing those limits were afterward discomposed by a new division and re-assignment of them to this Tribe (the out-list of judah fell into the midst of Dans whole cloth) those antiquated borders are 〈◊〉 the less remarkable. And as for other mountains, although this whole was mountainous, yet there was a parity in her hills, none exceeding high▪ one●● such advantages of ground swelling above the plain, seemed to be the full breasts and fair nipples of that land, which flowed with milk and honey. § 23. A fair reserve of land in, not of, the Tribe, is still behind, long expecting our company to come and describe it; namely; Philistia, or a part of the land of the Philistines. These were a warlike people; none of the seven nations of the Canaanites, which God drove out before Israel, but descended from b Gen. 10. 14. Mi●zraim, the son of Cham. In the race of military achievements, they started with the first, ran with the swiftest, and held out with the longest. Having a● King in the days of Abraham, and continuing themselves in a considerable condition till after the captivity. Returning almost as many forcible impressions, as they received from the Israelites. What though d jud. 3. 31. Sh●●gar smote, Samson 〈◊〉, and e 1 Sam. 7. 14. Samuel humbled them? yet they grew so great in the reign of Saul, that they left all the Israelites f 1 Sam. 13. 22. swordless: though afterwards there was one sword too many in Saul● hand, wherewith he slew himself when overcome by the Philistines. Indeed * 2 Sam. 5. 18. & 8. 1. & 21. 15. etc. David brought them, and Solomon kept them under. But in the days of joram they so recovered themselves, that they plundered judah, rifled the King's palace, g 2 Chr. 21. 17. killed and carried captive the seed royal. Uzziah after ordered them into obedience h 2 Chr. 26. 6. . but under Ahaz they regnined their lost cities, and won more unto them. In a word; of the heathen people left for i josh. 23. 13. thorns in the sides of the jews, none had sharper prickles * Ezek. 25. 15. or pierced nearer to their hearts then the Philistines. Yea such their puissance, that from them the Greeks and Latino's called all this land Palestina● because the Philistines lived on the sea-coast most obvious to the notice of foreiners. As in deed a small Port makes a greater report in the ears of strangers far off, than a land-locked place though far greater in proportion. § 24. The bounds of Philistia are not precisely to be set down. For whilst tame cattle are kept in pastures, beasts of prey (such this warlike people) are only bounded by their own ravenous appetite. The best way to measure the borders of the Philistines is to behold the sins of the Israelites. For when they were increased, than the Country of the Philistines. was accordingly enlarged. Thus in the days of King Saul they roved, and k 1 Sam. 31. 10. ranged as far as Dor and Bethshean in the half Tribe of Manasseh, and had Garrisons in the heart of most Tribes of Israel. But their constant habitation (their den, as I may term it) was atract of ground from Gath in the north to Gaza in the south. Some fifty miles in length and about half as broad, in the lands allotted to judah, Dan, and Simeon. Their government was a mixture of Monarchy, and Aristocracy. For as their chief Cities had Kings over them, which seem absolute in their own dominions; so these kingdoms were but Cantons in relation to the whole, as members making up one entire Commonwealth. § 25. There need no other evidence be produced to prove the fruitfulness of their Country, than the vastness of their bodies, whereof the rankness of their ground must be allowed a partial cause. Our English Proverb saith, show me not the meat, but show me the man. The well batling of the Giants bred in Philistia (chiefly in Gath their Seminary) being Heteroclites, 2 Sam. 21. 20. 21 redundants from the rules of nature, sufficiently attests the fertility of their soil. Some of these Giants had their hands branching out into m 1 Chr. 20. 6. six fingers, though they who had one fewer had enough to kill them. Let Naturalists curiously inquire, whether or no this stock of Giants be wholly spent in our age. And if so, what the true causes thereof. Whether intemperance of diet, or over early marriage; seeing every one that is raw to work, count themselves ripe to wed. Let them consult whether nature hath not some other way recompensed in our age that want of strength, by giving them quicker wits; whereas in voluminous men commonly there is much empty margin. However men's lesser strength and stature amounts not to a proof of an universal decay in nature, * Dr. Hakwels apology for divine providence. as a most learned pen hath unanswerably demonstrated. § 26. One thing more we must observe of the Philistines, that they are also called Cherethims or Cherethites in n 1 Sam. 30. 14. & Ezek. 25. 26 & Zeph. 2. 5. Scripture. Know also that the o 2 Sam. 8. 18. & 1 King. 1. 38. Cherethites were a kind of lifegard to King David. Now because it is improbable that so wise a Prince would intrust his Person in the protection of the Philistines his conquered enemies: therefore learned p Vid. ejus annota in locum pradicta. Tremellius by Cherethites understands such Israelites as afterwards possessed the Country of the Philistines expulsed by David. Which seems to some but a forced interpretation. For what unlikelyhood was it, that David might entertain Proselyte Philistines, converts to the jewish religion, if there were such, to be attendants about his body? Not to instance in the French Kings double guard of Scots, and Switzars, as improper to this purpose; (because though foreign, yet free and friendly nations;) David out of policy might retain such to wait upon him, both for their present encouragement, and future engagements of the fidelity of the Philistines. Whose service might not only be free from danger, but full of advantage, especially when they were under the conduct of so wise and valiant an Israelite as q 2 Sam. 20. 23. Benajah the son of jehojada placed governor over them. To render this still more probable: Consider how Ittai the Gittite, with six hundred men of Gath, was no native of Israel, as appears by David's words, r 2 Sam. 15. 18, 19 thou art a stranger and an exile; and yet was entrusted with the Command of a s 2 Sam. 18. 2. Terce of the army, in the battle against Absolom. Wherein he excellently acquitted himself according to his loyal resolution to attend the King's fortunes whether in life or death. § 27. Come we now to describe the Country Philistia, where in the north part thereof, we find Gath a regal City: * 1 Sam. 21. 10. before Achish the son of Maoch the King whereof, David to save his life counterfeited himself mad. But whether guilty or no in so doing, Divines have not yet determined. It would incline me to the more charitable side, that he had good warrant for what he did, because at the same time (understand it immediately before or after) he composed t Psal. 34. & 56 two Psalms. Which show his soul not out of tune solemnly to serve God. But David went to Achish a second time, with six hundred men; (it seems upon better assurance beforehand, then formerly) and was with great kindness entertained by him, dwelled with him in Gath, and after obtained Ziklag from him; and by Achish his mind should have been the * 1 Sam. 27. 2, 3 5, 6. & 2. 82. keeper of his head. Achish the son of Maachah (tributary no doubt to Solomon) was King of Gath. For Shimei confined to Jerusalem by Solomon's command, and his own consent, did fetch from u 1 King. 2. 39 him his fugitive servants. Time was when Shimei's w 2 Sam. 16. 7. tongue ran too fast in railing on David his Master, and now his feet moved too far in running after his servants, so that breaking the Tedder of his Commission, of the pieces thereof a Halter was justly made for his execution. This City of * 2 Chr. 11. 8. Gath was afterwards fortified by Rehoboam, and many years after taken x 2 Kin. 12. 17. by Hazael King of Syria, and in the next age had the wall thereof broken down by Uzziah King of y 2 Chr. 26. 6. Israel. § 28. Betwixt Gath and Ekron (lying thence south west) we are as certain there were Cities as ignorant how to call them. For the present let them pass by the name of samuel's Cities: because by his devotion, the Cities, which the Philistines had taken from Israel, were restored to Israel from z 1 Sam. 7. 14. Ekron even unto Gath. See the difference betwixt Priest and Priest, both in service and success. Vicious Hophni * 1 Sam. 4. 4. brings forth the Ark into the field, fights, falls, loseth his own life, and part of Israel's Land to the Philistines. Pious Samuel stays and prays at home; the Ark is brought back to him: he both saves himself, and as a bountiful benefactor regaineth the former loss of his Country. § 29. Ekron was a stately City; and commendable was the discretion of her Inhabitants, who learning wit from their neighbour's woe, would not keep the a 1 Sam. 5. 10. Ark and God's anger therein, but with the speediest conveniency returned it home to Bethshemes. Of these Ekronites, David afterward killed two hundred, and tendered their Foreskins a Dowry for Michal Saul's daughter. For, though by the condition of his Espousals he contracted but for an b 1 Sam. 18. 25. hundred Foreskins, yet such was the supererogation of his valour (Love and Loyalty never give scant measure) that he c 1 Sam. 18. 27. doubled the number. And what injustice was it that he that paid her dowry double should enjoy her but half? seeing Saul afterwards took her away, and gave her to d 1 Sam. 25. 44. another. Beelzebub was the grand Idol of e 2 King. 1. 2. Ekron, whose name importeth a Lord of flies. Scaliger conceiving it to be a nickname which the jews gave it in derision, so that the terming it a God of flies, was in effect to say, a fly for your God. In the new Testament Beelzebub passeth for the f Mat. 12. 24. Prince of the Devils. It seems that Hell itself, that place of confusion, would wholly be confounded, if some superiority were not therein observed. § 30. More south we again come to the river Sorek, on whose banks grew Grapes of goodly greatness; yea the Hebrews report them to have been without any g Hieron. in 5 tom. cap. Isa. kernels. But that hereabouts Lust did not grow without shame and sorrow to attend it, Samson will sadly witness. For in the house of Dalilah by the brook of h judg. 16. 4. Sorek, he betrayed his strength to her, she his person to the Philistines. Thus those that sleep on a harlot's lap for their Pillow, are overtaken with destruction before they dream thereof. Hence they carried Samson to i judg. 16. 21. Gaza, which is well-nigh forty miles off. And why so far? Partly to render their triumph more glorious, baiting him with all eyes gazing on him, and partly the more safely to secure him, bringing him far from his friends, and beyond the reach of any rescue. § 31. But as here was the place where Samsons purity was polluted, so hard by was the the fountain or water wherein the Ethiopians pollution was purified. This was he, who being Treasurer to Candace Queen of Ethiopia, rode in his chariot and read Isaias, when, (always some unexpected good surpriseth such as are studious in the Scripture) k Act. 8. 29. Philip was sent to expound it unto him. Can a l jer. 13. 23. Blackamoor change his skin, saith the Prophet? But see here the virtue of baptismal water, washing away the black hue, and vicious habits of his natural Corruption, and making him a true Christian convert. § 32. But Philip was found at Azotus: and Azotus or Ashd●d hardby is easily found, (for a City seated on a Hill cannot be hid.) This was the third satrapy of the Philistines, in our definition, but first in honour, as famous for Dagon an Idol there adored: who yet had the manners in homage to the Ark to put off his head and hands, and fall flat on the ground; And hither first they brought the Ark of God * 1 Sam. 5. 1. & 6. 17. . This was allotted to the Tribe of judah † josh. 15. 47. ; but left unconquered by joshua. King Uzziah broke down the wall of it: and built Cities in the coast of it * Chap. 13. 3. ● 2 Chr. 26. 6. . And soon after Tartan sent by Sargon King of Assyria, took it † Isa. 20. 1. . The Maccabees had divers battles near Azotus. Here judas overthrows Gorgias * 1 Macc. 4. 15. , And spoils Azotus † Chap. 5. 6●. ; And again pursues Bacchides. But himself is slain * Cham 9 15. 18. . Here jonathan overcomes Demetrius the younger, and burns Azotus; and the Temple of Dagon † 1 Mac. 10. 78. 84. ; And hereabouts judas and john prevail against * 1 Mac. 16. 10. Cendebeus. As for Dagon here adored, some make him Patron of grain, (and he is translated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by Philo Biblius) others the Precedent of the sea; and we may safely believe his Power as much over the one as the other. His shape (save that it was masculine for sex) resembled the Antic laughed at by the Poet. Desinit in piscem, mulier formosa supernè. Upwards manlike he ascended, Downwards like a fish he ended. And yet this Fish had also m See the Septuagint. feet under the tail thereof, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. which feet of a fish seem not to stand with any proportion. But what shall we say? The uglier his shape, the handsomer for an Idol; and to keep a Decorum, it was fit that he should be as mishapen in his form, as monstrous in his worship. Far handsomer no doubt were the women of Ashdod, or else the Israelites would never have been so enamoured with them, as after their return from the captivity, by marrying with them to beget a mongrel offspring, whose tongues (as if divided Parte per Pale) spoke half n Nche. 13. 24. Ashdod and half Hebrew. But surely God was afterwards better pleased with the jews solemn submission, and fair putting away of their wives, then with the cruelty of the Britons (if true what o Nennius' Elvodug. reported) which marrying French women in Armorica (now called little Britain) out of a zeal to preserve their native Language, they cut out their wife's tongues for fear they should infect their children with a mixture of French. As for p 2 Sam. 8. 1. Metheg-Ammah in Philistia, because the learned are not resolved whether thereby a place be designed; and if so, many take it for Gath; or else that thereby is signified, that David took the Bridle of Power, from the hand of the Philistines; see it signed with an Asterisk, enough to tell the Reader, that we do not show, but seek a certainty therein. § 33. So much for the land in this Tribe. jonah on the sea. If we look on the sea, bounding it on the west, see jonah in his ship, flying as fast as he could, q jonah 1. 3. from the presence of the Lord, that is, from the performance of his Prophetical function in Niniveh. Otherwise he was better principled then to conceive it probable, in any place to avoid God's presence; and (if so erroneously opinioned) made the worst of choices, r Psal. 107. 23. to go down into the sea, where Divine power most effectually appears. Many carnal reasons might cause his flight; as, fear to he murdered for delivering so unwelcome a message to that s Nahum 3. 1. bloody City; suspicion, that his preaching little regarded in Israel, would be less in Niniveh; zeal to his Country, as perceiving the conversion of the Gentiles, would prove the rejection of the jews; and a jealousy (as himself t jonah 4. 2. confesseth) his Prophecy should be disproved on the people's repentance. A terrible tempest pursuing the ship, ● wonder working tempest. works wonders in the mariners: 1 Out of the bold came fear; They were u jonah 1. 5. afraid. 2 Out of the profane came piety; Cried every man to his God. 3 Out of the covetous prodigality; Cast their ware into the sea. Mean time jonah was fast asleep in the bottom of the ship. It is hard to make sense of his actions, his flight spoke fear, his sleeping showed security; formidat & audet. How doth sin distracted men, making them as contrary to themselves, as to God's commandments! § 34. At last, the Master of the ship (now vassal to the winds) awakes him; and jonah detected by lot, and his guilty▪ conscience, is cast as a peace offering into the sea, where a Whale is provided, after three days to bring him safe to the shore; who amongst many Land-types, was the only Sea-type (as the w john 3. 14. Serpent the Aire-type) of our x Mat. 11. 39 Saviour. § 35. The son of Dekar was Solomon's y 1 King. 4. 9 purveyour in Machats, and in Shaalbim, and Bethshemesh, and Elon-Bethanan, all places in or near this Tribe. The Arms vulgarly assigned to Dan, are Vert a Snake or adder argent nowed, b●ting, as some add, (let Heralds translate it into the proper terms of Blazonry) the heels of an horse, whereby the Cavalier mounted on him falls down backwards. All grounded on the z Gen. 49. 17. Blessing of jacob; intimating the sly and subtle disposition of the Danites, whose sleight was above their might, policy more than their power, verified in their sudden and unexpected surprisal of the City of Laish. Nor know I how herein to reconcile the particular fancy of Aben Ezra to this received opinion, who allots an Eagle for the arms of Dan: a creature of most contrary posture and practice to a Snake: (nothing creeps lower than the one, or soars higher than the other) except agreeing in the general qualities of quick-sight and subtlety. Here if some say that the Eagle might have been the crest of Dan, they will quickly retract their opinion, considering crests a modern device, and could not be born in that age, which was scarce conceived three hundred years since. The standard of Dan a Numb. 2. 25. was erected foremost of the three on the north side of the Tabernacle. Here the Map of Simeon is to be inserted. THE TRIBE OF SIMEON. CHAP. 11. § 1. SIMEON second son of jacob by Leah his wife probably was active in the persecution of his brother joseph; (therefore singled out in a Gen. 42. 24. Egypt to be a prisoner) certainly imbrued his hands with Levi in the blood of the b Gen. 34. 25. Shechemites: Whereupon jacob jointly cursed them, c Gen. 49. 7. I will divide them in jacob, and scatter them in Israel. Which prediction took a threefold effect in this Tribe, namely in their 1 Paucity. Scarce any Tribe came * Numb. 1. 23. & 26. 14. more out of Egypt, not any by much entered fewer into Canaan. So sensible was their diminution, that of fifty●nine thousand, but twenty two thousand two hundred possessed their inheritance. It seemeth that the many mortalities in the wilderness did light heavy on the Simeonites. Yea after they were settled in their possessions, the Text saith, they had d 1 Chr. 4. 27. not many children, neither did all their family multiply, like to the children of judah. And although e 1 Chr. 4. 38. immediately after it is recorded, that the house of their Fathers increased greatly; yet the proportion is to be measured, not in relation of this to other Tribes, but in the reference of these families to others in the same Tribe of Simeon. 2 Obscurity. Neither Judge nor Prophet extracted from this Tribe: save that in this dearth of eminent persons (famine will make those crumbs to be taken up, which otherwise would be cast away) we must take in f judi. 9 3. judith, with her Apocrypha achievements. But most sure it is that one notoriously infamous, namely g Num. 25. 14. Zimri, the son of Salu, who defied justice, and boldly avouched his adultery with a woman of Midian, was son to a Prince of Simeon. 3 Dispersedness. Their Country was but a jagged Remnant originally belonging to, and still surrounded with h josh. 19 1. 9 judah on all sides, save on the sea, amongst whom their towns were scattered. § 2. Yet in process of time, as the dispersion of the Levites was turned totally, so the scattering of the Simeonites was changed partially into a blessing. Their local mixture with judah begat a political confederacy with them, t judg. 1. 3. Come up with me into my lot, and likewise I will go with thee into thy lot. Whence a double benefit accrued to the Simeonites. 1 Spiritual: they were hedged in by their habitation, in the right way of God's worship: so that, when the ten Tribes made their idolatrous defection under jeroboam, many of the Simeonites persevered in God's true service: and they fell to King Asa in k 2 Chr. 15. 9 abundance. 2 Temporal. When the rest of their brethren were finally carried away captive under Hoshed in the sixth year of the reign of King Hezekiah, ● l 2 King. 17. 6. probable it is that a considerable number of the Simeonites remained, as hath been proved before, by their habitation within the lot of judah. § 3. The Lot of Simeon was transcendently fruitful▪ having a most temperate air, insomuch that Saint Hierome 〈◊〉, in his time it was termed Regio salutaris, the healthy Country. No marvel then if the Patriarches Abraham and Isaac having their choice of the whole Country, preferred to live so long in these parts. And the latter of them sowing grain near Gerar reaped m Gen. 26. 12. an hundred fold, which was the greatest increase which that Corn returned, which fell into good ground, in the n Mark. 13. 8. Gospel. § 4. In the north-east corner of this Tribe we find● that mountain before Hebron, to the o judg. 16. 3. top whereof, full twenty miles from the City, Samson carried the gates of Azzah. There he laid them down, not in a plain but steep place, partly in the gallantry of his strength, that not faintness, but his free pleasure made him lay them down, and partly, that in so conspicuous a place the Gazites might easier find their gates there, then fetch them thence. A little more westward, not far from the banks of the river Sorek, stood the City Ziglag, which p 1 Sam. 27. 6. A●hish King of Gath, bestowed on David during his abode there. If any demand why David, when King of Israel, did not restore Ziglag to Achish again; let such know, that (besides that Cities once passed into a potent hand, are too precious things to be parted with) David being crowned King of Israel had an undoubted right derived unto him by God's grant, not only to this City, but to the whole Kingdom of Gath, and land of the Philistines, which God had given to judah, though hitherto they were not able to recover it. § 5. Afterwards, whilst David was marching (at least wise in presence) with Achish against Saul, the Amalekites in his absence burnt Ziglag, carrying away all the people therein captive. Grief hereat so prevailed in David's men at their return, that in anguish of their hearts, they were ready to q 1 Sam. 30. 6. stone him. Could better be expected from them? Behold their original, they were at first, r 1 Sam. 22. 2. men in debt and distress, whose several discontents made them generally contented to join together; so that not David, but his necessities chose them to attend him, who now in adversity discovered their impious dispositions. But David to avoid this shower of stones ready to rain upon him, run for shelter to God his Rock, in whom he comforted himself. Thus, as it is always darkest just before the Day dawneth, so God useth to visit his servants with greatest afflictions, when he intendeth their speedy advancement. For immediately after, David not only recovered his loss with advantage, but also was proclaimed King of Israel: though some war arose for a time between him and Ishbosheth. § 6. But the most memorable places of this Tribe are seated on or near the brook of Bezor, which arising in judah takes his course south-west, not far from s josh. 19 7. Ethar or t 1 Chr. 4. 32. Etan in the north-east corner of this Tribe. In the rock of u judg. 15. 11. Etan near the City of that name Samson reposed himself, whence the men of judah brought him down, bound with two cords, and delivered him to the Philistines: but he presently found his spirits, and in that place the jawbone of an Ass. Bad weapons are better than none; and it matters not what they be, so that they be wielded by Samsons arm, that, guided by God's hand. This jawbone which used to feed on grass, here eat up a w judg. 15. 15. thousand men. Hereupon the place was called Rama-Lehi, the lifting up of a jawbone. § 7. Thus Samsons thirst of revenge was allayed with the blood of the Philistines, but the quenching of one thirst was the kindling of another. How quickly can God tame fury into faintness with want of water! In this strait he hath his recourse by prayer to God, who x judg. 15. 17. cleaves a hollow place in the jaw. Heaven can make dry bones y Ezek. 37. 3. live, yea give life to others, as here to Samson, water presently flowing out thereof. Let poets fond brag of Hippocrene, a fountain from a horses hoof; most true it is that a spring did flow from the jawbone of an Ass. Except any be pleased (which indeed is most probable) not to take Lehi in Hebrew for the material jawbone, but for the Country thereabouts, so newly named by Samson, out of a hollow place of the earth whereof, God produced this fountain. § 8. Hence Bezor runneth by Ain, the only City belonging to the * josh. 21. 9 16 & 19 17. Levites, in this Tribe. Indeed both z Gen. 49. 7. Simeon and Levi were cursed to be scattered in Israel, and this City of the Levites scattered in Simeon, may seem to be dispersed in a dispersion. One City it seems was proportionable to this small and mangled Tribe. Thus even the poorest must have some Preachers to instruct them, and afford those Preachers maintenance for their instruction. At Gerar, the brook Bezor receives from the south a Tributary rivulet, fetching its fountain out of the wilderness of Kadesh, a place full of strong and stately trees. But what saith the a Psal. 29. 8. Psalmist? The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness, yea the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. As if this of all other was most sturdy and stubborn to withstand the summons of God's voice: but all in vain, the least whisper of his mouth sending a palsy into the foundations thereof. § 9 In the confines of this wilderness stood three remarkable Cities, which (lest the Reader should mistake) we have marked with circles on the tops of them. Not that any evil spirits moved therein, seeing these were the places where David haunted, whilst Saul persecuted him, and to whose inhabitants he sent part of his spoil taken from the Amalekites for a present. An act no less politic than just, with the same both discharging the shot of his former entertainment, and for the future obliging them by his bounty to be really sensible of his right of succession to the Crown. The first of these b 1 Sam. 30. 30. Corashan ( c josh. 19 7. elsewhere only called Ashan.) 1 Char. 4. 32. The second d josh. 19 8. 1 Sam. 30. 27. South-Ramoth, and e 1 Sam. 30. 30. Hormah the last and most observable, because of three eminent places of that name in or near the Land of Canaan, 1 f Num. 14. 45. Where the disobedient Israelites were destroyed by the Canaanites. 2 Where the Canaanites were destroyed by the penitent g Numb. 21. 3. Israelites. 3 Where the Tribes of h judg. 1. 17. judah and Simeon associating together destroyed the Canaanites, 1 Char. 4. 30. being properly in this Tribe. We see that destruction (so Hormah soundeth in Hebrew) gives the name to them all. And wonder not then, that in a Country the Seat of war, there were so many towns of this sad denomination, but pray rather that God would seasonably settle a peace in England, lest therein be found more Hormahs than were in Israel. § 10. As for Gerar the City above mentioned, it was anciently a kingdom of the Philistines, whose Kings seem all to be called Abimelech's. To one of these Abraham falsely affirmed that Sarah his wife was his i Gen. 20. 2. sister: and afterwards Isaac (see the powerful influence of Parent's faults on their children's practice!) to another of the same name offended in the like falsehood. This latter Abimelech looking out of his window, beheld Isaac k Gen. 26. 8. sporting with Rebekah, (gestures not unlawful as done, but as seen) and from this familiarity (greater his charity than Isaac's caution therein) interpreted her to be not his harlot, but his wife. § 11. Afterwards Isaac outed of the City dwelled in the neighbouring valley of Gerar, and whithersoever he removed, God's blessing, and the Philistines envy followed him. He grew fat in estate, his enemies lean at the fight thereof, which made them spitefully stop the l Gen. 26. 15. wells which his Father had digged. Happy that they could neither damn up nor drain dry the dew of Divine blessing, from falling upon him, which, if possible to effect, their malice would have attempted. But Isaac afterwards sunk these wells the second time, and he m Gen. 26. 18. called their names after the names by which his Father had called them. See his humility herein, not varying from his Father's will in an indifferent matter, whereas many now adays count it the greatest honour of this age, in all things to diffent from the former. Besides these renewed wells, Isaac had new ones of his own making, as namely 1 n Gen. 26. 20. Esech: that is stri●e, so called because his herdsmen, and the Gerarites strove about it. 2 o Gen. 26. 21. Sitnah, that is hatred, so named on the like occasion. 3 p Gen. 26. 22. Rekoboth, that is enlargement, which he peaceably possessed; God making room for him. The two former pass for the emblems of our militant condition in this life, the last typyifieth our happy estate in a better, and more roomthy place; In my Father's house there be many q joh. 14. 2. mansions. § 12. This vale of Gerar was the Granary of Canaan, whither the Patriarches retired in time of famine; for plenty dwelled there, when penury was elsewhere. Nor will it be amiss to insert the testimony of a r Geor Sands. trav. 3. b. 150. p. Modern traveller, to show how the Country hereabouts, even at this day, retains an indelible character of its former fruitfulness. We passed this day through the most pregnant and pleasant valley, that ever eye beheld. On the right hand a ridge of high mountains (whereon stands Hebron) on the left hand the Mediterranean Sea bordered with continued hills, beset with variety of fruits. The Champion between about twenty miles over, full of flowery hills ascending leisurely, and not much surmounting their ranker valleys, with groves of Olives and other fruits dispersedly adorned. Yet is this wealthy Bottom (as are all the rest) for the most part uninhabited. § 13. From the vale of Gerar the brook Berzor runneth by the grove near Beersheba, s Gen. 21. 33. planted by Abraham for the more convenient performance of his devotion. Collect we hence that Abraham resided some considerable time in these parts, seeing trees grow not up as jonas his gourd in a night, but must have some competent season to come to maturity. But what was piety in Abraham in planting this grove, was profaneness in his posterity to imitate. For after that God had made choice of a fixed place (Tabernacle, or Temple) to put his name there, such as elsewhere sacrificed unto him were not only guilty of Schism (separating themselves from the public worship) but flat Idolatry, serving the true God in a false manner, namely, in a place prohibited. And now it is seasonably remembered, that many ages after, Beersheba was an eminent place of Idolatry. The t Amos 5. 5. & 8. 14. Prophet threateneth final confusion to such that say, in nature of an oath, The manner of Beersheba liveth. It being probable that as the u 2 King. 18. 4. brazen serpent set up by Moses, was afterwards abused to Idolatry, so this grove of Abraham's planting near Beersheba was by his posterity perverted to some solemn superstition, the manner or way whereof, secundum usum Beershebae, was a precedent, or leading pattern for other places to imitate: as Act. 9 2. & 18. 25. & 24. 14. § 14. But the City of Beersheba itself stood hard by on the brook Bezor. The name imports, The well of an oath. First so called from w Gen. 21. 31. Abraham's, then from x Gen. 26. 33. Isaac's ceremonious swearing and covenanting with Abimelech in that place. Now if Scarlet keep colour because twice died, and therefore called Dibaphon, well might Beersheba retain her name, twice on the same occasion imposed upon it. y Gen. 46. 4. Here God comforted jacob in his journey down into Egypt, promising him safety and sight of his son joseph. Many hundred years after, Samuel at z 1 Sam. 8. 2. Beersheba set up his Sons for Judges, who degenerated from their Father's integrity. In the division of the land into two kingdoms, Beersheba belonged to judah, where a 2 Chr. 19 4. jehoshaphat set up Judges, and whither b 1 King. 19 3. Eliah persecuted by jezebel fled for succour. Hence he fled into the wilderness, leaving his servant at Beersheba. Not that he carelessly cast him off, but as the case stood with Eliah, life was to be preferred before attendance, and one alone might shift with more secrecy than two together. Besides, by the avoidance of this servant (probably no person of extraordinary performance) divine providence made a way for Elisha (one of more desert) in this vacancy to be inducted into Eliah's service. § 15. Coming still westward on the bank of Bezor, we find the place where two hundred of David's foot being faint stayed with the c 1 Sam. 30. 10. baggage, whilst the rest of their brethren pursued and conquered the Amalekites. But these at their return denied the two hundred staying by the brook, any part of their spoil, till David ordered it as a leading case, that these which attended the baggage should be equal sharers with such who fought in the battle. And very good reason: 1 It was not laziness, but weariness kept them behind. A stout heart sometimes cannot help a fainting body. Wherefore to punish sickness in them for a sin, had been height of tyranny. 2 Grant their tired bodies could not keep pace with their souls, yet no doubt in desire they marched along with their brethren, and perchance by their prayers facilitated their victory. 3 During their staying behind, their employment was as necessary, though not so honourable. The stuff could not secure itself, and the keeping of it in the others absence was a good piece of defensive service. Now from hence it appears, that in cases not provided for in the judicial Law, the Princes of Israel were entrusted with power to enact Statutes, in a prudential proportion to God's word, binding all in their dominions to the observation of them. This ordinance of David may from the place be termed the Statute of Bezor. Nor is it any news for Laws to be made in open fields by rivers sides, our English Laws having had their birth in so plain a place in Ronny-mede near the river of Thames, where King john and his Barons first drew them up together. Yea, no fitter place for such solmn acts then a rivers side, where the sight thereof may be the remembrancer, that d Amos 5. 24. judgement may run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Hence Bezor glideth into the Land of the Philistines, whither in due time we will follow it. § 16. South of this brook lay the wilderness of Beersheba, often mentioned in Scripture. Herein Hagar and e Gen. 21. 14. Ishmael wandered when the bottle of water was spent, the last Legacy which Abraham bequeathed him. Oh how she weeps, as if intending to refill the same from her eyes! but alas, that moisture so brackish would rather increase then allay any thirst. And now what should she do? It was death to her to see her son die, and yet that pity which would not suffer her to tarry by him, would not permit her to depart from him. In this Dilemma of affection she resolves on the distance of a bow-shoot, r Gen. 21. 16. as a competent mean betwixt presence and absence, and disposeth herself under one shrub, her son under another. Here Ishmael cries and God heareth. The very worst in extreme want are the object of pity, and though Ishmael had mocks for Isaac, heaven had mercy for Ishmael. An Angel sent shows Haga● a fountain, not now newly created, but newly discovered to her sight. The object was there before, but the Organ not rightly disposed to behold it. How near may men be to their own happiness and miss it; touching it, yet not seeing it, till God open their eyes! More south in this wilderness was the juniper-tree under which g 1 King. 19 4. Elisha sat so highly discontented. Coals of Juniper we know are extremely hot, but is there any secret quality in the shade of that tree, to put Eliah, sitting under, into such passions, as that nothing but death would please him for the present? Sorrow bought him asleep, and afterwards awaking, being refreshed with a cake of bread, cruse of water, and comfort of an Angel he undertook his journey to Horeb. § 17. Not far off betwixt Kadesh and bere is Beer-laha-roi, that is, the well of him that liveth and seeth: so h Gen. 16. 14. named by Hagar, because there an Angel catechised, comforted, and counselled her to return and humble herself to Sarah her mistress. By this well Isaac was walking and meditating, i Gen. 24. 62. when Rebekah brought from her Father's house first met him, in her most modest behaviour. For at the sight of him, though at some distance, she k Gen. 24. 64. lighted from her Camel, counting it ill manners to ride, when her husband and master went a foot: as also to give an earnest of her future good housewifery, that she would prefer industry before ease, honest pain before pleasure. The she l Gen. 24. 65. vailed herself, partly to show that the beams of her beauty were hereafter to be appropriated to Isaac alone, & partly in confession of subjection, being now under covert-baron, the command and protection of a husband. Well, I dare compare, yea prefer this veiled wives chastity, before the virginity of many veiled votaries. § 18. More south is the river of Egypt the utmost limit, not only of this Tribe, but of all Israel. Indeed by the river of Egypt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (often mentioned in Exodus) only Nilus is intended. But this stream (which some conceive is particularly called Shichos) is termed the River of Egypt, not because it is in, but is in the high way to Egypt. Otherwise, the traveller who sits down on the banks thereof, shall never come thither. In the Septuagint, Rhinocolura is put for this river of Egypt, being a long named city of short note, seated on the influx thereof into the sea. Only this Rhinocolura is famous in heathen History, because hither (as into an Hospital) all those malefactors were sent, whose noses were cut off for their offences: a punishment inflicted on the Egyptians by an Ethiopian King who conquered them Hence had it the name of * Strabo Geog. lib. 16. p. 759. Rhinocolura, or the place of nose-maimed people. But o how great must that city be which in our age should contain all those, whose faces are nose-less, not by others cruelty, but their own luxury! § 19 As for other cities in this Tribe of Simeon they were many, but obscure. It is observable that most of them are written with an Alias first, as they are named josh. 19 secondly, as they are called 1 Chron. 2. None need to wonder at their different denominations. Here I interpose nothing of the several writing of the same places 1 According to exact Critics in spelling them. 2 According to vulgar tongues in pronouncing them. Only we commend to the Readers notice, that the book of Chronicles was written after the return from m 1 Chr. 3. 19 Captivity; and about eighteen generations after the days of joshua. And therefore some difference of letters after so large a time is no strange thing. For seeing here we have no continuing n Heb. 13. 14. city, it cannot be expected that any city should have a continuing name. And yet great places longest retain their names unaltered, (as London from Taeitus to our times) whereas small cities like these in Simeon are as often alterable, as passed into the possession of several owners. Yea seeing it was the custom of the jews, to o Psal. 19 11. call their lands after their own names, this haply might change p josh. 19 6. Beth-lebaoth in this Tribe, into q 1 Chr. 4. 31. Bethbirei, when it came into the possession of a new landlord. § 20. So much of this small Tribe, whose portion was too little for his people, and therefore they made two happy expeditions to enlarge their quarters: one in the reign of r 1 Chr. 4. 39 Hezekiah to the entrance of Gedor, even unto the east side of the valley, a place of good and fat pasture; for they of Ham (Canaanites) had dwelled there of old. Mice sometimes may be men's tasters, to teach them which is best for their palate: and those heathen were wise enough to settle themselves in the richest soil, whence now the Simeonites expelled them. This Gedor was in the division of the land allotted to the Tribe of s josh. 15. 58. judah. Now if any demand by what right the Simeonites might invade this which was assigned to judah, they may know that in case a strong hold could not be reduced into subjection by that Tribe to which it belonged, it was not an act of injustice, but valour, for the next Tribe to t jud. 1. 34. 35. undertake the conquest thereof: As by their judicial law if one died not having issue by his wife, the next of kin might 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and was heir (as I may say) to marry his u Mat. 22. 24. brother's wife; so when judah through some defect or debility was unable to improve his Patrimony in Gedor to profit, by casting out the heathen who violently detained it, Simeon (his next neighbour in situation) suecceding to the right of his brother, attempted and effected the conquest thereof: Herein only it holds not proportion, because the seed so raised up was accounted to his dead brother, whereas here Simeon made bold himself quietly to possess what victoriously he had acquired. Wonder not that this petty Tribe in overcoming Gedor did more than puissant judah could perform; for always the battle is not to the w Eccles. 9 11. strong, and weaker means watching advantages may perfect what more powerful have left uneffected. This Gedor (grudge not reader to sally with thine eye a little out of this Tribe, being still in this map) lay on the north of the river Sorek, and was one x Josh. 12. 13. of the 31. regal cities of the Canaanites. As for the Simeonites second voyage against the y 1 Chr. 4. 42. Amalekites in mount Seir, more proper thereof hereafter in the description of Edom. § 21. Now that which straightened the portion of Simeon, was the multitude of Philistines inhabiting the sea coasts, allotted to, but never possessed by this Tribe. Askelon was a prime city in those parts, once won by z Judg. 1. 28. judah assisting Simeon, but after recovered by the Philistines. Samson, being cast to give his companions thirty change of raiment, went neither to the Merchant for the stuff, nor Tailor for making of them, but (knowing the Philistines garments would best fit Philistines bodies) he marched directly to a Judg. 14. 19 Askelon, where finding thirty Philistines, he bestowed their corpse on the earth, and their cases on their fellow-countrey men. This caused that active antipathy betwixt Askelon and Israel, Tell it not in Gath, nor publish it in b 2 Sam. 1. 20. Askelon. Near to this city there was a c Diod. Siculus. libro 13. lake, by which Semiramis is said to be born, there fed and relieved by Doves. Hence the Poet Tibullus. Alba Palaestino sancta columba Syro. The milk-white Dove esteemed divine, By Syrians of Palestine. But because no mention of this in Scriptures, we forbear further prosecution thereof. § 22. Going along south by the sea side (here styled the sea of the Philistines) we come at last to Azzah, d ● Exod. 23. 31. or Gaza the fifth satrapy of the Philistines, once e Judg. 1. 18. Judg. 16. 3. 21. 25. conquered by judah, but soon after returning to the former owners Samson, who carried the gates thereof away, could not bring himself hither again, without the guidance of another. Pain here was added to his blindness, when set to grind in a mill; scorn to his pain, when sent for, at a solemn feast to be the musician to make sport, or rather the Instrument ready tuned for every wanton eye, tongue, and hand to play upon. But such as mock at other men's miseries, sometimes laugh so long till their own hearts ache. For Samson applied himself to the two pillars most fundamental to the roof of Dagons' Temple, and by the strength of his arms and f Judg. 16. 30. prayers, pulling them down, killed and died together. Strange that his enemies knowing his strength resided in his hair, prevented not the second growth thereof. But God first stupefies whom he intends for destruction: Samson had lost his sight, the Philistines their foresight at the same time. § 23. Many ages after Gaza was smote by g jer. 47. 1. Pharaoh King of Egypt, and not warned thereby to repent, utter desolation was denounced against it. There needeth no clearer comment on the Prophet's prediction, h Zeph. 2. 4. Gaza shall be forsaken, than that passage in the Acts of the Apostles, the way unto Gaza which is i Act. 8. 26. waste. This vastation was caused by Alexander the great, when he utterly razed the city, fulfilling what k jer. 47. 5. jeremy had foretold, Baldness is come upon Gaza, whereby not only the hair, but skin and flesh of this proud place fell away, scarce any signs of a city remaining. Out of the ruins hereof, some two miles westward (where Bezor falleth into the sea) Majuma or Sea-Gaza once a proper port-town took its rise and increase, called afterward Constantia by Constantine the great, and Gatzra at this day, where simple roofs supported with carved columns, and broken pieces of Parian l Sand. trav. lib. 3. p. 149. Marble, serving for thresholds, jambes of doors, and sides of windows almost to every beggarly cottage, testify its former better condition. So much for these Philistines, who are taxed for their soothsaying by m Isa. 2. 6. Isaiah, accused of spightfulness and old hatred by n Ezek. 25. 15. Ezekiel, challenged for cruelty by o Amos 1. 8. Amos, arraigned for pride by p Zach. 9 6. Zachary, condemned by all to unavoidable destruction. Think not that these Philistines, foxlike, fared the better for being cursed, surely though slow, sure vengeance overtook them; and we undoubtedly believe the same, although it be hard in history to show when, where, and how their particular extirpation was accomplished. § 24. Simeon hath usually assigned him for his arms, Gules, a sword in pale, with the point thereof erected argent; alluding to Jacob's words, Instruments of cruelty are in his habitations, because of their perfidious massacring of the Shechemites. None of Solomon's Purveyors in the Tribe of Simeon, the reason whereof shall be rendered in our description of judah. If any demand, why Simeon alone is omitted in Moses his solemn q Deut. 33. blessing of the other Tribes, let them remember how jacob coupled Simeon r Gen. 49. 5, 6. and Levi in a curse; since which time the Levites had unstrained their credit by their exemplary s Exod. 32. 26. zeal against the Idolaters, but the Simeonites had not recovered their reputation by any eminent act by them achieved. Moses therefore having no commission to recall Jacob's curse, and loath to repeat it, (lest the double-cursed Simeonites should be utterly disheartened) thought it in pious policy best to pass them over in silence. Of such persons, of whom we would willingly say no bad, and cannot truly say any good, it is the wise●t way to say nothing. As for their tradition that the Simeonites were employed to be Scribes and Notaries to the Tribe of judah, it is enough to mention it, knowing no sound authority, whereon the same is grounded. Here the Map of Benjamin is to be inserted. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN. CHAP. 12. § 1. BEnjamin youngest son of jacob by Rachel, Ben-oni his name changed to Benjamin was by his mother dying of him in childbirth named Ben-oni, that is, the son of sorrow, but by his Father called Benjamin, that is, the son a Gen. 35. 18. of the right hand. Say not jacob did ill in altering the Will of his wife, and revoking the name, the last legacy she bequeathed to her child, seeing the alteration was perfective, and for the advantage of the Legatee; not to say that Rachel's pangs imposed that name, and might be presumed scarce compos mentis in what she did. But the main reason of the alteration was, because jacob could not call his son, but must recall his lost wife to his mind, so that his very name constantly carried a coffin in the mention thereof. Highly he was beloved of his Father; and good reason; First, because begot in his old age. Secondly, because the youngest: and affection, which always descends, when it can go no lower, settles itself. Thirdly, because he was motherless. Lastly, because brotherless, joseph being conceived dead, and so the portion of affection due to him, fell to Benjamin as the right heir thereof. § 2. Of this Tribe came out of Egypt b Numb. 1. 37. thirty five thousand four hundred, The dysaster and recruit of Benjamin. all which dying in the wilderness, forty c Numb. 26. 4. five thousand and six hundred of their children entered the land of Canaan. Afterwards an heavy dysaster befell this Tribe (of the cause and manner whereof hereafter) insomuch that no. d judg. 21. 16. women and only six hundred men were left of Bemjamin. Yea none of Benjamin were left above ground, being destroyed from being visible on the face of the earth, and the six hundred remaining all e judg. 20. 47. hid in the rock of Rimmon. Thus Benjamin was cut off from the body of Israel, and only hung dangling by one small sinew, which by the careful Chirurgery of their brethren, and God's blessing upon it, in short time recovered itself to be very considerable in Israel. § 3. Herein the words of the Psalmist deserve to be observed, The words of the Psalmist well to be weighed▪ There is little f Psal. 68 27. Benjamin with their ruler. Little Benjamin: It was therefore no court-complement, or modest excuse, but a downright truth. Saul said unto Samuel, g 1 Sam. 9 21. Am I not a Benjami● of the smallest of the Tribes of israel? It is added, with their Ruler: no Tribe (judah excepted) more trading in Commanders than Benjamin did. Hereof were Saul and Ishbosheth both crowned Kings, jonathan the eldest son; h Esther 2. 5. Mordecai the Favourite, Esther the wife of a King; i judg. 3. 15. Ehud the Judge, and Abner the General of Israel, with divers others. And among Ecclesiastical Rulers, let not him be forgot, who had the care of all the k 2 Chr. 11. 28. Churches, even l Phil. 3. 5. Saint Paul the Apostle. But beside these Rulers, Benjamin bred some enemies to authority, Ziba that false cheater, Shimei that foul railer, Baanah and m 2 Sam. 4. 2. Rechab privy traitors, Sheba a professed Rebel; so impossible it is, all should be good herbs which grow in great gardens. § 4. The lot of Benjamin came forth n josh. 18. 11. betwixt the children of judah and the children of joseph. Benjamin placed between joseph & 〈◊〉. If o Mat. 10. 29. a sparrow falls not on the ground, surely ground falls not to any owner without God's immediate providence. Benjamin joined with joseph to day the possession of Rachel's children entire together; and joined to judah, that vicinity of habitation might invite them to unity of Religion. And indeed commendable was the constancy of the Benjamites both to God and their King, following the house of David at the disloyal defection of the rest of the Tribes. Say not that little Benjamin was thus placed in the middle to be ground betwixt the mill stones of two potent Tribes; for it matters not who lies on our sides, so be it God dwells on our shoulders. Remember we the blessing Moses bequeathed to this Tribe, p Deut. 33. 12. The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him, and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders; particularly pointing at his habitation in jerusalem built in the borders of Benjamin. § 5. Now though Benjamins' mess, The small comp●ss of this Tribe recompensed with the goodness of the ground. when he sat at Joseph's table, was q Gen. 43. 34. five times as much as any of his brethren, yet here it happened his portion was less than all the rest: except any will say, that only Benjamins' dish was less and meat more, because, though small the compass of ground allotted to him, yet fair and fruitful the soil, many and memorable the cities contained therein, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, The lot of this Tribe was straightened (saith r Anti I●d li. 5. cap. 1. fosephus) because of the virtue of the soil thereof. Yet as little as the land of Benjamin was, it was big enough to be divided betwixt two kingdoms, the south-west part thereof belonging to the kingdom of judah, the north-east to Israel, with the cities of Gilgal, jericho, and Bethel, as shall be made plain in the respective description of those places. § 6. jordan is the eastern boundary of this Tribe * josh. 18. 20. : David returning victoriously from Mahanaim, Eminent act●ons on the banks of I●rdan. having s 2 Sam. 19 ●8. ferried over this water, partly brought thither, partly met here, a miscellaneous multitude, Barzillai and Shimei, Mephibosheth and Ziba, that is, loyalty and treachery, faith and falsehood mingled together in the same Country. Here (once railing) now begging Shimei obtained pardon from him; because bringing along with him (the best argument in his excuse) a t 2 Sam. 19 17. thousand men of Benjamin. Some will say, David showed Shimei too much mercy, and did Mephibosheth too little justice, not righting him against the false accusations of Ziba, who better deserved a whole halter, then half of the lands of Mephibosheth. Such do not seriously consider the present condition of David; who, had his hand struck with the sword of justice, before his feet (in his renewed kingdom) were firmly fastened on the throne of authority, it had been the ready way to have overturned him and his posterity. Here u 2 Sam. 20. 1. Sheba a Benjamite taking the advantage of the unseasonable contest betwixt judah and Israel, which should have most interest in David, with his trumpet blue rebellion into the ears and hearts of the people; had not the dangerous consequence thereof been seasonably prevented by the vigilancy and valour of David, and his servants. § 7. More south on the banks of the river the children of the Prophets straightened for dwellings, Pitiful provisions for a College. went about to enlarge their habitations, but meanly provided for that purpose, if we consider the 1 Architect, a son of the Prophets, little skilled (no doubt) in such employment. 2 Timber, green wood, and growing on the banks of jordan. 3 Tools; a borrowed hatchet, the iron whereof fell into the river. Alas, how comes it to pass, that when houses of the Prophets are to be built, the iron forsakes the handle, which sticks too steadfastly thereunto, when they break them down w Psal. 74. 6. with axes and hammers! But x 2 King. 6. 6. Elisha made all things whole, the hatchet came unto the helve swimming above the water. § The alter Ed succeeds next, Controversies concerning the position of the Altar Ed. more southward on the river. Formerly we have placed it in the Tribe of Reuben on the east of jordan, but others 〈◊〉 it west of that river in this Tribe. Hear the arguments for both. For Benjamin. 1 It * Josh. 22. 10. was set up in the borders of jordan which are in the land of Canaan, which land strictly and properly taken was on the west of jordan. 2 It was erected to show the contesseration of their religions. And therefore most probable and proper on the west side of jordan, in the main continent of the land, to claim right, or rather continue a title of those separatist-Tribes, Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh in point of God's worship with other Tribes. 3 † In lo●is Heb. lit. E. Saint Hi●rome, and since him learned * In locum. Tostatus (to whose arguments in this controversy we refer the reader) with many other Commentators, are very positive in placing this Altar west of jordan in the Tribe of Benjamin. For Reuben. 1 It was set up y josh. 22. 11. over against the land of Canaan. Which in proper construction imports it to be on the other side opposite thereunto. 2 It had been a mere trespass, for the two Tribes and an half in aliena Republica, to build an altar on the ground of other Tribes: and therefore no doubt, they did it on their own ground east of jordan. 3 josephus z Anti. jud. l. 5. cap. 1. p. 143. saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Therefore the Tribe of Reuben and Gad going over the river etc. 4 Another a M. joseph M●de in his Sermon of the reverence of God's house. joseph (though a modern, yet a learned writer) believeth, that in those elder times, that Country or territory was counted unhallowed, or unclean which had not a place set apart for God's worship, and proveth from the words of Phinebas, that the altar was set up on their side, lest otherwise having no place consecrated, they might be concluded to live in an unhallowed habitation. Thus as this altar caused a difference betwixt brethren, about the cause why it was erected: so hath occsioned a dissension amongst learned men, concerning the place, where the same was set up. The best is, the controversy is not of such moment, as to concern salvation. Let us take heed, we be not of that Generation b Psal. 78. 9 which set not their hearts aright, and then the danger is not great, though we set this altar on the wrong side of the river. However, as the devout jews in the primitive times, when the Sabbath was newly changed into the Lordsday, kept both Saturday and Sunday holy, observing both ex nimia cautela, to be sure to keep the right day of Divine worship: so for more certainty we have erected two altars, one one each side of the river, leaving it to the discretion of the judicious Reader, to accept or refuse which of them he pleaseth. § 9 The jewish Stone hinge. Come we in the next place to the c josh. 4. 20. twelve great stones set up by joshua in memorial that there they passed over the river jordan on foot Tremellius conceives probably, that these were the quarries in Gilgal mentioned judg. 3. 19 whence Ehud returned back, when he went to kill Eglon King of Moab. Others likewise conceive, that john baptising hereabouts, did particularly point at these stones, in that his expression to the Pharisees, d Mat. 3. 9 God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. They were set up in the Country Gilgal, the city so called lying some five miles' west of the river. § 10. Gilgal (rolling in Hebrew) was so called by joshua, Remarkables happening at Gilgal in the days of joshua. because the reproach of Egypt was there rolled away from the Israelites, and circumcision suspended during their travel, being e Jo●h. 5. 9 here administered, and the Passeover solemnly observed; here also Manna ceased, the Country affording plentiful provisions. Miracles and means never shine together in the same Horizon, but the former setteth, when the later ariseth. It will perchance be demanded, why Manna reigned so long, seeing the Israelites long ago were come into the plentiful Country of Canaan, all the while they had remained in the land of Reuben, ever since they came over the river of Arnon. It is answered, God hitherto continued his largess of Manna, 1 Because formerly they were only come into the skirts of the country, (unsufficient to maintain so numerous an Army) whereas now they were entered into the very heart and middle of the land. 2 The land of Reuben though very fruitful, f Numb. 32. 1. was a place for cattle, fit for grazing, and better for beasts, than men to feed upon. 3 God to manifest his liberality, would not only have his provisions to meet even, but to lap over, continuing Manna till his people were otherwise plentifully provided for, both with new corn on the ground (coming hither in g As may be collected by the overflowing of jordan, and by comparing josh. 3. 15. with 1 Chr. 12. 15. the beginning of harvest) and h Josh. 5. 12. old in their Granary. Thus the jews did not begin house-keeping on ●are walls, but were set up with full stock aforehand: victualled in a manner, with two years' provision, that with the good housekeeper i Mat. 13. 52. they might bring forth out of their treasure things new and old. § 11. In the days of Samuel and Saul, Gilgall a Court or a College. this was a place of principal credit, where Saul was solemnly invested with a crown, Come, let us go up unto k 1 Sam. 6. 14. Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there. Yet here at the same time to show God's displeasure with the people for their tumultuous desiring of a King, * 1 Sam. 12. 18. Thunder in harvest (in judea Summer thunder old men's wonder) exceedingly affrighted the hearers thereof. Afterwards Saul stained this place with a double deed of disobedience, 1 When in samuel's absence he presumed to offer l 1 Sam. 18. 9 sacrifice. Once the proverb was, Is Saul also amongst the Prophets? Now it may be, Is Saul also amongst the Priests, invading the Sacerdotal function? 2 When contrary to God's command, he spared and brought hither the best of spoil of Amalek, so that Samuel was fain to supply what justice was wanting in Saul, who hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in m 1 Sam. 15. 33. Gilgal. In after ages here was an Academy or Seminary of the sons of the Prophets, 2 King. 4. 38. brought up here in learning preparatory to their profession. Acquired, are so far from hindering infused abilities, that the stock prepared by industry, is fittest to be graffed on by inspiration. Eliah and Elisha were successively the Precedents, or rather the Visitors of this College, the latter being both food, and physic for the students therein: 1 Food, when with twenty small n 2 King. 4. 43. Barley loaves he fed an hundred of the children of the Prophets. 2 Physic, when his meal was o 2 King. 4. 41. Antidote against the malignity of the wild gourd in their pottage. It seems the sons of the Prophets were no expert Herbalists, whose learning moved in an higher and holier sphere, and they more skilful to discern betwixt true doctrine and heresy, then betwixt potherbs and poison. § 12. Gilgal was afterwards a sink of Idolatry, Gilgall a sink of Idolatry. and belonged to the Kings of Israel, as appears by the Prophet's counsel, though thou Israel play the harlot, yet let not judah offend, and come ye not into p Host 4. 15. & 9 15. Gilgal etc. At Gilgal men multiplied q Amos 4. 4. & 5. 5. transgression, whereupon destruction was denounced against this place, and Gilgal was afterwards rolled up in her own ruins. To return to the river jordan, which a little southward falls into the r Josh. 18. 19 Salt-sea, the south boundary of this Tribe. The epithet Salt is not here superfluous, but emphatical, partly to distinguish it from the sea of Cinneroth or Galilee, which was a fresh-water-sea; and partly because the water hereof was salt with a witness, fire-salt, as I may say. Let Philosophers demonstrate the cause of the brackishness of the Ocean, though it is to be feared, they will be posed nearer home, how rivulets of tears which flow from their own eyes, come to be so salt. But a peculiar reason may be certainly assigned, why the water in this sea was transcendently salt above all others, whereof largely hereafter in the description of judah. § 13. Having done with the channel of jordan, The south-bound of Benjamin. the certain and unmoveable bound of Benjamin on the east, come we now in our perambulation to surround the other three sides of this Tribe, and at first will only take notice of the limitary places, and so proceed from the rind to the core, from the marches to the middle of this country. The south of Benjamin ranged from Kiriath-jearim by the well s See Josh. 18. 15. etc. of the waters of Nephtoah, to the valley of Hinnon, and so on the south of jerusalem descended to Enrogell. All which places shall hereafter be presented in a peculiar map, and therefore no more for the present. § 14. Hence it went forth to Enshemesh, i. e. The fountain of the sun. the fountain of the Sun. Either so called from the clearness of the waters thereof, or because in Idolatrous days, when the host of heaven was t Act. 7. 42. worshipped (whereof the Sun the General) it was dedicated thereunto, or because the suns extraordinary influence thereon endued it with sovereign virtue. And now it is well remembered, that Bath in England is called by u Camd. Brit. in Summersetshire p. 233. Antoninus Aque solis or the waters of the Sun. Hence the bounds of Benjamin stretched to Geliloth near w Compare Josh. 25. 7. with Josh. 18. 17. Gilgal (over against the going up to Adummim) and thence descended to the stone of Bohan the son x josh. 18. 17. of Reuben, so called no doubt from some memorable act by him there atcheived, for otherwise the Reubenites had no part of possession on the west side of jordan. Hence this Tribe extended through Arabah to Beth-hoglah, i. e. as y In locis Heb. lit. B. Saint Hierome interprets it, Locus gyri, or the place of a circle, because (as he will have it) in this place joseph with his brethren set in a round (the form of mourners) bewailed the corpse of jacob brought hither out of Egypt. § 15. But leaving this as a conjecture, The Egyptians passionate bewailing of jacob. most sure it is, that hereabouts was the floor of Atad, where so solemn a lamentation was made for Jacob's death, that the place long after did wear mourning in the name thereof, therefore called z Gen. 50. 11. Abel-mizraim, i. e. the sorrowing of the Egyptians. Strange, that strangers, being a Gen. 50. 7. the Elders of Pharaohs Court and kingdom, should so affectionately bemoan the death of a man no whit related unto them. Surely the Egyptians did not weep-Irish with feigned and mercenary tears, much less was their passion only State-sympathy and politic compliance, sighing and smiling with the sighs and smile of joseph. Rather it was because the endearing disposition, and obliging goodness of old jacob, living fifteen years with them in Egypt, had gained the general love of the land. Besides, they lamented his loss as the death of their own grandfather, because he was Father to joseph, the Father, founder and preserver of them and theirs in the time of famine. If any demand why the Egyptians mourned for jacob b Gen. 50. 3. threescore and ten days, whilst joseph made a mourning for him but for c Gen. 50. 10. seven days? I can tell the common answer, that the former ignorant of heavenly happiness lamented him totally lost, whilst joseph not d 1 Thes. 4. 13. mourning without hope was more moderate in his lamentation. But whether this solution be sound in itself, or the question exactly conformable to the text, we remit it to the examination of others. I would rather know the reason why this solemnity of sorrow, was performed in this place, rather than at the cave of Machpelah forty miles hence, where the corpse were interred; surely the Master of the Ceremonies in those days could give an account thereof. § 16. But here it will be objected, that joseph coming out of Egypt, had a nearer way by many miles to carry Jacob's corpse to Hebron, then by going over jordan. It is confessed, but this fetching a compass was conceived more for the state of the funeral. Unfitting it was, that the body of that worthy Patriarch (to whom all the land belonged by promise) should steal into that Country in a clandestine way, and privately enter in at the postern door, rather let it solemnly surround the Country, and be brought in at the broad gates. Thus the corpse of men of quality, though the Chancel-door be nearer, are borne through the porch and middle-alley to the place of their interment. § 17. So much for the south-marches of Benjamin, The north borders of Benjamin. we come now to visit the north-limits thereof. Those began from jordan (saith our English translation.) In divertigio jardenis quo magis adhuc ad orientem divertit (saith Tremellius in his note on the place) i. e. in the winding of jordan as it turns still more to the east; and we could wish, that this eastern flexure of that river, had been made a little more visible in our Maps. Hence they went up to the side e Josh. 18. 13. of jericho, understand thereby the confluence of the waters afterwards running to jericho (as appears by paralleling josh. 16. 1. with josh. 18. 12.) and so through the mountains westward, f Josh. 19 12. the goings out thereof are at the wilderness of Beth-aven. Whence it turneth towards Luz which is Bethel, southward, which now I come to describe. § 18. Beth-el, Beth-el why so called. that is, God's house, was so named by jacob (for formerly it was called Luz) who here lying on a stone (it matters not how hard our bed, if so heavenly our dreams) saw a g Gen. 28. 12. Ladder with God on the top thereof, and Angels ascending and descending thereon. Going down to attend on God's children according to their commission, and up to give an account of their attendance, and receive farther instructions. Here jacob by vow indented with God solemnly to make this place his house, and to give to him at his safe return h Gen. 28. 22. with bread and water, the tenth of all his substance. But though God over performed his counterpart herein, jacob neglected his promise, and when his staff was swelled into i Gen. 32. 10. two bands, set down his staff at Shechem, and turned there a purchaser of a parcel of ground, till God minded him of his former obligation, Arise k Gen. 35. 1. , go up to Bethel, and dwell there etc. § 19 Most happy that man who runs the way of God's commandments, Deborah buried near Beth-el. and next him he is the best, who answers the spur, and with jacob goeth, when almost driven. Hither he comes (having first reform his family of l Gen. 35. 4. Idolatry) and here built an Altar called El-beth-el. During his abode here died Deborah Rebekahs' nurse, venerable for her old age, having seen her nurse-childs' children's children, to the fourth generation. Surely she was well loved whilst living, because so much lamented when dead, buried under m Gen. 35. 8. Allon Bachuth, or the oak of mourning. As if Jacob's children desired, that their eyes should return that moisture to her in tears, which her breasts had bestowed in milk on their grandmother. Thus, though the Hebrews did not so dote on their nurses, as the wild-Irish (who love them better than their own n Camd. Brit. pag. 787. mothers) yet they had them in an high estimation. § 20. In the division of the land, ●eth-el jointly belonging to Ephraim and Benjamin. Beth-el fell to the lot of o Josh. 18. 22. Benjamin. Yet we find that the house of joseph (understand the Tribe of Ephraim) wan p Judg. 1. 25. and possessed it. It seems the City was divided into two parts, the northern pertaining to Ephraim, the southern to Benjamin. In the days of Samuel we find, how q 1 Sam. 7. 16. he went from year to year in circuit to Beth-el, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all these places; which were all three in this Tribe, and in the heart of the Country, conveniently seated for Termers to resort hither from all parts thereof. § 21. Here jeroboam set up one of his golden calves: and how busy was he about sacrificing unto it, jeroboam calf, set up in Beth-el. when a Prophet sent from God denounced the destruction of his Altar, which presently clavae asunder, according to his prediction? An Altar, which (were it of brass or stone) was softer than the miracle-proof heart of jeroboam, which neither was broken, nor bruised thereat; as also he was no whit moved to repent, with the drying up, and r 1 King. 13. 6. restoring of his hand, which happened thereupon. Indeed he conceived, that his kingdom must have Idolatry for the pillars, which had Rebellion for the foundation thereof: and though Baalisme began and ended with the family of Ahab, Calfe-worship was riveted into the Crown of Israel. As for the Prophet that foretold the future ruin of this place, a Lion s 1 Kin. 13. 24. slew him in his return, because he credited a pretended Revelation Parole unto another man, before a Commission from God to the contrary, solemnly signed and delivered unto himself. See God's finger in the Lion's paw, how rationally did the brute-beast work his Masters will, being sent not to pray, but to punish? He killed the Prophet, filled not himself, but with the t 1 King. 13. 25. Ass; stood by the corpse, if not as mourners for, as waiters about it. Behold his life spilt, whilst wicked u Num. 22. 33. Balaams was spared in journey, so uncertain it is for any to conclude God's love w Eccles. 9 1. or hatred from outward events. § 22. Eliah and Elisha Children of Bethel why curled and killed by Elisha. often visited this City of Beth-el; the latter going up hither was mocked by the children thereof, for lacking the comely excrement of hair on his head, whereupon came two bears out of the wood, and tore two and forty of them. Some will say, Elisha had better have called for two rods, than two Bears out of the wood, therewith to drive out that folly which was bound up in the heart of these children. But his severity will appear needful herein, if all circumstances be considered, 1 Probably (though termed children) they were striplings of some bigness, who durst adventure out of the city by the wood-side. 2 No doubt the chickens crowed as the cocks had learned them, and followed the precedents of their Idolatrous parents. 3 The gemination of their offence, Go x 2 King. 2. 23▪ up thou bald-head, go up thou bald-head. 4 They mocked him as he was going up the way, and it is said, the Prophet turned back, so they continued their taunts whilst he came to them, yea till he was at them, yea when he was past them. 5 He looked on them, so that had any ingenuity or remorse been legible in their countenances, no doubt he would have suspended his sentence. 6 He cursed in the name of the Lord, not out of spite, but with God's Spirit, and the judgement followed accordingly. Probably some of them escaped to the City, and there might instruct their mothers and nurses, never more to fright children with fond tales of Bug-bears, but seriously to inform them of the truth of this sorrowful accident. § 23. In this City Beth-el there was also a nursery of the Sons y 2 King. 2. 3. of the Prophets. A College of Prophets at Beth-el. Alas, what heart had they to live here! Could the Stall of the golden calf be a convenient place for them to study in? The frequent and abominable impieties here committed, they could neither behold with silence, nor reprove with safety. However, it seems, they were especially desirous of, and delighted in this place, where God had immediately manifested his gracious presence to jacob: and we may charitably believe, by the privateness of their lives secured themselves both from pollution and persecution. But for the main, Beth-el was changed into Beth-aven, Scala coeli into Gradus inferni, the Devils then dancing for joy, where once Angels (those holy Agitators) went up and down betwixt heaven and earth. Yea in after-ages it was penal for any pious Prophet to approach this place, such the strictness of the prohibition herein, z Amos 7. 13. Prophecy no more at Beth-el, for it is the King's Chapel, and it is the King's Court. As if it were against the Law of the Verge for one to draw a sword (though of God's word) within the bounds and precincts of the Palace of the idolatrous Kings of Israel. § 24. The last memorable mention that we find of Beth-el, josiah burns the dead bones at Beth-el. was when josiah burned the bones of the idolatrous people on the a 2 King. 23. 16. Altar there. Some will say, he showed little wisdom, and less valour therein, to encounter dead corpse. Yea the living found more offence by the stinking, than the dead felt pain by the burning of these bones. Nor was the alteration thereby produced of so great moment, seeing otherwise it would have been dust to dust, and now was ashes to ashes. But we must know that josiah herein was not acted with principles of cruelty, but moved in obedience to God's command, to fulfil that prophecy some hundred years before foretold b 1 King. 13. 2. of him. Whilst here they were ransacking the sepulchres, behold one solemn grave (the house of the dead) with a stone thereupon, (the door of that house) with an Epitaph on that stone, (the Porter of that door) wherein, on enquiry appeared, that Prophet lay interred, who long since forespoke these passages now come to pass. His corpse were c 2 King. 23. 18 spared by special command, and with him quietly rested the old Prophet▪ so good is it, (as we have d Holy State cap. of Company. elsewhere observed) to keep good company both in life, and after death. So much of Beth-el, whence the border of Benjamin e josh. 18. 13. descended from Ataroth-Adar near the hill which lieth on the south side of the nether Bethoron. § 25. In assigning the west border of this Tribe, Quere how Benjamin westward could boder on th● Sea. we meet with a churlish difficulty in the text, drawing the bounds thereof so, as to f josh. 18. 14. compass the corner of the sea southward. Here the Quere ariseth, how any part of Benjamin could approach the sea, the Tribe of Dan being interposed betwixt it and the Mediterranean. Rabbi Solomon seeking to salve it, by Sea understands some great water in the west of this Tribe: and what he affirmeth, is proportionable enough to the Hebrew language, terming all watery confluences a Sea, as we have formerly g Description of Gad num. 7. observed. And indeed what is our English word Mere used in the samesense more or less than Mare, or a Sea? I should be inclined to the opinion, that the h 2 Sam. 2. 13. pool of Gibeon so eminent in Scripture, and styled by jeremiah, the i jer. 41. 12. great waters which are in Gibeon, should be the Sea herein intended. Or if the words of the Text calling it the sea, without any other addition, must be understood of the best and biggest in that kind, (and then can be no other than the Mediterranean sea) than I shall embrace the judgement of learned k Vid. Macium in locum. Macius, interpreting ● jam, not the Sea, but the west only; which the propriety of the tongue will well endure. § 26. From this western compass (alias Sea in other translations) the limits of Benjamin range to Kiriath-jearim, Vzzah slain for his presumption. 1 Sam. 7. 2. in the confines of this Tribe, where the Ark was Leaguer for twenty years, and whence David in a new cart intended to convey it to jerusalem. This kind of carriage was but l 1 Sam. 6. 7. Philistine divinity, and a Pagan precedent; not so ordered by Moses in the mount. When the Ark was removed from Shilo, it was m 1 Sam. 4. 3. set on the Levites shoulders; and I see no reason, why they now should be too good to bear it. Uzzah and Ahio drive the cart. The former with his hand held it from shaking, such his store of good intention, and shaked it with his holding, such his want of due qualification. God striketh him n 2 Sam. 6. 7. with death, and David is startled thereat. Is this the Ark placed so near the Mercy-seat? Oh how terrible then is the throne of divine Justice! For a time therefore the Ark is set to sojourn in the house of Obed-Edom, where the Landlord was blessed for go good a guest. Divine ordinances, according as their subject receiveth them, are either cordials or poisons, and the Ark brought ●ither a curse or a blessing, whithersoever it came. § 27. The place where the former dysast●r happened was called by David Perez-Uzzah, jewish several inventions to thresh out their grain. nigh * 2 Sam. 6. 6. Nachons' threshing-floor. We meet with many such places in the Bible, distant from Cities, where husbandmen housed, and beat out their grain, with several inventions: namely, 1 With the feet of o Deut. 25. 4. Oxen treading out the corn. 2 By the p Prov. 20. 26. wheel running over them. Make them O Lord like etc. 3 With flails, which having wooden handles, had their ends q Amos 3. 4. armed with iron. But amongst all their devices, the lazy ●rick of the r Camd. Brit. p. wild Irish, never entered into their brains, who to save pains, burn the straw, so to part the grain from it. § 28. So much for the borders of Benjamin. Ierich● a pleasant place. Come we now into the middle thereof, and first we find the waters of jericho arising in the confines of Ephraim. The naughtiness of this water was miraculously healed by Elisha putting salt into the s 2 King. 2. 21. fountain thereof. I say miraculously, otherwise that ingredient would rather have made it more brackish, then less bitter. 2 King. 2. 19 Hence those waters run southward to the City of jericho; whose name (as Munster interprets) signifies having a good savour. Indeed so delicious the situation thereof (after the cure aforesaid wrought by Elisha) that, had Profit and Pleasure been disposed to solace themselves together, no fitter place could be found for that purpose. Fragrant the flowers, sweet the herbs hereabout; especially the garden of Balsam, which in the days of the Romans, occasioned a quarrel betwixt them and the jews, who manfully defended it. Happy had the latter been, if as zealous for the substance, as for the shadow, losing their own lives to maintain the type, and taking away his life, who was the truth thereof. Then balsam intended by nature for the curing, was the causing of many wounds, such deadly blows passed betwixt them. § 29. joshua took this City with the sound of Rams horns, Miraculously taken. whereat the wall fell down to the ground. It troubleth me not to conceive, how the rest of the wall falling flat, Rahabs house built thereon should stand upright: seeing divine power, which miraculously gave the Rule, might accordingly make the Exception. A solemn t josh. 6. 16. curse was by joshua imposed on those who should rebuild the walls of jericho, so to obliterate the monument of divine power and justice. § 30. But jericho thus dismantled, maintained the reputation of a City, jericho termed a city of Palms and though not walled with stone for defence, was shaded with trees for pleasure. It is called the u Deut 34. 3. City of Palms (where w Judg. 3. 13. Ehud killed Eglon the corpulent King of Moab) growing so plentifully round about it. These Palms, or Date-trees had scaly barks, and the boughs were generally used, in all combats of manhood, to crown the conqueror. For, as x Vid Adagium, Palmam far. Erasmus observeth, though several countries, on sundry occasions, had distinct garlands of victory, made of Laurel, Olive, Myrtle, Oak etc. yet the Palmtree carried away the palm from them all, and was universally entertained as the Emblem of triumph. The worst I wish these trees is, that they may never want store of weight, seeing Naturalists observe, the more they are depressed, the more they flourish. § 31. But to return to jericho; The walls of Ierich● unhappily built again. it is ill hollowing in the ears of a sleeping Lion, and worse awaking that dust, which God would have dormant in eternal obscurity. See this in the walls of jericho, which Hiel the Bethelite affronting heaven built again: and according to Ioshua's execration, y 1 Kin. 16. 34. laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his first borne, and set up the gates thereof in Segub his youngest son; that is, both the one and the other were then destroyed by untimely deaths. Strange that seeing his first son drop away, he desisted not from that design; but such the precipice of bad projects, once step in, and seldom stop in the way of wickedness. Nor can Hiels presumption herein be excused, whatsoever is pretended in his behalf, being led to this act of contempt, by one of these considerations: 1 H● mistook Ioshua's curse rather for a pathetical expression, then prophetical prediction. 2 He conceived the virtue thereof worn out and antiquated, after five hundred years' continuance. 3 He chose rather to bottom his memory on so famous a structure, then to build it on his posterity, as sooner likely to decay. However Hiel got a curse, and jericho walls thereby, which afterwards grew to be a potent, and populous City. § 32. When the twelve Tribes were divided into two kingdoms, jericho first belonging to Israel, afterwards to judah. jericho probably pertained to Israel, as may appear, 1 By the frequent conversing of Eliah and Elisha in this City, sufficiently known to have been subjects of the crown of Israel. 2 Because Hiel the Bethelite (Beth-el belonging to Israel) built the walls thereof. 3 Because that building bears date in the z 1 ●in. 16. 34. days of Ahab, and is not accounted according to the reign of jehoshaphat, the contemporary King of judah. Afterwards it was in the possession of the Kings of judah, because in the reign of Ahaz, the captives of judah are said to be brought back to jericho unto their a 2 Chr. 28. 15. brethren. When carried into Babylon, no more than three b Ezra 2. 34. hundred forty five of this City returned home, whose zeal c Nehe. 3. 2. was very forward in repairing the walls of jerusalem. § 33. Here Christ cured blind Bartimeus; and Zacheus the Publican (one of more state than stature) dwelled in this City. Zac●eus converted at jericho. Long had he wished for a sight of Christ: and curiosity in this kind may sometimes open the door for devotion to enter in. But alas, he was so low, more likely in the crowd to loss himself, then find his Saviour, till on a sudden he grows a proper man, by getting up into a d Luke. 19 4. Sycamore tree. Who dares say Sycamores are always barren? See one here loaden with good fruit. Christ seeing him invites himself to his house, and down he comes (with more speed no doubt than he got up) to welcome his guest with good cheer, though the last-course he brought in, was the best; protesting a fourfold restitution of what he had wrongfully gotten, and giving the half of his remaining estate unto the poor. § 34. jericho was surrounded with plains on every side. Plains of Ieric●●. Hither King e 2 King. 25. 5. Zedekiah fled, and here was taken by the forces of Babylon. The highway betwixt jericho and jerusalem is infamous for thieving, because of the covert the neighbouring wilderness affords; and great roads are the best rivers for robbers to fish in. Wonder not, that so short a way betwixt two such eminent Cities, was no better secured, seeing some hundred years since, little safer was the road betwixt London and Saint Alban: till an Abbot of that place, cut down the woods, that afforded them shelter. Reader, if thy occasion should call thee to go from jericho to jerusalem, I wish thee well guarded; but if it be thy hard hap, with the man in the Gospel (be it history or parable) to be robbed and wounded with thiefs, mayst thou meet with some good g Luke 10. 33. Samaritan, to convey thee to the Inn, and provide necessaries for thee. § 35. West of the waters of jericho stood Ai, Ai at last taken by joshua. a small City, but great enough to give a check to the full speed of Israel's victories. Their loss here was inconsiderable h josh. 7. 5. in itself (no more than thirty six men) but dangerous in the consequence thereof. Such a flaw in their orient success, made them cheap in the world's valuation; and the Canaanites (who hitherto had charactered them invincible in their apprehension) began hence to collect, and conclude a possibility of conquering them. Yet not valour too little, in such as fought, but sin too much in some who stayed at home, caused this defeat. Achan was the man, who in fine proved no whit richer for the gold, or warmer for the garment he had stolen. Detected by lot, accused by his conscience, convicted by his own confession, condemned by joshua he (with his i josh. 7. 24. children and cattle) is stoned by the Israelites. The place of his execution was called, the vale of Anchor, or the vale of trouble, both because Achan actively had troubled Israel with his sin, and because here he was justly troubled by them in his punishment. As for the promise of the Prophet in after ages, that the k Hosea 2. 15. vale of Anchor should be a door of hope, understand it mystically, that the most deplorable, and seemingly desperate estate of the Church, is capable of comfort, and may in God's due time be changed into a prosperous condition. Achan thus punished, how active are the Arms of the Israelites, when freed from the fetters of Sacrilege! Ai is quickly conquered, the inhabitants thereof being trained by a dissembled flight of their foes, into their own destruction. Now although such ambushes are now adays unambushed, by the general suspicion all have of them, yet in the infancy of the world, when battles were merely managed by main might, and downright blows▪ (men bringing all their forces above board) such lying in wait was an unusual stratagem, and perchance may justly be referred to joshua, as the first inventor thereof. § 36. West of Ai, The mellifluous wood near Beth-aven. betwixt Bethel and Ai, was the l Gen. 12. 8. mountain, where Abraham and Lot long lived lovingly together, until the contest betwixt their m Gen. 13. 9 herdsmen, when the land was grown too little for their substance. Poverty preserveth amity, when riches ofttimes make rents among friends. Hard by was the City and wilderness of Beth-aven, which signifies the house of vanity. Strange, that any should impose on a place (except in derision) so ill, and unlucky a name. Yet, hath not Solomon in effect set the same on the whole world? n Eccles. 1. 2. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. But Beth-aven seems emphatically so called, for some eminent Idolatry committed therein. Near this place o 1 Sam. 14. 23. was the wood, wherein when it reigned honey from heaven, the Israelites being in pursuit of the Philistines, wanted hands to receive it, having them bound up by Saul's adjuration, not to eat before night. I see neither piety, nor policy, but humour and headiness in Saul's resolution, the way to increase their stomach, and not their valour. Might not a cursory meal been allowed them, in a running march, a snatch and away? Here Jonathan's eyes were opened with tasting a little honey, and presently his eyes were opened again in a sadder sense, seeing himself liable to death for breaking his Father's command. Nor was it his own innocence, and invincible ignorance of the law, but the people's p 1 Sam. 14. 45. interposing, which preserved him alive. Yet will not this one good act of popular violence, make amends for those many mischiefs, which their impetuous exorbitances in other cases have produced. § 37. Still westward of Beth-aven stood Gibeon, Gibeo●ites overreach the Israelites. termed a q Josh. 10. 2. royal City in Scripture, that is, a fair and princely place; otherwise, in all the transactions, betwixt this City and the Israelites, we meet with no King thereof, which may almost persuade us to believe it a popular State. The inhabitants thereof with clouted old shoes, mouldy bread, and a lie farther fetched than their journey, (pretending their dwellings at great distance) deceived the congregation of Israel, then camped at Gilgal. For the smoke of those ovens, wherein their bread was baked, might almost be perceived from Gibeon to Gilgal, which space joshua marched over with his foot-army in one r Josh. 10. 9 night. However, hereby they saved their lives, only for their cheat were condemned to be Nethinims or Deodands, that is, people given to God, to hew wood, draw water, and do the drudgery of the Tabernacle and s josh. 9 27. Temple, a condition which they gladly accepted of; so sweet is life in itself, though sauced with servitude. § 38. Afterwards joshua with a miraculous victory here conquered the five Kings of Canaan, which assembled themselves to besiege Gibeon, in revenge of their defection to the Israelites. Never had battle more of God therein; for, he himself brought up, or rather let down the train of Artillery, killing the Canaanites with hailstones from heaven, as they t josh. 10. 11. fled in the going down to Bethoron unto Azekah. Here joshua by his faithful prayer stopped a Giant in his full career, as he was running his race, staying the Sun in u josh. 10. 12. Gibeon, to attend his execution on his enemies. This was (as I may say) the Barnady day of the whole world, the very longest, which that climate ever did, or shall behold, when time was delivered of twins, two days joined together without any night interposed. How the heavens (this extraordinary accident notwithstanding) were afterwards reconciled to their regular motions, and how the expense of so much delay, was repaired by future thrift, (I mean this staying of the Sun made up in the years account, by his swifter moving afterwards) I leave to be audited, and cast up even by Astronomers. Mean time, the foresaid five Kings, were first hid, then stopped in the cave of w Josh. 10. 16. Makk●dah, till joshua commanded them to be brought forth, and his soldiers to set their feet on their necks; and David in his expression many years after, reflecteth hereon, Thou x Psal. 8. 40. hast given me the necks of mine enemies etc. Then were those five Kings hanged by Makkedah a regal City of the Canaanites, which at that time was taken, and the y Josh. 10. 28. King thereof destroyed by joshua. § 39 To return to Gibeon▪ Gibeon the Cockpit of war though a city belonging to the Levites. it was afterwards one of the four Cities in this Tribe, which were allotted to the z Josh. 2●. 17. Levites, and yet we find it the Theatre chiefly of martial achievements; for, by the great pool in Gibeon, in Helkath-hazzurim, or, th● field of strong men, was Abner with the host of Israel worsted by joab General for David; when Asahel like a wild Roe (wild for his rashness, Roe for his swiftness) would not be persuaded from pursuing of Abner, until nigh the hill Amnah which a 2 Sam. 2. 24. lieth before Giah, he taught Asahel the great difference between a nimble leg, a and vigorous arm, smiting him with his spear under the fifth rib. § 40. Under the same rib, Amasa basely murdered by I●ab. at the great stone b 2 Sam. 20. 8. which is in Gibeon, joab jealous of Amasa his cousin-german (Ambition owns no alliance, and is only of kin to itself) basely murdered him in this manner. joab had a sword hanging on his loins, and as he went it used to c 2 S●m. 20. 8. fall out, as if it sought for another sheath, besides what it had already. Surely he had put his sword in this careless posture, thus to play at in and out, to cover his intended murder, under some pretence of casualty, as if in his embraces his weapon had hurt Amasa by unhappy accident. Vain excuse, for certainly his sword could not of its own accord have gone so quickly, and so deeply to Amasa's fifth rib, had not Ioab's steady aim, both dispatched it on that errand, and directed it to that place. Amasa thus slain, all the people passing by make an halt at his corpse, and every d 2 Sam. 20. 12. one that came by him stood still, until his body was removed. Where amongst so many gazing on his corpse, it is hard, if the active thoughts of some did not light on this observation of divine justice, that he now was treacherously slain, who e 2 Sam. 17. 25. so lately had been the General to a Traitor. § 41. In the beginning of the reign of King Gibe●n a place of public worship. Solomon, Gibeon was a public place of divine worship, where part of the Tabernacle resided. Here two things are carefully to be observed: 1 The Ark itself. This being taken out of the Tabernacle at Shiloh, by f 1 Sam. 4. 4. Hophni and Phinehas, never returned thither again. But from the land of the Philistines was brought back, first to g 1 Sam. 6. 18. Bethshemesh, thence to h 1 Sam. 7. 1. Kiriath-jearim, thence to the house of i 2 Sam. 6. 10. Obed-Edom, and at last fixed and settled by David in Zion under the cover of a Tent k 2 Sam. 6. 17. which he had pitched for that purpose. 2 The Tabernacle of the Congregation, made by Moses in the wilderness, wherein the Priests attended about their public sacrifices. This about Solomon's time was translated from Shiloh to Gibeon l 2 Chr. 1. 3. as a place of more eminency, and conveniency for divine service, because a City of the Levites. Herein on the high place in Gibeon, Solomon offered to God a thousand burnt offerings, and (which was most acceptable) a zealous prayer requesting wisdom of God, who bestowed both it, and wealth, and honour upon him. Thus those who chiefly desire grace, receive it, the jewel, and at least a competency of outward provisions, for a cabinet to keep it in. Some hundred years after, by the great waters which are in Gibeon, johanan the son of Karcah, recovered the remnant of the poor Israelites (left in the land after the captivity of Babylon) from Ishmael a Prince of the blood royal, who had a design to carry them away captive unto the Ammonites. § 42. Next Gibeon, Gihea● distinct from Gibeon, a wicked city. we take the City of Gibeah into our serious consideration, not as nearest in situation, but in sound of like name, insomuch that some have unwarily confounded them, as the same place. Gibeah lay in the south-west part of this Tribe, whose inhabitants were bad men, but good m Judg. 20. 16. markes-men, right shooters (at an hair's breadth and fail not) but unrighteous livers. A Levite coming with his concubine, and servant from Bethlehem, declined to lie at n Judg. 19 12. jerusalem, because then an heathen City, and (though late) recovered this Gibeah for his lodging place. Alas, what was this, but from the fire into the furnace? so excessive hot was the lust of the people of this City. But charity therein was as cold, none inviting this Levite to his house, until an old man (and he also no inhabitant, but a stranger of mount Ephraim) coming from his work o Judg. 19 16. out of the field at even, (Industry is the fuel of hospitality) kindly entertained him in his house. In fine, the Levites concubine was by violence, and variety of lust of the men of this City abused to death. Oh the justice of divine proceedings! She had formerly been p Judg. 19 2. false to her husband. Culpa libido fuit, poena libido fuit. By lust she sinned, and 'twas just She should be punished by lust. This villainy being declared to all Israel, a consultation thereon, and first in a fair way the offenders are demanded to justice, which denied and all the Tribe of Benjamin engaging themselves to defend the damnable deed of those of Gibeah, all Israel resolves in a national war, to revenge so foul a murder. § 43. Here let us stand still and wonder, Israel twice worsted by Benjamin. that an army united amongst themselves as one man, most in number, best in cause, wisest in counsel (as who had asked, and obtained the advice of God himself, to go on in this war) should once, and q Judg. 20. again be defeated, by those who were weaker, and wickeder than themselves. I cannot challenge the army of Israel, for any eminent sin at this time, yet it is very suspicious, they were carnally confident of the conquest, as accounting the victory eleven to one on their side. However the next battle made amends for all, wherein all the ravenous wolves of Benjamin, with their dams and whelps at home, were utterly destroyed, except six r Judg. 20. 47. hundred, and those cooped up in a grate, and hid in the rock of Rimmon. Thus, what once was sadly said of joseph, was now more true of Benjamin, s Gen. 41. 13. One is not. And the whole Tribe had finally been extinguished, had not provision been made to supply them with wives, as formerly hath been t Description of Ephraim. observed. § 44. Afterwards this Gibeah Gibeah why surnamed of Saul. got the surname of u 1 Sam. 11. 4. Saul, because he was born, lived, and buried here. In this Gibeah w 2 Sam. 21. 6. of Saul, five of his sons (amongst whom a Mephibosheth, but not the Mephibosheth) were in David's reign hanged up on the hill before the Lord, to expiate Saul's murdering of the Gibeonites. How strangely was his zeal transposed, turning the back of his sword towards the x 1 Sam. 15. 9 Amalekites, whom God commanded him to destroy, and using the edge thereof against the Gibeonites, whom by oath he was bound to preserve? Here Rizpah Saul's concubine, covered the corpse of such as were executed, with sackcloth, to keep birds and beasts, from feeding upon them. § 45. Her kindness to the dead is y 2 Sam. 21. 11. told to King David, Saul buried by David in Gibeah. who not only gave the hearing, but the practising of so good an example, and thereby is put in mind, to show mercy to the bones of Saul, and jonathan, which he fetched from jabesh-gilead, and buried hard by in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his Father. Showing thereby, that his former severity to Saul's sons, proceeded from a public desire of his subjects good, no private design of revenge upon Saul, whose corpse he so solemnly interred. Corpses, which were but wanderers, whilst hung up by the Philistines in their City of z 1 Sam. 31. 10. Bethshan; were but sojourners, when buried by the Gileadites in the land of Gad; but now became housekeepers, when brought home to the proper place of the sepulchre of their Fathers. § 46. Hard by Gibeah was Migron, Migron and Ramah. a small City, where Saul for some time abode with his men under a a 1 Sam. 14. 2. Pomegranate-tree. Say not, that such a tree was a simple palace for a Prince, for in those hot Countries, pleasant was the residence for some short time, under the shadow thereof. Yea, our Countryman b Lib. 2. cap. 2. Bede can tell you, how in our cold climate Anno Domini 601. Augustine the Monk held a Synod under an Oak (called Augustine's Ake in old English) which tree our learned c Camd. B●it. fol. 436. Antiquary placeth in the confines of Worcester-shire. Nor far from Migron is Ramah a City, built by Baasha (jealous that Israel would revolt to judah, d 1 King. 15. 17 on Asa's reformation of Religion) to stop all intercourse betwixt the two kingdoms. Not that the arms of so small a City, could reach seventy miles from the sea to jordan, but because Ramah was greater in command, than compass, as advantageously seated on some road, or pass of importance. But Baasha diverted by the invasion of Benhadad King of Assyria, desisted from his building; for which he had made so large preparation, that Asa afterwards repaired the neighbouring cities of Geba and e 1 Kin. 15. 22. Mizpah, with the stones provided for the fortifying of Ramah. § 47. Mizpah now mentioned lay some eight miles hence, full north. Mizpah for a long time the seat of Ju●ice. When in the days of Samuel, the seat of justice was annual for the time, and tripartite for the place, Mizpah had a fair share thereof, f 1 Sam. 7. 16. Samuel went from year to year, in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah, lying in a kind of triangle, and judged Israel in all those places, and his return was to Ramah, for there was his house. State-affairs made not the good man to forget his family, spending three Terms abroad on the public, and the Vacation at home, on his private occasions. At Mizpah was a general reformation of the people, when conscious of their sins, and sensible of God's anger, they drew * 1 Sam. 7. 6. water, that is, plentifully poured forth tears before the Lord. Say not, that their weeping was a labour in vain, and such drawing of water (like the bottomless buckets of the Belides never to be filled) ineffectual for the expiation of sin, because no sorrow for the same is sufficient, seeing, not the intrinsical worth of their tears, but God's gracious appretiation of the sincerity thereof, gave the value to their weeping. Afterwards at g 1 Sam. 10. 17. Mizpah, Saul out of modesty, or policy, was hid among the stuff; when found there, fetched thence, and presented to the people for their king, appearing so proper a person, that nature might seem to design him for supremacy, and mark him out to be the h 2 Chr. 2. 18. Overseer of Israel, who was higher than any of the people, from the shoulders, and i Sam. 10. 23. upwards. § 48. In the days of King Baasa, Asa Asa his pit in Mizpa● employed otherwise then it was intended. King of judah frighted with fear, made a l jer. 41. 9 pit in Mizpah for his retreating place. No doubt though the entrance, and orifice thereof, did promise no more than a plain pit, yet it was m See our description of Asher. § 5. contrived into rooms, and fortified with substructions therein, fit for the receipt of a Prince. Wonder not, that he would prefer to trust his person here, rather than within the walls of his royal City jerusalem; for surely this was not provided for a place of long residence, but for present privacy, and sudden safety, if extremity required it. After the Babylonish captivity, when Gedaliah was made governor of those poor jews, which were left to till the land, he made n jer. 40. 6. Mizpah the seat of his short government. Thus have I often seen fishermen, when they have caught store of fish, cast the young fry (worth neither the keeping, nor killing) into the river again, to be breeders, in which consideration the King of Babylon preserved these poor jews from destruction. 'Slight not Gedaliahs' place, as disgraceful to be Prince of beggars, for they were in a thriving way, and probable to improve themselves to a considerable condition, had not Ishmael (an unhappy name to persecute God's children) a Prince of the blood, killed him, with his followers, casting them into the midst o jer. 41. 9 of the pit that Asa made, now employed to bury the dead, but first intended to preserve the living. In the days of the Maccabees, whilst jerusalem was possessed, and profaned by the heathens, they repaired to p 1 Macca. 3. 46 Mizpah, as a place formerly fortunate for that purpose, to fast, pray, and beg God's blessing on their undertake against their enemies. § 49. South of Mizpah lay the place called Eben-ezer, Different success of the Israelites at Eben-Ezer. that is, the stone of help, so named, by way of Prolepsis in Scripture, 1 Sam. 4. 1. for otherwise for the present, this place was no help, but an hindrance to the Israelites, who here were twice beaten in battle by the Philistines. At the second time they brought their Reserve, I mean the q 1 Sam. 4. 4. & cap. 5. ver. 1. Ark, into the field, & carnally conceited, that victory would fly along with them, on the wings of the Cherubims over the Mercy-seat. But the sanctity of the Ark did not so much invite, as the profaneness of the managers (Hophni and Phinehas) did repel God's gracious presence, from going along therewith; insomuch as the Ark itself was taken captive, and carried into the land of the Philistines. Some years after the Philistines again charge the Israelites in the same place, presuming on their former victories, that in so fortunate a place they might prescribe for conquest, but God turned the tide of their success. At the importunate suit of Samuel (whose prayers were more potent, then formerly the presence of the Ark, to obtain victory) the Philistines were routed, and smitten until they came under r 1 Sam. 7. 11. Bethcar. Whereupon Samuel set up a stone, between Mizpah and Shen, and called it Eben-ezer, the stone of help, to perpetuate so memorable a conquest. § 50. Hard by is Beeroth, Ionath●ns Scylla and Charybdis. once a City of the s josh. 9 17. Gibeonites (with Chephirah not far off) afterwards the t 2 Sam. 4. 2. birthplace of Baanah and Rechab, the murderers of Ishbosheth. Gittaim, whither those of Beeroth u 2 Sam. 4. 3. fled for fear of the Philistines (saith Tremellius when Saul was slain) and west thereof Bozer and w 1 Sam. 14. 4. Seneh two famous rocks; which jonathan, and his armour-bearer clambered up upon their hands and x 1 Sam. 14. 13. feet. They found it more hard to come at, then to conquer their enemies, & yet when on the top of the rock, they were but at the bottom, and beginning of their work. They lay about them, and kill many in a little space: so that they climbed not up the hill so slowly, but their enemies more swiftly ran down the same. Yet such as will justify Jonathan's act herein, for pious and prudent, must retreat to Divine inspiration, and plead, that his undertaking, as his success, was extraordinary; otherwise, his tempting of God, had been higher than the rock he climbed up, to adventure himself on such visible disadvantages. § 51. Anathoth Anathoth the Countryhouse of the High-priests. remains, lying hence southeast; a city of the Levites, yea of the Priests, yea of the High-priests, as a countryhouse, or retiring place for them out of the populous city of jerusalem. Abiathar being deprived of the priesthood, for practising with joab, without the privity of David, to promote Adonijah to the Crown, was sent hither by Solomon, and confined to live y 1 King. 2. 26. privately on his own lands. Hence plainly appears the power of the Kings of Israel over the Priests; which on their misdemeanour in civil matters were subject to secular punishment. But jeremy the Prophet was the honour of Anathoth, that man of mourning, famous for his book De Tristibus, or most poetical Lamentations, (though therein not bemoaning his own, but the public calamities) born z jer. 1. 1. in this city. As here he drew his first; so he was likely to have drawn his last breath, by the a jer. 11. 21. conspiracy of the people against him, had not God frustrated their wicked design. Herein the observation of our Saviour was verified, b Mat. 13. 57 A Prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and his own house. Afterwards, jeremy at Anathoth, bought the ground of his uncle Hanameel, with all the formalities of bargain and sale, most c Jer. 32. 10. solemnly passed betwixt them. Is a Prophet amongst the purchasers? commonly they are as clear from money, as the Apostles d Act. 3. 6 were: but this was r●ally, yet mystically done, to foretell the future felicity of Israel, after the captivity of Babylon, that men should have settled estates, with good title to, and tenor of their land therein. § 52. Michmash is still behind, which we name last, The Philistines design to destroy smiths in Israel. because not entirely in this Tribe, but in the confines of Benjamin and Ephraim. It lay e 1 Sam. 13. 5. cast from Beth-aven, often mentioned in Scripture as the Rendesvouz, sometimes of the Israelites in the reign of Saul, and sometimes of the Philistines. The latter marched hence three several ways, on design to extirpate all the smiths in Israel▪ Mark their motions, 1 One party went the f 1 Sa●. 13. 17. way that leadeth to Ophrah, to the land of Shual, that is, north-east. 2 Another turned the way to Bethoron, that is, full west. 3 The third to the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim, that is, southeast. Thus dividing themselves they compass their ends, and destroyed that necessary profession in all the land. For the music of the harp may better be spared in a commonwealth, than the noise of an hammer. Indeed, I have heard, that ther● is an house on London-bridge, built entirely of wood, without any mixture of iron-nailes therein, therefore commonly called None-such, for the rarity of the structure thereof: but if any could show a civilised State extant on earth, without the use of smiths therein, it deserveth the name of N●ne●such indeed. Yea, the very Philistines themselves, (though they suppressed the military use of smiths, for matter of Arms) permitted by way of loan their use to sharpen instruments of g 1 Sam. 13. 20. husbandry. This not their bounty, but policy suffered, as being confident, when the Israelites had ploughed, harrowed, & sown their ground, reaped, housed, and threshed their grain, than they at pleasure could come up, to take bake, and eat it themselves. § 53. So much for the cities in Benjamin, The massacre of the Priests at Nob by D●●g. of whose situation we have any certainty. A second sort succeeds, known by their conjectural flags to be of doubtful position. Amongst these Nob justly claimeth the precedency (made by us within the compass of Anathoth) a city of the Priests, where Ahimelech victualled David, and his men, with h 1 Sam. 21. 4. shewbread, and armed him with the sword of i 1 Sam. 21. 9 Goliath, there kept for a monument. Let others inquire, why David's sling was not rather preserved for that purpose, seeing it overcame the other. A false brother was present, by name, Doeg; nation, an Edomite; office, master of the King's herdsmen; who told all, and more than all to Saul, adding of his own head, that Ahimelech k 1 Sam. 22. 10. enquired counsel of the Lord for him. Sure I am, Doeg enquired not of the Lord, when he told so damnable an untruth. Hereupon, Saul condemned the Priest to death, and others declining so savage a service, Doeg undertook it, killing fourscore and five persons, which wore a linen Ephod, besides women, children, sucklings, and cattle: so voracious was the appetite of his sword, and so active his cruelty, when in commission, and armed with authority. § 54. The Readers eye may easily discover such places of uncertain position, as remain; Zemaraim, the vale of Craftsmen, and Zeboim. and amongst them Zemaraim, so named in Hebrew, for plenty of wool thereabouts, as Woollwich in Kent, and Woollton in Dorsetshire are so called, upon the same occasion. We set Zemaraim next Bethel because named l josh. 18. 22. next unto it, where some place the m Gen. 10. 18. Zemarites ancient inhabitants of Canaan, as we have formerly n Lib. 1. cap. observed. Nigh this city was an hill o 2 Chr. 13. 4. of the same name, whereon King Abijah stood, & made his excellent oration (wanting nothing but a better man to utter it) immediately before his miraculous victory, over the Army of jeroboam. The Valley of Craftsmen, which though it sounds like a Country, yet, because going in p Nehe. 11. 35. equipage with other cities, may be concluded a city itself. And what are Valladolit, or Vallis Olitana in Spain, and Vale-royall in Cheshire, but the former a fair city & the latter (lately an Abbey) now a village? I am almost of opinion, that this Valley of craftsmen, took its denomination from Solomon's workmen, of whom we q 1 King 7. 46. read, that in the plain of jordan in the clay ground, they cast all the brazen vessels of the Temple, did not the position of that place, (whereof before) lie a little more northward. We conclude with Zeboim, not the same with that city, first r De●●. 29. 23. burnt, then drowned in the Daed-sea, but another probably built not far thence, near the influx of jordan into the dead-sea. § 55. s 1 King. 4. 18. S●imei the son of Elah was Solomon's Purveyor in Benjamin: A Wolf Benjamins' Arms. The Arms of Benjamin were Gules, a Wolf salient argent, in allusion to Jacob's words, He shall t Gen. 49. 27. ravin as a Wolf, in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil. Surely the conformity hereof was not found in the person of Benjamin, who appears rather lamblike, then wolvish, in that little left of him in Scripture. Some conceive, they have found the resemblance in the two Saul's of this Tribe, the one persecuting David, the other the Son of David (Christ in his members) with raging cruelty. But to wave the various rabbinical conceits hereof, certainly, this (as all other similitudes of this nature) is not to be sought, in the disgraceful, but commendable qualities of a Wolf. Thus, when God saith of himself, u Revel. 16. 15. Behold I come as a thief, it is not meant, injuriously, fraudulently, mischievously; but secretly, suddenly, irresistibly. This premised, though wolves and foxes generally hear ill in Scripture, yet the former excel in sight, descrying things at great distance; in sleight, of excessive agility of body; & in might, very strong, in proportion to the bulk thereof. All which properties discover themselves in the Benjamites, quick sighted, steady w judg. 10. 16. handed (witness their good mark-men) and stouthearted; in a word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, so that both their valour and success are foretold, in this blessing bestowed upon them. Here the Map of Judah is to be inserted. THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. CHAP. 13. § 1. JUDAH, judah and his good qualities. fo●rth son of jacob by Leab his wife, was generally a well-natured man, a Gen. 37. 26. endeavouring preservation of his brother joseph, and an excellent speaker, being the b Gen. 44. 18. mouth for the rest of his brethren, in his eloquent oration to Ios●●h. Not that these his good qualities (which otherwhiles were allayed with lust c Gen. 38. 16. & 24. and cruelty) were the causes, bu● rather the effects of Gods preferring him above the rest of his brethren. Of this Tribe, threescore d Numb. 2. 4. and fourteen thousand and six hundred can out of Egypt; all which deservedly dying in the wilderness for their disobedience, the next generation descended from them, being threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred, possessed the land of Canaan. § 2. judah (saith the e 1 Chron. 5. 2. Scripture) prevailed above his brethren, The Sovereignty of this tribe. and of him came the chief rulers, so that he may be traced all along by the footsteps of his sovereignty. Whilst they were in th● wilderness, God ordered, that the standard of judah should pitch first o● the f Numb. 2. 3. east side of the Tabernacle towards the rising of the Sun. Perchance, to denote that the g Mal. 4. 2. Sun of righteousness arising with healing in his wings, should be extracted from that Tribe. When joshua was dead, and the childre● of Israel asked of the Lord, Who shall go up first for us to fight against the Candanites? It was answered, h Judg. 1. 2. judah shall go up. Othniel the first Judge was hence descended, and David, in whose royal line the Crown lasted for above four hundred years: and after the return from captivity, Zorobabel of the Tribe of judah is honoured with the style of i Hagg. 1. 1. Governor, which office for some time continued in his family. In a word (besides Princes) so puissant was the Tribe in Generals, joab, Abishdi, Amasa etc. Statesmen, Caleb, Ahitophel; and Prophets, Nat●an, Amos, Micah; that in dignity, as in strength and number it surmounted all the rest. Yea, Napthali's fearful Hind durst not bellow; nor Issachars' patient. Ass bray; nor Ephraim's strong Ox low; nor Benjamins' cruel Wolf howl; nor Dans cunning Serpent hiss, if Iudah's Princely Lion was pleased to roar, as Commander of all the beasts of the field and forest. § 3. However, How the sceptre departed not from judah. I dare not (with some) interpret Jacob's solemn prophecy, the Sceptre k Gen. 49. 10. shall not depart from judah, nor the Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, of a constant Sovereignty immovably fixed in this Tribe till the birth of our Saviour: a Tenet unteinable with truth, seeing of the many Judges in Israel, but two of this Tribe; Saul, the first King, of Benjamin, and the Maccabees of the Tribe of Levi, who after the captivity attained to Kingly honour amongst the jews. Rather we understand Jacob's words of the whole nation, (whom he in the Spirit foresaw, should in process of time be called jews, as the land judea, from judah) and expound them to be a prediction, that the jews should never totally, and finally lose the visible being of a kingdom, or commonwealth, with a form of government amongst themselves, (though often changed and altered in the manner, obscured and eclipsed in the lustre, confined and emparied in the power thereof) until Messiah should be manifested in the flesh. Which came to pass accordingly, when the jews at our Saviour's birth (and more completely at, and after his death) had lost all shadows of a free State, totally enslaved to the Roman Emperor. To whom alone belonged, 1 The Militia with the Castle, giving martial-law to the Temple itself. 2 Coin, stamped with the image and superscription of l Mat. 22. 2. Cesar. 3 Customs, collected, yea extorted by his Publicans. 4 Power in causes capital, by the Priests own confession, m john 18. 31. It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. And the prophecy of jacob thus expounded, is both clear in itself, and according to the interpretation of the n justin Martyr in dialogue cum Triphone judaeo. Ancients. § 4. This Tribe had Dan and Simeon on the west, The limits of the Land of judea. Benjamin on the north, the wilderness of Paran o● the south, and the Dead-sea on the east. Extending east and west, well-nigh forty miles; but from Cadesh-Barnea to jerusalem was about sixty six. Where in this country was contained a mountainous land, but fruitful with all commodities for pleasure and profit. We begin with the Dead-sea, Iudah's eastern boundary, and so shall proceed to surround it in our description. § 5. This was o Gen. 14. 3. once a fruitful country, The Dead-sea once a fruitful country. called the vale of Siddim, even p Gen. 13. 10. as the garden of the Lord, Paradi see itself. Too like indeed thereto, both for the pleasure thereof, and Serpent therein, the spreading wickedness of the vicious Sodomites. Lot chose to live here, not because the people were well nurtured, but the place well ●vatered; though better watered (no doubt) during his living there, with his tears, from a soul q 2 Pet. 2. 8. vexed with their filthy conversation. He lost by his dwelling among them, for whose sins he was carried r Gen. 14. 12. captive by Chedorlaomer; They gained by their dwelling so near him, for whose sake they were rescued by his uncle Abraham. Yea, afterwards Abraham endeavoured to save the whole city of Sodom, beating down the price of God's justice as low, as possibly it might consist with his honour, to s Gen. 18. 32. ten righteous men: and yet that too high a rate for the piety of Sodom to reach, so general was the wickedness therein. Hereupon, Sodom, with three neighbouring Cities, t Deut. 29. 23. Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, was destroyed with fire and brimstone from heaven, and thereby the whole Country turned into a standing stinking lake. § 6. Some will say, How fire le●t water behind it it was strange, that fire should beget water, a combustion produce an inundation. More proper it had been, that such an inflammation should have left and Aetna, Hecla or Vesuvius behind it, fuming, if not burning always. The rather, because next morning this place presented itself to the eyes of Abraham, as the smoke of a u Gen. 19 28. furnace. But such must know, that when the fire was once out: 1 The Country by nature was low and level, being a depressed plain, and so more subject to drowning. 2 jordan (running through this vale, and there sinking into the ground) had a quality in the first month to w josh. 3. 15. &c 1 Chr. 12. 15 & Eccles. 24. 30 overflow his banks, and so prone to occasion a deluge. 3 Probably, the river was formerly bridled with artificial banks, which either were then broken down with that tempest, or afterwards decayed by degrees, when the people were destroyed. 4 jordan, in the vacancy of the inhabitants, having got violent possession, fenced and fortified himself in the slime-pits, (as in so many castles) whereof great x Gen. 14. 10. plenty in that place, and could not afterwards be ejected. Thus his title to this plain, though at first an unjust usurpation and encroachment, is made lawful by the prescription of three thousand years' possession. § 7. This sea is known by several names. 1. The Dead-sea, Several names of this sea. either because the Charnel-house of so many dead carcases then destroyed therein; or, because it kills all creatures coming into it; or lastly, because dull and dead, not enlivened with a tide, or quickened with any visible motion, one main cause of the offensive savour thereof, laziness disposing men to lewdness, and waters to putrefaction. 2. The y Gen. 14. 3. Salt-sea salt indeed, from the sulphurous combustions first occasioning it. 3. By Greek writers it is termed the Asphaltite-lake from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or Bitumen, growing plentifully thereabouts. This Bitumen (we are fain to retain the Latin word, our land neither affording the thing, nor our language the name to signify it) is a clammy, glutinous substance, useful in Physic to astringe, in Surgery to consolidate. Used by the rich as mortar to build, (as in the tower of z Gen. 11. 3. Babel) by the poor as oil to burn, therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in hebrew; quickly kindled, hardly quenched, flaming far and long, as partaking much of pitch, and more of brimstone in the nature thereof. And such as could not go to the cost of richer spices, used it for embalming their dead, being a great drier, and so preserver from corruption. § 8. This Salt-sea was sullen and churlish, Neither ships nor fish in the Salt-sea. differing from all other in the conditions thereof. David speaking of other seas, saith, there go the ships, a Psal. 104. 26. and there is that Leviathan which thou hast made to play therein: so instancing in the double use of the sea, for ships to sail, and fishes to swim in. But this is serviceable for neither of these intents, no vessels sailing thereon, the clammy water being a real Remora to obstruct their passage; and the most sportful fishes dare not jest with the edged-tools of this Dead-sea; which if unwillingly hurried thereinto by the force of the stream of jordan, they presently expire. Yea, it would kill that Apocrypha-Dragon, which Daniel is said to have choked with lumps of b Histor. of the Dragon ver. 27 pitch, fat, and hair, if he should be so adventurous to drink of the waters thereof; so stifling and suffocating is the nature of it. In a word, this sea hath but one good quality, namely, that it entertains intercourse with no other seas; which may be imputed to the providence of nature, debarring it from communion with the Ocean, lest otherwise it should infect other waters with its malignity. Nor doth any healthful thing grow thereon, save only this wholesome counsel, which may be collected from this pestiferous lake, for men to beware how they provoke divine justice, by their lustful and unnatural enormities. § 9 Heathen writers, Solinus his testimony of the Dead-sea. Tacitus and Pliny, take notice of this lake, with the qualities thereof, but especially Solinus, whose testimony (but with some variations from Scripture) we thought fit to insert, and translate, though the latter will scarcely be done, without some abatement of the native elegancy, and expressiveness thereof. Longo c Solin. Polybist. cap. 38. ab Hierosolymis recessu tristis sinus panditur, quem de coelo tactum testatur humus nigra, & in cinerem soluta. Duo ibi oppida, Sodomum nominatum alterum, alterum Gomorrhum. Apud quae pomum gignitur, quod habeat speciem licèt maturitatis, mandi tamen non potest. Nam fuliginem intrinsecus favillaceam ambitio tantùm extimae cutis cohibet: quae vel levi tactu pressa fumum exhalat, & fatiscit in vagum pulverem. A good way side of jerusalem lies open a melancholy Bay, which the black soil being also turned into ashes▪ witnesseth to have been blasted from heaven. In it are two towns, the one called Sodom, the other Gomorrah. Wherein grows an apple, which though it seem fair and ripe, yet cannot be eaten. For, the compass of the outward rind only, holds within it an ember-like soot: which being but lightly pressed, evaporates into smoke and becomes flittering dust. § 10. But Lot was preserved, Lots wi●e turned into a pillar of salt. and God is said therein to have d Gen. 19 29. remembered Abraham, though he might have seemed to have forgotten him, in refusing to grant to spare Sodom at his request. Thus, though divine providence may deny good men's prayers in the full latitude of their desires, he always grants them such a competent proportion thereof, as is most for his glory, and their good. Lot with his wife are enjoined only not to look back, wherein she disobeyed the commandment, either out of 1 High contempt: Yet seeing for the main she had been a good woman, accompanying her husband many miles from his native to a strange Country, merely depending on God's providence, our charity believes her fact proceeding rather from 2 Carelessness, or incogitancy, having for that instant forgotten the command; or 3 Curiosity, to behold the manner of so strange, and sudden a destruction; or 4 Infidelity, not conceiving it possible, so great a City could be so soon overthrown; or 5 Covetousness, when she thought on the wealth she had left behind her; or 6 Compassion, hearing the whining of swine, braying of Asses, bleating of sheep, lowing of kine, crying of children, shrieking of women, roaring of men, and some of them of her own flesh and blood. Were they any, or all of these, back she looked, and was turned into a c Gen. 19 26. pillar of salt, which, Saint Hierome saith, was extant in his age-Mean time, how sad a case was Lot in, bearing about him life and death? one half of him quick, lively, and active; the other half, (his wife, both making but one flesh) so strangely, and suddenly, senseless, dead, and immovable. § 11. Not far off is the City of Zoar (Littleton in English) so named by Lot, Zoar spared at Lot's request. whereas formerly it was called Belah. I say by Lot, who was the best benefactor to this place, which otherwise had been sent the same way of destruction, with the other four Cities, had not his importunity f Gen. 19 21. prevailed with God, for the sparing thereof. Yet I find not any monument of gratitude made by the men of Zoar, to the memory of Lot their preserver; yea, they would not afford him a quiet and comfortable being amongst them, insomuch that he g Gen. 19 30. feared to dwell in Zoar. Either suspecting that they would offer violence to his person, or infect his soul with their bad example, or that he might be involved in their sudden destruction, as a wicked place spared, not pardoned by God, and allowed to himself for his present refuge, not constant habitation. Their ill usage of so good a man, minds me of Solomon's observation, h Eccles. 9 14. 15. There was a little City and few men within it, and there came a great King against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and ●e by his wisdom delivered the City, yet no man remembered the same poor man. No more than Lot was remembered in Zoar, though the tutelar Saint thereof. But his clear conscience, in free doing this courtesy, rewarded itself in doing it; whilst mercenary souls, working only for the wages of thanks, often lose their labour, especially in this ungrateful age. § 12. From Zoar, Lot's incest with his daughters. Let removed to a neighbouring i Gen. 19 30. mountain, and dwelled in a cave therein, which is shown to travellers at this day. Now, an hole in an hill could hold him, and all his family, whose substance formerly was so great, the whole Country could not afford room for his flocks and herdsmen, without k Gen. 13. 7. striving with those of his uncle Abraham. Here made drunken by his daughters practise upon him▪ with them he committed incest. It is grace, not the place, can secure men's souls from sin, seeing Lot fasting from lust in wanton and populous Sodom, surfeited thereof in a solitary cave; and whilst he carefully fenced the castle of chastity, even to make it impregnable against the battery of foreign force, he never suspected to be surprised by the treachery of his own family. § 13. So much for Pentepolis, The utility of criticism in boundaries. once a country of five cities, now all turned into one lake. Come we now to survey the particular limits of this Tribe. That Maxim, Qui bene distinguit, bene docet, holds most true herein: the well distinguishing of bounds, conduceth much to the true knowledge of this Country; especially, seeing the Holy Spirit hath been so exact in assigning them. Where God is pleased to point, for man not to vouchsafe a look, sheweth, that proud earth valueth his eyes, as more worth than the hand of heaven. § 14. The borders of judah with all their particular flexure are thus The borders of judah. described in l Josh. 15. 3. etc. joshua. East. South. North. West. The Salt-Sea. 1 From the southside of the salt-sea, to the going up of Acrabbin. 2 Thence to the wilderness of Zin. 3 Thence to the southside unto Kadesh-Barnea. 4 Thence to Hezron. 5 Thence it went up to Adar. 6 Thence fetched a compass to Karkaa. 7 Thence it passed to Azmon. 8 Thence unto the river of Egypt. 9 Thence went out at the Sea. Observe we, that these south bounds of judah, are for the main the same with the south limits of the whole land, assigned Numbers 34. 1 From the end of jordan at the salt-sea to Beth-hoglah 2 Thence by the north of Beth-araba. 3 Thence it went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. 4 Thence towards Debir from the valley of Anchor. 5 So northwards looking to Gilgal, before the going up to Adummin, on the south side of the river. 6 Thence towards the water of Enshemesh. 7 Thence to Enrogel. Thence by the valley of Benhinnom unto the south of jerusalem. 8 Thence to the top of the mountain at the end of the valley of Rephaim. 9 Thence to the fountain of Nephtoah. 10 Thence to the cities of mount Ephron. 11 Thence to Kiriath-jearim. 1 From Kiriath-jearim westward it compasseth unto mount Seir. 2 Thence it passeth along to the side of mount jearim, or Chesalon. 3 Thence went down to Bethshemesh. 4 Thence passed on to Timnah. 5 Thence unto the side of Ekron northward. 6 Thence was drawn to Shichron. 7 Thence passed along to mount Baalah. 8 Thence went out unto jabneel. 9 Thence the west border ended at the Great Sea. These west bounds of judah, were afterwards altered, falling into the midst of the Tribe of Dan. Now, as in the body of a man, if an inspection might be made into it whilst he is alive, every nerve, and artery therein (then flushed up with the spirits) is easily to be discerned, which after death shrink almost invisible, past discovering: so each small angle, and turning of Iudah's bounds in Ioshua's time, was then plainly to be perceived, which now adays (the land long since, being in a manner dead, and desolate) are not at all conspicuous, nor fall they under any accurate observation. § 15. Amongst all these limitary places, Kadesh-Barnea in the edge of Canaan. Kadesh-Barnea is only of eminency, whither the children of Israel m Num. 32. 8. came, and where they stayed some time, after their coming out of Egypt, in the very edge and entrance of the land of Canaan. Thus that land was like a rich robe, whose utmost hem the jews were permitted to touch (only that their fingers might feel the fineness thereof) but were denied to wear it, and remanded to wander another way many years, for the punishment of their infidelity. And thus many come to the Kadesh-Barnea of common illumination, who never attain to the true Canaan of holiness here, or happiness hereafter. § 16. In describing this spacious Tribe, Method propounded. we will begin with the eleven royal Cities therein, whose Kings were destroyed by n Iosh 10. 10, etc. joshua. These according to their dignities may thus be reckoned up: 1 jerusalem, whereof largely hereafter. 2 Hebron. 3 Debir. 4 Libnah. 5 Lachish. 6 Adullam. 7 Geder. 8 jarmuth. 9 Eglon. 10 Arad. 11 Hepher. These royal Cities, though scattered here and there in this Tribe, need no other Herald in our map, to proclaim them to the Readers notice, being quickly found out by their coronets graven upon them. From these we shall proceed to other towns of eminency, reserving the rivulets, and wildernesses, to close this our description. § 17. Hebron was the principal royal city belonging to judah, Hebron anciently Kiriath-Arba. seven years o Num. 13. 22. signior in its building to Zoan a City in Egypt; more anciently it was called Kiriath-Arba, that is (say p Adricho. in de●●r. of judah. num. 145. some) the City of four men, because of four Patriarches (as they reckon them up) Adam, Abraham, Isaac, and jacob buried therein. But, I wonder any should delight in their own wild conjectures, when the text tendereth us a certainty herein, assuring us that this Arba (from whom Kiriath-Arba, or Hebron was named) was q josh. 14. 15. a great man among the Anakims. This City stood in the vale of Mamre, so called from r Gen. ●4. 24. Mamre a person of quality in this place, who with Aner and Eshcol were Abraham's loving associates, and valiant assistants, in conquering Chederlaomer, and rescuing the captive Sodomites. Abraham, Isaac, and jacob lived here successively, and from the vale of Hebron, joseph was s Gen. 37. 14. sent on a loving visit to his brethren, when for his good will they sold him to the Ishmaelites. § 18. Hereabouts was that great entertainment made, Entertainment of Angels. wherein the covert of a t Gen. 18. 8. tree was the dining-room, the ground (probably) the board, Abraham the Caterer, Sarah the Cook, veal and welcome their cheer, Angels in the shape of men, Christ in the notion of an Angel, the guests, and the last promise of u Gen. 18. 10. Isaac the free-offering they gave for their entertainment. Yea, in Hebron Isaac was born, suckled, weaned, persecuted by Ishmael, till at last he mocked both himself, and his mother Ha●gar quite out of his Father's family. § 19 Near Hebron was the cave of Machpelah, The cave of Machpelah. purchased by Abraham of Ephron the Hittite (with the field about it, and all the trees therein) at the price of four w Gen. 23. 16, 17. hundred shekels of silver, for the burying of Sarah, himself, and his family. For, here, Isaac x Gen. 25. 9 Ishmael though formerly the one perscuted the other lovingly agreed to bury Abraham their Father. jacob y Gen. 35. 29. Esau though formerly the one designed the others death lovingly agreed to bury Isaac their Father. joseph z Gen. 50 13. and his brethren, though formerly they envied and sold him, lovingly agreed to bury jacob their Father. And thus, though branglings, and brawlings may happen betwixt brethren when young; all animosities ought to be buried in the grave of their Fathers. § 20. In the time of joshua a Josh. 10. 37. Hebron had a King, whom he conquered, Royal turned into Sacerdotal Cities. and subdued; and afterwards this place was made a City b Josh. 20. 7. of Refuge, and assigned (with twelve more in this Tribe, and Benjamin) unto the c Josh. 21. 13. Priests, the sons of Aaron, who were above common Levites, as employed in ordinary attendance about the Tabernacle. Herein God provided not only for their conveniency, accommodating them with habitations near jerusalem (as the place hereafter intended for his public service) but chiefly for their conscience, placing them in these two Tribes, whom he foresaw would alone persevere in, when the others would apostate from the true Religion. Yea the Priests had the best and biggest places in judah, as Hebron, Debir, Libnah, formerly Royal, afterwards Sacerdotal Cities: God allowing his Ministers large maintenance; and indeed a beggarly Clergy, is the forerunner of a bankrupt Religion. § 21. But although the City of Hebron pertained to the Priests, The suburbs of Hebron given to Caleb. the suburbs thereof by God's appointment belonged to d Josh. 14. 13. Caleb and his posterity. This Caleb was that young-old man, whose strength contradicted his years, so able and active at e Josh. 14. 11. fourscore and five, either for advice, or execution. But here he eat not the bread of idleness, being first to clear and conquer Hebron (before he could possess it) from the Giant-Amorite-Anakims dwelling therein. These Amorites, s Amos. 2. 9 though (as the Prophet describes them) high as the Cedars, and strong as the Oaks, had notwithstanding (to follow this Metaphor) much wasteful sap in their mighty big bodies: whilst Caleb (all heart, as his name imports) though less and lower, by God's assistance easily overcame them. If any demand, How came Anakims hither, seeing Hebron so lately was smitten by joshua? A learned g Bon●rerius in locum Ioshu●. author answers, that it is probable, whilst joshua afterwards was employed in the north in conquering the h Josh. 11. 7. Canaanites, some remnant of the Anakims which escaped his hand, did in his absence return, possess Hebron, and put Caleb to a new task of a second subduing them. § 22. David afterwards made Hebron the Metropolis of this kingdom (as being the most eminent City of his own Tribe of judah) and reigned almost seven years therein. joabs' cruel killing of Abner. In the third year of his reign Abner repaired hither, with full intent to reduce all Israel to his obedience, had not joabs' sudden murdering him frustrated his design. Probably some mixture of jealousy might put joab on this foul action, fearing to be outed of his office, that if Abner made David King, David would make Abner General over all Israel. Certainly, revenge of his brother Asahels' blood prompted him thereunto. joab sending messengers to fetch Abner back from the well of Siriah, slew him treacherously as he was entering the i 2 Sam. 3. 27. gates of Hebron. § 23. Forget we not that Hebron, Aggravation of joabs' murder. in the gate whereof joab so basely and barbarously murdered him, was a City of Refuge, * Josh. 30. 7. appointed by God for the saving of such, as had killed one unawares. Did not joab therefore, in such a place acting wilful murder, in an high hand rely on his own greatness to bear him out in so bloody a deed, as if he neither feared the justice of man, nor needed the mercy of God? No wonder then, if many years after he k 1 King. 2. 31. flying to the horns of the Altar, was denied the protection of that place, who formerly so cruelly, despitefully, and presumptuously had defiled the City of Refuge with innocent blood. § 24. Thus died Abner, very loyal to Saul, Abner and Ishbosheth buried to ● either. whilst Saul was living, and too loving to his l 2 Sam. 3. 7. concubine, when he was dead. Never man was killed more cowardly, or buried more honourably: David himself m Ibid. v. 31. following the b●ere, weeping as chief mourner at his funeral. In the same sepulchre the n 2 Sam. 4. 12. head of Ishbosheth was afterwards interred. Though some jars were betwixt them whilst living, their dust well agreed in the same grave. Nor durst the ashes of Ishbosheth cross the others, who when alive (though checked, and chidden by him) o 2 Sam. 3. 11. could not answer Abner a word again, because he feared him. As for the bodies of Baanah and Rechab the murderers of Ishbosheth, they had, by order from David, their hands and feet cut off, and they hanged up over the p 2 Sam. 4. 12. pool in Hebron. § 25. After the death of Ishbosheth, Numbers repairing to David in Hebron. all Israel repaired to Hebron to make David their King, whose several numbers deserve our observation. 1 Out of q 1 Chr. 12. 24. judah six thousand, and eight hundred. 