Purchas his pilgrimes. part 2 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

§. II.

The Estate of the Iewes, and Relations of the World in the higher parts of Asia, Syria, Palaestina, Damascus, and the parts adioyning.

TWo dayes sailing from thence, I came to Doroston, where there is an Vniuersity of about [ 50] foure hundred Israelites, the chiefe whereof are Moses, Abias, and Iacob. From thence * 1.1 in two dayes iourney to Galipolis, where are almost two hundred Iewes, and the prin∣cipall of these, are Elias Caphid, and Sabthai-Zutra, and Isaac Migas: But Migas signi∣fieth * 1.2 a Tower in that Language, which is now the Graecians Mother Tongue. Calas is two dayes * 1.3 iourney distant from hence, where were almost fiftie Iewes, and the chiefe Masters among them were Iudas, and Iacob, and Semaias. Two dayes iourney from thence being brought to Mityle, one of the Ilands of the Sea, I found Vniuersities of Israelites in tenne places. Trauelling three * 1.4 dayes iourney from thence I came to Hicha, where were almost foure hundred Iewes, whose heads are Elias, and Thiman, and Sabthai: and there are the Plants from which Masticke * 1.5 is gathered. But, from hence, after two dayes iourney standeth Ismos, in the which al∣most, [ 60] three hundred Iewes dwell: among whome Semarias, Ghobadias, and Ioel, haue the * 1.6 preeminence: and very many Assemblies of the Israelites meete together there. From thence in three dayes sayling I arriued at Rhodus, where I found almost foure hundred Iewes: * 1.7

and the principall of these Aba, Hananeel and Eliam Masters. Foure daies iourney from thence is Dophros distant, where there is an assembly of Iewes, together with Masters. Moreouer, there * 1.8 are certaine hereticall Iewes there, * 1.9 Cyprians, and Epicurians, whom the Israelites euery where abhorre. But these, profane the euening of the Sabbath, and obserue the euening of the first day.

Corkos is two dayes iourney distant from thence, which is the beginning of the Land of Edom, of that which is called Armenia. And it is the beginning of the Dominion of Turus, Lord of the Mountaines of t〈…〉〈…〉 King of Armenia, whose iurisdiction appertaineth to the Metro∣politan Citie Hhadochia; and extendeth euen vnto the Countrey of the Children of Thogarma, whom they call Turkes. Malmistras is two daies iourney distant from thence, which was sometimes called Tharsis, seated vpon the Sea. And hitherto reacheth the Kingdome of the [ 10] children of Iauan, who are called Grecians. Two daies iourney from thence, standeth great An∣tiochia, nigh vnto the Riuer Pir, seated in the Valley Iabo{que} which Riuer runneth downe from the Mountaine Libanus, in the Countrey of Emath. King Antiochus built this Citie, nigh vnto the which standeth a very high Mountaine, inclosed also with the wall of the Citie. And in the top of the Mountaine there is a Fountaine, whereof a certain man hath the charge, who through hollow Trunkes of Timber, distributeth the water by pipes vnder ground, conueighed into the Citie houses of the Nobilitie. But on the other side, right ouer against the Mountaine, the Citie is compassed with the Channell of the Riuer. And it is a most strong and well fortified Citie, pertaining to the Dominion of them that differ from our Faith. [ 20]

