A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, Book 4 · Body of book · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
§ 1. SO much for the Iewel, Palestine it self. Now for the Case thereof, namely the neighbouring Countreys which surrounded it. OnelyOnly herein the Simile holds not, because Cases serve, as to compass, so to preserve and defend the Jewell; whereas these bordering nations were sworn enemies to oppose and destroy the land and people of Palestine. The most quiet neighbour Iudea had, was the Midland sea on the west side thereof, which though sometimes (as the Psalmist observes) it would rage horribly, yet generally it was more peaceable and serviceable then the Pagans, which bounded them on all other quarters: as namely,
1 In Syria, on the north, Giblites, Arvadites, Aramites, &c.
2 In Arabia, on the east, and south-east Ammonites, Moabites, Ismaelites, Midianites.
3 In Egypt, and the wilderness of the south, Edomites, Amalekites, Egyptians, &c.
So that the Iews, to finde faithfull friends must not look about them, but above them, even to heaven whence all their safety was derived.
§ 2. For the present we are to describe mount Libanus or Lebanon with the parts of Syria confining thereunto. A mountain which some will have so named from Frankincense, (foreign in Greek) whereof great plenty groweth there. Yet seeing it is usuall for Parents to give names to their children, not children to their Parents, more probable it is that Frankincense is called foreign 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: aIn Hebrew White.because the faithfull snow forsakes not the top of this mountain (no not when persecuted by the Sun in the dog-days) but remains there all the year long. A pleasant sight, at the same time to have Winter on the top, and Sommer at the bottome of one and the same mountain. Excellent the use of this snow in these hot climats the ProphetbIer. 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 mixe their wines: so making the Torrid and Frozen Zone to meet in the Temperate, more healthfull for their Constitutions.
§ 4. Lebanon was a place so pleasant, that an Epicure therein might feed all his senses to a surfeit.
1 Sight. The …pouse saith ofcCant. 5. 15. Christ, His countenance is as Lebanon, where most delightfull is the prospect, with high hills, humble dales, sweet rivers, shady groves. No wonder then if Ptolemy placeth Paradise a City hereabouts, where what Poets can fancy, Nature hath performed.
2 Smell. Such the fragrancy of flowers, Gummes, and Spices thereon, perfuming the aire round about.dCant. 4. 11. Hos. 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 mens hearts, that they onelyonly lulled their heads the sooner and faster as…eep.
4 Taste, & Touch. Such the most delicious fruits and liquors this mountain affords. Vinum C.O.S. The sent thereof shall be as theeHose. 14. 7. wine of Lebanon. Galen also reporteth that yearly in mount Libanus husbandmen used to sing, God raineth hony, at which time they spread hides on the ground,fDe alimentis facult. lib. 3. cap. 38. and from the boughs of trees shook into them the hony dropt from heaven (called therefore mel roscidum & aereum) filling pots and pitchers with the same.
No wonder then that Moses made it his earnest request to take this place in his way, to heaven: IgDeut. 3. 25. pray thee let me goe over and see the good land, which is beyond Iordan, that goodly mountain and Lebanon. As if his soul more conveniently might take his rise from the top thereof to eternall blisse, and be the better provided to entertain endless happiness, when first he had sipt some drops of the same in delightfull Lebanon, the temporall type thereof.