2 Simeon, seven thousand & one hundred. 3 Levi, eight thousand & three hundred twenty two. 4 Benjamin, three thousand. 5 Ephraim, twenty thousand and eight hundred. 6 Half Tribe of Manasseh on this side jordan, eighteen thousand. 7 Issachar, two hundred officers, and all their brethren at their commandment. 8 Zebulun, fifty thousand. 9 Naphtali, thirty seven ●housand, besides a thousand Captains. 10 Dan, twenty eight thousand and six hundred. 11 〈◊〉, forty thousand. 12 Reuben, G●d, and Manass●h beyond jordan, an hundred and twenty thousand. Behold here those Tribes which lived farthest from Hebron, appearing in the highest equipage; as if they endeavouring to be revenged on the distance of their habitation, purposely advanced with the greatest number. Here it will be enquired, why judah largest in dominion, next in position, nearest in relation, (as David's native Tribe) made here the slenderest appearance of all the rest, Benjamin alone excepted; the thinness of whose numbers are excused in the text, because r Ibid. v. 29. hitherto the greatest part of them kept the ward of the house of Saul. What! doth it fare with Princes, as with Prophets, that they are not s Mat. 13. 57 without honour save in their own Country, and in their own house, that David found fewest attendants from his own Tribe? Oh no, he was abundantly loved, and honoured therein. But, Tostatus answers 1 David's daily attendance (both civil in his Court, and military in his camp, and garrison) hitherto chiefly consisted of the Tribe of judah. 2 The rest of judah remained at home, to make t So saith the text (1 Chr. 12. 39) For their brethren (meaning judah) had prepared for them. provision, and give entertainment to this confluence of people from all parts. Add hereunto 1 Six thousand eight hundred were a sufficient representation of judah, and more not only needless, but burdensome for the present, to pester Hebron too populous already. The rest keeping home, and living hard by, were ready (no doubt) on competent warning, to come quickly, if need required, or David commanded their attendance. 2 judah's main work was done two years before, when David was solemnly made their King. And they now, rather spectators, than actors at his second Coronation over all Israel. Now no less politic than thrifty were the other Tribes in bringing their u Ibid. v. 40. victuals along with them, lest otherwise they should be held as occasioners of scarcity in judah, and enhauncers of the prices of provisions. § 26. Afterwards Absalon, Absalon repaireth to Hebron. when he intended a rebellion against his Father, chose Hebron as the fittest City, from whence he meant to mount into the Throne. Hither he came under pretence to do sacrifice, w 2 Sam. 15. 1. with his chariots, and horses, and fifty men running before him: but, which was most to be pitied, he brought with him from jerusalem x Ibid. v. 11. two hundred men, which were (as one may say) Loyal traitors, coming in the simplicity of their hearts, and merely drawn-in to treasonable practices. But Hebron proved not a place so successful to Absalon the son, as formerly fortunate to David his father. This Traitors sovereignty soon expired, when forsaken of God, Man, and Beast (his own Mule going away from him) he was slain of joab, as y In our description of Gad. Debir a Canaanitish University. formerly related. § 27. Some ten miles' south of Hebron lay Debir, anciently called Kiriah-Sepher z Judg. 1. 11. , the City of a book, conceived a Canaanitish University. And although the Giant Anakims dwelling hereabouts, may be presumed but little bookish, yet civilised Countries, in all ages, have allowed such places for the education of youth, who are better unborn, then unbred. Caleb proffered a Num. 1. 12. Acsah his daughter in marriage to any one that should conquer this City, which was accordingly performed by Othniel his younger brothers son, and first Judge of Israel. What, were not the glory of God, and good of his Country, enough to set an edge on his valour, but the promise of a wife needed also to whet his resolution? No doubt the scales of his resolution went down formerly on the right side, before this match was cast in as overweight. It is no unlawful Bigamy of the soul, when wedded to God's glory in the first place, to embrace also therewith the b Heb. 11. 26. recompense of reward: and grand is the difference betwixt an c John 10. 13. hireling whose mind is merely mercenary, and him that works for his hire; with Othniel taking it (not as the main motive, much less as the end, but) only as a welcome encouragement of his undertake. § 28. Thus all parties were pleased; The south of judah called Caleb. Israel recovered Debir, Othniel got Acsah to wife, she gained a blessing from her Father, that blessing brought the possession of the upper, and nether springs along with it. Know also, in after ages the south part of judah was called Caleb, probably from the large inheritance, Caleb obtained in these parts, and puissance of his posterity therein. Thus the Egyptian giving an account of the passages of the army of the Amalekites, confesseth they had been roving upon the coast that belonged to judah, and upon the south of d 1 Sam. 30. 14 Caleb. § 29. Libnah is the third in honour, Libnah a rebellious city. of the nine royal Cities in the days of joshua, assigned afterwards for the Priest's habitation. Long it continued loyal to the Crown of judah, until in the days of jehoram (that ungodly, unmerciful, unsuccesful, unbeloved, unlamented King) Edom revolted from under the hand of judah, unto this day, than Libnah l 2 King. 8. 22. revolted at the same time. Was it casualty, or confederacy (by mutual intelligence) that both their defections bore the same date? Surely, breach of faith is a catching disease, yea infectious from one to another. But, how could the inhabitants of Libnah, being Priests, (whose best livelihood depended on their personal officiating in the Temple at jerusalem) subsist, being cut off from their service, and the salary thereof? Yea, did they not thereby necessarily apostate from their religion to God, desert his Temple and their own profession? Except any will say (easier spoken, then proved) that at this present, not the Priests, but some other persons were possessors of Libnah. We find not this City afterwards reduced to the Kings of judah, whereupon some m Dr Heylyn Microc. in Palest. p. 571. Libnah how it might subsist a free State. conceive, that henceforward it stood on its own bottom, as an absolute Commonwealth. § 30. If any object it impossible, that Libnah so small a City, should subsist here as a free State against all the powers of the Kings of judah; let such look on little Lucca, in Italy, and less Geneva, in France, defended by their foes from their foes; environed with enemies on all sides, yet so, that rather than any one shall subdue them, all the rest will assist them. Such probably, was the position, and politic State-poizing of Libnah, seated in the vicinity of the Kings of judah, Israel, and the Philistines, (not to say, Egypt, though far off, might come in as a protector thereof) that it might make a Cordial of a self-subsistance, from the Antidotes of its enemies. Afterwards we find n 2 King. 19 8. Sennacherib fight against Libnah (whence he sent a railing message to Hezekiah) but read nothing of the taking thereof; yea, probably here the * 2 King. 19 35. Angel by night did that memorable execution, slaying an hundred fourscore and five thousand of his numerous army. § 31. Lachish must not be forgotten, Lachish an Idolatrous one. whose o josh. 12. 11. King was destroyed by joshua. King Amaziah conspired against by his subjects in jerusalem, fled hither in vain; for, They sent after him to Lachish, and slew him p 2 Kin. 14. 19 there. It was a leading City in Idolatry, infected from Israel, and infecting of judah. q Micah 1. 1. Micah prophesied in particular against this City, warning it to prepare for speedy captivity from its enemies. r Mic. 1. 13. O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast; she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee. And although we find not Lachish taken by Sennacherib who s Isa. 37. 8. warred against it, yet it escaped not the fury of Nabuchadnezzar, though one of the t jer. 34. 7. last Cities by him subdued. § 32. But Ad●llam, Adullam David's retra●●ing. another regal City in judah, was more ancient; where u Gen. 38. 1. Hirah, Iudah's fast friend, dwelled, though employed by him but as a pandar post factum, to carry Tamar the hire of her whoredom. In a cave hereabouts repaired to w 1 Sam. 22. ●. David, every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, and he became a Captain over them. Was this well done of him to be Protector General of Outlaws, thereby defying justice, defrauding creditors, defeating God's command, which provided, that the deb●er, if not solveable, should be x Exod. sold for satisfaction? Alas, his need is all that can be alleged in his excuse. Sure I am David y Psal. 101. ad Sinem. promised (when in power to make his own choice) that his household, or Court, should consist of persons better qualified. However these men freely resorting to him, were better than those hired by Abimelech, z judg. 9 4. vain and light persons, and as far to be preferred before them as want is more excusable than wickedness. Yea, we may charitably believe David's consorts impoverished not by their own carelessness, but their creditor's cruelty. § 33. As for Gedar it hath formerly been described in Simeon, Baal-Hanan inverted Hannibal. only we will add, that a 1 Chr. 27. 28. Baal-hanan the Gederite was of this place, David's Overseer over the Olive trees, and Sycamore trees in the low plain. This name of Baal-hanan inverted is the same with Hannibal that great General of the Carthaginians. See here the affinity of the Hebrew, with the Phoenician, or Carthaginian tongue. Wonder not that Baal-hanan, or Hannibal was a fashionable name for potent persons in these parts, (we find also a King of Edom b Gen. 36. 38. so called) seeing it signifieth a Lord in grace, or, favour; and our Saviour hath told us, such as exercise authority over others are called c Luk. 22. 25. Gracious Lords. As for I●rmuth, Eglon, and Arad, we read nothing of them remarkable, since their several Kings were destroyed by joshua. Of Hepher we shall speak more properly in the close of this Description. § And now, Carmel Naboth's Manor. what a fall must our Description have, from the Cities of Kings, to the Manor of a clown; the fruitful Carmell not far from the Dead-sea? Here folly, and wisdom dwelled under the same roof, sat at the same table, slept in the same bed, Nabal and Abigail. Are matches made in heaven, and was Abigail so ill beloved there, to be condemned to such a choice? Surely, God saw it most for his own glory and her good, for the improvement of her patience. This Nabal proved himself a perfect Miser, both by his niggardliness to David, and prodigality of the d 1 Sam. 25. 36. Kinglike dinner he made to his shepherds. But both he and his family had been utterly destroyed by David, had not the discreet mediation of Abigail been seasonably interposed. § 35. After his gluttonous supper Abigail next morning serves Nabal with a thrifty breakfast, The death of Nabal. telling him of the great danger he so narrowly had escaped. Hereupon e Ibid. v. 37. his heart died within him. Thus some drunkards have been said to have swooned when sober, at the serious review of such perils they so nearly escaped in the fits of their distemper. Probably fear increased his sadness, suspecting to fall into a relapse of David's disfavour, and that his anger might revert to give him another visit hereafter. Thus the wrath f Prov. 19 12. of a King (though but in reversion) is as the roaring of a Lion. Yea, Nabal became as a stone, and no wonder, being little better than a stock before, such his senseless stupidity. But, though he was a churl in his miserable living, he was bountiful in his seasonable dying, freeing Abigail from an unequal yoke, and fitting her with an husband better suiting with her deserts, even David himself. § 36. But, Giloh the possession of Ahithophel. Carmel had not such a fool, but that g 2 Sam. 15. 12. Giloh hard by had as wise a man for the owner thereof, even oraculous Ahithophel. This was he that gave the wholesomest, but Hushai the toothsomest counsel to Absalon, best pleasing the palate of a vainglorious traitor. Ahithophel advised as a cruel hunter, that David should presently be h 2 Sam. 17. 2. pursued, not giving him any breath, but either running him down outright, or killing him in the form, where they should find him: Hushai i Ibid. v. 11. counselled to prolong the sport for their greater pleasure; and, seeing all the game was surely in their own hand, to give David the larger law, to shift away a while for himself, that so he might be put to death in the greater state, and with more ceremonious magnificence. Ahithophel seeing his counsel neglected at Court, and foreseeing (in the causes) Absaloms' ruin, and David's return, to prevent farther shame, and save the executioner the pains, fairly went home, set his house in order, and k Ibid. v. 23. hanged himself. § 37. Tekoah is not far off, Tekoah the birth place of Amos. where a wise woman once lived (the subtlest subtlest l 2 Sam. 14. 2. manager of joabs' design to David, for the bringing back of Absalon) and a wiser man m Amos. ●. 1. Amos, called from an herdsman, and a gatherer of wild figs to be a Prophet. Near Tekoah jehosaphat obtained a memorable victory against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, though at the first hearing of their coming, jehosaphat is said to have been n 2 Chr. 10. 2. afraid. Did he not discover much cowardice herein, considering what multitudes of men jehosaphat at that time did command? Namely, 1 Under o 2 Chr. 17. 14. Adnah the chief of judah three hundred thousand mighty men of valour. 2 Next to him p Ibid. v. 15. jehohanan captain over two hundred and fourscore thousand. 3 Next him q Ibid. v. 16. Amaziah with two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. 4 And of Benjamin r Ibid. v. 17. Eliada with two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield. 5 Next him s Ibid. v. 18. jehoshabad with an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. What need then jehosaphat fear (except as in gideon's case suspecting he had too t judg. 7. 2. many for God to give victory by) having an Army (if well disciplined with advantage of time and place) able to to encounter all mankind, especially on the defensive side, to make good their own Country against any invasion? § 38. It is answered, Why jehosaphat might justly fear. the suddenness of the news might add much to his fright, that an enemy was come into the bowels of his Country u 2 Chr. 20. 2. [Behold they be in Hazeron-Tamar, which is Engedi] before the first intelligence was brought thereof. Secondly, jehosaphat feared not so much his foes, as his faults, guilty to himself of great offences, (good men the less sinful; the more sensible thereof) and chiefly of his matching at home, and marching abroad with the Idolatrous family of Ahab. Lastly, those vast numbers of his soldiers lately specified, were not all at any w Sir Walter Rayleigh li. 2. par●●. pa. 440. one time, but severally, and successively, during the five and twenty years of jehosaphat his reign. Wherefore those words in the list of Iehosaphats Generals thrice repeated, Next him, Next him, Next him, imply not a gradation in honour, as if all of them, though subordinately, were extant together, but import a succession of time, the latter entering with his men on the office of a General, after the displacing, or death of the former. § 39 However, Iehosaphats admirable victory. jehosaphat puts his people into a penitent posture, falling to fasting and prayer, and obtains a memorable conquest, which was purely heavens Donative, Sine cura, without man's care, cost, or charge to achieve it. Prince and people stand still, look on, believe God, sing Psalms, accounting their conquest gotten, because promised by the Prophet. Mean time, their enemies amazed with x 2 Chr. 20. 22. ambushments of Gods setting, fall foul one on another, till Moab, and Ammon had destroyed, first the Edomites, than themselves. Three days are the men of judah employed in gathering the spoil, and so return to jerusalem with wealth in their hands, joy in their hearts, music in their mouths, having left behind them the name of y Ibid. v. 26. Berachah, or blessing, imposed on the place, where this celestial victory was bestowed upon them. § 40. But now it is high time that we enter on the several Stages and removals of David in or near this Tribe, David's several removals. after that he (having formerly suffered much from Saul as a private person) began to Prince it, and to stand on his guard. The text saith he and his men went a 1 Sam. 23. 13 wheresoever they could go. David herein being like the Son and Lord of David, who b Luk. 9 58. had not where to lay his head. Indeed David confesseth that God made the stony rocks for the c Psal. 104. 18. Coneys, but yet he himself was glad to be their Inmate, and share with them in their d 1 Sam. 23. 25. habitations; and yet his soul was never so discomposed in any hole or cave, but that in the darkest of them he could see to make Psalms, and praise his Maker. No place came amiss to his pious soul, above or under ground, all alike to him to serve his God therein. Now seeing it is David's expression of himself, that he was hunted as a e 1 Sam. 26. 20. Partridge on the mountains: Partridge, a bird innocent whose fine flesh is its greatest guilt, and importent, (not armed with beak or talons) whose chief might consisteth in the flight thereof: Now whilst Saul followed him, we will follow David's Metaphor in our ensuing description. But be it premised, that Saul was no fair Falconer, who more desiring the prey then the sport, came with his nets and setting dogs, with full intent to kill David wherever he might catch him. § 41. We begin at the cave of Adullam (which we may call his nest) wherein he composed the fifty seventh, From Adullam to Mizpah. and the hundreth forty second Psalm. Hence he made wing, taking a long and strong flight to Mizpah in the land of Moab. Here the Partridge showed much of the Stork in him, feeding his parents, and taking order with the King of Moab for the maintenance of his f 1 Sam. 22. 3. Father and mother. § 42. Hence (by the advice of the Prophet g 1 Sam. 22. 5. Gad, To Keilah. not to trust himself again in the cave of Adullam) by the forest of h Ibid. Hareth to the City of Keilah. The Inhabitants whereof David had lately obliged to himself, by saving them from the Philistines, notwithstanding which favour, God assured him of their intentions to i 1 Sam. 23. 12. betray him to Saul. If a skilful Gardener can in the depth of winter, by beholding the bare root, and knowing the kind thereof, foretell when and what flowers the same will bring forth many months after, well may the God of heaven, the searcher of hearts, know men's k Psal. 139. 2. thoughts afar off, and infallibly conclude what they will be, before they have any being. Base Keilites, who had rather pick thanks with Saul, then pay thanks to David to whom they were due! Thus deliver an ungrateful man from a danger, and he will be the first to bring you into the same condition. This sad occasion did spring the Partridge hence. § 43. To Hachilah hill in a wood in the wilderness of Ziph, To Hachilah hill. south of jesimon. l 1 Sam. 23. 16. Here jonathan came and renewed his amity with David. Behold how they two is embracing one another, (Reader my phrase trespasseth on the rules of Grammar, no● of friendship) and made a Covenant before the Lord Nor was it a small comfort to David, (though Saul, and Doeg, and Keilites, and Ziphites were against him) that, besides his own innocence, he had the Prince, the Priest, and the Prophet, jonathan, Abiathar, and Gad, good men's prayers, and God's providence on his side. Here the Ziphites, Saul's setters, having wound David; Saul; to catch him, comes with his net, but either made too much noise, or too little speed, for before he came thither the Partridge was flown. § 44. To the wilderness of Maon. To the rock of Division. Here only a mountain was betwixt David and Saul, and that not long likely to keep them asunder, seeing Saul's men, being many in number, began to compass David round about. But seasonable ill news was brought that the m 1 Sam. 23. 27 Philistines had invaded the land, which made Saul turn his forces another way against a foreign foe. Commendable his ingenuity, that he preferred rather to oppose an enemy of another Religion, then to dispatch a domestic adversary, whom he now had at advantage. However judicious eyes behold not this as an act of Saul's pity, but God's providence: hereupon David called the place Sela-hammahlekoth, or the rock of Division. § 45. Hence he fled to the holds at Engedi: To the cave in Engedi. Here he had Saul in a cave, and was seemingly courted by heaven, certainly urged by n 1 Sam. 24. 4. men to destroy him, and yet he refused. O why is a golden opportunity put into a leaden hand, which wants activity to make use of it? What hard heart could have thrust away so fair an advantage? But oh, (though all things else were here) one thing was wanting, a Lawful command. A Crown is over bought which costs a sin. David durst not kill him, only he cut off the skirt of his garment, and withal felt a greater gash in his o 1 Sam. 24. 5. conscience, than he made in Saul's clothes, for being too bold with Gods Anointed. This courtesy of David in sparing his life, made Saul half a convert, drawing p 1 Sam. 24. 16. tears from his eyes, fair words from his mouth, but what intentions from his heart, He only knows, that knew the secrets thereof. It is suspicious that Saul's truth therein was not much, because David's trust therein was none at all; who (notwithstanding the Court-holy-water of Saul's tears) got him and his men again up into the q 1 Sam. 24. 22. hold. § 46. Hence David took a voluntary flight unto Carmel. To Carmel. Here the Partridge was like to turn Hawk, and become a Bird of prey, to kill all the the innocent family of r 1 Sam. 25. 22. Nabal, (as we have already observed) had not that God who formerly protected him from Saul's, here preserved him from his own sword, and from s 1 Sam. 25. 33. avenging himself with his own hand. § 47. Hence he fled back again to Hachilah hill, Again to Hachilah-hill. which is before jesimon. Here the Ziphites bring Saul second tidings of his being there. So boundless was the stock of their malice, no danger of breaking, who though they failed at their first return, would adventure again. Only thei● malice did this good, that it gave David the occasion to make the fifty fourth Psalm. Here he had Saul at a second advantage, finding him with Abner and his men round about him fast t 1 Sam. 26. 7. asleep, even as still as the Spear and Cruse of water that stood at his head. These David took away, but with intent truly to restore them after he had kept them a while 〈◊〉 monuments of his own integrity. Hereupon Saul▪ a second Convert, clears David, chargeth himself, prayeth for pardon, and promiseth amendment, whilst David having had experience of his former falsehood, gives him the hearing, not the believing. For § 48. Hence he flew to Gath in the land of the Philistines, To Ziglag. and u 1 Sam. 27. 4. Saul sought no more again for him, leaving off his pursuit now the Partridge had took Covert in an enemy's Country; whence he removed to Ziglag, and thence made many incursions against the w 1 Sam. 27. 8. Geshurites, Gezrites, and Amalekites▪ but withal telling King Achish that he matched the clean contrary way against judah and the friends thereof. Here the Partridge had in him too much of the Lapwing, which by its hypocritical fluttering pretends its nest far distant from the true place thereof. Such dissimulation in David cannot be excused, must not be imitated. From Ziglag he marched along with Achish King of Gath to Aphek in the Tribe of Issachar, where he was dismissed and x 1 Sam. 29. 3. cashiered by the Philistines from any further service. Returning home he found Ziglag his nest spoiled, yea all his Covey therein (wives and children) catched in a snare, as hath formerly been described in the Tribe of Simeon. After the recovery of his losses, from Ziglag § 49. He flew to Hebron▪ Lastly to Hebr●●. Here the Partridge turned Eagle, being solemnly made Sovereign first of judah, then of all Israel. And now being quietly settled in his Throne, he may joyfully sing, Many are the afflictions of the y Psal. 34. 19 righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. § 50. But besides these eminent and noted Gests of David he had many more which were obscure and intermediate, David's other haunting places. as appears by the list of the places z 1 Sam 30. 31. where he haunted, and to whom he sent part of his spoils taken from the Amalekites, viz. 1 Bethel in Benjamin. 2 South Ramoth in Simeon. 3 jattir in judah a Levites City. 4 Aroer in the tribe of Gad. 5 * Possibly the same with Si●ma in the tribe of Reuben. Siphmoth. 6 Eshtemoa a Levites City in judah. 7 Rachal. 8 Cities of the jerahmeelites, (descended from jarahmeel an a 1 Chr. 2. 26. eminent man in judah.) 9 Cities of the Kenites. 10 Hormah in Simeon. 11 Chorashan in Simeon. in judah. 12 Athach. 13 Hebron, eminent in judah. As for Siphmoth, Rachal, and Athach, because they appear not again in Scripture, their position is unknown, but may be presumed in or near the Tribe of judah. The best is, though our tracing of David's travels may be imperfect, and we fail in the reckoning thereof, yet God's Arithmetic is exact, and what is defective in ours, is supplied in his observations: b Psal. 56. 8. Thou tellest my wander, put my tears in thy bottle, are they not written in thy book? § 51. Now besides the Cities mentioned in our description▪ The total sum of Iudah's Cities. many more remain which were obscure, without any memorable act achieved in them: and are thus reckoned up in joshua. 1 Towards the coast of Edom southward, c Josh. 1●. 21. twenty nine. 2 In the vale, d Josh. 15. 36. Fourteen in the first▪ e Ibid. v. 41. Sixteen in the second, f Ibid. v. 44. Nine in the third, Catalogue. 3 On the Sea two, g Ibid. 46. Ekron and Ashdod. 4 In the mountains, h Ibid. 51. Eleven in the first, i Ibid. 54. Nine in the second, k Vers. 57 Ten in the third, l Vers. 59 Six in the fourth, Catalogue. 5 Two by themselves, Kiriath-Baal and Rabbah. 6 In the wilderness, Six. In all an hundred and fourteen. So that the Tribe of judah alone had more Cities than all the Island of Crete, which had but just an hundred, and therefore called Hecatompolis. But many of these Cities were small, and a good share of them was given to the Tribes of Dan and Simeon, as formerly hath been observed. But amongst such as remained to judah let not * Josh. 15. 44. Maresha be forgotten, (in the northwest part of this Tribe) both because thereby, in the valley of Zephathah, Asa conquered † 2 Chr. 14. 9 Zerah the Ethiopian, whose army consisted of more than a million of men, and because the Prophet * Micah 1. 1. Micah was born therein. § 52. In Saint Hieromes time somewhere in judah flourished a fair City called Eleutheropolis: Eleutheropolis uncertain in situation. from which that m In his book the loci● H●braicis. Father measureth the distance of most southern places in Palestine; as he computeth the northern from Legion a City in Galilee. But (the more the pity) that Father hath not acquainted us with the exact location of either of these two places. Whilst Adrichomius and others condemn Saint Hieromes carelessness herein, it better befits us to condole our own unhappiness, who cannot read the accurate distance of places in his book of that subject, because though he have lent us his Characters, he hath not left us the true Key thereof. § 53. The Tribe of judah had no great river therein, Rivulets in judah. saving a little piece of gasping jordan now ready to expire in the dead-sea; but with rivulets it was sufficiently stored, lending the brooks of Sorek and Bezar to Dan and Simeon; borrowing Kedron from Benjamin, whence it fetcheth its fountain▪ and keeping the brook before the wilderness of n 2 Chr. 20. 16. jeruel wholly for its own use, as rising, running, and falling entirely in this Tribe. Nor must that brook be forgotten, which I may call the brook of David, because being to encounter Goliath, he took thence o 1 Sam. 17. 4●. five smooth stones (store is no sore, especially not being sure, but his first might fail) and furnished his scrip therewith. § 54. This was that Goliath whose strength was equal to his stature, Bit●ell betwixt David and Goliath. his arms suitable to his strength, but his Pride above all. Betwixt him and David first passed a tongue-combate. The one discharging ostentation, and presumption, which the other as quickly returned with faith and confidence in God's promises. Come they then to encounter: see the lower man had the longer arm, who with his sling could reach death at distance to his adversary. The beaver of Goliahs' helmet was open: not that he thought his brazen brow sufficiently armed with its own impudence, but either that he might see, breath, and boast the more freely, or because he disdained to buckle himself against so unequal a match: The stone from David's sling flies directly to his forehead, whereby the Giant is mortally wounded, and notwithstanding his spear was as great as a p 1 Sam. 17. 7. weaver's beam, his life was swifter than a q Job. 7. 6. weaver's shuttle; so soon passed it away and he was gone, David cutting off his head with his own sword. § 55. Many were the wildernesses in this Tribe, Many wildernesses in judah. as those of r Josh. 15. 1. Zin, s 1 Sam. 23. 14. Ziph, t 1 Sam. 23. 24. Maon, u 1 Sam. 24. 1. Engedi, w 2 Chr. 20. 16. jeruel, x Ibid. v. 20. Tekoa, and y Judg. 1. 16. judah lying south of Arad. Now as once it was the question of the Disciples to our Saviour, From z Mark. 8. 4. whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? So here it may materially be demanded, Where did the men of judah find food to sustain themselves, whose country seems a heap of wildernesses cast together? Here we must know that the whole land of Palestine was dressed and kept like a garden plot, and enclosed into Olive-yards, Vine-yards, and arable fields, save some extravagant places which lay common, where wild beasts did harbour in the woods, commonly called Wildernesses. Such notwithstanding were full of fruitful a Joel 1. 19 pastures, and had fair b josh. 15. 61. towns, though more thinly inhabited then other parts of the Country; so that this Tribe was more frighted then hurt with the multitude of Wildernesses therein. § 56. Paramount over them all was The wilderness, john Baptist preaching in the wilderness. having six Cities therein, and was part of the c Mark 3. 1. wilderness of judea, (extending also into Benjamin) wherein john the Baptist preached: feeding here on Locusts (flying infects, d Levit. 11. 22. whereof four kinds were clean, and permitted the jews to eat) and wild honey. Either such as fell down in e 1 Sam. 14. 26. dews from heaven, or was made by wild Bees, not civilised in hives, but nesting on the ground or in hollow trees. In a word, he was content with such course fare as the Country afforded, his rough clothes being suited to his homely diet, and both to his hard doctrine of Repentance. Hereupon scandalous tongues condemned him for having a * Mat. 11. 18. Devil, as afterwards they belied our Saviour (using a more liberal diet) to be a Winebibber, so impossible it is to please affected frowardness either full or fasting. § 57 Some make john Baptist the first founder of Eremites. Nothing befriendeth the Eremites. But how little his precedent befriendeth their practice, who, not out of any impulsion, but mere election, delight to dwell in deserts, will appear by the ensuing Parallel. He, 1 By immediate command from God to fulfil the prophecy of f Isa. 40, 3. Isaiah. 2 Went into a wilderness; a place more thinly peopled then the rest of the land. 3 Where he daily busied himself with preaching to multitudes of people repairing unto him. 4 And at last did end his life in a place of greater concourse, even the g Mark 6. 20. Court of King Herod himself. They, 1 By dictates of their own fancy, following the principles of will-worship. 2 Go into a wilderness indeed, conversing with solitariness, and shunning all society. 3 Where they bury themselves alive in laziness with the talents God hath bestowed on them. 4 And bind themselves with a vow to live and die in that solitary condition. Behold here the large difference betwixt him and monking Eremites. Who, if men of parts, aught to help others with their society; if of no parts, need to be helped by the society of others. Yea whatsoever their endowments were, this running into the wilderness was but a Bankrupt trick, to defraud the Church and Commonwealth their Creditors, to both which they stood bound by specialty of God's command to discharge all Civil and Christian relations to the utmost proportions of their abilities. In a word, though we steadfastly believe, that jabal was the father of all such as dwell in tents, because the Scripture h Gen. 4. 20. affirmeth the same, yet for the reasons aforesaid, we utterly deny john Baptist the founder and Author of all those which live wilfully in hills and holes an eremitical life. § 58. The Son of Hese● was Solomon's Purveyor in * 1 King. 4. 10. Aruboth, to him belonged Sochoth, judah for the ma●n freed from Solomon's Purveyors. and all the land of Hepher. A land which lay, as we gather by other proportions, in the northwest part of this Tribe. And indeed we find a King of Hepher amongst those which joshua i Josh. 12. 17. destroyed, but dare not confidently aver him to have been of the Tribe of k See more hereof in our objections against the tribe of judah. judah. However, it appears that for the main, the whole body of the Tribe of judah (with Simeon lying therein) fell not under any of Solomon's Purveyourships. The reason whereof, if inquired into, may perchance be reduced into some of these considerations. 1 It was referred to defray extraordinaries, on casual entertainments, and occasional solemnities; or 2 It was kept for the expenses of the thirteenth, or intercalary month (the product of the eleven supernumerary days) which commonly was every third year inserted into the Hebrew l Vide Kalendarium Hebrai cum Munsteri. pag. 62. Calendar. 3 judah might by special indulgence be exempted from such taxations; either because jerusalem, the royal City, was principally seated therein; and therefore to prevent scarcity of victuals in so populous a place, the Court-purveyours went further off, that the City might be better provided; or, because Solomon did ease, and favour that Tribe, whence he himself was extracted. This very probably was some cause, why, when the other ten Tribes, grinded with grievous oppressions, deserted the house of David, judah alone, as having formerly tasted of his Father's favour, entirely clavae to Rehoboam. § 59 The arms of judah are Gules, a Lion couchant Or, The arms of judah. according to Jacob's prediction, judah he stooped down, he couched as a m Gen. 49. 9 Lion, and as an old Lion, who shall rouse him up? This is a posture which that princely beast is pleased to accept for his own ease: otherwise no chastisement shall impose it on him, no force but his own free pleasure can make him to crouch. The Analogy is obvious to every eye, the Lion being the n Prov. 30. 30. strongest amongst beasts, which turneth not away for any. As judah was the chief of Tribes for number, strength and largeness of possessions, and the Tribe of Chiefs, so many Kings, yea Christ himself according to the flesh deriving his extraction from the same. Here the Map of the Land of Moriah is to be inserted. THE LAND OF MORIAH. CHAP. 14. § 1. BEcause the Country about jerusalem is very fruitful of observable places, The adjacent parts to jerusalem. it is therefore here presented in an entire Map. Nor do we meet with a fitter, and more adequate name to express the same, then to style it The land of Moriah, as it is named in Scripture: a Gen. 22. 2. Herein we shall only insist on signal places of certain truth; otherwise the work would be almost infinite: for what is said of the people of Israel, b Exod. 23 26. There shall not one be barren amongst them, is true of every petty place near jerusalem, not a Hill, Hole, Stick, Stone, Cave, Grave, but is pregnant with some History, and vulgar belief is the Midwife to deliver it; we will therefore confine ourselves to Scripture alone in our following description. § 2. We begin with the Brook of Kidron: The brook Kidron. which we may call the Brook of Reformation; for often the current thereof carried away the Relics of Idolatry; once when the Idol of his grandmother Maachah was by King Asa c 1 King. 15. 13 2 Chr. 30. 14. burnt by the banks thereof; Again, when d 2 King. 23. 6. in Hezekiahs' time the people (no doubt by his command) threw the Idolatrous Altars therein. Thirdly, when the dust of the Altars erected by King Manasses, was by josiah, cast into the channel of e 2 King. 23. 12 Kidron. I dare boldly say that the water of this brook, was no whit the less the sweet in taste, or clear in colour for washing away these monuments of superstition. However this Kidron may be ranked amongst those Rivulets whereof f Job 6. 15. job speaks, My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook and as a stream of brooks which passeth away; not that the water only slideth away, other succeeding in the room thereof (which is common to the greatest channels) but this very Brook itself slides away in the Summer and is dried up, as having no fountain to feed it, but the waters running down from Mount Olivet; Thus Kidron is the too lively emblem of our ●ouls, which having no natural spring of goodness in themselves, flow no longer than they are watered from above, with the infusion of celestial Grace. § 3. This Brook runs through the Valley of jehosaphat, The valley of jehosaphat. being a hollow dale interposed betwixt jerusalem and Mount Olivet, but why so named I find no satisfactory reason alleged; for I cannot agree to what generally is reported, that in this place jehosaphat got his miraculous victory over the g 2 Chr. 20. 20. Edomites, Moabites and Ammonites: because on serious perusal of the text, that battle appears fought far off in the wilderness of Tekoah. Many are of opinion, that as Mount Olivet shall be the Tribunal, erected for the Judge; so this Vale of jehosaphat shall be the Gaol and Bar where all offenders at the last day shall be arraigned, founding their conceit partly on the words of the Prophet h joel 3. 2▪ joel, I will also gather all Nations, and bring them down into the valley of jehosaphat, and will plead with them there for my people; partly on the expression of the Angels to the Disciples after Christ's ascension, i Act. 1. 11. that in the same manner he should return again. But these are too low, carnal, and restrictive conceits of God's glorious judicial proceedings▪ it being improbable he would appoint the certain particular place, who in his wisdom hath caused the time to be concealed; yea if one day be as a thousand years with God, why may not, according to the same proportion, the whole earth be meant by the Valley of jehosaphat? Wherefore waving curious inquiries about the circumstances belonging only to the Judge to assign, let us carefully provide ourselves for those Assizes, the proper work for us to perform▪ § 4. In this Vale of jehosaphat, on the other side of Kidron stood the village of Gethsemane, so called in Hebrew for the plenty of Oil, that there was pressed out: But a far more precious liquor was once afforded in this place, which in the Garden hard by, fell from our Saviour's face in his Agony, k Luke 22. 44. Clods of sweat like blood: Surely the hea● of the weather had no influence on this his distemper: being the open air, in so cold a night, that the stout servants of the high Priest, though housed in a Hall, found need of a fire to warm themselves thereat. l Joh. 18. 18. It was not then without cause that the paschal Lamb was commanded to be eaten, neither raw nor sodden with water, but roasted with fire, as Christ, the tr●th● of this Type, was at this time bathed in his own sweat. Here Christ thrice conditionally begged, that his ●up might pass away, preferring three several short prayers, before one entire continued petition; partly that in a tripled suit his importunity might be more conspicuous: partly, to get breath, and gain strength in the intervals: and partly, in the same time to visit his Disciples, being never so busy about himself, but he was still at leisure to look how it fared with them. § 5. Hither into this Garden Ch●ist betrayed in this garden. repaired judas in the night time m joh. 18. 3. with Lanterns and Torches, (no more light than needed in such a deed of darkness, otherwise it had been superfluous to seek the Sun itself with a Lantern) to betray our Saviour; bringing with him a band of soldiers (too many to attach Christ as mere man, too few to encounter him as God) from the high Priest, gownsmen, swordmen, young, old, jew, Gentile, all contriving his death, as all sorts and conditions of people were afterward to reap benefit thereby: at the first all n joh. 18. 6. Luk. 22. 52. fell flat down at the sound of his voice, demanding of them, whom seek ye? If the report of a bare question gave such a blow, o had his mouth been charged with a curse against them, what execution would it have done! Here Peter's wild love almost had done our Saviour that harm, which the malice of his enemies might despair to effect, by making him guilty not only o● the breach of peace, but of a plain Riot, by that dangerous wound he gave unto Malchus▪ whereby no doubt he had invited many swords about his own ears, had not the miracle of Christ's o Luk. 22. 51. quick cure restrained them▪ This was that Peter now so forward to draw his weapon, from whom afterward a word could not be drawn in acknowledgement of his Master; so unequally bea●s the pulse of blind zeal, either too fast, or not at all. § 6. From this Garden Kidron runs southward, and seems loath to The Rock of offence. behold on his western bank the hill before jerusalem whereon Solomon befooled in his old age with his wives, built high places for Chemosh and Molech, the Idols of Moab p 1 Kin. 11. 7. 5. and Ammon; Could not Idolatry be content to whisper in a hole, but she must hollow on a hill, and with a brazen brow out face the Temple, yea in a manner challenge, and defy it, to try which of them had the truest worship therein? q Exod. 20. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me, or, in my sight, is the first commandment. Now, though all places are in the sight of an omniscient Deity, yet this Idolatry was done in the presence, of the presence of God, who more immediately and particularly is said to dwell in his Temple: Alas! what an eye-fore were these high places to all the Godly in jerusalem? It spoilt the east and best prospect of all the windows in the City, for none could see the rising of the Sun, but withal must behold the rising of Idolatry. Adrichomius tells us that the hill whereupon these Idols stood, was commonly called the r Rom. 9 33▪ Rock of offence, which name the Scripture gives to our Saviour himself, but in different consideration: Christ was a Rock of Gods laying; this of man's making: He a Rock of offence unjustly taken at him by the wicked; this too justly given by it to the godly. § 7. Kidron continueth his course southward by the Vale of Saveh, Absaloms' pillar in the King's dale. or King Vale: haply so called from two s Gen. 14. 17. Kings meeting of Abraham in this place, namely Melchisedec, and the King of Sodom; the former with a blessing, the latter with a request in his mouth: yea let Abraham at this royal interview pass for the third King, seeing it is more honourable to make, then to be a King, who so freely here restored the subjects to the King of Sodom. Many hundred years after in this vale Absalon then issueless (as being before their birth, or rather after the untimely death of. his children) erected a t 2 Sam. 18. 16. Pillar to perpetuate his memory. Pilgrims at this very day passing by the place use every man to cast a stone upon it: and my request to the Reader is, if he should ever go thither, that when he hath first served himself, and satisfied his own revenge▪ he would then be pleased to cast one stone more upon that heap, in my name, to express my detestation of so damnable a Rebellion. § 8. Hence the River Kidron turneth his channel full east to find out his way to the dead sea, The stone of Zoheleth. and leaveth at some distance on his northern side the stone u 1 King. 1. 9 Zoheleth, whereon Adonijah, who advanced himself to the kingdom, offered sacrifices, while the people cried out, God save King Adonijah; but this echo was quickly checked and countermanded with a louder and greater, show●ed fourth from Mount Gihen, God save King Solomon. Wonder not that this latter noise was heard hither, at six miles' distance, much befriended in the far and speedy conveyance thereof with a hollow Vale of jehosaphat, reverberated with Mount Olivet, and improved in the sound thereof by the advantage of the waters of Kidron; besides it was mainly loud in itself, so that (though much of Hyperbole must be allowed in the expression) the earth w 1 King. 1. 40. rend with the sound of it; worse was Adonijahs heart rend at the hearing thereof, who now exchangeth his hopes of a Crown, for desire of Life, which he requested and obtained by his submission to Solomon. So ended the short government of Adonijah never sleeping in his reign, which began after the rising, and ended before the setting of the Sun. § 9 Thus taking our farewell of Kidron in this Map, Three tops on Mount Olivet. we pass over the current thereof to Mount Olivet, on the eastern side, so famous in Scripture, consisting of three eminent Tops. 1 The most Northern, hereon the Cell of Saint Pelagia was built, leading there a solitary life some hundred years after Christ: no doubt a devout woman, especially if her heart was as holy as her house was high. 2 The middlemost, from which Christ made his ascension to heaven, and after ages erected a fair Chapel in memorial thereof. 3 The most Southern, whereon the villages of Bethany and Bethphage, the house of Simon the Leper, the grave of beloved Lazarus, with the barren figtree which Christ cursed. All three overspread with Olive trees, (whence it hath its name) and plenty of Palms, of so quick growth, that those who cut down their x Mat. 21. 8. branches, when our Saviour on an Ass' Colt (which with her Colt was tied hard by in the meeting of two ways) road to jerusalem, did no considerable trespass to the owners of those trees, so speedily they sprouted again. § 10. Over the southern part of Mount Olivet David fled from Absalon, David flying from Absalon. for perceiving that his son by State-felony had stolen away his people's hearts, he politicly resolved not to be penned in jerusalem (where the land-flood of a popular mutiny, might presently drown him) but to retire to the uttermost bounds of his kingdom, mean time giving his subject's leisure and liberty to review what they had done, dislike what they reviewed, revoke what they disliked; that so on second debates they might seriously undo, what on first thoughts they had furiously attempted: knowing full well that Rebellion though running so at hand is quickly tired, as having rotten lungs, whilst well breathed Loyalty is best at a long course. As David was flying this way, the Priests proffered their service to carry the y 2 Sam. 15. 24. Ark along with them; Indeed how could it well stay behind, and what should the Ark and Absalon, Religion and Rebellion do together? Was it not fit, that as once it was joifully brought into jerusalem with David's z 2 Sam. 6. 14 dancing: so now it should dolefully depart hence with David's weeping? Howsoever he accepted their good will, and on better a 2 Sam. 15. 25. reason declined their attendance. Coming b 2 Sam. 15 30. & 16. ●●. a little past the top of the hill, Ziba meets him with a couple of Asses, loaden with bread, Raisins, summer fruits and wine for the refection of David and his company. But, o the Bran in that Bread, rottenness in those Raisins, dregs in that wine he brought, joining with them a false accusation of his Master Mephibosheth to be a Traitor; whilst, alas! all the disloyalty that good man was guilty of, was only his lame legs, his lying servant; and his over credulous Sovereign David did rashly believe this information. § 11. A little farther eastward was Bahurim, Bahurim where Shimei railed on David. where Shimei (Lord of that place) cursed David, casting stones and dust at him. What meant the mad man thus to rail being within the reach of David's Armies, except he intended to vent out his venom, and life together? But causeless curses rebound on their Authors, and Ziba's gifts did David more harm than Shimei's curses; for those betrayed him to an c 2 Sam. 16. 45, act of injustice, whilst these improved his patience. Indeed his railing gave an Alarm to the martial spirit of Abishai, who d 2 Sam. 16. 9 desired a Commission to take off the head of this dead dog (blood so let out in the neck vein is the soon and speediest cure of such a traitorous Frenzy.) But David who desired not that Shimei should be killed for his words, but rather that his own heart should be mortified by them, by heavenly Logic à majore ad minus, argued his own soul into e 2 Sam. 16. 11. humility; that seeing his Son had conspired against him, the ill words of an open Enemy ought patiently to be endured. Well! Let Shimei know though he pass unpaid for the present, yet either David himself, or his Executors, Administrators or Assigns, shall one day see this debt duly discharged. § 12. To this place of Bahurim Phaltiel the son of Laish followed Michal, Sples at Bahurim concealed▪ his (or rather david's) wife, f 2 Sam. 3. 16. weeping, when David demanded the restitution of her, as unjustly detained from him. Wherefore all Phaltie●● tears move no pity of mine; Caveat raptor, let him beware, who violently takes another man's wife; seeing shame and sorrow are the issue of such ungodly marriages. Here in a man's g 2 Sam. 17. 18. Court at Bahurim, jonathan and Ahimaaz David's Intelligencers were concealed in this manner; an equivocating covering was spread on the ground, pretending nothing but ground Corn laid upon it, but having under it the reservation of a dry well, into which the messengers were put, and by it a woman to manage the fallacy with the less suspicion: she tells the pursuers after them h 2 Sam. 17. 20. that they were gone over the river, which nigh Enrogell falls into Kidron; o that I could in the same instant commend her Loyalty, and condemn her Lying; which being impossible, we must be contented, successively first to praise her charity, and then to protest against her falsehood. § 13. Come we now to survey the south parts of the Land of Moriah, Rachel bur●ed nigh Bethlehem. where we meet some seven miles from jerusalem with the famous City of Bethlehem-Ephrath: The first mention of this Place we find, was when jacob near to it buried his beloved wife i Gen. 35. 14. & 48. 7. Rachel, dying in childbed. This was that Rachel who said in her k Gen. 30. 1. fury, Give me children or else I die (as if she would have had them begotten, conceived, bred, and born all in an instant) and now she had not only her fill, but a surfeit of her own wish, had children and died. It seems, dying in childbed her corpse required speedy interment: otherwise (no doubt) jacob would have conveyed them to the Cave of Macpelah the solemn sepulchre of his family. She was buried by the high way, the ancient custom both of jews, and Heathen, partly to mind passengers of their mortality, and partly to preserve the memory of the dead the longer, by so making their monument the more public and visible. Heathen used in like manner to inter their dead in highways: yea their sepulchres served to measure the distances of places. l Virgil. Eclo. 9 Hinc adeò media est nobis via: namque sepulchrum Incipit apparere Bianoris.— Hence even mid way it is for us: for near Bianors Tomb beginneth to appear. Nor is it amiss to observe that the self same place where Benjamin was born, and his mother buried, fell afterwards to the lot of the m 1 Sam. 10. 2. Benjamites, as if Rachel's body all the while had but kept possession for her posterity. § 14. Bethlehem in Hebrew is the house of bread; ruth's gleaning in Bethlehem. principally so called in reference to Christ, the bread of life, who in fullness of time was here to be born: otherwise time was, when in this house of bread, little bread was to be had, namely when God broke the staff thereof in Israel, by a n Ruth 1. 4. 6. ten years' famine. This caused Elimelech with his wife Naomi and her sons to remove into Moab, whence after ten years stay she returned home to Bethlehem with Ruth her daughter-in-law, who here became an extraordinary o Ruth 2. 8. Gleaner on the field of Boaz. Here harvest being ended, Ruth by the advice of Naomi, went afterwards to glean a husband for herself, and came in the night to the p Ruth. 3. 6. threshing floor of Boaz, to challenge in him the right of the next kinsman; some herein will censure her carriage, to come at so unseasonable a time, to surprise a man for her husband: so that, se defendendo, to vindicate his credit, he must be forced to marry her. But let these dainty dames, which condemn Ruth herein, first follow her faithfulness in attending, then imitate her industry in maintaining her mother-in-law, and this done, they will have less wanton thoughts in themselves, and more charitable opinions of Ruth. Besides, in the innocence and simplicity of those days, some passages might be harmelesly performed, which in our age (grown ripe in wit, and ri●e in wickedness) carry with them more than the appearances of evil. She brought forth here Obed, the father of jesse, and grandfather of David. § 15. David afterwards was born, David's birth and life in Bethlehem. and kept sheep in Bethlehem (therefore called the City of David) here he made an experimental syllogism, and from most practical propositions (Major a Lion, Minor a q 1 Sam. 17. 54. Bear) inferred the direct Conclusion, that God would give him victory over Goliath. Hence he was fetched from following the Ewes big with young, to go before the people of Israel; and God intending to raise David high in honourable old age, that the building might be the firmer, laid the foundation thereof very low in his laborious and religious education. Being then better employed, when thirsting after God's honour, then afterwards, when not far from this place, he fond longed for the r 2 Sam. 23. 15. water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate, the Philistines Army then encamping about it. But it shall not be said, that David desired, what David's subjects durst not perform; three of his Worthies boldly marched through the midst of their enemies, quickly draw, safely bear back, humbly present to their Sovereign this Aqua vitae, the procuring whereof cost them the hazard of their lives. But though David's fancy was above his judgement in desiring, his conscience was above his fancy in refusing to drink of that water, s 2 Sam. 23. 16. but poured it out unto the Lord. § 16. But that that gave the greatest lustre to Bethlehm, jesus born in Bethlehem. was that jesus Christ t Esay 9 6. the Prince of peace, was born herein of the blessed virgin Mary in a time of peace, to procure and establish a peace betwixt God and Man, Man and Angels, Man and Man, Man and his own Conscience, Man and other Creatures. Public the place of his birth, an u Luk. 2. 7. Inn, (every man's house for his money) and poor the manner thereof, so defeating the jews towering fancies of a temporal King, who long looking to see their Messiah sitting on a throne, would rather stumble at him, then stoop to behold him lying in a manger. The first tidings of the Lamb of God, by intelligence of Angels, is told to poor w Luk. 2. 8. shepherds watching their flocks by night, whilst the Priests the pretended shepherds of Israel, were snorting on their beds of security. The place of this apparition not being far from the tower of Eder (or, the tower of ●locks) where x Gen. 35. 21, 22 jacob sometime pitched his tent, and kept cattle, and where Reuben defiled his Father's Concubine. § 17. And now the wise men of the East make speed to their Saviour, The wisemen directed by a star to Bethlehem. directed unto him by a star, in its progressive motion probably pointing at judea, as if it had been but the bare reflection of a brighter star which was there to be seen. These wise men, well read in the volume of heaven, perceiving this to be no hypocrite star, or blazing Comet, (usually portending not the Cradle but Coffin of some Prince) yea, no light constantly Leaguer in the skies, conclude it an extraordinary Ambassador sent upon some peculiar service, and advantaged with the Prophecy of z Num. 24. 17. Baalam, current among the children of the East, haste to jerusalem, and put it to the question, a Mat. 2. 2. where the King of the jews was to be born. Here Gentile and jew confer their notes, and compare their intelligence together concerning Christ's birth; the former collecting the time from the star; the latter concluding Bethlehem the place from the b Mica. 5. 2. joh. 7. 42. Scripture. How much knowledge might men attain, if mutually they would lend their light one to another! To Bethlehem Herod sends the wise men to seek this new King, promising to come himself, and worship him, but secretly similing at their diligent devotion, whilst God in heaven laughed at his dissimulation. § 18. To Bethlehem they come to make enquiry after Christ, Return to their Country another way. whom none never sincerely sought, but they found him. The star by moving (probably in the low region of the air) shows them their way; by standing still, the end of their journey: coming into the house they find the royal Babe, and present him with gifts; Then warned by God in a dream, they return into their own Country another way. Say not that they were more wise than honest, in not making good their promise to go back to Herod, seeing 1 No such promise made by them appears in Scripture, who being certainly foreiners, and probably free Princes, owed no obedience to Herod's injunction. 2 Had such promise been made by them, yet being done in consideration of another from Herod, to come and and worship Christ, they were now remitted to their former liberty, his fraudulent intent being revealed unto them by divine information. 3 Suppose their promise to return bound with an oath, yet herein the breach thereof made no forfeiture, because their Recognisance was taken in God's name, who freely delivered up the band unto them again. Homewards they go, whilst Herod wonders at their long delay, yet comforts himself, that the slowness of their searching, will at last be recompensed with their sureness of finding what he desired. § 19 Weary at last he is with waiting, The babes of Bethlehem massacred. seeing no King of the jews was found, and they lost, which were sent to seek him: But this old Fox had two holes: fraud failing him, he betakes himself to force, and sends executioners to kill all the children of two years old and under c Mat. 2. 16. in Bethlehem, and all the coasts thereof; Herod's cruelty, being of greater compass, than the City of Bethlehem, took in that circuit which the walls there of left out, so cunning he was to overdo, rather than leave any thing undone. Here no pen can express the mother's sorrows for their children, whilst one stood amazed, as if she had lost her son and senses together: another bleeds out sorrow in her eyes, to prevent festering in her heart: a third vents her passions in exclamations, and it gives her some ease, though she could not recall her dead child, to call him Tyrant that murdered it; All their mourning going several ways, meet in one common misery, whilst the souls of these children are charitably conceived by the Primitive Church all marched to heaven, as the Infantry of the noble Army of Martyrs. Herod, the while, hugs himself, that he had fitted their new King with a short reign, being confident, that burning the Hive, he had killed the Master-Bee, though Christ was all the while safe in Egypt, where his Policy could not find, whence his power could not fetch him. § 20. Bethlehem is on all sides compassed with places of eminent note. On the North stood Ramah, Ramah nigh Bethlehem. nigh which was the execution of those infants. In Ramah was a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, d Mat. 2. 18. Rachel weeping for her children etc. Some will say Leah had more cause of sorrow (to make her eyes watery e Gen. 29. 17. by nature, worse with her tears) Bethlehem belonging to the Tribe of judah▪ But let such know, that the cruelty of Herod extended to all the coasts of Bethlehem, and so also reached to Benjamin, in whose confines Bethlehem was situated. Besides it is the opinion of some learned men, that the land about Bethlehem was called Rachel, from her sepulchre so eminent in these parts. Zelzah is hard by (in Hebrew a place shadowed, and therefore we have presumed to cover it with trees) where Saul f 1 Sam. 10. 2. according to samuel's prediction first heard tidings, that his Father had found his Asses, and feared the loss of his Son, who had found a kingdom. § 21. southward we find Asahels' sepulchre g 2 Sam. 2. 32. buried in the grave of his Father: How so many Kings in Bezek. and south-west-ward in the way to Hebron, Geruth-Chimham, the Manor or Mansion of Chimham, son of Ba●●illa●, no doubt bestowed on him by David according to his Princely promise, h 2 Sam. 19 38. to give him whatsoever he should choose or require. Many years after, johanan the Son of Kareah with the remnant of the poor jews, which had escaped the Baby●lonish captivity, dwelled at Geruth-Chimham i Jer. 41. 17. until contrary to Gods express command, hence they departed into Egypt. Almost full west lay Bezek, whose King Adonibezek was punished according to his own cruelty, who having cut off the Thumbs and Toes of threescore k judg. 1. 7. and ten Kings, caused them to gather their meat under l Gen. 27. 20. his table. Now if Isaac's question to jacob concerning his kid, was of consequence, how he came so quickly by it? The Quere here is more considerable, how came Adonibezek by so many Kings, to have them all at one time? With what Royal drag-net did he fish to catch so many together? Where got he these Kings? and where got they their kingdoms? Canaan being so small a Country. In answer hereunto, in the acception of the word King, we must grind the honour thereof the smaller, to make the number thereof the greater, communicating it to the Sons and Nephews of Toparchicall Princes, as honours in Germany equally descended to all in the family, and so the number is quickly made up. § 22. North of Bethlehem lay the Vale of Ephraim, The vale of Rephaim. or Vale of Giants, men of vast proportions, which the ancient Ages plentifully afforded. Yea, our English Antiquary m Com'd. Brit. in Northumberland. tells us, that Risingham a village in Northumberland in old Saxon, is nothing else then the dwelling place of Giants. In this vale of Rephaim, the Philistines (little less than Giants) were twice subdued; once at n 2 Sam. 5. 18. 20. Baalperazim, where God by the hand of David broke forth upon them as the breach of waters: and again, where God not only gave the success, but laid the design how the battle should be managed, namely as soon as he himself had sounded a charge out of the o 2 Sam. 5. 22, 23, 24. Mulberry trees, David was to fetch a compass, and fiercely to fall on his enemies. Well is God styled a man of war, who here ordered the battle himself, and well did David confess Thou teachest my hands to war, and fingers to fight, who here received from God particular instructions, how to regulate his Army. § 23. Mulberry Trees (pardon a digression) were plentiful in Palestine; Mulberry trees and silk plentiful in Palestine. A tree which may pass for the emblem of prudence, slow in consultation, swift in execution; for it putteth forth its leaves the last of all trees, but then (as it is said) all in one night, as if sensible of, and ashamed for its former neglect, she endeavours to overtake other trees with her double diligence. Men feed on the fruit, Silkworms on the leaves thereof: Creatures contemptible in themselves, admirable in their qualities, appearing Proteus-like in sundry shapes in the same year, eggs, worms, flies, finishing for the most part yearly their life and work together. But we leave these mysteries to be discussed by Naturalists, and will only add, that if the original of silk were well considered, Gallants had small cause to be proud of gay clothes, for from worms it came, and to worms shall the wearers thereof return. § 24. Store of the best silks were made and used in Palestine; Saul first made bravery frequent in Israel. amongst other favours bestowed by God on the ungrateful jews, this was one. I have girded thee about with fine linen, and covered thee with p Ezek. 1●. 10. silk. King Saul was the first, who made bravery frequent, and fashionable in Israel (little state and gallantry being used under the judges) when the Court and costly clothes began together, according to our Saviour's q Mat. 11. 18. saying, They that wear soft clothing are in King's houses: I say in the reign of King Saul, rich raiment began generally to be worn by the jews: r 2 Sam. 1. 24. Ye daughters of Israel weep over Saul, who clothed you in Scarlet and other delights: yea by the confession of the heathen writers, best silks both for fineness and colour were in Palestine. s In Esiacis. lib. 1. Pausani●s writes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The silk (saith he) of Elis in Greece gives not place in point of fineness to silk of the Hebrews, but is not like it in yellowness: whereby it appears, that the Hebrew silk-wormes were as good spinsters, and better Dyers than those in Greece, setting a better gloss and lustre on their work. So much for the silk in judea called Shesh in Hebrew, whence haply, that fine linen or silk is called Sashes worn at this day about the heads of eastern people. § 25. But to return to our description, ●maus where Christ appeared to the two Disciples. northwest from the vale of Giants lay the City of Emaus, afterwards called Nicopolis. Hither the two Disciples were a travelling, being about sixty furlongs from jerusalem, when Christ after his resurrection unknown joined himself to their company. They tax him for not knowing the news in Ier●salem, he reproves them for being ignorant of the sense of the Scriptures, which he began to declare unto them. O excellent expositor! Christ Commenting on his own prophecies, all which he first inspired, afterwards fulfilled, and now interpreted. As he put light into their heads; so also heat into their hearts, which t Luk. 24. 13. burned all the while he communed with them: only their eyes were held that they knew him not. Day, and their journey drew both to an end, when Christ makes as if he would go u Luk. 24. 28. farther; Truth cannot lie, but did simulate, only to try how welcome his company was to them. They constrain him to stay, (such civil violences prevail on heaven itself) and in breaking w Vers. 30. of Bread, he broke himself unto them: their eyes being opened, he left them full of joy and amazement. Nor have I ought else to observe of Emaus but that many years before, judas Macca●eus in that place got an eminent conquest, and defeated the voluminous Army x 1 Mac. 4. of Lysias. § 26. Hard by Emaus even at this day are shown the ruins of Zachariah his house, Zachariah his house. where john the Baptist was born, being the voice of a y Mat. 3. crier, begot of a dumb Father. This was that Zachariah who would not believe God without giving him a sign, and was punished that men could not understand him, without making of signs. To this place (than in a City in the Hill-country of judea) the blessed virgin Mary came with haste to congratulate the pregnancy of Elizabeth her Cousin; at the music of whose salutation, the babe danced for ●oy, and leapt in z Luk. 1. 41. the womb of Elizabeth. § 27. Hard by is the City Gebah belonging to the a josh. 21. 17. Priests; Gebah a City of the Levites. afterwards made a b 1 Sam. 13. 3. garrison of the Philistines, who therein were smote by jonathan. King Asa afterwards built, that is, repaired and enlarged this City, as also Mizpah, with the remainder of those materials, which King Baasha had provided for the fortifying of Ramah: Cities so near in situation, that after the captivity, their inhabitants are counted together in one c Nehem. 7. 30. sum, the men of Ramah and Gebah six hundred twenty and one, which returned from Babylon. § 28. We have hardly recovered into this map, David dancing before the Ark. the house of Obed-Edom, whence David in a most solemn procession brought the Ark to jerusalem, dancing himself before it in a linen Ephod, which was not so white, but that Michal found spots therein, or rather cast dirt thereon, censuring David d 2 Sam. 6. 20. a fool for his indiscretion. But, when holy zeal is arraigned at the bar of profaneness, and condemned either for folly, or e Act. 26. 24. madness, it may appeal from that sentence, and challenge its right to be tried by its Peers; carnal eyes being incompetent judges of spiritual actions. Yea, God himself here took the matter in hand, so ordering it, that for the future, Michal's daughter should never mock her husband on the like occasion, punishing her with perpetual barrenness. § 29. Look on the prospect of this map, Store of Storks in Palestin. especially the eastern parts thereof, and behold it overspread with trees of all sorts, Olive, Pine, Mulberry, Fir etc. Of the last saith the Psalmist, f Psal. 104. 17. and the fir-trees are a refuge for the Storks, breeding here in the greater abundance, because forbidden by the g Levit. 11. 19 levitical law to be fed upon. A speckled bird (therefore 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 niger, & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 albus, black and white) and is remarkable for their love to their parents, feeding them in their old age. Hence called Chesida in Hebrew, that is, the merciful bird; and in Dutch Oudevaer, that is, the carrier of the old one, because every Stork is an Aeneas bearing his Anchiseses on his back, carrying his Parent, when for age it cannot fly of itself. Some have confidently reported, that Storks will not live, save in a Republic; who may with as much truth affirm, that an Eagle, the Sovereign of birds, will not breed in a Commonwealth. Not to say, that Storks were named in the Monarchy of Adam, preserved in the Ark in the Monarchy of Noah. jeremy, who lived in the kingdom of judah, upbraided the ignorance of the people therein, Yea the h jer. 8. 7. Stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times. Which birds had they known their times, and the jews not known the birds, as frequent, and familiar with them, both the Prophet's illustration had been obscure, and exprobration improper for his present purpose. Finis Libri secundi. To the Right Honourable JOHN LORD ROSSE, Son to the Right Honourable JOHN EARL OF RUTLAND. MY LORD, IT hath been charged by Foreiners on our English Gentry, that many of them very knowing beyond the seas, have been strangers in their native Country; as able to give a better account of the Spa, than our own Bath; the diving of the Spanish Anas under ground, then of our own Rivers (Diverill in Wiltshire, and Mole in Surrey) wherein the same wonders of Nature are set forth in a lesser Edition. How just this accusation is, for the present I have no leisure to inquire, but am afraid, that too many of our nation are guilty of a greater Ignorance; That being quic● sighted in other kingdoms, and Countries, they are altogether blind as touching Judea, and the land of Palestine; the Home for their meditations, who are conversant in all the historical passages of Scripture. Yet I would not have any wilfully to expose themselves (as Saint Paul was against his will) to a 2 Cor. 11. 26. perils of waters, perils of Robbers, perils by the Heathen, etc. personally to pace and trace the land of Canaan: who rather conceive that precept to Abraham▪ b Gen. 13. 17. Arise, walk through the land in the breadth thereof, and in the length thereof, may be performed by us, even whilst we also follow the counsel of Joash to Amaziah, Abide c 2 Chr. 25. 19 now at home. This may be done by daily and diligent perusing of the Scriptures; and comparing the same with itself; (Diamonds only cut Diamonds) as also by consulting with such as have written the description of that Country. Amongst whom give me leave (though the unworthiest of thousands) to tender these my endeavours, to your Honour's serious perusal, and patronage, hoping my pains herein may conduce to the better understanding of the History of the Bible. I confess the doctrinal part of the Scripture is in itself most instructive to salvation. But as the rare relation of the woman of Samaria, * John 4. 39 first drew her neighbours to the sight of our Saviour, which afterwards believed on him, not for her words, but his own worth; so the delightful stories in the Bible have alured many (youth especially) to the reading thereof, the light (the historical part) first inviting their eyes, whose hearts were afterwards inflamed with the heat, the holy fire in the doctrine of God's word. Give me leave therefore my Lord, humbly to commend to your Honour, the constant reading of that, which eminently is termed The Scripture and the Bible or Book, all other being but scribbling and Pamphlets in comparison thereof. They contain what will make you wise unto salvation; and the study thereof will render your Lordship more truly honourable than your outward extraction. Great indeed was the privilege of Ruth, for whom purposely some handfuls were d Ruth 2. 16. let fall, for her to gather up. But greater the honour done to your Ancestors by our English Kings, above an hundred years since, who scattered some flowers (and other ornaments) out of their own Arms, therewith to deck and adorn those of your family. Yet know my Lord that the Bereans are e Acts 17. 11. pronounced more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, searching the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so: And by the same proportion your exact skill industriously attained in God's word, shall make your soul increase with the increase * Colos. 2. 19 of God; far more honourable than that Augmentation in Heraldry, which was conferred on your Ancestors. Remember I pray what David writes, I e Psal. 119. 96. have seen an end of all perfection, but thy commandment is exceeding broad. Oh imperfect perfection which hath an end! And indeed David lived in an Age, wherein he saw Goliath f 1 Sam. ●7. 51. the strongest overcome, Asahel the g 2 Sam. 2. 23. swiftest overtaken, Achitophel h 2 Sam. 17. 23. the wisest befooled, and Absalon the i 2 Sam. 14. 25. fairest deformed with a violent death. Yet still the immortal word outlived all casualties, and triumphed in defiance of opposition. Wherefore as the Jews were to provide a chest by the side of the Ark wherein the Law k Deut. 31. 26. was to be placed and kept, so I wish your Honour a large heart to be a repository for this Broad commandment of God, that therein you may carefully lay up and treasure the same, which when all earthly perfections prove false and fading, will furnish your soul with holiness here and happiness hereafter: which is the daily prayer of Your Honour's most humble servant THO. FULLER. Here followeth the description of Jerusalem. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY OF JERUSALEM. The third Book. CHAP. I. Of the several names and general situation of Jerusalem. § 1 WHen a woman often altereth her surname, it is a sign she hath been many times married; denominating of his wife from him, being parcel of the a Isa. 4. 1. marital privilege. But when a City in divers Ages hath different names, this speaks her successive subjection to several Lords, new owners imposing on her new appellations, as in our present subject plainly appears. For the City which we are to describe was called 1 b Gen. 14. 18. Salem, in the days of Abraham, when Melchisedec was King, and probably first founder thereof. Then it was but a small place, (the greatest Giant had once the cradle of his infancy) when mount Moriah (afterwards in the midst of the City, and a forest of houses) was as yet but a thicket of c Gen. 22▪ 13. thorns, wherein the Ram, the exchange for Isaac, was caught by the horns. 2 jebus. A name either of the whole or principal part thereof; so we read of the Levite * Judg. 19 10. that he came over against jebus, which is jerusalem. 3 jerusalem * It is of the dual number in Hebrew, because first consisting of two principal parts▪ Zion and the Lower City. ; so called, as the Fathers generally affirm, as the product of the union of jebus and Salem, B, for sounds sake being changed into R, which notwithstanding the propriety of the Hebrew tongue will not permit. For though chopping of letters be her common practice, yet, the jews (as they always married within their own Tribe, so they) exchanged letters of the same Lineage, (same Instrument) Labials for Labials, Gutturals for Gutturals, whereas betwixt Beth, & Resh in Hebrew no such affinity. Besides the turning of a tender melting B. into a surly rigid R. is not to levigate or mollify, but to make the name the harder in pronunciation. This drives others to seek out the Etymology thereof, as signifying in Hebrew, The vision of peace. But seeing Abraham d Gen. 22. 14. called an eminent place whereon it stood, jehovah-iireh, The Lord will be seen; perchance from the echo of the name jireh added to Salem, (that is, peace shall be seen or provided) the City might be called jerusalem, where having the essential Consonant●, the most various point-vowels are not so considerable. Forget we not that even in David's time, when the name of jerusalem was in fashion, the City was sometimes still called Salem: For in e Psal. 76. 2. Salem is his Tabernacle, and his dwelling in Zion. Thus it is usual in England in common discourse to cut off the former part of long-named Cities, Wes●chester, Southampton, Kingston on Hull, whilst the remnant Chester, Hampton, Hull sufficiently express them to ordinary capacities. 4 Hierosolyma, which indeed is no new name, but the old name in a new language, translated into Greek. Some f Euseb. li. 9 pr●par. evange. ●●ge●ippus. l. 5. ca 9 & Niceph. calixt. l. 10. cap. 33. Fathers will have it compounded from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Temple and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Solomon, that is, Solomon's Temple, as if the mixing of these Languages did promise, if not prophesy, in after ages a joint interest of jew and Gentile in the mysteries of Religion. But Saint g Absurdum esse peregrinae linguae mixtura demonstrat. Hieronymus Evagr●. Hierome is zealous against this Fancy, impatient that in the name of the principal City of the jews a Greek word should not only be mingled with, but preferred before the Hebrew. It is safer therefore to say, that Hierosolyma is nothing else but jerusalem grecized, or made Greek, and the conceit of the Temple of Solomon rather a witty allusion thereto, than a solid deduction thereof. 5 Solyma, being only the half of the former. For whereas Hierosolyma being a confluence of six short syllables was unmanagable in ordinary verse, Poets served this name (as the Ammonites the clothes of David's h 2 Sam. 10. 4. Ambassadors) cut it off in the middle. An i Statius sylvar. li. 5. in protr●ptico ad Crispinum. Solymum cinerem Palmetaque capta subibis? Wilt thou go under Salems' dust forsaken, Under the palmtrees lately captive taken? I conceive the name of Solyma not used by Authors till after our Saviour's suffering, though josephus (and probably out of him Tacitus) writes that Homer makes mention thereof, as indeed we find it k 〈◊〉. z●ta, & Odyss. Beta. twice in his Poems, never for this City in judea, but for a place and people in Lycia. I will not say that the curtling of jerusalem into Solyma after our Saviour's time, was a sad prognostic that this spacious City should suddenly in the fire of civil war be boiled away to the half, yea afterwards shrink to so unconsiderable a smallness that a monosyllable, yea a bare letter were too long a name for it. 6 Aelia, so named from Aelius H●drianus the Emperor, who built some part of it again, and made it a Garrison. 7 jerusalem, recovering the ancient name again, whilst for some hundred of years it was in the possession of the Christians. 8 l Sands Trau. li. 3. pag. 155. Cuds, so called at this day by the Mahometans, who are the present owners thereof, which signifies Holy in their language. Here we omit those many appellations given jerusalem in Scripture: The m Isa. 1. 21. faithful City, the City of the great n Mat. 5. 35. King, the o Mat. 27. 53. holy City, because these are not proper names, but glorious Epithets thereof. § 2. Concerning the general situation of jerusalem, three things herein are remarkable: first it was placed, as p De bell● jud. lib. 3. cap. 4. josephus reports, in the very middle of judea. But herein critical exactness is not to be observed, (the heart itself is not so unpartially in the midst of the body, but that if not in position, yet in motion it propends to the left side) for jerusalem inclines more to the south of the Country. As jerusalem was the navel of judea, so the Fathers make judea the midst of the world, whereunto they bring (not to say, bow) those places of Scripture, Thou hast wrought salvation in the midst of the earth. Indeed seeing the whole world is a round Table, and the Gospel the food for men's souls, it was fitting that this great dish should be set in the midst of the Board that all the guests round about might equally reach unto it; and jerusalem was the Centre whence the lines of salvation went out into all lands. Yea Ptolemy dividing the (then-known) world into seven Climates, placed jerusalem as the Sun, in the fourth Climate, proportionably to what is said in the q Ezek. 5. 5. Prophet, I have set it in the midst of the Nations, and the Countries that are round about her. § 3. Secondly, it had high r Eusebius saith that jerusalem was called anciently, Algariza, that is, The 〈◊〉 mountain. mountains under it, and lower about it, which as dutiful servants at distance seemed to attend it. jerusalem had a mountain for her footstool, and her floor was higher than the roof of other Cities: no doubt the Emblem of the strength, stateliness, and stability of God's Church in glory. High and hard climbing thither, but plain and pleasant dwelling there. § 4. Lastly, it was distanced from the sea well-nigh forty miles, having no navigable River near unto it. For God intended not jerusalem for a staple of trade, but for a ROYAL EXCHANGE OF RELIGION, chiefly holding correspondency with Heaven itself, daily receiving blessings thence, duly returning praises thither. Besides, God would not have his virgin people the jews, wooed with, much less wedded to outlandish fashions. And if s In perap. Evang lib. 12. cap. 27. Eusebius may be credited, for the self same reason, Plato in imitation of jerusalem, would have that City, wherein the model of his imaginary Commonwealth should be set up, to be seated some miles from the sea, lest foreign merchandise should by degrees bring in foreign manners into it. CHAP. II. The particular Situation, Circuit; Populousness, Beauty and strength thereof. § 1 IT will be pain-worthy to inquire into the exact situation of jerusalem in what Tribe it was placed, the rather because several testimonies of Scripture entitle both judah and Benjamin unto the possession thereof. For JUDAH. Josh. 15. 63. And for the jebusites, the inhabitants of jerusalem, the children of judah could not drive them out, but the jebusites dwell with the children of judah at jerusalem unto this day. Judg. 1. 8. Now the children of judah had fought against jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the City on fire. For BENJAMIN. Josh. 18. 28. And Zelah, Eleph, and jebus, (which is jerusalem) Gibeah and Kiriath. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families. Judg. 1. 12. And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the jebusites that inhabited jerusalem, but the jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in jerusalem unto this day. FOR BOTH: Nehem. 11. 4. And at jerusalem dwelled certain of the children of judah, and of the children of Benjamin. This fifth and last place is a good Comment on the four former, namely, that this City (though the jebusites long disturbed their quiet possession) jointly belonged to both Tribes, neither claiming it totally as his, both truly as theirs; Nor a Nu●▪ 36. 9 was this any confused mixture of their inhetances (flatly forbidden in the law) but methodical (if not mystical) meeting thereof, so that judah and Benjamin (which alone persisted loyal to God and their King) had their possessions lovingly shaking hands in jerusalem, the solemn place appointed for God's public service. § 2. jerusalem was fifty b josephus' contra Appi●n. lib▪ prim●. furlongs in circuit, which reduced to our English account amounts to six miles and a quarter. In which compass multitudes of People did inhabit, and three different degrees of the populousness of this place are very remarkable. 1 Ordinary, even in vacation-time, when there was no springtide, or usual confluence of people more than the proper Citizens thereof, and those no fewer than one hundred and fifty c josep. ibid. thousand. 2 Extraordinary, at the three annual Terms, (as I may call them) I mean the three Feasts general of the jews, Passeover, Pentecost, the feast of Tabernacles, when all the able males d Exod. 34, 23. of Israel appeared with an offering before God. 3 Superextraordinary, when this City was sacked by the Romans, and when all sorts, and sexes (some drawn with devotion, more driven for protection) flocked thither, insomuch that by fire, famine, sword, civil discord, and foreign force, eleven hundred e I●sep. B●l. juda. ca gr. 45. lat. 17. thousand are said to be slain therein. Incredible it seems that so many should be penned in this place, except the people therein (as when they crowded about Christ, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 f Luk. 8. 45. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) did throng and press one on another. But we must consider that flying thither for shelter, they had room enough, if they had but room enough, not aiming at any convenient, (much less delightful habitations,) but only a bare lodging in jerusalem, where for the time being, every single chamber was made a several family, and every story multiplied into a street whilst the siege continued. § 3. And therefore it is most justly recounted asone of the ten wonders (whereof the Rabbins take especial notice amongst the jews) that ●●ver * Aboth. R. Nat●●n per. 34 any man did say to his fellow, I have not found a bed in jerusalem to lie in; nor did ever any ma● say to his fellow, My lodging is too straight for me in jerusalem. As if ●he place were of a Chevril nature, to extend to the proportion of the People therein. Indeed it was part of God's goodness when he brought his Vine out of Egypt, then also to prepare * Psal. 80. 9 room for it, which he performed here accordingly, even to admiration. § 4. Now amongst the natives of jerusalem, many no doubt were the eminent Persons born therein, especially, if the rabbinical tradition be true, that wheresoever the particular place of any Prophet's birth is not set down, there it is to be presumed that he was of jerusalem. By this observation, Nathan, Gad, Isaiah, Daniel, Hosea, joel, Habakkuk, etc. should be town-born children of jerusalem. But we leave it uncertain whether this place gave the cradles to these, being too sure that it gave the coffins to too many worthy messengers of God, O jerusalem, g Mat. 23. 37. jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee. § 5. The structure of this City was beautiful and high, of hewed freestone, very uniform, whether in respect of the houses, or streets, one toanother: h Psal. 122. 3. jerusalem 〈◊〉 builded as a City which is at unity in itself. Their roofs were flat ●nd fenced with battlements, by special i Deut. 22. 8. command from God▪ to prevent casualties of people falling thence. These roofs were the jews watch-towers for prospect, galleries for pleasure and (which was the worst) their ●igh places for Idolatry. Which causeth the Prophet's complaint more than k jer. 19 13. & jer. 32. 29. once, That thereon they burned incense unto all the host of Heaven. Surely the weight of this wickedness did break the strongest beams, and stiffest rafters in the Palaces of jerusalem. For, though Idols be lighter than vanity itself, in point of power, and efficacy; they are heavier than lead to press the place down with divine vengeance. § 6. As for the strength of jerusalem, we must in the first place listen to Iu●ah his song, l Isa. 26. 1. We have a strong City, salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. The Spaniards come off poorly with their brag, that they have Madrid a City in Castille walled with m joan. Mena Poeta Mercat. pag. 118. in Atlante. fire; which at last proves nothing else but that there be many quarries of flint found round about it. But, most true it is that God promised jerusalem, n Zech. 2. 5. he would be unto her a wall of fire round about: which promise he for his part, would most surely have kept, and performed, had not the sins of the jews forced him to break it, in vindication of his own justice. § 7. As for the outward fortifications thereof, it was encompassed with a o joseph. lib. 6. B●ll▪ I●d. ●a. 6. treble wall, save where it was begirt with unpassable valleys, and there one wall did suffice. This wall was fenced with a ditch, cut out of a rock, saith p Con. App. lib. 1. josephus, and q Geogr. li. 16. pag. 762. Strabo, sixty foot deep, and two hundred and fifty foot broad; the former not acquainting us with the author thereof, so prodigious a work may well be conceived, a performance of many successive Princes therein. It seems, it was made the deeper because it was dry: r Idem ibid●●. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, well watered within, and dry without, is the character our author gives of the City. This I dare say, the breadth of this ditch exceeds the proportion of all modern regular fortifications, for in Breda itself (the platform wherein, may be the platform for other places) the ditch is no broader than the rampire at the bottom thereof. And now, what s Psal. 48. 12. David principally intended mystically, comes to our place literally to endeavour, Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulworks, consider her palaces, that ye may tell it to the generation following. And to follow the motion of the Sun, we will begin at the East, and so forward. CHAP. III. Of the Gates thereof. § 1. BE it premised, Four sort● of Gates in jerusalem. that many difficulties in this subject have been caused by men's unwary confounding of the several natures of the gates in jerusalem, which for the clearing of the truth, must carefully be distinguished into four sorts, in sundry places serving for different employments. Gates 1 In the outwall, giving ingress and egress to passengers, the sole subject of our present discourse. 2 In the in-walls, (like Temple-bar opening out of Fleetstreet into the Strand) being partitions within jerusalem. Such the Iron-gate through which a Act. 12. 10. Saint Peter went out of prison, to the house of Mary the mother of john Mark. 3 Leading to the Courts of the Temple: (as Saint Austins-gate into Saint Paul's Churchyard) such the b Act. 3. 2. beautiful gate etc. 4 Of the King's palace: (like Bulwark- gate, and Iron-gate leading to London tower) as the gate c 2 Chr. 23. 15. whereby the horses came into the King's house. Now such as promiscuously make all these to be out-gates of jerusalem engage themselves in difficulties, and deceiv● others thereby. For prevention whereof we will only insist on the gates of the first qualification. § 2. Begin we with the Sheep-gate on the east of jerusalem, The Sheep-gate. in d Nehem. 3. 1. Nehemiahs' time owing the reparation thereof to Eli●shib the high Priest, and his brethren. Through this gate the sheep were driven in, and all other cattle designed for sacrifice, as the nearest way to the Temple. § 3. Next followeth the Golden-gate (not mentioned in Scripture, The Golden-gate. but mee●ly depending on e Br●c. it●. 6. Sal. 〈◊〉. 9 c. 4. Breid. 14. Iul▪ Pasch. d. 184. humane authority,) so called because gilt all over, vulgar beholders (who carry no touchstones in their eyes) accounting all massy gold which is richly gilded. Popish f See Adricho. Theatrum Terr. sanct. p●. ●67. authors add that when our Saviour in an humble but solemn equipage road on an Ass colt to the Temple, this gate opened unto him of its own accord: a pretty proportionable fiction. For, if the g Act. 11. 9, 10. Iron-gate opened to Peter a Disciple, no less than a Golden-gate could offer entrance to Christ his Master. Only here's the difference, we receive the one as recorded in Scripture, and re●u●e the other as not reported therein, especially our Saviour having ●o fair an occasion to make mention thereof. For when the Pharisees questioned him for not silencing the children's Hosa●a●s, and when he returned, th●t if they h Luk. 19 00. should hold their peace, the stones would immediately ●ry out, how easy had it been for him to add, that the very walls of the City had already opened their mouths (their gates) to receiv● him? § 4. Thirdly, The Horse-gate. the Horse-gate by the King's palace, through which the grooms brought the King's hor●●s, to water them in the brook of Kidron, yet some erroneously make this the same with the Water-gate. The Prophet points at the exact position thereof towards b jer. 31. 40. the east, and we find the mention, but not the re-edifying of this gate in i Nhem. 3. 28. Nehemiah; a Presumption, that it was not so ruinous as the rest, and not needing much reparation. As for 〈◊〉, who cried Treason, Treason, (the fox the finder) when she was the greatest Traitor herself: on the k Compare▪ 2 King. 11. 16. with ● Chr. 23. 1●. Comparing of Scripture it will appear that the Horse-gate whereat she was killed, was not this City gate, but another so named leading from the Temple to the the King's Palace▪ § 5. Fourthly, The Water-gate. the Water-gate, In a fall, or declivity of ground, l Neh. 12. 37. full east. So called, because thereat▪ all the rewers, channels, and watercourses of the City, flowed out, and ran into the brook Cedron▪ No mention in Nehemiah of the repairing hereof, for the reason aforesaid. Indeed, if in his time the jews had the novo, from the very ground begun the building of the walls, and gates thereof, it had been impossible, they could have finished that work m Neh. 6. 15. in two and fifty days. Whereby it appears, they only mended those places, which were most in dilapidation. This was the East-gate, emphatically so called n Jer. 19 2. by the Prophet, and opened into the valley of the children of Hinnom. § 6. Thus far the gates on the east of jerusalem. On the south thereof▪ Why no gates on the south of jerusalem. where Zion (or the City of David) lay, we meet with no gates at all, the precipice of the rock affording no passable ascent on that side, so that men must go first through jerusalem, and then into Zion. I dare not say that herein jerusalem was a type of the Militant, as Zion (more mounted) of the Triumphant Church, although there be no access for those which are without into the happiness of the latter, but by taking the holiness of the former in their passage thereunto. § 7. Come we now to the west, in the southermost part whereof, we light on the Fountain-gate, The Fountain-gate. near the pool of Shiloah whence it took its o Nehem 3. 15. name, nigh to which on the inside, were those p Neh. 12. 37. stately stairs, whereby men went up to the City of David. This gate was in Nehemiahs' time repaired by q Nehem. 3. 15. Shallum the Son of Col-hozeh. § 8. Next to this the Dung-gate. The Dung-gate. A gate in greatness, though but a postern for the private use thereof, through which the offal, and excrements of the City were conveyed. Appliable to this place, is that which the r 1 Cor. 12. 22. Apostle speaketh, of some parts of the body▪ Nay, much more thos● members of the body, which seem to be feeble, are necessary. This gate, though of small honour, was of great use, and all jerusalem had been a Dung-City▪ but for the Dung-gate. Yea, the noisomer soil carried out hereat, and conveyed hence into the gardens thereabouts, was by nature's Chemistry converted into wholesome herbs, and fragrant flowers growing there. The Dung-gate in the days of Nehemiah, was set up, with the doors, locks, and bars thereof, by s Nehem. 3. 4. Malchiah the son of Rechab. § 9 Next follows the Valley-gate, The Valley-gate. commonly but wrongfully placed on the east side of the City; chiefly on this account, because the valley of Kidron lieth on that side thereof. As if this valley alone was near Ierusa●lem, which by the Psalmist is described t P●al. 125. 2. with the mountains round about it, and so by necessary consequence must be surrounded with valleys interposed betwixt it and those mountains▪ This gate stood in the northwest▪ opening into the valley of Carcases, lying betwixt it, and Mount Calvary. Here Nehemiah began, u Neh. 2. 13. 15. and ended his surveying the ruins of the walls▪ going by night, because loath to be seen, and loath to see so sad a sight. This valley-gate was in his time repaired by w Neh. 3. 13. Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah. § 10. Having thus surveyed the east, The Corner-gate. south and west, come we now to the northern part of the City. Where, first, we find the Corner-gate, whose angular position speaks it to participate of two points, being seated in the very flexure of the wall from the east to the north. It was distanced from the gate of Ephraim just four hundred cubits, all which space of the wall was broken down by joash a 2 Chr. 25. 23. King of Israel when he conquered Amaziah, that his Army might march in triumphantly with the greater state. Pride we see hath not only an high neck, but also a broad breast (especially when setting her arms by her side) so large a passage must be cleared for her entrance. Afterwards King Uzziah rebuided this gate, and adorned it with towers, yea fortified all the b 2 Chr. 26. 9 turning of the wall. For, as the elbows of garments ought to be made the strongest, as most subject to wearing out: so (walls being the clothes of Cities, without which they are naked) wise Uzziah adjudged it necessary, that this Corner-gate, and wall bending thereabout, should have most cost and care expended in the fortification thereof, § 11. No mention of the repairing of this gate in Nehemiah, Why not repaired in Nehemiahs' time. which prompteth us with these conjectures: 1 Either that it was then dammed up. jerusalem after the captivity being large in extent, and thin in people, (many uninhabited places being left therein) probably in policy they contracted the number of their gates, the multiplying whereof did require more money and men to guard them. Or c For this gate is mentioned Zech. 14. 10. rather, 2 Being so lately built by Uzziah, it might notneed much mending, as left standing, and undemolished by the Babylonians. For, in the sacking of a City it often fareth with the gates as with the men thereof, it is hard if some do not escape, and survive the destruction. Yea, sometimes conquerors are pleased to spare some parcel of walls, out of pity (not to the place but) to themselves, finding the structure thereof of so firm constitution, that it requires more pains than it will return profit in the levelling thereof. § 12. Next comes the gate of Ephraim. The gate of Ephraim. so called, not because standing in, but opening towards the Tribe of Ephraim. I deny not, but that some Ephraimites, after their return from captivity, dwelled in d 1 Chr. 9 3. jerusalem, from whose habitations hard by, this gate might, in probability, borrow his name; but prefer the former notation as most natural. For usual it is, both for streets and gates, to take their denomination from such places (though at great distance) to which they lead. Witness Kentish-street in e Stow's survey of London. pag. 448. South-wark, for that it is the way (saith my author) leading into that County, the street itself otherwise being in Surrey: and witness Winchester-gate in Sarisbury, so named, because through it travellers pass to Winchester, a City twenty miles off: and (an instance best known to Scholars) Trumpington-street in Cambridge, so called from a village some two miles thence. This gate was probably destroyed, when joash King of Israel entering jerusalem, broke down four hundred cubits of the wall, from the gate of Ephraim, to the Co●●er-gate, where I conceive, the particle from is to be taken inclusively (so that both the gates were cast into that account) the rather, because Pride, and Cruelty, always, when they make measure, give in the advantage. § 13. Next the Old-gate: The Old-gate. so called (as Bonsrerius will have it) because extant here, ever since Melchisedec was the founder thereof. If so, it was an Old-old-gate indeed. But, as men having out lived all Registers, account themselves; so gates having outlasted all memories, are accounted by others, more ancient then truly they are. However, no wonder, if in Nehemiahs' time the decays of so old a fabric, called to the charity of * Nehem. 3. 6. jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodajah jointly to repair them. § 14. Next the Fish-gate. The Fish-gate. By mistake generally placed in the west wall, merely because joppa on the Mediterranean sea, whence they fancy all fish (as if no more ways to the water, than one) must come to jerusalem, lay on the west thereof. Whereas in Scripture we find no express of fish for man's eating (but one which eat a man, jonab his Whale) mentioned from thatplace, whilst whole shoals were caught in the Sea of Galilee, or lake of Tiberias, lying north of jerusalem▪ Indeed Tyre, lying almost full north from this City, was the staple place, which furnished it with fish (as appears in f Nehe. 13. 16. Nehemiah) which through this gate was brought to jerusalem. Surely, the provisions of any populous place in long time will tyre, if only going on feet, or flying on wings, and not also swimming with fins, having fish as well as flesh and fowl for their repast, as here in jerusalem. And although no sacrifices of fish were by God appointed to be offered unto him, yet hence the less wholesomeness, or cleanness of them cannot justly be inferred; because they were improper for offerings, living in an element wherein men had no conversation. This gate was g Nehem. 3. 3. repaired by the sons of Hassenaah. § 15. The gate of Benjamin doth only remain, The gate of Benjamin. he the least in his father's family, this the last amongst the gates of jerusalem, standing in the north. east part thereof. Indeed we find two gates of Benjamin in jerusalem (two of the same name, in one City, no wonder, the double Newgate in London, the later new made postern into moorfield's may be an instance thereof) one called the highgate of Benjamin, where Pashur put the h Jer. 20. 2. Prophet jeremy in the stocks, which was by the house of the Lord, and therefore probably a gate of the Temple. The other was an out-gate of the City leading into the land of Benjamin, whither jeremy was going to separate himself, when the Captain of the i Jer. 37. 13. guard in this gate, seized him in his passage, falsely accused him, and occasioned his imprisonment. § 16. Here I cannot but wonder at many * Arias Montanus, Adricho●ius, & M. Moor. learned men, A strange mistake in learned men. who make this Gate of Benjamin, to be the same with the Corner-gate. I deny not but that in many Cities it is usual, for one and the same gate to have several names, as I have learned from my industrious, and judicious k M. william Summer in his Antiquitles of Canturbury pa. 16. & 17. friend in his description of Canterbury, how Burgate, and Saint Michaels-gate are the same▪ and so Newin-gate, and Saint Georges-gate in that ancient City▪ But the fancy of the foresaid authors, is directly oppossite to the words of the l Zech. 14. 10. Prophet, foretelling that jerusalem should be inhabited from Benjamin gate, unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner-gate, etc. where we may behold these two gates, Benjamin, and the Corner-gate, set at terms at great distance, and a considerable space interposed. This gate was not repaired in Nehemiahs' time for the reasons formerly alleged. § 17. These are all the gates of jerusalem, The Needles-eye. whereof express mention in Scripture. Some fancy another, called the Needles-eye, so low, and little only men might enter thereat. These conceive our Saviour's expression, m Mat. 19 24. It is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man [ n Mark. 10. 24. trusting in his riches] to enter into the kingdom of God, intended this small postern; where, the bunch on the Camels back, was the Porter to shut it against him, for entering in thereat. But, we listen hereunto, as to a fable, and account the threading of o Camden. in Yorkshire pag. 700. Saint Wilfrides' needle, as a conceit (though much later and of a different nature) to have as much gravity, and truth therein. CHAP. IU. Of the Towers on or about jerusalem. § 1. BEsides these gates, The Tower of M●●●. jerusalem was beautified▪ and fortified with many towers proportionably interplaced, though we find but few of them recorded by name. Amongst these we meet with the tower of t Nehem. 3. 1. & 12. 39 Meah, that is, the hundred tower, so called either because so many cubits high, or so many distanced from some other tower, or because a just Century of towers was at it begun or finished. It was built after the captivity by Eliashib u Nehem. 3. 1. and his brethren the Priests. § 2. The Tower of furnaces, The tower of furnaces. standing in the West, north of the Valley gate, jointly repaired by w Neh. 3. 11▪ Malchiah, and Hashub. So called (thinks Adrichomius) from fire kept there as a signal to seafaring men; But oh woeful those Mariners, who in a dark night had no better direction than what they received thence, above forty miles from the sea, and many mountains interposed! rather it might serve for some Beacon, or landmark, or might take its name from some fire in the corpse du guard constantly preserved therein. § 3. The tower of Hananeel in the east part. The tower of Hananeel. So called, no doubt, from the first builder thereof. It was in Nehemiahs' time repaired by Eliashib the d Nehem. 3. 1. high Priest, and his brethren. brethren 4. The Tower e Nehem. 3. 25. that lieth out from the King's high house, The tower that lieth out. nigh unto which Palal the son of Uzai, repaired in Nehemiahs' time. Not that the prominency of this extravagant Tower, hindered the uniformity of the walls, but the fencing of the City, required such situation thereof. § 5. The Great f Nehem. 3. 27. tower that lieth out, The great tower that lieth out. different from the former, else the builders of the wall in Nehemiahs' time, made no progress in the work; in the east of the City, over against which the Tekoites did repair. § 6. The Tower of g Nehem. 3. 19 David, The tower of David. furnished with an armoury, at the south-west turning of the wall, over against which Ezer the son of joshua repaired. Christ compareth the neck of his h Cant. 4. 4. spouse to this Tower for the whiteness and proportionable length thereof. § 7. But among all these, The tower of Siloe. most remarkable was the Tower of Siloe (near unto the water of Siloe whence it fetched its name) on the west side of the City, which killed * Luk. 13 4. eighteen men with the fall thereof. Yet, the stones of this tower fell not more heavy on their bodies, than the censure of uncharitable jews did on their memories, condemning them for the greatest sinners in all jerusalem, as whose offences were mounted so high, that nothing less or lower than the fall of a tower, could depress their Persons, and impieties to the pit of perdition. False position to maintain, that those have wrought the most sin, who are brought to most shame, and confuted by our Saviour, assuring the jews, if they did not repent, they should likewise perish: likewise; certitudine, non similitudine poenae. Yea, in a mystical meaning, those incredulous jews who rejected our Saviour, did not only fall on a stone, and so were broken, but also the stone fell on them, by reason of their infidelity, and h Mat. 21. 44. ground them to powder. § 8. We will conclude with the Tower of Ophel, The tower of Ophel where the Nethinims dwelled. so named from darkness, as some would have it, because always cloudy and misty at the high top thereof: But though the Etymology of Ophel be obscure, the situation and use thereof is clear in Scripture, over against the i Nehem. 3. 26. Water-gate, where the Nethinims had their habitation. Understand not all of them at once, but so many of their society, as for the time being, were in ordinary attendance about the Temple, whilst the rest lived in other k Ezra 2. 70. Cities assigned unto them. § 9 These Nethinims were descended from those Gibeonites, Their service, and privileges who for their fallacy put on joshua, and the people of Israel, were condemned to the drudgery of God's service. l Josh. 9 27. Thus the father's lying tongues, cost their children many aching arms, and weary backs, with hewing of wood, and drawing of water. Saul was a great m 2 Sam. 21. 2. persecutor, David a grand preserver of them, who first made them a Corporation: n Ezra 8. 20. He and his Princes appointing them for the service of the Levites, when first we find them called Nethinims, (to bury the odious name of Gibeonites) that is, persons given to to pious uses. These for many generations approving their industry in God's service, washed out the stains of their Father's falsehood, with the sweat of their fidelity: and in process of time, (though Hivites by extraction) attained to some honour above the natives of Israel. For whereas the sons of Barzillai were put by their places in the o Ezra 2. 62. Priesthood, because they could not clear their pedigree; the Nethinims continued in their place whose p Ezra 2. 43. genealogies were exactly, derived▪ Yea, whereas other Israelites were subject to heavy taxes, after their captivity, the Nethinims were exempted from all tribute (pity their purses and persons should both bear burdens) by the bounty of the Kings of Persia. Whose liberality, though a Pagan, to God's worship (like the precious ointment on q Psal▪ 133. 2. A●rons head which ran down to his beard, even to the skirts of his garment) flowed from the Priests and Levites, by the singers, and porters, to the Net●inims (the very verge, and utmost hem of Temple officers) by his especial grace taking r Ezra 7. 24. order, that it should not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom upon them. § 10. Many more towers not mentioned in Scripture, The Tower of women. were about jerusalem, as the m joseph. Bel. jud. li. 6. c. 2. 5. Tower of women, remarkabl● in josephus. But, why i● was so called (what have women to do with war?) I will give him a satisfactory answer, who first resolves me, why the Roman Fortification of twelve acres of ground n Ca●d. Brit. in Dorset. shire. And another so called in York●●ire. near Dorchester, is called Maidens-castle. But, we refer all the towers of josephus his reporting (not appearing in Scripture) to our particular Map of jerusalem, as by him described. Come we now to make some observations on such as were the builders of the City walls, in the days of Nehemiah, because it was built on the same Area or floor with that in Solomon's time, and we meet with many remarkables in the history thereof. CHAP. V. Observations on the repairers of the walls of Jerusalem, in the days of Nehemiah. § 1. Minister's ought to lead the Van, The high Priest begins the building. and be the first, and forwardest in all pious projects. Behold here Eliashib the high Priest, with the Priests his brethren, begin the work, and built the Sheep-gate. A gate ministerial unto the Temple, (through which the sheep were brought intended for sacrifices) and therefore, as it was fit it should have the pre-eminence to be first repaired: so the Priests were the most proper persons to be employed therein. Of this gate it is solely, and singularly said, that they a Nehem. 3. 1. sanctified it, which dedication speaks it set apart to holy service as introductory of the offerings into the house of God. § 2. Great is the influence of the Pastors' example, People of all sorts second them. on the people's practice. Many hands make light work, behold a troop of builders cometh, of all Professions, private persons, public officers, whole families of all jointly, Levites, Merchants, Goldsmiths, Apothecaries etc. of all Places, from jericho, Tekoa, Gibeon, Mizpah, Zanoah etc. Sexes, both men and women. Next repaired Shallion the son of Halloesh, the ruler of the half of jerusalem, he, d Nehem. 3. 12. and his daughters. What, had their tender hands any skill to carve stones, or weak shoulders any strength to carry mortar? Or, was it suitable with the modesty of their sex, to climb ladders, clamber scaffolds, seeing there is no acting for any builders, but upon such stages? Surely they refused no pains proportionable with decency to their power; and what was wanting in their persons, supplied with their purse, expending it (perchance) out of their own portions. And, if orphans money put into the Chamber of London, be accounted so sure; God (no doubt) did repay, what they laid out on the walls of jerusalem. § 3. Now whereas Shallum their Father is styled ruler of the half part of jerusalem, Why after the captivity, two governor's to one city. rather subtle then solid is the note of Tremellius e Vid● ejus Annot. in Nehem. 3. 12. thereupon. For, saith he, jerusalem being in two Tribes (judah and Benjamin) had therefore two rulers thereof. Not considering, how in the same Chapter, other smaller Cities, and those undoubtedly whole and entire in one Tribe, had notwithstanding two governor's over them, and those benefactors to the building of jerusalem; As Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of f Ibid. ver. 14. part of Beth-haccarem. Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, Ibid. ver. 15. the ruler of part of Mizpah. Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the h Ibid. ver. 16. half part of Bethzur. Hashabiah, the ruler of the half i Ibid. ver. 17. part of Keilah. Banai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the k Ibid. ver. 18. half part of Keilah. Now the dividing of the command of the City betwixt two Governors, so usual at this very time, and no● notably extant in Scripture, before, or after the days of Neh●miah, leads us to this probable opinion, that immediately upon the jews return from Babylon, the Persian Emperor (from whom all Commissions were derived) would not entrust any jew with the sole rule of a strong City, but for the better security, parted it betwixt two, who had joint, but distinct dominion therein: That whilst they with mutual jealousy observed the actions each of other, both might preserve the interest of their Master. § 4. In building the Old gate two co-founders were joined together, The builders of one gate. namely, 1 jehoiada the son of l Nehem. 3. 6▪ Paseah. 2 Meshullam the son of Besodaiah. I will not say that as York Minster was built by Percy m Camd. B●it. in the descrip. of Yorkshire. and Vavasour, the one giving stone, the other timber to that structure: so the building of this gate was in like manner advanced betwixt them; but hence observe, that it is no shame for one to admit a partner in that weighty work, which he caunot wield by himself. Blame worthy their pride, or peevishness, who will not have that good design done at all, which can not all be done by themselves. § 5. Whereas Malchiah the son of Rechah is recorded builder of the Dung-gate (no needless port in that City, The founder of the Dung-gate conceived by so●e a Rechabite. seeing in populous places, Perfumers may be spared with less loss to the public, than Scavangers) some n Villalpandus in locum. conceive this Malchiah to have been a Rechabite by descent, and a ceremonious observer of their Ancestors instructions, not to drink o jer. 35. 6. wine, nor build house, but to live in tents, with other Canonical obediences. Nor was this building of the wall of jerusalem any breach of their vow; partly; because a public, no private edifice; and partly, because those their ceremonious observances, probably terminated at the Babylonish captivity. This Malchiah they make heir of the family of the Rech●bites, according to the Prophetical promise, that one of that house p Ibid. ver. 19 should not fail to stand before God for ever. But, whether herein Interpreters do not take more than the text tenders unto them, be it reported to others. § 6. It is signally observed, Younger before the elder in goodness. that Hanun the q Neh. 3. 30. sixth son of Zalaph, repaired a piece of the wall. But, where were his five elder brethren? Were they dead, or absent, or idle, or impotent? The Scripture giveth no account of them, only the sixth son is recorded for his forwardness herein. In matters of piety, there is no standing on useless (yea on dangerous) modesty. No breach of good manners, to go before our betters in goodness, or for the younger brother in nature, to gain the birthright in grace. § 7. It is said of Baruch the son of Zabbai verse 20. Baruch repaired earnestly. (and of him alone it is said) that he earnestly r Neh. 3. 20. repaired the other piece. What, did the others work but in jest, because this Accent earnestly, is only put over the piece he repaired? Is not this mark of honour on him, a brand of infamy on the rest? No surely, though probably his zeal was paramount in the employment; and what if the word earnestly▪ (set there almost in the very midst, amongst all the builders) be to be taken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, relating to all the rest, before, and behind it? § 8. It is observed, Persons repairing against their own houses. that many men repaired only against their own s Ibid. ver. 28. 29. etc. houses. This, though at the first sight it may seem the fruit but of a narrow soul, and private spirit, yet effectually advanced the work. Yea, it is particularly recorded of Meshullam the son of Berechiah, who likely was but a lodger, and no housekeeper, that he repaired over t Ibid. ver. 30. against his Chamber. Oh, if order were observed for every one to mend his own heart, or house, how would personal amendment by degrees quickly produce family-city-countrey-kingdome-reformation? How soon are those streets made clean, where every one sweeps against his own door? § 9 Some doubled their files, Doublers with credit in the work. as Merimoth the son of Urijah the son of Coz, who having formerly been a repairer (verse 4.) comes again the second time to build (verse 21.) out of doubt the same person, as having the same name, father, and grandfather. Let him have double praise, for his double pains; who not being weary of well doing, dealt with the wall of jerusalem, as the Philippians with Saint Paul, u Phil. 4. 16. once and again relieving the necessity thereof. § 10. The nobles of Tekoah are taxed for not putting their necks to the work w Nehem. 3. 5. of their Lord. The degenerous nobles of Tekoah. Strange that now they should discover such unseasonable pride. Had they not lately returned from Babylon? Could not seventy years' banishment from their own, and captivity in a foreign land, humble them to purpose? Me thinks, so long suffering should have broken (though not their hearts) their stomaches. But, oh the difference betwixt being low, and being lowly! No afflictions, except seasoned, and sanctified, are sufficient to bring down men's natural corruption. This negligence of the Tekoite nobility in God's cause was so much the more conspicuous, because of the double diligence of the Tekoite commoners therein; for, they had two shares in this adventure, building, Nehem. 3. v. 5. and again they had verse 27. another bout in the same service. Except any will say, that by the Tekoites in the second mention of them, their nobility are intended; who, sensible of their own dishonour, for their former backwardness, played an aftergame, to repair their credit; which is affirmed without any proof, and with little probability. § 11. Some here will demand, Quaere concerning Nehemiah. What did Nehemiah himself all the while? did he only look on, work with his eyes, and command others to labour? Or was he like the Scribes x Mat. 23. 4. and Pharisees, who bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be born, and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers? § 12. It is answered, Answer, with his privative and po●●tive bounty to this building. his zeal was active, and exemplary in God's work, and therein expressed itself, 1 Privatively, in forbearing the salary of the Governor, which his predecessors did, and he might justly receive. In this respect, one may truly say, that each gate, tower, and piece of wall in jerusalem, was in part repaired with Nehemiah's money, because the builders thereof were the better enabled for that work, by his remitting unto them, the tax due to him as Governor. 2 Positively, not only forbearing his own right, but also bearing a large proportion in the work. He kept a daily Ordinary (thanks being the only shot his guests were to pay) for an hundred and fifty jews, and Rulers, besides strangers of the Heathen. How many attendants then dined on the reversion, at the waiter's table? and how many poor feasted on the fragments, at the Porter's lodge? It may be presumed many laborers at the wall had gone supperless to bed, had they not repaired to Nehemiah's house for their refection. As for the opinion of Tremellius, that Nehemiah built the King's palace at his own charge, grounding the same on his own translation of the text, because I find no other Authors to follow him therein, it is enough barely to mention his opinion. § 13. At the Sheep-gate they began to repair, The conclusion of the work. and thereat also they ended. The Goldsmiths and Merchants brought up the Rear of the work, y Nehem. 3. 3●. betwixt the going up of the corner unto the sheep-gate. § 14. Within the circumference of the walls, lay much ground uninhabited, jerusalem emptied of inhabitants, when rebuilded by Nehemiah. people being loath to live therein, except z Neh. 11. 1. by lot compelled thereunto, and all a Ibid. ver. 2. blessed such as willingly offered themselves to dwell therein. Strange, that the chief City should run so low in general reputation, the Gallants of our age being otherwise minded, all posting unto the principal place of the kingdom, as the fountain of fashions, and all delights. I read indeed of Histria a province under the Venetian Commonwealth, that they are fain to b B●terus. hire people to inhabit there. But the reason thereof is visible, because of the unwholsomeness of the air, whereas no such pretence for any to decline the City of jerusalem, whose elevated situation, conduced much to the purity, and wholsomeness thereof. § 15. But men's unwillingness to dwell therein, Why men loath to live in jerusalem. took the rise from other reasons▪ as namely, 1 The common enemy beheld it with most envious eyes, as the proper object of his malice. 2 The vast circuit of the City, put them to hard duty to guard it. 3 Trading was dead therein, and little wealth to be gotten at the new erection thereof. 4 All coveted the country, for the privacy, pleasure, and profit thereof. However in after ages, jerusalem grew exceeding populous, and had all the vacuities thereof filled, yea crowded with inhabitants. Thus, as it is most easy and thrifty, to make children's garments too big for their bodies, because they will quickly grow up to their clothes: so providence advised Nehemiah, to make the circumference of Infant- jerusalem the larger, as which, in process of time, would soon spread itself, to the replenishing thereof. CHAP. VI Of the waters in and about the City. § 1. PAss we now from the walls, to the water of jerusalem, Nogrea●●vers near I●rus●lem. a most necessary commodity for the well being of mankind. True it is, jerusalem was so far from boasting of any navigable river, that it had no stream, near, or about it, to drive any water-mils. If it be demanded, how without such mills so populous a place could subsist, and not be famished for want of grinders? (as a chapfallen man for lack of use of his teeth) Know this was principally supplied by hand-mils, here ordinarily used, where multitudes of slaves were in every family. As for other waters, both for necessity, and pleasure, Ie●●salem had, (though no super●tuity) a self sufficiency thereof. § 2. The waters, Three sorts of waters. in and about jerusalem, are reducible unto three several kinds. 1 Partly artificial, as Pools and Conduits. 2 Partly natural, as the brook Kidron (whereof a In the Land of Moriah. formerly) and the fountain of Si●●am. 3 Partly supernatural, as the miracle-working Pool of Bethesda. Of the former sort were the King's fishponds, b ● Neh. 2. 14. on the south-west, not far from the fountain ga●●, and near thereunto the pool c Nehem. 3. 16. which was made, (no doubt with gre●● care and cost) betwixt the sepulchres of David and house of the mighty men. Also the conduit of the d 2 Kin. 18. 17. upper or old pool, in the path ●o the fullers field, and probably another of the lower pool, all referred by learned m●n e josephus' expressly called the first Soleness pool. to Solomon, as principal Author thereof. § 3. For in the Inventory of his vanities he confesseth of himself; I made me pools of water to ●a●●r therewith the wood that bringeth forth f Eccl●●. 2. 6. trees. Thus he sought for felicity in the air, climbing up with his lofty buildings; in the earth, di●ing low in his deep minigs; in the water, wading therein through costly aquaducts; but found at last that happiness w●s super-elementall, and not to be found but in heaven. § 4. Some may conceive that King Uzziah had a hand in promoting the water-fabricks near jerusalem, Vzziah a dealer in water wo●ks. finding him a very active Engineer, and of whom it is expressly recorded that he digged g 2 Chr. 26. 10. many well●▪ But what followeth? for he had much cattle both in the low Country, and in the plain. The scene therefore of his watery discoveries, was laid at greater distance, where his cattle were kept, and where he was more commendably employed in his husbandry, than afterwards in God's house, any instrument better befitting his hand, than a h 2 Chr. 26. 19 Censer. § 5. Not long after, probably in the reign of King Ahaz, The jews busy about drains and trenches. (as may partly be collected from the time of Isaiah's Prophecy, and pla●ing of this passage therein) when the siege of jerusalem was suspected from Rezin King of Syria i Isa. 7. 1. and Pekah King of Israel, the jews fell to the fortifying of their City, both with wall and water-works. Hereupon the k Isa. ●2. 9 Prophet when the new line about jerusalem was finished, complaineth thereof as followeth. Ye have seen also the breaches of the City of David, that they are many, and ye have gathered together the waters of the lower pool: And ye have numbered the houses in jerusalem, and the houses ye have broken down to fortify the wall. Ye made also a ditch betwixt the two walls for the water of the old pool, but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago. And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping and mourning etc. § 6. Not that the Prophet herein reproved the people, Three faults taxed herein. for provident preventing of danger, or politic endeavouring of safety, or moderate delighting in pleasure, but justly taxed them, for 1 Too much confidence in the arm of flesh. 2 Unseasonable rejoicing in carnal comforts, when drains and for ditches down their own cheeks, had been more proper water-works for the present sad occasion. 3 Admiring their own handiworks, (without thankful relating for to God the principal) as if they had created those pools and springs of their own industry and ingenuity. Whereas all Grottoes, conduits, and Aquaducts, though allowed the lawful issue of art, and offspring of humane invention, are but stibborn babes at the best, except God quicken and enliven them, mediately or immedately, with moisture from above. He only is the Father l job 38. 28. of the rain, and is by consequence the Grandfather of all pools and conduits whatsoever. Justly therefore were the jews reproved, for having their steg●atick Souls, dabbling too much in water, without once looking up to God, according to David's divinity, freely confessing, m Psal. 87. 7. All my fresh springs are even in thee. § 7. But how well soever, Hez●kiah stops out the water. the ponds, pools and conduits were perfected at this time, soon after all their curiosities were discomposed, when Se●●●●heri● sent the railing message and letter, (though words whether spoken, or written, storm no Cities) to King H●zekiah in jerusalem. Who fearing a siege, by the assistance of his Princes and people in a short time stopped all the n 2 Chr. 32. 4. fountains and the brook which ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the Kings of Assyria come and find much water? Hezekiah knew that S●nnacheribs blasphemous tongue would be sooner silenced, and his roaring throat easier stopped, with Thirst then with any other answer. And although Sennacherib, out of the plentiful Magazeen of his malice, shot his arrows, even bitter o Psal. 64. 3. ●ords, ●gainst Hezekiah, yet according to Gods promise he came not into I●●usalem, nor did p Isa. 37. 33. he sho●t an arrow there, having all his Army soon after confounded from heaven, and he himself, (reprieved from the Angels) was executed by his own Sons sword, in his own Country. § 8. Here if any demand, Gihen brook meant hereby. what is meant by stopping the brook which ran through the midst of the Land; we understand not Cedron thereby, which to save them the pains in summer stops itself, (as only the cistern to receive the land-flouds from mount Olivet) but rather, conceive the constant waters of Gihen, or Siloam, therein intended, running through the midst of the Land of q Gen. 22. 2. Moriah, wherein jerusalem is seated. § 9 After Sennacheribs departure, Reopeneth and improveth it. Hezekiah fell a fresh on opening those springs he had formerly obstructed, yea to make them reparation, he improved them to an higher perfection then at first he found in them: for, 1 He made a pool r 2 King. ●0. 20. and a conduit. 2 He stopped up the upper s 2 Chr. 32. 30. watercourse of Gihen, and brought it strait to the west side of the City of David. 3 He brought water IN TO THE CITY t 2 King. 20. 20. of jerusalem. Hereby no doubt Hezekiah got many a blessing and hearty prayer from the poor servants in the City, whose weary shoulders had formerly fetched their water so far off for the use of their master's family. § 10. Here some will object, Such altering rivers not unlawful. that such an altering of the course of this river, from the ancient channel thereof, and the enticing of it by Art into a new passage, was a violence, and a trespass offered to Nature. Yea did not man herein pretend to more wisdom than his maker, as if by such variation, he could direct the veins in the body of the earth, to a fitter posture, then that wherein God himself had disposed them▪ But let such know, that when God gave the earth [with the water therein, as making up one Globe] to the Sons of men, in the same charter he derived a right unto them, to mould it as might be most convenient and advantageous for their habitation. And although it belongs to God alone, to put a sandy girdle about the loins of the Ocean, (because otherwise a giant too great for men to manage) Hither shalt thou come, and no farther, yet lesser brooks fall under the jurisdiction of humane industry, to order them for man's most commodity. § 11. Others will admire, H●z●ki●● supplies Solo●ons omission. that this new river was brought no sooner to jerusalem, and that a project, so honourable, profitable, necessary, and feasable lay so long unperformed. How came this design to escape the searching eyes of Solomon, especially, seeing (as he confesseth himself) he dealt much in that moist b Eccles. 2. 6. Element? See we here, Solomon himself saw not all things, and Hezekiah coming many years after him, might supply his omissions. And to speak plainly, many of Solomon's projects, were but voluptuous essays for his own personal (not to say carnal) contentment, whereas holy Hezekiah in his undertake might have a more public spirit for the general good of his kingdom. § 12. The well or fountain of the Dragon c Nehem. 2. 13. near the Valley gate might be made at the same time, The Dragon fountain. probably taking its denomination from some artificial resemblance of a Dragon about it. A conduit in a Dragon-fashion, (though such Antics are more commonly presented spitting of fire then venting of water) is made here by Adrichomius. Tremellius conceiveth it called Dragon, or Serpent well, because the waters thereof (which contrary to other Authors he maketh the same with Siloam) glide, snake-like, soft and gentle, yea crooked and winding with many intricate flexures thereof. But it is impossible to assign the certain cause of such names as are merely ad placitum, finding a Well and Gate in the Cousin of the City of d Dragon gate in Sarisbury. Sarisbury of the same name, yet hitherto could never hear any probable reason thereof. § 13. Amongst the waters merely natural, Pool of Siloah a Type of Christ. the fountain or pool of l Neh. 3. 15. Siloah, with the stream flowing thence into the brook of Kidron, justly claimeth the pre-eminence. Fountain which both in the name and nature thereof, was the lively emblem, if not the reeall type of our Saviour. Name which is by interpretation, m Joh. 9 7. SENT; and we know, When n Gal. 4. 4. the fullness of time was come, God SENT forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. Nature; for the waters thereof, as the o Isa. 8. 6. Prophet observed, ran softly 1 To the eye▪ sine impetu, moving slowly, and not rushing with a rapid stream like an impetuous torrent. 2 To the ear, sine strepitu, stil & quiet, not offensive to the neighbours with the noise threof. So Christ 1 Was leasurable and treatable in his going (on foot, but if mounted, only on a slow paced Ass) and doing, not rashly precipitate in his proceedings. 2 Not querulous or clamorous in his discourse; He shall not strive nor cry p Mat. 12. 19 neither shall any hear his voice in the streets; but meek and quiet. Now as God was eminently in the still q 1 Kin. 19 12. voice, so also was he effectually once in this still water, when our Saviour sent the blind-born man hither r John 9 7. to wash, and thereby he recovered his sight. § 14. This was he, The blind man cured therewith. who afterwards proved so constant a confessor of Christ, avouching him a Prophet, and his cure by him really effected notwithstanding the Pharisees menacing to the contrary; Hoping in vain, though Christ had opened his eyes, that they could stop his mouth, from the acknowledging thereof. His constancy herein cost him an excommunication and a casting s Joh. 9 22. & 34. out of the Synagogue. The best was, the power of the Keys when abused, doth not shut the door of Heaven, but in such cases only shoot the bolt besides the lock, not debarring the innocent person entrance thereat. § 15. The supernatural pool of Bethesda by the t Joh. 5. 2. Sheep-market remains, The pool of Bethesda. whose waters, when at a certain season moved by an Angel, were medicinal to cure the first comer thereinto, whatsoever disease he had. A learned * Tremellius on Nchem. 3. 1. man conceiveth, that when Eliashib the high Priest, (after their return from Babylon) with his brethren, first began hereabouts to build the sheep-gate, and sanctify it to divine service, (as leading to the Temple) God then and there in approbation of his Act, endued the Pool hard by, with this sovereign sanative quality: but this we leave with the Author. § 16. By this Pool an Infirmary was built, God and man's charity well met. for maimed folk to lodge in, and attend the troubling of the waters. How well was God's bounty and man's charity here met together? Commendable it was that rich men did not engross this Spa to themselves, but permitted poor people not able to use Physic and Surgery the benefit thereof. This Hospital for building consisted of five u Joh. 5. 2. Porches; not that the defective in the five senses, lame, blind, deaf, etc. were here severally disposed of by themselves, but no doubt all promiscuously put together. In this College of Cripples, he for his seniority might have been the Master thereof, who had been longer lame, than most men live, and now past the fifth climacterical of his disease, where with he had been afflicted full thirty eight years. Indeed so impossible was the conditions of his recovery, that being lame, He must run, before he could go, for seeing the first comer was only served, he must hast with speed into the pool after the moving thereof: whilst he, alas, wanted strength to help himself, wanted money to hire others, and others wanted mercy freely to give him their assistance. But because he could not go to health, Health was graciously pleased to come to him, and he was cured miraculously by our w Joh. 5. 9 Saviour. § 17. And thus much of the Walls, Two ancient parts of jerusalem. Gates, Towers, and Waters about jerusalem: come we now into the City itself, which anciently consisted of two principal parts (therefore dual in the Hebrew) Zion on the south-west, and jerusalem (properly so called) on the north thereof, which we proceed in order to describe, with the places of principal note therein contained. CHAP. VII. Of David's Palace, the High-priests houses, the Coenaculum, and other memorable places in mount Zion. § 1. WE begin with mount Zion, making that first which God most favoured, a Psal. 87. 2. who loved the Gates of Zion, more than all the tabernacles of jacob. Here first our eyes are entertained with the stately Palace of David, b 2 Sam. 5. 11. & 1 Chr. 1 4. 1. Hiram King of Tyre sending him timber and workmen for the building thereof. Flat was the roof of this palace, whereon David sat, and from whence he beheld Bathsheba (hard by is her house) bathing herself. I cannot excuse her action herein. If policy be jealous, that hedges may have ears, modesty may suspect lest the motes in the air have eyes. But see here divine justice. As this roof was the place whereon David's lust did burn first; so thereon Absaloms' incest did blaze farthest, lying here with his Father's Concubines. This he easily did at the persuasion of Achitophel; those spurs needing no rowels, which are to prick forward graceless youth into wantonness. But that hellish Politician did this to set such a distance betwixt Sire and Son, that the affection of the one might never meet with the submission of the other, the breach hereafter being made so deep and wide, that no bridge of reconciliation might be built betwixt them. § 2. Under the Romans this Palace was turned into a c Act. 21. 37. Castle, where a Garrison was kept to over-awe the City. Once the honour, now the terror; once the beauty, now the bridle of jerusalem. Upon d Act. 21. 40. the fair stairs leading thereto, stood Saint Paul when he made his speech to the people, hearing him with great silence, because he spoke in e Act. 22. 2. the Hebrew tongue; until he came to that passage of preaching to the Gentiles (which though spoken in Hebrew was no good Hebrew to his auditors, but false construction, & breach of Jewish privilege) when they turned their attentive ears into railing tongues, away with such a fellow from off the earth. § 3. And now to show the frailty of humane happiness, pass we from the palace of these Kings to their burying place, seeing Zion in a double respect may be called the Westminster of jerusalem; because the Kings thereof resided there while living, and rested when dead. The reader shall pay nothing but his pains in following me, whilst I show him these royal remains. We may observe four gradations of honour in these interments. 1 Wicked f 2 Chr. 33. 24. Amon was buried in his own house, (not under the roof, but within the verge of the wall thereof) and so was g 2 Chr. 33. 20. Manasseh, * In the Garden of Vzzah. whose true but late repentance was effectual to save his soul, but not his kingdom from destruction. 2 Cruel joram, who had no compassion whilst living, & therefore no h 2 Chr. 21. 1●. bowels when dying, was buried by himself in the i 2 Chr. 21. 16. city of David, & neither fire nor water, neither burning nor mourning made for him. 3 Godly, but leprous Uzziah, being ceremoniously unclean, was interred in the k 2 Chr. 26. 23. field of the burial which belonged to the Kings; understand it, within the suburbs, but without the walls of their solemn sepultures. 4 All the rest were entombed in a stately place set apart for that purpose; namely, David the holy, the man after Gods own heart; Solomon the wise, when old, befooled by his wives: Rehoboam the simple, whose rigour rend ten Tribes from his kingdom: Abiah the wicked, but l 2 Chr. 13. 