But there are certaine Israelites there Artificers in Glasse, the chiefe whereof are Mardochae∣us and Hhaim, and Ismael, Masters. Two daies iourney from hence, I went to Liga, in times past called Laodicea, where are almost two hundred Iewes, and the chiefe of all are Hhaia and Ioseph. * 1.10 Two daies iourney from thence to Gebal, the same is Baghalgad, vnder the Mountaine Libanus: and it lyeth next vnto that Nation which they cal Hhassissin, who follow not the doctrine of the Ismaelites, but of a certaine man whom they suppose to be a Prophet: whose word they all obey, whether vnto death, or vnto life. And they call him Hheich al Hhassissin: and he is their Sena∣tor, at whose command all the men of the Mountaines come in and goe forth. His seat is in the * 1.11 Citie, called Karmos, which was the beginning of the Countrey, called in former times Sehon: and they haue a Religion among them, according to the doctrine of their old man. And in euery [ 30] place they are a terrour vnto all; because they kill euen Kings themselues, by putting them vnder the sawe: and their Dominion extendeth eight dayes iourney. They make warre with the Chri∣stians, those that are commonly called Frankes, and with the King of Tripolis, which selfe-same * 1.12 is Trabelos of the Countrey of Saam. But, it happened not long time since, that the Countrey of Tripolis being shaken with an Earth-quake, many, both of the Gentiles, and also of the Iewes were ouer-whelmed, and buried in the ruines of walls and houses: and at the same time also, a∣boue twentie thousand men perished in all the Land of Israel. From hence Gebal is one dayes iourney distant, that other, which was the bound of the children of Amon; where there are al∣most * 1.13 an hundred and twentie Iewes. And it is belonging to the Iurisdiction of the Ginotines, * 1.14 whose Prince is called Gilianus Enbirena: and the place of the ancient Temple of the children of [ 40] Amon, is found there, and in it the Idoll of the children of Amon, sitting vpon a seate, called a Throne, and the Image is of stone, ouer-layed with Gold; but on either side two Images of wo∣men, also sitting and before it standeth an Altar, on the which, Sacrifices and Perfumes were made. But the chiefe and principall men of the Iewes, who dwell here, are Mair, Iaacob, and Sencha. And the Citie standeth nigh vnto the Sea shoare, which is in the Countrey of the Is∣raelites. From thence, in two dayes iourney I came to Beritus, sometimes called Beeroth, where * 1.15 were almost fiftie Iewes, Salomon, and Ghobadia, and Ioseph beeing the chiefe. Trauelling one dayes iourney from hence to Sijada, called Sidon in former times, a great Citie, where were twen∣tie * 1.16 Iewes: distant from whence there is a certaine Nation which maketh warre with the Sidonians, the name of that Nation, in their owne Language, is Dogzijn, called Pagans by others, * 1.17 being of no Religion or Sect: they dwell in the Mountaynes, in the Caues and Holes of the [ 50] Rockes, being subiect to no King or Prince; but lead their liues wildly, liuing among the highest Mountaynes and steepest Rockes; their Countrey extending the length of three dayes iourney, euen vnto the Mountayne Hermon. And they are infamous through their Incests; for the Fathers * 1.18 marry with the Daughters. But at a yearely Festiuall day which they solemnely hold, aswell the men as the women, all meete together at the common Banquet, and there change Wiues each with other: and they say, that the soule, as soone as it happeneth to depart out of the bodie of a good man, goeth into the bodie of an Infant borne the very sal••e-same houre: but departing out of the bodie of an euill man, that it goeth into the bodie of a Dogge, or into another beast. * 1.19 And so they vnderstand, to wit, as they liue. But there are no Iewes among them, yet some∣times Artificers and Dyers of clothes come vnto them, to exercise their Art and Merchandize, [ 60] and depart againe: and the Iewes are courteously and louingly entertayned by them. Moreouer, this Nation is very swift, and most apt to runne thorow the Mountaynes and hils, inuincible of other mortall men. But one dayes iourney distant from Sidon, is new Tyrus, a very fine Citie, * 1.20

furnished with a most commodious Hauen, which it contayneth within it selfe, and receiueth in ships, betweene two Towers built on both sides: so that a Brazen Chaine beeing extended from one Tower vnto the other by the Publicans, * 1.21 seruing for the gathering of the Custome, all entrance and going out of ships by night, may be entred, and no man can possibly conuay any thing taken out of the ships. Nor doe I thinke, any Hauen in the World, to bee found like vnto this. The Citie it selfe, as I haue said, is goodly, and in it there are about foure hundred Iewes, among whom some are very skilfull in Disciplinary * 1.22 Readings, and especially Ephraim the E∣gyptian Iudge, and Mair, and Carchasona; and Abraham the head of the Vniuersitie. Some of the Iewes liuing there haue ships at Sea for the cause of gaine. There are artificiall Workemen in Glasse there, who make Glasse, called Tyrian Glasse, the most excellent, and of the greatest [ 10] * 1.23 estimation in all Countries. The best and most approoued Sugar also is found there. Ascending the walls of new Tyrus, old Tyrus is seene ouer-whelmed, in time past and couered with the Sea, distant a stones cast out of a Sling, from the new: but if any please to take Sea in a Skiffe or Boate, hee seeth the Tower, Market places, Streetes, and Palaces in the bottome. But new Tyrus is famous for publike Traffique, whereto they resort from all places.

In one dayes iourney from thence I came to Akadi, which was sometimes Ghaco, the bound of the Tribe of Asser, and the beginning of the Land of Israel, seated vpon the great Sea, fa∣mous * 1.24 for the Hauen, where all Christians going by ship to Hierusalem are receiued into the which the Riuer running through the Citie it selfe, floweth a ••iuer called Cadumin. And there are almost two hundred Iewes there, and the Chiefe among them, are Sadok, and Iapheth, and Iona. From thence three leagues to Niphas, which selfe-same Citie is hidden Gad, bordering vpon the Sea [ 20] shoare, nigh vnto which on the one side standeth Carmel the Mountayne, and at the foot of the Mountayne are the Sepulchers of very many Israelites, and in the Mountayne it selfe the Caue of the Prophet Elias is to be seene, neere vnto which the Christians haue built a Chappell, cal∣led Saint Elias. But on the top of the ridge of the Mountayne there remayneth the signe of the * 1.25 Altar broken downe and burned in the dayes of Achab, whereof notable mention is made in the Historie of Elias. And the place of that Altar is Circular, beeing almost foure Cubits ouer, in the Diameter; vnder the Mountayne it selfe, on the side thereof, the Riuer Chison descendeth. Caphar-Nahhum is foure leagues distant from thence, retayning the ancient name, a very high * 1.26 place which exceedeth Carmel in prospect.

But hauing passed sixe leagues from thence, I came to Caesarea, which the Inhabitants call Si∣seria, [ 30] the ancient name thereof was Gad of the Palaestines, in the which there were tenne Iewes, and two hundred Cuthai, that is to say, Samarite Iewes, whome they commonly call Samari∣tanes. And it is a very faire and goodly Citie seated on the Sea, re-edified and amplified by the Emperour Caesar, and called by his name, Caesarea. From whence, departing in halfe a dayes iourney I came to Cacos, which sometimes was Ceila, or Keghila, in the which there are no Iewes.

