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CHAP. LXIV.
Of PALESTINE and the Cities thereof.
THE next Countrey in order is Palestina, having on * 1.1 the East Euphrates, on the West the Mediterranean Sea; on the North Phenicia, and on the South Ara∣bia; this Countrey hath so often changed its name that it hath bin called by 6 severall names, 1 Canaan, 2 the land of promise, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Israel, 4 Iudea, 5 Palestina, and lastly the holy land; and now divided into 4 parts, Galilea, Iudea, Idumea and Samaria.
In Galilea is not found any City either of note nor trading, * 1.2 though in times past it was famous for many, as Bethsaida the birth place of Peter, Andrew and Philip; and Nazareth second to none, where the Virgin Mary was saluted with those joyfull tydings by an Angell: in this Countrey ariseth the two spring heads of Iord•…•…, Ior and Dan, of which two that united River doth derive * 1.3 its name.
Neither doth Samaria now afford any City of commerce, though many notable places were there found in the flourishing dayes of * 1.4 the Israelites.
Idumea is also destitute of trading, though it have the commo∣dious Sea Por•…•… I•…•…ppa in it, where our Westerne Pilgrims are seen * 1.5 to land and foot it to Ierusalem; where also in times past Ionah took shipping to fly to Tarsus, and where Peter lying in the house of one Simon a Tanner, was in a vision taught the conversion of the Gentiles: here also was Gasa where the Persians did hord up in the greatnes of their Empire the customes and tributes of their westerne dominions: take what I finde in trade here worthy ob∣servation.