15. valiant and fortunate in fight; Asa the upright, whose m 2 Chr. 15. 17. heart was perfect all his days: jehosaphat the just, whose n 2 Chr. 17. 6. heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord: Ahaziah the Idolater, whose only commendation was that he reigned but * 2 Chr. 22. 2. one year. joash the backslider, the lease of whose goodness determined with his o 2 Chr. 24. 2. uncle's life: Amaziah the rash, worsted in a needless war against the King of p 2 Chr. 25. 21. Israel: jotham the peaceable, who built the q 2 Kin. 15. 35. highest gate to the house of the Lord: Ahaz the profane, r 2 Chr. 27. 22. who in the time of his distress, yet trespassed more against the Lord: Hezekiah the pious, who destroyed the high places: josiah the tender-hearted, who s 2 Chr. 34. 27. melted at God's threatenings, denounced against the people of the jews. § 4. Amongst these still I miss jehojakim, and long seeking for his tomb light at last on the Prophets threatening, t jer. 22. 19 he shall be buried with the burial of an Ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of jerusalem. § 5. Now as it were in exchange of jehojakim excluded, we find Ie●ojada admitted among the royal interments. Count it not presumption for a Priest's body to intrude amongst Prince's bones, seeing not his pride but the people's gratitude preferred him to the place, because u 2 Chr. 24. 16. he had done good in Israel towards God and his house. (Oh if monuments were marshaled according to men's merits, what change would it cause in our Churches!) See we here the care the jews had of decent burying th●ir dead. True it is, bodies flung in a bog, will not stick there at the day of judgement; cast into a wood, will find out the way; thrown into a dungeon, will have free egress; left on the highway, are still in the ready road to the resurrection. Yet seeing they are the Tabernacles of the Soul, yea the Temples of the holy Ghost, the jews justly begun, and Christians commendably continue the custom of their solemn interment. § 6. Farther off from the palace, we find the house of the mighty; where David's worthies lived in a College under joab their Precedent, next the King's w Zach. 14. 10. wine-press and his x Neh. 7. 16. fishponds. Think not that the Kings of judah had only Crowns, Thrones, and Sceptres, the Ensigns of Sovereignty, for besides these to maintain their state, they had places of profit, so thrifty as to make their own wine at the best hand. § 7. Next we take notice of the houses of Annas and Caiaphas both alive y Joh. 8. 13. & 24. at once, and termed the high-Priests at the same time; one by courtesy, because lately he had been: the other by right, because at present possessed of the high-Priesthood. Thus that function, which ought to have been during life by God's institution, was made alternately annual by man's innovation. Was not the shining of two Suns together in the Jewish Church sadly ominous? And was it not high time for God to take away the office, when men began wantonly to play at in and out, with that holy profession? But besides these two high-Priests, there was a third that had more right then either to the place, our Saviour himself, at the present brought a prisoner before them. In the house of Annas an officer wrongfully z Joh. 18. 22. struck him with the palm of his hand, and in the house of Caiaphas he was thrice denied by a Joh. 18. 25. Peter, adjured by the high-Priest, adjudged to death, spit upon, blinded, buffeted, with other insolences offered unto him. The houses of the high-Priests were far asunder, all which distance Christ traced on foot; and it is observable, that being posted backwards, and forwards, from Annas to Caiaphas, from Caiaphas to Pilate, from Pilate to Herod, from Herod to Pilate, from Gabbatha to Golgotha, he traversed all the length and breadth, and most of the considerable places in the City: Partly to render his passion more public, being made a spectacle to men and Angels, partly that his beautiful feet might bring the Gospel of peace into every principal street in jerusalem. § 8. Next followeth the Coenaculum, or b Luk. 22. 12. large upper-room where Christ ended the Passover, began the Lords supper, and probably afterwards in the same place appeared to his disciples, where after his ascension, the holy Spirit c Act. 2. 3. in fiery cloven tongues fell upon them, enabling them to speak all languages, for which some senslesly slandered them to be d Act. 2. 13. full of new wine. For the excess thereof may give men more tongue, not more tongues; and is so far from making them speak other, that it hinders the pronouncing of their own language. As for the house of the Virgin Mary, which some make very fair in mount Zion; I say a better was beneath her desert, but a worse was above her estate. Sure it is, that after hersons sufferings, she privately lived in the house of john the Apostle, & john formerly lay in the bo●om of Christ, & Christ once lodged in the womb of Mary, and Mary was for ever hid e Col. 3. 3. with Christ in God. O holy chain, o happy complication! § 9 In the last place we come to the prisons (those necessary evils in a populous City) whereof we find three several degrees, 1 The dungeon of f jer. 38. 6. Malchiah, a most nasty place, the mud and mire whereof shall not be stirred by my pen, lest the ill savour offend the Reader. Yet good jeremiah was forced to lie, and g jer. 38. 9 like to die therein, had not Ebedmelech the blackmore procured his writ of removal. 2 The house of jonathan the Scribe, made a prison extraordinary of a private h jer. 38. 15. dwelling. This little better than the former, so that jeremy counted it a favour at his importunate i jer. 37. 20. request to be preferred thence, into— 3— The court of the prison, the best of all bad's; which was part of the King's palace, where jeremy remained many days, fed with a piece of bread out of the bakers-street k jer. 37. 21. (a place hard by) till Nabuchadnezzar at last gave him a l jer. 39 11. Gaol-delivery. § 10. So much of Zion, forbearing to enlarge myself in the praises thereof frequent in holy writ. As for that expression, m Psal. 76. 2. God's dwelling is in Zion, it seems particularly to relate to that time, when the Ark resided there, brought in by n 2 Sam. 6. 16. David, and placed by him in the midst of a Tabernacle which he had o 2 Sam. 6. 17. pitched for it. Indeed he designed to make a better casket for that Jewel, had not God retrenched his resolution by special p 2 Sam. 7. 12. order, intending Solomon for that purpose, who many years after removed this Ark into the Temple he erected. CHAP. VIII. Of Millo. AS it is a great grace in a Rhetorician, not to have bald and flat but clear and fair Transitions; so it is no less beautiful in buildings to have spacious and handsome passages therein. For this cause the Kings of Israel counted no cost too much to be bestowed upon this Millo, as being the common pass between Zion and jerusalem. It was called Millo, that is, a filling, as some would have it, because being naturally a gulf or concavity, it was by great expense leveled to be built upon. a Greg. Greg. in Lex. sanc. n●mero 603. Others conceive it so named, because filled with the confluxe and confluence of people, being indeed the largest street in the whole City. b 2 Sam. 5. 9 David began, c 1 King. 9 24. Solomon finished the building thereof. But as once Wickam Bishop of Winchester wrote in a wall of Windsor, This made Wickam; in the same sense it may be said of Millo, This made jeroboam. For Solomon taking notice of his activity (merit commended men, and beauty women to his favour) made him surveyour of the works when he built d 1 Kin. 11. 27. Millo, which brought him from a private person into public notice (the first admission is half a degree to honour) and gave the occasion of his future greatness. In this e 2 Kin. 12. 20. Millo, at the going down to Sillah, or to the f Vid. Tremel. annot. in locum. bulwark, King joash was cruelly killed by two of his servants. CHAP. IX. Of the Princely Palaces in this City. § 1. PRoceed we now to the Princely palaces in jerusalem; The house of the forest of Lebanon. and first we light on the a 1 King. 7. 2▪ house of the forest of Lebanon, built by Solomon: So called, because an abridgement of that great forest, wherein (I mean in the groves and gardens about it) wild beasts of all kinds (if humane Authors may be believed) had their habitation. Here the bellowing Hearts are said to harbour, the throating Bucks to lodge, the belling Roes to bed, the beating Hares to form, the tapping Coneys to sit, and the barking Foxes to kennel. Strange music to be heard in the midst of a populous place; and very pleasant, that such a woody retiredness should be afforded in the heart of a City. Yet Solomon's mind, when mounted on these seeming felicities, was as far from reaching true contentment, as the tired traveller, when on the top of the next hill, will be from touching the skies, which whilst he was in the valley seemed contiguous thereunto. § 2. The length of this house was an hundred, The dimensions of this house. breadth fifty, height thirty cubits, whereby it appears both longer and broader than the Temple itself. And no wonder, for who will deny that White-Hall stands on more ground than Westminster-Abby-Church? Besides, in measuring the Temple, only the covered part thereof is reckoned on, without the Courts (wherein the greatest capacity thereof did consist:) whereas no doubt, Courts and all are taken in to make up the aforesaid dimensions in Solomon's house. But grant the King's Palace outspread the Temple in greatness, the Temple out-topped it in height; whose towered porches ascended b 2 Chron. 3. 4. an hundred and twenty cubits. In this house Solomon's golden shields and targets were c 1 Kin. 10. 17. kept, till d 1 King. 14. 26. carried away by Shishak King of Egypt. § 3. Besides this Solomon Solomon's wives house. had another house in jerusalem which was e 1 King. 7. 1. thirteen years in building; and a f 1 King. 7. 8. third which he made for his wife the daughter of Pharaoh. Say not, they needed two houses, which had two Religions, for we find not that she ever seduced Solomon to idolatry: nor are the Egyptian Idols reckoned up among those several g 1 Kin. 11. 5. 7. superstitions, which his second brood of wives brought into jerusalem. Enough to persuade some that this match was made by dispensation, if not direction of God himself, (typifying the calling of the Gentiles) and that Pharaohs daughter afterwards became a convert, following the Psalmists counsel, Forget h Psal. 45. 10. also thine own people, and thy father's house. Hereabouts also was the Golden throne of Solomon, to which those golden Lions gave a stately ascent. It was the prayer of loyal i 1 King. 1. 37. Benaiah, make the throne of Solomon greater than the throne of my Lord King David, which accordingly came to pass, whether taken for this his material throne, or for the largeness and fullness of his royal authority. § 4. Pass we by the Castle of Antiochus, k 1 Mac. 1. built by him as a bridle to the City; The stately palace of Herod as also the Palace of the Maccabees, wherein for many yea●s they made their residence, first built by l 1 Mac. 13. 52. Simon west of the Temple. In Christ's time Herod the great had in jerusalem a most magnificent house, wherein his grandchild Herod Antipas Tetrarch of Galilee kept his passover, when Pilate sent Christ unto him to be examined by him. Right glad was Herod of this occasion, because though formerly much conversing with john the Baptist, yet john did no m Joh. 10. 41. miracle, which he now in vain hoped to behold from our Saviour. For he that would not work a miracle at his mother's n Joh. 2. 4. motion, would not do it for his persecutors pleasure. Let Herod take this for a sign that Christ was the Son of God, because he would show no sign for the will of man. However the silent show of our Saviour wrought a reconciliation betwixt him and Pilate, which before were at o Luke 23. 12. enmity betwixt themselves. But alas the innocent Lamb is not long lived, when thus both Wolf and Fox are agreed against him. § 5. Appendent to this Palace was the prison wherein Peter was put, Peter's prison. and being to die the next day, was found in a dead p Act. 12. 7. sleep the night before. I question whether Herod who condemned him, slept half so sound. He must be smote before he could be waked, and his shackles fell off easier than his sleep. The Rhemish note tells us, that the chains wherewith he was bound are still preserved at Rome in the Church of Petri ad vincula. But if those there be the true chains, I dare boldly say, that others of richer metal, and finer making, more worth, and less weight, are daily worn by Peter's pretended successor. § 6. pilate's Palace must not be forgotten, The palace of Pilate. wherein our Saviour was accused by the jews: near whereunto was the Judgement-hall, called q Joh. 19 13. Gabbatha, or the Pavement. But how even, or smooth soever the stones were laid in the floor thereof; most rough, harsh, and unequal justice was administered in this place, when our Saviour therein was condemned. This was the place, into which the high-Priests prepared for the Passeover would not r Joh. 18. 28. enter for fear of pollution. O my soul enter not into their secrets, whose fe●● are swift to shed blood, but legs lame to lift themselves over the threshold of a judgement-hall, for fear of defilement. Now all these Princely Palaces were not extant in this City at the same time, but successively: and therefore as Poets, when they present Persons, who lived in several ages, on the same stage, lay their scene in the Elysian fields; so to put these Palaces together, the reader must suppose their dust and ruins did all meet on the floor of this City, though made in our map in a flourishing estate, the better to adorn our description of jerusalem. CHAP. X. Of the Colleges in Jerusalem. § 1. PAss we now from the Court, jerusalem an Academy for education of youth. to the Innes-of-Court, namely such places, wherein youth had liberal education. The a Vid. Grotii annot. in Act. Apost. cap. 6. vers. 9 jews tell us of four hundred and fourscore Synagogues at jerusalem for this purpose. We will insist only on such as we find named in Scripture, and begin with Huldah's b 2 Kin. 22. 14. college, wherein that Prophetess lived in the days of josiah. Perchance a female foundation of women alone, and she the Presidentress thereof; though surely not bound with any monastical vow of virginity, because there also styled the wife of Shallum. § 2. Next, in the days of the Maccabees, we take notice of the Grecian College or Gymnasium, The Grecian college. erected by jason the high Priest, wherein the Jewish youth were taught to wrestle, c 1 Mac. 1. 15. & 2 Mac. 4. 12. ride horses, and other Grecian accomplishments. Indeed archery was an ancient Jewish exercise, (David taught the children of Israel the use of the d 2 Sam. 1. 18. how, as it is written in the book of jasher) but these were pure heathenish employments. Here also they were taught to wear a garment called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which some translate Hats, others buskins, e See the Gen●va note on 2 Mac. 4. 12. (though head and feet are far asunder) which whether it were the general garb of the Grecians, or only an Academical habit to distinguish the Students from common Citizens, let others inquire. But the worst of all was, here they were taught, not only uncircumcision of omission, (neglecting the observing thereof on infants) but also the uncircumcision of commission, practising to f 1 Mac. 1. 15. make themselves uncircumcised, studiously deleting the character of that Sacrament out of their bodies. § 3. After Christ's ascension we find five Colleges or Synagogues mentioned in one g Act. 6. 9 verse, Five Synagogues against Saint Steven. all disputing against Saint Steven, Out of Asia those of Cilicia, and proper Asia. Out of Africa, those of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians in Egypt. Out of Europe, those of the Libertines of Rome. Behold here an admirable Act heaped, wherein Saint Steven was the Answerer, against whom Opponents were fetched from all the parts of the then known world; and all too few to resist the wisdom and Spirit by which he spoke. What this Synagogue of Libertines was, is much controverted by learned men. Surely Libertines here are not taken in the modern notion of the word, for such as used their liberty for an occasion h Gal. 5. 13. to the flesh, or i 1 Pet. 2. 16. a cloak of maliciousness, though we confess in after ages such grew into a numerous society, whereof Satan's subtlety, and man's corruption the Founders, the negligence and conivence of Magistrates the daily Benefactors: A College, whose gates (like those of hell) stand always open, having no other Statutes than the Students pleasure: where the diet is so dear, that their Commons cost the souls of such as feed on them, without their final repentance. Most probable it is, that by Libertines were intended such Romans as were manumised, or made free by their Masters; whereof Tacitus counts no fewer than four thousand in the City of Rome, which professed the Jewish Religion; some whereof with most likelihood had their Synagogues in Ierusal●m, wherein they were more perfectly instructed in matters both of doctrine and discipline. The Gazith or Common-council must not be omitted, coming near to the nature of a College, wherein the Sanhedrin or seventy Elders had their judicatory, before whom the Disciples were summoned, and k Act. 4. 15. straight threatened not to preach, and afterwards, for disobeying their Order, were put into the l Act. 5. 18. common Prison. In the same m Act. 6. 15. place Saint Steven was accused and passed his purgation, in that excellent speech, that he was no enemy to the Law of Moses, if rightly understood. CHAP. XI. The remainder of private houses and streets in Jerusalem. § 1. AMongst the private, The house of Mary the mother of john-mark. dwelling in this City, we take special notice of the house of Mary, the mother of john-mark, wherein the Saints were assembled to pray for Peter's enlargement. Hither he came and knocked at the door, when Rhoda portress thereof, a Act. 12. 14. opened not the gate for gladness; whether because loath to lose so much time, as the opening thereof did necessarily require, (conceiving that Peter might better stand without the door, than the people stay without the news) or because her soul, surprised with sudden joy, was not at leisure to actuate her hands to open the door: yet it informed her feet, to run into the house, because that motion (was not, as the other, against the stream, but) went along with the tide of her affection, so desirous to tell the news unto others. Sure I am, Peter got less harm by this maidens keeping him out for a time, out of this godly house, than he did by another Damosels b joh. 18. 17. letting him into the high-Priests Palace. § 2. Add to this the house of Ananias the high-Priest, The house of Ananias and Veronica. which stood not far off. If therein there was any rotten wall c Act. 23. 3. well whited over, it may pass for an emblem of him the hypocritical owner thereof. As this was the house of a false man, so we take Veronica's to be a false house, yea mere fiction, shown to pilgrims at this day, in the corner of a street. Here she is said, that meeting our Saviour when carrying his Cross, she tendered unto him her vai●● therewith wiping off his sweat, which veil thereby presently received the lively impression and portraiture of his face and complexion: with more probability they might affirm, that the picture of his see● remained in the d joh. 12. 3. hair of Mary Magdalen. § 3. So much for particular houses. The accurate ranging of streets in jerusalem at the best but conjectural. Now that jerusalem was digested and methodised into several streets is most certain, whereof such frequent mention c jer. 5. 1. & 7. 17. & 11. 6. etc. in Scripture: as sure it is also, that many fair market places were found therein, where children f Mat. 11. 15. played with their mates, Merchants met with their Chapmen, Labourers g Mat. 20. 3. waited for Masters to hire them, and Pharisees bartered their outside sanctity for the h Mat. 23. 7. greetings and salutations of the people. But the order and fashion of their several streets are to us unknown, Scripture affording no certainty therein. And though Adrichomius seem so accurate in this point, that no London-beadle can be better acquainted with the lanes, allies, courts, corners, of the Precinct belonging unto him, yet herein he proceeds on his own fancy, and mere conjecture. Only we meet with the names of two streets, Water-gate-street, and Ephraim-gate-street, which may justly be concluded more spacious, and roomthy then the rest, because preferred before all other places in the City to build booths therein at that solemn festival, in the days of i Neh. 8. 16. Nehemiah. In the former of these, Ezra assembled the people, and read the law before the k Neh. 8. 1. Congregation. § 4. Give me leave to supply out of josephus three eminent places, The Amphitheatre, Castle Antony, ●nd Hippodrome. though not mentioned in Scripture. First, the l josep. ant. jud. li. 15. c. 10. Amphitheatre, erected by Herod, so capable that it could contain fourscore thousand people, if the reader's belief be so large as to give credit thereunto. Here Herod, after the fashion of the Romans, exposed condemned persons to encounter with Lions, Bears, Boars etc. But whether Saint Paul, when after the manner of men he fought with beasts at m 1 Cor. 15. 32. Ephesus, intended such combats with cattle, or only his contesting with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 evil beasts, such as the Cretians are n Tit. 1. 12. described to be, is not decided by Divines. Secondly, Castle Antony, built by the same Herod in the honour of Antonius, to be the keeper, yea the Gaoler of the Temple, (to which he had an underground passage, which would hold six hundred men) wherein he observed the motions of the jews, lest they should hatch mutinies under the covert of Religion. Time was when God himself watched over the Temple to protect it, till for the sins of the people, he gave it over to be guarded by the jealous eyes of their inveterate enemies. Lastly, the Hippodrome, or place for horseraces, where the Chivalry of the City met on several occasions. Sick Herod the great perceiving his end to approach, and knowing the same would bring a great joy to the jews, (a Tyrant's death-day is a solemn festival in the Calendar of Nature itself) in this Hippodrome imprisoned a principal person of every City of judea, enjoining Salome his sister to kill them at the instant of his expiring, that so there might be a general grief, though not for, yet at his death, whilst no place could laugh heartily being pinched with their particular loss. However after his death she discharged those prisoners, and we may easily believe that these Legatees were not offended with her (the Executrix of Herod's Will) for not disposing the Legacies bequeathed to them, according to the mind of the Testator. CHAP. XII. The mysteries of mount Calvary. § 1. SUburbs in Cities are like Suckers in trees, The dolorous way. which make them bigger, but not better; so that much of the strength of the City leaks out in such Excresences. jerusalem therefore had no suburbs at all, but many pleasant mountains and gardens about it. We will begin with mount Calvary, and the passage thereunto, commonly called the dolorous way, (though thence came all our comfort) traced with the blessed feet of our Saviour, who suffered without the gate. This we are now to describe, and o that our patience and practice might go along with our pen! to observe our Saviour's motion, according to the counsel of the Apostle, a Heb. 13. 13. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. § 2. This dolorous way began at Gabbatha or the Pavement: The wild justice of Pilate. wherein we may take notice of a wild piece of justice in Pilate, first scourging, than crucifying Christ. If his offence was but criminal to deserve scourging, why was he crucified? If so capital as to deserve crucifying, why scourged? Perhaps Pilate hoped by his scourging to satisfy the malice of the jews, but in vain. For it was not the back-bloud, but the heartblood of Christ must satisfy their thirst. So that what might be pity in the intent of Pilate, proved cruelty in the event to Christ; whose bitter cup hereby was twice filled. Thus we commit double-folded, twisted, and complicated sins, which our Saviour expiated with duplicated suffering, first scourged, then crucified. § 3. Hence being condemned he b joh. 19 16. bore his own Cross part of the way, Reasons of Christ's fainting under the Cross. towards the place of execution, according to the custom of malefactors (and we know what Furcifer inports in the natural signification thereof) until, it seems, at last he fainted under the burden thereof; whereof several reasons are assigned. 1 Probably the jews malice provided him a Cross of extraordinary greatness, proportionable to the reputed offendor Paramount. 2 He was much debilitated with his long watching and sweeting the night before. 3 The edges of the Cross grating his late whip-furrowed back, might occasion the new bleeding of his wounds, and his weakening thereby. 4 He bore withal the invisible weight of the sins of mankind, and God's anger for the same. Hereupon a substitute or surrogate was provided for him to bear his Cross, not out of any mercy, but the deeper malice of his enemies; partly thereby to reprieve him to a more public death; not willing he should die under, to cover him from shame, but upon the Cross, to expose him to the greater ignominy: partly, because they were loath he should go away so easily as in a fainting fit, and therefore their cruel kindness reserved him for a more painful death. § 4. Simon of Cyrene is the person by them compelled to bear his Cross. Simon of Cyrene bearing Christ's Cross. Had it been foretold that one Simon should have carried Christ's Cross, and had one heard Simon Peter so lately, so solemnly promising, c Mat. 26. 35. though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee, he would hence have certainly concluded him the party for that service. But it fell out far otherwise; whilst that Simon had forsaken his Master (and now was bewailing his fault) another of that name is found out, coming out of the field, to carry the Cross before him. Let Heralds then boast of men's bearing, and their blazing of arms, (empty husks where the kernel of virtue is wanting) behold here a rich bearing indeed; A Cross proper carried by Simon for our Saviour. We must buckle ourselves in like manner for the same burden, patiently to undergo afflictions. The best is, our Crosses are made hollow, being greater in bulk then in burden; seeing the Cross of our Crosses, eternal damnation, is taken off by the suffering of our Saviour. § 5. And now Christ comes to the place of execution, Mount Calvary why so called. called Golgotha or mount Calvary, that is, a place of a skull. Either from the fashion thereof, because that hill was rounded up in the form of a man's head, or because men's bones were scattered thereabouts. Tremellius with great probability conceives this Calvary called the hill d jer. 31. 39 Gareb in jeremy, being described to lie near the valley of the dead bodies. Here our blessed Saviour in a public place, with infamous company, (who lived amongst Publicans, and died betwixt thiefs) after a cruel manner was despitefully crucified. In whose sufferings we may observe § 6. The length thereof, The length of Christ's passion. lasting six tedious hours, exposed all that time both to hunger and cold. Indeed the thiefs were longer in suffering, both being still e Joh. 19 32. alive when Christ expired: but they endured but personal pain, whilst he underwent miseries for all mankind; so that what his Passion lacked in the length, it had in § 7. The breadth thereof: The breadth thereof. extended over all the parts and powers of his soul and body. No part free from pain, save his tongue, left at liberty to pray for his enemies. His senses all suffered, namely 1 Seeing, tormented with the scornful gestures, and reproachful postures of such as passed by f Mat. 23. 39 wagging the head, to expiate the lascivious, envious, covetous glances of our eyes. 2 Hearing, grieved with the taunts, jeers, and wilful g Mat. 27. 49. mistakes of the Priests and people: so to satisfy for the pleasures our ears have taken in lustful Sonnets, wanton jests, and other vain and wicked delights. 3 Smelling, offended with such savours as may well be presumed to be none of the best, in the place of a skull, to make amends for our luxury in scents and perfumes. 4 Tasting. For when he cried out, I thirst, (and sorrows we say are dry) they provided him a potion of h Joh. 19 30. gall and vinegar; so to repair God's justice offended with our gluttony and drunkenness. 5 Touching, his hands and feet being pierced with the nails, to expiate the rapine and violence of our hands, the swiftness of our feet in the way of wickedness, with the manifold sins, which that sense in us committeth. What shall I speak of his head pierced with Thorns, so to make satisfaction for the profane plots and projects, the wicked machinations of our brains? And it is worth our observing, that though the Scarlet Robe (put on him to act in that Princely Pageant) was taken from him, (as of some value, no pain, and too good to be spoiled) yet the Crown of Thorns, painful to him, and profitable to no other, was, (for aught we find) continued on his head, all the time of his passion. In a word, it is hard to say, whether his pain was more shameful, or his shame more painful unto him: the exquisiteness of his bodily temper, increasing the exquisiteness of his torment, and the ingenuity of his Soul, adding to his sensibleness of the indignities, and affronts offered unto him. § 8. Thirdly, The depth thereof. depth. His passion was as deep as Hell itself, enduring tortures in his wounded Conscience to the apprehension of a desertion; witness his Exclamation, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me! not that really he was forsaken, or totally conceived so, showing his faith in the deepest of his distress. For as when twins in the womb of Tamar strove which should come first into the world, the * Gen. 38. 28. mid-wise adjudged the Primogeniture unto him that first put forth his hand, as a champion challenging his birthright: so in this expression of our Saviour's, wherein Faith and Fear did contest for the priority, Faith must be esteemed the heir and eldest, first putting forth his hand, My God; yea both his hands, My God, my God, claiming by that gemination a double interest in Gods fatherly affection. § 19 Lastly, The height thereof. the height: as high as heaven, because the person enduring it was both innocent and infinite. Innocent; such he must be to effect our redemption, i 1 Pet. 1. 19 without blemish and without spot, otherwise had blurred fingers come to rub off, or wipe out the blot in man's nature, thereby it had been made the bigger: Infinite, being no less than the Son of God, which gave infinite worth and valuation to his sufferings. O then that we might be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the k Ephes. 3. 18. breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and might know the Love of Christ that passeth knowledge, so infinite every way were the dimensions thereof. § 10. And now he had left all he had to be severally disposed of to persons most proper to receive them, The sevenfold division of Christ's goods. as namely his 1 Purse (and his own price therein) to judas, who bore the l joh. 13. 29. bag. 2 Peace unto his disciples, and the godly their successors: My m joh. 14. 27. peace I leave unto you. 3 Prayers to his enemies for their pardon: Father forgive n Luk. 23. 34. them, they know not what they do. 4 Wardrobe to the soldiers, who parted his raiment amongst them, and on his vesture did cast lots. 5 Mother to john the beloved disciple: o joh. 19 26. Woman behold thy Son. 6 Body to Joseph of Arimathea, who afterwards p Luk. 23. 52. begged, and (with Nicodemus) embalmed and buried it. 7 Soul to God: q Luk. 23. 46. Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit. These things thus disposed of, he bowed his head, partly in submission to Death the messenger, but more in homage to God the sender, and not by violent compulsion, but voluntary susception of death, gave up the ghost. So ended our Saviour's satisfying sufferings, as redeemer of mankind; though his sympathising sufferings, as mystical head of the Church, are still behind, r Col. 1. 24. and are daily filled up with the afflictions of his servants. I say his compassion daily remains and increaseth, though his passion was then, and there ended, according to his own expression, s Io●. 19 30. It is finished. § 11. Say not that the arrears thereof, Dead corpse may be wronged, but not hurt. and another reckoning remained, because presently after, one pierced his side, out of which came water and blood. For this added to their malice, not his misery: according to that expression, t Luk. 12. 4. Be not afraid of those that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do; all cruelties to breathless corpse amount to just nothing, and injuries to the dead though figures on the account of the offerers, yet are but cyphers on the score of the sufferers. § 12. Near mount Calvary was a garden, Christ buried in Joseph's sepulchre. and in that garden a rock, and in that rock a grave, which joseph of Arimathea had provided for himself. This was fashionable in that age to make their monuments in their gardens, so to retrench their wanton thoughts with meditations of mortality. Thus pleasure, poison in itself, is made wholesome, when well corrected with thoughts of our latter end; yea graves and green herbs make a good medley, seeing n 1 Pet. 1. 24. all flesh is grass, and the glory of man as the flower thereof, which withereth and falleth away. Here our Saviour was entombed, in a w Luk. 23. 53. sepulchre bewen in stone, wherein never man before was laid; it being fit, that as he was born of a virgin-wombe, he should be buried in a virgin-tombe. It was also Joseph's x Mat. 27. 60. own tomb, intended for his proper interment. Such our Saviour's poverty, that as he lived in lended houses, so he was buried in a borrowed sepulchre, being rather a tenant, than owner thereof. To make sure work, the grave was shut with a great stone, the stone fastened with a solemn seal, the seal guarded with a watch of soldiers; though all in vain. For all their solicitous care to suppress his resurrection, did but render it more conspicuous, and free it from all suspicion of forgery. § 13. Sure they did bind, Christ's resurrection. but loose they did find. For on the third day an Angel came down from heaven, causing a great earthquake; as if the earth, like a guilty malefactor, trembled with fear, for its former boldness, that being made God's footstool, it presumed to be his prison. This earthquake begat a second in the heart of the soldiers▪ who frighted with fear ran all away, our Saviour being formerly risen out of his sepulchre. For the stone was not y M●t. 28. 2. rolled away by the Angel to give his body passage out, but to give the disciples eyes passage into the grave, to behold the reality of his resurrection: otherwise he, who came in when the z joh. 20. 26. door, could come out when the grave was shut. Afterwards he attested his rising from the dead, by his manifold apparitions in sundry places to several persons, as is largely recorded in the Gospel. § 14. However the Priests to palliate the matter, Endeavoured in vain to be silenced. possess the people, and prevent the propagation of the repo●t, endeavoured by thei● money (their coin being better than their cause) whereby they had compassed the death, thereby also to hinder the belief of his resurrection. Though their seal on his grave was broken, they hoped to s●t a firmer on the lips of the soldiers, bribing them for the silence of the truth, and dispersing an improbable lie, that the Disciples came by night whilst they slept, and stole him away. It is admirable that such a falsehood confuting itself (for if they were asleep, how could they discover them? if awake, why did they not resist them?) should by God's permission make it passage so fast, so far, and so firm in the belief of the jews. Here taking the devil (the a joh. 8. 44. father of all lies) to be father thereof, it is worth our observing in the very words of the b Mat. 28. 15. Evangelist 1 The mother of the lie, the brains of the Pharisees: they taught. 2 The nurse thereof, the tongues of the soldiers: they did as they were taught. 3 The wages of the nurse, ready payment: so they took the money. 4 The well-batling of the babe, it grew very great: For it is commonly reported amongst the jews. 5 The long life thereof, lasting longer than sixteen hundred years, unto this day. And it is to be feared it will live next day, next month, next year, many years, if God be not more merciful in convincing their erroneous judgements. Thus it is just in heavens proceedings to suffer the posterity to be poisoned, for the wilful default of the parents. CHAP. XIII. Of the Potters-field, Aceldama, Fullers-field etc. § 1. PAss we from the northwest, The Potters-field. to the southeast part of the City, where, without the walls, we light on the Potters-field, where men of that trade made brittle plate in abundance. For, although in Solomon's time, such earthen ware was worthless in this City, when silver itself was a ● King. 10. 21. nothing accounted of, and made to be b Ibld. ver. 27. as stones in jerusalem; yet, poor people in after ages, found such cheap furniture useful for their estates. Here one might have seen those Potter's absolutely lording it over their clay (purely passive to receive any impression from them) and, according to their own power and pleasure, making of the same lump one c Rom. 9 21. vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour. Others conceive, this Potters-field was only an inconsiderable waist place, where sherds and pieces of broken pots were cast out in a by-corner. § 2. Surely it was neither great in extent or value, Bought for a burying place. seeing thirty pieces of silver (the restored reward of judas his treason) could purchase the fee-simple thereof; except any will say, it came at a cheaper rate, because intended for a public and pious use, the burial d Mat. 27. 7. of strangers. Here their dead corpse had an Hospital, wherein their lodging and clothing was freely bestowed upon them: and thus our Saviour, though himself a Stranger in a borrowed e Ibid. ver. 60. grave, by the price of his blood conferred graves on many Strangers. As for the confident report, that the earth in this field will in forty f Sands his Tr●. pag. 187. with legions of other Authors. eight hours, consume the flesh that is laid therein, yea retaining that quality though transported into foreign Countries, (the grave which every where hath a voracious appetite, having here as quick a digestion) my faith is neither all wax, nor all iron herein. To speak plainly, after long fight against an Army of Authors affirming the same, my belief at last is taken captive by their gravity, and number, to give credit thereunto. § 3. It was afterwards called Aceldama, Called Acelda ma. or the field g Act. 1. 19 of blood, because purchased with the price of Christ's blood, and not (as some may erroneously conceive) because handselled with the blood of judas therein, when his bowels gushed out. The place of whose self-execution is shown to pilgrims, some distance hence, on the south-west of the City, where he, who had lived a h Joh. 12. 6. thief to his Master, died a fellow of himself, hanged, say some, on an Elder; say others, i Adricho. in Theatr. ●●●sanc. on a Sycomore tree; a matter of no concernment. § 4. More are we troubled, The manner of judas his death. not for judas his sake (for whom two deaths were not too many) but in behalf of the Truth (which can be but one) to reconcile a seeming difference betwixt two places of Scripture about the manner of his death. MATTH. 27. 5. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the Temple, and departed, and went, and hanged himself. ACTS 1. 18. And falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. We understand it thus, not that the rope breaking, judas falling down thence some steep place, was paunched on some sharp pile; but, that the very weight of his body, and violence of his headlong motion (having no hopes upward in heaven, and therefore hasting downward to the centre of despair) broke his belly in so precipitate a fall. Thus as Traitors, when hanged, are by our law to have their bowels drawn out by the executioner: so judas served himself so, ●o spare others the pains to punish him. § 5. Fullers-field must not be forgotten, where they stretched, Fullers-field. and dried their clothes which they they had washed in the brook of Cedron. But all the soap used here by men of that trade, could not scour the indelible stain of impiety out of the credit and conscience of King Ahaz, who in the highway of k Isa. 7. 3. 12. the Fullers-field, peevishly refused a sign, which God graciously proffered unto him. And men's several behaviours in matters of this nature deserved to be marked. For, it was 1 Commendable in l Judg. 6. ●7. Gideon and m Isa. 38. 22. Hezekiah, humbly requesting a sign for farther strengthening of their weak Faith. 2 Pardonable in n Luk. 1. 18. Zacharias, craving one out of a mixture of infidelity, therefore granted him in loving anger; his dumbeness serving as well to correct, as confirm him. 3 Damnable in the jews, who out of pride and presumption, in a daring way o Mat. 16. 1. demanded; and in Herod, who out of curiosity p Luk. 23. 8. expected a sign from Christ, and therefore denied them. But most of all in Ahaz, in whose nostrils the very perfumes of Heaven scented ill, because proffered unto him, refusing to accept a sign so freely tendered unto him. § 6. East of Aceldama, Tophet why so called. in the valley of the Sons of Hinnon, lay Tophet (that is, Breadth) as Saint Hierome q In his comment on jer. 7. expoundeth it, because there the Citizens of jerusalem, penned within the walls of their City, used to dilate, expatiate, and recreate their spirits in the walks thereof. Pity it was that so pleasant a place should afterwards be poisoned with Idolatry, where children were offered to Moloch, searing them to death with his burning embracements; of the manner whereof largely herefter. For the present let it suffice us to observe, that josiah is said to r 2 King. 23. 13. defile this place: what! was it capable of more pollution than what it had before? Understand it, by burning of dead bones therein, he made it as offensive to the nostrils of men, as formerly it had been odious in the eyes of God. Now as the stinking lake of Avernus in Italy, passeth in Pagan Poets for Hell itself: so this valley of Ben-hinnon (Gehenna in Greek) is used in the same sense by our f Ma●. 5. 29. Saviour: either because of the abominable impieties here committed by the parents; or exquisite torments here endured by the children. § 7. We conclude with the place wherein Saint Steven was stoned, Place of Saint Stevens Martyrdom. being on the east of the City, some distance from what at this day is termed Saint Stevens-gate: nigh which they show the place where Saul sat, when he kept the clothes of those that stoned him. Now, seeing by David's law, t 1 Sam. 30. 25. made by the brook Besor, he that tarrieth by the stuff is to be equal sharer in the spoil with those that go forth to the battle; the equity of this ordinance arraigneth Saul guilty alike of the blood of Saint Steven, with those whose wardrobe he kept during the time of the execution. But, whatsoever Saul's share was in the murder, great was his part in the prayer of Saint Steven, whose u Act. 7. 60. petition (Lord lay it not to their charge) is justly accounted by Divines, a promoting means of his speedier conversion. Her● the draught of Solomon's Temple is to be inserted. THE DESCRIPTION OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. CHAP. I. David's threefold preparation for the Temple. § 1. IT will not I hope be censured superstition, Preface to the ensuing discourse. if at the Threshold of this Temple, we fall flat in veneration of the God thereof, to guide us in the ensuing discourse. The subject whereon we enter is holy ground, may both writer and reader put off their shoes, and divesting themselves, as much as may be, of carnal corruption, come with simplicity, and sincerity to the matter now undertaken. § 2. As some previous dispositions, Preparations made for the Temple. and antecedaneous acts are required of a Christian, before he be perfectly converted, and become the Temple of the holy Ghost; so some preparatory provisions were necessary to be made before the building of the Temple was taken in hand. Holy a 1 Chr. 26. 28. Samuel was the first we find, who stored up any wealth to this purpose; and Saul (probably invited with his example) dedicated things to the same intent. Yea b Ibidem. Abner and joab (though at deadly feud each against other) agreed both in consecrating spoils won in battle's t● maintain the house of the Lord. But David exceeded all other, beforehand providing the materials wherewith, prescribing the pattern whereby, and purchasing the ground whereon the Temple should be erected. § 3. First, David's double oblation. for materials. Lest he or his son should be recounted amongst those c Luk. 14. 30. foolish builders, which began and were not able to finish, vast were his preparations for this purpose, in those his two large showers of his liberality, which we may call the former and latter rain of his bounty on the Temple. The former 1 Chr. 22. 14. An hundred thousand Talents of gold, and 〈◊〉 thousand thousand talents of silver, and of brass and iron without weight. The latter 1 Chr. 29 4. 7. Three thousand talents of gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, given by David of his own proper goods. Besides given by the Princes of the people, of gold fiv● thousand talents, and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and an hundred thousand talents of iron. In the first oblation was given what they had suddenly gotten by their valour, in the latter, what they had leisurely advanced by their diligence. In the first their own, but taken from their enemies; in the latter their own, but saved from themselves: in both d 1 Chr. 29. 16. Gods own, as David confesseth, who first bestowed it on them, and they now restored it to his service. § 4. Come we now to examine how much a Talon, The value of a Jewish talon. in Hebrew Chichar, did contain. Whereof in Scripture we find these generals. 1 One man could not conveniently carry two Talents, and therefore e 2 King. 5. 23. Naaman bound two Talents of silver in two bags, and laid them upon two of his servants. 2 One man might easily bear one Talon, not only on his back, but on his head, and that not as a burden, but ponderous ornament. Thus the Crown of the King of Ammon, afterwards worn by David, f 2 Sam. 12. 30. weighed a Talon, besides precious stones. Except any will say, that the heaviness thereof rested more on the subject's hands, then on the Sovereign's head, who by grandsergeantry ma● be presumed to support the same. 3 Probably 〈◊〉 contained more than ten thousand Adarconim, (or drams, as ●●r translations render it) because in the g 1 Chr. 29. 7. aforesaid text, after entire talents were reckoned up, these drams follow as a fraction or broken sum, not amounting to a whole talon. 4 The particular value thereof may be collected out of h Exod. 38. 26. demonstrated by Brerewood d● num. jud. c. 4 Exodus, that every talon contained three thousand shekels, or fifteen hundred ounces, which in gold according to three pound the ounce, amounteth to four thousand five hundred pound of English money. According to this standard the hundred thousand talents of gold given by David in the first oblation, make up four hundred and fifty millions, as an excellent i Idem ca 5. Critic hath accounted it. § 5. Here as that infidel Prince conceived, Talent sometimes taken for a smaller sum. if k 2 King. 7. 19 windows were made in heaven, such plenty of food could not follow in Samaria as the Prophet foretold; so more will be of the mind, that if Pluto should let open all his trapdoors, melt all his mines into money, so great a sum could not suddenly be advanced. This hath given the ground to their probable opinion, who conceive that Talon in the first oblation of David is there taken only for a plain or flat plate of gold of small value, (as anciently in l Iliad. lib. 23. Homer it passeth in the same acception) whilst in the second offering Talent is used in the exact and strict notion, according to the full value aforesaid, whose judgement is strengthened by the following arguments. 1 Surely Solomon was the m 1 Kin. 10. 23. richest of all the Kings of Israel before or after him, bu● verily I say unto you, that Solomon in all his wealth and triennial returns from Tarshish, was far inferior to David, if the Talents there mentioned were full and entire according to the first computation. 2 What is said of our Saviour's deeds by way of hyperbole, that if they n Joh. 21. 25. were all written, the world itself could not contain the books that should be written, may be literally affirmed of David's treasure in the first oblation. For as the silver there mentioned was tenfold more than the gold; so if it be allowed (what in moderate proportion cannot be denied) that the unweighed Brass was tenfold to the Silver, and the Iron to the Brass, the whole content of the o See Ludovicus de Aleaser de mensuris sacris. Temple was not sufficient to comprehend so mighty a mass. 3 Though the second offering of David was far short of the first in number of Talents, yet it is beheld in Scripture as most solemn and of highest importance. At the presenting whereof greatest gratitude to God, and mutual exultation amongst men was p 1 Chr. 29. 9 expressed. This insinuates that at this rere-account, the Talents were Talents indeed, and though in number fewer, in worth more considerable than the former. Wherefore though we conceive not the long life of the Patriarches a sufficient cause (as some do) to expound their age of lunary years, yet the strength of these reasons carry our belief along with them to contract the acception of talents in the first account, as is above stated. § 6. But to close up all concerning Talents: A talon afterwards a vast sum. It was so great a sum, that though now so many thousands of them abounded in jerusalem, yet after wards in the reign of jehojakim, one talon of gold and an hundred talents of silver, was found and felt an heavy annual taxation for the whole City of jerusalem and kingdom of judah to pay. Insomuch, that he q 2 King. 23. 35. exacted it of every one in the land, to make up that sum for the King of Egypt So great is the difference betwixt the same place, when flowing with wealth, and when exhausted with war. § 7. After all these preparations made, David's holy compliment. let not David's expression be condemned of compliment, Now behold, in my r 1 Chr. 22. 14. poverty I have provided for the house of the Lord etc. as if he were like those fond ente●tainers, who having foraged the elements of air, earth and water for provision for their guests, still excuse their cheer for being no better. His words were indicted from an humble heart, finding his deeds so far short of his desires, of God's deserts. Thus those who have given a little to God, think they have given much, whilst such as have given much, know they have given but a little. § 8. Here it will be demanded, Why no restraint of people's bounty in building the Temple. that seeing at the building of the Tabernacle, people's bounty was refrained with a flat s Exod. 36. 6. prohibition to bring in no more, why no such restraint appears at the building of the Temple, where far greater masses of metal were presented for the erection thereof. But it is answered, that moderate or competent state best became the Tabernacle, resembling the kingdom of grace; whilst the Temple was not capable of excess in magnificence, representing the kingdom of glory. No hands could contribute too much to the Type, where no heart can conceive enough of the truth, the things which God hath prepared t 1 Cor. 2. 9 for them that love him, not entering into humane imagination. § 9 Besides these materials, Model of the Temple made jure divino. David prescribed the model, which he gave to Solomon his son, the pattern of the porch and of the houses thereof, and of the treasures thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the palace of the Mercy-seat, and the pattern of all that he had by the u 1 Chron. 28. 11, 12. 19 Spirit. And it followeth not far after, All this (said David) the Lord made me to understand in writing, by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern. Here David for the more certainty, had a double direction, one by the Spirit, the other by writing, to stand on record in perpetuam rei memoriam. These two did not contradict, but confirm each other, because he, who hath learned his lesson most perfectly by heart, may notwithstanding sometimes have need to have recourse unto, and make use of his notes. § 10. However herein the note of the Geneva translation is very considerable, Observe the notes in the Geneva translation. thus glozing on the text. For all this was left in writing in the book of the Law, Exod. 15. 40. which book the King was bound to put in execution. Deut. 17. 19 Thus making David not by prophetical revelation, but prudential collection, to arrive at the knowledge of the Prototype of the Temple, by a writing, being (no new or immediate manuscript from heaven, but) the ancient Scripture, delivering the model, and dimensions of the Tabernacle to Moses. Yet so, that the dead letter in the word, was quickened and enlivened in David's heart by God's Spirit, teaching him to observe a general conformity betwixt the Tabernacle and Temple, yet with those due and necessary alterations, as were requisite betwixt the one a small and movable fabric, and the other a large and standing structure. An interpretation easier cavilled at, then confuted, because such the Analogy betwixt these two edifices. — Fancies non una duabus, Nec diversa tamen, qualis decet esse sororum. Their faces neither divers, nor the same, But such as sister's very well became. The latter being none other, than the imitation of the former with proportionable addition: as indeed what is the Tabernacle of Grace, but the Temple of Glory contracted; or the Temple of Glory, but the Tabernacle of Grace dilated? § 11. This * Solomon was not so pattern-bound as Moses pattern was imparted to David, (who had the holier, though Solomon the larger heart) and no doubt his son exactly observed the same. Yet can I not believe that Solomon was altogether so pattern-bound, as Moses, who was so confined to his w Exod. 25. 40. Act. 7. 44. Heb. 8. 5. instruction, that his hand might not write a letter, yea not make a flourish, more than was in his Copy: And a knop or flower in the Candlestick under or over, was a mortal transgression. More probable it is, that hiram's fancy, (Solomon's Architect) was not pressed in all particulars, but was left a volunteire for some descants of Art, whilst for the main, he kept himself to the groundwork prescribed unto him. § 12. Besides materials, The ●loor of the Temple purchased by David. and model, David purchased the floor whereon the Temple was erected; a floor paved with mysteries. Here on mount Moriah, an Angel x Gen. 22 2. & 12. stayed the stretched-out hand of Abraham from killing Isaac, and in the same place, God stayed the y 2 Sam. 24. 16. sword of the destroying Angel, from slaying the Israelites with the pestilence. No place therefore more precious, more cordial, or sovereign to build a Temple in, than this, which was twice confirmed with Probatum est, stamped with a double impression of God's favour upon it. This floor David bought of Araunah the jebusite, from whom he would not take it of gift, that hereafter it might not be said, that the Temple had no better title to the ground whereon it was built, than the mere gratuity of such a man, whom most conceive to be but a Pagan. Indeed a main matter to make a structure stand firm, is to found it on ground lawfully purchased, and honestly paid for, otherwise that floor, which for substance is a rock, will in point of right be found but a sandy foundation. § 13. On this place David built an Altar, An Altar here first built by David. giving it this large character, This z 1 Chr. 22. 1. is the house of the Lord God, and this is the Altar of the burnt-offering for Israel. Now as the heart is the Primum vivens in a creature; so this Altar was the first thing erected in the Temple, though for the present made of such mean matter as that hasty occasion would give leave. Here it stood many years after, even until the brazen Altar of a firmer Fabric was substituted in the room thereof. Either to this did joab fly, and caught hold in vain of the horns thereof, (three years before the Temple was built) or else to some other Altar near the Tabernacle in Zion For seeing those passages betwixt him and Solomon were transacted in the City of jerusalem, certain it is, he fled not to the Altar as yet at a 1 Chr. 21. 29. Gibeon, distanced some miles from this place. § 14. If it be demanded why David thus diligent to provide for the Temple, Why David prohibited to build the Temple. was forbidden to build it; a double reason is rendered thereof. First, because he had been a b 1 Chr. 28. 3. & 1 Chr. 22. 8. man of war; and his martial reign encumbered with constant battles, afforded not a peaceable conveniency suitable to such a design. Secondly, because he had shed much blood upon the earth in God's sight, which principally related to his kill of Uriah. Say not that Solomon also was a man of blood, having ordered the executions of c 1 King. 2. 29. joab, Shimei, and Adoniah, doing it in a judicial way, not violent and murdering manner, as David had done. And although his serious repentance had cured the wound in his conscience, yet God suffered the scare in his credit so far to remain, as to render him uncanonical, or irregular for such an employment. However, in some sense David may be said to have built the Temple: Namely, in God's gracious d 2 Cor. 8. 12▪ acception of the readiness of his will for the performance thereof. CHAP. II. An army of workmen employed by Solomon in the building of the Temple. § 1. NOw Solomon his son being a peaceable Prince, The Halcyon days of Solomon. as his name imports, in his quiet reign began the building of the Temple. Thus as Criers make an Oyes to silence all noise, that men may the better attend to the Judge when beginning his Charge; so by a general peace, the rage of all people was stilled, before God in the Oracle did begin his familiar discourse with the Israelites, or the foundation of the Temple taken in hand. Then Solomon enters on the work, employing in mount Lebanon, a vast army of workmen, in their several distances to advance this Fabric. § 2. Namely, The multitude of workmen. for servile work, an a 1 Kin. 5. 15. & 2 Chr. 2. 18. hundred and fifty thousand bearers of burdens, and hewers of stone and wood. All these were strangers, Solomon reserving his native subjects for their purses to pay taxes, not persons to bear burdens. Secondly, for plain work; in which thirty thousand Israelites were employed, yet with such b 1 King. 5. 14. alternation, that, divided in three parts, they stayed one month in mount Lebanon, and the other two at home. Thirdly, for carved-works; herein the Sidonians only were used, whose exact number is not specified: But they must needs be numerous, if we may guests the men by their mouths, and their mouths by the c 2 Chr 2. 10. proportion of victuals allowed them. Lastly, above all for direction three thousand three hundred were appointed (surely so many officers would suffer no drones to be in the whole hive) to oversee the rest. § 3. Such, Two invincible gulfs to swallow men's labours. who admire how so many could so long be busied in such a building, would haply have wondered more, how so few in so short a time could have finished the same, had they beheld the magnificence thereof. Two great gulfs there were, which insensibly swallowed up the labours of many thousands of men. First, the want of horses in judea (plenty whereof were brought out of Egypt towards the latter end of King Solomon's reign) whereupon massy timber in those mountainous countries, were managed by the main strength of men. The second was a religious Criticism peculiar to this structure, all things being beforehand so framed and fitted in mount Lebanon, that not so much as the sound of an Axe, or Hammer was heard in jerusalem, when it came to be erected. Which exactness must needs occasion many chargeable essays and samples, before it could be attained. Nor wanted there a mystery therein, because as the moving Tabernacle typified the Church Militant; so the Temple resembled the Triumphant, where those who shall be thought worthy to be admitted into glory, shall have nothing to do, but to be admitted into glory. § 4. Some will say with d joh. 3. 9 Nicodemus, Objection about the impossibility thereof. How could these things be, that no noise should be made at the erecting thereof? suppose but a bedstead having head, sides, feet, posts, tester, cords, and curtains fitted before, it cannot be set up without some necessary noise. Yea grant their hammers or mallets cased with some soft matter, to bribe them to silence, yet they could not be made so mute, but that the very contusion and enforcement of the air, would unavoidably advance some sound. Nor were the beams of the Temple so far in love with their mortises, as to run into them, or the mortises so fond of the beams, as to embrace them of their own accord. § 5. In answer hereto, Several answers thereunto. some plead miracle, others exquisite Art, and several kinds of cementing, souldering, rivetting, screwing, glewing, and other devices unknown to our age. As for the rabbinical fancy, that Solomon with the blood of the worm Thamyr * Rather S●hamir. vid. Text●● Eber. Lyran. Ezech. 3. 9 effected this matter, most will account it improbable in itself, and unproportionable to Scripture. Others distinguish on the degrees of the noise; small in comparison of so great a work, and not obstreperous to a public disturbance. But the best interpret it, that no laborious sound was heard from the hewing or squaring of timber, or stone, but only a more cheerful, yea melodious harmony, from the happy conjunction, and compacting of parts together, now easily matched, which had been contracted before. This I am sure, that what tongue-tied tools soever, were used at the erecting of the Temple, too clamorous instruments were employed at the destruction thereof, when they broke down the e Psal. 74. 6. curved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. § 6. Besides the two gulfs aforesaid, Solomon consulteth not with thri●t. (the quicksands of many men's labours) it is also to be considered, that though so wise a King as Solomon▪ would not burden himself with superfluous numbers, yet in this Fabric, wherein he did personate and represent the great God of heaven, he consulted more with his magnificence, than his frugality, not minding so much how many the building in bare necessity did require, but how many the builders with full authority could command. § 7. Notwithstanding so many labourers entertained in the work, Seven years spent in building the Temple. seven years was this Temple in building. Here some will behold the sanctity and perfection of the septenary number, f 1 King. 6. 38. so often occurring in Scripture, whilst we conceive this the best reason, why just seven years were spent in the building thereof, because it could not be ended in six, nor accomplished within a shorter compass of time. Indeed almost twice as much time (thirteen years) did Solomon 1 King. 7. 1. spend in building his own house: whereof this fair and ingenuous reason is rendered by h Ant. jud. li. 8. cap. 2. josephus; because he was not so intent and earnest therein, as in the structure of the Temple. It is in another case reported to the praise of Boaz, i Ruth. 3. 18. the man will not be at rest, until he have finished the thing; so Solomon, during those seven years of the Temples building, did not sleep in a cessation from, nor slumber in an interruption of that work, which was intended for the honour of God. Though in erecting his own Palace, as he made it for his pleasure, so he did it at his leisure; as conveniencies would permit. CHAP. III. Of the general dimensions of the Temple. § 1. THe length of this Temple was a 1 King. 6. 2. sixty Cubits (besides ten Cubits for the Porch, The dimensions of the Temple. which complete the whole length, seventy) the breadth thereof twenty, the height thirty. Here we may take notice of a manifest difference betwixt the Scripture and the writer of the Jewish antiquities; both for the time, wherein the Temple was built, and the dimensions thereof. Scripture. 1 KING. 6. 1. Four hundred and fourscore years after the children of Israel came out of the land of Egypt. 1 KING. 6. 2. The height thereof thirty Cubits. josephus' Ant. jud. li. 8. c. 2. Five hundred ninety and two years after the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt. Ibidem. The whole height of the Temple was six score Cubits. A difference which will make no impression on his Faith, who hath read Saint Peter's resolution, b Act. 5. 29. We ought to obey God rather than man; Such passages not unusual in josephus; witness when he saith of King jehojachin, ᶜ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, being just and merciful, Ant. jud. li. 10. cap. 8. of whom the Scripture d 2 King. ● 4. 9 once and e 2 Chr. 36. 9 again reporteth, and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. § 2. A Cubit, Two sorts of Cubits. say some, is the length from the elbow to the wrist; say others, to the tip of the longest finger: some making it the fourth, others the sixth part of a man. Some allowing it a foot, others a foot and half, with whom we concur. But it is mainly material, that the Cubits of the Temple were f 2 Chr. 3. 3. after the first measure; that is, according to those whereby the Ark was framed, before men's first strength and stature was abated. For as it is hard exactly to define how big men were in former ages: so it plainly appears, both by Scripture and Pagan Testimonies, how much men's might is impaired, and falls short of the performances of the ancients. Homer, Iliad. E▪ in the duel betwixt Diomedes and Aeneas. — 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.— Virgil, Aeneid. 12. in the fight betwixt, Aeneas and Turnus. Vix saxum lecti bi● sex cervice subirent, Qualia nunc hominum producit corpora tellus. A stone he snatched and threw, a stone indeed So huge▪ so heavy, two men now had need To heave it up, such dwarves our days do breed. However we may safely with the most moderate, make the Cubit of the first measure double to the former, and equal to our English yard. § 3. Say not that this allowing of several Cubits amongst the jews was double dealing, This no breach of the law. and a flat breach of that Commandment, g Deut. 25. 13. Thou shalt▪ not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. For that ordinance only forbade the abuse of one measure, a great to buy, and a small to sell with, both being conceived of the same standard. But to have several weights or measures, where the chapman is acquainted with the difference, and the prices rated accordingly, is neither fault nor fraud at all, no more then for a Merchant to sell by two several pound weights, the one Troy, the other Averdupois, where the differences of the ounces is notoriously known. § 4. But thus allowing the Temple to be sixty great Cubits, Objection; Temple a zoar or little one. or as many yards, or ninescore feet, long; twenty great Cubits, or yards, or sixty foot, broad; thirty great Cubits, or yards, or ninety foot, high; (all clearly within the house, besides the breadth of the wall without) yet some will say it answered not expectation, and the stately character given thereof in Scripture. Is this that Fabric which filled the whole world with the fame thereof, which was so small in itself considered? Nothing can be magnificum, which is not magnum, and it must first be great, before it can be glorious. He may be pretty, but not a proper person, who hath not bulk proportionable to his beauty. Yea if Solomon's Temple were compared to some structures and Fanes of heathen Gods (as humane Authors give in their dimensions) it would appear as Saint Gregory's to Saint Paul's, (the babe by the mother's side) or rather this Davids model would be like David himself standing by Goliath, so gigantic were some Pagan Fabrics in comparison thereof. Indeed this Temple is termed exceeding magnifical 1 Chron. 22. 5. But Diana who is styled her magnificence, Act. 19 27. seems better to deserve the title, whose Temple is h Plin. Nat. hist. li. 36. ca 14. said to be four hundred and twenty feet in the length, two hundred and twenty in the breadth, Answ. It was a vast edifice well considered with the appurtenances and sixty in the height thereof. § 5. To which we answer. 1t. The state of Solomon's Temple did principally consist not so much in the greatness, as exquisite symmetry thereof, and costly furniture therein. 2. It was abundantly big enough for the use for which it was intended, namely to contain the holy vessels (with sufficient, yea with large space betwixt them) and to receive such Priests as did officiate therein. For the Holy of Holies was accessible to the high-Priest alone, and that but once a year, and into the Holy or inward house came not all the many thousands of Levites, but only such Priests (to light lamps, set shewbread, offer incense) as by Lot and course were called thereunto, as appeareth by Zacharies sole staying therein, whilst the whole i Luk. 1. 10. multitude of the people were praying without. Indeed nothing of drudgery was done in the Temple, or what must require many men to manage it, it being neither handsome nor healthful to crowd much company into a covered room in that hot Country. Lastly, the great latitude and capacity of the Temple consisted in the outward Courts, unseparable parts thereof of such receipt, as to entertain multitudes of men sub dio, in the open air, as completing a square of five hundred cubits, and in the amplitude, largeness and magnificence thereof, equalling, yea exceeding the greatest buildings in the world, if report be but reduced to the standard of truth, and travellers not permitted to slip their thumb in their measuring of yards, overlashing in their relations. § 6. To return to what properly is termed Temple, Temple bigger than Tabernacle, and why. the Tectum, or covered part thereof. It was more than twice as great as the Tabernacle made by Moses, which (as k De templi fabrica. l. 1. c. 7. Ribera collects from the length of the curtains Exod. 26.) was but thirty Cubits in length, ten in breadth, and as many in height. Yea, well might the Temple exceed the Tabernacle in dimensions, if we consider; First, the Tabernacle was erected by exiles wandering in a barren wilderness; the Temple by a potent Prince, and his populous subjects in their own peaceable country. Secondly, the Tabernacle was in a manner fitted for its foundation, to the backs and shoulders of the Levites, which were to carry it, and therefore might not exceed a portable proportion. Thirdly, the Temple mystically typified the Church Triumphant, and therefore in strength, state, grace, and greatness was to surpass the Tabernacle, the movable Emblem of the Church Militant. § 7. Now how the structure of the Temple stood in relation to the four quarters of the world, is not plainly expressed in Scripture, The Temple stood East and West. but may partly be collected from the phrase used in the original, where the porch is said to be set 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before l 1 King 6. 3. the face of the house, where Before is Eastward in the propriety of the Hebrew tongue. Hence all expositors, Jewish and Christian, confidently place the ends or length of the Temple East and West, the sides or breadth thereof North and South, making the porch or entrance on the East end, the inward house in the middle, and the Holy of Holies in the West end of the Temple, which several parts we come now orderly to describe. CHAP. IU. Of the fair Porch at the entrance of the Temple. § 1. THe Porch, in Latin porticus, & vestibulum, The dimensions of the porch. in Hebrew Ulam, (which name the Septuagint retain) gave a stately entertainment to such as entered into the Temple. In the book of a 1 King. 6. 3. Kings we meet with the length, and breadth thereof, but no height there mentioned: In b 2 Chr. 3. 4. Chronicles we find the length and height of it, whilst there the breadth is omitted; by putting both together we may spell the perfect dimensions thereof. Thus, those who hope for exact intelligence from heaven, must peruse, and compare all expresses dispatched thence. Yea, in the new Testament, God's message is whole, but not wholly by one messenger, so that, what is wanting in one, is supplied in another Evangelist. This Porch was twenty Cubits in * The flying ●oll. Zach. 5. 2. was just adequate to this porch, in length and breadth twenty Cubits long and ten borad. length (according to the breadth of the house) ten in breadth, and an hundred c 2 Chron. 3. 4. & twenty in height, mounting tower-like above the rest, being four times as high, as the body of the Temple. § 2. Some will say with covetous judas, Such a tower not useless. To d Ma●. 26. 8. & joh. 12. 4. what purpose was this waist? seeing the inside thereof was but an useless vacuity, not having any bells therein (trumpets being the only bells of the Hebrews to summon their assemblies) and that otherwise it was for no service. But know, that is not empty, which is full of ornament; nor idle, which stands both for strength, and state. If an elegant exordium be so useful in an oration, to gain the ears of the Auditors; no less graceful a fair front in a building, to win the eyes of the beholders. Nor was Solomon minded like many in after-ages, who cut down all top-masts from the ship of Christ's Church (politicly pretending a tempest, and that all is done for her safety) and make her close knotted to the very keel; but, his large hart and hand, cared not what he expended on the magnificence of God's House. § 3. Here I cannot but admire, The Temple not so high as the Porch. to see legions c Reckoned up by Ribera de Templo. li 1. c. 2. with whom he seemethto concur. of learned men, extend and carry on the aforesaid height, of an hundred and twenty Cubits (appropriated in the text to the porch alone) even to the whole fabric of the Temple, making the entire body thereof of an uniform height, equal with the porch. Where, to excuse them from inconveniences, they make the lower Temple to reach to the first loft, roof, or ceiling of Cedar, over which they fancy an upper house of equal proportion, the roof whereof ranged even with the porch in height; so making a Duplicate, or all the rooms of the Temple to be double, one on the floor, the other in the upper story. Indeed we read in Solomon's song of a sort of sheep f Cant. 4. 2. whereof every one bare twins, but that such gemination was here in the Temple, is altogether improbable, Scripture being silent of that second, or upper story, nor mentioning any use, for which it was intended, and confining the height of the Temple to just thirty g 1 King 6. 2. Cubits. Well therefore may we suspect some flaw, or crack in those spectacles, which represent the Temple thus double, against the simplicity of the text, to the unprejudiced readers thereof. § 4. To return to the porch; Bede his conceit. fair (no doubt) was the door or gate leading thereinto, though very bold is the assertion of venerable Bede, h In lib. qu●st. in lib. Regum quaest. 12. affirming that it was so great, that, standing full east, the equinoctial Sun without any obstacle, did send his beams through the door of the Temple, and Oracle, into the very Ark which was within the Holy of Holies. But, grant the gate very great in the porch, surely the sunshine could not penetrate so far, being intercepted by the partition. It being improbable, that the door of the Oracle was ever left open, that mysterious place being unenterable, as well for the eyes, as feet of any, save the high-Priest alone. Otherwise, needless was the renting of the vail at our Saviour's passion, Luk. 23. 45. if the passage into the Holy of Holies was pervious at all times, or if the gate thereof did usually stand open. § 5. The porch how overlaid with gold. This porch (as the words lay plain in the text) Solomon k 2 Chr. 3. 4. overlaid within with pure gold. However interpreters expound these words (though next in position to the porch) rather to reach over in their relation, to other more inward parts of the Temple, conceiving it too vast and needless an expense, to overly a tower six score Cubits high within with gold. But, ill fare covetous Commentatours on a liberal text. Solomon will give them small thanks for their great thrift; to spare his cost, and at once to spoil both the letter of the text, and the lustre of his Temple. We conclude it overlaid with pure gold, that is, gilded all over, but being silver within; so reconciling it to another place, where David is said to have provided l 1 Chr. 29. 4. seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overly the walls of the houses withal. Thus it took the denomination of gold, from that metal which was most precious, and most visible on the surface thereof. § 6. Let none here condemn me, for grudging the Temple her glory, thus debasing the gold thereof into silver-gilt. For mine own part, as Moses wished all God's people m Num. 11. 29. Prophets; it would not offend me, if all God's House were pearls, mine eyes are not so bleared with envy, as to smart at the shining of Solomon's Temple. But a due decorum must be observed in this edifice, and one place of Scripture must not be advanced, to depress another. And, seeing there were degrees in holiness, why not also gradations in gallantry, between the several rooms of the Temple? So that all three might be overlaid with pure gold; the porch with leaf, the inward house with plate, the Holy of Holies with the most refined gold of Parvaim. CHAP. V. Of the Holy, or outward Temple. § 1. WE advance now from the Porch into the next room, The names and dimensions thereof. called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hechal the Temple, (because the largest part thereof) as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the greater n 2 Chr. 3. 5. house, by Tremellius templum anterius, by others interior domus, the inward-house, (namely in respect of the porch) which had forty o 1 King. 6. 17. Cubits in the length, while the breadth and height thereof, was adequate to the general dimensions of the Temple. § 2. The foundation of this Temple (as of the whole structure) consisted of great costly hewed stones, The foundation of the Temple. brought thither by the King's p 1 King. 5. 17. command. Here if the vulgar Latin hath Lapides pretiosoes, we must not understand gems and jewels thereby; for, the burying of such shining beauties under ground, what had it been else, but the putting of a candle under a bushel? Besides, such are by nature too small for that service, and it was the prerogative royal of the new jerusalem, which came down from heaven, to have the foundation of that City q Revel. 21. 19 garnished with all manner of precious stones. Conceive them here stones of price, on whose polishing much cost was expended to make them no less fair to ●ight, then firm for substance. For, Solomon, who built not for ostentation, but true magnificence, did not worship God only with eye-service; but was careful, that the underground work of the Temple should be as well specious, as strong; knowing, that the same God saw both the secret of his heart, and bottom of his house. To lesson us in our spiritual edifices, 1 Tim. 6. 19 to lay up in store for ourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that we may lay hold on eternal life. § 3. How thick the walls of the Temple were, The thickness of the walls. is not expressed in Scripture. Villalpandus out of Ezekiel colle●teth the breadth of the wall to be six Cubits, s In Ezek. cap. 41. ver. 5. but how truly, I will not determine; whilst Peter Comestor, without giving any reason, makes the wa●●en Cubits thick; more, I believe, than an Architect will allow proportionable; not to say, how many quarries of stone so much solid wall would superfluously devour. We are well assured (though insisting on no ●et measure) it was built most substantial of itself (had not the sins of the people enfeebled it) with breadth suitable to such an height, to which it was to be raised, and such a burden, which it was to support. § 4. This wall had the outside thereof made of stone, The threefold matter of the wall. for strength; the middle of Cedar, for beauty; the inside of gold, for magnificence. The Cedar was so curiously carved with imagery of flowers, t 1 Kings 6. 18. & 29. Palms, and Cherubims, that the walls of this house seemed at the same time, a Garden of flowers, a Grove of trees, yea and a Paradise of Angels. Nor was all this flowretry, and other celature on the Cedar, lost labour, because concealed, when covered with gold. Indeed, had such graving been either in-laid, or flat-work, the superinduction of the gold had hid it, from any to behold it; but those figures being outwardly embossed with visible prominencies, the plate of the purest and most flexible metal, applied itself so close to each lineament in the sculpture, that it set off, and expressed the carved work with advantage, abating nothing of the cunning, and adding much to the cost thereof. § 5. The several shapes of Cherubims. But being here to inquire into the forms of these Cherubims, I am utterly disheartened with that passage in josephus u Ant. jud. lib. 8. cap. 2. speaking of their shapes, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, none can conceive or express what kind of creatures they were. Notwithstanding, many learned men are very peremptory in assigning their shapes, but no more agreeing in their several opinions, than Men, Women, Children, Lions, Eagles, Oxen, are one like to another. In all which forms I find Cherubims represented by several Authors, grounding them on the vision in w Ezek. 1. 5. Ezekiel. Haply they assumed several shapes, not always fixed to one figure, but preferring that form for the time being, which suited best with their present service. Appearing, when sent to treat, Men; when to terrify, Lions; when to show strength, Oxen; when to use swiftness, Eagles. But for certainty herein, the surest way, to know the fashion of these celestial creatures, is to live and die in God's fear and favour; and then, shall we not only see, but in some sort be Cherubims ourselves, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fellow-commoners with Angels (as our x Luk. 20. 36. Saviour saith) and sharers with them in glorious immortality. § 6. The door leading into the Temple. Of the same curiosity for y 1 King. 6. 35. carving, were the two doors with folding leaves, but made of firtree, and overlaid with gold, which lead out of the porch into the Temple. The workmanship of these doors, and of the wall being in all particulars so like, that when they were shut, no breach or interruption appeared in the graving, but a fair continuation thereof. Posts of olive-tree z Ibid. ver. 33. foursquare were made for those doors to turn upon. § 7. The gorgeous floor thereof. The floor hereof was made of boards 1 King. 6. 16. of fir (only as stifning in the middle) and they were faced and lined with gold on both sides. So soundeth the text to the plain reader thereof, b Ibid. ver. 30. and the floor of the house he overlaid with gold within and without. But Tremellius c Vid. ejus annot. in locum. expoundeth this within and without, not, above and beneath the boards (theseeming sense of the words) but, tam in adyto quam in templo, both within the Oracle, as also without, in this Temple or great house. § 8. Some will say, Plain but of pure gold. this was not so proper, that the pavement of the house should be as rich as the roof thereof. But this must be imputed to the poverty of nature, not affording more precious metal, seeing worse the gold was too bad for the floor, and better could not be had for the roof. Yet the foresaid pavement though of gold must be presumed plain, without any carving, otherwise the inequality of the sculpture had rendered it uneasy to be walked upon. Here the Priest's feet were taught to trample on worldly wealth; and surely, one means to move God to d Rom. 16. 20. tread Satan under our feet, is to make a footstool of this temporal Mammon, being one of his principal baits, and most pernicious temptations. § 9 Windows were also made in the Temple, but how many, Windows in the Temple. is not exactly specified. The fewer would serve the turn, because of the abundance of artificial lamps constantly burning therein. Indeed, some competent darkness raiseth devotion; for, though that e 1 Tim. 6. 16. unapproachable light which no mere man hath or can see, doth heighten, and elevate the zeal of glorified Saints admitted thereunto, yet too much outward light draweth out devotion too thin, and scatters it in the eyes, whilst a solemn darkness remands it to the heart with greater veneration. And a dark Oratory (being as it were a room hung with black against a funeral) doth mind such as enter therein of mortification. § 10. These windows come under a threefold enquiry. The● fashion, matter, and position. 1. How fashioned. 2. Whereof made. 3. Where placed. For their fashion, the original termeth them Secuphim athumin, words so variously rendered by Translatours, that the windows which should lighten the fabric, are themselves the most dark and difficult to be understood. We stick to our last translation of narrow lights; a form found advantageous, as most thrifty to collect (tunnel-like) most light from without, so most liberal to dispense it within with greatest conveniency. For their matter, Rabbi jehuda an ancient writer (whose judgement Tremellius preferreth f Vid. annot. in 1 King 6. 4. above all others) conceiveth them of glass, plenty whereof we have observed nigh Sidon, in purity corrival with Crystal itself. But g On Ezek. 41. Saint Hierome will have them lattised, Lignis interrasilibus, & vermiculatis, with worming or winding splinters of shaved wood: in which notion the Septuagint renders them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 windows of net work. If so, we will be bold to conceive such wooden lathes were overlaid with gold, otherwise it was unsuitable, that when no wood appeared on the walls, it should presume to peep out in the windows. Sure I am, in the second Temple (inferior to this in magnificence) josephus h De bello jud. lib. 7. cap. 10. reports, how a Roman soldier set fire on a golden window. However, if one will maintain, that these windows, made as much to let in air, as light, and (perchance) more to let out smoak then either (caused by the constant lamps and perfumes) were open without any shutting at all, I see no coercive argument, to enforce his belief to the contrary, can be taken out of Scripture. Now because the Temple was compassed about with three stories of chambers, each of them, five, and all three, fifteen Cubits high, these windows in the Temple must be made above the roof of those chambers, where their high standing afforded a double benefit, both of clearer light, and greater privacy. § 11. The roof of the Temple, The roof and covering thereof. finding no exception to the contrary, probably was flat, built like other houses in judea, where men might walk upon them; i Mat. 10. 27. Preach you (saith our Saviour) on the house tops. But, if any ask, with what metal it was covered? I am not ashamed to profess my ignorance. A quere, which, by his own confession, k In Ezek. tom. 2. par. 2. cap. 40. posed Villalpandus, propounded unto him by Isabel Archduchess of Austria, even after he had studied the subject many years, and accounted himself question-proof in all particulars. Insomuch, that non-plussed hereat, he was fain afresh to betake himself to his book, and on second inquiries found out of Eupolemus, and other Authors (Scripture being silent therein) that it was covered with tiles of brass (no more contradiction, than l 1 King. 22. 11. horns of Iron mentioned in Scripture) which, squammato opere, in scale-work, lay one over another. A thing not unlikely in itself, David having provided brass in such abundance, that it was m 1 Chr. 22. 14. without weight. No wonder, when we read that in Meldorpe a small City of Dithmars in Denmark the ordinary inhabitants therein cover their houses with n Pet. Hcylyn. Micr. pa. 326. copper. This I dare negatively affirm, it was not covered with lead, being so drossy and impure a metal, that not one ounce thereof is mentioned to be used about all the Temple. CHAP. VI Of the Holy of Holies. § 1. THis is called the Oracle, The dimension of the Holy of Holies. in Hebrew Debir, God's Parliament-house, or, speaking place, also the Holy of Holies, or, the inner-house. It was in fashion foursquare, the height, length, and breadth thereof equally extending to o 1 King. 6. 20. twenty Cubits. To show the stability, and firmness of happiness: so that, place the roof where the floor was, exchange one side-wall for the other, Cube-like it still continued the same firm proportion. Homil. 14. in. Ezek. Nor is the allusion of Saint Gregory to be contemned, on the like occasion observing, that so much as the soul ascends in knowledge of God, so much it extends in love to his neighbour; both which meeting together make a square-well-grown, and proportionable Christian. Of the same form, but far less, was the Holy of Holiest in the Tabernacle, namely ten q See Ribera de Templo. li. 1. cap. 6. p. 28. Cubits square verifying our observation, that the Temple was the Tabernacle printed in a greater character. § 2. Some will demand of me, The vacuity above the Oracle how employed. that seeing the Temple was thirty Cubits, and this Holy of Holies but twenty Cubits high, what then became of the remaining ten Cubits, reaching up to the roof of the Temple? I answer in the words of Elisha in another case, r 2. King. 4. 27. The Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. For the main we may be confident, that seeing Christ commanded the fragments of the multiplied loaves to be basketted up, that s john 6. 12. nothing be lost, surely no rag of room, no snip, or shred of empty space cut off from the squareness of the Oracle, was cast away as needless, but was used for some sacred service, though the particular employment thereof appears not in Scripture. § 3. It is stiffly can vassed by learned men, Wh●ther any windows in the Oracle. whether any windows were in this Oracle; and topical arguments are produced on both sides. For the Negative. 1 Windows t Villalp. in Ezek cap. 41. tom. 2 par. 2. cap. 4. were useless therein, which was entered into but once a year. 2 The Cherubims overshadowed the Mercy-seat, showing thereby these mysteries were intended not for sight, but secrecy. 3 This Oracle was designed for a little heaven, wherein They need no * Revel. 22. 5. candle nor light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them light. 4 It was exposed to the west, or setting Sun, whose declining beams were improper for that place being the emblem of perfection. For the Affirmative. 1 A total darkness had made it rather the Truth of a dungeon, than Type of heaven. 2 The u 1 King 6. 4. text placeth these windows not in the Hechal, but Ha-baith or House, which properly compriseth all the structure of the Temple. 3 Uniformity to the rest of the fabric required, that the windows in the Oracle should be correspondent to those in the outward house. 4 S. x In Ezek. cap. 41. Hierome is positive, that on three sides. South, North, and West, windows were made, only denieth any in the East, or Porch of the Temple, where the door supplied the want thereof. But leaving the Reader to the liberty of his own opinion, I conceive them too cruel, who serve the Oracle, as the Philistims did y Judg. 16. 21. Samson, putting out the eyes thereof, to which some necessary light in probability must be allowed, and that the high Priest therein did not annually officiate with blind obedience. § 4. But grant the windows doubtful, certain it is, The doors of the Holy of Holies. that a most magnificent door of olive-tree was made out of the greater house into the Oracle, carved with Cherubims, and overlaid with gold, the lintel and side-posts thereof being five square, of the same matter and metal. As for the Cherubims of massy gold, with their several dimensions, hereof more hereafter, in the description of the Utensils of the Temple. § 5. The floor was covered with boards of Cedar, Gold of Parvaim. overlaid with gold. But whether or no, the precious stones, wherewith this house was z 2 Chr. 3. 6. garnished, were disposed in the pavement, or elsewhere in the walls, or roof, we are as uncertain, as we are confident those precious stones were exposed to view, and not covered (as the rest) under the gold of a Ibidem. Parvaim; which some, from the affinity of the word, conceive Peru, or Peruana. But, we will not be over curious in seeking for the Country, which should we discover, all the misers of our modern age, would presently flock thither, to fraught themselves with wealth. Nor is it any absurdity, to conceive, Parvaim might be a Country now altogether unknown, where God broached a rich vein of gold for this particular purpose; and, the structure of the Temple once ended, stopped it up again, that no other should taste thereof ever after. § 6. The nails of the Holy of Holies. The weight of the nails used in this room was fifty b 2 Chr. 3. 9 shekels of gold, which Ribera understands not collectively of them all (the most seeming sense of the text) but, that each of them severally weighed so much. I dare not say, that Solomon particularly reflected on them, in that his expression, The words of the wise are as goads, and as c ●ccles. 12. 11. nails fastened by the Masters of the assemblies. But here the quere will be, how could they be of pure gold, seeing nails of such refined metal will not drive, but flat, because of the extraordinary softness, and pliableness thereof? It is answered, either they were riveted into holes fore-prepared of purpose, or else they were stiffened with some mixture of silver, or copper, not for cheapness, but the greater usefulness thereof. Be it here once for all observed, that, where the Utensils of the Temple, are termed of pure gold, understand it so pure, as the end, for which they were intended, would permit. Otherwise some necessary allay of base metal made them not only serviceable for, but more durable in that purpose, for which they were employed. § 7. A stately Veil was used as a traverse, The curious Veil. cross the Holy of Holies, which Solomon made d 2 Chr. 3. 14. of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought Cherubims thereon. If any demand why Solomon did not rather make use of that veil of like e Exod. 26. 31. workmanship, which Moses had made by God's direction, then put himself to the pain, and expense of a new one? Let them know, that the former veil fitted for the Sanctum Sanctorum in the Tabernacle, was too short and narrow, yea, half in half too little for this purpose. Therefore, it not being princely to piece, patch, or eek the same, another was contrived, as indeed nothing at the second hand was suitable to so stately a fabric, wherein (as the Apostle in another case) f 2 Cor. 5. 17. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. But more hereof hereafter in the Utensils of the Temple. § 8. One difficulty remains, How the Holy of Holies was in the midst of the Temple. where this Holy of Holies was placed, because the text g 1 King. 6. 19 saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he prepared it, in medio domus, in the midst of the house, which seems to import, that the house or Temple did environ, or encompass it, and that the Oracle, like the centre, was surrounded with the circumference of the Temple: But on stricter enquiry, it will be found only a pure Hebraism, & that in the midst signifieth the same with within, as it is judiciously rendered in our translation. Thus saith David, h Psal. 101. 7. He that worketh deceit shall not live in the midst of my house, that is, shall not dwell within my family. O Lord, i Hab. 3. 2. saith the Prophet, Revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known. Not insisting therein on an exact middle, but desiring it might be done, only within the time, and term appointed, and promised by the Prophet. So also was the Oracle prepared in the midst of the house, that is, within the same, as the Chancel is said to be within the Church, through which the high and usual way leadeth into it. CHAP. VII. Of the Chambers about the Temple. § 1. ALthough it be repeated thrice in one k 1 King. 6 5. verse, Chambers how round about. that chambers were built round about, yet because in the same place, mention only is made of the Temple and Oracle, we conceive with learned Ribera, that the east end where the Porch stood, was clear, and un-chambered, having no other buildings about it, to hinder the prospect thereof. Nor, let any be moved, because that the chambers are said to be built 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l Ibidem. upon the wall, as if they were founded on the wall of the temple, supra being there taken for juxta, or contra, upon; or hard by, or over against, as our translation rendereth it. Thus it is in the original, m Psal. 137. 1. Upon the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, that is, by the waters; as these chambers were built hard by, or leaning to the wall of the Temple. § 2. Three rows there were of these chambers. In the lowest, Their dimensions. each chamber n 1 King. 6. 6. was five; in the middle, six; in the third, and highest story, seven cubits broad; and each of them equally o lbid. ver. 10. five cubits in height, going up from the first to the middle, thence to the highest story with winding stairs. The beams of these chambers did not lie in, but p 1 King. 6. 6. rest on the wall of the Temple, the reduction or abatement whereof, narrowing in, the higher it went, afforded fit stays for that purpose. It seems, the beams were not mortised into the walls of the Temple, because the entireness of that building was not to be wounded with holes, and perforations, which in process of time might fret in, and indent into the structure itself. Special care therefore was taken, to preserve the wholeness and prevent all fractions in this fabric, in some relation to the Temple of Christ's body, whereof a bone was not to be broken. § 3. It is not expressed in Scripture, The vessels of the Tabernacle kept in these chambers. for what use these chambers were principally intended. Some conceive them designed for galleries, or walking-places; which to me seems too much presumption, for any to take their pleasure so near the holy place. Others will have them used for Dormitories, for such Priests to lodge in, who were in ordinary attendance about the Temple. For my own part, I conceive them employed for Repositories, wherein the holy vestments, and vessels were safely laid up, together with those of the Tabernacle, which (though not used) were here carefully preserved. For, first, the vessels of Moses his making were not aliened, or diverted to any profane service; such sacrilege being unsupposable in that age. Secondly, they were not altered, or melted by Solomon (of moe and lesser, so to make fewer, and greater Utensils for the Temple) because, the making, as well as the matter; the shape, as well as the substance of all the Tabernacle-vessels were of livine institution. Thirdly, they were not employed in God's service, because (some few excepted, whereof hereafter) being calculated for the Meridian of the Tabernacle a less fabric, thus fell out to be too short, and small in proportion to the Temple, as in the Veil was formerly observed. Seeing therefore they were neither aliened, altered, nor used, it remaineth they were carefully kept in these chambers, intimated in the text, q 2 Chr. 5. 5. where after the finishing of the Temple, the Levites are said to bring up into it, all the vessels of the Tabernacle. Thus graces acquired or infused into a Christian in this life, are not lost, forfeited, or cast away after death; but, preserved▪ perfected, and swallowed up in glory. § 4. As for the mystical meaning of these chambers; Fancy runs riot when spurred with superstition. Bede, r Lib. 7●. no doubt, thought he hit the very mark, when finding therein the three conditions of life all belonging to God's Church. In the ground-chamber, such as live in marriage; in the middle-chamber, such as contain; but, in the excelsis or third-story, such as have attained to the sublimity of perpetual virginity. Rupertus, in the lowest chamber, lodgeth those of practical lives with Noah; in the middle, those of mixed lives with job; and in the highest, such as spend their days with Daniel in holy speculations. But is not this rather lusus, then allusio, sporting with, then expounding of Scriptures? Thus when the gates of the Oracle are made f 1 King. 6. 31 five-square, Ribera therein reads our conquest over the five senses; and when those of the door of the Temple are said to be foursquare, therein saith he is denoted the quaternion of Evangelists. After this rate, Hiram (though, no doubt, dexterous in his art) could not so soon fit a pillar with a fashion, as a Friar can fit that fashion with a mystery. If made threesquare, than the Trinity of Persons; foursquare, the cardinal virtues; five-square, the Pentateuch of Moses; six-square, the Petitions in the Lord's prayer; seven-square, their Sacraments; eight-square, the Beatitudes; nine-square, the orders of Angels; ten-square, the Commandments; eleven-square the moral virtues; twelve-square, the articles of the Creed are therein contained. In a word, for matter of numbers, fancy is never at a loss, like a beggar never out of his way, but hath some haunts where to repose itself. But, such as in expounding of Scripture reap more than God did sow there, never eat what they reap thence, because such grainless husks, when seriously threshed out, vanish all into chaff. § 5. For the rest, we refer the reader unto our Map, wherein he may observe a double Alphabet for his direction. One of Roman letters, presenting only such things in the building of the Temple, as are infallibly founded on the words of the text. The other of Italian, relating to such additions, which, to complete this fabric, are taken out of Traditions, Rabbins, Fathers, and learned men's conjectures. We thought it unfit, to confound these together in the same character, being so distanced in their own natures. The Apostle Saint Paul varies his phrase, when delivering his prudential advices, from his style, when enjoining, what he had from divine inspiration. In the former, To the rest t 1 Cor. 7. 12. speak I, not the Lord: In the latter, u Ibid. ver. 10. I command, yet not I, but the Lord. It had therefore been impudent presumption in us, not to have observed a difference in this our description, betwixt immediate divine dictates, and humane (probable, but fallible) collections. Here the Map of Solomon's Courts is to be inserted. THE COURTS and UTENSILS OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. CHAP. I. Of the Court of the Priests. § 1. SO much for the Diamond itself, The difficulty of the present subject, with the causesthereof. the covered Temple, come we now to the Ring wherein it was set, the Courts which encompassed it. Herein we meet with much difficulty, arising partly from God's silence, (speaking little in Scripture of the present subject) partly from mansloquacity, whose fancies without warrant from the word, are as copious as different in describing the Courts of this Temple. But, that which makes the matter in hand more intricate is, because learned men confound Temples and Times, ascribing those Courts to solomon's, which only belonged to the second Temple, at, and after the time of our Saviour. Thus, as country painters make the nine Worthies (not according to the garb of those ancient ages wherein they lived) with bands and cuffs according to our modern fashion; so some Jewish writers (josephus himself being not wholly free from this fault) shape the Courts of Solomon's Temple, not after their true form in the old Testament; but as the second Temple adorned by Herod, stood modelled in their own days. § 2. We read of jacob, Ill consequences of confounding the two Temples. that he set his own sheep three days a Gen. 30. 36. journey from the flocks of Laban his father-in-law, so sufficiently to distinguish their several stocks from making quarrels by meeting together. A greater distance divides the two Temples, there being no less than seventy years, betwixt the destruction of the one, and erection of the other. Enough in probability to prevent all mistakes, which might arise from ●udling them together. I wonder therefore the more at their marvellous agility, who so easily can leap over this great-gulfe of time, & who by confounding the two Temples, and making many things common to both, of two perfect models, compose one no better than a monster. That we run not on the same rocks, we will carefully observe their several properties, insisting only on such things for the present, as were peculiar to Solomon's fabric, confining ourselves to Scripture instructions: as knowing that the judicious palate will prefer a drop of the sincere milk of the word, before vessels full of Traditionary pottage, resenting of the wild gourd of humane invention. § 3. A Court, The fashion of a Court. in Latin Atrium, Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chatzer, according to architecture consisteth of two principal parts, 1 An open space in the middle (properly called cavedium, quasi cavum edium) exposed to wind, and weather. 2 A covert on the sides thereof (termed porticus and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) whither in heat, or rain, men might retreat, for shade, or shelter, like the cloisters about the Royal-Exchange in London. This premised of the fashion of a Court in general, Solomon made two of them on the east of the Temple, one called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chatzer happenimith, or, the inner b 1 King. 6. 36. Court (in c 2 Chr. 4. 9 Chronicles, the Court of the Priests) built with three rows of hewn stone, and a row of d 1 King. 6. 36. Cedar beams. Understand three rows, not collaterally in thickness, all abreast on the floor, and the Cedar for ceiling within, (as Richardus will have it) but three subordinately in height, one upon another, with Cedar beams (as lightest, and therefore uppermost) for a terrace on the top thereof. This is all that Scripture acquaints us with, concerning the fabric of the inner Court. For, that each row of stone therein, was of a different colour, as Lyra e Vid. Lyram in locum. affirms, is but a fancy of his own. Such variation of colours I believe in Joseph's f Gen. 37. 3. coat, and Thamar's g 2 Sam. 13. 18. garment, because Scripture hath affirmed it: not here, where no warrant out of the word for such an assertion. § 4. Probably certain ascents led hither out of the outward Court, and hence into the Temple. For, Degrees in this Court. besides the frequent phrase of going up into God's house: it was proper that the Temple, as in holiness, so in height should be distanced above her Courts (as they one above another, and both above common ground) were it but to mind such as approached thither, with the mounting of their bodies to elevate their hearts in devotion. But, how many these stairs or steps were, is uncertain, though some will have them fifteen, according to the number of the Psalms of Degrees, sung, as they affirm, by the Priests in their ascent to the Temple. § 5. This inner Court, People 〈◊〉 pressin into the 〈◊〉 Court. or Court of the Priests, was proper only for the Priests to enter into. Yet probably the common people made a tumultuous incursion into it, when stoning Zachariah at the command of King joash in the Court of the house of the Lord, even 2 Chr. 24. 21. betwixt the Temple i Mat. 23. 35. and the Altar. As if the Antiperistasis of two eminent holy places on both sides of them, had intended and emboldened their cruelty, and profaneness. Wherefore, his last words, the Lord look upon it, k 2 Chr. 24. 22. and require it, speak not not so much revenge of his own death, as zeal to God's honour, that he would vindicate the profanation of so holy a place. This I conceive one cause why the Prophet pointeth the Priests to this particular place, to l ●oel 2. 17. weep betwixt the porch and the Altar, so by their sorrow to avert God's judgements from their nation, for this foul murder by their ancestors committed therein. CHAP. II. Of the great, or outward Court. § 1. WHereas Solomon is said to have made the Inner Court of the House of the Lord; The several names of this Court. by the rule of relation, an outward Court is thence next inferred. But to clear it more, express mention is made thereof 2 Chron. 12. 9 where, besides the Court of Priests, he is said to have made the great Court, and doors for the Court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass. This Court in Hebrew is called Azarah * 2 Chr. 4. 9 , rendered by Montanus atrium auxilii, from Azar to help, because God there answered his people's prayer by his gracious assistance afforded unto them. § 2. Well might this be termed the great Court, Certainly large, how large uncertain. seeing large (though uncertain) were the dimensions thereof, an hundred Cubits square at the least. But what was this to contain all Israel therein? Philip speaking of five thousand to be fed, Two m john 6. 7. hundred penny worth of bread (saith he) is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. But, grant this Court two hundred Cubits square (more than the place will allow) this would afford but few inches for a man's body to stand in, except the ground was here (as the loaves) miraculously multiplied. We therefore conceive, that the people of the land were successively admitted to this place, otherwise impossible to contain them. Ascents, or stairs did also lead into this Court, but how many is not known; surely they were low and little, short and easy, to be climbed up, otherwise the cattle brought thither to be sacrificed, could not conveniently clamber over them. § 3. This Court was by successive Kings (especially Hezekiah, This Court bettered by succeeding Kings. who n 2 King. 18. 16. cased the pillars thereof with silver) improved to more beauty, than it had in the days of Solomon. Some will say, this was a disparagement to the perfection of Solomon's work, as if he had left any defects, or defaults therein, to be amended by others. Were not his structures, as his discoveries, complete? for, o Eccles. 2. 12. Who is he that will come after the King in things? It is answered, the outward Temple was, in the appendent Courts thereof, capable of more cost and expense, to make them both bigger, and braver; though the covered Temple was semel & semper, at once and for ever perfected, afterwards admitting of no new addition, when Solomon had finished it. Surely God granted not such a Monopoly to Solomon alone to engross all honour to himself, so that no reserve was left for posterity, no bottom for their bounty to build on, in after ages, to testify their gratitude to God's goodness. Some accessions therefore might be made (though not to the vital parts, as I may say) to the out-lims of the Temple. It is the privilege not of the house of God, but of God himself, to be so perfect, as that nothing can be added unto him. § 4. But others will object, Hez●kiah encused from innovation. that this was a presumptuous innovation in Hezekiah, seeing the Courts of the Temple, and all things therein were framed according to the divine p 1 Chr. 28. 11. 12. 19 pattern David left to Solomon, for him to overly those pillars with silver, which Solomon's wisdom, following God's platform, was pleased to make plain. But, let such know, that he swerveth not at all from the proportion of the Copy, who only gilds, or colours the letters therein. Hezekiah for the main kept himself to the former fabric, not altering, but adorning the same. The worst was, that afterwards he q 2 King. 18. 16. cut off the silver again to purchase the favour of Sennacherib. Better had those pillars been left naked, then thus to be clothed, and then to be stripped of their costly coats. For, though (as some scornfully may scoff) there was no danger of their catching cold when thus disrobed; yet the beauty of those pillars were thereby much impaired, looking ruggedly when again uncased, besides the inexcusable sacrilege therein committed, whereof hereafter. § 5. We must not forget the entry, Private passage from the King's house into the Temple. leading from this Court to the King's Palace, through which the Kings of judah had at pleasure a private passage into the Temple. This continuation of the Kings to God's house, showed the mutual intercourse which ought to be betwixt Policy, and Piety; as also that Princes (besides their set, solemn, and public addresses to God by prayer) must have their secret recourses unto him, in their occasional devotions. It was first made by King Solomon, and then so stately a structure, that amongst other things, the Queen of Sheba was ravished with admiration at the sight thereof, when she beheld r 1 King. 10. 5. the ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord. And yet afterwards it was made more magnificent, when s 2 Chr. 9 11. terrased on both sides with t 1 King. 10. 1. Pilasters made of those Almuggin tree which she presented to Solomon; which, if odoriferous, (as some will have it) made that passage as sweet to the smell, as specious to the sight. Wicked Ahaz u 2. King. 16. 18. turned this entry from the house of the Lord, for the King of Assyria, that is, as w Vide ejus annot. in locum. Tremellius will have it, stopped up, or diverted that passage, fearing, lest through it the King of Assyria should out of the Temple suddenly surprise the King's palace. I conceive this done not for fear, but in favour of the Assyrian King, Ahaz hereby cutting off all connexion, and dependence of his Palace to the Temple, and utterly renouncing all relation to true Religion, so the more to confirm this friendship with that heathen King, begun on a new account, and grounded on pure principles of Idolatry. At the same time he turned out also the x 2 Kin. 16. 18. covert of the Sabbath which they had built in the house, by which our foresaid Author understands, a place erected for the shelter of such Priests as officiated on the Sabbath. § 6. As for their tradition, A rabbinical Tradition. who report Solomon to have written on the walls of the Temple, sovereign Receipts against all diseases, which Hezekiah afterwards is said to raze out, because people placed too much confidence therein, to the prejudice of divine providence, I listen to both as rabbinical fables. Surely such medicines (if any there prescribed) proved uneffectuall to cure Asa's gout, Iorams dysentery, Uzziahs' leprosy, as indeed no art can crave longer time, when death calls for the present payment of the debt to nature. CHAP. III. Of the Gates and Porters of the Court. § 1. HEaven hath only one, Four principal gates. and that a * Mat. 7. 14. narrow gate leading thereinto. But several fair gates on all sides, gave entrance into the Courts of Solomon's Temple. Some of them to us of certain, others but of conjectural situation. Of the former were, 1 East-gate, where a 1 Chr. 26. 14. Shelemiah was Porter. This gate was set in the front, leading directly to the Temple, and therefore King jotham b 2 Kin. 15. 35. & 2 Chr. 27. 3. Vide Tremel. in locos. rebuilt it, mounting Monarch-like above the parity of other ports, that it became higher than all the rest, yet met with no zealot to humble it, for aspiring above its fellows. 2 North-gate, where c 1 Chr. 26. 14. Zacharias his son was Porter. 3 South-gate, attended on by the sons of d 1 Chr. 26. 15. Obed-Edom. The house of Asuppim e Ibidem. (rendered by Hierome and Pagnine a counsel-house, by Tremellius Aerarium, the Treasury) was for conveniency united to their charge. A place, probably of entrance, certainly of consequence, as needing a constant guard about it. 4 West-gate, where Shuppim f 1 Chr. 26. 16. and Hosah were Porters. To them also belonged the gate Shallecheth, by the causeway of the going up, understand thereby that stately ascent made by Solomon, out of his own Palace into the Temple. But besides these four, which respected the cardinal winds, we meet with other intermediate gates, whose accurate position is uncertain. Never did the blinded g Gen. 19 11. Sodomites more groap for Lot's door in the dark, then learned men are puzzled to find the gate of h 2 King. 11. 6. Sur, (elsewhere i 2 Chr. 23. 5. called the foundation-gate) where at the coronation of King joash, a tierce of Levites were awarded to wait, by order from jehojada. Tremellius not improbably conceives it the same with the East-gate. As for the Newgate k jer. 26. 10. & 36. 10. , wherein Baruch publicly read the book of jeremy, I am confident it was one of the four principal gates, only repaired, enlarged, or adorned with new buildings. l 1 Chr. 26. 18. Parbar seated on the west must not be forgotten (whether Porters-lodge, Priests-vestry, or place wherein sacrificing instruments were laid up) having something of the nature of a gate therein, because two porters daily attended it. Say not, it was suspicious, that so small a Court would run out at so many gates, which surely were no more, then just proportion, and uniformity did require. § 2. The principal office of Porters was to secure the gates, The number and office of the Porters. providing for the peace and purity of the Temple and service therein. These in all were m 1 Chr. 23. 5. four thousand, thus daily disposed of; Eastward, six; Northward, four; Southward, four; at Asuppim-gate, two; and two, Westward; at the Causeway, four; at Parbar-gate, two; four and twenty in all. An eminent number in Temple-service (so many the singers n 1 Chr. 25. 32. , and the several o 1 Chr. 24. 18. courses of the Priests) to which the four and twenty Elders in the p Revel. 4. 4. Revelation have some allusion. Their service was, as well nocturnal, as by day: q Psal. 134. 1. which by night stand in the house of the Lord. § 3. Here let others dispute, A treble quere concerning the Porter's places. whether the Porter's places were merely ministerial, (or servile rather) or also partly judicial, with some admissive, and exclusive power to take cognizance of the cleanness of such persons as did approach to the Temple. Otherwise, they were easily qualified for their office, rather bigness than brains commending men generally to such employments. Secondly, if they were entrusted with any such authority, let others inquire, by what means they made discoveries of people's uncleanness, finding no oath Ex officio they tendered to any to betray themselves, though otherwise some secret pollution might be concealed, the parties themselves being only privy thereunto. Lastly, let them discuss, whether these Porters were afterward advanced to higher places, or only (as the doors whereon they attended turned round on their hinges) moved alternately in their own sphere, without possibility of any farther preferment. If the latter, it is strange that the worthy parts of Zachariah his son Porter Northward, commended in Scripture to be a r 1 Chr. 26. 14. wise counsellor, should be imprisoned in so narrow a profession. And yet his employment (though the meanest about the Temple) was honourable in itself, if well executed: witness holy David his choice, I had rather be s Psal. 84. 10. a doorkeeper in the house of my God, then to dwell in the tabernacles of wickedness. § 4. Now notwithstanding all the care of the Porters to the contrary; some (not going through the gates, Intruders into the Temple without the Porter's leave. but over the walls) made bold to lodge and live with their whole families within the verge of the Temple. Yea, the sparrow t Psal. 84. 3. hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine Altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. By Altars understand the Courts and buildings about it, otherwise the Altar itself (fitter for Salamanders than Sparrows) was too hot a climate for their habitation. Birds, we see, may prescribe an ancient title to build in our steeples, having time out of mind taken the same privilege in the Tabernacle, and Temple. Yea David in exile debarred access to God's public service, doth pity his own, and prefer the condition of these fowls before him. And, although no devotion (whereof they were uncapable) but the bare delight in fair fabrics, brought them hither; yet, we may presume (according to their kind) they served God better than many men in that place, chirping forth Morning and Even-praises to the honour of their maker. To take our farewell of these Porters, wicked Ahaz gave them a Supersedeas. from their office, in that long Vacation wherein he u 2 Chr. 28. 24. shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, so obstructing God's mercy against himself. CHAP. IU. Of the Chambers, and Treasuries about the Court. § 1. THe Porches, Chambers and Treasuries over the Porch. or Cloisters beneath were built with rooms above; if not round about the Court, certainly over the intervals of the gates. Such places were employed, partly for chambers for Priests to lodge in, partly for Treasuries, wherein consecrated things were deposited. § 2. Amongst the former, The Chamber of Gemariah wherein jeremiahs book was read. most remarkable was the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the Secretary, wherein a jer. 36. 10. Baruch read the book of jeremy, which afterwards was burnt by jehojakim King of judah. When though some (dissenters and disswaders) amongst all the Courtiers no mourners appeared at the funerals of this book, it being expected, they should have been as cruel to their clothes, to b Vers. 24. rend them for sorrow, at the sight of that double martyrdom of that innocent Volume, first canceled with a penknife to pieces, than afterward burnt to ashes. But the flame, which did burn the book, did but burnish the truths written therein; Yea another Phoenix arose out of the ashes thereof. Baruch transcribing another roll c Vers. 32. with the same and many like words added beside. Thus wanton children by breaking their parents old rod, give them only the occasion to make a better, and bigger in the room thereof. § 3. Next we take notice of the chamber of Nathan d 2 King. 23. 11 Melech at the entering of the house of the Lord, Chamber of Nathan Melech. by which stood those statues of horses dedicated to the Sun by some Idolatrous Kings of judah, which josiah destroyed. What! was the Sun, which e Psal. 19 5. rejoiceth as a Giant to run his course, ever so tired, as to need hackneys to carry him to his journey's end? Oh no, but the jews plundered this piece of Idolatry from the Persians, who f Xenophon li. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. offered horses unto the Sun, and g Faster. 1. Ovid renders some reason thereof, Placat ●quo Persis radiis Hyperiona cinctum, Ne detur celeri victima tarda Deo. Horse to the beamed Sun's the Persians gift, Slow sacrifice ill fits a God so swift. Now the jews counting it too gross Idolatry to sacrifice natural horses to the Sun, erected artificial ones in honour thereof. § 4. Another eminent chamber, The chamber of the Sons of Hanan. was that of the Sons of Hanan, h jer. 35. 4. which was by the chamber of the Princes, probably on the one hand, which was by the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum the keeper of the door, on the other hand thereof. Here jeremy in vain solicited the Rechabites to drink wine, observing the instructions of their ancestors therein; as also in their constant dwelling i jer. 35. 10. in tents, so to entertain all turnings of the times, with less trouble to themselves. Provident birds, only to perch on the boughs, not build their nests on that tree, which they suspected would suddenly be cut down, foreseeing perchance the captivity of Babylon. Indeed, in all fickle times (such as we live in) it is folly to fix on any durable design, as inconsistent with the uncertainty of our age, and safest to pitch up tent-projects, whose alteration may with less loss, and a clear conscience comply with the change of the times. CHAP. V. That Solomon made no more than two Courts on the east of the Temple. § 1. ALthough many learned authors make four, No more than two outward Courts made by Solomon. and some more Courts about Solomon's Temple, yet the following reasons persuade me, that these two Courts formerly described by us, were all which were of Solomon's original foundation. Because, 1 Mention is made of no more in Scripture, either in the book of Kings, or Chronicles, where his buildings are particularly described. 2 Manasseh is said to have built Altars for the host of Heaven in the two a 2 King. 21. 5. Courts of the house of the Lord. Probably, had there been any more, his profaneness would have found them out, no place being privileged from his Idolatry. 3 The narrowness of the place, as it was in Solomon's time, admitted of no more Courts, such was the precipice thereof on all sides. This last is confessed by b joseph. de Bel. jud. lib. 6. ca 6. Edit. lat. sed graec. cap. 13. josephus, whose words deserve our heeding to clear the matter in hand; The Temple was built upon an c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. hard mountain, and at the first, the plain on the top thereof was scarce sufficient to contain the Temple, and the Altar, the d 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. circumference thereof being steep and shelving. But, when King Solomon who built the Temple, had compassed the east part thereof with a wall, he also placed a Porch upon the rampire, and so, many ages after it lay e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. unfenced on the other parts, until the people every day bringing earth thither, at last made it plain and large enough. Insomuch that the Temple extant in the days of josephus▪ had a threefold wall about it, and other courts built on that forced ground, which industry had added thereunto. See here the small compass of the Temples floor at the first founding thereof. So that those who in Solomon's time make more Courts about it, must build them in the air, seeing the earth (such than the scantness and steepness thereof) afforded no bottom for the building of such imaginary fabrics. § 2. But shrewd objections Object. are brought to the contrary, David at least prescribed three Courts. by such who, in Solomon's time, make more than two Courts by us described. No doubt (say they) he observed David's instructions, who by the Spirit gave him the pattern of f 1 Chr. 28. 12. all the Courts of the house of the Lord, which he meant to make. These therefore at the least must needs be three, seeing All (as g Lib. 1. de Caelo. cap. 1. Aristotle observes) can not in proper language, be predicated of a lower number. § 3. Answ. I confess the words so read in the vulgar Latin, & omnium quae cogitaverat atriorum, though no such thing appears in our translation founded on the original, where David is said to deliver to Solomon the h 1 Chr. 28. 12. pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, of the house of the Lord, of all the chambers round about etc. This third Court therefore in Solomon's time, was but a groundless fancy. § 4. Object. Another Court must of necessity be allowed on the west of the Temple, Court on the west. or else (which is altogether improbable) the Holy of Holies lay open, unfenced, and common to the City. § 5. Answ. The same was sufficiently fenced, and severed from the City with the precipice of the place, barring all access, and the Temple on that side surrounded with ambient air in the concavity of the valley. If besides this, any artificial wall encompassed the Temple on the west, the distance between it and the Temple may be counted a passage, but amounted not to the spaciousness of a Court. § 6. Object. Good authors, Some make a woman's Court. Bede, Cassidore, Comestor, and Tostatus confidently add, Atrium Foeminarum, or, the women's Court, where their sex severally by themselves attended their devotions. Nor is it probable they were mingled with men, seeing the Prophet speaking of a solemn humiliation, They shall wail (saith he) the family of the house of David apart, and their i Zec●. 12. 13. wives apart, the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart. § 7. Answ. This place cited out of Zachary was spoken after Solomon's Temple was demolished, The woman's Court not grounded on Scripture. and Zerubbabels erected. Such separation of sexes in several Courts in the first Temple hath no foundation in Scripture, but rather thence the contrary may be collected, that all sexes and ages promiscuously met together; for, jehosaphat is said, to have stood in the k 2 Chr. 20. 5. Ibid. ver. 13. house of the Lord with their little ones, their ˡ wives, and their children. However it may be that there was anciently a partition of the outward Court per clathros & cancellos, with bar or lattise-work, into two parts, and so the women (though in the same Court) might be severally by themselves. § 8. Object. There were more Courts, Ezekiel's Temple had more Courts. three at least, in Ezekiel's Temple; which as Villalpandus will have it, in all particulars was the same with solomon's. § 9 Answ. But was not the same with solomon's. Confessing some general conformities, we deny, not only the identity, but exact similitude betwixt them. It is against the nature of a Prophecy to have a retrograde motion, to bring things backward, and raise the ghosts of buildings departed, which rather looks forward, presenting things to come. Ezekiel's Temple had not the same body with solomon's, but greater, and more were the parts, and members thereof; as in due time, God willing, we shall make it to appear. § 10. Object. m Ant. jud. l. 8. cap. 2. josephus' a learned jew living in jerusalem seems to add another, Some collect another Court out of josephus. Atrium Gentium, the Court of Gentiles, or unclean persons. persons 11. Answ. The place quoted out of him to this purpose, will scarce bear the collection of a new Court from it. However josephus was none of those n Ezra 3. 12. aged men, who remembering the magnificence of solomon's, wept when the foundation of the second Temple was laid before their eyes. I mean he was no eye-witness of the first and old Temple (being born five hundred years and more, after the dissolution thereof) and only spoke of it, either by tradition, or conjecture, and therefore his authority of no such strength, as to command our belief. Besides, he seems to have forgotten what formerly we cited out of him, for the narrowness of the place, not admitting more Courts in Solomon's time. However, his eyes were so dazzled with long looking on the second Temple extant in his age, that he conformeth thereto, and confoundeth therewith Solomon's Temple, if making any more Courts than two therein. § 12. However, I dare not deny, A third Court might afterwards be added but even this first Temple, after the death of Solomon, might by succeeding Kings, have another Court added thereunto; namely, when by art, industry, and great expense they had raised up the valley, and gained more ground to the mountain of the house, which was so small at the first. Hereof we find a double insinuation in Scripture: 1 One, when jehosaphat is said to stand in the house of the Lord before the new o 2 Chr. 20. 5. Court, which probably about his reign, was added to the ancient fabric. 2 Another, when at the coronation of joash jehoiada gave order that the Priests p 2 Chr. 23. 6. alone should come into the house of the Lord (meaning the inner-court thereby) whilst the people should be in the Courts q Ibid. ver. 5. of the house of the Lord, the plural number there importing two Courts at the least, at that time belonging to the Temple, into which the common people had free access. But herein nothing can be positively concluded. Wherefore, as the sons of Barzillai, though Priests, yet because they found not their genealogy reckoned in the r Ezra 2. 62. Register, were therefore removed from the priesthood, till one with Urim and Thummim, should arise to decide the controversy: so we suspend this third and new Court, as doubtful, in our descriptions, until some infallible Judge, on better evidence than we can produce, shall clear the title thereof. CHAP. VI Of the Pillars in the Porch of the Temple. § 1. GOd at the first creation, The expressive utensils of the Temple. having finished the elements, and essential parts of the world, did afterwards furnish them with creatures suitable thereunto, no vacuity being left: so that rather than any thing should be empty, any thing will fill it. Solomon in like manner, having ended the main rooms of the Temple, in the n●xt place made the furniture thereof, wherein every vessel was pregnant with heavenly mysteries; so that what the Apostle saith of the languages in the world a 1 Cor. 14. 10. none of them are without signification, was true of the smallest Uten●ill in the Temple, speaking much holy matter, had we ears to hear, and hearts to understand it. § 2. We begin with the Porch, The different dimensions of the Pillars reconclled. where the two great brazen pillars were set up, each of them b 1 King. 7. 15. twelve Cubits in compass, (bearing a little more than four Cubits in Diameter) four c jer. 52. 21. fingers thick of solid metal, and the rest hollow within, some difference appearing in the measure of their height, variously presented unto us; 1 KING. 7. 15. And he cast two Pillars of brass of eighteen Cubits high a piece. 2 CHRON. 3. 15. Also he made before the house two Pillars of thirty and five Cubits high. 1 To reconcile these, some have recourse to several Cubits, common, or great; of the first measure conceiving the former mentioned in Kings; the latter (which were twice as big) intended in Chronicles. 2 Others understand the bare shaft of the Pillars to be eighteen Cubits high, besides the Chapiters' above, and Basis beneath them: the former being d 1 King. 7. 16. five Cubits, and the latter so many as made the total number thirty and five. 3 A third e Ribera de iis qua erant in Temp. l. 2. ca 11. sort most probably conjecture, that in Chronicles the height of both Pillars are counted together. Where if any object, that eighteen and egihteen Cubits make thirty six, one more than the number in Chronicles; Ribera conceives that so much only as appeared of these pillars are summed up, each of them having half a Cub it of their shaft lost in their height, as running in, and hid in his Chapter grafted upon it. § 3. The chapiters of these pillars were curiously adorned with network, Their chapiters how adorned. chain-work, and rows of pomegranates. These were but apples of brass, whilst words spoken in due season are far more precious, being like those of gold in pictures f Prov. 25. 11. of silver. Lilies g 1 King. 1. 19 also were made on the top of these Chapiters', wherein though Hiram might imitate the fashion of those flowers, no art could counterfeit their colours, seeing he who set him on work, even h Luk. 12. 27. Solomon himself in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. These pillars set in the porch did not like those two in Dagons' i judg. 16. 29. Temple support the main fabric thereof, nor was any burden born by them, but were only (like brazen Andirons in great men's chimneys) for ornament. Let none say unto them as the master to the men in the market place, k Mat. 20. 6. Why stand ye here all the day idle? seeing they were useful in their kind, and contributed much to the beauty of the Temple. § 4. Others will say, these pillars were ill placed, because obscured in the porch, where few did behold them. His kindred said to our Saviour l john 7. 4. There is no man that doth any thing in secret, and he himself seeks to be known openly. Had Solomon for his credit intended to make the Temple appear glorious, he should not so privately have concealed these pillars in the Porch. — Occultae non gratia magna columnae. Better had they been set like the Colossus at Rhodes, or the two Columns before Saint Marks in Venice, sub dio, in the open air. But here we must know, first, that Solomon intended his Temple, not so much to be seen, as to be glorious. Secondly, the door leading into the Porch, being exceeding broad, and high, these pillars were not wholly concealed, but a great part, if not all of them, was exposed to public view through the door of the Porch. § 5. The Pillar The meaning of the Pillars names. standing on the right hand in the m 1 Kin. 7. 21. Porch was called jachin, that is, he will establish; and the other on the left side Boaz, that is, in him is strength. Pity without power will be but lame to help us; Power without pity will be but deaf to hear us; whilst both together make a comfortable composition. Both these pillars we find in a manner erected in the expression of the leper n Mat. 8. z. to our Saviour: jachin, but doubtfully and conditionally, Lord if thou wilt. Boaz, positively and absolutely, Thou canst make me clean. Both these pillars there set up, signified God's protection of the place, and the gates of hell could not prevail against that Temple, which had these pillars in the Porch thereof. § 6. Besides this, in a secondary sense these two did resemble eminent Saints, What they myftically represented. Ministers especially (such as james, Cephas, and john, o Gal. 2. 9 who seemed to be, yea, whom God made p Revel. 3. 12. pillars in his Temple) who by the Word and Sacraments direct, conduct, and admit men into the true Church. Pillars, bottomed on the basis of a firm faith, mounting up with a clear shaft of a shining life, having their persevering tops garlanded about according to God's q Revel. 2. 10. promise, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of life. CHAP. VII. Of the furniture of the Sanctuary, or Inner Tample. § 1. AMongst the Utensils of the Sanctuary, we first look on the Candlestick, Ten Candlesticks in the Temple. and the light therein enables us, the better to behold all the rest. The Tabernacle had but a Exod. 37. 17. one, the Temple ten b 1 King. 7. 49. Candlesticks of pure gold, (this exceeding that ten to one in lustre) five on the right side, and five on the left, each of them no doubt fashioned like that which Moses made, seven fold with a great shaft for the body in the midst, and three stems on each side branching out thereof. In some resemblance of the seven Planets, amongst which the Sun, the stock of light, stands in the midst, and three other on each side, above, and beneath it. Here we cannot but mind the reader of a foul mistake in c Anti. lib. 8. c. 2. josephus, who beholding these Candlesticks through a multiplying glass, in stead of ten reads ten thousand that Solomon made in his Temple. Yet we deny not, that besides these ten standing Candlesticks of gold, there were many moe ●oveable ones, but all those made of d 1 Chr. 28. 15. silver, which the Priests in the night might carry about with them. By these Candlesticks also, having lights always in them, God's Ministers in general were represented. For, to say, that by these seven lamps in the ten Candlesticks (threescore and ten in all) the e Luk. 10. 1. seventy Disciples were designed, would savour of too much curiosity. § 2. Next we take notice of the Table of f 1 King. 7. 48. shewbread, The Table of Shewbread. which Solomon made of that gold, which his Father David had peculiarly prepared for that g 1 Chr. 28. 16. purpose. The particular dimensions, and fashion thereof, is not mentioned in Scripture. Probably of the, like form with that which Moses made in the Tabernacle, though of a far greater proportion. On this loaves were daily presented to God; Who, not out of any necessity (If I be hungry, I will not tell thee, for the h Psal. 50. 12. world is mine, and the fullness thereof) but free will, was pleased to accept thereof: otherwise no more needing this bread to feed, than the light of the lamps to guide him. The bread on this Table was tendered to God, partly as a Quitrent, in confession that the jews held all their food from his providence; and partly as a Type of Christ, The i joh. 6. 41. bread which came down from heaven. And, as serving-men feed on the reversions which their Master's leave, so the Priests (when new was substituted in the room of the formet) eat those loaves which were taken away. Not pretending with k Hist. Bel. v. 7. Bells Priests, that their God eat up, what they secretly devoured themselves; but by licence from him, they openly avouched their lawful repast thereupon. § 3. But the most eminent utensil in the Holy, was the Altar of incense, The Altar of incense. made by Moses in the Tabernacle, two l Exod. 30. 