Againe from hence, in halfe a dayes iourney I went to Sargoreg, which by the Ancient was called Luz, where there is one Iew only, and he a Dyer of Woolles. Trauelling one dayes iourney from thence, I came to Sebaste, which selfe-same Citie is Samaria, wherein the Palace of Achab [ 40] the King of Israel is yet discerned. But it hath beene a very strong and well fortified Citie, seated on a Mountayne, delightfull through the Fountaynes, and Riuers of Water, Gardens, Orchards, Vineyards, and places where Oliues grow: and hath no Iew inhabiting. Two leagues distant from hence is Nebilas, in time past called Sichem, in the Mountayne of Ephraim; where * 1.27 no Iewes are: and the Citie lyeth in a deepe Valley betweene the Mountaynes Gerezim and E∣bal, or Hebal, in which there are about an hundred Cuthaei, Obseruers only of the Law of Mo∣ses alone (these, as I said, they call Samaritanes.) But they haue Priests, of the Posteritie of Aaron, the Priest resting in peace, who intermarry with none other, but with the women or men of their owne Family, that they may preserue their Race and Kindred without mixture: and there they are commonly called Aharonites: notwithstanding they are Ministers and Priests * 1.28 of the Law of those Samaritanes. But they offer Sacrifices, and burne burnt Offerings in the Sy∣nagogue [ 50] which they haue in the Mountayne Garizim, alleaging that which is written in the Law. And thou shalt giue a blessing vpon Mount Garizim. But they say, that it is the very house of the Sanctuary: and they lay the burnt Offering in the Feast of Easter, and other Festi∣uall dayes vpon the Altar, built in the Mountayne Garizim, of the stones taken out of Iordan by the Children of Israel, and they vaunt that they are of the Tribe of Ephraim. Among them is the Sepulcher of Ioseph the Iust, the Sonne of Iacob our Father, resting in peace, as hath beene * 1.29 said. And the bones of Ioseph carryed out of Egypt by the Children of ••srael, are buried in Sichem. But they want three Letters 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. HE, of the name of Abraham, Hheth, of the name of Iishhac, and Ghain, of the name of Iaghacob, in stead whereof they put Aleph, that is, [ 60] spiritus tenui••. By this manifest token they are conuicted not to be of the Posteritie and Seed of Israel, seeing they acknowledge the Law of Moses, excepting these three Letters, which they know not. But they keepe themselues from the defiling of the dead, and of bones, and also of the slaine, and of the Graue.

They haue also this custome, to put off the garments which they daily weare, when they are to goe into the Synagogue, and to wash their bodies with water, and put on other garments proui∣ded onely for this vse. And this is their daily custome. But, the Mountaine Garizam is plea∣sant * 1.30 with Fountaines, and Gardens: and contrarily, Ghebal is drie, full of Rockes and Stones, and betweene both, as wee haue said, the Citie Sichem it selfe is seated. Foure leagues from thence is Mount Gilboagh, which the Christians call Mount Gilboe, consisting of a most barren and dry soyle. From whence, after foure leagues, you come to the Valley of Aialon, which the Christian Inhabitants of the Countrey call, Val de Luna; from whenee, hauing trauelled the length of one league, I came vnto the Mountaine Moria, to Garaan, called the Towne of Da∣uid, a Citie in time past called, Gibghon or Gabaon, where no Iewes are. Hauing passed three leagues from thence, I entred into Hierusalem, a little Citie, fortified with three walls, wherein [ 10] there are many sorts of men, Iacobites, Armenians, Grecians, and Gorgeri, or Georgij, and Franks, of all the Languages of the Gentiles. And there is an house prepared there, for the dying of Woolls and Cloaths, which the Iewes hyre euery yeere, of the Kings, vpon that condition, that they onely might exercise that Art. And there are Iewes dwelling in an angle of the Citie, vn∣der the Tower of Dauid, in which Tower, the walls of the old building are yet remayning, built by our Ancestors, to the heighth of ten cubits, almost, from the very foundation. But that which remayneth beside these, is the building of the Ismaelites. And there is no building in the whole Citie, comparable with that Tower of Dauid in strength. There are also two houses there, called Hospitals, the Inhabitants whereof being Christians are, called Hospitalers: and * 1.31 they are Horse-men; out of whose two Colledges, foure hundred men, almost, goe forth furni∣shed [ 20] to the Battell: and in those houses, all sicke persons comming thither, are receiued, and cu∣red, all plentie of necessarie things for the maintenance of life, as well to the sicke, that are li∣uing, and recouering, as to the dead, for their funerall, being abundantly and sufficiently mini∣stred. But that second house is called, The Hospitall of Salomon: for, it standeth in the place of the Palace, sometimes built by Salomon. Foure hundred of them therefore doe daily goe forth to the battell: and all these associates are sworne, and bound by an Oath, besides many other more, who assemble thither, out of the Land of the Franckes and Italians: voluntary making a Vow, which, remayning there a yeere or two, they performe. Moreouer, there is a very great Temple there, which they call, The Sepulchre, the Sepulchre of Iesus of Nazareth, for the * 1.32 visiting whereof the Pilgrims assemble. Hierusalem hath foure gates, the one is named, The [ 30] Sleepe of Abraham; the other, The gate of Dauid; the third, The gate of Sion; and the fourth, * 1.33 The gate of Iebosaphat. But this is before the holy House, which sometimes stood, in the which now, there is a Church called, The Temple of the Lord, situated in the very place of the anci∣ent * 1.34 Sanctuarie: but the very Temple of the Lord, now so called, is a certaine huge and goodly Arch, built by Ghemar Ben Alchetab, now frequented by the Christians, who haue no Image or * 1.35 Picture in that place, but onely resort thither to pray.

