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mais (c), one of the most confiderable cities of Upper Galilee, ftanding upon a gulph of the Mediterranean sea. This city was partly inhabited by heathens, who were very troublesome to the Galileans (d). St. Paul went through it in his journey from Ephesus to Jerufalem, and abode one day with the Chriftians that were there (e). On the east and north of Upper Galilee, were Bacca, Cades, and Dan, which are the frontier towns.

Before we leave Galilee, it will be very proper to give an account of the character of the Galileans. Jofephus (f) defcribes Galilee as a very fruitful and populous country; and reprefents the inhabitants as an induftrious and laborious fort of people, and of fo warlike a difpofition, that though they were furrounded by heathens, who continually haraffed them, yet they were always able to make head against them. Notwithstanding which, it appears from feveral places in the gospel, that the Jews had but a very mean opinion of the Galileans. It was out of contempt they called Jefus a Galilean, as did Julian the Apoftate (g), who gave the Chriftians alfo the fame name. As it was a commonly received opinion among the Jews, that the Meffiah fhould be born at Bethlehem, as the scribes told Herod (b); and Chrift being born there, they affected to call him a Galilean, because his mother belonged to Galilee, defigning by this means infenfibly to wear out the remembrance of his being born at Bethlehem. This at least we find Origen charging them with (i). It was with an intent to render St. Peter odious, that they faid he was a Galilean (k). They caft the fame reflection upon Nicodemus, adding, that out of Galilee never came a prophet (1). Jefus Chrift feems to give the Jews an indirect reproof for this averfion, when he asks them, whether thofe Galileans, whofe blood Pilate had mixed with their facrifices, were greater finners than themselves (m). There was a faying current among the Jews, which plainly enough difcovered their hatred to the Galileans. And that is, that when the Meffiah comes, Galilee will be deftroyed, and the Galileans fhall wander from city to city, without meeting with pity or compaflion. From whence a learned commentator (n) hath very ingenioufly obferved, that when the perfon poffeffed with the devil at Capernaum afked Jefus Chrift, you come to destroy us?" he meant the Galileans, and not the devils.

Are

Several very probable reasons may be affigned for this averfion which the Jews had for the Galileans. 1. It is undeniably certain, that the Jews afcribed a greater degree of holiness to Judea, than to the other parts of the Holy Land, because Jerufalemn and the temple ftood therein.

(e) A&ts xxi. 7.

(c) Formerly called Acco, Judg. i. 31. now Acra.
(d) Jofeph. de Bell. Jud. 1. ii. c. 9, 20.
(f) Jofeph. de Bell. Jud. I. iii. c. 2.
(g) Socrat. Hift. Eccl. I. iii. 12.
(i) Origen contra Celf. p. 39, 40.
(*) Matth. xxvi. 73. Luke xxii. 59.

2. We have

(b) Matt. ii. 5. John vii. 42.

(4) John vii. 52. This was a great falfhood, as we have obferved in our

note on that place.

(m) Luke xiii. 2.

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have already obferved, that Galilee was inhabited by thofe parts of the ten tribes that remained in the land, when the reft were carried away captive, or returned thither from the place of their captivity (o). Now the Jews, properly fo called, fet a vaft difference between themselves and the ten tribes. 3. The uncouth language of the Galileans made the Jews flight and defpife them. It is well known how the wrong pronunciation of the word Shibboleth betrayed the inhabitants of Ephraim (p); and that St. Peter was known to be a Galilean by his fpeech (g). We have this maxim in the Thalmud, that because the Jews fpeak their own language well, therefore the law was confirmed to them; whereas it never was fo to the Galileans, because they speak ill. 4. The Galileans being mixt with the Gentiles, was a very great cause of this averfion. They were not only in a manner furrounded with them, having for their neighbours the Phoenicians, and Syrians, but they alfo jointly inhabited feveral cities in Upper Galilee, and other places, as Scythopolis (r), &c. It is true that there were Gentiles in fome cities of Judea, but that was only in fea-port towns, at a confiderable distance from Jerufalem, and the reft of Judea, as Azotus, Gaza, Jamnia, where Philo fays ()," that the Heathens were very troublefome to the Jews. Let us now return to the north of Upper Galilee, where lay Tyre. Phoenicia (t), and Syria. In Phoenicia there are two remarkable cities on the fea coaft, namely, Tyre and Sidon. The former (z), which is built on an island of the fame name, is a place of great antiquity, and famous upon feveral accounts, as its vaft trade (x), the nations and colonies it tranfplanted into feveral parts of the world (*), as Carthage, &c. and the wars which it was engaged in against Nebuchadnezzar, who befieged it for thirteen years together (p), and againft Alexander the Great, who spent seven months in taking it (z). The prophets draw almoft the fame character of this city (a), as St. John doth of the myftical Babylon in the Revelations (b), and denounce almoft the fame judg ments against both of them. Ezekiel in particular (c) foretold that Tyre fhould be built no more. It was, notwithstanding, in all its glory in the time of Alexander the Great, who took it about 300 years after Nebuchadnezzar. It was ftill in great repute in our Saviour's time; he frequently mentions it (d), he preached in the neighbouring parts, and

there

(0) See this proved by Lightfoot in Chron. Nov. Tef. Tom. 2. p. 14. and Gafp. Abel. Monarch. Ifiael. p. 294, 295.