2. cubits high, and four square: namely, with a cubit in the length, and another in the breadth thereof. Proportionable enough for that purpose, no sacrifices of bulk being to be offered thereon, but only sweet odours (much whereof might lie in little space) and spiritual spices (as I may term them) which took up but small room therein. David's express care provided m 1 Chr. 28. 18. refined gold for this Altar of incense. And no doubt, Solomon, the Executor of his Will, performed it accordingly. For, when it is said, that he n 1 King. 6. 20. covered the Altar with Cedar, and that he o Ibid. ver. 22. overlaid the whole Altar (elsewhere p 1 King. 7. 48. made the Altar) which was by the Oracle with gold; it can refer to none other, but this Altar of incense; seeing, that for burnt sacrifices, was made q 2 Chr. 4. 1. of brass. It seems that, when Solomon made the Holy in the Temple, far larger than that in the Tabernacle, and when every implement therein (to make the furniture proportionable to the room) commenced and took an higher degree of glory and greatness; then he cased the old Altar of incense with Cedar, and overlaid the same with gold, to be but the Basis and Pedestal of a greater Altar, which for the same purpose he advanced thereupon. § 4. As for the position of this Altar, that it was not set in the Oracle or most Holy place, Placed in the Holy but only in the Holy, or inward Temple, may by the ensuing arguments be demonstrated. 1 The text saith expressly, Moses put it in the tent of the r Exod. 40. 26. congregation before the veil. 2 The incense thereon was to be perpetual, renewed every s Exod. 30. 7. morning, and therefore it could not be in Sancto Sanctorum, which was penetrable but once a year for the high Priest. 3 Zacharias an inferior Priest (as of the eight t 1 Chr. 24. 10. order, or course of Abiah) incapable to enter the Holy of Holies, Luk. 1. 5. officiated on this Altar of incense. Luk. 1. 9 & 11. Greater therefore is the difficulty, that, notwithstanding the premises so plain to the contrary, the Author to the Hebrews, placeth it in the Holy of Holies, u Heb. 9 3. And after the second veil, the Tabernacle, which is called the Holiest of all, which had the golden censer, and the Ark of the Covenant etc. § 5. All that our best endeavours can perform herein, Scripture to the contrary answered. is only to present the several solutions, learned men produce to the present difficulty. 1 junius w See and endeavour to understand him, Parall. lib. 3. pa 275. placeth this Altar within the vail, and without the Sanctuary, in so strange a posture, that scarcely either Jewish or Christian Tactics of Temple-implements, will admit thereof. 2 Others x Di●dati in. locam. by the golden censer [〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉] understand not this Altar of Incense, but that eminent y Num. 16. 18. & 46. censer of Aaron used by him in his contest with Korah, which they conceive (though omitted by Moses) preserved with his Budding rod, as a memorial in the Holy of Holies. 3 Others understand that z Levit. 16. 12. Censer which the high Priest once a year carried thereinto full of incense, and which for the time being was in the Holy of Holies, namely during the high Priest his remaining therein. 4 Ribera, a De iis quae erant in Templo. lib. 2. cap. 8. expounding it properly of the Altar of incense, avoucheth, that the Holy of Holies had the golden censer, not, quoad situm, but, quoad usum; not within the compass, but command thereof, as more immediately subservient thereunto. Indeed this Altar of incense peculiarly belonged to the anniversary solemnity of the Holy of Holies, upon the horns whereof b Exod. 30. 10. once a year, the high Priest with the blood of the sin offering (sacrificed no doubt on the brazen Altar without, but) sprinkled here, made an atonement for the people. § 6. So much for the Utensils of the Holy, No staves on the Altar in the Temple. only we will add, that whereas the Table of shewbread, and Altar of incense were made by Moses with c Exod. 25. 27. & ●0. ver. 5. staves and rings, to make them more portable on the Priest's shoulders; probably Solomon omitted the same as superfluous, when now settled in a fixed residence. Except any will say, that as the Israelites (when peaceably possessed of their country) were still enjoined to eat the Passover with d Exod. 12. 11. staves in their hands, to preserve the memory of their e Yet disused●in Christ's time. journey at the first institution thereof: so these Utensils, even in the Temple, continued their staves about them, in memorial of their long pilgrimage, and late coming home to their constant habitation. CHAP. VIII. Of the vessels in the Holy of Holies. § 1. PAss we now into the Holy of Holies, Why Solomon made no alteration in the Utensils of the Holy of Holies. into which the high Priest only entered once a year; finding three gradations in their religious service, which waited on the Temple; 1 Hourly attendance in the outward Courts: where many (Porters especially) watched all hours of day, and night. 2 Daily in the Holy: where lighting lamps, and burning incense were quotidian duties. 3 Weekly in the same place, where new shewbread was substituted every a Levit. 24. 8. Sabbath day. 4 Yearly in the Holy of Holies; open only to the anniversary entering of the high Priest. This was a little, house well filled with mysterious vessels. And for the main, we may observe, that, although Solomon altered, and enlarged the Utensils in the Holy and outward Courts, yet in the Holy of Holies, he made use of those numerical vessels of Moses his making, without any addition, or alteration: as at the first form so exactly, and fitted so suitably to the privacy of the place, that it had been presumption to new model them, whose perfection was uncapable of any higher improvement. § 2. Yet Solomon for the more magnificence, Solomon's additional Cherubims. added two Cherubims, for the matter, dimensions, position, and use thereof, distinguished from those of Moses his making. 1 Moses made his of pure gold b Exod. 37. 6, 7. of beaten work, whilst Solomon, were of c 1 Kin. 6. 23. 30 Olive-tree within, but overlaid with gold. 2 Both the former had but two cubits and an half in length (as only adequate to the d Eoxd. 39 6. length of the Mercy-seat) whereas each of Solomon's Cherubims was ten e 1 King. 6. 25▪ cubits in height, the greatest gallantry of the whole Temple. 3 Moses his Cherubims lay on the Mercy-seat, both whose wings turned inward, met together, whilst solomon's were set on the floor, whose four wings stretched outwards to the full length, extended to the whole breadth of the Holy of Holies. 4 Moses his Cherubims with their wings shadowed the Mercy-seat; solomon's, like a golden arch, overshadowed those Cherubims; so that in the Holy of Holies there was a little Hierarchy, Angels above Angels therein. Wonder not that whilst Moses his Cherubims were of Massy gold (bearing best proportion to the purity, and incorporeity of the Angelical Nature) that solomon's should be but overlaid with gold, having Olive-tree within them. For so vast were their dimensions [ten cubits or thirty foot high] that if of solid gold, a little land of Ophir might have lain within that compass. And being to be made hollow, perchance it was necessary that some wood for stiffenting should be put within them. These Cherubims were the most gorgeous and costly ornaments in all the Temple, and probably were embezeled by the covetous Babylonians at the captivity, and never brought back again, because only essential f E●ra 1. 9 vessels, and not all the ornaments of State, were restored, and placed in the second Temple. To return to the Mercy-seat, under it: the Ark of the Covenant was placed, and the Tables written with Gods own finger, were put therein. § 3. But here appeareth some contradiction, Aseeming contradiction started. betwixt the furniture of the Ark of the Covenant, as described in the Old and New Testament. 1 King. 8. 9 & 2 Chron: 5. 10. There was nothing in the Ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb. Hebrews 9 4. And the Ark of the Covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna & Aaron's rod that budded, & the tables of the Covenant. Behold here the Ark filled (not to say crowded) by the Apostle with other implements; which the Old Testament only a Repositary for the Tables of the Covenant. § 4. Amongst the many answers tendered by learned men, in solution to this difficulty, none in my opinion so satisfactory, And the same satisfied. as what f De iis quae erant in Templo. lib. 2. cap. 2. Ribera first bringeth, and g In his parallels on Heb. 9 junius (otherwise in judgement much different from him) approveth, and enlargeth. Namely, that those words of Saint Paul, Wherein was the golden pot etc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, relates not to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Ark (though last named) but to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Tabernacle, called, The holiest of all in the precedent verse: it being confessed of all hands, that the foresaid pot of Manna, and Aaron's rod (though not within the concavity of the Ark) were within the compass of the Oracle, or, Most holy place. Now, that the propriety of the tongue will bear it out, that the Relative sometime refers not to the next immediately, but more remote Antecedent, many instances are alleged for the proof thereof. CHAP. IX. Of the vessels in the Priests Court. § 1. SO much for the Utensils in the covered Temple. One only Altar. Proceed we now into the Priest's Court, and there first find the brazen Altar, having twenty a 2 Chr. 4. 1. cubits in length, as much in breadth, and ten in the height thereof. Now, although Solomon made ten candlesticks, ten lavers, ten etc. yet he confined himself to one Altar of incense, one Altar of sacrifice, (multiplying of Altars hearing ill in Scripture, as suspicious of Idolatry) but whether therein pointing at Christ our only Mediator, or at the unity of the Church, let others dispute. § 2. Now seriously considering this Altar, we meet with many wonders therein. First, that being set sub dio, in the open air, it is strange that rain (presumed sometimes to fall in great plenty, with great violence) did not extinguish the fire thereof. Secondly, seeing continual fire was kept there, it is wonder, that the whole Court (as the Chimney-generall thereof) was not turned Tawny-moor, if not Black-More with the constant soot, smuttiness, and smoking thereof. Thirdly, it is strange, that in so short time, so many sacrifices could be consumed, within the compass of so small a place; especially at the dedication of the Temple, when, b 1 King. 8. 5. sacrificing Sheep and Oxen that could not be told, nor numbered for multitude. Lastly, it is admirable, that in a Climate so hot, and place so populous, no putrefaction did arise from the blood, fat, offal, and ordure of so many beasts slain there, to the infecting of the Priests, and people thereabouts. We know how noisome, and offensive slaughter-houses in Summer, are in great Cities; insomuch that Tertio Richardi secundi a motion was made, c Stews Survey of London. p. 340. that no Butcher should kill any flesh within London, but at Knightsbridge, or some such distant place from the walls of the City. § 3. But under favour I conceive, Unwondred if the nature of the fire be considered. the true satisfying of these difficulties depends on the right understanding of the nature, or rather the supernatural qualities of the fire on the Altar. It was not common, or culinary fire, but such as d 2 Chr. 7. 1. came down from heaven: which (amongst other peculiar properties where with it was endowed) was so far from being quenched by rain, or water, that it would quickly lick it up, though e 1 King 18. 38. a trench, containing twelve barrels, were filled therewith: as in the sacrifice of Elijah (fetching fire from the same original) it came to pass. Secondly, such celestial flame, being of a more clarified, and refined substance▪ left not any suffocating smoke, or sooty feculency behind it. Thirdly, being sent from heaven not to dally, but dispatch the work (God employs no slugs on his errands) it made speedy riddance of the matter in hand, and consumed the sacrifice of a sudden. We know how quickly lightning (though not the ●ame, much of kin to the fi●● on the Altar) will turn any thing that resists it, into ashes. Hereupon, some conceive, that by Ariel, that is, God's Lion, in the f Isa. 29. 1. Prophet, the Altar in the Temple is meant. A voracious Lion indeed, which with Pharaoh's lean kine, devoured many thousands of cattle, and was no whit the fatter for the same. Lastly, such heavenly fire was a great preservative against infection, and the purgative nature thereof, swept away much putrefaction, which otherwise would have proved very noisome. § 4. Pass we now from the fire, to the Water: from the Altar, to the Molten sea. The brazen Sea. A worthy vessel this was, of solid brass; five cubits high, and ten over from side to side, being g 1 King. 7. 23. round all about, and thirty cubits in compass, containing two thousand Baths: * 1 King. 7. 26. namely, as they filled it, but two parts of three for ordinary use, leaving a third part for empty Margin in the top. Otherwise were it filled brimful, it would in all receive three † 2 Chr. 4. 5. thousand Baths, where the total capacity thereof is computed. Therefore called a Sea from the large contain thereof (and not much unlike the Caspian sea, for the circular form, and entireness thereof) having its brim wrought about with lily-work, and it stood upon twelve oxen, which by four several Three respected the quarters of the world. § 5. But now the question will be, How this vast vessel was furnished with water? How supplied with water. Solomon, speaking of the Ocean, h Eccles. 1. 7. All the rivers (saith he) run into the sea; but, how this artificial sea, was supplied with any water by people's industry, is a considerable question; the Temple of jerusalem being so highly situated on a mountain. Here the Rabbins tell us of a Well i Maimony in Biat● Mikdash. per 5. & Talm. I●rus. in joura per. 3. sol. 41. Etam, some distance hence▪ whence the water was conveyed in pipes, so that the Temple had it always in great abundance. We confess, there was a k 1 Chr. 4. 32. city, and l judg. 15. 11. & 19 rock of Etam in the Tribe of Simeon: near to which a miraculous fountain issued in the days of Samson, to quench his thirst, out of the jawbone of an Ass. And it seems, the Ghost of this fountain did walk in the brains of the Rabbins, when first they invented this tradition. But, this Etam, being full forty miles from jerusalem, was likely to afford them little water, for the replenishing of this Molten sea. Rather we believe, that the Gibeonites, or Nethinims, whose office it was to be m Icsh. 9 27. drawers of water for the Congregation, out of the fountain of Siloam, or Pool of Bethesda hard by, filled this Sea, and furnished all other Lavatories, and Offices about the Temple, with that necessary element. Yea, probably there were some wells within the verge of the Temple, seeing jerusalem is charactered by Strabo, an Heathen writer, to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, well watered within itself, though without the walls it wanted the conveniency thereof. And, which is the main, in Ezekiel's description of the Temple, which one may term A visionarie varnish on an historical groundwork, being a literal truth mystically much improved, we find, the waters n Ezek. 47. 1. issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward, which swollen to a miraculous proportion. Now, though the increase, and overflowing of such streams, was extraordinary, and prophetical; yet surely the fountain thereof was real, and natural, importing some springs in the Temple, whence the Nethinims did fill this Molten sea, and all other vessels with water, designed for the Priests to o 2 Chr. 4. 6. wash themselves therein. § 6. Having thus dispatched the Molten sea, the ten p Ibidem. Lavers The ten Lavers. (being as it were but so many little lakes) will quickly be described. In the Tabernacle none of these were extant, as appointed for the washing of sacrifices: (for, that single Laver made by Moses for the Priest's service, answered only to the Molten sea) whereby it appears, that Solomon, not only made in his Temple, vessels moe in number, and bigger in degree, but also other in kind, then were in the Tabernacle, to fill and furnish the magnificence thereof. These Lavers of brass contained forty Baths apiece, each set on his basis with wheels, for their more convenient removal, though generally their station was five on the one side, and five on the other in the Court of the Priests, and east of the covered Temple. § 7. In the outward Court, Utensils of the outward court. or Court of Israel many (no doubt) were the Utensils thereof. As that brazen q 2 Chr. 6. 13. scaffold made by Solomon for the King to stand, and pray upon, the same (as Tremellius conceives) with the King's r 2 Chr. 23. 13. Pillar: with the Pulpits and desks, wherein the Priests expounded the law to the people. But as for the remainder of the vessels of the Temple, with the manifold traditions concerning them, the Reader is referred to the learned pains of my industrious friend Mr. john Lightfoot: who, as I understand, intends an entire Treatise thereof. Far be it from me, that our pens should fall out, like the herdsmen s Gen. 13. 6. of Lot, and Abraham, the land being not able to bear them both, that they might dwell together. No such want of room in this subject, being of such latitude, and receipt, that both we, and hundreds more, busied together therein, may severally lose ourselves in a subject of such capacity. The rather because we embrace several courses in this our Description, it being my desire, and delight, to stick only to the written word of God, whilst my worthy friend takes in the choicest rabbinical, and talmudical relations, being so well seen in those studies, that it is questionable, whether his skill, or my ignorance, be the greater therein. CHAP. X. Of things deposited in the Chambers, and outward Courts of the Temple. § 1. PRoceed we now to the outward Courts of the Temple, Rooms for the keeping of Salt. whose Chambers were severally employed for sundry uses: as for the laying up of Tithes, First-fruits, Wood, Salt, and other Requisites for the sacrifices. Of this last a mass was spent in the Temple, seeing no offering was a Mark 9 49. acceptable without it. The best was, judea could well afford to spare plenty thereof for God's service, who had bestowed such store thereof upon it, that there was a place called the b josh. 15. 62. City of Salt in the Tribe of judah. § 2. Other rooms were employed, to contain the many instruments And for several musical instruments. used in the Temple. Some of whose names we find mentioned in the titles of several Psalms, solemnly set to be sung upon them, though so many authors so many minds in expounding their names and qualities, we will only insist on what we conceive most probable. 1 c Psal. 22. Aijeleth * Others apply it to Christ. Shahar: or, The hind of the morning. Probably some early instrument (as the going about of the waits in some places) bringing tidings of the morning, and giving men notice to rise. 2 d Psal. 46. Alamoth; which literally may be rendered e Ainsworth Annot. ibidem. Virginales, or Maiden-instruments, with high and shrill notes; acuta symphonia, saith Tromellius. 3 f Psal. 8. 81. 84. Gittith; A personal instrument, appropriated to the posterity of g 2 Sam. 6. 10. Obed-Edom the Gittite, an excellent h 1 Chr. 15. 21. Master of music, thence taking its denomination. 4 i Psal. 56. jonath Elem, Rechokim. By some rendered appellatively, The dumb Dove in far places. By others conceived an instrument of sad, and doleful music; I did mourn as a Dove▪ saith dying k Isa. 38. 14. Hezekiah. 5 l Psal. 53. Mahalath; which Ainsworth interpreteth, sickness, or infirmity, and conceiveth it a kind of wind-instrument. 6 m Psal. 98. Mahalah-leannoth. The same with the former, but with this addition, to n Ainsworth in locum. sing by turns, which is, when alternately one part answereth another in singing. 7 o Psal. 9 Mutb-labben. The Chaldee interpreteth it, for The death of the Son (as if it were some cheerful instrument made by David to comfort himself after the death of his p 2 Sam. 12. 19 child) whilst others conceive it a kind of tune, like to that which we call the countertenor. 8 q Psal. 61. Neginah. A manual instrument, r 1 Sam. 19 9 Nagan being properly to play with the hand. 9 s Psal. 4. Neginoth, a consort of the former. 10 t Psal. 5. Nehiloth: being wind-instruments, (Chalil being used for a u Isa. 5. 12. pipe) as Flutes, Cornets, and Trumpets. 11 w Psal. 12. Sheminitb; an Harp, or instrument of eight strings: conceived (no doubt) very complete in its kind, until (as there is daily accession and improvement in artificial inventions) an instrument of ten x Isal. 30. 2. 144. 9 strings got the credit from it, as of more absolute perfection. 12 y Psal. 45. Shoshannim. Which amongst flowers is the Lily with six leaves, but amongst instruments, an Harp with so many strings. 13 z Psal. 60. Shushan-Eduth. The same with the former, with the addition of the Testimony, as used at the witnessing of some great solemnity. Expect not here from me a Panegyric in praise of Music (either in itself, or reference to God's service) though in Scripture appearing instrumental to qualify a 1 Sam. 16. 23. evil, and invite b 1 King. 3. 15. good spirits; heighten devotion both in Men and Angels: seeing Charity, and Melody, Loving, and Singing is almost all we find expressed of Celestial happiness. Nor can any truly tax Music, as the children their mates in the market place, c Mat. 11. 17. We have piped, and ye have not danced; we have mourned, and ye have not lamented: seeing such the sociableness of Music, it conforms itself to all companies, both in mirth, and mourning, complying to improve that passion, with which it finds the Auditors most affected. In a word, it is an invention which might have beseemed a Son of Seth, to have been the father thereof: Though better it was, that d Gen. 4. 21. cain's great-grandchild should have the credit first to find it, than the world the unhappiness longer to have wanted it. § 3. In other Chambers the standards of all measures were carefully kept. Thus we find the inferior Levites, whose office was to wait on the sons of Aaron, in several services; and amongst other of their employments, they had a superintendency over c 1 Chr. 23. 29. all manner of measures and sizes. Let none conceive this beneath the calling of the Levites, to be so meanly busied; seeing in all ages something of sacredness hath been conceived in weights, God himself (who hath ordered all things in f Wisd. 11. 20. measure, and number, and weight) being justly reputed the supreme Clerk of the Market; for, All the g Prov. 16. 11. weights of the bag are his work. And, as God is accounted the first founder, the Levites were esteemed the fitrest keepers of measures, presumed men of much integrity, which willingly would not falsify, and deprave the same. Besides, an essential part of the sacrifices consisted in the pars quota, in the exact quantity of the meal, oil etc. in their offerings, and therefore the Levites were highly concerned to be skilful in measures, as constantly converstant in the criticalness thereof. § 4. Their measures were of a double nature, either of Application, Measures of Application or of Capacity. Of the former these the principal. 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: A finger's h jer. 52. 21. breadth, which in round reckoning. (though not exactly) passed for an inch. 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Palmus, A i Exod. 28. 16. span. Whereof the lesser contained three inches; the bigger was the distance betwixt the thumb, and little finger extended▪ 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A Cubit; of the several kinds whereof largely before. 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 k Ezek. 40. 5. A Reed; used to measure buildings, containing six Cubits, and an hand-breadth in the length thereof. Here of purpose (because ignorant of the exact proportion thereof) we pass by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chebel (whence our English Cable) being a Rope, or line to measure ground therewith: so that by a Metonymy, sometimes it is taken for the inheritance itself, The l Psal. 16. 6. lines are fallen to me in pleasant places. § 5. Measures of capacity follow, Of Capacity for dry things. being either to meet things dry, liquid, or both. Dry things were measured by 1 The Kab m 2 King. 6. 25. , answering unto (in default of accurate correspondencies, we must pitch on the English measure next thereunto) our Quart, the fourth part whereof [our double Gill] of Dove's dung, was at the siege of Samaria sold for five n Ibid. pieces of silver. 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Omer. It was the daily o Exod. 16. 16. Ordinary of Manna for a man, and contained well-nigh a pottle, or two quarts. 3 Ephah. The just quantity that Ruth p Ruth 2. 17. gleaned in a day Concerning this measure let these following Scriptures be observed, lest similitude of sound betray us to a great mistake: 1. An Omer is the tenth part of an Ephah. Exod. 16. 36. 2 The Ephah is the tenth part of an Homer. Ezek. 45. 11. It was in fashion shallow, and broad, (so that a q Zech. 5. 7. woman might sit in the compass thereof) and contained half a bushel, and a pottle; wherefore Boaz r Ruth 2. 16. his bounty concurred with Ruth her diligence in making so good a days-work. 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Homer; that is, The lading of Ass, being five bushels, and five gallons. God threateneth in his Prophet, that, The seed of an s Isa. 5. 10. Homer should yield but an Ephah, that is, their grain should so decrease, they should only reap the tithe of what they had sown. The half of an Homer was called a t Hosea 3. 2. Lethec. Here we wittingly omit the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Seah, because unsatisfied in the content thereof; though surely it must be much more, than what a learned u Godwin in Moses & Aaron. lib. 6. ca 9 man makes it, stinting it to a gallon, and an half: for, by that proportion no incredible plenty, or cheapness was prophesied in Samaria, when w 2 King. 7. 1. a Seah of fine flour should be sold for a shekel (or an English half-crown) which is according to the rate of a Mark the bushel; dear enough of all conscience for poor people to purchase. § 6. As for Measures for Liquids', For liquids. we first pitch on an Hin, whereof frequent mention in Scripture (as also of the x Numb. 15. 9 half, y Ibid. ver. 6. third, z Numb. 28. 5. fourth, and a Ezek. 9 11. sixth part thereof) and contained three English Quarts. Next it we take notice of the Bath, being just of the same capacity with the Ephah, and the tenth part of an Homer, as the Prophet b Ez●k. 45. 14. himself hath computed it, that is, four gallons and an half. By which account the Molten sea, which held three * 2. Chr. 4. 5. thousand Baths, contained thirteen thousand five hundred gallons. § 7. Amongst mixed measures the Cor deserveth especial notice; used both for 1 Liquid. * Ez●k. 45. 14. The Cor of Oil. 2 Arid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, † Luk. 16. 7. Cors of wheat. The Cor was (as may be collected from the c Ez●k. 45. 14. Prophet) just the same quantity with the Homer (as in the best English, bushel, and Strike are several names for the same measure) save that the Cor was common to both, the Homer appropriated to liquid commodities. § 8. To measures might be added the gage of d 1 Kin. 18. 33. Barrels, Barrels and Coins. and e john 2. 6. Firkins; as also all Weights and Coins, as Gerahs', Half Shekels, Shekels of the f Exod. 38. 24. Sanctuary, (so called, as some will have it, because the Standart thereof was kept in the Sanctuary, whilst others make it double to the common Shekel) Drams, Pounds, Talents, whereof largely g In Descrip. of Solomon's Temple. heretofore. All which we leave in the Levites safe custody, being confident, that they will very carefully keep them, from ever coming into the fingers of such covetous wretches, who would willingly make The Ephah small, and the h Amos 8. 5. Shekel great, and falsify the balances by deceit; especially, if the Originals of both were but once in their absolute disposal thereof. § 9 There were also Books kept in the Temple, Book of the Law where kept. of which the Autograph of the law was most remarkable, by command from Moses to be placed in the i Deut. 31. 26. side of the Ark of the Covenant, that is, k Ainsworth in locum. by the side (as some expound it) in a coffer by itself made for that purpose. But others conceive the performance hereof neglected after Moses his decease (before which time it could not conveniently be done, Deuteronomy not being fully finished till after his death) and this book deposited, not in the Holy of Holies but in some outward place amongst the treasures of the Temple: Alleging in confirmation hereof, how Hilkiah the high Priest, sent to seek out and sum l 1 King. 22. 4. up the silver for repairing of God's house, found (what in david's and all good men's valuation is dearer than m Psal. 119. 72 gold and silver) the n 1 King. 22. 8. book of the Law, hid in some treasury within the verge of the Temple. But probably this book was originally placed in the Holy of Holies, which afterwards, when the Temple-service in the Idolatrous days of Amaze, and Manasseh was turned upside down, might fall out of the proper position thereof, into another place. § 10. Other books (no doubt) were kept by the Priests (Scribes, whereof many amongst them, Other books in the Temple. and books being relatives) though their Libraries could not be so numerous in volumes, the Art of printing not being then invented. Wherefore, when we read in job, a most ancient author, o job. 19 23. Oh that they were printed in a book! the mystery of the Press is not meant thereby, but letters written in deep and large characters. And amongst all other books most likely it is, that, that book of the p josh. 18. 9 description of the land into seven parts by lot, as of public concernment, daily use, and divine institution, was preferred in the Temple; like our Doomsday book in England, which some Critics will have so called (not because all lands are arraigned to appear therein as at a General judgement, but) quasi domus Dei, or Gods-house book, where the original thereof, was anciently entrusted. § 11. The Refectories must not be forgotten, Refectories for the Priests. being rooms, wherein the Priests had their repast on hallowed food. Amongst all whose fare, we most admire at the Shewbread; that, being shifted but q Levit. 24. 8. once a week by God's command, it did not contract corruption, grow hard, and dry, good only for the Gibeonites to cheat the Israelites, with the r josh. 9 12. mouldiness thereof. This the Rabbins ascribe to miracle, the same command, which enjoined it to be set there, preserving it from putrefaction; that nothing might lose aught of its goodness, which is exactly ordered according to God's direction. Thus, as Man liveth not by bread alone: so bread lasteth not only by natural causes, but s Mat. 4. 4. by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God. § 12. And now (to conclude all fast and firm) there was also an Armoury in the Temple, An Armoury in the Temple. well provided with weapons, to guard the Treasure therein. For, seeing it is the privilege of heaven alone, that there t Mat. 6. 20. Thiefs cannot break through, and steal; the provident Princes of the jews thought not fit to entrust so much wealth without Ammunition to defend it, seeing no place so sacred as to secure itself from sacrilege. David provided u Chr. 23. 9 Spears, and bucklers, and shields for that purpose, as if foreseeing in his Prophetical spirit, that in after ages, a distressed Prince [joash] extracted from his loins, should, by God's blessing, and the assistance of those w Ibidem. weapons, recover his rightful throne from the unjust usurpation of [Athaliah] an Idolatrous intrudress thereinto. CHAP. XI. The additional Utensils of the Temple after the days of Solomon. § 1. MAny other instruments were added to the Temple, The Chest which I●hoiada the Priest●ade. after Solomon's death, by succeeding Kings, as occasion did require. Amongst which, we must take especial notice of that Chest, which in the reign of King jehoash, was made by jehoiada the high-Priest, to receive the people's free-offerings for the repair of the Temple. § 2. It may seem strange, How the Temple so much ruined in so short a time. that the Temple built so substantially at the first, of the most solid materials, should in so short a time of an hundred and fifty years, run so far to ruin, as to need so costly reparation. But, we must know, it stood without shelter, high on a mount, exposed to tempests, and in the last seven years of wicked Athaliahs' reign (grey hairs are multiplied on men, more by afflictions, then old age) besides neglect of reparation, did a 2 Chr. 24. 7. meet with despiteful defacing thereof. jehoash therefore resolves to amend the decays therein, as indeed he stood obliged, both in credit, and conscience; for, seeing the Temple had formely been the nursing-mother to jehoash, well might jehoash be the nursing-father to the Temple; who now did only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, pay for his feeding and breeding, who six years b 2 Chr. 22. 12. had his preservation, and his education therein. § 3. The care of the work, Levites why backward in repairing the Temple. was at first committed to the charge of the Levites in general, though it thrived not under their managing thereof, so that in the twenty third year of the reign of King jehoash, they had not repaired the c 2 King. 12. 7. breaches of the house. We can not be so uncharitable, as to conceive, they embez'led the moneys appointed for that purpose, but rather impute their slow proceedings herein, either to 1 The unhappiness usually attending great undertake, few effectually advancing that work, wherein all are equally entrusted. Or else, 2 Being every one to receive money of their own d 2 King. 12. 5. acquaintance, some carnal indulgence might be used therein to retard the business. 3 Receiving small sums of several persons, they were insensible in the taking, and inconsiderable in their laying out. 4 Repairing was out of the Levites element, having no dexterity therein; and we know, that Ministers, and Churchwardens are two distinct employments. Hereupon the Levites by King jehoash are called, checked, commanded to forbear farther collection of money, and some other particular persons deputed for that purpose, who had more care, skill, and success to order the matter. § 4. To this end a chest was devised, The fashion and placing of C●rban. with an hole c 2 King. 12. 9 bored in the lid thereof, and appointed to receive the free-gifts of those who would contribute to so pious a work. It was placed very handy, and convenient for such as went up to sacrifice, to cast in their b●nevolence, being set f Ibidem. beside the Altar on the right side in the outward-court as one came into the House of the Lord. Perchance our Saviour reflected on the position of this chest so fit for dexterous Benefactors, when advising in giving of alms, Let g Mat. 6. 3. not thy left hand know what thy right doth. In this chest were men's charities cast, and kept till amounting to a great sum, (and then the breaches of the Temple were perfectly repaired therewith) and in after-ages, it was called Corban, which name sometimes signifieth the h Mar. 7. 11. gift itself, sometimes the vessel receiving it, which was the pattern (not to say parent) of the poor-mens-boxes in our modern Parish-Churches. § 5. Here we must not forget that Dial of Ahaz Ahaz his Dial. (in those days, no doubt, a masterpiece of art) whereon the Sun miraculously went back ten k 2 King. 20. 9 degrees, in token that Hezekiahs' life should go forward fifteen degrees. Some conceive this Dial, not drawn on the outside of any wall, or house, but contrived within a winding staircase, so that every step thereof bare proportion to the distance of an hour: but whether this fancy may be reconciled to art, be it referred to the judicious in dialling. However it was made, we shall scarce meet with a Dial more ancient in any author, which many years after retained the name of Ahaz the erectour thereof. But for all this Dial, Ahaz was one of those who could not discern l Mat. 16. 3. the signs of the times, nor perceive the day of his visitation; how his kingdom, being past the flourishing Meridian thereof, did draw near to the night of final ruin, and destruction. § 6. Adrichomius placeth this Dial on the House of the Lord, Adrichomius his conceit concerning this Dial. and therefore we mention it here amongst the ornaments of the Temple. Though, to speak my opinion, on perusal of the text, it appears rather set up in some open place in the King's Palace, so that sick Hezekiah, for the farther confirmation of his faith, lying on his bed, might look on the retrograde motion of the Sun thereon: though I deny not, but he might receive information thereof from relation of others. But would m In quar●a parte Templi. Adrichomius had acquainted us, whence he received his intelligence, for what he reports, that Ahaz made this Dial of the brazen n Fecit ex altari Holoca●stiaen●o Altar of whole-burnt sacrifices. Indeed o 2 King. 16. 17. Scripture tells us, that he took down the twelve brazen oxen from under the great sea, and it was poor reparation for his sacrilege, if in lieu thereof he set up a Dial, with figures for twelve hours, or perchance the twelve signs of the Zodiac thereupon. But carnal men conceive, they may safely steal God's dove, and stick down a feather in the room thereof. § 7. Now besides the original Utensils of the Temple, Two eminent supplies of holy instruments. of the same foundation with the Temple itself, there were several recruits (not of different, but the same fashion with the former) which succeeding Kings made in stead of those instruments, which constant use and age had impaired. For, we must not think, that the Ash-pans, Fire-pans, Snuffers, Caldrons, and Fleshhooks of the Temple, were like the bush appearing to p Exod. 3. 3. Moses, always burning, yet never consumed: or, that the knives used about the sacrifices, were like the q Deut. 29. 5. clothes of the children of Israel in the wilderness, never a whit the worse for wearing, but they did daily decay, and were duly repaired, especially in the reign of King r 2 Chr. 24. 14. jehoash. Thus when the soul of a Christian is by faith made the Temple of the holy Ghost, and fitted with several graces, the furniture thereof; the same notwithstanding, because of continual sinning, must be constantly repaired by renewing repentance. § 8. So much of the right and lawful issue of holy vessels in the Temple. Idolatrous utensils justly omitted. As for that spurious, and bastard brood of Idolatrous Altars, and other Utensils principally introduced by King s 2 King. 16. 3. Ahaz and t 2 Chr. 33. 7. Manasseh, contrary to Gods express command, and placed in the house of God, we will not do them so much honour as once to mention them in this discourse. CHAP. XII. The Temple often spoiled of her Treasure and Ornaments. § 1. THe first Temple of God at jerusalem, The Temple pillaged by Shishak King of Egypt, & Io●sh King of Israel. often had the same hard hap with him that journied thence to jericho, even to fall u Luk. 10. 30. amongst thiefs, or rather for thiefs to fall into it. Twice was it pillaged by foreign foes, and four times by her own friends before the final destruction thereof. First, when Shishak King of Egypt in the reign of Rehoboam, took w 1 Kin. 14. 26. away the treasures of the house of the Lord, This wound, whence so much precious wealth did bleed forth, first showed, the Temple with the riches therein to be mortal. Shishak did then but brush the house of God, whilst he swept the house of the King, whence he even took away x Ibidem. all. Afterwards joash King of Israel in the reign of King Amaziah, having stormed jerusalem, took y 2 Chr. 25. 24. All the gold and silver, and the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-Edom, and returned to Samaria. That were found, for, such no doubt was the providence of the Priests to conceal some wealth from his sight. A thing not impossible for them to do, having formerly hid a young King, and his nurse six z 2 Chr. 22. 12. years invisible, from the jealous eyes of Athaliah. And now, seeing idolatrous joash carried away this holy treasure to Samaria, let none hereafter conclude the best cause from the best success, finding the Cherubims of solomon's setting up, worsted by the golden Calves of jeroboams erection. § 2. By the way, it is very remarkable, that the Tabernacle, The Tabernacle never plundered, and why? which lasted four hundred and thirty years before the Temple was begun, was never plundered, or robbed, or spoiled of its goods. Yet the jews in that age were as sinful, and their enemies as spiteful, Moabites, Midianites, Ammonites, etc. who in the interim betwixt the Judges, oppressed the people of Israel, though we find none of them offering any affront, or violence to the Utensils of the Tabernacle. As for the Philistims, though they took the Ark by conquest in the field, we know they were forced with a witness to bring it back again. Whereas the Temple within less space was by foreign Princes often peeled and polled of the ornaments belonging thereunto. Enquiring into the reason hereof, we meet with none more probable, then because Divine providence delighteth in protecting what is weakest in itself. And seeing the Tabernacle was altogether undefensible, and able to make no resistance, consisting only of thin boards, slight skins, & slender curtains, God more immediately walled it about with an awful respect, which the very enemies thereof bare unto it. Whereas the Temple, being a strong structure of stone, in a stronger City, with walls, gates, and bars, visibly entitled itself to fortification, and therefore God left it to the arm of flesh to defend it, which frequently failed therein, as nothing can be safe, which hath only sinful men to secure it. § 3. But the Temple suffered oftener from her friends, The Temple spoilt by her own Kings. than her foes, frequently spoiling the wealth thereof, insomuch, that in all desperate consumptions of the State, no gold was found so cordial to cure it, as what was taken out of the treasury of the Temple. 1 Asa brought out silver and a 2 Chr. 16. 2. gold, out of the treasuries of the house of the Lord, and bestowed them on Benhadad King of Syria, to purchase his assistance against Baasha King of Israel. 2 jehoash to appease the anger of Hazael King of Syria, marching furiously against him, took b 2 King. 12. 18. all the hallowed things, which his Fathers, and himself had dedicated, and sent them as a gift to Hazael, to stop his coming up against jerusalem. 3 Ahaz took the silver and gold c 2 King. 16. 8. which was found in the house of the Lord, and conferred it on Tiglath-Pileser, to hire his help against the Kings of Syria and Israel. 4 Hezekiah cut off d 2 Kin. 18. 16. the gold wherewith he himself had overlaid the doors, and pillars of the Temple, and gave it to pacify Sennacherib coming against him. Not to mention the waste, and havoc, wicked c 2 Chr. 24. 7. Athaliah, and Manasseh made, in their idolatrous reigns, of the vessels of the Temple. § 4. There want not those, Reasons for the law fullness of such sacrilege who dare to defend the foresaid spoiling of God's house to be lawful, chiefly alleging absolute necessity (that bawd● general of all illegitimate actions) that, otherwise, in such extremities, the kingdom of judah could not be preserved, from foreign invasion. In vain doth what may be dispute, when what must be sits Doctor of the Chair. It is not only lawful, but needful, to shave the hair, thereby to save the head. The parting with the fruit, kept the tree alive; otherwise, if not pacified with such a present, the idolatrous enemies would undoubtedly have demolished the Temple, and totally rooted out God's service therein. § 5. But what ever politic palliations may be pleaded for the contrary, Such arguments answered. such sacrilege was unavouchable in itself, and those pretended extremities to justify it, were only created; either by men's infidelity, not believing God's power; or their impatience, not attending God's pleasure, to defend his own glory, in his own due time, by his own means. Yea, Heaven by the final success protested against such proceedings, and the treasure taken out of the Temple, and given to Pagans, rather presently declined, then finally diverted the imminent danger. Thus Ahaz f 2 Chr. 28. 21. took away a portion out of the house of the Lord, and gave it to the King of Assyria, but he helped him not. Likewise when g 2 King. 18. 15, 16. Hezekiah presented Sennacherib with the wealth of the Temple to buy his favour, his bribes proved ineffectull, who having received the present, was not pleased to understand the language thereof, but nevertheless in the next h Ibid. ver. 17. verse invaded judah. As for the instance of Asa, God directly by the mouth of his Prophet reproved him for his fact, in relying rather on the King of Syria, then divine assistance. In a word, though some were good men that did it, they were no whit the better for the doing it. For, though it be Christian policy, and Christ's i Luk. 16. 9 precept, that men make to themselves friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness; yet, goods rightly consecrated to the righteous God, come not under that appellation: and such holy things are unjustly degraded, which having once been advanced to the dignity of a free-will-offering to God, are afterward set back, to become a peace-offering to man. § 6. Indeed some hold, No sacrilege, say some, under the Gospel. that under the Gospel the sin of sacrilege cannot be committed. If so, it is either because nothing under the Gospel hath been given to God's service; or, because God hath solemnly disclaimed the acceptance of any such donations; which, when and where it was done, will be hardly produced. If this their position be true, we have cause, first, to rejoice in regard that God and his members are now adays grown so rich, that they need not addition of humane gratuities to be bestowed upon them. Secondly, we may congratulate the felicity of ours above former ages, being not in a capacity of committing the sin of sacrilege, to which those were subject, who lived before the time of our Saviour. Lastly, we may silently smile, to see how Satan is defeated, having quite lost one of his ancient baits, and old temptations; men now adays being secured from this sin, and put past a possibility to be guilty thereof. But, before we go thus far, let us first be sure, we go on a good ground, otherwise it is the highest sacrilege, to steal away sacrilege itself, and to deny that (which formerly was a grievous) in our days to be any transgression. § 7. To come now to the final, and fatal dissolution of this Temple, with the dissipation, at least wise transportation of all the Utensils thereof. Three gradations herein may be observed. Nabuchadnezzar 1 In the 11 year of jehojakim 2 In the 4 month of jehojackin 3 In the 11 year of Zedekiah carried Of the k 2 Chr. 36. 7. vessels of the house of the Lord The goodly l Ibid. ver. 10. vessels of the house of the Lord All the vessels m Ibid. ver. 18. of the house of the Lord great and small. to Babylon. Here we will not observe the eleventh year of wicked kings, climacterical to their kingdoms, seeing any year is equally fatal to a nation, when the measure of their sins is made up. Rather we will take notice, how God, twice as it were in mercy, clipped the treasures of the Temple with the scissors, and (neither working repentance) the third time in justice shaved all away, with the hired n Isa. 7. 20. razor of Babylon. And it is my opinion, that though the outward Courts, and chambers of the Temple had formerly been frequently plundered, yet the Holy, and Holy of Holies remained entire, and untouched, till all was destroyed at the captivity of Babylon. Here the Map of Zorobabels' Temple is to be inserted. THE TEMPLE as it was in CHRIST time. john Goddard sculpsit. ZOROBABELS' TEMPLE, REBUILT BY HEROD. CHAP. I. The mean preparations for building this Temple. § 1. THe seventy years of the Babylonish captivity expired, God moved the spirit of Cyrus Cyrus' his proclamation. (whose name the Prophet a Isa. 44. 28. mentioneth two hundred years before his birth) not only by his b Ezra 1. 1. proclamation to permit God's people, to return to their native Country, and thereby to encourage others to contribute necessaries unto them; but also restored the vessels of solomon's making, and furnished them with provisions out of his own Exchequer, for the erection of a second Temple, which came after the former, not more years in time, than degrees in magnificence. A thing no whit strange, if the disparity betwixt the builders be seriously considered. § 2. First, Difference in power. Solomon was an absolute Prince, full of wealth and power, in his peaceable Country, where no dog durst bark against him (save two c 1 King. 11. 14. 23. or three whapping curs toward the end of his reign) whilst the builders of this second Temple were but raw captives, newly returned to their native land, where they met with much disturbance, and constant opposition from their enemies. Wherefore, no such (almost miraculous) silence observed at the second Temple, like that in the first, wherein d 1 King 6.7. no tool of iron was heard, it being probable, here was knocking of hammers, and (certain) here was clashing of malicious foes against the faithful Israelites. § 3. Secondly, In number. Solomon (though alternately) employed seven score e 1 King 5. 15. and ten thousand hewers and burden-bearers, besides three thousand three hundred overseers at the building of his Temple; whereas the total sum, and whole company of this Remnant, or rather, Reversion of the jews, with their servants f Ezra 2. 64. 65. and maids, exceeded not fifty thousand, not amounting to a full third of the former number. As few the men: so were they ill furnished with all kind of cattle. And whereas Camels had been necessary creatures to be used by them, for bearing of burdens at this structure, so meanly were they provided therewith, that g Compare job 1. 3. with Ezra 2. 67. job a private man, had six times (and after his restoration twelve times) more Camels, than all the whole nation of the jews had in their possession, when returning from captivity. § 4. Thirdly, In wealth. Solomon had (besides other vast incomes, and a bank provided by David his Father) the gold of Ophir swimming unto him in the ships h 1 King. 9 28. & 10. 22. of Tarshish, making their triennial returns. Whereas no such golden fleet arrived to the building of this second Temple. As for silver, in Solomon's time it was i 1 King. 10. 27. in jerusalem as stones in abundance; but, in Zorobabels' time, silver was as silver in scarcity, and esteem, and the exchange of all coin ran very high in valuation. And, whereas the cost expended by Solomon on his Temple amounted to many thousands of k 1 Chr. ●2. 14. & 1 Chr. 29. 4. Talents, unto which are added ten l 1 Chr. 29. 7. thousand drams of gold (only as a supernumerary fraction, or odd sum above the entire Talents) the free-will-offering to the second Temple is not at all computed by Talents, which would have disgraced their poor provisions, but (to stick to our new translation) is only summed up by m Ezra 2. 69. drams (as the silver not by Talents, but pounds) for the greater grace and credit of their contribution, so small in itself, but large (no doubt) in proportion unto their poor estates. § 5. Lastly, No eminent artisan. here was not (as in the making of the Tabernacle) any Bezaleel, or Aholiab, filled with the n Exod. 31▪ 3. Spirit of God in all manner of workmanship; no Hiram (as at the building of the Temple) o 1 King. 7. 14. filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass; no extraordinary artificer specified by name, employed therein. Yet, probably, they entertained the best workmen that age did afford, their purses or credit could procure, to polish, and adorn the building. And therefore the ingenuous p Ribera de Temp. sabr. li. ●. cap. 27. Romanists acknowledge a gross error in their vulgar Latin, where they read q Ezra 6. 4. ordines de lapidibus impolitis tres, three rows of unpolished stone, which should be polished stone. For, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eben Gelal in the original, is a stone turned, rolled, and tossed about, to smooth, and levigate every side thereof, and by r Anti. jul. lib. cap. josephus is rendered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, ●n. some copies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Ribera cites it. of shaved, hewed or carved stone. However, our last translation (following Tremellius therein) reads it GREAT STONES, as if the state consisted, rather in their bigness, than beauty; amplitude, than art bestowed upon them. § 6. Timber they fetched from t Ezra. 3. 7. mount Libanus (the magazeen of Cedars) brought thence in ships to joppa, Cedars fetched from 〈◊〉. and thence conveyed by land-carriages to jerusalem. But, we may be assured, that Solomon long ago had flitted the cream of the choicest trees in that mountain, this second generation being lesser, lower, and fewer, than those before them. Yea, in process of time, Cedars were so rarified in Libanus, that u B●ddulphs Travels. pag 40. modern travellers saw but four and twenty in their passage over this mountain, and heard but of a few more (and they all in one place) extant there at this day. § 7. Some will object, Great promises ill performed. all these defects were eminently supplied by the favour of Cyrus, who in his Charta Magna for the building of the Temple, had privided, that the expenses be w Ezra 6. 4. given out of the King's house; and water may sooner be wanting at the wellhead, than they lack accommodations, who commanded the coffers of so mighty a Monarch. But, such must take notice of the great space of ground, betwixt jerusalem and Babylon; and the bounty of Kings (especially at so great a distance) maketh more noise in the mouths of the reporters, than it brings profit into the hands of the receivers. So that all things considered, whilst Solomon's Temple, like the eldest son, and heir, went away with the solid inheritance of a world of wealth; this latter, like the younger brother, was contented with a poor pension of the people's bounty allotted unto it, especially at the inconsiderable beginning thereof. § 8. Wherefore at the foundation of this Temple, The old men weep. the old men x Ezra 3. 12. wept at the laying thereof, who could call to mind the greatness, and gallantry of the former. How great was the grief of our first parents after their expulsion ou● of paradise, when comparing their present with their primitive condition, and what was lost, with what was left unto them? Enough to drown them in despair, if not supported with certain expectation of the promised Seed. § 9 But the youngsters, The young men shout for joy. being more in number, and greater in strength, shouted for joy, conceiving the foundations newly laid a matchless fabric for magnificence, having never seen better, nor other in that place. Thus, such as have been bred in the dark, when first brought into the twilight, admire at the incomparable lustre thereof. But, what saith our proverb? Better children weep, then old folk: and it had been happy, if here (by a transposition of their passions) whilst the young folk sorrowed, the old men had rejoiced: the former thinking themselves to have just occasion of mirth, the latter knowing they had too much reason for mourning. § 10. But, what saith the Prophet, God delighteth in minims. in reference to this mean fabric? Who hath despised the day of small things? y Zech 4 10. God, who is all in all, delights to improve such things, as are next to nothing. He that loved the jews best, who were z D●ut. 7. 7. the fewest of all people; who made Gedeon a Judge, who was the a judg. 6. 15. least in his Father's house; Saul a King, whose family was the b 1 Sam. 9 21. least of all in his Tribe▪ Paul a preacher, the c 1 Cor. 15. 9 least of the Apostles; who delighted in d Psal. 68 27. little Benjamin their ruler, the little hill of Hermon, the e Luk. 1. 48. lowliness of his handmaiden; who multiplieth mustardseed the f Mat. 13. 32. least of all grains into a tree, did cherish and hatch this weak building under the wings of his protection, bringing it from feeble beginnings; by faint proceedings, to full perfection. CHAP. II. The dimensions of the Temple, and the foundations thereof laid. § 1. BE it premised for an undeniable truth, This far less than Solomon's Temple. that this Temple fell short of solomon's in the dimensions thereof. Which plainly appears, first, by the question the Prophet propoundeth; a Hagg. 2. 3. Who is le●t among you, that saw this house in her first glory? and how do you see it now? Is it not in your eyes, in comparison of it, as nothing? Secondly, by the tears the old men b Ezra 3. 12. shed, when the c Ibidem. foundation thereof was laid, whilst they beheld the meanness of the one with their eyes, and recollected the magnificence of the other in their memories. § 2. But here we meet with (almost) an inextricable difficulty. Objection to the contrary. For, notwithstanding the premises so plain to the contrary, the dimensions of Cyrus his Temple appear larger than those of solomon's, if the ensuing parable be seriously perused. 1 King. 6. 2. And the house which King Solomon built for the Lord, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits. Ezra 6. 3. Let the foundations thereof be strongly laid, the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits. Behold here, how Cyrus his Temple was thirty Cubits higher (just as high again) and forty cubits broader (thrice as broad) as solomon's. And, although the length of this second Temple is not expressed, yet an ordinary judgement will infer by the symmetry of building, that the length thereof must needs be much greater, to manage such a breadth in any due proportion of Architecture. This so strong an evidence to the contrary, would almost have persuaded one to believe, that their old men were either deceived with their dim eyes, or mistaken in their frail memories, and that this Temple was greater than the former, did not the infallible testimonies of the d ●●gga. 2. 3. Zech▪ 4. 10. Prophets so peremptorily avouch the comparative smallness thereof, in respect of solomon's. § 3. Many are the solutions, A Salv● rejected. which the learned produce in satisfaction of this difficulty. But, first, as for their conjecture, that Zorobabel, at the building of this Temple, purposely abated of those dimensions assigned by Cyrus (as too great for him to compass) contenting himself with a less scantling, but more proportionable to the weak power of his people: I can in no wise concur with them therein. For, in such defalcation of measures by Cyrus allotted, he showed little courtship to his master the Emperor, (in distrusting the performance of his promises) and less religion to the Lord his God, in not believing, that he, who miraculously had stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to appoint, would also vigorously enable him (or his successors) to effect the aforesaid assignment, in building of his Temple. § 4. Some suspect a mistake of numbers in Cyrus his Grant, Others●end●●d. which notwithstanding will very hardly be admitted. For, seeing the laws of the Medes and Persians could e Dan. 6. 8. never be altered, they were highly concerned to be accurate, and exact, in their entering, and inrolling all Deeds on Record. O●hers justly make a difference in the measures, and whilst solomon's were sufficiently known to have been of the f 2 Chr. 3. ●. first measure, g Tremellius in locum Ezrae. they conceive Cyrus his cubits to be common ones, but half as large as the former. And thus this second Temple, though sixty cubits high, was for the main body thereof, but just even with Solomon's Temple. Mean time it came far short of solomon's in this respect, because solomon's had amost beautiful Porch, in nature of a Tower-steeple, h 2 Chr. 3. 4. one hundred and twenty cubits high (that was double the body of the Temple) whilst no such aspiring building graced the second Temple, being all of one uniform height. § 5. This difficulty in the height thus satisfied, Breadth how ●aken in Scripture. by the difference of cubits, let none be troubled at the breadth of this second Temple, tripling that of solomon's, seeing here breadth is taken (as elsewhere in Scripture) for the full extent of a thing on every side. Thus in the i Revel. 20. 9 Revelation, Saint john speaking of the numberless army of Gog and Magog, describes them to go upon the breadth of the earth, that is, on the whole space of the surface thereof. Nor is the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rekbo (which properly signifieth his breadth, and is used. 1 King. 6. 2.) used in Ezra, but the Chaldee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which (as k De Templi ●abrica. lib. 1. cap. 27. Ribera observeth) importeth the expansion, or spreading of a thing, quaquaversum, on every side. On which consideration, it is judiciously rendered by Tremellius, not latitudine, but amplitudine ejus, not the breadth, but the largeness thereof. So that Cyrus gave order, that the bigness of this Temple (length and breadth put together) should not exceed threescore cubits (perchance forty in length, and twenty in breadth) and so, both when first founded, and when fully finished, it came far short of the dimensions of solomon's. CHAP. III. After many obstructions, finished at last. § 1. NOw went the building hopefully on, Samaritans the●r false friendship. probable in some competent time to come to perfection; when the Samaritans (the envious enemies of Israel) first by fraud, than force, endeavour to obstruct their proceedings. First, they tender a Ezra. 4. 15. their service to be fellow-builders with the jews, (claiming a joint-interest in their Temple, as serving the same God) which by Zorobabel, and the Elders of Israel was wisely refused, as knowing, such seeming helpers would prove real hinderers. Thus, when b 2 Chr. 11. 14. Satan transforms himself into an Angel of light, as pretending to sing Gloria in excelsis, with the rest of those heavenly Spirits, it is only out of design to disturb their harmony, and (if possible) to put that celestial Choir out of ●une. § 2. Their first project failing, Their open enmity. the Samaritans accuse the City of jerusalem in the Court of Artaxerxes King of Persia, to have been formerly a c Ezra. 4. 15. rebellious city, referring themselves to the Court-rolls for the proof thereof. See what it is to be a Rebel on record, their posterity may far the worse for it, many years after. Indeed, it cannot be denied, but that Zedekiah King in jerusalem, though sworn by God to the contrary, d 2 Chr. 36. 13. rebelled against King Nabuchadnezzar, so that this suggestion of the Samaritans, had too much of truth, though more of malice therein. For, hence they inferred, were the place rebuilt, the people would return to their former stubbornness, whereby, in process of time, the Persian Monarchy would be deprived of all command, and e Ezra 4. 13. 16. revenue on this side the river of jordan. § 3. Power, The I●ws forbidden to build the Temple. and Profit are the two apples of Prince's eyes, woundable with the least touch thereof. No wonder therefore if upon the premises, a Prohibition was presently from Artaxerxes sent, and served upon the jews, commanding them to desist from building till farther order should be f Ezra 4. 21. given them. Thus the work ceased till the second of Darius. Mean time private palaces in jerusalem were finished, and garnished with g Haggai 1. 4. ceiled work, whilst God's Temple lay waste. Did not those private houses blush at their own bravery, as serving-men may be justly ashamed, to see themselves finer than their Masters? § 4. Then arose Haggai, Fall a building it again encouraged by the Prophets. and Zachary, and h Ezra 5. 1. encouraged the people to build again. What, must the Pulpit be obeyed before the Throne? i Eccles. 8. 4. In the word of a King there is power, but is there more in the mouth of a Prophet? Oh! a greater than Artaxerxes was here, these Prophets being warranted by divine inspiration. On goes the Temple afresh, whilst the enemies of Israel seek in vain to hinder it the second time. For, upon search, the original grant of Cyrus is produced from amongst the Records of the k Ezra 6. 2. Medes, in pursuance whereof, Darius did not only give leave, and liberty to the jews to build their Temple, with a penalty on such as refused it, but also enjoined Tatnai, l Ibid. ver. 8. Shethar-Boznai, and others beyond the river (which sided with the Samaritans) to contribute all necessaries towards the finishing, and furnishing thereof. No doubt the jews (formerly refusing their persons) accepted their purses to build with, as knowing, though the men were false, their money might be made faithful towards the farthering of the work. § 5. As for the many chronological differences, Chronological difficulties justly declined. wherewith the building of this Temple is encumbered, we utterly decline them as alien from our subject. He that meddleth (saith m Prov. 26. 17. Solomon) with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. Chronology (all know) is a surly, churlish Cur, and hath bit many a man's fingers, who have causelessly meddled therewith. Blame me not therefore, if willing to keep mine own hands whole. Only I will add, that such are much troubled, who apply to this Temple those words of the jews to our Saviour, n john 2. 20. Forty and six years was this Temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? So that all their endeavours can not conform those numbers to Zorobabels' Temple, which had not so many years spent in the erection thereof. Wherefore for the main they plead, that malice hath a wide mouth, and loves to outlash in her relations. So that the jews stood not exactly on the particulars of years, whilst the total sum of their intent was to cast a greater odium on Christ, by widening the disproportion between so many years, and so few days. Yea, seeing at the same time they wilfully mistook the meaning of our Saviour's words, no wonder if withal they corrupted the computation of the building of the Temple, adding more years thereunto, then were in the true account thereof. § 6. But be the years moe or less, Sacrifice at the Dedication. at last after many stops, stays; demurs, delays; suspensions, relaxations; desertions, resumptions thereof, the building was completed, and a solemn sacrifice at the dedication thereof, but far inferior to solomon's, on the same occasion. 1 King. 8. 63. And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he offered unto the Lord, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. Ezra 6. 17. And they offered at the dedication of this house of God, an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Israel twelve hee-goats, according to the number of the Tribes of Israel. See here a great fall, but the second sacrifice was suitable to their small substance: of a little they gave a little to that God, who, where there is o 2 Cor. 8. 12. first a willing mind, accepteth it according to that a man hath, and not according to that a man hath not. However, we must congratulate the hopeful mention of the twelve Tribes of Israel. Welcome happy name, and number, well met in holy writ, seeing so long since last we parted from you, some hundred years ago, when Elias offered his sacrifice on mount p 1 King. 18. 31. Carmell. A strong presumption, that some of each Tribe were now present, at the finishing of this Temple, whereof largely before. § 7. This Temple was afterwards miserably defaced, Repaired by Maccabeus. and profaned by wicked Antiochus, until some years after, judas Maccabeus cleansed the Sanctuary, repaired the breaches of the Temple, renewed the gates and chambers about it, and decked the q 1 Mac. 4. 57 forefront thereof with crowns of gold. He ordained also in the month Casleu an r Ibid. ver. 59 annual festival by the space of eight days to be kept with mirth and gladness. Some will say, this was but a ceremonious supererogation of Maccabeus, in making such an ordinance; seeing, neither Hezekiah, when purging the Temple from the profanation of Ahaz; nor josiah, cleansing it from the idolatrous pollutions of Manasses and Ammon, instituted any such yearly solemnity in memorial thereof. But, let such know, that under Antiochus there was not only a suspension, and interdiction of the Temple from pious uses, but a total alienation thereof from piety, and diversion to profaneness: and by Maccabeus the old Altar was not (as by Hezekiah, and josiah) reconciled to God's service, but a s Ibid. ver. 47. new one erected (hence perchance the feast was called Encaenia, or the Renewing) in the place thereof▪ And what, if in this particular point Maccabeus was more pious than either Hezekiah, or josiah, let not his memory fare the worse, for endeavouring the better to preserve God's favours in the memories of others. § 8. Just (no doubt) were the considerations moving Maccabeus to make this annual festival, Christ at this Feast of Dedication. seeing our Saviour in the Gospel t joh. 10. 22. graced this feast of the dedication with his presence. Although it appears not in Scripture, that Christ went up purposely to jerusalem for the observation thereof (as he did to the Passeover, which was of divine appointment) but there might be a casual coincidence of this feast, and his presence at jerusaem. However, seeing Christ with his company adorned a u joh. 2. 2. marriage-feast at Cana in Galilee, being a meeting of mere civil concernment, founded on no divine command, but only the commendable custom of the Country, no wonder if he honoured the feast of Dedication with his person, wherein the Temple was at first in some sort remarried to the proper use thereof, from which by the profaneness of persecutors it had formerly been divorced. § 9 Here I must not omit the Rhemists' note, The Rhemists their wild note. w Pag. 29●. on john 10. 22. Christ (say they) vouchsafed to honour, and keep that feast instituted by judas Maccabeus, Lib. 1 cap. 4. and now Heretics vouchsafe not to pray, and sacrifice for the dead, x 2 Mac. 12. used and approved by him. But, Christ his presence at this feast of Maccabeus his institution, doth no more oblige us to an universal observation of all the actions of Maccabeus, without farther examination of them, how well they agree with God's word; then his eating of bread in the house, and at the invitation of Simon the y Luk. 7. 36. Pharisee, engageth us to avouch all the opinions, or practise all the traditions, which the said Simon might erroneously maintain. CHAP. IU. Of the Utensils in solomon's, wanting in this Temple. § 1. AS for bulk of fabric, Most of the ●●ensils restored. and beauty of frame: so also for variety, and richness of furniture, this Temple fell short of solomon's. Indeed, great was divine providence in preserving the Utensils of the Temple, during the captivity in Babylon. Though Belshazzar a Dan. 5. 3. drank in the holy vessels, yet his sacrilegious swallow was not so wide, as to devour the metal thereof. These remained in the treasury, and were afterwards restored to the jews at their return, even vessels of gold and silver, to the full number of b Ezra 1. 11. five thousand and four hundred. And yet notwithstanding the restitution of them, this widow-Temple, as I may ●erm it, fell in beauty short of the Virgin-Temple, wanting many eminent ornaments which were found in solomon's. § 2. First, it is probable, But many wanting. that the stately c 2 Chr. 6, 13. scaffold of brass, with the King's d 2 Chr. 28. 13. pillar (which some conceive set thereupon) in nature of a royal throne, was not in the second Temple; so glorious a Sphere being needless, when there was no Sun to shine therein. Certainly this wanted 1 The two fair pillars of jachin and Boaz▪ e 2 King. 25. 13. broken in pieces by Nabuchadnezzar, to make them the more portable to Babylon, otherwise such mountains of massy brass, were unmanageable, till par●elled into many fragments, past possibility of being rejointed together, whilst all the lesser vessels were preserved whole and entire. Thus, greatness ofttimes exposeth eminent persons to their own destruction, whilst poverty carrieth its own protection, and inferior people are preserved by their meanness. 2 The great f Ibidem. Molten Sea, which being guilty of the same crime (its own overgreatness) suffered the same execution with the brazen pillars. 3 The fire from heaven, which, as in the g Levi●. 9 ●4. Tabernacle, so in Solomon's Temple h 2 Chr. 7. 1. came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offerings, and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house. No spark of this fire appeared in the second Temple. 4 The Pot of i Exod. 16. 33. Manna, spilt, broken, or lost by some accident unexpressed in Scripture. 5 The k Num. 17. 10▪ Rod of Aaron which budded, but now was withered away (by some casualty unrecorded) during the captivity of Babylon. 6 The Ar●e of the Covenant. Not, that we give any heed to jeremy his Apocryphal l 2 Ma●. 2. 5. hiding thereof in mount N●●o; but, wheresover it was, it was not in the second Temple. 7 The t●o tables of the m Exod. 34. 1. Law written by Gods own finger, and put formerly into the Ark of the Covenant. Here for the main we may observe, that the Holy of ●olies in this second Temple, was left altogether empty, and unfurnished. Such avoidance of the Utensils thereof being purposely made to make room for the coming of our Saviour the true Highpriest, who with his gracious presence n Ephes. 1. 23. filleth all in all. § 3. As for the Oracle, The Oracle speechless. if it were present in this Temple in substance, it was absent in effect, because dumb, and speechless, as o Anti. jud. li. 3. ca 10. pag. 90. josephus both ingenuously 〈◊〉, and conscientiously rendereth a reason thereof; affirming that the stones therein ceased to send forth their wont splendour (by which formerly answers were returned) two hundred years before he wrote his book, God being angry ●ith his people for their prevarication from his law. And thus this second Temple was, ●s in her structure, so in her ornaments much 〈◊〉 to that first of Solomo● 〈◊〉. § 4. All these defects notwithstanding, Wherein it excelled solomon's. in one eminent respect this Temple equalled, yea excelled solomon's; according to the p Hagg. 2. 9 Prophet's prediction, The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, ●aith the Lord of hosts; so that in a mystical respect, the pavement of this, was higher than the roof of the other. For, hereon our Saviour, when a child, was presented to the Priests; when a youth, disputed with the Doctors; when a man, wrought many miracles, preached many Sermons; teaching within, and tempted without the Temple, on a pinnacle thereof. In a word, Solomon's Temple, like Man's original creation in purity, and perfection, was most glorious in itself: this latter, like our state of regeneration, which, though full of faults, failings, wants, weaknesses, in comparison of the former, yet outstrips it in Gods gracious acceptance thereof, crowning it with perseverance here, and happiness hereafter. § 5. So much for the Temple itself, The Courts of the Temple. which also was guarded with Courts attending the same. Witness Nehemiah reporting, how, at the feast of Tabernacles, the people, to testify their joy, made themselves booths, or arbours, in the q N●hem. 8. 16. Courts of the house of God. But, whereas Ez●a mentioneth the r Ezra 10. 9 street of the house of God, (whither all the people repaired, being about to reform their strange marriages) I take this to be no part, or parcel of the structure of the Temple, but some fair street in jerusalem, leading thereunto: as Temple-gate, and street in Bristol, so termed, because in passage to the fair Church called the Temple therein. § 6. Let not the Reader here expect from me, a draught of Zorobabels' Temple. Why no draught of Zorobabels' Temple. For, besides that already I have dipped my fingers deep enough in holy mortar, (when describing Solomon's Temple) we have nothing out of Scripture, for the particular fashion thereof. To frame it therefore according to conjectural fancies, would be as much offensive to any conscientious writer, as little satisfactory to the judicious Reader thereof. Only in lieu of Zorobabels we present here the Herodian Temple, and all the Courts thereof (the same in all essentials with Zorobabels) as Herod rebuilt it, although the story thereof be encumbered with many improbabilities, which we come now to relate. CHAP. V. Herod (saith Josephus) plucked down, and 〈◊〉 built Zorobabels' Temple. § 1. IT is strange, Wicked men sometimes do good. how the worst of Tyrants sometimes stumble on eminent actions, doing such works as might beseem be●ter men to be the authors thereof. Either, out of the love of variety, that being long wearied with a constant course of wickedness, they adventure on some commendable deeds, merely for recreation. Or else, only se defendendo, for their own security, to fence themselves against the too just assault of people's tongues, hoping in vain, by one good, to make amends for many evil deeds they have committed. Some such consideration put Herod the King upon the building of the Temple, who (as a Anti. jud. lib. 15 cap. 14. 〈◊〉 of which all our ensuing history is taken. Some deny Herod's rebuilding of the Temple. josephus reports) plucked down Zorobabels' Temple to the ground, and erected a new one in the room thereof, of greater art, and larger dimensions. § 2. But some b Ekius first, and after him Villalpandus in czech tom. 2 part 2. lib 5. d●●p. 4. cap. 68 & sequentibus. Authors of very good account, are very loath to give credence hereunto, utterly denying Herod to have built, and launched a new vessel of a Temple, although allowing him, to have carined, new rigged, and repaired the old, and especially the south-porch thereof. They conceive this third Temple merely modelled, and made by the fancy of josephus, as which never had other than paper-wals, inke-mortar, and quil-timber in his book-description thereof. Yea are bold to call it commentum, figmentum; fabulam, and in downright terms mendacium, the flat lie of josephus. § 3. For mine own part, josephus to be believed herein. after very much reluctancy, I am at last contented to credit josephus herein, though willingly I could have wished, that some other ancient Author of his own age had avouched the same, that so in the mouth of two witnesses this c Deut. 17. 6. truth might have been established. For, this is that same josephus whom the great d In Proleg in librum de Emend. it. Temporum. Scaliger charactereth Diligentissimum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 omnium Scriptorum, cujus fides & eruditio in omnibus elucet. And, although we come not just up to this so high a commendation of him, yet we will not suspect him of falsehood in such passages, wherein he dissenteth not from Scripture. § 4. For, Could not be deceived, would not deceive. first herein he himself could not be deceived in a matter notoriously known, some being alive who could remember Herod's building thereof. And josephus himself had often personally officiated in this Temple, in his Priestly function. Nor, would he deceive others by such a report; for, cui bono, what could he gain thereby? Nothing could be gotten by flattering the dust, or ghost of Herod; especially none of his lineage (when josephus wrote) being in power, or place to reward him. How can we then in charity conceive, that he did transgress without a cause? Seeing there were so many of his own countrymen, living in all lands, ready to confute so loud a lie, if avouched by him. § 5. Secondly, Answers b●st to the Disciples▪ admiration. the words of the Disciples to our Saviour, e M●●k 13. 1. Master, see what stones, and what buildings are here, must in probability relate to some new, sp●cious, eye-pleasing fabric. And, if any should say, that the Disciples, being poor fishermen, and untravelled into foreign parts, might be privileged to wonder at a fabric, not so admirable in itself; let such know, we collect the magnificence of this Temple, not so much from their admiration, as from Christ his concession; who (though reproving the Apostles carnal affections) alloweth the stateliness thereof in that sharp return, f Ibid. ver. ●. Seest thou 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these great buildings? Now, this could not well agree with Zorobabels' Temple, being little curious when new, & almost contemptible when old (if standing in Christ's time, weather-beaten after four hundred years' continuance) and therefore undoubtedly relates to the Herodian Temple, as then in the prime, and perfection thereof. § 6. Add hereunto, Believed by many good authors. that Herod his wholly taking down, and rebuilding this Temple, is embraced, and believed, by most ancient, and learned writers, g Lib. de. Hegesippus, h In cap. 11. 〈◊〉 fere initio. Saint Hierome, i In cap. 2. Haggai. Rupertus, and many other Christian Authors. * Constantine l. Empe. in praesatione in Middoth. And that some Talmudists acknowledge Herod's Temple, a learned Critic hath sufficiently cleared the same. Yea, which is much material (even by the confession of such k Villalpandus ut prius. as lately have opposed it) mille quingentis annis nemo vocavit in dubium, nemo non credidit; for fifteen hundred years (since josephus wrote it) none ever doubted, or questioned the truth thereof. CHAP. VI Objections to the contrary answered. § 1. HAving thus brought our belief (not over forward in itself) to answer the spur, Much may be alleged against Herod's building. in what josephus reports, we confess notwithstanding, many shrewd objections may be alleged to the contrary, which we shall endeavour to satisfy in order, as followeth. § 2. Ob. It is utterly improbable, 1. Objection. that God who refused David's tender to build him a Temple, merely because he was a man a 2 Chr. 28. 3. of blood, would accept of such a Tyrant as Herod was, for the same purpose. Who had murdered Hircanus his patron, joseph his own uncle, Aristobulus his brother-in-law, Mariam his wife, Aristobulus the younger, Alexander, and Antipater his sons. In a word, unlikely it is, his service should be employed in building the Temple of God, who endeavoured to destroy the b Mar. 2. 20. God of that Temple. § 3. Ans. Answer. God's ways are in the deep, past man's finding, or fathoming out: who, to show the fullness of his power, and freedom of his pleasure, useth variety in his own working. That shall be sometimes a bar to one, which otherwhiles shall be no hindrance to another. Who knows not, but Cyrus was a cruel man, the manager of mighty wars, who came to a woeful and violent death? Witness, when c Instine lib. 1. Tomyris the Scythian Queen, having cut off his head, and put it into a vessel of blood, Satia te (saith she) sanguine quem semper sitisti, Cloy thyself with blood which thou hast always thirsted after. And yet God accepted of the service of Cyrus, not only to be a benefactor unto, but founder of his Temple, the d Ezra 6. 4. expenses thereof being given out of his own house. Why then might not the same God make use of Herod, for the rebuilding of his Temple, when in continuance of time, much run into dilapidations? § 4. Ob. ●Objection. The Temple extant in our Saviour's time, was forty six years in building, as the e joh. 2. 20. jews did avouch; now, this cannot be applied to Herod's Temple, who reigned in all but thirty seven years; it must therefore belong to Zorobabels, the building whereof was so long suspended, through the frequent opposition of their enemies. § 5. Ans. Answer. It cannot well be applied to Zorobabels, but exactly fits Herod's Temple; for Zorobabels it falls out too large, which makes expositors take refuge at several shifts, as we have formerly f Above cap. 3. § 5. observed. It is adequate unto Herod's Temple, the Greek being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the first Aorist passive, that is, it hath been in building. For, from the time that the first foundation was laid by Herod, until the present instant of the jews their speech, the sum of forty six years was exactly completed, all which time (though the main of the fabric was finished in the first eight years, and an half) workmen were constantly employed in trimming, polishing, and perfecting the out-buildings thereof. § 6. Ob. 3 Objection. The Prophet g Haggai 29. Haggai foretold, that the glory of the second Temple should be greater than the first, which was accordingly accomplished in the coming of our Saviour, gracing it with his h Mat. 3. 1. presence, and preaching therein. Now, if the Temple extant in our Saviour's time, were not the same numerical, individual Temple, which Zorobabel built, but another new one of Herod his erection, the Prophecy of Haggai took no effect, and miss of the due performance thereof. § 7. Ans. Answer. Haggai his prophecy found the full accomplishment thereof, in our Saviour's preaching in Herod's Temple, which was no distinct, but in all essentials the self same with Zorobabels. The holy riddle in the Revelation is very hard to be understood, how the beast i Revel. 17. 11. was the eight, and yet one of the seven. But here it is obvious to any apprehension, that this was the third, and yet the second Temple, set up in the same place of the former. § 8. Ob. Zorobabels, The same objection reinforced. or the second Temple may as properly be termed the first, and avouched the same with solomon's, as this third of Herod's building may be called the second Temple, and maintained the same with Zorobabels. For, it was erected on the same Area, or floor, and had, though less limbs (smaller dimensions) the self same vitals, all the essential Utensils of the first Temple, restored unto it. § 9 Ans. And answered. Not so, for, not a foot of stone, or inch of timber used in solomon's, was found in Zorobabels, which being all utterly destroyed, new materials were fetched from mount k Ezra 3. 7. Lebanon. Whereas no doubt Herod made use of whatsoever was firm, sound, and undecayed in Zorobabels' Temple. Besides, there was an interstitium, or distance of seventy years, between the destruction of solomon's, and erection of Zorobabels' Temple; whereas here no vacancy at all, the service, and sacrifices to God being continued without any interruption. As therefore that man, who, out of a desperate consumption, by God's blessing, physic, and good diet, recovers new flesh, remains still the same man: so Zorobabels' Temple, acquiring by Herod's bounty more beauty, and bigness, continued the same Temple, God's unintermitted service (the life and soul thereof) preserving the individuity, or oneness of this Temple with the former. § 10. josephus himself elsewhere confesseth (as learned i Vid. ejus annot. in Mat. 24. 1. & john 2. 20. Grotius doth observe) that the Temple was never but twice demolished, 4 Objection. first by Nabuchadnezzar, and finally by the Romans. § 11. Understand him (to reconcile him to himself) never but twice demolished in anger from enemies, Answered. whereas Herod destruebat animo restruendi, destroyed it with intent to rebuild it. As the Chirurgeon, who, not out of cruelty, but pity, breaks an ill set bone, with full intent to set it better. Hence it was, that this third Temple, in some sense, is always accounted, reputed, and esteemed by the Jewish Rabbins, the same with the second. CHAP. VII. General observables in Herod's building. § 1. THus satisfied for the main, Full credit not required to josephus. that Herod rebuilt Zorobabels' Temple, come we to some memorable observables therein, gathered out of josephus, whose single band if the Reader shall refuse to accept, we can tender him no better, yea, no other securirity. It is not therefore expected, that all which josephus relates, should be credited in the full latitude thereof, it is enough if the judicious Reader (with a 1 Cor. 11. 18. Saint Paul in another case concerning the reports of the Corinthians) doth partly believe it. § 2. First, to satisfy, and content the jews (half suspecting his power, or pleasure to rebuild the Temple) he plucked not down the old Temple, till all necessaries for the new one were perfectly provided, and brought in place, ready to be set up, lest otherwise between two Temples, none at all should be left. Such as take down one Church, before fully furnished for the setting up of a new, make a dangerous breach for profaneness, and Atheism to enter in thereat. No such regnum for Satan, as in the interregnum between two religions. § 3. As for the dimensions of Herod's Temple in relation to solomon's, the ensuing parallel thus presents them unto us, 1 King. 6. 2. And the house which King Solomon built for the Lord, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits— [after the first b 2 Chr. 3. 2. measure] the porch therein was an c Ibid. ver. 4. hundred and twenty cubits high. josephus' Anti. jud. lib. 15. cap. 14. Her●d removed the old foundations, and laying new ones, built the Temple an hundred cubits long, so many and twenty more, in height; as for the breadth (omitted by Flavi●●● Ios●phus) Ben-Gori●n addeth, it was an hundred cubits. Not that the whole body of Herod's Temple was an hundred and twe●ty cubits high, but only the middle thereof, as josephus confesses, the sides round about being lower. Thus whilst Solomon's Temple was builded long ways, with the porch, or to were at the east end, Herod's appears more round, with a tower in the middle thereof. § 4. Now, Common cubits meant by josephus, appearing by the bigness of the ●tones. though the length, and breadth of Herod's Temple exceeds solomon's, (as they make it) yet certainly, no● cubits of the first measure, but common ones are meant by josephus, as may appear by the vast proportion of firm stones employed in this building, being twenty five cubits long, eight high, and twelve broad. Oh! with what art, or engines were they brought hither? If the stones on Sarisbury plain, in a level and flat Country, and not above twenty miles from the sea, are recounted amongst the wonders of England, for their conveyance thither (though the biggest of them called Corpse stones are far d As but 24 foot high, 7 broad, and 16 in compass, Camden's Brit. in 〈◊〉. less) I say, if they be beheld with such admiration, that judicious men resolve them not real, but factitious stones, of grit cemented with some unctuous matter, how can we conceive that these solid stones (four of them being the full length of the Temple) were managed hither, farther off from the sea, over a mountainous Country? However, that great, and goodly stones were here, the e Mark. 13. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Disciples observation, f Luk, 21. 5. doth sufficiently prove. § 5. The Holy of Holies had the inside thereof made only by the Priests (others not presuming to come on the ground) whereof a thousand were found very cunning in building. Priest's builders Now, although Saint Paul was a Pharisee, and a g Act 18. 3. tentmaker (the principles of that sect annexing some trade to their profession) it is strange, so many Priests, though skilful in the Mathematical, should be so dexterous in the manual part thereof. The pinnacles of the Temple (saith josephus) were made so sharp, that a bird could not sit on them, to prevent the defiling thereof. Wherefore when the Devil set our Saviour on h Mat. 4. 5. a pinnacle of the Temple, (where no doubt his feet stood fast without any miracle, which the Devil could not, and Christ would not causelessly work, as presumption against the will of his Father) we understand thereby, not such a sharp pinnacle, but some bartlement, wing, or brink, of building, higher than the rest of the fabric. § 6. It was finished (of all the days of the year) on Herod's birthday, Finished on Herod's birthday. and therefore (saith josephus) the joy was the greater, two such eminent causes thereof meeting together. In very good time no doubt. Indeed the memories of Philip and jacob; or, of Simon & jude, have been anciently celebrated on the same day, being pairs of pious persons well agreeing amongst themselves. But, i 2 Cor. 6. 14. What communion hath light with darkness? Heaven, with hell; God with Herod, that they should be coupled together, in the same solemnity? However, the finishing of the Temple on Herod's birthday, was a better deed than what his grandchild Herod 〈◊〉 did many years after, on his * Mat. 14. 6. birthday, beheading john the Baptist. The same author reports they had it by tradition, that it never reigned on the daytime, but only by night, during the building of the Temple, that so the labour of the workmen might not be interrupted. § 7. But a more improbable passage falls from the pen of josephus, An incredible report. when he reports, that the Temple when finished, sunk down twenty cubits in the foundation, which the skilful in Architecture will hiss at as an untruth. For, 1 Strange that all parts thereof (as if by mutual consent) should at once equally sink directly down, such an even, and eminent proportion; the same weight above meeting with just the same weakness beneath, and no more in one place, then another. And grant, the walls all agreed to sink together, it is much, the beams were not broken with the sudden subsidency of the building. 2 Such a sinking fabric would have frighted the Priests from officiating therein, and death hanging over their heads disturbed their devotion. 3 The same author reports, that the Holy of Holies in Herod's Temple was just twenty cubits high. If so, then by the sinking of this fabric, it was wholly swallowed in the earth, turned into a cellar, so that the Highpriest, in Scripture phrase, must not go up, but go down unto it. 4 The Disciples, when gazing on the l Mark 13. 1. greatness of the stones, might better have bestowed their wonder, that so firm a fabric should stand on so fleeting a foundation. Wherefore with the sinking of his Temple, josephus his credit sinks twenty cubits in my estimation, enough almost to make one un-believe whatsoever he hath formerly reported therein. § 8. But admit it done, What ●se may be made thereof, if true. not suddenly, but leisurely, and by insensible degrees, sinking some cubit's more or less, was not the hand of God more immediately therein? Partly to punish Herod's pride; showing, he rather permitted, then approved, such a wretched Tyrant should build his Temple. Partly, to prognosticate the future ruin of this fabric, not standing full fourscore years, before it was destroyed. However, in a spiritual sense, the true Zion, and Church of God hath the m Psal. 87.1. foundations thereof in the holy mountains— The highest himself shall establish her, God is in the n Psal. 46. 5. midst of her, she shall not be moved. CHAP. VIII. Herod's Temple many degrees short of solomon's. § 1. BUt here we must have an abominable falsehood of joseph Ben-Gorion, An impudent lie of Ben-G●rions. posted, and pillored, impudently affirming, that the Herodian a In his book of the Herodians pag. 103. Temple was a more gorgeous structure, then that of solomon's; flatly against the Scripture itself, which presenteth solomon's as a None-such, or peerless structure, (admitting no equal, much less a superior) exceeding b 1 Chr. 22. 5. magnifical, of fame, and of glory throughout all country's. But let us put the builders, and their buildings into the balance, whilst the Reader is requested to hold the beam with an unpartial hand. 1 Solomon was a mighty Monarch, subordinate to God alone, having many tributary King's homagers c 1 King. 4. 24. unto him. 2 He had wealth at will, God promising there should not d 1 King. 3.13. be any amongst the Kings like unto him all his days; and had his ships from Tarshish, and Ophir, bringing him abundance of treasure. 3 He employed e 1 King. 5. 15, 16. an hundred forty three thousand three hundred for seven years in the building of the Temple. 1 Herod was a King by the Courtesy of Rome, and accountable unto Augustus the Emperor. 2 Herod (whilst Solomon was a Merchant royal) was so poor a Pedlar, that he turned the basest of thiefs, and (as josephus reporteth) rob the sepulchre of David f●r treasure hid therein. 3 Herod used eleven thousand men, and a thousand carts, eight years and an half, in the erection of his building. Whosoever seriously considers the premises, and remembers the words of f judge. 8. 21. Zalmunna to Gideon, for as the man is, so is his strength, (actions bear proportion to the power of their actors) will conclude; Herod, though surnamed the great, was too little to match, and far less to surpass Solomon in such undertake. § 2. As for joseph Ben-Gorion extolling the Herodian, Ben-Gorion an incompetent judge. above Solomon's Temple for sumptuousness, his judgement is lighter than vanity itself. In all controversies Gods law provided, that the g Exod. 22. ●. cause of both parties should come before the judges. But, joseph Ben-Gorion (no news for them who know least to censure most) never saw either Temple, and yet is bold to pass censure on both. Indeed the aged Fathers that h Ezra 3.12. wept, saw two Temples, solomon's before the destruction, and Zorobabels at the foundation thereof. Flavius josephus the jew saw one (Zorobabels rebuilt by Herod) in his time razed by the Romans; Ben-Gorion beheld no pinnacle of either being a late author, living some hundreds of years since our Saviour. Yea (what the maid said to Saint Peter) i Mark 14.67. his speech agreeth thereunto, discovering himself a more modern writer, by mentioning the name, and nation of the * Lib. 6. cap. 1. sol. 53. Editionis Cracovi●nsis. Franks, a word not appearing in the world till some hundreds of years after our Saviour. Besides, the book of Ben-Gorion like Geryon (the famous monster amongst the Poets) consisteth of three bodies confounded into one; pieces of Hegisippus, parcels of Russinus, and patches of his own fancying, so jumbled together, that little truth, and less certainty can be extracted from it. § 3. Here we must know, A dangerous jewish design. that such as advance Herod's above solomon's Temple, for the beauty thereof, drive on a dangerous jewish design. Late● anguis in herba, there is a pad in the straw, and invisible mischief lurking therein. Hoping hereby literally to verify the Prophecy of Haggai, of the glory of the second Temple, in that carnal, material bravery, which Heroa bestowed upon it, so to frustrate, and defeat the spiritual sense of those predictions, mystically accomplished in the coming of Christ. Wherefore, all Christians are highly concerned to be zealous, to detect and detest an opinion, so destructive to the truth of Scripture, and derogatory to the glory of God. § 4. However, The golden Vine in the Herodian Temple. we deny not, but that this Herodian Temple in itself considered, without relation to solomon's, was a magnificent structure, (as k Historiaru●. lib. 5. Tacitus, an heathen, and no friend to the Jewish nation, doth confess;) and I believe that the Courts on all sides thereof took up a greater compass and circuit of ground, than those of solomon's, the Mount of the house (narrow in his days) being afterwards much enlarged. Therein we take principal notice of two eminent braveries. First, the Golden Vine ornamental thereunto, which had clusters thereon as big as the stature of a man, as if corrivals in greatness to those bunches of l Numb. 18. 23. grapes, the spies anciently brought as a sample of the fruitfulness of the land of Canaan: This Vine Ben-Gorion makes of massy gold, whilst a learned m Villalpandus. author, out of Flavius josephus, proves it to have been only woven of gold thread, which much abateth the price thereof. But, whilst jews gaze with admiration on the cost, and curiosity of this Golden Vine, Christian eyes may better behold another, of more grace, and glory, often to be seen in the same Temple, even Him that said, n john 15.1. I am the true Vine, and my Father is the husbandman. § 5. The other was that Golden o Iosep●us Anti. jud. lib. 17. cap. 8. Eagle, The golden bloody Eagle. set over the entrance of the Temple, which afterwards proved a Bird of prey to the poor jews, occasioning a grievous slaughter amongst them. Who conceiving their Temple profaned by this Image, broke forth into a mutiny thereupon, wherein they were slain in great numbers. Threefold was the offence, the jews took at the making thereof, because 1 Scandalous, to set up any image in the Temple, as introductory to Idolatry. 2 Unbeseeming the state of God's house, like an Inn to have a sign hung out of it. 3 The Eagle being the Roman Arms minded them of their subjection. An ungrateful spectacle to the Jewish nation (so constant a pretender to freedom) to be daily upbraided with their loss of liberty. § 6. To conclude, and give Herod his due, this third-second Temple (as I may term it) though far short of solomon's, may be believed more magnificent than Zorobabels. So that, what Hezekiah ingenuously confessed of the Kings of Assyria, may as justly be affirmed of Herod, Of a truth he hath done great matters. Though, who had not rather have one line of josiahs' Epitaph, written truly on his tomb, p 2 Chr. ●5. 26. The rest of his acts, and his goodness, than all the popular applause Herod received, for erecting this magnificent structure. CHAP. IX. The Actions of Christ in the Temple. § 1. WE have tendered to the view of the reader, The Map taken out of Capellus. in our lastmap, the draught of Zorobabels' Temple as repaired & enlarged by Herod, so as the learned, and pious Ludovicus * In his Compendium Historia Iudaic●, lent m● by that learned and industrious Gentleman M. Edward L●igb Esq. Capellus hath presented it, who exactly took his instructions therein, from the pen of josephus, an eye-witness hereof. Wherefore I justly disengage myself from all objections against this Map, which are properly chargeable upon Capellus his account. I confess, herein I proceed not with that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, with that boldness and assurance, which I could desire; because the divisions and dimensions of the Courts, and chambers, as exhibited in this Temple, rely not (as solomon's) on God's word, but only on humane fallible testimony. Oh it is excellent, when, with Theophilus, we may know the a Luk. 1. 4. certainty of those things wherein we are instructed out of Scripture itself. § 2. Come we now to the actions of our Saviour in the Temple; The difference betwixt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. having first premised this useful, yea necessary distinction. What our English tongue, for want of another proper word, promiscuously calleth the Temple, the original carefully expresseth by two names, adequate to two several parts thereof, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. This properly was the covered part of the Temple (from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to inhabit, God peculiarly dwelling there) consisting of the P●rch, Holy, and Holy of Holies, with the chambers about them. Into this Christ never came, (though Zachariah in his course did, to ●ffer c Luke 1. 9 incense) nor by the law (under which he was made, as not coming to destroy, but d Mat. 5. 17. fulfil it) might he enter thereinto; proper only for the Priests to officiate therein. Yet though not his person whilst living, his power when dying, penetrated this Temple, namely, when he rend the g Mat. 27. 51. veil, thereby mystically opening an entrance into heaven by the merit of his passion. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Containing all the verge and compass of the Courts about the Temple, and within the outward Sept thereof. Christ constantly came hither, I ever taught (saith he) in b joh. 18. 2c. the Temple: understand him, that he never wilfully affected Conventicles, as ashamed of his doctrine, or willingly declined the Temple, when afforded convenient entrance thereinto. Otherwise, he taught also on the e Mat. 5. 1. Mount, in the f Mat. 13. 2. Ship, in Synagogues, in private houses; but never so properly in his centre, as when in the Temple. This distinction of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 holds current, clean through the new Testament; save that once 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for the whole circumference of the Temple, when judas cast down the pieces of silver h Mat. 27. 25. therein: though he stayed not long there, as out of his own element, but desperately made haste, that he might i Act. 1. 25. go unto his own place. § 3. This distinction premised, Beautiful gate full of begge●●. we will wait on the Reader into the Temple. First requesting him to carry competent money, and a charitable mind along with him. For as we shall enter in at the eastern gate, (commonly called Beautiful) we shall be sure there to meet with many cripples, and beggars of all sorts, as proper objects of his liberality. Here daily lay that k Act. 3. 2. lame man, on whom Saint Peter, though moneyless, bestowed the bestalmes he could give, or the other receive, even the use of his limbs. § 4. But now we come to the memorable passages concerning our Saviour in the Temple. These were either done on him, Christ presented in the Temple. when an infant; or by him, when arrived to man's estate. Of the former was his presentation by his parents to the Priest, and when an l Luk. 2. 24. oblation for his mother was made, a pair of Turtle-doves, and two young Pigeons. § 5. Hereat in-springs old Si●●eon into the Temple. Sim●o●s testimony of Christ God always performs his promises with advantage. He had a revelation that he should not die before he saw Christ, who here both saw and felt him. Oh how he hugs him (though faster by his Faith, then) with his weak arms, which seem the stronger for the Burden, as his dim eyes the clearer for this sight! Yea, he petitions heaven for a Gaole-delivery, m Luk. 2. 29. Lord let thy servant depart in peace. Longer life would be but longer loss, and therefore fain would he fly from Christ in his arms, to the arms of Christ, before his refined joy were allayed with any worldly woe. Then he addresseth himself, with bitter-sweets, to Christ's parents, neither frighting nor flattering, but plainly foretelling them, their child should be for the fall and rise of many in Israel. Particularly, he tells Mary, that a n Luk. 2. 35. sword should pierce through her, and Christ (though borne) should not die without the pain of his mother. As if the throws, suffered by other women at the birth, were reserved for her to endure at the death of her Son. § 6. Simeon is seconded by Anna, And is seconded by Anna. a prophetess of an hundred years old, (temperance is the best prolonger of the candle of life) and herein she exceeded Simeon. He came but o Luk. 2. 27. into the Temple, she p Luk. 2. 37. departed not from the Temple, but served God therein with fasting and prayer. She also spoke of Christ to all that looked for redemption. And thus Christ was proclaimed in the Temple by two Heralds of different sexes, whilst his Parents carefully kept the copies of their several Proclamations, as trusting them in no other Cabinet then their own hearts. § 7. Now seeing it is said of Anna (pardon a short digression) that she departed not from the Temple, How Anna departed not out of the Temple. it will be enquired whether any women were constantly Leigers to live therein. Were any of the weaker sex (being prohibited to speak in the Church) permitted to live in the Temple? For, as for the nurse of King joash, hid with him in the q 2 King. 11. 3. house of God, the case was extraordinary, and her clandestine condition nothing pertinent to the present question. In answer whereunto: By never departing thence, we understand her daily repairing thither. It was David's wish, that he might r Psal. 27. 4. dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life, i. e. that he might have free access thither upon any occasion. Thus the sacrifice, though only morning, and ing, is called a ●continuall Burnt-offering. And thus Anna daily frequenting the Temple, was continually there, as formerly those persons, who every day might be found in saint. Paul's Church at walking-houres▪ might in some sort be said never to depart thence. § 8. To return to our Saviour, Christ's first act in the Temple. who hitherto appeared only passive in the Temple, but afterwards acted miraculously therein First, when found sitting in the midst of the Doctors, both t Luk. 2. 46. bearing them, and ask them questions. He, who himself was the u john 1. 1. Word, would notwithstanding hear, before he did speak● and attentively listened to the positions of those Doctors, before he began his opposition against them. § 9 Arrived at man's estate, He purgeth it. we first fix our eyes on his w john 2. 14. purging of the Temple, from Dove-mongers, Money-changers, and such as ●old sheep and oxen therein▪ Had such Merchants, kept themselves in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or▪ x john 5. 2. sheep-market, Christ had never disturbed them, who now, with a scourge of small cords, drove them out of the Temple. Say not it was as lawful to sell as sacrifice cattle therein: the one being the main use thereof, according to God's command, the other a notorious abu●● of the Temple, turning it by fraudulent bargains into a den of the 〈◊〉 § 10. Saint Hierome reports, Sa●nt Hieromes conceit. that certain fiery * Igneum enim quidd●m & s●dc●eum ●adiabat rays, or beams, darting from Christ● eyes, drove out these Merchants from this place. A conceit, which we dare not presently avouch for fear those 〈◊〉 of Christ's scourge fly also in our faces thereupon. For if he whipped out those Merchants, for setting up their warehouses in the Temple, surely he will lend a lash to such as add traditions to the Text. This sure we are (because recorded in Scripture) that Christ so earnestly pursued this reformation, that the y joh. 2. 17. zeal of his Father's house did eat him up. Understand it, that our Saviour being truly Carneus though not Carnalis, of a fleshy, though no fleshly constitution, had his body wearied out with faintness, not able in its performances, to keep pace with the desires of his mind. § 11. After this time, Christ's Sermon in Solomon's porch. many were those heavenly Sermons; Christ made in the Temple: which here we forbear to relate Only we take notice of that he preached in Solomon's Porch z joh. 10. 23. (which afterwards deserved rather the name of Christs-porch, seeing a greater than Solomon 〈◊〉 here) when the people (mysteries are blasphemies to 〈…〉) took up a joh. 10. 31. stones to stone him. Some will a●ke, whence had they those stones? It being unlikely that any were let to lie loose in so holy a place. But we may be confident, if there were any to be had above ground▪ their malice would find them out▪ And probably they plucked them off from the pavement: their furious zeal counting it a meritorious act, rathe● to ●end the● out of the ground, then suffer a supposed blasphemer to escape▪ Surely such stones would rather have b Luk. 19 40. spoken in his praise, then done any thing to his prejudice, especially before his ●oure was come. § 12. And as he spoke wool, Lame & b'ind cured in the Temple. so he did as well therein. c Mat. 21. 14. The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. See here, those with 〈◊〉 might come to him in the Temple, not those with Insections: the lame, but not the leprous might enter therein. Thus whilst sufferings and afflictions do not hinder us, sinful pollutions do debar our access to God's gracious presence. § 13. We must not forget, Christ's second purging of the Temple. that a little before his passion, Christ the second time purged the Temple Three d joh. 2. 15. years since he cast all Merchants and their appurtenances out of God's house, which now notwithstanding that ejection, had again gotten unlawful possession therein. Devils he cast out of men so finally, that they entered no more into them; but wicked men, once thrown out of the Temple, recovered their stations therein again. Abuses in the Church depart not till they are driven, and then go away unwillingly, animo revertendi, with full intent to embrace the next opportunity to return. What need hath Reformation itself to be frequently reform, seeing corruptions will so quickly creep thereinto? Christ, the second time, cast those vermin out of the Temple. § 14. Now, His farewell to the Temple. just before he took his farewell of his Father's house, he beheld the Pharisees casting their money into the treasury. So that the g Mark 12. 42. & Luk. 21. 2. Widow's mites, was the last object (no small credit unto her) which in the Temple entertained our Saviour's eyes on earth, and no doubt long since hath been rewarded by him in heaven. For presently he departed to mount Olivet, and there foretold, yea thence denounced the destruction of the Temple, which followed not many years after. CHAP. X. The acts of the Apostles in the Temple. § 1. CHrist, Saint Peter's remarkable Sermon. after his ascension, resigned the Temple to his Apostles, to supply his absence by their preaching to the people. Here on the day of Pentecost Saint Peter made that memorable Sermon, wherein he vindicated both himself and company from the aspersion of drunkenness, avouched the truth of Christ's resurrection, & charged the jews so home, for shedding his innocent blood, that by the sharpness of his reproof ( a Eccles. 12. 11. the words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of the assemblies) such as heard him were pricked in their b Act. 2. 37. heart; crying out to Peter, and to the rest of the Apostles; Men and brethren, what shall we do? § 2. Here, The Apostles joint-commissioners. by the people's equal applications, and addresses to the rest of the Apostles, it appeareth, that they were all fellow helpers, and joint Commissioners with Saint Peter, (all in the jury besides the Foreman are not cyphers) though he for order sake, and regularity, to avoid confusion, was made the mouth for the rest. Yea, such their sobriety and discretion, though at that instant enabled with the gift of tongues, that they only made use of seasonable silence (such as best know how to speak, know best when to hold their peace) with their tacit suffrages concurring to the truth of what Saint Peter delivered: who further gave his Auditory counsel c Act. 2. 38. TO REPENT. § 3. But was this well done of him to add grief to grief? Evangelicall repentance prescribed to the people. What, more repentance still? Why further pain, to such as were pricked to their hearts? Was this any valour, to beat them with more blows, who already cried out for fair quarter, WHAT SHALL WE DO? But know, Peter herein advised them to join to their former legal sorrow, an evangelical repentance; such as is attended with desire, hope, & some assurance of Pardon. He prescribes them the same receipt, he lately took himself; having found the good fruit thereof, when, on his hearty d Mat. 26. 75. sorrow, he obtained pardon for denying his Master. No Sermons so sovereign, as those which proceed from the Ministers e 2 Cor. 1. 4. comfortable experience. Nor did he barely advise them to repent, but also to f Act. 2. 38. be baptised every one of them, in the name of jesus Christ etc. § 4. See the success of his counsel, g Act. 2. 41. about three thousand were added to the Church that same day. O high holiday in heaven! This Many-Saints-day was a festival of great solemnity therein, where there is h Luk. 15. 7. joy over one sinner that repenteth, singing on their golden viols, Peter and the Apostles have saved their three thousand. His Sermon (as set down) contained not so many words, as it converted souls. Though surely, what we read in Saint Luke was only the breviate, sum, and abridgement of his Sermon, seeing, with many * Act. 2. 40. other words did he testify and exhort. § 5. Many advantages concurred to render his Sermon the more effectual. First, Four advantages of Peter's Sermon. the suffering of our Saviour was so near in place, and late in time, that his wounds were (as I may say) still fresh bleeding in the guilty memories of the people assembled. Secondly, the present miracle of tongues bestowed on Peter and his ●●mpanions, did wonderfully make way for the Word he delivered. Thirdly, such to whom he spoke, were i Act. 2. 5. devout men, blindly pious (like Saint Paul before his conversion) but desirous of information; zeal not being to be wrought, but regulated, not to be new gotten, but right guided in them. Lastly, and chiefly, the Spirit of God invisibly wrought on their souls. Thus when the k 1 Cor. 16. 9 & Colos. 4. 3. door of utterance, or the l 2 Cor. 6. 11. opened mouth of the Minister meets with the m Act. 14. 27. door of Faith or entrance, in the n Act. 16. 14. opened hearts of the people, the Word makes miraculous improvement. § 6. And now our Saviour had plentifully performed his promise: He that believeth on me, Christ's promise plentifully performed. the works that I do, shall he do also, and greater o joh. 14. 12. works than these shall be do, for I go to my Father; as then put into a capacity more effectually to assist them, (as formerly but with his prayers) then authoritatively with his power. The Disciple, (by his Master's permission, yea procurement) proved above his Master in success. Christ, all his life long, was angling for a few fishes, but a p Act. 1. 15. hundred and twenty, whilst Peter comes with his Drag-net, and catcheth about three thousand in one day. Amongst the reasons whereof, consider 1 Christ was properly, not to be the builder, but the Foundation itself: and therefore others were more happy in edification. 2 He was to be humbled (as with hunger, thirst, weariness, shame, and pain, so) with the heavy afflictions of long unprofitable preaching, because of people's q Mat. 23. 58. unbelief. 3 During his life, the kingdom of heaven was but r Mat. 4. 17. at hand, which after his death, and Ascension was in hand. The broad gates of grace being then opened for multitudes to enter, where few by especial favour got in before by the Wicket. We have insisted the longer on Saint Peter's Sermon, because it is the beginning of Ecclesiastical History after Christ's ascension, which, in God's due time, we are in some hope to finish by his assistance. And that the foresaid Sermon was made in the Temple, appears by the passage of their s Act. 2. 46. continuing daily with one accord in the Temple. Intimating that they were formerly assembled in the same place. § 7. Pass we by the other acts of the Apostles in the Temple, What properly was Solomon's porch. only we must not omit t Act. 3. 11. & 5. 12. Solomon's porch where they made their abode. And it is worth our inquiry where the same was placed. § 8. First, Not Solomon's porch properly so called. negatively, it was not that porch of solomon's (nor any other afterwards built of the same dimensions on the same floor) mentioned in the a 1 King. 6. 3. & 2 Chr. 3. 4. Old Testament; because 1 That was a part (being the entrance) of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or Covered Temple: Into which, the disciples (being no Priests) might not enter. 2 That porch had but b Ibidem. twenty cubits in length, and ten in breadth, being so small, that it could not contain the disciples, and their company, being above three thousand persons. 3 That by the Septuagint, is called UIam (retaining always the Hebrew word) not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as this Porch is called in the Greek tongue. Rather therefore, by this Porch, we understand, one side, square, or cloister of the great Court about the Temple. § 9 Now seeing the same was surrounded with Courts on all sides, the question is, Seated on the east side. on which side thereof Solomon's Porch was placed. Here we had been utterly at a loss, but for the seasonable help of c Lib. Anti. 20. cap. 8. josephus; The people (saith he) persuaded the King [Agrippa the younger] to repair the east Porch or Cloister: Now this Cloister was of the outward Temple, standing over an exceeding deep valley, raised upon a wall of four hundred cubits, which was made of square white stones of twenty cubits long, and six cubits high a piece, the work of King Solomon, who first built the Temple. Whereby it appears, that this Porch respected the east, and was on each side of the entrance into the Temple. § 10. But the greatest difficulty remains. Quest. Why called Solomon's porch? How came it to be called Solomon's Porch? did not he equally build all the first Temple? Why therefore did this Porch (as his darling) bear his name above all the rest? And (which increaseth the difficulty) seeing all that Temple was razed by the Babylonians (following no doubt the cruel counsel of the Edomites, d Psal. 137. 7. Down with it, down with it, even to the ground) how came this cloister, of the second Temple in Christ's time, to retain the name of solomon's? § 11. Some conceive this part stood undemolished by the Babylonians: seeing that curse, Answer thereunto. there shall not be left e 〈…〉 here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down, was denounced against the second Temple, not against solomon's, some parcel whereof might be left standing. But under favour, I conceive, it was particularly called Solomons-Porch,. because the very bottom, or floor thereof (being forced ground) was by much expense made by Solomon, and gained with great art and industry, from the f Compare●osephus ●osephus as aforecited, with himself, de Bel. jud. li. 5. c. 14. valley beneath; so that (even when the superstructure thereon was by the Babylonians leveled to the earth) the admirable foundation, that masterpiece of art, still remained, preserved the memory, and imparted the name of Solomon, the founder thereof, to that Cloister, which in the second Temple, was erected upon the same. § 12. If any demand why the disciples made choice of this Porch, Why Solomon's porch chosen by the disciples. above any other, to make their residence therein; several considerations might move them thereunto: 1 Because formerly handselled with our Saviour's heavenly Sermon therein. 2 Because of great capacity, conveniently to receive them, without prejudice to other people's passage into the Temple. 3 Because it was the first place that offered itself unto them, at their entrance into the Temple. Herein they observed some Analogy of Christ's counsel, In g Mar. 6. 10. what place soever ye enter into a house, there abide until ye depart from that place. Thus Solomons-porch, being (as I may say) the first house in the house of God, into which the disciples entered; there they fixed themselves, as no starters and fugitives, but such as would stand to the doctrine they delivered. § 13. So much of Solomons-porch; Wherein we decline Capellus his judgement. only let me add; that Capellus (herein contrary to other h Constantine learned men) placeth Solomons-porch on the south side of the Temple; l. Empereur in Middoth. p. 53. & Ludovic. de Dicu in Act. Apost p. 39 〈◊〉 mistaking it, as we believe, with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Cloister Royal: which out of josephus i 〈…〉 indeed appears, to have been largely built and beautified on the southside of the Temple. However we would not innovate or alter any thing in our map from the mind of Capellus, though here, in our description, we presume to ●nter our dissenting from his opinion. § 14. Pass we by many other intermediate acts of the Apostles and Disciples in the Temple. The last passage of Saint Paul in the Temple. Amongst all which none might lawfully avouch his entrance so far therein, as ●arnabas, being a Levite by his extraction, and k Act. 4. 36. therefore legally privileged in his approaches to the Altar itself. Come we now to the last passage of Saint Paul in the Temple. Last indeed it was likely to prove unto him, and he lose his life therein, on this occasion. § 15. At the instance of some godly people, Who almost lost his life therein. he was persuaded to purify himself: thereby, partly to gain on the affections of the believing jews, as yet zealous for the Law; partly to confute their falsehood, who traduced him for an Antinomian, against all ceremonious observances. Hereupon he came into l Act, 21. 26. the Temple to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for him and his companions. If any grudge that after the coming of the Gospel, so much cost should be bestowed on the Law, and sullenly say, with judas Iscariot, To what purpose is this m Mat. 26. 8. waist? Might not the Law truly answer with our Saviour, in the same case, n Mat. 26. 12. He did it for my burial, and for the more solemn interment thereof. § 16. But Saint Paul's devotion in performing these Obsequies was interrupted by the people, A popular mutiny. who accused him for defiling the Temple, having o Act. 21. 29. seen Trophimus, and Ephesian, with him in the City, whom they supposed he had brought into the Temple. Malicious jealousy never makes good Logician, so strange are the inferences thereof. In vain might Saint Paul deny the consequence of their syllogism, whilst they were ready to prove it by an inartificial argument, from the Authority, or prevalency rather of a popular uproar, p Act. 21. 34. Some cried one thing, some another, and those, no doubt, that knew lest railed loudest, and no certainty could be known for the tumult, the many-headed multitude speaking a Language, whereof none can be an interpreter, to understand them, which understand not themselves. § 17. Suppositive was the offence of Saint Paul, Saint Paul rescued. (only on their bare surmise) but positive must be his punishment, drawing him out of the Temple, whom certainly they had killed, had not the seasonable interposing of the Captain, rescued him from them. Who hence conveyed him safe into the q Act. 21. 37. Castle, no doubt, of Antonia hard by, and not the Castle on Mount Zion, built out of the ruins of the Palace of David, though formerly (following the authority of others) we made that place the Theatre of Saint Paul's future actions on this occasion. CHAP. XI. Of the vast wealth of the second Temple. § 1. WE have cause to conceive, that the Corban or Treasury of the second Temple was about our Saviour's time, The wealth of the Corbar arising from pure Pagans. well-nigh as well lined with wealth, as in the reign of Solomon, flowing from three principal springs, 1 Mere Gentiles. 2 Proselytes. 3 Native jews. The first of these were very bountiful to the Temple, and constantly § 4. Native jews were the last, Native jews their liberality. and best benefactors to the Temple, especially if all contributed thereunto in proportion to the poor widow who cast in two z Mark 12. 44. mites being all her substance. Now, had one been present when the Scribes and Pharisees cast in their offerings into the treasury, it had been pleasant to behold the conflict, betwixt their covetousness, and vainglory, and how the latter prevailed in them. For, though they were a Luk. 16. 14. covetous, yet when people beheld them, they were content to part with their money, or rather to let it out for the interest of popular applause▪ But, besides free-will-offerings at any time, that God's service might not be lest arbitrary, the jews were enjoined thrice a year b Exod. 14. 23. at the solemn festivals with their men children (when able, saith the Rabbih, led in their Father's hands, to climb up the mountain whereon the Temple was built) to appear before God; where none, who hoped to return with their hearts full of joy, came with their hands empty of money For seeing the jews held their estates of no mean Lord, but all by tenure in capi●e from the God of Heaven, these were the three solemn payments of their head rend to their high Land lord. Besides these in the days of our Saviour, vast were the sums which were advanced to the treasury, by that gainful Divinity current amongst the people, though stamped only with Pharisaical traditions, of which, this one that followeth, was the most remarkable. § 5. It plainly appears, The gainful doctrine of Corban. that all children, if of ability, should maintain their parents, if by age or accident grown weak and impotent to subsist c 1 Tim. 5. 16. of themselves, according to God's command, Honour d Exod. 20. 12. thy father and mother Qamp; c. Notwithstanding which obligation, the Scribes and Pharisees did preach, & teach, that in case any children were pleased to compound with e Mar. 15. 5. & Muk 7. 11. Corban, &c to pay a round sum proportionable to their estates, unto pious uses, thereby they were disengaged in conscie●de, from making any farther provision for their poor parents▪ Going on this ground, that one debt was to be but once satisfied, and if they paid it in to the service of God the grandfather to all mankind, thereby they were discharged from duty to their immediate, and subordinate parents. § 6. This commutation-money (as I may term it) amounted to a Nem●scit of revenue, The ill influence of this doctrine. but withal made a dearth of dutiful children in the land, who counted it the more frugal way, once for all to fine to the Temple, then to pay the constant rent of daily relief to their parents. But can an Acquittance of humane, tradition, be valid, against a debt of Specialty▪ by Gods command? Oh! had the hole in the cover of Corban been a mouth to speak, as well as to take in, how zealously would it have protested against such proceedings? And we may conceive this one cause of hastening the woeful ruin of the Temples wealth, such ill gotten money poisoning the Corban, making it suddenly swell, and then break in pieces, when swept away by the Romans, which we come now to relate. CHAP. XII. The final abolition of the Utensils of the second Temple. § 1. GReat houses commonly crack before they fall, Pompey his moderation in sparing the treasure of the Temple. to give the dwellers therein notice to depart. Thus before the Temple was finally ruined, and her vessels taken away, two grand warnings were given the jews, seasonably to amend, and prevent farther mischief. The first in that famous year wherein Tully and Mark Antony were Consuls, some sixty years before our Saviour's birth, when s josephus' Ant. jud. ●●. 14. 6. 8. Pompey the great, having taken the City and Temple, entered the Holy of Holies with some of his soldiers, the floor whereof had formerly felt no other feet, but those of the high Priests, and those but once a year. Here he saw mysterious ornaments, understanding (not the meaning but) the matter thereof to be pure gold; a shroud bait to tempt his hungry soldiers to sacrilege, besides two thousand talents of silver in the treasury of the Temple. On all which he only feasted his, and his officers eyes, whilst their hands did fast, not diminishing the least mite thereof, in veneration of that deity to whom they did belong; Only he took on him to restore Hircanus to be high Priest, a presage that the Jewish Priesthood would shortly fall down, which already did so shake, that the high Priest needed to take a Presentation, ad corroborandum, from the hands of Pompey a Pagan Patron. § 2. Secondly, Crassus' his sacrilege. when Crassus that rich churl, and Roman General marching with his Army into Syria, and through jerusalem, flayed, what Pompey did not fleece, spoiling the Temple to the value of eight thousand talents. Indeed, g Ios●phus Ant. jud. li. 4. c. 12. Eleazar keeper of the holy treasures, gave, or rather paid to Crassus a wedge of gold weighing three hundred pounds, to ransom the rest from his rapine. But the golden wedge did but widen the covet ousness of Crassus, and like a breakfast did enable him to encounter a dinner with a greater appetite; so that, notwithstanding his oath to the contrary, he added sacrilege to his perjury. But seeing thiefs give whatever they take not away, we have rather cause to commend his bounty, that the golden table, candlesticks, and other ornaments escaped his fingers; except, they were either hid from him by the careful providence of others, or left by him out of his own politic covetousness, like nest-egs to encourage others again to lay up more wealth in the same place. And no doubt he hoped, though now he had mowed down the Temple's treasure to the bare roots, shortly, when grown up again, to return to the after-share thereof; but all in vain, for, marching with his Army into Parthia, there his money perished with him, losing the principle of his stolen wealth, and paying his own life for interest. Thus, those who on a sudden grow rather foggy, then fat, by feeding on sacrilegious morsels, do pin● away by degrees, and die at last of incurable consumptions. § 3. Here we cannot but take notice, The fond Criticism of the Scribes. how profoundly shallow the Scribes and Pharisees were, in that their superstitious Criticism, and leaden distinction, how he that swore by the Temple, was left at liberty, whilst he that swore by the h Mat. 23. 16. gold of the Temple, was bound up and concluded in conscience to the performance of his oath. Whereas our Saviour demonstrateth, that the Temple was greater than the gold, as the sanctifier thereof. Besides, in common sense, he should seem faster tied, whose faith by oath was staked down to the Temple, as to a fixed, firm, stable structure, than he whose truth was tied only to the gold thereof, a more fading, flitting, movable matter, as appears by Crassus and others carrying so much of it away with him into foreign countries. But indeed (as our Saviour teacheth) the main obliging power of those oaths, consisted in the presence of God, before whom they were made, who alone is immovable and immutable, whereas in process of time, the Temple itself, as well as the gold thereof, came to destruction. § 4. For, The final abolition of the utensils of the Temple. Vespasian and Titus his son, Roman Emperors, Anno Dom. 72. razed the Temple, and utterly confounded all the Utensils thereof. Indeed they were first carried in triumph to Rome, but what afterward became of them is altogether unknown. It is no sin to conceive that their property was altered; and they either converted to coin, or turned to plate for the use of the Emperor, or his favourites. Sure none are known to remain in specie at this day: and one may wonder, that no impudent Relickmonger hath produced a golden feather of a Cherubims wing, or a knop, flower, bowl, or almond of the seven-branched candlestick, having pretended since Christ's time, to improbabilities of as high a nature. Strange that no Pope hath gotten a piece of Aaron's Mitre, or breastplate, to grace his wardrobe, or a parcel of the manuscript-commandements written by God's finger, to adorn his Vatican. But divine providence hath utterly razed all foundation for superstition to build upon, in the total abolition of these holy ornaments. And if those reasonable Witnesses of God's truth, were by his permission overcome, and killed by the Beast, when they had finished their i Revel. 11. 7. testimony, no wonder if these senseless and inanimate types, having served their generation, the truth being come, were finally extinguished▪ Nor have I ought else to observe of those holy Utensils, save that all were made of pure gold, and yet the Apostle is bold to term them, and all other legal ceremonies k Gal. 4. 9 beggarly elements, so debasing them in comparison of Christ, the author of grace, and giver of eternal life. Finis Libri Tertii. To the Right Honourable FRANCIS LORD RUSSELL, Son to the Right Honourable WILLIAM EARL OF BEDFORD. MY LORD, PErusing this passage in the beginning of Saint Luke's Gospel,— To a Luke 1. 3. 4. write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, wherein thou hast been catechised, or, instructed: it furnished me with some observables, very conducible to my present purpose; 1 Though God b Luk. 18. 19 alone be good, yet man in some sense may be most excellent. 2 Even in that age, wherein they had c Act. 4. 32. all things common, Nobility remained several, as appropriated to some principal persons. 3 No diminution to the dignity of a Noble man, to be catechised, 〈…〉, in the Principles of Religion. 4 Dedicating of Books of Noble persons is an ancient practice, 〈…〉 Scripture precedents. 5 〈…〉 not patronage for his book (the Word of God being the d Ephes. 6. ●7. sword of the 〈…〉 to defend it) but intended the instruction of Theophilus therein. The 〈…〉 the text, encourg●d me, ●●ing to put forth a Treatise to public view, to make choice of an honourable Patron, and hope I have found a Theophilus in your Lordship, whom I see to be young, know to be Noble, and believe to ●e relig●ous. The composure therefore of this ensuing bo●● (the issue by God's ●blessing of 〈◊〉 own industry) this alone I humbly 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 Honour to protect the same. As for the matter thereof, being wholly Scripture, I heartily dedicate your Honour thereto, to be instructed therewith. And now, my Lord, may I request you to t●ke a serious survey of your own extraction, to be unto you a forcible motive unto virtue. To instance only in your deceased Ancestors (as cut of the reach of flattery) John your Atavus by his wisdom, and valour (the fortunate General against the Rebels in the West) founded under God the Nobility of your family. Francis your Abavus (whose Hall seemed a Court, Closet, a Chapel, and Gatehouse, an Hospital) shined as a light with his piety in those darker days. William your Proavus, to whom agreed the character of Sergius Paulus, e Act. 13. 7. A prudent man, and Deputy of the Country, and that an Island too (though not Cyprus, yet) Ireland; of whose abilities Queen Elizabeth was well assured, when choosing him Pilot of that leaking Land; then toffed with the violent tempest of Rebellion. Francis your 〈◊〉, whose death I would epithet Untimely (not only for the behoof of his own family, but benefit of the whole nation) did not the same authority, which reproved Saint Peter for calling that common f Act. 10.15. , which he had cleansed, forbid me to term any thing untimely which his Providence hath appointed. Now, my Lord, upon a review of this your pedigree, I will not be so Pedantic to mind you of a Grammar-instance, to make it true construction in your Honour's practice, Magnorum haudquaquam indignus avorum; but in Scripture-phrase I request you to g Isa. 51. 1. Look to the rock whence you are hewn, and the hole of the pit whence you are digged; and do nothing unworthy of that honourable parentage, whence you are derived. Far be it from your Honour to be listed among those noble men, of whom it may be said in a sad sense, that they are very highly descended, as being come down many degrees from the worth, and virtues of their noble Progenitors. To conclude then with Theophilus, with whom I began. It is observable of him, that though styled most excellent by Saint Luke in his Gospel, yet in the Book of the Acts (which was written many years after) he calls him only h Acts 1. 1. Theophilus, without any honourable addition. What? Had Saint Luke in process of time less civility, or Theophilus (with more age) less Nobility? Surely neither, but Saint Luke may be presumed, purposely to wave his titles, out of compliance to the temper of Theophilus, who in his reduced age grew weary of worldly pomp, more pleased to have the truth of honour fixed within him, then hear the titles thereof fastened upon him: according to the Analogy of the Apostles pre●ept, Let him that hath honour, be as if he had it not. Thus, the longer your Lordship shall live, the less you will delight in outward state, and daily discover the vanity thereof; especially in your old age, your soul will grow sensible, that nothing can satisfy it, which is less than Grace, or Glory, or God himself. To whose protection you are committed, by the daily prayer of him, who is Your Honour's most humble servant THO. FULLER. Waltham Abbey, july 16. 1650. Here followeth the Map of Mount Libanus. THE DESCRIPTION OF MOUNT LIBANUS and the adjacent Country's. The fourth Book. CHAP. I. § 1. SO much for the jewel, Palestine itself. Now for the Case thereof, namely the neighbouring Countries which surrounded it. Only herein the Simile holds not, because Cases serve, as to compass, so to preserve and defend the Jewel; whereas these bordering nations were sworn enemies to oppose and destroy the land and people of Palestine. The most quiet neighbour judea had, was the Midland sea on the west side thereof, which though sometimes (as the Psalmist observes) it would rage horribly, yet generally it was more peaceable and serviceable than the Pagans, which bounded them on all other quarters: as namely, 1 In Syria, on the north, Giblites, Arvadites, Aramites, etc. 2 In Arabia, on the east, and southeast Ammonites, Moabites, Ismaelites, Midianites. 3 In Egypt, and the wilderness of the south, Edomites, Amalekites, Egyptians, etc. So that the jews, to find faithful friends must not look about them, but above them, even to heaven whence all their safety was derived. § 2. For the present we are to describe mount Libanus or Lebanon with the parts of Syria confining thereunto. A mountain which some will have so named from Frankincense, (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek) whereof great plenty groweth there. Yet seeing it is usual for Parents to give names to their children, not children to their Parents, more probable it is that Frankincense is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from this mountain, breeding store thereof, then that the mountain should be named Libanus from Frankincense growing therein. § 3. But whilst humane writers are best pleased with this Greek extraction of Libanus, more conformable to Scripture is the Hebrew Etymology thereof from Whiteness: a In Hebrew White. because the faithful snow forsakes not the top of this mountain (no not when persecuted by the Sun in the dog-days) but remains there all the year long. A pleasant sight, at the same time to have Winter on the top, and Summer at the bottom of one and the same mountain. Excellent the use of this snow in these hot climates the Prophet b jer. 18. 