§ 5. It will perchance be objected against the fertility of this place, that the ProphethIsa. 29. 17. foretelleth, Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitfull field? Where its future conversion into fruitfulness seemingly implies the present barrenness thereof. But here we must distinguish betwixt field and forest fruitfulness. The former is composed of the concurrence of art and industry with nature; the latter onelyonly takes what nature tenders, without any toile to improve the same, wherein Libanus already did exceed. But now the Prophet foretells (besides this wild and native) an elaborate and artificiall fertility likely to befall this mountain, namely in the speedy and universall alteration of things in Israel, when champian fields for fear should be forsaken, and husbandmen for their security retire with their tillage to mount Lebanon. Thus much for this fair and fruitfull place full of goodly trees, wild and tame beasts in abundance; and yet when measured by an infinite majesty,iIsa. 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 finde an undoubted evidence, that the same by a double title perteined 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 ParablekIs…. 5. …. And be fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof. Now although this fencing principally refers to Gods protection over the Iews, yet is it not unappliable to the naturall posture of their countrey, hem'd in with mount Libanus on the north. Secondly, if we conceive all Iudea under the notion of a great city, Lebanon was a CommonlIosh. 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, theIudg. 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 severall kindes, (some bearing fruit without flowers, others bringing flowers without fruit) manner of growing, having streight and clean bodies to the top, and there a tuft of boughs and leaves, (where should the haire be but on the head?) naturall qualities or supernaturall rather, (because said to be free from corruption, and therefore used to make the statues of the Gods) the Philosopherm…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 AntiLibanus whereas the Scriptures taking no notice of this distinction, express both under the generall name of Libanus.
§ 8. And now to climbe this mountain, behold it every where scattered with Solomons workmen, some bearing of burdens, (Better to carry the meanest materiall 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 nPsal. 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 generall description of Libanus we come to survay the severall places on, or near thereunto. In the southwest 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 ino1 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 parcell thereof. But though it was unlawfull to take the childrens 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 Countrey, that it little contented King Hiram, who therefore called itp1 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 forein 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 kingdome of Tyre from the Crown of Israel. And if so, then all he did was but his duty, and fully rewarded in Solomons favourable acceptance thereof.
2 Solomon might conceive Hirams expences sufficiently satisfied in allowing his men such a vastq1 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 meer gratuity. For which Hiram ought to be thankfull 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 Hirams expectation. His treasure being much exhausted (excess will begger wealth it self) 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) faile in rewarding the full deserts of Hiram.
It is some contentment unto us, that though we know not the severall names, yet ther1 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 Hirams displeasure, whereas we finde it so called four hundred years before in the book of Ioshua, where the borders of the Tribe of Asher, are thus assigned: they goe out tosIosh. 19. 27. Cabul on the left hand. To satisfie which seeming difficulty, we must know, that though the book of Ioshua contains matter of far more ancient date,tJosh. 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 Ioshua mention is made of the book of Iasher, wherein the standing still of the Sun and Moon was recorded, and that book of Iasher was penned after Davids reign, because therein Davids u2 Sam. 1. 18.acts were also Chronicled.
§ 11. Mount Libanus is overspread with thea1 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 platformes and modells 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 Iure Divino, both by precept and precedent, according to thebHeb. 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 skilfull workman: but as for all particular proportions, they were left at large for their wisdomes to contrive. It may therefore with much likelyhood 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 naturall history from the Cedar that growes 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 Natures works when he saw the text before his eyes. Of these buildings in Libanus that tower whichcCant. 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. ThedArist. in libro physiognomico. Philosopher telleth us that a tower-fashioned Nose (round and blunt at the top) is a signe of magnanimity.
§ 12. From this tower we may take the Prospect of all the adjacent countrey: wherein we take no notice of the division of Syria according to humane writers, but confine our selves 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.
Arame2 Sam. 10. 6. Rehob, or Beth-Rehoh, so called from a principall City therein, lay south east of mount Libanus. Herein wasfGen. 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 (thoughgHeb. 7. 9. Levi is said [vertually] to pay tithes in the loines 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 Iordan, anciently called Dan. And surely springs the issue of nature, are seniours to all cities the result of Art. Here Abraham overtook them, and with three hnndred and odde men conqueredand pursued them (being numerous and flushed with former victorys) tohGen. 14. 16. Hobah which is on the left side of Damascus. Thus that army which is but a handfull of men, managed by Gods hand, will work wonders. Hereby Lot recovered his liberty, the King of Sodome his subjects, they their goods; the Auxiliaries ofiGen. 14. 24. Aner, kGen. 14. 20.Eshcol and Mamre, received their pay out of the spoile, Melchisedec had the tithes, Abraham the honour, and God the glory of the victory.