(p) Judg. xii. 6.

(4) Luke xxii. 59.

(r) Jofeph. de Bell. Jud. 1. ii. c. 19. (s) Philo Legat. ad Caium. (4) Called otherwife Syro-Phoenicia, because it bordered upon Syria, to dif tinguish it from Paleftine, properly fo called, which fometimes went by the name of Phoenicia.

(u) Tyre was formerly called Tzor.

(x) Ezek. xxvi. xxvii.

(y) Jofeph. Antiq. I. x. c. 11.

Jofh. xix. 29.

(*) Plin. Hift. Nat. v. 19.

(z) Q. Cur. 1. iv. c. 4. Arian. de Exped. Alexand. 1. ii.

(a) Iiai. xxiii. Ezek. xxvi. xxvii.

(c) Ezek. xxvi. 14.

(b) Revel. xviii.

(d) Matth. xi. 21. xv. 21. Mark iii. S. Luke vi, 17.

there he healed the daughter of a Canaanitifh woman. We find that the Tyrians made a confiderable figure in the reign of Herod Agrippa, who defigned to go and wage war with them, had they not made their peace with him by their deputies (e). There were Chriftians at Tyre, when St. Paul travelled through that place (f). It was a bishop's fee in the fecond century. St. Jerom tells us (g), that in his time it was the most famous, and most beautiful city of Phoenicia, and a mart for all the nations of the world. That antient father alledges this, as an objection against the fulfilling of the prophecy of Ezekiel (b), and folves it, by faying that the prophet's meaning is only this, That Tyre fhould no longer be the queen of nations, and enjoy the fame authority and dominion it had under Hiram, and its other kings, but fhould be fubject to the Chaldeans, Macedonians, Ptolemies, and at laft to the Romans. Others fuppofe, that the prophet doth not there fpeak of the ruin of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar, and Alexander the Great, but of its final deftruction, whereof the others were only fo many fore-runners. And indeed Tyre is now only a poor village inhabited by a few fishermen. So that the prophecy is fulfilled, which declared, "That it fhould be a place for fifhers to dry their nets on (i)." Ezekiel may also be explained by the prophet Ifaiah (k), who limits the deftruction of Jerufalem to 70 years. But, without having recourfe to explanations, that may feem to be farfetched; it is much more proper, with fome learned authors (*), to interpret this prophecy concerning Old Tyre (7), which stood a little lower on the continent. This laft was indeed deftroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, and never built again. The inhabitants finding themselves upon the very brink of deftruction, took fhip with their wives and children, carrying along with them their moft valuable, goods, and came to the island of Tyre, where they built a city of the fame name; fo that Nebuchadnezzar, according to the prophecy (m), got nothing by his expedition. It is fomewhat strange that St. Jerom (2), who hath recorded this particular, doth not make ufe of it to answer the objection he brings. We learn from Jofephus (0), that there were Jews at Tyre, who underwent very great hardships from the Tyrians. This city was formerly the metropolitan fee for the province of Phoenicia.

Among the chief cities of Phoenicia, we must not forget to rank Tripoli, which was alio a fea-port town, and a bishop's fee. It is fill in being, and in the hands of the Turks. There are fome Chriftians in it belonging to the Greek church (†).

Above

(e) Acts xii. 20.

(g) Hieron. in Ezek. xxvi. xxvii.

(4) Id. ibid.

(ƒ) Acts xxi. 4.

(b) See Ezek. xxvi. 14.

(k) Ifai. xxiii. 15.

(*) Sir J. Marfham, Sæc. xvii. Le Clerc, Comp. Hift.

(7) i. e. Paletyrus. Alexander the Great ufed the best part of the materials of this city in making the ifthmus, which now joins Tyle to the continent, See Q. Curt. 1. iv. c. 2.

(m) Ezek. xxix. 18.

(e) Jofeph. de Bel!. Jud. 1. ii. c. 20.

(2) Hier. in Ezek. xxix.

(+) See the defcription of Tripoli, and mount Libanus, in Dandini's Voyage du Mont Liban.

Above Tyre on the fea-coast, stands Sidon (II), named the Great in Jofhua (p). This city, which is of a longer standing than Tyre, had been affigned to the tribe of Afher, but they could not drive out the Sidonians from thence (q). Jofephus, who places it within the dominions of the Phoenicians, tells us, that the inhabitants fhook off their government, and fubmitted to Shalmenefer. Sidon is but occafionally mentioned in the New Testament, and that is when St. Luke tells us that Julius the centurion gave St. Paul leave to go there and fee his friends (r). It was a bishop's fee.