14. mentioning it, as most welcome and precious, Will a man leave the snow in Lebanon, wherewith the Tyrians and neighbouring nations used to allay and mix their wines: so making the Torrid and Frozen Zone to meet in the Temperate, more healthful for their Constitutions. § 4. Lebanon was a place so pleasant, that an Epicure therein might feed all his senses to a surfeit. 1 Sight. The spouse saith of c Cant. 5. 15. Christ, His countenance is as Lebanon, where most delightful is the prospect, with high hills, humble dales, sweet rivers, shady groves. No wonder then if Ptolemy placeth Paradise a City hereabouts, where what Poets can fancy, Nature hath performed. 2 Smell. Such the fragrancy of flowers, Gums, and Spices thereon, perfuming the air round about. d Cant. 4. 11. Host 14. 9 His smell is as the smell of Lebanon. 3 Hearing. For besides the melody wrabled forth by the sweet Choristers of the wood, pleasant it was to listen to the complaints which the Rivers murmuring made against the Rocks, for wronging them in obstructing their channels: whose complaints therein, were so far from finding pity in men's hearts, that they only lulled their heads the sooner and faster asleep. 4 Taste, & Touch. Such the most delicious fruits and liquors this mountain affords. Vinum C.O.S. The sent thereof shall be as the e Hose. 14. 7. wine of Lebanon. Galen also reporteth that yearly in mount Libanus husbandmen used to sing, God raineth honey, at which time they spread hides on the ground, f De alimentis facult. lib. 3. cap. 38. and from the boughs of trees shook into them the honey dropped from heaven (called therefore mel roscidum & aereum) filling pots and pitchers with the same. No wonder then that Moses made it his earnest request to take this place in his way, to heaven: I g Deut. 3. 25. pray thee let me go over and see the good land, which is beyond jordan, that goodly mountain and Lebanon. As if his soul more conveniently might take his rise from the top thereof to eternal bliss, and be the better provided to entertain endless happiness, when first he had sipped some drops of the same in delightful Lebanon, the temporal type thereof. § 5. It will perchance be objected against the fertility of this place, that the Prophet h Isa. 29. 17. foretelleth, Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field? Where its future conversion into fruitfulness seemingly implies the present barrenness thereof. But here we must distinguish betwixt field and forest fruitfulness. The former is composed of the concurrence of art and industry with nature; the latter only takes what nature tenders, without any toil to improve the same, wherein Libanus already did exceed. But now the Prophet foretells (besides this wild and native) an elaborate and artificial fertility likely to befall this mountain, namely in the speedy and universal alteration of things in Israel, when champain fields for fear should be forsaken, and husbandmen for their security retire with their tillage to mount Lebanon. Thus much for this fair and fruitful place full of goodly trees, wild and tame beasts in abundance; and yet when measured by an infinite majesty, i Isa. 40. 16. Lebanon is not sufficient for him to burn, nor all the beasts thereof of sufficient for a burnt offering. § 6. Having largely praised this place (enough to set all the neighbouring Princes at variance about the propriety thereof) it is now high time to inquire to whom the right thereof did belong. Here we find an undoubted evidence, that the same by a double title pertained to the land and people of Israel. 1 As a fence to the vineyard. 2 As a Common to a City. As a fence to a vineyard. So the Prophet in his Parable k Is●. 5. ●. And be fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof. Now although this fencing principally refers to God's protection over the jews, yet is it not unappliable to the natural posture of their country, hemmed in with mount Libanus on the north. Secondly, if we conceive all judea under the notion of a great city, Lebanon was a Common l josh. 13. 5. assigned thereunto, and ALL LEBANON towards the Sunrising. And though probably the neighbouring Tribes Asher, Naphtali, and Dan did reap the most benefit thereby, yet all the rest are presumed to have a right both in the herbage for their profit, and wild beasts for their pleasure. However, either with or without the leave of Israel, the judg. 3.3. Hivites (and * Gen. 10.17. Archites, whose city Archa is by Ptolemy placed hereabouts) made bold to share with them in the commodities of this mountain. Here grew the goodly Cedars, of whose several kinds, (some bearing fruit without flowers, others bringing flowers without fruit) manner of growing, having straight and clean bodies to the top, and there a tuft of boughs and leaves, (where should the hair be but on the head?) natural qualities or supernatural rather, (because said to be free from corruption, and therefore used to make the statues of the Gods) the Philosopher m ●lin. nat. history. will give the best account, to whose reports we remit the Reader. § 7. Forget we not that humane writers make a division of the mountain, calling the northern ledge thereof Libanus, the southern Anti-Libanus whereas the Scriptures taking no notice of this distinction, express both under the general name of Libanus. § 8. And now to climb this mountain, behold it every where scattered with Solomon's workmen, some bearing of burdens, (Better to carry the meanest material to the Temple of God, then carve the most curious pieces for the tower of Babel) some hewing of stones, all busied, either with their hands as labourers, or eyes as overseers. No hole left for idleness to peep in at, but presently she was perceived and punished. I hope without offence, one may wish them God speed, the rather because n Psal. 74. 6, 7. he that hewed timber afore out of the thick trees, was known to bring it to an excellent work, but now they break down all the work thereof with axes and hammers. § 9 It is now high time that leaving the general description of Libanus we come to survey the several places on, or near thereunto. In the south-west side thereof near Zidon, and the sea, lay the land of Cabul, which Solomon gave to Hiram King of Tyre for the cost and charge he was at in building the Temple. Hereby it appears that this territory (though lying in o 1 King. 9 11. Galilee was no part of the Land of Canaan, it being above the power of the Kings of Israel, to alienate any parcel thereof. But though it was unlawful to take the children's bread, and cast it unto dogs, yet the crust and parings thereof might be given them: to which this Land of Cabul may well be compared, being so course and base a Country, that it little contented King Hiram, who therefore called it p 1 King. 9 13. Cabul, that is dirty, or displeasing. It may seem strange that Solomon, who in other things consulted with his honour and magnificence and to whom God gave a large heart, should herein have so narrow a hand, as not to give Hiram a friend and foreign Prince full consideration, who so freely had furnished him with all necessaries for his building. But 1 Haply Solomon beheld Hiram as a Homager unto him, holding the kingdom of Tyre from the Crown of Israel. And if so, than all he did was but his duty, and fully rewarded in Solomon's favourable acceptance thereof. 2 Solomon might conceive hiram's expenses sufficiently satisfied in allowing his men such a vast q 1 King. 5. 11. 2 Chron. 2. 10. proportion of yearly provision: so these cities were given him not in compensation of the charge, but as an overplus and mere gratuity. For which Hiram ought to be thankful because so good, not displeased because no better. 3 Most probable it is, that absolute need, and no other reason, made Solomon fall short, in satisfying hiram's expectation. His treasure being much exhausted (excess will beggar wealth itself) by his sumptuous structures. The same necessitous principles, which caused his intolerable taxes on his own people, might also make him (against his own will, and generous disposition) fail in rewarding the full deserts of Hiram. It is some contentment unto us, that though we know not the several names, yet the r 1 King. 9 11. Scripture acquaints us with the exact number of the cities in Cabul-land: being twenty in all, as in our Map, we have reckoned them accordingly. § 10. But here some will be very much startled, that this land of Cabul should so lately receive this denomination from hiram's displeasure, whereas we find it so called four hundred years before in the book of joshua, where the borders of the Tribe of Asher, are thus assigned: they go out to s josh. 19 27. Cabul on the left hand. To satisfy which seeming difficulty, we must know, that though the book of joshua contains matter of far more ancient date, t Josh. 10. 13. yet it was written by holy-men of God after the days of David, and probably in the reign of Solomon. This appears because in joshua mention is made of the book of jasher, wherein the standing still of the Sun and Moon was recorded, and that book of jasher was penned after David's reign, because therein David's u 2 Sam. 1. 18. acts were also Chronicled. § 11. Mount Libanus is overspread with the a 1 King. 9 19 & 2 Chr. 8. 6. buildings of Solomon, whereof some may be conceived the fragments made out of the Remnants and Reversions of the stone and timber left of what was provided for the Temple. Yea probably some were platforms and models to heighten and improve the skill and knowledge of his builders. True it is, in the making of the Tabernacle, every Tenon, board, hook and socket were jure Divino, both by precept and precedent, according to the b Heb. 8. 5. pattern in the Mount: but it was not so in the building of the Temple. Therein, God gave Solomon a large heart, and furnished him with Hiram a skilful workman: but as for all particular proportions, they were left at large for their wisdoms to contrive. It may therefore with much likelihood be conceived, that to better their knowledge in Architecture for the Temple some slight buildings in Libanon were erected, which afterwards might serve Solomon for privacy, and pleasure, retirement, and recreation. And seeing Solomon took his natural history from the Cedar that grows in Lebanon, to the Moss on the wall, haply he might study in some of these buildings, where Cedars, and other simples were presented unto him, being best able to comment on Nature's works when he saw the text before his eyes. Of these buildings in Libanus that tower which c Cant. 7. 4. looks towards Damascus was the principal, to which the Nose of the Spouse in the Canticles is compared, for the whiteness, uniformity, and proportionable largeness thereof, whereby the generousness and animosity of the Church is intimated. The d Arist. in libro physiognomico. Philosopher telleth us that a tower-fashioned Nose (round and blunt at the top) is a sign of magnanimity. § 12. From this tower we may take the Prospect of all the adjacent country: wherein we take no notice of the division of Syria according to humane writers, but confine ourselves to Scripture expressions. 1 Rehob. 2 Aram or Maachah. 3 Syria of Damascus. 4 Zobah. 5 The land of Hamah. 6 Syrophoenicia. 7 Coelosyria. 8 Phoenicia. Aram e 2 Sam. 10. 6. Rehob, or Beth-Rehoh, so called from a principal City therein, lay south east of mount Libanus. Herein was f Gen. 14. 14. Dan the place where Abraham overtook the four Kings, who after many victories had took Lot and his wife captives. By Dan we understand not the city of Dan (formerly Laish) which some hundreds of years after was so named (though g Heb. 7. 9 Levi is said [virtually] to pay tithes in the loins of Abraham, Dan cannot be conceived [formally] to name cities, being as yet in the body of his great Grandfather) but the eastermost fountain of jordan, anciently called Dan. And surely springs the issue of nature, are seniors to all cities the result of Art. Here Abraham overtook them, and with three hundred and odd men conqueredand pursued them (being numerous and flushed with former victories) to h Gen. 14. 16. Hobah which is on the left side of Damascus. Thus that army which is but a handful of men, managed by God's hand, will work wonders. Hereby Let recovered his liberty, the King of Sodom his subjects, they their goods; the Auxiliaries of i Gen. 14. 24. Aner, k Gen. 14. 20. Eshcol and Mamre, received their pay out of the spoil, Melchisedec had the tithes, Abraham the honour, and God the glory of the victory. § 13. Aram-Maachah, lay southeast of Aram-beth-Rehoh, the l 1 Chr. 18. 6, 7. King thereof appeared very active (though bringing into the field but a thousand m 2 Sam. 10. 6. men) in the battle against King David. It seems joab the politic General reputed these Syrians valiant, who took the n 2 Sam. 10. 9 choicest men of Israel under his own conduct to oppose them, consigning the refuse under Abishai against the n 2 Sam. 10. 9 Ammnoites, presuming they would fly of course, if the other were worsted: as indeed it came to pass. Appendants to this Aram-Maachah were 1 Geshur: o 2 Sam▪ 3. 3. 1 Chr▪ 3. 2. hereof Talmai the King; and Maachah his daughter was married to David, and mother to Absalon. No wonder then if the child proved a cross to his Father, begotten on a heathen woman contrary to God's command. And here Absalon (changing his climate, not conditions) stayed p 2 Sam. ●3. 38. three years, clouded with his Father's displeasure for murdering his brother Amnon. 2 Ishtoh, which contributed twelve q 2 Sam. 10. 6. thousand men in the general engagement of the Syrians against King David. 3 The land of Tob: that is, the good-land (or * So Minister expounds the name thereof. Goth-land if you please) so called from the goodness thereof. Though all the good we know of it is this, that it afforded a safe refuge to r judg. 11. 3. jephthah, when persecuted by his brethren, who hence was solemnly fetched to be Judge of Israel. Adrichomius, and other Authors here make the Land of s job. 1. 1. Uz where job dwelled. I cannot blame any place to be desirous of so pious a man to be an inhabitant therein. But both jobs friends and foes forbid the situation of the land of Uz here abouts. His foes the Sabeans, his friends Eliphaz the Temanite etc. who are known to live far south of this place, of whom properly in the description of Edom. 14. Aram of Damascus succeeds lying north-east of Aram-Maachah, t 2 Sam. 8. 5. watered with the rivers of Abanah and Pharphar. This Abanah in humane writers is called Chrysoroas or golden-streame from the yellowness of his banks and water. Otherwise, as little gold is to be found in his channel, as at the golden grove in Caermarthen-shire, or at the golden-vale in Herefordshire. However Abanah and Pharphar were highly beholden to u 2 King. 5. 12. Naaman, who preferred them before all the waters of Israel; as possibly they might equal, yea exceed them in some outward respects. But what if the water in the Cistern chance to be clearer than that in the Font? Know it is divine institution, which puts the difference betwixt them, leaving the one a plain Element, and making the other a sovereign Sacrament. This river Chrysoroas running northward is afterwards swallowed up in the sandy ground, and there is the visible end thereof. So that Solomon's rule, All rivers run into the w Eccles. 1. 5. Sea, must admit of an exception or exposition, namely either openly or secretly, as no doubt this river hath an underground recourse to the Ocean. § 15. Coming near to Damascus we find the place where Saint Paul was cast down to the ground, as he went with a Commission from the high Priest to persecute the Saints of Damascus. Now seeing Damascus was not in judea, if any demand why Paul should straggle so far from his own Country, hear his own answer, Being exceedingly x Act. 26. 11. mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities: and it is reason enough for the actions of blind zeal, that they are the actions of blind zeal. Besides, it seems the high Priests at jerusalem had a kind of Ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the jews in all places. Some seeming contradiction, but on serious thoughts easily reconciled, appears in the history of Saint Paul's travels. Acts 9.7. The men also which journeyed with him stood amazed, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Acts 22.9. Moreover they that were with me saw indeed a light, and were afraid, but heard not the voice of him that spak● unto me. For, two things considerable in this vi●ion. 1 The generals thereof communicated to his fellow-travellers, that they might attest the truth of this miraculous accident. No seeming fancy but really acted. Hereupon they heard confusedly that there was a sound, but heard not distinctly what that sound was, and were admitted to see a light, but did not discover the person of jesus appearing. 2 The particulars thereof imparted to Paul alone (as calculated only for his conversion) whose ears and eyes plainly heard and saw the voice and apparition. Hence Saint Paul was conducted to the city of Damascus, whither we follow after him. § 16. Damascus is by some conceived to have been founded by Eliezer Abraham's Steward, only because he is styled y Gen. 15. 2. Eliezer of Damascus: But if so, then signal was the piety of Eliezer who preferred rather to live a servant in Abraham's good family, then to rule as a Lord in a great city of his own building. Various was the success and fortune of Damascus under several Lords, and we will only instance in such as are mentioned in Scripture. 1 It was inhabited by the Syrians, and accounted the Metropolis of the Country. 2 It was probably conquered by David, when he put z 2 Sam. 8. 5, 6. & 1 Chr. 18. 6. garrisons into Aram of Damascus. 3 In the days of Solomon it was possessed by Rezin a fugitive Syrian, who being made a King thereof, a 1 Kin. 1. 23, 24. was a professed enemy to Israel. 4 It was won by jeroboam the second, King of Israel, who is said to have restored b 2 King. 14. 28. Damascus. 5 It was recovered again by the Syrians, and Rezin in the days of Ahaz was c 2 King. 16. 6. King thereof. 6 It was taken by Tiglath-Peleser King of Assyria, d 2 King. 16. 9 who carried all the inhabitants thereof away captive. In the new Testament we find it in subjection to the Roman Emperor, under whom e 2 Cor. 11. 32. Aretas was King, a persecuter of Saint Paul. § 17. Wonder not that the Roman Emperors ruling over the world, should suffer some Kings to reign under them: which was their constant practice, and whereby they received no small benefit. For first, hereby they kept their people in more willing obedience, when they saw their former government not wholly altered, but some shadow thereof still remaining in their Kings continued amongst them. Secondly, when any distasteful project was set on foot, the Emperors used these Kings to promote it: so casting the odium upon them, which themselves declined, while such f Vetus ac jam pridem receipt a populi Romani consuetudo, ut habcret instru●enta servit●tis & reges. Tacit. in vita Agricolae. Kings (usually by their immediate dependence) durst not displease, but do whatsoever the Emperors enjoined them. Thirdly, it conduced to the state of their Empire to have Kings homagers thereunto. It is but a Farm (though of never so great revenues) and not reputed a Manor, which hath not some freeholders' holding of it, and owing suit and service unto it. Semblably it was part of the Imperial glory amongst the Romans to have even Kings to hold their Sceptres and Crowns, by deputation under it, as Herod in judea, Deiotarus in Galatia, our Lucius in Britain, and this Aretas King of Damascus. § 18. Under him Saint Paul had a miraculous deliverance, though both Prince and people plotted his destruction, and g Act. 9 24. & 2 Cor. 11. 32. watched the gates day and night that they might kill him. But what saith the Psalmist? Except h Psal. 127. 1. the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain, either to keep out those whom he will have in, or to keep in those whom he will have out. All the wall shall be one open gate to those, whom divine providence will have to escape, as here to Saint Paul, being let down over the wall by a rope in a basket. § 19 Amongst the public buildings of Damascus, the house of Rimmon was most remarkable; It troubled the tender Conscience of converted Naaman, i 2 King. 5. 18. when his Master went up to worship there, that he had so often bowed to that Idol: so an excellent k Nic. Fuller Miscel. Sacra. pag. Critic proves the words to be read, relating not to his future but former actions. Wherefore the Prophet's answer, Go in peace, is not a toleration of his Idolatry for the time to come, but an absolution from his former faults, upon Naaman's free confession and serious sorrow for the same. They show also in this city the house or rather hole wherein l Act. 9 12. Ananias (Saint Paul's ghostly- father) dwelled or lurked, being a Cellar under ground, to which pilgrims descend by many stairs, who have so filled the walls thereof by m Biddulph in his travels. pa. writing their names therein, that Reader there is no room left to register thy name if going thither. § 20. Modern Damascus is a beautiful city. The first, Damask-rose had its root here, and name hence. So all Damask silk, Linen, powder and plumbs called Damascens. n Nullae ibi sunt ob fortunae bona lights, & nulli proinde advocati, procuratores, au●causarum sollicitor●s, quia debitores non sunt ulli, aut credi●●res. Omnia piompta & paeata transiguntur pccunia. Medicis omnino nibil ni●i restituta prius aegro sanitate ofsertur. G●org. Bra● in civet: orbis terrarum. in des. Damasc. Two things at this day are most remarkable amongst the inhabitants: There are no Lawyers amongst them, no Advocates or Solicitors of causes, no compacts being made for future performance, but Weigh and Pay, all bargains being driven with ready money. Secondly, Physicians here are paid no fee, except the patient recover his health. And now I perceive that Mahomet was a politic man, who entered but once into Damascus, and perceiving the pleasures thereof, would never return again, for fear (forsooth) lest he should be bewitched with the delightfulness thereof, and hindered from the great work he had in hand. I indeed perceive that so pleasant a subject hath too long retarded my pen, almost forgetful to go forward in our description, we therefore leave it and proceed. § 21. Aram-Zobah lay north-east of Aram-Damascus. Hadadezar or Hadarezar was King thereof, so glorious a Prince, that his servants wore shields of gold in war, as if they intended to dazzle their enemy's eyes with the splendour of their arms; but all in vain. For the best swords of steel will command the bravest shield of gold: and David at Elam, got an absolute conquest of him, killing o 2 Sam. 10. 16. Shobach his Captain, as formerly he had p 2 Sam. 8. 4. defeated him and stripped him of much rich spoil. As for those golden shields, they fell not to the shares of any private persons, but were treasured up by David for the building of the Temple, where this glorious Plate shined in its proper sphere; and where Riot, and Luxury abused by man, was converted into well grounded bounty, as bestowed on God's service. Here David houghed the horses of Hadadezar, and only reserved an hundred q 2 Sam. 8. 4. chariots of them as a Trophy of triumph to be used for state at public solemnities. § 22. Some will censure this as an improvident and unpolitick act, and character David as more happy to get, then able to use a victory; not casually letting slip, but wilfully casting such a power of horse out of his hand, which managed with a proportionable infantry, might have given Law to all the east Country. Surely it was not done out of a cowardly suspicion, lest the Syrians should recover those horses again; much less out of consciousness of want of horsemanship in the 〈◊〉 to set riders upon them: Rather it was, that David being privy to the deceitfulness of man's heart (how hard it was to have much humane strength, and not to have confidence in it) did it to wean his subjects from the arm of flesh, that they might more rely on divine protection. And he did it, to encourage in them, what properly is called Manhood: that they might not expect victories of equivocal generation begotten betwixt men and horses, but such achieved only by man's prowess, instrumental to get, and God's providence, the principal to give them. Yea David might seem to have houghed all the horses in the world, with that his short, but sharp sentence, A r Psal. 33. 17. horse is but a vain thing to save a man. § 23. It will further be objected, that grant these horses not to be used in the wars of Israel, yet what needs this waist to spoil Gods good creatures? Might they not have been sold for many talents and given to the poor? It is answered, that David did it in an holy Brave, to show that the Pagans pride, was Israel's scorn, and that he as much disdained to gain wealth by the sale, as to get strength by the service of those horses. Besides, David herein did follow the precept given to, and pressed and practised by s josh. 11. 6. joshua in the like case. And indeed multiplying of horses was t Deut. 17. 19 forbidden the Kings of Israel. But after David's days the Militia was much altered and managed by horse; by the way, Absalon was the first Israelite, whom we find riding in a chariot, and how he was blest is not unknown: Afterwards Solomon brought many horses out of Egypt, and an Egyptian wife on the back of them, who certainly hindered more, than the other helped him; and generally the Israelites were more prosperous before their use of horses, than ever after; Their success was mounted when they fought on foot, but scarce went on foot when their armies were mounted on horseback. § 24. But to return to Aram-Zobath: Two prime cities thereof with four names are mentioned in Scripture, u 2 Sam. 8. 8. Beta, and Berothat, w 1 Chr. 18. 8. elsewhere called Tibhah and Chun. Here (not to say that Beta and Tibhah by Metathesis are the same) it is no news for cities standing in the confines of several kingdoms, and the juncture of several languages to have double names. What the Englishman calls Gloucester and Worcester, the Welsh-men term x Hum●rey Lhuyd in descrip. Walliae. Caer Loyw and Caer-Frangon. And probably one of the names of these cities was Hebrew and the other Aramite. Both of them afforded much brass y 2 Sam. 8. 8. to King David (God's receiver general for that purpose) for the building of the Temple. But Zobah which gave the name to this Country is generally conceived at this day to be called Aleppo, (though some jews inhabiting therein count it anciently the city of Sepharvaim) from Alep which signifies z Biddulphs' travels pa. 45. milk in the Turkish language; whereof such plenty here, that if via lactea be to be found on earth, it is in this place. It is so seated on a navigable stream which runs into Euphrates, that here the commodities of the East and West do meet. The former from Babylon by water, the latter by Land-caravans from Scanderoon, and this city is the golden clasp to couple both sides of the world together, and we remit the Reader to modern Merchants for further information thereof. § 25. And here standing on the utmost verge of our map we could wish it of such extent as might represent to the Reader Aram-Naharam or Mesopotamia (otherwise Padan-Aram) where Bethuel and Laban dwelled; Charran, whither Abraham first removed; Caldea and Ur, a city where he formerly dwelled; Babylon and Nineveh, the two Empresses of the world, with the rivers which watered and bounded Paradise itself. But alas, as Prodigals who have spent their possessions take little delight to see a survey of the lands they have sold, (the sad remembrancer of their former riot and present wretchedness) so small comfort can accrue unto us by the curious enquiry into the ancient place of Paradise, having long since in our first Parents forfeited all our right and title thereunto. But the main matter forbidding our Pens progress any further, is because, as Shimei confined by Solomon to jerusalem suffered justly as an offender for gadding to a 1 King. 2. 44. Gath: so Palestine with the neighbouring countries being the proper subject of our discourse, we shall be taken trespassers, if found wandering beyond the bounds thereof. However I hope without offence my hand may point further than my feet may follow, and tell the Reader that the forenamed places lie north-east of the city of Aleppo. § 26. The land of Hamah lay west of Aram-Zobah, anciently inhabited by the Hamathites, descended from the eleventh and youngest Son of Canaan b Gen. 10. 18. the Son of Cham, of whom largely before. In the days of David Toi was King of this Country, who being at war with Hadadezar, and hearing how the Israelites had defeated him, sent c 2 S●m. 8. 10. joram his Son to King David with presents in his hand and compliments in his mouth, to congratulate his victory. Long after Salmaneser subdued this country and extinguished the royal race; witness that brag: Where is the King of Hamath d Esa. 37. 13. and of Arpad? Though that proud question admits of an answer; namely, they were even there, where their sins set them: seeing it was not so much the Assyrian valour, as the Syrian wickedness which cast these Kings out of their country. Riblah was a prime city in this land, where Nabuchadnezzar caused the eyes of * 2 Kin. 25. 6, 7. Zedekiah to be bored out. Some conceive this done in the land of Nephtali, others with more likelihood in this place, and we (see Reader our carefulness to please all if possible in this captious age) mention it in both. Yet because this Riblah was many miles nearer to Babylon, and further from jerusalem, it is more probable to be the place, as more for Nebuchadnezars ease and Zedekiahs' anguish: it adding to the conquerors state to fetch the captive furthest from his own country. § 27. Hamah the city which gave the name to this country, was afterwards called Antiochia. Seven and twenty cities are said to be of the same name. For several Antiochuses being successively Kings of Syria, stocked their dominions with many cities after their names, as being either built, beautified, strengthened or enlarged by them, or their Favourites. But it matters not how many younger brethren there be of the same family, as long as our Antioch is the heir, and though not in age, in honour to be preferred before all the rest. Here the professor of the Gospel formerly termed Believers for their faith, sometimes Brethren for their love, Saints for their holiness, Disciples for their knowledge, were for all these first called e Act. 11. 26. Christians. Probably when many of all nations believed, the name Christian was given them, to bury the difference betwixt jews and Gentiles (thus England and Scotland happily joined in great Britain) which two names though remaining afterwards, were used as terms of civil difference, not odious distinction. Had this happened at Rome, how would the Tide of Tiber have swollen above all his bounds and banks at the conceit that in her city Religion itself was christened? But this Antioch hath still more to brag of: The Chair of Saint Peter, wherein he sat Patriarch many years before his removeall to Rome: and therefore no wonder if Antioch grudge to give Rome the superiority. Why should not that place be the prime, which was the first? Besides, Saint Peter was honoured at Antioch, murdered at Rome. And why should that City receive most credit by him, which used most cruelty unto him? But let Ecclesiastical Heralds deduce the pedigree, and martial the precedency of these Churches, we will only add, that this Pharisaical taking of the upperhand, hath in all ages hindered the giving of the right hand of Christian fellowship. § 28. Now surely no malignant quality in this place, but a principle of perverseness in men's hearts was the cause, that so many famous contentions happened in this city of Antioch. Here it was, that some coming down from judea, maintained the necessity of f Act. 15. 1. circumcision, and the legal ceremonies, endeavouring to set up a religion (like those monsters in Africa, begotten betwixt several kinds, partaking of both, perfect in neither, but defective in their very redundancy) a ●edley mongrel betwixt Judaisme and Christianity. This occasioned the calling of the first great Council in jerusalem, which in fine concluded that this legal Yoke was not to be laid on the neck of Christians. Here Peter being guilty (it is the expression of g In his Epistle to the Cardinal of Lorraine prefixed before his translation of chrysostom on the Galatians. Erasmus) of superstitious dissimulation, with his example (oh the impulsive power of great men's Precedents!) brought h Gal. 2. 18. Barnabas into the same fault: for which Saint Paul presently and publicly reproved him. But we will not widen the wounds in good men's memories, rather commending to posterity, the holy zeal of Saint Paul in seasonable giving, the humble piety of Saint Peter in patient taking so sharp a reproof. § 29. But the greatest contention happening here, was that Paroxysm betwixt Paul and Barnabas, the one as earnestly refusing, as the other desiring the company of john Mark to go along with them. In which contest, Paul is generally conceived to have most reason, Ba●nabas most passion on his side, because 1 He saw clearly without carnal relation, whilst Barnabas beheld Mark his i Colos. 4. 10. sister's son through the spectacles of natural affection. 2 A reason is rendered by Paul why Marks company should be declined, namely, because he k Act. 15. 58. departed from them at Pamphilia and deserted the work, none alleged by Barnabas why the same should be accepted. 3 Paul immediately departing after this contention is said to l Act. 15. 46. be recommended by the brethren to the grace of God, which seems to amount to a general approbation of his carriage herein. No such passage appears of Barnabas. 4 After this time Saint Paul and his acts are celebrated in every Chapter, whereas Barnabas sinks here in silence, and his name mentioned no more in the history of the Scripture. But we must admire God's wisdom in man's weakness, sanctifying this discord to his glory. For whilst Paul and Barnabas were newly converted, and their company needful for mutual assistance each to other, their persons and affections were united together: but now grown strong in grace, and able singly to subsist, God suffered this unhappy difference to sever them. Whereby the Gospel increased, the one sailing to Cyprus, the other staying in Syria. So whereas formerly one place at the same time did jointly enjoy them; now there became two Flocks, two shepherds, two vines, two vinedressers, and the division of Preachers proved the multiplication of preaching. § 30. We must not forget how one Nicolas a Proselyte of this city of m Act. 6. 5. Antioch, was the last of the seven Deacons, and the first founder of an heresy (which God professeth himself to n Rev. 2. 6. hate) from him called the Nicolaitans. For this * Bar●nius An. Eccles. Anno. 68 Num. 10. Nicolas is reported to have had a beautiful woman to his wife, and being taxed for being causelessly jealous of her, to vindicate his innocence, he prostituted her to the embraces of any that would lie with her; with some other strange opinions he maintained. Those therefore who so undiscreetly express their detestation of one sin, that they fall foul on the committing of the contrary, may by a spiritual proportion be accounted mystical Nicolaitans. § 31. There was also belonging to Antioch (pardon a little digression) a delicious suburb called Daphne, where Apollo Daphneus was adored. Now (some three hundred sixty years after Christ) julian the Apostate, the professed enemy to piety, sacrificed hereto this Devill-God, who used to be very talkative in giving of Oracles, but lately was grown very mute. And being demanded the reason of his sudden silence answered (forsooth) it was because the body of Babylas (martyred under Decius the Emperor) was buried near his Temple, the virtue whereof stopped his windpipe. Hereupon a conceit was taken that other Martyr's bones might be found upon trial as terrible to the devil, which gave the o See M. Meade in his Apostasieof the latter times. pag. 122. first occasion to the enshrining, worshipping, and circumgestation of the Relics of Saints. See how Satan (much delighted in his apish Parallels of divine service) was ambitious, that a dominative point of Antichristianisme should have its original in the same place where the name of Christianity first began. But long since Antioch hath smarted for this superstition and her other sins; reduced at this day to a petty village, (standing in the road betwixt Scanderoon and Aleppo) and Orontes the river thereof once navigable, (Saint Paul is said to have p Act. 14. 26. sailed to Antioch) much obstructed with sand, and more profitable for good Eels there taken, than any other commodity, and the few buildings remaining miserably ruinous. But seeing silks, though ragged, may be worn with the less discredit; the torn and tattered edifices in Antioch seem no disgrace, because most of them are made of rich stuff, even costly marble curiously polished. § 32. Leaving Antioch we come to Seleucia seated on the sea side, a Port once graced with Saint q Act. 13 4. Paul's presence: whence they sailed into Cyprus lying over against it. This Island is so called from Cypress trees growing there in abundance, which a great r Nic. Fuller, Miscell. lib. 4. ca 5. pa. 493. Critic conceives to be that Gopher s Gen. 6. 14. wood, whereof the Ark of Noah was made, and boldly affirms that setting aside the adventitious termination, CUPAR and GOPHER are effectually the same in Hebrew. Frequent the use of Cypress-boughs in Funerals, whereof the t Cupr●ssus incisa non renascitur, sicut ex mort●● nihil jam est sperandum. Scal. casti. infestum. reason is rendered, because that tree cut down sprouts no more, as no natural hope of a dead corpse reviving. u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 pag. 5. Coffins also were generally made of Cypress even amongst the heathen, in memorial, as w Nic: Fuller ut prius. one will have it, of the deluge, and mankind buried quick many months in the Cypress ark. The distance of Cyprus from the continent cannot be great, if it be true what x Nat. hist. li. 8. cap. 32. Pliny reports, that whole herds of Deer used to swim over thither (scenting, though not seeing land) the foremost like an adventurous Captain valiantly conducting them; and then in order one so lying on another, that the leaders haunch was the followers pillow to rest his head upon. Most fruitful was this Island, affording all things both for pleasure and luxury, and therefore Venus worshipped for chief Deity therein. The women of this country anciently were very wanton, or as they counted it, very religious, for having a whore for their Goddess, no wonder if adultery was their devotion. § 33. Amongst the eminent persons bred in Cyprus, whilst Statesmen take special notice of Solon the lawgiver, Philosophers of Zeno the Stoic, Poets of As●tepiades first author of those verses from him so called, it will be fittest for us to observe y Act. 21. 16. Mnason an old Disciple; host to Saint Paul, Sergius z Act. 13. 7. Paulus deputy of this Island, a prudent man, Saint Paul's Convert; and Barnabas here born a jew-levit-cypriot (the first by nation, the next by family, the last by place of his nativity) and had therein possessions of considerable value. If any say it was covetousness, and distrust of divine providence in Barnabas to be a landed a Act. 4. 36. Levite, because that Tribe had no inheritance given them; The Lord of Israel was their b josh. 13. 33. inheritance: Let such know, that constitution was only temporary and local, to last no longer, then whilst the jews continued at home in a settled Commonwealth, after whose banishment abroad, happy that Le●ite, who (when charity of others waxed cold) could warm himself with his own well gotten goods. But afterwards Barnabas that Son of consolation (comforting the bowels of the Saints as well by his works as words, deeds as doctrine) sold c Act 4. 37. his possessions; and tendered the price thereof at the feet of the Apostles. Such practices were sincerely performed in the primitivetimes, superstitiously imitated with opinion of merit in after ages, and scornfully derided by too many in our days, so far from parting with the propriety, that they will not appropriate a part of their goods to good uses. We find Saint Paul, preaching in two cities in Cyprus; d Act. 13. 5, 6. Salamis, where there was a Synagogue of the jews, and Paphos (where Venus was worshipped, thence surnamed Paphia, and) where Elymas, the sorcerer was struck blind, for opposing Saint Paul. verse 11. We cannot recover Paphos proportionably into this Map, behold it therefore peeping in, but excommuned the lines thereof. § 34. But to return to the Continent, where we fall on Syrophoenicia, whose mixed name speaks its middle situation betwixt Syria and Phenice, so that if those two countries should fall out, no fitter umpire to arbitrate their difference then Syrophoeni●ia, participating of, and therefore presumed impartial to both. Of this e Mark 7. 26. Country was that bold beggar, who would have no saying nay, but importunate in the behalf of her daughter, no whit discouraged with the disadvantage of her person, disaffection of the disciples, (miserable mediators interceding for her repulse) deep silence and afterwards disdainful denial of Christ himself, would not desist (as if her zeal was heated with the Antiperistasis of the cold comfort she received) till the violence of her faith had wrested a grant from our Saviour. The bounds of Syrophoenicia are variously assigned, the principal cities whereof are Laodicea, different from that, to which Saint john wrote, and whose l Rev. 3. 16. lukewarm temper made health itself sick thereof. § 35. Next we find on the sea the city of Gebal● (in Ptolemy and Strabo Gabala) and the Inhabitants therein and thereabouts, termed Giblites in m Josh. 13. 5. Scripture. These led the Van in the grand conspiracy against Israel, n Psal. 8 3. 7. Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, the Philistims with the inhabitants of Tyre, Asher also etc. But Solomon taught their hands another lesson, not to fight against God's people, but to help to finish his o 1 Kin. 5. 15. 18 See the margin in our Bibles. Temple. At the Coronation of Tyre the Queen-Mart of the world, (so largely described by Ezekiel, where all neighbouring Cities as in Grandsergeantry, held their places, by some special attendance about her) the Ancients of Gebal, and the wisemen thereof were her p Ezek. 27. 9 calkers, to stop the leaks and chinks in her ships, so cunning were the Giblites in that employment. Yet all their curiosity in this kind, could not keep out the deluge of divine anger, from entering their own City, which at this day hath drowned Gebal in utter destruction. § 36. More south the river Eleutherus arising out of Libanus, shaped his course to the sea, so being the northern boundary of Phoenicia. In this river, saith reverend q Vide Bczae Annot at. inl●cum. Act. 8. 36. Beza, was the Eunuch baptised by Philip, therein making an unexcusable mistake. For except the Eunuch in his travel went (like the Sun on r 2 King. 20. 11. Abaz his dial) backwards, it was impossible for him going to Gaza, and so into Aethiopia his own country, once to come near this river, lying far north quite the contrary way. Had Beza (in stead of the Eunuch baptised) placed the Emperor Barbarossa drowned here, it had born better proportion to truth. However from this learned man's mistake, I collect comfortable confidence of pardon for my faults committed in this our description. For seeing so strong legs are prone to stumble, surely the falls of my feeble feet will be freely forgiven me by the charitable Reader. § 37. Near the running of Eleutherus into the midland sea stood Antaradus, so called because opposite to Aradus (Arvad in Scripture) a city of remarkable antiquity, situation, and subsistence. Well doth Strabo call this an ancient place, seeing it retained its name, more than two thousand years, from s Gen. 10. 18. 1 Chr. 1. 16. Arvad the ninth son of Canaan, even till after the time of our Saviour. The city is seated in an Island seven furlongs in compass, and twenty distant from the Continent, being all a main t Strabo li. 16. pag. 753. rock (industry and ingenuity will make wealth grow on a bare stone) watered in peace from the main land, in war with an engine (consult with our u Strabo ut prius Author for the form thereof) which limbeck-like extracted sweet water out of the brackish Ocean. The citizens of this place served Tyre in a double office; by land as soldiers, The men of w Ezek. 27. 11. & Ezek. ●●. 8. Arvad with thine army were upon the walls round about; by water, as failers▪ The inhabitants of Arvad were thy mariners: which sufficiently speaks their dexterity in either Element. § 38. Next the men of Arvad the Prophet mentioneth the x Ezek. 27. 11. Gammadims (the joint naming them probably insinuates the vicinity of their habitation) which were in the Tower of Tyre as a garrison to defend them. By Gammadims some understand Pigmies of a Cubit-high (equal to the standard of ehud's y judg. 8. 16. dagger) because, Gamad signifies a cubit in the Hebrew tongue. But how ill doth this measure agree with martial men? except any will say, that as the jebusites, in a proud confidence of the natural strength of mount Zion, placed the z 2 Sam. 5 8. lame and blind to man the same: so the Tyrians presumed that dwarves were tall enough to make good their giant fortifications. More likely is the conjecture of a Vide Tr●m●l. annot. in locum. Tremellius, that the Gammadims were a people in Phoenicia inhabiting a part thereof, which ran out bowed and bended into the sea. And we know that Ancona in Italy, and b See S●ows survey of London. Elbow-lane in London receive names from the same fashion. And seeing Cornish-men are so called from the form of their Country, dwelling in a land which by degrees is contracted or narrowed into the likeness of an horn; why not Gammadims Cubit-men from the similitude of their country in the situation thereof? Here to fortify his conjecture Tremellius produceth a place in c Nat bist. li. 2. cap. 91. Pliny of Gamala a city in Phoenicia, since swallowed up, where he conceiveth the L. to be changed into the D. that the Gammadims were inhabitants thereof. However for quietness sake, may the Reader be contented, to suffer them to remain there in our Map, if not as dwellers, only as sojourners, until such time as learned men shall provide a more proper place for them. § 39 And now on a sudden we are fallen unawares against our propounded order, on Phoenicia, of the name and nature of which country formerly in the Tribe of Asher. The chief havens therein were Tripoli; so called, say d P. Hylyn Microsme. pa. 556. some, because it hath been thrice build; by others, because e Strabo Geog●. lib. 16. p. 754. three Cities (Tyre, Sidon, and Aradus) concurred to the building thereof. Next is the promontory called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or God's face, which no whit affrighted the Pirates, and sea-robbers (who had a Castle hard by, called f Idem. p. 755. Castellum praedonum) from their mischievous cruelty. Botrus succeeds, whose name signifieth a bunch of grapes, either from plenty of wine growing there, or because the houses in this compacted city were built in a cluster, though now become so thin scarce any two of them stand together. Byblus the birthplace of Philo commonly surnamed Byblius, Barutis, anciently a good haven, now decayed. Adonius, so called from the minion of Venus worshipped hereabouts, and Licus are the chief rivers in this country: (having many other smaller brooks) and Climax the mountain of most note, whose figure like that figure in Rhetoric ascends like a staircase by degrees. §40. Coelosyria is only behind, or hollow Syria, so called because lying in a concavity betwixt the mountains of Libanus and Antilibanus. Though Ptolemy and others stretch the name thereof in a large acception, even as far as Arabia. Full it was of fair cities, but none we meet with named in Scripture, and therefore forbear the further prosecution thereof. Only to cover the nakedness of our map, we mention four modern villages under the command of the Turks, where, and where g Biddulphs' travels. p. 1. alone the Syriack tongue is spoken at this day, namely, Hatcheeths, Sharri, Blouza, and Eden. The last the seat of a Bishop of the Maronites (who have a poor Patriarch residing at Tripoli) and the people here against all sense conceive this Eden to be the place of Paradise. Worse errors they maintain in point of doctrine, concurring with the Greek Church; but in discipline late reconciled to Rome, where the Pope on his own cost gives some of their children education. Honest harmless people these Maronites are, happy in the ignorance of luxury, and so hospitable that in stead of receiving, they return thanks to any western Christians which will accept of their entertainment. § 41▪ There remains nothing more in the Map for me to acquaint the Reader with, save only that we have set the modern stages or Inns (we must have all wares in our pack, not knowing what kind of chapmen we shall light on) betwixt Aleppo and Damascus, and so forwards to jerusalem. Amongst these Canes or Turkish Inns, Marra and Cotefey are most beautiful; the latter, little inferior to the old Exchange in London; built by a Bashaw (o let not Christians confound, whilst Turk's found places, for public use) for the benefit of travellers, being both a Castle for their protection, and a College for their provision: Where on the founders cost sufficient food is afforded both them and their cattle. As for some Christian travellers who h Biddulphs' travels. pag. scorned to feed thereon, it seems that either they were not sound hungry, or were not of the solid judgement of Eliah, who surely would have taken meat from the hands of Turks, who refused not flesh from the beaks of i 1 King. 17. 6. Ravens. Here the Map of Midian, Moab, Ammon, Edom, is to be inserted. THE DESCRIPTION OF MIDIAN, MOAB, AMMON, EDOM. CHAP. 2. § 1. BEfore we come to the particular description of the Countries, something for satisfaction; why Midian first, and why Midian and Moab together. In giving Midian the Precedency, we observe seniority, he being extracted from Abraham the uncle, by Keturah his wife, whilst Moab came from Lot the nephew, by his own daughter. As for putting them together, we are loath to confess our poverty, that lack of larger instructions to furnish forth several Maps, was any cause of our conjoining them together. The main motive is not only the vicinity of their habitation, but also correspondency of several achievements betwixt them, which makes them often coupled together in Scripture. Thus a Gen. 35. 36. Hadad King of Edom smote Midian in the field of Moab. The Elders of Moab and b Numb. 22. 7. the Elders of Midian were jointly employed to fetch Balaam. The c Compare Numb. 25. 2. with Num. 25. 18. daughters of Moab and the daughters of Midian enticed the Israelites to whoredom and Idolatry. § 2. Midian consisted of two families: one seated southward near the Red-sea, serving the true God, (not so purely but with the mixture of superstitions) where jethro Moses his father-in-law lived, of whom (God willing) hereafter. The other Idolaters, planted more eastward; the subject of our present discourse. This distance of place and difference of Religions gave probability to their opinions, who fancy them two distinct nations, which is seemingly confirmed, because the former is called Madian in the d Act. 7. 29. new Testament. But though in some cases we confess that the difference of a letter, may make more than a literal difference, yet here it is not enough to make a real distinction: seeing Hebrew words made Greek often suffer greatermutations then of a vowel, Midian into Madian. Others are startled, because the Midianites are e Gen. 37. 25. 27, 28. 39 judg. 8. 22. 24. 26. sometimes termed Ishmaelites, whereas the latter come from Hagar, the former from Keturah. But it is probable (surely such as reject our conjecture will substitute a better in the room thereof) that because Ishmael was the eldest son of Abraham, chief of the house, all those eastern people descended from Abraham were denominated by the generical name of Ishmaelites. § 3. It is as difficult precisely to define the bounds, as impossible completely to describe the Country of Midian. For besides the mixture and conjunction (not to say confusion) of these eastern people, interfering amongst themselves in their habitations, the Midianites especially led erratical lives, and therefore had uncertain limits. They dwelled most in tents, which we may call moving towns, and extempore cities, set up in a few hours, and in fewer taken down and dissolved. Next morning oft times found them many miles off, from the place where last night left them. And if we wonder at the wildness of their wand'ring, and rudeness of their roving abroad, they will admire as much at the stillness of our station, and dulness of our constant dwelling in one place. And no doubt they observed a method in their removals, as there is a regularity as well in the motion of the Planets, as of the fixed Stars. § 4. For the general we dare avouch they had Reuben and Gad on the west, Moab on the south, Ammon on the north, the Ishmaelites or Hagarens on the east. f Adrichom. de Te●. Sanct. in tab. Reub. Some place them more south, hard by the Dead-sea, but therein surely mistake. For when g jug. 7. Gideon had the Midianites in chase out of the land of Canaan, they betook not themselves southward (and surely such Foxes when hunted would hast home to their own kennels) but ran through the Tribe of Gad full east, to their proper habitations. But now what a slender account shall we make of the towns and places in Midian? But I conceive it better to present the Reader with a map without cities, or those cities without names, than those names without truth, or at least wise that truth without certainty, and a fair blank is to be preferred before a full paper blurred over with falsehoods. § 5. But first we do behold those castles; and cities of Midian all on a bright fire, h Num. 31. 10. burnt by Eleazar and the twelve thousand Israelites (whereof no i Num. 31. 49. one man slain in the action) wherein they killed all the males of that country and females which had known man. What time also they did execution on five Kings of Midian, and Balaam the false Prophet their chaplain, who fell by the sword of k Num. 31. 8. man, though he had escaped that of the l Num. 22. 31. Angel. Some may think strange, that the Israelites having conquered this country possessed not themselves and their heirs thereof. Let such know, first, that this sandy land was barren itself, whose best fruitfulness consisted only in the largeness thereof: Secondly, God intended an entire territory to his own people, whereas this straggling Country was hardly kept, though easily conquered: Thirdly, the Midianites were of the half blood with the Israelites, descended from Abraham, and therefore God would not have them disinherit their kinsmen of their possessions. §6. If we go out of their cities to take free air in their country, see how thick their tents are spread over the face of the earth. Whereof, though their cover might seem course, their courtains (mentioned by the Prophet m Habak. 3. 7. ) being both the side walls, and roof of their inward rooms, were most costly and curious. As the Midianites were called the children of the east, so none more orient in their apparel, and gorgeous accoutrements. For if their Camels wore n judg. 8. 26. Collars of gold about their necks, how rich may their riders be presumed to be in pearls, and precious stone? § 7. Another great part of their wealth consisted in their cattle, amongst which we must take special notice of their o Esa. 60. 6. Dromedaries, seeing the most or best of this kind were bredhereabouts. A Dromedary is a dwarfcamell, nature recompensing his smallness in his swiftness, so that he will travellan hundred miles a day, and continue at that rate with sparing diet a week together. He hath but one bunch on his back (the Camel having more) the natural saddle for his Rider to mount upon, generally more used for travel then bearing of burdens, and of as much more refined service above Camels, as Hackneys are above Packhorses. In a word, as in one respect this beast is the commendable character of perseverance, not fleet by fits, at the first; but holding out a constant and equal tenor in travelling: so in another regard, it may pass for the emblem of hypocrisy, pretending to both symptoms of a clean beast, really chewing the cud, and seemingly cleaving the hoof, but only on the out side, whereas p Gesne●. de quadrup. in Dromedar. within it is wholly fleshly, and entirely round like a platter. § 8. Yet all their speed could not save their Masters from the pursuit of Gideon, when such a fatal blow was given to the Midianites, that the Text q judge 8. 28. saith, They lift up their heads no more. Yea, which is memorable scarce, any part of their body appears afterwards in Scripture, or any mention of r Midian mentioned 1 King. 18. relates not to these, but to the southern Midianites, whereof hereafter. Midianites (save with relation to the former defeat) which leads us to this conjecture, that the remains of that nation, which escaped that dismal overthrow, shrouded themselves under the names of some neighbouring people, probably of the Ishmaelites, of whom but a word or two, and so to Moab. § 9 Nor need the Reader be afraid to adventure amongst them, suspecting the Ishmaelites, like Ishmael their Father, to be s Gen. 16. 12. wild men, Whose hands were against every man, and every man's hand against them; seeing their fierceness and fury had been well tamed by the Reubenites, Gadites, and half Tribe of Manasseh in that memorable victory, wherein no fewer than an t 1 Chr. 5. 2●. hundred thousand of them were taken captives, and those Tribes dwelled in their tents even unto the river u 1 Chr. 5. 9 Euphrates. Conceive it in a cursory condition, only grazing their cattle during the season, which amounted not to a constant and settled habitation. § 10. The Ishmaelites were descended from Ishmael, otherwhiles called Hagarens, wherein the difference not great; their former name being fetched from their Father, the latter (but one degree further) from Hagar, their grandmother. Of this Ishmael it was foretold, first that he should dwell w Gen. 16. 12. (as also he did x Gen. 25. 18. die) in the presence of all his brethren, that is, he should not hide his head in holes, or creep into corners, as afraid of the force of his neighbours, but should justify and avouch his Right in open habitations, daring and defying all pretenders to his possessions. Secondly, it is said he should be y Gen. 21. 12. Onager homo or a wild-ass-man; in which similitude (the holy Spirit not using casual but choice comparisons) surely very much is folded up of the Physiognomy both of him and his posterity. Wild asses are said to carry a bow in their heels, and to find arrows in the sandy ground where they go, wherein if hunted they do bestir themselves with flinging the gravel behind them, that therewith they pierce the breasts, yea sometimes z Ammian. Marcellinus. split the heads of such as pursue them: as the Ishmaelites excellent archers laid about them with their arrows to kill and slay such as opposed them. § 11. Large were the bounds allotted to Ishmael, and divine providence which staked them down within certain limits, allowed them a very long teddar, They a Gen. 25.18. dwelled from Havilah unto Shur, that is from before Egypt till as thou goest towards Assyria: a spong of ground somewhat nigh a thousand miles, (perchance not so entire but interrupted with other nations) and not bearing a proportionable breadth, consisting generally of the Sandy and stony Arabia, so that a span of isaac's was worth a stride of Ishmaels' possession. However, in relation to Ishmaels' posterity that Prophecy, he shall dwell in the presence of his brethren, admits also of this interpretation, that the land allotted him ranged out so far, that the bounds and borders thereof abutted on all his kindred, Edomites and Israelites his nephews or brother's sons, Moabites and Ammonites his cousins once removed, Midianites descended of his half brother by Keturah, and Egyptians his near kinsmen both by his wife and mother. § 12. In this large country did dwell the twelve b Gen. 25. 13, 14, 15, 16. 1 Chron. 1. 29, 30, 31. sons of Ishmael, which I may call the twelve tribes of the Ishmaelites. 1 Nebaioth. 2 Kedar. 3 Adbeel. 4 Mibsam. 5 Mishma. 6 Duma. 7 Massa. 8 Hadar. 9 Temah. 10 jetur. 11 Naphish. 12 Kedemah. A learned c Vid. Tremel. in locum. man from the allusion of letters and similtude of sounds hath found out in stony, desert, and happy Arabia some places symbolising with these names; and I commend his industry, not daring altogether to concur with his judgement; conceiving the subject in hand to want a bottom for any to build with certainty thereupon. Sooner shall Chemists fix quicksilver, than Geographers place these people in a settled habitation. Indeed mention is made of some d Gen. 25. 16. Towns and Castles (no cities) they had, (perchance some strength to retire to) but generally e Comment in Isaiam li. 5. cap. 21. Saint Hierome tells us, they had neither doors nor bolts, but lived in tents in desert places. Wherefore, as foreiners, for matter of clothes, paint an Englishman with a pair of shears in his hand, taxing therein his levity in following fashions, continuing constant to no kind of apparel; so we may present the Ishmaelites (besides a bow at their backs) with a staff in their hands, to intimate their ambulatory and ever-moving condition. Here we may remember how Hagar being with child with Ishmael, was f Gen. 16. 7. found by the Angel wandering in the wilderness, and as if the pregnant mother's condition had made an impression on her child and his posterity, we find their home to be in a constant roving and wandering in a desert Country. Leave we these Ishmaelites, and come to men of a milder temper, and more fixed habitations, I mean the Moabites. § 13. MOab Son and Granchild of Lot, was incestuously begotten on his edest daughter, in his a Gen. 19 37. drunkenness; after which act, no more mention of Lot or what befell him in the history of the Bible: (drunkenness makes men to forget and to be forgotten, drowning their memories in neglect and obscurity): only after this, the new Testament epithets him b 2 Pet. 2. 7. Righteous Lot. That Spirit of meekness naming good men, not from the obliquity of some acts, but habitual integrity of their hearts. Yea, for love to Lot God granted many great favours to the Moabites, assisting them to conquer the Giants c Deut. 2. 10. Emims, and peaceably possessing them of their Country, with special d Deut. 2. 9 Jud. 11. 15. 17, 18. command to the Israelites not to disturb or molest them in this enjoiment thereof. § 14. Yet the Moabites ill requited Israel's kindness unto them. That falling out which was first begun betwixt the servants, and e Gen. 13. 7. herdsmen, was afterwards continued and increased betwixt the Sons and posterity of Lot and Abraham. Yea upon all occasions the Moabites were backfriends to Israel; witness Balak, who barked at, and Eglon who bit them, whom Israel served f judg. 3. 14. eighteen years. Note by the way, that under the Judges all the heathen which bordered on Israel (Edom almost only excepted, the cause whereof hereafter) g judg. 3. 8. Aramites, h judg. 10. 7. Ammonites, i judg. 6. 1. Midianites, k jud. 13. 1. etc. Philistines &c. did all successively tyrannize over Israel. No shrub growing about on the banks of Canaan was so little, but it was big enough for God thence to gather a Rod to whip his wanton children. Now if it be any ease to the sick-man, to have his bed, not disease often altered, Israel had the favour of exchange of tyrants and variety of oppressors; amongst whom I dare say the Moabites were none of the mildest. More might be said of their malice to the jews, but I spare them for good Ruth, their Countreywomans' sake; who, when all her sister Orpha's complemental Religion came off with a kiss, l Ruth. 1. 14. persevered to wait on Marah her mother-in-law (for m Ruth. 1. 20. so she desired to be called) into the land of Canaan. § 15. But because the Moabites could not be persuaded to love, David was the first who forced them to fear the Kings of Israel; n Psal. ●●. 8. Moab is my washpot, that is, one condemned to servile employments: yea such was David's absolute command over this country, that he o 2 Sam. 8. 2. 1 Chron. 18. 2. measured the Moabites with a line, casting them down to the ground, even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. At the first sight he may seem to have killed two, and saved one: A merciless proportion. But on better consideration it may possibly be, that the preservative might equal both the destructivelines, though not in number, in measure; as one overflowing cup may contain as much as two sparingly filled. What caused this severity in David against the Moabites the Scripture is silent, and I had rather be so too then affirm with the presumptuous Rabbins without warrant, that it was because the King of Moab had slain David's Father and Mother, p 1 Sam. 22. 3. whom he had left there for protection whilst Saul persecuted him. § 16. If any object, this Act of David was a breach of God's q Deut. 2. 9 command, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle, it is answered, 1 This prohibition was temporary to Moses conducting the Israelites, that they should not molest Moab in their passage by his country out of Egypt. 2 Israel might not begin with offensive war to provoke them; but being stricken might strike again, and follow their blow as David did. 3 Moab might be distressed to subjection, not to ejection; might be brought into obedience, not dispossessed of their country. After the defection of the ten Tribes from the house of David, Moab remained tributary to the Kings of Israel till the death of wicked but valiant Ahab. After which time, Moab r 2 King. 1. 17. rebelled, and though s 2 King. 3. 6. attempted was never reduced into obedience by the Kings of Israel. § 17. Moab had the river Arnon on the north, the Dead-sea on the west, Edom on the south, and Arabia on the east. It contained about a square of an hundred miles, fit for grazing; and the people's industry following Nature's guidance to their own profit, principally employed it to that use. Yea Mesha their King is termed a t 2 King. 3. 4. sheep-master. Husbandry doth no more eclipse the resplendent beams of Majesty, than the oil in the Lamp hindereth the bright shining thereof. Guess the greatness of the Grist by the Toll, the multitude of Moabs' flocks from the Tribute he rendered to the Kings of Israel, a u 2 King. 3. 4. hundred thousand Lambs, and a hundred thousand Rams with the wool. § 18. To come now to the particulardescription of Moab, let it not be censured for a needless Tautology in this Map, that therein all the cities of Reuben are again represented, being done deliberately on a double consideration. 1 Formerly that land belonged to Moab before Sihon King of the Amorites had forcibly wrested it away from them. 2 After the Reubenites were carried away captive by Tiglath-Pileser, the Moabites reassumed their ancient possessions, as appears by the w Esay 15. ler. 48. Prophets. As for the particular description of those cities, we remit the Reader to what formerly hath been written in the Tribe of Reuben. § 19 In the north-east bound of Moab towards Midian in the border of Arnon, x Num. 22. 36. which is in the utmost coasts, stood a nameless city, where Balak met Balaam, standing as it were on his tiptoes on the very last label of his land, to reach forth welcome to that false Prophet, who hither road in state with his y Num. 22. 22. two men to attend him, whilst many Ministers of the Truth are forced to be slaves to others, and servants to themselves. But that these two men of Balaam were jannes' and jambres the egyptian enchanters, the Chaldee Paraphrase shall never persuade me, whilst the distance of time and place; protest against the possibility thereof. Not to say that it is likely that the sorcerers, so frequent in the presence of Pharaoh, had long before waited on their Master through the red sea to another world. Hence Balak conducted Balaam to z Num. 22. 39 Kiriath-huzoth or the city of streets, which at that time seems to be the Metropolis of Moab. § 20. Mizpah of Moab followeth, where the Father and Mother of David reposed themselves whilst their Son was persecuted by Saul. Are of Moab, and Rabbah of Moab were also places of great note in this land, and besides these, many other cities of inferior note. But as many mean men living obscurely, so that the world takes no notice of them, if surprised by some unusual and strange mortality, become remarkable for their deaths, who were never memorable for their lives: so some cities of Moab, whereof no mention in Scripture for any action done in, or by them, are only famous in holy writ, for their strange ruin and destruction, by the Prophet sadly foretold, and therefore certainly accomplished. Such are b Read Isa. 16. & jer. 48. Misgab, Horonaim, Luhith, Baith, Eglaim, Ber-elim, Holon, Kirioth, Kirherez and c jer. 48. 2. Madmen. The last as I conceive is noteworthy, not for its own merit, but others mistake. For in the Bibles, and those numerous, printed Anno Dom. 1625. the verse in jeremy is thus rendered, O Maiden the sword shall pursue thee; where the Corrector of the Press conceiving it incongruous to join Thee a singular pronoun, with Madmen (which he mistook for an appellative, no proper name) ran himself upon that dangerous error. § 21. But Kirharasheth seems the Metropolis of Moab. Near to this three Kings, jehoram of judah, jehosaphat of Israel, and the nameless Kingdeputy of Edom, marched on a design to chastise Mesha the rebellious King of Moab into subjection. But wand'ring in the wilderness of Edom they encountered a worse enemy, Thirst itself, wherewith all of them were ready to saint. But happily it happened that Elisha, d 2 King. 3. 11. who poured water on the hands of Eliah, by the same Element seasonably refreshed the hearts of the distressed armies, respecting jehosaphat for his own goodness, the other two Kings for his company. How many general benefits do the very Tares enjoy, because inseparably mingled with the Wheat in the field of this world? Yea, Elisha was an instrument to give them, not only water, but victory (heavens favours go commonly by couples) after this miraculous manner. § 22. The Moabites beholding water miraculously brought in that place, where never any was seen or known before, and the same at distance appearing e 2 King. 3. 22. red unto them, (guilded with the beams of the Sun) concluded it to be blood, and that that Paroyall of Armies had smitten one another. Wonder not that their conjecture was so wide and wild, for well might the Comment be out of the way of Truth, when the Text was out of the Road of nature, and the Moabites on the sudden not capable to suspect a miracle. Hereupon the word is given, f 2 King. 3. 23. Moab to the sporle, which in some sense was true, that is, not to take but become the spoil of others. For the tents they assaulted, being lined with armed men, quickly overcame them. And it is worth our observing, that this victory was bestowed on jehosaphat (my eyes are only on him, on whom alone the g 2 King. 3. 14. looks of Elisha reflected) just in the morning when the h 2 King. 3. 20. Meat-offering was offered, as procured by the Propitiatory virtue thereof; all favours being conferred in and for the merits of Christ the truth of all sacrifices. § 23. God gave, man used this conquest. Improving their success, they i 2 King. 3. 25. beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land, cast every man his stone, and filled it, and stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees. This was contrary to Gods express k Deut. 22. 19 command; but none could better dispense with the Law, than the lawgiver, who in detestation of the rebellion of Moab against Israel l 2 King. 3. 19 enjoined this severity. Only the City of Kirharasheth was left, and that they besieged, until the King of Moab therein took and sacrificed his eldest Son, * Some conceive him (being ambiguous in the text) son to the King of ●d●m, grounding it on Amos 2. 1. who was to succeed him: either out of a bad imitation of jephthah; (and their Idols we know were adored with sacrifices of men) or to give assurance to the besiegers, that they were men resolved to endure all extremities, so that they might presume he that would sacrifice his Son would not spare to spend his soldiers on any desperate adventure. Hereupon the foresaid three Kings surceased their siege: either out of policy, perceiving the same desperate, and unlikely to prevail; or out of a royal sympathy, that it was revenge enough to distress, though not destroy a King or (which is most probable) out of a religious horror (the trembling whereat made their swords fall out of their hands) as unwilling to provoke the besieged any further to such impious, and unhuman performances; lest heaven should arraign them as accessary thereunto, by giving the occasion thereof: whatsoever was the cause, home they returned, content with the spoiling, without the final conquering of the Country. § 24. Many are the invectives of the Prophets against Moab for their sins. The people thereof are charged to have been at ease from their youth, and settled on their m jer. 48. 11. less, because not emptied from vessel to vessel, neither carried into captivity (whilst poor Israel was posted from Canaan to Egypt, from Egypt to Canaan, from Canaan to Babylon, from Babylon to Canaan, backward, and forward) God therefore threateneth, because they had not been emptied from their vessel, to n jer. 48. 38. break them in their vessel, and foretelleth that Moab should be made o jer. 48. 26. drunk (haply alluding to his geniture seeing he was begotten in a fit of drunkenness) and wallow in his vomit; and come to utter destruction. Thus never to be acquainted with any affliction in youth, is a certain prognostic of final confusion in old age. So much for Moab, leaving it to learned men to dispute, what is intended by the p Ier, 48. 47. restauration of Moab foretold in the latter days; as also let them inquire whether that passage in q Dan. 11. 41. Daniel, that after a general overthrow, Edom, Moab &c. should escape, must not mystically be meant of the enemies of the Church, in which sense we may be sure, the devil will have a Moab, as long as God hath any Israel in the world. § 25. AMmon another base Son of Lot, had Midian on the east, Moab on the south, Gad on the west, and Syria on the north: a circular country extending about sixty miles every way. The ancient inhabitants hereof were the Giants r Deut. 2. 20. Zamz●mmims. These were conquered and cast out by the Ammonites, who afterwards dwelled in their country, being a fruitful land, and too good for these Ammonites that bore an inveterate malice to the people of Israel, manifested in many particulars. 1 In their oppressing them s judg. 10. 8. eighteen years till jephthah gave them deliverance. 2 In their cruel conditions (such Ravens and birds of prey first peck out the eyes) tendered to the men of t 1 Sam. 11. 8. jabesh-gilead. 3 In their barbarous abusing David's u 2 Sam. 10. 4. ambassadors. 4 In ripping * Amo. 1. 3. up the bellies of the women with child in Gilead. 5 In their Clapping w Ez●k. 25. 6. their hands, stamping with their feet, and rejoicing in their heart at the sacking of jerusalem by the King of Babylon. 6 In their contriving the destruction of x jer. 40. 14. Gedaliah, and the poor remnant of the jews left behind in the land by the Babylonians. 7 In y N●he. 4. 7, 8. retarding the building of the Temple after the jews return from captivity. And although David and some other Kings, amongst whom Uzziah most remarkable, forced the Ammonites to give them z 2 Chr. 16. 8. gifts; yet we may justly believe the same were presented rather with their hands then their hearts, bearing a cordial grudge against Israel. § 26. Rabbah was the Metropolis of Ammon, called in Scripture the tity of waters, a 2 Sam. 12. 27. because low and plashy in its situation, conducing much to the strength thereof, rendering all undermining of it uneffectuall. But perchance it is so termed from the extraordinary populousness thereof, Waters being often used for People in Scripture phrase, both being at all times unstable and unconstant, and when they get a head implacable, neither speaking nor hearing reason; both useful servants, but intolerable Masters. Here the Iron-bed of Og was preserved for a Relic, being b Deut. 3. 11. nine cubits high and four broad. Now though Alexander's soldiers are said to have left shields in India, far greater than those which they did or could wear in war, only to possess posterity with a false opinion that his men were mightier than they were, yet we may presume this bed of Og was not unproportionably greater than he necessarily used for his ordinary repose. No doubt Og confident of his own strength certainly concluded, that as he did often lie in health upon that bed, so he should quietly die on the same, whereas contrary to his expectation he was slain in the field, and now his bed served him for a Cenotaph or empty monument. § 27. This Rabbah was besieged by joab, to revenge Hanun King of the Ammonites his despiteful usage of David's Ambassadors. Here Uriah engaged in battle was killed, though not conquered, by the treacherous retreat of * 2 Sam. 11. 15. his own countrymen. What a deal of do was here to bring one innocent man to his grave? David's wicked design, joabs' unworthy compliance, Ammon's open force, Israel's secret fraud, and yet all too little, had not Uriahs own credulous simplicity, unspotted loyalty, undaunted courage rather to die then to fly, concurred to hasten his own destruction. Afterwards joab having brought the city to terms of yielding, politicly sends for David solemnly to take his place, to decline all envy from himself, and invest all honour on his Sovereign. Here the glorious Crown of this kingdom was taken, and set on David's c 2 Sam. 12. 1. head: and I dare boldly say it became David better, then him from whom it was taken. But (oh!) what a Bridewell or house of correction was provided for the people of this place! They were d 2 Sam. 12. 31. put under saws, and under harrows of Iron, and under axes of Iron, and made to pass through the brick kilne. See here David's patience provoked into fury. And was it not just that they who would not civilly, like men, use David's * 2 Sam. 10. 4. Ambassadors, should by David's men be barbarously used, like beasts, in slavish employments? § 28. The most populous part of the Kingdom of Ammon lay betwixt Aroer and Minnith, containing no fewer than twenty Cities, (so many represented in our Map) and had I found their names in Scripture, I had imparted them to the Reader. All these e judg. 11. 33. cities were smote by jephthah that most valiant Judge of Israel. For he passed over to the enemy to fight with them, other Judges only expelling them out of Israel, and pursuing them to their own country. An action of very much prowess in jephthah to rouse those wild beasts in their own den, and no less policy, preventing the spoiling of his native soil, and translating the Seat of the war into the land of a foreign so. Here if any demand how the wheat of Minnith comes to be reckoned by the f Ez●k. 27. 17. Prophet, amongst the staple commodities of the land of judah, wherewith she bartered with Tyre, when Minnith was g judg. 11. 33. undoubtedly a city of the Ammonites; it is answered. 1 This fine wheat might first be denominated from Minnith as originally growing there, though afterwards as good and more of that kind grew generally in judea. Thus some flowers, and fruits, Province-Roses, Burgamo pears &c. are as full and fair in other country's as in that place whence they take their name. 2 By Minnith-wheat may be meant, wheat winnowed, cleansed, and dressed after the fine and curious fashion of Minnith. Thus they are called Hungar-dollars, which are refined to the standard of Hungarian gold, in what place or by what Prince soever in Germany they be coined. § 29. We must not forget that after the Tribe of Gad was carried away captive by Tiglath-pileser, the Ammonites seized on and dwelled in the cities of that Tribe. For which reason so many of them are set down in this our Map. This caused the complaint of the h I●r. 49. 1. Prophet; Hath Israel no sons? Hath he no heir? Why then doth their King inherit Gad, and his people dwell in his cities? Sure I am that Ammon double barred with bastardy and incest, though somewhat allied, could never legally succeed to the possessions of Israel. But in such cases, the keenest sword is next to the kin. Not to say that Ammon had a title to that kingdom, before that Sihon King of the Amorites took that land away from them, whereof largely before in the description of Gad. If any ask me what became of the Ammonites in after ages; I answer with David, he i Psal. 37. ●6. passed away, and lo he was not, yea I * No mention of Edom, Moa● or Ammon, in the new Testament sought him, but he could not be found. Yea the less there appears of Ammon, the more there appears of God's justice, and divine truth, foretold by the mouth of k Ez●k 25. 7. Ezekiel, I will cut thee off from the people, and will cause thee to perish out of the countries. § 30. Esau eldest Son of Isaac was red and hairy at his birth; the one showing his ireful nature, the other his hardy constitution. He was highly beloved of his Father (whilst jacob was Gods and his Mother's darling) chiefly for providing him l Gen. 25. 28. Venison: a consideration beneath so good a man, and for which Isaac smarted afterwards, saucing each morsel of his Son's venison in his own tears, caused by Esau's unhappy m Gen. 26. 5. matches, and undutiful demeanour. This Esau is as generally known in Scripture, by the name of Edom given him on this occasion. Coming one day hungry from hunting he sold his birthright to his brother jacob for n Gen. 25. 30. red pottage, red being Edom in Hebrew. I confess many flaws may be found in this bargain and sale, as namely, 1 It was no fair but fraudulent dealing for jacob to surprise his brother, taking advantage of his hunger. 2 The contract was not made on a valuable compensation; not to say it was Simoniacal to sell or buy such heavenly privileges. 3 The heirs of Esau, (as yet in his loins) concerned therein, but not consenting thereto, might justly question their Fathers grant in passing away what by nature was entailed upon them. Wherefore it is safest to turn all our excusing of jacob into our admiring of God's wisdom, who makes men's crooked actions to tend in a straight line to his own glory. And yet we must not forget, that even after Esau had satisfied himself with food, the text saith, Thus o Gen. 25. 34. Esau despised his birthright. It seems thereby, that what his haste and hunger had conveyed his profaneness did deliberately confirm, and by that his neglect and contempt, he acknowledged a Fine, cutting off his heirs from any recovery thereof. Indeed afterwards Esau made it a main matter of p Gen. 27. 36. quarrel with his brother, but never a matter of conscience in himself. But enough hereof: only I will add the crossing of the common rule, Caveat venditor, let here the seller beware, for God took Esau at his word, and accordingly deprived him of his birthright. § 31. But Esau set a greater valuation on his Blessing, wherein being prevented by jacob, he sought it with tears, though they were not a kindly shower of repentance, but only some heat drops of anger and indignation, not so much grieved that he had lost, as vexed that jacob had gotten the Blessing. At last his importunity got from his Father a Blessing though not the blessing, the several clauses whereof we are seriously to consider, because thereon dependeth the right understanding of the conditions of the people and country of Edom, which we are now to describe. Behold q Gen. 27. 39 thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above. Earth is by Isaac first mentioned because by Esau most minded. But oh the difference betwixt the dew of heaven in s Gen. 27. 28. Jacob's and Esau's blessing! In the former it signified God's favour with an undoubted right unto, and sanctified use of divine promises, service and Sacraments: whereas in this blessing of Esau, heavenly dew, was in effect, but earthly dew, temporal terrestrial fertility allowed to this mountainous land of Edom, whose lean hills were larded with many fruitful valleys interposed. Heathen Authors confess no less; Dulce nemus florentis t Statius sylv. lib. 3no. Idumes. The fair grove of flourishing Idumea. Quicquid nobile Ponticis nucetis Foecundis cadit aut jugis u Idem lib. 1. in Satu●● Kal. Decemb. celebrante. Idumes. What ever noble worth destils On Pontus' nut-trees, or what fills The fruitful Idumean Hills. However, divine providence seems to have suited the Countries to the conditions of Isaac's children, giving plaindealing jacob a more low and level Land, and fitting the haughty mind of aspiring Esau with highswelling and ambitious mountains, though he who was nearest to heaven, was farthest from God. And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt be thy Brother's Servant. It is observable, that though God in the time of the Judges, made use of almost all other heathen nations, bordering on the jews, successively to oppress that his own people (Midianites, Ammonites, Moabites, Philistines &c.) Yet he never permitted the Edomites at any time to Lord it over Israel, because (according to Isaac's Blessing) subjection to jacob, not sovereignty over him belonged to Esau, and his posterity. This prophecy of Esau's serving jacob was fully accomplished in the days of David, 1 King. 11. 14. 18. when he put a w 2 Sa●● 8. 14. Garrison in Edom, throughout all Edom put he soldiers, and all they of Edom became David's servants; and so remained tributaries to the Kings of judah and governed by their deputies for one hundred and fifty years and upwards. But it shall come to pass, when thou shalt get the mastery, that thou shalt break his yoke from thy neck. This was fulfilled when the Edomites rebelling against King x 2 King. 8. 22. 2 Chr. 21. 8. jehoram, finally recovered their liberty, whilst he (more cruel to kill his brethren at home, then valiant to conquer his enemies abroad) could never after reduce them into subjection, nor his successors after him. § 32. The Horims first inhabited this Country of Mount Seir; whose Dukes are reckoned up by y Gen. 30. 28. Moses, of whom Duke Anah is most remarkable for his first finding out of Mules, z Gen. 36. 24. as he fed his Father Zibions' Asses: A creature (or rather a living beast) which may be called a real fallacy in nature, whose extraction is a conclusion unduly inferred from the premises of an Hee-asse and a Mare joined together. Yet this is commendable in Mules; they imitate rather the virtues than vices of their Sire, and Dam, having in them, the dulness of the Ass, quickened with the metal of the Mare, and the Mare's stubbornness corrected with the Ass' patience. Barren they are (as to whom God never granted the Charter of increase) and yet a Nat. hist. li. 8. cap. 44. Pliny reports (but it is Pliny who reports it) that in Rome Mules are often recorded to bear young ones, but then always accounted ominous. Let others dispute whether Anah was the Inventour, or only the Repertour of Mules, the industrious Founder, or the casual Finder of them: Let them also discuss whether such copulations be lawful, for men of set purpose to join together several kinds, which God hath parted asunder; yea they may seem to amount to a tacit upbraiding of God's want of wisdom or goodness, in not providing sufficient Creatures for man's service, without such monstrous additionals in nature. If they be concluded unlawful, let them argue whether the constant use of Mules, 1 King. 1. 33. Ezra 2. 66. be not continuing in a known sin; and yet some good men in Scripture, rather than they would go on foot, used to ride on them, though our Saviour * Ma●th. 21. 5. himself accepted of a plain Ass for his own Saddle. § 33. These b Deut. 2. 2●. Horims were at last conquered and extirpated by the Edomites, who succeeded them, and dwelled in their stead. The civil government of the land of Edom was sometimes ducal, sometimes Regal. Moses reckoning up c Gen. 36. 40. eleven Edomite Dukes, leaveth it doubtful, whether they were successively one after another, or went all a breast, as living at the same time, (which is most probable) and so the land divided into Eleven Dukedoms. This is most certain that eight several Kings reigned in Edom one after another, and all d Gen. 36. 31. before there reigned any King over the children of Israel. Thus the wicked as they have their portion in this world; so they quickly come to full age to possess the same, whilst God's children are long children, long kept in nonage, and brought up in the School of affliction. Now it is recorded in e Gen. 36. 31. 1 Chr. 1. 43. Scripture that every Edomite King had successively a several city of his royal residence, namely King's Parentage Royall-city. Bela The son of ●eor Dimhabah. jobab The son of Zerah Bozrah. Husham of the land of Temani Teman. Hadad The son of Bedad Avith. Samla● Masr●kah. Shaut R●hoboth by the river. Baal-banan The son of Achbor Hada● Pan. It is plain those Kings were not by succession, and probably they were not by election, but only by strength and power as they could make their parties, according to Isaac's prediction, f Gen. 26. 40. By thy sword shalt thou live. Now this their frequent removal of their royal City was politicly done. 1 To declare the fullness and freedom of their power and pleasure, that they were not confined to follow the footsteps of their predecessors. 2 To disperse and communicate civility and courtship into all the parts of their kingdom. 3 To honour and adorn the place of their birth, for probably their native, was their royal city. 4 To cut off from one place the occasion of suspicious greatness; Politicians having found in their theory, and Princes perchance felt in their practice the danger thereof. § 34. And now we come to the particular description of the Land of Edom called also Mount-Seir, Dumah, and Idumea in the Scripture. Mount Seir is as much as Mons hispidus, or hirsutus, a rough and rugged mountain. So called some conceive from Esau, who Satyr-like had a quickset of hair on his body, though it seems the place was so g Gen. 14. 6. & 36. 20, 21. named long before he came to possess it as brisling with bushes and overgrown with wood, in the famous wilderness thereof, namely of 1 Teman. The inhabitants hereof were, or were accounted (of themselves or others) very wise. Is h jer. 49. 7. wisdom no more in Teman? Yet all their carnal policy could not preserve them from utter destruction there threatened unto them. Eliphaz one of i job 2. 11. jobs friends was of this Country. 2 Dedan. Such as dwelled therein were merchants, k jer. 49. 8. & Ez●k. 25. 13. and did drive a land trade with Tyrus, bringing thither precious clothes, for chariots; or, in chariots. 3 Edom, l 2 King. 3. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Herein the three Kings wandered and were distressed for want of water, till Elisha relieved them. As for the other two names of this Country Dumah and Id●mea, formerly largely thereof. § 35. Edom had the Dead-sea and Moab on the north-east, Arabia deserta on the east, the wilderness of Paran on the northwest, and the Red-sea on the south-west. A sea not so called from the redness of the water thereof, (yet I know not how it may appear, when beheld with bloodshot eyes) nor from a King Eruthraeus, (for what makes a Greek name so long since in these eastern parts?) but from m Nic. Full●●● Missel. Edom, or Rufus the red son of jacob, commanding in this country, so that Red sea is all one with the Edomite or Idumean Sea. In Hebrew it is termed jam Suph or the flaggy sea, because of the plenty of flags, reeds and weeds found therein, though of the last never so many, as when the wicked Egyptians were drowned therein. Ezion-gaber is a fair haven of great commerce on this sea. Here Solomon n 1 King 9 26. 2 Chr. 8. 17. had his navy royal, which jointly with the ships of Hiram, brought four hundred and twenty talents of gold from Ophir. This it seems was the sum paid de claro into the King's Exchequer, otherwise thirty talents more are mentioned, * 2 Chr. 8 18. probably expended in defraying the cost of the voyage. Long after jehosaphat joining with Ahaziah, hence set forth ships for the same purpose, to the same place, but they o 1 King. 22. 48. went not, for they were broken. Why the seas which smiled on Solomon, should frown on godly jehosaphat, I durst not conjecture (lest my adventuring in guessing, prove as unsuccessful as his in sailing) had not p 2 Chr. 20. 37. Scripture plainly told me, that the winds and the waves forbade the Banes of matching Gods children with Idolaters in the same design. Yea the breath of Eliezer the Prophet, may be said to have sunk those ships, threatening their destruction. Thus those shall never reap good harvest, who plough with an Ox and an Ass, contrary to God's flat q Deut. 22. 10. command. Afterwards, wicked King Ahaziah requested again of jehosaphat, r 1 King. 22. 49. Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships, but the other refused, having foundas bad success with the son at sea, as lately he had had on land with Ahab his Father. Besides, jehosaphat being sensible how his infant-designe was strangled in the womb, and his ships broken at Ezion gaber in the very haven, would not renew his voyage, it being a bold defying of divine power, to water that project from earth, which one plainly sees blasted from heaven. § 36. Other remarkable places in Edom were, first Mount Hor (haply so called from the Horims ancient inhabitants thereof) where Aaron put off his clothes the covering of his body, and his s Num. 20. 28. body the clothes of his soul, and Eleazar his son both buried and succeeded him. Thus though for his disobedience forbidden the entrance of the land of Canaan, yet he came to the selvedge or out-skirt thereof, for hard by, the Tribe of judah with a narrow spong confined on the kingdom of Edom. 2ly The valley of salt, at the south end of the Dead Sea, where God twice seasoned the Edomites, with two sharp and smart overthrows, when Abishai t 1 Chr. 18. 12. killed eighteen thousand, and afterwards when u 2 King. 14. 7. Amaziah killed ten thousand of them in the same place. 3ly w 2 King. 8. 21, 22. 2 Chr. 21. 8 Zair is not far off; where King joram of judah gave the Edomites a great blow, though he could not bring them again into a full subjection. 4ly More south, Bozrah the metropolis of Edom. The name thereof signifieth a muniment or fortification, (hence so many of them in these parts) and it was a place of great strength and renown. The Prophet speaking of Christ returning in triumph from overcoming his enemies: Who is this (saith x Isa. 63. 1. he) that cometh from Edom, with red garments from Bozrah? But oh the difference (though the colour be the same) betwixt the manner of the die, when Christ came read a sufferer, and red a conqueror, the latter from Bozrah, but the former from jerusalem! § 37. Yet Bozrah carrieth it not so clear to be chief in this Country, but that Sclah is a stiff corrival with it for the same honour. This Hebrew name signifies a Rock, in which sense it is called Petra in Greek and Latin, (I say not that Arabia is thence denominated Petraea) standing on a steep hill, from the precipice whereof, Amaziah threw ten thousand Edomites, and they y 2 Chr. 25. 12. all burst to pieces; whereof before; a cruel act, yet admitting of a better excuse, than another he committed in this kingdom in adoring the captive Idols z 2 Chr. 25. 15. of Edom, and setting them up to be worshipped in judah: Did he think that as some trees gain more strength by being transplanted; so these Gods would get new vigour by being removed into another country? 2 King. 14. 7. Petra was by Amaziah named joktheel, and is called Crach at this day, having lately been used for a place, therein to secure the treasure of the Sultan. § 38. So much of Edom: whose ancient antipathy against Israel continued and increased to the last. Witness, their standing in the cross ways to a Obad. 14. cut off them of judah which should escape, and shut up the remnant in the day of affliction. God in conclusion was even with them: for as they had cast b Obad 11. lots upon jerusalem, so at last they drew such a blank for themselves, that notwithstanding their c Obad. 4. Eagles-nests and starry-dwellings (wherein they placed their confidence) they were brought to destruction, their high habitations being so far from saving them, that they only contributed to make their fall more visible to others, and dangerous to themselves. § 39 East of Edom lay the Land of Uz, where job dwelled, so renowned for his patience, when the devil heaped afflictions upon him, allowing him no lucid intervals. Only the more deliberately to torment him, measured unto him, so much space betwixt his several stripes, that job might be distinctly sensible of the smart thereof. Yea this father of confusion observed a methodical gradation in doing mischief, that still the hindmost was the heaviest affliction. 1 The d job 1. 15. Sabeans, a people of Arabia the happy, took away his Oxen when ploughing, and Asses when feeding besides them. 2 Fire of hell falling from heaven (of Satan's sending, and God's suffering) e job 1. 16. consumed his sheep and servants. 3 The Chaldeans coming in three bands fell on his Camels, and carried f job 1. 17. them away. If any object that Chaldea was many miles hence; it is answered that roving crafty thiefs have long strides, and commonly foxlike, prey farthest from their den. Besides, probably the Chaldeans driving a land-trade from Arabia to Babylon with Spices, being Merchant-pirates, did light on this prize in their passage. 4 A wind smote the four g job 1. 19 corners of the house wherein his seven sons were feasting with their three sisters: Nor will any wonder at this wild Hurricane blowing at once from all points of the Compass, when he remembers that Satan is styled the h 1 pho. 2. 2. Prince of the power of the air. 5 His body became an Hospital of diseases, equally painful, shameful, loathsome. How quickly is Dives turned into Lazarus? as if his herds of cattle were turned into i job 2. 7. boiles, and flocks of sheep into so many Scabs on his body. 6 His wife persecuted him with her bad k job 2. 9 counsel. When the physic which should help, traitorously sides with the disease; Oh the doleful condition of the Patient! 7 Lastly, his friends proved his greatest enemies. Others only despoiled him of his goods, they sought to deprive him of his goodness. And whereas job was only passive in his other losses, (plundered of all his wealth against his will) they endeavoured to persuade him voluntarily to resign and surrender his innocence and integrity, and to confess himself an hypocrite; For to this purpose tended their large discourses containing true Doctrines, but false Uses, as applied in relation to job. All these crosses job bare with invincible patience. Insomuch that some Moderns accounting such patience impossible, have turned it all into a Parable, denying the historical, and only making an Allegorical truth of all his sufferings; dealing worse with job, than the devilidid, whose commission extended not to take away his l job 2. 6. life; whereas these men utterly destroy his being, denying such an one ever to have been in Rerum natura. See the baseness of our degenerate days, being so far from following the worthy example of former Heroes, that men's laziness takes a more compendious way, in stead of imitating their virtues, practise to abolish their persons. And yet what clearer demonstration can there be of the historical truth of job, then that his own name, the name of the place of his dwelling are set down, with the names of his foes, friends, and daughters; and the whole History as largely recorded in the old, as briefly repeated in the new m jam. 5. 11. Testament? On the other side we listen as little to those who lessen jobs sufferings, because he lost nothing with in doors, his Coin, Jewels, Plate, and householdstuff (presumed in a considerable equipage to the rest of his substance) remained entire for any thing we find to the contrary. But the wealth of that age chiefly consisted in their stock, so that one may call their cattle their coin, (Grammarians derive Pecunia à pecudibus) bargains in those days not being driven with money in specie, but by bartering of commodities. § 40. But Comical was the end of job, and all things restored double to him: n job 42. 10. so that it had been better for him to have lost more; for than he should have had twice as much restored: only the same number of children were given him, seven sons and three daughters, because his former children, non amissi, sed praemissi, were not foregone, but gone before. Parents may account on their pious children departed, and reckon, not that once they had, but still have them; though not here, in heaven. Yea in some sort jobs children were doubled also, because he lived to see his sons sons to the fourth o job 42. 16. generation. As for the friends of job: Eliphaz the Temanite (of whom formerly) lived in Edom: Bildad the Shubite dwelled hereabouts, as descended from p Gen. 25. 2. Shuah one of Abraham's sons by Keturah: Zophar the Naamathite from Naamah a City after allotted to judah, on the south of judea bordering in Edom q josh, 15. 41. . § 41. Here I omit the Country of Temah with some other petty territories, all parcels of Arabia deserta. Yea the Reader may stand on the edge of this Map, and there smell the fragrancies of Arabia the happy, so called on good reason. Miser's measure Paradise by their profit, Epicures by their pleasure: both met here. And it is hard to say whether the spices or the gold of the country are more renowned. But if heaven should commence an action against Arabia the happy for usurping his privilege, Arabia would non-sute itself, and confess her unhappiness in the midst of all her felicity. For in default of other fuel they are fain to burn and dress their meat with Aromatical wood, which so stupefieth the senses of the people, that they are forced with r Plim. lib. 12. cap. 17. Bitumen and the sent of Goats (where perfumes are too frequent, a stink is a perfume) to qualify their suffocating sweetness. Thus no heaven out of heaven, and no earthly felicity will fall out even measure to content us, but either too much or too little. § 42. It remaineth now that we observe the several stations of the children of Israel coming out of Egypt, which cross this map in fashion of a Belt. We begin at mount Hor their thirty fourth stage in the edge of the land of Edom. Hence Moses sent messengers to request a peaceable passage through the kingdom of Edom, but could not obtain it. No doubt they were jealous of Israel's greatness, and being carnally suspicious of them (because Power generally performeth promises, no further than it complies with its profit) conceived it easier to keep, than cast them out of their country. If a Gen. 32. 6. jacob was frighted with Esau's coming to meet him with four hundred men, Esau was now no less afraid of jacob accosting him with six hundred thousand men. § 43. However, God commanded his people not to force this, but find another passage. It was well more ways than one led to Canaan, else Israel had been at a loss. But wicked men may for a time retard, not finally obstruct our access to happiness. It is but fetching a compass, making two steps for one; a little more pains and patience will do the deed. Israel surrounds the land of Edom, and next sets down at Zalmona. § 44. Here they want water, and fall a muttering, and God sends them more fire in lieu thereof, b Numb. 21. 6. Fiery Serpents to destroy them. Humble praying is the only means to remove; peevish muttering, the ready way to double our distress. Yet afterwards by the setting up of the brazen Serpent, their malady was remedied. Sudden wound, to be hurt with a touch; and as quick a cure, to be healed with a look! Oh lively type of our Saviour's death! Here is both Christ and his Cross; both his Person, and the manner of his Passion, he must be lifted up. Zalmona in Hebrew signifieth the shadowing of a portraiture; probably so named from the Effigies of the Serpent set up in this place. As for the five following, c Num. 33. 42. Phunon, Oboth, jie-abarim, Dibon-gad, and Almon-diblathaim, we find no memorable accident happening at them. § 45. These solemn Gests were, as I may say, the full points, which distinguished the several sentences of the Jewish Peregrination. But besides these there were certain Commas or Colons, I mean intermediate subordinate Stages, where they did bait, not lodge; or perchance lodge for a night, not live any time. Thus after jie-abarim, their 88th. Stage, they pitched successively in 1 The valley of d Num. 21. 13. Zared. 2 By the stream of Arnon. 3 At Beer. 4 Mattanah. 5 Nahaleel. 6 Bamoth. Betwixt Kadesh-barnea and the valley of Zared the space of time was e Deut. 2. 13, 14. thirty and eight years, and at Beer was that famous well, which the Princes digged with their staves (Ensigns of authority are not degraded, f Num. 21. 18. if sometimes used as instruments of industry) except any will say, that with their staves they only pointed out the place, and gave direction to others. As for the reasons why the Israelites were a long time in going so little way, insomuch that that beast in Brasile, which in fourteen g Pet. Heyl. Microcos. days goes no further than a man may throw a stone (therefore called by the Spaniards Pigritia) might overtake them; the reasons hereof in the following Map shall be presented us. Here the Map of the wilderness of Paran is to be inserted. THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN. CHAP. 3. § 1. THe wilderness of a Gen. 21. 21. Paran (wherein a principal place called Phara in the days of b Geog. l. 5. c. 17. Ptolemy) is part of c Gal. 4. 25. Arabia the stony, The bounds and barrenness of this wilderness. hath judea and the Mediterranean-sea, on the north; Egypt, on the west; the Red-sea, on the south-west and full south; Arabia the desert, and therein the kingdom of Edom, on the east. An ocean as (I may say) of sand, whereof it hath inconstant tides, removed in drifts, by the violence of the winds, to the great danger of travellers; without water, or wood, save a few Anchoritepalme-trees scattered here and there, whereof a whole convent seventy in number, was found at Elim, therefore signally noted in d Ezod. 15. 27. Scripture, as a remarkable rarity; other wood hath it none, saith the e Strabo. lib. 16. Geographer, save Thorn and Tamerisk, and of the former sort (I conceive) that f Exod. 3. 2. bush was, nigh Horeb, which burnt, and never consumed. § 2. Here was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 g Strabo lib. 17. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Flying Serpents. plenty of Serpents hidden in the sands, whereof the Israelites had sad experience, when h Numb. 21. 6. stung of them in their passage. Solinus calls them pennatos Serpents, winged Serpents, affirming their poison so active, ut morsum antè mors quam dolor insequatur, that death ensues their biting, before any pain felt thereby. Say not, that a flying-serpent is a contradiction, scarce reconcileable with God's curse on that creature, i Gen. 3. 14. upon the belly shalt thou go, seeing in the levitical law we find the jews forbidden to eat k Levit. 11. 23. all flying-creeping things. And though such Serpents might for a spurt, in a frisk or frolic, make use of their wings, yet creeping was their certain and constant travelling, which they trusted unto. § 3. One may admire, to what purpose, Nature's intent in this desert. nature making nothing in vain, intended this wild desert, the ground whereof for the generality, is like salt when it hath lost its savour, l Matth. 5. 13. which thenceforth is good for nothing. Except any will say, it was merely made to be a foil to the transcendent fruitfulness of judea, and Egypt on both sides thereof. But, we must know, that though barren for the main, and distempered with sterility, yet it had some fertile intervals, especially in the skirts, and purlieus thereof, as about Mount Horeb, where some tolerable herbage, whereon m Exod. 3. 1. Moses pastured his flock. Yea, some nations, Amalekites, Midianites, Gessurites (whose hardy bodies, and fierce souls were fitted for so hungry and course a country) had their habitation in the confines of this wilderness. But, the main end for which this desert may seem ordained, was, that therein God and the Israelites might for forty years mutually prove one another. And upon trial, they appeared a peevish, froward, stubborn people; He, for a long time, patient, long-suffering, slow to wrath; but at last, sure, and severe in punishing such, as had provoked his patience, into unquenchable anger. § 4. Here some will demand, Object. How could they wander forty years in Paran. How was it possible, that the Israelites should busy themselves forty years in passing this wilderness? Had the Patriarches, when twice sent to fetch food out of Egypt into Canaan, stayed a quarter so long, in crossing this desert, certainly (without other help) their Father jacob, and his family had been famished. An English Gentleman, some forty years since, departed from Cairo in the heart of Egypt n S●nds Trau. pag. 136. March the fourth, mounted on a Camel in the company of the Carvan, refreshed himself with o Pag. 138. two days rest in his journey, and came safely to Gaza on the entrance of the land of Canaan, by p Pag. 140. seven a clock on the seventeenth day of the same month. § 5. It is answered; Answ. Several reasons thereof. first, the Israelites went not the q Exod. 13. 17. nearest way through the land of the Philistines, over the narrow neck of the desert, but more southward, over the belly or gulf thereof, where it was of greatest extent. Secondly, their removealls and stations were not arbitrary, at their own disposal, when, how far, and whither they pleased; but were ordered by God's appointment, and the pillar ushering them; probably, staying many months (not to say years) in the same place. Thirdly, they removed not foreright, but with many flexures and indentings, that their tedious travel, in the indirect motions thereof, might mind them of their sins, which caused their sufferings. § 6. They were a crooked r Deut. 32. 5. generation, lost in the laborious labyrinths of their own fancies, who made not their paths strait in God's service, but bend to s Host 11. 7. backsliding they did t Psal. ● 5. 10. err in their hearts, contrary to God, all u 1 Thes. 2. 15. men, and themselves. They would, and would not, and would again; now sick to stay, now wild to go on, now mad to return. God therefore fitted their perverse wills with winding ways, so that no Hare, when hardly put to it by the hounds, and running foil, makes more doublings and redoublings, than they fetched compass, circuits, turns, and returns in this their intricate peregrination. § 7. The Turks (who themselves use to sit still on the ground) wondered at our English men, Chiefly to spend out that generation. to see them walk up and down, some few turns in a Cloister. If your way (said they) w Biddulphs' Trau. pag. 98. lieth to the upper end, why come ye downwards? if at the nether end, why go ye back again? But with how, much admiration would they have beheld the Israelites, passing from Egypt to Canaan? now going full forward, then moving retrograde; now advancing in a straight line, then retraiting in the same. Yea surely, any man would have concluded them not well in their wits, until satisfied in the true cause thereof; namely, that God in this their forty years wand'ring, meant to wear out the whole stock of that faithless generation, Caleb and joshua only excepted. § 8. See what forty years can do, No old men came into Canaan. lay six hundred x Exod. 12. 37. thousand men in their graves, and substitute a new generation in their room. It is observed of Lightning, that sometimes it melteth the sword, and yet bruiseth not the scabbard: and the reason commonly rendered, is, because the steel maketh opposition against it. Thus God miraculously preserved their clothes, and consumed their flesh; their shoes y Deut. 29. 5. waxed not old, but their feet did; their cases were spared, and persons spilt, because God therein met with so much resistance against his commands. Thus the stock of that generation being wholly wasted, no decrepit, or decayed; no impotent, or infirm person entered the promised land, but all able and active, in the prime of their strength, fit to fight, to the greater terror of their enemies. And in a mystical sense this was to show, that not the old man born in the house of bondage, but only the new regenerate creature shall enter the heavenly Canaan. § 9 Come we now to describe the Israelites through this wilderness; The Israelites extremity at the Red-sea. and first of their passage over the Red-sea, when pursued by the Egyptians. Then were they reduced to great extremity. Fight they durst not, being a multitude of undisciplined people, of all ages and sexes, against a regulated army of their enemies; fly they could not, having the sea before, the Egyptians behind, steep z 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. and unpassable hills on either side of them. It was well there was nothing above, betwixt them and heaven, to hinder the access of Moses his prayers to God in their behalf. However, for the present, God so ordered it, that the Egyptians overtook not the camp of Israel, being parted with the pillar of the cloud, the first and perfect pattern of a dark-lantern; dark a Exod. 14. 20. indeed to the Egyptians, but a lantern to the Israelites. Then Moses, by order from heaven, gave the signal with his rod, a strong b Exod. 14. 21. east-wind blew, and the sea miraculously retraited, standing on heaps on each side of the Israelites, whilst they passed through it. Thus, out of danger came safety, the sea flanking the Israelites on both sides, whose rear was secured by the pillar, and front advanced far off out of danger. § 10. Here the importunate cavil of Borphyrius presseth for admission, Porphyrius his cavil. alleging, that Moses taking advantage of a low water, unknown to the Egyptians, passed the people over thereat. Utterly unlikely, that he, being a stranger, should be better acquainted with the secret ebbings of the Red-sea, than the Egyptian-natives, whose country bordered on the shores thereof, beside many other c See Sir Walter Raleigh part 1. lib. 2. c. 3. sect. 9 improbabilities. But, malice must carp at the clearest truth, and had rather lose her small credit in saying nonsense, then great revenge in bringing nothing against it. § 11. True it is, Passed over at the nartowest place. they went over at the wrist of the sleeve of the sea, and crossed it in the shortest place, God making use, not out of any need, but his own mere pleasure, of the narrowest cut of the sea, for their more compendious passage. Thus Christ went into heaven from d Acts 1. 12. Mount Olivet, taking the advantage of the rising ground for his ascent, not out of necessity, but state, the Lord of nature therein graciously accepting of that service, which she dutifully tendered unto him. And though small and short the Red-sea in this place, it was big and broad enough to do the deed, and drown the Egyptians. Oh! if the least joint of the little finger of the sea, be so heavy, how weighty are the loins of the Ocean if let loose! Able in an instant to press all mankind to the pit of destruction. § 12. The Egyptians follow the chase of the Israelites. Strange, The Egyptians drowned. that they left not off their pursuit, at so miraculous an accident! Such a road in the sea, out of the road of nature, seemed not to be gone in, but gazed at with amazement. But they thought; good for one, good for another; and all objections to the contrary, are answered in three words, e Exod. 14. 4. 8. 17. God hardened them. Yea, such, whom he designeth for destruction, shall mistake their funerals for their nuptials, and dance as merrily to their graves as if they went to their wedding. God first sent distraction amongst them, their cripple chariots turned into carts (when their fore-wheels were taken away) halt on very heavily. In vain did the wiser Egyptians persuade a retreat, whilst the returning waters swallow all up in a moment. Mean time the Israelites march fair on, and recover the other side, and then in a double Choir of men f Exod. 15. 1. and women, sing praises unto God for their miraculous deliverance. § 13. But this music was too good to hold long. Their murmuring at Marah. We meet with a new ditty, and worse notes soon after. Three days they wander without water; probably sustained for food, with that unleavened bread, and other provision they brought with them out of Egypt. See here sudden vicissitudes: 1 Water they want. Oh great grief! 2 Water appears plenty at Marah. Oh great joy! 3 This water proves no water, so bitter it could not be drunk. Grief again, and murmuring. 3 The water is cured. Great joy again. This cure Moses effected, casting, by God's direction, a g Exod. 15. 25. tree into it. Thus the infusion of the least piece of Christ's cross (I mean a true interest in his passion) will turn our bitterest afflictions in this world, to become sweet, and pleasant unto us. From this Marah, they remove to their next station at Elim, famous for h Exod. 15. 27. twelve wells of water, and seventy Palmtrees: as if nature had purposely produced, a Well for every Tribe to drink of, a Palmtree for every eminent Elder in Israel to lodge under. § 14. From Elim they removed, Their return to the Red-sea. and encamped by the i Num. 4. 10. Red-sea. What meant their going back again? Was it because in their k Act. 7. 39 hearts they turned back again into Egypt. And therefore God in his justice, would vex their wearied bodies, to fetch a flexure thitherwards? Or rather, was it because God would have them take a second view of that sea, that so their deliverance thereat, might take the firmer, and deeper impression in their memories? Thus scholars who have once conned their lesson by heart, are set again at the week's end to get it for their part. Whatsoever was the cause, sure I am, they were now no nearer to the end of their race, then at the first starting, and these their last three removealls were but cyphers towards the account of their journey. Wonder I no longer at Saint Paul, and his companions in their sea-voyage, when they had sailed l Act. 27. 7. slowly many days, the wind not suffering them, finding these Israelites in their land-travell after so long time, moved, not promoted, yea, going backward; and the slowest snail makes more speed forthright, than the swiftest retrograde Cancer. § 15. From the Red-sea they advanced to the wilderness m Exod. 16. 1. of Sin. For although the wilderness of Paran passeth for the generical name of this whole desert, They come into the wilderness of Sin. yet it was subdivided into many petite wildernesses, namely those of Shur, Eham, Sin, Kadesh, etc. § 16. In the wilderness of Sin, Quails, and Manna. the Israelites fell a murmuring for food. Here over night God gave them n Exod. 16. 13. Quails, (light supper-meat, and easy of digestion) being only exceed, or a feast for a meal; and next morning, their ordinary, or constant fare was delivered out unto them, Manna reigned from heaven. Some conceive it so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Chaldee What? (or rather, o Vide M. Mede Diatri. 3. part pag. 557. who?) from the question made by them at the first sight thereof. But, how came the Israelites, newly come out of Egypt, to speak the Chaldee language? Egypt and Babylon (the one the house of bondage, the other the land of captivity) though meeting in mischief against the children of God, being in time and place far asunder? Rather in Hebrew it signifieth a portion, being their daily allowance, or else p Id●m ibidem. food made ready, prepared for them without their labour or industry. It was no fragments of frankincense, called Manna by Dioscorides and Galen, no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or honey-dew, nor any such mimical drug (being not food, but physic) called Manna at this day by the Apothecaries; but a substance so solid, that it would endure grinding, and pounding, in Mill and Mortar; yet so friable, that it melted at the rising of the Sun. It fell six days, and not on the q Exod. 16. 23. seventh; observed, and enforced by some, for the antiquity, and morality of the Sabbath, this happening before the giving of the fourth Commandment on mount Sinai. § 17. Dim are their eyes who see not Christ typified therein. Christ typified in Manna. Given freely of God's goodness, without any work or merit of man; in a miraculous manner, at first unknown what it was, or r Exod. 16. 15. whence it came, for, who s Isa. 53. 8. shall declare his generation? Equally belonging to all, rich and poor, sufficient for all: t Exod. 18. 31. white in colour, so clear his innocence: pleasant like honey, so sweet are his benefits, u Psal. 34. 8. O taste and see that the Lord is good: beaten, and broken, before eaten; [Christ on the Cross:] given only in the wilderness, ceasing as soon as they came into the land of promise; as Sacraments shall expire when we enjoy the substance in heaven. § 18. Hence they removed to * As for Dophkah and Alish two Intermediate stations, (mentioned Numb. 33. 13.) they are omitted in Exod. because nothing memorable was performed in them. Rephidim, and there fall a murmuring for water. Moses at God's commandment smites the rock, and water w Exod. 17. 6. gushed forth. Saint Paul addeth, and the x 1 Cor. 10. 4. Rock followed them; that is, by a Metonymy, the water issuing thence trailed after them, in all their removealls. In what state did the Israelites march, having a pillar of fire before to usher, and a stream of water their train-bearer, behind them? Both bad masters, but then their good servants. This latter (though little observed) was one cause of the long linger of the Israelites in the wilderness: the pillar conducting them such byways, in levels or declivity of vales in that mountainous country, where the water had a conveniency to be derived after them. How many miles doth the artificial new river make, betwixt Ware and London, finding out flats to expedite the passage thereof? Indeed, God could as easily have made this rock-water climb, and clamber mountains, as lackey at the heels of the Israelites; (though the one was but beside, the other quite against nature) but he would not causelessly multiply miracle on miracle. How the water of this rock was afterwards suspended, and another at Cadesh made successor in the room thereof, shall in due time, God willing, be observed. Rephidim by this ill accident of the people's murmuring, got (no good, but) two new names, Massah and Meribah, temptation and chiding. § 19 Here the children of Israel were in war encountered by the Amalekites, Amali●k opposeth Israel. whose country lay hereabouts. A base barren land, yet too good for the owners thereof, living not so much on their own, as on incursions into their neighbouring countries. Descended from y Gen. 36. 12. Timnah, concubine to Eliphaz, Esau's eldest son: the dregs of whose malice against jacob, and his posterity, were settled in this nation. Whilst joshua in the valley undertook them in a pitched field, Moses in the mount of Horeb assaulted, and battered the gates of heaven with his importunate prayers. With the rising or falling of whose hands, rose or fell the courage, and success of the z Exod. 17. 11. Israelites; till at last supported by Aaron and Hur they procure a final conquest. This Amalek a Num. 24. 20. was the first of the nations that opposed Israel, and therefore just it was, that on him (first opening the matrix of malice) as on the eldest son of Satan, a curse should be entailed, and his heirs for ever; God enjoining his people a truceless war, to the utter b Exod. 17. 14. & 16. extirpation of the Amalekites. § 20. Hence forward we never meet an Amalekite in Scripture, Amal●kites mischievous in conjunction with others. but ever doing mischief. Either stealing; (as when they plundered c 1 Sam. 30. 1. Ziglag, carrying away the women and children thereof captive) or lying, as the d 2 Sam. 1. 8. 10. messenger that told the tidings of the manner of Saul's death; or craftily plotting murder, as e Esther 3. 1. Haman designing the destruction of the Jewish nation; or cruelly performing it, as f 1 Sam. 15. 33. Agag, the barbarous, and bloody King of the Amalekites. Now these Amalekites, after this their first defeat by joshua, were never after able alone to wage war with Israel, but listed themselves as Auxiliaries, with others. Thus under King g judg. 3. 13. Eglon, they joined with Moab, and Ammon; united themselves to h judg. 5. 14. Sisera against Barak; confederated with i judg. 6. 3. Midian, against Gideon; and after the death of Tola, combined with the Sidonians against Israel: These Adjectives only appearing in conjunction, and composition with the enemies of God's people. Yea, it is observable, that the Israelites never engaged against Amalek in set-fight, but constantly came off conquerors, as if the vigour and virtue of Moses his upheld hands, and the rod therein, had continued to all posterity. Thus, besides the victories gotten by Ehud, Barak, and Gideon; Saul smote Amalek, (when contrary to God's command, he k 1 Sam. 15. 9 spared the King, and choicest spoil thereof;) David l 1 Sam. 30. 18. surprised them and regained his captives; and the Tribe of Simeon m 1 Chr. 4. 13. made a successful expedition against them, to mount Seir, in the days of Hezekiah. § 21. We must not forget ●hat mount Horeb, Mount Horeb Go●●mountain whereon Moses did pray, was the place, nigh which formerly, he fed the flocks of jethro his father-in-law. It is called in Scripture, the n Exod. 3. 1. & 1 King. 19 8. mountain of God, either because exceeding high, and by an Hebraisme, all things eminent in their kind, are given to God, (as the Cedars of God, that is, very tall and lofty Cedars) or, because God there miraculously manifested himself in the o Exod. 3. 2. bush that burned, and consumed not. Some hundred years after, Elijah living in a cave of this mountain, heard the Lord passing by, neither in fire, earthquake, or wind, but in a p 1 King. 19 12. still small voice. § 22. Whilst the Israelites abode about Rephidim, jethro Moses his father-in-law, jethro gives Moses a visit. Prince of Midian, a country lying southward from hence towards the Red-sea, repaired hither to give his son a visit, and congratulate his good success. During his abode there, he observed how Moses wearied himself with working, and the people with waiting, whilst all causes arising betwixt q Exod. 12. 37. six hundred thousand men, besides women, (too frequently fruitful in contentions) were brought before him to be decided. He that measureth these people's litigiousness amongst themselves, by their frowardness to God, will less admire, that Samsons back was, then that Moses his brains were not broken, with so great a burden. Surely his prudence was not so much tried with the difficulty, as his patience with the easiness of many trivial matters brought before him. jethro fairly chideth him for over-burdening himself. Send us such cordial wound of a faithful friend, and keep us from the wounding cordials of flattering foes. § 23. His chiding is seconded with counselling him. Chides and counsels him. Thunder doth more harm then good, if not bringing some soft rain along with it. He adviseth Moses to substitute under-governers (reserving an appeal in grand causes to himself) charactered with these cardinal virtues, r Exod. 18. 21. Men of courage, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness. Moses followed his advice, new modelling the people, appointing officers over thousands, and hundreds, and fifties, and ten. Parallel to the last was the original institution of our English s See Lambert of Constables. Tything-men (a word still in use in the west-country) being a superior appointed to oversee ten men, with their families belonging unto them. § 24. From Rephidim (alias Massah, Terrible apparitions at the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai. or Meribah) Israel advanced to mount Sinai; where, after much preparatory state (on purpose to make terrible impressions on the people) of thunder, smoke, and lightning, the law at last was delivered. Small hope, that this Law would give life, which at the giving thereof, almost proved mortal to the beholders. If the Judge be thus terrible, when he but beginneth his charge, what will he be, when proceeding to pronounce the sentence of condemnation on malefactors? The mountain was railed about with a Noli me tangere, the people being commanded to observe a reverential distance. § 25. Hard it is to understand, who of the people, when, and how far, were permitted, or prohibited their approach to this mountain. I conceive the following model clearest in itself, The equipage of the people on Mount Sinai and most consonant to the text; 1 Moses, by divine command, t Exod. 19 12. set bounds round about the borders of Mount Sinai; either drawing a line, or casting up a bank of sand, or cancelling, and railing it with posts: though the last least probable, trees being so scarce, nothing but hunger and horror growing hereabouts. 2 When God came down on mount Sinai, it was death for man or beast to approach those bounds (as made on the skirt of the Mount, which they might not touch) until solemn leave was given unto them. 3 When the u Ibid. v. 13. Trumpet sounded long (as a signal, or watchword for that purpose) the people might come up to the mount (namely up the skirts, and lowest verge thereof, so far as the foresaid bounds gave them leave) and w Ibid. v. 17. hither they advanced under the conduct of Moses. 4 Here the people kept their station, during the promulgation of the law: attentive ears being permitted, but prying eyes forbidden them. Yea, on pain of death they were to proceed x Ibid. v. 21. no farther. 5 Aaron by a Call of grace (as high Priest in reversion) came up higher haply to the midst of the mountain. 6 Whilst thus the people stood at the bottom of the mount, in the Chamber of presence; Aaron in the midst thereof, as in the Privy Chamber; Moses on the mount-top (as in the Bed Chamber, wherein Gods glory rested) conversed with the Divine Majesty. Forget we not, how joshua was disposed, in some unknown distance in this Mount, where he remained with Moses y Exod. 32. 17. forty days. As formerly Barons eldest sons were admitted into the House of Lords, not to vote, but view the passages therein: so joshua Moses his heir apparent, and successor designed in Divine intention, had a peculiar favour, more nearly to behold the transactions on Mount Sinai. § 26. No doubt the Israelites, The jews Idolatty. at the giving of the Law, made large promises to observe it, but very ill performed by them. For, during Moses his absence forty days in the Mount, they solicited Aaron to make them Gods. He to decline the employment, requires the z Exod. 32. 2. earrings (not out of the cabinets, but) from the ears of their wives, sons, and daughters. Hoping, this his motion would make such a general mutiny in all their families, it would finally dash the design. Especially, seeing golden ornaments were accounted essential in those Eastern parts, and their heads, and hands being without earrings, and bracelets, were esteemed more naked, then ours without hats, and gloves. But Aaron herein miss his mark, finding the jews superstition above their pride, or covetousness, who violently broke a Ibid. v. 3. off their earrings, even such as were riveted in their skin with long wearing, so that rather they would fetch away some flesh, then leave any gold behind them. Of these Jewels delivered unto him, Aaron made a molten b Ibid. v. 4. calf for them to worship. § 27. And why a Calf? Why a Calf. could they find no fitter resemblance of God, amongst all the creatures? Why not rather the Lordly Lion, to show the sovereignty; vast Elephant; the immensity; subtle Serpent, the wisdom; long-lived Hart, the eternity; swift Eagle, the ubiquity of God, rather than the silly senseless calf, that eateth Hay? But, the shape mattered not much, for if God be made like any thing he may be made like any thing. It being as unlawful to fashion him an Angel, as a worm, seeing the Commandment c Exod. 20. 4. forbids as well the likeness of things in heaven above, as in earth beneath. But, probably a Calf was preferred before other forms, because they had learned it from the Egyptians worshipping their ox Apis. Thus the Israelites * Exod 12. 35. borrowed, not all gold, and silver, but some dross from the Egyptians, whence they fetched the idolatrous forms of their worship. § 28. Moses descends in haste from the mount, The abolishing thereof. and beholding their impiety, in holy zeal broke the two Tables, wherein the Commandments were written. Then, boldly he seizeth on their Idol, being but one against many thousands. Oh! what an army, innocence and authority carrieth, in a sole person! None durst rescue their calf, and it could not rescue itself; yea, could not so much as low, being now led to be slaughtered. He stamps it to powder, and being now pulverised, and strawed on the water, he d Exod. 32. 20. made the Israelites to drink thereof. Say not, this was uncivil, to force men to drink against their will, and the Persians in their feasts had more goodness, where e Esther 1. 8. none did compel. For, as a Physician, he made the people his Patients, take this potion for their own good. Aurum potabile (they say) is cordial, and this draught would be sovereign for the Israelites, to teach them, how hereafter they worshipped that, which went into the draught. For, now, their Gods made to go before, are gone behind them; and, if so minded, they might meet them next morning in their excrements. § 29. The Idol thus abolished, execution made by the Levites. the idolatry was not thereby instantly expiated. The Levites, at God's summons, and command, with drawn f Exod. 31. 27. swords, went in and out from gate to gate, through the camp, and unpartially slay every one they meet. Wherein observe, they had no commission to kill 1 Children, whose judgement was not out of nonage to discern Idolatry. Besides, God was very tender in preserving the next generation. 2 Nor women: seeing men alone are mentioned to be slain. And although Levi is commended for saying to his mother, g Deut. 33. 9 I have not seen her; this relates not to their kill of women, but that they were inexorable, to spare any at their entreaties. 3 Nor men in their tents; How good is it (especially in sad times) to keep home, and not to be gadding abroad, without great occasion! 4 But only such, as they met straggling, and strutting in the streets, whilst the rest within doors, may charitably be conceived, sorrowing for the sin they had committed. Say not with David, h 2 Sam. 11. 25. the sword-devoureth one as well as another. For, surely Divine providence brought herein the most active offenders to execution. And God was so well pleased with this sacrifice of Levi's offering, that hereafter none other Tribe should offer sacrifice unto him. § 30. The number of the slain were about i Exods. 32. 28. three thousand men. Mercy in God's justice. A great sum in itself, yet divided amongst six hundred k Exod. 12. 37. thousand, it amounteth but just to the twentieth part of decimation, taking but one out of two hundred, and five out of a thousand. And this was the first mortal judgement inflicted on the Israelites, since their coming out of Egypt; for, although formerly they had many times muttered, yet God only chid, not killed any of them. But, ever after this time, they never murmured, but it cost some their lives for the same. Thus Divine Justice is long plucking his arm out of his bosom; but, having once found the use thereof, never striketh in vain. Yea, ever after God improved himself to greater numbers, observing generally a gradation in his judgements, and the price of the Market rose higher to the latter end thereof. But three thousand slain at this time; afterwards fourteen l Num. 16. 19 thousand and seven hundred upon the rebellion of Korah; and m Num. 25. 9 twenty four thousand destroyed by the plague, about the business of Baal-Peor. § 31. The modern jews are of opinion, The error of the modern jews. that all the afflictions which ever since have, do, or shall befall their nation, are still the just punishments on them, for this their first act of Idolatry. And the Rabbins have n Moses Ger●●densis. a saying, that God never inflicts any judgement upon them, but therein is an ounce of his anger on them for their ancestors making the golden o Vide P. Fagium in Caldaic. Exod. Paraphras. Calf. A reverend friend of mine, conversing at Amsterdam with a jewish youth (very capable and ingenious for one of that nation) endeavoured to make him sensible of God's anger upon them, for rejecting and crucifying of Christ; for which foul fact, he showed, how the jews have lived many hundred years in miserable banishment. But, the youth would in no wise acknowledge their sufferings, any effect, or punishment of their murdering of Christ, but taking his Bible, turned to Gods threatening immediately after their making of the Calf, Exod. 32. 34. Nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them; so interpreting, and applying all the numerous calamities, which since have befallen them, to relate to no other cause, then that their first idolatry. Whereas indeed, the arrears of their idolatry long ago were satisfied, and this is a new debt of later date, contracted on themselves by their infidelity. § 32. Many more matters of moment happened during the Israelites abode at mount Sinai; Many remarkable at Mount Sinai. as instructions delivered to Moses, for the building of the Ark, by him performed accordingly, (whereof in the next chapter) the first numbering of the people since their coming out of Egypt, with the giving of the Ceremonial, and Judicial law. From mount Sinai they marched by p Num. 11. 3. Taberah, that is, a burning, (because there, the fire of God, till quenched by Moses his prayer, consumed the hindmost in the camp, for their murmuring) on to Kibroth-Hattaavah. § 33. Here the people fell a longingfor meat, Mama loathed by the Israelites. and loathing q Num. 11. 4. of Manna, though man could eat no cheaper, Angels no better food. But, oh! thought they, no Manna to variety. Always the same in substance, though disguised in dressing, proved offensive unto them. This makes me suspect the truth, of what Saint Augustine out of the Rabbins reports, that Manna relished in every man's mouth, as their fancy affected, so that all flesh, fish, and fowl were virtually epitomised therein. If so, the jews had no * Vide Augustinum. tom. 2. pag. 558. & Retract. lib. 2. cap. 20. pretence to distaste, what tasted as themselves did desire. Except any will say, they desired to feast their eye, as well as their palate, and several meats, not diversified in sight, were nauseous unto them. Had not the fever of their lust put their mouths quite out of taste, to prefer an Egyptian r Num. ●1. 5. Cucumber before such heavenly repast? § 34. Here God gave them flesh with a vengeance, Quails sent them the second time. sending Quails now the second time unto them, after a different manner, then what formerly he had given them at the wilderness of Sin. Then, 1 They s Exod. 16. 3. murmured out of hunger and necessity, having nothing to eat. 2 Those Quales lasted but one t Exod. 16. 13. meal. 3. They were safely eaten, and well digested. Now, 1 They murmured out of humour, and curiosity, because they had nothing but Manna. 2 These Quails continued a whole u Num. 11. 20. month. 3 Many Israelites were slain, whilst the meat was in their mouths. The Psalmist addeth, that God slew the w Psal. 78. 31. wealthiest, or fattest of them: the judgement fell heaviest on men of the primest quality. Which mindeth me (though barring all uncharitable application) of a strange mortality in England Anno 1558. at the death of Queen Mary, when a dainty mouthed disease did rage, which (passing by poor people) fed generally on x Communis quaedam lues exardore febrium per universes Angliae ordines permeabat, & in ill is maximè divites & honoratas personas depopulabatur. Haddon cont. Os●rium. fo. 25. principal persons, of greatest wealth, and estate. The place where this execution was done, was called Kibroth-Hat-taavah, or, the grave of lustres. § 35. * Miriam and Aaron brawl with Moses. Hence they removed to y Num. 11. 