§ 13. Aram-Maachah, lay southeast of Aram-beth-Rehoh, thel1 Chr. 18. 6, 7. King thereof appeared very active (though bringing into the field but a thousandm2 Sam. 10. 6. men) in the battell against King David. It seems Ioab the politick Generall reputed these Syrians valiant, who took then2 Sam. 10. 9. choicest men of Israel under his own conduct to oppose them, consigning the refuse under Abishai against then2 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: o2 Sam▪ 3. 3. 1 Chr▪ 3. 2.hereof Talmai the King; and Maachah his daughter was maried to David, and mother to Absalom. No wonder then if the child proved a cross to his Father, begotten on a heathen woman contrary to Gods command. And here Absalom (changing his climate, not conditions) staidp2 Sam. …3. 38. three years, clouded with his Fathers displeasure for murdering his brother Amnon.
2 Ishtoh, which contributed twelveq2 Sam. 10. 6. thousand men in the generall 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 torIudg. 11. 3. Iephthah, when persecuted by his brethren, who hence was solemnely fetched to be Judge of Israel.
Adrichomius, and other Authours here make the Land ofsIob. 1. 1. Uz where Iob dwelt. I cannot blame any place to be desirous of so pious a man to be an inhabitant therein. But both Iobs friends and foes forbid the situation of the land of Uz here abouts. His foes the Sabeans, his friends Eliphaz the Temanite &c. who are known to live far south of this place, of whom properly in the description of Edom.
14. Aram of Damascus succeeds lying northeast of Aram-Maachah, t2 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 chanell, as at the golden grove in Caermarthen-shire, or at the golden-vale in Herefordshire. However Abanah and Pharphar were highly beholden tou2 King. 5. 12. Naaman, who preferred them before all the waters of Israel; as possibly they might equall, yea exceed them in some outward respects. But what if the water in the Cistern chance to be clearer then 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 soveraigne Sacrament. This river Chrysoroas running northward is afterwards swallowed up in the sandy ground, and there is the visible end thereof. So that Solomons rule, All rivers run into thewEccles. 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 finde 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 Iudea, if any demand why Paul should straggle so far from his own Countrey, hear his own answer, Being exceedinglyxAct. 26. 11. mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities: and it is reason enough for the actions of blind zeale, that they are the actions of blind zeale. Besides, it seems the high Priests at Ierusalem had a kind of Ecclesiasticall jurisdiction over the Iews in all places. Some seeming contradiction, but on serious thoughts easily reconciled, appears in the history of Saint Pauls travells.
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 Iesus appearing.
2 The particulars thereof imparted to Paul alone (as calculated onelyonly for his conversion) whose eares 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 Abrahams Steward, onelyonly because he is styledyGen. 15. 2. Eliezer of Damascus: But if so, then signall was the piety of Eliezer who preferred rather to live a servant in Abrahams 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 severall Lords, and we will onelyonly instance in such as are mentioned in Scripture.
1 It was inhabited by the Syrians, and accounted the Metropolis of the Countrey.
2 It was probably conquered by David, when he putz2 Sam. 8. 5, 6. & 1 Chr. 18. 6. garisons 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 Ieroboam the second, King of Israel, who is said to have restoredb2 King. 14. 28. Damascus.
5 It was recovered again by the Syrians, and Rezin in the days of Ahaz wasc2 King. 16. 6. King thereof.
6 It was taken by Tiglath-Peleser King of Assyria, d2 King. 16. 9.who carried all the inhabitants thereof away captive.
In the new Testament we finde it in subjection to the Roman Emperour, under whome2 Cor. 11. 32. Aretas was King, a persecuter of Saint Paul.