Right ouer against this place there is a wall built, of the walls which were in the Sanctuarie, which they now call, The gate of Mercy: and vnto this gate, the Iewes come to pray, before the wall, in the Court. There also, I meane, at Hierusalem, in the house which was Salomons, are the Stalls of Horses seene, built by Salomon, a very strong building, and consisting of very [ 40] great stones: of which manner of building the like example is not to be seene in all the Land. The Fish-poole also is yet remayning, wherein the ancient killed their Sacrifices: and euery one of the Iewes write their name there in the wall. Going out at the gate of Iebosaphat, they goe into the Desart, called The Wildernesse of the people, in the which there is the Monument of the Hand (or Pillar of Absalon, and the Sepulchre of Uzia the King, and a great Fountaine * 1.36 of the waters of Siloahh running into the Brooke Kedron: and nigh vnto the Fountaine, a great building from the dayes of our Ancestors. But little store of water is found in the Foun∣taine, and the greatest part of men liuing at Hierusalem, drinke raine-water, gathered in priuate Cisternes. But, from the Valley of Iehosaphat, vnto the Mountaine of Oliues, they continu∣ally ascend: for nothing lieth betweene the Citie and that Mountaine, but this Valley. And [ 50] from the Mountaine it selfe the Sodomiticall Sea is seene: but from that Sea vnto the heape of Salt, into the which Lots wife was turned, are two leagues. For that heape continueth still, which, being diminished by the flockes, sometimes by licking, encreaseth againe to the accusto∣med greatnesse: from the Mountaine of Oliues also, all that plaine Countrey is seene, through which the Riuer Sitim runneth euen vnto the Mountaine Neb••.

Right ouer against this new Hierusalem standeth the Mount Sion; on the which no entire and whole building is seene, except one Temple of the Christians. Before Hierusalem also, three houses, as it were, of buriall are seene, wherein the Israelites were sometimes buried, and the forme of the Graues is yet decent and conspicuous, but it is daily diminished by the Chri∣stians, who digge vp the stones for the building of their priuate houses. That space and length [ 60] of Ierusalem is compassed with great Mountaines. But, in the Mountaine Sion, are the Sepul∣chres of the Familie of Dauid, and of those Kings who arose after Dauid; but the place it selfe is commonly vnknowne. For, it hapned fifteene yeeres since, that one wall of the Temple,

which I said to be in the Mount Sion, fell downe, which when, at the commandement of the Patriarch, the Priest of the Temple determined to repaire; he appointed about twentie stones in number to be digged out of the ancient foundations of the walls of Mount Sion, for the re∣payring of the worke of the Temple. And among them, there were two men confederates, and friends; whereof the one, on a certaine day early in the morning brought the other home with him vnto a priuate Banquet, and after they had taken their breakfast together, when they came to their worke, being demanded by the Ouer-seer of the worke, why they came so late, they answered, that they would make amends for that houre with continued labour.

In the meane space, while all the rest went to dinner, and while they performed that which they had promised, hauing taken away a certaine stone, and finding the mouth of a Caue, they [ 10] said one vnto the other: Let vs enter in, to see whether any Treasure lye hidden heere. Going therefore in, they proceeded so long, vntill they came vnto a certaine Palace supported with Marble Pillars, ouer-layed with Gold and Siluer, before which, there was a Table, and there∣vpon a Scepter, and a golden Crowne: and this was the Sepulchre of Dauid the King of Israel, * 1.37 on whose left hand was the Sepulchre of Salomon, with the like gorgeous adorning, and many other, of the other Kings of Iuda of the Family of Dauid, who had beene buried there: and there were Chests locked vp, but what they contayned, is yet to men vnknowne. But, when those men determined to enter into the Palace, being strucken with the blast of a whirle-wind, they fell downe dead vpon the Earth out of the mouth of the Caue. And they lay in the same place vntill the euening: when being raised againe with another blast, they heard a voice like vnto the voice of a man, saying vnto them: Arise, and goe forth of this place. Wherevpon be∣ing [ 20] much moued and stricken with an exceeding great feare, they went forth trembling, and re∣ported the whole matter to the Patriarch, which, calling vnto Abraham sirnamed Pius, a Con∣stantinopolitan * 1.38 Pharisay liuing at Hierusalem, he caused to be declared by the same two men, who being demanded what he thought, he said, that it was the place of the Sepulchres of the house of Dauid, appointed for the Kings of Iuda. But, the next day after, both those men lying in their beds, were found grieuously sicke at home through feare, who said, that they would neuer, vpon any conditions, enter in thither againe, affirming, that it was vtterly vnlawfull for any man to desire to goe thether, where God forbade him. Wherefore, by the commandement of the Patriarch, the place was shut vp, and concealed from the eyes of men vntill this day, by [ 30] the labour of men: but Abrabam Pius, of whom I haue spoken, declared the whole matter vn∣to mee.