35. Hazeroth, where happened the contest of z Num. 12. 1. Miriam and Aaron against Moses, because of the Ethiopian [or Cushite woman] whom he had married. Understand we Zipporah hereby (Moses having wife enough of her alone, as appears by her shrewish a Exod. 4. 25. returns) being an Ethiopian at large, Midian being part of the Asiatic Cush, as learned men have cleared beyond opposition. Wherefore we look on the Lady Tarbith, as no Bride of Moses, but Brat of josephus, begotten of his luxurious fancy. True it is, many years since Moses was married to Zipporah, and yet no wonder, that now they made it new matter for fresh falling out. For, Anger can keep an accusation long dormant in the deck, and awaken it at last, when conceiving it most for its advantage. § 36. That Miriam was most active in this brawl, Miriam most active. is not only probable from the female subject thereof, but may certainly be collected from the first naming of her, [ b Num. 12. 1. And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses] and the punishment lighting heaviest upon her. For, God making himself umpire, ended the brawl, cleared Moses, checked Aaron, and punished Miriam with seven days leprosy. During which time the Congregation of Israel c Num. 12. 15. not removing out of regard to her (leprous Miriam is Miriam still, a good woman for the main; and such, when smarting for their faults, are not to be cast away, but comforted) respectfully attended her recovery. § 37. Hence they removed to the Wilderness of Paran, Murmurings occasioned by the false report of Spies. whence spies were sent to search the land, and whither after forty days they returned, with medley tidings in their mouths, feeding such as sent them with a bit and a knock; great d Num. 13. 23. grapes, figs, and pomegranates, but withal telling them, that the rest (whereof these were a sample) must cost bloody blows, before they could quietly be gathered. Here we will not defend their falsehoods by a figure pleading a Miosis, when they in respect of the Anakims, e Num 13. 33. were in their own sight as Grasshoppers, whilst the Cities of the Cana●nites (liars relations like the sea, what they lose in one place, gain in another) were (by an Hyperbole bringing both stone and mortar) f Deut. 1 2●. walled up to heaven; seeing, in down right terms, they with their carnal fear, flatly belied both the place, and people therein. Yea, what if their walls had reached up to heaven? Did not Israel's help come down from thence? so that the bottom of their comfort, was higher than the battlements of their enemy's buildings. Hereat the people fall a muttering and whilst Caleb and joshua, the only two Tell-truths, endeavoured to undeceive, and encourage the people, instead of stilling them, they had been stoned themselves, if the glorious appearance of God out of the Tabernacle had not seasonably g Num. 1. 10. interposed betwixt their innocence, and the fury of the multitude. § 38. God (as justly he might) took this their affront in high indignity, This the tenth temptation. especially seeing since their coming out of Egypt, they had tempted him now these h Num. 14 22. ten times, and this decumana tentatio as yet the last and greatest. Ten Commandments he gave them to observe, and ten temptations they already returned him in lieu thereof. Surely God is a just Accountant, not charging more faults on their score, than they were guilty of, but let us reckon up as many murmurings of them as appear in Scripture. Not to speak of the personal faults of Nadab and Abihu offering with i Levit. 10 1. strange fire, (conceived drunk at the same time, because immediately after, wine and strong drink are forbidden the Priests when they officiate) one that k Levit. 34. 11. blasphemed, another gathering l Num. 15. 32. sticks on the Sabbath; we insist on more general and solemn Rebellions, out of the stock of the public infidelity. 1 Before their coming over the Red-sea. Exod. 14. 11. 2 At Marah for want of water. Exod. 15. 24. 3 In Sin Wilderness for lack of food. Exod. 16. 2. 4 At the same place, some keeping Manna till it st●nk. ver. 20. contrary to Gods command. 5 Others going out to gather it on the Sabbath. ver. 27. contrary to Gods command. 6 At Rephidim, for want of water. Exod. 17. 2. 7 For the absence of Moses, when they made the calf Exod. 32. 1. 8 At Taberah, when fire consumed them. Numb. 11. 1. 9 At Kibroth-Hattaavah longing for food. Numb. 11. 4. 10 At this time after the return of the Spies. Yet not to stand strictly on ten, perchance, a certain is put for an uncertain number (Thou hast changed my wages m Gen. 31. 41. ten times, that is, very often.) Not that the jews tempted God under, but rather over that number, their several impieties not being all expressed, as appears by the charge of the Prophet Amos, In the n Amos 5. 26. wilderness forty years, o house of Israel, you have born the Tabernacle of Moloch, and Chiun your images &c. being guilty of more Idolatry, then is particularly mentioned by Moses. § 39 The place whence the Spies were sent, Three names to one place. and whither they returned is called in Scripture by three several names; 1 o Num. 33. 18. Rithmah, as may be collected from the order of their several stations. This we conceive the centre of the camp, and punctual place (otherwise but obscure in itself) where the Tabernacle was pitched. 2 p Deut. 1. 19 Kadesh-barnea, whither the out skirts of that numerous Camp, distant some space, might extend. 3 The Wilderness of q Num. 12. 16. & 13. 3. Paran, which though the generical name to the whole Desert, is here appropriated to a particular part thereof. Thus in Asia a fourth part of the world, there is the lesser Asia (now Anatolia) a large Country, and therein r 1 Pet. 1. 1. proper Asia a little Province (which I may call the Asia of ASIA in ASIA) as here, this proper Paran in the midst of the great Wilderness of the same name. § 40. God on their disobedience condemned this whole generation (Caleb and joshua excepted) to death in the Wilderness, forbidding them farther approach to the land of Canaan, and enjoining their tedious return toward the Red-sea. Notwithstanding whose prohibition, some outlawed of his protection, armed only with their own stubborness (as if with their gold and silver, they had borrowed also part of Pharaohs hardened heart) without Pillar to guide, or Ark to accompany them, advanced forward, and became a s Num. 14. 45. prey to the Canaanites, and Amalekites. And no wonder, if such who in their march set their faces against God's command, be found in their retreat (or flight rather) turning their backs towards their enemies. The rest were remanded by God's order towards the south, who from Rithmah their fifteenth, to Kadesh their thirty third station, spent well-nigh thirty eight years, and were spent by the same, wherein all that generation was consumed. § 41. Which term of time we may fitly call the Gulf of silence, The gulf of silence. nothing remarkable being stored thereof in Scripture, save only the rebellion of t Num. 16. 1. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and that also without any notation of the particular place whereon it was acted. Yet u Ainsworth on Numb. 33. learned men with some probability conceive, that w Num. 33. 25. Makheloth the two and twentieth stage of the Israelites, was the Theatre of so sad a Tragedy, because interpreted Assemblies in the Hebrew tongue, the same word which in the Original is used, when those mutineers are said to x Num. 16. 3. gather themselves together against Moses. § 42. Come we now to Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin their thirty third resting place, They come to Kad●sh. where one may rationally hope to find much reformation amongst the people, if all things be seriously considered. For, such as survived of the old generation, seeing their equals in age extinguished before their eyes, and this the last year (in their lease of forty) begun, should probably prove older and wiser, learning wit from others woe not to provoke God. And the succeeding generation were concerned to carry themselves accordingly, being Probationers upon their good behaviour, to be admitted into Canaan, coming now to the confines thereof. 〈…〉 § 45. It is observable, Moses punished for the people. that since the Israelites making of the Calf, all their mutterings were mortal, and cost many their lives: yet only here at Kadesh none were slain for their disobedience, save Moses and Aaron (eminently worth thousands of others) who here had the sentence of death pronounced against them (though reprieved for a time) and rendered uncapable of their entering into Canaan, as if the rest had fared the better for their punishment, God not willing that the chief Magistrate, chief Minister and all the people should smart at the same time, for the same offence. § 46. Here we take our farewell of the Israelites, A farewell to the Israelites. much admiring at their constant disobedience, notwithstanding their manifold deliverances, so that miracles grown customary with them, were (like Manna) contemned for their commonness, and the Pillar of f Num. 14. 14. fire going before them (What is ever seen, is never seen) made no more impression on theirs, than the rising and setting of the glorious Sun, doth on our thankfulness. Yea, still they persisted to rebel against God, and (which is remarkable) lust was their last tempting of him, committing carnal and spiritual g Num. 25. ●● whoredom with the daughters of Moa●, whereof formerly in the Description h Pag. 63. §. 19 of Reuben. Now the old generation began to run drogs, (very few of them being left alive, and therefore strange it is, that any of them should be wanton in their old age (How ill doth green thoughts sui● with grey heads?) though probably some of them having one foot in the grave, had an Arm in those amorous embraces. § 47. But whilst we condemn the jews, Admonition to the English. we see not the stubbornness in our own hearts. A brainsick opinion hath possessed many English now adays, that they are descended from jewish extraction, and some pretend to derive their pedigree (but out of what Herald's office I know not) from jewish parentage. Here a mystical truth may be wrapped up in a literal lie: (Old-Iury is a street of large extent) and too much of jewish blood, spirits, marrow; fill, move, fraught; our veins, nerves, bones; i Amos 2. 13. pressing God under the weight of our sins, who daily k Psal. 68 19 loadeth us with his benefits; who, besides other favours, in the daytime of posperity is a pillar of a cloud to cool, check, and counsel; in the night of adversity a pillar of fire to cheer, comfort, and conduct us, and yet neither effectually works our serious amendment. Thus leaving the tedious travels of the jews, we come to the ready road betwixt Egypt and Can●an, which may be gone over in far fewer days, than they spent years in their passage. § 48. Some will say, joseph defended for want of affection. if so short a cut betwixt Egypt and Canaan, how can joseph be excused for lack of filial affection, in not sending so long time to his Father, to rectify his mistake, and to untorture him from the apprehension of his sons supposed death? Especially, seeing his Father's numerous family on small enquiry might easily be found out, even by the sign of his different religion from the rest of the Country. All that can be answered is, joseph had some immediate security, and assurance from God, that his dreams in due time should take full effect, and therefore attended whilst providence seasonably ripened the same by his own means: his obedience to God (whose ways he waited on) stopping his expression of his love to his parent, which flowed forth at last the more plentifully, for being so long dammed up before. § 49. This compendious passage betwixt Egypt and Canaan, Sy●●on lake and Casian Mountain. leaveth the Mediterranean sea on the left hand, as also the Syrbon-lake, formerly much larger, now daily decreasing, since the inlet thereof into the sea, hath been choked up with the sand. More eastward it passeth by the Mount Casius, famous for the burial of the unfortunate Pompey the great therein, by a poor soldier, until Adrian the Emperor afterwards bestowed a fair Monument upon him. But neither this Mountain, nor any other place on this road is mentioned in Scripture, save two Inns thereon of eminent note. § 50. Of these that the ancientest wherein the ten sons of their Father jacob lodged in their going down to Egypt. The most ancient Inn. I say the ten sons of one Father. And therefore the same is pertinently alleged by them in their purgation that they were no spies, l Gen. 42. 11. because all one man's children, (which some resemblance in their countenances [probably] might partly evidence) it being utterly unlikely, that persons sent on so dangerous discoveries should all be taken out of one family, (to the final extirpation thereof, if miscarrying in the design) whereas generally Spies, (like a Party commanded out of several troops, when sent on desperate service) are chosen out of divers households, (with those which Moses sent to search the land, one out of m Num. 13. 2. every Tribe) that if cut off in the Action, the loss may be the lighter when divided amongst many families. Here those brethren were, in their return, troubled with too much money, (wealth hath her distractions as well as want) the silver in their n Gen. 52. 28. Sacks, which they beheld as a bait laid there to ensnare them, though all came off joyfully at the last. § 51. The other Inn (on or near this road) was that wherein Moses (coming out of Midian and compass the Red-sea) lodged with his wife and children. Moses his Inn. An Inn which was likely to have proved his o Eccles. 12. 5. long-home, and Moses his Embassy to Pharaoh, was almost turned there into an errand unto his own grave, yea the messenger well-nigh dispatched before the message, God seeking to p Exod. 4. 24. kill him, for neglecting the circumcising of his sons. Whether because his forty years living in Midian, had made him more remiss in his Religion, or out of a peaceable compliance to purchase the quiet of his wise, whose averseness herein appears by her words and gesture, at the same time here casting her son's foreskin at his feet, yet hitting him in the teeth q Exod. 4. 25. there with, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. § 52. Now to take our farewell of this Wilderness, People living in this Wilderness. as barren as it was, some people, (besides the Amalekites formerly spoken of) made a shift to live therein. (No place so dry with sand, or hard with rocks, but, if well cooked with industry, it will make mans-meat, especially for hungry-stomaches.) As the Madianites, where jethro was Prince in the South-west, on the Red-sea, the r 1 Sam. 24. 8. Geshurites, and Gezrites in the North-east, betwixt Egypt and Shur, and above all, the Kenites, who at first lived mixed with the Amalekites. § 53. By Kenites we understand not that antiquated nation, The Kenites. whose lands God promised to s Gen. 15. 19 See our fir●t book pag. 19 Abraham, but a people descended from Hobab t Judge 4 11. or jethro the father-in-law to Moses, some whereof removed out of this Wilderness, and planted themselves near the Tribe u Ibidem. of Napthali, others continued here, and both Colonies of them always kept good corresponcie with the Israelites. Saul, when sent against the Amalekites, was very civil to these southern Kenites, both warning and wishing them seasonably to w 1 Sam. 15. 6. depart at which time I conceive they hitched their Habitations; a little more Northward, and nearer to juduh. These Kenites, (though Gentiles and strangers) were kinder to David, than the Keilites, (jews, of his own Tribe) who though engaged to David for delivering them from their enemies, yet ungratefully x 1 Sam. 2●. 12. intended to betray him to Saul. Whereas the Kenites, though bound to Saul for a late favour received from him, yet protected David's innocence from Saul's persecution, their Cities being one of David's Topics, y 1 Sam. 30. 29. or place where he haunted, and whither he sent part of the spoil he had taken from the Amalekites. § 54. Here let Balaams' prophecy be well heeded, Balaam his prophesy of the Kenites. when looking on the Kenites, Strong (saith he) is thy dwelling place, z Num. 24. 21. and thou puttest thy nest in A ROCK, nevertheless the Kenites shall be wasted, until [or rather a See Ainsworth in locum. whilst] Ashur shall carry thee away captive. By Rock, (besides the local position of their dwelling) we understand, their confederacy and association with the jews in the true Religion, (being accounted Proselytes) and sharing with them in the same success, as carried away by the Assyrian to Babylon, and returning again when the rest of the jews were restored, seeing we find some Kenites b 1 Chr. 12. 55. mentioned after the captivity, and are (as the text intimates) conceived to be the same with abstemious Family of the Rechabites. Here the draught of the Tabernacle is to be inserted. Icon TABERNACULI ex Aria Montano desumpta GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE TABERNACLE. CHAP. IU. § 1. IN all peaceable times, Always some public places for God's service. even from the infancy of mankind, certain places were set apart for God's public service. Thus the ancient a Gen. 12. 7, 8. & Gen. 13. 3. etc. Patriarches, no sooner pitched down their tents, but they reared up an Altar for divine worship. Indeed this laudable custom had been intermitted, discontinued and suspended during the Israelites affliction in Egypt, making hard shift to serve God with safety, and secrecy in their own houses, when public places of adoration were prohibited: as always in time of persecution, any place which hath the properties of Capacity and Privacy, (to hold and hide the people assembled therein) may serve for that purpose. But no sooner were the Israelites restored to their liberty (though as yet but in a barren wilderness) but that God issued out order for the erection of his Tabernacle to place his Name, and fix his people's devotion therein. § 2. The materials of this Tabernacle were taken from the Egyptians, Egyptians justly spoiled. when the Israelites, at their departure, b Exod. 12. 35. borrowed of them jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. The text saith (according to the old Translation) that they c Exod. 12. 36. rob the Egyptians: as indeed to borrow, with an intent never to pay, is no better than flat felony. But, although this act of the Israelites was robbery, quoad effectum, leaving the Egyptians spoiled and naked; yet it was none, quoad reatum, having not only a Commission, but d Exod. 12. 12. Command from God for the same. And albeit the Egyptians are in some sense, then said, to e Exod. 12. 36. lend to the Israelites, yet in very deed they did but pay back their due unto them. § 3. See what it is to detain the wages of the hireling. Wages long detained paid with a witness. Many a year had these Israelites, and their Fathers toiled, and moiled in Egypt, and had nothing for their pains but their labour. But now, both the Principal, and Consideration for their forbearance thereof, was laid them down in a lump all together▪ Indeed they are said to have builded Treasure f Exod. 1. 11. Cities for Pharaoh; whereas in fine Pharaoh proved but the Treasurer and Storer for them, carefully keeping their money for them, till it amounted to a mass, for their greater benefit; which, if formerly paid them by inconsiderable parcels, might possibly have been spent, as fast as received. § 4. Amongst the materials offered for the building of the Tahernacle, All persons promote God's Tabernacle. all Persons presented things proportionable to their own professions and conditions. The Princes brought g Exod. 35. 27. Precious stones, rich people Gold and Silver, the middle sort fine Linneu and Brass (not an ounce of iron being used in all the Fabric) and the meanest Goat's hair and Badgers skins. And as men sent their purses, so the women lent their pains, the wise hearted amongst them, h Exod. 35. 25. spinning with their hands, blue, soarlet, and fine linen for the Tabernacle. § 5. Behold here, But still keep their callings. how all advanced Gods work, yet every one continued in his own vocation. Blame worthy their Pride, who will be nothing, if they may not all be Bezaleels at the building of the Tabernacle. i Rom. 10. 15. How shall they preach except they be sent? De jure: How can they preach lawfully and comfortably? though de facto, they presume to do it although but to the small profit of others, and great danger of themselves. § 6. But that which most commended the offering of the Israelites in the sight of God, was their readiness and willingness therein. None were rated, or taxed to this work, but all flowed freely from them. This purified poor people's Brass into refined gold, and changed their Goatshair into silk, in God's acceptance thereof. Otherwise, many may be the Item's in men's Account, and yet all of them amount to just nothing in divine acceptation, only for the want of a good Imprimis. For if there be FIRST a k 2 Cor. 8. 12. willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not that he hath not. § 7. One main motive which made them more bountiful, A main motive of their bounty. was to expiate the late guilt that they had contracted by making the Calf; when off went the l Exod. 32. 3. earrings of the women and their children, to that Idolatrous use. They were therefore engaged to drown that stain with a more plentiful stream of gifts to God's service. Thus, the consideration how prodigal we have formerly been to sin and Satan, aught to make us hereafter more liberal in the performance of divine duties: m Rom. 6. 19 For as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity, unto iniquity: even so now yield your members servants to righteousness, unto holiness. § 8. Yea, Their bounty restrained by Proclamation. such was the springtide of the Israelites bounty herein, that to prevent the danger of a deluge, bounds were set thereunto, Hither shalt thou come and no further: They brought n Exod. 36. 5. much more then enough, for the service of the work which the Lord had commanded to make. Insomuch that Moses issued out a o Ibid. ver. 6. Proclamation of restraint, that no more should be brought to that purpose. Oh the shame! that people's liberality under the Law should need a bridle, which needs a spur under the Gospel! § 9 Here we may take notice of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Moses his contented mind. and contented mind of Moses. Had he been possessed with the humour of the p Prov. 30. 15. Horseleech, Give, give; yea, had he been but pleased to have been the Cistern whilst the children of Israel were glad to be the fountain, what a mass of money might he have advanced for himself, and yet have unsuspectedly charged all on the account of the Tabernacle? How might he have feasted his family and friends with the full baskets of the fragments left of their liberality? But Moses was of the same mind, with his great-great-grand-father Abraham, who would not take even from a q Gen. 14. 23. thread to a shoe-latchet, of what was not his own, that none but God might make him rich. And thus honest hearts will rather cut off their hands, then lick their own fingers, for their private profit, when entrusted only as Stewards for the public good. § 10. It may seem strange, Why so bountiful to this building, and afterwards backward in goodness. that these jews, who now were so forward to serve God, should soon after prove so backward in his worship, and provoke him so often by their manifold infidelities and rebellions against God. Many of these bountiful contributors to the Tabernacle, being devoid of true grace, and some of this people slain afterwards for their disobedience. But herein we may consider: 1 That this building was but a worldly Sanctuary, as the r Heb. 9 1. Apostle calleth it. And therefore no wonder, if men, otherwise given to s Ti●us 2. 12. worldly lusts, were liberal thereunto. 2 Carnal men may take a natural delight in outward visible works, whilst a confluence of vainglory and hypocrisy may make the torrent of their bounty the greater. 3 Such outward performances are easy in comparison of that difficult and spiritual masterpiece, the mortifying of men's inward corruptions. Hence came it to pass, that many that brought gold to the Tabernacle, proved themselves but dross afterwards, and fell in the conspiracy of t Num. 16. Korah and his company, and other their mutinies made against Moses. § 11. The Platform of this Tabernacle was by God delivered to Moses in the Mount; Moses receives the pattern. With a strict charge, to make all things conformable thereunto. And he herein so exactly observed his instructions, without the least deviation from them, that in the two last chapters of Exodus, where the erecting of the Tabernacle, with the Utensils thereof, is described, these words are twelve several times solemnly repeated, As the Lord commanded Moses. So dangerous it is to introduce any thing as essential to God's worship, which is not of divine institution. § 12. Bazaleel is appointed Master-workman, B●zaleel and Aholiab, Artisans. one of a prosperous name, whose parents may be presumed pious, comfortably calling their child (though born in Egypt under the parching heat of persecution) in the shadow of the Lord, as his name seems to import. This Bazaleel was one of all crafts, skilful to a Exod. 31. 4, 5. work in gold, silver, brass, precious stones, and timber (whereas amongst us, Gravers in gold are utterly at a loss to work in wood) Goldsmith, Lapidary, Carver, Carpenter, never Apprentice to any, yet Master in all Handicrafts to work, and Head-crafts to contrive by divine inspiration. And there was b Exod. 31. 6. given with him Aholiab of the Tribe of Dan (as a Secondary, inferior to the former in skill, not to clash with, but submit to his judgement) so that, as all the fine linen used in the Tabernacle, was for the more strength thereof c Fine twined linen mentioned about sixteen times in making the Tabernacle. twined by divine command: so God also twisted two curious Artisans together (besides many other wise hearted men) that the building might be the more substantially effected. § 13. The Tabernacle taken in general consisted of two principal parts: Two principal parts of the Tabernacle. 1 The Court of the Tabernacle, being an d Exod. 27. 9 hundred Cubits long, and e Ibid. ver. 13. fifty broad, made with hangings and pillars for side-walls, and without roof, open at top, parallel to the outward Courts of Solomon's Temple. 2 The covered Tabernacle (consisting of the Holy, and Holy of Holies) answering to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or roofed Temple, whose length may be collected to be thirty yards (accounting a Cubit a yard) because composed of twenty f Exod. 26. 18. boards, standing g Ibid. ver. 15. upwards, each a h Ibid. ver. 16. Cubit and an half in breadth (so that the breadth of the boards joined together made the length of the Tabernacle) the height thereof being the length of the boards, that is ten Cubits, and the breadth thereof of the same proportion. This latter alone is presented in our Map, as the proper subject of our description. It was without windows, admitting no natural light, (save what entered in on the east at the door when opened) the defect whereof was supplied with the constant light from the sevenfold Golden Candlestick. § 14. To resume the boards of the Tabernacle; The breadth, gilding, sockets and bars of the boards. we have (as formerly) their length, and breadth, but not thickness expressed in Scripture. Arias Montanus conceives them almost a Cubit thick, but if so, they had rather been trabes quam asseres, beams than boards; whilst josephus more probably conjectures them four fingers thick, and we may conclude them so substantial, as was consistent with their portableness. They were i Exod. 26. 29. overlaid with gold, understand it, they were gilded over, both because, if covered with gold-plate, the same was more subject to discomposure at the disjointing and removing thereof, and because it is impossible such a mass of the purest metal should be found with exiles in the wilderness. Each board had two k Exod 26. 29. tenons fastened in their silver sockets, which sockets some conceive made fitchy, or picked, to be put into the earth; which we rather believe flat and firm, standing fast on the surface of the ground, otherwise no need of silver sockets if their bravery was all buried in the earth. These boards had bars also (overlaid with gold) in the midst of them, l Ibid. ver. 29. (understand it not perforating their thickness, but) running along their breadth in an even proportion through golden rings (as in our draught is described) to make them the more portable. § 15. The inside of the Tabernacle was covered with curious courtains embroidered with Cherubims, The inside and roof thereof. and a threefold roof (showing the * Exod. 26. 14. plentifulness of divine protection over the Church against all dangers) covered the same. One of Goatshair, (spun into cloth) another of Rams skins died red, and a third of Badgers-skins; the latter no doubt had the fur upon them, the lubricity of the hair thereof being excellent gutters and spouts to shoot down the rain thereby. § 16. But amongst all the materials in the Tabernacle none more frequently mentioned then Shittim-wood, Three properties of Shittim-wood. though learned men agree not, what it was, or where it grew. But, leaving them to abound in their own sense, we will content ourselves with three principal properties of this wood. First, it was very durable, therefore usually translated in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, wood which never rotteth. Secondly, it was portable, very light for carriage, else the Israelites coming out of Egypt, would never have cumbered themselves, to have brought heavy lumber along, seeing such shittim wood was not felled by them in the way, but m Exod. 35. 24. found with them, as the text doth observe. Lastly, it was precious, used in the midst of the most Utensils of the Tabernacle: Ark, and both the Altars, typifying there in the humanity of Christ; in the brazen Altar of burnt offering, resembling his satisfaction when Redeemer; and in the golden Altar of Incense, representing his intercession as Mediator; retaining still his [glorified] body about him in * Act. 3. 21. heaven. § 17. Many will wonder, Shittim-wood within the Altar, why never fi●ed. that this n Exod. 27. 1. Shittim-wood in the midst of the Altar for sacrifices (though plated over with brass on each side) was never fired with the continual flames thereupon. Some know to their sorrow how soon such rafters or joices are set on fire, which by the ill contrivance of the Carpenter run under those hearths where constant fires are kept. But we must know, that on the Altar the fire came down from heaven, and only minded the dispatch of that message on which it was sent; and as gunpowder (though ill comparing fire of heaven, and o Ignis tartareus. fire of hell together) burns only upwards: so this celestial fire, as in motion, so in operation, had its activity upwards towards heaven, whence it derived the descent thereof. § 18. Expect not here an enumeration (much less an exposition) of all the Utensils of the Tabernacle, The Laver made of women's Looking-glasses. most of them being formerly touched in Solomon's Temple. Only here a word of the Laver, and Aaron's solemn Pontificals, because of their rare composition. The former was made of the p Exod. 38. 8. looking-glasses of the women, many being much troubled herein, how so brickle matter when broken could be made useful, and solidated for this service. Indeed we have a tradition of one at Venice, who made glass malleable, but was for his invention rewarded with death by the State (who knew full well that they must break, if glasses were not broken) though this is listened unto as a fable. But, to the difficulty in hand, it is merely grounded on a mistake, that all Specula must needs be vitrea, that what renders the reflection of a face cannot be but of glass. Whereas many other resplendent, though not transparent bodies, do the same, as polished touch, jet, steel, and brass, the purest of the last most probably being here intended. Surely such looking-glasses, which severally were so clear, lost not their lustre by being many of them melted into the Laver, but (when polished again) retained their returning of resemblances. But, whether the Priests (as some will have it) made use thereof to discover all soiliness in them before they washed, as also after washing, whether the same were sufficiently cleansed, we dare not define. § 19 However, Female devotion. commendable was the devotion of these women in bringing their glasses (dear ornaments in their account) to God's service. Oh that men would but part with their superfluous, yea noxious glasses (such as might be spared, not only without any hurt, but with much health to their souls, bodies, and estates) to bestow them on pious uses! What monuments to God's glory, and the good of others, might therewith be erected? § 20. We must not forget the a Largely reckoned up Exod. 28. and methodically ranked Levir. 8. 7, 8, 9 eight ornaments of Aaron thus reckoned up. Aavons●ight ●ight ornaments. 1. Linen breeches next his flesh. 2. A Coat of fine linen over them. 3. Girded with an embroidered girdle. 4. Over which coat and girdle a robe all of blue, with bells and Pomegranates. 5. Upon it the Ephod, on the shoulders whereof two goodly Berill stones graven with the names of the Tribes of Israel. 6. In the Ephod the Breastplate, and therein the Urim and Thummim. 7. On his head a Mitre. 8. In the forefront whereof a plate of pure gold two fingers broad, wherein was graven Holiness to the Lord. Say not, that the Highpriest was sweltered, being built so many stories high in his garments; seeing, if pride be never a cold, when pleasing its own fancy; piety can never be too hot, with what it weareth in obedience to God's commandment. The Priest's hands and feet, when entering into the Holy of Holies, were washed and bare, to show the purity, simplicity, and sincerity of his actions, and conversation, especially in the service of God. § 21. In the making of these vestments we frequently meet with four essential ingredients, Four principal ingredients of Sacerdotal ●●vestments. b Exod. 28. 5. 8. 15. blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. Here c Divest. Sacar. lib. 3. ●. 5. Ribera finds the four elements (though hardly put to it to make them all out) fire in the colour of scarlet; air of blue; earth in fine linen, because it coming thence; water in the colour of purple, because died with the liquor of a fish from the sea: as if the Highpriest was thus presented as supreme Chaplain to the Lord of the Universe. Thus though taking in the whole world, in my mind he leaves out the most material mystery intended therein; for, we may behold the Highpriest, when entering the Holy of Holies, representing Christ himself under such coloured clothes in a double capacity; First, as he stood charged with the guilt of mankind, when The Lord d Isa. 53. 6. laid on him the iniquity of us all, having our e Isa. 1. 18. scarlet and crimson sins imputed unto him. Secondly, as he made satisfaction for the same with his blood, scarlet, blue, and purple being several sanguine colours, differing only in degrees, and the several settle thereof. § 22. What Urim and Thummim Vrim and Thummim. were (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Septuagint, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Aquila, doctrina & veritas in the Vulgar, light and perfection, according to the interpretation of the Hebrew) neither jew nor Christian can tell; though the former (the blinder the bolder) are as various, as confident in their conjectures. Some conceive it those very two words, others the name jehovah graven in the breastplate, others nothing else but the twelve stones, resplendent with light and completed to perfection with the Tribes names therein, and other some mysterious matter, not of man's making but Gods giving to Moses. In a word, we shall never certainly know what Urim, and Thummim were, until (as in the case of f Ezra 2. 63. Braz●lla●'s children) there stand up a Priest with Urim and Thummim to inform us thereof. § 23. Nor less is the variance amongst authors, how answers thereby were returned to the Priests that consulted it, in behalf of others, whether such designs should be undertaken, or not. Some conceive, that at such times, the fair, fresh, and orient lustre of the stones therein amounted to the affirmative, whilst their dim, dull, and dead colour was interpreted negative. Others conceive, that seeing the Tribes names therein contained all the Hebrew letters and vowels, such characters discovered themselves by their sparkling, which concurred to the spelling of a grant or denial, as here (imitating the Hebrew in our English tongue) is described. Conceive such letters as we here make Capita●● appearing extraordinarily radiant on the Priest's enquiry. And also to avoid confusion, that sparkling first in time, which was to be read first in place. Sardius. Reuben. Dun. ReUben. DaN. Ligure. Topaz. Sin●con. N●phtali. Sin On. NaPh T●li. Agate. Carbuncle. Levi. Gad. LEvi. G●d. Amethyst. On a On a Emraud. IUdah. Ash Er. I●udah. Asher. Beryl. Saphir. Issachar. IsePh. Issachar. ●Oseph. O●yx. Diamond. ZebulOn. Benjamin. Zebulon. Benjamin. jasper. GO UP, GO NOT UP. But leaving these difficult trifles (beneath the state of the highpriest, good only for Acrostick-mongers, and Anagrammatists to poor upon) I conceive rather, that (because sometimes the answer returned was prolix and encumbered with numerous and important g 1 Chr. 14. 14, 15. circumstances, troublesome to be represented in such literal curiosities) it was neither audible to the ear, nor legible to the eye, but by h Rivet in Exod. ca 28. v. 13. illuminating the understanding of the Highpriest, enabling him to give a satisfactory answer in all particulars, to the question propounded, whilst consulting the Urim and Thummim as of divine institution, to invite the Spirit of God upon him. § 24. There needs no other argument to be alleged for the freeness, The speedy finishing of the Tabernacle. and forwardness of the Israelites in building the Tabernacle, then that the same was fully finished in few months. For they came to the desert of Sinai in the third m Exod. 19 1. month after their coming out of Egypt, and all was ended before the n Num. 10. 11. twentieth day of the second month of the second year, when they removed from Sinai to the Wilderness of Paran. So that not above eleven months were expended on the whole fabric, whereas Solomon in building the Temple (though confessed a far more stable, and stately structure) spend full o 1 King. 6. 38. seven years therein. See we here the Levites of Kohath, and the Reubenites, near neighbours on the south of the Tabernacle. n See Psa. 80. 2. Hereupon it came to pass, that Korah the grandchild of Kohath the Levite, conspired against Moses with Dathan and Abiram the sons of p Num. 16. 1. Reuben, the vicinity of their habitation affording them the conveniency of intercourse, and privacy together. And thus was the Tabernacle first put in its posture, surrounded with the people on every side. Happy method, when in matters of religion the Church guides the State by her counsel, whilst the State guards the Church with her company. § 26. This Tabernacle when first brought into the land of Canaan, The Tabernacle Templizing. was set up at Gilgat, (the Ark being often parted from it on several occasions) thence removed to Shiloh where it stayed a long time, thence to q 1 Sam. 22. Nob, thence to ●ib●on, and thence brought into jerusalem, and laid up with the vessels thereof in the r 2 Chr. 5. 5. Temple. The Rabbins conceive that during the abode thereof at Shiloh, the Tabernacle began to Templize, getting walls (though without a roof) round about it, chiefly because about that time it is s Namely, 1 Sam. 1. 9 & 2 Sam. 22. 7. & Psal. 19 3. thrice termed a Temple. But I rather conceive, that Temple in those places is taken in a large acception, in which notion t Anti. jud, lib. 3. cap. 4. josephus termeth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, an ambulatory, or portable Temple. Or else it is so styled by way of Prolepsis, and well might David (twice in the forementioned places) call the Tabernacle a Temple, who endeavoured to make it so, both in his intention, and vast preparation for the same. But enough of this subject, for as Moses by his u Exod. 36. 6. prohibition stopped the bounty of the people bringing too much to the making of the Tabernacle: so must we here stint our discourse as swelling too large in the description thereof. Only I add, that though at the first free will-offerings alone were used, at the making of the Tabernacle, (none being necessitated to contribute thereunto) yet afterwards for the maintenance thereof, and the service therein, men were bound to a certain sum to be paid w Deut. 16. 16. thrice a year. God foreseeing that their first forwardness would not always continue, but cool by degrees, and need to be quickened by commands, as men now adays must be legally rated to repair those Churches which at first so frankly were erected, and endowed by the liberality and devotion of our Ancestors. Here the Map of Egypt is to be inserted. THE DESCRIPTION OF EGYPT. CHAP. V. v. 1. EGYPT was by the Hebrews called Mizraim (and by the Arabians, The names and bounds of Egypt. Mesre, at this day) from a Gen. 10. 6. Mizraim the second son of Cham, first inhabitant thereof. It was anciently called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, by the most skilful of the Egyptian Priests, as Plutarch b Lib. de Imide & Osyride. observes, no doubt from Cham the second son of Noah: as also it was termed Hammois (a name also general to Libya, yea to all Africa) being in the same sound and sense styled the Land c Psal. 105. 23. of Ham by the Psalmist. It had the Mediterranean sea on the north, Cyrene on the west, Ethiopia (the country of Queen d Act. 8. 27. Candace) on the south, the Red-sea on the east, with a small Isthmus of land (not past seventy miles over) betwixt it and the Mediterranean. Many Princes with as great expense as small success, have oft attempted with their Pioners to pierce through this slender neck of ground, so to join the two seas together, for the greater conveniency of traffic. It seems heaven blasted their designs, as an encroachment on the divine Prerogative, it being only placed in God's power to give the Word of Command to the Ocean, Hither shalt thou e job 38. 11. come, but no farther. And if it be dishonesty to f Pro. 22. 28. remove Landmarks of men's fixing, how high presumption is it to alter so ancient and solemn water-bounds of Gods own appointing? § 2. The Egyptians are low in stature, The complexions and conditions of the Egyptians. of firm and well compacted bodies, swarthy and tawny complexions. Hereupon Abraham coming into Egypt said to Sarah his wife, Behold NOW, I know that thou art g Gen. 12. 11. a fair woman to look upon. Not that being so many years married, he had hitherto lived in ignorance of her beauty, and now took first notice thereof, but (as Stars shine brightest in the night) so her fairness was now more conspicuous amongst the black faces of the Egyptians. Their wits anciently were very subtle and searching, esteemed the first inventors of Arithmetic, Music, and by reason of the perpetual serenity of the air, they found out the course of the Sun and Stars, first dividing Time into Months, and Years. The wisdom of the h 1 King. 4. 20. & Act. 7. 22. Egyptians, is eminent in Scripture, much given to Magic, and Divination, yea i 2 Tim. 3. 8. jannes' and jambres the Enchanters have even to this day some in Egypt, heirs to their mysterious impieties. As for the wandering Gypsies, which now a days pretend to the telling of Fortunes, their best cunning generally is the credulity of others, ofttimes not seeing how near their own feet are to the stocks, and backs to the whipping-post. Yea commonly they are counterfeits, coming no more from Egypt, than the dissembling Gibeonites did from a far k josh. 9 6. Country, and perchance are next neighbours unto us. § 3. A most pleasant Country Egypt was, The pleasure and profit of Egypt. and is. For when the holy Spirit intended to commend the sweet situation of the plain of jordan (before it was turned for the sins of the people into a stinking lake) he describeth it to be well watered every where, even as the Garden of the Lord, like the l Gen. 13. 10. land of Egypt. Nor was the profit less than the pleasure thereof, affording plenty of the best Wheat, Barley, Rice, and all other grain; insomuch that this Land was generally horreum Romani imperii, the Barn or Granary of the Roman Empire. Indeed I find the same title given also to the Island of Sicily. And no wonder; for the Roman Empire being so vast and expensive an housekeeper, might well make use of two Barns for her provision. However I dare boldly say, that though Sicily was the nearer, Egypt was the bigger and better Barn, and yielded greatest store of corn in time of scarcity. § 4. Flax also was a stable commodity of Egypt, Egyptian Flax. much whereof at this day is imported and used in England. Of this the finest linen in the world was woven. The Harlot could tell the silly young man, she sought to inveigle, I have decked my bed with cover of tapestry, with carved works, and fine m Prov. 7. 10. linen of Egypt, as commonly the worst of women, get the best of wares, to please their luxury. As for the making of this linen cloth, it will hardly be believed, what Pomponius Mela hath reported, that the ancient Egyptians used to have their men keep home and spin, while their women managed their greater businesses abroad. But surely where the man puts his hand to the spindle, and the woman to the plough, there the whole family will be ill clad, and worse fed. § 5. Horses of the best kind were very plentiful in Egypt. Egyptian horses excellent. Those were a prohibited commodity, forbidden by God's law to be brought by great numbers into Israel, whose King was charged, n Deut. 17. 16. Not to multiply horses to himself, nor to cause the people to return into Egypt; partly, lest whilst they went thither to course horses, they should change religions, and fall into love with Egyptian Idolatry; partly, lest they should place too much confidence in the legs of horses; or arm of flesh, whom God would have immediately to depend on his own protection. § 6. Paper most useful for intercourse, anciently grew in Egypt alone, Paper first grew in Egypt. being a sedgy weed on the river's side, which they divided into thin flakes, whereinto it naturally parteth, then laying them on a table and moistening them with the glutinous water of the River, they pressed them together, and so dried them in the Sun. God foretelling his punishments on o Isa. 197. Egypt, threateneth that The paper reeds of the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more. § 7. Mummy must not be forgotten, Mummy how made. being man's flesh, at the first embalmed for * Gen. 50. 3. forty days together, and afterward for many years buried, in that hot and sandy Country. Yet all art cannot finally avoid the curse pronounced on mankind, p Gen. 3. 19 Dust thou art, and to dust thou must return, so that if left alone, these corpses of themselves moulder to ashes. Otherwise such cost and curiosity used for their longer preservation, accidentally occasioneth their speedier destruction; such bodies being taken up out of their graves, bought and brought into foreign Countries for medicinal uses. What, is there such a dearth of drugs? such a famine of Physic in nature, that (as in the q 2 King▪ 6. 28. siege of Samaria) one man must feed on another? However, whilst some squeamish stomaches make faces to feed on the dead, perhaps their hard hearts at the same time, r Psal. 14. 4. Eat up the living as if they were dead, either by fraudulent contracts or forcible oppressions. § 8. But these grand commodities of Egypt, The inconveniences of Egypt. were also allayed with some great inconveniencies, many noxious and venomous creatures swarming therein. The Prophet s Isa. ●0. 6. called it, the land from whence come the young and old Lion, the Viper and the Viper and the fiery-flying Serpent. This, though mystically meant of the Kings of Egypt, their Lion-like antipathy and cruelty to Israel (styled also Serpents for their craft; flying, for the swift marching of their Armies, winged on horse-backs; fiery, for the fierceness and heat of their fury) yet was it also literally true, of plenty of such beasts in Egypt, where that moist and hot Country was both the pregnant mother to breed, and tender nurse to feed them in great abundance. Especially in the western deserts, towards Cyrene, an hideous, and dismal place: and therefore the t Tobit. 8. 3. Author of the book of Tobit, fitted it with a meet inhabitant, banishing thither, and binding there, Asmodeus the evil spirit, in the utmost parts of Egypt. § 9 Rain is very rare in this land Rain rare in Egypt. (and that only in winter) the windows of heaven here having no casements, and the Egyptians supplying the want of rain, by making gutters out of the river of Nilus into all their grounds and gardens. God therefore in this respect preferreth the land of Canaan before this Country, u Deut. 11. 10. For the land (saith he) whither thou goest to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came, where thou sowedst thy seed, and watered it with thy feet; as a garden of Herbs. But the land whither thou goest to possess it, is a land of mountains and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven. Surely as it is more honour to receive a boon immediately from the hand of a Prince, then in an indirect line, from him, by his servants; so more peculiar was the favour of God to the jews, and the familiarity of the jews with God, having their land watered from heaven, whilst the Egyptians looked not upward as men, but downwards as beasts, on that moisture which constantly procured the fruitfulness of their Country. But this pleased them best: as carnal souls had rather be at a certainty of plenty from Nature, then at an uncertainty thereof, even from the God of Nature himself. However they are much mistaken, who have confidently reported that it never raineth in Egypt; seeing I have been informed the contrary, by a right worshipful * Sir william Paston of Oxbint in N●rfolk. Person, and well accomplished traveller, a great Patron and bountiful promoter of my present studies; an eye-witness of much and violent rain at Grand-Cairo in Egypt, but such as presaged a great mortality, which ensued not long after. § 10. The River of Nile is the happy Genius of the Egyptian soil, called in Scripture Nachal Mitzraim, or the river of Egypt, as a most learned Author hath w V●ssius de Idololatria. lib 2. cap. 74. observed. Yea from this Nachal he clearly derived the name of Nilus with excellent proportion. For as from Bahal Bââl Beel Bel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is deduced. so Nachal Nââl Neel Neil 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And to make the matter more plain, Pomponius x Lib. 5. c. 10. Mela reporteth, that the fountain of Nilus is called Nachul by the Ethiopians. A river wherein nature hath observed an even tenor of admirableness, so that the birth, the life, and the death thereof, I mean the fountain, flowing, and fall of the river, are equally composed of a concatenation of wonders. 1 Fountain. The particular place thereof being never as yet known certainly. So that (as the y Mat. 13. 26. Tares in the Gospel, were beheld, not when sown, but when grown) Nilus appears even at the first in a full stream and fair channel. 2 Flowing: which constantly beginneth with the rising Sun on the seventeenth of june, swelling by degrees until it mount sometimes twenty four Cubits, and that the uttermost (for anciently sixteen was the highest it attained unto:) and answerable to the increase of this river is the plenty of scarcity of the following year. Nor doth this overflowing of Nile, give only wealth, but also health to Egypt. For if five hundred chance to die in a day in Cairo of the plague (a z G. Sandys Trau. p. 97. mortality not rare in so populous a place, where the sound keep company with the sick, holding death fatal, and to avoid it irreligion) not one doth die the day following. 3 Fall. For at the influx thereof into the sea, the fresh water keeps together, and contrary to other rivers, changeth the colour of the salt▪ far a Idem. p. 94. farther into the sea than the shore from thence can be discerned. Nor less wonderful are the creatures in and about this river, the bird Trochilus, the Ichneumon, or Rat of Nilus; the Crocodiles and River-horses, (though as big as a cow, and proportioned as a b Idem. pa. 99 swine) for all which we send the Reader for his better information to that modern learned Philosopher, c Windeline de ad●ira. Nili. who hath made a just tract thereof. Only we will add, that not more cures are prescribed for the toothache, then causes by several Authors assigned for the flowing of Nilus, nor are the one farther from giving the body ease, than the other the mind satisfaction. § 11. With the flowing of the River, The Egyptians proud of Nilus rose also the Pride of the Egyptians, exceeding all bounds and banks of modesty and moderation, defying Nature itself, because (as Isocrates saith) they had both drought and moisture in their own dispositions. And such their land is described by the d Lu●an. l. 8. Poet: Terra suis contenta bonis; non indiga mercis, Aut jovis, in solo tanta est fiducia Nilo. A land content with homebred ware, For foreign wealth she doth not care, Or whether heavens do frown or smile, Her confidence is all in Nile. Yea so impudent is the Egyptian arrogance herein, that whereas Nilus makes Egypt and God made both, they falsely boast c Ezek. 29. 3. once and f Ezek. 29. 9 again in the Prophet, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself; whereupon God to clear his own property and right to the creature, threateneth to show his judgements on that river, g Ezek. 29. 10. from the tower of Syen even unto the border of Ethiopia. § 12. Nilus venteth itself into the Mediterranean sea, with seven mouths, nothing being more famous in humane poetry and prose than this septemfluous river. The holy spirit takes notice of the same number, threatening utterly to destroy the tongue of the Ethiopian Sea, when with his mighty wind he shall shake his hands over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod: h Isa. 11. ●5. which words admit of several interpretations. 1 The strength of Egypt is hereby mystically meant, whose kingdom was afterwards destroyed, and the Country thereof conquered and subdued to the Persian Monarchy. 2 It probably was literally performed, when Nilus by ominous accident failed to overflow (as in the tenth and eleventh year of Cleopatra) and his streams became low, and shallow thereupon. 3. The ancient and original channels thereof are now in time obstructed, new conveyances succeeding in their place. An alteration elsewhere obvious. In the Isle of Elie (England's Egypt for the flatness, moistness, and fruitfulness thereof) how are the old, and once plentiful streams of i Vide Camden's Brit. in Cambr. sh●re. Nine and Welland impoverished, by artificial derivations thereof, into the Leam, the old and new Podick, and other by-ditches; made, to drive mills, to drain meadows; fence fields, bear boats, and other private conveniences? Rivers having as little certainty to possess their proper channels, as men their houses, ancient families being daily outed by other of later extraction. § 13. However, Various numbering of the streams of Nilus. though the seven streams of Nilus pass current in most mouths, yet they are reckoned up, both over and under that number, by authors of excellent credit. Ortelius and Maginus, in their Maps of Egypt, make them eleven. Hondius in his Map of Europe (where Nilus is brought in by the by) ten. Ptolemy this Countryman, in his description thereof, nine. The foresaid Hondius, in his Map of Africa, eight. Herodotus k In Euterpe. (with whom the l Isa. 1●. 15. Scripture agreeth) seven. Gulielmus Tyrius, and Bellonius, four. Mr. m Trau. pa. 94. Sandys, but two navigable branches extant in our age. This various reckoning, exceeding seven, ariseth, because anciently, some only counted the grand and solemn ostiaries of Nilus (and these, which they be at this day, let such inquire which are of the Commission of Sewers amongst the Egyptians) whiles others cast all his chanelets (rather cuts then courses) into the number. Since, they fall short, either choked up, or commixed, yet still maintain in men's talk the reputation of seven. For, when a natural, or noted number is once up in the market, small occasional variations thereof, more or less, can never beat it down in common discourse. Thus, Thomas is termed one of the n john 20. 24▪ twelve, when there were but eleven, after the self-execution of judas, and before the election of Mathias. In a word, the channels of Nilus, daily decreased in number, because (as pinked or slashed clothes have the fewer holes the longer they are worn) so his streams fret one into another; especially, the ground being so soft and tender which lieth betwixt them. § 14. To come now to the particular description of Egypt; The Isle of Dogs. Nilus flowing out of Ethiopia, compassed an Island called the Isle of * See Ortelius and Mercators' old Maps. Dogs; but, why so named, I know as little, as why those rich meadows lying betwixt London and Blackwall, are called after the same name, though better deserving to be termed the Isle of Oxen, from the fat cattle feeding therein. But, seeing no mention of this, or the next Island (which Nilus makes) in Scripture, we pass them by, confining our ensuing discourse to God's Word alone; save only, that we will take leave to survey the Pyramids, because o Anti. jud. li. 2 K●●. ●. josephus (though erroneously) conceiveth them built by the Israelites, when here living in bondage. § 15. They stand not far from the western bank of the river, Vanity in building the Pyramids. and are the younger brethren of the Tower of Babel, built (but with better success, because finished) on the same consideration, by the Egyptian Kings, to p Gen. 11. 4. make them a name. Yet, who erected them, Greeks agree ill with themselves, and worse with the Arabian authors, so that Pliny q Nat. hist. li. 36. cap. 12. gravely observes it a just punishment on the vanity of these ●ounders, that they are forgotten. Indeed, in the Criticism of credit, the Artisans cunning might cry halves in honour, with the King's cost in this structure; but, both the one and the other, are equally buried in silence, so that the most skilful Egyptian Antiquary cannot out of these Hieroglyphics of pomp and pride, read the name of either. Whilst the poor midwives, who contrary to Pharaohs command preserved the Hebrews children, are to this day remembered by their names, Shiphrah y Exod. 1. 15. and Puah. Thus memories founded on the rock of virtue, stand firm, and fast; when they quickly fall, built on the foundered bottom of affected magnificence. Indeed, these Pyramids are of stupendious vastness, and may be termed Arts mountains, though molehills, yea, but warts, if compared to those which Nature hath produced. So ridiculous is the unequal contest in point of bulk, betwixt their several workmanships, that Nature's pismires may be said to exceed Arts elephants. § 16. Some to excuse the pride of these builders, Intended for Sepulchers. resolve their design on a point of policy, only to busy their people, to prevent in them laziness and luxury, (the mother of mutinies) knowing, so rich a soil would invite them to riot, if out of employment. But (whatever was their principal project) their secundary end intended such structures for sepulchres, where the bvilder's bodies lay, not interred, but immured, with all imaginable cost bestowed upon them. For, the Egyptians fond conceived (Reader, pity them, and praise God that thou are better informed) that the soul even after death, like a grateful guest, dwelled in the body so long, as the same was kept swept and garnished, but finally forsook it, and sought out a new body, if once the corpse were either carelessly neglected, or dispightfully abused; and therefore to woo the soul to constant residence in their bodies (at least wise to give it no wilful distaste, or cause of alienation) they were so prodigiously expensive, both in embalming their dead, and erecting stately places for their monuments. § 17. The long lasting of these Pyramids, Their long lasting. is not the least of admiration belonging unto them. They were born the first, and do live the last, of all the seven wonders in the world. Strange, that in three thousand years and upwards, no avaricious Prince was found to destroy them, to make profit of their Marble, and rich materials; no humorous, or spiteful Prince offered to overthrow them, merely to get a greater name for his peevishness in confounding, than their pride in first founding them; No Zelote-reformer (whilst Egypt was Christian) demolished them under the notion of Pagan monuments. But, surviving such casualties, strange, that after so long continuance, they have not fallen like Copy-holds, into the hand of the Grand Signior (as Lord of the Manor) for want of repairing. Yea, at the present, they are rather ancient, then ruinous; and, though weather-beaten in their tops, have lively looks under a grey head, likely to abide these many years in the same condition, as being too great for any throat to swallow whole, and too hard for any teeth to bite asunder. § 18. We have been the longer hereon, because josephus, Not built by the Israelites. as is aforesaid, makes the Israelites, when enslaved in Egypt, against their wills, the builders of their Pyramids; others conceive them Pharaohs magazines; so called, not, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from fire, ascending in a narrowing shape, but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from wheat, as used for granaries, or storehouses, where corn was deposited: both alike improbable, for 1 They afford no concavity of considerable receipt for such purpose. 2 Their form (of all least capable) is useless for such intents, all the spire being to loss. 3 The Israelites built with s Exod. 5. 8. bricks, whereas these are made of Marble. But for farther satisfaction of the Reader herein, I refer him to that learned t M. john Greaves in his Pyramidographia. Traveller, who hath made an excellent tract of his own observations herein. § 19 However, The miserable slavery of the Hebrews in Egypt. here we may take occasion, to mention the miserable condition of the Israelites in Egypt, during which time, woeful their slavery, if we consider, the 1 Long continuance thereof, two u Four hundred and thirty years if accounted from Isaac's birth Exod. 12. 41. hundred and odd years in the latitude, and fourscore (from the birth of Moses) in the Paroxysm of their bondage. 2 Deep misery, insomuch that their lives w Exod. 1. 14. were made bitter unto them. 3 Broad extent, none exempted, no, not Moses and Aaron; Get you unto your x Exod. 5. 4. burdens. Say not, that the officers of Israel, who only oversaw the rest, had an easy place of it; for, they y Exod. 5. 14. were beaten, because others under them did not their impossible task: as if what was wanting in the tale of the people's bricks, must be made up in blows on their backs, who were set to oversee them. Only, to give the Egyptians their due, they gave the Israelites their belly full, (as of work, so) of z Exod. 16. 3. food: which proceeded, not so much from their pity, as their policy; (Carrier's are so merciful to their horses, meat them well, to prevent their trying) and the plenty of the land, affording at cheap prices abundance of provisions. § 20. Somewhat north of the aforesaid Pyramids, Memphis the ancient Metropolis of Egypt. on the same side of Nilus, stood the great City of Memphis, anciently the Metropolis of Egypt, where their Kings kept their Courts, and therefore it is probable here joseph was bought, and beloved by Potiphar, here afterwards accused and imprisoned unjustly, favoured by the jailer, advanced by Pharaoh, whose dreams he expounded: in a word, likely it is, that all those eminent passages, betwixt him, and his brethren, were transacted in this City. Some hundred years after, the frequent addresses of Moses and Aaron to another Pharaoh, in the behalf of the Israelites, were performed in the same place; and here, or hereabouts the ten Egyptian plagues were first inflicted, in manner and order ensuing. 1 All the water (formerly the merciless executioner of the Jewish infants) was for seven days turned into blood, The ten plagues of Egypt. whereby the fish died, and the river stank, so that the a Exod. 7. 21. Egyptians could not drink of the water thereof. Water, which otherwise in itself, was most sweet and delicious, witness the answer of Pescentius Niger unto his murmuring soldiers, What? crave you wine, and have Nilus to drink of? The transubstantiation of this element into blood, extended over all the streams, rivers, ponds, and pools in Egypt, and the sea only was excepted, from whence (or from pits newly b Exod. 7. 2●▪ digged in the ground) the Magicians might fetch their water, which in imitatition of Moses, quoad similitudinem, if not veritatem, they also turned into blood. 2 Frogs, so plentiful that they covered the land, and so presumptuous they came into Pharaohs c Exod. 8. 3. Bedchamber, (though never sworn his Grooms in ordinary attendance) yea, they crept into the very ovens (as if Salamanders rather than frogs) and no private place was privileged from their unwelcome company. But the Magicians made the like in show, if not in substance, the Devil much delighting in their monstrous shape, for we find in d Revel. 16. 13. Scripture, Three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the Dragon. 3 Lice, Infects, with so many lineaments in a little compass, that the eyes of the Magicians could not see, much less imitate them, so that they were forced to confess it e Exod. 8. 19 the finger of God. But, whether thus beaten out of distance, they here left off their race of emulation with Moses, or still continued it, it is hard to determine. 4 Flies, f Exod. 8. 21. properly wasps, or hornets, armed with stings, wherewith they tormented the people. Surely, they were more than ordinary flies, because they brought Pharaoh to proffer to Moses, a partial and conditional departure of the people. 5 A general Murrain, insomuch that g Exod. 9 6. all the cattle of Egypt died. Some will object, If this was a total destruction of all the beasts in the land, how came it to pass, that some afterward were killed by h Exod. 9 25. the hail, and after that, in the tenth plague, the firstborn i Exod. 13. 15. of beasts were destroyed by the Angel? But it is answered, All, here is taken communiter, non universaliter, for the greater, and most considerable number. Or else, the Egyptians in the interim (some distance of time being betwixt the several plagues, and a year from the first to the last) furnished themselves afresh with new supply of cattle from foreign Countries, which second stock was also afterwards destroyed. So vain is it, for men to outvie God's routing, with their recruitings; his desolations, with their replantations; and no new store, without a new heart, can hold out against his punishments. 6 Boils, and Blains, so general that they were on the k Exod. 9 11. Magicians themselves (Hell hath no guard against Heavens blows) who therefore could not stand before Moses. Let them now not try to make, but unmake such boils, if they can. But here it is remarkable, that as the wife l Gen. 39 14. of Potiphar, when she had tempted joseph to uncleanness, cunningly changed her note, and complained on him for offering violence unto her: so in after-ages, the Egyptian Authors slanderously retorted these loathsome diseases on the Israelites. From whose false reports, humane writers both Greek and Latin (as m See the books of josephus against him. Appion, Diodorus Siculus, Trogus n Instin. Hist. lib. Pompeius and Tacitus) have fetched their relations, how the jews being shamefully afflicted with scabs and ulcers, were therefore driven out of Egypt (for fear of infecting others) by the inhabitants thereof. 7 Thunder, fire and hail, consuming all men and beasts abiding in the field, together with the flax which was bolled, and barley then in p Exod. 9 32. ●are, whilst the wheat was yet under ground: a thing preposterous in our English, but methodical in the Egyptian harvest. 8 Grasshoppers, or locusts, which devoured the reversion of grass and green herbs, till the verdant earth was sabled, and the surface of the land was q Exod. 10. 15. darkened with their multitudes. 9 Positive and palpable darkness for three days, not so much from the suspension of the sunbeams, or detention of the Egyptians eyes, as condensation of the air with thick clouds, probably also extinguishing all fire, and artificial lights, as candles go out in a damp. The Author of the book r Wisd. 17. 4. of Wisdom addeth, that the Egyptians during that time, were frighted with terrible sounds, with sad shapes and apparitions, which is more than the Scripture affirmeth, though we deny not, but that darkness is the pliable wax, whereof a guilty fancy may mould to itself any frightful impressions. Thus all the land of Egypt was beforehand hung with mourning, against the death of her people, and all the Egyptians were for three days imprisoned in their places, not moving thence, so great was the darkness. Whilst the Israelites, though in the same Climate with them, were in effect their Antipodes, it being day and summer with the one, when night and winter with the other. 10 The firstborn s Exod. 12. 29. of man and beast were slain by the destroying Angel all over Egypt. Here if any object, that the plague could not be general, because probably in so large a Country some childless family could not afford a firstborn: Saint Augustine answers, that God in his providence so ordered, that every house yielded a fit object for his justice. And seeing Pharaoh their Sovereign was raised on set purpose for God to ruin, no absurdity to conceive, that his subjects were made fruitful on design, that they might be deprived of their firstborn. However, grant it only in most families, never were more heirs killed and made in one night. Yet the younger brethren could not brag of the lands they got by this accident, fearing for the present, lest their own turn was next, and many of them (no doubt) found their deaths few days after in the Red-sea. Observe in all these the variety of God's judgements, no one twice used, always inflicting fresh punishments. God is said to be clothed t Psal. 93 ●. with strength, and here like a Prince of such power, he appeared ten several times in new suits, so plentiful is his wardrobe, and such the diversity of his judgements. Indeed, he could have made any one of these miracles, effectual for his people's deliverance, but was pleased to make use of them all, so to prove his people's patience, manifest his own power, render Pharaoh the more inexcusable. § 21. A gradation also appears in his proceedings, The gradation in Go●s judgements. so that his heaviest judgements were reserved to the last, showing first harmless miracles (only to raise wonder and seal his servants Commission) when Moses his rod was turned into a Serpent, and vice versa; and afterwards sending Punishments, Noisome, Frogs about Lice upon men. Painful, Flies Bo●ls within their skin's flesh. Deadly, Murrain, Hail, Grasshoppers etc. to Plants, destroying man's Meat, in grain. Drink, in u Psal. 78. 47. Vines. Clothing, in flax and ●emp. Beasts, for Burden, Camels, Asses. Food, Oxen, Sheep. Men Some w Exod. 9 19 & 25. refractory folk in the field. All the 〈◊〉- born. In the eight first plagues, God by the mouth of Moses, gave solemn notice to Pharaoh, how, and when he would send them, but in the last two surprised him on a sudden. After warning often given, and neglected, expect no farther caution, but present confusion. § 22. To return to the City of Memphis, Memphis, or Noph threatened in Scripture▪ by which name it is but once called in Scripture, namely Hosea 9 6. being otherwise usually termed Noph in Holy writ. Divers Prophets have reproofs of, and comminations against this proud and profane City. Isaiah 19 13. The Princes of Noph are deceived. jeremy 46. 19 Noph shall be waist, and desolate without an inhabitant. Ezekiel 30. 13. Noph shall have distresses daily. Can the walls of that City stand long safe, against which so great bullets are discharged? These threatenings took slow but sure effect, and at this day it is justly become a desolation. For, seeing all Egypt bore an implacable antipathy to the people of Israel, it may well be presumed, that Memphis the metropolis of the kingdom, as in wealth, so in wickedness exceeded other Cities. § 23. Somewhat north of Memphis Nilus divideth itself into two main streams (besides some smaller betwixt them) thereby shaping a triangular Country, No, or Alexandria. not unlike a Δ Delta in the form thereof. Of these the more western falleth into the Mediterranean, at the ancient city of No, afterwards called Alexandria. A place, which principally prided itself in its populousness (the x jer. 46. 29. & Ezek. 30. 15. multitude of No, often mentioned in Scripture) and in the advantageous situation thereof, both to get, and keep wealth, being environed with water. But the greatness of this City only made it the fairer mark for divine justice, which (notwithstanding the watery station thereof) needed neither bridge, ford, nor ●erry, at pleasure to waft itself over into it. How afterwards this City was humbled, take it from the pen of the Prophet y Nahum 3. 8. , who speaking to Niniveh (though an exceeding great City z jonah 3. 3. of three days journey) seems to equalise, if not prefer No for bigness above it; Art thou better then populous No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea, Ethiopia and Egypt was her strength, and it was Infinite, Put and Lubim were thy helpers. Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity, her young men also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains. It will hardly appear elsewhere in Scripture, that Infiniteness is attributed to any created greatness, and here we see what became of it, so that the ruins of No may have this Epitaph written upon them, Hîc jacet finis infiniti. § 24. Beth-shem●sh where Christ is said to have lived. The estern stream of Nilus from the east receiveth the river Trajanus, on the south side whereof stood the City On (Onii in Ptolemaeus) whereof Potipherah was Prince or Priest, whose daughter Asenath a Gen. 41. 50. joseph took to wife. Aven is hard by, a City, against which b Ezek. 30. 17. Ezekiel prophesied, and by some is made the same with Heliopolis. This Heliopolis, or Bethshemesh, is generally conceived the place (though not named in Scripture) where our Saviour (before he could go, forced to fly c Mat. 2. 13. from the fury of Herod) being a babe abode with his parents. What he did here (besides sucking of his mother's breast) is not recorded in the Gospel; though d Athanasius lib. de Incarn. Verbi. one presumes to tell us, how the Egyptian Idols, at his entering into the land, felt a shaking ague, and fell down in homage to him, as once Dagon to the Ark. e Sozom. Historia. lib. 5. ca 21. Another relates, how this infant sat under a great tree, which out of dutifulness bowed down to him, because his short arms could not reach the branches thereof. f Burchar. in descrip. Ter. s●nc. par. 2. cap. 4. A third reports of a fountain betwixt Heliopolis and Babylon, purified to a medicinal virtue, from the foulness of the Babes clothes washed by his mother therein. All which Non credimus, quia non legimus. Thus Authors conceiving it not to stand with the state of Christ to live obscurely in Egypt, furnish him with feigned miracles to make him more illustrious, and therein mark not the main intent of Divine Providence. For, in this clandestine flight of his Son, God intended not to present him in a glorious appearance, but to lessen, humble, & empty him, so that his poverty in itself considered was a rich miracle, especially seeing we are stayed by his flight, and brought home by his banishment. Besides, the g joh. 2. 11. Scripture expressly termeth his turning of water into wine at Cana in Galilee, the beginning of his miracles. § 25. The precise time of Christ's residence in Egypt is not set down, The time of Christ's abode in Egypt. but surely his stay here was not so long, as to tanne the Virgin Mary, and die her complexion into a Black-more, as she is presented in her Chapel of Lauretta. I deny not, but the purest beauties are soon subject to sunburning, but such a face better became Christ's Spouse, than his mother, h C●nt. 1. 5. I am black, but comely, o ye daughters of jerusalem. Nor should I much wonder at the colour in her face, if only the fancy of a libertine Painter, had not so many learned men made her picture the object of their adoration. Yet the darkness of her face here, is as avouchable, as the brightness of her clothes elsewhere, glistering with gold, and rich stuff (some pretended relics whereof at Paris, the finer they are, the falser they are) better beseeming her ancient royal extraction, than her husbands present poor and painful condition. Yet such gorgeous apparel was not so much above her means, as such garish attire (wherewith some Painters do dress her) was against the modesty of that ever blessed Virgin. But, pardon our digression, and we return to o●r matter. § 26. Just at the confluence of Trajanus and Nilus, Babylon a City in Egypt. stood the once famous City of Babylon, though in antiquity, greatness, and strength, far inferior to a City of the same name in Chaldea. It is not yet decided, which of these two Saint Peter intended; when writing, The i 1 Pet. 5. 13. Church which is at Babylon elected together with you saluteth you, and so doth Marcus my Son. Protestant Divines generally interpret this of the great Chaldean Babylon, where more jews dwelled, then in any one place which was without the land of Palestine, and therefore probable that Saint Peter, being the Apostle k Gal. 2. 7. of the Circumcision, might sometimes reside there, yet seeing Marcus is mentioned in the same verse, who is notoriously known to have lived in this land (and once to have been Patriarch of Alexandria) why might not this our Egyptian Babylon, be here meant by the Apostle? But Popish writers are so fond to have Saint Peter at Rome, that here they will have Rome mystically to be termed Babylon. Good luck have she with her honour; always provided, that if Rome will be Babylon in this Epistle, to gain Peter's presence; she shall be Babylon in the Revelation, on whom those plagues and punishments are denounced. But, such as plead her heir-apparent to the former, endeavour to cut off the entail, that the latter may not descend upon her. § 27. To return to the eastern stream of Nilus, jeremy forced into Egypt. which runneth through the land of Pathros. Into which the remnant of the Israelites, left by the King of Babylon, returned under the conduct of johanan the son of Kareah, contrary to God's flat 1 Jer. 42. 14. command by the mouth of jeremiah. They took also him, and m Jer. 43. 6. Baruch the scribe (pity to part them, but that the mouth and ●and should go together) no doubt against their consents, and brought them down hither into the land of Egypt, partly out of policy (though they would cast away their counsel) to wear their [forced] company to countenance their design; and part out of despite, that if (according to their prediction) any evil betided them, they also might be joint-sufferers therein. Both of them, (nothing appearing to the contrary) died here, not finding their corpses, like n Exod. 13. 19 Joseph's, carried back in a Coffin into their own country. It matters not though our bodies be bestowed in the earthly Egypt, so our souls be translated to the heavenly Canaan. § 28. Many were the prophecies of jeremy during his abode in this land. prophesyeth Pharaohs destruction. Amongst others, that, when he solemnly denounced the ruin of Egypt. For he was commanded o Jer. 43. 9 to take stones, and hide them in the clay in the brick-kill, which is at the entry of Pharaohs ●ouse in Tahpanhes, (understand it some competent distance thence, otherwise such a shop of smoke was but a bad Preface to a King's Palace) and did foretell that Nabuchadnezzar King of Babylon, should in process of time, set his throne, and spread his royal pavilion on those very stones when he should conquer Egypt, which no doubt came to pass accordingly. A little more northernly this western stream of Nile parts itself into two channels. One falling into the Mediterranean at Zoan, a City built * Num. 13. 32. seven years after Hebron in the land of Canaan. Anciently a chief City in Egypt, the whole land, by Synecdoche, being termed † Psal. 78. 12. The field of Zoan, where many of Moses his miracles were wrought. The Princes of Zoan, though pretending to much wisdom, are * Isa. 19 11. & 13 twice pronounced fools by the Prophet. The other stream of Nile falleth into the sea at † Ezek. 30. 15, 16. Sin, (where hard-by anciently lived the * Gen. 10. 17. Bochart. in Geogr. Sac. Sinites, one of the eleven nations of the Canaanites) called also Raamses, being one of the Exod. 1. 11. cities which the Israelites built for Pharaoh, (as Pithom was another) afterwards called Pelusium from the muddy situation thereof, and Damiata at this day. § 29. But we hasten to the land of Goshen, The land of Goshen. as the best ground in all Egypt, lying in the east part thereof. The bounty of an ancient Pharaoh gave this Country to the Israelites for the goodness thereof, and the policy of succeeding Pharaohs continued it unto them for the situation thereof being surrounded with Egypt on all sides save the sea on the east, so that the Israelites were wedged in fast, not to depart without leave. Herein they multiplied miraculously, though the Egyptians endeavoured their destruction. § 30. Shiphrah and Puah are tampered with, The midwives' honesty. of Midwives to become Murderers, that all the male children of Israel might be stillborn. The privacy of their place might have performed this with the less suspicion, by but lending a Pinch to such tender plants, and then putting it on the account of casualty, or some sinister accident. But they the Ministers of life, refused to be the Messengers, yea the Procurers of death: and God, in reward of their kindness to his people, p Exod. 1. 21. made them houses. Not material houses (as little comfortable in a land where they, and theirs were not long to live) but understand it, God made their posterity (the Midwives) themselves being presumed ancient before entering on that profession) to multiply and increase. Some will say, such houses could not stand firm, being built on the foundered foundation of their q Exod. 1. 19 lying. For this act of these Midwives was with child with twins, r St. August. Fides mentis, and Fallacia mentientis, the faith of their love, and falseness of their lying, and the former only was rewarded by God, without any approbation of the other. § 31. This taking no effect, Moses born. came out that cruel edict, that all the males should be drowned, whilst the females were kept alive to be drudges. In which time s Act. 7. 20. Moses was born; one of the best of men, in the worst of ages. He was a beautiful child, t Exod. 2. 2. not only in the eyes of his partial parents (every bird counting its own young-ones the fairest) but really the marks of extraordinary comeliness appeared in his face. Yea, such was his persevering beauty, (fair in the Cradle and Saddle too) that it lasted unto his old-age; His vigorous and sparkling eyes not being u Deut. 34. 7. dimmed after an hundred any twenty years. His parents hid him three months, and then not daring longer to keep him, for fear of the King's searchers for forbidden goods [male-childrens] expose him in a w Exod. 2. 3. bulrush Ark unto the water. § 32. Taken up by Pharaohs daughter. Pharao●s daughter with her feminine train-guard comes down to wash herself, spies the Ark, and commands one of her maidens to fetch it. At the opening thereof, to see with what wares it was fraught, they find a child therein, and x Exod. 2. 6. behold the babe wept. It is common for children to cry (few born without it) whilst this infant did not cry out of curstness, nor sob out of sullenness, but wept out of sorrow, as silently sensible of more sadness than he durst express, lest he should give his enemy's warning thereby to destroy him. How early did Moses begin his meekness, and learned the lesson of patience betime? The Lady beholding him, had compassion on him, accounted it pity to drown him, who had almost drowned himself with his tears. She saves him alive, sends him to his mother-nurse, pays her wages for suckling him, takes him home when weaned, counts him her y Exod. 2. 10. son, and gives him breeding accordingly, they being but half-parents that bestow Nutrition, not education, on their children. § 33. Moses well becomes his breeding, Refuseth royal relation. and is z Act. 7. 22. learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Yet we find not that the Court made that impression on him as on joseph, never swearing by the a Gen 42. 16. life of Pharaoh. However, when he was come to years, he b Heb. 11. 24. refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter. Probably in his minority he owned that royal relation. c 1 Cor. 13. 11 When he was a child he did as a child. Now come to the full use of his reason, he renounced all such false extraction. He was so far from writing or styling himself so, that he would not be called the son of Pharaohs daughter. It is not enough for us not to tell lies, but we must not suffer them to be told, if it lie in our power to forbid it. Moses is not ashamed of * Exod. 6. 20. Amram and jochebed his poor but pious parents, and will not exchange them, to be supposed the son to Pharaohs daughter: Though that was not a bare title, but had both the d Heb. 11. 25. pleasures and e Heb. 11. 26. treasures of Egypt attending it. An Israelite in the kilne is better than an Egyptian in the Court. § 34. He chose rather the afflictions of his brethren, Killeth an Egyptian. and goes out to see how it fared with them. Finding an Egyptian wronging an Israelite he kills him: showing therein some signs of that Saviour-ship, which God intended him for, and he hoped his Countrymen would have f Act. 7. 25. understood. But alas, they were capable only of burning brick, whose eyes had pored so long on the earth, at last they had almost lost looking up to heaven with any hope of deliverance. The Egyptians body g Exod. 2. 12. is hid in the sand, but his kill was public in the mouths and discourse of all the Israelites. § 35. This his first essay succeeding so well, Is upbraided with k. Moses would adventure on a second design, to at one two Israelites at variance. But he found it more facile to subdue a foe, then reconcile friends fallen out, and easier to be a Conqueror, than Peacemaker. He that did the wrong demands of him, who made him a Judge, and whether he h Exod. 2. 14. intended to kill him, as he did the Egyptian. I see it is no sufficient proof, because the party is Plaintiff that his cause is the best, seeing sometimes they that are most injurious, are the most querulous. Herein God gave Moses an handsel, or taste, of the froward nature of the jews, (offended with such, as advised them for the best) that he might know the better, how hereafter to demean himself towards such wayward dispositions. Hereupon Moses, by seasonable flight, provides for his own safety. § 36. Shall such a man as Moses fly? Flieth into the land of Madian. Had he not better have stood to it, and avouched his act? Sure the Princess royal, his Lady-mother could bear him out for innocent; at the worst, by her Court-interest could procure his pardon. But he knew it was ill trusting of doubtful friends in dangerous cases; especially that Lady's affection no doubt abating unto him, since his refusal of her sonship. Into the land of Madian he flies, continueth there forty years; that term expired, returns into Egypt, and wrought those great wonders in the Court of Pharaoh, whereof largely before. § 37. But of all the Physic he gave Pharaoh, Returns and brings out the Israelites. none wrought so effectually upon him for the mollifying of his heart, as that last Purge, when the eldest son was slain in all families; whereupon the Israelites are urged to depart: first borrowing all the i Exod. 12. 35. wealth from their neighbours, who would make their flying enemies a bridge of gold. Nothing bounded the Egyptians giving, but the Israelites ask: had more been demanded, more had been delivered unto them. Skin for skin, yea all that a man hath, k job 2▪ 4. will he give for his life. Yet I cannot properly call these, Gifts; but rather Legacies of the Egyptians, because bequeathed by them, when all conceived themselves in a dying condition. § 38. Out marched six hundred thousand Israelites, The march forward and backward in Egypt. besides a mixed multitude; full of wealth, wanting nothing, but l Exod. 12. 39 leaven in their bread, for lack of time; from Ramese in the land of Goshen where they dwelled, to m Exod. 12. 27. Succoth: thence forward to n Exod. 13. 20. Ethaim in the edge of the wilderness; and then faces-about, by God's command they were to turn and encamp before Pihahiroth between Migdoll and the sea, over against o Exod. 14. 2. Baalzephon, where we leave them in a sad condition, Pharaoh behind them, the sea before them, having their choice to be drowned or slain; till God sent them a miraculous deliverance. Here follows the Map of Jewish habits. OF THE CLOTHES and ORNAMENTS OF THE JEWS. CHAP. VI SECT. 1. Of jewish Garments in general, their matter, colours, and fashions. § 1. I Conceived my task finished in describing the land of Palestine, The occasion of this discourse. when casually casting mine eye on Speeds Maps of England, and other Countries, I found their borders, or margins, garnished with the pictures of their inhabitants, garmented, and habited respectively according to their several fashions. Wherefore, not to be defective in any necessary ornament, we have added this discourse of jewish Vestments, confining ourselves herein only to Scripture instructions, and the last Translation, to avoid endless difficulties, arising from the various rendering of the names of jewish apparel. § 2. jewish garments were made of several matters. First, Several matter of Jewish garments. of pelts, or raw hides, all the wardrobe of those pious persecuted people (Exiles are living Martyrs) who a Heb. 11. 37. wandered about in sheepskins, and goatskins. Secondly, Leather, as the girdle b 2 King. 1. 8. of Elijah. Thirdly, Haircloth, as the raiment of john c Mat. 3. 4. Baptist. Fourthly, course hemp, whereof sackcloth, the general weeds of extraordinary d 2 King. 6. 30. mourners. Fiftly, Fine linen very fashionable in those parts, silk, cloth, scarlet, e Psal. 45. 13. wrought gold, whereof severally in due place. In a word, according to the condition of the wearer, their clothes might be made of any thing, but not of two things together [woollen and linen] as flatly forbidden by the levitical f Deut. 22. 11. Law. Because God would have his people sincere, without any mixture of hypocrisy; g 1 Thes. 5. 23. & James 1. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, all of one sort, linsey-wolsey being to the touch, what h Revel. 3. 16. lukewarmness to the taste, offensive to him, who being simple and single in himself, loves integrity in others. § 3. Of all colours they most delighted in white. White their principal colour. Let thy garments be always i Eccles. 9 8. white; signifying the jollity and mirth of the wearer. A colour highly valued in Scripture, He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in k Revel. 3. 5. white raiment, as the Emblem of victory, purity, cheerfulness, knowledge, and (in a mystical sense) grace, and glory. Which whiteness of their apparel, the jews daily preserved, with constant washing thereof. § 4. Black is conceived by Arias Montanus to be the general wearing of mourners, Black used by mourners. chiefly grounding it on David's words, l Psal. 35. 14. I bowed down heavily as one that mourneth for his mother; the Hebrew is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Incurvabam atratus, I bowed down in black. However, I conceive this blackness no superinduction of a dark die on David's clothes, but rather a dirty hue, or soil contracted on his white garments, from neglect of washing them (Vestes potius sordidae quam; nigrae, as we say mourning shirts) it being customary for men in sadness, to spare the pains of their laundresses, with Mephibosheth, who, when David was driven from jerusalem, during his absence, washed not his m 2 Sam. 19 24. clothes from the day the King departed, until he came again in peace. § 5. Other mention of black among the jews, Chemarims clad in black. I find none at all, save only, that there was a company called Chemarims, or, Black men, from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to black or burn, (and black we generally complain is a burnt die) accounted by some conjurers, as trading in the black Art, & clothed accordingly whose name God n Zeph. 1 4. threateneth to cut off from Ierus●lem. They were the idolatrous Priests of Baal, prophesied against by o Hosea 10. 5. Ho●ea; or some appendants to his service, who were p 2 King. 23. 5. destroyed by King josiah, and got their name of Chemarim from black clothes, a peculiar habit (no doubt) to themselves, and which in opposition to them (I conceive) few other would wear. § 6. Blue succeeds, ●lew more valued then worn by the jews. a celestial, or sky colour; Colour caeruleus quasi coeluleus, highly priced by the jews, who anciently had (as their Rabbins report) the exact skill of dying it to the height, which since they have lost. Yet I find no jewish apparel wholly made of this colour; whereof I conceive this reason, that they abstained from it, as a colour sacred and mysterious, than which none more used about the Tabernacle, and Temple, in the curtains, veils, and vestments thereof. Only we read, that ordinary jews, by God's command, were to make that lace, or ribbon q Num. 15. 38. of blue, wherewith their fringes were bound to their clothes. Intimating, that heavenly meditations were the best ligament, to continue, and fasten God's commandments unto their souls. The Babylonians much delighted in, yea, doted on this magisterial r Ezek. 23. 12. colour: and so also did the Persians, as may appear by Mordecai, who when advanced, was clothed in s Esther 13. ●5. blue, amongst many other royal accoutrements. § 7. A gradation in honour of three colours remain, Scarlet, Crimson and Purple. usual amongst the jews in robes of State for persons of highest qualities, on great solemnities. First, Scarlet wherein t 2 Sam. 1. 24. Saul first clothed the daughters of Israel, not died (as our modern) with Madder, or with Cochenil, or with the powder in grain [otherwise Alchermis] all inventions of later date; but with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, a shrub, whose red berries, or grains, gave an orient tincture to cloth. Second, Crimson (to which Scarlet is brought by a mixture of Alum) which was used in Solomon's u 2 Chr. 2. 7. 14. & 3. & 14. Temple, and in the garments of the principal w Jer. 4. 30. jews. Third, Purple, the richest of all earthly colours, having the gaudiness of red (whereof it retains a cast) abated with the gravity of blue, chiefly died at Tyre, and taking the tincture thereof from the liquor of a shellfish, formerly found plentifully in the sea thereabouts, but utterly lost and unknown at this day. And, although I no whit envy the good huswife described by Bathsheba, clothed with so x Prov. 31. 22. rich a die, because earned with her industry (and good reason, Win purple and wear purple) yet, I confess, I grudge at the rich glutton in the Gospel, that he should be clothed with y Luke 16. 19 purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day. § 8. And now I have dipped my fingers so far in the die-fat, Scarlet and Purple how the same. a word more to reconcile a seeming difference in the Gospel. For, when our Saviour had rich robes in derision put on him by the soldiers, what Saint Matthew calls a Scarlet z Mat. 27. 28. robe, is termed by a Mark 15. 17. Saint Mark, and b John 19 5. Saint john a purple robe, and that without the least prejudice to the truth; for 1 Possibly two several garments were put on him, as our English judges have distinct suits of robes, one of Scarlet, the other of Purple. 2 The ancient Roman robes of Magistracy whatsoever, were called by the generical name of c If I rightly understand Lazarus Bay●●ùs de Re Vestiaria. pag. 173. Purple. 3 The ground work was Scarlet, which with a mixture of blue makes the richest purple (as the most skilful in that mystery have informed me) so, being Scarlet purpurized, it might be termed by either, and both appellations. So much for the colours of the jews clothes mentioned in the Bible; other colours, yellow, d Yet found in the Rabbins. green etc. not appearing therein; though I dare not say, that▪ because these colours not being died in grain, lose much of their lustre, and gloss in washing (so frequently bestowed on their apparel) they therefore abstained from the use thereof. § 9 As for the shape and making of the jewish garments, jews no fashion mongers. they were no affecters (Englishmen-like) of various fashions; but, according to the commendable gravity of the ancient Germans, kept the same form for many ages. Indeed their clothes, being for the most part loose vestments, not exactly fitted to their bodies, but only cast over, wrapped about, or girded unto them, the less curiosity was required in their making. Hence it is, that we find the Philistines their e Judg. 14. 19 clothes fitting Samsons friends, and Jonathan's f Sam. 18. 4. robe given to David, serving him without any considerable difference. And, because we meet not with the trade of a Tailor, clean through the Scripture (though frequent mention of Weavers, and Full●rs therein) it seems anciently no distinct occupation among the jews, being probable, the men, or their wives made their own clothes; with Dorcas, who g Act. 9 39 made coats and garments for the widows, whilst she was with them. Thus the state, and gallantry of the jews, consisted not in their changeable fashions, but in their various changes, orient colours, costly matter, curious embroideries of their garments. However so much of the fashionableness of their clothes as is colligible from Scripture, we come now to describe. SECT. II. The particular fashion of their apparel. § 1. NExt to their skins they aware linen cloth (as most cleanly, Linen next their b●re bodies. soft, and wholesome for that use) and at night lay in the same: Thus the young man, late at night alarumed out of his bed, with the noise made by judas, and his rout, when Christ was apprehended, is said, to have a Mark 15. 5●. a linen cloth cast about his naked body (as his bed-livery left on him) which he was fain to forsake, and so to make his escape. § 2. Next this they put on their coat, Next a coat coming down to their feet. which came down to their very feet, accounted modest, grave, yea, honourable amongst them. Great therefore the indignity, offered by the King of Ammon, to David's Ambassadors, b 2 Sam. 10. 4. cutting off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks; it being a disgrace to the jews, which was all the fashion in the cloaks of the ancient Gauls. Dimidiásque nates Gallica c Ma●●ialis. palla tegit. And to prevent the dangling down, and dangling of so long garments, the jews used, when sent on d 2 King. 4. 29. an errand, when taking a journey, when doing any e Luk. 17. 8. office in the house, and when f Exod. 12. 9 eating the Passeover, to gird up their clothes about them. Hence a girdle is taken in Scripture for strength, readiness, and activity, whilst the want thereof denoteth weakness, looseness, and laziness. Those girdles used generally to be but about their loins, Stand therefore having your loins g Ephe. 6. 14. girt. And therefore extraordinary was that golden girdle of Christ in the vision, and singularly placed about h Revel. 3. 13. his paps, showing it rather of ornament than use, not to get strength, but show the state of the wearer thereof. § 3. Now, Slaves tucked up their clothes above the thighs. although freeborn people, when about their business, girt up their coats not above their leg; slaves, for their greater shame, when carried captive, were forced to tuck their clothes up above their thighs. Thus the Prophet, foretelling the captivity of Babylon, calls to the virgin of Zion, make bare the leg, i Isa. 47. 2. uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers, as being to wade the nearest way over waters in their passage, whilst their conquerors would not be at the cost to ferry them over. § 4. To return to the jewish coats; Jewish coats girdled, collared and fringed. As they were tied up with girdles in the midst: (girdles serving the jews for purses wherein they carried their moneys— 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, k Mat. 10. 9 nor brass in your girdles) so they were collared about the neck; witness job his expression, that his disease l job 30. 18. bound him about as the collar of his coat. Either, that his malady inseparably clinged unto him, (in which sense we say, ●n ague sticks to ones back as close as his clothes) or rather, because he was visited with a noisome disease and aggulatinatus sanie, was grown stiff and hard with the purulent matter of his ulcers. As the jews coats were collared above; so they were skirted, and fringed below, by God's especial command. m Num. 15. 38. 39 Speak unto the sons of Israel, and say unto them, that they make unto them a fringe on the skirts of their clothes throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the skirt a ribbon of blue. And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may see it, and remember all the commandments of jehovah, and do them. And n Deu●. 22. 12. elsewhere they are enjoined to make fringes upon the four skirts of their garment. § 5. A fringe in Hebrew Zizith, The manner and mystery of their ●ringes. or Tsitsith, sometimes also Gedilim, in Greek o Mat. 23. 5. & Mark 9 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, represented the complication, or conjunction of God's commandments among themselves, with their inseparable connexion, as the threads in those thrummed fringes were woven together. The blue lace tying them to the four skirts, typified how closely God's law ought to be applied, and fastened to our hearts. By the rules of the Rabbins, every freeborn male-child amongst the jews, when knowing to cloth himself, was bound to wear these fringes. But women, servants, and infants were not bound (say p Maimoni. Tom. 1. in Zizith cap. 3. Sect. 9 they) to wear them, though they might without committing any sin, provided that they used no ceremonious blessing (like men) at their putting them on. The same say, that blind q Idem ibidem. men were also bound to wear fringes, for, though they saw them not themselves, others did behold them. Gedilim (they say) was the thrums woven in the cloth, and Zizith was an addition of threads tied with knots thereunto, but the particular and numerous Criticisms thereof we refer to such as delight in rabbinical disquisitions. Only adding, that the modern jews have wholly left off the formal wearing of fringes, alleging this reason thereof, because they have utterly lost the mystery of making the blue ribbon (even by their own r See Ainsworth on Num 15. 39 confession) an essential implement of the fringes, which should be died of a firmament, and unfading colour, in lieu whereof, some make shift with a white only, whilst others (it seems) unable to complete their fringes according to God's command, prefer the total omission, before the imperfect observance thereof. § 6. Hitherto of the lower coat of the jews, Their cloak, or mantle. which they beware next their linen shirts. Over this they had another called a mantle, or cloak cast over them, when they went abroad, separable from their garment beneath it. This cloak s Gen. 38. 25. judah left with Thamar, and t Gen. 39 12. joseph with his mistress, when the one lost and the other preserved his chastity thereby. Such an upper garment was laid u john 13. 4. aside by Christ, when about to wash his Disciples feet: and put w Act. 7. 58. off by the jews, when intending to stone Saint Steven; and was x 2 Tim. 4. 13. left by Saint Paul at Troas. Yea, generally they beware it not when busy at their work in the field, and were counselled by Christ at the invasion of judea by the Romans, forthwith to make their escape, and not to return back to take such clothes with them, as left at home behind them. § 7. Of these coats beneath, What meant by double clothing. and cloaks above, we understand that expression in the description of a good y Prov. 31. 21. wife, She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet, or rather (seeing no good housewifery to array servants in so rich suits) as the Hebrew word importeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with double garments, that is, with coats and cloaks to make them winter-proof, and perchance with duplicates, or two of both kinds, though successively worn at several times. So much of both their garments, not forgetting the counsel Christ gave the jews concerning them (but when and how far to be followed, let others dispute) z Mat. 5. 40. If any will sue thee at law, and take away thy coat, let him take thy cloak also. § 8. At night they used to strip themselves of both Put off both at night. when going to bed: a ●ant. 5. 3. I have put off my coat, how shall I put it on? Except in some case of extremity, requiring their readiness every instant: Nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of them put off their b Nehem. 4. 23. clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing. § 9 The poorer sort were fain in the night, Cloaks poor men's coverlets. to make use of their cloak, or upper garment, for their blanket, or coverlet. And therefore God by special order provided, that though men might pawn their upper clothes (as not absolute necessary for their wearing) all the day time, yet at night such a pledge was not longer to be detained, but should be restored to him, c Exod. 22. 26. At the Sun's going down, for that is his covering only, it is the raiment for his skin, wherein shall he d Ibid. ver. 27. sleep? Say not, he was as much subject to catch cold in the day, as at night for want thereof; for then being warmed with his work, and in constant motion during his day-labour, no danger of taking cold, though the same might surprise him lying still at night, when, how sharp the season happened sometimes, the high Priests servants will testify, needing in the spring time e John 18. 18. a fire of coals to be made for them. SECT. III. Vestments how varied, according to the age of the wearers. § 1. HOwever, Infant's swaddling clothes. all jewish garments admitted of variations, according to the ages, professions, conditions, occasions, and sexes of the wearers. First for the ages, briefly to habit a jew, from the Cradle to the Coffin, we begin with the infant, who with job, coming a Job. 1. 21. naked out of his mother's womb, finds some clouts provided by the care of his parents, or providence of his friends, to cover him. Amongst these, most remarkable are his b Lam. 2. 22. & Ez●k. 16. 4. swaddling clothes, wherewith the jewish mothers c Luke 2. 7. swathed their children. No doubt doing it with more discretion than many English mothers, and nurses, who (as Spigelius d In his Anatom lib. ● c. 9 Anglia regio perve●sam ●anc fasciandi rationem ut plurim ● sequitur, quo ●it ut maxima pars hominum ●abe & distillationibus ibi con●iciatur. Afterwards yearly coated. observeth) generally hurt their babes by binding them too hard about their breast, thereby causing consumptions, of which disease, he affirmeth, more die in England, then in any other Country. And so we leave this jewish infant sucking, or sleeping on the lap of his mother. § 2. Afterward in due time he is coated, with little Samuel, for whom his mother made a little e 1 Sam. 2. 19 coat year by year. Nor know I which more to commend, Hanna's housewifery in annual providing, or Samuel's thrift in making his coat to serve him a whole year. We conceive children's clothes differed from men's, not in fashion, but in degrees, which increased with the stature of the wearer. Leave we this child in his calling, namely playing with his mates in the Market f Mat. ●1. 16. place, loath to spoil his sport (it being as pleasant to see children play, as men to work:) Provided, they be seasonably set to school, for, g Prov. 22. 6. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. § 3. From a child he starts up a youth, Then grown a Stripling. and becomes a stripling, then beginning to delight in brave clothes. If his father's darling, then perchance he is clothed with a coat, rainbow like, striped, and streaked, as Joseph's garment, with divers h Gen. 37. 3. colours; the sight whereof bread worse colours in the face of his brethren (pale envy, red wrath, blue malice, black hatred) finding him so far out strip them in their father's affection. Leave we this stripling, hunting, shooting, and offering at manlike exercises. § 4. Few more years shoot him up to be marriageable, Becomes a gay Bridegroom. and his parents provide a wife for him, as Abraham for Isaac, (Abraham, who followed God's i Gen. 24. 7. Angel sent before him, whilst too many covetous fathers are only g●ided by other Angels in their choice) and soon after he is prepared for marriage. On his wedding day, how glorious doth he appear coming out of his chamber as the k 〈◊〉. 19 5. rising Sun, when as a l Isa. 61. 10. Bridegroom he decketh himself with ornaments? We wait on him to his Bride-chamber, wish him joy, and depart. depart 5. Within a year after his marriage After a year is a Soldier. (for till that time he was privileged by the law, m Deut. 24. 5. not to go out to war, but to be free at home, and to cheer up his wife) he goes forth to fight, soldiery not being so distinct a profession amongst the jews, but that every able man, upon just summons, was bound to bear arms. Behold we him now in complete armour, according to his quality, made either of steel, n King. 14. 27. brass, or o 1 King. 10. 10. gold (I m●an for shields and targets; for, otherwise all the art of man cannotmake an edged tool of gold, or silver) Defensive; as habergeon, brigandine, coats of male, (which we wish better put on, than Ahabs was, that no chinks may be left betwixt the p 1 Kin. 22. 34. joints thereof) Offensive, & those either to use cominùs, at handpush; or stroke, as sword, dagger, spear; or eminùs, at distance, as bow, sling, dart, and other artificial engines, (whereof King q 2 Chr. 26. 15. Uzziah was the ingenious inventour) or of a mixed nature, as a javelin, which was a spear-dart, sometimes cast out of their hands, as Saul at r 1 Sam. 18. 11. David; sometimes kept in, and thrust through their enemies, in which manner s Num. 25. 6. Phinehas did execution on Zimri and Cozbi. It is enough barely to name these weapons, as having no peculiar judaism in them, but common with other Country's. For, though God enjoined the jews some ceremonious observances in their wearing-apparell, distinguishing them from other nations; yet in the fashion of their arms, he suffered them to conform with the heathen, as might be most for their own safety, and advantage. § 6. But amongst all martial accoutrements, T●e Soldiers b●lt or girdle. we must not forget the soldier's girdle, the inseparable companion of military men. Thus when jonathan stripped himself, he gave David his garments even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his t 1 S●m. 18 4. girdle: understand his gift exclusively, these three things not comprehended therein, as being unsouldier-like to part with them. joab promised to give him that could kill Absalon ten shekels of silver, and a u 2 Sam. 18. 11. girdle, as a proper military Donative. And perchance, such a Girdle, Balteus militaris, bestowed by a General in a field after the fight, amounted to the honour of our modern Knighthood, not to say, Banneretship. Conquerors used to besmear their girdle with the blood of those they overcame (a Bend or Fess gules, we know, is an honourable Bearing) in avowance, and justification of what they had done. And therefore David taxeth joab, that having killed Abner, and Amasa, not valiantly in the field, but treacherously by fraud, he shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his w 1 King. 2. 5. girdle, that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were upon his feet. Not that it casually spirted upon them, but that of set purpose he put it there, misapplying an hostile ceremony of lawful conquest, to his act of perfidious, and cowardly murder. Leave we now our soldier thus completely armed in all respects, going forth to fight, wishing him to be valiant for his people, and for the Cities of his God, and [for success] the Lord do what seemeth x 2 Sam. 10. 12. good in his eyes. § 7. But if in stead of victory, Turns mourner at ill success he meeteth with overthrow, and destruction, so that, with jobs y job 1. 15. messenger, he himself hardly escapes to bring the doleful tidings of their defeat; behold him in the following sorrowful equipage of a Mourner. With z Isa. 1●. 2. baldness on his head (not natural, but) occasioned by the shaving thereof, to make room for a sad Peruke of a 1 Kin. 20. 38. Ashes, or b 1 S m. 4 12. earth thereupon; beard c lsa 15. 2. shaved, or else, his upper lip d Mi●ah 3. 7. covered, clothes rent, yea, flesh itself cut (not wounded by the enemy's sword, but) as a penance imposed upon e ler. 41. 5. himself, feet f 2 S●m. 15. 30. bare, and whole body next the skin clothed g 1 King 21. 27. in sackcloth, wherein he used to lie, and according to the occasion, more or less was his humiliation. May he meet with seasonable comfort, and good counsel, whilst we proceed. § 8. Some few years after, 'tis strange to see, how insensibly age hath surprised him, so that he beginneth now to become an Elder. Quickly becomes an ●●der If you find him not at home in his house, you shall certainly meet him amongst those of his own rank in the gate of the City (where a Consistory Court was daily kept, and he a Judge therein) wrapped with Samuel warm in his h 1 Sam. 28. 14. mantle, and having in his hand a staff; 1 Not of any infectious infirmity, being an heavy curse: Let there not fail from the house of joab, one that leaneth on a i 2 Sam. 3. 29. staff. 2 Much less of Idolatry, an heinous sin: My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their k Hos●a 4. 12. staff declareth unto them. 3. But a staff of Antiquity, accounted a great blessing: Every man with a l Zech. 8. 4. staff in his hand for very age. To which we wish him another staff for his better support, even dutiful children, and so leave him. § 9 At next return we find him beddred, Beddred without heat. reduced to aged David's condition, though they cover him with clothes he getteth no m 1 King. 1. 1. heat. We wish him (in stead of a young Abishag) good kitchen-physic, careful attendance, and serious meditation on his latter end. SECT. IV. Their habits how differenced, by their several professions, and conditions. § 1. PRobable it is, fisher-men's coats. that all vocations of people (besides the Priests and Levites) as Husbandmen, Tradesmen, Citizens, Merchants, Doctors, Judges etc. were distinguished by their several apparel, though we can only insist upon some few we find in Scripture. First, fishermans had their coats made with the best advantage, not to hinder the wearers swimming therein. Thus, Peter hearing that the Lord stood on the land, a John 21. 7. gird his fishers-coate about him (for he was naked) and did cast himself into the sea. Oh that men would but use the wealth of this world, as Saint Peter his coat, only for civility, as a covering in their passage through the waves of this life, without danger of being drowned in the Deep, with the weight thereof! § 2. Shepherd's succeed, Shepherd's garments. sufficiently known by their bag, b 1 Sam. 17. 4●. and staff, or c Psal. 23. 4. hook; except any will add thereunto the d Job 30. 1. dog of their flock, as so necessary an attendant, they seem naked without him. Their clothes were made large and loose, easy to be put on, without any ado, so that they might run, and ray themselves. Hereupon it is prophesied of Nabuchadnezzar, that he should array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd e Jer. 43. 12. putteth on his garment, that is, quietly, quickly, in an instant, the conquest thereof should cost him no trouble, as meeting with no considerable opposition. § 3. But my pen is soon weary of the worthless wardrobe of such poor, and painful people, longing to come to Court, Court the Element of Gallants. the centre of bravery, where those Men of clothes, to whom gallantry is essential, have their continual residence. Such (saith our Saviour) as wear f Mat. 11. 8. soft clothing, are in King's houses. Insomuch that there was a law in the Court of Persia, that, None might enter into the King's gate clothed with g Esther 4. 2. sackcloth, as a disparagement to the place. Though the Porters which shut out sackcloth, could not stop out sorrow from entering into the Palace of the mightiest Monarch. § 4. Courtiers were apparelled often in fine h Gen. 41. 42. linen, Courtiers clothed in white linen. which the chiefest of them need not blush to wear, finding Angels themselves (waiters on an higher King) clothed in pure and i Revel. 15. 6. white linen. Now, although judea had store of home-growing k Josh. 2. 6. flax, yet she fetched far finer from Egypt, whence in Solomon's time the King's Merchants received linen l 1 King. 10. 28. yarn at a price. King's Merchants, being a Guild or company of men with a badge Royal upon them, probably privileged with a preemption of all wares, and sole trade in some commodities, so that Solomon (like the great Duke of Tuscany) counted traffic no abatement to his Majesty. They brought it in linen-yarn, not linen-cloth, Solomon so setting up Nappery, and the manufacture of weaving, to the much enriching of the land, and employing of the poor people thereof. Thus, after his time the finest linen cloth, formerly a purely foreign, became partly a native commodity of judea; as linen, Egyptian; as cloth, jewish; spun abroad by the wheels of strangers, woven at home on the looms of his own subjects. I say not, that Solomon took the first hint of this good husbandry, from the mouth of his mother Bathsheba, charactering a good wife, m Prov. 31. 24. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it: though a family being a little kingdom (as a kingdom a great family) what is found beneficial for the one, may by proportion be extended advantageous for the other. § 5. Pass we by fine cloth to come the sooner to silk, And in silk. the apparel also of our Courtier. By silk we understand not Sericum, coming from the East Indies, where it groweth on trees: nor Byssus, a soft silk grass; but Bomby●ina, made of silk-wormes, (whereof largely n In the land of Moriah. before) and of it plenty in Palestine. Indeed we find, that o Lampridius in e●us vita. Heliogabalus first wore such silk clothes in Rome; and that in justinian's time (some five hundred years after Christ) silkworms by some p Procopius. Monks were first brought into Europe; as also that q Matth. Parker in his life. Cardinal Woolsie was the first Clergyman that wore silk in England: but, when silk began first to be worn by the jews, we cannot exactly define. Only we find amongst the many favours God bestowed on their Country, this especially recounted, r Ezck. 16. 10. I covered thee with silk. And thus we leave our Courtier so gaily apparelled, that his clothes (according to the Apostles s James 2. 3. complaint) are not only his Usher to make room; but also his Herald, to appoint a principal place for him to sit down, when coming into any assembly; whilst others, of less gallantry, (but perchance more goodness) must either stand, or sit at his footstool. § 6. Come we from the Stars to the Sun; Robes royal of Kings. from the Courti●rs to the King himself. Such were conspicuous, and distinguished from their subjects, by their Crown, Sceptre, Throne, and royal Robes, which jehosaphat wore in war to his t 1 King. 22. 30. cost, had not God's goodness ordered, that he was more scared then hurt thereby. White garments were worn even by the Kings themselves. Hereupon when our Saviour as a Mock-king was made a derision both to Gentile and jew▪ as the Soldiers arrayed him in u John 19 2. Purple, Robes of Magistracy amongst the Romans; so Herod, a jew (conforming his scoffs to custom of his own Country) w Luke 23. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, clothed him with a white garment. Sometimes, Kings did, out of special grace, communicate their robes to be worn by their Favourites, as is x Esther 6. 8. eminent in the case of Mordecai. Many and rich (no doubt) were the habiliments of the jewish Kings, but when all was done, Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed as a y Mat. 6. 29. Lily in the field, more fine to the touch, fair to the eye, and, which is the main, the Lilies beauty is his own, and in him; Solomon's bravery but borrowed, and upon him. § 7. We had almost forgotten the Pharisee, Pharisees their habit. who will be offended (as loving the z Mat. 23. 6. uppermost rooms at feasts, and chief seats in the Synagogues) if not having an high, and honourable mention in our discourse. These, generally, delighted in a Mat. 23. 5. Phylacteries (and fringes of the broadest size) being schedules, or scrouls of parchment, tied to their foreheads, or left hands (by popular error accounted nearest the heart) wherein the Decalogue, and, some add, four other sections of the Law were written; so carrying a Library of God's word on their clothes, scarce a letter in their hearts. They wore course clothing, pretending much mortification, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, when they exercised, (that is, when these Mountebanks theatrically acted their humiliation) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 b ●piy●anius adversus Harese li. 1. p. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, they had thorns for their bed to lay upon, and some of them wore a Mortar on their heads, so ponderous, that they could look neither upward, nor on either side, but only downward, and forthright. But, because the Pharisees affected such clothes merely to be seen of men; out of set purpose, to cross their vainglorious humour, we will look no longer on their strange apparel, lest we increase their pride, by our studious gazing on their fantastical habits. SECT. V. A jewish man ornamented cap-a-pe. § 1. ALthough it be probable, Hats on their heads. that the ancient jews generally went bareheaded (making use with Elijah of their Mantles, or upper garments, in tempestuous weather, wrapping their heads, as he his a 1 King. 19 13. face therein) yet we find them in after ages wearing Hats on their heads, with which the three children b Dan. 3. 21. were cast into the fiery furnace. Not, that they were like those we wear now adays, (a mere modern invention since round flat caps were disused) but, are termed Hats by analogy, though not of the same form, for the same service, the coverture of the head. § 2. But, Antiochus his hats of a different fashion. some will say, if Hats were formerly fashionable among the jews, how came that Order of Antiochus (many years after) to be beheld as an Innovation, of so dangerous consequence in itself, and so distasteful to the jews, when he enjoined them to wear an c 2 Mac. 4. 12. Hat? It is answered; such Hats were offensive to the jews, not so much for themselves, but because, 1 A foreign Power imposed them. 2 An odious instrument (jason the Pseudo-Priest) pressed the wearing of them. 3 They came in company with other heathenish d Ibid. ver. 13. customs, for whose sake they fared the worse in the jews acceptance. 4 Such Hats (in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) were (as I may say) of another block from those, which the jews, most tenacious of their native habits, formerly had used. But, how the ancient Hats of the jews were made, is impossible to define, though probably they were of the same matter with their upper garment. Sure I am, the Babylonians were more top-gallant than the jews, and quite put them down with bravery in that part, as, exceeding in died e Ez●k. 23. 13. attire upon their heads. All that we will add of Jewish head-attire, is this, that mourners amongst them used (in expression of their shame, and sorrow) to be bound about close, The plowmen were ashamed, they f Jer. 14. 4. covered their heads. Wherefore, when the Prophet foretold, g Ezek. 24. 23. And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep, but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one towards another; he pronou●ceth their sorrow so transcendent, as uncapable to be ordered by the usual method of mourning, and only to be managed with amazement. § 3. Earrings were generally worn by Jewish women, Earrings doubtful whether worn by Jewish men. as also by their male children whilst as yet young, and under their mother's command; h Exod. 32. 2. Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters. Where, by sons, we understand little boys (therefore hemmed in the text with women on both sides) having their sex as yet scarcely discriminated by their habits. But, whether men amongst them beware earrings, is doubtful, and the negative most probable; seeing the Scripture, speaking of the eastern Army conquered by Gideon, For they had golden i Judg. 8. 24. earrings, because they were Ishmaelites; intimates thereby, that such were no masculine ornaments usual amongst the people of the jews. Except any make [for] there to relate, not to the earrings themselves, but to the extraordinary multitude, and massiness thereof. Wherefore, if any be earnest on the contrary, I oppose not; being contented the jews should have rings in their ears, so be it they had not Idols in those rings, a k Gen. 35. 4. superstition of their ancestors, when first coming out of Padan-Aram. § 4. Nothing save l Cant. 1. 10. chains was worn about their necks; Only chains about their necks. no linen in lieu of our modern bands, which otherwise would have intercepted, and hindered the beautiful prospect of the Spouse her neck, when compared to a tower of Ivory. As for m Gen. 24. 22. bracelets about their wrists, n Luk. 15. 22. rings on their fingers, (for gloves we find none) o Jer. 22. 24. signets in those rings, herein the jews nothing differed from other nations. § 5. Their legs were generally bare: Their legs bare. wherefore, when we find the Three children cast into the fiery furnace, in their coats, their * Dan. 3. 21. hoses and their Hats; by [hoses] we understand not stockings, but breeches; which (as the jewish Priests † Exod. 28. 42. must wear of linen for modesty) other persons might for their own conveniency, or warmth; as probably these children did, as then living in Babylon, being somewhat a more northern climate, and colder country than judea. § 6. On their feet, when at home, Sandales and shoes. and in summer time, they used to wear p Mark. 6. 9 & Act. 12. 8. Sandales; which had soles, but no upper-leathers, save the ligaments wherewith they were fastened over the instep and cross of the foot. Hence came the frequent washing of their feet in the eastern parts; not only to cool them, but chiefly to clear them from the gravel, and cleanse them from the dirt, which those casements of their Sandales had let in. In the winter time, and when they traveled abroad, they wore shoes (which they used to put off when coming on q Exod. 3. 5. holy ground.) And it seems that in fair weather, whilst the Master, for more ease, might walk in his Sandales, the servant used to carry his shoes after him (as our Servingmen their Master's hoods on the same occasion) in case that rain, or foul weather should happen in their journey. Hence that humble expression, r Mat. 3. 11. Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, that is, unworthy to perform the meanest servile office unto him. Their shoes were tied with a small, and slender latchet, yet big and strong enough, to fasten two eminent Proverbes on posterity. 1 From a thread to a s Gen. 14. 23. shooe-latchet, that is, nothing at all. 2 The t Mark 1. 7. latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose, that is (as aforesaid) unworthy to have the meanest employment about him. Nothing else occurs of the jewish shoes, save that they were often made of u Ex●k. 16. 10. badger's skins, which (otherwise seeming fitter for gloves than shoes) served for the upper-leathers, which skins (no doubt) were of finer grain and dressing in those parts (perchance worn with their fur) then in our land where the leather thereof is of no considerable value. It is suspicious, that afterwards some extraordinary cost was luxuriously bestowed on their shoes, when the poor was sold for a w Amos 2. 6. & Amos 8. 6. pair of them. Or else their Exchange ran at a strange rate, when a piece of a dead beasts skin was accounted a valuable compensation for the flesh, whole body, and life of a man. SECT. VI The habits of Girls, Virgins, Brides, Wives, and Widows amongst the jews. § 1. SO much of the jewish male-apparell, Sexes distinguished by their clothes. come we now to their Feminine-attire; sexes amongst them being solemnly distinguished by their clothes, according to Gods express command therein, a Deut. 22. 5. The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth to the man, neither shall the man put on a woman's garment, for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God: as in all ages, Epicoene Apparel hath been the Bawd to much baseness. Only herein we are sorry we cannot satisfy ourselves, much less the Reader; so little appears of their apparel in Scripture, though we will diligently take whatsoever it tenders unto us. § 2. We begin with the Girls; Girls soon starting Virgins. when, first we find b Zech. 8. 5. the City full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof. Let none condemn them for Rigs, because thus hoiting with boys, seeing the simplicity of their age was a Patent to privilege any innocent pastime, and few more years will make them blush themselves into better manners. § 3. For, Maidens kept secret; their attire. being grown virgins of pretty stature, they were closely kept under covert-parent. Whereupon a virgin in Hebrew hath her name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to hide, or keep secret, maidens not being permitted to gad abroad alone, but only in companies on great solemnities, then exercising themselves with their own sex, in c Judg. 21. 21. dancing, singing, and playing on d Judg. 11. 34. Timbrels, accounted maiden melody. Hereupon it was, that Amnon lusting after his sister Thamar, thought it e 2 Sam. 13. 2. hard for him to do any thing to her. Not, that he made it any difficulty, or scruple in conscience to commit folly with her; but all the hardness was in compassing her company, that was kept so close; and therefore, he was fain, with a fetch, to betray her into his Chamber. We find nothing particularly of the attire of ordinary virgins in Scripture, but only that the Virgin-royall, or King's daughters, were apparelled with garments of divers f Ibid. ver. 18. colours upon them: of the several kinds and make whereof, we shall treat * Parag. 7. by and by. § 4. Now, jews marry young. before the Virgin we speak of, prove 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 g 1 Cor. 7. 36. past the prime of her youth, her parents have provided an husband for her. Indeed generally the jews married very young, as studiously advancing speedy propagation of posterity, especially before Christ's time, accounting virginity (after ripe years) a petty purgatory, and barrenness after marriage a little hell, so ambitious all were of children. § 5. On her wedding-day, The bravery of Brides. how gallantly doth she come forth as a Bride h Revel. 21. 2. adorned for her husband? She needs not any Art of memory to mind her to put on her ornaments, for, can a Bride i Jer. 2. 32. forget her attire? Hers, to use, if not to own: it being a fashion amongst the jews (even at this very day observed by them) that, at a marriage, a Bride (though never so mean a person, or silly servant) is decked and dressed in all gayitry lent unto her by her neighbours, so that, that day she appears a moving mine of gold, and precious stones. Nor matters it, though the Bride's bravery be borrowed on her wedding-day, if so be that the comfort, and contentment in her match, remain her own all her life after▪ And no wonder, if Bride and Bridegroom were both very gallant, when all their invited guests are highly concerned to be comely; otherwise, if wanting a k Mat. 22. 12. wedding garment, they are accounted to ●ff●ont all the company, and the welcome occasion of their meeting together. § 6. Next day we behold our Bride a formal wife, Wives wore veils. and amongst all her clothes we take especial notice of the l Gen. 24. 65. veil on her head, in token of the subjection she gave to, and protection she took from her husband. Veil in Hebrew called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 radid, derived from radad, to bear rule and authority, showing now she had power m 2 Cor. 11. 10. on her head, being under the command of an husband. Her veil was partable from the rest of her clothes▪ witness the complaint of the Spouse, that, The n Cant. 5. 7. watchmen (shame on them for their pains) and the keepers of the walls took away her veil from her. This veil (as all the other garments of the wife) were provided her all her life time, on her husband's charge, God taking peculiar order, that in case her husband should take another wife, yet (amongst other provisions) his first wife's o Exod. 21. 10. raiment should not be diminished, though formerly she had been but a servant unto him. But woeful the condition of those seven women, who (as the Prophet foretells) in a dearth of men, desiring nothing with an husband but an husband, would be contented, yea willing, and desirous to weaie their own p Isa. 4. 1. apparel, (that is, to cloth themselves at their own charges) so be it they might have but one man for their husband, to perform conjugal duties unto them. § 7. Now, Ladies wore broidered clothes of two sorts. as the ordinary jewish wives wore clothes proportionable to their husband's estates: so the honourable women amongst them, Queens especially, wore broidered garments, which were of two sorts, 1 Wrought with q Psal. 45. 14. needle work, brought from Babylon, of which kind (for the Art, though not the sex thereof) I conceive was that r Josh. 7. 21. Babylonish garment which tempted ●he hands of Achan to sacrilege. 2 Woven exactly in imitation of the former, and this properly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Plurimis liciis texta, composed of various coloured threads, like branched work; first found out at Alexandria in Egypt, whereof the s Martialis. Poet, Haec tibi Memphitis tellus dat munera: victa est Pectine Niliaco, jam Babylonis acus. Affirming that in his age the Egyptian shuttle had got the victory of the Babylonish needle. Understand him, for the quickness, speciousness, cheapness, and novelty of the work; not the state, riches, and curiosity thereof, seeing the wrought garments from Babylon were like costly Manuscripts, the woven stuffs from Egypt like Printed books, done with less charge, and greater expedition. § 8. But besides embroidered clothes, And Queens beaten or wrought gold. we find the Queen of judea once arrayed in t Psal. 45. 9 gold of Ophir (as if her garment were cut out of the same piece with her Sceptre and Crown) and made of massy plate. If so, such bravery was rather to be pitied, then envied, (as all outward greatness is a penance rather than an ornament) except the hands of her Trainbearers did lighten the burden thereof. However, it rather appeareth (as afterward it followeth) of u Ibid. 〈◊〉. 13. wrought gold; either only studded or bossed therewith, or consisting of golden threads wrought thereinto. Thus such gallantry was fashionable amongst the jews, long before any thereof was used in the western parts, or Rome itself. Where Tarqvinius Priscus is by Pliny affirmed the first who triumphed aureâ tunicâ, In a golden coat. And many hundred years after, the same Author reports for a matter of greater rarity, that he with his own eyes beheld Agrippina the wife of Claudius wearing Paludamentum auro textili (or Chlamydem auratam, as Tacitus phraseth it) a Mantle of cloth of gold, as the first which began that fashion in Rome, though customary with the jewish Queens a thousand years before. § 9 But, The sad garments of Widows. if our foresaid wife, though a Queen, chanceth to bury her husband, and so become a widow, presently on she puts her w Gen. 38. 14. widows-garments, and x 2 Sam. 14. 2. anoints not herself with oil, but wears mourning apparel (or else, it would be accounted a great breach of modesty in her) some competent time, though the exact limitation thereof be not specified in Scripture. These Widows-garments, of what mean and homely matter soever they were made, had this peculiar privilege, that they might not be taken to pawn, or y Deut. 24. 17. pledge; God the Father of the fatherless, and the judge of the z Psal. 68 5. widows, being so careful, that no injury should be offered unto them. SECT. VII. Of the riot and luxury of the jewish women before the Captivity. § 1. SO much for the attire of sober, Riot the forerunner of ruin and civil Maidens; the garments of grave and modest Matrons. Another generation succeeds, whose husbands might be the Sons of Abraham by their extraction, but these their wives were none of the daughters of Sarah by their conditions. Indeed a little before the captivity of Babylon (luxury is the forerunner of misery) the jewish women were arrived at the greatest height of pride; like those of whom Moses foretold, a D●ut. 28. 26. The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground, for delicateness and tenderness. Oh pride! the earth, which is b Mat. 5. 35. God's footstool, is not good enough to be hers. Though the same one day will be bold to tread on her face, who thought her foot too good to tread on it. § 2. The Prophet c sa. 3. 18. etc. Isaiah taketh especial notice of a world of trinkets, Mundus, or a world of women's trinkets. which in his days concurred to dress them: 1 Tinkling ornaments. 2 Cawls. 3 Round tires like the moon. 4 Chains. 5 Bracelets. 6 Mufflers. 7 Bonnets. 8 Ornaments about the leg. 9 Head-bands. 10 Tablets. 11 Earrings. 12 Rings. 13 Nose-jewels. 14 Changeable suits. 15 Mantles. 16 Wimples. 17 Crisping-pins. 18 Glasses. 19 Fine-linen. 20 Hoods. 21 Veils. But now, as once the Eunuch said concerning a more mysterious passage in this Prophet, d Act. 8. 31. How can I understand without an interpreter? So here without the same help, who can attain to the meaning thereof? § 3. In the first place we may conceive many of these ornaments were only temporary, Many of these ornaments temporary for that age. as used by the Fashionists of that age, which afterwards disused, both name and thing came to be abolished. Which frequently comes to pass in all kind of apparel, whose very names by degrees grow old, wax threadbare, turn to rents, to rags, to nothing. For instance, it would pose a good Antiquary, to describe the exact fashion of e Camd. Remains pag. 196. Herlots, Paltock's, Gits, Haketons, Tabards, Court-pies, Chevesailes, and Gipsers: barbarous names, which may seem to carry a Spell or Conjuration in the mention of them. Yet all these were kinds of garments, commonly used in England some four hundred years ago. Yea, pride playing in all ages upon conceited opinions of decency, hath infinitely varied the fashion of all apparel, customs of our Ancestors appearing as antic to us, as our fashions (perchance) will seem incredible to posterity. Who would believe, that ever our English, some four hundred years since, wore shoes s●outed and piked more than a finger long, crooking upwards (called f Mentloned in the History called Eulogium. Crackowes) resembling the Devils claws, which were fastened to the knees with chains of gold, and silver? Or, that about the reign of King Henry the fifth, men grew so excessive in that kind, that it was fain to be ordered by Proclamation, that none should g Camd. Remains. pa. 197. Pride the greatest offence in these ornaments. wear their shoes broader at the toes then six inches? § 4. Secondly, of these ornaments, some were necessary, as fine-linen; others modest, as Veils; more (though costly) comely, as earrings, and bracelets; (which h Gen. 24. 30. Rebekah herself, and the best of women did wear) most of them (some few excepted) though magnificent, lawful, if not exceeding the wearers estate. Some therefore will demand why the Prophet reproved them, and why God was offended therewith? But, we must know, the things were not so faulty in their own nature, as for the superfluous variety, fantastical fashion, and over costly matter thereof. But, which is the main, the minds of the wearers did the mischief, whose fingers (as I may say) infected their Rings; and mouths marred their Mufflers, being used with pride, and abused to wantonnefs. The text saith, The daughters of Zion were haughty and walked with i Isa. 3. 