§ 17. Wonder not that the Roman Emperours ruling over the world, should suffer some Kings to reign under them: which was their constant practise, 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 distastfull project was set on foot, the Emperours used these Kings to promote it: so casting the odium upon them, which themselves declined, while suchfVetus ac jam pridem recept 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 doe whatsoever the Emperours enjoined them. Thirdly, it conduced to the state of their Empire to have Kings homagers thereunto. It is but a Farme (though of never so great revenues) and not reputed a Manor, which hath not some free-holders holding of it, and owing suit and service unto it. Semblably it was part of the Imperiall glory amongst the Romans to have even Kings to hold their Scepters and Crowns, by deputation under it, as Herod in Iudea, 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, andgAct. 9. 24. & 2 Cor. 11. 32. watched the gates day and night that they might kill him. But what saith the Psalmist? ExcepthPsal. 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 publick buildings of Damascus, the house of Rimmon was most remarkable; It troubled the tender Conscience of converted Naaman,i2 King. 5. 18. when his Master went up to worship there, that he had so often bowed to that Idoll: so an excellentkNic. Fuller Miscel. Sacra. pag. Critick proves the words to be read, relating not to his future but former actions. Wherefore the Prophets answer, Goe in peace, is not a toleration of his Idolatry for the time to come, but an absolution from his former faults, upon Naamans free confession and serious sorrow for the same. They shew also in this city the house or rather hole whereinlAct. 9. 12. Ananias (Saint Pauls ghostly- father) dwelt or lurked, being a Cellar under ground, to which pilgrimes descend by many staires, who have so filled the walls thereof by mBiddulph 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 beautifull city. The first, Damask-rose had its root here, and name hence. So all Damask silk, Linen, poulder and plumbes called Damascens. nNullae ibi sunt ob fortunae bona lites, & 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 civit: orbis terrarum. in des. Damasc.Two things at this day are most remarkeable amongst the inhabitants: There are no Lawyers amongst them, no Advocates or Sollicitors 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 politick 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 hindred from the great work he had in hand. I indeed perceive that so pleasant a subject hath too long retarded my pen, almost forgetfull to goe 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 dazle their enemies eyes with the splendor of their armes; 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, killingo2 Sam. 10. 16. Shobach his Captain, as formerly he hadp2 Sam. 8. 4. defeated him and stript him of much rich spoile. 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 sphear; and where Riot, and Luxury abused by man, was converted into well grounded bounty, as bestowed on Gods service. Here David houghed the horses of Hadadezar, and onelyonly reserved an hundredq2 Sam. 8. 4. chariots of them as a Trophee of triumph to be used for state at publick 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 Countrey. 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 mans 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 arme 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 equivocall generation begotten betwixt men and horses, but such atchieved onelyonly by mans prowess, instrumentall to get, and Gods providence, the principall to give them. Yea David might seem to have houghed all the horses in the world, with that his short, but sharp sentence, ArPsal. 33. 17. horse is but a vaine 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 wast to spoile 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 shew that the Pagans pride, was Israels 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 bysIosh. 11. 6. Ioshua in the like case. And indeed multiplying of horses wastDeut. 17. 19. forbidden the Kings of Israel. But after Davids days the Militia was much altered and managed by horse; by the way, Absalom was the first Israelite, whom we finde 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 hindred more, then the other helped him; and generally the Israelites were more prosperous before their use of horses, then 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,u2 Sam. 8. 8. Beta, and Berothat, w1 Chr. 18. 8.elsewhere called Tibhah and Chun. Here (not to say that Beta and Tibhah by Metathesis are the same) it is no newes for cities standing in the confines of severall kingdomes, and the juncture of severall languages to have double names. What the English-man calls Glocester and Worcester, the Welsh-men tearmxHum…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 brassy2 Sam. 8. 8. to King David (Gods receiver generall for that purpose) for the building of the Temple. But Zobah which gave the name to this Countrey is generally conceived at this day to be called Aleppo, (though some Iews inhabiting therein count it anciently the city of Sepharvaim) from Alep which signifieszBiddulphs travels pa. 45. milke 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 doe 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 dwelt; Charran, whither Abraham first removed; Caldea and Ur, a city where he formerly dwelt; Babylon and Nineveh, the two Emperesses of the world, with the rivers which watered and bounded Paradise it self. But alass, as Prodigalls 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 accrew 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 Ierusalem suffered justly as an offender for gadding toa1 King. 2. 44. Gath: so Palestine with the neighbouring countreys 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 then my feet may follow, and tell the Reader that the fore-named places lie northeast 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 bGen. 10. 18.the Son of Cham, of whom largely before. In the days of David Toi was King of this Countrey, who being at war with Hadadezar, and hearing how the Israelites had defeated him, sentc2 S…m. 8. 10. Ioram his Son to King David with presents in his hand and complements in his mouth, to congratulate his victory. Long after Salmaneser subdued this countrey and extinguished the royall race; witness that brag: Where is the King of HamathdEsa. 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 countrey. Riblah was a prime city in this land, where Nebuchadnezzar 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 Ierusalem, it is more probable to be the place, as more for Nebuchadnezzars ease and Zedekiahs anguish: it adding to the conquerours state to fetch the captive furthest from his own countrey.