Bethlehem Iuda is two leagues distant from thence, next vnto which, within halfe a mile, al∣most, * 1.39 there is the Sepulchre of Rachel, in a place where two wayes meete: and the Graue is made with twelue stones, according to the number of the Sonnes of Iacob; and ouer the Tombe there is an Arch supported by foure Pillars. Moreouer, the stones of the Tombe are ingrauen w••th many diuers names of the Iewes passing by that way. But, in Bethlehem there are twelue Iewes, Dyers of Wools. The Fiel••s of the Towne haue Riuers of waters, Welles and Foun∣taynes.

Trauelling sixe leagues from hence, I came to Hebron, seated in a Plaine: for Hebron the an∣cient * 1.40 [ 40] Metropolitan Citie stood vpon an hill, but it is now desolate. But in the Valley there is a field, wherein there is a duplicitie, that is, as it were two little Valleyes, and there the Citie is placed, and there is an huge Temple there, called Saint Abraham: and that place was the Sy∣nagogue * 1.41 of the Iewes, at what time the Countrey was possessed by the Ismaclites. But, the Gen∣tiles, who afterward obtayned, and held the same, built sixe Sepulchres in the Temple by the names of Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Rebecca, Iacob, & Lia. And the Inhabitants now tel the Pilgrims, that they are the Monuments of the Patriarkes: and great summes of money are offered there. But surely to any Iew comming thither, and offering the Porters a reward, the Caue is shewed with the Iron Gate opened, which from Antiquitie, remayneth yet there. And a man goeth downe with a Lampe light into the first Caue, where nothing is found, nor also in the second, vntill he enter into the third, in the which there are the sixe Monuments of Abraham, Isaac, [ 50] and Iaacob, Sara, Rebecca, and Lia; the one right ouer against the other: and each of them are ingrauen with Characters, and distinguished by the names of euery one of them, after this man∣ner, Sepulchrum Abraham patris nostri, super quem pax sit, and so the rest, after he same example. And a Lampe perpetually burneth in the Caue, day and night, the Officers of the Temple conti∣nually ministring Oyle for the maintenance thereof. Also in the selfe-same Caue, there are tuns full of the bones of the ancient Israelites, brought thither by the Families of Israel, which euen vntill this day, remayne in that selfe-same place. But in the very field of Duplicitie, the Monu∣ments of the ancient house of our Father Abraham, are yet extant and to be seene, and a Foun∣tayn * 1.42 springeth out before it, and no man may build an house there, for the reuerence of Abraham. [ 60]

Beth-Gebarin is two leagues distant from thence, which was sometimes called Maressa, where there were only three Iewes. Fiue leagues Iourney from hence I came to Torondolos Ga∣braleris, which was sometimes called Sunam, where are three hundred Iewes. Three leagues from thence, is Saint Samuel of Silo, to wit, a Towne in time past called Siloh, two leagues di∣stant

from Hierusalem, where there is a great Temple, and therein the Sepulchre of the Prophet Samuel, translated by the Christians from Ramath, which is Rama, after that the Ismaelites were * 1.43 expelled thence, and the Towne taken, where before the bodie of Samuel was preserued, buried in the Synagogue of the Iewes. And now, as I haue said, there is a goodly and great Temple in Silo, named by them S. Samuel of Silo: and it remayneth euen vntill this day.

