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CHAP. LXIV.
Of PALESTINE and the Cities thereof.
THE next Countrey in order is Palestina, having on 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, 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 its name.
Neither doth Samaria now afford any City of commerce, though many notable places were there found in the flourishing dayes of 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 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.