§ 27. Hamah the city which gave the name to this countrey, was afterwards called Antiochia. Seven and twenty cities are said to be of the same name. For severall 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 Favorites. But it matters not how many younger brethren there be of the same family, as long as our Antioch is the heire, and though not in age, in honour to be preferred before all the rest. Here the professor of the Gospell formerly termed Beleevers for their faith, sometimes Brethren for their love, Saints for their holinesse, Disciples for their knowledg, were for all these first calledeAct. 11. 26. Christians. Probably when many of all nations beleeved, the name Christian was given them, to bury the difference betwixt Iews and Gentiles (thus England and Scotland happily joined in great Britain) which two names though remaining afterwards, were used as terms of civill difference, not odious distinction. Had this happened at Rome, how would the Tide of Tiber have swoln above all his bounds and banks at the conceit that in her city Religion it self was christened? But this Antioch hath still more to brag of: The Chair of Saint Peter, wherein he sate 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 Ecclesiasticall Heralds deduce the pedegree, and martiall the precedency of these Churches, we will onelyonly adde, that this Pharisaicall taking of the upper-hand, 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 perversness in mens hearts was the cause, that so many famous contentions happened in this city of Antioch. Here it was, that some comming down from Iudea, maintained the necessity offAct. 15. 1. circumcision, and the legall ceremonies, endevouring to set up a religion (like those monsters in Africa, begotten betwixt severall kindes, 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 Councell in Ierusalem, which in fine concluded that this legall Yoke was not to be laid on the neck of Christians. Here Peter being guilty (it is the expression ofgIn his Epistle to the Cardinall of Loraine prefixed before his translation of Chrysostome on the Galatians. Erasmus) of superstitious dissimulation, with his example (oh the impulsive power of great mens Precedents!) brought hGal. 2. 18.Barnabas into the same fault: for which Saint Paul presently and publickly reproved him. But we will not widen the wounds in good mens memories, rather commending to posterity, the holy zeale 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 Paroxysme betwixt Paul and Barnabas, the one as earnestly refusing, as the other desiring the company of Iohn Mark to goe 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 carnall relation, whilest Barnabas beheld Mark hisiColos. 4. 10. sisters son through the spectacles of naturall affection.
2 A reason is rendred by Paul why Markes company should be declined, namely, because hekAct. 15. 58. departed from them at Pamphilia and deserted the work, none alledged by Barnabas why the same should be accepted.