Departing from thence, and hauing trauelled three leagues towards the Mountayne Moria, I came to Pesipua, which is Gibgha, the Countrey of Saul, otherwise called Gibgha of Be〈…〉〈…〉amin, where are no Iewes. Beth-Nobi is three leagues distant from hence, the same beeing also called Nob, a Citie belonging to the Priests, where were two Iewes, Dyers, and in the middle of that way, are those two Rockes, famous through the memory of Ionathan, whereof the one is named [ 10] Bolsen, and the other Sina. Departing from thence, after three leagues I came to Ramas, which, in time past, was Harama; part of the walls and buildings whereof remayneth, euen from anci∣ent times, and it is confirmed by the Inscriptions of stones yet continuing, and the markes, ruines, and situation are shewed, of a very great Citie, sometimes, where now there are only three Iewes. And there is yet seene a field of the Israelites, two miles long, furnished with many Sepulchres of the Israelites. Fiue leagues from hence standeth Gapha, in time past Iapho, called * 1.44 Iope by others, seated on the Sea; where there is only one Iew, and he, a Dyer of Wooll. From hence, I trauelled th〈…〉〈…〉e leagues to Ebalin, it is the same Citie which was sometimes called Iebna, wherein the site of an ancient Schoole is yet seene, and there is no Iew there. And this is the furthest bound of the Tribe of Ephraim. From whence, hauing passed three leagues, I went to [ 20] Palmis, sometimes called Asdod or Asotus, in time past, the most famous Citie of the Palaestines, * 1.45 but now destroyed: and in it there is no Iew. From whence Ascalon is two leagues distant. This is Ascalon surnamed the new, built by Esdra the Priest, vpon the Sea shoare, which in the beginning, was called Benibera. This is foure leagues distant from the ancient Ascalon of the Palaestines, long since w••sted. But, this new one is a very great and goodly Citie frequented by many men resorting thither from all places for the cause of their Affaires, for that it is seated in part of the bounds of Egypt. And in it there are almost two hundred learned Iewes, among whom Tsa••ahh, and Aharon, and Salomo, haue the preeminence. There are also about fortie of those Students, who are called Literall, that is, conuersant in the simple meaning of the sacred Books, * 1.46 and about three hundred Cuthaei, or followers of the Doctrine of the Samaritanes. And in the [ 30] middle of the Citie there is a Well, which in the Language of the Ismaelites, the Inhabitants call Bir Abraham Alchelil, that is to say, the Well of Great Abraham, opened by Abraham in the dayes of the Palaestines. From hence I passed to Seguras, the ancient name whereof was * 1.47 Lud, from whence in one dayes Iourney and an halfe, I came to Zarezin, which is Iesreghel, where there is a certayne great Church: and there is only, one Iew there, a Dyer of Woolles. Foure leagues from hence is Sipuria, sometimes called Tsipori, where are the Sepulchres of that great Master called Hakados, and Hhaijah, who came vp out of Babylon, and of Ionas, the Sonne of Amithay the Prophet, who are buried in the Mountayne: and beside these, there are also many other ancient Sepulchers. Three leagues from hence, is Tiberia, neere vnto Iordan at the Lake, called the Sea of Kin••reth, or Genezareth, into the which Iordan floweth, and runneth out [ 40] towards the Salt Sea into the Land of the Plaine: and this place is called Asdoth-hapisga, and go∣ing forth from thence, it falleth into the Sea of Sodom, which is called the Sea of Salt. But, at Tiberia, there are almost fiftie Iewes: and the chiefe among these, are Abraham the Seer, and Muchthar, and Is••ac. And in that place there are hot waters springing out of the ground, which they call the Bathes of Tiberia; and the Synagogue of Caleb the Sonne of Iephune is there, not farre from the Bathes. There are also very many Sepulchres of the Israelites there, and the most * 1.48 famous, those especially of Iohn the Sonne of Zachai, and of Ionathan the Sonne of Leui: all these are in the lower Galiley. From hence, in two dayes Iourney I came to Timin, which in time * 1.49 past was called Tamnatha, famous for the Sepulchre of Samuel the Iust, which is yet to be seene, furnished also with other Sepulchers of the Israelites. From thence, after one whole dayes Iour∣ney, standeth Ghasth, sometimes called Gus Hhaleb, where there are about twentie Iewes. Tra∣uelling [ 50] sixe leagues from hence, I went to Maran, the ancient name whereof was Maron. In it are the Sepulchers of Hilel and Samai in a Caue, with twentie Sepulchers of both their Disci∣ples, and other Monuments also, as of Beniamin the Sonne of Iephat, and Iehuda the Sonne of Bathira. Sixe leagues from thence is Galmah famous for the great buildings of the Sepulchers of the Israelites, where there are fiftie Iewes. Kadis is halfe a dayes Iourney distant from hence, cal∣led also Kades Nephthalim, vpon the banke of Iordan, where are the Sepulchers of the Ancient, of Eliezer the Sonne of Gharoch, and Eliezer the Sonne of Azarias, and Hunus surnamed Rotun∣dus, and Rasbac, and Iose of Galiley. And the Monument of Barak the Sonne of A〈…〉〈…〉ogham, is yet remayning there. Departing from this place one whole dayes Iourney, I came to Balijuus in [ 60] time past called Dan, nigh vnto which there is a Caue whence Iordan issueth, which hauing run three miles, receiueth the waters of Arnon, comming out of the borders of Moab. Before the Caue it selfe, the markes of the Altar or Statue appeared, which one Micheas dedicated, adored by the children of Dan in those dayes; not farre also from thence, the place of the Altar is

seene, erected by Ieroboam the Sonne of Nabat, whereon that Golden Calfe was dedicated. And hitherto the bound of Israel extendeth on the side of the furthest Sea. From whence I made two dayes iourney to the Citie of Damascus, the beginning of the Kingdom of Noraldinus, King of the children of Thogarma, who are commonly called Turkes. The Citie it selfe is exceeding * 1.50 great and very faire, compassed with walls, but the whole Countrey is wonderfully beautified with Gardens and Paradises, contayning fifteene miles on euery side. There is no Citie, elsewhere, in all the fruitfull Countrey, seene like vnto this: which the two Riuers, Am∣na and Pharphar, falling downe from the Mountayne Hermon doe inrich. For the Citie stan∣deth vnder the M••untayne Hermon. The Riuer Amna runneth into the Citie it selfe the waters whereof are conueyed through Pipes, into all the houses of the Nobilitie, and also [ 10] into the Market places and streets. And the Countrey it selfe is much frequented through the Affaires of all Countries. But Pharphar running by the Citie it selfe, doth water all the Gar∣dens and pleasant places. And there is a Synagogue of the Ismaelites in the Citie, which they call Gumagh Dumes{que} that is, the * 1.51 Mosche of Damascus, the like building whereof is no where seene in the World: and the Inhabitents say, that it was the Princely Palace of Ben-Hadad. And there is a wall of Glasse built by the workmanship of the Magicians, distinguished with holes equall in number with the dayes of the Sun, so that euery day the Sun entring in at euery hole goeth thorow the twelue degrees fitted to the houres of the day, and so sheweth the time of the yeare and day. But within the Palace it selfe there are houses or little Bathes made of Gold and Siluer, wherein there is a Throne of the same matter, like vnto a great Vessell, so that [ 20] it may receiue three men bathing together. Within the Palace I saw the rib of a man hanging, of one of the Enakims, which was nine Spanish handfuls long, and two handfuls broad: and it is re∣ported, * 1.52 that he descended from the most ancient Kings of Enak, named Abchamaz, as by the ingrauen stone of his Sepulchre is declared; whereon it is also written that he raigned ouer the whole World. But at Damascus there are about three thousand Israelites, among whom there are the Disciples of wisemen, and such as are rich. And the Head m 1.53 of the Assembly of the Land of Israel dwelleth there, whose name is Esdra, and his Brother Sar Salom the chiefe Iudge, and Ioseph the fift of the Assembly, and Ma••sliahh the head of the order of the Readers, and Mair the Crowne and glory of the wise men, and Sadik the Physician. There are also, almost, two hundred of the Literall Expositors, but of the Cuthaei, almost foure hundred: among all whom [ 30] there is great concord and peace, yet notwithstanding, these diuers Factions inter-marrie not each with other.

