in Syria, Phoenice ^c. ^77 



As far as I could learn, the 7)rufes and the Surees differ very ^r^^ «?//?,>« 

 little in their Religion, which is a mixture of the Chri/iian^"d'oi^ki^ 

 and Mahometan, the Gofpels and the Koran being equally re- 

 ceived as Books of Divine Authority and Infpiration. For to 

 omit, what is commonly reported, of their being circum- 

 cifed , worfliipping the rifing and fetting Sun , inter-marrying 

 with their neareft Relations, and making their Children pafs 

 through the Fire, (as fome of theEaftern Nations did former- 

 ly to A/(9/(?<:/j;) we maybe convinced, I prefume, from their 

 indulging themfclves in Wine and Swine's Flefh, that they are 

 not Mahometans ; at the fame Time , the Names, they are 

 known by, oiHanna, Tonfeph, Mer'iam &c. (i. e. John, J^fiph, 

 Mary &c.) will not be fufficient Arguments in Favour of their 

 being Chriflians. 



CHAP. IV. 



PhyficalOhfervations &c. or anEJfay towards the Natural 

 Hi/lory ^/Arabia Petrsea. 



IF we leave Egypt upon the risjht Hand, and purfue thefe'^' ^'""^ 'f 

 Oblervations direttly forwards mto the Land of Edom/'f'^'"' ^'''- 

 we (liall be prefented with a Variety of quite different Profpects/H-L^'^-'^ 

 from thofe we have met with in the Land of Canaan. For 

 we are not here to be entertained with any Taflures cloathed 

 nv'ith Flochs, or Valleys /landing thick with Corn ; here are 

 no Vineyards, or Olive Yards; but the whole is a lonefome, 

 defolate Wildernefs, no other wife diverfified than by Plains 

 that are covered with Sand, and Mountains that are made up 

 of naked Rocks and Precipices. Neither is this Country, ever, 

 unlefs fometimes at the Equinoxes, refrelhed with Rain ; but 

 the few hardy Vegetables, which it produceth, are Hunted 

 by a perpetual Drought ; and the Nourifliment which is con- 

 tributed to them, by the Dews, in the Night, is fufficiently 

 impaired, by the powerful Heat of the Sun, in the Day. The 

 Intenfenefs of the Cold and Heat at thefe refpeftive Times, 

 very emphatically Accounts for the Provifion of Providence in 

 fpreading out for the Ifraelites, a Cloud to he a Covering hy Day, 

 andFire to give Light (and Heat) in the Night Seafon, Pf 107.3 9. 



Ccccc But 