3 Paul immediately departing after this contention is said tolAct. 15. 46. be recommended by the brethren to the grace of God, which seems to amount to a generall 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 Gods wisdome in mans weakness, sanctifying this discord to his glory. For whilest Paul and Barnabas were newly converted, and their company needfull for mutuall 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 Gospell encreased, 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 Flockes, two shepheards, 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 mAct. 6. 5.Antioch, was the last of the seven Deacons, and the first founder of an heresie (which God professeth himself tonRev. 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 beautifull woman to his wife, and being taxed for being causlesly 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 spirituall proportion be accounted mysticall 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) Iulian 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 suddain silence answered (forsooth) it was because the body of Babylas (martyred under Decius the Emperour) was buried near his Temple, the vertue whereof stopped his wind-pipe. Hereupon a conceit was taken that other Martyrs bones might be found upon triall as terrible to the devill, which gave theoSee M. Meade in his Apostasieof the latter times. pag. 122. first occasion to the enshrining, worshipping, and circumgestation of the Reliques 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 originall 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 rode betwixt Scanderoon and Aleppo) and Orontes the river thereof once navigable, (Saint Paul is said to havepAct. 14. 26. sailed to Antioch) much obstructed with sand, and more profitable for good Eeles there taken, then any other commodity, and the few buildings remaining miserably ruinous. But seeing silkes, 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 stuffe, even costly marble curiously polished.
§ 32. Leaving Antioch we come to Seleucia seated on the sea side, a Port once graced with SaintqAct. 13 4. Pauls presence: whence they sailed into Cyprus lying over against it. This Island is so called from Cypress trees growing there in abundance, which a greatrNic. Fuller, Miscell. lib. 4. ca 5. pa. 493. Critick conceives to be that GophersGen. 6. 14. wood, whereof the Arke of Noah was made, and boldly affirmes that setting aside the adventitious termination, CUPAR and GOPHER are effectually the same in Hebrew. Frequent the use of Cypress-boughs in Funeralls, whereof thetCupr…ssus incisa non renascitur, sicut ex mort… nihil jam est sperandum. Scal. casti. infestum. reason is rendred, because that tree cut down sprouts no more, as no naturall hope of a dead corps reviving.uforeign … pag. 5. Coffins also were generally made of Cypress even amongst the heathen, in memoriall, aswNic: Fuller ut prius. one will have it, of the deluge, and mankinde buried quick many moneths in the Cypress ark. The distance of Cyprus from the continent cannot be great, if it be true whatxNat. hist. li. 8. cap. 32. Pliny reports, that whole heards of Deer used to swim over thither (senting, though not seeing land) the formost like an adventurous Captain valiantly conducting them; and then in order one so lying on another, that the leaders hanch was the followers pillow to rest his head upon. Most fruitfull was this Island, affording all things both for pleasure and luxury, and therefore Venus worshipped for chief Deity therein. The women of this countrey 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, whilest Statesmen take speciall notice of Solon the lawgiver, Philosophers of Zeno the Stoick, Poets of As…tepiades first authour of those verses from him so called, it will be fittest for us to observeyAct. 21. 16. Mnason an old Disciple; hoste to Saint Paul, SergiuszAct. 13. 7. Paulus deputy of this Island, a prudent man, Saint Pauls Convert; and Barnabas here born a Iew-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 landedaAct. 4. 36. Levite, because that Tribe had no inheritance given them; The Lord of Israel was their bIosh. 13. 33.inheritance: Let such know, that constitution was onelyonly temporary and locall, to last no longer, then whilest the Iews 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) soldcAct 4. 37. his possessions; and tendered the price thereof at the feet of the Apostles. Such practises 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 finde Saint Paul, preaching in two cities in Cyprus;dAct. 13. 5, 6. Salamis, where there was a Synagogue of the Iews, 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 mixt name speakes its middle situation betwixt Syria and Phenice, so that if those two countrys should fall out, no fitter umpire to arbitrate their difference then Syrophoeni…ia, participating of, and therefore presumed impartiall to both. Of thiseMark 7. 26. Countrey was that bold begger, 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 mediatours 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 principall cities whereof are Laodicea, different from that, to which Saint Iohn wrote, and whoselRev. 3. 16. lukewarm temper made health it self sick thereof.