Departing from Damascus, in one whole dayes iourney I went to Galgad, which was some∣times called, Gilead, a large Countrey, flowing with Riuers and Fountaines of water, repleni∣shed with Gardens and Orchards, in the which there are about threescore Israelites. Halfe a dayes iourney from hence standeth Salcatha, which Citie was sometime called, Saleca. From whence the other Baghal-Beik is halfe a dayes iourney distant, the ancient name whereof was Baghala, seated in the Valley vnder Libanus, built by Salomon, for the sake and vse of Pharaos Daughter. And part of the building of the Palace yet remayneth, the stones whereof are iust twentie Spanish handfuls in length, and twelue in bredth, among which there is not one at [ 40] all, that is not worne: and it is commonly reported, that that building was not made by the hand of man, but of * 1.54 Asmodey. And in the very entrance of the Citie, a great Fountaine bur∣steth forth, and runneth through the middest of the Citie. There is also Thadmur seated in the Desart, built likewise by the commandement of Salomon, after the same manner of building and greatnesse of the stones: and it is compassed with a wall, solitary, as I said, and remoued from other Habitation, and some dayes iourney distant from Baghala. But, in this Citie Thadmur, there are foure thousand Iewes, valiant, and ready and prepared for the battel: who make warre with the Children of Edom, and with the Children of Garab, or the Arabians, commonly cal∣led, subiect vnto the Kingdome of Noraldinus: and they helpe the bordering Ismaelites. Among these, Isaac, surnamed Graecus, and Nathan, and Uziel, haue the pre-eminence. Halfe a dayes [ 50] * 1.55 iourney from thence I came to Kiriathin, called Kiriathaim in time past, in the which there are no Iewes, except one Dyer of woolls. From whence departing one whole dayes iourney, I en∣tred into Hamath, retayning the ancient name, seated vnder the Mountaine Libanus, nigh vnto the Riuer Iabok. But, in those dayes it hapned, that the Citie being shaken with a great Earth∣quake, aboue fifteene thousand men perished in one day: and no more then seuentie men were remayning aliue, the chiefe is, Ghola the Priest, and old Father Galeb, and Muchtar. Siha is halfe a dayes iourney distant from hence, sometimes called, Hhatsor: from the which, Lamdin is no further remoued then three leagues. In two dayes iourney from thence I went to Hhaleb, the ancient name of which Citie and Countrey was Aram Tsoba: and it is the Princely seat of King Noraldinus, within the which there is a very great Palace, compassed with a wall, and [ 60] there is no Fountaine, Well, or Riuer in the whole Citie: but they drinke raine-water gathe∣red in Cisternes, which in the Ismaelitish Language they call, Algub. There are about one thou∣sand fiue hundred Israelites here, whose Heads are, Moses the Constantinopolitan, and Israel, and Seth. But trauelling two dayes iourney from hence, I came to Baalits, in time past Pethoran, and

nigh vnto the Riuer Euphrates, where euen vntill this day, the Tower of Balaam the sonne of Beghor, remayneth (let the name of the wicked be abolished) built according to the number * 1.56 of the houres of the day: and in that Citie there are few Iewes. From thence, it is halfe a dayes iourney to Kelagh Geber, which the Ancients called, Selagh Midbera, the Latines, Petra Deserti. * 1.57 The Arabians onely retayned this, after they fled into the Desarts, being violently expulsed by the Turkes, from their habitations and Cities. But here there are almost two thousand Iewes, and the chiefe of these, Sedekias, Hhaija, and Salomo.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doroston.
• * 1.2

  Galipolis.
• * 1.3

  Calas.
• * 1.4

  Mityle.
• * 1.5

  Hicha. Mastick.
• * 1.6

  Ismos.
• * 1.7

  Rhodus.
• * 1.8

  Dophros.
• * 1.9

  Perhaps these were Car∣raim, or Scrip∣ture Iewes, ha∣ted for hating Traditions. Corkos, the be∣ginning of the Land of Edom. The Dominion of Armenia. Malmistras, in times past cal∣led Tharsis. Antiochia in the Valley Iaboq.
• * 1.10

