A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, Note
Necessary directions for the use of the INDEX.
AN Index is the bag and baggage of a book, of more use then honour, even such who seemingly slight it, secretly using it, if not for need, or speed of what they desire to finde. Our Table, for the better expedition, is contrived into severall Columnes; The first presenting the names of Scripture places within the land of Palestine. If any literall difference appear (not onelyonly such as betwixt Zidon, Kidron, in the Old; Siden, and Cedron, in the New Testament, but) concerning the same place diversly written, the discretion of the Reader wil 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 Iews in the Wilderness, T. Town, V. Vaile, We. Well, Wi. Wilderness.
The second Column interprets the Hebrew names into English, though great the variety of Authors in rendring 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 Vncle, 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 meerly expository of proper nams) though some perchance will say, that what is the credit of the good wifeaProv. 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 Townes 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 kernell long since hath been eaten up by all-devouring time, leaving nothing thereof but the huske 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 Countrey will admit) inserted some English Townes, 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 houre 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 onelyonly for generall direction, ne toto coelo errent) serve to lace their Maps that they grow not without forme, 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 effectuall 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 houres, and a quarter; though the Iews (as if it were always Equinoctiall with them) divided both day and night evenly into twelve houres, so that the two overplus houres and the quarter, fell under the nocturnall computation.
As for the climate of Palestine, in summer time it must needs be hot, lying not above seven degrees from the Tropick, especially when thebLuke 12. 55. south winde blew▪ But sometimes God cooled them, by drawing betwixt the Sun and them a Canopy, or cIsa. 18. 4.Cloud of Dew in the heat of harvest. Their winter, though short, was sharp;dPsal. 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 thee1 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 stuffes take not die alike. Besides, that the …able faces of Black-mores 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 containes the Book, Page, and Paragraph (save that the fifth book is divided onelyonly 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 ownfSee our first Book. chap. 15. markes will soon insinuate themselves into the Readers acquaintance, without any farther indication.