A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, Book 3 · Dedication – Map
To the Right Honourable JOHN LORD ROSSE, Son to the Right Honourable JOHN EARL OF RVTLAND.
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 Countrey; as able to give a better account of the Spaw, then 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 leasure to enquire, but am afraid, that too many of our nation are guilty of a greater Ignorance; That being quic… sighted in other kingdomes, and Countreys, they are altogether blinde as touching Judea, and the land of Palestine; the Home for their meditations, who are conversant in all the historicall passages of Scripture.
Yet I would not have any wilfully to expose themselves (as Saint Paul was against his will) toa2 Cor. 11. 26. perils of waters, perils of Robbers, perils by the Heathen, &c. personally to pace and trace the land of Canaan: who rather conceive that precept to Abraham▪ bGen. 13. 17.Arise, walk through the land in the breadth thereof, and in the length thereof, may be performed by us, even whilest we also follow the counsell of Joash to Amaziah, Abide c2 Chr. 25. 19.now at home.
This may be done by daily and diligent perusing of the Scriptures; and comparing the same with it self; (Diamonds onelyonly cut Diamonds) as also by consulting with such as have written the description of that Countrey. Amongst whom give me leave (though the unworthiest of thousands) to tender these my endevours, to your Honours serious perusall, and patronage, hoping my pains herein may conduce to the better understanding of the History of the Bible.
I confess the doctrinall part of the Scripture is in it self 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 delightfull stories in the Bible have allured many (youth especially) to the reading thereof, the light (the historicall part) first inviting their eyes, whose hearts were afterwards inflamed with the heat, the holy fire in the doctrine of Gods 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 scribling and Pamphlets in comparison thereof. They contain what will make you wise unto salvation; and the study thereof will render your Lordship more truely honourable then your outward extraction.
Great indeed was the priviledge of Ruth, for whom purposely some handfuls weredRuth 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 Armes, therewith to deck and adorn those of your family.
Yet know my Lord that the Bereans areeActs 17. 11. pronounced more noble then those of Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of minde, searching the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so: And by the same proportion your exact skill industriously attained in Gods word, shall make your soul increase with the increase *Colos. 2. 19.of God; far more honourable then that Augmentation in Heraldry, which was conferred on your Ancestours.
Remember I pray what David writes, I ePsal. 119. 96.have seen an end of all perfection, but thy commandement is exceeding broad. Oh imperfect perfection which hath an end! And indeed David lived in an Age, wherein he saw Goliah f1 Sam. …7. 51.the strongest overcome, Asahel the g2 Sam. 2. 23.swiftest overtaken, Achitophel h2 Sam. 17. 23.the wisest befooled, and Absalom the i2 Sam. 14. 25.fairest deformed with a violent death. Yet still the immortall 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 LawkDeut. 31. 26. was to be placed and kept, so I wish your Honour a large heart to be a repository for this Broad commandement 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 Honours most humble servant THO. FULLER.
Here followeth the description of Jerusalem.