  Liga, somtimes Laodicea. Gebal. Baghalgad.
• * 1.11

  Old man of the Assisines. See sup. l. 8. c. 3. 4. Karmos.
• * 1.12

  Franci. Tripolis.
• * 1.13

  Gebal.
• * 1.14

  Ginotin.
• * 1.15

  Beritus. Beero〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.16

  Sidon.
• * 1.17

  Dogzijn, or Drusians.
• * 1.18

  The Moun∣tayne Hermon.
• * 1.19

  Paling••••esia.
• * 1.20

  New Tyrus.
• * 1.21

  Farmers of the customes.
• * 1.22

  The Talmud or Traditions.
• * 1.23

  Tyrian Glasse. Sugar. The ruines of old Tyrus.
• * 1.24

  Akadi. Ghaco. Asser. The Land of Israel. The Riuer Ca∣dumin. Niphas. Gad.
• * 1.25

  Elias. Achab.
• * 1.26

  The Riuer Chison. Chaphar-Nahun. Caesarea. Siseria. Gad. Cuthai. Samaritanes. Caesar. Cacos. Ceila. Keghila. Sargoreg. Luz. Sebaste. Samaria.
• * 1.27

  Nebilus. Sichem. Ephraim. Gerizim. Ebal.
• * 1.28

  Aharonites.
• * 1.29

  The Sepulcher of Ioseph.
• * 1.30

  The Mountain Garazim. The Mountain Ghebal. Gilboagh, Gilboe. The Valley of Aialon. The Valley of the Moone. Garaan Dauid. Gibgon, Gabaon. Hierusalem. Iacobites, Arme∣nians Grecians, Georgians, and Franckes, inha∣biting Hierusa∣lem.
• * 1.31

  Hospitalers of the military Order of Saint Iohns, and of the Dutch Or∣der of Saint Marie, sup. l. 8. c. 6. §. 5. Salomons Hos∣pitall, or the Templers.
• * 1.32

  The Sepulchre of Iesus.
• * 1.33

  Or the gate of Abraham.
• * 1.34

  The Temple of the Lord.
• * 1.35

  Ghemar Ben Al∣chetab. No Image in the Temple. The Gate of Mercy.
• * 1.36

  The Pillar of Absalon. The Sepulchre of King Vzia. The Fountaine of Siloahh. The Mountain of Oliues. The Sodomiti∣call Sea. The Pillar of Salt, into the which the wise of Lot was tur∣ned. The Riuer Si∣tim. The Mountain Nebo. The Mount Sion.
• * 1.37

  The Sepulcher of Dauid and Salomon.
• * 1.38

  Iewish Fable or pia fr••us of A∣braham Pius.
• * 1.39

  Bethlehem. The Sepulcher of Rachel.
• * 1.40

  Hebron.
• * 1.41

  The Temple 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Saint Abra∣ham.
• * 1.42

  Abrahams house. Beth-Gebarin. Maressa. Torondolos Ga∣braleris, Sunam. Silo.
• * 1.43

  Ramath. Rama. Silo. The Temple of Samuel. Moria. Pesipua. Gibgha of Saul, or Beniamin. Beth-Nobi. Nob. Ionathan. Bas••en. Sina. Ramas. Har〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.44

  Gapha. Iapho. Iope. Ebalin. Iebna.
• * 1.45

  Palmis. Asdod. Asotus. Benibera.
• * 1.46

  Karai•• Iewes, admitting the Scripture, not Traditions.
• * 1.47

  Seguras. Lud. Zarezin. Iesreghel. S••puria. Tsipori. Hakados. Hhaijah. Ionas. Tiberia. Iordan. The Sea of Ki∣nereth, or Gene∣zareth. Asdoth-hapisga••
• * 1.48

  Bathes.
• * 1.49

  Iohn. Ionathan. Timin. Tamnatha. Ghasth. Gus Hha••eb. Maran. Ma••••••. Hil••l. Samai. Galmah. Kadis. Kades 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Barak. Ba••ijuus. Dan. The head of Io••dan. Arnon.
• * 1.50

  Damascus, Noradinus. Of him see before, l. 8. c. 3. Amna. Pharphar. Hermon.
• * 1.51

  Mahumetan Church of Da∣mascus. Bone of a Giant.
• * 1.52

  Enak.
• m 1.53

  Head of the Synagogues, as that Iames which was by King Iohns Charter Pres∣byter of all the Iewes in Eng∣land. Karaim. Galgad. Gilead. Salcatha. Saleca. Baghal-Beik.
• * 1.54

  That is, of a certain Deuil, to whom too many, things are ascribed by Superstition. Thadmur.
• * 1.55

  Kiriathin. Kiriathaim. Hamath. The Riuer Iabok. Great Earth∣quakes, of which see l. 8. c. 2. & 3. Siha. Hha••s••r. Lamdin. Hhaleb, happi∣ly Aleppo. Aram Tsoba. Algub. Baalit.
• * 1.56

  Balaam.
• * 1.57

  Kelagh Gebar. Selagh Midbera. Petra Deserti. The Arabians.