s 3 o TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



the Shepherds; in oppofition to the reft of the land which 

 \va^ fown, after having been overflowed by the Nile. 



There were three ways by which the children of Ifrael, 

 flying from Pharaoh, could have entered Paleftine. The 

 fnil was by the fea-coafl by Gaza, Alkelon, and Joppa. This 

 was the plaineft and neareft way; and, therefore, fitteft for 

 people incumbered with kneading troughs, dough, cattle, 

 and children. The fea-coaft was full of rich commercial 

 cities, the mid-land was cultivated and fown with grain. 

 The eaftern part, neareit the mountains, was full of cattle 

 and fhepherds, as rich a country, and more powerful than 

 the cities themfelves. 



This narrow valley, between the mountains and the fea, 

 ran all along the eaflern fhore of the Mediterranean, from 

 Gaza northward, comprehending the low part of Paleitine 

 and Syria. Now, here a fmall number of men might have 

 paffed, under the laws of hofpitality ; nay, they did con- 

 stantly pafs, it being the high road between Egypt, and 

 Tyre, and Sidon. But the cafe was different with a multi- 

 tude, fuch as fix hundred thoufand men having their cattle 

 along with them. Thefe muft have occupied the whole 

 land of the Philiftines, deftroyed all private property, a: d 

 undoubtedly have occafioned fome revolution; and as they 

 were not now intended to be put in pofTeffion of the land 

 of promife, the meafure of the iniquity of the nations be- 

 ing not yet full, God turned them afkle from going that 

 way, though the neareft, leaft they "mould fee war*/' that 



2 is a 



* Gen. chap, xiii.ver. 17th. 