16. stretched out necks (and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to boast is by k Vide Stephanum. Critics deduced from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the neck; pride being most visible in the erected posture thereof) and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet, carrying (it seems) bells at their heels, whose music did jar with modesty, and gave the watchword to wantoness, at what Sign mercenary embraces were to be sold unto them. § 5. Thirdly, Nose-jewels how fastened. of such as were mere superfluities, none appear more ridiculous and strange than the nose-jewels in Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 leaving us at a loss how they were fastened. Surely, the jewish women were not ringed swinelike, nor had they, like the Savages in America, their noses bored through to hang jewels therein. For, although some may plead, Pride never feels pain; as also, that the absurdest fashions, when made common, seem comely; yet such holes in their noses (more nostrils than ever nature made) must of necessity hinder, both their speech, and plainer pronunciation: except, (as some conceive) they were fastened with gold, or silver-hoops about their noses. For mine own part, I suppose these nose-jewels the same with frontlets, frequent among the jews, or else some pendants fastened thereunto: 1 First, because frontlets (otherwise ordinary ornaments) are omitted in this catalogue. 2 Secondly, because frontlets were worn betwixt their l Exod. 13. 16. & Deut. 9 8. eyes (between which and the nose no great distance) hanging down on a peak from their foreheads. However, 'tis probable these nose-jewels were frontlets of a larger size, more prominent than ordinary, as pride in process of time improveth itself to a greater proportion. And most certain it is, God was highly displeased with this their luxury; witness his heavy m Isa. 3. 24. commination, And it shall come to pass, that in stead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and in stead of a girdle, a rent; and in stead of well-set hair, baldness; and in stead of a stomacher, a girding of sackcloth; and burning, in stead of beauty. Which last curse is omitted by the Septuagint. § 6. Now, womans why subject to baldness. whereas baldness is threatened to the jewish women, i● prompts unto me a passage in Hypocrates, who (as n Foeminis nec capillos des●uere dixit, nec laborare. Epist. 95. Seneca citys him) affirms, that women in his time were neither bald, nor subject to the gout: and yet o Ibidem. Seneca confesseth, that the weaker sex in his days, were subject to both these infirmities; Non qu●a mutata foeminarum natura, sed vita: nam cum virorum licentiam aequaverint, corporum quoque virilium vitia aequa● verunt. Though a supernatural cause must be allowed, immediately to inflict the same on the jewish women, about the time of the Prophet's prediction. § 7. Whereas it is said, What meant by burning. in stead of beauty burning, I question whether it relateth to the Babylonians sacking of the City, when p 2 Chr. 36. 19 they burned the house of God, and broke down the wall of jerusalem, and burned all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. Rather I believe it referred to some personal, and corporal malady, which afterwards God inflicted on the bodies of these lascivious women: As Fevers, or the disease Erysipelas, A swelling full of heat, and redness with pain about it, (called by us Saint Anthony's fire) or some other pestilent inflammation. Except any will understand burning in the q 1 Cor. 7. 9 Apostles sense, for inward lust; that these women, when ugly and deformed, should still ardently affect their lovers, by whom they were entertained with neglect, and contempt. § 8. The mention of turning a sweet smell into a stink, jews generally ill scented. minds me of a common tradition, that an offensive savour attends the bodies of modern jews, who (notwithstanding their frequent washing) may be scented in their company, from those which are Christians. Indeed the flout of a fleering Pagan r Martialis. li. 4. Epigr. 4. Poet herein, works nothing on my belief, Quod jejunia Sabbatariorum, Malles, quam quod oles, olere, Bassa. More am I moved with the testimony of many credible Merchants in our age, adding hereunto, that the jewish mothers use to buy the blood of Christians, from Barber-surgeons, (who preserve it on purpose) therein to bathe the bodies of their new born babes, so to mitigate the rank smell of their children. However, we leave this as s It is learnedly confuted by D. Brown in Vulgar Errors. doubtful, having formerly found their report false, who (literally interpreting that commination, t Psal. 69. 24. & Rom. 11. 10. And ever bow down their backs) affirm all jews to be crooked, or bunch-backed; experience presenting many of that nation (for their stature) as proper persons, and as straight as any other people. § 9 I shall deceive their expectations, Harlots their bashful impudence. who conceive I will soil my book with presenting the exact habits of common Harlots therein. Only in general we learn from Scripture, that with Thamar the daughter-in-law of judah, they used to sit u Gen. 38. 14. covered and wrapped in a veil, in an open place, by the way. Impudent modesty! shameless shamefacedness● What a contradiction was there betwixt her gesture, and posture? Why w Ibid. 〈◊〉. 15. face covered, if intending to be dishonest? Why in the highway, if disposed to be otherwise? Hereby she professed a private-publickness (the x Prov. 7. 9 twilight is the Harlot's season) As free to commit sin: so careful not to be openly known herself, and (by consequence) not to reveal him who committed it with her. § 10. Harlots painted themselves. Add hereunto that painting was practised by y 2 King. 9 22. & 30. Harlots, adulterated complexions well agreeing with adulterous conditions. Especially, they used to z Ezek. 23. 40. to paint their eyes, understand their eyebrows and eyelids with Stibium, to make them look black, conceited by them an extraordinary comeliness. Hereupon was Solomon's caution, Neither let her take thee with her a Prov. 6. 25. eyelids, as one of her principal nets to catch wantoness therewith. When aged, they used in vain to make themselves fair by b Jer. 4. 30. renting their faces with painting, though more cause to rend them with their nails out of penitent indignation. Thus painting, used to reconcile, in time widens the breaches in their faces; and their flesh, tainted at last with the poison thereof, like rotten vessels, spring the more leaks, the more they are repaired. § 11. As for the other garments of whores, it is probable, Harlots had habits to themselves. that the public, and mercenary, were distinguished from honest women, by some habit peculiar to themselves; Solomon observing, that one came forth c Prov. 7. 10. with the attire of an Harlot. Sure I am, the same custom long since was observed in England, finding that Adam Francis Mercer, and Lord Mayor of London Anno 1352. procured an Act of Parliament, that no known whore should wear any hood, or attire on her head, except rayed, d Stow's Survey pag. 553. or striped cloth of divers colours. But, enough, if not too much, of so bad a subject; e Eccles. 7. 26. Who so pleaseth God, shall escape from her, but the ●inner shall be taken by her. SECT. VIII. Of jewish Grave-clothes, and burying Ornaments. § 1. AFter some few years, The dead how ordered among the jews. all the persons formerly described, high and low, rich and poor, one with another, meet at the house of death, whither we will afford them our attendance, to behold their funeral wardrobe. Indeed, by jobs confession, a Job 1. 28. Naked shall I return thither again, all are resolved naked into the wombe-generall of their Mother Earth; and b Psal. 49. 17. When he dieth he shall carry nothing away with him, (that is, actively, which he himself can put on, or is sensible of) though passively the dead may be c Luk. 7. 12. carried out with such clothing upon them, as decency, and modesty requires. § 2. First therefore, Eyes closed, washed and embalmed. his eyes being closed by one nearest, or dearest unto him, d Gen. 46. 4. joseph shall put his hands upon thine eyes; the body was e Act. 9 37. washed, and then prepared for embalming. This embalming was twofold; either by incorporation, substituting spices in the rooms of their brains and bowels taken out, so to preserve their corpses from corruption; an Egyptian custom, and so probably f Gen. 50. 2. & 26. jacob and joseph were embalmed: or else only by apposition, or putting of sweet odours to the dead body, (called by the jews * John 19 40. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) after which sort our Saviour was embalmed. Of whom as a bone was not broken: so no part of his body was taken away, to hinder the entireness of his resurrection. § 3. The next work was, Wound in linen. g Act. 5. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 h Act. 8. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that is, to contrive the body, and wind it into a modest method. For, though the pale cheeks of the dead will take no other die, yet the corpse may blush by proxy in the surviving kindred, if not put into a decent posture. Afterwards, they were wrapped up in a Sindon, i John 11. 44. bound hand and foot with grave-clothes (generally called k John 20 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and more particularly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉) having 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a napkin about their heads, single by itself, and not fastened to the rest of the grave-clothes, as appears by that napkin in about our Saviour's head, not lying with the clothes after his resurrection, but l Ibid. wrapped together in a place by itself. This done, the body was put into a m Gen 50. 26. Coffin; laid, and carried out on [〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉] a n Luke 7. 14. bier, and then either, 1 Buried, the most o Gen. 23. 19 ancient and general custom of the Hebrews; or, 2 Burnt p Jer. 34 5. with fragrant spices, to qualify all noisome smells; or, 3 Both, as the bodies of q 1 Sam. 31. 12, 13. Saul and his sons, whose flesh was burnt, and bones buried. As for Asa his burial, it was peculiar for the solemnity thereof, they r 2 Chr. 16. 14. laid him in a bed which was filled with sweet odours, and divers kinds of spices prepared by the Apothecary's art; and they made a very great burning for him. And the reason, that more state was used at his burial, than others, was because he was a pious King, and so well deserved it; as also (which was the main) because he had a godly son and successor jehoshaphat, not grudging what cost he bestowed on his Father's funeral. A feast called the bread s Ezek. 24. 17. of men, and elsewhere a t Jer. 16. 7. cup of consolation, was made at these burials, probably at the cost of the friends of the party deceased, to comfort them at their grief, with moderate refection. § 4. We presume, Mercenary weepers. the children and friends, of this person deceased, bemoaned him veirs & spirantibus lachrymis, with true and lively sorrow; otherwise it was common amongst the jews, as amongst our modern Irish, to send for Mourning women, so u Jer. 9 17, 18. cunning in wailing, that they could make their eyes run down with tears, and their eyelids gush out with waters, so to furnish forth the Funeral. Such mock-tears were in all ages: Credidimus * Ovid. E●pist. lacrymis: an & hae simulare docentur? Hae quoque habent arts, quáque jubentur eunt. Thy tears were trusted: do they falsehood know? Yea, they have tricks, at will they come and go. But, as parents, when their children cry for nothing, use to beat them, that they may cry for something: so God threatened that he miseries of jerusalem should x Jer. 9 19▪ afterwards turn their feigned, and strained wail, into sound and sincere sorrow; when those tears (formerly but the adopted children) should become the natural issue of their heavy hearts. § 5. Nothing more remains of the jewish burying clothes; Sepulchers Metaphorical clothes. except any will add, as part of their Metaphorical garments, the graves wherein they were interred. These were proportioned to the deserts of the party deceased, and love which the living bare unto him. In which respect Hezekiah was buried in the chiefest (or y 2 Chr. 32. 33. highest) of the sepulchres of the sons of David; but whether highest in posture as nearest to David, or in structure, as built most eminent above ground, let others dispute. They used to white over their sepulchres to appear beautiful without, to which the hypocritical Pharisees are resembled by our a Mat. 23. 27. Saviour. Yea, the friends of the dead used to raise, repair, and rebuild such sepulchres many years after the party was deceased (probably renewing the Epitaphs upon them:) b Mat. 23. 29. witness the contradiction in the jews actions, with one hand out of pretended courtesy, building and garnishing the tombs of the dead, whilst at the same time with the other hand, out of real cruelty, they killed the living Prophets among them. Here the Map of Jewish Gods is to be inserted. THE IDOLS OF THE JEWS. CHAP. VII. § 1. IT is hard, Idolatry very ancient. exactly to define, when Idolatry first began. It is generally thought about the days of Enos, Adam's grandchild; grounded upon Gen. 4. 26. though little certainty can be collected from those words, so variously translated. We may safely conceive, it began very early, in the infancy of mankind: it being true of the great World, what is said of Man the Microcosm, a Psal. 58. 3. The wicked are estranged from the womb, they go astray speaking lies, as soon as they be born. § 2. If we inquire into the causes of the variety of Idols, First reason of many Gods, multiformity of Error. and far spreading of superstition, these principally present themselves. First, the multiformity of error in its own nature. If truth be once casually lost, but especially if wilfully left, numberless are the by-paths of falsehood. Nothing under an Infinite, can expleat, and satiate the immortal mind of man. Who having once forsaken God, infinite in power, thought to fill itself with Idols, infinite in number; leaving still a blank, and reserving their souls for b Act. 17. 23. unknown Gods, when they should be added thereunto. § 3. Secondly, Second misunderstanding of God's Providence. the mistaking the attribute, of divine Providence. Men did conceive the whole world, and all therein, too large a compass for one God to actuate and inform. And therefore as Pliny c Nat. hist. observeth, that the old Eagles determinant spatia, assign several and certain circuits to their young ones to fly and feed in, without interfering each on others dominions; so the heathen confined topical Gods to particular places. Their Gods (say d 1 King. ●0. 23. the Syrians of the Israelites) are Gods of the hills; (perchance collecting the same from the jews usual sacrificing in high places) we will fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. This minds me of the speech of a e I do not say his name was Coya Shawsware of whom in Stow's Survey. pag. 780. Persian in England, attendant on the Ambassador Anno 1626. who perceiving wealthy people in London in the time of the Plague tumultuously posting to their Country houses; What (saith he) have the Englishmen two Gods, the one for the City, and the other for the Country? A mistake in the heathen, which gave the occasion of multiplying of Deities: some shadow of whose superstition, still remains in Popish Saint-worship. For whereas Christ gave his Disciples power to f Mat. 10. 1. heal all manner of sicknesses, and all manner of diseases (not consigning the Ague to Peter, Palsy to Andrew &c.) they appoint the several maladies to the cure of several Saints, Toothache to Apollonia, Sore-eyes to Saint Blaze etc. § 4. Thirdly, Third, impreving Heroical into Divine worship. the improving of Heroical into Divine worship. Anciently every nation had men of renown, famous in their generations, meriting much of their Country. Whose memories after their death was honoured with monuments, statues, Anniverssaries of mourning, some footsteps whereof are seen in the daughters of Israel yearly lamenting the daughter g Judg. 11. 40. of jephthah. In process of time, popular indiscretion, heightened this civil, into divine honour, translating such famous Heroes from the front of the mightiest men, into the rear of the meanest Gods: as appears by the propensity of the people of Israel to adore Moses when dead, had not God h Deut. 34. 6. prevented it. § 5. Fourthly, Fourth, assigning several sexes to their Gods. the assigning several sexes to their Gods, as i 1 King. 11. 5. & 33. Ashtaroth the Goddess of the Zidonians. Hereupon the fancy of the Poets were the spokesmen to make love betwixt them, the Priests to marry, or rather the Panders to couple; and upon the present impregnation of the female Deities, the same luxurious fancies were the midwives to deliver them, the nurses to suckle their children. These, when brought up to maturity, were also disposed in matches, thus filling the world with families of full grown, and nurseries of infant Deities. § 6. Lastly, Last, suggestion of Satan. the suggestion of Satan, who was the Master of the ceremonies in all these superstitions: who as he is a general gainer by all sins of men, so he did drive a secret trade, and particularly received unknown profit by Idolatry; seeing, as the k 1 Cor. 10. 20. Apostle observeth, what they saerificed, they sacrifittced to Devils. § 7. In the progress of Idolatry we may observe, F●ur steps of Idolatry. first, they began to worship glorious creatures, The Sun, with all the host of heaven, mentioned by holy l Job. 31. 26. job, an ancient writer. But all the stars in heaven were too few for them to adore. Hence they proceed to worship useful creatures, sheep, oxen &c. stepping thence to the adoration of things hurtful, Dragons, Serpents, Crocodiles; probably in fear, for a Ne noceant, that they should do them no harm. Lastly, they gave divine honour to all creatures in general, m Rom. 1. 23. Changing the glory of the incorruptible God, into an Image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things: their children not making more babies, than their parents did Idols. But of all, the Egyptian superstition, rather than it would sit out, played at the smallest game; they worshipping besides Oxen, and Sheep, Onions and Leeks, in their gardens: So that one may justly admire that their superstition did not starve them. For this being granted, that they would not eat what they did adore, (which is laid to the charge of the Papists, how truly I have now no leisure to examine) it is hard to conceive where they found food to satisfy their hunger, besides the objects of their Idolatry. § 8. If now in the next place we descend to inquire, what should make men so much to dote on the visible representations of their Deities, contrary to the nature of a spirit; we shall find it proceed from their infidelity, Infidelity the main cause of worshipping God in a visible shape. not able to apprehend God under the notion of an incorporeal Being. And therefore to contract the species of their devotion, they fixed it in a material object, lest otherwise with them their God should be out of sight, out of mind. Saint Lewes of France loved much to hear Sermons, whilst our King Henry the third his contemporary, was more for being at Mass, saying he had rather see his God then hear another speak eloquently of him. This humour of seeing a Deity (though venting itself otherways) possessed the hearts of people in all ages, who being unable to raise up their minds to conceive God every where, loved to look on him bodily represented in some material Image. § 9 Infidelity thus premised as the main cause, two other occasions, Two occasions thereof. no ways given by God, but ignorantly taken by men, much advanced such visible representations: First, God's frequent appearing to the Patriarches in a bodily shape. Which being but then assumed, voluntary, occasional, and for the present purpose, was misinterpreted by men for natural, necessary, constant, and an essential part of his Being: and thence they concluded him a corporeal substance. § 10. Secondly, Second occasion of making images. Image-making was much advantaged by some expressions in Scripture, that God used after the manner of men, allaying the purity of his nature, with humane Phrases, so to work himself the better down to our capacities. Should God speak of himself as he is, his expressions would be as incomprehensible as his Essence. Hereupon, men, in stead of thinking higher of God's Goodness, thought lower of his Greatness, and not able to conceive his Providence by his Eye, clear demonstration of his Power by his Arm, clearer by his Hand, clearest by his Finger, attention by his Ears, gracious presence by his Face etc. fell first in their brains to fancy, and then with their hands to form him a bodily Image, or Idol. Idols, which though (as the Psalmist n Psal. 105. 5. observeth) they have mouths and speak not, yet are termed by the Prophet, o Habak. 2. 18. teachers of lies, misinforming men with most false apprehensions. § 11. But their impieties stopped not here, but proceeded from a corporal, to a vicious assimilation, A second assim●lation in badness. and soon after inferred their God's conformity to man, as well in lewdness, as in limbs, badness, as bodily proportion. This they falsely collected from the impunity of many profane persons, interpreting Gods silence, consent; as approving, because not presently punishing their wicked practices. These things ●ast thou done, and I kept p Psal. 50. 21. silence, and thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself. Thus because many Thiefs have thrived by their felonious courses, Drunkards in their distempers have strangely escaped dangers, and Harlots have grown wealthy by their mercenary embraces; the heathens have fancied Mercury the God and Patron of theft, Bacchus of drunkenness, Venus and (as some will have it) Flora of whoredom, conceiving such Gods guilty themselves of the same sins, and friends, favourers, yea protectors thereof in others. § 12. But to return to their worshipping of Idols. True it is, Difference betwixt the learned and simple heathens Idolatry. the most knowing and rational amongst the heathens, adored not the very material Image, but in, under, through, and beyond the same worshipped the true God of heaven and earth. And in all ages some were found who flouted at such superstitions: amongst these the Poet brings in an Idol thus speaking. Olim truncus eram ficulnus, inutile lignum, Cum faber incertus scamnum facerétne, Deúmve; Maluit esse Deum. Time out of mind a figtree stock I grew, An useless block, before the workman knew, Benches, or Gods to make me, (small the odds) Resolved at last of me to make his Gods. Semblable whereunto is the story of a Countryman in Spain, who coming to an Image enshrined, the extraction and first making whereof he could well remember, and not finding from the same that respectful usage which he expected, (haply because he had not feed the Friars to their contentment, who accordingly do sell such frowns and smiles) You need not (quoth he) be so proud, for I have known you from a Plum-tree. But although the wiser sort both of Pagans and Papists worshipped God under the Image, so only faulty in symbolical Idolatry, and breach of the second Commandment, serving the true Deity in a false and forbidden manner, yet the ignorant people amongst them both, were directly guilty of dull downright Idolatry, breaking both first and second Commandment, adoring a false God with a false service. And as jacob, though bound by his own vow to go on to q Gen. 28. 22. Bethel, yet either out of faintness or forgetfulness, set up his staff short thereof at the City of r Gen. 33. 19 Shechem, where he bought a dwelling; so the devotion of ignorant people, though projecting perchance a longer journey to themselves to worship God in the Image, tired in their travel, and taking up a nearer lodging, terminated their worship in that visible object presented unto them. Thus God's Spirit, though allowing liberty to the Potter of the same clay to make one vessel to honour and another to dishonour, sharply reproveth the s Isa. 44. 16, 16. Carpenter, who makes a fire for his warming, and a God for his worshipping of the self same wood. § 13. But grant Idols originally frequent amongst the Heathen, How heathen Idols were first brought in amongst the jews. a Colony of them began to be planted amongst the Israelites, much by their mixture with the men, more by their matches with the women of those nations of Canaan; notwithstanding God flat prohibition to the contrary: His t Deut. 7. 3, 4. daughter shalt thou not take unto thy son, for they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other Gods. Some will say, it was more probable the jewish husband should turn his heathen wife to true Religion. For suppose her no fool (such unconvertible in a u Prov. 27. 22. Mortar) but one of a tolerable capacity, bearing unfeigned affection to her husband (obliged thereunto in gratitude for his marrying her, he might destroy) he having the double advantage of Authority and Verity on his side, it seems more likely that he should make impression on he belief, then receive infection from her. But here we must know, that he husband by breaking Gods command in his unlawful match, forfeited the vigour and virtue of his arguments, entreaties, persuasions, and threatenings to work upon her. And as his sword justly wanted the edge of power, so his shield deservedly lost all strength of protection, being left liable and exposed to his wife's solicitation, without any fence against her infection. Yea, grant at first his constancy in the truth as hard as stone, yet in continuance of time it might be hollowed with that, which Solomon calleth a continual w Pro. 19 13. dropping; and restless importunity advantaged with bosome-opportunity, may achieve a seeming impossibility. § 14. So much for the occasion of Polytheisme, How it is lawful to describe heathen Idols. the original of heathen Idols, and naturalising such strange Gods amongst the Israelites. Come we now to the particular description of their Idols. Conceive we this no breach of God's * Exod. 2●. 13. command, Make no mention of the name of other Gods, neither let them be heard out of thy mouth, understanding it, by way of praying to them, praising of them, pleading for them, swearing by them, but otherwise it is lawful to mention them occasionally by way of discourse; yea commendable to name them as detesting their impiety, deploring men's ignorance, desiring men's information, the right knowledge of many Scripture-passages, depending on some insight into such superstitions. Where, before we begin, be it observed, that though very many the Idols mentioned in Scripture, yet our mistake may make them more than they were; if erroneously conceiving Quot nomina, tot numina, that every several Idols name we meet with, was a different and distinct Deity by them adored. O no! As our one and only God is known to us by several names, jah, jehovah, El, Elohim, Adonai etc. so in apish imitation thereof, some one heathen God took a principal pride, to have several names imposed upon him, and pleased himself much in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in multitude of titles. § 15. In setting forth these heathen Gods, Alphabetical method in ranking them. it matters not what method we use, and perchance none at all is most natural for our subject. Molten Images are y Isa. 41. 29. confusion, saith the Prophet; and therefore, a rude heap fitter, ●hen an orderly pile, for their description. However, not for their honour but one ease, we will rank such Idols as we find in Scripture worshipped by jews, or Judaizing people, Alphabetically; as followeth. Adramelech. § 16. That is, a Magnificent King. Surely, seeing such men as made, named also these Idols, they had been highly to balm, if not fitting them with illustrious titles. This was not adored by the jews, but such Samaritans as from Sephervaim, came to people the Country whence the ten Tribes were carried captive. His image may probably be conceived, a Crowned King sitting on a Throne, and the manner of his worship is expressed in Holy z 2 Kin. 17. 31. writ, that they burned their children in fire unto him. Not that they burned them to ashes, as they did to Moloch, (whose service was Hell, whilst this of Adramelech was Purgatory) but, by way of lustration, expiation, consecration, and Mock-baptisme by fire, their Chemerim, or Priests led the unwilling children, and passed them through the fire on both sides, where their painful scorching was rewarded, with the people's acclamation, and their parent's opinion of merit therein. Anamalech. § 17. As some a Gerard Voss. de Orig. Idolat. lib. 2. cap. 5. deduce it from the Arabian word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Any, Rich, in effect a rich King, or (if you will) Prince Mammon. If so, he hath many adorers this day, by b Col. 3. 5. covetousness which is Idolatry. Others deriving it from an Hebrew root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an answering God, which shows him more civil, friendly, and familiar than others of his rank, taking more state upon them in their sullen silene No doubt, the Devils answers here were no plainer, than his riddling Oracles elsewhere, which like changeable Taffeta (wherein the woof and warp are of different colours) seems of several hues, as the looker on takes his station: so his doubling answers appeared such to every one's apprehension, as they stood affected in their desires. Anamalech had the same superstitious worship c 2 King. 17. 31. with the former, and was worshipped by the Sephervaite Samaritans. Apis, or Serapis. § 18. Was a true living black bull, with a white list, or streak along the back, a white mark in fashion of an half Moon on his right shoulder; only two hairs growing on his tail (why just so many, and no moe, the Devil knows with a fair square blaze in his forehead, and a great bunch called Cantharus under his tongue. What art their Priests did use, to keep up the breed, and preserve succession of cattle with such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or privy marks, I list not to inquire. It was adored by the Egyptians, (though not mentioned by name in Scripture) and hence it was, that they fed by themselves, counting it an d Gen. 43. 32. abomination to eat with the Hebrews. For, oh! how would their hunger have been turned into fury, if tasting of an Israelitish dish, they should chance to meet therein with parcel of that God whom they worshipped? This also was the cause, why Moses requested three days journey into the wilderness to sacrifice, refusing to do it in the land of Egypt, alleging fear to be stoned, if before their eyes they should offer the abomination e Exod. 8. 26. of the Egyptians, namely, if he should offer a bull or cow, how mad would the other have been, at such an indignity, and affront to their Deity. § 19 Be●ides this natural and living Bull, kept in one place, they also worshipped 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a golden, or gilded ox, the Image or portraiture of the former. Some conceive this Apis to have been the symbol, and emblem of joseph the Patriarch, so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ab, a father, seeing he is said to be made by God f Gen. 45. 8. a Father to Pharaoh, that is, preserver of him and his Country. And therefore the Egyptians in after ages, gratified his memory with statues of an Ox, a creature so useful in ploughing, sowing, bringing home, and treading out of corn, to perpetuate that gift of grain he had conferred upon them. They strengthen their conjecture, because Serapis (which g G. Voss. de Idol. li●. 1. c. 29. one will have to be nothing else but Apis with addition of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sar, that is, a Prince, whence perchance our English Sir) was pictured with h Ruffinus Hist. Eccles. lib. 2. ca 22 & Suidas in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. a bushel over his head, and joseph (we know) was corn-meater general in Egypt. Though others on good ground conceive, Oxe-worship in Egypt of far greater antiquity. § 20. However, hence i Exod. 32. 4. Aaron, and hence afterwards jeroboam (who flying from Solomon, lived some years with Shishak King of k 1 Kin. 11. 40. Egypt) had the pattern of their Calves, which they made for the children of Israel to worship. If any object, the Egyptians Idols were Bulls, or Oxen, the Israelites but Calves; the difference is not considerable. For (besides the objectour never looked into the mouths of the latter to know their age) gradus non variat speciem, a less character is not another letter. Yea Herodotus calls Apis himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Calf, and Vitulus is of as large acception among the Latins. Such an old calf the l Virg●l. ●log. 3. Poet describes, — Ego hanc vitulam (ne fortè recuses, Bis venit ad mulctram, binos alit ubere foetus) Depno— My Calf I lay (left you mislikeed, both tides She comes to th'pale, and suckles twain besides.) But to put all out of doubt, what in Exodus is termed a Calf, the * Psal. 106. 20. Psalmist calleth an Ox. Some will have Aaron to have branded on his Calf the privy tokens of Apis, because it is said, after he had made it a molten calf that he m Exod. 32. 4. fashioned it with a graving tool, this is, say some, imprinted it with the foresaid characters in the face, back, and shoulder thereof; but this we leave as uncertain. Ashima. § 21. All that we know of him, is, that he was the God of the men of Hamath n 2 King. 17. 30. , which were brought into Samaria. The Rabbins say, he was presented as an Hee-goate. Like enough, Satan much delighted in that shape, where his staring, frizzled, shaggy hair was fit to affright folk. Indeed, both Devils and Goats are said to go out in a stink, and so fare they well. Ashtoreth, in the Septuagint Astarte. § 22. Her Hebrew name signifieth flocks, either because worshipped in the form of a Sheep, as the jews will have it, or because (as Scaliger) whole flocks were sacrificed to her. What if because supposed protector and preserver of flocks in those eastern Countries, as in the west, — Pan curate oves, oviúmque magistros. Pan he doth keep, both Shepherd and Sheep. Ashtaroth, saith the Scripture, was the Goddess of the Sidonians o 1 Kin. 11. 13. . Tully saith the same, p De na●. Deo. ● lib. 3. Venus Syria Tyróque concepta quae Astarte vocatur. But, though the Sidonians did originally invent, they did not totally engross her to themselves, the Philistines having a share in her service, who hung up Saul's Armour in the q 1 Sam. 31. 10. House of Ashtaroth, as acknowledging their victory achieved by her assistance. In the vacancy r Judg. 2. 13. & 10. 6. of the Judges, the worshipping of Ashtaroth was first brought into Israel; which afterwards, by the advice of s 1 Sam. 7. 3, 4. Samuel, was solemnly banished out of the land, untilll Solomon in his old age, befooled by his wives, t 1 King. 11. 5. 33. introduced it again. Her image was the statute of a woman, having on her own head the Head u M. Selden de Diis Syris ex Philone Byblio. of a Bull, where the horns erected resembled the Crescent Moon, and his curled hair (falling down on her forehead) betokened (forsooth) the fiery beams thereof. This Goddess was very tender of herself, and careful not to catch cold; for, besides the Grove over her image, she had also Curtains over her Grove, w 2 King. 23. 7. which the women weaved for that purpose, till josiah took order to destroy them. Baal. § 23. That is, a Lord, being the name general for most Idols. Hereat haply the Apostle x 1 Cor. 8. 5. reflected, when acknowledging (according to common language) there be Gods many, and Lords many. But, we take this whereof we treat, to be Chief of the Baal's, the most ancient, and eminent of his name. A great Lord no doubt, who could qualify four y 1 King. 18. 19 hundred and fifty Prophets for his Chaplains. He was served with z 1 Kin. 19 18. bowing of the knee, and his Priests, in a religious frenzy, a 1 Kin. 18. 28. used to cut themselves with knives and lancers, till the blood gushed out upon them. Oh● how do some go down hill with difficulty, and take pains to the place of eternal Pain? In the interim betwixt the b Judg. 2. 13. Judges, Baalisme was first brought into Israel, which in the days of Samuel was c 1 Sam. 7 4. publicly abandoned by the people. Afterwards the worship of Baal ebbed and flowed variously, as followeth: In Israel. 1 d 1 Kin. 16. 31. jezebel daughter to Ethbaal King of the Zidonians wife to Ahab, brought in Baal (as part of her portion) into Samaria. 2 Eliah gave his worship a mortal wound, when killing four hundred and fifty of his Prophets at mount Carmel. 3. jezebel before ahab's death, recruited the number of Baal's Prophets, to about g 1 King. 22. 6. four hundred, and set up his service again. 4 Ichoram her son (best of all the bad Kings) put away the image i 2 King. 3. 2. of Baal, which Ahab had made. 5 jehu so totally and finally routed Baal, and his Priests, that they never after rallied up their forces in Israeal. In judah. 1 Athaliath Iezebels daughter, publicly planted the service of Baal in jerusalem, and bestowed e 2 Chi. 24. 7. on him, all the dedicate things of the House of the Lord. 2 jehoiada rooted it out, when he slew Mattan f 2 Kin. 11. 18. Baal's Priest, before the Altar. 3 Ahaz set up bankrupt Baal, with a new stock, and made molten h 2 Chr. 28. 2. images for his service. 4 Hezekiah is presumed to have destroyed Baal, amongst the rest of the images, which he broke in pieces. 5 Manasseh reared up k 2 King. 21. 3. Altars for Baal, and made a grove for him in imitation of Ahab. 6 josiah made an l 2 King. 23. 5. utter abolition of Baal out of the land. Then was fully accomplished, what God by his m Hosea 2. 17. Prophet had foretold, I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. § 24. Some will ask, that seeing Baal is made a Man by Eliah, He is a God n 1 King. 18. 27. pursuing his enemies (which is no woman's work) how comes Saint Paul to make him female Rom. 11. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, where the feminine article speaks him, or her rather, of the weaker sex? It is answered, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Image, or something equivalent, is understood. If this satisfy not, even, Let, Baal plead for himself, and make his own vindication for the monstrosity of an Hermaphrodite. Baal-Berith, and Baalmeon. § 25. I take these to be the same with Baal, only distinguished by the place wherein they were worshipped. Thus the Lady of Lauretta Hall, and Walsingham, are not several persons, but the same adored in sundry Shrines. Baal-Berith (perchance because first worshipped in Berithus a City in Phoenicia) had a Temple in, or near Shechem, whence Abimelech took seventy pieces of silver to raise his o Judg. 9 4. Army. Baalmeon was placed in the Tribe of Reuben. Baal-peor. § 26. Taking his name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to lay open, Deus apertionis, an Idol which showed all that Adam covered with fig-leaves. The p Hieron. lib. 2. in Hose. ca 9 & lib. 1. contra jovinianum Isidorus de Origin. lib. 8. c. 11. Fathers make him to be the beastly God Priapus. No wonder then if grave Cato went off from the stage, at the Plays presented to the honour of the God Bacchus, accounting such scurrility inconsistent with his severity, seeing none could contentedly behold the image of Baal-peor (the Idol of Moab and Midian) but first must sacrifice all his modesty unto it. And we may be well assured, where the Idol was naked, the Idolaters were not covered, so that both sexes assumed much licentiousness in their feasts, and merry meetings, as appears by the impudence q Numb. 25. 6. of Cozbi and Zimri. § 27. One thing I much admire at, in the worship of Baal-peor, that such as adored him (as the Psalmist observeth) did eat the sacrifices r Psal. 106. 28. of the dead. Me thinks, each morsel they put into their mouths, should mar their mirth, and the very mention of the Dead, make them all amort. Their warm and wanton embraces of living bodies, ill agreed with their offerings Diis manibius, to ghastly Ghosts. This inclines me to that learned s Vollu● de Idolat. man's opinion that by sacrifices to the dead are intended no Inferiae, or obsequies to the departed, but only mere offerings to the Idol, a liveless, dull, dead, and inanimate thing; in opposition whereunto, God so t Above thirty times. See the Concordance. often in Scripture is styled the living Lord. Bel. § 28. The same (say some) with Baal, only he was a Phenician, this a u Isa. 46. 1. Babylonish Deity. This Bel was the grand confounder of so many barns, flocks, and vineyards, spending daily twelve w Hist. Bel. v. 3. measures of fine flower, forty sheep, and six great pots of wine. Surely he deserved to forfeit his large fare, by the Apostles x 2 Thes. 3. 10. rule, He that will not work, let him not eat, finding no activity in this Idol, proportionable to his voracious appetite. Indeed his Priests, and their famiy are said to make riddance of all those victuals; and although the whole story may be challenged to be Apocrypha, yet so much thereof as relateth to Bells devouring belly (so believed by a vulgar error) seems framed in some analogy to Canonical truth; witness the threatening of God in the y jer. 51. 44. Prophet. And I will punish Bel in Bablyon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth, that which he hath swallowed up. Baalzebub. § 29. That is, the Lord of flies; but, whether so called, from bringing or banishing of flies; from causing, or chase them away, is not decided. Indeed the jews account it one of their constant miracles in their Temple, Mat. 24. 28. that whereas naturally (as where the carcase is, thither will the Eagles resort: so) flies swarm where sacrifices are slain, yet not any of such troublesome infects infected their Altar, whilst plenty thereof about the sacrifices of Baalzebub. Of this Idol formerly in a § 29. Dan, here I only enter my dissent from their opinion, who conceive Baalzebub a nickname given in derision to the God of Ekron. Surely sick men speak seriously, and Ahaziah his fall had not so far crazed his intellectuals (calling him Baalzebub in his Commission to his messengers) as to send a mock by their mouth to that God from whom he begged a boon, b 2 King. 1. 2. and hoped to have a favourable answer. At which time those messengers were remanded by Elijah, and soon after the two Captains with their fifties sent to attach him burnt with fire from heaven, whilst the third saved himself with c 2 King. 1. 13. submissive language; a Petition working more than a Mandamus on the spirit of the Prophet. Bel-zebub, or God of flies, passeth in the Testament for the d Mat. 12. 24. Prince of Devils. Indeed, as flies have their felicity in inflaming of raw sores: so the Devil delights in heightening each pimple into a scab; scab, into a boil, boil, into an ulcer; ulcer, into a fistula; endeavouring to improve our smallest sins by his temptations into unpardonableness, if God's mercy prevent not his malice. Chemosh. § 30. Notoriously known to be the abomination of e 1 King. 11. 33 & 2 Kin. 23. 13. & I●r. 48. 13. Moab; yet so that this Idol was held in Coparcenary betwixt them, and the Ammonites; witness jephthah his question to the King of Ammon, demanding restitution of the land of Gilead from the Israelites, f judg. 11. 24. Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy God giveth thee to possess? Thus as Moab and Ammon once parted the incestuous extraction from the same g Gen. 19 37, 38 Grandfather: so now they met again at the Idolatrous adoration of the same God. We find nothing in Scripture of the fashion, or worship of Chemosh, only we read in h In 〈◊〉. Benjamin an ancient learned jew, that at Gebal in a Temple was found the Idol of the children of Ammon (certainly either Chemosh, or Moloch) being an image of stone gilded over, sitting on a throne, betwixt two female images also sitting, having an Altar before him whereon incense was offered, as we in our draught have designed it accordingly. Dagon. § 31. Neither good flesh nor fish, but a mixture of both, bearing fish in his name, and flesh in his head, and i 1 Sam. 5. 4. hands. Indeed the heathens observe the Syrians generally to have adored fish: Piscen Sylli venerantu●, k De Natura D●orum. 3. saith Tully. Yet dare I not impute Gods not apointing any fish to be sacrificed unto him, to his detestation thereof on the foresaid account; but rather, either because being ferae naturae they could not be constantly gotten for the continual sacrifice; or because it was hard to bring fish alive to jerusalem many miles by land, it being essential to the sacrifice to be presented quick at the Altar when offered thereupon. But of Dagon formerly in * § 32. Dan. The Ephod▪ § 32. This by the primitive institution thereof, is sufficiently known for a Priest's l Exo. 28. 6. etc. vestment. Indeed, once we find David, when dancing before the Ark, wearing m 2 Sam. 6. 14. an Ephod, but in what capacity let others dispute: surely not with any sacrilegious invading of the Priestlike office. Perchance, (as formerly our English Kings at their Coronation wore a Dalmatica with sleeves, a Sacerdotal garment: so) David, as custos utriusque tabulae, and being by his place to provide that the Priests should perform their office, habited himself (especially on that occasion) in some general conformity to their function. But leaving this to others, as God by A●rons chief n 1 Sam. 13. 7. Ephod informed such as inquired of him, so Satan (God's Ape in his Temples, Priests, Prophets, Altars, Sacrifices, Oracles, and Ephods) counterfeited in his mock- Ephods, to resolve such as asked counsel thereat. Thus the Danites before their expedition against Laish, consulted the o Judg. 18. 5. 14 Ephod which Micah had in his house, concerning their success. Gideon also made an Ephod of the spoils of the Midianites, which we charitably believe might be (when first made) a Virgin (as innocently intended by him, only for a civil memorial) but in fine proved an Harlot, when all Israel went a p Judg. 8. 27. whoring after it. So that such an Ephold may pass under the notion of a jewish Idol. Milcom. § 33. That is, their King. If any object, that the points therein answer not exactly to that sense; know their Gods were too great to be ranked under Grammar Rules: (jupiter we know irregularly declined both in Latin and Greek) and some grammatical Anomaly is conceived to conduce the more to their magnificence. It was the God of the q 1 King. 11. 33. & 2 Kin. 23. 13. Ammonites, and was the same with Moloch, as may appear, because what r Amos 5. 26. Amos calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Saint Luke s Act. 7. 43. rendereth Moloch▪ according to the judicious observation of the most learned t S Hiero●e li. 2. in Amos. Father, concerning Apostles, and Apostolical me●, citing places out of the old Testament, Illos non verba considerare, sed sensum, nec eadem sermonum calca●e vestigia, dummodo à sentent●is non recedant. Moloch. § 34. A monstrous Idol. Nothing came amiss to him, having Stowage enough to receive whatever was offered unto him. It was an hollow image of brass, having seven repositories therein; one for Meal, a second for Turtles, a third for a Sheep, a fourth for a Ram, the fifth for a Calf, (like to which was the head thereof) the sixth for an Ox, the u Paulus F●gius in Chaldaeam paraphrasi● Levi●ici. seventh for a Child, which it first embraced in its arms, and then (Hags hugs kill with kindness) seared to death, having fire made under the concavity thereof. This murder of children was acted near jerusalem, in a place remarkable for its double name, 1 The valley of the sons of w 2 Chr. 28. 3. Hinnom. So called from the screeking of children (〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nahem is to roar out) when sacrificed there. 2 x 2 King. 23. 10. Tophet. From 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Toph a y See suprà, in the Description of jerusalem pag. 349. § 6. drum, loud music being used to intercept the children's crying from their parents hearing it. But, had not such parents' ears as well is their hearts, as on their heads, to sympathise with the suffering of their own flesh and blood? And seeing these Tragedies were acted in their presence, why had not such parents, (as music to keep the sound from their ears, so) masks to hide the same from their sight? But, what shall we say? They may be ranked amongst those of whom the Apostle speaks, Whom z 2 Cor. 44. the God of this world hath blinded. Superstition depriving men both of Grace and Nature together. Nergal. § 35. He was adored by the a 2 Kin. 17. 30. Cuthites, by whom we understand such who (before their transplanting into Samaria) dwelled at or nigh Cuth, a river in Persia. His name may be deduced from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Properly a Candle in Hebrew. Ne'er, light or fire, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gall, rolled or wreathed: the rays of the one, and flakes of the other appearing waved or curled to the beholder. Hence we conceive this Nergal of the Cuthites to be a constant fire which they adored as the symbol of the Sun, notoriously known to be the grand Deity of the Persians. As indeed fire is the the terrestrial Sun, Whence the Stars of our torches and tapers borrow their light. Yea, such the purity, clarity, and activity thereof, that though it be not to be called a God, God is pleased to call himself a b Heb. 12. 29. consuming fire. Nisroch. § 36. A God of the Assyrians, in whose Temple Sennacherib was a worshipping, when c 2 King. 19 37. slain therein by Adramelech, and Sharezer his sons. This was he who so lately boasted, Where is the King of Hamath, of Arphad, of Sepharvaim, d Ibid. ver. 13. of Henah and Ivah? Let now one more be added to that Catalogue, And where is Sennacherib the proud King of Assyria? Many were gainers by his death; God got the honour of the action, Isaiah the performance of his prophecy, Hezekiah riddance from his worst enemy, Esarhaddon his son and successor got the kingdom of Assyria, and his two sons who slew him, e Ibid. ver. 37. got exile into the land of Armenia, too fair a reward for so foul a Patricide. Now though we find not this Nisroch by name to be worshipped by the jews, yet because the f Ez●k. 23. 5. Prophet's complaint is general, that they doted on the Assyrians their neighbours, we may conclude them guilty of spiritual whoredom with Nisroch as a principal Idol of that Country. Nibhaz. § 37. This and Tarkah were the Idols of the g 2 Kin. 17. 21. Avites, of whom nothing save their names extant in Scripture, (though the Rabbis fancy the one like a Dog, the other an Ass) and it is a good hearing that we hear no more of them. Some heathen accounted those men happiest that were never born, and those next that died the soon: so we esteem those Idols least bad which never appeared, and next them such as are most obscure, the manner of whose mischievous worship have left the least impressions to posterity. Queen of Heaven. § 38. God himself most justly is styled The King of heaven by h Dan. 4. 37. Nebucchadnezza●; but by Queen of heaven in the i Jer. 7. 18. & 44 ●●. Prophet, (superstitiously worshipped by the jews) we understand the Moon made to rule the night. Let her be deposed from her Regency, if willingly accepting of this usurped title, and their unlawful offerings: but seeing man's importunity forced them upon her against consent, the Moon is as free from idolatry, as the Virgin Mary from superstition, on whom Regina Coeli is obtruded by the Roman Missals. The Cakes offered unto her must needs be most complete, seeing each one in the family had a finger in the making thereof. The k Ibid●m. Children gather the wood, and the Fathers kindle the fire, and the women ●knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of heaven. Their servants being conceived too mean to be used in so high an employment. Remphan, or Rephan. § 39 Only mentioned by Saint Steven in his purgation of himself, and that with such difference from the text in the old Testament, that learned men have much ado to reconcile it. AMO● 5. 26. But ye have born the Tabernacle of your Moloch, and Chiun, your Images, the Stars of your God which ye made to yourselves. ACTS 7. 43. Yea, ye took up the Tabernacle of Moloch, and the Star of your God Remphan, figures which ye made, to worship them. The main difficulty is this: how comes Chiun in the Hebrew to be rendered Remphan in the Greek? not the same letter (save the last) being found in the one as in the other. The best solution we meet with is as followeth: 1 By Chium (as Abenezra will have it) the Planet Saturn is meant. Plautus in his Penulus calls the same C●un, as a learned l Sam. P●tit. Miscel. ●i. 2. c. 2. Critic hath observed, and the Egyptian Anubis called Cyon in Greek, m Plutar. in ●●ide Plutarch conceives to be the same with Saturn. 2 Rephan in the Coptick language, a tongue extant at this day (partly consisting of Greek, and partly of old Egyptian) is used for Saturn, as an n Kircher. Prod. pag. 147. c. 5. Author well skilled in that tongue hath informed us. 3. The Septuagint we know was written in the land of Egypt, at the instance of P●olemaeus Philadelphus, where the Translatours using Rephan the noted name for Saturn in stead of Chiun, altered the word and retained the sense, a liberty lawfully assumed by the most faithful interpreters. 4. Probably Saint Steven spoke to the jews in their own language, but Saint L●ke writing in Greek, allegeth his words according to the Septuagint translation. This I conceive to be most satisfactory amongst multiplicity of answers by several Authors applied to the place. Rimmon. § 40. An Idol of Syria whose principal Temple was in o 2 King. 5. 18. Damascus. The name signifieth a Pomegranate, p Ni. 〈◊〉. as one will have it; who thereupon concludes it to be Venus, because Apples were dedicated unto her, and her image commonly made with such fruit, as a frolic, in h●r hand. More probable it is, that this God got his name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rum, that is, high, or exalted, used so frequently in Scripture of the true God, and of them abused to their Idol. S●ccoth-Benoth. § 41. This was made by the q 2 Kin. 17. 30. men of Babylon. The Rabbins (according to their assumed liberty, to fancy any thing without reason rendered thereof) conceive this Idol, A Hen and her Chickens. We stick to the original notation of the word, The tents of the daughters, conceiving thereby meant some Temple-like Tents, by them made and erected in the honour of Mylitta or Venus Urania r Herode. li. 1. & Strabe. li. 16. , known for an eminent Deity in Babylon: unto which tents their daughters were sent, there to do their devotions. How honest they went in we know not, it is suspicious they came out none of the chastest, the bargain of their uncleanness being driven, though not performed in that place. That f Suidas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Binos, Venos Venus, is deduced from Benoth in Succoth-Benoth, is learnedly observed for probable by t Syntag. 2. 6. 7. pag. 313. Mr. Selden in his excellent book de Diis Syris. From whom I have, with the u a King. 6. 5. children of the Prophets, not only borrowed an Axe, but most of the tools and timber, wherewith the structure of this our jewish Pantheon is erected. Teraphim. § 42. A word plural in the sound and termination (like Penates in the Latin) yet single in the sense thereof. Three sorts of Teraphims appear in Scripture, in the original; 1 Common, only an ordinary carved image, such as w 1 Sam, 19 13. Mic●ol is said to have laid in her bed, making a mock-David, or counterfeiting her sick husband therewith. 2 Religious, in which sense the Prophet threateneth, that Israel should x Hose. 3. 4. remain many days without King, Prince, Sacrifice, Image, Ephod and Teraph●●, that is, a Prophet to instruct them in future occurrence. 3 Superstitious; such as y Judg. 17. 5. & 18. 17. Micah made, which foretold the Dan●tes of their future good success. This we conceive some Image acted and informed by the Devil, according to his serpentine knowledge shrewdly guessing at all contingences. Thamuz. § 43. That is, Adonis, as Saint Hierom● conceives, whom most Latines do follow. Adonis is known by all for a Phenician Deity, so called from 〈◊〉, Adone, A Lord in Hebrew. And the Poets are almost hoarse with singin the sad Elegies, how Venus bemoaned Adonis killed by a Boar. In mythology this is true, when wan●on women bemoan their beautiful youth, slaughtered with old age, leaving the print and mark of his teeth and tusks in the wrinkles furrowed in their faces. But seeing Adonis is generally conceived to be the Sun, Venus her mourning at his death, rather represents the general grief of northern men, when the Sun in june (called Tham●z by the jews and their neighbours) takes his leave of them in the tropic of Cancer, and retreateth southward, making shorter days by d●gre●s. This Phenician superstition infected the jews; z ●zek. 8. 14. Then he brought me to the doo● of the gate of the Lords house, which was towards the north, and behold there sat women weeping for Tammuz: And why the gate towards the north? Because the body of the Sun never appearing in that quarter of the heaven, it was the fittest place to bemoan the absence thereof. Had not those women's tears been better expended on the death of josiah, according to that a 2 Chr. 35. 25. ordinance in Israel? But we may be well assured, such eyes as wept for Tammuz, were dry for josiah. Conclusion. § 44. Many other obscure Deities were adored by the jews, which we purposely omit. For never was Rebecca more b Gen. 27. 46. weary of conversing with the daughters of Heth, than we of describing these heathen Gods. Enough therefore of c ● Cor. 8. 4. nothing, for so all Idols are termed by the Apostle. The rather because that as the Psalmist observeth, d Psal. 104. 20. In the night all the beasts of the forest creep forth, the Sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay themselves down in their dens: so when the Sun of the Gospel displayed his light, all these herds of heathen Gods hasted to their homes, their lurking in eternal obscurity. Then was the e Isa. 2. 20. Prophet's prediction accomplished, that all Idols should be cast to the Moles and to the Bats. Excellent company, it is pity to part them: let the blind converse with the blind, it being true of these that they have eyes and see not. § 45. Yet to give the jews their due, in the days of our Saviour they were so free from Idolatry, that the very name thereof, or the word Idol, is not to be found in the four Evangelists. For having smarted seventy years in Babylon, and sensible that their Idolatry principally caused their captivity, after their return that sin was de●ested by them, and shunning open profaneness, they reeled into spiritual pride, hypocrisy, superstitious observing the Sabbath, equalling Traditions with Scripture etc. sins chiefly reproved in the Sermons of our Saviour. § 46. As for Christians, their principles preserus them from formal worshipping of Idols, though too often guilty of what may be termed, tralatitious Idolatry, when any thing (good and lawful in its own nature) is loved, or honoured above, or even with God himself. Thus money may and must be loved and used, as the Centurion did his f Mat. 8. 9 servant, Do this, and he doth it, fetch me meat from the shambles, and money fetcheth it, bring me clothes from the shop, and money bringeth them: But, when the man shall turn master, and money command him, Commit such a sin for my sake, and he obeyeth, such ba●e g Colos. 3. 5 Covetousness is by the Apostle termed Idolatry. § 47. Indeed Idolatry is a subtle sin; and seeing by nature we retain in our hearts the principles of all old Errors, it is to be feared that this sin finding its usual way obstructed, will watch its own advantage, to vent itself by some other conveyances: Yea as Pride may grow out of humility; so Idolatry may sprout out of the detestation thereof; when men (like jehu rooting out Baal▪ and erecting his own opinion of h Kin. 10. 16. merit therein) shall detest, damn, and destroy all images, and worship their own imaginations. Finish Libri quarti. To the Right Honourable JOHN LORD BURGHLEY Son to the Right Honourable JOHN EARL OF EXETER. MY LORD, IT is confidently reported of the Stork, (plenty of which build in the Low-countrieses, being Inmates in most chimneys) that she usually thro●eth down one of her young ones out of the nest, as a Rent to the Landlord of the house, for permitting th●re her quiet and unmolested habitation. Now as our Saviour sends us to such Masters, [Behold the fowls of the a Mat. 6. 2●. air etc.] of them all to learn the general lesson of a contented dependence on divine providence, (and particularly Innocence from the b Mat. 10. 16. Doves) so may this practice of the Stork instruct us to be grateful to such as have bestowed courtesies upon us. Now the first light which I saw in this world was in a Benefice c Oldwin●le (old shop Saxon) Saint Peter in North-hampton-shire conferred on my Father by your most honourable great Grandfather, and therefore I stand obliged in all thankfulness to your family. Yea this my right hand which grasped the first free air in a Manor to which your Lordship is Heir apparent, hath since often been catching at a Pen, to write something in expression of my thankfulness, and now at last dedicates this Book to your Infant honour. Thus as my Obligation bears date from my Birth, my thankfulness makes speed to tender itself to your Cradle. I know it will be objected, that your Lordship is infraannuated to be the Patron of a Book in the strist acception thereof: For a Patron properly is appealed to as Judge of the Merits of a Treatise. Yea Authors anciently-craved their Patron's consent (as dutiful children their Parents leave) whether that he thought it fit their work should be matched to the Public view, or rather remain in the single estate of privacy. This censure some will cavil at me that your tender Age is unable to pass, and therefore incapable of being a Patron. In answer hereunto, first I am assured, none of those who please to call themselves Roman Catholics, will lay this to my charge. If they do, I return them with the story confessed by their Champion, of a child not fully five years old consecrated Archbishop of d B●●onius An. Er. ann. 925. Rheims, by Pope John the tenth, sinc● which time some children of small age, (but great birth) have been made Cardinals, though long since their Church of Rome had been off the hooks, had it had no stronger Hinges. But generally I plead in my own defence, that Custom Custom hath much mitigated the rigour of the word Patron, which is not currant in common discourse, at so high a rate whereat first it was coined, insomuch that a Negative vo●ce is denied to many Patrons now adays, and they generally used not for Censurers, but Countenancers of books dedicated unto them, in which notion I humbly request your Lordship's patronage of our present endeavour. Our London gardiner's do not sow or set all their seeds (though of the same kind) at the same time, but so that they may ripen successively, to last the longer in season. Such is my design, planting a Nursery of Patrons, all Noble, but of different years, a Babe, a Child, two youths of several date, and a Man, (having as a Scale of miles in my Maps, a Scale of Ages in my Honourable Patrons) hoping so always to have one or more in full power to protect my endeavours. Thus in process of time your Lordship (as yet but a Patron in reversion) will be possessed with power effectually to discharge that place. As for the present, let not your tender age be slighted by any, seeing such an one ( e Ma●. 18. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a little child) was chosen by our Saviour to be Doctor of the Chair to determine the controversy between the Disciples; which he truly decided, not by his speech, but humble silence. Till such time as your Honour shall be able to learn by my writing, may I learn from your Honours living the necessary virtues of Meekness, Humility, Quietness, Contentedness. For the continuance of which in your Honour, with the daily addition and increase of other Grace's proportionable to your growth, the hearty prayers shall never be wanting of Your Honour's most bounden servant THO. FULLER. OBJECTIONS ANSWERED Concerning this DESCRIPTION. The fifth Book. CHAP. 1. The intention of the Author in this Treatise. PLATO being sick said to the Physician being about to prescribe Physic unto him, Cure me not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a Countrey-oxe-driver, but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as one well versed in Philosophy; and demanded of him the reason of his receipts, how the medicine was proper for his malady, why this, why thus, why now, why thus much, why no more was prescribed unto him. In like manner it seemeth unreasonable for Map-makers, here to plant a wood, there mount a hill, here to sink a valley, there to run a river in their draughts; and then magisterially obtrude all these on the belief of an ingenuous Reader, without giving a particular account how the same are conformable to Nature and true Geography: especially seeing it is vehemently suspected, that many maps are full of affected extravagancies. And must their fancies draw up the forms for other men's judgements to subscribe? But on the other side it seems not only an ungentile harshness, but an unconscionable injustice, strictly to exact a reason for every Puntillo in a Map. Galleyslaves would be in a more freer condition than Geographers, if thus dealt with. As the Poets feign Atlas was wearied by bearing the weight of heaven, Mercator would be more tired by bearing the burden of his own Atlas, if questioned for the crookedness or straightness of every line in so vast a volume. A lawful latitude herein hath been ever allowed. For instance, it is generally agreed that Meander, a River in Phrygia, runs wonderfully winding; but it breaks not the head of Truth in a Map, if a curl of that River be made more or less, or be put out of its proper place. Let the Stewards of Lords Courts, or rather Bailifeses of gentlemen's Manors know each nook of a wood, corner of a field, reach of a River within so small a compass; such as describe a Country in general, if truly presenting the most material things therein without visible disproportion, do what their diligence can exactly perform, and what the Readers discretion can rationally expect. Desiring therefore to acquit myself in the best manner to all ingenious capacities, I have here exposed myself to the strongest objections which without favour or flattery, I could make against the former description. And left scattering of them before in the respective Tribes should have interrupted the entireness of our discourse (what thread can run smooth if full of so many knots? we have reserved them all for a small Treatise by themselves in the conclusion of the work. Solemnly promising that if any shall enfavour me so far as to convince me of any error therein, I shall in the second Edition (God lending me life to set it out) return him both my thanks and amendment, or else let him conclude my face of the same metal with the Plates of these Maps. Whatsoever can be objected against the General description of judea returns in the particular Tribes, and therefore to avoid repetition we shall there more properly meet with it. This premised, without further delay (by God's blessing) we fall on the matter in hand. And can we begin higher then at Adam itself? CHAP. II. Objections concerning Reuben answered. Philogus. Alethaeus. Philol. I First take exceptions at your placing the City Adam so near unto jordan. For where it is said, That the waters which came down from above, stood and rose up upon an heap, very a Josh. 3. 16. far from the City Adam, which is besides Zartan, you make Adam not above three miles from that stoppage of waters, which is not very far. Aleth. Very far, is a relative term, and accordingly admits of much alteration. Three miles is little in respect of so many leagues, but very far in respect of so many furlongs. Attend I pray you the main scope of the holy Spirit, which was to notify the place where these upper waters failed in view of the Israelites. Which must be acknowledged within the discovery of their sight; otherwise the landmark more obscure, than the staying of the waters that were dated from it. Where therefore the distance is measured in a plain Country by the eye, three miles may well pass for very far. Philol. Why make you so great a flexure in jordan just at his influx into the Dead-sea, contrary to the nature and custom of great Rivers? Indeed small brooks like little children go wadling on one side, their streams are winding and crooked, because they must run where they may run, and find soft ground to receive them. But great Rivers which do not find but make their way, flow generally in a strait channel, and so it seems should jordan, sliding through a flat, low, and level Country, and not meeting with any effectual opposition. Aleth. I have sufficient warrant for this my description. Pliny saith of jordan, Invitus Asphaltit●n lacum, natured dirum petit; unwillingly he goes into that slimy Lake, terrible by nature. You perchance will say, jordan needs not to follow the motion of Pliny's pen, as if because he makes a flourish with his phrase, the River must fetch a compass with his channel. But consider, I pray, how in the mixture of all liquours of contrary kinds, the best liquor (which may be said to lose by the bargain) incorporates always with a reluctancy, and the same Antipathy causeth here this crookedness of jordan. This is precisely taken notice of by learned b In Plinianis exercit. in Ca●● Iul●● Solini Polyhist. p. 577. S●lmasius, and is agreeable to the observations of modern Travellers. Philol. You place three several stations of Balak and Balaam with seven altars a piece upon them in this Tribe of Reuben, whereas more probably all those passages were transacted south of Arnon in the Kingdom of Moab. It is utterly unlikely that King Balak would adventure his person out of his own dominions, into a strangers (not to say an enemies) Country. Aleth. In so short a journey the pains was little, the danger none at all. For (although on Balaks side there might be private▪ heart-burnings) there was no open hostility betwixt Israel and Moab. Yea we know that then the Israelites had familiarity, much with the men, too c Numb. 25. 1. much with the women of that Country. I confess the places as described in Scripture stand (as I may say) equivocally betwixt Israel and Moab. But herein I have followed the example of d In Theat. Ter. sanc. in R●uben. Adrichomius, and other good authors, not to say, that if Balak had taken his view in the kingdom of Moab of the people encamping then at Abelshittim, he could not at that distance have taken a discovery of them. Philol. Mr. More in his Maps bringeth down the waters of Nim●im (with a stream in breadth corrival, if not bigger than Arnon itself) running through the very midst of this Tribe into the Dead-sea, whereof no appearance at all in your description. It was a very envious part of the Philistines to c Gen. 26. 18. stop up the wells of Isaac, (so needful a commodity in that Country) but how great a fault in you to deprive Reuben of this river, except it was not your envy that stopped, but ignorance that omitted it? Aleth. I am sensible full well of such waters, but cannot be convinced that they took their course through this Tribe into the Dead-sea, but rather conceive they ran only through the Tribe of Gad, and emptied themselves in Aroer, whereof in due time we shall give our best account. Philol. I wonder you make Nophah so near to Medeba contrary to f See M. Mores Map. others descriptions, which set it thence twenty miles at least. Aleth. I wonder they place it so far from Medeba contrary to the words of the g N●m. 21. 30. Scripture, and we have laid them waste unto N O P H A H which reacheth unto M E DE B A: where the verb, though supplied by the Translatours, is employed in the Text. Philol. Why make you three fishponds in Heshbon, to which the eyes of the h Cant. 7. 4. Spouse are compared, which is in effect to make her a monster if the resemblance be applied? Aleth. I set a certain for an uncertain number: in the original it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 plural, and therefore indefinite. In all these comparisons, the strength of the similitude lies in the nature, not the number of the things. They deserve not the name of a flock of sheep which are under an hundred, to which the teeth of the Spouse are i Cant. 3. 2. compared, and nature commoly allows not above thirty two. Philol. The City of Misor belonging to the Levites, and recorded by Adrichomius in this Tribe, is omitted by your oversight. Aleth. Commendable is his charity to the Levites. For whereas Moses allotted them but four Cities in Reuben, namely k Josh. 21. 36. Kedemoth, jahazah, Mephaah, and Bezoar: his bounty bestoweth a fifth, this Misor, upon them. But the poor Priests might well be full lean, had they nothing to feed them, but this imaginary City, groundless in the Hebrew, and only founded on the erroneous Vulgar. Yea generally the descriptions of Adrichomius are guilty herein, that (more made ad splendorem, then ad veritatem) to render them specious to the beholder (because a lean bald Map is not so amiable as one filled full) he powders them thick with places, rather scraped then gathered, thereby offending the judgements of the learned to please the eyes of the ignorant. But it is my business to excuse myself, not accuse him, and consciousness to my own many faults, commands me to be tender to the errors of others. CHAP. III. Objections concerning Gad answered. Philol. Why make you the City of jazer so inland into this tribe, which Adrichomius placeth on the River of Arnon? Aleth. I can demonstrate, it could not stand on that River, and by consequence must be more within the Tribe of Gad. For, Arnon, is notoriously known to be the eastern bound of Canaan▪ Now attend what Moses saith, And the suburbs of the Cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the City, and outwards a thousand Cubits round about: And ye shall measure from without the City on the east side, two thousand Cubits, and on the south side two thousand Cubits, and on the west side two thousand Cubits, and on the north side two thousand Cubits, and the City shall be in the midst, this shall be to them the suburbs of their Cities. jazer therefore being a City of the b Josh. 21. 39 Levites, could not stand upon Arnon, because they could not measure three thousand Cubits eastward, for than they should take so much out of an enemy's Country, which belonged not to Israel. Where we may also observe, that no sea-town was allotted the Levites, because, for the reason aforesaid, it would have proved less unto them, hindering the circular dimensions of their possessions. Philol. You are much mistaken in the placing of the City of Aroer. The b Josh. 13. 25. Scripture saith, that it is before Rabath, or as Tremellious rendereth it, ante conspectum Rabbae, within the view, or sight of Rabath. Whereas your Map presents it six and twenty miles off from that place. Lynceus his eyes need a prospective-glass to discover Rabath from Aroer, at the distance in your description. Aleth. Judicious Sir d History of the World ●. part 2. book 10. chap. ● 5. Walter Raleigh answers in my behalf; that Rabath, near to which Aroer was seated, was not (as you erroneously conceive) Rabath of Ammon, to which it was neither near, nor in sight, (as he worthily observes) but Rabath a chief City of Moab. Which Rabath bordered on Aroer, as in our Map of Moab doth appear; though, here straitened from room, no mention is made thereof. Philol. You ill observe Scripture-instructions, in fixing the first tent of joab, when sent to number the people. For the c 2 Sam. 24. 5. text saith that the he pitched in Aroer (that is, in the Country not City of Aroer, wherein I concur with you) on the right side of the City that lieth in the midst of the River of Gad, and toward jazer. Be your own judge, whether or no, the tent be set on the right side of the City. Aleth. The chief directory in placing this tent is the word right hand, and that relative term is varied, according as the face is settled. If joabs' face in his journey respected the north, than the east is the right hand of the City, and then the posture of the tent is rightly placed. However the best is, a tent is but a tent, no solid or substantial structure, it will be no great work, or weight, on better grounds, to take it down and remove it. Philol. IN Ia●obs travels you place Soccoth fifteen miles from Peniel, yet was it the very next f Gen. 33. 17. station, to which he removed. Now I appeal to Nurses and Drovers (the most competent judges in this controversy) whether it be not too long a journey, for little Children and E●s big with young; except you conceive, miles are as easily gone on the grounds, as measured in a Map with the Compass. Aleth. Though in Jacob's Gests, Succoth succeeds the next place to Peniel, yet it follows not, that jacob with his train went so far in one day. Probably, he might bait, yea lodge several days betwixt them; the Scripture not mentioning every stage of his staying, but only marking signal places, whereat some memorable accidents did happen, or wherein for some considerable time he made his abode. Philol. Sir Walter Raleigh (whose judgement you deservedly honour) makes the River of jabbok the northern bound on the matter of the Tribe of Gad, therein following the example of Adrichomius. Whereas you extend this Tribe many miles beyond that river, even to the sea of Cinneroth or Galilee; a great tract of ground, which you injuriously take from Manasseh, and bestow on this Tribe. Aleth. I exactly follow Scripture directions, in dividing this land betwixt them. g Josh. 13. 27. The text saith expressly, that the border of the inheritance of the Gadites reached even to the edge of the sea of Cinneroth, and therefore the land betwixt jabbok, and the edge of the sea, undoubtedly belongs to this Tribe, which justly may have an action of trespass against the foresaid Author, for depriving it of so considerable a part of its true possession. And yet (under favour) I conceive, Mr. More in his Maps doth much overdo, stretching the inheritance of this Tribe to the utmost, and most northern part of the sea of Galilee. Philol. I admire much at your inconstancy. In your Map of Palestine, some seven years since prefixed to your Holy War, you set jabesh-gilead north of the river jabbok in the Tribe of Manasseh, which now you have translated many miles southward into this Tribe. It seems, you need no other to confute you but yourself. Aleth. I have seen mine * I request this mine answer may be applied to those many differences betwixt my former Map, and this present description. error, and you see my retractation thereof. One day teacheth another. To live, and not to learn, is to loiter, and not to live. Confessions of our former mistakes, are the honourable Trophies of our conquest over our own ignorance. The main reason, why jabesh-gilead could not be so far north, is this, because Saul marched from Bezek in the Tribe of Ephraim, with an army of foot, in an afternoon and a night, over jordan, unto this City, and came hither in the h 1 Sam. 1●. 11. morning-watch. Now though we allow, that zeal to their brethren in danger, spurred on the soldiers, and did horse those foot in point of speed, yet they almost needed wings, in so short a time to go so long a journey (fifty miles at least besides the crossing of two great rivers, jordan, and jabbok) and to come thither so early. Wherefore with master More we have placed jabesh-gilead south of jabbok, some thirty miles from Bezek, having the concurrence of other Authors for the position thereof. ●hilol. You have found a nest of Cities in the i 1 Mac. 5. 26. Apocrypha, and place them all in this Tribe. Whereas two of them, namely, Bozra and Betzer, are by learned k Vid. T●●m i● locum praed. Tremellius found to be, the one in Edom, the other in Reuben, many miles from the Tribe of Gad. Aleth. I deny not, but two Cities of the foresaid names are presented in those Country's, but could not be the same, with these Cities which Maccabeus relieved. It is expressly recorded (once l 1 Mac. 5. 25. 27. and again for the more certainty thereof) that these places were in the land of Gilead. And that any part of Edom, or Reuben, was ever reputed to belong to the land of Gilead, is as I conceive an opinion unpresidented in any good author, and unavouchable by any strong arguments. CHAP. IV. Objections concerning Manasseh beyond Jordan answered. Philol. YOu have made the country of Manasseh beyond jordan, too large in the dimensions thereof. for, it being the portion but of half a Tribe, is, according to your scale of miles, little less in proportion, than the Country which other entire Tribes did possess. Aleth. I confess the truth of what you allege, which is no whit strange in itself. What more common then to call a Twin, half a man? Yet I doubt not, but you have seen such half-men, as proper persons, as any single-born. And the moiety of this Tribe, possessed as much ground, as most other whole Tribes in Israel. This may appear by the number of Cities, no fewer than a Josh. 13. ●0. threescore contained therein. Yet under favour, I conceive, that the land east of jordan was not altogether so civilised, but more wild, and warlike, than the country west thereof. Especially this of Manasseh, subject to hostile incursions from the north and east; and therefore their portion was cut out in the largest size, that what they wanted in the quietness, they might have in the quantity of their possessions. Philol. You make Chorazin within two miles of Capernaum, whereas Mr. More in his Maps, placeth it on the west side of the sea of Galilee, hard by Bethsaida; in my mind with more probability of truth. For, our Saviour saith, b Mat. 11. 21. Woe be to thee Chorazin, woe be unto thee Bethsaida, coupling them together in his commination, who probably would have joined Capernaum and Chorazin together, for the vicinity both of their profaneness, and place, had they been seated so near together, as they are presented in your description. Aleth. Your argument concludes nothing at all. Have you not often seen malefactors manacled together, whose places of birth and breeding were farthest asunder? So might it be with Chorazin, and Bethsaida; whilst Capernaum is singled out, and set solely by itself, in our Saviour's threatening, as a signal offender, most eminent for its ingratitude. As for our placing of Chorazin, we have therein observed the instructions of Saint c Hie●on, in locis Hebr. lit. C. & Br●chardus itin●re 3. &. 5. Hierome, and other good Authors. Philol. You make the brook Cherith in this Tribe, without rendering any reason, why you place it here; which Adrichomius (no doubt on good ground) appointeth to be on the west side of jordan, in the Tribe of Ephraim. Aleth. The brook is but once mentioned in Scripture, and therefore we want exact instructions for the position thereof. Yea generally the Maps of Palestine take no notice of this brook. As if it had been so dried up, with the long drought in the days of Eliah, that the channel thereof did not afterwards appear. But to the point; Two things are observable in Scripture, concerning the posture of this Cherith; First, that Eliah after his message done to Ahab in Samaria, was commanded to turn himself d 1 King. 17. 8. Eastward: Secondly, that the brook Cherith, whither he was sent, is said to be before jordan; the Hebrew hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Tremellius rendereth it è regione jordanis; All which put together, clearly speaketh it, to have been ●ast of Samaria, and on the other side of jordan, where judicious Mr. More in his Map hath placed it, whom I conceive myself to follow on good reason. CHAP. V. Objections concerning Naphtali answered. Philol. YOu make all the Tribe of Naphtali west, and on this side the River of jordan; whereas that passage foretold by the a Isa. 9 1. Prophet, and applied by the b Mat. 4. 15. Evangelist, describes it on the other side; The land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali by the way of the sea beyond jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The particle beyond is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek, which makes it plain, that Naphtali lay on the east side of jordan. Aleth. The strength of your objection consists in the words beyond jordan, which are variously rendered by learned men. By Tremellius in Isaiah secundum jordanem, by the same Author in Matthew, transitus jordan; by Beza, secus jordanem. The dicision of the difficulty depends on the proper sense of the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●nebher, in Hebrew; which barely imports no more, than over; but which way, whether Cis, or Trans; whether on this side, or beyond, is to be expounded by the context. This flexible nature, and promiscuous sense of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gnebher, is observed by c On mat. 4. 15. instancing on J●r. 22. 20. Tremellius, and others; so that the text alleged by you, renders no more, than the land of Naphtali over jordan, without specifying any side of the river. Secondly, we answer, that those words beyond jordan, are so indifferently placed in the Prophet, that they may equally be referred, to what followeth, Galilee of the Gentiles; part of which Galilee, we have d Lib. 1. ca 11. parag 6. formerly described, to lie east of jordan, and therein the City Chorazin, wherein our Saviour so frequently conversed. Philol. You make two fountains, the one jor, the other Dan, as the father and mother of the River jordan: a fancy (I fear) rather pretty, them solid; bearing too much affinity with the derivation of the River Dourdan in France, from the confluence of the two streams, Dour, and Dan; whilst such a composition hath more of Latin, than Hebrew therein. Not to say, that josephus is wholly silent hereof, I suspect it for a modern conceit, unavouchable by ancient Authors; and prefer his opinion e Greg. Gr●g. Lex. Sa●c●num. 209. as most probable, who deduceth jordan from the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 jarad, to descend, because it comes down with a powder, and at set times f Josh. 3. 15. overflows, all his banks. Aleth. The negative argument from josephus, is of small validity; but to attest the antiquity of Iordans descent, according to our description, grudge not to read the following testimony of Philostorgius, both because he is an ancient Author (living in the fifth Century after Christ) and his book at this day not extant, save that some parcels of his are recited by joannes Antiochenus, out of whose g In part set down by Sal●●sius in his notes on Solinus cap. 35. Manuscript, not yet printed, the following words are transcribed, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. In this Country of Paneas one of the fountains of jordan is begotten, there being two of them; Dan so called even to this day from the ancient name thereof. As for the other, which is named for, a certain hill of the same h Meaning Libanus. mountain sendeth it forth, distant from the former about an hundred and sixty furlongs; from either of which flows a rivulet, the one termed Io●ates, the other, Danites, which flowing by the mountains to the foot of the plain, thence forthwith complete one great River jordan, in the same mingling both their names and streams. See here an excellent evidence of the extraction of jordan, which cannot be condemned for a modern invention. However if any will deduce Iordans name from a third fountain, (that Hebrew word aforesaid) let him herein contentedly embrace his own opinion. Philol. If you stick so steadfastly to the authority of Philosto●gius, why descent you from him in the distance between those two fountains, which ●e makes an hundred and sixty furlongs, that is, twenty miles, (if eight furlongs make a mile) and the interstitium in your Map amounts not fully to half so much? Aleth. Some mistake may justly be suspected in Philostorgius his number, because for exceeding the proportion in other Authors. I i Book. 1. ca ●. formerly acquainted you with that arbitrating power I have assumed (I hope not unjustly) to reconcile such differences in Authors by pitching on a middle number betwixt their extremities, and here have made use of the same power accordingly. Philol. What mean you by these eight nameless buildings surrounding the City of Caesarea Philippi? Aleth. They are set there to signify the towns of Caesarea Philippi mentioned by the k Mark. 8. 27. Evangelist, whereabouts Saint Peter gave that eminent testimony of the Deity of our Saviour. Philol. At Dan in this Tribe (alias Leshem, and Caesarea Philippi) you erect one of jeroboam his Calves; whereas l In descrip. Ter. sanc. pag. 237. Brocard, who exactly surveyed Palestine, in his journal gives us to understand, that half a league from Bethel, where one of the Calves were set up, stood a mountain called Dan opposite thereunto, where the other Calf was erected. Aleth. His authority cannot countervail Saint Hieromes, Benjamin in Itinerario, and others, yea Truth itself, which are on our side, and against his opinion. For, jeroboam was too good an husband to lavish both his Calves in one place, which he rather would scatter in distant Cities, the better to spread Idolatry in his kingdom. Besides, consider the end pretended at their erection, namely to spare the people's pains, It is too m 1 Kin. 12. 28. much for you to go up to jerusalem, that these Calves should be (as it were) Chapels of ease, to save his subjects a tedious journey. Now, if both his Calves were penned up in a stall near Bethel (as Brocard would have it) little ease thereby was given to the northern Tribes, and their journey not considerably shortened. Therefore the other Calf was set up at Dan in Naphtali, as we have described it. Philol. All that you have said, doth not satisfy me, that this Dan was the place where the Calf was worshipped. For, soon after jeroboams death, in the reign of Baasha, this Dan you speak of was n 1 Kin. 15. 20. smitten by Benhadad King of Syria. This, probably, would have extinguished Calfe-worship, if set up in that place, which notwithstanding o 1 Kin. 10. 29. continued many hundred years after in the kingdom of Israel. Aleth. You might argue on the same grounds, that the other Calf was not erected in Bethel, seeing even in the life of jeroboam, Abijah King of judah took from him p 2 Chr. 13. 19 Bethel with the towns thereof. Observable herein is divine Justice, punishing both those idolatrous places by the sword of their enemies, so soon after the Calves were set up in them. But, we may be confident, the Kings of Israel recovered both Dan and Bethel again, and restored them to their former impious uses. Philol. In the Worthies of Naphtali you account on Hiram Solomon's Architect in building the Temple, q Description of Naph. §. 1. as a Naphtalite by the mother's side: And yet in the r Descrip. of Dan. §. 9 description of Dan you make him a Danite by his female extraction. Now, what saith Nicodemus? s Jo●. 3. 4. Can a man enter the second time into his mother's womb? Yea, can he be born (as you would have it) twice, though not of the same, of several women? Aleth. This your objection is not brought against my description, but against the very letter of the Scripture that affirmeth the same. 1 KING. 7. 14. He was a widow's son of the Tribe of Naphtali, and his Father was a man of Tyre. 2 CHRON. 2. 14. The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre. Now although I am not engaged to meddle with the solution of this difficulty; yet, under favour, I conceive the same properly to depend on an observation in Chorography. May you be pleased to remember, that Dan had a parcel of his portion acquired by conquest, near the fountains of jordan, where Leshem, Laish, or Dan was placed, which small territory lay above an hundred miles from the main body of that Tribe, surrounded about with the Tribe of Naphtali, as appeareth in our t See our Map of Dan, and description. §. 9 description thereof. Now I suppose Hiram (whose paternal extraction from Tyre is confessed on all hands) was descended a Danite by his mother, and called a Naphtalite also by his mother's side, because of her habitation (though in Dans small Country aforesaid) lying in the land allotted to Naphtali. Philol. You term it u In descrip. Naph. §. 5. a most erroneous opinion in such, who conceive the Galileans more drossy jews than the rest, herein contradicting yourself, having formerly w Book. 1. cap. 11. §. 7. affirmed, that they were courser, and less refined jews. Aleth. Give me leave to distinguish, between jews courser in Religion, and courser in Extraction. The former we confess, that the Galileans were less pure in God's service, as probably descended from the remnant of the ten Tribes: Yet were they most truly the lost sheep of Israel, not debased by mixture of Gentilism in their blood, like the Samaritans, whom Christ declined, whilst he constantly conversed with these Galileans. Philol. You say, that the City Naasson depends merely upon the credit of the vulgar translation Tobit 1. Whereas looking on the Hebrew Map, graven at Amsterdam by Abraham Goos, but designed, and made by another Abraham a great Rabbin, skilled in the land, and language of his own nation, this Naasson appears there in Hebrew characters, the Author (no doubt) having good assurance for the same. Whose Map (I can tell you) is much valued by many Antiquaries, as appears by their difficult procuring, dear purchasing, and careful preserving thereof. And you may find it solemnly set up, at the upper end of Zion College Library. Aleth. It ill becomes me to detract from the pains of any, being also myself, a man under authority of the pens, and tongues of others, and Candidate for the Readers good will in this my description. Yet, give me leave, plainly to profess, that the Map by you alleged, answereth not the great price, and general praise thereof, being nothing else but Adrichomius his Map translated into Hebrew. What once Sir john Old Castle, Lord Cobham, spoke jestingly, that the Priests made Christ to be boots, and spurs, and all in the Sacrament, may I serously say that Adrichomius, with his faults, and failings, dross, dirt, and all together, without any correction, is cast into this Abraham's overvalued description, so that the Map you allege is not gold, but mean metal gilded over, containing surreptitious names out of the Vulgar Latin therein Hebraized, and presenting many spurious places utterly disclaimed in the Original. CHAP. VI Objections against Asher answered. Philol. I Admire you have altogether omitted the River Eleutherus in this Tribe (much mentioned in a Mac. 11. 7. & 12. 30. Maccabees, and which Adrichomius makes to fall into the Mediterranean in the midway betwixt Zidon and Tyre. Yea, b Lib. 3. p. 213. M. George Sandys in his travels, going from Sarepta to Tyre, crossed a little valley divided by the River Eleutherus, called Casmire at this day by the inhabitants thereabouts. Aleth. By what name, or title soever, the water, he there went over, is known at this day, sure I am, it cannot be the ancient Eleutherus, which by Ptolemy, Strabo, and general consent of all Authors, falls above sixty miles more northward, into the Mediterranean. And therefore the error of Adrichomius and others herein, is briefly taxed by judicious Sir c Hist. lib. 2. part. 1. pag. 289 Walter Ralegh. Philol. You make Asher to border on Zidon, contrary to the description of d See Masius on the 19 of Joshua. Wolsegangus Wiseburgius, and learned e In his Comment on Gen. ●9. Tostatus, who set Zebulun in the same place, as the most northwest of all the Tribes, and allege f Gen. 49. 13. Jacob's words to avouch the same, prophesying, that Zebuluns' borders shall be unto Zidon. Aleth. God's g Josh. 19 2●. Word, the coast of the Country, and all good authors justify our description, those two only excepted which you allege, being both deceived, by taking Zidon restrictively in Jacob's prophecy, for the City so called, whereas the whole Country thereby is intended (as Sarepta is called a City h Luke. 4. 26. of Zidon) and the name of Zidonians adequate to Phoenicians, in which sense Zebulun confined on the Country, though Asher only on the City of Zidon. Philol. You peremptorily place the defeat of Ben●adad, and fall of Apheks wall on his flying Army, in this Tribe, not remembering the while, that there is another i Mentioned 1 Sam. 29. 1. Aphek in Issachar, (nearer to Samaria) which puts in with more probability to be the theatre, whereon that tragical accident was acted. Aleth. I confess Aphek a place in Issachar, but find it not charactered to be a City, such an one as our k Josh. 19 30. Aphek in Asher is described, and whose walls are therefore more probable to do the foresaid execution. However, be it known unto you, whensoever two places are with equal likelihood corrivals for actions therein achieved, we adjudge it to that place, that falls first under our description. Thus, the start of half an hour, bestows on the elder twin, the whole inheritance. To avoid confusion, and prevent repetition, first come, first served; the place first occurring, carries away all history in our describing thereof. CHAP. VII. Objections, against Zebulun, answered. Philol. YOu, very confidently, make jordan continue his un●ixit stream, clean through the Galilean-sea (a course somewhat irregular in nature) without alleging any authority for the proof of so improbable a passage. Aleth. Excellent Authors avouch the same. a Hist. lib. 5. pag. 618. Tacitus, amongst others, tells us of this River, Unum, atque alterum lacum integer perfluit, tertio ●etinetur; One, and another lake (viz. the waters of Merom, and Galilean-sea) it runneth through entire, but is stopped in the third; namely, in Asphaltite-lake, or Dead-sea. More full is the testimony of Philostorgius, and deserveth our serious perusal thereof. Who speaking of this River, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Which (saith he) passeth through the lake of Tiberias, cutting it in the middle, and flowing clean through it in its own proper channel. Which cutting of the lake, implies the entire continuance of Iordans water; otherwise, that knife doth not cut the loaf, but is cut by the loaf, which is broken in the dividing thereof. Philol. I wonder you pass over Shimron-Meron in such silence, which appears a place of great note, yea, a Royal City in the days of joshua, as the Coronet thereupon doth inform us. Aleth. I confess it signed with a Coronet, and with something more, a flag of uncertainty, having nothing sure of the location thereof, the chiefest cause that I willingly declined the mention of it. However, we will screw ourselves into as much certainty of this place, as may be extracted out of Scripture: and observe, the four first wreaths of my screw are undoubtedly, the fifth and last more then probably true, as followeth. 1 Shimron-Meron was one of the b Josh. 12. 20. Royal Cities, whose King joshua destroyed. 2 The same City is elsewhere called plainly c Josh. 11. 1. Shimron, without any addition. 3 It lay on the northern part of the land, because the King thereof associated in the northern, and second d See book. 1. cap. 8. §. 3. combination of the Canaanites against joshua. 4 A City named Shimron, was allotted to the Tribe of e Josh. 19 15. Zebulun. 5 Most probably this is the same Shimron, whose King was destroyed by joshua. This is all, which my best industry could collect out of Scripture, or good Authors, concerning the situation of this place. Philol. What mean you by that third smooty circle, which (as the Meteor Halo about the Sun) surroundeth the Levites City of jockneam? Aleth. It signifieth nothing, being a mere aberration of the Graver, which (now but obscure) will in process of Printing, wholly disappear. And I could heartily wish, no other faults in our Maps, would be of longer continuance. Philol. You make the Galilean-sea all along the east boundary of this Tribe. Whereas I am altogether of the mind of Masius, that no part of Zebulun touched on that sea; with him principally grounding my opinion on the Scriptures silence, which mentioneth not any conterminating of this Tribe thereupon. Which might soon have been spoken, yea surely would not have been omitted, had Zebulun been so situated. Aleth. That Zebulun bordered on this sea, may clearly be demonstrated; first from Jacob's prophecy, that he should dwell 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 f Gen 49. 13. At the haven of the Seas. Seas in the plural, pointing at his position betwixt the Mediterranean, and Galilean seas, the west and east bounds of his possession. Now lest any should seek to wave these words by an Enallage in Number (a figure, we confess, frequent in Hebrew) Zebuluns' bounding on the Galilean-sea, is unfallibly collected out of the g Mat. 4. 13. Gospel, where Christ is said to dwell in Capernaum which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Z●bulun, and Naphtali. Philol. Christ his feeding of five thousand, with five loaves, and two fishes, is misplaced in your Map, as which ought to be set on the east side of the Sea of Galilce. Aleth. Learned men are much perplexed about the position of this miracle. A miracle, so remarkable in itself, that of all the passages betwixt Christ's conception, and the introduction to his passion, this only, and the descent of the Dove at his baptism are recorded in all four Evangelists. Yet some difficulty appears in the particular place thereof. h L●k. 9 10. Luke termeth it the desert of Beth●aida; but Saint john i John 6. 23. who wrote the last, (therefore supplying the omissions, and explaining the doubts in other Gospels) assigneth the particular place to be near Tiberias, both being Cities on the west side of the sea, so that north of Tiberias, betwixt it * The Reader is entreated with his eye to remove the picture of the people's feeding, a little north of Tiberian. and Bethsaida, (in a desert named from the latter, because leading to it) this miracle is properly placed. Philol. But immediately at the ending thereof, the Disciples are said to sail 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, k M● k. 6. 46. unto the other side unto Bethsaida, or as Saint john says, towards l Joh. 6. 17. Capernaum (both these being Cities not far asunder.) Wherefore, if they crossed over the Sea to go to Bethsaida, they were not already on the same side thereof when the miracle was wrought, and by consequence were then on the other [the eastern] side of the Sea. Aleth. By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, is meant the opposite shore, on the same side of the Sea, but so that it was over a reach, or bay which they crossed therein, sailing (not athwart the breadth of the Sea from west to east, but) almost foreright the length of the lake, from a place near Tiberias to the land of m Mat. 14. 34. Gennesaret, on the north end of the lake, betwixt Bethsaida and Capernium. Thus, such who on the Severn Sea sail from Bristol to Barstable, may be said in some sense to cross the water, as well as those that sail from Barstable to Cardif●e. And thus, in placing this miracle we have not only followed the judgement of n In his Harmony on the Text. worthy Calvin, but also the eyes of o See our Zebulun § 26. Biddulph a modern traveller, who beheld the place. CHAP. VIII. Objections against Issachar answered. Philol. WHat vast mountains have you made those of Gilboa to be? the highest of them four miles perpendicular: Surely the battle betwixt Saul, and the Philistines could scarce be fought on such ascents. Yea, David might well have spared his wish, a 2 Sam. 1. 21. Let there be no dew, neither let there be rain upon you, whose tops, (as you have exalted them) may be presumed higher than the clouds themselves. Aleth. I confess them to be of the largest size, store of room and want of other matter to fill it, gave the occasion to their greater growth. Which fault is amended in the following Map of Manasseh, where behold them reduced to a more moderate proportion, less than many of the mountains in Wales. Philol. How comes a parcel of mount Ephraim to straggle into the Map of Issachar? It being proper for those mountains to be confined to their own Tribe of Ephraim, whence they fetched their denomination. Aleth. I may say the Tribe of Ephraim had the Preemption, but not the Monopoly of them. I mean his turn was first served, and he had the best and most of those mountains in his possession, whence they deservedly took their name. Yet so, that some part of mount Ephraim ranged south ward into the Tribe of Benjamin, (as mount b Compare Josh. 18. 22. with 2 Chr. 13. 4 Zemaraim) and some branched northward into Issachar, as Shamir in mount c Jud. 10. 1. Ephraim; certainly in this Tribe, d Judg. 10. 1. 2 because Tola a man of Issachar was buried therein. Philol. It followeth not, because he was extracted from this Tribe, that therefore the place of his burial was in the same, finding many men's interments in Scripture, casual, out of the Tribes of their nativity. Thus Saul and jonathan being Benjamites, were notwithstanding buried in the Tribe of Gad, at e 1 Sam. 3. ●. 12. jabesh Gilead: as also Ishbosheth and Abner their Countrymen got graves at f 2 Sam. 4. 12. Hebron in the Tribe of judah: so infirm is your inference, that Shamir in mount Ephraim was in Issachar, because Tola an Issacharite was entombed therein. Aleth. You instance only in persons, some forcibly, others treacherously slain, which occasioned their hasty, tumultuary, and extravagant interment. Remember also that Saul and jonathan, (though intermediately at jabesh Gilead) were finally entombed in the g 2 S●m. 21. 14. sepulchers of their Father, in the land of Benjamin, as we may presume that Tola his corpse a peaceable Judge (no violent detention, or disturbance appearing to the contrary) did rest in the possessions of that Tribe; the jews generally being as ceremonious to be buried in their own land, as to be married in their own lineage. CHAP. IX. Objections against Manasseh on this ●ide Jordan answered. Philol. ANd why so much of the Map of Issachar presented again in Manasseh? What need this waste, and repetition of the same again? Aleth. The squaring of the Map necessarily commanded the repetition thereof; nor is it lost labour, because two scattered pieces in Issachar belonged to Manasseh. Philol. But o what a medley motley pieced Map have you made of this half Tribe of Manasseth! Surely Joseph's coat consisted not of more a Gen. 37. 3. colours than Manasseh (Joseph's sons) portion is made up of shreds and parcels as you have presented it, marring the entireness of this half Tribe with your manifold divisions. Aleth. And yet no more than what are warranted by God's word. Let none part what he hath put together, nor put together what he hath parted. I delight not out of wantonness, to make smp● of Manassehs portion, but the Text puts the Shears into my hand, commanding me to cut it so: because Manasseh had b Josh. 17.11. three Countries in Issachar and Asher: That is, surrounded with them, which necessitates the cantoning of this half Tribe into such dis-jointed parcels. Philol. You make a piece of Asher, parted from the main body thereof, to confine on Manasseh, whilst Bonfrerius finds a fitter expedient by cutting off the west ends of Zebulun and Issachar from the Mediterranean, and continuing Asher along the sea side to Manasseh, so preserving Asher entire thereby. Aleth. His Expedient raiseth more difficulties than it allaieth; as directly opposite to Scripture, Reason, and the general consent of Writers, as formerly hath been largely proved in our Objections against Zebulun. Better it is therefore to admit a parcel of Asher separated from the main of the Tribe (Instances in English Counties being frequent in this case) then by Bonfrerius his shift, to allow Truth parted from Jacob's c Gen. 49. 23. prophecy, which inevitably follows, if Zebulun be made Land●locked, and cut off from bounding on the sea. Philol. Indeed you put Manassehs separate Country's within Issachar, but not within Asher, not environed there with, but only joining thereto, whereas the Text saith equally, * Josh. 17. 11. And Manasseh had in Issachar and Asher etc. Aleth. The main body of Issachar confining on Manasseh afforded us conveniency to insert such Country's therein. But Asher his part being in itself but a small dis-jointed portion, is not so capable of surrounding a Country within it, seeing such a parcel within a parcel would appear so diminutive a subdivision as almost inconsiderable. Besides, the preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rendered In in the Text, may sometimes be satisfied with signifying ad, or juxta, nigh, or by, that is, a bare proximity, apposition, and contiguousnes of a thing. In which sense Manasseh had land bordering on this dis-jointed piece of Asher. Philol. In * Parag. 32. Ephraim you say that jezreel was more than twenty miles from Samaria, which measured by the scale in your Map are not above twelve miles asunder. Aleth. Let not the typographical mistake of the Printer be accounted the topographical error of the Author; That twelve should be twenty, and in the Errata is mended accordingly. Philol. You might almost as well inscribe this Map the Tribe of Levi, as the Half Tribe of Manasseh. It was the complaint in time of Popery, that the Church did eat up the Commonwealth; every third foot in the kingdom being Churchland, before the dissolution of Abbeys. You endeavour to reduce Palestine to the same proportion. It was a pious wish of Moses, c Num. 11. 29. Would God, that all the Lords people were Prophets: But a covetous desire in you to convert so much of the land into the Levites portion, by extending the circular suburbs of their Cities to six miles' Diameter; whereas Authors contract them, within less than half that compass, yet observing the true dimension of the Cubit therein. Aleth. For number such Cities are no more than the Scripture assigneth, though here haply falling thicker than in other Maps. As for the three thousand Cubits of their extent on all sides, we have in the manner of the measuring thereof followed the direction of judicious f Vid. on Num. 35. 4, 5. Mr. Ainsworth, (as he the learned Rabbi Maimony) preferring it amongst various expositions, as most natural to the Text. Now let none wonder that we make a thousand Cubits adequate to a thousand paces, or on English mile. For, although lesser Cubits were used by the jews, about their vessels, and buildings; yet their Geometrical Cubit (generally employed for their better expedition, because largest, in their surveying of land) contained six l M. Godwin his Moses and Aaron lib. 6. pag. 248. common Cubits; and Rabbi m In Ez●kielis ca 48. 2. cited by Arias Montanus de Mensuris sacris. Kimhi expressly saith that a thousand Emoth, or Cubits make a mile. Besides, consider I pray, these three thousand Cubits were to be measured from the wall of the City, the flexures and bend whereof, produced the parallel bend in the bounds of the Levites suburbs. But because we cannot be instructed in what from the line of their walls ranged about, we begin our measure from the midst of the City, and therefore 〈◊〉 bound to make their lands amends with the largeness of the C●ibts, because beginning our mensuration to their disadvantage, from the ●●n●er of the City, in s●ead of the [unknown] circumf●●●●ce thereof. Philol. I am not satisfied in the situation of 〈◊〉, that it was seated in this half Tribe of Manass●h. Aleth. It is seated according to Adrichomi●s, and the judgement of most other * Merca●or, G●il. Tyrius & generally in most Maps. Authors. But if I might interpose mine own opinion, I conceive it many miles nearer unto jerusalem in the Tribe of Ephraim, rather nigh then on the sea, in the road betwixt jerusalem, and Caesarea, some thirty miles from the former; whither I shall remove the same, when my opinion herein shall be countenanced with the approbation of others. My reason that Antipatris could not be so far northward, (full sixty miles as they make it from jerusalem) is, because the i Act. 23. 31, 32. ●ootmen sent to attend Saint Paul marched thither from jerusalem in one night. Now, although their suspicion of the jews pursuing them to rescue Saint Paul, might quicken their pace, yet k Ibid. v. 23. 32. foot-soldiers could not be foot-posts, it being impossible for spearmen to go so far, in so short a time, betwixt the third hour [nine a clock at night] and the next morning. CHAP. X. Objections against Ephraim answered. Philol. YOu make a strange desultory Description of the bounds of this Tribe, vaulting over from length to breadth in such a fashion as is hard to be understood, and worse to be applied to the letter of the * Josh. 17. Text. Al●th. Wise Agur confessed he knew not the † Prev. 30. 19 way of an Eagle in the air, whose flight therein 〈◊〉 not to be traced, leaving no visible perforation behind it, partly through the swiftness of his motion, partly through the subtileness of the air presently closing up the passage. So short and concise is the Holy Spirit in bounding the children of joseph, and so long since hath time taken all impression of many limitary obscure places there mentioned, that exactness herein, by the confession of the * Masins in Josh. 17. best Authors, is not to be attained. But herein we have followed the direction of the learned Bonfrerius, save that we have not contracted the east of Ephrain to wards jordan into so narrow a point, but bounded it broader, to make it a degree the better with the descriptions of other Authors. Philol. You make Sechem in this Tribe, full seventy miles from Hebron in the Tribe of judah. Me thinks they should be much nearer seeing jacob sent joseph from a Gen. 37.14. Hebr●n to Sechem to give a visit to his brethren. Now how could his tender love adventure his darling child alone so tedious and dangerous a journey? Surely the distance was far less than you make it. 〈◊〉. Philol. Rama in this Tribe, doubtlessly was a City of the Levites as doth appear by Elkanah and Samuel their constant habitation there, both of then Levites. Why therefore is it not surrounded in your Map with a double circle, like other Cities of the sane qualification? Aleth. I acknowledge Ra●a for the reasons by you alleged, probably pertaining to the Levites, but have omitted the double encircling thereof, because I find it not amongst the four Cities given the Levites in Ep●raim, nor the forty c See Josh. 21. eight assigned to them in the whole kingdom. Philol. Was it not then usurpation in the Levites to inhabit a City which by God was never granted unto them? Aleth. Under favour I conceive, though the Levites must have four, they might have more Cities in Ephrain, or elsewhere, if the charity of well disposed people was pleased to bestow them. Thus, beside the three Cities for Refuge west of jordan the Israelites were bound, if God did enlarge their d D●ut. 19 8, 9 coasts, to add three more for the same service. By which analogy it may be collected, that the Ephraimites in gratitude to God, who gave them more entire possession of their portion then any other Tribe in Ioshua's division (nothing out ●ezer, a Levites City being detained from them by the Can●anites) might give this Ra●a as a gratuity to the Levites. Besides, the suburbs and lands of the Levites reached from th● walls of the Cities three thousand Cubits round about, with in which space they might erect what buildings they please, being therein (without encroaching on any other Tribe) resident on their proper inheritance. Rama therefore might be built within that circumference, and by the proportion of miles we collect it to stand within the circuit of Gezer, so that though they could not get Gezer itself, they might gain and build Rama within the compass thereof for their habitation. However, we define nothing positively, much less impose it on the belief of others. Clipped money is worth as much as it weighs, though it will not pass for what it was coined; and conjectures, though they will not go for certain truths, deserve to find as much acceptance, as they bring probability with them. Philol. Have you nothing more to observe concerning the blessings, and 〈◊〉 pronounced on mount Ebal and Gerizim Aleth. I conceive on second thoughts, that the Priest's with the A●ke stood in the valley betwixt the two hills (whilst the whole body of the ordinary e Deut. 30. 2. Levites were on the mount of Gerizi●) whose station in the half way betwixt both, when they pronounced the blessings and the cursings, facilitated the conveyance of the sound on both sides, as appeareth on the serious f Compare Deut. 11. and cap. 27. with Josh. cap. 8. comparing of the Scripture. Philol. Tiphsah is made by you a City in this Tribe. But, if it were situate herein, very short were the dominions of Solomon even in the very height of his greatness, who then reigned on this side of the river from g 1 King. 4. 24. T●phsah even to Azza, or Gaza, in the Tribe of Simeon, not fully an hundred miles, as appears by your Scale in the general Description of the land. Aleth. Tiphsah there mentioned being the eastern boundary of Solomon's Empire (from our h 2 Kin. 15. 16. Tiphsah where cruel Menahem began his reign) was near a thousand miles' north-east on the river Euphrates, probably the same with the City Tharsacus, whereof Ptole●y, Strabo, and Stephanus take special notice. Philol. Have you any miraculous faith, who so easily have removed the mountain of Phinehas (wherein Eleazar was buried) from the north of this Map, within the suburbs of Bethhoron a Levites City, to the south thereof near Shiloh, where in your Map general the same is presented? Aleth. On better consideration I see no necessity, that his mountain should be brought within the bounds of any levitical City. Phinehas was an extraordinary person, and therefore his land might be extraordinary in the location thereof. This his portion was no part of the Levites patrimony in their forty eight Cities given them by God, but seems rather the s●perpondium of the people's i Josh. 24. 33. bounty cast into the balance, as an honourable augmentation in reward of his k Num. 25. ●. eminent desert. I conceive therefore it lay in Mount Ephraim, near Shilob, where the Tabernacle was set up, bestowed upon him thereabouts, for his more convenient attending of God's service therein. CHAP. XI. Objections against Dan answered. Philol. YOu positively affirm that the land of Dan belonged primitively to judah, yet produce no Scripture for the proof thereof. We believe the same of Simeon, the a Josh. 19 1. Text affirming that their inheritance was within the inheritance of judah, but no evidence appears of such derivation of Dans possession originally from judah. Aleth. The same is infallibly collected from Scripture, because the Cities of Eshtaol, b Josh. 15. 33. Zoreah, c Josh. 19 57 Timnah, d Josh. 19 45. Ekron were first bestowed on judah, and e Josh. 19 41. 43. afterwards we find the same places, (with the Country thereabouts by necessary consequence) conferred upon Dan's posterity for their portion. Philol. Such an alteration seems utterly inconsistent with divine immutability, with whom is no 〈◊〉, nor shadow of f James 1. 17. changing. To give a thing and take a thing is unproportionable with his proceedings, whose Gifts are pronounced by the Apostle to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, g Rom. 11. 29. without Repentance. Aleth. Indeed such gifts as amount to the notion of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are uncapable of alteration, to which his other grants are subject. Besides, God never so passed away that land but he still reserved it as his own Demesnes. For the land (saith he) is mine; not was, but is, even after the Israelite, had long possessed the same. Is it not lawful for him to do as he will with his own, i Mat. 20. 15. and to change at pleasure what tenants to rent, or rather what Bailifeses to occupy his own ground? Philol. The faces of the Men which bear the great bunch of grapes, are set the wrong way. For being to go southeast to Kadesh-●arnea, they look full west to the Mediterranean sea. Aleth. You put me in mind of a man, who being sent for to pass his verdict on a Picture, (how like it was to the person whom it was to resemble) fell a finding fault with the frame thereof (not the Limners but the joiners work) that the same was not handsomely fashioned. In stead of giving your judgement on the Map, (how truly it is drawn to represent the Tribe) you cavil at the History●properties therein, the act of the ●raver, not Geographer. Yet know Sir when I checked the * Ro. Vaughan. Graver for the same, he answered me that it was proper for Spies, (like Watermens and Rope-makers) for surety sake to look one way and work another. CHAP. XII. Objections against Simeon answered. Philol. Why both an Asterisk and flag of uncertainty over Sheba? For, though unassured of the exact position thereof, the Text ascertaineth us, that it was a real City in Simeon, a Josh. 19 2. Beer-sheba, and Sheba, and Moladah etc. Aleth. I am not satisfied that Sheba was a distinct City by itself, but rather conceive it the same with Beer-sheba. Because, 1 They are both accounted the same b Gen. 26. 33. when originally denominated. 2 Sheba is omitted in c 1 Chr. 4. 28. Chronicles where other Simeonite Cities are summed up) as the same with Beer sheba. 3 Simeon had but d Josh. 19 6. thirteen Cities, which make fourteen if Sheba be accounted a distinct City by itself. The premises considered, Sheba appears the same with Beer-sheba (as e Psal. 76. 2. Salem with jerusalem) commonly so called for brevity sake. Philol. But then how do you answer the Text, which expressly maketh Sheba a distinct City, Beer-sheba, and Sheba, and Moladah & c? Aleth. Proteus appeared not in more shapes, than the Particles (here rendered and) hath several significations, for though chiefly it is copulative, other whiles it is causal, collective, adversative, exegetical, redditive, and disjunctive, as f In locum josh. Bonfrerius readeth it here, Beer-sheba, or Sheba, and Moladah etc. Philol. You say that Simeon was g In the desir. of judah §. 1. surrounded on all sides with judah, whereas in your Map, the northern side thereof, is all along fairly flanked with the Tribe of Don. Aleth. You may remember (what we so lately proved) that Dan's portion primitively pertained to judah, and was a canton cut out thereof. In which sense according to Scripture, Simeons' inheritance was h Josh 19 1. within the children of Iudah's, and originally encompassed therewith. Philol. Why call you this Tribe i In descript. of Simeon § 1. a jagged remnant, being as whole a cloth as the rest, and (though not so great) as entire as the other Tribes? I am not sensible by this your Map of any notorious dispersedness of the Simeonites habitations. Aleth. Undoubtedly judah his portion made many incisures, and larcinations into the Tribe of Simeon hindering the entireness thereof. Particularly Askelon and k Josh. 15. 47. Gaza first given to, once l Judg. 1. 18. possessed by judah, (though regained by the Philistines) were continued and tied by some narrow label of land to the main of judah, at leastwise had a Church-path (as I may term it) a passage to the Temple, without going through any part of Simeon. But, wanting certain instructions, how to contrive, and carry on such indented conveyances, and not willing to confine the Reader to our conjectural fancies, we have left him to his liberty, presenting Simeon * Adrichomius hath done the same. entire, wherein he may frame such incursions of judah as comply best with his own opinion. Philol. You make this Tribe to range some miles south of Beer-sheba, whereas that place passeth currant for the utmost border of the Country. What more common in Scripture, then l Judg. 20. 1. & 1 Sam. 3. 20 & 2 Sam. 3. 10. etc. from. Dan to Beer-sheba, that is, from the north to the south of the land of Canaan? Aleth. It was the utmost eminent City, but not absolutely the farthest place in Palestine, as neither mentioned amongst the southern boundaries of the land in general, Numb. 34. nor with the utmost limits of the Tribe of judah, josh. 15. In ordinary discourse we measure England east and west from Dover to the Mount, as the farthest western place of note, though Cornwall stretches seven * Consult camdens and Speeds Maps. miles beyond it unto the lands end. So Beer-sheba was the remotest remarkable City of Canaan, where the cloth, as I may say, ended, though the list thereof reached beyond it to the River of Egypt. CHAP. XIII. Objections against Benjamin answered. Philol. Why make you Nob a Levite City in Benjamin, within the suburbs of Anathoth? Seeing Nob is neither named amongst the four Cities bestowed on the Levites in this Tribe, josh. 21. 17. nor is it any of the eight and forty belonging unto them throughout the whole Country of Canaan. Aleth. That Nob was in this Tribe, appears by that catalogue of Cities presented us in a Neh. 11. 31. Nehemiah, which the Benjamites repossessed after their return from Babylon. That it was a Levites, yea a Priest's City, appears (too plainly) by the b 1 Sam. 22. 19 Massacre therein on them committed. We confess it none of the eight and forty originally assigned to the Levites. Yet how they in after-ages, were capable of supernumerary Cities more than in their first Charter, and how the Mort●main of the Levites (as I may term it) was enlarged with new foundations, we have lately answered in the objections of Ephraim * Concerning 〈◊〉. , whither we refer you for further satisfaction. Philol. You make the sons of Saul executed on an hill nigh Gibeah of Saul, which your judicious c M. ●ight soot in th● T●mpl▪ pag. 264. friend will have hung up before the Tabernacle in Gibeon, observing therein an exemplary piece of divine justice, that, whereas Saul had ruined the Tabernacle at Nob, his sons were hung up before the same in Gibeon. Aleth. Not to be a Plaintise against him, but a Defendant of myself▪ I conceive him mistaken in confounding Gibeah of Saul with Gibeon, distinct Cities, as may appear by their several owners, and actions therein performed. GIBEON. GIBEAH. An ancient City of the Hivites, whose d Josh. 9 3. etc. inhabitants deceived the Israelites, e Josh. 21. 17. given to the Levites, in the Tribe of Benjamin, where the Tabernacle was set up in the time of Solomon. A City in Benjamin, hard by I●rusalem, distinct from the f Compare Josh. 18. v. 25. with 〈◊〉. 28. former, whose inhabitants were mere Benjamites, and by their lust abused the g Judge 29. 16. Levites Concubine to death, for which their Tribe was almost extirpated: it was afterwards called Gibeah of Saul from his birth and frequent residence therein. Now the text expressly saith, that the Gibeonites did hang them up unto the Lord in Gibeah h 2 Sam. 21. 6. of Saul, that is, in Saul's native place, and Court, where he had issued out his cruel edicts for the slaughter of the Gibeonites. Philol. But that expression they hanged them in the hill i Ibid. 〈◊〉. 9 before the Lord, imports the same performed in some religious place, probably in the prospect or view of the Tabernacle. Aleth. Before the Lord implies no more, than what in the foregoing verse was termed k Ibid. v●●. 6. unto the Lord, that is, in a sacred manner, not out of private revenge, but in an holy zeal, tendering the parties executed an oblation to divine justice, and so is interpreted by the Expositors thereon. Philol. In your particular Map of Benjamin, jordan runs almost directly south, the whole course of whose channel visibly bendeth eastward in your Map general of Palestine. Aleth. That general Map, (though first placed) was last perfected, wherein we have amended three mistakes, as escaped in our particular descriptions. One that wherein you instance, another 〈◊〉 Re●●en (formerly forgotten to be confessed) making that Tribe a little longer from north to south, than it is represented in our particular description thereof. My care shall be, God willing, in the second edition, to conform those particular Maps, according to these rectisi●ations in the general description. CHAP. XIV. Objections against Judah answered. Philol. WOuld not it affright one to see a dead man walk? And will not he in like manner be amazed to see the Dead-sea moving? Why have you made the surface of the waters thereof waving, as if like other seas it were acted with any ty●e, which all Authors avouch, and yourself confesseth a In description of judah §. 5. to be a standing stinking lake? Thinks not to plead, that such waving is the impression of the wind thereupon, seeing Tacitus affirms of this sea, Neque b ●is●. li. 5. p. 618 vento impellitur, it is such a drone, it will neither go of itself, nor yet be driven of the wind. Aleth. I will not score it on the account of the Graver, that it is only lascivia, or ludicrum coeli, the over-activity of his hand: And in such cases the flourishings of the Scrivener are no essential part of the Bond: but behold Mercators, and other Author's Maps, and you shall find more motion therein, then is here by us expressed. The most melancholy body of moisture, (especially of so great extent) is necessarily subject to such simpering in windy weather, as inseparable from the liquidity thereof. Philol. Why set you Zeboim most northernly of all the five Cities in the Dead-sea, in the place where Sodom is situated in all other descriptions? Aleth. The placing of them is not much material, whether longwise all in a File as Mr. More sets them, or in two Ranks, (two and two) as they are ordered by * So set in our Map of old Canaan. Mercator. Skulls in a charnel-house never justle for the upper place; and as senseless is the contention betwixt these dead Cities, which shall stand first, whose foundations long since were doubly destroyed with fire and water. But the sole motive of my placing Zeboim most northern of these four Cities, is because I find c 1 Sam. 13. 18. the valley of Zeboim in the Tribe * Ne●. 11. 34. of Benjamin, which probably lay near the influx of jordan into the Dead-sea, denominated from the vicinity of Zeboim thereabouts. Philol. The Hebrew Orthography confutes your conceit. For Zeboim by you last alleged is spelled with different letters from the City which was burnt with fire from heaven. Aleth. I confess a threefold variation in the writing of this name, though all the same in effect, 1 Gen. 14. 2. and so also Deut. 29. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 1 Sam. d So also Nehem. 11. 34. 13. 18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3 Hoseah 11. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. I shall set thee at Zeboim etc. Here to mollify the word, the guttural is either altered, or wholly omitted; neither amounting to make it a new word: How variously are the names of the same English towns spoken and spelled; as Leicester, Leicester, Legeocester, Legecester, yet the same word dressed in several spellings and pronunciations? Philol. Why make you Heb●on being a noted City of the Priests, and City of Refuge, different from all the rest, only with a single circle about it? Aleth. Because the fields and villages thereof were none of the Priests, f josh. 21. 12. but were given to Caleb the son of jephunneh for his possession. Philol. If so, then Hebron ought not to have had any circle at all about it, being a bare City of the Priests without any suburbs belonging thereunto. Aleth. The Priests in Hebron had, and had not, suburbs pertaining thereunto, according to the several acception of suburbs. If by them you only understand aedificia suburbana, buildings (though without the City walls) contiguous thereunto, these (no doubt) belonged to the Priests, who had g Ibid. v. 13. Hebron with her suburbs: otherwise if you extend them to ager suburbanus, the fields surrounding the City, these related to Caleb as the proper owner thereof. Philol. You might well have afforded conjectural flags to most of the Cities in judah, going generally by guess in your placing of them, and differing from all other authors therein. Aleth. The Learned in Anatomy have informed me, that veins are alike in their trunks, but not in their branches; so that although the great Channels of blood run alike in all bodies, yet the smaller veins (as is most visible in their divarication on the back of the hand) disperse themselves diversely, in divers persons: The like is confessed in all Maps of judah, wherein the grand Cities, Hebron, Debir, Bethlehem etc. have their certain position agreed on by most Authors, whilst their inferior places (and no Tribe afforded more obscure Cities but once named in Scripture) are subject to much variety, according to the fancies of Authors. Wherein we hope we have observed, as much as might be, these short, and small directions we find in Scripture. Philol. But you are not constant to yourself in the location of those lesser places, as appears by some diversity of their distances (both amongst themselves and from jerusalem) in the particular description of judah, and in the general Map of Palestine. Aleth. I confess the same; who having discovered some errors in the particular Map, reform the same in the Map-generall. Which may be beheld in this point, as a new Edition of the former, corrected and amended. Request I therefore the Reader in such small differences, to rely rather on the credit of the Map-generall. Philol. You * Lib. 1. p. 22. § 2. once placed Hepher a royal City in Manasseh on this side jordan, which since you have removed into judah, without giving any account of the alteration. Aleth. Some probability persuaded us to our former opinion. Chiefly because Hepher is mentioned in Ioshua's a Josh. 12. 17 list, next to Tapuah; which is known to be in Manasseh. But since finding also a Tapuah b Josh. 15. 34. in judah, and a land of c 1 King. 4. 10. Hepher near Sochoh, a place also in d Josh. 15. 35. judah, it hath staggered our judgement, and caused us to remove Hepher into judah with a flag of uncertainty thereon; all Authors finding an Ignoramus for the exact position thereof. Philol. The land of Goshen is sufficiently known to be in e Gen. 46. 28. Egypt: And how stragleth of f Josh. 10. 41. and 15. 15. Country of Goshen into this Tribe? Aleth. You know that besides this England wherein we live, there is an Anglia in Denmark, whence our Ancestors are said to have come; and there is England beyond Wales, whither some of our nation removed. Some such occasion (to us unknown) might give the name of Goshen to a petty tract of ground in judah: Or else it might be so called from some assimilation in the fruitfulness thereof. Wonder not at a Goshen in Egypt, and another in judah; when we find two g Josh. 15. 24. and 55. Ziphs', two h Josh. 15. 34. and 56. Zenoahs', two i Josh. 35. & 48. Socohs etc. (As two Kirbies market-towns in Westmoreland) within the compass of this Tribe. Philol. Conceive you that any wildernesses wherewith judah abounded, were places of any pleasant habitation? Aleth. I am confident thereof. For instance, Engedi though a k 1 Sam. 24. 1. Wilderness, was so delicious a place, l Cant. 9 14 that the Spouse is compared to a cluster of Camphire in the Vineyards of Engedi. Besides, it had the conveniency of Palmtrees, therefore m 2 Chr. 20. 2. in Scripture called Hazazon-Tamar, which is Engedi Tamar, being in Hebrew a Palm. Nor can I omit the testimony of n In●ra ●os Engadda oppidum est, s●cundum ab Hierso●ymis s●●ilitate, Palmetorumque nemoribus, nunc alterum bus●um. Pliny as the best comment herein in God's word; who speaking of people living on the west of the Dead-sea; amongst these (saith he) is the town ENGADDA; Second to jerusalem in fruitfulness, and WOODS OF PALMTREES; but now become another heap of Ashes. Philol. I find indeed a City, and wilderness of Maon in this Tribe, but were the dwellers therein, those same Maonites, which are said judg. 10. 12. with the Zidonians and Amalekites to have oppressed Israel? Aleth. O no. I take these tyrant Maonites to have been a fierce and foreign Nation. Saint Hierom, de locis Hebraicis, conceives Maon to be the Country of Moab. The vulgar Latin translates it Canaanites, because Maonites signifieth inhabitants, and the Canaanites we know were the ancient and original dwellers in the land) whose Relics left in the land contrary to God's command, were constant thorns in the sides of the Israelites. But I conceive rather with learned Cajetan on this place, these Maonites were a distinct neighbouring nation, whose certain habitation is to us unknown. Philol. Saul, when marching against the Amalekites, is said to have numbered the people (being two hundred and ten thousand, in * 1 Sam. 15. 4. Telaim: which by the coast of the Country seems south in or near judah. Yet no such place appears in your Map thereof. Aleth. The Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is variously interpreted, the Rabbins render it appellatively in Lambs; affirming the Saul did not count them in specie, but for more safety or expedition, computed the people by their Paschall Lambs, proportioning such a number of men to a Lamb. Others read it, He numbered them as Lambs, that is, now grown meek and quiet, (whereas at the first there were some * 1 Sam. 10. 27. & 1 Sam. 11. 12 animosities of the people against him: Shall Saul reign over us?) contentedly submitting themselves to his command. But I take Telaim for a true City, and the same with Telem josh. 15. 24. which you may find in our description. CHAP. XV. Objections against the Land of Moriah answered. Philol. I Perceive the imperfection of your description by the omitting of a memorable valley therein, namely the vale of Baca, mentioned by the Psalmist pronouncing him blessed who passing through the vale of Baca a Psal. 84. 6. maketh it a Well. You in stead of passing through, pass by this vale unmentioned. Aleth. I reserved my observations on this vale for this place. Some render it appellatively, The vale of weeping: meaning thereby the militant condition of a Christian in this life, encumbered with constant afflictions. If so, this vale of Baca is too big to come under my description; all the mountains in the world being but part of this valley, the extent whereof is adequate to the whole earth. But if you be pleased to take this vale for a proper place, I embrace the opinion of learned Ainsworth on the text, that this vale of Baca, or Mulberry trees, (for so also it signifieth) was near to jerusalem; out of the tops of which b 2 Sam. 5. 23. trees, God sounded the Alarm to David when he conquered the Philistines. CHAP. XVI. Objections against the City of Jerusalem answered. Philol. What is charged unjustly on Saint Paul and his companions, that they had a Act. 17. 6. turned the world upside down, may truly be laid to your charge, you have in your description of jerusalem tumbled all things topsie turvy, in the position of the gates thereof; yea the foundations of the City, as presented by you, are out of course, and contrary to the rules of other writers. Aleth. Let God be true, and every man a liar. In this particular I profess myself a pure Leveller, desiring that all humane conceits (though built on most specious bottoms) may be laid flat and prostrated, if opposing the written Word. In conformity whereunto, we are bound to descent from such Authors (otherwise honouring them for their several deserts) to accommodate the Description of the Gates and Towers of jerusalem, according to a threefold eminent Directory, which we find in Nehemiah. Philol. Give us I pray you an account of them in order. Aleth. The first main Scripture direction we are to observe is, the night survey which Nehemiah took of the walls, (or rather ruins) of jerusalem, described in this manner: NEHEM. 2. 13, 14, 15. And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the Dragon Well, to the Dung port, and viewed the walls of jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. Then went I out to the gate of the fountain and to the King's pool, but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass. Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned. The second is the several reparations (where the same were required) done on the Gates and walls of the City by several persons, in a circular form, from the Sheep-gate b Ne●. 3. 1. & 32. surrounding the whole City till they returned to the same place where they began▪ Whose names we have carefully inscribed on those portions of buildings, upon which their cost and pains were expended. The third, but most material, (because most declaratory of the method of the Gates) is the solemn Processions, which the people divided into two Quires, made round about the walls: each of them measuring a Semicircle; both of them encompassing the whole circumference of jerusalem, and at last joining together in the (best meeting place) the Temple of God. First Choir, Nehem. 12. 31. One great company went on the right hand, upon the wall towards the Dung-gate, consisting of half the Princes of judah: and Ezra the Scribe before them. And at the fountain-gate which is over against them, they went up by the stairs of the City of David, at the going up of the wall above the house of David, even unto the water-gate eastward. Second Choir, Nehem. 