The history of the world

†. V. A place, ESAY 18. v. 1. in like manner corrupted, by taking Chush for Aethiopia.

ANd as in these places before remembred, so in diuers other is the word Aethio∣pia put for Arabia or Chush, which puts the storie (where it is so vnderstood) quite out of square; one Kingdome thereby being taken for another. For what sense [unspec 50] hath this part of Scripture Esay 18. Vae terrae Cymbalorum alarum quae est trans flumina Aethiopiae, or according to the Septuagint in these wordes: Vae terrae nauium alarum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est trans 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Aethiopiae? Wo to the land shaddowing with wings, which is beyond the Riuers of Aethiopia, sending Ambassadors by sea, euen in vessels of reeds vpon the waters. Vae terrae

〈◊〉〈◊〉; Woe to the Land of the shadie coast, saith Iunius. The former Translators vnderstand it in this sense. That the waters are shaddowed with the sailes, which are significatiuely called the wings of the ships, the other, that the Coast of the Sea was shaddowed by the height of the Land.

But to the purpose: That this Land here spoken of by the Prophet Esay, is Egypt, no Interpreter hath doubted. For they were the Egyptians that sent this message to the Israelites which Esay repeateth, and by the former translation euery man may see the transposition of Kingdomes: for hereby Egypt is transported vnto the other side of Aethiopia, and Aethiopia set next vnto Iudaea, when it is the Land of Chush and Arabia indeed that lyeth betweene 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Egypt, and not Aethiopia, which is sea∣ted [unspec 10] vnder the Equinoctiall line. And of this Beroaldus asketh a materiall question, (to wit) what Region that should be, of which the Prophet speaketh, and placeth it beyond the Riuers of AETHIOPIA: Nam de ignotaagi regione dici nequit; For it can∣not be said that he treateth of an vnknowne Region. Now if Aethiopia it selfe be vnder the Equinoctiall line, with whom the Iewes had neuer any acquaintance, why should any man dreame that they had knowledge of Nations farre beyond it againe, and beyond the Riuers of Aethiopia? except we shall impiously thinke that the Prophet spake he knew not what, or vsed an impertinent discourse of those Nations, which were not discouered in 2000. yeeres after, inhabiting as farre South as the Cape of good Hope, commonly knowne by the name of Bona esperanza. [unspec 20]