2 3 © TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



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

 "was 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 

 firft was by the fea-coaft by Gaza, Aikelon, 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, neareft the mountains, was full of cattle 

 and Shepherds, as rich a country, and more powerful tham 

 the cities themfelves. 



This narrow valley, between the mountains and the fea, 

 ran all along the eaftern fhore of the Mediterranean, from 

 Gaza northward, comprehending the low part of Paleftine 

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

 palTed, 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, and 

 undoubtedly have occafioned fome revolution; and as they 

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

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

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

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



'2 is, 



* Gen. chap- xiii. ver, 1 7th. 