12. 38, 39 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, a Not behind them in place, but somewhat later in time. and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the Tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall. And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old-gate and above the fish-gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep-gate; and they stood still in the * Porta custodiae or the Watch-gate being (as Vill●lp●●d●s excellently proveth) the East-gate of the Temple. prison-gate. So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God. Now I request the Reader with his eye to examine, whether the walls of jerusalem, as designed in our draught, agree not with these directions of Scripture. To purchase the favour whereof, I pass not for the frowns of any Authors. Omne excelsum cadet, down with whatever dare oppose our embracing of the Text. This we hope for the main▪ will satisfy any indifferent Reader; otherwise if being as impossible for me in this short discourse, to meet with the several exceptions of private fancies; as for a Geographer in the Map-generall of a Country, to set down the house of every particular person. Philol. You set Zion south of jerusalem, clean contrary to the description of the Psalmist b Psal. 43. 2. , Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is mount Zion, on the Sides of the North the City of the great King. Aleth. The place by you alleged is difficult, much canvassed by Comments, who fasten upon it two principal interpretations. 1 Sense. Some make this verse a description of Zion alone, the latter clause by Apposition so referring unto it, that Zion itself is solely charactered to be the City on the side of the North. 2 Sense. Others make this verse the full description of all jerusalem, consisting of two principal parts, by the figure of Asyndeton coupled together. 1. Zion. Beautiful for situation the ●oy of the whole earth is Mount Zion. 2. Properly Jerusalem. On the sides of the North the City of the great King. That the latter is the truer interpretation we send the Reader to the voluminous labours of c Apparat. Vrbis part 1. lib. 1. cap. 11. pa. 40. col. 2. & lib. 2. cap. 18. Villalpandus proving the same out of Scripture, josephus, and other Authors. Besides (though time and casualty hath made many alterations on jerusalem, yet) what Peter in his time said of David's sepulchre, even in our age true of mount Zion, d Act. 2. 29. it is with us unto this day, standing still full south of jerusalem, as Travellers do affirm, no doubt in the ancient place and posture thereof. For, although joseph could remove the Egyptians from e Gen. 47. 21. one end of the borders of the land, unto the other end thereof; yet mountains are too firmly fastened to be transplanted from their natural location. Philol. You do commit what you condemn in Adrichomius, taxing f Lib. 3. pa 342. par. 3. him for fashioning the streets of jerusalem after his own fancy; assuming the same liberty to yourself in conjectural ranging them without warrant from God's word. Aleth. Reason dictates what we have done herein. For Gates being made for entrance, probably the streets from them stretched forthright, as we have designed them. Those Insulae, or Quadrants of buildings, are nothing else but the necessary product of the decussation and thwarting of such direct streets where they cross one another. It is impossible that in describing jerusalem we should do what Saul in another case desired of the Ziphites, a 1 Sam. 23. 23. See therefore and take notice of all the lurking places, and come ye again with the certainty; only such generals in likelihood may be presumed, and the rest is left to every man's free conception. Philol. You have forgotten the Porta fictilis or Potters-gate, which b Apparat. Vrbis pa●l. 1. lib. 3. c●p. 25. Villalpandus solemnly sets up on the east of the City, building on a place alleged out of the Prophet jeremy. Aleth. His Porta fictilis, is rather fictitia and so brittle a gate that it is broken with perusing the text by him cited, for the proof thereof. c jer. 19 1, 2. Thus saith the Lord, go and get a potter's earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people and of the ancients of the Priests, and go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom, which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee. See here (whatever may be in the vulgar Latin) no sherd of a Potters-gate, though we confess a Potter's d Mat. 27. 7. field nigh the City; but, thence it cannot be collected that there was also a gate of that name, no more than if follows, because of Smithfield, there must be Smith-gate in London. Philol. You affirm e Lib. 3. pa. 320. par. 6. that we meet with no gate at all in Zion, flatly contrary to the words of David, f Psal. 87. 2. The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Icoab. Aleth. I say again, that because of the precipice of the place, Zion had no out-gates, but had those which led into jerusalem which might be meant by the Psalmist. But to speak plainly, Gates of Zion are not there to be taken literally, being put for the assemblies of the people at God's public worship; especially, whilst the Ark was in David's time fixed in Zion. CHAP. XVIII. Objections against the Courts of Solomon's Temple answered. Objections against Solomon's Temple are whollyomitted, because the draught thereof is entirely taken out of Arias Montanus, and chargeable on his account. Philol. IN your description of the Courts of Solomon's Temple, I find only four gates to the cardinal winds, but neither Parbar nor Asuppim Gate, though both of them eminently mentioned a 1 Chr. 26. 17. in the Bible. Aleth. I must confess myself utterly unsatisfied in the position of these places, whether or no they were in the first two Courts, as built by Solomon, or added in after ages, when the new b 2 Chr. 20. 5. or third Court was added to Solomon's foundation: which latter I am most inclined to believe. For perusing the date of the first book of Chronicles, I find it written long after the jews return from the captivity of Babylon, as appears by reckoning up the grandchildren of c 1 Chr. 4. 21. Zorobabel, and therefore I suspend the describing of them till further information. Philol. At the entrance of the House of the Lord, you o Pag. 385. §. 3. make horses, but omit the Chariots of the Sun, both equally mentioned in P 2 King. 23. 11. Scripture, and destroyed by josiah. Besides, you make them artificial statues, which (no doubt) were natural horses, sent out with riders every morning in a superstitious frolic, to give a welcome, or visit to the dawning-day, and to salute the Sun in the first arising thereof. Aleth. Chariot's must be supposed there, though not expressed for lack of room. Sure they were no real horses, which the [idolatrous] Kings of Israel had given to the q Ibidem. Sun. For (except thereby be meant a successive breed, or race) such horses must be extremely old at this reformation, after the r Compare the foresaid place with 2 King. 22. 3. eighteenth year of Iosia●, probably set up by Ahaz sixty years since. Besides, it is improbable, that living horses were kept so close to the Temple, and that noisome stables should be so near God's house, generally set at some distance from men's dwellings. However, I had rather subscribe, then engage in a controversy not worth the contending for. Philol. You s Pag. 391. §. 2. mention only one Table of shewbread, whereas David made preparation for the t 1 Chr. 28. 16. Tables thereof. And lest so plain a place of Scripture should be avoided, by the frequent figure of Enallage, Solomon is expressly said to have made u 2 Chr. 5. 8. ten Tables and placed them in the Temple, and it is added not long after, whereon the w Ibid. ver. 19 shewbread was set. Aleth. I am confident, there was but one principal Table for the presentation of shewbread, whereon, by God's appointment, the twelve x Levit. 24. 5, 6. Cakes were set in two rows, according to the number of the twelve Tribes of Israel. Now, if there were ten Tables provided for that purpose, the twelve Cakes could not be equally set upon them without a fraction. I conceive therefore the other nine, only as side-cupboards, or Livery tables ministerial to that principal one, as whereupon the shewbread elect was set before the consecration thereof, and whereon the old shewbread removed for some time, might be placed, when new was substituted in the room thereof. Philol. To proceed to the Altar. I approve your y Pag. 394. §. 3. answer taken from the Celestial fire thereupon, as satisfactory in relation to the Tabernacle, and Solomon's Temple, that so many sacrifices were so suddenly consumed without any noisomeness. But, the difficulty still remains as touching the second Temple: where, by general confession (in default of heavenly) the Priests were fain to make use of common, and ordinary fire. Aleth. Although I believe not in full latitude, what the jewish Rabbins do affirm; That the Pillar of smoke which ascended from the sacrifice, curled only upwards in direct wreaths to heaven, without any scattering, or shedding if self abroad; yet for the main, we may be confident, it was no whit offensive to the Priests, or people thereabouts. This we impute to the providence of God, passing an Act of indemnity, that none should be impaired, either in health or wealth, by the performance of any service according to his appointment. And, as the land of the jews was secured from foreign invasion z Exod. 34. 24. during the appearing of all the males thrice a year at jerusalem: so the same goodness of God ordered, that his people should sustain no damage or detriment, either in their purses, or persons, whilst busied in his worship: the main reason that no infection did arise, no smoke, nor ill savour scented from the fat, offal, and excrements of so many sacrifices offered in so short a time, and small a compass. Philol. You say something for the avoiding of noisomeness, but nothing in answer, that that common fire should so quickly devour so many sacrifices, though, I confess the offerings in the second Temple, nothing so numerous as those in solomon's. Aleth. We must totally ascribe this to the work of the Lord, who though not granting this second Temple the honour and use of Celestial fire (allowed to the former) yet, in approbation of his own ordinance, endued common fire with more than common activity. As, often in extremities, when miracles are denied, ordinary means are blessed with extraordinary efficacy in their operation. CHAP. XIX. Objections against Zorobabels' Temple rebuilt by Herod. Philol. I Forbear from objecting any thing against this Map of the Temple, seeing, by your confession, it is none of your own designing, but borrowed from Ludovicus Capellus. Only let me tell you, that I have seen a draught of the same Temple, as in fashion much unlike it, so in exactness far above it. I mean the same which Constantine L' Empereur hath set forth out of Middoth, or the rabbinical book of Solomon's building. Aleth. I confess myself to give little credit to rabbinical relations therein, and think the worse of the writings of all Rabbins, for their own thinking so well thereof, comparing them with, yea preferring them before Scripture itself. Such a As translated by Buxtorse in his R●censio opcris Talmudici. passages (which for me shall go unenglished) being found frequent therein. b In Codice juris Bava M●tria sol. 33. 1. In illis qui operam dant lectioni Biblicae, virtus aliqua est, aut potius nulla; at qui traditioni, virtus est, propter quam accipitur praemium. Egredienti c In Codice juris Chagiga. so. 10. 1. è studio Talmudico ad studium Biblicum, non erit pax. d jacob in Libro Caphtor. ●o. 121. Scito verba Scribarum amabiliora esse verbis Prophetarum. Justly therefore did Christ complain of them, e Mark 7. 13. Making the word of God of none effect through your traditions which ye have delivered. And, although I am not of the mind of f Tom. 2. par. 2. pag. 576. Villalpandus, who adviseth such as would read the Rabbins without danger, first to fence themselves with the sign of the Cross, and then whilst reading their books, often to repeat our Saviour's word, You are of your father the g John 8. 44. Devil; yet I conceive Epicharmus his counsel very useful herein, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Remember thou not to believe, their books (I mean in many passages therein) being the Leaven of the Scribes and Pharisees, whereof Christ forewarneth us to beware. Philol. Grant them unsound in points of faith, they may be true in matters of fact. And though we must zealously reject their doctrinal positions, we may safely embrace their historical relations; especially concerning the contrivance of the second Temple extant in their age. Aleth. As touching this second Temple, the works of the Rabbins now extant can give us no true intelligence thereof. The jews once said to our Saviour h John 8. 57 , Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? taxing him for pretending to more antiquity, than his age could extend unto. Though this was but a cavil at Christ, the same may justly be charged on the Rabbins, that the oldest of them extant at this day, (all of them writing since Ann. Dom. 100 in Trajan's time) are too late and modern to give us any infallible information of the second Temple, as which their eyes did never behold. Whilst josephus (out of whose instructions Capellus his description was lately taken) was an eye-witness thereof. Philol. Allow their personal experience too short to reach the Temple, their reports proceed on ancient records, declaring, as what was done in their days, so in the old time before them. Aleth. So many and prodigious are the i See Sixtus Senensis on this subject. monstrosities by them delivered, that it is hard to discern their Lampreys from their Snakes; and the very truths among them are rendered suspicious, because mixed with so many falsehoods: Who, because they received not the truth [Christ himself] for this cause God hath sent them strong k 2 Thes. 2. 11. delusions that they should believe a lie. Philol. Grant the Rabbins generally guilty hereof, yet Rabbi judah may be credited, living about Trajan's time, not much above thirty years after the destruction of the Temple. One commonly styled the Prince, and the Holy, conceived by his Countrymen next to Moses in knowledge and piety. Wherefore that new description of the Temple I so lately commended, deserves belief, coming from the pen of this Rabbi judah, as far exceeding other Rabbins, as the Patriarch judah excelled other Tribes. Aleth. Your so much admired Rabbi judah was swollen with Pharisaical hypocrisy, as high as any other. Witness his dying words, breathing out his soul with an expression to this effect, I Constantine L' Emperor in M●ddo●b. cap. ●. Sect. ●. Lord of the world, it is manifest and known unto thee, that I have laboured in thy law with my ten fingers, and have not received any gain, no not with so much as the least finger. Justly therefore may we be jealous of this water coming from such a fountain. Philol. Well, to wave the description of this Rabbin, and to give you only an occasion to enlarge yourself, I desire farther information both in this draught of Capellus, and also in your own written description of Zorobabel-herods' Temple. For the first, I wonder you have omitted the Bridge from mount Olivet to the Temple, mentioned in Middoth. Aleth. We find indeed such a Bridge (others call it a Causeway) in Middoth built on purpose from mount Olivet to the mountain of the house, A bridge from mount Olivet to the Temple. whereon the Temple was built. But oh! how long must that Bridge be? Above a mile in the direct extent thereof. How many, but especially how high must the arches therein be, to stride over so vast a concavity? What need of so expensive a structure, seeing an ordinary plank would serve for a bridge over Kedron? which in summer time was all bridge itself. How came josephus (one neither blind to see, nor dumb to tell of beautiful buildings for the honour of his nation) to take no notice hereof? Indeed the high Priests amongst the Romans, anciently had an inspection over the making and mending of bridges, thence called Pontifices: but he deserved to be Pontifex Maximus amongst the jews, who erected this sumptuous bridge, on which may belief dare not walk with confidence, for fear of falling, and therefore I conclude it well omitted by Capellus. Philol. I am not satisfied in the reasons you give why Solomon's Porch was so called. Aleth. Concerning the name whereof, Solomon's porch. let me add this (to what formerly we have w In description of Zorobabels' Temple. written on this subject) that some conceive it so called, not because Solomon ever built it, but because in after ages erected by Herod, it did approximate, or come the nearest in state and magnificence to that of Solomon's first founding. Thus Manna is termed x Psal. 78. 25. Angels food, not because they ever eat thereof, but had they any intention to feed thereon, better dainties could not be desired by them, or afforded to them: as this Solomon's porch (at leastwise in the apprehension of the builders thereof, well conceited of their own workmanship) was so called, because as brave, and beautiful, as if Solomon himself with all his wealth, and glory, had been the erectour thereof? Philol. I conceive some carnal reason for the buyers and sellers of Sheep and Oxen in the Temple, (driven out by our Saviour) because men, to save the tedious driving of them up in kind, brought flocks and herds up in their purses to jerusalem, (money wherewith there they bought them) but what use was there of money-changers in the Temple? Aleth. Money-changers their employment. Besides their changing of stranger's gold into silver, for less payments at their coming hither; silver into gold for the lighter portage, at their departure hence; under favour I conceive, they fitted people coming hither with Shekels, for their religious service. True it is, the Roman coins were only currant in common and civil payments (as appears by Christ's question and the jews answer, Whose image and superscription is this? and they said, Caesar's) but probably Shekels were used in sacred payments, the Romans permitting the jews the free enjoyment of their Religion, in things not destructive to their civil government. Now, seeing the jews were enjoined by God's Law, to tender unto him Shekels of the Sanctuary, not only in valuation, but in Specie (especially in the case of y Levit. ●7. 3. vows, paying more or few according to the age, or sex of the person) it is likely that the money-changers here furnished the aforesaid Votaries with Shekels, and other pieces thereof, in exchange for their Roman moneys. But herein such Brokers so improved themselves on the present necessities of some, and ignorance of others, that they much defrauded people with their contracts, therefore termed by our Saviour a z Mat. 21. 13. Den of thiefs. Philol. Why was the outward Court in the Temple called the Court of women? Aleth. Why called Court of women. Not, that they alone were permitted to be there; but because they were not suffered, unless on special occasions, to go any farther. Thus * De Bello jud. lib. 5. cap. 14. josephus calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the proper place for women to worship in; but elsewhere expounds himself, † Anti. ●●. 15. c. 14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, farther than this the Temple was unaccessible to women; so that this Court was proper for, but not peculiar unto the weaker sex for their staying therein. Philol. Seeing that Court was signally so called from Women, do you conceive as many women as men repaired to God's public service in jerusalem? Aleth. O no! All males were enjoined to appear a Deut. 16. 16. thrice a year (and that not empty handed) before the Lord in the Temple; whilst the same was not required of women. Whose exemption proceeded partly from the infirmity of their sex, not able to endure so long a journey; partly to protect their chastity in such a concourse of people; and partly that they might attend their young Children, and family-affaires. For though God gave them b Exod. 34. 24. assurance, that during their husband's absence, no enemy should invade the land; yet their tender * 1 Sam. 1. 22. children were not exempted from inconveniencies which might arise if their mothers were away from them. Philol. Me thinks the place in the Temple, where the Sacrifices were slain and flayed, seems too small for such a purpose, if all the Paschall Lambs (computed by josephus to be thousands) were as the Rabbins will have it) all killed by the Priests in the Temple, and that betwixt the two Evenings, (i. e. between three and six a clock in the afternoon) no longer time being allotted thereunto? I say, if so, a far greater square than what is presented in your Map was requisite for that service. Aleth. I am not bound to find room for all their Lambs. Sufficeth it that I have exactly followed my pattern in the dimensions of the place. But to the point, may I be so bold as to whisper my opinion in your ear; I conceive that, after the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (or Priests appointed to view the blemishes of Lambs) * For they were not confined to so few hours ●n their scrutiny. had at more leisure approved those Lambs legally perfect, a private person might sacrifice them in his own house; and then the less room was required in the Temple for such performances. And here I allege the authority of Philo, * Libro tertio de vita Mosis, and again in his book de decalogue. affirming that (as undoubtedly at the first institution of the Passeover and before the erection of the Tabernacle) every one was a Priest in his own family, even in his days, and sufficiently qualified for the offering of such sacrifices. Philol. You make stairs ascending to the Altar, flatly against God's command; c Exod. 20. 26. Neither shalt thou go up with steps unto my Altar; and the reason is rendered, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. Aleth. To salve the matter, (and to reconcile our, with the Rabbins, description) I conceive under the favour of Capellus, that the going up to the Altar was not divided into steps (as he presenteth it) but that it heightened itself by insensible degrees, being (though a Rise of many Cubits) an even ascent (as I may term it) equally elevated, so that the Priests, not striding, but pacing up thereon, were not necessitated to any d See Constantine L' Empereur in Middoth. p. 111. divarication of their feet, which might occasion the discovery of any uncomeliness. Philol. You make the Holy immediately continued to the Holy of Holies, whereas there was a Cubit distance betwixt them, and that covered with two veils, which interstitium was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, by the Rabbins. Aleth. I have read as much in their writings, and that they were unresolved whether to refer this space to the Holy or Holy of Holies; (like the condition of dying men in transitu, dubious whether to be accounted in this or another world) and thence they say it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, i. e. e See M Light●oo● in his Temple. Perturbation or disturbance, because the Priests were much disquieted thereat to which part of the Temple to relate it. But what ●aith the Psalmist? man f Psal. 39 7. disquieteth himself in vain, as here the Rabbins do, causelessly troubling themselves about that which appears not in Scripture. This we know, the Temple (besides the Porch) had two fair rooms, the Holy and Holiest; but as for this partition-Closet betwixt them, no foundation thereof in God's word. Philol. You confidently deny that the Ark was in the second Temple, whereas, upon inspection of the Triumphant Marble of the Vespasians in Rome, the same appeareth pourtraicted thereupon. Aleth. Their eyes are much mistaken which find the Ark on that Mon●ment, though something Ark-like, (but in very deed nothing else but the Table of shewbread) be presented therein: as for further satisfaction we have caused g See the last draught or fragm●nt● Sacra. here to be exemplified. Philol. You avouch an utter abolition of all Temple-Utensils, and no surviving Relics thereof at this day. I conceive the contrary may be made good out of History and daily experience. Aleth. I confess the fingers of superstition have itched to be tampering with them. But finding the same not to fadge, at last she was fain Hands-off to desist from such improbable designs. One h Vill●lpand●s. tells us of a cheater in France which many hundred years ago pretended to Moses his wonder-working Rod (though that of Aaron, not Moses, was preserved in the Tabernacle) and essayed to work miracles therewith, till at last he was beaten with his own Rod, detected and punished for an impostor. I confess also that i In lib. hist. Exod. 1. ca 6. Comestor, and out of him k De iis quaee fu●runt in cap. 1. Ribera in altari Lateranensi infra quod dicitur esse Arca, In the Lateran Altar, say they [in Rome] beneath [within] which IT IS SAID the Ark is; but both of them speak so uncertainly, and put it on public fame, that they teach us to deny the Truth thereof. Philol. You are very brief in the destruction of the City and Temple by the Romans, whereas so memorable a subject deserved a fuller description. Aleth. It is largely related by josephus to whom the Reader is referred; only I will add a word of the remarkable time thereof. God graciously promised his people, Neither shall l Exod. 34. 24. any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the Lord thy God thrice a year. Obedience is better than an Army to secure one's estate. As the Meniall-servants of great Persons are protected in some cases, from Arrests, whilst they wait on their Masters in public employment; so God's people were privileged from damage during their attendance on him thrice a year in his Temple; no invasion being found to befall them on that occasion clean through the Scripture. But at last, in token that they, by their wickedness, had outlawed themselves of his protection, and he withdrawn his defending of them, the Romans besieged them in jerusalem, coming up thither on the solemn feast of the † josep. Bell. jud. li. 6. c. 4. Passeover; and soon after both Temple and City was destroyed, by Vespasian and Titus his son, seventy two years after our Saviour's birth. Not one stone of the Temple left upon another; though three towers of the City (Ma●iamne, Phaselus, and Hippicus) were left standing; not out of pity, but pride; their devouring sword leaving this mannerly bit on purpose, that posterity might taste how strong the place was, to the greater credit of the conquerors. Philol. To add to the solemnity of the State, Titus with his Father Vespasian made a solemn Triumph in Rome, wherein the golden Table and Candlestick, with other n josep. de Bel. jud. li. 7. cap. 21. sacred Utensils of the Temple, formerly reverenced, now derided, made once for God's service, now served to adorn the Trophies of Pagans. We read what befell o Dan. 5. 5. Belshazzar when he quaffed in the vessels of the Temple. Some perchance might here expect that God, to punish the profanation of these holy instruments, should then have showed some signal judgement on the profaners. But the case was altered, because the date of Ceremonies was then expired, the use of Types ended, Christ the Truth being come: and the Moon may set obscurely without any man's taking notice of her, when the Sun is risen. Aleth. The Law carried captive. The last and greatest Trophy than carried in triumph was the p josep. ut prius. LAW OF THE JEWS: probably that very numerical book, the Authentic or Original of the Law, which by God's command was constantly to be kept in the * Deut. 17. 18. & 2 Chr. 24. 14. Temple. And this perchance was permitted by divine providence, not without a peculiar mystery therein, to show, that the Law, which formerly bound men over to damnation, was now bound itself in captivity, outed of its former dominion, deposed from its condemning power, having now the Gospel of Grace succeeding in the place thereof. Lastly, orders were issued out to the Governor of Syria to set the whole land of judea to sale; which was done accordingly. Time was, when by the levitical Law, jewish land though ●old, yet at the year of jubilee was to revert to the ancient * Levit. 25. 28. owners; but now the King of heaven granted such a licence of Alienation, that it was fully and finally passed away from its ancient possessors. Philol. Coins made in memorial of the Rom●n conquest. To perpetuate th● memory of this Roman conquest, besides many other monuments, Coins were stamped both in gold and r Baronius Annal. Eccles. anno. 73. ex numis L●lii Pasqualini Romani. silver, with the Image of Vespasian and Titus, on the one side, and on the reverse a woman placed in a pensive posture under a Palmtree, which tree was the Hieroglyphic of judea, only differing herein, that the Palmtree the more depressed, the more it flourisheth, whereas judea sunk under the weight of her woes, and never again outgrew her miseries. And lest men should miss the fancy of the Impress, they are guided thereunto by the Motto subscribed, judaea capta, judea taken. Aleth. Conclusion of the description. What ●an on sight hereof would not call to mind the complaint of the Prophet, s Lamen. 1. 1. How doth the City sit solitary that was full of people? how is she become as a widow? she that was great among the nations, and Princess among the Provinces, how is she become tributary? Great, no doubt, was the grief of the jews hereat. But few drops seasonably showered, would preserve the green blade from withering, when much rain cannot revive the roots once withered. Eyes dry for their sins, are vainly wet after their sufferings: and a drought in the Spring is not to be repaired by a deluge in the Autumn. CHAP. XX. Objections, concerning the Description of Mount Libanus, answered. Philol. YOu make Libanus to be the north-ridge of these hills, and Anti-Libanus to be the south part thereof, clean contrary unto learned a Cosmog. lib. 5. pag. 1001. Munster in his description of it. Aleth. Munster is singular therein, unseconded by any other Authors. However, the controversy is not important as touching Scripture, wherein this distinction appears not at all, both the north and south chains of those mountains being promiscuously called Libanus in Holy Writ. Some humane Authors lay this distinction in point of east and west, so great is the difference among them. If I may freely profess my opinion herein, I conceive that the inhabitants of this mountain, termed the place of their own habitation, wheresoever they dwelled, Libanus, and named the mountains of their overthwart neigh●bours Anti-Libanus: as commonly men account their own Religion only to be Christianity, and all such opinions as are opposite to their own, Antichristian Phil●l. In your Map general of old Canaan, the Island of Arvad (or Aradus) is not above forty miles from Zidon, which in this Map of mount Libanus are fourscore miles asunder. Indeed I have read of a floating Isle in Scotland, moving from place to place with the wind and waves. But is this Isle of Aradus fixed to no firmer foundations, so that it hath swom forty miles more northward in this, then in your former draught thereof? Aleth. May you be pleased to remember, that in our instructions b Lib. ●. cap. 14. § 8. premised to the Reader, we gave notice that places standing on the Um-stroke▪ or utmost line of any Map, denote not their accurate position, but situation thereabouts, to clear the continuation of the Country. Such the location of Arvad in our former Map, which in this of mount Libanus is placed according to the true distance thereof. Philol. You make the River Aban● (in heathen Authors Chrysorrho●s) to sink into the ground, without communicating itself to the sea. This is out of the common road of nature, that this River should be free from paying tribute to the Ocean, to which all smaller waters are indebted. Yea and c In his description of Manas. beyond jordan. Lit. A. Adrichomius (no doubt on good authority) maketh it, when passing from Dam●scus, to run through a plain called Arch abode, and so into the Syrian, or Medite●ranean-sea. Aleth. His error therein is confuted, both by ancient, and modern writers. Strabo speaking thereof, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Which Chrysorrho●s beginning from the City, and Country of Damascus, in a manner is wholly spent in drains thence derived; for it watereth much ground, and that very deep. Some thing more may be collected from Ptolemies expression, not terming the fall of Chrysorrhoas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (his ordinary word) the outlets, or Ejections thereof into the sea, but only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, the End, or determination thereof. Where, by the degrees by him assigned, Be●tius in his Maps presenteth this River swallowed up wholly in the sands: and the same is confessed by Bellonius an eye-witness thereof, and other modern d V●d● Ferrarii L●x con Geographicum. Geographers, that it never cometh unto any sea. Philol. You have omitted the Vale of Salt in your Map (near Aram● Zoba●) neither mentioning in your description that most memorable defeat, which David gave the Syrians therein. Your modern Merchants of Aleppo will inform you thereof, who have been on the very place where the battle was fought, as tradition reporteth. Aleth. I have heard so much from the mouths of my judicious e M. Roger Vivion and M. Hump. Brown. friends, which have lived in those parts: and have formerly read the same in effect; How, within half a days-journey f Riddul●hs Travels pa. 45. of Aleppo, there is a very great plain, without grass growing on it, the sand whereof is naturally good salt, and after rain being dried again with the Sun, the people gather it. However, I cannot be persuaded, that this Salt Vale was the place, whereon David gave his enemies that notable overthrow, as on the perusal of the following Scriptures will appear. 2 Sam. 8. 13 And David got him a name when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the valley of Salt being eighteen thousand men. And he put garrisons in Edom, throughout all Edom put he garrisons. 1 Chr. 18. 12. Moreover Abishai the son of Zerviah slew of the Edomites in the valley of Salt, eighteen thousand. Inscription of Psal. 60. To the chief Musician upon Sushan-Eduth; Michtam of David, to teach. When he strove with Aram Maharaim, and with Aram Zobah, when joab returned and smote of Edom in the valley of Salt, twelve thousand. Here under favour, I conceive, these several Scriptures intent one, and the same victory, because fought in the same place, the Valley of Salt, whilst the seeming contradictions, in the names of the Conquerors, different numbers, and nations of the persons conquered, are easily reconciled: 1. joab (as General) might give the Command, and Abishai (Lieutenant General) do the execution, whilst David (as Sovereign) received the honour of the Action. 2. Twelve thousand might be slain on the place, and six more killed in the pursuit, so making up eighteen thousand in the total number. 3. This slaughter fell on the Edomites, who are called Syrians, not by their Country (though Syria taken in a large sense is comprehensive of many nations) but cause, and confederacy, as engaging themselves (to their cost) auxiliaries in the same quarrel of the Syrians against King David. This battle thus stated (with most probability in my opinion) it seems fought rather in the land of Edom, where there is another Valley of Salt eminent in g 2 King. 14. 7. & 2 Chr. 25. 11 Scripture, and not near Aleppo, or Aram Zobah. However, because Tradition is a Tyrant on the contrary, I dare resolve nothing positively, but suspend my own, and attend the judgements of others herein. Philol. You make Marra the next modern stage south of Aleppo: whereas there be many more miles, and intermediate lodging-places (namely Cane-Toman, and h See Biddulph● Travels pa. 88 Saracoop) betwixt them. Aleth. I confess no less, but am sorry your memory is so short, that I must so often incultate the same rule unto you: That places situate on the Um-stroke (such the location of Aleppo in our Map) are not in their exact position, whilst we only make a long arm to reach them confusedly into our description, though otherwise they be at greater distance, than the scale of miles will admit. Philol. I wonder you make the Mediterranean from Tripoli to Antioch, to run with such a crooked flexure, in form of an Hook, which certainly will not catch the belief of any judicious beholder thereof. The rather because no Geographers take cognizance of it, and such a bending is disavowed by all modern Maps. Aleth. Consult Ptolemies Maps (as drawn by learned Bertius) and they present the fashion thereof accordingly: though such an Elbow appears not in the late Cards of this Country. No news now adays for Sea to gain, Land to lose, or (reciprocally) both to alter their ancient, and accept new forms: seeing our Cornish-men will tell us, that a good piece of their horn is blunted, and broken off by the sea: whose land formerly stretched out more westward, and was i Camden's Brit. in Cornwall. called (as they say) Lioness, before the waters devoured both the paws, and whole body thereof. CHAP. XXI. Objections answered against the eastern confines of Palestine. Philol. YOu have left the eastern part of this Map altogether empty, which you ought to have furnished with more towns, and Cities therein. Aleth. Whose image and superscription doth this Map bear? Is it not of Arabia the desert, a wild barren Country? To make a desert full, is as absurd, as to paint a Black-more fair. Besides, whence should the Geographer fetch the names of these Cities, except from his own groundless fancy? And then, as King Edgar is said to have founded in England as many Monasteries as there be weeks in the year, a Map-maker might build more Cities than there be hours therein, whilst the Reader must have as much simplicity, as the Author dishonesty, that gives credit thereunto. Philol. You have false pointed (to use your own a Pag. ●7. §. 45. expression) the jewish peregrinations, seeing those four intermediate stages (Commas, as you term them) be Are, Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth, being named after the stream of Arnon, seem on the other side of the River, and therefore rather to be placed in the Tribe of Reuben. Aleth. I have consulted the text, and best Comments upon it, and cannot yet be convinced, but that the same is rightly situate. Arnon I conceive divided into many streams, therefore plurally termed the brooks of b Num. 21. 14. Arnon, probably tributary brooks running into that main River: and though the places aforesaid lay north of these rivulets, they were south of the main Arnon, and in the land of Moab. However, because of their so ambiguous posture, being more willing to learn then to teach, I am ready to alter them on any better information. Philol. You make jobs sons tent in your Map blown down on his children therein, whereas c Job. 1. 13. Scripture calleth it expressly an house, and otherwise it is unlikely they should be slain, with such slight curtains falling upon them. Aleth. I will not plead that a tent is also termed an house in Scripture d Compare Gen. 26. 25. with Gen. 27. 25. phrase, that tent-dwelling was most fashionable in the eastern Countries, especially in that ancient age, that statory, or long standing tents were quilted with timber, for their stronger support; that Iob● children might be (though not killed with weight) stifled with the closeness of the very linen in the tent, when Satan with such violence in a vengeance, drove it in upon them; but fairly charge it on the account of the Graver following his own fancy therein. Philol. You have made the Red-sea too near to the Dead-sea, presenting not above sixty miles' distance betwixt them, when there is much more in all authentic descriptions of them. See now what covetousness doth, it makes men guilty of much falsehood, as here your over-greediness to recover Ezion Gaber within this Map, hath tempted you to trespass on due proportion. Aleth. I confess the main channel of the Red-sea runs many miles more south-west; but this Bay called Sinus Elaniticu●; from 〈◊〉 (E●ath in Scripture, a fair City built by e 2 King. 14. 22. Uzziah, and restored to I●●●ah, f Deut. 2. 8. hard by Ezion Gaber) buncheth out more to the north, and in Mr. Moor's Maps, and others of good credit, is advanced as near to the Dead-sea, as in this our description. Besides, I have good reason to conceive, that this Reach of the Red-sea, anciently stretched more northward, than now adays; even to the City of Elana, or Elath, whence it takes its name; because in Ptolemies Map, Elana is set in the land, some miles distance from the Sea; whither, no doubt, it reached formerly, and made an haven for Ezion Gaber thereabouts. Philol. But, how can Ezion Gaber stand on the Red-sea, when we read of Huram King of Tyre (an haven sufficiently known to be seated on the Mediterranean) that he sent g 2 Chr. 8. 17, 18. ships to Solomon to Ezion Gaber? Surely, they sailed not round about Africa, much less can you conceive them to go over land, (ships having fins, and not feet) and a shoal of fish may with as much probability be driven over the Continent. Aleth. Here Sir, I will not tell you of the Prince of Orange his constantly carrying boats to make bridges of (though of no great burden) in his wagons: much less will I instance in those seventy lesser ships, and Galliots, brought by Zoganes Bassa Anno 1453. up a h Knowls T●●k. Hist. pag. 343. great hill, and so by dry land with all their sails abroad▪ out of the Bosphorus, the space of eight miles, into the haven of Constantinople, by an ingenious device, and a great strength of men to manage it, whereby the said City was soon after unexpectedly taken by the Turk. An invention formerly found out, and practised by the Venetians at the lake of Bennacus. But, waving these things, take notice, I pray, of two memorable passages concerning the matter in hand. 1 King. 9 26. And King Solomon made a navy of Ships in Ezion Gaber. 2 Chron. 8. 18. And Huram sent him [to Ezion Gaber] by the 〈◊〉 of his servants, Ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea. The result of both is this, Solomon's ships were built in the place at Ezion Gaber, where all their lumber, and ma●sie timber was provided, at the Dock wherein they were made: whilst their tackling, and other essential implements thereof (easily portable when taken in pieces) might be sent from Tyre by land-carriages. Such far carting being part of the burdens Solomon imposed on the people, whereof they afterwards so grievously i 1 King. 12. 4. complained: or else by Hurams sending ships, by a Metonymy of the cause understand ship-rights, such as found materials there, and brought art and industry (virtually with the former a whole navy) thither with them. Philol. Seeing Edom bounded northward on the Dead, southward on the Redsea (whereon stood Ezion Gaber in the land of King. 9 26. Edom) how can the children of Israel be conceived (when denied passage through it) to l Num. 21. 4. compass the land of Edom without coming into any part thereof, except they went into the water? Aleth. Understand it, they went not the nearest way to Canaan through the heart, and fruitful middle of Edom, but surrounded the same, going through the borders thereof (leaving the Red-sea on the right hand) where their passage was no whit prejudicial to the Edomites, as being through a base Country secured against the long stay of any passengers therein, by its own barrenness. Besides, m 〈…〉. some conceive the land of Edom extended not anciently so far as the Red sea, so that in Moses his time Ezion Gaber belonged not thereunto, though in the days of Solomon accounted parcel thereof. CHAP. XXII. Objections against the Wilderness of Paran answered. Philol. IN your Map of Simeon and judah, you make that the River of Egypt, which runs nigh Rinocolura into the Mediterranean sea. And here you call both that brook that runs into the Syrbon Lake, as also the easternmost stream of Nilus by the name of the River of Egypt. How comes this triplication? Where the Scripture presents but one, you multiply three Rivers of Egypt. Aleth. You put me in mind of a passage Bishop Latimer confesseth of himself, whilst as yet a young Priest, and zealous Papist. He, being enjoined by the Rubric to mingle water with the wine in the Chalice at Mass, was so a See the preface of M. Mason de Ministry Anglic. scrupulous to do it effectually, that he poured in water so much, and so often, that he almost diluted all into water. Such is the 〈◊〉 of my caution herein, who have Egypt-rivered this Map to purpose, willing to please all without displeasing of the truth. You know who saith, b Rom. 12. 18. If it be possible, as much as in you lieth have peace with all men, as herein I have endeavoured. For, 1 The Rivulet south of Simeon, by general consent 2 That running into the Syrbon-lake, by Mr. More 3 The easternmost stream of Nile, by Bochartus is made the River of Egypt. Thus each opinion having learned men to patronise it, we equally tender them all to the Readers discretion, to reject, or accept which of them he shall conclude most probable. Philol. You make Sinai (where the Law was given) a different, and distinct mountain from mount Horeb. Whereas in Scripture it plainly appears, that Horeb was the same with Sinai, two names for one and the same mount. For, that the Law was given in Sinai, all agree, and the same is attributed to Horeb also. The Lord our God made a covenant with us in c Deut. 5. 2. & 4. Horeb.— The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount, out of the midst the fire. Aleth. Some d Sir Walter Raleigh conceive this mountain (as Moses is erroneously fancied with horns) to rise up Parnassus-like, with a double top; whereof the one is called Horeb, the other Sinai. Or else the former, like the Alps, is a generical name to many, whilst Sinai, like mount Senis amongst the Alps, is more eminent and conspicuous than the rest, for the height thereof. Philol. Seeing the Spies were sent from a Num. 32. 8. & Deut. 1. 19 Kadesh-Barnea to discover the Land, a City afterwards assigned to b Josh. 15. 6. judah, how come you to make the Israelites to incamp so many miles south of the same place? Aleth. None can be so wild as to conceive that the Israelites during their journeying in the wilderness, ever came within the walls of any City, but always pitched in the open desert. This premised, when they are said to be c Josh. 14. 6. in Kadesh-Barnea, we understand thereby a Country, not City, so named, which began southwardly about Rithmah (the fifteenth station of the Israelities, whence they sent their spies) and extended northwardly to Kadesh-Barnea properly so called, (probably a City) certainly a limitary place belonging afterwards to the Tribe of judah. Philol. You term their provocation of God in this place d Description of Paran §38. as yet the last and greatest temptation, which seems to me not of so heinous a nature. Aleth. So many and great were their Rebellions, it is hard to define which was their highest offence. Their carriage for forty years is styled by God a e Psal. 95. 8. day of temptation, whose transgressions were so frequent and came so fast, that they all completed but one entire, constant, and continued temptation. But to the point, that this their despising of the f Psal. 106. 24. pleasant land was a paramount impiety, appears not only by the exclusion of that whole generation from entering the same, but by the confession of modern jews: Manasseh Ben Israel (the Hebrew Divine at this day in Amsterdam) observes the ninth day of the month Ab, whereon saith he g In his book called Spes Isra●lis, Sect. 28. pa. 86. Exploratores flebant sinecau●a, The spies sent to discover the land [and all the congregation occasioned by their false reports] h Num. 14. 1. wept without cause, hath ever since been unfortunate to their nation, their first, and second Temple being burnt on the same day, and many dysasters have since befallen them thereon. Thus the jews travel far off in their inquiries, fetching the cause of their misfortunes from their forefathers in the wilderness more than three thousand years ago, which with more ease might take up their lodging nearer hand, and find the same in their crucifying of Christ, as their highest sin, and the cause of their deepest suffering. Philol. Think you that Rithmah (the fifteenth stage of the Israelites) was the particular place, whither the spies returned bringing the report of Canaan? Aleth. Though many conceive so, under favour I take it more probable, that the next mansion, Rimmon-parez by name, was the proper scene of that action. For, it signifieth in Hebrew the Division of Pomegranates, so called (as I conceive) not from any growing there (too barren a place for such beautiful fruit) but brought thither by the Spies ( i Num. 13. 23. Pomegranates being specified amongst the fruits of the land) which here were divided, and shared among the people of Israel, to show them a sample of the fruitfulness of Canaan. Philol. What a blank and vacuity have you left betwixt Ezion-Gaber the thirty second, and Kadesh-Zin the thirty third station of the Israelites (sixty miles at least) without any stage interposed? It is not probable that they traveled so far, without resting themselves betwixt them. Aleth. Surely they had intermediate Mansions where they took their nightly repose, though not named by Moses, because not making any considerable abode therein. I conceive, that after their departure from Ezion-Gaber, God quickened the Israelites (who truanted before in their slow, and snail-like proceedings) making them mend their pace, probably travelling every day will they came to Kadesh, which their young men might the better endure, the old generation being almost worn out. Philol. How comes Aaron to be buried in mount k Num. 20. 27, 28. Hor, whom elsewhere the Scripture affirmeth to be interred in l Deut. 10. 6. Mosera? Aleth. It is no news to have several names for the same place. The forest of Black-more, and the forest of m Com'd. Brit. in. Dorsetshire. White-Hart (though black and white be contrary colours) signify the self same tract of ground in Dorsetshire. Hor was n Sir Walter Ra●eigh book 2. part 1. pa. 254. the east part, and Mosera the west part of this mountain. This Mosera had formerly been the o Num. 33. 31. twenty seventh Mansion of the Israelites in their passage to Ezion-Gaber, near which afterwards they made their thirty fourth station (when Aaron was buried there) which sufficiently argues the crookedness of their journeying, crossing those parts again where they had been before. Philol. I commend your cunning that hath slipped over in silence, four of the hardest names contained all in one verse Deut. 1. 1. These be the words which Moses spoke unto all Israel, on this side jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red-sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Luban, and Hazer●th, and Dizahab, Direct us to the position of these places. Aleth. Some * Vide Tremel. in locum. conceive the p See our description of Reuben. §23. plains of Moab (wherein Moses wrote the book of Deuteronomy) described thereby with the eminent bounds (though at some distance) round about it, in manner following. Others refuse this interpretation, as an obscure, and far fetched bounding of those plains, preferring our English translation (reading it Red-sea, in stead of Zuph, or Sedgie-land) and so making these several places the signal stages of the children of Israel in their passage out of Egypt. Whereof the Red-sea, and Paran are sufficiently known, Laban the same with Libna● their q Num. 33. 20. See Ainsworth thereon. seventeenth station; r Num. 11. 35. & 12. 1. Hazeroth the place where Miriam was punished with leprosy; Dizahab, which the Greek renders golden mines, and the Chaldee refers to the place where the golden s Exod. 32. 20. Calf was made, and stamped to powder, whilst Tophel (not mentioned again in Scripture) is conceived some station in Paran. Thus Deuteronomy is a repetition of the law, and of the memorable actions which occurred at these several places. Philol. I object nothing against the draught of the Tabernacle, because the authority of Arias Montanus (whence you confess it taken) will pass it without exception. But I question the exactness of several places in your Map of Egypt. Aleth. You mind me of a Gentleman's finding a Picture in the shop of a Country-Painter, whom he mistook for the maker thereof, and thereupon fell a finding many faults therein. But being informed that the same was drawn by one of the rarest Masters in Italy, he instantly turned his cavilling at, into commending thereof. Such a convent your judgement will quickly be when I shall tell you that the Map of Egypt is of Ortelius his making, save only that the southern part thereof (useless for our history) is cut off, and such places only inserted herein as appears in Scripture. The same I plead for the Habits, and Idols of the jews; the former taken all out of Scripture, the latter out of such Authors as are severally cited in our description. Only I could wish, that in the Picture of Moloch out of Benjamins' itinerary the three statues had been presented ●itting according to our t See our description of Chemosh. directions. And by the Altar to the unknown God we mean not that erected in Athens (to a Grecian, no jewish Deity) but only we intent the same for a reserve for those many jewish Idols, whose names, and several worships are unknown unto us. But, it is time to break off, lest one grand objection be made against all our Objections and Answers, that they swell the volume into tediousness. EZEKIEL his VISIONARY LAND OF CANAAN. CHAP. I. ezekiel's visionary Land, City, and Temple uncapable of a literal meaning. § 1. PErusing the nine last Chapters of Ezekiels prophesy (invited thereunto with the mention of many places in Palestine) whilst I hoped to find, No literal sense in Ezekiel's land and feel a Solid body, I only grasped the flitting air, or rather a mere spirit; I mean in stead of a literal sense I found the Canaan by him described no Geography, but Ouranography, no earthly truth, but mystical prediction. Now, his Description will appear irreconcilable with a literal interpretation (no Topical, but a bare Typical relation) if the particular location of the Tribes therein be seriously considered. § 3. Add hereunto the miraculous fruit (unfading and new every month) which this land produced, Miraculous fruit. one leaf whereof was more worth than all the great e Num. 13. 23. Grapes, Pomegranates, and Figs, the Spies brought from Canaan, as being unfading and f Ez●k. 47. 15. sovereign for medicines. Now surely such as understand this literally have need of some of those Leaves to cure their distempers therein. § 4. It will be objected, Objection. that this Prophetical Palestine makes frequent mention of Seas, g Ezek. 47. 15. Great Sea, and h Ibid. 〈◊〉. 18. East Sea; River, Io●dan, Mountain, Gilead; besides the land is bounded, North, South, and East with several places of name, and note, as i Ezek. ibid. Hethlon, Zedad, H●math etc. Now, what saith our Saviour? k Luke 24. 39 A spirit hath not flesh and bones, mere visions are of a more rarified, and attenuated nature, not consisting of such gross, and drossy parts, and therefore the Prophet seems rather to be taken at his word, and his literal relation to be embraced, without farther search for a mystical meaning therein. § 5. It is answered, Answer. Omnis visio fundatur in historia; the most refined vision hath some mixture of, and analogy with an historical truth. As in a Web, the stamen, or Warp, it fast fixed, through which the Woof is cast, or woven; ●o there re certain standards in all visions, being the material and corporal groundwork, for a spiritual flourish, or descant to improve itself thereupon. More particularly, because so many places of Palestine are named in this vision; yea, seeing the body thereof is conformed to an unlike likeliness (as I may term it) of the earthly Canaan, it intima●es, that the jewish nation shall have more than a single share in the accomplishment of this Prophecy, and have their happiness highly concerned in the performance thereof. § 6. As the Land, The City not literally meant. so the City described by the Prophet, is not appliable to the earthly jerusalem. It is said of Christ, Thou art l Psal. 45. 2. fairer than the children of men; sure I am, this City as presented by the Prophet, was fairer, finer, slicker smother, more exact, more uniform than any fabric the earth afforded. This Triumphant jerusalem (as I may term it) was a complete square of four m Ezek. 48. 16. thousand five hundred reeds, with a just jury of n Ibid. ver. 31. gates, three of each side, according to the names of the twelve Tribes) with most regular suburbs, reaching two hundred and fifty reeds every way, so terse, so trim, that not an house started out of its due proportion. Whereas the literal jerusalem, built by parcels at several times, on abrupt precipices, ranged about with the walls rather for strength, than beauty, being on the East and South suburbless, and without such correspondency, either in the number, or position of the gates thereof. In a word, that so exact structure in the Prophet, never sprang by art out of earth, but was let down by a miracle from heaven▪ to which Saint john alludes in his celestial o Revel. 21. 10. jerusalem. § 7. Lastly, the Temple, as framed by the Prophet, is not suitable with solomon's, and the very waters rising from under the threshold thereof, increasing by degrees unto an unpassable p Ezek. 47. 5. river, do drown all possibility of a literal sense therein. Expect not here, I should intermeddle with a particular description of the foresaid Land, City, and Temple; both because they being merely mystical are alien from our subject, and because I am deterred from so difficult an undertaking by the ensuing computation. 1 Moses saith, the days of our * Psal. 90. 10. years are threescore years, and ten. 2 The jews made an ordinance, that none should read this vision, till thirty years old. 3 Villalpandus confesseth, he studied this Prophecy twenty three years, yet understood not the difficulties thereof. If life be so short, and we must begin so late, and study so long on this Prophecy alone (without attaining the full understanding thereof) high time at the end of those studying years, to leave the measuring of this vision, and survey the dimensions of our own Graves. § 8. To conclude, The mystical meaning. as once our Saviour told Pilate, p John 18. 36. My kingdom is not of this world: so the sense of Ezekiel's Land, City, and Temple, is not carnal, and corporal, but mystical, and spiritual. Yea, God may seem of set purpose to have troubled, and perplexed the text, embittering the Nibbles thereof with inextricable difficulties, merely to wean us from the milk of the letter, and make us with more appetite seek for stronger meat therein. For the main therefore, it is generally conceived, this vision imports the great enlargement, and dilatation of the Church under the Gospel, when the Gentiles shall be called to the knowledge of Christ, and the jews also (as mainly concerned, though not solely intended in this vision) brought home to their true Messiah, not excluding even those of the ten Tribes, from having each one his Childs-portion in the performance of this Prophecy. A word or two of whose condition, since their captivity. CHAP. II. What became of the ten Tribes since their captivity, and where probably extant at this day. § 1. Politic was the practice of the Kings of Assyria, Policy in transplanting conquered people. when conquering a Country, neither to kill the natives thereof, nor to continue them any longer in their own land, but to transport them into a far distant Country, and in exchange planting other colonies in their room. For, first to kill them (besides the cruelty thereof in cold blood) had been an improvident act, men amongst them being precious to people their vast dominions, which otherwise, if empty, had been more exposed to the invasion of enemies. To continue them in their own land had not been safe; who, best knowing the advantages thereof, would on all occasions practise the recovery of their lost liberty; and therefore to prevent farther disputes, the subject of the question was taken away, and they advisedly disposed of in far distant places. Lastly, the removing them into other parts, and substituting others in their land, taught both these plantations an immediate dependence on their Prince, (having no other plea but his bare pleasure for their present possessions) which made them, (like the Turkish Timario●s) more dutiful at home, and daring abroad in their undertake. § 2. These reasons moved the Kings of Assyria to transport the Israelites from their native soil. Indeed they, if any people, might term the land their own, having a threefold ti●●e thereunto; by Donation from God, the supreme Proprietary; by conquest of the Canaanites, the ancient owners; by prescription of more than seven hundred years peaceable possession thereof. But this threefold cable was broken with the weight of their sins, and so was Israel carried away from their a 2 Kin. 17. 23. own land to Assyria unto this day. Even Lands as well as Goods are moveables, though not from their Centre, from their Owners, at leastwise the owners are movable from their lands. § 3. Yet God did not all at once begin, Their threefold captivity. and end the captivity of the ten Tribes, but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, at sundry times, and in divers manners. For, 1 b 1 Chr. 5. 16. P●l King of Assyria in the reign of c 2 King. 15. 19 Menahem carried the Reubenites, Gadites, and half Tribe of Manasseh away to the Cities of the Medes. 2 Tiglath-Pi●●eser in the days of Pekah, transported (besides Gilead, and the remains of the aforesaid Tribes) d 2 King. 15. 29 Galilee; namely, so much thereof as was in the land of Naphtali, unto Assyria. 3 Shalmaneser cleared all the rest in the ninth year of Hoshea, carrying them away to e 2 King. 27. 6. Halath, and Habor, by the River Gozan in the Cities of the Medes. Probably the second, or middle captivity of the Naphtalites, afterwards removed themselves into Tartary, where Ortelius finds their very name, and a City called Tabor ( f Josh. 19 34. Asnoth-Tabor we know was a place in the border of Naphtali) imposed (no doubt) to perpetuate the memory of their native Country. § 4. Scripture gives us no account what afterwards became of these ten Tribes. Since seemingly utterly lost. Only in 2 E●d●. 13. 40. Esdras (● book accounted by some as the Apocryphas of the Apocrypha, because never owned for Canonical, either by the jews, Romish g See B●ll●rmin●s Argurments against it. Church in general, or Protestant writers) we find them travelling over Euphrates (miraculously dried up in their passage) towards Arsareth [or Tartary] a great way; namely, a journey of a h 2 Esdr. 13. 45. year and an half. A long stride indeed, and yet might be but little, if mending their pace no more than their ancestors did in their passage between Egypt, and Canaan. But waving Esdras his single testimony, these ten Tribes appear not since in any authentical relation; strange! that the posterity of the two Tribes (judah and Benjamin) should be found [almost] every where, whilst the offspring of the ten Tribes are found no where! Thu● God hath on them 〈◊〉 that curse which he formerly threatened, To scatter them into corners, and make the i Deut. 32. 26. remembrance of them to cease. Not, that he hath utterly extinguished the being (an opinion as unreasonable, as uncharitable) but hath hitherto concealed the known b●ing of so numerous a nation, whom we may call the lost-lo●t sheep of Israel; both in respect of their spiritual condition, and corporal habitation. § 5. Supposed by some in America. Some k See the book of my worthy friend M▪ Tho. Th●●owgood on jews in America. conceive the modern Am●ricans of the Jewish race, collecting the same from some resemblances in rites, community of customs, conformity of clothes, fragments of letters, footsteps of knowledge, ruins of language, (though by a casual coincidence some straggling words of the Athenians may meet in the mouths of the veriest Barbarians) and many other judaismes amongst the Indians. And lately, a l Manasseh Ben Israel in his book called Spes Israelis. Jewish Rabbin of Amsterdam tells us, that beyond the Cordiller hills, and river Maragnon, a fair people are found with long beards, and rich in clothes, living by themselves, different in religion from the rest of the Indians, whom he will have to be the ten Tribes there remaining in a body together. His arguments so prevail on some, formerly contrarily minded, as to turn the tide of their judgement to concur with his, with others they make it dead water, not to oppose his opinion, whilst a third sort listen to his relation, as only privileged from confutation by the remoteness thereof. § 6. For mine own part, Our private opinion. I behold his report as the Twilight, but whether it will prove the morning twilight, which will improve itself into full light; or that of the evening, darkening by degrees into silence, and utter obscurity, time will discover. When the eleven Tribes (so virtually may I term them) brought news that one lost Tribe [joseph] was found, Jacob's heart o Gen. 45. 26. fainted, for he believed them not, till afterwards he was convinced on clearer evidence. How much more than may I be permitted to suspend my judgement, when one man brings tidings of ten lost Tribes, all found in an instant, until farther proof be made thereof? Surely we, who now secretly smile at some probable insinuations in his report, shall on better assurance have our mouths filled with P Psal. 126. 2. laughter (not q Gen. 18. 12. Sarahs' laughter of distrust, but r Gen. 17. 17. abraham's, of desire, delight, and belief) when his relation shall be confirmed to us from other hands. And indeed, the messenger deserves to be well paid for his pains, who brings clear proof thereof, the discovery of the posterity of these ten Tribes being an happy Forerunner, and Furtherer of their future conversion. CHAP. III. Of the Jews their repossessing their native Country. § 1. IT is a conceit of the modern jews, that one day they shall return under the conduct of their Messias to the Country of Canaan, The jews fancy of a temporal kingdom. and City of jerusalem, and be re-estated in the full possession thereof. If any object, that their land, now base, and barren, is not worth the regaining: They answer, when they shall recover their Country, the Country shall recover its former fruitfulness; as if God would effect miracles, as fast as man can fancy them. With them concur some Protestant Divines, maintaining, that the jews shall be restored to a flourishing Commonwealth, with the affluence of all outward pomp, and pleasure, so that they shall fight and conquer Gog and Magog [the Turk] with many other miraculous achievements. One a M. Finc● in his Book of the calling of the jews (published by Will. Gouge D. D. Anno 1621.) for which he was imprisoned. Scripture produced for the opinion. Author so enlargeth the future amplitude of the Jewish State, that thereby he occasioned a confining to himself. His expressions (indiscreetly uttered, or uncharitably construed) importing, that all Christian Princes should surrender their power as homagers to the temporal supreme Empire of the Jewish nation. § 2. For the proof of this their position, never did the servants of Benhadad more diligently observe, or more hastily catch any b 1 King. 20 33. thing [of comfort] coming from the mouth of Ahab, than the jews search out, and snatch at every gracious promise made to them in the old Testament. Such principally as Deut. 30. 3. Then [on their repentance] the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return, and gather thee from all nations, whiter the Lord thy God hath scattered thee. Isaiah 11. 12. And he shall set up an Ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of judah from the four corners of the earth. Levit. 26. 44. And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them, for I am the Lord their God. § 3. This last place the jews highly price, The jews their Golden Ap●. and such of them as live in Germany, call it c See 〈◊〉 his common places, de Extr●mo judicio. pag. 258. Simiam auream, or the Golden Ape. And why so? Because (forsooth) in the Hebrew it beginneth with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, ve Ape, And yet. A frivolous conceit on the similitude of sound of two words, of different sense, in the Hebrew, and Dutch tongues. Indeed, all the loud threatenings in Scripture, may more fitly be termed Lions, all the meek promises therein, Lambs; amongst which, this cited out of Leviticus is of especial note, whilst it is to be feared, such jews (as found hence their temporal kingdom) will prove themselves Apish in their ridiculous comment thereupon. § 4. But, Arguments to the contrary. most learned Divines are of a contrary opinion, because total and final desolation is in Scripture, so frequently denounced against their Country, and Cities therein. The Virgin of Israel is fallen, she shall d Amos ●. 2. NO MORE rise; I will c Z●ch. 11. 6. NO MORE pity the inhabitants of the land, and out of their enemy's hand I will NOT deliver them: I will love them f Hosea. 9 15. NO MORE: The land shall fall, and g 〈…〉 4. 20. NOT rise again: I will break this people and this City as a Potter's vessel, which can h Jer. 19 1●. NOT be made whole again. § 5. As for the Scriptures alleged by the jews for their temporal restauration to an illustrious condition in their own country, they have found their full accomplishment, Jewish reasons confuted. in the return of that nation, to their own land, from the Captivity in Babylon; and therefore farther performance of such promises, is not to be expected: and accordingly it is resolved in their own i Seder Olam & Talmud. best Authors, Possessionem primam, & secundam habituri erant, possessio autem tertia non erit illis. And if any more fulfilling of those promises remaineth behind, it must be made up, in the spiritual conversion of the jews, in God's due time, to the knowledge of Christ, and embracing of the Gospel. Some of their own k In K●li jachan cited by Ge●ard de Extremo judicio pag. 259. writers affirming, that all things which relate to the office of their Messiah (whom they expect) are heavenly, and not corporal. § 6. The farther prosecution hereof, An eminent instance. we leave to those Authors, who have written large discourses of this subject. Only we will observe a remarkable difference betwixt a place of Scriputre, written in the Old, alleged, and applied in the New Testament. Amos 9 11, & 12. In that day will I raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doth this. Act. 15. 16, & 17. After this I will return, and I will build again the Tabernacle of David, which is fallen down: and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord who doth all these things. Here the Apostle james, more following the sense, than the words of the Prophet, as an Expositor, rather than Translator, renders the possessing of the remnant of Edom, to be, by seeking after the Lord; by which Analogy we collect, that those Topical promises to the jews, of their conquering and possessing such, and such places, in, and near their own Country, import only a spiritual propriety, and shall mystically, not carnally be accomplished, in their sincere conversion to Christ. § 7. More probable therefore it is, The jews their land will come to them. that the jews shall not come back to their land, but their land shall come back to them; I mean, those several places, in Europe, Asia, and Africa, wherein they reside, shall on their conversion, become as comfortable unto them, as ever the Land of Canaan was to their Ancestors. Forti quaevis terra patria; and a contented mind in them, shall make any mountain, their Olivet; river, their jordan; field, their Carmel; forest, their Libanus; fort, their Zion; and city, their jerusalem. But, as for their temporal regaining of their old Country, in all outward pomp, and magnificence, even such as are no foes to the jews welfare, but so fa● friends to their own judgements, as not to believe, even what they desire, till convinced with Scripture, or reason, account this fancy of the jews, one of the dreams proceeding from the l Rom. 11. 8. Spirit of slumber, wherewith the Apostle affirmeth them to be possessed. CHAP. FOUR Of the general calling of the Jews. § 1. BY jews, The question stated. we understand, some left of every Tribe (as a Lib. 1. formerly hath been proved) being banished their own Country, since the death of our Saviour; not extending it also (as some do with small probability) to the ten Tribes, carried captive by Shalmane●er, and never since certainly known, where existent. By calling, we intent, their real converting by the word, to the knowledge and love of God in Christ. By general, we mean not every individual jew, whereof some refractory Recusants will ever remain (were it but to be foils to God's favour in saving the rest) but a considerable, yea conspicuous number of them. And it is a charitable opinion, ancient, and conformable to Scriptures, that in this sense, the jews in Gods due time, shall be generally called. § 2. Several Scriptures to prove it. Come we now to the places of Scripture alleged for the proof of this opinion. Now as Mesha King of Moab, when his Country was invaded, stood not the choosing of select soldiers for fight, but b 2 King. 3. 21. gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upwards: so authors muster up all places of Scripture, which put on any probability to this purpose, and can carry any countenance thereunto, amongst many others, these ensuing▪ Num. 24. 17. Isa. 33. 17. Ezek. 16. 61. Mat. 23. 38. Deut. 32. 43. Isa 41. 15. Ezek. 20. 34. Mat. 24. 23. Psal. 68 22. Isa. 43. 1. etc. joel 2. 28. Luk. 21. 24. Psal. 69. 32. 33. Isa. 49. 16, 17. Amos 9 8. Rom. 11. 25. Psal. 110. 2, 3. Isa. 51. 1, 2. Obad. ver. 15. 2 Cor. 3. 16. Cant. 8. 10. jer. 3. 12. Micah 7. 7. 2 Thes. 2. 8. Isa. 14. 2. jer. 30. 3. Zeph. 3. 8. Revel. 16. 12. Isa. 30. 21, 22. jer. 33. 6. Zech. 2. 9 etc. Revel. 19 5. Should these quotations be severally examined, many would be found rather to persuade, then prove; rather to intimate, then persuade the matter in hand: and that, only to such free, and forward apprehensions, as are prepossessed with the truth thereof. But, amongst these, and many more numerous Scriptures cited, that one place Rom. 11. 25. principally deserveth our serious perusal thereof. § 3. The words of the Apostle run thus, The staple place for the calling of the jews. For I would not brethren that ye should be ignorant of this mystery (le●t ye should be wise in your own conceits) that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in, and so all Israel shall be saved etc. This is conceived the strongest, and clearest Charter for the jews general conversion▪ § 4. Objection to the contrary. It will be objected, that by all Israel the believing Gentiles are meant (for God's Church, being a collective body, of some jews, and more Gentiles) which in Scripture are styled d G●l. 3. 7. the children of Abraham, e G●l. 6. 16. the Israel of God; f Rom. 2. 29. jews inwardly, with circumcision of the heart, in the spirit, not the letter. Yea, in the same verse, Saint Paul [a jew] called the Romans being Gentiles, brethren, the kindred coming in by their regeneration: and in the same sense, all converted Gentiles may be called Israel, whose praise is of God, and not of man. § 5. Answered. It is answered, allowing elsewhere in Scripture believing Gentiles to pass under the name of Israelites, here literally the natural jews by extraction must be intended, 1 Because clean through the Chapter, the Apostle opposeth the Gentiles and Israel, as contradistinct terms. 2 He acquainteth the Romans with a mystery, which was none in effect (but stale news, and generally known) if only the saving of the Gentiles were therein intended. 3 It was his design, to comfort the jews, and curb the Gentiles, from over-insulting on their sad condition. And lest any should say slightingly to this opinion, as David once civilly to Ittai, g 2 Sam. 15. 20. Thou camest but yesterday; know, it descendeth unto us recommended from the Primitive times. § 6. Origen was the first that mentioned it, The opinion ●avoured by Fathers, School men, and modern Divines. and h● (otherwise the Allegorizer General) interprets the Apostle literally, in his exposition thereof. Say not that being the first of the Fathers who wrote a Comment, no wonder if he wandered in his Glosses (he who first went from place to place, never found out the nearest way) seeing better judgements afterwards built on the same bottom, Hierom, Ambrose, h In their several Comments on Rom. 11. 25. chrysostom, and i Lib. 2. Quaest Evangel. Quaest 13. Saint Augustine. In the Schoolmen the opinion of the jews their conversion, is not dead, but sleepeth: Parables, and Prophecies, are no dishes for their diet. Their heavy studies delighted not to tread the water (at best the marshes) of future contingencies, but on the terra firma of certainties, where arguments might be grounded. Yet the most peaceable amongst them, (more meddling with Comments, than Controversies) such is Dionysius Carthusianus, concur in their judgements therein. But, the silence of the Schools is recompensed with the loudness of the Pulpits in our later age of k See Gerardi Loc. Com. p. 262. Romanists, Lutherans, and Calvinists, generally maintaining the certain expectation of the jews conversion. § 7. Add hereunto, that the jews ever since their exile from their own land, Countenanced by their long continuing an unmixed ●●●tlon. when the Romans sold their Country, (and a learned l M. Mede. man observes, they set no land to sale save judea alone) have continued many hundred years a distinct nation. As if had learned from their River of jordan, running through the Galilean Sea, and not mingling therewith, daily to pass through an Ocean of other nations, and remain an unmixed, and un-confounded people by themselves. A comfortable presumption (when in company with other arguments) that they, once Gods m D●ut. 14. 2. peculiar, are still preserved a peculiar people, for some token for good, in due time to be showed upon them; and that these materials are thus carefully kept entire by themselves, because intended by Divine Providence, for some beautiful building to be made of them hereafter. § 8. Let it also be seriously considered, And some jews converted in all ages. that in all ages God hath dropped some considerable convert- jews into the treasury of the Christian Church, as good-handsell, and earnest of a greater payment to ensue. Amongst whom we meet with a Mess of most eminent men. Nicolaus Lyra, that grand Commentator on the Bible; Hieronymus de Sancta Fide turned Chistian about Anno 1412. (Physician (as I take it) to Benedick the thirteenth Pope) who wrote a book unto his Countrymen the jews, wherewith n In the preface of his book in Biblioth. 〈◊〉. five thousand of them were converted; Ludovicus Carettus living o His Epistle is at the end of B●●tor●s Syn. jud. in Paris Anno 1553. and the never sufficiently to be praised Emmanuel Tremellius. And besides the visible converts, falling uner the notice of man, we may charitably presume many concealed ones, especially on their deathbeds known to God alone. Yea, I conceive that learned p Rabbi S●m. Marochianus de ad●entu Messi●. cap. 6. Rabbin, more then Agrippa q Act. 2●▪ 28. , almost a Christian, who hath this amongst other pious expressions, I dread, and fear, O Lord, that that jesus whom the Christians worship, may be that righteous sold for silver, according to the Prophet r Amos 2 6. Amos. § 9 Time of their conversion. As for the time of the jews conversion, let us content ourselves for the general, it shall be after the fullness of s Rom. 11. 25. the Gentiles shall come in. But, for the particular year, by some so peremptorily, and positively assigned, I cannot but admire at the confidence of men therein. Especially, seeing some, which pretend such familiarity to future events, are not the best acquainted with passages in former ages; and those, which seem to know all which is to come, know but little of what is past; as if they were the better Prophets, for being the worse Historians. § 10. Cruelty conjoined with confidence. But well it were, if their confidence were confined to themselves alone, being only content to abound in their own sense, without imposing it on others. But, besides their confidence, such is their cruelty, to exact, yea, extort the uttermost farthing of our belief, to be paid in (even at the first sight) to their conceits, or else we must into the Prison, yea, deepest dungeon, and be condemned for being weak, or wilful; ignorant, or obstinate. Whereas, in such peremptory particularising of the very year, such as pretend to plough with the heifers of God's Spirit, may be suspected to be drawn away with the wild bulls of their own imaginations. § 11. Different Dates thereof. The rather, because so great the difference betwixt the several Dates assigned by them. Some making it 1652; others, 1660▪ Some sooner, and before; some later, and after the destruction of the Romish Antichrist. It is therefore the most safe, and sober way, in so much variety to leave a blank in our judgements, for God to write the true time therein, when we, or after-ages shall behold the same brought to pass. One day teacheth t Psal. 19 2. another; and, today (yesterday schoolmaster) is scholar to tomorrow, at whose feet (as Paul at gamaliel's) it will at night ●it dutifully down for farther informaton. Yea, by an inverted method, the daughter doth instruct the mother; and, the day which in time cometh after, goeth before in knowledge. CHAP. V. Of the present obstructions of the calling of the Jews. § 1. Civil distance in society. MAny are the obstacles both external, and internal, which for the present obstruct the conversion of the jews. First, our want of civil society with their nation. There must be first conversing with them, before there can be converting of them. The Gospel doth not work (as the weapon-salve) at distance, but requires some competent familiarity with the persons of Probationer-converts. Whereas the jews, being banished out of England, France, and Spain, are out of the call of the Gospel, and ken of the Sacraments in those Country's. § 2. Cruel usage in point of ●state. Secondly, the cruel ussage of them in the Papal, and Imperial dominions, where they swarm most, and where public authority doth not endeavour to drop, and distil piety into them; but to squeeze, and press profit out of them. Especially, whilst that merciless law stands in force, that on their conversion, they must a D. Heylin in Micro. in Palest. pag. 570. I think out of St. Edwin Sandys. renounce all their goods as ill gotten. If the resolutions of the promise-forward Disciple quickly recoiled, at our Saviour's tentative command, to sell all, and give to the poor; I say, if he h Mat. 19 22. went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions; no wonder if the rich and covetous jews distaste our Religion, when before they can embrace it, they must take a final farewell of their large estates. Rather should those Princes imitate the pious example of our Henry the third, who, between the new, and old Temple, erected an c Comd. Brit. in Middlesex pag. 428. house of Converts (afterwards appointed by Edward the third for Records to be kept therein, now called the Rolls) endowing it for the maintenance of poor jews converted to Christianity, and baptised, allowing two pence * Stows Survey. pag. 435. a day unto each of them during their lives. § 3. Offence at Image-worship Thirdly, the constant offence given them by the Papists their worshipping of images, the present jews hating Idolatry with a perfect hatred, whose knees may sooner be broken, than bended to such superstitious postures. And, to speak out the plain truth, the Romanists are but back-friends to the jews conversion, chiefly on this account, because the Rabbins generally interpret d Especially, on the Burden of Dum●●● Isa. 21. 11. Dumah, or Edom, to be Rome, and Edomites, Romans, in their expositions on the old Testament. And therefore, all those passages have (by order no doubt from Superiors) been lately purged our, and expunged the Venetian e Set forth by Daniel Bomb●●gius. edition of the Rabbins. Yea, there is a constant tradition, currant time out of mind, amongst the modern jews, that after the destruction of the City of Rome, their nation shall be put into a glorious condition. No wonder then, if cold, and dull the endeavours of the Romanists, for the conversion of the jews, who leave that task of be performed by Moses, and Elias, whom the Papists fond fancy, shall towards the end of the world personally appear, and by their powerful preaching, persuade the Jewish nation unto the Christian Religion. § 4. Discords amongst Christians. Lastly, the difference in judgements, distance in affections, dissoluteness in lives among the Christians themselves. In vain do we hollow to the jews to come over to us, whilst our voices are hoarse with railing one at another; and beckon with our hands to them, to be on our side, whilst our hands are imbrued in the blood of those of our own religion. § 5. Internal obstacle, blindness. But far greater than all these, is that internal obstacle, that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, that blindness which is happened unto them, inflicted on their ancestors, continued, and increasing on their posterity. How Bedlam-like was their behaviour at Saint Paul's but mentioning of preaching to the Gentiles, f Act. 22. 23. They cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, as endeavouring to thicken, and condensate the same, that no audible sound might penetrate unto them. And, as than they threw the dust into the air: God hath since thrown their land after it; so that no jew can take up one crumb of dust, from any entire Country, upon the face of the earth, that he can call his own. Great is God's providence in ordering it, that a fog, and a tempest never can be together at sea, the fog vanishing so soon as the tempest ariseth, otherwise smaller vessels would be cast away, which want the direction of the Compass to guide them: but woeful is the present condition of the jews, having a fog of ignorance, and a tempest of violence, both together in them in the highest degree, most bold, when most blind; stumbling at what should stay them; slighting the Chirurgeon, when sorest; scorning the Physician, when sickest; miserable, if they knew their condition; and more miserable, because ignorant thereof. § 6. Obstacles easily banished by an Infinite power. But though these obstacles, and obstructions were moe, and mightier than they are, should God but give the word, they are instantly removed. Long was the service of the true God disused in judah (during the idolatrous reign of Ahaz) so that great was the difficulty, to bring the whole nation to the solemn observation thereof. Yet, Hezekiah quickly effected it, because (as the text observes) g 2 Chr. 29. 36. God had prepared the people, and the thing was done suddenly. So, when He shall be pleased to set his hand to the jews conversion, all impediments notwithstanding, in the twinkling of an eye, their eyes shall be opened; and their hearts turned, in the turning of an hand. Chap. VI How Christians ought to behave themselves, in order to the Jews conversion. § 1. Motives for our prayer for the jews conversion. MEan time it is the bounden duty of Christians, to their utmost to endeavour, both by their pious examples, and faithful prayers, the conversion of the jews, having many motives to invite them thereunto. First, because the more knowing, and pious in the jewish Church, did anciently desire the vocation of the Gentiles, witness the solicitous care she took, and the great cost she would expend for the welfare thereof. a Cant. 8. 8, 9 We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts, what shall we do for our sister, in the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver etc. For, although the common I●●s accounted the calling of the Gentiles, blasphemy against their own nation, (having some carnal reason thereof, as not without cause suspicious, that the Gentiles admission would prove their expulsion, as indeed it came to pass) yet the intelligent Prophets (no doubt) were earnest petitioners for the same. § 2. Motive from the jews joy for us. Secondly, because such was the transcendent joy of the godly jews, managed with silence (their hearts thereat being too big for their mouths) at the conversion of Cornelius, and his family; b Act. 11. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. § 3. Clearing of the Scriptures. Lastly, because so great glory shall, by the conversion of the jews, redound to God, and clearing to the Scriptures. Many places in the old Testament (the meaning whereof, the jews hitherto were too envious to teach us, or we too proud to learn of them) will then most plainly be expounded. Oh! what a feast of knowledge will it make, when both jew and Gentile shall jointly bring in their distress thereunto! The former furnishing forth the first course with many Hebrew Criticisms, and rabbinical Traditions (some of them gold amongst more dross) on the old Testament: the latter supplying the second course on the whole Scripture, with solid▪ interpretations, out of Fathers, School●men, and Modern Divines. Oh happy day for such as shall behold it, and we all ought to pray for the speedy dawning thereof! § 4. Objection against praying for the ● jews conversion. It will be objected, many men cannot heartily pray for the future conversion of the jews; being unsatisfied in their judgements, of the certainty thereof▪ c Rom. 14 23. For whatsoever is not of faith is sin; and because they cannot ask according to the Apostles precept d James 1. 6. 〈…〉 prayers are better omitted, as which may prove prejudicial to themselves, and nothing effectual for others. § 5. Answer. It is safest for such to insert conditional clauses in their prayers, If it may stand with God's good will and pleasure, used by the best men (not to say the best e Mat. 26. 39 in bests) in their petitions: f Mar. 8. 2. Lord if thou wilt▪ thou canst make me clean. Such wary reservations will not be interpreted in the Court of Heaven, want of faith, but store of humility, in such particulars where such persons have no plenary assurance of God's pleasure. Yea, grant the worst, that God never intended the future conversion of the jews, yet whilst he hath not revealed the contrary (as in the case of samuel's g 1 Sam. 16. 1. mourning for Saul) all men's charitable desires herein, cannot but be acceptable to the God of heaven. O Lord who art h Psal. 145. 17. righteous in all thy ways, A Prayer. and holy in all thy works, we acknowledge, and admire the justice of thy proceedings, in blinding, and hardening the Jews; as for their manifold impieties; so especially for stoning thy Prophets, despising thy Word, and crucifying the Lord of life. For which thou hast caused them, according to the prediction of thy i Hosea 3. 4. Prophet, to abide many days without a King, and without a Prince, and without a Sacrifice, and without an Image, and without an Ephod, and without Teraphim. But thou o Lord how k Ps●l. 6. 6. 3. long? How l Revel. 6. 10. o Lord holy and true? How m Psal. 79. 5. long Lord, with thou be angry for ever? Thine anger is said to endure but a n Psal. 30. 5. Moment, but Lord how many Millions of Millions of Moment's, are contained in sixteen hundred years, since thou hast first cast off thy first and ancient people the Jews? Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not for any merit in their persons, which was none, but for the mercy in thy promises, which is infinite, so frequently made, and so solemnly confirmed unto them. But oh! remember the Orator on thy right hand, Christ Jesus our Lord, o Rom. 1. 3. which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and the Orator in thine own bosom, thine essential and innate Clemency, and let these prevail, if it may stand with thy good will, and pleasure, that thy people the Jews may be received into the arms of thy mercy. As once by a wilful, and woeful imprecation they drew the guilt of his blood on p Mat. 27. 25. them and on their children: so by thy free imputation drop the merit of his blood on them, and on their children. For the speedying of whose conversion, be pleased to compose the many different judgements of Christians into one truth, to unite their disagreeing affections in one love, that our examples may no longer discourage, but invite them to the embracing of the true Religion. Oh mollify the hearts, rectify the wills, unveil the eyes, unstop the ears of those thy people whom hitherto thou hast justly hardened. Reveal to their understanding those q Rom. 3. 2. Oracles which thou hast committed to their keeping. That so our Saviour, who long since hath been a light to lighten the Gentiles, Luk. 2. 32. may in thy time be the glory of thy people Israel, that so there may be one s John 10. 16. shepherd and one sheepfold. Grant this o Lord for Christ Jesus his sake, to whom, with Thee, and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, now, and forever, Amen. FINIS. Here follows the draught of Fragmenta Sacra. Necessary directions for the use of the INDEX. AN Index is the bag and baggage of a book, of more use than honour, even such who seemingly slight it, secretly using it, if not for need, or speed of what they desire to find. Our Table, for the better expedition, is contrived into several Columns; The first presenting the names of Scripture places within the land of Palestine. If any literal difference appear (not only such as betwixt Zidon, Kidron, in the Old; Siden, and Cedron, in the New Testament, but) concerning the same place diversely written, the discretion of the Reader will easily reconcile it. Immediately after the name the addition of C. donoteth City, F. Field, L. Land, M. Mountain, Pl. Plain, Ri. River, Ro. Rock, S. Stone, St. Station of the jews in the Wilderness, T. Town, V. Veil, We. Well, Wi. Wilderness. The second Column interprets the Hebrew names into English, though great the variety of Authors in rendering their signification. This party proceeds from the laxity of Hebrew words admitting sundry senses, partly from the vicinity of Primitives, so that the same derivative may seem to spring from two roots, and be son (as directly to his Father, so) collaterally to his Uncle, I mean to words akin, and alluding, whence the same in probability may be deduced; and this subjecteth it to much variety of interpretation. In this diversity we have wholly followed Gregorius Gregorii in his Lexicon Sacrum (as a work merely expository of proper nams') though some perchance will say, that what is the credit of the good wife a Prov. 31. 14. she bringeth her food from far, is sometimes his discredit in his over strained, and far fet derivations. Expect not here from me, after the meaning of the name, a reason of the meaning, how conformable to the nature of the place. Many Towns were called so, because they were called so, ad placitum of the first imposer. Other places, when first denominated, had just reason of the same, but this kernel long since hath been eaten up by all-devouring time, leaving nothing thereof but the husk of the empty name to posterity. Now to fix the Hebrew names the better in our memory, we have here, and there (as the propriety of our language, and commodities of our Country will admit) inserted some English Towns, as Synonyma's, and parallel to the Hebrew in signification. The fourth Column is reserved for those texts of Scripture, wherein is made, either the first, or most important mention of those plces. As the fifth exhibits the Map wherein the same are to be found. The sixth tenders to the Reader the Longitudes of most places, and the rest may be supplied by proportion. But oh, the difference of best Authors herein! As in populous Cities an hour is lost in measuring of time, the lag clock about noon striking the most, when the forwardest strikes the fewest: so a whole degree of Longitude is swallowed up betwixt the difference of Geographers. Yea, so great is the uncertainty therein, that in most Maps lines of Longitudes (as only for general direction, ne toto coelo errent) serve to lace their Maps that they grow not without form, or fashion; but are not reducible to an exact agreement. More is the certainty of Latitudes the work of the next Column, as greater their concernment in our Description, because effectual in the length of the days, and heat of the climate in Palestine. It is situated for the main betwixt thirty one and thirty four, the longest day being fourteen hours, and a quarter; though the jews (as if it were always Equinoctial with them) divided both day and night evenly into twelve hours, so that the two overplus hours and the quarter, fell under the nocturnal computation. As for the climate of Palestine, in summer time it must needs be hot, lying not above seven degrees from the Tropic, especially when the b Luke 12. 55. south wind blew▪ But sometimes God cooled them, by drawing betwixt the Sun and them a Canopy, or c Isa. 18. 4. Cloud of Dew in the heat of harvest. Their winter, though short, was sharp; d Psal. 147. 1●. Who is able to abide his frosts? Now although such their vicinity to the Sun (lying at the same distance with some parts of Barbary, where the people are tawny) yet the e 1 Sam. 17. 42. & 2 Sam. 13. 1. & 2 Sam. 14. 27. & 1 King. 1. 4. (their women especially) were of fair complexion. Indeed, though the setting of the Fa● be the same, all stuffs take not die alike. Besides, that the ●able faces of Blackamoors come not from the Sun, but some other secret cause, plainly appears, because Ebony and Ivory, I mean, black and fair faces are found in parallel Climates. The last Column contains the Book, Page, and Paragraph (save that the fifth book is divided only into Chapters) where any memorable mention is made of such places in our Description. Places out of the Apocrypha, and humane writers we have omitted, which by their own f See our first Book. chap. 15. marks will soon insinuate themselves into the Readers acquaintance, without any farther indication. AN INDEX. English resemblances▪ A Name. Meaning. Mentioned. Map. Longit. Lat. Lib Pag. Par ABana. Ri. Stony. a Stony Stratford Buckingham Sh●re. 2 King. 5. 12 Libanu● 70. 20 34. 10 4 7 14 Abarim. M Passengers. Num. 27. 12 Reuben 70. 10 32. 10 2 63 20 Abdon. C. Servitude. josh. 21. 30 Asher 69. 10 33. 50 Abel S. Grief, or a Pla●. 1 Sam. 6. 18 Dan 2 213 15 Abel-maim. C. Plain of the waters. 2 Chr. 16. 14 Naphtali. Abel-Meh●lah C. Plain of the Quire. judg. 7. 22 Manas●●●s Jo. 69. 34 32. 30 2 175 16 Abel-Mizraim. Grief of Egyptians. Gen. 50. 11 Benjamin 69. 50 31. ●0 2 247 15 Pl. Abel-Shittim. T. Plain of Thornes. b Thorny-A●by Camb●●dg sh. Num. 33. 49 Reuben Abel of the Vines. Pl. Plain of the Vines. c 〈…〉 judg. 11. 33 Ammon Abez. C. Muddy or dirty. josh. 19 20 Issachar Abilene. L. from Abilene the chief City. Luke 3. 1 Libanus. wholly out of Palest. 1 38 3 Ac●ho. C. judg. 1. 31 Asher 69. 00 33. 30 2 133 27 Aceldama. F. Field of blood. Acts 1. 19 By Jerusalem. 3 348 2, 3 Anchor. V. Trou le. d Troublefield or 〈◊〉 in No●mandy. josh. 7. 24 Benjamin 2 254 35 Achshaph. C. Witchcraft or Enchantment. josh. 11. 1 Asher 69. 00 33. 40 2 1●4 7 Achzib C. josh. 15. 44 Asher 69. 00 33. 40 2 134 27 Adadah C. josh. 15. 22 Judah Adam C. Red. e From such colour Rutland, Red born in 〈…〉 in Surry, etc. josh. 3. 16 Reuben 2 62 16 Adami T. josh. 19 33 Naphtali 69. 50 34. 10 Admah C. Gen. 10. 19 Judah ●0. 10 30. 50 Adar T. josh. 15. 3 Judah 69. 10 30. 50 Adithaim C. josh. 15. 36 Judah Adullam C. Testimony to them josh. 12. 15 Judah 69. 10 31. 30 2 278 32 Adummim T. Red * Redman Ha●sh●●. men, or Earthly josh. 15. 7 Benjamin 69. 30 31. 50 Aenon T. A little fountain. joh. 3. 23 Manas. cis Jo. 69. 40 32. 30 2 176 17 Ahlab C. Milky. f 〈…〉. judg. 1. 31 Asher 69. 20 33. 50 Ai C. A confused heap. josh. 7. 1 Benjamin 69. 20 32. 00 2▪ 254 35 A●ath C. I conjecture it the self same with Ai. Isa 10. 2● Benjamin Aija. C. N●h. 11. 31. Benjamin Aijalon. C. An Oake's g Okcham in Rutland Okeley Northamp. judg. 12. 12. Zebul●● ●8. 50. 33. ●0 2 150 29 Aijalon. C. josh. 19 42 Dan 69. 10 31. 50 2 211 10 Ain. C. An Eye or a Fountain. Num. 34. 11 Nephtali 69. 50 33. 50 Ain. C. josh. 15. 32. Simeon 69. 0 31 20 2 229 8 Akrabhim. M. See Maaleh-akrahim. Num. 34. 4 Judah 69. 40 30. 50 Alamelech. T. josh. 19 26. Asher compare jos. 21. 18. with Alemeth. C. The same with Almon. 1 Chr. 6. 60. Benjamin 1 Chro. 6. 60. Alexandria. C. Acts 6. 9 Egypt 60. 31. 4 87 23 Allon. C. An Oak. josh. 19 33 Naphtali 69. 40 34. 10 2 105 6 Allon-Bachuth. Oak of weeping. Gen. 35. 8 Benjamin 2 248 19 Almon. C. Hiding. h 〈…〉 josh. 21. 18 Benjamin 69. 30 32. 00 Almon-Diblathaim. St. Hiding of clusters of Figs. Num. 33. 46 Moab Alush. St. Meal mingling with water. Num. 33. 13. Paran Amad. T. A people of witness. josh. 19 26. Asher 2 124 7 Amam. C. Mother of them. josh. 15. 26. Judah 69. 20 30. 50 Amana. M. Cant. 4. 8. Manas. tr. 〈◊〉 2 ●93 5 Ammah. M. A Cubit. 2 Sam. 2. 24 Benjamin 2 ●56 39 Anab. C. A Grape. josh. 11. 21. Judah 69. 10 31. 10 Anaharath. C. Grumbling, or murmuring. josh. 19 19 Judah 69. 20 33. 00 Anathoth. C. An answer. josh. 21. 18 Benjamin 69. 30 31 40 2 260 51 Anem C. The same with Engannim; compare jos. 21. 29. with 1 Chr. 6. 73. 1 Chr. 6. 73 ●ssachar Anim C. josh. 15. 50 Judah 69. 30 31. 10 Antioch C. Acts 6. 5 Libanus 3 21 27 Antipatris C. Acts 23. 31 Mana. cis Jor. 68 50 32. 30 2 172 3 Aphek C. Strength, or Vigour. josh. 12. 18 Asher 69. 10 33 40 Aphek C. 1 Sam. 29. 1 Issachar 5 c. 6. p. 154. Apheka C. josh. 15. 53 Judah 69. 00 32. 50 Are C. Watchful. Num: 21. 15 Maob Arab C. Lying in wait. josh. 15. 52 Judah 69. 30 31. 10 Arabah T. See Betharabah. josh. 18. 18 Judah Arad C. A wild Ass. josh. 12. 14 Judah 69. 40 30. 50 Arba C. The same with Hebron josh. 14. 15 Archi T. josh. 16. 2 Ephraim Argob L. & C. A clod of clay. Deut. 3. 4 Mana. tr. Jor. 70. 10 33 40 Arimathea C. High a Highworth, Wil sh. Higham Northamptonshire. Mat. 27. 57 Ephraim 69. 00 31. 50 2 185 12 Arki L. & People My sinews Gen. 10. 17 Libanus 1 20 13 Arnon Ri. & C. Num. 21. 13 Gad 70. 20 32. 30 2 75 5 Aroer C. & L. Num. 32. 34 Reuben 70. 20 32. 40 2 56 4 Arvad C. Commanding or domineering. Ezek. 27. 8 Libanus 4 16 37 Aruboth L. Lying in wait or Treacheries. 1 King. 4. 10 Judah 2 286 58 Arumah C. Lofty or exalted. b Vppingham Rutland sh. judg. 9 41 Ephraim 69. 00 32. 00 Ashan C. See Corashan. josh. 15. 42 Simeon Ashdod C. josh. 11. 22 Dan 68 40 31. 30 2 219 32 Ashdoth-Pisgah T. The sheddings out of Pisgah. Deut. 3. 17 Reuben Ashnath C. josh. 15. 33 Judah Ashtaroth C. Flocks Deut. 1. 4 Manas. tr. Jor. 70. 00 33. 30 Ashtemoth C. See Eshtemoa. josh. 15. 50 Judah 69. 20 31. 00 Askelon judg. 1. 18 Simeon 68 40 31. 20 Ataroth Crowns. Num. 32. 3 Gad 69. 40 32. 40 Ataroth-Adder Crowns of the mighty josh. 16. 5 Ephraim 69. 40 32. 20 Ataroth T. josh. 18. 13 69. 10 32. 00 Athach T. 1 Sam. 30. 30 Judah Aven C. Iniquity, or Vanity Ezek. 30. 17 Egypt 63. 30. Avim C. Unjust, or pervers men josh. 18. 23 Benjamin Avith C. Froward or perverse. Gen. 36. 35 Edom Azekah T. A fenced City. josh. 10. 10 Benjamin Azem josh. 19 3 Simeon 68 50 31. 20 Azmon T. Strength, or Bone. Num. 34. 4 Judah 69. 0 30. 50 Aznoth-Tabor josh. 19 34 Naphtali 62. 20 33. 30 B BAalah josh. 15. 9 68 50 31. 40 Baalath 1 King. 9 18 Baalath-Beer josh. 19 8 Baalgad josh. 11. 17 70. 20 33. 50 Baal-hamon Cant. 8. 11 Baal-hazor 2 Sam. 13. 23 69. 30 32. 10 Baal-hermon judg. 3. 3 70. 20 33. 50 Baalmeon Num. 32. 38 Baalperazim Pl. The plai● of breaches 2 Sam. 5. 20 Moriah 2 302 22 Baalshalisha. C. Lord of Shalisha. 2 King. 4. 42 Ephraim Baal-tamar. T. Lord of a Palm. judg. 20. 33 Benjamin Baalzephon. St. The Idol of Zephon. Exod. 14. 2 Egypt 63. 29. 4 92 38 Baca. V. Mulberries or weeping Psal. 84. 6 Moriah 5 Bachuth. Tree. Weeping. Gen. 35. 8 Benjamin 2 248 19 Bahurim. C. Choice or young men. 2 Sam. 3. 16 Benjamin 69. 30 31. 40 2 297 11 Baiith. T. Is. 15. 2 Moab Balah. C. josh 19 3 Simeon 69. 00 31. 20 Bamoth. St. High places or Altars. Num. 21. 19 Moab Bamoth-Baal. C. josh. 13. 17 Reuben 70. 10 32. 10 Bealoth. C. josh. 15. 24 Judah Beer-elim. C. Fountain of Rams. a Rams●y, Huntingdon shire. Isa. 15. 8 Moab Beer-la-hai-roi. W The well of the living and seeing. Gen. 16. 14 Simeon 2 233 17 Beeroth. C. Wells. b Wells in Somerset shire. josh. 9 17 Benjamin Beersheba. C. Well of an Oath. Gen. 21. 14 Simeon 68 50 31. 10 2 232 14 Beeshterah. C. josh. 21. 27 Manas. tr. Jor. Bene-berak. C. josh. 19 45 Dan 69. 00 31. 50 Beon. T. In affliction. Num. 32. 3 Reuben Berachah. V. Blessing. 2 Chr. 20. 26 Judah 2 Berothath. C. Ezek. 47. 16 Libanus 4 11 24 Besor. Ri. Merry message. 1 Sam. 30. 9 Simeon Betah. C. Confidence or security 2 Sam. 8. 8 Libanus 4 11 24 Beten. T. A Belly. josh. 19 25 Asher 69. 00 33. 40 Bethabara. T. House of passage. c Aust-pasage Glost. shire. joh. 1. 28 Reuben Bethanah. josh. 19 38 Naphtali 69. 40 33. 40 Bethanoth. C. House of affliction. josh. 15. 59 Judah. Bethany. T. House of the afflicted. Mat. 21. 17 Moriah Betharabah. T. A Crow's nest. d Pic-nest Waltham Abbey Essex josh. 15. 6 Judah 69. 5 31. 40 Betharam. C. josh. 13. 27 Gad Bethaven. C. House of vanity or iniquity, josh. 7. 2 Benjamin 69. 20 32. 00 2 254 36 Bethazmaveth. Nehem. 7. 28 Bethbirei C. 1 Chr. 4. 31 Simeon Bethcar. T. House of the Lamb. e Lambeth Surr●y. 1 Sam. 7. 11 Benjamin Beth-Dagon. C. House of Fish. * Fish house in the Isle of Weight. josh. 15. 41 Judah Beth-Dagon. C. josh. 19 27 Asher 69. 10 33. 40 Bethdiblathaim. C House of Figs. f Fig●●ce Court in the Temple jer. 48. 22 Moab Bethel. C. House of God. g Godstow in Oxfordshire. Gen. 12. 8 Benjamin 69. 20 32. 00 2 248 18 Bethemek. C. House of deepness. h Deeping, Linc. sh. josh. 19 27 Zebulun 69. 10 33. 40 Bether. M. Division Cant. 2. 17 Manas. tr. Jor. Beth-gamul. C. House of retribution. jer. 48. 23 Moab Beth-haran. T. Num. 32. 36 Gad 70. 10 32. 40 Beth-hoglah. T. House of a circle. josh. 15. 6 Benjamin 69. 50 31. 40 2 247 14 Beth-Iesimoth. C. House of desolations. Num. 33. 49 Reuben Beth-lebaoth. C. House of Lionesses. josh. 19 6 Simeon 68 50 31. 20 Bethlehem. C. House of bread. i Breadstreet. Lond. Gen. 35. 19 Judah 69. 20 31. 30 2 298 13 Bethlehem. C. josh. 19 15 Zebulun 69. 00 33. 30 Beth-maachah. C. House of contrition. 1 Sam. 20. 14 Naphtali 69. 40 33. 50 2 113 26 Beth-marcaboth. C House of Chariots. josh. 19 5 Simeon 69. 00 31. 30 Beth-meon. C. House of habitation. jer. 48. 23 Moab Bethnimrah. C. See Nimrim. Num. 32. 36 Gad 70. 00 32. 40 Bethoron. C. House of liberty. josh. 10. 10 Ephraim 69. 20 32. 30 Beth-palet. C. House of freeing. josh. 15. 27 Judah Bethpazzez. C. House of breaking. josh. 19 21 Issachar 69. 00 33. 00 Beth-Peor. C. House of opening. Deut. 3. 29 Reuben Bethphage. T. House in the mouth of the Valley. Mat. 21. 1 Moriah Bethphelet. T. Neh. 11. 26 Judah Bethrehob. C. A large or spacious house. judg. 18. 28 Libanus 4 6 12 Bethsaida. C. House of fishing or hunting. k 〈◊〉 Wilt. sh. Mat. 11. 21 Naphtali 69. 30 33. 30 Bethsh●n. C. House of enemy. 1 Sam. 31. 10 Manas. cis Jor. 69. 30 32. 40 2 177 21 Beths●●mesh. C. House of the sun. l Sunning in Basilius ksh. and Sunbury Middlesex. ●osh. 15. 10 Judah 69. 00 31. ●0 2 213 15 judg. 1. 33 Naphtali 69. 20 33. 40 2 115 31 jer. 43. 13 Egypt 62. 30. 4 88 24 Bethshittah. T. House of wand'ring. ●udg. 7. 22 Manas. cis Jor. 69. 20 32. 30 Beth-Tappuah. C. House of an Apple. m Applc shaw Hamp. sh. josh. 15. 53 Judah Bethul. C Marriageable Maid. n Maidwe● Northamp. josh. 19 4 Simeon 69. 10 31. 10 Bethzur. C. House of a Rock. a Ro. kley in Yo●ksh. josh. 15. 58 Judah Betonim. C. Bellies. josh. 13. 26 Gad Bezek. C. Lightning or shining. * Shine in Surrey. judg. 1. 4 Judah 2 301 21 Bezer. C. A fortification or muniment. b Castleton in Yorksh. Deut. 4. 43 Reuben 2 58 8 Bileam. 1. Chr. 6. 20 Bithron. L. Partition. 2 Sam. 2. 29 Gad Bizjothjah. C. In the olive of the Lord joshua 15. 28 Judah Bochim. T. Weeping c Wepham Sussex. judg. 2. 1 Benjamin Bozer. Ro. 1 Sam. 14. 4 Benjamin. Bozkath. C. josh. 15. 39 Judah Bozrah. C. A muniment or fortification. Gen. 36. 33 Edom 4 34 36 Bozrah. C. The same with Beshterah. josh. 21. 27 Manas. tr. Jor. C CAbbon. C. Quenching. josh. 15. 40 Judah Cabul. L. Dirty or barren. josh. 19 27 Libanus 69. 20 33. 40 4 4 9 Cain. C. A possession. josh. 15. 57 Judah Caleb. L. All-heart. 1 Sam. 30. 14 Judah Caleb-Ephrata. C. 1 Chr. 2. 24 Judah Common. C. judg. 10. 5 Manas. tr. Jor. 70. 10 33. 30 Cana. C. joh. 2. 1 Zebulun 69. 10 34. 00 Capernaum. C. Village of consolation Mat. 4. 13 Naphtali 69. 50 33. 30 2 109 14 Carmel. Val. A full, green, tender ear. josh. 12. 22 Zebulun josh. 15. 55 Judah. 69. 40 31. 10 Casiphia. Ezra 8. 17 Caesarea. C. Philippi. Mat. 16. 13 Naphtali 69. 40 34. 0 2 107 11 Stratonis. Acts 8. 40 Mana. cis Jor. 68 50 32. 40 2 172 3 Charasim. V. Craftsmen. 1 Chr. 4. 14 Judah Chephar-Haammonai. C. josh. 18. 24 Benjamin 69. 20 31. 50 Chephirah. C. josh. 9 17 Benjamin Cherith. Ri. 1 King. 17. 3 Manas. tr. Jor. 2 97 17 Chesalon. M. josh. 15. 10 Dan Chesil. C. josh. 15. 30 Judah Chinnereth. Sea. An Harp. d Harpham & Harpley. Norfolk. Num. 34. 11 Zebulun 2 141 4 Chisloth-Tabor. T. Rashnesses of choice. josh. 19 12 Zebulun 69. 20 33. 10 Chorazin. C. Mat. 11. 21 Manas. tr. Jor. 69. 50 33. 30 2 97 16 Chozeba. T. 1 Chr. 4. 22 Judah. Chun. C. 1 Chr. 18. 8 Libanus 4 11 24 Cinnereth. C. See Chinnereth. josh. 19 35 Naphtali 69. 40 33. 30 Chorashan. C. A furnace of smoke. 1 Sam. 30. 30 Simeon Cyprus. Isle. Acts 4. 36 Libanus 4 14 32 D DAbareh. C. Word or work. josh. 21. 28 Issachar 69. 30 33. 10 2 162 21 Dabbasheth C. Flowing with honey. e Honiton Devonsh. josh. 19 11 Zebulun 68 50 33. 00 Dalmanutha. L. The poors inheritance. Mark 8. 10 Zebulun 2 147 20 Damascus, or Damasek. C. A sack of blood. Gen. 14. 15 Libanus 4 8 16 Dan, Fountain. Gen. 14. 14 Libanus 69. 40 34. 10 4 6 12 Dan-Iaan. 2 Sam. 24. 6 Dannab. C. Judgement. josh. 15. 49 Jud●h 69. 10 31. 20 Debir. An Oratory. josh. 10. 48 Judah 69. 40 32. 40 2 277 27 Decapolis. L. Ten Cities. Mat. 4. 25 Naphtali 1 39 6 Diblath. T. A cluster of Figs. * Fighildom Wiltsh. Ezek. 6. 14 Moab Dibon. C. An abounding Son. Num. 21. 30 Gad 70. 10 32. 40 2 76 8 Neh. 11. 20. Judah Dibon-Gad. St. The abundance of an happy Son. Num. 33. 45 Moab Dibzahab. St. Sufficiency of gold. Deut. 1. 1 Paran 4 Dileam. C. Poor man's answer. josh. 15. 38 Judah Dimnah. C. A Dunghill. josh. 21. 35. Judah Dimon. Ri. Bloody. Isa. 15. 9 Moab Dinhabah. C. Gen. 36. 32 E●om 4 32 33 Dizahab. St. By the gold mines. a Golden-grove in carmar sh Deut. 1. 1 Paran 5 c. 22 Dophkah. St. Compulsion. Num. 33. 12 Paran Dor. C. A generation. josh. 11. 2 Manas. cis Jor. 68 40 32. 50 2 165 26 Dothan. C. Statute or Decree Gen. 37. 17 Ephraim 69. 20 32. 20 2 199 51 Dumah. C. Likeness of silence. josh. 15. 52 Judah 69. 30 31. 10 L. Isa. 21. 11 Edom 4 99 30 E EBal. Mount. Heap of Antiquity. Deut. 27. 4 Ephraim 69. 20 32. 10 2 191 33 Eben-ezer. S. The stone of help. b Helpston Northamp. shire. 1. Sam. 4. 1 Benjamin 2 260 49 Ebronah. St. Passing by. Num. 33. 34 Paran Ed. Altar. A witness. josh. 22. 34 Reuben 2 60 13 Edar. C. Hocks. Gen. 35. 21 Moriah 244 8 Eder. josh. 15. 21 Judah Edrei. C. Heap of strength. Num. 21. 33 Manas. tr. Jor. 69. 50 33. 40 2 97 15 Eglaim. T. Calves, or Heifers. c Kineton Warwic. sh. Isa. 15. 8 Moab Eglon. C. A Calf. d The Calf in the Isle of Man. josh. 10. 34 Judah Ekron. C. Rooting up, or barrenness. josh. 13. 3 Dan. 68 50 31. 40 2 218 29 El●h. V. 1 Sam. 17. 2 Judah Elath. St. An Oak. e Oakehampton Devon. Oakchingham, Berkshire. Deut. 2. 8 Paran 5 184 Elealah. C. The ascent of God. Num. 32. 3 Reuben Eleph. C. josh. 18. 28 Benjamin 69. 40 31. 50 Elim. St. Rams or Hearts. f Ramton Camb. sh. Exod. 15. 27 Paran 4 47 13 Elon. C. josh. 19 43 Dan 68 50 31. 40 Elon-Bethanan. T. 1 King. 4. 9 Dan Elteketh. C. josh. 19 44 Dan 69. 00 31. 30 Eltolad. C. The generation of God. josh. 15. 30 Simeon 69. 00 31. 20 Emmaus. T. Mother of strength. Luke. 24. 13 Moriah 69. 10 31. 40 2 303 25 Enam. C. josh. 15. 34 Judah Endor. C. Fountain of the generation. josh. 17. 11 Manas. cis Jor. 69. 00 32. 50 2 165 26 Eneglaim. T. Fountain of Heifers. Ezek. 47. 10 Engannim. C. Fountain of Gardens. josh. 19 21 Issachar 69. 30 32. 50 Engannim. C. josh. 15. 34 Judah Engedi. Fountain of felicity. josh. 15. 62 Judah 69. 50 31. 30 En-hakkore. Fountain of him that cried. judg. 15. 19 Simeon Enhaddah. Fountain of eye of Mirth. josh. 19 21 Issachar 69. 20 32. 40 Enhazor. C. Fountain of the Court josh. 19 37 Naphtali 6●. 30 33. 50 En-rimnon. T. Fountain of the Pomegranates. Neh. 11. 29 Enrogel. Fountain of a Spy. josh. 15. 7 Moriah Enshemesh. josh. 15. 7 69. 40 31. 40 Entappuah. Fountain of the Sun. josh. 17. 7 Manas. cis Jor. 69. 10 32. 40 Ephes-Damim. T. 1 Sam. 17. 1 Judah Esek. We. Contention Gen. 26. 20 Simeon 2 231 11 Ephraim. 2 Sam. 13. 23 69. 30 32. 10 Ephratah. Gen. 35. 16 Eshcol. V. & Ri. A cluster of Grapes. Num. 13. 24 Dan 2 215 20 Eshean. josh. 15. 52 ●udah Eshtao●. C. Ask or requesting. josh. 19 41 Dan 2 214 17 Eshtemoa. C. Woman's womb. josh. 21. 14 Judah 69. 20 31. 0 Etam. Ro. judg. 15. 8 Simeon 2 229 6 Etam. C. 1 Chr. 4. 32 Simeon Etham. St. Strength or vehemency. Ex●d. 13. 20 Egypt 63. 30. Ezel. S. 1 Sam. 20. 19 Benjamin. Ezem. T. 1 Chr. 4. 29 Simeon. Ezion-Gaber Num. 33. 35 Edom 4 33 35 G GAash. M. A tempest or commotion. josh. 24. 30 Ephraim 69. 32. Gaash. R. 2 Sam. 23. 30 Ephraim Gaba. C. An Hill. a Hilton Castle. B. of Durham. josh. 18. 24 Benjamin Gad. R. A Troop or good fortune 2 Sam. 24. 5 Gad 1 Galilee. L. josh. 20. 7 1 35 6 Gadarens. Compassed with a sense. Mark 5. 1 Gad 69. 50 33. 10 2 79 17 Gallim. 1 Sam. 25. 44 69. 20 31. 40 Gath. C. A Press. Dan 68 50 31. 40 Gathrimmon C. A Press of Pomegranates. josh. 19 45 Dan Gathrimmon C. josh. 21. 25 Man. cis Jor. Gaza. C. Sec Azza. Gen. 10. 19 Simeon 68 50 31. 10 2 235 22 Geba. See Gaba. josh. 21. 17 Benjamin 69. 20 31. 40 Gebal. A bound, or limit. b Merch County in Scotland. Psal. 83. 7 Libanus 4 16 35 Gebim. Isa. 10. 31 Geder. C. A wall. c Walden Essex. josh. 12. 13 Simeon Gederah. C. A wall josh. 15. 36 Judah Gederoth. C. Walls. josh. 15. 41 Judah Gederothaim. C. Two walls. josh. 15. 36 Judah Gedor. C. josh. 15. 58 Judah Geliloth. T. Revolutions. josh. 18. 17 Benjamin 69. 40 31. 50 Gennesaret. L. Mat. 14. 34 Zebulun Gerar. C. Gen. 10. 19 Simeon 69. 00 31. 10 2 230 10 Gergesens. Mat. 8. 28 Gad Gerizim. M. Sythes or Mowers. Deut. 11. 29 Ephraim 69. 20 32. 10 Geshuri. L. and C. The vale of an ox. d Oxney Kent Deut. 3. 14 Libanus 2 6 13 Gethsemane. T. A Press of oil. Mat. 26. 26 Moriah Gazer. C. Cutting off, ordivision josh. 10. 33 Ephraim 69. 00 31. 50 2 184 8 Giah. C. 2 Sam. 2. 24 Benjamin 69. 30 31. 50 Gibbethon. C. High-backed or ridged e Totterridge Middle sex. josh. 19 44 Dan 69. 10 31. 40 2 213 16 Gibbeah. C. josh. 15. 57 Judah Gibbeath. C. An Hill, or Hilly. josh. 18. 28 Benjamin 69. 20 31. 40 2 257 42 Gibbeon. C. josh. 9 3 Benjamin 69. 20 31. 50 2 255 37 Gidom. T. judg. 20. 45 Benjamin Gihen. M. and Ri. A Belly. 1 King. 1. 33 Moriah 3 331 8 Gilboa. M. Joy of searching out. 1 Sam. 28. 4 Issachar 69. 20 32. 50 2 163 22 Gilead. L. The heap of witness. Gen. 31. 21 Gad 2 82 25 Gilgal. C. Rolling. f Rollewright Oxford. sh. Deut. 11. 30 Benjamin 69. 40 31. 50 2 245 10 Giloh. C. joshua 15. 51 Judah 69. 40 31. 10 2 279 36 Gimzo. C. 2 Chr. 28. 18 Judah Gittah-hepher. C. A digging Winepress. josh. 19 13 Zebulun 69. 20 33. 30 2 147 20 Gittaim. C. Wine-Presses. 2 Sam. 4. 3 Benjamin 2 260 ●0 Goath. jer. 31. 39 Gobrias A Locust or a ditch. 2 Sam. 21. 18 Golan. C. Change or revolution Deut. 4. 43 Manas. tr. Jor. 70. 20 33. 40 2 97 16 Golgotha. M. A place of a scull. Mat. 27. 33 Moriah Goshen. L. Gen. 45. 10 Egypt 4 90 29 Goshen. L. josh. 15. 51 Judah 69. 30 31. 10 Gudgodah. St. The same with Horhagidgad. Deut. 10. 7 Paran Gur. T. A whelp. g Dogdik●se●●y Li●colshire. 2 King. 9 27 Issachar Gur-Baal. A whelp of the Lord. h Whelpston Yorkshire. 2 Chr. 26. 7 Arabia H Name. Meaning. Mentioned. Map. Longit. Latit. Lib Pag. Par HAch●● 〈◊〉. M. Hope or hook in her. 1 Sam. 23. 19 Judah 69. 40 31. 20 Hadadrimmon. Zech. 12. 11 Issachar 69. 00 32. 40 Hadashah. C. New, or a month. josh. 15. 37 Judah Hadattah. C. Rejoicingor delighted. josh. 15. 25 Judah Hadid. C. Neh. 11. 33 Benjamin 69. 40 32. 00 Halac. M. josh. 11. 17 Edom Halhul. C. The beginning of grief josh. 15. 58 Judah Hali. C. josh. 19 25 Asher. 69. 00 33. 40 Hamath. C. Burning Anger. 2 Chr. 8. 3 Libanus 4 11 26 Hammath. C. josh. 19 35 Naphtali 69. 30 34. 10 2 112 23 Hammon. C. josh. 19 28 Asher 69. 20 34. 10 Hamoth-dor Heat of the generation josh. 21. 32 Naphtali 69. 30 33. 50 Hanes. C. Isa. 30. 4 Egypt 63. 30. Hannathon. T. Graces or Mercies. a Grace-Dieu Lecest. shire. josh. 19 14 Zebulun 69. 10 33. 30 Hapharaim. C. josh. 19 19 Issachar 69. 20 33. 00 Haradah. St. Trembling. Num. 34. 24 Paran Hareth. Forest. 1 Sam. 22. 5 Judah Harod. We. Fearfulness. judg. 7. 1 Manas. cis Jor. 2 173 8 Harosheth. C. Ploughing, Silence, or deafness. judg. 4. 2 Naphtali 69. 50 33. 50 Hashmonah. St. Num. 33. 29 Paran Havoth-Iair. L. The livings or hamlets of jair. Num. 32. 41 Manas. tr. Jor 70. 0 33. 30 2 96 14 Hazar-addar. T. Num. 34. 4 Judah Hazar-enan. T. Court of their fountain Num. 34. 9 Hazar-gaddah. Court of a Kid. b Goatham Nott sh. josh. 15. 27 Judah 69. 10 31. 10 Hazar-hatticon. Ezek. 47. 16 Hazaroth. St. Courts. Deut. 1. 1 Paran 4 54 35 Haza●-shual. C. Fox-court. c Foxton in Camb sh. josh. 15. 28 Simeon 69. 00 31. 20 Hazar-susah. C. Court of the horsemen d Hors●ley Da●by sh. josh. 19 5 Simeon 68 50 31. 20 Hazerim. T. Deut. 2. 23 Hazeroth. St. Num. 11. 35 Paran Hazezon-tamar. Gen. 14. 7 Hazor. C. A court. josh. 11. 10 Naphtali 69. 30 33. 50 Hebron. C. Company or Communion. Gen. 13. 18 Judah 69. 20 31. 20 2 273 17 Hebron. C. josh. 19 28 Asher 69. 20 33. 50 Helam. C. Their army or strength 2 Sam. 10. 16 Libanus 4 9 21 Helbath. C. Fatness. judg. 1. 31 Asher 69. 10 33. 50 Helbon. C. Milk. e Milkstreet London. Ezek. 27. 18 Syria 2 132 16 Heleph. T. Changing or boring through josh. 19 33 Naphtali 69. 30 34. 10 Helkah. A field. josh. 21. 31 Asher 69. 00 33. 40 2 256 39 Helkath. josh. 19 25 Asher H●lkath-Hazzurim. F. Field of strong-men. 2 Sam. 2. 16 Benjamin Hemath, or Hamath. 1 Chr. 13. 5 Hena. 2 King. 18. 34 Hepher. C. josh. 12. 17 Judah Heres. M. The Sun. f Sunburn Ham●●sh judg. 1. 35 Dan Hermon. M. Destruction. Deut. 3. 8 Manas. tr. Jor. 2 32 4 Heshbon. C. Thought, or Reasoning. Num. 21. 25 R●uben 70. 00 32. 40 2 66 26 Heshmon. C. josh. 15. 27 Judah Hethlon. T. Ezek. 47. 15 69. 20 34. 10 Hezron. T. joshua. 15. 3 Judah Hilen. 1 Chr. 6. 58 3 349 6 Hinnom. V. Roaring of shreiking. josh. 15. 8 Judah 4 134 34 Hoba. T. Gen. 14. 15 Libanus Holon. C. josh. 15. 51 Judah Hor. M. A Mountain. Num. 34. 8 Asher 69. 20 34. 10 4 Hor. M. Num. 20. 22 Edom Horeb. M. Dryness. a Dri●ield in Yo●kshire. Exod. 3. 1 Paran Horem. C. josh. 19 38 Naphtali 69. 40 33. 40 Horhagidgad. St. The hill of Gidgad. Num. 33. 32 Paran Hormah. C. Destruction. Num. 14. 45 Simeon 69. 10 31. 10 2 230 9 Horonaim. C. Angers, or furies. Isa. 15. 5 Moab Hosah. T. josh. 19 29 Asher Hokk●k. T. josh. 19 34 Naphtali 69. 10 33. 30 Hukok. C. the same with Helkah 1 Chr. 6. 75 Asher Humtah. C. A Snail b Snailwell Camb●. sh. Liza●dspoint in Cornwall. & a Lizard. josh. 15. 54 Judah I JAbbok. Ri. Striving. Gen. 32. 22 Gad 2 76 9 jabesh-gileid. C Dryness or blushing. a Dris●oke Rutland. 1 Sam. 11. 1 Gad 69. 50 32. 50 2 81 22 jabez. 1 Chr. 2. 55 jabneel. C. Building of the Lord. josh. 15. 11 Judah 68 50 31. 50 jabneel. C. josh. 19 33 Naphtali 70. 00 33. 50 jahneh. C. Building. 2 Chr. 26. 6 Dan jagur. C. A guest or stranger. josh. 15. 21 Judah jahaz. C. Chiding or brawling. b Wrangle 〈◊〉. Num. 21. 23 Reuben jahazah. josh. 13. 18 janoah. C. 2 King. 15. 29 Naphtali 69. 40 33. 40 janohah. T. Resting. c Reston Lincol●shire. josh. 16. 6 Ephraim 69. 30 32. 20 janum. C. josh. 15. 53 Judah japhleti. C. josh. 16. 3 Ephraim 69. 10 32. 00 japho. C. Faireness or beauty. d 〈◊〉 Worcestersh josh. 19 46. Dan 68 50 31. 50 2 209 6 jarmuth. C. Projection of death. josh. 15. 35 Judah. 69. 10 31. 20 jarmath. josh. 21. 29 Issachar 69. 10 32. 50 jashubi-lehem. 1 Chr. 4. 22 jattir. C. Excelling. josh. 15. 48 Judah jazar. C. An helper or coadjutor. 2 Sam. 24. 5 Gad 70. 20 32. 50 5 jazer. L. Num. 22. 1 Ibleam. C. josh. 17. 11 Manas. cis Jor. Idalah. C. josh. 19 15 Zebulun 69. 00 33. 10 jearim. M. Woods. e Wootton Northampsh. Woodborrough Nottinghamsh. josh. 15. 10 Judah jebus. C. judg. 19 10 Jerusalem. jehud. C. Praising or confessing. josh. 19 45 Dan. 68 50 31. 50 jekabzeel. C. See Kabzeel. N●h. 11. 25 jericho. C. Having a good savour. Num. 22. 1 Benjamin 69. 30 31. 50 2 252 28 jeruel. Wi. Fearing the Lord. 2 Chr. 20. 16 Judah 2 285 55 jerusalem. C. Vision of Peace. josh. 15. 8 Benjamin Judah 69. 20 31. 40 3 313 jeshimon. C. 1. Sam 26. 1 Judah 69. 30 31. 20 jeshana. 2 Chr 13. 9 jethlah. Suspension. josh. 16. 42 69. 00 31. 50 jezreel. C. Seed of the Lord. josh. 19 18 Issachar 69. 10 32. 40 2 158 5 jezreel. josh. 15. 56 Judah 69. 40 31. 10 Ije-abarim. St. Heaps of passengers. Num. 21. 21 Moab Ijon. C. 1 King. 15. 20 Naphtali 69. 50 33. 50. jiphta. C. josh. 15. 43 Judah Iipht●ahel C. josh. 19 14 Zebulun 69. 10 33. 40 jegbohah. C. A sad wilderness. Num. 32. 35. Gad 70. 20 33. 00 jokdeam. josh. 15. 56 Judah 69. 50 31. 10 jokmeam. 1 Chr. 6. 68 jokneam. C. Possessing the people. josh. 19 11 Zebulun 69. 00 33. 30 2 151 33 joktheel. C. josh. 15. 38 Judah joppa. C. See japho. 2 Chr. 2. 16 Dan 68 50. 31. 50 jordan. Ri. Descending with a powder. Gen. 13. 10 Naphtali 2 106 7 jotbathah. St. His goodness. Num. 33. 33 Paran Irpeel. C. josh. 18. 27 Benjamin 69. 30 32. 10 Ir-sh●mesh. C. A City of the Sun. a Sundon 〈◊〉 josh. 19 41 Dan 68 50 31. 50 Ithnan. C. Giving, or an Hire. josh. 15. 23 Judah 69. 50 31. 0 Itta-kazin. C. Now a Prince. josh. 19 13 Zebulun 69. 30 33. 30 juttah. C. josh. 15. 55 Judah. 69 40 31. 0 K KAbze●l. C. Congregation of God b Godston S●●●ey. josh. 15. 21 Judah 69. 40 30. 50 Kadesh. W. Holiness. c Holy Istand in No●thūberland. Gen. 14. 7 Simeon, Paran 2 230 8 Kadesh-Barnea. C Holiness of an unstable Son. Num. 32. 8 Judah 69. 20 30. 50 2 273 15 Kanah. Ri. A cane or reed. josh. 16. 8 Ephraim 2 173 6 Kanah. C. josh. 10. 28 Asher 69. 10 34. 00 2 125 7 Karkaa. T. The pavement, or foundation. d The Pavement in York. josh. 15. 3 Judah 69. 00 30. 50 Karkor. T. judg. 8. 10 Gad 70. 20 33. 00 Karnaim. C. Horns. e Hornchurch Essex. Gen. 14. 5 Manas. tr. Jor. 70. 10 33. 20 2 96 15 Kartah. C. Calling or meeting. josh. 21. 34 Zebulun 68 50 33. 30 2 151 34 Kartan. C. josh. 21. 32 Naphtali 70. 00 33. 40 Kattah. C. The same with Kartah. josh. 19 15 Zebulun Kedar. L. Blackness or sadness. f Blackwal Middlesex. Saddington Lecestosh. jer. 2. 10 Edom 4 22 12 Kedemoth. W. C. Easternly. g Eas●on Northampt. shire. Deut. 2. 26 Reuben 70. 20 32. 10 2 56 5 Kedesh. C. Holiness. * Holy head in Angl●sey. josh. 12. 22 Nephtali 69. 40 33. 40 2 115 30 Kehelathah. St. Church or congregation Num. 33. 22 Paran Keilah. C. josh. 15. 44. Judah 2 281 42 Kenah. C. A Possession Num. 32. 42 Manas. tr. Jor. 70. 20 33. 20 Kerioth. C. Cities. josh. 15. 25 Judah Keziz. C. josh. 18. 21 Benjamin. 69. 40 31. 40 Kibroth-hattaavah. St. Graves of the lustres. Num. 11. 34 Paran 4 54 34 Kibzaim. C. Congregations. josh. 21. 22 Ephraim 69. 00 32. 20 Kidron. Ri. Black. h Blackwater Hamsh. 2 Sam. 15. 23 Moriah 2 293 2 Kinah. C. A Possession. josh. 15. 22 Judah Kir. C. A City. 2 King. 16. 9 Moab Kirharaseth. 2 King. 3. 25 Moab 4 26 23 Kirheresh. Isa. 16. 11 Moab Kiriath. josh. 18. 28 Benjamin Kiriath-arba. C. The City of Arba or four, the same with Hebron. Gen. 23. 2 josh. 15. 54 Judah 69. 20 31. 20 2 273 17 Kiriath-arim. Ezra 2. 25 Kiriath-baal. C. josh. 15. 60 Judah Kirloth-huzoth. City of Streets. i 〈◊〉, Str●etley Num. 12. 39 Keriath-jearim. The City of woods. josh. 9 17 Judah Kiriath-sannah. C The same with Debir. josh. 15. 49 Judah Kiriath-sepher. C. A City of a book. josh. 15. 15 Judah 2 277 27 Kiriathaim. C. Doubleton, or● two Cities. Gen. 1●. 5. Reuben 2 64 22 Kirioth. jer. 48. 24 Kishion. C. Hardness. k Hardwick, 〈◊〉 shire. josh. 19 20 Issachar 2 161 16 Kishon. Ri. josh. 21. 28 Zebulun 69. 20 32. 40 Kithlish. C. A Wall. l Wallington Surry. josh. 15. 40 Judah 69. 30 31. 20 Kitron. C. Spring or perfuming. Iudg●. 30 Zebulun L LAban. St. White. m Whiteby Yorkshire. Deut. 1. 1 Paran 5 Lachish C. Is walking. n Walkha●stead, Surry. Walkhampton Devon. josh. 10. 31 Judah 69. 20 31 30 2 278 31 Lahai-r●i. Well. That liveth and seeth me. Gen. 24. 62 Simeon 2 233 17 Lahman C. Rapine or their bread. josh. 15. 40 Judah 69. 30 31. 30 Laish. C. An old Lion. o Lion-key London. judg. 18. 7 Naphta li 69. 40 34. 00 2 106 9 Lakum. T. Rising again or confirming josh. 19 ●3 Naphtali 70. 00 33. 40 Lasha. T. Fair to be seen. * Fairfield Gloc●stersh. Gen. 10. 19 Reuben 70. 00 31. 40 2 52 9 Lasharon. C. A plain or field. josh. 12. 18 Ephraim 68 50 32. 00 Lebanon. M. Frankincense. Deut. 1. 7 Libanus 4 1 1 Lebaoth. C. Lionesses. josh. 15. 32 Simeon 2 234 19 Lebnah. C. The Moon. josh. 15. 42 Judah 69. 40 31. 30 2 277 29 Lehem. T. 1 Chr. 4. 22 Lehi. L. Jawbone. judg. 15. 9 Simeon 2 229 6 Leshem. C. The same with Lais●, or Dan. josh. 19 47 Naphtali 2 106 9 Libnah. St. Num. 33. 20 Paran 5 188 Lod. C. 1 Chr. 8. 12 Benjamin 69. 40 32. 00 Lodebar. C. Word to him. 2 Sam. 9 4 Manas. tr. Jor. 70. 20 33. 30 2 94 10 Luhith. C. Isa. 15. 5 Moab Luz. C. An Hazelnut. a Nutwell Devon. Nuthall Notting. sh. Gen. 28. 19 Ephraim 69. 10 32. 00 Lydda. C. Act. 9 32 Dan 68 50 32. 00 2 210 7 M MAac●athi. C. & L. The contrition of the belly. Deut. 3. 14 Libanus 4 ● 13 Maaleh-acrabbim. T. The climbing up of Scorpions. josh. 15. 3 Judah 69. 40 30. 50 Maarah. C. josh. 15. 59 Judah Machpelah. Cave. Gen. 23. 9 Judah 2 274 19 Madm●nnah. The measure of reward. josh. 15. 31 Judah Madmenah. Isa 10. 31 Moab 4 25 20 Madon. C. Brawling or strife. josh. 11. 1 Naphtali 69. 40 34. 10 2 114 29 Magdala. C. Turretted. Mat. 15. 39 Zebulun 69. 20 33. 30 2 147 20 Mahanaim. C. Two Armies. Gen. 32. 2 Gad 70. 20 33. 10 2 76 9 Mahaneth-dan. T The tents of Dan. judg. 18. 12 Dan 2 214 17 Makheloth. St. Assemblies. Num. 33. 25 Para● 4 56 41 Makkedah. C. Adoration. josh. 10. 10 Benjamin 2 256 38 Maktesh. C. Zeph. 1. 11 Mamre. Pl. Gen. 13. 18 Judah 2 273 17 Maon. C. An habitation. josh. 15. 55 Judah 69. 40 31. 10 2 282 44 Marah. St. Bitter. b Bitte●ing Nor●olk. Exod. 15. 23 Paran 4 46 13 Maralah. C. josh. 19 11 Zebulun 69. 00 33. 00 Mareshah. C. From the head or the Prince. josh. 15. 44 Judah 2 284 51 Maroth. T. Micah 1. 12 Massah. St. Temptation. Exod. 17. 7 Paran 4 48 18 Mattanah. St. A gift. Num. 21. 18 Moab Mearah. T. A Cave. c Stanford in the Cave. Northampsh. josh. 13. 4 69. 10 34. 10 Madeba. C. Waters of grief. Num. 21. 30 Reuben Megiddo. C. josh. 17. 11 Manas. cis Jor. 69. 00 32. 40 2 165 27 Mejarkon. C. josh. 19 46 Dan 68 50 31. 50 M●konah. T. Neh. 11. 28 Judah Meonenim. Pl. judg. 9 37 Ephraim Mephaath. C. The force or appearing of waters. d Watecrton Wal●sham. Yorkshi●e. josh. 13. 18 Reuben 69. 50 32. 20 Merathaim. T. jer. 50. 21 Meribah. St. Chiding. Exod. 17. 7 Paran 4 48 18 Merom. Ri. Heights or depths. josh. 11. 5 Naphtali 2 107 12 Meroz. C. L. or T. Secret. judg. 5. 23 Naphtali 69. 50 33. 50 2 114 28 Metheg-●mah. T. Bridle of the People. e Bridlington Yorksh. 2 Sam. 8. 1 Dan 68 50 31. 30 2 220 32 Michmash. C. Bringing up the poor. 1 Sam. 13. 2 Benjamin 69. 20 31. 50 2 261 52 Michmethah. T. josh. 16. 6. Ephraim 69. 20 32. 30 Middin. C. josh. 15. 61 Judah 69. 40 31. 40 Migdal-el. C. Tower of God. josh. 19 38 69. 50 33. 40 Migdal-gad. Tower of good success. josh. 15. 37 Migdol. T. A tower. Exod. 14. 2 Egypt 63. 29. Migron. T. 1 Sam. 14. 2 Benjamin Minnith. C. Making ready. Indg. 11. 33 Ammon 4 29 28 Misgab. T. jer. 48. 1 Moab Mishal. C. Ask or requesting. Askeham Yorkshire. josh. 21. 30 Misheal. C. josh. 19 26 69. 00 33. 30 Misrephothmaim. T. Th● boiling of waters josh. 11. 8 Asher 69. 10 34. 10 Mithcah. St. Sweet. Num. 33. 28 Paran Mizpah. C. A watch-tower. a a Watchingwy, Isle of Weight. Gen. 31. 49 Manas. tr. Jor. 70. 20 33. 30 2 94 11 Mizpeh. C. josh. 18. 26 Benjamin 70. 20 33. 30 2 259 47 Mizpah. C. 1 Sam. 22. 3 Moab 4 25 20 Moladah. C. josh. 15. 26 Judah 69. 00 31. 10 Moreh. Pl. Gen. 12. 6 Ephraim Moriah. L. Vision of the Lord. Gen. 22. 2 Moriah 2 293 1 Mosera. St. Band or Bands. Deut. 10. 6 Moseroth. St. Num. 33. 30 Paran Mozah. C. josh. 18. 26 Benjamin 69. 20 31. 50 N NAamah. C. Fair or pleasant. b Belvoire Lincolnsh. josh. 15. 41 Judah Naaran. T. See Naarath. 1 Chr. 7. 28 Ephraim Naarath. T. A young Maiden. c Maidston Kent. josh. 16. 7 Ephraim 69. 40 32. 20 Naballal. C. Praised or bright. d Brights●ow Somersetsh. josh. 19 15 Zebulun 69. 10 33. 10 Naim. Fair or beautiful. e Beauli●● Hamsh. Luke 7. 11 Zebulun 69. 00 33. 20 Naioth. T. An habitation. 1 Sam. 19 18 Ephraim 69. 10 32. 00 Napthali. C. Tobit 1. 2 Naphtali 69. 30 33. 40 Nazareth. C. Mat. 2. 23 Zebulun 69. 10 33. 20 Neah. T. josh. 19 13 Zebulun 69. 30 33. 30 Nebo. M. & C. Speech or Prophecy. Num. 32. 3 Reuben Niel. C. The moving of God. josh. 19 27 Asher 69. 10 33. 40 Nekeb. T. A ditch. f Ditton Camb. sh. josh. 19 33 Naphtali 69. 50 34. 00 Neptoah. We. Open or opening. josh. 15. 9 Judah Netophathi. Nehem. 12. 28 Nezib. C. A standing or erection josh. 15. 43 Judah Nibshan. C. josh. 15. 62 Judah 69. 40 31. 30 Nimrah. C. Num. 32. 3 Gad Nimrim. Ri. Leopards or Panthers. Isa. 15. 6 Gad 70. 10 32. 40 Nob. C. Speech of Prophecy. 1 Sam. 21. 1 Benjamin 69. 30 31. 40 Nabah. Barking. judg. 8. 11 70. 30 33. 00 Nodab. 1 Chr. 5. 19 Noph. C. Isa. 19 13 Egypt 62. 30 4 89 22 Nop●ah. C. Num. 21. 30 Reuben O OBoth. St. Witches or Bottles. Botlesham Cambr. sh. Num. 21. 10 Moab Olivet. M. 2 Sam. 15. 30 Moriah On●. V. & C. His grief. 1 Chr. 8. 12 Benjamin Ophel. T. Cloudy and obscure. 2 Chr. 27. 3 Jerusalem. Ophin. C. josh. 18. 24 Benjamin Ophrah. C. Dusty or leaden. josh. 18. 23 Manas. cis Jor. 69. 40 32. 00 2 173 9 P PArah. C. josh. 18. 23 Benjamin Paran. W. Gen. 21. 21 Pas-dammim. T. 1 Chr. 11. 13 Pau. C. Hissing. Gen. 36. 39 Edom Penuel. C. The face of God. Gen. 32. 31 Gad 70. 10 33. 00 2 77 10 Peor. T. Opening. Num. 23. 28 Reuben Perazim. M. Breaches. g Greatbreach, Kent Isa 28. 21 Moriah. 2 203 22 Perez-Vzza. T. The breach of Vzza. 2 Sam. 6. 8 Benjamin 2 251 26 Pihahiroth. St. The mouth of Hiroth. Exod. 14. 2 Egypt 63. 28. Pirathon. T. judg. 12. 15 Ephraim 69. 30 32. 10 2 201 56 Pisgah. M. An hill. Num. 21. 20 Reuben 70. 0 32. 10 2 63 20 Panon. St. Num. 33. 42 Moab R RAbbah. C. Great or spacious. a Greatton No●thamp●shire. Moab Rabbah. C. Deut. 3.11 Ammon Rabbith. C. Multitude. josh. 19 20 Issachar 69. 00 33. 00 Rachal. T. 1 Sam. 30. 29 Judah Rakkath. C. josh. 19 35 Judah 69. 30 33. 50 Rakkon. C. josh. 19 46 Dau 68 50 31. 50 Ramah. High or exalted. b Vpton, Vpham Hamsh. Vpburn Busking sh. Vphall Hart●●s● Hie-gate Midlesex. josh. 18. 25 Benjamin 69. 20 31. 40 josh. 19 29 Asher josh. 19 36 Naphtali Mat. 2. 18 Moriah 69. 30 33. 50 Ramath. C. josh. 19 8 Simeon 69. 10 33. 50 Ramathaim. C. 1 Sam. 1. 1 Ephraim Ramath-lehi. T. The lifting up of a Jawbone. judg. 15. 17 Simeon Ramath-mizpeh. C The same with Ramoth Gilead. josh. 13. 26 Gad Ramases. C. Gen. 47. 11 Egypt 63. 31. Ramoth-gilead. C. Deut. 4. 43 Gad 70. 10 32. 50 2 82 26 Rehob. C. Large or broad. c Broadlands Hamshire. Num. 13. 21 Asher 69. 20 33. 50 Rehoboth. We. Room or enlargement d Broadway Somerset sh. Gen. 10. 11 Simeon Remeth. C. High. e Highley Devonsh. josh. 19 21 Judah Remmon. C. A Pomegranate. josh. 19 7 Simeon Remmon-methoar. T. josh. 19 13 Zebulun Rephaim. V. Giants. 2 Sam. 5. 18 Moriah 2 302 22 Rep●idim. St. Exod. 17. 1 Paran Riblah. C. Num. 34. 11 Naphtali 69. 50 33. 50 Rimmon. C. josh. 15. 32 Judah 68 50 32. 30 Rimmon-gath. josh. 19 45 68 50 31. 40 Rimmon-parez. St. The division of Pomegranates. Num. 33. 19 Paran Rissah. St. Num. 33. 21 Paran. Rithmah. St. Juniper. Num. 33. 18 Paran Rogelim. C. 2 Sam. 17. 27 Manas. tr. Jor. 70. 20 33. 20 2 94 10 Rumah. T. 2 King. 23. 36 S SAlcah. josh. 12. 5 Manas. tr. Jor. Salchah. Deut. 3. 10 Salem. C. Peace. Gen. 14. 18 Moriah 69. 30 32. 20 Salim. T. john 3. 23 Manas. cis Jor. 2 176 17 Samaria. C. 1 King. 13. 32 Ephraim 69. 10 32. 30 Sansannah. C. Thorn on thorn. josh. 15. 31 Judah Saphir. Micah 1. 11 Sarepta. C. Luke 4. 26 Asher 69. 10 34. 10 Sarid. T. josh. 19 10 Zebulun 69. 10 33. 10 Saran. C. Acts 9 35 Ephraim 69. 00 32. 00 Secacah. C. josh. 15. 61 Judah 69. 40 31. 30 Sechu. We. 1 Sam. 19 22 Ephraim 2 185 10 Seirah. T. judg. 3. 26 Benjamin. Sela. C. A rock. e Rockingham Northamp. sh. Isa. 16. 1 Edom● 4 34 37 Sela-hammah-lekoth. The rock of division. 1 Sam. 23. 28 Judah Seleucia. C. Acts 13. 4 Libanus Sench. Ro. A Thorn. f Thorn●augh Northamp. sh. 1 Sam. 14. 4 Benjamin Senir. 1 Chr. 5. 23 Sephar. Gen. 10. 30 Sepharad. Obad. 20 Sepharvaim. C. Books scribes or numbers. 2 King. 17. 24 Libanus Shaalbim. C. The understanding of a Fox. judg. 1. 35 Dan Shaaraim. T. 1 Sam. 17. 52 Dan Shahazimath. T. Humbled with fasting. a Hungcr●ord Barksh. josh. 19 22 Issachar Shalem. T. Safe or entire. Gen. 33. 18 Ephraim Shalim L. Foxes. b Foxholes Darbysh Foxton B. of Durham. 1 Sam. 9 4 Ephraim Shalisha. L. 1 Sam. 9 4 Ephraim Shamir. C. Briers or a Thome. c Brierley He●●fordsh. josh. 15. 48 Judah 69. 10 31. 10 Shapher. Num. 33. 23 Paran Sharaim C. Two gates. d Gatel●y Norfolk. Yatton somers●tsh. josh. 15. 36 Judah Sharon. 1 Chr. 5. 16 Sharuhen. C. A Prince or song of grace. josh. 19 6 Simeon 69. 00 31. 20 Shaveh. Pl. A plain. Gen. 14. 5 Reuben Shebam. Num. 32. 3 Shechem. C. A shoulder. Gen. 33. 18 Ephraim 69. 20 32. 10 Shema. C. Hearing or obeying. josh. 15. 26 Judah 69. 10 30. 50 Shen. T. 1 Sam. 7. 12 Benjamin Shenir. Deut. 3. 9 Shepham. T. Num. 34. 10 Naphtali 69. 50 34. 10 Shibmah. C. Num. 32. 38 Reuben 2 66 25 Shicron. T. Hire or reward. josh. 15. 11 Dan 68 50 31. 40 Shihor. Ri. 1 Chr. 13. 5 Simeon 2 233 18 Shihor-libnah. Ri. josh. 19 26 Asher 2 142 7 Shilhim. C. josh. 15. 32 Judah Shiloh. C. Peaceable and happy. josh. 18. 1 Ephraim 69. 20 31. 50 2 185 13 Shiloah. Ri. Nehem. 3. 15 Jerusalem 3 322 13 Shimron. C. The same with Shimron-Meron. josh. 11. 1 Zebulun Shimron-meron. C josh. 12. 20 Zebulun 69. 00 33. 10 5 155 Shinar. Gen. 10. 10 Shion. C. Noise or tumult. josh. 19 19 Issachar 69. 20 33. 00 Shocho. C. 2 Chr. 11. 7 Judah Shochoh. 1 Sam. 17. 1 Shophan. C. A Rabbit. e Co●iston in Lancast sh. Num. 32. 35 Gad 69. 50 32. 40 Shual. L. 1 Sam. 13. 17 Ephraim Shunem. C. josh. 19 18 Issachar 69. 10 33. 00 2 161 17 Shur. W. Gen. 16. 7 Simeon Sibmah. C. Grace or Hoary-hairs. f Gray's Oxford sh. josh. 13. 19 Reuben Sibraim. Ezek. 47. 16 Sichem. C. Gen. 12. 6 Ephraim 2 195 42 Siddim. V. Gen. 14. 3 Judah 2 268 5 Sihor. R. josh. 13. 3 Silla. T. The Bulwark. 2 King. 12. 20 Jerusalem 3 337 8 Siloa. We. Neh. 3. 15 Siloe. T. Luke 13. 4 Jerusalem 3 324 7 Sinai. M. Exod. 16. 1 Paran 4 50 25 Sinim. Isa. 49. 12 Siphmoth. The same with Sibmah. 1 Sam. 30. 28 Reuben Siriah. We. 2 Sam. 3. 26 Judah 2 275 22 Sitnah. We. Hatred. Gen. 26. 21 Simeon 2 231 11 Sochols. 1 King. 4. 10 Judah Socoh. C. A thick bough. g Boughton Northampsh. josh. 15. 35 Judah 69. 20 31. 10 Sodom. C. Chalk or ●ement. h Broadchalk Wil●sh. Gen. 13. 10 Judah 2 270 5 Sorek. Ri. A vineyard or vine. i The Vine Hamsh. judg. 16. 4 Dan 2 214 17 South-rumoth. 1 Sam. 30. 27 Simeon Succoth. C. Booths. k Boothby in Lincol●sh. Gen. 33. 17 Gad 69. 50 32. 50 2 77 12 Succoth. St. Num. 33. 5 Egypt Sychar. C. Mercenary. john 4. 5. Ephraim 69. 30 32. 20 2 199 49 Syrion. M. Deut. 3. 9 Manas. tr. Jor. T TAanach. Humbling thyself. josh. 17. 11 Manas. cis Jor. 68 50 32. 50 2 164 26 Taanath-shiloh. T. Barking or bearing a figtree. josh. 16. 6 Ephraim Tabbath. T. Good or goodness. judg. 7. 22 Manas. cis Jor. 69. 40 32. 30 Taberah. St. Burning. Num. 11. 3 Paran 4 53 32 Tabor. C. and M. Election or purity. josh. 19 1● Zebulun 2 149 28 Tahat. St. Underneath. Num. 33. 26 Paran Tahtim-hodshi. L. Newly inhabited. a Newland Essex. 2 Sam. 24. 6 Gad 2 78 13 Tappuah. L. & C. An Apple. b Appleford Barksh. josh. 12. 17 Ephraim 2 176 18 Tarah. St. Num. 33. 27 Paran Taralah. C. josh. 18. 27 Benjamin 69. 40 32. 00 Tehaphnehes. C. Ezek. 30. 18. Egypt 63. ●● 30. ●● Tekoah. C. Sounding with a Trumpet. c 〈◊〉 2 Sam. 14. 2 Judah 2 279 37 Telaim. C. Probably both the same. Lambs. d La●born Ba●ksh. 1 Sam. 15. 4 Judah Telem. C. josh. 15. 24 Thebez. T. judg. 9 50 Ephraim 69. 30 32. 10 Thimnathath. C. josh. 19 43 Dan Tiberias. C. joh. 6. 1 Zebulun 69. 30 33. 20 2 148 25 Timnah. C. An Image or figure. josh. 15. 10 Judah, or Timnath. C. Gen. 38. 12 Dan Timnath-serah. josh. 19 50 69. 10 32. 10 Timnathah. josh. 19 43 Tiphsah. C. 2 King. 15. 16 Ephraim 69. 00 32. 10 2 187 22 Tirzah. C. Sweet or delightful. e Beaufield Kent. josh. 12. 24 Ephraim 69. 00 32. 10 2 187 22 Toh. L. Good. judg. 11. 3 Libanus Tochen. C. The middle. f Midl●ton Oxfordsh. 1 Chr. 4. 32 Simeon Tolad. C. See Eltolad. 1 Chr. 4. 29 Simeon 69. ●0 31. 20 Tophel. T. Deut. 1. 1 Paran Trachonitis. L. Sharp-land. Luke 3. 1 Manas. tr. Jor. Tyre. C. A Rock. g Rochel in France. josh. 19 29 Asher. 69. 00 33. 50 U Ummah. C. josh. 19 30 Asher 69. 10 33. 40 Vzz●n-sherah. C. An ear remaining. 1 Chr. 7. 24 Ephraim 69. 10 32. 20 Vz. L. Counsel. job 1. 1 Edom 4 34 39 Z ZAanannim. P The Bed of the sleeper. h Bed●o●d. josh. 19 33 Nephtali 69. 40 34. 10 2 114 27 Zaanan. T. Micah 1. 11 Zair. T. 2 King. 8. 21 Edom 4 34 36 Zalmon. M. judg. 9 48 Ephraim 2 196 44 Zalmon. St. The shadowing. Num. 33. 41 Edom 4 37 44 Zanoah. C. Abomination or oblivion. josh. 15. 34 Judah 69. 50 31. 10 Zaphon. T. josh. 13. 27 Gad 70. 00 33. 00 Zared. Ri. Num. 21. 12 Moab Zarephath. C. A melting place. i Melton L●c●stersh. 1 King. 17. 9 Asher 2 133 26 Zaretan. T. josh. 3. 16 Reuben 69. 30 32. 30 2 62 16 Zareth-shahar. C. josh. 13. 19 Reuben Zartanah. C. 1 King. 4. 12 Zarthan. C. 1 King. 7. 46 Mans. cis Jor. 2 176 17 Zeboim. C. Pleasant or a Roe. Gen. 10. 19 Judah 69. 50 31. 40 Zedad. T. Num. 34. 8 69. 20 34. 10 Zelah. C. josh. 18. 28 Benjamin 69. 30 32. 00 Zelzah. T. Shadowed. k Slightall adwell nigh London. 1 Sam. 10. 2 Moriah 2 301 20 〈◊〉 C. Wools. a Woolto● Do●se●sh. josh. 18. 22 Benjamin 69. 20 32. 00 2 262 54 Zenam. C. josh. 15. 37 Judah Zephath. C. judg. 1. 17. Simeon Zephathah. V. 2 Char. 14. 10 Judah Zer. C. josh. 19 35 Naphtali 69. 30 33. 50 Zered. Ri. Dispersed dominion. Deut. 2. 13 Moab Zereda. T. 1 King. 11. 26 Ephraim 69. 00 32. 10 Zeredathah. 2 Chr. 4. 17 Zererath T. judg. 7. 22 Manas. cis Jor. 69. 30 32. 30 Ziddim. C. Hunt. b Huntingdon. josh. 19 32 Naphtali 69. 30 34. 10 Zidon. C. Gen. 49. 13 Asher 69. 10 34. 10 2 132 22 Ziglag. C. The straightening of a measure. josh. 15. 31 Simeon 69. 00 31. 30 2 228 4 Zin. W. Num. 13. 21 Paran Zion. C. 2 Sam. 5. 7 Jerusalem 3 334 1 Zior. C. josh. 15. 54 Judah Ziph. C. That mouth. josh. 15. 24 Judah Ziphron. T. Num. 34. 9 Ziz. Ro. A flower or a bud. c Budleigh castle, Devon. Budwo●th Ch●shire. 2 Chr. 20. 16 Judah Zoan. C. Num. 13. 22 Egypt 63. 31. Zoar. C. Small or little. d Littleton Staffordsh. Little port Camb sh. Gen. 13. 10 Judah 69. 40 31. 30 Zobah. L. 1 Sam. 14. 47 Libanus Zoheleth. S. 1 Kings 1. 9 Moriah Zophim. F. Num. 23. 14 Reuben Zoreah. C. Leprosy. e Burton Lazars Lecestersh. josh. 15. 33 Dan 2 214 17 Zuph. L. Swimming or fluctuating. 1 Sam. 9 5 Ephraim 2 185 9 REader, be pleased to take notice, that limitary places, and all other mentioned in Scripture, which we could not confidently refer to another Letter, are by us (though no Towns) consigned to T. which as an Hospital, of no less charity, than capacity, gives them all entertainment. And thus by God's assistance we have finished our Table. Miraculous almost was the execution done by David on the Amalekites, who saved neither man a 1 Sam. 27. 9 nor woman alive to bring tidings to Gath. I cannot promise such exactness in our Index, that no one Name hath escaped our enquiry: some few, perchance, hardly slipping by, may tell tales against us. This I profess I have not (in the language of some modern Quarter-Masters) wilfully burnt any Towns, and purposely omitted them; and hope, that such as have escaped our discovery, will upon examination appear; either, not generally agreed on by Authors for Proper Names, or else, by proportion falling without the bounds of Palestine. Soli Deo gloria. Errata sic corrigas. LIb. 2. page 76. line 37. for Na●anaim, read Ma●anaim. p. 108. l. 20. & 21, & 30, & 41. for Cave read Cane. pa. 109. l. 15. deal though born in Bedlam. pag. 191. l. 1. for people read pool. Ibid. l. 9 for twenty miles, read twelve miles. pag. 236. l. 33. for unstrained, read unstained. pag. 302. l. 9 for Vale of Ephraim, read Vale of Rephaim. pag. 303, l. 20. for They read Day. pag. 304. l. 30. for bead, read been. Lib. 3. pag. 321. l. 4. for from East to the North, read form West to the North. pag. 330. l. 8. for partly natural read purely natural. pag. 332. l. 37. for Cousin. read Close. pag. 397. l. 20. for liquid, read dry. 79. l. 23. for dead, read bread. pag. 188. l. 19 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pag. 132. l. 14. for infe●●ed, read infested. Lib. 5. pag. 147. l. 11. for less, read l●ss. pag. 159. l. 17. for that twelve should be twenty, read that twenty should be twelve. pag. 164. l. 17. for larcinations, read lancinations. pag. 179. l. 27. d●le Philol. Ibid. l. 38. deal Al●th. pag. 180. l. 9 deal Philol. Ibid. l. 18. deal Al●th. pag, 196. l. 8. not extending it, deal not. Ibid. deal as some do with small probability. FINIS.