§ 35. Next we finde on the sea the city of Gebal… (in Ptolemy and Strabo Gabala) and the Inhabitants therein and thereabouts, termed Giblites in mJosh. 13. 5.Scripture. These led the Van in the grand conspiracy against Israel, nPsal. 8 3. 7.Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, the Philistims with the inhabitants of Tyre, Asher also &c. But Solomon taught their hands another lesson, not to fight against Gods people, but to help to finish hiso1 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 Grand-Sergeantry, held their places, by some speciall attendance about her) the Ancients of Gebal, and the wisemen thereof were herpEzek. 27. 9. calkers, to stop the leakes and chinks in her ships, so cunning were the Giblites in that imployment. Yet all their curiosity in this kind, could not keep out the deluge of divine anger, from entring 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 reverendqVide Bczae Annot at. inl… cum. Act. 8. 36. Beza, was the Eunuch baptized by Philip, therein making an unexcusable mistake. For except the Eunuch in his travell went (like the Sun onr2 King. 20. 11. Abaz his dial) backwards, it was impossible for him going to Gaza, and so into Aethiopia his own countrey, once to come near this river, lying far north quite the contrary way. Had Beza (in stead of the Eunuch baptized) placed the Emperour Barbarossa drowned here, it had born better proportion to truth. However from this learned mans 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 then two thousand years, fromsGen. 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 maintStrabo 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 ouruStrabo ut prius Author for the forme 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 souldiers, The men ofwEzek. 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 thexEzek. 27. 11. Gammadims (the joint naming them probably insinuates the vicinity of their habitation) which were in the Tower of Tyre as a garison to defend them. By Gammadims some understand Pygmies of a Cubit-high (equall to the standard of Ehuds yIudg. 8. 16.dagger) because, Gamad signifies a cubit in the Hebrew tongue. But how ill doth this measure agree with martiall men? except any will say, that as the Iebusites, in a proud confidence of the naturall strength of mount Sion, placed thez2 Sam. 5 8. lame and blind to man the same: so the Tyrians presumed that dwarfes were tall enough to make good their giant fortifications. More likely is the conjecture ofaVide 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, andbSee S…ows survey of London. Elbow-lane in London receive names from the same fashion. And seeing Cornish-men are so called from the forme of their Countrey, 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 countrey in the situation thereof? Here to fortifie his conjecture Tremellius produceth a place incNat 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, onelyonly as sojourners, untill such time as learned men shall provide a more proper place for them.
§ 39. And now on a suddain we are fallen unawares against our propounded order, on Phoenicia, of the name and nature of which countrey formerly in the Tribe of Asher. The chief havens therein were Tripolis; so called, saydP. Hylyn Microsme. pa. 556. some, because it hath been thrice build; by others, because eStrabo Geog…. lib. 16. p. 754.three Cities (Tyre, Sidon, and Aradus) concurred to the building thereof. Next is the promontory called foreign or Gods face, which no whit afrighted the Pirates, and sea-robbers (who had a Castle hard by, calledfIdem. 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 birth-place 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 countrey: (having many other smaller brooks) and Climax the mountain of most note, whose figure like that figure in Rhetorick ascends like a staire-case by degrees.
§40. Coelosyria is onelyonly 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. OnelyOnly to cover the nakedness of our map, we mention four modern villages under the command of the Turkes, where, and wheregBiddulphs travels. p. 1. alone the Syriack tongue is spoken at this day, namely, Hatcheeth, 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 errours 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 harmeless 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 onelyonly that we have set the modern stages or Innes (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 Ierusalem. Amongst these Canes or Turkish Innes, Marra and Cotefey are most beautifull; the latter, little inferiour to the old Exchange in London; built by a Bashaw (ô let not Christians confound, whilest Turkes found places, for publick use) for the benefit of travellers, being both a Castell for their protection, and a Colledge for their provision: Where on the founders cost sufficient food is afforded both them and their cattell. As for some Christian travellers whohBiddulphs travels. pag. scorned to feed thereon, it seems that either they were not soundly hungry, or were not of the solid judgment of Eliah, who surely would have taken meate from the hands of Turkes, who refused not flesh from the beakes ofi1 King. 17. 6. Ravens.
Here the Map of Midian, Moab, Ammon, Edom, is to be inserted.