Between Tyre and Sidon lies Sarepta, a little town, remarkable upon account of the miracles performed there by almighty God for the fake of Elijah, and a widow woman belonging to that place (s). We learn from the Itinerary of Antonius the martyr, who is fuppofed to have lived in the fourth century, that there were Chriftians in his time at Sarepta, and that they pretended to fhew there Elijah's chamber, and the widow's crufe. Another traveller (t) tells us, that they had built a church in the place where that miracle was done.

On the east of Sidon stands mount Libanus (u), fo famous for its fine cedars, and Anti-libanus, another mountain over against it, as you go towards Damafcus. Between these two mountains lies a large valley, of a confiderable length, where Cola-Syria is commonly placed. They reckon several cities in this part of Syria, as Abila, from whence the province Abilene, which was bestowed by Agrippa upon Lyfanius (x), feems to have taken its name.

Syria. of

Several countries of Afia went under the name of Syria, as Palestine for inftance, and Mefopotamia, which is called Syria Rivers, because it is between the Tigris and Euphrates. But by Syria here we understand, that which lies on the north-east of Upper Galilee, and is called in scripture Syria of Damafcus (y). David made himself master of this province, and annexed it to the land of Ifrael (z). It was taken from Solomon by the Syrians of Zoba (a). Benhadad was king of Syria in the time of Elifha (b). This country fell afterwards into the hands of the Affyrians, from whom Alexander the Great took it. After the death of this monarch, his dominions being divided among his chief officers, this province fell to Seleucus's fhare, and was for a confiderable time enjoyed by his defcendants, who from him were called Seleucides. It was at laft conquered by Pompey, and thenceforward verned by Roman presidents, on whom the procurators of Judea did depend.

The chief city of Syria is Damafcus, more remarkable for

Damafcus. St. Paul's converfion that happened near it (c), than for any

thing

(I) It took its name from Sidon, the eldeft of the fons of Canaan. Gen. x. 15. (p) Jof. xix. 28. (4) Jofeph. Antiq. I. v. 1. and ix, 11. () 1 Kings xvii. 9.

(r) Acts xxvii. 3.

(1) Phoc. Defcript. Loc. Sanct.

(z) Libanus is derived from a Hebrew word fignifying white, because this mountain is covered with fnow. Jerem. xviii. 14.

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(x) 2 Sam. x.
(e) Acts ix. 3, etc.

thing elfe that could be faid in its commendation. It appears from Genefis (d) that it is a place of very great antiquity, fince we read that Abraham pursued as far as that city, thofe kings which had taken his nephew Lot prifoner. Damafcus is frequently mentioned in fcripture under different ideas, fometimes as a noble and magnificent city, and at other times as a place full of pride, violence and idolatry. It was heretofore an epifcopal feat, and the bishop thereof fuffragan to the patriarch of Antioch.

It remains now that we fhould fay a word or two concerning that part of Paleftine which lies on the other fide Jordan, beginning at the north. The moft confiderable city on that fide, at the upper end of the lake, is Cæfarea-Philippi, so called, because Philip the Tetrarch repaired, and beautified it with feveral ftately buildings in honour of Tiberias Cæfar (*). It was before named Panæas, because fituated near mount Panium. Jefus Chrift often preached near this city; but it is no where faid that he ever was in it. And therefore what is related concerning a statue of our Saviour's being fet up in that city, in remembrance of his curing a woman there, that had been troubled with an iffue of blood for twelve years (e), is all a fable. The miracle might indeed have been performed near the city, but it doth not appear that it was done therein. However it be, we are further told, that Julian beat down that statue, that the heathens put the Emperor's in its room, and that the Chriftians placed Jefus Chrift's in their own church. Cafarea Philippi is frequently mentioned in the gofpel hiftory. But the two Cæfareas lying near one another, it is no eafy matter to know which is meant, when we find Cæfarea mentioned without any distinguishing appellation.

Above Panæas, on the east of the lake, ftands another city of Julias. Gaulonitis, named Julias, built alfo by Philip the Tetrarch in honour of Julia, in the place of a village called Bethfaida (ƒ). We have spoken of it elsewhere.

One of the most confiderable places on the other fide Jordan is Decapolis, that is, the country or territory of ten cities. Decapolis. It is frequently mentioned in the gofpels (g), as well as in Jofephus, and other profane authors. But it is no eafy matter exactly to know which were thefe ten cities, because the learned are not agreed about it. It is even fuppofed that there were fome of them on this fide Jordan, as Scythopolis. We may fafely rank among the cities of Decapolis, Gadara (b), which was fituated on the other fide Jordan between Gau

lonitis

(d) Gen. xiv. 15. For an account of the prefent ftate of Damafcus, fee Mr. Maundrell's travels.

(*) Jofeph. Antiq. xviii. 3. Philip's dominions were Gaulonites, Ituræa, Trachonitis, Batanæa, and Peræa.

(e) Theophanes, who lived in the ninth century, relates this matter: but the truth of it may justly be queftioned, becaufe that author was a great fickler for image worship, and it is even fuppofed that he died a martyr for it.

(f) Jofeph. ubi fupra. (g) Matt. iv. 25. Mark v. 20. and vii. 31. (b) There was another Gadara near Azotus, on the weft of Judea.

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